The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-02-18
Old Yeocomieo Church.

and Of the Civil war. Some OF the
soldiers. according to tradition,
stabbed their horses In the building,
used the marble font as a horse
trough, and also as punch bowl, and
the communion table as butchers
block.
It is described In detail by Bishop
Meade in his "Old Churches and Fam
lies Of Virginia" This quaint peace
ful country church is situated in a
grove Of fine old oak trees near Yeo-
comico creek, an estuary OF the lower
Potomac river. While only a few
miles from the river, the church Is q
great many miles distant from a rail.
road and is far from a town or vii
lage.
In the vicinity Of "old Yeocomico"
in the colonial period were situated
the estates of such influential families
as the Washingtons, Lees, Carriers and
others descended from the nobility OF
England-families allied by ties of
blood to George Washington's parents.
Among the manor houses in that sec
ton Of Westmoreland county was
Sandy Point, the home Of Col. George
Eskridge, the guardian of Mary Ball.
mother Of Washington. Lee Hall, the
home Of Col. Richard Lee. was also
nearby.
In part of the wall of the church are
the initials "R. L." and figures "1706,"
evidently referring to Richard Lee,
whose wealth contributed to the erec-
ton of the church. Other curious
symbols appear on the exterior OF
this venerable place OF worship. These
objects, together with the beautiful
marble font still used for christening
embryo Washingtons. the quaint win;
dows and communion table, the sun
dial bearing date of lit, the old iron
dipper in the nearby spring. and the
gallery for Llaves and carriage driv.
ers are intensely interesting. All
three quaint and curious objects and
many others not mentioned, apart
tom the tradition that George Wash.
lngton was christened within the walls
Of "0ld Yeocomico,' make this one of
tho most noteworthy of the old
churches Of America.
When visited few years ago by
The writer service was generally con-
Quoted In the church in daylight and
rarely at night, owing to lack Of
lighting apparatus. When evening
service was held members of the con-
gregation brought oil lamps from their |
homes, and these lamps. set on
shelves in each high.boxed pew. fur
nished the necessary light to enable |
he service, just as in the days before
he, Revolutionary war.
Except for period following the
iisestablishment 81 tho Church OF Eng.
and as the state church Of Virginia,
Feocomico church has been in con-
inuous use Eince 1706 By the Episco-
yutAoho 80 paw Va WOAbnAP TUT
several years after the Revolution the
,hurch was used by other sects. dur
ng which time. It is said, the blind
preacher, Rev. Mr.. Wad-
lell. made famous by the eloquent de-
Icription Of William Writ. displayed
N one occasion his fervid oratory.
Here also the great but little known
scotch clergyman and educator, Rev.
Archibald Campbell, the man who
aught Washington. Madison. Monroe,
fohr Marshall and other Virginia
'orths, who were born in and lived in
ne northern neck" of Virginia. and
vrote their names high on the scroll
4 fame, occasionally preached.
No doubt tho talented and worthy
scotch divine. Rev. William Douglas
1 that section, who tutored Monroe
md Jefferson, also conducted worship
t Yeocomic..