May 2013 Rivah - The Rappahannock Record

Richmond County
History
Known as the Gateway to the Northern
Neck, Richmond County was established in
1692 from the old Rappahannock County.
Originally explored by Captain John Smith
in 1607–1608, the county was settled in
1640 when people migrated up from settlements
below the Rappahannock River. It
was presumably named after the First Duke
of Richmond, cousin to both King William III
and Queen Mary. One of the early settlers
was Colonel Moore Fauntleroy, who patented
land in the county in 1650.
The first county seat was thought to be
at the mouth of Little Carter’s Creek, then
moved to Naylors, an early river settlement.
The seat moved inland in 1730 and renamed
the Richmond County Courthouse.
In 1831, the name was changed to Warsaw
in sympathy with the Polish struggle for independence.
Warsaw was incorporated as
the county’s only town in 1947.
The Downing Bridge was built across the
Rappahannock River in 1927, connecting
Richmond County to Essex and opening up
travel to and from the Northern Neck. The
bridge replaced 200 years of ferry service
and was dedicated by Sen. Thomas Downing
of the Northern Neck.
Richmond County was home of the last
president elected under the Articles of
Confederation. In 1788, Judge Cyrus Grif-
Westmoreland County
History
Established in 1653 by the colonial
government in Jamestown,
Westmoreland County was named
for a British shire. The county’s most
significant contributions to history include
its fostering of more statesmen
than any other county in the country,
and for the Leedstown Resolutions.
Considered the forerunner of the
Declaration of Independence, the
Leedstown Resolutions were signed
in February, 1766. Prepared by Richard
Henry Lee, the document was
signed by 115 patriots who bound
themselves together “To Prevent The
Execution of The Stamp Act.”
Stratford Hall was the boyhood
home of Richard Henry Lee and Francis
Lightfoot Lee, signers of the Declaration
of Independence.
General Henry “Light-Horse Harry”
Lee was a Revolutionary War hero
and served as one of General George
Washington’s most trusted officers.
He is the father of Robert E. Lee.
General Robert E. Lee was born
in 1807 at Stratford Hall. Lee was a
colonel in the U. S. Army when the
Civil War broke out. Offered the command
of the Union Army, Lee declined
because he “could take no part in an
invasion” of his homeland.
Most notable among the statesmen
64
There’s lots of food and fun at the Richmond County Farmers’ Market, held the first
Saturday of every month from May through September on the Courthouse Circle in Warsaw.
The market on Saturday, May 11, from 9-11 a.m. will include a special jam and jelly
contest. Photo courtesy of the Warsaw Richmond County Main Street Program.
fin was elected president of the U.S. Congress
Assembly and held that position until
the U.S. Constitution was adopted and his
successor, George Washington, was elected
as the first President of the U. S.
William A. Jones gained recognition for
Richmond County in 1916 when, in supporting
self-government for all people, he
authorized a bill that guaranteed independence
for the Philippines. In 1926, the
people of the Philippines erected a memorial
at Jones’ gravesite in the St. John’s
Visitors tour the grounds and the main house at Stratford Hall.
of Westmoreland, George Washington
was born at Popes Creek in 1732.
James Monroe, the nation’s fifth
president, was born in 1758 on a
farm near Monroe Bay.
Today, Westmoreland has a population
of 16,700 and is home to the
only off-track betting casino in the
area. Fishing and agriculture are still
the area’s mainstays, with wineries,
produce farms and seafood packers
among some of the most prominent
businesses in the county.
Government
The Westmoreland County offices
are at 111 Polk St. in Montross.
493-0130. westmoreland-county.
Episcopal Churchyard in Warsaw.
Today Richmond County has a population
of 9,300. Serving as the crossroads
of U.S. Route 360 and State Route 3, the
county seat of Warsaw is currently the
headquarters for many regional government
agencies as well as a community college,
vocational center and regional jail.
Government
The Richmond County seat is at 101
Court Circle in Warsaw. 333-3415. Richmond
County has one incorporated town,
Warsaw. The sheriff’s office can be reached
at 333-3611.
Libraries
The Richmond County Public Library is at
52 Campus Dr. in Warsaw. 333-3025.
For Visitors
The Richmond County Museum and Visitors
Center is open Wed. - Sun. and is at
5874 Richmond Rd. in Warsaw. 333-3607
Don’t Miss
s Second Saturdays starting May 11---
The Warsaw Farmers’ Market
s May 11----The Menokin Music
Festival
org. Westmoreland has two towns,
Colonial Beach and Montross. The
sheriff’s office can be reached 493-
8066.
Libraries
Abraham and William I. Cooper Memorial
Branch is at 18 Washington
Ave. in Colonial Beach. 224-0921.
Montross Branch is at 56 Polk St. in
Montross. 493-8194. Blake T. Newton
Memorial Branch is at 22 Coles
Point Road in Hague. 472-3820.
For Visitors
The Westmoreland County Visitors
Center is in the county museum and
library at 43 Court Square, Montross.
493-8440.
Virginia’s Potomac Gateway Welcome
Center is on Rt. 301 at the
Potomac River Bridge. (540) 663-
3205.
Don’t Miss
s 8 p.m. May 4, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 3
p.m. May 5, 12, 18, 19, 3 p.m.----
“Rumors”
s May 18----Ladies Only Wine Class