No. XXV.
Blissland Parish, New Kent County.
Since the first edition of this book I have received a fragment of the
vestry-book of this parish, beginning in the year 1721, and ending in 1786.
During this period of sixty-five years, there were only three ministers: the
Rev. Daniel Taylor, who continued from 1721 to 1729; the Rev. Chickerley
Thacker, from 1729 to 1763, the Rev. Price Davies, from 1763 to 1786.
Their continuance in office for such periods speaks well for their character.
The Rev. Mr. Davies was one selected by the House of Burgesses
to take part in the services at Williamsburg, at the beginning of our
Revolutionary struggle,—which indicates his patriotic principles. The
services of the ministers of this parish are supposed to have been divided
between Warren Church, so called from the swamp of that name about
ten miles below New Kent Court-House, which has entirely disappeared,
and Hickory Neck Church, in James City county, which is still standing,
though not used by Episcopalians. We hear of some movement
towards the re-establishment of Episcopal worship there. It is about
ten miles distant from Williamsburg, and was sometimes visited by
Bishop Madison. Eltham, the seat of the Bassetts, in New Kent, was
within this parish, and the Honourable Burwell Bassett, as well as
his father, William Bassett, were long the vestrymen of it. The following
is a list of the names of the vestrymen from 1721 to 1786:—Bassett,
Thornton, Slater, Cox, Morris, Richardson, Alderley, Armstead, Keeling,
Holdcroft, Kenney, Hockaday, Doran, Williams, Woodward, Dickson,
Allen, Mackain, Sherman, Clough, Henley, Radcliffe, Terrel, James,
Hogg, Power, Goddin, Macon, Dandridge, Hankin, Prince, Russell, Timberlake,
Bridges, Banks, Lewis, Baker. In the above, how many of the
families in Virginia and elsewhere may find the names of their ancestors.
THE END.
