A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 33

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 33
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 33

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).

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BARBOURSVILLE, P. V. at the and immediately on the main road north western foot of the S. W. moun- tain, 105 ms. S. W. of W. and 76 ms. N. W. of R., situated at the intersec- tion of the main stage road, leading from Washington to Milledgeville, Georgia, and the road from Swift Run Gap to Richmond. It contains 2 mercantile stores, 2 houses of private entertainment, 2 tanyards, a saddler, tailor, wheelwright, blacksmith, boot and shoe maker, house of public wor- ship, free for all denominations, and 2 Sunday schools. The situation is handsome, and well chosen for a vil- lage, 12 ms. S. W. of Orange C. H. 17 ms. from Charlottesville, and 6 ms. from the elegant seat of the venera. ble ex-president MADISON. "A mail from the N., and 1 from the S. ar- rives here every day, and a horse mail twice a week. Population 50 persons; of whom 1 is a physician.

BURTONSVILLE, P. O. in the cus- tern part of the county, 98 ms. N. W. of R. and 108 from W., situated on the S. bank of the Rapid Ann river,

leading from Fredericksburg to Swift Run Gap, 50 ms. above the former, and 14 ms. below the latter, 16 ms. above Orange C. Il. and 6 ms. below Stannardsville, 10 ms. S. of Madison C. Il. and 28 ms. S. of Culpeper C. II. at the intersection of the roads leading from the two last mentioned places to Charlottesville, and Swift Run Gap, about il ms. W. of Mr. Madison's residence, and 25 N. of Charlottesville. Burtonsville was formerly extensively known, on ac- count of its commercial business, but at present it has only a private-resi- dence, and P. O. 'The soil of the sur- rounding country is good, and well adapted, to the culture of tobacco, In- dian corn, wheat, Rye, &c. and sus- ceptible of easy and high improve- ment by the use of clover, plaster, &c. The neighbourhood is well watered and healthy, with an indus- trious and thriving community.

CHESNUT HILL, P. O. 85 ms. from R. and 87 ms. from W.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-ORANGE.

CAVESVILLE, P. O. situated 6 ms. (mail stages run daily through this above Barboursville, on the road place from Washington City to the from Swift Run Gap, to Richmond, 82 ms. N. W. of R. and 111 ms. from W.

W. and one tri weekly, 4 horse coach from here to Richmond. Population 503 persons ; of whom 4 are attorneys and 3 regular physicians.

GORDONSVILLE, P. O. 70 ms. N. W. of R. and 102 ms. S. W. of W., County Courts are held on the 4th Monday in every month. Quarterly situated at the eastern foot of the S. W. mountain, and on the sources of in March, May, August and Novem- the North Anna river, about 50 ms. ber. S. W. by W. of Fredericksburg, and JUDGE FIELD holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery 10 ms. S. of Orange C. HI. It con- tains several dwelling houses, a mer- on the 28th of April and September. cantile store, tavern and smith's shop.

ORANGE SPRING, P. O. 104 ms. from R. and 94 ms. from W.

RIVER BANK, or Ellisville P. O. 97 ms. from R. and 104 ms. S. W. of W., situated at the junction of Hicko-

ORANGE C. II. P. V. 80 ms. ry creek with the North Anna river. It contains 10 dwelling houses, 1 mercantile store, 1 manufacturing flour mill, 1 grist and saw mill, 1 tanyard, 1 saddler, 1 tailor, 1 boot and shoe maker, 1 blacksmith, 1 wheelwright, 1 cabinet maker, and 1 house carpen- ter. This place is rapidly improving and bids fair to become a flourishing village. Population about 100.

contains besides the ordinary county buildings, 51 dwelling houses, mostly of brick, and built in a handsome

STANARDSVILLE, P. O. 92 ms. from R. and 114 S. W. of W., situated style, 9 mercantile stores, 2 houses ( f|in the extreme western part of the Co. near the Blue Ridge, immediately on the Hillsborough road, leading from Louisa C. H. to Harrisonburg, in a healthy and pleasant neighborhood. It contains 21 dwelling houses, 5 Imercantile stores, 2 taverns, I tanyard, 1 saddler, 1 boot and shoc factory, 1 tailor, 2 smith shops, 1 wheelwright, 1 hatters shop, and 1 gun smith. Pop- ulation, whites, 90 persons ; of whom I is a physician,-colored 52. 'Total, 142:

public worship, built of brick, (1 Epis- copalian, and 1 Methodist,) 1 female academy, 2 common schools and 2 hotels. The mechanics are 1 hat manufacturer, 2 cabinet makers, 1 sil- ver smith and jeweller, 3 blacksmiths, 1 boot and shoe manufacturer, 1 tan- yard, 1 house and sign painter, 2 bricklayers, 3 house carpenters, 1 wagon maker, 2 tailors, 1 coach ma- ker, 1 saddle and harness maker, 1 turner, and 1 printing office, from which a weekly paper is issued. The facilities of stage accommodation in R., and 104 from W.

THORNE HILL, P. O. 92 ms. from

VERDIERVILLE, P. O. 91 ms. from

this village are perhaps not to be sur- passed in the state. Thirty mails are R., 81 ms. from W. received at the P. O. in cach week ; 2!

. W. K.

LOCUST GROVE, P. O. 86 ms. from R. and 76 ms. S. W. of W.

POPLAR RUN, P. O. 83 ms. from R., and 95 ms. S. W. of W.

from R. and 92 ms. from W., situated about equi-distant from the N. E. and N. W. angles of the county ; 3 ms. from the Rapid Ann river, and 83 ms. from the North Anna, or north branch of the Pamunkey. This is one of the most flourishing inland villages below the mountains. It

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PATRICK,

PATRICK.

PATRICK county was established by the Legislature in 1791, and taken from Henry Co. Patrick is a border county, extending along the State line between Virginia and North Carolina, a distance of between 45 and 50 miles. It is bounded on the N. by the Blue Ridge mountains, which in running W. approach so near the Carolina line, as to make the county very narrow at its western extremity. In fact the county formerly extended to the point where the mountain intersected the state line; but a considerable portion of its former western extremity has been added to the county of - Grayson, for the convenience of the people residing therein. The con- tiguous counties on the N. and W. are the trans-montane counties of Floyd and Grayson; on the E. it is bounded by the counties of Franklin and Henry. Its width varies from 30 to 80 miles, averaging something like 20 miles; and its area is 541 sq. ms. It extends in lat. from 36° 30' to 30° 47' N. and in long. from 2º 56' to 3º 40' W of W. C.

The general face of the county is broken, but not as much so as that of most of the piedmont counties to the eastward of it. It is intersected however by several considerable mountains ranging from E. to W. The principal of these is the Bull Mountain, which unites with the main moun- tain at its western extremity, and runs eastwardly nearly to the eastern boun- dary of the county, dividing it (not very unequally) from W. to E. The Court House is situated on the S. side of this mountain at the distance of 3 or 4 miles from its summit, which is as near as a suitable situation could be procured, on account of the spurs of the mountain.

There is another mountain (which may be considered a spur of the Blue Ridge) called Carter's mountain. It leaves the main mountain S. of the Bull mountain and ranges nearly parallel with it, inclining a little more to the S. This mountain is not very long, extending in length not more than 8 or 10 miles. It lies very near the Courthouse, immediately S. of it, and terminates nearly opposite to it. The No Business mountain runs also parallel with the Bull mountain, on the S. side of it, but lies de- tached from the main mountain near the eastern end of the county. It is probably 7 or 8 miles long, and ranges pretty much in a line with Carter's mountain, there being however an interval of 4 or 5 miles between the oastern end of the one and the western end of the other. . These are all the mountains which have acquired a distinct name and character; there are however a great number of spurs and knobs, which though nameless, might well deserve some distinguishing appellation. These generally extend out from the Blue Ridge in various directions and for various dis- tances.

'The principal water courses are the Dan, Smith's river, the Mayos, and the Ararat, with their tributaries ;- all which not only intersect the county, but have their sources in the mountains which form its northwestern border. The Dan rises in a plain on the top of the Blue Ridge, some 8 or 10 miles from the declivity of the mountain, and running to the S. waters an extensive and level body of land called the meadows of Dan. It then breaks through the mountain, or rather tumbles down the mountain, and struggling on for 8 or 10 miles among stupendous cliff's and precipices, reaches the level country, not far from the State line, and crosses into North Carolina. This stream crosses the county within about 10 miles of its western extremity.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PATRICK.

The Ararat also rises on the flat table land on the top of the mountain, not very remote from the head of the Dan, but takes a different direction. It runs to the S. W. and crossing the state line near the western extremity of the county, takes its way through the county of Surry, N. C. and empties into the Yadkin.

Smith's river has its source in the Blue Ridge to the N. of the Bull mountain, and traversing that section of the county lying between the Bull and Blue Ridge mountains from W. to E., crosses near the eastern ex- tremity of the Bull mountain into the county of Henry.

There are two Mayos, the South Mayo and North Mayo. The South Mayo rises in the main mountain, between the Bull mountain and Carter's mountain, and running southeastwardly between those two mountains, passes by the Court House, and crossing the south side of the country diagonally, `enters North Carolina near the southeastern corner of the county.

The North Mayo rises in the Bull mountain, on its S. side, and running eastwardly for some distance between that mountain and the No Business mountain, turns to the S. around the castern extremity of the last named mountain, and enters North Carolina, first passing through a small corner of the county of Henry .- The two Mayos unite soon after leaving Vir- ginia, and finally empty into the Dan.

There are many creeks tributary to the rivers already enumerated, a few of the principal of which shall be given. First those which empty into Dan. This stream receives before it descends the mountain, Ivy Creek, as large as itself: after it descends the mountain, it receives a number of small streams not worthy of notice ;- near where it crosses into North Carolina, it receives Archy's creek from the S. W. and soon after crossing the line it receives little Dan from the N. which also rises in Patrick. The Ararat receives after it descends the mountain, Doe run and John- son's creek, from the N. and Clark's creek from the S. Smith's river re- ceives Rock Castle creek, Widgeon creek, and several other smaller ones from the N. and Sycamore and Goblin Town creek, from the S. The South Mayo receives Spoon creek from the N., and Russell's creek from the S., besides other smaller ones. The North Mayo receives Mill creek from the the S., and Roger's creek from the N.

'There is a great diversity of soil in the county of Patrick. The numerous water courses which intersect it in every direction afford more or less bottom land of good quality, and a large portion of the upland is strong, though often steep and rocky. The soil and climate below the mountain are adapted to the culture of corn, wheat, rye, oats, tobacco and hemp. The land on the top of the mountain before alluded to, as being contiguous to the head of Dan, and designated as the meadows of Dan, is generally fertile, and while the climate is too cold for the successful culture of corn or tobacco, it is admirably adapted to the production of small grain and grass. This body of land is at present included in large surveys, made on speculation, which have not generally come into market; notwithstanding which it is rapidly settling and, without doubt, is destined to be the most flourishing part of the county. The ac- cess to it, though somewhat difficult on the S. and E., is entirely easy on the N. and W; as the descent of the mountain in those directions, is scarce- ly perceptible. The staple article of produce, on the south side of the Bull mountain is tobacco. On the N. side of that mountain there can scarcely be said to be a staple. The people live independently, mostly within themselves and generally sell their surplus grain, pork, beef, bran- 33

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PATRICK.

dy, &c. The principal portion of the slave population is on the south side of the county, which may in some measure account for the article of tobacco being more raised on that side than on the other. The mountain section of the county is beginning already in some degree to be, and is destined soon to be entirely, a grazing country: admirably calculat- ed for the raising of cattle, horses and hogs .-- The tobacco raised in the county is mostly manufactured and sold in the southern and western States. Immense quantities of this article are annually sent to the States of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and sold at good prices for cash. Nearly every planter who raises tobacco to any extent is a manufacturer ; but there are some who make a business of it, and purchase the article in the leaf from their neighbors, without prizing, at a very liberal price.

Land is quite cheap compared with land of similar quality farther east- ward, and in consequence there has been for some years back an annual accession of population by immigration from the lower counties. This accession has however been more than counterbalanced in the last two or three years, by the prevalence of the Missouri mania, which has carried many of our best citizens to that State, and which still prevails though in an abated degree.

The climate of this county is truly delightful. The bracing air of the mountain, combined with the mild breath of the south, renders the atmos- phere pure and at the same time soft,-and we do not believe there is a healthier climate in the world. For many years in some neighborhoods there was not a physician within twenty miles; (which our correspondent writes,) "you may consider either as the cause or effect of the health of my vicinity, which ever you like." There are no manufactories in the county, except those of tobacco, already referred to; and a forge owned by John A. Hairston, Esq. on Goblin Town creek, on the north side of the Bull mountain, near its eastern extremity. This forge has been in operation for many years, and the enterprising proprietor, in conjunction with two connections, men of capital as well as himself, is now erecting a large fur- nace within a short distance of the forge, which will go into operation during the next fall or winter. The supply of ore is abundant, convenient, and of the best quality. Iron ore abounds in other parts of the county also.

"The scenery presented by the passage of Dan river down the mountain, and into the flat country, is awful and sublime in the highest degree. The river rises in a plain, traverses it for 8 or 10 miles, till it reaches the de- clivity of the mountain, dashes down it by a rapid succession of perpen- dicular falls, and winds its solitary way, unapproached by any footstep save that of the mountain hunter, and hemmed in on every side by im- mense mountains, descending almost perpendicularly to the water edge for the distance of several miles, before its banks afford room for settlements. The Pinnacles of Dan are found in this interval. To approach them you must ascend the mountain at some convenient gap-upon reaching the top of the mountain, the country becomes comparatively level. The visiter goes along the top under the guidance of some mountaineer, who knows the locality of the pinnacles; he meets with no obstruction except fallen logs, and a most luxuriant growth of weeds, till suddenly he reaches the declivity of the mountain. An innnense basin presents itself to his view, surrounded by lofty mountains, almost perpendicular, of which the ridge on which he stands forms a boundary. The depth of the Lasin is beyond his view and appears to him to be incalculable. From

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PATRICK.

the midst of the basin two pinnacles, in the shape of a sugar loaf, rise to a level with the surrounding mountains, and of course with the beholder. They appear to be masses of rock rudely piled on each other, with barely soil enough in the crevices to nourish a few bushes. There is no visible outlet to the basin, the narrow chasm through which the river makes its escape being out of view. If the visiter wishes to ascend the main pin- nacle, (one being much larger than the other,) he descends from his sta- tion, the face of the mountain which is very steep, to a distance which he imagines sufficient to carry him down the highest mountain,-when he reaches a narrow ridge or pass-way not more than thirty feet wide, con- necting at the distance of thirty or forty yards, the pinnacle to the main mountain,-and to his astonishment the river appears at an incalculable distance below him. The ascent of the pinnacle then commences and an arduous and somewhat perilous one it is. A narrow pathway winds up among the rocks, and in many places, the adventurous climber has to pull himself up a perpendicular ascent of five or six feet by the bushes. When he reaches the top, however, he is amply repaid for his labor in ascending. The prospect, though necessarily a limited one, is picturesque and sublime in a high degree. The view of the basin is then complete. The moun- tains surrounding it nearly of an uniform height; no outlet visible and the beholder perched upon the summit of an immense natural pyramid in the centre. The river is seen occasionally as it winds around the base of the pinnacle. It attempts to pass on the west side where the narrow ridge by which the visiter approaches arrests its course; it then winds entirely round the pinnacle close to its base until it comes to the opposite or southern side of the narrow ridge, passing between the two pinnacles: it then passes round the western and southern side of the smaller pinnacle, and makes its escape as it best can from its apparently hopeless imprisonment. The summit of the pinnacle is about twenty or thirty feet square,-and strange to relate, small bushes of the aspin grow upon it -- which is found no where else growing wild in this section of country. The echo produced is somewhat remarkable. If a gun be fired off on the top of the pinnacle, you hear nothing for several seconds, when suddenly in the direction of the narrow pass through which the river flows, a rushing sound is heard, which although not a correct echo, seems to be the sound of the report escaping through the pass."*

"The other natural curiosity to which reference has been made is "the Bursted rock," which is not very far from the Pinnacles, and forms a part of the frowning and sublime scenery which overhangs the Dan, in its passage through the mountain. You approach it as you do the pinnacle along the level top of the mountain, till suddenly your course is arrested by a perpendicular descent of many hundred feet. 'The face of the pre- cipice is a smooth rock. Far below every thing appears in ruins rocks piled on rocks,-the timber swept from the earth; and every appearance indicates that a considerable portion of the mountain has been, by some great convulsion of nature, riven and torn from the rest and precipitated into the valley, or rather chasm below.

* I have given you this imperfect description of this pinnacle of Dan from my own personal view and experience, having visited them on the 4th of July some years ago in company with several friends, and fired a salute from the top of the main pinnacle. I can therefore vouch for its fidelity, if I cannot recommend it for its clearness or beauty.

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PITTSYLVANIA.

Population in 1810, 4,695,- 1820, 5,089-1830, 7,395. Patrick be- longs to the tenth judicial circuit and fifth district. Taxes paid in 1833, $816 40-in 1834 on land, $441 77-980 slaves, $245 00-1629 horses, $97 74-7 studs, $52 00-3 coaches, 88 80-3 carryalls, $3 00-2 gigs, $1 00. Total, $849 31. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $281 92-in 1833, $203 39.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

ARRARAT, P. O. 282 ms. from R. W. C. It contains besides the usual and 358 S. W. by W. from W.

PENN'S, P. O. in the eastern part of the county, 17 miles N. E. of Taylorsville, 224 ms. from R. and 316 S. W. of W.

county buildings, 40 dwelling houses, 2 mercantile stores, 3 taverns, a tan- yard, saddler, tailor, manufacturing flour mill, and 2 tobacco factories.

County Courts are held on the Thursday after the 2d Monday in every month ;- Quarterly in March, June, August and November.

TAYLORSVILLE, or Patrick C. II. P. O .- situated on Mayo river, 90 mns. S. W. of Lynchburg, 35 S. of Christiansburg, 241 S. W. by W. JUDGE SAUNDERS holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- of R. and 333. S. W. of W. in N. lat. 36° 38' and long. 3º 14' W. of ry on the 21 of April and September.

PITTSYLVANIA.

PITTSYLVANIA was established by the Legislature in 1767, and formed from a portion of Halifax. It is bounded on the N. by the Staunton river, which separates it from Bedford and Campbell,-E. by Halifax,-S. by Caswell and Rockingham counties of North Carolina,-W. by Henry and Franklin. Its mean length is 353 miles, breadth 253; and its area 891 sq. miles, It extends in lat. from 36° to 37° 05', and in long. from 2º 12' to 2º 35' WV. of W. C. This county is watered by Staunton river on the N., Dan on the S. and Banister in the centre. Much of the soil is ex- cellent, and large crops of tobacco are produced. Population in 1810, 17,172; 1820, 21,313; 1830, 26,034. It belongs to the tenth judicial cir- cuit, and fifth district. Tax paid in 1833, $5089 04-in 1834 on lots, $167 21-on land, $2794 18-5905 slaves, $1476 25-5458 horses, $327 48-25 studs, $286 50-53 coaches, $136 75 -- 35 carryalls $38 50 -62 gigs, $38 95. Total, $5265 82. Expended in educating poor chil- dren in 1832, $830 62, in 1833, $913 88.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES. &c.

BERGER'S STORE, P. O. 164 ms. S. seat of justice. It contains 7 dwel- W. by W. of R. and 242 from W.

ling houses, a general mercantile CALLAND'S P. O. 179 ins. S. W. of R. and 271 from W. store, and a grocery, Methodist house of worship, tobacco factory, tailor, CHESNUT GROVE, P. O. in the southern part of the county, 180 ms. boot and shoe maker, cabinet maker, and a blacksmith shop. The situa- S. W. by W. of R. and 272 from W. tion is healthy, the soil of the sur- situated 13 ms. S. of Competition, the rounding country productive, and

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EASTERN VIRGINIA-PITTSYLVANIA.

principally adapted to the cultivation |40 ms. above this place. Danville of tobacco, Indian corn, rye, oats, &c. was incorporated in pursuance of an act of the Legislature in 1831-2.

Population 30 persons, of whom 1 is a physician.

CRAFTON, P. O. 156 ms. S. W. by W. of R. and 236 S. S. W. of W. It contains 7 dwelling houses, 2 ta- houses, 2 Branch Banks, ( Virginia verns, 2 blacksmith shops, a tailor, and boot and shoe maker. Popula- tion 28.

CHALK LEVEL, P. O. 169 ins. S. W. of R. and 247 from W.

COMPETITION, P. V. and seat of justice, is situated near the centre of the county, on a branch of Banis- ter river, 167 ms. S. W by W. of R. and 259 S. W. of W. in lat. 36° 50' and long. 2º 20' W. of W. C. Be- sides the ordinary county buildings, it contains 125 dwelling houses, 3 mercantile stores, 3 taverns, 1 house . of public worship, (Methodist,) and 2 common schools. The mechanics are, 1 watch maker and silversmith, 1 tailor, 1 boot and shoe maker, 2 blacksmiths, 1 wheelwright, 2 tan- ners, and several saddlers in the vi- cinity. This town is rapidly improv- ing. Several large and handsome brick buildings have lately been erec- ted. The situation is considered healthy. The land of the surround- ing country is fertile, producing well all the common staples-Indian corn, wheat, tobacco, &c. Population 200 persons, of whom 3 are attorneys, and 2 practising physicians.

County Courts are held on the 3d Monday in every month; Quarterly, in March, June, August and Novem- ber.

It contains about 115 houses, 9 miscellaneous stores, 3 groceries, 2 commission houses, 2 tobacco ware-

and Farmers,) 1 masonic hall, at pre- sent used as a place of public wor- ship by all denominations, 1 male and 1 female academy, in a flourish- ing condition, also a private seminary for young ladies, with upwards of 40 pupils,-1 well organized sunday school, 1 apothecary shop, 2 tobacco factories, 1 oil mill, 2 manufacturing flour mills, 3 saw mills, 1 iron foun- dry, and 2 taverns. The mechanical pursuits are, 1 printing office, issuing a weekly paper, (Danville Reporter,) 2 tanyards, 1 saddler, 2 boot and shoe factories, 4 tailors, 3 cabinet makers, 1 chair maker, 2 milliners, 1 plough factory, and 3 blacksmiths. The principal staples of this market are wheat and tobacco. Population sup- posed to be about 1000. It contains 3 attorneys, and 7 regular physicians.

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A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 33

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