A Chronicle of Civil War Hampton, Virginia: Struggle and Rebirth on the Homefront

by Alice Erickson

Overview

From its beginning as a Tidewater town in the 1600s, Hampton, Virginia, has weathered many storms, including the disastrous effects of the Civil War and the difficulties of Reconstruction. The city's picturesque harbors have witnessed the rise of a thriving seafood industry, the growth of educational opportunity and the plight of Hampton's African American community. Author Alice Erickson uses her own family, the Hickman family, as a vehicle to unite compelling vignettes of Hampton's most storied era. Discover the intricacies of the Virginia secession, the turmoil of Federal occupation and the revitalization of Hampton out of the ashes of conflict. Follow along Erickson's tragic and adventurous story, whose ending has yet to be written.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626192256
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	02/18/2014
Series:	Civil War Series
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Alice Matthews Erickson is a ninth generation Virginian. She holds an AB and MA degree from The College of William and Mary and has taught English and History courses at the high school and college level. Her fascination with the Civil War came from learning stories of her Hampton family living under Federal occupation. She makes her home with her husband Wayne in Williamsburg, VA.

Table of Contents

Foreword Wythe Holt 7

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

1 Historical Background: The Virginia Peninsula, the Hickman Farm and Old Fox Hill and Old Point Comfort and Its Forts 15

2 Prologue 27

3 Life on the Farm and Free Public Schools 33

4 The Poorhouse and Family Responsibility 37

5 The Virginia Secession Convention of 1861 45

6 Wartime 59

7 The Question of Slavery 75

8 To Wilmington 83

9 Coming Home: Rebuilding, New Technology, Transportation and the Old Soldiers' Home 85

10 The Seafood Industry: Crabs and Oysters 109

11 Public Schools Revisited, the Black Community and the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute 121

12 Changing Lifestyles 141

13 1907: A Red-Letter Year for Hampton 147

14 Coming Home: Afterward 155

15 Etcetera 161

Appendix 165

Notes 171

Bibliography 183

Index 187

About the Author 191