In recognition of Valentine’s Day, your Heritage Working Group invites you to view the restored memorial of Virginia Laydon, the first child born, in 1609, in the colony of Virginia in the new English-speaking world. Her father, John Laydon, had arrived at Jamestown in 1607, and her mother, Anne Burras, came as a young teen-age servant of a Mistress Forrest in 1608. The Laydons moved to Elizabeth City in the early 1620’s and likely worshipped at the second parish church, the foundation of which can be seen near the entrance of Hampton University.
The memorial site is between the south and west doors. The restoration was undertaken and completed by Amanda Gundry Schoell and funded by St. John’s Cemetery.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle, February 2012.