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ARTICLE XXVII.
Parishes in Gloucester.—No. 1. Petsworth and Kingston.
Gloucester is recognised as a county in 1652, when it was represented
in the House of Burgesses by Colonel Hugh Gwinne and
Francis Willis. No change took place in it until 1790, when
Mathews county was cut off. The parishes in Gloucester in 1754
were Petsworth, Abingdon, Ware, and Kingston, the last being cut
off with Mathews in 1790. The Rev. Mr. Carraway, having hunted
up some mutilated copies of the vestry-books of Petsworth and
Kingston, has furnished the following summary of the contents of
the former:—"Petsworth exists only on paper: its church and
worshippers have alike ceased to be." The writer, feeling a common
interest with those who wish to gather up the history of the
Colonial times, proceeds to note some facts drawn from the old vestry-book.
This book contains, with a slight exception, the records
of the vestry-meetings from the year 1677 to 1793. When commenced
and closed, its torn condition permits us not to discover.
In 1677 there is an order for the completion and furnishing of a
church at Poplar Spring. At this date there is mention of a lower
church within the parish, which in the year 1695 is spoken of as the
"Old Church." It being then a ruin, it was determined not to rebuild
on its site, but to have only one place of worship, and that to
be kept in "thorough order and repair."
In 1684 we find the following entries:—"His Excellency the
Governor, having given to this Church one large Bible, one Book
of Common Prayer, one Book of Homilies, the Thirty-nine Articles,
and Book of Canons of the Church of England: it is ordered that
the clerk of the vestry enter the same in the register, to the end
His Lordship's so pious a gift may be gratefully remembered."
"Ordered, that the clerk enter into the register of this parish the
generous and pious gift of the Hon. Augustine Warner, deceased,
to this church,—viz.: one silver flagon, two silver bowls, and two
silver plates, which, though long since given, hath not yet been entered."
In 1723 an order was made for the building of a new
church at Poplar Spring,—the cost of said building, exclusive of
painting, &c., to be eleven hundred and ninety pounds Virginia
the ruthless hand of cupidity it might have stood for centuries. The
writer will never forget his feelings as he looked upon it when the
work of destruction and desecration was going on. There remained
enough then of its former condition and elegance to assure the beholder
that they who erected this temple entered into the meaning
of God's ancient prophet, who taught that sacred edifices should
exceed, in comfort and stability and magnificence, private abodes.
We gather from the records in the large expenditure for painting,
and in the way of furnishing and ornamenting, that no means were
spared to present a church of the finest taste and finish. Such it
doubtless was,—perhaps too gorgeous for our republican simplicity.
The writer has talked with persons who remembered this church.
One of them—the late Mrs. Page, of Shelly—had much to say of the
former glory of old Petsworth. She, in childhood, had been a worshipper
within its hallowed courts, and had united her voice in songs
of praise with the swelling notes of the organ. In confirmation of
the liberality of this congregation and the elegance of the church,
we make the following copies from the record:—At a vestry-meeting
in 1735, it is noted that "there were great subscriptions made by the
present vestry for an organ, to be purchased for the use of the church
at Petsworth; also, it was directed that seven hundred gold leaves
be ordered for the use of the painter. In 1751 the vestry ordered
Mr. Augustine Smith to send to England for `pulpit, and table-cloth,
and cushion;' the cloth to be of crimson velvet, with a gold fringe
and lace." A subsequent entry shows that the cost of the same was
one hundred and fifty-four pounds, sixteen shillings, sixpence, current
money. Much refinement and wealth were found in the numerous
families who worshipped within the venerable church. Among those
who were active in the duties of the parish may be mentioned the
name of Porteus. It appears on the record from the earliest date.
This is the family of Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London, who, it is
supposed, was a native of Gloucester. Also, Colonel John Washington,
and son Warner, and their ancestor, Augustine Warner.[91]
A LIST OF THE MINISTERS OF THE PARISH.
In 1677, Rev. Thomas Vicaris, who continued until his death in
1697, when the Rev. Joseph Holt was employed as a temporary
supply. In 1700, Rev. George Young was elected upon the nomination
of Governor Nicholson; he remained only a few months, when
the Rev. Emanuel Jones was chosen, who served until his death, in
the year 1739. Rev. John Read supplied the pulpit until the return
of Mr. Ford. In 1741, Robert Yates, a member of the congregation,
was sent to England for Orders. He continued the minister until his
death, in 1761. In 1762, Rev. James Horrox served in the place
of Mr. James Maury Fontaine, who had been sent to England for
Orders. In 1764, the Rev. James M. Fontaine was the minister
for a few months, and removed to Ware parish. The vestry then
elected one of their own body, Captain Charles Minn Thruston,
who went to England for Orders. In 1767, Rev. Charles M. Thruston;
he served until the year 1768, when he resigned. In 1768,
Rev. Arthur Hamilton: no mention of him after this year. 1776,
1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, supposed to be vacant. In 1782,
Rev. James Elliott. In 1791, Rev. James Fontaine was elected as
weekly lecturer; in 1792, Rev. Thomas Hughes. Mr. Hughes
was a member of the congregation, and ordained by Bishop
Madison.
We make the following significant extract from the vestry-book.
It has reference to one who had been the minister of the parish for
many years:—"Ordered, that Mr. Vicaris, the present minister,
continue in his charge and exercise his ministerial functions until
the next shipping, in hopes of his future amendment, he declaring
his willingness then to leave the place if not approved by the precinct
and vestry." He became a reformed man, and was minister
for some years. (By the next shipping was meant the next importation
of ministers from England.) On agreeing with a clergyman it
was ordered, "That he, the said clergyman, will behave himself in
his ministerial function upon all occasions."
The site of this church, now only marked by a few ancient tombs,
is claimed as private property. The glebe was sold under the law
of 1802. No information is possessed by the author concerning the
plate. The sermons of the Rev. Robert Yates were found in the
library of Mr. John Randolph, and were sold and purchased with
other books and manuscripts.[92]
Vestry of Petsworth Parish.
John Buckner, Robt. Lee, Thomas Royston, Philip Lightfoot, William
Thornton, Thomas Pate, William Pritchet, John Ascough, William Throckmorton,
William Hansford, Thomas Ramsey, Thomas Miller, Richard
Barnett, Ralph Greene, Robert Carter, Charles Roan, William Thornton,
Jr., Robert Cobb, Edward Porteus, William Grymes, Thomas
Buckner, James Dudley, John Evans, Colquit Wyatt, Robert Yeardley,
Captain John Smith, Richard Stignor, William Barnard, William Brooking,
Thomas Cook, Nicholas Smith, David Alexander, William Dodsley,
William Upshaw, John Pate, Robert Porteus, John Pratt, John Coleman,
Albion Throckmorton, Augustine Smith, Philip Smith, Richard Seaton,
Henry Willis, Francis Wyatt, Thomas Green, Thos. Booth, Sr., Bayley
Seaton, Thomas Stubbs, Francis Thornton, John Read, John Washington,
William Miller, Thomas Green, Captain John Alexander, Seth Thornton,
David Alexander, George Reade, Gwynne Read, Bayley Seaton, Warner
Washington, John Stubbs, James Carter, James Hubard, Edward Wyatt,
John Shirmon, William Thornton, Richard Jones, Peter Kemp, Francis
Stubbs, Ludwell Grymes, John Wyatt, John Scott, Geo. Booth, John
Buckner, Chas. Minn Thruston, John Roots, Alexander Dalgleish, James
Hubard, Jr., Henry Whiting, Richard Taliafero, Lewis Booker, William
Duval, John Fox, Captain John Hubard, Jonathan Watson, Sterling
Thornton, Peter Wyatt, Wm. Sears, Robert Yates, Charles Tompkins, M.
Anderson, Benjamin Dabney, James Baytop, Lewis Booker, Jr., Christopher
Garland, Meaux Thornton, Major John Hughes, William Booth,
Francis Duval, Lewis Wood. [The remainder torn out.]
The following account of the bricks has been given me:—
"Several efforts were made to remove the bricks from Petsoe, and were prevented
by presentments before the Grand Jury; but some years since, Mr. —, whilst
building a hotel at Old Point, purchased from Mr. —, who owned the land,
any right he might have in the remains of the old church, and under that deed
Mr. — removed the bricks. The hotel was struck by lightning and injured
before its completion."
KINGSTON PARISH, MATHEWS COUNTY.
This was originally one of the parishes in Gloucester. There
are loose leaves of an old vestry-book, going back to the year 1677,
the first of which leaves do not indicate how much older the book
was. It was called the parish in North River precinct. It has a
peculiarity distinguishing it from all other parishes. With the
vestrymen, who were generally very few, there met a larger number
of the inhabitants, who seem to have managed the affairs of the
parish in conjunction.
From 1677 to 1691 the Rev. Michael Typerios and James Bowker
were ministers; but when their ministries began or ended cannot
be made out. In the year 1740 the Rev. John Blacknal appears
on the first page of another imperfect vestry-book. It cannot be
ascertained how much of the vestry-book was lost, and how long
Mr. Blacknal may have been the minister before 1740. He died
in 1747, and was succeeded by the Rev. John Dixon in 1750, the
Rev. John Locke having served meanwhile for three months. In
the year 1770 Mr. Dixon resigned, and died in 1777. Four applicants
appeared for the parish,—the Revs. Thomas Baker, Thomas
Field, Arthur Hamilton, and Archibald Avens, of whom Mr. Field
was chosen,—Mr. Baker having previously served three months.
In the year 1778, Mr. Field either dying or resigning, Revs. Robert
Read and William Dunlop were candidates, when the former was
chosen. In the year 1784 the Rev. Thomas Hopkinson became its
minister, and in the year 1789 the Rev. James McBride. In 1794
the Rev. Armistead Smith, of the old family of Smiths in that part
of Virginia, became the minister, being ordained by Bishop Madison.
He served the parish until his death in 1817. "His descendants
and relatives," says the Rev. Mr. Carraway, the present
minister of the parish, "are amongst the foremost friends of the
late Miss Elizabeth Tompkins, was the instrument under God for
the revival of the church. Under circumstances the most discouraging,
she determined to build a house of prayer, in which the few
scattered ones "who loved the old paths" might worship the God
of their fathers. Her efforts were crowned with success. She
lived to witness the completion of her dear little church, and her
highest earthly joy was experienced when she first heard within its
walls these solemn words:—"The Lord is in his holy temple,"
"declared by the minister of salvation." Mr. Carraway adds that
there were once four places of worship in the parish, over two of
which the plough and the harrow have passed. On the sites of the
others two churches have recently been erected,—the one just mentioned,
and another under his special care. Tradition says that
one of the old churches was a private chapel of the "family of
Hesse," the residence of the Armisteads.
By giving a list of the old vestrymen we shall see who were the
most prominent persons in Church matters. Mr. Carraway mentions
them as the "Dudleys, Armisteads, Carys, Tabbs, Gwynns, Billops,
Throckmortons, and Sir John Peyton,"—the latter being the patriot
of the Revolution as well as the Churchman.
Names of the Vestrymen, beginning in 1677.
Richard Dudley, James Ransom, James Hill, Sands Knowles, George
Burge, Thos. Bayley, Robert Elliot, Ambrose Dudley, Peter Ransom,
John Billop, William Tompkins, Charles Jones, John Coot, Humphrey
Tompkins, Edmund Roberts, George Dudley, John Hayes, Hugh Gwinne,
Robert Barnard, Charles Debrum, William Marlow, Humphrey Joye
Tabb, Wm. Armistead, Kemp Plumer, Gwinne Reade, Thomas Hayes,
Wm. Tabb, Chas. Blacknal, John Peyton, Captain Thomas Smith, Kemp
Whiting, George Dudley, John Armistead, James Ransom, Robt. Tabb,
Wm. Plummer, Wm. Armistead, of Hesse, Edward Hughes, Francis
Armistead, John Willis, Gabriel Hughes, John Billop, Walter Keeble,
Edmund Custis, Edward Tabb, John Dixon, Thomas Peyton, Robert
Mathews, Dudley Cary, Mordecai Throckmorton, James Booker, Josiah
Dean, Thos. Smith, Jr., Samuel Williams, Joel Foster, Armistead Smith,
Robert Cary, Thomas Tabb, Richard Gregory, James Bibber, Sands Smith,
John Cary, Wilton Glasscock.
In the above list hundreds scattered through Virginia and various
parts of the land will see the names of their forefathers.
The remaining history of Kingston parish is very brief. The
erection of a church, chiefly through the zeal of Miss Elizabeth
Tompkins, near her father's house, led to the employment of a
spent some time between the two counties of Mathews and Middlesex
in this capacity. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Carraway, who
to this day continues to perform the arduous labours required by so
large a field. Under his ministry a new church on the opposite
side of the county has been built on the ruins of one of the old
ones.
The following letter is from a lady who in her youth saw this church at Poplar
Spring:—
"Dear Bishop:—I have been thinking you might perhaps like to hear a little of
Old Poplar Spring Church, in Gloucester, which was a few miles above Rosewell, on
the road that passed up to King and Queen. My first recollections of it were very
pleasing, as I was going with my mother in the old Rosewell coach. It was in warm
weather, and mamma desired the driver to stop under the shade near the spring,
while we all got out; and, after drinking some of the cool water, she took us into the
church, and showed us the remains of the fine painting, over what had been the
chancel, and told us how it had been when she first remembered it. I think I then
first received a correct idea of the solemn use and importance of a church, as I must
have been very young. I remember a broad cornice, painted with the resemblance
of a bright blue sky, and clouds rolling off on either hand; below this were fragments
of the plaster, extending farther down at the corners, and representing an
immense crimson curtain drawn back. I remember seeing part of what seemed a
very large cord and tassel. Mamma said there used to be an angel just where the
curtain was drawn on one side, with a trumpet in his hand, and rolling on toward
him were vast bodies of clouds with angels in them, and that she used to fancy one
of the faces was like her dear little brother John, who was drowned when only ten
years old, and who had been her playfellow, she being next to him in age. I feel
sure that then I first understood about the last Judgment; for I seldom think of that
great day, but what my dear mother and the painting at Poplar Spring Church
are not united in my memory as a kind of picture, the groundwork being the ruined
church, the bright green grass, the shade, and the cool spring. Our dear mother's
teachings, on that and other occasions, were so mixed with a sorrow for the state
of the Episcopal churches, and the want of ministers `since Mr. Fontaine's death,'
that, childlike, I thought Mr. Fontaine must have been the best and greatest man
in the world, except my grandpapa. Most of the flagstones in the middle aisle were
there on my first visit. On passing it in later years, all trace of the bright colours
had departed, and the stones which had so often echoed the steps of those who
came to worship God had been removed for more unhallowed purposes. And the
last time I saw it some cows were reposing on the bare ground within, and swallows,
bats, and other birds occupied the large roof. As regards the painting, I have so
often heard my mother speak of it, that I am sure I cannot do it full justice by my
description, but can only say what I remember."
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