USA > Virginia > Old churches, ministers and families of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 26
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* In speaking of Mount Vernon, it might be expected that I should say something of this venerable house and beautiful place, and the Washington vault, and that I should have an appropriate pictorial representation of the same; but, as they are to be read of and their similitudes seen in so many books, I shall refer my readers to those books. There was, however, one object of interest belonging to General Washington, concerning which I have a special right to speak,-viz. : his old English coach, in which himself and Mrs. Washington not only rode in Fairfax county, but travelled through the length and breadth of our land. So faithfully was it executed that, at the conclusion of this long journey, its builder, who came over with it and settled in Alexandria, was proud to be told by the General that not a nail or screw had failed. It so happened, in a way I need not state, that this coach came into my hands about fifteen years after the death of General Washington. In the course of time, from disuse, it being too heavy for these latter days, it began to decay and give way. Becoming an object of desire to those who delight in relics, I caused it to be taken to pieces and distributed among the admiring friends of Washington who visited my house, and also among a number of female associations for benevolent
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I am happy to be able to add to this article the following extracts from two letters of my old college friend, Colonel Stoddert, of Wycomico House, Maryland, concerning his grandfather, the Rev. Lee Massey :-
" My grandfather I remember well. He died in 1814, at the age of eighty-six, a rare instance of physical and mental vigour for so advanced an age. He was the friend and companion of Washington from early youth, and the legal adviser and friend of George Mason. He commenced life a lawyer,-having pursued his studies in the office of George Johnston, Esq., than whom an abler lawyer was not to be found in the Northern Neck of Virginia. He married the daughter of Mr. Johnston, and began his professional career with every prospect of success, but retired when a young man, because his 'conscience would not suffer him to make the worse appear the better reason,' and to uphold wrong against right. He tried to follow in the lead of Chancellor Wythe, to examine cases placed in his care and to accept the good and reject the bad. It proved a failure, and he withdrew from practice. He was afterward appointed a judge, but declined it as taking him too much from his family. He recommended to me to read law, but earnestly opposed my pursuing it as a vocation. He often said Mr. Wythe was the only ' honest lawyer he ever knew.'
" General Washington, Mr. Mason, Fairfax, McCarty, - -, Chichester, and others urged him to study divinity and become their pastor. He yielded to their counsels and was ordained in London,-Beilby Porteus, Lord-Bishop of London, assisting in the ordination. I have heard him speak of the high oratorical powers of Dr. Dodd, who then preached in the Queen's Chapel, and describe the personal appearance of George III. and his Queen. He witnessed the performances of the famous Garrick, and thought he deserved the high fame he had won. All the clergy of the Church of England then attended the theatre. The loss of his fore- teeth impairing his speech was the cause of his ceasing to preach. He then studied medicine as a means of relieving the poor, and announced that he would practise without charge. He said he was soon sent for by all classes, and he had to withdraw altogether and confine his medical aid to giving advice and medicine at his office; and, of course, with few ex- ceptions, his advice was given only in cases of children brought to him. His conversation was rich with anecdotes and reminiscences of the dis- tinguished men of Virginia, and of social customs and manners before the Revolution. He had read deeply the great volume of human nature, and was a good judge of character. He loved virtue, and hated vice intensely, and perhaps had too little compassion for the weaknesses and infirmities of our nature. His social intercourse was influenced greatly and visibly by the moral character of the men he was brought into contact
and religious objects, which associations, at their fairs and on other occasions, made a large profit by converting the fragments into walking-sticks, picture-frames, and snuff-boxes. About two-thirds of one of the wheels thus produced one hundred and forty dollars. There can be no doubt but that at its dissolution it yielded more to the cause of charity than it did to its builder at its first erection. Besides other mementos of it, I have in my study, in the form of a sofa, the hind-seat, on which the General and his lady were wont to sit.
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with. His manner was an index to his opinions of those he was with in this respect ; and often he would admonish persons of their vices. His integrity and honour were of the highest order, and he detested all meanness and double-dealing with his whole heart. No advantage of position, or fortune, or official distinction, saved the profligate or unjust and oppressive from his open and strong denunciation ; and no man had at his command a more ready wit and biting sarcasm. But goodness of life and character-though clothed in rags and despised of men-commanded not only his sympathy but open respect. From these traits, I have often heard my excellent mother express her fears that her father looked too much to good works; but my opinion is that the Christian's faith only could have produced and pre- served so high a standard of morality and so keen a sense of moral duty. My grandfather was possessed of high powers of mind, and they had been well developed and cultivated. He was a ripe Latin scholar, and familiar with all the best English writers. He was remarkable for conciseness of style and condensation of matter in composition. He admired a plain and nervous as much as he disliked a florid and diffuse style : the more of the old Saxon and the less of French or Latin and Greek derivatives the better. Addison and Swift pleased him as much as Dr. Johnson displeased in this particular. He met death without fear : his last words were, 'The great mystery will soon be solved and all made plain.'
" In person he was six feet high and finely proportioned : his eyes were a deep blue, and expressive to the last, and his nose and mouth well shaped. I have often fancied that in his youth he must have possessed much manly beauty. He made his mark on his age and generation, for many tradi- tions are preserved of him and his sayings.
" With sincere esteem and regard, yours truly,
" J. T. STODDERT.
"P.S .- In the burial-ground of one of the Episcopal churches first erected in Maryland, near the site of St. Mary's City, is a beautiful monu- ment of Italian marble erected to the memory of the Rev. Lee Massey, by his parishioners, 'as a testimony of their grateful affection for the memory of their much-loved pastor.' It was placed there not many years after the settlement of the Colony, and is now in excellent preservation. This divine, who died in his youth, but not before he had deeply stamped his image on the heart and minds of his charge, was the uncle of my grand- father.
" The memory of the devoted zeal and piety of this young clergyman may have had its influence in determining my grandfather to enter the ministry. This, however, is mere speculation. J. T. S."
The following extract is from a second letter in answer to further inquiries :-
" In answer to your note of the 14th instant, this day received, I state that my grandfather was married three times. His first wife (my grand- mother) was the daughter of George Johnston, Esq., a distinguished law- yer residing at Alexandria, with whom my grandfather read law, and who drew the resolutions against the Stamp Act,* which were moved, at his
* In ascribing the authorship of the resolutions, offered by Mr. Henry, to his dis- tinguished ancestor, Mr. Johnston, I think it probable my friend, Mr. Stoddert, is
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instance, by Patrick Henry in the Virginia Legislature in 1765. Mr. Johnston always claimed the credit of being the first man who discovered the great but hidden powers of that unrivalled orator. He had great diffi- culty in persuading Mr. Henry that he was the only man who was fitted to make such a speech as suited the occasion,-which would electrify the State and rouse the people to resistance. His own powers, being only argumentative, would fail to produce such an effect. Such is the history of this bold and effective movement, which, in the language of Mr. Jeffer- son, 'gave the first blow to the ball of Revolution.' His son George was a member of General Washington's military family as aid and confidential secretary. When ill-health compelled him to retire, Washington looked to the same family to find his successor, and selected Colonel Robert Han- son Harrison-son-in-law of Mr. Johnston, and then a practising lawyer in Alexandria, though a native of Maryland-for this delicate trust. This gentleman would have declined the appointment but for the influence of my grandfather, whose whole heart was in the struggle, and who removed the only difficulty by agreeing to reccive his two orphan-daughters in his family on the footing of his own children. Colonel Harrison, after the war, returned to Maryland and was made Chief-Justice of the General Court. On the organization of the Supreme Court, President Washing- ton selected him as one of the Associate Justices,-an appointment at first declined, as it would separate him from his daughters, whose education he was conducting, but accepted on an appeal to his duty by his old military chief, who said 'he must select by his own knowledge the officers to insure success to the new government.' He died at Bladensburg on his way to Philadelphia to take his seat on the bench. These things show the many links in the chain of friendship which bound together the hero and patriot of Mount Vernon and his pastor and early associate.
"The second wife of my grandfather was a Miss Burwell, who died nine months after marriage. She was a lady of rare excellence, and my grand- father often dwelt on her memory with the tenderest affection. His last marriage was with Miss Bronaugh, of Prince William county, by whom he had two children,-a son, who was an officer in the navy and was drowned at Norfolk, and Mrs. Triplett. I think it probable her mother was a sister of Colonel George Mason, though I cannot state it as a fact .*
mistaken. Mr. Wirt, in his life of Mr. Henry, says that he left the original of these resolutions, drawn on the blank leaf of an old law-book, with his will, to be opened by his executors. A copy of that original is framed, and may be seen at Red Hill, one of his places of residence in Charlotte county, and now owned by his son, John Henry. Mr. Wirt says that Mr. Henry, after having prepared the resolutions, showed them to two members of the House only,-Mr. John Fleming, of Cumberland, and George John- ston, of Fairfax. Mr. Wirt alludes to a report of the day, that they were drawn by Mr. Johnston, but says that it was unfounded. He speaks of Mr. Johnston, however, in the highest terms. The religious reflections of Mr. Henry, attached to the copy of the resolutions left behind him, are worthy of insertion in this place. As to the effects of our independence he says, "Whether it will prove a blessing or a curse will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed upon us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader, whoever thou art, remember this, and in thy sphere practise virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. P. HENRY."
* She was a first-cousin of George Mason.
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The Masons claimed Aunt Nancy as a cousin, and I do not know how else the relationship could originate. George Mason, the eldest son of Colonel George, married a first-cousin of my grandfather, as did Thomas Mason, a younger son. Martin Cockburn-the uncle of Admiral Cockburn, a native of Jamaica, whither his father had removed from Scotland-married a sister of this last lady. He was a fine scholar and polished gentleman and good Christian. He, a youth of eighteen years, was travelling with Dr. Cockburn in this country, when he met with Miss Bronaugh. The father objected on the score of their youth, but said if his son wished it at the age of twenty-one years, he would cheerfully assent ; but the absence of three years was to intervene. Martin was faithful and constant to his first love and returned. A new difficulty then sprung up : the lady would not go to Jamaica, and the gentleman had to come to Virginia. He pur- chased a residence near Colonel Mason's, (an adjoining farm,) and a few miles from my grandfather, where both husband and wife lived to an ad- vanced age. I have often heard my grandfather say that they were the only couple, he believed, who had lived fifty years together without one word, look, or act to disturb their harmony for a moment, Such was said to be the fact in their case. The courteous and affectionate attentions which each paid to the other impressed my mind when a child, and are now present to my recollection with vivid distinctness. Nothing but the gentle teachings of Him who taught as man never taught could have wrought so beautiful a picture of conjugal love, forbearance, and peace."
It should be stated that the old church, called Payne's Church, near the railroad, and a few miles from Fairfax Court-House, as well as the new one at the court-house, are both in Truro parish.
VOL. II .- 16
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ARTICLE LXVIII.
The Religious Character of Washington.
AN interesting question in relation to Washington will now be considered,-viz. : What are the proofs of his personal piety ? This work is already done to my hands by the Rev. E. C. McGuire, of Fredericksburg, from whose careful and faithful volume on the "Religious Opinions and Character of Washington" I select the following particulars. He was the child of pious parents and ancestors, was baptized in his second month,-Mr. Beverley Whiting and Captain Christopher Brooks godfathers, and Mrs. Mildred Gregory godmother,-at a time when care was taken to instruct the children in our holy religion, according to the Scriptures as set forth in the standards of the Episcopal Church. Until he had passed his eleventh year he enjoyed the superintending care of both parents, and after that of his mother and uncle. It is also believed that, besides the instructions of the parish sexton and Mr. Williams, he also sat under the ministry of the Rev. Archibald Campbell, and perhaps was for a time at his school in Washington parish, Westmoreland county. While with his mother in Fredericks- burg, there can be no doubt of his receiving pious instruction from her and her minister, the Rev. Mr. Marye. While at school, he was remarkable for his abhorrence of the practice of fighting among the boys, and, if unable to prevent a contest, would inform the teacher of the design. When about thirteen years of age he drew up a number of resolutions, taken from books, or the result of his own reflections. Among them is the following :- "When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence." "Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." At the age of fifteen his filial piety was remarkably displayed in relinquishing an earnest desire to enter the navy, just when about to embark, out of a tender regard to his mother's wishes. The religious sentiments of his mother and of himself were drawn from the Bible and, Prayer-Book, and next to them, from the "Con- templations, Moral and Divine, of Sir Matthew Hale," judging from the great use which seems to have been made of this book by both of them; and in no uninspired book do we find a purer and more
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elevated Christianity .* Should it be said that, notwithstanding his early religious education and some indications of youthful piety, he may have fallen into the irreligion and skepticism of the age, and should proofs of his sincere belief of Christianity, as a divine reve- lation, be asked for, we will proceed to furnish them. At a time when so many of the chief men in France and America, and even some in England, were renouncing the Christian faith, and when he was tempted to be silent at least on the subject, in his public addresses, he seems to have taken special pains to let his sentiments be known, and to impress them upon the nation, in opposition to the skepticism of the age,-a skepticism which was sought by some leading men to be propagated with great zeal among the youth of Virginia.
In his address to the Governors of the States, dated at Head- Quarters, June, 1783, when about to surrender up his military com- mand, speaking of the many blessings of the land, he says, "And, above all, the pure and benign light of revelation." He also speaks of "that humility and pacific temper of mind which were the cha- racteristics of the divine Author of our blessed religion."
In his farewell address to the people of the United States, on leaving the Presidential chair, he again introduces the same sub- ject :- " Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity." He warns against the attempt to separate them, and to think that "national morality can prevail to the exclusion of re- ligious principles."
No candid man can read these and other expressions, in the pub- lic addresses of Washington, without acknowledging that, as though he were the great high-priest of the nation, availing himself of his position and of the confidence reposed in him, he was raising his warning voice against that infidelity which was desolating France and threatening our own land. That Washington was regarded throughout America, both among our military and political men, as a sincere believer in Christianity, as then received among us, and a devout man, is as clear as any fact in our history. Judge Mar- shall, the personal friend, the military and political associate, of Washington, says, "He was a sincere believer in the Christian faith, and a truly devout man." Judge Boudinot, who knew him
* The book appears to have been much used, and has many pencil-marks in it, noting choice passages.
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well during and after the Revolution, testifies to the same. Gene- ral Henry Lee, who served under him during the war, and after- ward in the civil department, and who was chosen by Congress to deliver his funeral oration, says, in that oration, "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincerc,-uniform, dignified, and commanding,-his example was edifying to all around him, as were the effects of that example lasting." Sermons and orations by divines and states- men were delivered all over the land at the death of Washington. A large volume of such was published. I have seen and read them, and the religious character of Washington was a most prominent feature in them; and for this there must have been some good cause. Let the following extracts suffice. Mr. Sewell, of New Hampshire, says :-
"To crown all these moral virtues, he had the deepest sense of religion impressed on his heart,-the true foundation-stone of all the moral virtues. He constantly attended the public worship of God on the Lord's day, was a communicant at His table, and by his devout and solemn deportment inspired every beholder with some portion of that awe and reverence for the Supreme Being, of which he felt so large a portion. For my own part, I trust I shall never lose the impression made on my own mind in behold- ing in this house of prayer the venerable hero, the victorious leader of our hosts, bending in humble adoration to the God of armies and great Captain of our salvation. Hard and unfeeling, indeed, must that heart be that could sustain the sight unmoved, or its owner depart unsoftened and unedified. Let the deist reflect on this, and remember that Washington, the saviour of his country, did not disdain to acknowledge and adore a greater Saviour, whom deists and infidels affect to slight and despise."
Thus spake New Hampshire. What says South Carolina ? David Ramsay, the historian, says :-
"Washington was the friend of morality and religion; steadily attended on public worship; encouraged and strengthened the hands of the clergy. In all his public acts he made the most respectful mention of Providence, and, in a word, carried the spirit of piety with him, both in his private life and public administration. He was far from being one of those minute philosophers who think that death is an eternal sleep, or of those who, trusting to the sufficiency of human reason, discard the light of divine revelation."
Mr. J. Biglow, of Boston, says :-
"In Washington religion was a steady principle of action. After the surrender of Cornwallis he ascribes the glory to God, and orders, 'That divine service shall be performed to-morrow in the different brigades and divisions, and recommends that all the troops not on duty do assist at it
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with a serious deportment and that sensibility of heart which the recollec- tion of the surprising and particular interposition of Providence in our - favour claims.''
To the foregoing I will only add, that Major William Jackson, aid-de-camp to Washington, in his address, speaks of the "milder radiance of religion and morality 'as shining in his character,' and of his being beloved and admired by the holy ministers of re- ligion ;" and that Captain Dunhamof the Revolution, in his oration, says of him, "A friend to our holy religion, he was ever guided by its pious doctrines. He had embraced the tenets of the Epis- copal Church; yet his charity, unbounded as his immortal mind, led him equally to respect every denomination of the followers of Jesus." The Rev. Mr. Kirkland, of Boston, says, "The virtues of our departed friend were crowned with piety. He is known to have been habitually devout." We conclude with the testimony of our own Devereux Jarratt, of Virginia, whom none will suspect of flattery or low views of religion :-
"Washington was a professor of Christianity and a member of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church. He always acknowledged the superintendence of Divine Providence, and from his inimitable writings we find him a warm advocate for a sound morality founded on the principles of religion, the only basis on which it can stand. Nor did I ever meet with the most distant insinuation that his private life was not a comment on his admired page."
Nor was the belief of his piety confined to America. The Rev. Thomas Wilson, the pious son of the pious Bishop Wilson, of Sodor and Mann, thought he could make no more suitable present to General Washington than his father's family Bible in three volumes, with notes, and a folio volume of his father's works. The former was left by the will of General Washington to his friend the Rev. Bryan Fairfax, minister of Christ Church, Alexandria; the latter is, I presume, still in the Arlington library. From the latter I selected, forty-six years ago, a small volume of private and family prayers, as I have elsewhere stated.
If more certain proofs of personal piety in Washington be re- quired than these general impressions and declarations of his co- evals and compatriots, founded on their observation of his public conduct, and derived from his public addresses, we proceed to furnish them. They will be taken from the testimony of those whose intimacy with his domestic habits enable them to judge, and from his own diary. As to his private devotions, of course the same kind of testimony is not to be expected as that which attests
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his public observances. It may most positively be affirmed, that the impression on the minds of his family was, that when on each night he regularly took his candle and went to his study at nine o'clock and remained there until ten, it was for the purpose of reading the Scriptures and prayer. It is affirmed by more than one that he has been seen there on his knees and also been heard at his prayers. In like manner it is believed, that when at five o'clock each morning, winter and summer, he went to that same study, a portion of time was then spent in the same way. It is also well known that it was the impression in the army that Wash- ington, either in his tent or in his room, practised the same thing. One testifies to having seen him on more than one occasion thus engaged on his bended knees. It is firmly believed that when in crowded lodgings at Valley Forge, where every thing was unfa- vourable to private devotions, his frequent visits to a neighbouring wood were for this purpose. It is also a fact well known to the family that, when prevented from public worship, he used to read the Scriptures and other books with Mrs. Washington in her chamber.
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