The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-07

town A brick TO De placed IN the altar
with others sent from old churches in
England.
II had q very interesting visit last
May to the Ball burying ground In
Leesburg. The massive wall around It
is Of design most unique and attrac-
tive. This is the only burying ground
owned by the association except the
one at jamestown.
AT the December meeting of the
association very enjoyable paper
was read by Miss Maria Blair on the
old house now standing on the north
east corner of Broad and Eleventh
Streets, in Richmond. G. P. r.
James, the novelist, wrote some Of his
most interesting books in this house.
The annual reception was held In
the afternoon Of April 81, in the John
Marshall House. and 1t was most de-
lightful occasion. The old mansion Is
well ada pied for such social events
spacious rooms. open arch fire places.
carved nantes, winding stairway
make altogether a most pleasing home
in which to have our annual gather
ing. The house was beautifully decor
ated and large company was pres
ent. The committee on arrangement
consisted of Mrs. John II. Southall
chairman; Mrs. E.. Randolph Will
liams, Mrs. ST. George Bryan, Miss
Matte Harris and Miss Mamie Jones
The annual pilgrimage to James,
town on May 20 on the steamer Poca-
hontas was a day of real enjoyment to
all who were privileged to go. Mrs.
A. p. Wilmer. the efficient chairman
of the excursion, was most indefatig-
able in her efforts to provide for the
pleasure of all who made the trip.
Jamestown never looked more
beautiful and the services conducted
by Rev. E. Ruffln Jones in the old
church was greatly enjoyed, as was
the informal reception given by the
Colonial Capital Branch at the Yeard-
ley House.
Mrs. John B. Lghtfoot. chairman
of the Jamestown committee. spends
several days at the Yeardley House,
in advance of the excursion, making
ready for its reception. Her duties
during the year at jamestown have
been very exacting, as her report will
| show. but she is too modest to tell you
| what / know to be true. that, while
the work there has been very costly,
she has saved the association several
hundred dollars by her good judg-
ment in planning the repairs to the
water system. Al the December meet
tlS IL TlSIIiE Folt Ol LitdUhS "aS EANSst
her.
The attention of the General AS
sembly of Virginia was, in special
message directed by Governor Stuart
to the fact that. in June, 1919. the
first legislative body that ever as
sembled In America met at James
town, and he suggested that some suit
able recognition OF the three hun
dredth anniversary of that important
event should be commemorated in
June. 1919. 4 committee was appoint
ed by the Legislature. with Senator
Julien Gum as chairman, to suggest
a plan for an appropriate celebration
of the event The association has
pledged its cooperation and will aid
in every way 10 make 1t success.
Should Build Permanent Bridge.
II would recommend that as a suit
i able memorial of the occasion that a
| bridge of enduring material be con-
structed to connect the main land and
, the island. and / think We ought TO
| ask the Legislature to do this for us.
/ Virginia could most appropriately
erect such a memorial in recognition
J of the meeting of The first legislative
| body in America on her soil.
I ."T take pleasure in calling attention
! TO the patriotic endeavor OF the
1 Matthew Fontaine Maury Association.
| which is organized for the purpose of
! raising funds to erect a statute in
/ Richmond in memory OF this great
/ Virginian.
I'VE have done the best we were
| able TO do In response TO appeals for
| help In preventing the destruction or
! removal of historic county court
/ houses. Since the preservation. OF the
~ ~ - 1.,If -, tx
! Northampton County. and the interest
| go there 10 see them, the value OF
/ these ancient historical edlfces Is APP
/ preciated as never before.
! 4 Most Valuable ACQUISITION.
"one of the most valuable purchases
made by the association in many years
was the silver crown and frontlet of
| the Queen of Pamunkey Indians. said
| by the United States government to be
| the most valuable relic in existence,
| Mrs. w. p. Thomas has furnished us
| with the following brief history,
which will he we'll worth reading:
:. This silver frontlet was a gift
from Charles II. of England. to the
/ Queen of the Pamunkey Indians. who
| were then located In the eastern coun-
! ties OF Virginia. The original gift
to the Queen was a royal purple velvet
| crown. to which this frontlet was at
/ tached by heavy silver chains
| For many years. much priced by
the Pamunkey tribe. 1t was in the
4, keeping OF the chief. Desiring 10
| move further west. the Indians in the
| early part of the nineteenth century
| set out upon their march. Sickness
and a severe winted detained them
| near Hollywood. Stafford County. Va,
the estate OF Mr.. Alexander Morson,
| He permitted them to camp upon his
| place and was very kind to them, CIV
| ing them food and medicine and max
| ing them comfortable. Spring found
the Indians ready to move. The chief
| called upon Mr.. Morson to express
| gratitude for his kindness and pre-
| scented this precious relic as a gift
! the only thing Of valLe possessed by
| tie tribe. Mr. Morson was unwilling
! to accept the gift. but. when before
! leaving. the chief again insisted upon
| Its acceptance. Mr.. Morson consented
| to purchase the relic for Its weigh,
in silver coin. and upon those terms
became the owner. The silver chains
| were lost, the velvet crown fell ia
| pieces. the silver frontlet only re.
manned. when by his fathers will this
relic came into the possession of Mr.
Arthur Morson, of Richmond. Va
We received in July OF last year
I =