Opening a Coffin- 1884

         Another Halloween appropriate story . . .

                                                    NEW KENT COUNTY.

A Mysterious Affair- Opening a coffin on Which There was No Address.

[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]

    Wilcox Wharf, June 7. 1884.

A few weeks ago a large coffin from which the address had been lost was landed at one of the depots on the Chesapeake and Ohio railway in New Kent county. It was placed in the depot. The people of the neighborhood wondered where it came from and who was inside, and curiosity began to run high on the second day after its arrival, when no one called for it. Then, too, it began to be offensive, the agent said, and others began to hold their noses as they peeped in to look at it. One old gentleman said his family were offended by it a hundred yards away. It grew worse and  worse as the weather warmed, and something had to be done. Crowds began to collect to and hear some solution of the mystery, where did he come from, and what was his destination? How long was the corpse to remain? A proposition was made to bury it. It would make everybody sick. The agent could stand it no longer. But they must know who the corpse was if any trace could be had from a view of it. So it was decided to unscrew the coffin. Fifteen men gathered around, all but one holding their noses. This man said he could smell nothing, but he had a cold, and he supposed that accounted for it. So an expert took out the screws, and the crowd gently lifted the lid, each with one hand, the other hand to a nose, when lo! there were six other coffins packed in the big one like hats in a box.

The pall-bearers let down the lid, took down their nose-hands, looked very solemn and walked away; but as they went one man said, "It's no use to blab about it." But the man who had a cold in his head and could not detect anything offensive did blab, and so you have it.

                                           I.H.C.

-Daily Dispatch, June 08, 1884

What's In a Name - Maidstone

Postcard illustrated by M. F. Peck

 It is not by accident that the commercial/residential development in the village of New Kent was named Maidstone in 2008. Maidstone is a town of 120,000 in southeastern England, on the river Medway. Maidstone is "county town" or administrative center of the county of some 1,500,000 people.

A settlement since Neolithic times, notable sites inside the town include the palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Fourteenth Century building was the rural residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury until passing into the hands of Henry VIII. It is now a wedding venue.

The Palace as seen from the river Medway

"Invicta Lane" is the first entrance road of the Maidstone development as you arrive  from the east, the name originating in the Latin motto of the county of Kent, meaning "unconquered." Other roads in the development: "Allington Castle" named for a Twelfth  Century castle just north of Maidstone, "Knockholt" for a village on the eastern border of Kent with London, "Leeds Castle" for  a castle some seven miles southeast of Maidstone dating from 1823 (though a fortification has been on the site for approximately a 1000 years), and "Broadstairs" for a village on the North Sea on the far western tip of Kent.

The rather interesting maps of Kent used here are from a postcard by 20th Century artist M.F. Peck.

A Coffin for Keeping

 

In keeping with the Halloween story I present . . .

 

A strange story was brought here to day, from New Kent, the truth of which is vouched for. Last week Mr. J.H. Christian, an eccentric old gentleman, was taken very ill und he thought he could not recover. He sent to Tunstall's for an undertaker to come and take his measure for a coffin, which he did. The initial box was made and taken to Mr. Christian's who approved it. He is now much better, him will no-over, but will keep the box until he needs it.

- Norfolk Virginian,  18 August 1895

"There is Always Something Doing at Roxbury" - September 1922

 

 ROXBURY

 Items from Charles City and New Kent.

 As The News is finding its way into homes of both counties, I will try to speak of those good people. As I have written before of this beautiful little town of Roxbury, I can not find much to say, jet there is always something doing at Roxbury.

 I can but feel proud of that New Kent boy, Grover McCann, agent and operator at that place; a life that is certainly an inspiration for any young man, only to see what honesty, sobriety and determination will win. Only a few years ago, when but a boy, he learned telegraphy at Walkers, Va., and has held positions for many years with the C. & O.. R.R. Co. Yet quite a young man, he has from push and pluck bought fine farms, has a pretty home and a family of a faithful wife and two beautiful little boys. It is one of the happiest and most beautiful homes in the Peninsula section.

 Then there is R. B. Henley, an old Essex boy, one of the most popular in this section. He has retired from the mercantile business and is now in the insurance business. He too has a beautiful home and a devoted wile. All he lacks to make the family ties strong and binding is a little Henley boy and girl, then all will be complete.

 Parker Sherwood, another Essex boy, was located here for some time, but now with his pretty wife and little girl is located at Williamsburg. He is brother-in-law of Mr. Henley and is doing fine also in the insurance business. There is some "pep” in in these two fine agents.

 There are others I should like to mention who are an honor to their adopted county.

 There are fine crops of all kinds in this section, but the melon crop, owing to the railroad strike, was a loss. Only a few got the price of their fertilizer bill back. The farmer will find out better; let this perishable crop alone; confine themselves to substantial crops.

 One young farmer told the writer today who had just returned from Richmond, that there is no sale for anything. Sweet potatoes now are only 50 cents a bushel, and no one has money, as thousands are out of work. No one attempts to pull fodder, no labor to be had, or they will not work on the farm for less than $1.25 a day, 8-hour system. No farmer can afford to pay such prices.

 The question now being asked is, Where is the central highway going to connect with the old Williamsburg route? A large crowd is now surveying a new route, cutting out about 10 miles of the central route, leaving Roxbury, Long bridge, Glendale out. Why they chose such route no one can tell. Of course it will cost millions to complete this route, but. it is a straight line from Richmond to Newport News. Bottom bridge, a substantial, concrete bridge, is already built to stand all heavy traffic. No one can tell where the connection will be made, or when.

 "I want a good job,” said a young man some time ago. "with little work and big pay.” 

"Then get a government job,” he was told.

 It seems all true, when one sees the surveyors of the highway get on the job at 10 o’clock and leave at 3 o'clock. The advice was good.

 Go through the woods now. One can see well-beaten paths in every direction, leading nobody knows where. But the bootlegger is on the job, for a few nights ago, while out coon hunting, the dogs were treeing a coon when the old darky hastened to them and suddenly went head foremost into a full barrel of mash ready to run. But no one was in sight or still found. It is said this was in the wilds of Chickahominy, where no prohibition officers ever go. If he did, he’d just as well kiss his wife good-bye when he leaves home; it is doubtful if ever he returns, for the bootlegger is a desperate character.

 It is said the spirits of the departed will return, but the spirit of old John Barleycorn never makes its appearance here for we keep a lookout for it; but it certainly visits some sections, for a sight often seen is a man running with his hat in his hand trying to get away from or get in the way of, the spirit(s). 

J. A. W.

                    

-West Point News,  15 September 1922

 

 Airplane No. 56, in charge of Lieutenant Saunders, is stranded on the New Kent side of the Pamunkey over on the Brick House farm, opposite West Point, and for the past thirty-six hours crowds of people have visited it. The airplane was plying between Norfolk and Washington when the gas gave out.

-Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9 February 1919

Only some 16 years after the Wright Brothers first flight this would have been the first sight most civilian residents of New Kent had ever had of an aircraft.

New Kent for Zachary Taylor

 

 Nomination of General Zachary Taylor as a Candidate for the next Presidency, by the People.

 

 Saturday week, the 8th inst., being the day of Regimental Parade, a large number of the citizens of New Kent and Charles City counties, composing the 52d Regiment,* assembled at the Forge in New Kent; and the Parade being over, a meeting was held, without distinction of party, to nominate Gen. Taylor for the next Presidency.

 The meeting was organized by the appointing of Col. E.G. Crump as Chairman, and Wm. R.C. Douglass as Secretary and its object having been appropriately explained by the committee or is appointed to report proceedings  in accordance therewith; which motion prevailed, and the following gentlemen named as said committee: Doct. Robt. S. Apperson, Hill Carter, A.H. Fergusson, Col. Jno. S. Stubblefield, Jacquelin L. Poindexter, Rich'd. Crump, Dr. Wm. R. Savage, Canellene C. Fowlkes, R. T. Lacy, Dr. G.W. Morriss, Wm. Fowlkes, Braxton Garlick and Wm R. C. Douglas, who, after a short retirement, returned and reported through their chairman, Dr. Apperson, the subjoined preamble and resolution, which were submitted to the meeting in the usual manner, and adopted with but one dissenting voice.

 When the committee returned with their report Thos. H. Willcox, Esq., was in the midst of an address, the soul-stirring sentiments of which elicited frequent bursts of applause.

 The meeting was also addressed, in very handsome style, by Messrs. Hill Carter, R.T. Lacy and John Walker; and the only thing that occurred to mar, in the slightest degree, the harmony of its proceedings, was the position which Mr. Walker fell constrained to occupy in reference to them. Differing with the meeting as to the propriety of nominating Gen. Taylor, he nevertheless expressed the commendable sentiment that the People's choice should be his choice.

                                     Preamble and Resolution.

 Whereas, we are of opinion that the high state of party feeling, which has existed for the last twelve or fifteen years, has been deleterious both to our interests-and to our social relations, and whereas we have entire confidence in the fitness of Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR for the Presidency, and believe that his nomination for that office by the People, without distinction of party, and without reference to his opinions upon those questions that have hereto divided parties, will tend in a great degree to foster a spirit conducive of good alike to our interests and to our social relations- Therefore,

 Resolved, That we do hereby nominate Gen Zachary Taylor as the People's Candidate for the next Presidency, and pledge ourselves to use every honorable effort to ensure his election.

 On motion of Capt. Braxton Garlick, it was, 

 R'solved, That these proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary; and that the Whig and Democratic papers in Richmond, Norfolk and Petersburg be requested to publish them.

 On motion, the meeting then adjourned.

  E.G. CRUMP, Chairman. 

Wm. R.C. Douglas, Secretary.

 -Richmond Enquirer,  25 May 1847

Zachary Taylor would go on to claim the Whig nomination for Presidency in 1848 and would win the election in November. He would carry New Kent with 178 votes against 101 for the Democrats' Lewis Cass. This is not really surprising considering that New Kent was considered a strong Whig county.

The 52 Regiment was the militia regiment composed of the militia companies of New Kent and Charles City.

                         

                           JEALOUSY CAUSE OF FIGHT AT ROXBURY 

Ladies Fainted When Boys Started Row in Front of School 

(By J. A. Wright.) 

ROXBURY, VA„ May 14.—Since my last letter many unexpected incidents have occurred; fortunately, nothing serious. At the closing exercises of the Graded School near Quinton Friday night a large crowd attended. The program consisted of recitations, music and songs. Every seat was filled. All seemed happy when a fight outside was started by some young men. The battle raged with fury. Many ladies fainted. It was a disgraceful scene, and has cast a shadow, over this section.

 Five of the young men were arrested. They were tried Saturday by 'Squire, C. C. Tunstall and each fined -$25 and costs. The lecture that Mr. Tunstall gave them will follow them through life, it is hoped. Jealousy was the cause of the row.

 Young Higgins, who is quite a favorite with the ladies, has strewn the path along lovers' fame with thorns instead of flowers. So several others decided to get rid of this young man by force. But they selected the wrong time and place, which they have found out to their sorrow.

             Fred S. Bock Postmaster.

 At last, alter a hard-fought battle for postmaster at this place for several months, Mr. Fred S. Bock* has been appointed postmaster to succeed Mr. L. H. Rowzie. Mr. George Binns, with many years' experience, will be his assistant. 

 Roxbury is one of the best paying fourth-class post offices in the Peninsula, with two rural routes running out and one star route.

 Mr. Rowzie has made many friends here. Not a complaint was ever heard by the patrons of the office or the department. All wish him well in his new held of operations.

 This appointment was no political pull, for both Mr. Bock and Mr. Rowzie are staunch Republicans. The honor was won by merit alone. Mr. Bock standing highest on examination.

  The political situation is at fever heat now as to the congressional honors between Senator L. O. Wendenburg and Congressman A. J. Montague. No one can foretell results.

 The Methodist churches are preaching prohibition every Sunday. Several have given notice that their pulpits will be supplied for the summer by students, while the pastors go out in the highways and byways to stump for the prohibition ticket.

 No one will venture to predict the result of the September election. 

Personal News.

  There will be an all-day service at Olivet Church Sunday. A large crowd is expected to attend the unveiling of the monument by the Woodmen of the World to the late Forest Gilliam, of Providence Forge.

 Misses Bessie and Sammie Provoo, with Mr. Parker Shearwood and Mr. Richardson, who have been visiting relatives in New Kent, returned to Richmond Sunday.

  All Sunday schools in this section are now in a flourishing condition. 

 Preparations are being made for an excursion to Buckroe Beach this summer over the Chesapeake arid Ohio.

-Evening Journal, 14 May 1914

Fred Stanley Bock (21 Jul 1878- 2 May 1936)