USA > Virginia > Fairfax County > Fairfax County > The history of Truro Parish in Virginia > Part 4
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This paper shows that at the first election, in March, 1765, Col. Washington was elected a Ves- tryman of the first ,Fairfax Parish, he being, for the moment, a resident therein. The life of this Parish was exactly four months, and of this Vestry- elect two months and three days, even if its mem- bers ever qualified or met for organization, of which there is no evidence. In July, Mount Ver- non having, in the meantime, been restored to Truro, Col. Washington was again elected a Ves-
42
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
tryman of Truro Parish, and was not eligible in any other.
An accurate copy of this interesting paper, as written by Washington, will be found on the fol- lowing pages, being here published in complete form, it is believed, for the first time.
43
HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
COPY OF PAPER IN WASHINGTON'S HANDWRITING, NOW IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. . (First Page.)
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR TRURO
PARISH 25th. MARCH 1765
with the Number of Votes to ' each.
Mr. Edward Payne
234
Colo. George Mason
210
Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty
181
Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer
174
Mr. William Gardner
169
Colo. George Wm. Fairfax
161
Mr. Alexr. Henderson
158
Captn. Lewis Ellzey
152
Mr. Thomison Ellzey
151
Mr. Thomas Ford
151
Mr. John Ford
141
Majr. Peter Wagener
126
Candidates then rejected
Doctr. Cookburn
Mr. Benja. Grayson
Mr. Joshua Furguson
Mr. Edward Washington
Mr. William Baylis
Mr. Henry Boggess
Mr. William Linton
Mr. Marmaduke Beckwith
Mr. John Thompson
Mr. Thomas Lucas
Mr. George Simpson
Mr. Benja. Talbot Mr. Joseph Bennet
Mr. John Daniel
Mr. John Monroe
Mr. James Halley
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR FAIR- FAX PARISH 28th. MARCH 1765
with the Number of Votes to each
Colo. John West
.340
Mr. Charles Alexander
309
Mr. William Payne
304
Captn. John Dalton
281
C. Geo. Washington
274
Majr. Chs. Broadwater
260
Captn. George Johnston
254
Mr. Townsend Dade
252
Mr. Richd. Sanford
247
Mr. Willm. Adams
244
Captn. Posey
222
Mr. Daniel French
221
Candidates then rejected
Mr. Thomas Wren
220
Mr. James Wren
205
Mr. Edward Blackburn
204
Mr. John West Junr.
199
Mr. Edward Dulan
199
Mr. Benja. Sebastian
160
Mr. James Donaldson
131
Mr. Henry Gunnel
126
Mr. John Seal
120
Mr. Charles Thrift
112
Captn. Sampson Darrell
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HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
(Second Page.)
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR TRURO PARISH 22d. JULY 1765
with the Number of Votes for each.
Colo. Geo. Mason
282
Captn. Edwd. Payne
277
Colo. Geo. Washington
.259
Captn. John Posey
259
Captn. Daniel Mc.Carty
246
Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax.
235
Mr. Alexander Henderson
231
Majr. Chs. Broadwater
225
Mr. William Gardner
218
Mr. Richard Sanford.
225
Mr. Daniel French
.216
Mr. Edward Blackburn.
.210
Mr. Thos. Shaw
209
Mr. Townsend Dade
.205
Mr. Henry Boggess
168
Mr. Joshua Furguson
162
Mr. Edward Washington
154
Mr. George Simpson
153
Captn. George Johnston
183
Mr. Sampson Darrel
151
Mr. Benja. Sebastian
159
Mr. Presley Cox
85
Whole Number of Votes.
.4012
12/3756 /313 Number of Voters
12/4012/334 Number of Voters
41
52
-
4
45
15
36
-
VESTRY CHOSEN FOR FAIR- FAX PARISH 25th. JULY 1765
with the Number of Votes for
each.
Colo. West
.309
Mr. William Payne
289
Mr. William Adams
250
Captn. John Dalton
247
Mr. Thos. Wren
237
Mr. Edward Dulan
228
Mr. Thomison Ellzey
209
Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer
189
Mr. Wiliam Lynton
173
Mr. Thomas Ford
170
Mr. James Wren
.205
Mr. Charles Alexander
.204
Mr. Robert Alexander
204
Majr. Peter Wagener
146
Mr. Benja. Grayson
139
Mr. William Baylis
86
Whole Number of Votes.
.3756
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Jared Sparks, in his Life ,of Washington and also in the Writings of Washington which he edited, not understanding the meaning of this paper nor Washington's obvious purpose in pre- paring it, published a small part of it only, namely the two lists of Vestrymen elected, the one in Fair- fax Parish on March 28th and the other in Truro Parish on July 22d, in which the name of Wash- ington appears. He thus gave rise to the ground- less tradition, which has been so generally adopted and perpetuated by succeeding writers, that Wash- ington served as a Vestryman in both of these Parishes, and presumably at the same time, though Sparks is careful not to assert this. But had he published the whole paper the error would not have arisen.
Bishop Meade says he had seen a printed list of these Vestries which was supposed to have come from "A leaf of the old Pohick Vestry Book which had by some means gotten into the Historical So- ciety of New York." Dr. Slaughter, at this place, gives this list as "Verified by Mrs. Burton Har- rison, who kindly inspected the missing leaf in the New York Historical Society rooms and sent me a copy of it." This list agrees substantially with that given by Sparks, as do they both, as far as they go, with the original list written by Washing- ton, though both omit the titles before the differ- ent names which Washington, with old-fashioned punctiliousness, was so careful to give. The New
46
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
York list, however, whatever its source, is not from a leaf of the Vestry Book as Bishop Meade un- derstood.
One frequently , finds the assertion made by careless writers that Washington was a Vestry- man of Pohick, or some other, Church. Such a statement is, of course, inaccurate, and Washing- ton himself would hardly have understood what was meant by it. In his day Vestries in Virginia were confined to Parishes, usually containing two or three Churches. Pohick is the only Church re- maining which stood in Washington's time in the Parish of which he was a Vestryman. The pres- ent Falls Church and Christ Church, Alexandria, were built in Fairfax Parish soon after its separa- tion from Truro.
The Vestry chosen for Truro at the March elec- tions held but one meeting. This was on April 26, 1765, at the house of Samuel Littlejohn.
[We now resume the thread of the History as written by Dr. Slaughter.]
During the current year the Minister of the Parish, the Rev. Charles Green, departed this life. There is no formal notice of his decease in the Vestry Book. It was not the custom of the times to pass resolutions on such occasions. It is only referred to in the business items, four months' salary due being ordered paid to his executor. Falls Church and Alexandria were no longer in Truro, so it became possible to have another place
47
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
of worship. Accordingly the Vestry rented from Samuel Littlejohn the tobacco house on his plan- tation for one thousand pounds of tobacco a year, until a Church could be built in the upper part of the present Parish, he agreeing to keep it clean and provide water for the congregation. An agreement was made with John Robertson to fit up this house with six benches the length of the house and two at the ends; a reading desk and Communion table, with a small window on each side of the desk; to lay plank on the joists the width of eight feet, with a rail in front, and two broad step ladders, and to stop the eaves; all to be done in the plainest manner, within six months, for 1400 pounds of tobacco. When the house was given up the plank used was to remain for the use of the Parish.
The Rev. James Scott, of Dettingen Parish, the grandfather of the late Judge Scott, of Fauquier, often officiated in Truro in the interval between the Rev. Mr. Green and his successor, Mr. Mas- sey. He received payment altogether for forty sermons, at 332 pounds of tobacco each. The Rev. John Andrews, of Cameron Parish, also preached twice, at the same rate.
The Vestry, (that elected in July,) had a pro- tracted meeting on the 28th, 29th and 30th of No- vember, 1765, when the accounts between the two Parishes were settled as far as could be done at
48
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
that time. The settlement is spread upon the min- utes in full, but is uninteresting .*
It was ordered, That the agreement made with Samuel Littlejohn by the former Vestry be con- tinued; That Elijah Williams be appointed Reader at Littlejohn's, and that he attend there to read Divine Service every Sunday, and that he be paid at the rate of 1000 pounds of tobacco a year; That Mr. George Johnston be appointed to act as At- torney for the Parish, and that he return a list of all the judgments obtained by him to the Church Wardens by the first of November annually; and That the Vestry meet at Mr. William Gardner's on first Monday in February next to agree with workmen to undertake the building of a brick Church to contain 1600 superficial feet; the Church Wardens to advertise the same in as public a man- ner as may be, and each workman to bring a plan and estimate of expense. George Mason and Ed- ward Payne were continued as Church Wardens for the next year, and the latter was appointed Collector of the Parish Levy, giving bond and se- curity as was the custom.t John Barry was con-
*An echo of the contest over the Parish lines is found in two items charged against Truro: "To Mr. Thomizen Ellzey for run- ning the line from Johnson's ferry to the fork of Difficult," and "To Majr. Wagener for copying six lists of tithables in April, 1765."
+The Levy this year was 60 pounds of tobacco per poll, as against from 20 to 37 pounds for many years before the division. It continued to range at from 60 to 80 pounds for six years follow- ing, while Payne's and the new Pohick Churches were being built, after which it gradually fell to about the former average. It , is probable that the Vestrymen themselves paid one-half of the tithes of the Parish, Washington and Mason being doubtless the largest ratepayers.
49
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
tinued as Clerk of the Vestry; and the third Fri- day in November annually was appointed as a day for meeting.
PAYNE'S CHURCH
"At a Vestry held for Truro Parish at William Gardner's on the 3rd and 4th days of February, 1766-
Present, Mr. Edwd. Payne, C. W. Colo. Geo. Washington Mr. William Gardner Capt. Daniel Mc.Carty Thomas Withers Coffer Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax Wm. Linton & Mr. Alexr. Henderson Thos. Ford
Vestrymen.
Who being there met to enquire the most con- venient place to erect a new Church, and to agree with workmen to build the same.
.
"Resolved, that the new Church be built on the middle Ridge near the Ox road, the ground to be laid off by Mr. Edward Payne, Mr. William Gardner, Mr. Thos. Withers Coffer and Mr. Thos. Ford, or any three of them, on the land sup- posed to be belonging to Mr. Thomazen Ellzey, who being present consents to the same.
"Agreeable to a plan and articles annexed there- to Mr. Edward Payne hath undertaken to build the said Church for the sum of five hundred and seventy-nine pounds Virginia Currency.
"Ordered that the said Edward Payne do paint
50
Daran's Church THER-1850
From a Photograph taken in 1861
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
the cornish, windows and doors of the said Church and bring in his charge thereof. And that he pay to Mr. John Ayres forty shillings for his plan and estimate.
"Ordered that Col. Geo. Washington, Capt. Daniel McCarty, Colo. Geo. Wm. Fairfax, Mr. Alex. Henderson and Mr. Thos. Ford, or any three of them, do view and examine the said build- ing from time to time as shall be requisite.
"Ordered that 31,549 1b. of tobo. in the hands of the Church Wardens for the year 1764, to wit, George Washington and George Wm. Fairfax Esqrs. be sold to the highest bidder, before the Court House door of this County on the first day of June Court next between the hours of 12 and 4, and that publick notice be given of the sale."
"MEMORANDUM of an Agreement made this fourth day of February one thousand seven hundred and sixty six, between the Vestry of Truro Parish in the County of Fairfax and Edward Payne of the Parish of Truro and County aforesaid as fol- lows, vizt .-
"The said Edward Payne does undertake and agree to build and finish in a Workman like man- ner a Church on the Ox Road, to be placed agree- able to an order of the said Vestry, of the follow- ing Demensions & according to the annexed Plan, to wit, Fifty three and an half feet in length, and thirty feet in breadth in the Clear; the walls to be built of good Bricks, well burnt, of the ordinary
5 1
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
size, that is nine Inches long, four and an half In- ches broad, and three Inches thick, the outside Bricks to be laid with Mortar two thirds lime and one third sand, the inside Bricks to be laid with Mortar half lime and half sand. The Corners of the House, the Windows & Doors, to be of rubb (! Brick-The Arches and Pediment heads of the Doors and Windows to be of Bricks rubbed gauged and set in Putty.
"The Doors to be made of Pine Plank, two In- ches thick, moulded and raised Pannells on both sides.
"The Sashes to be made of Pine Plank, one Inch and three quarters thick, and to have Sixteen lights in each square Sash, of the best crown-Glass, twelve Inches by ten. The Window and Door Cases to be made with double Archatraves.
"The floors and Gallery to be framed with good Oak, the Roof to be framed with good Poplar- and the Scantling to be of a size and proper Pro- portion to the Building.
"The Roof to be covered with Inch pine Plank cyphered and lapt, one and an half Inches. And to be Shingled with good Cypress Shingles, twenty Inches in length and to show six Inches.
"The Cornish to be in Proportion to the hight of the Walls (which are to be twenty two feet and an half,) with Dentile Blocks.
"The floors to be laid with pine Plank, one and an half Inch thick, the Iles to be laid with Brick
52
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Tyles, the Pews to be wainscotted with Pine plank, an Inch and an half thick, double work on each side of the framing and raised pannel on one side.
"To have an Altar Piece sixteen feet high & twelve feet wide, and done with wainscot after the Ionic order. The floor of the Communion place to be raised twelve Inches higher than the floor of the house with hand rails and Banisters of black Walnut.
"The Pulpit, Canopy and reading Desks to be of black walnut, Wainscoted with proper Cornish.
"The Gallery to be supported by Collums turned & fluted, to come out as far as the second Window at the West end of the Church, to have a Wain- scoted front, and to have four Seats raised one behind and above another. The whole to be done and finished by the first Day of October in the Year one thousand seven hundred and Sixty eight, in sufficient and workmanlike manner, agreeable to the Plan aforesaid.
"In Consideration whereof the said Vestry do agree to pay unto the said Edward Payne the sum of Five hundred and Seventy nine pounds Virginia Currency in manner following to wit, one third part of the said sum to be paid on the first Day of July next-another third part when the Church is covered, and the remaining part when the whole work is compleated and finished. In Witness whereof the said Parties (to wit) the Members of the said Vestry here Present and the said Edward
53
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Payne have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands the Day and Year first above written.
"The said Edward Payne is also to Ceil, Plaister & Whitewash the inside of the said Church in a proper manner, and to find and put on Locks and Hinges on the Doors & hinges on the Pews &c. 'Signed &c.
in presence of Lee Massey
Go. Washington Daniel Mc.Carty Go. Wm. Fairfax
John Barry
John Tillett
A. Henderson William Gardner
Thos. Withers Coffer William Linton Thos. Ford
A true copy
Edwd. Payne.
Test, John Barry, Clk. Vestry."
THE REV. LEE MASSEY, SECOND RECTOR
At this same meeting of the Vestry the follow- ing action was taken: "Whereas Mr. Lee Mas- sey, an Inhabitant of this Parish, having this day offered to supply the place of a Minister therein, and the Vestry being of opinion that he is a person well qualified for the sacred function, have agreed to recommend him to the favour of His Grace the Bishop of London and of the Governor of this Colony, for an Introduction to this said Parish, and to receive him upon his return properly quali- fied to discharge the said office."
54
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
"In consequence of the aforesaid Resolve a Recommendation to his Lordship the Bishop of London, and an address to his Honour the Gover- nor of this Colony in favour of Mr. Lee Massey being made out, are ordered hereafter to be re- corded."
"At a Vestry held for Truro Parish in the County of Fairfax and Colony of Virginia, the fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty six.
To His Grace the Bishop of London.
Whereas Mr. Lee Massey purposes to enter into holy Orders and hath applied to this Vestry for their Recommendation to his Grace the Bishop of London and to his Honour the Governor of Vir- ginia and offers and engages so soon as he shall be properly Ordained to return to Virginia and receive and accept of this Parish of Truro now vacant by the death of the late Rector, the Rever- end Mr. Charles Green, Provided we will keep the same vacant for him during our right of Patron- age, or the Governor will be pleased to induct him into it, if the Vestry's right of Patronage is ex- pired when he returns. And the said Lee Massey having lived several years amongst us and his moral Character and unexceptionable Life and Conversation being well known to most of us, we beg leave to recommend him to his Grace the Bishop of London as a Person well qualified for the Sacred Function, and also to the Favor of the
55
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Honourable Francis Fauquier Esqr. Governor of this Colony, and humbly entreat him to induct the said Mr. Lee Massey into this Parish of Truro in case he should return after the expiration of our right of Patronage, On which condition we do hereby agree and oblige ourselves to keep the said Parish vacant accordingly, and to receive and pro- vide for the said Mr. Lee Massey as Rector there- of according to the Laws of this Colony.
In Testimony whereof we being Vestrymen of the said Parish of Truro, (and all that are now present,) have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written.
Edwd. Payne
Go. Washington
Daniel Mc.Carty
Go. Wm. Fairfax
A. Henderson William Gardner
Thos. Withers Coffer Thos. Ford
William Linton
Copy. John Barry, Clk. Vestry.
Fairfax County, Truro Parish, Feby. 4th, 1766. Sir,
We the Vestry of Truro Parish beg leave to recommend to yr. Honour's Notice and Favour, the Bearer, Mr. Lee Massey, who has an Intention of entering into holy Orders, provided he can have a certainty of this Parish, and as his Charac- ter and Personal Merit is well known to us, we are very desirous of receiving him, and have given him the best Title in our Power. But it being
56
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
probable that he cannot return from England while the Parish remains in our disposal, we most earnestly recommend him to your Honour's good offices herein, and if you will be pleased to favour him with an Induction or Presentation to this Parish, in case he returns after the Expiration of our right, we will engage to keep the same vacant for him as long as it is in our power .* An answer will very particularly oblige,-Your Honour's most obedt. humble Servants .-
Edwd. Payne Go. Washington
Daniel Mc.Carty
Go. Wm. Fairfax
A. Henderson
William Gardner
Thos. Withers Coffer Thos. Ford William Linton
To the Hon.ble Francis Fauquier Esqr. Lieut. Governor of Virginia.
Copy.
Test John Barry Clk. Vestry.
At a Vestry held July 10th, 1766, there were present as above with the addition of Col. George
*These letters recall the old contest between the Governors and the Vestries in regard to the right of presentation and the induc- tion of Ministers into the Parishes. The early Governors claimed the right of Patronage as the representatives of the Crown, and in some instances sought to exercise it by forcing unwelcome Ministers upon certain Parishes. But the claim, or at least its enforcement, was vigorously resisted. Many of the Vestries adopted the plan of electing their Ministers year by year, thus avoiding a vacancy but saving the risk of having an inefficient or unworthy Minister sad- dled upon them and drawing his legal salary for life. A law passed in 1748 declared the sole right of presentation to remain in the Vestry for twelve months after a vacancy occurred. After that it was supposed to rest with the Governor. This is the law the Vestry here had in mind. Fortunately the Vestry of Truro was saved from all trouble in respect to their Ministers by being able to choose good men already known to them and sending them to England for orders.
57
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
Mason. Church Warden Edward Payne, who had been previously directed to enquire into certain deficiencies in the work ordered done on the Falls Church in 1763, reported that he had applied to the persons formerly appointed to view this work and they had denied having had any orders to view the same and refused to concern themselves. Whereupon it was ordered that Thomas Price view the work and report what deficiencies appear therein, that Mr. Payne attend as representative of this Vestry and request the Fairfax Vestry to appoint a workman and one of their members to attend the view on behalf of their Parish. Tobacco on hand was ordered to be sold at July and August Courts.
At the regular meeting in November the Parish Levy was laid, amounting to 55,860 pounds of tobacco; of which 35,000 was for "building Churches." Col. George Washington and Mr. William Gardner were appointed Church War- dens for the ensuing year, and were ordered to receive the money due from George Washington, Geo. Wm. Fairfax, Capt. McCarty and William Payne, former Church Wardens, and pay Edward Payne what was due to him. Mr. Gardner was also appointed Collector.
1767. February 23d. At a Vestry held this day there were present George Washington Esqr. and Mr. William Gardner, Church Wardens, and Messrs. Mason, Payne, Posey, McCarty, Hender-
58
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
son, Coffer, Linton, and Thomazen Ellzey. "Pur- suant to an Act of the General Assembly entitled an Act to empower the Vestry of Truro Parish in the County of Fairfax to sell their Glebe and Church Plate-Ordered that the said Glebe and Church Plate be sold at Public Vendue on Friday the 22d of May next. The sale to be upon the premises, and the Purchaser or Purchasers to be allowed eighteen months credit, giving bond with good security."
The Church Wardens were ordered to employ a Surveyor to run the lines of the Glebe land and to make a plot thereof. Also to advertise the same with a proper description of land and im- provements, and the Church plate, in the Virginia and Maryland Gazettes.
"The Rev. Lee Massey having produced to this Vestry a presentation to the Rectory, Benefice and Cure of this Parish under the hand of Francis Fau- quier Esqr. Lieutenant Governor &c. of Virginia and under the Seal of the Colony, dated January the 14th. 1767, Ordered that the said Lee Massey be accordingly received into this Parish as Min- ister thereof, and be provided for pursuant to the Laws of this Colony." Mr. Massey was also al- lowed "the Annual Sum of 4000 pounds of tobacco in lieu of a Glebe until one is purchased."
James Wren and Thomas Price, the workmen appointed to view the work done to Falls Church, reported that there appeared to be a deficiency
59
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
in the work of nine pounds fourteen shillings and sixpence. The Church Wardens were ordered to "apply to Maj. Charles Broadwater (the Under- taker of the said work) for the said sum and ac- count with the Vestry of Fairfax Parish for their proportion of the same when it is received."
"Ordered that a Vestry House be built at the new Church of the dimensions and in manner following Vizt. of Brick, twenty by sixteen feet, with a large inside chimney, nine feet pitch from the Foundation, with Brick or Tile floor, covered with Cypress Shingles, Ceiling and Walls Plaist- ered and whitewashed, one pannell Door in the broad side, with a Sash Window with twelve Lights and pannel Shutters opposite. board and Cornis. The Barge boards and Cornis,
Barge Door Window and Shutters to be painted, a Lock to the Door. The said House to be furnished with a Table and three Benches, for making which and the Cornis the Undertaker to be allowed a suffi- ciency of Planks out of the Parishes Plank now in Samuel Littlejohn's Tobacco House." All was to be finished by Christmas, and Edward Payne un- dertook the work for Fifty one pounds ten shill- ings, current money.
The Vestry met again on May 22d., the day of the sale, at the Glebe. Present, Rev. Lee Mas- sey, Minister, George Washington and William Gardner Church Wardens, and Messrs. Mason, Payne, Mc.Carty, Posey and Linton.
60
THE HISTORY OF TRURO PARISH
"Mr. Thomazen Ellzey having returned a Plott of a Survey made of the Glebe Land, pursuant to a former order of the Vestry, containing three hundred eighty five Acres and an half only, which said Quantity of Land being exposed to sale to the highest Bidder was purchased by Daniel Mc.Carty Gent. at the price of Three hundred and twenty two pounds Virginia Currency, who gave his Bond with Mr. Richard Chichester his Secur- ity for the same, payable eighteen months hence, to George Washington and William Gardner, Church Wardens, for the Use of this Parish."
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