University of Virginia Library

The Rev. Charles Green, M. D.,
the First Regular Rector
of Truro Parish.

The Vestry which met on the 13th of August,
1737, was the first which was held under the auspices
of a regular Rector, and the following proceedings
were entered on the minutes:

"Whereas at a Vestry held for this Parish on
the nineteenth day of August one thousand seven
hundred and thirty six, the now Reverend Mr.

Charles Green was recommended to the Right
Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax, for his presentation
of the said Green to the Lord Bishop of
London for his ordination. And it now appearing
to this Vestry, as well by the letter of the Honorable
William Gooch Esqr. Lieutenant Governor
of Virginia, as the letter of the Reverend Mr.

James Blair Commissary, that the said Green is
regularly and legally ordained. It is therefore
ordered by this Vestry, that the said Green be
received into, and entertained as Minister of, this

parish; and that he be provided for, as the laws of
this Colony direct."[8]

This being passed there is noted as "Present,
the reverend Mr. Charles Green Minister."

"Ordered, that the Church Wardens place the
people that are not already placed, in Pohick and
the new Churches, in pews, according to their
several ranks and degrees."

"Ordered, that the sum of two thousand five
hundred pounds of tobacco be yearly levied for
the Reverend Mr. Charles Green, until the buildings
that are to be erected upon the Glebe be compleated
according to agreement made with the
undertaker."

"Ordered, that the Reverend Mr. Charles
Green preach four times in a year only, at the
Chappell above Goose Crek. And that the Sunday
he preaches at the said Chappell, the sermon
shall be taken from the new Church."

At a Vestry on the third day of October, 1737,
the usual appropriations for the salaries of the
minister and other officers of the Church, and for
the poor and other current expenses of the Parish,

were made, amounting to 38,383 pounds of tobacco.
The Parish Levy was at the rate of 42 1/2
pounds per Poll. The next year it was 45 pounds.
Among the appropriations made were;

             

To the Rev. Charles Green, Minister, salary,[9]	16729	lbs.	tobacco.
To Mr. Joseph Blumfield,[10] to be paid Rev. Chas. Green	1597	"	"
To Edward Washington, Sub Sheriff, per account	300	"	"
To Francis Aubrey gent. for finding books for the Chappell	200	"	"
To buy ornaments for the Churches and books for the Chappell, and Plate for Communion	8000	"	"
To Mr. Richard Osborn for taring the Churches, &c	1100	"	"
To Edward Emms for salivating James Boilstone	1000	"	"

The Readers at the churches received their
usual 1000 pounds, and the Sextons 500. A commission

of 6 per cent, was paid for collecting the
levy.

"Whereas the Rev. Charles Green hath this day
agreed with the Vestry to take the tobacco levied
to purchase books for the Chappell above Goose
Creek and ornaments for the Churches, at the
rate of eleven shillings current money per hundred.
He by the said agreement obliging himself
to find and provide the said books and ornaments,
being allowed fifty per cent. upon the first cost in
accounting with the Church Wardens. It is ordered
that the collector pay to the said Green the
sum of 8000 pounds of tobacco, it being the quantity
this day levied for the purpose aforesaid." Mr.
Green also contracted to build the addition to the
Glebe house for the sum appropriated.

Among the offices of the Church Wardens was
the duty of binding orphan and other indigent
children as Apprentices; and ten pages of the Vestry
Book at this period are filled with Indentures.
Their specifications in regard to the duties and
morals of those apprenticed, their being taught to
read English and the "Art and mystery" of shoemaking,
or of a Carpenter, or Cooper, etc., are
curious illustrations of the times.

At a Vestry held 6th. of October, 1740, a petition
was presented from William Fairfax Esqr.
Catesby Cocke, Gent. and Charles Green, Doctor
of Physick, "setting forth that the Church at
Pohick is too small to admit of a commodious reception

for the parishioners who resort to divine
services at the said Church, and praying that they
may be admitted to build a Gallery at the West
end of the said Church for the reception and more
easie accommodation of themselves and their families,
and that the same may be erected at their
own proper cost. It is ordered that they may
have liberty to erect the same, so that it does discommode
the lights of the Church, or interfere
with any other conveniency thereto belonging."
"Col. John Colvill is appointed and chosen Church
Warden in the room of Thomas Lewis."

In 1741 nothing appears on the record but the
ordinary routine of laying levies, and making annual
appropriations for the poor, and the other
current expenses of the Parish.