17th century history comes alive in Smithfield
By Bob Ruegsegger
Rachel Popp is educational coordinator at Historic St. Luke's Church. She designed the 17th Century Living History program as a way to educate the public. (ob Ruegsegger)
While there's some controversy as to exactly when the venerable old church was built, Historic St. Luke's Church – the Old Brick Church – has its roots firmly planted in the 17th century.
Located on Benns Church Boulevard in Isle of Wight County near Smithfield, it is the oldest church in Virginia.
Last year, Historic St. Luke's Church created a program to celebrate the construction of the church building and educate people about local history in 17th century Isle of Wight. Last Saturday, St. Luke's once again time-traveled back 400 years.
"It's also supposed to be a bit of a community event to try and draw in people ... for a day that's educational but also entertaining," said Rachel Popp, the church's education coordinator.
Among the highlights of the program that included church tours, a 17-century church service and a mead tasting, was a presentation by Alain Outlaw, an archaeologist who is engaged in a dig at nearby Whitemarsh Plantation, the 17th century home of Col. Joseph Bridger, a particularly wealthy patron of St. Luke's.
"Right now, we have basically a partnership with Alain Outlaw and some of the Bridgers (descendants of Joseph Bridger)," Popp said. "They are trying to recover the evidence of Col. Joseph Bridger at (the site of) his primary residence in the area."
Recognizing the incredible interest generated by archaeological work, Popp wanted to share some of the excitement surrounding the dig at Whitemarsh with the public.
"It will take them a little while to finish the dig process, and then they have cataloging and cleaning of all the artifacts, and the research," Popp said. "We're very hopeful about what they're going to find."
Living historians – historic interpreters – from Henricus and Jamestown offered visitors a look at life in 17th century Virginia.
Trade between the Powhatan Indians and the Virginia militia was among the topics explored by interpreters.
Interpreters portrayed Dutch raiders in Anglo-Dutch wars who fought over tobacco. They offered visitors a look at an obscure part of America's colonial history.
Craftsmen presented samples of handblown glassware and ironwork by blacksmiths.
Col. Joseph Bridger of Whitemarsh – portrayed by living historian Dick Cheatham – was on hand to provide visitors with an opportunity to interact with Isle of Wight's most prominent 17th century citizen.
As a young man, Bridger grew up in England and was an active supporter of the monarchy. He fought on the side of King Charles I, who ultimately lost his head. His supporters had a difficult time reconciling life under Cromwell. Bridger, at that time, had problems with the English government.
"He, like many other English people called Cavaliers, moved to Virginia," Cheatham said. "Virginia is called 'The Old Dominion' because so many of those former Royalists were flooding into Virginia during the inter-regnum."
By the time the monarchy was restored in England under Charles II, Bridger had made a life for himself in Virginia.
He served in the General Assembly and on the Governor's Council of State. He commanded the Virginia militia and served as the colony's chief administrator in the absence of the governor.
At the end of his life, Bridger owned about 16,000 acres of property and was probably the largest land owner who actually lived on his own property south of the James River. Others owned more property but did not live on it. A prosperous man, he was highly respected in Virginia.
"He was a patron of this church. They very likely would not have been able to create something as impressive as this church without his support," Cheatham said. "He owned his property, grew tobacco, and he did some wine-making and so forth, but government functions were where he focused his time."
Bridger, according to Cheatham, contributed far more to St. Luke's Church than he was required to give.
"He was one who became exceedingly prosperous over here," Cheatham said. "I think he basically wanted to have a little bit of England here, and so he decided recreate a bit of the Church of England over here as well."
Bob Ruegsegger, bruegse@yahoo.com