Did you know Northampton County, Virginia has a sister County?
Queen Anne's County in Maryland is our sister County and it all came about in February of 2016 when the indomitable Ms. Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin, Queen Anne's County, Maryland Historian and a small contention of "minutemen" marched from Queen Anne's County Maryland to the Historic Court Green in Eastville, Virginia to commemorate the minutemen march in 1776 to warn our citizens that the British were on the move. It was a six-day, 140 mile re-enactment of the journey to help defend the Northampton Courthouse from the British.
Eastville Town Clerk, Jonny Stevenson who was the Chair of the 1776 event, entered this letter in our Board records:
"On, Tuesday, February 9, 2016 the Queen Anne’s County 1776 March for Independence was celebrated on our Historic Court Green. Our community, the Board of Supervisors, and the Eastville Town Council welcomed five Queen Anne’s County citizens, namely: Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin, Commissioner Jack Wilson, Chris Whitesell, Mike Kessler and Mike Bilek. These modern day Minutemen marched in remembrance of the 80 heroic men who embarked 240 years ago on a long mission to defend Northampton County from British attacks.
The event was a joyous, educational, and patriotic celebration for our community. Groups of students from several schools attended the ceremonies to pay homage to our local history and experience this memorable day. Several of our historic groups (D.A.R., COLONIAL DAMES, and N.H.P.S.) participated monetarily and by volunteering their time in full support. Additionally, local businesses contributed to help make the day a success. The United States Coast Guard presented our country’s colors and the American Legion represented our Veterans. Historian Dennis R. Custis delighted in sharing a wealth of Shore local history concerning the original march and how it had impacted us to a standing room only audience.
The 1776 Event Committee worked hard to make this day special for both those who marched here and those who live here. Were it not for all the volunteers, donations, and sponsors this special occasion would not have been possible. We are most grateful the County allowed the event to be held in Chambers so all could enjoy the talks and presentations comfortably…Clearly, it has taken a community.
Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin, QAC Historian and marcher, plans March 8, 2016 Board of Supervisors that they are to attend the meeting. It is my understanding that she will be presenting two resolutions for consideration; first that Queen Anne’s and Northampton Counties become Sister Counties and second, that Centreville and Eastville become Sister Cities. This 1776 March for Independence has brought positive attention to our county and town and our people…
We hope that you agree that this celebration was something to be proud of and something you endeavor to support. It is always important for communities to celebrate their history. This event highlighted the 240th anniversary of both the historic march and the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted shortly thereafter. We were pleased that everyone contributed so willingly to help keep the cost of the event to a minimum. On behalf of the Eastville Town Council, we are appreciative of our partnership in hosting this memorable event.
Respectfully,
Jonny Stevenson Town Clerk and 1776 Event Chair
1776 Event Committee: Eleanor Gordon, Traci Johnson, Wendy Martin, Mary Beth Briggs, Diane Partin and Gwyn Coghill."
Ms. Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin, the Historian for Queen Anne's County, Maryland, read the following proclamation in reference to the recent 240th Anniversary of the February 3, 1776 March to Northampton County:
This Proclamation hangs near the Board Chambers on the 2nd floor of the 1899 Courthouse.
Proclamation 16-22
WHEREAS, on February 3, 1776, the Queen Anne's County Minutemen left Chester Mill, now Centreville, in Maryland and marched overland through Snow Hill to Northampton County; and
WHEREAS, their orders from the Annapolis Council of Safety were to march to Northampton County to defend the court house there against possible attacks by Lord Dunmore and his troops;
and American Revolutionary War.
WHEREAS, the march was done in cold winter weather and snow; and
WHEREAS, many of the men were without shoes and thus marched barefoot; and
WHEREAS, the Court House was defended by the Maryland Minutemen on several occasions;
and
WHEREAS, the people of Northampton County were generous in their welcome of the Queen Anne's County Minutemen, to such an extent, that they extended their stay in Northampton
County beyond the time they had signed and agreed to; and
WHEREAS, in the intervening 240 years, the bonds of friendship formed amongst fellow Eastern Shore people, have lapsed to the point that this act of defense was long forgotten in both
Queen Anne's County and Northampton County; and
WHEREAS, this year 2016, is the 204th Anniversary of 1776, the year of the first march, which ultimately was the first action by the State of Maryland that year, moving towards the
Declaration of Independence later in the year; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Queen Anne's County have determined to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of 1776; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Queen Anne's County agreed to a second march to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of the march itself;
Be it now known that with the completion of the march on Monday, February 8, 2016, the County of Queen Anne's and the County of Northampton again renew their ties of friendship
established 240 years ago and proclaim this bond a tie that will remain unbroken and proclaim that Queen Anne's County and Northampton County are now sister counties, bound in the
friendship established by defense during the American Revolutionary War.
What a remarkable gesture of unity!