Editor, The Smithfield Times: 

I wish to add a few more recent names to the list of legendary local history heroes and heroines that John Edwards so eloquently lauded in week-before-last’s Smithfield Times (“Tip of the cap to those who’ve chronicled IW history”). 

As a local “buff” myself, I feel quite qualified to recite a few perhaps lesser-known contributors to our county’s past story.  There are dozens more names I could include here, but the editor word-limits my submissions! I will share others in future letters.

Floyd Painter published his “ground-breaking” 1982 “The Legend, History and Archaeology of Fort Boykin in Virginia” by the Chesopean Archeological Association. It is the documentary basis for much of what we now know about the 400-year history of that site. And nearby Rushmere’s Rosa Turner has done extensive personal research to publish her story of the Mokete Indians, the remnants of our county’s native Warraskoyack people.

Elizabeth Hoge Lipford’s 1992 University of Virginia publication, “Clerestory Dwellings of Southeastern Virginia,” brought to light the several such historic structures still extant in the county, including soon-to-be-demolished 1840 “Carroll’s Shop” namesake landmark of Carrollton.  

Evelyn Chandler chaired the committee overseeing the 1997 restoration of historic Boykin’s Tavern at the geographic heart of our county. This hostelry’s 1762 location begat our nearby 1800 courts building that 214 years later is still our county government meeting place. Her successful efforts were personally recognized by then-Gov. George Allen. And county tourism’s Kathy Mountjoy, who grew up living here, is the stalwart tour guide who brings to light the fascinating life stories of many of Smithfield’s most notable residents who currently rest on Ivy Hill. She is also the host of numerous “Behind These Walls” Isle of Wight County Museum video productions.

Quincy Gilliam chaired Smithfield’s highly successful year-long 250th anniversary celebration in 2002 that hosted thousands of guests from around the world. Featured were a visit by the replica of Jamestown’s 1607 ship “Godspeed” and the public preparation of the Guiness record setting “World’s Largest Ham Biscuit”. 

Jerrianne Gardner Johnson, as president of the Isle of Wight County Historical Society, conceived and supervised the society’s 2003-2013 Gravesite Survey Task Force that methodically documented over 20,000 human interment sites in the county. This commonwealth-recognized contribution to geneaology remains that group’s single most important recent publication to date. 

 

Albert P. Burckard Jr.

Carrollton