This history of the Episcopal Church in Virginia focuses on a narrative of each parish in the state, with biographical and genealogical details on many of the early ministers and prominent members of that church. Complete transcripts of many colonial documents are included for most of the parishes.
Like so many other nineteenth-century antiquaries, Bishop Meade conducted his
research through a combination of onsite visits and correspondence with other
antiquaries. In the preparation of this history, which was first published as a
series of eighty newspaper articles, he attempted to locate and examine the
surviving vestry books for each parish. In some cases he saw these records
himself, and in other instances he relied on reports by others.
Most of the articles have sprinkled through them extensive extracts and
abstracts from colonial documents, including, in addition to the vestry books,
such sources as court records, private letters and monumental inscriptions. Many
of these records had not previously been published, and, although many have
since been placed in print in more modern and comprehensive editions, there are
undoubtedly records here, especially among the letters and inscriptions, which
have not been published elsewhere and which have subsequently been lost or
destroyed.
Most of the genealogical material is presented in long footnotes. Although this
material is not documented according to modern standards, the author would often
have obtained the information from family members born in the late eighteenth or
early nineteenth centuries, who were in a position to provide reliable data on
the more recent generations. These genealogies will provide solid clues for
further research.
