A guide to the Church of St. James, Audley

Yesterday and today

Is it not strange how issues of the past directly or indirectly take on new meaning with events and concerns of the present? An interesting item popped up on my E-mail last month from Robert Francis Eardley of Staffordshire, England, among the instigators of the East Liverpool - Stoke-on-Trent "Friendship Link". That transatlantic bond, stemming from the 19th Century immigration of many Staffordshire potters to our Ohio ceramic center, turned into an active relationship created in 1998 by Dr. Jack Eardley, former city resident, and Robert Francis Eardley along with others. Research has revealed, Robert Francis reports, that Sir George Yeardley - three times governor of Virginia who established the first "independent" legislative assembly in the American colonies was descended from the original Eardley family. Yeardley was the spelling of the family name at that time. Although he reportedly was born in London, U.S. and British genealogists say George was the great-grandson of Oliver Yardley (another variant of Yeardley) of Eardley Hall in Audley village near Stoke. Robert Francis thought many in East Liverpool would be interested in this, not just because he is from their ancestral home but because King James I apparently knighted him for his efforts to help Virginia thrive. However James began to regret the liberal powers allowed the local government and its concessions to popular rule, so in 1724 he had the charter annulled and formed a royal colony responsible to the King. Our national history may have taken a different course if King James had permitted Virginia to develop in the positive manner started by George Yeardley who is now something of a hero to the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution.

George Yeardley's difficulties underscored the relationship of governmental powers and economic development that have long been complex, controversial and often conflicting throughout history. Consider the current effort of private landowners and the city of East Liverpool to annex 154 acres of property in Liverpool Township just north of the East End. This land would be used for a housing development along with a light industrial park, both of which are sorely needed in the space-cramped city that is actively moving ahead with efforts to attract new jobs, strengthen the economic base, boost tax revenues and punch up the political influence of the whole southeast corner of the county. Township trustees oppose the move, citing their obligation to protect township interests, but not a few township residents see significant advantages in helping economic growth anywhere in the immediate area. The interests of the owners of private property involved in the proposed annexation must hold a major role in weighing the rights and benefits of citizens in this matter. Liverpool Township is not without its problems, fiscal and otherwise, and shares countless rewarding relationships besides the school district, the court, police cooperation, fire fighting support, etc. The time is at hand when township and city leaders, both governmental and civic, should sit down and work out an arrangement for solutions to common problems rather than losing time and money in legal maneuvers and court battles. The request by St. Clair Township trustees for some city property needed for the planned Blue Ribbon Drive construction at Calcutta exemplifies the reciprocity essential for general progress. Virginia and the other colonies and later states endured sharp differences and clashing goals up through the Civil War and even today, but through understanding, sacrifice and cooperation posted a pattern of major and lasting achievements as a result of working together.

(Glenn Waight is a former Review managing editor)