A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 28

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 28
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 28

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).

Soil, products, face of the country, minerals, &c .- The soil was origi- nally of at least middling fertility : but by every species of mismanagement (amid which over-cropping, frequent grazing, bad ploughing, scanty ma- nuring, and the culture of tobacco, stand conspicuous,) it has become pitiably barren. On high land six bushels of wheat, or ten of Indian corn, are the average product of an acre. Wheat yields about 33 or 4 bushels to one of seed.

'The chief agricultural products are wheat, maize (or Indian corn) und tobacco: the last is diminishing in quantity every year; owing more to the exhaustion of the lands suitable to its growth than the a persuasion of its

217

EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

impoverishing tendencies. . The forest land is covered with oak of several kinds, hickory, poplar, gum, maple, dogwood, and especially with yellow pine. The most usual undergrowth is chinquepin, and sometimes whortle- berry. When the soil is exhausted by cultivation, and suffered to lie idle, it shoots up thickets of yellow pine; which in 15 or 20 years form a cover, that affords a means of restoring the soil.

There are no mountains. The ground is hilly, or rolling: a circum- stance combining with injudicious ploughing, and with the light, sandy texture of the soil, to accelerate its impoverishinent. Every hard rain sweeps off much of the richest carth. Towards the upper part of the county is a singular tract of country, of about 8 or 10,000 acres, called "Green Spring land," (from the mineral spring of that name situated in it.) This tract lies in an irregular circle, of from four to six miles diameter : and far exceeds all other high land in the county, both in native fertility, and in susceptibility of improvement. Its soil is a dark grey, containing very little sand, or stone of any kind; and resting, at a depth of 12 or 15 inches, upon a stratum of compact, firm, red clay, scarcely penetrable by water. Thus the "Green-Spring land" avoids the two great characteristic defects of Louisa land-too large an intermixture of sand, and a too gritty and porous foundation. It is particularly suited to wheat; yielding 8 or 10 bushels to one of seed, without manure; and capable of being made to yield 15, 20, or 30 to one. This oasis is not heavily timbered: its oak and hickory are rather stinted: it has little or no pine; and a good deal of black-jack-elsewhere a symptom of sterility.

The "Green-Spring" water is impregnated chiefly or wholly with sul- phur and magnesia, forming a mild sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salts.) It has been ascertained to have no iron. This water was once in high vogue, and much resorted to by invalids and people of fashion. But the accommodations for company have now, for 25 or 30 years, been discon- tinued; and visitors are compelled to throw themselves upon the hospi- tality of the neighborhood. The water is deemed good for dyspepsia, af- fections of the liver and lungs, and several other complaints.

This spring is situated in the upper part of the county 60 miles from Richmond, 18 from Louisa C. H., and 25 from Charlottesville. Since the death of the former proprietor (Col. Morris) the place has gone to decay. There were several spacious buildings for the reception of visitors, but some have been consumed by fire, some have fallen down, and only a few houses in a state of rapid decay remain. The issue of the spring is small, but the stream rums constantly and with force. The water is clear and transparent, but quite unpleasant to the taste.

Gold has, within two years past, been found abundantly in Louisa. Through the heart of the county, runs that belt of gold land which per- vades Virginia, Carolina, and Georgia: in a direction nearly from N. E. to S. W. (viz. S. 49° 30' W.) Its breadth here is from 1 to 3 miles. No vein has yet been profitably worked. The richest deposites have been found upon Contrary creek, in the northern part of the county. The ordi- mary depth at which these are found, is from one to four feet; and none deeper than 12 feet. In one of them (called "Tinder's mine") at the depth of 10 or 12 feet, the value of about $20,000 has been found; and near $10,000 of this were obtained within six days, in November, 1833, by about 25 hands. There are nine deposites on or near the creek just men- tioned, which have been more or less worked, and altogether have yielded

col 1 0

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

near $40,000. Contiguous to one of them, (Walton's) a promising vein of rich ore has been opened, by a perpendicular shaft of 50 feet, and then a horizontal tunnel of 10 or 12 feet. This is the only instance in Louisa of a vein wrought upon scientific principles.

Towards the S. W. part of the county, also, promising indications both of deposites and veins have been found: but none of them have been ex- tensively wrought. The usual indicia of vein-gold are cellated quartz, with talcose slate, sulphuret (or pyrites) of iron, &c. The deposites (which are thought to be broken down or partially decomposed- veins) are indicated commonly by the same signs; and are usually in quartzose strata (or layers,) 6, 10, or 12 inches thick; resting upon beds of slat ?. The apparatus for obtaining deposite gold is very simple and cheap : con- sisting (besides the digging tools) of a small stream of water; a sort of trough called a rocker, in which the earth is shaken in water, to separate it from the gold; a few tin-pans, and some quicksilver, to collect the fine particles of gold by its attraction. At the mines on Contrary, one hand ordinarily obtains from one to five dwt. per day. One dwt. to the hand is considered profitable. There were from 60 to 70 hands employed in the county, on an average, during the year 1833, in searching for gold. Seve- ral mining companies having now been chartered by the Legislature, much more capital and labor will doubtless soon be employed.

Iron ore is plentiful through the gold region. It was partially wrought before the Revolution, to supply a furnace in Spottsylvania: and might be worked to advantage now, were not wood scarce in the vicinity. Graphite, or carburet of iron, (improperly called black lead,) has been found in considerable quantities on the eastern branch of Contrary and on Cub creek ; the former 2 or 3 miles and the latter 6 or 7 miles below the gold region.

A range of granite from 5 to 8 miles wide, extends nearly across the county in much the same direction as the gold range, and in part coincid- ing with it; though generally the granite lies higher up the country, taper- ing off in the form of an ellipse, 6 or 8 miles to the S. W. of the Court House. Good millstones have been made of this rock. It is intermixed with the coarser and less pure granite, called gneiss. The rest of the county, without the granite region, is of the secondary formation ; chiefly slate, with quartz, mica, and some gneiss. Yet granite occasionally ap- pears miles distant from the range just described. On the castearn or rather south-eastern edge of the granite formation, about 5 miles N. E. of Louisa C. H., is a quarry of stone noraculite or Virginia oil-stone, highly valued for whet-stones. This quarry is a seam, or rein, 50 or 60 feet long and of unknown depth, in the centre of a peculiar formation, which extends for three-quarters of a mile in length, by a half-a-mile in breadth, partly within and partly without the granite range. The Virginia oilstone is exquisite- ly fine, and free from grit, yet sufficiently soft .* It is composed of feldtz- par, chrystallized silex, and sometimes hornblend, (three of the four ele- ments of granite ) Another whetstone quarry is ten miles S. of Louisa C. H., near what is called the Rack-punch, or Arrack-punch spring: but this is coarse compared with the former, being a sort of sandstone.

Population in 1830, 16,151, or 29 to the square mile. The following

* This valuable whetstone is now brought into market in large quantities by the proprieters, Messrs. Colman, Raymond &- Keller, Richmond. It has spread extensive- ly over the United States, and been sent to Europe.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

table shews the population, and its three comparative classes, at the three last enumerations.

Years.

Whites.

Slaves.

Free Col'd people.

Total.

1810

5,253

6,430

157

11,840

1820

5,967

7,560

219

13,746

1830

6,468

9,382

301

16,151

The slaves have increased more rapidly than whites; the free colored people more rapidly than either. The following table shews at what rate per cent the whole population and each of its three classes, have increased, both during the whole 20 years preceding the last census, and during each half of that period: .

In. of Whites. In. of Slares.

Periods.

per cent.

In. Fr. Col'd. per cent.

In. whole pop. per cent.

From 1810 to 1820

13}

173

From 1820 to 1830

From 1810 to 1830

363

The county contains about 1400 dwelling houses, besides those occupied by slaves. None of them can pretend to elegance or grandeur; for the greater number is of one story, and wooden, either framed or made with logs. Scarcely 20 are made of brick: and even painting is rare.

Trades, occupations, S.c .- Louisa contains 15 regular practising phy- sicians, 4 lawyers, 12 ministers of the gospel (all of whom, however, have other pursuits also;) 4 saddler's shops, 14 tanneries, 3 carriage maker's shops, 5 tailors' shops, 1 silversmith, about 30 grist mills, at several of which good wheat flour is made, and occasionally for the Richmond mar- ket. There is no cotton or woollen manufactory; but there are several machines for picking cotton and carding wool. The great mass of the population is agricultural. There are about 20 stores where merchandize is sold.

Religion and .morals .- The county contains about 2960 professing christians, viz. 1450 Baptists, 1340 Methodists, 140 Reformed Baptists, 20 Presbyterians, and 10 Episcopalians. Houses of worship, 25, besides two stations, or permanent camps, for camp-meetings. These rural church- es are of the plainest structure, usually framed of scantling, merely shin- gled and weatherboarded, without ceiling or plastering on the inside; and costing from 150 to 450 dollars.

The people in general are of moral and industrious habits. They have been noted for their simplicity in dress and equipage: what is called Vir- ginia-cloth being more frequently worn by them, than in most of the neigh- boring counties. There are 13 temperance societies in the county, com- prising altogether about 1200 members. There is a female colonization society, and several Bible, Tract, Missionary, and Sunday school societies.

Schools, state of learning, &c .- There is but one permanent classical school in Louisa. There are several for teaching the plainer branches of knowledge; and three female boarding schools. The county has usually furnished about 5 students annually to the University of Virginia.

Pauper system .- Until 1832 the poor were maintained ut their own houses, or in the houses of their friends, by a specific sum yearly allotted

WIL

1000

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

to each by the overseers of the poor. This sum was usually so squander- ed or misapplied, as to produce not more than half the due amount of com- fort and relief to the pauper: while at the same time many who were not proper objects of charity, palmed themselves as such upon the overseers. From both these causes, the poor lax arose to double its necessary or pro- per amount. In 1818 it was 35 cents on each tithable person; in 1828, 54 cents : in 1829, 55 cents; and in 1831, 62 cents. In 14 years its whole amount had risen from $1615 to $3502; and this by such steady and regn- lar strides as shewed a likelihood of continued advances. Alarmed at so rapid an increase of the burthen, the county court resolved, as a means of checking it, to establish a Poor House. In 1831, about 200 acres of land were purchased, with a neat two-story brick house and some useful out- houses ; to which several others were added at the county charge. The whole, cost less than $2000. The poor, who chose to receive parish aid, were brought to the institution in January, 1832: it being determined that relief should be afforded to none out of the Poor House. A superintendent, discreet, trusty, and kind, is employed for $200 per annum, and a small supply of meat and corn to his family. The inmates at the time this arti- cle was written were 29. They are well fed, clothed, and lodged; and more comfortable in all respects than they could be under the former system. The tax for their support on each tythable person in 1832, was reduced to 35 cents, and in 1833, to 13 cents. Formerly the number of paupers ranged from 50 to 90; costing the public, on an average, about $38 or 840. each. The present average is less than 826 each. Such as are able, labor upon the farm attached to the establishment ; and the females, who cannot work without doors, have cotton and wool furnished them to card and spin.

History, civil and political condition .- Louisa was laid off as a county (taken from the upper part of Hanover,) by an act of the General Assem- bly in May, 1742, and named after a princess of the royal family of Great Britain. In 1761 a portion was cut off from its upper end and added to Albemarle; leaving the boundaries of Louisa as they now stand. This county has been the scene of no important historical incident. Its citizens bore their full share in the Indian and French war of 1755, and in the war of the Revolution. Tarlton, with his cavalry, passed up by the Court House in 1781 on his expedition to Albemarle: and when La Fayette had united with Wayne at the Racoon Ford on the Rapidan, and turned to pur- suc the British general from whom he had been retreating, he made a forced and rapid march across this county, from Brock's Bridge on the North-Anna to the FInvanna line, in order to intercept the enemy. The road which he opened for this purpose is still known as "the Marquis's road;" passing southwesterly 3 or 4 miles above the Green Spring. In the same year, two tories who had attached themselves as marauders to the British army, were summarily hung by one Holland and another man, near the Goochland boundary, 21 miles S. from Lonisa C. H., with the countenance and before the eyes, of 20 or 30 of the neighboring people. Louisa has produced no very distinguished men. Yet she first sent Patrick Henry as a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1765, soon after his removal from Hanover; and she again elected him in 1776 and '7, till he returned to his native county.

Since the extension of the right of suffrage in 1830, there are about 900 persons qualified to vote: but not even 800 have ever actually voted; and

三

221

EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

the usual number polled is 5 or 600. There are two places of voting, or "election precincts," besides the Court-House.

Louisa belongs to the eleventh judicial cirenit and sixth district. . Taxes paid in 1832-3 83839 20,-in 1833-4-on land, 82,110 92-4764 slaves, $1191 00-3036 horses, $122 16-7 studs, 885 00-76 coaches, 8175 35 -44 carryalls, 44 00-91 gigs, $51 95. Total, $3840 38. - Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $505 13-in 1833, 442 96.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES. &c.

BOSWELLVILLE, P. O. on the road lors, a shoe maker, cabinet maker, leading from Richmond to Charlottes- ville, 64 ms. from the former, and 21 yer's offices, and a physician's. It is from the latter. It is 12 miles above 30 miles from Charlottesville. Louisa C. II. and 5 from the Green Springs.

BRADLEYSBURGH, P.O. 64 ms. N. W. by W. of R. and 109 from W. situated in the northern part of the county.

saddler, 2 taverns, a milliner, 2 law-

County Courts are held on the 2d Monday in every month. Quarterly in March, June, August and Novem- ber

JUDGE FIELD holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery on the 10th of April and September. The dockets of both courts are short.

CUCKOOVILLE, P. V. 112 miles from W. and 46 from R., situated on the road which leads from Rich- The amount of litigation being small

mond to Louisa C. IL., 8 ins. from the latter. It contains a tavern, mer-

by reason of the economy and inde- pendence of the people. The clear cantile store, boot and shoe factory, amount of the clerks' fees in both blacksmith shop, and 1 house of. pub- lie worship, which belongs to the reformed Baptists, or Campbellites. courts, after dedutting insolvencies and the expenses of collections, isless than $1,200 per annum. The sher-

DABNEY'S MILLS, P. O. in the E. ffakty is farmed for 8350 per annum. part of the county, 84 ms. S. W. off MECHANICKSVILLE, P. O. situated W. and 52 N. of R .- situated on the within half a mile of South-Anna North-Anna river, which divides river, immediately on the road lead- Louisa from Spottsylvania county .- There are located here a tavern, a tanner and currier, tailor, blacksmith, and a saw mill.

GARDNER'S CROSS ROADS, P. O. This village contains several dwel -. 40 ms. N. W. of R. and 96 S. W. ling houses, 1 house of public wor- of W.

JACKSON, P. O. 37 ms. N. W. of R. and 98 from W.

ship, free for all denominations, 1 mercantile store, 1 tavern, 1 common school, and mechanics of various des-

LOCUST CREEK, P. O. formerly criptions. This place was founded Chinquepin Grove, 101 ms. S. W. offin 1825, and takes its name from the W. and 33 from R.

number of mechanics located here. Wagons, carts, &c. are manufactured

LOUISA C. II. P. V. 110 ms. S. of W. and 54 N. W. of R .- situated to great perfection, and in great num- precisely in lat. 38º N. and long. 1º W. of W. C. It contains besides the bers. The surrounding country is wealthy, and considered one of the Court-house, jail, and a large house best wheat districts below the moun- of worship, 4 stores, a silversmith, tains. The land is level and fertile. blacksmith, 2 carriage makers, 2 tai- Population 40.

ing from Richmond to Charlottes- ville, 65 ms. from the former, and 20 from the latter-12 ms. above Louisa C. H. and 5 from the Green Springs.

一

222

EASTERN VIRGINIA-LOUISA.

NEWARK, P. O. in the eastern part | place. It is situated on the south side of the county, 60 mns. N. W. of R. Jof South Anna river, within the dis- tance of half a mile from its banks. and 113 from W. C .- situated on the road leading from Richmond to Char- lottesville-25 ms. from the latter.

POTTIESVILLE, P. O. 89 ms. from W. and 47 from R.

THOMPSON'S K ROADS, P. O. 45 miles N. W. of R. and 101 from W. situated on the stage road leading from Fredericksburg to Cartersville, 50 miles S. of the former, and 20 N. of the latter, 40 miles E. of Char- lottesville, 7 from Yanceyville, and 15 from Louisa C. H .- There are 2 dwelling houses, 2 cabinet maker's shops, 1 boot and shoe factory, and 1 Baptist house of worship, called South Anna meeting house, located at this Ifree for all denominations.

POINDEXTER'S STORE, P. O. 68 miles N. W. of R. and 135 of W., situated within half a mile from South Anna river, 10 miles from Louisa C. HI. and 25 from Charlottesville. This place contains a general store, car- riage maker, blacksmith shop, and one Baptist house of public worship. YANCEYVILLE, a small village on the South Anna river, 44 miles from R., 8 from Louisa C. H. and 40 from Charlottesville. This village contains a tavern, general store, blacksmith shop, boot and shoe factory, manufac- turing flour mill, and a meeting house, .

LUNENBURG.

. LUNENBURG was created by act of the Legislature in 1746, and formed from a part of Brunswick county. It is bounded N. by Prince Edward,- N. E. by Nottoway river, which separates it from Nottoway county,-E. by Brunswick,-S. by Meherrin river, which separates it from Mecklenburg, and W. by Charlotte .- Its length is 25 miles, mean breath 16, and area 400 square miles; and it extends in lat. from 37° 46' to 37° 04', and in long. [° 8' to 1º 22' W. of W. C. A ridge runs through the county, from E. to W. N. W., from which the waters flow N. E. and S. E. into the Nottoway and Mcherrin. The general slope of the county is S. E. by E. Popula- tion in 1820, 10,667 -- in 1830, 11,957. Lunenburg belongs to the ninth judicial circuit, and fifth district. Tax paid in 1833, 82392 18 -- in 1834, on land, 81056 91-3813 slaves, 8953 25 -- 2236 horses, 8134 16-7 studs, 8100 00-46 coaches, 8128 00-20 carryalls, 826 00-88 gigs, 853 85-Total, 82452 17. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8282 41-in 1833, $212 20.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BRYDIE'S STORE, P. O. in the nor- tolerably fertile, producing corn, wheat, thern part of the county, 82 ms. S. cotton and tobacco, the latter article is W. of R. and 204 from W.

COLUMBIAN GROVE, P. O. 98 ms. S. W. of R. and 220 from W., situ- ated on Saffold's road, 4 ms. N. of Saffold's bridge across Meherrin river, 10 ms. E. of Lewiston, the county seat, and 58 W. S. W. of Petersburg. The lands in the neighborhood are

the staple commodity, and grows to great perfection on the low lands, creek bottoms, and margins of streams. DOUBLE BRIDGE, P. O. 87 miles S. W. of R. and 206 from W.

HALEYSBURGH, P. O. 210 miles from W. and 95 from R.

LEWISTON, P. V. usually called

223

EASTERN VIRGINIA-LUNENBURG.

Lunenburg C. II., 91 ms. S. W. of miles. Population 75 persons; of Richmond, and 213 from W. C .- in whom two are attorneys, and one a practising physician. lat. 36° 50' N. and in long. 1º 16' W. of W. C. It is situated about the County Courts are held on the 2d Monday in every month ;- Quarter- ly in March, June, August and No- vember. centre of the county, in an elevated and healthy part of it, on the stage road leading from Petersburg, to Wil- liamsburg, N. C. and the stage passes JUDGE LEIGH holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 4th of May and October. through on every day except Sunday. It contains 20 dwelling houses, besides a handsome court house of brick, LAUREL HILL, P. O. 94 ms. S. W. of R. and 216 from W. with a portico, and four large columns in front, jail and clerk's office, 2 mer- McFARLAND's, P. O. 79 ms. from R. and 201 from W. cantile stores, and 2 taverns. The principal mechanics are wheelwrights, MEHERRIN GROVE, P. O. 92 ms. S. W. of R. and 194 from W. saddle and harness makers and black- smiths. This town was lad off in the OAK GROVE, P. O. 88 ms. from R. and 210 from W. year 1817, by act of assembly of that year. There was at that time but one PLEASANT GROVE, P. O. 89 ms. S. W. of R. and 204 from W. family living here. The distance from Petersburg is 65 miles, from WATTSBORO', P. O. in the western part of the county, 97 ms. S. W. of Hampden Sydney College 28, and from Randolph Macon College 30JR. and 219 from W.

MADISON.

THE county of Madison was created by the Legislature in the year 1792, and was taken entirely from the county of Culpeper. It is bounded on the north by the counties of Rappahannock and Culpeper, on the south by the county of Orange, on the west by the counties of Rockingham and Page, (the top of the Blue Ridge being the dividing line,) and on the east by a part of Culpeper and Orange. Its length is 234 miles, and its breadth 12} ; and it contains an area of about 290 miles square, extending in lat. from 38° 14' to 38º 38' N. and in long. from 1º 09' to 1º 30' W. of W. C. In the western part of the county there are several large mountains extending from the Blue Ridge into the county in an easterly direction fromn five to ten miles; the principal of these are, the Ragged mountain, the Double Top mountain, the Forked mountain, and the Bluff mountain; they are more elevated than. the Blue Ridge. From these large and lofty mountains, there are a number of small mountains projecting from them into the county, some of which, are very fertile, and produce in great abundance, wheat, rye, oats, corn, hemp, and tobacco: wheat may be con- sidered the staple of the county. In the mountain region small quantities of tobacco are made, and when well managed, it is of superior quality, and of fine texture and flavor. Between these mountains there are fine valleys of rich bottom land. Fruit of almost every description common to the cli- mate, particularly apples, grow to great perfection and in great abundance, in the mountains of Madison.

Hughes' river rises in the Blue Ridge, in the north part of the county, and constitutes a part of the dividing line between Madison and Rappahan- nock. The Robinson river rises in like manner in the Blue Ridge, and

224

EASTERN VIRGINIA-MADISON.

winds its course between the Ragged and Double Top mountains; it affords a quantity of fine low grounds. The high lands properly managed are ve- ry productive in small grain. This part of the county is thickly inhabited by industrious, independent farmers. The Rapid Ann (formerly called the Staunton river) rises in the Blue Ridge, between the Double Top mountain and the Bluff mountain, it winds its course in a southeastern direction and passes through a beautiful rich valley, for 8 or 10 miles, where the small mountains break off abruptly. The pine lands commence about that point and extend with a mixture of hickory, oak, chesnut, locust, poplar, &c. to the lower end of the county, a distance of between 15 and 20 miles. The Robinson and Rapid Ann rivers form a junction immediately at the lower end of the county. The Rapid Ann, from 10 to 15 miles above the union with the Robinson, receives several tributary streams, to wit: the Conway or Middle river, the South river and the Blue Run. At the lower end of the county, in what is called the Robinson fork, Gryan's run passes through a rich tract of country and empties into the Robinson river. The German ridge, which is a spur of the Double Top mountain, lies east of the Rapid Ann river a short distance, and runs south nearly parallel with the river, until it breaks off at the Rapid Ann meeting house. On the cast of this little mountain there are several bold, fine springs, which constitute the head waters of the white oak run, which empties into the Robinson river, about two miles north of Madison C. H. and near the German Lutheran church. This small stream which extends 8 or 10 miles from its source to its junc- tion with the Robinson river, affords a large body of beautiful rich bottom land, it contains a dense and wealthy population. This river passes within half a mile on the west of Madison C. HI. In the county there are seve- ral other small streams, such as Dark run, Cedar run, between Madison and Culpeper, the Big run and Whetstone run, which empties into the Rapid Ann, near where the small mountains break off. In the county of Madi- son there is but one incorporated town, called " The Town of Madison," it contains the county seat of Justice. It is a thriving little village, located very near the centre of the county, on a high, elevated ridge, and commands a beautiful and picturesque view of the Blue Ridge and all of the little mountains extending into the county. The Thoroughfare mountain is a sinall mountain, about 8 miles N. E. of Madison C. H. and the Lost monn- tain about 5 miles S. E. of the C. IL. They are entirely detached from the other mountains, and are nearly 20 miles cast of the Blue Ridge. The public buildings have been recently erected of brick. The C. H. is built in the Corinthian order, and the workmanship exeented in superior style. There are a number of private schools in the county of Madison, but no public seminary of learning. About the mountains there are many indica- tions of iron ore, particularly about the Forked mountain. Lead has been found on some parts of the German ridge, and it is said recently that some signs of gold have been seen in the lower end of the county, but no particular search or examination has been made. There are two springs in the Ger- man ridge and near it, which are strongly impregnated with sulphur, but the water has never been analyzed and no attention seems now to be paid to it. This county is generally well watered, it has a pure climate, portions of it very rich soil, susceptible of a high state of improvement by clover and plaster, and for beauty and sublimity of scenery, surpassed by few spots in Virginia. It contains 12 manufacturing flour mills, 20 grist mills, from 10 to 15 saw mills, a number of tanneries, wheelwrights, carpenters, black-

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 28

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