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1776 Revolutionary Flag
No Borrowed Glory Tour
of Smithfield and Isle of
Wight County, Virginia
of Smithfield and Isle of
Wight County, Virginia
Boykin's Tavern
Mentioned in Chapter 3: "McKay at the Tavern" In the story, Nathaniel Chiles works at the tavern in Smithfield. It was built in 1752. The awnings in the picture were not there in 1781 and probably the front porch was not as large as it is today. |
This is the front door of the
tavern. Many famous people
have passed through this
doorway.
The floor boards on the inside
steps and in the rooms upstairs
are worn and uneven due to its
age and long years of use.
There is a basement with a
dirt floor where Mr.Taylor,
the tavern owner, and his
family lived.
steps and in the rooms upstairs
are worn and uneven due to its
age and long years of use.
There is a basement with a
dirt floor where Mr.Taylor,
the tavern owner, and his
family lived.
The white building next to
the brick Courthouse is the
Gaming House. This was
where men gathered to play
card games and to gamble.
the brick Courthouse is the
Gaming House. This was
where men gathered to play
card games and to gamble.
Chapter 4:
"Message to Mrs. Young"
"Message to Mrs. Young"
Oak Level was the home of Lt.
and Mrs. Francis Young. He
was Clerk of Court and
responsible for the County
Record Books for Isle of
Wight County, Virginia.
| The central section of the Young's House is the original part. |
While Lt. Francis Young was
away with the militia, Mrs.
Young and her most trusted
black man took the County
Record Books and buried them
three miles outside of town to
save the important records
from the British in 1781.
away with the militia, Mrs.
Young and her most trusted
black man took the County
Record Books and buried them
three miles outside of town to
save the important records
from the British in 1781.
Chapter 7:
"Court Day Morning"
The 1750 Courthouse was
probably one of the first
buildings in the new town of
Smithfield.
Court Day was celebrated
every first Thursday of the
month when all court business
was conducted. Everyone
came to town; it was a general
celebration with horse races,
games, and a time to buy and
sell livestock and other
products.
"Court Day Morning"
The 1750 Courthouse was
probably one of the first
buildings in the new town of
Smithfield.
Court Day was celebrated
every first Thursday of the
month when all court business
was conducted. Everyone
came to town; it was a general
celebration with horse races,
games, and a time to buy and
sell livestock and other
products.
William Rand was the builder of the Courthouse. |
The building was damaged
during the Revolution by the
British.
during the Revolution by the
British.
The brick wall around the Courthouse was not there in 1781; neither was the small clerks office to the left of the Courthouse as you stand in front of it. |
The door leading into the
Courthouse.
Courthouse.
During the early period, the
pillory, whipping post,
hanging tree, and jail were
located on the back of the lot.
pillory, whipping post,
hanging tree, and jail were
located on the back of the lot.
Chapter 9:
"Captured At Six Oaks"
"Captured At Six Oaks"
| The British, under Lord Cornwallis, spent a night in July 1781 at Six Oaks. A spyglass was lost in the field by British Col. Robert Abercromby. An elderly black man found it and sold it to George Purdie, a shop keeper in town. One of his descendants donated it to the Isle of Wight County Museum. It is on display at the old Courthouse. |
Originally there were six Oaks
in front of the house but time
and storms have taken all but
one.
| Boykin's Tavern In the story the people who were at Boykin's Tavern and Mrs. Young’s House knew the British were at Six Oaks but they could not get an express rider past the British to tell the people in town. That was why, in the story, Nathaniel and Jonas were captured. |
Chapter 25:
"Coming Up from the Beach"
"Coming Up from the Beach"
| Fort Boykin was an old Colonial Fort that was refortified during the Revolution. It was named for Major Francis Boykin, from the area, who was serving on General Washington’s Staff. |
| If Nathaniel had been a real person and had walked to Fort Boykin he would have seen it somewhat like this picture. |
Looking up from the beach to
the fort.
the fort.
| This large black walnut tree was probably growing at Fort Boykin but was very small during the American Revolution. |
Old trees can be very
interesting!
interesting!
| Chapter 26; "Turning Homeward" Colonel Tarleton stopped by the Old Brick Church in July 1781. He had been on a long hot trip to the western part of the state destroying whatever was useful to the Patriots. His men and horses were tired, so the cool water and large shade trees were a welcomed stop. At this time in history, the Old Road was the path we see closer to the church building. |
Judy Bloodgood Bander
Colonel Josiah Parker,
friend of General Geroge
Washington, and citizen of
Isle of Wight County, was
the Commander of all the
Militia South of the James
River. British Colonel
Tarleton actually went to
Macclesfield, Parker's
home, in search of the
Colonel. Tarleton destroyed
important papers but did
not capture Colonel Parker.
friend of General Geroge
Washington, and citizen of
Isle of Wight County, was
the Commander of all the
Militia South of the James
River. British Colonel
Tarleton actually went to
Macclesfield, Parker's
home, in search of the
Colonel. Tarleton destroyed
important papers but did
not capture Colonel Parker.
Timothy Tynes was one of
the men talking in the
tavern. He lived just outside
of town and on the same
road as Lt. and Mrs. Young.
the men talking in the
tavern. He lived just outside
of town and on the same
road as Lt. and Mrs. Young.
Captain John Sinclair was a
privateer and blockade
runner. His home still
stands on the Pagan River
in town. He carried
dispatches from Lafayette
to Rochambeau that helped
secure the British surrender
at Yorktown, Virginia.
privateer and blockade
runner. His home still
stands on the Pagan River
in town. He carried
dispatches from Lafayette
to Rochambeau that helped
secure the British surrender
at Yorktown, Virginia.