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There has been lots of action in the museum and the visitor center this month as we make way for the new floor plan and layout of the emerging displays. Many items from the General Store will go into storage. Here we see Museum Board member Scott Krejci listing, dusting and wrapping items to be moved. The tobacco collection, which included tobacco boxes, tins and advertising, was his main focus. The doll portion of children’s toys is moving into part of the old general store shelving. They can be seen here in this photo in front of the case that they will be moved into. Our high school intern is seen in this photo building rolling shelving that will be added to the collections room. The items removed from the general store will be itemized into our accessioning software program and archived on these shelves. Natural History objects were accessioned and added to their new display case Native American ceremonial artifacts were found in storage and pulled to be added to the display in the visitor center. And part of the graphics arrived from the printer for the exhibit. At Puller Park holes were dug for the new bushes to be installed around the flagpole in the new Puller Memorial Park. Thirteen holes were readied for the holly and boxwood bushes and tree that are soon to follow.

1808 – 2008 Zoar Baptist Church was constituted on November 4, 1808 when members of Hermitage Baptist Church living in the lower part of Middlesex County felt an impelling need for a church in their own area. Hermitage recognized the situation as an opportunity for more effective service, and by church action dismissed about 100 persons for the express purpose of organizing a meeting house in Lower Middlesex, about twenty miles away. Early records listed the following white members named to start the new church: MALES Bristow, Leonard, Deacon Boss, James Cory, David, Pastor Clark, Spencer     Clowdas, John Elgar, Samuel Humphies, Nelson Mountain, John B. Seward, Edward Wood, Samuel B., Deacon Wood, William FEMALES Bristow, Lucy Boss, Susannah Cory, Nancy Elgar, Dorathy Garton, Elizabeth Healy, Frances Mountain, Elizabeth Seward, Avey Steavans, Elizabeth Wood, Frances Wedmore, Sarah The remaining membership consisted of approximately 80 black men and women whose names unfortunately were not recorded. The first pastor, Elder David Corey, came from New England to Virginia early in life. Having felt a call to the ministry, he became an itinerant preacher in eastern Virginia before coming to Zoar. After his death in 1809 the church was without a pastor for several years. Elder John Healy was called as pastor around 1813 and served until about 1816. There was a period of about three years when the church was without a pastor. During this time the church was supplied on numerous occasions by Elders James Healy and Phillip T. Montague. The strength and stamina of Zoar as a church seem to have gradually declined from the date of its constitution until the year 1817. In that year there was only one white member, Major Thomas Healy. At the request of the church, the Rappahannock Baptist Association in 1818 appointed a committee to consult and try to determine a solution to the depleted membership. The committee advised that the constitution be dissolved and that the remaining members re-unite with Hermitage Baptist Church. Major Healy, however, was unwilling to see the church discontinued. Through much personal effort and with the aid of some brethren from Mathews County, he procured the services of Elder George Northam of Accomac County. His pastorate began in 1820 and lasted more than a quarter of a century. The period between 1831 and 1838 saw several very successful and far-reaching revivals held at Zoar. The membership was tremendously increased, and the outlook for the church became brighter. The history of Hermitage Baptist Church Middlesex County 1789 -1976 , written by Edward M. Trice, gives a wealth of information on George Northam. He was born September 15, 1793 and moved to Middlesex County in 1819. His father, being fond of the fiddle, gave young George one at an early age. He became an accomplished musician and participated in Saturday night parties. He became convicted of his lifestyle and was converted at an early age. Shortly thereafter he began holding prayer meetings in his neighborhood. He was later licensed to preach and ordained in 1818. He became pastor of Hermitage in 1836 while still serving Zoar. He resigned from Zoar in 1847 and from Hermitage in 1848, after which he went to the Northern Neck as pastor of Nomini and Menokin. He died November 28, 1854. There is no record of where Zoar members initially met for worship. On October 22, 1836, John R. Taylor gave one acre of land to Zoar. It is believed that the first church building in the lower part of the county was constructed on that lot in the present day Hardyville area. Between 1838 and 1847 Zoar built two new houses of worship. In addition to the one in the lower part of the county, another was built ten miles distant near the present intersections of Routes 3 and 33. The land for this church that became Harmony Grove was known as “The Trap” and was given by Samuel Blake. Zoar granted 124 letters of transfer to this new church. Elder R. A. Christian became pastor in 1848. The first extant minutes of a regular church business meeting began with the year 1850 under Pastor Christian’s leadership. About this time a “Sabbath School” was in operation both at Zoar and at Harmony Grove. On February 22, 1851 teachers were appointed for both Zoar and Harmony Grove Sunday Schools. Harmony Grove Baptist Church became constituted on March 24, 1859. The church discipline of this period was very rigid and exact. It was stern in action as well as by creed or stipulation. At each business meeting the church roll was called and everyone not present was required to later “answer for his absence”. Discipline to the point of exclusion from fellowship was practiced for persistence in the use of profanity, intemperance, fighting, holding parties, dancing, difficulties between members, and other breaches of professed Christian conduct. After nine years of service as pastor, Elder Christian resigned because of ill health. He served at an annual salary of $150 and even this amount was difficult to raise for several years. This in no way reflected upon his performance. He was held in highest respect, and formal resolutions for his faithful services were adopted December 20, 1856 while the church was still financially indebted to him. Elder Holland Walker, who had been acting as Assistant Pastor the last years of Elder Christian’s pastorate, was called as pastor for Zoar and Harmony Grove Churches in February, 1857. He accepted for one year at a salary of $300. At the end of that year the membership insisted that he continue as pastor, and he agreed. In 1859, Zoar “ordered Richard A. Davis, Hiram Walker, and William P. Vaughan, trustees of Zoar, to make a deed to John B. Blake and James Archer Eubank, deacons and trustees of Harmony Grove, to the house and land known as Harmony Grove”. The Civil War was a most difficult period for the church. Depression and want showed themselves on every side, and the church was brought low in many respects. Pastor Walker was faithful to every trust throughout this time as he served Zoar and occasionally served Harmony Grove Baptist Church. In 1864 his salary was given in the minutes as $800 per year. On June 22, 1867 the “colored members of Zoar requested and received permission to form their own church”. Elder Holland Walker tendered his resignation in January, 1870. Elder Mark William Towill who owned North End Plantation had acted as assistant pastor and was asked to preach “whenever it was convenient” for him. Elder W.W. Wood was called as pastor of Zoar and Harmony Grove Churches November 5, 1871 at a salary of $400 a year. He was paid $100 per quarter to preach one sermon per month at each church. His pastorate closed in the latter months of 1872. Zoar then called Rev. John W. Ryland, who was also serving Hermitage, to preach the “the second Sabbath day in each month” at a salary of $100 per year. This was in 1872, and he served for two years. Elder M. W. Towill “who had been preaching whenever it was convenient for him” for a number of years was unanimously elected pastor of Zoar in December, 1874. He resigned in July, 1878 but the church did not accept his resignation until March, 1879. The minutes of January, 1877 show that Brother Towill had been paid $100 per year in four equal installments in the past, but that he agreed to accept the pastorate with no specified salary. The Treasurer’s report later showed that he was paid $57.45 for the year. He died in Middlesex County and is buried on a farm at Wake, Virginia. His obituary gives us a glimpse of an early leader at Zoar. It reads: Elder Mark W. Towill was born in the county of Lancaster, Aug 17th, 1817, and fell asleep at his home in Middlesex July 18, 1887, having nearly reached his threescore years and ten. Bro. Towill was ordained to the gospel ministry at the call of “Old Matthews Church,” which he served quite successfully for many years. The church then flourished greatly under his pastoral care, and his memory is held in high esteem by them yet. He was next pastor of Zoar, which he served quite acceptably for a long time, and of which church he was a member at the time of his death. At his own request, notice had been given that he would make an appeal for the “ministers’ Relief Fund” at Zoar Sunday, July 17th, the day before he died. The last time he ever attended Divine service, the 3rd Lord’s Day in June, he made, at the conclusion of the sermon, a very warm, impressive exhortation to the young men of the congregation to seek peace with God – many of whom were moved to tears. This was the last time Bro. Towill ever spoke to a public assembly. Here his labors closed. Bro. Towill was a model husband, father and neighbor of a generous nature, full of zeal and earnestness. He leaves a wife and six children to mourn for him, but not without hope, for they hope to meet him “when this weary life is over.” After the acceptance of Towill’s resignation in 1879, James Reister and Holland Walker filled the pulpit occasionally for some months. Following the advice of the Rappahannock Baptist Association, the church was moved in 1879 from the site in Mr. Charles Selby’s field in Hardyville to a new site near its present location near Deltaville. The Zoar “meeting house” was dismantled in Selby’s field about August in 1879, moved to “New Market” and put up near its present site about October. It was completed and ready for use by December, 1879 at a cost for moving and constructing of $398.07. The land on which it formerly stood was sold to Charles Selby for $25. One half acre of land was acquired by Zoar from George W. Nelson on August 24, 1870. An additional half acre was donated by James H. Jackson and his wife Edith P. Jackson on November 12, 1880. The church purchased another half acre from them on October 10, 1908, for $100. Shortly after the church moved it called Elder Julian Broaddus as pastor. He served several months in 1880 while simultaneously serving Clark’s Neck and Harmony Grove churches. In May, 1881, Zoar called Rev. R.A. Folkes as pastor. He served the congregation faithfully and well through ten prosperous years for the church. The Woman’s Missionary Society was organized at Zoar in 1887 under the direction of Mrs. R. A. Folkes, wife of the pastor. “The Ladies Missionary Society” started with 40 members and half of them were men. By 1912 only females are listed on its roster. By 1913 this group was giving to home, state and foreign missions. Fund-raising activities at that time included ice cream socials, strawberry festivals, entertainment activities, and the making of quilts that sold for $4.00 each. By 1949 the ladies of Zoar were saving a penny a day with a prayer plan for missions, and they were gathering hens to ship to Baltimore each March. In the 1970s the Ladies Missionary Society became the Women’s Missionary Union. Their focus continues to be on prayer and contributions to missions. The Sunbeam Society was also organized in 1887, and in the early thirties The Girl’s Auxiliary, Royal Ambassadors and Young Women’s Auxiliary came into being. All of these were under the leadership of The Ladies Missionary Society. Later the Royal Ambassadors were led by the Men’s Brotherhood. Over the years the names changed and these groups had a long history of active church and community involvement. The building, reconstructed in 1879 was scarcely finished before the growth of the congregation was calling for a more commodious building. In 1890 the job of enlarging the building was started under the leadership of Rev. R. A. Folkes, with Brethren Vaughan, Hardy and Jackson constituting a Building Committee. They were authorized to spend as much as $1,000 in making the needed improvements. Rev. Folkes resigned in October, 1890, effective at the end of the year and recommended Rev. J.K. Faulkner as pastor. Brother Faulkner was called for the year 1891 for one-half time at $225 a year. He introduced the church envelope system in 1891 as a means of facilitating the collection of church funds. On October 17, 1891 the cornerstone of the new church was laid and on the first Sunday in November, 1891 the building was dedicated. At the time of the dedication of this building the trustees of Zoar were: Thomas A Saunders, D.A. Taylor, and John L. Hardy, Jr. In December, 1891 Rev. L. C. Brickhouse was called as pastor, and he began his services in January, 1892. He was called at a salary of $175 a year with living quarters to be furnished free. This is the first reference to providing a home for the pastor. At the business meeting in January, the pastor’s salary was raised to $200. Under Rev. Brickhouse’s leadership a revival meeting that began on the fifth Sunday in July, 1892 added 39 members to the church. In December, 1892 the envelope system which had been used intermittently since its inception was revived, and pledge cards to raise money for church support were added. The value of the church lot, building and furnishings was listed in 1893 as $18,511. There was still debt on the church, although the church seemed to flourish during the pastorate of Rev. Brickhouse. He submitted his resignation in August, 1894 and left Zoar three months later. On February 24, 1895 Rev. C. R. Moses was recommended as pastor of Zoar. He preached there the first Sunday in March, accepted a call and became pastor April 6, 1895. During his first summer a memorable revival was held with Rev. W. T. Jolly of Richmond preaching. They had a service in the morning, lunch was served to everyone on the premises, and there was a second service in the afternoon. This revival has been labeled a red letter day or period in the history of the church because it resulted in a large number of professions of faith. Many additions were made to the membership, and there was a general religious awakening of the community. Rev. Moses served with increasing effectiveness until June 30, 1900. At that time he resigned to take up educational work. It was near the end of his active and useful ministry that a resolution carried five to two on January 6, 1900 “That we will not hold in membership any member who is able to pay and will not pay their dues to the church.” One can but ask and wonder, in looking back, who would have been in a position to have determined the exact financial status of his fellow members. On July 1, 1900 Rev. A.T. King, a young, talented preacher and teacher, began his services as pastor of Zoar. His ministry lasted for two years and one month and was marked by many noble accomplishments in the work of the church. During this period there was an exception revival, the third one to this point in the church’s history. Many good decisions were made for the church as well as the community being tremendously spiritually uplifted. On October 5, 1901 the regular “Discipline Committee” of the church was dismissed but the work they had been doing was not to be forgotten or left undone. By action of the church at that time the work of looking after the conduct of the members was passed on to the “Board of Deacons” who constituted the new committee for handling all matter of church discipline. Prior to 1901 the use of the envelope system had been discontinued as a means of collecting the “funds of the church”. On April 21, 1901 a motion was recorded “that we go back to collecting the pastor’s salary by the envelope system”. At this same meeting the treasurer was asked to “look into buying duplex envelopes with cards for the members to pledge what they can pay.” Rev. H. L. Corr began his work with Zoar as a supply pastor on September 1, 1902. He was ordained to the ministry and called as pastor on August 3, 1902. He accepted effective January 1, 1903. In early 1903 the envelope system for collecting church funds was stopped, and the church returned by vote to the old assessment plan. It is interesting to note that in addition to Zoar’s church expenses, the following collections taken at that time: The Poor Home Missions State Missions Ministers Relief Fund The Orphanage Sunday School and Bible Board On July 29, 1908 the Rappahannock Baptist Association met with Zoar for the second time in the history of the church. The earlier meeting was held just ten years prior on July 27, 1898. The second meeting was significant because it was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the church. Serving on the Hospitality Committee for this meeting were: John Hardy, E.W. Bristow, W.R. Evans and Lynn Jackson. The committee to clean up grounds and erect tables was: F.E. Topping, R. C. Harrow and G.L. Hardy. The pastor, H. L. Corr, was responsible for arranging the Centennial Program and securing speakers. R. E. Fox, C. Blake and Talmadge Graham made up a committee in charge of the sale of refreshments with the intended proceeds to go toward defraying the expenses of “fixing up well”. It is interesting to note that when the Association meeting was over and an accounting was done, the church was $56.47 in the red. Rev. H. L. Corr served the church well for nearly nineteen years. He resigned because he felt he should retire to a ministry less demanding and exacting on his strength. He stated that his work at Zoar was carried on mostly from his home many miles distant in Gloucester County. At that time the Piankatank River Bridge had not been constructed, and he was traveling by horse and buggy from his home near White Marsh. He would only stay overnight in Deltaville if his host had food for his horse. After a period in which several supply ministers came to Zoar, the next regular pastor was Rev. L.D. Craddock who came in 1923. He served capably for a comparatively short time and then resigned for personal reasons to go elsewhere. He was succeeded by a young minister, Rev. Raymond Wreath, who remained only a short time. In 1928 the church called another young minister, Rev. P.H. Clements. He married a church member, Naomi Jackson. He was active and energetic in getting the church to make advancements. Among the improvements made during his tenure as pastor were the enlargement of the Sunday School classrooms, the addition of balconies and perhaps the two-story addition to the back of the old frame building. Also, during his pastorate new pews were purchased and put in place of the chairs in the church auditorium. The records of the church for this period are not available, and several dates are uncertain. After doing excellent work, Rev. Clements left Zoar in 1932. Near the end of his period of service to the church, the envelope system was re-adopted as a means of meeting the financial demands of the church. At a church business session on December 4, 1934, a call was extended to Rev. H.B. Lamb. He accepted shortly thereafter. It was at this same meeting that plans were laid for a complete canvas of every member. According to church records, the first deaconesses were appointed at the meeting of October 3, 1936. Their ordination took place on February 6, 1938. Rev. Lamb resigned and ended his work as of December 31, 1936. Minutes of the April 3, 1937 business meeting show the beginning of the present parsonage. Prior to the time that the building was completed, the pastors had been furnished “rented homes at the expense of the church”. Rev. R.E. Dunkum, called as pastor on September 12, 1937, was the first pastor to occupy the new parsonage after initially being furnished a rented house. There are no firm records of when the Baptist Young People’s Union was organized. However, the Baptist Training Union was in full operation with Junior and Senior Units in 1938. Rev. R.E. Dunkum left at the end of July, 1939, and Rev. A.I. Caudle was extended a call November 19th of the same year. He accepted and entered upon his ministry at Zoar on January 1, 1940. It was during his ministry that the church voted on September 19, 1940, to adopt the budget system as a means of managing finances. All means of raising money except by direct contribution were discontinued. The first budget, accepted November 17, 1940, totaled $1,516. On January 4, 1941 the church adopted a system of rotation of deacons and deaconesses. By the plan accepted “no one was to succeed himself after three years service.” Rev. Caudle submitted his resignation in May, 1941, and Rev. Bernard Mullins was called as pastor on July 27, 1941. By this time the condition of the church building was beginning to attract attention. On April 4, 1942 a committee was appointed consisting of two trustees, Brethren R.E. Fox and J.T. Saunders. The other members were Mrs. M.A. Jackson and R.W. Evans. They were charged with the duty of making an estimate of the cost of repairs to the church which would make it more comfortable and more attractive. This action and consequent renovation resulted in removing the steeple, running chimneys on the east and west of the church, building a vestibule on the front, putting on a new roof and painting the building. The work of Rev. Mullins ended February 21, 1943, and Zoar was without a pastor for only a few Sundays. The pulpit committee quickly succeeded in securing Rev. Goodwin Frazer who started his work by preaching morning and evening the first Sunday in April, 1943. It was during his ministry that Mr. and Mrs. William Marchant donated the baptistery in memory of their son, William Scrimger Marchant, who lost his life June 10, 1944 in the service of his country. It was also during this period that the cemetery at Zoar was established in the early months of 1945. Rev. Frazer and his family were granted letters of dismissal on May 27, 1945. The church continued with supply ministers for a large part of two years. Near the end of 1946 Rev. R.O. Reamy was called as pastor and began his ministry on January 1, 1947. During his ministry the Hammond electric organ was installed. The need for more space and for renovating and remodeling the church building once again became imperative. Many plans were laid for redecorating the interior of the old building and adding additional rooms on the back, together with putting on a new roof. Soon after these plans were approved by the church, the Berean Sunday School Class passed a resolution asking that the Church seriously consider erecting a new building instead of spending a large sum in renovating and remodeling. At a called church business meeting after the regular church service on April 14, 1949, Rev. Reamy tendered his resignation. It was accepted with regret to become effective May 26, 1949. Rev. Reamy presided at another called business meeting after the prayer service May 17, 1949. The purpose of the meeting, as stated in the minutes, was to accept or reject the recommendation of the Berean Class: “That the repairs on the church be withheld and that a new structure of brick be built in units on the present site, the first unit to be an auditorium.” After considerable discussion, the motion was made and carried that the recommendation be accepted. A Building Fund was also established at this meeting with $1000 transferred from the general fund of the church. This represented the first substantial amount contributed toward a building fund. At first plans were considered for a building costing about $25,000, but as time passed the cost expectation was expanded upward until it more than tripled. The church was without a pastor until June 1, 1950, when the ministry of Rev. G.H. Lawrence started. It was during his ministry that the Building Committee, the Finance Committee and the Church Furnishings Committee were selected and approved by the church. These committees carried through until the new building was completed and dedicated, after which they were discharged with the exception of the Finance Committee. Printed church bulletins were first used in 1950. On February 11, 1951, Edward P. Harrow was licensed to preach by the church. At the morning service February 10, 1952 Rev. Lawrence submitted his resignation, effective March 16, 1952. It was accepted with regret. Again, the church was without a pastor for a long period, for it was not until July 1, 1953 that Rev. I. Ray Baker took over leadership. He immediately undertook the building of a new church. A ground-breaking service was held August 9, 1953, and the cornerstone was laid August 22, 1954. The building went forward rapidly under the general direction and leadership of Rev. Baker with R. E. Fox as General Building Chairman, and J. H. Southall as Construction Chairman. A. W Hall was the builder. A great time of rejoicing was experienced when the new building was dedicated November 6, 1955. There were three services that day with the actual dedication taking place in the afternoon. At a called business meeting May 17, 1953, Walter Allen Harrow, Jr. was licensed to preach. At the regular meeting April 2, 1954 the church accepted the offer of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Marchant to install a Memorial Window in the baptistery of the new church in memory of his son, William, who was killed in the second World War and had been memorialized in this way in the old church. On August 10, 1955 a special business session of the Church was called to consider a resolution prepared by the Berean Class of the Sunday School. The resolution, read by the pastor Rev. Baker, recommended, “That serious consideration be given by the Construction Committee to installation of air conditioning in the new building while it was still in the process of construction”. After some discussion the motion was carried and plans were made that eventuated in the installation of an air conditioning system. At this same meeting it was decided to make the window over the entrance to the building a memorial to the entire Zoar membership. In April, 1957 Perkins Baptist Church in Goochland, Virginia requested that Zoar ordain Walter Allen Harrow, Jr. to the Gospel Ministry. This impressive service setting him apart for the Ministry was the first such service in the new building. Rev. Baker terminated his service at Zoar December 31, 1957. The church carried on with supply preachers until July 1, 1958 when Rev. James H. Ware began his ministry. In November of 1958 this church that had almost disbanded in its infancy, celebrated its 150th anniversary. The occasion was marked by special services and A Brief History of Zoar Baptist Church written for the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Around 1959 Zoar joined approximately twenty-two other Baptist Churches to begin forming a new Association to be named Mid-Tidewater Baptist Association. Rev. Ware resigned in August 18, 1960, and Rev. W. E. Thompson began his service on May 1. 1961. During his time at Zoar the church began holding quarterly business meetings. Previously they had been held monthly. The Men’s Brotherhood of Zoar was organized in 1962. This mission organization continues and is active in the life of the Church. In August, 1963 Zoar celebrated repayment of the debt of building the sanctuary in 1953-1955 with a note-burning service. The cost of the new sanctuary was approximately $90,000. Rev. Thompson resigned in July, 1963. He was followed by Rev. Donald Tillotson, who was pastor from 1964 until August, 1967. Under his direction the church held several Schools of Missions and adopted percentage-giving to the cooperative program. Zoar voted to sell its parsonage in 1967, but after careful consideration elected to have it repaired. Two noteworthy events transpired in 1967. A church library was established, and a church sign was erected on the front lawn. Rev. Charles Jenkins began his ministry as pastor in the 1968. During his leadership a Junior Board of Deacons and Deaconesses was reestablished, and on January 14, 1970 the amount given to the Cooperative Program was increased to 20 percent. On September 16, 1970 a previous minister, Rev. Ryland O. Reamy was called as interim pastor. Highlights of his time at Zoar include the implementation of orientation for new and prospective members, the hiring of a part-time church secretary, and the placing of the Religious Herald in the home of every member. In 1971 Rev. Charles M. Moody arrived as pastor of Zoar, and he served until 1984. He was recognized with a reception by the congregation after he had served ten years. Under his leadership, Sunday worship services were begun on the beach at Stingray Point. The first service was on June 18, 1972. Mrs. Nan Harrow served faithfully as church organist for many years. She was recognized with a reception in 1975. By July, 1977 the “New Organ Fund” had reached $6,000. Mrs. Harrow, Chairman of the Music Committee, recommended the purchase of a new Allen digital computer organ which was purchased the next year for approximately $14,000. A recital was held on July 9, 1978, and a dedication service was held on July 30, 1978. “Miss Nan” continued to serve as organist for 54 years, retiring in August, 1997. A College Scholarship Fund begun at Zoar was in 1977. This fund was established in memory of Beverly Reamy Harrow and continues to assist young scholars. The first edition of the church newsletter was published in July, 1978. Upon affirmative vote of the church in November, 1978 a recommendation was accepted from the Music Committee that choir directors for adult and youth choirs be employed. In later minutes Brenda Burtner and Glenn Burtner were listed as choir directors. At a called business meeting in July, 1979 a recommendation was passed to rent the church parsonage to Village Nursery from September-May, 1979-1980. The rent was $50 per month with the nursery school responsible for extra insurance and other expenses for improvements. They were still renting it two mornings a week in 1983 for a fee of $100 per month. The church reserved the right to use the parsonage at other times. The first pictorial church directory was approved in 1979, and a contract was made with Olan Mills Studio to provide it. By action of the church on September 10, 1980, St. Therese Catholic Church, Gloucester, was granted permission to offer mass at Zoar once a month on a Saturday night through the month of May, 1981. In July, 1981, a recommendation from the Long-Range Planning Committee regarding the planning and construction of a steeple and bell tower was approved by the Church. It was decided to replace the roof at the same time at a total cost of approximately $25,000. The steeple was erected and dedicated in 1983. Members were offered the opportunity to acquire slate from the old roof before it was sold. Robert Mobley began serving as interim pastor in May, 1984 and filled that position until September 22, 1985. Rev. C. T. Edmondson, Jr. accepted a call as pastor and began his duties February 1, 1986. Since the parsonage was under renovation, the church rented the Dudley Montgomery home for the pastor’s use. The Edmondson family occupied the parsonage in December, 1986. In July 1988 Rev. Edmondson announced that Glebe Landing Baptist Church had called Edward Harrow, Sr. as pastor and had requested that he be ordained as soon as possible. At Mr. Harrow’s request, the church approved holding his ordination at Zoar. The ordination service was held October 2, 1988. At a called business meeting on November 30, 1988, the church approved a recommendation from the Building and Grounds Committee for work on the entire main floor of the church. This included painting, installing new carpet, and installing slate on the floor of the foyer at an estimated cost of $11,000. The Watchcare Program was begun in 1989. At that time it was implemented to receive members of other Baptist churches who had been baptized by immersion into fellowship under Watchcare in particular circumstances. In 1989 a reconditioned Steinway grand piano previously donated by Edwin Ruark and brass chandeliers given by anonymous donors were installed in the church sanctuary after approval by the church. A watch given by Zoar to Roland Evans in 1952 was presented to Robert Faulkner after Mr. Evans’ death. It was placed on display at the church. Funds budgeted in 1989 for representatives to attend the Southern Baptist Convention were reallocated for attendance at the Virginia Baptist General Association meeting in Salem, Virginia. A motion was carried for up to fifteen messengers to attend. Rev. Edmondson announced his resignation in September, 1990 to be effective at the end of November. John Tubbs was called as interim pastor by a vote of the church on October 20, 1990 and served until 1992. In 1991 a need was recognized by the Church for additional Sunday School classrooms. This need was resolved by purchasing folding dividers for the fellowship hall to create two more classrooms at a cost of approximately $8000. Wednesday family nights at the church were initiated by Rev. Tubbs in January, 1992. The original schedule provided for a family meal and half-hour prayer service with an additional hour allowed for all committees and organizations to meet. Choir practice followed these meetings. Initially, a cook was hired and the cost of dinner was $3.00. Later, teams volunteered to prepare the meal, and today the meals are provided by a caterer. Rev. Mark Johnson accepted Zoar’s call as pastor in January, 1992, and his family was welcomed with a reception. His wife, Janell Johnson, was ordained and licensed at Zoar on March 31, 1993. She served as part-time associate pastor. Under their leadership an early contemporary worship service was begun. They served until Rev. Janell Johnson was offered a position to teach at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The Johnson family was recognized for their contributions to Zoar in July, 2000. In 1993 Walter Allen Harrow, Jr., a product of Zoar Church, was elected president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. A Long-Range Planning Committee presented their report to the Church in 1994. The theme, Lighting the Way With Love, focused on eight areas of ministry and facility needs to be addressed in moving into the 21st century. Once again, Zoar church members realized a need for additional education and fellowship space. In October, 1995 recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee of Zoar Baptist Church were adopted by the Church. Responsibility for implementation of these plans was given to Church Council. In 1993 a fund was started to purchase hand bells. By 1996 the fund had reached $3401, and the Church authorized purchase of the bells. At a business meeting in May, 1996 the minutes noted that “this was the first time in Zoar’s history that a business meeting of the church was presided over by a woman”. That woman was Mary Sealey, chairperson of the deacons. Lightning struck the church on July 18, 1996, setting it afire. A called business meeting was held at the Masonic Lodge on July 24, 1996 to consider options and decide on meeting places. During the repair period Sunday School for all adults was held at the Masonic Lodge, and Sunday School for all children was held at the Community Center. All ages convened at the Community Center for 11:00 worship. Vacation Bible School was combined with Philippi Christian Church. In September, the Church adopted proposed changes for enlarging the choir loft and pulpit area. A church rededication service was held November 17, 1996. Church Council, as a follow-up to the responsibilities delegated to them in 1995, presented a fund-raising campaign designed to culminate in the fruition of the recommended additions and improvements. Plans for the campaign were unanimously adopted by the Church on June 25, 1997. At a called business meeting in August, 1999, the Church voted to purchase property for expansion adjacent to the church from Loucille Jackson for $120,000. After many years of summer worship on the beach at Stingray Point, property owners announced their intent to sell. In August, 1999 the church authorized the purchase of nearby property on the Rappahannock River at a cost of $108,000 on which to continue this service. A dedication of this property was held on the site on September 5, 1999 with former pastor, Rev. Charles Moody as speaker. Additional land was purchased adjacent to the beach property in 2001 for $32,850. Following the departure of the Reverends Mark and Janell Johnson, Dr. Bob Lynch was called to serve as permanent supply pastor in September, 2000. After ending his service in December of that year, he returned to resume his duties one month later. During his tenure the church experienced a significant growth in membership. An architect was hired to study the church facilities and make recommendations in May, 2001, and in August, 2001 the Church voted to proceed with new construction. This was followed by hiring an architect to design the anticipated church facility and the election of a Design/Planning Committee. Proposed drawings were presented to the Church, and the concept was approved in July, 2002. A budget of $700,000 was approved for building a new addition and related expenses, and a Building Committee was established to oversee the project. The parsonage was moved to make way for the new addition, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held June 8, 2003. At the dedication of the new fellowship hall, classrooms, kitchen and offices on June 20, 2004 the project was debt-free. Walter Harrow stated “the completion of this building project and receipt of the necessary funds was a miracle from God”. He reminded the congregation that the task before them was to use the building to advance the kingdom of God. Dr. Jerry Haywood was called as interim pastor December, 2005. In July, 2006 his status was changed to intentional interim for a period of twelve months, with the possibility of an extension. In September of that year the Pastor Search Committee recommended that the Church initiate a self-study with Dr. Haywood as facilitator. The self-study was approved and a committee of thirteen members worked on this project for approximately one year using a 5-step process approved by the Baptist General Association of Virginia. The church membership was involved in reviewing Zoar’s past and in looking at future planning. The report of the Study Team was approved in November, 2007, and a three-member Policy Revision Team was selected. At this time committees were changed to ministries. Accountability and responsibility for ministries within the Church were specified. In September, 2007, an Endowment Fund was established. At a later meeting a board of directors for this fund was elected. A 200th Anniversary Committee was named to plan a celebration of this milestone in the Church’s history in 2008. Church members honored during the year for meritorious service were Robert Faulkner, Frances Hall, and Walter Harrow, Jr. Dr. Haywood submitted his resignation in July, 2008. He and his wife, Jean, were recognized for their years of service at a special dinner. The cumulative Christian heritage of the past two centuries continues to define the Church’s identity and mission. In this 200th year of Zoar Baptist Church the Pastor Search Committee is diligently working to secure a permanent pastor to provide future leadership. This history was compiled from Zoar Baptist Church records, previous church histories and interviews with church members. Credit is extended to former historians Dr. R.H. Pitt (1908), B.E. Mitchell, Phoebe Burritt, and Roland W. Evans (1958) and Lavinia Foster, Lois Harrow, Robert Faulkner, Edith Faulkner, Jimmy Johnson, Edward P. Harrow, Sr., Pauline Burke, and Frances Hall (1988). Duanne Massey Hawkins, 200th Anniversary Committee, 2008 OLD CHURCH RECORDS The following original Zoar Baptist Church records are housed at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia: Church minutes 1850 – 1909 Treasurer’s records 1891 – 1903 Church rolls 1907 – 1926 WMU minutes 1913 – 1923 WMU Treasurer’s records 1887 – 1905 PASTORS OF ZOAR BAPTIST CHURCH David Corey 1808-1809 John M. Healy 1813-1816 George Northam 1820-1847 R.A. Christian 1848-1856 Holland Walker 1857-1869 W.W. Wood 1871-1872 John W. Ryland 1872-1874 M.W. Towill 1875-1879 Julian Broaddus 1880-1880 R.A. Folkes 1881-1890 J.K Faulkner 1891-1892 L.C. Brickhouse 1892-1895 C.R. Moses 1895 -1900 A.T. King 1900-1902 H.L. Corr 1902-1921 L.D. Craddock 1923-1924 Raymond Wreath 1924-1925 P.H. Clements 1928-1932 H.B. Lamb 1934-1936 R.E. Dunkum 1937-1939 A.I. Caudle 1939-1941 Bernard Mullins 1941-1943 Goodwin Frazer 1943-1945 Ryland O. Reamy 1947-1949 G.H. Lawrence             h1950-1952 I. Ray Baker 1953-1957J James H. Ware, Jr. 1958-1960 W.E. Thompson 1961-1963 Donald Tillotson 1964-1967 Charles O. Jenkins 1968-1970 Ryland O. Reamy, Interim 1970-1971 Charles M. Moody 1971-1984 Robert Mobley, Interim 1984-1985 C. T. Edmondson 1986-1990 John Tubbs 1990-1992 Mark Johnson 1992-2000 Bob Lynch, Interim 2000-2006 Jerry Haywood, Interim 2006-2008 MINISTERS ORDAINED BY ZOAR John G. Anderton Louis H. Williams Horace Midgett Walter A. Harrow, Jr. Edward P. Harrow, Sr. Janell A. Johnson 200th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE Mary Sealey, Chair Emily Bailey Mickie Crittenden Edith Faulkner Robert Faulkner Frances Hall Betty Harrow Duanne Hawkins Betty Johnson Jimmy Johnson Shirley Norris Savilla Pleasants Rose Talbott Nola Watson ZOAR BAPTIST CHURCH CONSTITUTION REVISED AND ADOPED APRIL 6, 1895 Article 1. There shall be stated church meetings on Saturday as often as the church may think proper, for the purpose of transacting business and setting things in order in the house of God. 2. It is the duty of every male member to attend the said church meetings; and if any member refuse to obey the voice of the Church, “let him be as a heathen man and a publican.” 3. The pastor of the church is the standing moderator, but in his absence the oldest deacon shall act. 4. The Church may proceed to business after singing, prayer and exhortation. 5. The Church shall appoint a clerk, who shall keep a faithful record of all proceedings in a book furnished him for that purpose by the Church; and he shall write all resolutions passed on pages immediately following the Constitution. 6. Members of our churches of the same faith and gospel order may be invited to seats and to aid in council. 7. No private offense shall be brought before the Church, unless the said offense shall have been previously acted upon according to the direction of the Gospel. 8. The moderator shall inquire if there be any dealings in Gospel order, and if any the Church shall attend to them. 9. The moderator shall inquire for references from one meeting to another. 10. The Church may receive into its fold, members by experience, by letter, or by any other way it may deem proper and consistent with the Gospel. The reception of members shall be by a unanimous vote of members present and voting, but all exclusions may be by majority vote. 11. No member shall speak more than twice on the same subject without leave of the Church. 12. The moderator shall have the same liberty of speaking as any other member, provided his seat be filled by any one whom he may call to the chair. 13. Any member wishing to speak shall rise from his seat and address the moderator, and he is not to be interrupted before he ends his speech, unless he breaks some of the rules of the Church, in which case the moderator or any other member may call him to order, and he shall immediately stop, and shall not proceed until further leave is given. 14. Every male member shall have an equal vote in the Church, and if the votes be equally divided the moderator shall give the deciding vote. 15. This constitution shall be read at every stated Church meeting, if requested by any member present. 16. This constitution may be altered or amended, after having given three Months’ previous notice of same, by two-thirds of the members present. 17. A motion for an adjournment shall not be deemed out of order at any time. 18. We will not retain in fellowship any one who shall hereafter retail or traffic in ardent spirits or intoxicating liquors, except for medicinal purposes. 19. For a violation of any of these rules the offender or offenders shall be reproved, or dealt with in that way the Church may deem best.

After reading a Southside Sentinel article about our upcoming fossil exhibit, the museum was contacted by Nancy Gibbs, a rock hound from Toano. She had been collecting Virginia specimens for over 40 years and was looking for a home for her minerals, gems and fossils. Gibbs had gathered her pieces from rivers, woods and newly tilled farmer’s fields across the middle peninsula, coastal and piedmont regions. Her rocks are little slices of earth formed millions of years ago with all manner of minerals trapped and pressurized into beautiful bands of sparkle and color. Samples she shared include Rose-colored Morganite (Beryl), Snowflake Quartz with grey Tourmaline, Azeztulite Pink Fire, Granite with white and black feldspar crystals, and shiny mica. Red Garnets and Gem Stones, Moonstones, Sapphires, Native Capper (Peacock Ore), Glaucophane, Cats Eye Quartz, and Bog Iron. Other samples include: Mica, Pyrolusite, Green Amazonite, Feldspar, and rock with Amethyst matrix. Virginia was covered with water up to Richmond at one point in time and the fossil record supports that theory. Gibbs’ collected Fossils from the sea include: sand dollars and sea urchins, brain coral colpophyllia, cephalopods, octopus, squid and cuttlefish fossils trapped in seabed sand. Other pieces include Helicotoma, barnacles, and seabed stone with tubeworm channels. These are but a sample of the full donation that she gifted the museum. It is a wonderful addition to our Natural History Collection and will nicely complement pieces of the past that we now hold in the museum’s permanent collection.

The history of Middlesex lies hidden in objects, photographs, people and homes such as “Little Brandon” that was recently purchased and restored with loving care. Originally, the structure was one of two wings built off the rear of the imposing brick mansion, Brandon located along the Rappahannock River. The wide pine floors and simplicity of the design speaks of designing to take advantage of natures elements. Beautiful wood harvested locally has withstood since the 1700’s when John Grymes lll purchased Brandon from Captain Harry Beverly’s wife and enlarged it. As we ride the roads of Middlesex and see each structure that has a story and wish that it could be lovingly restored too.

Pulling together an exhibit is very time-consuming. A birthing of sorts. There is the period of research and selection of an overall theme. Then identifying of the objects that will help tell that story followed by the gathering of those objects. Photos and illustrations selected and budgets established. Writing the story and ordering the graphics and then the flurry of activity that creates the exhibit. So has been the journey of the new installation unfolding in the visitor center. The purchase of the new cases with the granted funds from the Rotary Club of Middlesex. The gathering of existing objects in the museum’s permanent collection and of incoming loaned objects. Designing the placement and arrangement of all of the pieces and parts. Cleaning and ordering and then assembling into a picture-perfect display that captures the imagination of grandparents and grandchildren alike.

February 24, 1650 was a prestigious day in Middlesex history for it was the birth of the first from-here. Little Richard Parrott, Jr. let out his first cry on the banks of Parrott Creek just off of the juncture with the Rappahannock River near the northern end of our county lines. His father, Richard Perrott Sr. born 10 Feb 1621 in Potton, Bedfordshire England arrived in York Co. Va. in 1647. The name is found spelled Perrott, Parat, Parrett, and Perrott. He was a land surveyor and worked in 1648-1657 for Captain W. Brocas Esq. to survey property in the expanding York County. He is a widower when he marries his second wife Sarah Keye Dale (b. 1615 in England), the widow of Nicholas Dale, in 1648. Richard Perrott becomes one of the first settlers of the newly formed Lancaster County. A judge by trade, he patented 450 acres on the South Side of the Rappahannock River in 1649 in Lancaster County, which Middlesex was a part of until 1668. And then the happy news of the healthy birth. Richard Perrott Jr. is recorded in the Register of the Church of England’s Christ Church “born 24th of ffebruary, 1650, Being the first Man child that was gott and borne in Rappahannock river, of English parents.” Richard became a very important member of the county. Richard was a member of the Lancaster County Court in 1655; a Justice of the Peace and held court at his home December, 1655; was appointed Sheriff of Lancaster County in January 1657 and then elected High Sheriff in June 1657. He was a Vestryman and Sidesman in 1657 of Christ Church Parish in Middlesex County. In March 1668, he patented 1,900 acres then called Mottram’s Mount, that later became known as Parrott’s Quarter and Parrott’s Neck. He established a plantation currently known as “Nesting”, located just below the Essex County line in the area known now as Jamaica. When Middlesex County was formed from Lancaster County, Richard Perrott became the first Chief Justice for Middlesex County Court. In October 1678 Richard Sr. was a member of the 10th Virginia House of Burgesses. Richard died November 11, 1686 after living a very full life. But it is of his first son that we speak today, our first Middlesex from-here. With such a busy and connected father, it is no surprise that his son also held vital positions within the county. Richard Jr. received 800 acres of land from the estate of Nicholas Dale in 1672 through the estate of his mother and received more land in 1674. Richard Jr. was named to the Middlesex County Court and Christ Church Parish Vestry by his father. Richard Perrott Jr. married Sarah Curtis on November 11, 1672. She was born in Ware Parish, Gloucester, Virginia in 1657, the daughter of Immigrants Major Thomas Curtis and Averilla Curtis. She was the widow of William Halfhide. Richard and Sarah had Henry Perrott, born January 25, 1675. He is followed by eight more children: Frances ‘Frank’ Perrott; Sarah Jones; Richard Perrott, Ill; Averilla ‘Efforella’ Hardy; Robert Perrott; Curtis Perrott; Mary Weekes and Penelope Galbarth. Richard Jr. was prosperous with his family but sadly not with his investments. He was in and out of court and was forced to forfeit all his personal property, servants and cattle simply because he refused to pay a debt. Richard Jr. was also later sued for his Sheriff’s salary. He didn’t sit in Court or at a Vestry meeting again until much later in his life. Nor was he asked to appraise, audit or be a juror until later. He was passed over by his father Richard Sr. in his will in lieu of Junior’s son Henry Perrott. It is Henry that inherited the “Nesting” plantation. Richard Jr.’s wife, Sarah Curtis Perrott, died at age 36, possibly in child birth, on 26 December 1693. Junior died one year later in October 1694 at age 44. Our first from-here did not live a long life, but his children continued the line. The Perrott children married into other well-known local families, such as Daniel, Paine and Montague. Thus, the origin of this early American Ancestor began in Middlesex County, Virginia. Members of this genetic line are still found near Middlesex County, proved by DNA analysis. We can trace other members of this family as they relocated with neighbors to Granville, Halifax, Person and other North Carolina counties around 1700. Family descendants can also be found in Louisiana, South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee and Georgia. From this first from-here the seeds of Middlesex have blown far.

Written by Joyce Milby (Green) Reisinger, this book is a reminiscence of her 1940s childhood spent in Saluda. The book is laid out as if one is on a walk through the village. She shares stories of the families that reside in the homes of the era that she passes on the walk. It is lavishly illustrated with photographs of the people and places mentioned in the book. Divided into easily readable chapters, this little book brings to life the small village of Saludain charming details. The Middlesex County Museum is mentioned in the book. Its establishment was through a WPA Project in 1935. After WW 11, the museum was reopened in 1992 as the below minutes reflect. In the book “My Village Saluda” the museum is noted as being acquired by Middlesex County when in fact it was private citizens who acquired the property. Please enjoy reading and driving the streets of Saluda with this wonderful book as a resource. A paperback, it is available for $34.50 at the museum or here on the website .

Middlesex in the 1600s The Saluda Cultural and Historic District will be celebrated in a series of displays as part of an exhibition opening in March in the Visitor Center of the Museum. A Timeline, divided into centuries, will overview different central themes taking place in Middlesex. A variety of maps, illustrations, and artifacts with be showcased in the exhibit. This illustration of the native locals was part of “DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INDIANS OF VIRGINIA” made by Captain John Smith and included within his book A Map of Virginia, Oxford: Joseph Barnes, 1612. Native American Communities Beginning in the 1660s, discussion will center around the early Native American communities established in our geographic area prior to English settlement. Recorded on John Smith’s map of 1608 and his journals of the time, two old Nimcock Indian towns were located within the land grant of Rosegill and “Payankatanke” an Indian kings’ residence was located on Jackson Creek. With the arrival of the English came much friction with the local native peoples. Unfolding over the course of some 40 years after the Jamestown settlement, it is recorded as a First Indian massacre of 1622, a Second Indian massacre of 1644 and finally in 1646, the establishment of a Treaty with the Powhatan Confederacy. Original English Land Grants The first land grants in the new Colony of Virginia for our geographic area were given to John Matrum, Gent. (Mottrom) as 1,900 acres to become Barn Elms on the Piankatank River. August 1642 saw a land patent for Bland’s on the Piankatank. October 13, 1642 the first land patents on the Rappahannock River were given to John Benton for 1,250 acres and two more smaller grants in November and December. In 1649 a land grant was given to Ralph Wormeley for 3,200 acres which become Rosegill. And then four more land grants were made in 1649. The footprint of the county of Middlesex is born. Henry Perrott and Nesting Henry Perrott was instrumental in establishing Middlesex County as separate from Lancaster County. His home “Nesting” was built on land deeded Jan 12, 1655 and is believed to be the oldest standing home presently in the County. Three generations of the Perrott family were involved in running the new county. Their family crest is held within our own county logo.

Despite the year’s unexpected challenges, the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, Inc. was able to set a course to navigate the new reality. The Museum was open Thursday through Saturday starting the end of May and continuing through Labor Day Weekend with Covid-19 restrictions in place. Since Labor Day, we have been open Wednesdays and Sundays. In addition, we have been responding to phone, email, and website inquiries by opening at special times to accommodate visitors and local citizens as requested. Covid-19 has not stifled the curiosity of people to further explore the connections they are making between their personal or family history and our county’s history. We are finding an increase in inquiries related to people’s ancestry as they indicate the desire to explore our county graveyards, historic homes, churches, and documents that provide them with missing clues as to their ancestors. Middlesex County has a long, rich, and diverse history that people want to learn more about. Website In 2021 we increased the depth and breadth of our website (https://middlesexmuseum.com/) by creating categories where people can go for information related to our programs, citizens, communities, historical publications, and local history projects, like the newly formed Saluda Historic District. We also have added material that highlights some of the many objects in our collection. In addition, we increased our contributions to the Museums of Middlesex (MOM) website (https://museumsofmiddlesex.com/). MOM is a collaboration among four Middlesex County institutions, the Urbanna Museum, the Deltaville Maritime Museum, the Colonial Seaport Foundation, and the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society. Virtual Programming We initiated virtual programming in 2020, and we will continue to offer virtual programming to be able to continue with our practice of providing informative and provocative speakers on varied topics of interest to the public. The Museum joined as an endorsing organization for a virtual February 21 Black History Month program entitled “Education Foremost: The History and Legacy of the Rappahannock Industrial Academy.” In March, a virtual lecture was provided by Dr. David Brown and Thane Harpole from the Fairfield Foundation about the archaeological digs that they have been conducted in Urbanna. On May 16,a virtual program about Tangier Islanders in Urbanna and “The Great Storm of 1933” was presented and well received by more than100 participants. In September, we presented a virtual lecture by Middlesex native and Middlesex High School alumnus Dr. Carey H. Latimore IV. An associate professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Latimore spoke about the experiences of black Richmonders in the aftermath of the Civil War. The Tangier Islanders and Dr. Carey Latimore IV programs may be viewed on our website (middlesexmuseum.com.) Events Locust Grove Farm was the site of a well-attended farm and historic house tour in October of this year. Dating back to 1642, the land has been continuously farmed since that period; the current home was built around 1736. This year we held an Antique Car Show with the support of Memory Lane Car Club that despite rain drew interested participants and visitors alike. In November, the Scott family of Historic Rosegill graciously allowed us and The Friends of Urbanna to host a barbecue in their barn undergoing preservation. 2021 Preservation Award Since 2016, the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society Preservation Award has been given annually to recognize individuals or entities who have made a significant contribution to the public understanding of Middlesex County history. The 2021 Preservation Award was given to a longtime museum volunteer for the Urbanna Museum Dr. Paul Malone. Paul has been a dedicated volunteer to the Town of Urbanna and “has focused his talents on speaking to the significance of the John Mitchell Map that was purchased by the town for its 300th anniversary in 1980. According to author Larry Chowning, “His research on the history of the John Mitchell map has added greatly to the exposure and understanding of what the map means to Urbanna and has meant to the United States.” Dr. Malone’s dedication to the telling and researching of local history has added immeasurably to our community. Saluda Historic District The Museum led the successful effort to have Saluda designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark and listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. This designation has been noted with signage at the entrance to Saluda and efforts are underway to further educate the public about Saluda’s rich history. The effort to recognize Saluda as a Historic District was graciously funded by the Middlesex County board of supervisors and the signage was provided by MOM. In order to offer information about our local activities and businesses more regularly, we have partnered with MOM to open the historic clerk’s office as an information center. The museum visitor center will continue to be used for displays, exhibitions and special programming. African-American Businesses in Middlesex County The Museum has formed an Ad Hoc Committee on African-American Businesses in Middlesex County. The committee, whose mission is to document the long history of African-American entrepreneurship in Middlesex County, is composed of board members and other persons from the community. Relevant photographs, documents, and artifacts are being collected with the goal of enhancing the Museum’s holdings on this topic and mounting an exhibition in the not-too-distant future. In connection with this project, oral histories have been recorded from several individuals with additional interviews planned. Puller Park The museum continues to work closely with members of the Middle Peninsula Detachment #1317 Marine Corps to create a park setting at the museum to honor Lt. General “Chesty” Puller. Currently, we are offering memorial bricks that can be purchased from our website in memory of or to honor someone you love or admire. The current plan is to create a small wall for the display of the bricks. African-American Heritage Fund An African-American Heritage Fund was established through a generous donation from Mary Wakefield Buxton for acknowledgment and appreciation of the many contributions made by African Americans in Middlesex County. A two-fold approach is being considered for the utilization of this restricted fund. This will involve the potential use of a portion of the money for the funding of an exhibition on African-American businesses. The second consideration is the use of the fund to help defray the costs of historical markers that recognize the contributions of African Americans to Middlesex County. An application for a historical highway marker for Antioch Baptist Church has been filed with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Antioch is located in the Saluda Historic District and is believed to be the oldest African-American church in Middlesex County. This application is expected to be acted upon by the Board of Historic Resources later this year. Looking Ahead Former museum executive director Holly Horton has been engaged to work with the museum in the coming year. Through research and creative design, she will help to guide us in the process of creating new exhibitions and refreshing older exhibitions in our museum and visitor center. Holly will also develop exhibition-related programming and will explore potential grants for the museum. We look forward to a very productive 2022 but we can only do so with your support. We thank you for being a current, past, or future supporter.

This birthing chair from the Christ Church area of Middlesex County was recently accessioned by the museum. Vintage birthing chairs like this one were designed to provide balance and support, speed up the time of delivery and increase comfort for the expectant mother during childbirth. Come visit our museum and see other recently accessioned items.

In October of 2021 the Middlesex Museum and Historical Society filed an application for a historical highway marker for Antioch Baptist Church.  The application was filed with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the agency that administers Virginia’s state highway marker program. Located in the recently designated Saluda Historic District, Antioch Baptist Church was established in 1866 and is believed to be the oldest African-American church in Middlesex County. It was formed by black members of Clark’s Neck Baptist Church (now Saluda Baptist).  Antioch has an illustrious history – it convened the first meeting of the Southside Rappahannock Baptist Association in 1877 and was one of its founding churches. Two of Antioch’s early pastors were instrumental in the establishment of the Rappahannock Industrial Academy, a Baptist-run high school that opened in 1902. The Antioch marker application is on track to be heard at the June 2022 meeting of the Virginia Board of Historic Resources. The marker is to be partially funded through an African-American history restricted fund that was given to the museum by Mary Wakefield Buxton.

Commercial Sailing Vessels and The Beginning of Many Middlesex Family Names While Middlesex County’s location on the Chesapeake Bay, between two major rivers has made it a prime spot for recreational boaters from all over, it also made way for the freighting of commercial goods in the 19th and 20th centuries. This led many local men to set off on sailing schooners, bugeyes, sloops and pungies. Middlesex County, more specifically Fishing Bay, also became safe haven for many sailors freighting goods to escape a storm. Some of these sailors had to extend their stays due to foul weather resulting in them heading ashore where many found the loves of their lives, and eventually dropped anchor in Middlesex County for good. Several Middlesex family surnames are thanks to these “detours”.

Some of the Publications that can be found at The Middlesex County Museum Family Histories of Middlesex County, Virginia The Wyatt Family of Virginia The Edward Clark Genealogy by WB Smith A History of Lower King and Queen Baptist Church History of Virginia’s Navy by Rbt. A. Stewart Lives and Times in Tidewater VA. by Mary W. Buxton Middlesex County Virginia 1810 Tax List Virginians Along bend Near the Lower Rappahannock River 1607-1794 By John Olto Marine Ages of Gloucester Co. VA By Francis Haywood Index to Printed VA Genealogies Inc. Key and Bibliography Compiled by Robert A. Stewart Mathews Co. VA Records by Jane B. Goodsell Publications available online & at The Middlesex County Museum Virginia’s Historical Markers by Margaret Peters Guide to Virginia’s Military 1861- 1865 by Lee A Wallace Apprentices of Virginia by Harold Gill 1st Virginia Regiment on Foot by M. Lee Minnis Twelve Virginia Counties: Where the Western Migration Began by John H. Gwathmey Index to US Pension Records 1801-1815 36th Infantry US Colored Troops in Civil War True Story of Pocahontas by Custalow and Daniel 55th Virginia Infantry by O’Sullivan A Place in Time Middlesex Co. Virginia. 1650-1750 by Garrett B. And Aneta H. Rutman, W.W. Norton & Co. 1984 Vital Records of the Three Burned County: Birth, Marriage, and Death of King and Queen, King William, and New Kent Counties, VA. Vestry Book of Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County, VA 1677-1793 Roster of the Soldiers and Sailors Who Served in Organizations from Maryland During the Spanish-American War by Hugh Rudgely Riley Middlesex, VA Marriage Records 1853-1904 Federal Census 1880 Middlesex Co. VA. By Catherine Moore Traylor Catalogue of Rev. Soldiers and Sailors of Commonwealth of VA to whom lend Bounty Warrants were granted by VA for Military Services in the War for Independence. Compiled by Samuel M. Wilson C.1913 Lancaster Co. VA Marriage Bonds 1652-1850 Compiled by Ida J. Lee Pub 1965. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners Mathews Co. By Roger G. Ward How Justice Grew- Abstract of their formation by Martha Hiden Revolutionary Soldiers and Sailors from Accomack County by Straton Nottingham. Richmond Marriage Bonds 1797-1853 Compiled by Annette Reddy and Andrew Riffle, IV. Publications from Local Historian, Larry Chowning Barcat Skipper – Tales of a Tangier Island Waterman Harvesting the Chesapeake – Tools and Traditions Chesapeake Legacy Soldiers At The Doorstep Civil War Lore Chesapeake Bay Buyboats Deadrise and Cross-planked Signatures In Time – A Living History of Middlesex County Images of America – Urbanna Images of America – Deltaville Images of America – Middlesex County Images of America – Chesapeake Bay Deck Boats (released July 2020) Publications from Local Author, Mary Wakefield Buxton Middlesex Memories: Our Lives and Times in Tidewater, Virginia A Middlesex Morning: Our Lives and Times in Tidewater, Virginia Love Stories: People & Places of Middlesex County, Virginia Mary Wakefield Buxton’s Publications mentioned above can be ordered from the Rappahannock Press, 276 Virginia Street, P.O. Box 549, Urbanna, VA. 23175 or email  glongist@ssentinel.com  or call her at 804-758-2328.

By Rob Warner,  local historian, Deer Chase Subdivision resident NOTE: This paper is primarily based on an interview with the current owner of Pipe-In-Tree Farm, Ron Kauffman. Some additional data was from Mary Ann Willis, Pipe-In-Tree Subdivision, and Jeanette Pitcher, Oxford, Alabama.      The current owners of Pipe-In-Tree farm have been caring for it for almost 40 years.   Ron and his wife, Eugenie have been great stewards of the property and its history.   This story, the name, and original legend need to be told, so let us go back to early Colonial times, the 1600’s. THE LEGEND,   At a very early part of European settlement in the Piankatank River Valley, local Indians and early settlers got off to a bad start with a limited conflict on the river.  Trying to make peace, the Indians and English met on high ground on the north shore of the Piankatank, maybe 7 or 8 miles upriver, from the river’s mouth.  The Indians invited the settlers to smoke the Indian peace pipe.  This happened and had religious meaning to the Indians.  They agreed on peaceful co-existence.  To mark the spot, and maybe meet again, they placed the peace-pipe in a crotch of a young red oak at the site., Well, today (over 300 years later) the pipe could be inside the huge nodule on the side of this tree.  A tumor that engulfed the peace pipe?  The Red Oak tree is now a giant with trunk 31 feet around at the base.  How do we know we have the right tree.  Oral and some written history have always described it and its location.  This location was important later in history.  When was this meeting?  As this story moves forward in time it will try to answer that question and provide more interesting history. 1608     Captain John Smith was a leader in early Jamestown and explored the Chesapeake Bay.  He explored the Piankatank River from 29 August to 1 September 1608.  He anchored at the mouth of the River the night of 29th. . They explored the river up to the King’s House and a large village on 30 August and anchored there.  The next day they explored upriver to what became Turks Ferry, then an active smaller Indian village.  Moving above that into the Dragon stream and swamp, they went as far as an empty Indian hunting camp, returning to the King’s House that night.  The Kings House was a major village, where Piankatank Shores subdivision is today and less than ½ mile from the Pipe-In-Tree.  By 2 September they sailed/rowed down the river and out into the Bay traveling south.  All this time, the Indian King was away hunting.  This was the first known contact between the English and Piankatank Indians.  (Much of this information in this section was taken from the significant book, “John Smith in the Chesapeake” by Edward Wright Haile, Tappahannock, VA., 2008)  This author suspects that the Pipe-In-Tree Legend was formed over these three days. We have the dates and location. Several times during John Smith’s exploration, he was greeted with showers of arrows when approaching an Indian village. This could have been the legend’s brief conflict. While the chief was away, Smith could have made contact with other elders. Meeting a short distance from the village was possibly safer and more predictable for both parties. Perhaps most important, Smith wanted to secure peaceful trading rights for Indian Corn which would be very needed for the upcoming winter at Jamestown. The English were not growing enough corn to survive at that time. He was granted corn trading rights by the Piankatank Indians at the end of the encounter. (Peaceful Co-Existence) 1642 to 1648     As history shows, the English eventually forced the Indians out and took their land.  In 1642 tensions between the groups rose as scattered English settlements started.  In 1644 the Second Indian massacre of English occurred, with 500 English killed.  A treaty was signed in 1646 that gave the entire Northern Neck to the Indians, This act created one of the first reservations in what became the United States.  At that time the Northern Neck started on the north shore of the Piankatank (also referred to as the third river, James first, York second, Piankatank third).  This reservation was called the Chicacone Indian District.  Then after only 2 years, the English forced all Indians into a much smaller 5000-acre reservation near where the town of Kilmarnock, Lancaster County is today.  So by 1648, there were no Indians permanently located on the Piankatank.  Thus, the Legend probably occurred between 1608 and 1648. 1665 In this time frame, Augustine Smith already had a large plantation in Gloucester County on the south shore of the Piankatank. He went directly across the Piankatank and started Shooters Hill plantation of 1274 acres in Middlesex County. Pipe-In-Tree farm was originally part of Shooters Hill. Later when the land was divided, Pipe-In-Tree farm was 596 acres. 1715       By 1715 the Piankatank valley was settled and producing tobacco and lumber.  The Middlesex Christ Church Vestry and Sheriff periodically had processions to make sure property lines were not illegally moved.  Two responsible men from the immediate area checked property borders in a roughly 7-mile distance (area) of the main road (today Storemont road or 629). They were given 4 to 5 months to do this task.  Joseph Gore (ancestor to today’s Al Gore former Vice-President of the United States) and William Blackbourne performed this task from Pipe-In-Tree to Kemp’s mill, both these points were used because they were well-known set-points or markers. 1814 During the War of 1812 the White House was burned by the British in Washington D.C. After the war ended the White House was rebuilt. Oak timbers for the roof came from this part of Middlesex County. Shooters Hill was an important lumbering plantation, thus the White House roof lumber may have come from Shooters Hill of which Pipe-In-Tree was part. That roof lasted over 100 years until the White House was remodeled during the Truman administration. 1840s      This is the estimated time for the construction of Healy’s Mill and Mill Pond.   It was in operation by the 1850s.  In this time frame, Healy’s mill and dam replaced Pipe-In-Tree as the locator point, or set point with Kemp’s mill to do the property boundary point checks in the official processions.  Pipe-In-Tree and Healy’s mill properties adjoin each other. 1898 to 1900 The current Pipe-In-Tree farmhouse was built. A truly grand three-story home. It is still the jewel of the upper Piankatank River. 1950 to 1984  Pipe-In-Tree farm was purchased by Dr. Floyd Millard Riddick and contained 596 acres.   He earned his university degrees from, Duke, Vanderbilt, and again Duke for his Doctors degree in Political Science.  He was a very famous and important person in Washington D.C., both before and after World War II.  At the height of his career, he was Parliamentarian of the United States Senate from 1964 to 1974.  He brought American history to Pipe-In-Tree farm by the many important people he took with him to relax and have private meetings at the farm.  People important enough that an underground bomb shelter was built next to the house during the 1950s to 1980s Cold War.  During an extensive interview in 1978, he was asked about what he did to relax and occupy his time away from his key U.S. Senate position.  He said his first personal interest lay in a farm in Virginia.  Its location was not mentioned. 1984 to Present.     The current owner purchased Pipe-In-Tree farm in 1984 with the house, but only 40 acres.  Later most of the other 556 acres became Pipe-In-Tree subdivision.  Over the last 40 years, the home and smaller acreage have been extensively improved to enhance the location’s beauty.  The three Kauffman children were raised here: Christopher, Jennifer, and Deborah.  It was a central meeting place for large social gatherings due to its size and the Kauffmans’ generosity.  A great personality who frequently visited here in recent time was the former pastor of the local Catholic Church, “Church of the Visitation” in Topping, Father John Bodie (now deceased).  Father Bodie was an extremely charismatic person who improved the lives of many Virginians including, this author and the Pipe-In-Tree Kauffman family.  In summary, Pipe-In-Tree farm is a spot in Middlesex County, Virginia noted for its place in history, great location, and beauty.

This brown money pouch from the Bank of Middlesex is part of a display in the museum of memorabilia from the Saluda Historic District. The Bank of Middlesex founded in 1900, opened a branch in Saluda in 1911. The museum is currently working on a historic timeline of the history of Middlesex County, the Saluda Historic District, US, and world history.

Request A Copy Of The Survey Where Should We Send The File? Send Me The Download Between October 2015 and August 2016, Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., in association with Debra A. McClane, Architectural Historian, completed a historic architectural resource survey of Middlesex County, Virginia. The survey was part of a series of projects funded through a $1.5 million Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Assistance Grant for Historic Properties that the National Park Service awarded to the Commonwealth of Virginia by way of the Department of Historic Resources in 2014. The pass-through project funds were awarded to seven counties in Virginia, including Middlesex County, and administered by the Department of Historic Resources; Middlesex County and the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society served as local project partners. The general objective of the study was to identify and document historic architectural resources in Middlesex County, an underrepresented county in the Department of Historic Resources’ files and databases, in order to provide more comprehensive data on the occurrence and character of historic architectural resources in the community. Indeed, while a number of properties in Middlesex County had previously been listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and/or the National Register of Historic Places, only 197 resources had previously been recorded in the county and much of the data related to these resources is outdated and does not meet current survey standards. Through the current survey effort, the number of historic architectural resources recorded in Middlesex County has nearly tripled. The survey resulted in the inventory of 380 resources at the reconnaissance level, which included completion of exterior documentation and photography and preparation of Virginia Cultural Resource Information System reconnaissance-level inventory forms, including architectural descriptions, preliminary significance assessments, location maps, and site plans. Of the 380 resources documented, 372 were newly-identified resources not yet captured in the Department of Historic Resource’s inventory and 8 were previously documented resources for which a substantial amount of time had passed since the previous survey. In selecting resources for inclusion in the survey, architectural historians focused on identifying properties located in flood-prone areas near the coast; properties dating to the early history of the county that had yet to be captured in inventory records; properties that more comprehensively covered the full geography of Middlesex County; and properties that were representative of the county’s historical and architectural trends. In addition, surveyors worked with Middlesex County Historical Society representatives to identify properties worthy of survey. In total, through the survey, a broad cross-section of resources representing diverse property types, architectural styles, and time periods—ranging from the Contact Period (1607-1750) to the New Dominion Period (1946-1991)—across the full geography of Middlesex County have been documented, capturing the built environment as it relates to the domestic, agricultural, commercial, religious, industrial, recreation/social, and governmental contexts of the county. In the event of future severe storm events or other natural disasters, this initial survey effort will support disaster mitigation planning at the local, county and regional level. Should additional and/or more intensive survey fail to occur prior to a future major storm event or natural disaster, the current survey will be invaluable in establishing baseline conditions for the properties identified that will assist property owners in quantifying the extent of damage, and quite possibly inform appropriate post-event repairs and rehabilitation efforts.

Middlesex County, Virginia has an area of approximately 211 square miles, and is made up of several unincorporated communities. In this excerpt of our County Store Tour throughout Middlesex, we are going to focus on our “Down The County” Stores, meaning the southeast area of the county, including the areas of Deltaville, Amburg, and Hardyville. S. J. Moore’s Store Sammy Moore’s store in Sandy Bottom (now know as Deltaville) was one of the main general stores in that area. “The Sammy Moore store, where Hurd’s Hardware is now located today, was a real department store for those days. It employed the milliner and it carried hardware, harnesses, medicines, boat supplies, clothing, everything. One of the community’s few party-line telephones was upstairs, where Sammy fixed watches in his spare time.” Tom Callis Store The old Tom Callis store near Broad Creek is one of the only still standing of the original 11 Deltaville stores from which residents could buy food and other merchandise. “You could see almost every male you knew on Saturday nights gathered in these old Deltaville stores.” L. C. Harrow’s Store L. C. Harrow ran two general merchandise stores, one at Deltaville and another at Wilton. “A member of a well known family of the county, Mr. Harrow has served his section as a merchant. His stores were well lighted, clean and attractive in appearance and carried a diverse assortment of general merchandise,” the Sentinel stated. “His prices were so arranged that one obtained dollar for dollar value in every purchase . . . fair, square dealings, combined with high grade merchandise and first-class service made his business prosper.” Other Country Stores Throughout The Deltaville Area Will Callis’s Store Moight Jackson’s Store Yates Store Deagle’s Store Kelly’s Store Dozier’s Store Chowning, Larry S., Archie Soucek, and Pat DePina. Signatures in Time: a Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia. Middlesex County, VA: Middlesex County, Virginia, 2012. Chowning, Larry S. “Small Country Stores, Seafood Industry Were Booming in 1934.” Southside Sentinel. July 26, 1990. Norton, Randolph. “Reminiscenses of Deltaville.” Southside Sentinel. October 13, 1988. Visit The Middlesex County Museum When it is safe to do so, the Middlesex County Museum will re-open its doors to the public, at which point, we will invite you to visit our Country Store Collection. In the meantime, subscribe to our mailing list for more Country Store articles, and other local history. Subscribe For Emails Submit Tour Middlesex County Middlesex County Museum is proud to be a part of the Museums of Middlesex! Visit their website for a map of all of our know Country Store locations, as well as our Historical Markers! www.museumsofmiddlesex.com

Middlesex County, Virginia has an area of approximately 211 square miles, and is made up of several unincorporated communities. For our Country Store tour, we are going to begin “Up The County”, as many locals have referred to it, meaning the northwest area of the county, including the areas of Urbanna, Saluda, Church View, Water View, and Jamaica. Samos Store Though the actual age of the store is unknown, ledgers and documents were discovered, including a ledger dating back to 1899 documenting how many people in the county had open lines of credit with E.A. Burch and Son, which suggests that it is well over 120 years old. The Burch Family ran the store for many years until a longtime employee of Bob Burch took it over. The ledger tells something of what life was like at the store. It shows that in November of 1899, Sarah Braxton charged a pair of shoes for $1.15, a “pig head” for 24 cents and a pair of pants for 75 cents. She paid for a portion of her purchase in December of 1899 with a basket of corn, almost two bushels of bush gray beans, and a dozen eggs. James Burl Jr. paid his bill by working for the Burches. The ledger states that Burl received 17 cents towards his bill for bringing an oxen load of grain from the creek; 25 cents for bringing a load of hay by oxen owned by Bill garner to shore; and 17 cents for bringing a load of goods from the Water View steamboat wharf. Burl also worked four days picking pea vines, worked a half-day running a cultivator, and worked one day plowing and hauling hay. Miss E.L. Burch’s father, William R. Burch, clerked in the store during the early part of the century. Miss Burch now lives in Water View. She recalls that the store had a credit system whereas watermen and farmers would receive goods by credit most of the year, and when their harvests came I they would pay off their bills. Miss Burch recalls a wire chicken coop out back where people using the “barter system” would bring chickens to pay off their bills. Dragon Run Store The Dragon Run Store was originally built in 1913 in Church View, Virginia. The two-story building, named after the nearby ancient cypress-filled swamp, is complete with rolling ladders and dozens of wooden shelves, started undergoing a makeover in 1913 to bring back its charm. This country store houses the very first elevator in the county that is original to the building. To see interior/exterior photos throughout the restoration of this building, head over to the Dragon Run Store’s blog at https://dragonruncountrystore.tumblr.com/ Photo credit Jamie Hammer Neale Store The Neale and Smither Store was a busy general merchandise store at the county seat of Saluda during the early part of the 20th century. Claude Neale was a “prominent” Saluda merchant who ran the large two-story merchandise store in Saluda on the corner next to the courthouse. Neale’s store had been in business for 40 years in 1934 and Mr. Neale had been postmaster in Saluda since 1914. Green’s Store Green’s store was operated by Robet F. Green and it was located at Pine Tree, between Urbanna and Remlik. “Having served as clerk for ten years under the capable supervision of J. M. Dericux… Robert brought to his business the ability acquired through a long period of training. Added to his natural capabilities, this experience made him an A-1 merchant” the Sentinel said. Harper’s Store Harper’s Store was one of Urbanna’s finest general merchandise stores and it was located on Cross Street at the current site of the Pure Gas Station. Originally established under the ownership of L. F. Harper and Company, the business was started in 1907 and taken over in its entirety by Harper in 1916, and in 1934 it was in its heyday. “A large store in the heart of the town, Harper’s carries an extensive stock of general merchandise, in the sale of which the policy of high quality as the lowest price is adhered to it.” Hurley’s Store J. W. Hurley of Hurlock, Maryland came to Middlesex shortly after the Civil War buying oysters from the Eastern Shore shucking houses. He liked the area and moved to Urbanna in the 1880s and opened J. W. Hurley & Son Seafood on the creek at the foot of Virginia Street. Hurley’s business flourished as the “King of Them All”. Marshall’s Drug Store Thomas F. “Doc” Marshall moved to Urbanna in 1929, purchased Richardson’s Drug on Cross Street and opened “Marshall’s Drug Store” During the next 57 years, Doc Marshall became a fixture in the life of the county. His ever present half-smoked cigar and the “Meet Your Friends Here” trademark at Marshall’s Drug typified the atmosphere that has made his store Urbanna’s everyday social gathering place. R. S. Bristow’s Store R. S. Bristow’s Store, or “Bristow’s” as it is now commonly referred to, is the oldest operating store in the county. R. S. Bristow, Sr. opened his doors as a general merchandize store in Urbanna in 1876. The present store building was constructed in 1898 and, during the early years, cord wood, coal, coal oil, and railroad ties were bought and sold at Bristow’s along with a full line of groceries and meat. Today, Bristow’s Store carries fashion & accessories for everyone! Chowning, Larry S., Archie Soucek, and Pat DePina. Signatures in Time: a Living History of Middlesex County, Virginia. Middlesex County, VA: Middlesex County, Virginia, 2012. Chowning, Larry S. “Small Country Stores, Seafood Industry Were Booming in 1934.” Southside Sentinel. July 26, 1990. Visit The Middlesex County Museum When it is safe to do so, the Middlesex County Museum will re-open its doors to the public, at which point, we will invite you to visit our Country Store Collection. In the meantime, subscribe to our mailing list for more Country Store articles, and other local history. Subscribe For Emails Submit Tour Middlesex County Middlesex County Museum is proud to be a part of the Museums of Middlesex! Visit their website for a map of all of our know Country Store locations, as well as our Historical Markers! https://museumsofmiddlesex.com/middlesex-county-virginia-country-stores/ Would you like to contribute to our records? We invite you to fill out the form below! Thank you! Do you have photos you'd like to share? Submit

Hallie J. Holmes, a daughter of Joshua and Willie Mary Holmes, speaks at age 64 about growing up in Middlesex County in a loving family home and attending all-black schools until her first experience of integration when she had to leave the familiar surroundings of St. Clare Walker School to attend the Middlesex High School in her senior year and relates what a “scary” time it was for her. Her fear was somewhat eased by a white girl whose name she still remembers. She said that with integration “we gained a lot but lost a lot”. She says that her grandparents “made a good foundation for us” and how both they and her parents stressed the value of “the land, paying the taxes, and obeying the law.” They were religious people and devout members of Calvary Baptist Church. “Everyone worked hard all the time.” The ladies canned whatever they could and their efforts were enjoyed at Christmas and family gatherings. Income was hard-earned doing whatever work there was. The local canning factory was one big employer until it burned and was never re-built. Joshua Holmes, Hallie’s father, was the first black sheriff of Middlesex County from 1970-1983, and she speaks about how it happened, her father’s preparation for the job at Old Dominion University, and the two terms he served with distinction as county sheriff. The foundation of a family was laid, the values were determined, and the adversities overcome by mutual support.