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 75
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The maiden name of the mother of Washington was MARY BALL, and she was the second wife of her husband. Her father, Col. Ball, resided in Lancaster county. The dwelling alluded to in the succeeding extract from Alden's Collection is now standing in Fredericksburg, on the ss. corner of Charles and Lewis streets, and is at present the residence of Richard Sterling, Esq. It is a plain, substantial two-story dwelling, of the ordinary architecture, and painted white.
She died in this house, in the autumn of 1789, at the age of 85 years. She was buried on a beautiful swell of land which belonged to her son-in-law, Col. Fielding Lewis, on a spot which she had selected for her grave. " Within a few steps from the place where she lies interred is a romantic ledge of rocks, to which she used often to resort. for private meditation and devotion. She was a lady of uncommon excellence, and was greatly endeared to all who had the happiness of her acquaintance. She was truly es- timable in all the relations of life ; but among the distinguished traits of her character, pone was more remarkable than her constant and generous attentions to the necessities of the poor. She for years was expecting the approach of death from a deep-rooted cancer in her breast ; and was long desirous to lay aside her clavey tabernacle to depart and be with Christ, in whom was all her hope ; yet she was enabled to exercise a be- coming resignation to the will of God under all the sufferings she endured from her ex- cruciating disorder." There is now over her grave a beautiful, though unfinished monu- anent.
In the grave-yard at Fredericksburg lie the remains of LEWIS LITTLEPAGE, who was born in Hanover co., Dec. 19, 1762, and died in this place, July 19, 1802, in the 40th year of his age. He lost his father when young. At the request of his uncle, Benja- mit Lewis. Mr. Jay, minister at Madrid, was induced to patronise him, and received him into his family. He. volunteered in the expedition against Minorea, under the Duke de Crillon, in 1781 ; and afterwards accompanied the Count Nassau to the siege of Gibral- tar. and thence to Constantinople and Warsaw. He was " honored for many years with the esteem and confidence of the unfortunate Stanislaus Augustus, king of Poland he held under that monarch, both he lost his throne. the most distinguished offices, among which was that of ambassador to Russia. He was by him created Knight of the Order of St. Stanislaus, chamberlain and confidential secretary in his cabinet, and acted as bis special envoy among the most important negotiations. Of talents, military as well
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as civil, he served with credit as an officer of high rank, in different armies. In privait life he was charitable, generous, and just, and in various public offices which he filled, he acted with uniform magnanimity, fidelity, and honor."* When he was in New York in 1785, Mr. Jay arrested him for a debt of $1,000, without interest, for money lent him years before. In consequence, Littlepage challenged him. The correspond. ence between them was published, in which Mr. Jay " complained not only of the pecu- niary imposition, but also of other abuse, as he expresses himself, from the young man, with my money in his pocket, and my meat still sticking in his teeth.'"
JOHN FORSYTH of Georgia, " a man of talents and eloquence, who had been long dis- tinguished in public life, and held many important offices, was born at Fredericksburg, in 1781. He was graduated at New Jersey College in 1799 ; was member of Congress from Georgia in 1813-18, and in 1827-29; United States senator in 1818-19, and in 1829-35; governor of Georgia in 1827-29; minister to Spain 1819-22; and was ap- pointed secretary of state by Gen. Jackson in 1835, which office he held till the end of Mr. Van Buren's administration. 'The high offices which, during a great portion of his life, he successfully filled, both in his own particular state and the general govern- ment, attest at once the superiority of his abilities and the public estimation of them. To the high advantage of superior talents, he added, also, that of elegauce and dignity of manners, which shed a grace on the exalted stations which he filled.'" He died at Washington city, Oct. 22, 1841, at the age of 61 years.
STAFFORD.
STAFFORD was formed in 1675, from Westmoreland. Its length is 20. mean width 12 miles. The Rappahannock runs on its sw. border, the Potomac on its E. boundary; the rail-road from Fred- ericksburg to the Potomac runs through it. On the streams there is considerable good land, elsewhere the soil is generally worn out by injudicious agriculture. Gold exists in the county. Pop. in 1840, whites 4,489, slaves 3.596, free colored 369; total 8,454.
Falmouth lies on the left bank of the Rappahannock, at the foot of the falls, about one mile above the town of Fredericksburg. A substantial bridge connects it with the Spottsylvania shore. It was incorporated and laid out in 1727, the same year with Fred- ericksburg, and was at one time the rival of that town. It con- tains 1 free church, 6 or 7 mercantile stores, 2 extensive flouring mills, and 1 large cotton factory, and a population of about 500.
Stafford C. H. lies near the centre of the county, and contains about a dozen dwellings. The following biographical sketch of Col. Washington, is from the pen of his brother officer, Col. Henry Lee, or, as he was commonly called, " Legion Harry :"
WILLIAM WASHINGTON, Heutenant-colonel commandant of a continental regiment of dragoous during the revolutionary war, was the eldest son of Baily Washington, Esq., of Stafford county, in the state of Virginia.
First among the youth of Virginia who hastened to the standard of his country, on the rupture between Great Britain and her colonies, he was appointed to the command of a company of infantry in the third regiment of the Virginia line. commanded by colonel. afterwards brigadier-general, Mercer. In no corps in om service was the sub- stantial knowledge of the profession of arms more likely to be acquired.
Here young Washington frarned the rudiments of war. He fogist with this gallant regiment at York island, and on the retreat through New Jersey, sharing with distin-
* Aiden's Collections.
.... . . .
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guished applause in that disastrous period, its difficulties, i's dangers, and its glory. When afterwards the commander-in-chief struck at Colonel Ralle, stationed with a body of Hessians in Trenton, Capt. Washington was attached to the van of one of the assail- ing columns, and in that daring and well-executed enterprise, received a musket-ball through his hand, bravely leading on his company against the arraying enemy.
The commander-in-chief having experienced the extreme difficulties to which he had been exposed during the preceding campaign, by his want of cavalry, was, shortly after this period, in consequence of his suggestion to Congress, authorized to raise three regi- ments of light dragoons. To the command of one of these he appointed Lieut,-Col. Baylor, one of his aid-de-camps. To this regiment Captain Washington was transfer- red, with the rank of major, and returned to Virginia for the purpose of assisting in re- cruiting the regiment.
As soon as the corps was completed, Baylor joined the main army ; his regiment war, in 1778, surprised by a detachment of the British, led by Major-Gen. Gray, and suffered extremely. Washington fortunately escaped ; and in the course of the succeeding year, or early in 1780, he was detached, with the remains of Bland's, Baylor's, and Moylan's regiments of horse, to the army of Major-Gen. Lincoln, in South Carolina, where he was constantly employed with the light troops, and experienced, with some flashes of fortune, two severe blows ; first at Monk's Corner, where he commanded our horse, and last at Leneau's ferry, when he was second to Lieut .- Col. White, of Moylan's regiment. These repeated disasters so reduced cur cavalry, that White and Washington retired from the field, and repaired to the northern confines of North Carolina for the purpose of repairing their heavy losses. It was here that they applied to Gen. Gates for the aid of his name and authority to expedite the restoration and equipment of their regiments, Luat they might be ready to take the field under his orders. This salutary and proper request was, as has been mentioned, injudiciously disregarded ; from which omission very injurious consequences seem to have resulted in the sequel.
After the defeat of Gen. Gates on the 16th of the following August, it will be recol. lected that the American general retired to Hillsborough, from whence he returned to Salisbury.
Lieut .- Col. Washington, with his cavalry, now accompanied him, and formed a part of the light corps placed by Gates under the direction of Brigadier Morgan. He re- sumed his accustomed active and vigorous service, and was highly useful in the execu- tion of the trust confided to Morgan.
One of his partisan exploits was the result of a well-conceived stratagem. Having learned, during a scouting excursion, that a large party of loyalists, commanded by Col. Rudgley, was posted at Rudgley's mill, 12 miles from Camden, he determined on at- tacking them. Approaching the enemy, he found them so secured in a large log-barn, surrounded by abattis, as to be perfectly safe from the operations of cavalry. Forbidden, thus, to attempt his object by direct attack, his usual and favorite mode of warfare, he determined, for once, to have recourse to policy. Shaping, therefore, a pine log in imi- tation of a field-picce, mounting it on wheels, and staining it with mud, to make it look like iron, he brought it up in military style, and affected to make arrangements to batter down the barn. To give to the stratagem solemnity and effect, he dispatched a flag, warning the garrison of the impending destruction, and to prevent bloodshed, sum- toned them to sulamission. Not prepared to resist artillery, Col. Rudgley obeyed the summons, and with a garrison of 103 rank and file, surrendered at discretion.
Greene now succeeded Gates, when Brigadier Morgan, with the light corps, was de- tached to hang upon the enemy's left flank, and to threaten Ninety-Six.
'The battle of the Cowpens ensued, in which Washington, at the head of our horse, acquired fresh laureles. He continued with the light troops, performing with courage and precision the duties assigned him, until the junction of the two divisions of the American army at Guilford Court-House. Soon after this event a more powerful body of horse and foot was selected by Gen. Greene, and placed under Col. Williams, of which Wash- ingion and his cavalry were a constituent part.
In the eventful and trying retreat which ensued, Lieut .. Col. Washington contributed his full share to the maintenance of the measures of Williams, which terminated so pro- pitiously to our arms, and so honorably to the light troops and their commander. After our repassage of the Dan, Washington and his horse were again placed in the van, and with Howard and Lee, led by Williams, played that arduous game of marches counter. marches, and maneuvers, which greatly contributed to battle the skilled display of 13. lents and enterprise exhibited by Lord Cornwallis, in his persevering attempt to force Greene, at the head of an interior anny, to battle, or to cut him off from his approach ing reinforcements and supplies.
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We have seen the distinguished part this officer successively bore in the battles of Guilford, Hobkick's Hill, and Eutaw ; and we have found him, throughout the arduous campaign of 1781, always at his post, decided, firm, and brave, courting danger, and contemning difficulty. His eminent services were lost to the army from the battle of Eutaw ; where, to its great regret, he was made prisoner ; nor did he afterwards take any part in the war, as from the period of his exchange nothing material occurred, the respective armies being confined to minor operations, produced by the prospect of peace. While a prisoner in Charleston, Washington became acquainted with Miss Elliot, a young lady in whom concentred the united attractions of respectable descent, opulence, polish, and beauty. The gallant soldier soon became enamored with his amiable ac- quaintance, and afterwards married her.
This happened in the spring of 1782 ; and he established himself in South Carolina, at Sandy Hill, the ancestral seat of his wife.
Washington seeins to have devoted his subsequent years to domestic duties, rarely breaking in upon them by attention to public affairs ; and then only as a member of the state legislature.
He possessed a stout frame, being six feet in height, broad, strong, and corpulent. His occupations and his amusements applied to the body, rather than to the mind ; to the cultivation of which he did not bestow much time or application, nor was his education of the sort to excite such habits, being only calculated to fit a man for the common business of life. In temper he was good-humored, in disposition amiable, in heart up- right, generous, and friendly, in manners lively, innocent, and agreeable.
His military exploits announce his grade and character in arms. Bold, collected, and persevering. he preferred the heat of action to the collection and sifting of intelligence, to the calculations and combinations of means and measures, and was better htted for the field of battle, than for the drudgery of camp and the watchfulness of preparation. Kind to his soldiers, his system of discipline was rather lax, and sometimes subjected him to injurious consequences, when close to a sagacious and vigilant adversary.
The Washington family emigrated from England, and settled in Virginia, always re- spectable and respected. The consanguinity of its numerous ramifications is involved in doubt ; but it is generally believed that they sprung from the same source.
Lieut .- Col. Washington was selected by his illustrious relation when he accepted the command of the army, during the presidency of Mr. Adams, as one of his staff, with the rank of brigadier-general, a decided proof of the high value attached by the best judge in America to his military talents.
Leading a life of honor, of benevolence, and hospitality, in the bosom of his family and friends, during which, until its last two years, he enjoyed high health, this gallant soldier died, after a tedious indisposition, leaving a widow, and a son and a daughter, the only issue of his marriage.
SURRY.
SURRY was formed in 1652 : it measures each way about 18 miles. The James runs on its northern, and the Blackwater River on a portion of its southern line. Pop. in 1840, whites 2,557, slaves 2.853, free colored 1,070 ; total, 6,180.
The C. H. is situated 5 miles s. of James River, and 55 south- easterly from Richmond. There is in this county, on or near the James, an antique mansion, called " BACON's CASTLE," supposed by some to have been onee fortified by Nathaniel Bacon, the leader of " the Rebellion" in 1676. On what ground this supposition rests, we have been unable to ascertain.
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TAZEWELL COUNTY
SUSSEX.
Sussex was formed in 1754, from Surry : it is about 32 miles long, and 18 wide. The rail-road from Petersburg to Weldon, N. C., runs through a portion of it on the west. The Nottoway runs centrally through it, and the Blackwater forms a part of its NE. boundary. About 500,000 pounds of cotton are annually produced in the county. Pop. in 1840, whites 3,584, slaves 6,384, free col- ored 811 ; total, 11,229.
The C. H. is situated near the centre of the county, 48 miles ssE. of Richmond.
TAYLOR.
TAYLOR Was formed Jan. 19th, 1844, from Harrison, Barbour, and Marion, and named from John Taylor of Caroline. Williams- port. sometimes called Prunty Town, is the county-seat. It is situ- ated near the ferry across Tygart's Valley River, 209 miles north- westerly from Richmond, and 18 NE. by E. from Clarksburg. It contains 3 stores, 1 Methodist and I Baptist church, and about 30 dwellings. . Rector College, an institution founded in 1839, is lo- cated here ; it had, by the census of 1840, 110 students.
As this county has been so recently formed, we are unable to give its statistics or geographical boundaries, and the counties from which it has been formed have, in those particulars, been described in this volume as though it had no existence.
TAZEWELL.
TAZEWELL Was formed in 1799, from Russell and Wythe, and named from Henry Tazewell, a member of the U. S. Senate, from 1794 to 1790. It is 60 miles long, with a mean width of 25 miles. The Tug Fork of Big Sandy runs on part of the northern border ; the Clinch River rises near Jeffersonville, and the Great Kanawha receives many branches from the eastern section of the county. It is traversed by mountains, some of which rise to an immense height ; the chief' are, Clinch, Rich, East River, and Paint Lick. Between some of them are beautiful valleys, of a black, deep soil, very fertile. Abb's Valley, a delightful tract, 10 miles long, and about 40 rods wide, with no stream running through it, and bounded by lofty mountains, possesses a soll of extraordinary fertility. It derives its name from Absalom Looney, a hunter, who is supposed to have been the first white person ever in it. Inex- haustible quarries of limestone exist in the county, and extensive
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beds of excellent coal. The principal staples are cattle, horses, hogs, feathers, tow and flax linen, beeswax, ginseng, seneca snake- root, &c., &c. The mean height of the arable soil is about 2,200 feet above the level of the ocean. Pop. in 1840, whites 5,466, slaves 786. colored 38; total, 6,290.
Mountain Scenery.
Jeffersonville, the county-seat, is 284 miles southwesterly from Richmond, and 30 west of Wythe C. H. It is situated on the south side of Clinch River. one mile from its bank, and contains I church. 3 stores, and about 25 dwellings. Burke's Garden, 10 miles E. of Jeffersonville, is a remarkable spot. It is completely surrounded by Clinch mountain, except a narrow pass, through which flows Wolf creek. . It is 11 miles long, and 5 wide, and is a beautiful and perfect level ; the soil is naturally fertile. A post-office is in it, and the settlement contains a church and about 500 inhabitants.
It was late in a November evening that we ascended the loity
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Clinch mountain, after leaving Tazewell C. H. for Abingdon, and put up for the night at a miserable hut on its summit. The next morning the sun shone bright and clear as we buckled on our knap- sack and resumed our journey through a light snow which cov- ered the mountain-road that winds with great steepness down the declivity. In about half a mile was presented a scone of which none but a painting in the highest style of art can convey an adequate impression. The whole of a vast landscape was filled with a sea of mountains beyond mountains, in an apparently interminable continuity. Near, were huge mountains, dark and frowning, in the desolation of winter. Beyond, they assumed a deep blue color, and then grew fainter and fainter, until far away in the horizon- fifty or sixty miles-their jagged outlines were softened by distance, and sky and mountain met and mingled in the same light ceru- lean hue. Not a clearing was to be seen-not even a solitary smoke from some cabin curled up the intervening valleys to indicate the presence of man. It was-
" A wild and lonely region, where, retired . From little scenes of art, great Nature dwelt In awful solitude."
From a worthy pastor of a church in the Shenandoah valley, we have received the following account of the cuptivity and de- struction of the Moore family, by the Indians, a few years after the close of the revolution :
JAMES MOORE, Jr., was a lineal descendant of the Rev. Samuel Rutherford, of Scot- land ; the latter being a descendant of the Rev. Joseph Allein, the author of the " Aların to the Unconverted." Mr. Moore's parents were among those who, during the persecutions under Charles I., emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland, the descendants of whom, in this country, come under the general name of " Scotch Irish." From Ireland he emigrated to Virginia, and settled in what is now Rockbridge county, on Walker's creek. There he married Jane Walker, and there James Moore, the subject of this sketch, was born. When the latter grew up he married Martha Podge, of the same county, and settled near the Natural Bridge, at a place long known as " Newel's Tavern." There his three oldest children. Jobe, James, and Joseph, were born. About the year 1775, he removed to what is how Tazewell county, and settled in Aby's volley, on the waters of Blue Stone, a branch of New River. He was induced to emigrate to that country on account of the fertil'ty of the soil, and its adaptedness to raising stock. There, with the aid of an old Eugh ffman whose name was John Simpson, he erected his cabin ; and with his pions wife, both being members of the Presbyterian church, he erected his altar to God, cleared a piece of ground, and there resided with his family until they were destroyed ; frequently going neo a fort, which was almost every summer. The first of his family who was captured was James, his second son, a lad' in the 14th year of ins age. This occurred September 7th, 1754. Mr. Moore, the captive, who is still living, gives the account of that event :
My father had sent me to i warte plantation, about 24 miles distant, to catch a horse On which I might so to pull. As w. Fred about 12 miles from the mill, and the road for the whole distance the they had my through a dreary wilderness, I had frequently to come home a considerable part of the way after night, when it was very dark .. Being Accustomed to this, I set out for the horse without the least intimidation, or apprehension of danger. But notwith-feeding this, I had not proceeded more than half the distance to the field, before a sudden deva for sale, come on me. The appearance of the Indian who took ine was presented to my mind, although at the time I did not think of an Indian, but rather that some wild annual in human shape would devour are. Such was my alarm that I went on trembling, frequently looking back, expecting to see it. Indeed
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TAZEWELL COUNTY.
I would have returned home, but for the fear that with such an excuse my father would be displeased, and perhaps send me back. I therefore proceeded on until I came near the field, when suddenly three Indians sprang from behind a log, one of whom laid hold of me. Being much alarmed at the time with the apprehension of being devoured, and believing this to be the animal I had dreaded, I screamed with all my might. The In- dian who had hold of me laid his hand on my head, and, in the Indian language, told me to bush. Looking him in the face, and perceiving that it was an Indian, I felt greatly relieved, and spoke out aloud, " It is an Indian, why need I fear ;" and thought to my- self, " All that is in it is, I will have to go to the Shawnee towns." In this company there were only three Indians. a father and son, and one other ; the former bearing the name of the " Black Wolf," a middle-aged man, of the most stern countenance I ever beheld, about six feet high, having a black beard. The others I suppose were about 18 years of age, and all of the Shawnee tribe. I belonged to the Black Wolf, who had captured me. We immediately proceeded to an old cabin, near to which were the horses. Here we made a halt, and the old Wolf told me to catch the horses, and gave me some salt for that purpose. My object was to catch one and mount, and make my escape ; but suspecting my intention, as often as I would get hold of a horse they would come running up, and thus scare him away. Finding that I could not get a horse for myself, I had no wish, and did not try to catch one for them, and so, after a few efforts, aban- doned the attempt. This I suppose was about one o'clock in the afternoon. The Indians then went into a thicket where were concealed their kettle and blankets, after which we immediately proceeded on our journey. In consequence of the high weeds, green briers, logs, and the steep and mountainous character of the country, the walking was very laborious, and we travelled that evening only about 8 miles. The two younger Indians went before, myself next, with the old Wolf in the rear. If maiks were made, he would carefully remove them with his tomahawk. I frequently broke bushes, which he discov- ered, and shook his tomahawk over my head to let me know the consequences if I did not desist. I would then scratch the ground with my feet. This he also discovered, and made ine desist, showing me how to set my feet flat, so as not to leave any mark. It then became necessary to cease my efforts to make a trail for others, as they were all immediately detected. In the evening, about sundown, the old Wolf gave a tremendous war-whoop, and another the next morning at suunise. These were repeated evening and morning during our whole journey. It was long, loud, and shrill, and intended to signify that they had one prisoner. Their custom is to repeat it as frequent as the number of prisoners. It is different from their whoop when they have scalps, and in this way it can be known as far as the whoop is heard, whether they have prisoners or scalps, and also the number. But to return, the night was rainy. We lay down in a laurel thicket, without food or fire. Previous to this, the old Wolf had searched me carefully, to see whether I had a knife. After this he tied one end of a leading-halter very tightly around my neck, and wrapped the other end around his hand, so as to make it secure, as well as very difficult for me to get away without waking him. Notwithstanding my situation was thus dreary, gloomy, and distressing, I was not altogether prevented from sleep. Indeed, I suppose few prisoners were ever more resigned to their fate. The next morn- ing we resumed our journey about daybreak, and continued down Tug cresk about two miles, until we reached the main ridge of Tug mountain, along which we descended until we came to Maxwell's Gap .* At this place the old Wolf went off and brought in a middle-sized Dutch-oven, which had been secreted on their fornier expedition. The carriage of this was assigned to me. At first it was fastened to my back, but after suf- fering much I threw it down, saying I would carry it no more. Upon this the old. Wolf placed down his bundle and told me to carry it, but on finding that I could not lift it I became more reconciled, took up the oven again, and after some days filled it with leaves, and carried it with more ease. We continued on the same ridge the whole of that day, and encamped on it at night. In the evening there came on a rain, and the son of the Black Wolf pulled off my hat. This I resented, struck him, and took it from him. He then showed me by signs that with it he wished to protect his gunlock from the rain. I then permitted him to have it, and after the rain he returned it. For three days we travelled without sustenance of any kind, save some water in which poplar bark had been steeped. On the 4th day we killed a buffalo, took out the paunch. cut it open, rinsed it a little in the water, cut it up, and put it into the kettle with some pieces of the flesh, and made broth. Of this we drank heartily, without cating day of the meat. After
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