The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol 3, No. 1 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 *********************************************************************** The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Philip A. Bruce William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 1. (Jul., 1894), pp. 77-78. BOOK REVIEWS. THE VIRGINIA MAGAZINE OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. Philip A. Bruce, Editor, Richmond, Va. January and April numbers, 1894. That amid the prodigious wealth of personal references contained in the excellent issues of this valuable periodical a few errors should occur is not surprising. Perhaps the following additions and corrections may be not without value: 1. THOMAS CLAIBORNE, JANUARY NO. P. 317. I have satisfactorily identified Sarah, wife of Thomas Claiborne, son of Col. William Claiborne, as the daughter of Samuel Fenn. He lived at the Middle Plantation, and his will proved in 1660, mentions his wife Dorothy, son Samuel and daughter Sarah both of whom "I doe desyre to be educated to the utmost Virginia affordeth". In 1659 Ralph Simpkins and Susannah his wife sold to Samuel Fenn a plantation in Bruton Parish "except two acres part thereof given formerly by the said Simkins to the use of the parishioners of Middletown [Bruton was made in 1674 of Middletown and Marston parishes] on which a church is now building." This land Thomas Claiborne and Sarah his wife, "both of the county of New Kent", sold to Major Otho Thorpe, of the Middle Plantation. The following letter accompanies the deed of Conveyance. "Honored Sr This is by one of my neighbours to informe you that 'tis not possible for me to bee at yr Court tho God bee praised for my Leg is neer well, but dare not venture till itt be more sound. Sr to shew our readiness wee have sent our letter of attorney to empower the Bearer in our behalfe to acknowledge itt, but if you please to stay, wee will both at yor next Court if God wills. Sarah returns many thanks for the ffruite, this with both our due respects and service to you both is all at present, Sr ffrom yor realle Servt and son-in-law Tho. Claiborne To Major Otho Thorpe at the Middle Plantation". Otho Thorpe married 1st Elizabeth, wife of his kinsman, Richard Thorpe (will proved to Sept. 1660), married 2dly Dorothy, who died October 27, 1675 (Bruton Parish Register); married 3dly Frances -----, who survived him and married 2dly John Annesley, of Westminister, Middle- sex Co., England. Thorpe died in 1686-87 at London in the parish of All-Hallowes the-Wall. In the affectionate language of the age Thomas Claiborne was son-in-law of Major Thorpe because of his marriage with Sarah, the daughter of Samuel and Dorothy Fenn, who must have been Dorothy, Thorpe's 2d wife. 2. WORMELEY APRIL NO., P. 422, William and Mary College Quarterly for January, 1893, has a note of the marriage contract (dated 1645) of Ralph Wormeley with Agatha Stubbins, widow of Luke Page 78. Stubbins of Northampton Co. So that Agatha Eltonhead married 1. Luke Stubbins, 2. Ralph Wormeley, 3. Sir Henry Chicheley. 3. WEST - Ibid p. 424. Col. John West married Unity, not Ursula Croshaw as stated. I found a deed in the York Co. Records from John West and Unity, his wife, coveying "Poplar Neck", the late residence of Unity's father Major Joseph Croshaw to Edmund Jennings, Esq., Secretary of State. It was dated 1687. Croshaw calls John West "son-in-law" in his will. John West, married Judah, daughter of Major Anthony Armistead, (Elizabeth City Co. Rec). 4. WIAT. - Ibid p. 39. The sons of Rev. Hawte Wiat were not Edward and Richard, but Edward and George, as shown in a previous note in this issue. But Richard was doubtless a kinsman. JUDAS: A Drama in five Acts. By John Lesslie Hall, of William and Mary College. For sale by H. T. Jones, Williamsburg, Va. and other booksellers. Price fifty cents. This work, by Prof. Hall of William and Mary, is an effort toward the elevation of the drama. Every one knows how the cheap playwrights have crucified the higher drama. The book before us aims to be a part of a reform movement. For some time past, there have been in- dication of a revival in this department of literature; of course, the novel is our main vehicle of expresion. Longfellow, Tennyson, Browning, Swinburne and others have however tried the drama with more or less success. Very recently, Mr. Branden Matthews has lent his name and his talents to this revival movement. Mr. Hall does not sail under any special flag. Very modestly, through the presses of the local publisher he has sent forth his little volume, hoping that it may find welcome in some sympathetic hearts. He has not brought any very sacred characters upon the stage. Nothing in the book can wound the most sensitive nature. Judas is of course the central figure of the action. His motives and purposes are brought out both in soliloquy and dialoge. He is the victim of avarice, disappointment and chagrin. In addition to these notions, a mightier one, love, drives him madly on. He is betrothed to a lovely maiden, and her father, a haughty officer of the Temple, tells him to chose between his betrothed and the bold Galilean prophet. This, with other things, leads Judas to betray his Master. In the fifth act, the traitor is seen near the palce of the crucifixion, in deep remorse. He resolves upon self-destruction. In the last scene, his lifeless body is brought to his mother's home. The curtain falls upon her in her indescribable agony. Not long ago Mr. Hall wrote a translation of Beo Wulf, which eminent critis have considered the best of its kind. Mr. Hall's scholarship is broad and extensive, and he is an excellent master of English verse.