Philip Ludwell III and Frances Ludwell: Difference between revisions
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
==Entering the Orthodox Christian Church, 1738== | ==Entering the Orthodox Christian Church, 1738== | ||
In 1738, just over a year after his marriage, while he was in England, Philip Ludwell was received into the Orthodox Church by the [https://orthodoxhistory.org/2014/05/05/of-antioch-and-alexandria-england-and-america/ Hieromonk Bartholomew (Cassano)] in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in London. The hieromonk had | In 1738, just over a year after his marriage, while he was in England, Philip Ludwell was received into the Orthodox Church by the [https://orthodoxhistory.org/2014/05/05/of-antioch-and-alexandria-england-and-america/ Hieromonk Bartholomew (Cassano)] in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Russia Russian Orthodox Church] in London. The hieromonk had gone there from the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Alexandria Patriarchate of Alexandria], as part of a project to print Scriptural and liturgical texts in Arabic for Palestinian Christians. It was the business activities of the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levant_Company Levant Company]" in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mediterranean eastern Mediterranean] regions that opened opportunities between the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_Promoting_Christian_Knowledge Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge] (SPCK) in London, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria. | ||
This occurred at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ambassadors_of_Russia_to_the_United_Kingdom Russian Imperial Embassy] in London on 31 December, 1738 (11 January, 1739 – at that time, all dates were still reckoned on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar Old Calendar].) To allow for this reception, a special dispensation had been granted by the Church’s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Holy_Synod Most Holy Synod] in Russia. The Russian Imperial Embassy had its own Temple in London, and its congregation was, in fact, populated largely be [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeks_in_Egypt Greeks] from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria Alexandria] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottoman Empire] (now [https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt Egypt]), and further by local convert families. There, the Orthodox Christian parish suffered regularly from the hostility of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism Protestants]. | This reception occurred at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ambassadors_of_Russia_to_the_United_Kingdom Russian Imperial Embassy] in London on 31 December, 1738 (11 January, 1739 – at that time, all dates were still reckoned on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_calendar Old Calendar].) To allow for this reception, a special dispensation had been granted by the Church’s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Holy_Synod Most Holy Synod] in Russia. The Russian Imperial Embassy had its own Temple in London (at that time the only Orthodox Christian place of worship there), and its congregation was, in fact, populated largely be [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeks_in_Egypt Greeks] from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandria Alexandria] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire Ottoman Empire] (now [https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt Egypt]), and further by local convert families. There, the Orthodox Christian parish suffered regularly from the hostility of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism Protestants]. It may be kept in mind that this occurred less than 80 years after the 1660 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Restoration restoration of the monarchy] (following the 11 years of the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_England Commonwealth]"/Protectorate period), and that Protestants were harsh towards any other expression of Christianity. | ||
Philip was also given exceptional permission to continue to attend [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism Anglican Church] services in Virginia, it being recognised that “apart from the Province of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], all religions but Protestantism are banned”. The Most Holy Synod of the Church of Russia authorised his reception into the Orthodox Church and blessed his taking the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserved_sacrament Holy Gifts] back to Virginia (as a layman). The Synod also approved his translation into English of the “Orthodox Confession”, which had been written 100 years earlier by (Saint) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mogila Peter Mogila], Metropolitan of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiev Kiev]. | Philip was also given exceptional permission to continue to attend [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglicanism Anglican Church] services in Virginia, it being recognised that “apart from the Province of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], all religions but Protestantism are banned”. The Most Holy Synod of the Church of Russia authorised his reception into the Orthodox Church and blessed his taking the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserved_sacrament Holy Gifts] back to Virginia (as a layman). The Synod also approved his translation into English of the “Orthodox Confession”, which had been written 100 years earlier by (Saint) [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mogila Peter Mogila], Metropolitan of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiev Kiev]. | ||
After his return to Virginia, Philip Ludwell began translating the 3 most-used Orthodox Divine Liturgy services and other popular services into English. The Holy Synod soon blessed the printing and distribution of his work. The | After his return to Virginia, Philip Ludwell began translating the 3 most-used Orthodox Divine Liturgy services and other popular services into English. The Holy Synod soon blessed the printing and distribution of his work. The blessing encouraged him, and he began to distribute [https://www.ludwell.org/first-english-translator-of-orthodox-services/ his English translation of the Orthodox Divine Liturgies] to whomever was interested in reading the passages. | ||
Born of an impressive political heritage in Virginia, Philip was involved in the government of the colony. He served in the House of Burgesses, the first popularly-elected deliberative body in the entire "New World", beginning in the 1740s. By 1752. he had been made part of the Royal Governor’s Virginia Council in 1752. | Born of an impressive political heritage in Virginia, Philip was involved in the government of the colony. He served in the House of Burgesses, the first popularly-elected deliberative body in the entire "New World", beginning in the 1740s. By 1752. he had been made part of the Royal Governor’s Virginia Council in 1752. | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 20 July 2024
Philip Ludwell III (1716-1767)
and
Frances Ludwell (born Grymes) (1717-1753)
Early life of Philip Ludwell III
On 28 December, 1716, Philip Ludwell III was born at Green Spring, Carter's Creek, near Williamsburg (the then capital of the Colony of Virginia}. At that time, Virginia was part of the British Empire. Philip was, in effect, a third-generation Virginian.
His grandfather, Philip Ludwell I (1637/38–ca.1716), was the first governor of the Province of Carolina (1691-94) under the British Crown.
His father, Philip Ludwell II, was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, as well as the rector of the College of William and Mary.
Philip's mother was Hannah Harrison, of Indian Fields, Surrey, Virginia.
In 1727, Philip inherited Green Spring Plantation, James City County, Virginia, from his father, Philip Ludwell II.
Philip Ludwell III was orphaned in that his father, Philip Ludwell II, reposed when he was 11 years old, and his mother, Hannah Ludwell, reposed when he was 15 years old.
_2.png)
Impression of the Green Spring Plantation
Early life of Frances Grymes
On 19 November, 1717, Frances Grymes was born to Charles Grymes and Frances Jennings in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. She had 2 sisters, Lucy and Rosannah.
Her family had English and eastern Canadian family connections, and these connections in the Eastern Canadian colonies seem to have continued. In those days, all the English-speaking colonies in North America had close ties both to London and to each other. Moreover, her grandfather was Edmund Jennings, Governor of the Virginia Colony (1706-1710).
Marriage, 1737
Philip Ludwell III married Frances Grymes on 29 July, 1737, in Surry county, Virginia Colony.
The Lord gave Philip and Frances 3 daughters : Hannah Philippa, born in 1737, Frances, born in 1750, and Lucy, born in 1751.
Philip's business interests led to frequent travel between Virginia and England.
Mrs Frances Ludwell, with 2 daughters, Hannah Philiipa and Frances
Entering the Orthodox Christian Church, 1738
In 1738, just over a year after his marriage, while he was in England, Philip Ludwell was received into the Orthodox Church by the Hieromonk Bartholomew (Cassano) in the Russian Orthodox Church in London. The hieromonk had gone there from the Patriarchate of Alexandria, as part of a project to print Scriptural and liturgical texts in Arabic for Palestinian Christians. It was the business activities of the "Levant Company" in the eastern Mediterranean regions that opened opportunities between the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (SPCK) in London, and the Patriarchate of Alexandria.
This reception occurred at the Russian Imperial Embassy in London on 31 December, 1738 (11 January, 1739 – at that time, all dates were still reckoned on the Old Calendar.) To allow for this reception, a special dispensation had been granted by the Church’s Most Holy Synod in Russia. The Russian Imperial Embassy had its own Temple in London (at that time the only Orthodox Christian place of worship there), and its congregation was, in fact, populated largely be Greeks from Alexandria in the Ottoman Empire (now Egypt), and further by local convert families. There, the Orthodox Christian parish suffered regularly from the hostility of Protestants. It may be kept in mind that this occurred less than 80 years after the 1660 restoration of the monarchy (following the 11 years of the "Commonwealth"/Protectorate period), and that Protestants were harsh towards any other expression of Christianity.
Philip was also given exceptional permission to continue to attend Anglican Church services in Virginia, it being recognised that “apart from the Province of Pennsylvania, all religions but Protestantism are banned”. The Most Holy Synod of the Church of Russia authorised his reception into the Orthodox Church and blessed his taking the Holy Gifts back to Virginia (as a layman). The Synod also approved his translation into English of the “Orthodox Confession”, which had been written 100 years earlier by (Saint) Peter Mogila, Metropolitan of Kiev.
After his return to Virginia, Philip Ludwell began translating the 3 most-used Orthodox Divine Liturgy services and other popular services into English. The Holy Synod soon blessed the printing and distribution of his work. The blessing encouraged him, and he began to distribute his English translation of the Orthodox Divine Liturgies to whomever was interested in reading the passages.
Born of an impressive political heritage in Virginia, Philip was involved in the government of the colony. He served in the House of Burgesses, the first popularly-elected deliberative body in the entire "New World", beginning in the 1740s. By 1752. he had been made part of the Royal Governor’s Virginia Council in 1752.
In government, he used his influence to advocate against the further importation of slaves from Africa, and he also led a committee that sought to find a cure for cancer. He also helped to organise the resettlement of French-speaking Acadian refugees from Nova Scotia who had been expelled from their homeland by order of the Governor of Nova Scotia, Charles Lawrence.
Philip's conversion to the Orthodox Christian Faith was not a matter of public knowledge. That he was a person of high responsibility in the British Empire would bring an accusation of treason were it to be known (this was so since the 1688 Protestant revolution in the United Kingdom). It was at that time forbidden (on penalty of death) that a non-Protestant exercise such authority.
Furthermore, there is evidence that the Ludwell family in England were not supporters of the Protestant revolution, they were aware of the Fathers, and that they were involved in correspondence with the Orthodox. It is suggested that Philip's interest in the Orthodox Christian Faith was sparked by reading patristic writings.
It is known that Philip Ludwell had an active correspondence with Benjamin Franklin. In this context, he gave financial support towards the efforts of Benjamin Franklin and others for the establishment of the first school for African-American children in Williamsburg.
In 1753, as a colonel, he commissioned George Washington into the British/colonial army. He was a cousin of George Washington’s wife Martha, and he was related to Robert E Lee and to both President William Henry Harrison and President Benjamin Harrison.
Bereavement, 1753
In 1753, Philip's wife Frances fell asleep in the Lord at home at Green Spring, Virginia.
After her repose, her body was transported to London, England, where it was interred.
Continuing life and work
In 1755, Philip built a town-house in Williamsburg, Virginia, which still stands as a private residence within Colonial Williamsburg, known as the Ludwell Paradise House. This title comes from the fact that Philip Ludwell’s daughter, Lucy, inherited the house, and the fact that her husband was John Paradise. The Paradise family were already Orthodox Christians, as was John Paradise.
Ludwell-Paradise House, Williamsburg
On 14 April, 1762, Philip brought his 3 daughters to be chrismated, and he also stood as their sponsor. It is known that, round about this time, there were also some Greek Orthodox Christians living in the New England colonial regions. It is of some further significance that the Imperial Russian Ambassador to London at that time was later the main supporter of the first mission to North America in co-operation with the antecedent of Russian-American Company, from 1793-1794.
The London parish register documents that Philip Ludwell participated in the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion in that Temple on 12 occasions between 16 August, 1760 and his repose in 1767.
During 1766, while he was residing in London, Colonel Ludwell’s health began to fail him. On 28 September, 1766, Philip Ludwell received Holy Communion in his house there.
On 5 March, 1767, the ailing Philip received the Mysteries (sacraments) of Confession and Holy Communion, and also the Sacrament of Holy Unction at his home.
Repose, 1767
On 25 March, 1767, Colonel Philip Ludwell III reposed in the Lord in London, England. His funeral was served at the Russian Church in London on Monday, 30 March, 1767, and he was interred in the crypt of the Church of Saint Mary-le-Bow, in Cheapside, London.
His life is remembered in an annual panikhida service in the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia.
Reflections
Colonel Philip Ludwell III was a Virginian who lived in colonial America in the mid-18th century.
He is the first known Eastern Orthodox Christian in North America. He was received into the Orthodox Christian Church in London, England.
His conversion represented one of the earliest examples of the presence of Orthodox Christians in what is now the United States of America.
A hand-written prayer found in his papers reflects his familiarity with the Psalter, and with the Orthodox liturgical services :
“The Eucharistical Prayer for the Steadfastness in the Faith” This God is my God forever & ever, he shall be my guide until Death, Every day will I give thanks unto thee & praise thy Name for ever and ever. O Let me have understanding in the way of Godliness. For thereby is thy Servant taught & in keeping of thee there is great Reward.
References
Chapman, Nicholas, ‘Orthodoxy in Colonial Virginia’ in “The Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas” (11 November, 2009). htttp://orthodoxhistory.org/2009/11/23/orthodoxy-in-colonial-virginia/
Additional information :
Frances Grymes (genealogical information).
‘Ludwell-Paradise House’ in “The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation”.
‘Ludwell Mansion (NB) Historical Report’ in “Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library”.
'Orthodoxy in Colonial Virginia’ at “Ancient Faith Radio” (Podcast 16 December, 2009).
Philip Ludwell III (Geni genealogical information).
Philip Ludwell III Wikitree genalogical information
“Colonel Philip Ludwell III : The Forerunner of Orthodox Christianity in North America”
The Orthodox Repose of Philip Ludwell III
Philip Ludwell III and early American Orthodox Christianity
The Life and Times of Philip Ludwell III
Memory Eternal : The Repose of Colonel Philip Ludwell III in London, 1767
“Letter to George Washington from Philip Ludwell, 8 August, 1755”
“Philip Ludwell : Early Colonial Settlers of Maryland and Virginia’s Northern Neck Countries”. [correct genealogical family details of family and daughters]
Canadian Encyclopedia article : "Ile Ste.-Croix : The Birth of Acadia"
Canadian Encyclopedia article : "Acadian Expulsion (the Great Upheaval)"