USA > Virginia > Charlotte County > Charlotte County > Charlotte County, Virginia : historical, statistical, and present attractions > Part 2
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The people of the county have been noted also for their intelligence and cultured refinement, and within her borders some of the most distinguished men of the State have resided.
Many of her sons likewise have emigrated to other counties and States, to whose fame they have added lustre in all depart- ments of life. Space would fail to mention all who are worthy of commemoration, but in addition to those already mentioned a few of the most conspicuous names may be given.
In 1795 Patrick Henry made his home at Red Hill, on Staunton river, in the northwest corner of the county, where he died in 1799 and lies buried. In the spring of 1799, at the earnest solicitation of General Washington, he offered for the House of Delegates, in order to oppose the movement of the previous session, known as the Resolutions of 1798-9, in which the right of a State to resist the execution of a Federal law was proclaimed. He, with Washington, believed the doctrine of these resolutions would lead to civil war. At the same time the celebrated John Randolph, of Roanoke, taking the opposite side, first offered for Congress.
They addressed the people of Charlotte at the Courthouse on March court day. It was Governor Henry's last speech and Mr. Randolph's first. Both men were elected, though Mr. Henry died before taking his seat. Mr. Randolph always afterwards resided in the county, and some of his most brilliant speeches were made in its Courthouse.
He was succeeded in Congress by another very able citizen of the county, Judge Thomas Tyler Bouldin, who dropped dead in his seat while announcing the death of Mr. Randolph.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
EDGEHILL.
The home of Colonel Clement Carrington, of Revolutionary fame, and and of Hugh Blair Grigsby, the historian.
The house was built about the latter part of the eighteenth century ; has one of the best private libraries iu the South, and is now owned by Carrington Grigsby.
"Colonel Carrington, at a very early age, joined Colonel Lee's legion of the army of General Green as a cadet. At the age of nineteen he fought bravely at the bloody battle of Eutaw, where he was struck down by a very severe and dangerous wound in the thigh."
John Randolph, in a public speech, described him as "The strippling wno shed his blood at Eutaw." He was one of the largest land owners in the State, served in the Legislature, was many years Presiding Justice of the county and held many positions of public trust. He died in the year 1847, and Edgehill then became the property of his son-in-law, Hugh Blair Brigsby, who was a member of the Convention 1829-1830, the third chancellor of William and Mary College, president and a life long supporter of the Virginla Historical Society and a historian of national reputation.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
KEYSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Keysville Baptist church (formerly Ash Camp Baptist church) Charlotte county, Va., was organized in 1802, with thirty-five members.
Eleven members have been ordained to the gospel ministry. Seven colonies have been sent out and organized into churches. Her contributions for the maintenance of the work at home and abroad, for educational work and benevolence can be counted by tens of thousands of dollars.
The Virginia Temperance Society was organized in this church (in the old building two miles from present site), in 1826, by Rev. Abner W. Clopton, then pastor of the church.
The present building was erected in 1858. All of its records, from 1802 down to the present time, are in possession of the church clerk, The mem- bership at present is 185.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
His son, Hon. Wood Bouldin, was even more distinguished than his father, and, after becoming one of the foremost lawyers in the State, he was elevated to the Court of Appeals. He died the owner of. Mr. Randolph's residence, and was honored and loved by all who knew him.
Another distinguished citizen of Charlotte county was Hon. Hugh Blair Grigsby, the accomplished Belles-Lettres scholar and historian, whose pen greatly enriched the literature of the State. He married a daughter of Colonel Clement Carring- ton, while a resident of Norfolk, and afterwards removed to this county. He was one of our most public spirited and valuable citizens, devoted to the best interests of his county and State, chivalrous and courtly in his manners, and at all times and under all circumstances the Christian gentleman.
COURTHOUSE.
The land upon which the Courthouse and other public build- ings are situated was donated to the county by Mrs. Mary Read, who was commonly known as "Madam Read," on account of her marked individuality and strength of character. A wooden Courthouse was built in the year 1764, when the county was cut off from Lunenburg. In the year 1788 the court order recites that "some evil disposed persons had burnt up the Courthouse building." Whereupon the court appointed a committee to have a new Courthouse built. This committee, in pursuance of instructions, reared another wooden structure, which at once became the theatre of brilliant forensic displays by the great orators of that period, and was made historic thereby. It was from the portico of this building that Patrick Henry made his last, and John Randolph his first, public speech-the one called the setting and the other rising sun.
The people of Charlotte were the first to rebel against British tyranny; and it was in this historic old building that they assembled in mass meeting on April 3, 1776, and passed the memorable resolutions embodied in the historical sketch of the county. But times change and men change with them.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
The old Courthouse no longer resounds with the eloquence of Henry, Randolph and their compeers, but stands as a relic of other days, at one time used as a stable for the Caledonia hotel, but now abandoned even for that.
Old Courthouse-Built in 1788. From the Portico of which Patrick Henry made his last and John Randolph his first speech.
Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Foot-prints on the sands of time.
The present Courthouse, a cut of which is here given, was built in the year 1823, being planned by Thomas Jefferson, at the instance of the County Court, which sent five of its leading citizens to "Monticello" to consult with the old sage in regard to the matter,
Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
A beautiful monument adorns the Courthouse Square to perpetuate the memory of the heroes of 1861-65.
CHARLOTTE OF TO-DAY.
With a glorious past behind them, the descendants of those who had rebelled against British oppression, in Convention, in the House of Burgesses, and the Continental Congress, who had fought valiantly under Washington, Light Horse Harry Lee and Nathaniel Green, and crowned the Colonists with victory at Yorktown; and of those, who nearly a century later, had displayed such valor on the battle field, such chivalry and magnanimity in victory and such wonderful self control and resignation in defeat, who made victory possible at Gettys- burg at the high tide of American valor, have shown in peace that they possess the same sturdy and courageous qualities of their ancestors. They have bravely overcome the ravages of war, and, with a tender and affectionate love for the county, have been building up her waste places, keeping step to the march of progress; and to-day they are as prosperous as any rural population in the land. It is to this side of the picture that the attention of the inquirer is directed.
To best illustrate the character and condition of our people, the book will be illustrated from now on with some of our modern public buildings, farm scenes, and the residences of some of our most successful citizens, and with letters and statements showing the successes of those who have gone to work and become useful and prosperous citizens.
But before going into the material it may be well to note the literary trend of our people. Charlotte has of recent years produced a number of noted authors, among them may be mentioned Dr. H. C. Alexander, IIon. William Wirt Henry, Dr. C. R. Vaughan, Dr. Philip A. Bruce, Professor James Douglas Bruce, Mrs. E. C. Cabell, Maj. R. V. Gaines, Rev. Leonard Cox; and Mrs. Terhune, celebrated as " Marion Har- land," lived here about ten years, and wrote some of her most charming books while a resident here.
Fire-proof Clerk's Office, Charlotte Courthouse, Va.
00003
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
POPULATION.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
The people of Charlotte present that type of Virginia character which is formed upon the Cavalier and Established Church of England as the basis, into which has been infused the Scotch-Irish, Puritan and Huguenot strains of blood. Hence, as might be expected, no more conservative or orthodox people can be found, nor one more homogeneous in thought, sentiment and action. Virginians "intus et in cute," yet thoroughly attached to the principles and forms of govern- ment established by their fathers and the Constitution of the United States.
The people of the county are noted for their intelligence, morality, hospitality and general thriftiness. That they are law abiding is amply demonstrated by the fact that with a population of 15,355 it is no uncommon occurrence that the county jail is without inmates; and as an evidence of their thrift, the report of the superintendent of the county poor- house for year ending July 1, 1906, shows there was an average of only eleven inmates.
RELIGION AND MORALITY.
The people are very religious in their tendencies, as will be shown by the number of churches and church membership of the different denominations.
Churches.
Members.
WHITES-Presbyterian
11
622
Methodist
11
1044
Baptist
9
1584
Episcopal
2
40
COLORED-Baptist
20
3921
Methodist
3
70
Presbyterian
6
225
Total number
62
7506
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
The Sabbath is universally observed, and the people, almost without exception, attend upon the ordinances of divine worship.
It is due to the colored people to say that nearly all of the churches owned by them have been built since they were emancipated, and mainly out of their own resources. They also have benevolent orders-the Grand United Order of Moses, True Reformers and Good Samaritans-each having good lodge property.
SCHOOLS.
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RICHMOND, VA., January 3, 1907.
MR. J. C. CARRINGTON, Charlotte Courthouse, Va.
MY DEAR SIR: I have your letter of January 1st, asking me to give a frank opinion of the climate, people and the public school system of Charlotte county. It gives me pleasure to comply with your request, especially as I am able to speak in high terms of the climate, people and soil, and to state in regard to the public school system that we regard the outlook for your county as very encouraging.
Having lived nearly all my life in the county of Prince Edward, which adjoins Charlotte, I can speak at first-hand. The climate is mild; the natural drainage is practically perfect, and your soil, consist- ing of both highland and valley, is well adapted to the production of corn, wheat, tobacco, oats, fruits and grasses of all kinds. One of the most encouraging signs in your county is the interest that is now being taken in the building of macadam roads. If your policies con- tinue, it will result in much wealth and many people coming to your county.
I cannot speak too highly of the people of Charlotte county. There are no better people anywhere in point of industry, character, business ability and general intelligence.
The building of the excellent graded and high school at Keysville, and the contemplated erection of a new graded and high school at Charlotte Courthouse and a similar one at Drake's Branch next sum- mer, prove that the people of Charlotte county are awakening on the subject of good schools.
The State Inspector for your circuit informs me that the public
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
school outlook in your county is encouraging. Your country schools need longer terms, which I understand will probably be given them next session.
I may say finally that the excellent telephone system, which reaches every part of Charlotte county and is connected with all railroad sta- tions, places the people at small expense in immediate communication with depots, express offices, and in fact with everybody and every point throughout the county and adjoining counties.
I am very truly yours,
J. D. EGGLESTON, JR., Superintendent of Public Instruction.
JANUARY 15, 1907.
The public schools in Charlotte county began with the provisions of the Constitution of 1870. At that time the best element of the white
High School, Keysville, Va.
people were opposed to them, and this opposition for a time crippled their efficiency, but now the public schools are the pet and pride of our people.
Log huts for school-houses have been abandoned, and nicely-con-
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
structed, painted houses have been erected in their stead. The long felt need for something to bridge the chasm between the public schools and the colleges and universities has been met by the establishment of high schools. There are two high schools in the county-one at Charlotte courthouse and the other at Keysville. A child can begin in the public school and then go to a graded school (of which there are one or more in each district), then to the high school and from there he can creditably enter college. A comparison of first year's
High School
Cut of New School at Charlotte Courthouse.
statistics, 1870-1871, with last year, 1905-1906, will help to show briefly the strides of improvement. In 1870 there was a school popu- lation of 4,719 (between ages of five and twenty-one years); number of schools, 36; pupils enrolled, 1,550; amount of expenditures, $5,589.51; value of school property owned by the county, $2,275.00. School population for 1905-06 (between the ages of seven and twenty years), 5,121; number of schools, 86; pupils enrolled, 3,280; amount of expendi- tures, $12,156.50; value of school property owned by the county, $22,- 850.00.
There is a school in easy reach of every family in the county. The school-houses are comfortable and attractive in appearance, and well equipped with patent desks, globes, charts, maps and other necessary appliances. Indigent children are supplied with books free
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
of cost when applied for. There are in the county 28 schools ex- clusively for colored children and taught by colored teachers. Believ- ing, with many of our leading educators, that the hope of the negro lies in industrial education, we have established at Keysville an industrial school, in which all the industrial arts are taught. This school has five teachers and an enrollment of over 200 pupils. With the interest and zeal manifested in education throughout the State, and with our efficient young and aggressive State Superintendent, J. D. Eggleston, at the helm, who can predict the future of our schools. I venture to say that the day is not far distant when this grand and historic old county, after telling you of her Henry, her Randolph, her Carrington and other noble sons, will turn from them, and, pointing with peculiar pride to her schools, will say, but " these are my jewels." CHARLES C. PARIS,
Division Superintendent of Schools.
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THE NEGRO.
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Under the new Constitution of Virginia the right of suffrage is based upon an educational qualification and but a limited number of negroes enjoy this privilege, the electorate thereby being purged of the ignorant, venal class of negroes. This has had a marked and happy effect upon the complexion of political affairs, and has redounded to the good of society generally. No county in the State has a more orderly or law abiding class of negroes than Charlotte, and the relations existing between the two races are exceedingly friendly.
Separate schools are provided for both races, each race has its own churches, and the statute law forbids intermarriage. While these restrictions exist there is no reason for any friction between the races and there is no apprehension felt by anyone that there will be. The negro spends much of his time on public works and is not so accessible as formerly, but, withal, is the best suited labor for our section that has ever been tried.
LAWS.
The common law of England, when not repugnant to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the State, is in full force, and is the rule of decision, unless altered by statute.
Residence of Hon. D. Q. Eggleston, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Charlotte Courthouse, Va.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
Justices of the Peace have concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit and Corporation Courts of all petit larcenies and in cases of assault and battery, not felonious, and have jurisdic- tion in civil cases not exceeding $100.
An appeal can be taken from their decision to the Circuit court.
Overseers of the poor are required to arrest all vagrants and beggars, take them to the poor-house, and compel those, that are able, to work. It is the duty of the same officer to provide for the destitute on proper application and proof of want.
Each county has a Board of Health, composed of chairman of Board of Supervisors, County Clerk and three physicians appointed by the court, one of the latter being secretary.
There are game laws for the protection of all kinds of game, and game wardens are provided by law to see that the laws are properly enforced.
TAXATION.
Under the Constitution of Virginia taxation is equal and uniform, and all property is taxed ad valorem, except that used exclusively for State, city or county, religious, educational and charitable purposes. Incomes in excess of $600 a year are taxed; a capitation tax of one dollar per annum is levied on all males twenty-one and over, for public school purposes; also a county capitation tax of fifty cents a year for all purposes.
The lands are valued every five years by properly appointed assessors. Every law imposing a tax must state what the tax is for. The State is forbidden to pay the debts of counties or lend them its credit. Taxes must be limited to an amount necessary for the expenses of the State, and to pay its indebt- edness, and the State is required to provide a sinking fund to extinguish its indebtedness.
EXEMPTIONS.
Every householder or head of a family can hold a home- stead, valued at not over $2,000, free from seizure for debt, etc.,
McAdam Road Between Charlotte Courthouse and Drake's Branch, Va,
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
except for the purchase-money of the property; the services of a laboring man or mechanic; for liabilities as a public officer, fiduciary, etc .; for taxes, legal fees, rents or mortgages. etc., on the same. Many household, and other articles suffi- 'cient for a one-horse farm, are also exempted from seizure. The laws in relation to homestead must be construed liberally.
ROAD LAWS.
The county has special road laws, executed by the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners and overseers receive $2.00 per diem for time actually employed. New roads opened and bridges built, are let to contract and paid for by special appro- priation.
For the encouragement of permanent road building, recent acts of the Legislature provide for State aid to the counties, by which the State will contribute 40 per cent. of the actual cost of road constructions.
Charlotte contemplates taking advantage of this provision of the law, which will result in great road improvement.
GEOGRAPHY.
Charlotte is located centrally, in Middle Virginia, south of James river, and about half way between Tidewater and the Blue Ridge. It is 65 miles from Richmond and 149 miles from Hampton Roads. Latitude, 37°; longitude, 78°, 30'. The surrounding counties are Campbell, Appomattox, Prince Ed- ward, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg and Halifax. It has an average width of about twenty miles in its northern and cen- tral portions, tapering down to a point at its southern extremity, which makes its greatest length about fifty miles. It has an area of 472} square miles. The county lies wholly within the basin formed by the Staunton or Roanoke river, which forms its southern boundary and separates it from Halifax. The water-shed between the Staunton river, on one
Iron Bridge Across Roanoke on McAdam Road Between Courthouse and Drake's Branch.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
side, and the Appomattox and Meherrin rivers on the other, constitutes its northern and eastern boundary line and sepa- rates it from Prince Edward and Lunenburg.
TOPOGRAPHY. 1146004
The face of the county presents the appearance of a gently undulating plain, rising from 679 feet in height on its north- eastern boundary above sea level, while on the southeastern boundary it has an elevation of 535 feet, giving it a dip on this line of 144 feet to the sea. The bed of the Staunton river, however, has a fall of only 75 feet on the southern boundary, the elevations being 355 feet at the mouth of Falling river and 280 feet at Abbeyville.
Numerous streams find their sources along this elevated water-shed, cutting across the dip of the country nearly at right angles, and entering into Staunton river, with a fall from north to south averaging 300 feet. These streams, with their tributaries branching out on every side, interspersed with fertile valleys, give an infinite variety to the undulations, which stretch out gracefully in all directions. On every hill top may be found handsome building sites, and in every field living streams of water, while trees and shrubs in endless variety spring spontaneously from the soil.
There is great diversity also in the character and nature of the soil of the county; the hills generally being formed from the disintegration of the primitive Archaean rocks, which appear in every variety, while the broad bottoms, which flank all of the streams, are composed of drift and alluvium, broken up by atmospheric agencies and brought down by diluvial currents.
GEOLOGY.
Charlotte county belongs to the primitive or most ancient geological formation, which stretches from Pennsylvania to Alabama, and lies between the head of Tidewater and the crest of the Blue Ridge. The hills and ridges are granitic, while the valleys are more or less intermixed with metamor-
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
phic rocks, which are formed above the primitive by the action of the water. The rocks here, as elsewhere in this belt, have been crumpled and tilted by subterranean disturbances until they stand nearly at right angles, showing great variety and many repetitions. There are some bands or ledges of hard gneiss, quartz and mica schist, but most generally the
" Beechenbrook "-Residence of R. T. Priddy, Keysville, Va.
rocks consist of decomposing gneissoid, feldsphatic, horn- blendic and argillaceous strata, and shales, which weather deeply, and are only seen in their normal conditions in cuts and washes. In the southern portion of the county, along the Staunton river and its principal tributaries, many places are topdressed with drift precipitate and show indications of glacial action, which belong probably to the quartenary period, and gives to this county. both extremes of the geologic formations.
Dr. Wm. B. Rogers. in his geological report of Virginia, p. 26, Appleton's edition, 1884, in remarking upon the diver-
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAND BOOK
sified and complex formations of this region says: "There is no division of the State which presents greater difficulties to the geological enquirer, and none which will require for its · elucidation more minute and patient investigation."
MINERALOGY.
Minerals occur in great variety; among which may be mentioned iron, ores, copper, mica, kaolin, soapstone, etc., some of which have good working qualities, and have been partially developed. The Carnegie Copper Co. is successfully mining kaolin at Red Oak. Below is given letter showing operations of Dixie mine.
DIXIE COPPER MINE.
BALTIMORE, MD., January 8, 1907.
I submit the following short statement of facts in regard to the operation now being carried on to be published as you stated:
Prospectus of Dixie Mine, Charlotte county, Virginia.
The property consists of about 400 acres of land, situated about three miles from Drake's Branch, Southern railway. There are two veins on the property that have been prospected thus far, but the present work is now being done on the west vein, where there is an incline shaft down to a depth of about 130 feet, with a vein being about N. E. and S. W. and varies in width from 6 to 36 inches, showing copper from 8 to 20 per cent. by assay; the ore being chalcocite, with some green carbonate in quartz; the walls being a dark greenish slate. None of the ore has been shipped to the smelter, but is being piled on dump for sorting. Some of the ore will be placed on exhibition at the Exposition.
Respectfully, HENRY C. WEAVER.
To J. C. Carrington, County Commissioner.
CHARACTER OF THE SOIL.
The great bulk of the soils of this county, including nearly all of the highlands, is what is known geologically as soils of disintegration, arising from a disintegration of the subja- cent rocks by atmospheric agencies. As has been seen, these
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