USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 54
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"We have several other excellent schools both for the primary and higher branches of an English and classical education."
THE FIRST ACT FOR BUILDING TIIE TOWN.
Under the following Act passed on the 25th of February, 1752, in the reign of George II of England, and 47 years after Norfolk was created a borough, Portsmouth was founded.
The General Assembly begun and held at William and Mary College in Williamsburg on Thursday, the 27th day of February, in the 25th reign of our sovereign lord, George II, by the peace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord, 1752, enacted (Chapter XXIV) :
An Act for Establishing the Town of Portsmouth, in the County of Norfolk, und to prevent the building of wooden chimneys thercin.
I. I'hercas, it hath been represented to this As- sembly that William Craford, of the County of Nor- folk, Gentleman, hath lately laid out a parcel of land, on the south side of Elizabeth River, opposite to the town of Norfolk, into 122 lots, commodious streets, places for a Court House, Market, and publie build- ings, for a town, by the name of Portsmouth, and made sale of most of the said lots to divers persons who are desirous to settle and build thereon speedily ; and also that the said town lies very convenient for trade and navigation :
Il. Be it enacted, by the Lieutenant Governor, Council, and Burgesses of this present General Assem- bly and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the sume. That the said piece or parcel of land be, and is hereby constituted. appointed, erected, and established, a town. in the manner it is already laid out, by the said William Craford. in lots and streets, to be called by, and retain the name of Portsmouth, and that the free- holders of the said town, shall forever hereafter enjoy the same rights and privileges, which the freeholders of any other town, erected by Act of Assembly in this Colony. have and enjoy.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever. to erect or build, or cause to be erected or built. in said town. any wooden chimney; and if any person shall presume to erect, or build. any wooden chimney, contrary to the directions of this act. it shall and may be lawful, for the sheriff of the said county, and he is hereby required, to cause such chimney to be pulled down and demolished.
The survey of the town was made on the 7th day of February, 1752, by Gresham Nim- mo, surveyor.
370
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
At a court of Norfolk County, held on the 18th day of January, 1750, present, Col. Will- iam Craford. Capt. John Hutchings, William Portlock. Charles Sweny. Capt. William Ivy, Capt. George Veale.
* * * *
"Col. William Craford this day produced in Court the plan of the town of Portsmouth and prayed that the same may be lodged in the Clerk's office for the use of the inhabitants thereof."
This map is now in the clerk's office of the Court of Hustings for the city.
GRANT TO CRAFORD.
The grant to William Craford out of which Portsmouth was carved reads as follows :
George, etc., to all, etc. Know ye that for divers good causes and consideration, but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of twenty-five shillings of good and lawful money for our use paid to our re- ceiver general of our Revenues in this our Colony of Virginia. We have given, granted and confirmed and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors do give. grant and confirm unto William Craford one certain tract or parcel of land containing eleven hun- dred and twenty-nine acres lying and being on ye west side of ye mouth of the Southern branch of Elizabeth River in the County of Norfolk and bounded as fol- loweth, to-wit: beginning at ye mouth of Crab Creek and running thence hy a line of markt trees up ye creek dividing Wm. Bustin's land from this south westerly fifty-six degrees and a quarter four hundred eighty-six pole to a gum Huses corner, thence on a line of markt trees of the Huses patent south westerly thirty-three degrees and a half one hundred and twelve pole to a pine on ye north side of Parrodice Creek, thence run- ning up ye creek and bounding thereon north westerly fifty-five degrees sixty-three pole to a red oak on ye said creek and at the mouth of the reedy branch. thence on a line of markt trees dividing this land and the land of Edward Hues northeasterly five degrees forty-five "minutes" one hundred forty-nine pole to a white oak thence on a line of markt trees dividing this land and the land of the said Hues north westerly twenty-two degrees and a half forty pole to a sassafras thence on a line of markt trees dividing this land and the land of ye said Hues or Henry Low northeasterly thirty-seven degrees and a half one hundred eighty-one pole to a pine on ye east side of the head of Church Creek. thence running down on ye east side thereof and bounding northwesterly two degrees three hundred twenty-six pole thence on ye said creek again north- easterly eighty-one degrees ninety pole. thence run- ning crossing a small creek issuing out of Church Creek southeasterly thirty degrees eighty-eight pole to
a white oak standing at ye head of a small branch dividing this land and the land of Joshua Carle, it be- ing a corner tree of ye said Carle patent and running thence on a line of markt trees dividing this and the land of ye said Carle southeasterly eighty-three de- grees one hundred and five feet to a hickory at ye head of the Island Creek thence running down the south side of the said creek and bounding thereon to ye mouth thereof thence bounding on Elizabeth River and the Southern branch thereof according to the several courses thereof, to the mouth of the Crah Creek the first menconed station. It being the land found within the bound of a patent granted to Capt. Wm. Carver ye 15th day of September 1661 for eight hundred and ninety acres, with all. etc .. to have. hold, etc., to be held, etc., yielding paying, etc., provided, etc. In wit- ness. etc.
Witness our trusty and well beloved Alexander Spottswood our Lt. Governor, etc., at Williamsburg under ye seal of our said Colony ye thirty-first day of October one thousand seven hundred and sixteen in the third year of our reign.
The 122 lots laid out by Col. Craford as the original town of Portsmouth are contained in the following bounds : Beginning at the mouth of the Southern Branch, thence running west- wardly on the southern boundary of Crawford's Bay to the mouth of Swimming Point Creek. thence southwardly along Dinwiddie street to South street, thence eastwardly along South street to the Southern Branch, and thence northwardly along the river to the beginning, north of North street.
WILL OF THE FOUNDER.
The following is the will of Col. William Craford, the founder of Portsmouth, a member of the House of Burgesses and one of the most prominent men of Norfolk County in colonial days :
In the name of God, Amen. I. William Craford of Portsmouth Parish, County of Norfolk and Colony of Virginia, at this time (tho' sickly in Body) thanks to God for the blessings of a sound memory, and in my ordinary judgment and understanding do hereby make my last Will and Testament :- first commending my soul to God the Father for Mercy and in hopes of sal- vation and a joyful resurrection, through the sacrifice and intercession of Jesus Christ my Savior and Re- deemer.
Ist. It is my will that all my just debts shall be paid as soon as possible.
2ly. I give and bequeath unto my sister Abigail Conner three hundred pounds current money of Vir-
371
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
ginia out of my bonds and mortgages and six lots of land in Fortsmouth, three of them to be chosen by her or heirs, and three of them to be assigned by Thos. Veale hereafter mentioned, and unto her heirs. I like- wise acquit and release her and her heirs forever from all debts. claims and demands whatsoever.
3ly. 1 give and bequeath unto Danl. Dale the plantation he now lives on ( not exceeding one hundred acres ) during his natural life and the negro fellow he has now in possession named Jemmy and after his de- cease unto William Dale his son and unto his heirs forever. 1 likewise give unto the said Danl. Dale the lott he built a Brick House on in Portsmouth and unto his heirs, he first paying me or my Executors twenty- nine pounds Virginia currency for the same.
4ly. I give and bequeath unto Abigail Veale. otherwise Etheredge, and unto Amos her husband the House and lot I now live in and upon in Portsmouth during their natural lives, and after their decease equally between the issue of her body and their heirs. I give unto the said Amos Etheredge the lot of land in Portsmouth he lately built on adjoining to George Har- uess's and to his heirs forever. I likewise give unto the said Abigail Veale, otherwise Etheredge, the follow- ing negroes viz: Anthony, Pompey, together with Dinah. Joan, Patience and Betty with all the issue they now have or in the future may have, and to her heirs forever. I likewise give her all my household furni- ture, my Plate, money, and Books excepted. I give unto Thos. Bustin in Princess Anne County all my negroes that he has now of mine in possession and unto his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto each oi Lemuel Veale's (deceased ) children one lott of land in Portsmouth and to their heirs forever. I give unto my friend and nephew William Conner, my gun. my watch and acquit him of all debts and claims. I give unto the children of Eliza Veale otherwise Herbert ( deceased) my negress Nancy and all her present and future issue and to their heirs and for the regard I bear to the memory of Mary Veale my former House Keeper. as well as the natural love I bear to her chil- dren, it is my express Will, that George and Thomas Veale her children shall have and hold and enjoy the undermentioned legacies and estate to them and their heirs forever. I therefore give and bequeath unto George Veale the son of the said Mary the whole Plantation he lives on and in his occupation. Begin- ning Easterly at the Rice Branch and running to a Creek Southerly, then running on the South side of the Western Branch Road and then as the Line trees were last possessioned to the neighbor's lands, I mean from the Rice Branch to the School House Branch and as far as it extends upon the Southward back of the Road. I give unto him also half of the lott (and great Copper Kettle) in Portsmouth whereon he lately built a slaughtering house and one half of all my lands in Princess Anne County together with one half of all my negroes and their future increase unto him the said George V'eale and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto Thomas Veale the son of the aforesaid Mary Veale the whole and all my lands in Portsmouth Town and adjacent to it as far as the Rice Branch Westerly and in general all my lands in Norfolk County whatso- ever not already given away, and one half of all my lands in Princess Anne County together with one half
of all my negroes not already given away with all their future increase unto him the said Thomas Veale and his heirs forever. 1 give all my stock of cattle, etc., equally between George Veale, Thomas Veale and Abi- gail Veale afsd., and my Plate and everything else, I have not given away. I equally give it to the said Thomas and George Veale, 1 constitute and appoint the aforesaid George and Thomas Veale Executors of this my last Will, written on the two preceding and this Page of this sheet of paper at Portsmouth Town in Norfolk County this 27th day of January 1762.
Wm. Craford and SEAL.
Test Thos. Scott John Ray Charles Smith
April Court 1762. The above will proved as per order Book.
Test Samt. Boush, Clk.
Colonel Craford resided at the time of his death in his mansion house on the corner of High and Craford street, now the site of the People's Bank. Since his death his name lias been changed to Crawford, as the signature to his will gives his real name.
DALE PLANTATION.
Daniel Dale resided on the part of the plan- tation of Colonel Craford, now known as Swim- ming Point, at the time of the Colonel's death. The mansion house now owned and occupied by the Guthrie family is said to have been built by Colonel Craford. The distinguished naval hero, Commodore Richard Dale, was born on this plantation. William Dale, who heired the property on his father's death, sold in 1770 that portion now owned by the Guthries, E. V. White, Legh R. Watts and others to Peter Ed- wards, and Edwards sold it in 1787 to Richard Nestor, who, in 1807, conveyed it to Samuel Marsh. He sold the part containing the man- sion to William Smith, in July, 1809, then fol- lowed Smith's conveyance in September of the same year to Swepson Whitehead, then White- head's to Butler Cocke in 1810, and from Cocke in 1829 to Alexander Galt. On the 26th of September, 1831, Galt sold to Jacob Shuster, Jonathan Bonney and Harrison II. Banks, of Elizabeth River Parish, James Reed, John Harper and Edward Hatton, of Portsmouth
372
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Parish, and Malachi Willey, Stephen B. Tatem and Jolm Foreman, of St. Bride's Parish, over- seers of the poor of Norfolk County, and the county authorities in June, 1855, sold to John G. Hatton, whose son, Dr. James L. Hatton, on Nov. 5, 1866, sold to Capt. John Julius Guthrie, the gallant hero, who lost his life in an effort to rescue the crew from the wreck of the ill-fated U. S. S. "Huron" on Virginia Beach.
EXTENDING THE BOUNDARIES.
Chapter VIII, of the Act of May, 1703, in the 3rd year of the reign of George III :
Section VI. And whereas, by an Act of Assembly. made in the 25th year of the reign of his said late majesty King George, the Second, a town was estab- lished in the County of Norfolk, by the name of Ports- mouth, which daily increases; and whereas Thomas Veale. Gentleman, proprietor of the land adjoining, hath made humble request to this present General As- sembly that a certain quantity of the said adjacent lands may be added to and made part of the said Town of Portsmouth, and that the purchasers of the lots laid off or to be laid off, on the said lands, may enjoy the same privileges and advantages as the freeholders and inhabitants of the said town do at present enjoy ;
Be it therefore enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that so much of the said adjacent lands as are con- tained within the hounds hereafter described, includ- ing the said Town of Portsmouth, shall be added to and made part of the said Town of Portsmouth, to- wit : beginning at a stake, by the mouth of a small creek (Swimming Point Creek), opposite to where Daniel Veale now lives, running thence up the said creek, and crossing a small creek south fifty-nine de- grees west ; fifty-six poles thence south ; forty-six de- grees west ; thirty-seven poles to the south corner of the said Veale's land, thence south, thirty degrees west, 160 poles to the head of Rice Branch; thence down the said Rice Branch south, 22 degrees east, 44 poles to the head of a cove issuing out of Crabb Creek (Gander Creek) ; thence along the meanders of the said cove to the said Crabb Creek; thence along the said Crabb Creek, according to the meanders thereof. to the south- ward branch of Elizabeth River; thence bounding on the said branch, and the said river, to the beginning.
Section VII. And be it further enacted. by the authority aforcsaid, that the purchasers of lands within the bounds aforesaid, hereby added to and made part of the said Town of Portsmouth, as soon as the same shall be laid off into lots, and built on as the directors and trustees appointed by this Act shall direct. shall be entitled to and have and enjoy. all the rights. priv- ileges and immunities, granted to, and enjoyed by the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said town.
Section VIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforcsaid, That Andrew Sprowle, George
Veale. Thomas Veale, Charles Stewart. Humphrey Roberts, Francis Miller, James Race. David Purcell and Amos Etheridge, Gentlemen, shall be, and they are hereby nominated, constituted and appointed, directors and trustees of the said town; and they, or any five of them, shall and may, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to survey and lay off the said adjacent lands into lots and streets, and make from time to time such orders. rules and directions, for the regular and orderly placing and building the houses in the said town as to them shall seem expedient; and that in case of the death, removal out of the country, or other legal disability, of any one or more of the directors and trustees before-named, it shall and may be lawful for the surviving or remaining trustees to elect and choose so many other persons in the room of those so dead or disabled as shall make up the number of nine ; which trustees so chosen shall, to all intents and pur- poses, be vested with the same power as any other in this act particularly nominated and appointed.
An Act was passed in May, 1783, authoriz- ing the trustees to assess taxes on the inhabi- tants not to exceed three shillings on eve tithable and one and one-half per cent. of the value of real estate, to be appropriated for pub- lic improvements. They were also authorized to erect a Market House and contract with persons for repairing the streets.
The first Market House in Portsmouth was located in the middle of High street, between Crawford and Water streets. It was removed about the year 1835 to Glasgow street, between Middle and Crawford, and converted into a dwelling house.
Joseph Jones, Paul Loyall, William Lee, Mann Page, Henry Tazewell, Benjamin Harri- son, Thomas Nelson, Miles King and John Kearns, Gentlemen, were appointed commis- sioners by an Act passed in May, 1784. to sell certain public lands for the use of the people ; among them the Gosport lands adjoining Ports- mouth were directed to be laid off into lots uni- form with the town and sold. This Act was amended in October, 1784, directing that the public lands called and known by the name of Gosport be annexed to Portsmouth and the governor, with the advice of the council, was empowered to appoint three or more com- missioners to lay off the lands into lots not ex- ceeding a quarter of an acre each, with con- venient streets and as nearly parallel to the
373
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
streets in the town of Portsmouth as the situa- tion of the place would conveniently admit, and sell at public auction after giving 60 days' notice in the Virginia, Maryland and Pennsyl- vania gazettes.
An advertisement in the Maryland Gazette. of April 14. 1785, says: "Commissioners har- ing laid off Gosport, offer at public sale 300 lots. They say that Gosport has superior ad- vantages to both Portsmouth and Norfolk, as being nearer the proposed canal into North Carolina, deeper water and a,safer harbor for the careening of ships."
Also in October, 1784, five additional trus- tees were authorized to be elected by the free- holders; the election to be conducted in the manner directed by the Act "to empower free- holders of the several towns not incorporated to supply vacancies of the trustees and direc- tors thereof." The election was to be held on the third Tuesday in April, 1786, and every year thereafter for 12 trustees.
In October. 1789, the trustees were author- ized to raise a sum not to exceed £400 to erect a bridge between Gosport and Portsmouth, and to sell certain lots in Gosport for the purpose.
The following is the record of a meeting in the oldest book preserved in the archives of the city :
At a meeting of the Gentlemen, Trustees for the Town of Portsmouth. on Wednesday. the 20th day of April. 1796.
Present.
James S. Mathews. Thomas Emmerson,
Bernard Maguien.
Tohn Quareles.
John Mushrow. John Brooks,
Robert Thompson, Nathaniel Peed,
Henry Dickinson.
This day the Sheriff made his return of the follow- ing Gentlemen, to serve the Town of Portsmouth as Trustees for one year :
William Wilson. Robert Thompson.
James S. Mathews. John Mushrow.
Robert Shelton. Bernard Magnien.
John Brooks. William Porter,
John Quareles. Thomas Emmerson.
Nathaniel Peed. Henry Dickson
Henry Dickson was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year.
Andrew Kidd was appointed Clerk to be paid the
sum of twenty dollars per annum for his services and taking the list of tithables.
Capt. Henry Dickson was appointed Treasurer.
TITHABLES FOR 1798.
The following is the list of tithables in the town of Portsmouth for the year 1798:
No. of Tithes.
Persons Names.
I
Alford, Warring. 4
Aberdeen. Henry 3
Allison, John. .. 2
Anderson. Aquila.
I
B.
Blythe, James.
I
Brooks. John.
4
Bacci, Philip.
5
Bustin. Edward. 4
Buckley, Morris. 2
3
Buxton, James.
I
Bustin, John C.
2
Brooks, Thomas
2
Brown. James.
2
Brown, Joseph.
I
Brown. Francis. Sr
4
Brown, Francis, Jr
3
Bingley. Mathew
3
Bernbury, Mathew
2
Beale. George.
3
Ballance. Willis.
I
Blow. Richard.
7
Burton. Peter
3
Barr, Richard.
2
Blamire, James.
4
Butler. George I
Bell. John ...
3
Barnes. James.
I
C.
Cutril. Benjamin.
I
Culpepper. Willis ..
I
Crow, Benjamin.
I
Collins. George.
I
Collins, Henry.
3
Collins, Hannah.
I
Clements, Daniel. 6
Cann. Cann.
4
Cotton. Willis.
I
Cooper. Edward.
4
Carter. Stephen. I
Cotton, Abram. 2
D.
Davis, David. 2
Denby. Jonathan 2
Day, John.
2
.
.
.
Benson, Robert.
Armistead, Ralph.
374
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Persons Names.
No. of Tithes.
Persons Names.
No. of Tithes.
Day, Francis ...
2
Duval, Lucy.
4
Dickson. Henry.
7
Dickenson, Joseph.
2
Kidd, Andrew.
2
Davis, Mary.
9
Duffey, James.
L
E.
Emmerson, Arthur
6
Elliott, Robert. ..
3
Eshon, Nathaniel.
7
Edwards, Mary.
2
Edwards, Oney
I
Langley, John.
I
Lawrence, Elizabeth
I
F.
Flora, William. I
T
Milhado, Aaron ..
5
Mathews, James S.
7
Millar. Francis. I
Millar, Dorcas. I
Moffatt, William. 4
2
Gaskins, James.
2
Graham, Francis
I
Grant, William.
I
Gants, John F.
I
McEvoy, John.
2
Mushron, John.
I
H.
Hudras, Leon.
2
Hughes, John.
I
Hansford, Edward.
2
Howser, George
I
Howser, Jacob.
3 3
Hall, Samuel.
I
Hall, Lee. .
I
Halstead, Jesse.
2
Newton, Thomas
I
Hendree, John
I I
Holms, Robert.
I
Herbert, Josephi.
I
Hunter, Marianna.
2
Hopkins. George.
I
Henry, James.
I
Harper, William.
I
Pritchard, William.
I
Porter, William 7
Peed, Nathan. I
Paynter, Prudent. I
I
J.
Jarvis, John.
I
I
Reynolds. William
2
Rodman, Joseph.
I
K.
Rodman. Robert
I
Kinder, Joseph.
2
Kelsie. Richard.
Kearnes, John.
3 Roberts, Wilhain. .
3
G.
Gerald, Henry,
I
Moore, William.
I
Morris. John.
3
Morgan, John. I
Marchant, Gideon. 2
Maguien. Bernard. S
Miars. John. .
I
Miars, George.
I
Michal, Margaret. 2
I
N.
Nunn. Joseph.
I
Nicholson, Jesse.
2
Herbert, Sophia.
3 2
Newhran, Edward. 2
Nash, Thomas. 8
Hasford. Peter.
O.
Oliffe. John.
2
Owens, John.
3
P.
Hoffler, Thomas
2
Hopkins, W. William.
2
Herbert, Judith.
I
Pearson, Mary.
Robertson, Patrick 3
2 Rutter. John .. 2
3
Kay, Jonathan .. I
Keeling. Alexander I
I
Laws, Tubinan. 2
Livingston, Margaret.
4
Linnel. Thomas ..
3
Leckie, Alexander. 3
Leigh, William 4
Lewelling, James I
Foster, Joseph.
I
Foster. John.
S
Goffigan,
I
.
Miars. Thomas.
.
Herbert, Arthur
Herbert, Peter. .
Newell, James. .
I
.
.
R.
Jefferson, Ann.
King,
M.
Fervion, Euber
Moore, Capt. William
375
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Reynolds, William.
2
Robbins, John.
I
S.
Seymour. Edward. I
Schoolfield, John.
I
Schute. William. 10
Saunders. William.
3
Stewart. Robert.
I
T.
Tatem, Sarah .. I
Toomer, Sheldon.
I
Thompson, Robert.
3
V'eale and Bradford. V.
2
Veale. George.
1
V'eale, Thomas.
2
Ventus, Mary
1
Veale, Ann ...
I
Veale. Dempsey.
2
Watts. Dempsey. Jr
3
Webb. Tapley
I
Wilson, Lois.
2 9
Willis, Walter ..
3 Williams, Charles, Jr.
I
Wood. Story. .
Walker, Edward M
1 3 Webb, George. 2 4 Wilson, William. Jr. Walker. Samuel.
Watts, William.
3
Williamson, F. and G.
3
Williams. Charles, Sr.
1
Warrener. Edward.
2
Walker. William.
I
Williams. Wilson.
3 I I
Whidbec, John.
I
Y
Young. James.
Total 412
At a meeting of the Gentlemen. Trustees for the Town of Portsmouth on Saturday May 3rd. 1800. this day the Sheriff made his return of the following Gen- tlemen to serve as Trustees of the town aforesaid for the term of one year.
Richard Blow. William King,
James S. Mathews, John Foster.
Bernard Maguien, Jona. Denby.
Henry Dickson, Thos. Brooks.
Peter Herbert, Nathl. Eshon,
John Brooks, Daniel Clements.
Capt. William King was elected President.
22
It seems that hogs were troublesome to the town in its early day, for on the 29th of April, 1803, an order of the trustees empowered the constables to take up all hogs going at large after the 15th of May, and after three days' public notice to sell the same to the highest bidder, one-half for the good of the town and the other half "to the taken up"; but in case the owner appeared before the day.of sale he could recover by paying $1. This proving in- effectual. on the 2nd of March, 1811, the owner of a hog at large was to be fined $5. Then the country hogs would visit the town and the town trustees had so much trouble in prevent- ing these rovers that other decrees were made to put an end to the visits of the country hogs.
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