USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 39
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Improved Order of Heptasophs.
Old Dominion Conclave, No. 293 : Archon, W. D. Ballentine; secretary, S. C. Browne ; treasurer, G. P. Barnes.
Portsmouth Conclave, No. 15: Archon, William H. Stewart; secretary, S. A. Staples ; treasurer, T. S. Lawrence.
Portsmouth Lodge, No. 82, B. P. O. E.
E. R., Charles Welton; E. L. K., James WV. Brown, Jr .; E. L. K., R. H. Neville; E. L. K., F. K. Wonnycott ; secretary, Calvin H. Tabb; treasurer, G. A. Tabb.
Portsmouth Council, No. 5, Order of Chosen Friends.
Councilor, Elvington Knott; secretary, J. V. Goodman.
Ocean Council, No. 1063: Regent, Ar- Magnolia Camp, No. 4. Woodmen of the mand DeR. Myers; secretary, S. Cleburne Il'orld. Browne.
C. C., C. H. Herbert : A. L., Harry Eller ; banker, J. R. McWilliams; clerk, E. L. Dashiell.
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Howard Division, No. 2. Sons of Temper- ance.
W. B., A. W. Moore: R. S., J. C. Herbert.
Benevolent Christian Union.
President, Mrs. E. S. Sherwood ; secre- tary, Mrs. H. E. Culpepper, Jr.
Joseph H. Plunkett Council, No. 173, Catholic Benevolent Legion.
President, John J. Shea : secretary, W. T. Nolan; treasurer, M. J. Hughes.
St. Paul's Council, No. 418, Knights of Co- lumbus.
R. S., K. J. Griffin: F. A .. T. J. Gibney ; treasurer, J. C. Bain.
Catholic Knights of America.
President, Patrick Holden : vice-president, John J. Shea : recording secretary, William A. Langhorne: financial secretary. . 1. L. Bilisoly; treasurer. Joseph L. Bilisoly; ser- geant-at-arms, M. J. Mulvey : chaplain, Rev. T. J. Brady.
St. Joseph's Society.
President, P. J. Lyons ; vice-president, J. J. Heffron : recording secretary. P. J. Riley : financial secretary. P. T. Gallagher : treasurer. P. J. Riley ; sergeant-at-arms, Malachi Hudgins.
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
President, P. J. Riley: secretary, E. M. Walsh; treasurer, John T. Gallilee.
Trinity Chapter, No. 346. Brotherhood of St. Andreas.
Director, E. W. Maupin, Jr .: secretary. Bartow Ford : treasurer. R. S. Marshall.
Y. M. C.A.
President, F. L. Crocker : treasurer. L. C. Phillips : recording secretary. W. R. Stevens ; general secretary, James P. Stubbs.
The following interesting facts concerning young men give a graphic outline of the merit of the work done in their behalf : "Over 2,000 boys become young men every day in our na- tion. There are 12,000,000 young men in the United States. In line 12 abreast they woukl form a column 2,000 miles long. For each to be idle one week is equal to over 200,000 being idle in one year. They represent force enough to build a railroad from New York to San Francisco in one day."
Portsmouth, with its many hundreds of young men and the boys who are becoming mien daily, could not afford to be without this organization now occupying its new building. That is a place of resort for young men and boys open seven days in the week, with its many attractions to counteract evil influences that are continually brought to bear on these classes. The new building has been practically completed since April, and most of the build- ing has been in use since that time, but the formal opening was delayed until October 3. 1901. in order that the financial arrangements might be adjusted.
Previous to April. 1900, the association occupied the old building on the present site. that was inadequate in every respect, and owed $5.000 on the building and site. This re- quired the payment of $300 per year for in- terest, which was met out of the interest fund, but now the association owns its own build- ing, modern in every particular, and with ap- pointments that will compare favorably with any association in the State. The income from the two stores and rooms rented for apart- ments on the third floor bring in an amount sufficient to pay the interest on the bonded in- (lebtedness and insurance, leaving the associa- tion rent free. This does not mean, however. that the association will not require as much
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
from the sustaining and contributing men- bers as in the past, but will require a little more, because a larger building and the larger work that was needed will require a larger out- lay in order to accomplish the desired results. The following gentlemen compose the building committee : Judge Legh R. Watts, chairman: James T. Borum, J. M. Cratty, F. D. Gill, E. N. Wilcox (deceased), and L. McK. Jack, treasurer, who, with President Crocker, have given much of their time, thought and energy to this project; and to them is largely due the successful completion of the building movement. The men alone have not labored for this building, but the members of the Women's Auxiliary were as- sidious in their efforts in this particular, and have aided materially.
Portsmouth Orphan Asylum.
President, E. C. Brooks; vice-president, Leghi R. Watts; secretary, William H. Stew- art ; treasurer, George L. Neville; superintend- ent, William A. Culpepper.
King's Daughters' Hospital.
President, Mrs. Yates McAlpine Wilson ; superintendent, Miss Elizabeth Carpenter.
Women's Christian Temperance Union.
President, Mrs. M. A. Moore; vice-presi- dent, Mrs. M. D. Martin ; secretary, Mrs. M. E. Saunders.
CHAPTER XV
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS
THE NORFOLK COUNTY FERRIES-HOSPITAL ST. VINCENT DE PAUL-THE PUBLIC BUILD- INGS OF NORFOLK-THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF PORTSMOUTH-THE NORFOLK COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
THIE NORFOLK COUNTY FERRIES.
The numerous branches and creeks which empty into the Elizabeth River as well as the river itself. which divides the county into three sections, made public ferries necessary for the convenience of the people from the time of the earliest settlement.
There were three regularly established fer- ries in Lower Norfolk County as early as 1637, supported by a levy of six pounds of tobacco on each tithable person. There were small boats for foot passengers only. The General Assembly passed an Act in January, 1641. providing for ferries and bridges, and paying ferrymen by a levy to be made by the commis- sioners of the county in which the ferry was kept. The charges for ferries becoming too burdensome for the taxpayers, the law provid- ing for ferries to be kept up at public expense was repealed and the County Courts were au- thorized to grant franchises to individuals for a term of years and fix rates, and in 1655 County Courts were authorized to license fer- ries. An Act of Assembly was passed in 1673. in which the county commissioners were directed to report to the next session the most eligible places for establishing free ferries. The General Assembly in August. 1702. enacted "for the good regulation of ferries, which
prove very useful for the dispatch of public affairs, and for the ease and benefit of travel- ers, and in business that they be kept at places named in the Act."-among many others, "In Norfolk County from Norfolk Towne to Saw- ver's point or Lovitt's plantation (Ports- mouth's site), the price for a man six pence, for a man and horse one shilling.
Ferrymen were exempted from public and county levies and from all other public services such as musters, constables, clearing highways, being impressed and other things of like na- ture. AAny person who should set any one over any river whereon ferries were established for pay except for going to church was liable to be fined for each offense five pounds current money.
The Norfolk County Court on the 20th day of December. 1712, ordered "That Capt. William Craford keep the ferry on his side of the river and that he cause all persons to be ferried over as shall have occasion to pass from his shore to Norfolk Town or to Mrs. Sayer's," and Thomas Crucher was ordered to "keep the ferry in Norfolk Town and carry all persons as shall have occasion to pass from the town to Captain Craford's and to Mrs. Saver's and back again, and that each of them shall have 1.750 pounds of tobacco salary every year." and on December 22. 1714. "It is by
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
the Court thought fit to allow to Major Sam- uel Boush for keeping of the public ferry here from Norfolk Town to Mrs. Sayer's Point and so likewise from the Town to Captain Cra- ford's and in each place as usttal for the sum of 3,000 pounds of tobacco." On November 21, 1740. the court agreed to allow Col. George Newton and Col. William Craford 6,000 pounds of tobacco each for keeping the ferry over the Elizabeth River the ensuing year.
October, 1748 (Hen. Vol. 6, page 14), -"Ferries to be constantly kept from Norfolk Town to Saver's Point or Crawford's and from Crawford's to Norfolk Town. From Craw- ford's to Powder Point."
In 1753 Francis Miller was paid for keep- ing the ferries 6,000 pounds of tobacco and Alexander Bruce 6,300 pounds of tobacco.
Act of Assembly passed in 1757 :
Section 1. Whereas it hath been represented to this General Assembly by the inhabitants of the County and Borough of Norfolk, that on the branches of Eliza- beth River and Tanner's Creek in the said County. there are five public ferries, over one of which most of the inhabitants are obliged to pass in order to go to church, court. and general muster and that by expenses of ferriage many people are prevented from bringing their small wares and commodities to the market of the said borough. Be it therefore enacted. &c, that the justices of the Court of the County of Norfolk for the time being, be. and they are hereby empowered, and re- quired, to appoint, contract, and agree with proper per- sons to keep the said ferries, and to levy the expense thereof upon the tithable inhabitants of the said County annually at the laying of the County levy.
Section 2. That every person appointed to keep the said ferries shall constantly keep such boats and hands as the said Court shall from time to time order and direct to be kept at the said ferries respectively. and shall give immediate passage over said ferries to all the inhabitants of the said County without fee or reward.
Section 3. That such ferry-keepers shall and may demand and receive, from persons not being inhabit- ants of the said County of Norfolk, the following rates. that is to say. for a man, four pence; for a horse the same: on every coach, chariot. or wagon and the driver thereof. the same as for six horses; for every cart or four-wheel chaise and the driver thereof, as for four horses: for every two-wheel chair or chaise, the same as two horses: for every hogshead of tobacco, the same as one horse.
On December 18, 1757. the court ordered that the sheriff advertise that the justices would meet at the Court House on Friday,
January Ist next, between the hours of 10 and 12, to contract with the proper persons that will give most for the privilege of keeping the fer- ries in this county. On January 20, 1764, the court ordered that no ferryman in this county be compelled to ferry any person over the river but from daylight to nine o'clock in the even- ing ; public express excepted.
An Act was passed in 1766 authorizing the Norfolk County Court to lease the ferries and apply the money toward lessening the county levy; the inhabitants of the county to be put over to attend court, general musters and church at the expense of the county.
For keeping ferries from January 20, 1769, to January 20, 1770, Stephen Tankard was paid by the county 7,200 lbs. of tobacco; William Herbert 6,000 lbs., value £50; Charles Butler, 6,000 lbs., value £50; Max. Calvert, 3,600 lbs., value £30; William Baily, 2,400 lbs., value £20.
On the 18th day of March, 1779, the court taking the regulation of the ferries under their consideration, ordered that the prices to be paid for ferriage should be as follows: "For every foot passenger crossing the said ferries I shilling, and for every horse 2 shillings, also for every carriage wheel I shilling. And that the keeper of each ferry shall keep a proper horse-boat, a proper foot-boat and two able hands to keep the same. John Burgess is permitted and appointed to keep the ferries from Norfolk to Portsmouth and back again and from Norfolk to Ferry Point and back again and from Portsmouth to Ferry Point and back again. Stephen Tankard is per- mitted and appointed to keep the ferries from Portsmouth to Norfolk and back again and from Portsmouth to Ferry Point and back again and from Ferry Point to Norfolk and back again."
On March 18. 1784, the court ordered "That Willis Wilson and George Dyson be ap- pointed ferry-keepers for one year from Ports- mouth to Norfolk, from thence to Ferry Point and from thence to Portsmouth and that they
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keep two foot-boats and one horse-boat and six hands : that John Burgess and Sam Pryor be appointed ferry-keepers from Norfolk to Portsmouth, from thence to Ferry Point, from thence to Norfolk and that they keep two foot-boats and one horse-boat and six hands: that Edmund AAllmand be appointed from Ferry Point to Norfolk and Portsmouth, to keep one foot-boat."
December 19. 1787 (Hen. Vol. 12. Page 513) .- ".\n \et authorized the Norfolk Coun- ty Court to let out annually the ferries to the highest bidder and apply the money to lessen- ing the county levy.'
On January 18. 1790, the court ordered "That the sheriff advertise that the public fer- ries of this county will be let on some day dur- ing the sitting of the Court before the Court House door, that two ferry-boats with two hands to each and also one horse-boat be kept at Norfolk and the same number at Ports- mouth: that the said boats be let out in the following manner, to-wit: One foot-boat and one horse-boat from Norfolk to Portsmouth be let out first to the highest bidder and then the other foot-boat to be let out to the highest bidder and that the boats in Portsmouth to be let out on the same termis, also that a foot- boat and one horse-boat be kept at Ferry Point and be let out together to the highest bidder. which said boats are to ply to and from the above mentioned places respectively." On No- vember 23. 1796, the court ordered "That the keepers of the several ferries pay unto the overseers of the poor of the Parishes of Eliza- beth River. St. Bride's and Portsmouth, each. one-third of the money due from them to the Court for the rent of the ferries."
On the 18th day of November, 1799, the court ordered "That the ferries across the Elizabeth River be immediately set up to the highest bidder in the following manner :
"One foot-boat and one horse-boat with two able hands in each boat to be kept at Ferry Point : two foot-boats and one horse-boat with two able hands in each to be kept at Ports- mouth. and the same at Norfolk Borough.
which several boats shall ply between any of the places before mentioned; and that the said ferries are to be free on Court days for all persons going to and returning from Court, regimental and battalion musters, and for the officers conveying prisoners to and from the goal of the said County." Overseers of the poor were also to pass free on their meeting days.
On the 16th of November. 1813. the com- missioners reported to the court that Holt Wil- son was the highest bidder for the ferries across the Elizabeth River and its branches at the price of $4,900, which was confirmed.
A law was passed January 30, 1817. au- thorizing the court to lease the ferries for a term of years not exceeding seven. At the auction on November 17. 1817, Willis Wilson was the successful bidder for the ferries at $5.000.
On the 6th day of December, 1821, a team- boat was launched from the shipyard of Will- iam Dyson in Portsmouth intended for the ferry between Norfolk and Portsmouth. The "horse-boat" was a ferry-boat propelled by men, large enough to carry over horses and vehicles. \ "team-boat" was a commodious ferry-boat propelled by blind horses as wheat- threshers and mud machines were formerly run. On the 16th of July, 1821. William Wil- son and Robert B. Butt leased the ferries at an annual rental of $3.000 for five years from January 1. 1822, agreeing to run a team-boat between Norfolk and Portsmouth, and on the 17th day of September. 1821. they reported to the court that a hurricane had swept away the bridge or landing at Washington ( now Berk- ley ), and also the drawbridges across the East- ern and Southern Branches, in consequence of which a new landing would be required at Washington and a team-boat would be necessary to transport horses and vehicles on account of the destruction of the draw- bridges. They offered to rebuild the Wash- ington landing at its actual cost to the county and supply a team-boat if their lease could be extended to seven years, and the
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court agreed to their proposition. Upon the petition of the lessees, the court in- creased the rate of ferriage on the 19th of March, 1827, from five cents to six and a quarter cents ; at the expiration of this lease they re-leased them for three years at $3,000 per year. At the auction held on the 5th day of February, 1831, William Wilson and John Tunis leased the ferries for seven years at an annual rental of $3,000, agreeing to run a good steamboat for the conveyance of passengers, horses, vehicles and freight between Norfolk and Portsmouth, and this was the advent of steam ferry-boats on the Elizabeth River. The first steamboat was named the "Gosport," then followed the "Portsmouth," the "Union" and the "Norfolk."
An Act of the General Assembly was passed on the second day of April, 1839, per- mitting the site for the ferry-landing to be changed by the Norfolk County Court from North street, Portsmouth. "to the lower end of any other one street in that town which it may deem proper for the time being to select, and may appropriate so much as may be necessary to the purpose of conveniently carrying on and landing thereat the public ferry." The court was also authorized to change the loca- tion of the ferry-landing from Washington Point to any other landing on that side of the Southern Branch, and on the 10th day of December, 1839, an Act was passed allowing the court to lease out or run the ferries by agents with power to borrow $8,000 for the ferries.
On December 20, 1852, the court reduced the ferriage to three cents for each person.
The next legislation upon the ferries will be found in the Act incorporating the city of Portsmouth ( Acts 1857-58, Page 174) .-
3rd Section. The ferries which now ply by author- ity of law between the said City of Portsmouth and the City of Norfolk and Washington Point, known as "Norfolk County Ferries" shall continue to run as authorized by law. and shall be the joint and equal property of said City and County.
They shall be regulated by a committee of six. three of whom shall be appointed by the Court of said
County, and three by the Council of said City, pro- vided that nothing herein contained shall render null and void or vitiate any arrangement heretofore made by which sail ferries have been leased or rented ont, and the profits of which shall accrue equally to said County and City.
4th Section. It shall be the duty of the agent or lessee of said ferries to pay the proceeds thereof, as re- quired from time to time, to the Treasurer of Norfolk County, who shall receive the same. and be responsible for this disbursement under his official bond, as pro- vided for in this Act.
5th Section. The said Treasurer shall from the time that the incorporating of the City of Portsmouth, hereinbefore referred to, shall take effect (from ratifica- tion of said Act by the People of Portsmouth ) appro- priate and pay annually at least one-third of the net proceeds of said ferries in liquidation of the debt as- certained to be due by said County. up to the period herein specified, one-half of which shall be credited to the City of Portsmouth; and in case a further amount should be required to meet the demand consequent upon the said debt, the Council of said City shall pay over to said County Treasurer one equal proportion with the County Court, or one-half of said further amount, un- til the entire debt shall be liquidated.
6th Section. The said Treasurer shall also appro- priate and pay annually one-third of the proceeds of said ferries, in equal parts and proportions, to the Treasurer of the School Commissioners of Norfolk County and the Treasurer of the School Commissioners of Portsmouth, to be applied as the law now directs : and if from any cause the public schools of the said County shall be discontinued or vacated for more than fifteen months, the amount herein appropriated to said County schools may be otherwise appropriated during sitch vacancies for County purposes by ' the County Court, and if from any cause the public schools of said City shall be discontinued or vacated for more than fifteen consecutive months, the amount herein appro- priated to said schools in said City shall be subject to the order of said City Council.
7th Section. The remaining one-third of said ferry proceeds shall be paid over as follows: One moiety, or half thereof, to the order of the Court of Norfolk County, and the other moiety or half to the order of the Council of said City.
8th Section. When the County debt hereinbefore referred to, shall have been liquidated. the one-third proceeds of said ferries appropriated by this Act to that purpose shall be paid by said County Treasurer, one- half thereof to the order of the Court of Norfolk County and one-half to the order of the Council of said City.
The 9th section provides for the divis- ion of the real estate accumulated during the union of the city and county, and says that "no wharf or other property belonging to the Nor- folk County Ferries now established by law, or purchased for its use, shall be sold or other- wise disposed of, without the concurrent con-
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sent of the County Court and Council of the said City of Portsmouth."
An Act was approved December 19, 1870. authorizing the committee of the Norfolk County Ferries to borrow a sum of money, not exceeding $30,000, for the purpose of com- pleting such boats as were then in the course of construction for the use of the ferries and for the repair of boats then in use and building such new boats as might be necessary or ex- pedient to have, and for the repairing and equipping of the wharves, docks and other ap- purtenances of the ferries. This Act also al- lowed the joint committee with the consent of the County Court and the Council of the city of Portsmouth to secure the payment of said money by deed of trust on boats, wharves. tolls. etc.
.An Act approved March 11. 1873. made it the duty of the joint committee for the regu- lation of the Norfolk County Ferries to fur- nish to the County Court of Norfolk County and to the Council of the city of Portsmouth an accurate statement of all moneys borrowed by them, and an itemized statement of their receipts and disbursements for the last year preceding. This Act also made it the duty of the County Court and City Council. if the said annual reports were approved by them, to certify the same to the board of supervisors of the county of Norfolk on or before the Ist day of December of each year .- [Code of 1873. Page 614. Sec. g.]
"The Court of Norfolk County may lease out the ferries across Elizabeth River and the branches thereof or may cause the same to be kept by an agent appointed by the Court ; such lessee or agent shall, if required by the Court, give bond to the county, with one or more sureties, in such sum and with such condition as the Court may prescribe."
An Act was approved February 26, 1876. providing that the Norfolk County Ferries should continue to run as then authorized by law : and should be the joint and equal prop- erty of the city of Portsmouth and Norfolk County : that they should be regulated and
managed by a committee of six, three to be ap- pointed by the judge of the County Court and three by the judge of the Hustings Court of Portsmouth. It also directs how the profits shall be disbursed and repeals all Acts and parts of Acts in conflict .- [Acts 1875-76. page 110. Sec. 11.]
It having been ascertained that the joint owners of the ferries conkl not lease out the same under the laws in force, the legislature on February 7, 1884, passed an Act authorizing the Council of Portsmouth and supervisors of Norfolk County, if deemed to be the best in- terests of the owners. after advertising for 30 days, to lease them out at public auction, and on February 23. 1898, an Act was passed amending and re-enacting Section 1371 of the Code of Virginia, further providing for regu- lating the schedule of trips.
The ferry committee on October 15. 1841. reported to the court that the ferries had cleared $4.138.21 from April ist to September Ist of that year. George Chambers was elected agent of the ferries October 18. 1852, and re- signed July 1. 1854 .- Harrison Ferebee was elected in his stead : James Jarvis was elected December 17. 1855: Thomas B. Ballentine. November 17. 1856, and Patrick H. Cooke on February 21. 1861. The Federal government took possession of the ferries on the evacua- tion of this section by the Confederate troops and held them until April 20. 1866. AAfter the war Joseph H. Porter was the first agent : he was succeeded by Capt. William H. Murdangh. Capt. Thomas M. Hodges. John L. Porter. Esq .. and Capt. William H. Murdaugh. On the Ist of April, 1889, the ferries were leased by F. D. Gill and Cornelius Thomas for 10 years at an annual rental of $16,250: at the expiration of this period they were again put up at anction and bid off by Harry L. May- nard. T. J. Wool, John L. Watson and A. J. Phillips at $61.600 annually for a term of 10 years. L. H. Davis was made manager and Capt. A. E. Etheridge treasurer. The start- ling increase in the value of these ferries in- dicates the rapid development and growth of
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