USA > Virginia > City of Williamsburg > City of Williamsburg > Historical sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia > Part 2
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Daniel Darke, John Kendall,
Edmd. Jennings,
hugh Norwell,
John Owens, Philip Ludwell, Jr.
Robert Crawley, John Dormar,
henry Tyler, Cimo. Dinckethman."
Wm. Dinkethman,
In April, 1697, Mr. Cope Doyley's name appears as Min- ister, and "it is ordered that Mr. Doyley be entertained as Minister of this Parish, with ye yearly allowance according to law." On the 14th October, 1698, "Whereas there are severall Quakers in arrears for Darish Levies, it is ordered that the Church Wardens do prosecute them to ye County Court where the debt is actionable."
Jamestown Abandoned
In 1699, during the second term of the administration of Governor Francis Nicholson, the seat of government was moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg "on account of the prevalence of malaria and mosquitos" at James- town, and because "the air was serene and temperate
I Rev. Hugh Jones-Present State of Virginia.
THE OLD CHURCH TOWER AT JAMESTOWN.
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Historical Notes
and crystal springs burst from dry and champaign soil": around Williamsburg.
Old Jamestown is now lonely and deserted. The tower of the Old Church stands,
"Lone relic of the past ! old mouldering pile,
Where twines the ivy round its ruins gray."
The foundation walls of the Old Church have been unearthed and sheltered in by the "Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities." The pilgrim stand- ing amid the sacred ruins of these old Churches has sug- gested to him the beautiful lines inscribed by some unknown one upon the walls of Old Blandford Church, in Petersburg, Virginia :2
"Thou art crumbling to the dust, old pile, Thou art hastening to thy fall, And around thee in thy loneliness Clings the ivy to thy wall. The worshippers are scatter'd now Who met before thy shrine, And silence reigns where anthems rose In days of auld lang syne.
"And rudely sighs the wandering wind Where oft, in years gone by, Prayer rose from many hearts to Him, The highest of the high. The tramp of many a busy foot Which sought thy aisles is o'er, And many a weary heart around Is still'd for evermore.
"How of't ambition's hope takes wing: How droop the spirits now: We hear the distant city's din: The dead are mute below. The sun which shone upon their paths Now gilds their lonely graves ; The zephyrs which once fann'd their brows The grass above them waves.
I Hening.
2 Old Blandford Church, built in 1737, is now being restored.
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historical Notes
"Oh, could we call the many back Who've gather'd here in vain, Who careless roved where we do now, Who'll never meet again,- How would our souls be stirr'd To meet the earnest gaze Of the lovely and the beautiful, The light of other days."
We hear now no "distant city's din." James City is no more. "The air a solemn stillness holds," broken only by the murmur of the waves, beating ceaselessly upon the shore, which is gradually receding at their touch.
When the Church at Jamestown was abandoned the Font and the Communion Service were brought to Bruton Church. (See illustrations.) Parish tradition claims this Font to be the one still in use in the Bruton Parish Church. The inscription on the Communion silver estab- lishes its identity beyond question.
In 1699, the Church again stands in need of repairs, which are ordered. In 1700, Gov. Nicholson requires a cer- tificate that Mr. Doyley reads prayers every Sunday at the Parish Church, which question is answered by the Vestry in the affirmative. This would indicate that the Governor had not yet removed his residence to Williamsburg, as he would otherwise have been acquainted with the regularity of Service in the Parish Church.
The last Vestry meeting attended by Mr. Doyley was Nov. 5, 1691. his death is announced Oct. 7, 1702. Mr. Solomon Wheatley is invited to preach for them preparatory to a "call," which takes place very soon thereafter, (Dec. 13 1702;) and again in Dec. 1702, are repairs in brick and wood ordered upon the Church. In 1703 a new pulpit is required, the pews ordered to be repaired, the floor raised, &c. On the 11th of November, of that year, Mr. Whateley (spelt Wheatley in preceding records) desires to know whether he is to be retained, and on the 10th of the following february be is informed that bis "time by agreement being expired last Christmas, the Vestry not thinking it proper to enter-
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Historical Notes
tain him another year, to ye end that he should not be put to an inconvenience, have granted his staying to officiate in ye Parish till ye 25th of March next, to ye end he may provide himself elsewhere." "Coll. Ludwell is requested by ye Ves- try to write to Mr. Isaac Grace, that arrived lately in ye ship Bartwell, to request him to give the Parish a Sermon as soon as conveniently," the result of which application to the Rev. Gentleman is given below:
"Ht a Vestry held ye sd day of May, 1704,
Coll. Ludwell acquainted this Vestry that pursuant to an order of Vestry, ye 10th day of ffebruary last, he had desired Mr. Isaac Grace to give ye Parish a Sermon, to ye end that if ye Vestry did like him, he might be entertained as Minister of this Parish. To which Mr. Grace answered that his Ex- cellency bad knowledge of the matter, and had forbid him to be concerned with ye Parish. And added that he should be glad of so good a Parish, if he might have it of ye Gover- nour's likeing; but as the Governor had forbid him, he dare not meddle with it."
Conflict as to Right of Induction
The independent action of the Vestry in dismissing Rev. Solomon Whateley roused the Governor to opposi- tion. A stubborn conflict ensued. The Vestry resolutely refused to have a Minister inducted into the Parish. They claimed the independent right to call whom they pleased, and to make terms suitable to themselves as to the length of service. The Governor claimed that under English law he had the right, as a representative of the Sovereign power of England, to induct the clergy. Both parties in the controversy seem to have been in a somewhat tem- pestuous frame of mind. Rev. Mr. Grace very strongly insinuated that the Vestry, or some one in it, had not told the truth. The records would indicate that he himself had a very treacherous memory or a very erring tongue. The correspondence in this case is given in Appendix A.
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It resulted in the election of Mr. Whateley, the Governor's candidate, as Minister, but with the rights of the Vestry distinctly asserted in the call extended.
Destrymen
Of these early Vestrymen Thomas Jefferson said : "The Vestrymen are usually the most discreet farmers, so dis- tributed through the parish that every part of it may be under the immediate eye of some one of them. They are well acquainted with the details and economy of private life, and they find sufficient inducements to execute their charge well, in their philantrophy, in the approbation of their neighbors, and the distinction which it gives them."!
John Fisk quotes the above statement as showing the difference between the concentrated town government of New England, with the congregational Church as its formative center, and the county system of government in Virginia, with the Vestrymen of the parish representing the widely scattered population of the country in the management of ecclesiastical affairs. Williamsburg, being the seat of the Colonial government, constituted a more concentrated population, and furnished the Church with a more representative body of Vestrymen. The country constituency was, however, constantly represented by gentlemen still living upon their ancestral estates.
The business of these Colonial Vestrymen was such as to train them for service in a representative government. They were elected to represent the congregation. It was their duty to see that judicious measures were enacted by the House of Burgesses for the support of the Church, and for safe-guarding religion, and when these laws were passed it became their duty to see that they were enforced. The parish poor were committed to their oversight and care. They were empowered to make levies for this pur-
I Quoted by John Fisk in Civil Government in the United States, p. 60.
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historical Notes
pose. It was their duty to apportion levies for the main- tenance of the Church, and they were given authority, under law, to collect these taxes, if necessary, by civil pro- cess. They thus acted as representatives of the people in the conduct of this large and important part of their affairs. The position was one of responsibility and honor. The Vestry Meetings were of vital importance to thecom- munity, and were not anticipated with any degree of pleasure by those who had absented themselves from ser- vice without excuse, or who had gone there and behaved in an unseemly way. Bishop Meade has shown that the men who served the colony and commonwealth in these early days were almost without exception men who had gained experience as representatives of the people through service as parish vestrymen. They were the men to whom the Church, and the state, naturally looked for leadership, and neither looked to them in vain.
"Ht a Vestry held for Bruton Parish, ye 7th July, 1705, Mr. henry Tyler is desired to procure Carpenters to Visit the Church, and to report their opinion to ye next Vestry whether it can be repaired or not. If it Can be repaired, what stuff will be necessary for the same, and what they will undertake to do it for."
From the following entry it would seem that Gover- nor Nicholson desired to conciliate the Vestry after the arrogant display of his authority as manifested in the in- duction controversy, but it would also appear that the Vestry still maintained their spirit of courage and inde- pendence :
"Ht a Vestry held for Bruton Parish ye 7th August, 1705," ."his Excellency the Governour sending to this Ves- try (by ye hand of Mr. Wm. Robertson) Hn Hltar Cloth and Cushion as a present for ye use of ye Parish, together with fifty shillings for ye use of ye poor, and desiring ye said gift of fifty shillings might be recorded in the Vestry book as being his Excellency's usual quarterly gift; and also what his
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Historical Notes
Excellency bath formerly given, together with an account how ye same hath been disposed of,-Che Vestry return this answer by Mr. Robertson, (viz.) We return his Excellency many thanks for ye Altar Cloth, and also for ye fifty shill- ings now sent-which we assure his Excellency's shall be registered; but not knowing it to be his Excellency's Con- stant Custom, we cannot register it as such without we know att present what his Excellency hath given to the poor; but we do promise to examine that matter against ye next Vestry, and what appears to us, then shall be registered."
As to the thoroughness of this investigation, and its result, we are not told. His Excellency gets no further credit for his accustomed benevolence. He sends no more quarterly offerings.
On November 20th, 1710, the decease of Rev. Solomon Whateley is thus announced : "having had the Misfortune at this present to be without a Minister, By ye death of ye Revd. Solomon Whateley,-It is ordered that the Church Wardens (for supplying the Parish with Ministers to preach weekly, while the Parish continues vacant) do desire the severall Ministers hereafter named, to preach in this Parish Church on the severall Sunday Mornings they shall appoint,- for which services they shall be paid four hundred pounds of Tobacco in this Parish for each Sermon. The Church Wardens are ordered to wait on ye honorable the Governor, with ye proceedings of ye Vestry herein.
"The Ministers desired to preach weekly are, upon sd of December, the Revd. Mr. Cillyard:
December 10, the Revd. Mr. Slaughter, (Sclater,)
17,
Mr. Daxton,
4
14,
Mr. Commissary, (Blair;)
"
31,
Mr. Goodwin;
January 7,
Mr. Wallace;
«
14,
4 Mr. Caylor."
I Edmund Jennings, who succeeded Gov. Nott, who died in 1706, and is buried in Bruton Church Yard.
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Historical Notes
On Dec. 10th, 1710, "Ordered-Chat whereas there was an Order made the last Vestry for 7 Ministers to preach on certain Sundays, wherein the Revd. James Sclater was one; It is ordered by this Meeting that the said Sclater be left out of the number, and that the Church Wardens give notice to the Rev. Arthur Tillyard to preach December 10th, and the rest in their order."
Commissary Blair, Minister
The Bishop of London, who had jurisdiction over the Colony of Vir- ginia, induced Rev. Dr. James Blair to come to Virginia as a mission- ary in 1685. In 1689 he was ap- pointed Commissary of the Bishop, and commissioned, as his repre- sentative, to make visitations in territory assigned, deliver charges, inspect the churches, and, when necessary, administer discipline. Jacobus Blair. Not being a Bishop, he, of course, could not Confirm, or administer From portrait in the library of William and Mary College. Ordination, or consecrate churches. He held this office, and discharged its functions, together with his other ministerial and edu- cational duties, for fifty-three years. On December 10th, 1710, he was elected Minister of Bruton Church, which position he held until his death in 1742. The Vestry Book contained the following records relating to his election and ministry : December 10th, 1710, "Upon the reading of the Revd. Benjamin Goodwin and the Revd. James Blair's letters, wherein they set forth their desire to be admitted Ministers of Bruton Parish, now vacant by the Death of the Revd. Solomon Whateley ;- The Matter being debated, the Question was putt whether it should be decided by Vote.
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Historical Notes
"Resolved in the affirmative-present the Bonble. Edwd. Jennings. Whereupon the Meeting proceeded to the choice of a Minister for Bruton Parish, and by the Majority of Votes the Revd. James Blair was elected Minister thereof.
"Ordered, The Church Wardens acquaint ye Reverend James Blair, that upon reading his letter, wherein was Sett forth bis desire to be their Minister, Che Vestry proceeded to the consideration thereof, and accordingly made choice of him to be their Minister for the next ensuing year .- Ordered, that the Church Wardens appoint a Vestry as soon as pos- sible to entertain him accordingly."
Dr. Blair's letter to the Vestry is as follows:
December 4th, 1710.
"Gentlemen:
"The great importance of yt deliberation ye are: now upon, how to supply this Parish with a Minister who shall discharge bis duty in so Eminent a Station as becomes bim both for Life and Doctrine, together with the happiness I enjoy in your Neyborhood and acquaintance; and the great conveniency of my habitation in the heart of your Darish, with several assurances from persons of eminent note that such a proffer may be acceptable, Induce me to take this Opportunity of acquainting You that if My Service may be approved in that Station, ye shall need to look noe farther for a Minister.
"It is true, I have soe many obligations to ye Parish of James City, that nothing but the urgent Necessity of health, often impaired by such long Winter Journeys, and a fear that as age and Infirmities increase, I shall not be able to attend that Service (being at such a distance) so punctually as I have hitherto done, could have induced me to entertain any- thing as of leaving them. If ye Shall think fitt to approve of this My proposal, I hope ye shall have noe occasion to re- pent your choice, and that I may have further opportunities by my diligence in My Ministeriall functions among you to shew how ready I am to approve Myself.
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Gentlemen, Your most faithfull humble servt. to my parishioners,
James Blair.
Vera Copia Ceste
C. Jackson, Clerk Vestry."
On the 28th of December, 1710, "Mr. hugh Norwell re- ported, that pursuant to an order made under last Vestry, he had acquainted the Revd. James Blair, that the Gentlemen of the Vestry had considered his Letter, and, according to the Desire thereof, had made choice of him to be their Minis- ter, and that this Vestry was called to treat with him.
"The Revd. James Blair being present, it was mutually agreed that the said James Blair be entertained as Minister of Bruton Parish, for the Year next ensuing the date."
The following notes, relative to the ministry and work of Commissary Blair, were recorded in the old Vestry book under the dates indicated :
On the 6th July, 1721, Mr. Commissary Blair notifies the Vestry that "he is obliged to repair for England upon an urgent occasion; and that he intends to return bither again as soon as his affairs will permit, and proposing that during bis absence the best care shall be taken for a supply of Minis- ters to execute office in this Parish, and also agreeing to de- mand no salary in that time; and thereupon desiring that the Vestry will not make application for any other Incum- bent to the cure of this Parish, for the space of twelve months," &c. &c.
On the 23d Nov., 1722, "The Rev. Mr. Commissary Blair" is again at his post at the Vestry Meeting.
On the 12th December, 1725, "Lewis Burwell, Gent., being elected Vestryman for this Parish, this day took the Oath appointed by act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, the Abjuration Oath, Subscribed the test, and also subscribed to be Con- formable to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England."
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Historical Notes
"Ht a Vestry held for Bruton Parish, the 22 day of June, 1726, The Revd. James Blair, Minister of this Dar- ish, acquainting the Vestry that at the request of the Gover- nors of this College he has undertaken a Voyage for England, in Order to Obtain a Transfer, and to Negotiate other im- portant Affairs of the College; to the end the good and pious design of that building, so usefull and beneficial to this Country, may be speedily accomplished, and presenting the Vestry a list of Ministers which he proposes shall officiate in his absence,-Che same was accordingly agreed to and ac- cepted. The said Mr. Blair laying before the Vestry an account of the poor's Money, whereby it appears that the Sum of £26 119. 1d. is due to the poor's bag; Ordered that the same be paid into the hands of Mr. John Blair, to be disposed of as the Church Wardens and Vestrymen shall appoint."
On the 16th day of November, 1727, Mr. Commissary Blair is in his place again in Vestry meeting.
THE JAMESTOWN BAPTISMAL FONT.
THE SILVER-GOLD COMMUNION SERVICE, KNOWN AS THE "QUEEN ANNE SET."
The Church of 1715
R
ETURNING to the historical continuity of the old Vestry book, we find the following notes relative to the Church of 1715, which was built during the ministry of Revd. Mr. Blair, upon the foundation of the Church of 1683. This is the building still in use.
"Htt a Vestry held the ffirst day of Octo- ber, 1706, The Vestry considering ye great charge ye parish bath been at for ye repairing of ye Church, and how bad a condition it is still in,-Ordered, that twenty thousand pounds of Tobacco be levied this year for and towards building of a new Church."
"November ye 14, 1706. Whereas there is levyed thirty- one pound of Tobacco per pole for and towards ye building A New Church, Hny of ye parishioners have hereby ye liberty to pay ye same in money after ye rate of ten shillings pr cwt: when other parish dues are collected."
"Htt a Vestry held for Bruton Parish, December 10, 1710, Present, Bon Edmd. Jennings, Esq." (Bere follow the names of the Vestry.)
"Upon the representation of the hon. Edmd. Jennings that Mr. John holloway and himself had discoursed upon the business concerning the appropriating a sum of money towards the building a Church in Bruton Parish, and that Mr. John holloway was pleased to say he did believe he could prevail with the house (of Burgesses) to appropriate £200 for that use, and that the house was desirous the gen- tlemen of the Vestry should give them a meeting on this day, which was the occasion of calling this Vestry to consider what might be necessary concerning the same,-
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historical Notes
"Ordered, That the Church Wardens goe and acquaint the house of Burgesses, that the Gentlemen of the Vestry were ready to wait upon them when they should appoint."
"having Delivered their Message, they returned and ac- quainted this Meeting that the house bad appointed Mr. John holloway, Mr. Nicholas Merriwether, and Mr. Robert Boll- ing, to wait upon the Vestry and bear their proposals."
"Then this Meeting proceeded to consider what sume of Money and what Dimentions might be necessary for the building a Church to serve their own paritioners, Provided the house of Burgesses would not contribute towards the Building thereof. The matter being debated it was Resolved, that a Church of ye same dimentions of ye old church will be large enough, and that £500 would be sufficient for the building thereof."
"Mr. Jno. holloway, Mr. Robert Bolling and Mr. Nicho- las Merriwether, delivered a Message (from the house of Burgesses) to this effect, that the house was willing to ap- propriate a Sufficient sume of Money for the building pews for the Governr., Council and house of Burgesses; They further added they were to enquire what Dimentions were necessary for a Church for the Parish, and what sume of money would be sufficient for the Building the same ;- Whereupon the honble. Edwd. Jennings informed them the Gentlemen of the Vestry were of opinion a Church of the same Dimentions of the Old Church would be large enough, and that £500 would be sufficient for the building the same."
"The Gentlemen of the Vestry further added, They did not in the least doubt but the house of Burgesses would shew their Dious and Generous spirits by their Liberall Do- nations towards Soe necessary and good a worke; and that they could assure them to the best of their Judgments they would appropriate the same according to the true Intent thereof."
At the same meeting it was "Ordered, That whoever shall be admitted to serve as Minister in this Parish, shall have no Induction."
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Historical Notes
Dlan Submitted by Bonble. Hlexr. Spottswood.
"Ht a Meeting of the Vestry, held for ye Darish of Bru- ton, March 1st, 1711, Present, James Blair, Clerk,
(here follow the names of the Vestrymen.)
"Upon ye Information of James Blair, Clerk, that he had received from the Bonble. Hlexr. Spottswood, a platt or draught of a Church, (whose length 75 foot, and bredth 28 foot in the clear, with two wings on each side, whose width is 22 foot,) which he Laid before the Vestry for approba- tion-Hdding further, that ye honble. ye Governor proposed to the Vestry to build only 53 of the 75 foot, and that he would take care for the remaining part.
"The Vestry proceeded to the immediate consideration of the commodiousness and conveniency of the said platt or Draught : which is approved of.
"It being moved that the charge of such part be com- puted, the Vestry not knowing what scantlings were suitable for such a building, nor the number of bricks the said worke would take-is referred.
"Ordered, That Christo. Jackson, Clarke, be impowered to agree with some skillful workman, to lay down the said scantlings: also to calculate the number of bricks sufficient for a wall of 56 foot long, 28 foot wide, and 23 foot high above ground, and report the same to the next Vestry, in or- der to a full consideration thereof.
"Ordered, therefore, that Capt. frederick Jones acquaint the Donble. Hlexr. Spottswood with the proceedings of the Vestry concerning his draught.
"The Revd. James Blair moving that new prayer-books for the Minister and Clerke be sent for,-Ordered, that new ones be sent for, and that ye Church Wardens request the assistance of ye honble. Edmd. Jennings in buying ye same."
On the 15th March, 1711, the proposals of Mr. John Tillet and Mr. Henry Cary, were submitted to the Vestry,
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historical Notes
for furnishing the materials with which to build the Church, but both being considered entirely too exorbitant, "Where- upon ye honorable Hlex'r Spottswood proposed together with ye hon. Edmund Jennings, to deliver in place as many bricks as shall be thought necessary in building ye Church, at ye rate of 158. per thousand, in order to beat down ye ex- travagant prices of workmen, provided some of ye Vestry would undertake other parts." On the 17th Nov. 1711, the contractor for the building the Church, all preliminaries be- ing settled, is allowed till "the 15 October, 1714, for building the same." The contractor was James Morris, and the deeds were at the same Vestry, ordered to be drawn up by Stephen Thompson.
On the 28th March, 1712, a new draught of the Church is ordered.
In the Calendar of State Papers, Volume 1, Page 174, under date December, 1713. "The Dimensions of ye two Wings of Bruton Parish Church, together with ye Rates of ye Materials and Workmanship therein required is given," which has been copied to show the Dimen- sions and the cost of Materials and Workmanship at this date.
DIMENSIONS
The inside Breadth of each Wing, or the distance
from ye East wall to ye West wall, must be .... 22 Foot The inside Length of each Wing, or ye Distance
from ye North wall to ye Body of ye Church must be. 19 F- -
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