Sketches of Virginia, historical and biographical, first series/ by William Henry Foote

Notes

This book is considered the "first series".

"In the year 1838 [...] William Henry Foote was named agent of the Central Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. For the next seven years he traveled extensively throughout Virginia and North Carolina. In the course of his journeys he was able to examine quantities of materials that later found their way into his three monumental volumes of historical and biographical sketches. [...] First published in 1850, [this book] forges a significant link with America's colonial past and remains an outstanding early history of the South. Foote set out to show the 'power of the religious principle in molding the civil and political institutions in Virginia.' Today he is remembered not so much for his interpretation of history, however, as for his lavish quoting from scores of sources, many of which are now lost. 'Records of the Civil Courts and Ecclesiastical Judicatories, in manuscript, have been examined, volume after volume,' he wrote in his introductory chapter. 'Private journals, diaries, memoranda, and family genealogies have been fully consulted.' For example, he came across a pamphlet about the 1707 trial of the Rev. Francis Makemie for preaching in New York City, and inserted the account. Also included is Samuel Davies' journal, written between 1753 and 1755 while Davies was on a fundraising mission to Great Britain on behalf of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). And there is James Moore's narrative of his captivity by Shawnee Indians in 1784.

This is a source for Virginia Presbyterian history.

Contents : Series 1, Introductory chapter -- Chapter I, Virginia in 1688 -- Chapter II, Rev. Francis Makemie and his associates -- Chapter III, The confinement and trial of Rev. Francis Makemie for preaching in New York, 1707 -- Chapter IV, The Scotch Irish -- Chapter V, Siege of Londonderry -- Chapter VI, Presbyterian colonies in Virginia -- Chapter VII, Rise of the Presbyterian Church in Hanover County ; and Rev. William Robinson -- Chapter VIII, Ministers visiting Hanover after Mr. Robinson, and previous to Rev. Samuel Davies -- Chapter IX, Virginia in 1743 ; Commissary Blair ; William and Mary College -- Chapter X, Rev. Samuel Davies from his birth to his voyage to England -- Chapter XI, The mission of Messrs. Davies and Tennent to Great Britain -- Chapter XII, Journal of the Rev. Samuel Davies from July 2d, 1753, to February 13th, 1755 -- Chapter XIII, Rev. Samuel Davies : from his mission to Great Britain to his death -- Chapter XIV, Three auxiliaries to the cause of liberty of conscience -- Chapter XV, Progress of freedom of conscience during the times of the Revolution, and the aid given by Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison -- Chapter XVI, James Waddell, D.D., and the churches of the Northern Neck -- Chapter XVII, Log colleges -- Chapter XVIII, Hampden Sidney College -- Chapter XIX, Rev. John Blair Smith and the Revival of 1787-8 -- Chapter XX, Rev. William Graham : Liberty Hall and Washington College -- Chapter XXI, Rev. Drury Lacy -- Chapter XXII, Mary Moore -- Chapter XXIII, The commission of Synod : with sketches of Legrand, Marshall, and Lyle -- Chapter XXIV, Moses Hoge, D.D.

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