So you want to know what Michael Longmire has been reading to come up with all this stuff, eh? Well let’s start with where first then on to what:

Library of Congress – great stuff in the Local Genealogy Room found in the Jefferson Building. On over to the Madison Building you must go to get a peek at the Edward Dixon Papers. That’s where you will find hundreds of pages of William’s ledger/accounting work. Be sure to get a readers card on the first floor before you try to enter the Manuscript Room. Some of the South Carolina records for George Longmire and family can be found in the Adams Building bookshelves which mostly deal with law related items.

Library of Virginia – I just love this place. If you want to get bug-eyed looking at miles of microfilm this is the place. And hundreds more pages of William’s penmanship can be found here in the King George County microfilm. And of course there is the Northern Neck Proprietary Papers on site if you want to look at some land deeds and surveys which William officially copied for the records.  And be sure to check out the Colonial Records section. And of course there are books, books, and more books – whether found in the Genealogy area or the general stacks. My advice: go on a Friday and come back Saturday morning. Enjoy Richmond for a long weekend. You can thank me later for the great advice.

Virginia Historical Society – another great place to visit while in Richmond. Though not chock full of “Longmire” stuff per se there is some great support documentation and related, including the William Woodford Papers and some Tayloe Papers. And why not check out the Virginia Art Museum next door?

King George County Court House – if you want to hold in your hands the will of Augustine Washington – written by our very own William Longmire – and give it a read you must drop by here. The original is in the court house vault but you can request a view and they will oblige. While in the county why not drop on by William’s old neighborhood adjacent the bridge leading in to Caroline County. On the right you can find the tombstone and coat of arms for the Turner family, on the left what remains of Walsingham – the old Turner plantation. Then drive on over the bridge into the lovely little town of Port Royal and you will literally step into the past.

Ah, about those books … I will be drawing up a list soon, don’t you worry.