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VIRGINIA
1-2. Minute of meeting of Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Jan. 15, 1724. Reconsidering previous action, they decide that they cannot make King William Parish, Virginia, a mission, but will give £20 to the minister as a gratuity, hoping that the inhabitants will raise his salary to the Virginia standard.
3-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Feb. 10, 1723/4. Acknowledges letter by --- Irvine expressing bishop's intent to name him commissary. Under instructions originally given him by Bishop Compton, he has never attempted jurisdiction over the laity. With the clergy, except in the most scandalous cases, he confines himself to admonition, because of the scarcity of ministers. Ten parishes are now vacant. Legal stipend of 2,600 lb. tobacco is worth more than £100 in sweet-scented parishes and about £80 in others. Chief drawback is lack of induction.
5-6. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 13, 1724. He has received the queries and is distributing them. It would be desirable if his commission could be sent as soon as possible as two clergymen, Thomas Baylie and John Worden, are scandalizing the colony by continual drunkenness and fighting. Not being accustomed to exercise discipline over the laity, he asks the bishop what to do in the case of a gentlewoman who has borne a bastard to her half-brother. Two clergymen, Clark and Sclater, have recently died. He now estimates the vacancies as fourteen or fifteen.
7-10. Vestry, freeholders, and principal inhabitants of Wilmington Parish to Bishop Gibson, May 23, 1724. Protest dissolution of the parish by recent act of the legislature (xi. 300-1).
11-12. Emmanuel Jones to Bishop Gibson, Petsworth, June 1, 1724. Acknowledges the queries, his answers to which he has sent to Blair, and a friendly letter from the bishop. He has been treated with great kindness ever since he has been in the colony and made a governor of the college, defeating Blair's brother-in-law.
13-14. Thomas Dell to Bishop Gibson, Northampton, June 1, 1724. Supplementing his answers to the queries, he complains of lack of induction and want of regular discipline among the clergy and laity. He has baptized some Indians, but finds that masters are unwilling to allow Negroes time for instruction.
15. John Brunskill to Richard Brunskill (his brother), Wilmington Parish, June 27, 1724. Asks him to use his supposed influence with the bishop to prevent the dissolution of his parish. Encloses (16).
16. Petition of John Brunskill to the general assembly protesting the dissolution of Wilmington Parish. Undated, but enclosed with (15) Copy.)
17-18. John Brunskill to Reverend Doctor Grandorge, Rector of St. Denis Back-Church, London, July 6, 1724. Asks him to intercede with the bishop to secure the disallowance of the act dissolving his parish. Brunskill was formerly master of a school at Burgh.
19-20. Governor Hugh Drysdale to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July, 1724. Acknowledges letter by John Garzia, whom he has sent to one of the best parishes. Wishes that more would come, as there are many vacancies. Encloses a petition from a French parish.
21-24. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 17, 1724. Garzia has been sent to Lower Norfolk. Blair fears that his imperfect English may antagonize some. Supply and quality of clergy would be improved by establishing a theological professorship at William and Mary. He suggests an appropriation for the purpose from the quitrents. He reviews the induction controversy. The matter might have been settled if Nicholson had persisted in collating to lapsed benefices, but he neglected to do so and Spotswood complicated the issue by claiming the right to collate in all cases. Prebyterians are increasing in the colony.
25-26. William LeNeve to Bishop Gibson, James-City Parish, July 20, 1724. He has sent his answers to the queries by Blair.
27-30. Alexander Forbes to Bishop Gibson, July 21, 1724. A gentlewoman willed that her estate should be sold for tobacco and the tobacco sold in England, the resulting funds to be used for the poor of the parish. The executor failed to sell the estate and used its income while living. On his death the testatrix's heir at law reclaimed the estate, but Forbes and the executor's executor, one of his wardens, with the advice of Governor Spotswood, recovered it in a suit in chancery. It has been sold and part of the tobacco sold and the proceeds deposited with their agent, Micajah Perry. Forbes asks the bishop to select some tracts for distribution to the poor. He mentions some catechetical discourses by 'one Doctor Bray' as possibly suitable.
31-32. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 28, 1724. Encloses some more answers to queries. He advises against disallowing the act dissolving Wilmington Parish (xi. 300-1). Its division between parishes on either side of the river is a much more convenient arrangement.
33-34. And. Cant to Bishop Gibson, Ailsbury, Bucks, Sept. 8, 1724. Unable to live in his own parish of Little Stanbridge, Essex, or in London, he asked the bishop for a curacy in some healthier place, but was told that such appointments were usually left to the incumbents. In seeking a post for himself he found that many of the clergy were disaffected and would only hire a curate who shared their views. Those of moderate political principles drove a hard bargain. Young men obtained curacies through influence and many clergy neglected the requirement that curates should be licensed. If the bishop cannot get him a curacy in a healthy place in England, he is willing to return to Virginia, provided he receives the royal bounty.
35-36. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Sept. 12, 1724. John Clarke, licensed for Antigua, finding it unbearably hot there, has come to Virginia, where he has been sent to St. John's, a sweet-scented parish. In answer to a query from the bishop, he says that young clergymen of established sobriety will have no difficulty in marrying daughters of the colonial gentry, especially if the induction matter can be settled.
37-38. John Bagg to Bishop Gibson, St. Ann's Parish, Oct. 14, 1724. Blair failed to give him a copy of the bishop's queries because he knew that Bagg would say things unfavourable to him. He does not support the clergy against the vestries and another commissary would be preferred. The bishop is referred to Colonel Spotswood for details. Bagg has evidently obtained a copy of the queries somewhere and sends his answers (41-44).
39-40. Queries addressed to commissaries. Answered by Blair. He summarizes the acts relating to the Church and says that the English Toleration Act is held to apply to Virginia. Visitations (he calls them conventions) were formerly held once a year, but now only on special occasions. All clergy exhibit their licences on arrival. A few licensed to other colonies have been allowed to settle, but the bishop has always been notified. All parishes have church buildings, except the new parish of Spotsylvania where one is being erected. Many parishes lack ministers. There are no revenues during vacancies as the poll-tax is not collected unless there is a minister. Wages of tradesmen and prices of 'merchant-goods' are from 40 to 50 per cent. higher than in England, but produce is as cheap as in the cheapest parts of England. The thing that would best promote the cause of religion would be to have a better supply of good clergy, one means of which would be a theological professorship at William and Mary (cf. 21-24). Regular induction would be another means to this end. He urges a special instruction to this end as Governor Drysdale, though well disposed to the clergy, hesitates to change the custom without such an instruction. A note by Governor Drysdale on the same sheet endorses what Blair says here and in his supplementary letter (21-24).
41-84. Answers to queries addressed to the clergy. See Introduction (p. xxiii) for numbered queries to which answers are queried.
41-44. John Bagg, St. Ann's: 1. He came to colony in 1709 as a deacon. 2. Curate of Ardsinan Parish, Diocese of Lismore, Ireland. Coming to Virginia he served Sittenbourn Parish, though only a deacon, until he quarrelled with one of the vestrymen and they refused to employ him any longer. 3. He returned to London and received priest's orders and the bishop's licence in 1717. 4. He relates the dispute concerning Governor Spotswood's collation of him to St. Ann's (cf. xi. 241-68). It is still unsettled, though he is evidently in possession. A test case was arranged between Blair and Spotswood but has been dropped since Spotswood's departure. 5. Yes. 6. 20-26 x 8-10 miles, about 130 families. 7. No Indians in parish. Owners oppose conversion of slaves. 8. Every Sunday and Christmas and Good Friday. 100-180 attend. 9. He has two churches in his parish at which he officiates on alternate Sundays. He administers Communion in one on Christmas and Easter and in the other on Good Friday and the Sunday after Christmas. Fifty to eighty communicants. 10. No answer. 11. Furnishings inadequate, but he has hopes of persuading the vestry to supply them. 12. Low price of tobacco makes salary less than the supposed £80 equivalent. It is supplemented by fees, also paid in tobacco. He gives some details of the problems involved in marketing the minister's tobacco. 13. He has a house and glebe, run by slaves, but lives on his own plantation. 14. House kept in repair by the parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
45. Thomas Baylye, Newport: 1. Ten years. 2. Formerly served St. John's, Baltimore, Maryland 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 80 x 20 miles, about 400 families. 7. He seeks to convert Indians and Negroes 'by instruction'. 8. Services every Sunday, divided among mother church and two chapels. About 500. 9. Eight times a year. About fifty communicants. 10. After the second lesson. 11. Lacks font and surplice. 12. £50 to £70, according to price of tobacco. 13 and 14. No. 15. He supplies a small neighbouring parish. 16. Four schools in the parish. 17. No.
46. John Bell, Christ-Church: 1. Twelve years. 2. None. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 40 x 8 miles, 300 families. 7. Nothing. 8. Once a Sunday and Good Friday. Most white parishioners attend. 9. Christmas, Easter and Whitsunday. 60-80 communicants. 10. In Lent. 11. Lacks surplice. 12. About £80. 13. House and glebe, which he occupies. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. He serves St. Mary's parish every other Sunday. 16. No. 17. No.
47. William Black, Accomako: 1. Since 1708. 2. He had a church in Sussex County, Pennsylvania, but was driven out by the French in 1709: 3. He had a licence for his first parish and the bishop's permission to move. 4. Inducted March 1710. 5. Yes. 6.46 x 14 miles, 400-500 families. 7. He has baptized about 200 Negroes. 8. Every Sunday. Most attend. 9. Christmas, Easter, and Whit Sunday. About 200 communicants. 10. March 11 to Sept. 11. 11. No. 12. About £80. 13 and 14. Has house and glebe. Leases glebe, but house is good for nothing. 15. No. 16. A school endowed by Mr. Sandford, late of London. John Horogh, an Irishman, is master. 17. No.
48. James Blair, Bruton: 1. He came to Virginia in 1685. 2. He served Henrico first; then served as college president; then James City; has served Bruton, in which the college is located, since 1710. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 10 miles square, 110 families. 7. He encourages the masters to bring those slaves who understand English to the church for instruction, but does not say with what result. 8. Every Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, and Jan. 30. Reads prayers Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. Full congregations on Sunday. There is a 'lecture' every Sunday afternoon by Mr. LeNeve, supported by subscription. Not well attended, because people live at a distance. 9. Christmas, Easter, Whit Sunday and Sunday nearest to Michaelmas. About fifty communicants. 10. Every Sunday in Lent. 11. Yes. 12. About £100. 13. A glebe, but no house. Lives in a house of his own in the college. 14. Answered by 13. 15. He is also president of the college. 16. No. 17. No.
49-50. Zachariah Brooke, St. Paul's, Hanover County: 1. Four years. 2. He is still vicar of Hawkston, Cambridgeshire, which is supplied by a curate. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 60 x 12 miles, --- hundred families (preceding number effaced by wear). 7. No Indians. Negroes baptized, if their masters desire it, when they can say the catechism. 8. Services on Sundays at two churches and on week days at two chapels. Full attendance. 9. Four times a year in the churches and twice a year in the chapels. Over 100 communicants. 10. Spring and fall. 11. Yes. 12. He gives no estimate of sterling value. 13 and 14. Glebe worthless and house in disrepair, but vestry allows him casks for his tobacco in lieu of them. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
51. John Brunskill, Wilmington: 1. Eight years. 2. No other parish. 3. Yes. 4. No induction. 5. Yes. 6.30 x 9 miles, 180 families. 7. Nothing done to instruct slaves. 8. Every Sunday in rotation among three churches. Good attendance. 9. On the great festivals. About 100 communicants. 10. During Lent, continuing to Whitsuntide. 11. Yes. 12. About £80 a year. (There is an excursus on the difficulty of selling tobacco.) 13. Glebe leased. 14. Glebe house is a cottage. Repaired by the tenant. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
52. John Cargill, Southwark, Surry County: 1. Sixteen years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 100 x 20 miles, 394 families. 7. Indian town on frontier of his parish formerly had a teacher, Charles Griffin, but he now resides in Williamsburgh, where he teaches Indians from several tribes under the Boyle legacy. Cargill has persuaded a few masters to have their slaves baptized, but not many. 8. He has a church and two chapels of ease. He preaches at the church two out of three Sundays and at one of the chapels the third. The other chapel is remote and he preaches there on a week day. Sunday services are well attended. 9. Three times a year at mother church and as often at one of the chapels. 40-80 communicants, depending on the weather. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. About £40. 13. He has a house and glebe. He tills the glebe but does not occupy the house. 14. The house is kept in repair by the parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
53. Henry Collings, St. Peter's: 1. One year and nine months. 2. No previous cure, but he served as schoolmaster and curate in West Fairfield, Yorkshire. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 20 miles, 204 families. 7. Some slaves are allowed by their masters to be baptized. 8. Every Sunday. About 180 attend. 9. Thrice a year. 40-50 communicants. 10. No catechizing. 11. Yes. 12. About £80. 13. House and glebe, which he rents. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
54. Lawrence De Butte, Washington: 1. About three years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 30 x 5 miles, 200 families. 7. He has baptized some slaves and admitted them to communion. 8. Every Sunday alternately in two churches. Well attended. 9. Thrice a year in each church. 10. Every Sunday in summer. 11. Yes. 12. Scarcely £50. 13. House and glebe. He occupies house and part of glebe, renting the rest. 14. Repaired at his expense. 15. Supplies three adjoining parishes, which are vacant. 16. Donor of glebe provided that it should be for the support of schoolmaster as well as rector. Vestry, instead of dividing it, allows De Butte the whole on condition that he supports a schoolmaster, which he does. 17. No.
55. Thomas Dell, Hungars, Northampton County: 1. Three years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 40 miles, 365 families. 7. Both Indians and Negroes, but no special efforts to instruct them. 8. Every Sunday. Scarcely a third attend. 9. Six times a year. Eighty communicants. 10. Several Sundays in summer. 11. No. 12. £53. 13. House and glebe let. 14. Repaired by parish, but not very well. 15. Two churches in one parish. 16. No. 17. No.
56. James Falconer, Elizabeth City: 1. Five years, eight months. 2. Previously in Hungars and Norfolk parishes. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 60 miles in circumference, 350 families. 7. Owners are careful to instruct slaves capable of instruction and bring them to baptism, but it is impossible to teach those who are grown up before they are brought here. 8. Every Sunday and some feast days. Most attend. 9. Easter, Whit Sunday, and Christmas. 100 communicants. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. About £65. 13. House and glebe occupied by himself. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. Two. John Mason and Abram Parsons are the schoolmasters. 17. No.
57. William Finney, Henrico: 1. Between fourteen and fifteen years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 25 x 18 miles, 1,100 families. 7. Masters sometimes bring their slaves to church. 8. Once a Sunday and some holy days. 100-200 attend. 9. Six times a year at each church (he has two in his parish) and twice at the chapel. Twenty is the greatest number of communicants at any one time. 10. He does not catechize. 11. Yes. 12. No sterling estimate. 13. House and glebe, which he occupies. 14. Repair neglected. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
58. Francis Fontaine, York Hampton: 1. Since May 1721. 2. Formerly in St. Margaret's, King William County. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 20 x 4 miles, 200 families. 7. He catechizes such slaves as the masters will bring to him every Saturday afternoon. 8. Twice a Sunday--once at each of two churches, and on Christmas and Good Friday. About two-thirds of parishioners attend. 9. Three times a year in each church. About sixty communicants in town church, twenty in other. 10. Every Sunday afternoon in Lent and ten other Sundays after Evening Prayer. 11. Lacks surplice. 12. About £115. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
59. Peter Fontaine, Westover Parish: 1. Since Nov. 1716. 2. He served at first, without regular settlement, among several parishes which were merged to form Westover and Martin's Brandon parishes. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 30 x 12 miles, 233 families. 7. He does his best to persuade masters to instruct slaves and bring them to church for catechizing. 8. Once a week, distributed among three churches. About two-thirds of parish attend. 9. Three times a year in each church. About twenty-five communicants in each. 10. From first Sunday in April to last in June. 11. Yes for one church, partly for second, and no for third. 12. £55-60. 13. Two small glebes, no buildings. One glebe is rented. 14. No house to repair. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
60-72. Alexander Forbes, Upper Parish, Isle of Wight (printed form supplemented by letter): 1. Since 1710. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. (Reviews induction controversy.) 5. Yes. 6. 60 x 11 miles, number of families uncertain, but there are 700 assessed persons. He recommends that parish be divided. 7. Some masters instruct their slaves and bring them for baptism, but most neglect it. There is an Indian town in the parish. A few young men have been sent from there to be taught at William and Mary under the Boyle legacy. 8. Every Sunday and some holy days. Attendance small. 9. Thrice a year. 15-20 communicants. 10. Every Sunday when the parents permit them to come to church, but he is unsatisfied with the results. He has tried other methods but with no better results. 11. No. 12. £65. He explains the difference in value between the two varieties of tobacco. The sweet-scented is mostly grown north of the James River. 13-14. Glebe but no house, as glebe is not worth building on. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No. Letter continues by referring bishop to Colonel Spotswood for details of the induction controversy and by denouncing scandalous conduct of some of the clergy. He recommends the appointment of two 'visitors', one for the north and one for the south side of the James.
73. John Goodwin, St. Stephen's: 1. He came with Governor Drysdale. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 30 miles long, 300 families. 7. 'As in other places.' 8. Every Sunday. Attendance good. 9. Thrice a year. Sixty communicants. 10. During Lent. 11. Yes. 12. No sterling estimate. 13. A poor house and glebe, self-occupied. 14. In poor repair. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
74. Thomas Hughes, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County: 1. Since July 1, 1716. 2. Formerly served the upper parish in Nanzemond County. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. He lives in Weare Parish as Abingdon Parish glebe is located there. 6. Thirty to forty miles in circumference, 300 families. 7. Nothing is done for the slaves. 8. Once a Sunday and Good Friday and Christmas. About 200 attend. 9. Thrice a year; 60-70 communicants. 10. During Lent. 11. Lacks surplice. 12. No sterling estimate. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. He alternates with Emmanuel Jones in supplying Weare Parish, which is vacant. 16. Yes. George Ransom, master. 17. No.
75. Emmanuel Jones, Petsworth Parish: 1. Since 1700. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Inducted 1704. 5. Yes. 6. 22 x 4-6 miles, 146 families. 7. Masters often bring native-born slaves to be instructed. 8. Every Sunday, Christmas, Good Friday, and Ash Wednesday. 9. On the three great festivals and the first Sunday in October. 100 communicants. 10. During Lent. 11. Yes. 12. About £80. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. Alternates with Hughes in supplying Weare. 16. No. 17. No.
76. Owen Jones, St. Mary's, Essex County: 1. Twenty years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 20 miles, 150 families. 7. Instruction of slaves discouraged. 8. Every Sunday. About 150 attend. 9. Four times a year. 100 communicants. 10. During Lent. 11. No. 12. No estimate of sterling value. 13. House and glebe self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
77. Lewis Latané, South Farnham, Essex County: 1. Since 1700. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6.40 x 8 miles, 200 families. 7. No special work with slaves. 8. Every Sunday. Most of the parishioners attend. 9. Four times a year. Fifty communicants. 10. During the spring, but remoteness of many parishioners prevents some of the children from attending. 11. Yes. 12. No sterling estimate. 13. House and glebe self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
78. William LeNeve, James City: 1. Since 1722. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 20 x 12 miles, seventy-eight families. 7. Not much can be done with recently imported Negroes, but he has had some success in instructing those born in Virginia. 8. Two Sundays out of three in James City, the third on Mulberry Island, besides a lecture in Williamsburg Sunday afternoon. 130 attend at James City; 200 on Mulberry Island and 100 in Williamsburg. 9. Four times a year each in James City and Mulberry Island. 20-30 communicants in James City, twice that number on Mulberry Island. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. James City, £60; Mulberry Island, £30; Williamsburgh, £20. 13. and 14. Rented glebe, but not house. £7 house allowance. 15. Answered by 8. 16. No. 17. No.
79. George Robertson, Bristol: 1. Nearly thirty-one years. 2. Served as chaplain on board a man-of-war in 1692. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6.40 x 25 miles, 430 families. 7. Masters refuse to send slaves to church for instruction. A few instruct them at home and bring them for baptism. 8. Every Sunday, alternately in church and chapel. Well attended in good weather. 9. On Christmas, Easter, and Whit Sunday. About fifty communicants. 10. He used to catechize during the summer but has not done so for two years. 11. Yes. 12. £45-46. 13 and 14. A barren glebe. No house. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
80. John Skaife, Stratton Major: 1. Fourteen years. 2. Formerly curate at Croxton in Cambridgeshire and Eversholt in Bedfordshire. 3. Yes. 4. Inducted for almost thirteen years. 5. Yes. 6. 18 x 8 miles, 190-200 families. 7. No special effort for slaves. 8. Every Sunday. About 300 attend in fair weather. 9. Four times a year. 220 communicants. 10. In Lent. 11. Lacks a font. 12. About £80. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
81. Alexander Scott, Overworton Parish, Stafford County: 1. Since 1711. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. Extent of parish unknown, as it is a frontier parish, 650 families. 7. He instructs and baptizes those slaves who can speak English if their masters allow him to. 8. Every Sunday, alternating between church and chapel. Distance restricts attendance, but church usually full. 9. Six times a year. 80-100 communicants. 10. In Lent and a good part of the summer. 11. Yes, church; no, chapel. 12. No estimate of sterling value. 13 and 14. There is a glebe, which is rented, but no house. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
82. Daniel Taylor, Blissland: 1. Twenty-one years. 2. No. 3. No licence, but he was recommended by the bishop to Governor Nicholson. 4. He has been inducted for twenty years. 5. Yes. 6. 30 miles, 160 families. 7. He finds most slaves incapable of instruction, but has instructed and baptized those that are. 8. Every Sunday. Most of the parish attend. 9. On the three great festivals. 60-70 communicants. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. £80. 13 and 14. Worthless glebe, no house. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
83. John Worden, Lawns Creek: 1. Since 1712. 2. Briefly served James City, Waynoak, and Martins Brandon. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. 170 x 10 miles, 700 tithables. 7. Some masters will let their slaves be baptized, some will not. 8. Every Sunday in both church and chapel by himself or lay reader. Good attendance. 9. Thrice a year each at church and chapel. 12 communicants. at church; 30-40 at chapel. 10. No catechizing. 11. Lacks surplice. 12. No estimate of sterling value. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repair neglected. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
84. Bartholomew Yates, Christchurch: 1. Since 1700. 2. Formerly served Sittenburn and Kingston parishes in Virginia. 3. Yes. 4. Inducted Mar. 15, 1703. 5. Yes. 6. 40 x 3-7 miles, 260 families. 7. A few of the native slaves have been baptized. 8. Every Sunday, alternating between two churches. Also Christmas and Good Friday. About 200 attend. 9. Six times a year. 230 communicants. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. No estimate of sterling value. 13. House and glebe, self-occupied. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
85-86. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburg, May 25, 1725. Several clergy recently arrived with the bishop's recommendation have been placed. Brunskill has been given a sweet-scented parish. Blair insists that he delivered queries to Bagg (cf. 41-44). Governor Drysdale has reluctantly decided to proceed against Bayley and Worden (cf. 5-6), since Blair has been advised that he cannot act without commission. Other clergy are rumoured to be misbehaving in the belief that no one can restrain them. There are still several vacancies in the colony and he expects Bayley and Worden to be removed, making two more.
87-88. Governor Hugh Drysdale to Bishop Gibson, May 31, 1725. He is reluctantly unable to comply with he bishop's recommendation to appoint --- Grasly to a post as naval officer, because he does not have the character or estate to sustain it. Collectors are appointed by Commissioners of Customs, so Doctor Bettesworth had better apply to them.
89-90. Richard Hewitt to Bishop Gibson, York, June 1, 1725. Gives some account of his voyage and arrival, together with --- Finney. Parish to which he is sent is a combination of two former ones.
91-92. Stephen Fouäce to John Pratt, June 21, 1725. He quotes a letter from Blair saying that the clergy are getting out of hand because of a rumour that he has no authority and asking him to persuade the bishop to hurry up his commission. Unable to wait on the bishop himself, he asks Pratt, a 'Virginia Merchant' to present the matter to the bishop.
93-94. Walter Jones to Bishop Gibson, Copley Parish, Westmorland County, July 28, 1725. He arrived with Hewitt and Finney and has been sent to this parish. Their ship was stopped by a Turkish man-of-war, but allowed to continue after showing a Mediterranean pass. Notation identifies Jones as formerly schoolmaster in Philadelphia.
95-96. Richard Hewitt to Bishop Gibson, Warwick County, July 29, 1725. --- Ogilvie, whom the bishop had refused to ordain but licensed as a schoolmaster in New York came on H.M.S. Tartar under Captain Vincent Pierce. He was beaten and abused on board and some attempted to commit sodomy on him. Captain Pierce let him come ashore when they reached Virginia, but refused to receive him back for the rest of the voyage, so that he has been left stranded. Hewitt happend to meet him, and is looking after him until he can obtain passage to New York. Hewitt praises Captain Randolph with whom he himself sailed.
97-98. John Lang to Bishop Gibson, St. Peter's, New Kent County, Feb. 7, 1725-6. He was first appointed to Lyons Creek Parish, but transferred to St. Peter's, a better parish, on its becoming vacant through the death of Henry Collins. He is well pleased with his parish, but finds that the people of the colony, though strongly favourable to the Church (except for a few Quakers), are generally ignorant of its teaching and lax in morals. He attributes this to neglect by the clergy, many of whom are drunkards, while even the sober ones are lazy. Negroes are brought to baptism and then allowed to live without regard to Christian restraints. In his own parish he has Jacob Poindexter who has been living in a 'seeming marriage' with his brother's widow for seven years and had several children by her. John Doran keeps another man's wife, sister to his own deceased wife, as a concubine. Adultery and fornication are generally regarded as venial sins.
99-100. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburg, Mar. 24,1725/6. Recommends George Thomson, deacon, chaplain to H.M.S. Tartar under Captain Pierce (cf. 95-96), who is returning for priest's orders. Reports death of Seagood, Bagg, and Forbes. Last-named is the greatest loss, as he was 'a learned and very pious man'. Hugh Jones, formerly rector of St. Stephen's, on York River, has moved to Maryland.
101-2. Vestry of Christ Church to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 12, 1726. An affectionate testimonial to Bartholomew Yates, who is obliged, for family reasons, to return to England after a ministry of twenty-five years in Virginia, twenty-three in this parish.
103-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburg, Apr. 22, 1726. Praises Yates, who is going home to arrange a better education for his children than can be found in the colonies. --- Dunbar has arrived with a letter from the bishop saying that his application for a commission is well advanced, but --- Cawthorn, who was supposed to come with Dunbar has not arrived.
105-6. Emmanuel Jones to Bishop Gibson, Petsworth, Apr. 28, 1726. Introducing and praising Yates.
107-8. Bartholomew Yates to Bishop Gibson, Bridgnorth, July 23, 1726. Unable to wait on the bishop because he could not afford the expense of lingering in London, he has been informed by Micajah Perry that the bishop would like a statement of religious conditions in Virginia. He speaks of the precariousness of ministerial tenure, tending to timidity in preaching, and the need for a more regular discipline over the clergy.
109-12. The present state of Virginia, 1726. A list of public officials and clergy by counties, preceded by a list of provincial officers.
113. Some clergy and vestrymen to Bishop Gibson, June 28, 1727. A testimonial to James M'Gill, who is seeking orders. He studied Greek and philosophy at St. Andrews.
114-15. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburg, Oct. 18, 1727. He returned from a visit to England in September, on the same ship with Governor William Gooch, whom he praises. He has held a convention of the clergy which framed addresses to the King, the bishop, and the governor. (Not in present collection.) Taylor, Becket, and Marsden have recently arrived. Marsden, who has been in most of the colonies and has testimonials from them, left England hurriedly on this occasion because of bankruptcy proceedings.
116-17. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Oct. 18, 1727. Speaks of enclosing the addresses of the clergy to King and bishop. The time is not ripe to introduce induction, but he is trying to prepare the people for it.
118-21. An act for the better support of the clergy. First year of George II (1727). Codifies earlier provisions relating to clerical salaries. Continues basic stipend of 16,000 lb. of tobacco, but provides that it be delivered in casks.
122-3. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Feb. 14, 1727/8. He will place --- Grasly, recently arrived with the bishop's recommendation, as soon as possible, though he wishes that he were more deserving. --- Smith, who arrived a while ago, is so unprepossessing that no parish will have him and is probably not strong enough to serve a country parish anyway. The governor has fixed him up with a lectureship in Williamsburgh, supported by subscription, and Blair pays him something for reading prayers. --- Robinson, son of a member of the council, educated at Oxford, has been appointed Professor of Philosophy in William and Mary and will wait on the bishop for his approval.
124-5. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 26, 1728. William Swift came from Bermuda in spite of an order from the bishop to stay until a successor was sent. The governor cannot blame him too much, because of the high prices and inadequate salaries on that island, and has sent him to St. Martin's, Hanover County. Mr. Smith is still a problem. The governor removed Bayley from his parish for drunkenness, but he was so poor that he took pity on him and let him go to another parish on promise of reform. Bearer of this letter is John Randolph, a lawyer and one of the governors of the college, who can give the bishop a confidential account of ecclesiastical affairs in the colony.
126-7. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 8, 1728. Mentions Swift and introduces Randolph, whose chief business is to carry out the 'transfer' of the college, an arrangement which will increase the powers of the governors. (Cf. xl. 120-206.)
128-9. David Mossom to Bishop Gibson, July 3, 1728. Says he only left Marblehead because he could not live at peace with New England clergy who were stirred up by Checkley (cf. iv. 142-3 and other letters). Through influence of Colonel Carter, President of the Council, he was appointed to St. Peter's, New Kent County. Praises Gooch and Blair. Letter is brought by William Nairn who is returning because he has the prospect of a good living in England.
130-1. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, July 10, 1728. Commends Nairn who is promised a parish in Wiltshire. French settlers would like a minister who can preach in French, and Society for the Propagation of the Gospel aid, as they are too poor to support a minister fully. Now that Nicholson is dead, it is hoped that the affairs of the college can be satisfactorily arranged.
132. Receipt to William Dawson by E. Randolph for £15. 8s. 11d. for passage in the Williamsburgh to Virginia, Feb. 25, 1728(9).
132a. Receipt for wines supplied to Dawson by Benjamin Allen, Feb. 26. 1728(9). Endorsed by Robert Bright.
133. Joseph Smith to Bishop Gibson, Nansemond, Mar. 10, 1729. He was rejected by the first parish to which the governor sent him on the ground that his bodily weakness made him unfit for the work involved, but he has now been elected rector of Nansemond.
134-5. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 28, 1729. As no ships have come from London for several months, they are afraid that it is war. The bishop's letter on the instruction of slaves has had a good effect. Negroes are eager to become Christians, though he expresses some doubts as to their motives. 'Little Mr. Smith' has at last obtained a parish. Baylye is returning to England as no parish in Virginia, Maryland, or Carolina will have him. There is no clergyman in North Carolina.
136-7. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 29, 1729. He recommends three candidates for orders, --- Smith, --- Gemmill, and --- Fyfe, two private tutors and a schoolmaster. Marsden was placed in a parish, but has already run £400 in debt. Governor has proclaimed a fast because of threat from the caterpillar. He sent a chaplain, unnamed, with the commission that surveyed the Virginia-North Carolina border, who baptized over 100 children along the way. The church at Williamsburgh is begging for a royal gift of an organ. Dean Berkeley stopped in Virginia and was received with all honours. Gooch thinks it would be better if some place on the continent, rather than Bermuda, were selected as the centre for his project. Baylye, who was sent home on charity, left two boys behind. One is placed with a clergyman. The elder, age nine, the governor plans to place in the college. He encloses a box of roots and barks, the discovery of a Negro, which have been found an infallible cure for venereal disease in Virginia. He has placed --- Clarke, a clergyman formerly in Virginia, who had returned to England for a time, and --- Kenner, a young man of the colony who attended the college at Glasgow, 'for cheapness', and has returned in deacon's orders.
138-9. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 5, 1729. He has at last received his commission but is appalled to find that it includes Bermuda, which lies so far away that he cannot pretend to do anything about it. Worden died in South Carolina. Baylye returns with this fleet. Marsden has fled the colony for debt. Blair is sending the bishop six Virginia hams by the ship Spotswood, James Bradley, master.
140-1. Th. Troughear to Bishop Gibson, Northwood, Sept. 3, 1729. His nephew, William Dawson, has been appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy in William and Mary, but finds that he needs the bishop's licence if he is to officiate in the colony or accept a cure to supplement his professorship. The writer praises the bishop's recent pastoral letter.
142-3. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Sept. 8, 1729. Repeats objection to inclusion of Bermuda in his commission. Suggests that Dean Berkeley be made commissary there. Chapel at college is under construction. Moses Robertson has just arrived, with the bishop's licence. Dawson, an alumnus of Queen's College, Oxford, was recommended by Archbishop Wake and ordained by the Bishop of Oxford. The college has been transferred to the President and masters.
144-5. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Oct. 8, 1729. Holbrook, missionary at Salem, New Jersey, came to Virginia, seeking a parish, saying that he could not support his family on his Society for the Propagation of the Gospel stipend. Blair and the governor persuaded him to return, pending a ruling by the bishop, but will place him in Virginia if the bishop approves. Reports from New England say that Governor Burnet has died of spotted fever.
146-7. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Oct. 9, 1729. Repeats the information about Holbrook. Having seen a query in the bishop's instructions to his commissary as to what was done to carry out instruction issued to all governors to secure legislation for the presentment of crimes and vices to the temporal courts, he says that the instruction reached him after the adjournment of the burgesses, but he will bring it up at their next session and has already mentioned it in a charge to the grand jury. If three gentlemen lately gone to England for orders return, there will not be a vacant parish and the placement of Holbrook will depend on the resignation of --- Clarke, who talks of returning to England. He will give Grasly a post as land surveyor when one becomes vacant, as that seems to be the only thing for which he is suited.
148-9. John Brunskill to Bishop Gibson, St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline County. He is still protesting against the dissolution of Willmington Parish, although he now has another.
150-1. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 13, 1730. Introducing --- Hughes, who is going to Wales to claim an inheritance, but leaves his family in Virginia and plans an early return.
152-3. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 20, 1730. General assembly has passed a law to restrain sexual licence and affirm the prohibited degrees as in English law. There have been a number of Negroes brought into the faith recently in Williamsburgh. Recommends Roderick Macculloch for orders. He came over in the same ship with Blair and Governor Gooch and has behaved well since his coming. He has made considerable progress in Latin, Greek, and divinity.
154-5. I. Marye to Bishop Gibson, July 22, 1730. Recently arrived, he has been appointed to a parish, unnamed, in which there are a number of Quakers and Anabaptists.
156-7. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 23, 1730. He will recommend Dawson to a parish as soon as one becomes vacant near the college. He has discovered a relative of the bishop's, --- Gibson, in Virginia, and will give him a post under the new tobacco law, whose passage he secured, as soon as it becomes law. The new morals law requires wardens to present moral offences and gives their presentment the force of an indictment. It prohibits marriages within the Levitical degrees and provides penalties for incest, under cover of marriage, or otherwise. Marye, a Frenchman, has been given a parish near the French town. Other arrivals are mentioned. Maculloch is given a tepid recommendation.
158-60. Charge of Governor Gooch to the grand jury in Williamsburg, Oct. 19, 1730. Printed by William Parks, Williamsburg, 1730. A general statement of their function.
161-2. Jonathan Gibson to George Gibson, Apr. 27, 1731. He has refused a post under the tobacco law, as duties and penalties are too heavy, but he hopes that a word from the bishop will prompt the governor to favour him in other ways. Refers to an uncle, Matthew Gibson. Letter is brought by (Rodham) Kenner, curate of the parish, who is returning for priest's orders.
163-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 14, 1731. Introducing Rodham Kenner, a native of Virginia. Blair has received a box of the bishop's pastoral letters which will be helpful in combating infidelity. He has been made an attorney to sell Nicholson's property in Virginia for the benefit of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, but has received an offer for only one set of lots, in Yorktown. Is surprised by charges made by --- Lowther against --- Wright concerning Wright's conduct when tutor to Lowther's son in Rotterdam. Wright has behaved well since coming to Virginia. A threatened slave insurrection has been repressed.
165-6. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 15, 1731. A testimonial to Kenner.
167-8. Williams Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary College, May 17, 1731. Though as yet no suitable parish has become vacant, the governor has shown him various favours for which he expresses gratitude. The college flourishes.
169-70. Governor Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 28, 1731. Recommends --- Fox for orders. Reviews Wright case, but leaves precise nature of charges uncertain. Wright remains, on promise to amend. Threat of slave revolt arose because of a rumour that an order had been received from the King to free baptized slaves, but that it had been suppressed. He admits bishop's charge that some masters treat their slaves no better than cattle, but thinks that most are kind. When they are, slaves are better off than labourers in England. Gooch has raised the question whether Christian slaves accused of common-law crimes should not be allowed benefit of clergy. As the general court was evenly divided, the issue has been referred to England. The law regulating tobacco has been attacked before the commissioners of customs.
171-2. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 10, 1731. Introducing John Fox, a graduate of William and Mary and master of the Indian school, who is seeking orders.
173-4. Several clergymen, wardens, and vestrymen to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 4, 1732. A testimonial to John Boyd, a candidate for orders.
175-6. Francis Peart to George Gibson, Apr. 15, 1732. He is settled in a parish (St. Stephen's, Northumberland County) largely, he thinks, due to Gibson's good offices with the bishop. He introduces John Boyd, who has been practising medicine in Virginia, but, unwilling to charge the exorbitant fees exacted by most practitioners, has decided to enter the ministry. Regrets to hear of death of Lady Cromwell. Jonathan Gibson is well, and so are 'the old gentlewoman' and her family.
177. Jonathan Gibson to (George Gibson?), Caroline County, May 4, 1732. Asks him to secure the bishop's intercession with Governor Gooch to give him the next vacancy as naval officer or clerk of the county court. Encloses letters to uncles Matthew and George.
178-9. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 27, 1732. Introducing --- Podin, a private tutor, formerly a Presbyterian, trained in philosophy and divinity at Glasgow, who is seeking orders. He is told that two others are seeking orders, Boyd and Cotton, but cannot recommend them, as they are 'both very scandalous'. Wright (cf. 163-4, 169-70) fled the colony after Blair had taxed him with rumours of 'scandalous conversations' with a gentlewoman. He went to Maryland, but Blair had forewarned Commissary Henderson, so he went on to Pennsylvania, where he was exposed by Colonel Spotswood, who happened to be there.
180. 'Philagathus' to Bishop Gibson, May 30, 1732. Praises Bartholomew Yates and pleads with the bishop to assist in the education of his sons, two of whom are now in England, one at a university.
180-1. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 17, 1732. Acknowledges a box of the bishop's pastorals. He has sold Nicholson's lots and transmitted the proceeds to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel treasurer through Alderman Perry, but has not heard of their receipt (cf. 163-4). There are three vacant parishes in the colony. Informed by Fouäce that Doctor Bray's executors plan a new edition of his work on the Sermon on the Mount, he asks permission to add a dedication to the bishop.
182-3. Extract of a letter from Adam Dickie to --- Newman, June 27, 1732. He has gone to Drysdale Parish, King and Queen County, a parish which has superior tobacco, but in which the vestry was in a continual quarrel with his predecessor. He has so far maintained amicable relations with the vestry, though he has met with some opposition from others for his systematic efforts to instruct the slaves. He presents three questions on which he would like the bishop's judgement. (1) If Christian slaves marry and are separated by their masters, should they not be allowed to remarry, being as effectively separated as by death? (2) If Christian slaves cannot be accepted as sureties and since masters are reluctant to stand surety, may not an adult make the promises for himself? (3) Should not Christian slaves be allowed to be churched and enjoy other Christian privileges?
184-5. T. Staige to Bishop Gibson, Charles Parish, York County, July 5, 1732. After three years in the parish, he begs for an appointment at home, because of his wife's health. Adds a copy of letter from Governor Gooch, Williamsburgh, July 18, 1728, recommending him to the vestry.
186. W. Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary College, Aug. 7, 1732. Since some infidels stubbornly refuse to be converted by the bishop's clear reasoning, he thinks that they should feel the displeasure of the civil magistrate.
187. William Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary College, Aug. 11, 1732. Describes opening of newly completed chapel. A house for the president is under construction. They propose to use some of the Brasserton income (cf. xi. 21) to purchase books for a library which can be conveniently housed in a room over the Indian school.
188-9. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Aug. 12, 1732. Letter to be delivered by John Randolph who has been sent home to protest against the injury done to the colony by illegal traders in tobacco who evade the duty. There was a revolt in the Northern Neck against the new tobacco act which Gooch sponsored, but it has been repressed. Gooch insists that the act saved the colony from ruin and restored the salaries of the clergy to their former worth, and that, after a year's trial, all but a few bad men like it. He accuses the London factors of double-dealing. He sent a copy of the act to them when it was first proposed and, in a letter by Micijah [sic] Perry, they expressed approval, but when it was passed, they sought to have it disallowed. He thinks that Perry is trying to have him recalled, though Perry pretends that he has prevented it.
190-1. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Aug. 14, 1732. Randolph has two commissions for the college, of which he is an alumnus, in addition to his mission for the colony. One is to secure royal action to protect the college's penny-a-pound of tobacco tax, which is being widely evaded. The other is to secure the consent of the bishop and archbishop to the use of Boyle funds for a library for the Indian school. Through the death of Colonel Robert Carter, Blair has become senior member of the council. Through a long-established tradition, based, Blair believes, on an early instruction, the senior councillor becomes president and acting governor in the governor's absence, or during a vacancy. Colonel Byrd is trying to cut Blair out of this on the ground of his cloth. Blair says that, while he personally does not want the responsibility, the rule has worked so well in the past that he thinks it should be continued.
192-3. Henry Newman to Bishop Gibson, Bartlet's Buildings, Nov. 15, 1732. Transmitting (182-3). Notes that S.P.C.K. gave Dickie a packet of books.
194-5. A list of Negroes baptized by John Garzia as rector of North-Farnham Parish, Richmond County, 1725-32. Listed under name of masters. Total number, 354.
196-7. A similar list, undated, but probably submitted at the same time as (192-3).
198. Certificate of good character by James Blair, seconded by William Gooch, for John Garzia on his removal from Virginia to North Carolina, Williamsburgh, Mar. 17, 1732/3.
199-200. Walter Jones to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 27, 1733. Recommends Richard Bowen as well qualified for orders, except that he lacks Greek. He is a native of Glamorganshire, south Wales. There are many vacant parishes in both Virginia and Maryland, Jones's parish, Copley, Westmoreland County, being on the border. He has written to clergymen in Wales, urging them to emigrate, but without success, though he says that the Virginia stipends provide a comfortable living. There has been a record mortality from pleurisy in both Virginia and Maryland this spring.
201-2. John Boyd to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 5, 1733. He has reached Virginia on his return from his ordination. He waited on Blair and says that he satisfied him as to his good character (cf. 178-9). Mr. Granville has left (North) Carolina and Boyd is preparing to move there.
203-4. Anthony Gavin to Bishop Gibson, Gibraltar, Apr. 20, 1733. (Placed here because of Gavin's later service in Virginia.) Gavin, a chaplain at Gibraltar, has been forbidden to officiate by the governor for marrying without the governor's licence. The marriage was that of Captain Hugh Plunkenet to an Irishwoman, reputed to be his mistress, but to whom he claimed to have been previously married, though they had no certificate.
205-6. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 5, 1733. Having had Boyd with him for five weeks, he is favourably impressed with his character and convinced that the unfavourable reports against him were products of malice (cf. 178-9).
207-8. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, June 20, 1734. Apologizes for not having found a post for Jonathan Gibson. Offered him the post of tobacco inspector, but he declined, though he obtained it for a friend. Only naval-officer post available would have required him to move from his plantation. He will give him a clerk's place when one is convenient to his residence.
209-10. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Aug. 11, 1734. Introducing Colonel Danbridge, a member of the council and naval lieutenant, who is going home to seek promotion. Blair has received a box of the bishop's pastorals translated into French. Reports death of Swift and Yates. Fox could have any vacant parish he wants, but prefers to remain at the college because of bashfulness. He has mislaid a letter of Mr. Powlet's who, he thinks, wanted to know if Mr. Hughes or Hewit (his uncertainty) and Dawson were alive and married. They are.
211-12. William Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary, Nov. 8, 1734. Reports death of Yates, whom he praises highly. He died July 26, 1734.
213-14. William Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary, Nov. 22, 1734. On petition from the college, the assembly has taken measures to check frauds which are depriving the college of its duties on tobacco and hides, and has granted it some other duties.
215-16. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Jan. 14, 1734(5). Grateful to the bishop for accepting his excuse for not doing something for Jonathan Gibson. Reports death of Yates, Smith ('not the little gentleman'), and Swift. DeButte has moved to Maryland, to which province Keith saw fit 'to retire with his guilt'. There are two newly erected parishes, making a total of seven vacancies. As the death of Archbishop Wake is reported imminent, Gooch hopes to hear of Gibson's promotion.
217-18. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Jan. 15, 1734/5. It takes about a year after the erection of a new parish before it is ready to receive a clergyman, as the first year's revenues are usually given to erecting a church and obtaining a glebe. Four parishes will now be ready for clergymen by the time the bishop sends them. Keith was guilty of fornication with a gentlewoman whose family thought so ill of his character that they would not let her marry him. The new revenues will not be available to the college for several months. Blair suggests that Sir R. Walpole, or his brother, 'our auditor', might be induced to release other funds during the interim.
219-20. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Mar. 24, 1734/5. The bishop has sent him two anonymous letters, one attacking the morals of the clergy, especially in regard to drink, and the other saying that a dozen clergymen could be placed in the colony. He says that excessive drinking is too prevalent among the clergy, but not to the extent represented by the letter. He endeavours to curb it, with some success, by admonition. At the time the other letter was written there were only two vacancies, except for newly erected parishes not ready to receive a minister (cf. 217-18). As these parishes are now ready and there have been several deaths and removals, the number of vacancies is now high. He adds the name of Rodham Kenner to the list of clergy recently deceased. He is enclosing a list of parishes and incumbents (221-2). He is now in his eightieth year, but still active, though he employs Dawson to read prayers when he is indisposed. Deism is not highly prevalent in Virginia. Its principal leader, Nicholas Smith, died recently. They sent a schoolmaster, --- Mead, home for ordination, but he took their money and never returned.
221-2. List of parishes and incumbents, Mar. 25, 1735. Enclosed with (219-20).
223-4. William LeNeve to Bishop Gibson, James City, July 1, 1735. Defends himself against unspecified charges in anonymous letter. William Stith, the bearer of this letter, can testify to his character.
225-6. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamburgh, July 7, 1735. Introducing Stith, master of the grammar school, who has been highly satisfactory, and promises an early return.
227-8. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, July 8, 1735. He has seen the anonymous letter (cf. 219-20) and thinks the writer was probably trying to cover his own guilt. He reviews the accusations. Dicky has an excellent reputation. The governor once rebuked him for dressing too gaily, but he said it was the only coat he had. He has recently married well. LeNeve is susceptible to drink and occasionally overcome. Becket, who lives in the Northern Neck, is a bit rough and over-inclined to drink, but a devoted pastor. Swift is dead, and was so at the time of writing. Dunbar was wild, but has reformed since his marriage, two years ago.
229-30. Patrick Henry to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 4, 1735. Thanks the bishop for recommendations to governor and commissary which obtained him a parish in Virginia. Recommends --- Pasteur, the bearer, for ordination.
231-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Sept. 18, 1735. Introduces Pasteur, a graduate of William and Mary. Gives more detail about revenue that might be made available to the college. Revenue of province is derived partly from quitrents and partly from a duty of two shillings on each hogshead of tobacco. The quitrents are controlled by the Crown. The two-shilling tax provides the normal income of the provincial government. As there is a current surplus in this, he believes that the auditor-general of the plantations, Horace Walpole, would approve if the governor and council granted relief to the college out of this surplus. Anthony Gavin has arrived after an overland journey from Maryland, where his ship landed him. Keith obtained an recommendation from Governor Gooch to the governor of Maryland, but Blair does not know how.
235-6. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 20, 1735. He will send Gavin to the parish vacated by Keith. Introduces --- Pasture, candidate for orders, a graduate of the college and former usher in the school, son of a resident of Williamsburgh who has brought up a large family respectably, though in poor circumstances.
237-8. Charles Bridges to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburg, Oct. 20, 1735. Influenced by the bishop's pastoral letter on the subject, he proposes a scheme for charity schools for Negroes modelled on the London charity schools with the beginning of which he had some connexion.
239-40. The plan proposed in (237-8).
241-2. Henry Armistead, Rector of William and Mary College, to Bishop Gibson, June 8, 1736. The bishop's seven-year term as chancellor having expired, they have elected Archbishop Wake.
243-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 18, 1736. Names six clergymen recently arrived. Pasteur died at sea on return voyage. Bartholomew Yates's son and a brother of --- Rose, both now in England, will soon seek orders and a licence for Virginia. Stith is leaving the grammar school for a parish, and --- Reed, a deacon, is going home for priest's orders. The bishop has approached Horace Walpole on behalf of the college, and it is hoped that something will come of his efforts.
245-6. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, June 25, 1736. Enclosing a letter from the governors of the college (241-2?).
247-8. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Aug. 20, 1736. Mentions death of Pasteur (cf. 243-4). Some newly erected parishes will be ready for ministers by the end of the year. Is sending the bishop a box of Barbadoes sweetmeats.
249-50. William Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary, Sept. 14, 1736. Provincial orthodoxy has been disturbed by the importation of a work called The Plain Account. He has ordered works relating to the controversy from a London bookseller, but, fearing that he will make a bad choice, he asks the bishop to advise him.
251-2. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 3, 1736/7. Introduces --- Read, who is going home for priest's orders. Governor has not yet been able to find a post that will suit Jonathan Gibson.
253-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Mar. 11, 1736/7. Read, after supplying Yates's parish, which is being reserved for Yates's son, has lately succeeded to parish vacated by death of Skaife and will return to it when priested. He is much respected, in spite of the handicap of deafness. --- Ross has changed his mind about coming to Virginia. Fox has obtained a good parish. Praises bishop's recent stand against the Quakers. Thanks him for continuing to aid the college in view of incapacity of the present chancellor, Archbishop Wake (cf. 241-2).
255-6. John Fox to Bishop Gibson, Ware Glebe, Gloucester County, Aug. 15, 1737. Says that his recently accepted parish is regarded by many as the best in the colony. Introduces William Barrett, a graduate of the college, formerly usher in the grammar school, who succeeded Fox as head of the Indian school and is going home for orders.
257-8. Joseph Blumfield to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 3, 1737. He is going to Jamaica, as the parish to which the governor sent him in Virginia will not receive him, though Barrett, who brings this letter, can testify to his good behaviour.
259-60. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 20, 1738. Introduces George Fraser, who is recommended by many in his parish who wish him to be ordained to succeed their late minister, Scott. (Joseph) Smith chose to surrender his parish rather than face a hearing in the commissary's court. He is charged with 'grievous crimes', is a sot, and is so weak in mind as well as body that he is unable to perform his pastoral duties. The vestry have reluctantly voted a sum for his support.
261-2. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Apr. 21, 1738. Introduces Fraser who, since passing his course in philosophy in Aberdeen has served three years as a tutor in Virginia. Another candidate, George Darling, will soon follow.
263-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Apr. 21, 1738. Introducing Darling, who studied philosophy and divinity in Edinburgh and has been in Virginia three years. Black and Scott have died recently. Black's parish is supplied by Arthur Emmerson, who came from Barbadoes, with testimonials from Commissary Johnson. --- Ormsby, who came from Bermuda, where he was in want of bread, has been sent to Amelia, one of the new parishes. 'Poor little crooked Mr. Joseph Smith' grew too weak to serve his parish and took to drink when his parishioners tried to oust him. They accused him of various immoralities, but he resigned before the case came to trial. Blair does not know what to do with him, as he is fit only for an infirmary, and there is none in Virginia.
265-6. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, May 13, 1738. The bishop has apparently made some objection to recommendations from Virginia, for he promises that Darling, who carries this letter, shall be the last. At the same time he hopes that other recommendations from thence will not prevail. This refers to recommendation of --- Green by Lord Fairfax, who apparently thought that he has power to collate to the parish in question (unnamed) though Gooch insists that it lies entirely within his government. Smith is dead.
267-8. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, July 13, 1738. Retracts recommendation of Darling, as one of those who supplied his testimonials claims to have discovered evidence of a long liason with a woman servant in the family with which he formerly lived.
269-70. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, July 17, 1738. Received letter by Barrett, who has become chaplain to a man-of-war. Agrees with bishop that it is better to spend Archbishop Wake's bequest on books of divinity rather than on the classics. Joseph Smith, 'the little infirm man', died after becoming largely incapacitated. He left five children, badly educated, who must be provided for by charity. The reprinting of Blair's discourses (cf. 180-1) has been tied up in legal technicalities relating to Bray's will. The account of this refers to Fouäce as 'the late'. The college authorities have asked George Fothergill of Queen's College, Oxford, to recommend an usher for the grammar school. He will receive £50 sterling besides perquisites and board at the college table. £25 pounds has been deposited with Alderman Perry to pay his passage. --- Balfour has succeeded to Smith's parish and there are no more vacancies.
271-2. James Blair to John Moncure, Williamsburgh, July 21, 1738. He will notify the bishop of Moncure's settlement in Overwharton Parish, so that he can receive the royal bounty.
273-4. Anthony Gavin to Bishop Gibson, St. James's Parish, Goochland, Aug. 5, 1738. After serving nine months in the parish to which he was sent on arrival, he learned that this frontier parish was vacant and asked to be sent there. He has three churches, twenty-three to twenty-four miles from his glebe, at which in turn he officiates every third Sunday, besides seven stations in the mountains, served by clerks. He visits twelve places twice a year, over a total distance of 400 miles. On his first trip he baptized 229 whites and 172 Negroes. The whites included 15 Quakers and 2 Anabaptists. Only 6 persons received communion when he came to the parish. Now there are 136. He meets with opposition from Quakers.
275-6. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Aug. 25, 1738. At request of --- Balfour, he tells the bishop that Balfour is settled in a parish and entitled to receive the bounty.
277-8. John Moncure to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 10, 1738. Asks the bishop to give the bearer, John Buchanan, an order for the royal bounty. The bishop had refused to pay it in advance because Moncure did not have a title.
279-80. Charles Bridges to Bishop Gibson, Hanover, Oct. 19, 1738. He cannot do much to promote his plan of charity schools for Negroes (cf. 237-40) without the bishop's support and Bridges and the commissary are both growing old. He gives a picture of them nodding with sleep as they discuss the plan.
281. Peter Wagener to Bishop Gibson, Jan. 5, 1738/9. He is minded to return to Virginia, where his son lives. As his son writes that Blair is not expected to live much longer, he asks the bishop for appointment as commissary.
282-3. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 12, 1739. Introducing --- Ford, master of the grammar school, who is returning on business relating to a fellowship that he holds in Oxford, and, being a deacon, is recommended for priest's orders. Colonists fear that threatened war with Spain will interrupt trade.
284-5. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, May 21, 1739. Introduces Ford. Informed of Wagener's application by his son, a lawyer in Virginia, he opposes it, though it is said to be supported by Gooch's friend, Colonel Bladen. Wagener is remembered in Virginia as a bad painter, rather than as a divine. He now has a living in Essex. Gooch strongly recommends Dawson as commissary. He is well liked in the colony and is married to a niece of John Randolph's.
286-7. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 29, 1740. Introducing Thomas Dawson, master of the Indian school, who is seeking orders. He was mostly educated in the college and trained in divinity by his brother William. Four vacancies have occurred recently, but are in process of being filled. George Robertson and Emmanuel Jones have died. John Becket and Robert Chaplin both resigned when under charges of fornication. Becket's parish is supplied by John Thomson, who came to Maryland but found no vacancy. --- Smith will probably be given Chaplin's. He had to resign his former parish because of lameness but can probably serve this, which is small and has only one church. Blair asks advice concerning Richard Hartwel, a deacon who seems to have left England hurriedly and has no licence.
288-9. William Dawson to Bishop Gibson, William and Mary, June 2, 1740. Introduces his brother and asks the bishop to authorize the payment of the bounty to himself, as he has never received it, though it has been paid to other clergy who came to non-parochial posts. He notes that he was educated under --- Wilkinson in Lowther, the bishop's birthplace, and at Queen's College, Oxford, which has elected him to a fellowship. If the bounty is granted, he wants it spent on a collection of religious books for the benefit of the Negroes and poor of the colony.
290. Vestry of Albermarle Parish to Bishop Gibson, June 19, 1740. Inform him that William Willie is now settled as their rector and entitled to the bounty.
291-2. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Oct. 11, 1740. The bishop's directions to the clergy arrived after a year's delay, as the boat carrying them grounded off New England. Blair recommends payment of the bounty to Willie. Death of Colonel Spottswood has caused Gooch to succeed to his military command, thus taking him from the colony. Blair thinks that he should become President in the governor's absence but, to avoid controversy, has yielded his claims pending a ruling from England.
293-4. Jonathan Gibson to Bishop Gibson, May 9, 1741. He has finally obtained a lucrative post, that of clerk to the County of Orange, but he credits it to John Carter, the Secretary, not to Governor Gooch.
295-6. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 16, 1741. Recommends --- Scott for orders. He is the son of a planter with a substantial estate in the colony. Gooch has just returned from his expedition on which he was wounded. He thinks the wound saved his life, for, if he had not been confined, he thinks that he would have died 'by sickness' as many did.
297-8. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Sept. 17, 1741. In spite of what is said above (291-2) he speaks of having served as President for ten months in the governor's absence. He recommends --- Scot for orders, though there is at present no vacancy. A large parish is about to be divided and the new parish thus formed will receive Scot. He would have waited until this happened, but he has to return at this time to claim an inheritance in Scotland.
299-300. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Oct. 5, 1741. He recommends --- Crystall for orders, though there is no vacancy. He is pretty sure that parishes will be available for both Crystall and Scot when they return. If not, some gentlemen have undertaken to provide for Crystall until he has a cure.
301-2. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, Feb. 4. 1741/2. Introduces --- Maurie, a candidate for orders. His father, a French refugee, has a large estate. There are two parishes become vacant since Scot and Crystall were recommended (295-300) and a third will probably be vacant by the time Maurie returns.
303-4. James Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, Feb. 19, 1741/2. Recommends James Maury for orders. He is 24 years old and a graduate of the college.
305-6. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, May 10, 1743. Reports death of Blair and recommends appointment of William Dawson as commissary. He has been elected president of the college. Blair's parish remains vacant. A young clergyman, unnamed, employed as curate, died of smallpox. Blair suffered for forty years from a rupture but kept it secret from all but one acquaintance. He was 88 when he died. He left £500 and his books to the college, £1,000 each to his nephew's five children, and the residue, estimated at £5,000 to his nephew.
307-8. John Blair to Bishop Gibson, Williamsburgh, May 28, 1743. Reports death of his uncle, acknowledges receipt of letter and parcel of books addressed to his uncle, and quotes him as expressing, in his last illness, the hope that William Dawson would succeed him as commissary. William Dawson assisted Blair in Bruton Parish until a few months ago when he became rector of James City. Thomas Dawson, who assisted Blair after his brother's removal, has been elected rector of Bruton.
309. Copy of Bishop Gibson's appointment of William Dawson as commissary, July 18, 1743.

VIRGINIA
1-2. William Gooch to Bishop Gibson, May 24, 1744. Introducing --- Marshall, a candidate for orders.
3-4. William Dawson to --- Vestry, College, Nov. 12, 1744. Recommending William Kay of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, as their rector. Notation: 'From the Commissary to my first parish.'
5-6. List of counties, parishes, and ministers of Virginia, Dec. 15, 1744.
7-8. Charles Rose to (William Kay), Westmorel'd Court, Mar. 29, 1748. Offering aid and sympathy in his conflict with his vestry. Notation: 'From a neighbouring clergyman when I was in distress.'
9-10. Acts of Council, Apr. 14, 1747, and Nov. 1, 1748, permitting Samuel Davies a dissenting (Presbyterian) minister who has qualified by taking the oaths and subscribing to the test, to officiate in certain meeting houses identified by naming the persons on whose lands they are erected, or to be erected.
11-12. A portion of the vestry and some members of Lunenburg Parish to the vestry of the southernmost parish in Amelia County, Dec. 26, 1748. Attesting to character of William Kay, who is removing from one parish to the other and expressing disbelief in charges of lying, swearing, drunkenness, and uncleanness that have been made against him. Notation: 'A Letter I requested at my Departure signed by five of my Vestry and Some others.'
13. William Mackay to the vestry and other inhabitants of the southernmost parish of Amelia County, Richmond County, Dec. 31, 1748. Says that Kay was well esteemed in the parish until he fell into a dispute with some of the influential members of his vestry, largely, in Mackay's judgement, through the imprudence of his wife. Notation: 'A Character from a Neighbouring Clergyman when I left my first parish.'
14-15. H. Dunbar to the gentlemen of the southernmost parish in Amelia, Jan. 14, 1748/9. Expresses confidence in Kay's character and ability and attributes row to 'a barbarous bad wife' and 'a certain Colonel who wants to subvert the Kings Supremacy'.
16. John Andrews to Bishop Sherlock, Feb. 23, 1749. Reports his arrival and settlement in Cameron Parish, Fairfax County, under the patronage of Lord Fairfax. Has presented his credentials to Commissary William Dawson.
17-18. Governor William Gooch to Bishop Sherlock, Apr. 20, 1749. Congratulates him on his translation, informs him of his election as chancellor of William and Mary, and introduces an unnamed candidate for holy orders. Alludes to the bishop's having previously declined both archbishoprics.
19-20. Latin certificate of Bishop Sherlock's election as chancellor of William and Mary, May 5, 1749.
21-22. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, May 5, 1749. Informing him of his election as chancellor.
23-24. Act which passed the House of Burgesses, Apr. 28, 1749, and the Council, May 6, 1749. Continues salaries of clergy at 16,000 lb. tobacco, with cask and allowance of 4 per cent. for shrinkage. Requires a glebe to be set up in parishes that do not yet have one. Makes the clergy responsible for repairs. (Formerly provided by the parish. Cf. xii. 41-84.) Provides that right of presentation shall remain with the vestry for twelve months after commencement of a vacancy. Does not say what will happen in event of its lapsing.
25-26. William Gooch to ---, May 10, 1749. Says that Kay is leaving his former parish for the sake of peace and for no other reason. Notation: 'From Governor Gooch to my last Parish.'
27-28. William Dawson to Vestry of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg, William and Mary College, May 10, 1749. Recommends Kay as successor to Brunskill, who has removed to Amelia. Says that he has, 'as far as appears, undeservedly incurred the Displeasure of some Gentlemen in Richmond'. Notation: 'A Letter from the Commissary to my last parish.'
29-30. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 11, 1749. Introduces Adam Menzies, a candidate for orders. Surprised that young Blacknall, who was designed for his father's parish, has misbehaved and given up all thought of the ministry. Another parish has been vacated by the death of --- Hindman and two other parishes have been divided. Is assured of the genuineness of William Douglass's title from --- Morell in Maryland. 'Northern gentlemen', having been bred Presbyterians, do not have as high a regard for the Church as they should. Oxford and Cambridge men are preferred. William and Mary has trained some clergy who are as good as any from home.
31-32. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary, Aug. 5, 1749. --- Jackson presented forged letters of orders to Dawson and disappeared when Dawson required him to leave the letters with him. Governor Gooch inserted a warning advertisement in the Virginia Gazette. Dawson recommends that persons coming from the colonies for orders be required to exhibit a valid title to the commissary before being recommended. He fears that college and Church will suffer a great loss in the departure of Governor Gooch.
33-34. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary, Oct. 16, 1749. Eleazar Robertson, ordained deacon and priest by the Bishop of Chester, came to Virginia to teach a school, but those who had contracted with him were unable to meet their commitments. He has applied for a parish and has been advised that he must have the bishop's licence.
35-36. Thomas Lee to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburg, May 11, 1750. Asks the bishop's advice concerning Samuel Davies, who, since Governor Gooch's departure, has obtained additional licences to preach from some county courts. In stressing his desire to protect the Church, Lee says that his own father was instructed in its principles by Isaac Barrow in Cambridge.
37-38. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary, July 27, 1750. Acknowledges Bishop Sherlock's acceptance of the chancellorship. Notes that Archbishop Wake left the college £50 and that Archbishop Potter presented it with the works of St. Chrysostom and Clement of Alexandria, the latter in his own edition. He relates his own experience to illustrate procedure in regard to licensing. He waited on Bishop Gibson before he sailed, but, having been recommended to his professorship by Archbishop Potter, did not think it necessary to apply for a licence. When he found that he could not officiate in Virginia without one, he obtained one through the intercession of his uncle, Doctor Troughear (cf. xii. 140-1). He recommends a similar concession to Robertson (cf. 33-34.) The licence granted to Davies by a county court has been rescinded by the general court as exceeding the authority of the county court. Dawson regrets the spread of schism in a colony heretofore distinguished for uniformity in religion. Some improper persons have been sent to the colony as clergymen by others than the bishop. One bishop actually ordained a man who was ignorant of Latin. Acknowledges continuance as commissary. The bishop's letter on the earthquake has been reprinted here.
39-40. Extract from a letter of Samuel Davies to P. Doddridge, Oct. 2, 1750. Copy attested by Doddridge. Little dissent in the colony until about six years ago when Sam Morice, by independent reading, arrived at substantially orthodox Calvinism and collected a small group around him. After being served briefly by --- Robinson, they applied to the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, which was only able to send temporary supplies until two years ago, when Davies was appointed. Since his coming, he has organized seven meetings and would have an eighth, but the licence, granted by a county court, was rescinded by the general court. He complains that, though the Presbyterians have conformed to the requirements of the Toleration Act, the authorities try, in various ways, to restrict the freedom which it grants them. He has baptized about forty Negroes.
41-42. Bishop Sherlock to Doctor Doddridge, London, May 11, 1751 (draft, initialed by bishop). He holds that the Toleration Act, being designed to ease the consciences of those who could not conform, does not justify Davies in travelling about Virginia making proselytes. He uses some general strictures of Davies on the character of the clergy and laity in Virginia to point to the need for colonial bishops, mentioning his own efforts to secure them, and the opposition that came from New England.
43-44. P. Doddridge to Bishop Sherlock, Northampton, May 14, 1751. While he cannot be sure of what special circumstances there may be in Virginia, he believes that Davies's practice conforms to that followed in England. Dissenting places of worship are licensed on the application of three or more persons, including the occupant. Ministers ordained by the presbytery are licensed on conforming to the requirements of the act. If a licensed minister officiates in a licensed meeting-place, the legal requirements are held to be met. He agrees that it is unfair to deprive the Church of England of bishops in America. He holds that the New England opposition is the result of a fear of episcopacy inherited from their persecuted ancestors. As to the taxing of members of the Church of England in New England, he is not sure how far the status of the Congregational churches there is that of a genuine establishment, as of the Church of England and the Church of Scotland, but he has always acquiesced in the propriety of requiring dissenters to pay ecclesiastical taxes in England.
45-46. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 15, 1751. He has received a letter from the bishop by Mr. Menzies, but has failed to receive some others. Douglass told him that the bishop intended to send a letter by an elderly clergyman. He assumes that this is Doctor Spencer, who has gone to Maryland and who may have suppressed the letter because Dawson refused to recommend him for orders. He has held one commissarial court, but has doubts about the procedure. Under his predecessor (Blair) complaints against the clergy were heard by the governor and council sitting as a council of state. Question, Who has the right of patronage? is still undetermined. Fees listed.
47-48. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Aug. 6, 1751. Though the Council has received a Delphic pronouncement from the Lords of Trade on the Davies case, addressed to the late president, Colonel Lee, the issue is still undecided. He quotes the act of 1642 which forbids officiating by anyone but a clergyman of the Church of England. Introduces Miles Selden, a candidate trained at the college, and renews his suggestion that candidates be required to present a valid title.
49-50. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Feb. 10, 1752. Davies has shown him extracts of letters exchanged between Dawson and the bishop which Davies received from a friend in England. The governor is resolved to do everything in his power to support the Church.
51-60. Case of William Kay, clerk, v. William Degge, George Russell, and Thomas Russell from its inception, Apr. 10, 1747, to the appeal of the defendants to the King in Council. Transcript of the record certified by Governor Robert Dinwiddie and Benjamin Waller, Secretary, May 20, 1752. Kay prosecuted the defendants for trespass in intruding upon his glebe. The jury found them guilty, reserving the point of law whether or not a minister, received by a vestry, had the right to institute such an action. This was referred to the general court (governor and council) which decided for the plaintiff. In a statement accompanying the appeal they say that their decision was based on the established custom whereby a qualified and licensed clergyman was held to become the minister of the parish when received by the vestry on recommendation of the governor, and on the provision in the act of 1749 (23-24) which made the minister responsible for delapidations. This, they hold, would be an intolerable burden unless the minister is presumed to have de facto induction.
61-62. John Camm to Bishop Sherlock, York, June 4, 1752. Defends character of Kay, whom he has known since they were both at Trinity College, Cambridge, though Kay later transferred to Emmanuel. Decision in favour of Kay is reported to have been reversed in England. If true, this may have a disastrous effect on the clergy. The power of the vestries to appoint leads to a competition for desirable vacancies which results in some unworthy practices, such as canvassing for votes and disparagement of rivals. If the vestries gain the power to turn the clergy out, the clergy will become altogether subservient.
63-64. Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, June 5, 1752. Surprised to discover, on coming into the government, that the clergy of Virginia were not inducted as in other colonies of which he has had experience. He holds that this situation, and in particular the provision of the act of 1749 (23-24) which provides a twelve-month right of presentation without specifying any qualification for the minister, violate the royal prerogative, the bishop's jurisdiction, and the governor's instructions. When Davies applied to him to license another church, the governor replied that no minister could properly care for seven churches (his present number) and that he could only be regarded as an itinerant. Davies countered by asking the governor to license --- Todd as an assistant, which he did. As Davies professed to regard himself as belonging to the Church of Scotland, Dinwiddie reminded him that that Church did not allow pluralism. A final paragraph, dated July 21, reports the sudden death of Commissary William Dawson of a violent fever and recommends the appointment of his brother Thomas.
65-66. William Robinson to William Dawson, June 11, 1750. Encloses £10 to aid Kay in pursuing his case but fears that enough cannot be raised by subscription and suggests a convention of the clergy.
67-70. William Kay to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburg, June 14, 1752. Gives an account of his case. After being received in the parish of Lunenburg, Richmond County, he was dismissed when a hostile faction, led by Colonel Landon Carter, gained control of the vestry. He was locked out of both his churches. His followers broke into one, but he officiated in the open fields by the other for two years. The glebe was granted rent free to the defendants in his suit. As the damages were only £30 an appeal to England would not normally have been allowed, but Colonel Carter secured a special order permitting it.
71-76. William Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Juné 17, 1752. Argues at length, with reference to the Davies case, that a dissenting teacher should be licensed for one church only.
77-78. John Blair to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, July 25, 1752. After reviewing, by way of introduction, his uncle's career and noting that he was his adopted son, he recommends the appointment of Thomas Dawson as commissary, to succeed his brother. It is hoped that he will also be made president of the college, but he has a strong rival in William Stith, formerly master of the grammar school. As Blair's recollections of the régimes of Nicholson and Spotswood show, it is important for the commissary to enjoy friendly relations with the governor, and he thinks that Dawson is more likely to do this than Stith. William Dawson had brought a widowed sister and her children to the colony shortly before his death.
79-80. Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburg, July 28, 1752, attached to another of Aug. 5, both urging the appointment of Dawson as commissary. The second letter notes that Stith won the election as president of the college by the casting vote of the rector. Robinson was also a candidate. Stith was supported by his former pupils in the grammar school but was accused by his opponents of being unorthodox and turbulent.
81-82. Duplicate of the first letter in (79-80) attached to a letter of July 21, announcing William Dawson's death.
83-84. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 30, 1752. Encloses some papers of his brother's relating to the Davies affair. Is aware of the application made on his behalf and will be honoured to serve as commissary if the bishop desires.
85-86. John Blair to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, Aug. 15, 1752. Opposing appointment of William Stith as commissary. Stith is charged with being anti-Trinitarian because he omits the Athanasian Creed from his services.
87. A separate copy of the second letter in (79-80).
88-89. William Stith to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Aug. 15, 1752. Announces his election as president, offers himself as commissary, and defends his Trinitarianism.
90-91. William Stith to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Sept. 1, 1752. Again recommends himself as commissary.
92-93. John Sharpe to Bishop Sherlock, Lincoln's Inn, Nov. 24, 1752. He has secured a postponement of the hearing of the appeal in the Kay case in case the bishop wants to retain him to support Kay.
94-95. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Nov. 24, 1752. The bishop has declared his intention of appointing him commissary, but desires an explanation of his declining an appointment to the council as reported in a letter from the governor to --- Le Heupe. The bishop, in common with former governor Gooch, holds that the commissary should be on the council. Dawson says he will be glad to serve on the council as commissary, but declined the previous appointment to make way for Colonel Carter Burwell whose support he was seeking in the contest for the presidency.
96-98. Bishop Sherlock to (John Sharpe), Fulham, Nov. 25, 1752. (Draft.) Thanks him for acting in the Kay case and encloses papers relating to it. Notes that the vestry is seeking to take advantage of its own negligence in not presenting Kay for induction. Thinks it hard that the appeal was allowed in the case at all. If it becomes a precedent, it will make it difficult for any but the wealthy to obtain justice in Virginia.
99-100. Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, Dec. 10, 1752. Thanks the bishop for appointing Dawson as commissary. He still thinks that the law allowing vestries the right of presentation invades the Crown's right of patronage. He proposes some changes in the procedure of qualifying ministers.
101-2. John Sharpe to Bishop Sherlock, Dec. 14, 1752. He thinks the Kay case turns on the interpretation of the act of 1727 which, though since repealed, was in force when his action was started. He thinks that they can sustain the verdict if they are permitted to present the explanation of the governor and council concerning the local usage (51-60). Unfortunately this was not made a part of the record and the defence will oppose its admission.
103-5. Bishop Sherlock to (John Sharpe), Mar. 7, 1753. (Draft.) Offers some arguments relating to the Kay case.
106-7. William Stith to Bishop Sherlock, Apr. 21, 1753. Answering some admonitions from the bishop who apparently had been informed that he was campaigning against Governor Dinwiddie for opposing his appointment as commissary, he says that his opposition to the governor antedated the late commissary's death and was occasioned solely by the governor's exacting a fee of one pistole on every patent for new land that passed the seal. Holding this to be an illegal tax, Stith spoke against it, and started a toast which became popular, 'Liberty and Property and no Pistole'. He is sending two of his printed sermons and would send his history of Virginia, but he understands that Doctor Dawson formerly sent the bishop a copy of that.
108-9. John Sharpe to Bishop Sherlock, May 10, 1753. He encloses some printed copies of the case which he, the solicitor-general (William Murray), and --- Henley have prepared in the Kay case. He is surprised, in view of the great names attached to it, to find that the opposition case contains more personal abuse than argument.
110-11. John Sharpe to Bishop Sherlock, May 16, 1753. Reports that the Lords of the Committee have decided in Kay's favour and reported to the Crown, recommending that the judgement of the Virginia General Court (51-60) be sustained. Sharpe led for Kay, on behalf of the bishop, and was supported by the solicitor-general and Henley and Paris. All served without fee. Sharpe writes in haste as he is busy preparing for the morrow when Doctor Cameron is to be brought from the Tower for arraignment.
112-13. Drafts of letters from Bishop Sherlock to Sharpe and the other counsel, May 18, 1753. Thanking them for their services.
114-15. John Sharpe to Bishop Sherlock, May 22, 1753. Acknowledging his letter of thanks.
116-17. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 23, 1753. He has not yet received the royal order to pay his stipend as commissary. He denied a letter of recommendation to --- Chisholm because of unfavourable reports respecting his character, but gave one to --- Andrew, though he thinks that the Scotch, bred Presbyterians, do not have a sufficient regard for the Church. Mentions the placement of several clergymen. The council has again refused to license an eighth church for Davies and Todd. Dawson would like to obtain a law to restrain dissent and another to regulate presentation and induction. He has hopes of getting the first, but the second will depend on pressure from home.
118-19. John Blair to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburg, Jan. 25, 1754. Asks the bishop to support the appointment of Carter Burwell to the council, succeeding John Lewis, deceased, as Burwell lost the previous appointment because of the bishop's intervention on behalf of his commissary. Stith has become chaplain of the House of Burgesses and induced them to address the King against the pistole fee (cf. 106-7). Blair defends the fee, which he considers reasonable.
120-1. Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, Jan. 29, 1753(4). Acknowledges report of outcome of Kay case and complains of Stith's opposition to the pistole fee.
122-3. Anonymous letter to Bishop Sherlock, Feb. 1, 1754. Writer, though professing to be a Churchman, commends Davies and Todd and attacks the learning and morals of the Church clergy. He names Mungo Marshal, George Purdie, Robert McLaurin, and John Andrew (a candidate) as being conspicuously ignorant. Purdie he also accuses of being immoral. Mentions settlement of dissenters from the northern colonies on the frontier and the growth of Deism.
124-7. Speech of Governor Robert Dinwiddie to the assembly, Feb. 16, 1754. Printed by William Hunter, Williamsburg, 1754. Having received reports from Major Washington that the French are fortifying the Ohio, Dinwiddie has summoned the assembly into special session to vote supplies. He has already assembled part of the militia and sent them to build a fort on the Forks of Monongahela and applied to other colonies for aid.
128-9. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Mar. 11, 1754. Thanks the bishop for his support of Kay. Kay's suit for his salary has been decided in his favour in the colonial courts. Though Dawson has the bishop's letter of appointment, he fears that he cannot exercise any jurisdiction or even convene the clergy without a formal commission. Only two or three conventions were held in Blair's time and only one, on occasion of the rebellion of 1746, under William Dawson, but writer thinks more frequent conventions would be desirable.
130-1. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 28, 1754. Introduces Reverend --- Hotchkiss, returning, for reasons of health, after two years in Virginia. Refers to defeat of English forces by French and Indians.
132-61. Proceedings of a convention of the clergy held at the College of William and Mary, Oct. 30-31, 1754. They heard a speech by Commissary Dawson and, on his recommendation, adopted addresses to the King, the bishop, and the governor, and formulated a plan for the relief of widows and orphans of clergymen. They also petitioned the governor against an order in council excluding the clergy from commissions of the peace. Records of meetings of the trustees of the relief fund extending through 1757 are appended to the journal of the convention.
162-83. Copy of (132-61) with minor variations. Carries trustee meetings only through 1755. Includes a list of all counties, parishes and clergy.
184-5. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Nov. 15, 1754. Notes meeting recorded in (132-61). Paris sent the clergy a bill for £40 for his services in the Kay case. It has been paid. The general assembly has voted the governor a supply of £20,000. Dawson applauds the bishop's recently published discourses. Bishop has refused to ordain James Garden because he had no title from the governor. Dawson assures the bishop that the governor had promised to recommend Garden to a parish, but, having agreed to leave all ecclesiastical affairs to the commissary, had not thought it necessary to write the bishop directly. --- Townshend, a clergyman, has recently arrived with a recommendation from Sir Thomas Robinson, Secretary of State, but without the bishop's licence. Placement of some other clergy noted.
186-7. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, June 10, 1755. Encloses (162-83) and recommends Joseph Davenport, a native of Virginia and graduate of the college, for orders. Notes a preference of the people for native clergy. Mentions death of --- Cole.
188. Robert Orme to Governor Dinwiddie, Fort Cumberland, July 18, 1755. (Copy.) Gives an account of Braddock's defeat, which he attributes to panic in the ranks, though the officers made heroic attempts to rally the men. Report delayed, because all the leading officers were killed or wounded. Orme proposes to withdraw to Philadelphia and winter there as soon as his wound is healed enough for him to move.
189. George Washington to Governor Dinwiddie, Fort Cumberland, July 18, 1755. (Copy.) Attributes the defeat to cowardly behaviour of the British regulars. 'Our poor Virginians behaved like Men and died like Soldiers.' He estimates that two-thirds of the 300 dead and 300 wounded were hit by balls from their own forces. He himself was unwounded, though he had four bullets through his coat and two horses shot from under him.
190-1. Governor Dinwiddie to (Colonel Dunbar), Williamsburg, July 26, 1760. (Copy.) Urges him, as commander of the remaining forces, to attempt to retrieve the defeat. Promises to raise some additional militia, and thinks that the northern campaigns of Gen. Shirley and Colonel Johnson will weaken the French on the Ohio.
192-3. Governor Dinwiddie to Gen. Shirley, Williamsburg, July 27, 1753. (Copy.) Urges the proposal of (190-1) for a new advance. If Shirley does not approve of this, the governor hopes that he will at least order Colonel Dunbar to remain to defend the Virginia frontier.
194-5. Thomas Dunbar to Governor Dinwiddie, Fort Cumberland, Aug. 1, 1755. (Copy.) He held a council of war with the surviving officers on the governor's proposal (190-1), and it was held to be impracticable. He is retiring on Philadelphia, leaving the Virginia and Maryland militia to hold Fort Cumberland. He will leave one of the independent companies at Winchester to await the governor's orders.
196-7. Governor Robert Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburg, Aug. 11, 1755. His dispute with the burgesses (over the pistole fee? Cf. 106-7) has been settled by the King, and all is harmony internally, but they have met with a serious defeat from the French and their Indian allies. Introduces James Marye, a candidate for orders. He fears that the law concerning presentation could only be repealed by a royal mandate.
198-201. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Aug. 13, 1755. He has received a letter from the bishop by the hand of --- Davis, who arrived after a protracted voyage. It spoke of the bishop's ill health and contained instructions concerning the recommendation of candidates for orders. Introduces James Marye, Junior, a graduate of the college and former tutor in the family of Colonel Byrd, who has a title as curate to his father. Davenport was recommended just before the bishop's instructions were received. Dawson has received the order for his salary. He praises Dinwiddie's action in the crisis but criticizes Colonel Dunbar for going into winter quarters in summer and leaving the frontier unguarded. The New Lights seemed to be declining, but have revived since Davies's return.
202-9. Some of the clergy of Virginia to Bishop Sherlock, Nov. 29, 1755. Complain of an act recently passed permitting the payment of tobacco debts in currency at a rate below its current market value, which has the effect of reducing their salaries. Occasioned by a poor tobacco crop as the result of a drouth the bill is also defended by those who believe that indigo is about to become a profitable crop, partly replacing tobacco.
210-11. Copies of the former act regulating clerical salaries and of the new law.
212-19. Another protest against the same law signed by a number of other clergymen, Feb. 26, 1756.
220-1. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, Feb. 25, 1756. He has been elected president of the college on the death of Stith. He opposed the new law in council and the governor was reluctant to sign it, but was told that his rejection of it would inflame the whole colony against the clergy and him. The bill really aids the rich more than the poor. The poor usually pay their dues early, in tobacco of their own raising, but the rich wait until the last minute and then purchase inferior tobacco to make their payments. The currency equivalent is higher than the clergy formally received, but Dawson thinks it a dangerous precedent to break in on the existing establishment. Many of the clergy wanted him to call a convention but, as a lover of peace, he prefers this private communication.
222-3. Action of governor and council at meetings held Apr. 21, May 19, and May 20, 1757. Hearing complaints of the vestry of Hamilton Parish, Prince William County, against their rector, John Brunskill, for drunkenness, swearing, 'immoral practices', and neglect of duty, and finding him guilty, they held that the governor's 81st instruction gave him power to remove an unworthy clergyman.
224-5. Duplicate of (222-3).
226. Governor Dinwiddie to the vestry of Hamilton Parish, Williamsburg, May 20, 1757. Orders them no longer to receive Brunskill as their minister.
227. Minute of a meeting of the visitors and governors of the College of William and Mary, May 20, 1757. They vote to discharge Thomas Robinson from his post as master of the grammar school, on the ground of physical incapacity, and to petition the bishop to recommend a successor.
228-35. Thomas Robinson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, June 30, 1757. Protests at his dismissal. His alleged incapacity was a temporary illness from which he had recovered at the time of the meeting. He believes that their professed objection to having a clergyman as master arises from a belief that a layman would be more completely under their domination as having less resource in the event of dismissal. He says that the dispute really started in a controversy over the disciplining of an usher with important family connections. Four professors, William Preston, Richard Graham, John Camm, and Emmanuel Jones, sign a statement saying that they believe Robinson's statement to be correct.
236-7. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 9, 1757. The proceeding against Brunskill (222-6) was instituted after Dawson had informed the governor that, lacking a commission, he could not exercise any jurisdiction. The clergy were alarmed by this establishment of a lay authority over them, though there were precedents in Blair's time, and wanted Dawson to call a convention, which he would have done but for the threat of war, the fear of controversy, the heat of the season, and doubt of his authority. A commission from the bishop would end the difficulty.
238-9. Thomas Dawson to Bishop Sherlock, William and Mary College, July 9, 1757. Since he wrote (236-7) he has been sent a copy of a notice in Brunskill's handwriting several copies of which he has posted, citing canon 122 and declaring his belief that the governor's order was a forgery. The governor and Dawson think that he must have been put up to the action by others as he himself is almost constantly drunk. The vestry of St. Andrew's, Brunswick, have made complaints against their minister, George Purdie.
240-1. Governor Dinwiddie to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, Sept. 12, 1757. He recounts the proceedings against Brunskill and justifies them in the absence of a commission to the commissary. He accuses Robinson (cf. 228-35) and the professor of philosophy, unnamed, who has resigned, of drunkenness and irregularity. They married and kept their families at the college, contrary to the rules. When this was stopped, they moved into the town and spent more time at home than at the college. Some of the clergy held an unofficial convention, but only nine attended, including the college professors. These have become hostile to Dawson. They refused to supply his pulpit when he was sick and have ceased from attending church in Williamsburg. Many people, in disgust with conditions in the college, are sending their sons to Philadelphia.
242-3. Minutes of meetings of Visitors and Governors of the College of William and Mary, Nov. 1, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, and Dec. 14, 1757. They dismissed the three remaining professors, Camm, Graham, and Jones, for refusing to explain why they had discharged James Hubbard, an usher in the grammar school. Their refusal was based on the contention that the direction of the grammar school rested solely with the president and masters of the college.
244-5. A list of all counties, parishes, and present ministers of Virginia, Jan. 4, 1758.
246-7. Address of the clergy of Virginia to the King, signed by John Camm as agent for the convention. Undated, but enclosed with (248-9). Protest against a law lately passed permitting the payment of their salaries in currency.
248-9. John Pownall, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to Bishop Sherlock, Whitehall, May 24, 1759. Transmitting (246-7) and a copy of the law in question to him for comment.
250-1. Bishop Sherlock to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, Fulham, June 14, 1759. He holds that the act, by curtailing the operation of an act approved by the King, without formally repealing it, is treasonable. Virginia, until recently distinguished for loyalty to Church and Crown, has become increasingly refractory in recent years. He traces the beginning to an act which is evidently (23-24) but which he speaks of as being passed in 1748.
252-7. Copy of (250-1) in a larger hand.
258-63. Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to the King, Whitehall, July 4, 1759. They recommend the disallowance of the act. They refer to the earlier act (23-24) as passed in 1749. --- Paris represented Camm, as agent for the clergy, and --- Abercrombie appeared as agent for the colony in their hearings.
264-5. Copy of (258-63) in smaller hand.
266-71. Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to the King, July 31, 1759. Since submitting (258-63) they have received a petition from the merchants of London trading with Virginia, a copy of which is attached, complaining of the same act as violating contracts on which payment in tobacco had been specified.
272-3. Record of the meeting of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, Council Chamber, Whitehall, Aug. 3, 1759. Recommend the disallowance of the act of 1758 and three earlier acts designed to secure the same object--the substitution of currency for tobacco in payments.
274-5. Court at Kensington, Aug. 10, 1759. The foregoing acts are disallowed.
276-7. Additional instruction to Francis Fauquier, Governor of Virginia, given at Court at Kensington, Sept. 21, 1759. He is instructed, under pain of royal displeasure and recall from his government, to observe strictly previous instructions not to approve any act in force for less than two years, or any act repealing a former law, unless it contains a suspensory clause witholding its operation until the royal pleasure is known.
278-9. Petition of the clergy, signed by John Camm as agent, to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, Aug. 3, 1760. They request that the disallowance of the foregoing acts (272-3) be made retroactive to the date of their passage. Otherwise the assembly can achieve its objective by the passage of laws of temporary operation.
280-1. Duplicate of (278-9).
282-3. Duplicate of (278-9).
284-7. Proceedings of Visitors and Governors of William and Mary College at meetings Mar. 31, 1760, Apr. 25, 26, and 30, May 2, and Aug. 14, 1760. Signed by Francis Fauquier, rector. --- Rowe, professor of philosophy, on confession of drunkenness and swearing, was admonished but retained on promise of reform. When he subsequently led the students in a riot with the apprentices, and presented a pistol to John Campbell and Peyton Randolph, magistrates seeking to maintain the peace, he was dismissed.
288-93. William Robinson to Bishop Sherlock, York River, Nov. 20, 1760. Camm was grossly insulted by the governor when he returned with the disallowance and the additional instruction (274-7). Robinson encloses some pamphlets attacking the clergy and the council and endeavours to answer some of their arguments.

VIRGINIA
1-2. Governor Francis Fauquier to Bishop Sherlock, Williamsburgh, July 29, 1761. Complains of the appointment of William Robinson as commissary, succeeding Thomas Dawson. Robinson's great offence is that he is a friend of Camm's (cf. xiii. 288-93).
3-4. John Camm to (Bishop Egerton?), Williamsburg, Oct. 23, 1761. Having learned of Bishop Sherlock's death, and anticipating that Governor Fauquier will try to have someone else appointed commissary, Camm urges his correspondent to use his influence to have Robinson retained.
5-6. William Robinson to --- ('My Lord'), King and Queen County, Nov. 3, 1761. Having just learned of Bishop Sherlock's death, he seeks the influence of this correspondent with the new bishop of London on his behalf. Says Fauquier requested the rector at Williamsburg to omit the Athanasian Creed.
7-8. John Camm to Bishop Egerton of Bangor, Hampton, Jan. 1, 1762. Refers to a previous letter, probably (3-4). Death of Philip Grymes has created a vacancy in the council which Camm thinks should go to Robinson as commissary.
9-10. William Robinson to Bishop Hayter, King and Queen County, Jan. 18, 1762. Asks to be continued as commissary. Says he was born in Virginia and educated at Oriel College, Oxford, where he spent seven years. He has an estate of £300 a year besides his parish, Stratton Major, of which he has been rector eighteen years.
11-12. William Robinson to Bishop Osbaldeston, King and Queen County, June 8, 1762. Says he was appointed commissary by Bishop Sherlock, Apr. 18, 1761, and by Bishop Hayter, Nov. 28, 1761. As instructed, he submitted an account of the state of the Church in Sept. 1761 (probably 281-98). Introduces Devereux Jarratt, a candidate for orders.
13-24. William Robinson to Bishop Osbaldeston, undated, but notation says 'rec'd in Jan'ry 1763'. Reviews his and Camm's dispute with Governor Fauquier following the disallowance of the currency act (cf. xiii. 246-77). Camm and White have both sued to recover what they claim was underpayment under the act. The governor and most of the colonial leaders hold that the act was in force until disallowed. Jury in court of first instance has decided against White. His case and Camm's will probably have to be carried to the Privy Council. Discipline at the college is poor because the visitors have restricted the authority of the faculty.
25-26. Francis Fauquier to Bishop Osbaldeston, Williamsburgh, Feb. 20, 1764. Describes the placement of several clergymen recently arrived. Says his dispute with Robinson is subsiding, but still speaks bitterly.
27-40. William Robinson to Bishop Terrick, York River, Aug. 17, 1764. He will continue to act as commissary until the bishop's wishes are known. He has refused to co-sign testimonials with the governor, as Dawson did, because he fears it would prevent his exerting independent judgement. He requires candidates to produce testimonials from a parish where they have been resident three years. Principal aim of the letter is to ask the bishop's support for Camm's appeal. White lost his right to appeal through the failure of his lawyer to make the right exceptions. Warrington, who sued first, got some damages. Murray got a court to rule that the act was no law, but a jury only awarded him a penny damages. This was the result of pleading of a young lawyer who later admitted that he was bidding for popularity. He told the jury that the use of the clergy consisted solely in promoting civil obedience, that they should be punished for opposing a law passed by the governor and assembly, and that the King in disallowing said law had forfeited his claim to the allegiance of Virginians. None of the juries in these cases was composed of the best people and that in the Murray case had been deliberately packed with New Lights.
41-42. J. Williams Giberne to Bishop Terrick, Lunenburgh Parish, Richmond County, Aug. 31, 1764. Seeks appointment as commissary. He came to the colony on the invitation of Governor Fauquier and has the recommendation of the Earl of Dartmouth. He reports that vestries are careless in giving testimonials and will give false titles, requiring the candidate to sign a bond not actually to claim the title. As a result unworthy persons, notably Scots who come to the colony as indentured schoolmasters, get into the ministry. These have caused some disgust with the clergy among the people, but worthy clergymen, like Giberne, get along very nicely.
43-46. Certificate of the election of Bishop Terrick as Chancellor of William and Mary, Nov. 21, 1764. Signed by James Horrocks, President, and Richard Graham, Emmanuel Jones, and John Camm, masters.
47-48. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, Nov. 22, 1764. Accompanying (43-46). Asks bishop to recommend a grammar-school master, the post formerly held by Horrocks.
49-50. Governor Francis Fauquier to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, Nov. 24, 1764. Congratulates him on his translation. Refers to previous acquaintance and speaks of Mrs. Fauquier as an old friend of Mrs. Terrick. He supports Giberne's statement (41-42) that many of those who apply for orders are Scots who come as private tutors and apply for ordination after three or four years' residence. Parishes afford a 'comfortable tho by no means an affluent Subsistance'. There are now twelve vacancies.
51-72. William Robinson to Bishop Terrick, King and Queen County, Aug. 12, 1765. Thanks him for promising to attend hearing of Camm's appeal and reviews the whole controversy from 1753. Identifies the lawyer in the Murray case as (Patrick) Henry (cf. 27-40). He has since been elected to the House of Burgesses where he made a number of inflammatory speeches, on occasion of the Stamp Act. In one of these he compared George III to Tarquin, Caesar, and Charles I and expressed a wish to see a Cromwell arise. He proposed a resolution, which was rejected, that anyone who should write or speak in favour of the Stamp Act should be deemed an enemy of the colony. Though some of his resolutions were rejected, he succeeded in stirring up the assembly sufficiently so that the governor had to dissolve it. Thomas Dawson, in his closing years, was accused of habitual drunkenness and admitted it before the visitors of the college. The governor urged in his extenuation that he was depressed as a result of the disputes with which he was surrounded. Horrocks obtained the presidency over his seniors, Graham and Camm, by swearing to obey a statute (probably 98-90) allowing the visitors to dismiss the masters at will. This was passed after Graham and Camm had secured an order from the Privy Council overruling their previous dismissal. The masters were seeking legal opinion concerning its validity (cf. xiii. 242-3).
73-74. Francis Fauquier to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, Sept. 9, 1765. Introduces --- McCrae, a candidate for orders. Is still awaiting arrival of --- Quincy, to whom he will assign a parish, and --- Hautry, recommended by the bishop as master of the grammar school.
75-76. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, Sept. 17, 1765. Hawtry has arrived and been introduced to the leading citizens.
77-78. Edward Hawtry to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, Oct. 2, 1765. The grammar school has sixty-four pupils and there are two ushers under the master (Hawtry). He gets £100 plus board and lodging.
79-80. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, Oct. 3, 1765. In answer to a query of the bishop's he says that he does not know of any gifts to the library by previous chancellors (cf. xiii. 37-38). Offers himself as commissary.
81-82. Francis Fauquier to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, Nov. 6, 1765. (Townsend) Dade, who has just been ordained by the bishop, presented the governor with a testimonial from Colonel Washington, but none from the clergy. As he said that, though a native of Virginia, he had resided in Maryland and was known to the clergy there, Fauquier advised him to obtain a recommendation from the governor of Maryland. Fauquier complains of Robinson's refusal to sign joint testimonials (cf. 27-40).
83-84. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburg, Dec. 27, 1765. There are two vacancies in the college: Moral Philosophy, lately held by --- Small, and Humanity, which Hawtry resigned on being offered a better preferment in England. A statute of the college (probably 89-90) recently sent to the bishop is being revised (cf. 91-92).
85-86. Bishop Terrick to James Horrocks, Jan. 7, 1766 (rough copy). He objects to claim of visitors to have power to alter statutes and dismiss professors at will, and has doubts about a planned revision of the charter. If it is undertaken, every step should be carefully considered.
87-88. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, Feb. 10. 1766. He thinks that a revision of the charter may be necessary to clear up ambiguities concerning the authority of the visitors
89-90. A Statute for the better Government of the College. Undated, but inserted here for comparison with revised statute. Declaring that aims of the college will be frustrated without due subordination of president and masters to the visitors, statute provides that matters usually directed by the faculty shall be taken under the control of the visitors and that masters may be dismissed at will by a majority of the visitors. President and masters required to take an oath to uphold the statutes. Parochial employment forbidden.
91-92. Revised statute, adopted May 1, 1766. Ordinary discipline of the college is restored to the faculty, but subject to direction by visitors. There is no specific reference to the power of dismissal. Oath to uphold the statutes and prohibition of parochial work continued. Copy signed by Matthew Davenport, Clerk of visitors.
93-94. Duplicate of (91-92).
95-102. William Robinson to Bishop Terrick, King and Queen County, June 6, 1766. Thanks the bishop for obtaining payment of arrears of his stipend as commissary. Having been warned that the clergy may lose the appeal of their suits for arrears (cf. 13-24 and 51-72) he repeats the arguments for holding the disallowance retroactively effective under pretext of quoting what the clergy are saying. Says he is reconciled to the governor, but is still critical of him. He says that Giberne (cf. 41-42) is the son of a milliner in the city of Westminster, not bred to the cloth, but employed for a time as clerk in some office on Tower-hill. He was brought over by the governor and has endeavoured to persuade the clergy to accept the currency act. He has changed parishes several times. He resigned from the relief fund (cf. xiii. 132-61) because of disagreement with its policies. He is too fond of cards and gaming. Camm was summoned before the visitors and asked if he would observe the statute against holding a parish (89-90). He insisted that the question was a charge and was at length allowed to read a long defence which was an attack on the statute. The meeting adjourned without dismissing him. Before the next meeting, some of the visitors who had opposed him asked him to teach their sons who were not making satisfactory progress under Horrocks. At the next meeting the statute was revised (91-92). The prohibition of parochial employment, though retained, was held not to be retroactive and Camm retains his parish. The governor attempted to revive the old statute, but a letter from the bishop prevented it. Richard Graham is returning to England where he is fellow of Queen's College, Oxford. Robinson joined with the governor in recommending Lee Massey and Benjamin Sebastian, through Massey has no Greek.
103-4. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, Sept. 20, 1766. First part of letter missing. Dated in Notation. Indicates continuing tension between faculty and visitors. Faculty have embarked upon some project to improve their status which may cause loss of revenue to the college and, if it fails, will probably end in their dismissal.
105-6. Governor Francis Fauquier to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, Jan. 14, 1767. --- Lyth, who recently came to the colony, after being ordained by the bishop, is suspected of being insane. In any case, he returned to England after preaching once in the parish to which the governor sent him. --- Lloyd has been unable to get accepted by any parish. Other assignments are mentioned.
107-8. William Agar to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, Jan. 26, 1767. He has accepted a parish near enough to enable him to continue his duties at the college. He asks the bishop to recommend his appointment as professor of mathematics.
109-10. Francis Fauquier to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburgh, April 27, 1767. The parish of Albermarle has brought charges against --- Ramsey before the general court, which is preparing to try the case. Lloyd has gone to North Carolina. Doctor Haliburton has just arrived.
111-12. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, June 4, 1767. Reports the arrival of Doctor Haliburton, recommended by the bishop to a professorship in the college.
113-14. Minutes of meetings of the visitors of William and Mary, June 11 and June 12. They refused to accept William Halliburton as professor of moral philosophy, the post to which he has been recommended by Bishop Terrick, chiefly because he had delayed too long in New York on his way to Virginia. The bishop's letter, dated June 4, 1766, contained some strictures on the precariousness of tenure in the college. Transcript attested by John Blair, bursar.
115-18. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, June 22, 1767. Refers to (111-12). There are now two vacancies. The visitors have applied to Doctor Porteus to recommend candidates to Bishop Terrick, though some were in favour of applying to the London merchants with whom they correspond. The college is in a bad state. As Camm is not pressing the business he is supposed to be doing for the college (probably the revision of the charter, but the wording is vague), Horrocks may come to England himself.
119-26. Dudley Digges to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, July 15, 1767. Digges, rector of the college, writes on behalf of the visitors. After explaining their rejection of Haliburton, he reviews the whole conflict with the faculty, which he traces to the contest between William Stith and Thomas Dawson for the presidency following the death of William Dawson, under whom all was harmony, in 1752 (cf. xiii. 79-80). In addition to reviewing some controversies covered in other letters, he goes into detail concerning the case of William Small, who came in 1758 as professor of mathematics. He went to England on leave of absence and did not return, being now established as a physician in Birmingham, but he has written letters critical of the visitors.
127-34. William Robinson to Bishop Terrick, King and Queen County, Oct. 16, 1767. Camm's appeal has been rejected, through the influence of Lord N---, on the ground that it was improperly presented, though Camm was represented by Paris, considered the lawyer most experienced in colonial cases. As the case was not decided on its merits, they are planning to press Warrington's case, which is still pending, though (27-40) seemed to imply that it was decided. --- Montague, the colonial agent, claims much credit for defeating the appeal. Robert Carter Nicholas, a wealthy planter, is spoken of as one of the leading opponents of the claims of the clergy.
135-6. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, Jan. 11, 1768. He again (cf. 79-80) applies for post as commissary now made vacant by Robinson's death.
137-40. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, Mar. 29, 1768. The faculty are preparing a detailed statement of their case, and Horrocks expects to go to England to present it to the bishop early in the fall. He says that the visitors are ignorant and intemperate. As proof of the latter charge he says that they find it necessary to hold their meetings before dinner. They are also fickle, as shown by the fact that they have forgotten their own resolution to apply to Doctor Proteus and applied to the bishop to fill their vacancies. Horrocks did not know of Agar's application for the professorship of mathematics, but does not oppose it (cf. 107-8). Governor Fauquier has died.
141-2. Jonathan Watson to Bishop Terrick, Williamsburg, May 16, 1768. A recent arrival in Virginia, where he plans to settle, he recommends Thomas Baker for orders. Formerly an usher to Mr. Wade at Boxford, Baker has served Watson as tutor and land surveyor, but lacks Latin and Greek. Pending appointment of a colonial bishop, which he urges, Watson suggests that each new English bishop be required to make one tour of the colonies. Granville and Lord Bute are being much abused in the colony. Watson has been told by the innkeeper next door that all the faculty of the College of New Jersey are Presbyterians and that students are fined for attending Church of England services.
143-6. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, June 27, 1768. Acknowledges appointment as commissary. He suggests an instruction that candidates should be examined by the commissary before presenting their credentials to the governor. He thinks he should be a member of the council, as was every commissary except Robinson. Charges against several clergy are pending before it and it claims ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Visitors, on receiving a letter from the bishop, have invited the faculty to present their grievances.
147-52. James M. Fontaine to Bishop Terrick, July 1, 1768. Writing for the visitors, as rector, he says, that since receiving the bishop's letter, they have conceded some points to the faculty, though he lists a number which they refused to grant. He earnestly disavows an inference the bishop drew that their former letter (119-26) was critical of him.
153-6. Statement of the faculty referred to in (147-52) with minutes of meetings of the visitors, Apr. 28-July 1, 1768, certified by Emmanuel Jones as clerk, July 22, 1768. The faculty, James Horrocks, John Camm, Emmanuel Jones, and Josiah Johnson, object to a claim of the visitors that the power of the faculty is delegated, holding that it rests on the charter. They acknowledge the power of the visitors to make statutes, but deny their right to interfere in the administration of the college otherwise. They claim the right to award scholarships, and to decide for themselves what preferment they should accept outside. The minutes do not indicate the action of the visitors on many of these points, but in (147-52) it is said that they conceded the granting of scholarships, except where other procedure was specified, but denied the right to accept outside preferment without their permission.
157-60. President and masters of William and Mary to Bishop Terrick, July 22, 1768. Enclose (153-6) and defend the claims made in their memorial.
161-92. John Camm to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, Sept. 8, 1768. He has been told by William Nelson that the bishop decided not to appoint him commissary because of a report that he had refused, when requested, to visit Governor Fauquier in his last illness to be reconciled. His answer is that he never received any such message, and that he had been forbidden to enter the governor's house. He reviews the whole history of his disputes with the governor and the college visitors.
193-4. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, Nov. 1, 1768. Reports the arrival of a new governor. Horrocks's appointment as commissary has led to a certain coolness between him and Camm.
195-6. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, Jan. 12, 1769. He is still seeking a post on the council, but the governor, Lord Botecourt, will not commit himself until there is a vacancy and then his instructions require him to send home the names of three men. The plan of seeking a revised charter for the college has been given up as inexpedient in the present atmosphere of political agitation.
197-8. W. Dunlap to Bishop Terrick, Stratton Major Parsonage, June 2, 1769. He has been elected rector of this parish, succeeding Robinson. He tries to be forgiving to Doctor (William) Smith for seeking to discredit him to the bishop (cf. viii. 31-33).
199-202. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, July 6, 1769. At a convention of the clergy which Horrocks called to welcome Lord Botecourt as governor, Camm proposed petitioning for mandamus to bring Warrington's case before the Privy Council, it having been held by the colonial courts to be decided by the rejection of Camm's appeal. A committee was appointed, including Camm, Warrington, and Horrocks, to consider the matter. Horrocks took the view that the appeal would almost certainly be lost and that it was inadvisable to make it in the present agitated state of public affairs. The committee decided to petition the governor to permit an appeal. As Horrocks refused to present the petition it was entrusted to --- Hamilton, the governor's chaplain, a member of the committee. Subsequent meetings were held in a tavern within the jail, where one of the members was held for debt. As Horrocks considered this an unsuitable place, he does not know what happened, but he understands that no appeal has been sent. A postscript, July 7, says that Camm refuses to let him see the minutes of the meetings he missed without the consent of the whole committee.
203-4. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary College, Dec. 15, 1769. A vacancy having occurred on the council, Governor Botecourt has included Horrocks's name among the three recommended. The bishop has approved Horrocks's views concerning the Warrington appeal. Reference is made to some unspecified difficulties relating to the ordination of Baker (cf. 141-2). Politics are quiet at present. The assembly now sitting seems friendly to the governor.
205-6. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, May 1, 1770. Instructed by the visitors to thank the bishop for recommending --- Henly and --- Gwatkin to professorships in the college, to which they have been elected.
207-8. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, William and Mary, May 15, 1770. He has been appointed to the council. --- Lunan, who, the bishop said, was coming, has not arrived, but as several parishes have been divided, there will be no difficulty in placing him when he does.
209-10. James Horrocks to 'The Reverend, The Committee, etc.', William and Mary, Feb. 12, 1771. Acknowledges the receipt of pamphlets and letters relating to an unspecified project which he will present to a convention of the clergy which he proposes to call in connexion with a meeting of the relief society. From references in (213-14) it would appear that this was addressed to the committee of a convention in New York concerned with seeking a colonial episcopate.
211-12. Extracts from letters of President Nelson (of the Virginia council) to Lord Hillsborough, Nov. 15, 1770, and Apr. 17, 1771. As there is at present no means in Virginia for the removal of unworthy clergymen, as required in the instructions to the governor, he proposes the issuance of a royal commission to the Bishop of London similar to that held by Bishop Gibson.
213-14. James Horrocks to Bishop Terrick, Oct. 8, 1771. Though the place of writing is not given, Horrocks is evidently in England, for he speaks of making arrangements to wait on Lord Hillsborough and of receiving papers from Virginia, which he is forwarding to the bishop. He refers to the application for bishops as having been unsuccessful and expresses surprise that many of the clergy opposed it. Some of the objectors asserted that it was an effort to rob the Bishop of London of his jurisdiction. Camm answered this charge effectively.
215-16. Charles Woodmason to Bishop Terrick, Wells, Sept. 16, 1776. Because of ill health, he resigned his frontier cure in South Carolina to accept rectorship of Bromfield Parish, Culpeper County, Virginia, but waited so long for a successor in South Carolina that he lost the appointment. He tried unsuccessfully to obtain other parishes in Virginia and Maryland, was attacked by the dissenters for writing in support of episcopacy, and finally driven out for opposing revolutionary measures.
217. Extract, apparently in the hand of Governor Nicholson, from a letter from James Blayor (Blair), Jan. 21, ---. Says that work on the college has virtually stopped for lack of funds and that Sir Edmund Andros's gift of bricks has not been forthcoming (cf. xi. 54-79).
218-23. Extracts from various ecclesiastical laws of Virginia. Mostly undated, though one is said to have been passed in 1696 and they probably represent the situation as it was around 1700. They provide for the building of churches, appointment of ministers (by presentation and induction), require parishes lacking ministers to appoint lay readers, require the use of the Book of Common Prayer and Church Catechism, require ministers to preach weekly, command a proper observance of Sunday, require January 30 to be kept as a fast, direct churchwardens to present misdemeanors, prohibit the private burial of servants, require wardens to keep the church building in repair and provide ornaments, require the minister to keep a register, forbid clandestine marriages, and provide for collection and payment of salaries of 16,000 lb. tobacco to the ministers.
224-5. An abstract of the Design and Institution of the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Summarizes the principal provisions of the charter. Undated and incomplete.
226-7. Undated instructions from Governor Nicholson to Robert Hicks and John Evans, the agents appointed to treat with the Indians to persuade them to send youths to the college to be instructed under the Boyle legacy.
228-39. A proposition for Supplying the Country of Virginia with a Sufficient number of much better Clergymen than have usually come into it: and for the right Settling and good Government of them. Anonymous and undated. Proposes combining of small parishes, collection of ministerial salary and its application to religious or charitable uses during vacancies, collation to lapsed benefices, substitution of 40 lb. of tobacco per poll for the fixed 16,000 lb. salary, better regulation of glebes, establishing of parochial libraries out of money paid for ministerial salary during vacancies, quarterly and annual meetings of the clergy (chiefly for literary exercise), the examination of newly arrived clergy by the commissary, and penalties for misconduct or neglect of duty. Added at the end (238-9) is a proposal to encourage the instruction of slaves by exempting those regularly instructed in the catechism from levies until they are 18, but imposing such levies from the age of 14 on those who are uninstructed. A note in the margin says, 'This Proposition was approved', but does not say by whom.
240-5. A copy of (229-39) without the final proposal.
246-9. Bill for allowing his Majesty's Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England, the Exercise of their Religion. Undated. Contains provisions for licensing dissenting meetings similar to those of the English Toleration Act.
250-1. Undated extract from instructions to governors, requiring them to secure liberty of conscience to all subjects.
252-3. An account of the Counties, Parishes, and Ministers of Virginia. Undated, but names belong to first quarter of the eighteenth century.
254-7. Memorial of the Virginia Indian Company to Governor Spotswood. Undated. This company, formed by Spotswood and granted a monopoly of the Indian trade by the assembly, is threatened by a petition for the repeal of the act in their favour. In their defence, they give an account of their origin and early operation. They assert that due to interference by the traders and authorities of South Carolina, and the war of the Tuscaroras with the inhabitants of North Carolina, the Indian trade of Virginia was practically non-existent when they were organized.
258-63. Copy of (254-7) in a different hand.
264-5. Address of the clergy of Virginia to Bishop Gibson. Undated, but presumably presented in 1727 or 1728. Ask him to present their address to George II congratulating him on his accession. As this is their first meeting since Bishop Gibson came to the see, they take the occasion to congratulate him on his translation.
266-7. Petition of Bishop Gibson to the King. To remedy the insecurity of clerical tenure in Virginia, he asks that governors be instructed to collate to lapsed benefices. Because of the necessary delays in obtaining clergymen in the colony, he would extend to eighteen months the six months normally allowed in England before the right of presentation lapses.
268. Address of the clergy of Virginia to Governor Gooch. Congratulating him on his safe arrival. Undated and without signatures.
269-70. Petition, undated, of five clergymen, D. Mossom, Patrick Henry, John Brunskill, John Robertson, and Robert Barret, to the general assembly. Protest licensing of Samuel Davies and other Presbyterian ministers and ask the enforcement of earlier acts forbidding officiating by clergymen not of the Church of England. Assert that the 'ringleaders' of Presbyterianism in Virginia were expelled for heresy by the Synod of Philadelphia.
271-2. Wrappers detached from documents relating to William Kay.
273-4. Clergy of Virginia to Bishop Sherlock. Undated. Signed only by Thomas Dawson as commissary. Thank him for aiding Kay in his appeal (cf. xiii. 51-60) and for securing the appointment of Dawson to the council.
275-6. A memorandum of some points concerning presentation and induction in Virginia. Possibly made by Bishop Sherlock in connexion with the Kay appeal, for it refers to a brief.
277-80. Some undated notes of the Virginia laws substituting currency for tobacco payments and the suits of the clergy following their disallowance.
281-98. William Robinson to (Bishop Sherlock), undated, but probably written in 1761. Thanks the bishop for appointing him commissary. When he waited on the governor (Fauquier), the governor told him that he could not expect his countenance unless he broke with Camm. He describes widespread resentment against the clergy as the result of the disallowance of the currency-for-tobacco laws. He gives a long account of the disputes in the college, having been a member of the board of visitors throughout, though opposed to the majority on most issues. After the dismissal of Camm (this seems to have been written before his restoration), no professor of divinity was appointed, though the charter calls for two. The visitors elected a laymen to their board to succeed Thomas Dawson and are seeking to secure lay professors. They have supplanted the masters in the routine direction of the school. Governor Fauquier has asked the rector at Williamsburgh to omit the Athanasian Creed in reading the service.
299-300. Wardens and vestry of St. Ann's, Albermarle County v. their rector, John Ramsey, before John Blair, President, and the council. Undated. They accuse Ramsey of neglect of duty, drunkenness, and endeavouring to seduce Joanna Collins. No indication of disposition of case.
301-2. Wardens and vestry of Upper Parish, Nansemond County v. Patrick Lunan, the minister, before John Blair, President, and the council. Undated. Charge Lunan with habitual drunkenness, endeavouring to officiate when drunk, neglect of duty, fighting and swearing. No indication of disposition of case.
303-4. Wardens and vestry of Fairfax Parish v. Townsend Dade, their minister, before Governor Norborne Baron de Botecourt and council. Undated. Accuse him of seducing and commiting adultery with the wife of John Hunter. No indication of disposition of case.
305-6. Petition of Henry Ford to Bishop ---, undated, for ordination to the priesthood. Ordained deacon by Bishop Blackall of Exeter, Ford went to Virginia as a schoolmaster, and now seeks priest's orders so that he can accept a parish.

BAHAMAS
1-3. Plea for increased allowance for Captain George Phenney, appointed governor of Providence in July 1721. Says that he has restored the fortifications partly at his own expense. Table attached shows allowance for maintaining a company in South Carolina to be almost twice that for the Bahamas.
4. List of persons baptized by Thomas Curphey, in 1721, 'When 'tis feard he had no Ordination'.
5-6. Thomas Parr to Thomas Curfey (in Jamaica), Berry St., St. James, Oct. 23, 1721. Says that he cannot secure a licence for him from the Bishop of London because the bishop would require a certificate of ordination. Extract from a letter of Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica to (Governor Phennie), Jamaica, May 11, 1722. As requested, he has caused inquiries to be made concerning Curphey in Jamaica and finds no record of any such clergyman there. Encloses letter from W. May, Kingston, Apr. 26, 1722, who made the inquiry on his instructions. All three copies certified by Fr. Goudet.
7-8. G. Phenney to Bishop Robinson, New Providence, Mar. 2, 1722/3. Recommends Curphey for appointment as minister in the Bahamas provided it turns out to be true that he was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Sodor and Man and is the son of a clergyman in the Isle of Man. Whoever is appointed, the governor hopes that the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel will grant him an allowance. --- Carrington has falsely pretended to represent the governor in seeking a minister.
9-10. Copy of (7-8).
11-12. Extract from a letter from William May to Commissary Bull of South Carolina, Kingston, Sept. 7, 1723. Gives the same information as (5-6). A note in the same hand says that Curphey, who officiated as deacon in New Providence in 1721, said that his father was a clergyman in the Isle of Man and that he had been educated at the University of Dublin and ordained in Ireland. Writer thinks he was ordained priest by the Bishop of Gloucester at the request of Bishop Robinson, in 1722.
13-14. Thomas Curphey to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Dec. 17, 1723. Encloses a list of christenings, marriages, and burials to the end of the year (21-22). Praises Governor Phenney.
15-16. Affidavit of Thomas Petty, commander of brigantine Hanover, before Governor Phenney, New Providence, Dec. 21, 1723.--- Garcia, designed as minister for Harbor Island, came on the Hanover at Gravesend, when it was under charter to Mrs. Phenney, but left it at Cork, after being charged with the theft of a chalice from a Roman Catholic church where he had formerly officiated. He had removed his luggage, including a box of books donated by Bishop Gibson for a library at Harbor Island, but later complained that Petty had sailed without him, whereupon Mrs. Phenney called him before the magistrates and offered to pay his passage and advance money for extra provisions if he would sail. He claimed to be a friend of Dean Norcourt and to hope for preferment from him.
17-18. Magistrates, officers of the militia company, and leading citizens of Harbor Island to Bishop Gibson, Dec. 24, 1723. Thank him for sending Garcia, whom they refer to as having been detained by the magistrates of Cork. Hope he will send someone else.
19-20. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Dec. 24, 1723. Thanks him for his interest in the islands and encloses (15-16). Phenney has advanced the frame and materials for a church building, which he hopes to see completed in a few months. Asks the bishop to provide furnishings.
21-22. Baptisms, marriages, and burials performed by Thomas Curphey from Aug. 1 to Dec. 30, 1723.
23-24. Thomas Curphey to Thomas Bray, New Providence, Dec. 10, 1724. Encloses (21-22 and 25-28) with a request that they be forwarded to the bishop, and requests a stipend from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
25-28. Baptisms, marriages, and burials performed by Thomas Curphey, Jan. 1 to Dec. 4, 1724.
29-30. Thomas Curphey to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Dec. 10, 1724. Encloses (25-28). He has visited every island. Vestry in New Providence levied an assessment to pay him a salary of £60 a year, but he has only received about £30.
31-32. Thomas Curphey to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Jan. 22, 1725. Acknowledges a letter from the bishop. Is afraid that unfavourable reports may have been sent home about him. Asks the bishop to secure him several months leave so that he can come home to vindicate himself and collect his salary as chaplain, which is in arrears. He was appointed chaplain Dec. 10, 1722.
33-34. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Apr. 14, 1725. Encloses some documents relating to Curphey, probably including (4-6). He still doubts that Curphey was ordained at his first coming, and is troubled about the state of the children baptized by him. He wrote Doctor Bray for advice, but received no answer.--- Flavell, a lay reader, officiates regularly on Harbor Island.
35-38. List of baptisms, marriages, and burials in the islands, 1723-5. Probably included with (33-34). Last date is Apr. 7, 1725.
39-40. Joseph Gegg to Bishop Gibson, Gloucester, Sept. 20, 1725. On searching the records he finds that Curphey was ordained deacon, Nov. 14, 1722, and priest Mar. 9, 1723, by the Bishop of Gloucester at the request of Bishop Robinson.
41-42. Baptisms, marriages, and burials in the Bahamas during 1725.
43-44. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Feb. 1, 1725/6. Church is completed and has been in use about a year. They are building a slave gallery, as Phenney has been impressed by Doctor Bray with the duty of seeking to convert the slaves.
45-46. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Apr. 20, 1727. As Curphey is planning to leave, Phenney asks the bishop to appoint a successor.
47-48. Certificate, signed by various residents, Harbour Island, Oct. 20, 1727, that Thomas Curphey baptized Joseph (age 19) and Anne Force (age 21), children of Nathan and Sarah Force, a Negro and a Mulatto, both free.
49-51. Certificate by members of the council, Dec. 2, 1727, describing repairs to the fortifications made by Governor Phenney. Memorial of Governor Phenney, undated and probably later, but attached to the foregoing by a seal. While governor, having no power to call an assembly, he collected tonnage duties by an order of the council. Since Governor Rogers arrived, an assembly has been held, which forced him to give surety for the funds thus raised before leaving the island. He prays relief from King in Council.
52-53. List of baptisms, marriages, and burials, 1727. Signed by W. Fairfax, Secretary.
54-55. Affidavits of Edward Lease, bricklayer, and Thomas Sackersen before W. Fairfax, Jan. 9, 1727/8. Former employees of Samuel Lawford, merchant, they testify to seeing Curphey in improper situations with Mrs. Lawford on various occasions when Lawford was absent.
56. Samuel Lawford to Bishop Gibson, South Carolina, Jan. 27, 1727. Encloses (54-55). Says his wife has confessed and believes herself with child by Curphey. Plans to come to London and present the original affidavits.
57. Samuel Lawford to (Governor Phenney?), undated but related to (54-55). Says that, when he pursued Curphey to South Carolina, he confessed the truth and begged forgiveness in private, but denied the charge in the presence of Commissary Garden. Asks the governor to forward the affidavits to the bishop.
58-59. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Mar. 16, 1727/8. Encloses (52-57) or similar documents.
60-61. Thomas Curphey to Bishop Gibson, undated, but related to (54-57). Says the charge was only brought against him after he left the islands, expecting to obtain a parish in South Carolina, and that Lawford, whom he accuses of being a pirate, tried to blackmail him and assaulted him. He asserts that both Lease and Sackersen have been punished for numerous offences, one of them for perjury.
62-63. List of baptisms, marriages, and burials in 1728, signed by W. Fairfax, Secretary. There was no minister this year, but burials and clinical baptisms by Samuel Flavell and marriages by justices are listed.
64-65. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Jan. 18, 1728/9. Refers to unspecified charges that have been brought against him in England. Possibly related to (49-51).
66-67. G. Phenney to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Mar. 10, 1728/9. Encloses (62-63).
68-69. Alexander Garden to Bishop Gibson, Charlestown, South Carolina, Apr. 28, 1730. The returning governor of the Bahamas (Phenney) who will deliver this can give the bishop an account of conditions there. The population outside the garrison is small and the people poor. The best that the retiring governor could raise by subscription was £80, which is insufficient for a clergyman with a family, and precarious, because voluntary. Garden has written the present governor to suggest that what the people can afford should be settled by law. He urges the bishop to find some means of supplementing it.
70-71. Woods Rogers to Bishop Gibson, New Providence, Oct. 13, 1730. He hoped to get a clergyman from South Carolina but is now convinced that he is not coming. He is pressing for the appointment of a chaplain to the garrison and thinks that the 140 civilian families would raise a substantial subscription to supplement a chaplain's salary, or an Society for the Propagation of the Gospel stipend. Lack of regular services is discouraging desirable settlers. He thinks that the Curphey-Lawford affair (cf. 54-61) may have been an 'abuse to' (deception of?) both Curphey and Lawford, who is now living comfortably with his wife.
72-73. Woods Rogers to Bishop Gibson, Charles Town, South Carolina, Apr. 1, 1731. Having visited Charleston for his health, he is shortly returning to the Bahamas, taking with him William Guy, who has obtained leave from his parish to visit the Bahamas for a few months. Governor Rogers believes that a comfortable support could be supplied by a combination of chaplain's salary, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel stipend, and subscription.
74-75. Alexander Garden to Bishop Gibson, Charlestown, South Carolina, July 24, 1731. Guy was in the Bahamas from Apr. 12 to June 10. He preached every Sunday, read prayers every Wednesday and Friday, visited most of the families, distributed the bishop's pastorals, married two or three couples, buried one woman, and baptized about 130 children. He reports that the people all profess the Church of England and desire a minister, but there are certain obstacles. The people (about 100 families on New Providence and 30 each on Eleuthera and Harbor Island) are poor and indolent, subsisting mostly on salvage from wrecks. Political tension between Governor Rogers and the people is so intense that no law can be passed and no subscription agreed upon. Governor Rogers requires anyone who would be his friend to quarrel with all his enemies. As these include most of the leading inhabitants, the position of a clergyman would be difficult. The government of South Carolina has decided to give Winteley (cf. ix. 233-6) another chance by appointing him chaplain to the garrison at Savannah on condition of good behaviour. Goose Creek parish has been vacant for three years. (Lewis) Jones has finally decided not to accept the call there.
76-77. William Smith to Bishop Gibson, Nassau, July 3, 1734. He fears that the bishop was displeased with him for tarrying so long in England before bringing his family from Ireland and sailing for the Bahamas, but he acted on the governor's advice. He is now settled in the islands.
78-79. Thomas Lyttelton to Bishop Porteus, Wanstead, Sept. 30, 1788. He knows nothing of Theophilus Nugent who has applied for a licence for some colony, and was unable to obtain any information from Nugent's agent, --- Neave of Broad St. Encloses a letter from Lord Dunmore relative to the Bahamas. Many of the planters there have come from the continent, bringing a considerable number of Negroes with them. As they are persons of small fortunes, the slaves are used in domestic service to a greater extent than they are in the sugar colonies. The establishment of schools for them might be beneficial. The little island of Anquitta, near Tortita, is inhabited by poor people with a few domestic slaves.
80-82. Thomas Robertson to Bishop Porteus, Harbor Island, June 17, 1790. In answer to inquiries sent by the bishop through William Gordon, the missionary on Exuma, he gives an account of his parish, which includes Harbor Island and Eleuthera. He was appointed Society for the Propagation of the Gospel missionary in 1786 and inducted into St. John's parish by Governor John Brown. He found a church built on Harbor Island, but unseated. He persuaded the inhabitants to seat it. He built a parsonage at his own expense (more than 300 guineas, as all materials had to be brought from the continent). He receives £70 from the British government, £50 from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and a local allowance of £24 for a vessel with which to visit the settlements on Eleuthera. Inhabitants are too poor to pay the fees allowed by law. He reads service once a Sunday and holds communion three times a year, to congregations of from 150-200. Population of Harbor Island, 600 whites and 250 Negroes; Eleuthera, 658 whites and 300 Negroes. People of Harbor Island all live in one town. Those of Eleuthera are scattered among several settlements. They are all native to the islands and unacquainted with any religious doctrines except those taught by Robertson's predecessor, who was a disciple of Wesley. The people will not allow their slaves to be instructed. He approves the bishop's plan for Sunday schools.
83-86. William Gordon to Bishop Porteus, Exuma, June 18, 1792. There are only two regular parishes in the Bahamas: Christ Church, on the island of New Providence and St. John's, including Harbor Island and Eleuthera. The other islands were largely uninhabited until the arrival of refugees from the United States following the Revolution. New Providence was settled because its fine harbour provided a convenient base for raiding the Spanish colonies. The other two were inhabited because they were near it. His mission covers the southern Bahamas, which he lists as Cat, Wattins, Exuma (Great and Little), Long, Crooked, Meguana, Heneagua, Caicos, and Turks Islands. He gives some statistics of their present population.
87-93. William Gordon to Bishop Porteus, Sept. 7, 1792 (dated in Notation). Gives a review of the moral and spiritual condition of the Negroes. From his former teacher, Doctor Beatie, he derived an opposition to slavery, which he retains, but somewhat abated, as he thinks the Negroes in the colonies better off than those in Africa. Those who have been in the colonies some time show intelligence equal to that of illiterate whites, but the intelligence of recent arrivals seems lower. Many masters obstruct their religious instruction. An exception is Denys Rolle, father to a member of Parliament, who requires his agents to hold daily family worship on his plantation. Some of the Negroes brought from the United States, especially New England, are Methodists, and there are several Negro preachers of this persuasion. Though opposed to the slave trade, he thinks it might be better to use the threat of abolishing it as a means of forcing the colonies to pass laws protecting the Negroes among them.
94-99. An Act for Establishing Schools in the Several Islands. Published Dec. 23, 1795. Attested by W. Baylis. (John, Earl of Dunmore, governor.) Provides for building of schools and paying schoolmasters from public funds.
100-17. An Act for the erecting and repairing of Churches for the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel and the Support of the Poor. Passed the assembly, Dec. 23, 1795, council, Dec. 11, 1795. Approved by Governor Dunmore, Dec. 24, 1795. Copy attested by Adam Chrystie, Secretary. Erects a number of parishes in addition to the two already existing (Christ Church and St. John), provides for election of twelve-member vestries by voters qualified to vote for representatives in the assembly and of two wardens by the vestrymen, from among their own number. Churches to be erected and pews sold. Two assessments levied: three shillings per poll for the poor and a land tax to support the clergy, at salaries varying from £120 to £300 (for Christ Church). The Bishop of London is authorized to exercise jurisdiction over the clergy only, for the time being. It is specifically stated that there has been no previous legal recognition of his jurisdiction.
118-19. George Chalmers, Colonial Agent, to Bishop Porteus, Whitehall, Feb. 16, 1796. Enclosing (94-117).
120-1. W. Scott to Bishop Porteus, Feb. 19, 1796. He interprets (100-17) as granting the bishop no more than the trouble and expense of prosecuting offending clergy. He doubts the wisdom of accepting this power.
122. Undated memorandum containing brief notes concerning some persons connected with the Curphey case (cf. 54-61) and some others.
123-4. Undated description of the Bahamas, possibly at the time of Governor Phenney (cf. 1-6). Gives the cutting of dye wood as the chief industry, but says that some salt, oil, turtles, and fruits are exported to neighbouring colonies.
BARBADOS
1703-1730
125-6. Bishop Compton to William Gordon, Nov. 28 (1703). Approves some plan of Gordon's to encourage clergy in the colony and hopes that Commissary Cryer is not guilty of raising a faction against the governor. He may have over-estimated the extent of his jurisdiction which only extends to inspecting the behaviour of the clergy and censuring notorious scandals among the laity.
127-8. Extract from instructions to Governor Lowther, Feb. 23, 1714. Not to prefer any minister to a benefice without a certificate from the Bishop of London. To inquire if any unordained minister officiates in any orthodox church or chapel and to give an account of his investigation to the Bishop of London. To support the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London except in respect to collating to benefices, licensing marriages, and probate of wills. Schoolmasters henceforth to be licensed by the Bishop of London.
129-32. William Gordon to Governor Robert Lowther, Aug. 1715. Defending himself against charges brought against the clergy in general and himself in particular in a presentation of the grand jury under Thomas Maxwell and later in an address of the assembly to the governor. The general charge was that the prevalence of vice in the colony was due to the ill example of the clergy. The specific charges against Gordon are that he had engaged in trade, that he had once played at dice and once participated in a serenade with fiddles. He points out that these particulars, even if true, which he denies (but cf. 133-4), do not involve actual immorality and appeals to an unblemished reputation since he came to the colony in 1701. Resentment really begins with the fact that, in 1704, under Governor Bevil Granville, he secured passage of a bill fixing ministerial salaries at £150. They had previously been fixed at will by the vestries. It was aggravated in 1712 when a request of the clergy made in a joint letter to Colonel Clelland, who was going to England, to do something about obtaining glebes and rectories, was misrepresented as an attempt to secure tithes. He encloses a testimonial from his vestry (137-8).
133-4. William Gordon to Bishop Robinson, Barbados, Sept. 30, 1715. Defends himself against foregoing charges. Admits to having engaged in trade when he first arrived, before his marriage. Refers to extensive correspondence with Bishop Compton and encloses (125-6) as a sample. Urges appointment of a commissary. Is seeking a curate in his parish. Reports death of --- Brown, 'the Society's' (Society for the Propagation of the Gospel?) chaplain.
135-6. Vestry of St. Michael's testimonial to Gordon. Undated, but enclosed in (127-32).
137-8. Commission issued by Bishop Robinson appointing William Gordon Commissary for Barbados, Mar. 7, 1715(16). (In Latin.) Notation: 'Copy of ye Bp. of London's Commission appointing a Commissary which was very disingenuously misinterpreted by the Board of Trade in their strange report.'
139-40. Correspondence committee to colonial agents, May 17, 1717. As Gordon has attempted to set up an ecclesiastical court on the strength of his commission, the agents are urged to petition to Board of Trade to have the bishop's authority restricted (copy).
141-2. Petition of the agents to the King against the bishop's jurisdiction. Referred to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, Sept. 3, 1717. Reference signed by J. Addison (copy.) The agents also complain of Dominick Langton, lately sent over by the bishop, who, they say, is a former friar who was once cited by a court in Ireland for impeding the conversion of Roman Catholics to Protestantism.
143-8. William Gordon to Governor Robert Lowther, Apr. 26, 1717, with attestation by Edward Rundell, Dec. 14, 1717, that when he attempted to deliver this letter to the governor at Gordon's request, the governor refused to receive it. Gordon defends his and the bishop's jurisdiction, pointing out that the bishop's jurisdiction is affirmed in the same instruction that gives the governor power to collate, probate, and issue marriage licences. Says that his predecessors, Cryer and Walker, both held ecclesiastical courts.
149-50. Charles Cuninghame to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Sept. 20, 1717. Charges, with some detail of specification, that the society is being cheated by the agent who manages the Coddrington plantation and by the workmen employed in building the college. Refers to a previous letter on the same theme.
151-2. Charles Cuninghame to Bishop Robinson, Sept. 20, 1717. Encloses (149-50), as he fears that those on the board who are interested in promoting the college will conceal the original from the bishop.
153. George Forster to Richard Carter, Apr. 11, 1721. Has doubts, as a justice of the peace, of the legality of the present practice, whereby persons charged with adultery or fornication are bound over to the quarter sessions and, if convicted there, sentenced to fine or whipping. He thinks that the English statutes cited in justification of this practice, apply only if there is likelihood that the bastards born of such illicit unions will become public charges. He asks the opinion of Carter, attorney-general for the colony. (Copy.)
Richard Carter to George Forster, Apr. 15, 1721. He agrees with Forster's argument. Illicit relations, as such, are only punishable by ecclesiastical courts. Not wanting any such courts in the colony, he proposes a law providing civil penalties for some of the offences normally tried in such courts. (Copy.)
154. Special meeting of the general assembly at the house of Mrs. Mary Beresford, Bridgetown, Dec. 5, 1721. They repeal a resolution against William Gordon adopted Jan. 21-26, 1719, on the ground that the charges on which it was based were supported only by ex parte depositions obtained under the influence of former governor Robert Lowther. They resolve that Gordon 'is a Gentleman of known Probity and Honour and well worthy of the Station he bears'.
155-8. An Act to regulate the Punishment of Such Crimes and Vices as are Cognizable in the Ecclesiastical Courts and for Suppressing Vice and Profaneness. Dated 1722 in Notation. As the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London has been restrained by previous law, this act gives the commissary authority to proceed against offending clergy, but forbids any ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the laity. It makes moral offences, normally tried by ecclesiastical courts in England, punishable by the magistrate (cf. 186-7).
159-62. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Oct. 15, 1723. After thanking him, on behalf of the Countess of Granville and Lady Carteret for some preferment conferred on Doctor Herbert, and congratulating him on his translation, the governor complains of the low character and capacity of the island clergy, in spite of the fact that stipends range from £200 upwards. --- Porter fled the island after the governor started proceedings against him for frequent sexual lapses. --- Acourt, who was sent home mad a few years ago, has returned without any testimonial from the bishop. Hotchkiss, a recent arrival, also lacks such testimonial.
163-4. W. Gordon to Governor Worsley, Feb. 10, 1723/4. He has received some queries from the Bishop of London and, being unwilling to do anything without the governor's approval, he is submitting them to him for direction.
165-6. Duplicate of (163-4).
167. John Acourt to Bishop Gibson, Feb. 14, 1723(4). He asks the bishop for a licence, saying that he had received one from Bishop Robinson, Jan. 22, 1715, but that it was lost during his five years absence. He suggests an increase in the royal bounty to migrating clergymen and then rambles into a vague charge that his confinement as a lunatic was due to persecution by other clergy.
168-9. Governor H. Worsley to William Gordon, Feb. 15, 1723/4. From the bishop's letter to Gordon he concludes that the bishop is in doubt as to his own jurisdiction in the island. As he cannot authorize any jurisdiction without knowing its basis, he suggests that the queries be regarded as private communications to be treated with the respect due to the bishop's personal character.
170-1. Duplicate of (168-9).
172-3. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 3, 1723/4. Formally congratulating him on his translation.
174-7. Governor Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 3, 1723/4. He fears that the ship, Pink Eleanor, Captain Hawkins, by which he sent (159-62) and a pipe of Madeira, has been lost. He repeats the account of his action against Porter. In answer to a question of the bishop's concerning the advisability of appointing a commissary for the island, he encloses (180-1) and some other documents, but does not give a definite answer. Noting that one of the printed queries asks the number of families in each parish, he says that that is an official secret in the colony, as they are unwilling to show their strength.
178-9. Copy of (174-7) more closely written.
180-1. Extracts from the Instructions to Governor Worsley, enclosed with (174-7). He is to see that services, according to the Book of Common Prayer, are regularly read, and that a competent maintenance is provided for orthodox ministers; not to prefer any minister without a licence from the Bishop of London; to order that every orthodox minister be a member of the vestry; to report to the bishop if any unordained minister officiates in any orthodox church; to support the bishop's jurisdiction except in respect to collation, probating of wills, and licences to marry; no schoolmaster to come from England and teach school without a licence from the bishop; to see that a table of marriages is posted in each church; to punish moral offences; to report the present number of inhabitants and to send the Lords Commissioners a yearly abstract of vital statistics.
182-3. Clergy of Barbados to Bishop Gibson, May 5, 1724. Acknowledge his letter and promise respect.
184-5. A list of laws of Barbados relating to Church and clergy. Signed by W. Gordon, May 5, 1724. The acts are listed by title, ten of them with reference to a published edition of the laws, 1721. They include provisions for the support of the clergy, acts forbidding Quakers from bringing Negroes to their meetings, an act restraining the power of vestries in disposing of parish funds, which Gordon says was aimed at him, and an act to quiet the alarm of inhabitants at the prospect of an ecclesiastical court.
186-7. George Forster to Bishop Gibson, May 8, 1724. Encloses (155-8), which he says was drawn up with the assistance of Gordon, to whom he is related, and presented to the assembly Oct. 9, 1722, but never acted upon.
188-9. W. Gordon to Bishop Gibson, June 30, 1724. Encloses answers to bishop's queries. He had to go to England to defend himself against the charges brought against him in connexion with his work as commissary under Bishop Robinson.
190-1. W. Gordon to Bishop Gibson, July 1, 1724. Acourt, since his return, has lived next door to Gordon and behaved prudently. He recommends granting him a licence.
192. A list of all the clergy that have come to Barbados since 1710. Dated July 16, 1724. Surnames only.
193-4. John Acourt to Bishop Gibson, July 17, 1724. Encloses (190-2). Thanks bishop for mentioning him in letters to Governor Worsley.
195-8. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Nov. 12, 1724. Refers to an unspecified demand that may be made on the Coddrington estate. Has received testimonials to Hotchkiss from the bishop.
199-200. Governor Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Dec. 6, 1724. Acknowledges letter introducing --- Holt, whom he will prefer to a benefice as soon as one becomes available.
201-2. Gordon's answers to the queries addressed to commissaries. His predecessors, Walker, appointed in 1691, and Cryer held frequent visitations, but he held only two. One was to vacate a licence issued by Governor Lowther to marry a woman whose husband was living. On the governor's objecting to this, he agreed not to act again until the bishop's jurisdiction was settled. Lowther subsequently lodged a charge against him in England which he had difficulty in getting dismissed. During the vacancy in the governorship, at the request of President Cox, he started proceedings against Porter, but was unable to do anything until Governor Worsley arrived and cited Porter before himself. Porter then fled and is since reported to have died on the island of Sainto Guardo or Spanish Town in the Leewards. Some of the clergy have licences to other colonies. No vacant parishes. Under the law, no revenue is raised unless there is an officiating minister, but during a vacancy the governor usually directs a neighbouring minister to officiate, and he receives the revenues. Prices of necessities average 50 per cent. higher than in London. Stipends for clergy are probably the best in America, but three parishes lack glebes and rectories. He urges that some jurisdiction, ecclesiastical or civil, be set up to punish moral offences and neglect of public worship, as about half the population never attend any church and there are many unbaptized adults, though there are no professed dissenters, except a few Quakers. He also asks that something be done to promote the instruction of the slaves. He recommends that ministers should be allowed to officiate only in the colonies for which they are specifically licensed. Porter, licensed for the Leewards, was preferred by Governor Lowther ahead of Napleton and Acourt, licensed for Barbados.
203-14. Answers to queries addressed to the clergy. See Introduction (p. xxiii) for numbered questions to which answers are keyed.
203. John Acourt. No parish: 1. Arrived Apr. 1, 1716. 2. No church, but supplied St. Michael's as curate for a while. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. Remaining questions unanswered.
204. Edward Brice, St. Lucie's: 1. Seventeen years. 2. No previous parish. 3. Yes. 4. Seventeen years. 5. Yes. 6.872 A., 200 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Every Sunday. Less than one-fifth of parish attend. 9. On the three great festivals, or monthly if there are communicants. About 15 communicate. 10. Every Friday in Lent. 11. Yes. 12. £115. 13 and 14. No house, no glebe. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
205. Alexander Deuchar, St. Thomas: 1. Six years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Inducted July 24, 1723. 5. Yes. 6. 8,500 A., 260 families. 7. Does not think that he can do anything for the conversion of slaves without consent of civil authority. 8. Every Sunday and some holy days. 60-120 attend. 9. The first Sunday of every month and other festivals. 12-20 communicants. 10. No catechizing. 11. Yes. 12. £115. 13. House and glebe. Glebe rented. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
206. W. Gordon, St. Michael's: 1. Since 1701. 2. Served several parishes in Barbados before coming to St. Michael's. 3. Yes. 4. Ten years. 5. Yes. 6. 9,580 A., about 500 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Every morning. Two sermons on Sunday, and one every Wednesday and Friday in Lent. 9. Monthly and on great festivals. About 50 communicants. 10. Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. 11. Yes. 12. £500. 13 and 14. Glebe but no house. £55 house allowance. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
207. Joseph Holt, St. Joseph's: 1. Thirty-one years, 20 on the continent and 11 on Barbados. 2. Mentions previous cures on the island, but not those on the continent. 3. Yes. 4. Nine years. 5. Yes. 6. 9X9 miles, does not know number of families. 7. Free Negroes are baptized and some native-born slaves, but ignorance of the language prevents teaching new arrivals. 8. Sundays and holy days. Well attended. 9. Monthly and on great festivals. About 30 communicants. 10. During Lent. 11. No. Lack altar-piece and cloth and cushion for pulpit and communion table. 12. About £150. 13 and 14. No glebe, but house rented by vestry. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
208. Richard Hotchkiss, St. Andrew's: 1. Since Apr., 1721. 2. Formerly curate of St. Michael's. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Compelled to reside outside parish because no house is available in it. 6. 8,000 A., about 200 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Sundays and holy days. 70-80 attend. 9. Monthly. 5-6 communicants. 10. No catechizing. 11. Yes. 12. £116. 13 and 14. No house, no glebe. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
209. Charles Irvine, St. Philip's: 1. Since 1692. 2. Formerly in St. James. 3. Yes. 4. Twenty years. 5. Yes. 6. 15,000 A., maybe about 500 families. 7.Nothing done for slaves. 8. Sundays and holy days. Well attended. 9. Monthly, and on great festivals. 30-60 communicants. 10. On some holy days. 11. Yes. 12. £150. 13. Yes. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
210. Adam Justice, St. Peter's and All Saints': 1. Twenty-three years. 2. Previous cures in Barbados. 3. Yes. 4. Eleven years. 5. Yes. 6. 8,000 A., about 400 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Once a Sunday in each church, St. Peter's in Spaight's Town and All Saints' in the country. Daily in St. Peters. Well attended. 9. Three times a year in All Saints' to 12 communicants; monthly in St. Peter's to 30. 10. On Tuesdays. 11. Yes. 12. £250. 13. Yes, but there is some complication about which he proposes to write. 14. Repaired at his expense. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
211. Joseph Napleton, St. Michael's, curate: 1. Seven years. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. Not inducted. 5. Yes. 6. Unanswered. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Same as in Gordon's answers (206). 9. Same as Gordon's. 10. Every Wednesday and Friday in Lent. 15. No. Other questions unanswered.
212. John Plasgow, St. James: 1. Since 1707. 2. Previous cures in Barbados. 3. Yes. 4. Thirteen years. 5. Yes. 6. 7,800 A., about 170 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Sundays and holidays. About one-third of parish attend. 9. Monthly and on great festivals. 12-20 communicants. 10. Every Sunday except when there is communion. 11. Yes. 12. £105. 13 and 14. Glebe but no house. 15. No. 16. A school, but not endowed. James Cocke is master. 17. No.
213. Gilbert Ramsey, Christ Church: 1. Came to Antigua in 1686. 2. Served St. Paul's, Antigua, until 1692, when he came to Barbados. 3. No. 4. Inducted in 1692. 5. Yes. 6. 14,310 A. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Sundays and holidays. 9. Monthly and on great festivals. 10. In Lent. 11. Yes. 12. No sterling estimate. £150 currency. 13. House and glebe. 14. Repaired by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
214. Gilbert Wharton, St. George's: 1. Twenty-seven years. 2. Two previous cures in Barbados. 3. Yes. 4. Nine years. 5. Yes. 6. 10,000 A., 300 families. 7. Nothing done for slaves. 8. Sundays and holy days. 9. Monthly, if there are enough communicants. Communicants on great festivals may number 20. 10. Children catechized twice weekly in school kept by parish clerk. 11. Yes. 12. About £100. 13. House and glebe. 14. House in disrepair, but repairs promised by parish. 15. No. 16. No. 17. No.
215-16. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, St. Michael's, Apr. 30, 1725. Thanks bishop for recommending him to the governor, whom he praises. Comments unfavourably on morals of islanders, particularly as reflected in number of mulattoes. Slaves, after working six days a week for their masters, 'merchandise' on Sundays, with the aid of Jews and of some professed Christians.
217-22. Printed record of action of William Gordon against Gelasius MacMahon as agent of former governor Robert Lowther. Record attested by Benjamin Sullivant, Clerk, before Governor Henry Worsley, Sept. 10, 1725. Gordon charged Lowther with an act of trespass, jeopardizing Gordon's employment as rector and commissary, in writing a letter to Bishop Robinson charging Gordon with being disaffected and in spending his time in 'Gaming, Trading, Caballing, and Mischief-making'. The only proof of his disaffection is an unsupported statement that, in a sermon on a fast day occasioned by a Jacobite revolt, he tried to fix the blame on the Whigs. Lowther's answer does not seek to prove the personal charges but justifies the letter as part of the dispute over the bishop's jurisdiction. While the main issue was the ecclesiastical court, Lowther challenged Bishop Robinson to show that he had any jurisdiction at all. He maintained that the reference to it in his instructions (127-8) did not confer jurisdiction on the bishop but merely referred to it as something either existing or intended to be granted, and only required the governor to observe as far as convenient. The reply also makes it evident that the Whig-Tory controversy underlay the dispute. In a quotation from a letter of Lowther to Bishop Robinson, not in the present collection, he excuses himself for not appointing Acourt and Dominick Langton to benefices on the ground that they are notorious Tories. A local island controversy was also involved, as Gordon was associated with William Sharpe and William Walker, leaders of the opposition to Lowther. Gordon's action was dismissed by the court of first instance and the judgment maintained by Governor Worsley and the council. An appeal to England was pending when the record was printed. Joseph Pilgrim was judge at the original trial.
223-6. William Gordon to Bishop Gibson, Oct. 8, 1725. Porter (cf. 159-62) first went to Antigua but was obliged to leave because of scandal. Gordon's opposition was probably one reason why Governor Lowther appointed him to St. Andrew's. Acourt has recently been raving mad, but is now somewhat calmer. A fund could be raised to send him to England, if there was any guarantee that he would not return.
227-32. William Gordon to Bishop Gibson, Nov. 3, 1725. Reviews the whole question of episcopal jurisdiction in the colony. Barbados was settled under a patent issued by Charles I to the Earl of Carlisle, which was repurchased by the Crown under Charles II. Conformity to the Church of England was required by an early law, reaffirmed in 1650 and still in force, though a note in the printed edition says it was repealed. Early laws (dates not given) also provided for the election of vestries and the support of the clergy by a tax of one pound of sugar an acre. As this was insufficient for decent support, the vestries granted an additional allowance to clergy who retained their favour. In 1704, with the aid of Governor Sir Bevil Granville, Gordon obtained a law providing more adequate support. He attempts to give an account of the origin of the bishop's jurisdiction, but it is based on recollection of hearsay evidence. He infers that an order in council was issued in the time of Bishop Compton, since the instruction to governors to respect the jurisdiction was first inserted then. Bishop Compton's first commissary was --- Kenney, but he was prevented from acting as a result of the bishop's suspension by James II. After the Revolution, --- Walker and then --- Cryer were appointed. Walker was supported by Governor Kendall, but Cryer's authority was curtailed by later governors. After his death, no commissary was appointed until Bishop Robinson named Gordon in 1717. Gordon suggests that Governor Lowther's attack on the bishop and him was partly motivated by a personal dispute over some property. When he presented his defence in England, the court did not examine the issue of the bishop's jurisdiction, but only Gordon's propriety in exercising his commission. On this he was vindicated. As a result of opposition in Barbados and some other colonies, Bishop Robinson presented a petition to the King. This was returned, through Gordon, by a 'Great Man' with the statement that 'they' had no wish to meddle with the bishop's jurisdiction, but would thank him to withdraw his memorial. Attached (232) are copies of an order in council, dated Oct. 27, 1686, consequent on James II's appointment of commissioners for the Diocese of London, providing that their jurisdiction shall extend to the plantations; and an undated letter of Bishop Compton to Howard, Lord Effingham, governor of Virginia, saying that his jurisdiction has been affirmed by an order in council of some years standing, and that he will send Lord Effingham a commission to name --- Clayton as commissary. Also attached are copies of (163-4, 168-9) and one of May 27, 1724, from Worsley to Gordon to the same purport as (168-9).
233-4. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Nov. 14, 1725. Porter has obtained one of the best livings in Jamaica. Worsley thinks he must have forged testimonials. Praises Holt. Acourt was dismissed from Bedlam as incurable. He has been raving twice since his return.
235. Sentence of excommunication against William Gordon by John Acourt, Presbyter, Jan. 6, 1725(6). (In Latin.)
236. John Acourt to Bishop Gibson, Jan. 6, 1725(6). Encloses (235). Gordon's offence is preaching, in the afternoon service, before prayers for the King. Acourt reserves judgement concerning Governor Worsley until he knows whether or not he is responsible for his confinement.
237-8. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, St. Michael's, Apr. 5, 1726. Gives some account of his work as assistant in St. Michael's, Bridgeton, and praises Governor Worsley.
239-40. Alured Popple to Bishop Gibson, Whitehall, July 12, 1726. The first governor to whom the instruction relating to the bishop's jurisdiction was issued was Governor Dongan of New York (1686). The first governor of Barbados to whom it was issued was Sir Bevil Granville, 1702.
241-2. Copy of report of Lords of the Privy Council to the King, July 14, 1726. Recommend continuing with the issuance of the commission to Bishop Gibson, in spite of opposition of the agents of Barbados.
243-4. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Nov. 12, 1726. He is opposed to the bishop's having any coercive jurisdiction in the island. He has raised a subscription in aid of Acourt.
245-6. Duplicate of (243-4).
247-8. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, St. John's, Feb. 10, 1726/7. He has been appointed to St. John's as the result of the bishop's recommendation to Governor Worsley. He asks the bishop to use his influence to have his father transferred to a better parish. His present one is the worst on the island, rocky, cavernous, subject to landslides, and so unhealthy that his mother has to live in England.
249-50. Thomas Wilkie to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 7, 1726/7. Employed as schoolmaster to the slaves on the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel plantation, he has had limited success, but has three adult converts. He has not received much support from the society's agent, --- Smalrige, who will not let him teach any of the poor white children. He hopes for help from Holt, who now has a neighbouring parish.
251-2. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Mar. 17, 1726/7. He anticipates a number of vacancies soon, as a number of the clergy are seriously ill. He wishes the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel would employ a clergyman as catechist on their plantation instead of the schoolmaster, of whom he does not have a very good opinion.
253-4. Clergy of Barbados to Bishop Gibson, May 5, 1727. Express satisfaction on learning that a royal commission has placed them under the bishop's jurisdiction. Praise Governor Worsley and provide a testimonial to --- Ramsey, who is returning to England for his health after thirty-four years as minister of Christ Church.
255-6. Gilbert Wharton to Bishop Gibson, St. George's, May 7, 1727. Being old, in poor health, and nearly blind, he asks the bishop to send him an assistant, for whom the vestry have agreed to make provision.
257-8. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Oct. 20, 1727. He is afraid that the bishop's jurisdiction will not be liked by the colonists, even though confined to the clergy. It would be better if an appeal were allowed from the commissary to the governor in council.
259. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, St. John's, Dec. 21, 1727. He has baptized one adult Negro, who has been subjected to some ignomy as a result, though protected by his master. He baptized infant slaves in his own and his clerk's household. He would like permission of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel to work for the conversion of the slaves on Coddrington plantation, which is in his parish. Praises manager Smalridge.
260-1. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, May 15, 1728. He is appointing Holt to Ramsey's parish. --- Warren has arrived, with good testimonials, but no licence. The governor, pending advice from the bishop, is allowing him to serve as curate to Irvine, who has gone to England for his health. Acourt has been sent to England. There has been some sort of political disturbance in the island (now past), which he attributes to the unsettling of people's minds by an earthquake.
262-3. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 21, 1728. Clergy, under act of 1704, receive £150 currency. As Irvine died, Warren is now in charge of St. Philip's, to which the governor will present him when he has a licence.
264-5. Pat. Rose to Bishop Gibson, Nov. 19, 1728. Following the appointment of Holt to Christ Church on Ramsey's death, Rose became assistant to Gordon. He would like to have the bishop recommend him to the governor, so that he can hope for further preferment.
266-7. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, Christ Church, Mar. 7, 1728/9. He baptized two Negroes on the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel plantation and has baptized some others in his present parish. He has raised the number of communicants in Christ Church from seven to thirty. People of Barbados are not much in favour of the college, but would like to have a school. He wishes that something were done to restrain certain noisy rites that the Negroes perform over the graves of the dead to keep them from haunting them. His father has baptized twelve Negroes.
268-9. Daniel Kingston to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 2, 1729. Asks the bishop to support the appointment of Michael Conor to a vacancy in the council created by the death of 'my dear Bro'r Bond'.
270-1. Thomas Warren to Bishop Gibson, Sept. 30, 1729. A clergyman of the diocese of Norwich, he has been forced to leave England because of some unspecified act which he attributes to generosity on his part. He has been well received by the governor and asks the bishop's opinion, whether the acceptance of preferment in Barbados would annul his title in England.
272-3. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Oct. 12, 1729. --- Wharton, who came to Barbados to be assistant to his kinsman, Gilbert Wharton, arrived after his death. As there was no vacancy in Barbadoes, Worsley advised him to go to the Leewards, where he is now settled. He has found some unspecified employment for --- Warren, whose brother (Thomas) is curate at Bridgeton.
274-5. Pat. Rose to Bishop Gibson, St. Andrew's, Mar. 7, 1729/30. Governor Worsley presented him to this parish. He refers to himself as a relative to Lord Ross.
276-7. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, Christ Church, Mar. 18, 1729/30. Wilkie has become a little more diligent under Holt's rebuke, and prepared eleven Negroes for baptism. Holt has received power of attorney from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Placement of several clergymen mentioned. Marsden was once curate to Berrisford, Gordon's predecessor at St. Michael's.
278-9. Governor Henry Worsley to Bishop Gibson, Apr. 24, 1730. He is meeting resistance in collecting a tax granted by royal authority for the support of the government, which the assembly contends is not in effect. The agents for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel on the Coddrington plantation are among the resisters.
280-1. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, Christ Church, May 28, 1730. He has inspected Coddrington plantation with Mr. Osborn, but the other agents were not present. Two have returned to England. Wilkie has several catechumens ready for baptism. Holt has baptized seven Negroes in his own parish. Three were his own and four belonged to the Hon. George Gram. Postscript, July 6: Letter delayed for want of conveyance. He has still been unable to get two agents to make an official inspection with him.
282-3. William Johnson to Bishop Gibson, Bridg-Town, May 29, 1730. He has incurred the hostility of his vestry by supporting the tax referred to in (278-9).
284. Thomas Warren to Bishop Gibson, Bridge-Town, May 30, 1730. The bishop, through what he assumes to be a mistake, has recommended his younger brother instead of him to the governor. Reports rumour that Duke of Dorset is to succeed Lord Carteret in Ireland. Is sending the bishop a box of local beverages.
285-6. Thomas Warren to Bishop Gibson, Bridge-Town, June 24, 1730. Again explains the supposed confusion between him and his brother. Mentions that he is serving as curate in Bridgeton. Is sending the bishop another gift.
287. Receipt, signed by Robert Allen, chief mate, June 24, 1730, for a case received on the Elizabeth for delivery to Bishop Gibson. (Probably enclosed with 285-6.)
288-9. Thomas Warren to Bishop Gibson, Bridge-Town, July 7, 1730. Asks again for the bishop's recommendation and for his opinion whether accepting a living in Barbados would vacate his living in England.
290-1. Thomas Warren to Bishop Gibson, Bridge-Town, Aug. 6, 1730. He has received some sort of recommendation from the bishop, but the governor refuses to accept it as a valid licence. As he has permission of the Bishop of Norwich to live abroad, is an M.A., rector of Boxford in Sussex, and chaplain to the Duke of Dorset, he thinks that the bishop might dispense with the requirement of a personal appearance to obtain a licence.
292-3. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, Christ Church, Nov. 17, 1730. Smalridge, the manager at Coddrington, is ill and not expected to live. Holt recommends his nephew, John Vaughton, who has been de facto manager for two or three years. John Alleyne, one of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel's agents, has died. Holt does not think highly of the others, who belong to the party opposed to the governor. Osborn is a self-made man, who came to the island as a servant and now controls several plantations. Bennet he charges with bribery in a recent election. He allows Abel Alleyne a good character, except for his politics. Holt is threatened with prosecution for refusing, on the governor's advice, to marry a couple two days before the election, as the purpose of the marriage was simply to make one more freeholder to vote against the governor. The marriage was performed by Warren, the new rector of St. Philip's, whom Holt accuses of frequently invading his parish.
294-5. Arthur Holt to Bishop Gibson, Christ Church, Dec. 2, 1732. Again recommends Vaughton to succeed his uncle. Recommends that management of the business affairs of the plantation be entrusted to the general manager, as the estate is usually cheated when the business is handled by merchants. One agent, now deceased, once told Holt that he expected that the estate would eventually have to be sold for rum, and hinted that he would like to buy it. Seventeen Negroes belonging to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and one belonging to Vaughton are ready for baptism, as the result of Wilkie's efforts.