The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-02-18

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 a punch bowl, and
the communion table as a butchers
block.
1t is described in detail by Bishop
Meade in his "Old Churches and Fam
lilies 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 a
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. tho
home Of Col. Richard Lee. was also
nearby.
In part of the wall Of the church are
the initials "R. L." and figures "l706,"
evidently referring to Richard Lee,
whose wealth contributed to the erec-
f10n ut fh0 ohYS~h ~
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 1717. the old iron
dipper in the nearby spring, and the
gallery for slaves and carriage driv-
ers are intensely interesting. All
three quaint and curious objects and
many others not mentioned, apart
rom the tradition that George Wash
ington was ckristened within the walls
Of "Old Yeocomico," make this one of
the most noteworthy of the old
churches Of America.
When visited a few years ago by
the writer service was generally con-
Quoted In the church in daylight and
rarely at night. owing to a 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 |
the service, just as in the days before |
the Revolutionary war.
Except for q period following the |
6ssestabhshH.ent 81 the Church of Eng
land as the state church Of Virginia,
Yeocomico church has been in con-
use stnce 1706 by the Epfsco-
palians as a place OF worship. For
several years after the Revolution the
was used by other sects, dur
Ing which time. It is said, the blind
Presbyterian preacher, Rev. MI. Wad-
dell. made famous by the eloquent de.
Bcrfption Of William Writ, displayed
On one occasion his fervtd oratory.
Here also the great but little known
Scotch clergyman and educator. Rev
Campbell. the man who
taught Washington, Madison. Monroe.
JohE Marshall and other Virginia
who we're born In and lived IN
he northern neck" OF Virginia. and
wrote their names high on the scroll
u fame. occasionally preached.
No dout. tho talented and worthy
scotch divine. Row. william Douelaa
4 hat section. who tutored Monroe
Jefferson. Also conducted wor,hin]
4 Ysocouaic-
i