University of Virginia Library

"The Rev. Henry Skyren was born at White Haven, England. The
date of his birth I am unable to give, as the family Bible was lost, though
it may be seen on his tombstone at Hampton. The exact time of his
arrival in this country is not known; but the first field of his ministry
was in King and Queen and King William counties, preaching alternately
in two or three of the old Colonial churches, and residing in the family
of Colonel Corbin, of Laneville. In 1774, he married Miss Lucy Moore,
the youngest of the three daughters of General Bernard Moore and Kate

Spottswood, whose education he had completed, having resided in her
father's family for several years previous to his marriage. He continued
in the same parish for four or five years; afterward removed to Hampton,
where, after officiating for six years, he died universally beloved and lamented.
It is much to be regretted that his widow, who was too amiable
to refuse a favour, no matter how unreasonable, allowed the ministers of
the neighbouring parishes to pick over and take away the best of his sermons,
which were never returned; so that when her brothers-in-law, Mr.
Walker, of Albemarle, and Mr. Charles Carter, of Shirley, sent to her for
them for publication, only a few fragments could be collected.

"He was said to be an elegant scholar and accomplished gentleman,
who was alike remarkable for his eloquence and piety, never participating
in any of the worldly amusements so common in that day with the clergy.

"These last facts we have learned from the elder residents in Norfolk
and Hampton, many of whom a few years back were living, who retained
a perfect recollection of him; and there is a lady living in this place,
(Fredericksburg,) Mrs. John Scott, Sr., who recollects to have heard him
spoken of in her early youth as the most eminent divine of the age in this
diocese. He left three sons and three daughters. None of his sons ever
married, and the name became extinct in this country with the death of
Colonel John Spottswood Skyren. His eldest daughter first married
Mr. Frazier, of Washington, and afterward Dr. Lewis, of King William.
The youngest married Mr. Tebbs, of Culpepper. The second, the only one
of his children now living, married the late Robert Temple, of Ampthill,
eldest son of Colonel Benjamin Temple, of King William, and is now
residing in Fredericksburg. Her children and grandchildren number
upward of fifty, many of whom still cling to the Church of their fathers
with a strong affection, mingled with veneration and love for the memory
of their ancestors; and it may be well to add that Colonel Benjamin
Temple and Parson Skyren were both members of the first Episcopal Convention
ever held in Virginia. A reliable witness says that, when Mr.
Skyren preached in King William, `the Acquinton Church was always so
crowded that the people used to bring their seats and fill up the aisle after
the pews were full. The other churches in which he preached were Cattail,
and what was called the Lower Church. The church at Hampton
was in a very flourishing condition, and it was with difficulty Mr. Skyren
could get the consent of his congregation to preach in Norfolk, where he
was frequently invited.' "