Mary Veale was the beloved housekeeper of Portsmouth's founder, Colonel William Crawford. Although she preceded the Colonel in death, he left property to two of her sons, George and Thomas. In his will, he mentions his fondness for her as the reason. To pass the time, Mary is always ready with a song for the children or a bawdy tune
Mary Veale was the beloved housekeeper of Portsmouth's founder, Colonel William Crawford. Although she preceded the Colonel in death, he left property to two of her sons, George and Thomas. In his will, he mentions his fondness for her as the reason. To pass the time, Mary is always ready with a song for the children or a bawdy tune for the grownups. Or she may tell a story about the Colonel or interest you in some forgotten colonial custom. She is the "Mary" in Mary Veale and the Colonials!
The most important spy of the American Revolution, James Armistead, at the request of the Marquis de Lafayette, posed as a runaway slave to General Cornwallis. In this way, he was able to gather vital information on important troop movement, aiding George Washington in winning the war. For his service, he was granted his freedom and a
The most important spy of the American Revolution, James Armistead, at the request of the Marquis de Lafayette, posed as a runaway slave to General Cornwallis. In this way, he was able to gather vital information on important troop movement, aiding George Washington in winning the war. For his service, he was granted his freedom and a lifelong pension. Afterward, he took the name of his friend, the Marquis and was thereafter known as James Lafayette. During his 1824 visit to America, the Marquis caught sight of James Lafayette in a Richmond crowd and stopped his carriage to embrace him.
Andrew Sproule immigrated from Scotland at the ripe old age of 32. A well-respected and wealthy merchant, Sproule had a reputation for being disheveled in appearance. He served as British Naval Agent, and his Gosport Marine Yard became Norfolk Naval Shipyard. According to his wife, Catherine, Sproule "ill-used" by fellow Scot, Lo
Andrew Sproule immigrated from Scotland at the ripe old age of 32. A well-respected and wealthy merchant, Sproule had a reputation for being disheveled in appearance. He served as British Naval Agent, and his Gosport Marine Yard became Norfolk Naval Shipyard. According to his wife, Catherine, Sproule "ill-used" by fellow Scot, Lord Dunmore, who lodged his soldiers in the Sproule home and took refuge at his marine yard. Forced to flee onbaord the Roebuck., his home and properties burned, Sproule died five days later of a broken heart.
Born to free black parents and the owner of a livery stable at the corner of London and Middle, Billy Flora was both respected and well-liked by the Portsmouth citizenry. A hero of the Battle of Great Bridge, he fought under Colonel William Woodford. A fellow sentry at the bridge reported Flora was the last to cross as the British adva
Born to free black parents and the owner of a livery stable at the corner of London and Middle, Billy Flora was both respected and well-liked by the Portsmouth citizenry. A hero of the Battle of Great Bridge, he fought under Colonel William Woodford. A fellow sentry at the bridge reported Flora was the last to cross as the British advanced. As he retreated from his post, under heavy fire from the British line, he scampered over the breastwork, , but not before doubling back to remove a plank from the causeway and impede their progress. Flora went on to fight in many battles, including Yorktown.
Wife of Andrew Sproule, founder of the Gosport Marine Yard, Catherine found herself at the very center of the American Revolution and sadly, on the wrong side. Her husband was Naval Agent and a Scotsman, like Lord Dunmore. According to Catherine, Dunmore took full advantage of her husband's precarious position as agent to the Crown, a
Wife of Andrew Sproule, founder of the Gosport Marine Yard, Catherine found herself at the very center of the American Revolution and sadly, on the wrong side. Her husband was Naval Agent and a Scotsman, like Lord Dunmore. According to Catherine, Dunmore took full advantage of her husband's precarious position as agent to the Crown, and quartered his troops in their home and pressed her eldest son intor service in the Queen's Own, a regiment formed to fight at Great Bridge. Forced to flee Portsmouth with seven other children, her home was burned and her belongings confiscated by the Patriots.
Visionary and founder of Portsmouth, Colonel William Crawford, commissioned prominent surveyor Gresham Nimmo to lay out his new city using many of the same elements and street names as the cities in England. Gresham can answer questions like, "Why are some streets so narrow and others so wide?" He can tell you why the Colonel chose to
Visionary and founder of Portsmouth, Colonel William Crawford, commissioned prominent surveyor Gresham Nimmo to lay out his new city using many of the same elements and street names as the cities in England. Gresham can answer questions like, "Why are some streets so narrow and others so wide?" He can tell you why the Colonel chose to use so much land, a very precious commodity, on High Street. And why he bothered naming the squares. He even knows a bit about the Colonel himself.
Hannah came to America from Ireland in the company of her uncle. At age 14, she found herself in the middle of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855. Her uncle succumbed to the plague, leaving Hannah a geographic orphan, as her parents were still in Ireland. Dr. and Mrs. White took her in, along with many other children whom they cared for
Hannah came to America from Ireland in the company of her uncle. At age 14, she found herself in the middle of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1855. Her uncle succumbed to the plague, leaving Hannah a geographic orphan, as her parents were still in Ireland. Dr. and Mrs. White took her in, along with many other children whom they cared for at the orphanage. During her time there, she learned how to sew and later made a living as a seamstress. When her parents arrived from Ireland to claim her, the family became part of the small Jewish community here.
The Marquis de Lafayette came to join the American Revolution as a teenager and against the King's wishes. He invested his time, his blood, his fortune, and his influence into the Patriot cause. His friend, James Armistead Lafayette spied for him here, and our fair city of Portsmouth was one of his stops when he returned to visit the ne
The Marquis de Lafayette came to join the American Revolution as a teenager and against the King's wishes. He invested his time, his blood, his fortune, and his influence into the Patriot cause. His friend, James Armistead Lafayette spied for him here, and our fair city of Portsmouth was one of his stops when he returned to visit the newly-formed United States of America in 1824. An archway commemorates his visit and ties to Portsmouth and its citizenry. His time in the America, and in particular his friendship with James, made him a staunch abolitionist.
On August 1924, Jeffrey Wilson became Portsmouth's first African American newspaper columnist.
Jeffrey was born a slave in 1843. In 1866, after being freed, he enlisted in the Navy and travelled abroad. Upon his return, he workedat the navy yard and as a bailiff for the federal court in Norfolk. In his later years, from 1924 until his
On August 1924, Jeffrey Wilson became Portsmouth's first African American newspaper columnist.
Jeffrey was born a slave in 1843. In 1866, after being freed, he enlisted in the Navy and travelled abroad. Upon his return, he workedat the navy yard and as a bailiff for the federal court in Norfolk. In his later years, from 1924 until his death in 1929 he wrote a column called Colored Notes for the Portsmouth Star. The column included social news, Jeffrey's political views, and issues of race relations--all themes that occur throughout his diaries.
The most famous female pirate to ever sail the seven seas, Anne Bonny was captured and sentenced in Jamaica to hang. Pleading her belly, her execution was postponed until the birth of her child. There is no record of her being hung or released. Legend has it that her wealthy father arranged for her quiet release and transport to the co
The most famous female pirate to ever sail the seven seas, Anne Bonny was captured and sentenced in Jamaica to hang. Pleading her belly, her execution was postponed until the birth of her child. There is no record of her being hung or released. Legend has it that her wealthy father arranged for her quiet release and transport to the colonies. Anne was rumored to have disappeared into the Great Dismal Swamp. It is conceivable that a lass so tied to the water and sailing ships might have spent a portion of her time in the closest seaport: Portsmouth.
Two of the heroes of the 1855 Yellow Fever Epidemic were Dr. White and Mrs. Herietta White . Along with caring for the sick at great personal risk, they also cared for the yellow fever orphans here in Portsmouth. Dr. White later represented Portsmouth at the Virginia Secession Convention where he voted against secession.
Captain William Crawford and his wife, Margret were the grandparents and guardians of Colonel WIlliam Crawford, founder of Portsmouth. The Colonel and his sister, Abigail were orphaned early in life, and much of the Colonel's wealth was inherited from his grandfather. He is said to have cared for his twice-widowed grandmother in her later years.
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