Virginia Threads for the Future Historian; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 1, No. 3 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Virginia Threads for the Future Historian Edward D. Neill William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Papers, Vol. 1, No. 3. (Jan., 1893), pp. 165-167. VIRGINIA THREADS FOR THE FUTURE HISTORIAN. Any additional facts concerning George Percy, an early Deputy Governor of Virginia, who was esteemed by all parties, should be recorded. In no history of Virginia is it mentioned that, in 1597-8, he was a student of the Temple. London, and appointed by his brother, the Earl of Northumberland. In 1603, at his brother's expense, he made a tour in Ireland. Brown in his valuable work, "The Genesis of the United States", on page 1048, alluding to Lord Delaware, writes: "It seems quite certain he died on our Northern shore". This is an error. In the spring of 1618, he left England in the ship "Neptune", to resume the govern- ment in Virginia. Camden, in his "Annals" of the reign of King James, mentions that he was Page 166. taken sick a few days after he left one of the Azores, and on the 7th of June died. On the 5th of October, the news reached London, and Chamberlain, under date of the 14th of October, writes to Sir Dudley Carleton that "Lord Delaware died on his voyage to Virgnia, having touched at Terceira, where he was feasted and well used." It is not pleasant to consider the philanthropist William Penn, as a courtier, soliciting office for his friends, but the following appears in the Eleventh Parliament Report on Historical Manuscripts, dated Sept. 23, 1673. "The Lords of Carolina want a Lieutenant Governor, and the Province of Virginia wants a Secretary, and for aught I know, either of these will answer the Bearer's ambition and merit. I am Thy very respectful friend, Wm PENN." Thomas Lord Culpepper writes from Virginia, March 18th, 1682-83. "The greatest difficulty I have had hath been to rectify Sir Henry Chichley's weakness or rather nothingnesses, but his death on the 5th of February last hath saved this place from all future mal-administration. * * * The greatest rogue of all was pardoned by Sir Henry on condition to build an useful bridge near his house, for performance whereof his son-in-law, being one of his Majesty's Council, and Mr. Beverley, were security. The next great rogue was let out on bail. I have issued a proclamation, under the seal of the Colony, for him to deliver himself up for trial by a day, and am now sueing the bail. And Sir Henry pardoned the Lord knows who. All that were he freed without taking a list, which so embarrasses me that severity will fall on the least guilty or malicious". Culpepper was a low minded man. On June 15th, 1690, steps were taken by the House of Lords to protect his wife and daughter. For years he did not live with his wife, and spent 60,000 pounds on his mistress, Susanna Willis. Catharine, his only daughter, was the mother of Thomas, the sixth Lord Fairfax, who died a bachelor in Virginia. Francis Nicholson, Governor of Virginia, was the founder of athletic sports in North America, and there is extant an address from the "bachelors of Virginia", thanking him for his inten- Page 167. tion of instituting "annual games for the training of young men in masterly exercises and feats of activity." EDWARD D. NEILL. Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn.