Mathews County Historical Societysites.rootsweb.com/~vamchs/fall_newsletter.pdfOctober 10 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm October 19 & 20 Battle of the Hook—Warner

Mathews County Historical Society Newsletter Fall, 2013

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2013

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

President ........................ Reed Lawson

1st Vice President ........... Frank Lansinger Secretary ........................ Josephine Thorpe

Treasurer ........................ Stuart Allen

Class of 2014

Graham Hood

Willie Hubbard Clement Dickey

Jack White

Class of 2015

Frank Lansinger

Judith Jay Mary Frances Hunley

Stephen Whiteway

Class of 2016 Stuart Allen

Reed Lawson

Forrest Morgan, Jr Josephine Thorpe

Standing Committees Bldgs & Grnds ............. Jack Caldwell

Education/Archeology . Forrest Morgan

Exhibits ........................ Market Days ................. Dee Bane

Membership ................. Judy Jay

Programs ...................... Forrest Morgan Publicity ....................... Mary Frances Hunley

Nominating .................. Willie Hubbard

Publications .................. Dee Bane

Ad Hoc Committees

Editorial ....................... Steve Wilson

Fort Nonsense .............. Frank Lansinger

..................................... Steve Whiteway House Tour 2013.......... Lori Jackson Black

Joint Archival ............... Reed Lawson

Thomas James Store..... Graham Hood Ornaments .................... Becky Morgan

Social Chairmen ........... Judy Busby

..................................... Sue Jennette

Positions

Archivist ...................... Reed Lawson Curator/Registrar.......... Martha Ellen Traband

Docent Coordinator ...... Pam Viens

Newsletter .................... Penny Thompson

Registered Agent .......... Patricia Dickey, Esq.

Mathews County Historical Society

Newsletter

Fall 2013 P.O. Box 855, Mathews, VA 23109-0855

http://www.rootsweb.com/~vamchs/index.html

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Reed Lawson

What an exciting time this is for the historical society!

To begin, right before our very eyes Fort Nonsense

Historical Park is unfolding from overgrown woodlands

and earthworks. It is all quite remarkable. At press time

we don’t have a completion date, but we anticipate this

September to have a soft opening to show off beautiful

handicapped-accessible trails, a large pavilion, a

boardwalk to an observation platform and explanatory

signage. Long in coming but worth the wait!

Along with watching Fort Nonsense evolve, the society

has had a busy summer. A successful Historic House

Tour took place June 8th

. Thanks go to Lori Black for

chairing this important fundraising event, to our

homeowners for being so gracious—Anne and Elmo

Cross, Josie Thorpe, Sandy Warhol, Jackie and Paul

Zahn and the congregation of Bethel Church, and to all

the volunteers who made it possible! In June the society

participated in the Gwynn’s Island Festival. Nina and Stu

Allen, Tom Ingram, Frank Lansinger, Art Swenson, Josie

Thorpe, Sandy Warren and Jackie and Doug Wilton

volunteered to man the booth. We also gathered at Susan

and Bob McCreary’s for our annual Summer Solstice

Picnic complete with croquet matches. Thank you both

for hosting us so wonderfully. In July, Judy Jay and I

held down the Community Tent at the Mathews Farmer’s

Market. It’s a great way to introduce people to the

society and to steer them toward Tompkins Cottage.

Next on the agenda is Mathews Market Days. The

cottage will be the historical headquarters for this two-

day event with many local historical groups represented.

Upcoming Events Sept.10—Lecture, Danny Schmidt

Sept. 11—Memorial Service, John White

Sept. 18 & 19—Amazing Raise

Oct. 19 & 20—Battle of the Hook, Warner Hall

Oct. 24—Lecture, Carl Lounsbury


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Thanks to Dee Bane for chairing this event for us.

Two historical society publications are being published this fall. New Point Comfort Lighthouse Its

History and Preservation with Earl Soles in charge and Historic Homes and Properties of

Mathews County Book 2 with Steve Wilson as book boss are currently at the printers. Keep an eye

open for publicity about sales. AND research for the comprehensive history of Mathews County

by Martha McCartney, member and noted historian and author, is in full swing with tantalizing

new tidbits being discovered. Publication is slated for 2015. I’d like to add a thank you to Becky

Barnhardt, lifetime MCHS member and Head of Genealogy and Family Research Services at

Mathews Memorial Library for all her efforts uncovering the history of our much-loved county.

The fall programs have been scheduled. On Sept. 10th

at 6:30 p.m. at Kingston Parish House on

Main Street, Danny Schmidt, Senior Staff Archaeologist for Jamestowne Rediscovery Project will

speak on the latest findings about the settlers at James Fort and the importance of archaeology in

discovering the history of Mathews. On Oct. 24th

Carl Lounsbury, Department of Architectural and

Archaeological Research Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will speak at 7 p.m. at Mathews

Memorial Library on the early architectural history of Mathews County. Please attend!

And, don’t forget The Amazing Raise! Sept. 18th

at 6 a.m. this online giving opportunity

starts. The goal is to gain as many $50 donors for MCHS as possible before the race ends Sept.

19th

at 6 p.m. Please consider being a part; visit www.GiveRichmond.org to check out our profile

and to donate during the 36 hours of giving.

Historic House Tour

Becky

Cooke

and Betty

Wrenn

Day at

Garden

Creek


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SUMMER SOLSTICE

At the home of the McCrearys

Folly Farm

Will

Story

and

Josie

Thorpe

at

Peony

Flats


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FORT NONSENSE Frank Lansinger

Finally, completed activities to report as many

members of the historical society know or have

observed, the Parrott rifle has been installed

above the sign at the intersection of rtes 3 and

14. This was a major effort by the coordinated

efforts of the Fort Nonsense irregulars group as well

as the contractor. If you haven't, go take a look.

Additionally, the paths and bridge (observation

platform) have been completed. This includes the

shelter, previously reported.

In the course of construction, in addition to daily and weekly compliance meetings among the contractor,

engineering firm and Fort Nonsense people, a "substantial completion review" is required at the time of

completion of a project. This compliance review was performed on site by Land Studios on August 29.

There were several minor corrections that included the requested removal of a debris pile that predated

the construction. The county of Mathews has agreed to perform this task. In all, everyone involved has

expressed pleasure in the project, and we will have a formal opening ceremony within the next 30 to 60

days.

The committee wishes to thank everyone for their understanding, perseverance and help in creating this

Mathews County Historical Entry Park.

THE REDCOATS ARE COMING! Reed Lawson

Mathews County Historical Society will be supporting the Revolutionary War Battle of the Hook

Re-enactment to be held October 19th

and 20th

at Warner Hall in Gloucester. Volunteers are

being sought to help with myriad tasks. Please call Rudy Heinatz at 757-713-2203 to sign up.

Visit:—www.battleof thehook.org—for more information.

It has been noted that Sgt. John White of White’s Neck, Mobjack, was instrumental in turning

the tide of battle by shooting the British infantry commander resulting in their forces retreating to

Gloucester Point.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Willie Hubbard

Anyone who is interested in becoming a Board Member of the Mathews County Historical Society,

please contact Willie Hubbard at 725-1865. Thank you!

Also, anyone interested in assuming the position of Newsletter Editor, please contact Penny

@725-9750 or [email protected].

Rifle

Moving

Almost

There

In

place

!


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MCHS Joins "Return To the Hook" Group to Honor Revolutionary War Battle

Jack White

The MCHS has agreed to organize a "Patriots

Day" memorial wreath laying service for Sgt.

John White of the Kingston

Parish "Bloodhounds" of the

Gloucester Militia. White

came from present day

Mathews County, then the

fourth Parish of Gloucester

County, and distinguished

himself at the Battle of the

Hook on October 3, 1781,

that was fought near White

Marsh and is widely acknowledged for forcing

Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown sixteen days

later.

On September 11, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., a

memorial service will be held at the grave of

Sgt. John White that is in White's Cemetery

located at the end of Pine View Drive off Rte

617 near Mobjack. The service will offer an

opening prayer as well as remarks by

representatives of the MCHS and DAR. A

wreath will then be presented by members of the

7th VA Militia who will appear in period

uniforms. They will follow by firing a salute

with period flintlock weapons.

For further information log onto

www.battleofthehook.org

In Memoriam Reed Lawson

In sadness we remember Doris K. Leitner who passed away June 22nd

. Doris was an enthusiastic (to say the

least) volunteer in the historical society. She and Roney graciously opened their home for the 2009 Historic

House Tour. She was a faithful docent at Tompkins Cottage and ever-present at lectures, events and parties.

She especially enjoyed the parties! Our condolences to Roney and all the family.

Also, Robert Thomas “Bob” Farrell of Bohannon passed away on June 28th. Bob was an avid and active

member of the society in the early years and established a collection of information on historic county

properties for the archives. His contributions to the society were integral in creating a lasting base on which

the society now firmly stands.

THOMAS JAMES STORE

Graham Hood

The Thomas James Store seems to continue pleasing its audience. Many thanks to the good souls at

MCVIC (especially Ann Miller) for opening and closing the store on Saturdays and Sundays, and telling

visitors about its existence.

The Store will be open all day Friday as well as 10-4 on Saturday and 12-3 on Sunday of Market Days

weekend.

Many thanks also to volunteer Tom Ingram for helping out as the contact person for MCVIC staff while I

have been away.

Another week-long session with faculty and students from the National Institute for Early American

History and Democracy (a joint program of the College of William and Mary and the Colonial

Williamsburg Foundation) took place this summer. Students are given training in analyzing old buildings,

carefully measuring them and briefly describing them. This year they concentrated on Folly Farm,

Sutherland, and Springdale. Owners enjoyed the interaction with eager and enthusiastic students.

http://www.battleofthehook.org/


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MCHS Ornament Series

2013 Tompkins Cottage Ornament

$25.00 Becky Morgan

Ornaments may be bought at Tompkins Cottage, the Mathews Visitors Center or the Treasurer’s Office.

Orders may also be phoned in to Becky Morgan (804-725-5227) or checks made out to MCHS and

mailed to:

Becky Morgan at

P.O. Box 129

New Point, VA 23125

*For mailing service, include postage of $1.50 for 1,

$2.00 for 2, and $3.00 for 3-5.

2013 MCHS Calendar of Events

September 6 &7 Market Days

September 10 Lecture. Danny Schmidt re Jamestowne Rediscovery Project

Kingston Parish House—6:30 pm

September 11 Memorial Service Sgt. John White—White’s Cemetery—11 am

September 12 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm

September 18 & 19 Amazing Raise—online giving

October 10 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm

October 19 & 20 Battle of the Hook—Warner Hall

October 24 Lecture, Carl Lounsbury, Early Architectural History

of Mathews County—Mathews Memorial Library 7 p.m.

November 14 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm

December 12 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm

Reminder: Membership dues for MCHS are ANNUAL and due in January

We are in need of more docents for

Tompkins Cottage. If you are interested in

helping us with this, please call Pam Viens at

725-1766. Thanks!

Tompkins Cottage


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2013 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL

Name ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________

City ___________________State ____Zip __________

Telephone ____________________________________

E-mail Address ________________________________

I am interested in the following membership:

___ Individual - $20.00 per year

___ Couple - $25.00 per year

___ Student (under 18 & in school) – FREE

General Contribution $

Contribution to comprehensive Mathews history publication

$

Contribution to the Lighthouse Preservation Fund

$

Contribution to the Fort Nonsense Development Fund

$

Contribution to Thomas James Store

$

Please check the area(s) in which you would like to volunteer your services:

__ Archives/Research

__ Buildings & Grounds

__ Curatorial

__ Docent/Guide

__ Education

__ Exhibits

__ Fort Nonsense

__ Fundraising

__ Market Days

__ Membership

__ Newsletter

__ Old Buildings/Sites

__ Oral History

__ Programs

__ Publications

__ Publicity

__ Historic Homes and Properties of Mathews

County, Virginia

__ Social Events

__ Thomas James Store

__ Other ________________

Please make out your check to the Mathews County Historical Society and submit it with this

application to:

Treasurer,

Mathews County Historical Society

P.O. Box 855

Mathews, VA 23109-0855


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Mathews County Historical Society, Inc.

P. O. Box 855

Mathews, VA 23109

Documents

Mathews County Historical Societysites.rootsweb.com/~vamchs/fall_newsletter.pdfOctober 10 Monthly Board Meeting—Mathews Memorial Library—4:00 pm October 19 & 20 Battle of the Hook—Warner