Alison Herring

Oh wow! I knew about some, and I’ve used them in libraries, but I didn’t know they were on the internet archive. Thanks!!

Thanks for commenting and sharing what you know!!

Image of Ben Vereen dressed as enslaved man, Isham Worthy in The Gray House.

I'm still thinking about #TheGrayHouse from Sunday's #HATM. Ben Vereen's character has stayed with me the most. What hellscape had Isham Worthy endured over his life? Who was his mother? He is wise, tender hearted, and highly esteemed, which is quite the contrast to the horror he lived through.

Hi!! Thanks so much for sharing! I looked through the info you sent and what I have. The Powell families appear unrelated. I can't find the names you shared in the tree I have. Also, the locations are different. Any connection likely goes way back to Wales. Yet this is so fun to see. Thanks so much!

Amen to that!!

This is a good point!! #HATM

I'm also not a historian. I use the term "independent researcher." I work full time in it, but I don't have a relevant degree.

Oh wait... that'd be amazing if we are!!!

Let me know if I can ever be helpful. The Powells were an interesting bunch!! 🫶

I really enjoyed watching #TheGrayHouse with #HATM. The production is marvelous and sheds important light on history that isn't well known (even here in Richmond). This matters so much, and I'm excited to watch the rest of the series!!

Thanks!!

I 100% agree!!

Oh how cool!!! The Powells I research were from Alexandria & Loudoun County. They're the great-grandparents of Katharine Hepburn. Do you think you descend from the same ones? I also have a Powell ancestor, but they were from a different line. I think there are two main lines in that genealogy book.

I was wondering about that!! I thought maybe the tune was just popular. That's wild!!! #HATM

I thought the accents were off too - and I've lived in Richmond for 26 years. Granted - they could have changed over time. But still. I assume it's for dramatic effect. #HATM

Me too! But, I'll miss the #HATM commentary.

Oh I missed it!! Great catch! Which character said it? #HATM

a cartoon of a hamster sitting on a bed next to a bag of chips with the name hamiboom on the bottom ALT: a cartoon of a hamster sitting on a bed next to a bag of chips with the name hamiboom on the bottom

Now for bedtime scrolling through the #HATM posts I missed. Y'all are the best!!!

Thanks Jason!!! I loved that!! This will be much talked of in Richmond. It'll be interesting to hear how it's received here. Thank you for all that you're doing for #TheGrayHouse. I'm drinking it up!! And thanks for your #HATM leadership!!

Awwww... this makes me miss the "Civil War Humor" guy from Twitter. Remember him? #HATM

I had to pre-watch it. I wish we were watching the rest with the #HATM crowd. It's soooo helpful.

Yeah - that was well said!!

Thank you! :)

For more reading, I recommend Dr. Elizabeth R. Varon's book! #HATM #TheGrayHouse

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Agreed. #HATM

It was a plot device for TV purposes. In reality, their presence would have gotten them killed or doomed to an asylum - even if they didn't attend, and someone found out they *knew* about it, they'd meet with the same fate. #HATM

I spend a LOT of time reading wills & chancery court cases in 18th and 19th century Virginia. It was HIGHLY common for men to leave property to his wife only until her death or until she remarried. In either case, she had no control. Or worse, she only got the widow's portion: one third. #HATM

Photograph of the great Maggie Walker of Richmond.

Richmond's iconic Maggie Walker was the first Black woman to charter a bank and serve as a bank president. She was born during the Civil War to Elizabeth Draper, who was enslaved by the Van Lews. Walker & Van Lew both lived in Richmond for over 30 yrs & likely knew one another. #HATM #TheGrayHouse