The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-14

history. He married. tho youngest
daughter of Mr.. john Meux and had
Elizabeth. Ann, Richard. Mary, VIII
liam and John.
The Glouccster Thronton's loft tho
York and settled some on Ware River
and some In Guinea. The Guinea
branch has preserved tho name of
Mcux, and this family rs ono OF the
very oldest and best names In the old
county.
Tho next grant in 1865, is taken UP
by Rev. Thomas Vlcaries, rector OF
Pctteworth. This was m unusually
good living. The ncighborhood of
Pettsworth was the very best In the
country. Meade has the date of Mr.
Nicaries ministry at Pettsworth, 1871.
but he must have become the rector
earlier He was the first rector Of
Pettsworth and served until he died in
1927. and wna succeeded By the Rev.
Joseph Holt
Next door to him wac MIR; William
Todd who loved and married Martha,
his daughter. propinquity again.
Pettsworth was one OF the very
finest churches in tho colony. but Its
doom was long ago sealed and the
bricks of ltR walls helped to hulld the
old Iiygeia Hotel at Old Point. which,
also in its good time haas passed away.
church and worshippcrs have alike
ceased to be. In 1917 1t was COM
pleted and furnished. Near 1t was :
great spring called Poplar Spring. and
the church Is often referred to as the
church near Poplar Spring. Some have
said that Nathaniel Bacon was buried
at Pettsworth. Mr.. Petcs's homo at
which he died was near.
In 1854 His EXcellency. Francis Lord
Efingham, Governor OF Virginia. pre-
scented to Pettsworth one large Bible.
one Book OF Common Prayer. one Book
of IIomllles, the Thirty-n.1e Articles
and Book OF Canons OF the Church of
England, ecclesiastical literature am
ply sufficient TO keep the congregation
straight IL they minded TO consider 1t.
The Hon. Augustine Warner. whose
land lay in Pettsworth PariBh, gave to
the church one silver fiagon. two silver
, bowls and two silver plates. Where
is this silver now? Has anybody ever
heard Of 1t?
\ new church was built In 1923 and.
exclusive of painting, 1t cost fli9O
(about s5.ao4.5o). and 1t was considered
one OF the finest churches in the col
| ony. Mrs. Mann Page, OF Shelley. uaed
to worship there as q child. and In old
| re she said that he. voice had blend
' with the swelling notes OF the or
gan. In 1I35 there were great sub
scrlptions made for the purchase OF this
very organ, and 700 gold leaves were
| purchased for the use OF the painter.
In 1851 the vestry sent TO England
| for the pulpit and tablecloth and a
cushion to be made of crimson velvet
with a gold fringe and lace. and they
cost ri5t.1s6.
One of the descendants OF Roosevelt
| Page. presumably the daughter OF SAL
~ Burwell Page or Alice Grymes Page
wrote the following letter 70 Bishop
Meade:
Dear Bishop: have been thinking
,t,rt, ~, - IL
OF old Poplar Spring Church In Glou-
I cester. which was few miles above
I Roosevelt, on the road that passed up
to King and Queen. Ny FIRST recollec-
tfons were very pleasing as l was
going with my mother In the old Rose
we'll coach. It was in warm weather,
/ and mama desired the driver to stop
under the shade near the spring while
E, we all got out, and. after drinking
some OF the cool water. she took us
! into the church. and showed us the
! remains of tho fine painting over what
/ had been the cilancei and told us how
! 1t had been when She first remembered
+, 1t. l think I then first received cor
/ rect idea of the solemn use and !npor-
lance of church. as must have been
very young. remember broad cor
nice. painted with tho resemblance of
! a bright blue sky and clouds rolling
| OFF on either hand: below this were
/ fragments OF the plaster extending
! farther down n the corners and rep
resenting an immense crimson curtain
! drawn back. remember seeing q
' part OF Il very large cord and tasscl
Mama said there used to be an angel
just where the curtain was drawn on
1 one side. with n trumpet In his hand,
ana rolling on toward him were vast
bodies OF clouds with angels in them.
and that she used to fancy one OF the
faces was like her dear little brother
| John, who was drowned when only ten
years old and was her playfeilow. she
| being next to him in age. I feel sure
that then first understood about the
| last Judgment for seldom think of
| that great day but what my dear
mother and the painting at Poplar
| Spring Church are not united in my
memory as q kind of picture. the
! groundwork hsing the ruined church.
the bright green grass, the shade and
/ the cool spring.
| Our dear mothers teachings on that
and other occasions were so mixed
| with sorrow for tho state OF the t.pis
copal churches and the want OF minis
tiers since Mr.. Fontaina's death that I
thought Mr.. Fontaine was the great
est man in the world except my grand
papa
Most of the hagstones in the middl.
aisle were there on my first visit.
On passing it In later years all
trace or the bright colors had departed.
ana tho stones. which had so often
echoed the stops OF those who came to
WORSHIP God. had heen removed for
| more unhallowed purposes, .>nd the
last time saw 1t some COWS were
rarosing on the bare ground within
ana swallows. bats ana other birds
occupied tho large roof AS regards
the painting, have so often heard
my mother speak OF 1t that I am sure
| cannot do IL fun justice hy my de-
/ serin;ion. but can only SAY what i
| remember"
| The grandfather referred Ia is Gov
ernor John Page. or. r the child OF
sally Burweii Page. Tie might have
neon General Nelson, as She married
| William. the eldest san Of .rhomn, vi
SON Alice GRIMES Page marrind pr.
Augustine Smith. OF Yorktown. and
Jonn, the little boy who wa. Drowned,