Middlesex County Museum & Historical Society
On Sunday, October 8 from 2pm to 4pm at the newly preserved barn located at Historic Rosegill near Urbanna, Professor Theodore McCord will speak about a wedding in the 1740s that brought together two important colonial families. The wedding took place at Brandon Planation and was that of Alice Grymes of Brandon to Mann Page II of Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County.
Brandon Plantation was on the East side of Rosegill, but the primary residence no longer stands; it burned in 1891. A wing of the former plantation home can be viewed along General Puller Highway (corner of General Puller Highway route 33 headed east and route 634 or Marsh Pungo Road). The members of the Grymes family played prominent roles in the colonial government. They married members of other leading Tidewater families, including the Wormeleys of Rosegill and the Robinsons of Hewick in Middlesex, and the Braxtons of Chericoke in King William.
In his presentation, Professor McCord will talk about the geography of the area, life at Brandon, and the implications for both Alice, Mann, and their son John Page of Rosewell. In 2019 Professor McCord could boast of a 56-year relationship with George Mason in a variety of roles: student, coach, administrator, faculty member, and foundation member. Professor Ted McCord holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in history, both from George Mason University, and a PhD in history from American University. He is the author of the book “Across the Fence but a World Apart.” His career includes teaching as a U.S. history professor at George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College. In 2019, Professor McCord indicated that he intended to retire in 2021. From 1997 until 2022, Professor Ted McCord also served as the curator at Mount Gilead House in Centreville, Virginia, which was built in the late 1700s and was used as a Confederate headquarters during the Civil War.
In addition, the recipient of the Annual Preservation Award, Philemon Taylor Woodward, Clerk of the county court from 1852 to 1892 will be recognized for his having saved Middlesex County’s court records during the Civil War. Antique farm tractors will be on site for you to enjoy exploring along with artifacts that were discovered on the grounds of Rosegill over the last twenty years.
County history is the focus of the Middlesex County Museum and Historical Society, and this event will enable the museum to preserve, collect and share our local history.
Rosegill is located at 1824 Urbanna Road, Saluda (near Urbanna).
Appetizers and a cash bar offering wine and beer will be available.
Tickets are $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers or at the door.
Tickets may be purchased online at middlesexmuseum.com, at the museum located at 777 General Puller Highway, Bristow’s Store in Urbanna, Nauti Nell’s in Deltaville and Salon by The Bay in Hartfield.
Sponsorships are available and welcomed at the following levels:
Platinum, $500 (includes 4 tickets)
Gold, $259 (includes 2 tickets)
Silver $100 (includes 1 ticket)
Please contact the museum with any questions at info@middlesexmuseum.com or 804-758-3663
