Recently, on the way to West Point to attend the West Point Mosquito and Gnat Festival a track meet, I pulled down one of my favorite places in Gloucester County: Freeport Landing on the Piankatank River.
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| If you you can see the house pictured below waaaaay off in the distance. (Or click on the image for a better view.) |
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| Love the double chimneys. Did you know that some people in Mathews pronounce them "chimbleys"? It's true. |
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| This is the actual landing part of Freeport Landing. |
Aside from my relentless mentioning of Freeport as the place where my German ancestor(s) on my mother's side jumped off the boat into Gloucester County, there's very little mention of Freeport Landing that doesn't involve the state of Maine, if one conducts a quick Google search.
Here's one recent Gazette-Journal article that mentions it. (Incidentally, the Hatch referenced in the article taught in the Mathews County school system back in the 1980s. His wife was also involved in the school system, if memory serves.)
Several blog posts on this site mention Freeport: here and here and here, for example.
Dear Gloucester Expert known as Chesapeake Bay Mother, can you fill us in on any significant memories/ knowledge of Freeport Landing?
Muchisimas gracias.
Love, CBW
11 comments:
You live in the most picturesque area! Love the buildings...
My maternal ancestors are also German (Hinkle & Kiser), but I'm not sure what part of Virginia the Hinkles jumped ship:) They settled in the mountains of Va (now WV)
I hope you are finding lots of time to relax and enjoy your vacation!
Back in the early 1800's, Landon Strigle was 12 when his mother sent him to the US on a boat which carried timber to and from Germany. He was to be cared for by a Mr. Bristow, who had a business at Freeport. The child grew to be a man and married a local girl (who was a Miss Fletcher). My family grew out of this union. There are still Bristow's in that very area of Gloucester, as well as Strigle's.
Love the double chimbleys. --Betsy
love the background CBMother provided .. and I love those chimbleys
I love those chimbleys. The been theres (natives) such as myself have a way with words. Some of my co-workers will at times say to me during a conversation,what in the world did you just say? And before i can speak with proper English which will include properly pronounced words including the required syllables, another co-worker will interrupt say this is what he said. And then the inquiring co-worker will state oh ok, now i understand.
In Central PA, it was often mispronounced as "Chimleys" (without the B - but close).
My husband says chimbleys, too! He's from Great Britain, though so I don't think it's a local thing . . .
I've heard both "chimbley" and "chimley" in WV.
To WOW: My Mother was a Fletcher, but her family was from Indiana, although from what I've read of the family, they started out in Maryland.
CBW, the next time you even THINK you will be where the gnats are holding a festival, slather on the original scent Avon Skin-so-Soft bath oil, and they will leave you alone. At least they do me.
Bunch of reneck klansman... Not being a troll but I know for sure the things they have done.
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