Stained Glass Window, Tangier Island

We saw this beautiful window in the Swain Memorial Methodist Church on Tangier. The original church was built in 1835, but members had been meeting in private homes for 20 years before that. According to plaques, the church was rebuilt in 1870 and 1897. It looks like it was originally Lee's Bethel and was renamed in 1900.
The Methodist Church played a role in the island's Civil War history. It was affiliated with the Northern Methodist Church, which opposed slavery. Because of this, islanders voted against secession, as did residents of Chincoteague Island on the ocean side of the Eastern Shore. Both islands remained with the Union during the war.

We read about the island's history in the nearby museum. In August of 1861, the USS Fanny stopped by. The islanders were gathered together and they all swore an oath of allegiance to the United States. 

Several families from the mainland found refuge on Tangier Island during the war.

See also my post on Assateague and Chincoteague history.

See all posts about Tangier.

Welcome to Tangier Island!

We were glad to finally get to Tangier Island, which we had talked about visiting for a long time. We took a golf-cart tour, which only requires about 15 minutes. We also had lunch at Fisherman's Corner, walked to the local museum, and visited a gift shop.

We learned that the island is losing population as young people grow up and move to the mainland. Around 500 people live on the island now. There is a modern school and most of the teachers grew up on the island, went off to college on the mainland, and then came back to teach and rejoin the quiet island lifestyle.

Link: Tangier Island, VA

Historical Marker, Tangier Island

Tangier Island

"The island was visited in 1608 by Captain John Smith, who gave it the name. A part was patented by Ambrose White in 1670. It was settled in 1686 by John Crockett and his sons’ families. In 1814, it was the headquarters of a British fleet ravaging Chesapeake Bay. From here the fleet sailed to attack Fort McHenry near Baltimore. The Rev. Joshua Thomas, in a prayer, predicted the failure of the expedition. It was in this attack that the Star-Spangled Banner was written."

Marker at Buzzard's Point in Reedville

I had read about this marker recently on Marker History and when we went to the ferry landing near Reedville, there it was!

Indian Prisoners Abandoned on Tangier Island refers to an incident in 1645, when Governor Berkeley waged battles against native tribes. In order to stop the escalating Indian attacks on European settlers, the Virginia Council decided to transport all the Indian male prisoners more than 11 years of age to Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay “to prevent their returning to and strengthening their respective tribes.” They were left there and their fate is unknown.

Think that sounds harsh? Not compared to the story on another marker: Indians Poisoned at Peace Meeting.

For more about the Indians, see: Powhatan's People

Leaving Reedville on the Chesapeake Breeze

Frank has wanted to go to Tangier Island for some time, so we reserved a couple of tickets with Tangier Cruises.  We found the marina at Buzzard's Point in plenty of time for the 10 a.m. departure.

The weather was nice that day and we enjoyed the outing.

Summer is Ending

Here it is Labor Day weekend already. August went by so quickly! I like summer in spite of the heat — pretty mornings, long days, outdoor events!

Our Tangier Island trip was three weeks ago and I'm still finishing up the pictures... just need to share the return cruise photos. Meanwhile, I contributed pictures of the historical marker about Indian Prisoners on Tangier to HMDB. We don't know the fate of the men and boys who were abandoned there, but I suspect that other Indians eventually found them. After all, there is archaeological evidence that Indians used the island over the years and hunted and fished there. History tells us that a man named John West bought the island in 1666 from Indians for two overcoats!

The picture above is of Frank, of course. I just re-created his Bryce Home site. It was hosted by a realtor's website service but the cost was high and response was low, so we moved it to Webhero.com.   I had to code it and post it but that's not a big deal. I can just about code HTML in my sleep.

Approaching Tangier Island

Tangier Island is reachable only by boat or small plane. It's only about 4 feet above sea level, and residents are concerned because global warming is causing the water level of the Chesapeake Bay to rise a little, adding to the danger of storms flooding the island.

Where Did the Summer Go?

Here it is October already. Summer went so quickly! Join me in reviewing some of our excursions here in Virginia and our closest neighbor state.

• June blog posts include of a Brandy Station Field Trip and Maymont Gardens.
• July features a trip to Chincoteague and a day trip to Winchester.
• August blog entries showcase a ferry ride to Tangier Island, a visit to Glebe Harbor, dinner in Strasburg, and some whitetail deer.
• September picture stories share a farm tour in West Virginia, an event at the Basye Library, a hike on the Storybook trail, and some local scenery.

Personnel, Tangier Cruise

The crew of the Chesapeake Breeze seemed experienced and professional but were also friendly. As the cruise started, a safety demonstration was given similar to what you have to listen to on a plane. Here we see a young woman demonstrating the use of a life jacket.

Our pilot was willing to spend time answering questions from visitors (below). As you can see, he was dressed for a hot summer day.

Year Old and New

I've seen better years, but 2016 is about to end. I'm not terribly optimistic about 2017. Perhaps I can get to some more of our beautiful natural areas ... while they're still there! Guess I should start with the lowlands like our barrier islands; they'll be the first to flood! We've been to Tangier Island and the residents are well aware that their homes are at risk. And of course we've been to Chincoteague many times and neighboring Assateague.  Wonderful places! 

Oh well, there is beauty to see and I am fortunate to be surrounded by it.  

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
~ Matthew 6:26

I hope that you, dear readers, have many opportunities to enjoy our natural world in this coming year.

And may we all get along with our neighbors! 

And have fun! 

Best wishes for a peaceful and satisfying year.

Cats Outside a Gift Shop

Tangier Island, Virginia

Yes, This is a Crab-Shaped Chair.

Into the Chesapeake Bay

Aboard the Chesapeake Breeze

After the ferry left Reedville, there was a stretch of open water as we crossed half of the Chesapeake Bay to Tangier Island. I ran out of things to look at and spent some time reading a book.

I remembered boating as a child. My grandfather owned a leisure boat named the Ymly and he took us cruising on the bay. It was nice but seemed dull at times.

Coming Back from Tangier

We spent most of the voyage back to Reedville relaxing in the lower level of the ferry where it was air conditioned. Finally we went out on the deck after land came in view. I took some pictures of Reedville as seen from the water. We saw some lovely old buildings there.

The video shows a combination of footage from both our departure and return to the harbor at Reedville. My videography skills are pretty clumsy so I keep the clips short. I took them with my still camera and combined them in iMovie.

Harbor at Tangier Island

Leaving Tangier

Our ship is on the left. A cruise ship from the Eastern Shore is on the right. It arrived shortly before we left. I imagine the staggered arrival times work out well for the tourist services on the island, such as the restaurants and golf cart taxis.