Anna Jarvis is recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day in the U.S. Though she never married or had kids, she is also known as the Mother of Mothers Day, an apt title for the lady who worked hard to bestow honor on all mothers. Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mother’s Day in her childhood from her own mother, Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis. An activist and social worker, her mother used to express her desire that someday someone must honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them. A loving daughter, Anna…
Browsing: History
FERDINAND MEYER V.
Ferdinand Meyer V. President, Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors, www.peachridgeglass.com, found this example of a bottle which would have contained “Winfree’s Aromatic Stomach Bitters” Henry N. Winfree (H. N. Winfree is embossed on the Chester bottles), born 1853, is our most likely suspect. It is well known in the Chester area that the Winfree or Yellow House was almost dead center of the Chester Station conflict during the Civil War. There is to this day a bullet lodged in the siding of the house and a name carved on a window inside. Relic hunters have searched for everything from buttons…
An iron bell no larger than a foot in diameter called court to session in 1749. The courthouse bell, 268 years old, was mounted on the top of the roof that graced the front porch of the house of law. It was hung from a three sided support and off-center in relation to the front door because the bell didn’t move, only the clapper inside, so the rope to the bell would be in the way of the door. The bell warned not only of a trial, but of sentencing, too. When the contract to build the old courthouse was…
Featured above is a 1628 woodcut by Matthaeus Merian published along with Theodore de Bry's earlier engravings in 1628 book on the New World. The engraving shows the March 22, 1622 massacre when Powhatan Indians attacked Jamestown and outlying Virginia settlements. Merian relied on de Bry's earlier depictions of the Indians.
From 1619 to 1622 bog iron was smelted in an iron furnace at the mouth of Falling Creek. John Berkley was selected to manage the construction of the ironworks. Several settlements also existed from the falls which is now at Richmond to Jamestown. Coxendale, Bermuda Hundred, Farrars Island and Kingsland among others which Sir Thomas Dale governed after he return from England to restock Jamestown to find the settlers dying and living in filth. During the time period leading up to 1622 the natives were getting restless and settlers found it increasing difficult to work and live their day to…
It was so much easier to jump on a trolley and head to Richmond to shop at Thalhimer’s or to Petersburg for lunch and tea especially if you didn’t have a car, which at the time of the trolley that rolled down Jefferson Davis Highway was the only way to go north or south along Route 1. It stopped at designated locations like the one still standing in Bensley. The electric trolley system initially ran from Manchester, which was part of Chesterfield at the time, 1909, to the DuPont plant. According to Chesterfield: An old Virginia County by Francis Lutz,…
Dr. James Worsley, the Director of Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation was the guest speaker Monday, April 3, at the Chester Station No. 1503 Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting. Worsley presented an update on the capital improvements being made to the county’s historical parks. Chester Station No. 1503 Sons of Confederate Veterans is a non-profit group organized and operated exclusively under the IRS code 501 (c) (3) for educational purposes with the specific charge to “ensure that the true history of the South is told to future generations.” Preserving and protecting the county’s Civil War battlefields, fortifications, and…
seventy-five years allow for many opportunities for story-telling. from left, sue and rick young. samatha, joan, and jay bender sharing stories.
Last month they celebrated 75 years of continuous operation of the Half Way House with many of their long-time customers and staff. Specials guests were the Benders’ daughter-in-law Joan, her son Jay, and Jay’s daughter Samatha. Along with select items that have been on the menu for 75 years, like filet mignon, baked ham, veal cutlet, and fried chicken, the Youngs served a traditional drink from the Benders’ menu, Claret Lemonade as well as their own famous tradition, cinnamon rolls. The house and restaurant remain in their original form. A log cabin on the back of the property serves as…
The popular swimming hole right off U.S. Route One between Richmond and Petersburg, (directly across the Bermuda Crossroads Shopping Center) was the most refreshing refuge from humidity and sweltering dog days west of Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a mecca for locals seeking a few hours of blessed relief and a major vacation destination for tourists from throughout the state. Folks were drawn by its sandy beach, water slides, and the high diving board where giggling girls congregated to watch the boys show off. The adjacent dance hall filled the evening air with Big Band melodies. Everyone…
It was about 1836 when the picture above was taken of the Schooner John J. Ward with Capt. Van Cleef as skipper. The terminal at Bermuda Hundred was at the end of Bermuda Hundred Road on the James River. You can still see some of pilings left from the days it was a vibrant port. The Farmville & Powhatan (narrow-gage) railroad brought lumber and coal to the terminal to be shipped. Passengers would also travel from the Bermuda Hundred location. Ben A. Ruffin sailed to New York five times on the John J. Ward, according to a note on the…
County mapping specialist retires after 45 years. “My father said, ‘Don’t find a job for the money you can make; find a job that you like,’” – George Fickett There are few people, possibly none, more familiar with Civil War history in Chesterfield County than George L. Fickett, Jr. Working for Chesterfield County for 45 years, Fickett made his job his fulfillment rather than his daily grind. That fulfillment came through his various positions in the county government, beginning in 1971 as a draftsman in the Utilities Department and ending with his retirement as GIS Specialist for the Department of…