THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society The Genetic Relationships of Early Bowman Families of Shenandoah and Rockingham Counties of Virginia Introduction: Bowman (Bauman) was a fairly common surname among early settlers of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties in Virginia. The prominence of the George and Mary Hite Bowman family has overshadowed research on other Bowmans. Researchers have too often attempted to shoehorn their ancestry into the George and Mary Hite Bowman line. It is true that early pioneers frequently trav- eled with and lived near relatives and friends, but some genealogists have attempted to force relationships among these Bowmans based solely on their proximity to each other. The internet and other genealogical records are filled with asserted relationships among these Bowmans. The result is confusion and flawed genealogy. Written records available from the 18th century provide evidence that Bowmans came to Shenandoah and Rocking- ham at different times and from different places. Who were these Bowmans and what truly was the relationship, if any, among them? This article focuses on five early Bowman families thought by some to have been related; however, recent YDNA testing on direct line male descendants pro- vides significant new information as to the relationships, or lack thereof, among these early Bowmans. YDNA tests the patriarchal line since the Y chromosome passes from father to son virtually unchanged. Any effort at genealogical research and DNA testing is a work in process. New information will surface. This arti- cle presents what is known as of the last half of 2015. The authors welcome additional information—especially corrections! Brief Highlight of Five Bowman Families for Whom YDNA Results are Known: 1. George Bowman (1699 -1768) and Mary Hite came to the Valley in the early 1730s from Pennsylvania with George’s father-in-law, Joist Hite. George owned land along Cedar Creek north of Strasburg, with a portion of his one thousand acres lying in Warren County. The Bowman house, which still stands north of Strasburg, is known as Fort Bowman or Harmony Hall. George also purchased 1000 acres on Linville Creek in Rockingham County. He left this land to sons Jacob and John, who sold it upon their father’s death. George and Mary had thirteen children, six of whom were sons. Three sons did not have any known children – Joseph, George, and John. Sons Joseph (1752), Abraham (1748), and John (1738) became frontiersmen in Kentucky in the late 1770s. All three received large land grants from their service in the Revolutionary War. Isaac (1757) and George (1747) re- mained in Virginia while Jacob (1733), who had military service during the French and Indian War, moved to South Carolina. The family’s accomplishments were substantial leading to a well-earned prominence. While some of the information in John Wayland’s book, The Bowman Family, has now been eclipsed, the book significantly elevated the public’s awareness of the George and Mary Hite Bowman family. Such prominence and awareness encouraged others to claim ancestry. [For more information about George and Mary Hite Bowman, Roquey Jobe and his work is a good place to start. Mr. Jobe can be contacted through the Hite Family Association.] 2. George Bowman (1712-1786) and Barbara Keller came to the Valley around 1770 from Berks County, Penn- sylvania, purchasing land in 1772 just north of Timberville in Rockingham County. George and Barbara were born in Bodigheim, Baden, Germany, and came to Pennsylvania in 1749. George and Barbara had six children. We know three sons reached adulthood: George (1742), Elias (1746), and John (1750). George (1742), who may have relocated to Shenandoah County, Virginia, had two sons, George (1765) and Nicho- las (1769), who were living in the Forestville area of Shen- andoah County in the late 1700s. Son George (1765) and his wife Elizabeth Roush relocated to Brown County, Ohio, around 1800. About the same time Nicholas (1769) and his wife Catherine Derrick relocated to Sevier County, Tennes- see, on Flat Creek at Bird’s Crossing, and later moved on to Henderson County, Tennessee. Elias (1746) left Pennsylvania, settled first in Berkeley, West Virginia, and then relocated to Washington County, Tennessee, outside Jonesborough. Volume 38, No. 1 Winter 2016 Continued on page 4 By Bernie Bowman and Marilyn Hering
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THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
The Genetic Relationships of Early Bowman Families
of Shenandoah and Rockingham Counties of Virginia
Introduction:
Bowman (Bauman) was a fairly common surname
among early settlers of Rockingham and Shenandoah
Counties in Virginia. The prominence of the George and
Mary Hite Bowman family has overshadowed research on
other Bowmans. Researchers have too often attempted to
shoehorn their ancestry into the George and Mary Hite
Bowman line. It is true that early pioneers frequently trav-
eled with and lived near relatives and friends, but some
genealogists have attempted to force relationships among
these Bowmans based solely on their proximity to each
other. The internet and other genealogical records are filled
with asserted relationships among these Bowmans. The
result is confusion and flawed genealogy.
Written records available from the 18th century provide
evidence that Bowmans came to Shenandoah and Rocking-
ham at different times and from different places. Who were
these Bowmans and what truly was the relationship, if any,
among them? This article focuses on five early Bowman
families thought by some to have been related; however,
recent YDNA testing on direct line male descendants pro-
vides significant new information as to the relationships, or
lack thereof, among these early Bowmans. YDNA tests the
patriarchal line since the Y chromosome passes from father
to son virtually unchanged.
Any effort at genealogical research and DNA testing is
a work in process. New information will surface. This arti-
cle presents what is known as of the last half of 2015. The
authors welcome additional information—especially
corrections!
Brief Highlight of Five Bowman Families for Whom
YDNA Results are Known:
1. George Bowman (1699 -1768) and Mary Hite came
to the Valley in the early 1730s from Pennsylvania with
George’s father-in-law, Joist Hite. George owned land
along Cedar Creek north of Strasburg, with a portion of his
one thousand acres lying in Warren County. The Bowman
house, which still stands north of Strasburg, is known as
Fort Bowman or Harmony Hall. George also purchased
1000 acres on Linville Creek in Rockingham County. He
left this land to sons Jacob and John, who sold it upon their
father’s death. George and Mary had thirteen children, six
of whom were sons. Three sons did not have any known
children – Joseph, George, and John.
Sons Joseph (1752), Abraham (1748), and John (1738)
became frontiersmen in Kentucky in the late 1770s. All
three received large land grants from their service in the
Revolutionary War. Isaac (1757) and George (1747) re-
mained in Virginia while Jacob (1733), who had military
service during the French and Indian War, moved to South
Carolina. The family’s accomplishments were substantial
leading to a well-earned prominence. While some of the
information in John Wayland’s book, The Bowman Family,
has now been eclipsed, the book significantly elevated the
public’s awareness of the George and Mary Hite Bowman
family. Such prominence and awareness encouraged others
to claim ancestry. [For more information about George and
Mary Hite Bowman, Roquey Jobe and his work is a good
place to start. Mr. Jobe can be contacted through the Hite
Family Association.]
2. George Bowman (1712-1786) and Barbara Keller
came to the Valley around 1770 from Berks County, Penn-
sylvania, purchasing land in 1772 just north of Timberville
in Rockingham County. George and Barbara were born in
Bodigheim, Baden, Germany, and came to Pennsylvania in
1749. George and Barbara had six children. We know three
sons reached adulthood: George (1742), Elias (1746), and
John (1750).
George (1742), who may have relocated to Shenandoah
County, Virginia, had two sons, George (1765) and Nicho-
las (1769), who were living in the Forestville area of Shen-
andoah County in the late 1700s. Son George (1765) and
his wife Elizabeth Roush relocated to Brown County, Ohio,
around 1800. About the same time Nicholas (1769) and his
wife Catherine Derrick relocated to Sevier County, Tennes-
see, on Flat Creek at Bird’s Crossing, and later moved on to
Henderson County, Tennessee.
Elias (1746) left Pennsylvania, settled first in Berkeley,
West Virginia, and then relocated to Washington County,
Tennessee, outside Jonesborough.
Volume 38, No. 1 Winter 2016
Continued on page 4
By Bernie Bowman and Marilyn Hering
2016 EVENTS
Colorful & Cozy: The Woven Art of the Coverlet, featured exhibit on display through mid-March.
Third Thursday Talk, February 18th, 7 pm: The Archaeol-
ogy of Shenandoah Valley Native Americans: Deep Time and
History, with JMU Archaeology & Anthropology Professor
Carole Nash, by popular demand. Free.
Special Event Sunday, February 21, 2 pm: Hobby Robinson
Exhibit Preview and Poetry Reading, with Sara Robinson.
Book signing and refreshments too! Free.
Special Event Saturday, March 12, 11 am: Appalachian
Coverlets: Heirlooms for the Next Generation, with Kathleen
Curtis Wilson. Come early or stay late to view the Coverlets
Exhibit. Refreshments. Free.
Third Thursday Talk, March 17, 7 pm: The Kentucky Rifle
in the Shenandoah Valley, Past and Present, with Longrifle
Historian and Restorer Frank Kobilis. Hear about pioneer fire-
arm history and view examples from Kobilis’ collection. Free.
Saturday, April 9, 10am-4pm, Dayton Spring Arts & Crafts
Redbud Festival. Stop by the museum to see what’s new in the
galleries and help identify photos in the Hobby Robinson
collection.
Third Thursday Talk, April 21, 7 pm: TBD
Third Thursday Talk, May 19, 7 pm: Reading Lousy Old
Handwriting, with Author Dorothy Boyd-Bragg, who will
share tips from her years of research. Free.
Third Thursday Talk, June 16, 7 pm: Notes on folks in the
Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War, with Irvin Hess, who
always shares new stories with his local history passion. Free.
Donations are encouraged to help keep events free.
Do you have a program suggestion? Please let us know!
George Bowman (1712) and son John (1750) built this house in 1773 north of Timberville, Rockingham County. In 2005 it was moved and reconstructed at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia (rear view shown).
Nancye Bowman home near Edinburg in Shenandoah County. Nancye descended from Christian Bowman (1698) through her father’s side and from George Bowman (1712) through her mother's side.
Fort Bowman, or Harmony Hall, was built for George Bowman (1699) near Strasburg in Shenandoah County, about 1753. Early 19th century Valley historian Samuel Kercheval is buried in the Bowman family cemetery nearby.
Continued from previous page
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Page 6 Volume 38, No. 1
Brock Hardware & Harness Company was located
on the East Court Square portion of N. Main Street in
Harrisonburg. The property was purchased in 1898 by
Owen B. Brock (1868-1936) from C. A Sprinkle &
Co. There Mr. Brocker operated the Harrisonburg
Harness Company. In 1905, Mr. Brock began con-
struction on a two story annex to the Rockingham
Exchange building for his rapidly growing business.
By 1913, the harness factory was discontinued due to
the increasing popularity of the automobile.
In 1915 Brock bought the hardware stock of the
Nicholas & Lemley Co. at a price of $13,000 and took
over the store, which occupied a room in his building
forming the Brock Hardware Company. According to
Brock’s obituary, he operated the business until 1934,
although the company was sold in 1926 to I. S. Ewing
and L. S. Dickenson. At that time the name was
changed to Peoples Hardware Company.
There was a fire in August of 1920 at the Brock
Hardware & Harness Company which practically de-
stroyed the three-story structure and threatened the
entire business block. The loss was estimated at
$20,000, but was fully covered by insurance.
Newspaper advertisements for Brock Hardware &
Harness Company in the 1920s promote a wide inven-
tory such as: twine, auto parts (spark plugs, tubing,
and building materials (nails, hinges, doors, windows,
flooring, etc.). The store also represented the Win-
chester-Arms Company, selling their newly manufac-
tured hardware and sporting goods.
Owen Brock was quite an enterprising man. He
was one of the organizers of the Virginia Amusement
Company which erected the Virginia Theater. He also
organized the Virginia Cigar and Drug Company
which succeeded the L. H. Ott Drug Company. Later
it consolidated with the Central Drug Company in
1934 and then sold out to Peoples Drug Store. In addi-
tion, Brock was a member of the North Court Square
Presbyterian Church building committee.
Owen Brock was the son of Charles J. and Henri-
etta Pennybacker Brock. In 1892, he married Eleanor
Crisman Moore, who died in 1919. In 1924, he mar-
ried his second wife, Ruth Jones. Mr. Brock had three
sons from his first marriage and two daughters from
his second.
Information obtained from various newspaper arti-
cles and advertisements in the Harrisonburg Daily
News-Record between the years 1905 and 1937. The
WPA Records provide additional information regard-
ing the property beginning in 1773 (see Dennis and
Thomas Lanahan Residence and Tavern pp. 233-234).
Found in the Library Files: Brock Hardware & Harness Company
Researched by Margaret Hotchner
Brock Building on East Court Square in Harrisonburg, as seen in the 20th century (right). The buildings of Brock’s hardware and harness enterprises are identified in the 1918 Sanborn Fire Map (below). Note the curved windows on the map (at arrow). The building has been torn down.
EAST MARKET ST
N. M
AIN
ST
.
Julius Ritchie Collection
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A Warm Welcome To Our
New Members
Suzanne Bonadeo, Beaver Island, MI
Laura Bray, Elkton, VA
Nancy Copley, Rockingham, VA
Katherine Damico, Penn Laird, VA
Doris Egge, Roanoke, VA
Kathleen Fite, Cincinnati, OH
Jim & Ann Hershberger, Linville, VA
Christine Kaila & Brittani Bailey,
McGaheysville, VA
Kimberly Kissel, Darien, IL
Jeremy & Lindsay Aldrich, Harrisonburg, VA
Janis Norton, Harrisonburg, VA
Patricia Oxley, Round Rock, TX
Cheryl Plane, Rehoboth Beach, DE
David Pruett & Suzanne Fiederlein,
Harrisonburg, VA
Jean Roberts, Reston, VA
Volunteer Luncheon, 12.1.15
Everyone used their listening ears to recognize the holiday tunes and songs of yesteryear in hopes of being the first to get five markers in a row.
Volume 38, No. 1 Page 7
Approximately 55 volunteers filled the lecture hall to celebrate another year of service and success.
Administrator Margaret Hotchner delivers newly designed ornaments as tokens of appreciation.
Millie Becker’s piano talents entertained the volunteers dur-ing a game of S-I-N-G-O. Singing was not required to play the musical bingo game, but festive voices did fill the air.
Wish you were there? Get an invitation to the fun by
sharing your time and talent as a volunteer. There’s
always something to do at The Heritage Museum!
A NOTE FROM THE OFFICE
We have begun using a new software program to maintain
donor and member records. Most of the change is behind the
scenes, but you may notice a change in digital communica-
tions. Please be aware that in the near future, we will send a
mass email to confirm your digital preferences, if applicable.
We appreciate your support during this transition. Thank you!
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Prominent Harrisonburg Physician Dr. Eugene Dickerson
Page 8 Volume 38, No. 1
In the latter 1800s African American teachers in
Harrisonburg and Rockingham County tended to be
better educated than the white teacher. This may seem
surprising, but all of the black teachers received post-
high school training, while many white teachers did
not. This educational strength lay in other areas as
well, including medicine. In 1955 Eugene Dickerson
died in the Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, DC.
His three-decade career as an African American doc-
tor of outstanding credentials in Harrisonburg merits
recognition. Dickerson’s biographical entry in the
Virginia Edition of the History of the American Negro
and His Institutions, published in 1921, described him
as “the only colored physician at the prosperous little
city of Harrisonburg.”
Eugene Dickerson was born on or about August 1,
1877, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was the son of
Charlottesville residents Wilson Dickerson and Fannie
Reeves, both born about 1840. It is noteworthy that
Wilson Dickerson’s sister Aggy Dickerson was a slave
at Monticello well after Thomas Jefferson had died in
1826. She was bought by Uriah Levy in 1835, when
he acquired the formerly grand Monticello estate.
Aggy worked as Levy’s cook.
Eugene Dickerson, with his parents’ encourage-
ment, sought to better himself through education and
study. He attended the public colored schools of Char-
lottesville, including two years of high school. He then
went to the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute in
Petersburg where he received his A.B. degree in 1896.
This school is now known as Virginia State Universi-
ty. It was the first fully state-supported, four-year in-
stitution of higher learning for African Americans in
the United States.
Eugene’s desire to be a doctor convinced him to
attend Leonard Medical College in Raleigh, North
Carolina. The school had been started by Shaw Uni-
versity in 1880 and operated for about 40 years pro-
ducing 400 physicians. Dickerson graduated with his
M.D. degree in 1900. He then took an additional year
of post-graduate work at Howard University in Wash-
ington, specializing in gynecology. He spent another
year as an intern in the Freedmen’s Hospital in Wash-
ington. This hospital, now known as Howard Univer-
sity Hospital, was estab-
lished in 1862 to meet the
medical needs of newly
freed slaves who came to
Washington during the
Civil War.
Dr. Dickerson began
practicing medicine in
Gloucester County, Vir-
ginia, in the small com-
munity of Ware Neck. He
moved on to Bluefield,
West Virginia, where he
served for 2½ years. Dur-
ing that time he was a
surgeon in Mercer Hospital. In 1910, after a brief peri-
od in Staunton, Dr. Dickerson came to Harrisonburg
and spent the next thirty-plus years meeting the medi-
cal needs of its black citizens.
In 1904 Eugene Dickerson married Leona Ander-
son, daughter of James T. and Eva J. Anderson of
Staunton, Virginia. James Anderson was a teacher
there. Leona, who had graduated from Morgan Col-
lege in Baltimore (now Morgan State University) and
did post-graduate work at Fisk University in Nash-
ville, was an accomplished school teacher before her
marriage. As a doctor’s wife in Harrisonburg, Leona,
worked in her home as a hairdresser. Sadly, Leona
Dickerson died in 1924 at the Freedmen’s Hospital in
Washington, DC, after a brief illness. Her funeral was
held at John Wesley M. E. Church in Harrisonburg
with burial in Newtown Cemetery.
Eugene and Leona were the parents of four chil-
dren: Eugene, Jr., James Wilson, Eva Frances, and
Austin Curtis. James died just after his first birthday.
Doris Harper Allen in her book, The Way It Was,
Not the Way It Is, provides some illuminating insight
into Dr. Dickerson. She writes, “Doc was a great doc-
tor, kind, gentle personality, patient with seniors and
children . . . .” She also mentions that Dickerson not
only served the black citizens of Harrisonburg, but
also those in the surrounding county as well. Dr. Jacob
C. Harshbarger, who lived on South Mason Street in
Harrisonburg, was a close associate of Dickerson’s. In
Jim Crow days, Rockingham Memorial Hospital
By Dale MacAllister
Continued on the next page
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Volume 38, No. 1 Page 9
consigned African American patients to a limited area
in the basement.
Dr. Dickerson was not allowed to perform surgery
in Rockingham Memorial Hospital. His patients need-
ing surgery were forced to go to the Freedmen’s Hos-
pital in DC. Dickerson had an office available in
Washington for use when one of his patients was there
for surgery. Ruth Toliver’s book Keeping Up with
Yesterday mentions that the doctor had admitting priv-
ileges in that hospital.
Dr. Dickerson was an active member of Harrison-
burg’s black Newtown community in numerous ways.
He was a member of the Methodist Church; of Omar
Masonic Lodge, No. 226; and the
Order of the Eastern Star, Shenan-
doah Chapter, No. 108.
One of Dr. Dickerson’s prime
concerns was that of promoting
better health in the black commu-
nity. In 1910, his first year of prac-
tice in Harrisonburg, he read a pa-
per at the Colored Teachers’ Insti-
tute held at Effinger Street School.
The paper was titled
“Conservation of the Health of the
Community.”
In 1914 Dickerson was among
those who proposed to organize a
Civic League associated with the
colored schools. The Doctor was appointed to a per-
manent organization committee. This was the era
when Civic Leagues, with citizen and parent support,
were being organized all over Virginia to help provide
additional support for schools and their needed im-
provements.
His close association with the local schools contin-
ued for many years with Dr. Dickerson serving as
medical examiner and health inspector. He also served
as a medical examiner for Standard Life Insurance
Company.
During World War I, Dickerson was chairman of
the local colored Liberty Loan Committee. He also
volunteered for the Medical Research Council.
In 1924 Dr. Dickerson was an active leader in pro-
moting “Negro National Health Week.” Previously,
this was celebrated by local African Americans as a
week to clean up around their property. That year they
were encouraged to cooperate with clean-up efforts
throughout all of Harrisonburg. The churches promot-
ed this cooperation to help “make our city, clean,
healthful and beautiful.”
In 1927 Dr. Dickerson spoke on behalf of the Red
Cross at a program held in John Wesley Methodist
Church. He talked about the history, purpose, and
work of the society. County Red Cross leaders present
at the meeting acknowledged their “great satisfaction
over the interest the colored population has taken in
the Red Cross movement.”
In 1939, continuing his commitment to community
health, Dickerson was a founding member of a Negro
Tuberculosis Auxiliary of Rockingham County associ-
ated with the Virginia State Tuberculosis Society. The
doctor was treasurer of the local organization.
TB was of particular interest to Dr. Dicker-
son. In 1908 he had served as delegate to the
International Congress on Tuberculosis held
in Washington.
Eugene Dickerson truly believed that
progress and development for the African
American race could best be realized through
“better organization along civic and econom-
ic lines, coupled with unselfish, efficient
leadership.” His dedication to his practice,
and his efforts toward community improve-
ment, contributed greatly toward that goal.
The Dickerson family lived at 202 North
Mason Street on the corner with East Wolfe
Street. The house had been built about 1910.
When the doctor died in 1955, his Mason Street home
was willed to the Omar Masonic Lodge. The Lodge
continues to meet there today.
Dr. Dickerson moved to Washington, DC, about
1947 and lived at 1600 Fifteenth Street, N.W. His
death occurred in April 1955 in the same hospital
where he had served an internship a half-century earli-
er. It was also the institution where his surgical pa-
tients were welcomed for life-saving procedures.
Eugene Dickerson was brought back to Harrisonburg
for burial in Newtown Cemetery. The sad fact about
this twentieth-century African American physician,
health advocate, and Newtown community leader is
that he has no stone to mark his final resting place.
Photos of Dr. Dickerson and his family are from the New
York Public Library’s digital image collection.
Continued from previous page
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Page 10 Volume 38, No. 1
Acquisitions Archives
Beth El Congregation of Harrisonburg donated copies of Hobby Robinson’s books, Nine to Ninety and
Mish Mash.
Stan Farthing donated two copies of a dedication card of the June 23, 2011, ceremony for the reconstruction
of the historic stone wall on Eberly Road in Dayton, Virginia. The wall was restored by the community.
Marlena Powers donated a Wenger bible which was found by a friend in a trash can. There was no title page
included; however, the Wenger family data inscribed was for the period 1893-1943.
Victor and David Smith donated two items which they found in the estate papers of Audrey Smith. The first
item is an envelope containing facsimiles of important Lee and Grant documents - e.g. Grant’s Terms –
Rough Draft, Grant’s Terms – Final Ink Copy, Lee’s Letter of Acceptance, Final Terms – by Commission-
ers, Parole Pass – issued to General Fitzhugh Lee, Lee’s Farewell Address, Lee’s Amnesty Oath, and, Lee’s
letter to the Honorable John Letcher. The Smiths also donated Cross Keys, An Interdiction, Sunday 8 June
1862 by W.R. Waddell, Jr.
Lois & Paul Wenger donated a copy of the songbook The Royal Proclamation published by Ruebush, Kief-
fer & Co. of Dayton, Virginia.
Betty Driver donated Rader Lutheran Church (1765-2015) commemorative items: a Veterans Recognition
Memorial program (July 12, 2015) and A Brief History – 1965-2015.
Artifacts
John Hinkle delivered additional printing slugs and blocks to his previous printing press donations.
William O’Brien donated in the memory of John Heatwole two paper scrips; one issued by the County of
Rockingham (VA) dated June 1, 1862, in the amount of 10¢, and the other issued by The Farmers & Millers
Depot, dated September 13, 1861, in the amount of .03¢.
Seymour Paul donated formal clothing including a tuxedo, two dresses, a bow tie, scarf and undergarments.
He also donated a round traveling case.
Library
Robert Alley donated a copy of his newly released book, Nickell-Nichol, Donagle, Burk – Ancestors & De-
scendants of John McCastle Donaghe Nichol and Nancy Ann Burke.* In addition, he donated genealogy
resource books for the library.
Richard Armstrong donated a copy of his newest book, They Also Served, The Confederate Niter & Mining
Bureau District 4½ - Staunton, VA, 1862-1865. *
Tony Lawson donated the book, The History of Elkton by R.B. Hutton.
Howard Miller donated a number of issues from various newsletters – e.g. Pen Pal Palatine Quarterly,
Pennsylvania Monthly Mennonite Quarterly, Mennonite Family History, and the Journal of Pennsylvania
German Society. Mr. Miller also donated four music books published by Ruebush & Company of Dayton,
VA.
Gene Rhodes donated a copy of his 2015 book, Billy Rhodes: The Untold Stories.*
Elwood Yoder donated a copy of his newly published book, How Firm a Foundation, A History of Weavers
Mennonite Church.
Juanita Wysong donated a copy of Remember When: Filling Stations and Grocery Stores by Jack & Jeddie
Hensley, a pictorial history from the Elkton area.
Administration
Jerry Griffin and Juanita Taylor donated office supplies to the office.
Compiled by Margaret Hotchner
*Copies of this book are also available for sale in the Museum Bookstore.
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Volume 38, No. 1 Page 11
History of little-known aspect of Civil War
They Also Served: The Confederate
Niter & Mining Bureau, District 4½
Staunton VA, 1862-1865
by Richard L. Armstrong
& Marion O. Smith.
Hardcover, $25
Years of research come together to reveal
the operations to produce saltpeter for gun-
powder and the many men who were em-
ployed, including Confederate soldiers, free
blacks, and slaves. The men of the Bureau
also saw military action at the Battle of
Piedmont, near Staunton. Includes purchase
records, roster of workers, and index.
For Valentine’s Day!
My Own Dear Maggie: A
True Shenandoah Love
Story compiled by Elsie Re-
nalds Newcomer and Janet
Renalds Ramsey.
Softcover, $25
My Own Dear Maggie is a
fascinating love story which
uniquely reveals the rebuild-
ing and growth of the Shen-
andoah Valley after The War
Between The States.
Bookstore & Gift Shop
Virginia migration through three centuries!
Bound Away: Virginia and the Westward Move-
ment by David Hackett Fischer and James C. Kelly.
Softcover, $30
Based on an acclaimed exhibition at the Virginia His-
torical Society, the book studies three stages of migra-
tion to, within, and from Virginia. Each stage has its
own story to tell. Together they offer an opportunity to
study the westward movement through three centuries,
as it has rarely been studied before.
Too far for a visit?
Textile Art from Southern
Appalachia: The Quiet
Work of Women
by Kathleen Curtis Wilson.
Softcover, $27.50.
The author brings together
the textiles and the stories of
the women who wove them,
stimulating a new respect and
appreciation for the artistic
excellence and long tradition
of mountain coverlet hand
weaving.
New Genealogy!
Nickell-Nichol
Donaghe Burke Ances-
tors & Descendants of
John McCastle
Danaghe Nichol and
Nancy Ann Burke by Robert Earl Alley.
Hardcover, $42.50.
Includes photos, charts,
bibliography, stories,
and index, 425 pages.
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Harrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society
P.O. Box 716
Dayton, Virginia 22821
OR CURRENT ADDRESS
Non-Profit U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 19 Harrisonburg/Rockingham
Winter 2016, Vol. 38, No. 1
Check your mailing label. If it’s blue, it’s time to renew!
The Blue Ridge Heritage Project - Help Wanted
In the late 1920s and into the 1930s, the Commonwealth of Virginia used the
power of eminent domain to acquire land for donation to the federal government
in order to create Shenandoah National Park. From 1,081 individual tracts of land,
more than 500 families and individuals were required to leave their homes so that
the park could be established.
The Blue Ridge Heritage Project will acknowledge and honor the people
whose sacrifices made it possible for us to enjoy the Shenandoah National Park
today and into the future. The Project’s vision is twofold: (1) to create a monu-
ment, designed to look like a mountain home chimney, in each of the eight coun-
ties where land was required and (2) to educate visitors about the lives and culture
of the people who lived in the mountains. To date, Madison County is the only
site that has been completed. Let’s see if Rockingham can be next!
Project Founder Bill Henry is looking for a Coordinator for the Rockingham
County Committee. A number of individuals have expressed interest in and sup-
port for the project, so an initial committee awaits its leader! Also, when the mon-
ument is complete, names from mountain residents will be displayed on the
monument. Are you a descendant? Please submit your name. Keep in mind, not
everyone who left the mountain was a property owner.