History of southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870, Part 66

Author: Summers, Lewis Preston, 1868-1943
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Richmond, Va. : J.L. Hill Printing Company
Number of Pages: 936


USA > Virginia > Washington County > Washington County > History of southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870 > Part 66


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MAJOR ANTHONY BLEDSOE.


Born in Augusta county. Member of the County Court of Botetourt, Fin- castle and Washington counties. Officer in the militia of Fincastle and Washington counties. Built Bledsoe's Fort. Represented Washington county in the General Assembly 1777-1778. Commanded Christian's army


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Washington County. 1717-1870.


at Long Island from December, 1776, to April, 1777. Removed to Blodshe's Lick, near Nashville, Tennessee, where he was killed by the Indians.


CAPTAIN WM. EDMISTON.


Born in Augusta county. Served in the French- Indian war of 1754 1763. Member of the county courts of Fincastle and Washington counties. Officer in the militia of Washington and Fincastle counties. Received a grant of 3,000 acres of land under the King's proclamation of 1763 for services ren- dered in the French-Indian war, and laid the grant in the community of Edmiston's Fort, in this county. Captain of a company on the expedition into South Carolina in October. 1780. Was killed at the head of his com- pany in the battle of King's Mountain.


COLONEL JOSEPH MARTIN.


Son of English parents, who emigrated from Bristol, England, and set- tled in Albemarle county, Virginia. Colonel Martin was born in Albemarle county in the year 1740. Married Susanna Childs. Settled in Pittsylvania county, Virginia. In 1765 attempted the establishment of Martin's Sta- tion, in Powell's Valley, but was driven off by the Indians. Afterwards ap- pointed entry-taker by Colonel Richard Henderson for that portion of the Henderson purchase situated in Powell's Valley. Commanded a company of men upon Christian's expedition against the Cherokees in 1776. Appointed Indian agent and stationed at Long Island of Holston river, which position he occupied until the year 1789. Was a member of the Convention of North Carolina called for the adoption or rejection of the Federal Constitution. and several times a member of the General Assembly of North Carolina. About the year 1790 he returned to his old home in Henry county, Vir- ginia. Was soon thereafter elected to the General Assembly of Virginia from Henry county, and continued to serve in that capacity until he him- self thought he was by age unfit for further usefulness. Died in 1808, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.


GENERAL WM. CAMPBELL.


Was a native of Augusta county, of the true Caledonian race by the ma- ternal line as well as by that of the father. Being an only son, he received a liberal education under the best teachers of the times. He had an ardent mind, very susceptible of literary improvements, and acquired early in life a correct knowledge of the English language, of ancient and modern his- tory, and of several branches of mathematics. Nature had formed him for a commander in military capacity. His personal appearance was grave and masculine, being something about six feet high and well proportioned ; in conversation rather reserved and thoughtful; in his written communica. tions expressive and elegant. His patriotism was not of a timid cast. He never balanced between his military duty and prudential maxims. When his ire was excited he showed in his countenance the fury of an Achilles. The trusty Andreferrara, the sword he wore on the day of battle, was once


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the property, of his grandfather from Scotland, and he had an arm and a spirit that could wield it with effect. In the year 1775 he was of the first regular troops raised in Virginia, being honored with a captain's commis- sion in the first regiment. Here he acquired a practical knowledge of tac- tics and the discipline of an army. In the latter part of the year 1776 he resigned his position on account of the Indian war breaking out, by which his family and friends were exposed to immediate danger. Soon after he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the militia of Washington county, and the next year, on the resignation of Evan Shelby, Sr., to that of colonel of the regiment. In this rank he remained until after the battle of King's Mountain and of Guilford, when he was appointed by a vote of the Legisla- ture of Virginia to rank as a brigadier-general, and was ordered to join the Marquis LaFayette, to oppose the invasion of the enemy in 1781. After the defeat of Ferguson, the British general, Cornwallis, imbibed a personal resentment, and had the temerity to theaten that if General Campbell fell into his hands he would have him instantly put to death for his rigor against the Tories. This, instead of intimidating, had the contrary effect, and in turn the American general resolved, if the fortune of war should place Cornwallis in his power, he should meet the fate of Ferguson. This at the battle of Guilford had nearly been the case, for had all the militia behaved with the same firmness and courage as on the wing where General Campbell commanded, the British army must have met with a total defeat. On forming the army in Virginia, under Marquis LaFayette, in 1781, General Campbell became a favorite of that gallant nobleman, who gave him command of the brigade of light infantry and riflemen. A few weeks before the siege of Yorktown he took sick of a complaint in his breast, which obliged him to retire from the army to a friend's house in the coun- try, and there, after a short sickness, to end his days, in the thirty-sixth year of his age, much lamented by the friends of liberty who knew him. Of his military character we have given a short sketch. His moral senti- ments and social demeanor in civil life were exemplary. Although an only son and heir to a considerable property, he never gave way to the fashion- able follies of young men of fortune. He well knew that vice at any time of life, or in any shape, darkens the understanding, perverts the will, and - thus injures social order in every grade of society. He kept a strict guard on his own passions, and was by some deemed too severe in punishing the deviations of others. His military career was short, but brilliant. Warren and Montgomery acted at a conspicuous stage, and deserved the eulogisms · so often repeated. Campbell undertook a no less arduous task, with an inferior number of undisciplined militia. He marched in a few days nearly two hundred miles, over vast mountains, in search of the enemy, who were commanded by an experienced officer, of known bravery and military skill, and who had chosen his field for battle. It was at (King's Mountain) rather a fortification than an open space for combatants to meet upon. The as- sault of the Americans was impetuous and irresistible, and the event was a victory to a wish. This victory resulted in the retreat of the main British army a considerable distance and their relinquishment of the scheme of


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Washington County, 1777-1870.


invading Virginia that year. It also reanimated all the friends of liberty in the Southern States, and was the prelude of adverse events to the enemy, which, in the course of the next campaign, terminated in their final over- throw.'


COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON.


Son of John Preston, of Augusta county. Born in Ireland 1730, and died at Smithfield, now Blacksburg, 1783. One of the first trustees of Staunton. Member the House of Burgesses from Augusta county 1766-1768, and from Botetourt county 1769. Commanded a company of Rangers in the French- Indian war 1754-1763. On the formation of Botetourt county, 1769, he was appointed colonel of the militia, coroner, escheator and county sur- veyor. Upon the formation of Fincastle county he was appointed sheriff and surveyor. He was engaged with Colonels Campbell and Christian in their expeditions against the Cherokees in the year 1776. Was at the battles of Whitsill's Mills and Guilford Courthouse, 1781, and was actively en- gaged throughout the Revolution. He was a member of the Committee of Safety of Fincastle county, and assisted in the preparation of the Fincastle Resolutions. He left eleven children, all of whom, both male and female, became distinguished in the history of our country. His five sons were John. Francis, James, William and Thomas, and his six daughters were Mrs. Thomas Madison. Mrs. Thomas McDowell, Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Thomas Lewis and Mrs. John Floyd. One son and one of his sons-in-law became governors of Virginia.


COLONEL JAMES KING.


The subject of this sketch was born at Londonderry, Ireland, in 1752. He was well educated. and emigrated to Virginia about the year 1769, and by purchase, entry and condemnation acquired about 50.000 acres of land in and around Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia, of the present day. Colonel King married Sarah, one of the seven daughters of Colonel Thomas Good- son, in Montgomery county, Virginia, and settled a few miles southwest of Bristol near the Sulphur Springs. Colonel King won his title through the Revolutionary war. Was captured and escaped and rejoined his regi- ment, and after some time resigned his commission and returned to his home, near Bristol, rather than deliver to the quartermaster a magnificent mare from which he had knocked a British officer, but subsequently re- joined his regiment, and was at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. Colonel King some time previous to the year 1800 erected an iron furnace (Barbary Furnace) near the Sulphur Springs, and made the first iron in what is now the State of Tennessee. Colonel King's partner in thi- enterprise was Governor Blount, of the Southwest Territory. The iron made at this furnace was hauled in wagons to Kingsport, a distance of twenty-five miles, the junction of the North and South forks of Holston river, and transported from that point by water, Kingsport took its name


*Colonel Arthur Campbell.


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Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.


from Colonel King. Some time previous to the year 1810 Colonel King purchased from Isaac Shelby, executor of General Evan Shelby, 976 acres of land, one-half the Sapling Grove tract, for $10,000, and it is said that the backs of two horses were ruined in carrying this silver to Frankfort, Ken- tucky, the home of General Isaac Shelby. Colonel King afterwards had this property conveyed to his son, the Rev. James King. Colonel King was a very active and useful man. He was one of the three commissioners who negotiated the treaty of Holston, and afterwards laid off the site of Knox- ville, Tennessee. He was a man of considerable wealth, and furnished An- drew Jackson (afterwards President of the United States) the money with which Jackson and John Overton purchased the Chickasaw Bluff (now the site of the city of Memphis, Tennessee). The draft for this money is as follows :


Col. James King,


Sir:


Please pay to Mr. Andrew Jackson or order two thousand five hundred one dollars sixty-seven cents which place to account of


Sir


Your Ob. Servant,


Dolls. 2501 67-100


David Allison May 13th, 1795.


Colonel King died of gout August 17th, 1825, aged seventy-three years, leaving three children, to-wit: Rev. James King, who married Mourning Micajah Watkins, daughter of the Hon. Micajah Watkins, of Halifax county ; William King and Sarah King.


Colonel King was buried five miles west of Bristol, under an old coffin- shaped tomb of rock and an iron slab, on which the following inscription is cast :


Col. James King Dec'd Aug. 17th 1825 Aged 73 years A Patriot of 1776.


The Rev. James King above mentioned was a distinguished Presbyterian divine, a man of considerable wealth, the founder of Bristol, Tennessee, and of King College. He left a large family of children.


None but the wealthy in the early days of our country could afford a four-wheel carriage. The Rev. James King, Jr., was the owner of such a carriage, and below is given a receipt for the taxes assessed by the Federal Government upon this luxury :


This is to certify that James King, Jr., in the county of Sullivan, in the first collection district of Tennessee, has paid the duty of Thirty dollars, for the year to end on the 31st day of December next, for and upon a four-


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Washington County. 1777-1570.


wheel carriage, called a "Coachee," owned by him, and the harness used therefor.


This certificate to be of no avail any longer than the aforesaid carriage shall be owned by the said James King, Jr., unless said certificate shall be produced to a collector, and an entry be made thereon, specifying the name of the then owner of said carriage, and the time when he became possessed thereof.


Given in conformity with the laws of the United States this 2nd day of February, 1818.


NATHAN GREGG.


Deputy Collector of the Revenue, &c.


GENERAL WM. E. JONES.


The subject of this sketch was born on the Middle Fork of Holston river, in the upper end of Washington county, on the 3d day of May, 1824. He was the son of Robert Jones and wife (formerly a Miss Edmondson). He was educated at Emory and Henry College and at the Military Academy, West Point, New York, from which institution he graduated in 1848, and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Mounted Rifles, and for three years served in that capacity in what was after- wards the State of Oregon. On January 13th, 1852, while on a furlough, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Dunn, a daughter of Dr. Samuel Dunn, of this county. Mrs. Jones was accidentally drowned at Pass Cubolla, Texas, on the 26th of March, 1852, while on her way with her husband to join his command in the West. In 1857 he resigned Gen. Wm. E. Jones his command in the United States army, and after visiting many places of interest in the Old World he returned to his father's estate, near Glade Spring, and with the assist- ance of several French and German emigrants he planted an extensive vine- yard, and was so engaged when the war between the States began. He or- ganized a cavalry company in the spring of 1861, numbering 102 officers and men, to which was given the name of the Washington Mounted Rifles. afterwards Company D of the First Virginia Cavalry. In September, 1861, he was commissioned colonel of the First Virginia Cavalry, which position he held until April, 1862, when he was assigned to the command of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, General Turner Ashby's old regiment, and was succeeded in the command of the First Virginia Cavalry by Fitzhugh Lee. In September, 1862, he was commissioned brigadier-general, and was assigned to a command in the Valley of Virginia, a serious disagreement arising be tween Generals Stuart and Jones. General Jones was assigned to the command of the Department of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. and arrived upon the scene during the battle at Blountville. Shortly there after he surprised the enemy near Rogersville. Tenn .. and captured from eight to nine hundred prisoners. He was at the siege of Knoxville with


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Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.


General Longstreet, and during the same fall and winter he surprised and routed the Federal force of about six hundred officers and men stationed in Lee county. In the spring of 1864 his command took part in the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, in Pulaski county. From Cloyd's Mountain he was or- dered to the Valley of Virginia to oppose the advance of the Federal forces under command of General Hunt. General Jones, with the infantry force he had at his command, advanced rapidly to Staunton, and from Staunton to Mt. Hope. At this point his forces were attacked by General Hunter, and every indication pointed to the success of the Confederate arms, when General Jones indiscreetly rushed into the hottest of the fight to rally and encourage some of his men, when he was shot and fell from his horse dead. In a moment all was confusion, and the Confederates were routed. And thus ended the battle of Piedmont.


General Jones was directly descended from one of the Edmiston families, whose ancestor participated in the battle of King's Mountain, and was one of the bravest and most striking figures that Washington county has ever produced.


Ilis remains were interred in the cemetery of the Old Glade Spring Pres- byterian church, and his grave is marked by a plain marble shaft, which bears the following inscription :


Gen. Wm. E. Jones, killed June 5th, 1864, In the battle at Piedmont, Virginia, aged 40 years and 27 days.


JAMES L. WHITE.


The subject of this sketch is the son of Wm. Y. C. White and his wife, Margaret Greenway. Was born at Carpet Hill, Abingdon, Va., the home of his father, on the 29th of August, 1842. Was edu- cated at the Abingdon Academy and University of Virginia. Was a student at the University of Vir- ginia in the spring of 1861, joined a company at the University and went to Harper's Ferry in the spring of that year. Became lieutenant of Captain J. F. McIlhaney's company (Russell county) in the Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment, and became adju- tant of the Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment. Af- . terwards served on the staff of General Wm. Terry. Wounded at Appomattox Springs a few days before the surrender, and was left upon the battle-field and James L. White. thought to be dead. Afterwards recovered and re- turned to his home. After the close of the war he studied law, and gradu- ated in this profession from Washington and Lee University. Was licensed and began the practice of law in Abingdon, and in the spring of 1870 was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for this county by 1,600 majority.


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Washington County, 1777-1870.


Since that time has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and has attained that position where it may be said of him that he is the peer of any lawyer to be found in our country. A high toned, honorable gentleman, an honor to his country and a credit to his profession. Early in life he married Miss Kate Robertson, daughter of Governor Wyndham Robertson, and they have reared a large family of sons and daughters.


MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.


ANDREW MOORE.


Was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia. Received an academical equ cation. Was elected a representative from Virginia in the First Congress, and was reelected to the Second, Third and Fourth Congresses, serving from March, 1789 to 1797. Successfully contested the election of Thes. Lewis in the Eighth Congress, serving from March, 1804, to Novmber 6. 1804, when he was appointed a United States Senator from Virginia (in place of Wilson Cary Nicholas, resigned ). Was subsequently elected a United States Senator (in place of Abraham B. Venable, resigned ), serving from December 17, 1804, to March 3, 1809. Served in the Continental army, his company forming a part of Morgan's Corps at the battle of Saratoga. Member of the conven- tion that ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1788. Many times a member of the Legislature from Rockbridge county. Brigadier- general of militia, and in 1809 was appointed a major-general of militia. In the year 1810 he was appointed United States Marshal for the State of Virginia, and served in that position to the date of his death, which oc- curred on the 24th of May, 1821.


FRANCIS PRESTON.


Son of Colonel Wm. Preston, of Smithfield. Was born at Greenfield (now Botetourt county ) on the Za day of August, 1765. Graduated at William and Mary College and studied law under Chancellor Wythe. Settled in Abingdon and began the prac- tice of law, and was for many years recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in this section of the State. Married Sarah Buchanan Campbell, daugh- Col. Francis Preston. ter of General William Campbell, on the 10th January, 1793. Elected a member of Congress in the same year, and served till the year 1797. After retiring from Congress he settled at the Saltworks. In the year 1810 he removed to Abingdon. Elected to the General Assembly from Washington county. Was commissioned a colonel, and marched with his regiment to Norfolk in 1814. He was elected briga- dier-general of militia by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1820. He died at the home of Wm. C. Preston, in South Carolina, on the 26th day of May, 1836, and his remains were interred at Aspinvale, near Seven-Mile Ford. He left a family of children, all of whom became distinguished,


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viz., United States Senator Wm. C. Preston, of South Carolina; General John S. Preston, of South Carolina; Thomas L. Preston, University of Vir- ginia; Mrs. Wade Hampton, of South Carolina; Mrs. Robert J. Brecken- ridge, of Kentucky; Mrs. General Carrington, of Albemarle county; Mrs. John B. Floyd, of Washington county ; Mrs. James McDowell, of Virginia ; Mrs. John M. Preston, of Abingdon .*


ABRAM TRIGG.


Born in Montgomery county, Virginia. Was elected a representative from Virginia in the Fifth Congress. Was reelected to the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Congresses, serving from May 15th, 1797, to March 3d, 1809.


DANIEL SHEFFEY.


Was born at Frederick, Maryland, in 1770. Was bred a shoemaker in his father's shop, but became proficient in astronomical 'and mathematical studies. Arriving at manhood, he walked into Virginia, carrying his tools, and finally located at Abingdon. Studied law under Alexander Smyth. Was admitted to the bar, and soon enjoyed a lucrative practice. Was elected from Augusta county to the House of Delegates. Was elected a representative from Virginia to the Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Congresses as a Federalist, serving from May 22d, 1809, to March 3d, 1817. Died in Augusta county, Virginia, December 3d, 1830.


ALEXANDER SMYTH.


Alexander Smyth was born on the Island of Rothlin, Ireland, in 1765. Emigrated to the United States in 1775, and located in Botetourt county, Virginia. Received an academic education. Studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1789, and commenced practice at Abing- don. Removed in 1792 to Wythe county. Was a member of the State House of Representatives in 1792, 1796, 1800, 1804-1808. Was appointed by President Jefferson colonel of a United States rifle regiment, which he commanded at the Southwest until 1811, when he was ordered to Washington to prepare a discipline for the army. Was appointed inspector-general in 1812 and ordered to the Cana- dian frontier, where he failed in an invasion of Canada and left the army. Resumed his practice. Alexander Smyth. Was appointed a member of the State Board of Public Works. Was again elected to the State House of Representatives. Was elected a representative from Virginia in the Fifteenth Congress, receiving 1,443 votes, against 711 votes for Estill. Was reëlected to the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Congresses, serving from December 1st, 1817, to March 3d, 1825. Was again


*Three of his sons-in-law were Governors, one of South Carolina and two of Virginia.


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Washington County, 1777-1810.


elected to the Twentieth Congress, receiving 2,604 votes, against 991 votes for Sharp, and was reëlected to the Twenty-first Congress, serving from December 3d, 1827, to April 17, 1830, when he died at Washington city. Hle published "Regulations of United States Infantry" and "Remarks on the Apocalypse." General Smyth had four children-Harold, Alexander, Malvina and Frances. Malvina married Captain John P. Matthews, who was for many years clerk of Wythe County Court and a member of the State Constitutional Convention 1829-1830. Frances married Captain James H. Piper, who at one time represented the Wythe district in the State Senate. Colonel Piper had the distinction of climbing the Natural Bridge in Virginia.


JOSEPH DRAPER.


Son of John and Jane Crockett Draper. Born in Draper's Valley De- vember 25th, 1794. Enlisted as a private in the war of 1812-1814. Studied law under Daniel Sheffey, and was admitted to the bar at Wytheville in 1818. His fame as an orator came with his first case in court, and it is said that he was one of the most brilliant speakers of his day. In 1820 he married Margaret Sawyers, a daughter of John T. Sawyers, of Max Meadows, Va. In 1828 he was elected to the State Senate over General James Hoge, of Pulaski. He was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of General Smyth, in 1830, and was again elected to fill the vacancy oc. casioned by the death of Chas. C. Johnston, in 1832. While in Congress he was a warm friend and great admirer of John C. Calhoun, and was on the friend- liest terms with his colleague and cousin, David Crockett, of Texas. He was a great friend of Daniel Webster, with whom he was associated in a number of cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. 10th, 1834, aged forty years.


Joseph Draper. He died on June


CHARLES C. JOHNSTON.


Son of Judge Peter Johnston. Was born at Panicello, near Abingdon. Received an academic education. Studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Abingdon. Was elected a representative from Vir- ginia in the Twenty-second Congress, serving from December 5th, 1831, to June 17th, 1832, when he went to Alexandria, Virginla, to visit a friend, and on his return at night he fell from the wharf into the Potomac river and was drowned. Mr. Johnston was a brilliant orator and splendid law- yer. He left two children-John Preston Johnston, who was killed in the Mexican war, and Mrs. Eliza M. Hughes, wife of Judge Robert W. Hughes.




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