Here, May 15, 1776, the Convention of Virginia, through resolutions drafted by Edmund Pendleton, offered by Thomas Nelson, Jr., advocated by Patrick Henry, unanimously called on Congress to declare the Colonies free and independent States.
Here, June 12, 1776, was adopted by the Convention the immortal work of George Mason, the Declaration of Rights; and on June 27, 1776, the first written Constitution of a free and independent State ever framed."
These were the men and these the days which did most to enshrine old Bruton in the heart of history: and in the church, restored through simple memorials, the nation pays to them a tribute of devotion.
The Temple of Justice—The Temple of War
From the churchyard, looking eastward over the Palace Green, may be seen the Court House of 1769, across from which is the octagon Powder Horn, built by Governor Spotswood in 1714, in which was started the Revolution in Virginia by the removal of the powder by Lord Dunmore on April 21, 1775, and in which was subsequently organized the Baptist Church in Williamsburg, by the Rev. Scervant Jones, whose fame as a writer of epitaphs has seldom been surpassed, as may be seen from the inscription on the tomb in the churchyard in memory of Ann, his "angel wife."[1]
Some Ancient Homes of Vestrymen of Bruton Parish Church
The Wythe House
The large brick house adjoining the churchyard and
- ↑ The blessing of Scervant Jones, said at the tavern of Mr. Howl where a chicken that
had been dinner on several previous occasions was served to the Reverend gentleman.
"Good Lord of Love
Look down from above,
And bless the 'Owl
Who ate this fowl
And left these bones
For Scervant Jones."
