Here lyes the body of ARCHIBALD MCPHERSON born in the County of Murray in North Britain, who died August the 17, 1754 Aged 49 years. He was judicious, a lover of learning, openhearted May 1831 Aged 23 years leaving a character distinguished for all the virtues which exalt and adorn her so. She was the only surviving child of Tayloe and Anna Braxton of Richmond, Va. Both of whom died at an early age leaving in charge of their friends this pledge of their affection and when this dear object of *** and fond devotion had just attained the endearing affection of parent the blighting hand of death made her husband a widower and her infant an orphan. [*** undecipherable.]

Age - Age 41-60

Section -

ID - 06
Birth -1705
Death -1754

Gender - Male

Veteran -

Data -

Archibald McPherson was born in 1715 in the Northern part of England. He came to this country in early manhood and settled in Spotsylvania county. He was a gentleman of education, refinement and wealth, and a friend to the poor and needy.

Mr. McPherson created a fund in 1795 for the benefit of the Episcopal Charity School of Fredericksburg. This fund was to be held in trust by the Mayor and Common Council of the town. Afterward by an act of the Legislature, six trustees were appointed annually. The school was kept in the building on the north side of Hanover street just below the Masonic Hall. This building is now used as a storage room for a merchant of Fredericksburg. Tradition has it that George Washington visited this school and talked to the children on one of his visits here.

In the back of this quaint little building, there is a tablet of marble let into the wall with the following inscription:

“In memory of Mr. Archibald McPherson. He bequeathed his property to the trustees for the education of the poor. By an act of the Legislature, the funds were transferred to this institution as best fulfilling the Testator’s
charitable design. Died A.D. 1754, age 49.” [1]

————————–

Archibald McPherson was born in 1715 in the northern part of England. He came to this country in early manhood and settled in Spotsylvania county. He is represented as being a gentleman of education, refinement and wealth, and a friend to the poor and needy. He died in the prime of manhood, leaving to the world an unsullied name and to the poor of the town a legacy to be expended in the education of their children, which is elsewhere mentioned in these pages.

Mr. McPherson was interred in the burial ground of St. George’s church and a marble slab erected over his grave, which is now secured to the wall of the Mission House, at the west end of the lot on Princess Ann street. On that slab is the following inscription:

“Here lies the body of Archibald McPherson, born in the county of Murray, in North Britain, who died August 17, 1754, aged 49 years. He was judicious, a lover of learning, open-hearted, generous and sincere. Devout, without ostentation; disdaining to cringe to vice in any station. Friend to good men, an affectionate husband.

A heap of dust alone remains of thee,
‘Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be.
“Elizabeth, his disconsolate widow, as a testimony of their mutual affection, erected this monument to his memory.” [2]

Mr. McPherson was a member of Saint George’s Church and is buried in Saint George’s Graveyard. A marble slab was erected over his grave. This is now fastened to the wall of the Parish House, at the west end of the lot on Princess Anne street. [1]

Sources

[1] Sue Gordon http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/fredericksburg/cemeteries/stgeorgesch.txt
[2] Quinn http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Fredericksburg,_Virginia_1608-1908/16

Notes