It's a Raid!

-from the Pulaski Southwest Times, February 20 1944

A Mass at the White House, 1862

Rev. William Corby, front right


 - from Memoirs of chaplain life by William Corby

 This would probably be the first mass ever said in New Kent . . .unless the Ajacán Mission was actually located here, but more on that some other time.

Letitia Tyler at 125

Letitia Tyler, the oldest inhabitant of Virginia, died at her home in Richmond several days ago. Her relatives say she was 125 years old, having been born in New Kent county in 1773. She had great-great-grandchildren. She went to Richmond fifty years ago with the family of Mr. Joshua Williams and was a nurse for many generations in the Williams family. Her mother was a half-breed Indian.

- Rockingham Register, December 15, 1899

Reaction in New Kent to the Harpers Ferry Raid

More Volunteers.- Capt. Vaiden(Melville Vaiden) of the New Kent Troop, with Lieut. (Telemachus)Taylor and Surgeon Tyler(Tazewell Tyler??), arrived in this city yesterday afternoon, to tender the services of that company, 60 strong. to Gov. Wise, to go to Charlestown and aid in repelling any invaders who might attempt to release from prison the famous land pirate, incendiary and murderer, John Brown. News reached New Kent yesterday morning that 5,000 armed men were marching upon Charlestown, and the Troop of that county determined at once to join their brother soldiers in repelling the invaders. Of course they were very much surprised to hear that there was no truth in the report, and that their services were not needed. For their promptness and patriotism, however, they deserve all praise, and will doubtless receive the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief on his return to the capital.

- Daily Dispatch, November 22, 1859

New Kent Historical Markers, 7

 

more information from markerhistory.com
Image from Virginia Department of Historical Resources

Confederate Stone Fleet in the Pamunkey

An Annex from  
Navy Department,
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Naval History Division,
Washington, D.C.

THE CONFEDERATE STONE FLEET


The Confederate Army and Navy found it expedient at times to construct 
barricade at strategic points in inland waterways to permit the escape 

During the first half of 1862, two areas of Virginia, Croatan Sound and 
of their forces, prevent captures, and impede the Federal advance. 
the Pamunkey River, were obstructed with numerous ships which were 

served briefly as transport. Varied sizes and types of ships, having 
seized from private owners specifically for this purpose, or which had 
little if any previous service were loaded with stone and sand, or 

CSA, and employed to carry provisions and supplies while the arrny was 
filled with dirt, then towed to a designated spot and sunk as a hazard 
to all craft that passed.

The following ships were seized by forces under Gen. J. E. Johnston, 

on the Pamunkey River. Most of the ships were then sunk in that vicinity 
at Yorktown. When the army withdrew toward Richmond, the transports were 
loaded with Government stores that were discharged at White House, Va., 
during May 1862 to delay Union gunboat.

Ships sunk at White House, Va., between 5 & 10 May 1862

CLAUDIA, owned by M. Williams

LITTLE ADDIE, sloop owned by J. Montgomery

Ships destroyed at Cooke's Island 5 & 10 May 1862


AMERICAN COASTER, schooner owned by M. Crockett, was loaded with dirt 
and prepared for sinking but was captured by USS CURRITUCK. She was 


later used as a Union transport.

DAVID VANAME, schooner owned by C. Johnson 


DIANA HOPKINS, schooner owned by E. Phillips


HANNAH ANN, schooner
EXPERIMENT, schooner owned by W. Messick

FRIENDSHIP, schooner owned by Allman and Watts


KING WILLIAM, schooner owned by Sayre & Fleming
J. & G. FAIR, schooner owned by W. Lee

J. T. CONNOR, owned by J. Bagby

JOSEPHINE, schooner owned by W. Dansey

MARY ELIZABETH PRINCESS, schooner owned by W. Lee

MARY LUYSTER, owned by J. T. Bland

ORNAMENT, sloop owned by Crittenden and Post

PALESTINE, schooner owned by Thomas

*PLANTER


WILLIAM SHANBERG, schooner owned by W. Messick and E. Phillips 
R. P. WALLER, schooner owned by T. Gilliam

SARAH ANN, schooner owned by W. Ward

**STARLIGHT

WILLIAM EDWARD, schooner owned by J. and W. Thomas

Ships destroyed at Garlick's landing Between 5 & 10 May 1862

JENNY LIND, schooner owned by J. F. New & Co.


STAR, owned by S. Moon 

Ships Burned Near Indian Town Between 5 & 10 May 1862

RELIANCE


WAY, schooner owned by Gresham and Bagby 

Ships burned at Newcastle on 17 May 1862


MARGARET SCHULTZ, owned by Harrenn and Ballown
O. WHITMOND, owned by J. Wright


WATCHMAN, owned by J. Brown
WALTON, owned by J. Warring

WAVE, owned by R. Howard


WILLIAM S. RYLAND, owned by W. Berkley 

Ships burned at Cumberland between 5 & 10 May 1862

CALIFORNIA, schooner owned by Blassingham


CAROLINE BAKER, schooner owned by F. and C. Post 

Ships sunk near Bassett's Landing on 17 May 1862

ALERT, owned by A. West


BETTY RICHARD, owned by W. Smith
ANN BELL, owned by W. Thomas


J. R. BAYLIS
FRANCIS AND THEODORE, owned by J. Arrington


JEFFERSON, schooner owned by Garefoster & Braumly

JAMES BRADEN, owned by S. Kimble

JOHN ALLEN, schooner owned by S. Guy


MARY BAXTER, owned by C. Parks
LITTLE WAVE, owned by T. Hibble

MARY ALICE, owned by Captail Gage

MIRAGE





OXFORD, schooner of 85 tons and 7' draft built in 1855 at Dorchester, 
Md., and owned by Claybrook and Dobyns.
PARAGON, sloop

SARA WASHINGTON, schooner owned by Moore and Elliston


WILLIAM AND WESLEY, schooner owned by J. Cronmonger
SEA WITCH, owned by J. Robins

UNION, owned by B. F. Gresham

VIRGINIA, owned by E. Lawson

WILD PIGEON, schooner owned by W. Messick


WILLIAM FRANCIS, schooner owned by C. Coleman

 * PLANTER, a schooner, was prepared for sinking but was captured by USS 
CURRITUCK on 7 May 1862. She was turned over by the Union to her former
owner in recognition of assistance rendered in the York and Pamunkey Rivers.
 
** STARLIGHT, also scheduled for destruction, was approached while 

Potopotank River where she was abandoned. She was seized by CORWIN on 16
underway for White House, Va., by USS CORWIN. STARLIGHT escaped up the 

June and sent into Norfolk at a prize.

- from DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. II

An Interesting Act of the General Assembly

That clause of the contemporary Virginia Constitution is . . .