Right Reverend John Stark Ravenscroft, Bishop,
Protestant Episcopal Church. North Carolina
Autograph
Letter Signed, (ALS). Ravenscroft, John Stark. (1772-1830). Raleigh. (North Carolina). 16
June 1825. 3 pages. Addressed to: Revd. Robert B. Croes, Richmond, Virginia.
Postmarked: Raleigh. 9-7/8 x 7-7/8 inches. A few tears/holes on page three at
the folds. An unobtrusive ½ inch hole and tear where the wax seal was attached.
Overall very good condition.
“…The Bible Society question has become identified
with Presbyterian Interests …
…they play my Game for me, in attracting attention,
and forcing reflection on the principles of Revealed Religion, upon the public
mind … in the structure of the various sects which deform Christianity. …Church
of Christ … I had rather grapple with John Rice than with P. Mitchell and have
already paid my respects to him…my sermon on the Rule of Faith… …request you send
me the numbers of his magazine which contain any thing on my various subjects…
I send you a copy of the Bible (?) Sermons, my late
Convention Sermons and a reprinted one for the use of my Flock and a link in
the chain… we are so poor here… Our Journals and a charge from me to the
Diocese are not yet printed, but will be out shortly…
I beg my kindest remembrances to Bishop Moore when
he returns… New Bern… Edenton…
…I perceive that Bishop Moore or Kemp are not known
to the Alexandria School…
I Hope trust and Pray … As the Church becomes known,
it is respected…
[Signed] Jn S. Ravenscroft”
Historical
Notes:
- John Stark Ravenscroft was the first Bishop of
North Carolina.
- Spring Bank (Lunenburg Co.), known also as
Ravenscroft and Magnolia Grove, was built in 1793 for John Stark Ravenscroft
and his wife, Anne, a member of the Burwell and Carter families, Tidewater
Virginia gentry. It has a five-part, or Palladian plan—the only such example in
Lunenburg County… The property had been part of the vast landholdings of
Colonel Lewis Burwell, Anne’s father, and represents early settlement in the
area by one of Virginia’s oldest and most widely connected colonial families.
Armistead Burwell, Anne’s grandfather, originally patented over 3,000 acres
when the county was formed in 1746, 610 of which were sold to Ravenscroft for
the building of the house. Ravenscroft, born in 1772 in Prince George County,
attended schools in Scotland and England, and later enrolled at William and
Mary, where he earned the nickname “Mad Jack.” His family had strong ties to
the Anglican Church, and he would later become the first Episcopal Bishop of
North Carolina, serving from 1823-30. - - - Virginia Department of Historic
Resources. Number 51. 2007. Notes on Virginia. Virginia Landmarks Register: 89
New Listings
- Ravenscroft authored: The doctrines of the church
vindicated from the misrepresentations of Dr. John Rice; and the integrity of
revealed religion defended against the "No comment principle" of
promiscuous bible societies. ... N.C.
1826
- Robert B. Croes was an assistant to Bishop Richard
Channing Moore, Episcopal Church.; Diocese of Virginia. Croes was assistant
minister of the Monumental Church in Richmond, Va.; Croes was rector of St.
John’s Church, Richmond 1833.
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