USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 33
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About half a mile x. of the village is the seat of the above mentioned " Jemmy Steptoe." : He was clerk of Bedford 40 years : an intimate friend of Jefferson, who was a frequent visitor at his residence. He died in 1826, esteemed for his amiable and gener- ous disposition.
" Poplar Forest," 3 miles Ne, of New London, is the name of the seat of William Cobbs, Esq., which was originally the property of Jefferson, and occasionally his resi. dence in the summer months. It is an octagonal brick edifice, built by him, on the same plan with Monticello, although much smaller. Its situation is commanding, within sight of the Blue Ridge, and the grounds around are beautifully laid out, and udorned with shrubbery.
Immediately after 'Tarleton's incursion to Charlottesville, when Jeffersou narrowly escaped being made prisoner, he retired with his family to Poplar Forest, where, riding upon his farm some time after, he was thrown from his horse and seriously injured. " While Mr. Jefferson was confined at Poplar Forest," says Tucker, " in consequence of the fall from his horse, and was in consequence incapable of any active employment. public or private, he occupied himself with answering the queries which Mons. De Mar- bois, then secretary of the French legation to the United States, had submitted to hita respecting the physical and political condition of Virginia : which answers were after- wards published by him, under the title of . Notes on Virginia.' When we consider how difficult it is, even in the present day, to get an accurate knowledge of sveb details in our country, and how much greater the difficulty most then have been, we are surprised at the extent of the information which a single individual had thus been enabled to ac- quire, as to the physical features of the state-the course, length, and depth of its rivers ; its zoological and botanical productions; its Indian tribes ; its statistics and laws. After the lapse of more than half a century, by much the larger part of it still gives us the fullest and most accurate information we possess of the subjects on which it treats. Some of its physical theories are, indeed, in the rear of modern science ; but they form a small portion of the book, and its general speculations are marked with that boldness, that utter disregard for received opinions, which always characterized him ; and the whole is written in a neat, flowing style, always perspicuous, and often peculiarly apt and felicitous."
Jefferson's notes were primed m Paris, in 1984, soon after his arrival there as minister to the court of France. Says the same anthor: " One of the first objects which en- gaged his attention, was the printing his notes on Virginia. He had, for the sake of gratifying a few friends with copies, wished to publish them in America, but was pre- vented by the expense. He now found they could be printed for about a fourth of what he had been asked at home. He therefore corrected and enlarged them, and had 200 copies printed. Of these he presented a few in Europe, and sent the rest to America. One of them having tollen into the hands of a bookseller in Paris, he had it translated into French, and submitted the translations to the author for revision. It was & tissue of blunders, of which only the most material he found it convenient to correct ; and it was thus printed. A London bookseller having requested permission to print the original, he consented, " to let the world see that it was not really so bad as the Freuch translation had made it appear."
CAROLINE.
CAROLINE Was formed in 1727, from Essex. King and Queen, and King William. It is 30 miles long by 20 broad. The Rappahannock flows on its porth, the Pathunbey on its sonth boundary, and the Mattapony runs near its centre. The surface is broken, and the soil various, but the low grounds of these streams are extremely fertile, and admirably adapted to the culture of corn, wheat and
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CARROL COUNTY,
tobacco. Caroline was formerly divided into three parishes ; Drys -. dale and St. Mary's, created in 1727, and St. Margaretts in 1714 ; in each of which a church was placed-the latter only remains. The Baptists are now the prevailing denomination. Pop. 1830, 17,774 ; 1840, whites 6,725, slaves 9,314, free colored 774: total, 17.813.
The principal villages are Bowling Green and Port Royal. The first is situated on the main road from Fredericksburg to Richmond, 22 miles from the former, and a short distance only E. of the rail- road between these two places. It is the seat of justice for the county, and was originally called New Hope. Its fine location, ou a beautiful level green, has given rise to its present name. It contains 2 churches and about 40 dwellings. Port Royal, on the Rappahannock, 22 miles below Fredericksburg, is a somewhat larger village. It was founded in 1744, and possesses a fine har- bor, capable of admitting vessels drawing Il feet of water. The Concord Academy is an institution in this county in excellent repute.
EDMUND PENDLETON Was born in this county in 1741, and died in Richmond in 1803. Hle was prest- dentof the top of Appogla end of the Virginia convention of 1275. He was twice annointed a men- ber of Congress. In fide he was chessen president of the convention of Virginia which met to consider the adoption of the Federal constitution. When the Federal government was organized he was selected by Congress to be district judge for Virginin, but declined the appointment. Wirt says " He had in a great measure overcome the disadvantages of an extremely defective education, and by the force of good com- piny, and the study of correct authors had attribed to great aceurvey and perspienity of style. . . . His manners were elevated, gracefui, and in innating. His person wis spare, bat well proportioned, and his countenance one of the finest in the world ; serene, contemplative, benignant; with that expression of unclouded intelligence, and extensiva reach, which seemed to donote him capable of any thing that could comprebon -ive, sagacious, ord corect; with a most acute and subtle faculty of discrimination ; a fertility of expedient which never could be exbusted ; a dexterity of address which never lost an pointnite and never give ane : and a capacity for continued and naremitting application which was perfectly ivan ble. As a lawyer. and & stite mas, he bad les equals and no superiors. For prilismenviry management, he was withouta rival. With all those advantages of porson, minuters, address, and intellect. he was also honorable mention : an articulation uncommonly distinct; a pornund stream of transparent. cool, and sweet elocution ; and the power of preventing his arguments with great simpleity and ser king offert. R .: was always graceful, argumentative, perstrisive ; never vehement, mph or abrupt. He could tustruct and delight; but he bad ho pretensions to those high powers which are calculated to " shake the hittasu soul."
General WILLIAM WOODFORD. a revolutionary oficer of high merit, was born in Caroline. Ha early distingui hed borult in the French and Ledias war. Upon the assembling of the Virginia troots . Willian -burg in 1775. consequent upon the bestile atttar of Lard Dunmore, he was appointed cabaud of the second reg ment. In the military operations inunerlately saucequent, in that section of the atre. his name is konopbiy mentioned in history, particularly at the fate of Court Bridge, forgat Dec. 9th upon which one ision be hed the chief command, and gained a signal victory over the enemy. The w. . finally promoted to the command of the Ist Va. brigade, in which station he served throagh the war. he tas in vaideus actions, in one of which, the battle of Brandywine. he was wounded. He was made prisoner by the British in 1780, during the siege of Charleston, and taken to New York, where he died on the 13th of November of that year in the 9th year of his age.
Caroline was also the birth place of Col. JOHN TAYLOR, "one of the most zealous of the republican party." and an intimate associate of Jefferson. " He represented Virginia in the United States Senate; and was distinguished among the great and good men which this ancient commonwealth has produced. He did much tuwards advancing the science of agriculture in his native state, and was ever forward in promoting objects conducive to the public good. As a state man, he is perhaps better known by his Con- struction Construed ; and an Inquiry into the Principles of the Government of the United States, which he published in 1814. He also published several other treat es on various subjects. He died in this county. Aug. 20th, 1824. ripe in years and honor." A county formed in western Virginia, in the session of 1843-4, Was nained in honor of hin.
CARROL.
CARROL Was formed in 1842, from the southwestern part of Gray. son, and named from Charles Carrol of Carrolton. It is a wild and mountainous tract, and is watered by the New River and some of the head-branches of the Holston.
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CARROL COUNTY.
The Grayson Sulphur Springs, formerly in Grayson, are now within the limits of this county. The improvements at this place are quite recent; but since they have been made, it has grown · into popular favor, and attracts more vist ors than could have been expected from its remote situation. "The efficacy of the waters in dyspepsia and rheumatism is such as to promise a certain cure."
Grayson Sulphur Springs.
The springs are located immediately on the west side of the Blue Ridge, on the bank of New River, about 20 miles s. of Wytheville. in the midst of scenery of a remarkably wild and romantic charac- ter, similar to that of Harper's Ferry, in a region perhaps as healthy as any in our country. abounding with fish and a variety of game. An analysis is subjoined, made by Professors Rogers, of the Uni versity of Virginia, and Aiken, of Baltimore.
ANAtysis .-- Carbonate of soda, 41; carbonate of magnesia, 3 ; carbonate of lime. 6 ; sulphate of lime. 2 ; sulphate of magnesia, 3 ; chloride of sodium, 2 ; chloride of calcium, 3 ; chloride of magnesium, 12 ; sulphate of soda, 43 ; sulphureted hydrogen car bonic acid gases. .
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CHARLES CITY COUNTY.
CHARLES CITY.
CHARLES Crry was one of the eight original shires into which Virginia was divided in 1634. It then extended on both sides of James River, since which its limits have been much reduced. The James River bounds it on the s., and the Chickahominy on the g. and N. The surface is rolling. There are no villages in it; its advantageous situation with respect to trade with the neighboring cities preventing their formation. Pop. 1830, 5,500 ; 1840, whites 1,171, slaves 2,433, free colored 670 : total, 4,774.
Westover, long the seat of the distinguished family of Byrds, is on the James River, It was originally the residence of Col. Win. Byrd, where he long Eved. In his time, it was " a beautifully decorated and princely mansion, which even at this lite day exhibits admir ible remains of his taste. and his magnificent scale of expenditure for its gratification." Col. Byrd was the author of " The History of the Dividing Line," and one of the most accompl shed men in Virginia at his doy. He was a worthy inheritor of the opinions and feelings of its old envollers. He was for 37 years a member, and at last became president of the council of the colony. He died in 1744, at the age of 70 years. His grave is covered by a white marble nagpurent. which yet stands at Westover. The Miguh de Chastellux, who was here in 17-2, gives, in his trave's, a glowing deveription of Westover, which he says surpissed all the seats in the country round about " in the magnificence of the buildings, the beanty of its situation, and the pleasures of society." ,Bo emiogizes Mrs. Byrd as a lady of great sense, and an agreeable countenance, who fui- filled the dades meunibent upon her, as the head of a large household, with uncommon skill. To het negroes the did all in her power to render them happy, and served " them herselt as a doctor in time of siekures."
Three Times, in the course of the revolutionary war, the enemy landod at Westover. under Cornwallis and Arnoid.
Oa the evening of Jan. 8th, 1781, the enemy, who were at Bar- clay and Westover, sent Lieut .- Col. Simcoe, with a detachment of the Queen's Rangers, to Charles City court-house, where they sur- prised a party of 150 militia, of whom they killed one, wounded three, and took several prisoners. We here subjoin the account of this event, as given in the journal of Simcoe :
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Gen. Arnold directed a patrol to be made on the night of the 8th of January towards Long Bridge, in order to procure intelligence. Lient .. Col. Simene marched with forty cavalry, for the most part badly mounted, on such horses as had been picked up in the country ; but the patrol had not proceeded above two miles before Sergeant Kelly, who was in advance, was challenged : he parleved with the videltes till he got nearer to them, when, rushing at them, one he got hold of, the other thang thuself off his horse and es- caped into the bushes. A negro was also teken, whom these videttes had intercepted on his way to the British army. From these people information was obtained that the enemy was assembled at Charles City court-house, and that the corps which had ap. peared in the day-time opposite Westover, nearly to the amount of 400 men, lay about 2 miles in advance of their main body, and on the road to Westover. The party were immediately ordered to the right-about, and to march towards them. Licut. Holland, who was similar in size to the vidette who had been taken, was placed in advance ; the negro had promised to guide the party so as to avoid the high road, and to conduct them by an unfrequented pathway which led close to the creek, between the body which was supposed to be in advance, and that which was at Charke's City court house. Lieut. Col, Simcor's intention was to beat up the main body of the enemy, who, trusting 10 those in front, might reasonably be supposed to be off their guard ; in case of repulse he meant to retreat by the private way on which he advanced, and should he be successful, it was optional to attack the advance party or not on his return. The patrol passed through a wood, where it halted to collect, and had scarcely got into the road when the advance was challenged : Lient. Hofland answered. " A friend,"-gave the countersign procured from the prisoner -" It is I, me, Charles," the name of the person he persona ted ; he passed one vidette, whom Sorgt. Kelly seized, and himself caught hold of the other, who in a struggle proved too strong for him, got free, presented and snapped his carbine at his breast ; luckily it did not go off, but the man galloped away, and at some distance fired the signal of alarm. The advance division immediately rushed on, and soon arrived at the court-bouse ; a confused and scattered firing began on all sides ;
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CHARLES CITY COUNTY.
Lieut .- Col. Simcoe sent the bugle-horns, French and Barney, through an enclosure to the right, with orders to answer his challenging, and sound when he ordered ; he then called loudly for the light imantry, and hallooed " Sound the advance :" the bugies were sounded as had been directed, and the enemy fled on all sides, scarcely Bring en- other shot. The night was very dark, and the party totally unacquainted with the ground ; part of the dragoons were dismounted, and mixed with the hussars ; some of the enemy were taken, others wounded, and a few were drowned in a mill-dam. I. caving three armed militia-men from the fury of the soldiers, Lieut .- Col. Simcoe ran & great risk, as their pieces were loaded, pointed to his breast, and in their timidity they might have discharged them. From the prisoners he learned that the whole of their forec was here assembled, and that there was no party in advance : the soldiers were mounted as soon as possible, nor could they be permitted to search the houses where many were concealed, lest the enemy should gain intelligence of their numbers, and attack them ; and this might easily be done. as the darkness of the night prevented the Rangers from seeing around them, while they were plainly to be distinguished by the fires which the enemy had left. It appeared that the militia were commanded by Gen. Nelson, and consisted of seven or eight hundred men: they were completely frightened and dis- persed, many of them not stopping till they reached Williamsburg. Sergt. Adams, of the hussars, was mortally wounded. This gallant soldier, sensible of his situation, said, " My beloved colonel, I do not mind dying, but for God's sake do not leave me in the hands of the rebels." Trumpeter French and two hussars were wounded. About a dozen horses were seasonably captured.
Berkeley, the birth-place of President Harrison.
(This building stands upon the James River, a few hundred yards from its brink. It is an old fashioned edifice, constructed of brick, sad butrounded by a grove of poplar, menangled with other er es. It is now the residence of the widow of the Jew Benjamin Harrison, Esq ]
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, the ninth President of the United States, was born at Berkeley, Feb. 9th, 1773. His ancestors set- ted in Virginia in 1610, and the family name was always among the most prominent in her history.
His father, Benjamin Harrison, was a conspicuous patriot of the revolution. When a very young man, he honorably represented bis native district in the House of Bur. gesses for many years, and on the 14th of Nov., 1764, was one of those of its distin- guished members chosen to prepare an address to the king, a memorial to the lords, and & remon. trance to the floue of Commons, in opposition to the stamp act. He was & delegate from Virginia to the first Continental Congress, which assembled at Philadelphia, Sept. Ist, 1974, when he had the gratification of seeing his brother-in-law, Peyton Ran. dolph, placed in the presidential chair. " At the congress of the following year, 1775. after the death of Mr. Randolph, it was the wish of nearly all the southern members that Mr. Harrison should succeed him in the presidency ; but as the patriotic John Han-
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CHARLES CITY COUNTY.
cock, of Massachusetts, bad likewise been nominated, Mr. Harrison, to avoid any see- tional jealousy or unkindness of feeling between the northern and southern delegates as so momentous a crisis, with a noble self denial and generosity relinquished his own claims, and insisted on the election of Mr. Hancock, who accordingly had the honor of being unanimously chosen to that high office. Mr. Harrison still, however, continued one of the most active and influential members of the Continental Congress. On the 10th of June, 1776, as chairman of the committee of the whole house, he introduced the resolution which declared the independence of the colonies ; and on the ever-se-ão .. rable fourth of July, he reported the more formal Declaration of Independence, to which celebrated document his signature is annexed. The legislature of Virginia returned Mr. Harrison four times as a delegate to Congress. On the expiration of his last term of congressional service, he was immediately elected to the House of Burgesses from his own county, and was at once chosen speaker of that body-an office he beld uninter- ruptedly until the year 1782, when he was elected governor of Virginie, and became ons of the most popular officers that over filled the executive chair. This eminent patriot died in the year 1791."
William Henry Harrison was left under the guardianship of Robert Morris, the distin- guished financier, and was educated at Hampden Sydney College, and turned his attention to the study of medicine. " The hostilities of the Indians on the northwestern frontier having begun to excite general attention, the young student resolved to relinquish his profession I pursuits, and join the army destined to the defence of the Ohio frontier. In 1791, soon after the death of his father, who died in April of the same year, he received from President Washington, when only in his 19th year, the commission of ensign ; in 1792 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and he fought under Gen. Wayne, who spoke of his galiaut conduct in a very flattering manner. After the desperate battle of the Miami Rapide, he was promoted to the rank of captain, and was placed in the com- mand of Fort Washington. In 1797 he resigned his commission in the army, and was immediately appointed secretary of the Nw. territory. In 1793, at the age of 26, he was elected a delegate from this territory to Congress, and in this office he performed very important services for his constituents. On the erection of Indiana into a territorial government, he was appointed its first goveruor, and he held this office by reappoint- ment until 1813. In addition to the duties in the civil and military government of tho territory, he was commissioner and saps inter Jout of Indian Affairs : and in the course of his administration he concluded thatcon unportant treaties with the different tribes, On the 7th of Nov., 1911, bo gard over the Indians the celebrated battle of Tippeca- noe, the news of which was received throughout the country with a base of enthusiasm. During the last war with Great Britain, he was made commander of the northwestern army of the United States, and he bore a conspicuous part in the leading events of the campaign of 1812-13-the defence of Fort Meigs, and the victory of the Thames. In 1814 he was appointed, in conjunction with his companion in arms. Gov. Shelby, and Gen. Cass, to treat with the Indians in the northwest ; and in the following year. he was placed at the head of a commission to treat with various other important tribes.
" In 1816, Gen. Harrison was elected a member of Congress from Ohio; and in 1828 he was sent minister plenipotentiary to the Republic of Columbia. On his return, ho took up his residence at North Bend, on the Orie, if ou below Cinemnati, where ho lived upon his farm in comparative retirement until he was called by the people of the United States to preside over the country as its chief magistrate." Of 294 votes for president, he received 234. He died April 4th, 1841, just a month after his inaugura- tion. His death caused a decp sensation throughout the country.
JOHN TYLER, the father of the lite President of the United States, resided in this county. " He was one of the leading revolutionary characters of Virginia, was many years a member of the House of Delegates, and in 1781 succeeded Mr. Benjamin Harri- son as speaker. After being governor of Virginia, to which office he was elected in 1808, he was judge of the District Court of the United States for Virginia, and died at his seat in Charles City co., Jan. 6th, 1813. He was simple in his manners, distinguished for the uprighturss and fidelity with which he discharged his official duties, and enjoyed in an uncommon degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens."
Jony Truck, the 10th President of the United States, and the sieth from Virginia, was born on the James River in this co .. in 1790, about 5 m. below Berkeley. Four miles lower down on the river is his present residence,
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· CHARLOTTE COUNTY.
1
CHARLOTTE.
CHARLOTTE was formed in 1794, from Lunenburg. It is 22 miles long, with a mean breadth of 18 miles. The surface is diversified : the soil on the river bottoms fertile, but on the ridges mostly bar- ren ; it is watered by numerous creeks and rivulets. all tributary to Staunton river, except the head branches of the Meherrin, on the R. and sr. Pop. 1830, 15,252; 1840, whites 5,130; slaves 9,260 ; free colored 807 ; total, 14,595.
Charlotte C. H., or Marysville, 98 miles sw. of Richmond, and 30 sE. of Lynchburg, near the centre of the county, contains I Baptist, 1 Presbyterian, and 1 Methodist church, and about 50 dwellings. Keysville, and Rough Creek Church, are small places in the county.
Charlotte has been the residence of three distinguished Virgini- ans, viz. : Patrick Henry, John Randolph, and the late Judge Paul Carrington, senr.
The residence of the latter was near the junction of the L. Roanoke, with the Staun- Con, on an elevated and beautiful she. He was a member of the bar of Chariotte, in 1765. After Lord Dunmore had abdicated the government of Virginia, a convention met in Richmond, in the year 1775, to organize a provincial form of government, and a plan of defence for the colony .. Mr. Carrington was one of the committee of public safety to whom this plan was submitted. He subsequently became a judge of the court of appeals, in which office he remained until a few years before his death.
Red Hill, the Seat of Patrick Henry.
Red Hill is on the southwest angle of the county. There lived and died PATRICK HENRY ; the man who, Jefferson said. " was the greatest orator that ever lived ;" and to whom Randolph applied the words of' sacred writ as being one " who spake as never man spake."
Red Hill is now the seat of his son, John Henry, Esq. The Jarger part of the main building, shown on the left, has been added since the decease of its illustrious occupant .*
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