Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-09-07

l7j9. 70 cash expended on account Of the |
modelling scheme, viz
{ i. s.
Feb. II. TO Henry Gunnell, carry
ing papers to Winchester, 0 9 4 !
Feb. H. TO cash for treat at
Summers, 81 GAL, rum and
sugar, o 10 l
To do, rum and sugar at muster, 0 - 81
10 d., paid to COL West to watch
our Burgesses, MosSrs. Mayson
aad johnson, 10 Q o.
To expenses at Jas. Donadsou's, II Is d
TO 10. at VIM. Adams, o.
TO DO. at John Summers, , 10 l
70 do. ut Capt. Douglas, 5 . o.
TO d., by John Bsyliss, in Prince
William. 5 U u
The events which attended this movement
seem to mark it as an epoch in the towns bis.
tory, and to indicate the rising power Of an
element which had been strong in Alexandria
from tho beginning, Macy Scotsmcn were
amoag its first settlers, and naturally enough
they preferred the Scotch Kirk to tho Eogllsh
Church. The latter had been established By
law in Virginia. II English subjects settling
in Virginia had brought with them all their
''EDglish rights" no reason could DO given why
Scotch utjccts should not also transfer to Vir-
GINA all their Scotch rights - nor why the
Kirk should not have the same position as the
Church 10 the colony. If an Episcopal Church
was tho legal Church of England, Presby-
lerian Kirk vas the legal Church OF Scotland.
Both were established By lay. Hence the su
prcmscy of the Anglican creed always CALLED
tic t-Nirginiau, and while some had con-
formed, others, faithful to the recolections Of
their homes, gave but passive submission to
H.. Ia. ~ ! Io |or
religious miplstrations that were Dot alien to
their hearts. Presbyterian and New Light
minister's were few 10 the colo0y, but the purity
try com pared them most fayorably with the
established clergy. There can be little doubt
that the new buildins-church, school house,
town house, for it is called by all three Of these
names 10 the records-Wss, at least by some of
its promoters, intended as place where Dissent,
tolerated, but not free, might find chance for
occasional public worship otherwise than by
the forms Of the Church Of Eogland, which
might riDg with the sacred ecqueucc OF Davies
and Roau, or echo the unrestricted prayers Of
earnest men like Morris. Rev. Samuel Davies,
the most noted Presbyterian minister Of the
time, married into the Kirkpatrick family, and
vas probably often in Alexandria, both before
ard after his transfer from Virginia 10 the
College Of New Jersey. 10 this way seems to
have been first laid the foundation of tho Alex.
anlria Presbyterian Churches. The times were
propiioui Tor this. The State clergy, ia calliug
into rtqaisitipu the power Of the King to mega
tive ;::c ''two paau? act. by which the Legis
Ialure sought to relieve the people, 10 time OF
scarcity from GGr.burdensome tythes, had
aenatcd largo numbers OF Virginlans E7cu
the Ves!res were often at open war With their
minister. Patrick Henry had not yet thunlered
against the parsons, but such Churchmen as
Richard !Ieury Lee had cspoused tho popular
side Then, too, ia Truro parish, since the
death of Gel. Vim. Fairfax, the sceptre Of
family dominion had fallen into less competent
hands, and George VIM. Fairfax, the head Of
the family, on upright, loyal gentleman, was
i'll fitted for leader.
So The scheme OF lottery was pushed for
valI, and Richard Laakc and John Pattison
omployol 10 build the school house. No note Of
the matter was entered IN tho iowa book until
seven years later, whon, after Geo. William
Fairfax had attended the meeting Of the trus
tees fer the last time, the reports OF the lottery
were made and entered. 1t then appeared that
all the trustees had paid for their share OF
the tickets except Mr.. Fairfax, and it may be
assumed that the scheme never met his sane
ton. The records generally speak Of it as the
school house." but Mr. Vim. Ramsay, il his
account, calls the scheme "a Lottery to build
church and market house in said towo." it
was not until 1907, alter these charges had
been entered ADD assumed by the trustees, that
the town took the building as its own. John
Patterson then charges Scr building school
house 500 Sis 3D." aoi Richard Lake, FOR
brick work at the school house, e90." Soon
thaca nh nnfarod upoo fonp
records, tie house became the meeting place OF
the Board of Trustees and tho clerk then cal!a
It "tho toEn house.
l760. The trustees met on the Ali OF Feb
rusry and
"O:dc:ed Tia! john Iurtcr aaG Robert
Adam, gentlemen, dc succeed Geo. Johnston
10 the Office Of OVGgGccrs Of Streets and Land
logs Of the town of Alexandra, and that the
said Hunters district shall be from the main
street, opposite Mr.. Carly,es gate to the lower
end of the town, and that said Adam 8 from the
said gate to the upper portion Of the town"
This was the first division Of the territory.
Carlyle's gate was about where the Western
Union Telegraph Office is now located, AID Dr.
Hunters was south of that line, while Mr.
Adams district Was north of it.
During ali the years which had passed since
Gen. Braddock' s arrival the town had steadily |
progressed and the population at the end of
the first decade Of its existence was rot much |
less than COO souls. Lots were in demand, and |
althou.. b some were Liable to forfeiture none
remained 10 the bands Of the trustees except |
marsh lots Lot II, at the northwest corner
of Princess and Fairfax streets, where John I.
Rics's store now stands, was held as marsh |
lot, but portion Of it was hill top, and it !
s!oped gradually to the creek. Thomas Brown
ley, who wanted lot, found that this would |
suit, and the trustees sold it to hin on the 2Otb
OF February, 100, for eight pounds currency. |
II soon became valuable lot. and from build |
lag erected there the first newspaper Of the |
town was issued 10 1884.
All fears of French and Indians in Alexandria |
had long been over; tho English power was un-
disputed in Virginia. Washington was during |
his Tina annrinn Tho IL ronnth. &c uraAdcd |