Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-23
TURN BACK-LEAVES.
THE SECOND GENERAL MEETING OF
VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Several More Interesting Papers Read
Last Nigbt-Eiectfon OF Oncers
for the Ensuing Year.

There was another lhlr atteHu'uCD nv
the second general meeting of the Virginia
Historical Society held last night in the
hall of the House of Delegates. Hon.
William Writ Henry presided. and the first
paper read was by Hon. r. L. Barton. OF
Winchester. HIS subject was The FIRST
Election of Washington to the House OF
Burgesses." The paper brought out some
interesting facts connected with the local
history of Winchester. and gave sketch
of Washington's defeat the hrst time ne
stood for. the position and OF his suOse,
quent success in 1853. IL also presenter
some facts regarding Washingtohs op-
ponents, the election qualifications OF the
period, etc, and the issue OF the election
which was TO obtain necessary supplies tor
the troops on the frontier. One theory OF
Nr. Barton's was that probably Washing
toms wife had good deal to do with, ms
desire for seat in the House, and he
showed that Washington was very human
as regards conducting political campaign
and securing votes.
THE OLD BRICK CHURCH.
Hon. II. s. Thomas read paper on the
old brick church near Smithfeld. Nr.
Thomas gave a sketch of the topography
of the country around Smithfeld and de-
scribed the location of the church, when,
be said. was the oldest Protestant church
in this country, having been built IN l632'
He cited tradition, quoted from records,
and exhibited brick taken from the walls
of the church and stamped 1852 in support
of his contention.
RICHMoND's FIRST ACADEMY.
The next paper was on Richmond's
first academy, projected by NJ. Quesnay de
Beaurepaire in 1885," the suthor being MIR.
Richard Haywood Gaines. Mr.. Gaines's 8
paper gave brief but interesting outline
of this ambitious scheme for higher edu-
cation and the fostering of science and
development OF the country, and men
toned the names OF number OF
persons in Virginia and elsewhere who
exhibited an interest in 1t. lie also gave
partial list of the foreign associates OF
the Richmond Academy. and made promi-
nent the tact that Mr.. jefferson was In
favor OF INTRODUCING higher French educa-
in Virginia. Mr.. Galues's conclusion was
that if the scheme had msterlalized Rich
mond would have become the intellectual
centre not only of the South, but OF the
Union.
EARLY AGRICULTURE N VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Philip A. Bruce read a paper on
Agriculture in Virginia During the First
Twenty Years of the Colony" The agrl-
cultural developments during this period,
contended Mr. Bruce, bear a close relation
TO all of the future developments along
this line. All subsequent work had expert
enced the usefulness Of the planta-
ton period. He then described
vividly tho early planting, tho
cleaning of forests, &c, and dwelt
particularly upon the experiments Of
smith in cultiyatiug the indigenous plants
of the country. From this he passed TO the
cultivation OF tOcaccO and the WORK OF
Rolfe in this direction. and pointed out
that the distinction between planter and
farmer goes back to those days. In con-
clusion. he summarized the status OF agri-
culture in Virginia about the end OF the
period Of which his paper treated.
BAcoN's REBELLION.
Nr.F.P. Brent being absent. his paper en-
titled "Some Unpublished Facts Relating
to Bacon's Rebellion Cleaned from the Re
cords of Accomac," was read by Mr.. D..
TAYLOR Stratton. The paper was defence
against the charge that the people Of the
kingdom of Accomac" were not loyal TO
Governor Berkeley and contention
| that his cause was supported 10y the best
people, and not by the baser sort OF tel-
lows. TO sustain this position numerous
extracts from the AccOmaC COunty-COurt
records were quoted.
THOMAS HANSFOhD.
Mrs. Annie Tucker Tyler read the last
paDer, wplch was on "Ihomas Hansford,
/ the First American Martyr 70 Liberty.
| The paper was well written and contained
some new and valuable facts regarding
| HansfOrd and his family.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Al the conclusion of Mrs. Tyler's paper,
| on motion, Mr.. Henry appointed the fol-
| lowing committee to nominate ofhcers oil
| the society TOR the succeeding wear
| Messrs. Barton, Thomas, and Garnett.
| The committee reported the following,
| who were elected:
| President, William Writ Henry, Rich
| mond, Va: Ylce-Presidents-J. J.. Nj.
| Curry, Washington, ID. G.; Archer Anderson,
Richmond, Va; w. p. Palmer, Richmond,
| Va. Corresponding Secretary and Libra
ran, X. A. Brock, Richmond, Va: Record
| ing Secretary. George A. Barks tale, Rich
mond. Va; Treasurer Robert L. Brooke.
| Kichmond, Va. Executive Committee
David G. Richardson, Charles Gorham
Barney. Joseph Bryan. Edward Vlrglnlus
| Valentine, John OFT, Onn l.. Cottre!l,
| Thomas Nelson Page, Bennett W. Green,
| and J. Aston Cabell. OF Richmond, Va.
| William A. Msury. of Washington; Lyon
| q. TYLER, Of Williamsburg. Va, and x. NJ.
| Hughes, of Norfolk, Va.
| MONEY FOR coPYHG>RECoRDs.
Mr.. LYON G. TYLER offered the following,
which was adopted:
ReSolced, That the society approve the
| bill now pending in the Legislature for
| the appropriation of 5000 for copying
| county court records PRIOR to 1890.
The meeting then adjourned.