University of Virginia Library

A Notable Building Committee

"Resolved, that the Honble. George Wm. Fairfax,
George Washington & George Mason Esqrs.
Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty & Mr. Edward Payne do
view and examine the building from time to time,
as they or any three of them shall see fitting, to

whom the undertaker is to give notice when the
different materials are ready."

"Articles of Agreement made the seventh
day of April in the year 1769. Between the
Vestry of Truro Parish in County of Fairfax,
of the one part, and Daniel French of Fairfax
Parish in the County aforesaid, Gent. of the other
part, as follows, Vizt. The said Daniel French
doth undertake and agree to build and finish in a
workmanlike manner a Church, near the forks of
the roads above Robert Boggess's, to be placed
as the Vestry shall hereafter direct, of the following
Dimensions and Materials, to Wit; Sixty six
feet in length, and forty five feet and a half in
breadth, from out to out, the Walls twenty eight
feet high from the foundation, to be built of good
bricks well burnt, of the ordinary size, that is, nine
inches long, four and a half inches broad, and
three inches thick, to be three bricks thick to the
Water Table, and two and a half afterwards. The
outside bricks to be laid with mortar two thirds
lime and one of sand, and the inside with mortar
half lime and half sand. The corners of the House,
the Pedistals, and Doors with the Pediment heads
to be of good white freestone, and the Returns
and Arches of the Windows to be of rubbed brick.
The Doors to be made of pine plank, two inches
thick, moulded and raised pannells on both sides,
and the frames thereof to be of pine clear of sap,

with locust sills. The Window frames to be of pine
clear of sap, with locust sills; the sashes to be made
of pine plank one inch and three quarters thick;
the Lights to be of the best Crown Glass, eighteen
in each Window, eleven inches by nine; the Window
and Door Cases to be made with double Archatraves;
and the lower Windows to have weights
and pullies. The frame of the Roof to be of pine,
except the King-Posts which are to be of oak;
and the scantling to be of a size and proper proportion
to the building. The Roof to be covered
with inch pine plank well seasoned, and cyphered
and lapt one inch and a half, and then with cypress
shingles twenty inches long, and to show six inches.
A Modillion Cornice on the outside, and
a Cove Cornice on the inside, and the Roof to
be framed according to the Plan thereof annexed.

"The Floors to be framed with good oak clear
of sap, and laid with pine plank inch and a half
thick, and well seasoned. The Ends of the Sleepers
next the walls of the House to have at least
six inches hold thereof, and their other ends next
to the Isles to be supported by flush and entire
brick walls or underpinning nine inches thick and
of a proper height. The Isles to be laid with flaggstone,
well squared and jointed.

"The Pews to be wainscoted with pine plank
an inch and a half thick, well seasoned, to be quarter-round
on both sides, and raised pannal on one

side; the seats to be of inch and half pine plank,
fourteen inches broad and well supported. The
Altar Piece to be twenty feet high and fifteen feet
wide, and done with wainscot after the Ionic Order.
the floor of the Communion Place to be raised
twenty inches higher than the floor of the House,
with hand-rails and Banisters of pine, and a Communion-Table
of Black Walnut of a proper size.
The Apostles Creed, the Lords-Prayer, and the
ten Commandments to be neatly painted on the
Altar-piece in black letters.

"The Pulpit, Canopy, and reading Desks to be
of pine, wainscoted with proper Cornice, and executed
in the Ionic Order.

"The inside of the Church to be Ceiled, Plaistered
and White-Washed; no Loam or Clay to be used
in the Plaistering. The Outside Cornice and all
the Wooden-Work on the inside of the House (except
the floors) to be neatly painted of the proper
colours. Stone Steps to be put to the Doors, and
locks and hinges; and hinges to the Pews, Pulpit
and Communion Place.

"The whole Building to be compleated and finished
by the first clay of September, which shall
be in the year of our Lord, One thousand seven
hundred and seventy two, in a sufficient and workmanlike
manner, and agreeable to the Plan thereof
hereunto annexed, except with this Alteration
in the West end of it, that instead of the door

there shall be a window; and instead of the two
windows, there shall be two doors opposite the
two Isles.

"And the said Daniel French doth further agree
to build two Horse-Blocks with each two flights
of Steps; to fix six benches for the people to sit
on under the trees; and to clear and remove all
the rubbish and litter from off the Church Lott,
so as to fit it for the Reception of the Congregation;
and to have those additional works done by
the time appointed for the finishing the Church.

"In Condition of the Premises the Vestry do
agree to pay unto the said Daniel French the sum
of Eight hundred and seventy seven pounds Current
Money of Virginia in manner following, to
wit, Two hundred pounds on the first day of September
next; Two hundred and twenty-five pounds
thirteen shillings and four pence on the first day
of September, One thousand seven hundred and
seventy; Two hundred and twenty five pounds
thirteen shillings and four pence, on the first day
of September, One thousand seven hundred and
seventy one; and the remaining Two hundred and
twenty five pounds thirteen shillings and four
pence, on the first day of September, One thousand
seven hundred and seventy two; at which
time the Church is to be finished.

"In Witness whereof the said Parties, to wit, the
Members of the said Vestry here present, and the
said Daniel French, have hereunto Interchangably

set their Hands, the Day and Year first above
written.

               

Signed and Delivered	Danl. French
in the Presence of—	Daniel Mc.Carty; C. W.
John Barry	Edwd. Payne
Wm. Triplett	Go. Washington
	Go. Wm. Fairfax
	Jno. Posey
	William Gardner
	Tz. Ellzey.

The next meeting of the Vestry was at Pohick
Church, December 1, 1769. The Parish Levy
provided for the payment,—To Mr. Daniel French
for 3 acres and 26 perches of land laid off for the
use of the Parish as per Plat, 4 Pounds, 2s. 4d. To
Capt. Mc.Carty for advertising the letting of the
Church, 18 shillings. For building the Church,
&c. 34,900 pounds of Tobacco. Alexander Henderson
and Thomas Ford appointed Church Wardens.

"Alexander Henderson, Gent. one of the Church
Wardens for the ensuing year, and Augusus Darrell,
having applied for the Collection of the Parish
Levy, the said Augustus Darrell is appointed
Collector, the Vestry being of opinion that it is
improper for any member of the Vestry to be Collector
of the Parish Levy. And it is ordered that
the same be entered on the Records of this Parish;
it having been heretofore customary that the

Church Wardens should have a preference of the
collection to any other person."

Peirce Bayly's account as Collector and Sheriff
was approved. It was "Ordered, that William
Grayson Esqr. who has heretofore been appointed
to prosecute suits for this Parish, be now appointed
Attorney in fact for the Parish, and that
he receive all Moneys and Tobacco arising from
Fines and Judgments, and account with the Vestry
annually for the same, at the laying of the Parish
Levy."[32]

1770. Only one Vestry held, on November 28.
Parish Levy included 56,330 pounds of tobacco for
building the Church and as a fund for purchasing
a Glebe. Honble. George William Fairfax Esqr.
and Edward Payne, Gent. Church Wardens. Peter
Wagener and Martin Cockburn, Gents. are elected
Vestrymen in place of William Linton, deceased,
and John Posey, removed. (These are the first
breaks in the ranks of the Vestrymen elected in
July, 1765.)

1771. July 8th. Messrs. Wagener and Cockburn
subscribed the promise of conformity to the

doctrine and discipline of the Church of England,
and were admitted as members of the Vestry.
They, with Mr. Alex. Henderson, were added to
those heretofore appointed to view and examine
the new Church. Peirce Bayly, Collector, paid
in fifty two hogsheads, 52,024 lbs. nett, of crop tobacco,
and four transfer notes, gross 602 lbs. It
was ordered to be sold in five lots, and the sale to
be advertised in George Town, Alexandria, Dumfries
and Colchester. 6 Pounds, 18s. and 8d.
were allowed the Collector for prizing the tobacco.

"Whereas it appears that the dimensions of the
Altar-piece mentioned in the Articles with the Undertaker
for building the new Church, are not according
to the proportions of Architecture, the
Undertaker is authorized and desired to make the
same according to the true proportions of the
Ionic Order notwithstanding. And the Vestry
being of the opinion that the stone coins are coarse
grained and rather too soft they desire the same
may be painted with white lead and oyle, which
they think will make them sufficient. The Vestry
are also of opinion that the rub'd bricks at the return
of all the windows ought to be painted as
near as possible the same colour with the arches,
and the Undertaker is desired to do the same accordingly."
November 29th. The Levy is laid
as usual, and the Collectors and Church Wardens
accounts exhibited and approved. Daniel French
seems to have died since the last meeting, as payments

are ordered made to his executor. It is
seen later that his executor was Col. George
Mason, by whom Pohick Church was completed.
Rev. Lee Massey agreed to accept 50 Pounds in
money in lieu of a Glebe, instead of the former
4,000 lbs. of tobacco. The same Processioners are
appointed as four years before.

1772. June 5th. The Vestry being of opinion
that it would be both ornamental and convenient
to have the stone steps at the front door of the
Church with three flights in place of only one in
front, agreed to have them built in that manner,
paying the difference in cost. The Church Wardens
were ordered to agree with workmen to have
the roof painted. Also for building a Vestry
House of brick, twenty four by eighteen feet, nine
feet pitch, plank floor, inside chimney and three
windows.

"Ordered, that the six middle pews between the
cross Isle and the Communion Table be sold for
the benefit of the Parish, (one pew to be set up at
a time,) to the highest bidder at the laying of the
next Parish Levy, at six months credit, and that
the Church Wardens and Vestry conduct the said
sale and take proper bonds of the purchasers. And
at the same time that the other six pews opposite
them, on the other sides of the long Isles, be also
sold to the highest bidder in like manner, or so
many of them as will sell for the average price at
which the first six pews shall be found to sell."

"The Church Wardens are directed to agree
with persons to make such Carved Ornaments on
the Altar piece as they shall judge proper, and
guilding the letters thereon with Gold Leaf, presented
to this Parish by the Honble. George Wm.
Fairfax and George Washington Esqrs."

1772. November 2Oth. Alexander Henderson
rendered his account, showing a balance of 460
Pounds, 5s. 7d. due the Parish. He is ordered
to pay the Executors of Daniel French 225
Pounds, 13s. 4d., the last payment on the Church,
and several other accounts due. Capt. Daniel
Mc.Carty this day paid 330 Pounds, part of his
bond for the Glebe land; which was lodged in the
hands of Mr. Henderson, out of which he was to
pay the proportion due to Fairfax Parish of the
money for which the Glebe and Church plate sold,
upon order of the Church Wardens who were to
settle the account thereof with the Vestry of Fairfax
Parish. The sum remaining unapplied was to
be left in the hands of Mr. Henderson, he agreeing
to pay interest on 150 Pounds thereof. The
yard of the Upper Church was ordered inclosed
with posts and rails, the posts to be split or sawed
locust and the rails sawed. Also the steps and
door sills to be repaired.

"The twelve pews ordered to be sold at the
meeting of the last Vestry except the pew No. fifteen,
were this day sold according to the said order,
to the following persons, at the following

prices, Vizt. No. three and No. four adjoining to
the south wall of the Church, to Col. George
Mason at the price of fourteen Pounds eleven
shillings and eight pence each, being the average
price at which the six pews first set up between
the two long Isles and the Cross Isle sold. No.
five adjoining the south wall above and next to
front door to Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer, at the
price of fourteen Pounds, thirteen shillings. No.
thirteen adjoining the north wall, to Mr. Martin
Cockburn, at the price of fifteen Pounds, ten shillings.
No. fourteen adjoining to the north wall
and next above the Rector's pew to Capt. Daniel
Mc.Carty at the price of fifteen Pounds, ten shillings.
No. twenty-one, being one of the six center
pews adjoining the south Isle next to the Communion
Table, to the Honble. George William
Fairfax Esqr. at the price of sixteen pounds. No.
twenty two and twenty three, two of the center
pews adjoining the south Isle, to Mr. Alexander
Henderson, Vizt. No. twenty two at the price of
thirteen pounds, and No. twenty-three, next to
the Cross Isle, at the price of thirteen pounds ten
shillings. No. twenty eight, one of the Center
pews adjoining the north Isle and next to the
Communion Table, to Colo. George Washington
at the price of sixteen pounds. No. twenty nine,
one of the Center pews adjoining the north Isle,
to Mr. Lund Washington, at the price of thirteen
pounds ten shillings. No. thirty one of the Center

Original Plan of Pohick Church

Made From Actual Measurement by Glenn Brown, Architect
October 19, 1906

pews, adjoining the Center Isle and next the
Cross Isle, to Mr. Harrison Manley at the price of
fifteen pounds, ten shillings. It is ordered that the
Church Wardens take the bonds for the use of the
Parish, for the above mentioned purchase money,
from the several respective purchasers, according
to the order at the last Vestry; and that legal
Deeds for the said Pews be made and executed
by the Vestry to the said Purchasers for their
Pews at the next meeting of the Vestry; the said
purchasers preparing Deeds for that purpose."

"Ordered, that the Pew No. fifteen, adjoining
to the North Wall of the Church and next above
the pulpit, (which was one of the twelve pews ordered
to be sold at the last Vestry, but is not sold,)
be reserved for the Rector of this Parish for the
Time being and his Family, and is hereby vested
in the Rector of the Parish and his successors accordingly."

1773. June 4th. At a Vestry held for Truro
Parish at the new Church at Pohick,—A Trust
Deed for the pew above described, to the Rev.
Lee Massey "for the use of himself and his Successors
Rectors of this Parish forever, was this
day executed by all the Members present, pursuant
to an order of the Vestry made the 2Oth.
day of November last."

"It appearing to the Vestry that the two lower
pews between the two West doors are erected
where the Font ought to be, it is ordered that

the said two pews be taken down and the space
left open."

"Upon the Motion of the Honble. George William
Fairfax Esqr. and Alexander Henderson,
Gent. in behalf of themselves and the other purchasers
of the six upper middle pews above the
Cross Isle, leave is granted to the said purchasers
to take up the stones in the Isles and to raise the
said six pews at their own private expence to the
same height above the Isles and exactly in the
same manner with the pews next to the Walls,
they making good any Damage that may happen
in doing the same; and it is also ordered that the
eight middle pews below the Cross Isles be raised
in the same manner at the expence of the Parish."

"William Copein having undertaken to make a
Stone Font for the Church according to a draught
in the I50th. plate in Langleys Designs being the
uppermost on the left hand for the price of six
pounds he finding himself everything, the Vestry
agree to pay him that sum for finishing the same."

November 22d. The parish Levy was laid and
accounts rendered. Alex. Henderson has 218
pounds, thirteen shillings and ten pence half penny
in his hands belonging to the Parish. He is ordered
to pay William Copein seven pounds, five
shillings for a stone Font and Step. George
Mason and Edward Payne, Gents. appointed
Church Wardens.

1174. February 15th. "George Mason, Esqr.

Executor of Daniel French deed. Undertaker of
the Church near Pohick, having finished the said
Church, tender(ed) the same to this Vestry (consisting
of six members and the Rector of the Parish,
besides the said George Mason,) and the said
Vestry, being of opinion that the said Church is
finished according to agreement do receive the
same as far as they have authority to do so, the
said George Mason undertaking to finish the
Horse Blocks and Benches under the Trees, which
was part of the original Agreement of the Undertaker.
The said George Mason having produced
his account against the Parish for extra work
about the Church, the settlement of the same is
referred to the next meeting of the Vestry."
There were present, Lee Massey, R. T. P.; G.
Mason, C. W.; Go. Washington, Daniel Mc.Carty,
Alex. Henderson, Tz. Ellzey, Pet. Wagener, Martin
Cockburn.

"At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at the new
Church near Pohick, February the 24th. 1774.

"The receiving of the new Church near Pohick
by an order of the last Vestry is confirmed, and
the Executors of Mr. Daniel French deceased are
discharged from their Testators Bond, upon finishing
the Horse Blocks and Benches mentioned
in the said order.

"George Mason Esqr. Executor of Daniel
French decd. having exhibited an account amounting
to the sum of one hundred and sixteen pounds

nineteen shillings and ten pence halfpenny Curr.
Money, for sundrie Alterations in the said Church
and other work done thereto not inserted in the
Undertakers Articles; the said account being
sworn to by Going Lamphier, William Copein and
William Bernard Sears was examined and approved;
and it is ordered that Mr. Alexander Henderson
pay him (out of the Parish's money in his
hands) the sum of Fifty six pounds sixteen shillings
and six pence halfpenny, being the balance
due on the said account, after deducting the sum
of twenty nine pounds three shillings and four
pence for the price of two Pews in the said Church
purchased by the said George Mason, and also
thirty one pounds paid him by Capt. Daniel
Mc.Carty and Mr. Martin Cockburn for their
Pews.

"The Trust Deed from the Vestry to the Revd.
Lee Massey for a Pew in the new Church dated
June the 4th. 1773, not, having been admitted to
Record within the time limited by Law, the same
is cancelled, and a new deed executed to him for
the same Pew.

"Deeds were this day executed by the Vestry
to the following Persons Vizt. George William
Fairfax, George Mason and George Washington
Esqr., Messrs. Daniel Mc.Carty, Alexander Henderson,
Martin Cockburn, William Triplett, and
John Manley Heir at Law of Harrison Manley
decd., for the several Pews in the new Church

near Pohic bought by them at Public Auction the
twentieth day of November 1772. The Pew then
bought by Mr. Lund Washington being afterwards
sold by him to the said George Washington,
& the Pew then bought by Mr. Thomas Withers
Coffer being afterwards sold by him to Mr.
William Triplett, are conveyed by the Vestry accordingly.[33]

"Ordered, that the Upper Pew in the new
Church adjoining the South Wall be appropriated
to the Use of the Magistrates and Strangers, and
the Pew opposite thereto to the use of their Wives,
and the two Pews next below them to be appropriated
to the Vestrymen and Merchants and their
Wives in like manner. And it is further ordered
that the eight Pews below and adjoining the Cross
Isle of the Church be assigned to the use of the
most respectable Inhabitants and House Keepers
of the Parish, the Men to sit in the four pews next
the South Wall, and the Women in the other four
next the North Wall.

"The Church Wardens having failed to let the
building of a Vestry House at the new Church
pursuant to a former order of this Vestry, and the
Vestry being now of opinion that it will be to the
Advantage of the Parish to let the inclosing of the
Church Yard together with the building of the
said Vestry House, Ordered that the Vestry be

called to meet on Fryday the 22d. of April in order
to let the building the said Vestry House and inclosing
the said Church Yard, which inclosure is
to be made of Brick one hundred and sixty feet
square from out to out, three feet six inches high
at the highest Part of the Ground, two Bricks
thick, to go one foot below the surface and to be
covered with Cypress Shingles and Painted, to
have three Pier Gates. The Church Wardens to
advertise the above meeting in the Virginia and
Maryland Gazette after the usual Form upon such
Occasions.

"Ordered that the new Church near Pohic be
furnished with a Cushion for the Pulpit and Cloths
for the Desks & Communion Table of Crimson
Velvett with Gold Fring, and that Colo. George
Washington be requested to import the same, as
also two Folio Prayer Books covered with blue
Turkey Leather with Name of the Parish thereon
in Gold Letters, the Demensions of the said
Cushion and Cloths being left to Wm. Bernard
Sears who is desired to furnish Colo. Washington
with proper Patterns at the Expense of the Parish."

           

"Lee Massey, R. T. P.	Alex. Henderson
G. Mason, C. W.	T. Ellzey
Edwd. Payne, C. W.	Thos. W. Coffer
G. Washington	Thos. Ford
Daniel Mc.Carty	Pet. Wagener
	Martin Cockburn.

"Recorded by John Barry, Clk. V."

(The above is an exact copy of the Records of
this meeting.)[34]

The Vestry met again on February 25th. by adjournment
from yesterday.

"Bonds being taken yesterday from Colo.
George Washington for himself, and also as Attorney
in Fact for Colo. George William Fairfax
now in Brittain, from Mr. Alexander Henderson,
Mr. William Triplett, and Mr. Thomas Triplett
Executor of Harrison Manley decd. for the purchase
Money of the Pews bought by them in the
new Church near Pohick, the same Bonds were
delivered to Colo. George Mason Church Warden
to be by him collected and accounted for at the
next laying the Levy, he having already received
of Capt. Daniel Mc.Carty and Mr. Martin Cockburn
the Price of their Pews purchased at the
same time, which together with the Price of his
own two Pews are deducted out of his account
settled and received yesterday by the Vestry."
William Bernard Sears was paid fifty eight pounds

nineteen shillings for carved work done by him in
the new Church. William Copein was paid for
extra work on the same Church, and Francis Coffer
for railing the yard and making stone steps at
the upper Church, and Gowan Langfier and Wm.
Copein for their trouble and attendance in measuring
the carved work on the Altar piece and Pulpit,
the former thirty, the latter ten, shillings.

"Ordered that William Bernard Sears gild the
Ornaments within the Tabernacle Frames, the
Palm Branch and Drapery on the front of the
Pulpit, (also the Eggs on the Cornice of the small
Frames if the Gold will hold out,) which he agreed
to do for three pounds ready money, to be done
with the Gold Leaf given to the Parish by Colo.
George Washington."

"The Vestry having reconsidered their order of
yesterday directing the Church Yard to be inclosed
with Brick, And considering that the expence
thereof will be too burthensome to the Parish
at this time having just finished two expensive
Churches, and a Glebe not yet purchased, have
changed their opinions, and do accordingly order
that (instead of a Brick Wall) the said Church
Yard be inclosed with a Post and Rail Fence in
the following manner, to wit, with sawed Cedar
Posts to go two feet and a half in the ground, to
be first burnt, sawed Yellow Pine Rails clear of
sap, five feet high from the surface to the top rail,
Posts eight feet asunder, the whole to be well

payed with turpentine and red paint, with three
Palisadoed Gates painted a Stone Colour with
Locks."

The roof and fence at the Upper Church were
ordered painted.

Capt. Edward Payne resigned as Vestryman,
and Mr. Thomas Pollard was chosen in his stead.

1774. November 24th. The Parish Levy is
laid, and accounts audited. George Washington
Esqr. and Thomas Pollard Gent. are appointed
Church Wardens for the next year. Alex. Henderson
pays over to Mr. Pollard all money in his
hands and is fully discharged of all accounts, and
Col. Mason delivers to Mr. Pollard Col. George
Washington's Bonds for his own pew and that of
Col. Fairfax. Mr. Peter Wagener was chosen a
Vestryman in the room of Major Peter Wagener,
deceased.

1775. November 3d. The Levy shows 1363
tithables, as against 962 ten years before just after
the division. This indicates the growth of the
population. Col. Daniel Mc.Carty and Capt. Martin
Cockburn were ordered to "take into their
possession the books belonging to the Parish
lately kept by John Barry, decd." The Revd. Lee
Massey was appointed Clerk of the Vestry. Mr.
Mason, Col. Mc.Carty, Capt. Cockburn, Capt. Pollard,
Rev. Mr. Massey and Mr. Henderson were
appointed to prepare a plan for the employment of

and providing for the poor of the Parish, and report
to the next Vestry.

1776. May 6th. At the laying of the last Levy
no Collector had been appointed, perhaps because
none offered. On this day the Collection was let
to the lowest bidder, agreeable to notice given,
and was undertaken by William Bayly at nine per
Cent. The regular price heretofore had been six
per Cent. The Levy was very small, only twenty
pounds per Poll.

1776. November 22d. Mr. Peter Wagener
and Mr. Thomazen Ellzey appointed Church Wardens,
and ordered to receive from former Wardens
all balances due the Parish, including General
George Washington's Bond and that of Col.
George William Fairfax for which the General is
liable, and to pay the several sums due the Parish
Claimants charged this day, amounting to 119
pounds six shillings and four pence. William
Triplett, Edward Ford and Francis Coffer were
elected Vestrymen in the room of George William
Fairfax Esqr. removed, Thomas Ford deceased,
and William Gardner removed. The Church Wardens
with Col. Mason and Capt. Cockburn, or any
three of them, were appointed to look out for a
tract of land suitable for a Glebe, and in case they
succeeded were to report to a Vestry to be called
for the purpose. The Levy was 30 pounds per
Poll, on 1337 tithables. On the following April

William Payne the eldest undertook the collection
at 8 per Cent.[35]

1777. October 2d. Deeds of Lease and Release
from the Vestry to Col. Daniel Mc.Carty for the
old Glebe were acknowledged by the Vestry, and
the Church Wardens ordered to receive from Col.
Mc.Carty the balance of the purchase money due.
"Ordered, that the Church Wardens send Sarah
Shelton (a poor child) to Dr. James of St. Mary's
County Maryland and employ him to cure her of
her present Disorders."

1777. November 27th. "William Triplett and
Francis Coffer Gent. are appointed Church Wardens
or Overseers of the Poor for the ensuing
year." The Rev. Lee Massey resigned his office
as Clerk of the Vestry, and Francis Adams was

appointed in his stead. Tithables 1316. Levy 15
lbs. per Poll.

1778. No Levy was laid this year, as the Vestry
found funds sufficient in their hands for the maintenance
of the poor for the ensuing year.

1779. December 8th. Martin Cockburn Gent.
having resigned his office as Vestryman Daniel
Mc.Carty junior was elected in his stead, and Edward
Washington junior was elected in place of
Edward Ford who refused to serve. Tithables
1350. Levy 12 lbs. per Poll.

In 1780 no Vestry was held. November 27th,
1781, a Levy was laid of 10 lbs. per Poll, on 1442
Tithables. Daniel Mc.Carty and Thomazen Ellzey
were appointed Church Wardens or Overseers
of the Poor. William Deneale and Cleon Moore
were elected Vestrymen in the room of Thomas
Withers Coffer deceased and Daniel Mc.Carty
junior who refused to act.

1782. November 22d. The Vestry met, and
Daniel McCarty exhibited an account on oath
against the Parish which showed it indebted to him
in the sum of twelve pounds eight shillings paper
money, which was ordered to be certified. Vestry
adjourned until the 24th, but that meeting was
not held.

1784. 23d February. The Vestry met at Colchester.
"The Vestry of this Parish having appointed
meetings at different times for two years
last past, and not a majority of the said Vestry

meeting to proceed to business; It is now agreed
upon and ordered that those of the Vestry who
have resigned or removed others be chosen in
their stead."

"John Gibson, Gent. is elected a Vestryman for
this Parish in the room of His Excellency General
Washington, who has signified his resignation in
a letter to Daniel Mc.Carty, Gent."

James Waugh was elected in the room of
Thomas Pollard, removed. Francis Coffer was
desired to let the Vestry know at their next meeting
whether he would continue to serve or not.

Peter Wagener and William Deneale were appointed
Church Wardens or Overseers of the
Poor. A Levy was laid, which included 10,000
lbs. of tobacco for the temporary support of such
of the poor as are at present unknown, to be laid
out by the Church Wardens at their discretion.
This they considered "absolutely necessary on account
of the severity of the winter and scarcity of
corn."

Lund Washington was elected a Vestryman the
room of Daniel Mc.Carty who now resigned.
Present at this meeting:

       

Pet. Wagener, C. W.	Alex. Henderson.
W. Deneale, C. W.	Wm. Triplett.
G. Mason.	Edward Washington.
Daniel Mc.Carty.	Cleon Moore.[36]

The last meeting of the Vestry under the old
Regime was held at Colchester, January 27th,
1785. Like the preceding it was occupied solely
in providing for the support of the poor, and especially
for twelve families who are named. The
old Colonial Church, which had been staggering
for years under blows inflicted by successive General
Assemblies was now in the article of death.
The leading men who, in the face of popular
odium, stood by and attended it in its last hours,
must have believed that when released from the
coil of the State it would rise from the dust and
put on more beautiful garments.

The new (Christ) Church in Alexandria had
been finished about the same time with the new
Pohick Church. Washington bought a pew in
Christ Church on the day that the Church was
turned over to the Vestry by the builders. He
gave for Pew number 5, thirty six pounds, ten
shillings. That pew has become historical. It
was afterwards occupied by Gen. Robert E. Lee,
and there are tablets on the walls of the Church
in memory of these two heroic characters and devout
Christians. This historic pew attracts every
week streams of pilgrims to Christ Church.[37]

Washington did not leave Pohick for Christ
Church until after the Revolution, when services
at the former became few and far between. April,
1785, seems to mark the date of his habitual attendance
at Christ Church. On the 25th of that
month he bound himself by a paper of record in
the Vestry Book, signed in his well known handwriting,
to pay an annual rent upon his pew. The
structure of this bond indicates that it was Washington's
composition. The following is a copy
of it from the record:

"We, the subscribers, do hereby agree that the
pews we now hold in the Episcopal Church at
Alexandria shall be forever charged with an annual

rent of five pounds, Virginia money, each;
and we hereby promise to pay (each for himself
promising to pay) annually, forever, to the Minister
and Vestry of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in Fairfax Parish, or, if the Parish should
be divided, to the Minister and Vestry of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in Alexandria, the said
sum of five pounds for each pew for the purpose
of supporting the Minister in the said Church.
Provided neverthelsss that if any law of this Commonwealth
should hereafter compel us, our heirs,
executors and administrators or assigns, to pay
to the support of Religion, the pew-rent hereby
granted shall, in that case, be considered as part
of what we, by such law, be required to pay.

Provided also that each of us pay only in proportion
to the part we hold of the said pews.

For the performance of which payments, well
and truly to be made forever annually, within six
months after demanded, we hereby bind ourselves
(each for himself separately) our heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, firmly by these presents.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set
our hands and seals this 25th day of April in the
year of our Lord 1785.

Witness present at signing and sealing.

David Griffith at
signing and sealing for (Seal) Philip Alexander.
G. Washington, W. Bird    Robert Adams.
T. Herbert & P. Alexander.    M. Madden.

Giles Cooke for T. West.
Barr Powell for W. Herbert.
Geo. Washington (Seal)
Gr. Chapman for R. Adams.
W. Bird (Seal)
Robt. Macgill for M. Madden.
Thos. Herbert (Seal)
Thomas West (Seal)
W. Herbert (Seal)

And yet Washington occasionally attended Pohick
Church when it was open for Divine Service,
as the following item from his Diary proves:

"Oct. 2d. 1785. Sunday. Went with Fanny
Bassett, Burwell Bassett, Dr. Stuart, George A.
Washington, Mr. Shaw and Nelly Custis to Pohick
Church to hear a Mr. Thompson preach who
returned home with us to dinner, where I found
Rev. Mr. Jones, formerly a Chaplain in a Pa. Reg
iment. After we were in bed about eleven o'clock
at night, Mr. Houdon (sent from Paris by Mr.
Jefferson and Dr. Franklin to take my Bust, in
behalf of the State of Virginia, with three young
men, assistants, introduced by Mr. Perin a French
gentleman of Alexandria) arrived here by water
from the latter place. 3d. October. The two Reverend
gentlemen who dined and lodged here went
away after breakfast." This is an illustration of
the truth of the statement of his Pastor, Rev. Lee
Massey, that Washington never allowed company
at Mount Vernon to keep him from Church, and

that he was the most punctual and constant attendant
at Divine Service he had ever known.
Mrs. Lewis, (Nelly Custis,) bears a like testimony
as to his habit in New York and Philadelphia. As
to the time of which we are now speaking she
says: "General Washington had a pew in Pohick
Church and one in Christ Church, Alexandria.
He attended the Church at Alexandria when the
weather and roads permitted a ride of ten miles."

We have reached the dark age of Truro Parish.
There are no records to guide us, and we have
to avail ourselves of such side-lights as come from
other sources. It is not known definitely when
Mr. Massey's official relations with the Parish
ceased. Tradition says he was followed by a Mr.
Kemp and a Mr. Moscrope, who did not walk
worthy of their high vocation in several respects.
Whether they had any official connection with
the Parish, or were merely "temporary supplies,"
is not known.[38] Towards the close of the century,
some say in 1798, the eccentric Mason L. Weems
appears upon the scene. There is no proof of his
precise relations to the Parish. In his popular Life
of Washington he calls himself "Late Rector of
Mount Vernon Parish," as if he did not know its
name. It is certain however that he was officiating
there about the beginning of this century. Mr.

Davis, a teacher in that section, published a work
dedicated to Jefferson, and entitled, "Four and a
Half Years in America." In it he says: "About
eight miles from Occoquan Mills is a place of
worship called Poheek (sic) Church. Thither I
rode on Sunday and joined the congregation of
Parson Weems, a Minister of the Episcopal persuasion,
who was cheerful in his mein that he
might win men to religion. A Virginian Churchyard
on Sunday resembles rather a race-course
than a sepulchral ground. The ladies come to it
in carriages and the men make their horses fast
to the trees. But the steeples of the Virginian
Churches are designed not for utility but for ornament,
for the bell is suspended from a tree.[39] It
is also observable that the gate to the Churchyard
is ever carefully locked by the Sexton, who retires
last. I was confounded on first; entering the
Churchyard at Poheek to hear "Steed threaten
Steed with high and boastful neigh." Nor was I
less stunned with the rattling of carriage-wheels,
the cracking of whips and the vociferations of the
gentlemen to the Negroes who accompanied them.
But the discourse of Parson Weems calmed every
perturbation, for he preached the great doctrines
of Salvation as one who had experienced their
power. In his youth Mr. Weems had accompanied
some young Americans to London where he prepared
himself by dilligent study for the profession
of the Church. Of the congregation about one
half was composed of white people and the other
of negroes. Among many of the negroes were to
be discovered the most gratifying evidences of
sincere piety, an artless simplicity, passionate aspirations
after Christ and an earnest endeavour to
do the will of God."

The light thus thrown by Mr. Davis upon Pohick
Church for one Sunday reveals a very animated
and picturesque scene, and one by no means
discreditable to Mr. Weems. This single glimpse
into the darkness which shrouded Truro Parish
is the only authentic tidings we have of it until
1812, when the Rev. Charles O'Neill is in charge.
We first meet Mr. O'Neill in St. Thomas' Parish,
Orange County, where he officiated and taught
school in 1797–1800. He was one of the old-time
schoolmasters, (as we have seen in our History of
St. Mark's Parish,) who believed in what Hudibras
called "Apostolic blows and knocks" more than
he did in the Apostolic Succession. His whipping
post was the back of a negro man, on which the
bad boy was suspended and flaggellated with hickory
switches. He taught at Col. Taliaferro's, near
Pine Stake Church, and also in Bromfield Parish,
Madison County. Judge P. P. Barbour, of the
U. S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jeremiah Morton
and Dr. George Morton were his pupils, and
retained a lively impression of his discipline. He
also preached and taught school in Hamilton Parish,

Fauquier County, and represented it in Convention
in 1805. He was likewise in Dettingen
Parish, Prince William County. The date of his
incumbency in Truro Parish was the time of
Bishop Meade's effective ministry at Christ
Church, Alexandria. The family at Mount Vernon
were attendants at Christ Church at this time,
and some of them were among the first fruits of
his ministry there. Mr. Meade was consequently
intimate at Mount Vernon, and tells an amusing
anecdote of Mr. O'Neill. He says: "The family
at Mt. Vernon and at Rippon Lodge (the Blackburns)
were fond of him. He, (O'Neill,) always
spent his Christmas at Mt. Vernon, and on those
occasions was dressed in a full suit of velvet, which
Gen. Washington had left behind, and which had
been given to Mr. O'Neill. But as General Washington
was tall and well proportioned in all his
parts, and Mr. O'Neill was peculiarly formed, being
of uncommon length of body and brevity of
legs, it was difficult to make the clothes of the one,
even though altered, sit well on the other." (Mr.
O'Neill died, it is thought, in 1813.)

Judge Bushrod Washington, (the son of John
A. and nephew of General Washington,) who inherited
Mt. Vernon, was now living there. He
was a devout Communicant of the Church, and attended
Divine Service in Christ Church, Alexandria,
which he represented repeatedly in convention.
He was also a member of the Standing Committee

to the end of his life. He married Jane,
daughter of Col. Thomas Blackburn, of Rippon
Lodge, Prince William County, which was a center
of Episcopal influence. Two of the Misses
Blackburn, Jane and Polly, married nephews of
General Washington and lived in Jefferson County,
and one, Judy, married Gustavus Alexander.
The first Richard Blackburn married a daughter
of the Rev. James Scott, of Overwharton Parish.

In his Convention Address in 1838 Bishop
Meade thus describes a visitation made to Pohick
Church, and its condition, in the preceding summer:

"My next visit was to Pohick Church, in the
vicinity of Mt. Vernon, the seat of General Washington.
It was still raining when I approached
the house, and found no one there. The wide-open
doors invited me to enter,—as they do invite,
day and night through the year, not only the
passing traveller, but every beast of the field and
fowl of the air. These latter however seeemed to
have reverenced the house of God, since few marks
of their pollution were to be seen throughout it.
The interior of the house, having been well built,
is still good. The chancel, Communion table and
tables of the law &c. are still there and in good order.
The roof only is decaying; and at the time
I was there the rain was dropping on these sacred
places and on other parts of the house. On the
doors of the pews, in gilt letters, are still to be

seen the names of the principal Families which
once occupied them. How could I, while for at
least an hour traversing those long aisles, ascending
the lofty pulpit, entering the sacred chancel,
forbear to ask, And is this the House of God
which was built by the Washingtons, the Mc. Cartys,
the Lewises, the Fairfaxes?—the house in
which they used to worship the God of our fathers
according to the venerable forms of the Episcopal
Church,—and some of whose names are still to be
seen on the doors of those now deserted pews?
Is this also destined to moulder piecemeal away,
or, when some signal is given, to become the prey
of spoilers, and to be carried hither and thither and
applied to every purpose under heaven?

"Surely patriotism, or reverence for the greatest
of patriots, if not religion, might be effectually
appealed to in behalf of this one temple of God.
The particular location of it is to be ascribed to
Washington, who, being an active member of the
Vestry when it was under consideration and in
dispute where it should be placed, carefully surveyed
the whole parish, and, drawing with his
own hand an accurate and handsome map of it,
showed clearly where the claims of justice and the
interests of religion required its erection.

"It was to this Church that Washington for some
years regularly repaired, at a distance of six or
seven miles, never permitting any company to prevent
the regular observance of the Lord's day.

And shall it now be permitted to sink into ruin for
want of a few hundred dollars to arrest the decay
already begun? The families that once worshipped
there are indeed nearly all gone, and those
who remain are not competent to its complete
repair. But there are immortal beings all around
it, and not far distant from it, who might be forever
blessed by the word faithfully preached therein.
The poor shall never cease out of any land,
and to them the gospel ought to be preached.

"For some years past one of the students in our
Theological Seminary has acted as lay reader in
it, and occasionally a professor has added his services.
Within the last year the Rev. Mr. Johnson,
residing in the neighbourhood, has performed
more frequent duties there.

"On the day following I preached to a very considerable
congregation in this old church, one
third of which was made up of coloured persons.
The sacrament was then administered to twenty
persons."

Some years later the Bishop wrote: "I am happy
to say that this report led the Rev. Mr. Johnson
to its use, in a circular, by means of which he
raised fifteen hundred dollars, with which a new
roof and ceiling and other repairs were put on it,
by which it has been preserved from decay and
fitted for such occasional services as are performed
there. A friend, who has recently visited it, informs
me that many of the doors of the pews are

gone. Those of George Washington and George
Mason are not to be found,—perhaps borne away
as relics. Those of George William Fairfax, Martin
Cockburn, Daniel Mc.Carty, William Payne,
(read Triplett,) and the rector's, are still standing
and their names legible."