This sold out tour began with great expectations only to see them surpassed in the actual experience! The bus, laden with happy passengers, pulled out of the Best Western Hotel in Culpeper at 9:00 a.m. on Friday July 16, headed for a day of friendship, history, education, and a little wine!
The annual Friday tour of Second Germanna Colony sites visited the Hebron Valley, the town of Madison and the surrounding areas. Surprising to some, the 1726 land grants went as far west toward the Wolftown area as they did in the Criglersville area. Yes, where the Sweely Winery now sits Michael Holt had that first land grant as early as 1726.
This included land east of Route 657 as well as the additional land granted west of the winery in 1728. The Holt descendants were beside themselves as they passed right through this original land grant on the very same road (a narrow path then) that their ancestors traveled on their way to the Hebron Church community in the mid 1700's.
Were these Germans alone and surrounded by Indians? Neither! Michael Holt surprisingly enough was surrounded by the English who arrived about the same time. Yes, it is generally true that the Germans were west of the English especially placed for the protection of their fellow Englishmen from the dangerous Indians.
The Thrift Road garnered much attention on the tour since so many of the descendants of this year’s tour were from families of Broyles, Waylands, Weavers, Yeagers and other family names that are still found in Madison County.
The Eagle House with its murder story, colonial bar and generally exquisite looks, was a favorite stop on this year's tour. Germanna descendant Steve Eaheart and his wife Katrina were gracious hosts as they opened their home to the tour group. What murder you ask?
To read about the murder at the Eagle House and more on the story of this historic home, CLICK HERE
| Colonial Kitchen in the Eagle House: | Germanna Group in Eagle House: |
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Viewing the outstanding displays at the Arcade Museum and soaking up the sights in the quaint and charming Town of Madison completed the morning.
| The Madison Arcade: | Historic Madison Courthouse: |
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A delicious lunch was served by the ladies at the Hebron Church while ten Madisonians served as greeters as the touring families met with their local cousins. This was followed by the history and tour of the church conducted by John Blankenbaker before traveling towards the Criglersville area with Carpenter, Tanner, Blankenbaker, Wilhoit, Yowell, Clore and Crigler grants identified along the way.
| John Blankenbaker at Hebron Church: | View from the Hebron Church: |
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A visit to Madison's Tanner Country Store gave everyone a taste of old-time shopping pleasures
A welcome respite from the heat, the day ended in the cool and comfortable Prince Michel Winery where the guests were delighted to purchase wine with their family name on it.
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