Hen-RECK-ah (for Henrico) brings us full circle to the Beggar's Bush question. That soft sound, changing an "i" to a short "e", demonstrates how "Biker's Bush" may have been pronounced and/or spelled "Bicker's Bush". Then, softening the "c" sound to a "g" sound as they often did changes it to "Bigger's Bush" or "Beggar's Bush". Knowing that "Biker" sounded like "Beggar" may be the reason they chose "bush"--playing off the phrase Neil pointed out in literature from 1588. But no doubt no one considered Biker a beggar and it was probably more playful than anything else. "Bush" is also an easy way to make Biker's land alliterative, like Pace's Pains and Jordan's Journey. I envision them having fun choosing these names. Other sound changes in this old speech: since "r's" were often changed to an "aw" sound, "Barker" becomes "Bawka". Given all this, the name "Biker" could be "Barker" and sounds like "Beggar". In fact, there was also a Barker near Jordan's land, and perhaps he was the same man as Biker. I believe these soft, melodious sounds of Eastern Virginia are mostly English West Country in origin, where many of the Virginia colonists were from. It's haunting speech and lovely. By the way, thanks for all the JERR-dan stories! I love that this old pronunciation is still around--France to England to Virginia to various states...and still going! Connie Lapallo Author of DARK ENOUGH TO SEE THE STARS IN A JAMESTOWN SKY www.ConnieLapallo.com To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html