This week we begin a new occasional item, 250 (or so) years ago, with news of Gloucester County (which then included Mathews) compiled by Sara Lewis from the Virginia Gazette of Williamsburg’s ancient newspapers.

Lewis collects these items and prints them in her blog, “…it yields to no Place in Virginia” at gloucestercounty.blogspot.com. Lewis is the author of three books for Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series on Gloucester, Mathews, and James City counties. 

280 Years Ago

October 27, 1738 

We hear from Gloucester County, That about a Fortnight ago, one Peyton had his Brains dash’d out against a Tree, by his Horse’s running violently with him against it; and ’tis said he instantly expir’d. 

The Snow John and Mary, belonging to Capt. John Perrin, Richard Tillidge, Commander, arriv’d in York River last Monday, from Bristol. He left England the 6th of September… 

245 Years Ago

October...