USA > Virginia > Tazewell County > Tazewell County > Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia from 1800 to 1922 > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
1896. D. B. 39, p. 388.
James Bandy and Sallie, his wife, conveyed to M. M. Hankins, Wm. Bandy, S. F. Allison, Thomas G. Bruster, and Shadrack Creed, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a certain lot containing one acre in west end of Baptist Valley at the forks of the road, etc. 1881. D. B. 40, p. 214.
Jessie J. Harris and Ardelia, his wife, conveyed to John M. Smith, George Harman, and J. J. Harris, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mud Fork Circuit, a certain lot on Mud Fork on which a church has already been erected.
1899. D. B. 43, p. 84.
Charles W. Butt and Celie V., his wife, conveyed to James Sluss, Sr., J. T. Billips, Edward Tiller, Gus Billips, Sr., Charles Harman and C. D. Butt, Trustees of the Carner's Chapel, M. E. Church, South, a certain lot lying on Mud Fork, etc.
1899. D. B. 43, p. 149.
M. L. Peery, C. W. Greever and Wm. L. Spracher, Trustces of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, conveycd to W. P. Whitley, J. H. Whitley, C. H. Peery, W. I. Hall, H. G. Peery, Jr., C. A. Fudge, J. F. Ireson, H. F. Peery and J. C. Bailey, Trustces of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South, at North Tazewell, Virginia.
1897. D. B. 48, p. 336.
Wm. A. Davis and W. P. Davis and Julia A., his wife, conveyed to W. A. Davis, Mark T. Lockhart, Bird J. Lockhart, Sparrell Steele, and J. W. Rimmer, Trustces of Davis Chapel of the M. E.
324
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
Church, South, at Davis Chapel, a certain lot adjoining the lands of J. F. Prater and others.
1897. D. B. 55, p. 290.
A. J. May and Mary M. May, his wife, conveyed to Bascomb Sinkford, Alexander Trigg, Robert Dickerson, Dennis Hogan and George Harman, Trustces of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tip Top, a certain lot situate in the village of Tip Top, being lot No. 12 in Block 2, etc.
1888. D. B. 23, p. 390.
W. E. Bane and Emma G., his wife, conveyed to C. O. McCall, W. E. Bane, Samuel Graham, G. M. Hanson, and A. V. Shell, Trus- tees of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, at Graham, a certain lot in the town of Graham, etc.
1892. D. B. 34, p. 71.
Southwest Virginia Improvement Company conveyed to E. J. Ware, A. L. Hill and W. R. Graham, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church at Pocahontas, a certain lot in the Town of Pocahontas on the North side of Moore Street, etc.
1899. D. B. 53, p. 571.
Charles W. Butt and Celia V., his wife, conveyed to Jermiah Yates, Robert Buffalow, and George Boswell, "as Trustees of the Rye's Chapel, North of Mud Fork, according to usages of the Churches," a certain lot on Mud Fork on the road that leads from Abbs Valley to Clinch, and South of the Valley Ridge, etc., con- taining about half an acre.
1902. D. B. 47, p. 496.
J. H. Lester and E. W., his wife, conveyed to John G. Lester, George Lambert, Samuel Ward, and Robert Lester, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Lesters Chapel, a certain lot containing one half acre, situate in Wards Cove being a part of the land now owned and occupied by J. H. Lester.
1902. D. B. 48, p. 551.
D. Green conveyed to D. Green, Jackson Copenhaver, John Green, Balfour White and J. T. Lester, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, at Green's Chapel, formerly Big Spring, a certain lot containing one fourth of an acre on the Fincastle Road about
325
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
two miles East of Paint Lick, etc. It is provided that when the Church on this lot is not occupied by the M. E. Church, South, it may be occupied by other denominations.
1902. D. B. 49, p. 37.
Miss Rebecca C. Davis conveyed to W. C. Williams, J. B. Hurt, R. H. Ireson, R. K. Gillespie, R. M. Sparks, and John Robinett, Trustees for the joint and equal use of the M. E. Church, South, and the Christian Church, a certain lot in the Village of Pounding Mill on the North side of the County road as it approaches the Railroad station from the West, etc.
1904. D. B. 53, p. 38.
C. A. Fudge and M. G., his wife, conveyed to John B. Peery, John Watkins, O. B. Thompson, Rees Smith, and Fred Peery, Trust tees of the M. E. Church, a certain lot in North Tazewell, Vir- ginia, etc.
1904. D. B. 54, p. 298.
J. T. Dills conveyed to M. E. Church, South, a certain lot on the Divides of Bluestone and Clinch Rivers, containing a half acre for Church purposes.
1896. D. B. 58, p. 207.
James G. Higginbotham and Laura J., his wife, conveyed to H. W. Stowers, R. G. Shufflebarger, M. F. Neel, and James A. Har- man, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot lying on Cove Creek near the ford thereof.
1906. D. B. 58, p. 365.
M. F. Wynn and Annie E. Wynn, his wife, conveyed to M. F. Wynn, W. R. Stowers, B. R. Moss, A. L. Davis, T. H. Short, John Fox, R. M. Lawson, George Moss, and John D. Greever, Trustecs of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot in Burkes Garden, adjoin- ing the lands of M. F. Wynn, and John Fox, and the public school lot, etc.
1907. D. B. 60, p. 574.
J. W. Laird and J. R. Laird, executors of S. H. Laird, deecased, conveyed to A. M. Christian, J. W. Christian, G. H. Brown, J. T. Altizer and James B. Altizer, Trustees of :: Lairds Chapel" Church of the M. E. Church South, a certain lot, situate on the top of the
326
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
Dividing Ridge, beween Dismal and Middle Creek, mostly on the Middle Creek side, etc.
1903. D. B. 52, p. 212.
Martha Thompson, Widow of G. O. Thompson, Mary Grace Thompson, Rebecca Elizabeth Thompson, Georgia Alice Thompson and Archibald Thompson, conveyed to Joseph G. Barnes, Samuel J. Thompson, D. W. Lynch and J. E. Buchanan, Trustees of the Thompson Valley Presbyterian Church, the Liberty Hill Presby- terian Church and the Cove Presbyterian Church, a certain lot in Thompson Valley containing three acres and being situate about fifty yards from the store of R. B. Peery & Company.
1914. D. B. 77, p. 146.
Jonas Sparks conveyed to Bethel Church of the Regular Baptist Denomination, a certain lot on Clinch River near Cliffield, containing one half acre.
1914. D. B. 76, p. 350.
Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Company conveyed to J. G. Groseclose, J. W. Wilson and G. C. Cunningham, Jr., Trustees of the Boissevain M. E. Church, South, etc., a certain lot in the Town of Boissevain.
1910. D. B. 68, p. 522.
Miss Amy Mullin conveyed to G. M. Mullin, J. N. Harman and Thomas E. Tabor, Trustees for the Christian Church, at Christs Chapel, a certain lot at the foot of the Stoney Ridge, near Falls Mills on the waters of Bluestone River, on the county road leading from Falls Mills to Graham, etc.
1907. D. B. 72, p. 16.
George F. Brewster and Patsy, his wife, conveyed to D. W. Dudley, R. W. Pruette and B. F. Riley, Jr., Trustees of the Chris- tian Church at Grassy Spur, a certain lot adjoining said Church lot, containing a half acre, to be used as a grave yard, etc.
1917. D. B. 83, p. 245.
George R. McCall and Exie, his wife, conveyed to L. D. Boyd, J. Sam Gillespie and George R. McCall, Trustees, a certain lot west of and near the Town of Raven, for the use of the M. E. Church, South, the Methodist Church and the Christian Church. The first
327
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
story of the building to be used by said denominations and the second story to be used by I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 313, etc. Other denominations to use the house-the trustees in their discretion may permit same to be used by other religious denominations for the purpose of worship.
1908. D. B. 66, p. 318.
Rufus Smith and Poca H. his wife, conveyed to Floyd Houchins, T. C. Hughes, and Rufus Smith, Trustees for "The Church of God," a certain lot on the East side of Big Creek near the Town of Rich- lands, containing one-fourth of an acre, etc.
1910. D. B. 69, p. 275.
Florence Barnes and Rush Barnes, her husband, conveyed to Sam Young, Charlie Harman and Oscar Hedrick, Trustees of the Colored Christian Church at Tazewell, a certain strip of land adjoin- ing the lot of the said colored Christian Church.
1912. D. B. 72, p. 441.
H. Millner and Mollie, his wife, conveyed to Harry Gross, H. J. Ferrimer and Norman Kwass, Trustees of Congregation Ahovas Chesad, a religious organization of the Town of Pocahontas, a cer- tain lot in the Town of Pocahontas containing 1750 square feet &c. 1916. D. B. 81, 259.
H. Milner, (widower) conveyed to Norman Kwass, Harry Gross and H. J. Ferrimer, Trustees of Congregation Ahovas Chasad of, which I am a member and which is composed of the Jewish people in the Town of Pocahontas, who adhere wholly to the Orthodox Jewish faith and customs, a certain lot in the town of Pocahontas, etc. It is further provided in said deed that this property is not to be used by the "Reformed Jewish Church."
1914. D. B. 79, p. 90.
Edward Foster and Julia, his wife, conveyed to George Douglas, William Myers and J. P. Jordan, Trustees, for the First Colored Baptist Church at Tazewell, two certain lots, etc.
1917. D. B. 83, p. 437.
Pocahontas Fuel Company conveyed to Ben Armstead, R. L. Jackson, J. T. Cheatham, T. W. Green and J. E. Woods, Trustees of the First Baptist Church, colored of Pocahontas, a certain lot, etc.
328
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1917. D. B. 82, p. 528.
James A. C. Harman and Nettie, his wife, conveyed to S. W. Garnett, C. W. Matthews, and W. G. Neese, Trustees for the Gra- ham Baptist Church of Graham, a certain lot in said town, etc.
1914. D. B. 76, p. 481.
V. Alice Buck and John A. Buck conveyed to W. L. Burton, W. P. Hagy and J. F. Dudley, Trustees of Graham Christian Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham, being lot number 4 in section 24, etc.
1916. D. B. 80, p. 489.
Graham Land & Improvement Company conveyed to the Trus- tees of the M. E. Church, South, Graham Circuit, lot number four in Section twenty-nine, (29).
1911. D. B. 75, p. 21.
George Harman and Rissa, his wife, and others, conveyed to Isom Witten, Cecil Harman, William Witten, Charles Harman, Sheffie Harman, Oscar Thompson and William Anderson, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States, a certain lot at Tip Top, etc.
1908. D. B. 64, p. 493.
J. R. G. Brown and C. M. Brown, his wife, conveyed to J. R. G. Brown, J. H. Peery, F. J. Brown, R. B. Conley, and J. R. David- son, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot on the South side of Big Stony Ridge, etc.
1897. D. B. 67, p. 197.
O. M. Brown and Zarilda, his wife, conveyed to Samuel B. Ward, Joseph G. Barnes, Samuel J. Thompson, Henry Bowen and J. O. Brown, Trustees, Southern Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in the "Cove" to be known as the "Cove Church," and being the lot on which the Church building now stands.
1910. D. B. 68, p. 565.
W. P. Hagy and Rhoda V. His wife, conveyed to George A. Reynolds, George P. Crockett and R. F. Alley, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot in West Graham being lot No. 15, in section 6.
329
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1912. D. B. 72, p. 445.
W. P. Payne and T. J. Payne, his wife, conveyed to the Metho- dist Church, South, a certain lot on Indian Creek at the ford near the old Lochart Chapel, etc.
1915. D. B. 78, p. 469.
Faraday Coal and Coke Company conveyed to S. E. Marrs, A. R. Beavers and T. E. McCall, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot on Dicks Creek and near the mouth thereof.
1911. D. B. 72, p. 123.
Caleb Smith and Martha, his wife, conveyed to Richard White and Henry Smith, Trustees of the Primitive Baptist Church at Mount Olive.
1913. D. B. 75, p. 319.
W. A. Buchanan and Sallie J., his wife, conveyed to Felix Bourne, Sr., Thomas Burton, J. C. Bourne, W. A. Buchanan, and G. S. Gildersleeve, Trustees for the Mount Olivet M. E. Church, South, a certain lot on the Dividing Ridge between the waters of Clinch River and Clear Fork, etc.
1915. D. B. 81, p. 26.
Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Company, and others, con- veyed to G. H. Landon, B. W. Stras, S. N. Huffard and T. N. Wil- liamson, Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Tazewell County, a certain lot in the town of Pocahontas, etc.
1915. D. B. 81, p. 384.
Pocahontas Consolidated Collieries Company, and others, con- veyed to G. H. Landen, B. W. Stras, S. N. Huffard and T. N. Wil- liamson, Trustees, Protestant Episcopal Church, a certain lot in the Town of Pocahontas, etc.
1908. D. B. 65, p. 335.
M. C. McCorkle and Rhoda, his wife, George W. Gillespie and Barbara, his wife, and J. N. Harman and Bettie, his wife, conveyed to W. P. Farmer, M. M. Hankins, and C. N. Donnahuc, Trustees of Richlands Christian Church, a certain lot in the Town of Richlands, etc. The Trustecs in their discretion are authorized to permit other ministers and congregations of other religious denominations to use the building for Divine worship when not occupied by said Christian Church, etc.
330
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1908. D. B. 64, p. 99.
Graham Land and Improvement Company conveyed to Thomas Williamson, Robert Williamson, and Samuel N. Hufford, Trustees for the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Graham, two cer- tain lots in the Town of Graham, designated as lots numbers 13 and 14, etc.
1910. D. B. 68, p. 232.
Same Grantor to same Grantees as above, conveyed lot number 48 in section 34, etc. Also a conveyance from Samuel Walton and Margaret C., his wife, and Jennie Y. Watson, to said Trustees, lot No. 47, section 34, etc.
1911. D. B. 70, p. 301.
B. R. Butt and Maggie A., his wife, to T. N. Williamson, R. B. Williamson and S. N. Hufford, Trustees of Saint Paul's Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Southern Vir- ginia, a certain lot at Yards, etc.
1912. D. B. 72, p. 186.
Trustees of Baptist State Mission Board conveyed to C. H. Reynolds, W. N. Surface and N. W. Kiser, Trustees of Tazewell Baptist Church, the lot in the town of Tazewell on which the Bap- tist Church now stands.
1909. D. B. 66, p. 19.
T. R. Smoot and Kate, his wife, conveyed to S. A. Witten, Robert Tarter, Frank Pyott, C. C. Brown and James McDowell, Trustees of the Tip Top Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a certain lot in the village of Tip Top.
1912. D. B: 73, p. 267.
H. P. Linkous and Mary J., his wife, conveyed to J. R. Linkous, J. B. Hankins and B. O'Quinn, Committee, a certain lot on Dry Fork, the lower story of the house erected thereon to be used by the people as a Union Church and the upper story as a Hall for the I. O. O. F. and Rebecca Star, etc.
1918. D. B. 85, p. 76.
G. W. Mays and Sarah E., his wife, J. W. Gentry and Bettie, his wife, conveyed to R. L. Jackson, Ben M. Armstead, John Cheat- ham, Thomas W. Green and James Woods, Trustees of the First
331
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
Baptist Church, colored, of Pocahontas, a certain lot situate in said Town.
1918. D. B. 85, p. 159.
E. E. Hale and Mary E., his wife, conveyed to W. M. Painter, W. L. Burton and J. F. Dudley, Trustees of Graham Christian Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham, designated as lot 3 in section 24, etc.
1915. D. B. 86, p. 48.
H. Y. Brown and Mary, his wife, and J. O. Brown, and Nannie E., his wife, conveyed to W. J. Gillespie, J. O. Brown, Henry Copen- haver, S. J. Thompson, J. G. Barnes George Ward and C. O. Barnes, Trustees for the Presbyterian Church, and M. E. Church, South, a certain lot in Wards Cove. The house to be erected thereon to be used by other denominations also.
1918. D. B. 86, p. 183.
J. R. Swartz and N. P. Miller of Rockingham County, Virginia, conveyed to J. C. Lambert, W. J. Hinkle and J. M. J. Tilley, Trus- tees of the Holiness Pentecostal people, known as the Assembly of the Church of God of Laurel Creek, Tazewell County, a certain lot lying and being at the Mouth of Laurel Creek, a tributary of Indian Creek.
1919. D. B. 86, p. 312.
John A. Mathena and F. J., his wife, conveyed to J. A. Mathena, J. R. Puckett, W. H. Harman, and Mrs. Johnny Michen, Trustees for the Church of God, a certain lot on the waters of Mud Fork, etc. 1913. D. B. 86, p. 369.
Graham Land and Improvement Company conveyed to C. H. Green, J. C. Holley, C. L. Roberson, H. C. Brown and S. L. Trigg, Trustees for the M. E. Church, in the United States of America, a certain lot in the Town of Graham, designated as lot number 15, in section 36, etc.
1919. D. B. 86, p. 483.
W. B. Steele and Corrie, his wife, conveyed to C. H. Trayer, W. B. Greear, Charles McGuire, James McGuire, and Henry Phil- lips, Trustees of the Hebron Methodist Church, South, a certain lot on Pounding Mill Branch, and road, about three or four miles southeast of Pounding Mill Depot.
332
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1920. D. B. 88, p. 60.
R. E. Baldwin and Lucy L., his wife, conveyed to G. B. Stevens, C. W. Matthews, and J. D. Whitescarver, Trustees of Graham Bap- tist Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham and designated as Lot 11 in section 44.
1920. D. B. 88, p. 66.
Wm. M. Gillespie and Mary G., his wife, conveyed to E. K. Crockett, Gratt M. Bowen, T. M. Greear, J. H. Wilson and S. A. Witten, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, at Wittens Mills, a certain lot at Wittens Mills on which is situated May's Chapel.
1920. D. B. 88, p. 151.
G. W. Rimmer and Ella, his wife, conveyed to J. L. Goss, John L. Lamie, W. J. Blankenship, W. A. Montgomery, W. H. Wright, and Vernie Hernandon, Trustees of the Church of God, a certain lot in the Town of Richlands.
1920. D. B. 88, p. 432.
J. P. Cameron and Olivia, his wife, conveyed to George P. Crockett, Lee J. Barbee, J. E. Baylor, G. M. Bayley and G. A. Reynolds, Trustees of the M. E. Church, South, a certain lot in the Town of Graham.
1920. D. B. 88, p. 433.
James A. C. Harman and Nettie E., his wife, conveyed to George P. Crockett and other trustees above mentioned, a certain lot in the Town of Graham.
1920. D. B. 90, p. 41.
B. D. Humphrey and Minnie, his wife, conveyed to James J. Fields, Reece Cordle and Mrs. Kate McDilda, Trustees of the Church of God, at Cedar Bluff, a certain lot in the "College Hill" Annex, designated as Lot No. 74, etc.
1921. D. B. 90, p. 219.
Pocahontas Fuel Company conveyed to E. J. Ellett, B. B. Scott and T. B. Breniger, Trustees of the Baptist Church at Pocahontas, a certain lot in Pocahontas, or rather an addition or confirmation of a previous conveyance to the said Church trustees, etc.
333
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1921. D. B. 92, p. 10.
Wm. S. Taylor, George W. Taylor and Mattie, his wife, con- veyed to Albert S. Caldwell, James M. Osborn and Robert L. Ellis, Trustees of the Church of Christ, (Christian Church) a certain lot on top of the Spur West of Matneys Branch in Poor Valley, etc.
1922. D. B. 92, p. 499.
Richlands Civic Betterment League Incorporated, conveyed to Trustees of the Funds of the Protestant Episcopal Church, ten lots in the Town of Richlands.
1921. D. B. 93, p. 4.
W. M. Hardy and Orie Hardy, his wife, conveyed to C. R. Havens, W. M. Leathco, and C. E. Goodwin, Trustees of the Church of God at Boissevain, a certain lot near the Town of Boissevain.
1922. D. B. 93, p. 46.
H. P. Brittian, W. T. Gillespie and S. L., his wife, conveyed to C. W. Matthews, G. B. Stevenson and John D. Whitescarver, Trus- tees of the Graham Baptist Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham, being lot No. 19 in section 2.
1921. D. B. 93, p. 82.
Graham Land and Improvement Company, conveyed to S. M. Graham, V. L. Sexton, H. C. Calaway, E. G. White, and V. T. Strickler, Trustees of the Graham Presbyterian Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham.
1922. D. B. 93, p. 112.
W. E. Hilt and Mattie T., his wife, conveyed to W. E. Taylor, W. A. Hilt, J. P. Holmes and George French, Trustees of Crabtrces Chapel Methodist Church, South, a certain lot in Poor Valley, etc.
1922. D. B. 93, p. 135.
M. J. Alexander and M. P., his wife, and L. J. Stump, conveycd to J. W. Owens, D. D. Baker, G. W. Rogers, George W. Gillespie, Jr., and J. W. Jones, Trustces of the Pocahontas Church of Christ (Christian Church) a certain lot in the Town of Pocahontas.
334
ANNALS OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
1922. D. B. 93, p. 259.
G. B. Stevens and Mollie M., his wife, conveyed to C. W. Mat- thews, G. B. Stevens, and John D. Whitescarver, Trustees of the Graham Baptist Church, a certain lot in the Town of Graham.
1921. D. B. 93, p. 582.
Raven Red Ash Coal Company conveyed to B. H. Hilton, Charles Green, and Walker Deel, Trustees of the Assembly of God Church at Red Ash, on Coal Creek, a certain lot to be "used solely for public religious worship by said denomination only." The trustees how- ever in their discretion may permit the use of any building erected on said lot, by other religious denominations, etc.
Church Deeds are here listed covering the period from 1800 to 1922, that those who may write historical sketches of their denomi- nation for vol. two of these ANNALS may have the complete record of all deeds to date.
PART II.
HISTORY
OF THE
SETTLEMENT AND INDIAN WARS
OF
TAZEWELL COUNTY
VIRGINIA
WITH
Statistical Tables and Illustrations
BY
GEO. W. L. BICKLEY, M. D. COR. MEM. AMER. PH. SOC .; COR. MEM. WEST. ACAD. NAT. SCIENCES .; SEC. JEFF. HIST. SOCIETY
"Who would not cherish the history of such men as our ancestors?"
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by GEO. W. BICKLEY, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia.
JEFFERSONVILLE (Now Tazewell).
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF TAZEWELL.
The local nature of this work precludes the necessity of entering into a lengthy introduction, yet a few remarks seem to be essential, to make the reader somewhat acquainted with the nature of the subject before him.
For many years, the county of Tazewell has enjoyed a very high repu- tation in Virginia and the surrounding states. Located in what was not many years ago the wilds of Virginia, immediately in the line of the great Indian road from the Ohio to the western settlements, we might reasonably calculate that many daring deeds and bloody massacres took place within its borders. And such seems to have been the case, for, perhaps none of the western counties afford such a number of either, as Tazewell.
The lands of the county are open and inviting to the emigrant, and it is essential only, that he should have a correct knowledge of the county, its history and its resources, to convince him that he will nowhere find a more desirable country than this. The people of the county themselves, need a spur to urge them on to greater exertion. The rapid growth of the county and its wealth show that it will compare with any in the state. To those who would spend a summer in the mountains, a more pleasant retreat from the cares and turmoils of business, could not be found. To the vale- tudinarian, the pure air, the fine scenery, the mineral water, the good society, all are inviting. To the capitalist the county opens a wide field of operations. Occupying a central position in the south-west, it may be looked upon as an average specimen of the surrounding country. The county has thus far made but small figure; the south-west has been overlooked; to advocate the claims of the latter and to perpetuate the history of the former, as well as to set the car of improvement in motion, is one of the objects of this work. The day is not far distant when Tazewell will be an important county; a slight glance at the maps of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina will be sufficient to convince the most superficial, that in the course of things, a new state, at no very distant day, must be hewed out of the corners of the above states. If we but look at the staple productions, the character of the soil, the distance of market, the sameness of facilities, the climate and character of the population, the distance from the seats of government, and the oneness of interest, we cannot fail to see that the formation of a new state would redound to the interest of the people of the specified district.
It may be said that this new state would be cut off from any navigable stream as much as Switzerland in Europe. But, when we consider, in this age of "velocity," navigable streams have, and are daily becoming subser- vient to the speed and utility of the metal horse, whose dreadful stamp and wild scream is spreading life and energy in the veins of the honest yeomanry of the land, we shall all agree that his objection would not be valid.
[339]
340
BICKLEY'S HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, VA.
I would ask, what advantages are now accruing to the people of the specified section from navigable streams? Do they not roll back upon us, daily, a tide of losses, by bringing us in competition with those who have their every advantage? Have the people of south-western Virginia, eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, and north-western North Carolina, ever been on a footing with others of their respective states?
Will their respective legislatures vote money to carry on internal im- provements in these remote corners, so as to bring them on a footing with their more favored statesmen? Have they enabled them to sell their corn, wheat, tobacco and stock on as good terms as those nearer market? Have the states named, tried to put the "corner men" within thirty miles of market, as they might? No, we must travel thirty days with our stock, grain, etc., to market, which, when there, nets little more than half that received by our more favored brethren.
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.