Hopewell
Ashford and Hopewell, Virginia, USA twinned in 1999, marking
more than 400 years of history between Ashford and Virginia dating
back to before the 'Pilgrim Fathers' and the Mayflower.
Twinning with Hopewell is based upon historic links which
increasingly give Ashford an intriguing place in the early colonial
history of Virginia. Although many Americans and Britons believe
that the 'Pilgrims Fathers', sailing aboard the Mayflower in 1620
were the first settlers in the New World, Ashfordians were involved
in transatlantic exploration and colonisation over thirty years
earlier.
'Customer' Smythe, Lord of the Manor of Ashford, was a supporter
of Sir Walter Raleigh's ill-fated expeditions to Virginia which
spawned the mystery of the 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke. Smythe's son,
Sir Thomas Smythe, was the founder and treasurer of the Virginia
Company of London which sponsored another expedition to the
Americas in 1607. This expedition, sailing aboard the Susan
Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, founded the settlement of
Jamestown, Virginia.
Francis Epes, who was baptised in Ashford Parish Church on May
14, 1597, and who was born at 13 North Street, sailed for Virginia
circa 1624 aboard the Hopewell as an ensign, and later founded one
of the oldest families recorded in America. He was an elected
member of the House of Burgesses - the oldest democratic assembly
in the United States. In later years he was appointed to the
Council of Virginia and advanced to the rank of Colonel.
Ashford's connection with the history of Virginia is further
extended through Lady Brabourne, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. She
is descended from the famous Powhatan, Pocohontas, who married John
Rolfe, one of the early settlers. The Indian Powhatan Empire
originally spread across much of Tidewater Virginia. The ruling
elite in Virginia included many notable Kentish families such as
Culpepper, Digges, Fairfax, Filmer, Horsmanden, Swann and
Honeywood.
Today Hopewell is a centre of chemical production for worldwide
textile, agriculture and automotive markets. Goods are
despatched by truck and rail with some products loaded at a deep
water terminal on the James River.
.
Immediately adjacent to Hopewell are many of the historic James
River plantation houses. The state capital of Richmond and the
colonial capital of Williamsburg are a short distance away whilst
the beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains can be reached within two
hours.
For further details contact Mark Whitling via email at
markwhitling@hotmail.com or
telephone 07900 263620.
This webpage was updated on
11/12/2010