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| PRESENTED BY JOHN STETORT KENNEDY
thanks to the ILSTOR, LENOX AND W^EN FOUNDATIONS MEMOIRS OF JOSHUA FRY SOMETIME Professor in William and Mary College, Virginia, AND Washington's Senior in Command of Virginia Forces, 1754, Etc., Etc., with an AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF HIS SON, Rev. Henry Fry, and a CENSUS OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, BY THE Rev. P. SLAUGHTER, D. D AUTHOR OF "History of St. George's Parish," St. Mark's Parish," "Bristol Parish," Etc, Etc.' 1 1 , CONTENTS OF THE MEMOIR. INTRODUCTION; RADIATION OF COUNTIES FROM THEIR ORIGINAL CENTRES.
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 page 11 INTRODUCTION TO THE MEMOIRS. RADIATION OF COUNTIES FROM THEIR ORIGINAL CENTRES. This memoir and the history of persons and places in Virginia, generally, will be better under- stood, if readers would observe the radiation of counties from their original centres, viz. : the eight primitive shires into which the Colony was divided in 1634; not (as is currently said) by the House of Burgesses, but more probably, if not certainly, by the Governor and Council, in obedience to instruc- tions repeatedly given by the Crown, before that date. The Counties on James River, from James City to Albemarle, comprehended both sides of the river, until Surry was taken from the South side, (1652) ; Prince George from Charles City, (1702) ; Chesterfield from Henrico, (1748). When Gooch- land was created out of the North side of Henrico (1727), it embraced both sides of the river, until Cumberland was cut out of its South side, (1748). When Albemarle was formed from Goochland, (1744), it crossed the river, until Buckingham was taken out of its South side, (1 761). Amherst, formed in the same year from Albemarle, did not cross the river, because Bedford was already there, having been propagated along another line, from Surry, through Prince George, Brunswick and Lun- enburg, from which last, Bedford sprang in 1753. Campbell was taken from Bedford in 1784, and Nel- son from Amherst in 1807. When Old Albemarle (1744), reached the Blue Ridge, it met Augusta, which had come by another line from the primitive Shire, York. Thus, New Kent, King and Queen, King William, Essex, Spotsylvania, Orange, Augusta. New Kent had thrown off Hanover, which ended in Louisa. Orange had thrown off Culpeper, which ended in Madison and Rappahannock ; and also, Frederick, which became another centre of radiation, etc. It is well to say, too, that James River, above the mouth of the Rivanna, is called in this Memoir, the " Fluvanna," by which name it was then known, and is called in Acts of Assembly to 1806, at least ; (see Shepherd, v. 3, p. 333). Albemarle, in history, is said to have been taken wholly out of Goochland ; but an Act of Assembly (8 Henning, p. 54) affirms that its Northern Section was once in Hanover, which happened thus : When Louisa was taken from Han- over it contained this Northern Section, but when Amherst was taken from Albemarle, compensation was made, by adding the said section of Louisa (Note. The orthography of rivers and places varies in different documents. For example : the Robinson River is often printed Robertson. On Mayo's map (1736), it is thus called. On Fry's map (1749), it is Robinson, and also in Henning's Statutes. There was a Dr. Robinson and a Col. Robertson with Governor Spotswood when the head-waters of the Rapid Ann were explored ; and after one of these, this river may have been named. See "St. Mark's- Parish," Chapter, "Knight's of the Horse Shoe." to Albemarle. Attention to these details will ex- plain seeming discrepancies arising out of the fact that settlers on the frontiers found themselves cit- izens of several counties in succession, without changing their abodes. The same person, in the same place, may have been a citizen of Henrico, of Goochland, of Albemarle, and of Amherst. |
| page 14 MEMOIR OF COL. JOSHUA FRY.
At the junction of the Robinson River and what, in old times, was called the Meander,* but is now known by the more prosaic name of Crooked Run, lies one of the best farms in Piedmontese Virginia. It was patented in 1726-39 by Joshua Fry, the root in Virginia of a prolific family tree whose branches have spread through the South and West, and pen- etrated the North, at least as far as Philadelphia and New York. At the date of the first patent this land was in Spotsylvania County, and has been, in succession, under the jurisdiction of Orange (1734), of Culpeper (1748 to 1792), and since the last date of Madison County. Between the two streams is a beautiful eminence rising gradually from the banks of the Robinson river, which, in its rapid transit from the blue mountains in the distance, runs through valleys so thick with corn, that, in the language of the Psalm- ist, they laugh and sing, and then sweeps in a graceful curve around the hill, and receives into its bosom its meandering tributary. On the eminence stands a house, hoary with a century's mosses, and having in it a historical room originally dedicated to the * So called in Fry and Jefferson's map and in Henning. |
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muses of music and the dance, in which William Wirt, in his youth, played his pranks and wrote com- edies ; where Thomas Jefferson, in his journeys to and from Washington, in his French Landau, re- freshed himself with hospitable cheer, and which the pioneer Methodist ministers made vocal with the preached word, the voice of prayer and the songs of Zion. This plantation now belongs to Jno. Lightfoot, Esq., lineal descendant of the original patentee. After a somewhat wide digression, I shall return to this point of departure, and give illustrations of the foregoing statements. It has been the uniform tradition that Joshua Fry was born in Somersetshire, England, and was educated at Oxford. But for the uniformity of this tradition, I should be inclined to doubt its truth. The name Fry is coeval with the Colony. As early as 1623, as appears in a census of that date, John Fry died in James City, and Henry Fry at Flower de Hundred. In 1686 there was a John Fry, of St. John's Parish, New Kent, who had large landed interests in old Rappahannock County, now Essex, the very county where our Joshua Fry made his first appearance in Virginia. There are several deeds now on record in Essex, by which this Note. This old mansion was 67 feet long, but only one story high. A second story has been put upon it, and an addition of two stories erected in the rear. A porch, the whole length of the house, has been added in front, and a smaller one at the back. The " Historical Room," 24 x 19 feet, remains intact, ex- cept a new door opening on the front porch. The plantation, which originally consisted of nearly 4,000 acres, is now divided into seven or eight farms. This house was built by Henry Fry, (son of Col. Joshua Fry), when he came from Albemarle to live in Culpeper, about 1766. |
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John Fry conveyed lands in Essex to divers parties. On the other hand, in the visitation of Somerset County, England, by Sir Thomas Phillips, privately printed, as I learn from Mr. Spofford, the accom- plished Librarian of Congress, there is a pedigree of Fryes of Carrington, (1623) and later, in which the name is spelled with a final e. Gov. Dinwiddie's Commission to Col. Joshua Fry has the final e also. But in the records of Albemarle County, where Col. Joshua Fry signed his own name many times, the present form, Fry, is observed. It is remarkable how many variations of the or- thography of the same name occur in the records of a century. There are ten clergymen of the Church of England now in charge of parishes there, who spell their names Fry. But, returning from this digression and accepting, as true, the tradition that Col. Joshua Fry was born in England, we have no means of determining the date of his migration to Virginia. We first made his acquaintance in the Parish Register, as Vestry- man, and in the Records of the Court, as Commis- sioner (Magistrate) of Essex County, between 1710 and 1720. Here he married the widow of Col. Hill, a large landed proprietor on the Rappahannock river. Her maiden name was Mary Micou, and she was the daughter of Paul Micou, physician and sur- geon, a Huguenot exile from persecution in France. Paul Micou, it is thought, brought his wife, and perhaps, some of his elder children with him. He |
17 certainly brought his library, pictures and plate. One of his daughters
married John Lomax, the grand-father of the learned jurist and author,
the late Judge John T. Lomax, sometime Professor of Law (U. Va.), Justice
of the Court of Appeals, and so long one of the pillars of the Episcopal
Church in Fredericksburg, Va. Another daughter married Moore Faunt Le Roy,
a man of mark in his day, and the ancestor of the family of that name in
Virginia.
I know of no other person in our history of like social position, wealth, capacity, character, and pub- lic services, as Col. Fry, about whom there is so little to be found in print, and that little so scattered in infinitesmal items. We have to trace his career by the posts of honor which he filled, as we would track the general of an army by the names of his battles, in ignorance of the details of his campaigns. The next appearance of Col. Fry to public view is at Williamsburg, (1728-29). In the deed of the Surviving Trustees, who were Rev. Commissary Blair and Rev. Peter Fouace, transferring the prop- erty of William and Mary College to the Professors and Masters, they say : That, in pursuance of the trust confided to them, they had established two schools in Theology, and appointed as Professors thereof, the Rev. Bartholomew Yates and the Rev. ^ Note. James Roy Micou,the present venerable Vestryman of his parish, and Clerk of Essex County, is of the fifth generation in descent from the ancestral Paul Micou, who left large estates to his children. His tombstone, on the Old Port Micou Estate, is, or was, before the war, extant, with the inscrip- tion : " Here lies the body of Paul Micou, who departed this life 22 May, 1736, in the 78th year of his age." |
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Francis Fontaine ; two schools in Philosophy, and appointed Rev. Mr. Dawson and Mr. Irvine, to those chairs. They established a Grammar School, and made Mr. Joshua Fry, of Williamsburg, master of it. He was afterwards advanced to the chair of Mathematics ; but of the duration of his connection with the College, or of the incidents which character- ized it, I have been only able to find these two items. In the extant records is the following entry : "The foundation of the President's House was laid on the 30th of July, 1732. The President, (Rev. James Blair), Mr. Dawson, (who succeeded Blair as Commissary), Mr. Fry, Mr. Stith, (historian), and one Fox, laying the first five bricks in order, one after another." In the Virginia Gazette, (the first newspaper in Virginia), the following article is found : Williamsburg, Jan. 5th, 1738. "Towards the close of the last session of Assem- bly, a proposition was presented to the House by Mr. Joshua Fry, Major Robert Brooke, and Major Wm. Mayo, to make an exact survey of the Colony, and print and publish a map thereof, in which shall be laid down the bays, navigable rivers, with the soundings, counties, parishes, towns, and gentlemen's seats, with whatever is useful or remarkable, if the House should see fit to encourage the same." NOTE The College, it will be remembered, with many of its records, have been repeatedly burned ; and during the late occupation by Federal troops, books and MSS. were carried off, and among them the old Vestry Book of Brewton Parish. |
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But as the said proposition was presented too late in the session, it was ordered that the consider- ation thereof should be postponed to the next session of Assembly. (Historical Register, vol. 4, p. 150, from Virginia Gazette). It is not worthwhile to say what a precious treas- ure such a work would have been to after generations. This proposition is not alluded to in Henning, and the presumption is, that nothing came of it. It is chiefly interesting now in connection with the map executed some years after by Fry and Jefferson, showing that Fry had such a work in contemplation many years before he made his map. One authority, (Drake) says that after the resig- nation of his professorship he was a member of the House of Burgesses, and of the King's Council. But whether he represented the College, or the County of Goochland, or Albemarle, is not known<9> The next trace of Mr. Fry, is in the new County of Albemarle, which was cut off from Goochland by Act of Assembly, in September, 1744. Joshua Fry was living at that time on Hardware River, near Carter's Bridge, between Charlottsville and Scotts- ville. The Act of Assembly establishing the County of Albemarle, provided, that, after the last day of Note. I am indebted to Mr. R. A. Brock, Secretary Virginia Historical Society, and F. R. Herson, for this reference. |
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December, ending, a Court should be organized. Accordingly, on the 28th of February, 1745, the Commissioners appointed for the new County, met, and the minute-book gives their names, viz.: Joshua Fry, Peter Jefferson, Allen Howard, Wm. Cabell, Joseph Thompson, and Thomas Bellew. A Com- mission of the Peace, directed to these persons, and a dedimus protestatum for administering the oath were openly read. Whereupon, Allen Howard and Wm. Cabell administered the oath prescribed by Act of Parliament to be taken, instead of oath of Al- legience and Supremacy, and the Abjuration oath to Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, who took the same, and then subscribed to the Abjuration and the Test. Then Allen Howard and Wm. Cabell admin- istered to Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson the oath of Justice of the Peace, and the oath of Justice of the County Court in Chancery. On the same day the Court, composed of these Justices, met, Joshua Fry presided, and signed the minutes. He contin- ued to be the presiding Justice of the Peace till August, 1748, probably much longer; but the minute books of the Court from 1748 to 1775 are entirely lost. At the first Court, Wm. Randolph produced his commission, and was sworn in as Sheriff; Joshua Fry produced his commission, and qualified as Sur- veyor ; Edward Gray was sworn as King's Attorney. It was ordered that Joshua Fry, gentleman, will meet the persons Goochland hath appointed, to run |
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the dividing line between Goochland and Albemarle. At the second court, Fry, Cabell, Jefferson and Bellew were present. Thomas Turpin was sworn in as Assistant Surveyor to Joshua Fry, March 28, 1745. A commission from the Honorable, the Lieu- tenant Governor, to Joshua Fry, Esq., to be County Lieutenant of Albemarle ; Peter Jefferson to be Lieutenant Colonel ; and Allen Howard, Major, was produced by Joshua Fry, and they were qualified. The organization of a County Court affords an opportunity of paying a tribute in passing, to this "reflection of the old Shire system of England," which will not be impertinent to the purpose of this memoir. And this I find already done for me by Dr. Wm. Palmer, in his very able introduction to the Calendar of State Papers, which I take the liberty of abridging at the risk of marring the style. The County Lieut., its chief officer, originally called Com- mander of Plantations, was in England generally a knight, so in Virginia he was " a gentleman," and generally a large land-holder. He governed the County, and upon him rested the responsibility of a faithful execution of the laws. He could call out the militia when occasion demanded, and account to the Governor and Council for his conduct. The officers of the militia were subject to his orders, and he could even organize courts martial. He was as much a representative of the Governor and Council at Wil- liamsburg as the latter were of the Council at Lon- don. The members of the County Court were men |
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of substance and influence, and exponents of what was pure in character and patriotic in purpose. The records show many instances in which gentlemen refused to sit upon the bench with those who were habitual swearers or drunkards, or who were other- wise of such demeanor as was inconsistent with their sense of decorum. To such a standard of virtue was legitimately traced the tone of public sentiment so long prevalent in the official administration of affairs in Virginia, when the Justice of the Peace was a true exemplar, and the people regarded the County Squire as the imperson- ation of virtue, dignity and decorum. For County Surveyors, intelligent and educated persons were re- quired to submit to an examination by the learned Professors and Masters of William and Mary Col- lege. It is worthy of note that a majority of the mem- bers of the Court in Albemarle, viz.: Col. Wm. Ca- bell, Peter Jefferson, Bellew and Thomas Turpin were assistant surveyors to Col. Fry. In June, 1746, Col. Fry reported and filed in court 150 tracts of land. In June, 1747, he returned 68 tracts, and in July 150 tracts, all in Albemarle, surveyed by him. Note i. We commend to our readers Dr. Palmer's Introduction. It is not only valuable as an exposition of our historical documents, but it is a model of style. The picture of the County Clerk of olden time is a gem. Note 2. Peter Jefferson was the son of Thomas Jefferson, of Osborne, Chesterfield Co. He was born in 1708, and married Jane, daughter of Isham Randolph, of Dunginess. He had six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas, Pres. U. S., was the elder. Thomas Turpin (descended from Philip Turpin, Yorkshire, Eng., who married Martha Skirm, of Hanover Co.) married an aunt of Thomas Jefferson, President. |
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I am indebted to Mr. Alexander Brown, of Union Hill, Nelson Co., a gentleman of antiquarian tastes and studies, for memoranda from the " Cabell Papers ' of many entries of land in Albemarle, Amherst, Campbell, Buckingham, and Bedford, made by Col. Fry, from 1747 to 1753, inclusive. The entries in his own name (not withdrawn or transferred) amount to 9,000 acres. There are also entries made in the name of his son, Henry. Several of these tracts of land are mentioned in Col. Fry's Will. There are also entries with Thomas Turpin and Thomas Bel- lew, and one in Rev. Mr. Dawson's name, for 15,000 acres. One object in giving the foregoing details of Col. Fry's work at home, is to give the reader some con- ception of his extraordinary industry and energy, as Note 3. There were three Wm. Cabells in succession : Dr. Wm. Cabell, the immigrant, born in Warminster, England, March 9, 1700, died in Vir- ginia 1774. He was the friend and assistant surveyor to Col. Fry. He en- tered the first land west of Rockfish River 1735, extending thence along the Fluvanna (as James River above the mouth of the Rivanna was then called) 20 miles, thus extending the settlements 30 miles westward, when in the words of his orders in Council " no other man would attempt it." This land embraced about 8,000 acres of James River bottom. In 1741 he moved on it to keep off squatters, and there being no field for his profession, he became as- sistant surveyor to Col. Wm. Mayo after his death (1744) to Col. Fry till his death (1754). He then resumed the practice of his profession. From an entry in his diary (for which I am indebted to Mr. Alex. Brown, of Union Hill) we learn that Dr. Cabell " visited (1763) Madame Mary Fry" (she died, 1770), and in September, 1770, he says : " Attended Col. John Fry's wife with dead child three nights and two days." Col. Wm. Cabell, of Union Hill, was the son of the foregoing, and being a man of large landed possessions and wide business relations, and having filled many public offices, he had a large accumulation of valuable papers, including those of Rev. Robert Rose, a cousin of Patrick Henry, much of which have unhappily been destroyed. His, is one of the portraits, and Union Hill one of the scenes, in Mr. Grigsby's elegant historical picture of the Convention of 1776. Col. Wm. Cabell, Junior, was the son of Col. Wm., Sr., and the grandfather of the Hon Wm. Rives. This family, in each generation, were wardens and pillars of the Episcopal Church. |
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illustrated by the fact that, in the intervals between his engagements at home, he was discharging most honorable public trusts confided to him by the Gover- nor. Thus in 1 745 he was one of the Commissioners of the Crown for marking the line from the headsprings of the Rappahannock River to the headsprings of the Potomac, defining the western limit of the Northern Necks with his friend and co-laborer, Peter Jefferson. He was one of the Commissioners of the Crown in continuing the line between Virginia and North Caro- lina. In the same year, with the same colleague, he finished the map of Virginia, since known as Fry and Jefferson's Map. In 1752 he was one of the Com- missioners for Virginia in negotiating the Treaty of Logstown. These important and laborious trusts were dis- charged, it will be noted, in the intervals of the busi- ness done at home, as County Lieut., Presiding Jus- tice, and Surveyor of Albemarle Co. Of these hon- orable achievements I proceed to give some details in their historical order, which will enable the general reader to appreciate them. |
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| Chapter III.
AND FIRST OF NORTHERN NECK. Those versed in the history of the State need, hardly be reminded that the Lords Fairfax, by inter- marriage with the heiress of Lord Culpeper, became the proprietors of that princely domain known as |
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the Northern Neck, and containing all the land be- tween the Potomac and the Rappahannock riveis, from their fountains to the Chesapeake Bay. As soon as adventurous speculators began to enter lands alone these rivers towards the mountains, a contest arose between the agents of the Crown and those of Lord Fairfax, as to which of divers branches was the main stream of the Potomac and of the Rappahan- nock, and where were their fountains. Upon the question whether the Northern branch of the Rap- pahannock or the Southern branch [called Rapid Ann] was the Rappahannock proper, depended the titles to all the land in the present counties of Cul- peper, Madison, and Rappahannock. In 1733, Lord Fairfax, proprietor of the Northern Neck, petitioned the King in Council for a " Com- mission for running- out and marking the limits of his Patent." Accordingly, three Commissioners on the part of the Crown, viz.: Col. Wm. Byrd, of West- over ; John Robinson, of Piscataway, and John Grymes, of Brandon, Middlesex, were appointed. Lord Fairfax, on his part, designated Wm. Beverly, Wm. Fairfax, and Chas. Carter. They were author- ized to summon witnesses, take depositions, and em- ploy surveyors, chain-carriers, and markers. The surveyors were Thomas and Mayo. They met in Fredericksburg, September 26, 1736, began their work on October 12, and finished it on December 14th. Col. Byrd has left a very humorous narrative of their survey. Separate reports were made and re- |
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ferrecl to the Council for Plantation Affairs, which decided that the line ou^ht to beoin at the head- spring of the South Branch of the Rappahannock [the Rapid Ann,] and run northwest to the point where the Potomac River rises. This report was confirmed by the King in Council [April n, 1745], and an order issued for the appointment of other Commissioners to run and mark the line,* agreeably Note The line marked may be seen in the accompanying section of their map. The journal of the Commissioners, with many other valuable documents referred to by Commissioner C. J. Faulkner, in his Report to Gov. Floyd (1832), were abstracted (stolen) from the State Library during the occupation of Richmond by the Federal troops. The reader is referred to the Byrd Papers and to the author's " History of St. Mark's Parish" for further details. There is a copy of Hon. C. J. Faulkner's Report on Kereheval's " History of the Valley of Virginia." |
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to this decision. The new Commission consisted of the same persons on the part of Lord Fairfax, and on the part of the Crown Col. Joshua Fry, Col. Luns- ford, and Major Peter Hedgeman. They began their survey on September 18, 1746, ( and on October 19 they planted the Fairfax Stone at the point which had been designated by the preced- ing Commissioners as the true headspring of the Po- tomac River. A joint report [with neat maps and field notes by the surveyors Thomas
and Major Wrn. Mayo] were made to the authorities in England, and the contro-
versy terminated.
THE -BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN VIR- GINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA. In 1749, Col. Fry and his friend, Peter Jefferson, were commissioned on the part of Virginia, to con- tinue the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, which had been run, in 1728, from the sea to Peter's Creek, by Col. Wm. Byrd, Wm. Dandridge and Richard Fitzwilliams, with Thomas and Mayo as surveyors. Fry and Jefferson continued the line from Peter's Creek (in the present County of Patrick, Va.) to Steep Rock Creek. This line was not completed to the Tennessee River till 1778, by Dr. Thomas |
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Walker and David Smith, on the part of Virginia. They had great difficulty
in finding the place where Fry and Jefferson ended their line, on account
of the timber which had died in the mean time. It was fixed by astronomical
observations. (These Reports may be seen in 9th H. 9, 562.)
Chapter V. Fry and Jefferson's Map. A Collection of the Colonial Maps is an interest- ing and suggestive study. Capt. John Smith's map is the first and the basis of all the others. It is founded upon his personal observations, and upon conjectures suggested by the Indians and others, and, considering the circumstances in which his work was done, it is remarkably well done. Mr. Jefferson says that Fry and Jefferson's map, 1749, was the first founded upon actual surveys. But there lies before me a map drawn in 1760. Its title is, " Virginia and Maryland, as planted and inhabited this present year, 1 760 ; surveyed and exactly drawn by the only labour and endeavour of AuQfustin Herman Bohemiensis." * Note. On this map are some curiuus observations. The land (he says) between James and Roanoke Rivers is for the most part sunken and swampy, and therein harbour Tigers, Bears and other devouring creatures. The heads of York River (he says) issue out of marshy ground, and not out of mountains, as other rivers. At the fountains of Chickahominy he places what he calls the " Golden or Brass Hill, with the springs that issue from the hill is a glistening sand like the filings of brass." I have also a map of the United States, with the British Territories and those of Spam, according to the Treaty of 1784, and Bowen's Map of the British and Spanish Dominions in North America, according to the Definitive Treaty of Paris. The author is indebted to his friend and relation, Wm. Green, LL.D., of Richmond, a genileman whose library is rich in historical treasures, and who is himself a " walking library,"' for kindly presenting him with these maps. Mr. Joseph Horner, the Anti- quary of Warrenton, Va., has a copy of Henry's Map of Virginia. I have, too, Mayo's Map of the Northern Neck, 1736. |
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The next in my collection is Fry and Jefferson's map, of which I have two editions. One of these is on a reduced scale, including Maryland, parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and "the most inhabited parts of Virginia." It was made at the Photo-Lithographic Institute, Oxford St., London, 1775. The other is a French edition of the entire map of Virginia, and is entitled, " Carte de la Virginie et Maryland, dresse sur la grande carte de Messrs. Josue Fry et Pierre Jeffer- son, par Le Sr. Robert de Vaugondy, Geographe du Roi, I755-" On this map the seat of Col. Joshua Fry, on Hardware River, in Albemarle County, is marked. The map in Jefferson's Notes of that part of Virginia east of the Alleghany
Mountains, is taken from Fry and Jefferson's map. There lies before me,
too, a copy of the Second Edition of J no. Mitchell's Map of the British
and French Dominions in North America, drawn originally in 1750.
THE TREATY OF LOGSTOWN. The next trust committed to Col. Fry by the Governor was his appointment, in 1752, to be one of the Commissioners to negotiate the Treaty of Logs- town, an Indian village on the right bank of the Ohio River, about eighteen miles below the present site of Pittsburg, which last was called Fort Du Quesne by |
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the French and Fort Pitt by the English. A few words as to the incidents which led to this treaty, the parties to it, and the points settled by it, will not be impertinent. In 1749, the Ohio Company, composed of Mr. Hanbury and other leading merchants of Lon- don, and planters in Virginia, (among whom were Lawrence Washington and Thomas Lee, President of the Council,) was chartered by the British Gov- ernment, which granted to them 600,000 acres of land in the valley of the Ohio River. Their objects being commercial as well as territorial, they took measures for exploring the country and establishing trading posts among the Indians. In 1750 they appointed Christopher Gist, an adventurous woodsman from the Yadkin, North Carolina, as their agent. He explored the country for several hundred miles north of the Ohio, and as far south as the Falls. In 1 75 1 he continued his explorations up the south side of the Ohio to the Kanawha River. His jour- nal is still extant. The jealousy of the French was excited, and the Company's agents at their trading posts were seized and carried off. The policy both of the English and of the French was to gain the favor and co-operation of the Indians, who held the balance of power. The Ohio Company suggested to Virginia a treaty with the Indians at Logstown, and appointed Gist as their agent. The Government of Virginia adopted the suggestion, and appointed Col. Joshua Fry, Col. Lunsford Lomax and Col. James Patton as their Commissioners. The Shawnee |
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Mingo and Delaware Tribes were also represented. The Treaty was concluded on June 13th, 1752. By the Treaty the Indians bound themselves not to mo- lest any settlement on the southeast side of the Ohio. They also became allies of the English, and rendered valuable service in the ensuing year. Gist was one of the first settlers in the valley of the Monongahela, and induced other families to keep him company. (See Marshall's Washington, v. 1, p. 25 ; Spark's, 2, p. 27; I rving's Washington.) In the instructions to the Commissioners it is said, that "as doubts had arisen about the construction of the Treaty of Lancaster, and as it had been alleged that the " Six Nations " thought themselves imposed upon, it was necessary to have the subject explained. It is the same old story of which we have had so many rehearsals since. For the chiefs, in acknowl- edging that the Lancaster deed was " for a quantity of land in Virginia which you and the whites have a right to," say (mournfully) but we " never under- stood, until you told us yesterday, that the lands then sold were to extend farther towards the setting sun than the hill on the other side of the Alleghany hills. On the French edition of Fry's map is this inscription: " Route Indienne par La Traite de Lancastre." It is a marked line in the valley of Virginia on the headwaters of the North Shenandoah River. Note. In addition to the authorities just cited, I acknowledge my obligations to Lyman C. Draper, LL.D., the accomplished and courteous Secretary of the Wisconsin Historical Society, who has a very rare, if not unique volume upon this subject. |
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After his return from Logstown, Col. Fry met with a severe accident, as appears from the following entry in the diary of Dr. Wm. Cabell, (before quoted) viz., Oct. 16, 1752. " Left the Doctor's in company with Col. Fry, who had a fall from his horse near Deep Run Chapel, and by it broke his collar bone and bruised his ribs, if not broke them. Taken in and kindly treated by Samuel Allen." |
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| Chapter VII.
COL. FRY APPOINTED TO COMMAND THE VIRGINIA FORCES. HIS COMMIS- SION. HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND EPITAPH. England and France had been watching each other with eagle eyes on the Ohio and its tributaries. The little war-cloud which had been hovering- in the northwestern horizon, now put on a darker and more angry aspect, with occasional flashes, portentous of a coming storm. The youthful Washington, in his twenty-first year, had been sent by the Governor of Virginia on a mission of peace to the Commander of the French, which failed of its end. The great con- test for supremacy in the valley of the Mississippi, so bie with momentous issues to the material interests of England, America and France, and to the cause of constitutional government, civilization and religion, was about to begin in earnest. The Ohio Company, composed chiefly of merchants in London and plan- |
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ters in Virginia, and having a grant of 600,000 acres of land in the Ohio valley, was active in stimulating resistance to French aggression. The bugle sounded to battle. The General Assembly of Virginia appro- priated ,£10,000 to swell the Virginia Regiment, as it was called. Governor Dinwiddie, in looking for a proper person to command the Virginia forces, fixed his eye on Col. Joshua Fry, and gave him the chief ?command. The following is a copy of the commission from the original now in the possession of his great-great- grandson, Mr. Wm. O. Fry, of Charlottesville, Virginia. TO JOSHUA FRY. "His Majesty, by his royal instructions, commanded me to send a proper number of forces, to erect and maintain a fort at the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers ; and, having a good opinion of your loyalty, conduct and ability, I do hereby institute, appoint and com- mission you to be Colonel and Commander-in-Chief of the forces now raising, to be called the Virginia Regiment, with which and the artillery, arms and ammunition, necessary provisions and stores, you are with all possible dispatch to proceed to the said Fort of Monongahela, and there act according to your in- structions." Washington W as the Lieutenant-Colonel of this regiment, and went in advance to clear a road for the artillery which was to follow with Col. Fry, |
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from Alexandria. Washington left Alexandria, April 27, 1754. The artillery was to be conveyed up the Potomac to Will's Creek. Having reached the mouth of Will's Creek (Fort Cumberland) on the Potomac River, Col. Fry was suddenly arrested by the hand of death, 31st of May, 1754. Had he lived, who can tell what he might have achieved by his engineering skill, and by his experience of life in the wilderness, and his personal knowledge of the country which he had before traversed. Washington succeeded to the command, and, in due time, had the " all cloudless glory to free his country." And his name and fame are now co-incident with civilization, and promise to be co-eval with Time. In a cotemporary notice of Col. Fry's death, it was said : " He was a man of so clear a mind, so mild a temper, and so good a heart that he never failed to enjoy the love and esteem of all who knew or were connected with him, and he was universally lamented." I have never seen in print the circumstances of Col. Fry's burial, but I find in the family papers a manuscript which is not accredited to any authority, giving the following brief notice, which is beautiful in its incidents, and will be a fitting peroration to the brief memoir of a man whose memory has nearly lapsed from the minds of the present generation, but which should not be suffered to perish, and which, I would fain hope, my humble tribute may, in some measure, serve to revive and to hand down to the generation to come. .V |
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" Col. Fry was buried near Fort Cumberland, near Will's Creek, on May 31, 1754." Washington and the army attended the funeral ; and on a large oak tree, which now stands as a tomb and a monument to his memory, Washington cut the following inscription, which can be read to this day : " Under this oak lies the body of the good, the JUST AND THE NOBLE FRY." Col. Fry left five children, viz : 1. John, born May 7, 1737. 2. Henry, born October 19, 1738. 3. Martha, born May 18, 1740. 4. William, born Feb. 6, 1743, died July 1, 1760. 5. Margaret, born May 15, 1744. Mrs. Margaret Fry, wife of Col. Joshua Fry, died August 20, 1772.
COL. FRY'S LAST WILL. Col. Fry's will was admitted to record in the County Court of Albemarle, Va., August 8, 1754. His wife, and his friend, Peter Jefferson, qualifying as executors. Note. Fry Washington found among Col. Fry's papers, a blank commis- sion of Cap'.ain, which he gave to Adam Stephen, afterwards Gen'l Adam Stephen. |
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His will begins thus : In the name of God, Amen. I, Joshua Fry, of the County of Albemarle, being in good health and of sound memory, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament. He gives to his dear wife, Mary, the land on which he lives, and also that part of his land in Culpeper, which lies between the Robinson River and Crooked Run, including the old quarter, during her life. He also gives her one-third part of his slaves for life, and all his household goods. He gives all his slaves to be divided among his children, when his son Henry becomes of age. The profits arising from his lands and slaves, (excepting those devised his wife for life), he allots to the maintenance and education of his children, to the saving of his lands. He gives to his son John, and his heirs, the land on which the testator now lives, after the death of his mother ; he also gives his son John, his Eppes tract and the one adjoining it, also 400 acres on Tye River, and his part of the order in council, to him and Twipin, adjoining ; also, 4 other tracts of 900 acres. He gives to his son Henry, all his lands in Culpeper, on the Robinson River and its branches, his mother retaining that part between the Robinson River and C. Run, during her life. My son Henry, he says, has a tract in his own name on Boiling's Creek of Fluvanna, the patent for which is three years old. Peyton Randolph is to attend to its continuance, but if it lapses and a fresh grant be taken by me, I give |
37
it to my son Henry, and if the entry is in the name of my son John, I command him to make a title to his brother Henry, on pains of forfeiting to his said brother, the lands on Briery Creek, which in that event, I give to my son Henry. He gives to his son William his lands on Willis' branches, and on Glover's road, containing iioo acres, he having in his own name, two tracts on Tongue quarter, and Buck and Doe Creeks. He gives to his daughter, Martha, his mine tract on the Meadows, and another adjoining, and another tract on the Milestone branch, adjoining Harvies Green Spring Tract. He gives to his daughter, Margaret, his land on Porridge Creek, containing 2018 acres, my daughters having in their own names, two tracts on Rocky Run, to which I have added 400 acres on both sides of Buffalo River, which they must divide equally be- tween them. He gives to his friend Col. Jefferson, all his sur- veying instruments. He gives the residue of his estate, including the money arising from the sale of his lands in Bruns- wick, which he empowers his executors to sell, to be equally divided between his wife and children. Finally, he appoints his dear wife and his friend, Col. Peter Jefferson, and his son John, executors of his will. ,, 7 . ) John Martin, Witnesses, Cobbs ...( Samuel Cobbs). I |
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Col. Fry, when he lay down to die at the mouth of Wills Creek, (then a howling wilderness), little dreamed that in a few years his youthful Lieutenant, Washington, would be the Commander-in-Chief of a Continental Army and the chief instrument of pluck- ing from the British crown (to which they were both then loyal and loving subjects), its brightest jewel, and would be the first President of a great American Republic, recognized and revered by all its citizens, as the Father of his country. As little did he dream that the son (of his other Lieutenant, Peter Jefferson), then a school-boy, after a brief interval, should succeed Washington in the same office, or their common county of Albemarle, should found a University which should overshadow and eclipse his own beloved William and Mary. It did not enter into his imagin- ation that his assistant (Surveyor), Dr. William Cabell, would be the progenitor of a race that should illustrate the history of Virginia, in the halls of leg- islation, and the academies of learning, and repre- sent the American Republic at the Court of France, to drive whose subjects from the soil of Virginia, he had girded on his armour and was about to lay down his life. Much less did he dream that before the celebra- tion of its first Centennial, the great American Re- public should be convulsed and rent by civil war, and that his own descendants would be found fighting under hostile banners on both sides of the bloody chasm. It is a merciful Providence which hides the f |
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future of time and sense from our eyes. Could we foresee the developments of the next half century, they might make each particular hair stand on end. We might see Rampant war "Yoke the red dragons of her iron car And Peace and Mercy banished from the plain, Spring on the viewless winds to Heaven again." Or we might see the goddess of reason so-called), enthroned in the Capitol, after the fashion of the French, or the Commons dispersed at the point of the bayonet, after the example of Cromwell ; or an Emperor in the seat of Washington, and the empire sold at auction after the manner of the Romans. But thank God this world is not the last scene in the drama of Providence. The eye of faith passes the bounds of time and sense, and reveals another scene, where all wrongs will be righted, where might will not be the master, but the hand-maid of right all dark Providences be illuminated truth triumph- ant the only law be love into which all the attri- butes of God and all the ways of His Providence shall be seen to meet and melt, as all the colors of the rainbow meet and blend into a ray of pure perfect light. " God is Light and God is Love." Without such a God, history would be unintelli- gible an inexplicable enigma to thought and a crushing weight upon the heart. |
| 40 PREFACE TO GENEALOGY.
The candid reader will please mark, learn and inwardly digest this preface, before he plunges into the pedigree. Genealogies seem to be the outgrowth of an instinct common to the human family, which raises a strong presumption, that this instinct was implanted for wiser ends, than the ministering to personal vanity or family pride. The oldest histories (we are told by high authority are drawn upon a genealogical basis). " The Pedigrees preserved in the book of Genesis are the scaffolding to the temple of universal history, and the Bible regarded as a whole, is a genealogical collection of surpassing interest and value. 1 ' But as these, (it may be said), were designed to subserve special religious ends, it will be pertinent to remind the reader, that the earliest Greek histories are Genealogies, and the " Gens and Familae familas of the Romans," " the clans of the Celts and the common patronymics of the Saxons " are examples of this instinct, and of its historical uses. The errors and discrepancies which have crept into the chronicles of the Jews, notwithstanding the religious care with which they have been preserved, show how difficult it is to keep them out of such records. Volumes have been written by scholars to reconcile the discrepancies in the books of Chronicles, and Ezra, and in the Genealogies of our blessed Saviour himself, and still they are subjects of dispute. |
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An author cannot spin Genealogies out of his own brain, as the goddess sprung complete from the brain of Jupiter. He can only collate and digest materials gathered from various and often conflicting authorities. They then pass into the hands of copyists, and are thence committed to the tender mercies of that most formidable of all steam engines, the press. It will be a marvel if a family can make all these perilous passages without the loss of some member or suffering such dislocations and fractures that they often can hardly be recognized. If therefore, one does not find himself married to his grandmother, he ought to be happy, instead of regarding himself as the victim of malice aforethought or culpable care- lessness. The worst crimes that can be charged upon Au- thors and Printers when they maim or kill people before their time is what the lawyers call "involuntary manslaughter." The present writer used to think the Litany of the Church perfect. But since he has been so rash as to perpetrate pedigrees, he is inclined to believe that the litany would be improved by one more petition, From writing Genealogies Deliver us. |
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THE GENEALOGY. The readers special attention is called to the following abbreviations, viz.: b for born, d for died, m for married, s for son, dau. for daughter, ch for child, d. s. p.- died without issue. r 4 -no* Col. Joshua Fry m Mrs. Hill, whose maiden name was Mary Micou, dau. of Paul Micou, (Physician and Surgeon), who was an exile from France, to Essex County, Virginia. Their issue was : I. Col. John Fry, Vestryman of St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle, Va., b May 7, 1737. He m Miss Adams, and had issue, Joshua, William and Tabitha. Issue of Joshua 2 Fry, Vestryman of St. Ann's Parish, and Peachy Walker, his wife, who was the dau. of Dr. Thomas Walker of Castle Hill, Albe- marle, Va. They moved to Kentucky. He was a renowned classical teacher in Va. and in Ky. Issue 1. Dr. John 2 Fry m Judith Harrison, still surviving, in her 90th year, and walks to church every Sunday ; their issue is : 1. Peachy, m Mr. Montgomery ; 2, John ; 3, Cary H. General U. S. A., commended by General Taylor for gallantry at Buena Vista ; he is buried in Soldiers' Cemetery, San Francisco. II. Thos. Walker, s of Joshua ' 2 Fry, m Betsy Smith and had issue, Gen'l. Speed Smith Fry, distinguished officer U. S. A., and other sons unknown to the Author ; a dau. m Dr. Lewis Warner Green, President Hampden Sidney College, Va., and of Centre |
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College, Ky., other daus. were Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Barbee and Mrs. Winston. William Fry, s of Col. John and grands of Col. Joshua x Fry, moved to Kentucky, d unmarried ; of Tabitha, his sister, nothing is known except that she ni in Kentucky, Boleo Cooke. Issue of Martha, 2d d of Joshua 2 Fry, and David Bell, (Irish Merchant,
Ky.) :
2. Mrs. Beatty, wife of the President of Centre College, Ky. Issue of 3d dau. of Joshua Fry and Judge John Green, Danville, Ky.: 1. Dr. Willis Green, (Frankfort), m dau. of Rt. Rev. B. B. Smith, Presiding Bishop of P. E. Church. 2. Peachy, m Rev. R. A. Johnstone, (Presbyterian) Danville, Ky. 3. Sarah, m married J no. Borsley. 4. Rev. Joshua Fry Green, d 1854. 5. Susan, m James Weir, Boonsboro, Ky. 6. Rev. Wm. L. Green, Peoria, Illinois. Judge J no. Green m 2d, a g-dau. of Col. Thos. Marshall, and Thos. Marshall Green, Maysville, is their son. Note -Dr. Lewis W. Green was the youngest son of Willis Green, who was the son of Duff Green and Anne, daughter of Col. Henry Willis, by his third wife, Mrs. Mildred Gregory. She (Ann), was buried at Danville, Ky, and her tomb-stone still stands. Duff Green was the son of Robert Green, -one of the first Vestrymen of St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper County, Va. 1730. |
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Issue of Mildred Ann, dau. of Joshua 2 Fry and Wm. C. Bullitt* i. Joshua Fry Bullitt, sometime Chief-Justice of Ky., and now of the Louisville Bar, who m Elizabeth R. Smith, and had issue: Joshua Fry, J no. C. and James Bell Bullitt. 2. Alex. Scott Bullitt, d 1840. 3. John C. Bullitt, a leading member of Phila- delphia (Pa.) Bar, (Author of a Review of Binney, on Habeas Corpus, and of a very able defence of Gen'l. Fitz.John Porter, &c.) He m Therese Langhorn, and had issue : 1. Therese, m Dr. Coles, U. S. Navy.; 2. Wm. Christian,, (Lawyer); 3, Julia.; 4, Logan McKnight; 5, James Fry.; 6, Helen Key.; 7, Jno. C. Bullitt, 4. Martha Bell, dau. of Wm. C. Bullitt, d 1847. 5. Susan Peachy, dau. of Wm. C. Bullitt, m Archi- bald Dixon, Lieutenant-Governor of Ky., and U. S. Senator, and had issue : 1, Kate, m David Burbank.; 2. Wm. B. ; 3, Thomas B. 6. Sarah Bell, d infant. 7. Helen Martin, m Dr. Henry Chenowith, and had issue: 1, Martha Ann, m John Stiles, ^Lou- isville Bar); 2, Fanny Bell; 3, Susan B. ; 4, Henry ; 5, James. 8. Capt. Thomas Walker Bullitt, C. S. A., prom- nent lawyer, (Louisville), m Annie, dau. of Note. Wm. C. Bullitt, was the son of Alex. Scott Bullitt, ist Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, President of Convention, Ky, 1799, who married Pr'iscella, daughter of Col. Wm. Christian, and Anne, sister of Patrick Henry, Va. |
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Chancellor Logan and Agatha, g-g-dau. of Col. Thomas Marshall. Issue: i, Wm. Marshall ; 2, James Bell ; 3, Agatha Mar- shall ; 4, Alex. Scott ; 5, Mildred Ann. 9. James Bell Bullitt, C. S. A., killed while carry- ing a Flag of Truce. 10. Henry Massie Bullitt, C. S. A., m Mary L. Frederick. He lives at Oxmoore, near Lou- isville, where his father was born and lived ; his grand-father lived and died, and his great-grand-father Col. William Christian, (who was killed by the Indians), lived and was buried. Issue of Lucy Gilmer, oldest dan. of Joshua ' 2 Fry, and Judge Speed : III. Lucy Gilmer Fry, m Judge J no. Speed, (his 2d wife), she d 1874, issue : 1. Lucy, m James Breckenridge, no issue. 2. James, Att-General, in Lincoln's Cabinet, now a lawyer of Louisville, who m Jane Coch- rane and had issue : John Breckenridge, Henry, Charles, James, and Joshua. 3. Peachy, dau. of Judge Speed, m Austin Peay. issue : George Speed, and Eliza, who m Mr. Ward of the Louisville Bar. 4. Joshua Fry Speed, a wealthy citizen of Louis- ville, m Fanny Henning, no issue. 5. Wm. Speed, m 1st, Miss. Philips; m 2d, Miss Shallcross, who left one child, J. Brecken- ridge Speed. |
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6. Philip Speed, m Emma Keats, (niece of the Poet), issue : i. Mary, m Mr. Tuley, Asst. Post-Master, Louis- ville. 2. George Keats, who 7n and has seven children. v 3. Lina, m Capt. Rogers, U. S. N. of Philadelphia. 4. Ella, m Thos. Crutcher, and left six children. 5 John Keats, connected with the New York World newspaper. 6. Alice m Harry, s of Col. Angus McDonald, Va. 7. Fanny. 8, Florence. 7. Smith, s of Judge Speed, m 1st, Miss Henning : m 2d, Miss Philips, issue several sons and daughters, names unknown to the author, except Mrs. J. Menifee. 8. Susan Fry, dan. of Judge Speed, m Benj. Davis, issue : 1. Lucy, m J. E. Hardy, and has a large family, 2. Eliza. 3. John Speed, who left one child. 4. Joshua. 5. Kate, m Dexter Hewitt, issue : 3 children. 6. Edward, Lieut. U. S. A. 7. Mary. 8. L. Rodgers, m Dr. Douglas Morton of Louis- ville, and had two children. 9. Martha, dan. of Judge Speed, m Mr. Adams, issue : Gilmer and Jesse. 11. Henry Fry, 2d jt of Col. Joshua Fry and Mrs. |
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Hill, (Micou), was b October 19, 1738, m (June 16, 1764), Sukey, dau. of Dr. Thomas Walker, of Albemarle, (in her 17th year.) Issue: 1. Margaret, b May 29, 1765, m Philip Lightfoot, and moved to Ky., issue unknown 11. Reuben, (s of Rev. Henry), b July 9, 1766, d May 29, 1805), m October 16, 1788, Anne Coleman, dau. Col. James Slaughter, of Culpeper, Va., and sister of Capt. Philip Slaughter, both officers of the old revolu- tion. Issue : 1. Susan Peachy, m Matthew, >y of Rev. Matthew Maury, issue : six sons and two daughters, their third dau. 111 Rev. F. B. Nash, (Epis- copal), and left 8 children, one of whom Rev. F. B. Nash, is an Episcopal Minister at Ottawa, 111. Reuben went to Oregon, John to Louisville, and the others to Owingsville, Ky. 11. Matilda, dau. of Reuben Fry and Ann Cole- man Slaughter, m July 3, 18 10, Francis Fontaine, s of Rev. Matthew Maury of Al- bemarle, Va. and moved to Ky. 181 8, (they were both children of Dr. Thos. Walker. Issue : 1. Reuben Thornton, M. D., d in Alabama, leaving one dau. Eliza Thornton, who m Mr. Winter, of Miss. 2. Rev. Matthew Fontaine, (Episcopal), Danville, Ky., who m Miss Chipman of Vermont, and had four children : |
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i. Francis Fontaine, M. D., Prof, in Philadelphia, who m Kate, dau. of Charles Ingersoll. 2. Austin C; 3, James Robb.; 4, Eliza, who.w Matthew Fontaine Maury, of Charlottsville, Va 3. Sarah Slaughter, only dau. of Francis Fontaine Maury and Matilda Fry, m Rev. Edward Berkely, D. D., who was for 19 years Rector of Christ Church, Lexington, Ky., (where he baptised Hon. Henry Clay, in 1847, and buried him in 1852, and is now Rector of St. Peter's, St. Louis, Mo. Issue : 1. Francis Maury, m P. H. Patriarch. 2. Mary Fairfax, m Wm. Ward Childs. 3. Matilda Fontaine, m Lorraine F., s of Rev. Alex. Jones, D. D., formerly of Riehmond, Va. 4. Edward Fairfax, m Miss Hendee, of Georgia. 5. Sarah Thornton; 6, Charlotte; 7, James Henry Fry. III. Anne Clayton, dau. of Reuben Fry and Ann Coleman Slaughter, m (1820), Wm. Hope of Owingsville, Ky. . Issue, 1, Ann M. m Col. R. T. Harvey, Huntington, W. Va., and had issue, 1, Thos. Hope, lawyer, who m Emma McCullough. 2, Fanny, a Nun of St. Joseph's Convent, Wheeling. 3, Clayton H.,4, Robt. Smith, M. D. of Wheel- ing, W. Va. 5, Wm. Hope, lawyer, Gal- lipolis, Ohio, m Anna Halliday and had |
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2. Thomas, s of Wm. Hope, m Mary Payne, and d in San Francisco, 1854. 3. Matilda, dau. of Wm. Hope, m Chapman Mau- pin and has issue : Fanny Clayton, who m Mr. Crawford, and has 3 children ; 2, Thos. H. m Miss Smith.; 3, Albert; 4, Walker, all in Mo. Lucy m J. T. Doyle. Alice m Sampson. Anne Clayton, dau. of Reuben Fry. ;;/ 2d, James Nounnan, issue: 1, Major James H. Noun- nan, C. S. A., wounded four times, ;;/ Miss Harmer, has 2 children, lives in Utah.; 2d, Jos. Fry Nounnan, m Miss Fox, issue : 3"ut*»N. XtaujJj- Josephf Nannie and Charles; San Francisco. IV. Mary, dau. of Reuben Fry and Ann Clay- ton Slaughter, m Robert Nelson Smith, g-s of Gov. Page, Va. Vestryman and devout member of Episcopal Church for 40 years in Kentucky, and Lexington, Mo., where they both died, he in his 84th year. Issue : Eliza W. vi Adjt.-Gen'l. McLane of Gen. Price's Staff C. S. A. Issue : 2, Nelson Smith ; 3, Hugh, s of R. N. Smith ; 4, Richard, died just after his election to Congress, in Santa Fee ; 5, Robert, M. D., m Miss Ruffner and had nine children. The only survivors of 12 children are Joseph, near Lexington, Mo. and Coleman, lawyer, Bates Co. Mo., m . Miss Taylor. |
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V. Joseph, s of R. Fry and A. C. Slaughter, (State Senator, eminent jurist, and Judge at Charleston and Wheeling, W.Va., m Miss Wilson of Charleston, issue: i, James W. dec'd. 2, Jane A. m Judge Paul of Supreme Court, W. Va., and had issue, three children: Judge Fry, m 2d Elizabeth, dau. Rev. Dr. McElhenny, Louisburg, W. Va., issue : 1 Lucy Clayton, m Hon. H. M. Mathews, Governor, W. Va., and had issue : Lucile, Josephine and Wm. Gordon. 2, John Joseph, s of Judge Fry, killed at Manassa, July 21, 186 1, C. S. A. 3, Henry, m L. B. Hoffnagle, and had issue : Frank, Lucy, Clayton, Lily, Josephine L. Elizabeth Ann. 4, Rebecca, dau. of Judge Fry, m Col. George M. Edgar, and had issue : Gertrude, Bessie Randolph, George and John Fry, Lily and Rose, twins. 5, William Wirt. VI. James Henry, s of Reuben Fry and A. C. Slaughter, Sheriff of Kanawha and State Senator, m two Misses Donally, and had issue : 1, Philip, 2, Mrs. Alvin Goshorn, who had 2 chil- dren. 3, Mary, m Lewis Wilson ; 4, Henry, 5, Joseph, 6, Sally. |
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VII. Philip Slaughter, s of Reuben Fry and A. C. Slaughter, Clerk of Orange Co., Va. m Miss Anderson of Richmond, and had issue: Philip Henry, present Clerk of Orange, (b 1834), m Miss Oden, Martinsburg, W. Va., no issue. 2. Edmund M. killed at Manassas, September, 1862. 3. Thos. Slaughter, cotton factor in Mobile, b February 23, 1838, m December 6, 1865 Mary, dan. of Reuben Shorter of Columbus, Ga., and has issue : Charles Philip, Ed- mund Maury, Kate, Fanny Gordon and Mildred. 4. Charles Wm., Hot Springs, Arkansas, (b 1842), m Fanny Davis of Alabama and has two children. 5. Luther Conway, (b November 17, 1844,) Bank officer, Mobile. 6. Reuben Macon, Chicot Co., Arkansas, m Miss Hutchins, Natchez, and has three children. 7, Alexa. Maury, d infant. III. Martha, {dau. of Rev. Henry), b December 21, 1769, d October 17, 1828, m Goodrich Lightfoot, of Madison, Va. Issue : 1. Elizabeth, m Joseph Hume and had two chil- dren. 2. Susan, m Matthew Maury of Albemarle, issue, 7. |
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3. Maria, m Mr. Spence, of Wythe Co., no issue.. 4. Catherine, m Jno. Mayer of Botetourt, issue, 5^ 5. Margaret, m Dr. T. Patterson of Fincastle, no issue. 6. William, m Catherine Maury of Albemarle, issue, 10. 7. Wesley, m Miss Franklin of Amherst, issue, 4. 8. Frank, m Miss Fielder of Culpeper, issue : 1. Col. Edward Lightfoot, C. S. A., now of Bethel Academy, Fauquier Co., who m Miss Chapin, and has issue. 2. Fanny, m Col. Charles Crittenden, C. S. A. issue, 2 children. 3. Mary, m Dr. James Herndon, who d a martyr nursing yellow fever at Fer- nandina. No issue. 9. Walker Lightfoot, Clerk of Culpeper Co., d single. 10. Edward, m Miss. Conner, and has issue : 1. Virginia. 2. John, b 1836, m 1st, dan. of Lewis Turner of Culpeper, and has issue, John and Lizzie, m 2d, Miss Hudgins of Richmond. Edward m 2d, Miss Ann Yancey, and is the only survivor of the children of Good- rich Lightfoot and Martha Fry. |
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IV. Joshua, s of Rev. Henry, b May 17, 1769, d October 17, 1838, m November 24, 1793, Kitty Walker, (b July 1, 1772, ^ 18 14.) Issue: 1. Henry Belville, (b December 22, 1794, d February 14, 1836,) m Annie Clarke, issue : 1. Chas. Meriwether, Pres. Bank New York, who m Lizzie, dau. of B. Watkins Leigh, U. S. Senator, Jurist and Statesman of the first magnitude. 2. Kitty W. m W. D. Fry, of Madison. 3. Maria E. m Thos. Sparks. Issue, Anna, Marion, Clarke, Alice, Henry, Clara, John, Thomas ( C. Meriwether. ) Henry Belville m 2d, Lucy Clark. Issue : 1. Sarah A. m R. S. Thomas, Clerk of Madison Co., and has issue, Clara H., Henry W., Lucy, James, Mary, Sidney, Chas. Meriwether. 2. Mary E. m Jerry Garnett : issue, Belville, Milton, Lucy, Cabel, Selden, Willie H. 3. Clara H. m 12th September, 1877, Absa- lom G. Garnett. 11. Hugh Walker, (s of Joshua,) b January 22, 1796, d February 13, 1872, m 26th Decem- ber, 1820, Maria White, b July 1, 1801. Issue: 1, Wm. Henry, b October 8, 1821,0* May 8, 1844, Jane M. Watson, b Aug. 29, |
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1825. Issue 1, Hugh Walker, b Nov 14, 1846. 2, Anna Maria, b December 6, 1848. 3, Richard Watson, b November 3, 1850. 4, Wm. Henry, b August 15, 1852. jane M., b May 23, 1854. 5, Peter Meriwether, b May 24, 1856. 6, Chas. Nelson, b April 31. 1858. 7, E. Shepherd, b December 27, 1859. 8, Edward Scott, b September 19, 1 86 1, 9, Douglas BJand, b July 24, 1863. 10, M. Douglas, b September 22, 1867. 11, Susan Harris, b October 16, 1869. John James, s of Hugh Walker, b February 5, 1824, m Mary Lewis of Albemarle, b Oct. 6, 1831. Issue : 1. Howell Lewis, b October 1, 1850. 2, Margaret Douglas, b July 12, 1852. 3, John Walker, <$ July 12, 1854. 4, Samuel Gordon, £ October 13, 1856. 5, Infant. 6, Susan S. b October 13, 1859. 7> S. Standford, b January 3, 1863. Hugh Walker, s of Hugh Walker, b April 14, 1826. d October 22, 1872, m Mary L. Davidson of Georgetown, D. C. Issue, Henry D. Fry, M. D., Washington City ; Mary Emily, b ]une 12, 1832, m 1st, Samuel Mitchell. Issue : Sam'l. P. m 2d, Nathaniel Shepherd, Richmond. III. Joshua Jefferson (s of Joshua,) <$ October 6, 1 799, m May 4, i8?3. Sally Scott, d. s.p |
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IV. Mary, b January 29, 1801, ;« George Miller, issue, John, Mary, Lizzie, Joshua, V, S. Emily, b April 29, 1803, m Larkin Willis. Issue : Rev. E. J. Willis. VI. Edward H., /> September 2, 1804. V. Thomas Walker, (s of Rev. Henry,) b Oct. 24, 1770, m the widow of Clayton Slaugh- ter, brother of Capt. Philip Slaughter her maiden-name was Bourn. Thos. Walker, m 2d dau. Col. Abram Maury of Madison Co. Issue : Wm. Wirt and two others. VI. Henry, (s of Rev. Henry,) m Mildred, dau. of Rev. Mathew Maury, Rector of Freder- icksville Parish, Albemarle, and had issue : 1, Mathew, d. s. p. 2, J. Frank, Commis- sioner of the Revenue in Albemarle, so well known and so much respected, who m Jan. 4, 1822. Mary I. dau. of Nelson Barksdale, and had issue: 1, T. Wesley, b June 23, 1823, m Sarah McLauren. Issue, 3: 1, Edwin J. Fry, a leading banker of Marshall, Texas, who m Miss L. Rankin, and had two children. 2, Clara, who m I. F. Star, promi- nent at the Bar. 2, Mathew Henry (s of fas. Frank,) b August 28, 1824, m Sarah, dau. of Alex. St. C. Heiskell, no issue. 3, Mildred J. (dau. of J. Frank,) b November 29, 1825, m James S. Barksdale of Albe- marle. Issue : Mary Elizabeth, Francis |
| 56
D Nelson, Mildred Fry, Betty C. Lucy Maury. 4. Jno. Nelson, (s of J. Frank,) b January 10, 1828, m Mary E. Goodman. No issue, 5, Jesse Lewis, s of J. Frank, (b June 20, 1829,) m Frances Dunkum, and had issue : William, Jesse, Lewis, Rosa Lee, Harry L., Frances Alice. 6, Ann Elizabeth, dau. of J. Frank, b August 16, 1831, m Jas. 2 D. Goodman, and had issue, Mary Mildred, who m James W. Garnett, Culpeper, and has issue, one child. 7, Mary Catherine, dau. of J. Frank, b August 16, 1837, m and had issue, John Thomas, Mathew Fry, Mary Frances, Martha Mildred, Lizzie Lovell and Jennie. VII. John, (s of Rev. Henry,) b June 1 775, ^ April, 1844,) m Miss Haywood of Culpeper, Issue: 1, William, m Miss Jones, Alabama, and his widow married Gen. Sam Lewis, Va. 2, George m Anna Jones, Alabama. 3, Thomas, d. s. p. 4, Austin, m Miss Sweet, Alabama. 5, Budd H., m Miss Waters. 6, Joshua Divers, d. s. p. 7, Elizabeth T., m Dr. Archie Strother, Bath Co. Va., No issue. 8, Susan, m Hugh Minor, Albemarle. ?X Wesley, (of Rev. Henry,) b March 25, 1779, d 1823. m Sukey, (b 1778,) dau. of Hugh Walker. Issue : 1, Eliza, m Geo. W |
57 Clarke of Madison, and had issue, I, Susan m W. D. Tatum, who left
one son, William H., 2, Sarah, m Wm. H. Benton of Lou- doun city, and had
issue : William, Edward, Mary and Clara. 3, Mary C. m John S. Walker of
Madison. 4, Anna E. m Philip Edge, (Albemarle,) and had issue, Mary H.
Anna B., Grace and Rosalie Fry.
II, Clara H., {dau. of W Tesley,) m Dr. Wm. T. Banks, Madison, and has issue, 1, William m Mary Willis and had issue; Ida, who m Wm. H. Early, James W., m Shippa Bur- nett, Sarah, Mollie, m Wm. H Browne, Henry, John, Fanny B. 2, Sophie Banks, in Mr. Allen, (Powhattan.) 3, Dr. J. L. Banks, who m 1st, Miss Hobson, m 2d, Bettie Carson. Issue, Minnie. 4, Clara, m James B. Willis. III. Francis Thornton (s of Wesley,) ^August 12, 1803, m 1 st Miss White and had issue ; Leah, who m Dr. Angus Rucker, leaving issue in Missouri, Clara Bell. Francis Thornton, ;;/ 2d, Sarah Carpenter, and had issue, 1, James Henry, Clerk of Lee County, Texas, who m and has two daughters. 2, John W., m Nannie, dau. of Dr. Alfred Taliaferro, Culpeper. Issue, Nannie. 3, Capt. Wm. O. Fry, (C. S. A.,) Lawyer, (Charlottesville,) and Delegate to General Assembly from Albemarle, 1862-5 : m Lucy |
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T. Saunders of Tennessee. 4, Thomas V. (C. S. A.,) Delegate from Madison, 1877-8, m Octavia, dau. of Parker Ayler ; issue, Roy, Lucien, and Harry. 5: Hugh N. (C S. A.,) m Etta Hill ; issue, Fitzhugh, Frank, Etta. IV. Joshua, s of Wesley, d. s. p. V. Catherine, {dau. of Wesley,) m Thos. White. Issue: 1, Thomas V., Galveston, Texas. 2, RufusC. Paducah, Ky. 3, Hugh L., St. Louis, Mo.; (name of wife not known.) 4, Octavia, m Mr. Booker, Miami, Mo. 5, Daniel, (Michigan.) 6, Kate, m Mr. Mc- Daniel. VI. Martha, dau of Wesley, d. s. p. Wesley Fry, m 2d, (January 16, 171 7,) Sophie, dau. of Dr. Peter Leflet. She was born in Paris, France, (1790,) Issue. VII. 1, Henry, m Martha Webb: m 2d, Bell Burnett. Issue: Wesley, Henry, Fanny, John W., Lizzie. VIII. Sarah, b April 23, 1821, m Wm. T. Nichol. IX. Wm. D. Fry, m Catherine, dau. of Belville Fry. Issue : Lucy Leigh, Chas. Budd, and Hugh N. Meriwether. -Rosalie, m Henry White, Waco, Texas. Issue: Sophie, (Mrs. Smith,) Rosalie, Mrs. Sturgis, Fry. |
59 XL Cornelia, (Mrs. Webb).
XII. Lizzie. XII. Virginia, m J. E. Bradford. Thornton, (s of Rev. Henry), b November 21, 1786, d November 26, 1823, m November 21, 181 1. Eliza R., b January 14, 1 794, afow. of Hon. Philip Rootes Thompson, member of Congress from Culpeper, (1801-1807). Issue : three children, died infants. 4. Cornelia, b August 25, 1817., m Jno. Lyddall Bacon, President of State Bank, Richmond Va., and Vestryman of Monumental and St. Paul's Churches for forty years. Issue : 1, Richard Wilmer ; 2. Charles Lyddall; 3, Margaret Cunningham ; 4, Susan Lee. 5, Francis Thornton, M. D., Quinnemont, W. Va., b September 2, 1819, m Sarah, dan. of Dr. Frank Boykin, Isle of Wight, Va. Issue : Francis Burkitt. 6, General Burkitt Davenport Fry, C. S. A., b June 24, 1822., m Martha A. Micou, Augusta, Ga. These two streams meet again after four generations. To return to the children of Col. Joshua and Mary (Micou) Fry : Martha (b May 18, 1740,) m John, s of Dr. George Nicholas, (Immigrant to Va.) He |
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(John), was the progenitor of the Nicholas of the 7 Islands, James' River. His seat is marked in Fry's map, in the S side of the Fluvanna, (James') River, near Slate River, in what was then Albemarle Co., (now Buckingham.) He was clerk of Albemarle, the Court House then, having been at or near Scottville. His son John C. went to school to Wm. Fontaine, at Union Hill, 1775. He (the son,) m Miss Carter of Williamsburg, and one of their daughters is now an inmate of St. Paul's Church Home in Richmond. There were other sons of John and Martha Fry., viz : Robert Carter, George and Joshua Fry Nicholas. The two first have descendants in Buckingham, but the writer has no information as to these, except that a Robert Nicholas owned the Virginia mills. Joshua Fry Nicholas moved to Kentucky, and one of his daughters m a Brown, another m a Morton, and a third m Winn, and Mrs. Lizzie Simpson Winn in or near Winchester, Ky., is the only representative of their family known to the writer. Dr. Geo. Gilmer in a letter to Col. W T m. Cabell, Sr. ; as I (learn from Mr. Alex. Brown), dated June 5, 1790, says : " Col. Jno. Nicholas carried me in his chariot to 7 Islands, to see his father confined with a severe fit of the gout." Dr. Geo. Nicholas (the first,) had other sons besides the foregoing John of 7 Islands, viz: Robert Carter and George. Robert Carter, Colonial Treasurer, (see Grigsby's Convention of 1776); m dan. of Wilson Cary, (Hampton), and had issue: |
61
1, George, Gov. of Kentucky, who left distinguished descendants. 2, Lewis. 3, John, m Miss Rose, and has descendants in Geneva, N. Y 4, Wilson Cary, U. S. Senator, m Miss Smith and had issue : 1, Robert Carter, U. S. Senator, La., and John, U. S. N. 3, Jane, m Thos. Jefferson Randolph. 4, Elizabeth m Edmund Randolph, Secretary of State, etc., one of whose daughters in Bennett Taylor, father of Jno. C. R. Taylor and of Charlotte Taylor, who m Moncure Robinson of Philadelphia. 5, Anne, m J. H. Norton, and had issue: 1, Courtnay m 1st, Warner Lewis; m 2d, Landon Car- ter, of P. William ; 2, Ann, m Gen. Arm- stead ; 3, Rev. J. H. Norton, who m Miss Gait, of N. Y., and had issue : 1, Rev. John Nicholas Norton, D. D., of Louisville; 2, Rev. George Hatley Norton, D. D., of Alexandria ; 3, Robert Carter Norton, Ohio. Judge Philip Norborne Nicholas of Richmond, Va., (s of Wilson Cary,) m Maria Byrd of Westover, and left issue : Philip Cary, Liz- zie Byrd and Sidney. William, ^ of Col. Joshua Fry, b 1 743, ^single. Margaret, dan. of Col. Joshua Fry, b May 15, 1 741, m a Mr. Scott, probably of the family who founded Scottsville, but the writer after using due dil- igence has not been able to learn anything of their de- scendants authentic enough to warrant publication. |
| 62 FAMILY OF DR. THOMAS WALKER, CASTLE HILL.
Dr. Walker's ancestors (it is believed) came from Staffordshire, England. Capt. Thomas Walker was Burgess from Gloucester Co., Va., 1662. In 1666 he is called Major Thomas Walker, in the list of Bur- gesses. Titles were strictly applied because they meant something in those days. His grandson Thomas Walker, lived in King and Queen, and married there in 1707. He was the father of D r . Thomas Walker of Castle Hill, Albemarle Co., who was born January 25, 1714, and died November 9th, 1794. He is believed to have been the first white man who explored Kentucky. He was Commis- sary General of Virginia troops in Braddock's war ; Memher of House of Burgesses; of the Virginia Convention of 1775; Commissioner to treat with the Indians after their defeat by Andrew Lewis, Com- missioner to run boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, known as Walker's line, and he was the guardian of Thomas Jefferson. He married in 1 741, the widow of Nicholas Meriwether, whose maiden name was Mildred Thornton. Issue : 1. Mary, b July 24th, 1742, m Nicholas Lewis of Albemarle. 2. Col. John Walker of Belvoir, b February 13th, 1744 ; confidential A. D. C. to Washington ; M. C. and Senator, U. S. m Elizabeth, dau, of Bernard Moore and ^-daughter of Gov. Spotswood. Note N. Lewis was Surveyor of Albemarle and was succ^ed^n^T^Tbv Thomas Jefferson. y |
63
The following is a copy of the correspondence between Dr. Thomas Walker and B. Moore, on the occasion, from the originals now before me. May 27th, 1764. Dear Sir : My son, Mr. John Walker, having informed me of his intention to pay his addresses to your daughter, Elizabeth, if he should be agreeable to yourself, lady and daughter, it may not be amiss to inform you what I feel myself able to afford for their support, in case of an union. My affairs are in an uncertain state ; but I will promise one thousand pounds to be paid in 1766 ; and the further sum of two thousand pounds I promised to give him, but the uncertainty of my present affairs prevents my fixing on a time of payment : the above sums are all to be in money or lands and other effects at the option of my said son, John Walker. I am, sir, your humble servant, Thomas Walker. Col. Bernard Moore, Esq. in King William. May 28th, 1 764. Dear Sir : Your son, Mr. John Walker, applied to me for leave to make his addresses to my daughter Elizabeth. I gave him leave, and told him at the same time that my affairs were in such a state that it was not in my power to pay him all the money this year that I intended to give my daughter, provided he succeeded ; but would give him five hundred pounds next spring, and five hundred pounds more as soon after as I could raise or get the money : which sums you may depend, I will most punctually pay to him. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
|
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III. Susan, (often called Sukie), b December 14th, 1746, who m Henry, often called Harry Fry, then Deputy Clerk, of Albe- marle. IV. Thomas, b March 17th, 1741, m dau. of Thos. Hoops, of Carlisle, Pa., who educated Benj. West, the painter. One of Thomas Walker's daughters, Maria Barclay, m Richard Duke, of Albemarle Co., (descend- ant of Sir Edward Duke, Baronet), and by him had Col. Richard Thomas Duke, C. S. A., M. C, and now Deleeate of Albemarle. One of Thomas Walker's ^-sons is Gen. Reuben Lindsay Walker, C. S. A. V. Lucy, b May 5th, 1751, m Dr. Geo. Gilmer of Pen Park, Albemarle, the father of Francis Walker Gilmer, first Professor of Law, University, Va., Author and Scholar; and of Mildred, wife of Wm. Wirt, Attor- ney-General, U. S., and ^--father of Thos. Walker Gilmer, Governor of Virginia, and Secretary of the U. S. Navy. VI. Elizabeth, b August 1, 1753, m Rev. Mat- thew Maury, Fredericksville Parish, Va. VII. Mildred, b June 5th, 1755, m Joseph Hornsby. No issue. Note. Mildred Gregory, the grand-mother of both of Dr. Thomas Walkers' wives was the god-mother of General Washington. |
65
VIII. Sarah, b March 28, 1785, m Col. Reuben Lindsay. IX. Martha, b May 2, 1760, 111 Geo. Divers of Farmington, Albemarle. X. Reuben, d infant. XI. Col. Francis Walker, residuary legatee of Dr. Thomas Walker, b June, 1764, d 1806 : M. C. from Albemarle and Orange counties Virginia, 1792 95. XII. Peachy, b February 6, 1767, m Joshua Fry, Danville, Ky. Dr. Thomas Walker m 2d, Elizabeth Thornton, a double first cousin to his first wife, and both one re- move from first cousins to Gen. Washington, thus : Mildred Washington, sister of Augustine, father of Gen. Washington, m Roger Gregory, and had by him, three daus. viz., Frances, Elizabeth and Mildred Frances m Col. Francis Thornton, and had issue, Mildred and Elizabeth ; of these Mildred m as 2d wife, Col. Sam'l Washington, the brother of Gen. Washington, and Elizabeth m as 2d wife, Dr. Thos. Walker. Mildred Gregory m Col. John Thornton, (brother of Francis), and their dan. Elizabeth m (as 1st wife) Dr. Thomas Walker Elizabeth Gregory m Reuben Thornton. Col Francis Walker, youngest s of Dr. Thomas Walker, m 1798, Jane Byrd, dan. of Col. Hugh Nelson, (who was the son of President Wm. Nelson) and Judith Page, (who was the daughter of John |
| 66
Page of North End, Glocester Co. Va., member of the Kings council and uncle of Gov. Page. Judith Page's mother was Jane Byrd of Westover. Col. Francis Walker, left two daughters, ist, Jane Frances, b 1799, who m 181 5, Dr. Mann Page ; issue : Maria M.; Ella; Frances W. m Anna Cheesem, N. Y., Jno. Cary ; Frederic W. m Ann Merewether ; Jane W. ; Maria; Charlotte N.; Wm. Wilmer; Thomas W. m Nannie Morris. Dr. R. C. M. Page ' m Mrs. Win slow, N. Y. 2d. Judith Page, b March 1802, m Hon. Wm. Cabell Rives, to whose memory a Tablet has been erected in his Parish Church, with the following elegant in- scription : I N M E M ORY OF
Uniting a clear and capacious intellect,
" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. ' |
67
The issue of Win, C. Rives and Judith Page Rives. i. Francis Robert, m Matilda A. only child of George Barclay, N. Y. 2. Wm. Cabell, m Grace, dan. of David Sears, Boston, Mass. 3. Alfred Landon, graduate Virginia Military Institute and of the Ponts et Chaussees, Paris, and is now Chief Engineer of Ohio and Mobile R. R. Co., m Sadie, dan. of James B. McMurdo, Richmond, Va., and grand dau. of Bishop Richard Channing Moore. 4. Amelia Louise, m Henry Sigourney, Boston, Mass., both perished at sea. 5. Ella. Note. By the mother, (Au Frer6), Mrs. Francis Rives is descended from Sir Simon Lockhart, who accompanied Douglas to the holy land with the heart of King Robert the Bruce. George Barclay was the grandson of the Rev. Henry Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church, N. Y., and a kinsman of Robert, author of the famous "Apology for the Quakers." |
| 68
THE MAURYS. The intermarriages between the Maury's and Fry's suggests the reproduction of some branches of the Maury Tree. That tree which is delineated upon the printed chart of the Fontaine and Maury fami- lies was too fruitful to be appended to any other family. They are descended from John De La Fon- taine, the renowned martyr of 1563. Several bran- ches of the stock will be found in the foreeoino- cen- sus interlocked with the Fry's. Mary Anne, great grand dan. of the martyr m 1 7 1 6, in Dublin, Matthew Maury, and migrated to Virginia 1 718. He din 1752. She d 1755, leaving children of whom the eldest, Rev. James Maury, b 171 7, d* 1769. When he went to England for ordination Commissary Blair, of Va., gave him the following credentials to the Bishop of London: Williamsburg, February 19, 1 741-2 My Lord : This comes by an ingenious young man, Mr. James Maury, who though born of French parents, has lived with them in this county of Va., since he was a very young child. He has been edu- cated at our college and gave a bright example of diligence in his studies and of crood behavior in his morals. He has made good proficiency in the study of Latin and Greek authors, and has read some sys- tems of philosophy and divinity. I confess as to this last I could wish he had spent more time in it before he had presented himself for Holy Orders, that his judgment might be better settled in the serious study of the Holy Scriptures and other books both of practical and polemical Divinity. But his |
69
friends have pushed him on too fast. He looks, too,, much younger than he is, being of a brood that are of low stature. He will be, by the time this comes to your Lord- ship's hands, about 24 years, having been born about the 1 st April, 1718. I doubt not your Lordship en- couraging our Virginia students. It is a great ad- vantage that one have them from their infancy. They generally prove very solid good men. My time here must be very short, being in my 87th year. Jas. Blair. We have seen that he m Miss Walker and was Rector of Fredericksville Parish and had 12 chil- dren, of whom the eldest was Rev. Matthew Maury, who m Elizabeth, dan. of Dr. Thomas Walker, and succeeded his father as Rector of Fredericksville Parish, and had 10 children, several of whom inter- married with the Fry's, as did some of their descend- ants, and therefore need not be re-produced here. But fragmentary as this notice is, I cannot pass by one of the descendants of Rev. James Maury, who was the greatest man of the name and lineage, viz., the late Captain Matthew Fontaine Maury, U. S. and C. S. N., who was the son of Richard Maury and Diana Minor, and who m Anne, dau. of Dabney Herndon, of Fredericksburg, Va. He was b 14 January, 1806, and d February, 1873 ne became midshipman U. S. N. 1825 ; Lieutenant, 1837. Being disabled for active service by having a leg broken in an overturned stage in Ohio, he spent several years in Fredericksburg, in study, and in writing in the |
| vSl L. Messenger, a series of articles which wrought a revolution in the Navy department, which led to the Naval Academy, the Memphis Navy Yard and the general warehousing system. In the meantime he had the special thanks of Illinois, for his papers on the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In 1842, he was made Superintendant of the Depot of Charts and instruments in Washington, which, under his inspiration chiefly, became the National Observatory, and the world centre of Hy- drographic science. Here he made his renowned current charts and sailing directions, and wrote his " Physical Geography of the Sea," pronounced by Baron Humboldt a " New Science." Here he suggested the conference of Maritime Nations at Brussels, to secure co-operation in observations and researches at sea. The leading powers of Eu- rope showered honors upon him. France gave him two gold medals and tendered the Insignia of the Legion of Honor. Austria presented her great gold medal of Science. Prussia the same, and added at the special request of Humboldt, the Cosmos medal. Russia tendered the orders of St. Anne. Denmark gave that of the Dannebrog. Portugal that of the Tower and Sword. Mexico grave her Golden Eagle and the Order of our Lady of Guad- eloupe. Gold medals were struck in his honor by Norway, Sweden, Sardinia, Holland and Bremen, and the Pope of Rome, among other honors, sent him all the medals granted during his Pontificate. | 71
Mr. Tyler wished to put him at the head of the Navy Department, and though but a young Lieu- tenant, the place of Chief Hydrographer of the Southern Exploring Expedition was offered him. He was (I believe) the first to advocate the little ship and big- o-un theory so verified by experience in the late war, and also the substitution of open batteries and earthworks for case-mated forts. The French Emperor consulted him about the Nicaragua ship canal, and was determined by his advice that it was not expedient for France to undertake it. The Academies of Science of Paris, Berlin, Brussels, and St. Petersburg, elected him a member of these, and Cambridge, (England), conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. When Vireinia seceded he offered his services and was made Captain and member of Governors Advisory Council, the first act of which was the recom- mendation of R. E. Lee, as Commander of the Army of Va. When Virginia joined the Confederacy he became its officer. When it was known in Europe that he had left the U. S. N. and the Observatory, France and Russia invited him to become their guest with every provision for his comfort and studies. He replied that his first duty was to Virginia. He gave much atten- tion to electrical torpedoes in the beginning of the war, and if the Confederacy had had the means of carrying out his plans it is probable that no Southern |
| 7 2
port would have been entered. When in London, after the war, he instructed committees of the armies and navies of Continental Governments in this formidable mode of defence. In 1862, he was sent on a special mission to England, where he remained until 1865. He was then persuaded by Napoleon and Maximillian to make his home in Mexico, and was appointed Honorary Counsellor of State, a member of the Cabinet and Imperial Commissioner of Emigration. Before Maximillian's death he was sent on a special mission to Europe, where he remained till 1868, preparing his school Geographies. Being elected Professor of Physics at Virginia Military Institute, he declined the charge of the Imperial Ob- servatory at Paris, and returned to Virginia, where he devoted himself chiefly to the study of the resources of Virginia, and also to perfecting a com- bined system of crop reports and weather forecasts, for the benefit of the farmer, as his combined observations at sea had been for the benefit of the sailor. These weather forecasts now so famous at Washington, were urged by Maury upon public considera- tion in 1854. But his crowning honor is that science confirmed his faith in his Bible, and' that he died as he had lived, a devout Christian. His last words being, "ALL IS WELL." The proceedings of the Academic Board of the Virginia Military Institute, on the occasion of his death, is a beautiful tribute to his memory. |
73
GREGORY, LEWIS, WILLIS, AND WASH- INGTON FAMILIES. Mrs. Mildred Gregory was married three times. She m i st, a Lewis ; m 2d, Roger Gregory, by whom she had three dans, as we have seen. Her third hus- band was Col. Harry Willis of Fredericksburg, whom Col. Byrd (1736), called the top-man of the place. She named her son by Willis, Lewis, in com- pliment to her 1 st husband. He was a school-mate of Gen'l Washington, being his junior by two years. He said that while the other boys were playing "bandy," George was behind the door cyphering. He remembered but one instance of youthful ebullition in George, and that was " romping with one of the larger girls, which made quite a sensation among the other lads." Col. Lewis Willis was the father of the late Byrd C. Willis, of Willis Hill, (who m the dan. of George Lewis of Marmion). He was an in- imitable humorist, and in some family reminiscences of his, now before me, he tells an anecdote of his ^-father and ^-mother (Mrs. Gregory), viz : When his ^--father lost his former wife, Mrs. Gregory, then a widow, wept so much, for her cousin, that when asked for an explanation, she replied, that she knew old Harry Willis would come after her. And he did, and though repulsed, he beseiged her until she sur- rendered, and he married her in two months after the death of his wife. Byrd C. Willis was the father of Mrs. Achille Murat and Mrs. Gen'l. Thos Botts, of |
| 74
Murat, and Lewis Willis, and of the late Col. George Willis of Wood Park, who m Miss Smith of Freder- icksburg, now a widow at Wood Park, Orange county, Va. Byrd Willis' family reminiscences and tradi- tions would, if printed, be an interesting contribu- tion to Virginia genealogies. A Lewis genealogy too is a desideratum. I have some materials for it, but they are too imperfect for publication. I subjoin the family record of Col. Fielding Lewis of Fredericksburg, (Merchant, Burgess, Vestryman, &c.) This record is the more valuable from its preserving the names of Godfathers and Godmothers, who in this case are generally his- toric people. Fielding Lewis m 1746, Catherine Washington, (cousin of Gen. Washington.) Issue : I, John, b June 22, 1747 his uncle John Lewis and Charles Dick Godfathers ; Mrs. Mary Washington and Mrs. Lee, Godmothers. I I, Frances, b November 25, 1 748, Fielding Lewis and George Washington, Godfathers ; Miss Hannah Washington and Mrs. Jackson, Godmothers. hi, Warner, b November 29, 1 749, his uncle, Mr. Lewis and Capt. B. Seaton, Godfathers; Mrs. Mildred Seaton, Godmother. He d infant. Mrs. Catherine Lewis d February 1749-50, and Fielding Lewis m 2d, Betty, only sister of George Washington. Issue : |
75
I. Fielding, b February 14, 1 75 1, his uncle Geo. Washington and Robt. Jackson, Godfathers; and Mrs. Mary Washington and Mrs. Fran- ces Thornton, Godmothers. II. Augustin, b Jan. 22, 1752, his uncle Chas. Lewis and Chas. Washington, Godfathers ; his aunt Lucy Lewis and Mrs. Mary Talia- ferro, Godmothers. III. Warner, b June 24, 1755, his uncle, Chas. Washington and Col. John Thornton, God- fathers ; Mrs. Mildred Thornton and Mrs. Mary Willis, Godmothers. IV. George, b March 14, 1757, Chas. Yates and Lewis Willis Godfathers; Mrs. Mary Dick and his mother, Godmothers. V. Mary, b April 22, 1759, Samuel and Lewis Washington Godfathers ; Mrs. Washington and Miss Mary Thornton, Godmothers. VI. Charles, b October 3, 1760, Col. George Washington and Roger Dixon, Godfathers ; Mrs. Martha Washington and Mrs. Lucy Dixon, Godmothers. VII. Samuel, b May 14, 1763, Rev. Musgrave Dawson and Joseph Jones, Godfathers; Mrs. Dawson and Mrs. Jones, Godmothers. VIII. Bettie, b February 23, 1765, Rev. Mr. Kice and Warner Washington, Godfathers ; Mrs. Harriet Washington and Miss Fran- ces Lewis, Godmothers. |
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IX. Lawrence, b April 4, 1767, Chas. Washing- ton and Francis Thornton, Godfathers ; Mrs. Mary Dick, Godmother. X. Robert, b June 25, 1769, George Thornton and Peter Marye, Godfathers; Miss Mil- dred Willis and Mrs. Ann Lewis, Godmothers. XI. Howell, b December 12, 1 771 , Joseph Jones and James Mercer, Godfathers ; Miss Mary and Miss Milly Dick, Godmothers. DR. JAMES CRAIK, SURGEON TO COL. FRY'S REGIMENT. Dr. Craik was born at Orbigland, Scotland, 1730, graduated at Edinburgh, practiced his profession in the W. Indies, and lived in Norfolk, Winchester and Alexandria. In 1754, he was commissioned as Surgeon in Col. Fry's regiment, and doubtless attended him in his last illness. He was with Washington in the French war, and was present when Washington read the burial service at the grave of Gen'l. Bradddck. He was Surgeon-General to the Continental Army in the Revolution, and held other high offices. He was complimented by Act of General Assembly with Washington, Adam Stephen, Woodward and other officers for gallant conduct in the battle of Monon- gahela, &c. The name is mis-printed, Craig, in Henning's Statutes. He m 1760, Marianne, dau. of Col. Chas. |
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Ewell, (and Sarah, dau. of Col. Edwin Conway, and Sarah Ball, his wife, who was half sister of Mary, the mother of Washington. Dr. Craik's wife was a sister of Charles Ewell, the father of Lt. Gen'l Ewell, C. S. A., and also of Dr. Ewell, now Presi- dent of William and Mary College. One of Dr. Craik's sons, (George Washington), was Gen'l Washington's private Secretary during his second Presidential term. He m Miss Tucker of Alexandria, and was the father of the Rev. James Craik, D.D., Rector of Christ Church, Louisville, Ky. Dr. James Craik, Sr., d February 6, 1814, in the 84th year of his age, at Vaucluse, Fairfax county, Virginia. |
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SUPPLEMENT TO FRYS, NICHOLAS, AND SCOTTS. Thomas Walker, (s of Rev. Henry Fry), m ist, Mrs. Slaughter, and m 2d, dau. of Abram Maury, and when he moved to Todd Co., Ky. had 3 children, viz.: Wm. Wirt, Susan E. and Frances, (the last by his 2d wife). Wm. Wirt m Mary, dau. of Judo-e Davidge of Christian Co., and had issue, Frances Wirt, who m her cousin, Jas. H. Gray, now Prof, of Mathematics in Bethel College, Ky., who was the s of Thos. W. Gray and Susan E., aforesaid dau. of Thos. Walker Fry. The dau. of Thos. W. Fry by his 2d wife, (Miss Maury), was reared by Mrs. Betsy Vass, of Fredericksburg, Va., she returned to Ky., and married there. Joshua Fry Nicholas, (s of Jno. Nicholas and Martha, dau. of Col. Joshua Fry) m Miss Marks (a niece of Thos. Jefferson), and had issue, 1, Martha Fry, who m Philip B. Winn, (a native of Va.,) g- father of Mrs. Lizzie Simpson Winn of Winchester Ky., 2, Eliza, (Mrs. Martin), 3. Nancy, (Mrs. Brown) 4, Maria,? (Mrs. T raver), 5, Sophy, (Mrs. Morse, 6, George, 7, Dr. Wilson Cary, 8, Robt. Carter, 9, John. Margaret, (dau. of Col. Joshua Fry), m Mr. Scott, of Scottville, Albemarle, Va., and had issue, 1, Charles, 2, Daniel, and another who m his cousin a dau. of John Nicholas, and had issue, one son, John Scott, who was reared by his aunt Betsy Nicholas and inherited her estate, He probably has descend- ants in Virginia. |
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INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTOBIO- GRAPHY OF THE REV. HENRY FRY. In the winter of 1848-49, I was in the city of Paris, (France). On some festival morning I set out to attend Divine service in the English Chapel in the Rue D'Aguesseau, and passing by the Catholic Church, the Madelaine in the Rue Royale, builtafter the model of the Parthenon at Athens, I paused for a few moments in the contemplation of its architec- tural beauties, and in gazing at the imposing ritual of which it was that day the scene. Soon growing weary of the spectacle, I proceeded on my way, and in a few steps my eye was arrested by the words, " La Chapelle Evangelique," (Evangelical Chapel), on the door of an humble edifice, which had the aspect of a school-room. I could not resist the im- pulse which prompted me to see what was behind these startling words at such a time and place. Entering, I found a congregation of plain people, on plain benches, listening to a man whose head was silvered with the frosts of half a century or more, telling with simplicity and with seeming godly sin- cerity, the old, old story of "Jesus and His love." As soon as the blessing was pronounced I intro- duced myself to the minister, who told me that he was a " Methodist Preacher." I could not suppress the exclamation of surprise which leaped to my lips at the thought of a Methodist preacher in the heart of Paris, and as it were under the shadow of the |
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Madelaine. Mr. Cook, (for that was his name) in- formed me that he had clivers colleagues itinerating in France. That good man, with whom I had much pleasing converse, died the death of a martyr, while nursing the sick in a cholera hospital the very next spring. This incident made a deep impression upon me and it came back vividly to my mind, when in my historical researches, there fell into my hands, a man- uscript autobiography of an old Methodist (local) preacher, who though born in 1738, survived till 1823, and whom I remembered in the days of my child- hood. " On the blue mountains of my boyhood," whose distance, doubtless lends enchantment to the view, I see his patriarchal form, trembling in limbs and trem- ulous in tone, his head covered with a silken cap, more venerable in the eyes of his neighbors than would have been the triple crown of the Bishop of Rome ; and if the voice of Christians of all creeds could cannon- izea saint, " old father Fry," as he was called, would have had a high place in the calendar. So soon as I read this autobiographical frag- ment, I resolved to publish it as an illustration of the man and of the times. I cannot expect the general reader to share in my enthusiasm which is doubtless heightened by associations. With the smiles, the tears of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken, The eyes that shone, now dimmed and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken. |
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Whilst I am an Episcopalian by baptism, confirma- tion and ordination in my convictions, and in my tastes, I hope my right hand may " forget its cunning " before I fail to recognize the image of the Saviour of us all by whomsoever it may seem to be reflected. It must not be inferred that by editing this auto- biography I concur in all the sayings and doings of its author. I am responsible for nothing but the authenticity of the document, which is written in his own fair hand, and for the saintliness of his charac- ter and career. The reader will make his own com- ments and draw his own conclusions. It has been too much the custom of biographers to interpose their own persons between their subject and their readers, and thus constrain the latter to see the former, not in his own proportion and hues, but in the form and colors transmitted through the author's personal prism. The modern and better method is for the author to put his hero in the foreground, and himself in the background, as when Boswell hid himself behind the colossal- form of Dr. Johnson, and let the lion roar in his own tones (in this case it is the lamb) and not in the squeaking treble of the biographer. Mr. Fry was bred in his boyhood in the Church of England, and tells us he received his first reli- gious impressions from his aunt, a good old Church of England woman. After years of worldly wand- ering, he was awakened, and it is pleasant to hear him say that he found instruction and comfort in this |
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aunt's letters. The Church of England then was totterino- to its fall under the odium of its alliance with the State, whose slave it was and who used it habitually for political ends. The Church of Eng- land had no place of worship where he lived. The only place of worship to which he had access was the Baptist, on Crooked Run, and while his social rela- tions with them were kindly and he availed himself of the privilege of public worship with them, he dif- fered with their terms of communion, their type of doctrine, and some of their ways. The Methodist pioneers were then traversing the country and preach- ing with great earnestness. His heart turned towards them before he had seen one, and he never rested until he found them and cast in his lot with them. I think, from his own account, that he was surprised into preaching without intending it. I can't find his name in the Methodist minutes even as a Local Preacher. I do not think he was formally ordained, for it was not until 1784 that the Methodists separa- ted from the Church of England and administered the sacraments. And yet he solemnized the rite of martrimony, which would seem to indicate that he had some ministerial authority recognized by the civil laws and which did not disable him from representing his County in the General Assembly of Virginia, as he did in 1785. The only reference to Mr. Fry which I have been able to find in any Methodist documents, is in Coke's Journal. |
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After narrating his preaching at New Glasgow, at Bro. Tandy Key's, and lodging in a tavern at a little town called Charleville (Charlotteville), going thence to Martin Key's, (father of Tandy), he says, " I found he (Martin) had shut his door against the preachers, because he had eighty slaves. His youngest son is a local preacher, but his eldest, is a child of Satan like himself. Friday, I preached at Bro. Grymes' ; 24th of May, 1786, I preached at a chapel in a Forest, and here I was met by our valuable friend, Brother Henry Fry ; Sunday, May 2 2d, I preached in Mr. Fry's great room, which he had built for a ball room, but (I think) before he had used it for a single ball, the Lord caught hold of his heart and turned it into a preaching room. He is a precious man." It is to be noted that Dr. Coke does not allude -to Mr. Fry as being a preacher he calls him Brother as he had called Tandy Key. It is also remarkable that Mr. Fry does not mention this visit in his autobiography. |
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THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY. I, (Henry Fry), was born Oct. 30, 1738, (old stile) of Joshua and Mary Fry, and from the time I was able to discern between good and evil, had good impressions, desires and respect for such whom I looked upon, as qualified and set apart to instruct us in the good and the right way, the parsons who were frequently at my fathers. At about eight years old I was boarded out to school where was little to be seen but pomp and vanity at fourteen, I was removed to Williamsburg, to live with an uncle and aunt, (as an assistant in his store), here were all things convenient for life and godliness, the old gentleman careful for the present, and my aunt for the future life ; wealth poured in, and the more it increased, the more capacious ap- peared his desires and assiduity to business, so that my hands were fully employed from morning till night. My aunt appeared as diligent in laying up treasure above this was her one design, (though not negligent of her domestic concerns,) these must give way. Whenever an opportunity offered, she recom- mended to all the benefit of laying a good foundation for the world to come and when any visited her (which was but rare) who could converse with heart- felt knowledge of the operation and fruits of the spirit how would she enjoy herself ? It appeared to me as if she was like a person cast among a peo- ple of a strange country and language, and that when she could perchance meet with one of her own coun- |
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try, but little would pass between them, but what was relative to their own country. How frequently have I heard her lament the inattention and neglect of others in preparing to meet God. She conceived if she made a better appearance it might have more influence and prevail with some to seek the better country and from this motive dressed in rich though not gaudy apparel, but to her mortification, found her subject but little more regarded in her fine than common clothing. But however others disregarded her precepts and example, they had at times some influence and wrought good impressions on my mind. I attended family duty, church service and table of the Lord, which was a curb, and prevented my run- nine into the vices of the town. My father who brought me to this place, was chosen to command the Virginia forces raised in i 754, and when he took his leave of me, charged me to beware of a sect called Free Masons, and come thou not into their secret (without alledging his rea- sons), this I received as his dying charge, which in fact was his last. I saw him no more, he departed this life on his march to Fort Duquesne, at Fort Cumberland. Near the time of my coming of age, I thought it prudent to go and take care of what my father had bequeathed me. I left these good old people, and in the year 1761, a division of Albemarle took place, and I was solicited to take charge of the Clerk's |
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office" which introduced me into much business and variety of company. In June, 1764, I married a daughter of Dr. Thos. Walker, and soon after, purchased and settled on a place, where those who while they resided there, were subject to ague and fever. My friends out of great good will, advised me to keep myself warm with spirits during the season thereby I should escape the dis- order, and being favored with a deal of company whose propensity led that way, induced me to fulfil their instructions. It took such fast hold- on me, that in a few years I found the remedy to be worse than the disease, a paralytic disorder seized my nerves, rendering me unfit for business, and though never beastly drunk, was never cool. From shame of exposing myself, I relinguished my office and retired to my estate in Culpeper, where I was miserably tormented by my besetting sin for several years, lamenting my imprudence, and making frequent resolutions to break therefrom, but in vain at any time when the heat abated through want of a supply, I was the more miserable, not being able to bear reflection it appeared as impossible to abstain as to change my nature ; I was miserable with or without it it seemed like death to quit and as much to continue ; what to do I knew not, and others be- moaned my wretched condition. O ! that I had *John C. Nicholas was the Clerk, but Mr. Fry did all the duty. It was common in those days for Clerks to be non-residents, and put their offices in charge of deputies who were practically the Clerks. |
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never been born could I be annihilated, or had been " of the meanest class of reptiles." Mr. Fry passed from one degree to another until his mind and body lost their balance, and his case demanded a Doctor of medicine rather than a Doc- tor of divinity. So his family Physician thought and took him to his own house, until his mind and body recovered their equilibrium. His picture of his suf- ferings is very graphic. Sleep departed, and he had, he says, "no rest day nor night." The very air seemed vocal with voices of good and evil spirits striving for the mastery. "My head. pained as if it would burst. My bones seemed dislocated, and my bowels curdled together. Billows of wrath passed over me, and out of the belly of Hell, I cried unto God. After a painful process, he believed that his prayers were heard. He told his wife how favored he had been, and that they must have prayers in the family, and that they must begin that day. He thought he should never sin again, and looked upon himself as a peculiar favorite of Heaven, and upon his good wife as one whom God had passed by. But he soon found that old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon, and that the Devil had only transformed himself into an angel of light. He was soon cast down from the mount of happiness to the sides of the pit, sometimes rejoicing in the light and then overwhelmed with darkness. To resume the narrative He says : "from that time until I saw the first |
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Methodist, I was as a little child learning to walk,, which would be more often and longer down than upon its feet. I now visited my neighbors, the B. (who were the only professors of vital religion within my ac- quaintance) and they would re-visit me and I must tell of my travail, &c, whereat they would rejoice, and told me I was converted, which I much doubted, and would question if I was convicted and born again, why was my peace so broken ? Why was there such a strife within ? Why was my heart so unclean ? I appeared like the house swept of the graces of the spirit and garnished with all manner of concupisence. I thought if I was a new creature, all those things would be done away that I should have that peace, which the world cannot give or take away yea, in a word, I thought I should have been perfect. O ! they answered, there is no perfection in this life, you are looking for what none enjoy ; that these things were consistent with all sound conversions, and con- stituted the warfare which was to continue till death brought us a discharge. So I thought, but could not be satisfied. I now recollected what I had often heard my good old aunt insist upon, respecting the unction from above and the perfect love of God. I regretted I had not taken care of a letter she wrote me soon after I was married, and I said to my wife, if I now had it, I thought I should understand it bet- ter than I did, and set more store by it. Whereupon, the dear creature without saying a word, goes to a |
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drawer and brought it ; wherein I read as follows : " I wish you and your wife all joy and peace in be- lieving, so as to abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost; in order thereto, let there be prayer in your family at least twice a day so may you expect others to follow your steps into everlast- ing happiness, through the strength of the spirit of Christ, which never faileth them that seek Him. Be sure, both of you to follow my example of 'searching the scriptures.' Begin the Bible, and before morn- ing and evening prayer, let at least one chapter be read. The first of our acquaintance with God is fear of everlasting punishment, because of conviction of sin, by the spirit of truth, showing our lost state by nature lost in Adam, as being flesh of his flesh under sentence of death of body, and through our own transgression, become subject to the second death, Rev. 21st ; we are brought to see that we have no righteousness of our own. The next thing is Righteousness even the Lord our righteousness, who in the gift of faith, hath manifested himself to us. The language of the soul then is^ Thy will be done." I was convinced I had not that living faith, the substance of things hoped for. My desire was to be pure in heart, but how it was to be accomplished, I could not comprehend ; but had a sure trust that whatever the will of God was, would be fulfilled in me. I lived in the use of all the means in my power, attended the B. preaching and had the first |
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opportunity of hearing experiences. When the first two gave in, how they had been exercised and brought to experience the love of God and concluded the Lord had purified their hearts to love and serve him that they could pray at all times. To my great astonish- ment, they were rejected, as hypocrites. The third gave in the same, only that he had a desperately wicked heart, and desired to love and serve God. Joy appeared in every countenance and he was re- ceived with acclamation amidst a gaping multitude. My conclusion was " God help the christian ; if this man is one, I am one." Thence they were taken to the water, after which the Lord's supper was ad- ministered. The order of this, I approved, but some things shocked me much, which I could not behold. I turned my back and walked off. In eoine home, one of the preachers, G. E., overtook me and entered into conversation, and inquired if I had not a mind to cast my lot amongst them. I answered, for com- munion sake I could readily do it, but observed there were some things held essential and others practised, that I had not faith in and could not reconcile. He enquired, What? In the first place, they would not receive any but those who believed themselves en- joined to go into the water, which I had no faith in, and I objected to the men washing the women's feet. He replied that the men washed the men's feet and the women washed the women's feet. I answered, sup- pose there is but one woman, must she go unwashed. I constantly attended meetings and went to their |
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association, held in Orange, about the latter end of August, 1774. Great notice was taken of me ; many enquired and rejoiced in my conversion. It was pre- sently whispered, a Methodist preacher was there, and I desired to hear him. It was impressed on my mind that these are the people. I could not recollect that I had ever heard before of such. I importuned some to prevail on him to preach, which he did. His manner and zeal I much approved, but could not un- derstand him ; there was such a mist before my eyes and veil on my heart. However, I could hear the preachers finding fault. He published to preach in the evening at Mr. Grymes, where I was invited to lodge ; it was still the same I could not comprehend his doctrine. He gave notice he was on his way to Philadelphia, and would preach every day if appoint- ments could be made. I prevailed on the Baptists to appoint for him at their preaching place, near my house. The night before he came, I had no rest, I was so torn with inbred foes, that I was unprepared to hear profitably, but was astonished ; his doctrine was clear and my heart open to receive it. His text was Rev. 8, 1. In the former part of his discourse the B. were filled with comfort, and their joy break forth in praises ; in the latter part, treating on the possibility of falling after conversion and turning aside after Satan, trampling under foot the Son of God, &c, doing despite to the spirit of grace it was as if he brought strange things to their ears it proved as water thrown on the fire, |
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their joy was turned into mourning. He assured them their principles and doctrine would lull them to sleep. No sooner was he clone than T. A., a preacher, rose up and warned the people to beware of the man and his doctrine, for these were they, who were to deceive the very Elect if possible Mr. Williams seemed not to regard him, but opened his bag and disposed of many books among the people, and gave notice he would preach at my house in the evening where but few attended. He preached from " Faith is the substance of things hoped for " his discourse was adapted to my case, and from the ground and bottom of my heart I cried, " Speak Lord, Thy ser- vant heareth," let not the man speak, but if Thou wilt, a gracious word of Thine cans't make me whole ; and so it was, all clouds, doubts and fears were dis- pelled ; the true light, glorious light, life, power, peace and joy shone in, and filled my ravished soul ; shame at the same time covered me, and I was hum- bled for having doubted the power and willingness of God, to save to the outermost, and make clean the in- side of the vessel, as well as the outside, and out of the fullness of my heart I could not but speak con- cluding, every soul in the room shared in the blessing, but soon found my mistake, for addressing my neigh- bor a B., saying how plain it was that we should ever doubt the power and willingness of God to save His people from all unrighteousness ; after experienc- ing His power in bringing us from under the bondage of sin and Satan through the Red Sea, to put us in |
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possession of the Land of Rest. To my astonish- ment he appeared to be angry. I visited and attended the meetings of the B, and would urge it upon them to believe that God could create in them new and clean hearts; that His power extended to that which was within, as well as that without ; that He could make all glorious with- in, as well as clothed with wrought gold ; that He could save from inward, as well as outward sin ; baptise with the Holy Ghost and fire of perfect love ; consume our dross and separate our tin ; give a single eye and fill the whole body with light ; slay the enmity and make of the twain one ; creating peace in the holy court of a pure conscience ; to which they would answer. You are still out of your senses ; you are surely deluded ; you have never seen yourself; if you did, you would find yourself desperately wicked, and your righteousness as filthy rags. I replied : " All this I have seen ; but know the Lord, by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, could cleanse the very thoughts of the heart, and turn the filthy rags into linen, fine and clean ; and as He is, so might we be in this world." " True," said they, " sin only excepted. And if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the just falleth seven times a day ; and Paul says when he would do good, evil was present with him ; and that with his flesh he served the law of sin, and therein dwelt no good thing, and that if I was con- verted I should see myself in the same light." |
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To the first I answered : Was not His name called Jesus? For He shall save His people from their sins, etc. 2. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse from all unrighteousness. 3. And as to the just falling seven times a day into sin, there is no such text, and Paul, as a Father in Christ, could not be speaking of himself, but rather personating a Jew, under the law, a person convinced of sin ; the state of a servant or babe in Christ, who, under the first fruits of the Spirit, groans for greater manifestations. Thus we argued, and thus breathed my longing soul for their salvation. But, O ! astonishing they looked upon me as an enemy ; and, as I attended their meetings, the preachers generally exclaimed against the docrine of Perfection and Salvation from sin. I could not but speak, and as soon as they concluded would confront them before the congrega- tion. At length one of them, T. A., as he stood up, declared he could not preach a person there was a bar to him. From that time I seldom went amonp" them.. For near two years I did not see another Methodist. For that time I was as a speckled bird, a sparrow alone on the house-top. I was tempted. I need not seek after them ; that the Lord, in His good time, would send them, as He had Mr. Wil- liams. My anxiety increased, and there being an association in July, 1776, I went, thinking I should find some there anxious. They always attended such meetings. Immediately on riding up I met |
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with Mr. Waller, and I inquired of him if there was a Methodist preacher there. He informed me there was not. I inquired if any person knew where these were. One answered : " To-morrow, at Reedy Run Chapel, there is an appointment for one to preach." I inquired how far and the way, and passed on. ! how big was my hope and expectation, and all the way forming the most pleasing interviews. That night I lodged at I. Johnston's. I was filled with love, in contemplating on the pleasing prospect of mutual affection, and gaining the company of the preachers, and obtaining preaching at my house, having prepared a commodious room (originally de- signed for music and dancing), but now desirious of dedicating it to the Lord. I was impatient to be at the Chapel in the morning. Mr. J. I found to be no friend to the Methodists, and but little acquainted with their principles. He would not accompany me, but sent a servant to put me in the way. I got to the place sometime before the preacher, and when he came, I approached him with an overflowing heart and familiarity, solicited his company and preaching at my house, He asked where I lived, and if preaching was wanted in my neighborhood. 1 told him I thought it was, and said no more, as the people were waiting to begin worship. O ! how did my soul drink in the Word. I thought him a wonderful preacher. After attending class-meeting, I rode seven or eight miles in the evening to another appointment at Parrots. He appeared rather shy of |
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me, and much upon the reserve, so that I had but little satisfaction in conversation. All this time the enemy was not idle, suggesting I should have my labor for my pains. When we came to the place the people were waiting. He began worship, and in his sermon dropped some expressions from which I imagined he was tempted to believe I was an im- poster, and had only come in to spy out their lib- erties, which I afterwards found to be the case. No sooner had he concluded, than he took himself away without any notice of me. I returned home and rested, assured that the Lord would grant the desire of my heart. Sometime after, I heard they had enlarged their circuit, and had an appointment within fifteen miles of my house, where I attended, and found a man according to my wish, P. Gatch, whose spirit and preaching corresponded with the character of a real Methodist. My spirit clove unto him, and the Word preached was as a feast of marrow and fat things to my soul. No ceremony was necessary to introduce an acquain- tance. How condescending, how loving and kind ; without reserve, I could pour out my soul into his bosom. I entreated for preaching. He told me I might come to his Quarterly Meeting, to be held at such a time, in the Manakin town. I promised I would go God willing. I went, (though not much short of an hundred miles). Poor, dear man. I found him on a bed of affliction, but rejoicing in God, his Saviour. Stradford, Drumgoole, Glenden- |
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ning, and several other preachers attended, but I could obtain no promise for preaching. This was in the fall, and the Christmas day following E. Pride rode up and inquired if there was any appointment for preaching of which I had no intelligence, though he said two or three notes had been directed to me. We sent out and gathered a few neighbors, and from that time I have had preaching regularly Bro. Littlejohn was the next, a man skillful in the Word, and a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. The succeeding preachers raised a small society, and appointed me leader. This was a cross indeed, and what I little conceived would be laid upon me, one so unfit, naturally bashful and slow of speech, had never prayed in public or without a form. How did I plead, but to no purpose. The enemy suggesting, I could never be able to support myself under it ; I must fall a victim to shame and reproach, and be as a block in the way of others to stumble over. The cause lay much at my heart, but I had no prospect of promoting it by exhibiting in public, but thought I would open the way for others. This being formed into a new circuit, I rode about to procure preaching places, as many classes were formed, and our own increased. I was con- strained frequently to tell what God done for my soul, and out of the fullness of my heart exhort sin- ners to flee the wrath to come, and believers to press into the fullness of God Almighty's love. I I was invited to meet a class one Sunday, about ten |
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miles from my house. When I came within sight of the place, I discovered a number of horses tied and an abundance of people in the yard, which caused a damp and chillness to run through me, and I began thus to question : What could bring all these people together ? Surely not to hear me speak and pray with the Society. It was urged, a portion must be given them ; they must not be sent empty away. After singing and prayer, I opened my Bible at the 4th Chapter of Isaiah, read it and began to speak. A door was opened ; light, liberty and power attended the Word, to the no little astonishment of myself and the people. The enemy suggested : " Did I not tell you you were to be a great preacher ? " I was not ignorant of his device ; and to complete it an old professor, a B, got me by the hand and says : " Well, you have given us a won- derful sermon, the true Gospel line." I did not know which way to look. Shame covered me. I felt very small and should have been glad to make my escape, but he held me fast. I was dumb. But a thought ran through my mind to say : " You are too late ; the devil was beforehand with you." Some time after, I was sent to supply the place of one of the preachers about twenty miles from my house, When I came near, I called upon B. Roberts, whom I knew waited to accompany the preacher. I told him he would not be there, and that I had come to let them know. I got upon the stage, sang, prayed, and gave out : " It is time to seek the Lord," |
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introduced and laid off my subject, stopped to re- prove a gentleman who began to regale himself with an apple ; who stood reproved, and put the rest in his pocket. After I had concluded, I heard them on every side say it was as well as if the preacher had been there, and the old gent B. R., knew not how to contain himself and as he returned, expressed his surprise, saying : It was as well, yea better than if the preacher had been there to which I answered, " O, let the devil do his own work." Another time I was desired to supply the place of another preacher nearly round the circuit, beginning at the B. B. Church, where there had been a large and lively class, but then squandered, many preferring the honors, pleasures and profits of this world. A text lay upon my mind to speak from, at that place, and that nearly three weeks before I was to set out till I was on my way when another was presented, from which I had spoken with much liberty. It was suggested that if I attempted to speak from the first, I might fall through, that there would be such and such a person there, before whom I should be confounded, and thereby the cause be wounded. I concluded it might be best, and endeavoured to preach from the latter ; but had not proceeded far in my discourse, before I perceived my mistake my mind was confused and I could not see an inch before my nose. After hob- bling through, I was ashamed to look any one in the face. Thereby was I taught not to seek to please men, but God. The next day, I was as much com |
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forted in speaking at the Episcopal Church in Cul- peper, Fork Church, as I was cast down the day before. My labors as a preacher have been chiefly as a substitute, wherein I have been greatly assisted and comforted ; though I have seen but little fruit, being led chiefly to preach to believers, arid enforce the doctrine of sanctification. In the year 1785, a "genera! assessment" having been proposed, and bills published for the perusal of the people who were generally opposed thereto, I was prevailed on to serve as a delegate to the legisla- ture to present their petition against the same. On the 15th October, I entered Richmond, but knew not where to take up my lodgings, being a stranger to every one who took in boarders. I was recommended to two or three, but upon application, found myself better known than I expected ; and from their excuses conceived they wanted not a Methodist boarder ; and as I passed along the street, I could see the people pointing, and saying to one another, "that was he." Providence cast me in the way of G. T., an old acquaintance, and once a mem- ber of society, who enquired if I had provided lodg- ings. He told me he had taken a convenient room in a private house with two beds, and had till that evening to choose his companion, and would be glad if I would partake with him for which I was thankful. The next morning, breakfasting with several others |
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who lodged in the same house, I was saluted with language very grating to my ears. I ate but little, rose from the table, and retired. Mr. Thompson, who felt more for me than he did for himself, in- formed Mr. G. S. T., he had hurt that gent's feelings. He inquired how.? Says he, by your swearing. He declared he would not do it again, sought me out and asked pardon, desiring that if at any time I dis- covered any thing like it inadvertently coming from him, to give him a look and it should be sufficient and from that time did bridle his tongue in my pres- ence, and a more tender, affectionate man I have not . met with, who did not possess vital religion. But it was not the case with Dr. J., a member of the Senate he was not so conscientious or complaisant, and as we grew acquainted, I often reasoned with him on the impropriety of his conduct he would acknow- ledge the same, and one evening as we were by our- selves he confessed he believed the real Christian's to be the only happy life, told me what a religious wife he had, (by the by, I had gathered from his man- servant the manner he used her). I answered, " then I make no doubt she is a good wife," and how ten- derly he ought to use her. But on the contrary ex- pect he often grieved and wounded her spirit, crossed her in her inclinations and distressed her by encouraging and entertaining company, she could not delight in. He concluded, I might have been " plowing with his man." He then desired I should hear his ideas of what a real Christian should be, |
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which were so just, I could not but ask him how he could rest without possessing it ? He answered he had not rest, and left me. At a certain time the con- versation turned on the speeches made in the House, I asked him what was the reason I could never hear of his speeches in the Senate, or bearing a message to the House, observing he was fluent enough on any other subject out of the House. He said he could not tell. I thought I could, and told him that if he was at liberty to deck and adorn his discourses with such flowers of rhetoric there, as he did in common conversation, he could be bold enough he swore he believed I was right. There was such a number of petitions against the Assessment Bill that none opened in favor of it. What was called the Religious Bill, passed this Ses- sion, putting all Societies on an equal footing, though not without great opposition. The Methodist's petition for the gradual abolition of slavery, was pre- sented and voted out with contempt, though on all hands agreed to be equitable, and what must come to pass, but the time was not yet. Some of the principal speakers in favor thereof, a certain gentle- man, C. H., prepared and proposed to make amotion to bring in a Bill to limit free denizen and citizenship to those only who should marry, settle and have children, which he read to me, and I took for granted to be designed against those itinerants who come hither turning the world upside down. I asked what those must, do who were under a vow of celi- |
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bacy of which I believe he was heartily ashamed, for I heard no more of it. In the House some gen- tlemen would speak for an hour or more together without an oath (for there was a rule against it), but out of the House, would not speak three words without swearing, and plead they could not help it. My general conduct was to attend from the sitting to the rising which was generally late, dine, and re- tire to my room, where my companion sometimes would spend the evening, converse upon religious subjects, join in prayer and lament the strange in- fatuation of himself and many others who were once in society and happy in the Lord when His candle shone upon their heads, and, however, the case might be with him, he should ever acknowledge the truth of the Methodist doctrine, and would give all the world, if it were with him, as it had been. Being confined about three months, without much exercise, and living upon high-seasoned diet, I grew more gross and corpulent than usual, after my re- turn I found it irksome to ride and exercise as usual the consequence thereof was I laid the foundation of a disorder, and by indulgence nourished the same, which in a few months manifested itself in a most violent cholic, which brought on the jaundice, lasted for about ten months and brought me to the gates of death ; my family and friends were anxious I should apply to a physician. I assured them none could yield relief, that I did not despise those helps, but was as- sured they would do me no good, to gratify them I |
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would make a trial, first, of the " Springs," the most able physician attending in these days. He pro- nounced them ineffectual to make full proof I stayed three weeks, then must go to his house, where I stayed four more, and regularly observed his direc- tions, taking whatever and everything he could de- sire, that his shop afforded ; and I believe never was man more studious to do another eood ; the disorder baffled his skill and force of all the medicine he gave. I declined daily, and at length I concluded to return home, and blessed be God, was resigned, come life or come death, saying : " Good is the will of the Lord." My assurance being strong, I could say : " O ! death where is thy sting, O ! grave where is thy victory ! " My neighbors and acquaintances visited me, and on preaching days many would attend, expecting every time to be the last they should see me alive ; upon whom I would press the comfort of religion, and when any who had reason to believe had experienced the pardoning love of God, urged them to press after the fullness of faith and perfect love, which puri'fieth the heart and casteth out fear that hath torment. A neighboring B. preacher, J. G., came to see me, and when about to take his leave,"" I asked him to go to prayer, he gave a pertinent exhortation to those who were present, and in his prayer implored that if it *This was the venerable James Garnett (the elder). It is worthy of note that a great-grandson of this old Baptist preacher and a great -grand-daughter of the old Methodist preacher have lately intermarried, and are living in the same neighborhood where this incident occurred, and they follow the faith o£ their ancestors one being a Baptist and the other a Methodist. |
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was the will of God, to restore me to my health and usefulness again, but says he we believe it is Thy will to take him, and prayed we might all be resigned thereto. These words ran through my mind, " Satan, thou art disappointed of thy hope, and hell shall miss her expectation." My disorder was then at a crisis, that night turned, left me, and I recovered from that time, my flesh returned like a young child's, and I gained strength daily, and at this time being in my 54th year, find myself more hearty, active and strong than I was at 30. This is the Lord's doing and that my soul knoweth right well. O ! may my strength and all that I have and am, be a sacrifice unto the Lord. Amen, &c, &c. The autobiography terminates abruptly at this date, 1792, and I am able to supply a few items from Col. Taylor's Diary an interesting document to which I have frequently referred in St. Mark's parish, and for an inspection of which, I am indebted to Dr. A. G. Grinnan, a zealous antiquary, to whom I am under obligations. A few miles below Orange Court House, was an old Episcopal Church called the " Brick Church," which was without a pastor for many years after the Revolution, which dispersed so many of the old clergy of the Church of England, leaving the succession to be transmitted through laymen who were with few ex- ceptions, the only true representatives of the Episco- pal Church in the last century. The Rev. Matthew Maury of Albemarle, whose daughter married a son |
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of Mr. Fry, and the Rev. Mr. Belmaine of Winches- ter, who was paying court to Miss Taylor of this con- gregation, (both Episcopal ministers) occasionally preached in this church. In the mean time the ves- try invited Mr. Waddell, the blind Presbyterian prea- cher, whom Mr. Wirt has immortalized, to preach at a fixed salary. They also invited the Rev. Henry Fry, who lived some ten miles from it, to officiate for them. 1792. July 1. Col. Taylor says: " My father and I went to the Brick Church. Mr. Fry, who has been invited by the vestry, read the old church ser- vice and preached to about one hundred persons, and gave notice that he should preach a fortnight hence." May 15. Heard Mr. Fry preach, October 14. Went to church Mr. Fry read the morning service and Mr. Belmaine preached. November n. Went to church Mr. Fry per- formed divine service. Mr. Fry had been bred in his youth in the Church of England, of which his father was a member and officer, and he had no prejudice against the church service indeed was never known to speak a word of bitterness against any church. Note. Under date of May i, 1791, Col. Taylor says he went to Chinch Hall to Col. Charles Porter's funeral. Mr. Fry and Mr. Tatum preached to a large congregation. Mr. Wirt made his home at Mr. Fry's for several years and had an office in a field, near Locust Dale. Mr. Uriel Mallory, when he bought the farm (where Edward Lightfoot now lives) moved the office and added to it for a dwelling. Edward Lightfoot also lived in it until having gone to decay, it was pulled down. Some of the doors and windows are still preserved. |
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Mr. Wirt was much at Mr. Fry's and was intimate with his sons. The late Wesley Fry, son of Rev. Henry would tell many anecdotes of Mr. Wirt, who spent much time fishing in the Robertson river and its tributaries. He certainly wrote some comedies there ; copies of which were extant, in manuscript, within the memory of persons now living. He be- gan the practice of the law in Culpeper County. Mr. Wesley Fry said that he was in company with Wirt, when they stopped to hear Mr. Waddell preach the sermon, which Wirt has painted in such pic- turesque words. Mr. Fry says that Wirt, as they were riding from the church, repeated several times with great feeling, the quotations from Rousseau, which seemed to have made a deep impression on his mind. Col. Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, the father of Thomas Jefferson (President) as we have seen, were intimately associated in their lives and... |