Old Blandford Tombstones, Petersburg, VA; William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol 5, No. 4

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William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, 
Vol. 5, No. 4. (Apr., 1897), pp. 230-240.


230		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES
 
AN EXACT TRANSCRIPT OF THE EPITAPHS ON ALL THE TOMBSTONES NOW EXISTING 
WITHIN THE ORIGINAL ENCLOSURE OF OLD BLANDFORD CHURCH YARD, NEAR PETERSBURG, VA.

Collected by C. G. CHAMBERLAYNE (1896).
_______________

Take holy earth all that my soul held dear
Take the best gift which heaven so lately gave.

JAMES WRIGHT
A native of Weathersfield
State of Connecticut
Born August 25th A. D. 1779:
Departed this life September 16th 1811.
This tomb
the last tribute of affection, 
is rear'd to his memory
byy his disconsolate widow,
Lucy Wright.
_________

SACRED
to the Memory
of EDWARD HOLMES
Son of
SAMUEL HOLMES
of Mecklenburg County
Aged 26 years
Thus Merit & Worth in Youth combined,
Are toi an untimely Tomb consigned.
__________

(ARMS and CREST.)
Here Lyeth Interred the Body of 
IOHN HERBERT1 Son of Iohn Herber(t)
Apothecary and Grandsonn of
Richard Herbert Citizen and Groce(r)
of London who departed this Life
17th day of March 1704 in the 
46th year of his Age.





OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES                       231

Underneath this Stone are deposited
The Remains of 
Mrs. A. W. MCCONNICO,
the affectionate
and 
beloved Wife
of Christopher MCConnico,
in whom
R e l i g i o n
With every amiable Virtue
was adorned
by
a genuine benevolence of Temper,
and
a Native sweetness of Manners.
Her Heart
formed for Friendship
was
humane & Charitable, 
She died
in the twenty seventh Year of her Age
on the tenth of February 1786.
Sincerely lamented
by all who knew her.
The Loss
can never be retrieved
by 
Her Parents,
Her Children, 
Her Brothers, Sisters
or Her Husband,
by whom 
This monument of the tenerest affection
is 
erected 
to her Memory.





232		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

Sacred 
to the memory of
Mrs NANCY ANN ROE
who died
the 10th of Janr 1800
after a painful and lingering 
illness which she bore with
christian fortitude.
___________

To the Memory 
of ANDREW JOHNSTON ESQ.
OF GLASGOW IN SCOTLAND, 
MERCHANT IN PETERSBURG:
WHO RESIDED MANY YEARS IN THIS STATE,
WHERE HE ACQUIRED A FORTUNE
BY HONEST INDUSTRY, 
AND 
DIED REGRETTED.  
THIS STONE IS ERECTED
 IN TESTIMONY OF AFFECTIONATE REGARD,
BY HIS SISTER
ON 5TH MAY 1785 ÆTA: 43.
___________
Sacred
to the memory
of
JOHN STUART
Native of GLASGOW,
SCOTLAND,
And for many years
An eminent Merchant
 of this Town.
Died 1st of February 1814.
Aged 60 Years.
This Monument
is caUsed to be erected 
By his Daughter
MARY ANN
in testimony of 
Her affectionate regard.





OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES                       233

(RIC)HARD
(YA)RBROUGH2
1702
Aged 87
___________

WILLIAM CORLING 
Departed this life
Nov. 16. 8152
in the 84 year
of his age.
___________

ELIZABETH CORLING
Wife of Wm. Corling
Departed this life
May 19. 1839.
In the 84 year
of her age.
_______________

IN
MEMORY OF
CHARLES CORLING
Native of Ashford
COUNTY OF KENT
ENGLAND
Came to VIRGINIA 1783
Died January 14, 1814,
AGED 43 YEARS,
Leaving an affectionate 
Wfie and three Children
Viz. William---Charles---&
Eliza to deplore the
loss of a kind Husband
and tender Father.




234		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

MRS. ELIZA LEVERING
Daughter of
Charles & ann Corling
Consort of
W. W. Levering
Departed this life
July 20, 1855
In the 48. year
of her age.
_____________

HERE LYES
The Body of A. MCConnald
Who Departed this Life
The 29 of octbr in th Year
1788 in teh 49th year of his age
(A)lso The Body of Jane
(MC)Connald Who Deptd
(t)his Life the 1st November
In the 30th Year of her age 
And Daniel MCConnald
Who dparted this life the 
12 of June 1790  2th year of 
His Age.
______

IN MEMORY
of
Mrs SARAH  TAYLOR
who died July 21ST 1801
aged 54 years
and
Mr ALEXR TAYLOR
who departed this life
June 26th 1805 aged 68 years
While o'er their dust their children still grieve
and still this spot the soft affectins move
Their spotless souls in paradise shall live
Blessd and united in the realms above
				This stone is erected as a record
				of their virtues by their children




OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES                       235

IN MEMORY
OF
W:m WILSON LEVERING
who departed this life 
July 17th 1829,
in the 29th year of his age.
___________

SACRED
to the memory of 
LUKE W.
Son of
WM. J. & ANN H. UZZELL
Born Feb. 6, 1848
Died Nov. 17, 1856.
Weep not for those who are
gathered early to there
Heavenly Father
________

SACRED
To the memory of
ANDREW F. P.
son of 
WM J. & ANN H. UZZELL
Born May 30, 1855
Died Jan. 21, 1861.
A breathing form of beauty
encasing a gentle spirit, claimed
by a Fahter's hand ere earth's cares
had touched or spoiled
__________

HERE LIES THE BODY OF
DAVID LANG SHIPMASTER
SON OF WILLIAM LANG
IN INNERKIP WHO DIED IN 
VIRGINIA THE 21 OF MAY
1762 AGED 31 YEARS.








236		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

Underneath this Stone are deposited
the Remains of
Mrs KATHERINE ROSE
the affectionate
and 
Beloved Wife
of 
ALEXANDER ROSE,
in whom
every amiable Virtue was adorned
and native sweetness of manners, 
She died
on the 2nd Day of February 1801
in the 43rd Year of her Age;
Sincerely lamented by all who knew her.
The loss
can never be retireved
by 
her Childre
or 
her Husband
by whom
This Monument of the tenderst affection
is 
erected 
to her Memory.
On the South side lies her five Children.
__________

In memory of 
HELEN daughter of EBENEZER and ELIZABETH STOTT,
who departed this life sept 5th 1797 aged one year and three weeks. 
of another daughter born 1st June 1798. who died three days after
her birth.
and of five others of their infants still born,
and in memory of Hariet Phile sister of ELIZABETH STOTT.
who died in July 1797
aged twenty one years.


OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES                       237

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY 
of 
Mrs E. Pegram who
DEAparteD this life
Febr 16th 1804
aged 29 years
____________

SACRED
	to the Memory of 
ROBERT DONALDSON
late of 
Fayetteville
NORTH CAROLINA
Merchant;
Born
on the 4th of March 1764
Obiit
on the 1st of July 1808
Aged 44 Years
_____________
Here lye
the Bodies of
MARGARET, ADAM, AND 
IOHN=ADAM RUfSELS
The first died june 23d
1787 aged 2 years 7 months 
& 3 days the second died 
janr 12th1788 aged 7 weeks
the third died augst 9th 1799
aged 11 months 2 weeks & 2 days,
the beloved Children of
ROBERT and jANET RUfSEL(S)
________

Here lyes the Body of John
Mackie Son to Patrick Mackie
mercht and late provest of
Wigton in Scotland who
Dyed at Peterburgh Octr the
11th 1750 aged Ninteen years


238		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

Joseph the son of ye late
Mr Joseph Littledale Mercht,
In Whitehaven died Novbr, 3d 1754
Aged 16 Years.
____________

This monument is erected
in memory of 
MATTHEW MABEN,
A native of Dumfries SCOTLAND 
And for many years
A respectable Merchant,
of this place;
Died 8th of January 1822,
Aged 45 Years.
_____________

		Her lies in hopes of a Blessed Resurrection
		the body of Mrs Lucy Williams.   Wife of
		Mr Thomas Williams, She was ye daughter 
		of Mr James Boisseau & Mary his wife
		Born february ye 8th 1730.  Married novembr
		the 27th 1746. who died ye 25th of July 1747
		Aged 16 years five months & two weeks & 
		3 days.  who was very much beloved and lamented
		Young men & women, all & standers by
		That on these tombs do cast a wondering eye
		Call ye Lord Whilst in your health & youth 
		For die you must, it is a certain truth
		Your life a Shadow is more pris'd than gold
		As for Example here you may behold 
		Beneath these mournful tombs there lyth three
		Which maketh eight out of one Familey
		Two loving virtuous wives and a child most dear
		All died within two days & one whole year
		Whose patience quitted not their silent breast
		But lull'd them into eternal rest
		To wait in peace, until that glorious day
		The trumpet sounds, to call them hence away

OLD BLANDFORD TOMBSTONES                       239

HERE LYES INUR'D THE BODY
OF THOMAS WILLIAMS BORN
IN ST IAMES PARISH LOND
IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND
SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWO
AND DPARTED THIS LIFE THE
9TH  DAY OF NOVR 1763.

MOURN NOT FOR ME MY FRIENDS AND
CHILDREN DEAR
I AM NOT DEAD BUT ONLY SLEEPING
HERE
FROM SIN AND WORLDLY CARES I 
AM FREE AND BLIST
WHERE WEARY SOULS RETIRE AND
ARE AT REST
MY DEBT IS PAID BEHOLD MY GRAVE
YOU SEE
WAIT GODS APPOINTED TIME
YOU'LL COME TO ME

                          __________________

(H)ere lyes in hopes of a Blessed REssurrection
the body of Mrs Rachell Williams, wife of
Mr Thomas Williams, she was ye Daiughter 
of Mr John Freeman, and Mary his wife
of Willesy in Glouster, born April ye 15th 
1719, married August 28th 1735.  who died the 
23 of July 1746.  Aged 28 Years, 3 months &
ten days, Leaving Issue one Son & 2 Daughters
She was Exceedingly Beloved & Lamented
Sweet natr'd kind giving to all their due
Surpemely good, & to her Consort true
She'd differ not, but to his will agree
With condesending, sweet humility
Tender and loveing to her children dear
And to her servants not at all sevear
She feared not, nor strove at all with death 
But patiently, Resigned her wiling bre(a_th
Her Soul so silent, from her body we(n)t
They seem'd as if they parted by consent
to meet in glory at ye last of days
And sing with Joy her blessed Saviour's prais(e)

240		 WILLIAM AND  MARY COLLEGE QUARTERLY.

Here Lyes also ye body of Hannah 
Williams, daughter of Thomas Williams 
and Rachell his wife, who died July ye 14
1747 aged 3 Years & seven weeks.
NOTES.
	1. JOHN HERBERT.--Within the past eighteen months this tombstone was, 
	under the direction of relatives, removed from Puddledock, in Prince George 	
      Co., Va., and placed in Blandford churchyard.  The Virginia Gazette for
	August 7, 1752, has an advertisement inquiring for "the descendants of Mr. 	
      John Herbert, late merchant on James River, who formerly married Miss 	
      Frances Anderson of said place, and died in the year 1704 or 1705, and what 	
      arms he bore is said to be ent on his tombstone.  He left two sons, Butler and 	
      Richard, and one daughter, named Martha,  who married Mr. James Powell 	
      Cooke about the year 1718. 17 
	
	2. RICHARD YARBROUGH.-In connection with this stone the following note, 
	taken from Slaughter's Bristol Parrish (first edition, 1846), may prove of in-	
      terest:

      Richard Yarbrough 1702--aged 87.
	The above inscription is on a soft, free-stone slab.  There is a trace above
	the cyper, making it read 1762.  From my knowledge of this stone, and ac-
	quaintance with engraving, I think 1702 was the original inscription.
					J. DAVIDSON, Keeper of the Graveyard.

(To be continued.)
___________________
	PERSONAL NOTICES FROM THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE.

DEATHS.
		Mrs. Mary Braxton, daughter of the late Col. Carter, President
	of the Council of this Colony, and wife of Mr. George Braxton, of
	King and Queen, last Friday.        Williamsburg.  Sept. 22, 1736.1
		Capt. Arthur Mosely, of Henrico county, killed by being thrown
	from his horse.    Oct. 13.
		Mr Thomas Booth, in Gloucester county, a justice of the peace
        for many years and considerable merchant.    Nov. 5.
		Mrs. Susannah Skaife, wife of Rev. John Skaife, 2 of Stratton
	Major parish, King and Queen county.  Nov. 12.
____________________________________________________________
	1 This date and others given, except where expressly stated otherwise, give
	the date of the paper in shich the notice occurs.
		2 From the admission register of St. John's College: "John Scaife, born at
	Leburgh, Yorkshire, so of John Scaife, husbandman (agricolœ); bred at
	Ledburgh under Mr. Wharton; admitted sizar for Dr. Berry, tutor and surety
	Mr. Orchard, 4 April net. 18."  In Braxton Parish Register, among the death
	notices are: "Nov. 3, 1736, Mrs. Scaife, wife of teh Rev. Mr. John Skaife, 	
      rector of Strattus Major."  "Nov. 6, Mr. John Skaife himself."