Virginia Historical Tidbits

Help Reading Old Colonial Handwriting

2019-09-02T17:19:00.002-04:00

17th century dress styles

Help Reading Old Colonial Handwriting - Yesterday Newsletter
The above article will probably assist you in reading the old handwriting in documents such as wills, estates, deeds.

Index to Virginia Wills and Estates. See Names

Sir William Gooch Settled Western Virginia #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-08-01T12:49:00.000-04:00

We can Thank Sir William Gooch (1681-1751) for Settling the West

Sir William Gooch is rarely mentioned in the historical accounts of Virginia, however, he played a major role in opening up Western Virginia for colonization. He was given the task of Royal Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1727 and for the next two years focused on protecting the West from Native Americans and French encroachment. Every Spring the West was invaded by the Iroquois who attacked the Indian tribes along the war-trails leading southward. His idea of using the Shenandoah Valley as a buffer for the Colonials from Indian attacks began with the hiring of Conrad Weisner to negotiate with the Indians tribes in that region. Weisner came to Pennsylvania with his family from the palatinate and was sent to live among the Mohawk Indians of that region. This is where Weisner learned tribal languages. He accepted the offer of Sir Gooch and spent 1736 and 1737 negotiating with the Indians in the Shenandoah Valley.

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How Good is our Memory? #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-07-25T14:05:00.000-04:00

How Good is our Memory?

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The experts say that we cannot recall anything before the age of 8 years. That is, unless it was a traumatic or emotional experience. The emotions play the role of retaining memory. My daughter fell off a horse when she was two years old and vividly remembers it today. But she did not remember that her father put her in the saddle of a black stallion! That was my memory. I remembered the circumference of the play yard behind our home as being a large baseball-shaped diamond. However, it never was diamond-shaped, or marked as such. That was where we played baseball. After returning to the old home place some forty years later, I discovered that the backyard was a mere narrow strip of land. My memory of it was as I wanted it to be. It will forever be that way. So, when we go and visit relatives and attempt to get information, we must accept that it is not particularly factual. That part of the research hangs on our digging through the records.
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Special Virginia Collections #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-07-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

Special Virginia Collections

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The following list of Special Collections are available to members of Virginia Pioneers

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Virginia Marriage Records Online #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-07-11T15:44:00.000-04:00

Virginia Marriage Records Online

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

A select number of Virginia Marriages are available to members of Virginia Pioneers dating from 1699. See this list.

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The Town Anamnesis #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-07-04T15:25:00.000-04:00

The Town Anamnesis

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Occasionally one can locate an old church record in the countryside. Very few of such records were microfilmed and placed in a library or archives somewhere, however, there is no need to give up the search. Local people residing in or near old farming towns collect some interesting stuff about the old folks. There is usually a "town historian" lurking in the shadows and most everyone seems to know the identity of that person. It is always worth a visit because these historians will remember you later and even send you information! Once, when I was in Holland, Virginia (Suffolk), I introduced myself to a distant relative who worked at the post office. He gave me tons of family information which I later included in the Holland book (now online at Georgia Pioneers). Several years later when I returned and was walking down the street, he yelled "There's Jeannette Austin!" Hearing my named called in the little town made me feel that this little town was also my home. And it is, because my ancestors acquired it through extensive land grants dating from about 1660! . . . more . . .

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About Church Processioning #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-06-27T15:20:00.000-04:00

How Church Processioning Lines Help Define Old Homes and Plantations

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

In order to avoid resurveying, the 1662 Virginia Assembly passed an Act to resolve boundary disputes. The Act required that landowners "goe in procession" once every four years. This process required people to walk and renew the property lines between themselves and their neighbors. And parish vestries also walked the lines of its boundaries. The results are usually found in the parish registers. When the records of Nansemond County were lost, I used surviving tax digests and procession lines of the parish to confirm where my ancestors resided. However, simply reading the processioning does not help. A visit to the actual site is so clarifying! The reason is, old fields, pastures, fences, markings on old trees, barns, silos, fallen-down houses, ante-bellum homes, the curvature of the road all represent a picture of the past. Just like today, when are homes are defined by individual driveways and landscaping, the shape of the landscapes of yesterday yet remains. Once one parcel is identified, one can follow property lines by using the land patents, tax digests and parish processioning records! . . . more . . .

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The Destruction of Home and Hearth #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-06-20T14:45:00.000-04:00

The Destruction of Home and Hearth after the Wars

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

Did you know that during the Revolutionary War that tombstones in local cemeteries were vandalized? In Virginia, St. John's Episcopal Church in the village of Chuckatuck was thoroughly vandalized after the war, and tombstones of Loyalists removed! The church has stood for some 375 years and served as one of three parish houses in old Nansemond County. Englishmen were required to attend church, pay tithing (in tobacco), work on roads, and perform other church services. Virginians were industrious sorts, more interested in their tobacco crops than community worship service. In fact, they spent more money on the out buildings and crops than they did the actual manor house. This could provide one reason for the vandalizing, plus the cruelties imposed by the British and dire economic effects during British occupation. Whatever the reason much is lost. But so much more worse than the war as being a reason to vandalize, are the hateful groups of protesters today who know nothing of the past and destroy the monumental records of former generations. . . . more . . .

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The Library of William Byrd #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-06-13T16:35:00.000-04:00

The Library of William Byrd at Westover

William Byrd was known as one of the most eminent men of affairs in Old Virginia. His father came to Virginia a few years before the Rebellion of Nathaniel Bacon, and bought the famous estate of Westover on the James River and in Charles City County. For anyone who has visited this old plantation, it yet stands in its magnificence amongst a flora of English holly bushes. Colonel Byrd inherited a vast estate from his uncle which included the present site of Richmond. He sympathized strongly with his neighbor, Nathaniel Bacon, and held a command under him; but after the collapse of the rebellion he succeeded in making his peace with the angry Royal Governor Berkeley. Byrd soon became one of the most important men in the colony, and was commissioned receiver-general of the royal revenues. Upon his death in 1704, his son succeeded him in this office. The son studied law in the Middle Temple and was made a fellow of the Royal Society. Also, he served on the Colonial Council for many years. He lived in the gracious splendor of his estate of Westover where it was known that he accumulated a library. The library contained 3,625 volumes, classified nearly as follows: History, 700; Classics, etc., 650; French, 550; Law, 350; Divinity, 300; Medicine, 200; 245 Scientific, 225; Entertaining, etc., 650.229. This must have been one of the largest collections of books made in the colonial period. In 1727 he was one of the commissioners for determining the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina. In the journeys connected with that work he selected the sites where the towns of Richmond and Petersburg were after wards built; and he wrote a narrative of his proceedings so full of keen observations on the people and times as to make it an extremely valuable contribution to history.

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The Dress of Planters and their Wives #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-06-06T16:30:00.000-04:00

The Dress of Planters and their Wives

In Colonial Virginia, most articles of dress for well-to-do men and women were imported and London fashions strictly observed. In the time of the Rebellion of Nathaniel Bacon(1676), the gentlemen wore London styles, such as a coat and breeches of olive plush or dark red broadcloth, with embroidered waistcoat, shirt of blue holland, long silk stockings, silver buttons and shoe-buckles, lace ruffles about neck and wrists, and his head encumbered with a flowing wig. The Lady of the house might have worn a crimson satin bodice trimmed with point lace, a black tabby petticoat and silk hose, with shoes of fine leather gallooned; her lace headdress would be secured with a gold bodkin, and she would be apt to wear earrings, a pearl necklace, and finger-rings with rubies or diamonds, and to carry a fan.

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The First Virginia Militia #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-30T16:25:00.000-04:00

The First Virginia Militia

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The first militia in Virginia was form in 1607, upon the arrival of new settlers from England. After the all-out-war during 1623 of Chief Powhatan against all Virginians and the massacre of a great number of colonists, the Virginia General Assembly gave its command, viz: " that men go not to work in the ground without their arms; That no man go or send abroad without a sufficient partie well armed." Further, during 1661 Governor William Berkeley stated that "All our freemen are bound to be trained every month in their particular counties." Thus, from the very earliest of days, it became necessary to carry guns and protect the colonists and this was done by forming Militia Companies in every inhabited area. The free land grants helped to populate the colony, however, even up unto the 19th century, the Militia was protecting citizens against Indians. It is always a good idea to research the history and time-frame of a given area to understand the situation.

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Genealogy Holiday Discount

2019-05-24T14:49:00.001-04:00

Over the holiday we are offering a discount for 1-year's membership in Georgia Pioneers (8 genealogy websites) for $135.00 (instead of $150.00). To take advantage now please click here

Offer expires Monday, May 27th!

Index to Virginia Wills and Estates. See Names

Genealogy Holiday Discount

2019-05-24T14:43:00.001-04:00

Over the holiday we are offering a discount for 1-year's membership in Georgia Pioneers (8 genealogy websites) for $135.00 (instead of $150.00). To take advantage now please click here

Offer expires Monday, May 27th!

Index to Virginia Wills and Estates. See Names

The Love of Horse-Racing #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

The Love of Horse-Racing

In their fondness for horses the Virginians were true children of England. In the stables of wealthy planters were to be found specimens of the finest breeds and everyone enjoyed a good horse race. Common folk, however, were not allowed to take part in the sport, except as lookers-on. One of the earliest references to horse-racing is an order of the county court of York in 1674: "James Bullocke, a Taylor, haveing made a race for his mare to run with a horse belonging to Mr. Mathew Slader for twoe thousand pounds of tobacco and cask, it being contrary to Law for a Labourer to make a race, being a sport only for Gentlemen, is fined for the same one hundred pounds of tobacco and caske." Yet, by 1740, almost every ordinary person kept a horse and would ride their horses two or three miles to church, the court house, or to a horse race. And by 1770, there were races at Williamsburg twice a year. Adjoining to the town was a course for either two, three, or four mile heats and the purse was generally raised by subscription and are gained by the horse that wins two four-mile heats out of three. The purse the first day amounted to as much as one hundred pounds.

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Virginians who Attended Oxford University #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

Virginians who Attended Oxford University

Augustine Washington and his son Lawrence, the young Virginians were sent to school in England. More often, however, the education began at the country school or with private tutors and was "finished" (as the phrase goes) at one of the English universities. Oxford seems to have been the favorite Alma Mater.Young James Madison, however, was first tutored by the parish minister and an excellent Scotch schoolmaster and later sent to Princeton College where he was graduated in 1772.

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"Oak Lawn" near Lynchburg #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-09T16:15:00.000-04:00

Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn, also known as Burford House, is located at Madison Heights near Lynchburg in Amherst County. The original section of the clapboard farm house was built about 1810, and later enlarged about 1859. It is a two-story, three bay, frame dwelling with weatherboard siding and four exterior end chimneys. It has Federal and Greek Revival-style design elements. Also on the property is a late-19th century latticed well house. The house and gardens are situated on six acres of land and overlooks Tobacco Row Mountain, an outlier of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Candle-Making in the Mountains #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-05-02T16:13:00.000-04:00

Candle-Making in the Mountains

During the 17th century candles were used to illuminate homes. The myrtle plant was the most popular owing to the clear light which it gave. The plant grew plentifully in the marshes and swamps and its berries could be gathered in great quantities and converted by boiling into wax

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Sweet Chalybeate Springs #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-04-25T16:10:00.000-04:00

Sweet Chalybeate Springs

Sweet Chalybeate Springs (also known as the Red Sweet Springs, Sweet Chalybeate Hotel and Sweet Chalybeate Springs Lodge) is a historic resort hotel complex which was built and developed at the bottom of a small rock bluff. It was built during the 1850s and consists of a main building, guest cottages all fronted with two-level porches. There are a total of eight contributing buildings and one contributing structure. The main building is a gable roof, weather boarded, frame structure 12 bays long and 2 bays deep. Sweet Chalybeate suffered decline and finally closed its doors in 1918.

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Gumption and Bravery #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-04-18T16:10:00.000-04:00

Gumption and Bravery

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

While it is true that many poor Germans, Scotch, Irish and Swiss settlers crossed the seas to settle a wilderness plain, it took a lot of gumption, and then bravery to fight the battle of freedom. All Indian tribes were not friendly, and made it a practice to steal, massacre and take young girls as slaves. As one settler in the Allegheny Mountains said (in his last will and testament) "My two daughters were stolen by the Indians. If they should ever return, I want them provided for."

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Which was Better - Beef or Bacon? #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-04-11T12:59:00.000-04:00

Which was Better: Beef or Bacon?

The beef consumed in the Virginia colony was more lean than English meat. A cow or an ox designed for the butcher was allowed to run wild in the woods and was fed a little straw during the winter months. When spring finally arrived and the animal could graze on grass, it was quite lean. Nevertheless, pork was a different situation. Many hogs were raised on the farms and plantations and enjoyed by the colonists. In fact, before the close of the 17th century bacon was considered to be equal to that of Westphalia, the most celebrated town in the world for tasty bacon. Source: Clayton's Virginia, page 36.

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Oldest Pensioner of War of 1812 #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-04-04T12:49:00.000-04:00

Oldest Pensioner of the War of 1812 in the U. S.

"George S. Rogers is one of the oldest pensioned in the U. S. and is also one of the oldest Methodist ministers. He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1793 and while very young went with his relatives to Kentucky where he lived when the War of 1812 broke out. He at once volunteered and went into the ranks of Captain V. S. Grayson's Company in a Kentucky regiment. He served through the war without being wounded and then returned to Kentucky where he has since lived." Source:The Jones Highlight, Gray's Station, Georgia. February 4, 1888. Skirmish between Virginia Militia and British in 1812 Why the War of 1812 is Rarely Discussed

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The Washington Farms : Ferry Farm and Mountain Vernon #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-03-28T12:47:00.000-04:00

The Washington Farms : Ferry Farm and Mount Vernon

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The Reason for Sudden Marriages #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

2019-03-21T12:45:00.000-04:00

17th Century Ceremonies: The Reason for Sudden Remarriages

The loss of a spouse prompted a re-marriage. Instances of persons having been married three times was not unusual. Because there were few women in the colony, as soon as the funeral celebration commenced, prospective suitors needing wives plotted their courtship. Gifts were made to the daughters in the form of land. It was customary for him to insert in the deed conveying the gift, a clause providing for what should be done with the gift in the event she should become a wife before she reached her sixteenth year. Women who had not yet passed their twelfth year were considered immature. Most women were married at such an immature age that they became broken in health, and
. . . more . . .

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Freeholders who Took Indian Canoes were Subject to a Whipping #virginiapioneersnet #vagenealogy

2019-03-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

Freeholders who Took Indian Canoes were Subject to a Whipping

Some colonists did not hesitate to take the canoes from the Indians, which they may or may not have returned. On one occasion the King of the Rappahanna demanded the return of a canoe, which was restored. For this reason, laws were enacted by the General Assembly in August of 1619 protecting the property o the Indians. "He that shall take away by violence or stealth any canoe or other things from the Indians, shall make valuable restitution to the said Indians, and shall forfeit, if he be a freeholder, five pounds; if a servant, forty shillings or endure a whipping

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Reasons to Personally Examine Old Documents #genealogy

2019-03-07T13:38:00.000-05:00

Good Reasons to Personally Examine Old Documents

Genealogy Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

People write some interesting stuff in their wills! Before we had the Internet, a convenient method of discovering the heirs was to read "abstracts" of wills, estates, deeds and marriages which were published in book. This tremendous undertaking by the authors of genealogy was insurmountable in brilliance. It saved the researcher a great deal of time. But now that we have access Internet to full documents on Georgia Pioneers. Reading the entire document is a boon to genealogists for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the heirs are mentioned with the details of their specific inheritance, and relationship to the deceased. Second, some of our previous assumptions taken from the abstracts can be clarified. Third, we can discover new information. And fourth, all the details are included, some of which the abstracter did not include because it was not clearly discernible on the old microfilm equipment. _____________________________________________________________________________ Images of Old Wills and Estates are available on (8 Genealogy Websites - includes records in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia).

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