My Virginia

Virginia has the most extreme identity crisis of any state in the Union

2021-03-18T18:08:00.006-07:00

Above: Crystal City, Virginia

THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

The dichotomy between the DC/NOVA region and the "real" Virginia keeps growing. 20 years ago or further back, you did not see such a blatant schism as you do today. Virginia both Mid-Atlantic and culturally Southern, is now really the most divided state possibly in the country . Given it's smaller geographic size in comparison to New York and California, there is is much less land mass to tolerate such opposing microcosms. The Northern most 3 counties are now deciding our presidential and state wide elections , swinging it to the left politically, while the majority of Virginia is still more like South Carolina. Someone said recently if you slapped the state of New Jersey on the back of South Carolina, that is exactly the gulf between Northern Virginia and the real Virginia. Go to rural Goochland, Powhatan, or even Culpeper County, and it's a world away from the culture bubble of the DC Metro.

Now we all know that Richmond, Charlottesville, and even the Hampton Roads area are not "NOVA" and they are liberal. However, "Southern liberal" is different than Yankee liberal, and while Richmond is large, it is nowhere the influence and population density of Northern Virginia. The three counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, along with the cities of Alexandria and Arlington boost the stream of political power in the state. With the high density of foreign born citizens, political swamp creatures, and simply put, "carpetbaggers", Northern Virginia walks all over Virginia citizens. The Northeast liberals visited Washington DC and they stayed. Now I feel Virginia is about to bust soon, and split yet again. I would not want to venture to guess what that would look like.

Pictures are worth a thousand words. If you are in Central/Southern Virginia, you see more images like the above. If you are in the Northern Virginia region, you'd be more likely to find a far east Chinaman than a native Virginian. The culture, the politics, the religion, even the economy is in a schism like never before in Virginia. We will have to see if Virginia may swing in the middle direction soon and balance out the two extreme world views. Let's hope and pray that it does!

Richmond, Virginia: Not The South? (Calling out Elated Exhaustion)

2020-03-03T19:05:00.004-08:00

Richmond, Virginia: A Northern City?

I'm not exactly sure how, but recently, I stumbled upon this blog by one lady from Georgia, who says Richmond is NOT the South. Make no mistakes about it, to her , we might as well be Trenton, NJ. Now, I don't like to call out other people usually , but I couldn't help but notice several errors in her explanations. It's not like I can let it go, I can't. I'm a Southerner, damn it. My family has been in Richmond, Virginia for centuries, and it stretches all across Dixie as well. My ancestors fought in both the American Revolution, and in the Confederate Army during the War for Southern Independence. When you say Richmond, Virginia, is not the South, it's like saying ice cream isn't naturally cold. It just doesn't sound right.

I believe this is actually a very old article, and I do apologize. But I want to address it, because it bugs me when people make statements that aren't the truth.

I am going to make a list to rebuke her claims . Written by Julia Hembree, Y'all can read the original post here: It was posted on "Richmond Mom" several years ago . She claims she drove 10 hours to get here (Atlanta ,GA is not a 10 hour drive from Richmond!)

But I digress. I think it's sweet of her to let us know how un-Southern we are!

LET'S EXAMINE HER CLAIMS:

1."We moved here from Georgia it took us 10 hours to get here, so it's not the South!"
Um, okay, I assume if you live in the deepest Southwest Corner of Georgia, it may take that long. But really, I'm pretty good with maps and I don't see how that's possible, or why it matters. I believe she came up from Atlanta which is just about 8 hours by car. Remember, also, that Atlanta is both South and West of Richmond. not simply Northward. Interestingly enough, Savannah, GA which is SOUTH of Atlanta, is even closer to Richmond- only about 6.5 hours by car , and Charleston , SC , is just under 6 hours Still, how is this even relevant? .

I believe she exaggerated the length of the trip only to strengthen her argument. It doesn't wash.

2.It Snows here, so it can't be the South!
Richmond gets an average of 10 inches of snow per year, which really isn't that much. Our winters are milder and much shorter compared to New England and the Northeast. It's very rare for Richmond to see a White Christmas even, and our chances for snow dwindle after Valentine's Day. In fact, most cities in the United States get three times the amount of snow that Richmond receives. When it snows in Richmond, it sends everyone into a frenzy. Even a dusting of snow can shut things down, close schools, and make bread fly off the shelves. That is not the reaction of a Northern city. Virginians, and Richmonders don't like driving in snow. Richmond is not in the Deep South. It's UP-South . It does snow here. But, it snows practically everywhere in Dixie, (save maybe extreme Southern Florida). That still doesn't make it the North.

3. There is no sweet tea in Richmond!
Now this one really sticks under my craw, because it's simply not true! Not only does Richmond have plenty of places that serve fresh brewed sweet tea, it also offers you an actual choice of sweet or unsweet tea. And the first recipe for sweet tea was written in a Virginia cookbook. I would like to know where she went that doesn't have sweet tea? Sweet tea in Richmond is all over the place. Just for reference here is a list of 30 restaurants in Richmond that serve sweet tea. Non chains, of course:

Baker's Crust
Joe's Inn
River City Diner
Sines Irish Pub
Libbie Market and Cafe
Pilanis Deli
PostBellum
Front Porch Cafe
Can Can restaurant
Julep's
Comfort
Alamo BBQ
The Dairy Bar
Kitchen 64
Buzz and Ned's BBQ
Max's on Broad
Southern Railway and Taphouse
821 Cafe
Tarrants Cafe
McClean's Restaurant
The Jefferson Hotel
TJ's restaurant
Spoonbread Bistro
The Roosevelt
The Secret Sandwich Society
Mama J's kitchen
Supper
The Southern Kitchen
Capital Ale
Belle
Laura Lee's (bonus)

This is not even a comprehensive list, Y'all!

4.People do not say Y'all in the city
This is not really true . From my experience, most Richmonders kind of use "you guys" and "y'all" interchangeably. As much as I do prefer "Y'all", it's annoying when (some) Southerners say it every 5 seconds. It almost sounds like a put-on. While "Y'all" is waning over the years in favor of "You Guys", it's not just Richmond. This is actually happening all over the South. In fact, in many Southern cities, urban youth are not saying "Y'all" as much as a generation ago. Welcome to the Yankee invasion. It's very pervasive. We can't really do anything about the northern transplants here. I suppose she does have a point that Y'all is better, but you will still definitely hear "Y'all "in the more rural areas around the city. I actually work with a woman from NC who says "you guys" constantly. When I first met her, I thought she was from the North. Go figure!

5. Richmond has WaWa's so it can't be Southern
By far this is the most innocuous claim. This is really silly. Wawa's makes us the North? I saw Dunkin' Donuts in Georgia and The Carolinas. I suppose since they have a Northern chain of donuts, they can't be Southern? While Virginia is Southern, it also overlaps the Mid Atlantic region, so naturally the Wawa chain has made it's way down here. I don't think that makes us Northern. We also have Publix, Krogers, Food Lion, and a few years ago , a Piggly Wiggly.

6.Birds Fly South- So Richmond must not be the South

And finally, she claims that one of her children noted that birds fly South because it's cold here in the winter, so it's probably not the South. Yes, I'm sure a 4 year old would be aware of the nuances of Southern culture. But birds fly South to Florida (which is far less Southern culturally than Virginia!) , and many Canadian birds fly down to Virginia as well. I don't even see how that "settles" anything. Winter in Tennessee is probably too cold for birds as well. I guess Tennessee must be the North!

When anyone questions Richmond's Southern status, I point them to Monument Ave with our Confederate monuments, but also the likes of Sally Belle's Kitchen and The Jefferson Hotel. We may be closer to the North than other Southern towns, but the vibe here is definitely South! Not long ago, a New York paper wrote an article about how Richmond was truly the gateway to the South. I think it's one of the best things I have ever read, and I whole-heatedly agree! Well, enough for my rant. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. Bless her heart, wherever she might be. Probably back in Georgia.

The Skelton Family Homestead: Paxton

2019-05-01T13:45:00.001-07:00

Paxton House: Powhatan County, Virginia. Near Tobaccoville (Built circa 1819)

Above: Dr. John Gifford Skelton: My 3rd Great Grandfather, born at Paxton in 1815.

It came to my surprise when I found out the Skelton ancestral home was recently sold in 2017 and completely upgraded to full splendor! I was looking up the property online to see if some of the Skelton cousins and myself could visit the property as part of a family reunion . Years ago, I did film the outside, but I never was able to see inside. I found several pictures online available to the public which openly display the inside of the house- which is very remarkable, indeed! Because the property is privately owned, I know it would be difficult to arrange for all of the Skelton descendants to see the inside of the house. While we may be able to tour the grounds of the property, seeing the inside of the Paxton any time soon , seems unlikely. However, I was very thrilled that the estate has published pictures of the inside. It is nice to see what it looks like for the first time in years. Had my family known Paxton was for sale, we may have bought it. It was within our price range, and it would have been neat to have the family homestead back in the hands of the descendants of the original owners. However, someone else beat us to it. Perhaps one day, we could make an offer?

Paxton was built by my 4th Great Grandfather, Ennion Skelton. As far as I know, the Skeltons arrived from England, first landing in New Jersey. Shortly before 1800, they moved to Powhatan County, Virginia, where they had friends and relatives. For many years, the Skeltons lived in a smaller dwelling until the main house was built. Paxton was later built on land owned by Ennion Skelton circa 1819. The house is in the Flemish brick style architecture. The large porch is typical of sprawling farmhouses. While not a grand mansion like those most people picture of Southern plantations, the house is fairly large, and the property contained several outbuildings- two of which in modern times have been converted to beautiful guest cottages . My third Great-Grandfather, Dr. John Gifford Skelton, born at Paxton at 1815, shortly before the main house's construction. Dr. John Gifford Skelton first married Catherine Randolph, and secondly married Marianne O . Meade- both of his wives of whom were from much older Virginian families. I am descended through the latter marriage- and Meade, of course is my namesake.

Paxton was an ample plantation with around 50 slaves- and produced tobacco, wheat, hemp, and honey as well as other goods made, such as house wines. Dr. Skelton was a country Dr and during the war later enlisted in the Confederate army as a military Dr. He still made the rounds around the county. Shortly after 1866, Dr Skelton moved to Richmond and helped to establish the Medical College of Virginia. He attended Monumental Church on W. Broad St, and later died of apoplexy in his late 70s. Recently, Paxton has been restored with modern upgrades and looks as pristine as it ever did when constructed. Much of the house is true of the original dwelling, with the exception of a large screened in back porch added in the middle of the 20th Century . Below are some photos of Paxton, courtesy of local relators.

Paxton also has a nice guest cottage which is very nice as well:

I hope someday soon to be able to have the Skelton family reunion at Patxon. Many of the family connections still run deep in this part of Virginia. Imagine being able to live at Paxton? I could own some horses and train them. Plenty of room for my music as well. If only I had of known it was for sale!

Spring Time In Virginia

2019-04-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Virginia is most lovely in the Spring. Some people love the fall color of the leaves, but nothing is sweeter than Virginia during the months of March through May. The weather is neither too hot, nor too cool. There are balmy breezes, beautiful Magnolias in bloom, the sound of the birds singing, and a rare, but promising glimpse of our beloved Cardinal. Taking a stroll through a city park, photographing the scenery along a rural roadside, or canvasing the local area for a nice picnic, all seem to be fun activities to do. Since I was born in the Spring, I feel a strong kinship with the Season. Richmond is full of dogwood trees and cherry blossoms, much like our Nation's Capital. You can see a lot of animals come out to play during this time of year as well.

This year, Easter fell in late April, and that is a wonderful thing, because it means it is warm enough for the men folk to bring out their Seersucker Suits for the Monument Ave Easter Parade. Many people stroll along Monument Ave decked out in bright colors and Easter hats, while musicians play live music. There is usually a good Gospel quartet singing to fill the sounds of the air. Church in downtown Richmond is packed on Easter Sunday to hear a good Sermon. Older ladies wear white gloves with wide brimmed hats and cheery smiles. There was a song written about it a long time ago. "Spring Time In Virginia". I don't know if it was a Stephen Foster tune or not, but it was probably written in the 19th Century.

So , if you are planning a trip to the Commonwealth, do come in the Spring. It is the most beautiful time of year here. You can see the lovely landscapes in Richmond. Or a stunning mountain vista . Since our fall leaves come later than New England, and not as vibrant, it seems Spring wins out in Virginia as the most beautiful and colorful Season of all.

A Confederate Christmas....

2018-12-02T21:09:00.004-08:00

The Christmas Season has officially begun, at least in the sense of commerce. Mechanicsville, Virginia had their annual Christmas parade and a number of the Virginia flaggers were there. Living in the liberal cess pool of Richmond, it's kind of refreshing that there are places very close to home that still have that old Virginian spirit. Although it was a rainy day, there were many people in attendance. The spirit of the South lives on through these brave people who fight to preserve our noble history, and let not the names of our ancestors be tarnished by the onslaught of political correctness. Some other traditions in the area, are to lay wreaths upon the graves of the glorious dead.

Harking back to a day when people made their own Christmas presents, it is also a demonstration of the Victorian era gone by. Think of a Confederate soldier far from his family,yearning for a warm meal and to be with his darling wife and children. Many of these soldiers marched through deep snow with shoes that were worn. The snow in Virginia and Tennessee was deep. Christmas time in the South is a time to remember those who fought for our country as well.

Here is a photo from last year's parade:

The Virginia Flaggers in the 2018 Mechanicsville Christmas parade
Featured also are camps of the Sons of Confederate Veterans

A youngster carries on the flagging tradition:

Laying Christmas Decorations on grave sites is a nice way for remembrance of those that served

It's time to get out an Alabama record and put on "Christmas In Dixie".

Get in the Spirit of Christmas, Y'all!

Virginia Turns....

2018-11-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

This last election was very painful for me to watch . It signifies the beginning of the end for Virginia. At least the one that I knew. I am sitting here thinking back to when I was a teenager in the 1990's. Fairfax and Loudoun County were deep red Republican. We were a safe bet for wholesome candidates. Marriage was believed to be between one man and one woman. Those wonderful , carefree golden days, when Virginia was conservative and Evangelical Christian . The "swamp" was barely a puddle then. Virginia was largely comprised of White and Black voters. Never in my wildest dreams would I believe socialist friendly candidates could have a hope of winning in Virginia. It was a good time for Virginia. But the D.C. swamp slowly began to rise, and it overflowed at the crevices of decent civilization. No one knew what we were in for.

Fast forward to 2018. Gone are the days of George Allen, Virgil Goode, and Jim Gilmore. Hordes of illegal immigrants and "refugees" have been flooding in here for the past 10 years. Under the Obama administration. there were thousands of them daily. The Democrats took 3 crucial districts in the state, making a Democrat majority house. We have a Democrat governor, and a Democrat Senator. While the majority of our counties still look red, we are blue. Barbara Comstock- gone. The "safest" Republican 2nd district near Virginia Beach- lost to a Democrat. The bulk of conservatism is limited to the Shenandoah Valley, Southwest Virginia, and that one hold out in the Northern Neck area. We are sunk. The Deep State swamp has swallowed my beloved Virginia whole. I knew this day was coming. But with a muster of hope and prayer, I was not prepared for such a swift transformation. A woman named Abigail Spanberger beat out Dave Brat in Virginia's 7th District. She had the help of millions of dollars in Ad campaigns, which included smearing lies, and plastering her face all over every local TV news network and Billboards in the area. She won by 1.5% in a Red district that went for Trump in 2016. When you can buy a house seat, elections aren't even worth voting for anymore.

What can we do now? It's in God's hands. I feel I am in great morning as of late. The Virginia that I grew up in , is no more. And I'm not yet even 40 years of age. How this must feel for those a great deal older than myself, who have witnessed Virginians voting in socialist politicians. I hope that the Republicans left in my fair Commonwealth, will do their best to try and stop this socialist agenda which is now infested in Virginia and beyond. We are no longer the Virginia I knew. And no, it's not for the better!

Where exactly is "The South" ?

2018-11-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

It's easy to determine the obvious. There is no question that Mississippi is the South. Or Alabama, or South Carolina. Or Georgia. But there's the "Deep South", and then there's "The South"... That Mason Dixon line is a good start, but the closer you are to the line, the more ambiguous. I made some maps here as to what I determine the area of predominant Southern culture to be. Instead of making a black and white chart of "North vs South", I include "transition zones"- those areas that are kind of the in between region, or some times "no man's land". In my maps, notice only the Eastern 1/3 of the country is shaded in. I do not generally consider Texas or anything west of it to be "South". But it can be considered a transition area.

Unlike most, I consider the Mid Atlantic region to be a sub region of the South, and not the Northeast. For that reason, I feel some states can be both Southern and Mid Atlantic... On the East Coast, I use Washington, D.C. as the "gateway city" to the South. There is much confusion with the misnomer of Mid-Atlantic. Is Mid Atlantic truly a cultural entity? Or is it simply a geographical mapping? That is why it gets confusing when people use these terms interchangeably. So I go with Southern culture as being the determining factor.

Here is a map of the South Atlantic States. I do not include Maryland or Delaware. The SouthAtlantic, or "SOUTHERN COASTAL" is the best way to define the region from Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Northern Florida. The Coastal Southern states are also more liberal, in general, than other parts of the South.

This map shows the Southern Culture zone. I made a reference to Deep South vs General South as well. The transition zones are mostly common sense. The closer one is to the Mason Dixon line, the more ambiguous it becomes. Florida is a state that works that logic in reverse. The more "North" in Florida you are, the more "Southern".

This map is mainly to illustrate the Border states from the Upper South, Deep South, and Northeast.

Conclusion: Most people still have their own idea of what the South is . Quite a few people still consider Texas, Florida, and Virginia the South- but they are more and more becoming viewed as "border states" , as the demographics continue to change. Below is an article by Vox, which shows a poll of which states Americans still think constitute as Southern. Although a very liberal website, it is an interesting interpretation of the idea of "South".

https://www.vox.com/2016/9/30/12992066/south-analysis

Victory in the Capital of the Confederacy!

2018-10-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

By an overwhelming margin, Richmond's city council struck down a measure that would request removal of the Confederate statues upon our famed Monument Ave. We Richmonders can heave a sign of relief- at least for now! There is no telling how relentless the history -erasing agenda from vigilante leftists will be. For awhile now, it's over! We can walk in the sun once more. In an ironic twist to the anti-statue movement, Monument Ave has never been a more popular tourist destination. Many people lately are flocking to the streets from all over the world, to see the statues in all their glorious splendor.

This is an ongoing war . The battle that we have won recently to save our Southern heritage is only that. Just a battle. These people are probably going to use legal limits and loopholes in the most undesirable ways possible. We must be not get complacent. I am so proud of the Virginia Flaggers for all they do. Without them, I'm not sure where would be. May God bless and protect them, as they continue to serve and protect us. They need our full support.

Check them out here:
http://vaflaggers.blogspot.com/

Dr. John Gifford Skelton

2018-07-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my third Great-Grandather, Dr. John Gifford Skelton. He was born in 1815 at Paxton Plantation, in Powhatan , County, Virginia.He was a farmer in Powhatan County, and was a country doctor, making rounds around the county . During The War-Between-The-States, he administered aid to both wounded Union and Confederate soldiers. He later retired to Richmond, where he helped in the establishment of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). He was a member of Monumental Church in Richmond. He died at age 74 of apoplexy, and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery.

Virginia: The Reddest "Blue" state.

2018-07-05T11:13:00.001-07:00

Above: Wise, Virginia. One of the most "Trump friendly" towns in America.

Virginia is something of a political paradox. It is a purple to blue state (depending on your perspective), but with some of the most Trump friendly towns in the United States. Wise, Virginia, went nearly 80% for Donald Trump , and towns such as Grundy and others in Southwest Virginia, have about the same demographics. In fact, several counties in Virginia are as red as can be- with more than 70% of the votes counted for Trump in the 2016 elections. Virginia Beach - home of Pat Robertson and The 700 Club is the 3rd most conservative city in the nation, while just 200 some odd miles to the north, Washington, D.C. is the second most liberal city in the United States. As we know, Washington sits directly across the Potomac river, enabling the vast expansion of suburbs into the northern part of Virginia. Making matters more confusing, the majority of counties in Virginia are red, while the metropolitan areas are blue, or blue tinged. Virginia has some of the most conservative colleges in the country as well- most notably Liberty and Regent University and Patrick Henry College.

Some of the more conservative areas of Virginia include: The entire Shenandoah Valley (save some of the county seats), Southwest Virginia, Lynchburg, Virginia Beach, and even some counties in Northern Virginia , namely around Fredericksburg. The most liberal areas are : City of Richmond, City of Charlottesville, and of, course, "NOVA"- although ironically, Arlington , Virginia had more votes for Trump in the last election than did Richmond. At 78% Democrat in the 2016 elections, the city of Richmond appears to be the bluest of all of Virginia's cities- perhaps do to the disproportionate amount of hipsters. What was once a Republican strong hold, Virginia seems to be drifting to Democrat centrist politics. And as the Democratic party ventures further and further to the left, it will be interesting to see what direction it swings in the coming years. Many people in Virginia did indeed vote for Trump. And here are a few more stats on our political leanings:

-During the 2016 elections, a possible 40,000 absentee ballots for Virginia (mostly military) were not counted , as Trump had already claimed victory when winning other key states, and he was officially declared the winner. The narrative is that Virginia favored Hillary Clinton over Trump on election night by a 4 point margin, but had those other votes come in, it may have very well indeed been a Trump state.

-Many people have alluded that voter fraud was used in the 2016 elections- and it's quite possible, that many votes that "poured in" for Hillary Clinton at the very end of election night were not quite , shall we say, "accurate". At one point in the election , Virginia was listed as "too close to call". It's amazing how all of a sudden Hillary votes just came crashing through.

-Tim Kaine is most likely a deep state politician, with possible ties to pizza gate and other child pedophile rings. Many other Virginia "politicians" have been transplanted from other states- and many of them have ties to the Clinton regime

-Governor Ralph Northam a "Republicrat" , voted for Bush twice. Declared on his campaign that he would stand up to Donald Trump. Then he back peddled when he realized Virginia was not as anti Trump as he had hoped it would be.

-In 1970, only 1% of Virginians were foreign born. In 2010, that number skyrocketed to 13% . Under the Obama administration, thousands upon thousands of unvetted "refugees" and "immigrants" poured into Virginia- mostly in the northern counties around D.C. This definitely changed the voting demographics for the Commonwealth.

In conclusion, we will have to see if Trump supporters in Virginia will rally to the polls in the coming elections. There is much apathy on the part of the Trump base in Virginia, who find most of Virginia's Republican choices to be too establishment. Corey Stewart was nominated to take Tim Kaine's seat in Virginia, and it's quite a long shot. As Tim Kaine has millions of dollars behind him (as well as the Deep State and the Clintons), and Corey has very little campaign backing. But it will be interesting to see if Tim Kaine will be arraigned for his political crimes in the future. Virginia is definitely on a tilt, and probably the most politically heated area of the country. We need to pray for Virginia to go in the RIGHT direction in the coming years to follow. Make Virginia Great Again!

Virginia Leads the Way to Waffle House

2018-06-25T15:30:00.002-07:00

"Waffle House" is a very distinctly Southern establishment, with very few locations north of the Mason Dixon line. Most waffle houses are guaranteed markers that you are in the South! As you drive down 1-95, you start to see Waffle house locations creep up around the D.C./Northern Virginia area, signaling the gateway. Some argue over Waffle House and Cracker Barrel. I think Cracker Barrel is definitely more "family friendly" than Waffle House. Cracker Barrel is Southern styled too, although it has a lot more locations outside the South than does Waffle House. So if we need a new way to signal when you're in the South officially, maybe this will do it.

According to the map below, Virginia is one of the leading states for waffle house locations. It shares the roster with West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. When visiting a waffle house, be careful not to go there too late at night. Many waffle houses are notorious for their uncivil disruptions and fights, especially in the more ghetto areas.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders: You are Welcome here in Virginia !

2018-06-24T12:50:00.002-07:00

It turns my stomach when people have to turn everything into a political issue. Such was the case when the "Red Hen"- a "farm to table" eatery in Lexington, Virginia , decided to casually dismiss Sarah Saunders as a patron. I don't understand the pettiness and the absurdity. For heaven's sakes, why? Why does it have be such an issue? Well, apparently, it was an issue because the owner decided that her waitstaff was "uncomfortable" enough to be okay with serving Mrs Sarah Saunders. And it was because of her job. Yes, that's right. She was dismissed because she works for the President Of The United States. Golly, I'd hate to know what they think of people such as myself, who work for Chick-Fil- A : A conservative and Christian friendly fast food establishment. I better not mention I'm a Trump supporter at any restaurant I frequent. Liberals might spit in my food! The owner told Sarah Saunders that she did not reflect their "values" and was asked to leave. The gracious Sarah, simply said "okay", and left. What a lady!

The thing that really disturbs me is this wasn't in Bethesda, Maryland, or even Austin , Texas. This wasn't even in the D.C. area. This was in Lexington, Virginia- the heart of Trump Country. The Shenandoah Valley was overwhelmingly Trump supporting, and Lexington, although a slightly left leaning enclave, is the middle of Rockbridge County, which voted almost 65% for the Donald. It makes me so embarrassed that this had to happen here- now everyone will think we are all crazy liberals! But this does not reflect real Virginians, and it certainly doesn't reflect our true Southern hospitality.

Mrs Saunders, please know that you are welcome back in Virginia any 'ol time, and this "restaurant" does not reflect the values of the majority of the people that live here. Also know, that I think you are a true lady! I don't see how you handled this situation so well. You are so brave, Mrs Saunders. And speaking on behalf of most of the entire populace of the great Commonwealth of Virginia, let me say, we are truly sorry this happened here!

The First Thanksgiving in America: December 4th, 1619!

2017-11-19T09:20:00.001-08:00

As most Americans get ready to prepare the biggest meal of the year next Thursday, let us not forget the true story of how it all began. The first Thanksgiving in America was in early December. It was at the late Fall Season, and it happened where? Right here in Virginia! On December 4th, 1619, the First Thanksgiving on record occurred. There were earlier prayers given of thanks at Jamestown, but this was the most official giving of thanks. This was two years before the New Englanders had theirs.The history books seem to ignore this, largely perhaps because of its Judeo Christian roots. The Thanksgiving was deeply rooted in prayer, rather than in elaborate meal or celebration. More to the story as well: many think it was Abraham Lincoln who first declared Thanksgiving as a National Holiday in 1863. But it was actually Confederate President Jefferson Davis who did so, a year earlier. Here is a video which explains the REAL first Thanksgiving on American soil:

More on the First Thanksgiving: http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/first-thanksgiving.html

Regional Guide: Northern Virginia

2017-09-03T12:35:00.004-07:00

If you're moving to Virginia from some place else and don't know where to start, let me give the low down on our fair Commonwealth. Virginia is a medium to average sized Commonwealth that is divided into five main regions: Northern, Central, Hampton Roads, Shenandoah Valley, and Southwest/Highlands. Some of these regions overlap each other, and some have smaller enclaves within each region As discussed before , Northern Virginia stretches as far south as the city of Fredericksburg, but to most people it is the immediate Washington D.C. Metro area (a radius of about 25 miles). In this post, I will discuss Northern Virginia, and what that means...

Northern Virginia: (D.C. METRO, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Reston, Herndon, Prince William, Loudoun (East), and Stafford County towards Fredericksburg)

The Potomac River belongs to Maryland.........

When people talk about "NOVA" this is it: Washington, D.C. Anything that is within a 15-25 mile radius of Washington D.C. and relatively close to the Potomac. Even though Fauquier county (Warrenton) , and Fredericksburg is geographically within the Northern Virginia zone, it is not generally considered part of the region. We distinctly note that there is a difference in geography vs cultural aspects and relevance. In recent years, Fredericksburg has become a part of the Northern Virginia commute, but it isn't part of what most people mean when they speak of this region. NOVA proper is Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, and the Eastern tip of Loudoun County (Even Leesburg is "pushing it") and this is the area people have in mind. Northern Virginia is the most expensive costs of living in housing and taxes-although relatively inexpensive compared to much of the East Coast. The culture of NOVA is urban and suburban, with a lot of military and government employees. Southern hospitality in recent years falls more to the bottom of the list, while maintaining status and materialism has been pushed forward. Most people who live in the area do not consider themselves Virginians or Southerners. When asked , usually they reply they are form "D.C.", not Northern Virginia, or Virginia. Not everyone knows what "NOVA" is, outside of Northern Virginia.

Fairfax County, once abundant in wheat and tobacco farms, is now the "hub" of Northern Virginia living. Fairfax County is one of the most populous counties in all of Virginia . Fairfax County includes towns that were built for the purpose of D.C. commuting. Reston, Virginia is a prime example of early days of the region's suburbs. Beginning in the 1960's, Fairfax county started to become very developed in land close to the district. Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, and Stafford were very much on the outskirts, and some parts remain that way til this day. If you move to this area be prepared for : lots of traffic and long commuting times, higher priced housing and taxes, lots of government employees, and in general, a more liberal and aloof area. Government employees have encroached upon nearly half of Fairfax County, and most of the area is full of unnatural citizens. In the 1980's, Tyson's Corner Mall and Potomac Mills were all the rage. Such large shopping malls have become outdated in recent years. This detracted from some of the local economy. It is worth visiting Arlington national Cemetery , as well as Robert E. Lee's boyhood home in Alexandria. And of course, Mt. Vernon , the home of George Washington.

Outer NOVA: Fredericksburg, Stafford, Western Loudoun, Fauquier:
In the outskirts of Western Northern Virginia you may find the pace of life a lot slower and more enjoyable. Loudoun and Fauquier County boast the title of "Hunt Country". Point to point steeple races, foxhunts, grand estates, old Virginian plantation homes, and many horse enthusiasts dot the region. Many wineries are also found here , as the soil and climate are rich for grape vineyards. Much of the War Between the States was figured out in this region as well- including tales of Colonel John Mosby and his Rangers. Further to the South lies the city of Fredericksburg, the southern tip of the Northern Virginia region. Fredericksburg is a colonial city which contains Mary Washington college, lots of shops and fine dining areas, and great historic battlefield sites from 1860s. The heavy traffic patterns also seem to fizzle out here, and you start feeling more like you're truly in Virginia. Purcellville in Loudoun County is also home to the newly founded Patrick Henry College. It has gone from a rural farming community to a small college town. You will find many quaint villages in the county of Loudoun as well as Fauquier. Somehow yet untouched by the rapid growth of the Washington D.C. area in the past half century.

Commuting: In recent years some people have moved as far South as Fredericksburg to commute to the D.C. Metro area. The traffic on 1-95 in the last 10 years has increased dramatically. Plan ahead. A drive up from Richmond takes at least 2 hours (if lucky an hour and a half), but plan on 3 hours at least to get to your destination. Traffic going west of the D.C. Metro has also increased. Leesburg Pike (Route 7) is a mess between 4- 7 PM. As a rule of thumb, morning traffic will be headed towards Washington, D.C. Afternoon and evening traffic is headed west and south , from the city.

Highlights in NOVA:
Wineries
Robert E. Lee's boyhood home in Alexandria
Mount Vernon, home of George Washington
George Mason University
Historic Estates and Plantation Homes
Horse Country
Urban and Suburban Living
Civil War Battlefields
Museums
Counties: Loudoun, Prince William, Fairfax
Cities: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Manassas
Nearby Environs: Faquier County, Warrenton, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford

The Days Ahead...

2017-08-23T10:21:00.001-07:00

As they prepare to take away more statues and monuments and history, I was wondering how we can manage to cope with negativity all around us. I have a firm faith in God, and I believe truth shall prevail. If you ask me, there is something very sinister and very demonic behind this sudden purge of the monuments and this sudden attack on American historical figures . I don't know why this is happening so quickly, but I do know there is a culture war that is still being fought in America. Moreover, I believe this is an attack on Christian America. They do not like Christianity. They hate the thought that we are a Christian nation. When they finish removing all things Confederate, the next step is our Founding Fathers. This is very relevant to Virginia, since we are the mother of 8 presidents here. And figures such as Jefferson and Washington, and "Lighthorse" Henry Lee, have their very footprints ingrained upon Virginia soil.

All we can do as a nation now is to pray. Pray for our leaders, pray for local and state government, and against all these things that are coming upon our great nation today. I fail to understand this mentality- why people are obsessed with finding offense at everything. If we removed and discarded everything someone found offensive, there would be nothing left on this earth to remove. Some people are offended by the American flag. Some people don't like the Statue of Liberty. Some people do not like our motto "In God We Trust". The thing that upsets me most, is a lot of these monuments and statues they are taking down are historical landmarks. They are a window to the soul of our nation's past. If we remove them, we remove the history. Stuffing away in some museum somewhere doesn't cut it. Its not the same. Its not the whole story. We need to preserve all these historical treasures for future generations. When I think of how far we've come today in this great country of ours, it seems we are headed back in the wrong direction. Ironically, its all done in the name of "progress".

There are many evil things , in the false guise of discrimination and "civil rights" that wish to tear down and annihilate the very fabric of America. We know that these people who want to destroy , are not leading us forward. Yet they are the ones that claim it is right to do so. I love the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I love the history here. I don't enjoy seeing this happen. But as much as I am dismayed, I realize that some times we have to let it happen, and let God be in control. I will not fight over a statue, but I wish they would simply leave them alone, and leave them in peace. General Robert. E. Lee said of himself that he was a vile sinner. Aren't we all? We need to be closer to God more than ever in these our troubled times.

Mispronounced place names in Virginia....

2017-07-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Virginian names can be difficult. There are a number of towns, cities, and counties which seem to get a sour treatment in how they are pronounced. Even roads, for example. There is the "Powhite" Parkway here in Richmond. Many out of towners would say "po white" as in 'poor white'. Of course it is really pronounced "Pow-hite". as in Powahatan. Which brings me to another issue: "Powhatan". I was watching The Weather Channel not long ago and the tv news anchor called it "Pow hat'n" county" Yikes! Let's remember, it is named after the great Powhatan Indians. It's properly pronounced "Pow- a-tan". And what about Botetourt County? Named after Lord Botetourt this county is pronounced "Bo-tet-tort" . Yet some people say it "Bot - it tort". As in botanical... Ouch.

I laughed when someone called my home county "Looden" (Loudoun). Its pronounced Low-den" as in "ow" "dun". .And the perhaps the most mispronounced Virginian town is "Staunton". How many times do we here people refer to "Staunton" as "Stawnton". When its really "Stanton" ..... I know it gets confusing, but any time people make these mistakes, we must correct them.

Other runner uppers:

-Norfolk (Its Nawr-Fuk, not Nor-folk")

-Fauquier County (Its Fawk-year, not Fa-queer)

-Aquia (Its Awk-quia not Ack-weea)

-Patawomeck Indian (Its Pat-owmeck or Pato-mack,, not Padda-wo-mick)

-Appalachian Mountains (Its Appa-latch-un not Appa- lay-schun)

-Luray (Its Loo-ray, not Lurr-ay)

-Tappahanock/Rappahanock (There is no broad A in either of these names. Its Tappa-haa- nock and Rappa-hannock)

Hopefully this will help!

Irish Ancestors from Ireland to Virginia...

2017-03-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

This being St. Patrick's Day, reminds me of how strong the Irish heritage is on my mother's side of the family. My most recent Irish ancestry goes to the Hagan family- originally O'Hagan in Ireland. They migrated to the Richmond, Virginia area just before the large potato famine in Ireland. The Patriarch, John O'Hagan, was born in Clancoe- Tyrone County, Ireland (Now Northern Ireland). He was landed farmer and proprietor there with a nice living for himself in that area. His son, John C. Hagan , was my 3rd Great Grandfather. He immigrated to Richmond, Virginia where he already had friends, family, and a church. He served in the Confederate Army. Much is written about the Hagan family in Richmond in this article here: The Hagans of Ireland and Virginia.

Hagan, John Campbell
This branch of the Hagan family in America springs from the O'Hagans of Ireland, the "O" being generally omitted on this side of the Atlantic. The family has been noted for prominence in business, law and literature, in both Ireland and the United States. The grandfather of John Campbell Hagan of Richmond, Virginia, was John Hagan, a farmer and landed proprietor, a man of education and resolute character, who was born, lived and died in Ireland. His wife, Ellen (Campbell) Hagan, was of bright intellectual qualities, a lover of the good, beautiful and true, inspiring in her children the same ambitious hopes that the limitation of her Irish home denied fruition.
(II) John (2) Hagan, son of John (1) and Ellen (Campbell) Hagan, was born in Clanoe, county Tyrone, Ireland, died at Richmond, Virginia, October 14, 1874. After coming to the United States and settling in Richmond, he engaged in mercantile life. He was a soldier in the Confederacy, serving in Company A, Tenth Virginia Battalion, enlisting as private and attaining the rank of sergeant. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He married Catherine Downey, born in Richmond, Virginia, who survives him. Children: John Campbell; John Felix, died in infancy; Mary Catharine, died in infancy.

(III) John Campbell Hagan, son of John (2) and Catherine (Downey) Hagan, was born in Richmond, Virginia, December 25, 1857, now an honored financier of his native city. He was educated in the Richmond private schools and at Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., and began his business career in the freight department of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Company, continuing two years. He spent the next two years with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad at Charlottesville, then accepted an offer from a Massachusetts shoe manufacturing concern and spent twelve years in their employ. He then returned to his native city, where he became financially interested with several manufacturing enterprises, but was not actively connected with any until he engaged in the wholesale leaf tobacco trade as senior partner of the Hagan-Dart Tobacco Company, doing largely an export business. While in this business he became interested in Richmond banking enterprises, later being elected president of the Capital Savings Bank. He continued at the head of that institution until it passed out of existence by merger with the Bank of Commerce and Trusts. Shortly after the merger the Main Street Bank of Richmond was organized and its presidency offered Mr. Hagan. He at first refused, but upon further solicitation from the board of directors he accepted the position of chief executive. A worker all his active years, Mr. Hagan has risen to high position, not by favor, but by merit. He holds an excellent position in public regard and justifies the confidence of his many friends. He was sergeant in Company B, Captain Dr. Henry C. Jones, First Virginia Regiment (Walker Light Guards), and is a member of the Old First Regiment Association. He is past state deputy Knights of Columbus; member of the Westmoreland, Commonwealth and Country clubs of Richmond . He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and the societies St. Vincent De Paul and McGill's Catholic Union. His children are also communicants, his wife being a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

Mr. Hagan married, in Richmond, September 14, 1887, Alice May Nipe, born in Baltimore, Maryland, in October, 1861, daughter of James W. and Emma (Bennett) Nipe, the former a member of the wholesale grocery firm of Arrington & Nipe. Children: John Morton, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in the class of 1911, now connected with the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, residing at Ensley, Alabama; Catherine Downey; William Campbell, a student at the Virginia Military Academy; Joseph Addison, a student at the Virginia Military Academy; John Campbell (2), a student at McGuire's School, Richmond. [Source: Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol. IV Transcribed by Chris Davis]

My Great Grandmother was Catherine Downey Hagan- descended of this line. She married John Gifford Skelton in Richmond, and had two daughters- one of them my grandmother, Catherine. Catherine with a "C" as I learned later, is the Irish variant of that name.

More remote Irish:
Andrew Meade of Ireland (and Virginia) is my 7th Great grandfather, as well as my own namesake. My great great great grandmother was the last to bear this surname in the family before she married Dr. John Skelton. Marianne O. Meade was the descendant of this branch of Irish-Virginians. Andrew Meade migrated to Virginia some time in the late 17th Century. His son , David, married Sussanah Everard- the daughter of the early Governor of North Carolina. They had several children. Through that line, eventually came my 4th Great Grandfather- Benjamin Lincoln Meade, the son of famous Revolationary War General Everard Meade. The Meades had an extensive line in Virginia, Kentucky, and Mississippi areas.

I plan to visit Ireland one day, and visit County Cork (The Meades), and also the Northern part of Ireland where my more recent ancestors the Hagans originated. The country of Ireland is a beautiful place. The grounds there are well established. What a great place to try and do a shows some time!

My Family Connection to Pocahontas

2017-03-08T20:15:00.001-08:00

I may have rekindled new interest in my love of genealogical research! A family story passed down for ages to me that we were descendants of Pocahontas was confirmed by local Fredericksburg historian, Bill Deyo. Pocahontas is my 11th Great-Grandmother- and I am descended through her through by her first marriage and her daughter, Kaokee! This was a real neat story to hear. Most people only recount Pocahontas and her marriage to John Rolfe. Many people are unaware that she had been previously wed to another Patawomeck Indian. With her first husband, she had a daughter Kaokee. Kaokee would be my 10th Great Grandmother, and she married later Captain Thomas Pettus- an early Virginia Gentleman and Cavalier. This story is confirmed through the Patawomeck Indian tribe.

Having attended the Rowe family reunion last year in Fredericksburg, we learned of many connections to the Virginia Indians in that family over the years. George Rowe and Lucy Rowe- are my 4th Great Grandparents. They were indeed, first cousins, and because of this, the Indian heritage is strong on that side of the family. I also have found out that my grandparents are actually 6th cousins to each other, and both of them can trace their lineage to Captain Thomas Pettus. I found another blog online that denotes the Pettus family of Virginia- and our connections to Pocahontas here: Descendants of Thomas Pettus. This gives a great detail and background about the story

I am still researching possible connections to the Cherokee Indian tribe through my great great grandfather's side of the family. They had kin in Virginia and Arkansas as well as Mississippi and Tennessee. I have always felt sure that I had Native American roots , and it feels nice that I have been able to confirm that part of my heritage. Now I can safely say- my family has been in 'Ol Virginny for a mighty long time !

Robert E. Lee and Christian Virtues

2017-01-26T15:21:00.002-08:00

Last week, January 19th, would have marked General Robert E. Lee's 210th birthday. He was born at Stratford Hall, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. In his writings, it was very evident that Robert E. Lee was a strong Christian. Here are some of his famous quotes:

"We have fought this fight as long, and as well as we know how. We have been defeated. For us as a Christian people, there is now but one course to pursue. We must accept the situation." Robert E. Lee

"Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character"- Robert E. Lee

"It is good that war is so horrible, or we might grow to like it" Robert E. Lee

"I think it better to do right, even if we suffer in so doing, than to incur the reproach of our consciences and posterity"- Robert E. Lee

"Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice."

"I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself"

My Loudoun County Home: Egypt Farm

2016-12-05T15:47:00.004-08:00

Above: The Farmhouse in 2014

I lived in this house from 1995-1998 as a teenager

Me on the Farm in 1997

UPDATE: I have retracted information regarding a certain situation with the previous owners of this dwelling, Mr. Hottel. As far as the original date of the house, it is unknown, but I believe it to be 1904, because it was verified by a descendant of the original builder.

If there ever was a place that would be the perfect setting for a movie, this would be it. I spent most of my teen aged years on this old farmhouse located near the small village of Philomont, Virginia, just 7 miles north of Middleburg. You'll notice that I keep a picture of this farmhouse on the title of this blog. That's because it holds a very special memory to me. The farmhouse was built in 1904 by a Mr Luck , as a wedding present for his wife. The sprawling Victorian farmhouse included 5 bedrooms (with servants quarters), as well as a dining room, a large foyer and living room area, an office space on the first floor, a large Attic, and a grand kitchen. It also had several porches which swept the facade and sides of the house. There were several outbuildings as well. We kept our horses down at the old dairy barn and Silo across the meadow. The encroaching "D.C. suburbs" have not yet reached this place, but I was saddened to learn that the land was divided and sold up into parcels. My biggest fear is that the house will soon be torn down. The house now sits on 56 acres. Originally it was over 500 acres of pristine farmland, which included crops such as wheat, barley, and soy beans. I remember as a young teenager riding my mare up through goose creek and around the vast countryside towards J.E.B Stuart road. Some times I would pass by farmers on their tractors, and they would wave to me. My horse wasn't afraid of tractors, but she hated umbrellas and thunderstorms.

I used to sing into this Silo

The farm was once owned by the Hottel family. They were a farm family with deep roots in the Purcellville area. They lived there for a few generations. The youngest Mister Joseph Hottel ran the farm in the area until 1989 when moved north to Frederick, Maryland. His brother owned a farm across the street on Watermill Rd. Egypt Farm was vacant for a few years. The farm was later sold to a Dr Gable, and we rented out the property during the mid to late 1990s. One day, a huge hot air balloon landed in our front yard. It belonged to the other Mister Hottel. He let us have a bottle of champagne afterwards. There used to be a handyman who lived on the property. His name was Wayne Hammans. He died tragically in a bush hogging accident in 1997. I remember going to his funeral. His dog "Max" had died just two weeks earlier, after getting into some anti freeze. Mr Wayne Hammans was a very nice older man. But the new neighbors that moved into his old trailer afterwards were the epitome of peckerwoods. We used to talk to "Wanda" at the Philomont General Store. She would always tell us stories about actor Robert Duvall and when he lived in the area. In 1998, I had finished high school and the Northern Virginia area was getting too expensive. Since the lease was up, we moved shortly after that and headed to the bright lights of Richmond.

The house is located at the foot of the Catoctin mountains to one side, and blue ridge mountains on the other. It sits high on a hill. I could see the mountains from my bedroom window. It was really a beautiful place. During the winter months, I remember the wind rattling through the kitchen . We had a coal furnace, and it was hard to keep such a large place warm, I used to shovel coal into the basement. In the winter time I could see clear across the meadow to the Dairy Barn and Silo where I kept the horses. Some times our horses would escape and come up to the front of the house to graze on the front lawn. We would pick up our mail at the General Store, and chat with the locals. . I miss the old place. I hope they do not tear it down and turn it into a bedroom community for D.C. transplants. The last time I visited the property was back in 2008. Then it was being rented out . I have no idea what will happen to the house, but I am hoping to get it registered as a national historical landmark!

My Grandfather, Billy Gilman..

2016-12-01T10:36:00.001-08:00

My grandfather was born William James Gilman, III, on January 20th, 1914 in Richmond, Virginia- to William James Gilman Jr, and Blanche Taylor (King) Gilman. He had a younger sister named Alice. They called him "Billy" for short. Its interesting that there is a Country singer with the same name today . My grandfather was a very independent sort. He wanted to be an actor, or a writer, or a politician, or all three! As he went through college (Richmond Polytechnic Institute- now commonly known as "VCU"), he discovered writing is what he wanted to do. He never quite finished school there. He once said to a close friend: "Why waste time on some four green acres? That is all college is to me".

Despite his talent for writing, he also had a penchant for gambling. It all started when he was a young teenager, and a man told him to bet on a horse race . The horse he bet on won. That started his gambling problem. When he was a young man of twenty-three, he married my grandmother Catherine Skelton, also of Richmond. Her father was very adamant that they not see each other, because Billy was sewing his "wild oats". They were actually paired up on a blind date by Catherine's younger sister, Jane. Out of deliberate rebellion, the two eloped and went to Maryland to get married. This was in 1936. A year later, my mother would be born.

My grandfather continued to try and support the family. His relatives had him working steadily, mainly in the retail market. My grandmother started showing signs of mental illness, putting a stress on their marriage. She had to be admitted to a mental hospital in Staunton. This later would lead to a divorce. My grandfather continued to support his family but more often than not, he ran into "trouble". Because of large gambling debts, he ended up appropriating money from the company he worked for. His uncle had to bail him out, and he was ordered to leave town. He entered World War II late , around Spring, 1944. He was in his early 30s at the time, and the reason being later in service was because he "had a wife and child to support". During the end of 1944, he entered a horse race with an Italian officer. Broke his leg, and had to return home. He did serve his country, though!

My grandfather as a young boy with his mother, Blanche.

It wasn't until later in life that my grandfather finally straightened himself out. Fleeing to Petersburg, Virginia ( a nearby city that many disenfranchised Richmonders solemnly called home), he began to turn his life around. He married a second time. His second wife had a great head for business, and she also encouraged him to stop his gambling. At this point, my grandfather was also reported to have become a born -again Christian. He got a job with Ft Lee, working for A.L.M.A.C. He wrote and produced Army training videos. He was a very conservative man, also. When John F. Kennedy was elected he was outraged. He said to a local newspaper: "The streets of Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia will turn red with the blood of protestants!". Granddaddy wanted nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan, however. He thought they were too liberal! (They were Democrats, after all)

Billy Gilman (Center) Working at Ft Lee

In about 1973, he was ready to retire to Florida. Being a heavy smoker, he had already had been diagnosed with emphysema. One day in the summer of 1973 , while cutting the grass, he suffered a heart attack. Experiencing chest pains, he rested for awhile. Later he went back outside to "finish the job". He collapsed in his front yard. His wife, Aylett, called the hospital for an ambulance.He didn't die until he was at the hospital. There were rumors that a certain male nurse working at the Southside Regional hospital in Petersburg, had been the "angel of death":pulling the tubes on people, or administering drugs to put them to perpetual rest. It is a theory that my grandfather could have been one of his victims. But we may never know. He died at only 59 years of age. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond in the King Family crypt- that belonging to his mother's side.

Heritage, Not Hate!

2016-08-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Above: Army of Northern Virginia Battle flag.

While our Confederate shrines, monuments, and flags are still under tremendous attack- mostly by left wing progressives in this country, a strong sentiment of Southern pride is filling Dixie like never before. I believe in a way God is restoring a healing power to the South, and a healing that needed to take place long after 150 years have passed since her defeat. Many Southerners who had anger and bitterness left after the war was over, felt that they were wrongly represented in historical texts- mostly written by Northern victors. Truthfully, under the false guise of "abolition", the South was invaded by force and destroyed. This is much like what Adolf Hitler and his regime did to Central Europe. Yet in retelling of events, it would have some believe that the South waged a war against the North. This is rubbish. We have but a few Southern points of view in television and film- most notably "Gone With The Wind"- written by a Southerner, dipped in Southern virtue and mystique, and in many ways a very historically accurate telling of Atlanta, Georgia and nearby environs during the War for Southern independence. Many accuse Southern viewpoints as "revisionist history". If anything, what is more revisionist, is the Northern notion of the "Civil War" (it was actually not a Civil War, but a war between states), and the false belief that Federal officers were "liberators of slaves", and evil Southern slave owners wanted to enforce unusual punishment on anyone who contested.

This is not true, however, and by and large contradicts accounts by soldiers of both sides in the remembrance of the war. An interview with a Confederate solider of Virginia- Julius Howell, clearly shows the reality of what the South was fighting for. It was not for slavery, but for States Rights. And this is what he said, and this is also what Jefferson Davis said in his personal accounts and his letters. Yet cities all across the South are under siege yet again- this time by political correctness run amok. The "Bucket List" of these vigilantes is to remove all statues devoted to honor Confederate heroes and veterans, remove all displays of Confederate flags , and to annihilate Southern history under the guise of "Civil Rights". We know that to destroy history is to destroy HIS STORY. The very people that lived in the South, fought and died for the South under God,- these people are now victims to the radical left and the notion that anything Southern or Confederate is "bad". A recent article from a leading Washington Paper says that the city of Alexandria, Virginia, will keep the Confederate monuments, after much consideration. However, there is still an agenda to rename Confederate streets and highways- most notably Jefferson Davis highway!

People who know how these "social justice warriors" operate, are well aware that it is only a matter of time before general American history will also be under attack. Our American flag is viewed as "racist" by some, and most of our Founding Fathers ...gasp.. owned slaves! When we take into account that nobody is perfect, we will deny history the point of wiping out everything America has ever stood for. I know in my heart that these attacks are by Satan himself, and they are not right. But our Southern spirit will not be weakened , nor waver. The South will be vindicated, and when I see young and old people alike carrying the cross of St. Andrew, I know that there is hope for America. The true patriotism of our country is both American and Southern- many who love our Confederate heritage love our American heritage. And you will see the two flags standing side by side! Why do these people want to destroy an entire nation under such false pretense? I don't understand their thinking, nor do I think I ever shall. But God bless Dixie, and God Bless America!

The Gilmans Of Richmond

2016-08-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a write up about my grandfather's paternal side of the family. His name was William James Gilman, III. Many of the Gilmans settled in Hanover County, Virginia. Also connected to this branch of the family, are the Wingfields.

From Virginia Biography:
Patriarch

For a great many years the name of Gilman has been a well known one in Richmond in connection with the building industry, and it is one that dates in Virginia from ante-revolutionary days. The ancestor, John Gilman, came from England to Virginia with the Queen's Rangers, and as they were a body of men selected for their physical perfection and excellence of character, he must have been possessed of these qualities. His son, John Gilman, was born in Hanover county, Virginia. He served six years in the revolutionary army, enlisting at the age of twenty-one years, was with Washington at Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis ; later he again served his country in the war of 1812.

John Gilman, a descendant of the emigrant, was a large landowner of Hanover county. Virginia, a Whig in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married and left issue: William A., James W., of whom further ; Edward and Elizabeth. These three sons all served in the Confederate army.

(My Great Great Great Grandfather)

James Washington Gilman was born in Hanover county, Virginia, in 1825, and died in Richmond, Virginia, in May, 1912. He was a soldier of the Confederacy, and after the war became a building contractor in Richmond. He was an influential Democrat, and served as a member of the Richmond common council. With his family he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Martha Ellen Wingfield, born in 1827, died in May, 1913, surviving her husband one year. Children :John Edgar, married Jennie Tiller ; Alice Hastings, married George W. Tiller, a cousin of her brother's wife ; Patty Tinsley, married Edmund Howard ; Elvira Spottswood, married Forest Chesterman ; Lucy Thomas, married H. W Tyler; William James, of further mention ; Julian DavL,married Minnie Hicks ; Edward Lee, married Jessie Boyden.

(My Great Great Grandfather)

William James Gilman was born in Richmond, Virginia, April 26, 1864. He was educated in the public schools of Richmond, finishing at high school. He learned his father's trade, and from youthful manhood was engaged with the latter in his contracting operations In 1888 he began business in his own name, and as William J. Gilman conducted a large and prosperous businesses a contractor of building. On January 1, 1913, the third generation was admitted to the business, the firm now being Gilman &Son. In 1894 Mr. Gilman sustained severe financial losses, but with well directed energy and wise business ability he retrieved his losses, and has attained a strong position in Richmond's business world. He is a director of the Richmond Bank and Trust Company, president of the Otterburn Springs, president of the German Mutual Building and Loan Association, and president of the Builders Exchange. He has represented his ward in the city council ; served five years in the Walker Light Guards ; has attained the thirty-second degree in Freemasonry, belonging to Amity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights Templar and the Mystic Shrine, is also a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Junior Order United American Mechanics, Fraternity Mystic Circle. He is a deacon of the Second Presbyterian Church, having been a member of that congregation for twenty-five years. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mr. Gilman married in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Richmond, June 30, 1886, Rev.Dr. T. G. Dashiell officiating, Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge assisting, Dorothy Madeline Denzler. She was born in Richmond,February 1, 1861, eldest of the twelve children of John Denzler. For twelve years she was soprano in the quartet choir of her church, and for twenty-three years has been a member. John Denzler, born in Bavaria, Germany, came to the United States when eighteen years of age. He became a merchant of Richmond, served in the Confederate army, and died in 1899, aged sixty-eight years. He married Mary Emily Melton, born in Henrico county, Virginia, of English parents, in 1838, and is still living. Children : Dorothy M., of previous mention; Clara Elizabeth, married E. G. Glenn; John W.. married Rosa B. Harris; Rosa Emily, married H. L. Granger; May Dearborn, married Thomas P. Trewett ; Lillian Garnett, married Dr. B. R. Hudnall ; and Grace Dashiell ; other children died in infancy.

Children of William James and Dorothy M. (Denzler) Gilman: Arthur Sherwood, born September 2, 1887, died in 1907, while a cadet pursuing a course in electrical engineering at the Virginia Polytechnic In stitute ; Grace Madeline, born November 7. 1888, married Dr. Frank H. Redwood, of Suffolk, Virginia, June 5, 1912;

(My Great Grandfather)
William James Gilman, Jr. He was born April 26 (also his father's birth date) 1891, a graduate of Richmond Academy, was a student at Richmond College, and is now a member of the building firm of Gilman & Son. He married, April 9, 1913, Blanche Taylor King, of Richmond. Blanche is the daughter of William T King, and Blanche Taylor King, both of Richmond ,Virginia.

Family Portrait : John Gifford Skelton

2016-07-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

My great grandfather on my mother's maternal side, John Gifford Skelton was born on December 12th, 1882 in Richmond, Virginia, in the mist of a very deep snow storm that year. He was an inventor of sorts, a bit eccentric , and quite the ladies man . All the women of Richmond adored him, including his many sisters, with whom he was very close. He was heart broken when his youngest sister died, and he never quite got over it. But he had a strong will and driven spirit- something that is definitely a Skelton trait. Born to an old Virginian family on his Daddy's side, he was the grandson of Dr. John Gifford Skelton from Powhatan County. His mother Lucy C. (nee' Landrum) was a beauty from Little Rock, Arkansas, who had family roots in the Deep South. John was educated at private schools in Virginia and attended prestigious Brown University. As a young man, he had a summer job working on the railroad in the Catskills of New York, which he hated. He never liked New York state much. He was always homesick for Virginia. Finishing his education, he returned to Richmond and began his career as an electrical engineer. He claimed to have invented the first cordless power drill, although he was too late to get a patent on it. He never waned in his inventions, however, and upon more than one occasion blew up the family kitchen working on some of his projects.

A family story goes that he was once engaged to the daughter of a wealthy New York City family. When the young lady's father barred him from inviting any of his kinfolk from Richmond to the wedding, he abruptly threw the wedding invitations into the fireplace. "Nobody tells me what to do !", he declared. A short while later , he met a local Richmond girl by the name of Catherine Downey Hagan. Catherine Hagan was the daughter of a prominent Richmond businessman, who demanded to see his bank account upon agreeing to give the blessing. John and Catherine were married at St. James Episcopal church. They had two daughters- Catherine (my grandmother) and Jane Skelton (later Hutcheson). They resided at 1822 Park Ave in Richmond and were all charter members of the Country Club of Virginia. John was very generous and very helpful towards those in need. One day, Madeline, the family maid, had been crying in the kitchen. When asked why she exclaimed "Oh Mr Skelton, they done took my baby!". Her youngest daughter was taken from her and put in the orphans home. "We'll get her back for you", he said. And quickly, he went straight over to the orphanage, without a word, and brought the child back to Madeline's arms. He was able to help her be granted full custody of the child. As the years grew on, John Skelton traveled abroad and to other states, but his health was steadily declining. He had suffered a heart attack while visiting friends in Denver. He passed this life on October, 18th, 1959 from a stroke. His last words were: "Let's get up a game of bridge".

Fredericksburg Family Reunion

2016-07-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Pictured above: The George Rowe House. Fredericksburg, VA

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go up to Fredericksburg for a family reunion. It was a spectacular event, in which the organizers put a lot of soul and hard work. The Patriarch of the family was George Rowe and his wife Lucy Leitch Rowe , whom were prominent figures in the history of Fredericksburg, especially during the War Between The States. George Rowe would be my great great great great grandfather . This is in the branch of my grandfather's mother's side of the family. George and Lucy Rowe were actually first cousins, who had long standing connections to the Northern Neck area of Virginia. The event was held at their ancestral home, and included guest speakers which talked about the history of the Rowe family in Fredericksburg and nearby environs, as well as their connections and lineage to the Patawomeck Indian tribe. People came from all over the country, including character actor Hansford Rowe- who was the eldest member and also perhaps the most energetic. He later sang at the evening portion of the event, which I was unable to attend. However, the afternoon portion was delightful. I was able to meet many 4th and 5th cousins. They had up to 170 people in attendance, and there was a variety of activities during the afternoon

After my departure from the Rowe house, I went to visit Santee farm which is located in Corbin , Virginia. The plantation house is still very much as it was in generations past. Many of the family furniture is still there as well as faint blood stains in the center hallway, presumably left from the 1860s! I had such a wonderful day at Fredericksburg , and I tried to find Carl's ice cream which I remember was located on Princess Anne St. But I failed to find it. My GPS would not work! So later I decided to head back home to Richmond where I took a much needed nap. I got the opportunity to sing at the art gallery in Fredericksburg as well , and get a feel for the city which I really have not visited since I was a child. In the advent of planning to attend, I was nervous about going. This is the first "Family Reunion" I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. But the hospitality of the families and hosts was evident, and I felt truly at home. Many pictures were taken of each branch of the Rowe family, including which child of George and Lucy Rowe you are in line from, (ours is Lucy Frances "Fanny" Rowe), and also generational photos. The oldest attendees were the great great grandchildren of George and Lucy Rowe.

I also took some pictures here of the Santee Farm.