Memories of Virginia
The Warden's Pew of British Church.
And Founding Captain of renown,
A tribute to the church and state,
To stand for time the Honor Pew.
To chief of Royal Government,
From Sixteen Hundred twenty-two,
Until the year of Sixteen-sixty,
When England won her King and Crown.
Matthews, passed to a Higher Court,
To Hail the Restoration dawn,
He made the long silent return,
The year of England's Jubilee.
To rest with British kin "at home,"
To us he left a memory.
My Dear Friend:
It is true, Death stills speaker's voice. Mrs. Smith, to whom these Memories are dedicated, expired instantly when about to hear reports from the delegates who visited Jamestown. As you are aware my sister reached Washington to meet me at Williamsburg October 12th, but her heart made her realize the effort would be more than she could endure, and that home was her safety. She, however, attended the next meeting of the order November 15th, where she died with her friends, presiding over a society that honored her with its highest gift, "Daughters of the Founders and Patriots of the State of New York," could bestow.
She died as I would have her die,
In the full tide of honors won.
With Daughters of the Founding Sires,
On Honor Day to Old Jamestown.
To hear praise of "The Warden's Pew,"
And Matthew's Tablet, to pass down.
The Daughters Gifts, to Bruton Church,
Memorials of Old Jamestown.
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