For nearly 180 years, across five generations, the Religious Herald has arrived uninterrupted in the homes of the Ryland family of Virginia. Samuel Peachey Ryland subscribed when the first issue of the Herald came off the press in January 1828. Today, his great-grandson, Charles Hill Ryland, avidly looks forward to each issue which arrives at his Warsaw, Va., home as do two of his great-great grandsons, James and William.
In the intervening years, there has occurred the rise of the Baptists as a denomination, the Civil War, two world wars, numerous rises and falls of economics, and the growth and development of the United States from its early years to its position as a super power. Yet these two constants remain — the publishing of the Religious Herald and the faithful readership and Baptist churchmanship of the Rylands.
The family goes back to Joseph Ryland, who emigrated from Warwickshire, the English county which produced the famous John Rylands, father and son, noted English Baptist preachers and educators. Some years ago, the Charles Rylands of Warsaw visited Warwick, accompanied by their youngest son, Robert (a member of the Clarendon Church), and were able to see the places where earlier generations of Rylands made a contribution.
Joseph's son was Josiah who was converted in 1788 in “the great revival” which swept eastern Virginia and who was baptized and accepted into the membership of Upper King & Queen Baptist Church. Today his descendant, James Ryland, son of Charles of Warsaw, is active in the same church.
Josiah's son was Samuel Peachey, affectionately known as “Uncle Sam” by generations at Bruington Baptist Church in King & Queen. Born at Farmington in 1803, Sam married Catharine Hill. It was into their home, Norwood, that the Herald arrived as a weekly visitor. In 1831 Sam and Catharine were baptized together by the notable Robert Baylor Semple and entered into a long relationship with Bruington Church. Sam served as deacon for 49 years and as superintendent of the Sunday school for over 40 years. In old age, when he pleaded to resign the school, the church folks would have none of it. They would elect him an assistant but they would not accept his resignation. He also took an interest in the development of “the Baptist school,” Richmond College, which was led by his brother, Robert.
Charles Hill Ryland, one of the eleven children of Norwood, enrolled in his Uncle Robert's college as well as the first class of the new Southern Seminary. A son of Bruington, Charley Ryland became one of the leading Baptist figures in Virginia of the 19th century. One contemporary called him “the best loved man in Virginia.” He served as treasurer and librarian of Richmond College. He became pastor of First Church, Alexandria, and two rural churches outside Richmond — Taylorsville and Walnut Grove — but it was his efforts on behalf of Virginia Baptists in developing a denominational consciousness and in supporting higher education which won him a niche in Baptist history. And even the niche was carved by Ryland, since he founded the Virginia Baptist Historical Society.
Charles Ryland and Alice Marion Garnett had several children, beginning with their first born, Garnett. He followed the Ryland tradition of denominational service and was a member of the Virginia Baptist Board of Missions and Education for 10 years. It was Garnett who mastered chemistry, teaching the subject at his alma mater, the University of Richmond, for 28 years and who also persued his father's passion for Baptist history. Garnett Ryland developed the collection of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and wrote the definitive history of Virginia Baptists. He used the vast resources of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, including its full run of the Religious Herald. Ryland's history was published in 1955 when he was 85. “I thought the next generation would do the writing,” said the respected historian.
Charles Hill Ryland of Warsaw became the historian for the next generation. He served as chairman of the Virginia State Library Board and encouraged historical preservation. If he had time and patience, he could write a multi-volume history on most any subject related to Old Virginia. He grew up on the UR campus and graduated from “the college” in '36 and its law school in '39. He has served as a trustee since '61 and, although now emeritus, he maintains a keen interest in the institution. He chose to establish his law practice and his own family's home in Warsaw, where he declares that he is “just a poor old country lawyer.”
Charles the younger, like his grandfather, became very active in Baptist life. He served as president of the General Association in '63. Every time UR was under threat to be removed from the BGAV, Ryland could be counted upon to save the day. In his own church, Warsaw Baptist, he served as a key leader especially in the selection of the pastors. He recently mused: “Every dog has his day. I have outlived my generation.” At age 94, Charley Ryland, the younger, remains one of the most respected figures in Virginia Baptist life. And there is a younger generation of Rylands also serving and still receiving the Religious Herald.
Fred Anderson may be contacted at fred.anderson@vbmb.org or at P.O. Box 34, University of Richmond, VA 23173.