USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 1
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.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
اسطات
Gc 975.501 N76sa v.1 1628665
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
-
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02375 9274
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofnorfolk01stew
THE BANNER OF THE OLD DOMINION.
HISTORY
OF
NORFOLK COUNTY, VIRGINIA, AND
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS,
EDITED AND COMPILED BY
COL. WILLIAM H. STEWART. "The Truth in Love."
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples."
1637-1900.
v.l
PUBLISHED BY BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. GEORGE RICHMOND, PRES .; S. HARMER NEFE, SEC'Y .; C. R. ARNOLD, TREAS. . CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
1902
1628665
Preface
HE aim of the publishers of this volume has been to secure for the historic portion thereof full and accurate information respecting all subjects therein treated, and to present the data thus gathered in a clear and impartial manner. If, as is their hope, they have succeeded in this endeavor, the credit is mainly due to the diligent and exhaustive research of Col. William H. Stewart, of Portsmouth, Virginia, whose high char- acter and recognized ability as a member of the bar of Norfolk County, together with his services as a patriot to his State and County, have brought him prominently before the people of the Old Dominion. Colonel Stewart has devoted himself to this important task as a labor of love, and his patient and conscientious effort in the compilation and presenta- tion of facts is conspicuously manifest in every page of the historical narration. His record gives a lucid topographical description of the county, portrays the earliest civilized settle- ments, furnishes a comprehensive review of its organization, its industrial growth, its achievements in war, and of the leading events in the stages of its development from 1637 to 1900. Although the purpose of the author was to limit the narrative to the close of 1900, he has deemed it proper to touch on some matters over-lapping into the succeeding year. The wide range and circumstantial thoroughness of this history are readily discernible by a perusal of its table of contents.
In its preparation, the editor desires to make acknowledginent of invaluable assistance from Howe's History of Virginia, Burton and Forrest's History of Norfolk, Lull's History of the Navy Yard, Porter's Military History of Norfolk County, Jones' History of Baptist Churches and the American Archives. He has also been the recipient in the course of compilation of most appreciable personal favors from C. Whittle Sams, Esq., Jamies F. Carr, Esq., Thomas B. Rowland, Esq., John W. H. Porter, Esq., A. H. Grandy, Esq., Capt. E. V. White, Col. William Lamb and others.
-
6
PREFACE.
The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives, which make up the biographical depart- ment of the volume, and whose authorship is independent of that the history, are admirably adapted to foster local ties, to inculcate civic virtue, and to emphasize the rewards of industry, dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals, and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those therein commemorated. They bring into bold relief careers of enterprise and thrift, and make manifest valid claims to honorable distinction. If "Biography is the only true His- . tory, " it is obviously the duty of men of the present day to preserve in this enduring form the story of their lives, in order that their posterity may dwell on the successful struggles thus recorded and profit by their example. These sketches, replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences, will naturally prove to many of the readers of this book a most. attractive feature.
In the aggregate of personal incmoirs, thus collated, will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Norfolk County, which will fitly supplement the historic statement; for the development of the county is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored in the preparation of the work to pass over no feature of it slightingly, but to give heed to the minutest details, and thus to invest it with a substantial accuracy which no other treatment would afford. The result has amply justified the care thus exercised, for in our belief no more reliable production. under the circumstances, could be laid before its readers.
We have given especial prominence to the portraits of representative citizens, which appear throughout this volume, and believe they will prove a most interesting feature of the work. We have sought to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To all who have kindly aided in the successful production of the book, by voluntarily contributing most useful information and data, we herewith tender our grateful acknowledgment. THE PUBLISHERS.
Chicago, Ill., May, 1902.
-
--- -NOTE-
All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects. or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised ; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.
A few, however, were not returned to us; and as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and . to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk ("), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.
BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO.
A
Cable of Contents.
CHAPTER I.
VIRGINIA 13
Its Statesmen-Soldiers-Grand Commonwealth.
CHAPTER II.
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY. 15 Discovery of Virginia-New Norfolk Carved from Elizabeth City Shire-Lower New Norfolk Separated from Nansemond County-Early Settlements -- Incidents of Pioneer Life-Early Settlers-Indian Tribes -Burgesses -- Lower Norfolk County Divided -- Physical Description of the County-Railroad and Steamship Lines-Colonial Homes-Articles of Apprenticeship-Bill of Sale for Slaves-Historical Incidents.
CHAPTER III.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. 30
Indian Wars-Colonial Officers and Soldiers -- Manner of Bearing Expenses of the Indian Wars- Colonial Military Tactics -- Committee of Safety -- Revolutionary Times-Dunmore's Doings-Battle of Great Bridge-Correspondence of Woodford and Howe-Destruction of Norfolk-Other Invasions and Depredations of the British-Some Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolution-Itemized Statement of Losses Sustained by a Citizen of Norfolk During the Bombardment-British Property Confiscated-Daughters of the American Revolution.
CHARTER IN.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued. 59
Period of Peace Succeeding the Revolution-England's Hostile Acts Towards Our Commerce and Coast Bringing the War of 1812-British Fleet in Hampton Roads -- Depredations -- Battle of Craney Island- The Mexican War.
CHAPTER V.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued. 67 Events Leading up to Secession-Abandoment and Destruction of the Navy Yard by the Federals -- Occupation of the Navy Yard by Virginia-Fortification of Approaches to the Harbor-Battle of Sewell's Point- Devotion of the Confederate Women.
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY -- Continued. The Great Battle of Hampton Roads-Destruction of the "Cumberland" and "Congress"-Famous Con- flict of the Iron-Clads -- Victory of the "Virginia" over the "Monitor"-Different reports of the Fight- Officers of the "Virginia"-Evacuation of Norfolk County by the Confederate Forces.
CHAPTER VII.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued. 99 Norfolk County Under Military Rule-Post-Bellum or Reconstruction Times-Patriotism of Confederate Soldiers and Sailors-List of the Soldiers and Sailors of Norfolk County-Confederate Flags and Great Seal-Sisters of Mercy.
CHAPTER VIII.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY-Continued .. 137 Confederate Monuments at Portsmonth and Norfolk-Confederate Veterans' Camps of Norfolk, Ports- mouth and Berkley -- United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapters at Nortoik and Portsmouth.
CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY --- Continued. 152
Spanish-American War -- Roster of Jackson Light Infantry, Lee Ritles, Norfolk City Guard, Old Dominion Guard, Portsmouth Rifle Company-Citizen Sailors of the "Maine".
-
9
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
THE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES 156 Growth and Importance of the Trucking Industry-The "Father of Truckers"-The Chief Crops Grown Profitably Here-Tobacco, the Dethroned King-Early Regulations on the Growth of Tobacco.
CHAPTER XI.
THE DISMAL SWAMP 160 The Wonderful Swamp Region of Norfolk County -. O'Reilly's Description of the Dismal Swamp-Juni- per Water-Geology-Topography --- Vegetation -- Animal Life-Methods of Draining.
CHAPTER XII.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES. 177
The First School of the County-The First General Public School Law Enacted-St Bride's Academy- Churchland Academy-First Complete Public School System Established in the County-Seaboard Teachers' Association-Public Schools Re-established After the War, Under the New Constitution- Public Schools of Norfolk-Public Schools of Portsmouth-Norfolk Academy-Norfolk's Libraries.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHURCHES AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS 188 The Church of England in the Colony of Virginia-Elizabeth River Parish-The Parish Divided into Elizabeth River, Portsmouth and St. Bride's Parishes-St. Paul's Church and Norfolk Long Ago-Other Protestant Episcopal Churches in the County.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHURCHES AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS-Continued 219
Catholic Churches-Presbyterian Churches-Hebrew Synagogues -Church of Christ (Disciples)- Lutheran Church-Christian Churches-Baptist Churches -- Methodist Episcopal Churches, South-Be- nevolent Organizations. CHAPTER AV.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS 261 The Norfolk County Ferries-Hospital St. Vincent de Paul-The Public Buildings of Norfolk -- The Public Buildings of Portsmouth-The Norfolk County Court House.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE BENCH AND BAR 276 Early Attorneys-Superior Court of Portsmouth-Norfolk City Court-Norfolk County Court-Rates for Tavern Keepers -- Justices of the Peace from 1637-Sheriffs of the County-Clerks of the Norfolk County Court -- Ministers Licensed to Perform the Rite of Matrimony-The Courts of Norfolk-The Courts of Portsmouth.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 287 Early Practitioners of Medicine in Norfolk County-Prominent Physicians of the First Half and Middle of the Nineteeth Century-Norfolk Medical Society-Local and United States Quarantine.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PRESS OF NORFOLK COUNTY. 292
Early and Defunct Newspapers of the County-Newspapers of Today.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE PORT, AND RAILROAD AND WATER COMMUNICATIONS. 297 Great Extent of Water Front-Reasons for the Commercial Advantages of the Port-Inland Water Routes-Railroad Lines-The Climate-Steamship Lines-Camparative Statistics on Exports and Imports, Shipping, Real Estate Transfers and Coal Shipments-The Virginia Pilots.
CHAPTER XX.
STATISTICS OF THE POPULATION . 317 Tithes and Tithables From Early Court Records-Population of Norfolk County; 1790-1900, from the Census Reports-Population of Norfolk and Portsmouth-The 1900 Census by Wards and Districts.
10
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXI. 321
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NORFOLK. Its Settlement and History as a Borough, by C. Whittle Sams-Its Commercial Advantages Recognized One Hundred Years Ago-Norfolk as a City -- Norfolk Post Office-Norfolk Warehouse Association- Patriotism and Patriots of Norfolk -- Suppression of the Slave Trade by Norfolk Committee.of Safety -- .1 Notable Historical Incidents -- The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities-The Wish- ing Oak-Fire History of Norfolk-Theatres-Charters of Norfolk-Changes Made in the Names of Streets Since 1865 -- Mayors of Norfolk -- Officers of the City of Norfolk-Losses Sustained in the Burning of Norfolk and Portsmouth by Lord Dunmore.
CHAPTER XXII. 368
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
The Town -- The First Act for Building the Town-Grant to Craford --- Will of the Founder -- Dale Pianta- tion-Extending the Boundaries-Tithables of 1795-Incorporated as a town-Names of Squares-Effing- ham Street -Incorporated as a City -- Changing the Wards-Historical Events -- The Great Freeze ---- The August Storm -- The Yellow Fever-The Gosport Iron Works-The United States Naval Hospital -- Ports- mouth's Patriotism and Patriots -- The Confederate Cause-The Portsmouth Fire Department- Great Con- flagrations-Mayors of Portsmouth -- Roster of City Officers.
CHAPTER XXIII.
SKETCHES OF BERKLEY AND OTHER TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 399 Berkley-Great Bridge-Port Norfolk and Pinner's Point-West Norfolk-South Norfolk-Gilmerton -- Lambert's Point-Churchland-Ocean View-Willoughby Beach-Norfolk-on-the-Roads -- Deep Creek.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BANKS, INDUSTRIES, COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS, HARBOR GOVERNMENT AND MASTERS OF ARTS .. . 409 Banks of Norfolk County -- Industries-The Norfolk Silk Company-Lumber Mills -- The Norfolk County Fisheries --- Crab Fisheries- Oyster Industry-Rates of Wages for Skilled Labor and Clerical Work --- The Business Men's Associations -- The Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk-The Ports- mouth Business Men's Association-Government of Norfolk and Portsmouth Harbor-Masters of Arts of the University of Virginia.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE UNITED STATES NAVY YARD 418 Advantages of its Situation -- Virginia Ownership-Gosport Navy Yard-Purchases of Land for the Navy Yard ---- Construction of the Stone Dry Dock-Improvement of the Navy Yard.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE CONFEDERATE STATES NAVY YARD 443
The Evacuation and Destruction of the Navy Yard by the Federals-Occupation by the State Authorities -- Turned Over to Confederate Government-Evacuation by the Confederates.
CHAPTER XXVII. 454
THE UNITED STATES NAVY YARD. Improvements -- Simpson Dry Dock-Naval Constructor Bowles' Administration-Building the " Raleigh" and " Texas" -- International Columbian Naval Rendezvous -- Fitting out Ships for War with Spain --- Records of Repair and Construction Work-The " Raleigh" and "Texas" in the Spanish-American War -Congressional Medals Awarded-U. S. Naval Hospital-Trophies of the Navy Yard Park-Command- ants of the Navy Yard.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE PROMINENT MEN WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY. 488 Capt. Adam Thorogood-Commodore Richard Dale -Commodore James Barron-Hon. Littleton W. Tazewell-Commodore Thomas Aloysius Dornin-Charles Reid -- Hugh Blair Grigsby, L.L. D .-- Gen. Richard Lucian Page-Capt. Robert Baker Pegram-Capt. Charles Fenton Mercer Spottswood -- Capt. James Wallace Cooke-Hon. George Blow - Capt John Julius Guthrie-Capt. Carther Braxton Poindexter Col. William White --- Capt. William H. Murdaugh ---- Lieut. Dulany A. Forrest-Capt. James Barron Hope- Capt. William C. Wheeler-Naval Constructor George R. Boush -- Capt. Walter R. Butt -Lieut .- Col. William Frederick Niemeyer-Naval Constructor Samuel Wilson Armiistead.
BIOGRAPHICAL 505
L
William AStewart
.
history of Derfolk County
CHAPTER I
VIRGINIA
ITS STATESMEN-SOLDIERS -- GRAND COMMONWEALTH.
O, Virginia! Beautiful name! A grand ; Monroe, whose doctrine restrains the greed of State! Her blue hills and green valleys and ; imperial nations of the East and a cavalier of fertile plains bear eternal monuments of the chaste honor and magnificent chivalry of her citizens. the purest days of chivalry for the emergency at Cuba-Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. Virginia gave. to American literature a poet laureate,-James Barron Hope. When her territory was re- quired, she donated the great Northwest to the American Union.
In colonial infancy, when South Carolina appealed for protection from the savage hordes, that were inurdering her people, Vir- ginia gave her money and sent an army to save tliem.
When Massachusetts invoked her noble spirit to resist the oppressions of George III, she gave great Washington to lead a feeble army to victory and success-eloquent Henry to kindle the fire of patriotism in the hearts. and scatter the incense of hope on the deeds of a people struggling for liberty -- Mason to create the Bill of Rights as the basis and foundation of government-Jefferson to indite a declaration to the world of a determination to absolve allegiance from the British Throne -Madison to draft the Constitution, the precious casket in which sparkles and glitters the jewel of American Freedom-Marshall, its most eminent expounder. Virginia gave
When her Southern Sisters stirred the storm of war, and the world frowned on them, she clasped their hands and gave her bloom- ing fields for their battle grounds.
Her Lee rose up to lead as the grandest soldier of the age -- her "Stonewall" Jackson was the brightest marshal in all the armies- her soldiers, whom Pickett led. mnade Gettys- burg the shrine of heroism on the Western Continent-her Maury, as . a philosopher, moved the thrones of the earth to bow to his wisdom.
A proud Commonwealth, whose name in peace or war shines out in loveliest light : 1 love Virginia! I love her for her grandeur in nature; I love her eternal mountains; her beautiful valleys: her crystal rivulets: her
14
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
noble rivers; her lowlands, and her tangled forests; I love the great billows that per- petually kiss her Eastern shores, and the white sand hills that drive them rushing and roar- ing back to the bosom of the mighty ocean : I love her blue banner and its thrilling motto. "Sic Semper Tyrannis."
:
---
I love Virginia for her splendid history, for her untiring unselfishness, for her great
soldiers and grand statesmen: I love her most for her beautiful and accomplished daughters whose transcendent virtues and graces have guilded her glorious memories through every generation with unfading splendor.
My heart bears to Virginia its most loval affection and my prayers shall ever be for her honor and her glory .--- [ ED. ]
CHAPTER II
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY
DISCOVERY OF VIRGINIA -- NEW NORFOLK CARVED FROM ELIZABETH CITY SHIRE-LOWER NEW NORFOLK SEPARATED FROM NANSEMOND COUNTY-EARLY SETTLEMENT -- IN- CIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE-EARLY SETTLERS-INDIAN TRIBES-BURGESSES-LOWER NORFOLK COUNTY DIVIDED -- PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTY-RAILROAD AND STEAMSHIP LINES-COLONIAL HOMES-ARTICLES OF APPRENTICESHIP -- BILL OF SALE FOR SLAVES -- HISTORICAL INCIDENTS.
DISCOVERY OF VIRGINIA.
Sir Walter Raleigh. the most gallant knight of Queen Elizabeth's Court, fitted out, at his own expense, in the year 1585, the sec- ond expedition to discover and settle Virginia. The fleet was commanded by Sir Richard Grenville; and late in June sailed through Ocracoke Inlet to Roanoke Island. The col- onists, 108 in number were landed there, re- maining about one year, when desperate from privations they returned to England. During this period Ralph Lane while exploring north- ward, about 130 miles, from Roanoke Island, discovered the village of the Chesapeake In- (lians on the Elizabeth River, and the great Chesapeake Bay. The first white men who ever trod the soil of Norfolk County were Ralph Lane and his comrades.
The Roanoke colonists learned from the Indians the use of tobacco, called by them uppowoc. The natives smoked it; sprinkled the dust of it in their fishing traps, to make them lucky : burned it as a sacrifice to appease the anger of the gods; and scattered it in the
air and on the water to allay the fury of the storm .. Lane carried some to England, which is supposed to have been the first ever intro- duced into that kingdom.
The next expedition, sent out the ensuing year, was directed to establish a colony at the village of the Chesapeakes under Gov. John White; but this was not carried out, owing to the refusal of the naval officer to co-operate in exploring the country for that purpose. This colony was chartered by the title of "Thie Governor and Assistants of the City of Raleigh in Virginia." Had the orders of Sir Walter Raleigh been carried out, the old "Burrough of Norfolk" would have been earlier born by another name.
Capt. Christopher Newport discovered land on his entrance into Chesapeake Bay and named it Cape Henry, and Capt. John Smith on his return from his three-months' cruise of discovery up the great bay sailed up the Chesapeake or Elizabeth River six or seven miles from its mouth and saw two or three cultivated patches and some cabins of the Chesapeake tribe of Indians.
16
HISTORY . OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Stith, in his history, writing of Ralph Lane's explorers. says :
To the Northward they went 130 miles to the Ches- apeakes, a Nation of Indians, seated on a small River, to the South of our Bay, now called Elizabeth river, from whom, as these first discoverers toll us. the Bay itself took its name. But some pretend to give another derivation of this word; and say, that Chesapeake sig- nified, in the Indian language. The Mother of Weters;
implying that it was the parent and grand reservoir of ; or Jamestown at its session of 1642-43, which
-
all the great rivers within it. * * * * * This town of the Chesapeakes, we are told, for pleasantness of situ- ation, for temperature of climate, fertility of soil. and commodiousness to the sea, was not to be excelled by any in the world.
This quaint language of the ancient his- torian very forcibly expresses the wonderful :advantages which nature has bestowed on this locality, that is now rapidly developing into that greatness for which nature has for three hundred years invited the white man to achieve.
The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities on the 29th of April. 1898, erected a tablet at Cape Henry in- scribed :
ORGANIZATION OF LOWER NORFOLK COUNTY.
The plantations of Virginia were divided into eight shires in 1634. to be governed as the shires of England. Lieutenants were to be appointed as in the mother country with an especial duty to conduct the wars against the Indians. Elizabeth . City, extending on both
sides of Hampton Roads, was one of these original shires. New Norfolk was carved from Elizabeth City; and soon divided into Upper and Lower New Norfolk. The final determination of the boundaries between Isle of Wight, Upper Norfolk or Nansemond County, and Lower Norfolk County was en- acted by the General Assembly at James City was the consummation of the organization of Lower Norfolk County ..
The topographical analysis of Virginia 1 published with Jefferson's notes in 1792, says this county was named for the Duke of Nor- folk; but as it was first called New Norfolk County, it is reasonable to presume that it was named for Norfolk in England.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The early settlement of this county was at- tended with all the difficulties. dangers and exposures which environed the colonists in . . other sections of Virginia. The plantations were established along the banks of the Eliza- . Near this spot Landed April 25th, 1607, Capt. Gabriel Archer Christopher Newport, Hon. Geofge Percy Bartholomew Gosuold, Edward Maria Wingfield With Twenty-five others who Calling the Place Cape Henry Planted a Cross April 29th, 1607. "Dei Gratia Virginia Condita." beth River and its branches, and communica- tion between them was almost entirely by boat. Out of the rugged life on these Virginia plan- tations sprang a class of courtly gentlemen that has ever since been distinguished for open hospitality and unbounded generosity. The planters were fond of society. indulged in all its pleasures and practiced all of its courtesies. The most influential citizens of Lower Norfolk Ralph Lane, Christopher Newport and County first settled in Elizabeth City County : but afterwards crossed Hampton Roads and John Smith were the discoverers of Lower ; made their plantations on the Elizabeth River. Norfolk County.
: on the Lynnhaven River and on the East- ern, Southern and Western branches of the Elizabeth.
INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE.
The first inhabitants were constantly in danger from treacherous and revengeful na- tives : after the bloody massacre of 1622, laws were passed to enforce every precaution
-
/
17
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
against ambush and. sudden assaults by the Indians. The settlers were required to sleep on their arms, keep watchmen behind palisad- ed houses at night. carry weapons while la- boring in the field and when assembled at church to worship God on the holy Sabbath, even when kneeling in praver, their right hands must grasp the barrel of a faithful flint- lock as their uplifted left hands implored Heaven's protection. No hour in the day or nighit could they feel safe from the bloody hands of the wild men who roamed the wilder- ness as tigers, with all living creatures for their enernies. Besides all these dangers to. their own lives. the country was infested with wolves, which destroyed their domestic ani- mals. The County Court on the 8th of Oc- tober. 1639. took the matter in hand and re- solved "Whereas it doth appear that there are divers and many damages done unto cat- tle in this lower county of New Norfolk by the multitudes of wolves which do frequent the woods and plantations, it is therefore ordered that any person whatsoever within the afore- said county shall kill any wolf and bring in the head to any officer in said county, the said person for every wolf so killed shall be paid by the sheriff fifty pounds of tobacco." The price was afterward, in May, 1782, increased to 100 pounds net tobacco for every young wolf not exceeding six months of age. and 200 pounds for those over that age in Norfolk and other counties, named in the act of the legislature, which was to be in force for three years-so for one hundred and fifty years the yearly levy accounts of the county have charges for wolves' heads.
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.