Isle Of Wight County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History - Books .....Isle Of Wight County History From Historical Collections Of Virginia By Henry Howe 1845
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Book Title: Historical Collections Of Virginia By Henry Howe, 1845

Isle of Wight, p. 315-316

Isle of Wight was one of the eight original shires into which Virginia was
divided in 1634. Its name originally was Warrosquyoake shire, which it retained
three years only, when its present one was given to it. The county is 37 miles
long, with a mean width of 11: it has many creeks and swamps upon its surface,
and a great variety of soil, though it is generally thin and sandy. Pop. in
1840, whites 4,918, slaves 3,786, free colored 1,268; total, 9,972.

Smithfield is in the northern part of the county, 65 miles southeasterly from
Richmond, 15 above Hampton Roads, and 3 miles from James River. It lies on an
elevated bank on the margin of Pagan creek, a bold and navigable stream,
commanding a beautiful view of both land and water scenery -- the country for 10
miles on the opposite bank of the James is in full view. This town was
established in February, 1752, ten years after the founding of Richmond. Arthur
Smith, Esq., the original owner of the land, had then laid it out into streets
and lots, and being "an healthy place, open to trade and navigation," it had
begun to be built and settled upon. By the provisions of the act, Robert
Burwell, Arthur Smith, William Hodsden, James Baker, James Dunlop, James Arthur,
and Joseph Bridger, gentlemen, were appointed trustees. Smithfield at present
contains 10 or 12 stores, 1 Episcopalian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, and
a population of about 1000. The village is ornamented with shade-trees; and the
numerous porches to the dwellings impress the stranger favorably as to the
social and neighborly habits of its people. Several vessels sail from Smithfield
with the exports of the county. Among these is bacon, cured here, which has long
been celebrated, and commands the preference in all markets. Mayfield is a small
village in the western part of the county. 

Within an hour's ride from Smithfield, near the road to Suffolk, in the depths
of the forest, stands and ancient church in ruins. It is alike an object of
interest from its secluded situation, and its great antiquity. We have before us
a communication from a highly respectable gentleman of this vicinity, which
gives strong evidence that it was built in the reign of Charles I., between the
years 1630 and 1635. Tradition, too, states that it was the second church
erected in Virginia. The brick, lime, and timber, were imported from England.
The timber is English oak and was framed before shipment. The whole structure
was built in the most substantial manner; and even now, the woodwork, where not
exposed to rain, is perfectly sound, and the mortar sufficiently hard to strke
fire when in collision with steel. The structure is of brick, has a lofty tower,
and is in good preservation. Its walls are overrun with a delicate net-work of
vines.

[[Image caption: Ancient Church, near Smithfield.]]

In its day, it was splendid edifice. One window, of about 25 feet in height, as
composed of painted glass, representing scriptural subjects. It was probably
abandoned about the period of the American Revolution, when the Episcopal
church, for a time, became nearly extinct in Virginia. Within the last
twenty-five years, it has been temporarily occupied by a sect called
O'Kellyites. There is a project, which may be carried into effect, to repair it.
If successful, generations yet unborn will meet within its time-hallowed walls,
where, even now, more than two centuries have elapsed since their forefathers
first raised the hymn of praise to the living God.

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