The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1889-04-18

Of Washington in 1873.
The view of the surrounding land.
scape here is the same as when Mrs
Mary Washington, the mother OF
George, trained her son to manly
habits, and instilled into his mind
those noble elements of character
which SO distinguished him in after
life. 1t is reasonable to conclude
that this place and its neighborhood
once presented much more pro-
ductive and inviting appearance
l1lln now. The church in which
Washington was baptized stood
about a mile from the old home
stead It was erected in old Colon
ial times, when the clergymen of the
Episcopal church received goodly
tithes of tobacco and other farm pro-
auctions from the cultivators of the
soil. The church was burned soon
after the close of the Revolutionary
war: only few bricks and stone
mark the site where it stood; large
trees now grow on the spot.
Bishop Meade, Of Virginia, has
done good service in gathering the
historic "reminiscences of early times
in that part of Virginia and publish
ing them. Upon his recommends
ton a memorial Episcopal church is
in a fair way to be built on the spot
where the old church stood. 1t is
said a sufficient number of families
can be gathered in the neighborhood
for a congregation, but missionary
aid will be required to maintain a
rector, as the people are generally
poor.
The mansion in which Washing
ton was born, was destroyed by fire
many years ago. A movement is be-
ing made to build a suitable monu-
ment where the building stood. The
place has but few visitors, probably
for the reason that it is not easily
reached by stage or railroad; besides
there is no convenient stopping or
resting place in the neighborhood
for visitors. When the improve
ments now contemplated shall be
made, doubtless greater numbers
will be attracted to the birth place
of him whose memory will be cher
ished SO long as our American Re-
public endures.
There are several points of inter-
est connected with the life and times
of Washington at Mt. Vernon,
which are not often spoken of; only
two of which can be spoken of in
this letter.
POHICK CHURCH.
Six miles from Mt. Vernon, in a
south westerly direction, stands the
old Pohick Church (EpiscopaD !.
Gen. Washington was a patron Of
this church, and frequently attended
services here, although he more
commonly worshipped at Christ's
Church, (EpiscopaD Alexandria.
Pohick Church is built of brick in the
old English style of architecture; the
cornice, window stills, etc., are of red
sand stone. The building for many
years has been neglected; is much
out of repair, and almost unfit for
occupancy. 1t is now only occasion
ally used for religious services, and
without seeming regard to its orig
inal Episcopal conservation. The
appears to have no vestry or
at present. A few
Methodists sometimes find it con-
venient to gather in it, to exhort and
sing halleujah praises. The Bap-
lists too, have held meetings for
worship in it.
The population in the neighbour
hood is sparse, and the people too
poor to build churches and sustain
the regular services of the sanctuary.
1t is said all Episcopalian organiza-
ton in New York City, out of res
pect to the memory of Washington,
are considering the matter of putting
the old Pohick church in repair, and
restoring it to its original condition.
Whether the plan will be executed
remains to be seen.
WASHINGTON MILL.
The ruin of an old mill on the