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By Rob Warner, Guest Writer for the Middlesex County Museum It was hard to pick a title for this story because it has so many interesting parts. Like all stories, and coins, this one has two sides. The story I am telling is the side of the coin you don’t hear too often. It is the Native American – Indian side of the story. It is also a story where I start in the middle, go to the end, and then tell the beginning. Please be patient with me, it’s the best I can do. Englishmen and Europeans in general are not always easy to get along with. Jamestown was founded in 1607. On their way to Jamestown Island the ships stopped at several  places in what is now the Norfolk area to contact Indians. These contacts ended by shooting  Indians. Needless to say, the start of Jamestown was hard, and involved conflict with the Indians. Why was that, THAT IS THIS STORY. It is almost like the Indians of the Powhatan Confederacy and their Chief Wahunsonacock, knew what the English wanted. In the 100 years before Jamestown, the Spanish found the “New World” (via the Italian Columbus) and became the wealthiest country in Europe. This wealth was based on New World Gold and Silver. Briton, France, Holland, and Scandinavian countries all wanted to do the same in the New World. They also wanted bases in the New World,  from which to raid (pirate) the annual Spanish Treasure Fleet as it sailed to Seville, Spain. OK, back to the story and our most important person in Colonial Virginia, his name is “Opechancanough” (O–pe–chan–can–ough)  older brother or cousin to the Powhatan Chief Wahunsonacock. So what did he do to become the Most Important Person?  I will tell you the four most important events now, then fill in a little detail. 1607 – He captured Captain John Smith and took him to many Indian villages north of the James River including the Middle Peninsula (Middlesex, Gloucester, Mathews, and Essex Counties) and the Northern Neck. He then released Smith. NOTE: Opechancanough with captive Smith were in Middlesex and Essex between 20 and 27 December 1607 1618 – Opechancanough becomes chief of the Powhatan tribes after his younger brothers death. 1622 – March, Opechancanough plans and leads the massacre of Jamestown settlers, 347 English men, women, and children killed. 1644 – April, Opechancanough plans and leads the second massacre of Virginia Settlers, 400 English men, women, and children killed. In 1645 Opechancanough was captured somewhere on the Northern Neck by Henry Fleet and taken to Jamestown for trial. He was shot in the back by a guard and killed before his trial. Many settlers wrote and believed he was over 100 years old at his death. (this story makes him 101 years old)   In the last battles he was said to have been carried on a stretcher to lead his warriors. Opechancanough had spent almost 40 years trying to stop English settlement of Virginia land  which belonged to the Indians. How did he know, as an Indian, that  the English had planned to exploit the Indians and their lands?  Remember many of our stories of Virginia include “Heroic settler XYZ  protected his farm and family from Indian attack.”  That story does not include the fact that settler XYZ had first moved on to land that was clearly Indian land. OK, now let’s start at the beginning of this story,What may have been Opechancanough’s early life and possible contact with the Spanish. This cannot be proven, but some facts, and recent historians  merging of Spanish and English records make  it possible. Opechancanough was probably born about 1544 , perhaps at the Indian village of Kiskiackia, on the York River about 15 miles from Jamestown. In 1561 a Spanish ship, a caravel, under command of Antonio Velazquez was exploring the Chesapeake Bay. A tall, young 17 year old,  Kiskiack Indian, son of the chief was taken or given by the chief to be educated in Spain and returned in 3 years. The Spanish determined that his Indian name was “Paquiquineo”  Once educated in Spanish culture he could then act as translator between the Spanish and Virginia Indians. He “Opechancanough” was taken to Spain, educated by Dominican priests in Seville, met King Philip II and also visited Cuba, Mexico, and Florida. Well, 3 years quickly became almost 10  years. While in Mexico he became a Catholic convert, and took the Spanish name “Don Luis”. On September 10, 1570  Don Luis or Paquiquineo or Opechancanough, two Jesuit Priests, 6 Jesuit Brothers and an alter boy Alonso de Olmos (also called Aloncito) arrived in Virginia somewhere near Queens Creek on the York River to establish the Spanish Ajacan Mission. A settlement was started, but all ended quickly. Opechancanough left the settlement , found his family and Indian tribe, and took several wives. This caused a falling out with the Jesuits, and led to Opechancanouh and his tribe massacring all the Spanish except Aloncito the alter boy. Some believe the Jesuits may have mistreated Opechancanough and Aloncito and that is why he spared Aloncito. In August 1572, Spanish  Captain Pedro Menendez de Aviles came from Florida to determine the state of the mission in Virginia. He quickly realized it had failed. He saw Indians wearing the priests cloths and by capturing Indians learned what happened. He was able to ransom Aloncito and take him back to Florida, but not before killing between 15 and 30 Indians. He never encountered Opechancanough. Virginia Indians changed their names due to major events in their lives. The name Opechancanough is reported to mean “He whose soul is white”, and may refer to early contacts with Europeans (Spanish) – Whites. If this story is even roughly correct  it shows how one highly important Virginia Indian (Opechancanough) could be so aware of why it was important for Indians to keep the British and all Europeans from settling America. He had seen the culture, cities, technology and large-dense populations of Spain. He had seen how the Spanish mistreated Indians in Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. My story is based on historical work done since 1970. It includes Virginia legends, historical facts, and comments concerning Opechancanough, and the very accurate information recorded by the Spanish between 1560 and 1580. The story has  only become clear or possible when the two sources were recently combined. Within 10 years after Opechancanough’s death almost all Indians were eliminated from Virginia lands east of Richmond. CAPTION INFORMATION: Drawing. Captain John Smith threatens Opechancanough, in 1608. Note: During first contact years Indians were much larger than the English. In 1607 the average Englishman was between 4 foot 8 inches and 5 foot 2 inches in height. John Smith was considered tall at 5 foot 10 inches. Opechancanough must have been at least 6 foot 4 inches. The Indians lifestyle was very healthy, even though they had stone age technology. Europeans had high technology but perhaps significantly lower health. #CaptainJohnSmith #Powhatan #Opechancanough #Middlesex #ColonialHistory

Timeless Structures from Middlesex County Enrich Our History. That is the message hanging on the wall in the Middlesex County School Board Meeting Room thanks to a display funded by the Middlesex Museum to help increase public awareness of the Middlesex County heritage.

The Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, Inc. is pleased to announce that it will host the 2018 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History traveling exhibition from December 26, 2018, through January 10, 2019. An annual initiative of the Library of Virginia and Dominion Virginia Power, Strong Men and Women in Virginia History recognizes African Americans of achievement. The 2018 class of seven honorees includes Middlesex native, civil rights activist, and educator Calvin Coolidge Green (1931-2011). A schedule of programs and activities related to the exhibition will be announced. Calvin Coolidge Green (July 19, 1931–February 10, 2011), received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia State College (later Virginia State University) in 1956 and a master’s degree from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (later North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) in 1965. He taught high school biology and chemistry in Richmond for more than 30 years. He also earned degrees in theology and pastoral counseling, and served as pastor to churches in the Richmond area and surrounding counties. Green served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, was promoted to colonel in the Army Medical Service Corps, and also served in the Army Reserve Chaplain Corps. Ten years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing school segregation, Virginia continued to defy court orders to desegregate. As president of the New Kent County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Green determined to force the issue where he lived and his three sons attended school. In 1965, he filed suit (in his youngest son’s name) against New Kent County, which implemented a “freedom of choice” plan that required African-American students to petition the school board for permission to switch to the school for white students. The Supreme Court ruled in 1968 that the county’s dual system was unconstitutional and that the school board had to devise a realistic plan to desegregate immediately. The decision in Charles C. Green et al. v. County School Board of New Kent County effectively forced the integration of schools in Virginia and nationwide.

wDid you know the Middlesex Museum has a host of books available to visitors? Here’s a list to keep handy for any upcoming research you may have or for your next visit! Only Available at Middlesex Museum Family Histories of Middlesex County, Virginia The Wiatt 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 Available at Amazon, Abe Books, EBay, and the Museum Virginia’s Historical Markers by Margaret Peters Guide to Virginia’s Military 1861-1865 by Lee A Wallace Apprentices of Virginia by Harold Gile Historical Records Survey Work Index of Obits Religious Herald 1st Virginia Regiment of Foot by M. Lee Minnis Twelve Virginia Counties 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 Gunned 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 Soldiers and Sailors Spanish American (Maryland) 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 Lancaster Co. VA Rolls of 92nd regiment of VA Militia, Lancaster Co. VA Compiled by Straton Nottingham. Richmond Marriage Bonds 1797-1853 Compiled by Annette Reddy and Andrew Riffle, IV.

By Rob Warner Most Middlesex County historical buffs know James Mills (1718-1782) as the Scottish Factor who built our brick Scottish Factors Store (The Old Tobacco Warehouse) in 1766. Today this building is the center of Tourism in Middlesex and also serves as the Urbanna Welcome Center/Museum. Well, some recent research shows James had a good eye for the best of Colonial Virginia (1607-1776) real estate. Going way back, James Mills first appears in the Virginia Colony in 1743 at Tappahanock. He purchases a significant (225 feet long) brick house, with store/storehouse and tavern, which was known as the long house on Prince Street. Today it is known as the historic Ritchie House (now the Law office of Dillard and Katona) and along with the Customs House, Debtors Prison, Courthouse, and Old Clerks Office form most of the history of Colonial Tappahanock all on Prince Street and all still standing. Prince Street leads to the Rappahanock River where in 1743 a wharf and Tobacco Inspection Warehouse where used to load hogsheads of tobacco for shipment to Britain and Europe. Moving on to 1763, James marries Elizabeth (Bland) Beverly of the significant Beverly Family of Middlesex and Essex Counties. They move to Urbanna, and purchase Lansdowne house from Ralph Wormeley III. James expands his tobacco marketing business to include Urbanna. By 1766 he has built his Scottish Factors Store and is a major personality in both towns. As in Tappahanock his real estate is also again on the right street. Virginia Street in Urbanna has Lansdowne his home (Best House in Urbanna), the courthouse, customs house, Scottish Factors Store, Tobacco Inspection Station and wharf. Again, the first four are still standing for a historical tour. Now it is 1770, James Mills has just purchased 550 acres which is half of the property associated with Middlesex’s other Tobacco Inspection Warehouse and wharf , it is called, “Kemps down on the Piankatank River.” Kemp is the family name for this 1100 acre plantation started in 1656. Kemps was at that time the second most significant economic spot in Middlesex County, but in recent times was almost lost and forgotten. It had been this important since before 1730 when the two Tobacco Inspection Warehouses were authorized by the Virginia Colony for Middlesex. At that time it was probably a busy village with workers homes, a farm, mill, and all the tobacco marketing structures. What did James Mills need to draw attention to this important spot that fits with his pattern of success. It appears that he may have built a brick store/storehouse, on top of the bluff above the Inspection Station, and wharf. It may have been 1 and ½ stories, or a full two stories, both with a full basement. The store may have also been his home when at Kemps (Piankatank Quarter Plantation), his main home remained Lansdowne. The brick store at Kemps is 24 X40 feet, the same footprint as his Urbanna store. Could this building also have survived. Well, James Mills appears to know about real estate. This brick store/home is believed to be the basis for “Woodport Plantation Home on the Piankatank River. It has had many additions, remodels, and may have suffered a fire in 1776, but is still standing. Woodport was featured in the Middlesex part of Virginia Garden Week, 2016. James Mills had a distinct pattern for buying and using buildings to support his incredibly swift rise in success marketing tobacco. Most of the real estate he used is still standing after almost 300 years. Do a drive-by tour and enjoy. Pictured: Richie, Lansdowne, and Woodport Houses.

Join us for a screening of a documentary film on Virginia culinary legend John Dabney – “The Hail-Storm: John Dabney in Virginia.” A chef and bartender in 19th century Richmond, he was a fixture of sophisticated gatherings and a connoisseur of the era’s delicacies (terrapin stew, canvasback duck, “hail-storm” mint juleps). Remarkably, he spent the first 41 years of his life enslaved — yet he was able to save enough from tips to buy the freedom of his wife and infant son when they were threatened to be sold away. Sunday, March 11, 2018 3 p.m. Free and Open to the Public Historic Courthouse 877 General Puller Highway, Saluda, Virginia Post-screening Discussion Refreshments and display will follow at the Middlesex Museum Visitor Center at 777 General Puller Highway in Saluda. Refreshments by African-American Caterers: Rere’s Home Cooking, Scott’s Catering, and Susie’s Heart and Soul. Post-screening display will include African-American cookbooks and photographs of local African-American culinary figures. Film Produced by Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren of Field Studio, Richmond and funded by Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and WCVE. Screening Sponsored by: Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society, Inc. Middlesex NAACP Unit 7901 Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society Call 804-758-5163 by March 6 to submit pictures of chefs, caterers, or other culinary figures.