USA > Virginia > City of Lynchburg > City of Lynchburg > Sketches and recollections of Lynchburg > Part 14
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pale, emaciated form of Ann Hindershot tied to the bed post, her thin hands raised in a supplicating attitude, whilst the cruel Mrs. Barnes was inflicting on the child heavy blows with a stick, the barbarous woman ending the morning's torture by throwing over the sufferer a shovel full of hot embers. Ann Hindershot was, by famine, so reduced, that she could only utter a feeble cry, before falling across the foot of the bed in a swoon. Mrs. Labby, going immediately for her husband, informed him of what she had seen, and that good citizen, with his cus- tomary promptitude, lost no time in procuring a warrant for the arrest of Barnes and his wife. They denied, of course, the allegation of cruelty, but were exceedingly unwilling for Ann Hindershot to be seen; but Captain Labby, insisting on the execution of the warrant, the officers and himself forced their way up stairs, where lay, in a fainting fit, the exhausted frame of this unfortunate young girl. Capt. Labby dispatched a message for the late Christopher Anthony, and procured the attendance of several physicians, and whilst remedies were being administered to the sufferer, Mr. Anthony de- manded of Barnes a history of the case. Barnes was evidently a timid man, after the order of Mr. Bumble, much afraid of the savage wife, and de- cidedly "more of a philosopher than a warrior." He stated that the girl had been bound to him by her father in Buffalo, New York, and the exhibition
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of the indentures fully confirmed the truth of the statement. Barnes and his wife were held to bail,* and after the child had recovered from the deep swoon, and her many wounds had been dressed, she was placed in a carriage and conveyed to the residence of Mr. Jones, exactly opposite the dwelling of Major James B. Risque. Receiving every kindness from the citizens of Lynchburg, she was visited by more than a thousand persons, to ascertain whether the horrible story could be true ; and there are many who recollect the wretched appearance of this poor girl, whilst she to them narrated the persecu- tions by her undergone whilst living with the Barnes family. What a strange contrast was her ghastly face and attenuated form, to the blooming beauty and fashion by whom she was often surrounded. Had Ann Hindershot been a slave on a Southern planta- tion, ; this incident might have done admirably as a fresh horror for Mrs. Beecher Stowe to add to " Uncle Tom's Cabin ;" but as Ann Hindershot was only a white servant, and her master and mis- tress natives of a Northern State, it is not likely that Mrs. Stowe would venture to interweave such a narrative in any of her productions. A large
* A suitable accompaniment to the story of "Prue, the Rusk woman," in New Orleans.
ยก Having nothing but memory on which to rely, perhaps some of the old inhabitants can state the fate of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes.
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subscription having been taken up for Ann, it was by some of the most judicious citizens suggested that she should be returned to her parents in Buf- falo; but this scheme was not carried into effect, and some of the more visionary were not willing to receive as true the statement given by Barnes, but they desired for her a more romantic history. A gentleman of Lynchburg, recollected that some years previous he had seen the advertisement of a Mrs. Allen, of New York, stating that her only child had been lost or stolen whilst conveying some work to the Sing Sing prison, for which she was as a seamstress employed. This advertisement con- tained a description of Susan Allen, the lost child, and it earnestly called upon all humane persons throughout the United States to assist her in the recovery of her daughter.
The gentleman above mentioned, hastily summon- ing a council of his friends ; they unanimously came to the conclusion that Ann Hindershot was no other than Mrs. Allen's "Wept of Wishton Wish ;" so they accordingly wrote to that lady, urging her im- mediate presence in Lynchburg, saying to her that her lost treasure had been recovered. Mrs. Allen, soon appearing, was most hospitably received by many of our citizens, but more particularly by those belonging to the Methodist denomination. She was informed of all the circumstances, and told of the large donation which had been given to the child ;
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but on meeting Ann Hindershot, there was no simultaneous rush into each other's arms, and no ad- juration in the true style of novels, of "Living Image of my departed Theodore ;" for, greatly to the disappointment of the good people of Lynch- burg, Mrs. Allen was compelled to acknowledge that the child did not resemble the one she had lost-that the color of the eyes differed, and that the age did not correspond. Whilst in this state of doubt, fresh eclat continued to be thrown around this pair, and additional sums of money were con- tributed for the benefit of Ann Hindershot ; so that one day, whilst Mrs. Allen was gazing on her, she exclaimed passionately, "Susan Allen, my long lost, vainly sought, dearly loved child, embrace your mother, for the voice of nature in my heart assures me that in that sacred relationship do I stand to you !" The town was thrown into a state of delight and enthusiasm; the soubriquet of Ann Hindershot being now no longer recognized, the names of Susan Allen and her mother were only heard from the lips of the admiring throng; the hospitality of the town was tendered to them so abundantly, and Susan Allen so feasted on its good things, that, like Grettel in the German story, she would frequently say, "who am I; am I Grettel or am I not ?" The contrast was so great between the scant fare at Barnes's and the rich viands by which she was now tempted, that Miss Allen got to
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thinking that extremes were bad, and that a medium between the two was best.
Mrs. Allen and her daughter left Lynchburg early in the winter of 1830, in the house-boat which was to explore the river previously to laying off the James River and Kanawha Canal. This boat was accompanied as far as Smith's well by the mayor and a band of music, and after giving three cheers for Mrs. and Miss Allen, and three more for our good town, the civil functionaries and the band of music returned. The public conveyances through- out the State were requested to make no charge for Mrs. Allen and her daughter, so that their journey through Virginia was one great ovation, and Mrs. Allen, on regaining the Empire State, found her- self with a daughter and a purse well filled with money. But living in New York was decidedly more expensive than a residence in Lynchburg, and the lady soon found that the subscriptions raised in that town were not inexhaustible.
The novelty of the case having worn off, fresh supplies could not be obtained from the City of Hills, so that the scales fell from the mental vision of Mrs. Allen, and not Cinderella, escaping from the ball, was more suddenly transformed, than was this poor indented servant ; and now, instead of the long lost, vainly sought daughter, Mrs. Allen saw only before her plain " Ann Hindershot," in almost as great need as when rescued from the hands of
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Barnes and his wife. The poor child was then sent to Buffalo, and her subsequent fate is not known, though it is to be hoped that the kindness of her real parents made her some amends for the trials and sufferings of her childhood.
The house at present occupied by Wm. Saunders, Esq., was the residence, in 1819, of Mr. and Mrs. James Bullock ; then it was the residence of Micajah Lynch and his young wife, Anne Moorman. It was afterwards the residence of John Smith, Esq., and his lovely wife Martha, the eldest daughter of John Bullock, Esq. Just opposite to Dr. Early's present residence, was the dwelling of H. M. Didlake, Esq., a most excellent and highly prized citizen, whose wife was one of the most estimable ladies in Lynch- burg. Just up the cross street lived Mr. Newhall, one of Lynchburg's earliest settlers, a native of Lynn, Massachusetts. This worthy man kept for many years a shoe-store, and we well remember the intense admiration with which his sign was contem- plated-a man as large as life having his boots pulled off by a colored boy; and the feelings of approval at this picture were only second in de- gree to those experienced on viewing the sign of the good Mr. John Thurman's saddlery, which then, as
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now, was a small, inane looking horse, standing on his hind feet.
Mr. Newhall was an excellent citizen, and for years he filled the office of constable of Lynchburg. He was fond of gardening and horticulture, and to him is the upper country indebted for the introduc- tion of the large Scotch gooseberry. His lovely daughter Antoinette became the wife of Mr. Sub- lett, of Richmond, where, a few years since, she died. His son, Mr. Mortimer Newhall, is a worthy successor to his father in his shoe establishment.
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THE MURREL FAMILY.
The family of Murrel came from Mount Holly, New Jersey-a good old town, endeared to many in our State who trace their descent from some of its inhabitants. Many years since, emigrating to Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. Murrel made their home in the town of Lynchburg, where, for a long time, they occupied a place as useful and prominent citi- zens. Mrs. Murrel was a lady of great energy and industry ; and, doubtless, the success of her sons in life, was in a great measure owing to her wise and prudent counsels.
JOHN and HARDIN MURREL were, for many years, the able and efficient postmasters of Lynch- burg, administering its affairs with an energy and diligence in the United States unsurpassed. The new post-office, of Lynchhurg, though of far nobler proportions, yet fails to impress the beholder, as did the old one, with the extent of Uncle Sam's power. The latter, situated on a retired cross- street, the mail was there received and the doors closed, a very small aperture then being the only
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means of communication, letters being given out thence, seemingly, by an invisible hand.
What words of weal and woe, of love, of disap- pointed ambition, of blighted hopes, would come forth from this place, whilst the quiet officers within were noiselessly performing their duties, and thus distributing joy and sorrow, ruin and success, to those without ! What a moral in this scene ! Those poor frail mortals outside, on whom a few lines could produce all the gradation of feeling, from the most ecstatic to the most agonizing.
When not engaged in the duties of the post-office, John Murrel was occupied as a merchant in the front part of the establishment ; and, by a long course of patient diligence, accumulating an im- mense fortune, he did not, like the generality of millionaires, wait till his death to benefit his rela- tions ; but, settling handsomely his aged parents, providing for his sister and other relations, he had the satisfaction during his lifetime of seeing comfort and affluence abound through his instrumentality.
Of this family, several survive. Mrs. Claytor, a daughter of Mrs. Murrel, being a resident of Lynchburg ; and Mrs. G. W. Turner* is also one
* Since penning the above, this lady has had to mourn the untimely death of her son, Maurice G. Turner, a young man of most exemplary character, and greatly beloved and deeply lamented by all who knew him.
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of this family, being a niece of Mr. Murrel, and having come to Lynchburg to reside whilst in early childhood. A few years since, Mrs. Murrel, of Mount Holly, mother of Mrs. Turner, dying in Lynchburg, her remains were interred at the Presbyterian graveyard, where a most appro- priate tombstone or tablet is placed over her, headed with this simple inscription : "To our Mother !"-an inscription so touching, and more impressive from its very simplicity, than the monu- ment and inscription over the tomb of Madame Langhans, at Berne, Switzerland.
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SAMPSON DIUGUID.
SAMPSON DIUGUID was a native of Appomattox county, from which, many years since, he removed, making his home in Lynchburg, where, till the time of his death, he resided, an honored and beloved citizen. Whilst John and Hardin Murrel were diligently employed on one side of the street, dis- pensing from the post-office good and ill, Sampson Diuguid, on the other side, was equally occupied in another department of life and death. Combining the occupation of cabinet-maker and undertaker, he industriously pursued his avocations for the benefit of the living and the dead ; and his services to the former, will long remain visible throughout the whole section of country around Lynchburg, in that beautiful, durable furniture, by him manufac- tured, differing so widely from those slight showy articles procured from the Northern cities.
Whilst visible to the passers-by at his occupation, slowly and surely would the last solemn messenger, Death, render it often necessary for the services of Sampson Diuguid to be called in requisition for the departed. His office of undertaker, so frequently
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placing him amid scenes of distress, it might natu- rally have been supposed that even a very tender heart would become habituated to such things. Yet often has the fine manly face of Sampson Diuguid been seen suffused with tears on funeral occasions, and frequently at the grave he has with difficulty been able to command his feelings. How different from men of this occupation described by Dickens. Witness the hard, obdurate heart of Sowerberry, and the easy, careless levity of Oram and Joram.
Sampson Diuguid's upright, useful life was closed during the winter of 1856, and this brief notice cannot be more appropriately closed than by a few words treasured up in memory from the editorial of the Lynchburg Virginian, announcing his death- " And, after having consigned many thousand to the narrow chambers of death, he was himself borne to the county of Appomattox, there to repose be- neath the clods of the valley !"
A few doors below the establishment of Sampson Diuguid was the quiet bachelor abode of Irish John Robertson, with its gable end fronting the Main street; and where now stands the elegant estab- ment of John G. Meen, Esq., was a small wooden building kept by that gentleman, but giving, even in those days, a promise of the beauty and elegance for which his store is now so remarkable. Just op-
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posite stood "Upper Kyle's;" and the house on the same side, divided by a cross-street, was called "Lower Kyle's"-for at that period these well known Irish merchants were in the zenith of their prosperity. A number of excellent residents lived below, on either side-the Truslows, Valentines and other members of the Methodist Church.
The family of TODD occupied at one time a dwelling opposite to the Banks. Mr. Todd was of a good family, well known near the regions of tide water; and Mrs. Todd was a lady of great amiability and refinement. Having been placed in pecuniary difficulties, this lady, with the heart of a true woman, exerted all her powers to aid in main- taining a large family, performing most cheerfully her arduous duties, providing for the education of her daughters, and all this time occupying a high place in the esteem of all with whom she was asso- ciated.
Mrs. Todd was a sister of those eminent mer- chants, the Messrs. DICK of New Orleans ; and, as soon as their fortune was reared,* they acted with a nobility and generosity worthy the imitation of all brothers. They sent for their sister and her family, settling them in one of the Western States, in circumstances of ease and comfort.
The large brick house just opposite the establish-
* This circumstance was said to be as stated above.
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ment of Strother & Whitehead, was the residence of the venerable WILLIAM DAVIS, a member of the Friends' Society, and occupying one of the highest stations in Lynchburg; for he was by all sects greatly reverenced. The building called " Friends' Warehouse," was built by him, and was under his peculiar jurisdiction.
Of the members of this excellent family, survive Henry Davis, Esq., Mrs. Peter Dudley, and the Misses Davis, of Lynchburg; all of these ladies are well known, and distinguished by minds of fine order, highly cultivated, and, in an eminent degree, possessing all those virtues of integrity, sincerity and truthfulness, for which their honored parents were so remarkable.
Mrs. CONSTANCE BOUDAR was a native of France, and was at one time a resident of the city of Paris ; but, removing to the island of St. Domingo, it was said that she was there at the time of the insurrec- rion, having been for several days concealed in a large brick oven .* Many years since, Madame Boudar removed to Lychburg, where, by the assist- ance of her amiable and intelligent young daughter, Mercie Hyacinth Boudar, she made a comfortable
* This was always told and believed, but the writer does not vouch for the truth.
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support by the sale of toys and confectionary. She was a polite, well-bred lady, truly French in ap- pearance, with her large hoop ear-rings and her handsome snuff-box.
An excellent, honest-hearted woman, well-culti- vated in the literature of her native land, Mrs. Boudar resided for many years in our town, beloved and respected. A zealous and enthusiastic Roman Catholic, Mrs. Boudar always, with joy, hailed the rare pleasure of seeing a priest of her own denom- ination; for at this period the services of the Roman Catholic Church were quite unknown in Lynchburg.
Miss MERCIE BOUDAR, possessing considerable musical talents, aided her mother by giving in- structions in that accomplishment. In their neatly kept parlor sat the piano, and the choice books constituting their library, whilst the bed, like the one described in Goldsmith's "Deserted Village,"
contrived a double debt to pay,
A bed by night-a chest of drawers by day !"
Thus happily and peacefully lived this good mother and daughter, their departure from Lynch- burg being a source of real regret; and long will the oldest inhabitants and their children remember, with satisfaction, those good primitive times, when this courteous French woman presided over the sweet tastes of the community of Lynchburg.
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In the year 1819, there lived a young man not far from the establishment of Samuel Thurmon, whose name was PARHAM ADAMS. He was a con] fectioner, and at one time resided on Bank Square, and at another, his store was a few doors above Hollins's corner. His establishment boasted a very fine soda fountain, and being excessively anxious to possess the best soda water in Lynch- burg, he had been heard to say that he would continue to put on gas till this end was accomplish- ed, even if he should be blown up along with his soda fountain.
To use the expression of Mr. Dowler of the Pickwick, " This was a rash vow"-for one morn- ing, after he had fixed the fountain to his satisfac- tion, it was really blown up with a tremendous explosion, carrying along with it the unfortunate man, striking his head against the ceiling, and, in his descent, actually with his features indenting the marble. Medical aid, though instantly procured, of course failed to re-animate him, and by strangers' hands was this young man arrayed for burial, and, on the following day, borne to his grave by the company of soldiers to which he belonged. A neat marble tablet, in the old graveyard, marks the place of his interment.
-
The " Cabell House" now stands partly on the
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site of the shop and residence of the late Mrs. SALLY THURMON; and, to old inhabitants, this part of the city looks unnatural without that hum- ble dwelling, its gable-end fronting the street-its benignant hostess, with smiling face and honest countenance, standing behind the counter, giving away, in charity, nearly as much as she disposed of for money.
Mrs. Thurmon was a Miss Lewellen before she became the wife of Richard Thurmon ; and she was a most remarkable woman, of fine, generous traits of character, joined to great magnanimity. Her charities were numerous and large, many poor per- sons being entirely supplied with food from her bakery. Placed at one period of her life in great poverty and difficulties, she by a course of patient industry, energy and economy, not only retrieved the affairs of her husband, but reared for herself a ' fortune. Many of her benevolent acts might here be recorded, but the recollection of them is still bright in Lynchburg, where her memory will long be cherished with feelings most affectionate. " Uncle Dick," as her husband was familiarly called, was a good-hearted, well-disposed old gentleman, whose greatest pleasure consistod in shooting game and squirrels for sick persons; and vividly to memory does his image now arise, with gun in hand, on his cream-colored horse, his coat laid across the neck of the quadruped. Mrs. Thurmon
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died in the winter of 1840, her husband and two children surviving her, of whom Mr. Samuel Thur- mon is now the only remaining member. An ably written sketch of Mrs. Thurmon appeared at the time of her death, the authorship being attributed to Richard Cralle, Esq., and this admirable piece should have been preserved and inserted in a per- manent form, amongst the annals of the best and worthiest who have departed this life in the town of Lynchburg.
The Eagle Tavern, in the vicinity of the market- house, was kept by Charles Lewellen ; and it was there that wax-work shows and other such exhibi- tions were held in this good town. There were the Quaker beauty, the sleeping beauty, the Virginia beauty, General Washington, and the ferocious Indian killing the white man, whilst music was ground from an excruciating organ. Could we now witness this scene, we should look around the room for the " genuine and only Jarley" and "George;" and, in the back ground, the sweet pensive face of dear little Nell, by the side of her grandfather. Our fine market-house, so much admired by the editors of the Virginian, occupied the place where now it stands, its fair preportions being adorned and increased by a second story.
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The house next below the Eagle Marble Works, was at one time the residence of Mrs. MARY KING, a Jewess, whose very lovely daughter married a Jewish gentleman named Andrews,* for many years a merchant of Lynchburg. Mrs. Andrews was extremely interesting in appearance, and might have served as a model for Rebecca the Jewess.
Just opposite was the chair manufactory of that good, useful citizen, CHESLEY HARDY, whose faithful work, executed more than thirty years since, will far outlast chairs manufactured in these days of Young America. A glimpse of him, a few years since, exhibited so little change in his appearance, that we thought it a pity that Rip-Van-Winkle, on waking from his long sleep, could not have been so fortunate as to find a single one of his acquaintance as little altered by the hand of time as Mr. Chesley Hardy. A dim recollection exists of seeing exhib- ited, ages ago, in that chair establishment, a pair of lions and two royal Bengal tigers; and, together with the noise of drums and cymbals in this small place, the roar of these animals was terrific.
The house on the hill, just opposite the residence
* The Messrs. Andrews removed to New Orleans : it is said one of them was drowned in the Lake there, a few years since.
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of Henry Dunnington, Esq., was built by Chris- topher Winfree, Esq., and was for many years his hospitable, kind abode. In the autumn of 1827 it was taken by HUGH MONTGOMERIE, Esq., who lived there for some years. This gentleman was a native of Scotland, but early in life emigrated to Virginia. Possessing kindly dispositions and most brilliant talents, he will long be remembered by friends who have enjoyed the pleasure of listening to his conversation, so full of wit and vivacity. Mr. Montgomerie married, some years since, Anne, the daughter of Thomas Colquhoun, of Petersburg; and this lady is well beloved by friends in this com- munity, surviving her husband, who died in 1855.
THOMAS COLQUHOUN, Esq., was for several years a resident of Lynchburg. He was also a native of Scotland; but, emigrating to this country, he was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelms: and shortly after that event, he went to reside in the city of London, where he was for many years a prosperous, wealthy merchant. But in about fourteen years from that time, again returning to Virginia, he made Petersburg his home, till about 1827, when he came to reside in Lynchburg. Mr. Colquhoun was a gentleman of fine mind and most excellent heart, and greatly endeared himself to many during his residence in Lynchburg, where his manly, hand-
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some appearance, and strict integrity and upright- ness are still most warmly remembered by the old inhabitants. He died suddenly in 1831, and his remains are interred in Lynchburg. His excellent and venerable widow survives him, with the powers of her mind undimmed and unimpaired by time.
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