Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-02
g nlailg a'irainian.
From the Correspondence Of the Evening Post.
An Antiqunted Town William and Mary
College Ancient Records Office
-Stocking-M -Mcndor to tho Collego-Tho
Old Library Annual Reunion.
WI.ilAMsm ne. Va. Jan,

Old Library Annual Reunion.
Wut,AMsnrno. Na. Jan'y, 1850.
Probably few of your readers nro nwnrc of the
existence IN the United States of ~ thoroughly
antique town rs the place | nm now in On
emerging from the woods in the stage from James
| River, distance some seven miles, we drive at
once through the main street aud SEQ ut II glance
| the principal part Of tho town Tho old-inshion-
rd houses quaint church, with its peculiar spirc,
! the powdcr-huusc, md Mt tho head of tho street
William and Mary College. that ancient seminary
/ ul lrnrning--nltogetho carry back into tho
! daSs ol yurc, when this street was filled with gay
cavaliers bishops in lawn, fine cquipnges, and la
| dies fair whose rotund circumference would fully
equal the present expanded fashion
My few hours of loisure were mostly devoted to
the college, now ono hundred and sixty-six years
! old from WHOSE portals have matriculated many
,pn Of old Virginia, whose nmc has spread FAR
aud wide. to countries where the existence of his
| itad MifeF is unknown. Tho college buildings
are in enclosure at tho extreme end Of tho
town, comprising three cdltires: tho college prop
er the Presidents house. and the Indian House,
now the rcsnlonre of the Rev. DR. Tottcn In
TIM ccutrl Of tho square upon which these build
inS are erected is the statue, in marble, ol Lord
Butetuurt, Formerly Governor Of tho Province of
Virginia, and great bcnefactoro Of William aud
Nary.
Tho large building with its two wings IL said to
have been constructed from II design by Sir Chris
topher " ren; II ~, that distinguished architect
must have been non coWpoS mt tho time. 1t is of
~ st,l- of architecture, and has 10 merit except
III its durab lity The chapel. forming ono of tho
wines, Is worry curiously studded inside with tab
let, To ancient worthless, among whom may hc
named sir John Randollh. lcyton Randolph Pro-
sdcd oi the First American Congress. Bishop
Madison and Chancellor Nelson.
The Blur i t1om, 50 called from it's walls being
Il that ethcrcn hue. /. OF great interest. In il
means Tor the instruction. not only of tho adopted
SONS # Virginia, but also "f tho native Indians
Tor whose proper OBLIGATION, monies were donated
10y tho "llon. Robert Boyle ESQ., whose portrait
graces tl,c chamber. We have here also tho lruo
"ciigics" of the Very Rev. DR.. Blair, President OF
the Collcgci IN lGS2 the rht Of whose countcnance
has often gnddcncd the Council with it's presence.
There j. much to interest tho antiqunry in this
ronIn Through the kindness OF Professor Morri-
son. had the pleasure oi inspecting tho ancient
Boob Of Minutes from which extract the fol-
lowiny. ns Of interest
June @stb, l132.--Iho college chapel wns
opened Mr.. President lthe Rov. Mr.. l,lair)
preached on Proverbs - e. July 3ls. l132.--
The Foundation orthc Presidents House a the
Collage was laid. Tho President. Mr.. Dawson,
Mr. Fry. Mr.. Sdth Historian of Virgnn, and
Mr., / y laying the first five bricks in order, one
after The other. Ata meeting of President
and Masters of William and Mary College. Sept.
We ith, l,62. present yc Rev. Mr.. Stith, Presi-
dcat. Mr. Dawson, Mr.. Robinson, Mr.. Preston
aud Mr. Graham. Yc following orders were unnn-
lmously agreed To:
al ordered, Vt no scholar belonging 10 any
sfhooi IN N' toHrge, of what ago rank or quality
sooycr. do kcro any ucc horse at We college in ys
town, or anywhere III ye neghborhood. Vt they
he not any way concerned in milking races, in
backing or ahcting those made by others; and
Vt all race horses kept in yo neighborhood Of
sc college, and belonging to any of We scholars,
be Immediately dispatched and sont oh, and
never again brought back, aud all this undor
pain Of yc seycrost animag,crsion aud punish
mcut
II, Ordered, Vt no scholar belonging to yo
COLLEGE, of what nge, rank or quality soever, or
Whcrrsnesor residing, within without ye col
leso dn presume to appear playing or betting at
yehilnrl- or other gaming tables. or by any way
concerned in keeping or lighting cocks, under
pains Of yc like severe nnimadversion or pun
ishmcut. Signed.
civilian SrITn.
"Jan'ry yc II, l75i Resolved. Vt aperson be
appointed to hear such boys as shall be recommcn-
died hy their parents guardians n chapter in the
Billie rycry school day at - o'clock, and vt ho
have " yearly salary of one pistole for each boy
20 recommended
.Jrxr 2G l7Gl. --Rcsolyed, That Mrs. Foster he
appointed stochmg-m'nd"r in tho College, and that
she be paid annually the sum Of twelve pounds.
fire and candles.
"May Sd. l77l.-Rcsolycd unanimously That
II negro woman belonging to his late Excellency'e
Lord iipotonrt estate, be purchased .ior III.
use 81 the toiteye, if to be had ut a moderate
price
The College long exercised the duties of the
office of SnrvcyorGencral of the Colony of Virgil
MIA and among the surveyors appointed by it was
ticorgc Washington. There is Il mino Of interest
ing matter contained in this volume of minutes,
cxempfying the manners and customs of the age.
The library Of William and Mary College is of
great interest. Although at present in a sad con-
lion. arrangements will soon be made to restore
the old volumes and trust, also, to increase the
collection with much new matter. In cursory
glance at its contents found many Elzerins and
Aldines rare collections Of patriotic theology,
early editions of the writings of New England
diyinos, which would make glad the heart of ma
ny bibliopoc of the "modern Athens" Many Of
these volumes were donotions A fine Bible fo-
lio. . vols. from George ILL.,; set of Buttons
Historic NatureAe, from Louis XVI; also the on
tire library of Dr. Blair, and large selection from
Governor Spottiswode.
But am cncronching too much upon your lin
it's and before closing only refer to the Indian
House, quaint old pile erected from the dona-
ton of Sir Robert Boyle as u residence and "stu-
dy-housc" for tho Indians. This building is now
inhabited by DR.. Tottcn and is in fine preserva-
ton. The noble staircase, over which has sped
many moccasincd foot will outlast another gen-
Grafton, unless destroyed by accident.
Next month will witness the one hundred and
sixty-sxth anniversary of William and Mary Col
lege, and it is to be celebrated with proper
enthusiasm. Should the Iiumni come together
within the walls of their .iima Mater, many
pleasant friendship would DO renewed and those
now gray in the service Of their country could con-
gratulato each other on there still being future
before them in which to win new aurels. General
Scott, Messrs Crttendon, w. z. Rives, and
many others of note, are expected to be present.