The Virginian Connection

Grimston has an honoured place in U.S. history, as Adam Thorowgood (as we spell him) or Thoroughgood (as he is spelt in America, oddly) came from here. His dad was the Rector, succeeded by one of his brothers afterwards. He is the founding father of Virginia Beach, having been given over 5300 acres of land because he brought 105 other settlers over in the 1620's. He was baptised at Grimston on July 14th 1604, and Adam Thoroughgood House (Museum) is a house perhaps originally built by him but later rebuilt by his family. From March to mid-June the parish register showing his baptism has featured in an exhibition to mark the 4th centenary of the founding of Jamestown and the first landing in Virginia Beach in 1607. The exhibition, visited by the Queen in May, was hosted by the Contemporary Arts Center, together with the Grimston Church Communion Cup which dates to Adam's father's time as Rector. The other item from England in the exhibition is a copy of an old doocument called Magna Carta.

Another local link with early America is Henry Spelman, an early pioneer who was the first to live with the Indians and learnt their language. His father Sir Henry Spelman was born in Congham, a mile North of Grimston.