The

Vestry Book

Of

Saint Peter’s, New Kent County, Va.

From

1682-1758

Published by

THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF

AMERICA IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA

Parish Record Series, No. 3

RICHMOND:

Wm. Ellis Jones, Book & Job Printer.

1905

INTRODUCTION

New Kent county was formed from the county of York in 1654, and it seems that the parish of St. Peter’s was established about the same time.
In 1684-’85 Blisland Parish was cut off from St. Peter’s.
The following were ministers of St. Peter’s Parish from 1682. Earlier ones are not known.

Of several of these ministers nothing is known.
Rev. John Ball was a signer of a petition to Governor Nicholson in April 1700.
Mr. Williams was probably William Williams, also signer of the petition just refered to.
Jacob Ware was for many years minister of Henrico Parish.
Nicholas Moreau was doubtless one of the Hugenots who emigrated to Virginia in August, 1696. A letter from him to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, dated April 1697, is printed in Perry’s papers relating to the Church in Virginia.
James Bowker died as minister of St. Peter’s, and his will is proved in New Kent, November 17^th, 1704. He was brother of Ralph Bowker, minister of St. Stephens’ in King and Queen county.
Daniel Taylor had a son of his own name who was educted in an English University, and was for a long time a faithful minister in a Virginia Parish.
The Vestry of St. Peter’s Parish must have been in sore need when it employed Rev. Samuel Gray, for shortly before 1699, while minister of a church in Middlesex, he caused the death of a slave by severe whipping.
Rev. Henry Collings, in a letter to the Bishop of London in 1724, reports that this "parish has two hundred and four families in it, forty or fifty communicants, only one church (St. Peter’s); about one hundred and seventy or one hundred and eighty attendants. His salary eighty pounds, more or less. Glebe and parsonage rented out for six pounds five shillings per annum. Catechising had been much neglected. He intended to introduce it"
"Rev. John Lang came highly recommended from England to Governor Drysdale and Commissary Blair." In a letter to the Bishop of London, February 7^th, 1725-26, he says: "I observe the people here (New Kent) are very zealous for our Holy Church as it is established in England, so that (except some few inconsiderable Quakers) there are scarce any discenters from our communion."
Rev. David Mossom, the last minister who appears in this Vestry Book, was pastor of St. Peter’s for forty years. He performed the ceremony when George Washington was married to Martha Custis. He himself was married four times. Rev. David Mossom came frm Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Virginia. He was born in London, March 25^th, 1690, and educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge.
St. Peter’s Church still stands (the present edifice was built in 1703), and cost one hundred and forty-six thousand weight of tobacco. The steeple was added to the church twelve years after it was erected. As the place where the Widow Curtis worshipped, and where, it is supposed, she was sometimes attended by George Washington, it possesses a peculiar interest.

Vestry Book of Saint Peter’s Parish

NEW KENT COUNTY, VA.

* * * Jno. Perine & Mary his wife did lately run away & * * * ye custody of Jno. Barker two children, a boy and * order ye s’d Barker shall keep ye s’d children till they come of age and this Vestry do request ye Court that they will be pledged to confirm this their order
* * * ye s’d Barker.
This vestry do impower & authorize Mr. Wm. Sellake, Mr. Gideon Macon jointly & severally to go down to Blissland Parish & disburse ye Vestry of ye s’d parish concerning ye Church plan which belongs as well to this parish as to that. And if they refuse to buy either the part belonging to this parish or to sell their part therein. Then this Vestry do impower & authorize Mr. Gideon Macon to continue action against the said Vestry, thereby to recover w’t is justly due to the Recordat.
DIOM WRIGHT Clrk Vest.

_______________

Christ’s Church in St. Peter’s 22^nd, 1684, Anno Regis, 37^th, Carr, Minister.

REPORT.

Mr. Jno. Carr Minister, Geo. Jones, Jno. Park, Wm. Basset, Mr. Cornl Dabney, Wm. Wyatt, Jno. Rever, Mr. Wm. Paisley, Geo. Smith, Vestrymen.
Mr. Cornelius Daboney, Gideon Macon, Church wardens.

St. Peter’s Parish is Dr.

To Mr. Jno. Carr minister from ye first of Feb. last & untill ye feast of ye Circumcision of ye lord.
Mr. Gideon Macon by order of Lieut. Coll. Lyddal assigned Diomed Wright for 2 months work Clerk.
Mr. Poindextor as by acct for Surplice & 2000, 6d nails.
Mr. Gideon Mason as by acct.
Mr. Workmour as ye acct for 6000 6d nails.
Mrs. Thos. Mitshel for keeping a bastard child 1000 lb. wher out he allows for him 500 due & to him.
Mr. Turner for holding tithables last year.
To ditto for Order Court against Mrs. Littlepage.
To Mr. John Carr as Assignor of Mr. Ashurst for surplice made
To Mr. Carr for fine Diaper Communion Table Cloth.
To Mr. Macon for Shingling this Church & righting.
To Thos. Hart Sexton for Church.
To Rich. Jones Sexton this Church.
To Wm. Atkinson for Parish Ferry.
To Mr. Geo. Smith for 5 pts wine from Coll.
To Cash for 232 lbs. Tob. at ye pecentt.
Salary for 25,151 Tob. at 5 pts wine from Coll.
Ordered that Mr. Gideon Macon * * to Rixoner & received from Mr. Littlepage thousand * *
Ordered that Mr. Geo. Jones and Mr. Thos. Mitshel Remaine Church wardens in ye place & steadd of Mr. Cornelius Daboney & Mr. Gideon Macon & that they continue in the same office from ye day of the date hereof untill ye expiration of two years & that they collect forty eight pounds Tob’ & hold this present year from each tithable in this Parish & therewith discharge the Parish debts et supra.

Signed Mr. Jno. Carr Clerk.
and this Et Recordat DIM WRIGHT Clerk.
__________________

A vestry held at St. Peter’s Parish this 22^nd day of May primo Regno Regis Jacobi Secundi.

PRESENT:

Mr. Cornelius Dabney, Gideon Macon, Mr. Stephen Carlton, Thomas Mitshell, Mr. Will Peasley, Geo. Jones, Mr. Jno. Parks.

It is ordered by this present day vestry that Mr. John Ball shall preach five sermons provided heretofore of & in compensation shall receive twelve hundred and fifty pounds of Tob and Cask.

It is likewise ordered that Mr. John Ball as minister of parish untill the last of October next for which the vestry agree to

pay * * * thousand Lbs ye worth of Tob, & Cask ye month * * * promise and aggree to serve as minister of this parish Sunday * * uper Church and likewise att ye lower Church as other ministers have done heretofore.

It is ordered that ye order of the last gen’ll Cort in this parish * * Littlepage forthwith comply with all which if the s’d Mr. Littlepage att twenty days * * * itable bills of Exchange for London payable 20 day of October next that then Gideon Macon take out Execution Agst the s’d * * for satisfaction of ye same and that he receive the effects into his hands of ye same as he hath been formerly ordered.

It is ordered upon ye petition of Mathias Wood being * * * condition be allowed four hundred pounds of Tob’ and Caske for his maintenance to be levied for him at ye laying of the next Levy.

Whereas Capt. Mathew Page was by a Vestry held for this parish elected and of this vestry in the room and stead of Mr. James Turner Dea’sed and being by Mr. Cornelius Dabney desired to appear at the nex vestry ensuing then and there to take tile oath accordingly & if he doth refuse to do the same this vestry hath therefore ordered Charles Turner, Clerk of the vestry to wait upon the said Capt Mathew Page and request him to be at ye next ensuing vestry to take ye oath according to ye law of this country as a vestry man aforesaid & to show his reasons to ye contrary.

Signed by Jno. Ball, minister, and ye other gentlemen of the Vestry.

Recordat per me CHARLES TURNER Clerk of Vestry.
____________________

Vestry held in St. Peter’s Church for St. Peter’s parish, New Kent Co., ye I686 Ann. Dom. Regis, Jan. 2^nd.
Primo, Mr. John Ball Minister, Mr. Gideon Macon, Mr. Jno. Rogor, Mr. Stephen Carlton, Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Will. Bassett, Mr. Peasley, Vestrymen.
Mr. Jno. Parks, Mr. Thomas Mitshall, Mr. Henry Wyatt, Mr. Geo. Jones, Church wardens.

By 542 Tithables at 32 Tob c 1/2 pr poll.

It is ordered that Mr. Thom. Mitshall, Dim Joandes do collect 32 1/2 lbs. of Tobb pr. poll from each tithable for paying ye above debts.

It is ordered next that Mr. Gideon Macon do at Court in all business relating to this parish as plaintiff or defendant or otherwise.

It is ordered that a thousand pounds of tobacco & cask be paid unto Mary Wilkinson for nursing a bastard child belonging to a servant woman of Capt. Joseph Foster this ensuing year.

It is ordered that Mr. Gideon Macon & Mr. God. Smith & Mr. Jno. Ropor do go down to parish of Blissland & to discover of gentlemen of vestry about dividing line of ye two according a formal agreement, and that they are hereby fully empowered to employ a Surveyor to run a dividing line in full confirmation of ye same.

It is ordered that Mr. Thom. Joanes do aggree & bargain with some one person to keep the Ferry and to pay for the same as formerly.

Signed by Mr. Jno. Ball & other gentlemen of ye Vestry.

Recorded by MR. CHAS. TURNER, Clk of ye Vestry.
___________________

New Kent. At a vestry held at St. Peter’s Church for St. Peter’s parish, Nov. the 25, I686, Anno Dom. Regis.

PRESENT:

Mr. Jno. Ball, minister; Mr. Gideon Macon, Mr. Witt Bodlay, Mr. Cornelius Dabney Mr. Will. Bassett, Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Jno. Parke, Vestrymen.

Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Jno. Parks, Mr. Steph. Carlton, Mr. Geo. Joanes, Church wardens.

Whereas at this present vestry held for St. Peter’s parish at the upper Church Mr. Jno. Ball doth present himself unto ye vestry promising to officiate as minister. Therefore this vestry taking into consideration the present want of ye parish and desirous of the advancement of God’s Glory & ye continuance of ye sacred function in this parish do consent & agree with ye said Mr. Jno. Ball Minister to officiate as minister in this s d parish of St. Peter’s * * * at ye two churches, at ye lower church one Sunday & at ye upper church ye other for this ensuing year from ye rate of those presents, at ye rate of one thousand pr month.

It is ordered that Charles Turner do offiate as Clk one complete year beginning from ye thirteenth of Dec’r next ensuing ye date of this order & to be allowed after ye date of two thousand for ye year.

It is ordered that Mr. Geo. Joanes & Mr. Thom. Mitshell Church wardens do prosecute any person or persons whatsoever within this parish of St. Peters that shall be or hath been found guilty of fornication.

It is ordered that Mr. John Lightfoot & family be added to ye Survey or of ye high way of ye lower road between the lower church & Black Creek mill.

It is ordered that Will Atkinson do keep ye Ferry and not to deny Mr. Jno. Ball a passage when occasion shall require and to be allowed as formerly.

Whereas Will Turner hath made complaint to this vestry that his help being too weak in clearing of ye highway, they are not able to perform. It is ordered therefore that the s’d Wm. Turner shall have the help of tithables as formerly hath been & followeth viz- Sam’l Wady, Thom. Glass, Will Winston, Robert Anderson, Charles Fleming.

It is likewise ordered that a Register be kept in ye lower church of St. Peter’s p’sh & that Charles Turner, Clerk of ye vestry be obligated to keep ye key of ye Chest where ye s’d Register Book is ordered to be kept and to enter all business relating to the parish in ye s’d Register book.

It is ordered that ye widow of Mathias Wood named Mabell Wood be allowed five hundred pounds of Tob & Cask as was formerly appointed for Mathias Wood by this vestry and to be

paid at ye laying of the next Levie.

Signed by Mr. Jno. Ball Minister & other gentlemen of ye Vestry.

Recorded by Mr. CHARLES TURNER Clerk of the Vestry.

___________________________

At a vestry held at St. Peter’s Church for St. Peter’s parish ye 23d day of Jan. Anno. Dom. Regis I687.

Mr. Jno. Ball, Mr. Jno. Page, Minister; Mr. Gideon Macon, Mr. Will Peasley, Mr. Jno. Roper, Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Henry Wyatt, Mr. Will. Bassett; Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Church warden.

It is ordered that Mr. David Crafort be elected this day as vestryman in ye room & stead of Mr. Geo. Joanes duly deceased and that he have timely * * * to agree at ye next vestry to take ye oath accordingly.

It is ordered ye Mr. Jno. Ball that he offi’ate as minister of this parish through two ensuing Sundays * * to be requited & to be allowed nine thousand pounds Tob & C.

Mr. Jno. Page minister now presenting himself to ye parish to offiate as Minister thereof, it is therefore ordered that ye time of Mr. Jno. Page, minister, did go in from ye first of July next & ye to be allowed usual allowance as one thousand pounds of Tobb & Csk. pr month, Mr. Jno. Page likewise * * *

Allowed unto Mr. Jno. Ball & C. to be paid at ye laying of ye nex Levie. Likewise ordered that a vestry be held at the Church of St. Peter’s parish ye 3^rd day of July, I687.

Recorded by MR. CHARLES TURNER, Clerk of Vestry.
____________________

At a Vestry held at St. Peter’s Church for St. Peter’s parish this 5^th day of October, I687.

Mr. Jno. Page, minister.

Capt. Mathew Page, Gideon Macon, Mr. Cornelius Dabnee, Steph. Carleton, Henry Wyatt, Mr. Geo. Smith, Jno. Parke Sen, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, David Craford, Will. Peasley.
Jno. Ropor, Sen, Mr. Wm. Bassett Church wardens.

To Mr. Jno. Page Minister	3000
To Mr. Jno Ball	9000
To Charles Turner	2000
To Thomas Hart, Sexton	250
To Mr.Gideon Macon as by assignment of Rich’d Joanes for his
Sexton’s * * 250, for washing ye Surplice and for cleaning
about ye lower church in all	550
To Mr. Jno. Alford for nursing a bastard child	1000
To Mary Wilkinson for ditto	1000
To Mr. * * * on ye acct of ye Es. of Mr. Car	2000
To ye Estate of Mr. * * * *	2000
To Atkinson for roofing Ferry	800
To ye Widow Wood	500
To Samuel Waddy for mending ye seats of ye church	25
To Mr. David Craford for ye Church Lock	40
To Cash for 22, 165 Lbs. of Tob. at 8 per cent	1200
In all	25210

It is ordered that Mr. Jno. Roper Sen and Mr. Wm. Bassett be Church wardens for those two next ensuing years. and that they collect forty and two lbs. of Tob. from each tithable in their several precincts, ye payment of ye above debts.

It is ordered that ye forementioned Church wardens do collect from twenty delinquents tithables in ye upper precinct of this parish hereafter mentioned, 32 1/2 Lbs. of Tob. P’r poll, and that they make due payment of same into ye estate of Mr. Geo. Joanes

It is ordered that Mr. Jno. Page continue as Minister of this parish, and same the vestry hath agreed to pay twelve hundred Lbs. of Tob. per annum. It is ordered that Charles Turner continue as Clerk for the ensuing year, and be allowed two thousand Lbs. of Tob. & Cask.

It is ordered that Will. Atkinson do Levie ye Ferry from ye 11^th of December next, for the ensuing year & to be allowed eight hundred of Tob. & Cs’k.

It is ordered that Mr. Thomas Mitchell do prosecute ye woman servant belonging to Capt. Jo. Foster for having a bastard child and then to be cleared from ye office of a Church warden, having this day Ball acct. with ye vestry.

It is ordered that Mr. John Alford now having a bastard child in keeping and having two Roads, two thousand Lbs. of Tob. & C’k. doth now discharge ye parish from ye same & is likewise ordered by this vestry to keep the s’d child to serve according to Law & to discharge ye parish from ye same.

It is agreed & understood by this present vestry & is likewise ordered that if any of the s’d vestryment shall at ye appointment of ye vestry be absent from ye same, shall pay fifty Lbs. of Tobb. & Csk. to ye use of ye parish without a lawful excuse showing acct. ye next ensuing vestry.

Recorded by me. CHARLES TURNER Clerk of Vestry.
_____________________

At a held at St. Peter’s Church for St. Peter’s parish this 3ist day of March, 1688

PRESENT:

Mr. Jno. Page, Minister: Captain Mathew Page, Will Peasley, Mr. Gideon Macon, Henry Wyatt, Mr. Geo. Smith, Mr. Jno. Parke, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Corn. Dabnie.

Mr. Jno. Ropor, Sr., Mr. Will Bassett, Church wardens.

It is ordered by this present vestry of Mr. Jno. Ropor & Mr. Will. Bassett, Church wardens, of this parish, do employ a Surveyor to run a dividing line between the parish of St. Peter’s & ye parish of Blissland upon ye 30^th of May next, according to an agreement of two * * * vestry of Blissland parish in ye year 1678 for ye dividing of ye same & y’t ye Church wardens of this parish do give ye Church wardens of Blissland ye twenty days’ notice of ye same & ye Mr. Rich’d Littlepage, Capt. Joseph Foster, Mr. Geo. Polegreen, Mr. Henry Benskin, or any two of those be requested to be there on ye same day to take their evidence as shall then be brought before them, ye place of meeting being at the beginning of ye dividing line, called Capt. Bassett’s Landing,* * * next by, 10 of ye clock on ye s’d 30^th day of May.

It is ordered that Mr. James Moss have notice by ye Clerk to be at the next vestry being elected a vestryman in ye stead of Mr. Stephen Carlton, deseased.

It is ordered ye Mr. Will. Bassett do repair ye upper floors according to ye agreement which he has made with ye workman.

It is ordered y’t ye Tithables appointed to Mr. Geo. Smith for ye clearing of ye Highway be joined to ye said Tithables belonging to Mr. Gideon Macon & so to keep both roads in repair.

Recorded by me, CHARLES TURNER Clerk of Parish.
_______________________

At a Vestry hold at ye Church of St. Peter’s parish for ye s’d parish this

24^th day of May 1688.

PRESENT:

Gideon Macon, Geo. Smith, David Craford. Thom. Mitshell, Mr. Cornelius Dabne, Will. Peasley, Jno. Parks, Sr., James Moss

Mr. Will. Bassett, Church warden.

It is ordered by this present vestry y’t Mr. Janes Moss is this day added unto ye vestry of this present parish instead of Mr. Stephen Carlton. deseased.

It is ordered y’t Thomas Pontin be allowed 7,000 Lbs. of Tobb. & Cask for building ye Church according to details of agreement and that all former agreements relating to ye said vestry & Pontin be made void of consent.

It is ordered that Mr. Gideon Macon do agree for shingles, and that * may be thought sufficient to ye finishing ye upper floor, & what he does therein to be allowed by this present vestry.

It is ordered y’t ye Church wardens do provide a minister for our Church to officiate once a month untill further order.

Recorded by MR. CHAS TURNER Clk Vestry.
____________________

At a Vestry hold at St. Peter’s parish Church on ye behalf of ye s’d parish this 3^rd day of Sept., I688.

PRESENT:

Gideon Macon, Corn. Daberni, Geo. Smith, Hen. Wyatt, Mr. Thom. Mitchell, James Moss.

Mr. Jno. Roper, Mr. Will. Bassett, Church wardens.

It is ordered by this present vestry that Mr. Gideon Macon do & is hereby impowered to appear before his Excelansy Francis Lord Howard, Baron of Effingham, his Majes’ Left. Gen’l of Virga. & ye Hon’l Counsoll of States upon ye 10^th day of ye next Gen’l Court in obedience to an order of his Excell, to y’t purpose to answer ye complaint of Mr. Lancelott Bathurst, attorney of ye vestry of Blissland parish, concerning dividing line to be run between ye parish of Blissland & ye parish of St. Peter’s, according to an agreement & conclusion of twelve men Elected by an order of vestry of ye whole parish of Blissland before ye same * and this present vestry hath Ratified and Confirmed all whatsoever ye mason shall act or do in & about ye premises above s’d.

It is ordered that Mr. Hen. Wyatt be fined 50 lbs. of Tobb. for not appearing at ye last Vestry and now not give a just Reason at this meeting.

It is ordered that Mr. David Crawford & Mr. Jno. Parks at ye next vestry do show a just reason for their not appearing at this present vestry, and to be fined 50 Lbs. of Tobb., each person according to an agreement formerly made & Recorded.

Jno. Roper, Gideon Macon, Will. Bassett, James Moss, Thomas Mitchell.
Church wardens: Henry Wyatt, Corn’. Dabnei, Geo. Smith. Gideon Macon.

Registered by order of vestry. MR. CHARLES TURNER, Clerk of Vestry.

At a Vestry held at St. Peter’s uper Church on the behalfe of St. Peter’s parish, this 3^rd day of November, I688.

PRESENT:

Capt. Mathew Page, Gideon Macon, Mr. Corne’ Dabbonie, Thom’s Mitchell, Geo. Smith, John Parke, Mr. Henry Wyatt, James Moss, Vestrymen.
Will. Bassett, Mr. John Ropor, Church wardens.

To ye Estate of Mr. John Page, deseased	6150
To Mr. John Ball for foore sermons by agreement	1200
To Mr. James Slater for 5 sermons by agree’t, and 5 sermons
before agree’t in all	2500
To Chas. Turner to ye I3th day December next	2000
To Rich’d Joanes, Sexton of ye Lower Church (250) for
for holding Church plate	310
To Thom. Hart, sexton of ve upper Church	250
To Rich’d Joanes as Assignee of Will for keeping ferree	800
To Mr. Gideon Macon as assignee of John Edmondson,
for work done at ye Lower Church	394
To Servt’s fees	25
To Mr. Will Bassett, Church w’n as by acc’t, Charge for
work done towards ye uper Church	6352
To Mr. Macon, Due to Ballance acc’t to this day	333
To Capt. * * Page for searching ye public record
concerning ye division of ye psh	50
To Mr. Ropor as by acct. being Church warden	1500
To Mr. Macon upon ye delivering I5,OOO shingles & two
barrels of Tar at 200 Lb. of Tobb	3400
To Mr. Alford for * ye Glasier foure days	30
To Mr. Mitchell for Clk. fees when he was Church warden	63
To Mr. Major for posting ye lower Church as by agreement
with Mr. Mitchell	500
To Stephen Crump for a Stock lock & key for the lower Church	50
To Thom. Pontin when it may be adjudged he hath performed
half ye work agreed upon with Mr. Bassett to be pay’d	3500
To remain in ye Church warden’s hands to give an acc’t
at ye laying of ye next levy	30818
To Cash for 30818 Lbs. of Tobb. at 8 per cent	2465
To Sallary for 33283 Lbs. of Tobb. at 5 per cent	I664
Totall	3494
Cr’t,
By 573 Tithables at 63 per poll	3494

It is ordered that Church wardens do collect 63 Lbs. of Tobb. from each Tithable for ye payment of ye above charge.

It is ordered y’t ye Church wardens doe agree w’th some person to keep ye Ferry, and to give him ye usiall allowance for the same.

It is ordered y’t Mr. David Craford & Mr. John Parks doe pay unto Mr. Bassett, Church warden, 5 lb. of Tobb. each of them for not appearing at the last vestry according to a former order mad to y’t purpose.

It is ordered y’t Charles Turner doe efficiate as Clerke this ensuing yeare & be allowed at ye rate of 2000 lbs. of Tobb & Cask p’r yeare.

Recorded by order, p’r me.
CHARLES TURNER, Clk of the Vestry.
______________

At a vestry held at St. Peter’s parish Church on behalf of ye St. Peter’s parish this 4^th day of May, I689.

PRESENT:

Gideon Macon, Thom. Mitchell, Mr. Hen. Wyatt, Corn’ Dabhie, James Moss.
John Ropor, Will Bassett, Church wardens.

In pursuance of an Act of Assembly enjoyning ye Remarking of each man’s land in each particular parish once in four years.

It is ordered by this present vestry in obedience to an order of New Kent County Court, bearing date ye 28 day of Febroary I689, ye date vestry doe putt their parishes into precincts & appoint a time for ye prosessioning and Remarking ye bounds of each man’s land.

It is, therefore, ordered by this present vestry y’t Charles Turner, Clk. of them, doe forthwith proportion ye persons within ye s’d parish of St. Peter’s to go on prosessioning sometime between ye tenth day of this present May and ye tenth day of June next, and y’t all of ye s’d orders be forthwith issued out and be delivered to ye sd persons therein concerned.

It is ordered likewise y’t Mr. John Ropor & Mr. Will. Basset, Church wardens, or either of them do agree with Mr. Williams, minister. to officiate once a month at each Church on any day y’t ye s’d Mr. Williams & ye Church wardens shall fix.

It is ordered by this vestry y’t Mr. David Craford, Mr. John Parke. Mr. Will Bassett, Mr. George Smith do show a just reason for their appearing at this present vestry, otherwise be fined 50 Lbs. of Tobb. & Cask, each person according to a former agreement made and recorded, & ye reason to be shown at ye next vestry.

Per me. CHARLES TURNER, Clk of Vestry.
__________________

Gideon Macon, James Moss,
Thom. Mitchell, John Roper,
Corn. Dabonie, Will. Bassett.
Henry Wyatt,

The several persons named in Companys y’t were ordered to prosession & to Remark ye bounds of each man’s land:

Viz: Capt. Joseph Foster, Mr. Jno. Ropor, Mr. Wm. Bassett, Mrs. Eliz. Littlepage, Wm. Harman & Edmund Bodford, Will. Cox, Jno. Parks, jun.; Mrs. Pierce & Mr. Conding, Mr. Poindexter, sen’r., Mr. Poindexter, jun’r., John Vaughn, Jno. Epecon, Jno. Spurlock, Fr. Day, Will. Hodges, Rob’t Speare, Rich’d Joanes, Steph. Moon, Wm. Book, Dow Wallton, Rich, Gilliam, Mrs. Botts, Jno. Waddell, Wm. Moss, Mr. Alford, Mr. Geo. Smith. Wm. Major, Hen. Green, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. Mason, David Clarkston, Mrs. Workman, Mr. Pasley, Wm. Millington, Mr. Clayton, Thom. Jackson, Wm. Stone, Jno. Paine, Thos. Willkins, Thos. Markgold, Steph. Crump, Mr. Field Harte, Pelham Moore, Widow Williams, James Sanders, Steph. Mitchell, Wm. Barne, Will. Crump, Rob’t Chandler, Wm. Moss, Jno. Osling, Mr. Jarrott, Sam’l Weaver, Jno. Dowie, Mr. Mitchell, Sen’r, Elex. Strange, Mr. Batte, Thos. Paddison, Fran. Hill, Hen. Strange, Ruth Allen, Hen. Martin, Jno. Sands, Wm Moss, Wm. Meanly, Mr. Hen. Wyatt, James Sanders, Margaret Prior, Jno. Realy, Rich. Allen, Fran. Warren, Hen. Turner, Mrs. Isard, Mr. Smithson, Thos. Martin, Mr. Claybourne, Edw. Morgan, Edw’d Ragglin, Chris. Baker, Nic * * * Gilles West, Jno. Joanes, Garrott, Rob’t Elleson, Rob’t Hughes, Peter Morse, Jer. Brooke, Jer. Torker, Thom. Moss, Jno. Wakefield, Coll. Pates, Martin Martin, Tho. Meridie, Jno. ALldridge, Wm. Beateson, Edward Haris, Lyon Morriss, Hen. Turner, Edw. Gross, Wm. Martinn, Mr. Hen. Wyatt, And. Davis, Wm. Atkinson, Jos. Moon, Edw’d Johnson, Lyon Moriss, Peter Moss, And. Davis, Wm. Atkinson, Thos. Bird, Bird Joanes, Dan Britt, Chas. Lovell, Mr. Gentry, Abra. Venable, Rowland Horsley, Rob’t Lansestor, Jno. Medlook, Renall Allen, Jno. Hight, Chas. Bryan, Chas Bostick, Chris. Baker, Thos. Moorman, Thos. Snead, James Moor, Edw. Doritt, Mr. Wm. Bassett, Mr. James Moss, Chas. Fleming, James Austin, Jno. Baughn, James Woody, Thos. Joanes, Nick. Loson, Tho. Ronalle, Jno. Parks, Sen., Mr. Jno. Lyddon, Thos. Wilkinson, Jno. Lewes, Ronall Allen, Wm. Turner, Geo. Pargeston, Ned Botler, Benj. Balkey, James Blackwell, Young witty, Rob’t King, Jno. Mark, Robt. Harman, Jno. Andrenson, Joanes Ronalls, Antho. Burrus, Jno. Gontin, Wm. Bassett, jun’r, Jno. Andrewson, Jonas Ronalls. Jno. Peard, Jno. Engleebright, Sam’l Waddy, Mr. Boots, Rob’t Thomson, Edw. Bornett, Jno. Talle, Rich’d Bollork Sen., Rich’d Bollork. jun’r, James Tate, Mr. Crawford, Andrew Davis, Edward Broxom, Jno. Wall, Wm. Winston, Jno. Lewes, Jno. Crawford, David Craford, jun., Rob’t Andrewson, Chas. Fleming, Nic. Mills, Dow. Penix, Rob’t Deprosse, Fran. Eastor, Jno. Mashay, Mr. Polegreen, Jno. Browne, Mr. Dabbony, Geo. Moss, Edw. Howsheus, Capt. Page, Col’l. Page, Rob’t Hoghes, Bird Hoghes, Thos. Wattson, Thos. Clarke, Thos. Tinsly, Sam. Thomas, Widdow Ray, Tho. Taylor, John Snead, James Hen. Chilles, James Norkton, Rich’d Cawdry, Jno. Kinborn & ye rest of his neighbors.
The inhabitants belonging to St. Peter s parish in pamanach neck, viz.: Mrs. Susana Page, Thos. Spenser, Jno. Borross, Mrs. Gooch, James Henderson, Wm. Turner, Col. Johnson, John Davis, Rob’t King, Mr. Gideon Macon, Geo. Cox, Thos. Carr Bird, Chastain James Adams, Thos Nichols, Edm. Smith, Hen. Dillon, Capt. Fran. Page, Mr. Goodin.

By order of ye vestry.

Registered per me, CHARLS TURNER, Clk of ye vestry.
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At a Councill held at James City Octo. ye I8th, 1689.

Pres’t Nath. Bacon, Esq’r, Pres’t Council.

For Determination of ye Difference between Blissland parish & St. Peter’s parish in New Kent County, it apearing y’t it was agreed as when Blissland parish was to be divided p’r ye dividing line should begin at ye mouth of a Creek called Capt. Bassett’s Landing & to run from thence between ye land of Capt, Joseph Foster, Mr. Richmond Terroll, having all ye s’d Foster’s tract of Land in ye one parish & ye s’d Terroll in ye other, it is ordered y’t a dividing line between ye s’d parish be accordingly Run from ye beginning place to ye sd Lands & y’t ye Lines of Capt. Joseph Forstor lands to ye County bounds be ye division between ye sd parishes & y’t all ye charges which hath arisen about this difference be equally divided on ye poll in both

Registered by order of vestry per me CHARLES TURNER, Clk. of Vestry
______________

At a Council held at James City, Octo ye I8th, 1689.
Pres’t Nath. Bacon, Esq., Pres’t Council.
Mr. Will Phillips & Mr. Jno. Ropor having been summoned Evidences in ye difference between Blissland pa’sh & St. Peter’s p’sh in New Kent County & attending in James City each of them three days it is ordered y’t they be paid for ye same by ye s’d Parishes in two days * * * coming to James City, date returning home according to Law with costs.

Registered by order of vestry p’r me, CHARLES TURNER, Clk of Vestry.

_______________

At a Vestry hold at ye Church of St. Peter’s parish, in ye behalf of ye s’d parish, this 3^rd day of Decem., 1689.

PRESENT:

Capt. Matt. Page. Mr. Gideon Macon, Mr. Henry Wyatt, Mr Jno. Parks, Mr. George Smith, Mr. Corn. Dabboni, Mr. James Moss.
Mr. Jno Hopor, Mr. Wm. Bassett, Church wardens.

It is ordered y’t Mr. Roper & Mr. Bassett do continue as Church wardens of this parish untill Easter next ensuing ye date of this vestry & to Collect 38 lbs & 1/2 Tobb. From each Tithable in this parish for ye defraying * * for Charge.

It is ordered y’t Jno. Pontin be allowed 330 Lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask for six weeks diett for Tho. Pontin from this day to be p’d at ye laying of ye next Levy.

It is ordered y’t ye proceedings of ye last vestry be disanold & of no *.

It is ordered y’t Rich. Brock for ye future do pay no parish Levy.

It is ordered y’t Mr. Williams minister do effiate as Clk for the ensuing year & to be allowed at ye rate of 2000 lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask.

It is ordered y’t ye Sextons to continue this ensuing year.

It is ordered y’t ye Church wardens do agree with some person to keep ye ferry & to be allowed as formerly.

It is ordered y’t for ye future ye place of meeting for ye vestry be appointed at ye house as formerly.

It is ordered y’t for ye future ye place of meeting for ye vestry be appointed at ye house of Mr. James Moss.

It is ordered y’t sometime between this & Easter Mr. Macon, Mr. * * * , Mr. Roper & Mr. Bassett do appoint a meeting of ye Gentl’n of Blissland parish vestry & to Levvy a Charge according to ye order of ye * * * & Counsel & to run ye dividing line according.

Regis’d by order of vestry pr. Me. CHAS. TURNER, Clk of Vestry.
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At a Vestry hold on behalf of St. Peter’s parish this 17^th day of Febr. 1690.

PRESENT:

Capt. Matt. Page, Thos. Mitchell, Gideon Macon, Hen. Wyatt, Mr. Cornl. Dabboni, James Moss, Geo. Smith, Jno Parks.

Mr. Jno. Roper, Will. Bassett, Church wardens.

It is ordered by this present vestry y’t Mr. Jno. Gordon be entertained & y’t he do offiate as Minister of this parish on ye same terms as other ministers have done heretofore if ye same Mr. Gordon shall please to arrange ye same.

It is ordered by this vestry y’t Mr. Pargesstor to ferry over ye people of ye neck belonging to this parish on Sundays Court days and Mustering days & to be allowed proportionable to wh. he hath been allowed for Sunday.

It is likewise ordered by this vestry y’t Capt. Joseph Foster be a vestryman in ye Room & stead of Mr. Wm. Pasly deceased & to have timely noatice of ye meeing of ye next vestry.

It is likewise ordered y’t Thom. Pontin do build a platform for ye Communion table, raild & bannistered in according to y’t at the Lower Church and to make a new table according to ye s’d platform to lay ye Chancel and Ally with plank to make two hard blocks & to completely finish all & every of ye aforesaid & ye vestry to find plank sufficient for same & nails. Likewise to be allowed ye sd Pontin Sixteen hundred Lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask at ye laying of ye next Levy if ye same work be finished.

It is likewise ordered y’t Tho. Pontin do saw five hundred foot of pine plank & find himslef all neccessarrios during ye time ofsawing ye same & to be allowed four hundred Lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask for ye same.

Registered per me, CHAS. TURNER, Clk of the Vestry
____________

At a Vestry held on ye behalf of St. Peter’s parish this 12^th day of May, 1690, Mr. Jacob Ware Minister.

Capt. Matt. Page, Jno. Parks, Mr. Jos. Forstor, Corn. Daboni, David Craford, Geo. Smith, Hen. Wyatt, James Moss.

Mr. Jno. Roper, Wm. Bassett, Church wardens.

Whereas Mr. Jacob Ware hath been recommended by ye Hon’l * * unto this parish & having appeared as a minister fully qualified before this vestry, this parish being without a Minister, this vestry being desirous for ye advancement of God’s Glory & ye continuance of ye sacred function in this parish do therefore in ye behalf of ye s’d parish consent & agree w’th ye s’d Mr. Jacob Wre to effiate as Minister therof. It is therefore ordered by this present vestry y’t ye afores’d Mr. Ware do effiate as Minister of this parish one Sunday at ye one Church and ye other Sunday at ye other as other ministers have done heretofore and his time to begin from 8 day of this instant May until ye day of June next ensuing ye date of this vestry and to be allowed at ye Rate of twelve thousand pounds of Tobb & Cask pr year.

It is ordered by this vestry y’t Capt. Joseph Foster & Capt. Matthew Page or either of them doe by ye first oportunity return ye Hon’l * * * hunble thanks for his care and kindness toward this parish in ye sending of Mr. Jacob Ware to this parish.

Whereas this vestry in Octo’r last did order and impower several of ye gentlemen of this vestry to appont a meeting w’th ye Gentlemen of Blissland, ye vestry to Levy ye Church & Run a dividing line according to ye order of ye P’sh & Council & a time being by them appointed & they failing to appear at ye place & time of their owne appointment this prst vestry doe therefore now order yt ye Capt. Joseph Foster, Mr. Gideon Macon, Mr. Jno. Ropor do appoint a meeting some time between this ye tente day of Octo’r next at ye house of Mrs. Botts giving ye Gents of ye afores’d prst vestry twenty days noatice of ye time & place and the s’d together to Levvy ye Charges * * * a Surveyor to Run a dividing line according to ye order of ye afores’d & Counsoll & in case ye Gen’tle of Blissland p’sh vestry shall refuse or neglect to meet according to this order, then this vestry doe impower & order ye Gen’tle before mentioned to & in behalf of this parish together * * * a Surveyor to Run ye dividing line accordingly.

It is ordered yt Eliz. Faulkner be allowed five hundred Lbs. Of Tobb. & cask towards her maintenance accordingly to be Levied for her at ye Laying of ye next levy ye year beginning as from ye date of this vestry for one whole year.

Mr. Geo. Poindexter Sen’r is this day Chosen & Ellected as a vestryman in ye Room & stead of Mr. Thom. Mitchell disseased & it is likewise ordered yt he have timely oatice of ye meeting of ye next vestry.

It is ordered by this present vestry yt Capt. Matthew Page & Mr. Henry Wyatt do effiate as Church wardens of this parish for two years ensuing as from Easter last past.

Registered per me. CHARLES Turner, Clk of Vestry.

The line dividing ye parish of St. Peter’s & Blissland as follows viz: Beginning at Pamonky River side at a small * mouth known by ye name of Bassett’s landing where there is a small oake markt poynt and bottoms untill ye come to ye maine Roade to a markt Corner Red oak of ye lands of Richmond Powoll throwe by ye lines of ye s’d Powoll’s land having all ye Powoll throwe by ye lines of ye s’d Powoll’s land having all ye s’d Powoll’s land in Blissland parish throwe by ye s’d Powelles land & by Capt. Joseph Foster including all ye land of ye sd Capt. Joseph Foster in St. Peter’s parish this done by order of the Governour and Counsoll dated at James City ye 18^th day of Oct. 1689, Pr James Minge.

At a counsoll held at James City ye 18^th, 1689.

PRESENT:

Nath. Bacon, Esq., Presd’t Councoll.

For determination of ye Difference Between Blissland parish & St. Peter’s parish in New Kent County, it appearing yt it was agreed on when Blissland parish was to be divided ye dividing line should begin at ye mouth of a Creek call’d Capt. Bassett’s Landing & to Run from thence between ye lands of Capt. Joseph Foster & Mr. Richmond Powoll’s leaving all ye s’d Forser’s dividend of land in ye one parish & ye s’d Powoll’s land in ye other, it is ordered yt a dividing line between ye s’d parishes be accordingly from ye beginning to ye s’d lands & y’t ye lines of Capt. Joseph Foster’s land to ye County Court so yt division between ye s’d pshs & yt all ye Charge w’ch hath arisen about this difference be equally Levied on ye poll in both psh’s.

Veria copia, test.

W. EDWARDS, Clk Court

NATH. BACON

___________________

At a Vestry hold in ye behalf of St. Peter’s parish this 20^th novem., 1690.
Mr. Jacob Ware minister, Capt. Joseph Foster, James Moss, Capt. ____ Macon, Wm. Bassett, Corn’l Dabboni, Jno. Parks.
Capt. Matt. Page, Mr. Hen. Wyatt, Church wardens.

It is ordered by this vestry upon petition of several inhabitors collector 34 1/2 Lbs. from date Tithables to degray ye parish of ye above debts.

It is ordered that Charles Turner do effiate as Clk & Sexton this ensuing year & to be allowed 2250 Lbs. of Tobb. & Cask.

Lyonell Morris hath agreed w’th this present vestry to keep ye widow faulkner & to find her sufficient accomodations it is therefore ordered yt he be allowed one thousand Lbs. Tobb. Ye whole year.

Chas. Baker hath agreed w’th this present vestry to keep Jno. Hanowell to find him sufficient accomodations & is to be allowed one thousand Lbs. Of Tobb. & Csk. at ye laying of ye next Levy.

It is ordered by this vestry upon petition of several inhabitors of ye neck belonging to this parish yt so soon as ye time of Mr. Pargestor’s keeping of ye ferry be expired by then Robt. King do provide a sufficient ferry boat & to be allowed at same rate as Mr. Pargestor was for ye year being so ofered by s’d King. Whereas Mr. Ware hath been allowed 2000 Lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask to offiate as minister of this parish from ye 8 of this instant untill 8^th of Jan. next as was by our first agreement it is therefore ordered yt he do offiate from ye s’d of ye afores’d Jan. untill ye 8^th of Nov’r next and be allowed 10000 Lbs. Of Tobb. & Cask.

This vestry being informed by Mr. Ware minister yt Mr. Geo. Poindexter Sen’r doth refuse to offiate as a vestryman ye Clarke of this vestry declaring to this vestry yt he did give ye s’d Mr. Poindexter timely noatice of their meeting and Mr. Tho. Smith is elected as a vestryman in his stead & that ye Clark do send ye s’d Mr. Smith timely noatice of ye next meeting of this vestry.

Registered per me. CHAS. TURNER, Clk of Vestry.
__________________

At a Vestry held at the Lower Church of St. Peter’s parish this second day of Novemb’r, 1691.

PRESENT:

Mr. Jacob Ware, minister.

Capt. Jos. Foster, Mr. David Craford, Mr. Jas. Moss, Mr. Thos. Smith, Mr. Jno. Roper, Mr. Corn’l Dabonni, Vestrymen.

Capt. Matt. Page, Mr. Hen. Wyatt, Church wardens.

Capt. John Lydall being present at ye meeting of this vestrie & this vestrie being vacant of a vestrieman it is therefore ordered by this present vestrie that Capt. John Lyddall be now hence forward a vestryman in ye Room & stead of Mr. George Smith deseased.

It is ordered that Capt. Matt Page, Mr. Hen. Wyatt do collect 372 1/2 pr polo to defer the above charge as being Church wardens.

Reg’d pr me. CHARLES TURNER, Clk of ye vestrie.

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