by Tom Chillemi –
Among the many historic houses in Urbanna is the Gressitt House, which was probably constructed in the 1740s and was once home to Urbanna’s harbormaster, according to the Museum In The Streets walking tour.
Councilor Larry Chowning told fellow council members at the Jan. 14 town council meeting, that a book by the late Louise Gray written many years ago noted there had long been a plaque attached to the Gressitt House stating that William Clark left from the home to join Meriwether Lewis to form the “Lewis and Clark Expedition” that would explore the northwest territories from 1804-1806 that were part of the Louisiana Purchase.
The Urbanna Town Council will consider funding research to verify the claim that Clark had a connection to Urbanna or Middlesex County when the council meets 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, via Zoom. (To join and give public comment during council’s meeting go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87835800642?pwd=V2VPV0swWUtLNnVTS2ttZ3o2c3A0Zz09 and enter the meeting ID, 878 3580 0642, and passcode, 253155.)
“I don’t think we have to find a great deal,” Chowning told council, “just a little nugget somewhere that says Clark was related to someone here, not just in Urbanna, but Middlesex County.”
Some preliminary research has been done on the Clark legend and council is hopeful that it will lead to more information.
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