Where George Courted Martha New Kent County, Virginia New 36 Page Booklet Early days days in New Kent County, VA -- which today encompasses the communities of Barhamsville, Lanexa, New Kent, Providence Forge, and Quinton  -- are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this booklet, comprised of excerpts from three rare vintage books: Historical Collections of Virginia by Henry Howe; Twelve Counties of Virginia by John H. Gwathmey; and Virginia, a Guide to the Old Dominion, a WPA Writer's Program publication. The spiral-bound booklet is printed on 60#  8 1/2 x11" paper, with the print enlarged to fit the paper. The front cover is protected with a vinyl sheet. The Howe history, printed in 1845, covers the early development of this area, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes and sightseeing possibilities. Gwathmey's 1937 contribution, sub-titled "Where the Western Migration Began" is a rich resource for the names of prominent families. Many of these early settlers and/or their descendants later migrated to the "western" states of Kentucky, Ohio, etc. Because the booklet is comprised of excerpts from several sources, there may occasionally be duplication of material. Among the many subjects discussed are: Physical Features of the Area,  Early remembrances by those who knew George Washington and Martha Custis of their first meeting, etc.; "Stone House," a "curious relic of antiquity in Virginia" with theories involving Blackbeard, Capt. Smith and Pocahontas, and Nathaniel Bacon; Orapax, a historic Indian village where John Smith, held captive by Opechancanough, used his wits, "talking" paper and a compass to delay his execution; Moysonec, an Indian village on the Chickahominy; Members of the Council and House of Burgesses from New Kent; Chief Totopotomoi killed at Bloody Run when he tried to help the British; Hanging of William Drummond, first governor of North Carolina and a supporter of Nathaniel Bacon;  early land grants to Terrell, Ludwell, Handford and Whitehead families; St. Peter's Church and other early churches; Providence Forge; Bio of Major Thomas Massie, with Washington in the Revolution; "The White House" of New Kent, for which the White House in Washington was named; Ancestry of Martha Washington; Horse racing, fox hunting, lotteries and other social activities; Stately Homes and their owners; Gen. McClellan's headquarters during the War Between the States; Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Ride around the Union Army; Some Confederate Officers from New Kent; Courthouse in New Kent (1909); and other interesting bits of history and trivia. Among the family names not previously mentioned are: names: Lightfoot, Foster, Bassett, Keeling, Crump, Lacey, Chamberlaynes, Patterson, Hill, Baldwin, Lacy, Webb, Macon, Littlepage, Dandridge, Bromleys, Osbornes, Christian, Gregory, Turner, Vaiden,  Geddes, Bailey, Bradley, and Graves, Illustrations include: the Stone House and the New Kent Courthouse. Wouldn't this make a unique gift?

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