The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-28
TABLET UNWILLING.
The Cere mOny TO Take Place at vir
Rtnia Beach Tomorrow

Ahe tere mOny TO Take Place at vir
ginia Beach To.Morrow.
Referring to the unveling OF the
tablet on Cape Henry Lighthouse, the
Richmond Times of Sunday says:
"On this very Sunday. two hundred
and eighty-nine years ago. the first band
OF English colonists that ever came to
America with the fixed purpose of cast
ing IN their lot for life or death with
the fortunes of Virginia landed on the
coast at the entrance of what is now
Hampton Roads. There on the barren
sand dunes they raised a oyoss to God
and named the pace Cape Henly.
Long ago the shifting. greedy sands
wiped out their mark of faith that they
were guided by His hand for the good
of the future Commonwealth. No trace
remains of that simple emblem, but the
thought and faith that inspired them
lives on and this coming week their de-
scendantS will gather atthat spot ito offer
thanks again to God and to perpetuate
the memory of those heroes.
This little band of thirty souls who
had sailed from England expecting
vt!itable Canaan flowing not only with
milk and honey. but also filled with
every luxury known to the heart of the
modern gourmet. They found only the
whitened sand hills which lie along the
sea. Undaunted they landed on the 29th
OF April. 1907, and raised cross to the
glory of God and in honor of Prince
Henry. son of King James l.
Finding IL impossible to live on such
a sport they re-embarked and sailed up
the noble James. landing at jamestown
on May the 18th. 1907
Among the names commemora ted by
the tablet which the A. P. V. A have
raised, that of John Smith Is absent
the doughty captain being at that time
In chains In the hold OF one of the ves-
sells.
This tablet. which has been placed on
the old Cape Henry Lighthouse will be
unveiled ON April the 10Th. under the
auspices of the A. p. V. A.
THE old Cape Henry Lighthouse, 10
which the A. p. V. A. tablet is to be al
tached was originally erected In 1891
since when new one has been built.
but the old one still stands, and is an
object of much interest to sisht-seeers.
The Associa ton for the Preservation of
Virginia Antiquities. through Mrs. Jos.
Bryan, its president. obtained special
permission from the United States Gov
ernment 10 thus appropriately COM
tne:lsorate with enduring bronze this
significant event in American history.
The exercises Will take place In the
parlors of the Princess Anne Hotel. at
Virginia Beach. next Wednesday after
noon. the 29th inst.
Those who care to do so will go in We
hicles from Virginia Beach TO the old
stone lighthouse, Wnere tne t3Dlet mas
been put in place and will be unveiled.
The unveilng exercises. which will be
conducted by the a. p. V. A. will be
appropriate and witnessed by large
number of people. MIR. Carter Braxton
Bryan. of Hampton, Va, will deliver the
address. Bishop a. NJ. Randolph will
offer prayer and Mr.. Charles Washing
ton Coleman. of williamsburg, will read
an original poem.
The bronze tablet is 275s by 20 inches.
surmounted by a cross ~ inches high
and q inches across the arm, with the
following inscription
Near this spot
Landed April %. 1907.
Capt Gabriel Archer. Christopher New
port, Hon. George S. Percy, Bartholomew
Gosnold. Edward Maria Wingfield,
With twenty-five others,
Who
Calling the Place
Cape Henry"
Planted a Cross
April 80. 1907
Del Gratia Virginia Condita."
This Tablet
Is Erected BY The
Association
For
Preservation of Virginian Antiquities
April 29. 1896.
Just above the wording Is q cross ris-
Ing above the tablet. which will be "a
inches high and p inches across.
The tablet was made by the Henry
McShane Company. of Baltimore, the
formula of which was furnished by the
late MIR. Henry McShane for the bronze
iampposts and vases on the terrace OF
the Capitol at Washington. 1t is said to
be the only metal that being exposed to
the weather for years will not stain the
marble on which 1t is placed. The design
was furnished by the Associa ton for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities