USA > Virginia > Colonial churches; a series of sketches of churches in the original colony of Virginia, with pictures of each church > Part 21
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In an old Root family paper it is said of Rev. John Gwynn: "He was a cavalier parson, turned out of his parish in England by Parliamen- tary authorities during the Civil War." He doubtless came to this country prior to 1660.
Possibly the next minister in Ware Parish was Rev. Wadding. Dashiell reports him in Gloucester in 1676. The other parishes were supplied in 1677.
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The next known minister was Rev. James Clack, who served from 1679 until his death in 1723. His tomb is four feet from the east wall, outside the church with this inscription:
(Stone broken.)
"Here lyeth the Body of James Clack, the Youngest Son of William and Mary Clack- Born in the Parish of Marden,
-miles from Devizes, -the county of Wilts,
- came out of England August 18.
Arrived in Virginia upon New Year's day following. Came into this Parish of Ware at Easter, where he Continued Minister near forty- five years, till he Dy'd. He departed this life on the 20 day of Decem- ber, in the year of Our Lord God 1723, in hopes of a joyfull Resurrection to Eternal Life, which God Grant him for his Blessed Redeemer's Sake. Amen."
Under his ministry the present church was built. His descendants are still in the parish and have done much to maintain the gracious mission of the ancient church. Mr. Charles E. Cary, vestryman of the parish for thirty-nine years, now senior warden, is descended from him.
After Mr. Clack's death, according to reports of Rev. Emmanuel Jones, of Petsworth, and Rev. Thomas Hughes, of Abingdon, to the Bishop of London, in 1724, they each held services in Ware church on alternate Sundays in the afternoon. This, however, was not long continued.
On May 14, 1724, Rev. John Richards left England for the Colony of Virginia. (See Emigrant Book to America.) He was minister in Ware church the following year, as seen from the inscription on his wife's tombstone in the church, which reads:
"Underneath this stone lyeth interred the body of Amy Richards, the most dearly beloved wife of John Richards, minister of this parish, who departed this life 21st of November, 1725, age 40."
Also: "Here lyeth the body of Mary Ades, her faithful and beloved servant, who departed this life the 23rd of November, 1725, aged 28 years."
Rev. Mr. Richards was rector until his death in 1735, as seen from the following inscription on his tomb in Ware church:
"Underneath this stone lyeth the body of Mr. John Richards, late
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rector of Nettlestead, and vicar of Teston, in the county of Kent, in the Kingdom of England, and minister of Ware, in the county of Gloucester and Colony of Virginia, who, after a troublesome passage through the various changes and chances of this mortal life, at last reposed in this silent grave, in expectation of a joyful resurrection to eternal life. He died the 12th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1735, aged 46."
The next minister in the parish may have been Rev. Reid J. Ford, as Dashiell's Digest of Councils of Virginia locates him in Gloucester county in 1740. Then Abingdon and Kingston Parishes were supplied and Petsworth vacant, waiting the arrival of Mr. Yoak. Mr. Ford's ministry must have been very brief, as another tombstone in the church shows Rev. John Fox as rector in 1742.
"Here lyeth the body of Isabel, daughter of Mr. Thomas Booth, wife of Rev. John Fox, minister of this parish, who, with exemplary pa- tience, having borne various afflictions, and with equal piety discharged her several duties on earth, cheerfully yielded to mortality, exchanging the miseries of this life for the joys of a glorious eternity on the 13th day of June, in the year of our Lord 1742, of her age 38."
Bishop Meade speaks of Mr. Fox as having been in the parish in 1754 and 1758.
About 1764 the parish was vacant and Rev. James Maury Fountaine, of Petsworth, accepted a call to fill the same. (See record in Pets- worth Vestry Book for 18th day of November, 1764) :
"As the Rev. James Maury Fountaine, who was minister of Petsworth Parish has left to go to Ware, this parish is without a minister, the vestry hath thought proper to recommend Mr. Chas Mynn Thruston to his lordship, the Bishop of London, to be ordained a minister of the Church of England."
It appears from the same record that in 1762 Mr. Fountaine had been recommended by the vestry to the Bishop of London for ordin- ation. Thus, two men were sent from Gloucester to England to be ordained about the same time. Captain Charles Mynn Thruston was a member of that vestry.
Mr. Fountaine seems to have ended his days as rector of Ware. He was in charge in 1792, when he signed testimonials for Mr. Armistead Smith's ordination. One of his descendants, Mr. Francis Maury Wyatt, reports he was stricken with apoplexy on his return from
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Ware church and died March 13, 1795, and was buried under the floor of Ware church, and a brown slab was placed over his grave.
There are those now living who have heard from their forefathers what a good man Mr. Fountaine was. In "Old Families and Churches of Virginia," Mrs. Page, of Shelly, gives a description of Petsworth church, and alludes to Mr. Fountaine's death. She says: "Child as I was, I thought Mr. Fountaine must have been the best and greatest man in the world, except my father." Her father was General Nelson, of Yorktown. He has descendants in the county who have been baptized in the church of their forefathers and have great regard for the same. Rev. Mr. Mann says Mr. Fountaine taught a school near Ware. There is a house known as the old schoolhouse, not far from the church, and supposed to have been Mr. Fountaine's schoolhouse.
From what was said in my article on Abingdon, Mr. Fountaine had served all the churches in the county. His Bible, which I have seen, is still preserved by Mr. Francis Wyatt, and bears his name as "minister of Ware, Abingdon and Petsworth."
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Bishop Meade states that Virginia had 91 clergymen officiating in 164 churches and chapels. At its close, he says, only twenty-eight ministers were found labor- ing in the less desolate parishes of the State. This accounts for Mr. Fountaine having to divide his services in these three parishes.
In 1795 Rev. E. L. Talley seems to have followed Mr. Fountaine in the charge of Ware Parish. The Petsworth preserved record closes in 1792, and there is none of Abingdon; so there is no way of telling whether he served in those churches. Mr. Talley probably came to Gloucester from St. Paul's, Hanover, where he once ministered. He seems to have been an unworthy minister. He gave trouble to the trus- tees of Ware Parish gleber in 1795. When or how he left Ware I cannot say. In 1805 he was expelled from the order of Masons for unworthy conduct. Bishop Meade makes but little mention of him. He says: "Rev. Mr. Talley became a Universalist, and died a drunkard." About that time there was a Rev. Mr. Hefferman in Middlesex, of ill report. These two men did the Church much harm. How needful, in all ages, is the prayer appointed for Matthias Day: "O Almighty God, who, in the place of the traitor Judas, didst choose Thy faithful ser- vant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles; grant that Thy Church, being alway preserved from false apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."
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As noted in the Abingdon article, Rev. Armistead Smith served Ware in connection with the other parishes of Gloucester and Mathews, I think, from the time the unfortunate Mr. Talley left until the death of Mr. Smith in 1817.
Mr.' Thomas A. Smith reports his father, Mr. Patterson Smith, as saying that the Rev. Armistead Smith generally rode a trotting horse from his home, "Belleview," in the lower part of Mathews, to his appointments at Ware and Abingdon. He lived about thirty miles from Abingdon church. He did a good work and left a sweet memory behind him. His son, Mr. W. P. Smith, was a most active vestryman and supporter of the parish for many years, until his death. He trained his family in the ways of the Church. I am told that when he and they could not attend church, he held the Church's service with his children in his home, and read a sermon. This excellent custom was and is still practiced in families in the two parishes, and is worthy of emulation and perpetuation.
Mr. Armistead Smith was a native of Mathews county. He was recommended by the vestry of Kingston Parish, as well as by Mr. Fountaine, for holy orders. He served as deacon in Kingston Parish and was ordained priest in Abingdon church by Bishop Madison in 1793. He entered the ministry when the Episcopal Church was in her most depressed period, after her disestablishment in this land. It took, indeed, a true, wise, strong and faithful man to exercise the ministry she had received from the Lord Jesus. Her depressed and scattered children were as sheep going astray. Such was Mr. Smith to his people. He attempted to fix their hope in God; to calm their fears; to rekindle their devotion to their Church and to encourage them to labor to rebuild her waste places. To this he gave his heart and life. He died in 1817 and was buried at Toddsbury, the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Tabb, in Ware Parish.
Inscription on the tomb of Rev. Armistead Smith, "Toddsbury," Gloucester county, Va:
"Sacred to the memory of The Rev. Armistead Smith, of Mathews Co., who after having faithfully served God in the Gospel of His Son, departed this life Sept. 12th, 1817, aged 60 years, 9 months and 12 days.
"If sincerity in friendship, a heart glowing with true piety, benevo- lence and charity have a claim to lasting regard, the memory of the deceased will be fondly cherished."
He was the son of Captain Thomas Smith, of Beechland, Mathews county (then Gloucester), and Dorothy Armistead, of Hesse. Among
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his descendants in Gloucester are Messrs. Thomas A. Smith, William A. Smith and Miss Marian S. Smith, the Tabbs of "Newstead" and "Showan," and the Dabneys, of "The Exchange."
After Rev. Armistead Smith's death Ware, like Abingdon, was without a minister for about ten years. During a part of this period, I am told, the doors were left open, and passing persons and beasts found shelter from storms under its roof. About 1826 God stirred the hearts of the people to think upon His Church, and about their spiritual needs.
Bishop Meade makes mention "of old Mrs. Vanbibber and Dr. William Taliaferro, Sr., two of the props of the Church in the days of her adversity, in this wise: "I need not speak to the present gen- eration in Gloucester, as there are still some living who knew their religious worth, and continue to dwell upon the same to the younger ones." Of Mrs. Vanbibber some interesting notices appeared many years since in one of our religious papers. Of Dr. Taliaferro I may say, from personal knowledge, that it is not often we meet with a more pious and benevolent man or more eminent physician." So wrote Bishop Meade.
Other kindred spirits came forward to the help of this holy cause, which resulted in the call of Rev. James Carnes to the parishes of Ware and Abingdon; which he accepted, and was rector about two years, from 1827-1829.
In 1829 Rev. John Cole became joint rector of Ware and Abingdon, and so continued for about seven years, when he resigned and moved to Culpeper Courthouse, Va.
It will be interesting to note the efforts of the vestry to obtain another minister: "At a meeting of the joint vestry of the parishes of Ware and Abingdon churches, convened at Gloucester Courthouse, on the 4th of February, 1837, for the purpose of inviting a Pastor, to take charge of the above Parishes-On motion being made, and seconded by Mr. W. T. Taliaferro, Mr. G. Booth Taliaferro and Mr. J. R. Bryan were appointed a committee to correspond with the Rev. Thomas Atkinson, and failing in the application to Mr. Atkinson, they are then authorized to correspond with Mr. Bowers or Mr. Wilmer to fill the vacancy having occurred by the resignation of the Rev. John Cole."
Being unsuccessful, a call was extended to the Rev. Charles Mann, who was a former rector of Christ church, Alexandria, Va., and at the time of this call filled the chair of Pastoral Divinity at the Vir-
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ginia Theological Seminary. Mr. Mann came to the parish in Novem- ber, 1837. He continued his long and faithful ministry for forty years, until his death, January 16, 1878. His grave is just east of the church wall and close by that of Rev. Mr. Clack, the first minister of the present church. I quote from Mr. Mann's letters to one of the mis- sionary societies, perhaps the last he wrote: "The aid of your society is now more needed than ever before in this parish, as in consequence of my age (85) and infirmity (being lame), I have been obliged to have an assistant. This parish has never been in so thriving a condition as it now is. Of the seven persons confirmed, four were among the most influential men in the parish, and there are several others who wish to be, as soon as the Bishop can visit us; and as the church in the adjoining parish has been closed for want of a rector, the con- gregations are increased in size though the salary paid is smaller than ever; but I do not complain, as I believe it is the best this impov- erished people can do. Through the generosity of Mr. Charles Bruce, of Charlotte county, by money given from the Bruce fund, the church has been thoroughly repaired and is now a really handsome building. The people are so scattered that we cannot have a Sunday-school at the church, but there several scattered about in the parish, which are all taught by pious and intelligent members of the church."
Mr. Charles E. Cary, a member of Mr. Mann's vestry says: "I knew the Rev. Charles Mann from my earliest recollection to the time of his death in 1878. He was one of the godliest men, as well as one of the most intelligent and best informed, that I ever knew; and one of the most thoroughly practical. He was full of faith, in consequence of which he was always bright and cheerful. I remember on one oc- casion, when there was some fear of dissension in the Church, on ac- count of the High and Low Churchmen, that he remarked to me: 'There is no cause for fear; it is God's Church, and He will take care of it.'"
In the dire days of 1864-'5, when the Northern soldiers had stripped Gloucester county of what would feed the citizens, a young Confederate soldier carried to Rev. Mr. Mann, in the dead of winter, a liberal quantity of flour for those times, and several joints of pork. This young man was the son of one of Mr. Mann's parishioners, then in the Confederate lines. When the aged minister was shown the provis- ions he said: "I did not think God would have sent you. I trusted Him and I knew I should be taken care of, though we were almost out of food."
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He had three servant men. Spencer he trained as a missionary, and sent him to Africa to preach to his benighted race. The other two servants, Will and George, proved their good training and devotion to their old master and his helpless family by resisting every temp- tation and offer made them by the Northern enemy. They worked the little farm and helped keep the wolf from the door so long as the war lasted. Mr. Mann fell on sleep, as he had prayed should be his earthly end, passing painlessly through the gates of eternal life at. night, while his family slept-and so they found him in the morning.
His favorite hymn was, "Lord, Forever at Thy Side."
There is in Ware church, in the east wall, to the left of the chancel, a tablet inscribed:
Erected by a loving congregation to the memory of a faithful friend and pastor Rev. Charles Mann More than 40 years rector of this parish Died Jany. 16, 1878, in the 87th year of his age and the 60th year of his ministry.
He showed forth the praise of God not only with his lips, but in his faithful giving himself to his service and walking before Him in holiness and righteousness all his days.
The memory of the just is blessed.
Rev. William Munford became Mr. Mann's assistant in 1876 and in 1878 succeeded him as rector. He resigned the parish in 1879.
I became rector of the parish June 12, 1881, in connection with Kingston Parish, Mathews county, Virginia. In June, 1885, I re- signed the Mathews churches to accept a call to Abingdon Parish. Thus Abingdon and Ware became reunited under one minister.
As stated in my Abingdon paper, Rev. S. R. Tyler assisted me in both parishes from October, 1904, to July 1, 1905. At that date Rev. R. Y. Barber followed Mr. Tyler and continued his aid for one year.
Although the list of the clergy for the parish is incomplete for want of early records, still Ware, with Abingdon, was, I think, fairly well supplied with ministers in the Colonial period.
Beverley, in his History of Virginia, speakng of the whole Colony, says: "They have now several vacant parishes." And again, "There
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are no Benefices whatever in the Colony that remain without a min- ister if they can get one, and no qualified minister ever yet returned from the country for want of preferment."
From a careful examination of the Register of Abingdon Parish from 1677 to 1761, it appears there was a minister generally at hand to administer baptism and other rites of the Church.
When I turn to the Petsworth vestry book, from 1677-1792, I find that vestry, when the parish was without a minister, was prompt to call another, and usually obtained one in reasonable time.
I infer from the foregoing that Ware was generally supplied with ministers, who did a faithful work.
I believe if we had the records the baptisms would compare favor- ably with those in Abingdon, where, for the eighty-five years prior- from 1677 to 1761-2,806 infants, 12 adults, and 950 negroes were bap- tized.
In Petsworth Rev. Emmanuel Jones reports to the Bishop of London: "Masters afforded the ministers every opportunity to instruct the ne- groes." I believe the same was granted in Ware. Members of the con- gregation recall the colored people occupying the gallery and the pews under the gallery.
It will be interesting to note the first Episcopal visit to Ware church. Bishop Madison reported to the Convention which met in Richmond May 3, 1792, that he had visited the following parishes: York-Hampton, Elizabeth City, Abingdon, Ware. Christ Church (Middlesex), St. Anne, St. Paul's (King George), Berkeley, Westover, Blisland, Bruton, James City, Henrico and Lunenberg, and is happy to assure the Convention that in most parishes the conduct of the ministers appeared to be such as merited the highest commendation. The congregations were gen- erally numerous and attentive to the form of worship established by the Church; and though he had too much reason to lament that suf- ficient regard was not paid to the decent support of the clergymen in many of the parishes, yet the diligence with which most of the min- isters continued to discharge their sacred functions, while it afforded the highest proof of their zeal and piety, yielded at the same time a pleasing hope that the Church would gradually revive ..
"In the five parishes of Abingdon, Ware, Christ Church (Middle- sex), Berkeley (Fredericksburg), and Bruton, upward of six hundred persons have been confirmed," reports Bishop Madison.
The Ware communion service consists of two plates, 81/4 inches in diameter, two cups, 71/2 inches high and 41/2 inches across the mouth
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and base. The original flagon is not with the set. A small one was given to the church some years ago.
I see in Bishop Meade's book that Hon. Augustine Warner gave Pets- worth church a service, consisting of one silver flagon, two silver bowls and two silver plates. I have heard, when Petsworth church went down, this service was divided between Ware church and another church, unknown to me. If the above is true, Ware has the four smaller pieces. Can anyone give a clew to the missing flagon of the service reported by Bishop Meade, the gift of Augustine Warner?
Having told the beginning of the parish and church and given a list of the ministers, as far as known, it will be well to note the glebes and rectories that have belonged to the parish.
In 1680 Mr. Zachariah Crips left 300 acres of land in Ware Parish for the support of the minister. This became the glebe and was sold in 1769, because the vestry found one much better for the incumbent, containing 378 acres. To effect this sale (See Hen. Stat. Vol. VIII, p. 435), the House of Burgesses appointed Rev. James Fountaine, Robert Throckmorton, Francis Tomkies and Francis Whiting, Gentlemen, to hold in trust said land; that they may "sell and by good and sufficient deeds convey, for the best price that can be got for the same."
During the ministry of Rev. Mr. Talley he and the trustees of a tract of 352 acres of land, commonly known as the Glebe, had some trouble to arise between Mr. Talley and the committee, growing out of the question of its sale. I cannot say whether this was a part of the 370 acres or not.
The trustees were Philip Tabb, Thomas Baytop, Christopher Pryor, Matthew Anderson, Richard Baynham, Morgan Tomkies, Mordecai Cooke, Peter Beverley Whiting, William Hall, Philip Sansum, and John Dixon. It is possible some or all of these may have been ves- trymen. The further history of glebes in Virginia is too well known to be reviewed in this article. They were abolished in 1802.
During the ministry of Mr. Cole there was no rectory in either parish. He was a single man, and I understand lived with his par- ishioners-a good portion of his time with Mr. George B. Taliaferro, Edge Hill, near Gloucester Courthouse. His last home was with Mr .. John R. Bryan, at Eagle Point.
In April, 1837, there is this item from the vestry book: "Resolved, That Geo. B. Taliaferro be authorized to collect subscriptions for the parsonage for the two parishes of Ware and Abingdon." The place purchased was a little more than forty acres of land, with a house
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and outbuildings, secured from Mr. Chiswell Nelson, and located on the "Indian Road," between "Church Hill" and "Campfield" estates and about a mile from Ware church.
I have described its location because I find it impossible to locate the 370 acres and the other parcel or parcels of land just mentioned.
Mr. Mann came to the parish in November, 1837. He and his family spent several months with parishioners while the rectory was repaired and enlarged. There he spent the rest of his long and useful life. He and his family made it a home of sunshine-a place of joy and welcome to his parishioners, friends and strangers.
I never occupied the old rectory. About the year 1883 it was sold, and the funds were divided between the two parishes. Ware vestry purchased a house and forty acres of land for a rectory, near Glou- cester Courthouse, which I have since occupied.
I learned from Dr. and Mrs. William C. Stubbs that in June, 1752, there was stolen from Ware church the communion table, pulpit cloth of crimson velvet double laden with gold; a surplice and gown. A reward of ten pounds was offered for the apprehension of the thief.
In 1724 Rev. Thomas Hughes, in his report from Abingdon to the Bishop of London, said: "Surplices had never been used in the parish." In the Petsworth vestry book, 1733, I find an item of expense, "Wash- ing surplice twice-" These items are mentioned as showing when and where the surplice was used, and when and where it was not used.
It will be interesting to note some of the vestrymen who have served the parish-namely: John Throckmorton was church warden in 1679, and Henry Whiting church warden 1674. (See General Court Records, p. 374.) William Hall represented the parish in Convention in 1790 and again 1795; Peter Whiting in 1797; Richard Baynum, 1805; Thomas Smith, 1821; Augustine L. Dabney, Ware and Abingdon, 1827; John S. Dixon, 1832; Catesby Jones, 1833; Warren T. Taliaferro, 1834 and again in 1839; G. Booth Taliaferro, 1840; J. R. Bryan, Abingdon and Ware, 1843; Dr. J. R. Page, 1857; Dr. Samuel Carey, 1871; Joseph S. James, 1872; Samuel B. Taylor, 1875; Charles E. Cary, 1876; Dr. M. Miller, 1854. (See Dashiell's Digest.)
It is noted in my article on Abingdon that the vestries of Ware and Abingdon met together, and they so continued until 1867, when their relationships were dissolved.
Prior to 1830 Mr. Thomas S. Dabney was a vestryman. In 1841 the Ware half of the vestry consisted of Dr. William Taliaferro, Sr., W. T. Taliaferro, William Patterson Smith, Philip E. Tabb and Charles
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Curtis. Those since added were Dr. J. Prosser Tabb, Dr. M. Miller, Dr. John R. Page, Wyndham Kemp, Sr., Dr. Francis Jones, Dr. Samuel Cary, Col. William T. Robins, Maj. William K. Perrin, Samuel D. Puller, Maj. Tazewell Thompson, Charles E. Cary, Maj. Powhatan Ellis, John Tabb, John N. Tabb, T. Todd Dabney, Gearge W. Morgan, Thomas L. Benton, James L. Taliaferro, William S. Mott, N. S. Hop- kins, Walter C. Perrin, Lewis M. Byrd, Isaac Slingluff and Frederick Bayton Jones.
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