Category Archives: First California Company
Increasing Opposition to Proposed James River Transmission Line Project
The Virginia Gazette reports that two federal agencies have increased their concerns about Dominion Power’s proposed transmission line project in the James River. A letter from the head of the National Park Service to the Commanding General of the Corps of Engineers urges … Continue reading
Our Fall Meeting was Held November 21
We held our 2015 fall meeting on Saturday, November 21 in Anaheim. Governor Donna Derrick presided as 28 members and guests attended and heard Dr. Mark Hanna, Associate Professor of History at University of California, San Diego discuss early colonial maritime history. … Continue reading
Announcing Another New Member, but Long-Time Friend
Martha “Marty” Cleveland Sommercamp, a long-time Friend of First California Company, recently was enrolled as both a member of the Society and our Company. Her ancestor is Reverend Robert Braswell. She submitted this profile for us: I grew up in … Continue reading
Updating our November 21 Fall Meeting
We have relocated our Saturday, November 21 fall meeting to JT Schmid’s Restaurant and Brewery at 2610 East Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806 at noon. We will have an interesting program: We will be honored by hosting Dr. Mark G. Hanna, Associate … Continue reading
Introducing Four New First California Company Members
We introduce four new members that have joined our company in the past few months: Robert Eric (Bob) Holcomb descends from Richard Cocke, founder of the Henrico county branch of the Cocke family and settled in Virginia about 1627. Cocke served several … Continue reading
Exciting New Discoveries at Historic Jamestown
With a video, Jamestown Rediscovery and the Smithsonian Institution today announced the discovery and examination of the graves of four of the colony’s earliest founders in the excavation of the chancel the 1608 church at Historic Jamestown (the site of the Pocahontas/Rolfe … Continue reading
Report on Our May 30 Annual Meeting
A Message from Governor Donna Derrick: Thirty-Three members, prospective members, and guests gathered on May 30, 2015 for First California Company’s Annual Meeting at the La Gran Terraza Dining Room in Hahn University Center at the University of San Diego. … Continue reading
Our Annual Meeting Will Be Held On May 30
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at noon at the La Gran Terraza dining room, Hahn University Center, University of San Diego. Our speaker will be Iris Engstrand, Ph.D., whose topic will be Jamestowne in Context: … Continue reading
Kareene Wood is Honored by the Library of Virginia
Karenne Wood, who delivered an engaging presentation at our commemoration of the 400th wedding anniversary of Pocahontas and John Rolfe, is among eight Virginia women recognized by the Library of Virginia as part of its 2015 Virginia Women in History program. Ms. … Continue reading
Our Winter Meeting Was Held in Los Angeles on January 17, 2015
Ten members and three guests attended our January 17, 2015 winter meeting at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Governor Donna Derrick announced that the next Jamestowne Society meeting will be held in Williamsburg, May 15-16. There will be a riverboat … Continue reading
A New Book on Jamestown: The Latest Captain John Smith Biography
Captain John Smith’s iconic shadow still falls over Jamestown 400+ years after his 34-month sojourn in helping to found it. That specter is replete with mythology about a certain prepubescent Powhatan girl, disciplining settlers and facing down indigenous chieftains. A new and … Continue reading
Our 2015 Winter Meeting Will Be on January 17 in Los Angeles
As we busily prepare for the Holiday Season, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and send the Best of Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I look forward to seeing you … Continue reading