Exploring New Kent County's Historical Society and A Journey to the Grave of First Lady Leticia Christian Tyler
A shout-out and thank you to the ladies I met from the New Kent Historical Society.
If you've been following along, you know my first visit to an historical society with a blogger's lens was in Palm Desert, resulting in a fresh take to a blog post (and straying from my main focus of Colonial America).
Today's visit to the New Kent Historical Society might lead to a new "template" for articles, focused on learning history through amazing local resources like this one. I wandered into a 19th century two-room schoolhouse whose current life is home to the Society and its Museum.
If I'm honest, I originally planned to be more structured in my approach. I have a list of historical societies I plan to visit in Virginia, and thought I should have a set of questions on hand as I go. Then I had an a-ha moment today: don't speak, just listen. It's always the best advice, so why not go into this new aspect of my history journey without a plan.
Thank goodness I did- the natural conversation led to fantastic results.
In this post, I'll go into today's visit to New Kent then, before today's closing words from history, will drop tips on learning history through an historical society.
RELATED: Click here to read the Palm Desert post.
Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.
Crepe myrtles at the entrance to Cedar Grove Cemetery
Bits I learned about New Kent County Virginia and what I can find there.
At the Museum.
The two fantastic women hosting today showed me around and walked me through a map of the area. We got to chat about what I call "hidden bits of history" - and I took off to experience some of it. But first, we talked about what's in the Museum.
Three pieces of history that caught my attention:
1) A listing of the earliest families of New Kent, some still living in the area. I've definitely heard, read, and seen some of these family names and won't be surprised if they make the pages of this blog in the future!
2) A local minister's painting and the original sign on the building. If I recall the conversation correctly it was attached to the railroad. Personally I love art that preserves history and WOW- to be able to connect it with the actual history in this way is outstanding!
3) A Civil War saddle, worn by Hammond Fletcher Crump and shared with the museum by a descendent who is active in local history. Mr. Crump served in the Virginia Cavalry during the war, enlisting at age 19. Back home, he was a blacksmith and cabinet/coffin maker according to the information provided.
All of the above photos were taken at the museum; it's a small space but well-organized and SO MUCH to see! Yes, I have more photos for more topics down the road. Rest assured, I'll be back to dig in a little more.
In the meantime, the Society's website is easily available- click here to open the page in a new window.
Offsite.
Without the guidance of New Kent Historical Society's docents, who knows how long (or even if!) I would've discovered these two sites forever connected to two of our First Ladies.
1) St. Peter's Church, AKA the first First Lady's first church.
Martha Dandridge, future Mrs. Custis and Lady Washington, was born and raised in New Kent at Chestnut Grove. And this was her church.
I have more to learn about this church, but simply wandering the grounds and peeking through the windows was enough for today. The knowledge that Lady Washington walked through the door and spent countless hours inside this beautiful yet unassuming brick structure was overwhelming.
Possibly because it was so quiet. It was far off of Old Church Road and up a wooded lane which opened up to the grounds. First, you see the cemetery after entering the gate and then the calm of this historic building.
Front view, St. Peter's Church
And from the title: Leticia Christian Tyler's gravesite.
While Cedar Grove, President John Tyler's first wife's family home, is private, her family's cemetery plot is accessible to the public. After a short drive up a gravel lane, you arrive at a small parking area. Then two beautiful (and fragrant) crepe myrtle trees flank the entrance, marked by a super-small wrought-iron gate I found open.
All in all, I counted 17 headstones and gravesites, many of which were illegible. I found Leticia's stone as well as two of their daughters, Alice and Mary. While there may be more of their children buried on the site, I couldn't make out anymore of the markers that were dedicated to the Tylers' children.
The site is incredibly calm and simply perfect.
RELATED: Learn more about Leticia Tyler from the White House's website here.
More to see/later visits.
I have a bit of a list. In addition to revisiting the Museum, I plan to visit the 1909 Courthouse, learn more about the New Kent Ordinary, and quite possibly find the site of where James Armistead Lafayette and his family lived. I may even wander into The Old Jail which houses the local Genealogical Research Center.
And of course, more sites directly related to Martha Washington.
Learning history: tips for visiting historical societies.
- Know the hours in advance- they're often limited. Check the website (or Facebook page) if they have one.
- Once inside, let the docent[s] know your interest and have them guide the conversation about their location.
- Ask questions such as:
- what is kept at the site (documents/artifacts/art)
- what can be found online
- what hidden history should you go visit in the area
New Kent Ordinary, dated back to the 17th century.
Closing words from history.
Closing today's post with an excerpt of an 1842 letter from President Tyler to Leticia. To read the transcription (and see the image!) online and in full, click here.
Washington May 8, 1842
My Dear Wife,
I have postponed writing to you this long because I knew that the children kept you advised of the condition of the family, and because my time has been most oppressively occupied ever since you left. I have scarcely been able to leave the House until a night or two ago when I went to the May-ball and remained for half an hour. It was a beautiful scene and one full of the innocence of childhood -- The collection of children was very great -- Alice and Tazewell were dressed beautifully and played their parts, the one of a maid of honour and the other of a page.
(letter continues, 2nd excerpt below)
For many days after you left and when ever I could escape from the prison of my office I would instinctively turn into the chamber [text is crossed out] expecting to see you -
(letter continues)
God bless you dear wife - Give my love to all and believe me as ever
Yrs faithfully
J. TYLER
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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.
