Workcation in Essex County: Finding Historical Sites of Early America
I took a workcation in Essex County Virginia and decided to look around Tappahannock.
What's a workcation you ask? I have an answer, and details on how to plan a successful one. Click here to read it on my Free At 50 blog. But in short: it's a super-short getaway to change your environment and hyper-focus on your business and goals. I love doing these. Earlier this week I got a bug to get in the car and drive, so I chose Tappahannock.
I have been keeping a list of places to see in Virginia as I dive deeper into this blog focused on early American history. Even if my goal is to work on a Free At 50 project (in this case my first e-book!), I cannot help but give myself a solid dose of history. So naturally: a blog post here!
The result: sitting in my hotel after a fantastic patty melt over at NN Burger and a little drive around town, I began organizing a list of sites to look at in the morning.
How? I used two sources to help me find historical sites in Essex County Virginia:
- Sites listed on the National Register of Historic sites for Essex County Virginia. Click here to see the easy-to-view (and clickable) list on Wikipedia.
- Essex County Museum's list of historic markers. They give exact locations and a bit of detail. Click here to view the list.
And guess what? The gray day had an impact on photos and bad GPS'ing and rain led me to ditch the list I had... and really LOOK around.
I'll visit Essex County Virginia again, but for now, I've selected one historical site I wanted to dig deeper into and chat about! This is a journal-style blog -so here goes.
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NN Burger on a rainy day in Tappahannock Virginia
The Meriwether-Ritchie House
Who lived in this historic home?
Thomas Meriwether.
For the Meriwether part, Tappahannock has this page dedicated to the history of the house. It seems that the house was originally occupied in 1706 by Thomas Meriwether.
You don't see anything about this on the historical marker, so I went to one of my favorite places to find out more: Colonial Williamsburg's John D. Rockefeller Library. (aka the place where time passes without notice and I find myself in rabbit holes of all sorts!)
I found two fantastic resources.
Photographs of the home.
The library has an amazing archive of files on Virginia buildings. Sadly, the file on the Meriwether- Ritchie house was thin, but it included black and white photos of the home.
Markings included the "Metropolitan Engraving Company of Richmond Virginia" although I was unable to note a date the photographs were taken. Still a cool bit of history to see! Although the information I found on Tappahannock's website shares 1706 as the house's original date, notes on the back of one of the photographs claims 1698.
Either way, it's an early American example of brick Colonial architecture.
Court records related to Thomas Meriwether.
In 1947, a man named Beverley Fleet published a book sorting and listing Essex County records for 1703-06. He was from Virginia but spent seven months in Hollywood California while putting this volume together. Therefore both his Hollywood and Richmond addresses are on the page listing citation information.
I fell into this book for quite awhile- to be honest I'll be going back to read more. It shows that during this period, Thomas was active in Essex County.
Thomas Ritchie.
As far as the historical significance noted outside this house, the focus is on the Ritchie portion. This Thomas was more known in early American history as the founder of the Richmond Enquirer and, later, as the editor of the very short-lived and politically outspoken Washington Union. Ritchie was openly supporting James Polk in his policies and politics. Read about it here.
Clearly, Ritchie's activism during the first half of the 18th century had national impact. I truly went down a bit of a rabbit hole on this one. It was easy to get pulled into learning more about this man whose home I got to see in person. He is remembered as a pioneer in the editorial impact of journalism, click here.
Historical Marker, Tappahannock in Essex County, Virginia
More deeper dives and research for Essex County historical sites to come.
My list.
For future visits (and easy searchable reference for me!) I'm dropping the other places in and about Essex County that grabbed my interest.
- Essex County Museum and Historical Society: Current hours for this site are limited and with the touchy weather we had, I left too early to visit. However, I know it'll be packed with insight that will help a blogger like me share the historical significance of Essex County with you.
- Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge: Captain John Smith wrote about this stretch (and obviously traveled it) so I want to experience it as part of my dive into early American history. According to its website: "The refuge is rich with archeological and historic sites detailing the lives of Native Americans, early English colonists, and Revolutionary War soldiers." Enough said.
- Belle Farm House: My research online showed that this historical home in Essex County has original woodwork from Williamsburg! I'm looking forward to learning more about it and grabbing a photo.
- The Essex Inn of 1851: I may be booking a room here in the future- it's now an inn! A Dr. Lawrence Roane built this as his home in 1851. Like many homes and buildings of the Civil War era, this one was occupied by both Union and Confederate troops at one time.
And more. More early American history and historical sites in Essex County to come.
Front view, Essex Inn in Tappahannock Virginia
Take a look around.
Everywhere you go, you'll find history. No matter where you are, take a look around. Visit the local museum or historical society (sometimes one and the same), do a search online for historic sites, or just wander and read historical markers. But do it!
Subscribe to the blog and let's connect by email! I want to hear all about your adventures near home and on the road.
Closing with words from history.
Take this one as you will. It seems clear that while P.T. Barnum was working on promoting a Swedish songstress named Millie Lind, Mr. Ritchie had concerns as to where she used her popularity, and income, to support a cause that was divisive in 18th century America. Read the full report with citations here.
The following "Correspondence" between P. T. Barnum and Thomas Ritchie, Editor of the Washington Union, was published in the National Antislavery Standard, December 26, 1850:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1850.
DEAR SIR: I understand that there is an insiduous report in secret circulation, calculated, if not designed, to injure the success of Mílle Lind in this city and in the South. It is insinuated that, besides the numerous acts of beneficence which she has conferred on our countrymen, and which do her so much honor, she has presented an association of abolitionists in the North with one thousand dollars, for the purpose of promoting their alarming and detestable projects.
Do me the favor to say whether this report is not without the slightest foundation.
Yours, respectfully,
THOMAS RITCHIE.
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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.
1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.
2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.
3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.
