A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 29

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 29
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 29

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).

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EASTERN VIRGINIA -- MADISON.

smiths, saddlers, carding machines, and 15 general stores and groceries. There are in this county 5 resident physicians and 2 attorneys, 6 ministers of the gospel, and 15 churches or meeting houses, and a number of itine- rant preachers, principally of the Methodist persuasion. The different reli- gious sects in this county are the Baptists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lu- therans and Methodists-the Baptists being the most numerous. Population in 1820, 8,490-in 1830, 9,236. It belongs to the eleventh judicial circuit, and sixth district. Taxes paid in 1833, 82179 70-in 1834, on lots, 839 46-on land, $1350 54-2247 slaves, 8561 75 -- 1171 horses, $118 26- 7 studs, $76 00-23 coaches, 847 25 -- 3 carryalls, $3 00-22 gigs, 815 25 -- Total, $2211 51. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $248 10-in 1833, $316 82.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

CRIGLERSVILLE, P. O. 10 ms. N. day schools. There are in the vicinity of the court house.

5 manufacturing flour mills. The GRAVES, P. O. situated in the wes- tern part of Madison, 108 miles from R. and 110 S. W. of W. mechanics of the village are 2 tanners and curriers, 2 saddlers, 2 boot and shoe makers, 1 wheelwright, 3 black- JAMES CITY, P. O. 87 ms. from smiths, 1 coppersmith and tin plate W. and 105 from R .- situated on worker, 1 wagon maker, 1 house Crooked run, on the north side of joiner, 1 cabinet and wheat fan maker, Thoroughfare mountain, nine miles and 4 tailors. The town is healthy, distant both from Madison and and improving. It has 2 resident at- Culpeper court houses, on the line torneys and 4 practising physicians; whole population 290. which divides the two counties of Cul- peper and Madison. It contains one County Courts are held on the 4th Thursday in every month ;- Quarter- ly in February, May, July and Oc- tober. large, well kept tavern, called Madi- son Inn, one mercantile store, one boot and shoe factory, a tailor, black- smith shop, and a merchant mill .- There is a Baptist house of worship in the vicinity. Population 50.

MADISON, P. V. and seat of jus- lice, situated near the centre of the county, 110 miles N. N. W. of R. and 96 S. W. by W. of W. in lat. 38° 22' N. and long. 1° 15' W. of W. C. This village, besides the or- dinary county buildings, contains 34 dwelling houses, 6 mercantile stores, 2 taverns, 2 houses of public worship, of which one belongs to the Episco- palians, and the other is free for all denominations, (of which the princi- pal part are Baptists, Methodists, E- tion 73 persons; of whom one is a

piscopalians, Presbyterians, and It- therans,) and 2 well organized Sun- 29

JUDGE FIELD holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 12th of May and October.

RAPID ANN MEETING HOUSE, P. O. situated in the western part of the county, 102 miles from R. and 104 S. W. of W. This little village con- tains 8 dwelling houses, besides shops, &c., 3 houses of public worship, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopalian, and 1 free for all denominations, 1 common school, 3 mercantile stores, 1 house of enter- tainment, 1 tanyard, 2 wagon makers, 1 chair maker, 1 boot and shoe facto- ry, 1 blacksmith shop, &c. Popula- physician.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-MATHEWS.

MATHEWS.

MATHEWS was created by act of Assembly, in 1790, and formed from a part of Gloucester county. This county is a peninsula, extending into the Chesapeake bay, united to the main by a narrow neck of land scarcely a mile wide, and its boundaries are almost entirely of water. It is bounded on the north by Piankatank river, which separates it from Middlesex, and by the Chesapeake; on the south by the Chesapeake and Mob-Jack bays; on the east by the Chesapeake; and on the west by North river and Mob- Jack bay and a narrow neck of land uniting it to Gloucester-extending in Jat. from 37º 22' to 37% 30' N. and long. from 00 33' to 00 48' E. of W. C. This county is indented by numerous inlets from the bay, which cut and divide the land into a number of small necks, that are bounded on each side by a creek or river. The principal rivers are the Piankatank, East, and North rivers. The former is a bold stream, about a mile wide at its mouth, and extending itself 30 or 40 miles ;into the interior, terminates in the Dragon swamp. East river is about the same width of the Piankatank at its mouth, which opens into Mob-Jack bay; it runs about 8 or 9 miles up, in the centre of the county, four miles from its mouth it sends off a branch, named Pudding creek, at the head of which is situated the court house. North river likewise enters into Mob-Jack bay; it does not differ much in size from the two rivers just described, and runs up into Glouces- ter, for the distance of 15 miles. These rivers are all salt, of course, as they derive their waters from the bay, a little fresh water mingles with them at their heads, but does not materially affect their saltness, except after very heavy and long continued rains. Besides these rivers, there are creeks almost too numerons to be named. Muddy creek is at the upper part of the county, and forms part of the line of separation from Gloucester : it is a ve- ry inconsiderable creek, and enters the Piankatank. Cob's creek is rather larger, it is abont a mile long, and enters the same river 3 or 4 miles above its mouth. Queen's creek is much more considerable in size, being a fourth of a mile wide, and three miles in length; it enters the Piankatank at its mouth. About three miles below Queen's creek, is the mouth of Slut's creek, which opens into Milford Haven, it is of the same size with Queen's creek. Two miles below are Lilley's and Billup's creeks, they are small and near each other; they enter Milford Haven. A part of the bay which flows in between the main land and Gwyn's island, and extends from the mouth of Piankatank to Billup's creek, is called Milford Haven, and is a secure harbor for vessels. At the lower extremity of the Haven is situated a small, uninhabited island, named Rigby's, between which and the main, is a passage called the 'Thoroughfare. A short distance below this is Gar- den creek, which is a small stream that enters into the Chesapeake. Off the mouth of this creek is a shoal, extending five miles out in the bay, nam- ed the Wolf Trap, and on which is stationed a light boat. Winter Harbor is a creek or inlet from the bay, which is narrow at its entrance, after run. · ning a few hundred yards widens, and diverging extends itself into small branches, which run a mile or two in the land. Horn Harbor is another inlet just below the former, being much larger but not extending itself any farther in the land. Dier's creek is an inconsiderable stream, just below Horn Harbor. The point of land lying below Dier's creek, is the lowest extremity of the county, named New Point Comfort; it is a sandy point which juts out into the bay, and on which is erected a Light House. After

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-MATHEWS.

leaving New Point Comfort and ascending on the south side of the county, about one mile above is Harper's creek, which is small. Pepper creek two miles above is more considerable. Two or three miles higher up, is the mouth of East river, between which and the mouth of North river is a point called White's. Entering the North river a short distance from its mouth, is Godsey's creek, and 4 or 5 miles higher is Black Water creek, opening in the North river and running a mile or two into the interior.

This county is only 20 miles long, and in its widest section not more than 8, and area 127 sq. miles, varying from that width, down to a-point, so that it will be seen from the sketch of the water courses, that the land is divided into many sections or necks :- thus Chapel neck is a small body of land lying between North river and Black Water :- White's neck lies between North and East rivers, and consists of a considerable body of land which terminates at White's point. The land lying between C'ob's and Queen'ser. is called Cow neck, and terminates in two points denominated Iron and Bur- ton's points. Between Queen's and Slut's creeks, is situated Crab neck, at the north corner of which neck is a place called Cricket hill. Lying be- tween Lilley's and Billup's creeks, is Lilley's neck. Between Winter and Horn Harbors, is a small point of land named Potatoe neck. The body of land which is situated between Ilorn Harbor and East river, extending from thence to the lowest extremity of the county is known as Point Comfort.

The most remarkable feature in the topography of this county is its ex- treme levelness. The banks of the Piankatank river are somewhat elevated and from thence the land descends in an almost uninterrupted plain, until it terminates in the waters of the bay. It was evidently at some period co- vered by the sea, or bay, as the whole face of the country incontestibly proves. There are about 60,000 acres of land in this county, which is of a medium quality as regards feltility. It produces corn and oats, but is not so well adapted to wheat, from its extreme humidity; the country lays so remarkably level, that it is a very laborions and difficult operation to drain and lay dry the land. The soil is generally a sandy loam, with a substra- tum of clay; there is little or none of silicions earth, nor does it contain any calcareous matter. Marl has been found in some parts of this county, and if sought, could no doubt be obtained in most places by digging to a suffi- cient depth. In digging wells, cocele shells, oyster shells, and the shells of many testaceous animals, not known at the present day, are found 20 feet below the surface; together with wood, roots, weeds and a variety of unde- composed vegetable substances. Recently, the leg bone of an animal. sup- posed to be an ox, although much larger than that animal now exists, was found twenty feet below the surface, which is lower than the bed of the con- tignous river. These facts present matter for interesting speculations to the minds of the geologist and naturalist.

The natural growth of timber on this land is oak, which ship carpenters say, will vie with the live oak, pine, chesunt and guin. . The land after cultivation, if permitted to lie out, invariably puts up a growth of pine.

Mathews contains a population of 7666 souls, of which number 3481 are slaves, and 190 free negroes. The people of this county are engaged in ship building, maritime and agricultural pursuits. Until recently the two former occupied their principal attention; so entirely were they engaged in ship building some years back, that the cultivation of the soil, was alnost entirely neglected, and it was necessary to import corn for home consump- tion-hence it is that this county has been behind others in agricultural

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-MATHEWS ..

skill; lately vessel building has decreased, and agriculture receives more attention. About 20 years ago, there were annually built one hundred ves- sels of various sizes and denominations, from large ships down to the small- est craft; at the present period there are built, every year, from 20 to 30 vessels of different burdens. There are belonging to this county about 200 ship carpenters, a great number of them find employment in the Navy Yards and other places during the summer months, and return to their homes on the approach of winter. The low price at which vessels are built render it rather unprofitable, and the workmen cannot all find employment at home.

East river is a port of entry, and has a Collector, and Inspector of the revenue attached to it; there are 1700 tons of shipping belonging to this port, among which is one ship, one brig, and a number of schooners and small skippers. Some of them make voyages to almost every part of the commercial world, hence it is, that many of the young men are trained to the perils of the sca.

This county is supplied with meal by means of wind and tide mills, there being 10 wind and 2 tide mills, with only one common grist mill; conse- quently the people do not feel much inconvenience from long, dry seasons, except in procuring water for the cattle. The land, lying almost on a dead level, there cannot be any fresh water streams running through it, and con- sequently in dry seasons every cattle hole, at which the stock was watered dries up, and they suffer much from thirst. Sometimes, in excessive drought, the inhabitants have difficulty in procuring water to drink themselves. Wells are generally dug 8 or 10 feet deep, so that the water they contain is that which filtrates through the earth, and when the ground becomes dry, the water ceases to flow; but recently wells have been dug 30 feet, when large veins of water have been found, which are inexhaustible. There are a few springs of excellent water, but they are rare. The manufacture of castor oil has been carried on by only one press, a few years since the palma christi bean was extensively cultivated, but it is now reduced.

On the east side of the county is an island comprehended within its limits and known by the name of Gwyn's island; it contains 2000 acres of land, and 200 inhabitants. Itis surrounded by the waters of the Chesapeake; it has two points, that to the north is called Cherry Point, and that to the south Sandy Point. There is a tradition, that Pocahontas, in attempting to swim across the Piankatank river, was near drowning, but was rescued from a watery grave by an individual, to whom, as a reward for his services, she gave this island. After Lord Dunmore was driven from Williamsburg, he took up his quarters on this island, where he remained some time.

The predominant religion of the people is the Methodist; there are in this county seven meeting houses belonging to that denomination, two of which belongs to the reformed Methodist; there are two Baptist meeting houses, the congregations attached to which are rather thin ; there are a few Episcopalians and Universalists, who, however have no places for pub- lic worship; the latter never had any church, and the churches held by the former, under the old established English church, have fallen into dilapida- tion and decay. There is a Sunday school kept at almost every house of public worship in the county, and several common schools, but no academy. Population in 1810, 4227 -- in 1820, 6920-in 1830, 7666. It belongs to the fourth judicial circuit and second district. Taxes paid in 1833, 8955 98 -in 1834, on land, $380 13-1691 slaves, 8423 50-559 horses, 833 54

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-MECKLENBURG.

-18 coaches, $46 10-14 carryalls, 816 20-86 gigs, 850 60 -- Total, 8950 07. -

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BELL ISLE, P. O. in the northern | These houses are all well built of part of the county, 13 ms. S. E. of R. brick. Westville is a port of entry; and 182 S. S. E. of W.

MATHEWS C. H. or Westville, P. V. and seat of justice, is situated near the centre of the county. It lies in 37° 35' N. lat. and 0° 40' E. long. of Washington, 100 ms. E. of R. and 184 from W. C. Westville contains

there are 2 regular packets which ply between this place and Norfolk week- ly, and 1 that runs from it to Balti- more. Population 150, including 3 regular physicians.

County Courts are held on the 2d Monday in every month ;- Quarterly

about 30 houses, 4 mercantile stores, in March, May, August and Now'r.

1 tanyard, 3 boot and shoe factories, 1 tailor, 2 blacksmiths, 1 saddler, 1 car-) riage maker, and 1 tavern. 'The pub- lic buildings are a very neat, new C. H., 2 jails, 1 for criminals and the other for debtors, and a clerk's office. the Co., 91 ms. E. of R. & 175 from W.

JUDGE SEMPLE holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chan- cery on the Tuesdays after the 1st Mondays in April and October.

NORTH END, P. O. in the W. part of

MECKLENBURG.

MECKLENBURG, was created by the legislature in 1764, and formed out of a portion of Lunenburg :- It is bounded on the N. by Meherrin river, which divides it from the county of Lunenburg, on the E. by a line running S. from the Meherrin to the Roanoke river, where it intersects the North Carolina line. On the S. by the state of N. C. on the W. by Aron's creek, and the Dan and Staunton rivers, which divide it from Halifax, and by a line running N. 31º E. 15} ms. which divides it from the county of Charlotte. It extends from 36° 30', to 36° 59' N. lat. and in long. 1º 08', to 1º 40' W. of W. C .- Length 36, mean width 18, and area 736 sq. ms. The rivers Dan and Staunton are separated by a narrow slip of land called the fork of Hali- fax, for 8 ms. which in that distance is no where more than 1 mile wide, and in several places not more than 100 yards, and has three passages uniting the 2 rivers before their final junction at Clarksville where they form the Roanoke.

The Dan from Aron's creek, as the river meanders to its junction with the Staunton at Clarksville, is 123 ms., and its course is E. S. E. the course of the Staunton is S. E. by E. and its distance as the river meanders from the Charlotte line, to Clarksville, is 9 ms. The course of the Roanoke from " Clarksville to the S. E. corner of the county, where it intersects the N. C. line, is E. by S .- Thus the Roanoake and Dan divide the county into two unequal parts; that on the S. side of the river is somewhat the largest, but much the narrowest, and lies in the form of a rectangular triangle, the legs of which are the N. C. line; and Aron's creek, and the rivers Roanoke and Dan forin the hypothenuse, throwing about 200 sq. ms. of this county, on the S side of the river. There are on the Roanoke, about 12,000 acres of very fertile low grounds, which are valued on an average, at $30 00 per

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-MECKLENBURG.

acre :- the average width of the river is about 250 yards, and it has a de- scent or fall, of abont 2 feet in a mile: the greatest falls are those at the Horseford, and Butcher's creek falls, each of which has a fall of about 5 feet, in the distance of a mile. Fish are not very abundant in this river, but in the proper season a few shad are caught on the slopes fixed in the ri- ver, and with small seins :- the other fish are jack, chub, perch, round fish, &c. This river is navigable for boats, carrying 9 or 10 hogsheads of to- bacco. The river Meherrin which forms the northern boundary of the county, is (below the forks of the N. and S. Meherrin) about 40 yards wide on an average, and the decent, or fall of the river is about 3 feet in a mile. The bed of this river, is about 10 feet higher than the bed of the Roanoke. 'The quantity of low grounds on it, is not more than 1,000 acres, valued at an average price of $20 00 per acre. This river would be one of the easiest to render navigable of any in the state, by means of lock and dam navigation, from the head to Bellfield, in Greensville, where the Petersburg Rail road crosses the river. The principal creeks in the county, on the S. side of the river, head in Granville, N. C., and are Aron's creek, which divides it from Halifax, on which are located 3 grist and 2 saw mills; and Buffalo creek on the margin of which, is 1 grist mill. On the latter creek are situated those valuable medicinal springs, called the Buffalo springs which in the watering season are visited by a number of persons from the south eastern part of the state, who do not choose to go as far up the coun- try as the mountains: those 2 creeks empty into the Dan river. On Blue Creek, half a mile below Clarksville, is situated 1 saw and grist mill. Grassey Creek has 1 grist mill on it, and receives before it empties into the river the water of Bearer pond creek: this creek empties into the Roanoke three fourths of a mile above Field's ferry. Nutbush has 1 grist mill lo- caated on it, and empties into the river, 1} ms. below Haskins' ferry. Cot- ton creek enters the river 13 ms. below Alexande's ferry, and Smith's creel:, 2 ms. below St. Tammany. Those creeks which empty into the Stanton, on the N. side of the river, are the Big, Little, and Middle Blue- stone. Big Bluestone heads in Charlotte, and Little and Middle Bluestone. empty into it before it reaches the river. Kettle Creek also empties into Bluestone. Island creek is rather a bion or arm of the river, which breaks or runs out below Skipwith's ferry, and again enters the river, about 5 ms. below Clarksville; but before it empties into the river again, it receives the Sandy creek. On Butcher's creek is situated 2 mills, and empties into the Roanoke at Butcher's creek falls, about 10 ms. below Clarksville. Allen's creek is the largest and longest creek in the county, and discharges more water than any other,-it has 3 mills on it, and receives on its passage to the river Coleman's, and Mine creeks from the W. and Laton's creek, Cox's creek and the Long Branch on the E. Coleman's and Cox's creek have each 1 mill on them. Allen's creek divides the lands of the county on the N. side of the river, into two nearly equal parts, it enters the river about 2 ins above Alexander's ferry. On Miles' creek is located 3 mills and empties into the river at Goode's ferry. Dockery creek empties into Miles' creek. Aven's creek and Parham's creek empty into Flut creek, which has 1 mill on it, and empties into the river 23 ins. below Goode's ferry. Great creek has 1 mill on it, and empties into the river 72 ms. below St. Tamna- ny. Robin's creek empties into the Roanoke, near Haskins' ferry. Most of the larger creek's which empty into Roanoke, head within 2 or 3 ms. of the Meherrin. There are several other small creeks which empty into

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EASTERN VIRGINIA -- MECKLENBURG.

Roanoke, or into the large creeks before they get to the river. The creeks which empty into Meherrin river, are Finnewood, which rises in Charlotte, Otter creek, Blackstone creek, Buckhorn mountain, and Stith's creek. Tay- lor's creek rises in this county, and empties into the Meherrin 1 mile below Gec's Bridge, in the county of Brunswick. The quantity of low grounds which lie on the creeks and branches, may be estimated at about 4,000 acres, and is supposed to be worth an average price of $20 an acre.

'The most eastern mountain in the state is in this county, and lies on the Meherrin river, at the mouth of Mountain creek,-it is called Watkins' mountain. This county is neither mountainous or level, but is beautifully undulating, with hills and vallies: it is more hilly near the Meherrin river than elsewhere. The ridge which divides the waters of the Roanoke, from those of the Meherrin, is 210 ft. higher than the bed of the Roanoke, and 200 higher than the bed of the Meherrin.

The soil of this county is generally fertile, although the ridges are thin and poor, yet it is generally a free soil. The lower, or eastern part of the county, is generally a light gray, or sandy soil, but free and productive; producing corn, oats cotton and tobacco of excellent quality, and as abundantly as any other part of the county; it is in truth, the best cotton land in the county, but it is not so good for wheat as the other parts. There is a strip of land, running nearly through the centre of the county, from N. to S. about 10 ms. in width, commencing 1 mile below Allen's creek and con- tinuing for 3 miles above Butcher's creek : the land is stiff and red,-it con- sists of some of the best tracts of land in the county, though upon the ridges near Allen's and Butcher's creeks, some of it is sterile, but generally it is the best wheat land in the county, and produces a rich heavy crop of to- bacco; and in wet years excellent crops of corn and oats. The land in the upper part of the county above this red belt, is a light grey, gravelly soil, and produces abundantly corn, oats, wheat and tobacco, but very little cotton is made in this section. The land on the S. side of Roanoke, is generally a light grey, fertile soil; and near Buffalo creek is a very free, productive grain land; on, and near Grassy creek, both above and below, it is not so good,-on Nutbush, Cotton, and Smith's creek, it is generally very good- and productive in grain, cotton and tobacco, The land on Bluestone, Cox's creek, Miles' creek, and Flat creek, is the best in the county, except the Roanoke plantations. The land on Allen's creek and Butcher's creek, although it contains a few of the best upland tracts in the county, is gene- rally inferior to other parts.

'The minerology of this county is but little known. There are some old pits, which are said to have been dug during, or before the revolution, by a mining company; and it is said that considerable quantities of silver were obtained from them; but nothing has been attempted with them within the Jast 50 or 60 years,-they are situated on Mine creek, near the centre of the county. There are indications of coal and iron to be found in several places, but no exertions have ever been made to discover the quantity, or value of it. There is a vein of granite, running through the county from S. W. to N. E. and in many of the hills, much gray rock. On most of the districts there is much common white flint rock ; and in many places a spe- cies of rock which is of a yellowish gray color, which pulverizes very easily, and makes a fine grit for polishing metals. The timber is oak, pine and hickory,-the pine is principally confined to the lands about the centre of the county, between Cox's creek, and Bluestone; the oak is principally

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 29

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