This month 250 years ago…

Virginian Thomas Davis readied to take his ordination test in London. By the time he returned to the colonies, Hungars Parish in Northampton County sought a new rector and Davis preached there on a trial basis in the spring of 1774.  Just one vestryman’s vote awarded the coveted position to Samuel Smith McCroskey leaving Davis deeply disappointed.  Not only was Hungars considered by some “the best parish in Virginia” but the young clergyman was smitten with Elizabeth Bowdoin, daughter of Northampton’s burgess John Bowdoin. Davis instead assisted at his father’s Elizabeth River Parish and cast his lot with the rising Patriot cause. 

The Revolutionary War devastated Norfolk and Davis’ church.  In 1776 the British bombed the town before American soldiers burned and looted it.  Davis traveled northwards to war as chaplain of the First Regiment Continental Dragoons, but his heart remained on the Shore with “the most beloved of my soul” Elizabeth. He was crushed when she set him aside in 1778 allegedly on the advice of her family. It must have been the deepest heartache when Elizabeth married Samuel McCroskey, the very man who triumphed over him for the Hungars’ rectorship.  

Oh, in the end, all seemed to be as it should. Elizabeth and Samuel McCroskey had loving marriage and McCroskey guided Hungars Parish through the Revolution until his death in 1803. Thomas Davis found another love and his impressive professional career culminated with the rectorship of Fairfax Parish in Northern Virginia.  There Davis moved in George Washington’s circles, spent time at Mount Vernon, and even performed the marriage ceremony of Washington’s nephew Lawrence Lewis to Eleanor Parke Custis, great granddaughter of the Shore’s famed John Custis IV.  

When George Washington died in 1799, it was Thomas Davis who officiated at his funeral and stood in front of the president’s bier at the Mount Vernon burial, hearing the immortal words “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,” from Major General Lighthorse Harry Lee as he eulogized The Indispensable Man. Eight years later this honored clergyman achieved his early goal of pastoring Hungars Parish and he ministered there until his death in Eastville in 1815. The Reverend Thomas Davis was a true eyewitness to Virginia and the Shore’s story in the founding of the nation.  

The Hungars Cure Parish (Hungars Church and Christ Church) celebrated 400 years (1623-2023) of existence this past Saturday at Hungars in Bridgetown. The day included speakers on a wide range of topics, as well as musical performances and a display of artifacts associated with the church. The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Susan Hayes presided over Sunday’s combined service.

Be sure to join WESR on the 4th of each month for more on Virginia and the Shore’s role in the War for Independence.  Get ready for the Revolutionary Shore!

This month 250 years ago…

Virginian Thomas Davis readied to take his ordination test in London. By the time he returned to the colonies, Hungars Parish in Northampton County sought a new rector and Davis preached there on a trial basis in the spring of 1774.  Just one vestryman’s vote awarded the coveted position to Samuel Smith McCroskey leaving Davis deeply disappointed.  Not only was Hungars considered by some “the best parish in Virginia” but the young clergyman was smitten with Elizabeth Bowdoin, daughter of Northampton’s burgess John Bowdoin. Davis instead assisted at his father’s Elizabeth River Parish and cast his lot with the rising Patriot cause. 

The Revolutionary War devastated Norfolk and Davis’ church.  In 1776 the British bombed the town before American soldiers burned and looted it.  Davis traveled northwards to war as chaplain of the First Regiment Continental Dragoons, but his heart remained on the Shore with “the most beloved of my soul” Elizabeth. He was crushed when she set him aside in 1778 allegedly on the advice of her family. It must have been the deepest heartache when Elizabeth married Samuel McCroskey, the very man who triumphed over him for the Hungars’ rectorship.  

Oh, in the end, all seemed to be as it should. Elizabeth and Samuel McCroskey had loving marriage and McCroskey guided Hungars Parish through the Revolution until his death in 1803. Thomas Davis found another love and his impressive professional career culminated with the rectorship of Fairfax Parish in Northern Virginia.  There Davis moved in George Washington’s circles, spent time at Mount Vernon, and even performed the marriage ceremony of Washington’s nephew Lawrence Lewis to Eleanor Parke Custis, great granddaughter of the Shore’s famed John Custis IV.  

When George Washington died in 1799, it was Thomas Davis who officiated at his funeral and stood in front of the president’s bier at the Mount Vernon burial, hearing the immortal words “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,” from Major General Lighthorse Harry Lee as he eulogized The Indispensable Man. Eight years later this honored clergyman achieved his early goal of pastoring Hungars Parish and he ministered there until his death in Eastville in 1815. The Reverend Thomas Davis was a true eyewitness to Virginia and the Shore’s story in the founding of the nation.  

The Hungars Cure Parish (Hungars Church and Christ Church) celebrated 400 years (1623-2023) of existence this past Saturday at Hungars in Bridgetown. The day included speakers on a wide range of topics, as well as musical performances and a display of artifacts associated with the church. The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Susan Hayes presided over Sunday’s combined service.

Be sure to join WESR on the 4th of each month for more on Virginia and the Shore’s role in the War for Independence.  Get ready for the Revolutionary Shore!