USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > History and reminiscences of the Monumental Church, Richmond, Va. : from 1814 to 1878 > Part 3
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"It is further understood, that the powers of the committee of the Common Hall will not permit the committee absolutely to ratify and confirm the above stipulations, but the members of the committee pledge themselves to use their best endeavours to procure the passage of an ordinance by the Common Hall authorizing them to carry the same into com- plete effect.
JAMES SMITH, MICHAEL W. HANCOCK, JOHN ADAMS, GABRIEL RALSTON, JOHN G. GAMBLE."
24
HISTORY OF THE
"AN ORDINANCE,
To amend the several ordinances concerning the con- flagration of the Theatre in the city of Richmond :
"WHEREAS, It has been represented to this Hall by the committee appointed to superintend the erection of a monument on the site of the late Theatre, that an arrangement, pleasing to them and conducive to the object contemplated by the Hall, may be made with the 'Association for building a church on Shockoe Hill' in this city, whereby it is proposed to unite all sums of money which were intended to be applied to the erection of a monument with the funds of the aforesaid Association, which aggregate sum shall be applied to the purpose of purchasing the whole lot of ground whereon the Theatre lately stood, and of erecting thereon a inonmental church, under the direction and control of the persons who have been made known to this Hall as being accept- able to all the parties ;
"1. Be it therefore ordained, by the president and Common Council of the city of Richmond, in Com- mon Hall assembled, and it is hereby ordained by authority of the same, that Dr. John Brockenbrough, Michael W. Hancock, and John G. Gamble, be, and they, or a majority of them, are hereby authorized and empowered to draw upon the Chamberlain of this city for a sum or sums not exceeding five thou- sand dollars, and the Chamberlain is hereby required to pay the same out of any funds in his hands at the time such drafts shall be presented which have not otherwise been appropriated.
25
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
"2. The aforesaid sum, when united with all sums which have been or may hereafter be subscribed for the purpose of erecting a monument on the site of the late Theatre, together with the funds of the 'As- sociation for building a church on Shockoe Hill,' shall, by the aforesaid commissioners, be applied first to the purchase of so much of the theatre lot, or any of the adjoining lots as to them may seem necessary, and secondly to the erection on said ground of such building or edifice as may in their opinion be best calculated to commemorate the melancholy and ever- to-be-lamented event which occurred thereon on the twenty-sixth day of December, eighteen hundred and eleven.
"3. And be it further ordained, that when such building shall be completed, the commissioners here- inbefore named shall have full power, and are hereby required, to transfer all the ground purchased under this ordinance, together with all the buildings which may be erected thereon, to the before named 'Asso- ciation for building a church on Shockoe Hill,' in this city, to be by them and their successors for ever kept sacred for the purposes of Divine worship, and for no other purpose, subject alone to the regulations which may be formed and established by such Asso- ciation and their successors.
" 4. All ordinances contrary to the provisions of this ordinance shall be, and the same are, hereby repealed.
"5. This ordinance shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof. Passed at a
26
HISTORY OF THE
called meeting of the Common Council for the city of Richmond, held at their public chamber in said city, on Saturday, the seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
"In testimony whereof, the president pro tem. hath caused the seal of the said city to be hereunto affixed, and hath subscribed the same with his hand.
JOHN G. GAMBLE, President, pro tem."
(Seal of the city.)
" NOTICE.
"The subscribers to the 'Association for building a. church on Shockoe Hill' are required to pay into the hands of their Treasurer, Mr. Charles J. Mac- murdo, on or before the twenty-sixth instant, twenty- five dollars on each share, being the second instal- ment thereon.
May 8, 1812. THE COMMITTEE."
Editorial from Richmond Enquirer, of the 4th of August, 1812 :
"On Saturday last (the 1st of August,) was laid, on the site of the late Richmond Theatre, under the direction of Robert Mills, Esq., Architect, the cor- ner stone of the Monumental Church, about to be. erected in commemoration of those who perished on the same spot, on the 26th December last."
Mr. Mills was a native of Charleston, S. C., but. for the last twenty-five years of his life resided in Washington, D. C., where he died on the 3rd of
27
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
March, 1855. (He was the architect of the City Hall, in the city of Richmond, and of the Post Office building, the Treasury building, and the Patent Office, in the city of Washington.) See the " Vir- ginia Historical Register," Vol. VI, No. 1, page 39.
" The subscribers to the 'Association for building a church on Shockoe Hill' are requested to call on Mr. Charles J. Macmurdo, Treasurer for the associa- tion, and pay him the sum of $25 on each share sub- scribed for, being the third instalment due thereon, on or before the 21st day of next month.
THE COMMITTEE."
"Delinquents who still owe for the second instal- ment are reminded that the same has been much too' long due.
" September 1st, 1812."
" The subscribers to the 'Association for building" a church on Shockoe Hill' are requested to call on Mr. C. J. Macmurdo, Treasurer for the association, and pay him the sum of $25 on each share sub- scribed for, being the fourth and last instalment due thereon, on or before the 13th of next month.
THE COMMITTEE."'
"Delinquents are requested to pay up immediately,. and those who may find it convenient to pay up in- stalments before they are due, will add a facility to the operations of the committee by doing so.
"September 22, 1812."
28
HISTORY OF THE
"MONUMENTAL CHURCH RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
"The circumstances that have given rise to the name and existence of this building are but too well known to require explanation. The many persons interested in its execution induced Mr. Mills, (who designed and has the direction of it,) to suggest the propriety of an engraving of the building, with such parts of the city in its vicinity as could correctly be taken into the picture.
" Proposals to publish such an engraving are now issued, and Mr. Mills trusts that what he has taken the liberty to recommend for publication will meet the approbation and support of all interested; his views being to give to bereaved relatives and friends an opportunity of possessing some domestic me- mento of the respect and sympathy manifested by a generous public for the loss of so much worth, talent, and beauty. The publishers are fully com- petent to do every justice to the picture, so that the effect will correspond with a drawing that is now in this city, and which, in a few days, will be placed for public inspection in the Capitol.
"The style of the engraving will be that termed aquatinted. The size of the plate 212 inches by 37} inches.
"P. S -Separate from the ideas respecting the building, the whole engraving will form a handsome picture, capable of ornamenting any room, and as such, it is recommended to the patronage of the public.
"December 5, 1812."
29
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
"On the twenty-sixth day of December last, a. calamity occurred which spread desolation over almost every family in Richmond, and it befits a Christian people to devote Saturday, the twenty- sixth day of the present month, to the service of their God.
""' Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be. comforted.'
"It is recommended to the citizens to abstain from their usual avocations, to suspend all servile labor, and to pass the day in humiliation and prayer; and it is recommended to the pastors of the various re- ligious associations to perform Divine service in. their respective places of worship. 'Be ye ready also, for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.'
"December 19, 1812."
A CITIZEN."
The sum of $5,000, appropriated by the ordinance of the 7th March, 1812, was paid by the Chamber- lain of the city, on the 31st of March, 1814, and is. entered as paid "for the purchase of the Theatre lot;" but the voucher for it was destroyed, as well as most of the other papers in the Chamberlain's office, at the time of the military occupation of Richmond by the troops of the United States, in April, 1865.
" NOTICE.
"The sale of the pews in the Monumental Church will take place on this day, at 12 o'clock.
" Wednesday, April 13, 1814."
30
HISTORY OF THE
"NOTICE.
"The proprietors of pews in the Monumental Church are requested to meet at the church, on Saturday next, at 12 o'clock, to choose vestrymen and for other purposes. Those who cannot attend in person will be pleased to appoint proxies. De- linquent purchasers must in the meantime pay up the first instalment.
" April 19, 1814."
"The undersigned have the pleasure of handing the enclosed to Mr. Thos. Taylor. Their own feel- ings corresponding with those expressed by the vestry on the occasion, have nothing further to add, but their personal respects to Mr. Taylor.
ROBERT POLLARD, ROBERT GREENHOW, Church Wardens."
"May 2, 1814."
"Resolved, That pew No. 86, being one of the six pews bought in by the trustees, as directed on the 7th February last, by the eleventh resolution of the association, be appropriated, subject to assessment, to the use of Thomas Taylor, and that he be re- quested by the wardens to accept of the said pew, together with the thanks of the vestry for the pecu- niary obligations conferred by him on the church.
"Extract from the minutes of the vestry on the 25th April, 1814.
C. J. MACMURDO, Clk. of Vestry Mo. Church."
31
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
" NOTICE.
"Notice having been given, that on Wednesday, the fourth present, the clerical and lay deputies of the Protestant Episcopal Church would convene in this city; by order of the vestry, it is deemed neces- sary to apprize the citizens and public at large, that on some day during their sitting, Divine service will be performed at the Monumental Church, when the pews in the galleries will be open for admission to any who may think proper to attend. The town bell will be rung at the usual hour in the morning of the day set apart for the purpose above noticed. ROBERT POLLARD, ROBERT GREENHOW, Church Wardens." " May 2, 1814.
"NOTICE.
"Rev. Mr. Wilmer will preach at the Monu- mental Church to-day, at 11 o'clock, Wednesday, May 4, 1814.
"At a special meeting of the members of the con- vention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the State of Virginia, held at the Capitol in the city of Richmond, on Wednesday, the fourth day of May, 1814, Dr. Jno. Adams, (one of the lay deputies from Henrico Parish,) presented a memorial from the vestry of the Monumental Church, in the city of Richmond, praying the right of representation in this convention, which was received, and ordered to be read by the secretary; and the same was accord- ingly read. And on motion made and seconded-
32
HISTORY OF THE
" Resolved, That the prayer of the memorial of the vestry of the Monumental Church, in the city of Richmond be granted, and that the deputies ap- pointed by that vestry be invited to take their seats. in the convention immediately.
" Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be presented to the Rev. William H. Wilmer, for the. eloquent, appropriate, and impressive discourse de- livered in the Monumental Church this morning.
"The Hon. John Marshall and Dr. James Mc- Clurg, appeared and presented their certificate of appointment as lay deputies of the Monumental Church, (which was received) and took their seats as- members of the convention.
" Resolved, That the memorial of the vestry of the Monumental Church of the city of Richmond,. with the regulations referred to therein, be referred to the committee appointed to take into considera- tion the state of the church.
"Thursday, May 5, 1814."
"The committee appointed to examine and report on the state of the church, and to whom was re- ferred so much of the memorial of the Monumental Church as prays for the reception of that church into the general government of this diocese, reported sundry resolutions and recommendations, which,. after consideration and amendments, were adopted as follows:
" Resolved, That the prayer of the memorial of the Monumental Church is reasonable. And the
33:
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
same committee having reported a canon to pro- vide for the reception of the Monumental Church as. a member of the general church of the diocese, and to provide for similar cases in future, the same was. considered, and, after amendments, was adopted in the words following, to wit:
"WHEREAS, That canon of the Prostestant Epis- copal Church of Virginia, which directs the manner of choosing vestrymen in the several parishes, is not applicable to the case of churches built and sup- ported by voluntary associations of individuals with- out any parochial charge; and it is proper that those who hold the sole property of a particular church should provide for its care and management: Be it. ordained that, in all such cases, and particularly in that of the Monumental Church of Richmond, the choice of the vestrymen shall be in the pew-holders of such churches, who, in the number and time of. election of their vestrymen, may, until some generali regulation be made on this subject, consult their own: convenience: Provided, that every vestryman here- after to be elected, before he acts in office, shall sub- scribe in the vestry book of his church, to be con- formable to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and to the orders and canons of the said church in this State.
" Resolved, That the Rev. Wm. Meade be re- quested to deliver a discourse in the Monumental Church in this city, at the hour of 11 A. M., on the next Sabbath day, appropriate to the occasion of ad-
3
34
HISTORY OF THE
mitting that church into the general church of this diocese.
" Resolved, That the church wardens be directed to give notice publicly, that the pews in the galleries will remain open for admission to all that choose to attend divine worship in the Monumental Church un- til further notice.
" By order of the Vestry, "May 5, 1814. C. J. MACMURDO, Clerk."
From the Virginia Patriot of Saturday, May 7, 1814 :
" COMMUNICATION. " Monumental Church.
" On Wednesday the consecration of this church took place.
" The Rev. Mr. Buchanan performed divine ser- vice, and the Rev. Mr. Wilmer preached an appro- priate sermon. It is well known that the church is built on the site of the theatre, and over the ashes of those who were consumed on that memorable conflagration,-characters the most amiable and worthy that adorned society. It was heart-rending to those who witnessed the calamities of that night, the woes of which gave birth to the occasion, to see the relatives of the many victims who fell, as they entered, express their sensibility.
" There were few present, of a considerable con- gregation, who did not call to mind the endearments of a lost relation or a dear friend.
AN EPISCOPALIAN."
1442926
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
There are of record in the clerk's office of the Hustings Court ninety-four copies of the deeds for pews sold, executed to the following named parties, to-wit :
Charles J. Macmurdo,
$180, Pew No.
3.
William Wardlaw,
210,
4.
George Hay,
200,
5.
John Richard,
350,
66
6.
George Robertson,
400,
7.
James Brown, Sr.,
465,
8.
Dr. John Hayes,
490,
9.
Hall Neilson,
485,
10.
James Smith,
420,
66
12.
Robert Johnston,
340,
66
14.
George Pickett,
360,
66
15.
Robert Greenhow,
350,
66
16.
James Gibbon,
360,
66
17.
James McClurg, M. D.,
355,
66
18.
Jno. Brockenbrough, M. D.,
480,
66
19.
Thomas Richardson and Robert Pollard,
540,
66
20.
John Preston,
410,
66
21.
John Mutter,
385,
66
22.
John Marshall,
390,
66
23.
Joseph Trent, M. D.,
400,
66
24.
William Marshall,
420,
66
25.
Robert Gordon,
400,
66
26.
Charles J. Macmurdo,
415,
27.
Charles Copland,
420,
66
28.
William Mayo,
400,
66
29.
35
36
HISTORY OF THE
Richard Anderson,
380,
Pew No. 30.
Philip Haxall,
335,
66
31.
John H. Strobia,
315,
6.
32.
James Reat,
320,
66
33.
James Warrall, M. D.,
250,
66
34.
Edmund Taylor,
270,
35.
William Fenwick,
225,
66
36.
Charles J. Macmurdo,
95,
66
39.
Same,
115,
66
40.
Frederick Pleasants,
260,
66
45.
Leroy Anderson,
285,
66
46.
John J. Gamble,
390,
66
47.
William Wirt,
360,
66
48.
Daniel Warwick,
405,
66
49.
William Moncure,
330,
66
50.
George Fisher,
305,
66
51.
John Ambler,
360,
66
52.
James Fisher,
330,
66
53.
William McKinzee,
320,
54.
Thomas Rutherfoord,
310,
66
55.
William Foushee, M. D.,
305,
66
56.
Edward W. Trent,
410,
66
57.
Jno. Brockenbrough, M. D.,
210,
58.
Win. C. Williams,
315,
66
59.
James Greenhow,
240,
66
60.
Elias Reed,
210,
66
61.
James Scott,
205,
66
62.
John King,
210,
66
63.
Alexander Sharp,
180,
66
64.
Andrew Smith,
155,
66
65.
Daniel Call,
170,
66
66.
37
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
Robert Gordon,
175, Pew No. 67.
John Grantland,
180,
68.
Charles J. Macmurdo,
180,
66 69.
Same,
80,
66
70.
Same,
125,
66
71.
Richard Anderson,
175,
66
72.
John G. Blair,
175,
73.
Patrick Gibson,
205,
74.
Joseph H. Mayo and
Alexander Fulton,
265,
66
75.
Charles Ellis,
285,
76.
Philip Norborne Nicholas,
340,
66
77.
Thomas H. Drew,
360,
66
78.
John Robinson,
385,
79.
John Allan,
340,
66
80.
Thomas Wilson,
310,
66
81.
David Bullock,
305,
82.
James Brown, Jr.,
325,
66
83.
Michael B. Poitiaux,
295,
66
84.
John Tompkins,
315,
66
85.
Thomas Taylor,
315,
86.
Carter B. Page,
255,
87.
John Wickham,
375,
66
88.
Michael W. Hancock,
200,
89.
James Currie, M. D.,
225,
90.
Benj. Watkins Leigh,
215,
91.
George Fisher,
200,
66
92.
Wm. H. Hubbard,
195,
66
93.
Wade Mosby,
185,
66
94.
Wm. H. Fitzwhylson,
175,
66
41.
William Hay, Jr.,
210,
66
42.
.
38
HISTORY OF THE
Charles J. Macmurdo,
205,
Pew No. 43.
Same,
205,
66
44.
James Bridges,
170,
66
95.
Temple Gwathmey,
155,
66
96.
Jabez Parker,
130,
66
97.
Charles J. Macmurdo,
145,
66
98.
Thomas Guy,
180,
66
99.
C. J. Macmurdo,
175,
66
100.
The amount realized at the public sale of the pews being twenty-five thousand three hundred and forty- five dollars, exclusive of fifteen hundred and five dollars for ten pews bought in by Mr. Macmurdo for the trustees.
PLAN OF THE CHURCH.
The plan of the Monumental Church, copied at page 45, on the record book, prepared by Col. Thos. H. Ellis, for the vestry of St. Paul's Church, was drawn at his request by Col. John B. Danforth, (now deceased,) on a scale of 16 feet to one inch, from actual measurements of the building taken by him and Col. Ellis, on the 14th February, 1868, except that portion representing the reading desk and pulpit, is drawn according to the plan of original construction, and not as it now appears.
The measurements are as follows: Audience Room, 70 feet across, inside ; Main Walls, 1 foot 9 inches thick ; Nave, (or centre aisle,) 6 feet 2 inches wide ; Transept, 5 feet 1 inch wide ;
39
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
Outer Aisles, 3 feet 9 inches wide ;
Aisles in Angles, 3 feet 1 inch wide ;
Front Porch, 32 feet square ;
Rear Projection, (for spire,) 34 feet by 25 feet 42 inches ;
Side, (staircase) wings, inside, 9 feet 3 inches by 30 feet ;
Outside, 12 feet 24 inches by 32 feet 5 inches ;
Porches to same, 5 feet 9 inches by 12 feet.
THE MONUMENT.
A perspective drawing of the monument is also represented on page 45 of Col. Ellis's interesting journal of the church, copied by him for the vestry of St. Paul's Church ; and the plan and measure- ment of the same was taken by himself and Col. Danforth at the same time the building was measured.
The names inscribed on the monument, (which is of white marble and enclosed by a substantial wrought- iron upright railing, in the middle of the front or main porch to the church,) are the following :
On the South Side or Face of Monument :
Benjamin Botts, William Brown, George Dixon, Robert Ferril, Thomas Frayser, James Gibbon, Ed- win J. Harvie, Joseph Jacobs, Thomas Lacroix, Almarine Marshall, -Nuttal, - Pleasant, John B. Rizi, John Schaub, George Wm. Smith, William Southgate, Abraham B. Venable, James Walden, Edward Wanton, John Welch.
-
40
HISTORY OF THE
On the East-Side or Face of Monument :
Adeline Bausman, Sarah C. Conyers, Margaret Copland, Elvira Coutts, Ann Craig, Judith Elliott, Fanny Graff, Patsy Griffin, Julia Harvie, Arianna Hunter, Eliza Jacobs, - Littlepage, Maria Nel- son, Mary Page, Charlotte Raphael, Eliza Steven- son, Cicilia Trouin, Sophia Trouin, Jane Wade.
On the North Side or Face of Monument :
Mary Bosher, Jane Botts, Anna F. Braxton, Josephine Convert and child, Rebecca Cook and child, Mary Davis, Mary Gallego, Mary Geradine and child, Eleanor Gibson, Ann Greenhow, Sarah Herron, - Jerrod, Betsy Johnson, - - La For- rest, Ann Leslie, Zipporah Marks, - - Moss, Eliza- beth Page, Elizabeth Patterson, - - Pickett,- Scott. Lucinda C. Wilson.
On the West Side or Face of Monument :
Margaret Anderson, Mary Clay, Sally Gatewood, Ann Morton Green, Lucy Gwathmey, Judith Judah, Louisa Mayo, Nancy Patterson, Mary Gabriella Whitlock.
" NOTICE TO PEW-HOLDERS.
" The pew-holders of the Monumental Church are hereby informed, that an assessment on the cost of the pews of fifteen per cent. per annum is levied, payable quarterly. The first instalment at the Bank of Virginia, on the 1st of June next, has been ordered by the vestry.
“ May 17, 1814.
C. J. MACMURDO, Treasurer."
41
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
At a general assembly, begun and held at the public buildings in the city of Richmond, on Mon- . day, the eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty- four, and in the ninth year of the Commonwealth, Benjamin Harrison, Esquire, being Governor, an act was passed, entitled "An act for incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church." (See Henning's Stat- utes at Large, Vol. II, chap. 49, page, 532,) by which the church was thenceforth authorized in conventions, held as often as she might deem neces- sary, to regulate all her religious corcerns; settle all matters touching doctrine, discipline and worship, and make such rules as she saw fit for orderly and good government.
The convention was to be composed of all min- isters of the church, ex-officio, aud of two laymen from each parish, to be chosen by their respective vestries.
Pursuant to this authority, a convention met in the city of Richmond, on Wednesday, May 18, 1785; at which there were present seventy-one lay deputies and thirty-six clergymen.
The Rev. James Madison, D. D., was unanimously elected president of the convention; the Rev. Ro. Andrews, A. M., was unanimously appointed secre- tary.
The convention adopted "Rules for the order, government, and discipline of the Protestant Epis- copal Church in Virginia," among which were these: "8th. The elergy of several neighboring parishes,
42
HISTORY OF THE
not less than three, nor more than ten, shall assem- ble in Presbytery annually, on the second Wednes- day in April, at some convenient place in the dis- trict, to be appointed by a majority of the ministers in that same district. One in each district shall be ap- pointed by the convention to preside in their meet- ings, with the title of visitor, who shall annually visit each parish in his district; shall attend to and inspect the morals and conduct of the clergy; shall see that the canons and rules of the church are ob- served, and that no abuses are practised; shall ad- monish and reprove privately those clergymen who- are negligent, or act in an unbecoming manner, and shall report yearly to the bishop, if there be one, or if there be no bishop, to the next convention, the state of each parish in his district, noting down the- offenders and their offences.
" 11th. As we conceive the office of a Bishop, ac- cording to the true apostolic institution, differs in nothing from that of the minister of God's Word, except in the power of ordination and confirmation, and the rights of superintending the conduct of the clergy, and of precedency in ecclesiastical assemblies, that office shall accordingly be so exercised in this church. And any bishop, after his promotion to the Episcopal order, shall continue to hold a parish, and to do the duty of a parish minister, except when he- is necessarily employed in the discharge of his Epis- copal office.
"23rd. It being directed by the incorporating act. that church wardens shall be appointed, it shall be
43
MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
their duty to superintend the building and repairing of churches and other buildings belonging to the parish; to see that they are done agreeably to the directions of the vestry, and according to contract ; to restrain and check disorderly behaviour during time of worship; to prosecute, under the direction of the vestry, persons offending in such instances ; to furnish books, ornaments, surplices, elements for the sacrament, and every other thing judged neces- sary by the vestry, out of the church revenues, and to have, together with the minister, the care of and superintendence over the churches and burying grounds.
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