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| ordered to be levied upon the parishioners.* I believe that the church was built in 1734. According to local tradition, the red and chocolate colored bricks neces- sary for it's construction were brought from England. A similar tradition clings to almost every old brick edifice in Maryland and Virginia. There is every reason to believe that all these stories are unreliable. "It is doubtful whether a single building was built from imported bricks. They were all made on the spot. Old brick houses are always found on or near clay soil." The first tax was not sufficient to finish the church. In 1736 the Assembly authorized the Vestry to make a second levy of 16,000 pounds of tobacco to complete the work, and undoubtedly the venerable rector had the pleasure of officiating in the new church, which must certainly have been considered an unusually handsome edifice for the times, before he died in 1742. On the 1st of March, 1743, the Rev. Theophilus Swift became rector of Dur- ham Parish. He was the first clergyman who held exclusive charge here, as up to that time Durham and Port Tobacco had been served by the same rector. + He re- mained until 1749 when he went to Port Tobacco and was rector there until 1762 when he died. In 1749 the Rev. Alex- ander Adams, Jr. came to Durham and remained until 1764 when he retired. He had been licensed for Maryland by the Bishop of London in 1748. He died in 1767. In 1765 we find in charge the Rev. Wm. Dowie of whom very little is known except he was licensed by the Bishop on London in 1762, and he died here in 1768. He married the daughter of Mrs. |
Ann Dent and left two small children to their grandmother whom he made his executrix. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. Fendall who was licensed by the Bishop of London in 1767. He became rector of Durham in 1770 ++ and remain- ed until 1776. In 1772 begins the Book of Records (or old Vestry Book as it is commonly called) which has been deposited for safe keeping in the Diocesan library at Baltimore. I have given this book careful examination, and find it full of interesting records of which I give all of importance. The Vestry Book is a thick substantial volume, bound in leather. The records extend from 1772 to 1824. As a rule the entries are carefully and grammatically written, the hand-writing being generally clear and legible. It has upon the inside cover these words: "Durham Parish - began the 2nd of June, 1772." Unfortunately the first two pages are missing, the first legible entry reading as follows: "Met at the Vestry house of Durham Parish on Easter Monday, 9th day of April, Anno Dom. 1774, the reverend Henry Fendall, Mr. Warren Dent, Mr. William Elgin, Capt. Joseph Hanson Harrison, Mr. Samuel Stone, Vestrymen; Messers. Richard Price$ and James Muncaster Church Wardens - Together with the freeholders as many would attend and did Ease Capt. Gerard Fowke and Mr. Warren Dent from serving as Vestrymen and Chose Messrs. Thomas Perry and Henry Davis in their stead, also Chose Hezekiah Franklin in place of Robert M. Coarts Deceased as Vestryman, also on the same day did Ease Mr. Rich- ard Price and James Muncaster from serv- |
* In
the Appendix, at the end of this sketch, will be found some account of the use of tobacco
as currency, during the colonial era of Maryland. The subject is one of importance to any
one who wishes to understand the history of the colony. Up to the Revolution all
freeholders were taxed "40 pounds per poll" for the support of the Church. Extra
taxes were levied when necessary. |