The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-08

CanOnlcdlS appropriate 10 the ocCdSi'h ~
renelv awaited the moment when 20 perform
the delicate ceremony. lntermingled with
the motley Gssemblage were the bronzed
faces and forms Of Indians the aged and the
Young of both sexes, careless of attitude. I'M
passive, but intently curious in silent looking
ON.
Pocahontas the central figure of this pictu.
rescue scene. was now only eighteen years OF
aye and is described a. manifesting the same
innocencv and simplicity Of demeanor winch
had characterized her on the former occasion.
She was now known ne Rebckah. and accord
ING % a wcli-knOwn writer had been gwen
that name IN allusion 10 the prophetic words
of the book of Genesis. in which the Lord
said Of her antitypc. two nations are IN thy
womb. and two manner Of people shall be
separated from thy bowels"
DESTROYED by BACON.
SO much for the ancient church, begun by
Rev Nh Buke, but restored and finished by
Lord Delaware, and which should ever, III de-
fault of any other be called 10y the name OF that
excellent man and ruler How long this
building lasted cannot be stated, but for want
OF information 10 the contrary II must be sup
posed it continued until destroyed by fire at
the close of Bacon's rebellion, when AL the
houses in James City, fell prey to the
flames Thus it had served the col
onists as q place Of worship for more than
sixty years. IT has been said by those who
sessions Of the Assembly or House OF Bur
gcsses took place in this historic building.
There Is no good ground for tins
statement On the contrary IT is proved by
high authority that the Courts and law
makers of the colony held their deliberations
sometimes at the house Of the Governor;
oftcncr at the private dwelling of some prom
incut official. as in the case Of Sir Edwin
Sandv's house as early rs 1920 Indeed. 1t Is
most probable that the first assembly ever
called I'm the colony met in Sir George leard-
lcv's dwelling house at jamestown. on which
occasion 1t is stated that "Burgesses sat in the
same house with the Governor and Council
after the manner Of the Scotch Parliament.
Had that important gathering met IN the
church. II IS to be presumed the historian
would have mentioned the fact. Our English
churcumen of that period held with more
than ordinary sanctity their places OF worship.
They bad inherited the remains OF religious
mcdlUvali-m not unknown, even at this day.
among certain sectarlsts.
There are other reasons for DENYING that
this or any other church at jamestown, had
ever been devoted to secular purposes. Ac-
c)ring TO authority not to be disputed, not
only private houses had been used for the &C,
commOdat.on of the Courts and the Bursesses,
but for wears these august bodies had met 1T
ale houses and public taverns. from which, 10
the scandal of the country. they had issued
their mandates and enacted their laws. ms
would never have been allowed had II been
the custom 90 hold their sessions IN the church
building. The people had endured this dis
grace FIR many years. and IL was not until near
Sir William Berkleys time that measures were
at last adopted to provide place for the meet
ing of the Colonial Assemblies.
MIssTATEsiENT.
Strange as IL may appear. there are writers
and authors who have grayely asserted that
the marriage of PocahOntas took place IN the
church. whose ruined tower now marks the
site of the ancient capital. II would appear
work Of supererOgatiOn even TO draw attention
o. such a statement But if there are per-
sons who make such assertions, there are
others who learn to believe them without
thinking 10 necessary 10 investigate for them
selves Thus to the latter this becomes ira
dltion. and ever afterwards the venerable
iuin is N ade responsible for their inviting
mistake. The probabilities are that tins last
church was erected. or At least begun.
soon after the rebuilding Of jamestown
after the great fire of 1876 The era Tor the
use of bricks in the construction OF private
and public buildings had now begun. This
church was constructed Of the new and more
durable material, and probably IN the site OF
Lord Deleware's ancient wooden structure
This would seem warranted hesupposlton
that in the graveyard around the former IN the
years gone. the dead had been gathered TO-
gether and that the survivors would prefer
That the new church should stand. rs had
the other. surrounded by the tombs oftheran-
cesters. This last building however, was not
rs large as the former. the dimensions OF the
ruins being Only ffty-siX feet IN length and
twcnty-eght in width whereas the other was,
as We have seen. several feet larger IN DOth
directions. Various surmises have been made
as 10 the date of its foundation. As late as
1861 references are made 10 certain articles Of
silver belonging TO the church at jamestown
These were doubtless the property of the same
church. In 1884 Governor Edmund Andrls
presented a communion service OF silver TO
the church al jamestown. This gift must have
been 10 the last church erected. the ruins Of
whose tower still remain. but the date OF whose
building Is not known. Governor Andrus
was liberal public spirited man, and beng
a good Churchman was glad TO supply want
probably felt bv the wOrshlppers IN the new
chulch, and although the latter had been be-
gun some time before his accession in 1892, he
had found 10 still unsupplied with these ar
tcles. At that day more time and money were
needed 10 complete church built OF brick
than one Of wood. especially II II were to be
adorned with a tower.
INTWELY DESERTED.
jamestown never entirely recovered from
its destruction by Bacon. Steps were now IN
progress looking to the foundation Of the col
lege at the middle plantations, ultimately to
become the city of williamsburg and the new
seat of government. People began to leave
the ancient capital. IN few years it was en-
tirely deserted. What buildings were left
went 10 decay. Whether any part Of the old
church was ultimately transported TO the new
capital cannot be said. Left unoccupied and
uncared for il has ever since been slowly sue
cumbing 10 the silent wear of time. An
occasional shock at the rude touch of the in
vader has hurried It's dilapidation. while in
the process Of years the old river. totally un-
conscious OF harm. has been steadily advancing
20 the destruction of the last remnant of a
J.. -. 4
who has made more famous its shores than
did Rome old Tiber itself Is there no hope
for the last OF the jamestown churches! 7.