virginia history

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An 1851 Chickering Piano and the Virginia War Musicians

We acquired the antique Chickering piano at the auction of the contents of the Dickson property late last year, which was full of local Greenbrier Valley history. It was sort of a sight-unseen type of thing, and we knew nothing about antique pianos, or even moving them. Recently, I was able to learn more about the piano after discovering that one of my clients was an expert on antique pianos. We still need to get it moved, so a couple of days ago I took her out to look at the piece, as well as the logistics of moving it. She was able to find the serial number, indicating an initial manufacture date of 1851. She was also able to find some other markings written in pencil on some wood inside the piano.

Revolutionary War Narratives and Byrnside’s Fort

I recently discovered additional Revolutionary War veteran pension applications mentioning Byrnside’s Fort. These first-hand narratives, mostly from the 1830s, are the recollections of the 18th century frontier soldiers of the Greenbrier Valley. They’re the best documentation we have on life and service on the Virginia frontier. They paint a good picture of the importance of Byrnside’s Fort, as well as James Byrnside himself during the Revolutionary War era. There’s strong evidence through these narratives that our fort was in active military use from around 1774 through 1782, which for the most part is the entire timeline of Lord Dunmore’s War and the American Revolution.

The First American Revolution, 100 years before 1776, as told by an eyewitness in 1705: Bacon’s Rebellion

Bacon’s Rebellion was the first major armed insurrection by American colonists against Britain and their colonial government – and it occurred a century before the American Revolution. It’s namesake was Nathaniel Bacon, a cousin of the colonial governor of Virginia, William Berkeley. Like many of our historic events, historians at different times placed different levels …

Read moreThe First American Revolution, 100 years before 1776, as told by an eyewitness in 1705: Bacon’s Rebellion