The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-09-28
Children's GnlMtmil.
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Little Night Cap.
A STORY OF THE HUGUENoTs.

now by marriage become Susannah
M'cheaur, living with her husband in
Holland. Here they remained for some
years, and by their combined industry
acquired sum of money sufficient to
remove them to America. They then
embraced an offer made the Huguenot re-
fugees by King William, of England, to
settle IN the colony of Virginia. Abra-
ham Micheaux, with his wife and six
children, embarked for America and
finally landed on the banks of the Po-
tomac River in Stafford county, Va, in
a new and strange country, thousands of
miles away from the sunny land they
had forsaken for their precious faith.
But the God of the patriarch Abraham
who had called him to leave his country
and kindred, was with these exiles and
blessed them in their Western home.
In a few years the Micheaux family
moved from Stafford to a settlement OF
Huguenots on James River called Mana
kin town-where they lived in peace
and prosperity. Abraham Micheaux
and the Little Night Cap" reared
twelve children, five sons and seven
daughters, from whom many of the most
plous and patriotic citizens of Virginia
are descended They intermarried with
the Woodsons, Mortons, Venables, Wat
klns, Flournoys, Carringtons and others.
And their descendants, many of them
faithful Presbyterians are scattered
throughout the South and West. Eliza
beth the tenth and Agnes the eleventh
child of the Little Night Cap" married
Sanborne and Richard Woodson. The
latter had daughter named Agnes, who
married Virginia pioneer, Joseph Nor
ton, who moved to Charlotte county and
settled near little Roanoke Bridge. He
was IN his sympathies an Episcopalian,
but the Huguenot church was very dear
to his wife, the granddaughter of Sus-
annah Micheaux, and he too became a
devoted Presbyterian. The history OF
his connection with the Presbyterian
Church is deeply interesting as related
by DR.. Archibald Alexander, who was
once pastor of the Briery church of which
MIR. Morton was an elder, for more than
twenty years. John Morton, relative
of Joseph, who probably lived in Prince
Edward county, had also married a
granddaughter of Susannah Micheaux-
Elizabeth daughter of Sanborne
Woodson and his wife. A son of John
Morton, also named John, was attached
to the ministry of Rev. Samuel Davies,
one OF the first Presbyterian ministers
who preached in Virginia, and was
highly distinguished for his piety and
eloquence. This son, Captain John Nor
ton, once induced Mr.. Davies to 90 with
him on a visit to his relatives-the Nor
tons of Roanoke Bridge. Mr.. Davies
desired to preach at this house. Mr..
Morton, who was a rigid Churchman,
was reluctant to consent, but after con-
sultatlon with his wife he yielded. A
messenger was sent around to the neigh
bors and congregation assembled. DR..
Alexander states that Mr.. Davies made
such an impression on both that when
he departed they accompanied him to
Cumberland, (more than thirty miles),
to the administration of the sacrament
His wife had become deeply impressed
from the first evening, and was anxious
about partaking of the Lords Supper.
But she was afraid her husband would
hot agree to it. She, however, broke
the matter to him on Sunday morning.
Though surprised, he told her to do as
she thought proper. In the intermission,
after the action sermon, he called out
Mr.. Davies and told him he wished to
join IN communion with the church.
Mr.. Davies after little conversation,
gave him token of admission and the
husband and wife went together to the
Lords table. From this pair sprang
large Presby terrain population, spread
far and wide through Prince Edward
and Charlotte counties. Not long after
he and number of others united in
building a house of worship at Briery
and in short time they obtained one
half the labors of Rev. Robert Henry
When there was no sermon, Mr.. Morton
regularly attended, read discourse and
catechised the children; so consistent was
his character and so beneficial his in
hnence that he was blessing to the
whole community in which he lived.
LIFE of DR.. Alexander. PIP. 1901.
The records of Briery show that he
was one of the first elders of the church
which was organized at sometime be-
tween the year 1855 and go. Mr.. Nor
tons wife, Agnes, survived him for
twenty years, and died in 1902. DR..
Alexander says she lived to the age of
nlnety-two, that she was very pious
woman, whose house was always open
for ministers and religious people, and for
the preaching Of the gospel" From this
pair has Sprung large connection of
- l.