The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-20
THEIR WORK WELLDONE.
ASSOCIATION fOn PREsERTATIoS
OF yTRGIyTA ANTIQUITIES.
Admirable Reports OF the ON GERS Read
Showing Vast Deal Of Work Accom-
piished--The Ofiicers.

representative EdtntIlUBs ONfN''N-
Mrs. OFerral were among those VINO
honored the occasion by their presence.
Mr. Joseph Bryan called the meeting 10
order and Hon. J. Aston Cabell was
made chairman.
RECORDING SECRETARY REPORT
mrs. james Lyons, the recording secre-
tary. read her annual report as follows:
Annual report Of the recording secre-
tary of the Association for the preserve
ton Of Virginia Antiquities: ..,. ...o-
The last annual meeting OF tns assv
citation was held on January the lourlh'
1897.
AT that meeting 1t was unanimously re-
solved that the date of the annual meet
ing and the end of the fiscal year snouIu
be hereafter the 18th Of October, the an
niversary Of the surrender Of Lord Corn
wallis at Yorktown.
Upon reviewing my minutes find that
We have held eleven meetings since Jam
uary-hve regular and six called meetings.
On January the 10Th we gave the Mistle-
toe Ball in the Masonic Temple. This was
the sixth In a series of beautiful and
unique entertainments given by US, ana
was quite In keeping with the character
of the others.
On March 18th there was a called meet
ing of the whole association to receive
the gift Of a deed to the old site OF the
House Of Burgesses. Williamsburg, Va.
This gift was made by the Old Domin-
ion Land Company and was obtained
through the efforts of Mrs. Israel Smith
and Mrs. Charles Washington Coleman,
and the association is deeply indebted to
the company, and TO these two patriotic
women who made it possible for us TO
own so valuable an historic site.
A SACRED CITY.
The old capital at Williamsburg has
been well called the cradle OF American
liberty. On this spot was raised the voice
that reused the Colonies to resistance
and here Virginia threw off the British
sng.lyn nd frrF Il CiCfnT GnlOniQS
unite with her in her declaration OF In
dependence
Here was framed the first permanent
written Constitution Of free state
adopted by a body representing the SOW
ereign power of the people.
Here was written the Virginia BIZ OF
Rights.
In receiving the deed from Mrs. Smith
and Mrs. Coleman the chairman OF our
Advisory Board said
when the great work allotted to this
spot was fully performed the capital OF
the State was removed from II, SO that
no degenerate son of illustriOus sires
might put blot on their work where It
had been performed.
The book OF history was closed and its
glorious past secured from tarnish.
1T remains for us, the members Of this
association. who are banded together by
a love for these relics Of Virginia's great
ness, and who are turning over the pages
of her ancient history. to properly guard
this sacred spot. On May 18th the an
nual excursion 10 jamestown was made,
and the literary features Of the day were
arranged by a committee from William
and Mary College. At a regular meeting
of the association on April 9Th the sum
OF 500 was donated TO Christ church. Ian
caster county. Va, for repairs TO this old
historic building. one of the most inter
estng and valuable antiquities left for
our preservation.
This gift was made upon express con-
dition that no alteration should be made
in the original plan Of the church.
ANNUAL EXCURSION
At the general meeting Of the assOcia-
ton on June the first a very important
resolution was presented, regarding pro-
posed change In date Of the annual eN-
cursion TO jamestown from the 18th TO the
Mr. Traylor, the well-known lover of
Virginia his.0-y presented as his reason
for desiring the change that the error
which mad bee discovered in the calendar
made the date ten daya later, and thar
the Colonists really landed on the 18th Cor
the oath new style) though they reached
land on the 18th. Though the birthday OF
our nation could still be celebrated on
the 18th. its anniversary. owing 10 q
change OF calendar, would be the Ord
and the anniversary of the landing the
24th.
No action was taken on this resolution.
but its scholarly suggestions deserve our
Ii has been the custom Of this associa-
tiOn to have a report OF the years work
from its president, and no one regrets
more than / do. that her continued sick
ness and absence from our meetings have
deprived you of the pleasure of nearing
this report from her.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH HENRY LYONS,
Recording Secretary of a. Il. '. "A.
AsL5OCIAltlON' 5 FINANCES.
The report Of the treasurer, Mrs. John
b. Lightfoot, showed that the year had
been a prosperous one with the associa-
ton. After meeting all the demands upon
the treasury, the organization has bal
ance of 81 .463.9S to its credit.
In the absence of Mrs. =. c. Bagby, the
corresponding secretary, Mrs. Joseph Bry-
an read her report which told of the work
of restoring and preserving Christ church
i'm Lancaster county, for which purpose
an appropriation Of 500 was made. This
report also gave information with refer
ence to the associations efforts TO protect
its property at jamestown, where the
United States government is establishing
breakwater Mrs Bagby praised Miss
Cats work in behalf of the society's
interests at jamestown and told Of the
appropriation of $50 Tor preserving old
Monmouth church at Lexington.
Mrs. Bryan read the report Of Mrs.
cynthia b. T. Coleman, president of the
Williamsburg branch Of tho association,
ana Colonel w, II. Stewart that Of Mrs.
Charles r. Nash president of the Ports
mouth branch, both OF which gave inior-
nation of an encouraging character.
OLD MONMOUTH CHURCH.
Miss Mamie Pendleton told the gather
ing about the work of restoring old Mon
mouth church, at Lexington. This was
not the oldest house OF worship in Nir-
ginia. said Miss Pendleton, but 1t was
the first church erected in the western
part of the state. and, therefore, had
a history dear to the Nirgin.ans
MRS BAGBY DECLINES.
lust before the election Of officers ives
gone into. Mrs. Bryan read a letter from
Mrs p. c. Bagby. who has been the
faithful and efficient corresponding secre-
tary Of the organization since " was
started, and who has rendered such val
liable service. declining reelection on ac-
count of failing health.
At the suggestion of Mrs. Brya2. 1t was
voted 10 inform Mrs. Bagby in writing OF
the high esteem in which she was held
by the association. and of the loss the
organization would experience in not
having her as one of its officers.
Mrs. Bagby. on motion Of Mrs. Lyons,
was elected an honorary vice-presdent.
THE OFFICERS.
The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows:
President Mrs. Joseph Bryan.
First Vice President, Mrs C. W. Cole
man.
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