Bowsprit: How Come?

     This is the first edition of the newsletter of the Chesapeake Bay Company. The name "Bowsprit" was chosen because the bowsprit is the part of a ship that always arrives first.               
     It's the "pole extending forward from the vessel's prow," "provides an anchor point for the forestays." "Early ocean-going vessels tended to tilt the bowsprit at a high angle, and hung one or two square spritsails from yards."

     These comments came from Wikipedia's page on "Bowsprit," and can be viewed in its entirety here.

Welcome to New Members!

     Since our Charter Meeting in May 2006, we have 11 new members in the Company! We welcome them all! Some are new members to the Society as well.

Descended from Richard Lee: Brittany Ann Acors, Carroll Leroy Acors, Elizabeth Lee Acors, John Kendall Acors (Chesapeake);
Descended from Sir George Yeardley: Virginia Lee Appich Boudreaux (Coles Point), Virginia Lee Boudreaux (New York, NY), Mary Susan English Newton (Kinsale);
Descended from Edward Dale: William Buchanan England, III (Montross);
Descended from Christopher Branch: Janice Claire Harris Shanks (Irvington);
Descended from Richard Cocke: Richard M. B. Rennolds (Richmond);
Descended from Thomas Purefoy: Kathlyn Harris Waltermire (Colonial Beach).

      Supplemental applications are those submitted by members on additional lines of descent from Jamestowne ancestors. Since the May meeting, the following supplemental applications have been approved:

Descended from Captain Adam Thorowgood & John Curtis III: John Paul Hanbury (Irvington);
Descended from Sir George Yeardley: Susan Noel Godman Rager (Coles Point).

 Dues Now Due!

     At the November 2006 meeting, members present voted on the amount for dues to the Company. The annual amount of $15 was approved. If you have not done so, please mail your check in that amount, made payable to the Chesapeake Bay Company of the Jamestowne Society. See payment coupon at end of this newsletter. It's on a separate page so you can "print the current page" and it should work. Thank you!

 US News & World Report:

    The First Americans: The Jamestowne Story is a special report on the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestowne that appeared in the Jan.29-Feb.5 2007 edition of US News & World Report. It's online here!

April Meeting: Update on May Events for 400th Anniversary

     Kelly Carson Johnson, Executive Director of the Jamestowne Society, will be our speaker for the Saturday, April 28 Spring Meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Company. The meeting/luncheon location is Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, Montross, Westmoreland County, on Route 3 – click here for map.

     The menu will be chicken salad, Waldorf congealed salad, asparagus, deviled egg, rolls and butter, beverage, ice cream and cookie. Available for members during the meeting will be punch, cheese ball and crackers. Jean Booth McKenney is in charge of the meeting arrangements. The Executive Board meets at 10:15 AM, followed by the Membership Meeting at 11 AM, with luncheon to follow.  Please hold the date – you will receive an e-mail notification to make reservations later. Kelly will update us on the very latest information about the 400th Anniversary events in May.

           It appears now that it is necessary for those attending the Saturday, May 12 program on the Island to pay an additional $30 access fee. Negotiations had been underway for some time between the Society and those in charge of access to the Island that day, but it seems they came to no avail. The Society will be mailing letters to all those who have reservations that have already been accepted, informing them of this additional fee. Also, on February 13, your Governor learned that the Jamestowne Society quotas have been reached for all three May 12 events: the bus trip to the Island, the luncheon and the banquet, therefore, the Society is not accepting additional reservations now.

       It's important to remember that, if you haven't been able to "get in under the wire" for the May 12 events, you can still participate in the excitement of the 400th Anniversary celebration by visiting Jamestown at or near the anniversary date. The new 30,000 sq.ft. Museum facility at the Jamestown Settlement Park is worth a visit just by itself - you will be amazed at the variety and complexity of the exhibit.

 How does this e-letter work?

          Bowsprit will be e-mailed to members and prospective members, with details, such as addresses of our new members. The online edition will for obvious reasons, omit such details.

     Boswprit will contain e-links that should work when you receive the e-letter as well as when you visit the e-letter at the website. If you have trouble activating the links in your e-letter, go to the website and view the e-letter there.

      Members who do not have e-mail will receive print copies of the newsletter via US mail. All members are strongly encouraged to provide e-addresses (perhaps of a neighbor or relative even) at which to receive newsletters due to the cost of production and mailing, which is formidable by US mail. Send e-addresses to Susan Rager. Thanks!

Jamestowne Oak Trees: Start One Now!

     Limited edition Jamestown Oak Tree Seedlings are available through the Virginia Department of Forestry. The Jamestown Oak, which is also known as Cherrybark Oak, is one of the prized items found by the 1607 settlers which proved to be valuable to both the colony and England. It was shipped home as oak lumber, and was used by colonists for everything from paddles to furniture to buildings.  These oak trees still flourish on the Island. VDOF hand collected acorns and started these 2-year-old seedlings from them. Shipped via UPS, the minimum quantity is 5 seedlings for $25. Information on pricing is available through the Seedling Catalog -  click here. To order, contact Augusta Forestry Center, POB 160, Crimora, VA 24431 (telephone 540-363-7000).

 Commemorative Coins Available

     Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coins are available in limited quantities as well. The silver coin, in a limited edition of 500,000, on its face depicts the three ships, and on its obverse are representatives of an Indian, an African and an Englishman. It's available for $39 until sold out.

     The gold coin, in a limited edition of 100,000, on its face depicts the Memorial Church at Jamestown. Its obverse depicts Captain John Smith conversing with a native Indian. The gold coin is available for $255 until sold out.

     These coins may be purchased at the Jamestown Settlement Park, or online through the US Mint or may be ordered from the US Mint by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (1-800-872-6468). To see the coins and to read more, click here.

 UofR Exhibit:

   The Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center at the University of Richmond Museums is hosting  News of the Colonies: Prints, Maps and Perceptions of the New World until April 28th. The exhibit contains maps, prints and books from 1590 to 1721 that reflect the impressions of colonists in Virginia, and the impact they had in Europe. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 3 PM, and by appointment (804-287-6424). The exhibit will be closed during spring break (March 3-12) and also Easter weekend (April 7-9). Admission is free. For more details, click here

Save Sept. 29, 2007 - -

   Save the date of Saturday, September 29, 2007 – it's the date of the Fall Meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Company! The site of the meeting is Historic Christ Church near Irvington, Lancaster County, Virginia. Jean Booth McKenney, Lieutenant Governor of the Company, is in charge of the meeting. More details will be forthcoming later!

.

Executive Board Meeting, December10

     The Chesapeake Bay Company's Executive Board met on Sunday, December 10, at the Crazy Crab Restaurant in Reedville. As of December 9, the Company's funds totaled $210.10, as not many dues payments had been then received. (You can see why I'm saying please provide e-addresses for newsletter delivery – as a new Company, even postage is a precious commodity. All time required in preparation and publication of the website and of this newsletter are donated.)

     Information from Carolyn Kendrick Farmer, Jamestowne Society Companies Committee Chairman, included (a) that resolution of the $30 fee for May 12 will be provided to members when available; (b) 100 seats will be available for the program on May 12, although 500 of us will be allowed (and possibly more, see article above in this newsletter); (c) a color guard will possibly be provided at the banquet on May 12; (d) a certificate of muster will be presented to each person attending the May 12 program on the Island; (e) additional security requirements may be required, e.g.. provision of suitable identification; (f) the Society hopes to make a contribution of at least $25,000 to APVA in connection with the May 12 event; (g) while it has not yet been confirmed which of the royals (if any) will attend the banquet on May 12, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will visit Jamestowne in connection with the weekend celebration.

     While both the President of the United States and the Queen of England have been invited to attend the banquet, acceptances had not been received as of the Dec. 10 meeting date. (To date, acceptances have not been received).

     Information from Kelly Carson Johnson, Executive Director, Jamestowne Society, was presented as follows: (a) on May 12, space will be shared during our time slot among Jamestowne Society, First Families of Virginia, and Order of Ancient Planters members – it is anticipated that each group will have 20 minute programs on the memorial stage; (b) May 12 – luncheon at 1 PM with reception beginning at Noon, concluded by 3 PM (no speaker); (c) banquet speaker (see above), but both the President and the Queen will be in Williamsburg that weekend; (d) Jamestowne Society accepting additional conditional reservations for bus trip on May 12 – and welcomes additional luncheon and banquet reservations – the capacity at each event is 1,000, which had not yet been reached.

     Meeting dates of April 28 and September 29 (both Saturdays) were approved for 2007. In the future, every effort will be made to have Executive Board meetings only in conjunction with regular meetings of the Company.

Many new links added to the Company Website!

Many new links have been added to the Chesapeake Bay Company website. The website is maintained by Susan Godman Rager, and the cost of the website is a donation. You can visit it at http://JamestowneChesapeakeBayCompany.com. The US mail address for the Chesapeake Bay Company is P. O. Box 118, Coles Point, Virginia 22442.