Category Archives: Virginia

Sweet Virginia Tobacco

By Jim Shepherd When the first settlers came to Virginia in 1607, their main problem was food; the 1609-10 winter was known as the Starving Times. They had trouble trading with the local Indian tribes for food. It is not … Continue reading

Posted in 2016, Agriculture, Early American History, First California Company, First California Compoany, Jamestowne Society, Jim Shepherd, John Rolfe, News, Planter, Tobacco, Uncategorized, Virginia | Comments Off on Sweet Virginia Tobacco

John Smith’s Remembrance of an Unexpectedly Merry Christmas

The Little Ice Age made early 17th century winters very difficult in England, but especially in Virginia. Unlike our days of rain, and chill, the Thames and James would freeze over in those days, so this reprinted account of Remembering Capt. John Smith’s … Continue reading

Posted in 1607, 1608, Daily Press, Early American History, Historic Jamestown, Historical Notes, John Smith, News, Virginia | Comments Off on John Smith’s Remembrance of an Unexpectedly Merry Christmas

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

Posted in 1608, 1608 Church Chancel, 2015, Archer, Early American History, First California Company, Founders' Graves, geneaology, Historic Jamestown, James Horn, Jamestown Rediscovery, Kelso, News, Smithsonian, Uncategorized, Virginia, West | Comments Off on Exciting New Discoveries at Historic Jamestown

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

Posted in 17th century church tower, 2015, 2015 Annual Meeting, Donna Derrick, DowntotheWire.org, Early American History, Fall 2015 Meeting, First California Company, Governor's Roundtable, Historic Jamestown, Iris Engstrand, Jamestown Rediscovery, Jamestowne in Context: The Age of Expansion, Jamestowne Society, Jamestowne Society Governor, Membership, National Trust For Historic Preservation, News, Qualified Ancestor, Save the James, SoCal Genealogical Jamboree, Uncategorized, University of San Diego, Updates, Virginia | Comments Off on Report on Our May 30 Annual Meeting

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

Posted in 2015, 400th Anniversary Pocahontas Rolfe Wedding, Early American History, First California Company, Jamestowne Society, Kareene Wood, News, Pocahontas, Uncategorized, Updates, Virginia | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in 1607, 1608, Biography, Book Review, Early American History, First California Company, Historic Jamestown, John Smith, Pocahontas, Reading List, Uncategorized, Virginia | Leave a comment

First California Company’s Report on the Society’s Fall 2014 Luncheon Meeting and Tour

Ed. note: We thank past Governor Ginny Gotlieb for filing this report on the Society’s 2014 fall meeting and tour: The Jamestowne Society’s Fall meeting and tour were sold out events. Two impressive paintings of Jamestown scenes highlighted Friday’s tour … Continue reading

Posted in 2014 Fall Tour, Early American History, First California Company, Gotlieb, Jamestowne Society, Jamestowne Society Governor, John Marshall House, News, November 7 Fall Meeting, Pocahontas, Updates, Virginia, Virginia State Capitol | Leave a comment

Church Tower Update

This is an update on the repair and restoration of the 17th century church tower at Historic Jamestown. This successful two-year program is the result of the contributions our Company and members made together with other companies towards the Society’s fund for the … Continue reading

Posted in 17th century church tower, 2014, Colonial Williamsburg, Early American History, First California Company, Historic Jamestown, Jamestown Church Bell Tower, Jamestowne Society, News, Uncategorized, Updates, Virginia | Leave a comment

A Message from Our New Governor, Donna Derrick

I am honored to have been elected to the office of Governor of the First California Company to serve for the term 2014-2016.  I appreciate the confidence you have shown in me to lead our Company, and look forward to working … Continue reading

Posted in 2014, 2014 Annual Meeting, Donna Derrick, First California Company, Genealogical Help, geneaology, Jamestowne Society, Membership, News, Officers and councilors, Save the James, Updates, Virginia | 1 Comment

A Message from Governor Ginny Gotlieb

The Jamestowne Society’s annual Governors’ Roundtable and Council Meeting in Williamsburg May 16-17 had record attendance, a good program, and much conviviality (the program is summarized below.)  Five new companies were chartered, confirming the vitality and dispersed growth of the Society. The Governors met Friday to … Continue reading

Posted in 1607, 2014, 2014 Annual Meeting, 2014 Meeting, 2014 Spring Meetings, Early American History, First California Company, Gotlieb, Governor's Roundtable, Historic Jamestown, Jamestowne Society, Kelso, News, Officers and councilors, Uncategorized, Updates, Virginia | 1 Comment

Adding A New Qualified Ancestor and A Daughter as New Member

Harry Holgate, our outgoing Treasurer, has been a genealogical researcher for over three decades and makes use of many of the resources that can be found at the Southern California Genealogical Society’s 2014 Jamboree in Burbank on June 6-8. Most … Continue reading

Posted in 1607, 2014, Admission Procedures, Early American History, First California Company, Genealogical Help, geneaology, Jamestowne Society, News, Qualified Ancestor, Uncategorized, Updates, Virginia | 1 Comment

Historic Jamestown’s 400th Wedding Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony

Thanks to our friend Jane Crallé Congdon (another Pocahontas descendant), who sent us this message: Below is the link for the Colonial Williamsburg video of the Pocahontas/Rolfe wedding anniversary reenactment held ( 3 times) on Saturday, April 5, 2014, anniversary date … Continue reading

Posted in 1614, 2014, 400th Anniversary Pocahontas Rolfe Wedding, Colonial Williamsburg, Early American History, First California Company, geneaology, Historic Jamestown, News, Pocahontas, Uncategorized, Virginia | Leave a comment