USA > Virginia > City of Richmond > City of Richmond > Virginia, especially Richmond, in by-gone days; with a glance at the present: being reminiscences and last words of an old citizen > Part 1
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Gc 975.502 R.41m 1129669
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
- 20. 270. Lexington 55: -
L
20 00
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02397 5201
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/virginiaespecial00mord
VIRGINIA,
ESPECIALLY
RICHMOND,
IN BY-GONE DAYS;
WITH A GLANCE AT THE PRESENT :
BEING REMINISCENCES AND LAST WORDS OF
An Old Citizen.
BY SAMUEL MORDECAI.
"HEC OLIM MEMINISSE JUVABIT."
Second Edition, With many corrections and additions.
RICHMOND : WEST & JOHNSTON, PUBLISHERS. 1860.
1
Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1860, BY SAMUEL MORDECAI,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia.
C. H. WYNNE, PRINTER, RICHMOND.
EXTRACT of a letter from WASHINGTON IRVING to the author, dated Sunny-Side, July 6, 1856.
"I had especially intended to thank you for your little volume, for it was particularly acceptable to me. 'Richmond in By-Gone Days' was Richmond as I knew it in the days of my youth, nearly fifty years since. Every page of your volume brought up some delightful recollection of scenes and charac- ters long since passed away; for at Richmond, at the time of my visit, there was a rare assemblage of the talent and beauty of Virginia; and the impressions I received then have ever made the ' Old Dominion' dear to me.'"
Collectors 18.00
1129669
Letter from Dr. JOHN W. FRANCIS to the author, dated New York, May 13, 1857.
" Dear Sir,-Your interesting volume of men and things, (your reminiscences, ) came safely to hand. I had already read the work with much gratification. It is such books that help to make up history, when writers like Macaulay take pen in hand. I shall preserve the volume, and I hope to have some notice taken of it. With many, many thanks, &c."
From the New York Observer, Nov. 20, 1856.
"This volume is full of pleasant reading, even for a stranger, but much more interesting to those who know the Capital of the Old Dominion. It is the work of leisure hours, delightfully spent in gathering up the threads of past days, and preserving the records that would otherwise be left to perish."
CONTENTS.
-
Page
PREFACE to First Edition,
· xiii
PREFACE to Second Edition, . XV
INTRODUCTION .- Origin of Richmond-Grants of land to William Byrd, 1673 to 1679-Town established 1742-
Lottery 1756-Seat of government 1779-City 1782, . 17 CHAPTER I. - Long time ago- Market house - Shockoe Creek-Rock Landing-Mall-Widewilt's Island-Sa- brina-Shot Tower-Cage-Stocks-Cart-tail-Duck- ing stool-Common scolds, 23 · CHAP. II .- British Merchants and Commercial Quacks-Celi- bacy-Tobacco conventions-Evasion of usury-Sham bills of exchange-Monopoly-Northern intrusion on it-Capital abstracted-Legislative action to the injury of trade-Commercial conventions, . 33
CHAP. III .- Modern Antiquities-Old Stone House-Adams' mansion-St. John's Church-Masonic Hall-Bird in Hand, City Tavern, Bowler's-Falling Garden-Henry Banks-Treasury-Council chamber-House of Mr. Strange, Mr. Gilliat, Mr. Marx,-Col. Mayo-Hermit- age-Bellville-Bridge - Old Capitol-J. Brown, sen'r and jun'r,
44
CHAP. IV .- Main Street-Last of the wooden houses-Brick row-The Old Gun, Eagle Tavern, Harris' high house -- Seawell Osgood, Fireman and Fifer-Mrs. Gilbert's Coffee house, Globe Tavern-Dust and mud-Spring Branch-Lombardy poplars-Tan-bark Hall, Colin's Gate
vi
CONTENTS.
Page
Lynch's Coffee house-War news-Aspiring Garden, horse, . · . 60
CHAP. V .- Broad Street-Bootwright, Gathright-Western trade-Wagons-Uphill work-Richards' tavern, . 65
CHAP. VI .- Capitol and Square-Ravines, Weeds, Bar- racks-Governor's house-Houdon's statue of Wash- ington-Speaker's chair-Grand stove-The grounds- Former and present surface of the city-Numerous springs-Black cockades and tri-colored, . 71
CHAP. VII .- Old Residences and their Occupants-Lawyers -Elbow-room -Treasurer Ambler, Letter from his daughter, describing Richmond in 1780-Chief Justice Marshall, his simplicity of manners, his devotion to his wife, his eulogium on her-Col. Carrington-Daniel Call, dialogue with a client-George Fisher, Major Ambler, Judge Nicholas, B. W. Leigh, Col. John Har- vie - Belvidere- Dedication - Mr. Wickham, retort courteous-Benjamin Botts-Chapman Johnson, his sons-Alexander McRae-Mr. Pickett outwitted-Mr. Pollard averse to law or to trickery-Charles Johnston rescued from the stake-Dr. Lyons, P. Tinsley, Col. R. Gamble and his sons and daughters-Mr. Wirt's theatrical display in cuerpo-Bushrod Washington, Edmund Randolph and descendants-George Hay, his widow daughter of President Monroe-Dr. McClurg, his high standing-Major Du Val, Ralph Ringwood, Chancellor Wythe-Letter from Henry Clay, respect- ing his life and death-Statue of Mr. Clay by Hart and the Ladies-John Warden, his beauty, wit and grace; his apology to the Legislature-Alex'r Camp- bell, J. Barrett, William Hay, Joseph Marx, William Munford, . 79
CHAP. VIII .- Old Residences and their Occupants, continued- William Robertson, clerk of the council, and his chil-
vii
CONTENTS.
Page
dren ;- Anthony Robinson-Thos. Ritchie, of the En- quirer-Andrew Dunscombe and descendants-Arch'd Blair, John Graham-John Robinson, clerk, and his sons ;-- J. Dobie, Edw'd Cunningham, Dr. Watson-Jno. Brown, clerk and secretary-J. Hopkins-Cannon balls from the Bosphorus-H. Moncure, A. Duval, Dr. Well- ford, Gen. Braxton, Andrew Nicholson, Rev Mr. Wood- bridge, McClure, Brydie, McCredie, Col. Tatem, Bishop Moore, Jos. Jackson, P. Gibson, N. Mills, Southgate, Jacob Cohen, Sam'l Myers, Wm. Wiseham, J. Prosser, W. Moncure, J. Heron, C. Copland, C. Ellis-Albert Gallatin, his letter respecting his early life in Virginia ; his house in Richmond and subsequent occupants- Bushrod Washington, J. D. McCaw and Conway Rob- inson-Major Gibbon, his son burned in the theatre -- D. M. Randolph-Moldavia, Mrs. Randolph the queen, her dominion ; the refrigerator her invention-Col. T. M. Randolph, Mrs. Hackley, Gouverneur Morris and Wife ; Miss C., the paragon of beauty ; Mr. Gallego, the miller ; J. Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, And. Ronald, David Ross, Thomas Rutherfoord, Jas. Pegram, Sam'l Taylor, J. Penn, T. Wilson, D. Bullock, W. Price, G. W. Munford, J. R. Anderson ; J. Y. Mason, his cool- ness while his house was burning; J. A. Chevallie, anecdote of Beaumarchais ; P. Drew, T. Richardson ; J. Mutter, father of Professor M .; Dr. Hayes ; Thos. Green, deities in Marble-A parting scene-Judge Roane, autocrat of the Democracy ; Mr. Webb, his suc- cessor (not an autocrat)-Church Hill-Adams' family, their hill-top residences-William Marshall, Gov. G. W. Smith, Geo. Nicolson and descendants; Friend Couch, J. Foster, Strobia, Clarke, Lambert, A. Craig, Andrew Stevenson, Judge Stanard, William Rowlett, Richard Young, Mrs. Young, a resident of Mount Vernon dur- ing Washington's life, .
. 112
viii
CONTENTS.
Page
CHAP. IX .- The Mayor-Search warrant-Bottle wager-
Other Wagers-Darmstadt- Washington's visit, . 143
CHAP. X .- The Hay-Scale War-Contest for distinction-A peace maker-An empty honor, . 151
CHAP. XI .- Two Parsons and ne'er a Church-St. John's- Patrick Henry-Quakers-Parsons Buchanan and Blair and Abbé Dubois hold their services in the Capitol- Clerical jokes and clerical brotherhood, . 154
CHAP. XII .- Cemeteries-St. John's, Old Mortality, Female grave digger, Shockoe Hill Cemetery, Holly-wood, Oak- wook, Catholic, Hebrew, . 163
CHAP. XIII. - Citizens of Yore-Mr. Rose, the jailor - Rose's brig-Jailor artist-Mr. Fitzwhyllsonn-Musi- cal society-Horsemanship-Fat Nancy, La Foret, Bon- nardel; Jack Willis, his nephew Prince Murat; Jemmy Elliot and his lizards; Friend Maddux; Tankard, the town crier, . 166
CHAP. XIV .- Old Fashions-Cravats, Buckskin breeches, Disastrous gallantry, Last of the fair tops, . 184
CHAP. XV .- Quackery and Credulity-Perkins' tractors, . 189
CHAP. XVI .- Mineral Waters-Cooling off-Early rising- Magic dissolved-Lynchburg well, truth not at its bottom, . 192
CHAP. XVII .- Distinguished Visitors-Invisible Lady, Tom Moore, Jerome Bonaparte, Gen. Reubel, . 196
CHAP. XVIII .- Places of Amusement-Theatre-First Acad- emy of Fine Arts in America begun in Richmond- Memoir of M. Quesnay, its projector-Building con- verted to a theatre-Convention to ratify the Constitu- tion of the United States sat there-Wirt's description of it, . . 198
ix
CONTENTS.
Page
CHAP. XIX. - Places of Amusement, continued - Academy Square, New Market, Fox and Wren, Theatres, Burn- ing of the theatre-Dr. McCaw and Gilbert-Prior's Garden, Haymarket, Trent's bridge, French Garden, Mitchell's Spring, Academy Hill, Goddin's Spring, . 210
CHAP. XX .- Physicians-Drs. Leiper, McClurg, Foushee, Currie, Cringan, Adams, Lyons, Greenhow, Watson, Nelson, Trent, Clarke, Bohannan, Cullen, Chamber- layne, Warner, Maupin-Apothecaries-Medical Col- lege,
. 220
CHAP. XXI .- Newspapers and Printers-Virginia Gazette, Aug. Davis-Slow coaches-Examiner, Meriwether Jones-Quizzing-Modern indecency of newspapers- Patriot-Argus, Samuel Pleasants-British Spy-Cal- lender, Recorder-Federalist-Enquirer, T. Ritchie- Compiler, L. Anderson-Whig, John H. Pleasants- Ephemera-Literary periodicals : Amoenitates Graph- icæ, Girardin; Gleaner, Grantland; Visitor, Lynch & Southgate; Southern Literary Messenger, T. White, B. B. Minor, J. R. Thompson -- Dixon, Nicolson, War- rock-Bannaker, the black astronomer, . 227
CHAP. XXII .- Publicans and Patriots-Burgess-Raphael, City Tavern-Caspar Fleisher-Rising Sun-Brewery -Col. Radford, Eagle-Crouch, Virginia Inn-Major Davis-Col. Goodall of Indian Queen, Ensign of Han- over volunteers in Dunmore's day - Major Moss - Swan-Burr's lodgings-His friends, &c. . £
. . 243
CHAP. XXIII .- Races and Balls-Ralph Ringwood-Equip- ages-Race ground-Race ball-Minuet-Sy. Gilliat and London Brigs, . 249
CHAP. XXIV .- Societies-The Amicable, its members, its revival-The Library-T. Nicolson - Quoit Club at Buchanan's Spring, at Clarke's Spring- Major Clarke,
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CONTENTS.
Page
Bellona Arsenal-Silk worm operatives-Morus multi- caulis, · . 253
CHAP. XXV .- Evening Pastimes -Loo and whist excite- ment-Hickory Cornhill-Geo. Tucker, E. W. Rootes- Oaths, . 262
CHAP. XXVI .- A Medley-Moses Austin, founder of Texas, of a shot factory, and of Gamble's corner, the great resort of martens-Their annual meetings at the Capi- tol -- The Armory-Haller's Academy-Fremont-Den- tistry and Architecture-Black artists-Peter Hawkins, tooth-drawer-His neighbor the builder, . 267
CHAP. XXVII .- Sharp Shins and Shin Plasters-Bank notes -First bank 1773-Other banks-Foreign gold and silver, Cob money, Cut money - Proc : Continental paper money, . 274
CHAP. XXVIII .- Flush Times in Richmond -- Flood of bank notes-Dearth of specie-Land speculations-Towns on paper-Auctions-Projects-Specie resumption-Bub- ble burst-Navy Hill, Marion Hill, Port Mayo, Gover- nor's garden, Sydney, Union Hill, Bacon's Quarter, Shed Town, Butcher Town, Screamersville, Oregon Hill, Darty Town, Scuffle Town, Fulton, West Hamp- ton, Banks Town, Mechanicsville-Morus multicaulis mania-Secret inquisition at Westover, . 280
CHAP. XXIX .- The James River Canal-Washington, the projector and first President, declines donations of $45,000 for himself; bequeaths them to colleges- Successive presidents-Locks not made to open -- Pro- gress and close of first company-Dock-New locks- Extension to Lynchburg, to Buchanan-Projected ex- tension to Covington and to the Ohio-Extension of capital-Conversion of State loans, &c., . 296
CHAX. XXX .- Roads-Turnpikes: Brook, Richmond, West- ham, Mechanicsville-Mud-pikes-Plank-roads-Rail-
xi
CONTENTS.
Page
roads : Richmond & Fredericksburg, Central, Peters- burg, Danville, York River, Orange & Alexandria- Petersburg to Roanoke, to Lynchburg, to Norfolk, . 301
CHAP. XXXI .- The Bridges and Manchester-Mayo's bridge, of logs, of boats, of piers, strangely crossed-Coutt's ferry and fishery-Sturgeon ride -- Coutt's last words -- Dreadful freshet and loss of life-Trent's bridge, Petersburg railroad bridge, Danville railroad bridge -- Rocky Ridge, Manchester -- Nomenclature - Ower- canny Scot-Cotton and flour mills-A drought- Abrasion of rocks in the falls-Medusa's head, . 305
CHAP. XXXII .- Banks and Insurance Companies-James River Bank, Bank of Virginia, Farmers Bank-Grad- ual, moderate and rapid increase of banks-Mutual Assurance Society -- Dependence on foreign companies -- Recent large increase in Virginia-New subjects of insurance suggested, . 316
CHAP. XXXIII .- Manufactures and Mills-Joint stock com- panies- Outrages on our commerce-Virginia cloth the fashion-Harris's cotton mill and other factories unsuccessful-Change from companies to individuals- Successful results - Embargo and non-intercourse- Trade via Florida-Frontier trick-Ross's mills, Gal- lego's, Haxall's, Radford's, Rutherford's ; Dunlop, Moncure & Co.'s, Brummel's, Crenshaw's, Tredegar Iron Works, and others, , . 319
CHAP. XXXIV .- Tobacco Warehouses-Tobacco the colonial currency-Warehouses and inspections-Tobacco roll- ers -- Mode of selling-Negro-head and pig-tail -- Fancy names -- Flavoring ingredients-Extent of business, - 329
CHAP. XXXV .-- The Visit of Lafayette-Enthusiastic recep- tion, . 334
xii
CONTENTS.
Page
CHAP. XXXVI .-- The Washington Monument-Inception- Subscription-Suspension- Revival-Commencement -- Crawford's statues -- The group around the eques- trian statue of Washington, . 337
CHAP. XXXVII .-- The Museum-The founder-Site on Capi- tol square-Statues draped-Laocoon sold to the sur- geons, . . 342
CHAP. XXXVIII .- Gas and Water- Richmond the first city lighted-Among the first watered-Substitution of more recent establishments-A fish story, . . 346
CHAP. XXXIX .- The Colored Aristocracy-High life below stairs-Respect paid to old servants-Black fiddlers, pastry cooks, cold weather and comfort-Dignity, fine dressing, fashionable visiting, . . 350
VALEDICTORY, . 358 . .
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
-
THE unpretending character of this little book will probably disarm criticism, except from the attacks of such literary prowlers as make their assaults on the weakest, that they may be safe from resistance or retaliation.
These reminiscences were commenced at a pe- riod of illness, to while away the tedium of a sick chamber, and would not have extended beyond the few pages thus penned to kill time, had not some friends urged the extension of them, to serve as a slight memorial of men and things and events, of which there were few or no records, and which must soon pass into oblivion if not rescued by one of the survivors of them.
The reader may doubt whether a large portion of the contents deserve to be thus rescued; and should this be the general opinion, the judgment will be carried into execution, by the book being consigned to the oblivion it merits.
What portions of these reminiscences are to be ascribed to false impressions on the memory, I must refer to my cotemporaries, being unconscious of them myself. In old age, the memory like the
2
xiv
PREFACE.
sight, discerns remote objects, while those which are near become indistinct, or imperceptible. But the imagination sometimes plays tricks with both. Memory becomes so strongly impressed with what it had frequently heard or frequently narrated, as to convert legends into facts, and phantoms into real- ities ; and the eye is also deceived by outlines and shadows, into seeing objects, which have neither form nor substance-
"Giving to airy nothings a local habitation and a name."
The writer trusts that there is nothing in these pages to wound the feelings of any one living person mentioned, or of the descendants of one ; he can conscientiously assert that there is no such intention, and express his regret if his motives should be misinterpreted.
P. S .- When the following pages were penned, the writer had not seen the volume entitled "His- tory of Richmond, by Dr. John P. Little; " and having not yet perused it regularly, he is uncon- scious of any encroachments on the Doctor's manor, and he will be the first probably to excul- pate the writer from any such charge. The Doc- tor's work appears to be one of historical research, to which this lays no claim.
MARCH, 1856.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
THE appearance of this volume is prompted solely by a wish to leave, instead of its predeces- sor, a more correct and complete record of the writer's reminiscences. Ever since the publica- tion of that volume, the author has been con- scious of its errors and imperfections, which, if they were overlooked by his friends, were not by himself; and he has felt it a duty to both to leave a fairer record, unimportant as it is. If he suc- ceeds in this, his object will be attained, without any other reward than the approbation of the public, and especially of his fair friends, whose kind reception of the first edition is an additional inducement to test their indulgence and that of the public by the issue of a second.
Having now confessed his errors, for which he seeks to atone, he trusts to obtain absolution. He seeks not only to merit this, but to obtain favor by the amplification of former subjects and the introduction of new ones.
A slight change has been made in the title, partly to distinguish this from the first edition, and partly because some subjects outside of Richmond are introduced.
xvi
PREFACE.
New flounces have been added to the old dress, and patches or new breadths (like those in ladies' dresses of to-day), are inserted where it was neces- sary to tear out the former texture, in order to substitute better materials. Indeed, the old dress should be entirely discarded, and the new one sub- stituted. Those who possess the former, are there- fore advised, if a gentleman to use it for lighting cigars, if a lady for curl-papers (it will put no wicked thoughts in her head), and obtain a copy of the "second edition, corrected and enlarged."
Whether any persons will be tempted to follow this advice is a risk to be incurred by the publish- ers, and if not followed, the public will also be the losers. Warm weather prevails, when light diet is best, and such this volume furnishes.
Should there be found an infusion of garrulity, the influence of seventy-four summers on the writer must plead his excuse. Age is more apt to have a profusion of words than of ideas. Pray, dear reader, proceed to the perusal with an indulgent spirit, and if a lady, with a sweet voice, to atone for rough composition. May it at least induce gentle slumbers and pleasant dreams. Good night.
Or to change this levity to a serious and softer tone, for these are parting words to many friends- FAREWELL.
MAY 1, 1860.
INTRODUCTION.
-
IT may not be amiss to prefix to these recollec- tions of the City of Richmond a short notice of its origin
The name originated from the fancied resem- blance of its site to Richmond, on the Thames, which is noticed at the present day by persons who have seen both, and if Rougemont gave a color of adaptation to the latter, it might well have done so to our city, whose hill-sides glow with a rich red tint.
A grant of 7,351 acres of land, "beginning at the mouth of Shoccoe's Creek," and running up the river several miles, and north of it a con- siderable distance, was obtained by Capt. William Bird from Sir William Berkeley, Governor, on the 15th of March, 1675-6, in consideration of the introduction of 122 persons into the Colony, the names of whom are recited in the grant, and sub- sequently for introducing some negro slaves. In 1687, a patent was granted to the same gentleman for 956 acres, beginning on the east side of Shoccoe's Creek at its mouth, and extending up the creek and down the river. On a part of this
18
INTRODUCTION.
latter grant, Richmond first sprung up and subse- quently spread over a portion of the larger grant west of Shockoe Creek.
[These grants were confirmed by an act of the "Grand As- sembly, held at James City " in 1679, which " granted to Capt. William Bird within these bounds, beginning on the south side of James River, one mile and a half below the Falls, and so continuing five miles up the river in a straight line, and back- wards one mile into the woods," "and on the north side of said river, beginning half a mile before the Falls, and thence continuing five miles up the river and two miles backwards into the woods, all which he accounts and presumes to be his own land,"-" and he shall become bound and obliged to seat the whole number of fifty able men armed and constantly fur- nished with sufficient ammunition and provisions, together with such number of titheable persons not exceeding 250 in the whole, on both sides of said river, within the space of half a mile along the river on each side and a quarter of a mile back- wards into the woods."
A similar grant on Rappahannock river, was made to Law- rence Smith, and offered to any other persons, at or near the heads of any other of the great rivers, on condition of their placing military forces and other persons, "for the protection of his Majesty's country against our barbarous enemies, the Indians."]
The following extract from a manuscript volume of Col. WM. BYRD, OF WESTOVER, the founder of the City, was written in the year 1733, in his journal :
"Sept. 19, 1733 .- When we got home we laid the foundation of two large cities, one at Shacco's, to be called Richmond, and the other at the Falls of Appomattox river, to be named Petersburg. These Major Mayo offered to lay out into lots without fee or reward. The truth of it is, these two places
19
INTRODUCTION.
being the uppermost landing of James and Appomattox rivers, are naturally intended for marts where the traffic of the outer inhabitants must centre. Thus we did not build castles only, but also cities in the air." [The Westover Manuscripts, Petersburg .- Printed by Edmund and Julian Ruffin, 1841.]
It was to PETER JONES, not to Peter the Great, that Petersburg was indebted for its name-Jones little thought that the claims of the Czar and him- self would ever conflict for any honor or distinction, although, like his great name-sake, he also founded a city on marshy ground, as the old part of our Petersburg originally was. But great geniuses often jump together.
In the year 1742, the Assembly of Virginia passed " an act establishing the town of Richmond, in the county of Henrico, and allowing Fairs to be held therein " in the months of May and Novem- ber, "on the lands of Wm. Byrd, Esq., at the Falls of James river." Shockoe's Creek was the northern and eastern boundary. The river and a line therefrom along First street to the creek, (pro- bably Bacon Branch) was the southern and western.
In 1744, an act was passed to prohibit the build- ing of wooden chimneys, "by reason of the immi- nent danger of fire."
In 1769, "an act for establishing towns at Rocky Ridge, (Manchester), at Gloucester Court House, and Layton's Ware-house."
In 1779, "an act for the removal of the seat of
20
INTRODUCTION.
government" to the town of Richmond-which includes a section authorizing an enlargement of its limits by the addition of two hundred lots, or one hundred acres.
In 1780, "an act for locating the public squares, to enlarge the town, and for other pur- poses "-locates the Capitol, Halls of Justice, State House for Executive Boards, and a house for the Governor, on Shockoe Hill, and a Public Market below the hill, on the same side of the creek. "Thomas Jefferson, Archibald Cary, Ro- bert Carter Nicholas, Richard Adams, Edmund Randolph, Turner Southall, Robert Goode, James Buchanan, and Samuel Du Vall, Esquires, were appointed to lay off in such form and of such dimensions as shall be convenient and requisite." Two hundred more lots of a half acre each were added, and authority given to clear the naviga- tion leading to Shockoe landing, "which was much obstructed of late by freshets, the natural course of the creek being altered, by which large banks of sand have been thrown up, which if not quickly removed, may render the navigation to the upper landing useless," i. e. the late site of the Gas Works, on Cary street.
In 1781, " an act to secure to persons who desire titles to lots, lands and tenements, under the lottery, or under a deed of trust of the late Wm. Byrd, Esq., a fee simple estate therein."
21
INTRODUCTION.
The WM. BYRD here spoken of, was a son of the founder, and was as industrious in losing a fortune, as his father had been in making one. The sale of lots in Richmond was perhaps not so rapid as his expenditures required, and from the recital in this act, it appears that in 1756 he made a lottery of lots in Richmond and Manchester. He may have sunk metal more precious by working a Lead mine in the county of Augusta wherein he was concerned with John Robinson and John Chiswell.
Augusta may then have been the frontier county in Virginia, bounded on the west, it may be pre- sumed, by the Pacific. I have seen a large map mouldering on the ruinous walls at Eltham, at the head of York river, where Albemarle county had such an illimitable boundary.
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