USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 45
USA > Virginia > A new and comprehensive gazetteer of Virginia, and the District of Columbia > Part 45
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"The intent of these grants has been, how- ever, long since evaded, by conveying one lot in fee, and the other by lease for 1000 years, renewable forever at a nominal rent.
1 Lord Fairfax was the proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia, he lived and died at Greenway Court, about 12 ms. from Winchester, and was buried at the old Episcopal church of that place: (See ex- tent of his domain under Culpeper.
& See his Journal of the expedition, very properly preserved in Marshall's life of Washington - new edition; vol. 1. p. 461.
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disastrous defeat of Braddock, Wash- ington with the remains of the brave Virginia troops retreated to Winches- ter. Upon the invasion of the fron- tiers by the French and Indians, take his seat in the house of Dele- gates, of which he had been elected a member by the County of Frederick, while at Fort Cumberland. During these contests a Fort was built at Win- Washington then on his way to Wil- chester, the remains of which are still liamsburg, the Seat of Government, visible at the north end of the princi- ple street. ] In Henning's Statutes, vol. 7. page 33, we find the 16th clause of a law passed March, 1756, which refers to this Fort, and the ap- and were murdering and capturing propriation for its erection in these was overtaken by an express, below Fredericksburg, with the intelligence that the French and Indians had bro- ken in upon the frontier settlements, women and children, burning houses, words, " and whereas it is now judged necessary, that a Fort should be im- mediately erected in the town of Win- chester, county of Frederick, for the protection of the adjacent inhabitants against the barbarities daily commit- ted by the French and their Indian allies: be it therefore enacted that the Governor or Commander-in-chief of the colony for the time being, is here. by empowered and desired to order a Fort to be built with all possible de- spatch, in the aforesaid town of Win- chester; and that his honor give such orders and instructions for the imme- diate effecting, and garrisoning the destroying crops, &c. and that the troops, stationed among them were insufficient for their protection. He immediately hastened back to Win- chester, where the utmost confusion and alarm prevailed. Hlis attempts to raise the militia were unsuccessful. He sent urgent orders to the country Lieutenants, east of the Blue Ridge, to hasten their militia to Winchester; but before these orders could be exe- cuted, the enemy which had done so much injury and caused so much alarm, had re-crossed the Alleghany mountain. Col. Washington after re- peated ineffectual efforts to arouse the same as he shall think necessary for government to act on the offensive, and the purpose aforesaid." The act al- so appropriates the sum of £1000 for carrying the above provision into ef- fect. This Fort was called Fort adopt a more efficient system of war- fare, by sending a force sufficient to destroy Fort du Quesne, at length prevailed, and Gen. Forbes was or- Loudoun, in honor of the British dered to undertake the campaign for General, Lord Loudoun, who had been appointed to the command of the its reduction. On the 24th of May, 1758, orders were issued to Wash- British troops in America. It is stat- ington's regiment to rendezvous at Winchester, and be in readiness to march in 15 days. June 24, the Vir- ginia troops in pursuance to the or- ders they had received, moved in de. tachments from Winchester to Fort that Washington marked out the site Cumberland, where they assembled early in July. Upon the reduction of erection, that he bought a lot in Win-
ed in the History of the Valley upon authority, entitled to the highest re- spect, the gentleman furnishing the information referred to, having been informed by Washington's officers, of this Fort and superintended its chester, had a blacksmith shop erected on it, and brought from Mount Ver- non his own blacksmith to make the necessary iron work for the Fort. The very spot is pointed out, where Washington's own residence was situ-
Fort du Quesne, (when its name was changed to Pitt, in honor of the then British Minister,) Col. Washington after furnishing 200 men from his regiment to garrison the Fort, march- ed the rest back to Winchester, whence he soon proceeded to Williamsburg tolated. It is stated that his chamber
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was above the gateway of the Fort in paved, and the sidewalks in all the a situation commanding a view of the streets are more or less improved. principal street of the town. This The houses are generally built of Fort covered an area of half an acre, brick or stone. The number of and there is still much of its enbank- houses is about 500, and the supposed population near 4000. The census of 1830, made the population 3620 of the following description of persons: ments and mounds remaining. There is also a well, from which water now rises to the surface, sunk through the solid rock 103 ft. The labor of Free white males, 1429 throwing up this Fort, and sinking Do. females 1275 this well, was said to have been per- Slave males, formed by Washington's regiment. Slave females, 290 365 The Fort contained a strong Garri- Free colored males, - 100 son ; and it is stated by one of the old- Do. females, 161 est inhabitants of Winchester, to have mounted six 18 pounders, six 12 pound- Total, 3620 ers, six 6 pounders, 4 swivels and 2 The active population of Winches- ter, may be arrayed under the 3 gen- eral divisions of professional, mercan- tile and mechanical classes :- howittzers, and to this day grape shot and cannon balls are found there. These cannons were removed from Winchester, early in the war of the revolution. This Fort was said to have been once reconnoitered by a French officer, but never was attacked by the enemy. Winchester was used for its security as a depot for Hessian and British prisoners, taken during the revolution. The number increas- ed so much, that barracks were erect. ed 4 ms. N. of the town, for their ac- commodation : at one time in the year 1781, the number of prisoners was 1600.
Having given this sketch of the early history of Winchester, which in a work like this is justifiable, as it is interesting to all Virginians, and all other citizens of the United States, to recall the associations and localities of those "times that tried men's souls," and more especially of this place from its intimate connection with the first actions and trials of the Father of our country; we will now proceed to give some account of the statistics of Winchester.
1st. Professional .- There are 6 clergymen, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopalian, 2 Evan- gelical Lutheran, 1 Methodist Protes- tant. The legal profession is quite numerous, and the Winchester Bar has always held one of the highest stations in Virginia. It has given a presiding Judge to the Supreme Court of Appeals; and several Judges to the bench of the General Court. There has been a flourishing Law School which only ceased with the elevation of the Lecturer to the Court of Appeals, The present number of resident law- yers of the Winchester Bar is 22: bc- sides these, a number of lawyers at- tend the terms of the courts in Win- chester.
Physicians .- The number of the medical profession is 7. The pro- inising Medical School established here some years since by the Medical Society of the Valley, has been discon- tinued,-two of its professors have been called to distinguished stations
The principal part of the town, is in other institutions,-one professor built on low ground, from which the of Theory and Practice of Medicine, in Transylvania University, Ken- streets ascend. It is very compactly built, and the streets are laid out reg tucky, and the other, to the Chair of ularly, crossing each other at right Medicine in the University of Va. angles. The principal street is well The mercantile class of the com-
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munity in Winchester, consists for the There is 1 cotton factory, but at pre- most part of business men, who are careful and prudent in all their deal- ing's. Many of them have in conse- quence become wealthy. There are 41 stores in Winchester of the follow- ing description :- 32 dry goods and grocery stores, 1 apothecary and druggist, 1 auction and commission store, 3 -iron stores, 2 stove and cast- ing manufactories, 1 confectionary and fruit store, 1 book and stationary, 'and 1 lottery office.
The mechanics are as follows, to wit :- 2 brewers, 4 bakers, 1 book- binder, 12 victuallers; 1 brass founder, 13 carpenters, 3 chair makers, 1 clock "and mathematical instrument maker, 3 'extensive coach manufactories, giving employment to a great number ofhands, 1 gunsmith, 4 house painters and gla- ziers, 6 masons and bricklayers, 1 or. namental painter, 1 pottery, 1 rope 'and reed maker, 9 boot and shoe fac- tories, 5 silver smiths, watch repairers and jewellers, 4 tanners and curriers, 3 barbers, 1 buhr stone maker, 17 blacksmiths, 4 brickmakers, 2 carpet weavers, 4 cabinet makers, 2 copper smiths, 2 coopers, 2 confectionaries, 1 dyer, 2 hatters, 2 lock and white smith's, 8 milliners, 6 plasterers, 2 ploughmakers, 5 saddle and harness makers, 2 skindressers and glovers, 1 silver plater, 1 saddle tree maker, 3 tobacconists, 2 turners, 1 tallow chan- dler, 5 tinplate workers, 9 tailors, (4 ket house and Common Council Hall, merchant tailors,) 1 upholsterer, 10 Masonic Hall, and Library and Ly- waggon makers, 3 weavers, 1 wheel- ceum building. There are several excellent hotels ; one of which, lately erected, is surpassed probably by none in the state, in the accommodations for travellers. There are 9 churches in Winchester, 2 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopalian, 2 Methodist's, (1 for co- lored persons,) 1 Roman Catholic, 1 Lutheran, 1 Baptist, 1 Friend's or Quaker's. The Episcopal church erected in 1829, is one of the best spe- state. It is much admired by strau- wright. 'This list embraces 46 differ- ent trades, and upwards of 170 master workmen. It is presumed that there are several hundred journeymen and apprentices employed by these per- sons. There are 6 merchant mills in the immediate vicinity of Winchester, 'I cabinet ware factory, part of the ma- chinery turned by water, 1 carpet fac- tory which makes carpeting of a su. perior quality, much admired for the cimens of Gothic artichecture in the beauty of its texture, and the brillian- cy and permanency of its colors. gers for the beauty and appropriate-
sent its operations are suspended. The abundant water power and its admi- rable location, justifies the prediction that Winchester will one day become a great manufacturing town. There is 1 academy for youth founded by an act of the Legislature, as far back as 1788, now 46 years since. It has been in operation the greater part of that period, and has had as many as 80 pupils in one year. It is estimat- ed, that at least 1000 young men from different and distant parts of the state, have been educated in part or entirely at this institution. This academy has maintained, perhaps as high a repu- tation as any other similar institution in the state. There are, besides the academy, an institute for young la- dies, and 11 other schools. There are few places in the state, which pre- sent greater inducements to parents, desiring to have their children well educated than Winchester. It is re- markable for its health, the purity of the water; and what is more impor- tant for the correct, moral and reli- gious tone of feeling, which prevails among most of its inhabitants. It is also a remarkable fact which should be stated, that although there is no night watch, a robbery is alnost un- known, and a general state of good or- der prevails. The public buildings are a C. Il., clerk's office, jail, mar-
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ness of the style of architecture. It is is no place in the Union better sup- finished with great taste in the inte- plied with water, or of better quality. fior, and has a fine toned organ. Philadelphia boasts of its water works, but the water there is river water, whilst that supplied to the citizens of Winchester is spring water, cold enough to be used without ice during the summer. The water was intro- duced into the town 28 or 30 years ago by wooden pipes, through which it was conducted from a fine, never failing spring, about half a mile west of the town,-the right to the use of which, was reserved to the citizens of Winchester by Lord Fairfax, by express provision. The wooden pipes were taken up in 1828, and iron pipes put down in their places. The main pipe has a bore of about 6 inches : the lateral pipes about 3 inches. The length of the iron pipes is about 3 ms. The whole cost to the corpora- tion did not exceed $12,500. The water is now conveyed in these pipes through all the principal streets, and by lead pipes leading from the iron, into the yards of a majority of the cititizens, without their paying any water tax for the privilege. The wa- ter is carried to the extreme parts of the town, affording a constant and abundant supply for all the purposes of domestic use, and to extinguish fire if necessary; for which purpose, fire plugs are provided at convenient dis- tances. There is no asylum in Winchester, but there are a great many associa- tions for benevolent, religious or lite- rary purposes; such as the Bible So- ciety, Tract Society, with a flourish- ing Depository, Sunday School Union, with a good and increasing depository, for the supply of 7 counties around Winchester; ladies' Benevolent Socie- ty, for relieving and attending to the wants of the poor and destitute sick, ladies Colonization Society, a general Temperance Society, Young Men's Temperance and Colonization Socie- ties, a Mechanic's Society, a prospe- rous Masonic Lodge and Chapter, 2 large fire companies, provided with engines, hose and necessary appara- tus. There is a Library and Lyceum of reading, to which is attached a good collection of minerals. The Library is yet small, which is partly to be at- tributed to the number of private Li- braries owned in the town. There are 2 printing offices in Winchester, one issues the Winchester Virginian, the other, the Winchester Republican. There is also a monthly periodical published at the Republican office, for the publication of sermons, generally of living ministers of the Lutheran church, of all parts of the United States. It is extensively circulated, and well patronized by the members This article will now be concluded, with a brief notice of the internal im- provements in contemplation, and in progress connected with Winchester. These are the Valley turnpike, (for which the Legislature passed an act the last session) to extend from Win- chester to Harrisonburg. This road has not yet been commenced, but when made will greatly increase the travelling through this Valley, which presents great inducements to travel- lers, from the beauty of its scenery, and its mineral springs. Perhaps no part of this church. There are 2 Banks in Winchester, the Farmers' Branch Bank, and the Bank of the Valley, with branches at Romney, Leesburg and Charlestown. The Winchester and Frederick County Savings Insti- tution, incoporated last session of the Legislature, has lately gone into ope- ration with encouraging prospects. Winchester possesses one great and inestimable advantage as a place of residence, which would leave this ar- ticle imperfect not to notice in detail. We mean the never failing supply of of the world affords a greater variety pure, wholesome spring water. There of mineral springs, of qualities in-
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state road from Winchester to Park- ersburg, on the Ohio, is now being made: it will be completed, it is thought, within' 2 years,-its length is 235 ms. This will be a very im- portant road in connecting the Atlan- tic with the western states; but the great outlet for all these roads, and for the rich Valley of Virginia, will be the Winchester and Potomac Rail Road, commenced in 1833 : this road it is thought, will be completed in 1836,-its length is about 31 ms. con- necting at Harper's Ferry, with those two grand national works, the Balti- more and Ohio Rail Road, and thet Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The effect of these improvements in rais- ing the value of property in Winches- ter, from bringing it in such close
estimable in the restoration of health, ( proximity with the eastern cities, and than the Valley of Virginia. The the natural increase of business and population, must have an influence on the prosperity of this place-the ex- tent of which no one can foresee. If the same results attend these improve- ments which have been produced in other places, which are destitute of the same natural advantages, the pros- perity of Winchester must be increas- ed to an extent, unparalleled in all its previous history.
County and Corporation Courts are held on the Monday before the 1st Tuesday in every month. Quar- terly. in March, June, August and November.
JUDGE PARKER, holds his Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chance- ry on the 1st of May and Novem- ber.
GILES. viss.
GILES was created by the Legislature in 1806, and formed from a por- tion of Tazewell and Monroe counties. It is bounded N. by Monroe,-N .. E. by Botetourt,-E. and S. E. by Montgomery,-S. by Wythe,-S. W. by 'Tazewell,-and W. by the great flat top mountain, which separates it from Lo- gan. The form of this county approaches to a half moon, and the length be- tween the points about 70 miles. "It lies between Jat. 37º 06' and 37° 43' N. and long. 3º 15' and 4º 15' W. of W. C. This county is very moun- tainous, the mean level of the cultivated land being 1600 feet above the ocean.
Several ridges of mountains pass through this county, the principal of which are Peter's and East River mountains. These are parts of the same ridge, which appear to have been split asunder by the waters of New river, which passes through them at the Big Fall. Near Parisburg, proudly preeminent stands The Angel's Rest, a pinnacle that overtops all the mountains of the neighborhood, and affords one of the most interesting prospects in the western country. The Salt Pond mountain also deserves: particular notice. This mountain derives its name from the circumstance, that the old settlers of the country usually gathered their stock, that ran in the range at this place, for the purpose of giving them salt. It is situated abont 12 miles to the east of Parisburg; near the top of it, there is an im- mense lake of water of an unknown depth and 3 or 4 miles in circumfer- ence. It is said by the old settlers of the country that this pond has arisen .from a spring which flowed into a kind of natural basin situated between two lofty mountains, and has gradually increased overtoping tree after tree, which grew on the sides of the mountain, until it at last found an outlet
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over the ridge that unites the two mountains. This pond now forms a beautiful expanse of water near the summit of one of the loftiest moun- tains in Virginia, which frequently excites the curiosity of strangers, and to which the gentry of the county often resort for the object of pleasure and amusement.
In the upland and mountainous parts of the county the soil is barren and rocky, but in the valleys between the mountains and on the low grounds of the creeks and rivers, the land is very fertile and produces freely every kind of grain. Hemp is the principal staple, a considerable quantity of . which is annually wagoned to Buchanan, at the head of boat navigation on James river. In a direction from S. E. to N. W. New river runs through this county, and fertilizes a large portion of its soil. The bottoms on each side of this stream are remarkably rich and constitute the most valuable part of the county, affording many handsome country seats, which in some instances are improved with substantial houses. This river is also remarkable for its fine fish, particularly the mud and blue cat, which are very much celebrated among travellers for their fine flavor and astonishing size, some weighing from 60 to 70 pounds. Other streams of less note penetrate through this county, the advantages derived from which are very considerable in a country like this, where the most choice spots are those which lie on the margin of water courses, and have been enriched by their fertilizing influence.
The White Sulphur Springs of Giles county are supposed to be inferior in quality to none in the State, while they combine with the excellence of their waters many advantages of natural scenery, which if they were well im- proved would give them a superiority over most of the watering places in the neighboring counties, and would be a source of increasing wealth to the county of Giles. These springs are situated on the banks of New river, 9 miles E. of Parisburg, on what is supposed to be the nearest route from that place to Christiansburg in the county of Montgomery. Here the mind at one moment may be engaged with the most pleasing emotions, derived from the river scenery, and at the next it will be struck with the sight of the most awful and majestic cliffs, which at this place overhang the bed of the river, in all the pomp of lonely grandeur. In a few years if these springs should be properly managed, and sufficient accommodations provided, they will afford one of the most delightful summer retreats in the western part of the State,-possessing everyjadvantage that the invalid can reasonable hope for, and presenting many attractive inducements for the votaries of pleasure and gaity.
The most numerous religious sect of the county is that of the 'Metho- dists ; but they have as yet erected no house of worship deserving notice. --
Population in 1820, 4,522-the county then including a large tract now included in Logan county-in 1830, 5,270. This county belongs to the 16th judicial circuit, and 8th district. Tax paid in 1833, $564 21-in 1834, on lots, $21 20 -- on land, $266 15-298 slaves, $74 50-2348 horses, 8140 88-9 studs, $17 00-3 carryalls, $3 00-1 gig, 50 cts, Total, 8553 23. Expended in educating poor children in 1832, $281 66 -in 1834, $290 56.
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TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.
BIG SPRING, P. O. 264 ms. S. W. ated immediately on the eastern bank of R. and 324 S. W. by W. of W. of New river, and both opposite and situated in the western part of the below the springs the rocks present county, on the main post road lead- the most majestic appearance: there ing from Parisburg to Tazewell C. being several Natural Pillars that H .- 27 ms. from the former. It
rise perpendicularly to the height of contains several dwelling houses, a from 30 to 200 feet, and natural grist mill, a wool carding machine, and a blacksmith shop. It is located within 100 yards of the line which divides the counties of Tazewell and Giles. Population 9 whites and 7 blacks.
CHAPMAN'S MILLS, P. O. 255 ms, S. W. of R.
arches; one pillar is denominated "Pompey's Pillar"-near which is "Cæsar's Arch :" the pillar and arch nearly join. Five miles from these springs, and 10 E. of Parisburg, is situated the Salt Pond, a natural lake. The mountain on which this lake or pond is situated, is supposed to be the highest in Virginia; being
PARISBURG, P. V. and county seat, 297 ms. S. W. by W. of W. C. one of the spurs, or it might be called, and 240 S. W. from R., lat. 37°21' long. 3º 43' W. of W. C. This village is situated on the S. W. side of New river, three-fourths of a mile from its bank, where that stream passes through Peters' mountain, im- mediately above the gap, and directly on the main post road, 18 ms. from the Red Sulphur Springs. It was established by act of Assembly, and laid off in June 1806; but owing to its then being in one of the extreme
the main Alleghany mountain. The situation of Parisburg is eligible and picturesque; being located at the ex-" tremity of a mountain called "Angel's Rest," and which is a continuation of what is further west called "Clinch mountain." From the top of Angel's Rest, is an extensive view of New river and the surrounding country. Newbern, in Montgomery, can be seen at 22 miles distant-and various other places. There is a line. of frontier counties, the improvements stages running daily through this vil- have progressed but slowly. It con- lage from Wythe C. H. to Lewisburg, tains, besides the ordinary county Greenbrier county .- This line leaves the main western route at Newbern, running from Washington City, to Knoxville, T'enn. There is also a mail from Franklin, and another from Tazewell C. H., running into this place once a week. White popula- Ition 170 persons; of whom 2 are resident attorneys, and 1 a regular physician-colored 34-total 204. buildings, (which are handsome) about 30 dwelling houses, (mostly built of stone) and a number of others in progress of erection, 4 mercantile stores, 2 taverns, 2 common schools, 2 tan yards, 2 saddlers, 2 hatters, 2 cabinet makers, 1 chair maker and painter, 1 boot and shoe factory, 1 wheelwright, 1 tailor, and 1 brick and stone mason. Nine miles dis- County Courts are held on the last Monday in every month. Quarterly in March, June August, and Oc- tober. tant from this village, are situated the Hygæn Springs, a white sulphur- the water of which is supposed to contain medical properties inferior to JUDGE BROWN holds his Circuit none in Virginia, The scenery at Superior Courts of Law and Chance- these springs is grand; they are situ-try on the 9th of May and October.
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