The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-26
VISIT TO WILLIAMSBURG
By the Congregation Of Old St. Johns
Church.
PLEASANT "REMINISCENCES REVIVED.
tIistoric Buildings OF the Ancient Capital
William and Mary CoIlege-Dis-
tinguishcd Graduates.
Eor Tho Times.l


published. II you think its publication now
would afford pleasure to your readers, you
may find place for it in your Sundays paper.
The caption of this communication will
produce pleasurable as well as melancholy
emotions in the breasts of many Virgnians'
IL was happy determination of the managers
of the old church whore Patrick Henry ut
tered his historical sentiJ~ mt, Give me
liberty or give me death" TO plan and carry
ont an excursion TO the old historical capital,
where he had previously proclaimed IN ms
celebrated speech. in the House Of Burgesses,
mon the tyranny OF Great Britain to her
colonies. Caesar had his Brutus. Charles l.
his Cromwell and George III. may when
being interrupted with the cry OF treason
after a pause, he added-'prott by their e1.
ample; if that be treason, mako the most OF
it,
OBJECT OF TIE TRIP
The object of the trip was especially to OBJ
tain funds with which to make the necessary
repairs 70 the old church, and to recarpet ana
renoyate its interior 1t was success, ana
the necessary money for the purpose was
realized. The people OF Richmond, anlinateu
bv their affection for the church, which is the
Oldest historical landmark i'll the city, around
which cluster 80 many bright and glorious
memories. assembled in large numbers 10
visit tho spot in which tho cradle or American
liberty was first rocked and the germ OF
American civilization was first sown Inc
day was bright. the sun sbone IN splendor,
and at o'clock on Thursday morning some
$50 Of RichmOnd's men and women boarded
the cars for Williamsburg.
Young men and young maidens were there,
Joyous and happy in their youth and beauty
Old men and old women were there, more
suhdued by lifes experiences. but with coun-
fenances beaming at the Joy OF their children
and grandchildren. Williamsburg reached
in due time. everybody started out TO ENJOY
the day as they pleased-to visit the various
historical localities in the old town and to be
happy at will.
THE OLD CAPITAL.
The appearance of Williamsburg now
would not be very attractive TO stranger it
was my first visit and | thought II bore a
striking resemblance to the family OF Virginia
Villages Its memories and its ancient re-
pown are what make i interesting. In them
lies IL charm aud so long as we love 70 read
of the splendid mon and lovely women who
trod its streets one hundred years ago, will
il be remembered and visited.
PLAN OF THE TOWN.
Williamsburg is laid of regularly, with. its
main streets running north and south, iand
its cross streets east and west. The nam
streets are Scotland street trince George
street Duke Of Gloucester street, francis
street and ireland street. Its cross streets
are named Henry. Nassau, King, England,
Queen, Colonial, BOutetOurt. Traces OF these
streets are still seen. but many OF them are
but seldom used. and nearly all OF them are
full Of grass, and look as much like STRIPS OF
green fields as they do streets. The main
street of the town is Duke of Gloucester
street, which Is now dusty and WIDE with
many trees along the sidewalks. and most all
,f the houses are wooden ones. 1t was the
Pennsylvania avenue of the town. At one
snd was the college and of the other was tho
Governors palace. Tho present population
Is about 100.
THE OLD HISTORIC BU1LDISGs
All of the old historical buildings are gone,
except the old powder magazine and the Bru-
ton Parish church, which Is brick edihce
still standing on Gloucester street lnltls the
font in which Pocahontas was baptized; and
"A silver communion service presented by
Oueen Anne to the old church OF Jamestown,
and when that place was burned by Nathaniel
Bacon it was brought 10 the Bruton church
at Williamsburg where il has been ever since.
This church was built in 1882. in the burial
ground adjoining il are buried Sir John Ran
dolph. his two sons, John Randolph, the
Kings Attorney General, and PeytOn Ran
dolph, president of the First Congress; Bishop
james Madison, president Of the college. and
probably Lord BOtotOurt, monument TO
whom is erected in the grounds of the college,
which bears the marks of time, tho inscrip-
tions on ii being almost ilegIble, and the
marble Of which it ~ made darkened by the
winds and rains of one hundred years. The
Governors Palace, the old Raleigh Tavern,
with its grand Apollo rooms; the old Capitol.
where the BuTgesses met, and the old college
are all gone, but whose sites are accurately
known.
GAY SCENES OF THE oIDES TIME
To read about tho gay scenes which they
have witnessed in the olden time, in the
writings of Thomas jefferson, in his letters
from "Devilsburgn; in Governor SpOtswood's
letters in John Estcn Cookies books, IN tho
Southern Literary Messenger. and in other
histories of Virginia, fills the mind with tho
splendor of Williamsburg's ancient glory, and
almost makes one forget the present delapi-
dated condition OF the place in contemplation
of its grand past history. But the climax Of
the towns glory is the college, which for
nearly two hundred years has educated many
Of the youths of the country, and although it
has been burned three times. still in the same
beautiful grounds remains, though changed
from its original appearance and bercft of its
former usefulness a beacon light pointing TO
the lives of the great men who have been
educated upon Its site and giving a hallOwed
sentiment in the minds of Nirginians toward
the old town.
WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE.
the oldest, except the Harvard University Of
Massachusetts. in the United States, was
chartered in 1862 by King William and Queen
Mary, and was named in honor of them
They gave nearly 1900 pounds sterling out of
their private means towards erecting the nee
essary buildings This with 20, 600 acres Of
land, the Office of Surveyor General, in virtue
OF which one-sixth of the fees received by
pnbhc surveyors on the colony and the sole
power of appointing was given. and one pen
ny pound on all tobacco exported from Viz
ginia and Maryland. 1000 pounds raised by
subscription in the colony, and a gift of 200
pounds from the House Of Burgesses. const-
tuted the endowment Of the college.
Among the first surveyors appointed by
the college We're George Washington and
Zachary Taylor OF Orange. grandfather of
President Zachary Taylor.
The annual value Of the surveyors fees
realized to the college before the
Revolution was about $500 pounds
In l776 they did not exceed zoo pounds. In
1898 the House of Burgesses laid duty on
SKINS and furs exported; in 1925. on liquors;
IN 1859, the proceeds of tax on peddlers. and
IN Ills the House appropriated 200 pounds
all OF which was TO be applied 10 the expenses
and maintaining and educating at the college
ingenious young men, natives Of the COLONY"
Before 1850 scholarships were endowed by
Colonel Hill, of shirley and Robert Carter,
OF Coleman, who gave 200 pounds Mr.
Thomas Bragg, OF New Kent, 200 pounds:
Mrs Elizabeth Harrison. Of Surry. SOOpounds,
Rev. Or. James Blair, 500 pounds. and Philip
llghtfOOt. of Sandy Point 800 mounds. Ms