Governor Emerita's Message

Greetings:

One of my most prized possessions is a May 30, 1907, letter written from Richmond by my great-grandmother, Susan Parker Arrington Alford, to her husband Lawrence while on a spring visit to relatives. (In keeping with the quaint custom of ladies of that day, she addressed her husband as "Dear Mr. Alford," while signing herself, "Yours lovingly, Sue.") After telling about the train ride from Louisburg, Susan alludes to preparations for important events taking place in and around Richmond, including a march of "old soldiers" (Confederate veterans) from the train to their camp ground and "a grand parade on several of the important streets today." She notes that her hosts "are all after me to go to Jamestown Saturday...I would like to go...."

I don't know if Great-Grandmother Sue actually did join the Richmond to Jamestown excursion, but if she did, she would have seen impressive evidence of a major celebration--the 1907 tercentennial of the Jamestown landing.

Now nearly a century has passed, and we are in the "countdown" decade anticipating the 2007 quadricentennial of Jamestown's founding. The countdown officially began at the Jamestown Settlement on May 10. As a Society--and as a strong and important Company of this Society--we should begin planning to assume an important role in this observance. It will be an exciting celebration, as the eyes of the world turn toward Jamestown--and toward us!

Franceine Perry Rees, Governor
First N.C. Company
Fall, 1997