My Virginia

I may have rekindled new interest in my love of genealogical research! A family story passed down for ages to me that we were descendants of Pocahontas was confirmed by local Fredericksburg  historian, Bill Deyo. Pocahontas is my 11th Great-Grandmother- and I am descended through her through by her first marriage and her daughter, Kaokee! This was a real neat story to hear. Most people only recount Pocahontas and her marriage to John Rolfe.  Many people are unaware that she had been previously wed to another Patawomeck Indian.  With her first husband, she had a daughter Kaokee.  Kaokee would be my 10th Great Grandmother, and she married later Captain Thomas Pettus- an early Virginia Gentleman and Cavalier. This story is confirmed through the Patawomeck Indian tribe. Having attended the Rowe family reunion last year in Fredericksburg, we learned of many connections to the Virginia Indians in that family over the years. George Rowe and Lucy Rowe- are my 4th ...

 Picture d above: The George Rowe House. Fredericksburg, VA Last weekend I had the opportunity to go up to Fredericksburg for a family reunion. It was a spectacular event, in which the organizers put a lot of soul and hard work. The Patriarch of the family was George Rowe and his wife Lucy Leitch Rowe , whom were prominent figures in the history of Fredericksburg, especially during the War Between The States.  George Rowe would be my great great great great grandfather . This is in the branch of my grandfather's mother's side of the family. George and Lucy Rowe were actually first cousins, who had long standing connections to the Northern Neck area of Virginia.  The event was held at their ancestral home, and included guest speakers which talked about the history of the Rowe family in Fredericksburg and nearby environs, as well as their connections and lineage to the Patawomeck Indian tribe. People came from all over the country, including character actor Hansford R...

Nestled at the very Southern end of what is called "Northern Virginia"- a region known for its suburban strip malls, rows of houses that all look the same, and disgruntled governmental employees, lies the small city of Fredericksburg. This town with its rich history in both the War Between The States as well as the  American Revolution, is a hidden gem for tourists.  While it boasts Mary Washington college, historic sites and connections to George Washington, many weary 1-95 travelers use Fredericksburg as a stop over between New York and Florida. In years past, Fredericksburg was largely disconnected from the bustle of the Northern Virginia region. In more recent years , however, it has  become a bedroom community for Washington D.C. commuters. With its advantageous geographic location,  many people working in Washington  choose to live in the Fredericksburg area  to get more affordable  housing outside the expensive suburbs. Some may even ref...