Old Warwick County, Virginia History...
[from a Century-old Perspective]
The Old Free State of Warwick
Warwick County as It Was in Days of Old - TRADITIONS AND STORIES -
Origin of the name -- Blind Goddess had a lazy time of it -- Some Ancient English Churches -- How John Vail Won His Sweetheart.
Daily Press – Newport News, VA.,
December 18, 1898
There is no part of America so rich in traditions as this peninsula of Virginia, where in early and half-forgotten days so much of history and romance was made, and, later on, so many battles were fought with [impious] foes. Some day the story of the peninsula will be written from the beginning to current time, and when it is completed, it may well be imagined that in America, at least, it will be of thrilling interest.
In such a book, the Old Free State of Warwick will have no unimportant part...
CONTINUED...
December 18, 1898
There is no part of America so rich in traditions as this peninsula of Virginia, where in early and half-forgotten days so much of history and romance was made, and, later on, so many battles were fought with [impious] foes. Some day the story of the peninsula will be written from the beginning to current time, and when it is completed, it may well be imagined that in America, at least, it will be of thrilling interest.
In such a book, the Old Free State of Warwick will have no unimportant part...
CONTINUED...
More Warwick History
History of Warwick-ca.1953
Written and edited by Dick Anderson
"Gold ---adventure”, words which have stimulated rugged men for many centuries, founding and destroying empires and nations, creating love and hate, fortune and misfortune.
The cargo of humans Captain Christopher Newport carried aboard his tiny fleet of three ships in 1607---
each ship scarcely larger than a modern fishing trawler – had the same dreams.
When this cargo of 490 fortune hunters landed and established the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, none realized their immortal fortune would be the founding of a nation, not gold. None realized they were to plant the seeds of the modern City of Warwick.
CONTINUED...
Written and edited by Dick Anderson
"Gold ---adventure”, words which have stimulated rugged men for many centuries, founding and destroying empires and nations, creating love and hate, fortune and misfortune.
The cargo of humans Captain Christopher Newport carried aboard his tiny fleet of three ships in 1607---
each ship scarcely larger than a modern fishing trawler – had the same dreams.
When this cargo of 490 fortune hunters landed and established the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, none realized their immortal fortune would be the founding of a nation, not gold. None realized they were to plant the seeds of the modern City of Warwick.
CONTINUED...
Crowd Braves Rain
to See Unveiling
Daily Press –
Newport News, VA.
Friday, May 28, 1909 - Vol. XIV No. 122
Heedless of a steady downpour of rain, more than a thousand people gathered at Denbigh, Warwick Court House, yesterday to witness the unveiling of a handsome monument to the Confederate dead. The scene was one never to be forgotten at Denbigh. Probably such a crowd has not gathered on the courthouse green within the recollection of this generation and the crowd was no ordinary one. In it were Hon. Claude A. Swanson, governor of Virginia;
Hon. Harry St. George Tucker and Judge William Hodges Mann, the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Judge Williams and Col. Catlett, aspirants for the nomination of attorney general, and other prominent individuals whose presence upon any occasion would excite vast interest.
CONTINUED...
Newport News, VA.
Friday, May 28, 1909 - Vol. XIV No. 122
Heedless of a steady downpour of rain, more than a thousand people gathered at Denbigh, Warwick Court House, yesterday to witness the unveiling of a handsome monument to the Confederate dead. The scene was one never to be forgotten at Denbigh. Probably such a crowd has not gathered on the courthouse green within the recollection of this generation and the crowd was no ordinary one. In it were Hon. Claude A. Swanson, governor of Virginia;
Hon. Harry St. George Tucker and Judge William Hodges Mann, the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Judge Williams and Col. Catlett, aspirants for the nomination of attorney general, and other prominent individuals whose presence upon any occasion would excite vast interest.
CONTINUED...
Happy 400th Birthday Blunt Point! ~ Gloria Piland Rogers
Mulberry Island Notes, July 2010
Long ago, before the City of Newport News or old Warwick County existed, “Blunt Poynt” was part of the new English colony in “Ye Kingdome of Virginia.” Located on a high bluff at the confluence of the James and Warwick Rivers, it is opposite and slightly below Mulberry Island.
An early state highway marker (no longer standing) stated “Blunt Point….was named for Humphrey Blount (pronounced Blunt) who was killed by the Indians in 1610.” It is one of the earliest English place names in use in America today. By the 1930s “Blount” had become the accepted spelling by all but the older natives who would continue to spell it “the correct way.”
CONTINUED...
This historical marker stands on the
Warwick Courthouse Square commemorating Warwick County's existence - the memory of which dimmed in April of 1862 when it's Courthouse and Clerk's Office were looted and ransacked, it's records carried off as "souvenirs of war." Others were burned in the conflagration at the fall of Richmond in April of 1865. |
Warwick County became the City of Warwick on July 16, 1952 for six short years until consolidating on July 1, 1958 - you may recognize the name of Warwick's dexterous and capable City Manager, J. Clyde Morris. 
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The official "cutting of the ribbon," to consolidate the City of Newport News with the City of Warwick on July 1, 1958. Resulting from this consolidation of forces, the name Warwick was no longer in use for the first time in 324 years. What was Warwick lost it's identity except for the Great Warwick Road (Warwick Blvd) and the Warwick River. It's county seat, Denbigh was demoted to a neighborhood of Newport News proper. |
Now Quiet Byroad Village Bustled in Former Life
~Brett Averill - Staff Writer
Times-Herald -Newport News, Va.,
Thursday, July 1, 1976
The sun rising above the trees across the road throws its light onto the cupola of Denbigh Courthouse. The second floor windows glint with orange. It’s a new day. Wind sweeps through the gigantic oak trees in Courthouse Square. A pigeon flies in a short, graceful arc around the front corner of the building and flutters into a nook under the high eaves.
It has been peaceful in the square for a long time – especially since July 1, 1958.
CONTINUED...
Memories of a Simpler Denbigh Still Linger
~Chris Young—Staff Writer
Daily Press - Times Herald -
Newport News, VA -
October 1, 1987
For newcomers, it may be a bit hard to believe that Denbigh used to be farmland and dirt roads.
For at least one native, memories of a simpler time will not die. “When I was first born, there was no concrete road”, says Fauntleroy Bentien, 74, counting off the changes. “We did not have electric lights. We did not have city water.”
CONTINUED...
~Chris Young—Staff Writer
Daily Press - Times Herald -
Newport News, VA -
October 1, 1987
For newcomers, it may be a bit hard to believe that Denbigh used to be farmland and dirt roads.
For at least one native, memories of a simpler time will not die. “When I was first born, there was no concrete road”, says Fauntleroy Bentien, 74, counting off the changes. “We did not have electric lights. We did not have city water.”
CONTINUED...
When you say “Denbigh”, you’re talking history!
By Maurecio Carpeli
The Denbigh area of Newport News is rich in history, and extends as far back as the settlement of our beloved Virginia. The area, now a section of Newport News, was a section that originated from a primary subdivision of the Kecoughton Corporation (later known as, “Elizabeth City”) and was called “Warwick River Shire”, in honor of Admiral Sir Robert Rich, second Earl of Warwick, and a prominent member of the Virginia Company. In 1643 the Colonial Assembly shortened the name to Warwick County. Warwick County was one of the smallest of the eight original shires and was the only shire not to be further subdivided.
From its original settlement through the time of the Civil War, Warwick County was made up of scattered plantations, rustic mills, smaller farms and primeval forests. Its economy was primarily agrarian.
One of Warwick County’s most famous plantations, was built by its owner, Samuel Mathews. Mathews came to Virginia around 1618, and later received land at the mouth of the Warwick River. He built a plantation that was first named “Mathews Manor” and was later known as “Denbigh Plantation” or sometimes just “Denbigh”. Samuel Mathews was well respected and eventually became one of the most prominent men in the colony. He was an ancient planter, and was known for growing wheat, barley, hemp and flax and for his fine stocks of swine, poultry, bees and dairy cattle. He was also known for his leather works and production of shoes. Mathews was a long-time member of council, and in 1635, he was one of the leaders of the popular mutiny that ousted Governor Sir John Harvey. In 1637, he and three others were sent home to England to stand trial for Treason. During his absence, Charles I, King of England, reinstated Harvey as Governor of the colony. The reinstated governor seized and dispersed most of Mathews’ property and sanctioned the ransacking of his house. Eventually, the charges were dropped and in 1639, Mathews, acquitted of the treason charge, returned to Virginia. By order of the King, his property was restored to him, and Governor Harvey was removed from office and evicted from Matthews’ land!
By 1680, records indicate 2 established parishes in Warwick County (Mulberry Island was the second parish).The Denbigh parish overlooked church creek.
Like many settlements in colonial America Denbigh’s namesake might well have originated from an area of England that the colonists admired. Quite possibly, our Denbigh area might have derived its name from a small Welsh border town, 'Denbych', which in Welsh means 'Little fortress'. In 1282 , Edward I conquered Denbych, and the town fell under English rule. English Denbych was amongst the largest and richest towns in Elizabethan Wales, a powerhouse of Renaissance culture and enterprise, and a vibrant, prosperous market town. A colonist of Mathews’ era would have held the name of Denbych or Denbigh with high regards.
According to Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists, the Denbigh Plantation is one of the most important archaeological sites of its period in America. Although the Mathews’ Denbigh Plantation is no longer standing, the site of the original manor house has been preserved, along with a spring house, dairy house and a 19th Century cemetery. Development of the Denbigh Plantation residential area began on this land in the 1960's. 17th, 18th and 19th Century foundations and artifacts continue to be discovered by homeowners and builders here. These finds have contributed to the understanding of early colonial American life and development.
So the next time you tell someone you’re from Denbigh, be sure to include a little something about our rich history!
From its original settlement through the time of the Civil War, Warwick County was made up of scattered plantations, rustic mills, smaller farms and primeval forests. Its economy was primarily agrarian.
One of Warwick County’s most famous plantations, was built by its owner, Samuel Mathews. Mathews came to Virginia around 1618, and later received land at the mouth of the Warwick River. He built a plantation that was first named “Mathews Manor” and was later known as “Denbigh Plantation” or sometimes just “Denbigh”. Samuel Mathews was well respected and eventually became one of the most prominent men in the colony. He was an ancient planter, and was known for growing wheat, barley, hemp and flax and for his fine stocks of swine, poultry, bees and dairy cattle. He was also known for his leather works and production of shoes. Mathews was a long-time member of council, and in 1635, he was one of the leaders of the popular mutiny that ousted Governor Sir John Harvey. In 1637, he and three others were sent home to England to stand trial for Treason. During his absence, Charles I, King of England, reinstated Harvey as Governor of the colony. The reinstated governor seized and dispersed most of Mathews’ property and sanctioned the ransacking of his house. Eventually, the charges were dropped and in 1639, Mathews, acquitted of the treason charge, returned to Virginia. By order of the King, his property was restored to him, and Governor Harvey was removed from office and evicted from Matthews’ land!
By 1680, records indicate 2 established parishes in Warwick County (Mulberry Island was the second parish).The Denbigh parish overlooked church creek.
Like many settlements in colonial America Denbigh’s namesake might well have originated from an area of England that the colonists admired. Quite possibly, our Denbigh area might have derived its name from a small Welsh border town, 'Denbych', which in Welsh means 'Little fortress'. In 1282 , Edward I conquered Denbych, and the town fell under English rule. English Denbych was amongst the largest and richest towns in Elizabethan Wales, a powerhouse of Renaissance culture and enterprise, and a vibrant, prosperous market town. A colonist of Mathews’ era would have held the name of Denbych or Denbigh with high regards.
According to Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists, the Denbigh Plantation is one of the most important archaeological sites of its period in America. Although the Mathews’ Denbigh Plantation is no longer standing, the site of the original manor house has been preserved, along with a spring house, dairy house and a 19th Century cemetery. Development of the Denbigh Plantation residential area began on this land in the 1960's. 17th, 18th and 19th Century foundations and artifacts continue to be discovered by homeowners and builders here. These finds have contributed to the understanding of early colonial American life and development.
So the next time you tell someone you’re from Denbigh, be sure to include a little something about our rich history!
Depiction of ancient planter Samuel Mathews "Mathews Manor."
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Ruins of Denbigh Castle, ca. 1200 Denbighshire N. Wales
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