The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-18
THE DAY BOOK.
st. Paul's Church.
CONTINUED


it.
We have seen that the Rev. Chas. Smith
was its minister when he died in l773. he
was succeeded in l774 by the Rev. William
Braidfoot. He was native OF Scotland,
and had not been long in the ministry when
it became evident that war between England
and the Colonies was inevitable, and as he
believed the Colonies were contending for
their just rights, he warmly espoused their
cause, and entered the army as chaplain,
continuing to fill that station until the close
of the war, when he returned to Portsmouth
parish and died at the glebe, about the year
1884 or 1885. Mr.. Braidioot married Miss
Moreby, Of Princess Anne, and lett one son,
whose descendants are now living In Forts
mouth. MIR. Braidfoot was succeeded by
the Rev. Arthur Emerson, son OF one OF the
same name who was minister on the Eastern
Shore. The son was minister in Meherrin
parish, Greensvlle, and Nansemond, before
coming to Portsmouth parish in 1888. tie
ministered there from that time until lsOl
much esteemed as man and minister,
though from feeble health unable to lead an
active life. His wife was the widow OF the
Rev. John Nivison. He was followed by
the Rev. George Young. who confined until
the year 1903 or 1909. After his death or
resignation there was vacancy until the
year 1921, when the present recter, the
Rev Mr.. Wing6eld began his labors in that
parish. In the absence of any vestry book
to supply the names of vestrymen before
the time of Mr. Wingfeld, | mention the
following names of old friends of the Church:
"Sproull, Chisholm, Agnew, Herbert,
Hansford, Joins, Dyson, Porter, Godfrey,
Wilson, Wellington, Tankurd, Parker, Veal,
Roberts, Nivson, Marsh, North, Edwards,
Davis, Luke, Cowper, Blow, Braidtoot,
Dickson, Thompson, Young Kearns, Grey,
Garrow, Kidd, Mathews, Brown, Ether
idge, Mushrow, Shelton, Pearce, Satchwel,
Mihado, Cox, Butt. Msnl'ins Swift"
AS to churches, there were three built in
Portsmouth parish. One in the town OF
Portsmouth in l762, on lot in the centre
of the town given by William Crawford,
ESQ.,, the original proprietor of the land on
which the town is built; one on the north
bank of the Western branch, and one near
a village called Deep Creek. The church
in Portsmouth was rebuilt and enlarged IN
1929, under the rectorship of Mr. Wingiield. |
The country churches have long since fallen
into ruins. When the present rector took
charge of the parish in the year 1921, the
vestry had long since been dissolved, and
the members OF the three congregations
had united themselves, as in many other
places, with the various surrounding denom-
nations.
A few years since another congregation
was formed in Portsmouth, church built
and the Rev. james Chisholm called to be
its rector. After laboripg zealously and
preaching faithfully and affectionately for
some years, he fell victim during the Sum
mer of 1866, to the yellow fever, when with
the spirit of martyr, be was nursing the
sick and dying Of his congregation and of
the town. For the particulars of the life,
and death, and character Of this most talen-
ted and interesting young minister OF the
gospel refer my readers to the Memoirs OF
the Rev James Chisholm, by his particular
friend and former parishioner, Mr. Conrad,
of Martinsburg-a biography which for
thrilling interest is not easily surpassed
For the biography of his brother and COM
.ooson -, fo;lo ond OH tfarjnos and death
the Rev. William jackson, the minister of
st. Pauls, Norfolk, refer in like manner
for faithful sketch of him to the work Of
the Rev Mr. Cummings.
now add what was omitted in the proper
place. that il was the labors OF the Rev. Mr..
Boyden, during the rectorship of DR.. Duca-
Chef, in Christ church, that the congregation
of St. Paul's owed its revival after long,
death-like slumber. Its life was continued
and its energies increased under his success
sor, the Rev. Mr.. Atkinson. The Rev.
b. M. Miller, who followed him, in creased it
still more, especially by his attention to the
moor. The Rev. Mr.. Caldwell was doing a
good work, when failing health required his
withdrawal The Rev's. Joseph Wilmer and
Leonidas Smith had each rendered Temporal
nv services, not to be regarded as those OF
regular pastors, as had also the Rev. h. h.
Meade; but it was reserved for the Rev.
jackson and his faithful and acceptable SER
vices to fill the church to such overfowing,
that it was evident, if his life had been spar
= - !, nh nul a
been built for him. His successor is the Rev.
GEN. WHEAT.-General Wheat, the we'll
known, fat-bodied, red faced flibuster, was
at Acapulco, January 9th. He has sent as
present to George Wilkes, very large
sized otter skin, stripped from an animal
l. ll.l ~ ~