USA > Virginia > King and Queen County > King and Queen County > King and Queen County, Virginia (history printed in 1908) > Part 21
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KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 275
A GREAT DAY IN RICHMOND
One day in October, 1840, my father greatly sur- prised me by saying, "Son, I am going to Richmond to-morrow, and will carry you with me." Now I had hardly ever been out of the county in my life, and be- sides, there was to be a great Whig convention in the city (it was the year of the exciting campaign for " Tip- pecanoe and Tyler too "), the great Daniel Webster was to speak, and other notable men. My mother, early the next morning, robed me in my best bib and tucker ; my father climbed to his seat in the sulky, took me between his knees, and we set our faces towards the great city. I remember that as we passed by Milan he stirred me by telling that a man named Campbell, who lived there, was cutting down a tree, and by some accident the great tree fell on him and buried him in the ground, where he was found some hours afterward.
We crossed the Mattapony at Walkerton, where my father stopped on business, and then on to Piping Tree, where we crossed the Pamunkey. Then turning west- ward we passed Old Church, and so, as the sun neared its setting, we drove up to a tavern at the head of Mechanicsville turnpike kept by a friend of my father, named Achilles Lumpkin, where we slept. Little did I dream that night what stirring scenes were to be en- acted within twenty years around the little hamlet, wherein friends of mine were to shed their lifeblood. A son of our host that night was guide to General Long- street at Ellyson's Mill, a half-mile away, in June, 1862. He afterwards told me that in answer to a question about crossing the swamp then, he said, " Why, General, even a hen couldn't cross there unless she used her wings."
Bright and early the next morning we were off for the city. The crowd was astir as we drove up Franklin Street and stopped at a stable. My father took me to the grocery and commission house of Lewis Webb, with whom he traded, and engaged quarters at the " Mansion House," both on Main Street. Presently there came a noise of mingled shouting, cheering, and music, which brought me to the door. A band of music led a long
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procession of old men, young men and boys, followed by carriages, wagons, and carts, filled with officials, speakers, and ladies,-banners and flags floating aloft and a rabble of all classes and colors crowding the sidewalks. About midway the long line and in the middle of the street came a log cabin set on wheels, and peeping in I saw coonskins and great casks of hard cider, from which last a man, by turning a spigot, was giving out the cider to every comer with can or pitcher in his hand. Thus they moved on to the Capitol square. There a great platform had been built out from the giant pillars on the southern front. After certain preliminaries and an introduction, the big figure and massive head, with a forehead I have never seen equaled (I saw him many times in after years with Clay and Calhoun in the Senate at Washington), stood before the vast crowd and began in low, measured, but sonorous tones, his address. I recall something in his opening sentence about " this bright October sun "; but a treacherous memory, and the passing years, have lost to me all beside. The crowd, however, was in sympathy with Mr. Webster, and I shall never for- get the shout of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too!" It carried the election.
CHAPTER XV
COLORED PEOPLE OF KING AND QUEEN COUNTY
To form correct views of this element of our popula- tion two things must be done. It were unfair to them to put them in contrast with the whites, as a moment's reflection will satisfy us. The advantages, environ- ments, and opportunities of the two are altogether dis- proportionate. Again, if one really desires to know whether the colored man has made progress, it is neces- sary first to observe his condition of ignorance, super- stition, and bestiality while he was yet in his native home in Africa. This latter viewpoint is quite as essen- tial as the other is erroneous. Avoid the first compari- son, give due attention to the second.
From the time of the first settlements north of the York and Mattapony they have counted nearly four- at times more than four-in every ten of the whole population,-men, women, and children taken together.
In the main it is doubtful whether there ever existed a more docile, contented and happy class of people than were the colored people of this county under slavery. With some exceptions they were comfortably housed, clad, and fed. When sick they had the care of the family physician and the kind attendance of master and mistress-it was to the interest of both parties that this should be so. A general holiday was no infre- quent occurrence, when everyone was free to employ his time as he willed. This was especially true at Christ- mas, and for the entire week, when the big backlog was rolled on the capacious fireplace, feasting and merrymaking were the order of the day. A new suit from head to foot came to men, women, and children, and often a new blanket for each bed was added. Nothing stood in the way of unmeasured joy and delight. Besides other facilities, each married couple
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had adjacent to their cabin a small space set off for a garden of vegetables, and in addition each man was allowed an acre or two to be cultivated for his own use, with time in which to till it. This acre or two was usually set in corn, tobacco, or cotton, and its product was at his own disposal.
As is true of the white man,-of men everywhere,- they were not all good or all bad, not all unthrifty or untidy, nor all deceitful, lazy, and thieving,-not by any means.
Everyone at all acquainted with the negro knows that he instinctively takes to religion. Not always with en- lightened views, nor yet unmixed with a certain ele- ment of superstition, with extravagances, false ideals, and in some cases hypocrisy. Yet, taking him alto- gether, the negro is a wonderfully religious biped. Moreover, here, as elsewhere in other counties and States, the negro, as the saying goes, takes naturally to the water and is a Baptist. There are fourteen colored Baptist churches in the county, and perhaps not twenty- five negro communicants of any other denomination. Their pastors, of course, are men of color, and generally good men, not always well educated.
Before the Civil War they worshiped in the same church with their master, were baptized and attended by the same pastor, and came to the Lord's Supper along with those they served. In some places, as for instance at Bruington and Mattapony, seats were as- signed them in one end of the church house. In addi- tion, they generally had services peculiarly their own, the pastor sometimes attending, and one or more white deacons, but the colored brethren doing most of the speaking and praying. They sang remarkably well: the writer has heard as flowing, melodious, and en- thusiastic music, though of course not so artistic, among them as anywhere among musical devotees. In our opinion, it is safe to say that out from among these rude and unlettered assemblages have gone hundreds of devoted souls to join the choir invisible, giving praise to Him that was slain and lives again. Such was the really religious element among the colored people. They
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were not by any means all religious, and of those who were so by profession some were hypocritical and used the church as a cloak for their moral deformities. These, however, were exceptional cases.
It were hard to give to our colored people more than their meed of praise for the prevailing patience, forbearance, and faithfulness amidst many opportuni- ties and seductions of freedom during the Civil War. At that time nearly all of the white males were in the army, yet in a large majority of instances the men and women staid by their mistress and the children, and labored on to the end. They deserve a monument.
It would be going too far to claim that the negro is naturally inclined to piety, since the inspired word as- sures us that " the hearts of men are fully set in them to do evil "; but it is not too much to say that as slaves they were more susceptible to religious impressions and more ecstatic in their religious joys and experiences than is common among men-albeit in general not so wise and judicious as most of the other races.
Perhaps a better and more distinct view can be had by presenting the colored people of our county in types of the several classes.
I. Osborne Bowler: Was a house servant belonging to Mr. John Bagby. He made no pretense to religion, was indeed prejudiced against it, possibly because he saw it on its deformed side in false professors, and not in its reality. Yet he was an ideal houseman and a real gentleman. He stayed by his mistress to the last. After the war he bought a few acres of land and lived by himself with his family, though he never lost the attachment which bound him to the children of his old master. Osborne was a man of economy and thrift and secured a competency; but he died out of the church. 2. Washington Lewis: Belonged to Garrett Carl- ton near the Courthouse. He was a tall, well formed mulatto, a mechanic by trade. He paid his master so much per month and pocketed all that remained over of his earnings, his master consenting to this arrange- ment. He was sincerely religious and a leader among his people. Washington was a gifted speaker, being
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fluent, sensible, self-possessed; and being naturally graceful, frequently spoke in their meetings for wor- ship. During the war he disappeared and was reported as living in Washington city.
3. Beverly Sparks : Was a slave of Dr. William B. Todd at Belmont. He was carriage driver, house servant, and body servant, in a word, factotum to his master. Beverly was taught to read and write, and being bright of mind, gathered a good store of informa- tion, which eventually served him in good stead. He was a mulatto of bright color. He joined the church at an early age, and after the war became an efficient minister and pastor at Zion, a branch of old Mattapony. Beverly's work, coming at such a time, was fundamental and valuable. He left a son, Mark, who is a worthy successor of an honored father.
4. Toliver Ross: Was dark of color, cunning as a fox, and sharp as a crow. He belonged in name to old Billy Brown, but paying his master a stipend he largely controlled his time, using it for his own pur- poses. He married a likely girl at Col. P.'s, and there most of his time was spent. By certain blandishments and tricks of art he quite gained the confidence of the colonel, and by and by carried the keys. Soon the colonel's wheat and corn bins began to show signs of depletion, and he called Ross up and engaged him to watch for and catch the rogue. The rogue was never caught.
Old Uncle Killis (Achilles) : Might possibly 5. have been a native African. He was lean, stoop- shouldered, and low in stature, with the characteristic thick lips and flat nose; he was gray-headed when I was a boy. Some people around were skeptics, and some wicked, but Uncle Killis believed in "'ligion " and in his pastor (Parson Todd), and was always in his seat on the front bench next the partition. He would sit calm and attentive for an hour, till by and by the preacher kindled into warmth, then you would be sure to hear from Uncle Killis. Beginning on a low note, but with rising inflection, he would give utterance to a peculiar strain, half moan, half groan, presently swell-
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ing out and filling every niche and corner of the grand old church house, and reechoing from the heavy walls and high arched ceiling. The venerable pastor would throw a passing glance that way, draw a long breath and proceed with his discourse until Uncle Killis waked up again. The effect, though passing ludicrous to many, was greatly impressive to the few who could rightly appreciate the situation.
6. Charlotte: Was a low, full-set, black woman belonging to R. H. B. She was very loud in her pro- fession of santification, and sure to be at church. In times of revival-indeed she was not particular about that, any meeting would do-Charlotte could sing as loud, get as happy, and shout as boisterously as any of the saints, but unfortunately she had a bad and per- sistent habit, which held her all the week, and at spare times even on Sunday, of stealing whatever she could lay her hands upon, and without respect of persons.
7. Aunt Miami and her daughter Isabel: Were not French but African cooks. They could roast your pig or your turkey, boil your Old Virginia ham, bake you an oven of bread, or your apple pie, to please the palate of an epicure. I have never seen the trained colored cook of eastern Virginia surpassed in the culi- nary art.
8. This paper would not be at all complete were I to fail to mention " Aunt Polly," the wise though sable dominie of the cradle, the trundle bed, and the nursery. She was old when I knew her, slow of man- ner, dignified in demeanor, dressed in modest fashion, with the unfailing headdress of a muslin cap with ruffles in front, and was known in every "great house " as " Mammy." Mammy Polly was fond of children, having once been a child herself; though when that far-away time was, the next oldest member of the fam- ily had never understood. She knew what to do with a baby that was colicky, that had measles, whooping cough, sore throat, or the thousand and one maladies that affect children. She was about the only person I ever knew who could sit and rock a baby all day, and hardly leave her seat to eat dinner. The dear old sister
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is gone now, and I fear me that no one will ever come to take her place. True, she was autocratic in her day and sphere, but she nursed my grandmother, she nursed my mother, she nursed me, and we will never forget Mammy.
9. Her counterpart was "Grannie," whose sole business it was to see after the colored brats of all colors and sizes, while the mothers spun the cotton, wove the cloth, or milked the cow. She wielded the rod too, as she was obliged to, the rascallions were so mis- chievous.
IO. One other character we must mention, and that of some importance-at least in his own estimation. It was very common on each one of the large planta- tions to have a "head man," who swayed the scepter over all the rest of the slaves, himself a colored man : " Uncle Robin " was such an one. When master was on hand Robin was obsequious and humble, but Robin was not honest as the day is long, nor mild as a May morn, when master was away; and now, being a public officer, was much afield. Should one of the boys come short, or even one of the girls be disobedient, Robin was sure to threaten with and often apply the rod, and that in no measured way. Indeed, Robin was more an object of terror if possible than the dread " overseer." A head man was often tyrannical and severe.
For some years before the war, especially after the days of Nat. Turner and the insurrection in Southamp- ton county, it was common in every neighborhood to have a "patrol," consisting of a half-dozen white men, who were to traverse the roads and plantations and see that order was preserved among the negroes. Woe then to the unlucky darky who was caught away from home after nine o'clock in the night, unless indeed he was armed with a pass from " Old Master," saying, "Tom (Dick, or whatever the name was) has liberty to pass to his wife's house," or such like. This gave rise to a noted couplet much used in that day: "Run boys, run, the patterroll er comin' "
Aristocracy among negroes .- We talk much about English aristocracy, with its king, barons, dukes, etc.,
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and sometimes we hear a little talk about aristocracy even in America. The old-time King and Queen negro was as aristocratic as any of them. A slave of one of the richer men and on one of the great plantations, looked down with a supreme contempt upon his neigh- bor who happened to be the property of a poor man. One of the latter class could not associate with the lordly family of the man of the higher estate, and if such a suggestion was made it was met with contempt. Jim Hill, who was the property of P. T., was looked upon as a "poor man's nigger," but he ventured to aspire to the hand of a daughter of Moses Brown, who was one of a large body of servants belonging to Col. F. "No, sir! " said Moses, " does dat nigger who 'longs to P. T. want to marry a darter of Col. F.'s Moses ? He shan't have my darter." But Jim did get the girl and became very prosperous .- On one occasion soon after the war an old colored sister had lost some chick- ens, and a man named Jack, formerly belonging to a poor neighbor, had been arrested for stealing the chick- ens. When he was taken before the court, the good woman appeared as a witness against him. The Court, addressing the colored woman, said, "Do you know this boy?" She answered in the affirmative, saying she had known him a long time. " And what is his name? " asked the Court; she answered, " His name is Jack." " Well, who is Jack?" said the Court. "He is nothing but Jack, he is a poor white folks' nigger, he ain't got no entitle."
THE COLORED PEOPLE By One of Themselves
A letter from Rev. M. H. Sparks, pastor of Zion Colored Church :
The colored people of King and Queen County, Va., are gradually moving up the road to civilization. As a whole they are polite and respectable. We are glad to say that in many homes family prayers are held every
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day; from such homes we look for young men and women with right principles.
They are buying land and pulling down the one-room log cabins and building up neat frame houses. They are buying good teams, nice buggies, farming imple- ments, etc. A few have bought sawmills and have gone into the lumber business; a few are merchants,-but all are trying to make an honest and honorable living. The county has sent out some very able colored preachers, lawyers, and doctors, who are doing well in their line of work. The public schools have been of inestimable value to the colored youths of the county by leading the young minds from the dungeon of ignorance and super- stition to higher planes of civilization. Rev. R. J. Ruffin, a very worthy man, has started a high school in the upper end of the county, which is doing much good in training young men and women to become bet- ter citizens and more useful in life.
The church has been our main source of training, spiritually, socially, morally, and financially. We have in the county fourteen churches (all Baptist). All of these churches have good Sunday schools, where the young are taught the word of God every Sunday morn- ing. In nearly all of these churches a few faithful women have banded themselves together in Home and Foreign Mission societies which are doing much good in the Master's cause. These churches have a total membership of about 3,300 souls. They are pastored by upright Christian gentlemen who have the moral support and respect of both races. The moral condition of the county (among the colored) is largely due to the pastors who have taken high ground on all matters of morality. They do not teach that morality is Christianity, but they do hold that Christians ought to be moral in every particular,-having one wife or hus- band, being honest in one's dealings with all people, and obeying the civil law in every respect. They teach that Christianity is more than talk and that people who want or expect to be citizens of heaven should strive to be good citizens on earth.
We may not be considered as having gotten on the
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first round of the ladder, but thank God we have our eyes looking up the ladder, and will climb it some day.
The feeling between the two races in the county is kind and friendly; there may be a few hot heads in each race, but the best people of each race have too much of the spirit of Christ to cherish any ill will to- wards their fellow-men. I may say here that if all of this country was like King and Queen County, I be- lieve that the subject of the race problem would cease to be agitated, and would become as the dead things of the past. One of the best white preachers of the county said that " There is no race problem."
We pray that the people of each race who like to kindle bad feelings between the races may ever stay from the grand old county.
PART IV MISCELLANIES
CHAPTER XVI
FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
REV. A. BAGBY, D. D., RICHMOND, VA .:
My Dear Sir-As a lifelong citizen of the county of King and Queen, and one whose ancestors for several generations have resided there, I naturally feel a deep interest in the success of a most worthy enterprise which you have undertaken, viz .: to write a brief history of this royal old county and its most prominent families.
If a true history could be obtained of all the families of this noteworthy county, it would prove a most valu- able contribution to the history of Virginia, as “ his- tory is biography " and "biography is history."
As correct data are difficult to obtain, and I am too young to have known personally many of the older heads of these families, the few incidents I am able to relate in this connection must in large measure be tra- ditional. No county in the State of Virginia has en- joyed more, or more deservedly, the reputation for the most conservative citizenship and the highest standard of manhood as the leading characteristics of her people. Whilst they have always been most zealous advocates of religious liberty and the entire divorcement of church and state as one of the basic principles of governmental faith, yet in the line of duty they have ever been found faithful in its discharge, whether in matters pertaining to religion or the obligations of citizenship. They ad- here strictly to that rule of righteousness, “ Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's."
It will not be claimed that this is a peculiar people, occupying a higher plane than other people, but owing to the isolation of this section there have been fewer changes wrought by the influx of foreign population, and hence the blood of the cavaliers still courses in the
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veins of succeeding generations. The most noticeable changes now to be observed in the population of this grand old county are due to the liberal contributions that have been made to other sections by the young men, and in many instances whole families, who have gone out over this and other States, forming, as it were, streams of blessing to enrich the locality of their adop- tion and reflecting credit upon the place of their nativ- ity, thus proving themselves worthy sons of noble sires. One feature of the early history of the county of King and Queen, so far as I am informed, has never been very accurately recorded: I refer to the boundaries of the parishes and the locations of the old Established churches of Colonial days.
Bishop Meade's very valuable work on the old churches and ministers of Virginia affords the only re- liable data we have seen recorded touching this subject, and yet that record is incomplete.
The county of King and Queen has been called the " Shoestring County," because of its extreme length; it stretches out along the northern bank of the Matta- pony and York Rivers from Caroline to the Gloucester County line, a distance of sixty-five miles, while its mean width is only eight miles. The lower portion of the county was comprised in Stratton Major parish, and the leading church in that parish was Stratton Major Church, the site of which, I have no doubt, has been located where the ruins of a church are still visible on the Milford estate, the home place of the late P. Thorn- ton Pollard, and now owned and occupied by his grand- daughter, Mrs. H. J. Dudley. When or how that church was destroyed we are unable to ascertain. A church house was built near by, but a few miles higher up the county, and called "The New Church," pre- sumably to take the place of the one which had been destroyed. I suppose the church house now used by the Methodists, and known as "The Old Church," to be the same as the New Church above referred to. Then came St. Stephen's parish, the exact boundaries of which I have been unable to ascertain. In that parish was no doubt St. Stephen's Church-perhaps the most
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prominent church in the county. I take it for granted that it is the same building now used by the Baptists, the name of which has been changed to Mattapony. It is a large and substantially built church, in the form of a cross, is well preserved and in fine repair. The con- gregation which worships there are proud of their in- heritance, and worthily use it for the glory of God.
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