The Messenger OF THE CHESTERFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA Number 94 July 2010 July Quarterly Meeting Sunday, July 25, 2010, 2 p.m., Historic Ettrick Methodist Parsonage, 21300 Chesterfield Ave. IN THIS ISSUE For our July Quarterly Meeting and Ice Cream Social, the Ettrick Events 2 Historical Society (EHS) is graciously allowing us to visit them at the President’s Letter 2 Historic Parsonage behind Ettrick United Methodist Church. This Membership Reports 3 historic building is now home to the EHS. This graceful old house was Lithia Springs 3 built about 1850 as a private residence; possibly as an overseer’s house Portrait of Two Brothers 3-5 for an Ettrick Plantation. It became the Manse for the church early in Tavern Talk Fundraiser 5 the 20th century. The early Federal architectural design was added onto Magnolia Grange Donation 6 in 1860 in a more ornate style. Originally it was built as a two-story, Fundraising 6 five bay front structure with extended end chimneys and having a side William Bolling Diary 7-8 passage plan dwelling. Along with the second refurbishing came a Lord Chesterfield 8-9 large one-room addition which made it a center-passage plan. We will WWII Veterans 9-10 be holding the Ice Cream Social in the backyard, so please bring your Early African American Churches 11-13 own lawn chair and some bug repellant. Come and meet members School Board Minutes 14-15 of Ettrick Historical Society plus renew friendships with those in the Event Details 16 Chesterfield Historical Society. Save the Date: Mark your calendars for th October 25 , the next Quarterly Meeting at Trabue’s Tavern, a renovated Midlothian tavern, now a residence of descendents of the original owner. This private home is not open to the public, but you will have a chance to view their loving restoration as a member of CHS. Mission Statement The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia serves as the center for Chesterfield County history. Its purposes are to collect, preserve, interpret and promote the county’s unique past for the education of present and future generations Chesterfield Historical Society CHS Events of Virginia July 17th, Sat, 11am Celebrate Chesterfield Lecture: Larry Holt, ―The Historic Castlewood Appomattox River & Canal‖ (Magnolia Grange) Free th 10201 Iron Bridge Road, P.O. Box 40, July 25 , Sun, 2pm CHSV Members Quarterly Meeting & Ice Cream Chesterfield, VA 23832 Social (“The Manse” at Ettrick Methodist Church) www.chesterfieldhistory.com Free th [email protected] July 26 , Mon, 6:30 pm ―Tavern Talk with Gov. George Allen‖ (Howlett’s Tavern, Chester) Dinner Reservations required (804)930-1034, to benefit CHSV Aug 14th, Sat, 11am Celebrate Chesterfield Lecture: Bettie Weaver, ―The Huguenots & Religious Liberty‖ (Magnolia Grange) See the detailed event information on the back cover. View our website Officers for the most up to date information on any event. - editor President –Liess van der Linden-Brusse 1st Vice-President – Dr. Jean von Schilling 2nd Vice-President – Jim Alberston From the President – Recording Secretary – The final outcome of the County’s FY 2011 budget crisis was positive. With your Corresponding Secretary – support and a financial contribution of $32,000 from the Society’s bank account, we Treasurer — Jim Evans have managed to keep Magnolia Grange, Castlewood and the Museum open and retained the part-time services of Tamara Evans, Diane Dallmeyer and Pat Roble, Directors respectively. In addition, Bryan Truzzie will continue in his full-time position as Mike Poarch David Goobic Mike Thomas Historic Sites Specialist. Sadly, it was not possible to save Holly Rush’s position as Don Wells John D. Hughes, Jr. Therese well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Holly for the many years she has Wagenknecht Lynn Waymack W. Guy Smith George Cranford worked with us and to wish her every success in the future. Past President – Dr. Peter Lipowicz Fundraising remains a priority and our effort to reach our goal of $25,000 is Committee Chairs progressing steadily. During this past quarter, we have raised $7,484 which brings Cemetery – Rachel Lipowicz 804-739-7225 our total for this year to $15,973 … only a little more than $9,000 to go! Special Finance – Jim Evans thanks go to our Fundraising Committee, led by past-president Peter Lipowicz. Library – Liess van der Linden-Brusse Membership –– Rachel Lipowicz We hope you will join us at the July Members Quarterly Meeting & Ice Cream Military History – Scott Williams Social, to be held in ―The Manse‖ at Ettrick Methodist Church (please see the cover Genealogy – Angie Wilderman Events - Liess van der Linden-Brusse article for details). In addition to being fun, this meeting is also important because you, Collections- George Cranford the members, will be asked to vote on the new slate of directors to serve on our Board. African-American – Cornelia Owens Goode We thank the Governance Committee, led by David Goobic, for their commitment to Archaeology – Bryan Truzzie the nominating process and look forward to welcoming our new directors. Fundraising – Peter Lipowicz On May 8th, our new exhibit opened at the Museum – World War II, the 65th County Staff Anniversary of VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day). The event attracted many Diane Dallmeyer – Administrative Assistant Chesterfield County WWII veterans whose service continues to inspire; we were Tamara Evans - Gift Shop Manager honored by their presence. The exhibit will remain through the end of the year and Pat Roble - Museum Bryan Truzzie – Historic Sites Specialist we thank the Museum staff and our Collections Committee, led by Jean von Schilling, for their dedication to this unique project. Hours of Operation Castlewood 10-4 M-F Volunteers are the life blood of our Society. Every aspect of our non-profit Magnolia Grange 10-4 Tu-F & 10-2 Sat organization depends on the involvement and enthusiasm of volunteers. Right now, Museum 10-4 Tu-F & 10-2 Sat we need volunteers at all three historic sites as well as in every committee. We need docents, researchers, event coordinators and help with fundraising. Whether you Phone Numbers enjoy working with children or adults, in a group or on your own, whether you can Castlewood 796-7121 & 796-7191(Holly) give a few hours or a full day, please call Diane at (804)796-7121. Magnolia Grange & Gift Shop 804-796-1479 Museum – 768-7311 Reservations (804)796-7003 In a year when the Society has suffered budget and staff losses, it’s a privilege to have the gift of volunteers’ time and talents. Thank you. Liess van der Linden-Brusse Messenger Editor Peter Lipowicz From the Messenger editor – please e-mail by Sept 10 any submissions you would like to see in The Messenger to [email protected]. The Messenger #94 July 2010 2 Chesterfield County Lithia Springs The Civil War – A Portrait of Two Brothers Hazel Bowman Cole Beverley Condrey Berry Beaufont Lithia Springs were located near the present site of The roots of my father’s family have long been in Chesterfield Beaufont Mall on Midlothian Turnpike at Chippenham Parkway. County. The earliest recorded settlement of our Condrey During WWII ancestors in the County was 1751, more than one hundred years a Mr. Sittering after the first Condrey arrived in Virginia and at least that long owned the representing four generations. They had migrated from the spring. He earliest recorded land ownership in Lancaster and New Kent also owned Counties in the 17th Century. My great-great-grandfather, Rich Brau William Henry Condrey, and his brother Jefferson, captured my Beer, sold attention while researching family history. During initial ginger ale, and research I relied on a family bible transcription that listed ―the owned a children of William H. Condrey.‖ My great-grandfather, Irving baseball team. Richard Condrey born in 1861, was one of William’s eleven This children. information comes from William (b. 1820) and Jefferson (b. 1821) were born to Claiborne my brother and Nancy Farmer Condrey who were married in Chesterfield who worked at Tomahawk Service Station and General Store. March 1807. They also had a brother Thomas and sisters, [The the spring and spring house are extant on the current site of Elizabeth, Howlett Page (b. 1818), and Mary. They lived in the The Boulders office park. These photos show the house on a Condrey/Mann House built in 1800, located on or near property stone foundation that is now part of Pocahontas State Park. This property was and the spring water situated on a slight rise surrounded by cultivated fields south of pond – editor] Swift Creek in the central part of the County. It is considered to Fonticello Lithia have been a one- or one and one half-story central-passage plan was located on that was later enlarged to a two-story structure. It had a Bainbridge Street prominent Flemish bond chimney on the east gable end of the between 27th and house and set on a recorded 126 acres. As Claiborne’s oldest 29th Streets. It is son, William would have been the primary heir upon his father’s now in Carter Jones death in 1830. He and his brothers and sisters continued to live Park in Richmond, here with their mother, Nancy, until William established his which was family. I wonder at the challenge of ensuring the three sisters’ previously futures, after their father’s death, by accomplishing appropriate Fonticello Park. My parents got our drinking water from the marriages, especially as historical records show that they all were spring as late as 1940. As a child, I would go to baseball games married in late 1837; Mary to James Lockett on 6 November, at this park.