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Sam Robinson Oral History, 1964 July

 File — Reel: 1
Identifier: id280414

Scope and Contents

Reel to reel tape with label that reads: "Narrative by Sam Robinson, sexton of historic Jamestown Church, Jamestown, Virginia, explaining history of Jamestown, its church, and its graveyard. (Original tape recorded prior to 1964. Re-recording made July, 1964. Original returned to Sam Robinson. Copies held by the Jamestown Foundation and Colonial Williamsburg." Included with the tape is a memorandum from Paul Hudson to Bill Smith, dated 7 April 1966, which reads: "Sam's talk runs for 24 minutes. His voice is loud and clear. He describes features seen on the APVA grounds, beginning at the Church Tower; then an explanation of things one sees inside the Memorial Church; then his popular description of the burials inside the churchyard; then mention of the Confederate Fort; significance of the Robert Hunt Shrine (Sam describes the sail cloth church and first communion); then mention of the fort site which has washed away; mention of the Relic House and exhibits inside (including Pocahontas's earrings, which reveals that the walk was given before 1957); then a few sentences on the Ludwell-Statehouse foundations (which Sam points out as in the Second Statehouse); and then brief accounts of the Yeardley House and Godspeed House. The 25-minute tape would have to sell for about $5.00 or $7.50. I believe 50 would sell....to people who knew and admired Sam. It would not, however, sell to the general public, those who did not know Sam." Also included is a memorandum from Rodney B. Taylor dated 24 October 2002, which reads: "On this date I have delivered to Rebecca F. Suerdieck, Two (1) tape copies of the Sam Robinson taped talk on Jamestown Island ca. 1956 and re-recorded in 1964. These tapes will be re-recorded on a CD computer disk for preservation. The original copy was returned to Sam Robinson. Copies were held by the Jamestown Foundation and Colonial Williamsburg. The above copies came from my step-father APVA Supt. William Harrison Smith. I am loaning the above copies for the expressed purpose of creating a permanent copy for archive purpose only. No publication or sale of the above tape should be undertaken without my permission and agreement. The original copy, and one CD disk will be returned to me upon completion of the re-recording. The Tape contains the following: Sam Robinson, referred to as Sexton of the historic Jamestown Church, originally hired by the APVA about 1935 to serve as a guard at the Church and to do light ground maintenance around the Churchyard. Miss Ellen Bagby, Chairman of the Jamestown Committee of the APVA Board in Richmond had hired Sam Robinson to help her at her Richmond home on Grace St. Miss Bagby provided Sam historical information regarding the Jamestown Church and including the graves of those buried in the Churchyard. Sam featured the story of the Blair Tomb which had been separated by a sycamore tree growing between the tomb of the Rev. James Vlair and that of his wife Sarah Harrison Blair. This became known as the "Mother-in-law" tree. Sam was recorded before 1964 and the tape was re-recorded in 1966 [sic], the year Sam Robinson died."

Dates

  • Creation: 1964 July

Creator

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Extent

From the Collection: 2.20 Linear Feet

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

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