We are now able to announce that the 'Big day' this year will be 5th of July. On this day you are invited to join with our Worldwide Eardley Family to witness and participate in what will be a historic occasion for us all.Tom Mor of Cambridge, England, creator of 'The New World Tapestry' which depicts the story of how the British laid the foundations of what is now The United States of America, will visit Audley, England with a special section of the tapestry in order to afford Eardleys the opportunity of becoming part of this amazing artistic creation.
The panel to which we refer will, of course, be the Eardley Panel which makes special reference to our ancestor, Sir George Yeardley/Eardley and the family crest which is on the wall in Saint James Church. It is noted that George matriculated from Christ's College at Cambridge in 1598 only with the name George Eardley. He was later to be known as 'The Father of Representative Government in North America.' We take enormous pride in having him as the most famous member of our family and our mission is to bestow upon him his rightful place in the history of England and The United States.
We anticipate a large gathering of Eardley participants and a significant media involvement which may rival the 2000 Get-together! Each participating Eardley will be allowed to insert a 'stitch' in the Eardley Panel under Tom's expert guidance.The special moment will be recorded for posterity so that your children and grandchildren will be able to look back with pride at our bonding with one of the great Founding Fathers of America. Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Charles have already become Patrons of the Tapestry and it would be wonderful to see our family become the most prolific patrons of this vast work of art.
As a special concession to us Tom will discount the normal patronage donation by £250 thus making participation affordable for many of us at just £100. Many families may wish to share the cost and enter their individual family identity in the special Commemorative Book of Patrons' which will record their involvement for all time. A full diary of events will accompany the stitch procedure.
Mr Dennis Pickeral, historian to Sir George's ancient estate in Virginia, The Flowerdew Hundred, will address the assembly---as will Peter Davies, Vicar of Saint James Church, Audley, England. Tom will be given the opportunity to provide slide-lectures to Eardleys and to the local community, including Senior High School students and possibly to our local universities.
Those of you who have been unable to be involved in Sir George's story thus far, may wish to read the several letters concerning him which are already listed on our website. I am hesitant to repeat the information yet again. However, I am aware that new Eardleys are joining in on a daily basis and may need guidance on the 'catching up' process.
The 'stitch ceremony' is set to take place at Saint James Church, Audley, England on 5th July, 2003 at 11:00AM, Saturday. Further details will appear on the website as and when we have them.
The story of the Jamestowne Settlement is so compelling that it deserves to be much more widely known. In order to progress this, various contacts are being made with a view to bringing about interest from film companies.The 'History Channel' and others will be contacted to determine the viability of such a project. Should anyone out there have useful contacts or is able to help in any way please let us know.
Those of you who have an interest in being part of the 'stitch ceremony' or who require more information should contact Robert Jack Eardley or David W. Eardley personally. We detect enormous interest in this project. It provides us with an opportunity to become part of history. It is incumbent upon us Eardleys to embrace and to recognize the rightful place in history that George deserves. He was in Virginia before the Plymouth colony was in New England. And of course everyone knows the Pocohontas story. The Eardley story continues to strike the imagination in new and unusual ways! Who knows where it will take us all next?
Happy New Year and God Bless You,
Robert Francis Eardley
Home | Millennium Get-Together | Pictures | Heritage Link | Letters from the Eardleys | Contact