Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-23

Another addition has been made to the
matters historical connected with Old Bru-
ton Episcopal Church at Williamsburg. Va.
Workmen recently uncovered sixteen
graves, some of which have remained hid
den under the aisles and chancel of the old
religious edifice for more than a century.
Cne of these is the grave OF Rev. William
H. Wilmer, DID,, once the rector OF Bruton
parish and also president OF William and
Mary College. DIR. Wilmer was the rector
OF the parish from 1926 to 1927, having
succeeded Rev. Reuel Keith D. D., OF
Georgetown, d. c., who was appointed to a
rectorship in 1921. Another grave is that
of Governor Francis Fauquier. who died in
176S. 1t was known that Governor Fau-
qlier was buried under the north wing of
the church, but no monument remained to
mark the spot.
The graves were identified by the letters
and dates in brass tacks in the old wood
of the caskets, and they will now be mark
ed by suitable stones and tablets The dis
covery was made by workmen engaged In
the work OF restoring and preserving the
old church This work, which has been
going on for some time is under the direc-
ton OF the vestry and an advisory commit
tee on restoration, of which Rev. DR.. r. H.
McKim Of this city is a member. The
plans OF the committee contemplate the
renewal Of the foundation walls. which
were found to be sinking; the renewal of
the floor, which Is giving away, and the re-
moval of a partition wall, which built
in 1S40 and which cuts the church In two
The plans also include the restoration of
the nagstone aisles. the colonial governors
pew with silk canopy, the high corner pull
pit with sounding board and the ancient
chancel. 1t is also proposed to'build fire.
roof crypt for the preservation of the old
records and the historical communion
silver
IT is estimated that the onerat,ors will
cost $20O0O and this amount is being
raised by subscription. all but about $1,000
having already been received. This fund,
together with proposed memorial preser-
walton endowment fund of s25. 600, is In the
custody of DIR. Thomas Nelson Page of
this city, Mr. Robert L. Harrison of New
York. DR.. S. Weir Mitchell of Philadelphia
and Mr. Robert Treat Paine of Boston.
The work is being pushed forward as rapid
ly as possible, with a view to having 1t
completed when the general convention of
the Episcopal Church meets in Richmond
in 1907.
The history Of Old Bruton Church, so in
timately connected with the early days of
Virginia, Is extremely interesting. The
parish, which there is every reason to be-
lieve was named In honor of Thomas Lud-
well of Bruton, England, dates back to
1852. The house Of worship was then q
built of brick, was erected in 1888. When,
in 1850, ION account of the prevalence of
malaria and mosquitoes the capital and
court of Virginia was moved from James,
town to Williamsburg, the old church was
found to be inadequate, and the present
building was erected by the parish vestry
and the Virginia house of burgesses. In
ITO, during the rectorship of Commissary
Blair. Governor Alexander Spotswood, the
knight of the golden horseshoe furnish
ed the plans for the church, which, 1t ap-
pears. were drawn by himself and pro-
erds of the church and that 1.-The govern
part" This was done. and in the Virginia
We two wings of Bruton Church, together
with We cost of ye rates. of ye materials
and workmanship" given.
In this part Of the church the representa-
tives of royalty and of the people of Vir-
ginia Worshfped In pews officially desig-
mated. canopied with silk and emblazoned
in letters of gold with the governors name
SAT the colonial governor and his council of
state. Spotswood, Drysdale, Gooch, Din
widdie, FauQuier. Lord Botetourt and Lord
Dunmore. and subsequently Patrick Henry,
occupied this pew.
In this part of the church. occupied by
the burgeSses. worshiped four men who
afterward became Presidents OF the United
States-Washington. Jefferson. Monroe and
Tyler. Washington's name occurs eleven
times on the old parish register, which is
Still preserved.
Here also worshiped Geo. wythe. Ma