History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

BRANCH OF HIS SON PETER. 6
Vestry wrote to England for a minister, and in the meanwhile, in
1668, employed Rev. Mr. Shephard who continued the minister until
his death in 1683. Rev. Duell Read [from England] then became
minister for seven years when he returned to England. In 1692,
Rev. Mathew Lidford was chosen, but soon died. In 1699, Rev.
Robert Yates was minister until 1704, when he returned to England.
His son, Rev. Bartholomew Yates succeeded, until his death in 1734.
Then his son, Rev. Bartholomew Yates, was minister until 1767. He
(or his father) was Professor of Divinity in William and Mary College.
William Yates was President of the college until 1764. "The old
mother church !
the
great church, as she is styled in her Journal,
standing in view of the wide Rappahannock! More than 80 years
ago it was deserted. Its roof decayed and fallen it. Everything
within it returned to its native dust. A sycamore tree sprung up
within its walls. In 1840 it was a huge, overspreading tree, and was
removed piecemeal from the house. The rich mould of fifty years'
accumulation to the depth of two feet was dug up before the Chancel
floor and the stone aisles could be reached. The walls were unin-
jured and may still remain while generations of frail modern struc-
tures pass away. The graves of our ancestors are all around it. In
scattered fragments some of the tombstones lie." [Bishop Meade.]
Peter Montague was a member of this church, and from his posi-
tion in the Co.— a prominent member, even as his father had been in
Lancaster. It is not improbable that his wife Elizabeth Morris was
the daughter of the minister, Rev. Mr. Morris. Certainly so if the
minister's name was Thomas. The almost total destruction of church
records prevents a more extended record of him. The marriage of
his dau. Mary to Thomas Paine in 1682, indicates that he married
first, as early as 1663, [which is probably not far from the correct
date] Mary, dau. of # # . She probably died soon after the birth
of her son John in 1682, and he soon after married (2) Elizabeth
Morris, dau. of Thomas Morris. # This marriage is evidenced by a
* Morris. Is probably anciently derived from the baptismal name of Maurice, or from the
French Dn Marais, meaning "of the Marsh." Richard Morris, age 19, sailed from London
for Va., on ship " Speedwell," May 28, 1635. Davie Morris, age 32, came on the " America,"
June 23, 1635. Joseph Morris, age 26, came on the " David," Sept. 2, 1635. Richard Morrice,
age 17, came on the "Abraham," Oct. 24, 1635. The names of John Morris and Samuel
Morris are on the list of the living in Va. in 1623, and Richard Morris among the dead. On
the Muster Roll of 1624 occur the names of Samuel Morris, age 20, came on the "Abigail "
and living at Mulbury Island, and John Morris, age 24, came in the " Bona Nova " in 1619,
and Mary Morris, age 22. came in the "George," 1623, both the two last were living in
Elizabeth City.