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.

Old general stores are found often in rural communities, some may still be in business while others are converted into visitor centers, new businesses, or sadly, torn down. The origination of the country store, or general store, dates back to the colonial period when they provided pioneers with necessary goods: flour, tobacco, tools, boots, and more. Many towns throughout the country were even named after their local general store since they often served as a Post Office. The old country stores also served a purpose as a social center for the folks of the community, a political forum, and even an exchange bank. In rural areas, like Middlesex, it was common to have several of these general stores since residents were often very spread. Throughout Middlesex County, Virginia, there have been at least 56 old country stores that provided goods and served as communal gathering places, post offices, and sometimes even as town halls. Though each of them may have resembled each other, with their tin signs, display cases, and long countertops and shelving, these old general stores were all unique. This month we will take a tour of Middlesex County, and all of our local country stores, so join us as we look back on a somewhat lost tradition of our local history. If you would like to share any stories, photos, or other memorabilia of one of Middlesex County’s Country Stores with us, we invite you to contact us!

by Larry Chowning Pat Royal Perkinson, second from right, participated in this 1936 Circus Day held in Saluda on Easter Monday. She went on to become Secretary of the Commonwealth in Virginia. In the photo above, Saluda children under the direction of Saluda’s Tom Jones put on a self-styled Barnum and Hayloft children’s circus. Such performances as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” were performed and a parade afterward. Pictured above in the parade are, from right, Bobby Moody, Perkinson, Jane Royal, Charles Bristow, Hannah Bourne, Ray Major, Tom Jones, Bill Moody, Katherine Kipps, and Helen Moody. (Courtesy of Jean Holman) As part of the Middlesex County Museum’s celebration in March of Women’s History Month, the museum is recognizing the late Patricia (Pat) Royal Perkinson. Pat, a native of Middlesex County, rose through the political ranks to become Administrative Assistant to Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. She made a name for herself as Press Aide to Godwin during his first term, from 1966 to 1970. When he returned for a second term in 1974, she served as Secretary of the Commonwealth, her duties included assisting the state boards and commissions. She was later named Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College systems. Perkinson joined Godwin’s staff after having been responsible for public relations during the Godwin-Pollard-Button campaign in 1965. Prior to that, she was a feature writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Rural Virginia Magazine. Through the Times-Dispatch, Perkinson wrote a column on garden advice for 18 years in the Sunday issue, “Calling All Gardeners”. She also wrote poetry, articles, and stories for other publications, as well as doing public relations work for groups ranging from Maymont to the March of Dime. She served as President of Virginia Press Women. The group named her Woman of Distinction and, twice, Press Woman of the Year. In 1996, Perkinson spearheaded Middlesex County’s grant-funded “Rivers And Roads of Middlesex County, Va.”, a self-guided tour of historic and scenic sites in the county. When the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors established a 2007 Middlesex County 400th Jamestown Anniversary Committee, Perkinson was appointed to the committee and through her diligent efforts pressed to have a complete history of Middlesex County written and published because none had ever been undertaken. She died, however, on February 14, 2010, before the text was completed, but her efforts were realized when “Signatures in Time – A Living History of Middlesex County” was completed and published in 2012. In March of 2010, Virginia House Delegate Harvey Morgan, presented a resolution in the General Assembly, “House Joint Resolution No. 388, Celebrating the life of Patricia Royal Perkinson. WHEREAS, a woman of great vision and determination who cared immensely about her community, profession, and the Commonwealth, Patricia Perkinson served as an outstanding role model for all,” it stated. Perkinson and her husband Bert retired to Prospect in Topping and lived out their lives there. She was a longtime member of the Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society Board and of the Middlesex County Public Library Board. She was a constant voice for preserving county history. When voices within the library wanted to sell historical books in the Urbanna Branch given by Rutherford Snell, to make space, she was a formidable opponent whose voice aided in keeping the books intact. She noted, however, at the time “when trying to preserve history you often in the battle but seldom win the war.” Snell’s collection of historical Virginia books remains today in the cabinet that Perkinson and others had made for the new collection. The museum houses the Snell research papers for the book “Historic Buildings in Middlesex County Virginia 1650-1875.” Hats off to the late Pat Perkinson whose years in retirement living at Prospect was a gift to Middlesex County.