About the book
In this book, John Nelson reconstructs everyday Anglican religious practice and experience in Virginia from the end of the seventeenth century to the start of the American Revolution. Challenging previous characterizations of the colonial Anglican establishment as weak, he reveals the fundamental role the church played in the political, social, and economic as well as the spiritual lives of its parishioners.
Drawing on extensive research in parish and county records and other primary sources, Nelson describes Anglican Virginia’s parish system, its parsons, its rituals of worship and rites of passage, and its parishioners' varied relationships to the church. All colonial Virginians — men and women, rich and poor, young and old, planters and merchants, servants and slaves, dissenters and freethinkers — belonged to a parish. As such, they were subject to its levies, its authority over marriage, and other social and economic dictates. In addition to its religious functions, the parish provided essential care for the poor, collaborated with the courts to handle civil disputes, and exerted its influence over many other aspects of community life.
A Blessed Company demonstrates that, by creatively adapting Anglican parish organization and the language, forms, and modes of Anglican spirituality to the Chesapeake’s distinctive environmental and human conditions, colonial Virginians sustained a remarkably effective and faithful Anglican church in the Old Dominion.
Editions of A Blessed Company
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807826638
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469614977
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807875100
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890871336
Read an Excerpt
In this book, John Nelson reconstructs everyday Anglican religious practice and experience in Virginia from the end of the seventeenth century to the start of the American Revolution. Challenging previous characterizations of the colonial Anglican establishment as weak, he reveals the fundamental role the church played in the political, social, and economic as well as the spiritual lives of its parishioners.
Drawing on extensive research in parish and county records and other primary sources, Nelson describes Anglican Virginia’s parish system, its parsons, its rituals of worship and rites of passage, and its parishioners' varied relationships to the church. All colonial Virginians — men and women, rich and poor, young and old, planters and merchants, servants and slaves, dissenters and freethinkers — belonged to a parish. As such, they were subject to its levies, its authority over marriage, and other social and economic dictates. In addition to its religious functions, the parish provided essential care for the poor, collaborated with the courts to handle civil disputes, and exerted its influence over many other aspects of community life.
A Blessed Company demonstrates that, by creatively adapting Anglican parish organization and the language, forms, and modes of Anglican spirituality to the Chesapeake’s distinctive environmental and human conditions, colonial Virginians sustained a remarkably effective and faithful Anglican church in the Old Dominion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Blessed Company about?
In this book, John Nelson reconstructs everyday Anglican religious practice and experience in Virginia from the end of the seventeenth century to the start of the American Revolution. Challenging previous characterizations of the colonial Anglican establishment as weak, he reveals the fundamental role the church played in the political, social, and economic as well as the spiritual lives of its parishioners.
Drawing on extensive research in parish and county records and other primary sources, Nelson describes Anglican Virginia’s parish system, its parsons, its rituals of worship and rites of passage, and its parishioners' varied relationships to the church. All colonial Virginians — men and women, rich and poor, young and old, planters and merchants, servants and slaves, dissenters and freethinkers — belonged to a parish. As such, they were subject to its levies, its authority over marriage, and other social and economic dictates. In addition to its religious functions, the parish provided essential care for the poor, collaborated with the courts to handle civil disputes, and exerted its influence over many other aspects of community life.
A Blessed Company demonstrates that, by creatively adapting Anglican parish organization and the language, forms, and modes of Anglican spirituality to the Chesapeake’s distinctive environmental and human conditions, colonial Virginians sustained a remarkably effective and faithful Anglican church in the Old Dominion.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Blessed Company?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of A Blessed Company?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807826638
How long is A Blessed Company and how many pages does it have?
A Blessed Company has 496 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Blessed Company?
John K. Nelson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Blessed Company is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807826638) and paperback(ISBN 9781469614977) and ebook(ISBN 9780807875100) and pdf(ISBN 9798890871336)
Where can I buy A Blessed Company online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy A Blessed Company?