In the 1815 case of Terrett v. Taylor,Terrett v. Taylor, 13 US (9 Cranch) 43, 1815 the United States Supreme Court found that the State of Virginia could not expropriate property of the formerly established Episcopal Church or abolish its incorporation. At issue was a land grant which was given in deed of bargain and sale on 18 September 1770 by the direction of the then vestry of the church. The land had been conveyed to Townsend Dade and James Wren, both of the county and 44 other church wardens, and to their successors in office in a form of for the use and benefit of the said church in the said parish.
