Editor’s Note John Hipkins Bernard (1792-1858) was the grandson of late 19th merchant, John Hipkins. Hipkins built up considerable wealth through an import/export business in Port Royal In 1790 John Hipkins purchased a 700-acre tract of land on the east side of the Rappahannock in Port Conway. The cost was the then considerable sum of 2,000 pounds. The couple built a home there, called it Belle Grove, and had four children, one of whom was born in 1792 and named John Hipkins Bernard in honor of his grandfather. It was Hipkins who built Gay Mont in the first 10 years of the 19th century. John Hipkins Bernard and Jane Gay Robertson were married in 1816 and he rename the home from Rose Hill to Gay Mont in honor of his wife. Gaymont picture above in 1939 would have been recognizable to Bernard.
John Hipkins Bernard and Jane Gay had twelve children (although five died in infancy). John Hipkins Bernard served a om the Virginia House of Representatives from 1815-17, then 1822-23, and he became a state senator in 1828-31
Gay Mont was built up over the years through several purchases by John Hipkins, his son-in-law, William Bernard, and his grandson, John Hipkins Bernard. The total amount of land purchased amounted to 2,120 acres in 1819, the acreage noted in the Caroline County tax documents from that time until the time of John Hipkins Bernard’s death in 1858
He owned three properties in Port Royal, two on the same street as St Peter’s – Lot 3 Riverview Cottage (no longer standing) and Lot 10 other side of St Peters 1830 , between St Peter’s and Riverview. He was a big supporter of the Episcopal Church during his lifetime.
The account book entries concerning St. Peter’s were provided by later owner of Gay Mont, Jim Patton.
Notes from the account book of John H. Bernard of "Gay Mont" with reference to St. Peters Church, Port Royal, Va.
Receipt signed by Philp Lightfoot date July 21, 1816 “rec’d of John H Bernard $100 for the church in Port Royal [Proposal 1816- proposals for building brick church 46×38 wtih subscriptions received until Jan 1, 1817]
June 1821 pd Parson Wilson for 1820 – $10.
June 1822 pd Parson Wilson for 1821 $10.
Aug. 1828 pd Parson Wilson for 1828 $10.
April 30, 1836 – Subscription to the church, $100,
May 25, 1836 – Bishop Moore, $10. (Helen Struan Bernard, later Mrs. Philip L. Robb, youngest child of John H. and Jane Gay Robertson Bernard was the first little girl to be christened in the church the day of its consecration May 15, 1856 by Bishop Moore)
January, 1839 – Pd. to W. Gray for stove in church, $10.
April, 1839 – for bell at church, $15.
September,1839 – for pew in church, $30
September, 1839 – for organ $100. Check to William Gray
October, 1841 – painting the church – $97.12
Mar. 22, 1856 – to William Friend subscription for 1856 $20.00
Thereafter until death of JHB in 1858 he paid his subscription, raising it every few years until the last few when it was $50.