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606 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

served St. James’s and St. Philip’s, Brunswick, until about
the year 1735. Mr. Marsden served only about one year, when
his appointment as missionary was withdrawn by the Vener-
able Society, and Mr. Moir was made missionary to the parish.
Mr. Moir’s labors were arduous, but his service was most suc-
cessful. He served the entire parish, from the Cape Fear
to the Neuse River, and during his first year baptized 210
persons, in his second year, baptizing 316 others. In 1742 he
was placed in charge of St. Philip’s, Brunswick, in addition to
St. James’s, and between 1742 and 1745 he reported 1,316
persons taken into the church through baptism. It will be seen,
therefore, that his labors bore much fruit. This good man
served the parish until 1747, when, because of ill health, he
removed to St. Mary’s Chapel, near Tarboro, in Edgecombe
County, where we find record of his further faithful and loving
service as late as 1765.

Prior to the year 1751 the congregation of St. James’s had
no church building, and used the county courthouse as a place
of worship. In Dr. Drane’s Historical Notices of St. James’s
parish, it is stated that the lot for the original church was given
by Michael Higgins, “a tried and true churchman.” It is
recited, however, by Colonel Waddell, in his History of New
Hanover County, that the lot was conveyed by Higgins to
James Smallwood, in June, 1745, in consideration of 200
pounds, and that Smallwood conveyed it to John Rutherford
and Lewis DeRosset, wardens, together with the adjoining lot,
the following year. The lot secured, located near the corner of
Fourth and Market Streets, was not sufficient in size for a
church and burying ground, and to remedy the situation an
act was secured from the colonial Legislature, in 1751, author-
izing the church to use thirty feet of Market Street for its
purposes. ers

There were three commissioners appointed by the act to build
the church. Evidently great difficulties were encountered, for
it was nineteen years after the passage of the act before the
church was completed, in 1770.

The church as built could lay no claims to architectural
beauty. It was of brick and extended thirty feet into Market
Street—a large square building, with neither steeple nor belfry.
There were three entrances, one fronting the river, one open-
ing on Market Street, and another leading into the graveyard.
The aisles were wide, paved with large square brick, and the

Peace Restored 607

pews were of the old English style—“double pews” that would
seat a large family, though compelling some to sit with their
backs to the chancel. The furniture was plain, with a high
reading desk and higher pulpit, surmounted by a sounding
board. It was used by the parish until 1839, and was endeared
to the parishioners by its sacred character and associations.

It has been noted that Mr. Moir left St. James’s in 1747-48.
After an interval of about seven years, he was succeeded by
Rev. Mr. McDowell, who served the parish until 1763, the year
of his death. In 1765 the Venerable Society sent Rev. Mr.
Barnett to serve St. James’s and St. Philip’s. He was suc-
ceeded in 1766 by Rev. Mr. Wills. An extract from the con-
tract made with Mr. Wills by the vestry throws a sidelight on
the times and the work of the parish. His stipend was 185
pounds proc. money, and he agreed to officiate at St. James’s
eighteen Sundays during the year, at Rocky Point six Sundays,
at the sound six Sundays, at Long Creek six Sundays, at Black
River six Sundays, and at Welsh Tract six Sundays—the re-
maining four Sundays to be at his disposal.

Another incident, noted in the records of the vestry, throws
an interesting side-light and shows the temper of the times.
Under the English law, the Crown had the right of presentation
and induction of a rector in those cases where a church or chapel
was built or endowed at the expense of the Crown. In 1770,
four years after Mr. Wills’s ministry began, Governor Tryon
wrote the vestry that he proposed giving him letters of presenta-
tion and induction into the parish of St. James. The vestry
replied courteously that they esteemed Mr. Wills, and were well
Satisfied to employ him, but they denied that the power of pre-
Sentation and induction existed within the province, and would
hot agree thereto. Governor Tryon, thereupon, for the time
Withdrew the proposition. Mr. Wills served the parish, and
had the respect and affection of the people, until 1775-76, when
he resigned. He was the last rector under the colonial gov-
ernment.

The Revolution of 1776 put an end to the activities of the
parish for fully twenty years. Clergymen of the Church of
England, even those that remained neutral, were generally re-
garded as in sympathy with the Government of England, and
Were, rightfully or wrongfully, viewed with suspicion during
the early Revolutionary period. During this long interval many
Persons formed affiliations with other denominations, but some