On Saturday, Feb. 10, the South Central Virginia Genealogical Society (SCVGS) will welcome Bob Flippen as its first speaker for 2018. The meeting will be held in the Family History and Research room of the Charlotte County Library in Charlotte C.H. at 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Flippen, a local historian for Prince Edward County and surrounding areas will present a PowerPoint program on an English immigrant and Farmville resident, John Stanley James, “The Vagabond.”

Research for this program resulted from an international collaboration of individuals in Canada, Australia and the U.S. Their research also resulted in a book which Mr. Flippen will also have on hand.

John Stanley James arrived in the U.S. and settled in Farmville after the Civil War when a large migration of Englishmen to Southside Virginia were attempting to “colonize” a number of counties below the James. Arriving in 1875, James would leave in disgrace only six months later, making his way to Australia where he became a pioneer of immersion journalism. His writings were chronicled in a newspaper column using the pseudonym – The Vagabond and so popular they would later be assembled in book form. These writings would contain many reflections gained while in Virginia.

Mr. Flippen’s presentation will tell about the six months James spent in Farmville as well as why he vanished and would re-emerge on the other side of the earth. He will also explore the contributions of this English endeavor that resulted in the establishment of Chase City and Episcopal churches.

Join us for this very interesting program. All meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit our website at www.scvgs.com or