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1. SUBJECT:

Site of the present Catholic Church (Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church)

2. LOCATION:

North Main Street, adjoining the property of the United States Post Office, and opposite the Kavanaugh Hotel.

3. DATE:

Dating back to Thomas Harrison

4. OWNERS;

• Thomas Harrison, inclusive survey, 1773
• Rueben and Robert Harrison from father, Thomas Harrison
• Thomas Scott from Robert and Rueben Harrison, April 26, 2024 (record burnt).
• Henry Welch from Thomas Scott, April 17, 1809, B.R. Deed Book 3, page 235.
• Henry Bushnell from Henry Welch and George W. Harrison, April 6, 1816, $1,100. B.R. Deed Book 3, pages 235-6.
• Joseph F. Effinger from Henry Bushnell, June 17, 1846, B.R. Deed Book 25, page 77.
• John E. Massey from Jos. S. Effinger, March 31, 1853, $1,225. B.R. Deed Book 25, page 77.
• Thomas L. Yancey from John E. Massey, November 17, 1856, $2,101, B.R. Deed Book 29, page 463.
• J.N. Gordon from Thos. L. Yancey, ----Deed book 1, page 188 (record burnt).
• A.H. Wilson from J.N. Gordon, August 29, 1864, $3,300.
• Anna J. Reherd by will from husband, A.H. Wilson, November 1901, Will Book 7, page 317.
• Catholic Church of Blessed Sacrament, present owner, from Anna J. Reherd, $10,500. Deed Book 122, page 305.

1. DESCRIPTION;

Cannot be given, except to say that the house occupied in 1816-17 (which was probably the original one) by Henry Bushnell, was a white one with two porches, which later was torn down and one exactly like it build by Mrs. A. Smith and later owned by Henry Shacklett.

2. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Nothing of special historical interest in this location. It does show, however, that the tendency to move or build away from the old Main Street began early in the history of the town. For a long time this present Main Street was known only as Irish Alley, then as Irish Street, and finally as our present Main Street.

As shown in Item 4, some of the prominent people of the town owned this property, but not all of them made their home in it.

Thomas Scott was one of the prominent ones and no doubt lived at least for a time in this house. John E. Massey, one time State Superintendent of Schools, owned the property but did not live there.

Henry Bushnell was a carriage maker and had a large frame building in the rear as his shop. He lived here a long time. It is said that his wife may have been buried alive, the story being like this: She sent the servants on errands one day, as she was going to dip candles, and they left her preparing the wicks, when they returned they found her lying on the floor dead. Every remedy was tried to restore her but all failed. The doctors tried to bleed her, but not a drop could be had. It is said that her arm bled freely in the night but nothing was done for her that night. A great many people believed she was buried alive. No dead person was ever kept longer than one night at that time.

 

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (present site)

Page 2

A.H. Wilson (Uncle Aaron to many) who lived in this house for a long time was for many years a harness maker. He also dealt in real estate and owned many acres, especially a fine farm adjacent to the town on the north, a part of which at least is now within the city limits. He accumulated an estate of $60,000 or more. He was a good workman, a good farmer, and necessarily prosperous. His brothers, D.L. Stacey M. John Wesley and his sister….who married John Friddle, and Victoria who married William H. Viclett, all lived in and near Moorefield, Hardy County, in what is now West Virginia. His widow married Mr. J.E. Reherd, who is not, and has been for years past, President of the National Bank of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

3. ART:

 

4. SOURCES OF INFORMATION;

October 16, 1937 Geo. W. Fetzer

Harrisonburg, VA