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The Museums of Middlesex (MOM) 2018 film – Homegrown Heroes: Stories of Middlesex County’s Greatest Generation – profiles Middlesex County decorated veterans Raymond W. Burrell and Norton Hurd and family members of Beryl Newman. The filming, interviews and production were made possible by MOM’s successful grant application to, and funding from, the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The Museums of Middlesex was formed in 2015 as an umbrella organization to link the three county museums for the purpose of promoting tourism in Middlesex. The three partnering museums are the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society in Saluda, Urbanna Museum , and Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park . MOM works closely with the Middlesex County Tourism Department, and its director, Michelle Brown. This veteran film is just one of the projects MOM pursued in its ongoing mission, using grants, to promote the county’s rich 350 years of history. Five hours of in-depth interviews were conducted to produce this short film. Southside Sentinel reporters Tom Chillemi and Larry Chowning assisted. The decorated veterans in the film are: • Private Raymond W. Burrell Sr. — During WWII, Raymond Burrell served with the famous 761st Tank Battalion, known as the “Black Panthers,” composed entirely of African American men. On November 4, 1944, General Patton sent the 761st on a deployment of 183 days of continual fighting in very harsh weather. The 761st was outstanding, causing thousands of enemy casualties, capturing or aiding in liberating over 30 major towns, aiding in capturing/ destroying 4 airfields, 3 supply dumps, 461 wheeled vehicles, 34 tanks, 131 large guns and a radio station. In 1978 President Carter awarded the 761st the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. • Captain Beryl Richard “Dick” Newman (deceased) — Beryl Newman served in the 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division of the US Army. Near Cisterna, Italy, on May 26, 1944, Newman single-handedly advanced on two German machine gun nests, destroying three enemy machine gun nests, killing two Germans, wounding two and taking 11 prisoners. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by General Order #5 on January 15, 1945. He is buried in Remlik, Middlesex County. • Lieutenant Norton Hurd — Norton Hurd was a member of the “Hell Razors” headed to Guam in the legendary aircraft carrier “Wasp.” He flew in the first group of Navy planes to bomb Tokyo. Near Chi-Chi Jima, Lieutenant Hurd’s engine failed after a battle with a Japanese fighter, which he shot down. His plane crashed into the Pacific. As his plane began to sink, he went into the water with only a life preserver and a whistle. Lieutenant Hurd was finally rescued and returned to the Wasp. Lieutenant Hurd was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is given to those who demonstrate heroism. #HomegrownHeroes #Veterans #WorldWar2

By Rob Warner (Donald Robert Warner) Deer Chase on the Piankatank (Storemont) Well, this author thinks it is true, but please read on and make up your own mind. My story begins long before Middlesex was part of America, back in the early days of Jamestown and the English Colony of Virginia. Most Virginians know that the Powhatan Indians led by Chief or Warroance “Opechancanough” massacred 350 English Colonists on March 22, 1622. Not so many Virginia Historians know Opechancanough did this again in 1644 and killed 500 colonists the second time. That time Opechancanough was captured and killed. Then in October, 1646, a peace Treaty was signed with the new Powhatan Indian Chief “Necotowance.” As part of the treaty all land North of the York River was given to the Indians. This only lasted a few days, and Jamestown changed this to all land North of the Piankatank River which is approximately half the original amount. This area, which was part of  “Greater Virginia” was then named the “Chicacoan Indian District “ (Indian Reservation?). Officially, no Europeans were to settle in this area. The Chicacoan Indian District was named for the Chicacoan Indians who lived around the Coan River, (part of the Potomac Basin, Heathville today) but it did include several other tribes or parts of tribes who moved there. Were the Indians satisfied? I think yes, but like most Jamestown “Deals” was short lived. Then in 1648 Jamestown backed out of the treaty as they did many times when dealing with the Indians. This had only lasted two years, then Jamestown reduced the Chicacoan Indian District to about 4000 acres, in an area in what is now Lancaster County with no water, river or bay, access (very bad deal). Over the next twenty years the Indians lost most of this 4000-acre area to encroaching English Settlers, in spite of many battles in the English Courts. What else happened in 1648? In 1648 Jamestown declared the Chicacoan Indian District was now Northumberland County and of course included the 4000 acres of Indian land. This was truly a gigantic county, the largest in Virginia. But colonists were so anxious to settle that it was quickly settled by Europeans. It was also quickly divided into more normal sized counties, as follows. One important note first is the Northumberland County Seat was Coan Hall the home of John Mottrom on the Coan River which is a great distance from Jamestown. It is over 55 miles away while all the other counties were less than 40 miles. Now back to the counties formed from Northumberland: 1651 – Lancaster, 1653 – Westmoreland, 1656 – Rappahannock from Lancaster, 1664 – Stafford from Westmoreland, 1668- Middlesex from Lancaster, 1692 – Essex and Richmond formed from Old Rappahannock, and other counties west and north. Now, if you Google American Indian Reservations you will find in Wikipedia that the first Indian Reservation was formed on  August 29, 1758. It was called The Brotherton Indian Reservation and was 3284 acres in southern New Jersey. Now this is about 20 years before America was formed, but nowhere near as old as the Chicacoan Indian District (Reservation) date of 1646, 102 years older. Also, in 1658 Virginia (Jamestown General Assembly ) formed the Mattaponi Indian Reservation and the Pamunkey Indian Reservation. Both these were reaffirmed in 1677, and still exist today. I think Virginia had “The First Indian Reservation in America,” The Chicacoan Indian District, formed in 1636. Today we must promote ourselves to keep the records straight. My proposal or plan is for some of our local county school system history classes and teachers  research this and correct the history books, including Wikipedia. Chicacoan in 1636, or Mattaponi, or Pamunkey in 1658. All are older than New Jersey 1758, or New England 1666.  As Virginians we should promote our history to give the rest of the country our facts.  Perhaps Virginia Tourism could also help. Perhaps you could help! Note: Rob Warner is a member of Museums of Middlesex, and Northumberland Historical Society.

Welcome, Bryan Graulich to the Middlesex Museum and Historical Society as our newest intern. Bryan, a senior at Middlesex High School, is working on an internship project to find and document the locations of the multiple Native American tribes that used to live in modern day Middlesex County. Bryan participates in multiple sports for Middlesex High School, including cross country, wrestling and soccer. He is also involved in Boy Scouts and is currently a life scout. He is also very interested in history and chose to work on information pertaining to Native Americans because he wants to better understand the impact that the location has on influencing the development of society in the area by comparing Native American development to colonial development. #Intern #MiddlesexHighSchool

The Jamaica District in Middlesex County is often times considered the forgotten region of the county. Yet, it is perhaps the county’s best kept secret. Read more about this historic district here , in the latest in a Southside Sentinel series in celebration of the 350th anniversary of Middlesex County. Photo courtesy of Jean Holman to the Southside Sentinel for the series. According to the Southside Sentinel, “after the Revolutionary War, Anglicans abandoned the Upper Church building (pictured) at Church View. Members of Hermitage Baptist Church who had been meeting in a wood-frame “Meeting House” on Route 602 between old Revis Post Office and Route 17 took over the old colonial church building. The church burned in 1948 and the congregation of Hermitage Baptist rebuilt the present church on the original site of the old Anglican church.”

This year, the Middlesex Museum had the pleasure of tampharing the stories of African American Culinary Notables from the Middle Peninsula. Read on here for details about their illustrious careers and contributions to history and the culinary arts that we all continue to enjoy today. Joseph C. “Joe” Cameron, Jr. (1903 – 1988) was a native of Barnett County, North Carolina who learned to cook from two of his uncles who were chefs. Following his graduation from the famed Boston Cooking School in 1924, he spent several years as chief cook on the famous train, The Orange Blossom Special, and at Washington and Philadelphia restaurants. Joe moved to Middlesex County, Virginia, in 1929 and assumed the position of chief cook and dietician at Christchurch School. He retired from Christchurch in 1974 after 45 years of service. Joe was a legend at Christchurch; generations of students called him “Mr. Christchurch.” Pulitzer Prize winner and Christchurch alumnus William Styron (Class of 1942), said of Joe Cameron’s cooking: “I recall cheese biscuits and pastries and delicately grilled fish, fresh from the river or bay, which would have caused a French chef to salivate with envy.” The Christchurch dining hall is named for Joe Cameron. In 2014, Joe was inducted into the Christchurch School Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. Robert Henry Cauthorne, Jr. (1883 – 1939) was a native of Ozeana in Essex County, Virginia. He worked as a waiter on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad off and on beginning in 1902, and continuously from 1928 until his death. For three months each year the B & O gave Cauthorne time off to return to Essex County to operate the federally sponsored Tri – County Canning Association, Inc. In a single season, the canning factory packaged 8000 cases of tomatoes under the brand name “Wil low Lawn.” Cauthorne was known for his specialty drinks and created an orange lemonade that became one of the B & O Railroad’s most popular drinks. For a nickel a glass, he sold $887.00 worth of the drink in 1929. The recipe was featured in the September 1929 issue of the Baltimore & Ohio Magazine . Cauthorne’s oldest son Alfred Cauthorne also worked for the B & O, holding the position of waiter – in – charge on The Capitol Limited. Doris Townes Fleming is an Essex County, Virginia, native who grew up in King and Queen County. She began doing domestic work when she was 11 years old, learning how to cook, to set a pretty table, and to clean silver. While working private family in Richmond, Doris met caterers Benjamin and Frances Lambert. So began her career in food service. The Lamberts were premiere caterer s in the city, serving parties for the city’s wealthy elite and for institutions such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Doris worked with the Lamberts until they retired and then went to work in food service for Reynolds Metals. Doris and her husband Charles W. Townes, Sr. had five sons: Charles W. Jr., Theodore A. “Tony,” Martin “Tutti,” Marvin “Billy Ray,” and Stacey. When they were growing up they all worked with their mother in food service. Two of the sons, Martin “Tutti” Towne s and Theodore “Tony” Townes have pursued careers in the culinary arts. Feeling that if she could work for someone else, she could also work for herself, Doris kept her job but started her own catering business. Eventually Doris started to work at the Virginia Governor’s mansio n on a part – time basis. She became the lead cook during the administration of Governor Gerald Baliles. Doris served as head cook and manager of the kitchen during the administrations of Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Governor George Allen. She and Tony cat ered all the special occasions held in the mansion and prepared all of the meals when they were employed there. Among the highlights that Doris remembers preparing at the mansion were the repast for the funeral of Arthur Ashe, a dessert party for Bill Cosby, and breakfast for President Bill Clinton. Doris retired in 1992, but continued to help during the administrations of Governors Gilmore, Kaine, and McDonnell. Tutti has been employed as the butler at the Virginia Governor’s mansion since 1986 and is now serving under his tenth gubernatorial administration. Governor Jim Gilmore said that “He is the rock on which the private lives of the governor and his family are built.” Tutti was recently recognized as a “Living Legend” by Cedar Street Baptist Church for 32 years of consecutive service at the mansion. Tony was always naturally talented as a cook, floral designer, and cake designer. He was hired as the butler at the Governor’s mansion under Governor Charles Robb, but became the head cook when the person wh o previously held the position became ill. When Governor Robb’s tenure was over, he hired Tony to work for him in northern Virginia where Tony remains today. Among his legendary cake designs are a gingerbread model of the Governor’s Mansion, a birthday cak e for Lady Bird Johnson, and a wedding cake for Loren Wilder, Governor Wilder’s daughter. Cleveland “CG” Foster (1884-1948) and Lena Jones Foster (1888-1957) owned and operated a general merchandise store in King William County, Virginia. Initially built in 1910, it was one of the first two such stores in central King William County and the first in the county to be African American owned and operated. The establishment was called Crossroads General Merchandise and Foster’s Grocery. The Fosters sold general merchandise and groceries as well as prepared foods. The menu included entrees such as roast beef, fried chicken, and fishes of the season. In the spring and summer months fresh vegetables were served; in fall and winter, the menu included vegetables that the Fosters had preserved. Their fresh pumpkin and lemon chess pies were especially popular. The Fosters operated the business until 1942. Ralph Jackson (1942 – 1993) , a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, grew up in Middlesex County, Virginia, and graduated from St. Clare Walker High School. Despite a very difficult childhood, he ear ned a Bachelor’s degree at Virginia State College, a Master’s degree from New York University, and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. Ralph first worked as a helper in the kitchen at Christchurch School and later worked as a cook to he lp finance his education. Ellen Johnson is a native and lifelong resident of Middlesex County, Virginia, who first worked as a kitchen helper at Christchurch School. She moved up quickly and credits the older women with helping her along. Ellen was an a ssistant cook at the Urbanna Lodge for 13 years. Although she headed the laundry department at Riverside Convalescent Center for 32 years, she has never left the culinary world. She has catered parties and events in the county over the years, and served as the caterer for the annual picnic of the Urbanna Chamber of Commerce. The Urbanna Oyster Festival Silver Anniversary Cookbook notes that “Ellen’s grilled hamburgers are a must for one’s perfect picnic pleasure.” She continues to work with food – related eve nts, and assists with meal preparation and set – up at Christchurch Parish House. Edna Lewis (1916 – 2006) , a native of rural Freetown in Orange County, Virginia, learned to cook from an extended family that included grandparents who had been enslaved. An award – winning author and chef, she was renowned for her traditional Southern cooking that emphasized fresh and locally grown foods and later in life for her recipes. Edna Lewis served as the chef at multiple restaurants, including Café Nicholson and Gage and Tollner in New York City. She was the author of The Edna Lewis Cookboo k (1972), The Taste of Country Cooking (1976), In Pursuit of Flavor (1988), and The Gift of Southern Cooking (2003), co – authored with Scott Peacock. The Taste of Country Cooking is considered a classic study of Southern cooking. In 1979, Craig Claiborne of The New York Times said the book “may well be the most entertaining regional cookbook in America.” In 2017, nearly forty years after its publication, The Taste of Country Cooking saw an abrupt and newsworthy spike in US sales, ranking #5 overall and #3 in the cookbook category on Amazon’s bestseller list. The spike followed its thematic inclusion in an episode of the cooking competition show Top Chef. The documentary Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie (2006) is a celebration of Edna Lewis’ life and influence. In 2014, Edna Lewis was honored with the issuance of a postage stamp with her image by the United States Postal Service. She is renowned as one of the greatest American chefs a nd as an African – American woman who almost single – handedly revived a forgotten world of refined Southern cooking. Michael Irvin Queen was born in Japan and lives in Laurel, Maryland. He has deep family roots, though, in the Middle Peninsula Virginia counties of Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, and Middlesex. Michael has been in the food industry for nearly thirty years. He got his start by working under a French chef while in high school. He then took culinary classes in Germany while in the United Sta tes Army and studied at the United States Army Culinary Arts School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Michael has been a Certified Executive Chef since 1980. As an Executive Chef, he has supervised and managed food and beverage revenues from $750,000 to $4.6 million a year. For 24 years he served as Executive Chef at several country clubs. Since 2014 he has been an Executive Chef for Hilton Worldwide. Presently he is Executive Chef at the Embassy Suites at BWI Airport in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2016, Embassy Suites re cognized him as Manager of the Year. Two of his specialty dishes are Maryland crab cakes and apple cobbler. Seymour F. Scott (1933 – 2007) , a Middlesex County, Virginia, native, first became interested in cooking when he was 19 years old and living in Richmond. He began his career as a cook in the Army and then worked as a “pot washer” at Christchurch School apprenticing under Joe Cameron. Seymour worked his way up and was named Head Chef at Christchurch when Joe retired. Seymour worked at Christchurch School for 32 years. In 1987, he became Food Service Manager at Makemie Woods Camp and Conference Center, a Presbyterian facility in New Kent County, Virginia. He served there for 11 years, retiring in 1998. When Seymour retired, the Makemie Woods report to t he Presbytery noted that he was most appreciated for his homemade breads and chicken soup. For many years Seymour operated his own catering service, Scott’s Catering Service – Service with Pride, catering numerous events in the region. Segar’s Jazzy J’s, now operating as Segar’s Catering, is a family business owned and operated by Jean and James Segar of Dunnsville, Virginia. In 1989, the Segars opened Jazzy J’s, a restaurant in Warsaw, Virginia. The unusual name was suggested by Jean’s sister Thomasine Derricks, because all of their names began with the letter “J” and she thought that they were all “jazzy.” In 1993, the Segars expanded their business to offer full-scale catering services. When a highway expansion forced a relocation, they moved Jazzy J’s to Millers Tavern, Virginia, where they operated the restaurant until 2010. Currently, the Segars offer catering services in their own Essex County event space as well as at other locations. They specialize in events such as weddings, retirement parties, baby showers, etc. One of their signature dishes is their “Jazzy Fried Chicken.” The Segars are joined in the business by their adult children Janeen, Jaynell, Jackie, Jamie, and Leah. #AfricanAmericanHistory #CulinaryHistory #SpecialExhibit

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.