"We hear from Providence in New Kent . . ."

We hear from Providence in New Kent county that on the 8th instant the Rev. Charles Jeffrey Smith, who proposes to settle and reside on his estate opened a subscription for erecting a Presbyterian church 70 feet in length and forty in breadth with galleries and a steeple which was generously encouraged. The building of which will be let to the lowest undertaker on Wednesday, the 22d instant, at said place, by the managers, who will attend there on that day. 

-Virginia Gazette, Feb 16 1769

Smith, Rev, Charles Jeffrey, A.M., was a Presbyterian minister of Long Island, New York. He formed a partnership with another Presbyterian, William Holt, of Virginia, and in 1765 held 500 acres in James City county, and a mill called "Kennon's Mill". He founded a settlement in New Kent county which he called "Providence" now Providence Forge), and built thereon iron, grist and saw mills. He died in 1771. After his death the forge at New Kent was conducted by Francis Jerdone and William Holt. 

- Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Under the Editorial Supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, Volume 1-1915

Much more on the Reverend Charles Jeffrey Smith to follow . . .

Hurricane Isabel Anniversary

 "Last Thursday night came on the Severest hurricane of wind and rain, that has happened here in the memory of man, which lasted great part of Friday. The damage it has done is inconceivable. Vast numbers of houses are blown down, and mills carried away, trees of all sizes torn up by the roots, and cattle, hugs, &c. crushed by their fall; the corn laid level with the ground, and the tobacco ruined in many places, and much hurt in almost all; In short, such a dreadful scene of devastation presents itself in every part of the colony we have yet heard from, as beggars all description."

           - description of the September 1769 hurricane from the Williamsburg Virginia Gazette

 . . . and a few interesting links


 The Hurricane in Virginia History

Virginia's Significant Tropical Cyclones

 Hurricane History of Central and Eastern Virginia

Hurricane Camille 1969  

The Hurricane History of Colonial Virginia