It occurred to me yesterday while I was at the Pohick Cemetery that Emmett had been there.
A little background:
Emmett’s uncle, Everard Meade, was the rector of Pohick Episcopal Church. His aunt, Lucy, had been very close Emmett’s mother, and she likely remained in close contact with her nieces and nephews over the years.
When Emmett became a congressman in 1913, it is reported that he visited his sister’s family several times. Everard and Lucy Meade were part of his sister’s family.
Everard Meade died in December, 1913. Emmett was in the area, and very likely attended his uncle’s funeral. Everard Meade was an important person in the Pohick community — his death was mentioned in The Washington Post, and in one of the other Washington, D.C. papers, The Evening Star.
Great details on the headstone. “Gentleman, Solider, Man of God.”
It would be logical that his nephew the congressman was in attendance at that funeral.
Here are some of the things Emmett probably saw during his visit to this cemetery:
The old church building.
You can read about the history of this building here, and see early drawings from the mid-19th century.
To the right of this building is a set of post-Revolutionary War-era graves.
Elizabeth Massey’s stone is on the left; she died in 1805.
Elizabeth Massey, age 66, died in 1805.
You can read about the other significant markers here; there are several interesting graves, many of which were very hard to read without the help of the information provided by the church. The grounds are in beautiful condition, by the way.
Speaking of the grounds, a very old oak tree located near the Meade family plot got my attention. It is at least 300 years old. It is majestic and beautiful, my photos do not do it justice.
A majestic oak, about 50 feet from the Meade family plot.
In this photograph, you can’t see it, but the tree has been struck by lightning. There’s a thin diagonal seam across the surface of this tree on this side. The tree appears to have healed itself.
And the, if that wasn’t enough, there is evidence of a second strike.
There’s the second scar; the tree allegedly was struck by lighting twice.
The second time was the charm, because there is a lightning rod affixed to the tree now.
The lightning rod’s wire runs down the side of this magnificent tree. It is hard to see, but it is there.
When Emmett was here last, it was mid-December, so this tree was not as lush as it is in the photos. Still, the tree was there; so was Emmett. If only the tree could talk, you know?
Categories: Book Congressman Family Recommended Sources
jsmith532
Professor,
Communication, Arts, and the Humanities
The University of Maryland Global Campus
Tell my story. 
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