A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 35

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 35
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 35

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).

MARBLE HILL, P. O. 83 ms. S. W. of R. and 171 ms. from W.

by W. of R. and 174 ins. from W. SANDY RIVER CHURCH, P. O. in MERRIMAN'S SHOP, P. O. 94 the S. E. part of the county, 79 ms. ms. from R. and 185 ms. from W. S. W. by W. of R. and 170 ms. from MOOR'S ORDINARY, 90 ms. S. W. by W. of R. and 181 ms. from W. W. This place takes its name from a small tributary of the Appomattox. PRINCE EDWARD C. H. P. V. 75 mns. S. W. by W. of R. and 166 ins. from W. This village contains 21 dwelling houses, besides the usual county buildings, and about the same number of public and private offices; a large and handsome Presbyterian church built of brick, beautifully situ- It was built in the year 1768 by the church of England. Since the revo- lution, it has been kept up by the citi- zens of the neighborhood of all de- nominations. In the immediate vi- cinity of the church, there is a house of entertainment, a mercantile store, several mechanics, and 1 physician. ated about a quarter of a mile from the The land of the surrounding country village, 1 tanyard, 1 coach manufac-fis generally good ; the principal pro- tory, and, various other mechanics. duct is tobacco; and the neighborhood There are 2 flourishing academies ; is wealthy.

the female seminary, deserves the high reputation which it enjoys,- The present number of pupils is about S. W. by W. of R. and 177 from W. 80. The course of studies, requires

WALKER'S CHURCH, P. O. in the southern part of the county, 88 ms. .

PRINCE GEORGE.

PRINCE GEORGE was created by the Legislature in 1702, and formed from a part of Charles City Co. It is bounded on the N. by the Appomattox which separates it from Chesterfield, and James river which separates it from Charles City, -- E. by Surry, -S. by Sussex,-and W. by Dinwiddie. Its length from E. to W. is 21 ins. breadth 12, and area 312 sq. miles. It extends in lat. from 37º to 37" 15' N. and in long, from 0' 5' M. of W. O.

270

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCE GEORGE.

to 0° 25' W. of W. C. Very little of this county slopes towards its border near the Appomattox and James, by far the greater portion slopes S. E. towards Blackwater river, the sources of which lie in this county. Population in 1820, 8,030-in 1830, 8,367. This county belongs to the 2nd judicial circuit, and Ist district. Tax paid in 1833, 81,868 85- in 1834, on lots, $80 79-on land, 8916 53 -- 2,478 slaves, 8619 50- 1,177 horses, $70 74-3 studs, 846 00-49 ccaches, $133 80 -- 20 carry- alls, 820 00-96 gigs, 854 15 -- Total, $1,941 49. Expended in cducat- ing poor children in 1832, $137 80-in 1833, 8205 16.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

CITY POINT, Port and Post| reflect credit, on the enterprize of Vir- Village, on the right shore of ginia capitalists and insure to the Old James river, at the junction of the James and Appomattox, in the N. W. part of the county, 12 ins. below Pe- tersburg, 34 ms. S. E. of R. and 156 ms. from W. City Point of itself, is a very inconsiderable village, being a place of no trade, except in a small retail way. It is however a conside- rable port, as an appendage of the towns of Petersburg and Richmond. ries, a school and hospital.

Dominion that commercial impor- tance to which she is so justly entit- led, and which will be so beneficial to every class of the community; but more especially to the farmers, whose products, will meet a ready sale, at such prices, as cannot fail to reward their industry. City Point, contains about 25 houses, 3 taverns, 3 groce-

At City Point there are 4 or 5 Prince George is famed for the manufacture of her hollow ware, i. c. flour barrels, &c , her marshes for soras and wild ducks, &c. and her rivers, creeks and mill ponds for' fine chub, perch, sturgeon, rock fish, shad, &c. Population between 90 and 100 per- sons; of whom 1 is a physician. wharves, projecting a short distance into the river, within 30 yards of which is a sufficient depth of water to swim the largest ship that ever floated. "Not only is a large foreign shipping business done here, but the white sails of domestic commerce, daily gladden the eye, as it passes PRINCE GEORGE C. H. is sit- uated near the centre of the county. and repasses this port, freighted in its progress upwards with the wealth County Courts are held on the 2d Tuesday in every month :- Quarter- ly in March, May, August and No- rember. and productions, and exports of every clime, while its return carries to eve- ry port of our happy Union, the pro- duce of our soil and of our mines." JUDGE MAY, holds his Circuit Su- perior Court of Law and Chancery on the 25th of May and October. Exclusive of the ordinary shipping, there are steam, freight, tow and pas- sage boats, which make this a stopping TEMPLETON, P. O. 36 ms. S. W. place in their passage up and downlof R. and 158 ins. from W., situated the river. In short City Point, immediately, on the post road, which though small in itself is a considera- leads from Petersburg, to Jerusalem, ble out port to the City of Richmond, in Southampton Co. 15 ms. from the

former, and 35 ms. from the latter.

and the town of Petersburg, and when the Petersburg Rail road, and the There is an ordinary kept here which James and Kanawha improvement! has been in existence for 30 years. shall be in full operation, it is more The situation is high and salubrious, than probable that this little village, remete from any water course, or will present an appearance that will marshy land.

650

100000

271

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCESS ANNE.

PRINCESS ANNE.

PRINCESS ANNE was created by the legislature in 1691, and formed from a portion of lower Norfolk county. It is bounded on the N. by the Ches- apeak, E. by the Atlantic, S. by Currituck Co. N. Carolina, and W. by Norfolk county. Its length from S. to N. is 30 ms. ; mean breadth 12, and area 360 square miles. The parallel of N. lat. 36° 45' and long. 1º E. ol W. C. intersect near the centre of the county. The northern part of this county, slopes N. and pours its waters into Lyn Haven bay,-the western part, into the eastern branch of Elizabeth river,-the southern part into Back Bay, and Currituck Sound.

Population in 1810, 9,498,-1820, 8,730 -- in 1830, 9,102. This coun- ty belongs to the first judicial circuit and first district. Tax paid in 1833, 81846 85-in 1834 on lots, $16 63-on land, $1115 45-1744 slaves, 8436 00-1757 horses, 8105 42-6 studs, 883 00-17 coaches, 838 25-> 16 carryalls, 817 25-154 gigs, 895 50. Total, 81907 50. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8267 94-in 1833, 8115 63.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

KEMPSVILLE, P. V. 10 ms. S. E. by E. of Norfolk, 124 from R. and 227 from W. situated on the eastern branch of Elizabeth river, at the head of tide water. It contains 27 dwel- ling houses, 1 miscellaneous store, and several groceries, 1 Baptist house of worship, and 1 common school. The mechanics are a tanner and cur-

PRINCESS ANNE C. H. P. V. 137 ms. from R. and 240 from W. in lat. 36° 44, N. and Jong 0° 57' E. of W. C. It contains, besides the usual county buildings, 17 dwelling houses, 2 Methodist houses of public wor- ship, 2 elementary schools, 1 miscel- laneous store, several carpenters, and various other mechanics. 'The prin-

rier, several carpenters, wheelwrights, cipal pursuit of the inhabitants is blacksmiths, &c. Large quantities farming. Population 150 persons; of whom 1 is an attorney, and 2 are

of lumber are sent in rafts and light- ers, from this place to Norfolk ; also physicians.

much navy-timber, staves, wood, &c. Population 200 persons; of whom 3 are physicians.

County Courts are held on the Ist Monday in every month. Quar- terly in March, June, August and November.

LONDON BRIDGE, P. O. in the northeastern part of the county, 15 JUDGE BAKER holds his Circuit ms, N. E. of Norfolk, 8 S. W. offSuperior Court of Law and Chance- Cape Henry, 130 from R. and 233 ry on the 25th May and 22d Sep- from W.

Member.

PRINCE WILLIAM.

PRINCE WILLIAM Was established by the Legislature in 1730, and formed from a portion of Stafford and King George counties. It is bound- ed N. and N. E. by Bull Run, and Occoquan river, which separate it from Loudoun and Fairfax,-E. by the Potomac, separating it from Charles county Maryland, -S. by Stafford, -- S. W. and W. by Fauquier. Its mean. length is 303 miles, mean breadth 12; and its area 370 square miles. It,

272

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCE WILLIAM.

extends in lat. from 38° 30' to 38º 55' N. and in long. from 0° 15' to 0° 45' W. of W. C.

Occoquan river rises in Loudoun, Fairfax, and Fauquier counties. traverses and drains the upper part of Prince William. It is an impor- tant tributary of the Potomac, and falls into that river 25 ms. below W. C. and nearly opposite to Indian Point. Its principal branches are Bull Run, Broad Run and Cedar Run. Bull Run from its source to its mouth, is the dividing line between the counties of Fairfax and Prince William. It joins the Occoquan about 7 miles above the town of Occoquan, and - 14 miles from the Potomac . river .. Broad Run has its source in Fauquier county, and after passing through the chain of the Bull Run mountain, at the pass of Thoroughfare, and by the town of Buckland, joins the Cedar Run about a mile below Brentsville, the county town of Prince William. Cedar Run rises in Fauquier. county, and passing near Warrenton, joins Broad Run near Brentsville. These streams, and indeed many of their branches, afford fine seats for manufacturing establishments. At the junction of Broad and Cedar, the river receives the name of Occoquan. Its general direction towards the Potomac is S. E .- and its length about 25 ms. At 18 ms. from the junction it meets the tides at the town of Oc- coquan. Here it reaches the hills, which are the boundary of the Poto- mac valley, and down them the river is precipitated about 72 feet, in the distance of cne and a half miles. In these hills is the chain of rocks which crosses all the rivers of Lower Virginia at the head of tide water. The action of the water in the course of ages, has washed the carth from the channel, and the rocks lie in its bed in every rude variety of position. 'The banks of the river here present every where jutting rocks, and some- times great precipices. The pine finds sustenance among the crevices and gives a relief and a grace to scenery that would otherwise be savage. Immediately below the town of Occoquan the banks subside into a plain; and at two miles, the ancient town of Colchester is passed. Five miles below Colchester a junction is effected with the Potomac, between High and Freestone Points. At its mouth the Occoquan is five miles wide; at the head of the tide, it is about 75 yards; here however it is hemmed in by the hills, and as the volume of its waters is very great, in floods it is very deep, (viz. from 12 to 20 feet.) Below the town of Colchester it suddenly widens to two or three miles. The earth and rubbish brought down by the floods are deposited, and at such times the navigation is ob- structed for vessels drawing more than 5 feet water. There is however nothing which opposes serious obstacles to clearing the bar, whenever the wants of the people inhabiting the country drained by its waters shall re- quire it. The subject has already attracted some attention, and the navi- gation of the river and its important branch Cedar run, which it has been proposed to effect, above the tide by the lock and dam system, has been the occasion of some proceedings in the legislature.

Population in 1810, 11,311-1820, 9,419 -- 1830, 9,320. Prince Wil- liam belongs to the sixth judicial circuit and third district. Tax paid in 1833, $2697 07-in 1834 on lots, $183 15-on land, 1772 65-1737 slaves, $434 25-2383 horses, $142 98-5 studs, $18 00-27 coaches, $59 50-15 carryalls, 815 00-16 gigs, $12 95. Total, 82668 48. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, 8500 18-in 1833, $565 32.

٠٠

273

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCE WILLIAM.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

BRENTSVILLE, P. V. and seat rect, there is no doubt but the desert of justice, 104 ms. from R. and 48 will soon be made to blossom under S. W. of W .- The Court House, the labors of individual enterprise, and Brentsville will take a new start clerk's office and jail are handsomely situated on the main street, in a pub- towards prosperity. Situated at the lic square of three acres. Besides head of Occoquan river, which could easily be made navigable for boats at a cheap rate, and laying near two large runs, (Broad and Cedar,) which here form the Occoquan. Brents- ville is 14 miles from Dumfries, 18 from Occoquan mills, and equidistant 33 ms. from Fredericksburg and Alexandria, 12 from Hay Market, and 20 from Warrenton. It is within 9 or 10 ms. of the Warrenton and Alexandria turnpike. Population 130 persons, of whom 3 are attorneys and 3 regular physicians. The place is healthy and has a beautiful prospect of the Bull Run and Watery range of mountains, and the more distant Blue Ridge. them, the village contains 19 dwel- ling houses, 3 miscellaneous stores 2 handsome taverns, built of brick and stuccoed, 1 house of entertainment, 1 house of public worship, free for all denominations,-a bible society, a sunday school, a temperance and a tract society, which have been of con- siderable utility for the last 5 or 6 years. There is in the vicinity a common school in which the rudi- ments of English education are taught. Brentsville is of recent establish- ment, having been located around the site of the new court house in 1822, at which time it was completed, and the courts removed from Dumfries. It has progressed with its improve- County Courts are held on the 1st Monday, in every month :- Quar- terly in March, June, August and November. ments perhaps more rapidly than has been observable with other county towns within the same period after their establishment, though it may be JUDGE SCOTT holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery considered nearly stationary for the

present. 'The wasteful tenure of the on the 1st of May, and October.

Bristoe estate, the property of the BUCKLAND, P. V. in the north- western part of the county, 5 ms. S. W. of Hay Market, 116 from R. and. 42 from W. This village has an elevated and romantic situation on Broad Run, a never failing stream, on which two extensive flour manu- facturing mills are situated,-the one in the town and the other on its edge. A turnpike runs through the village which extends 35 ins. below to Alex- dria, and 8 ms. above to Warrenton .. This village and its suburbs contains 22 dwelling houses, 1 general store, 1 large and extensive distillery, 1 apothecary shop, 1 house of public; worship free for all denominations, and 2 houses of entertainment. The mechanics are, 1 tanner and cur- commonwealth, in the midst of which it is located, has in a manner cut it off from the benefits of a thriving neighborhood. This tract, contain- ing near 7000 acres and naturally the best land in this section, has been ravaged of all its timber, and for the most part "ploughed down to be bar- ren," by an unmerciful course of cultivation, under a numerous tenan- try, for upwards of 70 years. Most of the lots around the place have be- come freed from their lease, by the direliction of the tenants, who have left them an immense common: but by an act of Assembly of 1833-4, authorising the sale of this estate on - such terms as the president and di- rectors of the Literary Fund may di- rier, 1 wagon maker, 1 boot and shoo 35

274

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCE WILLIAM

manufacturer, 1 cooper, 1 hatter, 1|500 persons; of whom 1 is an attor- millwright, 1 blacksmith, 1 tailor and ney and 2 are regular physicians. saddler. Buckland is an incorpora- HAY MARKET, P. O. situated in the northern part of the county on the head of Occoquan creek, 120 ms. from R. and 43 from W. ted town, and for beauty of situation and circumjacent scenery is perhaps not to be surpassed by any other in the county. There is one well or-

LIBERIA, P. V. 112 ms. from R. ganized sunday school, and 1 com-land 33 S. W. of W. C. It contains mon school. Population 130 whites; of whom 1 is a physician; and 50 blacks. a store, ware house and blacksmith shop, and a little distance from these under the same name, 7 other build- . DUMFRIES, P. V. 33 ms. S. S. W. of W. and 89 from R., situated on Quantico creek, near the Potomac river. It contains 80 dwelling houses, ings. 'This place was established in 1825, and the post-office in 1829. It is 7 ms. distant from Brentsville, in a N. E. direction. A mail goes once 3 mercantile stores, a Baptist and a a week from this place to Centreville Methodist house of worship, 1 school 5 ms. N. of it, at which place it inter- sects the S. W. mail from W. C. The trade of the place is in dry goods and groceries, and the pur- chase of country produce. The country around is thickly settled, and the inhabitants are distinguished for of the surrounding country was of universally good quality, but has been . much abused by a system of misera- ble cultivation; it is yet susceptible of a high degree of improvement, by the use of clover and gypsum, of which many farmers have commenced the use.

house, 2 taverns, 1 manufacturing flour mill, 1 woollen manufactory, 1 temperance society, a tanyard, 2 sad- dlers, 5 house carpenters, and 2 black- smith shops. During the freeze in the winter when the steam boat be- 'tween the city of Washington and their moral deportment. The land Potomac creek is obstructed by ice, the great northern and southern mail from. W. C. to New Orleans, is car- ried through this town. The road in its neighborhood between Fredericks- burg and Alexandria, is in a worse condition than perhaps any in the middle States, so utterly impassable at times that the mail cannot travel. OCCOQUAN, P. V. 23 ms. S. W. of WV. and 99 from R., situated in the N. E. part of the county on the south side of Occoquan river. It was es- tablished by act of Assembly in the year 1804. The site on which this town is situated is extremely rugged . This road being the principal source of the irregularities of the mail at the south, a canal was undertaken, and about three-eighths of a mile completed, but the whole scheme failed for the want of the proper di- rection of the funds. The mouth of and ill-suited for building. The Quantico, 23 miles from Dumfries, is the best winter harbor on the Poto- mac. The river seldom freezes low- er than that point.

Dumfries is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and once could boast of much commerce, but owing to a variety of circumstances, like many old settlements, it is now in a great measure abandoned, and many grinding in the ordinary season 150 of its excellent dwellings are in a barrels per day,-with the necessary appendages of grist, saw, and plaster state of rapid decay. Population

town is regularly laid out, the streets generally cross each other at right angles. It contains about 50 dwel- ling houses, several mercantile stores, and various mechanics, -a cotton manufactory in complete operation, and one of the first established in the State, now running 1000 spindles, 1 extensive manufacturing flour mill,

(٤١

275

EASTERN VIRGINIA-PRINCE WILLIAM.

mills. A handsome and permanent the same mountain. : Upon this bridge is erected across the river at stream there are 2 manufacturing flour mills, running 3 pair of buhrs, and which jointly manufacture from 20 to 30,000 bushels of wheat annu- ally; the water of these mills has a fall of from 22 0 24 leet in the dis- tance of halt a mile. About 600 yards below the Thoroughfare, there is an advantageous position for a manufactory, with a fall of water of 22 feet. At this place are located 12 dwelling houses, and 1 mercantile store. Broad Run is composed of two streams which unite a short dis- tance above the mountain, each hav- ing pursued their respective courses through a rich and mountainous re- gion for many miles; at the base of the mountain they unite, and rush to- gether with great, velocity over a rocky bed: bearing a striking resem! blance to the scene presented by the mountains, rivers, &c., at Harper's Ferry, on a smaller scale. this place; over the bridge and thro' the town runs the great mail route from Washington to the south. This village is in a flourishing condition, and with confidence looks forward to further improvement. . The principal trade of the town is with the counties of Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, and Stafford. The Occoquan at this place has a fall of 72 feet in 1g ms. affording excellent sites for manufac- tories. This is the market for many of the most important shad and her- ring fisheries on the Potomac. The scenery at and near Occoquan has frequently been the theme of praise. The traveller moving along the plains of lower Virginia, his eye accustom- ed to the tame prospect of the alluvial country, suddenly finds himself in a ravine, descending a hill, the precipi- tous ridges of which inspire him with terror. Should curiosity prompt him to tarry the rest of the day amidst The land lying immediately above this wild scene, the sacrifice will be the mountains is rich, and contains a amply repaid .- The botany of this neighborhood is very rich ; here are dense population, bearing a strong evidence that it was once inundated, in close proximity plants of the from a like cause as at Harper's Fer- mountain and of the marshes. The mosses are numerous and beautiful. ry. The western side of the moun- tain presents an abrupt precipice of In the marshes, near the mouth of granite rock, while the trees grow to

the river, are many interesting plants. In the river in this vicinity there is a quarry of valuable whetstones, a bank impregnated with alum, and a cave which has never been satisfactorily explored.

THOROUGHFARE, P. V. 47 ms, S. W. of W. and 124 from R., situated near the western boundary of the county, 9 ms. N. E. of Warrenton; with a turnpike to Alexandria 36 ms. distant. It lies immediately un- der the Bull Run mountain, which runs N. and S. and takes its name from a small stream which passes through it. About 3 miles N. of this place Broad Run, one of the best streams in this section of country for size and constancy, passes through

the summit. On the east in the gap of the mountain, the rocks lie scat- terred in wild confusion, evidently, thrown out by some great concussion of nature. Near the gap is a spring issuing from under a great. rock, of the purest and best water, which is not increased or diminished in any

season. It stands on the road side,, and is by travellers regarded as the " Diamond Spring, in Palestine. ", There are some indications of coal and iron, but neither has as yet been discovered. The mountains on the east side present a most romantic and beautiful view of the rapid and roaring current winding its way, through a fertile valley.

ain Bol

276

EASTERN VIRGINIA-RAPPAHANNOCK.

RAPPAHANNOCK.

RAPPAHANNOCK was created by the Legislature in 1820 and formed out of a portion of Culpeper county. It is bounded on the N. by the North Fork of the Rappahannock river, which separates it from Fauquier,-E. by Culpeper,- by Madison,-and W. by the Blue Ridge, which sepa- rates it from Shenandoah. It extends in lat. from about 38° 3' to 38º 22' N. and in long. from about 0° 5' to 1º 15' W. of W. C. Its precise di- mensions in miles, we are unacquainted with. Its population also, being included with that of Culpeper at the last census, is unknown.

Rappahannock belongs to the 11th judicial circuit and 6th district. Tax paid in 1833, $1851 06-in 1834, on lots, $46 72-on land, $1096 83- 1858 slaves, $464 50-2743 horses, $164 58-10 studs, $81 00 -- 13 coaches, $33 00-6 carryals, $6 00-9 gigs, $5 50. Total, $1898 13. No report from school commissioners.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

FLINT HILL, P. O. 128 ms. from R. and 91 S. W. of W. This vil- lage contains 26 dwelling houses, 4 mercantile stores, 2 taverns, 1 manu- facturing flour mill, 1 house of pub- lic worship, free for all denomina- tions, 2 tanyards, 2 saddlers, with va- rious other mechanics. Population 140 persons; of whom 1 is an attor- ney, and 2 practising physicians.

GAINES' CROSS ROADS, P. O. 87 ms. S. W. of W. and 124 N. N. W. of R. It contains 9 dwelling houses, 1 general store, 1 tailor, and 1 black- smith shop, and 1 Baptist house of lage contains 4 dwelling houses, 1 general store, 1 manufacturing flour mill, a grist and saw mill, 2 black- smiths, a wheelwright, and a cooper shop.

worship. The surrounding country is fertile, well cultivated and densely settled.

NEWBY'S CROSS ROADS, P. O. 109 ms. from R. and 70 N. W. by W. of W. It contains several dwelling houses, and 2 mercantile stores. Population 30. There are within the circumference of 6 miles ten country and flour manufacturing mills, several tanyards, &c. The country around is thickly settled and fertile, producing well all the com- mon staples of the country.

Washington, the seat of justice, to Front Royal, in Frederick county, 9 ms. from the former and 10 from the latter. The land adjoining Sandy Hook is fertile and productive, about 8000 acres of it is in the possession of Bazil Gordon, of Falmouth, Va. Sandy Hook has 4 dwelling houses, 1 mercantile store, 1 blacksmith, 1 wheelwright, and 1 boot and shoe maker. Population 33; of whom 1 is a physician.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia, Part 35

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