History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 52

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 52

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BENJ. HUGER, Major-Genl.

On the departure of the Confederate troops, a committee of the Councils, composed of the mayor, the presidents and vice-presi-

dents of the Councils proceeded in carriages to the city limits, near the Hebrew Cemetery and awaited the approach of the Federal troops ; when their advance appeared in sight the mayor waved his white handkerchief. He asked that General Wool be requested to ac- cord them an audience, and in response Gen- eral Wool and the Secretary of the Treasury, Hon. S. P. Chase, rode forward. They repaired to a small house near-by for the conference, where the General very graciously granted their requests. Finally Mayor Lamb stated that there were provisions in the warehouses in the city and requested that a committee of citizens be allowed to distribute them to the wives and children of Confederate soldiers. General Wool turned and said: "What do you think of that, Mr. Chase?" The Secretary said that would be all right. The mayor in- vited these dignitaries to ride with them in the carriages to the city. General Wool, Sec- retary Chase, Mayor Lamb and Capt. James Cornick occupied one carriage. General Viele, John B. Whitehead, George W. W. Camp and Charles H. Rowland occupied the other car- riage and they thus entered the city, accom- panied by an escort of cavalry and proceeded to the City Hall. General Wool promulgated an order appointing Brigadier-General Viele military governor, which concluded as fol- lows: "General Viele will see that all citizens

are carefuly protected in all their rights and civil privileges, taking the utmost care to pre- serve order and to see that no soldier be per- mitted to enter the city except by his order, or by the written permission of the com- manding officer of his brigade or regiment, and he will punish any American soldier who shall trespass upon the rights or prop- erty of any of the inhabitants." Gen. John E. Wool then returned to Old Point. His order was not obeyed and the peo- ple who were to be protected passed under the voke of compassionless tyranny. Federal rule of Norfolk and surroundings is a black stain on the name of the American Republic.

The last meeting of the Common Council

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was held June 5, 1862. Mr. Bluford offered the following,

Resolved, That the thanks of this Council be and they are hereby tendered to John B. Whitehead, Esq., president thereof, for the faithful and impartial man- ner in which he has discharged the duties of his office.

Which was carried by acclamation.

Burton's history says "The return of our soldiers to their homes can be better imagined than described. * The terrible war through which they passed is too well remen- bered by the people of Norfolk. * Many a mourning dress, broken spirit, sad- dened life, maimed fortune, withered hope, empty sleeve, wooden leg, orphaned child, va- cant chair and nameless graves in our dear old Commonwealth, silently attest its horrors. Norfolk lost her full share in the terrible con- flict and suffered in many other respects." And those whom they greeted had borne a tyranny of misrule, and suffered insults from Ben. Butler and his minions too fiendish to recall.

On the 14th of May, 1867, the ex-Presi- dent of the Confederate States, Hon. Jeffer- son Davis, arrived in the city from Richmond en route for Canada to join his family, hav- ing the day before been bailed.

On April 20, 1870, the work of building the Norfolk city railway was begun.

On April 30, 1870, Gen. Robert E. Lee arrived in Portsmouth via the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. The General, accom- panied by his daughter, was met by Col. Walter H. Taylor, his former adjutant gen- eral, and was by him conducted through the dense throng to the ferry-boat. The air, dur- ing his passage through the assemblage, was vocal with shouts of welcome. On the ar- rival of the steamer at Norfolk an immense concourse was assembled, and as the General and his daughter stepped on the warf they were greeted with cheers, which continued un- til they reached a hack.

Gen. Robert Edward Lee, the Christian soldier and hero of an hundred battles, breathed his last at Lexington, Virginia, Oc-

tober 12, 1870, and the next day the whole city of Norfolk was in mourning.

On April 9, 1873, the corner-stone of the Protestant Episcopal Guild (now St. Luke's Church, on Bute street), was formally laid.

On July 30, 1875, Maj .- Gen. George E. Pickett, the Confederate hero of the battle of Gettysburg, departed this life at the St. Vin- cent de Paul Hospital in this city.

July 30, 1876 (anniversary of the bat- tle of the Crater), was a gala day in Norfolk. It was the occasion of the annual reunion of the veterans of "Mahone's Old Brigade," Army of Northern Virginia.

On January 13, 1877, the frigate "Swet- lana," of the Imperial Russian Navy, arrived in our harbor. She was commanded by Rear Admiral Boutadoff, with the Grand Duke Alexis as "ship's captain," and the Grand Duke Constantine (the younger), lieutenant. There were also on board several princes, barons and other members of the Russian royal family.

On January 25, 1877, the Norfolk Ger- man Club gave a complimentary german to the Grand Duke Alexis, who honored the invita- tion by his presence.

On February 8, 1877, a grand ball was given in honor of the Grand Dukes and the officers of the Russian frigates "Swetlana" and "Bogatyr," the latter having just then ar- rived. The ball was a fashionable gathering of which Norfolk for a long time boasted, and it was most admirably and systematically conducted.

On February 13, 1877, the Grand Duke Alexis and his companions gave a grand matinee dansante on board the flag-ship "Swet- lana," of the Imperial Russian Navy.

The great religious meetings of Moody and Sankey began on April 14. 1886.

The corner-stone of the new Market and Armory was laid October 29, 1890.

Father Abram J. Ryan, the Southern poet, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, August 15, 1839, and died in Louisville, Kentucky, on 1

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the 22nd of April, 1886. His father, Michael Ryan, was born in Tipperary, Ireland; his mother, Mary (Madden) Ryan, was born in Limerick, Ireland. His father was a stone- mason and after immigrating to this country worked for a while at his trade in Baltimore, Maryland, then removed to Hagerstown and while there a daughter was born. He after- ward located at Norfolk and here his son Abram was born. Little did his parents real- ize that they were raising up a boy to sing the great war songs of the South and become famous as the poet-priest the world over. Soon after Father Ryan's ordination as a Catholic priest, he became a chaplain in the Confederate Army, in which he served until the close of the war. On February 7, 1900, Pickett-Buchanan Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, decided to erect a monu- ment to his memory, appointing Mrs. Walter P. Burrow, chairman, Mrs. Charles G. Elliott, Mrs. Frank Anthony Walke, Mrs. Philip G. Yeatman, Mrs. R. B. Cooke, Mrs. Walter H. Doyle and Mrs. Theo. S. Garnett a committee to carry out the plans, and on the 22nd of May, in the center of the Confederate lot in Elmwood Cemetery, unveiled the Father Ryan memorial-a cross seven feet high, made of Southern granite and bearing the inscription

Father Ryan, Poet Priest, Erected A. D. 1900, By the Daughters of the Confederacy of Norfolk. Va. His Native City.

On a visit to his native city in 1880, Fa- ther Ryan presented to James Barron Hope a copy of his poems and on the fly-leaf, written in his own hand .- "To Virginia's first poet by a Southern Priest Poet with truest re- gards."

"No poet ever yet has written songs so sweet As the unfelt fragrance of his own heart;

His songs are flowers, and sometimes birds ;- we greet Such songs; the bard is higher than his art.

Himself I read beneath the words he writes And he himself means more than songs to me ; Beneath life's suns by days and stars through night Moves the deep music of Eternity.

He sings as best he can-but when he sings

His grandest songs,-and hymns the world calls best.

He knows that folded in his spirit's wings Are songs that sound not,-and God knows the rest."

On December 11, 1889, memorial service for ex-President Jefferson Davis of the Con- federate States was held at the Academy of Music. There was a large concourse of people to do homage to the memory of the distin- guished dead. All business was suspended in the city during the ceremonies.

Capt. J. F. Cecil, a noted Confederate soldier and popular citizen, died January 22, 1890.

Great Bridge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Norfolk during the month of February, 1894, with a membership of 12. Mrs. Hugh Nel- son Page was elected regent for a term of one year. MIrs. Page served four terms and was then made State regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which office she still holds. Since Mrs. Page's retirement, the local regency has been held by Mrs. Philip Ed- ward Yeatman, Mrs. H. H. H. Handy, Mrs. James Hubbard and Mrs. James Riddle, who is the present regent.

From the original 12 members at the or- ganization of the chapter, the number has gradually increased until now the roll contains 53 names.

The chapter has done much to perpetuate the memory of the heroes from this section who fought for the independence that has made this nation the greatest in the world, and the erection of the monument at Great Bridge is a crowning success to its patriotic endeavors. The inscription on the monument is as follows :

This Stone Marks the Battlefield of Great Bridge, Dec. 9, 1775. Erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Norfolk, Virginia, 1900.

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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF VIRGINIA ANTIQUITIES.

The object of this society is to restore and preserve the ancient historic buildings and tombs in the State of Virginia, and acquire by purchase or gifts the sites of such buildings and tombs with a view to their perpetuation and preservation.

Norfolk Branch was originated in 1888.

OFFICERS.

Miss Mary J. Galt, Supervisor. Miss L. L. Taylor, Directress. Mrs. William H. White, Treasurer. Miss Rosa Rountree, Secretary.

ADVISORY BOARD.

William W. Old. Rev. Beverly D. Tucker. Judge T. S. Garnett.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

R. M. Hughes. T. Selden Bagnall. William W. Old. B. P. Loyall. Barton Myers.

THE WISHING OAK.

By Mrs. W'inifred Sackville-Stoner.

On one of the principal streets of Norfolk stands a dilapidated old mansion known as the "Tazewell Place," being the former home of ex-Governor Tazewell.

For many years, on the border of the lawn, which surrounds this house, stood an ancient live oak with its roots extending beneath the sidewalk and its branches hanging over the heads of passers-by.

This grand old tree was called "The Wish- ing Oak." but the eldest citizen of Norfolk could not verify its age nor the exact time when it received its name. However, it is claimed that many individuals have obtained the great desire of their hearts by going un- der its branches and wishing aloud.

There are two legends concerning the origin of belief in this oak's miraculous powers.

Some claim that the custom of wishing be- neath the tree originated with a little girl, who once while sitting in the shadow of its green leaves wished for a ring. On the follow- ing day her aunt presented her with the wished for gift, saying that she had dreamed about the little maid's wish. This caused the im- aginative child to believe that there were fair- ies in the tree and consequently she and her playmates always came here to pour forth the desires of their infantile hearts.

The other legend says that "The Wish- ing Oak" was so christened by an old man, who used to pass under the tree's branches every morning and taking off his hat, would wish for fine weather or some special pleasure during the day. He claimed that his wishes were always granted, so others began to fol- low his example.

For almost a century, young men and maidens, who wished to be married, have stood under this tree at midnight, when the moon was full, whispered their wish to the green leaves and then walked two blocks with- out speaking, which was the prescribed rule for winning a husband or wife. All those who received their hearts' desire had such faith in the old oak that they believed there was vir- the even in its leaves, so when they could not go to the tree they made a wish by kissing some of the leaves which they always kept with them.

Owing to the wonderful growth of Nor- folk. and the necessity for a new business block on Granby street, the venerable philan- thropist, who still possessed a sturdy trunk and fresh green leaves, was felled to the ground on November 7, 1901.

Although it will always remain unknown as to its fulfillment of all wishes, still it is to be hoped that the number of happy homes pre- sumably made by this much loved tree are as numerous as the ever green leaves under which they were made, and as a good talisman every one should endeavor to possess at least one leaf from the famous old "Wishing Oak."

WINIFRED SACKVILLE-STONER.

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FIRE HISTORY OF NORFOLK.

Il'ritten By Thomas B. Rowland in 1898.

The first allusion to fire matters in the old borough was about 1740, when the worship- fui court "doth order that on ye breaking out of a fire the drum shall be beat."

The second, perhaps, is a trifle later than that when an order was passed prohibiting wooden chimneys. On September 14, 1751, the court ordered the remittance of £1oo sterling to Ennis & Hope, London, "for one fire engine compleat," and for buckets and other utensils usable with said engine. I am not certain, but under the impression, that this engine was built by Newsham & Rag; how- ever, she must have arrived, for in 1753 an order is passed to pay 4s. 41/2d. for 134 pounds of leather to repair the engine.

There are no town records that show the occurrence of any fires of note-but the orders for the digging of numerous public wells for fire purposes, and for the supply of water to the shipping, with the appointment of care- takers for them, make it plain such things were looked after. In 1783 an order of court appears that the town sergeant be directed to bring back from Kemp's Landing the engines sent there for safe keeping. This means that when Lord Dunmore destroyed the town in 1776 we had engines. Records between 1790 and 1800 refer to the purchase of engines in Philadelphia, and further that a number of private individuals owned and maintained en- gines besides those under the control of the corporation. Between those dates, and we may say up to 1810. numerous fires of minor importance, no doubt. occurred, as would be the case in all small towns of wooden con- struction. But powder and blowing up was much resorted to, for I found many appro- priations of record for payment of powder used.

The first great fire of which we have any intelligent record. was on February 24, 1799. It begun in the house of one Abbot, a shoe- maker, in Woodside lane, wiped out about 162

buildings, from Commerce street, west, up to Main street, north. The Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia records it as the first seri- ous loss they had : it cost them about $35,000. One incident in connection with this fire may be noted. Its progress in one direction was stayed by the free use of vinegar,-the stock of one of the storekeepers.

The next fire that appears worthy of spe- cial notice was on February 22, 1804. It be- gan on Maxwell's wharf, now Roanoke dock, near the water, and extended all along the west side of Market Square, north to Main street; thence west to Town Point on the south side of Main street, destroying in all over 300 buildings, many of which were ware- houses filled with West India produce of much value, for our trade in such was very large.

In 1797, Fire Company No. 1, under Dr. Archer, first came into notice as a distinct or- ganization, and there are traces without any special record that it was the original Union Fire Company that retained its operative force up to the war. only disappearing after it.

The origin of the Franklin Fire Company is not quite so definite, but as far back as 1803, one Oliphant, then cashier of the United States Bank, was prominent, and from that time up to 1830. under Joseph A. Barron, John Myers, James S. Garrison, and others it did continuous duty until 1846, when it dis- appeared entirely.

In 1824, the Phenix Fire Company, under James M. Steed and others, appears ; but that company also disappears in 1846 with the Franklin Fire Company by being merged in with the Hope and Aid fire companies, un- der a new organization, after the fire on Main street and Market Square.

In 1830 the Resolution Fire Company, of Portsmouth, was formed under Charles A. Grice, with an engine built by Stephen Thayer of Boston, the citizens of Norfolk subscribing $800 towards it.

After 1830 the previous prevailing interests in fire matters died out, and not until 1846, after a bad fire on Main street, was any im-

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proved apparatus introduced and a chief engi- neer-Finley F. Ferguson-put in charge, all prior to that the manual labor was done by negroes, who were paid so much an hour. The formation of white companies, after that pro- cluced the usual rivalry, and it was kept up until the war broke them up. We might date the different organizations of this era as the Hope Fire Company, 1847; Relief Fire Com- pany, 1847 : Aid Fire Company, 1847 : United Fire Company, 1850; the Union retaining its old one-after some lapse of time with various dissensions and much turbulent trouble.

The Councils in 1871 passed sweeping or- ders for the disbanding of all the old organiza- tions, and on December 15. 1871, fully estab- lished the present as a paid department, placing it in the hands of Thomas B. Rowland, Ed- ward W. Face. Charles B. Langley, as a Board of Fire Commissioners, with full and complete authority of appointment, and its administra- tion with Thomas Kevill. as chief engineer ; Robert W. Rhea. as assistant. The apparatus at that time, and soon after. consisted of three steam fire engines, four hose carts and a small hook and ladder truck. with 27 call men, six substitutes, and seven permanent station men. Thomas Kevill continued as chief engineer un- til 1894, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent. Martin J. Ryan. In 1871 it was a question of policy under the then existing con- ditions to centralize the department, and as the territory to be covered was not large-for our population had not grown so much-with quick movement any part could be easily reached, so the present department building on William street was planned to contain all the apparatus then in use. But as the town grew, in 1893 additional fire quarters on Queen street. near Church, were contracted for-since built and equipped.

Space not being within our reach for ex- tended notices, simple references to date can only be made of fires of much consequence within the period under review :

1776 -- Burning by Lord Dunmore .... I.333 buildings. 1799-As noted before 262 buildings.

1804-As noted before 300 buildings.

1814-East side Market Square. 35 buildings.

1819-Main street to Metcalf's lane to Talbot street, etc 100 buildings.

1827-Church street to Mariner, etc .... 100 buildings.

1848-Woodside wharf to Town Point. 62 buildings.

1863-Main street and Market Square .. 1873-Market Square.

13 buildings.

1881-Cotton warehouses, wharves, compress and ship. 1283-Norfolk & Western hailway and cotton sheds. 1801-Norfolk storage warehouses.

1892-Same again.

1804 -- MeCleary's & MeClellan's live stock stable -.

1890-S. R. White & Brother,' foundry. 28 buildings. caitle yards, etc .. building of Merchants' & Farmers' Peanut Company and Atlantic City Saw Mills on Front street.

THOMAS B. ROWLAND.

TIIEATRES.

Long prior to the Revolution theatrical per- formances were held in a wooden building that had been used as a pottery on the south side of Main street, near the river shore. A regular theatre was in operation in 1793 in a large wooden warehouse on Calvert's lane. A brick playhouse was built in 1795 on the east side of Fenchurch street, and it was in this house that Junius Brutus Booth performed after his arrival in Norfolk from Madeira, June 30. 1821. The Academy of Music on Main street and the Granby Theatre on Granby street are now the principal theatres of Norfolk.

CHIARTERS OF NORFOLK.

The original charter of the borough of Nor- folk was granted by letters patent of George II, on the 15th of September, 1736, and was confirmed by Act of the General Assembly in the same year. Acts were passed amending this charter and enlarging the powers and juris- diction of the corporation in 1752, 1757, 1761, 1762. 1772, 1787, 1788, 1790. 1796, 1798, 1802. 1803, 1804. 1806. 1807, 1808, 1811, 1816, 1818, 1819, 1825, 1839, and on February 13. 1845, was passed the charter of the city of Norfolk. This charter was amended March 20. 1850, May 19, 1852. March 22, 1853, Febru- ary 24. 1858.

After the Confederate War, the Acts of the

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General Assembly, relating to the city charter, are as follows :

The charter of 1871 was in force March 16, 1871. The Acts of 1870-71, Chapter 139, were amended as follows: Act of March 4, 1872,-Page 102; Acts of 1872-73,-Pages 175, 295; Acts of 1874,-Page 90; Acts of 1875-76,-Page 127; Acts of 1876-77 .- Page 6; Acts of 1881-82,-Page 22.

The charter of 1882 was in force April 21, 1882. The Acts of 1881-82, Chapter 70, Page 405, were repealed January 21, 1884.

The charter of 1884 was in force January 21, 1884. It was amended as follows: Sec- tions 70, 71, 72 and 73 amended April 28, 1887 ; Section 40 amended May 14, 1887; Section 65 amended February 25, 1892; Section 27 amended February 21, 1900 : Section 18 amend- ed February 26, 1900; Section 15 amended February 2, 1901 ; Sections 45, 49, 50, 52 and 53 amended February 15, 1901.

The Brambleton Annexation Act was ap- proved April 6, 1887, in force July 1, 1887, and amended as follows: Sections 5, 6 and 13 amended March 3, 1890, in force May 1, 1890 ; Section 5 amended March 1, 1892; Section 5 amended February 15, 1901.

The Atlantic City Annexation Act was ap- proved February 22, 1890, and amended as follows: Sections 5, 6 and 12 amended Feb- ruary 12, 1892 ; Sections 2, 6 and 12 amended March 3, 1896; Section 5 amended January 13, 1898.

CHANGES MADE IN THE NAMES OF STREETS SINCE 1865.

Catharine to Bank.

Boush, between Wood and Moseley, to Queen.

Boush, between Princess Anne road and Calvert, to Henry.

Union, between Church and Hawk, to Smith.

William, between Granby and Chamber- laine's wharf, to Randolph.

Washington, between Fayette and Mat- thews, to Jackson.

Il'ashington, between Newton and Chapel, to Pulaski.

Wide Water changed to Water.

Little Il'ater changed to Elisabeth.

Gray changed to Atlantic.

Amelia changed to Boush.

Princess changed to Duke.

Second Cross changed to Reilly.

Third Cross changed to Walke.

First North changed to Willoughby.

Sccond North changed to Suffolk.

Third North changed to Kent.

Marsh changed to Cove.

Il'olf changed to Washington.

The foregoing passed the. Select and Com- mon Councils January 30, 1871.

MAYORS OF NORFOLK.

A list of the mayors of Norfolk, from the date of the original charter to the borough, to 1901, is herewith given :

The first mayor was Samuel Boush, ap- pointed by the charter of the borough, under date of September 15, 1736, in the 10th year of the reign of King George II. Mayor Bonsh died in less than two months after his appoint- ment to the office. George Newton, 1736. John Hutchings, 1737. Robert Tucker, 1738.

John Taylor, 1739. Samuel Smith, 1740.

Josiah Smith, 174I. George Newton, 1742. John Hutchings, 1743. John Taylor, 1744. John Phripp, 1745. Edward Pugh, 1746.

Thomas Newton, 1747. John Tucker, 1748.

Robert Tucker, 1749. Durham Hall, 1750. Wilson Newton, 1751. Christopher Perkins, 1752. Josialı Smith, 1753. George Abyvon, 1754. John Hutchings, 1755. Richard Kel- sick, 1755. , Josiah Smith, 1756. John Phripp, 1757. John Tucker, 1758. Robert Tucker, 1759. Wilson Newton, 1760." Christopher Perkins, 1761. Paul Lovall, 1762. Archibald Campbell, 1763. Lewis Hansford, 1764. Maximilian Calvert, 1765. James Taylor,

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1766. George Abyvon, 1767. Cornelius Cal- vert, 1768. Maximilian Calvert. 1769. Charles Thomas, 1770. George Abyvon, 1771. Paul Loyall, 1772. Charles Thomas, 1773. George Abyvon, 1774. Paul Loyall. 1775 (the records do not show how long he served). James Taylor. 1778 (whose term expired in June). Cornelius Calvert. 1778. George Abyvon, 1779. Thomas Newton, Jr., 1780. Paul Loyall, 1781. James Taylor, 1782. George Kelly, 1783. Robert Taylor. 1784. Cary H. Hansford. 1785. Thomas Newton, Jr., 1786. Benjamin Pollard, 1787. George Kelly, 1788 (he was the last mayor that presided over the Common Council : on the 9th of August. 1788, the Common Council was presided over, for the first time, by its first president, Richard E. Lee, Esq. ; a court of aldermen was then estab- lished and the mayor presided over it, and was thereafter elected by the aldermen). Robert Taylor, 1789. James Taylor. 1790. John Boush, 1791. Cary H. Hansford, 1791. Thomas Newton, Jr., 1792. Robert Taylor,

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 52

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054