Tidewater Tales

This book was written "to make some record of the history, both local and general, of each county in the State, in order that those who may follow us can read with interest and with a considerable degree of pride, and be encouraged to cultivate their own intellects and to promote the welfare of their county." The narrative opens with a brief history of Essex, beginning in 1608 with Captain John Smith's exploration of the Rappahannock River, followed by descriptive accounts of the area, its progress, and especially the people who lived there. An extensively researched address by Henry Wise Garnett, Esq. and numerous sketches (some being in "negro dialect") from the various centers of the county involving very local history and some biography complete this comprehensive history. Chapters include: Essex County, Geography and Agriculture; Essex from 1608 to 1876; A Trip on the Tidewater Trail; Educational; Upright; Fragments of History from Dunnsville; Bestland and the Road to Essex Mill; Center Cross; Dunbrooke; Paul's Cross Roads; The Court Room in Tappahannock, Va.; St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock, Va.; and The Rise of Chinkapin. Sketches include: Major Bob, All for Fun, Agriculture in the Public Schools, The History of the Virginia Mad-Stones, An Address Upon the Death of President McKinley, and many, many more. Several vintage photographs and a new index to full-names, places, and subjects by Wesley E. Pippenger enhance this work. This edition is the first to have an index.