Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-08-13
Old Pohick Church in Fairfax county, Vir-
GINA.

One of the most interesting relics of the past
in Virginia is Pohick Church. in the county of
Fairfax, which belongs to the last century, and
is intimately associated with the name of Wash
ington. The site for the building was selected
by him, and the lively coucern he took in the
affairs of the church was manifested not only
in an accurate and handsome map of the par
ish, drawn with his own hand from careful
survey, but in his constant attendance upon Its
services riding thither in all seasons, six or Sc
ven miles from Mount Vernon, whenever Po-
hick Church was opened for the worship oil
Almighty God.
The ancient edifce had fallen into dilapida-
ton even before the war, and the late Bishop
Meade, describing visit he paid to it in 1859
for the purpose of performing service, speaks OF
it as being entered through its wide open doors
by every beast of the field and fowl of the air -
The roof, too, was decaying and let in the rain.
and the old sanctuary of the Washington and
Lewises and Fairfaxes presented forlorn as
pect indeed. When the war came on and Fair
fax county, for considerable time, was made
the Flanders Of the Virginia campaigns, Pohick
church afforded shelter for the soldiers of the
Union, and was left by them in very runous
plight.
At the time of Bishop Meades visit the hand
of decay had spared the chancel, communion
table, and tablets of the law, and it is believed
that these are now not beyond the possibility
of restoration ; but, unless the work of repair is
begun without delay, the ruin will very soon be
complete Such, IN truth, is the desolation
that marks many of the architectural remains
of the colonial period of Virginia witness the
Wondering tower at Jamestown that it may
be said Of them, ethan periere ruiEoe the very
ruins are going to pieces; and with regard even
to structures that reter like Pohick Church, to
the period of the Revolution, no vestige re-
mains to tell where many of them stood.
In like manner there is desire on the part
of Christian men and women in the United
States to restore Pohick church and ref1rnisb
the altar at which Washington kneIt. Not
large sum is needed for this pious work-only
three thousand dollars-and an active effort is
on foot to collect it. Already has one half been
contributed In this city and its neighborhood.
The whole amount, when made up. will he
placed in the hands of Bishop ohns Of Virgin
ia.--M z. Ebening Post.
A California newspaper prints the following
touching obituary: philip Hanscomb was
driving team loaded with powder up the Ser
ped from the wagon. The Sierras stood itwell
enough, but the miners who came from neigh
boring ranch were unable to find Mr.. Hans
comb or the team
Teacher-What bird did Noah send out of
ny AM 0maAeSt DOy IN the class, alter a
Pause-"A dove sill" Teacher-"Very well.
But should have thought some of you biz
t b9ys would have known that" Tail Pupil
rlease, SIR, that boy ought to know sir, cause
his fathers bird ketcher, sirl''-Runch.
An Iowa woman has realized fifty thousand
dollars from the insurance on the lives of trro
husbands, and they weren't very good husbands |
either.
1.-The collar willing days have come .bo 10
test In the year, cold ice and wafer soototb
some, and likewise lager BEER '''0'A