Truxtun and Marie Beale’s cremated remains are interred at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Since neither of them was a member of the church, nor active in the Episcopal Church, this might seem odd. Neither of them was from Williamsburg either, nor known to spend much time in the area.

Although nominally Beale was an Episcopalian, Truxtun’s first wife, Harriet Blaine Beale, was a Presbyterian, so a minister from that church conducted the wedding service. When after his divorce, he got remarried to Marie Chase Oge, they were also wed by a Presbyterian minister, despite the fact that both were technically Episcopalians. It is likely that is because the Presbyterian Church allows for divorce and remarriage, but the Episcopal Church does not. (Now, I know what you are thinking. The Episcopal Church was founded as the Anglican Church by Henry VIII so he could get divorced. That is incorrect. Henry either got annulments granted by Parliament or just had his wives executed on trumped off charges. But he never got divorced). When Truxtun was U.S. Minister to Persia, he was able to achieve some concessions from that government for the American Presbyterian missionaries there (likely to impress his first wife, who he was then dating), so it is possible that the Presbyterian minister conducted the service out of appreciation. Also, one would assume the minister was well compensated for his services.

So why did Truxtun Beale want to be buried at this Episcopal Church then? Although not religious, at least in any public sense, Beale had a great appreciation of history. The first Beale to arrive in America from England was a vestryman at Bruton Parish. Beale wanted to rest where his ancestors worshiped. How did Beale convince the Church to sell him a spot in this small historic graveyard? Money, again, seems to have played a role. His donations to the church allowed them to purchase a new organ. Church organs are notoriously expensive.

Earlier this week, I went to Williamsburg and was able to tour the church and graveyard. Due to Covid restrictions, they are usually closed now. However, I called the church weeks in advance to schedule a visit. Thanks to Ernie Clements, the church’s Facility Manager, I was able to see the church and the surrounding graveyard. He could not have been nicer or more helpful and even took this photo for me. I greatly appreciated it.