The narrative draws on tales shared by Elmer Crockett and others, weaving together a rich tapestry of anecdotes and experiences. These stories provide a unique glimpse into the lives and perspectives of the individuals involved, showcasing their adventures and insights. The collection captures the essence of their experiences, offering readers a blend of personal history and cultural context that reflects the broader human experience.
Exploring the history of wooden deadrise boat building, this book delves into its significance within Chesapeake Bay culture and offers an intimate look at the artisans behind these remarkable vessels. Renowned bay historian Larry Chowning shares his expertise, making this work essential for anyone passionate about maritime heritage and the unique traditions of the Chesapeake Bay.
The rich history of Middlesex County is deeply intertwined with its land and waterways, shaping its economy and culture. From early tobacco cultivation to the thriving oyster-farming industry, the region has evolved alongside its rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Deltaville, known as the "Boating Capital of the Chesapeake Bay," has roots in 19th-century boatbuilding. The annual Urbanna Oyster Festival celebrates this heritage, attracting thousands. Historic sites, including Colonial Christ Church, also highlight the area's significance, notably as the resting place of Marine Corps legend Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Deltaville, the narrative explores the region's rich historical significance, from its strategic location between major rivers and the Chesapeake Bay to its role in pivotal events like the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The community evolved from a hub of wooden boatbuilding, fishing, and oystering into a vibrant waterfront resort, attracting recreational boaters and tourists. This transformation highlights the interplay between local industry and the area's cultural development over time.
Focusing on the rich history of Chesapeake Bay's fisheries, this revised edition features 233 photos and sketches that capture the lives of the resilient individuals who have worked along its shores. It documents the traditional tools and techniques, many dating back to the 1600s, that are at risk of vanishing. Through personal interviews with veteran watermen, the book preserves invaluable stories and knowledge that have been passed down through generations, ensuring the legacy of the Bay's harvesters is not forgotten.
The book explores the rich history of Urbanna, one of America's oldest English-settled towns, established in 1706. Initially a tobacco inspection port, Urbanna faced invasions during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Following the Civil War, the town's economy shifted to oyster harvesting from the Rappahannock River, which remained vital until the 1960s. The annual Urbanna Oyster Festival, celebrating the town's heritage, attracts over 60,000 visitors, highlighting its cultural significance and community spirit.
In the years since Larry Chowning's book, Harvesting the Chesapeake: Tools and Traditions, was published, the author has fielded many questions from readers about why he didn't include a particular fishery or tradition in his collection. Chowning answers these questions in this second volume relating to the fisheries in his continuing effort to document the heritage of the Chesapeake Bay. "The truth of the matter is," he confesses in his preface, "I like most watermen and I like what they stand for. I appreciate their tradition and their struggle to survive in an occupation that does not fit well in today's fast-paced urban society. Chesapeake Bay watermen are a carryover from earlier days when people had to be self-sufficient just to take care of their basic needs." It's easy to share this appreciation for those who make their living on or around the water when reading this volume. It is a treasure trove of little-known gems about life in the Chesapeake region: tales from the days of fishing under sail, reminiscences from women who survived in the waterman's world, recipes for salting herring and cooking muskrat, descriptions of distinctive fishing vessels from bygone eras and their modern equivalents, and even an account of a very special tradition--the harvesting of human souls through baptism by immersion!
For much of the Civil War, Virginia civilians struggled to keep their homes intact as they faced the threat of Union soldiers on their doorsteps. In this revised and expanded second-edition compilation of stories passed down by word-of-mouth from the generation that experienced that divisive war, Larry Chowning shows his talent for capturing the flavor of an era and the essence of its people. The stories of everyday life in a war zone show not just the fear but the courage, defiance, and ingenuity displayed by the people in Virginia's Tidewater region. While these chronicles are Southern, the same sort of narrative could have come from people in Pennsylvania, where Southern troops roamed.