Wooldridge family Cemetery Traditional Cache

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TeamKruznn: Muggled for the last time.

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Hidden : 2/1/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


I just love old cemeteries, and was really surprised that there was no cache in this historic spot.

The Mid-Lothian mines and the Wooldridge family were very important parts of Virginia history. I'm curious when the "D" was dropped from the name?? Cache is a small pill bottle with a log, byop, there is room for very small trading items, and, since this is a cemetery, FTF get a mini Skeleton key. Please respect the location and put the cache back as found. Cache is NOT inside the gated cemetery. It can be located from the paved walking path about 50 feet away.

Some of the grave stones are so old, you can't make out the inscription. The oldest we saw were from the early 1800's. . . Photobucket . Photobucket . Photobucket . Members of the Wooldridge family had been major producers of Chesterfield county coal since the late 1700’s. by the 1830’s, the A. and A. Wooldridge Company had been established, utilizing the 404 acres on the south side of the Midlothian Turnpike, adjoining several other coal pits that had been worked previously by the Railey family, Nicholas Mills and others. Using the latest mining technology, they employed a steam engine to raise the coal and water of their pits. The coal was then sent to the river on a specially constructed tramway known as the Chesterfield Railroad (see ahead). The Wooldridge mines were estimated to produce 200 tons of coal every 24 hours (O’Dell 1983: 414). During the mid-1830’s, the Wooldridge's founded the Mid-Lothian Coal Mining Company. It was chartered in 1835 and went on to become the largest and most successful mining syndicate in the region. In 1836, the Mid-Lothian Coal Mining Company issued 3,000 shares of stock which were offered for sale to prospective shareholders. Through the sale of a thousand shares of stock, $100,000 was raised. The newly formed company bought the equipment of A. and A. Wooldridge Company, including "one 30 horsepower Pumping and Winding Engine with extra parts, flat ropes, tools and fixtures thereto attached. Also the Buildings, Railroads, Bogies, Cranes, Corves, Slate Car, etc. at the Mid-Lothian pits." It also ex-pended funds in sinking shafts, procuring a 60 horse-power engine and boilers, purchasing mules, and constructing houses. Through a series of real estate acquisitions, the Mid-Lothian Coal Mining Company soon accumulated a total of 1,585 acres that were valued at more than $300,000 (O’Dell 1983: 414; Heinrich 1875: 308—316). This is becoming a very popular area. Construction has started on the other side of the pond for more walking trails, and a new amphitheater.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybbfr fgbar

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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