"Waterman" is a very old Word used to describe men who ferried passengers across English rivers like the Thames in London. We can only guess why it became associated with the Chesapeake Bay area. Perhaps early Northumberland settlers also ferried . . . — — Map (db m299458) HM
First Baptist Church, the earliest African American Baptist congregation in Northumberland County, originated in 1866 when black members of Coan Baptist Church began holding worship services at the home of Alexander Day. They later worshiped at . . . — — Map (db m176493) HM
On 5 Sept. 1791, Robert Carter III (1728-1804), one of the wealthiest men in the United States, filed a deed of manumission at the Northumberland County Courthouse. This document eventually freed more than 500 enslaved African Americans owned by . . . — — Map (db m99410) HM
The Rosenwald Schools
Following the Civil War, Jim Crow laws were passed to establish "separate but equal" schools for Black and White children. The few Black schools that were created proved woefully inadequate.
Julius Rosenwald and . . . — — Map (db m299464) HM
Hooray for Steamboats!
In the late 1800's, Northumberland County had few roads and fewer bridges. Whatever families wanted or needed was delivered by steamboats. Bats and balls for the baseball teams. Books and maps for the schools. . . . — — Map (db m299463) HM
John Heath was born on 8 May 1758 in Northumberland County. He attended William & Mary College and on 5 Dec. 1776, he and four of his classmates founded Phi Beta Kappa, a prestigious undergraduate honors organization. He became its first president. . . . — — Map (db m22550) HM
A tribute to those from Northumberland County who lost their lives in
Korean War
Ellis L. Deihl •
Levin F. Fisher •
Stewart C. Lewis, Jr. •
John M. Wildy •
Thomas B. Wootteon
Vietnam War
Hovey R. Curry •
William L. . . . — — Map (db m176496) WM
Our library owes its existence to three intrepid members of the Northumberland Junior Women's Club. In 1969, Chris Cogsdale, Kay Shirley and Patsy Basye decided our county needed a library. The trio sought out kindred spirits who donated books, . . . — — Map (db m299456) HM
During the Civil War, it was too dangerous to travel to Baltimore to shop. If a woman wanted new straw hats for herself and her daughters, she had to get creative. The most practical substitute for straw was the corn-husk. If you have ever . . . — — Map (db m299460) HM
Originally known as Chickacoan, an Indigenous district located in Virginia's Northern Neck, this area was renamed Northumberland in 1648 by the Virginia General Assembly. — — Map (db m299420) HM
In memory of the soldiers of Northumberland who gave their lives for the cause of their native state and the South. This monument is erected by the Ladies Memorial Association of Northumberland County
Capt. R. H. Hall. •
Lieut. T. H. Cox. . . . — — Map (db m76413) WM
A contributing building to the designation of Heathsville as a historic district by the Commonwealth of Virginia and its placement on the National Register of Historic Places 1992 — — Map (db m176497) HM
This site first patented in 1663 was the site of the first courthouse built c.1681. The present courthouse built in 1851 is the third on this site. — — Map (db m76414) HM WM
Originally known as Hughlett’s Tavern, this building, located behind the courthouse, served visitors to court for more than 150 years. John Hughlett erected the original portion of the tavern before 1795. Griffin H. Foushee, who purchased it in . . . — — Map (db m22709) HM
Formed in 1653 as Chickacone Parish and renamed Fairfield in 1664. The upper part was known locally as Bowtracy Parish. When St. Stephen’s Parish was formed in 1698, Fairfield became its lower part and Bowtracy its upper part. — — Map (db m22706) HM
Reedville was founded in 1874 by a transplant from New England, Elijah W. Reed. Captain Reed brought to local watermen a method of extracting oil from menhaden. Processed by the millions, the oil was used as a lubricant and in lighting—as whale . . . — — Map (db m299471) HM
Hannah got up sleepy-eyed every day at dawn to draw a bucket of water from the well. But as she left the house on the morning of November 13, 1833, she got the shock of her life. Hannah, sixteen-years-old and Black, ran screaming to her mistress: . . . — — Map (db m299461) HM
Benjamin Franklin Lewis designed and patented the crab pot, an invention that revolutionized the harvesting of blue crabs. He first started experimenting on the Yeocomico River, at his home in Harry Hogan in Northumberland County.
Of both . . . — — Map (db m299459) HM
★ ★ ★ We, the people of Northumberland County, as a lasting expression of our gratitude and affection have dedicated this memorial as a testimonial to the young men of this county who in a spirit of unselfish patriotism answered . . . — — Map (db m176498) WM
A tribute to those from Northumberland County who lost their lives in World War II
Hubert Banks •
S. Frederick Biddlecomb •
C. Campbell Brann •
Arthur Bryant •
J. Preston Bryant •
E. Hugh Cockrell •
Albert J. Crabbe •
Cecil . . . — — Map (db m176494) WM
