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Bruton Church
historical Dotes
Good win
PRIVATE LIBRARY of WILLIAM IVES RUTTER, JR.
F
CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
OLIN F 234 W72 G653
Cornell University Library
F 234.W72G653
Historical sketch of Bruton Church, Will 3 1924 010 409 161
afin
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Y
1865
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Cornell University Library
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924010409161
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THE CHURCH VIEWED FROM THE PALACE GREEN, AND THE EAST.
historical Sketch
of
BBruton Church
Williamsburg, Virginia.
Rend. m. E. R. Goodwin, A. m. Rector of Bruton Clurch
ILLUSTRATED
1903
PRINTED BY THE FRANKLIN PRESS COMPANY PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA
80 LW
Dedication Co
The Congregation of Old Bruton Church, and to Those who will share with them in the privilege of Restoring and Preserving this ancient Temple of our fore-fathers, this work is affectionately dedi- cated.
Preface
HIS historical sketch has been compiled in T order to supply the constant demand for in- formation as to the early history of Old Bru- ton Church. The information given is largely derived from an article on the his- tory of Bruton Church written by Rev. Jno. C. McCabe, and published in the Church Review, January, 1856. Dr. McCabe had the use of the old vestry book of the Parish containing the records of the Church from 1674 to 1769. Extensive and interesting extracts from this book were copied by him, and an endeavor has been made to embody every one of those in this sketch for reference and preser- vation, as the book from which they were copied never came again into the possession of the Vestry. They are printed in Old English type. Use has also been made of Bishop Meade's "Old Churches and Families in Virginia," and of a sketch of Bruton Church written by President Lyon G. Tyler, of the College of William and Mary. We have also referred to Hening's Early Statutes of Va., and to Vol 1 of Calendar of State Papers 1652-1781, and made use of the subsequent records of the Parish. The tablets on the walls of the Church have been copied and inserted, and also some of the most interesting inscrip- tions on the tombstones in the Church and Church-yard, and the names contained in the Birth and Death record of the Old Parish Register of 1662 have been inserted.
With grateful appreciation I acknowledge the kindness of the Rev. F. G. Scott, of the Bishop Payne Divinity School, Petersburg, Va., through whose hands the proof- sheets of this work have passed.
W. A. R. G.
BRUTON RECTORY,
WILLIAMSBURG, VA.,
Feast of the Transfiguration, 1903.
Contents
PAGE
Historical Associations,
7
History of the Formation of the Parish, 11
Old Records Relating to the Building of 1683, 12
Death of Rev. Rowland Jones, and Election of Rev. James Sclater, Election of Rev. Samuel Eburne, -
17
A Silver Service Given,
,
18
Rev. Cope Doyley Elected,
20
Removal of the Seat of Government from Jamestown to Williams- burg,
20
Election of Rev. Solomon Wheatley,
22
Conflict as to Right of Induction, 23
Position and Authority of Colonial Vestry men, 24 27
Election of Commissary Blair, Minister,
The Church of 1715,
31
Election of Rev. Thomas Dawson, - 37 37
The Church Enlarged and Organ Secured,
The Church-yard Wall,
39
The Belfry Built,
39
Some Old Vestry Orders,
41
The Passing of the Old Regime,
45
The Church after the Revolution, Legislative Despoliation,
49
Early Episcopal Visitations,
51
Dr. Bracken, Dr. Keith, Dr. Wilmer, Dr. Empie, Rectors,
51-54
Modern Innovations,
55
The Colonial Governor's Pew, The Mayor's Pew,
57
The List of Pew Holders in 1840, ..
59
The Clock in the Steeple,
60
The Restoration Movement, 63
The Old Communion Silver, Font, Old Bell, Old Parish Register, 68-72 Extracts from Sermons of Commissary Blair, 72 -
Induction Controversy, Appendix A
Mural Tablets and Tombstone Inscriptions,
Appendix B
The Ministers and Vestrymen of Bruton Parish, Appendix C
Birth Record, Appendix D
I
Death Record,
Appendix E
17
Illustrations
1. The Church seen from the Palace Green and the East, Frontispiece
2. Colonial view of the Church, 14
3. The Old Tower at Jamestown, - 21
4. Portrait of Commissary Blair, . 27
5. The Jamestown Font, - - 30
6. The Silver-Gold Service, called the "Queen Anne Set," -
30
7. The Church seen from the Church-yard,
- 41
8. The Church viewed from the Duke of Gloucester Street, - 48
9. Interior view of the Church, 1840-1886, - 57
10. The Duke of Gloucester Street, - 57
11. Diagram showing the Original and Present Arrangement of the Church, - - 58
12. Interior view of the Church, 1886-1903, 62
13. The Jamestown Communion Service, - 68
14. The King George Communion Service, 70
15. The Church Yard 1 - 87 -
16. Two Pages of the Old Parish Register, Appendix D
Associations
LD Bruton Church has well withstood the devastating touch of time. The storms of many winters have gone over it, the fierce battles of two great wars have raged near it, and in it have lain the sick and wounded of two armies, and yet it stands to-day just as it stood well nigh two hundred years ago. The Building is consecrated by hallowed associations. It is intimately connected with Virginia's early history. Through its ancient tower entrance passed the Court processions of Colonial days,- the governors with emblazoned emblems, betokening the authority and majesty of old England's Kings and Queens; the Council of State, composed of men whose names will ever live in our nation's history; and the members of the House of Burgesses, the defenders of the liberties of the people.
Here, in pew officially assigned, elevated from the main floor and richly canopied, sat the proud and im- perious Francis Nicholson, the devoted Edmund Jennings, the dauntless Spottswood, Drysdale, Gooch, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Norborne Berkeley Lord de Botetourt, and Dunmore.
Here, as Vestrymen, worshipped the Hon. Daniel Parke; the Hon. John Page, "the immigrant;" Thomas Ludwell, Secretary of State; Sir John Randolph; Peyton Randolph, the King's Attorney and Speaker of the House of Burgesses; Robert Carter Nicholas, Treasurer of Vir- ginia; Major Robert Beverly, Attorney, and Clerk of the House of Burgesses, and many others whose names ap- pear in the long list of Vestrymen and upon the pages of the nation's history.
8
Associations
Here once sat the men who first saw the vision of a great free republic of this Western World, and who, at the altar of sacrifice, consecrated their lives to the cause of liberty which they loved-George Wythe, patriot, teach- er, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a vestryman; Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, and Chief Justice John Marshall, and Edmund Randolph, worshipped here while students in the College of William and Mary; and most of them in after years while serving the Colony and State. George Mason, Edmund Pendle- ton, Edmund Randolph, Benjamin Harrison, Bland and Lee, while members of the House of Burgesses; Patrick Henry while a member of the House and Governor of Virginia (1776), and George Washington, while seeking to win the heart and hand of the beautiful Martha Custis.
These, and many others, whose names are deathless, have passed within these sacred courts and meekly bowed the knee in supplication to the King of Kings. As we linger in the silence of the Church, they pass before the awakened vision of the mind. They sit, as they did of old, listening to the law of the God of Nations, and to the mes- sage of liberty in the great Gospel of redemption. The walls of the cruciform old building seem to echo again with their voice of prayer and thanksgiving.
Here the youth of the nation that was to be, dreamed dreams and saw visions which awakened the high and noble aspirations of their lives; for here they heard the Gospel of Liberty, and engaged in the service of devotion and adoration which rouses the best that is in a man, and inspires him to live and serve for the Glory of his God and the good of his fellowman.
Here have ministered faithful servants of the most high God. The services have been almost continuous. The College Faculty could always be relied upon to sup- ply ministerial service, and the City of Williamsburg, being the seat of the Colonial Government, created a con-
9
Associations
stant demand for the services and ministrations of the Church.
The Church was preserved because it was needed. Thus the present building has been longer in continuous use than any other Episcopal Church in America.
Around the Church, side by side with the peers, war- riors, scholars, and statesmen of the past in their sculp- tured tombs, beneath many mouldering heaps, "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Some to earthly fame are now unknown, the names of others live, not because they are engraved in marble, but because they helped to make the nation's history great.
The Old Church, with its historic associations and hallowed memories, is to us an inheritance from the past and a trust for the future. It must be preserved. It must remain to tell its story of the days that are gone to days that may yet be. It belongs, in a sense, to the nation with whose early history it is so intimately associated. It is doubly dear to us to whom it witnesses of the in- fluence of our Church over the lives of the Nation-build- ers, and to whom it speaks of the continuity of our Church's life and liturgy.
The work of restoration, which has been determined upon, will be done with reverence and with devotion. The exterior will be left unchanged, for change here would mean innovation. The interior, which was changed and distorted, in view of conditions which no longer exists, will be restored to its ancient form, and the whole will be transmitted, under the good providence of God, to pos- terity as it was planned and builded and used by our forefathers.
Historical Motesx
Original Parishes
I
N 1632 Middle Plantation (subsequent_ ly Williamsburg) was "laid out and paled in." A Parish bearing this name was created shortly there- after 2 In 1644 a parish in James City was created called "Harrop Parish," which on April 1st, 1648, was united with Middle Plantation, forming Middletown Parish.
In 1674 the parish of Marston (established in York county in 1654) and Middletown Parish were united and became known as BRU- TON PARISH.
Of the early history of Middle Plantation, or Williamsburg, little is known. The early court records have been destroyed, and there was no vestry-book preserved prior to the one of 1674. There was, however, a Church at Williams- burg in 1665. This fact is established by an entry in the vestry-book of Middlesex Parish, made in 1665, which directs that a Church be built in that parish after the
I Hening I, 139, 199, 208.
2 York Records.
12
Historical Notes
model of the one in Williamsburg.' This was doubtless a wooden structure. How long it had then been in use is not known.
The name of the Parish
The name BRUTON was doubtless given to the Parish in honor of Thomas Ludwell, Esq., who, according to the record inscribed on his tombstone at the door of Bruton Church, was born in Bruton, in the County of Summer- set, England, and departed this life in the year 1678.2
Old Destry TRecords Relating to Church Building, EEtc.
The first entry in the Vestry-book bears date "April Ve 18th, 1674," and on that day we find present at the Vestry meeting:
"The honourable Coll: Danl. Darke, Mr. Rowland Jones, Minister, Mr. John Dage, Mr. James Besouth, Mr. Robt. Cobb and Mr. Bray.,-Capt. Chesley, and Mr. Hylett, Church Wardens. Mr. John Owens, Sidesman. There being in the last levie Eight Thousand five hundred pounds of tobacco in Caske, Levyed to the Boncurable Thomas Ludwell, Secretary, and Daniel Parke, Esq., 25 pound ster- ling, due to them upon ye purchase of ye Gleabe," &c.
In Nov. 1677, the vestry concluded that : "Whereas, upon ye Visiting of the Parishes, It was fully agreed that neither the Upper Church, nor the lower Church should be repaired, but a New Church should be built with brick, att the Middle Plantation,-Now in respect of the late troubles and Leavies this Yeare, It is by this Vestry Ordered that the next laying of the Leavie for this parish, the Demen-
I Bishop Meade's Old Churches and Families in Virginia.
2 Sir William Berkeley, Governor, whose widow, Lady Frances Berkeley, Col. Phierp Ludwell married, was also from Bruton, England.
13
historical Notes
sions and order of building a New Church, and by whom to be Undertaken, be there fully determined; and that the present Church Wardens be desired to take Subscriptions from ye honorable Thomas Ludwell, Daniel Darke, Esq., Major Jo: Dage, of their former promises: and also of all other Gentlemen who will freely subscribe their benevolence to so Christian a work."
"There were then, probably, three wooden structures for worship in the Parish, corresponding to Middle Plan- tation, Harrop, and Marston parishes, all three of which now composed Bruton, which stretched in an irregular manner from York River to James River, and was about ten miles square. We have evidence certainly of the ex- istence of two such churches: Marston Church is con- stantly referred to in the York county records as being in the direction of the present Biglow's "in the Indian fields near Queen's Creek;" and in December, 1674, Thomas Claiborne and Sarah, his wife (who was Sarah Fenn), joined in a deed to convey the wife's inheritance in the old plantation of Ralph Simkins at Middle Plantation, "except the two acres on wch the Parish Church of Bruton now standeth, formerly given by Ralph Simkins unto the parishioners of Bruton."
On Nov. 14th, 1678
"It is ordered that ye Subscriptions of free dona- tions for building a brick Church be entered in the Register, and that Copies be given to the Church Wardens to procure all other persons' free donations that are dwellers in ye parish and when they have promised what they can, that a Vestrie be called for further consideration concerning the said Church."
Under the same date appears the following :
"I, John Dage, doe oblige Myself, My beires, Execu- tors, to pay or cause to be paid, Twenty pounds sterling to the Vestry of Bruton Parish, ffor and towards Build-
I Pres't Lyon G. Tyler.
14
Historical Notes
ing of a Brick Church att Middle Plantation, for ye sd parish, upon demand. Witness my hand this 14th of November, 1678.
Also I do promise to give land sufficient for the Church and Church Yard. John Dage
Witness
Abraham Vinckier, ) Richard Curteen, 1
I, Rowland Jones, Clerke, do oblige Myself, My beires, Executors, to pay or cause to be paid, five pounds sterling, to the Vestry of Bruton Parish, for and towards the building a brick Church, at the Middle Plantation, for ye said Parish, upon demand, as witness My hand, November ye 14, 1678.
Witness
Richard Curteen, 1 Abraham Vinckler. j
Wee, the subscribers, do hereby oblige ourselves, our beires, and Executors, and Administrators, to pay each of us five pounds Sterling to the Vestry, upon demand, towards ye building of H Brick Church, on ye Middle Plantation, for ye said Parish, as witness our hands this 14th of November, 1678.
Witness
Abraham Vinckler, -
Richard Curteen.
James Besouth,
Martin Gardner,
Wm. Hylett, Gideon Macon,
Robert Cobb, Cho. Taylor,
Robert Spring, Christo Pearson."
On the 5th June, 1679, a full description of the Church to be built is given, together with articles of agreement be- tween the Vestry and George Marable, the contractor of the work, which was to cost £350 sterling.
F
A COLONIAL SCENE. From a painting of Bruton Church, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
15
historical Notes
Owing to some disagreement we find the following entry :
"Whereas Mr. Geo. Marable hath arrested Mr. George Doyndexter and Mr. George Martin, (members of this Vestry,) in an action of the case to ye 4th day of ye next Generall Court : this Vestry do ordain and appoint Major Robert Beverly their lawfull Attorney on the behalf of ye said Parish, to answer ye suit of ye said George Marable, and also to procure judgment for performance of ye arts of agreement made by ye said Mr. George Marable," etc.
On the same occasion there is the record of a state- ment from Philip Ludwell, Esq., of a legacy by his brother Thomas Ludwell of £20 sterling and a promise for himself of £10 sterling towards the New Church to be built at Middle Plantation.'
On the 23d June, 1681, an agreement was made be- tween the Vestry and Capt. francis Dage to build the Church at the same place, but with several variations from Marable's plan, for £150 sterling; "and sixty pounds of good, sound, merchantable sweet scented Tobacco and Caske, to be levied of each Cytheable in the parish for three years together-the first payment to commence this next ensuing crop."
Church Completed and Dedicated
"November ye 29th 1683."
The Parish Church is at length completed, and the Ves- try notice the fact by the following: "Whereas ye Brick Church at Middle Plantation is now finished, It is ordered yt all ye Inhabitants of ye said Parish, do for the future repair thither to hear Divine Service, and ye Word of God preached; And that Mr. Rowland Jones, Minister, do dedi- cate ye said Church ye Sixth of January next, being ye Epiphany. And that Alexander Bonyman, Clerke, sett up
I McCabe.
16
Historical Notes
notice at ye Mill, to give notice thereof; And that ye Orna- ments, etc., be removed pr ye Church Wardens, and also yt ye old Communion Cable be removed to ye minister's house and there remain."
Dr. McCabe remarks that this service of dedication was doubtless celebrated by more than the demonstra- tions contemplated by canons and rubrics, for immedi- ately following this order is another that: "Mr. Roger Jones having promised to furnish ye Darish with two barrels of Car, Each containing twenty-eight gallons, to be delivered at Middle Plantation, which being performed ye Parish is to pay ye said Mr. Jones after ye rate of £12 pr barrell."
It is to be remembered that these old Colonial Churches were never consecrated according to rubrical direction, as there was in those days no resident and no visiting Bishop to perform the service as ordered in the Book of Common Prayer.
On Oct. 31, 1684, a Committee is appointed to examine the work done on the New Church, and report Nov. 10th. Capt. francis Dage thereupon gives bond and security to keep the Church in good order and repair for four years.1
On May 10, 1686, there appears the following : "Whereas there is a proposition to the Vestry, concerning a Steeple and a Ring of Bells, the Vestry do request Mr. Rowland Jones, Mr. Martin Gardner, and ffra Dage, that they make a computation of the charge of building the Steeple and cost of the bells, and returne the same to ye next Vestry; and that in ye mean time they endeavour to procure what dona- tions they can from such persons as may be thereto willing."
fees of Clerk and Serton
The fces of the Clerk at this time werc ordered to be "three pounds of Tobacco for registering every Christening
I McCabe.
17
Historical Notes
and burial in ye Darish, and ye Sexton to have ten of Tobacco for every grave that he diggs."
"The last meeting of the Vestry, which the Revd. Rowland Jones attended, was held on the 26th day of November, 1687. This gentleman attended for the first time a meeting of the Vestry May 4th, 1675. On that day, "by a General Consent," they "subscribed a request to the Right honorable Governour for an Induction into this Parish of Mr. Rowland Jones, minister." There is no evidence on the record that he ever was inducted, and yet he served them for twelve years, and then "fell asleep,"-for at the next Vestry Meeting, "June ye 5th, 1688," it was entered on the book as follows :"
"Whereas this Darish, by ye death of ye Rev. Mr. Rowland Jones, is destitute of a Minister, and Mr. James Sclater having offered to serve ye Parish in that quality, It is therefore agreed upon and ordered, that Mr. James Sclater be paid after ye rate of 6,000 pounds of tobacco per annum for six months. Ve time to commence from ye 13th day of May, 1688, and for such further time as he shall officiate in this Darish, to be allowed after the same rate proportionable. The said Mr. Sclater agreeing to preach a Sermon every other Sunday in the afternoon, if weather permit, and bath promised to administer ye Sacra- ment twice in ye six months; and each Sunday that be preach here to perform other rites and ceremonies of the Church."
Dr. McCabe, upon the authority of the Vestry book, states that this arrangement continued for a very short period, and that on the following July the same order was made in favor of Rev. Mr. Samuel Eburne, and the same requirements expressed. On November 9, 1688, the order was reiterated to continue in force until next Christmas. After this time it was determined that if Mr. Eburne agreed to officiate for seven years, he was to receive
I McCabe.
18
Historical Notes
annually 16,666 pounds of tobacco and caske, with the use of the Glebe, and all the houses thereon.
On November 28, 1688, the following letter from Lord Howard Effingham, Governor of the colony, was received and recorded on the Vestry book :
"Gentlemen,-I understand that upon my former recom- mendation to you of Mr. Samuel Eburne, you have received him, and he hath continued to exercise bis functions in preaching to vou and performing Divine Service. I have now to recommend him ye second time to you, with ye addition of my own experience of his ability and true qualification in all points; together with his exemplary life and conversa- tion. And, therefore, holding of him in the esteem of a per- son who, to God's honor and your good instruction, is fitt to be received, I do desire he may be by you entertained and continued; and that you will give him such encouragement as you have formerly done to persons so qualified.
"8br 25, 1688."
"Effingham.
A Silver Server Given
"The seventh day of April, 1694.
his Excellency Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, was pleased to give to Bruton Parish H Large Silver Server."
"Ht a Vestry held for Bruton Darish ye 10th day of May, 1694,
Mr. Samuel Eburne, Minister, Mr. Bugh Norwell,
Edmd. Jennings, Esq.
Mr. henry Tyler,
Mr. Phil. Ludwell,
Mr. John Kendall,
Mr. Daniel Darke,
Mr. Ro. Crawley,
Mr. John Dorman,
Mr. Baldwin Matthews,
Mr. Wm. Dinkethman,
Die excellency having been pleased to bestow on ye Church a large silver server,-The Vestry therefore do desire Mr. Eburne, with Mr. Phil. Ludwell and Mr. Baldwin Matthews,
19
Historical Notes
ye Churchwardens, to wait upon his Excellency to render bim thanks for his noble and pious gift."
The Church had begun to show signs of decay, and on May 6, 1693, there is the following: "Whereas ye inside work on ye Church ought to be rectified and repaired, it is therefore ordered that the .... Churchwardens provide an able workman to effect the same, and that it be done as soon as they can."
In 1694 the following is recorded in the Vestry-book: "Whereas severall Quakers there are in this Parish that are in arrears for their Parish dues,-It is therefore ordered that ye Church Wardens do demand and receive ye same this pres- ent year." And on the first November, same year, "Upon Mr. Eburne's proposition to ye Vestry, to be resolved whether they would sustain him for a longer time after his present time by agreement is expired, It is the opinion of this Vestry, and accordingly ordered that it shall be referred to the Vestry that shall meet for this Parish upon Caster Tuesday next." And on "Ve third day of Hprill, 1695, in answer to Mr. Eburne's proposition, this Vestry ordered that no Minister be hereafter entertained but from year to year, and that they allow and pay bim only according to law. Upon which Mr. Eburne doth refuse to stay any longer than till next Christ- mas." On the 15th January, 1696, "It is ordered that Mr. Saml. Eburne, Minister, be allowed two hundred pounds of tobacco and caske, it being for preaching four Sermons after the time by agreement having expired." "The said Mr. Saml. Eburne declaring his Intentions of leaving this Country, ye Church Wardens, therefore, are requested (as often as they can) to procure a Minister. And when there shall be no Minis- ter, the Clerke is ordered to Read homilies and prayers. And likewise ye said Church Wardens are requested to wait upon his Excellency ye Governor, and pray him that he would be pleased to have this Parish in his thoughts when any Minis- ters shall arrive here out of England."
Mr. Eburne was not permitted to leave without a
!
20
historical Notes
resolution expressing the esteem and high regard of the Vestry for him as a man and asa Minister. He had served among them for seven years, and had, in those days when Ministers were not always what they should have been, won for himself a good testimonial which is cordially ex- pressed by the Vestry in the following resolution :
"We, the Vestry of Bruton Parish, in Virginia, whose names are underwritten, do certifie all whom it may con- cerne, that Mr. Samuel Eburne, Minister of the said Parish, bath so well behaved himself in all his Ministeriall ffunctions amongst us for the space of seven years and upwards, that we do all unanimously desire bis further continuance with us; but, by reason of his growing into years, he hath chosen to go into a warmer climate.
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