USA > Virginia > City of Williamsburg > City of Williamsburg > Historical sketch of Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Virginia > Part 6
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
ffr. Nicholson.
"You are not to prefer any Minister to any .... benefit in that our Colony without a Certificate from ye Right Reverend father in God, ye Lord Bishop of London, of his being Conformable to the Doctrine and discipline of ye Church of England, and of a good life and Conversation: and if any person already preferred to a Benefice, shall appear to you to give scandal, either by his Doctrine or Manner, You
82
Induction Controversy
are to use Your best means for removal of him, and to supply ye Vacancy in such manner as we have directed.
"You are to give Order further (if ye same be not already done) that every orthodox Minister within Your Govern- ment be one of ye Vestry in his respective parish, and that no Vestry be held without him, Except in Case of Sickness, or that after Notice of a Vestry Summoned, be omit to come.
"You are to enquire whether there be any Minister within your Government who preaches and administers the Sacra- ments in any Orthodox Church or Chapell without being in due Orders, and to give an account thereof to ye Lord Bishop of London.
"These are three of her Most Sacred Majesties Royal Instructions, bearing date ye 12th day of December, 1702, and sent to
ffra. Nicholson."
"Ht a Vestry held ye third day of June, 1704,
Mr. Wm. Cimoon, Capt. hugh Norwell,
Mr. Mm. Dansford, Mr. Joseph White,
Coll. Phil. Ludwell,
Mr. John Dage.
Mr. John Dorman,
Whereas the foregoing Entry, bearing date ye 22d day of May, 1704, appears on Record as though they were entered by order of Vestry, the Vestrymen therein Mentioned, do declare that the said entrys were not made by Order of the Vestry, but by his Excellency's immediate Command to the Clark. Mr. Solomon Whateley came into the Vestry and made the following Verball proposition to this Vestry, (to wit)-What I have done Is in obedience to his Excel- lency's Command, & I have never said to any person that I have a right to this Parish, nor do I insist on a right to it .- Mr. Whateley likewise declared be preached by ye Governour's Command.
It being so late in ye day that ye Vestry have not time to consider of what was entere i in this Book by his Excel- lency's Command On ye 22d day of May last, & that of
83
Induction Controversy
what Mr. Whateley bath now said, It is ordered that ye con- sideracon thereof be referred to ye Next Vestry."
"The following address from the Vestry to Governor Nicholson was spread upon record at the same meeting :
"May it please Your Excellency-
We have Sir Edward Northy's Opinion before us Con- cerning ye Right of Presentation and Induction of Minis- ters, with an order of Council thereupon, by which find some replyes Expected,-but it being a Matter of too great Weight & Consequence for us to determine, Cannot but hope ye Revisall of ye Laws, and ye Worshipful Assembly, have and will take such care as may effectually conduce to ye cloosing those heads and all others in relation to them, to ye future ease and satisfaction of all. And to the end our present want of a Minister may be no way imputed to our Negli- gence, think it not amiss to acquaint Yr Excellency our utmost Sedulity hath not been wanting to procure one, and hope the little chance in this country will, in some sort, excuse our delay, together with ve refusal of one whom we desired to entertain. We shall also use our Sincere En- deavours to supply ye Vacancy, and give due obedience to Law. We are, with all submission, Yr Excellency's most bumble and obedient servants,
Signed by all ye Vestry."
"On the 12th June, 1704, the Churchwardens were em- powered to procure a Minister, and the subjoined declaration was also put upon record:
"Whereas Mr. Solomon Whateley hath of late preached in this Parish (which for some time before he had forebore to do,) this Vestry do declare that he doth it not any way with their consent or approbation, and that they think themselves no way obliged to pay him for ye same." Mr. Whateley de- livered, on the same day, into the hands of Philip Ludwell, Churchwarden, the sum of ten pound, charity money, which was in his hands; and before adjournment the following was recorded :
84
Induction Controversy
"June ye twelfth, 1704, Entered by Command of his Excellency,
Coll: Phil. Ludwell,
Mr. John Dage,
Mr. William Dinkethman,
Mr. Um. Cimson,
Mr. henry Tyler, Mr. Wm. hansford.
Capt. Bugh Norwell,
"Ho to ye Number of Vestrymen that Mett ye 22 day of May last, there were oix beside Yr Minister, which bis Excellency Ve Governour declares to be a Vestry, being six, the Major part of eleaven; & Coll. Ludwell affirmed that six was not ye Major part,-but to make no dispute ye Minister being present.
"The Vestry's answer to Sir Edward Northy's Opinion, and ye order of Council being read out of ye Book, his Ex- celleney was pleased to Command all ye Gentlemen of ye Vestry to attend him att the Royal College of William and Mary on Monday, ye nineteenth of this Instant, about ten o'clock. her Majesty's Attorney General, Mr. Wharton, and Mr. holloway being gone to ye County Court."
On the 19th day of february, 1705,
"Thereas there was an Information Exhibited by ye last General Court by the Attorney General in behalf of her Majesty against ye Vestry of this Parish, and write there- upon being issued, Commanding ye appearance of ye Vestry- men therein named to Answer ye said information ye Next General Court, the Vestry doe think fitt to desire & Im- power Coll. Philip Ludwell and Mr. Mm. Dinkethman, ye present Churchwardens, .... to defend and manage ye said suit."
"The following will show that while there was a disposi- tion on the part of Governor Nicholson to conciliate the Vestry, yet the course pursued by that worthy functionary, in regard to the forcing upon them the Rev. Mr. Whateley, had not been forgotten on their parts; and though they accept the gift of "his Excellency," it is done with such a sly in- sinuation that one cannot help thinking they understood bim and his motives better than he suspected.
85
Induction Controversy
"Hta Vestry held for Bruton Darish ye 7th August, 1705," "his Excellency the Governour sending to this Vestry (by ye hand of Mr. Wm. Robertson) An Altar Cloth and Cushion as a present for ye use of ye Darish, 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 usuall quarterly gift; and also what his Excellency hath formerly given, together with an account how ye same hath been disposed of,-The Vestry return this answer by Mr. Robertson, (viz.) We return his Excellency many thanks for ye Hltar 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."
Patience, perseverance, and, doubtless, prudence on the part of Mr. Whatelev, together with a show of right in his favor, and gubernatorial countenance, at last wrought a change in the minds of the Vestry, and accordingly like those who felt it was "good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity," on the 25th October, 1705, the Vestry made the following order, reserving however those "inalien- able rights" which subsequent years incorporated in the great Declaration of American Independence.
"Ht a Vestry held for Bruton Parish ye 25th October, 1705, Present-
Phil. Ludwell, Esq.
Cas Mr. John Dage,
Mr. Um. Dinkethman,
Capt. Wm. Cimson,
Edmunde Jennings, Esq. Mr. Wim. hansford,
Captain hugh Norwell, Mr. ffred: Jones,
"The Vestry taking into consideration that Mr. Solomon Whatelev bath been serviceable to ye parish in reading Divine Service, and also in Dreaching severall Sermons, from ye first of May, 1704, to this time, and though he did not officiate by ye direction or approbation of ye Vestry, Vet it
86
Induction Controversy
being thought fitt yt he should have some satisfaction for his trouble,-the Vestry bath agreed to give ye said Mr. Whateley Sixteen thousand pounds of Tobacco and Caske, as a gratuity for all past service to this time,-and the Vestry have thought fitt to propose to ye said Mr. Whateley to Officiate as Minister of this Parish from this time to ye first of May Next, provided Nevertheless that any thing herein contained shall not be construed as the Vestry's owning Mr. Whateley to be Minister of this Darish for ye time past. Mr. Whateley agreed."
"Htt a Vestry held ye fifth day of December, 1706, Mr. Solomon Whateley, Mr. Um. Dansford, and Mr. Joseph White, having desired to take ye oath appointed to be taken instead of ye oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, Che Presi- dent of her Majesty's Council did this day administer the same, and they subscribed the Test."
The period had arrived when Mr. Whateley was called to "go the way of all flesh," and it must have gladdened the heart of the old grey-haired Minister, that although at his election in 1705, it was specified he should be employed only until the next May, he was permitted to remain in uninter- rupted occupancy until "death did them part."" The last Vestry he attended was held the 14th September, 1710, and at a Vestry held 20th November, 1710, his decease is announced.
"Mr. John Dage having acquainted the Vestry that he hath removed out of this Parish, & desiring ye Vestry to appoint Another in his room, they have thought fitt to make choice of Mr. David Bray, &c."t
* For more of Mr. Whateley and "other clergy" who figured in the Colony at and about this time, see Dr. Hawks' "Colonial Church Papers," in Church Review for 1851.
t Both of these gentlemen were distinguished in their day and gen- eration. The first named held prominent office, (was subsequently Gov- ernor,) and retiring from active public life, married Mary Mann, an heiress of Gloucester, and built "Rosewell," the famed seat of elegance and hospitality for more than a century. Mr. Bray filled several offices of trust and honor.
va
-
THE CHURCH YARD.
Appendir 18
Epitaphs and Inscriptions on Mural Tablets and Comb= stones in JBruton Parish Church and Church Dard from 1678 to 1800
HE following inscriptions from the mural T tablets in Bruton Church, and from the tomb-stones in Bruton Church yard, from 1678 to 1800, were published in Vol. XI, of Virginia Historical Society collections in 1891, by Professor J. L. Hall, Ph. D., of William and Mary College. The foot notes appended were inserted by Mr. R. A. Brock, the Corresponding Secretary and Librarian of the Society. We are glad, by the kind per- mission of these gentlemen, to make use of this material, for, as Dr. Hall remarks, "the hand of time, and of the vandal, more re- morseless than time, is fast chipping away our sepulchral marbles." Some of the inscription copied then could not now be taken from the tombs with the same degree of ac- curacy. To these inscriptions published in 1891 a few others of special interest, though of later date, have been added.
It is unfortunate that an "Association for the Pre- servation of Virginia Antiquities" was not formed long years ago. By the thoughtful and loving care of the Society now in existence, what remains of the ancient past is being carefully guarded and preserved; but many monuments of the olden days were destroyed before in- terest in their preservation was aroused. There are per- "sons, now living in Williamsburg, who remember when there were many monuments in Bruton Church-yard "which now no longer remain.
88
Tablets in Bruton Church
Tablets in JBruton Church
The Parke Mural Tablet
Near this Marble Lyes ye honble Daniel Darke of ye County of Essex Esq who was one of his Ma:ties Coungellers and some time Secretary of the Collony of Virg:a he Died ye 6th of March Anno 1679 Dis other felicityes ware Crowned by bis happy Marridg with Rebbecka the daughter of George Evelyn of the County of Surry Esq she dyed the 2d of January Anno 1672 at Long Ditton in ye County of Surry and left behind her a most hopefull progeny1
The Orlando Jones Tablet, in Hisle
here lies in hope of a Blessed Resurrection the Body of MY Orlando Iones Son of M Rowland Iones, some time Minister of this Parish. he was born December ye 319t 1681 and Died Iune ye 12th 1719 in ye 38th year of his Age. he was twice Married his first Wife wa[s]
I Colonel Daniel Parke had issue: two daughters-Francis, who married John Cnstis; and Lucy, the first wife of Colonel William Byrd of "Westover," the second of the name. Colonel Parke went to Eng- land, where he was appointed an aid-de-camp to the Duke of Marl- borough; was with him at the battle of Blenheim, and was selected to convey the news of that memorable victory to Queen Anne. He was. subsequently appointed Governor of the Leward Islands, and was slain. in an insurrection there .- R. A. BROCK.
89
Cablete in Bruton Church
Mrs Martha Macon? Daughter of Mr Gideon Macon of New-Kent by whom he left one Son Named Lane & one Daughter Named frances, his Second Wife was MY9 Mary Williams, Daughter of Lames Williams of King & Queen County, who Erected this Monument to his Memory.
The Cocke Mural Tablet
MDLCCLII Inscribed to the Memory of Dr. William Cocke, An English Physician, Born of reputable Parents MDCLXXII at Sudbury in Suffolk, and Educated at Queen's College, Cambridge, De was learned and polite, of indisputed Skill in his profession, of unbounded Generosity in his practice: which multitudes, yet alive, can testify. he was, many years, of the Council and Secretary of State, for this Colony In the Reign of Queen Anne & of King George he died Suddenly, sitting a Judge upon the Bench of the General Court in the Capitol:
MDCCXX Dis Fon: friend Alexa Spotswood, Esqr then Govr
28 She was married January 31, 1703; died May 11, 1716, and is buried at the Macon homestead in New Kent county. Her danghter Frances is said to have been the wife of Colonel John Dandridge and the mother of Martha (Dandridge-Custis) Washington. Gideon Macon, by tradition, was at one time the Secretary of Sir William Berkeley. He was for a time an Indian interpreter. The Christian name of his wife was Martha. Colonel John Dandridge died in 1756, aged fifty-six years. His tomb is in St. George's church-yard, Fredericksburg, Virginia .- R. A. BROCK.
90
Cablets in Bruton Church
with the principal Gentlemen of the Country, attended his funeral, and, weeping, saw the Corps Interred at the West side of the Alter, in this Church.3
The Epler Mural Tablet
In Memoriam. BENRY CYLER, SR. & HENRY CYLER, JR. Vestrymen & Wardens of Bruton Church & Darish. John Tyler & Elizabeth Low, parents of Joanna Tyler-Mckenzie & John Tyler the Marshall of the Colony of Va .: & Anne Contesse, parents of John Tyler, Patriot, Gov'r, Judge of the Admiralty, Supreme & U. S. Courts of Va .: & Mary Armistead, of Buck-Rowe, parents of John Tyler, Student, Visitor, Rector & Chancellor of Wm. & Mary College: Gov'r, Member of Congress, Senator, Vice President and President of the United States, Member of Confederate Congress: & Laetitia Christian, parents of Robert Tyler, Doet, Philosopher, States- man, Gentleman, Samuel Tyler, H. B., L.L. D. Chancellor of the State of Van,
3 Dr. Cocke married Elizabeth, sister of Mark Catesby, the natural- ist, and had issue, whose descendants include the names of Archer, Bat- taile, Buckner, Dudley, Gregory, Hansford, Holliday, Jones, Langhlin, Montgomery, Taliaferro, Taylor, Washington and others. His widow married secondly Colonel John Holloway, an eminent lawyer of Williams- bnrg, Virginia. She died March 4, 1755, aged 74 years .- R. A. BROCK.
91
Cablets in Bruton Church
Grandson of the Marshall. This tablet is erected by some of their Descendante: June 1888, H. D.
Bovernor francis Fauquier
Under the church, doubtless, were buried many to whom no stone was erected. Governor fauquier was buried under the north wing of the church, but no monument to him re- mains. his death and obsequies are described in the Virginia Gazette of March 3, 1768, as follows:
"Early this morning, died at the palace, after a tedious illness, which he bore with the greatest patience and forti- tude, the Bon. francis fauquier, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony, over which he has presided near ten years, much to his own honor, and the case and satisfaction of the inhabitants. De wasa gentleman of the most amiable disposition, generous, just and mild, and possessed, in an eminent degree, of all the social virtues. De was a fellow of the Royal Society, and died in bie 65th year . "
The Wilmer Mural Tablet
In Memory of the Rev'd. William h. Wilmer, D. D., whose eminent talents and exemplary Diety enabled him to fill with dignity the important stations of Rector of this Church President of Wm. & Mary College President of the house of Clerical
92
Tablets in Bruton Church
and Lay Deputies of the Protestant Episcopal Church. ne was beloved in Private Respected and honored in Public Life H Sound Devine A faithful Dastor H sincere and Practical Christian Born in Chester-Cown, Maryland, March 9th, 1784 Died July 24th, 1827
This Monument is erected by the Congregation and Christians of other denominations in testimony of their profound respect and ardent affection for the deceased.
Confederate Soldiers Memorial Mural Tablet
On the wall of the Church, near the south-east corner where the old pulpit stood, is a marble tablet to the memory of the Confederate soldiers who fell in the battle of Williamsburg. It is inscribed :
In memory of the Confederate Soldiers who fell in the Battle of Williamsburg May the 5th, 1862 And of those who died of the wounds received in the same.
They died for us.
Tomb=stone Inscriptions
John Duille
Dere Lyes the Corps of John Vuille Merchant Son to Thomas Yuile of Darleith in the County of on Scotland who died at D . burgh in Virginia upon the 2 .... day of October 1746 years in the 27th year of his Age.
Numine et Virtute [Arms] 4
John Collett
Dere lyes the Body of Mr John Collett who departed this Life february 24th 1749, Aged 52 Years
Hugh Orr
Dere lyes the corps of hugh Orr hammer man in Williamsburg who died Jan'ry 6th 1764 aged 54 years. .
4 Burke, "General Armory," gives as arms of Yuille, (London), and Yule, (Darleith, Scotland): Ar. on a fesse betw. three crescents sa. a garb or, branded gu.
Crest,-An car of wheat ppr. Icaved vert.
Motto. Numine et virtute.
No criticism is intended in the remark that Professor Hall does not describe verbally or pictorially arms appearing with the inscriptions. As he does not, however, the editor can be guided in annotation only by such information as he possesses and hy apprehension. In the daily in- creasing regard for family history, coat-armor is an important guide in linking families with remote ancestry.
94
Comb-stone Inscriptions
Ann Charlton
here lies ye Body of ANN CHARLCON wife of George Charlton who Died Sep in the Year of her Age.
Robert RRae
R [Arms] R here Lies the Body of Robert Rae Merc bant in falmouth son of Robert Rae Esq" of Little Govan near Glasgow in North Britain, he departed this Life May 30 1753 in the 30 year of his Hge.
Mary nicolson
Here lies the body of Mary Nicolson the wife of Robert Nicolson,
95
Comb-stone Inscriptions
who departed this life Oct. 10th 1793,5 In the 73d year of her age.
Mrs. Ann Burges
Dere sleeps in Jesus united to him by faith and the Graces of a Christian life, all that was Mortal of Mrs. Ann Burges once the tender and affectionate Wife of the Revd Denry John Burges, of the Isle of Wight: She died 25th December 1771 in giving Birth to an Infant Daughter, who rests in her Arms. She here waits the transporting Moment when the Crump of God shall call her forth to Glory. honour & Immortality, Oh DEHTh where is thy Sting? Oh GRAVE where is thy Victory?
Ann frank
Dere Lyeth the Body of Hm the Wife of Graham frank6 and Daughter of the Revd Mr Cheodº Staige who died on the feast of St Andrew 1759 Aged 28 years7
5 These were, it is believed, the parents of two worthy sons: Robert, a surgeon in the army of the Revolution, and George Nicolson, who was Mayor of Richmond in 1790, and subsequently. One of the danghters of the latter was the wife of the late Rev. George Woodbridge, D. D., so long the beloved rector of the Monumental (Episcopal) church .- R. A. BROCK.
6 Bishop Meade ("Old Churches and Families of Virginia," Vol. I, p. 203) mentions Graham Frank as a merchant of London, and a cor- respondent of Rev. Samnel Shield and of the Nelsons.
7 Rev. Theodosius Staige came, with an unmarried sister, to Vir- ginia, and was the rector of St. George's parish, Spotsylvania county, some time prior to November, 1728. He served also for a time York- Hampton parish. Another sister (Letitia Maria Ann) had married in
96
Comb-stone Inscriptions
Mary Purdie
here Lyes Interred the Remains of Mary Durdie Wlife of Hlex" Durdie Printer who departed This Life On Saturday ye 28, of March 1772 in the 27 year of her age. She left Behind her four song Jaº hugh Hlexr and William, and by her side lie Jane a dear little Daughter who did not quite attain her second year. She was a virtuous loving, frugal and discreet wife, an affectionate, though discerning Mother, one of the best of Mistresses. Ho friend and Hc quaintance, she possessed the Qua lificatione which render that Con nection valuable for she was Sen sible Prudent Generous and honest hearted no deceit lay un der ber Congue. her husband in Gratitude for the ardent affection she bore bim the genuine esteem be had for her and in Justice to her Virtues caused this stone to be placed over her It will on day serve to cons
London Rev. James Marye, a native of Rouen, Normandy, France, the ancestor of the well-known Virginia family of the name. (See Descen- dants of, in "Huguenot Emigration to Virginia," Virginia Historical Collections, Vol. V.) Another daughter of Mr. Staige married Samuel Thompson, Orange county, Virginia, and they had issue, among others possibly, a son, William Staige. The name Staige is a favored Christian name in the Davis and other families of Virginia. A distinguished in- stance was the late Prof. John Staige Davis, M D., of the University of Virginia .- R. A. BROCK.
8 Alexander Purdie was for years public printer of the colony, and the publisher in his own name and as a member of the firm of Purdie & [John] Dixon, of The Virginia Gazette .- R. A. BROCK,
97
Comb-stone Inscriptions
Buckner Stith
Dere lyes the Bodies of [BUCK] NER SCICh9 and CHCHERINE SCICh Son and Eldest Daughter of Stith of Northampton County. Buckner a hopeful Youth [born] the 3d Day of January 1747 [departed] the Life in this City the of December 1766. * *
* * *
died an Infant Eighteen days old Also the Body of Mrs Catherine Blackley late of this City Grandmother of the above Named Children She departed this Life the 25th Day of October 1771 Aged 73 Years and upwards.
James Brinley
Memento Mori Dere lyeth the Corps of James Grinley son of Hlexr Grinley in Dunbar Scotland Who Departed this life the 10 Day of Jully 1763 in the Twentyeth year of his Hge.
9 The children of Griffin and Mary (Blackley) Stith. Griffin Stith was a son of Drury and Susannah (Bathurst) Stith, nephew of Rev. Mr. Stith, the historian, and grandson of Colonel John Stith, who patented land in Charles City county in 1663, and was High Sheriff in 1691 .- R. A. BROCK.
98
Comb-stone Inscriptions
Joseph Scrivener
Dere lieth the Body of Mr. Joseph Scrivener who was born at Oldney in Buckinghamshire in England and died here the 14th of October 1772 in the fiftieth Year of his Age.
Michael Archer
here Lies ye Body of Michael Archer Gent who was Born ye 29 of Septr. 1681 Near Rippon in Yorkshire And died ye 10 of february 1726 in ye 46 year of his Age.
Also Joanna Hrcher Wife of Michael Archer who Departed this life Octor 1, 173210
Judith Greenbow
In memory of Judith Greenbow a sincere Christian She died the Seventh day of January 1765 and in the 29 year of her age
10 Michael Archer was clerk of James City county from 1719, and perhaps earlier, until his death. George Archer, believed to be the ancestor of the Archers of Henrico, Amelia, Powhatan and other counties, patented 550 acres of land in Henrico county, June 2, 1665 (Book V, p. 69, Land Registry.)
99
Comb-stone Inscriptions
Now loved how valued once avails thee not !! To whom Related or by whom begot! H heap of Dust alone remains of thee, So all thou art, and all the proud shall be
Thomas hornsby
here lies in hopes of a Blessed Resurrection, the Remains of MY Thomas hornsby who was for many Years a Merchant in this City. he was Born in Lincolnshire in England, January 17th 1702 and died May 27th 1772 the Remains of Mrs Margaret hornsby Wife of MY Thomas hornsby who died february 2 . . . . 1770 Aged 66 years.12
From a book-plate of William Archer, a descendant, which has been preserved, the family appears to have been from Cornwall, England.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.