I cleared an opening so that you can actually reach the dock without a guide and machete. The dock is sturdy, but needs an overhaul. It's too narrow and the wood is badly weathered. A couple weeks ago, our five year-old son, William, said that he thought that we should extend the dock further. I went into an explanation of how that would depend on what the county would let us do...because there are lots of restrictions, etc.. He just looked at me blandly and said, "I just want to extend it to the shore." He had a point...right now you have to take a pretty healthy step from the shore to reach the dock.

Checked the water depth today and found it to be four feet at the end of the dock at just below high tide. Don't have a low tide measurement yet.

The Hayden's executor was there today, continuing the massive clean up process. When I first talked to her over a year ago, she didn't understand why we wanted to buy the place and declared that we would need to just "tear it down." Funny, she seems to be falling for the old place as she spends more time there. She made several positive comments about beautiful woodwork and a wonderful setting. Although she does say that she keeps a pitchfork with her as she goes though the house, in case she runs into anything "wild."

Spent a few minutes in the cellar. Things look very sound. There has definitely been insect damage over the years...but it seems to be in check. There is a large brick holding area down there that was once used to store ice. Pretty cool.

Also peeked through the storm door leading into the shed addition on the far left at the rear of the house. Good news...it's just a closed-in porch and there are no knockouts leading into the house. Inside the addition is the exterior of the house...with an exterior door and window in tact. So it looks like the shed addition (which looks like it has just been used for storage) can be removed with little effort. -- Bill

Before the "long porch" on the front of the house (shown in the old pictures), there was a small porch with benches on both sides. Apparantly the ladies enjoyed sitting on this little porch and talking and were sad to see it go. Suppose the men took over the long porch?

She also said that Miss Effie Toler Hathaway (born at Enon Hall in 1880) married John Wright Ballard in the parlor of Enon Hall in 1903. I suppose just as there were many, many Hathaways who were born and died here, there were also many happy wedding days.

Agnes also said that her daughter is kindly sending us an old photo of the front of Enon Hall that she has framed in her home so that we can make a copy. Can't wait to see it! -- Bill

Also, turns out that Agnes' daughter married into the family of a friend/co-worker of mine. Like it or not, Brian...looks like we're long-lost cousins! -- Bill

"William Downing -- Emigrated from Bristol, England in 1651 with wife, name unknown, and two sons, William and John, to Northumberland county, Virginia on the Wicomico River in Northern Neck, which lies south of the Potomac River and North of the Rappahanock River. The Custom House in Bristol England was burned down during the riot of 1831 which destroyed the shipping records. It now seems almost impossible to find where William Downing came from. Capt. William Downing traded with merchants of Bristol, England. He was a planter and large land holder."

Source: " The Downings of Northumberland County"
by Mrs. O. A. Keach, Wichita, Kansas

I am in contact with some Downing descendants to see if a connection can be made. If it does turn out to be the same William Downing, it will be very exciting for the Downing researchers, because they have never been able to determine his wife's name, which is shown on this deed!

Will be going to Lancaster Court House on Friday to do some more deed research and to take a picture of the portrait of Henry S. Hathaway that is hanging there. -- Bill