The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-01
CORRESPONDENCE CE.
Presbyterianism in Gloucester
County, Virginia.

OOuhCy, Il SlhAd'
MeSsrs. Editors, Having recently paid
visit to Gloucester, whittier Rev. Alfred
Jones and myself went for the purpose OF
organizing a church by authority of Pres
bytery, will now fulfil a promise recent
ly made to you by giving you some ac-
count of that field and of the results thus
far accomplished by the blessing of God.
Elder William D. Reynolds, who was also
a member of the committee, was prevent
ed, by pressing business engagements,
from accompanying us, much to. his re-
gret and ours. | will Just state here at
the outset that Mr.. Walter H. Robertson,
a member of the last graduating class at
Union Seminary, and a licentiate, has
been in charge Of this field since May
last; and though he has had many diff
cultes to contend with, he has succeeded
in doing a good work as well as in win
ming the confidence and affection of the
people.
When we reflect upon the remarkable
natural advantages of this county in re-
spect to climate, soil, and geographical
position, and upon the fact that it has
been inhabited for more than two hun
dred years by a well-to-do, law-abiding,
and intelligent people, we are filled with
surprise to be informed that never has
there been Presbyterian church edifce
or organization, or even stated Pregby-
terian preaching, within its present limits,
prior to its recent occupation by our Pres
bytery east Hanover). I cannot GER
tainly verify this assertion, but after some
careful investigations and inquiries I am
persuaded it is correct. I was told by
DR.. Walter Jones, leading physician OF
the county, that the only Presbyterian
minister he had ever heard of as making
visit for the purpose of preaching there
was DR.. A. W. Miller, who visited Glou-
cester while he was the pastor of the Tabb
Street church of Petersburg, Va, and
spent one Sabbath DIR. Jones, years ago
lived in Petersburg, and his wife and
daughters belonged to the Tabb Street
church; and my having heard of his fam
lly about eighteen months ago as a Pres
byterian family at Gloucester G. H., was
what led me to make my first missionary
visit to this field in August, 1879.
AS far back as 1747, when the Virginia
colony had not much over one hundred
thousand people in it, Gloucester was its
most populous county; and to-day it is
one Of the finest and best counties of the
entire tidewater region of the State.
The geographical position, climate, soil
and proximity to the sea and deep water,
which this region enjoys, mark it out as
one Of the most interesting and impor-
tant In Virginia. If emigrants from
Europe and our Northern States, who
settle in the far West, and have to con-
tend with the rigorous climate, the mala-
ria, and the primitive conditions of those
regions, would expend the same energy
and money in Gloucester and neighbor-
ing sections, they would reap far richer
return in every respect than they actually
90 now. One specially attractive feature
OF the country to the visitor is the num-
oerless rivers, bays, and creeks that pen
citrate very large part of it, affording
the most charming sites for country seats,
and excellent facilities for commerce and
enjoyment. These rivers, etc.. are all
quite salt, being estuaries of the ocean.
On the York, Severn, Ware. and North
rivers, are some as beautiful homes as are
to be seen in any part Of the State out
SIDE OF the larger towns and cities. The
hrst named of these four rivers york.
washes the entire southern side of the
county for a distance Of thirty miles.
Ihe other three penetrate far inland,
creating long slender peninsulas or
necks of land in which is found some
as tine farming land as the State affords.
All OF these rivers empty into what is
known az Mob Jack Bay, which is only
an arm Of Chesapeake Bay.
Some Of the most striking historical as
soclations Of the colonial era are connected
with with this region. In this county the old
1noian king, Powhatan, lived three hun