A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 18

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 18
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

This village is located on a beauti- ful level green, ornamented with fine trees; it derives its present name from the nature of its location, its original name was New Hope .- The seat of county justice was removed to this place in 1805. The railroad now under contract between Fredericks- burg and Richmond, is expected to make this village a place of consider- able trade .- A line of stages running N. and S. pass here twice a day ; and two cross mails from E. to W .- The surrounding country is remarkable for its healthiness and fertility, pro- ducing abundantly all the staples of the state. Population 317 persons, of whom.6 are attorneys, and 2 phy- sicians.

County Courts are held on the 2d Monday in every month :-- Quarterly in March, June, August, and No- vember.

JUDGE LOMAX holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery on the 1st of May, and 10th of Sep- tember.

CHILESBURG, P. O. 55 ms. from R. and 83 from W.

JEMAP, P. O. 69 ms. from R. and 68 from W. C.

PORT ROYAL, P. V. on Rappa- hannock opposite Port Conway in King George, 59 ms. from R. and 78 from W .- on the S. side of the river 22 ms. below Fredericksburg. It is one of the oldest towns in Virginia, and was rapidly declining until a few years past, but is now improving. It contains 236 houses, 2 houses of pub- lic worship, 1 methodist and 1 Epis- copalian, 6 mercantile stores, and 1 merchant mill. The mechanics are a tanner, saddler, carriage maker, and ship builder. Population in 1830, 600; 2 of whom are attorneys, and 2 physicians.

Port Royal was created a town by the House of Burgesses in 1744 .- It possesses a fine harbor, which readily admits vessels drawing eleven feet water; it was formerly one of the principal markets in the state for to- bacco, but has now lost this important trade; it yet however exports large quantities of wheat and Indian corn. -Two steamboats regularly stop four times a week at this place on their route between Fredericksburg and Baltimore.

RAPPAHANNOCK ACADEMY, P. O. 64 ms. N. N. E. of R. and 72 S. S. W. of W., in the N. part of the county. -'This was a flourishing and useful school a few years since, but we be- lieve there has been no teacher there

GOLANSVILLE, P. O. 43 ms. N. of R. and 90 S. S. W. of W .-- It con- tains several dwelling houses, a mer- cantile store, tanyard, blacksmith, saddle and harness maker, tailor, to. for some time past .- We now how-

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ever see an advertisement, which states| that the school will be opened on the 15th January, 1835, with teachers fully competent to teach all the branches of education usually taught in our schools.

SPARTA, P. O. 48 ms. from R. and 89 from W.

TURNER'S STORE, P. O. 86 ms. from W. and 38 N. of R.

VEILLEBORO', P. O. in N. part of the county, 8 ms. N. of Bowling Green, the seat of justice, 70 ms. S. S. W. of W. and 52 from R. on the stage road leading from Fredericks- burg to Richmond, 14 miles from the former.

WHITE CHIMNEYS, P. O. 30 ms. N. of R. and 92 from W.

CHARLES CITY.

CHARLES CITY was one of the eight original shires into which Vir- ginia was divided by the House of Burgesses in 1934. It is bounded S. by James river which separates it from Surry, Prince George, and Ches- terfield,-E. by the Chickahominy, which separates it from James City,- N. by the same river separating it from New Kent, and W. by Henrico. Length 26 miles, mean breadth 8; area 208 sq. miles: extending from lat. 37° 9' to 37° 28' N. and long. 0° 5' E. to 0° 22' WV. of W. C .- The sur- face of the county is rolling .- This county being so advantageously situ- ated on tide water, transacts its mercantile business directly with the large cities, and hence has not given growth to the number of little villages, with which many of our counties are crowded. Population 1820, 5255-in 1830, 5500 .- Six attorneys, five regular physicians, and sundry Thomso- nians reside in the county. There are 2 Episcopal, 1 Quaker, 3 Baptist, and 4 Methodist churches in the county ; also 1 classical academy, and seve- ral inferior schools; 7. mercantile stores, 1 asylum for the poor, 5 grist mills, 2 saw mills, and various mechanics. Taxes paid in 1833, $1397 84-in 1834, on land, $798 88-1579 slaves, $394 75-836 horses, $50 16-3 studs, $52 00-33 coaches, $81 50-8 carryalls, $8 00-45 gigs, $28 45. Total $1413 74 .- In the primary schools no operations.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

CHARLES CITY C. H., P. O.[ Thursday in every month ;- Quar- near the centre of the county 30 ms. terly in March, May, August, and November. S. S. E. of R. and 152 from W .- The only buildings are the court house, clerk's office, jail, a tavern, and a private dwelling.

JUDGE UPSHUR holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 1st of April and 12th of

County Courts are held on the 3d) October.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-CHARLOTTE.

CHARLOTTE.

CHARLOTTE was created by the Legislature in 1764, from a part of Lunenburg county. The Southwestern border of Charlotte is washed by Staunton river, which separates it from Halifax. On the west, the line which separates Charlotte from Campbell runs on a ridge of highlands which give rise to waters flowing westwardly into Falling river, and cast- wardly into Turnip creek. On the N. and N. E. the line, which separates ( Charlotte from Prince Edward, runs on a ridge of high lands, which give rise to waters flowing north and northeastwardly into the Appomatox, and south into the Staunton river. On the E. and S. E. the line, which sepa- rates Charlotte from Lunenburg, runs on a ridge which gives rise to waters flowing southeastwardly into the Meherrin, and westwardly into tributary streams of Staunton. On the S. the line which separates Char- lotte from Mecklenburg, runs on a ridge, which gives rise to waters flow- ing south into the Meherrin and northwestwardly into Bluestone. Length 22 miles, mean breadth 18, and area 600 sq. miles: extending in lat. from 36° 41' to 37º 16' N. and in long. from 10° 33' to 2º 05' W. of W. C .- Charlotte county contains by actual surveys as entered on the commission- er's books, about 310,000 acres of land, valued, together with buildings, under the equalizing laws, to something near 2,275,000 dollars; the aver- age price per acre under that calculation including buildings is 88 75. 'The buildings being valued at nearly 356,000 dollars; the average price per acre wihout the buildings is about $7 60 .- The census taken in the year 1830, gives to the county, 15,252 souls-shewing about 20 acres to each individual in the county.

The general surface of the county is greatly diversified with hills and vales, embracing every variety of soil, and is watered by numerous creeks and rivulets all tributary to Staunton river, except the head branches of the Meherrin, on the E. and S. E. The principal streams of Charlotte flow- ing into Staunton and its tributaries, are the following.

The first, beginning in the western part of Charlotte, is Turnip Creek, the head waters of which rise in the neighborhood of the Red House, near the Campbell line, it runs south and enters Staunton river just above Cole's Ferry. This is not a large stream, yet it affords considerable bottom or flat land, especially at and near its mouth. It is from 15 to 20 miles in length.

'The next in order, proceeding southeastwardly is Cub Creek, the head branches of which are in Campbell county; from the place which it enters the county to its junction with Staunton, the distance is from 30 to 40 miles. It has many tributary streams ;- those on the west are Bear Creek, rising near the Red House. Turkey Cock and Louse Creek, -the two first are inconsiderable streams, the last is from 10 to 12 miles in length and at and near its junction with Cub creek, a little above Baldwin's mills, affords much valuable bottom lands. Those on the E. are Little Cub, Horsepen, Rough creek, and Terry's creek. Cub creek with its tributary streams waters a large and valuable portion of the upper end of Charlotte, affording a considerable quantity of rich bottom land and hill sides well suit- ed to the growth of the various kinds of grain, and in many places, produc- ing tobacco of the finest quality. It enters Stammton river 3 or 4 miles be- low Cole's Ferry.

Next is Wallace's creek, Its head spring is near the road leading from

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Charlotte court house to Cole's Ferry, it flows through a neighborhood of very good land, and enters Staunton just above Morton's Ferry: it is from 9 to 10 miles in length.

Next in order is Little Roanoke; which rises in the northeastern part of Charlotte, near the Prince Edward line, and runs southwest through the county and empties into Staunton river about 4 miles below Clark's Ferry. It is from 25 to 30 miles in length. This stream with its tributaries, waters a great part of the lower end of Charlotte, as well as a valuable part of the upper end. It is a low, flat and sluggish stream, affording very little fall of water, and contains as much bottom land as any in the state of its size and length ; particularly at its mouth; where there is a body of rich low grounds, including those on Staunton, of fully a thousand acres. Randolph's Lower Quarter, situated below its mouth, itself contains be- tween 7 and 800 acres in one body. The principal tributary stream, to Little Roanoke, on the west, is Wardsfork ; which rises in the neighbor- hood of Chickentown in the upper end, and with its tributaries, waters the best tobacco land in the county; indeed the lands on this stream are remarkable for their universal fertility. It flows into L. Roanoke on a low bed at right angles-hence a large body of low grounds, the largest in the interior of the county, was for a long time under water and con- sidered irreclaimable. These grounds remained common until within a few years past, and were so injurious to health as to be considered a public nuisance. About the year 1817 James W. Bouldin purchased a tract of land immediately in the fork, containing bottom lands on both streams, and commenced reclaiming. About the year 1819 his brother Judge Bouldin purchased a tract above on L. Roanoke, and commenced draining : the plan of draining as it relates to the courses and location of the ditches on both purchases was laid out and executed under the direction of James W. Bouldin. By these means, certainly the largest, if not the finest body of low grounds, in the neighborhood of the Courthouse, is, from a wilderness of bogs, mire and stagnant waters, rendered arable and comparatively healthy.

The next tributary on the west is Dunnicant ; which rises in the neigh- borhood of Edmond's Store, and flows through a neighborhood of good land, into L. Roanoke, just above Dabbs' Bridge.

On the E. the first tributary stream is Hell's creek, though a small stream, it affords much good bottom land, particularly towards its mouth. It enters Little Roanoke just below L. Roanoke bridge.

Next in order are Spencer's and Spring creeks, rising on the dividing . ridge, which separates Charlotte from Prince Edward and Lunenburg. They unite just before they flow into Little Roanoke. Just below their junction and at their mouth, (there is a large body of valuable flat land. That which lies above, immediately on L. Roanoke, is of the pipe clay soil and was formerly liable to innndations. Much has been done for its recovery from water and to improve its quality, still it is not equal to land above and below it.

Next is Ash Camp, it rises in the neighborhood of Keysville, in a poor country, but as you descend this creek, the quantity and quality of the bot- tom lands increase.

Next is Twitties' Creek. It rises on the ridge, which separates the waters of Meherrin from those of Staunton river. This is a longer and larger stream than those just mentioned. It affords a considerable quan-

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tity of flat lands, yet with some few exceptions, the plantations on this stream are not remarkable for their productions. It enters Little Roanoke on a tract of land on which the late JUDGE PAUL CARRINGTON, Jr. resid- ed; it is considered very valuable. The first brick house in the county was built on this tract.

The next streams are the Horsepens. They rise on the same ridge, the branches of which water a great part of the southeast of Charlotte. The head streams rise in and run through a body of as poor lands as any in the state, but as you approach their mouths, the quantity and quality of good lands increase, and after they unite the Ilorsepen affords much valuable low grounds. It enters L. Roanoke just above John Randolph's Lower Quarter.

Reynold's Creek is a tributary to this stream. It rises on the road that leads from the Double Bridges in Lunenburg to Moseley's Ferry. It runs through a neighborhood once of very fine lands, but much exhausted by cultivation ; it enters the Horsepen just below Bedford's Bridge.

Next to L. Roanoke on the S. we come to Sandy Creek. In this portion of the county the soil and quality of the lands are essentially different from those in other parts. The soil is universally sandy or gravelly, and upon a slight view, it would appear to those who lived on lands of a different texture, to be very unproductive; but it is known to be as productive for all kinds of grain and grass as any in the county, similarly situated, and of late years tobacco is produced of fine quality by judicious cultivators. Those who live on these lands, say that they vegetate quickly, are soon exhausted, but revive speedily, when proper measures are used. Several valuable plantations lie on Sandy Creek, near its month. It is a short stream, and enters Staunton a little above Moseley's Ferry.

After leaving Sandy Creek, the county becomes very narrow to its southern extremity, a ridge running between Bluestone and Staunton to its termination. The first tributary, to Staunton after leaving Sandy Creek, is Buffaloe. This stream rises in the neighborhood of Jeffrey's Store and runs into Staunton river, a few miles below Moseley's Ferry.

'The next are Cargil's and Hogan's Creeks. Two small streams water- ing the extreme south of the county. Hogan's Creek with its branches water some very valuable land.

Bluestone affords to this county some very valuable land, originally very fine, having a red clay foundation with mulatto soil.

Staunton river gives to this county as much valuable bottom lands, as it does to any county on its waters. On the western extremity of the county, at the mouth of Falling river, lived and died the distinguished PATRICK HENRY. His residence was on the termination of the ridge, which separates Charlotte from Campbell. It is called Red Hill, from which there is a very handsome southern view of a very large body of rich low grounds, estimated at 500 acres. It is now the property of his two youngest sons. The remains of the orator and his lady repose on the spot.

The next most conspicuous place on the river, proceeding southwardly, is called Ward's Neck, situated just above the mouth of Cub Creek, be- tween that and Cole's Ferry ; it is embraced by a large bend or curve of the river, corresponding with the Cove in Halifax, which lies just below it on the opposite side of the river. It affords several beautiful situations

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for buildings, on elevated, fertile and level table lands, skirted by the richest and most fertile low grounds or river bottoms.

The next place just below Clark's Ferry, is the residence of the late JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. Proceeding southwest from the Court- house, on the main southern stage road, when getting within a mile of Clark's Ferry, a left hand road leads up a gentle assent to the summit of the only hill in the county, dignified by the name of mountain. On this summit stands the buildings, late the residence of this illustrious orator. They are situated literally in the woods ; for there is not a vestige of land cultivated in view-they consist of two plain wooden buildings, of one story each, with two rooms on a floor, within a few steps of each other; the back building, which he mostly occupied, is entered through a piazza, on a pebble floor, the roof of which is supported by unhewn posts taken im- mediately from the forest. Notwithstanding the simplicity of the out- ward appearance of these buildings, within the furniture, plate, paintings and library corresponded with the elevated characted of their owner, es- sentially rich but plain. A few steps to the west of the front building under a large pine tree, is interred the body of that Man, whose inimitable eloquence once electrified the people of the United States, and whose fame almost reached the remotest bounds of the civilized world.

Immediately below Mr Randolph's, near the junction of the 1 .. Roanoke with Staunton river, on an elevated and beautiful site, stands the residence of the late JUDGE PAUL CARRINGTON, Sen. It is now the property of his youngest son. Judge Carrington was a member of the bar of the county . of Charlotte, when the county court was organized in the year 1765, he had been a practising lawyer and a member of the House of Burgesses, when this county was a part of Lunenburg. After the British Governor, Lord Dunmore, had abdicated the government of Virginia, a convention met in Richmond in the year 1775, to organize a provincial form of govern- ment and plan of defence for the colony. This plan of defence was sub- mitted by them to a committee of public safety. Paul Carrington was one of that committee. He subsequently became a Judge of the Court of Ap- peals, in which office he remained until a few years previous to his death.

After leaving the lands at the mouth of the L. Roanoke, the quantity and quality of the low grounds decrease, so far as the county of Charlotte reaches on the river.

Upon a general view of the soil, it may be said, that it is generous and free-that most of the wood, on the streams and hill sides has been ent down, the hill sides much exhausted, yet the bottom lands are generally productive, more especially where they are, in the hands of judicious cul- tivators. Our ridges contain the only forests, and they are mostly poor and barren-valuable only for their timbers. These remarks hold good gene- rally, except those tracts in possession of large land holders, on some of which, there are still some good bottom and high lands uncleared, partien- larly on L. Roanoke, Cub creek and Wardsfork.

Agriculturalists say with confidence, that it is found by a proper course of cultivation, that all exhausted lands, originally good, especially those with red clay foundations are recoverable, and can be brought back to their original fertility-if so, it is confidently hoped that a spirit of improvement in agriculture may prevail, which will effect this object.

Minerals .- There is a singular vein of stone running through the conn- ty nearly from N. to S. It is composed of a series of round stones of va-

11000

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-CHARLOTTE.

rious sizes, sometimes very large ;- the vein in some places is barely per- ceptible, consisting of only a few round pebbles, in others it protrudes a rugged mass of rocks. Gold and Silver have been diligently sought, but not found.

Elections .- There are 3 precinct elections in the county-1 at Harvey's store in Chicken-town, 1 at Fuqua's store, above Louse creek, both in the upper end of the county; and 1 at M'Cargo's in the lower end, near Wil- liesburg.

Poor .- The County Court has lately purchased land and erected build, ings about 7 miles from the C. H. for the accommodation of the poor. The present inmates are 6 males, and 9 females. This arrangement is expected to lessen considerably the poor rates of the county.

Society .- The great men who have resided in Charlotte, and the many pious and good men which she has produced, operating by their example and exertions upon an intelligent community, have given to Charlotte so- ciety a tone of dignified and lofty sentiment, not often met with, and not soon to be laid aside.

'Two Agricultural Societies have lately been formed in the county; 1 at Charlotte C. II., the other near Wyliesburg in the lower end. These societies embrace the most wealthy and enterprising citizens of their re- spective neighbourhoods.

The Main Western Road, from the east, leading by Prince Edward C. H. enters this county near the sources of Spring creek, after entering the county, the main or right branch crosses Cub creek at Harvey's bridge, thence by the Red House to Lynchburg and Campbel C. H. The left leads on by Rough creek church, crosses Cub creek, at Rawlins' bridge, after which it branches; the right goes on the ridge, on the head waters of Louse creek and Turkey cock, and intersects with a road leading from Cole's ferry, by the Red House, to Lynchburg. The left, at Rawlins' bridge, leads on by Chappel's shop, and Gaines'; crosses Louse creek at Dennis', thence to Enqua's store-after which it again branches: the first right leads on to Hat creek in Campbell, the next to Booker's ferry and Red hill, crossing Turnip creek at Oliver's, just below Bruce's mill. The left to Cole's ferry.

The next road that enters the county from the east by Prince Edward C. H. is the main southern stage road-it enters the county near the head waters of L. Roanoke, crosses that stream at L. Roanoke bridge, crosses Dunnevant, at Spencer's, thence to Charlotte C. II., a little above which, it branches: the right leading across Woodsfork to Price's old field, where it again branches: the right leading to White's tavern, where a left leads to the Red House, where it intersects with the main western road. The left at Price's old field leads to the road leading from Rough creek church to Booker's ferry, and to Colo's ferry. The left above Charlotte C. II. is the continuation of the stage road, and leads to Morton's ferry, and to Clark's ferry.

The next road that passes through the county from the east, is by Moor's old ordinary in Prince Edward, it enters the county at Clark's, where it immediately branches. The right leads to I. Roanoke bridge; and thence to the main western road near Chicken town : the left at Clark's leads to Keysville, thence to Charlotte C. H. At Keysville it branches, the right leading on the ridge between Ash camp and Tuelties' creek to

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-CHARLOTTE.

Bouldin's old store,* thence to Charlotte C. H. and thence it intersects with Booker's ferry road at Harris's.

The next road, that enters the county from the east, is one that crosses the Double Bridges in Lunenburg; it enters the county near Hayleysburg, thence by Eubank's store, to Brigdewater's, near which place it branches. The left leading on the ridge separating the waters of Meherrin from a branch of the Bluestone, to Mack Goode's. The right or main road at Brigewater's leads by Leciprus' store, and M'Cargo's to Wyliesburg, when it branches; the right leads across Sandy creek by Brock's, to Mose- ley's ferry the left leads to Callicote's, thence to Brook's where it intersects with the Mosely ferry road, to Jeffries' store, to Blank's ferry, and to Clarks- ville and Abbeyville, in Mecklenburg. Population in 1820, 13,290-1830, 15,252. Charlotte belongs to the 9th judicial circuit, and 5th district.

Taxes paid in 1833, $4,239 97-in 1834, on land, $22,177 77-5288 slaves, $1,322-3569 horses, 8214,14 12, studs, $280-113 coaches, $283 65-24 carryalls, $24-99 gigs, 857 85. Total $4,361 41. Am't. expended in educating poor children in 1832, $360 16 -- in 1833, 8467 96,

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

FINEWOOD, P. V. 114 m's. S. W.)contains a large C. H. built on a plan of R., and 205 from W., situated in the lower end of the Co. on the wa- ters of Bluestone creek, on the road leading from Charlotte C. H. to Boyd- ton, Randolph Macon College, &c. in Mecklinburg, in a fertile and healthy neighbourhood.

FRIEND'S GROVE, P. V. 195 S. S. W. of W., and 104 S. W. of R., 7 m's. E. of the C. H., and 4 from Keysville. It contains 1 mercantile store, a tobacco factory giving employ- ment to 30 hands, and a blacksmith shop.

HARVEY'S STORE, P. O. 108 m's. S. W. of R., and 199 from W.

furnished by Mr. Jefferson, a jail of 2 stories, with a jailor's house, also of 2 stories, immediately in front of it; all of brick except the jail, which is of ponderous hewn stone :- besides these, the village contains 40 dwelling houses, a Baptist and a Presbyterian house of worship, 2 well kept taverns, 5 mercantile stores, 1 classical and 1 common school, a temperance society, and a bible society hold their quarter- ly and annual meetings in this place. $: The mechanics, are a tanner, 3 sad- dlers, and 2 tailor shops both of which employ a number of hands, 3 black- smiths, 4 wagon makers shops, each of which employ 8 or 10 hands, and I carriage maker, 1 cabinet maker, 3 boot and shoe factories, besides seve- ral house carpenters and bricklayers. The mail is delivered thrice a week. Population 475 persons; of whom 4 are attorneys, and 3 physicians.

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 18

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry Publication date: 1835 Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Martin, Joseph. ed. cn; Brockenbrough, William Henry
Publication date: 1835
Publisher: Charlottesville, J. Martin
Number of Pages: 1278