The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-11
n THE RAPPAHANNoCK COUNTRY.
Middlesex.

The -NoSIA SoS-s -
Middlesex.
We are sorry even II our readers are
glad TO bid adieu to the kind county
of Essex We have not done 1t jug
tice, we know
Closest neighbor TO Essex county Is
Aiddlesex. named for part of Its
mother country, and rejoicing in early
days over possession of some of the
finest mansions of Colonial timea-the
history of Middlesex would be the rec
ord of Virginia feudal power.
No county is more changed-the
great seventeenth family potentates
have left few traces behind-hut the
sons of the soil have arisen and made
the county of Middlesex to-day one OF
the most prosperous of this Common
wealth.
Great names took root in Middiesex.
1t was the Virginia nursery OF the
Berkeleys. the Wormeleys, the Church
Ills, the corbins, the Grymeses. the
Beverleys. the Smiths. of Shelters Hill.
and "Rqsehill." Brandon" "Bushy
Park" Barn Elms'' are familiar to all
lovers of Virginia history.
The register of Christ Church, In
Middesex county, is full of delicious
chronicles-to all. those who do not un-
derstand the caste" and "class" of old
Virginia 1T must be revelation.
For instance: We find Madam Fran
ces Wormeley, the wife of Colo. Chris
TOPPER wormeley, Esq. Departed this
life on the 25th of May. 1855, and was
buried at home. In their Garden. the
next Day following. being 2sth OF
May, 1886" Frances thus recorded
was only madam but on further we
read: "The Honerab BILE Lady Madam
Frances wormeley, wife to the Hon'ble
Ralph Wormeley, ESQ. Departed this
| Life nth of May 1855. and was buried
| in the Chancell of the Great Church
| between we Hon'ble Chickley
and y" From which we naturally
| infer that the Honorable Lady Madam
| Frances was tip above Madam
| Frances, and took precedence OF her IN
\ their walks abroad and In their home
| Nv intercourse, in the matter. especial
| ", Of advice and opinion
The stars Indicate something lost.
but We can with impunity supply what
| was missing.
| Henry Chickley, His Ma1estyss Dep
ufv. Governor of Virginia, married a
,,;aow Jyormeley, and. as befell his
station he was buried In Christ
rhnrch Chancell, MiddleseX county,
Mar the communion table, The Hon.
arah,e Lady Madam Frances was
,honeht worthy to be next neighhor to
/ thts great parsonage who had mar
riad HIS mother-in- law, the rich WIDOW
4 of Rosetili. .,,a !.
ord from the days when Father Aora-
han, folded immense tlocks and herds
until to- day. material advantage las
not been despised. Widows and VIC
overs have kept their weather eve
omen for cozy harbors. over and over
again we see the bereaved husband
.,ar,,,, creeping into the we'll lined
nest Of some conspicuous widow, and
| there he frequently remains to the
/ inter despair of the son of the Wldow
WHO by the tenancy by courtesy
| waits too long to come into his own
| philip I.udwell married the widow OF
rarter,s Creek and there he STAGED
likewise did Bowles CockA step into
Shirlev and lived to great age, while
tho Carter boys looked on. helpless
4 and chagrined The Honorable 8ilehrs
4 Chickley saw in Rosetill magniheen
refuge for his loneliness ana lnete ~
| lived and died, and took his place un
der the chancel BY hiss,fond WIDOW
! when his easy life WAS done,
AM 10 return to the old register
Here we nnd tho exact hour when tn
children Of the Hon. Henry Corbll
entered this ftful life--Alice came a
5.so In the evening of February "a
1900, a dainty pink valentine for he
A august, father Winifred knocked q
the door of her mothers heart, whicl
was unmatched for her at 10 o'clocl
at night, the Sd day of November. 1862
A Two years being fair gap petweel