USA > Virginia > Rockingham County > Rockingham County > A history of Rockingham County, Virginia > Part 9
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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
CHAPTER VI. A GROWING COMMUNITY.
1820-1860.
The period from 1820 to 1860 was one of varied and far- reaching activities. The new nation had won its political independence by the Revolution, and its commercial inde- pendence by the war of 1812: it was now achieving its indus- trial independence through the development of manufac- tures, the invention of agricultural machinery, and the im- provement of transportation facilities; and was preparing to realize its intellectual independence, as well, by thinking for itself and writing books that were no longer fashioned upon European models. Within this period fall the Missouri Compromise, the enunciation of the Monroe Doctrine, South Carolina nullification, the abolition movement, the economic crisis of 1837, the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850, John Brown's Raid, and the beginning of secession.
In Rockingham County the main currents of national movements were being felt and registered, and at the same time affairs of State and local interest were riding upon high tides. Population was increasing and being widely dis- tributed by emigration; social institutions were being devel- oped, law systems were being perfected, military organiza- tions were being maintained, and natural resources were be- ing exploited. It was a time frequently marked by sharp political agitation, the constitution of the State being re- written twice within the period, once in 1829-30, again in 1850-51. Churches were being extended, and not a little at- tention was being directed toward general education, but the chief local movements of the time appear to have been poli- tical, social, and economic, rather than religious or literary. It was a time of "internal improvements"-some railroads
State Normal and Industrial School for Women, Harrisonburg, Va. (Page 307)
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being projected, some towns, perhaps, being "boomed," several banks being established, many roads being con- structed, and a large number of bridges being erected. In the decade preceding the crisis of 1837 the building of turnpikes was especially in vogue, the Valley Turnpike and the one leading from Harrisonburg to Warm Springs both being con- structed within that time. The Rockingham Turnpike, lead- ing from Harrisonburg eastward toward Swift Run Gap, was not built until some years later, but still within the period under consideration. The roads, good and bad, were being utilized, not only for neighborhood communication and trans- portation, but also for a great wagon trade with Scottsville, Fredericksburg, Winchester, and other markets; and the Shenandoah River at the same time was a throbbing channel of navigation between the eastern sections of the county and the cities on the Potomac.
Chapters XII and XXVI are devoted specially to roads and the river trade, respectively; further particulars regard- ing banks may be found in Chapter XXII; and a number of items concerning the bridges of the county will be found here and there-some further on in this chapter.
Rockingham County has always been notable as a distri- buting center for people. In this respect it resembles those counties of Eastern Pennsylvania, whence most of its early settlers came. Far and wide, over the south, west, and north- west, in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and many other States, not only indi- viduals but also communities may be found that trace their ancestry or former places of residence to Rockingham County, Virginia. As already indicated, emigration was common from the first, but so great was the exodus in the period under review that the number of Rockinghamers actually in Rock- ingham in 1850 was about 300 less than in 1830; and emigra- tion was so rapid in the decade following 1830 that the popu- lation (only the white population is included in these figures) was nearly 3000 less in 1840 than in 1830. To cite a single instance, there were nine children in one of the Kaylor fami-
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lies, but only one remained in Rockingham; from 1828 to 1833 the other eight moved to Logan County, Ohio, where their descendants are numerous to-day; and with the last of the eight went the mother of them all.
Another reason for the decrease of population in Rock- ingham between 1830 and 1840 is to be found in the forma- tion of Page County, in 1831, from Rockingham and Shenan- doah; but the part taken from Rockingham was small, as may be seen by a glance at the map, not large enough to re- quire of itself the growth of twenty years in compensation. We must reckon still with the steady stream going westward.
The main reason for this movement towards the west is doubtless to be found in the liberal policy adopted by the Federal Government in 1820 for disposing of the public lands. Immediately the movement westward was acceler- ated, and for a number of years preceding 1837 the land fever was widespread and at high temperature. The popu- lation of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa increased from 792,719 in 1820 to 2,967,840 in 1840. Much of the growth of Rockingham in this period must be registered in these States, rather than within her own defi- nite boundaries.
But temporary loss of population did not diminish the fertility of Rockingham fields, or the vigor of her sons and daughters who abode at home. About 1845 Henry Howe traveled all over Virginia, then including West Virginia, and wrote an account of each county in order. Of Harrisonburg he wrote, "The village is handsomely built, flourishing, and is surrounded by a beautiful and fertile country."1
Among other towns and villages he mentions specially Mt. Crawford, Port Republic, Deaton (Dayton), and Edom Mills.
One of the features-we might almost say, one of the in- stitutions-of Rockingham life in the early part of the 19th century was the annual Methodist campmeeting at Taylor Springs (now Massanetta). An intimate glimpse into the
1. Howe's Historical Collections of Virginia, 1852 Edition, page 460.
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conditions frequently prevalent at that time is afforded by a notice that appeared in the Rockingham Register of August 11, 1825, in which a committee of the brethren (probably the committee of arrangements) assured the order-loving public that they would spare no vigilance in protecting the meeting of that year against disorder, and that they intended to en- force the law against any who might interrupt the worship- ers with liquor-selling, swearing, drinking, or sabbath-break- ing. The committee consisted of Peachy Harrison, Stephen Harnsberger, and Edward Stevens.
In the same issue of the Register appeared an article, copied with evident approval from the Alexandria Herald, which shows that the Methodists and other religious bodies of Rockingham were not alone in their desire to get rid of slavery. The article is as follows:
EMANCIPATION.
In addition to the fact of the emancipation of 70 slaves by Mr. Minge, of Virginia, the Richmond Whig of Friday says that two in- stances of the triumph (of) philanthropy and patriotism, over the sordid selfishness of our nature, can be recited, equally as meritorious and splen- did as that act of distinguished munificence. The Rev. Fletcher Andrew, an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, had received from the bounty of a dying relative, twenty slaves, at that time valued at $10,000; shortly after he attained the age of twenty-one years, al- though they constituted nearly the whole of his worldly property, this amiable and pious man, generously emancipated every one of them. And Mr. Charles Crenshaw, a farmer residing in the neighborhood of Rich- mond, has recently manumitted all the slaves he owned, amounting alto- gether to sixty.
An able writer in the Register of October 5, 1822, reviews the political condition of the country at large, and deplores the rivalries and dissensions so much in evidence among the different States and sections. He says:
The preservation of our union is unfortunately too deeply connected with this interesting subject-an epoch has appeared in our History, that every federative government must sooner or later experience, an im- portant crisis has arrived; our future prosperity and happiness is wrap- ped within the events of the next five years, and it rests with us, whether we shall continue to enjoy the blessings of our present happy constitution,
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or be subjected to all the vicissitudes, and destructions, of a state of an- archy and confusion. Should one pillar of the Union be removed, the whole Edifice would soon tumble into ruins; and all hopes of a reestab- lishment will be preposterous. Every state will assume to itself individ- ual sovereignty, the smaller states will feel the encroachment of the greater, and be a prey to every dangerous passion.
There was evidently a strong sentiment in Rockingham and adjacent counties favoring a revision of the State con- stitution in 1829-30. In Rockingham the vote was 630 for a. convention, 125 against a convention; in Augusta, 560 for, 109 against; in Shenandoah, 968 for, 13 against. All the counties of the Valley-perhaps all in the western part of the State-gave large majorities for a convention, while many of those east of the Blue Ridge gave majorities against it. After the convention had done its work, Rockingham gave 457 votes in favor of adopting the new constitution, and only 49 against adoption; in Augusta the vote was 285 and 270, pro and con; in Shenandoah, 671 and 61.
In this connection it will be of interest to see how the famous Nullification Ordinance, passed by South Carolina in November 1832, was received in Rockingham County. The: writer has been exceedingly fortunate in securing, through the kindness of Mr. James B. Stephenson of Harrisonburg, a copy of the Rockingham Register of January 12, 1833, in which is a full and detailed account of the great mass meeting that was held on Monday, January 7, 1833, to consider the burning questions of the time.
The following editorial note, in the Register referred to, will introduce us to the situation:
"In this day's paper we give the proceedings of the meeting held in the Court House on Monday last, pursuant to notice. It will be seen from the preamble and resolutions adopted, that Nullification finds but little favor in this county, and that the President's decided and patriotic course meets with general approbation from all parties."
The meeting referred to in this note was held, as already stated, on January 7, 1833, a large number of citizens of all parties being present. Dr. Peachy Harrison was made chair-
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man, and Allan C. Bryan secretary. On motion of Augustus Waterman a committee of seven was appointed to report a preamble and resolutions to the meeting. The following gen- tlemen composed the committee: Augustus Waterman, David Steele, Henry J. Gambill, Samuel Cootes, Dr. Michael H. Harris, Major Edward H. Smith, and James M. Huston.
A lengthy preamble and extended resolutions under seven heads were reported. The preamble referred to the recent nullification ordinance of South Carolina and acknowledged the crisis thereby impending. Resolution 1 asserted the su- premacy of the national government, and denied that it was a compact or league of independent States; Resolution 2 ac- knowledged the right of revolution as a last resort, but denied the right of any State of nullification or peaceable secession; Resolution 3 deplored the "precipitate, rash, misguided vio- lence of our Sister State of South Carolina," and denounced her conduct as "plainly, palpably, dangerously unconstitu- tional"; Resolution 4 approved the proclamation of the Presi- dent; Resolution 5 reprobated the action of the governor of Virginia (John Floyd) in transmitting the ordinance of South Carolina to the Virginia legislature, and declared that the Virginia Resolutions of 1799 could not properly be held as justifying the recent action of South Carolina; Resolution 6 cheered on the Union party in South Carolina; and Resolution 7 ordered that the secretary transmit a copy of the proceed- ings to the President of the United States, to each of the Rockingham delegates in the General Assembly, and to the following papers: Richmond Enquirer, Constitutional Whig, Staunton Spectator, Rockingham Register, and The Globe.
The resolutions adopted, particularly Resolutions 1 and 2, followed the constitutional sophistries of Daniel Webster; and on the same page of the Register with them is printed Webster's speech in Faneuil Hall, delivered December 17, 1832.
Resolutions 3 and 6 were carried unanimously; the others "with a very few dissenting votes." We may infer that Peachy Grattan, I. S. Pennybacker, and Dr. Moomau were
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among the dissenting voters; for it is reported that these gentlemen offered substitute resolutions, and supported them in speeches. The defenders of the prevailing resolutions were chiefly Mr. Waterman, Thomas Clark, and Mr. Cootes.
The above-mentioned meeting was perhaps the last notable gathering ever held in the Old Courthouse; for in the same issue of the Register that contains the account of the said meeting is to be found a notice, signed by Jacob Rush, David Henton, John Kenney, and Peachy Harrison, commis- sioners, that on the third Monday of January, 1833, the old building would be sold. It was to be remeved by March 15, in order to clear the ground for the new courthouse.
The attitude of Virginia and Rockingham County toward the political issues of the time may be further illustrated by the following verses, which are the first two stanzas of a song reprinted from the New York Courier & Enquirer in the Rockingham Register of November 9, 1833.
Save De Union.
A mighty angry quarrel rose Among de Tariff's friens' an' foes, An' Souf Calina in a fit, De Union vows to curse an' quit. But save de Union, ole folks, young folks, Ole Virginny nevah tire.
Virginny loves her Sistah State, An' most as much de Tariff hate, But while de Tariff she despise, De Union berry much she prize, So save de Union, ole folks, young folks, Ole Virginny nevah tire.
In 1838 there were six voting places in the county, namely: Court House; Riddle's, in Brock's Gap; Zigler's School House, at Timberville; Richard Pickering's, at Sparta; Conrad's Old Store; Solomon Pirkey's, in McGaheysville. In 1842 there were seven: Harrisonburg; Addison Harper's, Brock's Gap; Schoolhouse of John Zigler, Timberville; Rich- ard Pickering's; Conrad's Old Store; McGaheysville; Bright-
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well's old store, on Beaver Creek. In 1858 a precinct was established at the house of Samuel Cootes.
The Rockingham Register, in 1840, was ardent in its sup- port of Van Buren. In the issue of August 15 a two-column campaign article appears, aimed, of course, at Harrison and the Whigs, and containing a long list of those gentlemen who constituted the Democratic Vigilance Committee for Central (or Harrisonburg) Precinct. Peachy Harrison was chairman of the committee.
In 1841 the following persons were agents for the Regis- ter, at the places designated:
Naason Bare-Timberville
Jacob Deck-Brock's Gap R. Pickering-Spartapolis Geo. E. Deneale-Smith's Creek
P. A. Clark-Mt. Crawford John Dinkle-Bridgewater Joseph Conrad-Conrad's Store
D. Irick-McGaheysville Reuben Emick-Linvill's Creek
Wesley Bare-Parnassus Young J. Hiner-Doe-Hill
Wm. McCoy-Franklin
S. Sterling, of Rockh., Gen. Agt.
In 1844 the Harrisonburg Republican was in the Presi- dential campaign, for Clay and Frelinghuysen, and against the Register-not to mention Polk and Dallas. The follow- ing paragraph is copied from the Republican of July 23, 1844.
Our brother of the Fairmount (Va.) Pioneer is correct. "The enter- prising Whigs of Rockingham have caused a Whig paper to be estab- lished in that strong hold of Locofocoism," and what is more to the point, they intend keeping it up.
A few notes relating to military affairs within the period before us are herewith presented. On April 19 (a notable anniversary!), 1822, John Kenny was commissioned colonel (field officer of cavalry) in Rockingham. In 1828 the num- ber of Virginia militia totaled 100,707, Frederick County
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standing first with 2569, Shenandoah second, with 2556, and Rockingham fourth, with 2296. In 1835 the General As- sembly passed an Act establishing in Rockingham a new and distinct regiment, to be known as the 145th Regiment of Vir- ginia Militia. The commissioners named in the Act were John Cowen, Samuel Cootes, John Allabough, Anderson Moffitt, George Piper, David Lincoln, Samuel Miller, Abram Burd, and David Henton. The next year an Act to apportion more equally the enrolled militia of the three Rockingham Regiments was passed. In the Register of April 7, 1838, is found a notice from Wm. Burnside, O. S., ordering the rifle company, commanded by Capt. Speck and attached to the 145th Regiment, to parade on the 2d Saturday of April at Paul's Mill, Beaver Creek. In another copy of the same paper, dated April 8, 1842, are three similar notices: One from J. Billhimer, O. S., to Capt. O. St. C. Sprinkle's com- pany, ordering it to parade in Harrisonburg on the 2d Satur- day of April; another, from John A. Hopkins, captain, ordering the artillery to parade at Mt. Clinton on the 2d Saturday; another, from Wm. Burnsides, O. S., ordering the light infantry company, formerly under command of Capt. J. S. Carlile, to parade in Dayton on the 3d Saturday. In the last-named company an election was to be held for cap- tain. The hour appointed for the parade in each of the three notices was 11 o'clock.
Twenty years ago a lady2 who was born in Harrisonburg in 1812, and who spent her early life there, wrote out her recollections of the olden time. Her account of the "big musters" is given in the following graphic words:
The annual or general muster was the greatest thing, and was looked forward to for months with the greatest pleasure by all the negroes and children. Training of officers began several days before muster day. It was the most motley crowd that filled the square around the court house. Men of all sorts and sizes, dressed in tow-linen pants and shirts; few had coats and vests; some with old wool hats, and others with straw
2. Maria Graham Carr, mother of Gen. C. C. C. Carr of Chicago. For access to copies of her manuscript I am indebted to Mr. R. A. VanPelt and Mrs. Hattie Newman
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hats. I saw one man in this crowd when I was about ten years old; he had on tow-linen pants and shirt, coarse shoes, no stockings; around his waist was a bright red woolen sash: he had a rusty slouch hat on, without band, and torn at the edge. On the front of the hat was a long white feather with a scarlet top-he felt as proud as a general. I saw several soldiers there at one time with bright yellow coats trimmed with black, and green flannel ones trimmed with white or silver. I suppose these uniforms were some of the remains of the War of 1812. My aunt told me that my father had raised a company which he had uniformed at his own expense.
Some men on muster day carried old umbrellas, cornstalks and sticks of wood instead of guns and swords. I suppose the officers were tired of trying to beat sense into these men, and gave up in despair, marching them out to a field in the N. end of town to try to drill them.
After marching the militia out to the field, the Light Horse Company, of about fifty men, under Col. McMahon, went out also. After all the men were on the field the staff officers went out to the Colonel's house to escort him to the field. Not one of them was uniformed. The Colonel had on a blue uniform with metal buttons, a red sash around his waist, and a helmet with a cow's tail on it, hanging down behind. The whisky, beer, and ginger-bread sellers were in their glory, as this was their har- vest, many persons taking home a jug full of something and a handker- chief filled with ginger-bread.
. I always loved dearly to hear the fife and drum, and got as near to them as I could, listening to them until the tears ran down my cheeks. I was never so affected by any other music.
All the gentlemen of that day ordinarily wore knee breeches with silver buckles, some of these buckles being set with paste; they had shoe buckles to match; silk hose in summer, and black lamb's wool hose in winter.
According to a letter written January 16, 1911, by Mr. D. M. Kaylor of Bellefontaine, Ohio, a famous ginger cake baker of the time was Mrs. Christopher Warvel, who lived near McGaheysville. Mrs. Carr mentions a Mrs. Nye of Har- risonburg who was also noted for her ginger cake, as well as for her molasses-beer and taffy.
Through the favor of Mr. J. L. Argubright, of Dayton, I am able to reproduce the following interesting roll, from the original manuscript. It is a valuable piece of source material in Rockingham military history.
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Muster Rool of A Troop of Cavalry Commanded by Capt. John Nicholas for the year 1828
John Nicholas Capt
George Nicholas
John Miller 1st Lt
Philip Deal
Henry Oungst 2nd Lt
Solomon Leonard
John Albright Cornet
Berryman Dorsson
Charles Yancey 1st Sert
David Royer
(Jacob Frederick 2nd Ser t)
Abraham Argebright
Samuel Royer 3th Sert
(John Williams)
Jacob Kiblinger
David Huston
John Royer
John Argebright
Joseph Mahoy
Jacob Royer
Jonathan Peal
Peter Roler
Jonathan Rush
John May
Jacob Armentrout
Jacob Earman
James Dovel
Jacob Allabaugh
John Fisher
John Huffman
John Alfred
Albert Yancey
(Frederick Krahn)
Francis Kertly
Charles Nicholas miller
David Irick
William Youst
Tyree R. Brown
(John Wallace)
Samuel Moor
George E. Craige
Michael Rowtz
William Eater
William Fisher
David Oungst
(William Danner)
(Joseph Oungst)
Nathan Huston
David Eitor
Peter Miller
Samuel Showalter
Philip Moyer
Adam Blose Jr
(Alexa Newman)
Joshua Snider
Hamilton I Hufman
Abraham Whitmore
John Cline
Daniel Rife
Thomas Reaves
Benja Miller
William Reaves
David Eversole
David Chandler
(Jacob Kiblinger Jr)
(Tandy Dovel)
Henry Conrod
William Bird
Henry Hansbarger
John Anders
George Huston
David Weaver
Reuben Propst
George Kaylor
Jacob Linaweaver
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William Eaton
Nicholas Miller
Samuel H. Huffman
Charles Chandler
John Dovel
James Kook
Joseph Moyer 4th Sert
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Wm Peterfish
Jacob Conrod
Ninrod Hitt
Samuel Gibbons
Jacob Blose
Thomas Miller
Isaac Hammer
George Kellar
John Hammer
John Swats
John Williamson
George Secrist
Westely Bear
John Roberts
St. Clair Kertley
Upon special inquiry made not long since of two vener- ble gentlemen, Mr. Richard Mauzy of McGaheysville and Mr. J. N. Liggett of Harrisonburg, I was informed that Rocking- ham County, although a stronghold for Polk and his party, took very little interest in the Mexican War, 1846-8. Of Rockingham soldiers in Mexico, the following were all that could be recalled: John P. Brock3 (1823-1892); N. Calvin Smith4 (1823-1897); William Smith (brother of Calvin).
In October, 1873, William Ralston died near Linville Depot, aged about 50. It was said that he had been in the Mexican War, as well as in the Civil War. He was known as "Soldier Bill."
Mr. Robert Coffman of Dayton states that Frederick Linhoss, formerly of the same town, was a soldier in Mex- ico; and Mr. Benj. Long, also of Dayton, agrees with Mr. Coffman in reporting the tradition, received from Mr. Lin- hoss and Mr. St. Clair Detamore, that a number of men (about a dozen) left Dayton for the Mexican War.
The favorite method for raising money for all "good causes," particularly the building of expensive bridges, was by a lottery. Here is something specific in point:
3. Born May 17, 1823, near Lacey Springs, died in November, 1892. He was captain of the Valley Rangers in the Civil War.
4. Calvin Smith died in Providence, R. I.
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COME ON! COME ON! THE ROAD TO WEALTH. ALL HAIL!
Ye elect sons and daughters of the goddess of For- tune, call and buy tickets in the Shenandoah Bridge Lot- tery, where large sums of CASH can be bought for the inconsiderable sum of $4.
This is the heading of an advertisement that appeared in the Rockingham Register in January, 1833, regarding the Shenandoah Free-Bridge Lottery, to construct a bridge across the Shenandoah River on the Swift Run Gap road. The drawing was to take place in Winchester, on Tuesday, February 5, 1833. The capital prize was $10,000; other prizes in decreasing amounts were offered, there being finally 18,000 prizes of $4 each. In all there were 18,556 prizes, aggregating in value $108,000. The number of blanks was 17,434. David S. Jones was manager, with his office at Har- risonburg.
At the same time that the above lottery was being pro- moted, another, with a capital prize of $8,000, was being advertised by Bruffy & Paul, managers, Mt. Crawford, Va. This was being conducted for the purpose of constructing a free bridge across the North River near Mt. Crawford. The drawing was to be held at Strasburg on January 15, 1833. In this there were 30,000 prizes-no blanks; but the small prizes were only $2 each, while the price of a ticket was $4. The aggregate value of the prizes offered was $90,000. This scheme therefore, would have allowed a balance of $30,000 to the managers with which to pay expenses, aid the bridge building, and profit themselves. The gross balance falling to the management under Mr. Jones' lottery would have been $35,960. However, there were repeated drawings for the same bridge-at least in some cases. Mr. Jones states in
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