Colonial churches; a series of sketches of churches in the original colony of Virginia, with pictures of each church, Part 20

Author:
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Richmond, Va., Southern churchman co.
Number of Pages: 404


USA > Virginia > Colonial churches; a series of sketches of churches in the original colony of Virginia, with pictures of each church > Part 20


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30


For many a holy text around she strews Which teach the rustic moralist to die.


In many instances, where these old estates have passed into other hands, the family graveyards have become overgrown with shrubs, trees and briars.


There is no record of ministers that I can find who served Kiskyacke or York-Hampton Parishes, in York county, when their lines em braced what is now Abingdon Parish, Gloucester. Doubtless ministers from these parishes served in private houses or at a chapel of ease, at or near Tyndall's, now Gloucester Point. Neither can a list of ministers be given who have served Abingdon from its beginning as a parish until 1674, when the Rev. John Gwynn removed there from Ware Parish, and continued in charge through Bacon's Rebellion until 1688. (See Court records.)


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With him we begin the list of known ministers in the parish, al- though it is almost certain one or more preceded him, as I find from Dr. Hawks' Ecclesiastical History that "in 1659 there were fifty parishes in the Colony of Virginia, and the number of ministers about the num- ber of the parishes."


Since Bishop Meade's day, an Abingdon Parish register, dating from 1677 to 1761, has been found, a copy of it has been made and placed with the Virginia Historical Society. The original is in the charge of the officers of Abingdon Parish. From this record we find the Rev. Guy Smith served the parish from 1702 until his death in 1718. Dur- ing his ministry the Rev. George Keith, missionary of the S. P. G., preached in the first Abingdon church, June 13, 1703. This year was also notable as being the time that Major Lewis Burwell, of Carter's Creek, presented the handsome communion service, still used in the parish. It consists of a flagon, a cup and two patens, engraved, "The Gift of L. B. to Abingdon Parish." According to maker's mark, the set was made in London in 1702. The flagon is 131/4 inches high and 81% across the base. The cup is nearly 8 inches high and 51/2 across the mouth. Diameter of the large paten is 111/2 inches, and of the smaller 6 inches.


According to the report of the Rev. Thomas Hughes to the Bishop of London, made in 1724, he succeeded Rev. Mr. Smith in 1719, and was still in the parish in 1744, when he baptized a member of the Thrus- ton family. (See Thruston Bible. ) In 1724 Mr. Hughes reported about 300 families in the parish; that services were held every Lord's Day, Good Friday and Christmas, in the forenoon; that there were sixty or seventy communicants; that the Holy Communion was admin- istered three times a year, and that about 200 Christians generally at- tenided the church. Mr. Hughes said the surplice had never been used in the parish. (I suppose he used the black gown.) He reported his salary was 1,600 pounds of tobacco. He also reported a glebe, which he occupied, to be in good condition. This glebe house which he' mentioned is in existence in the limits of Ware Parish, and is one of the most interesting brick Colonial houses in the county, and is now owned by Mr. William S. Robins. The glebe buildings and lands were confiscated by legislative act in 1802.


Mr. Hughes also reported a free school endowed and 500 acres of land for the benefit of the poor children of Abingdon and Ware Par- ishes. This grant was made by Mr. Henry Peasley, of Robins' Neck,


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in 1675. (See Hen. St., Vol. VII., p. 441.) Some years ago this bequest was changed by the Virginia Legislature to benefit the poor of Glouces- ter county. I think equity demands that it should be applied accord- ing to the will of the testator.


Referring again to the Thruston Bible, there being no reference to the Rev. Wm. Yates in the old Parish Register, I gather he was in charge of the parish in 1750 and 1759. In this latter vear he became rector of Bruton Parish and president of William and Mary College. Reference is made to him in Bishop Meade's book as rector of Abing- don, though the printer calls him "Gates."


In the absence of other records, I again turn to the Thruston Bible, and I find the Rev. Richard Hewett was in the parish in 1772. The Rev. William Hubard in 1773, and Rev. Thomas Price in 1778, each of these ministers having baptized members of the Thruston family. Bishop Meade says Mr. Price was in the parish 1773, 1774, 1776. After this there is no record of ministers for several years.


Abingdon was the third church in the diocese to receive an Episco- pal visitation-possibly in the early part of 1791. (See Bishop Madi- son's report to the Convention of that year.)


Rev. James Maury Fountaine is said to have had charge of the par- ish in 1784. It is probable that about that time he preached in all the churches in Gloucester. In April, 1791, his name appears as presiding at a vestry meeting in Petsworth Parish. He was then unanimously asked to continue as "lecturer" of the parish, for the year to end the eleventh (11th) of April, 1792. May 11, 1792, he was again present at the Petsworth vestry meeting, and chosen "lecturer" for the next twelve months, with this addition: "Mr. Fountaine is at liberty to at- tend the Church of Abingdon at least three times a year." He is re- corded as declining. July 2d of the same year he wrote to Bishop Madison from Ware, endorsing Mr. Armistead Smith, of Kingston Par- ish, for holy orders. From the foregoing, it seems he served the three parishes for a time.


Mr. Armistead Smith's name next appears in connection with Abing- don Parish. It is recorded in the Thruston Bible that on "December 22, 1804, at Bell Farm, Rev. A. Smith united Robert Thruston and Sarah Brown in "holy matrimony." Mr. Smith entered the ministry from Kingston Parish, Mathews, 1792. He was ordained priest in Abingdon church by Bishop Madison in 1793. He died in 1817. Fur- ther note will be made of him in the Ware article.


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in 1827 the Rev. James Carnes became rector of Abingdon, in con- nection with Ware, and served in both parishes until 1829. He was followed in both charges by the Rev. John Cole (deacon), who contin- ued rector until 1836. He was succeeded in both parishes the next year by the Rev. Charles Mann, who continued his joint ministry until 1867, when he resigned Abingdon Parish. Further note of Mr. Mann will be made in the article on Ware Parish.


The Rev. S. H. Phillips became rector in 1868 and was in charge until 1872, when he was followed by Rev. Alexander T. Hundley, who continued in charge until 1883. He was greatly beloved by many within and without the church and drew many to the church.


En 1884, the present rector began his ministry in the parish, first temporarily, then permanently, in June, 1885.


During the late Mr. Hundley's ministry a mission was established in Robins' Neck, about five miles from the church, upon what is known as the "Free School Tract," the land formerly donated by Henry Pea- body to Abingdon and Ware Parishes. From this beginning, in 1888, the present rector was able to build the Holy Innocents chapel, not where the mission started, but upon a piece of land given by the late Mr. Robert C. Selden, of Sherwood-a devout Churchman and vestry- man.


In connection with this chapel I wish to make special mention of my friend and parishioner, the late Mr. Joe Deal. He owned a part of the "Free School Tract," and lived and died in the original Peas- ley house, built about 1655. He was a liberal subscriber to the chapel, and, according to his request, he was buried with his parents and other members of his family at Abingdon church.


In October, 1904, Rev. S. R. Tyler assisted in Abingdon and Ware Parishes until July 1, 1905, when he left to take charge of Hamilton Parish, Va. He was at once followed by the Rev. R. Y. Barber, who left at the end of a year for Texas.


Having given, as far as I could, a list of the ministers of Abingdon Parish, it will be interesting to add the names of officers and of ves- trymen as far as they are known. There are no known records prior 10 1785 that give information on this subject. In Dr. Dashiell's Digest of the Councils of the Diocese of Virginia, I find Governor John Page, of Rosewell, represented Abingdon Parish in the Diocesan Council in the years 1785, '86, '87, '91 and '97. Thomas Lewis in 1787 and Warner Lewis in 1794.


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In 1785 I find Governor Page chairman of a committee in the Con- vention to prepare an address to the members of the Protestant Epis- copal Church of Virginia, representing the condition of that Church.


In 1854 Bishop Meade says Governor Page had seven descendants in the Episcopal ministry.


The first recorded vestry meeting in Gloucester county was held at Gloucester Courthouse, July 31, 1830. It represented the joint parishes of Abingdon and Ware. Present, Rev. John Cole, Dr. William Talia- ferro, Sr., Colonel Catesby Jones, Captain William Robins, Dr. William G. Wiatt, Phillip E. Tabb, William P. Smith. On motion being made, Colonel Catesby Jones and Dr. William Taliaferro, Sr., were unani- mously elected wardens for Ware church. Mr. Archibald Taylor, Sr., and Captain William Robins were in the same manner nominated and appointed wardens for Abingdon church.


On April 30, 1832, we have a list of the joint body of vestrymen: "The following members are appointed for Ware parish vestry: Colo- nel Catesby Jones, Rev. John Cole, Dr. William Taliaferro, Sr., W. T. Taliaferro, William P. Smith, Philip E. Tabb. For Abingdon Parish: Colonel William Jones, George B. Taliaferro, Thomas Smith, John R. Bryan, William Smart and A. L. Davies. Dr. William Taliaferro and Colonel Catesby Jones, wardens for Ware. George B. Taliaferro and John R. Bryan, wardens for Abingdon."


That same vestry met December 31, and passed the following:


"On motion being made and seconded, the resignation of the Rev. John Cole was accepted, and it is further resolved that the vestry, through their secretary, do express the high sense they entertain of Mr. Cole's services, and their entire approbation of his conduct during the whole time he has officiated as minister of the parishes above men- tioned, embracing a period of about seven years."


Again the Vestry Book is missing to the year 1868.


Abingdon vestry May 4, 1867: Colonel J. Lyle Clarke, Charles Selden, Captain R. M. Page. At this period both church edifice and its officers had to be re-established. The vestry for 1868: Colonel J. Lyle Clarke, Dr. Charles Selden, Captain R. M. Page, Mr. John Backhouse, Captain J. B. Brown, Captain John T. Perrin.


Abingdon and Ware were represented in the Council in 1827 by Aug. L. Dabney, and again in 1831. Abingdon was represented in the Con- ventions of 1827 and '31 by Augustine L. Dabney; in 1836 and '40, '50, '54, '57, by John R. Bryan.


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The following are vestrymen of Abingdon and Ware conjointly from 1865 to 1867, when relationships were dissolved: Warner Taliaferro, William Patterson Smith, Wyndham Kemp, Dr. Francis Jones, Dr. Sam- uel Cary, Gen. William B. Taliaferro, Colonel William T. Robins, Col- onel J. Lyle Clarke, Captain Richard M. Page, Dr. Charles Selden, Mr. Richard P. Jones, Major William K. Perrin.


From 1867 to 1885 the following were added to the vestry: Messrs. Robert C. Selden, John W. C. Catlett, Daniel C. Hopper, M. J. Musson, John Backhouse, T. J. Meredith, Captain Joseph S. James, Burnet Brown, Judge Fielding Lewis Taylor, Captain J. M. Nicholson. Since 1885 the following have been added: Richard W. Jones, Joshua G. Bray, Walter Harwood, J. Curtis James, Ashton Sinclair, Joseph Bryan and John Lewis Bouldin.


The present vestry consists of Judge Charles Catlett, senior warden; J. Curtis James, junior warden; J. L. Bouldin, treasurer; Judge F. L. Taylor, register; Messrs. Joseph Bryan, J. G. Bray, Walter Harwood and Ashton Sinclair.


It is worthy of note that the future historian of the parish will re- joice when he comes across the minute and complete records that Judge Taylor has kept of the proceedings of the vestry.


Abingdon has been repaired three times-first in 1841, when the Rev. Charles Mann, Messrs. John Tabb, J. R. Bryan and Richard Coke were appointed a committee to attend to the same. About that time, it is probable, the present beautiful reredos was placed in the chancel, on which are the tables of the Commandments, the Creed and the Lord's Prayer.


In 1867 the church having been much injured by the Federal troops, who occupied it at times during the war, was repaired at a cost of $1,500. Some of the Colonial pews had been destroyed and others were used as stalls for horses. The floor was raised and modern pews re- placed the original ones.


It is interesting to note that while the church was closed to divine services, the words, "We praise Thee, O God," remained high on the reredos from the Christmas dressing of 1861. When the church was repaired these words were painted on the reredos in golden letters.


Colonel J. Lyle Clarke was leader in this second repairing of the church. There is a claim for damages done the church pending in the United States court.


In 1897 the heavy timbers in the roof were found to be unsafe, and for the third time repairs had to be made.


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Mrs. Charles H. and Mrs. William C. Dimmock were indefatigable in their efforts to again repair the beautiful old church. Indeed, every member of the congregation and many friends outside contributed to the same. It was necessary to remove the woodwork down to the walls and build over again; to put in two chimneys and a furnace; to change the chancel, placing it and the pulpit in their former places, and to make a vestry room. All this involved an expense of about $3,000. The work was executed according to the plans of Mr. Marion Dimmock, of Richmond, and under his charge. It was begun and finished in the year 1897. That November the Rev. C. B. Bryan preached the re- opening sermon, this being the church of his childhood.


It would be an imperfect sketch of Abingdon church without the men- tion of some of the families who, in all their history, have been identi- fied with the work. Such were the Warners, Robins, Lewises, Tay- lors, Thrustons, Manns, Seawells, Perrins, Carys, Thorntons, Burwells, Pages, Ennes, Roots, Tabbs, Deans, Bryans, Seldens, Sinclairs, Catletts and Harwoods. Doubtless from among these and others were found early vestrymen, who attended to the affairs of the church.


I shall reserve certain conclusions as to the work of these worthies until I speak of families in Ware, as these two parishes were closely united and many of the same names were in both.


A careful count has been made by Mr. St. George T. C. Bryan of the recorded baptisms in the old register, 1677 to 1761, as follows: Infant male, white, 1,384; infant female, white, 1,422; adult white, 12; negroes, 950. total, 3,768.


It is to be noted that the registration of the baptisms of the colored persons was made in regular order along with the registration of white persons, and without distinction in place. There were also found, and an alphabetical list made of 572 different surnames of white families, some of which occurred very often in the registration. Each surname is recorded but once. This list appears below.


Reflect, that more than 150 years ago, 572 white families in Abing- don Parish alone received Christian ministrations at the hands of the Church of England. Had our forefathers been godless in this new land what would have been their fate, and that of their children and children's children?


I wish to express my thanks to Mr. St. George T. C. Bryan, Dr. and Mrs. William C. Stubbs and other friends for valuable aid in material and otherwise in this and the Ware article.


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INTERESTING CHURCH AND FAMILY RECORDS.


Below are seen the surnames of 570 resident families of Abingdon Parish, Gloucester county, Virginia, from 1677 to 1761. This alpha- betical list was taken from the parish records of births, marriages and deaths during eighty-four years. There may be repetition in a few instances, due to difference in spelling these family names:


Adams, Albin, Alloway, Anderson, Ashington, Augustin, Arnold, Abney, Allman, Ames, Antony, Ashley, Austin, Arnall, Absalom, Allen, Ambrose, Archibald, Atkins, Allberson, Tylestock, Alcomb, Allard, Am- mon, Armstrong, Angur, Andrews, Babbs, Barbary, Barrow, Best, Berkeley, Boswell, Briggs, Brown, Broadbent, Burrison, Buchanan, Burton, Baker, Barkley, Barnet, Botts, Beddos, Bourk, Breeding, Broad- ley, Brunner, Burrows, Burwell, Barth, Bates, Baden, Beveridge, Black- burn, Bowry, Brockley, Broach, Bryan, Burford, Burnett, Barlow, Bay- lor, Bartlet, Berryman, Bolton, Boloine, Bradley, Buck, Butler, Bishop, Barnes, Barton, Belvin, Bew, Booker, Boutwell, Brooks, Bromfield, Buckstone, Busbie, Broderick, Catrine, Cane, Cannifack, Cawdle, Cham- berlain, Clare, Cole, Correll, Cocker, Crittenden, Crow, Caker, Cannon, Cannaday, Chance, Chandler, Clover, Collins, Cottrell, Compton, Crane, Creedle, Callingerne, Carter, Call, Chapman, Christian, Cleveland, Cocke, Cornwell, Cooper, Critchfield, Crawson, Camp, Carr, Caul, Churchill, Clayton, Clement, Cooley, Coleman, Couchman, Crutchfield, Curry, Campbell, Cary, Cawdell, Charwell, Clerk, Cluverius, Corriwell, Cowper, Coward, Creswell, Culley, Daniel, Davies, Day, Dennis, De Jarnette, Dorton, Dudley, Dennaby, Dalton, Dearing, Dens, Dickson, Druth, Dunbar, Danney, Dawson, Deal, Dent, Dixon, Drewett, Dyer, Darnaly, Dandy, Dodenharn, Densborow, Dobbs, Drummond, Davis, Dawzey, Deneson, Dew, Dobson, Dunford, Eames, Elliser, Erborough, Earne, Elvidge, Earning, Ellis, Edwards, Ellenor, Ebbit, Elkin, Fal- cher, Figg, Frawer, Firnice, Farrier, Finley, Freeman, Farril, Fitzhar- ris, Fulcher, Forsythe, Fox, Furbet, Fletcher, Foster, Fuller, Gawin, Gibbs, Gower, Gorman, Green Gromley, Gaines, Giles, Goswell, Gravit, Grixon, Guttery, Gascoigne, Goodman, Goreing, Graves, Groves, Gut- teridge, Gardner, Goram, Gough, Granley, Greenwood, Gwathmey, Gillet, Gordon, Golsher, Grawson, Griswit, Hall, Harrington, Hearn, Hill, Hockett, Howell, Hopdon, Huff, Hunley, Haley, Hartwell, Heywood, Hinch, Hogg, Holles, Howell, Hughes, Hale, Haswell, Hemmingway, Highland, Hobday, Hollinger, Humphrey, Huggins, Harvey, Hatch, Hilery, Higgens, How, Holyfried, Hunt, Hugsey, Harwood, Haynes,


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Hilliard, Holt, Howard, Houch, Hudson, Hussy, Hupsey, Isabel, James, Jobbin, Janson, Jock, Jeffries, Jennings, Jones, Johnston, Jenkins, Keaton, Keyes, King, Keek, Kibby, Kendrick, Knight, Kerbie, Knowles, Keymer, Kemp, Lacey, Lanier, Lee, Lively, Levett, Langhinghouse, Lashadoe, Leek, Lithgoe, Lodge, Latsringhouse, Lawyer, Lowlynn, Lighgo, Loyal, Lane, Lewyllin Lenford, Lobb, Lucas, Latter, Ledson, Lester, Love, Lutridge, Major, March, Mannisher, McKendrie, McWil- liams, McClary, Marstick, Marriner, Mattocks, Mead, McDaniel, Mas- toak, Mason, Mathews, Megrah, Michniel, Marnix, Marca, May, Mever, Mapp, Mannox, Martin, Mayo, Megson, Meriday, Minor, Moody, Morrel, Murrell, Millicint, Mitchel, Moore, Morris, Murfey Mills, More, Morrow, Mynne, Millward, Mixon, Moring, Moxen, McCollister, Miller, Moein, Morney, Mumford, Neatby, Neuman, Nochols, Nelson, Newman, Noden, Nevel, Neving, Nolton, Newell, Newcomb, Norman, Nernie, Nicholls, Nowell, Okey, Orrill, Olliway, Oxenbridge, Oliver, Olive, Orgin, Paddi- son, Parala, Pate, Perry, Pierce, Powell, Pritchett, Page, Partridge, Pat- terson, Perkins, Pointer, Pomeroy, Prince, Pallet, Pargison, Peat, Pey- ton, Pollard, Powers, Prosser, Pallison, Parsola, Peage, Pippin, Poore, Popham, Purcell, Parry, Paston, Parrin, Plesey, Pollet, Potter, Pur- chase, Quales, Quarles, Rachford, Redd, Rider, Rolf, Ruggles, Ryland, Ralph, Reed, Robins, Rose, Rup, Ruglass, Ramsey, Reiheson, Roberts, Ross, Rupie, Ran, Richeson, Robinson, Rowe, Rupel, Rawbottom, Rice, Rogers, Robeson, Russell, Sadler, Sares, Scriven, Shackleford, Simmons, Smith, Spiller, Street, Stoaks, Swift, Saches, Sargison, Scriviner, Sher- iff, Skelton, Soals, Speed, Stanton, Stone, Sykes, Salisbury, Savage, Seawell, Sherwin, Slater, Spann, Spratt, Steevens, Stubbs, Sympson, Sanders, Sawyer, Serwiner, Shilling, Slatterwhite, Spencer, Stafford, Stevens, Sumer, Saunders, Sharras, Shools, Simpson, Slave, Spruce, Straghan, Stevenson, Surles, Tarleton, Temple, Thompson, Tillage, Tomson, Tomstram, Tyler, Tarrant, Terrill, Thornton, Todd, Tool, Tug- den, Tate, Terry, Thrift, Tombies, Tornson, Turner, Tawell, Thomas, Throckmorton, Tomkeys, Trancham, Twails, Teagle, Thorogood, Thrus- ton, Tomkins, Trawer, Twine, Ueding, Upton, Vest, Voluntine, Vaughan, Vines, Vincent, Villine, Waddle, Wafers, West, Whiting, Williams, Woodfolk, Walker, Wormley, Waterfield, Westborn, Wilson, Whitaker, Woodfult, Wafer, Watkins, Wheeler, Willsborn, Wingate, Wood, Wel- lington, Wave, White, Wiley, Witrong, Wyatt, Washington, Watts, Whitehead, Willis, Woodfork, Wynn, Yarborough, Young, Yates.


WARE CHURCH, GLOUCESTER COUNTY, VIRGINIA.


BY THE REV. WILLIAM BYRD LEE, RECTOR.


W ARE Parish was established between 1652 and 1654. It em- braces the southeast section of Gloucester county, and is between thirty and forty miles in circumference; bounded on the east and north by Mobjack bay; North river and Mathews county on the west, and south by Petsworth and Abingdon Parishes.


Tradition says there was a former church or chapel in the parish, located about one and a half miles from the present church, on Glen Roy estate, formerly the home of William Patterson Smith, now owned by Dr. William R. Jaeger. A clump of trees and one or two tomb- stones mark the spot. Mrs. Isaac H. Carrington (nee Smith) says that her father protected this old site from encroaching cultivation. When she was quite a young girl she made copies of the inscriptions on two old gravestones for Bishop Meade, and sent them to him, at his request. Then there were a good many broken bricks on the spot. The field where this graveyard is, has long been known as the "Church Field," and Bishop Meade speaks of it in "Old Churches and Families of Virginia." On the same farm is Glebe Point, suggestive that part of the forgotten glebe lands of Ware Parish may have been there- about. This first church is supposed to have been built soon after Ware Parish was established.


In 1680 a petition was made before the Colonial Court and Council for permission to build another church in Ware Parish. (See records in Virginia Historical Society.) In the absence of early parish re- cords, I conclude that this petition was for the building of the present Ware church, and that it was erected within the next ten years. The ground on which it stands is said to have been donated by the Throck- mortons, who once owned the adjoining estate, it being a part of "Mordecai Mount," the original seat of the Cookes. I believe, however, the church was built before the estate passed into the Throckmorton family, as Gabriel Throckmorton did not marry Frances Cooke until 1690. (See descendants of Mordecai Cooke, by William C. Stubbs, Ph. D.)


WARE CHURCH, GLOUCESTER COUNTY, VA.


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The present church is of brick, with glazed heads; is rectangular, 80 feet by 40 feet; walls three feet thick. It is surrounded by a brick wall that confines a cemetery of half an acre of land, shaded by a grove of cedars and walnuts. Six acres of land, recently acquired, adjoin the old churchyard.


Three doors, "North," "South" and "West," give entrance to the church. The chancel occupies the east end. The space directly in front of the chancel is covered by inscribed horizontal gravestones. There were-before the change of the interior plan-four rows of medium high pews; a row along the north and south walls, respect- ively, and a double row, end on end, extended through the body of the church. Two longitudinal flagged aisles ran between the lines of wall-pews and the opposing central rows; a cross aisle between the north and south doors and an aisle at the west end, under the servants' gallery, each made connection with the two longitudinal aisles. The tall pulpit stood near the south door. It was a strik- ing and handsome interior. Much objection was raised at the time when modern pews were substituted in 1854.


The church is lighted by twelve large windows. Of these, two double ones are in the chancel, and each describes an arc above. There appears to have been the same absence of provision, as at Abingdon, for heating the church. It was left, doubtless, in early days, to each family or person to come prepared or else worship regardless of the cold. Under the best conditions in winter the churches were very cold. One devout lady, of whom I have heard, while riding to church in her high swing "C" spring carriage on wintry days, sang herself into a fervent mood, and on arrival she found nothing so warm- ing to her in church as a sermon from the Rev. John Peyton McGuire, of Tappahannock, who occasionally visited Ware and Abingdon.


The earliest minister I have record of was Rev. John Gwynn, who served this parish from 1672 to 1674, when he went to Abingdon. I can hardly think that the parish was without ministerial services from its beginning to 1672.




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