The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-20

ing from the condition OF those In tho
yard at Christ Church. and Knowing
mat the Former are in many instances
oiucr IMAM those in the churchyard. IL
is reasonable TO suppose also that thcy
need to be looked after
since beginning this letter I have
had an opportunity 20 view tho tombs
az christ church again. and their con-
uiuon is alarming to the lover of tho
history of early Middlcscx There 10
so much to be done. and so few seem
70 be Interested in matters OF this kind,
that the situation is bewildering
desire TO mention especially the tombs
OF the Wormiey. Grymcs, Nicholson and
Yates families. There Is not a perfect
one In the yard. and unless early at
tentlon is given to them | fear that it
may be too late to restore them.
understand that in many instances
part of tho splendidly carved tombs
have been removed to make boundary
markers for land in tho community.
The grave of Rev. Bartholomew Yates
is in the best condition. but il Is. too.
crunbiing. In Bishop Meadcs odd
Families and Churches of Virginia he
mentions that one of the descendants
OF the Rev Bartholomew Yates espe-
cially cnjoined his children to care for
the grave of this man. the earlier pro-
genitor of this family in Virginia
believe that IL is only necessary to let
the descendants OF these people know
OF the condition OF these old graves
respond
AT buckingham, in upper Middlesex is
the Corbin burying ground. / do not
Know whether there were tombstones
marking the graves or not but | have
heard from very good authority that
the brick wall around some was nearly
destroyed. AT Wilton, the home of the
| ChurChhills on the Plankatank the
graves have been in bad condition
FOR some time. Nowhere in Virginia
can n community boast of having more
7 ct n II t,,..A ~.
tho early settlers of old Middlesex
/ This was true type Of aristocracy
which Is only memory now. Why
should we allow these memorials to
such worthy ancestors fall In decay?
l want to ask YOU to give us helping
hand in this matter of presenting an
appeal to the descendants of the early
families of MiddlescX, hoping thereby
to enlist the aid of every one in the
restoration of these old tombs
! Old Christ Church has been restored,
thanks to the women in that com
muntty. but this work OF renovating
the gravestones should not devolve up
on them; it is too much of an under
taking. and should be shared In by
people from the Atlantic to the Pacific
wherever the descendants OF any OF
| the old Middlcsex families can be
found l am glad to inform you that
/ have tho sympathy and cooperation
of Mrs. Virginia X Smith. OF this
county. in pushing this work. I do
not know o. any one in a position to
render such a service but YOU and I
want to ask that you will appeal to
the people through the Genealogical
Column of The Times Dispatch for aid.
l believe that tho people will deem 1t
a privilege rather than obligation to
respond in matter OF this kind. I
wish to say also that In pushing this
work | am doing 1t purely for the
| n nf
any of tho people mentioned, being
only connected, and that very distant
ly, with the Yates family. l nope you
may feel that you can help in this
work, ana also hope that 1 am not
asking too much OF a favor of you
Hoping that l may be able to render
you some assistance at some time that
may be OF some help to YOU and trust
ing that this letter may bring good
results, 1 beg to remain,
Very respectfully yours.
CARROLL c. CHOWNING.
Booth.
! In 1861, Thomas Booth took up land
on the present Jarvis farm. In Glou-
ccstcr County, where even now are the
tombs of himself, wife Mary. daughter
OF Mordccai Cooke and son, Commander
John Booth, Of the ship Mermaid
! This Thomas Booth was son OF st.
John Booth. OF England.
Thomas married Mary Cooke, daugh-
ter of Mordecai Cooke. and had George
90, Thomas Cd, Mordecai CD, John
(2). William CD, and Four daughters.
Mordccai CD Booth married Jane
Armistead. of Icssc, and had George
(3). George CD married Mary Mason
Wythe. and had George (4) Wythe,
Mary CD and Fanny (+).
George Cd Wythe married Lucy
Jones. issue Mary CO. Fanny 60, Lucy
90.
Mordecai (2) Booth married first, as
secondly, he married Mrs. Nathaniel
Wythe; born Lucy Todd, OF Todds-
bury Mrs. Nathaniel Wythe had a
daughter by her first husband, Mary
Mason Wythe. who married George
CD Booth, son OF Mordecai (2) Booth,
and his first wife, Joyce Armistead in
other words he married his stepsister.
Thomas Booth lived at Jarvis farm on
Ware River, but his son, Mordecai (2).
lived ut Belleville, q beautiful estate
passed away.
William shelton took up land In 1851
and contracted to build the new church
at Pettsworth This church was COM
plctcd in 1928, and was one OF the
finest Colonial churches In Virginia.
There is no vestige of it now.
Bathurst SHELTON lived In Charles
City County in 1744-1T6S. He married
Martha Wayles and had son. John,
who died early and left no Issue. Mar
tina SHELTON, WlGOW OF balnurSt Skei-
ton, married Thomas Jefferson. Presi-
dent OF the United States.
On the North River.
Bellevilc passed 70 George, and on
TO George, and from him TO his daugh-
ter Fanny who married Warner Ia
liaferro. Her son, William, inherited
II part OF 1t, known Durham Massie.
and this Is now. owned by his son.
George Booth Taliaferro. 1t Is very
uncommon for the same people to live
SO long on the same land In this coun-
try The Bellcville house tract is now
owned by Mr.. Almond Blow, and while
the old Bcllcvillc house has been mod
crnizcd it is very commodious and
beautiful.
Cumpfeid.