USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 46
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Bunker steamers 685
Cargo and bunker steamers 126
Cargo steamers exclusively. 31
Sail vessels 19
Total 861
Coastwise :
Steamers 138
Ocean barges and tugs 577
Schooners 239
Total
954
Grand total
1.815
THE VIRGINIA PILOTS.
In Henning's Statutes (Vol. 2, Page 35) is found the following Act in regard to pilots, passed March, 1660-61. being the first legal authority for pilotage :
Whereas there hath been a gennerall complaint made by masters of shipps that wee had neither pilotte nor beacons to direct them in their bringing their shipps upwards; It is ordered that Capt. William Oewin bee made cheife pilott of James river and that for his en- couragement therein he shall be paid for the pillotage of all vessels above eighty tunnes, five pounds sterling, if he be employed, and if not employed fourty shillings. And every master of a shipp or vessel that shall anchor within Point Comfort having or not having a pilott to pay thirty shillings to the said pilott for beaconage, And it is further ordered that the said pilott shall make. place and maintaine good and sufficient beacons in all necessary places from Willoughbies Shole including the whole Shole to James Cittie, And all such beacons afterwards lost. removed or wanting repaire to be re- newed or repaired within fifteen days by the said pilott.
Henning, Vol. 6, Page 90. 1775 .- The Governor or Commander-in-Chief was re- quired to appoint persons to examine pilots in each district of the Colony. who should cer- tify such as passed satisfactorily to the Gov- ernor or Commander-in-Chief, who would thereupon make the appointment and assign the appointee to a branch. The partnership of more than two pilots was prohibited : the fee for pilotage to Norfolk was Is. &d. per foot and the pilot was required to produce the schedule of legal fees to the master of the vessel.
313
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
Henning, Vol. 7. Page 580,-The County Courts were directed to appoint three persons to examine applicants on paying 20 shilling fee: if applicant passed, the court made ap- pointment and assigned the new pilot to a branch.
Henning. Vol. 9, Page 470, 1778,-The commissioners of the navy were authorized from time to time to vary the rates of pilot- age and to regulate the fees of pilots within the Commonwealth. The General Assembly which convened in Richmond on the 5th day of May. 1783. in order to prevent ignorant. unskillful persons from undertaking pilotage, elected Paul Loyall, Thomas Brown, James Barron, John Gwinn, Edward Cowper, Charles Baily and William Ballard, or any three of them, to examine every person that should de- sire to be a pilot, he first producing a certificate from the County Court where he resided of his honesty and good behavior. paying down to the examiners the sum of 30 shillings, and if upon examination the person should appear of sufficient skill and ability. thereupon he was granted a branch and thenceforth he would be reputed a lawful pilot. Every pilot before lie took his branch was required to take at least one white apprentice to instruct in the art of his business. This law was amended so as to allow partnership not exceeding four and in- creasing fees one-fifth more for vessels draw- ing upward of 10 feet water. The legisla- ture on the 15th day of December, 1791, di- vided pilots into first, second and third classes. The first class was allowed to pilot any size vessel ; the second was confined to vessels whose draft of water did not exceed 12 feet. and those of the third class could not pilot ves- sels drawing over nine feet. Every applicant for examination should produce proof that he had served as an apprentice for a term of five years. Every pilot boat was required to have its name painted, 10 feet below the head of the foresail, and the port to which it belonged in letters of not less than nine inches in length.
Thus we have a brief outline of the be- ginning of this service dating back to 1660
!
with a commission to one man by the Gover- nor of the State of Virginia 240 years ago, in response to the request of shipmasters for pilots who would always be on hand for their vessels, until with a steady growing commerce and demand for more pilots their numbers have been increased from time to time, when the present finds them fully equipped in every respect, and prepared to handle all ships com- ing to the ports of Virginia.
At the beginning of the Confederate War the pilots had five boats (all sail). named as follows-"Reindeer." "Plume," "Antelope," "Hope" and "York." For several years pre- vious to the war the pilots with these boats were commissioned by the State of Virginia to prevent escape of slaves to Northern ports and there were constantly two of them on duty .- one in the York River and another in Hampton Roads. It was the duty of the pilots in charge to inspect all vessels, especially those bound to Northern ports, searching carefully for escaping negroes, and many an interesting story can be related by those who perforined this duty to the State. These boats were pro- vided with bow-chasers. and vessels whose captains refused to heave to were promptly rounded up by a shot across the bows.
The "Reindeer" was on duty in Hampton Roads and the "Antelope" in the York River when war broke out, but all boats were withdrawn by order of the Governor at this time : the "Plume" and "Hope" were held in Richmond for service until the evacuation of that city, when both boats were sunk by the Confederates as obstructions in the James River, the pilots receiving no compensation for them. The "Reindeer" was stranded on the Berkley Flats in Norfolk harbor. The "Ante- lope." which was sunk above Norfolk Navy Yard, was gotten up and subsequently used in the Coast Survey. The "York" entered serv- ice as a privateer, with Capt. Oscar E. Ed- wards as one of the prize officers, making sev- eral captures and a good record.
The pilots then served their State in their capacity. and the famous battle between the
314
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
"Monitor" and the "Virginia" found five of them on board the latter vessel-Capt. Will- iam Parrish, chief pilot: Hezekiah Williams, William Clarke, George Wright and Thomas Cunningham; Captain Parrish was standing in the scuttle of the "Virginia" during her en- gagement with the "Cumberland" off Newport News Point when a ball cut away his watch- chain, penetrated his clothing and wounded Commodore Buchanan.
The pilot association was immediately re- organized after the war through the exertions of Capt. Oscar E. Edwards, who ever since has occupied the position of president, suc- cessfully representing the status of a State pilot, and is held in high esteem by the men with whom he has been so long identified.
The State, recognizing over 200 years ago the necessity for a regular system of pilotage, has by legislative enactments repeatedly sus- tained that which is deemed indispensable to commerce. She has at all times seen that sufficient encouragement was given to insure the maintenance of a proper system and intelli- gent service in connection with her maritime interest.
Beginning with 1660 and the call for one pilot, their numbers have increased with the growing requirements of shipping until at the present 29 regularly commissioned pilots con- stitute their force, and, anticipating a possible need for more. the Virginia Pilot Association has at present 13 young men who after having finished their apprenticeship will augment con- siderably the pilot service of Virginia.
The legislature makes laws for their gov- ernance, fixes their rates, applies conditions and restrictions and gives a Board of Pilot commissioners whose members are representa- tive men selected by the Court of Elizabeth City County and the Corporation Court of Norfolk City from the communities where cen- ter the maritime interests. These gentlemen sit as impartial judges of all matters and de- cide finally any question which may be brought up for their consideration. They are empow- ered to settle all questions which may arise be-
tween pilots and masters of ships, to examine into charges of a culpable nature, to issue licenses to perform the duties of a pilot when competency is proven,-in fact, are a little court unto themselves, and knowing well the intricacies of the business can quickly and in- telligently decide every matter of consequence to shipping, insuring thereby perfection of a system which commerce recognizes as the highest service to it. Kent states that the services of a pilot are of such an important nature that they approach those of salvage, and it is possible even when employed on board by extraordinary endeavors to earn salvage. After furnishing rates and otherwise provid- ing for their governance, the legislature leaves detail work to the pilots. who make by-laws, purchase their vessel property to enable them to carry on the business, carefully select ap- prentices and in every particular conduct the business in a way consonant with the safety of ships and interest of our ports. Having a few years ago a plant which cost but $20,000, changing conditions have necessitated an extra expenditure of $55,000 and yearly expenses which reach a total of $40,000. They are equipped with one of the finest steam pilot boats on the coast, remain off Cape Henry day and night. in calm and storm, hazard their lives frequently in going on board ships, are subject to the severest exposure and lead gen- erally a dangerous calling. Formerly cruising in sail-boats and maintaining their business at infinitely less cost, the gradual supremacy of steam necessitated the purchase of a $55,000 steamer for their purpose.
Keeping pace with commerce, the pilots have as occasion required enlarged their sys- tem, augmented their forces and in every re- spect maintain an efficient service to the mer- chant marine of Virginia.
Their relations to commerce are specifically as follows-to meet incoming vessels and in- sure as specialist safe conduct to and from the ports of Virginia. Boarding them as soon as entering pilot limits, they are given charge by the captains and the responsibilities of a
315
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
pilot then begin and do not end until the vessel in his care is safely anchored in harbor or moored alongside a dock.
State law makes public servants of them in the furtherance of the quarantine system (Art. 35, Act April 19, 1882), and acting directly under this they have, as soon as board- ing a ship, to inquire into the health of the crew, ports from which she has recently come and to make inquiries generally, bringing such as are, liable to inspection to the proper anchorage, where they are boarded by the quarantine officers, who examine into the. health of the crew and fully satisfy themselves that there is no danger of infection before al- lowing them to proceed to our ports. Being the first to meet incoming ships and directing them as above, pilots are inseparably identified with the quarantine service, and help to pro- tect not only commerce but public health. pre- venting by their co-operation with the health authorities the introduction of contagious dis- eases in our midst. Quarantine officers in ap- preciation of this co-operation have a number of times issued memorials to the State Legis- lature, acknowledging that without the pilots assistance quarantine could not be satisfac- torily conducted.
Recognized locally as masters of ships in their care, they are looked to for safety of same, and before engaging in this service have to pass a rigid examination before the Board of Pilot Commissioners and in addition give bond for their good behavior and proper per- formance of their duties.
Regarded as life and property savers, they frequently rescue ships from perilous positions through opportune assistance of their powerful boat, and it will be seen that as a means of security to shipping and public good they are an indispensable adjunct to commerce, mer- chants, insurance companies, masters of ships and health conditions of our ports.
from his last teacher that he at least has a good common-school education, and a certifi- cate from a physician that he is not troubled with color blindness and that he is otherwise sound physically. Being thoroughly disci- plined by the pilots and required by the legis- lature to serve five years apprenticeship to those regularly authorized, they are through the five most important years of life confined to their duties on board the pilot-boats, where they have constantly to take soundings, ascer- tain courses and bearings, receive instructions as to landmarks for the more intricate parts of the channels, have frequent instructions from their superiors in the art of piloting and in every particular acquire the necessary knowledge of their future vocation. In- stantaneous judgment and a good nerve are prime requisites and those in this business not infrequently find themselves in positions where both have to be promptly exercised. Crawling up by degrees, they are divided into first. sec- ond and third class and receive (according to the last classification of pilots by the legisla- ture ) first a 12-foot branch, then as they ad- vance and become more competent a 15-foot one is awarded, when, if after expiration of their apprenticeship attention and faithfulness to their duties fitted them for their last and final papers (usually designated as a full branch), he enters upon equality with his for- mer masters, and a reward for which he has toiled through five years of deprivation and hardship. Having cast his lot with the com- mercial interest of the State for better or worse, fitting himself solely for one thing and for operation in a limited field, he cannot pur- sue his calling in another State, cannot when business is dull seek employment elsewhere, but must remain and share with the varying conditions of commerce, unfit for all work, he becomes wedded to commerce and his State.
With a rapid increase in size and value of ship and cargo, ranging from $100,000 to ser- eral millions, involving a greater necessity for averting accidents, there is a correspondingly
Apprentices before being accepted have the following essentials to meet : The young man must be between 16 and 18 years of age, of good moral character, must produce evidence | greater responsibility and necessity for men
316
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
whose previous training insures the best serv- ice and specifically fits them for a work of such moment to the interest of the State gener- ally.
Under the present circumstances accidents are 'exceedingly rare, and any dereliction of duty or act showing unskillfulness is promptly
met by punishment decided by the Board of Pilot Commissioners. Their training, how- ever, is so thorough, and penalties of such severity that the highest possible service is se- cured, seldom an accident of any consequence occurs and the wheels of commerce run smoothly along.
.
1
CHAPTER XX
STATISTICS OF THE POPULATION
TITHES AND TITHABLES FROM EARLY COURT RECORDS-POPULATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY, . 1790-1900, FROM THE CENSUS REPORTS-POPULATION OF NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH --- THE 1900 CENSUS BY WARDS AND DISTRICTS.
The first Assembly ever held in Virginia was convened in June, 1619, at Jamestown, which was then and for many years aft: called "James City;" but the first Act relating to taxes of which I find any record was passed at the March session, 1623-24, prohibiting the Governor from laying any taxes or imposition upon this Colony, their lands or commodities in any other way than by authority of the Grand Assembly. So I must conclude that, prior to this Act, the Governor imposed taxes. On March 5, 1623-24, the Assembly enacted that "there shall be in every parish a public granary into which there shall be contributed for every planter exceeding the age of IS, alive at the crop after he hath been here a year, a bushel of corn, the which shall be disposed for the public uses of every parish by the major part of the freemen, the remainder yearly to be taken out by the owners at St. Thomas' bis day and the new bushel to be put in the room.' (Hen., Vol. 1. Page 125.)
There was also a levy of 10 pounds of to- bacco upon every male head above the age of 16, to defray public debts. In October, 1629, a specific levy was made of five pounds of to- bacco on the master of every family and every freeman to pay for powder, wine and provis- ions used by the soldiers, and at the same time
the burgesses were directed to make a list of the tithable persons within their plantations. A tax of 64 pounds of tobacco was levied upon every tithable person in the Colony ( Septem- ber, 1632), to meet public charges amounting to 124,056 pounds of tobacco. The revenue law of 1639 levied 16 pounds of tobacco per poll, and of 1643-44 nine pounds per poll.
The heads of families were made respon- sible for all public dues charged to freemen within their family and an additional levy of IS pounds of tobacco per poll was made to pay for powder and expenses of Sir William Berkeley's voyage. A new mode of taxation was instituted in November, 1645, because the old way was found inconvenient and had be- come insupportable for the poorer classes to bear. This assessed four pounds of tobacco on 100 acres of land, four pounds on one cow three years old, 32 pounds each on horses, mares and geldings, four pounds on breeding sheep, two pounds on a breeding goat and 20 pounds on each tithable person. The tax lists were to be made yearly by the 25th day of June and returned to the secretary's office. It appears that this law was evaded, and in Oc- tober, 1646, a new list was ordered to be made by appointees of the county commissioners, to be reported to the next Grand Assembly.
318
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
-
On the 5th day of November, 1646, the County Court levied the assessment to meet the public expenses as follows :
329 tithable persons at 25 pounds of to-
bacco per poll
8,225
1bs.
490 cowes at 5 pounds of tobacco cach .. . . .
2,450 lbs.
163 goates at 21/5 pounds of tobacco each. ... 40752 1bs.
2 horses at 40 pounds of tobacco each .. 80 lbs.
38.000 acres of land at 5 lbs. of tobacco per
100 acres 1.900 Ibs.
Total tax 13.06212 1bs.
It appears from this assessment that there were only two horses in the county of Lower Norfolk at this time. The next year, on the 15th day of November, 1647, the levy was on
360 tithable persons at 15 pounds of to- bacco per poll 5,400 lbs.
546 cowes at 3 pounds of tobacco each. ... 1,638 lbs.
121 goates at Il6 pounds of tobacco cach .. 18112 1bs.
5 horses and mares at 24 pounds of to- bacco each 120 lbs.
36,560 acres of land at 3 pounds of tobacco per 100 acres 1,097 lbs.
The people, cows and horses increased but the goats and land decreased. These levies were for county expenses and not for State levies as rated in the Act of 1645 stated above.
A penalty of double tax was affixed for concealing taxable property and thereafter person's who should give in false lists to the officer should forfeit treble the sum due for his taxes. As the tax on property was made especially for the support of the war, it was repealed in October, 1648, when peace was de- clared and the old custom of poll tax was re- vived or rather retained. In October, 1644, a public levy of 1,776 pounds of tobacco on 296 tithable persons in Lower Norfolk County We made for defraying the expenses of the ex- pedition against the Pamunkey Indians. The list of tithable persons embraced all free male persons over the age of 16 and the Act of Oc- tober extended it to cover all male servants ( whatsoever' age imported thereafter; which was extended in March, 1658, to embrace all negroes and Indian servants, male or female ; but native Christians and free persons under the age of 16 were excepted. The Act of this date required' the master of every family to
present the list to the clerk of the court. failing to meet the requirements was repealed in March, 1659, and sheriffs were again re- quired to make the lists, but in October, 1661, it was alleged that fraud of sheriffs in return- ing lists had greatly augmented the taxes of the Colony, so each county was divided into four precincts, in each of which a commis- sioner was appointed, to whom the constable in each precinct warned the people to bring their lists of tithables by the roth day of June. In March, 1662, tithables were all male per- sons, negroes male or female. Indian servants male or female, above 16 years of age. Eighty pounds of tobacco were assessed against every fithable person in Virginia for paying the pub- lic levy of the country in 1682. In 1782 the poll tax was Io shillings on every free male person over the age of 21 years who was a citi- zen and upon all slaves above the age of 16 years. In 1788 the poll tax was abolished. but was afterward revived to continue until this time, when it is $1.00 upon ever male person over 21 years of age.
In order that an estimate of the population of Norfolk County may be made, for the time prior to the first census. the number of tith- ables are given below as far as could be ob- tained from the court records.
Years.
Tithables.
1644.
206
( Lynnhaven Parish 140 }
305
1646 329
360
16:8.
334
1649.
380
1650.
418
1651.
46 [
1653.
471
1654.
454
1655.
493
1656.
491
1657.
465
1660.
402
1661.
346
1662.
488
166;
551
1664.
580
1665.
585
1666.
50I
1667
594
1645 7 Elizabeth River 165
1647
319
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
597
1754.
2533
1755.
2718
1756.
2784
1757
2741
1758.
2907
1759.
2959
1760.
303[
1761.
3417
1763.
3546
1764
3757
1765.
3914
1766.
4056
1767.
4059
1768.
4134
1769.
4140
1770.
4179
1773.
4340
1774.
-459[
1775.
4739
1777. 2400
2004
1782
2771
1784.
3149
1785.
3267
1786
3149
1787
3628
1788.
4365
1789.
4247
POPULATION OF NORFOLK COUNTY, VA.
Year.
Total. White.
Free. Slaves.
Chinese. Japs. & Inds.
1790
14.524 9.179
5.345
ISOo
19.419 II.960
7.459
1810
1820
23,943
24,806
13.314
1.898
9,594
1840
27.500
15,444
2.300
9,735
1850
33,036
20,329
2.307
IO.400
1860
36,227
24.357
2.803
9.004 63
1870
46.702
24,380
22.320
2
1880
58,657
29,197
29,453
7
$1800
77,038
37.497
39,478
63
** 1900
50,780
19,113
31.189
478
1716.
977
1717.
1038
1719.
947
1720 ...
1050
1721.
1004
1722.
IIIS
1723.
1105
1738.
1652
1739.
1751
1740.
1799
1742.
1944
1746.
2066 2100
17.48.
2331
3749 ..
2337
1750.
2506
1751.
2567
1752.
2441
1753.
2533
1670 ..
688
172.
695
107%.
702
762
1075.
813
860
1679 ..
875
1680.
846
860
1682.
850
1683.
022
1684. .
893
1685. .
941
1686 ..
987
1687 ..
904
1688.
982
1689.
IOIS
1600 ...
1097
Princess Anne separated from Norfolk County.
1601.
772
1692.
775
1693.
770
1694.
761
1696.
614
1697.
652
1608.
652
1699.
607
1700.
696
1701.
695
1702.
692
1703.
692
1704 ..
709
1705.
722
1708.
807
1709.
819
IZII.
780
1712.
812
1714.
891
1715.
931
Census of 1790. Borough of Norfolk, free whites, 1,604; slaves, 1,294; all other free per- sons, 61. Portsmouth, free whites, 1,039; slaves, 616; all other free persons, 47. The free colored are not separately enumerated, but included in "all other free prsons."
Census of 1800. Borough of Norfolk, in- cluding Portsmouth ( the latter not separately enumerated), free whites, 2,312; slaves, 2,724;
*This includes population of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth,-48,139.
** The population given for 1900 for the county out- side of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. The total population of the county was 114.831.
1050.
659
670
6S4
3333 1177.
Negroes.
1.498
9.185
1830
22.872 13.400 13.260
9,472
1778.
560 1695.
1762.
1747.
320
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
all other free persons, 352. The free colored are not separately enumerated but included in "all other free persons."
Census of 1810. Borough of Norfolk, free whites, 4,776: slaves 3.825; all other free persons, 592. Portsmouth, free whites, 1,191 ; slaves, 828; all other free persons, 61. The free colored are not separately enumer- ated, but included in "all other free persons." Census of 1820. Borough of Norfolk, including Portsmouth ( the latter not sep- arately enumerated ), free whites, 4.748: free colored, 599; slaves, 3,261; foreigners not naturalized, 23.
Census of 1830. Borough of Norfolk. including Portsmouth ( the latter not separate- ly enumerated ), free whites, 5,231 ; free col- ored. 928; slaves. 3.757.
Census of 1840. Borough of Norfolk. free whites, 6.285 : free colored. 1,026; slaves, 3,709. Portsmouth, free whites, 4,074; free colored, 423; slaves, 1.890.
The following table gives the population of Norfolk from the date of the first census after it became a city to the date of the last census, also showing the increase in each 10 years and the per cent. of increase:
Year
Population.
Increase Per cent. of Population. of Increase.
1850
14.320
3.300*
29.9*
1860
14,620
300
2.1
1870
19,229
4,609
31.5
1880
21.066
2.737
14.2
1890
34.87 [
12.905
58.7
1900
46,624
II.753
33.7
The following is the population of Nor- folk City in 1900 by wards :
Ward I 8.623
Ward 2 3.387
Ward 3 9.034
Ward 4 13,093
Ward 5 6.940
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