Then and Now: 1950-2025

 This year, in July, we will be getting the 2025 Census projection for New Kent County which will probably be just under 30,000. For a while now New Kent has been the fastest growing county in Virginia.

But this was hardly always the case. Exactly 75 years ago, in 1950 (yes, 1950 was 75 years ago) New Kent was the second smallest county in the state and the smallest county outside Appalachia.

The population was only 3,989. That is just 14% of our current 2024 estimate. Just some 534 more than the smallest, Craig county's 3,455- Charles City was 4,667. The population density was 18.8 per square mile compared to our present 109.2.

The breakdown was 917 people in Black Creek, 1390 in Cumberland, 953 in St. Peters, and 832 in Weir Creek.

There were some 368 farms in the county (a massive 23% reduction from 479 just five years before.) 114 acres was the average farm size.

1950 Census- New Kent/ Charles City

Providence Forge Fire - 77 Years Ago

 

Providence Forge Fire Destroyed by Fire; $75,000 Damage Estimate; Eight Escape

PROVIDENCE FORCE. June 17th- Fire destroyed Charles E. Hughes' general store here early today with a loss estimated at $75,000. Both an old structure, facing old Route 60. and a newly erected two-story wing extending back to the new double highway were gutted. 

 Eight persons sleeping in rooms above the store escaped after one man awoke and discovered the fire at 4 A. M. He warned, other occupants. 

 A fire company from Henrico County joined two engines from James City, one from West Point and a forest-fire fighting truck from New Kent in a futile attempt to halt the flames. The adjacent Layfield Motor Company was saved when shift in the wind carried the flames away as men stood on the roof of an automobile lubrication building. and threw water on the walls. Cars in the building were moved to safety.

 R. M. Hughes, brother of the proprietor, estimated the damage to the store at $75,000. He said the building was destroyed about an hour after the fire was discovered and that the cause of the fire was not determined.

 Only about $1,000 in merchandise was saved, Mr. Hughes said.

 Another section of the Hughes store and hotel, across old highway Route 60 was not damaged.

 The Hughes store was widely known as a stopping place for fishermen and was open day and night during the past Winter, a restaurant and general sports goods department were opened.

-Richmond News Leader, 17 June 1948

 

C. E. Hughes, merchant at Providence Forge, who was burned out with about a $76,000 loss, on June 1C, is already at work on the erection of a cinder block structure of about the same size on his store site. Mr. Hughes states that with the help of his brother, R. M. Hughes, and friends, that he expects to be open tor business in the new building in 30 days.

 As a reporter, we went over to the smoking ruins that morning at 9 o’clock. There was very littlie of the trick hull left standing end merchandise that had been burning since about 4 A.M. was still smoldering, especially the huge amount of motor oil that was on hand. It is said the fire started in Room 5 upstairs over the store. Eight people were awakened and saved themselves, but not belongings, just in time, as in a matter of minutes the ceiling caved in. Only about $1,000 worth of store goods was saved, which included the English spode china, some feed and a few automobile tires.

 Recently Mr. Hughes had added a sportsman’s department for the benefit of fishermen especially, and restaurant equipment and had stated that at last he had his place of business like he wanted it. “I even have the colored and white adequately taken care of, separately."

 Mr. Hughes only lost one day In being out of business. Since then he has had the bus depot, etc., in the Layfield grease building, which is only a few feet away. This building and Layfield Motor Company proper were threatened by the fire and would have burned had not men and fire trucks kept the buildings constantly under a flow of water. New Kent fire truck, the two James City fire trucks, the Henrico fire engine and the West Point fire engine all came when called and kept the fire from spreading. Mr. Hughes has been, a merchant at Forge for 35 years. Besides the novelty store, with hotel upstairs and his hotel across the road, Mr. Hughes has a peach orchard at Forge and also a holly wreath factory there.

-Tidewater Review, 24 June 1948

This is the same C. E. Hughes is the Charles Evans Hughes of the Christmas Wreath factory post of last Christmas. 

250 Years Ago- "I Am Truly Sensible of the High Honour Done Me in this Appointment"

 

Published by Currier & Ives, c1876

This weekend is not only the 250th anniversary of the United States Armed Forces AND the 250th anniversary of the flag of the United States on June 14- June 15 is the anniversary of George Washington, New Kent's favorite's son (OK, favorite son-in-law) assuming command of the Continental Army. Unanimously voted to assume command of the forces outside the city of Boston by the Continental Congress, John Adams, who moved the nomination, gave this account in his autobiography-

I had no hesitation to declare that I had but one Gentleman in my Mind for that important command, and that was a Gentleman from Virginia who was among Us and very well known to all of Us, a Gentleman whose Skill and Experience as an Officer, whose independent fortune, great Talents and excellent universal Character, would command the Approbation of all America, and unite the cordial Exertions of all the Colonies better than any other Person in the Union. Mr. Washington, who happened to sit near the Door, as soon as he heard me allude to him, from his Usual Modesty darted into the Library Room. . . . 

 Below is the account of Washington's acceptance written by Virginia Delegate Edmund Randolph-

The President informed Colo. Washington that the Congress had yesterday, Unanimously made choice of him to be General & Commander in Chief of the American Forces, and requested he would accept of that Appointment; whereupon Colo. Washington, standing in his place, Spoke as follows.

“Mr. President, Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me in this Appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities & Military experience may not be equal to the extensive & important Trust: However, as the Congress desire it I will enter upon the momentous duty, & exert every power I Possess In their service & for the Support of the glorious Cause: I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their Approbation.

“But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every Gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think my self equal to the Command I ⟨am⟩ honoured with.

“As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to Assure the Congress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this Arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease & happiness I do not wish to make any profit from it: I will keep an exact Account of my expenses; those I doubt not they will discharge & that is all I desire.”