USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 22
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During the last ten years Mr. Bernard has frequently written for the press. In 1885 he published a pamphlet entitled "Civil Service Reform vs. The Spoils System," which has been widely read and very favorably received.
In June, 1870, the subject of this sketch married Fanny Rutherfoord, a daughter of the late Sam'lJ. Rutherfoord, of Richmond, Virginia, and a niece of Gov. John Rutherfoord, a sketch of whom is given in the first volume of this work. The issue of their marriage are five children : Fanny R., Kate E., Janet M., Ella A., and George S.
GENERAL STITH BOLLING
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Was born in Lunenburg county, Virginia, on February 28, 1835, the son of John Stith Bolling and Mary T. Bolling, nee Irby. His mother died in 1877, and his father died JJune 15, 1888, aged eighty years. On May 9, 1860, General Bolling married Cornelia Scott Forrest, who was born in Nottoway county, Virginia .. Their children are four: Mary E., Cornelia I., Jesse S. and Stith F. The subject of this sketch attended the Laurel Hill school, Lunenburg county, and took an academic course, Mt. Lebanon Academy. He farmed until 1858, then engaged in merchandising in Richmond till the opening of the war. He entered the Confederate Army in April, 1861, Company G, 9th Virginia Cavalry, and was promoted first sergeant, lieutenant, captain. In 1863 he was appointed acting assistant adjutant general, staff of Gen. W. H. F. Lee. Although six times wonnded he served till the close of the war. His wounds were received : First, near Culpeper C. H .; second, near Green House; third, at Morton's Ford; fourth, at Guinea Station; fifth, near Petersburg; sixth, at Gaines Mills.
He returned to Lunenburg county after the war and farmed until 1869, in which year he was elected to the Virginia legislature from Lauenburg county. He was re-elected in 1872 and served until 1874.
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Governor Kemper then appointed him tobacco inspector for Virginia, in which position he served until 1880. He was then appointed post- master at Petersburg and filled that office a little over four years. He is now connected with the Oaks Warehouse Co., tobacco, Petersburg. General Bolling has also served as president of the Lunatic asylum board, and president of the board of education, Petersburg.
THOMAS JAY BURGESS.
Thomas Burgess, a member of an old and highly respectable family in England, came to this country in 1640, locating in Rhode Island. He was principally noted for benevolence and charity, richly earning the title of " Goodman" Burgess. Among his earliest descendants max be mentioned George Burgess. D. D., Bishop of Maine, and the famous Tristam Burgess, the " Eagle Eye" of Rhode Island, one of America's greatest orators, the opponent of Randolph in many a contest in the Halls of Congress and one whose name will ever stand high on the tablet of fame in his native State. A portion of the family moved to Connecticut, where, in 1800, William Burgess was born. At six years of age, he moved with his parents to Central New York, locating in Her- kimer county, where he grew to manhood, marrying in his nineteenth year Lois Harding, members of whose family had already moved to Kentucky; and in time connecting their name indissolubly with the his- tory of that State. They raised a large family, seven sons living to manhood. In 1852, he with his wife and sons Lewis and Rush moved to Virginia, where he became interested in building the plank road from Petersburg to Boydton, purchasing from Mrs. Goodwyn a large plantation on Hatcher's Run, and erecting thereon large grist and saw mills, his sons Clark and John moving down shortly after their comple- tion and uniting with him in business. These mills together with all other buildings were totally destroyed during the war, and the land torn up and rendered almost valeless by forts, breastworks. etc., for it was here that the "Battle of Hatcher's Run," or " Burgess' Mill," was fought. At the close of the war his son Clark rebuilt the place and restored it to its former usefulness. Here they spent nearly all the remaining years of their long lives; they now rest with their sons, David, William, John and Lewis (who was killed in battle), in old Blanford Cemetery.
Clark Burgess was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 1, 1827; in his twenty-third year was married to Gertrude A. Walker, of the same county. He engaged in agriculture for a brief period, sold out, and moving to Richfield Springs, opened a general merchandise store, having business in Virginia at the same time. The war coming on, he
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remained at Richfield Springs and Herkimer until the close, when he discontinued business at the North, and moved his family to Virginia, where he rebuilt the old place on Hatcher's Run, and still lives enjoying the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Thomas Jay Burgess, son of Clark Burgess, and his wife, Emily A., was born in Herkimer county, New York, August 12, 1854. His early childhood was spent at the North and in Virginia, where after the war he removed with his parents, living with them until his twenty-fourth year, on the old place at Hatcher's Run. Becoming tired of country life he determined to study dentistry. Commeneing with Dr. Sherman, near Petersburg, but remaining only a short time with him, he then went to Fredericksburg, Virginia, as a student of Dr. Jas. F. Thompson; from there, after a short time spent at home, he went to Saginaw City, Michigan, and engaged work in the office of Dr. W. P. Morgan. During his stay in Michigan, he took one year's course at the Dental School of the University, and the next year graduated at the Philadelphia Dental College. He commenced practice in Petersburg, Virginia, May 1, 1882, and has been very successful, enjoying a large and Merative practice. He was married on the 4th of January, 1888, to Mary Stuart Moore, daughter of the late Dr. Jno. R. Moore, of Ringwood, North Carolina, Rev. Matthew H. Moore, a brother of the bride, officiating.
GEORGE CAMERON.
The subject of this sketch, a resident of Petersburg since 1855, was born in Scotland, the son of Alexander Cameron, who was born in Scotland and died there in 1839, and the grandson of AAlexander Cameron, also of Scotland. He attended school both in Scotland and in Petersburg, coming to the United States first in 1840, returning to Scotland in 1850, and coming back to the United States again in 1855. when he settled in Petersburg permanently. He went at once into the manufacture of tobacco there, with the late David Dunlop, with whom he remained until, in 1858, he with his brother William went into the same business on their own account, and have continued ever since. Mr. Cameron went into the Confederate States Army as a British subject, and did dnty almost continuously around Petersburg. He was made prisoner June 9, 1864, and sent to Point Lookout, thence to Elmira, New York; was held until paroled in November, 1864, return- ing home then, and never exchanged; remained in Petersburg during the evacuation of that place by General Lee. The firm of Wm. Cameron & Bro. manufacture tobacco exclusively for export, shipping to Australia, India and England, employing about 600 hands, and manufacturing abont 2,000,000 pounds per annum.
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Mr. Cameron has been twice married, his first wife, Helen Elizabeth Dunn, who died on November 7, 1884, leaving issue: Alexander, Ella, George, William and Helen. He married second wife, Delia Pegram, at Richmond, Virginia, July 19, 1886.
F. EUGENE DAVIS
Is a native of Surry county, Virginia, born January 25, 1835, the son of Thomas and Hannah Davis, both now deceased. His father, born in Surry county, died in 1839, aged thirty-nine years. His mother died in 1858, aged fifty-one years. At Petersburg, September 7, 1858, he married Emily Roper, of Petersburg, and they have nine children: Roper, H. C., jr., Emily A., F. Eugene, jr., Thomas M., Marie L., Robert W., Lena B. and Franklin. Mrs. Davis is the daughter of Leroy Roper, who died in 1885, aged seventy-six years. . Her mother was Emily Bartlett, died in 1883, aged sixty-seven years.
Mr. Davis went to school in Surry county, finishing with an academic course. In 1853 he removed to Petersburg and clerked for a jobbing house four years. In 1857 he began business for himself, under the firm style of Davis, Derring & Co., wholesale grocers. The following year the firm changed to Davis, Roper & Co., and since 1884 the firm has been, as now is, Davis & Co. During the war Mr. Davis performed local duty with the Petersburg troops. He was two years a member of the city council, and declined re-election. During his membership of the council he was chairman of the relief committee for assisting soldiers' families, and one of the surrenderers of the city to General Grant, after the Confederate forees had vacated.
HON. RICHARD BEALE DAVIS
Was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, on February 5, 1845, the son of Williams T. Davis, who was born in Gloucester county, Virginia, February 6, 1817, and died July 17, 1888. His mother, born in West- moreland county, Virginia, in 1815, died January 21, 1851, was Elizabeth T. C. Beale. His wife, born in Lynchburg, Virginia, is Nannie . W., daughter of Charles H. Hall who was born in North Carolina, and died in August, 1872. Her mother was Annie S. Duffey, born in Alexandria. Virginia, now living in Petersburg. Richard B., first-born of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, died in 1877. Their remaining children are: Nannie H., Charles HI., Robert B. and John W.
At the age of seventeen years, in May, 1862, Mr. Davis entered the Confederate States Army, Company E, 12th Virginia Infantry, with which he served until the close at Appomattox. He was slightly
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wounded in the battle of Seven Pines, and again wounded at Petersburg (battle of the Crater). Returning home he resumed his studies, and took the academic course in the University of Virginia, then studied law in the same university, and was graduated in June, 1870. He settled in Petersburg, and has since been engaged in practice in that city and adjoining counties. He was a member of Virginia legislature from Petersburg in 1875-77.
COL. EVERARD MEADE FEILD.
Born in Greenville county, Virginia, July 18, 1831, is the son of The- ophilus A. Feild, who was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, and died in 1857, and Jane Wyatt, also now deceased. Theophilus A. Feild was a son of Dr. Richard Feild, also of Brunswick county. At Washington. D. C., May 17, 1852, Rev. Horace Stringfellow officiating, Everard M. Feild married Maria Louisa Fox. She was the daughter of S. Moylan Fox, now deceased, and Louisa Linton, and was born in Johnstown. Pennsylvania, September 15, 1836. Mrs. Feild died at her husband's residence in Petersburg, on August 3, 1884. Their chidren were eleven, born in the order named: Fannie B., Edward W. ( died January, 1857). Jessie V., Louisa L., Everard M., Theophilus A., Hubbard M., Mary C. and Lizzie F., twins, Henry B., Moylan C.
Colonel Feild went to school in Greenville county, Sussex county, and at Petersburg. He left school at the age of sixteen years, and went into the wholesale grocery business, in which he continued until his marriage. He then went to Greenville county, where he farmed until the war. He entered the Confederate States Army as captain of Com- pany F, 12th Virginia Infantry, which regiment was assigned to Ma- hone's brigade. In 1862 he was made major of the regiment; in 1863 was promoted lieutenant colonel, and at battle of the Crater, 1864, was promoted colonel. He was slightly wounded in second battle of the Wilderness, while in command of Mahone's brigade sharpshooters, and severely wounded at Spottsylvania C. H., May 12, 1864. He served till the close of the war, and was in battles of Seven Pines. Sharpsburg, and second Wilderness; commanded regiment in battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsvile, Gettysburg, Culpeper C. H .. Spottsyl- vania C. H., Mine Run and several others.
After the close of the war Colonel Feild returned to Greenville county, where he farmed until 1870, when he came to Petersburg as express agent for the A. M. & Ohio R. R., with which company he remained until, in 1885, he accepted his present position, deputy collector of United States Internal Revemie; service at Petersburg.
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COL. WILLIAM M. FEILD
Is a son of Dr. Jolm A. Feild, who was born in Brunswick county, Vir- ginia, was long an honored resident of that county, and is now deceased. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary H. Bolling, died on Christmas day, 1861. He was born in Brunswick county, on May 15, 1837. At the outbreak of the war between the States, he entered the Confederate States Army, and received a commission, in April, 1861, as second lieutenant of Company I, 3d Virginia Cavalry. He received subsequent promotion to captain, then to lieutenant-colonel, and served till the close of the war, wounded at Halls Shop, Virginia, and again at Five Forks.
At Petersburg, October 24, 1877, Colonel Feild married Mary H. Har- grave, and they have three children, John C., Mary P. and William M., jr. Mrs. Feild was born in Dinwiddie county, the daughter of Col. Charles Hargrave, now deceased. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Hillsman, is living at Greenville, Kentucky. Colonel Feild is pro- prietor of a tobareo warehouse, and has been treasurer of Dinwiddie county for seventeen years, ever since the office was created.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
Whose home has been in Petersburg since he was six years of age, was born at Williamsboro, Granville county, North Carolina, on March 18, 1851. He is the son of Robert A. Hamilton, who was born in Granville county, North Carolina, and is living now in Petersburg, and whose father was Patrick Hamilton, born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Patrick Hamilton married after coming to America, a Miss Baskervill, of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, settled in Granville county, North Caro- lina, and died there at the age of sixty-five years. The mother of Alexander, who died in 1864, at age of thirty-six years, was Sarah Caroline, daughter of Nathaniel Alexander, of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, who married a Miss Alexander, his cousin. Robert P. Hamil- ton, brother of Alexander, was a lieutenant in the Confederate States Army, at age of seventeen years, and was captured at Farmville, on the retreat to Appomattox C. II.
The first wife of Alexander Hamilton was Mary Stewart Dounan, who died leaving issue one son, Alexander Donnan Hamilton. Secondly, Mr. Hamilton married Kate MeGchee Venable, who died leaving him one daughter, Bettie Venable Hamilton. At Petersburg he married Helen Leslie MeGill, of that city, and they have two daughters: Helen MeGill and Sarah AAlexander Hamilton.
Robert A. Hamilton, sr., came to Petersburg in 1857, and Alexander attended schools there until October, 1864. He then attended the
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"Belmont School" of Ralph Graves in Granville, North Carolina, for three years, then the school of W. Gordon McCabe in Petersburg one year. In September, 1868, he went to the Virginia Military Institute, and was graduated there in July, 1871. He was then appointed assist- ant professor of that Institute, of Latin and Tactics, and so served until July, 1873. He also, during the years 1872-3, took the law course at Washington and Lee University, under Hon. J. Randolph Tucker and Judge John W. Brockenborough, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law in July, 1873. He then practiced law eight months in Richmond, Virginia, since then has been in practice in Petersburg, in which he still continues.
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
Born at Mt. Airy, Prince George county, Virginia, October 5, 1826, is a son of Dr. Nathaniel Harrison, who was a son of Benjamin Harrison, of Puddle Dock, Prince George county, Virginia. The last named was born at Mt. Airy, October 12, 1795, and died at Puddle Dock, in Feb- ruary, 1845. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was George Minge, of Charles City, Virginia, born in Wales. His wife is Jane B., daughter of James and Ann ( Ritchie) Smith, both bornin Scot- land. Shewas born in Petersburg, and there became the wife of Mr. Har- rison, Rev. John Miller uniting them, on May 25, 1869. Their children are three : Annie C., Benjamin, jr., and James N.
Mr. Harrison went to school in Sussex county, Virginia, until 1840; tlien moved to Cabin Point, and lived there a year; then to Prince George county, and from there, early in 1842, to Petersburg, which has since been his home. Until 1850, he was connected with the post-office department, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits from 1850 till the war. After the war was cashier of the Citizens Bank until December, 1887, and since that time has been engaged in the insurance business, office 106 Sycamore street. He entered the Confederate States Army on April 19, 1861, private in Company C, 12th Virginia Infantry, and was promoted to quartermaster's sergeant; then made commissary of the regiment, with the rank of captain.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.
There was one "Master John Harrison" who was a colonial governor of Virginia, in the year sixteen hundred and twenty-three (1623) (Smith's History of Virginia) elected by the Colonists to the place of the governor sent out, who died during the year. The families of Berkely and Brandon are descended from him.
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Benjamin Harrison (Hon.) of Surry county, born in Southwark Par- ish, in that county, in the year sixteen hundred and forty-five (1645) and who died 1713. His tombstone is at Cabin Point Chapel, and his will recorded at Surry C. H. He is called " Hon. Benjamin Harrison, Esq.," on his tombstone. Benjamin had three sons and one daughter. Benjamin the eldest settled at Berkely, in the county of Charles City, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis Burwell, of Gloucester county. by whom he had one son, Benjamin, and one daughter, Elizabeth. He died at the age of thirty-seven in the year 1710. His tombstone and that of his wife may be seen at Westover burying ground.
Benjamin married Anne, daughter of Robert Carter, of Carotoman. commonly called " King Carter." He and two of his daughters were killed at Berkely by lightning.
Benjamin, his eldest son, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Of the remaining sons, Nathaniel settled in Prince George county ; Henry in Surry ; Robert in Charles City. Charles was a general of Cavalry in the Revolutionary war: Carter in Cumberland county, at Clifton; Benjamin the signer, married Miss Bassitt, and by her had three (3) sons : Benjamin, Carter Bassit, and William Henry, a general of 1812, and afterwards President of the United States. The daughters married, David Copeland, John Minge, Dr. Richmon. and the fourth twice, first Peyton Randolph, and second, Captain Singleton.
Benjamin Ji's Son Nathaniel, settled at Wakefield, in Surry county. Nathaniel, of Wakefield, Surry county, married Wilmuth Munford, and by her had one son, whose name was Benjamin Munford; his mother and father died before he was seven years of age, when Wm. Allen was appointed his guardian.
Benjamin Munford Harrison was born in New Kent county, at the residence of his maternal grandmother, November 17, 1788, and mar- ried Agnes Atkinson. of Mayfield, who died without issue; his second marriage was to Dolly Pleasants Gray Briggs Carter Nicholas, of Nor- borne, in the county of Dinwiddie, Virginia. Dolly ( Benjamin Min- ford's wife), was a daughter of Robert Carter Nicholas, of Norborne. Dinwiddie county, and granddaughter of Col. John Nicholas, who mar- ried Dolly Pleasants Briggs, daughter of Gray Briggs, of ~Comans Well," Surry county. Benjamin Munford, by Dolly P. Nicholas, had two sons and two daughters, to wit : Nathaniel Cole, John Nicholas, Agnes Atkinson, and Ann Eliza Carter.
Nathaniel Cole Harrison, was born at "Cat-tails," Amelia county, Virginia, in the year 1820, March 28th, and died September 28, 1887, at Petersburg, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Leigh Drinkard, by whom he had one son and two daughters, to wit : William Henry, Mary Heth, and Wilmuth Munford Harrison.
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William Henry Harrison, was born at Petersburg, Virginia, December 30, 1843, and attended school in Petersburg. He entered the Confed- erate States Army when a little over eighteen years of age, in March, 1862, in Company A, 12th Virginia Regiment. He was captured October 27, 1864, at Burgess' Mill, and held at Point Lookout until March 8, 1865. Among the battles in which he took part, are-Seven Pines, Fraziers Farm, Falling Creek, Drewrys Bluff, Fredericksburg, Second Manassas, Crampton Gap (Antietam), Cold Harbor, Spottsyl- vania, Petersburg, Crater, Reem's Station, Farmville; and surrendered at Appomattox Court House. From 1872 to 1880 he was Commission- er of Revenue for Petersburg. He is now engaged in business in Peters- burg as dealer in carriages, buggies, wagons, and manufacturer of harness, saddles, etc. In this city, October 27, 1875, he married Rosa West, of Richmond, Virginia; she is the daughter of George Mont- gomery West, who was born at Concord, New Hampshire, and who died in 1860. Her mother, Evlyn Quarles, was born in Richmond, Virginia, died in 1858. John West Harrison, first-born of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, is no longer living. Their remaining children . are: Ann Elizabeth Harrison (Elise), William Henry Harrison, jr., George West Harrison, Nathaniel Cole Harrison, jr., and Helen West Harrison.
EDGAR A. HARTLEY
Was born in Sussex county, Virginia, on October 29, 1849. He at- tended the schools of his native county, remaining with his parents un- til 1866. He then clerked in J. B. Jarratt's general store for six years, and in 1872 went to Halifax, North Carolina, and kept books four years for R. P. Spiers. In 1876 he began business for himself, carrying on a general store at Comans Well, Sussex county, Virginia, two years, then removing, in 1878, to Petersburg, and opening up business as grocer and commission merchant, with R. B. Hartley, the firm style and name being E. A. Hartley & Bro. Mr. Hartley owns two stores in Sussex county, one at Stony Creek and one at Jarratts; and another store in Greenville county, at Belfield.
His father, William J. Hartley, died in August, 1863, aged forty-five years, and his mother is Martha E. (Gary) Hartley, living still in Sus- sex county. In Petersburg, May 10, 1876, he married S. L., daughter of T. L. Johnson, who died in 1875, and Mary A. Bishop, who died in 1879. Irving J., Mary L., Letae and Florrie are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hartley.
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SAMUEL J. HURT,
Born in Nottoway county, Virginia, in 1820, is a son of Merewether Hurt, who was born in Lunenburg county, was a resident of Virginia through life, and is now deceased. His mother, whose maiden name was Amy Ann Morgan, has been some years dead. In Brunswick county, Vir- ginia, in 1865, he married Julia E. Stith, and their children are two sons, Pelham and Samuel J., jr. Mrs. Hurt was born in Brunswick county, in 1839, the daughter of Needham Washington Stith, now deceased. The subject of this sketch went to school in early days in his native county, then was two years in the dry goods business with L. L. Parsons, of Petersburg, when about sixteen years old. Subsequently he returned to school, in Dinwiddie county, attended Jefferson Academy, and prepared himself for the practice of medicine. Abandoning that idea, he returned to Petersburg and entered into the grocery and commission business, in which he continued until the civil war.
He entered the Confederate service in 1861, with the Petersburg . Cavalry, volunteers to the State service, and was made company quartermaster, the company going to Norfolk. Soon after he was detached, and made post quartermaster at Suffolk, where he remained until the evacuation; was then transferred to the commissary depart- ment and served in same till the close of the war. He then returned to Petersburg having, as may be recorded of many whose sketches appear in these pages, sacrificed everything but life and honor to the cause, and began life again, building up a business from the foundation, resuming the same line he was engaged in before the war-groceries and commission.
THOMAS J. JARRATT.
Nicholas Jarratt and his wife Mary, nee Brown, are the parents of Thomas JJ. Jarratt, and he was born in Sussex county, Virginia, on December 16, 1817. His first wife was Adaline R. May, who died leav- ing him four children: Martha E., died in 1858: George T., Walter JJ. and Gertrude M. Secondly he married, at Portsmouth, Virginia, on January 6, 1876, Emily E. Drummond. For many years Mr. Jarratt has been counted one of the substantial citizens of Petersburg, where he was engaged, before the war, and to the present time, in business as commission merchant, name and style of firm at this time being, T. J. Jarratt & Son. He performed duty with the Petersburg local troops during the war. For several years he was a member of the city council of Petersburg, and he was six years, 1882-8 mayor of the city.
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