USA > Virginia > Clarke County > Clarke County > History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
53
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
Methodist church was built was purchased from Mr. John Alexander-one of the land owners adjoining White Post -probably one of the largest. He was peculiar in his dress or costume-wore his hair long, tied with a string in queue style. He almost always attended service, and was importuned by some of the church members to unite with the church, his reply was, "He had no occasion to belong to the church, because the church belonged to him," meaning that he had assumed a certain indebtedness for the church which it had failed to cancel. This church building was not as carefully looked after as it should have been. The water spouts failed to carry the water and give the needed drainage. The walls cracked, and the bees made honey in the cracks and annoyed the wor- shippers-further the walls settled and became unsafe. The building was taken down and moved near the center of the town, on the west side of, and some little distance from the street. Here quite a neat, modern brick building now stands-having a church bell and belfry to tell the villagers of the assembling of the multitude and the hours of worship.
Adjoining the lot on which the church stands is a neat, comfortable dwelling, with the necessary out buildings, shade and fruit trees, handsome lawn of blue grass well kept. This is the home of the preacher-the parsonage, where time and thought and means have been expended by the membership to make their pastor and family com- fortable during their brief stay in their midst.
On the South side and adjoining the Methodist church is an attractive lot once the home of one of the village's distinguished characters, Mr. Daniel B. Richards, fa- miliarly known as "Uncle Dan." He was a saddler by trade-lived to a good old age-spent the greater part of his life here, making saddles for both ladies and gentlemen.
54
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
Horse-back being the chief means of travel at that day. He was famous for his satisfactory and skillful workman- ship and many a saddle he and his partner-a Mr. Mc- Kinstrey-built, little dreaming that the time would come that the mode of travel would be so changed as to require neither horse nor saddle. This lot of Uncle Dan's was bought by the Episcopal people as it lay adjoining the lot owned by them and on which their church build- ing now stands.
Uncle Dan's dwelling, modest as it was, sheltered him and family many years, being no longer needed, was torn down and moved away. The Episcopal church was built in the year 1873 on the lot formerly owned by Oliver Funsten the merchant, afterward by Mrs. Washington. The lot was a most desirable one-handsome and well located-having a good well of water. The Episcopal people were happy in securing it and went to work with great energy and enthusiasm in the effort to put up a church building. In this they were joined by citizens and neighbors generally, each throwing in his or her mite. The rector, Rev. Jos. R. Jones of Millwood was very ac- tive and energetic in presenting and furthering the cause among the home people and visiting the cities of Rich- mond, Alexandria and Baltimore. It is known as Bishop Meade Memorial Church, in memory of the late Bishop. The efforts made were encouraging and after much per- severing and the incurring of some indebtedness, a large brick building, seating two to three hundred people, ap- peared as a reward of united efforts, as well as a home for the Episcopal membership. The church was dedicated July 13th, 1875. Within the church are two tablets, one to the memory of Rev. Jones, the other to Bishop Meade, D. D. A neat attractive chancel rail was placed in the chancel to the memory of Capt. J. McKay Kennerly,
55
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
by the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry. Rev. Jones was a tried and true leader for many years. Now sad to say its doors are closed, being without a regular preacher. The large sweet toned bell, perhaps the most so in this part of the valley, seldom sounds out its charming tones to the listening and delighted ears of those who dwell in the many happy homes within a radius of five or six miles. Some years after the completion of the church, want was felt for a building for Sunday-School purposes, public lectures, entertainments of various kinds, church meet- ings, etc. Finally it was decided for the betterment of the citizens of the village in general, to build a town or Parish Hall, to be under the control of the Episcopal Church. Therefore, the location for the building was selected on N. E. corner of the Church lot. A neat one story structure, well finished, seating perhaps a hundred or more people, was built. This was done mainly through the liberality, effort and energy of the late Capt. David Meade, Sr., aided by a generous gift from Mr. Wm. C. Kennerly. Later on a Rectory was built on a lot given by Capt. David Meade, Sr., a noble, high-minded, genial gentleman, always having the interests of the church at heart and ever ready with his time and means to advance the good of the community.
There is a considerable settlement of colored people chiefly in the northern part of the village. They have two quite respectable, good churches, with regular preach- ing. Among these people there are some valuable, good citizens, owning comfortable homes. The lot on which the old stone church stood is now owned and occupied by the homes of colored people. A noted saddler was men- tioned, I think it would be remiss not to mention a noted harness maker and justice of the peace, Mr. W. T. Whar- ton, known the country over as "Bill Wharton,"a skillful,
56
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
honest, energetic workman, large trade, served the public many years.
He kept an alert eye on the law breakers and showed but little mercy, or rather favor. Another character, an important agent in the development of the White Post progress was Wm. Grubbs, the mail carrier. He gave his service and life to this business for thirty-four consecu- tive years. Poor old man; such a life: Sunshine and rain-storm and calm-mud and ice-cold and snow-no let up-no break in the monotony.
The celebrated "Hughs Suction Pump" was made here by the "John Hughs Pump Co.," for many years. It took the place of the old wind up, crank and axle chain or rope fix with the old oaken bucket, sung about in the long ago. A big business was done. It was known and used not only in this county, but in the neighboring and surrounding counties. There was located a tailor shop on the Berlin lot and in it worked a small man named George W. Rutter. He was fond of singing and could tell a good story; was an active Free Mason and faithful attendant- had a big trade. He and his partner-A. M. Bull, made besides all things else-an overcoat with eight or ten capes-one large, one reaching near the waist, then each shorter until they reached the back of the neck. They did their work at night by the light of a tallow candle. At this date, or very recently we had electric light, made in this place by the D. Pratt Meade Electric Light and Power Co. The blacksmiths and wagon makers always had a rush of business. White Post always seemed to have an attraction for the Doctors. Perhaps it was with those in the past as it is with some of later date who came here because there was no other place for them to go. Among some of the long forgotten Dr.'s might be named Dr. Snyder and Dr. Burwell.
57
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
Then came Dr. John Fauntleroy-very prominent and very successful-abode a long while, so capable and ener- getic that there was no room for another. Finally the war came and took him away. The people were without a "medicine man"-no doctor. A Dr. Wm. Sommerville from what is now West Virginia, hearing of the situation, came, offered his services and was gladly and kindly re- ceived. He was a very tall, slender, delicate man. It was said of him that he could stay on his horse (all rode horse back then) and walk or ride, just as he chose. A frail, delicate but noble, good man. Eminent and suc- cessful in his profession, of great energy and adaptability. A christian gentleman, exerting a wide influence for right- eousness. He died in early or middle life. His younger brother Dr. H. C. Sommerville, after a four year's ser- vice in the war, came here in the Autumn of 1865. Prac- ticed jointly with the elder brother until his death, which occurred in the Spring of 1875. As remarked by a colla- borator of this sketch-then the joint practice fell upon the younger brother's shoulders and for many years he toiled in the face of difficulties, faithfully and efficiently- winning to a marked degree the love and confidence of all with whome he came in contact. When deafness and failing health compelled him to give up the profession, it was a cause of genuine regret to his many friends and patrons. About the same time, 1865, Dr. Thos. M. Lewis, of Westmoreland County, Va., located here. Hav- ing had a war experience as Ass't. Surg. in the army of some four years. An ideal old Virginia gentleman, cour- teous, upright, affable, honorable. He succeeded in his profession and died at his home here in the village at an advanced age. In his closing years, he lived alone-a sad and lonely life of disease and suffering-his wife hav- ing died some years before his death. His body lies in
58
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
the cemetery adjoining the Episcopal Church, where many other bodies of recent times lie-"Sleeping their last sleep"-as well as those of the long past, whose bodies have been taken up, removed from the local burial places and reinterred in this cemetery.
As a shipping point, quite a business is done at White Post Station, N. & W. R. R., in cattle, hogs, sheep and lambs. Some fine grazing farms, as the model, up-to- date, Tuleyries farm, Montana Hall, Long Branch and Greenway Court farms. Besides the farms of the Messrs. Sowers and Lee in the adjoining neighborhood with many smaller estates. On these farms are bred, grazed and ship- ped, probably, as fine cattle as anywhere in the valley. The same may be said of hogs and sheep. Yearly ship- ments of cattle, 25 car loads, hogs 50, sheep and lambs 15 carloads. Heavy shipments of wheat of good milling quality. Approximately 40 car loads yearly. Quite a grass growing country and when season is favorable, large shipments of hay made. Say 50 car loads. When the contrary condition exists-it may be truly said of the country, that it is a "thirsty land, in which no water is," hence shipments are light.
Some large orchards, well kept, yielding large returns, besides many smaller ones-hence making things very lively at the station at shipping time-not unusual to have a shortage of cars, causing much confusion and delay. Some 60 car loads shipped best years. Shipment of turkeys in Fall season large and of fine quality-prob- ably as many as 1,000 in one year.
It may be said of the ancient village that it is a picture and that the frame of the picture is in part-a beautiful grove. Here nature has done her best-planted-nur- tured a forest or park of many grand old oak and hickory trees-large-some giants-very tall, straight and well
THE OLD CHAPEL-BUILT IN 1783
OLDEST EPISCOPAL CHURCH WEST OF THE BLUE RIDGE
59
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
proportioned, she clothes them each spring time in the most inviting drapery of green and in Autumn changes it to the varied and richest shades of color which only the failing life of the varieties of the forest leaves can make. She causes a covering, or carpet of green sward to cover the ground and each day (it may be) sends the wind to sweep-keep it bright, clean and in order-not a fallen leaf, or twig, weed, bramble or briar to be seen-truly a fitting surface for the shadows of the great oaks to rest upon and for the sunbeams coming through the oaks to meet and play with the shadows. In the early morning and late evening it is enchanting, lovely and attractive beyond compare. The only natural grove or park left in all this country. White Post's most impressive object of in- terest-an ornament of beauty, charm, grandeur and love- liness. All of Clarke County, come and see it.
CHAPTER VIII.
OLD CHAPEL AND MILLWOOD
T HE churches of the different denominations in the county deserve special notice, for to their con- servative influence is due in large degree the county's reputation for law and order. During the colo- nial period the Episcopal was the established church and was supported out of the Public treasury. As new counties were established, new parishes were laid out and vestry- men appointed, whose duties were partly civil. Very early in the history of Frederick County, provision was made for the building of chapels and one was built at what is now called the "Old Chapel." Its history is given in an address delivered by Capt. Wm. N. Nelson in 1897. We shall use extracts from his address, which tells far better than the writer can, the history of that venerable building and the Congregation that attended there.
"I will now proceed to give a short sketch of the history of this Old Chapel, with such incidents as I have been able to gather, that are suitable to the time and place. In giving the history of the Old Chapel little more is neces- sary than to follow Bishop Meade in his "Old Churches and Families of Virginia," adding such incidents as are hardly worthy of the dignity of history."
On page 280, Volume II, of this book, he says; "In the year 1738 the Assembly, in consideration of the increas- ing number of settlers in the Valley, determined to cut off two new counties and parishes; viz., West Augusta
60
61
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
and Frederick, from Orange county and parish, which lat- ter then took in all West Virginia. The county of Fred- erick embraces all that is now Shenandoah-with part of Page, Warren, Clarke, Frederick, Jefferson, Berkeley and Hampshire."(See also Henning's Statutes at Large, Vol- ume V, Chapter 21, page 78) It is not pleasant to re- call that even in those primitive days public moneys were not always as accurately accounted for as might have been expected. Somewhere between 1738 and 1744, 1,500 Pounds had been raised for the purpose of building churches and chapels in the parish. This was at that time a very considerable sum of money. The return in the way of places of worship was very unsatisfactory. In his book (Page 281, Volume II) The Bishop says: "In 1752 an Act of Assembly was passed dissolving the ex- isting vestry and ordered a new election, on the ground that it had raised more than 1,500 Pounds for building a number of churches, which were unfinished and in a ruin- ous condition. As the churches of that day and in this region were log houses, costing only from thirty to forty or fifty pounds, there must have been much misspending of money." There is nothing heard of this vestry, except that they appointed processioners in 1747. I presume these were men appointed to lay off metes and bounds of parishes. It was dissolved in the year 1752, and in their place the following vestry was chosen, viz., Thomas, Lord Fairfax, Isaac Perkins, Gabriel Jones, John Hite, Thomas Swearingen, Charles Buck, Robert Lemmon, John Lindsey, John Ashby, James Cromley and Lewis Neill. Evidently a respectable body of gentlemen, in whose hands the public funds were safe, and sure to be properly applied.
There is no record of the exact time the old log house (known as Cunningham Chapel) was built. Bishop Meade
62
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
in his book says (Page 283, Volume II.) that this chapel, with several others, was probably completed for use be- tween the years 1740 and 1750. In the vestry book, of which I have before me a copy made by Dr. Randolph at the request of Bishop Meade, I find no allusion to it un- til the year 1760, when the vestry contracted with Capt. John Ashby, of Fauquier County, to make the following repairs, viz., "To cover the roof of said chapel with clap- boards, and double ten nails, repairing the outside with clapboards, when wanting, and etc." Among other items he is to make "a new door to the women's pew," and "mak- ing tight and secure under the eaves of the roof to prevent the birds coming in thereat." I do not learn what is the meaning of the "women's pew." Our ancesters were hardly so ungallant as to shut up the ladies of the congre- gation in one pew.
We learn from the Bishop's book ("Old Churches," etc. page 285) that the Rev. Mr. Gordon was the first Rector. It is not known when his ministry began or ended. The Rev. Mr. Meldrum is next. He continued in charge until 1765. Between him and the vestry a long law suit was carried on, which terminated in his favor. The vestry applied to the Assembly for relief and obtained it. From 1766 the Rev. Sebastian was minister for two years. In 1768 the Rev. Charles Mynn Thruston became the minister, binding himself to preach at seven places scattered over the large parish, including Shepherdstown. In 1769 the county and parishes of Frederick were di- vided into the counties of Dunmore (now Shenandoah), Frederick and Berkeley; and into the parishes of Beck- ford, Frederick and Norborne.
There was complaint made against Mr. Thruston that he neglected his duty, in that he had preached in his parish church but once since laying the parish levy.
63
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
How long that was is not stated. The charge seems to have been established, but at the next meeting of the ves- try (December 27th, 1770), he having given satisfactory reasons for his neglect of duty, was excused by the vestry, and agreed to make up the deficiency by preaching on Wednesday, if required to do so. His salary was 16,000 pounds of tobacco, equal to 214 pounds. In 1777 Mr. Thruston laid down the ministry and entered the Conti- nental army as Captain. He was afterwards promoted to a Colonelcy, but, having no regiment, rendered no further active service. He never resumed the ministry, and died many years afterwards in New Orleans. From the time of Colonel Thruston's resignation in 1777 to 1785 there is no record, as far as I can ascertain, of any minister in the parish. In the latter year a vestry was elected con- sisting of Col. Richard Kidder Meade, George F. Norton, wardens; John Thruston, Edward Smith, Raleigh Cols- ton, Gerard Briscoe, Robert Wood and Maj. Thomas Mas- sie. Prior to this the vestries had been legal bodies. Among their duties they collected tithables to pay the min- ister, to build and repair churches, and to support pau- pers and other persons chargeable on the county or parish.
It appears that in case of vacancies, ministers made ap- plications for appointment, and were selected by the ves- tries from among the applicants. This was changed by the separation of Church and State in 1780. The above named vestry selected Rev. Alexander Balmaine as min- ister. He was a native of Scotland, but sympathizing with the Colonies in their struggle with the mother country he came to this country and became Chaplain in the Con- tinental army. He continued the Rector of Frederick parish until his death. Bishop Meade, having been a lay reader at this Chapel, was ordained Deacon in 1811 and acted as assistant to Mr. Balmaine. The Bishop was
64
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
minister at the Old Chapel for twenty-five years. He gave up the charge of this church a year after Christ Church, Millwood, was built. In 1835 the vestry called the Rev. Horace Stringfellow. He continued in charge about five years. The exact date of his resignation does not appear in the minutes of the vestry. He occupied the log house, back of the house built by the late James H. Clark, Millwood. The Rev. Wm. H. G. Jones was called to take charge of the parish as its Rector on the 20th of April, 1840. He continued in charge seven years and resigned on the 15th of September, 1847. He re- sided in what is known as the Tuley house, now owned and occupied by Mr. John W. Copenhaver. October 13th, 1847, Rev. John F. Hoff accepted a call to take charge of the parish. After a short residence at White Post, he occu- pied the house known as the Rectory, near Millwood, now owned by Rev. Joseph R. Jones. Mr. Hoff's resignation was tendered and accepted on the 21st of June, 1858, hav- ing had charge of the parish for nearly eleven years. On the 9th of August, 1858, Rev. Joseph R. Jones accepted a call by the vestry to the Rectorship of the parish. He con- tinued in charge until April 18th, 1881, when his resignation was tendered to the vestry and accepted. He lived at his present residence. Our present Rector, Rev. C. B. Bryan, having accepted a call to this parish preached his first sermon here on the first Sunday in August, 1881.
Having begun a list of the clergy who have officiated as ministers in charge of this chapel, it was thought best to bring it up to the present time.
I will now return to where the narrative was left off in 1785. Prior to that time, and from the year 1764, the lay readers of the different parishes were John Ruddell, James Barnett, (who was also a vestryman, and afterwards resigned, having connected himself with the Baptist com-
65
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
munion), John Barnes, Henry Nelson, James Graham, Henry Frencham, Morgan Morgan, John James, William Dobson, William Howard (reader at this Chapel) and John Lloyd. In the accounts in the old vestry book we find items of amounts paid these lay readers. On which the present custom of voluntary service is a decided im- provement. By an act of the General Assembly of Vir- ginia of October 30th, 1780, the old vestries were dissolved and the severance between the Church and State was ef- fected.
In addition to the vestrymen already named it will be of interest to give the names of a few others who served in that capacity prior to 1780. They are Isaac Hite, John Hite, Jacob Hite, John Neville, Charles Smith, James Wood (afterwards a general in the Continental Army and Governor of Virginia about 1816) (Old Churches etc., page 284) Angus McDonald, Philip Bush, Marquis Calmes, John McDonald, Warner Washington, Edmund Taylor, etc.
Subsequent to the division of Frederick parish into the three parishes heretofore referred to, there were other di- visions of that parish. It will not be necessary to fol- low all the divisions. A full account will be found of them in Dashiel's Digest of the Councils in the Diocese of Virginia, and in Bishop Meade's "Old Churches," etc. In his account of the parishes in Frederick county the Bishop says: "In the year 1827 Christ Church, Win- chester, was organized into a separate parish, to be called the parish of Frederick, Winchester." Luther parish, afterwards changed to Clarke parish (Berryville) was ad- mitted in 1853. Greenway Court parish was admitted in 1868. It was in 1866 that the name of Cunningham Chapel parish was adopted for this parish. (See Dashiel's Digest for foregoing statements.) This is clearly a mis-
66
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
nomer. That had never been the name, as is stated in vestry book for the year 1866. The parishes named above, and others, had been cut off from time to time from Frederick parish. This parish has never been so cut off, and remains what is left of the original Frederick parish. It will be observed that the Winchester parish recognized this in giving the name of Frederick, Winchester.
We learn from Bishop Meade's invaluable book (page 288, Volume II) that, among the first things done by the vestry of Frederick, after its reorganization in 1787, was the adoption of measures for the building of a stone chapel where it was designed to erect that one which failed through the disagreement of the people and the vestry as to its location just before the Revolution, viz., where Cunningham Chapel stood. The land having come into the possession of Col. Nathaniel Burwell the same two acres for a church burying ground, which were offered by Col. Hugh Nelson before the war, were given by Colonel Burwell, and the present stone chapel ordered to be built in 1790. (See action of vestry, Vestry Book, page 68.) The old log building, which has been spoken of, stood a few paces south of the present building, near the north corner of the stone enclosure nearest this house. After Bishop Meade took charge of this church, Mr. Philip Nelson, of Long Branch, was the first lay reader. Of him Bishop Meade says in his obituary: "He was a lay reader in this parish for a long series of years, keeping the church open in my absence. He was one of the best readers, and had a most melodious and powerful voice." (Vestry Book, page 172) The ordination of Bishop Meade in 1881, and his becoming minister of this parish, brings us much nearer to our own time. He remained a Deacon for four years, and was then ordained a Presbyter by Bishop Clagett, of Maryland, there being no Bishop in Virginia at that time.
67
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
He says that his salary during his ministry here did not average more than $250 a year; but, as he writes, he "took care to make the people contribute liberally to various good works."
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.