Old Tombstones in York and James City Counties, VA; Wm. and Mary College Qrtly.; Vol.2, No.2 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Old Tombstones in York and James City Counties Lyon G. Tyler William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vo. 2, No. 2., (Oct., 1893, pp. 78-86 OLD TOMBSTONES IN YORK AND JAMES CITY COUNTIES. BY THE EDITOR. The valuable paper of Prof. J. Leslie Hall, published in the 11th vol. of the Virginia Historical Society Collections (enriched by the suggestive notes of Mr. R. A. Brock), entitled "Ancient Epitaphs and Inscriptions in York and James City Counties," admits of some cor- rections and additions. p. 67. The arms of Yuille on the tomb in Bruton Parish churchyard are, as surmised by Mr. Brock, ar. on a fesse betw. three crescents sa., a garb or branded gu. Crest -- An ear of wheat ppr. leaved vert. Motto -- Numine et virtute. p. 68. The arms of Robert Rae are defaced but a chevron is very plain. A portion of the motto is -- * * PTUS. The description seems to combine in some degree the following arms in Burke -- Rae (Scotland, 1672): Ar. three roebucks courants gu. Crest -- A roebuck at gaze ppr. Motto -- In omnia promptus -- Rae (Govan), Scotland, 1753; Vert. a chevron betw: three roebucks courants ppr. Crest -- A roebuck at gaze ppr. Motto -- Ever ready. p. 73. The arms of Governor Nott are identical with Nott of Kent and London; Lord Mayor of London, 1363: Arms: Az. on a bend Page 79. betw. three leopard's faces or as many martlets gu. Crest -- A martlet ar. ducally crowned or, in the bleak an olive branch ppr. p. 75. The arms on the tomb of Edward Barradall, Esq. are as given in Mr. Brock's note eleven. Barradall (dexter) a bend, three pheons, an annulet for difference (not in Burke), impaled with Fitzhugh- agreeing in Burke with Futzhugh of Cos. Oxford and York - AZ. three chevronels in base interlaced or, a chief of the last. p. 76. The tombstone to the joint memories of Thomas Ludwell, Esq., Secretary of Virginia, Richard Kempe, Esq., his predecessor, and Sir Thomas Lunsford, Kt, was brought from "Greenspring," the residence of the Ludwells, some years before the war. The arms appear: A bend three eagles displayed between two leopard's heads (tinctures &c. not given). This is different from the book-plate of Philip Ludwell whose arms, as preserved in an old copy of Longinus de Sublimitate(1), are: gules on a bend argent, between two towers or, three eagles displayed sable. Motto -- I pensiori stretti ed il viso sciolto. pp. 79, 80. Mr. Brock in his notes correctly represents the Bray arms, as inscribed upon the tombs in Bruton churchyard. p. 82. The Luckin and Page arms are also correctly stated by Mr. Brock(2). ________________________________________________ (1) On an opposite leaf of this book is inscribed: E. Lib. Philipp. Ludwell, Coll. Gul. & Mar. Alum., Sept. 5 die, A.D. 1736. See Herald & Genealogist, vol.V., & Heraldic Journal (Boston). (2) Mr. Brock is without information as to the arms on the tomb of Mary Page, who was a Digges, and left Elizabeth, who married David Bray. The arms on Mary Page's tomb are the Digges arms. Page 80. p. 97. It is an error to assign arms to the tomb of John Champion. It has a skull and cross bones only. p. 100. Tomb of Samuel Timson has a shield representing the arms of Timson impaled with those of his wife, Mary Juxon. It is somewhat defaced, but represents dexter: in chief two fleur-de-lis, in a base a sun in glory: not in Burke. Sinister -- what appears to be (in Burke)-- or. gu between four blackamoors, heads couped at the shoulders ppr. wreathed about the temples of the field; the arms of Wiliam Juxon, Bishop of Longon 1630-60, d. 1663, leaving his nephew, Sir William Juxon, Brat., his heir. Was Mary Timson the latter's daughter? In 1684-5 John Juxon, citizen and salter of London, sold land on Queen's creek, York Co. (neighboring to the land of Samuel Timson) unto Rev. Rowland Jones. Mr. Hall mentions no arms. p. 100. The fragments of the Thornton slab represent the tomb of Anna Maria Jones, daughter of Rev. Rowland Jones, first minister of Bruton Parish and ancestor of Mrs. Martha Washington. She married 1. William Timson, 2. William Barber, 3. Edmund Scarburg, 4. John Thornton. Her age, 76, is correctly stated. p. 102. The tomb of Mildred Jameson, whose maiden name was Smith, a descendant of Major Lawrence Smith, has the Jameson arms impaled with Smith (See paper on "Temple Farm."0 p. 102. Tomb of William Gooch: "It was originally within the enclosed Temple burying ground." It is still within it. p. 103. The Ring monuments have arms: -- These arms, like others, are not in Burke. They seem to be: in chief a label with five points, a bend bearing three lozenges conjoined. Page 81. Joseph Ring was one of the gentlemen recommended by the Governor as suitable for appointment to the Council (1699) -- Saisbury MSS. Joseph Ring, in his will probed May 24, 1703, calls Edmund Berkeley and Matthew Page "brothers". Joseph Ring's wife was Sarah Berkeley, daughter of Edmund Berkeley, who died before 1674. pp. 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107 -- The Nelson, Gooch, Bacon, Burwell, Digges, Cole arms, as represented by Mr. Brock in his notes to Prof. Hall's paper, agree with the monuments mentioned. [But see correction as to Gooch, p. 141.] p. 105. The tombstone of Elizabeth Bacon, who was a daughter of Richard Kingsmill, bears the following arms: Dexter, the arms assigned in burke, to John Kingsmill, Judge of the Common Pleas, died 1504. Berry's Genealogies, Co. Hants., shows that Sir William5 Kingsmill (Richard1, John2, Sir John3, Sir William4) m. Ann, da. and coheir of William Wilks, of Hodwell. Co. Warwick, and wid. of Anthony Dryden of Co. Northampton and had 1. Thomas6, 2. Richard6, (living in 1634), 3. Robert6, 4. Ferdinand6, 5. Francis6, 6. John6. Sinister, the arms of Mrs. Bacon's first husband, Col. William Tayloe, Esq., of King's Creek -- Vert, a sword erect or, betw. two lions ramp., endorsed erm. [William Tayloe was uncle of William Tayloe, of Richmond County. A book in the College Library, once belonging to John Tayloe of "Mt. Airy", in Richmond County, Va., has the same arms as are on the tomb of Elizabeth Bacon, above mentioned.] p. 108. The tomb of Cole Digges reads: "This Monument was Erected by Colonel Edward Digges to ye Memory of a most indulgent Father the Honble Colonel Digges, Esq., who * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Died in the LIIId Year of his Age." Page 82. p. 107. "To the memory of Edward Digges, Esq., sonne of Dudley Digges, &c.," should read "To the Memory of Edward Diggs, Esq., &c." p. 84. Bruton Parish Church is erroneously called "Christ Church." The records show that it was never known otherwise than by the name of the parish. p. 85. The mural tablet to the memory of Hon. Daniel Parke is correctly represented without arms. The Col. Parke of Mr. Brock's note was the son of Col. Parke of the mural tablet, which was erected by John Custis, who married his daughter. p. 92. Fragments of the Ludwell slab mentioned on page 82 bear armorial carvings. They are the same as on the tomb to the joint memories of Thomas Ludwell, Richard Kempe and Sir Thomas Lunsford. The following inscriptions should be added to the list given by Mr. Hall: -- Under the floor of Bruton Parish Church is a slab with the following inscription: Here Lie Deposited the Remains of Mrs. Christian Monro, Relict of the Revd Mr John Munro, Late Minister of St. John's Parish, In the County of King William, She departed this Life the 23rd of September, 1725, in the 60th Year of her Age. Here Also Rests the Body of Mary Blair, grand-daughter of John & Christian Monro, by their only surviving child, Mary, the wife of John Blair, Esq. She departed ye 1st of April, 1730 In ye second Year of her Age. Also, Sarah Archer, daughter of the Said John & Mary Blair, who died Febr: the 19th, 1735. Aged 3 months & 12 Days. Page 83. Under another portion of the floor is a slab with this inscription: Here Lyeth the Body of Mr. Henry Hacker, who Departed this LIfe the 5th day of August, 1742, In the 54th Year of his Age. Henry Hacker was a prominent merchant of Williamsburg. Will proved Dec. 20, 1742: Legacies to his wife Mary, nephew David Long, cousin David Long; to James Cock, William Adams and Moody Buckler: gives 200L setl., 4 old-fashioned silver spoons and a silver tankard to his wife's nephew, Peter Richardson, of Pembroke Hall, in Cambridge:" 200L sterl. to cousin Mary Long, now living with Alexander Marshall in Tolliton near Houston in Devonshire: legacy to each of the daus. of William Hacker, who were born at Wilmington, in Woodworthy, in Devon- shire; 10L sterl. to each of the daus. of Mary Hacker at Culliton, in Devonshire: 10L sterl. each to daus. of his cousin, Mary Farrant, in Shute, in Devonsire; 50L sterl. to cousin Honour Lacey, dau. to Edward Lacey of Shute in Devonshire; 50L sterling to Cousin Robert Hacker in or near Lime; 10L sterl. to cousin Catharine Hacker in Stockland; 50L sterl. to cousin Dorothy Tucker of Stockland, in Dorsetshire; disposes of storehouse & warehouse at Capital landing, Queen's Creek; Joshua Fry, William Prentis and James Wray, Exors. His inventory mentions books, china, glasses, silver, 16 framed pictures, and prints, &c. -- value L539. 18. 19. His widow married Mr. Thomas Hornsby, a wealthy merchant of Williamsburg, "born in Lincolnshire, in England." [See his Epista Vpha. Hist. Coll., vol. xi., 72.] In "Goodwin's Neck" in York Co. on the farm of John Williams dec'd, nephew of Harold Goodwin Page 84. dec'd, is a tomb with the inscription: Here Lyeth Interred the ----dy of Rachel, the --fe of James Goodwin --hom Shee was Mar--- the 12th of May, 16-- And by him had 7 children, Viz: 5 sonnes & 2 Daughters, Shee departed this Life The 23d of May Ano Dno, 1666, In ye 36 Yeare of her age. The arms on the tomb are as intended to be described in vol. II, No. 1: Sinister, quarterly, 1st and 4th a bend; 2d and 3d two bars. The dexter side cannot be made out. James Goodwin was one of the magistrates of York County, served as burgess and speaker, and received the title of major of militia. He was survived by a second wife, Blanche Goodwin. Some of his descendants still live on the ancient seat, while others have spread over the Union. Major Goodwin calls Lt. Coll. Henry Gooch, "brother" in the records, and the latter's wife, Millicent, was the widow of Robert Kinsey, who was dead in 1656. A piece of broken stone in Bruton Parish churchyard has --the-- ---n Brown, ---the 24 of--- 1726 It was perhaps the tomb of Dr. John Brown, referred to on page 76 of Va. Hist. Soc. Pap., vol. xi. At Ringfield in York County, near Felgate's Page 85. Creek, are fragments of a tomb which read as follows: Here lieth ye Body of Capt. John Underhill Junior of Felgates Creek formerly of Citie of Worce. * * * in England. The tomb has armorial bearings, but they are too broken for identification. Capt. Underhill's will was proved in York Co., Feb. 24, 1672-3; mentions children John, Nathaniel and Mary: To John he leaves the plantation on Felgate's Creek, and to Nathaniel land at Powight, in New Kent Co. Capt. Underhill married, in 1660, Mary, widow of William Felgate, skinner of London, and brother of Capt. Robert Felgate. Before her marriage with William Felgate, the widow had another husband, Thomas Bassett, who left two children, William and Mary. The former moved to New Kent Co., where he planted lands jointly with Capt. Underhill. At York-Hampton Church, besides the tombs given by Mr. Hall, there were in the days of Bishop Meade(1), one of Abraham Archer, who died in 1752, aged 62; one of Susannah Reignolds, daughter of William Rogers, who died in 1768, aged 60; and of Jane Frank, the daughter of William Routh, of Kisklington in Yorkshire. She died on her passage at sea, and was interred May 28, 1753, aged 28 years. Bishop Meade also states(2) that on a mutilated tombstone in the burial grounds at King's creek plantation (anciently Utimaria) might be deciphered the words -- "The Rev. Thomas Hampton, rector of this parish in 1647." _______________________________________________ (1) Meade's Old Churches, &c., I., p. 215. (2) Ibid., p. 200 Page 86. He states, also, that in Dr. Tinsley's garden at "Ringfield" were "the tombstones of the Palmer family(1)." At the church on the Main in James City Co., he says(2), there was a vault containing a coffin with a plate on which was inscribed "Elizabeth Bland," daughter of President William Yates, of William and Mary College, and wife of Rev. William Bland, who preceded President James Madison as minister of the "Main Church." Besides this, Bishop Meade states that he found, at Jamestown, the tombstones or fragments of tombstones of Sarah(3) Ludwell, wife of Philip Ludwell, whose broken epitaph is given by Mr. Hall; of Ursula Beverley, wife of Robert Beverley and daughter of William Byrd; of B. Harrison, and Mrs. Edwards. All these tombs and fragments of tombs have passed away, and this indicates that scores of others once existed in the counties of York and James City, of which at present no signs remain. _________________________________________________________________ (1) I am quite sure no Palmer family ever lived at "Ringfield", and the Reverend Bishop referred doubtless to the tombstones of the Ring family "which lie in the garden." (2) Meade I., 123. (3) This must be a mistake. The tombstone of Hannah Ludwell, wife of Phillip Ludwell, is still at Jamestown.