Eskridge Family News 9506 Skyview Drive, Richmond, VA 23229 (804) 270-7841 August 2014 L e t t e r f r o m o u r P r e s i d e n t SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: The 2014 Annual Meeting will be held the weekend of October 3, 4 and 5 in Fredericksburg VA If you have not paid your membership dues, please send the $15 payment to: Dear Cousins & EFA Friends: As noted in our 2014 Winter Issue of the Eskridge Family News and the announcement of our FACEBOOK site in April, we are returning to a FALL MEETING schedule for your Eskridge Family Association. This year our Meeting is to be held in the Historic Town of Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 3, 4 and 5, 2014 Fran Markowski PO Box 102 Ocean View, DE 19978 Children, grandchildren, births, marriages, divorces, deaths we would love to have your latest information to include in the Historical Archives. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President s Letter 1 Reunion Information 2 Life Changes 3 From the Archives 4 Even though Fredericksburg and the surrounding area does not share in the prominence of the Historic Triangle, Jamestowne, Williamsburg and Yorktown, it has many ties to the Colonial Past. Here you will find the home of James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States and Kenmore, home of George Washington s sister. Included is George Washington s boyhood home, Ferry Farm and the resting place of Mary Ball Washington, whose Guardian was Colonel George Eskridge. Her Monument and burial place are near Kenmore at the end of Washington Avenue. Westmoreland County, which encompasses Sandy Point and Yeocomico Church, is within a one hour and twenty minute driving time. Further, in recognition of the initial influence and participation of Col. George in the life of Mary Ball, a memorial tree and plaque were installed near her grave site by EFA on April 29, 1931. Join us OCTOBER 3, 4 AND 5, in FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA by returning your Registration Form included in this NEWS LETTER. Sincerely, Hildie Hildie Bottom President From the Archives 5 Dues and Books 6 Reunion Sign Up 7 Remember to keep your information up-to-date. Please send changes or corrections of personal information of family lineage to: Hildie Bottom 9506 Skyview Drive Richmond, VA 23229 Email: hbottom@mindspring.com
Page 2 Reunion 2014 Eskridge Family News Our headquarters hotel for this year s reunion is the brand new Hyatt Place Fredericksburg 1241 Jefferson Davis Highway Fredericksburg VA 22401 Reservations can be made by calling 1-540-654-3333 Tell them you are with the Eskridge Family for special rates SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday October 3 7 10 pm Meet and Greet Meet your cousins, talk genealogy, peruse the EFA books, snack on some light hors d oeuvres and drink cost $10 per person Kenmore Saturday October 4 Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the hotel. At 10:00 AM, we will gather for our meeting and program. Program will be presented by MR DAL MALLORY AND LINDA WARD experts on Northern Neck VA history At 12 NOON, we will enjoy a box lunch at the hotel. Cost for the meeting and lunch $15 At 2 :00 PM, we will meet for a Trolley Tour of Historic Places details at the meeting. Cost $17 adult/ $8 child The rest of the afternoon you will be on your own we will have some maps available to you. At 6:30 PM, dinner at Ristorante Renato 422 Williams St a short drive from the hotel pay for your own meal Sunday October 5th 2014 Complementary Breakfast at the hotel On your own a special trip to Yeocomico Church for Sunday Services is always a memorable one How many people can worship in a 300 year old church built by their great. Grandfather?? Allow 2 hrs travel time We can provide directions for you Virginia is for lovers eskridges too!! ya ll come!!!!
Page 3 Eskridge Family News LIFE CHANGES Dearly Departed William Thomas Reece 8 July 2013 father of Randi Reece Verett James Robert Eskridge 1 February 2014 husband of Margaret Eskridge Mrs Currin Combiths 9 October 2012 aunt of Nancy Rogers Donald C Rockstrom 9 April 2014 father of Ingrid Rockstrom, former husband of Lucy NEW MEMBERS Maribeth Marinaccio Elizabeth 3 Kenner, Marg 2 Grace Brouillette Sam 3 Geo 2 DONATIONS Katherine McDaniel $45 for English Research Charles Saltzman $150 honoring his grandmother Mary Peyton Eskridge Saltzman Nancy Case $35 Earl Eskridge $20 Lucy Headley $50 English Research and $50 for Website Donna Muller $10 Randi Verett $100 honoring her father William Thomas Reece Carolyn Walker $45 Claude Warren $10 Barbara L Eskridge $15 Maribeth Marinaccio $10 Margaret Eskridge $500 honoring her husband James Robert Eskridge Donated by his request REMEMBER DONATIONS TO EFA ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! GENEALOGISTS HAVE TO LOVE TEXAS IT HAS THE BEST ONLINE RECORDS FOR BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES OF ANY STATE! CALIFORNIA IS SECOND OTHER STATES HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO CATCH UP!!
Page 4 Eskridge Family News From the archives In 1936, there was an outbreak of 12 tornadoes that struck the Southeastern United States from Tupelo MS to Gainesville GA. These struck from April 5-6, 1936. Approximately 454 people were killed by these tornadoes 419 by two tornadoes alone. This outbreak is the second deadliest ever recorded in US history. Although the outbreak was centered on Tupelo MS and Gainesville GA, other destructive tornadoes associated with the system struck Columbia TN, Anderson SC and Acworth GA. Severe flash floods from the associated storms produced millions of dollars in damage across the region. At around 8:30 PM of the 5th of April 1936, the 4th deadliest tornado in US history touched down in a rural area about 8 miles from Tupelo. It killed a family of 13 as their house was swept away. Dozens of large and well built mansions were destroyed. It was reported that the winds were so strong that pine needles were embedded in the trunks of trees. According to records, the Tupelo tornado leveled 48 city blocks, destroyed as many as 900 homes and killed in excess of 200 people. The tornado has been estimated to have been an F 5 tornado on today s scale. Among those that died were Mary Alice 8 McCullough (Min 7 Fran F 6 Har 5 Nan 4 Sus 3 Marg 2 Geo 1) and her sister Lottie 8 McCullough. Miraculously, a young 1 year old child survived the devastation his name Elvis Pressley! FEEDBACK On the Battle of Kings Mountain I was interested to read the article in the Eskridge Family News about the Battle of Kings Mountain. I have Goforth ancestors who fought in that battle. My 4th great grandfather, Preston Goforth, was said to have shot his brother at the same time his brother shot him. Both died of their wounds. Preston was a Patriot fighting with Hampton s NC troops and his brother, John, was a Tory fighting under Ferguson. Preston Goforth s grand daughter, Nancy Potts Goforth, went on to marry James Ira 6 Eskridge. They were my g-g grandparents D. Lou Ritter MI
Page 5 From the Archives The Glebe Westmoreland Co The Glebe according to a historical marker is supposedly the oldest home on the "Northern Neck". This is the peninsula of land that is sandwiched between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and it is well known for it's old historic estates. What we see today has very little resemblance to anything in the distant past. While a very old structure did survive into the 20th century, what we see today is from a 1910 renovation that incorporated and then swallowed the original structure. The house is situated on land patented originally by Justice Thomas Youll in 1653. The Glebe, came into being when Major Francis Wright deeded the land to Cople Parish and thus became the home of the rector. Considered to be the oldest Glebe house in Virginia, within its walls were entertained all major social figures in the Colonial era. Being a "glebe" that was meant to be a farm that support the original Church of England parish is was left deserted around the time of the American Revolution when the Church of England was booted out of Virginia. It next became the Westmoreland County "poor house", for housing and educating orphans. Then later in the 19th century it came into private hands and served as a club house for a couple of different fraternal organizations. The Washington Shriners club owned it for a few short years in the early 1920s and built a golf course around it. For more information go to the following website - http:// www.rivahresearch.com/westmorelandcty/vitals/resources/places/glebefarm.html While this history in and of itself is of interest to EFA ers, another point is that the oldest part on the east side of the front door has similar brickwork to that at Yeocomico Church. On the west side of the structure is an addition dating from 1720, however, this same renovation gutted the original layout of the interior of the Glebe. Another point of interest is that one of the more recent owners of the Glebe was Irwin H Linton. He was the husband of Helen Pauline 7 Grier (Nan M 6 WW 5 Nan 4 Sus 3 Marg 2 Geo 1). These cousins were not members of EFA. We wonder if they knew their connection to Westmoreland County and to Eskridge history?? FOLLOW UP ON COLONIAL SOCIETIES In response to your inquiry if any Eskridge descendants are members of other Colonial Societies I am a member of the following: Daughters of the American Revolution National Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century Colonial Dames of America Sons & Daughters of Antebellum Planters United Daughters of the Confederacy Order of Charlemagne Not all of these are through Col George Eskridge Toby Semprevivo (tobylynns@gmail.com)
Page 6 DUES NOTIFICATION The address label on your newsletter includes a date such as 12/31/2015. This is the date you dues have been paid through. Dues are paid for an entire calendar year from January to December. If your label does not have a date included then dues have not been received in recent years. Associations receiving the newsletter will have an A on their address label. If you have any questions about your dues contact the EFA Treasurer: Fran Markowski Eskridge Family Association PO Box 102 Ocean View, DE 19970 Email: frand412@gmail.com OBITUARIES Cousins sometimes send us obituaties and we really appreciate having them. They have helped add to our family information in ways that mat not be easily available to us otherwise. Coz Hildie sent this one from her Richmond VA paper: ESKRIDGE, Evelyn Haskins, 89, of Richmond, died May 14 2014. She was a retired employee of Chesterfield County Schools and was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. A graveside service will be held 10 am, Tuesday, June 10 in Roselawn Memory Gardens THE EFA BOOKS EFA TRACKS OUR FAMILY HISTORY THROUGH THE GRANDCHILDREN OF COL. GEORGE ESKRIDGE. COPIES OF THE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE IN DISC FORM FROM OUR TREASURER FRAN MARKOWSKI FOR $10 EA. Available are: The First 2 Generations last updated 2008 Children of William 2 last updated 2010 George 3 George 2 last updated 2009 Other Children of George 2 last updated 2010 Charles 3 last updated 2002 Richard 3 last updated 2005 Burdett 3 last updated 2013 Rebecca 3 last updated 2013 John 3 last updated 2008 Robert & Daniel 3 included in First 2 Generations Children of Sarah 2 last updated 2010 Elizabeth 3 Kenner last updated 2012 Francis 3 Kenner last updated 2004 George Turberville 3 Kenner last updated 2014 Rebecca 3 Kenner last updated 2004 Rodham 3 Kenner last updated 2004 Mary Ann 3 Kenner last updated 2004 Katherine 3 Kenner last updated 2004 Margaret 3 Kenner last updated 2004 Susannah 3 Kenner last updated 2014 Anne 3 Aylett last updated 2010 Mary 3 Aylett last updated 2010 Thomas 3 Steptoe last updated 2010 William 3 Steptoe last updated 2010 George 3 Steptoe last updated 2010 James 3 Steptoe last updated 2010 We did our research and found: Her father was: Leon A Eskridge Jr born 11 November 1923 District of Columbia died 10 January 1985 Kansas City Wyandotte Co KS Her grand father: Leon Alexander Eskridge born 31 October District of Columbia died April 1943 Washington DC Her g grandfather: Daniel W Eskridge born 25 September 1867 Cople Parish, Westmoreland Co VA died? Her g-g grandfather: Joseph Eskridge born 1828 and was a slave probably on the property of one of 2 descendants of John 3 the only Eskridge s remaining in Westmoreland Co at the time
EFA REUNION REGISTRATION Page 7 October 3 5 2014 FREDERICKSBURG VA Please complete and return by September 15, 2014 M e m b e r n a m e : _ F i r s t M i d d l e L a s t A d d r e s s : P h o n e : F a x : _ E m a i l : Family Line (Circle one) George 3 Other George 2 William 2 Charles 3 Richard 3 Burdett 3 Rebecca 3 John 3 Sarah 2 Eliz Kenner 3 Francis K 3 Geo T 3 Rebecca 3 K Rodham 3 Mary Ann 3 Katherine 3 Margaret 3 Susannah 3 Anne Aylett 3 Mary Aylett 3 Thomas Steptoe 3 William Steptoe 3 James Steptoe 3 George Steptoe 3 Delaware Friend Unknown Please list the names of those attending with you so your name tags will be ready upon arrival. Please list children s ages 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. # of Persons Event Cost per Person Total Cost Friday Night Reception $10 Annual Meeting with lunch $15 Trolley Tour (children 5-12 $8) $17 Saturday Dinner Pay for your own 0 Total Enclosed mail this completed form and your check payable to EFA to: Fran Markowski EFA PO Box 102 Ocean View DE 19970 By September 15 2014 Please!
2014 EFA REUNION MAKE YOUR PLANS TO ATTEND THE 2014 REUNION OCTOBER 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH AT THE HYATT PLACE FREDERICKSBURG 1241 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22401 540-654-3333 HISTORY AWAITS YOU!! Eskridge Family Association Hildie Bottom, President 9506 Skyview Drive Richmond, VA 23229 Phone: (804) 270-7841 E-mail: hbottom@mindspring.com Your Living History...