A Frigid January - 1893

(Language Warning)

 Cold Weather In New Kent. 

[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.] 

Oak, Va., January 24.- The weather still coutinues fearfully cold. The average range of the thermometer for seven days past has been 1 degree below zero. Numbers of people are daily passing over the Pamunkey river to West Point. 

There is much suffering among the poor and colored people throughout this section. Many birds of different species, hares, &c., are found daily dead in the woods, and should there not be a change for the better soon I fear not not only the birds will die, but that much stock will succumb.

                    -Richmond Dispatch, 25 January 1893

Sort of a do it yourself job . . .

 Signs for Peninsula Road 

 The work of putting up signs to point the way up and down the Peninsula highway In all probability will he taken up this week by L. M. Foster and E. C. Pelouze. The signs have been ordered from the Touring Bureau of the A. A. A. and the bureau has sent word that they will be made at once. 

 It Is the intention of the commlttee to post the signs front Richmond to Williamsburg; Beyond that point the matter is left in the hands of the Peninsula Automobile club and L. B. Manville the builder of the highway. 

 Mr. Pelouze, in a communication to The Richmond Virginian, asks the cooperation of the farmers in New Kent county. He says that it will facilitate the work if obliging citizens of New Kent county courthouse, Toana, and Slatersvllle will cut a few posts — a half-dozen at each point will be enough, he says- and leave them here they can be obtained by the signposters. J. A. Potts has promised to take care of the matter for the vicinity of Barhameville, but there are other points where the assistance of the neighbors will be appreciated.

-Richmond Virginian, 28 July 1912

Holiday Explosions-- Special Tannerite Edition

 

(Originally posted Christmas 2013)

Explosive New Year? Holiday shooting? Christmas guns and "shooting in the New Year". . . it's older than you think.

We have quite a merry Christmas in the family; and a compact that no unpleasant word shall be uttered and no scramble for anything. The family were baking cakes and pies until late last night, and to day we shall have full rations. I have found enough celery in the little garden for dinner. 

Last night and this morning the boys have been firing Christmas guns incessantly- no doubt pilfering from their fathers cartridge boxes. There is much jollity and some drunkenness in the streets, notwithstanding the enemy's pickets are within an hour's march of the city

- From A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, John Beauchamp Jones, 1866

I gathered my corn, and then set out for my Fall's hunt. This was in the last of October, 1822 I found bear very plenty and indeed all sorts of game and wild varments, except buffalo There was none of them. I hunted on till Christmas, having supplied my family very well all along with wild meat, at which time my powder gave out; and I had none either to fire Christmas guns, which is very common in that country or to hunt with.

- Life of David Crockett: The Original Humorist and Irrepressible Backwoodsman - Davy Crockett

 1804.
 Robert Mitchell, Mayor, to the Governor
 Dec. 25, Richmond

Having a moment of time to spare, I take that opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter enclosing the advice of our Council of State, bearing date the 3rd of last November, and yours of the 19th of same month. It did not come to hand at that date or for many days after. I have done all in my power to prevent that evil of unlawful Gaming within this city pointed out by you; besides it encourages the unguarded youth in Idleness vice and Immorality. You may depend on my doing all in my power to prevent such violation of our laws, and punish them when detected. 

Your favor of the 24th Inst. came very late to hand on the evening of that day. Had I rece'd it early in the day I might have had it more in my power to have its contents put in execution more compleat in order to comply with your wish and my own desire. On the 23rd Inst. I wrote Maj'r Wolfe to furnish a Serg't Guard out of the militia, in order to aid our city Patrol to patrol the city and its Jurisdiction during the Christmas Holydays, which has been complyed with, but it does appear to me to be impossible to prevent firing what is called Christmas Guns, being an old established custom, although there is an ordinance of the city police fixing a fine of 5s. for every offence of firing Guns within this city. The addition of the militia to the city patrol may prevent in part the evil pointed out to me in your letter.

 I am &c                    

- From Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts: ... Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond, Virginia- Volume 9, Henry W. Flournoy, 1890

We have had frequent accounts of cannon firing about Norfolk for three or four days past, and which occasioned many conjectures, but last night we learned that the ships were only firing Christmas guns. I should have but a poor stomach for such mirth were I in their situation, which must be distressing. Indeed, I have heard from very good authority that Dunmore has been drunk and they say mad since his defeat at the Great Bridge.

 -Letter of Maj. Leven Powell, Loudon County Militia,  written December 1776, Williamsburg

March 1655-6    6th of Commonwealth  

                                                           ACT XII 

WHEREAS it is much to be doubted, That the comon enemie the Indians, if opportunity serve, would suddenly invade this collony to a totall subversion of the same and whereas the only means for the discovery of their plotts is by allarms, of which no certainty can be had in respect of the frequent shooting of gunns in drinking, whereby they proclaim, and as it were, justifie that beastly vice spending much powder in vaine, that might be reserved against the comon enemie, Be it therefore enacted that what person or persons soever shall, after publication hereof, shoot any gunns at drinkeing (marriages and ffuneralls onely excepted) that such person or persons so offending shall forfeit 100 lb. of tobacco to be levied by distresse in case of refusall and to be disposed of by the militia in amunition towards a magazine for the county where the offence shall be comitted.

- From The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year 1619, William Waller Hening,ed. 1823

You will notice they made to sure to exempt weddings and funerals from the ban.

It should be noted that there was also the tradition of the "Christmas gun," a specifically childhood exercise, that consisted of boring a hole into a particularly stout log, filling said hole with gunpowder, and then setting it off.

Never Cross Your Dentist.

Dangerously Wounded.- -Oliver F. Taylor, a dentist, is now in the jail of New Kent county, charged with stabbing with intent to kill, Thomas Q. Gilliam. The parties met at Franklin's store, about six miles from the court house, on  Saturday last, and engaged in a game of dominos. A dispute arose between them, and as they had had a difficulty two or three years before, Mr. Taylor charged Mr. Gilliam with a desire to crow over him. Mr. G. then gave him the lie. With this T. Gave G. a blow in the face, and drawing a bowie  knife, gave him three stabs in the left side, one of which penetrated the lung. Mr. Gilliam was thought to be in a critical condition yesterday, though hopes are entertained of his recovery. The prisoner will undergo an examination on 22nd the Inst.

- Richmond Daily Dispatch, January 15, 1858

The census has Thomas Quincy Gilliam, born 1828, who lived in New Kent at that time.

Who lived until 1900.

In fact surviving his attacker Oliver Francis Taylor who died 1897.

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.”