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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

LYRASIS  members  and  Sloan  Foundation 


http://www.archive.org/details/historyofnorfolkOOstew 


Donated  By 

Oliver  Perry 
Nansemond  Tribe 


HISTORY 


OF 


Norfolk  Couintv,  Virgiinia, 


AND 


Rbprbsbnxativb   Cixizbins, 


EDITED    AIND    COMPUTED    BY 


COL.  WILLIAM   H.  STEWART. 


'  The    Truth   in    Love. ' ' 


'History   is    Philosophy   Teaching   by   Examples." 


I63T-1900. 


PUBLISHED    BY 

BIOGRAPHICAL   PUBLISHING   COMPANY. 
George  Richmond.  Pres.;  S.  Har.mer  Neff.  Secy.;  C.  R.  Arnold,  Treas. 

chicago,  illinois. 
1!)02 


Preface, 


HE  aim  of  the  publishers  of  this  volume  has  been  to  secure  for  the  historic  portion 
thereof  full  and  accurate  information  respecting  all  subjects  therein  treated,  and 
to  present  the  data  thus  gathered  in  a  clear  and  impartial  manner.  If,  as  is  their 
hi>()c,  they  have  succeeded  in  this  endeavor,  the  credit  is  mainly  due  to  the  diligent  and 
exhaustive  research  of  Col.  William  H.  Stewart,  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  whose  high  char- 
acter and  recognized  ability  as  a  member  of  the  bar  of  Norfolk  County,  together  with  his 
services  as  a  patriot  to  his  State  and  County,  have  brought  him  prominently  before  the 
people  of  the  Old  Dominion.  Colonel  Stewart  has  devoted  himself  to  this  important  task 
as  a  labor  of  love,  and  his  patient  and  conscientious  effort  in  the  compilation  and  presenta- 
tion of  facts  is  conspicuously  manifest  in  every  page  of  the  historical  narration.  His  record 
gives  a  lucid  topographical  description  of  the  county,  portrays  the  'earliest  civilized  settle- 
ments, furnishes  a  comprehensive  review  of  its  organization,  its  industrial  growth,  its 
achievements  in  war,  and  of  the  leading  events  in  the  stages  of  its  development  from  l<i37 
to  lOUO.  Although  the  purpose  of  the  author  was  to  limit  the  narrative  to  the  close  of  IHUO, 
he  has  deemed  it  proper  to  touch  on  some  matters  over-lapping  into  the  succeeding  year. 
The  wide  range  and  circumstantial  thoroughness  of  this  history  are  readily  discernible  by  a 
perusal  of  its  table  of  contents. 

In  its  preparation,  the  editor  desires  to  make  acknowledgment  of  invaluable  assistance 
from  Howe's  History  of  Virginia,  Burton  and  Forrest's  History  of  Norfolk,  Lull's  History 
of  the  Navy  Yard,  Porter's  Military  History  of  Norfolk  County,  Jones'  History  of  Baptist 
Churches  and  the  American  Archives.  He  has  also  been  the  recipient  in  the  course  of 
compilation  of  most  appreciable  personal  favors  from  C.  Whittle  Sams,  Esq.,  James  T. 
Carr,  Esq.,  Thomas  B.  Rowland,  Esq.,  John  W.  H.  Porter,  Esc]..  .\.  H.  Grandy,  Esq., 
Capt.  E.  V.  White,  Col.  William  Lamb  and  others. 


PREFACE. 


The  reviews  of  resolute  and  strenuous  lives,  which  make  up  the  biographical  depart- 
ment of  the  volume,  and  whose  authorship  is  independent  of  that  the  history,  are 
admirably  adapted  to  foster  local  ties,  to  inculcate  civic  virtue,  and  to  emphasize  the  rewards 
of  industry,  dominated  by  intelligent  purpose.  They  constitute  a  most  appropriate  medium 
of  perpetuating  personal  annals,  and  will  be  of  incalculable  value  to  the  descendants  of  those 
therein  commemorated.  They  bring  into  bold  relief  careers  of  enterprise  and  thrift,  and 
make  manifest  valid  claims  to  honorable  distinction.  If  "Biography  is  the  only  true  His- 
tory, "  it  is  obviously  the  duty  of  men  of  the  present  day  to  preserve  in  this  enduring  form 
the  story  of  their  lives,  in  order  that  their  posterity  may  dwell  on  the  successful  struggles 
thus  recorded  and  profit  by  their  example.  These  sketches,  replete  with  stirring  incidents 
and  intense  experiences,  will  naturally  prove  to  many  of  the  readers  of  this  book  a  most 
attractive  feature. 

In  the  aggregate  of  personal  memoirs,  thus  collated,  will  be  found  a  vivid  epitome  of 
the  growth  of  Norfolk  County,  which  will  fitly  supplement  the  historic  statement;  for  the 
development  of  the  county  is  identified  with  that  of  the  men  and  women  to  whom  it  is 
attributable.  The  publishers  have  endeavored  in  the  preparation  of  the  work  to  pass  over 
no  feature  of  it  slightingly,  but  to  give  heed  to  the  minutest  details,  and  thus  to  invest  it 
with  a  substantial  accurac}-  which  no  other  treatment  would  afford.  The  result  has  ampl\- 
justified  the  .care  thus  exercised,  for  in  our  belief  no  more  reliable  production,  under  the 
circumstances,  could  be  laid  before  its  readers. 

We  have  given  especial  prominence  to  the  portraits  of  representative  citizens,  which 
appear  throughout  this  volume,  and  believe  they  will  prove  a  most  interesting  feature  of  the 
work.  We  have  sought  to  illustrate  the  different  spheres  of  industrial  and  professional 
achievement  as  conspicuously  as  possible.  To  all  who  have  kindly  aided  in  the  successful 
production  of  the  book,  by  voluntarily  contributing  most  useful  information  and  data,  we 
herewith  tender  our  grateful  acknowledgment.  The  Publishers. 

Chicago,  111.,  May,  1902. 


NOTE 

All  the  biographical  sketches  published  in  this  volume  were 
submitted  to  their  respective  subjects,  or  to  the  subscribers,  from 
whom  the  facts  were  primarily  obtained,  for  their  approval  or 
correction  before  going  to  press ;  and  a  reasonable  time  was 
allowed  in  each  case  for  the  return  of  the  tj-pe-written  copies. 
Most  of  them  were  returned  to  us  within  the  time  allotted,  or 
before  the  work  was  printed,  after  being  corrected  or  revised  ; 
and  these  nia\'  therefore  be  regarded  as  reasonably  accurate. 

A  few,  however,  were  not  returned  to  us ;  and  as  we  have 
no  means  of  knowing  whether  they  contain  errors  or  not,  we 
cannot  vouch  for  their  accuracy.  In  justice  to  our  readers,  and 
to  render  this  work  more  valuable  for  reference  purposes,  we 
have  indicated  these  uncorrected  sketches  by  a  small  asterisk  (*), 
placed  immediately  after  the  name  of  the  subject.  They  will 
all  be  found  on  the  last   pages  of  the  book. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  PUBLISHING  CO. 


Cable  of  Content! 


CHAPTER  I. 
Virginia 13 

Its  Statesmen  — Soldiers — Grand  Commonwealth. 

CHAPTER  n. 

Settlement  and  Organization   of   Norfolk  County 15 

Discovery  of  Virginia — New  Norfolk  Carved  from  Elizabeth  City  Shire — Lower  New  Norfolk  Separated 
from  Nansemond  County — Early  Settlements — Incidents  of  Pioneer  Life— Early  Settlers — Indian  Tribes 
— Burgesses — Lower  Norfolk  County  Divided — Physical  Description  of  the  County — Railroad  and 
Steamship  Lines — Colonial  Homes — Articles  of  Apprenticeship — Bill  of  Sale  for  Slaves — Historical 
Incidents. 

CHAPTER   III. 

Military  Hlstory  of  the  County 30 

Indian  Wars — Colonial  Officers  and  Soldiers — Manner  of  Bearing  Expenses  of  the  Indian  Wars — 
Colonial  Military  Tactics — Committee  of  Safety — Revolutionary  Times — Dunmore's  Doings — Battle  of 
Great  Bridge— Correspondence  of  Woodford  and  Howe — Destruction  of  Norfolk — Other  Invasions  and 
Depredations  of  the  British — .Some  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the  Revolution — Itemized  Statement  of  Losses 
Sustained  by  a  Citizen  of  Norfolk  During  the  Bombardment — British  Property  Confiscated — Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Military  Hlstory  of  the   County — Continued ' 59 

Period  of  Peace  Succeeding  the  Revolution — England's  Hostile  Acts  Towards  Our  Commerce  and  Coast 
Bringing  the  War  of  1812— British  Fleet  in  Hampton  Roads— Depredations — Battle  of  Craney  Island — 

The  .Mexican  War. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Military  History  OF  THE   County— Continued 67 

Events  Leading  up  to  Secession — Abandoment  and  Destruction  of  the  Navy  Yard  by  the  Federals — 
Occupation  of  the  Navy  Yard  by  Virginia — Fortification  of  Approaches  to  the  Harbor — Battle  of  Sewell's 
Point—  Devotion  of  the  Confederate  Women. 

CHAPTER   VI. 


Military  History  of  the  County — Continued TT 

The  Great  Battle  of  Hampton  Roads — Destruction  of  the  "Cumberland"  and  "Congress" — Famous  Con- 
flict of  the  Iron-Clads  — Victory  of  the  "Virginia"  over  the  ".Monitor" — Different  reports  of  the  Fight- 
Officers  of  the  "\'irginia" — Evacuation  of  Norfolk  County  by  the  Confederate  Forces. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Military  History  of  the  County — Continued 99 

Norfolk  County  L'nder  Military  Rule — Post-Bellum  or  Reconstruction  Times — Patriotism  of  Confederate 
Soldiers  and  Sailors — List  of  the  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  Norfolk  County — Confederate  Flags  and  (ireat 
Seal — Sisters  of  Mercy. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Military  History  Of  the  County— Continued 137 

Confederate  Monuments  at  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk — Confederate  \'eterans'  Camps  of  Norfolk,  Ports- 
mouth and  Berkley — United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  Chapters  at  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  } 

CHAPTER  I.K.  .  f 

Military  History  of  the  County — Continued 162 

Spanish-American  War — Roster  of  Jackson  Light  Infantry,  Lee  Rifles,  Norfolk  City  Guard,  Old 
Dominion  Guard,  Portsmouth  Rifle  Company— Citizen  Sailors  of  the  "Maine". 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  Agricultcral  Resources 156 

Growth  and  Importance  of  the  Trucking  Industry  -The  "Father  of  Truckers"  -  The  Chief  Crops  Grown 
Profitably  Here  -Tobacco,  the  Dethroned  King  -Early  Regulations  on  the  Growth  of  Tobacco. 

CHAPTER   XI. 

The  Dismal  Swamp ^ IHO 

The  Wonderful  Swamp  Region  of  Norfolk  County— O'Reilly's  Description  of  the  Dismal  Swamp — Juni- 
per Water— Geology — Topography — Vegetation — Animal  Life— Methods  of  Draining. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Public  Education  and  Liukaries. 177 

The  First  School  of  the  County — The  First  General  Public  School  Law  Enacted — St  Bride's  Academy  - 
Churcliland  .Academy — First  Complete  Public  School  System  Established  in  the  County— Seaboard 
Teachers'  Association — Public  Schools  Re-established  After  the  War,  Under  the  New  Constitution  - 
Public  Schools  of  Norfolk — Public  Schools  of  Portsmouth — Norfolk  Academy — Norfolk's  Libraries. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Churches  and  Benevolent  Organizations 188 

The  Church  of  England  in  the  Colony  of  Virginia — Elizabeth  River  Parish  The  Parish  Divided  into 
Elizabeth  River,  Portsmouth  and  St.  Bride's  Parishes — St.  Paul's  Church  and  Norfolk  Long  Ago — Other 
Protestant  Episcopal  Churches  in  the  County. 

CHAPTER    XI\'. 

Churches  and  Benevolent  Organizations— Continued 219 

Catholic     Churches — Presbyterian    Churches — Hebrew     Synagogues — Church    of    Christ    (Disciples)- 
Lutheran  Church — Christian  Churches — Baptist  Churches — Methodist  Episcopal  Churches,  South — Be- 
nevolent Organizations. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Public  Institutions  and  Buildings 2fil 

The  Norfolk  County  Ferries — Hospital  St.  \'incent  de  Paul— The  Public  Buildings  of  Norfolk — The 
Public  Buildings  of  Portsmouth — The  Norfolk  County  Court  House. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  Bench  and  Bar 276 

Early  Attorneys — Superior  Court  of  Portsmouth — Norfolk  City  Court — Norfolk  County  Court — Rates  for 
Tavern  Keepers — Justices  of  the  Peace  from  lt)37 — Sheriffs  of  the  County — Clerks  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Court — Ministers  Licensed  to  Perform  the  Rite  of  .Matrimony — The  Courts  of  Norfolk — The  Courts  of 
Portsmouth. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  .Medical  Profession 287 

Early  Practitioners  of  Medicine  in  Norfolk  County — Prominent  Physicians  of  the  First  Half  and  Middle  of 

the  Nineteeth  Century — Norfolk  Medical  .Society — Local  and  L'nited  States  Quarantine. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  Press  of  Norfolk  County 292 

Early  and  Defunct  Newspapers  of  the  County — Newspapers  of  Today. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Port,  and  Railroad  and  Water  Communications 297 

Great  Extent  of  Water  Front —Reasons  for  the  Commercial  Advantages  of  the  Port — Inland  Water 
Routes — Railroad  Lines — The  Climate— Steamship  Lines— Camparative  Statistics  on  Exports  anil 
Imports,  Shipping,  Real  Estate  Transfers  and  Coal  Shipments— The  \'irglnia  Pilots. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Statistics  of  the  Population -in 

Tithes  and  Tithables  From  Early  Court  Records-  Population  of  Norfolk  County,  1790-1900,  from  the 
Census  Reports — Population  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth — The  I'JM  Census  by  Wards  and  Districts. 


1 


IP  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

History  of  the  City  of  Norfolk ■ 321 

Its  Settlement  and  History  as  a  Borough,  by  C.  Whittle  Sams — Its  Commercial  Advantages  Recognized 
One  Hundred  Years  Ago — Norfolk  as  a  City — Norfolk  Post  Office — Norfolk  Warehouse  Association — 
Patriotism  and  Patriots  of  Norfolk — Suppression  of  the  Slave  Trade  by  Norfolk  Committee  of  Safety — 
Notable  Historical  Incidents — The  Association  for  the  Preservation  of  Virginia  Antiquities — The  Wish- 
ing Oak — Fire  History  of  Norfolk — Theatres — Charters  of  Norfolk— Changes  Made  in  the  Names  of 
Streets  Since  1865 — Mayors  of  Norfolk — Officers  of  the  City  of  Norfolk — Losses  Sustained  in  the  Burning 
of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  by  Lord  Dunmore. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

History  of  the  City  of  Portsmouth 368 

The  Town — The  First  Act  for  Building  the  Tovifn — Grant  to  Craford — Will  of  the  Founder — Dale  Planta- 
tion— Extending  the  Boundaries — Tithables  of  1798 — Incorporated  as  a  town — Names  of  Squares — Effing- 
ham Street — Incorporated  as  a  City — Changing  the  Wards — Historical  Events — The  Great  Freeze — The 
August  Storm — The  Yellow  Fever — The  Gosport  Iron  Works — The  United  States  Naval  Hospital — Ports- 
mouth's Patriotism  and  Patriots — The  Confederate  Cause — The  Portsmouth  Fire  Department — Great  Con- 
flagrations— Mayors  of  Portsmouth — Roster  of  City  Officers. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Sketches  of  Berkley  and  Other  Towns  and  Villages 399 

Berkley — Great  Bridge — Port  Norfolk  and  Pinner's  Point — West  Norfolk — South  Norfolk — Gilraerton 
— Lambert's  Point — Churchland — Ocean  View — Willoughby  Beach — Norfolk-on-the-Roads — Deep  Creek. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Banks,  Industries,  Commercial  Institutions,  Harbor  Govern.ment  and  Masters  of  Arts 409 

Banks  of  Norfolk  County — Industries — The  Norfolk  Silk  Company — Lumber  Mills — The  Norfolk  County 
F'isheries — Crab  Fisheries — Oyster  Industry — Rates  of  Wages  for  Skilled  Labor  and  Clerical  Work — The 
Business  Men's  Associations — The  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's  Association  of  Norfolk — The  Ports- 
mouth Business.  Men's  Association — Government  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  Harbor — Masters  of  Arts 
of  the  L^niversitvof  Virginia. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

The  United  States  Navy  Yard  418 

Advantages  of  its  Situation  — \'irginia  Ownership — Gosport  Navy  Yard — Purchases  of  Land  for  the  Navy 
Yard — Construction  of  the  Stone  Dry  Dock — Improvement  of  the  Navy  Yard. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

The  Confederate  States  Navy  Yard 443 

The  Evacuation  and  Destruction  of  the  Navy  Yard  by  the  Federals — Occupation  by  the  State  Authorities 
— Turned  Over  to  Confederate  Government — Evacuation  by  the  Confederates. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

The  LIxited  States  Navy  Yard 4.54 

Improvements — Simpson  Dry  Dock — Naval  Constructor  Bowles'  Administration — Building  the  "Raleigh  " 
and  "  Te.xas  " — International  Columbian  Naval  Rendezvous — Fitting  out  Ships  for  War  with  Spain — 
Records  of  Repair  and  Construction  Work — The  "Raleigh"  and  "Texas"  in  the  Spanish-American  War 
— Congressional  Medals  Awarded — U.  S.  Naval  Hospital — Trophies  of  the  Navy  Yard  Park — Command- 
ants of  the  Navy  Yard. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Sketches  of  Some  of  the  Prominent  .Men  Who  have  Passed  Away 488 

Capt.  Adam  Thorogood—Commodore  Richard  Dale — Commodore  James  Barron — Hon.  Littleton  W. 
Tazewell — Commodore  Thomas  Aloysius  Dornin — Charles  Reid — Hugh  Blair  Grigsby,  LL.  D. — Gen. 
Richard  Lucian  Page — Capt.  Robert  Baker  Pegram — Capt.  Charles  Fenton  Mercer  Spottswood — Capt. 
James  Wallace  Cooke — Hon.  George  Blow — Capt.  John  Julius  Guthrie — Capt.  Carther  Braxton  Poindexter 
— Col.  William  White — Capt.  William  H.  Murdaugh — Lieut.  Dulany  A.  Forrest — Capt.  James  Barron 
Hope — Capt.  William  C.  Wheeler— Naval  Constructor  George  R.  Boush — Capt.  Walter  R.'  Butt — Lieut.- 
Col.  William  Frederick  Niemeyer — Naval  Constructor  Samuel  Wilson  Armistead. 

Biographical. 505 


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Bistory  of  norfolk  County 


CHAPTER   I 


VIRGINIA 


Its  Statesmk.n" — Soldiers — Gkand   Communwiiai.th. 


O,  X'irginia!  Beautiful  name!  A  grand 
State!  Her  blue  hills  and  green  valleys  and 
fertile  plains  bear  eternal  monuments  of  the 
chaste  Ikjuot  and  magnificent  chi\"alrv  of  her 
citizens. 

In  colonial  infancy,  when  South  Carolina 
appealed  for  protection  from  the  savage 
hordes,  that  were  murdering  her  jjeople,  \'ir- 
ginia  gave  her  money  and  sent  an  army  to  save 
them. 

\\'licn  Massachusetts  invoked  her  noble 
spirit  to  resist  the  oppressions  of  George  III, 
she  gave  great  Washington  to  lead  a  feeble 
army  to  victory  and  success — eloquent  Henry 
to  kindle  tlie  lire  of  patri(rfism  in  the  hearts, 
and  scatter  the  incense  of  hope  on  the  deeds  of 
a  people  struggling  for  lijjerty — Mason  to 
create  the  Jlill  of  Rights  as  the  basis  and 
foundation  of  government — Jefferson  to  indite 
a  declaration  to  the  world  of  a  determination 
to  absolve  allegiance  from  the  British  Throne 
■ — ^ladison  to  draft  the  Constitution,  the 
precious  casket  in  which  sparkles  and  glitters 
tlie  jewel  of  American  Freedom — Marshall, 
its  most  eminent  expounder.     Virginia  gave 


!  I^Ionroe,  whose  doctrine  restrains  the  greeil  of 
'  imperial  nations  of  the  East  and  a  cavalier  of 
the  ])urest  days  of  chivalry  for  the  emergency 
at  Cuba — Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee.  Virginia  gave 
to  American  literature  a  poet  laureate, — James 
BarrO'U  Hope.  When  her  territory  was  re- 
quired, she  donated  the  great  Northwest  to 
the  American  Union. 

A\"hen  her  Southern  Sisters  stirred  the 
storm  of  war,  and  the  world  frowned  on  them, 
she  clasjjed  their  hands  and  gave  her  blomn- 
ing  lield^s  for  their  battle  grounds. 

Her  Lee  rose  u])  to  lead  as  the  grandest 
soldier  of  the  age — her  "Stonewall"  Jackson 
was  the  brightest  marshal  in  all  the  armies — 
her  soldiers,  whom  Pickett  led,  made  Gettys- 
burg the  shrine  of  heroism  on  the  ^^'estern 
Continent — her  Maury,  as  a  i)hiloso])her, 
j  moved  the  tln-oiics  of  the  earth  In  bow  lo  his 
wisdom. 

A  proud  Commonwealth,  whose  name  in 
peace  or  war  shines  out  in  loveliest  ligiit :  I 
love  Virginia!  I  love  her  for  her  grandeur  in 
nature;  I  love  her  eternal  mountains;  her 
beautiful    vallevs ;    her    crvstal    rivulets;    her 


'4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


noble  rivers;  her  lowlands,  and  her  tangled 
forests;  I  love  the  great  billows  that  per- 
petually kiss  her  Eastern  shores,  and  the  white 
sand  hills  that  drive  them  rushing  and  roar- 
ing back  tO'  the  bosom  of  the  mighty  ocean ; 
I  love  her  blue  banner  and  its  thrilling  motto 
"Sic  Semper  Tyrannis." 

I  love  Virginia  for  her  splendid  history, 
fur  lier  untiring  unselfishness,    for  her  great 


soldiers  and  grand  statesmen :  I  love  her  most 
for  her  beautiful  and  accomplisiied  daughters 
whose  transcendent  virtues  and  graces  have 
guilded  her  glorious  memories  through  every 
generation  with  unfading  splendor. 
!  My  heart  bears  to  Virginia  its  most  loyal 
i  affection  and  my  prayers  shall  ever  be  for  her 
honor  and  her  glory. — [Ed.] 


J 


CHAPTER.  II 


SETTLEMENT  AND  ORGANIZATION  OF  NORFOLK  COUNTY 

Discovery  of  Virginia  ^ — ^New  Norfolk  Carved  from  Elizabeth  City  Shire — Lower 
New  Norfolk  Separated  from  Nansemoxd  County — Early  Settlement — In- 
cidents OF  Pioneer  Life — Early  Settlers — Indian  Tribes — Burgesses — Lower 
Norfolk  County  Divided — Physical  Description  of  the  County — ^Railroad 
and  Steamship  Lines — Colonial  Homes — Articles  of  Apprenticeship — Bill  of 
Sale   for    Slaves — Historical    Incidents. 


discovery    of    VIRGINIA. 

Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  the  most  gallant 
knight  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  Court,  titted  out, 
at  his  own  expense,  in  the  year  1585,  the  sec- 
nnd  e.xpedition  to  discover  and  settle  Virginia. 
The  fleet  was  commanded  by  Sir  Richard 
(irenville;  and  late  in,  June  sailed  through 
Ocracoke  Inlet  to  Roanoke  Island.  The  col- 
onists, 108  in  numlier,  were  landed  there,  re- 
maining about  one  year,  when  desperate  from 
])rivations  they  returned  to  England.  During 
this  period  Ralph  Lane  while  exploring  north- 
ward, about  130  miles,  from  Roanoke  Island, 
discovered  tlie  village  of  the  Chesapeake  In- 
dians on  the  Elizalieth  River,  and  the  great 
Chesapeake  Bay.  The  first  white  men  who 
ever  trod  the  soil  of  Xorfulk  Cmuity  were 
Ralph  Lane  and  his  comrades. 

The  Roanoke  colonists  learned  from  the 
Indians  the  use  of  tobacco,  called  by  them 
uppozi'oc.  The  natives  smoked'  it :  sprinkled 
the  dust  of  it  in  their  fishing  traps,  to  make 
tliem  lucky:  burned  it  as  a  sacrifice  to  appease 
the  anger  of  the  gods :  and  scattered  it  in  the 


air  and  on  the  water  to  allay  the  fury  of  the 
storm.  Lane  carried  some  to  England,  which 
is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  ever  intro- 
duced into  that  kingdom. 

The  next  e.xpedition,  sent  out  the  ensuing 
}-ear,  was  directed  to  establish  a  colony  at  the 
\illage  of  the  Chesapeakes  under  Gov.  John 
\\'hite:  but  this  was  not  carried  out,  owing 
to  the  refusal  of  the  naval  officer  to  co-operate 
in  exploring-  the  country  for  that  purpose. 
This  colony  was  chartered  by  the  title  of  "The 
Governor  and  Assistants  of  the  City  of 
Raleigh  in  Virginia."  Had  the  orders  of  Sir" 
^\'alter  Raleigh  been  carried  out,  the  old 
"Burrough  of  Norfolk"  would  ha\-e  been  earlier 
Ijorn  by  another  name. 

Capt.  Christopher  Newport  discovered 
land  on  his  entrance  into  Chesapeake  Bay  and 
named  it  Cape  Henry,  and  Capt.  John  Smitli 
on  his  return  from  his  three-months'  cruise 
of  discovery  up  the  great  bay  sailed  up  the 
Chesapeake  or  Elizabeth  River  six  or  seven 
miles  from  its  mouth  and  saw  two  or  three 
cultivated  patches  and  some  cabins  of  the 
Chesapeake  tribe  of  Indians, 


i6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Stitli,  in  his  history,  writing  oi  Ralph 
Lane's  explorers,  says : 

To  the  Northward  they  went  130  miles  to  the  Ches- 
apeakes.  a  Nation  of  Indians,  seated  on  a  small  River, 
to  the  South  of  our  Bay,  now  called  Elizabeth  river, 
from  whom,  as  these  first  discoverers  tell  us,  the  Bay 
itself  took  its  name.  But  some  pretend  to  give  another 
derivation  of  this  word:  and  say,  that  Chesapeake  sig- 
nified, in  the  Indian  language.  Tlic  Mother  of  Waters; 
implying  that  it  was  the  parent  and  grand  reservoir  of 
all  the  great  rivers  within  jt.  *  *  *  *  *  This  town  of 
the  Chesapeakes,  we  are  told,  for  pleasantness  of  situ- 
ation, for  temperature  of  climate,  fertility  of  soil,  and 
commodiousness  to  the  sea,  was  not  to  be  excelled  by 
any  in  the   world. 

This  quaint  language  of  the  ancient  his- 
torian very  forcibly  expresses  the  wonderful 
■.advantages  which  nature  has  bestowed  on  this 
locality,  that  is  now  rapidly  developing  into 
that  greatness  for  which  nature  has  for  three 
hundred  years  in\-ited  the  white  man  tO' 
achieve. 

The  Association  for  the  Preservation  of 
Virginia  Antiquities  on  the  29th  of  April, 
1898,  erected  a  tablet  at  Cape  Henry  in- 
scribed : 

Near  this   spot 

Landed   April    26th,    1607, 

Capt.   Gabriel   Archer   Christonher   Newport, 

Hon.  George  Percy  Bartholomew  Gosnold, 

Edward  Maria  Wingfield 

With   Twenty-five   others 

who 

Calling  the  Place 

Cape  Henry 

Planted   a    Cross 

April  2Qth,  1607. 

"Dei    Gratia   Virginia    Condita." 

Ralph  Lane.  Christciplier  Newport  and 
John  Smith  were  the  discm-erers  of  Lower 
Norfolk  County. 


ORGANIZATIOX     OF     LOWER     NORFOLK     COUNTY. 

The  plantations  of  Virginia  were  divided 
into  eight  shires  in  1634,  to  be  governed  as  the 
shires  of  England.  Lieutenants  were  to  be 
appointed  as  in  the  mother  country  with  an 
especial  duty  to  conduct  the  w'ars  against  the 
Indians.      Elizabeth   Citw   extending   on   both 


sides  of  Hampton  Roads,  -was  one  of  these 
original  shires.  New  Norfolk  was  carved 
from'  Elizabeth  City ;  and  soon  divided  into 
Upper  and  Lower  New  Norfolk.  The  final 
determination  of  the  boundaries  between  Isle 
of  Wight,  Upper  Norfolk  or  Nansemond 
County,  and  Lower  Norfolk  County  was  en- 
acted by  the  General  Assembly  at  James  City 
or  Jamestowi:  at  its  session  of  1642-43,  which 
was  the  consummation  of  the  organization  of 
Lower  Norfolk  County. 

The  topographical  analysis  of  Virginia 
published  with  Jefferson's  notes  in  1792,  says 
this  county  was  named  for  the  Duke  of  Nor- 
folk; but  as  it  was  first  called  New  Norfolk 
County,  it  is  reasonable  to  presume  that  it 
was  named  for  Norfolk  in  England. 

EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

The  early  settlement  of  this  county  was  at- 
tended with  all  the  difficulties,  dangers  and 
.exposures  which  environed  the  colonists  in 
other  sections  of  Virginia.  The  plantations 
were  established  along  the  banks  of  the  Eliza- 
beth Ri\-er  and  its  branches,  and  commimica- 
tion  between  them  was  almost  entirely  by  boat. 
Out  of  the  rugged  life  on  these  Virginia  plan- 
.tations  sprang  a  class  of  courtly  gentlemen 
that  has  e^•er  since  been  distinguished  for  open 
hospitality  atid  unbounded  generosity.  The 
planters  were  fond  of  society,  indulged  in  all 
its  pleasures  and  practiced  all  of  its  courtesies. 
The  most  influential  citizens  of  Lower  Norfolk 
County  first  settled  in  Elizabeth'  City  County ; 
but  afterwards  crossed  Hampton  Roads  and 
made  their  plantations  on  the  Elizabeth  River, 
on  the  Lynnhaven  River  and  on  the  East- 
ern, Southern  and  Western  branches  of  the 
Elizabeth. 

INCIDENT.S  OF  PIONEER  LIFE. 

The  first  inhabitants  were  constantly  in 
danger  from  treacherous  and  revengeful  na- 
ti\'es;  after  the  bloody  massacre  of  1622,  laws 
were     passed     to    enforce    e\"ery     precaution 


1 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


against  amljush  and  sudilen  assaults  by  the 
Indians.  The  settlers  were  required  to  sleep 
on  their  arms,  keep  watchmen  behind  palisad- 
ed houses  at  night,  carry  weapons  while  la- 
boring in  the  field  and  when  assembled  at 
church  to  worship  God  on  the  holy  Sabbath. 
even  when  kneeling  in  prayer,  their  right 
hands  must  grasp  the  barrel  of  a  faithful  flint- 
lock as  their  uplifted  left  hands  implored 
Heaven's  protection.  No  hour  in  the  day  or 
night  could  they  feel  safe  from  the  bloody 
hands  of  the  wild  men  who  roamed  the  wilder- 
ness as  tigers,  with  all  living  creatures  for 
their  enemies.  Besides  all  these  dangers  tO' 
their  own  lives,  the  country  was  infested  with 
wolves,  which  destroyed  their  domestic  ani- 
mals. The  County  Court  on  the  8th  of  Oc- 
tolier.  1639.  took  the  matter  in  hand  and  re- 
solved "\\'hereas  it  doth  appear  that  there 
are  divers  and  many  damages  done  unto  cat- 
tie  in  this  lower  countv  of  New  Norfolk  by 
the  hiultitudes  of  wolves  which  do  frequent  the 
woods  and  plantations,  it  is  therefore  ordered 
that  any  person  whatsoever  within  the  afore- 
said county  shall  kill  any  wolf  and  bring  in 
the  head  to  any  ofiicer  in  said  county,  the  said 
person  for  every  wolf  so  killed  shall  be  iiaid 
by  the  sheriff  fifty  pounds  of  tobacco."  The 
price  was  afterward,  in  May,  1782,  increased 
to  100  pounds  net  tobacco  for  every  young 
wolf  not  exceeding  six  months  of  age,  and 
200  pounds  for  those  over  that  age  in  Norfolk 
and  other  counties  named  in  the  act  of  the 
legislature,  which  was  to  be  in  force  for  three 
years — so  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  the 
yearly  levy  accounts  of  the  county  have 
charges  for  wolves'  heads. 

There  were  few  negro  slaves  in  Lower 
Norfolk  County  during  the  early  years  of  its 
histiiry.  There  were  onlv  two  slave  owners 
in  the  county  in  1646  out  of  a  population  of 
about  700  souls,  and  10  slaves.  Six  belonged 
to  the  estate  of  Capt.  Adam  TliDrogfXxl  and 
the  four  others  to  Capt.  Richard  Parsons,  who 
was  granted  a  certificate  for  200  acres  of  land 
for  bringing  them  to  the  colony.  Captain 
Thorogood  sold  one  of  his  negroes,   in  Jan- 


uarv,  1637,  to  Christopher  Burroughs  with 
the  option  of  paying  for  him  in  ten  days  or  of 
returning  him,  and  Mr.  Burroughs  decided  to 
return  him. 

I'irac)'  was  not  uncommon  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Virginia  Colony.  One  John  Ball 
in   1642,  an  inhabitant  of  this  county,  influ- 

,  enced  Francis  Lambert  and  certain  servants  of 
Capt.  John  Sibsey  to  unite  with  him  in  an 
expedition  for  plunder.  They  stole  a  lot  of 
powder  and  balls  from  Phillip  Land  and  de- 
signed stealing  a  shallop  belonging  to  Captain 

'  Sibsey,  a  pinnace  from  Captain  Clayborne,  a 
boat  from  Mr.  Cotton,  and  then  sailing  out 
U])on  the  open  seas.  The  plot  was  discovered 
and  the  culprits  arraigned  at  the  April  court. 
The  evidence  was  heard  and  their  intentions 
were  fully  disclosed,  "all  of  which  the  Court 
conceives  to  be  very  dangerous  and  bad  ex- 
amples if  not  timely  prevented,  and  have  there- 

'  fore  ordered  that  the  said  Ball  shall  receive 
thirty  lashes  with  a  whip  on  his  bare  back,  in 
the  presence  of  the  Court  as  a  deserved  pun- 
ishment for  liis  offense  and  to  deter  others 
from  attempting  or  acting  the  like  hereafter:" 
and  b}-  a  further  order  of  the  court  Francis 
Lambert  was  required  "to  give  bond  that  he 
would,  in  future,  forsake  the  said  Ball's  com- 
pany." Ball  receixed  his  30  lashes  and  had 
to  pay  the  sheriff  20  ])Ounds  of  tobacco  for 
administering  the  punishment.  The  servants 
of  Captain  Sibse\-  were  not  tried ;  but  doubt- 
less were  gi\'en  solemn  warning  1)v  their  mas- 
ter ti-  sin  no  more. 

The  men  of  those  early  days  did  not  have 
the  opportunities  of  these  times  to  woo  and 
wed  aufl  sometimes  gain  a  fortune.  \\'omen 
did  not  lea\e  their  native  shores  to  seek  for- 
tunes in  the  Western  World  with  the  eager- 
ness of' men,  and  he  was  fortunate  who  had 
])urchased  a  maiden  for  120  pounds  of  tobacco 
from  the  cargo  of  a  vessel  which  arrived  at 
Jamestown  with  "ninety  young  women  of 
good  character  for  wives."  It  is  not  written 
whether  the  lord  of  any  ])lantation  in  Lower 
Norfolk  County  secured  one  of  this  precious 
cargo  for  a  wife:  but  the  court  records  indi- 


i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


cate  tliat  it  was  tlie  custLim  in  tliese  early  days 
to  require  a  man  who  married  a  widow  to  pay 
her  first  hiislDand's  debts  and  many  court  or- 
ders were  entered  subsequent  to^  this  one  of 
the  6tli  of  July,  1640, — "By  virtue  of  an  ex- 
ecutidu  granted  him  on  the  22nd  of  April,  the 
sheriff  \\ill  levy  upnn  the  estate  of  Thomas 
Cawson,  who  is  indeljted  tO'  the  said  Allen  five 
hundred  pounds  of  tobacco  by  reason  of  mar- 
rying the  widow  Layton,  whose  husband,  in 
his  lifetime,  was  indebted  as  much  to  the  said 
Allen."  So'  it  appears  that  at  least  nne  widt>w 
was  worth  o\-er  four  times  the  ^-alue  of  one 
of  the  maidens  who  came  tiv  Jamestown  with 
the  first  installment. 

\\'e  have  read  much  about  liricks  imported 
from  England  t«:i  construct  the  old  colonial 
homes  in  which  every  Virginian  has  great 
pride :  but  this  theory  seems  to  be  o\-erturne<l 
h_\-  an  order  of  the  County  Court  (if  the  15th 
of  ^Nlarch,  1640.  at  which  date  Nicholas  Wight 
was  engag'ed  in  their  manufacture  at  Kequo- 
tan,  now  Hampton,  \'irginia.  and  appears  to 
have  supplied  all  the  bricks  used  in  Lower 
N<?rfolk  Count}'  about  this  period. 

The  College  of  JJ'illiaiJi  ami  Mary  Quar- 
terly says : 

Xo  error  is  more  persisted  in  tlian  that  our  old 
colonial  brick  houses  were  made  of  "imported  brick." 
There  is  no  evidence  that  any  house  in  Virginia  was 
made  of  imported  brick,  while  there  is  plenty  of  evi- 
dence of  brick-niakine  in  \'irginia  and  of  houses  act- 
ually constructed  of  Virginia  brick.  The  only  circum- 
stances to  support  the  tradition  is  that  sometimes  ships 
brought  over  a  few  bricks  as  ballast.  But.  like  other 
ballast,  they  were  generally  dumped  into  the  rivers  and 
creeks.  The  tradition  'doubtless  arose  from  the  two 
kinds  of  brick  in  use  in  early  Virginia:  English  brick. 
i.  e..  brick  made  according  to  the  English  statute;  and 
Dutch  brick,  i.  e..  such  brick  as  was  commonly  used  in 
Holland.  In  the  course  of  time  a  house  which  waa 
truly  said  to  be  made  of  "English  brick."  caine  to  sug- 
gest a  construction  of  foreign  brick,  or  imported  brick. 

There  was  a  tannery  in  full  operation  in  the 
count}',  carried  on  by  Thomas  Melton,  who 
died  in  the  midst  of  his  operations,  and  tiie 
inventory  of  his  estate  shows  that  in  addition 
to'  the  tools  of  the  tannery  he  had  on  hand 
a  stock  of  six  hides,  28  deer  skins  and  two 
goat  skins.     There  was  an  incipient  servile  in- 


surrection in  the  ciaint}-  in  163S  during  the 
absence  of  of  Capt.  John  Sibsey  from  the 
count}-  at  James  City  in  attendance  upon  the 
session  of  the  House  of  Burgesses.  His  over- 
seer was  extrernely  severe  with  the  servants 
on  the  plantation  and  in  the  language  of  the 
old  record  "they  raised  a  meeting  against 
him."  The  rising  was  easily  suppressed  and 
a  hundred  stripes  apiece  was  the  penalty  for 
the  participants. 

House  carpenters  were  greatly  in  demand 
in  the  county,  and  a  court  order  of  the  i8th 
of  April,  1639,  is  a  queer  incident  to  us  of 
those  days.  It  says :  "Whereas  it  ap])eareth 
to  this  Court  that  Thomas  Hoult  hath  car- 
ried Thomas  Cooper,  of  Elizabeth  Ri\'er,  car- 
penter, for  Maryland,  he,  the  said  Cooper,  be- 
ing much  engaged  in  Virginia,  it  is  therefore 
ordered  that  the  said  Thomas  Hoult  shall  pro- 
ciu'e  the  (jii\-ernor  (f  Virginia's  letter  to  the 
Governor  of  ^Nlarvland  for  his  present  re- 
turn." 

All  settlers  were  allowed  to  kill  wild  fowl 
and  all  wild  animals  in  the  common  woods, 
e.xcept  wild  hogs.  They  could,  howe\er,  kill 
wild  hoigs  if  found  on  their  own  land;  but  in 
order  to  encourage  the  destruction  oi  wolves, 
any  jiersoii  who  killed  a  wolf  was  i>ermitted  to 
kill  a  wild  hog  as  a  compensation.  Had  lui-d.- 
ern  fire  arms  been  in  use.  the  colcinial  sports- 
man would  have  realized  indescribable  pleas- 
ure; but  the  scarcitv  of  ammunition  would 
not  permit  great  indidgence  in  sporting.  Mus- 
ket fiints  even  passed  current  for  small  change. 


E.\RLY   SETTLERS. 

The  fnllowing  are  the  names  of  some  of 
the  people  who'  lived  in  Lower  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, between  the  years  1631  and  1645,  and  were 
among  the  first  settlers. 

John  .\v;s.  Thomas  .\llen,  Thomas  .\ndrews. 

ThoiTias  Browne.  Anne  Eoswell.  Job  Brooke.  John 
Barnett.  Richard  Betts.  Dr.  Thomas  Bulloch.  A\'illiani 
Berry.  Robert  Brodie.  Jacob  Bradshaw. 

Giles    Collins.    Thomas    Cawson.    John    Carraway, 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


19 


John  Clarke.  Edward  Coleman.  Thomas  Codd,  Thomas 
Cheely.  William  Capps. 

William  Deford.  Richard  Day.  Daniel  Dickson, 
John  Drayton,  Edward  Dean,  John  Dicr. 

George  Earle. 

John  Farrer.  John  Ford,  Richard  Floyd. 

John  Gardner.  Jeane  Gill>ert,  Robert  Gla.-cock. 
Alice  Ga.<kins.  John  George.  Cato  Gari.son.  John  Gillam. 

Richard  Horton.  John  Hallbeck.  Richard  Hitch- 
cock. Thoma-;  Harington.  Edward  Hall.  .Andrew  Hill. 
Thomas  Holt,  (ieorge  Hunter.  Daniel  Hopkinson.  Bar- 
tholomew Hoskins.  Henry  Hankins.  Cobb  Howell. 
Thomas  Hart.  Richard  Horner.  Robert  Harwood.  Simon 
Hancock,  John  Holmes,  Devine  Hoges,  George  Harri- 
son. 

William   Ironmonger.   Thomas   Ivy. 

Robert  Johns.  Henry  Jackson.  John  Johnson. 

Richard  Kempe.  Richard  King.  Thomas  Keeling. 
Xic  Kent.  Rowland  Kenalds. 

Francis  Linch.  Thomas  Lee.  William  Lanshier. 
Travis  Lind.  Thomas  Lovitt.  John  Locke. 

Robert  Martin.  John  McKire.  John  Mears.  John 
Morris.  William  Mills.  Thomas  Marsh.  Joe  -Marshall. 

William  Xash. 

Richard  Owins. 

Himiphrey  Price.  William  Penn.  Thomas  Parker. 
John  Prince.  Robert  Page.  John  Phillips,  Thomas 
Prichard.  Rd.   Poole. 

John  Richardson.  John  Radford. 

-Alexander  Stewart.  John  Sowell.  Mary  Stout.  John 
Spenser.  John  Shaw.  Elizabeth  Silvester.  John  Strattnn. 
Thomas  Sayer.  Edm.  Scarburg.  Fred.  Sinionds.  James 
Smith.  Thomas  Sawyer,  John  Shelton,  William  Scott, 
John  Spencer. 

Rot)crt  Taylor.  Thomas  Turner,  Thomns  Todd, 
Thomas  Tucker. 

Thomas  L'nderwood. 

John  White.  John  Webb.  Ed.  Wheeler,  Thomas 
Warters.  Edward  Williams,  Constantine  Waddinaiton, 
Robert  West,  Henry  Watson,  John  Watkins.  John 
Wright.  Richard  Whitehurst.  Robert  Ward.  George 
Wade.  Thomas  \".  Walters. 

John  Yates. 


IXDI-\X   TRIBES. 

.According  to  Capt.  John  Sinitli.  that  part 
of  \"irginia  tliat  Hes  between  the  sea  and  the 
mountains  was  inhabited  by  43  different  tribes 
of  Inchans  and  30  of  them  were  united  in  a 
grand  confederacy  under  tlie  empercr  Pow- 
hatan. His  liere<litary  dominions  lay  <n  l>)th 
sides  of  the  James  River.  This  monarch  was 
remarkable  for  the  strength  and  vigor  of  his 
bodv  as  well  as  for  the  energies  of  his  mind. 
He  jxissessed  great  skill  in  intrigue  and  grc:it 
courage  in  battle.  His  equanimity  in  the  ca- 
reer of  victnrv  was  imly  e<|ualed  by  his  forti- 


tude in  the  hour  of  adversity.  He  commanded 
a  resjiect  rarely  paid  by  savages  to  their 
wcrowaiicc,  and  maintainetl  a  ilignity  and 
si)lendor  worthy  of  the  monarch  of  30  nations. 
He  was  constantly  attended  by  a  guard  of  40 
warriors,  and  during  the  night  a  sentry  regu- 
larly watched  his  palace.  His  regalia  was  free 
from  the  glitter  of  art  and  showed  only  the 
simple  royalty  of  the  .savage.  He  wt>re  a  robe 
of  skins,  and  sat  on  a  throne  spread  with  mats, 
and  decked  with  pearls  and  Ijeads.  The  tribes 
of  Norfolk  County  were  under  his  sce])tre. 

It  is  described  that  the  face  of  the  Indian, 
when  arrived  at  maturity,  is  a  dark  l;rown  and 
chestnut.  The  continual  exjKJsure  tt^  the  sun 
in  summer  and  weather  and  smoke  in  winter 
and  free  use  of  bear's  grease  make  his  skin 
hard  and  dark. 

The  hair  is  almost  invariably  of  a  coal 
black,  straight  and  long:  the  cheek  bones  are 
high,  and  the  eyes  are  black  and  full  of  a  char- 
acter of  wildness  and  fenxity  that  mark  the 
unappeasable  thirst  of  \engeance,  and  the  free 
an<l  uncontrolled  indulgence  of  every  tierce 
ami  violent  passion.  The  education  of  an  In- 
dian, which  commences  almost  with  his  birth, 
teaches  him  that  dissimulation,  which  masks 
the  thought  ami  smooths  the  coimtenance.  is 
the  most  useful  virtue:  and  there  is  a  contin- 
ual effort  to  check  the  tierce  sallies  of  the  eye, 
and  keep  down  the  consuming  rage  of  liis 
bos<im.  His  eye.  therefore,  is  generally  avert- 
ed or  bent  downwards.  The  terrible  com- 
placency of  the  tiger  is  no  inapt  illustration  of 
an  TiKhan  visage. 

The  figure  of  an  Indian  is  admirabl\'  i)ro- 
portioned  Ijeyond  anything  that  has  hitherto 
lieen  seen  in  the  human  form.  Tall,  straight: 
the  mu.scles  hardened  by  continual  action  of 
the  weather:  the  limbs  supple  by  e.xercise  and 
perhaps  use  of  oil.  He  out-strips  the  bear, 
and  runs  down  the  buck  and  elk.  Nf>  such 
thing  is  to  Ije  found  as  a  dwarfish,  crooked. 
bah<ly-legged  or  otherwise  misshapen  Indian. 

The  Indians  had  no  idea  of  distinct  and 
exclusive  property  :  the  lands  were  in  common, 
and  e\erv  man  had  a  right  to  ch(X)se  or  aban- 


20 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


•don  his  situation  at  pleasure.  Their  mude  of 
computation  was  hv  units,  tens  and  luuKh-eds, 
and  some  could  reckon  to  a  thousand ;  but  to 
express  great  numbers  thev  had  to  resort  Uj 
something-  indefinite;  as  numerous  as  the 
pigeons  in  the  woods  or  the  stars  in  the  heav- 
ens. Thev  reckoned  their  years  1)\'  winters, 
or  coliiin/cs.  which  was  a  name  taken  from  the 
call  of  the  wild  geese  wliich  thev  fi.und  in 
their  annual  \isits  t(v  Currituck  Soinul.  The}' 
di\-ided  the  year  into  h\"e  seasc-ns :  the  bud- 
ding time  or  blossoming  of  the  spring;  the 
earing  of  the  corn  or  roasting  ear  time;  the 
summer  or  liighest  sun ;  the  corn-gathering  or 
fall  of  the  leaf:  and  the  winter  or  cohoiiks. 
They  counted  the  months  by  the  moons,  liut 
had  no  distinction  for  hours  of  the  day.  They 
kept  accounts  by  knots  on  a  string,  or  notches 
■on  a  stick. 

The  Indian  tribes  of  tliis  count}-  were  the 
Chesapeakes,  who.se  village  was  near  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Norfolk,  with  loo  fighting  men, 
which,  including  women  and  children.  prol.)a- 
bly  made  a  population  of  400.  and  the  Nanse- 
mrmds.  The  tribe  of  the  Curritucks  lixecl  on 
the  south  lieyond  our  present  state  line;  but 
had  hunting  grounds  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  county.  The  Nansemonds  were  on  the 
west  and  at  ime  time  had  a  village  in  the  coun- 
ty near  Bower's  Hill.  Capt.  Jolui  Smith  gave 
them  300  fighting  men.  .-Vfter  the  peace  of 
1646  the  Indians  were  allowed  to  own  the 
land  thc\'  then  held  in  ])ossession,  and  so'  some 
of  the  Nansemonds  continued  to-  live  on  their 
lands  around  Bower's  Hill.  The  Basses. 
^^'ea\ 'i'rs.  Terkins,  Brighls  and  Prices  are  old 
families,  when  now  reside  thereabouts.  The 
descendants  and  kin  of  the  Nansemonds  now 
residing  in  the  county  numljer  over  i8o  per- 
sons. .An  Indian  chapel  was  Iniilt  at  Bower's 
Hill  in  1850,  where  the  red  men  of  the  Meth- 
odist faith  wnrshiiied  until  it  was  destroyed  by 
the  ravages  of  war  in  1862. 

The  ci  unity  of  Lower  Norfolk  was  divided 
into  two  parishes,  Lynnhaven  and  Elizal)eth 
River,  which  were  rc])resented  in  the  House 
of    Burgesses,    the     first     deliberate     assembl\ 


oi  America,  which  owes  its  foundation  to  the 
London  Company  and  dates  from  June,  the 
30th  of  July  or  the  9th  of  August,  1619,  as 
historians  variously'  fix, — Henning  says  in 
June.  It  was  convened  by  Gov.  George 
"^I'eardh-.  win;  is  the  father  of  free  govern- 
ment in  America,  at  Jamestown,  the  capital  of 
the  Colony  of  \Trginia.  The  first  representa- 
tion of  L(-)wer  Norfolk  County  of  which  we 
lia\e  aiiv  record  was  in  1637.  This  fact  is 
shnwn  b\-  the  court  proceedings. 

BURGESSES. 

Capt.  John  Sibsev  and  l^clxrt  Haves — Taniiarv, 
I  ('.?;. 

Henry  Sewcl!  and  John   Hill — 1639. 

Cornelius    Lloyd    and    Edward    Windham — 16-IJ-43. 

Cornelius  Lloyd  and  John   Sidney — 1644. 

Edward    Lloyd    and    Thomas    Mears — 1644-45. 

Cornelius  Lloyd  and  X'phcr  Burroughs — Novem- 
ber,  1645. 

Edward  Lloyd.  Thomas  Mcars  and  Robert  Eyers — • 
October,  1646. 

Lieuts.  Jolui  Sidney.  Henry  Woodhouse,  Cornelius 
Lloyd  and  Thomas   Mears — November.   1647. 

Bartholomew  Hoskins  and  Thomas  Lambert — Oc- 
tober. 1649. 

Cornelius  Lloyd.  Thomas  Lambert.  Henry  Wood- 
house  and  Charles   Burrows — April,   1652. 

Lieut. -Col.  Cornelius  Lloyd,  Maj.  Thomas  Lambert 
and  Charles  Burrows — November,  1652. 

Col.  Francis  Ycrly  and  Lieut. -Col.  Cornelius  Cal- 
vert— July,   1653. 

Bartholomew  Hoskins  and  Lyoncl  Mason — No- 
vember. 1654. 

Capt.  Richard  Foster  and  Col.  Tlionias  Lambert — 
March.   1655. 

Col  Jolm   Sidney  and   Col.   Thomas  Lambert — 1656. 

Col.  John  Sidney  and  Mai.  Lenuicl  ^L^5on — • 
March.   1657.   1658-59  and   1650-60. 

Maj.   Lemuel  Mason — 1662. 

Capt.  .\dam  Thorogood  and  Ca]it.  William  Car- 
vcr^October.    1666. 

Col.   William  Craford— 1688. 

William   Bradley  and   Thomas   Veale — 1765. 

John  Porter  was  elected  to  the  House  of 
Burgesses  for  the  session  1663  as  a  colleague 
of  ]\raj.  Lemuel  Mason  and  was  expelled  on 
tlie  I2th  of  September  from  the  House  of 
P)Urgesses  upon  the  information  of  John  Hill, 
high  sheriff  o-f  Lower  Norfolk  Count}",  for 
lining  the  Quakers,  opposition  to  infant  bap- 
tism and  refusing  to  take  the  oaths  of  al- 
legiance and  supremacy. 

The   biu-gesses   had   been    elected   by  vote 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


21 


lOliKtcii  111  ill  lu^eiiiiidci  >.  lull  the  riglil  ui 
siift'rajje  was  extended  and  at  court  held  Oc- 
tc'l)er  iSth.  1639.  it  was  ordered  that  "Wliere- 
as.  bv  act  of  Court  made  by  Governor  and 
Council  at  James  City  on  tlie  10th  of  tlie  pres- 
ent October,  it  is  ordered  the  commissioners 
of  each  county,  with  tlie  consent  of  all  the 
freemen,  shall  choose  Burgesses  for  their 
County,  it  is  therefiire  thought  fit  by  the 
Court,  as  also  with  the  consent  of  the  free- 
men, that  Mr.  Henry  Sewell  and  Mr.  John 
Hill  should  be  Burgesses  for  the  County." 
The  burgesses  received  no  salary  for  their 
services,  but  their  ex])enses  were  reimbursed 
by  the  county,  and  they  were  very  liljeral  to 
themselves.  The  expenses  for  the  session  of 
April.  1642.  were  reported  at  5.501  pounds  of 
tobacco,  and  an  itemized  acc<junt  of  the  ex- 
penses of  two  burgesses  at  the  session  of  1640 
embraced  "four  hogs,  twenty  pounds  of  but- 
ter, two  bushels  of  peas,  a  barrel  of  corn,  a 
case  of  strong  waters,  a  hogsJiead  of  Ijeer  and 
a  man  to  dress  the  said  victuals." 

The  election  of  members  to  the  first  Gen- 
eral Assembly  by  b<:>roughs  caused  the  lower 
house  to  be  called  the  Hou.se  of  Burgesses. 
Burgesses  were  privileged  from  arrest  for 
del)t.  The  right  of  suffrage  was  abridged  in 
1655.  but  was  again  extended  in  i'^)57-58  to 
embrace  all  freeinen.  The  Grand  Assembly 
of  1659-60  passed  a  law  pri.>hibiting  any  bur- 
gess of  that  session  from  accepting  any  other 
place  or  office  upon  penalty  of  paying  10,000 
ptamds  of  tobacco  for  his  contempt.  The  right 
of  suffrage  was  again  restricted  in  1670  to 
freeholders  and  housekeepers:  but  was  ex- 
tended in  1676  to  embrace  all  freeholders  and 
freemen.  So  it  appears  that  the  question  of 
suffrage  often  agitated  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Colony  as  well  as  now  those  of  a  State  in  the 
Republic. 

Sheriffs  were-  first  appointed  for  the  sev- 
eral shires  in  1634  with  the  same  ix>wers  as 
such  officers  had  in  England  and  in  1642-43 
their  tenn  was  restricted  to  one  year.  The 
Assembly  in  1655  enacted  that  the  commis- 
sioners   of    everv  countv   should   recommend 


three  <jr  iiuMe  to  liic  ( io\crni  r  and  Council, 
who  should  select  from,  those  recommended 
the  one  whom  they  thought  best  fitted  for 
sheriff,  and  this  course  was  pursued  all 
through  the  colonial  days  and  long  after  the 
indqiendence,  so  it  became  a  custom  that  the 
oldest  commissioner  or  justice  of  the  jieace 
could  always  become  the  sheriff  if  he  so  de- 
sired. 

mVISIOX   OF  THE  COfXTV. 

The  territory,  of  which  is  written  above, 
embraced  all  from  the  east  line  of  Nansemond 
County  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  which,  as  the 
population  increased  and  spread,  was  too  large 
for  the  convenience  of  the  people,  and  hence 
there  was  a  clamor  for  a  division  on  the  line 
of  the  two  parishes  of  Elizabeth  River  and 
Lynnhaven,  so  an  act  was  passed  cutting 
Lower  Norfolk  Countv  in  two.  and  forming 
Princess  .\nne  County  and  the  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty to  which  these  pages  are  especially  dedi- 
cated. 

At  a  General  Assembly  begun  at  James 
City,  on  the  i6th  day  of  Ai)rii.  1691.  and  in  the 
third  year  of  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary, 
King  and  Queen  of  England,  Scotland.  France 
and  Ireland,  the  Norfolk  County  to  which  these 
pages  are  devoted  was  organized  and  estab- 
lished by  the  following  designated  ACT  XX, 
being  the  la.st  Act  but" one  passed  that  session: 


Forasmuch  as  by  the  largeness  of  the  Count}'  of 
lower  Norfolk,  many  inconvenience?  are  found  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  lower  part  of  said  county  bounding 
i^n  the  main  ocean  and  the  parts  of  Xorth  Carolina, 
which  have  been  by  the  said  inhabitants  much  com- 
plained of,  and  now  from  the  said  inhabitants  of  tl" 
Eastern  parts  remonstrated  to  this  general  assembly  as 
a  grievance,  wherein  they  pray  to  be  redressed. 

Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  their  majesties  lieutenani 
Go-.\-rnour.  Council  and  Burgesses  of  this  present  gen- 
eral assembly,  and  the  authority  thereof,  and  it  is  here- 
/'v  enacted.  That  the  said  county  of  lower  Norfolk 
-h.T!l  1)6  divided  and  made  two  counties  In  manner  fol- 
lowing, that  is  to  say.  beginning  at  the  new  inlet  of 
Little  Creeke.  and  so  up  the  said  Creeke  to  the  dams 
between  Jacob  Johnson  and  Richard  Drout.  and  so  out 
of  the  said  dams  up  a  branch,  the  head  of  which  branch 
Iveth  between  the  dwelling  house  of  William  iloseley. 
Senr..  and  the  new  dwelling  house  of  Edward  Webb, 


22 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  so  to  run  from  the  head  of  said  branch  on  a  direct 
line  to  the  dams  at  the  head  of  the  Eastern  branch  of 
Elizabeth  River,  the  which  dams  He  between  James 
Kemp  and  Thomas  Ivy,  and  so  down  the  said  branch 
to  the  mouth  of  a  small  branch  or  gutt  that  divides  the 
land  which  Mr.  John  Porter  now  lives  on,  from  the 
land  he  formerly  lived  on,  and  so  up  the  said  small 
branch  according  to  the  bounds  of  the  said  plantation, 
where  the  said  Porter  now  hveth.  and  from  thence 
to  the  great  swamp,  that  lyeth  on  the  East  side  of 
John  Shawlands,  and  so  along  the  said  great  swamp 
to  the  North  river  of  Corotucke,  and  down  the  said 
North  river  to  the  mouth  of  Simpson  creeke,  and  so  up 
the  said  creeke  to  the  head  thereof,  and  from  thence  by 
a  south  line  to  the  bounds  of  Carolina,  and  that  this 
division  shall  be,  and  remaine  the  bounds  between,  the 
said  two  counties,  which  shall  hereafter  be  and  be  held, 
deemed  and  taken  as  and  for  two  entire  and  distinct 
counties,  each  of  which  shall  have,  use.  and  enjoy  all 
the  liberties,  priviledges  and  advantages  of  any  other 
county  of  this  colony  to  all  intents  and  purposes  what- 
soever, an;!  that  the  uppermost  of  the  said  two  cou^ities. 
in  which  Elizabeth  river  and  the  branches  thereof  are 
included,  doe  retain  and  be  ever  hereafter  called  and 
known  by  the  name  of  Norfolk  Conntie.  and  that  the 
other  of  the  said  counties  be  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Princess  Ann  County ;  and  for  the  due  ad- 
ministration of  justice.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  authority 
aforesaid,  and  it  is  hereby  enacted,  That  a  court  forJ 
the  said  Princess  Ann  County  be  constantly  held  by 
the  justices  thereof  upon  the  second  Wednesday  of  the 
month  in  such  manner  as  by  the  law  of  this  countrey 
is  provided,  and  shall  be  by  their  commission  directed. 

DE.SCRIPTION    OF   THE    COUNTY. 

Norfolk  County  lies  in  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  State,  hordering  on  Hampton  Roads 
and  Chesapeake  Bay,  with  only  one  county 
(  Princess  Anne)  between  it  and  the  sea.  It 
is  about  32  miles  long,  north  and  south,  and 
17  miles  wide,  containing  nearlv  ^^o  square 
miles.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Chesa- 
peake Bay  and  Ha.mpton  Roads,  on  'the  east 
by  Princess  Anne  County,  on  the  south  by 
North  Carolina  and  on  the  west  1>y  Nanse- 
mond  County,  Elizabeth  Ri\-er  and  Hampton 
Roads.  The  county  is  penetrated  liy  seyeral 
arms  of  the  sea. — Tanner's  Creek.  Broad 
Creek,  Mason's  Creek  and  Deep  Creek, — 
which  with  the  three  branches  of  the  FJizabetli 
Riyer. — the  "Eastern  Branch."  "Western 
Branch"  and  "Si.uthern  Branch." — and  the 
North  West  River  constitute  a  \'ery  tine  water 
system,  and  places  each  farm  in  Norfolk  Coiin- 
tv  within  a  few  miles  nf  w.ater  traus]>ortation. 


insuring  to  the  Norfolk  County  farmer   the 
cheapest  transportation  in  the  world. 

Two  canals  connect  the  waters  of  the 
Chesapeake  with  those  o^f  the  North  Carulina 
system  of  sounds  and  rivers,  thus.makiijg  all 
of  Eastern  Carolina  tributary  to  the  Norfolk 
and  Portsmoutli  harbor  by  water.  Twehe 
railroads  terminate  in  the  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth harbor,  all  connected  by  the  Belt  Line 
Railroad,  cutting  Norfolk  County  in  all  di- 
rections. Nine  beautiful  shell  turnpikes  alsn 
traverse  Norfolk  County  in  all  directions. 
Therefore  we  may  safel}'  claim  that  the 
Norfolk  Ciiunty  farmer  is  better  sui)])lied 
with  transportation  facilities  than  the  farm- 
ers of  any  other  county  oif  the  United  States. 
Nearly  all  the  streams  of  water  in  N(n-folk 
County  are  afifected  by  the  tide,  the  tide  ebbing 
and  flowing  to  the  very  head  of  the  streams. 
This  constant  ebbing  and  flowing  of  the  tide 
carries  the  salt,  pure  waters  of  the  ocean  twice 
e\-ery  24  hours  up  all  these  streams,  and  makes 
it  r|uite  impossible  for  any  water  tO'  become 
stagnant  or  imjitu'e.  These  arms  of  the  sea 
also'  afiford  the  finest  natiu'al  drainage  known. 
The  excess  of  rainfall  runs  into'  them  without 
e\-en  di)ing  a  dollar's  worth  of  damage  by 
flood  or  freshet.  The  soil  (if  Norfolk  County 
is  of  t\v(y  general  kinds,  viz.  :  a  clay-loam 
and  a  sand-loam,  all  underlaid  with  a  g(  nd. 
substantial  clay  sul>soil.  The  surface  of  the 
county  is  from  eight  tO'  20  feet  aliove  the  sea 
le\el.  The  mean  annual  rainfall  is  about  ^2 
inches,  well  distrilnited  throughout  the  year, 
of  which  amount  about  .^5  inches  falls  during 
the  growing  season,  say  from  the  ist  of  IMarch 
to  the  rst  of  October,  The  thermometer 
ranges  in  summer  from  70  to  90  degrees,  sel- 
dom going  to'  95  al)ove  zero,  while  in  winter 
it  never  goes  to  20  degrees  abo\-e  zero  more 
tbani  three  days  all  told  during  the  winter, 
'idiis  cutting  oft'  of  the  two  extremes  of  heat 
and  cold  is  caused  by  the  fact  that  the  country 
is  practicallv  surrounded  on  three  sides  by 
salt  water,  and  the  water  never  goes  to  either 
extreme,  as  the  water  temperature  is  f|uite 
imiform      throuo-hout    the    year.       The    Gulf 


^ 


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o 


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o 

u 


-iJ!>»>.         V   ; 


AXn    REPRESEXTATIVE    CITIZEN'S. 


Stream,  tlial  great  wonder  of  the  Atlantic, 
wliicli  rolls  only  a  few  miles  off  our  coast  on 
its  way  to  Europe,  has  a  very  pleasing  effect 
on  <nir  winter  clinaate. 

R.\lLRO.\n    AND    STKAMSIlir    LINES. 

Below  are  the  names  of  12  railroads  hav- 
ing terminals  here.  These  roads  reach  cottr>n.  ; 
sugar,  rice,  fruit  and  timber  lands  ot  the 
South;  coal  fields,  iron  mines,  granaries  of 
the  West,  and  great  commercial  and  manu- 
facturing centers  of  the  Xorth. 

Seaboard  Air  Line.  2.60a  niilc.^. 

Southern   Railway.  5.249  miles. 

-Atlantic  Coast   Line.   1.567  miles. 

Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway.   1.455  miles. 

.Atlantic  &   Danville  Railway.  278  miles. 

Norfolk  &   Western   Railway.   1.570  miles. 

Xorfolk  &  Ocean  View  Railwav.  to  Old   Point,   19 
miles. 

Xorfolk    &    Atlantic    Terminal    Company,    to    Old 
Point.   18  miles. 

Xorfolk  &  Portsmouth  Belt  Line.  10  miles. 

Xorfolk.   Virginia   Beach   &   Southern   Railroad.  40  , 
miles. 

N'orfolk  &  Southern  Railroad  and  water  lines.  510 
miles. 

Xew  York.  Philadelphia  &  X'orfolk  Railroad.  112 
miles. 

Xorfolk  and  Portsmouth  harlior  is  tlie 
most  l)eautiful  and  spacious  on  the  Atlantic 
coast;  it  is  safe  for  the  smallest  craft  in  tlie 
severest  storms,  and  in  the  extremely  cold 
weather  is  o])en  to  navigation.  Its  channel 
way.  28  feet  depth  at  low  water,  is  sufficient 
to  float  the  largest  vessels  in  the  world.  j 

Xorfolk  County's  shi]>]>ing  is  handled  by  I 
22  steamship  lines,  making  direct  trips  from 
this  port.— to  Europe,  to  the  West  Indies 
and  to  the  large  cities  on  the  .\tlantic  Coast. 
Light  draft  l)oats  navigate  all  rivers  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Carolina,  offering  quick  and  cheap 
communication  with  500  small  cities,  towns, 
villages  and  stations  at  which  merchandise  is 
delivered  and  farm  pniducts  and  lumber  load- 
ed for  this  market.  These  lines  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

Clyde   Line,   to   Philadelphia. 
Weems  Line,  to  Rappahannock. 


Pcttit's  Line,  to  Xorth  Carolina. 

Bennett's   Line,   to   Xorth   Carolina. 

Xorfolk    and    M'est    In<lia    Fruit  Line. 

Xorfolk  and  Old   Point  and   Hampton. 

\'irginia   Xavigalion    Company,   to   Richmond. 

Baltimore  Steam  Packet  Company,  to  Baltimore. 

Xorfolk  and  Xewport   Xews  and  Smithficld. 

Norfolk  and  Wasliington  Steamboat  Company,  to 
Washington. 

James  River  Steamboat  Company.  Norfolk  to 
Richmond. 

Norfolk  and  Xansemond  River  landings  and  .Suf- 
folk. 

Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company,  to  Richmond 
and  Xew  York. 

United  States  Shinoing  Company,  to  Great  Britain 
and  the  Continent. 

Baltimore.  Chesapeake  &  Richmond  Steamboat 
Comnany.  to   Baltimore. 

The  Xorth  .American  Transport  Company,  to 
Great   Britain  and  the  Continent. 

X'orfolk  and  Back  River.  Poquosin  and  York  riv- 
ers, including  West  Point. 

Petersburg  &  Xorfolk  Line,  to  Petersburg.  Xor- 
folk. Claremont  and  Richmond. 

Merchants"  &  Miners'  Transportation  Company,  to 
Baltimore.   Boston  and   Providence. 

Xorfolk  and  landings  in  East.  Ware  and  Severn 
rivers  in   Mathews  and  Gloucester  counties. 

Of  the  colonial  homes  in  X'orfolk  Countv, 
Virginia,  few  are  prettier  than  that  of  the 
Talljot  family  on  Tanner's  Creek,  about  three 
miles  north  of  Xorfolk.  The  plantation  upon 
which  this  is  situated  is  known  as  "Talbot 
Hall."  and  was  purchased  in  1774  by  the 
great-grandfather  of  the  present  owner, 
Thomas  Tallx>t,  from  \\'illiam  Langley,  to 
whose  grandfather  it  had  been  patented  in 
1675  as  a  tract  of  829  acres,  in  consideration 
of  his  having  imported  into  the  colony  17  per- 
sons. 

The  house  is  built  of  bricks  which  were 
burned  u]>on  the  premises  nearby,  and  there 
is  still  a  large  sink  or  depression  in  the  yard, 
whence  the  clay  for  the  bricks  was  dug.  I-'ifty 
years  ago  the  exterior  walls  were  stuccfied 
and  a  slate  roof  placed  over  the  original 
shingle  roof.  The  hou.se  was  started  in  1799 
l)y  Solomon  Butt  Talbot,  and  was  three  years 
in  building — so  careful  was  construction  in 
those  days.  It  stands  solidly  today  with  its 
thick  walls  and  .stout  timljers.  There  is  a 
cellar  and  two  stories  and  an  attic.  In  the 
parlor  over  the  mantel  there  stands  out  in  re- 


26 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


lief  ill  the  plastering  an  American  eagle  with 
17  stars  over  his  head,  and  underneath  the 
words  "E  Pluribus  Ununi."  Th.e  17  stars  in- 
dicate that  the  plastering  was  not  put  up  until 
after  the  admission  of  OItIo.  the  seventeentli 
State,  into  the  Union,  which  occurred  on  No- 
vember 29th,  1802.  It  is  said  that  during  the 
Confederate  War,  this  emblem  saved  the  house 
from  being  burned  by  the  passing  Federal 
troops. 

Surrounding  the  dwelling  there  is  a  large 
yard,  which  is  half  a  mile  in  circumference, 
and  contains  about  10  acres.  This  yard  fronts 
on  Tanner's  Creek,  about  one  mile  eastwardly 
from  the  bridge  o-f  the  Sewell's  Point  trolley 
line,  and  commands  a  good  view  out  to  the 
Elizabeth  River.  It  contains  numerous  out- 
buildings and  some  of  the  fines't  and  largest 
shade  trees  in  this  portion  of  the  State. 
Among  the  ^■arieties  of  trees  are  elms,  cedars, 
English  walnut,  lindens,  cypress,  magnolias, 
locusts,  pine,  spruce,  black  walnut,  beech, 
oaks,  mulberry,  holly,  persimmon,  horse  chest- 
nut and  several  varieties  of  fruit  trees.  In  a 
corner  of  the  yard  over  a  cool  spring  there  is 
an  old  brick  dairy  house,  in  which  dairy  prod- 
ucts were  kept  cool,  long  befi.re  the  davs  of  ice 
factories.  On  the  shore  there  is  a  nice  bath- 
ing beach,  and  the  stream  yields  the  finest  fish 
and  oysters.  On  everv  liand  tliere  are  sug- 
gestions of  the  Irmg  ago. 

A  list  of  the  historic  homes  in  Norfolk 
County  would  be  incomplete  without  mention 
of  the  homestead  of  Kafler  Talbot  on  Tan- 
ner's Creek,  about  a  half  mile  eastwardly  from 
the  Indian  Pole  Bridge,  and  now  reached  over 
the  Cottage  Toll  Bn'do-e  Rc-id.  Tlie  nlnnfa- 
tion  formerly  contained  t,ooo  acres,,  and  the 
part  upon  which  the  main  dwelling  now 
■Stands  is  owned  by  George  Cromwell.  This 
dwelling  was  built  about  1780,  and  is  of  brick, 
stuccoed,  and  has  a  shingle  roof.  The  archi- 
tecture is  unusual  in  that  the  rooms  on  the 
lower  or  parlor  floor  have  cnlv  about  nine  feet 
of  pitch,  while  the  ceilings  unstairs  are  about 
JT  feet  high.  The  home,  wliicli  was  formerly 
the  scene  of  man\-  brilliant   fetes,  occupies  a 


commanding  situation  on  Tanner's  Creek.  On 
the  shore  in  front  of  the  dwelling,  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  last  century,  Kader  Talbot  had 
marine  railways  and  a  shipyard,  at  which  large 
sailing  vessels  were  built.  From  the  size  of 
the  vessels  built,  it  is  presumed  that  the  pres- 
ent shoals  at  the  mouth  of  Tanner's  Creek 
did  not  then  exist.  Whenever  a  vessel  was 
launched,  there  always  followed  an  old-fa.sh- 
ioned  "frolic"  and  dance  at  the  dwelling, 
which  was  a  great .  occasion  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Kader  Talbot  died  in  181S,  and  not 
man}-  decades  later  his  plantation,  like  so 
many  of  the  old  Virginia  homesteads,  became 
the  property  of  another  family.  In  1816  he 
gave  the  homestead  to  his  daughter.  Elizabeth 
Cocke,  who  sold  it  in  1843  ^o  P.  N.  Bristoll. 
Its  present  o\vner  has  been  mentioned  above. 

On  page  24  of  this  work  are  shown  views 
of  the  twO'  Talbot  homes,  also  a  view  of  the 
colonial  house  built  in  1744  by  Willis  Wilkins, 
and  a  reproduction  from  an  old  print  of  the 
first  court  house  belonging"  to  the  borough  of 
Norfolk,  which  structure  was"  built  in  1790. 
On  a  succeeding  page  of  this  history  is  shown 
a  view  of  the  mansion  house  on  the  plantation 
of  Col.  ^^^illiam  Craf(;rd,  tlie  founder  of  Ports- 
mouth, which  house  is  now  occupied  by  the 
Guthries,  children  of  the  distinguished  Captain 
Guthrie,  who  sacrificed  his  life  in  attempting 
to  save  the  crew  of  the  wrecked  U.  S.  S. 
"Hunm."  The  celebrated  Commodore  Rich- 
ard Dale  was  born  on  this  i^lantation.  which 
was  devised  hv  Colonel  Craford  to'  his  kins- 
man. Daniel  Dale. 

In  the  early  days,  prior  to  the  Revolution, 
shiip-builders  had  frequent  occasion  to  take 
boys  as  apprentices  and  teach  them  the  trade. 
.\  specimen  of  the  contract  of  apprenticeship 
then  in  \-(  igue,  prepared  by  a  con\-eyancer,  reads 
as  follows : 


Ndrfdik  rminty:  This  Indenture  witne.sseth  that 
Mary  Frost  of  the  parish  nf  EHzabeth  River  and  Coun- 
ty of  Norfolk  aforesaid  Hatli  pnt  licr  son  Noah  Frost 
"'ith  his  own  Consent  an  aporenticc  to  .\.  R.  C.  of  said 
County  and  Parish  aforesaid  Shipliuilder  to  learn  his 
art,  and  with  him  after  the  manner  of  an  apprentice. 
To   Sarve   from   llie  Pate  hearof  until   the  full   End  and 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


27 


term  ui  In  i'  years  from  thence  next  Ensuing,  and  fully 
to  be  Conipicat  ami  Kiidctl.  During  which  time  the 
>aiil  Apprentice  his  said  master  faitlifuU  shall  and  will 
>arve.  his  secrets  Keep,  his  lawfull  Commands  cvery- 
whare  gladly  do,  he  shall  do  no  Damage  to  his  said 
master  nor  see  it  Dun  by  Others  without  giving  notice 
to  his  said  master  of  the  same.  The  gcxids  of  his  said 
masters  he  shall  not  waste,  he  shall  Nither  buy  nor 
sell  without  his  masters  leave.  Taverns.  Inns,  or  Ale- 
houses lie  shall  not  haunt.  .Xt  Cards.  Dice.  Table,  or 
any  other  unlawful!  game  he  shall  not  Play.  Forni- 
cation he  shall  not  Commit.  Xor  from  the  Sarvice  of 
his  said  master  day  or  night  he  shall  not  absent  him- 
self. But  in  all  things  as  an  Honest.  Diligent  and 
laithfull  apprentice  shall  and  will  doe  and  behave  him- 
self towards  his  said  master,  and  all  during  the  said 
term  the  said  master  his  said  apprentice  shall  teach 
the  art  of  a  Ship  Builder  which  he  now  useth.  shall 
Teach  and  Instruct  or  Cans  to  be  Tought  and  In- 
structed as  fir  as  in  his  power  lies  Dureing  the  said 
term,  finding  to  his  said  apprentice  meat  Apparrell. 
washing  and  Lodging  and  all  other  Necessarys  fitting 
for  such  an  .Apprentice  during  the  said  Term,  and  for 
the  True  Ferformenls  of  all  and  Every  the  Covenants 
and  agrcanients  aforesaid  Either  of  the  said  parties 
bindeth  himself  unto  the  other  firmly  by  these  Pres- 
ents. In  witness  whareof.  the  Partys  alxjve  said  to 
this  Indenture  as  also  the  said  apprentice  Hath  sett 
tliare  hands  and  seals  This  fnurtli  Dav  of  Decemlier 
1-58. 


her 

Mary  X  Frost 

(Se.m.) 

mark 

Signed    Scaled   &   Delivered 

Noah   Frost 

(Se.\l) 

In   the   Presents  of 

John   Willoughhv 

A.  B.   C. 

(Se.^l) 

Peter  Frost 

The  following  copy  of  a  bill  of  sale,  ex- 
ecuted in  1759,  shows  the  usual  form  of  con- 
tract under  which  slaves  were  sold,  and  indi- 
cates the  value  of  slaves  at  that  date.  In  this 
colony  the  pound  and  shilling  equaled  $3.33 
and  $0.16  2-3,  respectively. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I.  Samuel 
Langley  of  Xorfolk  Coimty  in  \'irginia  for  and  in  Con- 
sideration of  the  sum  of  One  hundred  and  sixty-two 
potmds  ten  shillings  current  money  of  Virginia  to  me 
in  hand  by  A.  B.  C.  of  Xorfolk  County  in  Virginia 
aforesaid  the  receipt  of  which  I  do  hereby  acknowl- 
edge. Iiave  bargained  sold  and  delivered  unto  the  said 
-V  B.  C.  Six  Xegroe  Slaves  Xamely.  Bob,  Kate,  Nan. 
Slaven.  Judey.  Shebath.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said 
slaves  forever,  and  I  do  hereby  warrant  and  defend  the 
said  slaves  against  all  persons  whatsoever  claiming  or 
hereafter  may  claim  unto  the  said  .•V.  B.  C  his  Heirs 
and  -Assigns  forever.     In  witness  whereof  I  have  here- 


unto  sett   my   hand    and    seal    this   twenty-first   day   of 
April,  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-nine, 
witness  Samuel   Langley  (Se.m.) 

James   .Ashley 
Barth'w    Thompson. 

HISTORKAL    INCIDENTS. 

Ensign  Thomas  W'illuughby  came  to  \'ir- 
ginia  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  on  the  ship 
"Prosperous"  in  1610.  He  first  located  on 
the  peninsula  and  afterward  settled  near  Ocean 
View  in  Norfolk  County. 

A  statement  of  Henry  Scwcll's  account 
with  his  factor  in  the  year  1638  "of  tobacco 
sent  over  in  the  ships  'Alexandria'  and  'Amer- 
ica,' and  for  one-half  i>f  the  cargo  of  a  shal- 
lop loaded  with-  sassafras  roots  to  be  sold  in 
England,"  shows  his  cash  receipts  to  ha\e 
been  £610,  19s.  8d. 

On  the  i8th  day  of  ^larch,  1642,  the 
County  Court  granted  a  certificate  for  200 
acres  of  land  to  Capt.  Richard  Parsons  for 
bringing  into  the  Colony,  John,  the  negro,  his 
wife  and  child,  Basteano,  a  negro,  Christo- 
pher, an  Indian  and  his  o\vn  tran->ix>rt. 

On  June  15,  1668.  William  Fitzhugh 
wrote  to  ^\'illiam  Cooper,  his  merchant  in 
London,  to  send  him  "three  couples  of  Rab- 
bits. " 

The  following  prescription  dates  back  to 
the  Revolutionary  j-.eriod,  and  indicates  the 
way  our  grandfathers  took  medicine.  The 
ailment  the  pills  were  given  for  is  not  stated 
in  the  original. 

Half  an  ounce  of  Rhubarb,  half  an  ounce  of  Jal- 
lap.  mix  with  Casteal  soap,  add  a  little  honey,  make  up 
into  Pills  about  the  size  of  a  garden  pea.  2  or  3  at 
night   will    do. 

In  1781,  while  the  British  were  occupying 
Portsmouth,  a  number  of  officers  took  pos- 
session of  the  residence  i;f  Isaac  Luke,  Esq.. 
oiOsorth  Court  street  for  their  headquarters. 
Isaac  was  a  man  of  large  means  and  kept  the 
customary  wine  cellar  of  those  days.  On  one 
occasion  the  British  officers  made  a  drunken 
revelry  on  his  wine,  broke  the  bottles  o\er  the 
floor  and  compelled  him  to  walk  barefooted 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


u\er  tlie  l>roken  glass.  His  daughter.  Eliza- 
beth, then  a  young  lady  of  17  years,  was  be- 
trothed to  Capt.  \\'illiam  Porter  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Line  in  the  American  Army,  and  wore 
a  handsome  diamond  engagement  ring — this 
ring  attracted  the  notice  O'f  one  of  the  offi- 
cers and  he  attempted  to  rob  her  of  it  by  force. 
Breaking  from  him,  she  ran  out  on  the  back 
porch,  slipped  the  ring-  from  her  finger  and 
threw  it  among  the  weeds  and  tall  grass  which 
were  growing  in  the  Ijack  yard.  It  thus  es- 
cai>ed  the  clutches  of  the  Englishman,  buit, 
unfortunately,  it  was  so  well  concealed  there 
she  herself  was  unable  to  find  it, — the  loss  of 
the  ring,  however,  did  not  ha^'e  the  effect  upon 
her  engagement  that  some  superstitious  i^er- 
sons  might  suppose.  She  and  Captain  Porter 
were  married  October  21,  the  following  vear, 
one  )'ear  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at 
Yorktown. 

December  20,  1787,  an  act  was  passed  pro- 
\'i(Iing  for  the  establishment  of  a  marine  lins- 
pital  for  the  reception  of  aged  and  disabled 
seamen  at  Washington,  in  the  county  of  Nor- 
folk. This  building  is  now  the  Ryland  In- 
stitute. Berkley.  On  December  24,  1790,  it 
\\as  ordered  that  the  Marine  Hospital  be  sold 
and  nne-half  of  the  proceeds  go  to  Norfolk 
for  supjwrt  of  the  academy  and  one-half  be 
paid  trustees  to  erect  a  school  in  the  town  of 
Portsmouth  to  educate  orphan  children. 

At  a  County  Court  held  on,  the  20th  nf 
May,  1795,  Lieut.  William  Wilson,  of  Fort 
Nelson  was  tried  for  the  murder  of  Lieut. 
Charles  Harrison,  of  Fort  Norfolk,  and  ac- 
quitted, and  on  the  26th  Edward  Voss, 
charged  with  being  accessory  to  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  Harrison,  was  discharged.  This 
tri;il  was  evidently  the  result  of  a  duel. 

(Jn  July  13,  1803,  Jerome  Bonaparte  ar- 
rived here  in  a  vessel  from  the  West  Indies 
and  left  for  Baltimore  in  a  sloop  with  Captain 
^\■alker. 

On  May  31,  1815,  the  steamtoat  "Eagle," 
Captain  Rodgers,  was  advertised  to  leave  for 
Baltimore.  She  was  the  first  steamboat  re- 
ciirded  as  ajipearing  in  these  waters. 


On  December  15.  1815,  a  boat  built  near 
the  Peak's  of  Otter  arrived,  bringing  one  bar- 
rel of  flour  that  had  been  ground  on  the 
Staunton  River  and  intended  as  a  present  to 
the  boro'Ugh  of  Norfolk.  She  came  down  the 
Dan  and  Staunton  rivers  to  the  Roanoke, 
down  that  river  to  Albemarle  Sound,  toiiching 
at  Edenton  and  Elizabeth  City  and  through 
the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal.  R.  S.  \\'.  Cabell, 
Philip  Paine.  Carter  Harrison,  and  Samuel 
Pannil,  members  of  the  North  Carolina  Legis- 
lature, were  passengers.  The  intention  of  this 
voyage  was  to  demonstrate  how  the  products 
of  that  section  could  reach  tidewater. 

In  1 8 16  William  Pennock  advertised  "200 
kegs  of  pickled  oysters,"  part  cargo  of  the 
schooner  "Venus"  from  the  Isle  of  Guernsey, 
coast  of  France  and  said  to  be  of  superior 
flavor. 

1816— May  19th— Died,  William  Pen- 
nock. He  came  here  from  Maryland  soon 
after  the  Revolution.  He  was  an'  extensive 
merchant,  owning  at  one  time  'over  40  square- 
rigged  vessels,  all  built  here,  and  engaged  in 
foreign  trade,  and  the  captains  and  mates  resi- 
dent in  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  In  fact,  the 
principal  occupation  oi"  both  towns  was  ship- 
building and'  seafaring.  Simmon's  directory 
of  1 80 1  gives  names  of  83  captains  and  mates 
residents. 

On  April  3,  1821.  at  the  launching  of  the 
new  steamboat  "Hampton,"  built  to  ply  be- 
tween Norfolk  and  Hampton,  at  this  shipyard, 
near  the  draw  bridge,  Edmund  Allmand,  ship- 
builder, was  killed  b}-  the  falling  of  a  spar. 

May  21,  1822, — Launched  from  shipyard 
of  William  F.  -Hunter,  ait  foot  of  Nebraska 
street,  Norfolk,  steam  brig  "New  York."  Her 
owners  were  George  and  W'illiam  Rowland, 
Capt.  Richard  Churchward,  John  Tunis,  John 
Allmand  and  the  builder.  She  was  260  tons, 
50  horse-power  and  built  to  ply  between  New 
York  and  Norfolk.  The  Scieiitifie  Ainericaii 
credits  her  as  being  the  second  steam  \-essel 
built  in  the  L'nitecl  States  to  navigate  the 
ocean,  succeecHng  the  historic  "SaN'annah," 
Captain   Rodgers.      -V   handsome   oil    painting 


AND    REPRESEXTATINE    aTiZl-.XS. 


29 


of  tliis  ship  was  made  to  the  order  of  the  Old 
Dtuninion  Steain>hi|)  Company  and  deposited 
in  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor.  Staten  Island.  Xew 
York,  and  a  copy  of  the  same  presented  to  the 
Norfolk  Chamber  of  Commerce,  where  it  now 
hangs. 

In  1826  lucifer  matches  were  ad\ertised  for 
sale  by  Joseph  T.  Allyn.  Price. — 25  cents  a 
bo.x  of   100  matches. 

December  28.  1828.  Capt.  Roger  Quarle-. 
an  old  shijj-master,  died.  In  the  \\  ar  of  1812 
he  fitted  out  at  h'is  own  cost  the  privateer 
"Roger."  and  was  noted  for  his  success  and 
skill,  bringing  many  prizes  that  he  captured 
from  the  British  into  this  port.  He  died  at 
the  residence  of  Capt.  Richard  Drummond. 
who  then  owned  all  of  Ghent. 

The  new  steamboat  "Lady  of  the  Lake." 
built  by  Capt.  Guy  C.  Wheeler  at  his  shii)- 
yard  in  Portsmouth,  came  down  under  her 
own  steam  July  3,  1830.  from  Mr.  Russel's 
machine  shop  on  Holt  street.  Briggs"  Point, 
where  her  machinery  was  put  in  under  Thom- 
as Murphy.  Mr.  Russel  cast  bells  for 
churches,  etc. :  he  made  the  iron  railing  around 
Christ  Church,  the  patterns  for  which  were 
taken  from  the  Lnited  States  Bank,  on  Chest- 
nut street,  Philadelphia. 

1829 — April      i6th — The     Virginia     and 


North  Carolina  Transportation  Companv  con- 
tracted for  and  had  completed  in  thirty  days 
10  vessels  for  the  canal  trade  at  the  following 
shipyards  :  Josq>h  Porter.  Portsmouth  ;  John 
0\erton.  Portsmouth:  Miles.  Chambers  & 
Hathaway.  Portsmouth  ;  Ryan  &  Gayle.  Port.s- 
mouth;  Oney  S.  Cameron,  ^'orfolk;  Isaac 
Talbot,  Norfolk:  and  Tohn  G.  Collev,  Nor- 
folk. 

On  March  30.  1837.  there  arrived  the 
Erench  frigate  "Andromede,"  frtnn  Rio  de 
Janeiro ;  Lcniis  Naix>leon  Bonaparte  ( after- 
ward King  Louis  Na]>oleon).  passenger.  He 
])ut  up  at  I'rench's  Hotel,  corner  of  i\Iain  and 
Chiuxh  streets,  Norfolk,  now  John  Willis' 
furniture  house. 

On  November  28.  1817.  the  ship  ".Atlas" 
from  Havre.  France,  arrived  in  the  port;  a 
part  of  her  cargo  was  furniture  for  the  White 
House  in  Washington.  This  was  severely 
commented  upon.  Was  .\merican-made  fur- 
niture not  good  enough  for  an  American- 
made  president? 

On  December  4.  1817.  a  list  of  about  300 
persons  was  published  for  failing  tr>  attend  the 
regular  musters  of  the  militia  during  the  year, 
with  the  amount  of  fines  imposed  ranging 
from  $5.00  to  $25.00  each. 


CHAPTER  III 


MILITARY    HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY 

Indian  Wars — Colonial  Officers  and  Soldiers — Manner  of  Bearing  Expenses  of  the 
Indian  Wars — Colonial  Military  Tactics — Committee  of  Safety — Revolutionary 
Times — Dunmore's  Doings — Battle  of  Great  Bridge — Correspondence  of  Wood- 
ford AND  Howe — Destruction  of  Norfolk — Other  Invasions  and  Depredations 
of  the  British — Some  Soldiers  and  Sailors  of  the  Revolution — Itemized 
Statement  of  Losses  Sustained  by  a  Citizen  of  Norfolk  During  the  Bombard- 
ment— British  Property  Confiscated — Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 


The  military  history  of  Norfolk  County, 
including  the  periods  of  peace,  covers  a  period 
of  three  hundred  years  less  seven. 

Capt.  Christopher  Newport  sailed  from 
Blackwell  for  America  on  the  19th  day  of  De- 
cember, 1 60b.  After  a  stormy  voyage  of  over 
four  months,  while  off  the  coast  of  Hatteras 
in  quest  of  Roanoke  Island,  a  violent  gale  of 
'wind  providentially  drove  his  little  fleet  into 
the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay  on  the  26th 
day  of  April,  1607,  where  the  sailors  sighted 
land  and  called  it  Cape  Henry.  The  com- 
mander with  27  others  landed  there  and  while 
on  shore  making  ohservations  five  natives 
came  creeping-  on  all  fours  from  behind  the 
sand  hills  and  wounded  two  men  with  their 
arrows ;  but  a  few  musket  shots  sent  them 
flying  back.  Cape  Henry  was  in  Lower  Nor- 
folk County,  so  upoai  its  soil  the  first  colonial 
blood  was  shed  and  there  was  the  scene  of  the 
lirst  Indian  hostilities  in  Virginia.  This  ex- 
pedition arrived  at  Jamestown  on  the  13th  day 
of  May,  1607.  and  established  the  first  per- 
manent English  settlement  in  America. 


Capt.  John  Smith  returning' from  his  voy- 
age of  discovery  up  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
sailed  up  the  Nansemond  River  seven  or  eight 
miles  and  found  its  banks  consisting  mainly 
of  oyster  shells.  He  had  a  fight  with  tb.e 
Nansemonds  and  Chesapeakes  about  eight 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Sudden- 
ly arrows  came  fast  and  thick  from  both  sides 
of  the  ri\er,  but  about  twenty  shots  from 
muskets  made  all  the  bowmen  flee.  Over  a 
hundred  arrows  stuck  in  Captain  Smith's  boat, 
yet  no  one  was  hurt,  only  Anthony  Bagnall 
was  shot  in  his  hat  and  another  in  his  sleeve. 
The  Chesapeakes  had  100  bowmen  and  the 
Nansemonds  200  fighting  men.  Captain 
Smitli  captured  all  the  corn  he  could  take 
awav  and  returning  arrived  on  the  7th  day  of 
September,  1608,  at  Jamestown. 

The  Indians  at  first  visited  the  colonists 
in  a  friendly  way,  but  afterward  they  fre- 
quently attacked  them.  The  careless  strag- 
gling of  the  English  gave  the  Indians  oppor- 
tunities to  kill  or  wound  them.  After  the 
great  massacre  "of  the  22nd  of  Alarch,   1622, 


Ax\D   REPRESEx\TATIVE   CITIZENS. 


"I 


when  .^47  men,  \\i>nicii  ;ui<l  cliildren  were 
treacherously  and  inlunnanly  Initchered,  laws 
were  passed  forcing  tlie  colonists  to  guard  and 
|)rotect  themselves  against  hostile  natives. 
The  commanders  of  ])lantations  were  reciiiired 
to  see  that  there  was  kept  a  supi)ly  of  ani- 
nuuiition,  that  their  arms  were  in  good  order 
and  that  constant  watch  be  kept  at  in"ght.  AH 
men  able  to  bear  arms  were  required  to  carry 
them  ti>  church  on  ])enalty,  if  default  was  in 
the  master,  of  two  p(nnids  of  tobacco  and  if 
in  the  servants  they  were  to  be  punished  by 
the  master.  Under  such  severe  tasks  and  con- 
tinual hardshii)s,  no  wonder  wars  of  extermin- 
ation were  declared. 

The  Grand  .\sseml)ly.  in  October.  i(;_'y, 
at  Jamestown,  declared  war  and  enacted  that 
there  should  be  three  several  marches  against 
the  Indians,  in  November,  March  and  July, 
and  every  commander  was  required  to  levy  a 
•force  of  as  many  men  as  could  well  be  spared 
from  the  plantations ;  about  live  months  after- 
ward the  same  legislative  body  declared  that 
the  war  begun  must  be  eft'ectually  followed  and 
no  peace  concluded  w  ith  the  enemy.  The  colo- 
nial soldiers  wounded  in  these  expeditions 
were  to  be  provided  for  by  the  se\eral  planta- 
tions. 

The  Nanticoke  Indians  in  Accomac  Coun- 
ty in  1639  P^'t  on  their  war  paint,  and  marched 
out  with  a  determination  to  exterminate  the 
-settlers  on  the  Eastern  Shore,  and  as  there 
were  not  many  colonists  there  the  plan  had 
every  prospect  of  a  successful  termination. 
Fortunately  timely  warning  was  given  and  aid 
was  sent  in  time  to  avert  the  calamity.  The 
counties  were  called  U])on  to  furnish  quotas  of 
soldiers,  and  Lower  Norfolk  County  made  a 
draft  for  its  share  of  men.  The  court  held 
on  the  17th  day  of  July,  1639,  resolved  that 

AVhercas.  at  a  court  holdcii  liy  the  Grand  Council 
at  York  the  first  of  the  present  July,  it  was  ordered 
that  there  should  he  appointed  fifteen  sufficient  men 
out  of  the  Lower  County  of  N'orfolk  to  march  against 
the  Xanticoke  Indians,  according  tlicrefore  to  the  said 
order,  the  Commander  and  Ct)mmissioners  of  this 
CoiHity  have  made  choice  of  these  men  whose  names 
are  here  mentioned  to  go  on  the  said  march : 


COLONI.\L   SOLDIERS. 


Thomas  Rudder 
(lowering  Lankaster 
Robert   Ward 
Jolni   (;iniam 
Tlinnias  Lovett 
Jolni   Clatter 
Mann.  Warrington 
Henry  Michaell 


-Mr.  West 
(iecjrge  Locke 
I<<iljert  Mashone 
James  at  Joe   Brown's. 
Will    Rerry 
John   tiraygosse 
Robert  Smith 


In  order  to  furnish  rations  and  .iniuuiui- 
tion  for  these  colonial  soldiers,  the  lithaliles 
were  di\ided  into  groups  of  jo,  and  it  was 
further  ordered  by  the  court  that  "Every  twen- 
ty persons  being  to  provide  two  pountls  of 
powder  and  two  pounds  of  shot  and  forty 
jxiimds  of  biscuit  and  a  half  a  bushel  of  peas 
a  man  for  them  sent  for  the  said  march." 
Cornelius  Lloyd  equipped  the  detachment  with 
buff  coatSj  for  which'  the  court  allowed  him 
250  pounds  of  tobacco  each,  which  was  raised 
by  a  levy  on  the  tithable  inhabitants  of  the 
county.  The  expedition  was  successful  and 
the  Lower  Norfolk  County  detachment  of  sol- 
diers returned  without  having  suffered  any 
loss  except  a  medicine  chest,  which  fell  over- 
board from  one  of  the  boats,  as  they  were 
crt)ssing  the  Chesapeake  Bay. 

A  law  was  passed  in  October,  1644,  fi;r 
defraying  the  exj)enses  of  the  Indian  wars, 
which  law  provided  that  six  pounds  of  tobacco 
should  be  levied  on  every  tithalile  person  with- 
in the  several  counties,  and  Lower  Norfolk 
County,  having  296  tithable  persons,  was  as- 
sessed with  1,776  ]Kiunds  of  tobacco.  Isle  of 
Wight,  Upi>er  and  Lower  Norfolk,  were  as- 
sociated as  one  military  district.  iMery  15 
tithables  were  to  furnish  and  pay  one  soldier. 
All  negro  men  and  women  and  all  other 
men,  between  the  ages  of  16  and  60  were 
tithai)les.  The  14  tithables  were  to  agree  with 
their  one  soldier  upon  the  amount  of  pay  he 
'  was  to  receive,  and  in  case  they  could  not 
i  agree,  a  council  of  war  should  determine  how 
'  much  they  should  pay  him.  The  yearly  pay  of 
a  ci.nimander  was  fixed  at  6,000  [)<»unds  of 
tobacco:  that  of  a  lieutenant,  at  4,000  pounds; 
and  that  of  a  sergeant,  at  2.000  jwunds. 

The  whole  colony  of  Virginia  was  in  1645 


32 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ablaze  with  excitement  over  the  second  at- 
tempt of  Opechanuugh  to  exterminate  the 
EngHsii.  and  Lower  Norfolk  Count}-  sent  her 
quota  to  the  Pamunkey  Rivei^  section.  There 
is  no  mention  of  the  killed,  but  Robery 
Davyes  and  Peter  Sextmi  were  brought  back 
home  se\'erely  wounded.  They  iinally  re- 
covered from  their  wounds,  and  tlieir  doctor 
and  medicine  bills  were  paid  l)y  a  levy  on  the 
tithables  in  the  county. 

War  was  declared  by  the  Grand  Assembly 
in  March,  1645,  against  the  Nansemonds  and 
other  neighljoring  Indians, .  and  the  military 
district  composed  of  Isle  of  Wight,  Upper 
and  Lower  Norfolk  was  directed  to  prosecute 
the  war  with  \igi;r  by  cutting  up  their  corn 
^nd  doing  an}-  other  acts  of  hostility  against 
them.  The  expense  of  this  war  was  to  be 
borne  bv  the  inhabitants  of  those  counties  ly- 
ing siiuth  of  the  James  River.  The  three 
counties  raised  a  force  of  80  soldiers  and  the 
Lower  Norfolk  contingent  was  under  com- 
mand of  County  Lieutenant  Robert  Smith, 
one  of  the  heroes  of  the  war  en  the  Eastern 
Shore.  These  soldiers  invaded  the  terri- 
tories of  the  Indians,  defeated  them  in  battle 
and  dro\-e  them  beyond  the  Roanoke  River. 
On  this  occasion  the  tithaljle  inhabitants  of 
the  county  were  di\ided  into  groups,  and  each 
group  was  recpiired  to  work  the  farm  of  one 
of  the  soldiers  who'  were  sent  to  the  war, 
though  the  expenses  of  the  campaign  were 
raised  by  a  general  levy  on  all  the  tithables 
of  the-  three  counties.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
council  of  war  for  the  military  district,  held 
on  the  25th  day  of  October,  1645,  said  council 
being  coanposed  of  Capt.  Thomas  \\^illoughby, 
Richard  Bennett,  Esf|.,  Capt.  John  Siiisey, 
Capt.  Edward  Windham,  Capt.  Thomas 
Dawe,  Richard  Preston,  Anthony  James  and 
Francis  Hough,  an  itemized  statement  of  the 
campaign  was  prepared.  The  total  cost  was 
ascertained  to  be  38,314  pounds  of  tobacco, 
exclusive  of  the  pay  of  three  county  lieuten- 
ants, -whose  ]ia\-  was  fixed  at  2,000  pounds  ol 
tobacco  eacli.  to  ]ye  paid  by  their  respective 
counties.     To  secure  this  amormt,  a  levy  of 


28  iwunds  of  tobacco  was  made  on  each  tith- 
able  of  Lower  Norfolk  Coimty,  and  31  pounds 
per  poll  in  Nansemond  and  Isle  of  Wiglit. 
The  order  states  that  the  cHfference  in  the 
amount  of  the  levy  was  "in  regards  that  those 
counties  had  and  made  use  of  more  of  these 
provisions  of  victuals  w-hich  are  brought  into 
the  account  than  those  of  the  Low-er  Norfolk 
did."  Lower  Norfolk  had  one  soldier,  Abra- 
ham Pitts,  wounded,  and  another,  whose 
name  was  not  given,  was  bitten  by  a  snake. 

Dr.  Christopher  Athely  was  "chirurgeon 
for  the  march,"  and  was  allowed  1,000  pounds 
of  tobacco  for  the  -v-oyage,  and  for  the  care 
of  Abraham  Pitts  and  "him  that  w'as  hurt 
by  a  snake,"  600  pounds, — in  all,  1,600  potmds 
of  tobacco.  Dr.  Thoaiias  Ward  was  the 
"chirurgeon"  who  accompanied  the  Lower 
Norfolk  contingent  to  the  Pamunkey   River. 

Each  of  the  80  soldiers  was  allowed  100 
pounds  of  tobacco,  and  Abraham  Pitts, 
wounded  in  the  service,  and  "him  that  was  bit- 
ten with  a  snake,"  w-ere  allowed  800  pormds 
each  for  the  loss  of  their  time  and  crop. 

For  several  years'  after  the  tithables  were 
divided  into  detachments  of  40,  and  each  de- 
tachment was  required  to  maintain  one  of  its 
number  as  a  scout,  whose  duty  it  was  to  re- 
main in  the  w-oods  at  a  distance  from  the  set- 
tlements and  g'ive  w-arning  of  any  inroads  of 
the  Indians.  If  the  scout  was  a  planter,  the 
rest  of  the  detachment  was  required  to  culti- 
vate his  plantation,  and  if  not  a  land  owner, 
the}-  were  required  to  feed  him,  keep  him  sup- 
plied with  ammunition  and  pay  him  for  his 
services.  This  method  of  carrying  on  war 
was  \-er}-  economical  to  the  government, 
though  it  bore  heavih-  upon  men  of  small 
means . 

The  law-  prohibiting  terms  of  peace  and 
directing  the  cutting  up  of  corn  was  repealed 
by  the  Grand  Assembly  in  1646,  as  well  as 
the  declaration  of  w-ar  against  the  Nanse- 
monds. It  w-as  enacted  that  Indians  coming 
on  the  lands  of  the  colonists  should  not  be 
killed  unless  taken  in  acts  of  mischief,  but  this 
was   soon   amended   so   that   none   should   be 


AXI)    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


33 


killed  unless  for  the  commission  <if  what 
would  be  a  felony  for  an  Englishman.  In- 
dian children,  by  leave  of  their  parents,  could 
be  taken  as  servants  on  sueli  terms  as  might 
be  agreed  upon  l)et\veen  parent  and  master, 
but  it  was  recpiired'  that  the  children  should 
be  educated  and  brought  up  in  the  Christian 
religion.  The  friendly  Indians  were  allowed 
to  hold  the  land  they  iwssessed.  and  no  per- 
sons were  allowed  to  settle  on  such  land  with- 
out the  i^rmission  of  the  government. 

A  general  war  was  again  declared  in 
1675-7O,  because  of  "sundry  murders,  rapine 
and  many  depredations  lately  committed." 
The  charge  of  this  war  was  to  be  sustained  by 
the  whole  colony.  An  army  of  500  men  was 
directed  to  be  recruited  to  garrison  forts  and 
guard  the  frontiers.  Capt.  Jidward  Wiggins 
with  40  soldiers  from  Isle  of  Wight,  Xanse- 
mond  and  Lower  Norfolk  was  to  man  a  fort 
at  the  head  of  the  Nansemond  River.  He  was 
to  ha\e  180  pounds  of  powder  and  540  pounds 
of  shot  kq>t  in  the  magazine.  The  military 
district  was  required  to  send  provisions  to  this 
fortification. — five  bushels  of  shelled  corn  and 
60  ])ounds  of  pork  or  80  pounds  of  beef  per 
soldier  for  four  months,  and  so  pnnide  every 
fourth  month. 

Col.  Lemuel  Mason  and  Maj.  Francis 
Sawyer  were  commissioned  to  select  persons 
to  draft  men  into  the  army.  Every  foot  sol- 
dier was  allowed  1,500  pounds  of  tobacco  and 
cask  for  each  year's  sendee,  and  every  cav- 
alryman for  himself  and  horse,  2,000  pounds 
and  cask.  The  pay  of  a  captain  was  600 
ix)unds  and  cask  for  a  month's  service;  a  lieu- 
tenant, 400  pounds  and  cask;  an  ensign,  300 
pounds  and  cask ;  a  sergeant,  250  pounds  and 
cask;  a  corporal  and  a  drummer,  each,  150 
pounds  of  tobacco  and  cask. 

An  act  for  listing,  arming  and  training 
militia  was  passed  in  October,  1705,  It  pro- 
vided that  the  colonel  or  chief  officer  of  the 
'county  should  list  all  persons  Ijetween  16  and 
60  years  of  age,  to  be  divided  into  troops  or 
companies,  but  these  soldiers  had  to  pro\idc 
themselves    with    arms  and  ammunition.     .\ 


general  nuister  was  to  be  held  once  every  year, 
and  company  nuister  once  every  three  months. 
The  governor  was  authorized  to  call  out 
the  militia  on  invasions  or  insurrections. 
So  began  the  old  militia  musters,  which  ended 
in  180 1,  when  the  95lh  and  7th  regiments  of 
Norfolk  County  went  out  of  existence;  for  the 
volunteers  in  the  Confederate  Army  left  none 
to  nuister  in  the  ranks  of  the  militia. 

COI.ONI.M.    MII.ITARV    T.\CTICS. 
A    LIST  (IK   THE    N'eW    ExEHClSE  OF   YEAR    I754. 

Take   Care 

Join  your   right   hand  to   your   Firelock I 

Poiz    your    Firelock i 

Join  your  left  hand  to  your  Firelock 2 

Cock   your    Firelock 3 

Present i 

Fire  i 

'   Recover  your  arms I 

Half  cock  your  Firelock 3 

.   Handle  your  cartreges 3 

Open  your  cartreges 2 

Prime   2 

Shut  your  Pan 3 

Cast  alx)Ut  to  charge I 

Charge  with  your  cartreges 3 

Draw  your  Raiimier 4 

Shorten  your  Rammer 3 

Put  it  in  the  barrel 6 

Ram  down  your  charge 2- 

Recover   your    Rammer 3 

.Shorten  your  Rammer 3 

Return  your  Rammer 6- 

YiiuT  Right  hand  under  **** I 

Poise  your  Firelock i 

Shoulder  your  Firelock 3 

Rest  your   Firelock 4 

Order  your  Firelock 3 

Ground   your   Firelock 4 

I   Take  up  your  Firelock 4 

1   Rest  your   Firelock 3 

i   Club  your  Firelock 4 

I   Rest  your  Firelock 4 

Secure  your  Firelock 3 

.Shoulder  your  Firelock 5 

Present   your   arms 4 

Fare  to  ye  Right ; 3 

To  the  Right 3 

To  the  Right ^3 

To  the  Right 3 

To  the  Right  aI)out 3 

By  the  left  as  you  were 3 

Fare   lo  the  left 3 

To  the  Left 3 

To  the  Left 3 

To  the  Left 3 

To  the  Left  about 3. 


34 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


B\-   the   Right   as   you    were 3 

Poize  your   Firelock I 

Sliiiulder    your    Firelock 3 

SOME    OF    THE    COLONIAL    MILITARY    OFFICERS. 

Capt.  Adam  Thorogood  qualified  May  15,  1637. 

Capt.  John  Sihi^ey  (|ualified  May  15.  1637. 

Lieut.  Francis  Mason  qualified  ISIarch  20,  iC)39. 

Capt.  Thomas  Willoughhy  (lualified  December  16, 
i'J43- 

Capt.  William  Clayborne  t|ualified  December  16,  1643. 

Capt.   Edward  Windham  qualified  January   16,   1645. 

Capt.    Francis   Vardley   qualified'  1651. 

Col.  John  Wilson  qualified   1705. 

Capt.   John   Halstead  qualified   1716. 

Capt.   Thomas  Hodges  qualified   1716. 

Capt.  Mathew  Spivey  qualified   1716. 

Capt.   George  Mason  qualified   1716. 

Lieut. -Col.  George  Newton  qualified  17,14. 

Capt.   Willis  Wilson  qualified   17^4. 

Cant.  Lewis  Conner  of  Norfolk  County  Militia  quali- 
fied  JNKarch   10,   1740. 

Col.  William  Craford  qualified  as  county  lieutenant 
September   15,   174S. 

Caul.  John  Willoughby  qualified  as  captain  of  com- 
pany on  the  north  side  of  Tanner's  Creek  Septenilier 
15.  "1748-  ... 

Lieut.  James  Wilson  qualified  as  lieutenant  in  Capt. 
Willis  Wilson's  comnany  September  15,   1748. 

Col.  Samuel  Boush  of  Norfolk  County  ]\Iilitia  quali- 
fied  October  20.   1748. 

Capt.    John    Portlock    of    Norfolk    County    militia 
qualified  August   16,  1752. 

Capt.  Thomas  Veale  of  Norfolk  County  militia  quali- 
fied .August  16.  1752. 

Capt.  Joshua  Corurcw  of  Norfolk  County  militia 
qualified  August   16,   1752. 

Capt.  Robert  Buraess  of  Norfolk  Counlv  militia 
qualified   September  28,   1752. 

Capt.  Marconi  Herbert  of  Norfolk  County  militia 
qualified   September   28,    1752. 

Capt.  William  Hodges  of  Norfolk  County  militia 
(pialified  September  20.   1753. 

Cajit.  Joseph  Hutchings.  Borough  of  Norfolk  militi.T 
qualified  September  20.   1753. 

Col.  Robert  Tucker  qualified  to  be  county  lieutenant 
March   20.    1760. 

Capt.  John   Portlock  qualified  March  20,   1760. 

Capt.  Joshua  Nicholson  qualified  March  20.   1760. 

Capt.  Thomas  Talbot  (pialified  jMarch  20,  17(10. 

Capt.  Thomas  Veale  qualified  March  20,  1760. 

Capt.  Samuel  Happer  (Utalified  March  20.  1760. 

Catit.  Roliert  Burgess  qualified  March  20,  1760, 

Capt.   Stephen  Wright  qualified  Marcii  20,   1760. 

Capt.  Joshua  Corprew  qualified  Afarch  20.   1760. 

Lieut.   William  Hanner  (pialified  March  20.   1760. 

Lieut.  John  Herbert  (|ualified   March   20,   1760. 

Lieut.  Thomas  Nash.  Jr.  qualified  March  20.  1760. 

Lieut.  WillianrNicholson  qualified  March  20.  1760. 

Lieut.  John  Ferebee  qualified  March  20.  1760. 

Fnsign  Isias  Slack  qualified  March  20,  1760. 

Ensign  John   Scott  (pialified  March  20.   1760. 

Ensign  Richard  Ballentine  (|ualificd  March  20.  1760. 


of  Norfolk  County  militia 
Burgess  of  Ni^rfolk  County 
of     Norfidk 


Ensign  David  Ballentine  qualified  March  20.  1760. 

Charles  Stewart.  Gent.,  qualified  to  be  quartermaster 
of  the  Norfolk  County  militia  March  20.  1760. 

Maj.  Lemuel  Willoughby,  Borough  of  Norfolk  mili- 
tia,  qualified   .\pril    l6.   1761. 

Cant.  William  Orange,  Borough  of  Norfolk  luilitia, 
qualified  April  16,  1761. 

Col.  John  Hutchings  of  Norfolk  County  qualified 
April   17,   1761. 

Lieut.  Samuel  Bacon  qualified  June  IQ.  1761. 

Ensign  Richard  Scott,  Borough  of  Norfolk  militia, 
qualified  June  ig,   1761. 

Capt.  David  Porter  of  Norfolk  County  militia  quali- 
fied Marcli   iS,  1763. 

Lieut.  Giles  Rtmdolnh  of  Norfolk  County  militia 
qualified   March    18,    1763. 

Lieut.    Jerome    Creech 
qualified  March   18.   1763. 

Ensign  George  Wright 
militia  ipialificd  March   18,   1763. 

Capt.    Thomas    Willoughby,    Borough 
militia  qualified  October  16,  1766. 

Col.  John  Willoughby  qualified  as  lieutenant  and 
chief  commander  of  county  militia  October  15,  1767. 

Col.  Josiah  Wilson  of  Norfolk  County  militia  quali- 
fied February  18,  1768. 

Lieut. -Col.  George  Veale  of  Norfolk  County  mditia 
qualified   February  18,   1768. 

Lieut.  John  Boush.  Borough  of  Norfolk  militia,  com- 
missioned March   iS,   1772. 

Lieut.  Caleb  Hei-bert  of  Norfolk  County  militia, 
commissioned  March   18,   1772. 

Lieut,  ^laniuel  Wale  of  Norfolk  County  militia,  com- 
missioned  ?ilarch   iS,   tt^2. 

"Capt.  Nicholas  Wonycott  this  day  I7th  April,  1772, 
produced  a  commission  from  John  Earle  of  Dunniore. 
Viscount  Fincastle,  Baron  Mury  of  Blair,  of  Moulin  and 
of  Tillamet.  Lieutenant  and  Governor  General  of  His 
^^aiesty's  Colony  and  Dominion  of  Virginia,  and  \"icc 
Admiral  of  the  same,  to  be  Major  of  the  Borough  of 
Norfolk,  and  he  having  taken  the  oath  to  the  govern- 
ment and  subscribed  the  test  entered  on  the  execution 
of  liis  Commission." 

Lieut.  Edward  Archer.  Borough  of  Norfolk  militia, 
conuuissioncd   May  21,   1773. 

Lieut.  James   Nicholson   of  Norfolk 
commissioned  August   17.   1773. 

Ensign  William  Nicholson  of  Norfolk  County  mili- 
tia, commissioned  August  17,  1773. 


County   militia, 


Fcff  Necessity  fell  in  July,  1754,  aiul  in 
Octi:)l)er  of  that  year  Governor  Uinwiddie 
inaugurated  in'ea.sures  to  increase  the  Virginia 
forces  to  make  anotlier  aggressive  movement 
against  the  French  and  Indians,  As  in  every 
emergency.  Norfolk  Coitntv  was  readv  witli 
htr  siil(li(_i-s,  and  on  the  22nd  of  Noveml^er, 
'7.^L  Ji'hn  McNeil  aj^Jiicared  hefore  the  Ctam- 
ly  Ci"iM-t  with  his  commission,  and  qualified 
as  lieutenant  of  the  A'ir.gitiia  force  raised  for 
the  Oliio  expedition,  and  Simon  Frazier,  with 


AX!)    RErUESEXTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


35 


l.is  comniission.  qualified  as  atljiuan:  i;f  the 
5ame  coniniaiul. 

Tlie  removal  of  the  gaiiipow der  fiom  tlie 
inagazine  at  W'illiamslnirg-  on  the  JOtIi  of 
April,  1775.  kindled  the  fire  of  rexolution, 
which  s])read  over  \'irginia  like  a  sweeping 
blaze  in  the  dry  forests  of  autumn.  Tlie  royal 
government  was  dissolved  and  went  down  as 
a  leaking  sliip  in  an  (xrean  storm.  Its  laws 
were  as  silent  as  the  Dead  Sea.  and  the  times 
which  "tried  men's  souls"  were  begini. 

While  Dunniore  was  planning  in  bombas- 
tic sentences  to  recover  his  authority,  the  con- 
\ention  at  Richmond  organized  an  independent 
government,  and  ordered  the  enlistment  of 
an  army  for  the  protection  and  defense  of  the 
state.  The  excitement  in  the  colony  r.^n  high, 
and  the  sentiment  of  the  ijeo])le  for  resistance 
to  Dunmore's  infamous  warfare  made  tlie 
ploughmen  halt  in  the  fresii  furrows  to 
shoulder  their  muskets  for  Ijattle.  The  general 
Committee  of  Safety  was  formed  and  two 
regiments,  to  numl)er  1.020  soldiers,  each. 
were  ordered  to  be  forthwith  organized  by 
some  person  selected  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety. 

COMMITTEE  OF  S.XFETV. 
NORFOLK    COIXTV.    JCLV    20.    I775. 


NORFOLK    IMIROICH.    1; 


Edward  Archer 
.Arthur  Boush 
Thonia-;   Creech 
Mathcw  Godfrey 
Jame*  Grynies 
Caleb  Herbert 
Bassett  Moseley 
Charles  Maye 
James    Xicholson 
Thomas  Xash.  Jr. 


John  Portlock 
David   Porter 
lulward  Strong 
William   Smith 
George  Veale 
James  Wel)b 
John   Willoiighby. 
Stephen  Wright 
John  Wilson 
.Abraham  Wormington 


Sr. 


WESTERN   BR.\XCH. 


Goodrich  Bouch 
John  Brickel.  Jr. 
William  Bressie 
Henry  Bressie 
Cornelius   Calvert 
Benjamin  Croocker 
George  Kelly- 
Patrick   Mackev 


Malachi  Maund 
Paul   Proby 
Samuel  Portlock 
Daniel   Sanford 
.Alexander  Skinner 
Malachi  Wilson.  Jr. 
John   Willoughby.  Jr 


John  Boush 
Thomas  Claiborne 
John   Hutchings 
Joseph    Hutchings 
James  Holt 
.^anuul    Iiiglis 


Xiel  Jamison 
John  Lawrence 
riiomas  Xewtoii. 
Tluimas  Ritson 
Robert  Taylor 
John  Taylor 
William   Davies    (.SVirr/nry ) 
.Malhew    Phripp    (  C/ioiVhiuii  ) 


The  colony  was  dividetl  into  districts  for 
the  enrollment  of  minute-men:  Norfolk, 
Nan.seniond,  Isle  of  Wight.  Princess  Anne  and 
the  l)orough  of  Norfolk  were  joined  in  <>ne  dis- 
trict. The  committees  of  safety  of  the  coun- 
ties in  this  district  were  directed  to  appcjint 
four  members  for  each  countv  and  two  for 
the  burough  of  Norfolk  as  deputies  in  meet 
in  general  convention  for  the  purpose  of  fi.\- 
ing  the  number  of  minute-men  to  lie  enrolled 
in  each  county  and  Iiorough.  The  minute-men 
after  being  organized  in  companies  were 
trained  20  days  in  the  i)lace  selected  by  the 
de])uties  and  after  being  assigned  to  battalions, 
they  were  re(|uired  to  drill  four  successive  days 
in  each  imnth.  e.xcept  the  three  winter  months. 
An  ordinance  to  increase  the  military  force 
v\as  passed  on  Friday,  the  first  day  of  Decein- 
ber.  1775,  which  recited  in  the  preamble,  that 
"Whereas  the  Earl  of  Dunmore.  by  his  many 
hostile  attacks  upon  the  good  people  of  this 
colony,  and  attempts  to  infringe  their  rights 
and  liberties,  by  his  proclamation  declaring 
freedom  to  our  servants  and  slaves,  and  arm- 
ing them  against  us.  by  seizing  our  persons 
and  proj^erties  and  declaring  those  who  op- 
posetl  his  arbitrary  measures  in  a  state  of  re- 
bellion, hath  made  it  necessary  that  an  addi- 
tional numl)er  of  forces  be  raised  for  nur  pro- 
tection and  defense."  This  ordinance  directed 
si.x  additional  regiments  to  be  raised  and  the 
officers  and  soldiers  were  reipiired  to  take  an 
oath  as  follows : 

I  do  swear,  that  I  will  l)e  faithful  and  true  to  the 
Colony  and  dominion  of  Virginia :  that  I  will  serve  the 
same  to  the  utmost  of  my  power,  in  defense  of  the 
just  rights  of  .America  against  all  enemies  whatsoever; 
that  I  will  to  the  utmost  of  my  abilities,  obey  the  law- 


36 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fill  commands  of  my  suncrior  officers,  agreeable  to  the 
ordinances  of  the  Convention  and  the  articles  of  war  to 
which  I  liave  subscribed,  and  lay  down  ray  arms  peace- 
fully, when  required  so  to  do,  either  by  the  General 
Convention  or  General  Assembly  of  Virginia.  So  help 
me  God. 

It  was  not  until  May,  1776,  that  an  ordi- 
nance was  passed  requiring  magistrates,  on 
taking  an  oath  to  be  faitliful  and  true  to  the 
Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  to  support,  main- 
tain and  defend  to  the  utmost  power  the  con- 
stitution and  government  thereof,  faithfully 
execute  the  office  and  do  equal  right  and  jus- 
tice to  all  men,  so  as  to  continue  the  admin- 
istration of  justice.  The  justices  were  re- 
quired tO'  appoint  officers  to  make  a  tour  of 
their  county  to  administer  this  oath  of  al- 
legiance to  all  freeborn  males  abo\'e  the  age 
of  16  years : 

I  do  swear  or  affirm  that  I  renounce  and  refuse  alt 
allegiance  to  George  III,  King  of  Great  Britain, .  his 
heirs  and  successors  and  that  I  will  be  faithful  and 
bear  true  allegiance  to  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia 
as  a  free  and  independent  state,  and  that  I  will  not. 
at  any  time,  do  or  cause  to  be  done,  any  matter  or 
thing  that  will  be  prejudicial  or  injurious  to  the  free- 
dom or  independence  thereof  as  declare<l  by  Congress; 
and  also.- that  I  will  discover  and  make  known  to  some 
one  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  said  state,  all  treasons 
or  traterous  conspiracies  which  I  now  or  hereafter 
shall  know  to  be  formed  against  this  or  any  of  the 
United  States  of  America. 

These  officers  had  to  make  lists  of  all  who 
subscrilied  to  the  oath  and  return  them  to  the 
court.  Tilt'}-  were  also  required  to  rep(irt  to  the 
court  all  tho.'je  who  refused,  and  the  lieutenant 
of  the  county  was  required  forthwith  to  disarm 
them.  They  were  incapacitated  from  holding 
office,  serving,  on  juries,  suing  for  debts  or 
purch as i ng  property- . 

On  the  iSth  of  July,  1777,  the  Norfolk 
County  Court  ordered  that  Alathew  Godfrey, 
Gent.,  administer  tlie  oath  or  affirmation  ap- 
pointed to,  l)e  taken  by  the  Act  of  Assemlaly  to 
oblige  tiie  free  male  inhaliitants  of  this  state 
above  a  certain  age  to  gi\-e  assiu'ance  of  al- 
legiance to  the  same  within  the  precinct  on  the 
south  side  of  Tanner's  Creek  and  on  the  north 
side  as  far  as  ^\'i]lis  Cares:  that  lames  Arch- 


deacon, (ient.,  administer  it  within  the  pre- 
cinct on  the  north  side  of  the  said  creek  as  far 
as  the  said  Cares;  that  Cornelius  Calvert, 
Gent.,  administer  it  from  Ferry  Point  as  far 
as  Portlock's  Old  Mill  l^etween  the  Southern 
Branch  and  Princess  Anne;  that  James  Webb, 
Gent,,  administer  it  from  Portlock's  Old  Mill 
to  the  Great  Bridge  and  between  the  Southern 
Branch  and  Princess  Anne  line ;  that  John 
Wilson,  Gent,,  administer  it  from  the  Great 
Bridge  to  the  Carolina  line  on  the  west  side 
of  the  road  leading  to  the  North  West  Land- 
ing and  also'  to  the  line  of  Portsmouth  Parish ; 
that  ^lalachi  Wilson  administer  it  from  the 
Great  Bridge  to  the  Carolina  line  on  the  east 
side  of  the  aforesaid  road  so  far  as  the  Prin- 
cess Anne  line;  that  ^Villiam  Smith,  Gent.,  ad- 
minister the  same  in  Portsmouth  and  from 
thence  to  N,ew  Mill  Creek :  and  that  John 
Tatem,  Gent.,  administer  it  from  Ports- 
mouth to  the  Western  Brancli,  including  bath 
sides  thereof. 

These  were  exciting  times  in  the  county, 
and  although  the  territory  was  exposed  tO'  the 
incursions  of  the  enemy,  every  man  was  ex- 
pected to  show  his  hand  in  the  great  contest 
for  independence.  Many  Tories  were  arrested 
and  tried  f<ir  treason.  It  is  said  that  one  of 
those  who  remained  loyal  to  the  King  con- 
cluded an  argument  with  a  patriot  neighbor 
by  saying  that  nature  taught  them  to  be  loyal, 
for  even  bees  had  a  King!  The  suffering 
among  the  poor  people  was  extremely  distress- 
ing about  this  time,  and  the  court  being  un- 
able to  relieve  them  appealed  to  Col.  Charles 
Harrison,  the  commanding  officer  at  Ports- 
mouth, for  humanity's  sake  to^  render  tempor- 
ary relief  until  it  could  help  them  out  of  the 
next  countv  le\'v.  Go\".  Patrick  Henry  was 
officially  informed  of  the  deplorable  condi- 
tion of  many  ])oor  widows  and  orphans,  and 
relief  was  autliorized  by  the  legislature 
ihri'ugh  the  courts.  Cornelius  Calvert  was 
appointed  t<>  furnish  the  wives,  children  and 
aged  ]iarents  of  the  poor  soldiers  the  necessary 
]iro\  isions.  Many  poor  men  of  the  county 
iliickcd  to  the  standard  of  Washington,  thus 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


37 


exhibiting  the  highest  patriotism  and  we  may 
be  well  i)roucI  of  tliese  soldiers  whose  names 
should  l>e  enrolled  on  the  scrolls  of  fame.  But 
alas!  how  few  can  be  listed  now,  nearly  125 
years  from  those  stirring,  stormy  days. 

The  General  Assembly  at  \\'illiamsburg 
on  the  JOtli  day  of  Octolier,  \'/'/'j,  passed  an 
act  for  recruiting  \'irginia  regiments  in  the 
Continental  line.  Congress  had  made  Vir- 
ginias portion  8,160  rank  and  file.  Some  of 
the  state  troops  were  transferred  to  help  make 
up  the  complement,  and  besides  a  certain 
number  of  single  men  were  directed  to  be 
drafted  from  the  militia  ami  Norfolk  Coim- 
ty's  proportion  was  35  men.  "They  received 
a  bounty  of  $15  on  being  enrolled. 

The  Quakers  did  not  want  to  fight  at  all ; 
but  the  Baptists  and  MethcKl'ists  were  willing 
to  fight  in  defense  of  their  country  if  not  en- 
rolled in  the  same  company  or  regiment;  so 
the  law  provided  that  Quakers  and  ]\lennon- 
ites,  who  were  drafted,  could  be  exempt  from 
personal  service  by  furnishing  substitutes  to 
be  paid  by  assessment  on  the  whole  society,- 
and  the  Governor  was  empowered  by  law  to 
enlist  Baptists  and  Methodists  in  separate 
companies  with  the  right  to  elect  their  own 
Company  officers.  \\'hen  formed  into  a  regi- 
ment, the  Governor  appointed  the  field  offi- 
cers from  the  same  religious  denomination  as 
the  oflficers  elected  bv  the  companies. 

Another  act  for  raising  additional  bat- 
talions for  the  Continental  line  rctjuired  15  to 
be  furnished  by  Virginia  and  offered  a  bounty 
of  100  acres  of  land  for  every  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  private,  150  acres  for  an 
ensign.  200  for  a  lieutenant,  300  for  a  captain. 
300  for  a  major,  400  for  a  lieutenant-ct>lonel 
and  500  acres  for  a  colonel.  Norfolk  County 
was  allowed  one  captain,  one  ist  lieutenant, 
one  2nd  lieutenant  and  one  ensign.  The 
act  for  recruiting  2.000  volunteers  to  join 
the  army  of  Washington  was  ]>assed  on 
the  4th  day  of  May,  1778.  It  offered 
as  an  inducement  to  enlist  at  that  import- 
ant and  critical  ])eriod.  a  bount\'  of  $30 
and  a  complete  suit  of  regimentals,  to  consist 


of  a  coat,  jacket,  one  pair  of  breeches,  two 
l>air  of  shoes,  two  pair  of  stockings,  two  shirts 
and  a  hat;  to  be  served  with  one  gill  of  spirits 
per  day  until  January  i,  1779;  also  they 
should  be  exempt  from  drafts  and  tcixes  for 
12  months  after  discharge  and  should  be  fur- 
nished during  their  continuance  in  service 
stores  at  the  following  rates:  "Wine  at  five 
dollars  per  gallon,  green  tea  at  fcKir  dollars 
per  pound,  bohea  at  two  dollars  per  pound, 
coffee  at  two  shillings  and  six  pence  per  pound, 
chocolate  at  half  dollar  per  pound,  loaf  sugar 
at  two  shillings  and  eip-ht  i)ence  and  brown 
sugar  at  one  shilling  per  pound."  Soldiers 
who  served  during  the  war  were  exempted 
from  ]>ersonal  taxes  and  levies  for  life  and 
those  disabled  received  full  i)ay  for  life. 

Boufity  lands  were  promised  to  officers  and 
soldiers  who  served  three  years  or  during  the 
war.  Tliere  were  in  service  during  the  i^evo- 
lution  21  Virginia  regiments,  viz.:  16  on  the 
Continental  establishment,  three  regiments  of 
the  State  line  pro^xr,  two  western  regiments, 
and  the  State  navy,  which  was  composed  of 
20  or  25  vessels;  from  these  figures  it  was 
e.stimated,  by  a  legi.slative  committee  in  1835, 
that  the  numl:)er  of  ])ersons  entitled  to  land 
bounty  was  11,000  and  up  to  that  time  war- 
rants had  been  issued  to  about  6,136  persons. 

Apprehending  an  invasion  of  the  eastern 
part  of  the  state,  the  legislature  in  May.  1780, 
authorized  the  Governor  to  direct  the  county 
lieutenants  or  commanding  officers  of  Princess 
.Anne.  Norfolk.  Nansemond,  Isle  of  Wight. 
Southampton.  .  Sussex,  Surry  and  Prince 
George  to  order  one-sixth  of  their  militia  to 
hold  them-selves  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
warning.  It  also  ordered  that  the  ships 
"Thetis."  "Tempest,"  "Drag' mi"  and  brig 
"Jefferson"  be  repaired  and  maimed. 

An  act  for  recruiting  the  State's  quota 
for  the  Continental  line  passed  in  Octoljer, 
1780,  required  Norfolk  County  to  furnish  56 
men.  and  at  the  same  time  an  act  for  securing 
supplies  for  the  army  by  seizure  fixed  allow- 
ance for  "wheat  at  $66  2-t^  per  bushel.  Indian 
corn  $20,  peas  $30,  oats  $15,  pickled  beef  $8 


38 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


per  pound,  bacon  $20,  salt  jxjrk  $12,  Ijrandy 
$60  per  gallon,  whiskey  $40,  taffia  $50,  West 
India  rum  $80,  white  biscuit  $300  per  100 
pounds,  ship's  bread  $200,  fine  flour  $200  and 
seconds  or  ship  stuff  $150  per   100  weight." 

The  scale  of  depreciation  of  paper  money 
was  fixed  for  specie : 

In  December,   i/"/7,  four  for  one. 

In  December.  1778,  six  for  one., 

In  December  1779,  forty  for  one. 

In   December,    1780.  seventy-five  for  one. 

In  December.  1781,  one  thousand  for  cine, 

REVOt.rTIOX.VRY    TIMES. 

The  clouds  of  war  were  gathering  in  \'ir- 
ginia  from  April  to  October,  1775.  The  out- 
break came  in  the  outrage  at  Norfolk  on  the 
liberty  <  f  the  ]M'ess.  Under  cover  of  the  giins 
of  the  men-of-war  in  the  harbor,  a  British 
ofificer  \\ith  a  sf|uad  of  soldiers  and  sailors 
landed  at  the  ferry  wharf  and  marclied  to  tlie 
printing  ofifice  of  the  fearless  patriot  editor, 
James  Holt,  on  Main  street,  whence  thev  car- 
ried off  tlie  type  with  appurtenances  and  two 
printers.  When  the  corporatii>n  authorities  re- 
monstrated, Dunmore  rq>lied  that  he  had  ren- 
dered great  service  in  depriving  them  of  means 
of  having  their  minds  jx.isoned  and  ijf  exciting 
in  them  the  sjiirit  of  rebellion  and  sedition. 

On  the  15th  day  of  October.  1775.  soon 
after  this  q>isode  a  btxly  of  British  troops  was 
dispatched  to  Kempsville.  in  Princess  Anne 
Count}",  where  tliey  destroyed  some  firearms 
which  had  been  deposited  there,  and  captured 
Capt.  Thomas  ]\Iathews,  of  the  minute-men. 
the  first  patriot  prisoner  of  war  taken  on  the 
soil  of  Virginia. 

On  the  7th  dav  of  November.  1775,  Lord 
Dunmore  proclaimed  martial  law.  declaring 
all  persons  able  to  bear  arms  who  did  not  rally 
to  the  King's  standard  to  be  traitors  and  offer- 
ing freedom  to-  the  slaves  of  rebels  who  would 
join  his  Majesty's  troops.  All  of  this  only 
intensified  public  irritation  and  increased  the 
ardor  of  Virginians  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 

On  the  1 6th  dav  of  November.  Dunmore 


again  invaded  Princess  Anne  Coiuity.  sur- 
prised and  defeated  the  militia  who-  were  on 
the  march  to  join  the  cok^nial  troops  for  the 
defense  of  the  tide-water  section  of  Virginia. 
John  Ackiss,  one  of  the  minute-men,  was 
killed  on  the  field  and  Colonel  Hutchings  and 
eight  others  were  wounded  and  taken  pris- 
oners. So  the  first  Virginia  soldier  gave  his 
life  for  the  independence  of  our  State  on  the 
soil  of  Princess  Anne  County.  Stirring 
events  and  thrilling  times  were  now  at  the 
culminating  point  in  Princess  Anne  and  Nor- 
folk counties.  The  British  were  fortifving 
Norfolk  and  gathering  to  the  ro^al  banner  all 
the  Tories,  and  all  the  negroes  who  could  be 
induced  to  leave  their  masters.  These  were 
armed  for  incursions  into-  the  coimtry  to  de- 
stroy thecommissariate  collected  for  the  sub- 
sistence of  Virginia  troops.  Suffolk,  where 
most  of  the  provisions  were  in  store,  was  the 
objective  point  of  Dunmore's  designs. 

Col.  William  Woodford,  anticipating  these 
plans  of  the  myal  governor,  dispatched  215 
light  troops  under  Col.  Charles  Scott  and 
Maj.  Thomas  Marshall  tO'  that  place,  and  on 
the  25th  day  of  Novemlier  the  gallant  Wnod- 
ford  arrived  there  with  the  main  bod}-  of  the 
Virginia  troops. 

Colonel  Scott  was  one  of  the  unique  char- 
acters of  the  American  Revolution.  He  was 
born  in  Cumberland  Comity,  Virginia,  and 
raised  the  first  company  of  \-olunteers  sonth 
of  the  James  River,  which  entered  into  actual 
service.  He  was  promoted  until  be  received 
the  rank  of  major-general,  and  recei\-ed  the 
thanks  O'f  Congress  for  gallant  and  meritor- 
ious coiiduct :  subse(|uently  he  was  governor 
of  Kentucky.  While  governor  he  announced 
that  he  was  going  to  Philadelphia  diu-ing  the 
session  of  Congress  to'  visit  his  old  com- 
mander. He  was  told  that  ^^'ashington  had 
become  "stuck  up"  with  the  importance  of  his 
high  office,  and  was  too  much  of  an  aristocrat  _ 
to  notice  him  in  his  hunting  shirt,  buckskin 
leggins  and  long  jjeard.  Notwithstanding  he 
went,  and  as  he  approached  the  house.  \\'ash- 
ington  and  his  wife  recogmized  the  old  hero. 


A XI)    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZEXS. 


39 


Ijoth  rushed  out  and  takin,sf  him  by  tlie  arm 
escorted  him  in.  (iovernor  Scott  said  that  he 
was  ne\er  treate<l  better  and  he  found  W'ash- 
ington  "Ole  Hoss"  still.  The  soldiers'  pel 
name  for  Washinj^ton  was  "Ole  Hoss.'" 

Maj.  Thomas  ^larshall  was  the  fatlier  of 
John  Marshall,  the  great  jurist  and  most  em- 
inent Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  who 
was  also  in  Colonel  Woodford's  command. 

Colonel  Woodford  informed  the  comcu- 
tion  then  in  session  at  Williamsburg  of  the 
military  situation  and  the  .\merican  .\rchives. 
Vol.  4.  Page  yd.  rejjrinted  in  the  C<^Ior,ial  Rec- 
<;rds  of  North  Carolina.  Vol.  X.  Page  341, 
in  the  rq)ort  of  jjroceedings  says.  December 
I.  1775.  ".\  letter  fnmi  Col.  Woodford  of 
the  Second  Regiment  was  laid  before  the  con- 
vention and  read  respecting  the  situation  of 
the  troops  under  his  command  and  of  them 
under  Ix>rd  Dunmore:  that  he  had  received 
an  offer  of  assistance  from  the  commanding 
officer  of  tlie  troo])s  situated  in  North  Caro- 
lina, not  far  distant,  which  he  had  hitherto 
declined  to  call  for,  thinking  the  force  suffi- 
cient, but  that  he  would  take  liis  measures  as 
circumstances  should  occur. 

"Resolved,  that  tlie  President  be  required  in  a  Icucr 
to  Col.  Woodford  to  he  sent  hy  express,  to  desire  he  will 
risk  the  success  of  his  arms  as  little  as  po.ssible.  and. 
if  there  is  not  a  moral  probability  of  securing  with  the 
troops  he  hath,  he  will  embrace  the  offer  of  assistance 
from  those  of  North  Carolina  by  sending  immediately 
for  them." 

Lord  Dunmore  had  fortified  on  the  X'or- 
folk  side  of  the  Southern  Branch  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River  at  Great  Bridge  and  Colonel  Wood- 
ford marched  his  forces  from  Suffolk  by  way 
of  Deep  Creek  to  within  cannon  .shot  of  tlie 
enemy's  work  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
causeway  where  he  constructed  breastworks. 
On  the  9th  day  of  December,  1775.  Cajj- 
tain  Fordyce  led  his  British  grenadiers  to 
storm  these  works,  only  to  receive  a  signal  de- 
feat. The  assault  was  marked  by  great  gal- 
lantry on  the  part  of  the  British  soldiers,  and 
Fordyce  fell  within  15  steps  of  the  breast- 
works.    Twentv-one  killed  and  wounded  were 


left  on  the  field,  and  it  was  estimated  that  a 
greater  number  was  borne  oft'  j)efore  the  re- 
treat. The  British  hastily  retreated  to  X'or- 
folk.  and  Dinimore  fearing  ])ursuil  abandonefl 
his  entrenchments  and  embarked  his  troops  (ju 
his  men-of-war   tor  security   from  attack. 

Phe  rir^^iiiia  C7(J.::('//t',])ublished  on  the  14th, 
li\e  days  after,  gives  the  following  ])articu- 
Jars  of  the  battle  of  Creat  Bridge  :  "The  (Ireat 
liridge  is  built  o\-er  what  is  called  the  South- 
ern Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  Ri\cr,  twelve 
miles  above  Xorfolk.  The  land  on  the  east  side 
is  marshy  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
river,  except  at  the  two  extremities  of  the 
bridge,  where  are  two  pieces  of  firm  land. 
which  niav  not  impro])erly  be  called  islands, 
being  entirely  surrounded  by  water  and  marsh 
and  joined  to  the  mainland  bv  causeways.  On 
the  little  piece  of  firm  land  on  the  further  or 
Norfolk  side  Lord  Dunmore  had  erected  his 
fort,  in  such  a  manner  that  his  cannon  com- 
manded the  causeway  on  his  side  and  the 
bridges  between  him  and  us,  .with  the  marshes 
around  him.  The  island  on  this  side  of  the 
ri\er  contained  six  or  seven  houses,  some  of 
which  were  burnt  down  ( those  nearest  the 
bridge)  l)y  the  enemy  after  the  arrival  <jf  our 
troops:  in  the  others,  adjoining  the  causeway 

I  on  each  side,  were  stationed  a  guard  every 
night  by  Col.  Woodford,  but  withdrawn  Ije- 
fore  day.  that  they  might  not  be  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  enemy's  fort  in  recrossing  the  cause- 
way to  our  camp,  this  causeway  also  being 
commanded  liy  their  cannon. 

"The  causeway  on  our  side  in  length  was 
ab(.ut  160  yards,  and  on  the  hither  extremity 
our  breastwork  was  thrown  up.  From  the 
breastwork  ran  a  street,  graduallv  ascending, 
about  the  length  of  400  yards,  to  a  church 
where  our  main  body  was  encami>eil.  The 
great  trade  to  Norfolk  in  .shingles,  tar,  pitch 

'  and  turpentine,  from  the  country  l)ack  of  this, 
jiad  occasioned  so  many  houses  to  be  built 
here,  whence  the  articles  were  conveyed  to 
Norfolk  by  water.  But  this  by  the  l)y.  Such 
is  the  nature  of  the  place  as  described  to  me. 
and  such  our  situation,  and  that  of  the  enemv. 


40 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"On  Saturday,  the  9th  inst.,  after  reveille 
beating",  two  or  three  great  guns  and  some 
musketry  were  discharged  by  the  enemy, 
which,  as  it  was  not  an  unusual  thing,  was 
but  little  regarded  by  Col.  Woodford.  How- 
ever, soon  after  he  heard  a  call  to  the  soldiers 
to  stand  by  their  arms,  upon  which,  with  all 
expedition,  he  made  the  proper  dispositions  to 
receive  them.  In  the  meantime  the  enemy  had 
crossed'  the  bridge,  firing  the  remaining  houses 
on  the  island  and  some  large  piles  of  shingles 
and  attacked  our  guard  on  the  breastwork. 
Our  men  returned  the  fire,  and  threw  them  into 
some  confusion ;  but  they  were  instantly  ral- 
lied by  Capt.  Fordyce,  and  advanced  along  the 
causeway  with  great  resolution,  keeping  up  a 
constant  and  heavy  fire  as  they  approached. 
Two  field-pieces,  which  had  been  brought 
across  the  bridge  and  placed  on  tlie  edge  of 
the  island,  facing  the  left  of  our  breastwork, 
played  briskly  at  the  same  time  upon  us.  Lieu- 
tenant Travis,  who  commanded  in  the  breast- 
work, ordered  his  men  to  reserve  their  fire  un- 
til the  enemy  came  within  fiity  yards,  and  then 
gave  it  to  them  with  terrible  execution.  The 
brave  Fonlyce  exerted  himself  to  keep  up  their 
spirits,  reminded  them  of  their  ancient  glory, 
and,  waving  his  liat  over  liis  head  encour- 
agingly, told  them  the  day  i^'os  their  own. 
Thus  pressing  forward,  he  fell  within  fifteen 
steps  of  the  breastwork.  His  wounds  were 
many,  and  his  death  would  have  been  that  of 
a  hero  had'  he  met  it  in  a  fietter  cause.  The 
progress  of  the  enemy  was  ncjw  at  an  end,  and 
they  retreated  over  the  causeway  with  pre- 
cipitation, and  were  dreadfully  galled  in  their 
rear.  Hitherto,  on  our  side  only  the  guard, 
consisting  of  twenty-five,  and  some  others,  in 
the  whiile  not  amounting  to  more  than  ninety, 
had  been  engaged.  Only  the  regulars  O'f  the 
14th  Regiment,  in  nuniber  120,  had  aclvanced 
upon  the  causeway  ;  and  about  230  negroes  and 
tories  had,  after  crossing  the  bridge,  continued 
u])nn  the  island.  The  regulars,  after  retreat- 
ing along  the  causeway,  were  again  rallied  by 
Ca])t.  Leslie,  and  the  two  field-pieces  continued 
])la)ing  upon  our  men.     It  was  at  this  time  that 


Col.  Woodford  was  advancing  do'wn  the  street 
to  the  breastwork  with  the  main  body,  and 
against  him  was  now  directed  the  fire  of  the 
enemy.  Never  were  cannon  better  served ;  yet 
in  the  face  of  them  and  musketry,  which  kept 
up  a  continual  blaze,  our  men  marched  on  with 
the  utmost  intrepidity.  Cob  Stevens,  of  the 
Culpepper  battalion,  was  sent  round  to  the 
left  t(j  flank  the  enemy,  which  was  done  with 
so-  much  spirit  and  acti\-ity  that  a  rout  im- 
mediately ensued ;  the  enemy  fled  into  their 
fort,  leaving  behind  them  the  twi>  field-pieces, 
which,  however,  they  took  care  to  spike  up 
with  nails. 

"]\Iany  were  killed  and  wnunded  in  the 
flight,  but  Colonel  \^'oodford  \ery  jirudently 
restrained  his  troops  from  pursuing  the  enemy 
too  far.  From  the  beginning  of  the  attack 
till  the  repulse  at  the  breastwork  might  be 
fourteen  or  fifteen  minutes  ;  till  the  total  defeat, 
upward  of  half  an  hour.  It  is  said  that  some 
of  the  enemy  preferred  death  to  captivity,  from 
fear  of  being  scalped,  which  Lord  Dunmore 
cruelly  told  them  would  be  their  fate  should 
they  be  taken  alive. 

"Thirty-one  killed  and  wounded  fell  into 
our  hands,  the  number  Ijorne  off  was  much 
greater.  Through  the  whole  engagement  every 
officer  and  soldier  behaved  with  the  greatest 
calmness  and  courage.  The  conduct  of  our 
sentinels  I  cannot  pass  over  in  silence.  Before 
they  cpiitted  their  stations  they  fired  at  least 
three  rounds  as  the  enaiiy  were  crossing  the 
bridge,  and  one  of  them,  posted  behind  some 
shingles,  kept  his  gromids  until  he  had  fired 
eight  times,  and  after  he  had  received  the  fire 
of  a  whole  platoon  made  his  escape  across  the 
causeway  to  our  breastwork.  The  scene  was 
closcfl  with  as  nnich  humanity  as  it  was  con- 
ducted with  bravery.  The  work  of  death  being- 
over.  e\ery  one's  attention  was  directed  tO'  the 
succor  of  the  unhappy  sufferers;  and  it  is  an 
undoubted  fact  that  Captain  Leslie  was  so  af- 
fecte<l  with  the  tenderness  of  our  troops  to 
those  capaljle  of  assistance  that  he  gave  signs 
from  the  fort  of  iiis  thankfulness. 

"What  is  not  paralleled  in  history,  and  will 


AND    REP-RESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


41 


scarcely  lie  credible,  except  tu  such  as  acknuwl- 
edjjfe  a  Providence  over  human  affairs ;  this 
\  ictory  was  g'ained  at  the  ex|>ense  of  no  nmre 
than  a  slight  wound  in  a  soldier's  hand ;  and 
one  circumstance  which  rendered  it  still  more 
amazing  is,  that  a  iield- piece  raked  the  whole 
length  of  the  street  and  absolutely  threw 
double-headed  shot  as  far  as  the  church  and 
afterward,  as  our  trot)i3S  ai>iJroached,  can- 
nonaded them  heavily  with  grape  shot." 

An  article  in  the  next  issue  of  the  G(j;r//i' 
says:  "A  correspondent,  on  whose  inf(,rma- 
tion  we  may  depend,  informs  us  that  our  sol- 
diers showed  the  greatest  humanity  and  tender- 
ness to  the  wounded  prisoners.  Several  of 
them  ran  tlirough  a  hot  tire  to  lift  up  and  bring 
in  some  that  were  l>leeding  and  who  they 
feared  would  die  if  not  .speedily  assisted  by  the 
surgeon.  The  prisoners  expected  to  be  .scalped, 
and  cried  out,  'For  God's  sake,  do  not  murder 
IIS.'  One  of  them,  unable  to  walk,  cried  out 
in  this  manner  to  one  t>f  our  niien,  and  was 
answered  by  him,  'Put  your  arms  around  my 
neck  and  I  will  show  y<^u  what  I  intend  to  do.' 
Then  taking  him  with  his  arm  over  his  neck, 
he  walked  slowly  along,  bearing  him  along 
with  great  tenderness  to  the  breastwork. 
Captain  Leslie,  seeing  two  of  our  soldiers  ten- 
derly removing  a  wounded  regular  from  the 
bridge,  stepped  ufxtn  the  platform  of  the  fort, 
and.  bowing  with  great  respect,  thanked  them 
for  their  kindness.  These  are  instances  of  a 
noble  disposition  of  soul.  Men  who  can  act 
thus  must  be  invincil)le." 

Colonel  Woodford,  making  rep^jrt  of  the 
liattle  of  Great  Bridge  to  Edmund  Pendleton, 
President  of  the  Convention,  writes:  "Great 
Bridge,  near  Norfolk.  Decemlier  9,  1775. 
The  enemy  were  reinforced  about  three  o'clock 
this  morning  (as  they  tell  me)  by  every  soldier 
of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment  at  Norfolk, 
amounting  to  two  hundred,  commanded  by 
Cai)tain  Leslie,  and  this  morning,  after  reveille 
l)eating,  crossed  the  bridge  by  laying  down 
some  planks,  and  made  an  attack  to  force  our 
l)reastwork  (the  prisoners  say  the  whrile  num- 
ber amounted  to  live  hundred  \olunteers  and 


blacks)  with  two  i)ieces  of  cannon,  but  none 
marched  u]>  but  His  Majesty's  soldiers,  who 
b.eha\ed  like  Hii^lislniien.  We  have  found  of 
their  dead  Cajjtain  I-'ordyce  and  twelve  pri- 
vates, and  have  Lieutenant  Batut,  who  is 
wounded  in  the  leg,  and  seventeen  ])rivate  pris- 
oners, all  wounded.  They  carrietl  their  can- 
non back  mider  cover  of  the  the  guns  of  the 
fort,  and  a  number  of  their  dead.  I  should 
suppose,  to  sjieak  within  compass,  their  loss 
must  he  upward  of  fifty.  Some  powder  and 
cartridges  were  taken.  1  sent  an  i.fficer  to  in- 
torm  them  if  they  would  not  fire  ujx  n  our  peo- 
ple thev  should  collect  the  dead  and  wounded : 
this  they  agreed  to,  and  there  has  been  no 
firing  since,  ^^'e  are  now  under  arms,  expect- 
ing another  attack.  There  is  but  one  man  of 
ours  hurt  and  he  is  wounded  in  the  hand.  The 
prisoners  inform  us  that  Lord  Dunmore  has 
got  a  reinforcement  of  Highlanders,  which  I 
expect  will  be  up  next." 

Gre.\t  Bridge,  December  loth.  1775. 
Sir  :- 

1  imi>t  atHilogize  for  the  hurry  in  which  I  wrote 
you  yesterday ;  since  which  nothing  of  moment  has 
happened,  hut  the  abandoning  of  the  fort  by  the  enemy. 
We  have  taken  possession  of  it  this  morning,  and  found 
therein  the  stores  mentioned  in  the  enclosed  hst:  to- 
wit:  7  guns,  four  of  them  sorry:  I  bayonet:  29  spades; 
2  shovels :  6  cannon :  a  few  shot :  some  bedding ;  a 
part  of  a  hogshead  of  rum :  two  or  more  barrels,  the 
contents  unknown,  but  supposed  to  be  rum:  2  barrels 
of  bread:  about  20  quarters  of  beef:  half  a  box  of 
candles ;  4  or  5  dozen  quart  bottles :  4  or  5  iron  pots :  a 
few  axes  and  old  lumber.  The  spikes.  I  find  cannot  be 
got  out  of  the  cannon  without  drilling.  From  the  vast 
effusion  of  blood  on  the  1)ridgc.  and  in  the  fort,  from 
the  account  of  sentries,  who  saw  many  bodies  carried 
out  of  the  fort  to  be  interred,  and  other  circumstances, 
I  conceive  their  loss  to  be  much  greater  than  I  thought 
it  yesterday,  and  the  victory  to  be  complete.  I  have 
received  no  late  information  from  Xorfolk  and  Princess 
-Ann  nor  yet  fixed  on  a  plan  for  improving  this  advant- 
age. I  have  dispatched  scouting  parties,  and  from  their 
intelligence  I  shall  regulate  my  future  operations.  En- 
clo.sed  is  an  inventory  of  the  arms.  etc..  taken  yester- 
day, to-wit :  2  silver-mounted  fusils  with  bayonets; 
one  steel  do.  without  bayonet:  24  well  fixed  iruskets, 
with  bayonets:  6  muskets,  without  bayonets:  28  car- 
touch  boxes  and  pouches;  3  silver-mounted  cartouch 
boxes,  2  cannon  do:  26  bayonet  belts:  27  caps:  2  hats; 
one  barrel  with  powder  and  cartridges :  one  silk  hand- 
kerchief, with  linen  in  it;  2  watches;  cash  12s  6d. ; 
I  pair  gloves :  4  stocks  and  buckles :  2  snuff-l)Oxes ;  10 
knives;  barrel  with  ball  and  oakum:  12  coats:  12 
waist-coats;  11  pair  shoes;  12  pair  of  gaiters;  i  pair  of 


42 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Ijreeches ;  i  shirt ;  i  pair  of  stockings :  a  parcel  of  old 
knee  buckles:  a  parcel  of  old  buttons:  and  a  black 
handkerchief. 

The  arms  I  shall  retain  for  the  use  of  the  army;  the 
other  articles  I  shall  dispose  of  at  vendue,  and  apply 
the  money  arising  from  the  sale  in  such  manner  as  the 
Convention  shall  be  pleased  to  direct. 

Lieutenant  Batutt  having. an  inclination  to  inform 
the  King's  troops  of  the  humane  treatment  he  met 
with  here,  I  dispatched  Ensign  Hoomes.  with  a  flag  of 
•truce  who  returned  with  the  enclosed  answer  from  the 
Commander  of  the  Fort :  viz  :  "Captain  Leslie  presents 
his  compliments  to  Mr.  Batut  and  returns  Col.  Wood- 
ford his  sincere  thanks  for  his  kind  treatment  of  prison- 
ers. He  is  happy  Mr.  Batut's  wounds  are  so  slight : 
but  is  extremely  .sorry   for  the  loss  of  poor  Fordyce." 

The  unfortunate  Captain  Fordyce  was  a  Captain  of 
the  Grenadiers  of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment :  most  of 
the  soldiers  were  Grenadiers  of  that  regiment.  As  the 
Captain  was  a  gallant  and  brave  officer,  I  presumed  to 
enter  him  with  all  the  military  honors  due  his  great 
merits:  which  I  hope  will  meet  with  the  approbation  of 
the  honorable  convention. 

About  two  hundred  and  fifty  Carolina  men  are  ar- 
rived under  the  Command  of  Col.  Vail.  They  are  com- 
posed of  regulars,  minute-men,  malitia  and  volunteers, 
and  have  brought  with  them  si.x  cannon.  I  have  re- 
ceived no  certain  account  of  Col.  Howe,  where  he  is. 
what  number  of  force  he  commands,  how  armed  and 
how  provided,  or  where  he  intends  to  join  me.  I  shall 
pay  due  reo-ard  to  the  reinforcements  vou  mention  and 
the  establishment  of  the  ^losts.  I  am  just  informed  by 
Lieutenant  Batut.  that  a  servent  of  Maj.  Marshall's 
who  was  in  the  party  with  Col.  Scott  and  deserted,  in- 
formed Lord  Dunmore  that  not  more  than  three  hun- 
dred shirt-men  were  here:  that  imnrudent  man  caught 
at  the  bait  and  dispatched  Capt,  Leslie,  with  all  the 
regulars  who  arrived  at  the  Fort  about  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  I  have  enclosed  to  the  honorable  con- 
vention a  general  return  of  the  forces  under  my  com- 
mand :  also  a  list  of  sick  and  wounded.  It  is  my  wish 
to  receive  orders  for  what  is  to  be  done  with  the 
wounded  prisoners  when  able  to  travel.  I  recollect 
nothing  more  to  add  at  present,  than  that  I  am  with 
great   respect  your  most  obedient   servant. 

WiLLI.V.M     WoODFOKD. 

To  Edmund  Pexdletox, 

President  of  the  Conventio.y. 


An  extract  from  a  letter  of  a  midshipman 
(American  Archives,  Vol.  4,  Page  452)  on 
board  His  Majest\'s  ship  "Otter,"  commanded 
by  Captain  Squire,  dated  January  9,  i/jf).  de- 
scril>es  the  battle  as  follows : 

"December  9.  Our  troops,  -with  alsout  60 
town  men  from  Norfolk  and  a  detachment  of 
sailors  from  the  ships,  among  wliom  I  had  the 
honor  to  march,  set  out  from  Norfolk  to  at- 
tack, once  more,  the  Rebels  at  Great  Bridge, 
who  had  been  lodsfed  there  some  time  and  had 


erected  a  breastwork  opposite  to  our  fort  on 
their  side  of  the  river.  We  arrived  at  the  fort 
an  hour  after  three  in  the  morning  and  after 
refreshing  ourselves  prepared  to  attack  the 
Rebels  in  their  intrenchments.  Captain  Squire, 
ever  ready  to'  assist  My  Lord  in  the  public 
cause,  had  sent  his  gunners  and  men  to  manage 
twO'  pieces  of  cannon,  who  were  in  the  front 
and  ordered  to  begin  the  attack.  But  Imw  can 
it  be  supposed  that  with  200  men  we  could 
force  a  strong  entrenchment  defended  by  at 
least  2,000?  Yet  this  was  attemj^ted,  and 
we  marched  up  to'  their  works  with  the  in- 
trepidity of  lions.  But  alas !  we  retreated  with 
much  fewer  JDrave  fellows  than  we  took  out. 
Their  fire  was  so  hea\-y  that  had  we  not  re- 
treated as  we  did  we  shr.uld  ex'erv  one  lieen 
cut  off.  Figure  tO'  yourself  a  strong  breast- 
work built  across  a  causeway,  (ju  which  six 
men  only  could  advance  abreast :  a  large 
swamp  almost  surrounded  them,  at  the  l^ack 
of  which  were  two'  small  breastworks  to  flank 
in  om-  attack  on  their  intrenchments.  Lender 
these  disadvantages  it  was  impossible  to  suc- 
ceed; vet  our  men  were  so  enraged  that  all 
the  entreaties  and  scarcely  the  threats  of  our 
officers  could  prevail  oii  them  to  retreat,  which 
at  last  they  did :  the  cannon  were  securetl  with- 
in the  fort.  We  had  sixty  killed,  wounded  and 
taken  prisoners ;  among  whom  were  the  gal- 
lant Captain  Fordyce,  of  the  Grenadiers  of  tlie 
Fourteenth  Brigade,  Lieutenants  Napier  and 
Leslie,  and  Lieutenant  Batut  wounded  and 
taken  prisoner,  men  all  unixersally  esteemed 
and  for  whom  all  shed  tears ;  we  set  out  on  our 
return  to  Norfolk  about  seven  o'clock  in  the 
ex'ening,  at  which  place  we  arrived  at  twelve, 
and  the  soldiers  were  embarked  on  board  ves- 
sels prepared  for  that  purpose." 

"December  14.  The  Reliels  having  now 
nothing  to  obstruct  their  passage,  arrived  and 
took  possession  of  Norfolk,  and  in  the  evening 
saluted  us  with  a  volley  of  small  arms,  which, 
the  next  morning.  I  was  sent  on  shore  to  their 
Commander  to  inform  him  if  another  shot  was 
fired  at  the  'Otter'  they  nnist  expect  the  town 
to  l.;e  knocked  about  their  ears." 


AX  I)    RICrRESEXTATlVE    CITIZENS. 


43 


After  the  battle  i;t  (;reat  Bridge  250  Xuith 
Carolina  tniops  arrived,  iiiuler  Colontl  \'ail, 
and  on  the  uth  300  more,  under  Colonel 
Hi>\ve.  who.  with  Colonel  \\'<xjdford.  occu- 
pied Xorfolk  on  the  14th.  Colonel  Howe, 
whose  commission  had  precedence  o\er  Colonel 
\\'oodfurd"s.  now  assumed  command. 

The  proceedings  of  the  Virginia  Conven- 
tion at  W'illiamshurg,  on  Thursday,  tiie  14th 
day  of  I)cceml)er,  1775  ( .\merican  Archives, 
\'ol.  4,  Page  84J  say:  "The  President  laid 
before  the  Committee  a  letter  from  Colonel 
Woodford  enclosing  a  petition  from  the  ijoor 
inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Xorf(jlk  request- 
ing protection.  *  *  *  The  President  also  laid 
liefore  the  Convention  a  letter  from  Colonel 
Howe,  of  X'orth  Carolina,  informing  him  that 
he  had  joined  Colonel  Woodford  with  the 
troops  under  his  conunand  and  should  lie  hap])y 
to  afford  him  his  licst  assistance." 

Resolved,  tliai  the  President  be  required  to  write 
to  Col.  Howe  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  his  obliging 
letter  and  thanking  him  for  his  good  intentions  toward 
the  Colony. 

On  Friday,  December  22  (American  Ar- 
chives, Vol.  4,  Page  95),  the  Convention  ten- 
dered thanks  to  the  X'orth  Carolina  troops  un- 
der Colonel  Howe: 

Resolved,  uiiaiiiiimusly,  that  the  Thanks  of  this 
Convention  are  justly  due  to  the  brave  otticers.  gentle- 
men volunteers,  and  soldiers  of  Xottli  Carolina,  as 
well  as  our  brethren  of  that  Province  in  general,  for 
their  prompt  and  generous  aid  in  defense  of  our  com- 
mon rights  against  the  enemies  of  .-Iniciha  and  of  the 
British  Constitution:  and  that  the  President  be  desired 
to  transmit  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  Colonel  Howe. 

A  correspondence  between  C<donel  Howe 
an<l  the  British  officers  began  on  the  24th  of 
December,  wliich  Colonel  Howe  transmittetl 
to  tlie  convention  (American  Archives,  Vol.  4. 
Page  452)  :  "Yesterday  by  a  flag  of  truce  I 
received  a  letter  from  Captain  Bellew.  copy 
of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  }ou, 
with  a  copy  of  those  I  have  written  to  him. 
Though  Colonel  WcKxlford  and  myself  were 
sensible,  it  was  our  duty  to  withliold  from 
him.  as  much  as  in  our  power  lay,  those  sup- 


plies he  wished  to  obtain.  _\et  the  moderate 
conduct  he  has  ])ursued,  and  the  sentiments  of 
humanity  by  which  he  seems  to  be  actuated, 
induced  us  to  delay  an  answer  till  to-day  and 
couch  it  in  terms  which  cannot  but  show  him 
that  occasion,  not  inclination,  had  influence 
upon  our  conduct.  Captain  Bellew's  letter  was 
brought  us  by  one  of  his  lieutenants.  He  ex- 
pressed for  himself  and  exery  officer  on  Ijoard 
the  reluctance  they  should  feel  if,  comjielled  by 
necessity,  they  should  be  obliged  by  marauding 
parties  to  snatch  from  tlie  indigent  farmer  of 
this  Colony  those  provisions  they  were  so  will- 
ing to  purchase.  I  thought  proper,  sir,  to 
give  you  this  information,  and  through  you, 
Colonel  Woodford  and  myself  beg  leave  to 
submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  your  honor- 
ab-le  Board,  whether  we  arc  to  shcnv  ain-  in- 
dulgence to  those  peo]>le,  and  if  we  are.  to 
what  bounds  we  are  to  extend  it.  Major 
Kuffin  and  alxvut  i<So  Minutemen  arrived  last 
night:  it  was  a  seasonable  relief  to  oim"  S(ildiers 
almost  worn  out  with  duty  this  very  bad 
weather.  1  \Vas  honored  with  your  letter  yes- 
terday and  we  are  made  happy  to  find  our 
proceedings  are  approved  of:  the  order  it  con- 
veys and  all  others  which  we  may  receive  we 
shall  endea\dr  !■>  execute  with  the  greatest 
punctuality." 

Another  letter  iwnt  Colonel  Howe  (Amer- 
ican Archives,  Vol.  4,  Page  474)  to  the  presi- 
dent of  the  convention  under  date  of  the  25th 
day  of  Decemljer  says : 

"I  am  at  present,  sir,  so  indispensal)Iy  en- 
gaged that  I  ha\e  not  time  to  Ije  so  particular 
I  as  I  could  wish  had  I  anything  of  importance 
to  communicate,  but  except  some  salutes  from 
the  men-of-war,  matters  remain  just  as  they 
were  when  I  wrote  \ox\  last.  Xo  effectual 
steps  have  been  taken  in  resi)ect  to  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  for  which  the  enclo.sed 
copies  of  letters  between  Lord  Dunmore  and 
myself  will,  I  hope,  accoimt  in  such  manner  as 
to  leave  me  in  the.  opinion  of  vour  honorable 
ijody  free  from  blame." 

.\  letter  from  Lord  Dimmore  to  Colonel 
Howe : 


44 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Sir: 


Ship  "Dunmore,"  Dec.  25th.   1775. 


I  have  tliis  moment  received  yours  of  the  24th  and 
in  compliance  with  your  request,  have  empowered  the 
bearer,  Mr.  Lawrie,  to  agree  to  any  one  of  your  Lieu- 
tenants in  our  custody,  being  exchanged  in  place  of 
Mr.  Batut.  Lieut,  of  the  14th  Regiment,  and  to  an 
equal  number  of  vour  privates  in  lieu  of  those  of  the 
14th  with  you  now.     I  am^  Sir, 

Your  most,  ob'dt  humble   serv't. 

Dun  MORE. 
To  Robert  Howe,  Esquire. 

1 

The  reply  to  Lord  Dunmore  by  Colonel 

H(i\ve: 

Norfolk,  Dec.  25th,   1775. 
My  Lord:— 

Desirous  as  we  are  to  regain  our  friends  in  your 
custody,  and  to  return  to  the  army  the  officers  and  men 
of  their  corps  who  have  fallen  into  our  hands,  we  can 
by  no  means,  submit  to  place  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  army,  who  liave  been  taken  in  the  battle  upon  a  foot- 
ing with  those  officers  of  Militia  and  the  peasants,  that 
you  have  thought  proper  to  deprive  of  their  liberty. 
We  have  since  our  march  from  the  Great  Bridge,  taken 
a  number  of  those  who  were  in  action  at  that  place; 
among  them,  some  who  acted  under  your  commissions 
as  field-officers ;  those  I  conceive,  may  be  equitably  ex- 
changed for  those  of  the  same  rank  in  your  hands ;  and 
relucta:it  as  I  am  to  continue  in  confinement  either  your 
prisoners  or  ours,  I  shall  consent  to  no  exchange  but 
such  as  equity  shall  warrant. 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  Mr.  Lawrie  for  particu- 
lars. I  should  be  glad  to  be  favored  with  a  list  of  the 
prisoners  you  have  in  your  hands,  the  rank  they  bear 
and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  taken. 

I  am.  My  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most  Ob'dt., 
humble  Serv't, 

Robert  Howe. 
To  His  Excellency  Lord  Dunmore. 

Lord  Dunmore's  reply : 


Sir: 


Ship  "Dunmore,"  Dec.  26th,  1775. 


Yours  of  last  night  I  received  and  really  am  at  a 
loss  to  know  what  your  meaning  is;  you  certainly,  when 
}'0U  proposed  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  could  never 
have  meant  to  pay  your  own  people  so  poor  a  compli- 
ment, as  not  to  look  upon  those  whom  the  Convention 
thought  proper  to  appoint  to  hold  military  commis- 
sions in  any  other  light  than  officers ;  those  you  talk 
of  as  officers  of  Militia  and  Peasants,  whom  you  say 
I  have  thought  proper  to  deprive  of  their  liberty,  come 
under  that  predicament,  and  were  taken  armed  against 
their  liege  Sovereign. 

If  the  rank  of  officers  in  each  army  is  not  to  be  our 
guide,  I  own  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  what  rule  we  are 
to  be  governed  in  exchange  of  prisoners, 

I  am  Sir,  Your  humble  servant, 

Dunmore. 
To  Robert  Howe  Esquire  in.  Norfolk. 


Colonel  Howe's  answer : 


Norfolk,  Dec.  27T11.  177=;. 
My  Lord  :— 

I  was  not  understood  by  Your  Lordship  last  night 
and  it  gives  me  concern.  You  do  me  justice,  however, 
when  you  suppose  I  could  not  mean,  even  by  implica- 
tion, to  degrade  any  connuissions  issued  by  Conven- 
tion, whose  authority  I  acknowledge,  whose  appoint- 
ment I  honor  and  to  whose  service  I  have  devoted 
myself. 

I  'am.  I  find,  to  inform  j-our  Lordship  of  what  I 
really  thought  you  before  acquainted :  that  Conven- 
tions, from  the  fatal  necessities  of  the  times,  have  been 
compelled  to  establish  three  different  military  bodies: 
Militia,  Minute  Battalions,  and  Regular  Regiments; 
and  that  they  have  made  a  distinction  in  the  rank  of 
each.  What  I  said,  therefore,  in  respect  to  militia 
officers,  was  not  without  its  propriety,  had  my 
meaning  extended  no  further  than  as  to  their  rank. 
You,  My  Lord,  sometimes  effect  so  much  to  despise 
any  rank  derived  from  Conventions,  that  courtesy  itself 
cannot  induce  you.  even  in  the  common  forms  of  ad- 
dress, to  admit  those  appellations  whicli  they  have 
fixed  to  particular  characters.  Circumstances,  however, 
at  other  times  have  so  far  an  influence  upon  Your 
Lordship  as  to  prevail  upon  you  not  only  to  admit  that 
rank,  but  to  endeavor  to  carry  it  higher  than  even  the 
Conventions  intended. 

A  Colonel  in  the  Minute  Service  ranks  only  with  a 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Regulars;  a  Colonel  of  Mili- 
tia, only  with  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  Minute-Men, 
This  must  make  it  plain,  that  a  IMilitia  Lieutenant, 
though  your  Lordshio  had  taken  him  in  battle,  cannot 
be  deemed  an  equitable  exchange  for  a  Lieutenant  of 
Regulars,  much  less.  My  Lord,  if  a  man  should  have 
been  torn  from  his  farm  and  arbitrarily  deprived  of 
his  liberty,  because  a  Convention  had  nominated  him 
an  officer,  without  his  having  done  anv  one  act  that 
could  warrant  his  seizure,  and  continue  his  confinement 
longer  than  despotism  prevails  over  rights  and  privi- 
leges. In  this  case.  I  might  indeed  compassionate  h's 
fate,  but  should  betray  the  confidence  reposed  in  me 
by  my  country,  should  I  attempt  to  release  him  by  a 
prisoner  of  equal  rank  taken  in  battle,  who  it  would  be 
my  duty  to  consider  as  a  pledge  in  my  hands,  for  the 
redemption  of  some  brave  man.  that  by  the  chance  of 
war  may  happen  to  be  captured. 

The  Convention  in  order  to  establish  a  Militia, 
have  appointed  Captains  in  particular  districts  to  train 
and  e.xercise,  in  arms,  all  persons  from  16  to  60  years 
of  age,  without  instructing  or  directing  them  to  act 
against  Government ;  these  may  meet  and  go  through  the 
manual  exercise,  and  then  return  home  without  the 
least  guilt.  Six  months  after,  should  some  or  all  of 
these  people  be  taken  from  their  ploughs,  made  prison- 
ers and  offered  in  exchange  for  those  that  are  prison- 
ers of  war,  could  an  officer  be  justified,  who  admitted 
of  such  an  exchange?  or  would  you,  Aly  Lord,  should 
we  seize  upon  the  per.son  of  the  peasants,  who  come 
into  this  town  every  day  and  who  attend  to  j'our  Proc- 
lamation  and   subscribed  vour  Test,   admit  of  them  in 


AX  I)    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


45 


exL-liaiigv.'  t'lr  our  orticor>  aiul  inoii,  wlio  you  assert  were 
lakeu  in  arms? 

Inforuiation  had  given  mc  to  think,  and  till  your 
last  letter,  1  had  no  reason  to  doubt,  tliat  some  of  these 
officers  and  men  you  offered  us.  were  such  as  I  have 
(lescrilied ;  and  it  was  to  that  I  alluded  when  I  said 
that  I  could  not  put  those  prisoners  taken  in  battle, 
upon  a  lix)ting  with  the  Militia  officers  and  peasants, 
whom  you.  My  Lord,  had  thought  proper  to  deprive  of 
their  liberty.  I  was  explicit.  I  thought,  when  I.  told 
Your  Lordship,  that  I  looked  upon  those  officers,  who 
under  your  appointment,  fought  at  the  Great  Bridge, 
though  taken  since  the  action,  as  prisoners  who  would 
he  equitably  offered  in  exchange  for  those  of  ours  of 
the  same  rank  taken  by  you :  and  when  I  desired  an 
exact  list  of  the  men  in  your  custody,  the  rank  they  bore 
and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  taken.  I  imagined 
it  would  be  granted  me:  I  wish  now  to  obtain  such  a 
list.  My  Lord;  and  if  I  do.  you  will  find  that  I  shall 
not  degrade  those  commissions  issued  by  Convention, 
the  rank  of  which  you  seem  so  desirous  I  should  main- 
tain; but  join  you  heartily,  if  you  choose  it.  in  one 
nieasure  at  least,  that  of  returning  .to  their  friends  such 
prisoners  we  have  of  yours,  and  restoring  to  the  bosom 
of  their  country  those  that  you  have  torn  from  it. 

I  have  not  had  in  my  power,  till  within  the  last 
hour,  to  answer  your  favor  of  last  night;  the  delay 
you  will  please  excuse. 

I  am,  My  Lord,  Your  Lordship's, 

Most  ob'd't  humble  serv't, 

Robert  Howe. 
To  His  ExcELt,EXGV  Lord  Dunmore. 

It  ajipears  that  tlie  ])ickets  of  the  Colonial 
army  at  Xorfolk  were  offen.sive  to  tlie  eves  of 
tlie  British  naval  officers  on  the  ships  in  the 
harbur.  and  tlie  commander  of  the  "Liver- 
pool"' wrote  to  Colonel  Howe  to  have  them 
witiidrawn  from  tlieir  sight. 

.Ship  "I^iverpooi,,"  off  Norfolk. 
Df.ce.mber  30TH.  1775. 
.-Ks   I   hold   it   incompatible   with   the   honor  of   my 
commission  to  suffer  men  in  arms  against  their  Sover- 
eign   and    the    Laws,    to    appear   before    His    Majesty's 
ships.  I  desire  you  will  cause  your  sentinels  in  the  town 
of  Norfolk  to  avoid  being  seen,  that  women  and  chil- 
dren may  not  feel  the  effects  of  their  audacity,  and  it 
would  not  be  imprudent  if  both  were  to  leave  the  town. 
I  am.  Sir.  your  most  huinble  servant, 

Hexrv  Bellew. 
To  Robert  Howe,  Esn. 


ply 


This  letter  had  Colonel  Howe's  jM-ompt  re 


N'oRi-or.K.  DF.cE^rnER  30TH.  1775. 
I  am  too  mvch  of  an  officer  to  wish  you  to  do  anv- 
thing  incompatible  with  the  honor  ot  your  commission 
or  to   recede  myself   from  any  point   which   I   conceive 


to  be  my  duty.  L'nder  llic  inlluence  iii  recipn.r.ii  uri- 
ings  consequences  may  ensue  which  cither,  perhaps, 
would  choose  to  avoid.  Our  sentinels  have  received 
orders  not  to  fire  at  your  boats,  or  any  other,  unless 
approaching  the  shore  in  a  hostile  manner.  H  they 
exceed  this  order,  we  would  punish  them  ourselves;  or 
if  you  do  it,  we  shall  thank  you  for  it.  l(,  however, 
your  resentment  extends  farther  than  merely  to  them, 
I  should  wish  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  who  have 
nothing  to  do  in  this  matter,  may  have  time  to  remove 
with  their  effects.  And,  as  to  the  rest,  I  should  be  un- 
worthy of  the  respect  of  a  man  of  your  character,  if  I 
consulted  anything  but  my  duty. 

1  am.  Sir,  your  most  ob'dt  humble  servant, 

Robert  Howe. 
To  Henry  Bellew,  Esq. 

The  proceedings  of  tiie  Virginia  Con\en- 
tion  (American  Archives,  Vol.  4,  Page  103) 
on  Tuesday,  January  2,  1776,  show  that  "The 
president  laid  before  the  convention  a  letter 
from  Colonel  Howe  and  also  a  letter  from 
Colonel  \\'oodford  informing  the  convaition 
they  had  received  petitions  from  several  of  the 
persons  who  liad  joined  Lord  Duinnore  and 
were  on  board  the  vessels  in  the  harbour  at 
Norfolk,  desiring  that  they  miglit  have  leave 
to  return,  as  their  wives  and  children  were 
greatly  distressed.  That  tiiey  had  given  for 
an.swer,,  the  women  and  cliilclren  were  at  \\\y- 
erty  to  come  on  shore,  and  should  receive  as- 
sistance and  protection,  but  not  to  be  at  liberty 
to  return  or  give  intelligence  to  our  enemies; 
tliat  the  men  should  iiave  no  other  violence 
oft'ered  tiiem  than  to  remain  ))risoners  till  tiiev 
could  be  fairly  and  impartially  tried  by  their 
Country  for  taking  up  arms  against  it.  Whicii 
Ijeing  read, 

"Resolved,  that  this  Convention  will  immediately 
resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  on  the  said  letters. 

"The  Convention  accordingly  resolved 
itself  into  the  said  Committee,  and  after  some 
time  spent  therein  Mr.  President  resumed  tiie 
chair  and  Mr.  Mercer  reported  that  the  Com- 
mittee had,  according  to  order,  had  under  their 
consideration  the  letter  from  Colonel  Howe 
and  Colonel  Woodford  and  had  come  to  the 
following  resolution  thereup(.n.  which  he  read 
in  his  place  and  afterward  delivered  it  at  the 
Clerk's  table,  where  the  same  was  again  twice 
read  and  agreed  to  by  the  Convention. 


46 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"Resolved,  that  tlic  Convention  do  highly  approve 
of  the  offer  made  by  Col.  Howe  and  his  officers  to  the 
distressed  women  and  children  now  en  board  the  ves- 
sels in  the  harbour  at  Norfolk,  and  the  terms  offered 
to  those  who  have  taken  up  arms  against  this  Coun- 
try ;  and  that  Col.  Howe  be  requested  to  repeat  the 
same  in  the  name  of  the  Delegates  and  Representatives 
of  this  Colony." 

On,  the  30th  day  of  Decemlser.  1775,  tlie 
Briti.sh  force  in  Hampton  Roads  and  the  har- 
])0v  lit  Niirfolk  and  Portsmouth  was  com- 
]5osed  (if  the  following  vessels: 

Ship  "Liverpool,"  28  guns.  Henry  Bellcw.  Com- 
mander. 

Sloop  "Otter,"  16  guns,  JIallicw  Squire.  Com- 
mander. 

Sloop  "Kingfisher."  18  guns.  James  Montague, 
Conmiander. 

Sloop  .  8  guns.  Robert  Stew;irt,  Commander. 

-Sliip    "Eilbeck."    .    Lord    Dunmore,    Com- 

mander._ 

•   And  .six  or  seven  small  tenders. 

Royalist  famihes  took  refuge  on  tlie  ships, 
^\here,  from  tlie  scarcity  of  provisions,  great 
distress  prevailed.  Marketing  in  tlie  town  and 
vicinity  was  hy  no  means  pleasant,  and  the 
Christmas  holidays  of  1775  were  passed  in  in- 
■\-oluntar}-  fasting,  especially  by  the  lately  tin 
impudent  loyalists. 

Colonel  Woodford  had  issued  a  peaceful 
])roclamation  tO'  the  inhaljitants  of  Princess 
Anne  and  Norfolk  counties,  and  consecjuently 
many  resorted  to  his  cam]);  hut  the  Tories 
taken  in  amis  were  each  coupled  with  hand- 
cuffs to  one  of  his  negro  fellow-soldiers  as  a 
stigma  for  traitorous  conduct. 

The  vigilance  of  the  colonial  troops  kept 
the  enemy  confined  to  their  ships,  preventing 
foraging  in  the  country,  and  consequentlv  Brit- 
ish ciimmissary  supplies  were  naturally  cut  ofY. 
Lord  Dunmore  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  ask  for 
a  su]jply  of  food,  but  being  answered  in  the 
negative,  he  resolved  to  bombard,  and,  if  need 
1)e,  ti>  destroy  the  town.  Accordingly,  notice 
was  given  on  the  31st  of  December,  of  the 
intended  attack  in  order  that  the  women  and 
children  might  be  remo\ed  to  places  of  safety, 
and  on  Monday,  January  i,  1776,  the  bom- 
bardment began. 


At  this  time  Norfolk  was  "the  most  flour- 
ishing and  richest  town  in  the  Colon_\-."  The 
natural  advantages  which  invite  and  promote 
navigation  and  commerce  had  been  acti\ely  sec- 
onded by  the  industry  and  enterprise  of  its  citi- 
zens. Its  population  had  reached  6,000.  and 
■"many  of  the  inhabitants  were  in  aftfuent  cir- 
cumstances." 

The  "Liverpool"  opened  fire,  and  soon  mt 
less  than  60  guns  were  hurling  their  iron  hail 
into  the  de\-oted  town.  The  ball  now  seen  in 
the  wall  of  St.  Paul's  Church  is  said  to  have 
been  thrown  by  the  "Liverpool"  l\'ing  off  the 
foot  of  Church  street. 

Parties  of  niarines  and  sailors  were  sent 
from  the  ships  tr>  fire  the  warehouses  on  the 
wharves,  and  as  the  wind  was  from  the  south 
the  greater  part  of  the  town  was  soon  in  flames, 
which  rapidly  spread  among  the  wood-built 
houses.  The  conflagration  lasted  50  hours, 
destroying  property  \-alued  at  ,$1,500,000. 
Notwithstanding  the  incessant  cannonade,  not 
a  single  patriot  soldier  was  killed,  though  three 
or  four  women  ancl  children  were  slain  in  the 
streets. 

Still  the  \'irginia  forces  held  the  town,  or 
the  site  of  the  late  town,  for  several  weeks, 
when  the  remaining  buildings  were  appraised 
by  Colonel  Stevens,  and,  after  the  removal  of 
their  occupants,  were  destroyed,  lest  they  af- 
ford shelter  for  the  enemy.  It  is  said  that  St. 
Paul's  church  was  the  only  edifice  left  stand- 
ing in  the  town,  but  a  few  days  before  the 
most  flourishing  in  X'irginia,  but  vrhicli  was 
for  a  season  abamloncd  to  utter  desolation. 
Even  the  communion  plate  of  St.  Paul's  was 
carried  off  to  the  old  cemetery.  The  question 
is  often  asked:  Who  burned  Norfolk,  Lord 
Dunmore  or  Colonel  Howe  or  an  irrespon- 
sible mob?  It  seems  that  after  Dunmore  had 
destroyed  part,  if  not  four-fifths  of  the  town, 
the  destruction  was  completed  by  order  of  the 
Virginia  Convention,  of  which  F.dmund  Pen- 
dleton was  president,  and  according  to  "Camp- 
bell's History  of  Virginia"  it  was  opposed 
amcmg  the  civil  and  military  authority  by  only 
one   man,    Cicn.    Andrew     Lewis.      Thus     the 


3 


o     ■= 

g       1 

o      2 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


49 


\'irginians  c<»ini)leted   wlial   their  (.Micniics  hc- 

Accounts  of  the  extent  of  the  destruction 
of  Norfolk  by  tlie  attack  of  Dunmore  on  Jan- 
uary I,  1776,  vary  very  much.  One  historian 
says : 

"Tliough  it  does  not  seem  to  l)e  generally 
known,  the  whole  question  of  the  destruction 
of  Norfolk  was  investigated  in  the  year  1777 
bv  commissioners  appointed  by  the  General 
Assembly.  Their  reixjrt  was  made  October 
10,  1777,  and  I  suppose  is  still  on  lile  in  the 
Auditor's  department.  At  any  rate,  it  was  a 
matter  of  discussion  in  the  House  of  Delegates 
in  1835-36,  and  was  published  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  that  year.  This  report  is  accom- 
l)anied  by  a  schedule  of  all  the  property  de- 
stroyed— time  when,  by  whom,  and  value — and 
also  by  the  depositions  establishing  the  facts. 
It  establishes  that,  out  of  1,333  hou.ses  burned, 
only  54  were  destroyed  by  Lord  Dunmore,  and 
that  on  January  i,  when  the  historians  state 
that  he  burned  the  whole  town,  he  burned  only 
19  houses — 32  having  been  burned  by  him 
November  30,  1775,  and  three  January  21, 
1776.  It  establishes  that  863  houses  were 
burned  by  the  troojis  of  the  State  before  Jan- 
uary 15.  1776,  and  that  416  houses  were  de- 
stroyed by  order  of  the  Convention  in  Feb- 
ruary.    It  goes  on  to  say : 

"  "Upon  an  inspection  of  the  schedule  and 
the  deiK>sitions  which  have  been  taken,  it  will 
appear  that  very  few  of  the  houses  were  de- 
stroyed by  tile  enemy,  either  from  their  can- 
nonade or  by  the  parties  they  landed  on  the 
wharves;  indeed,  the  efforts  of  tiiese  latter 
were  so  feeble  that  we  are  induced  to  believe 
that  most  of  the  houses  which  they  did  set 
fire  to  might  have  l>een  saved  had  a  disposition 
of  that  kind  prevailed  among  the  soldiery,  but 
they  ap])ear  to  have  had  no  such  intention ;  on 
the  contrary,  they  wantonly  set  fire  to  the 
greater  part  of  the  houses  within  the  town, 
where  the  enemy  never  attempted  to  approach, 
and  where  it  would  have  l)een  impossible  for 
them  to  have  penetrated.'  " 

Colonel  Howe,  in  a  letter  to  the  \'irginia 


Convention,  dated  at  NDrfolk,  January  ..;, 
1776  (American  Archives,  Vol.  4,  Page  538), 
reports  that : 

"The  cannonade  of  the  tc)wn  began  alxmt 
a  quarter  after  three  yesterday,  from  upwards 
of  100  pieces  of  cannon,  and  continued  till 
nearly  ten  at  night  without  intermission :  it 
abated  a  little  and  continued  until  two  this 
morning.  Under  cover  of  their  guns  they 
landed  and  set  tire  to  the  town  in  .several  places 
near  the  water,  though  our  men  strove  to  pre- 
vent them  all  in  their  power;  but  the  houses 
near  the  water  being  chiefly  of  wood,  they  took 
(ire  immediately  and  the  fire  spread  with 
amazing  rapidity.  It  has  now  become  general 
and  the  whole  town  will,  I  doulit  not.  be  con- 
sumed in  a  day  or  two.  Expecting  that  the 
fire  would  throw  us  into  confusion,  they  fre- 
quently lantled  and  were  every  time  repulsed, 
I  imagine  with  loss,  but  with  what  loss  I  can- 
not tell ;  the  burning  of  the  town  has  made 
se\eral  avenues  which  yesterday  they  had  not, 
so  that  they  may  now  fire  with  greater  effect; 
the  tide  is  now  rising  and  we  expect  at  high 
water  another  cannonade.  I  have  onl\-  to  wish 
it  may  l>e  ineffectual  as  the  last,  for  we  have 
not  one  man  killed  and  but  few  wounded.  I 
cannot  enter  into  the  melanch<ily  consideration 
(;f  the  women  and  children  running  through  a 
crowd  of  shot  to  get  out  of  the  town,  some  of 
them  with  children  at  their  breasts;  a  few  have. 
1  hear,  been  killed:  does  it  not  call  for  ven- 
geance Ixith  from  God  and  man  ? 

"It  is  but  justice  to  inform  you  thai  I  had 
the  pleasure  to  find  every  officer  ready  to  e.xe- 
cute  orders  at  a  moment's  warning  and  that 
the  men  liehaved  with  steadiness  and  spirit. 
Colonel  Stevens  went  down,  at  my  command, 
and  headed  some  men  near  the  water,  where  he 
emraged  a  party  who  had  landed,  with  a  snirit 
and  conduct  of  a  good  officer. 

"Of  my  friend  Colonel  Woodford  it  is 
almost  needless  to  speak,  but  I  cannot  avoid 
expressing  that  I  received  from  Inm  every  as- 
sistance which  conduct  and  spirit  could  give 
me." 

And  on  January  4.   1776,  at  three  o'clock 


so 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


r.  M.  he  further  reported  to  tlie  Conven- 
tiiiu : 

"Alxiut  a  quarter  past  three  on  Monday 
afternoon  the  whole  fleet  began  a  heavy  can- 
ncjnade,  which  lasted  some  hours,  without  in- 
termission, and,  indeed,  continued  off  and  on 
till  last  night,  since  which  time  we  have  been 
tolerably  cjuiet.  Under  the  fire  of  their  ships 
they  landed  in  many  places  and  set  fire  to  the 
houses  on  the  wharves.  In  these  attempts 
many  of  them  we  are  certain  were  killed  and 
nexer  failed  being  repulsed  by  our  people.  \\& 
had  not  a  man  killed,  and  only  five  or  six 
Avounded,  one  supposed  mortally,  and  twO'  or 
three  women  and  children  are  .said  to  have 
been  killed.  Providence  certainly  interfered 
in  our  favor  or  more  lives  must  have  been  lost. 
They  once  landed  and  got  into  the  streets  with 
field-pieces,  but  were  beaten  back  with  loss  and 
no  execution  done  by  their  fire.  Nine-tenths  of 
the  town  is  destrovetl,  but  the  fire  is  now 
out." 

The  midshipman  on  the  "Otter,"  in  the 
letter  heretofore  mentioned,  wrote  January  9 : 

"The  detested  town  of  Norfolk  is  no  more! 
Its  destruction  happened  on' New  Year's  day! 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  signal 
was  given  from  the  'Li\-erpool,'  when  a  dread- 
ful cannonading  began  from  the  three  ships, 
wliich  lasted  until  it  was  too  hot  for  the  Rebels 
In  stand  on  their  wharves.  Our  boats  now 
landed  and  set  fire  to  the  town  in  several 
])laces.  It  burnt  fiercely  all  night  and  the  next 
da},  nor  are  the  flames  yet  extinguished;  but 
no  more  of  Norfolk  remains  than  about  twelve 
houses  which  have  escaped  the  flames." 

After  the  destruction  of  Norfolk  there  was 
some  skirmishing,  in  which  the  British  suf- 
fered most  severely.  On  the  6th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary. 1776,  Col.  Robert  Howe  retired  from 
Norfolk,  with  his  command  and  stationed  his 
forces  at  Kempsville,  Great  Bridge  and  Suf- 
folk. The  residents  of  Norfolk  were  under 
tliese  most  distressing  circumstances  forced  to 
leave  the  site  of  their  homes  to  seek  shelter 
from  the  rigors  of  winter.  The  good  people 
of  Suffolk  received  these  distressed  refugees 


with  open  doors  ami  unbounded  hospitality  un- 
til every  building  in  the  town  was  croAvded. 

Although  Lord  Dunmore  was  left  free  to 
occupy  Norfolk  in  ashes,  the  \'igilance  and  en- 
ergy of  tlie  American  troops  prevented  him 
from  obtaining  supplies  from  the  country  at 
large,  and  at  last,  forced  1)y  hunger  and  dis- 
ease, he  ordered  the  quarters  of  his  soldiers 
on  shore  to  be  burned,  re-embarked  his  troops, 
and  oil  June  i  sailed  from  Hampton  Roads  for 
Guynn's  Island  in  Mathews  county.  The  aid 
of  the  North  Carolina  troops,  under  Col.  Rob- 
ert Howe,  was  highly  appreciated  by  the  pa- 
triots of  Virginia,  and  the  self-sacrificing  de- 
votion of  these  soldiers  elicited  unstinted 
praise  (American  ^Vrchives,  Vol.  4,  Page 
116)  : 

"Wednesday,  January  10,  1776.  Tlie 
President  laid  before  the  Convention  a  letter 
from  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  Province  of 
North  Carolina  informing  the  Convention  that 
the\'  had  sent  orders  to  Colonel  Howe,  Com- 
mander of  the  troops  at  Norfolk,  to  remain  in 
the  Colony  witli  the  North  Carolina  troops  as 
long  as  the  public  service  might  require,  or 
until  it  should  be  absolutely  necessary  to  recall 
him  for  the  defense  of  their  Province,  and  had 
directed  him  to  receive  all  of  his  orders  re- 
specting his  operations  whilst  in  the  Colony 
from  the  Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety. 
"Ordered,  that  the  President  be  desired  to 
write  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  North  Caro- 
lina, acknowledging  receipt  of  their  very  polite 
letter  and  thanking  them  for  the  assistance 
offered  this  Colony  against  the  enemies  of 
-Vmerica."' 

So  not  only  the  troops  themselves  were 
ardent  in  their  help  to  our  colony,  but  the  con- 

I  stituted  government  of  the  prmince  c\-inced  the 
highest  friendsliip  toward  us  and  most  faith- 
ful iiatriotism  to-  the  cause  of  liberty.  The 
Duke  of  Richmond,  speaking  in  the  Hou.se  of 

'  Lords  on  March  5,  1776,  "Observed  that  the 
war.  if  carried  nn,  would  not  onlv  be  a  war  of 
heavy  expense  and  long  continuance,  but 
wiiuld    be    attended    with    circumstances    of 

'.  cruehy,  civil  rage  and  devastation  hitherto  un- 


I 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


51 


precedented  in  tlie  annals  of  mankind.  We 
were  imt  only  to  rob  tlie  Americans  of  tlieir 
property,  and  make  tliem  slaves  to  fight  our 
iiattles,  but  we  made  war  on  them  in  a  manner 
wliich  would  shock  the  most  barbarous  nations 
by  firing  their  towns  and  turning  out  the 
wretclied  inliabitants  to  perish  in  the  cold, 
of  want  and  nakedness.  Even  still  more,  this 
barbaric  rage  was  not  only  directed  against 
our  enemies  but  our  warmest  and  most  zeal- 
ous friends.  This  we  instanced  at  Norfolk, 
\'irginia.  as  Administration  iiad  so  frequently 
called  it,  which  was  reduced  to  ashes  by  the 
wanton  act  of  one  of  our  naval  commanders. 
Such  an  act  was  no  less  inconsistent  with  every 
sentiment  of  humanity  than  contrary  to  every 
rule  of  good  policy.  It  would  turn  the  whole 
continent,  as  well  friends  as  foes,  into  the  most 
implacable  and  inveterate  enemies.  It  would 
incense  our  friends  and  render  our  enemies  at 
once  fierce,  desperate  and  unrelenting.  It  dis- 
graced our  arms :  it  would  render  us  despised 
and  abhorred  and  remain  an  indelible  blot  on 
the  dignitv  and  honor  of  the  English  nation." 

Drake's  Biography  says  "Rob"  Howe, 
Major-General  Revolutionary  Army,  who  was 
born  in  England  and  died  in  1787  at  the  resi- 
dence of  General  Clark  near  Wilmington, 
North  Carolina,  was  an  early  patriot  in  our 
cause.  He,  with  Cornelius  Harnett,  of  North 
Carolina,  were  specially,  and  the  only  ones,  ex- 
cepted from  pardon  by  General  Clinton.  Cor- 
nelius Harnett  was  grand  master  of  No.  i 
Lodge  of  Masons  in  Norfolk.  1773.  General 
William  Woodford,  born  in  Caroline  county, 
Virginia,  in  1735,  and  died  in  New  York  City 
in  1780;  upon  the  assembling  of  the  \'irginia 
troops  in  Williamsburg,  \'irginia,  in  1775.  he 
was  made  colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment, 
and  was  made  prisoner  at  the  siege  of  Charles- 
ton. South  Carolina. 

After  the  departure  of  Lord  Dimmore's 
fleet  in  May,  1776,  there  was  no  other  invasion 
of  Norfolk  county  until  three  years  afterward. 
The  State  Government  fit  X'irginia  had  erected 
a  fortification  on  the  point  now  occupied  by 
the  United  States  Naval  Hospital  to  defend 


Portsmouth,  Gosport  Na\  \  Yard  and  the  bor- 
ough of  Norfolk.  It  was  named  {or  one  of 
the  most  popular  and  patriotic  \'irginians  of 
that  day — Thomas  Nelson — a  statesman  who 
signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  a 
soldier  who  trained  his  own  artillery  upon  his 
<^wn  house  at  glorious  Yorktown,  which  sealed 
that  declaration  an  everlasting  reality.  The 
fortification  was  garrisoned  by  130  soldiers 
under  command  of  Maj.  Thomas  ^Iathews. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  1779.  "^'i^  British  fleet 
from  Xew  York,  commanded  by  Sir  (jeorge 
Collier,  anchored  in  Hampton  Roads.  On  the 
nth  of  May  a  large  force  was  landed  about 
three  miles  from  here  at  the  Glebe  farm,  now 
Port  Norfolk,  and  proceeded  to  march  to 
Portsmouth.  Bv  a  singular  coincidence  tliis 
force  was  commanded  by  General  Mathews,  of 
the  British  army.  Major  Mathews,  the  com- 
mandant of  Fort  Nelson,  finding  himself  out- 
flanked l)y  a  superior  force,  wisely  abandoned 
the  fort  and  retreated  to  the  Dismal  Swamp. 

The  British  promptly  occupied  Gosport, 
Norfolk  and  Suft'olk.  They  burned  Suffolk, 
destroyed  upward  of  100  \csseis  at  Norfolk 
and  Gosport  and  all  the  niilitary  and  naval 
stores  which  they  could  not  take  away  on  the 
fleet.  They  remained  but  a  short  time  after 
their  work  of  destruction  and  plunder,  and 
then  re-embarked  for  New  York. 

In  October,  1780,  Brigadier-General  Leslie 
landed  at  Portmouth  with  3,000  troops,  cap- 
tured and  destroyed  a  number  of  vessels  and 
many  stores,  but  soon  sailed  for  Qiarleston 
to  join  the  forces  of  Cornwallis"  then  oper- 
ating in  the  South. 

In  1 78 1  Benedict  Arnold  made  his  head- 
quarters in  Port.smoutii.  and  finally  Corn- 
wallis ordered  its  evacuation  to  concentrate  all 
of  his  forces  at  Yorktown.  where  his  capitu- 
lation took  place  on  the  19th  dav  of  October. 
1781. 

REVOLUTIOX.XRY    SOLDIERS. 

While  tlie  numl)er  of  regiments  and  the 
names  of  officers,  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Vir- 


52 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ginia  in  the  Re\'olutionar_v  W'lw  luue  been  pre- 
served in  the  arcliives  of  the  State,  there  is  no 
mention  on  the  rolls  of  the  county  from  which 
the  soldiers  enlisted,  and  consequently  it  is  im- 
possible to  obtain  the  number  and  only  a  few 
of  the  names  of  the  soldiers  from  Norfolk 
county,  but  I  am  convinced  from  the  court 
records,  which  refer  to  many  different  com- 
panies in  which  particular  soldiers  had  en- 
listed, that  it  furnished  its  full  quota. 

At  a  county  court  held  on  the  21st  of 
Anril,  1818,  "William  Hoffler,  a  resident  of 
the  County  of  Norfolk,  \^irginia,  this  day 
made  declaration  on  oath  that  he  served  in  the 
Revolutionary  War  against  the  common  en- 
emy first  as  a  Captain  and  afterward  as  a  Ma- 
jor in  the  Continental  line  from  the  year  1778 
to  the  siege  of  Little  York,  in  1781,  when  he 
was  discharged,  tliere  being  no  further  occa- 
sion for  his  services  in  the  First  Virginia  State 
Regiment,  conimanded  by  Col.  George  Gibson 
in  General  [Muhlenberg's  Brigade,  and  it  more- 
over ap'pears  by  the  testimony  of  Col.  Stephen 
Wright  that  the  declaration  aforesaid  is  true, 
and  the  Court  being  satisfied  of  the  truth  of 
the  facts  therein  stated,  it  is  ordered  that  the 
same  be  certified." 

SOME   .'iOI.DlERS    AND   SAILORS   OF   THE   REVOLUTION. 
A. 

Armstrong.   John — Lieutenant   in    niililia.   qualified  July 

21,  1785. 
Armstrong,  James — Private   in   Capt.   Thomas   Bressie's 

company. 
Airs.  John — Private. 
Auspach,  Philip — Private. 
Applewhaite,     Dr.     John — Surgeon     in     \'irginia     State 

Navy. 

B. 

Butler,  John — Private  in  Continental  line. 
Baynes,  John — Captain   in   militia,  qualitied   1785. 
Bressie,  Thomas — Major  in  militia,  resigned  1785. 
Boush,  Robert — Captain  in  militia,  qualified   17S5. 
Butt,  Josiah-^Captain   in  militia,   qualified    1785. 
Bartee,  .'\ndrc — Ensign  in  militia,  qualified   17S5. 
Boushcll.  William.  Jr. — Ensign  in  militia,  qualified  1785. 
Powers,     John — First     lieutenant     in     militia,     qualified 

July  15,  1784. 
Boush.    Charles    S.— Ensign    in    militia,    qualified    Mav 

21.   1784. 


Boushell.  William — Captain  in  militia,  qualified   1784. 
Boushell.  John — Second  lieutenant  in  tiiilitia,  appointed 

April  16.  1784. 
Butt,  John — Captain  in  militia,  appointed  April  16,  1784. 
Bartee,    Willis — First    lieutenant    in    militia,    appointed 

April  16.  1784. 
Boutton,    Ben. — First    lieutenant    in    militia,    appointed 

April  16,  1784. 
Ballentine.  John — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  appoint- 
ed April   16,   1784. 
Balance,    Samuel — Ensign    in    militia,    appointed    April 

16,   1784. 
Booker,  William — Captain  in  militia. 
Brown,     Anthony — Private     in     militia,     20th     \'irginia 

Regiment. 
Brazier,  Henry— Private  Captain  Morgan's  company  of 

riflemen. 
Bressie,   William— Captain   in   militia,   qualified   Octoljer 

16,  1777. 
Butt,  Nathaniel — Ensign  in  militia. 
Burgess.  George  W. — Captain  in  militia. 
Boushell.  Joseph — Ensign  in  militia. 
Bartee.  Lemuel — Ensign  in  militia. 
Brown.   William — Private  in   militia. 
Bloxom.    Scarborough — Midshipman   in   the   row   galley 

"Accomac." 
Bowers,  David— Private  in  Captain  Thompson's  militia 

company  in  U.  S.  service. 
Block.    Mathew — Private    in    Captain   Thomas    Bressie's 

company. 
Bright.   John— Private   in   Captain   Samuel   Carr's   com- 
pany. 
Butler.   Thomas — Sailing  master   and   pilot   in   Virginia 

State  Navy. 
Browne.  Thomas — Captain,  died  in  177S. 
Branham.  John — Private. 
Boush.    Goodrich — Captain    in    Virginia    State    Xavy   at 

organization ;    conimanded    armed    vessel :    died    in 

the  service. 
Barron.    James— In    Virginia    State    Navv.    afterwar'ls 

commodore  V.   S.  Navy:  born   Septeiiiber   15.   176S. 

died  .\pril  21    1851 :  buried  in  Trinity  churchyard. 

Portsmouth;   killed   Decatur  in   a  duel. 
Buchanan.  John— Lieutenant  in  Continental   line,  killed 

in    campaign   of   1777. 
Erickell.    John — Cantain. 


Conner.    Cbarle— Major    in    militia,    qualified    Julv    21 
1785. 

Corfcw,  John,  Jr.— Captain  in  militia,  qualified  Julv  2T 
1785. 

Carter.  James— Private  in  Captain  Davis'  company,   ist 
Virginia  Regiment,  from   1776  to  end  of  war. 

Creekmnr,   Wilham— Private  in   Captain   Hofller's  com- 
pany,  1st  Virginia  Regiment. 

Cherry.   Theonhiluf — Second   lieutenant   in   militia. 

Culpepper,  Willoughliy- Private  in   Captain  Yates"  bat- 
tery. U.  S.  Art. 

Cherry.  PeiL — Private  in  Captain  Smith's  company.  •!8th 
Virginia  Regt. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


53 


Conner,    Asa — Private    in    Captain    Thomas    Bressie's 

company. 
Campbell.    James — Private    in    Captain    Samuel    Carr's 

company. 
Cunningham,  James — Lieutenant  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 
Carter.  Joseph — Private  in  Captain  Davis'  company,  ist 

Virginia   Regt. 
Calvert.   Christopher — Captain   in  Virginia  State  Navy. 
Cox,  John — Private. 

D. 

DeKIamar.  Charles — Major  in  Virginia  State  line,  died 
1795. 

Duflic,  James — Private  in  Captain  W'illiam  Grimes'  com- 
pany, 15th  Virginia  Regt. 

Darly,  Zadock — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressje's 
company. 

Dozier,  Willoughbv — Private  in  Captain  Lee's  companv, 
U.  S.  Inf.         ■ 

Dimford.  William — Sailing  master  in  Virginia  State 
Xavy. 

Downcs,  James — Boatswain  in  U.  S.  Xavy. 

E. 

Eastwood.    Willis — Ensign    in    militia,    appointed    April 

i6;  1784. 
English,  Charles — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 

company,  2d  Virginia  Regt. 

F. 

Fcrebee.  John — Second  lientcnant  in  militia. 
Foreman.  Ivy — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 
Flcmming.  Henry — Private. 

Flora.  William — Private  in  Captain  William  Grimes' 
company.  15th  \'irginia  Regt. 


Grimes.   Joshua — Captain    in    militia,   qualified   July   21, 

1785. 
Godfrey,  William — Lieutenant  in  militia,  qualified  July 

21.  1785. 
Gaskins,   James — Captain    in    militia,   qualified    May   21, 

.  1784.. 
Grimes,  William — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  qualified 

July  15,  1784. 
Godfrey,  Nathaniel — Second  and  first  lieutenant  in  nvli- 

tia. 
Grimes.  Josiah — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 
Godchild.  William — Ensign  in  militia. 
Grimes,  Thomas — Private  in  Captain  Goodall's  battery, 

U.  S.  Art. 
Grizzel.    David — Private    in    Captain    Thomas    Bressie'< 

company. 
Goffigan.  Laban — Lieutenant  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 
Grimes,  William — Corporal. 

H. 

Hebden.  Jesse — Private  in  Captain  Ragsdale's  company. 


Herbert,   Arthur — Ensign   in   militia,   qualified   July   21, 

1785. 
Happer,   William — Ensign   in   militia,  qualified  July  21, 

1785. 

Hodges.  John — Captain  in  militia,  qualified  July  21.  1785. 

Hall,  George  Thomas — Captain  in  militia,  qualified  May 
21,  1784. 

Hatton,  Samuel — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  appointed 
April  16.  1784. 

Hodges,  Nathaniel — Private  Captain  W.  T.  Cock's  com- 
pany, 35th  Virginia  Regt. 

Hanbcry.  Job — Ensign  in  militia. 

Hodges,  Mason — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Hodges,  Joseph — Ensign  in  militia. 

Hall.  William — Captain  1778,  in  room  of  Josiah  Wilson, 
dead. 

Hodges,  James— First  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Hoffler,  James — Private  in  Captain  Yates'  battery,  U. 
S.  Art. 

Hodges,  Randolph — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bres- 
sie's company. 

Hawkins.  Benj. — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's 
company. 

Healy.   Samuel — Lieutenant  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Howe.  Bannister — Virginia  State  Navy. 

Hudson.  John — Captain  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Hughlet.  William — Midshipman  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Holland.  Kitchen — Private. 

I. 

Ives.  James — Ensign  in  militia,  appointed  .'Xpril  16,  1784. 
Ingram,    William — Captain    in    militia,    appointed    April 
16,  1784. 

J. 

Jones.  Richard — Private  in  militia,  killed  in  service. 

Joliff.  Richard — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Joliff,  Joshua — Captain,  in  room  of  Willis  Hoffler,  dead. 

Joliff,  Jeremiah — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Jones.  Michael — Lieutenant  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Jackson,  John — Private. 

Johnson,  Dr.  William — Surgeon  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

K. 

Kay,  John — Lieutenant  in  ^'irginia  State  Navy:  trans- 
ferred from  the  army. 

Kennedy.  Robert — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Kennedy.  Robert.  Jr. — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bres- 
sie's company. 

King.  William — Captain  in  militia.  i|ualified  July  15, 
'.784. 

Keeling,  Thorogood^First  lieutenant  in  militia,  quali- 
fied May  21,  1784. 

Kerr,  Robert — Sergeant  in  2d  company,  Charles  Harri- 
son's artillery. 

King.  John — Private  in  38th  Virginia  Regt. 

Keal.  Robert — Private  in  Captain  Morgan's  company  of 
riflemen. 

Kendal,  Carter — Sailor. 


54 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Kelly,  William — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's  com- 
pany. 

L. 

Linton.  Bernard — Private  in  2d  Virginia  Regt. 

Lewelling,  John — Ensign  in  militia,  qualified  July  21, 
1785. 

Luke,  Paul — Ensign  in  militia,  appointed  April  16,  1784. 

Langley.  Richard — First  lieutenant  in  militia,  appointed 
April   16,   1784. 

Lillo,  John — First  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Lee,  Sherwood — Ensign  in  militia. 

Lester.  Thomas — Private  in  State  artillerj'  service,  cer- 
tified by  Capt.-Lt.  William  Porter. 

Lynton,  Barnit — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Love,  Edmond — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Lockhart,  John — Private. 

Latimer,   Moseley — Private. 

M. 

Mathews,  Thomas — County  lieutenant  of  militia,  quali- 
fied in  1785. 
Moodv,   Isaiah — First   lieutenant   in   militia,  qualified   in 

1784. 

Murden,  Jeremiah — Captain  in  militia,  appointed  April 
16,  1784. 

Murden.  William — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  appoint- 
ed April  16,  1784. 

Murden,  Maximilian — Ensign  in  militia,  appointed  April 
16.   1784. 

Maund,  Matt. — Captain  in  militia. 

Mathews,  James — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  appoint- 
ed April  16,  1784. 

Morlev.  Ma.ximilian — First  lieutenant  in  militia,  appoint- 
ed April  16.  1784. 

Manning,  Thomas — Private  in  Captain  Bradley's  com- 
pany. 

Miller.  Mathew — Captain  in  militia. 

Maund.  Malachi — Captain  in  militia. 

Maund.  March — Ensign  in  militia. 

Mekins.  Stephen — Private  in  Captain  Yates'  battery,  U, 
S.  Art. 

Mott,  John — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's  com- 
pany. 

McDaniel.  Silvanus — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bres- 
sie's company. 

McCoy,  Meshech — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Morris.  Christopher — Pilot  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Martin.  Dr.  Josenh — Surgeon  in  Virsrinia  State  Navy. 

Martin.  Dr.  Hugh — Surgeon  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

McClanning.  John — Private. 

Moore,  Peter — Private. 

N. 

Nash.  Thomas.  Jr. — Captain  in  militia,  qualified  Jnlv  21. 

178.S. 
Nicholson.  William — Captain  in  militia,  appointed  April 

16,  1784. 


Nicholson,  Robert — Private. 
Nicholson.  Rev.  Jesse — Chaplain. 

o. 

Osborn.   James — Private   in   Captain   Yates'   batterv,   U. 

S.  Art. 
Oldham,  Joshua — Sailing  master  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

died  in  1818. 

P. 

Powell,    Richard — Lieutenant    in    militia,    qualified   July 

21,  1785. 
Powers.  William — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 

companv   2d  Virginia  Regt. 
Point.  Griffin — Major  in  militia,  qualified  November  21, 

Portlock,  William — Ensign  in  Captain  John  Nash's  com- 
pany. 

Portlock,  John — First  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Portlock.  Archibald — Second  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Powers,  John — First  lieutenant  in  militia. 

Powers.  Caleb — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's  com- 
pany. 

Powers,  William — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's 
company. 

Parslev.  Joel — Private  in  Captain  Sanniel  Carr's  com- 
pany. 

Porter.  William — Captain  in  12th  Virginia  Regt. 

Pell.  Dr.  Joseph  S. — Surgeon  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

Parsens,  William — Captain  in  Continental  line. 

R. 

Randall.   William — Lieutenant   in   militia,   qualified  July 

-'•  '785-  .         .  ... 

Randolph.  William — First  lieutenant  in  militia,  appoint- 
ed .\pril  16.  1784. 

Ramsey.  Henry — Private  in  Captain  Yates'  batterv,  U. 
S.  Art. 

Ramsev.  Bennett — Private  in  Captain  Yates'  battery.  U. 
S.'Art. 

Ray,  Dr.  Andrew — Surgeon. 

Rhodes.  Benjamin — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Rhodes.  William — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Rodgers.  John — Captain,  died  in  1816. 


Shipwash.  William — Private  in  militia,  killed  in  service, 

^Se  45- 
Smith.  Samuel — Lieutenant  In  militia,  qualified  Julv  21. 

1785. 

Sikes,  Jesse — Captain  in  militia,  appointed  .\prll  16.  1784. 

Satchwell,  Enaanuel — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  ap- 
pointed April  16,  1784. 

Soloman,  John — Private  in  Captain  William  Grimes' 
company,  15th  Virginia  Regt. 

Scott,  Tennant — Ensign  in  mlllt'a. 

Simmons,  James — Private  in  Captain  John  Gregory's 
company. 


55 


Simmons.   Willis — Private    in    Captain   John    Gregory's 

company. 
Sawyer.    Mesliech — Private    in    Captain    Thomas    Bres- 

sie"s  company. 
Smith    Underwood — Private  in   Captain   Thomas   Bres- 

sic's  company. 
Suggs,  Thomas — Private  in  Captain  Sanuiol  Carr's  com- 
pany. 
Stewart.    Charles — Second    lienteiiant    in    istli    Virginia 

Regt. 
Saubat,  John  Baptiste — Captain. 

Snaile.  Thomas — Lieutenant  in  \'irginia  State  Navy. 
Stewart.    Ma.xy — Private    in    I^t    Regiment,    Continental 

line. 
Slarl-e.   William — Private   in   i.st  Regiment,   Continental 

line. 


Tart.  James — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  (lualifu-d  July 
15.   1784- 

Talbot.  Solomon  B. — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  ap- 
pointed  .\pril    16,    1784. 

Thomas.  .Amos — Private  in  Captain  MacGill's  company 
in  state  garri,son  regiment. 

Truss,  Josiah — Second  lieutenant  in  militia,  qualified 
N'ovember  21.    1777. 

Talbot.  Kader — First  lieutenant  and  captain,  in  room  of 
Captain  James  Nicholson,  deceased. 

Tabb.  John — Knsign  in  militia. 

Thompson,  Henry — Ensign  in  militia. 

Tripp. .  — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Mathew's  com- 
pany. 

Taylor,  Peter — 

Townsend.  Job — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's  com- 
pany. 

Turner.  John — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  C;irr's  com- 
Pauy. 

Taylor.  Thomas  B. — Private  in  Virginia  State  line. 

Tankard.  Dr.  John — Surgeon. 

Thomas.  Charles — Captain. 

Taylor.  Peter — Private. 

Thomas,  John — Captain  in  Virginia  .State  Navy. 

Tumlin,  James — Private. 


Veale.   Sanuul — Captain   in   militia,  appointed   .\pril    16, 

1784. 
Veale.   Dennis — Captain   in   militia,   in   room   of  Captain 

John  Brickell. 
Veale.  Dempsey — Captain  in  militia. 

W. 

Williamson.  Roger — Private  in  Captain  Samuel  Carr's 
company. 

Wyatt.  Spivy — Ensign  in  militia,  cpialified  Julv  21,  178.^. 

Wilson.  William,  son  of  John — Captain  in  militia,  quali- 
fied July  21.  i/S.v 

Wilson.  William — First  lieutenant  in  militia,  appointed 
.'Vpril   16,   1784. 

Woodward.  Francis — Private  in  Captain  William  Hoflf- 
ler's  company,  ist  Virginia  Regt. 


Watts,   William^ — Private  in   Captain  Thomas   Bressie's 

company,  jd  Virginia  Regt. 
Woodward,  John — Private  in  Captain  George  Vashan's 

company,  died  in  service. 
Wormington,  Abner — Private  in   Captain  W.  T.  Cock's 

company.  ,S5th  \'irginia  Regt, 
Wilson,  Lemuel — Captain  in  militia,  qualified  November 

21.  1777- 

Willoughby,  John — Captain  in  militia. 

Williams.  Samuel — Ensign  in  militia. 

Willoughby.  John — Private  in  Captain  Sanuiel  .Archer's 
company  of  artillery. 

Wright.  Patrick — Captain. 

Willey.  John — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's  com- 
pany. 

Wilcocks.  John — Private  in  Captain  Thomas  Bressie's 
company. 

Wilson.  John — Colonel  and  connn.-iiuler  of  the  county 
militia. 

Wilson.  Sanmel — Sailing  master  in  Virginia  State  Navy, 
died  in  1806. 

Walker,  Thomas — Captain. 

Wonevcult.  Edward — Captain. 

Wakeiield.  William— Private. 

Wood.  William — Pilot  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

\\'ood.  .•\llen — Pilot  in  Virginia  State  Navy. 

White.  -Archibald — Private  in  Captains  Kelsie  and 
Sharp's  companies. 

Wdson.  Willis — Colonel  4th  Rcr,imer.t  .\rtillery.  and 
lieutenant  of  the  county  in  1787;  died  September  II, 
1798;  bu'ied  in  Trinity  churchyard.  Portsmouth. 

Wright,  D. — Private  in  Continental  line. 

On  January  i.  177''),  Lord  Dunmoi-e  hum- 
i  Ijarded   Norfolk   and    set   fire    to    the     town. 
'  Thomas  Talbot  was  one  of  the  sufferers.     The 
i  following'  is  a  copy  of  an  old  paper,  detailing 
an   estimate  of  the  items' of  loss,  showing  a 
I  total  of  £3.308  (about  $10,000).     The  State 
'  of  Virg'inJa  a  little  later  on  compeiisated  his 
estate  for  this  loss  out  of  its  treasury.     The 
hou.ses  burned  were  situated   in   the  business 
district  of  Norfolk,  h'ing  near  the  present  Con- 
federate monument,  and  the  descriptions  given 
below  indicate    the    character  and  size  of  the 
structures  then  there: 

One  Brick  store  hon-e  two  story  high  38  by  26; 
three  rooms  below  and  three  above  stairs: 
Rooms  all  completely  finished.  The  store  and 
cellar  windows  were  of  Iron   Barrs £   350 

One  Brick  two  story  house  32  by  19  two  rooms 
and  a  passage  below  stairs;  six  l8-liglit  windows 
in  the  lower  Rooms  and  four.  12-light  clossct 
windows;  eight  12-light  windows  in  the  second 
floor  and  two  rooms  and  a  passage  as  also  in, the 
garret.  .A.  Kitchen  of  two  rooms  under  the 
house  420 

One  store  house  45  by  20  with  a  cellar 43 


56 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


One  wooden  dwelling  house  ^7%  by  25.  Three 
rooms  below  stairs  and  two  above.  One  room 
adjoining  same   Tennament   16  by   15 210 

One  Brick  two  story  house  61  by  25.  a  store  room 
at  one  end,  two  rooms  and  a  passage  below 
stairs  besides  the  store  room,  3  rooms  and  a 
passage  above  stairs,  a  cellar  with  three  rooms 
under  the  house ;  a  Kitchen  for  said  house  of 
brick  20  by  16 S50 

One  brick  house  for  two  Tennants  40  by  17.  two 
rooms  below  and  two  above  stairs;  This  house 
stands  next  the  house  where  Mr.  Dunn  formerly 
lived     1 10 

One  Iirick  2  story  house  50  by  30  for  two  Ten- 
nants 3  rooms  below  and  3  above  stairs  at  eacli 
end  compleat  with  Kitchen,  Cow-house,  smoke- 
house, little  House,  &c  for  each 769 


One  other  Brick  two  story  50  by  30  in  the  same 
manner  compleated  in  every  respect  as  the  house 

last  described  with  Kitchen.  &c,  &c 770 

A  small  garden  to  each  of  the  Tennaments 30 

Stable  about  18  by  14  feet 20 

A  necessary  house  to  each  dwelling 24 

One  stable  and  shed 10 


i3.308 


BRITISH    PROPERTY    COXFISCATED 

By  tlie  State  of  Virginia  and  sold  by  order  of 
tlie  conventiun  in  the  Ijorough  of  Norfolk  on 
the  8th  uf  August,  1780: 


British   Owners. 

John   Greenwood,   i   lot  land 

John   Greenwood,   hi   lot  land 

John  Greenwood,  J';,   lot  land   Willis   Wilson    ... 

Andrew   Stevenson,   'j   lot  land    Tully    Robinson     . 

Thomas   JMcKnight.    i    lot   land    Chris.  McConnico 

William  Farrar,   i   lot  land    Richard   Nester    .. 

William  Farrar.  5  lots  land   Robert    Barron     . . 

Benjamin  Knight.  2  lots  land   Chris.    McConnico 

Andrew-    Sprowle    ^ Robert  Barron   .  . . 

Andrew  Sprowle,  450  acres   James  Marsden    .  . 

Andrew  Sprowle,  in   Portsmouth,   i   lot  No.   11 William    Skinner 

Andrew  Sprowle,  in   Portsmouth,   i   lot  No.   12 John    Waddon    ... 

Andrew  Sprowle,  in   Portsmouth.   ;  lot  No.  29 John    Morris     .... 

Andrew  Sprowle,  in  Portsmoutli.   i   lot  No.  24 Thos.    Pearse    .... 

Andrew   Sprowle,  in  Portsmouth,   i   lot  No.  74 Ed.    Wone3xott    .. 


Purchasers. 

Martin  Murphy   i 


Andrew- 
Andrew 
Andrew 


Sorowle. 
Sprowle,   in 
Sprowle,  in 


Portsmouth, 
Portsmouth. 
Portsmouth. 


I    lot   No.    197 ....Hugh   Brown 

I    lot   No.    198 ....Richard    Barr 


175  acres   James   Maxwell    .. 

Robert    Gilmour,    i    lot    Martin    Murphy    . 

Robert  Gilmour.  i  lot .James   IMarsdcn    . . 

Willoughby   Morgan,    i    lot    Philip    Ritter    

James    Campbell    &   Co..    7   acres    ....William   Plume    .. 

James  Campbell  &  Co..  at  Deep  Creek.  150  acres ....Sol.    Shepherd    ... 

Neil    Jamieson,    I    lot    land    James   Marsden    .. 

Neil  Jamieson.  93  acres   , Fernetia   Jamieson 

Talbot  Thompson,  i  lot .Joel    Mohun    

Thomas    Applewhite,    i    lot    ". Richard   Nester    .. 


James  Dunn,  i  lot 
James  Dawson,  J/ 
James  Dawsoii,  ^ 
James  Dawson.  ]/> 
Jonathan  Eilbcck.   I 


Roliert    Barron 

lot    John   Ross   

lot ....Thomas    Calvert 

lot    ■. John    Tabb    .... 

lot .James   Maxwell 

Jonathan  Eilbeck,  i   Negro,  Sam John    Kcarnes    . 

Jonathan  Eilbeck.  i  Negro.  Newport John    Kearnc~ 

Jonathan    Eilbeck.    i    Negro.    Toby    John    Kearno    . 

Jonathan  Eilbeck.  i  Negro.  Bob  John  Kcarnes   . . 

Jonathan   Eilbeck,    i    Negro,   James    John  Tabb 

Jonathan   Eilbeck,   i    Negro,   Taiufr    John  Tabb   

Jonathan    Eilbeck,    i    Negro,    Perrv    Soln.   Talbot    ... 

Josiah  Hodges,  in  Portsmouth,   riot  land   Roliert    ElltiUt    .. 

Thomas    Farrar,   3    lots    land    Nath.    Bou>-h     ... 

Thomas  Farrar.   I   lot  land    Paul    Loyall     .  .  .  , 

John    Cramond,    i    lot    land '. William    Wilson 

John  Cramond.   104  acres   Tully    Robbins    .  . 

William  Chisholm.   14  acre-   Jamc-   Marsden    . 


50,000 

1.500 

1,150 

300 

8,300 

4,600 

8,500 

6,100 

70,000 

40.300 

2.100 
7.000 
■^.009 
800 
1,110 

91.000 

1,200 

4.000 

500 

15,100 
'  5,17 

.34.100 
3.000 
6.000 

30.COO 
2.200 
4.100 
.3.550 
3.100 
3.800 
7.650 
2.000 

T.700 

1,800 
800 

3,800 

3,000 

9.50 

1,400 

200 

3,000 

6,200 

33.500 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS.-  57 


William  Chisholm.  14  acres  Jame>    Marsden    L  5'00 

William    Chisholm,    14    acres    John    Heaiies    4.300 

William  Chisholm.  14  acres  Robert    Elliott    looo 

William  Chisholm.   ■  <   lot  land    John  Ross   950 

William  Orange,  J^S   lot  land    William    Goodchild    8.500 

William    Orange,    land    Paul   Loyall    60,000 

William  Grange,  land .James    Langley    3.70o 

Jamieson  Campbell  and  Calvert  Co   William   Plume    g.ooo 

John  Hardv,  '  S  lot  land  Robert    Elliott    i.ooo 

John  Hardv,  '  <  lot  land  Xath.    Roush    1.250 

John  Hardy.  '  S  lot  land Willis    Bramble    1.050 

John  Hardy.  '  '<  lot  land  James   Leitch    1.300 

William  John?on   Rysam.   ■<>   lot  land   Robert  Barron    2,600 

John    Ballantine.    2    Xegroes    Tlinma';   Matthews    5.100 

Collin  Ray,   in   Portsmouth,  land John    Kcarncs    8.600 

Collin  Ray.  in   Portsmouth,  land John  Kearnes   1.300 

John    .Agnew.    land Thomas   Matthews    6,500 

John    .\gnew,   land    Thomas   Matthews    ,34.000 

John   Agnew.   land    Charles    Turner    3.100 

John    .-Xgnew.   land    Thorogood   Keeling    2.800 

Rogers   Stewart,  land   Samuel    Davis    16,400 

Jnbn   Gooderich,   Sr..   land   No.   6   Richard    N'ester 17.000 

John   Gooderich.  Sr..  land   No.   7    Richard   Nester    ■. 40.000 

John    Gooderich.    Sr..   55    acres    John    Kearnes    3.150 

Robert   Speddin.   lot   No.  9    John    Kearnes    56.500 

Robert   Speddin.  20  acres   Richard    Nester 3.700 

Robert  Speddin.  Negro  Man.  Jonas  Thomas  Matthews    7.000 

James  Miller,  lot  No.  27   Capt.    .Aaron    Maladow    1.750 

James   Miller,  land    George   Dixon    9.000 

James   Miller,   land    James  Gaskins   3.400 

Beniamin  Bannerman.  lot  No.  40  Thomas   Pearse   21. wo 

Benjamin  Bannerman,  lot  No.  49   '.  .  Ralph    Pickett    1.800 

Beniamin  Bannerman.  land   Paul   Loyall    5.600 

Benjamin   Bannerman.  land ' George  T.  Hall   960 

John    Ewing.   lot   No.   61    George  Kerr   10.100 

William    Rankin,   lot    No.   97    Isaiah    Moody    4500 

.Alex.  Montgomery,  lot  No.   114  John    Kearnes    4.500 

John   Gooderich.  Jr..   3   acres    Robert    Elliott    4.000 

John   Brown,   i   lot   Hugh   Brown    3.400 

RRITtSn     PROPERTY    SOLD    .MXUST  8.    T87O.    1\    PORTSMOVTH. 

George  and  John   Bownes.  lots  No.  51.  52 Thomas  Herbert   £  25.000 

George  and  John   Bownes,  lot  No.   121    Story    Wood    1,300 

George  and  John   Bownes.   lot   No.   122   James  Gaskins   1.200 

George  and  John   Bownes.  lot   No.    131    Samuel    Vealc    g.^o 

George   and   John    Bownes.   25   acres    Benjamin  Culpepper   2.500 

George  and  John  Bownes.  5  acres  and  Negro,  Jack Thomas   Matthews    7.100 

George  and  John  Bownes.  Negro.  Afoses Thomas   Matthews    8.000 

George  and  John  Bownes.  Negro,  Mont  Thomas    Matthews .  i.ooo 

George   and   John   Bownes.   i    Cow.   I   Horse Thomas   Matthews    410 


ST.     BRIDE  S    P.\RISII. 


2.200 


James  Hodges.  180  acres   Sol.    Sheohard    

William    Orange,    land    James  ^^arsden    26.900 

.Andrew  Snrowle.  adioining  the  distillery   Thomas    Brown     000 

-Andrew  Sorowle.  adioining  the  distillery  Paul   Wellington    460 

Andrew  Sprowle.  adioining  the  distillery   Thomas   Brown    900 


The   whole  amount   is   stated   as £946.486 

(  Note  by  Thos.  B.  Rowland. — The  amounts  in  £  are  so  fabulous  that  I  may  construe  it  as  in  colonial  de- 
preciated ciirrencv.  say  $3-33  to  the  £  or  6  shillings  to  the  dollar:  that,  in  my  memory,  was  the  count  or  cal- 
culation. Therefore,  the  £  sterling  appearing  in  the  foregoing  lists  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  being  by  any 
means  equal  to  the  £  stcrline  of  thi>  jir<--,ni  i4av  "> 


58 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


DAUGHTERS    OF    THE    AMERICAN     REVOLUTION. 

There  are  two  chapters  of  the  national  so- 
ciety of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution in  Norfolk  county,  the  objects  of  which 
are :  To  perpetuate  the  memory  and  spirit  of 
the  men  and  women  who  achieved  American 
independence,  by  the  acquisition  and  protection 
of  historical  spots  and  the  erection  of  monu- 
ments ;  by  the  encouragement  of  historical  re- 
search in  relation  to  the  Revolution,  and  the 
publication  of  its  results ;  by  the  preservation 
of  documents  and  relics,  and  of  the  records  of 
the  individual  services  of  Revolutionary  sol- 
diers and  patriots ;  and  by  the  promotion  of 
celebrations  of  all  patriotic  anniversaries. 

To  carr}-  out  the  injunction  of  \Vashing- 
ton  in  his  farewell  address  to  the  American 
people, — "To  promote,  as  an  object  of  primary 
importance,  institutions  for  the  general  dif- 
fusion of  knowledge,"  thus  developing  an  en- 
lightened public  opinion  and  affording  to 
young  and  old  such  advantages  as  shall  de- 
velop in  them  the  largest  capacity  for  perform- 
ing the  duties  of  American  citizens. 

To  cherish,  maintain  and  extend  the  insti- 
tutions of  American  freedom ;  to  foster  true 


patriotism  and  love  of  country,  and  to  aid  in 
secin-ing  for  mankind  all  the  blessings  of  lib- 
erty. 

Great  Bridge  Chapter,  Norfolk,  Virginia. 

The  officers  of  the  chapter  elected  at  its  or- 
ganization were :  Mrs.  Hugh  Nelson  Page, 
regent;  Mrs.  Richard  Walke,  vice-regent; 
Mrs.  Littleton  Waller  Tazewell,  treasurer; 
Mrs.  Philip  Edward  Yeatman,  recording  sec- 
retary; Miss  Blanche  Baker,  corresponding 
secretary :  Mrs.  LeRoy  Hamilton  Shields,  his- 
torian;  Mrs.  John  Graham,  registrar;  and  Rt. 
Rev.  Alfred  ]\I.  Randnlph.  cliai)lain. 

Fort  Nelson   Chapter,   Portsmouth,   Virginia. 

The  officers  of  the  chapter  elected  at  its 
organization  in  1896  were:  Mrs.  Charles  R. 
Nash,  regent ;  Mrs.  James  C.  Cresap,  vice- 
regent;  Miss  Lucv  M.  Wright,  recording  sec- 
retary; Miss  Esther  M.  Wilson,  correspond- 
ing secretary ;  Mrs.  Alexander  B.  Butt,  treas- 
iTrer;  Mrs.  James  F.  Maupin,  registrar;  and 
Mrs.  Charles  T.  Parrish,  historian. 


CHAPTER.    IV 


MILITARY   HISTORY  OF  THE  COVNTY    Conlmued 

Period  ok  Peace  Sicceeding  the  Revolution — England's  Hostile  Acts  Towakd 
Our  Commerce  and  Coast  Bring  the  War  of  ISli! — British  Fleet  in 
Hampton  Roads — Depredations— Battle  of  Craney  Island — The  Mexican 
War. 


period  of  peace. 

Great  Britain  liad  conquered  the  Canadas 
from  France  in  1760,  and  had  for  long  years 
previously  endeavored  to  obtain  the  possession 
of  the  Province  of  Louisiana  and  the  control 
of  the  Mississippi  River.  France,  aware  of 
England's  designs,  made  a  secret  treaty  with 
Spain  in  1763  and  turned  over  the  province  t'> 
the  Spanish  authorities,  with  the  agreement 
that  Spain  should  make  a  retrocession  when- 
ever called  for.  After  a  period  of  nearly  four 
decades  Spain  made  a  recession  of  Louisiana, 
in  1801..  back  to  France,  and  in  view  of  the 
war  with  England,  Xapoleon  Bonaparte,  on 
April  30,  1803.  sold  and  ceded  to  the  United 
States  for  the  small  sum  of  about  $15,000,000 
the  Province  of  Louisiana,  a  vast  territory  now 
consisting  of  15  States  of  this  Union.  On  De- 
cember 20,  1803.  the  tricolored  flag  was  hauled 
down  at  Xew  Orleans  and  replaced  by  the  stars 
and  stri])es.  Thus  were  the  cherished  hopes  of 
England  again  foiled. 

In  1804  the  British  frigate  "Cambrian."' 
Captain  Bradley,  entered  the  harbor  of  Xew 
York  with  other  cruisers,  seized  one  of  our 
merchant  vessels,  just  arrived,  and  impressed 
and  carried  ofif  a  number  of  her  seamen  and 


passengers.  In  1806  three  British  ships  of 
war  l)oarded  and  burned  tiie  French  ship  "Im- 
petueux,"  of  74  guns,  which  had  run  aground 
on  the  coast  of  Xorth  Carolina,  a  few  hundred 
yards  from  the  shore.  Our  coasting  vessels 
were  freipiently  fired  upon,  and  in  certain  in- 
stances some  of  the  crew  killed.  Captain 
Douglass,  of  the  "Leopard,"  subsecjuently 
blockaded  the  port  of  X'orfolk,  obstructed  citi- 
zens in  tlieir  ordinary  communication  between 
that  and  other  places,  and,  in  fact,  besieged  the 
cit\-  on  tlie  land  side, 

THE    WAR   OF    l8lj. 

l-"<>r  all  these  hostile  acts  of  violence  on  our 
commerce  and  coast,  in  violation  of  the  laws 
(if  neutrality,  England  refused  to  gi\e  any 
satisfaction  or  make  any  reparation  or  ajjology. 
Finally  these  outrages  culminated  in  1807  by 
the  attack  of  His  Britannic  Majesty's  ship 
"Leo])ard"  on  the  .American  frigate  "Chesa- 
peake"  off  the  capes  of  Virginia,  which  after 
five  years  of  diplomatic  negotiation  determined 
President  iladison  to  send  a  war  message  to 
Congress,  and  soon  after,  June  18,  war  was 
formally  declared. 

The    Prcsidenl's    manifesto    declared    liiat 


6o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  reasons  for  war  were  British  excesses  in 
violating-  the  American  flag  on  the  great  high- 
way of  nations ;  the  impressment  of  American 
seamen ;  the  harassing"  of  American  vessels  as 
they  were  entering  their  own  harbors,  or  de- 
parting from  them,  and  wantonly  spilling  the 
blood  of  the  citizens  of  America  within  the 
limits  of  her  territorial  jurisdiction ;  the  issuing 
of  orders  by  which  the  ports  of  the  enemies  of 
Great  Britain  were  blockaded,  and  not  sup- 
porting these  blockades  by  the  adequate  appli- 
cation of  fleets  to  render  them  legal,  and'  en- 
forcing them  from  the  date  of  their  proclama- 
tion, in  consequence  of  which  American  com- 
merce had  been  plundered  on  every  sea,  and 
her  products  cut  off  from  legitimate  markets ; 
the  employing  of  secret  agents  to  subvert  the 
government  and  dismember  the  Union ;  and 
finally,  the  encouragement  of  the  Indian  tribes 
to  hostility.  The  war  lasted  until  1815,  al- 
though the  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded  De- 
cember 24,  18 14.  The  country  after  a  period 
of  30  years  of  peace  was  not  prepared  for  war 
and  consequently  suffered  the  disgrace  and 
humiliation  of  the  capture  and  destruction  of 
its  capital  liy  the  enemy.  Norfolk  county  was 
again  agitated  by  the  war  and  constantly 
menaced  by  the  powerful  fleets  of  Great  Brit- 
ain. On  the  22d  of  June,  1813,  they  made  an 
attempt  to  capture  or  destroy  our  towns  by  an 
attack  on  Craney  Island,  but  were  gallantly  re- 
pulsed by  our  soldiers  and  sailors,  which  saved 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  from  destruction. 

On  the  5th  day  of  Febniary,  1813,  Admiral 
Warren's  fleet  was  anchored  in  Lynnhaven 
Bay  and  all  the  ports  and  harbors  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay  were  declared  in  a  state  of  strict 
and  vigorous  blockade.  It  was  repeated  that 
they  had  landed  at  Cape  Henry  for  the  i>ur- 
pose  of  procuring  wood  and  water,  and  there 
was  great  alarm  and  consterntion  tln-nughout 
all  the  tide-water  section  of  Virginia.  The 
Governor  ordered  out  3,000  men,  and  the 
legislature  voted  $300,000  for  the  means  O'f 
immediate  defense. 

On  the  ]  f'lth  of  Feliruarv  there  were  fi\^e 


rigates  in  the  bay  and  one  stationed  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  capes  to  prevent  the  possibiliy  of 
vessels  coming  in  or  going  out,  and  the  Ameri- 
cans were  making  active  preparations  to  meet 
any  attack  that  might  be  attempted  on  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth.  The  "Constellation"  lay  be- 
tween the  forts  and  these  cities  in  fighting 
trim,  and  18  gunboats  were  arranged  in  line 
half  a  mile  from  Craney  Island.  Everything 
was  in  martial  order  here.  Scouting  parties, 
look-out  and  watch-boats  were  so  thick  on 
the  river  that  a  cockle  shell  could  not  have 
come  up  the  river  without  discovery.  There 
was  so  much  confidence  in  the  ability  of  our 
forces  to  defeat  any  assault  of  the  enemy,  it 
was  proposed  to  send  eight  or  10  gunboats 
down  and  attack  the  British  frigate  anchored 
in  Hampton  Roads. 

The  schooner  "Lottery,"  Captain  South- 
comb,  bound  from;  Baltimore  for  France,  in 
going  out  of  the  bay  was  discovered  by  the 
squadron.  The  British  immediately  manned 
and  dispatched  their  boats  and  a  pilot-boat 
after  her,  and,  it  beine  calm,  succeeded,  after 
a  desperate  action,  in  capturing  the  schooner. 
A  number  of  men  were  killed  and  wounded  in 
the  boats,  and  Captain  Southcomb  and  two 
of  his  men  were  severely  wmuided.  The  brave 
captain  soon  died  of  his  wounds.  A  flag  of 
truce  dispatched  on  a  pilot-boat  to  the  fleet  for 
the  remains  of  Captain  Southcomb  was 
bronght  up  with  the  following  letter  from  Cap- 
tain Byron,  of  the  British  ship  "Belvidera,"  to 
Capt.  Charles  Stewart,  of  the  "Constellation." 

"Belvider.\,"  Lynnhaven  Anchorage.  Feb.   15,   T813. 
Sir: — 

I  received  your  letter  of  this  morning  by  Dr.  Ray. 
The  unfortunate  and  gallant  Captain  John  Southcomb 
expired  this  morning.  It  will  be  satisfactory  in  some 
degree  to  his  widow  to  know  he  had  truly  a  religious 
sense  of  his  situation,  lately  delirious,  without  the  ex- 
cess of  pain  that  might  have  been  expected.  Capt. 
Gould  and  his  stevi'ard  have  taken  charge  of  his  effects; 
his  body  will  be  placed  in  the  cartel,  as  soon  as  the 
coffin  can  be  prepared.  The  two  wounded  men.  at 
their  own  request,  went  up  in  the  former  cartel,  which 
I  am  sorry  to  hear  got  on  shore.  I  am  extremely  flat- 
tered with  the  part  of  your  letter  thanking  me  for  at- 
tentions and  humanity  to  the  unfortunate,   which  gives 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


6i 


me  the  most  perfect  assurance  of  the  generous  feeling- 
of  Captain  Stewart. 

I  liavc  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  with  great  respect, 
Vour  obedient  servant. 

R.  Byrox. 

'Die  officers  of  the  "Belvidera"  spoke  in 
terms  of  the  highest  comnieiidation  of  the  gal- 
lant manner  in  which  tlie  ■"Lottery"  was  de- 
fended, and  in  Captain  Byron  her  unfortunate 
commander  found  a  brave,  a  generous  and  a 
humane  enemy.  Every  means  was  essayed  to 
administer  comfort  to  him  while  he  lived;  nor 
would  the  chivalrous  Byron  suffer  his  body, 
when  lifeless,  to  be  removed  until  he  had  en- 
closed it  in  a  neat  mahogany  coffin  which  he 
had  ordered  to  be  made  for  the  occasion. 

When  the  flag  of  truce  bearing  the  corpse 
departed  minute  guns  were  tired  on  board  the 
"Belvidera,""  and  her  colors  were  lowered  to 
half-mast. 

Such  sensibility,  such  noble,  generous  con- 
duct to  a  fallen  enemy  gave  Captain  B)ron  a 
more  conspicuous  niche  in  the  temple  of  fame 
than  the  achievement  of  a  great  victory  could 
entitle  him. 

Captain  Soutlicombs  remains  were  inter- 
red in  Norfolk  with  the  honors  of  war,  which 
burial  was  attended  by  the  officers  and  crew  of 
the  frigate  "Constellation." 

On  tlie  morning  of  the  gth  of  March. 
1813,  there  was  great  excitement  in  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth  and  every  man  was  under 
arms  in  ciinse(|uence  of  the  enemy"s  squadnv.i 
receiving  a  reinforcement  the  previous  night. 
Their  boats  were  constantly  passing  and  re- 
passing between  the  different  ships,  and  oc- 
casionally they  would  take  soundings  up  the 
channel  which  induced  the  Ijelief  of  an  im- 
mediate attack  by  land  and  sea.  Both  forts 
were  well  manned  and  the  men  were  busily  en- 
gaged heating  shot.  Every  exertion  was  made 
to  reiM?l  tlie  enemy.  Many  women  and  children 
left  the  towns  and  fled  to  the  country.  The 
court  records  were  moved  to  a  place  of  safet}" 
by  the  clerk  and  both  communities  were 
stripped  for  the  fight :  but  the  squadron  did 
not  then  attack,  only  taking  a  position  in 
Hampton  Roads  so  as  to  effectually  cut  off 


communication  with  Petersburg  and  Rich- 
mond. The  ships  only  remained  in  this  iK)si- 
tion  until  the  22d  of  March,  when  they  got 
under  way  and  returned  to  Lynnhaven  Bay ; 
the  "Dragon,"  of  74  guns,  was  the  nearest  to 
the  Roads,  being  anchored  off  \\'illoughby"s 
Point, — this  movement  was  doubtless  made  as 
a  base  for  the  expeditions  sent  up  the  Rappa- 
hannock River. 

On  the  i8th  of  June,  Commodore  Cassin, 
conmianding  the  American  fleet  in  the  Eliza- 
beth River,  detached  Captain  Tarbell  with  15 
gunboats  to  attack  the  British  frigate  "Junon"' 
anchored  in  the  bay.  It.  being  perfectly  calm, 
the  gunboats  had  an  excellent  opportunity  of 
proving  their  utility  in  smooth  water.  The 
attack  lasted  an  hour  and  a  half,  in  which  time 
the  enemy  was  so  severely  handled  that  she 
would  have  been  compelled  to  strike  her  colors 
had  not  a  breeze  sprung  up,  when  two  other 
frigates  coming  to  her  assistance  compelled 
the  gunboats  to  withdraw.  Abram  Allison,  a 
master"s  mate,  was  the  only  person  killed  on 
board  the  gunboats.  Commodore  Cassin,  in 
his  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated 
June  27,.  1813.  at  Navy  Yard.  Gosport,  says: 

Sir:— 

On  Saturday  at  II  P.  M.  Captain  Tarbell  niovitl 
with  the  flotilla  under  his  command,  consisting  of 
fifteen  gun-boats  in  two  divisions.  Lieut.  John  M.  Gard- 
ner first  division,  and  Lieut.  Robert  Henly  the  seconil, 
manned  from  the  frigate,  and  fifty  musketeers,  which 
General  Taylor  ordered  from  Craney  Island,  and  pro- 
ceeded down  the  river;  but  adverse  winds  and  squalls 
prevented  his  approaching  the  enemy  until  Sunday 
afternoon  at  4  P.  >L.  when  the  flotilla  commenced  a 
heavy  galling  fire  on  a  frigate  at  about  three-quarters 
of  a  mile  distance,  lying  well  up  the  Roads,  two  other 
frigates  lying  in  sight.  .At  half-past  four  a  breeze 
sprung  up  from  E.  N.  E.  which  enabled  the  two  frigates 
to  get  under  way.  one  a  razee  or  very  heavy  ship,  and 
the  other  frigate,  to  come  near  into  action. 

The  boats  in  consequence  of  their  approach  hauled 
off.  though  keeping  up  a  well-directed  fire  on  the  razee 
and  other  ship,  which  gave  us  several  brcidsides.  The 
frigate  first  engaged,  supposed  to  be  the  "Junon."  was 
certainly  very  severely  handled — had  the  calm  contin- 
ued one  half  hour,  that  frigate  must  have  fallen  into 
our  hands  or  been  destroyed.  She  must  have  slipt  her 
mooring  so  as  to  drop  nearer  the  razee,  which  had  all 
sails  set  coming  up  to  her  with  the  other  frigate.  The 
action  continued  one  hour  and  a  half  with  the  three 
ships.     Shortly  after  the  action,  the  razee  got  alongside 


62 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  the  ship,  and  had  her  upon  a  deep  careen  in  a  little 
time  with  a  number  of  boats  and  stages  around  her.  I 
am  satisfied  considerable  damage  was  done  to  her.  for 
she  was  silenced  some  time,  until  the  razee  opened  her 
fire,  when  she  commenced  again.  Our  loss  is  very 
trifling.  Mr.  Allison,  master's  mate  on  board  No.  139, 
was  killed  early  in  the  action  by  an  18-pound  ball, 
which  passed  through  him  and  lodged  in  the  mast.  No. 
154  had  a  shot  between  wind  and  water.  No.  67  had 
her  franklin  shot  away  and  several  of  them  had  soiue 
of  their  sweeps  as  well  as  their  stantions  shot  away — 
but  two  men  slightly  injured  by  the  splinters  .from  the 
sweeps.  On  the  flood  tide  several  ships  of  the  line  and 
frigates  came  into  the  Roads  and  we  did  expect  an  at- 
tack last  night.  There  are  now  in  the  Roads  thirteen 
ships  of  the  line  and  frigates,  one  brig  and  several 
tenders. 

I  cannot  say  too  nuicli  of  the  officers  and  men  on 
this  occasion,  for  every  man  appeared  to  go  into  action 
with  so  much  cheerfulness,  apparently,  to  do  their  duty, 
resolved  to  conquer.  I  had  a  better  opportunity  of  dis- 
covering their  actions  than  any  one  else,  being  in  my 
boat  the  whole  action. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

J.S.ME.S    C.\ssix. 

Oil  tlie  morning  of  June  22  tlie  British  fleet 
under  command  of  Vice-Admiral  Cockburn 
made  a  vigorous  and  desperate  attack  on 
Craney  Lsiand.  The  batteries  were  manned 
\\\\\\  troops  stationed  on  the  island  and  a  de- 
tacliment  of  sailors  commanded  by  officers  of 
the  "Constehation,"  who  opened  a  heavy  fire 
wliicli  compelled  the  enemy  to  retreat  with 
great  loss.  Three  barges  were  sunk — one  was 
captured  with  18  men  on  board  belonging  to 
a  foreign  regiment.  Our  officers,  soldiers, 
sailors  and  marines  exhil.>ited  the  utmost  cool- 
ness and  enthusiasm. 

The  following  is  the  official  report  of  the 
battle  by  Commodnre  Cassin,  Commandant  of 
Na\-v  Yard : 

Navy  Y.\kd.  Gosport,  June  23.  1813. 
Sir:— 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  on  the 
20th.  the  enemy  got  under  way,  in  all  13  sail,  and 
dropped  up  to  the  mouth  of  James  River,  one  ship 
bearing  a  flag  at  the  mizzen.  At  ,t  p.  m.  they  were 
discovered  making  great  preparation  with  troops  for 
landing,  having  a  number  of  boats  for  the  purpose. 
Finding  Craney  Island  rather  weak  manned.  Captain 
Tarbell  directed  Lieutenants  Neale.  Shubrick  and 
Saunders,  with  100  seamen  on  shore,  at  11  A.  M.  to  a 
small  battery  on  the  N.  W.  point  of  the  Island.  Tues- 
day 22nd.  at  the  dawn  the  enemy  were  discovered  land- 
ing round  the  point  of  Nanseniond  River,  said  to  be 
4.000  troops ;  and  at  8  .\.   m.   the  barges   attempted   to 


land  in  front  of  the  Island,  out  of  reach  of  the  shot 
from  the  gun-boats,  when  Lieutenants  Neale,  Shu- 
brick and  Saunders,  w'ith  the  sailors,  and  Lieutenant 
Breckinridge  with  the  marines  of  the  "Constellation," 
450  in  number,  opened  the  fire,  which  was  so  well  di- 
rected, that  the  enemy  were  glad  to  get  off,  after  sink- 
ing three  of  their  largest  boats.  One  of  them  called 
the  "Centipede,"  .Admiral  Warren's  boat.  50  feet  in 
length,  carried  75  men,  the  greater  part  of  whoin  were 
lost  by  her  sinking.  Twenty  soldiers  and  sailors  were 
saved,  and  the  boats  hauled  up.  I  presume  there  were 
40  fell  back  in  the  rear  of  the  Island  and  commenced 
throwing  rockets  from  Mr.  Wise's  houses;  wlien  gun- 
boat 67  threw  a  few  shot  over  that  way,  they  dis- 
persed and  went  back. 

We  have  had  all  day  deserters  from  the  army  com- 
ing in;  I  have  myself  taken  in  25,  and  eighteen  pris- 
oners  belonging  to  the   "Centipede." 

The  officers  of  the  "Constellation"  fired  their  18- 
pounder  more  like  rifle  men  than  artillerists.  I  never 
saw  such  shooting,  and  seriously  believe  they  saved 
the  Island.  In  the  evening  their  (the  enemy's)  boats 
came  around  point  Nansemond,  and  at  sunset  were 
seen  returning  to  their  ships  full  of  men.  At  dusk 
they  strewed  the  shore  along  with  fires,  in  order  to  run 
away   by   the    light. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

John  Cassin. 
The  Hon.  William  Jones. 

Secretary  of  the  Xavy. 

The  British  troops  under  Sir  Sidney  Beck- 
with  landed  on  the  east  side  of  Hoffler's  Creek; 
which  is  the  dividing  line  between  Nansemond 
and  Norfolk  counties,  marched  up,  took  pos- 
session of  Captain  ^\'ise's  residence,  and  threw 
up  rockets  as  mentirmed  by  Commodore  Cas- 
sin. They  plundered  the  house  and  carried 
off  nearly  all  the  property  on  the  premises. 
This  house  is  ncnv  standing  and  is  owned  by 
Mr.  Ballard.  Capt.  George  D.  Wise  was  then 
the  owner, — in  fact  he  owned  all  the  land  from 
Hoffler"s  Creek  to,  and  including,  Cranev 
Island.  He  was  a  captain  of  militia  and  was 
probably  on  duty  at  the  time  his  Imuse  was 
•pillaged.  He  was  the  first  Wise  who  emigrated 
from  the  Eastern  Shore  to  Norfolk  Count}', 
and  his  descendants,  Capt.  William  F.  Wise 
and  John  S.  \\"i^e,  are  resident  and  prominent 
citizens  of  the  Western  Branch. 

Forrest's  History  says :  "On  this  memor- 
able day  (June  22nd,  1813),  Craney  Island 
was  attacked  liy  the  British,  and  defended  in 
a  manner  that  reflected  lasting  honor  \\\)0\\ 
the  noble  baiul   of  heroes   who  took  part  in 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


63 


that  important  battle,  as  well  as  upon  the 
State  and  cotintry  at  large.  It  was  indeed  a 
brilliant  affair.  Tiie  cool  deliberation  and 
mature  judgnnent;  the  bravery  and  enthusiasm 
which  were  so  strikingly  manifested  on  the 
occasion  by  our  comparatively  small  force. 
and  the  complete  success  of  the  day.  all  united 
to  render  this  battle  one  of  the  most  decisive 
and  victorious  that  occurred  during  the  war. 

"Craney  Island  lies  about  live  miles  from 
Norfolk,  commanding  the  inward  approach 
from  Hampton  Roatls :  and  on  its  defense  de- 
pended the  safety  of  the  borough,  as  well  as 
Portsmouth  and  the  surrounding  country. 
The  splendid  rejjulsc  of  the  enemy  there 
doul)tless  prevented  a  more  severe  and  bloody 
contlict.  if  not  an  exhibition  of  inhumanity 
and  barbarity  similar  to  that  which  took  place 
at  Hampton  shortly  after  this  engagement. 

■'The  fortifications  of  this  small  island 
were  ordered  by  Maj.-Gen.  Wade  Hampton, 
during  his  command  of  this  district,  and  the 
W'Orks  were  executed  under  the  direction  of 
Colonel  Armistead.  'Die  enemy's  fleet  had 
come  up  to  Newport  News  on  the  21st  and  was 
soon  in  readiness  to  cover  the  intended  attack 
of  the  I»ats  the  following  day.  The  British 
presented  a  very  formidal)le  and  imposing 
array.  There  were  about  twenty  \esscls.  con- 
sisting of  seventy-fours,  frigates  and  trans- 
ports, and  an  amied  force  of  about  4,000  men. 

"A  small  battery  was  erected  by  the  Vir- 
ginians on  the  Island,  and  mounting  one  18- 
pounder,  two  24.-pounders,  and  four  6-pound- 
ers.  Our  force  consisted,  principally,  of  about 
400  militia  men,  one  company  of  riflemen,  and 
two  companies  of  light  artillery,  one  of  which 
was  commanded  by  Capt.  .\rthur  Emmcrson, 
of  Portsmouth.  *  *  *  Gtn.  Robert  B. 
Taylor,  the  commanding  officer  of  the  district 
at  this  time,  increased  this  small  force  by  a  de- 
tachment of  30  men  from  Fort  Norfolk,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Pollard,  of  the  U.  S.  Army. 
Lieutenant  Johnson,  of  Culpepper,  and  Ensign 
.\.  -Ktkinson.  of  Ca])t.  Hamilton  Shield's  com- 
pany of  riflemen,  from  Isle  of  Wight,  with 
about  30  volunteers,  were  also  added,  by  order 


of  the  chief  officer.  Lieutenants  Xeale,  Shu- 
brick  and  Saunders,  with  about  150  seamen, 
also  joined  our  force,  by  the  direction  of  (_"ap- 
tain  Tarl)ell,  of  the  U.  S.  Ship  'Constellation." 
then  at  the  naval  anchorage,  and  they  acted  a 
brave  and  noble  part  in  the  battle.  *  *  * 
Captain  Emmerson  and  Lieut,  ihonias  God- 
win each  commanded  a  24-i)ounder,  and  the 
i8-i>ounder  was  commanded  bv  Captain  Rooke, 
who  was  at  this  time  master  of  a  merchant  shij) 
— the  'Manhattan'  of  New  'S'ork — then  at  an- 
chor in  our  harlior.  *  *  *  These  three 
pieces  of  ordnance  \\erc  ser\-cd  by  men  from 
the  'Constellation.' 

"Lieutenant  Howie,  .Sergeants  \'oung  and 
Livingston,  and  Corporal  r^loffatt,  separately 
commanded  the  6-pounders,  at  which  was  sta- 
tioned the  artillery  company  of  Portsmouth. 
The  whole  force  concentrated  at  the  Island  was 

■  in  command  of  Colonel  I-Seatty,  assisted  by 
Majors  Wagner  and  Faulkner.  *  *  * 
About  2,600  of  the  British  troops  landed  at  a 
distance  of  two  miles  below  the  Island,  and  the 
action  was  commenced  by  that  division  of  the 
enemy's  force.  *  *  *  Congreve  rockets 
were  thrown  uixmi  the  Island,  from  a  house  on 
the  mainland,  within  cannon  shot  of  our  bat- 
tery, and  owned  by  Capt.  ( leorge  Wise.  *  *  * 
Captain  Rooke,  who  was  nearest  this  point,  was 
ordered  to  fire  into  the  house,  the  view  of  which 

i  was  partially  obstructed  by  a  thick  growth  of 
trees.  *  *  *  A  brisk  fire  of  grape  and 
cannister-shot  was  immediately  o|>ened  uixm  it : 
and  such  was  the  precisif)n  with  which  the  gims 
were  served,  that  the  British  were  completely 
routed,  with  a  loss  of  many  killed  and  wound- 
ed ;  among  the  former  two  of  the  officers. . 
*     *       *     The  18-pounder,  served  as  it  was 

I  with  extraordinary  rapidity,  and  aimed  with 
unerring  precision,  dealt  death  and  de.struction 
at  every  fire.  *  *  *  Meanwhile  the  enemy 
was  approaching  the  Island  with  50  barges 
filled  with  soldiers  to  the  number  of  1,500,  ad- 
\ancing  in  regular  column-(,rder.  led  on  by  the 
.Xdmiral's  boat  of  24  oars,  and  52  feet  long 
with  a  l)rass  2-pounder  in  her  bow.*  *  * 
When  CajJtain  Emmersc-n  sunposed  that  they 


64 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


were  near  enough  to  be  reached  by  his  24- 
pounder,  he  cried  out,  in  a  loud,  stern  voice, 
'Now,  boys,  are  you  ready  f  and  the  quick  re- 
sponse was  'IVe  are  ready:'  'Fire!'  rejoined 
the  brave  and  enthusiastic  Captain ;  and  the  bat- 
tery forthwitli  opened  upon  them  a  dreadful 


fire  of  grape  and   cannister. 


The 


foremost  boats  advanced,  however,  until  they 
grounded,  when  so  quick  and  galling  was  the 
fire,  that  they  were  thrown  intO'  the  greatest 
confusion,  and  forthwith  commenced  a  hasty 
retreat.  *  *  *  Four  or  five  of  the  boats 
were  sunk,  one  of  them  the  Admiral's  barge; 
and  many  others  were  so  shattered  that  it  was 
with  ditficulty  they  were  kept  afloat." 

The  report  of  the  battle  of  Craney  Island 
was  made  to  the  British  Admiralty  office  by 
.\dmiral  the  Right  Honorable  Sir  John  Bor- 
lase  Warren,  Bart,  and  K.  B.,  commander  in 
chief  of  His  Majesty's  ships  and  vessels  on  the 
American  and  West  Indian  Station : 


Sir: 


San  Domingo,  H.\mpton  Roads, 

Chesapeake,  June  24TH,   1813. 


I  request  you  will  inform  their  lordships,  that  from 
information  received  from  the  enemy's  fortifying 
Craney  Island,  and  it  being  necessary  to  obtain  posses- 
sion of  that  place  to  enable  the  light  ships  and  vessels 
to  proceed  up  the  narrow  channel  toward  Norfolk,  to 
transport  the  troops  over  on  that  side  for  them  to  at- 
tack the  new  fort  and  lines  in  rear  of  which  the  "Con- 
stellation" frigate  was  anchored,  I  directed  the  troops 
under  Sir  Sidney  Beckwith  to  be  landed  upon  the  con- 
tinent within  nearest  point  to  that  place,  and  a  rein- 
forcement of  seamen  and  marines  from  the  ships;  but 
upon  approaching,  the  island  itself  being  fortified  with 
a  number  of  guns  and  men  from  the  frigate  and  the 
militia,  and  flanked  bv  13  gun-boats,  I  considered  in 
consequence  of  the  reoresentation  of  the  officer  com- 
manding the  troops  of  the  difficulty  of  their  passing  over 
from  the  land,  that  the  persevering  attempt  would  cost 
more  men  than  the  number  with  us  would  permit,  as 
the  other  forts  must  have  been  stormed  before  the 
frigate  and  dock  yard  could  be  destroyed ;  I  therefore 
ordered  the  troops  to  be  re-embarked. 

I  am  happy  to  say  the  loss  in  the  above  affair  (re- 
turns of  which  are  enclosed)  has  not  been  considerable, 
and  only  two  boats  sunk. 

I  have  to  regret,  that  Captain  Hanchett  of  His 
Majesty's  Ship  "Diadem."  who  volunteered  his  services, 
and  led  the  division  of  boats  with  great  gallantry,  was 
severely  wounded  by  a  ball  in  the  thigh. 

The  officers  and  men  behaved  with  much  bravery, 
and  if  it  would  have  been  possible  to  have  got  at  the 


enemy,   I   am   persuaded   would   have   soon   gained   the 
place. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc., 

John  Borlase  Warren. 
J.  W.  Croker,  Esq. 

A  general  return  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing 
in  the  affair  near  Craney  Island  June  22d,  1S13.  Total 
3  killed,  8  wounded,  52  missing. 

Sidney  Beckwith,  Q.  M.  G. 


The  negro  stealing  of  some  of  the  British, 
and  the  cruel  manner  in  which  they  tore  them 
away  from  their  homes  aroused  general  indig- 
nation. Captain  Lloyd  of  His  Majesty's  Ship 
"Plantagenet"  was  notorious  in  this  infamous 
warfare. 

The  Norfolk  Herald  of  that  day  comment- 
ing on  negro  stealing  said :  "Since  the  war  it 
has  been  our  lot  to  notice  many  acts  of  our 
enemy,  perpetrated  in  direct  violation  of  the 
laws  of  nations  and  of  civilized  usage.  This 
has  been  as  much  a  subject  of  regret  as  indig- 
nation with  us.  The  customary  evils  of  war 
are  sufficient  scourges  for  the  human  race,  but 
to  aggravate  them,  and  that  without  the 
shadow  of  an  excuse,  is  abominable.  The  mode 
of  warfare  pursued  by  the  enemy  in  the  Chesa- 
peake, has  been  ignoble  and  highly  reprobatory,, 
particularly   as   relates  to   the  kidnapping   of 

roes. 

"If  negroes  desert  from  their  masters  and 
fly  to  the  enemy,  it  is  no  fault  of  the  enemy  if 
he  keeps  them ;  but  to  go  on  shore  and  take 
them  away  by  force  is  a  most  unjustifiable  pro- 
ceeding. To  take  cattle,  or  other  stock,  would 
be  consistent  with  the  usage  of  civilized  war- 
fare; but  to  take  negroes,  who  are  Iiniiiau 
beings;  to  tear  them  forever  from  their  kin- 
dred and  connections,  is  what  we, should  never 
expect  from  a  Christian  nation,  especially  one 
that  has  done  so  much  to  abolish  the  "Slave 
Trade."  There  are  negroes  in  Virginia,  and 
we  believe  in  all  the  Southern  States,  who  have 
their  interests  and  affections  as  strongly  en- 
grafted in  their  hearts,  as  the  whites,  and  who 
feel  the  sacred  ties  of  filial,  parental  and  con- 
jugal affection,  equally  strong,  and  who  are 
warmlv  attached  to  their  owners  and  scenes  of 
their  nativitv.     To  those  no  inducement  which 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


c^s 


tile  enemy  cuukl  urter  would  be  sufficient  to 
tempt  them  away.  To  drag  them  away,  then, 
by  force,  would  l)e  the  greatest  crueltv.  Yes,  it 
is  reserved  for  England,  who  boasts  of  her  re- 
ligion and  love  of  humanity,  to  practice  this 
piece  of  cruelty,  so  repugnant  to  the  dictates  of 
civilization." 

SO.ME   SOI-DIERS   OF   THE   WAR   OF    \%\2. 

Edward  Moreland.  private  in  Captain  Shield's  com- 
pany. 

Jonathan  Harrison,  corporal  in  Captain  McDonald's 
company. 

Benjamin  Spratlcy.  lieutenant  in  Colonel  William 
Sharp's  command. 

Alexander  Stewart,  private  in  Captain  Grimes'  com- 
pany. 

William  Langhorne.   soldier. 

The  muster  mil  of  a  companv  of  militia  in- 
fantry,— attached  to  the  30th  Regiment  of  the 
third  requisition  from  the  State  of  Virginia, 
commanded  by  Maj.  Dempsey  Veale  and  mus- 
tered into  the  service  of  the  United  States  at 
the  camp  near  Fort  Xelson  on  the  26th  day  of 
April,  1813 
Cranev  Island,  is  given  as  follows 


which  was  engaged  in  battle  of 


John   Hodges,  captain. 
Tully  R,  Wise,  lieutenant. 
Kader  King,  ensign. 
Thomas  Bhnit,  sergeant. 
William   Bruce,  sergeant. 
Richard  Carney,  sergeant. 
Thomas  Carney,   sergeant. 
Solomon  Creech,  sergeant. 
Josias  Eastwood,  sergeant. 
John   Wainwright.  sergeant. 
Samuel  Rose,  corporal. 
Samuel  Ross,  corporal. 
William   Pearce,  corporal. 
George  Foskey,  corporal. 
James  Taylor,  corporal. 
William  (_)rton,  corporal. 
William  .Xswell,  private. 
Thomas  .\ndrews,  private. 
Henry  Best,  private, 
David  Bowers,  private. 
Henry  Consaul.  private. 
Daniel  Clcmons,  private. 
William   Deans,  private. 
Edward  Ktheredge,  private. 
George   r.theredge,  private. 
Richard   I'.tlnredgc.  private. 
Samuel  Freeman,  private. 
Thomas  Hadley,  private. 


Thomas   Hollowcll,   private. 

Thomas  Hobgood,  private. 

James  Hobgood,  private. 

William  Harris,  private. 

David  James,  private, 

Theophilus  Ives,  private,  promoted  corporal. 

David  Ives,  private,  promoted  corporal. 

Thomas  King,  private. 

Keily  King,  private. 

.Arnold  King,  private. 

John  Love,  private. 

Stephen   McPherson,  private. 

John  Miller,  private. 

Jeremiah   Murden,  private, 

Robert  Manning,  private. 

Willis  Manning,  private. 

William  Miars.  private. 

Joel  Miars,  private. 

Thomas  Nash,  private. 

Thomas  K.  Orton,  private. 

Daniel  Peake,  private. 

Samuel  Powell,  private. 

Stephen  Ross,  private, 

Jesse  Taylor,  private. 

Thomas  C.  Tucker,  private, 

Thomas  Taylor,  private, 

Richard   Taylor,   private. 

George   Wright,  private, 

William  Wallace,  private. 

Caleb  Ward,  private. 

Capt.  John  Hodges  was  elected  on  joint 
ballot  of  both  Houses  of  the  General  Assemblv, 
brigadier-general  of  the  Ninth  Brigade  in  tlie 
Fourth  Division  of  the  militia  of  the  ("ommon- 
wealth  and  commissioned  b_\-  Gov.  |ohn  Tvjer 
on  the  7th  day  of  January,  1826, 

There  were  in  the  \\'ar  of  1812,  155.364 
soldiers. — the  South  furnished  96,812  and  the 
Xortli  58,552. 

TIIF.   .Mi-:.\ic.\x    W.\K. 

E.\ce])ting  Indian  hostilities,  there  was  a. 
period  o\  peace  in  the  United  States  from  1815 
to  1846  when  the  war  with  .Mexico  began.  Al- 
though the  seat  of  war  was  far  away,  it  fired 
the  Southern  heart  and  the  soldiers  from 
"Di.xie"  nearly  doubled  the  Xorthern  .soldiers 
who  went  to  subdue  ]\[c.\ico.  The  South  fin'- 
nished  43,630  and  the  North  only  23.054  men. 

.V  meeting  was  called  in  .\shland  Hall.  Nor- 
folk, on  the  i6th  day  of  December.  1846.  at 
which  elofjuent  speeches  aroused  enthnsi;ism 
and  a  \nluntcer  cejmpany  of  young  men  was  or- 


66 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK   COUNTY 


ganized.  O.  E.  Edwards  was  elected  captain. 
The  services  of  tliis  company  were  first  tend- 
ered to  tlie  Governor  of  Virginia,  who  de- 
cHned  them,  then  they  were  tendered  to  the 
Governor  of  North  Carolina,  who  also  refused 
them :  but  finally  the  general  government  ac- 
cepted their  ofifer  and  they  embarked  from 
Fort  ^IcHenry,  Maryland,  on  the  27tli  of 
March,  1847,  for  Mexico.  The  company  was 
assigned  a  howitzer  batter\-  and  fought  with 
great  gallantry  at  the  National  Bridge  and 
other  places.  After  the  return  of  Captain  Ed- 
jWards  to  Norfolk,  his  fellow  citizens  presented 
him  with  an  elegant  sword  for  his  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct. 

Portsmouth  also  sent  a  volunteer  company 
to  Mexico.  It  was  assigned  as  Company  F, 
First  Regiment  Virginia  Foot.  Col.  John  F.  C. 
Hantramch.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Randolph  and 
Maj.  Jubal  A.  Early.  The  following  is  the 
muster  mil  made  in  Mexico  April  30,  1848, 
and  certified  by  Capt.  W.  S.  Duggan,  Captain 
North  Carolina  Volunteers,  Acting  Inspector 
General. 

John  P.  Young,  captain. 
John  K.  Cooke,  first  Heiitenant. 
Edward  T.  Blamire.  second  heiitenant. 
Wilham  M.  Levy,  third  Heiitenant. 
John  Lappin.  first  sergeant. 
Joseph   H.  James,   second   sergeant. 
Eugene  D.  CounciH.  third  sergeant. 
Francis  L.  Benson,  fourth  sergeant. 
Jolm  Mesley.  first  corporal. 
Nathaniel  Dyes,  second  corporal. 
Henry  Webster,  third  corporal. 
Sparrell  Jones,  third  corporal. 
.Mdrich.  W.  M..  private. 
Benton,  Jesse,  private. 
Bighani.  James  S.  A.,  private. 
Burdine.  John,  private. 
Barnes.  John,  private. 
Butt.  James  W.,  private. 
Catterson,  James,  private. 
Callaghan,   Thomas,   private. 
Cohen.  Louis,  private. 
Cherry.  William,  private. 
Creckmur.  Charles  J.,  private. 
Callis,  Baily,  private. 
Cook,  Charles,  private. 


sippi. 


Donnell,  John  S.,  private. 
Forbes,  John,  private. 
Grimes,  Joshua,  private. 
Grimes    James,  private. 
Gayle.  Benjamin,  private. 
Hawkins,  Nathaniel  B..  private. 
Howell.  Richard  S..  private. 
James.  William  D.,  private. 
Johnson,  Richard  E.,  private. 
Lamb,  Samuel,  private. 
Lawrence,  Christopher,  private. 
McCready,  Jeremiah,  private. 
Manning,  William  W..  private. 
Miller,  Samuel  W.,  private. 
Morse,  Daniel,  private. 
Norfleet,  Christopher,  private. 
Orton,  George  W..  private. 
Overly.  John  W..  private. 
Pitts,  Virginius  L.,  private. 
Parker.  F.  W.,  private. 
Reed.  William,  private. 
Reynolds.  Samuel,  private. 
Ricliardson.  George  W..  private. 
Rawlins.  Edward,  private. 
Shelling,  John,  private. 
Spratt,  James  W.,  private. 
Spencer,  John,   private. 
Turner,   Henry,   private. 
Tottin,    Samuel,   private. 
Tabb.   A.   G.,   private. 
Whitson.  James,   private. 
White,  William,  private. 

SOME    S.MLORS    OF   THE    MEXIC.\X    \V.\R. 

R.  L.  Page,  captain. 

W.  L.  Rodgers,  captain. 

R.  B.   Pegram,  captain. 

David  B.  Park,  sailing  master.  LT.  S.  S.  "St.  Marys." 

William   Whitehead,   boatswain,   U.    S.    S.    "Missis- 


G.  A.  Creiger.  apothecary. 

James  F.   Milligan,  ofificer   frank  not  known). 

Hugh   McKay,   officer    (rank   not  known). 

Daniel   Knowles.   officer    (rank   not  known). 

John   Gillis,  officer    (jank  not  known). 

John  Smith. 

Charles   Evans. 

Christian  Johnson. 

James   Ray. 

Edward  Hart. 

John  Owins. 

John  G.  Orphelia. 

John  Johnson. 

John  Adams. 

Samuel  Stansbury. 

Lindsay  Pugh. 

Marcellus  George. 

Isaac  Rosthentoll. 


CHAPTER   V 


MILITARY    HISTORY  OF  THE  COVNTY    Conlinued 

Events  Leading  ip  to  Secession — Abandonment  and  Uestkiction  of  the  Xa\v  Vakd 
BY  THE  Federals — Occupation  of  the  Xavv  Yard  by  \'ikginia — Fortification 
of  Approaches  to  the  Harbor — Battle  of  Sewell's  Point — Devotion  of  the 
Confederate  Women. 


events  leading  up  to  secession'. 


The  military  spirit  of  Xorfolk  County  was 
re-aroused  by  the  invasion  of  \'^irginia  by  John 
Brown. 

Every  good  citizen  was  moved  by  the  in- 
spiration of  patriotism ;  old  and  young  were 
willing  and  anxious  to  take  up  arms  to  main- 
tain the  peace  and  dignity,  and  protect  the 
honor  of  this  old  Commonwealth. 

Our  volunteer  companies  were  called  to 
frequent  drills  and  new  military  organizations 
were  formed  and  equipped  for  service.  The  in- 
dignation of  the  people  was  stirred  from  its 
depths  and  all  were  ready  to  avenge  the  aflfront 
in  martial  ranks. 

The  Republican  candidate  was  elected 
President  of  the  United  States  in  the  fall  of 
i860  on  a  platform  highly  obnoxious  to  the 
Southern  people  inasmuch  as  it  proposed  to 
restrict  their  rights  and  violate  the  funda- 
mental law.  At  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the 
Articles  of  Confederation,  under  which  the 
War  for  Independence  was  waged,  slavery  ex- 
isted in  all  the  States  that  were  parties  to  that 
compact.  Tlie  legal  right  to  prr?pertv  in  slaves 
was  not  denied,  but  as  the  Republicans  con- 
sidered slavery  morallv  wrong,  tlicv  were  will- 


I  to     violate    the    Constitution    by    restricting 
slavery  to  certain  limits  and  by  ijrohibiting  its 
introtluctitm  into  the  territories,  which  were  the 
common   property   of   all   the   States  of   the 
;  Union.    "The  fervid  phraseology  of  the  period 
1  is  essentially  deceptive,  and  has  done  much  to 
confuse  the  percqjtions  and  mislead  the  sym- 
pathies of  the  world  with  the  struggles  of  the 
South  for  equality  of  rights  within  the  Union, 
I  and  for  security  with  independence  by  seces- 
'  sion.     No  charg^  was  more  unjust,   for  ex- 
ample, than    the    accusation    that    the  South 
sought  the  'extension  of  slavery'  when  it  in- 
sisted on  equal  rights  in  the  territories.     The 
'  question  was  merely  whether  the  slaveholder 
,  should  be  {)ermitted  to  go  with  his  slaves  into 
I  territory  into  which  the  non-slaveholder  could 
'  go  with  liis  property  of  any  sort.    It  was  simply 
a  question  of  the  dispersion  of  slaves  rather 
than  of  the  "extension  of  slavery."     Removal  is 
not  extension."     If  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
the  citizens  of  the  Southern  States  could  be 
curtailed  and  denied  in  this  particular,  why  not 
in  any  other?    I'rincijjle  was  the  thing  at  stake 
and  not  slavery  or  the  extension  thereof.     The 
verv  ff)undatic>n  (  f  the  Union  would  be  up- 
rooted, the  sovereignty  and    equality    of    the 
States  lost  if  submission  to  this  "Republican"? 


68 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


doctrine  was  einlured.  Houur  could  dictate  no 
other  ciiurse  fi  ir  the  Soutlieni  States  than 
separation,  in  peace  if  possible,  by  war  if  es- 
sential to  maintain  principle  and  honor. 

South  Carolina  seceded  from  the  United 
States  for  this  great  fundamental  principle  in 
December,  i860,  and  was  soon  followed  by  the 
other  extreme  Southern  States. 

Thev  formed  a  Confederacy  and  estab- 
lished their  capital  at  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
with  Hon.  Jefferson  Davis  as  Pro\-isional 
President. 

THE  CO^'FEnER.\TE  WAR. 

IMost  of  the  Federal  military  posts  within 
these  Confederate  States  were  surrendered  to 
the  provisional  government :  Init  the  command- 
er of  Fort  Sumter  in  Charleston  Harbor  re- 
fused toi  capitulate.  General  Beauregard  in 
command  of  the  Confederate  forces  there  pre- 
pared to  force  its  surrender;  but  not  until  a 
Federal  fleet  was  ordered  to  relieve  Fort  Sum- 
ter did  he  open  his  guns  upon  it.  This  fired  the 
Northern  heart.  Fort  Sumter  after  a  vigor- 
ous boml:iardment  from  the  Confederate  forts 
surrendered  and  preparations  for  \\ar  were 
begun  most  vigorously  on  both  sides. 

Lincoln  issued  his  proclamation  calling  on 
the  States  for  75,000  troops  to  conquer  the 
Confederacy  and  then  our  Virginia  State  Con- 
vention, with  its  large  majority  in  favor  of 
the  Union,  passed  the  ordinance  of  secession. 

Virginia  made  every  endeavor  for  peace 
and  the  preser\-ation  of  the  Union  upon  the 
just  principles  that  our  fathers  established ;  but 
Lincoln  scorned  her  appeals  and  forced  the 
South  to  enter  into  a  war  for  self-defense  and 
justice. 

Here  in  Norfolk  County,  war's  excitement 
and  rush  held'  high  carnival,  when  the  link 
which  bound  \'irginia  to  the  Union  was  se\-- 
ered.  On  and  during  the  20th  day  of  A]n-il, 
1 86 1,  the  greatest  excitement  prevailed  among 
the  jieople  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  All 
tile  military  companies  in  Portsmouth  were  on 
that  dav  called  nut  liv  the  State  commander 


and  during  the  night  of  that  day  were  stationed 
and  picketed  in  small  squads  at  various  points 
around  and  near  the  Navy  Yard.  The  entire 
county  was  excited,  and  on  e^■ery  hand  arrange- 
ments of  a  warlike  nature  were  lieing  made 
for  the  sectional  strife,  which  then  it  was  ap- 
parent was  imminent.  On  the  day  and  night  of 
the  20th  of  April,  obstructions  were  being 
placed  in  the  Elizabeth  River  leading  to  the 
harbor  for  the  jnu-pose  of  preventing  the  in- 
gress of  vessels  and  tlie  departure  of  the 
United  States  war  vessels  then  in  the  harbor. 
About  midday  the  gates  of  the  Gosport  Navy 
Yard  were  closed  to  all  outsiders,  and  heavily 
guarded  by  L^nited  States  marines.  During  the 
day  the  marines,  sailors  and  attaches  of  the 
United  States  Navv  on  the  vessels  moored  at 
the  whar\-es  within  the  ^■ard  could  lie  seen  de- 

I  stroying  small  arms,  and  throwing  them  over- 
board into  the  river. 

On  the  evening  of  that  day,  about  dark,  the 
LTnited  States  steamer  "F''awnee''  came  steam- 
ing intij  the  port  fr(.im  the  cit_\-  of  Washington, 

;  with  a  large  number  of  marines,  sailors  and 

\  soldiers  on  board.  She  came  in  with  lianners 
liying  and  a  band  of  nnisic  i)la_\ing  the  national 
airs,  her  guns  loaded  and  run  out  of  their  ports. 
She  proceeded  to  the  Navy  Yard,  and  imme- 

j  diately  disembarked  the  marines,  sailors,  sol- 
diers and  their  otificers,  and  soon  there  began 

'  a  general  commotion  in  the  Xa\-y  Yard,  caused 
by  the  removing  of  \-aluable  materials  there- 
from, and  the  destruction  of  cannon  and  other 
articles  which  could  not  be  remo\-ed  from  the 
Navy  Yard.  This  cummijtion,  remo\-al  and 
destruction  continued  during  the  entire  night 
and  shortl}-  before  da}'lig"ht  O'f  the  21st,  when 
all  the  marines,  sailors,  soldiers,  officers  and 
every  person  within  the  yard  except  one  or 
two  who  made  their  escape  therefrom  iluring 
the  night,  were  taken  aboard  the  "Pawnee"  and 
die  sail  frigates  "Constitution"  and  "Cumber- 
land." The  "Pawnee,"  with  the  latter  two  ves- 
sels in  tow,  then  departed,  and  ]iroceeded  un- 
molested to  Fortress  Monroe.  Simultaneously 
with  the  departure  of  these  ^■essels,  the  shi])- 
liouse  and  other  buildings  in  the  Xa\'\-  Yard. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


69 


and  also  all  the  other  vessels  left  at  the  wharves 
of  the  yard  and  anchored  in  the  stream,  were 
fired  by  the  United  States  forces,  and  all  were 
consnmed  with  jr^eat  rapidity.  Soon  the  fire 
was  communicated  from  tiie  ship-house  to  the 
main  entrance  sjovernmcnt  iniildinpfs.  and  from 
there  to  many  wooden  huiklings  in  the  city  on 
Lincoln  street  which  were  entirely  destroyed. 
They  also  attempted  to  blow  up  the  stone  dry- 
dock,  but  the  fuse  failed  to  ignite  and  this 
valuable  work  was  saved  for  the  Confederacy. 
The  local  soldiers  and  citizens  after  the  Na\v 
Yard  was  aban<loned  were  actively  engaged 
in  work  on  furtifications  until  a  cordon  of 
earthworks  embraced  tlie  twin  cities.  Forts 
were  constructed  on  Craney  Island,  at  Boush's 
Bluff,  Lambert's  Point.  Sewell's  Point,  Pin- 
ner's Point :  and  Fort  Nelson  of  Revolutionary 
fame  again  bristled  with  great  guns.  The  in- 
fantry companies  were  drilled  in  heavy  artillery 
tactics :  and  manned  these  new  forts.  Troops 
came  from  other  sections  of  \'irginia.  from 
Georgia,  from  Louisiana ;  and  the  Old  North 
State,  true  to  her  Revolutionary  traditions, 
again   sent   her  soldiers  to  help  Virginia. 

The  following  report  of  Maj.-Cien.  Will- 
iam B.  Taliaferro,  of  the  Virginia  Provisional 
Arm\-  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  regarding 
military  movements  in  Norfolk  County  and 
Gosp<^rt  Navy  Yard,  dated,  Richmond,  \'ir- 
ginia,  April  J3.  1861,  gises  a  detailed  state- 
ment of  the  exciting  events  : 

Sir: — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  obedience 
to  your  orders  I  proceeded  to  Norfolk  on  the  night  of 
the  l8th  instant,  to  assume  coniniaird  of  such  troops 
of  the  State  as  should  1)e  ordered  into  service  at  tliat 
point,  and  to  determine  what  course  sliould  be  pur- 
sued with  reference  to  the  existing  difficulties  at  that 
place.  I  was  accompanied  by  Captain  Pcgrani,  of  the 
Navy  of  Virginia,  who  had  been  ordered  by  you  to 
co-operate  with  nie  in  all  necessary  naval  operations. 
I  reached  Xorlolk  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  inst.. 
and  found  the  city  in  a  state  of  great  excitement, 
which  had  proceeded  to  such  an  e.xtent  that  in  a  meet- 
ing of  the  citizens  the  affairs  of  the  town  had  been 
committed  to  the  management  of  a  committee  of  safety, 
composed  of  some  of  the  most  respectable  and  intelli- 
gent citizens. 

The  cause  of  this  excitement  was  the  inauguration 
of  certain  demonstrations  against  the  Washington  Gov- 
ernment by  the  sinking  of  ships  in  the  harbor  by  citizens 


of  the  town  in  the  channel  of  the  river,  some  nine 
miles  below  the  city,  thus  attempting  to  prevent  the 
egress  of  the  vessels  of  war  from  the  harbor. 

I  found  the  military  force  of  the  city,  none  of 
which  had  been  called  into  service,  to  consist  of  a  bat- 
talion of  volunteers  and  a  few  detached  companies,  in 
all  numbering  not  a  great  deal  over  ,^00  men.  and  the 
force  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth  to  consist  of  a  regi- 
ment of  volunteers  of  about  the  same  strength. 

The  militia  of  the  two  towns  were  without  arms, 
and  there  was  no  naval  force  in  the  State  service  to 
co-operate  with  me.  The  only  artillery  consisted  of  a 
few  6-poundcr  field-pieces. 

The  harbor  of  Norfolk  and  approaches  thereto  were 
entirely  unprotected  against  attack  from  Federal  ves- 
sels. There  were  no  works  in  condition  at  Craney 
Island,  Fort  Norfolk,  or  any  point  commanding  the 
main  channel,  and  even  had  their  works  been  in  per- 
fect preservation  we  had  no  heavy  ordnance  with  which 
to  make  then  available.  On  the  east,  fronting  the  sea 
and  Lynnhaven  Bay.  the  city  was  open  to  attack  by  a 
force  landing  at  those  points,  and  a  large  force  had 
already  reinforced  Fort  Monroe  and  might  at  any 
time   menace   the   city   from   that   direction. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Navy  Yard,  occupying  an 
area  of  90  acres,  and  fronting  upon  Elizabeth  River, 
whilst  it  was  garrisoned  by  only  a  small  force  of  ma- 
rines, and  protected  on  the  land  side  by  a  trifling  brick 
wall,  was  commanded  and  covered  entirely  by  the  ships 
of  war  stretched  out  along  the  river,  their  heavy  bat- 
teries bearing  upon  all  parts  of  it.  These  ships  had 
springs  upon  their  cables  with  which  to  maneuver,  had 
netting  with  which  to  resist  boarding,  and  were  using 
every  precaution  of  guard  boats,  sentries,  etc.,  to  pre- 
vent  surprise. 

The  force  on  the  ships  and  in  the  yard  was  about 
600  men.  but  there  was  another  clement  of  the  numeri- 
cal strength  of  the  place  to  be  considered,  in  the  politi- 
cal opinions  and  sympathies  of  many  of  the  operatives 
in  the  yard,  not  citizens  of  Virginia. 

In  this  condition  of  affairs  the  alternative  was  pre- 
sented of  either  attempting  to  take,  by  boarding,  the 
ships  of  war  which  commanded  the  yard,  or  of  wait- 
ing until  such  heavy  ordnance  could  be  procured  as 
would  enable  me  to  erect  batteries  with  which  to  com- 
mand the  ships,  as  well  as  to  protect  the  harbor  and 
keep  off  reinforcements,  and  at  the  same  time  to  give 
me  an  opportunity  of  assembling  such  force  as  could 
protect  the  land  approaches  and  justify  me  in  making 
a  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  ships  and  yard, 
which  demand  could  be  enforced  if  rejected. 

Notwithstanding  the  excitement  and  eagerness  of 
some  ill-advised  pcr.sons  for  inmiediatc  hostile  action, 
I  regarded  the  latter  as  the  wiser  plan  under  the  cir- 
cumstances, subject,  however,  to  be  modified  by  sub- 
sequent  events. 

To  have  boarded  the  ships  would  have  required, 
by  the  estimate  of  some  of  the  most  experienced  naval 
officers,  at  least  800  men. — sailors,  or  such  men  as  were 
familiar  with  boats.  We  were  entirely  without  such  a 
force,  and  I  regarded  it  as  impracticable  to  Iward  with 
volunteer  troops  unaccustomed  to  boats  or  vessels,  un- 
less siich  force  were  overwhelming. 

The  marine  force  in  the  yard  was  inappreciable,  in 


70 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


my  estimate,  a?  it  would  have  required  only  a  few 
minutes  to  have  overpowered  them  and  possessed  our- 
selves of  the  yard ;  Init  the  condition  to  be  satisfied 
was  the  ability  to  hold  the  place  under  the  batteries  of 
the   ships.     This   I   believed   impracticable. 

In  this  view  I  was  sustained  by  Hie  opinion,  in 
writing,  of  Captain  Pegrani.  that  it  would  be,  in  his 
opinion,  unwise  to  inaugurate  offensive  operations  with 
less  than  5.000  men.  unsupported  by  heavy  artillery. 
Other  officers  gave  much  higher  estimates. 

I  therefore  telegraphed  your  excellency  of  the  de- 
fenseless condition  of  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Ports-  1 
mouth,  and  urged  that  heavy  guns  should  be  sent  with 
which  to  protect  the  approaches  to  the  harbor  and  to 
arm  a  field-work  I  had  projected  at  a  point  called  St. 
Helena,  commanding  the  naval  anchorage  and  Navy 
Yard ;  and  I  also  ordered  the  Petersburg  battalion. 
Major  (David  A.)  Weisiger,  to  proceed  to  Norfolk, 
which  force,  when  it  arrived.  I  stationed  in  the  rear  of 
the  city  of  No'rfolk  to  observe  any  threatened  attack 
from   Fort   Monroe. 

Knowing  how  important  it  was  to  secure  a  supply 
of  powder  for  the  State,  I  determined  to  seize  the  pow- 
der magazine  at  old  Fort  Norfolk,  and  accordingly,  on 
the  night  of  the  igth,  I  directed  Captain  (General) 
Terry  Sinclair,  of  the  Navy,  to  proceed  to  the  maga- 
zine with  Captain  Taylor's  company  of  infantry,  to  be 
so  disposed  as  to  prevent  attack:  and  I  directed  Cap- 
tain Harrison,  of  the  Navy,  to  impress  the  "Glen  Cove" 
steamer,  and  with  Captain  (Jacob)  Vickery's  company 
of  artillery  and  two  6-pounder  pieces  to  watch  the  har- 
bor and  fire  into  any  boats  from  the  Navy  Yard  which 
might  attempt  to  land  at  the  magazine. 

This  duty  was  performed  without  any  attempt  at 
resistance,  and  about  1,300  barrels  of  powder  were 
transferred  to  lighters  and  vessels,  and  sent  to  Rich- 
mond on  the  20th.  The  residue,  estimated  at  over 
1.500  barrels,  was  transported  in  carts  to  a  point  beyond 
the  range  of  the  guns  from  the  water.  To  accomplish 
this  it  was  necessary  to  press  into  the  service  of  the 
State  all  the  carts  and  horses  which  could  be  procured. 
The  whole  volunteer  force  of  Norfolk,  under  Major 
Taylor,  was  ordered  out  to  aid  in  removing  the  powder 
from  the  magazine,  all  of  whom  worked  with  e.xtraor- 
dinary  zeal  and  uncomplaining  patience,  notwithstanding 
the  severe  labor  and  danger  they  encountered.  A  quan- 
tity of  ordnance  stores  were  removed  at  the  same  time. 
Ascertaining  that  one  32-pounder  and  10  i8-pounder 
pieces  had  been  found  in  the  old  custom  house,  I  direct- 
ed carriages  to  be  immediately  constructed  for  them, 
and  ordered  them  to  be  placed  in  battery  at  old  Fort 
Norfolk  as  .soon  as  the  powder  was  removed.  The 
guns  were  transported  to  the  fort  on  the  20th.  but  were 
not  put  into  battery  luitil  next  day. 

I  did  not  think  it  prudent  at  the  time  to  throw  up 
earthworks  at  Craney  Island  or  any  other  point,  be- 
cause in  answer  to  my  telegrams,  I  was  informed  that 
the  freshet  in  the  James  River  rendered  it  impossible 
to  transport  the  guns  from  Bellona  Arsenal  (Virginia), 
and  it  was  useless  to  expose  the  Working  parties  to 
attack  until  I  had  pieces  to  mount,  when  the  works 
coidd  be  speedily  erected  tmder  cover  of  night  and 
without  loss. 

Such    was    the   condition    of   affairs    when,    on    the 


night  of  the  20th.  the  sloop  of  war  "Pawnee."  passing 
the  obstructions  in  the  harbor,  steamed  up  to  the  Navy 
Yard  with  a  force  of  500  men,  shortly  after  which, 
under  the  orders  of  Flag-Officer  Paulding,  was  inau- 
gurated and  in  part  consummated  one  of  the  most 
cowardly  and  disgraceful  acts  which  has  ever  disgraced 
the  government  of  a  civilized  people.  The  ships  of 
war  were  sunk,  and  most  of  them  burned  at  anchor : 
the  ship-houses  and  some  other  property-  fired ;  and,  to 
render  the  atrocity  of  the  act  still  greater,  the  dry 
dock  was  mined  and  a  slow  match,  which  was  arranged 
so  as  not  to  ignite  the  train  until  our  people  should 
have  filled  the  yard  and  the  works  in  their  efforts  to 
save  the  government  property,  set  fire  to  and  left 
burning. 

When  this  diabolical  act  had  been  committed,  the 
steamer,  with  the  marines  on  board,  passed  down  the 
river,  and  in  the  course  of  that  evening  anchored  under 
Fort   Monroe. 

I  immediately  directed  Colonel  (James  G. )  Hodges 
with  the  Portsmouth  regiment  to  take  possession  of  the 
Navy  Yard,  to  endeavor  to  extinguish  the  flames  wher- 
ever it  was  possible,  and  to  protect  the  government 
property. 

Fortunately,  the  damage  was  not  so  great  as  that 
at  first  apprehended.  Only  an  inconsiderable  portion 
of  the  property,  with  the  exception  of  the  ships,  was 
destroyed,  and  some  of  the  ships  may  yet  be  made 
serviceable. 

Two  officers — Captain  Rodgers,  of  the  Navy  of 
the  United  States,  and  Captain  Wright,  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States — were  taken  prisoners,  having 
been  cut  off  from  the  ships  by  the  flames.  These  gen- 
tlemen I  sent,  under  charge  of  Major  Robbins.  to.  this 
place  to  await  the  decision  of  your  excellency  as  to 
what  disposition  should  be  ultii;nately  made  of  them. 

On  the  same  morning  I  directed  Colonel  (T.  M. 
R.)  Talcott.  of  the  Engineers,  to  proceed  with  a  force 
of  militia  and  with  all  the  negroes  I  could  press  into 
the  service  of  the  State  to  erect  earthworks  at  Hos- 
pital Point ;  and  under  the  superintendence  of  Captain 
Fairfax,  of  our  Nav}-,  I  ordered  heavy  guns  to  be  placed 
in  battery  at  old  Fort  Norfolk.  I  also  directed  Colonel 
Talcott,  under  cover  of  night,  to  proceed  to  Craney 
Island  and  repair  the  old  w-orks  there,  and  gave  orders 
for  the  immediate  mounting  of  as  many  pieces  as  would 
[  be  necessary  to  supply  the  several  works.  It  was  won- 
derful with  what  promptness  these  several  orders  were 
executed. 

Before  night,  with  the  large  force  emnloyed.  con- 
siderable progress  had  been  made  on  the  works,  and 
many  guns  were  in  condition  to  be  placed  in  position, 
and  with  the  obstructions  in  the  channel,  placed  under 
the  supervision  of  Captain  .\rthur  Sinclair.  I  regarded 
the  city  as   safe   from  any   immediate  attack. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st  I  received  your  order 
assigning  Major-General  Gwynn  to  the  conmiand,  and 
on  the  22d,  in  obedience  to  an  order  of  that  date, 
returned  to  Richmond.  I  presume  Flag-Officer  For- 
rest, who  was  assigned  by  your  order  to  the  command 
of  the  Navy  Yard,  will  make  a  full  report  of  the 
damage  done  to  and  return  a  schedule  of  the  property 
saved  and  on  hand  in  the  yard. 

I  beg  to  be  permitted  to  speak  in  the  highest  term.s 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


7' 


of  commendation  of  the  patriotism  and  zeal  displayed 
by  the  citizens  in  rendering  assistance,  and  of  the 
energy  which  characterized  the  commissary  and  quar- 
termaster departments  under  the  embarrassing  circum- 
stances of  their  immediate  organization. 

The  engineer  department,  under  the  control  of 
Colonel  Talcott,  deserves  every  commendation. 

On  the  23rd  day  of  April,  1861,  Gen.  Wal- 
ter Gwvnn  assumed  command  of  this  depart- 
ment. He  was  appointed  by  Gov.  John  Ellis 
to  command  the  North  Carolina  State  troops 
and  was  relieved  from  duty  here  by  Gen.  Ben- 
jamin Huger  on  the  28th  day  of  May. 

THE  B.\.TTLE  OF  SEWELl's  POIXT. 

The  first  engagement  in  Mrginia  on  the 
19th  day  of  May,  1861.  at  the  beginning  of  the 
war  is  called  the  "Battle  of  Sewell's  Point.'" 
At  II  o'clock  Sunday  morning  a  detachment 
of  the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues  under 
Lieut.  Thomas  Nash,  Jr..  and  a  detachment  of 
the  Norfolk  Juniors  under  Lieutenant  Holmes 
were  ordered  from  Boush's  BlufT  to  Sewell's 
Point  for  duty.  The  Columbus  (Georgia) 
Light  Guard,  Capt.  P.  H.  Colquitt,  and  the 
Woodis  Rifles,  Capt.  William  Lamb,  had  pre- 
ceded these  from  Ocean  Mew.  General  Gwynn 
was  on  hand  directing  the  construction  of  an 
earthwork.  By  5  o'clock  P.  ^M.,  three  guns 
were  mounted  and  while  the  work  was  rapidly 
progressing  the  L'nited  States  steamer  "Monti- 
cello,"  which  had  run  over  from  Old  Point  the 
day  before,  fired  a  shot  at  the  workmen,  which 
struck  the  battery  and  threw  the  turf  high  in 
the  air.  All  was  confusion  for  a  moment ;  but 
immediatelv  preparation  was  made  to  return 
the  fire  with  two  32-pounders.  and  two  rifled 
cannon  brought  up  and  manned  by  the  Woodis 
Rifles.  Captain  Colquitt  was  in  command  and 
called  for  a  \'irginian  to  raise  his  Georgia  flag 
on  the  ramparts.  Maj.  Williain  E.  Taylor 
promptly  responded  and  unfurled  it  in  defiance 
of  the  "Monticello's"'  attack.  The  first  gun 
was  fired  by  a  detachment  of  the  Juniors  under 
Thaddeus  Gray,  who  acted  with  conspicuous 
gallantry  during  the  whole  affair,  although 
everv  man  acted  bravelv  and  stood  to  their 


posts  like  veteran  soldiers.  The  "Monticello" 
fired  rapidly  but  wildly,  most  of  her  shots  fly- 
ing wide  of  the  mark.  After  a  brisk  engage- 
ment, the  ship  turned  her  stern  to  the  fort  and 
with  five  holes  in  her  was  towed  back  to  Old 
Point.  Although  the  Fort  was  struck  several 
times,  none  of  the  defenders  was  injured:  but 
Private  Alexander  Sykes  of  the  Wise  Light 
Dragoons,  on  picket  some  distance  away,  was 
slightly  wounded  on  the  leg  by  the  fragment 
of  a  bursting  shell.  He  was  the  first  soldier 
wounded  in  the  State.  The  beautiful  flag 
which  waved  in  triumph  over  the  Fort  in  the 
second  battle  of  the  Confederate  States  was 
presented  to  the  City  Light  Guards  by  Miss 
Ellen  Ingraham,  of  Columbus.  Georgia,  one  of 
the  most  lovely  and  beautiful  daughters  of  our 
sister  State  of  Georgia.  This  afifair,  though 
small,  was  the  forerunner  of  the  great  battles 
which  ploughed'  Virginia's  fields  from  her 
Eastern  sands  to  the  mountain  tops  of  her 
Western  limits.  This  was  the  first  battle  and 
the  only  battle  of  the  Provisional  Anny  of  the 
State  government ;  and  the  first  battle  of  Hamp- 
ton Roads. 

Hainpton  Roads  is  the  name  eiven  to  the 
broad  expanse  of  water  between  the  mouth  of 
the  James  River  and  the  entrance  into  Chesa- 
peake Bay.  Newport  News  Point,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  and  Pig  Point  on  the  south, 
at  the  junction  of  the  Nansemond  River  with 
the  James,  may  be  considered  as  marking  the 
mouth  of  the  James  River.  Between  these  two 
points  the  distance  is  about  five  miles.  Craney 
Island  lies  at  the  mouth  of  the  Elizaljeth  River, 
some  six  or  seven  miles  east  of  Pig  Point. 
Sewell's  Point  is  about  the  same  distance  north 
of  Craney  Island.  These  four  jwints,  there- 
fore, from  nearly  a  parallelogram.  Old  Point 
is  five  miles  north  of  Sewell's  Point,  the  scene 
of  the  battle. 

Captain  Colquitt's  official  report,  dated  ^fay 
19,  1861.  to  Major-General  Gwynn,  command- 
ing the  forces  at  Norfolk  Harbor,  says : 


SIR : — I  have  the  honor  to  rcp'  irt  to  you  an  engage- 
ment- this  evening  between  the  Confederate  troops,  con- 


/■^ 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


sisting  of  the  City  Liglit  Guards.  Cohiiiilnis.  Georgia; 
Woodis  Rifles,  Captain  Lamb,  detacliment  of  the  Nor- 
folk Juniors,  under  Lieutenant  Hohiies  ;  detachment  of 
Light  Artillery  Blues,  under  Lieutenant  Nash,  all  under 
my  command,  and  the  steamer  "Monticello"  and  Fed- 
eral steam-tug.  which  lasted  one  hour  and  a  half,  in 
which  nobody  was  hurt  on  our  side.  The  enemy 
fired  w-ith  great  accuracy,  several  balls  passing  through 
the  embrasures  of  the  Fort,  one  striking  a  32-pounder 
within  the  battery,  and  one  shell  bursting  in  the  Fort. 
From  three  to  five  shots  from  our  battery  took  effect, 
we  think ;  others  struck  around  the  steamer.  Thf 
troops  acted  with  great  bravery,  and  I  had  to  restrain 
them  in  their  entllusiasm.  The  flag  of  Georgia  was 
hoisted  over  the  Fort  in  the  absence  of  the  Confeder- 
ate flag.  Our  firing  was  less  frequent  than  that  of  the 
enemy,  as  our  ammunition  was  scarce ;  only  two  rounds 
left  after  the  engagement.  Your  aides.  Major  William 
E.  Taylor.  R.  R.  Collier  and  Colonel  Thomas  Newton, 
were  present  and  aided  in  the  struggle. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  obt.  servant. 

Peyton  H.  Colquitt. 

General  Gwvnn  made  his  report  to  Gen. 
Robert  E.  Lee.  commanding  the  forces  of  Vir- 
ginia,   as    foHows : 


HE.\DOL'-\RTERS     FORCES     OF      VIRGINIA      .-GROUND      NORFOLK. 
M.\Y   20,    1861. 

Sir: — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that,  late  in 
the  evening  of  the  i8th  inst.,  I  received  intelligence  of 
an  attack,  made  by  the  enemy's  steamer  "Monticello," 
on  the  unfinished  works  at  Sewell's  Point.  This  bat- 
tery was  not  sufiiciently  advanced  at  the  time  to  re- 
ceive its  armament  and  garrison.  The  "Monticello" 
carried  three  guns,  one  of  which  was  a  heavy  lo-inch 
Dahlgren.  With  these  she  kept  up  a  constant  fire  with 
solid  shot  and  shell  for  more  than  an  hour,  when  a 
steam-tug,  from  Old  Point,  carrying  one  gun.  came  to 
her  aid,  and  the  two  vessels  continued  the  cannonade 
until  the  close  of  the  day,  without  any  serious  injury 
to  the  works.  The  tug  then  returned  to  Old  Point, 
and  the  "Monticello"  moored,  with  broadside  on.  with 
the  intention,  apparently,  of  continuing  the  attack,  in 
order  to  demolish  the  works  or  prevent  their  progress. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  I  hurried  on  the 
guns  and  equipment,  and  repaired  to  Sewell's  Point, 
to  expedite  the  works  for  their  reception,  and  by  5 
P.  M.  succeeded  in  getting  three  32-pounders  and  two 
small  rifled  guns  into  position,  while  detachments  of 
infantry  and  artillery,  ordered  from  neighboring  posts, 
occupied  the  battery  and  contiguous  points.  During  all 
this  time  the  "Monticello."  apparently  not  suspecting 
the  operations  going  forward,  was  engaged  in  prepar- 
ing for  another  effort,  by  calculating  the  range  and 
distance,  and  adjusting  her  guns  to  suit.  With  instruc- 
tions to  Captain  Colquitt,  of  Georgia,  to  whom  I  gave 
the  command  of  all  the  forces  and  guns  at  the  post, 
to  continue  the  preparations,  reserving  fire  until  the 
enemy  renewed  the  cannonade,  I  returned  to  Norfolk. 


At  5:30  o'clock  the  "'Monticello"  again  opened  fire  from 
all  her  guns,  and  with  much  greater  precision  than  on 
the  preceding  day.  It  was  instantly  returned,  and  with 
such  effect  that  she  was  driven  off  and  returned  to  Old 
Point.  The  engagement  continued  for  an  hour  and  a 
half  without  intermission  on  either  side,  and.  though 
the  enemy's  fire  was  well  directed,  one  shell  bursting 
within  an  embrasure  and  several  others  directly  over 
the  battery,  while  solid  shot  repeatedly  passed  through 
the  embrasures  and  struck  the  crest  and  sides  of  the 
merlons,  hurling  masses  of  earth  from  the  outside 
among  the  gunners,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  no 
casualty  of  moment  occurred  to  the  troops,  nor  was 
material  injury  done  the  battery.  What  damage  or  loss 
was  sustained  by  the  enemy  I  was  not  able  to  discover, 
but  his  retreat  indicated  that  our  fire  had  become  too 
warm  for  further  endurance.  As  early  as  I  received 
information  of  the  second  attack  and  repulse,  I  ordered 
forward  more  troops,  and  hastened  during  the  night  to 
Sewell's  Point,  to  make  such  other  dispositions  as 
might  be  necessary  to  defend  the  post  against  any  fur- 
ther and  more  formidable  assaults  which  the  enemy's 
large  naval  and  military  forces  at  Old  Point  would 
enable  him  to  make.  I  cannot  close  this  brief  account 
of  the  engagement  without  expressing  my  admiration 
of  the  enthusiasm  and  bravery  manifested  by  the 
troops.  Where  officers  and  men  displayed  so  much 
merit,  it  would  be  invidious  to  discriminate,  and  I 
therefore  refer  you  to  the  accompanying  report  of  Cap- 
tain Colquitt  for  further  particulars.  His  position,  as 
commanding  officer  of  the  post,  gave  him  an  opportu- 
nity of  displaying  the  qualities  which  adorn  the  soldier, 
and  the  general  appreciation  of  his  gallantry  and  merit 
by  those  under  his  command  enable  me  to  commend  him 
most  warmly  to  your  consideration.  In  conclusion.  I 
would  state  that,  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  a  Vir- 
ginia or  Confederate  flag  for  the  occasion,  the  flag  of 
Georgia,  belonging  to  Captain  Colquitt's  company,  was 
planted  on  the  ramparts  during  the  engagement,  and, 
while  the  hottest  fire  was  prevailing,  two  members  of 
his  company,  whose  names  I  will  forward  to  you  when 
reported  to  me  as  deserving  particular  notice,  fearless- 
ly passed  to  the  outside  of  the  battery,  and  deliberately 
removed  the  sand  and  other  obstructions  to  the  range 
of  on€  of  the  guns,  while  shot  and  shell  were  striking 
all   around  them. 

I    am,    general,    very    respectfully,    your    obedient 
servant,  W.\lter  Gwynn. 

Capt.  Henry  Eagle,  L'.  S.  N.,  commanding 
the  "Monticello,"'  in  his  report  tO'  Flag-Officer 
S.  H.  String-ham,  V .  S.  N.,  dated  :\Tay  19, 
I 86 I.  savs: 


From  the  time  I  reported  to  you  yesterday  I  kept 
a  strict  watch  on  the  movements  of  the  enemy  in  and 
about  the  Sewell's  Point  battery. 

Several  noises  were  heard  during  the  night,  but 
not  distinct  enough  for  me  to  trace  them.  At  5:30 
P.  M.  I  heard  distinct  blows,  as  if  from  an  ax,  secur- 
ing  timber   platforms    for   gun   carriages   inside   of   the 


O 


AXl)    l^I'-.l'RESEXTATIX']-:    ClTlZliXS. 


75 


cnibra-iui-.  iiiJ  iiiinicdialely  I  ordered  a  sliol  t..  iic 
fired  over  them.  The  rebels  immediately  hoisted  a 
white  flag  (mistake— Ed.)  with  some  design  on  it,  and 
fired  a  shot  that  cut  the  fore-spencer  vangs  near  the 
gatT.  I  immediately  went  to  quarters  and  returned 
their  fire,  which  was  continued  by  them.  I  expended  15 
stand  of  grape,  12  lo-inch  shot,  32  lo-inch  shell,  10 
shell  for  32-poundcrs,  and  45  32-pound  shot,  making  a 
total  of  1 14  shots,  which  I  think  did  some  execution 
among  the  rebels.  T  only  desisted  for  want  of  ammu- 
nition, having  only  5  8-pound  charges  remaining  for  the 
pivot  gun.  I  regret  that  want  of  ammunition  com- 
pelled me  to  retire,  as  I  am  satisfied  that  I  could  have 
silenced  the  battery  in  a  short  time.  I  cannot  too 
highly  praise  the  courage  and  patriotism  of  the  oflicers 
and  men  under  my  command.  They  acted  nobly  and 
with  great  coolness  during  the  repeated  firing,  as  above 
will  show.  The  action  continued  from  5 130  P.  M.  to 
6:45  P.  M.,  a  duration  of  an  hour  and  fifteen  minutes. 
The  battery  is  masked,  thirteen  embrasures  liaving  been 
erected  behind  a  sand  bank. 

The  rebels  had  three  ritled  cannon  and  fired  several 
volleys  of  minie  balls,  which  struck  the  ship.  The 
ship  was  struck  five  times  by  rifled  cannon  shot  in  the 
bull  and  upper  works.  The  damage  can  be  repaired 
by  ourselves.  I  herewith  enclose  the  report  of  the 
medical  officer  of  this  ship,  by  which  you  will  perceive 
that  two  men  were  slightly  wounded  during  the  action. 

Commander  D.  L.  Ijraitic  re])orte(l  ti)  Cap- 
tain Eag'le  tliat  after  tlie  Monticelli)  liad  fired 
a  number  of  times  tlie  steamer  "Tlnfmas  Free- 
born" came  along  and  Commander  Ward  came 
on  board,  tliat  he  went  witli  Commander  \\'ard 
in  his  boat  to  the  "Tliomas  Freeliorn,"  and 
took  it,  at  his  request,  in  as  close  to  tlie  earth- 
works as  he  thought  necessary.  Commander 
^^"ard  then  fired  a  number  of  shots  from  his 
forward  gim.  a  heavy  32-pounder,  wiiich  did 
some  slight  injury  to  the  embrasure.  "There 
were  some  twelve  or  fourteen  shots  firt'd  in  all 
and  the  'Thomas  Freeborn'  then  withdrew 
from  her  position,  and  returned  to  Hamilton 
Roads."  \Miile  on  board  the  "Freeborn," 
Commander  Braine  did  not  see  any  armed  men 
in  the  battery  nor  anv  pieces  of  ordnance. 

Gen.  Rol)ert  E.  Lee  in  his  report  to  (jov- 
ernor  Letcher,  dated  June  1 1,  iSOi.  of  the  mili- 
tary and  naval  preparations  for  the  defense  of 
\''irginia,  from  the  period  of  her  separation 
from  the  L'nited  States  government  to  the  date 
of  transfer  of  militarv  operations  of  the  State 
to  tlie  Confederate  government  says: 


"Six  batteries  have  l>een  erected  on  the 
Elizabeth'  River  to  guard  the  approaches  to 
Norfolk  aiul  the  Xavy  Yard.  They  mount  85 
guns.  32-pounders  and  8  and  9-inch  colum- 
biads. 

"The  frigate  'United  States'  has  been  pre- 
pared for  a  shoal  ship,  provided  with  a  deck 
battery  of  nineteen  guns,  32-pounders  and  9- 
inch  coluiubiads,  for  harbor  defense.  The 
frigate  'Merrimac"  has  been  raised  and  it  is  in 
the  dry  dock  and  arrangements  are  made  for 
raising  the  'Germantown'  and  "Plymouth.' 

"In  addition  to  the  batteries  described, 
other  works  have  been  constructed  for  their 
land  defense,  exceeding,  in  many  instances,  the 
works  on  the  batteries  themselves.  An  exten- 
sive line  of  field  works  has  been  erected  for  the 
securitv  of  Norfolk  on  the  sides  toward  the 
bay."  ' 

At  man^-  other  points,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  report,  the  great  commander  in  an  incredi- 
bly short  time  had  made  wonderful  progress 
with  the  defenses  of  Virginia. 

Report  of  the  armanent  of  batteries  around 
Xorfolk  and  Portsmouth,  October  29th,  1861. 

sewfxl's  poi.vt. 

For  defense  of  the  river — 

33-pounders,  61  cwt 4 

32-pounders.    57    cwt    7 

32-pounders.    rifled    3 

IX    6-19 

Interior  defenses — 

32-pounders.  61   cwt    . .  . .  .^. 6 

32-pounders,    27    cwt     I 

42-poundcrs,   carronades 3 — 10 


Total 


29 


FORT   NORFOLK. 


IX  ....; 8 

32-pounders,    6r    cwt    2 

32-pounders,    57    cwt    2 

32-pounders,   27   cwt 2 

i8-pounders,  4,737  pounds  i 

Total    15 

FORT    XEL.SOX. 

32-pounders,    57    cwt     8 

32-poimders,    51     cwt     5 


ye 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


8-inch  guns,  SS  cwt  2 — 15 

November  report  adds  one  gun,  rifled    (English)  I 

Total    -. 16 

pixxer's  poixt. 

32-pounders,    57    cwt    7 

32-pounders,   42    cwt    4 

Total    II 

Lambert's  point. 

32-pounders,  57  cwt  9 

8-inch  gun,  63  cwt   I 

Total     10 

NEW    BATTERY,    NEAR    PIXXEr's    POIXT     (xOW    PORT 

xorfolk). 

32-pounder?.    61     cwt 4 

taxxer's  creek. 

32-pounders,  62  cwt  3 

42-pounders,  carronades  2 

Total     5 

boush's  bluff.  j 

32-pounder  J.   42   cwt 5 

extrexched  camp. 

32-pounders,  61  cwt IS 

42-pounders,   carronades    14 

Total    29 

FORREST   E.VTREXCH.MEXTS. 

32-pounder?.   61    cwt 16 


DEVOTION    OF   THE    COXFEDER.\TE    WOMEN. 

Heroines  of  no  era  have  given  the  world  a 
higher  standard  of  devotion  than  the  Con- 
federate women.  Amid  tlie  stirring  and  excit- 
ing times  which  marked  the  beginning  of  war 
in  Norfolk  County  they  tendered  to  the  soldiers 
a  welcome  to  their  homes  and  ofifered  any  as- 
sistance within  their  power  for  the  cause  of  the 
South.  The  ladies  of  the  Episcopal  churches 
in  Norfolk  gave  notice  to  the  soldiers  who 
were  encamped  in  and  near  Norfolk  that  they 


would  be  at  Christ's  Church  lecture  room  every 
morning  from  9  to  12  o'clock,  to  receive  any 
work, — either  making,  washing,  or  mending 
clothing.  Out  on  the  country  farms  sewing- 
circles  were  formed  and  uniforms  were  made 
for  entire  companies  from  the  cloth  furnished 
by  the  county.  An  association  of  ladies  was 
formed  in  Portsmouth  called  the  "Sisters  of 
]\Ierc_\'"  to  nurse  the  soldiers  in  the  hospital, 
like  angels  of  mercy.  All  were  untiring  in 
their  good  offices  and  their  charming  voices, 
with  unstinted  praise  for  patriotism,  made 
e\ery  man  a  soldier. 

How  truly  has  Whitcomb  Riley  spoken  of 
their  graces  and  power :  'T  think  the  reason 
the  Southern  women  have  such  deliciously  soft 
voices  may  be  traced  to  the  deference  of  the 
men.  Southern  men  look  upon  their  women  as 
angels. 

"When  a  Southern  man's  wife  or  daughter 
begins  to  talk  she  doesn't  have  to  yell  for  the 
purpose  of  attracting  his  attention  or  getting 
him  to  stop  his  story  and  give  her  a  chance. 
When  a  Southern  woman  speaks,  the  Southern 
man  is  silent  and  attentive.  He  listens  to  her 
words  as  if  they  were  honey  dropping  to  his 
lips.  This  attitude  of  respect  upon  the  part  of 
the  man  for  the  woman,  which  seems  to  be 
universal  through  the  South,  makes  the  South- 
ern woman  the  gentle,  sweet-voiced  creature 
that  she  is,"  and  as  she  is,  I  may  add,  makes 
the  man  a  hero  and  Christian  gentleman. 

There  is  a  United  States  survey  steamer 
named  the  "Endeavor."  The  former  name  of 
this  steamer  was  the  "Ladv  Davis,"  so  named 
because  the  ladies  of  this  section  furnished  the 
money  to  build  it  for  the  Southern  Confeder- 
acy; manv  sacrificed  their  jewelry  to  raise  the 
money.  It  was  built  on  W.  H.  Graves'  marine 
railway,  on  the  Eastern  Branch  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River,  but  was  never  used  by  the  Con- 
federacy, as  the  Northern  army  captured  it  on 
the  stocks  and  appro])riated  it  to  their  own  use. 
It  is  125  feet  keel.  18  feet  beam  and  10  feet 
deep,  and  is  used  in  coast  survey  work  under 
the  seamanship  of  Captain  Young. 


CHAPTER  VI 


MILITARY  HISTOKY  OF  THE  COVNTY    Conlinued 

Thk  Gkeat  Battle  t)F  Hampton  Roads — Destkiction  of  the  "Cimbekland"  and 
"Congress" — Famous  Conflict  of  the  Iron-Clads — Victory  of  the  "Virginia" 
OVER  the  "Monitor"- — Different  Reports  of  the  Fight-^Officers  of  the 
"  X'iRGiNiA  " — Evacuation   of  Norfolk  Cofntv  by  the    Confederate    Forces. 


Under  the  Confederate  rule  tliere  were 
two  masked  batteries  constructed  on  Sewell's 
Point, — one  of  four  gun's  on  Doyle's  farm  just 
opposite  the  Rip  Raps  or  Fort  \\'(X)1,  formerly 
Fort  Calhoun,  which  \vas  never  unmasked; 
the  other,  defended  by  two  32-pounder  rifle- 
lx)re  cannon  located  on  the  sand  hill  site  be- 
tween the  pavilion  and  hotel  at  Xorfolk-on- 
Ihe-Roads,  was  walled  up  with  heavy  timbers 
and  covered  with  several  layers  of  railroad 
iron.  These  guns  v>ere  smooth-bore  32-pound- 
ers  which  had  been  left  at  the  Xavy  Yard 
when  Commodore  McCauley  evacuated  it ;  and 
afterward  the  Confederates  converted  them 
into  rifle-ljores  with  a  range  of  three  miles. 
This  battery,  garrisoned  by  th^  Jaf  kson  Greys, 
was  unmasked  on  the  day  of  the  great  histori- 
cal naval  battle  and  engaged  the  United  States 
men-of-war  as  they  passed  up  from  Old  Point 
toward  Newport  Xews.  A  shell  from  a  gun 
on  the  Rip  Raps  er.tered  the  embrasure  of  the 
right  hand  gim  and  wounded  Lieut.  William 
C.  Wallace  and  Private  Alexander  B.  Cooper. 
The  range  of  these  guns  was  much  greater 
than  that  of  any  on  the  ships,  for  the  latters' 
bnxidsides  fired  at  the  battery  fell  far  short, 
while  our  shells  reached  and  went  over  the 


ships.  The  effect  of  the  battery  guns  was  not 
known  at  the  time  but  the  reports  of  the  Fed- 
eral captain  give  an  account  of  the  damage 
from  this  batterj'. 

The  log  of  the  U.  S.  S.  "Roanoke"  says : 
"At  2  130,  coming  in  range  of  Sewell's  Point 
battery  they  opened  fire  and  several  shot  and 
shell  passed  over  and  fell  around  this  ship. 
One  rifle  shot  passed  through  the  foresail  and 
cut  away  a  shroud  on  each  side  of  the  fore 
rigging;  put  on  stops  at  once.  The  forward 
pivot-gim  was  trained  on  Sewell's  Point  bat- 
tery and  fired,  but  fell  short." 

'The  log  of  the  U.  S.  S.  "^Minnesota" :  "At 
1 :30  went  to  quarters.  At  2  :oo,  when  ofif  Sew- 
ell's Point,  the  enemy  opened  fire  on  us,  which 
was  immediately  responded  to  by  this  ship. 
One  of  the  enemy's  shot  took  effect  upon  the 
mainmast.  We  immediately  fished  and  se- 
cured it  w^ith  a  hauser  over  the  masthead. 
Captain  Van  Brunt  of  this  ship  in  his  olificinl 
report  says:  "While  passing  Sewell's  Point 
the  rebels  there  opened  fire  upon  us  from  a 
rifle  battery,  one  shot  from  which  going 
through  and  crippling  my  mainmast.  I  re- 
turned the  fire  with  my  broadside  guns  and 
forecastle  pivot."     The  log  of  the  U.   S.   S. 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"St.  Lawrence"  :  "At  5  125,  passing  Sewell's 
Point,  the  batteries  opened  on  ns,  firing  some 
half  dozen  shot  .and  shell,  one  of  which  passed 
over  our  cpiarter  deck  forward  the  mizzenmast 
and  just  clearing  the  bows  of  the  whaleboat, 
another  carrying  away  the  starboard  c|uarter- 
block  foreyard."  Capt.  H.  Y.  Purviance  of 
this  ship  reported  that:     "At  half  past  two  we 


got   under 


war   in   tow   oi;  the   'Cambridge,' 


and,  when  aljreast  of  the  rebel  ]>attery  at  Sew- 
ell's Point,  the  battery  opened  fire,  one  of  the 
shells  exploding  under  the  forefoot  of  the  'St. 
Lawrence,'  doing,  however,  no  material  in- 
jury. The  fire  was  returned  and  it  is  be- 
lieved with  some  effect."  Captain  Purviance 
was  greatly  mistaken,  for  not  one  shot  O'r  shell 
from  the  ships  reached  near  the  shore  and  the 
onlv  damage  done  to  our  battery  was  from  a 
Sawyer  shell  which  came  from  the  Federal 
battery  on  the  Rip  Raps.  Opposite  to  Fort 
Monroe  at  a  distance  of  1,900  yards  between 
that  fortification  and  our  battery  at  Sewell's 
Point  is  Fort  Wool,  formerly  Fort  Calhoun, 
but  more  generally  known  as  the  Rip  Raps. 
It  is  an  artificial  island  mjade  by  throwing 
overboard  rocks,  from  vessels  on  the  shoal 
water  with  a  depth  of  20  feet.  The  sound 
made  by  the  pieces  of  stone  thrown  from  the 
vessels  while  making  the  artificial  foundation 
for  this  fort  when  the  heap  neared  the  surface 
of  the  water,  was  "rip!  rap!"  "rip!  rap!"  hence 
the  popular  name  "Rip!  Raps!"  The  official 
change  of  the  name  from  that  of  the  able  and 
distinguished  South  Carolinian  to  that  of  the 
Federal  general  could  not  wipe  out  the  name 
which  came  from  the  "rip  raps"  of  the  rocks. 
These  Federal  officers  were  also  mistaken 
about  solid  shot,  for  the  only  ammunition  used 
by  our  battery  was  shell. 

And  now  let  us  hear  about  the  "Virgin- 
ia's" victories.  When  two  men  figiit  and  one 
cries  "enough !"  he  who  cries  is  whipped. 
When  two  men  clinch  in  a  fight  and  one  dis- 
entangles himself  and  runs  away  lieyond  the 
reach  of  his  antagonist,  he  wiio  runs  is 
wdiipped.  The  "Virginia"  and  "Monitor" 
were  in  close  contact;  the  "Monitor"  drew  off 


to  shallow  water  out  of  the  reach  of  the  "Vir- 
ginia," and  dared  not  return  to  the  contest. 
The  "Virginia"  was  victorious,  the  "Monitor" 
was  defeated.  It  takes  brazen  effrontery  to 
claim  a  victory  for  the  "Monitor"  under  the 
true  version  of  the  battle. 

The  "Virginia"  left    the    Xa\}' 
11:00  o'clock  A.  M.  on  March  8, 
steamed  down  the  river    past    our 
through    the    obstructions,    acn>.■=-^ 

Road,   to  the    mouth    of    the    James    _,, 

where,  off  Newport  News,  lay  at  anchor  the 


Yard  at 
I 861,  and 

batteries, 
Plampton 
River, 


C.  S.  S.  "Virginia"  in   Dry  Dock. 

frigates  "Cumberland"  and  "Congress,"  pro- 
tected by  strong  batteries  and  gunboats.  The 
action  commenced  about  3  :oo  P.  M.  by  firing 
the  bow^gun  at  the  '"Cumberland,"  less  than 
a  mile  distant.  iV  powerful  fire  was  immedi- 
ately concentrated  upon  the  "Vir.ginia"  from 
all  the  batteries  afloat  and  ashore.  The  frig- 
ates "Minnesota,"  "Roanoke"  and  "St.  Law- 
rence," with  the  other  vessels  started  innnecH- 
ately  from  Old  Point.  The  "Virginia"  fired 
at  the  "Congress"  in  passing,  but  continued 
to  head  directly  for  the  "Cumberland,"  which 
vessel  she  had  determined  to>  ruri  into,  and 
in  less  than  15  minutes  from  the  fire  of  the 
first  gun  rammed  her  just  forward  of  the  star- 
board fore-chains.  There  were  heavy  spars 
about  lier  bows,  ])robably  to  ward  off  tor- 
pedoes, through  which  the  "Virginia"  had  to 
break  before  reaching  tlie  side  of  the  ship. 
The  noise  of  the  crashing  timbers  was  distinct- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


79 


ly  lieard  above  the  din  of  tlie  battle.  There 
was  no  sign  of  the  liole  alx>ve  water.  It  must 
have  l>een  large,  as  tlie  sliip  soon  commenced 
to  careen.  The  shock  to  tlie  "\'irginia"  on 
striking  was  slight.  She  immediately  backed 
the  engines.  The  blow  was  not  repeated. 
The  "\'irginia"  lost  her  j)row  and  had  her 
stem  slightly  twisted.  The  "Cumberland" 
fought  her  guns  gallantly  as  long  as  tliey  were 
above  water.  She  went  down  bra\ely,  with 
colors  flying.  One  of  her  shells  struck  the  sili 
ofc  the  bow-port  of  the  ■■\'irginia"  and  ex- 
ploded ;  the  fragments  killed  two  and  wounded 
a  numljer.  The- "\'irginia's"  after  nine-inch 
gun  was  loaded  and  ready  for  firing,  when  its 
muzzle  was  struck  by  a  shell  which  broke  it 
ofY  and  fired  the  gun.  Another  giui  also  had 
its  muzzle  shot  ofif :  it  was  broken-  so  short  that 
at  each  subsequent  discharge  its  port  was  set 
on  fire.  The  damage  to  the  armor  was  slight. 
The  enemy's  fire  appeared  to  be  aimed  at  the 
"\'irginia's"  ports.  Had  it  been  concentrated 
at  the  water-line  she  would  have  been  seri- 
ously hurt,  if  not  sunk.  Owing  to  the  ebb 
tide  and  her  great  draft,  she  could  not  close 
with  the  '"Congress"  without  first  going  up 
stream  and  then  turning,  which  was  a  tedious 
operation,  besides  subjecting  her  twice  to  the 
full  fire  of  the  batteries,  some  of  which  she 
silenced. 

Lieut.  Catesby  Ap.  R.  Jones,  tlie  "Virgin- 
ia's' executive  officer,  says :  "\\'e  were  ac- 
companied from  the  yard  by  the  lugs  'Beau- 
fort,' Lieutenant-Commander  W.  H.  Parker, 
and  'Raleigh,'  Lieutenant-Commander  J.  W. 
Alexander.  As  soon  as  the  firing  was  heard 
up  the  James  River,  the  "Patrick  Henry,'  Com- 
mander John  R.  Tucker:  'Jamestown,'  Lieu- 
tenant-Commander J.  X.  Barney,  and  the  tug 
'Teaser,'  Lieutenant-Commander  W.  A. 
Webb,  under  command  of  Capr.  John  R. 
Tucker,  stood  down  the  river,  joining  us  about 
^  :oo  o'clock.  All  these  vessels  were  gallantly 
fought  and  handled,  aiul  rendered  valuable 
and  effective  service.  The  prisoners  from  the 
"Congress'  stated  that  when  on  lx)ard  that  ship 
it  was  seen  that  we  were  standing  up  the  river, 


'  that  three  cheers  were  given  under  the  im- 
pression that  we  had  quit  the  fight.  They 
were  soon  undeceived.  When  they  saw  us 
lieading  down  the  stream,  fearing  the  fate  of 
the  'Cumberland,'  they  slipped  their  cables, 
made  sail  and  ran  ashore  bows  on.  We  took 
a  position  off  her  quarter  alxjut  two  cables' 
length  distant,  and  ojiened  a  deliberate  fire. 
Very  few  of  her  guns  bore  on  us  and  they  were 
soon  disabled.  The  other  batteries  continued 
to  play  on  us,  as  did  the  'Minnesota,'  then 
aground  about  one  and  one-half  miles  off.   The 

I  'St.  Lawrence'  a'so  opened  on  us  shortly  after. 
There  was  great  havoc  on  board   the  'Con- 

;  gress.'  She  was  several  times  on  fire.  Her 
gallant  commander,  Lieut.  Joseph  B.  Smith, 
was  struck  in  the  breast  by  a  fragment  of  .1 

i  shell  and  instantly  killed.  The  carnage  was 
frightful.  Xocliing  remained  biU  to  strike 
their  colors,  which  they  did.  They  hoisted 
the  white  flag,  half-masted,  at  the  main  and 
at  the  spanker  gaff.  The  'Beaufort'  and  'Ral- 
eigh' were  ordered  to  burn  her.  They  went 
alongside  and  received  several  of  her  officers 
and  some  20  of  her  men  as  prisf.ners.     The 

;  officers  urgently  asked  permission  to  assist 
their  wounded  out  of  the  ship.  It  was  granted. 
They  did  not  return.  A  sharp  fire  of  mus- 
ketry from  the  shore  killed  some  of  the  pris- 
oners and  forced  the  tugs  to  lea\e.  A  boat 
was  sent  from  the  'Virginia'  to  burn  her,  cov- 
ered by  the  'Teaser.'  A  fire  was  opened  on 
them  from  the  shore  and  also  from  the  'Con- 
gress,' with  both  of  her  white  flags  flying, 
wounding  Lieutenant  Minor  and  others.  A\"e 
replied  to  this  outrage  upm  the  usages  of  civ- 
ilized warfare  by  re-opening  on  the  'Congress' 
with  hot  shot  and  incendiary  shell.     Her  crew 

I  escaped  by  lx)ats,  as  did  that  of  the  'Cumber- 
land.'     Canister  and   grape  would  have  prc- 

I  vented  it :  but  in  neither  case  was  r.ny  attempt 
made  to  stop  them,  though  it  has  l^een  other- 
wise stated,  possibly  from  our  firing  on  the 
shore  or  at  the  'Congress.' 

"We  remained  near  the  'Congress'  to  pre- 
vent her  recapture.  Had  she  been  retaken  it 
might  have  been  said  that  the  flag  officer  per- 


So 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


mitted  it,  knowing  that  his  brother  was  an  offi- 
cer of  that  vessel. 

"The  'Patrick  Henry'  received  a  sliot  from 
the  shore  in  one  of  her  boilers  and  had  to  be 
towed  out  of  the  fight.  She,  however,  soon 
returned  and  was  again  hotly  engaged.  A 
distant  and  unsatisfactory  fire  was  at  times 
liad  at  the  'Minnesota.'  The  gunboats  also  en- 
gaged her.  We  fired  canister  and  grape  occa- 
sionally in  reply  to  musketry  from  the  shore, 
which  had  become  annoying.  About  this  time 
the  flag  officer  was  badly  wounded  by  a  rifle- 
ball  and  had  to  be  carried  below.  His  bold 
daring  and  intrepid  conduct  won  the  admira- 
tion of  all  on  board.  The  executive  and  ord- 
nance officer,  Lieut.  Catesby  Ap.  R.  Jones, 
succeeded  to  the  command.  The  action  con- 
tinued imtil  dusk  when  we  were  forced  to  seek 
an  anchorage.  The  'Congress'  was  riddled  and 
on  fire.  A  transport  steamer  was  blown  up. 
A  schooner  was  sunk  and  another  captured. 
We  had  to  leave  without  making  a  serious  at- 
tack on  the  'Minnesota,'  though  we  fired  at 
her  as  we  passed  on  the  other  side  of  the  Mid- 
dle Ground,  and  also  at  the  'St.  Lawrence.' 
The  latter  frigate  fired  at  us  by  broadsides — • 
not  a  bad  plan  for  small  calibres  against  iron- 
clads, if  concentrated..  It  was  too  dark  to 
aim  well.  We  anchored  off  our  batteries  at 
Sewell's  Point.  The  squadron  followed.  The 
'Congress'  continued  to  burn.  'She  illumin- 
ated the  heavens  and  varied  the  scene  by  the 
firing  of  her  o-wn  guns  and  by  ihe  flight  of 
her  balls  through  the  air,'  until  shortly  after 
midnight,  'when  her  magazine  exploded  anrl 
a  column  of  burning  matter  appeared  high  in 
the  air,  to  be  followed  by  the  stillness  of 
death.'  "  I  well  remember  that  even  after  the 
excitement  and  work  of  the  day,  many  of  our 
soldiers  remained  on  the  beach  to  witness  the 
explosion,  and  a  grand  spectacle  it  was ! 

Of  the  appearance  of  the  "Monitor,"  Lieu- 
tenant Jones  says :  "One  of  the  pilots  chanced 
about  II  :oo  P.  M.  to  be  looking  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  'Congress'  when  there  passed  a 
strange-looking  craft,  brought  out  in  bold  re- 
lief bv  the  brilliant  light  of  the  burning  ship. 


which  he  at  once  proclaimed  to  be  the  'Erics- 
son.' We  were,  therefore,  not  surprised  in 
the  morning  to  see  the  'Monitor'  at  anchor 
near  the  'Minnesota.'  The  latter  sliip  was  still 
aground.  Some  delay  occurred  fromi  send- 
ing our  wounded  out  of  the  ship;  we  had  but 
one  serviceable  boat  left.  Admiral  Buchanan 
'  was  landed  at  Sewell's  Point. 

"At  8  :oo  A.  M.  we  got  under  way,  as  did 
the  'Patrick  Henry,'  'Jamestowm'  and  'Teaser.' 
We  stood  toward  the  'Minnesota'  and  opened 
fire  on  her.  The  pilots  were  to  have  placed  us 
half  a  mile  from  her,  but  we  were  not  at  any 
time  nearer  than  a  mile.  The  'Monitor'  com- 
menced firing  when  about  a  third  of  a  mile  dis- 
tant. We  soon  approached  and  were  often 
within  a  ship's  length ;  once,  while  passing,  we 
fired  a  broadside  at  her  only  a  few  yards  dis- 
tant. She  and  her  turret  appeared  to  be  under 
perfect  control.  Her  light  draft  enabled  her 
to  move  about  us  at  pleasure.  She  once  took 
position  for  a  short  time  where  we  could  not 
bring  a  gun  to  bear  on  her.  Another  of  her 
movements  caused  us  great  anxiet\- ;  she  made 
for  our  rudder  and  propeller,  both  of  which 
could  have  been  easily  disabled.  We  could 
only  see  her  guns  when  they  were  discharged ; 
immediately  afterward  the  turret  revolved  rap- 
idly and  the  guns  were  not  seen  again  until 
they  were  again  fired.  "W'e  wondered  how 
proi>er  aim  could  be  taken  in  the  very  short 
time  the  guns  were  in  sight.  The  'Virginia,' 
how^ever,  was  a  large  target,  and  generally  so 
near  that  the  'Monitor's'  shot  did  not  often 
miss.  It  did  not  appear  to  us  that  our  shell 
had  any  effect  upon  the  'Monitor.'  We  had 
no  solid  shot.  Musketry  was  fired  at  the  look- 
out holes.  In  spite  of  all  the  care  of  our  pilots 
we  ran  ashore,  w'here  we  remained  over  15 
minutes.  The  'Patrick  Henry'  and  'James- 
town,' with  great  risk  to  themselves,  started 
to  our  assistance.  The  'Monitor'  and  'Minne- 
sota' were  in  full  play  on  us.     A  small  rifle- 


eaui    on    Ijoard    the    'Minnesota." 


on    the 


steamer  alongside  of  her,  was  fired  with  re- 
markable precisi(in.  ^^'hen  we  saw  that  our 
fire  made  no  impression  i)n  the  '^Monitor'  we 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


8i 


(Ictcniiiiied  to  run  into  her  if  possible.  We 
found  it  a  very  difficult  feat  to  do.  Our  great 
length  and  draft  in  a  comparatively  narrow 
channel,  with  but  little  water  to  spare,  made 
us  sluggish  in  our  movements,  and  hard  to 
steer  and  turn.  When  the  opportunity  pre- 
sented, all  steam  was  put  on ;  there  was  not, 
however,  sufficient  time  to  gather  full  head- 
way before  striking.  'The  blow  was  given 
with  the  broad  wooden  stem,  the  iron  prow 
having  been  lost  the  day  before.  The  'Moni- 
tor' received  the  blow  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  weaken  its  effect,  and  the  damage  was  to 
her  trifling.  Shortly  after,  an  alarming  leak 
in  the  bows  was  reported.  It,  however,  did 
not  long  continue. 

"\\'hi!st  contending  with  the  "^Monitor"  we 
received  the  fire  of  the  'Minnesota,'  which  we 
never  failed  to  return  whenever  our  guns  could 
be  brought  to  bear.  We  set  her  on  fire  and 
did  her  serious  injury,  though  much  less  than 
we  then  supposed.  Generally  the  distance  was 
too  great  for  effective  firing,  ^\'e  exploded 
the  boiler  of  a  steamer  alongside  of  her. 

"The  fight  had  continued  over  three  hours. 
To  us  the  'Monitor'  appeared  unharmed.  We 
were,  therefore,  surprised  to  see  her  run  off 
into  shoal  water  where  our  great  draft  would 
not  permit  tis  to  follow,  and  where  our  shell 
could  not  reach  her.  The  l'.;ss  of  our  prow 
and  anchor,  and  consumption  of  coal,  water, 
etc..  had  lightened  us  so  that  the  lower  part  of 
the  forward  end  of  the  shield  was  awash.  We 
for  some  time  awaited  the  return  of  the  'Mon- 
itor' to  tlie  Roads.  After  consultation  it  was 
decided  that  we  should  proceed  to  the  Navy 
Yard,  in  order  that  the  vessel  should  be 
brought  down  in  the  water,  and  completed. 
The  pilots  said  if  we  did  not  then  leave  that 
we  could  not  ])ass  tlie  bar  until  noon  of  the 
next  day.  \\"e  therefore,  at  12:00  M.  {|uit  the 
Roads  and  stood  for  Norfolk.  Had  there  teen 
any  sign  of  tlie  'Monitor's'  willingness  to  re- 
new the  contest  \ve  would  have  remained  to 
tight  her.  ^^'e  left  her  in  the  shoal  water,  to 
which  she  had  withdrawn,  and  which  she  did 


not  lea\e  until  after  we  had  crossed  the  bar 
on  our  way  to  Norfolk. 

"None  were  killed  or  wounded  in  the  light 
with  the  'Monitor.'  The  only  damage  she 
did  was  to  the  armor.  She  fired  41  shots.  We 
were  able  to  receive  most  of  them  obliquely. 
The  effect  of  the  shot  striking  obliquely  on 
the  shield  was  to  break  all  the  iron  and  some- 
times to  displace  several  feet  of  the  outside 
course;  the  wooden  backing  would  not  be 
broken  through.  When  a  shot  struck  directly 
at  right  angles  the  wood  would  also  be  broken 
through,  but  not  displaced.  Generally  the 
shot  were  much  scattered;  in  three  in- 
stances two  or  more  struck  near  the  same 
]>lace,  in  each  case  causing  more  of  the  iron  to 
be  displaced  and  the  wood  to  liulge  inside.  .N. 
few  struck  near  the  water-line.  The  shield 
was  never  pierced,  though  it  -was  evident  that 
two  shots  striking  in  the  same  place  would 
have  made  a  large  hole  through  armor,  wood- 
en backing  and  everything.  The  ship  was 
docked ;  a  prow  of  steel  and  wrought  iron  put 
on  and  a  course  of  two-inch  iron  on  the  hull 
below  the  roof,  extending  in  length  180  feet. 
W^ant  of  time  and  material  prevented  its  com- 
pletion. The  damage  to  the  armor  was  re- 
paired :  wrought  iron  port-shutters  were  fitted, 
etc.  The  rifle-guns  were  sujjplied  with  bolts 
of  wrought  and  chilled  iron.  The  ship  was 
brought  a  foot  deeper  in  the  water,  making 
her  23  feet." 

The  combat  between  the  "\'irginia''  and 
"Monitor"  was  one  of  the  grandest  and  most 
thrilling  sights  I  ever  witnessed.  I  saw  it 
from  the  beach  in  front  of  our  battery  on 
Sewell's  Point,  where  both  vessels  were  in  fuU 
view.  The  day  was  clear  and  bright  with  just 
enough  wind  to  make  wavelets  on  the  Roads 
move  toward  us  in  regular  and  measured  suc- 
cession. I  could  see  the  ])uff  of  smoke  from 
the  port-holes  of  the  vessel,  hear  the  boom 
of  the  cannon,  then  watch  the  solid  shot  which 
had  glanced  from  the  iron  shield  of  the  ship, 
richocheting  over  the  surface  of  the  water  and 
sinking'  as  its  force  was  siicnt  near  our  shore. 


82 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Grand!  sublime!  mag-niticent !  Awful!  was 
the  wrestle  of  these  terrible  iron  monsters  in 
deadly  conflict,  like  some  fabled  leviathans  out 
of  the  broad,  deep  seas.  There,  was  the 
world's  most  radical  change  in  naval  warfare 
— there,  was  the  passing  of  wooden  men-of- 
war. — there,  was  the  greatest  event  in  all  the 
history  of  marine  engagements.  It  had  n:) 
parallel  in  all  the  annals  of  time.  But  one 
year  before  was  published  ''Ordnance  and 
Naval  Gunnery,"'  by  Lieut.  E.  Simpson,  U.  S. 
N.,  designed  as  a.  text-book  for  the  L'nited 
States  Naval  Academy,  which  said :  "Iron 
vessels  are  utterly  unfit  for  war,"  and  giving 
the  comments  of  Sir  Howard  Douglass  on  the 
French  ship  "La  Gloire,"  and  the  British 
"Warrior"  summed  up  that,  "The  opinion  of 
this  great  authority  is,  that  there  is  not  mucli 
to  be  feared  from  these  iron-clad  monsters." 
Alas!  for  the  theories  of  these  distinguished 
writers ;  here  they  were  buried  in  the  waters 
of  Hampton  Roads  in  the  bright  sunlight  of 
a  Sabbath  day  without  hope  of  resurrection. 
A  brilliant  and  magnificent  victory  for  the 
"Virginia!"  The  North  was  overwhelmed 
with  consternation  and  dread  while  the  South 
was  jubilant  over  the  results  of  the  great  bat- 
tle. Presideut  Davis  reported  to  the  Confed- 
erate Congress  on  the  loth  of  April  this  brill- 
iant triumph. 

E.XECL'TU'E   DeP.VRTMEXT, 

April  10.  1862. 
To    the   Scr.atc   and   House    of   Rcl^rcscntatives   of   the 
Confederate   Stales: 

I  herewith  tr:insmit  to  Congress  a  comnumication 
from  the  Secretary  of  tlie  Xavy,  covering  a  detailed 
report  of  Flag-Officer  Buchanan  of  the  brilliant  tri- 
innph  of  liis  squadron  over  the  vastly  superior  forces 
of  the  enemy  in  Hampton  Roads,  March  8  and  g  last. 

Jeffersox  D.wis. 

C0MC.\T    or   the   VIRfilXIA    AXD    MONITOR. 

X.Wy    DEr.VRTMEXT, 

Richmond,  V.\.,  .\pnl  7,  1862. 
Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  copy 
of  the  detailed  report  of  Flag-Ojficer  Buchanan  of  the 
brilliant  triumph  of  his  squadron  over  the  vastly  su- 
perior forces  of  the  enemy  in  Hampton  Roads,  on 
March  8  and  9  last,  a  brief  report  by  Lieutenant  Jones 
of  the  battle   of  the  8th  having  been  previously  made. 


The  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  squad- 
ron in  this  contest  reflects  unfading  honor  upon  them- 
selves and  upon  the  navy.  The  report  will  be  read 
with  deep  interest,  and  its  details  will  not  fail  to  arouse 
the  ardor  and  nerve  the  arm  of  our  gallant  seamen. 

It   will   be   remembered   that  the   "Virginia"   was   a 
';   novelty   in   naval    architecture,   wholly   unlike   any   ship 
that   ever   floated :    that   her   heaviest   guns   were    equal 
novelties  in  ordnance ;   that  her  motive  power  and  her 
I   obedience   to   her   helm   were   untried :   and   her  officers 
:   and  crew  strangers  comparatively  to  the  ship  and  each 
other,  and  yet,  under  all  these  disadvantages,  the  dash- 
ing   courage    and    consunnnate    professional    ability    of 
Flag-Officer   Buchanan   and   his  associates  achieved  the 
most  remarkable  victory  which  naval  annals  record. 

When  the  flag-officer  was  disabled  the  command  of 
I   the   ''Virginia"   devolved   upon   her   executive   and   ord- 
nance officer,  Lieut.  Catesbj'  Ap.  R.  Jones,  and  the  cool 
[   and  masterly  manner   in   which   he   fought  the   ship   in 
j   her  encounter  with  the  iron-clad  "Monitor"  justified  the 
;   high  estimate  which  the  country   places   upon   his  pro- 
i    fessional   merit.     To   his   experience,   skill   and   untiring 
'   industry  as  her  ordnance  and  executive  officer  the  ter- 
rible  effect   of   her   fire   was  greatly  due.     Her   battery 
was  determined  in  accordance  with  his  suggestions,  and 
in  all  investigations  and  tests  which  resulted  in  its  thor- 
ough  efficiency   he   was   zealously   engaged. 

The  terms  of  commendation  used  by  the  flag- 
officer  in  characterizing  the  conduct  of  his  officers  and 
men  meet  the  cordial  indorsement  of  the  Department, 
and  the  concurrent  testimony  of  thousands  who  wit- 
nessed the  engagement  places  his  own  conduct  above 
all    praise. 

W'itli   much   respect,  your  obedient   servant, 

S.    R.    IVLVLLORV, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 
To  THE   President. 

report  of  fl.\g-officer  fraxklix  buchax.\x,  c.  s.  x.wv. 

Naval  Hospital. 
Norfolk,   Va.,   March  27,    1862. 

Sir:  Having  been  confined  to  my  bed  in  this 
l)uilding  since  the  9th  instant,  in  consequence  of  a 
wound  received  in  the  action  of  the  previous  day,  I 
have  not  had  it  in  my  power  at  an  earlier  date  to  pre- 
pare the  official  rc|X)rt.  which  I  now  have  the  honor 
to  submit,  of  the  proceedings  on  the  8th  and  9th  in- 
stant of  the  James  River  Squadron,  under  my  com- 
mand, composed  of  the  following-named  vessels: 
Steamer  "Virginia,"  flag-ship.  10  guns:  steamer  "Pat- 
rick Henry,"  Commander  John  R.  Tucker.  12  guns: 
steamer  "Jamestown."  Lieutenant-Commanding  J.  X. 
Barney,  two  guns;  and  gunboats  "Teaser."  Lieutenant- 
Commanding  W.  .\.  Webb:  "Beaufort."  Lieutenant- 
Commanding  W.  H.  Parker:  and  "Raleigh."  Lieuten- 
ant-Commanding J,  W.  -Mcxander.  eacli  one  gun. 
Total,   27  guns. 

On  tlie  8th  instant,  at  11  .A.  M..  llic  "Virginia" 
left  the  Navy  Yard  (Norfolk),  accompanied  by  the 
"Raleigh"  and  ''Beaufort."  and  proceeded  to  Newport 
News,  to  engage  the  enemy's  frigates  "Ciunberland" 
and  "Congress,"  gunboats  and  batteries.     When  within 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


«3 


less  than  a  mile  of  the  "Cumberland,"  the  "Virginia" 
commenced  the  engagement  with  that  ship  with  her 
bow-gun.  and  the  action  soon  became  general,  the 
"Cumberland."  "Congress."  gunboats  and  sliore  bat- 
teries concentrating  upon  us  their  heavy  fire,  which  was 
returned  with  great  spirit  and  determination.  The 
"Virginia"  stood  rapidly  on  toward  the  "Cumberland." 
which  ship  I  had  determined  to  sink  with  our  prow  if 
possible.  In  about  15  minutes  after  the  action  com- 
menced we  ran  into  her  on  her  starboard  Ix)w.  The 
crash  below  the  water  was  distinctly  heard,  and  she 
commenced  sinking,  gallantly  fighting  her  guns  as  long 
as  they  were  above  water.  She  went  down  with  her 
colors    flying. 

During  this  time  the  shore  batteries,  "Congress" 
and  gunboats  kept  up  their  heavy  concentrated  fire  upon 
us,  doing  us  some  injury.  Our  guns,  however,  were 
not  idle ;  their  fire  was  very  destructive  to  the  shore 
batteries  and  vessels,  and  we  were  gallantly  sustained 
by  the  rest  of  the  squadron. 

Just  after  the  "Cumberland"  sunk,  that  gallant 
officer.  Commander  Jphn  R.  Tucker,  was  seen  stand- 
ing down  the  James  River  under  full  steam,  accom- 
panied by  the  "Jamestown"  and  the  "Teaser."  They 
came  nobly  into  action  and  were  soon  exposed  to  the 
heavy  fire  of  the  shore  batteries.  Their  escape  was 
miraculous,  as  they  were  under  a  galling  fire  of  solid 
shot,  shell,  grape,  and  canister,  a  number  of  which 
passed  through  the  vessels  without  doing  any  serious 
injury  except  to  the  "Patrick  Henry."  through  whose 
boiler  a  shot  passed,  scalding  to  death  four  persons  and 
wounding  others.  Lieutenant-Commanding  Barney 
promptly  obeyed  a  signal  to  tow  her  out  of  the  action. 
As  soon  as  damages  were  repaired  the  "Patrick  Henry" 
returned  to  her  station  and  continued  to  perform  good 
service  during  the  remainder  of  that  day  and  the  fol- 
lowing. 

Having   sunk   the   "Cumberland."   I   turned   our   at- 
tention   to    the    "Congress."     We    were    some    time    in 
getting  our  proper  position  in  consequence  of  the  shoal- 
ness  of  the  water  and  the  great  difficulty  of  managing 
the  ship  when  in  or  near  the  mud.     To  succeed  in  my 
object  I  was  obliged  to  run  the   ship  a  short  distance  ' 
above   the   batteries   on   the   James   River    in   order   to  ! 
wind   her.     During  all    the  time   her  keel   was   in   the 
mud ;  of  course  she  moved  but  slowly.     Thus  we  were 
subjected  twice  to  the  heavy  guns  of  all   the  batteries 
in  passing  up  and  down  the  river,  but  it  could  not  be  i 
avoided.     We  silenced  several  of  the  batteries  and  did  j 
much    injury   on    shore.       A     large     transport    steamer  ; 
alongside  the  wharf  was  blown  up,  one  schooner  sunk 
and   another  captured  and   sent   to   Norfolk.     The   loss 
of  life  on  shore  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining. 

While  the  "Virginia"  was  thus  engaged  in  getting 
her  position  for  attacking  the  "Congress,"  the  prison- 
ers state  it  was  believed  on  board  that  ship  that  we 
had  haiiled  oflf.  The  men  left  their  guns  and  gave 
three  cheers.  They  were  soon  sadly  undeceived,  for 
a  few  minutes  after  we  opened  upon  her  again,  she 
having  run  on  shore  in  shoal  water.  The  carnage, 
havoc  and  dismay  caused  by  our  fire  compelled  them 
to  haul  down  their  colors  and  to  hoist  a  white  flag  at 
their   gaflt    and   half-mast    and    another   at    their    main. 


The  crew  instantly  took  to  their  boats  and  landed. 
Our  fire  immediately  ceased,  and  a  signal  was  made 
for  the  "Beaufort"  to  come  within  hail.  I  then  or- 
dered Lieutenant-Commanding  Parker  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  "Congress,"  secure  the  officers  as  pris- 
oners, allow  the  crew  to  land,  and  burn  the  ship.  He 
ran  alongside,  received  her  flag  and  surrender  from 
Commander  William  Smith  and  Lieutenant  Pendergast. 
with  the  side-arms  of  those  officers.  They  delivered 
themselves  as  prisoners  of  war  on  board  the  "Beau- 
fort," and  afterward  were  permitted  at  their  own  re- 
quest to  return  to  the  "Congress"  to  assist  in  moving 
the  wounded  to  the  "Beaufort."  They  never  returned, 
and  I  submit  to  the  decision  of  the  Department 
whether  they  are  not  our  prisoners.  While  the  "Beau- 
fort" and  "Raleigh"  were  alongside  the  "Congress." 
and  the  surrender  of  that  vessel  had  been  received  from 
the  conmiander.  she  having  two  white  flags  flying, 
hoisted  by  our  own  people,  a  heavy  fire  was  opened 
upon  them  from  the  shore  and  from  the  "Congress," 
killing  some  valuable  officers  and  men.  Under  this 
fire  the  steamers  left  the  "Congress,"  but  as  I  w-as  not 
informed  that  any  injury  had  been  sustained  by  those 
vessels  at  that  time,  Lieutenant-Commanding  Parker 
having  failed  to  report  to  me,  I  took  it  for  granted  that 
my  order  to  him  to  burn  her  had  been  executed,  and 
waited  some  minutes  to  see  the  smoke  ascending  from 
her  hatches.  During  this  delay  we  were  still  subject 
to  the  heavy  fire  from  the  batteries,  which  was  always 
promptly   returned. 

The  steam  frigates  "Minnesota"  and  "Roanoke" 
and  the  sailing  frigate  "St.  Lawrence"  had  previously 
been  reported  as  coming  from  Old  Point,  but  as  [ 
was  determined  that  the  "Congress"  should  not  again 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I  remarked  to  that 
gallant  young  officer.  Flag-Lieutenant  Minor.  "That 
ship  must  be  burned."  He  promptly  volunteered  to 
take  a  boat  and  burn  her.  and  the  "Teaser."  Lieutenant- 
Commanding  Webb,  was  ordered  to  cover  the  boat. 
Lieutenant  Elinor  had  scarcely  reached  within  50  yards 
of  the  "Congress"  when  a  deadly  fire  was  opened  upon 
him,  wounding  him  severely  and  several  of  his  men. 
On  witnessing  this  vile  treachery.  I  instantly  recalled 
the  boat  and  ordered  the  "Congress"  destroyed  liy  hot 
shot  and  incendiarj'  shell.  About  this  period  I  was 
disabled,  and  transferred-  the  conmiand  of  the  ship  to 
that  gallant,  intelligent  officer,  Lieut.  Catesby  Jones, 
with  orders  to  fight  her  as  long  as  the  men  could 
stand   to  their  guns. 

The  ships  from  Old  Point  opened  their  fire  upon 
us.  The  "Minnesota"  grounded  in  the  north  channel, 
where,  unfortunately,  the  shoalness  of  the  channel  pre- 
vented our  near  approach.  We  continued,  however,  to 
fire  upon  her  until  the  pilots  declared  it  was  no  longer 
safe  to  remain  in  that  position,  and  we  accordingly  re- 
turned by  the  south  channel  (the  Middle  Ground  l)eing 
necessarily  betxveen  the  "V'irginia"  and  "Minnesota." 
and  the  "St.  Lawrence"  and  the  "Roanoke"  having  re- 
treated under  the  guns  of  Old  Point),  and  again  had 
an  opportunity  of  opening  upon  the  "Minnesota,"  re- 
ceiving her  heavy  fire  in  return,  and  shortly  afterward 
upon  the  "St.  Lawrence."  from  which  vessel  were  re- 
ceived  several   broadsides. 


§4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


It  had  by  this  time  becfime  dark  and  we  soon 
anchored  off  Sewell's  Point.  The  rest  of  the  squad- 
ron followed  our  movements,  with  the  exception  of  the 
"Beaufort,"  Lieutenant-Commanding  Parker,  who  pro- 
ceeded to  Norfolk  with  the  wounded  and  prisoners 
as  soon  as  he  had  left  the  "Congress,"  without  report- 
ing to  me.  The  "Congress."  having  been  set  on  fire 
by  our  hot  shot  and  incendiary  shell,  continued  to 
burn,  her  loaded  guns  being  successively  discharged  as 
the  flames  reached  them,  until  a  few  minutes  past 
midnight,  when  her  magazine  exploded  with  a  tre- 
mendous   report. 

The  facts  above  stated,  as  having  occurred  after 
I  had  placed  the  ship  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Jones, 
were   reported  to  me  by  that  officer. 

At  an  early  hour  next  morning  (the  pth),  upon  the 
urgent  solicitations  of  the  surgeons.  Lieutenant  Minor 
and  myself  were  very  reluctantly  taken  on  shore.  The 
accommodations  for  the  proper  treatment  of  the 
wounded  persons  on  board  the  "Virginia"  are  exceed- 
ingly limited,  Lieutenant  Minor  and  myself  occupying 
the  onl\-  space  that  could  be  used  for  that  purpose, 
which  was  in  my  cabin.  I  therefore  consented  to  our 
being  landed  on  Sewell's  Point,  thinking  that  the  room 
on  board  vacated  by  us  could  be  used  for  those  who 
might  be  wounded  in  the  renewal  of  the  action.  In 
the  course  of  the  day  Lieutenant  Minor  and  myself 
were  sent  in  a  steamer  to  a  hospital   at  Norfolk. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  report  of 
Lieutenant  Jones  of  the  proceedings  of  the  "Virginia" 
on  the  gth : 

"At  daylight  on  the  gth  we  saw  the  'Minnesota' 
was  still  ashore,  and  that  there  was  an  iron  battery 
near  her.  At  8  o'clock  we  ran  down  to  engage  them 
(having  previously  sent  the  killed  and  wounded  out 
of  the  ship),  firing  at  the  'Minnesota'  and  occasionally 
at  the  iron  battery.  The  pilots  did  not  place  us  as  near 
as  they  expected.  The  great  length  and  draft  of  the 
ship  rendered  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  work  her.  We 
ran  ashore  about  a  mile  from  the  frigate,  and  were 
backing  15  minutes  before  we  got  off.  We  continued 
to  fire  at  the  'Minnesota,'  and  blew  up  a  steamer 
alongside  of  her,  and  we  also  engaged  the  'Monitor,' 
and  sometimes  at  very  close  quarters.  We  once  suc- 
ceeded in  running  into  her.  and  twice  silenced  her  fire. 
The  pilots  declaring  that  we  could  get  no  nearer  the 
'Minnesota."  and  believing  her  to  be  entirely  disabled, 
and  the  'Monitor'  having  run  into  shoal  water,  which 
prevented  our  doing  her  any  further  injury,  we  ceased 
firing  at   12    (o'clock)    and  proceeded   to  Norfolk, 

"Our  loss  is  two  killed  and  ig  wounded.  The 
stem  is  twisted  and  the  ship  leaks.  We  have  lost  the 
prow,  startward  anchor  and  all  the  boats.  The  armor 
is  somewhat  damaged :  the  steam-pipe  and  smoke- 
stack both  riddled :  the  muzzles  of  two  of  the  guns  ' 
shot  away.  It  was  not  easy  to  keep  a  flag  flying.  The 
flag-staffs  were  repeatedly  shot  away.  Tlie  colors  were 
hoisted  to  the  smoke-stack  and  several  times  cut  down 
from   it. 

"The  bearing  of  the  men  was  all  that  could  be 
desired ;  the  enthusiasm  could  scarcely  be  restrained. 
During  the  action  they  cheered  again  and  again.  Their 
coolness  and  skill  were  the  most  remarkable  from  the  I 


fact  that  the  great  majority  of  them  were  under  fire 
for  the  first  time.  They  were  strangers  to  each  other 
and  to  the  oflicers.  and  had  but  a  few  days'  instruction 
in  the  management  of  the  great  guns.  To  the  skill 
and  example  of  the  officers  is  this  result  in  no  small 
degree   attributable." 

Having  thus  given  a  full  report  of  the  actions  on 
the  8th  and  gth,  I  feel  it  due  to  the  gallant  officers  who 
so  nobly  sustained  the  honor  of  the  flag  and  country 
on  those  days  to  express  my  appreciation  of  their 
conduct. 

To  that  brave  and  intelligent  officer,  Lieut.  Catesby 
Jones,  the  executive  and  ordnance  officer  of  the  "Vir- 
ginia," I  am  greatly  indebted  for  the  success  achieved. 
His  constant  attention  to  his  duties  in  the  equipment  of 
the  ship;  his  intelligence  in  the  instruction  of  ordnance 
to  the  crew,  as  proved  by  the  accuracy  and  effect  of  their 
fire,  some  of  the  guns  having  been  personally  directed 
by  him ;  his  tact  and  management  in  the  government  of 
raw-  recruits;  his  general  knowledge  of  the  executive 
duties  of  a  man-of-war,  together  with  his  high-toned 
bearing,  were  all  eminently  conspicuous,  and  had  their 
fruits  in  the  admirable  efficiency  of  the  "Virginia." 
If  conduct  such  as  his  (and  I'  do  not  know  that  I  have 
used  adequate  language  in  describing  it")  entitles  an 
officer  to  promotion.  I  see  in  the  case  of  Lieutenant 
Jones  one  in  all  respects  worthv  of  it.  .-Xs  a  flag-officer 
I  am  entitled  to  some  one  to  perform  the  duties  of 
flag-captain,  and  I  should  be  proud  to  have  Lieutenant 
Jones  ordered  to  the  "Virginia"  as  lieutenant-conmiand- 
ant ;  if  it  be  not  the  intention  of  the  Department  to 
bestow   upon   him    a   higher   rank. 

Lieutenant  Simms  fully  sustained  his  well-earned 
reputation.  He  fired  the  first  gun.  and  when  the  com- 
mand devolved  upon  Lieutenant  Jones  in  consequence 
of  my  disability  he  was  ordered  to  perform  the  duties 
of  executive  officer.  Lieutenant  Jones  has  expressed  to 
me  his  satisfaction  in  having  had  the  services  of  so 
experienced,    energetic   and    zealous    an   officer. 

Lieutenaiy  Davidson  fought  his  guns  with  great 
precision.  The  muzzle  of  one  of  them  was  soon  "shot 
away.  He  continued,  however,  to  fire  upon  it,  though 
the  woodwork  around  the  port  became  ignited  at  each 
discharge.  His  buoyant  and  cheerful  bearing  and  voice 
were    contagious   and    inspiring. 

Lieutenant  Wood  handled  his  pivot-gun  admirably, 
and  the  executive  officer  testifies  to  his  valuable  sug- 
gestions during  the  action.  Hs  zeal  and  industry  in 
drilling  the  crew  contributed  materially  to  our  success. 

Lieutenant  Eggleston  served  his  hot  shot  and  shell 
with  judgment  and  effect,  and  his  bearing  was  delib- 
erate,  and   e.xerted   a   happy   influence   on    his   division. 

Lieutenant  Butt  fought  his  gun  with  activity  and 
during   the   action   was   gay   and   smiling. 

The  IMarine  Corps  was  well  represented  by  Cap- 
tain Thorn,  whose  tranquil  mien  gave  evidence  that  the 
hottest  fire  was  no  novelty  to  him.  One  of  his  guns 
was  served  effectively  and  creditably  by  a  detachment 
of  the  United  Artillery  of  Norfolk  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Kevill.  The  muzzle  of  their  gun  was  struck 
by  a  shell  from  the  enemy,  which  broke  off  a  piece  of 
the  gun,  but  they  continued  to  fire  it  as  if  it  was  un- 
injured. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


Midshipmen  Foiite.  Mamiadiike.  Littlepage.  Craig 
and  Long  rendered  valiialile  services.  Their  conduct 
would  have  been  credital)lc  to  older  heads,  and  gave 
great  promise  of  future  usefulness.  Midshipman  Mar- 
maduke.  though  receiving  several  painful  wounds  early 
in  the  action,  manfully  fought  his  gun  until  the  close. 
He  is  now  at  the  hospital. 

Paymaster  Scmple  volunteered  for  any  service  and   , 
was  assigned   to  the  command  of  the  powder  division, 
an    important    and   complicated    duly,    which    could    not 
have  been  better  performed. 

Surgeon  Phillips  and  .\ssistant  Surgeon  Garnett 
were  prompt  and  attentive  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties.  Their  kind  and  considerate  care  of  the 
wounded,  and  skill  and  ability  displayed  in  the  treat- 
ment, won  for  them  the  esteem  and  gratitude  of  all 
who  came  under  their  charge,  and  justly  entitled  them 
to    the    confidence   of   the    ofticers    and    crew. 

I  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Department 
to  the  case  of  Dr.  Garnett.  He  stands  deservedly  high 
in  his  profession,  is  the  head  of  the  lists  of  assistant 
surgeons,  and.  there  being  a  vacancy  in  consequence  of 
the  recent  death  of  Surgeon  Blacknall.  I  should  be 
much  gratified  if  Dr.  Garnett  could  be  promoted  to  it. 

The  engines  and  machinery,  upon  which  so  much 
depended,  performed  much  better  than  expected.  This 
is  due  to  the  intelligence,  experience  and  coolness  of 
Acting  Chief  Engineer  Ramsey.  His  efforts  were  ably 
seconded  by  his  assistants.  Tynan.  Campbell.  Herring, 
Jack  and  White.  As  Mr.  Ramsey  is  only  acting  chief 
engineer.  I  respectfully  recommend  his  promotion  to 
the  rank  of  chief,  and  would  also  ask  that  Second  As- 
sistant Engineer  Campbell  may  be  promoted  to  the  first 
assistant,  he  having  performed  the  duties  of  that  grade 
during   the   engagement. 

The  forward  officers — Boatswain  Hasker.  Gunner 
Oliver  and  Carpenter  Lindsay — discharged  well  all  the 
duties  required  of  them.  The  boatswain  had  charge 
of  a  gun  and  fought  it  well.  The  gunner  was  inde- 
fatigable in  his  efforts.  His  experience  and  exertions 
as  a  gunner  have  contributed  very  materially  to  the 
efficiency  of  the  battery.  .Acting  Master  Parrish  was 
assisted  in  piloting  the  ship  by  Pilots  Wright.  Will- 
iams, .Clarke  and  Cunningham.  They  were  necessarily 
much   exposed. 

It  is  now  due  that  I  should  mention  my  personal 
stafif.  To  that  gallant  young  officer.  Flag-Lieutenant 
Minor,  I  am  much  indebted  for  his  promptness  in  the 
execution  of  signals:  for  renewing  the  flag-stafTs  when 
shot  awaj%  being  thereby  greatly  exposed;  for  his 
watchfulness  in  keeping  the  Confederate  flag  up:  his 
alacrity  in  conveying  my  orders  to  the  different  divis- 
ions: and  for  his  general  cool  and  gallant  bearing. 
My  aid.  Acting  Midshipman  Roots,  of  the  Navy :  Lieu- 
tenant Forrest,  of  the  .Army,  who  served  as  a  volunteer 
aid.  and  my  clerk.  Arthur  Sinclair.  Jr.,  are  entitled  to 
my  thanks  for  the  activity  with  which  my  orders  were 
conveyed  to  the  diflferent  parts  of  the  ship.  During 
the  hottest  of  the  fight  they  were  always  at  their  posts 
giving  evidence   of  their   coolness. 

Having  referred  to  the  good  conduct  of  the  offi- 
■cers    in    the    flag-ship    immediately    under    my    notice, 


I  come  now  to  a  no  less  pleasing  task  when  I  attempt 
to  mark  my  approbation  of  the  bearing  of  those  serv- 
ing in   the  other  vessels  of  the   squadron. 

Commander  John  R.  Tucker,  of  the  "Patrick 
Henry,"  Lieutenant-Commanding  J.  N.  Barney,  of  the 
"Jamestown,"  and  W.  A.  Webb,  of  the  "Teaser." 
deserve  great  praise  for  their  gallant  conduct  through- 
out the  engagement.  Their  judgment  in  selecting  their 
positions  for  attacking  the  enemy  was  good;  their  con- 
stant fire  was  destructive,  and  contributed  nuich  to  the 
success  of  the  day.  The  general  order  under  which 
the  squadron  went  into  action  required  that,  in  the 
absence  of  a  signal,  each  commanding  officer  was  to 
e.xercise  his  own  judgment  and  discretion  in  doing 
all  the  damage  he  could  to  the  enemy,  and  to  sink  be- 
fore surrendering.  From  the  bearing  of  those  officers 
on  the  8th  I  am  fully  satisfied  that  that  order  would 
have  been  fully  carried  out.  Commander  Tucker 
speaks  highly  of  all  under  him.  and  desires  particularly 
to  notice  that  Lieut. -Col.  Callender  St.  George  Noland, 
commanding  the  post  at  Mulberry  Island,  on  hearing 
of  the  deficiencv  in  the  complement  of  the  "Patrick 
Henry."  promptly  ofTered  the  services  of  lo  of  his  men 
as  volunteers  for  the  occasion,  one  of  whom,  George 
E.  Webb,  of  the  Greenville  Guard.  Commander  Tucker 
regrets  to  say.  'was  killed.  Lieutenant-Commanding 
Barney  reports  that  every  officer  and  man  on  board  of 
the  ship  performed  his  whole  duty,  evincing  a  courage 
and  fearlessness  worthy  of  the  cause  for  which  we  are 
fighting. 

Lieutenant-Commanding  Webb  specially  notices  the 
coolness  displayed  bv  .Acting  Ma-iter  Face  and  Third 
Assistant  Engineer  Quinn  when  facing  the  heavy  fire 
of  artillery  and  musketry  from  the  sliore  whilst  the 
"Teaser"  was  standing  in  to  cover  the  boat  in  which, 
as  previously  stated.  Lieutenant  Minor  had  gone  to 
burn  the  "Congress."  Several  of  his  men  were  badly 
wounded. 

The  "Raleigh"  early  in  the  action  had  her  gun 
carriage  disabled,  which  compelled  her  to  withdraw. 
.As  soon  as  he  had  repaired  damages  as  well  as  he  could, 
Lieutenant-Commanding  .Mexander  resumed  his  posi- 
tion in  the  line.  He  sustained  himself  gallantly  during 
the  remainder  of  the  day.  and  speaks  highly  of  all  un- 
der his  command.  That  evening  he  was  ordered  to 
Norfolk    for   repairs. 

The  "Beaufort."  Lieutenant-Commanding  Parker, 
was  in  close  contact  with  the  enemv  frequently  during 
the  day  and  all  on  board  behaved  gallantly.  Lieuten- 
ant-Commanding Parker  expresses  his  warmest  thanks 
to  his  officers  and  men  for  their  coolness.  Acting  Mid- 
shipman Foreman,  who  accompanied  him  as  volunteer 
aid.  Midshipmen  Mallorv  and  Xewton.  Cantain's  Clerk 
Bain  and  Mr.  Gray,  pilot,  are  all  specially  mentioned 
by   him. 

On  the  2ist  instant  I  forwarded  to  the  Depart- 
ment correct  list?  of  the  casualties  on  board  all  the 
vessels  of  the  squadron  on  the  8th;  none,  it  appears, 
occurred    on    the   gth. 

While  in  the  act  of  closing  this  report  I  received 
the  communication  of  the  Department,  dated  22nd  in- 
stant, relieving  me  temporarily  of  the  command  of  the 


86 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


squadron  for  the  naval  defense  of  the  James  River. 
I  feel  honored  in  being  relieved  by  tlie  gallant  Flag- 
Officer  Tatnall. 

I  much  regret  that  I  am  not  now  in  a  condition  to 
resume  my  command,  but  trust  that  I  shall  soon  be  re- 
stored to  health,  when  I  shall  be  ready  for  any  duty 
that  may  be  assigned  me. 

Very  respectfully, 

Fr.\nkhn  Buch.^n.^n, 

Flag-Officer. 
Hon.  S.  R.  AI.xllorv. 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


HISTORY 

of  the 

WORLD  F.-VMOUS  BATTLE  SHIP 
'MERRIM.\C VIRGINI.\. 

1855   to   1862. 
A  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCE. 


The  v.  S.  Str.  "jMerrimac"  was  a  steam 
frigate.  Her  luill  was  Iniilt  at  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, her  engines  at  Cold  Spi  ings,  New 
York,  and  she  was  placed  in  commission  in 
1855.  Early  in  1856  slie  was  officered  and 
manned — with  a  crew  of  650  specially  se- 
lected men  and  an  armament  of  50  gurrs.  She 
was  estimated  to  represent  the  best  type  of 
war  ship  then  known,  and  was  sent  to  Euro- 
pean waters  as  a  specimen  of  the  finest  naval 
architecture  then  afloat,  and  from  reports  of 
her  ro}-al  entertainment  abroad  she  unques- 
tionabh'  proved  to  be  all  the  United  States 
government  had  claimed  for  her.  Returning 
after  a  four  years'  successful  cruise  she  was 
ptit  out  of  commission  at  the  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, Navy  Yard,  and  upon  the  evacuation  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  April  19,  1861,  this 
ship,  with  others,  was  dismantled  and  burned 
to  the)  water-line.  After  mature  considera- 
tion the  Confederate  authoritiets  determined 
to  raise  the  'JMerrimac'  and  upon  her  hull  to 
construct  a  powerful  battery  for  the  protection 


of  Norfolk  Harbor  and  the  mouth  of  the 
James  River.  Upon  plans  supplie'd  by  a  Vir- 
ginian the  work  of  construction  ijroceeded  un- 
til its  coanpletion. 

The  "Virginia,"  as  she  was  afterward 
named,  was  covered  amidships  with  a  roof 
170  feet  long,  built  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees, 
constructed  oi  20-inch  heart  pine  and  cov- 
ered with  4-inch  oak.  Upon  this  wood  back- 
ing there  were  two  iron  plates  two  inches 
thick  and  eight  inches  wide,  one  laid  horizon- 
tallv  antl  the  other  vertically,  bolted  through 
the  wood  and  clinched  on  the  inside.  Her 
bow  was  armed  below  water  with  a  cast  iron 
prow  about  6  feet  long,  to  be  used  as  a  ram. 
Her  weakest  element  was  her  motive  power, 
her  old  engines  and  boilers,  which  had  already 
been  condemned.  Her  ordnance  consisted  of 
10  guns;  two  7-inch  steel-banded  Brooke  rifles 
moimted  as  pivot-guns  at  the  bow  and  stern; 
two  6-inch  rifles  of  the  same  pattern,  and  six 
9-inch  Dahlgren  smooth-bore  broadside  guns. 
Her  commander  was  Commodore  Franklin 
Buchanan,  one  of  the  bravest  and  ablest  offi- 
cers of  the  old  service.  Her  second  in  com- 
mand was  Lieut.  Catesby  Ap.  R.  Jones,  dis- 
tinguished both  by  ability  and  great  gallantry. 
Her  crew  numbered  350,  most  of  whom  had 
volunteered  from  the  army  for  the  occasion, 
and  the  emergencies  oi  the  service  allowed  no 
time  for  either  testing  her  engines  or  drilling 
her  crew. 

About  12  o'clock  M.,  March  S,  1862,  tlio 
"Virginia"  cast  loose  from  the  wharf  at  the 
Navy  Yard  and  steamed  slowl}'  to  the  work 
of  the  day — passing  down  the  Elir'abeth  River 
cheered  by  our  batteries,  also  by  the  soldiers 
and  citizens  who  lined  every  available  point 
on  both  sides  oi  the  river  to  witness  the  un- 
tried engagement  of  this  new  idea  war-ship — 
the  result  of  which  was  eagerly  awaited  by  the 
whole  world,  for  never  had  there  been  a  bolder 
attack  than  was  about  to  be  made  that  day. 

Passing  through  the  obstructions  at  Cra- 
ney  Island  she  headed  directly  for  Newport 
News,  where  the  U.  S.  ships  "Cumberland'" 
and  "Congress"  la}-  riding  at  anchor,  blockad- 


1  "  Merrimac "  destroyed  at  the  burning  of  the  Norfolk     4   "  Virginia"  sinking  the    "•Cumberland."   March  8th, 

Na\7  Yard.  April  19th.   1861.  1862. 

2  "  Merrimac  "  in  dry  dock,  being  converted  into  the  iron  ,  5    "  N'irginia  "  engaged  in  battle  with  the  "  Monitor,"  in 

battery  "  Virginia."  !  Hampton  Roads,  March  9th,  1862. 

3  ■■  Virginia"  passing  Fort  Norfolk,  March  8th.   1863.  6  Destruction  of  the  "Virginia."  May  1  ith.  1862. 

7  E.  V.  White,  of  Engineer  Corps,  in  Confederate  Naval  uniform,  taken  Feb.  25th,   1862. 
The  above  views  (Nos.  i-6t  are  taken  from  original  oil  paintings  by  Mr.  B.  A.  Richardson,  of  Norfolk,  Va. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


89 


ing  tlie  James  River.  It  was  calm  and  clear 
— a  Ijeautiful  day — nothing"  in  the  scene  gave 
indication  of  the-bloody  and  mortal  conflict 
soon  to  occur.  Ere  slie  reached  these  sliips 
several  large  men-of-war  started  from  Old 
Point  to  the  help  of  their  sister  sivips ;  among 
tiiem  the  "Minnesota,"  which  grounded  near 
Newport  News  point.  The  "C'umberland" 
was  the  first  to  open  fire,  and  from  these  shots 
the  first  fatality  alx)ard  our  vessel  occurred — 
t\v"0  wounded  and  one  killed — by  shot  strik- 
ing the  hi\g  chain  and  driving  the  same  back 
into  the  ship.  This  opening  fire  was  followed 
immediately  by  the  "Congress"'  and  every 
other  available  Federal  givii  that  could  be 
brought  to  bear  on  the  "Virginia."  Resent- 
ing her  fire  until  within  easy  range  the  "\''ir- 
ginia's"  bow-rifle  was  fired  with  terrible  ef- 
fect :  and,  as  has  elsewhere  been  staled,  opened 
a  hole  in  the  "Cumberland"  large  enough  for 
a  horse  and  cart  to  drive  through.  We  made 
directly  fur  the  "Cumberland."  When  at 
probably  50  yards  distance,  with  slackened 
speed  but  with  determined  purjwse  we  moved 
en  toward  the  gallant  ship  and  struck  her  the 
deadly  blow,  but  with  little  jar  to  the  "Vir- 
ginia." backing  our  engines  until  we  had 
cleared  the  disabled  vessel.  .\  shot  from  the 
"Congress"  struck  the  muzzle  of  one  of  our 
broadside  9-inch  Dahlgren  guns,  breaking  off 
alx)ut  two  feet  of  it,  killing  one  man  and 
wounding  a  few  others.  Reversing  our  en- 
gines we  passed  the  "Cumberland"  which, 
though  now  sinking,  was  bravely  fighting  he'' 
guns  and  exhiljiting  a  heroism  worthy  of  all 
praise,  and  which  entitled  her  to  the  renown 
that  has  since  that  day  l>een  attached  to  her 
name. 

^^'e  then  moved  up  the  James  River  to  "i 
place  of  easy  turning  for  our  ship  and  started 
back,  being  joined  in  the  meantime  by  the 
James  River  fleet,  consisting  of  several 
steamers.  Then,  with  probably  one  hundred 
guns  firing  upon  us  from  variou.;  ]X)ints,  we 
came  within  200  yards  of  the  now  grounded 
"Congress,"  uprm  which  we  opened  fire.  Af- 
ter we    had    delivered    several    w  ell-directed 


shots  that  sent  destruction  tu  that  ship  and 
many  souls  to  their  eternal  home,  she  hoisted 
the  white  flag  and  all  firing  ceased.  Arrange- 
ments were  then  commenced  for  receiving  the 
surrender  and  removing  the  dead  and 
wounded  from  both  the  enemy's  ships  and  our 
own.  While  our  officers  were  aboard  the 
"Congress"  and  many  on  the  upper  deck  of  the 
"Virginia,"  e.xposed  because  of  the  Federal's 
white  flag,  which  was  a  signal  for  help,  be- 
ing displayed,  the  enemy  opened  fire  from  the 
shore  battery  upon  us.  wounding  many, 
amongst  them  Commodore  Buchanan,  shot 
through  the  thigh,  and  Lieutenant  Elinor,  shot 
through  the  side.  Our  boats  were  ordered  to 
clear  the  "Congress"  and  Commodore  Bu- 
chanan turned  the  command  of  ovs  ship  over 
to  Lieut.  Catesby  Jones  and  instructed  him  to 
I  set  fire  to  the  "Congress."  I  received  orders 
for  three  hot  shots  and  soon  that  vessel  was  in 
flames.  The  "Cuml^erland"  the  while  had 
gone  dinvn  beneath  the  waters  of  the  James, 
taking  with  her  in  that  awful  plunge  many 
\\ho  had  gallantly  remained  at  their  posts  of 
duty. 

It  being  now  nearly  dark  and  the  work  of 
transferring  the  dead  and  wounded  to  be  con- 
veyed to  the  naval  hospital  Ijeing  completed, 
we  steamed  over  to  the  buoy  at  Sewell's  Point 
and  came  to  anchor  for  the  night.  As  one  of 
the  unfortunate  ones  at  being  on  first  watch, 
with  so  little  rest,  I  was  only  compensated 
for  the  performance  of  this  ardurais  duty  by 
witnessing  the  grand  and  impressive  sight  of 
the  explosion  of  the  "Congress"  later  in  the 
night — a-  scene  too  solemnly  beautiful  to  at- 
tempt to  describe. 

Some  idea  may  be  gained  from  Northern 
■writers  of  the  consternation  and  excitement 
created  at  the  North  by  this  great  naval  en- 
gagement, from  some  of  whom  I  quote,  as 
follows : 

"The  swift  work  done  by  the  'Merrimac' 
on  this  occasion  spread  consternation  through- 
out the  Northern  States.  The  blockade  of 
the  Atlantic  Coast  maintained  at  that  time 
could  not  long  last  before  this  mightv  and  in- 


1 


90 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


vulnerable  engine  of  destruction.  New  York, 
Boston  and  Washington  would  soon  be  threat- 
ened. The  most  alarming  crisis  of  the  Civil 
War  was  at  hand.  As  the  sun  went  down  that 
night  over  Hampton  Roads  every  Union  heart 
in  the  fleet  and  in  the  fortress  throbbed  with 
despair.  There  was  no  gleam  of  hope.  The 
'Merrimac'  was  impervious  to  balls  and  could 
go  where  she  pleased.  In  the  morning  it 
would  be  easy  work  for  her  to  destroy  our 
whole  fleet.  She  could  then  shell  Newport 
News  and  Fortress  Monroe  at  her  leisure,  set- 
ting e\-erything:  combustible  in  flames  and 
drixing  every  man  frouT  the  guns.  As 
the  news  of  the  terrible  disaster  was  flashed 
over  the  cotmtr}'  by  the  telegraph  wires  all 
faces  wore  an  expression  of  consternation. 
The  writer  was  in  Washington  at  the  time. 
Congress  was  in  session.  The  panic  cannot 
be  descril>ed.  There  was  absolutely  nothing  to 
prevent  the  'Merrimac'  from,  ascending  the 
Potomac  and  laying  the  Capitol  in  ashes,  pro^ 
viding  there  was  sufficient  depth  of  water  to 
float  the  steamer  and  no  one  knew  whether 
there  was  this  depth  or  not,  for  no  one  knew 
the  draught  of  the  'Merrimac'  Baltimore. 
Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston  and  Portland 
were  in  a  state  of  terror.  'The  'Merrimac' 
could  laug'h  at  forts,'  says  Abbott  in  his  his- 
tory. 

"The  experiment  of  an  hour  had  wrought 
an  entire  change  in  the  naval  architecture  and 
in  defensive  fortifications  throughout  the 
world,  ^^'ooden  frigates  had  almost  ceased  to 
be  of  any  value.  The  blow  which  sunk  the 
'Cumberland'  demolished  also  the  fleets  of 
England  and  France.  All  navies  went  down 
with  that  frigate  into  the  abyss  together.  It 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  such  a  night  of 
anxiety,  of  terror,  of  bewilderment,  as  fol- 
lowed the  triumphant  return  of  the  'Merrimac' 
to  her  anchorage  behind  Craney  Island,  this 
world  has  seldom  witnessed  before." 

The  next  morning  Sunday  (March  9th), 
after  an  early  breakfast,  a  consultation  was 
held,  the  command  having  devolved  on 
the     gallant,     able     and    courageous    Cates- 


by    Ap.    R.    Jones,    than     whom     none     de- 
served more  honor  for  bravery  and  cool  dar- 
ing, under    whose    supervision,    as    executive 
ofificer,  it  may  liere  be  stated,  the  construction 
of  the  armament  of  the  shi])  had  been  com- 
pleted.    It  was  decided  to  finish  the  destruction 
of  the  now    almost    abandoned  "^Minnesota.' 
even  while  our  ship  was  taking  water  freely 
at  the  opening  in^  her  bow,  caused  from  the  loss 
of  the  cast  iron  prow,  left  in  the  "Cumberland" 
when  we  ran  into  her.     Our  pumps  had  been 
kept  Inisy  during  the  night  relieving  the  ship 
of  water.     However,  we  got  imder  wa_\-,  mak- 
ing for  the  "Minnesota,"   when  suddenly   we 
grounded  on  what  is  known,  as  the  "Middle 
Ground   of   Hampton    Roads,"    and   there  we 
stuck  for  two  or  three  hours.     But  Ijefore  we 
had  grounded  the  "Monitor"  was  discovered 
coming  out  from  where  the  "^^liunesnta"  lav 
aground.     ^Ve  opened  fire  upon  her  with  our 
bow-rifle,   but   with   no    effect.     Straight    on 
she  came  toward  us  and  when  in  a  good  posi- 
tion she  let  loose  her  heavy  .guns,  giving  us  a 
good  shaking  up.    Thus  she  continued  circling 
around  us,  and  every  now  and  then  throwing 
the  heavy  missiles  against  our  sides.     We,  in 
response,  as  she  passed  around,  brought  every 
gun  aboard  our  ship  to  bear  upon  her.     It  was 
now  Greek  against  Greek :  iron  against  iron ! 
In  the  desperation  of  the  fight  the  ships  closed 
— actually   touching"   sides — hurling   hundred- 
pound  shot  which  rattled  against   the  mailed 
and  impenetrable  sides  of  the  combatants  ni 
this  tremendous  duel  and  glanced  off  like  hail ! 
The  contest  was  for  the  time  so  Ijot  that  the 
muzzles   of  the  hostile  guns   almost   touched 
each  other,  and  both  ship  were  enveloped  in  a 
cloud  of  smoke  which  no  eye  could  penetrate! 
Flash  and  thunder-roar  burst  forth  incessantly 
from  the  tumultuous  maelstrom  of  darkn'^ss ! 
Such  bolts  were  never  hurled  from  the  fab/led 
hands  of  Jupiter  01yni])us!     Xe\-er  Ijefnre  had 
ships  met  carrying  such  heavy  guns.     From 
both    vessels    the    firing    was    executed    with 
great  rapidity  and  with  equal  skill,  l)ut  \\itli 
little  effect  on  either  vessel.     Thus  the  duel 
raged  with  uninterrupted  fur_\-  for  four  long 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


91 


hours.  Howes'cr,  our  weak  points  seemed  to 
\x  known  by  the  commander  of  tlie  "]\Ionitor," 
and  .so  well  did  he  attack  these  that  soon  on 
the  starlxiard  midship  over  the  outboard  dehv- 
erv.  lie  so  l^ent  in  our  plating  that  the  massive 
oak  timliers  were  cracked,  and  from  this  and 
the  continued  ricochet  shots  of  the  "]\Iinne- 
50ta"'  considerable  concern  was  beginning  to 
be  felt  In-  our  commander  and  all  on  board. 
Soon  we  were  relieved  Ijv  the  moving  of  our 
ship  from  the  p<jsition  wliich.  for  such  trying 
minutes,  we  liad  occupied.  Then,  with  a  set- 
tled detemiination  on  the  part  of  our  comman- 
der to  run  the  "Monitor"  down  as  a  last  re- 
sort, seeing  that  our  shots  were  ineffective,' 
I  was  directed  to  convey  to  the  engine  room 
orders  for  every  man  to  be  at  his  ix>st.  We 
cauglit  and  did  run  into  the  "Monitor"  and 
came  near  running  Iier  under  tlie  water ;  not 
that  we  struck  her  exactly  at  right  angles,  but 
with  our  starlxiard  bow  we  drove  against  her 
with  a  detemiination  of  sending  her  to  the 
lx)ttom.  and  so  near  did  we  come  to  accom- 
plishing our  object  that  from  the  ramming 
and  shot  of  our  rifle-gun  that  blinrled  her  com- 
mander, she  withdrew  to  shoal  water  near  the 
"Minnesota,"  whence  we  could  not  follow — 
ne\-er  again  to  offer  or  accejit  battle  with  the 
"Virginia."  After  waiting  on  the  ground  of 
our  victory  without  any  signs  of  her  return, 
for  possibly  an  hour  or  more,  we  steamed  u])  to 
the  Navy  Yard,  receiving  the  shouts  and  huz- 
zas of  the  thousands  of  our  peo]:le  who  had 
witnessed  the  fight. 

I  wish  to  emphasize  the  facts  just  related 
of  the  collision  with  the  "Monitor,"  and  our 
desire  to  repeat  it,  and  of  her  withdrawal  from 
the  field,  as  well  as  her  refusal  then  or  there- 
after to  engage  in  battle  with  the  "Virginia." 
riOtwithstanding  that  this  statement  is  in  posi- 
tive contradiction  to  the  theory  accepted  in 
some  parts  of  the  North  and  published  in  the 
school  histories  of  to-day. 

By  4:00  o'clock  we  were  in  the  dry-dock 
at  the  Navy  Yard.  The  grand  old  ship  was 
a  picture  to  behold.  You  could  hardly  put 
your  hand  on  a  spot  on  the  si<'es  or  smokestack 


lhat  had  not  been  battered  b\-  the  shots  of  bur 
enemy. 

Large  improvements  to  tiie  "\'irginia" 
were  made  under  the  suiJervision  (jf  Commo- 
dore Tatnall,  of  Georgia,  who  had  assumed 
command  owing  to  the  disability  of  Commo- 
dore Buchanan.  These  improvements  con- 
sisted of  a  new  wrought  iron  prow,  port  cov- 
ers, etc.  When  complete  she  went  down  to 
Old  Point  and  offered  battle  to  the  "Monitor" 
and  all  of  the  great  wooden  warships  of  the 
U.  S.  Navy,  including  the  "Vanderbilt."  which 
ship  had  lieen  specially  brought  forward  tO' 
accomplish  our  destruction.  We  manned  care- 
fully four  small  steamers  fully  equipped  to 
capture  the  "Monitor"  if  sh?  came  within 
I'each,  and  while  one  or  more  o.f  these  boats 
might  have  been  destroyed  if  cither  had 
reached  her.  so  well  was  our  late  antagonist's 
build  then  understood,  she  would,  in  my  de- 
liberate judgment,  have  been  ca])tnrcd.  Neither 
the  "jNIonitor"  nor  any  of  the  large  ships  the 
United  States  government  had  ordered  there 
would  come  out  from  under  the  guns  of  Fort- 
ress Monroe,  while  one  of  our  steamers,  the 
"Jamestown,"  was  sent  in  near  Hampton  ;ind 
captured  three  schooners  loaded  with  hay  and 
grain,  and  carried  them  safely  to  Norfolk. 

After  cruising  about  in  challenge  for  bat- 
tle, without  having  it  accepted,  the  Commo- 
dore ordered  a  gun  fired  to  the  windward,  re- 
turned to  the  buoy  off  Sewell's  P(jint,  and  an- 
chored for  the  night.  The  next  day  we  came 
to  Norfolk  for  repairs  to  the  boiler.  .\  few 
days  thereafter,  comjjleting  our  repairs,  we 
heard  heavy  firing  and  received  orders  to  go 
the  help  of  our  batteries  at  Sewell's  Point  that 
were  being  bombarded  by  the  "^Tonitor"  and 
other  ships.  We  were  soon  under  way  and 
steered  directly  for  the  "Monitor"  and  other 
Federal  ships  then  shelling  at  that  point :  but 
as  we  approached  they  ceased  firing  and  re- 
treated below  the  forts,  wc:  following  until 
we  exchanged  several  shots  with  the  Rip  Raps. 
With  considerable  disappoiiitment  Commo- 
dore Tatnall  ordered  the  ship  back  to  her  buoy 
at  Sewell's  Point.     The  next  dav,  I  think,  or 


9-2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


soon  thereafter,  we  noticed  our  batteries  were 
not  flying  our  fiag  and  upon  inquiring  the 
cause  we  learned  that  Norfolk  was  being  evac- 
uated, thus  ending  the  necessity  for  holding 
our  present  position. 

The  next  thing  to  do  was  either  to  go  out 
to  sea,  which  all  agreed  to  do  if  permitted,  or 
to  go  up  the  James  River.  Orders  were  re- 
ceived to  go  up  to  Richmond.  Upon  consul- 
tation with  the  pilots  we  learned  that  if  we 
could  lighten  the  ship  enough  to  let  her  draw 
four  or  five  feet  less  we  could  get  over  the  bar. 
This  action  was  agreed  upon  and  all  were  ser 
to  work  throwing  over  the  ballast  and  other 
articles  in  order  to  bring  her  up  to  i8  feet 
draught.  We  were  informed,  however,  by 
12  o'clock  Saturday  night  that  we  could  not 
get  up  the  river  for  some  reason  and  now  being 
exposed  by  having  some  two  feet  of  the 
wooden  hull  out  of  the  water,  nothing  was 
left  but  to  destroy  the  ship  in  order  to  keep 
her  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
She  was  then  run  aground  above  Craney  Isl- 
and and  the  work  of  destruction  commenced. 
We  had  but  few  boats  with  which  to  land  our 
large  crew  safely  on  shore:  consequentlv  we 
had  to  leave  all  our  personal  effects  on  board 
the  steamer. 

I  was  one  of  lo  selected  to  destroy  the 
ship  and  held  the  light  for  Mr.  Oliver,  the 
gunner,  to  uncap  the  powder  in  the  magazine 
to  insure  a  quick  explosion  and,  necessarily, 
was  among  the  last  to  leave  her  decks.  A 
more  beautiful  sight  I  never  beheld  than  that 
great  ship  on  fire;  the  flames  issuing  from  the 
port-holes,  through  the  grating  and  smoke- 
stack. That  conflagration  was  a  sight  ever  to 
be  remembered. 

Thus  closed  ihe  life^Saturday  night.  May 
12,  1862 — of  our  gallant  sliip.  Our  crew 
landing  Sunday  morning,  possiblv  about  4 
o'clock,  we  had  to  walk  to  Suffolk,  arriving 
there  that  night,  ha\'ing  been  without  food 
since  Saturday  noon.  We  took  the  train  and 
reached  Richmond  the  next  da}-  and  were  or- 
dei-ed  to  Drury's  Bluff.  There  we  kept  the 
enemy  from  Richmond — stopped  the  progress 


of  the  entire  fleet,  including  the  "Monitor/' 
that  had  refused  to  meet  the  same  men  when 
on  the  decks  of  the  "Virginia."  With  consid- 
erable loss  to  them,  and  but  little  to  us,  we 
drove  the  entire  Federal  fleet  back  down  the 
river. 

E.   V.   White,  of  Georgia, 
(now  a  resident  of  Portsmouth.  Va.) 
Ass't  Engineer  Str.  "Virginia,"  C.  S.  Navy. 

In  writing  the  above  recollections  I  think 
it  pertinent  to  state  my  position  during  those 
trying  times  of  the  memorable  "\^irginia." 

I  was  stationed  on  the  gun  deck  in  charge 
of  the  gong  and  speaking  tube  leading  to  the 
engine  room  and  directly  under  the  command- 
ing officer  of  the  ship  for  conveying  his  orders 
to  that  department  for  starting,  liacking  and 
stopping  the  engines  and  bringing  hot  shot 
to  the  guns  from  the  fire-room — having  five 
port-holes  on  bow  and  sides  through  which  to 
witness  all  that  was  occurring  during  those 
days. 

E.  V.  w. 

The  commander  of  the  "Gassendi,"  a 
French  man-of-war,  who  witnessed  the  com- 
bat, made  a  report  to  his  government  from 
which  the  following  are  extracts : 

"On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  light  breeze 
from  the  N.  N.  \\'. ;  very  fine  weather;  slight 
ebb  tide.  About  12:40,  a  mass,  having  the 
appearance  of  a  barrack's  roof  surmounted  by 
a  large  funnel,  appeared  at  the  entrance  of 
Elizabeth  River,  a  little  inside  of  Sewell's 
Point.  Every  one  recognized  the  'Merrimac' 
immediately,  which,  accompanied  by  two  gun- 
boats, the  'Beaufort'  and  the  'Raleigh,'  ad- 
vanced slowly  toward  the  channel  of  Hamp- 
ton Roads.  After  several  evolutions,  executed 
doubtless  to  assure  herself  of  the  good  work- 
ing of  her  machinery,  the  'Merrimac'  seemed 
for  an  instant  to  turn  back  toward  Norfolk; 
but  in  a  short  after  she  boldly  started  again  on 
her  course  at  an  apparent  speed  of  six  knots, 
standing  for  the  Federal  sailing  frigates 
'Cumberland'  and  'Congress,'  anchored  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Tames  Ri\er.     The  two  gun- 


( 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


93 


boats  remained  at  the  entrance  of  the  Elizabeth 
River  to  watcli  the  movement  of  the  Federal 
vessels  anchored  off  Fortress  Monroe. 

"The  Federal  na\-al  force  at  the  anchorage 
consisted  of  the  screw  frigate  'Minnesota,'  for 
more  than  a  month  cleared  for  action,  with 
steam  up;  of  the  screw  frigate  'Roanoke.'  also 
cleared  for  action,  but  which  an  inexplicable 
negligence  had  allowed  to  remain  for  four 
months  with  her  main  shaft  broken,  and  which 
tried  to  deceive  the  enemy  b}-  a  useless  blowing 
off  of  steam:  of  the  sailing  frigate  'St.  Law- 
rence,' which  had  arrived  the  da)-  before  to 
replace  the  'Cumberland'  at  Newport  News, 
and  which  had  anchored  at  quite  a  distance 
outside:  of  (wo  three-masted  ships,  each 
armed  with  six  cannon.  There  were  besides 
four  gunboats,  paddle-wheel  or  screw :  half 
a  dozen  tugboats  (each  carrying  a  30-pounder 
Parrott),  and  an  equal  number  of  ferry  boats. 
Not  one  of  these  vessels  appeared  to  notice  the 
arrival  of  their  formidable  enemy  in  the  Roads 
and  it  was  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
after  her  appearance  that  a  shot  fired  by  one 
of  the  giinboats  announced  that  she  was  in 
sight. 

":\t  about  i  :30  the  'Minnesota'  hoisted  her 
jib  and  started  at  moderate  speed,  aided  bv  a 
tugboat  towing  by  the  starboard  side.  The 
'Roanoke,'  towed  by  two  tugboats,  followed 
her  more  slowly  still.  Having  arrived  near 
the  Rip  Raps  the  'Minnesota'  stopped  and  ran 
out  lines  as  though  to  take  the  'Roanoke'  in 
tow:  l)ut  she  soon  appeared  to  relinquish  that 
and  about  2  o'clock  she  at  length  started  at 
a  speed  of  seven  or  eight  knots  standing 
toward  Newport  News,  where  the  engagement 
took  i>lace.  Her  tuglxiat  (the  'Dragon'),  then 
went  to  the  aid  of  the  'Roanoke,'  which  con- 
tinued to  advance  slowly,  her  three  tugs  be- 
ing unable  without  great  difficultv  to  make  her 
stem  the  current. 

"The  paddle-wheel  gunboat,  '\\'hitehall,' 
and  the  screw  gunboat  ,  'Mystic,'  bore  ofi 
toward  Newport  News  also,  but  they  took  a 
very  minor  part  in  the  fight.  As  these  vessels 
come  abreast  of  Sewell's   Point  batterv   that 


battery  oi^ened  fire  on  them.  They  replied  to 
it;  but  this  fire  at  long  range  (about  2,500 
meters),  to  which  was  added  that  of  the  Rip 
Raps,  could  Init  jiroduce  an  insignificant  effect. 

"About  2  :30  the  'Minnesota'  ran  aground 
on  the  shoals  north  of  Hampton  Middle 
Ground,  a  mile  from  Newport  News.  The 
Southern  batteries  and  gunboats  fired  upon  her 
at  long-  range.  The  'Roanoke'  fearing,  doubt- 
less, to  take  ground  also,  which  her  want. of 
speed  rendered  imminent,  then  changed  her 
course  and,  spreading  her  sails,  came  back  to 
the  anchorage  off  the  Fortress,  where  she  ar- 
rived about  4  o'clock.  The  tugs  went  to  the 
aid  of  the  "Minnesota.'  The  'Mystic'  came 
back  to  thel  anchorage  also  about  the  same 
hour,  and  the  frigate,  'St.  Lawrence,'  which 
up  to  that  time  had  steadily  proceeded  toward 
the  scene  of  the  engagement,  imitated  likewise 
the  maneuver  of  tlie  'Roanoke'  and  'M)'stic.' 

"The  'Merrimac,'  howe\-er.  had  continued 
to  direct  her  course  toward  the  frigates  which 
she  wished  to  destroy.  The  two  gunboats  had 
rejoined  her  and  at  2  o'clock  she  was  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  James  River.  She  was  immedi- 
ately greeted  by  a  violent  cannonade  from  the 
two  frigates  and  from  the  batteries  of  New- 
port News.  The  Confederate  battery  at  Pig 
Point  replied.  The  fight  was  then  hidden 
from  us  in  a  great  measure  by  the  point,  which 
allowed  us  to  see  only  the  masts  of  the  frig- 
ates :  but  w-e  were  able  to  estimate  the  force 
of  the  fire,  which  during  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
particularly,  was  of  the  hottest.  We  could 
see  the  entrance  of  the  river  constantly  swept 
in  all  directions  by  the  shot  that  ricochetted 
and  the  strength  of  the  detonations  indicated 
to  us  that  they  were  guns  of  the  heaviest  cali- 
bre, which  were  testing  the  armor  of  the  'Mer- 
rimac' This  vessel,  after  having  delivered  a 
broadside  at  the  'Congress,'  the  nearest  of  the 
two  frigates,  advanced  toward  the  'Cumber- 
land,' whose  formidal)le  batter\-  might  well 
be  dreaded,  and  struck  her  amidships  at  a 
speed  of  four  or  five  knots,  partially  breaking 
her  ram.  .\fter  drawing  off  two  ships'  lengths, 
and   having  delivered   a  second  broadside  at 


94 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  'Congress,'  the  'Merrimac'  a  second  time 
i-ammed  the  'Cumberland,'  whicli  sank  ahnost 
immediatel)'.  It  was  then  about  2  -.^o.  It 
^\■ould  seem  that  this  second  blow  Avas  unnec- 
essary. 

"The  two  steamers,  'Yorktown'  and 
'Jamestown,'  which,  having'  descended  the 
James  River,  'awaited  a  little  higher  up  the 
moment  of  attack,  after  having  opened  lire 
upon  the  'Congress'  in  passing',  appeared  in 
Hampton  Roads  and  engaged  in  a  very  sharp 
light  with  the  twoi  Federal  gunboats  and  tlie 
stranded  'Minnesota.' 

"The  'Merrimac'  reappeared  also  outside 
the  point,  fired  alternate!}'  at  the  'Congress' 
and  the  batteries  of  Newport  News,  while  the 
Southern  gunboats  did  likewise.  Toward  3 
o'clock  that  frigate  hoisted  her  jib,  sheeted 
home  her  topsails,  ran  forward  a  ship's  length 
and  grounded  immediately  on  the  sand  banks 
south  of  the  entrance  of  the  river.  Almost  at 
the  same  instant  she  struck  her  colors,  which 
she  replaced  by  a  white  flag  and  a  little  later 
she  hoisted  another  at  the  mainmast. 

"It  was  at  this  time  that  the  following  inci- 
dent occurred,  of  which  the  Southern  papers 
complain : 

"So  soon  as  the  white  flag  had  announced 
to  the  Confederates  the  surrender  of  the  frig- 
ate, they  ceased  firing'  and  one  of  their  gun- 
boats, the  'Raleigh,'  approached  her  and  ran 
alongside  of  her  on  the  starboard  side  to  take 
off  the  officers  and  to  tell  the  crew  to  go  ashore 
in  their  boats ;  but  at  the  moment  that  the  gun- 
boat in  good  faith  came  alongside  the  frigate 
guns  fired  by  the  Federals  hid  i-n  the  edge  of 
the  woods  and  snnie  also  from  the  'Congress,', 
killed  and  wounded  many  officers  and  sailors 
of  the  'Raleigh.'  Some  men,  even  on  the  'Con- 
gress,' were  struck  by  balls  coming  from  the 
land.  This  incident,  of  which  the  Confeder- 
ates have  bitterly  complained,  has  been  copied 
by  the  majority  of  the  Northern  newspajiers : 
not  one  has  contradicted  it.  One  of  them  (the 
Nexv  York  Herald,  of  the  14th)  has,  on  the 
contrary  confirmed  it. 

"The  '^Nlerrimac'  continued  to  fire  at  the 


batteries  of  Newport  News  up  to  the  moment 
that  the  'Raleigh'  drew  off  from  the  'Congress' 
(about  4  o'clock).  All  of  them  drew  near  to 
the  'Minnesota"  which,  still  aground  and 
slightly  inclined  to  starboard  and  surrounded 
by  three  or  four  gunl)oats,  exchanged  shots  at 
long  range  with  the  'Yorktown'  and  'James- 
town.' The  'Roanoke'  was  already  en  roiile 
for  the  anchorage.  The  'St.  Lawrence,'  which 
arrived  on  the  scene  of  action,  took  part  but 
for  a  short  time  and  everything  looked  as 
though  the  resistance  of  the  'Minnesota'  could 
not  be  prolonged. 

"However,  the  shoalness  of  the  water  did 
not  permit  the  'Merrimac'  to'  draw  near  tO'  the 
frigate  and  the  other  vessels  were  of  too  slight 
a  build  to  expose  themselves  near  her  power- 
ful battery. 

"The  combatants  appeared,  besides,  ex- 
liausted  by  the  emotions  and  fatigue  of  a  con- 
tinued struggle  of  more  than  three  hours.  Per- 
haps the  Confederates,  almost  sure  of  taking 
the  frigate  on  the  morrow,  did  not  wish  to 
damage  the  hull  nor  the  machinerj'  too  much. 
However  it  may  be,  the  fire  slackened  a  great 
deal.  About  6  o'clock  it  had  entirely  ceased 
and  the  vessels  disappeared  little  by  little  {n 
the  fog  which  obscured  the  horizon.  i\t  7:30 
the  'Congress'  was  on  fire  and  blew  u]>  at 
midnight  with  a  tremendous  report.  The  Con- 
federates had  succeeded,  besides,  in  cutting  out 
in  the  James  River  and  taking  to  Norfolk  the 
water  tank  'Reindeer,'  .which  alone  supplied 
the  fort  and  vessels  with  water. 

"Everything  seemed  des])erate  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  8th  and  a  general  panic  appeared 
to  take  possession  of  everyone.  The  terrible 
engine  oif  war,  so'  often  announced,  had  at 
length  appeared  and  in  an  hour  at  most  had 
destroyed  two  of  the  strongest  ships  of  the 
Union,  silenced  twO'  powerful  land  batteries 
and  seen  the  rest  of  the  naval  force,  wliich  the 
day  before  blockaded  the  two  rivers,  retreat 
before  her.  Several  vessels  changed  their  an- 
chorage and  all  held  themselves  in  readiness 
to  stand  out  to'  sea  at  the  first  movement  of 
the  enemy.     Everything  was  in  confusion  at 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


9S 


Fortress  ^lonroe;  ferry  boats,  gunboats  and 
tugboats  were  coming  and  going  in  all  direc- 
ti(ins:  dnnns  and  bugles  beat  and  sounded 
with  unusual  spirit.  Fortress  Monroe  and 
the  batten.-  of  the  Rip  Raps  exchanged  night 
signals  without  intermission.  In  spite  of  the 
assistance  of  half  a  dozen  steamers,  the  'Min- 
nesita'  could  not  succeed  in  getting  afloat 
again  and  I  learned  that  a  council  of  war  held 
on  the  subject  even  entertained  for  a  moment 
the  thought  of  burning  her.  Already  seven  or 
eight  giuis  had  been  thrown  overboard  and 
some  others  spiked,  when  alx>ut  8 140  the 
"Monitor  (Ericsson  battery)  arrived,  which 
was  to  save  the  '^linnesota'  and  the  rest  of  the 
\essels  at  the  anchorage. 

"The  sending  of  this  new  auxiliary  restored 
the  shaken  confidence.  She  immediately  direct- 
ed her  course  toward  the  place  where  the  frig- 
ate was  stranded  and  anchored  beside  her. 
The  Confederate  vessels  had  taken  their  posi- 
tion under  Sewell's  Point,  and  the  nig-ht  passed 
without  incident,  each  one  awaiting  viith  im- 
patience the  results  of  the  trial  of  the  morrow. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  9th,  slight  breeze 
from  the  east;  ver}'  fine  weather;  light  fog. 

"At  daylight,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Eliz- 
abeth River,  the  Confederate  vessels  were  seen 
under  steam,  the  'Minnesota'  still  unmovable, 
and  to  the  left  of  her,  scarcely  visible,  a  small 
black  mass,  surmounted  by  a  curl  of  smoke. 

"At  8  o'clock  the  fog  completelv  dispersed. 
The  T^Ierrimac'  preceded  by  the  'Jamestown' 
and  'Yorktown,'  stood  for  the  Federal  frigate. 
The  ligliter  vessels  commenced  the  attack,  but 
tlie  little  jjlack  mass  had  put  itself  in  motion 
and  soon  a  cloud  of  smoke  and  the  noise  of 
two  loud  reports  apprised  the  gunboats  with 
whom  they  had  to  deal.  They  were  then  seen 
to  abandon  the  attack  and  retire  under  the  bat- 
teries of  Sewell's  (Point),  leaving  the  'Merri- 
mac'  to  defend  alone  the  honor  of  their  young 
flag.  The  '^linnesota,'  occupied  in  efforts  to 
get  herself  afloat,  only  tcwik  part  in  the  fight 
at  long  intenals,  and  the  action  resolved  it- 
self into  a  veritable  duel  between  two  batteries. 
They  engaged   in   the   fight   at   first   at   long 


range,  but  tlie  two  enemies  were  not  slow  in 
coming  together,  each  one  striving  to  find  the 
weak  spot  in  the  armor  of  her  adversary.  In 
this  contest  of  naval  tactics  entirely  in  a  nar- 
row channel  of  little  depth,  the  'Monitor,' 
whose  draft  is  not  half  that  of  the  'Merrimac,' 
had  an  enormous  advantage  over  the  latter. 
Sure  of  her  workings  she  could  run  at  full 
speed,  approach  or  retire,  as  she  judged  best, 
without  fear  of  running  aground.  The  Con- 
federate batterv\,  on  the  contrary,  could  not 
move  nor  perform  any  e^^olutions  except  with 
the  greatest  precaution,  in  spite  of  the  evi- 
dent great  skill  of  her  pilot. 

"At  the  commencement  of  the  action  she 
grounded  and  remained  immovable  for  a  cjuar- 
ter  of  an  hour.  However,  the  fight  continued 
with  an  equal  ardor.  Several  times  in  their 
evolutions  the  two  adversaries  fired  upon  each 
other  at  a  distance  of  a  few  meters,  and  in 
spite  of  their  powerful  batteries  the  projectiles 
bounded  off  perfectly  harmless,  apparently. 

"Once  the  'Merrimac'  ran  into  the  ']\Ioni- 
tor,'  but  whethsr  her  ram  had  been  completely 
broken  the  day  before  or  whether  it  was  placed 
too  high,  she  struck  her  enemy  at  the  water- 
line  and  produced  only  a  slight  depression  on 
the  powerful  armor  plating  which  protected 
that  part.  Shortly  after,  the  flagstaff"  of  the 
-Merrimac'  was  shot  away  by  a  ball  and  the 
tops  in  the  Roads,  as  well  as  the  ramparts  of 
the  fortress,  saluted  this  accident  with  frantic 
hurrahs  as  a  victory.  But  soon  a  sailor  ap- 
peared on  the  gratings  showing  at  the  end  of 
a  staff  the  flag  which  had  for  an  instant  dis- 
appeared. 

"Two  or  three  times  the  Ericsson  battery 
drew  near  to  the  'Minnesota'  and  stopped  fir- 
ing to  cool  her  guns.  The  frigate  then  fired  a 
broadside  at  the  'Merrimac'  which  replied 
witli  energ}-,  and  one  of  her  Ixills  struck  the 
boiler  of  the  tugboat  'Dragon,'  w-hich  moored 
alongside  of  the  stranded  vessel  held  herself 
in  readiness  to  take  her  in  tow.  The  boiler 
exploded,  causing  the  'Dragon'  to  sink,  scald- 
ing and  wounding  several  men. 

"At  length,  about  12:30,  after  four  hours 


96 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  fighting,  the  'Merrimac'  started  for  Sewell's 
Point. 

"The  'Monitor'  came  up  to  the  'Minnesota' 
and  a  Httle  while  after  all  the  Confederate  flo- 
tilla returned  to  Norfolk. 

"During  tlie  following  nieht  the  stranded 
frigate  was  gotten  afloat,  and  at  2  a.  m.  of  the 
1 0th,  one  of  the  gunboats  which  had  taken  part 
in  the  fight,  the  'Whitehall,'  took  fire  and  ble-w 
up  at  two  caible  lengths  from  the  'Gassendi.' 
At  da}-light  the  'Minnesota'  and  tlie  'Monitor' 
anchored  in  the  Roads. 

"The  'Merrimac'  appeared  to  me  to  have 
received  50  or  60  shot.  The  funnel  was 
literally  riddled,  and  the  flagstaff  shot  away. 
None  of  the  shot  had  made  a  very  serious  im- 
pression. The  first  iron  plate  of  the  armor, 
sometimes  the  second,  was  broken,  but  no- 
where was  the  armor  penetrated.  Owing  to 
the  slope  of  the  sides,  even  when  the  iron 
would  break  under  the  blow,  there  was  no  in- 
ternal bending  of  the  entire  structure,  as  near- 
ly always  happened  tO'  the  Ericsson  battery. 
The  unbroken  plate  remained  almost  intact. 
However,  from  the  concussion  caused  by  two 
shots,  one  at  the  edge,  the  other  below  the 
water-line,  a  piece  of  wood  flew  ofif  inside, 
but  the  vessel  did  not  make  water  in  either 
case.  The  sloping  arrangement  of  the  sep- 
arate and  not  very  wide  plates,  fastened  on 
the  inside  by  nut-bolts,  allowed  the  'Merrimac' 
to  be  promptly  repaired. 

"During-  the  morning  of  the  9th  a  ball 
from  the  'Monitor'  parted  her  ('Merrimac's') 
chain  a  little  below  the  hawse  hole,  the  anchor 
dropped  and  the  chain,  violently  driven  in- 
ward, seriously  wounded  a  man.  A  gun  was 
broken  at  the  muzzle.  They,  nevertheless,  con- 
tinued to  fire  it  without  accident. 

"It  is  asserted  that  at  the  time  of  the  ram- 
ming of  the  'Cumberland'  a  part  of  her  crew 
leaped  on  the  roofing  of  the  'Merrimac,'  but 
they  slid  off  the  incline  plane  and  the  greater 
part  were  drowned.  It  is  doubtless  tO'  this 
incident  that  the  disappearance  of  200  men 
from  that  ship  is  due. 

"The  'Monitor'  was  hit  Ijy  23  projectiles. 


Some  shells  were  thrown  Ijy  the  'Minnesota" 
at  the  'Merrimac,'  and  they  produced  no  more 
effect  than  a  blow  of  a  hammer.  The  balls 
from  the  'Merrimac,'  especially  those  fired  al- 
most muzzle  to  muzzle,  produced  some  re- 
sults. Three  cylindro-conical  balls  fired  from 
the  rifle  guns  made  an  indentation  nearly  four 
inches  deep  on  the  armor  plating.  Two  of 
them  made  an  equally  deep  indentation  on  the 
inside  of  the  turret,  and  a  man  leaning  against 
the  inside  walls  at  the  place  receiving  the  blow- 
was  thrown  forward  and  wounded.  A  third 
projectile  struck  one  of  the  iron  plates  of  the 
pilot-house  and  made  such  a  depression  that 
iron  splinters  were  violently  thrown  off  and 
blinded  the  captain,  who  at  that  moment  was 
leaning  his  head  against  the  plate.  The  other 
shots  which  reached  the  'Monitor,  and  were 
for  the  most  part  round  did  not  appear  toi  me 
to  have  produced  a  very  great  effect,  those  es- 
pecially which  struck  the  sides  perpendicular- 
ly :  two,  however,  struck  the  side  at  the  edge 
of  the  deck,  lifting  and  tearing  it.  causing  the 
iron  plates  to  give  way  and  breaking  three  of 
them.  The  others  onlv  produced  insignificant 
effects." 

The  above  minute  detail  of  the  great  com- 
bat by  a  foreigner  and  disinterested  witness 
should  put  at  rest  forever  the  oft  repeated  as- 
sertion that  the  'Monitor'  defeated  the  'Vir- 
ginia.' The  French  ship  was  at  anchor  be- 
tween Sewell's  Point  and  the  Rip  Raps ;  and 
her  commander  had  a  good  view  of  all  that 
transpired,  and  his  plain  statements  conclu- 
sively prove  that  the  "Monitor"  did  not  obtain 
a  victory  over  the  "Virginia." 

Surgeon  D.  B.  Phillips  of  the  "Virginia" 
reported  the  casualties  of  the  8th  as  follows : 

"Flag-officer  F.  Buchanan  wounded  in  the 
left  thigh,  a  minie-ball  having  passed  entirely 
through  the  fleshy  portion,  grazing  femoral 
artery  and  inflicting  a  serious  wound.  Lieut. 
R.  D.  Minor  wounded  in  the  left  side.  Mid- 
shipman  Marmaduke,    slight   wound    on    the 

arm.     Killed,  Charles  Dunbar,  and Wal- 

deck.  Wounded,  William  Burkes,  seaman; 
John  Capps,  Company  E,  41st  Regiment;  A. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


97 


J.  Dalton,  Company  E,  41st  Regiment;  Em- 
erson Ivas,  seaman ;  and  John  Leonard,  sea- 
man." Tlie  Federal  loss  in  the  battles  of  the 
8th  and  9th  of  Marcii  was  201  killed  and  108 
wounded — the  Confederate  loss,  7  killed  and 
\~  wounded. 

On  the  8th  and  9th  of  March,  1862,  the 
Confederate  States  fleet  successfully  encoun- 
tered, defied  and  beat  a  force  equal  to  2,960 
men  and  220  gmis  as  follows: 

"Congress,"  burned.  480  men.  50  guns. 
"Cumberland."   sunk.   360   men.   22   guns. 
"Minnesota."'   riddled.   550  men,  40  guns.  ' 

"Roanoke."  driven  off,  550  men,  40  guns. 
"St.   Lawrence."  driven  off,  550  men.  40  guns. 
Two  or  three  gunboats,  disabled,  120  men,  6  guns. 
"Monitor."    iron-clad,    disabled    and    driven    off   to 
shoal  water,   150  men,  2  guns. 

Forts  at  Xewport  Xews  silenced,  200  men.  20  guns. 

OFFICERS    OF    THE    "VIRGIXI.V." 

Commodore  Franklin   Buchanan,  of  Maryland. 

Lieutenant  Catesby  .\p.   R.  Jones,  of  Virginia. 

Lieutenant   Charles   C.   Simms,  of  Virginia. 

Lieutenant    Robert    D.    Minor,    of   Virginia. 

Lieutenant   Hunter   Davidson,   of  Virginia. 

Lieutenant  John   Taylor  Wood,   of  Louisiana. 

Lieutenant   J.    R.    Eggleston.   of   Mississippi. 

Lieutenant  Walter  R.  Butt,  of  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia. 

Midshipman    R.    C.    Foiite,   of   Tennessee. 

Midshipman  H.  H.   ^^armaduke,  of  Missouri. 

Midshipman   H.    B.    Littlepage.   of  Virginia. 

Midshipman  W.  J.   Craig,  of   Kentucky. 

Midshipman  J.   C.   Long,  of  Tennessee. 

Midshipman   L.  W.  Roots,  of  Virginia. 

Paymaster.  James  Semple.  of  Virginia. 

Surgeon.  D.   B.   Phillips,  of  Virginia. 

Assistant  Surgeon.  .A.   S.  Garnett,  of  Virginia. 

Captain  of  Marines.  R.  T.  Thorn,  of  Alabama. 

Chief  Engineer,  H.  Ashton  Ramsey,  of  Virginia. 

Assistant   Engineer,   John    W.   Tynan,   of  Virginia. 

Assistant  Engineer.  Louden  Campbell,  of  Virginia. 

.Assistant  Engineer,  Benjamin  Herring,  of  North 
Carolina. 

.Assistant  Engineer,  E.  V.  White,  of  Georgia,  now 
of    Portsmouth.    Va. 

Assistant  Engineer.  E.  A.  Jack,  of  Virginia. 

Assistant  Eneincer.  Robert  Wright,  of  Virginia. 

Boatswain.   Charles   H.   Hasker. 

Gunner.    Hugh    Lindsay. 

Clerk.    Arthur    Sinclair.   Jr. 

Volunteer   .Aid,    Douglas   F.    Forrest. 

Captain.   Thoma-   Kevill,   L'nited   Artillery, 

Pilot,  William   Parrish. 

Pilot.  William   Clarke. 

Pilot,  Hezekiah  Williams. 


Pilot,  George  Wright. 
Sergeant  Tabb,   Signal   Corps. 

Commodore  Josiah  Tatnall  relieved  Ad- 
miral Buchanan  in  command.  On  the  lith 
of  April  he  took  the  "Virginia"  and  steamed 
down  to  Hampton  Roads,  expecting  to  have  a 
desperate  encounter  with  the  "Monitor."  In 
vain  did  the  "Virginia"  endeavor  to  prevail  on 
the  "^lonitor"  to  leave  her  place  of  retreat, 
under  the  guns  of  Fortress  Monroe.  Proudly 
she  sped  to  and  fro  through  the  water,  chal- 
lenging her  opixsnent  to  come  forth  and  do 
battle,  but  the  challenge  was  unheeded.  Find- 
ing her  efforts  to  coax  the  "Monitor"  out  un- 
availing, she  opened  at  4  o'clock,  precisely,  on 
a  large  gimlx>at  and  a  small  tug  boat  with  a 
large  gun  on  her,  both  of  which  kept  lurking 
around  the  shore,  close  into  Hampton  Creek, 
immediately  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chesapeake 
Female  Seminary  (now  the  Soldiers"  Home)  ; 
at  these  she  fired  three  shots,  which  were 
promptly  responded  to  by  each  of  them.  The 
first  shot  the  "Virginia"  fired,  appeared,  from 
the  position  the  writer  occupied,  to  strike  the 
water  and  pass  right  over  the  tugboat,  going- 
over  on  the  land.  The  gun  on  board  the  small 
tugboat  seemed  to  have  a  much  longer  range 
than  that  on  lx)ard  her  larger  consort,  the  shot 
from  which  fell  short  each  time  as  far  as  the 
little  tug  boat's  gun  overshot  the  mark. 

This  battle  was  carried  on  at  long  range, 
be  it  remembered,  as  these  vessels  kept  their 
position  in  shallow  water  where  they  knew 
it  was  impossible  for  the  "Virginia"  to  get  at 
them.  Several  of  the  shot  from  the  little  tug 
boat  passed  away  over  the  "Virginia,"  and 
came  in  verj-  uncomfortable  proximity  to  the 
English  and  French  vessels  lying  in  the  rear. 
There  were  some  nine  or  ten  shots  exchanged 
on  this  occasion,  and  the  "Virginia,"  finding 
it  impossible  to  get  the  "Monitor"  out,  retired 
to  her  anchorage  near  the  city, 

•  The  prizes  captured  by  the  fleet  were  the 
brig  "ilarcus,"  of  Stockton,  Xew  Jersey:  brig 
"Saboah,"  of  Providence,  and  schooner  "Cath- 
rine  T,  Dix,"  of-Accomac,  The  two  brigs 
were  loaded  with  hay — one  of  them  having 


98 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


stalls  for  the  accommodation  of  horses.  The 
schooner  was  not  loaded. 

The  prisoners  numbered  13  in  all. — 11 
■white  men  and  twO'  negroes.  The  latter,  as 
also  three  oi  the  white  men,  hailed  from  the 
Eastern   Shore  of  Virginia. 

The  fleet  returned  about  6  o'clock  and 
came  to  anchor  between  Fort  Norfolk  and 
Cranev  Island.  Shortly  after  their  return,  two 
Federal  steamers,  which  had  been  caught  at 
Newport  News,  and  which  remained  out  of 
sight  while  the  "Virginia"  was  in  the  Roads, 
embraced  the  opportunity  afforded  them  b}- 
her  withdrawal,  to  advantage,  and  proceeded 
at  once  to  Old  Point. 

One  battery  engaged  the  Federal  fleet 
when  they  ])onibarded  the  Sewell's  Point  fort- 
ifications on  the  8th  of  May.  This  attack  was 
vigorously  made  by  the  "Monitor"  and  the 
whole  squadron  from  Old  Point.  The  shower 
of  great  shells  thundered  and  exploded  all 
around  us  and  some  of  the  guns  at  the  main 
fortifications  were  silenced ;  but  as  soon  as  the 
"Virginia"  hove  in  sight  our  assailants  imme- 
diately retreated  under  the  guns  of  Fortress 
Monroe.  Although  thus  twice  challenged,  the 
"Monitor"  would  never  risk  another  fight 
with  the  "Virginia." 

On  the  loth  of  May  the  evacuation  of  Nor- 
folk county  was  ordered  and  all  troops  were 
withdrawn  from  the  seaboard.  The  C.  S.  S. 
"Virginia"  was  destroyed  by  her  own  crew, 
who  had  made  her  the  marvel  of  the  world ; 
Lieutenant  Jones  says: 

"In  order  that  the  ship  might  be  carried  up 
the  James  River  we  commenced  to  lighten  her, 
but  ceased  on  the  pilots  saying  they  could  not 
take  her  up.  Her  shield  was  then  out  of  wa- 
ter; we  were  not  m  fighting  condition.  We 
therefore  ran  her  ashore  in  the  bight  of  Cra- 
ney  Island,  landed  the  crew  and  set  the  ves- 
sel on  fire.  The  magazine  exploded  about  4  .-30 
on  the  morning  of  the   nth  of  Mav.    i86j. 


The  crew  arrived  at  Drewry"s  Bluff  the  next 
day,  and  assisted  in  defeating  the  'Monitor,' 
'Galena'  and  other  vessels  on  the  15th  of  May. 
Commodore  Tatnall  was  tried  by  court-mar- 
tial for  destroying  the  'Virginia,'  and  was  'hon- 
orably accpiitted'  of  all  the  charges.  The 
Court  stated  the  facts  and  their  motives  for 
acquitting  him.  Some  of  them  are  as  follows : 
'That  after  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk,  West- 
over,  on  the  James  River,  became  the  most 
suitable  position  for  her  tO'  occupy ;  that  while 
in  the  act  of  lighting  her,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  her  up  to  that  point,  the  pilots  for  the 
first  time  declared  their  inability  to  take  her 
up.  *  *  *  That  when  lightened  she  was 
made  vulnerable  by  the  attacks  of  the  enemy. 
*  *  >!=  Yi^g  only  alternative,  in  the  opin- 
ion of  the  Court,  was  to  abandon  and  burn  the 
ship  then  and  there,  Avhich,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Court,  was  deliberately  and  wisely 
done.'  " 

There  are  side  by  side  in  the  cemetery  at- 
tached to  the  Naval  Hospital  at  Portsmouth, 
the  graves  of  two  oi  the  subjects  of  Queen 
Victoria,  both  of  whom  were  killed  on  the 
8th  of  March,  1862, — in  the  .same  battle,  but 
on  opposite  sides.  The  "Virginia,"  as  she 
steamed  down  the  harlxir  on  that  day  to  en- 
gage the  Federal  fleet  in  Hampton  Roads,  was 
accompanied  by  several  small  gunboats,  among 
which  was  the  "Beaufort,"  and  on  the  "Beau- 
fort'' was  a  gallant  British  sailor  named  Will- 
iam Robinson.  He  was  a  young  man  only  28 
years  old  and  was  conspicuous  for  his  braver\-. 
He  was  killed  by  a  musket  ball  fired  from  the 
shore  batteries  at  Newsport  News,  and  was 
buried  here.  By  his  side  lies  the  remains  of  a 
young  Irishman,  Thomas  Fay,  who'  was  killed 
on  the  United  States  frigate  "Cumberland"  by 
a  shot  from  the  "Virginia,"  and  thus  these 
two  men,  subjects  of  the  same  nation,  fighting 
as  volunteers  against  each  other,  fell  on  the 
same  dav  and   were  biu'ied  together. 


CHAPTER.  VII 


MILITARY   HISTORY  OF  THE  COVNTY    Continued 

Norfolk  Cointv  indek  Military  Rule — Post-Bellum  or  Reconstruction  Times — 
Patriotism  of  Confederate  Soldiers  ,  and  Sailors — List  of  the  Soldiers  and 
Sailors  of  Norfolk  County — Confederate  •  Flags  and  Great  Seal — Sisters 
of  Mercy. 


The  evacuation  of  Norfolk  county  by  the 
Confederates  was  the  occasion  of  great  dis- 
tress to  the  people  and  their  worst  fears  of 
military  rule  l)y  the  invaders  were  fully  real- 
ized. It  is  a  dark  and  dreadful  chapter  in  the 
history  of  our  county.  The  infamous  tyranny 
of  the  Federal  commanders  exceeded  that  of 
Dunmore's  in  the  Revolutionary  era.  Old 
men,  women  and  children  were  subjected  to 
even,'  conceivable  indignity  from  both  white 
and  black  soldiers,  ^^'here  the  out-posts  were 
stationed  in  the  countn,-,  negro  soldiers  paced 
in  front  of  the  farm  houses  and  sometimes  at 
the  dead  of  night  they  would  fire  musket  balls 
through  the  window  glass  to  terrify  the  de- 
fenseless women  and  children.  Upon  flimsy 
pretexts  old  men  were  thrown  into  prison,  in- 
carcerated in  jails  or  the  casemates  at  Fortress 
Monroe:  savages  of  war  were  turned  loose  to 
tyrannize  over  the  people,  and  destroy  their 
property.  David  M.  Wright,  a  prominent 
physician  and  lesi^ected  citizen  of  Norfolk, 
with  proud  spirit,  resenting  an  insult  by  an  in- 
solent officer  of  a  negro  company,  shot  him 
down  in  hot  blood,  and  was  executed  under 
Butler's  rule. 

A  Confederate  flag  was  stretched  across 


the  narrow  gateway  to  the  ferry  to  force  the 
people  to  trample  upon  it — a  contemptible 
scheme  to  humiliate  the  inhabitants.  A  young 
lady,  not  to  be  forced  to  degrade  her  own  flag, 
picked  it  up.  concealed  it  under  her  cloak  and 
disap|)eared  in  the  crowd.  .\  file  of  soldiers 
was  quickly  called  to  reco\er  the  banner,  but 
could  never  find  the  dashing  girl  who  rescued 
the  Southern  Cross. 

Churches  were  seized,  converted  into  hos- 
pitals, barracks,  and  stables,  and  some  entirely 
destroyed.  Ten  or  12  public  school  houses 
were  torn  down  and  the  material  used  for 
camps. 

The  noble  and  devout  rector  of  Trinity  P. 
E.  Church,  Portsmouth,  who  ministered  to  the 
spiritual  needs  of  his  flock  for  50  years — hon- 
ored, respected,  loved  by  them  and  the  good 
citizens  of  all  denominations,  was  thrown  into 
prison  and  humiliated  as  a  common  felon  be- 
cause he  omitted  from  jjrayers  the  name  of  the 
President 
murdering  his  kinsmen 


whose  minions  were  insulting  and 


Hear  the  Orders ! 


He.xdolwrters,  Xorfolk  and  Portsmouth. 
XoRFOLK.  V.\.,  Feb.   25,   1864. 
fE.xtract.') 
IV'.     It  having  been  reported  to  the  General  com- 


lOO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


manding  that  J.  H.  Wingfield,  of  Portsmouth,  is  an 
avowed  secessionist  and  that  he  takes  every  oppor- 
tunity to  disseminate  his  traitorous  dogmas  much  to 
the  annoyance  of  his  loyal  neighhors.  and  that  on  one 
occasion  at  a  place  of  worship,  while  the  prayer  for 
the  President  of  the  United  States  was  being  read,  his 
conduct  was  such  as  to  annoy  and  disgust  the  loyal 
portion  of  the  congregation,  and  believing  a  wholesome 
example  is  necessary  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Wingfield 
in  particular,  and  the  class  in  this  community  he  rep- 
resents in  general,  men  of  education  and  ability,  who 
use  the  talents  God  has  given  them  for  the  purpose  of 
stirring  up  strife  against  the  government  of  the  United 
States,  it  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  Provost  Marshal 
arrest  Mr.  J.  H.  Wingfield  and  that  he  be  turned  over 
to  Colonel  Sawtelle,  to  work  for  three  (3)  months 
cleaning  the  streets  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  thus 
employing  his  time  for  the  benefit  of  that  government 
he  has  abused,  and  in  a  small  way  atone  for  his  dis- 
loyalty  and   treason. 

By  command  of 

Brig.-Gen.    E.    a.    Wild, 
George  H.  Johnston, 

Capt.  and  A.  A.  G. 

He.\dquarters  i8th  Army  Corps, 

DeP.\RTMENT    of    ^'IRCrNIA    AXD    NoRTH    CAROLINA, 

Fortress  Monroe,  March  i,  1864. 
The   remainder  of   the   sentence   imposed  by  Brig.- 
Gen.    Wild   upon   the   Rev.    Mr.   Wingfield   is   remitted. 
He  will  be  sent  to  Capt.   Cassel's  at  Fortress  Monroe 
for  custody. 

His  punishment  is  remitted  not  for  respect  for  the 
man,  or  for  his  acts,  or  because  it  is  unjust,  but  because 
its  nature  may  be  supposed  to  reflect  upon  the  Christian 
Church,  which  by  his  connection  with  it  has  been  al- 
ready too  much  disgraced. 

By  command  of 

Maj.-Gen.    Butler, 
A.   F.   Puffer, 

Capt.  A.  D.  C. 

The  names  oi  Butler  and  Dnnniore  are  im- 
perishable insignias  of  infamy  to  the  people  of 
Norfo-lk  Cotmtv. 


POST    BELLU.M     OR    RECONSTRUCTION     TIMES. 

The  "Red  Rock"  days  came  upon  the  peo- 
ple of  Norfolk  County  after  Appomattox. 

The  tyranny  of  Butler,  Viele  and  Wild, 
was  reinforced  by  the  swagger  of  the  carpet- 
baggers and  the  1x)asts  of  the  insolent  negroes. 

Confederate  soldiers  bearing  the  honora- 
ble parole  of  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant  were  arrested 
and  dragged  before  the  provost  miarshal  to 
have  the  buttons  cut  from  their  war-worn 
uniforms  in  the  presence  of  gaping,   motley 


crowds  of  negroes  and  whites.  No  despot's 
sceptre  ever  struck  more  crushing  humiliation 
to  a  brave  and  proud  people  than  these  uni- 
formed cormorants  in  the  name  of  Republican 
government.  They  used  the  camp  followers 
to  gather  the  "spoons"  and  rifle  graves  for 
their  pockets.  The  new  Constitution  was  the 
nest  oi  fraud,  which  laid  the  burdens  of  taxa- 
tion to  enrich  the  coffers  of  carpet-baggers, 
who  hood-winked  their  negro  allies  with  the 
cry  of  "40  acres  and  a  mule"  from  the  conhs- 
cated  property.  Intelligence,  worth  and  virtue 
were  silenced  under  the  hideous  rule  of  ignor- 
ance and  vice.  Plunder  under  the  forms  of 
law  was  the  aim  of  the  ravenous  schemers, 
who  cried  aloud  in  the  name  of  loyalty  to  hide 
their  booty. 

The  most  contemptible  of  all  the  crimes  in 
these  unhallowed  days  was  the  shackling  of 
our  captive  chieftain  Jefferson  Davis,  and  the 
indignation  in  every  Southern  home  is  aptly 
expressed  in  the  editorial  of  the  Norfolk  Day 
Book  of  Tuesday  evening,  June  19,  1868 : 
"No  man,  except  with  a  dead  soul,  like  that 
of  the  Tribune,  can  read  the  account  of  the 
shackling  of  Jefferson  Davis,  without  feel- 
ing his  bosom  heave  with  emotion  and  indig- 
nation. The  monstrosity  of  the  order  was  well 
calculated  to  astound  the  political  \-ictim,  the 
embodiment  of  the  lost  cause,  and  make  him 
grasp  for  breath,  and  clutch  his  throat  with 
the  bony  fingers  of  his  right  hand,  his  wasted 
figure  towering  to  its  full  height,  swelling  with 
indignation  and  shrinking,  not  in  terror,  as  is 
said,  l_)ut  in  the  indignation  of  his  courageous 
manhood,  from  the  sight  of  the  rattling  shack- 
les. Properly  did  he  characterize  the  orders 
when,  losing  temporary  control  of  his  feelings, 
he  shouted, — 'They  are  orders  for  a  jailor — 
a  hangman — which  no  soldier  wearing  a  sword 
should  accept.  I  tell  you  the  world  will  ring 
with  this  disgrace.  The  war  is  over,  the 
Siiuth  is  conquered.  I  have  no  longer  any 
countrv  but  America,  and  it  is  for  the  honor 
of  America,  as  for  my  own  honor  and  life, 
that  I  plead  against  this  degradation.  Kill 
me!    Kill  me!'  he  cried  passionately,  throwing 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


lOI 


his  arms  wide  open,  and  exposiiig"  his  heart, 
"rather  than  indict  on  me,  and  mv  people, 
tlirongli  me.  tliis  insnU.  worse  than  death.' 

"He  resisted  witli  all  his  strength,  it  is  re- 
ported, the  effort  of  the  smith  to  place  the 
shackles  on  his  feet,  nntil  at  last  overcome 
they  were  fastened  on.  When  the  order  was 
accomplished,  Mr.  Davis  lay  for  a  moment  as 
in  a  stnpor.  Then  slowly  raising-  himself, 
and  tnrning  round,  he  dropped  his  shackled 
feet  to  the  floor.  The  harsh  clank  of  the  strik- 
ing chain  .seems  to  have  recalled  him  to  a 
sense  of  his  situation,  and  dropping  his  face 
into  his  hands,  l.e  hurst  into  a  passionate  flood 
of  sohhing.  a  manly  outburst  of  feeling,  sway- 
ing to  and  fro,  and  muttering  at  brief  intervals 
'Oh.  the  shame,  the  shame!'  And  yet  there  are 
ghouls  and  ravens  in  the  garb  of  humanity, 
who  will  chuckle  over  this  description,  either 
as  a  sensational  ston.-,  or,  if  true,  justify  the 
unnecessary  outrage,  and  the  unjust  and  in- 
human order. 

"The  South,  however,  will  view  the  state- 
ment by  which  the  iron  entered  into  the  soul  of 
the  emljodiment  of  her  cause,  as  a  shackling 
of  herself,  which  was  the  foreshadowing  of 
that  ]X)litical  shackling,  which  the  radical 
Thugs  in  Congress  are  now  seeking  to  rivet 
upon  her  limbs,  led  on  by  the  bloodthirsty 
men  that  control  the  legislation  of  the  coun- 
try. The  clank  of  those  fetters  will  resound 
through  the  future  for  centuries  to  come,  and 
the  biting  irons  will  take  their  place  I)eside 
those  which  once  bound  the  limbs  of  the  great 
Gexoese." 

Another  episode  which  amused  the  ire  of 
our  people  was  the  conduct  of  conquering  he- 
roes (?)  in  regard  to  the  memorial  window  in 
Trinity  P.  E.  church.  Portsmouth.  \'irginia. 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  written 
here  in  t868  show  the  condition  of  the  minds 
of  Southerners  on  the  subject. 

From  a  letter  dated  April  14.  i8r>S. — 

*  *  *  Sunday  wc  were  all  much  surpriscrl  on  going 

to  church  to  see  a  magnificent  memorial  window  in  the 

middle  south  window.     It   represents  Virginia  weeping 

for  her  sons.     .\   female  figure  is  leaning  on  a  monu- 

6 


mcnt.  and  inscrihed  on  the  monument:  "To  the  mem- 
ory of  James  G.  Hodges,,  Bristoe  B.  Gayle.  .\lc.\ander 
B.'  Butt.  Frank  N.  .\rmistcad.  William  H.  Cocke.  Will-, 
iam  II.  Bingley,  St.  Julien  Wilson.  Stephen  A.  Cowley, 
-V.  Dulaney  Forrest,  who  died  during  the  years  1861 
and  1865  in  defense  of  their  native  State,  Virginia, 
against  the  invasion  by  the  U.  S.  forces." 

On  the  upper  part  of  the  window  is  the  face  of  an 
angel,  with  outstretched  wings,  and  it  is  the  most 
beautiful  thing  I  ever  saw.  The  Yankee  pew-holders 
took  offense  at  the  word  iiirasion,  I  suppose,  and  yes- 
terday your  father  received  the  following  communi- 
cations, which  I  think  you  would  like  to  see.  You 
will  see  that  no  reason  is  given  for  their  withdrawal. 
One  of  the  "dissatisfied."  in  a  conversation  with  your 
father,  expressed  the  hone  that  there  will  be  some  alter- 
ation made  in  the  window  so  that  the  Navy  Yard 
people  may  return.  But  I  reckon  they  will  wait  a  long 
time  for  that.  Not  one  member  of  the  whole  congre- 
gation will  ever  give  their  consent  to  have  one  word 
erased — not  if  the  whole  Yankee  nation  would  come 
to  see  us.  .Ml  this  took  place  yesterday.  This  morn- 
ing Mr.  T.  E.  rented  one  of  the  pews  vacated  by  "Their 
Honors."  Captain  H.  thinks  he  will  take  another,  and 
I  reckon  that  Mr.  N.  will  take  one.  Mr.  G.  says  he 
will  increase  his  pew-rent  too  per  cent.  We  do  not 
know  by  whom  the  window  was  presented  to  the 
church.  We  at  first  thought  it  was  our  old  pastor,  but 
we  hear  now  that  he  did  not.  The  donor  wishes  his 
or  her  name  to  be  kept  secret.  Caotain  Rodgers  says 
in  his  letter:  "I  regret  very  much  to  leave  Trinity 
Church,  but  as  I  cannot  with  propriety  continue  to  be- 
a  member  of  its  congregation.  I  beg  leave  to  withdraw 
'  from  it  and  give  up  my  pew."  H.  Newell,  chief  engi- 
I  neer.  wrote:  "Circimistances  compel  nic  to  withdraw 
[  from  the  congregation  of  Trinitv  Church.  You  will' 
please  consider  my  pew  vacated." 

Commander  Pattison  writes:  "I  regret  the  neces- 
sity that  compels  me  to  relinquish  my  pew  in  Trinity 
Church  from  this  date."  Capt.  George  H.  Cooper  says: 
"Owin.g  to  circum-tances  T  respcctfullv  resign  the  pew 
taken  by  me  in  Trinity  Church."  He  only  rented  it 
last  Saturday.  Some  are  afraid  that  the  military  are- 
carrying  such  a  hi.gb  hand  that  there  will  be  an  order 
sent  to  have  the  window  taken  out.  but  I  reckon  they 
will  have  to  do  it  themselves,  for  not  one  of  us  woulft 
lend    a    hand. 

From  a  letter  dated  April  30.  t868. 

Since  I  last  wrote  you  we  have  been  in  a  real 
stew,  first  on  account  of  the  memorial  window,  which 
it  was  thought  the  military  would  order  to  be  removed. 
Yesterday  I  heard  that  they  thought  it  was  a  matter 
with  which  they  had  no  right  lo  interfere,  and  there- 
fore no  notice  would  be  taken  of  it.  To-day  we  learn 
that  an  order  had  been  issued  for  its  removal,  but  that 
the  officers  of  the  Navy  Yard  had  protested  against  it 
and   the   order  had   been   countermanded. 

It  is  no  more  than  they  should  have  done,  as  thev 
were  the  ones  to  kick  up  such  a  fuss  alwut  it.  I  shall 
be   much    stirnrised    if   the   matter   remains  quiet.  *  *  ♦ 

Two  of  the  officers  took  their  pews  again  and  the 


I02 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


other  officers  also,  as  they  heard  that  a  cover  had  been 
placed  over  the  inscription,  which  was  really  the  case. 
Our  dear  old  pastor,  wdio  presented  the  window  to  the 
church,  was  so  disturbed  to  think  that  he  had  given 
offense,  when  his  only  object  was  to  give  a  pleasant 
surprise,  that  he  had  a  piece  of  black  cloth  placed  over 
the  inscription.  That,  again,  caused  the  "Rebel"  blood 
to  rise  and  a  young  Confederate  soldier  removed  the 
cloth,  for  which  ever3'one  condemns  him,  as  it  was 
placed  there  by  the  donor,  and  the  Confederate  was 
not  a  resident  of  this  place  and  had  no  right  to  med- 
dle   with    it    at    all. 

Your  father  asked  Captain  Cooper,  when  he  told 
him  that  they  had  heard  that  the  inscription  had  been 
covered,  if  they  took  their  pews  with  the  knowledge 
that  the  cloth  had  been  taken  off.  He  said  they  were 
aware  of  that.  But  the  next  day  he  returned  to  say 
that  he  and  Lieutenant  Hammersly  would  retain  their 
pews,  but  the  other  officers  declined  taking  theirs. 
Citizens  of  the  city  have  come  in  and  rented  the 
vacated   pews. 

From  a  letter  dated  May  i6.  1868. 

Since  I  wrote  you  last  the  Yankees  have  com- 
pelled us  to  take  out  of  our  church  our  beautiful 
memorial  window.  They  actually  (so  we  hear  from 
various  sources,  and  Father  Plnnkett  says  he  read  the 
order  at  the  Navy  Yard )  received  an  order  from  Wash- 
ington from  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  close  the 
Navy  Yard  gates  if  the  window  was  not  removed  be- 
fore Saturday  night.  Of  course  .  the  throwing  of  a 
thousand  or  more  men  out  of  emplovment  was  cal- 
culated to  bring  on  a  horrible  state  of  things,  and  fears 
were  entertained  that  the  church  would  be  torn  down. 
That  would  have  roused  the  Southerners,  who  as  it  is 
are  much  excited,  and  our  dear  old  pastor  concluded 
that  the  best  way  to  preserve  the  peace  would  be  to 
take  the  window  out.  but  we  all  hope  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  it  can  be  put  back  again.  *  *  * 
We  have  learned  through  Father  Plunkett  that  an 
appropriation  had  been  made  by  the  "Best  Govern- 
ment in  the  World"  for  the  repairs  of  the  Hospital 
building  and  the  sea-wall,  but  afterward  orders  had 
been  received  to  suspend  the  work  until  it  was  known 
what  would  be  done  with  the  window. 
Headquarters  Sub.  District  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth. 

Norfolk.  Va.,  .\nril  18.  1868. 
To  the  Vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church.  Portsmouth.  Vir- 
ginia. 

Gentlemen  :  Information  having  reached  these 
headquarters  that  a  memorial  window  has  been  placed 
in  your  church,  commemorative  of  the  dead  of  your 
church  "who  fell  during  the  late  rebellion,''  in  lan- 
guage which  has  given  offense  to  the  Union  sentiment 
of  some  of  the  attendants  of  the  church,  causing  some 
U.  S.  officers  to  relinquish  their  pews  and  withdraw 
from  the  church,  the  Major  Commanding  desires  you 
to  furnish  him  w'ith  an  exact  copy  of  the  inscription  on 
the  above  window   for  his  information. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient   servant. 

E.  W.  Stone, 
Lieut,  and  A.  A.  G. 


All  exact  copy  was  ordered  to  be  furnished 
Ijy  the  register,  also  a  copy  of  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved.  That  the  vestry  of  the  church  disclaim 
any  intention  in  permitting  the  erection  of  the  inemorial 
window  lately  placed  therein  to  give  offense  to  any  per- 
son or  persons  attending  upon  the  services  of  the 
church. 

It  seems  from  the  above  that  the  window 
was  removed  from  the  church  in  May,  1868, 
and  was  replaced  in  September,  1870,  with  the 
inscription  changed  to  read  as  follows : 

Given  through  respect  for  the  Patriotism  of  the 
Dead  and  from  sympathy  with  their  bereaved  friends 
by  their  old  pastor  on  Easter  Sunday,   186S. 

And  so  the  beautiful  memorial  window  re- 
mains to-day  and  the  truth  of  the  unholy  in- 
rasioii  of  Virginia  by  U.  S.  forces  will  be  re- 
membered .as  long  as  her  mountains  hold  to 
their  foundations  or  her  rivers  empty  into  the 
sea — 

Take   down   your  memorial   window, 

Tenderly   take   it   away. 
Lay   it   aside   as   a   relic; 

In  its  place  put  another  of  grey. 

In  lieu  of  the  gorgeous  colors 

Which  glowed  in  the  sun  of  May, 

Let  a  cold  light  fall  on  the  chancel. 
Through  a  window  of  modest  grey. 

Let  it  have  no  word  of  inscription; 

Never  a  hint  of  the  fray ! 
Let  it  cast  into  the  church   a  twilight. 

Tender  and  soft  and  grey. 

Then   will   the  simple  tribute 

Even  the  ruthless  stay, 
.\nd  make   them   feel   all   the  glory 
Of  the  soldiers  who  fell   in  grey. 

— James  Barron  Hope. 
To    the    congregation    of   Trinity    Church.    Portsmouth, 
Virginia. 

On  the  i6th  day  of  March,  i86g,  M'aj. 
Gen.  George  Stoneman,  commanding  the  First 
Military  District,  Virginia,  removed  all  of  the 
old  magistrates  elected  by  the  white  people  of 
Norfolk  County  and  appointed  men  who  could 
subscrilje  to  the  iron-clad  oatli  in  their  places. 
The  presiding  justice,  W.   H.   C.   Lovitt,  not 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


103 


having  been  reinoved  with  his  colleagues,  re- 
signed, and  F.  W.  Lemosey  was  selected  under 
the  new  regime  of  reconstruction.  Tlie  mili- 
tary commander  also  remcned  other  countv 
officers  at  the  same  time.  Maj.  Samuel  Etlier- 
idge.  sheriff,  was  removed  and  Thomas  W. 
^lahew  appointed  in  his  place.  Griffin  F.  Ed- 
wards, elected  clerk  of  the  County  Court  al- 
most unanimously  by  the  white  voters,  was 
turned  out  by  military  edict  and  J.  P.  Hodges 
appointed  in  his  place.  Capt.  A\'.  Scott  Sykes, 
county  surveyor,  was  also  removed  by  the 
same  power  and  Benjamin  B.  Chandler  ap- 
pointed in  his  place.  The  term  of  Capt.  \\  O. 
Cassell.  the  attorney  for  the  Commonwealth. 
expired  on  the  ist  of  January,  1869,  and  on 
the  19th  a  military  edict  named  J.  H.  Reming- 
ton of  New  York  to  fill  the  office — and  soon 
followed  the  enfranchisement  of  the  negroes. 
Even  now  some  of  the  evils  of  the  reconstruc- 
tion period  still  fester  in  the  bod}-  politic;  but 
the  struggle  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  will  go  on 
until  every  vestige  of  negro  rule  will  be  blotted 
out. 

These  reconstruction  times  were  bitter  days 
to  those  in  whose  bosoms  throbbed  Southern 
hearts.  The  yoke  was  heavy  and  strong;  but 
it  chastened  the  soul  and  made  our  people 
strive  for  new  fortunes  on  industrial  lines. 
The  Confederate  soldiers  took  the  lead  in  agri- 
cultural and  commercial  pursuits ;  and  the 
great  development  in  the  fields  of  Norfolk 
County  and  the  sulendid  comijiercial  growth 
of  her  cities  are  testimonials  of  Anglo-Saxon 
perseverance  and  power. 

Norfolk  County,  including  its  two  cities, 
sent  the  flower  of  its  manhood  to  the  army  of 
the  Confederate  States;  few  except  the  old 
men  and  boys  remained  at  home.  Its  artillerv 
and  cavaln*-  companies  made  high  marks  in 
the  game  of  war.  Its  sailors  were  as  brave 
as  Nelson's.  Its  infantry  was  unexcelled  in 
the  corps  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 
The  sons  of  Norfolk  County  shared  the  dan- 
gers of  even,-  war  from  the  colonial  wars  to 
the  Spanish- American  War;  but  none  w-ith 
the  patriotic  unanimitv  and  enthusiasm  as  the 


Confederate  War.  The  Nezi'  York  Sun  argu- 
ing against  the  increase  of  the  regular  army 
and  comparing  the  material  of  the  contending 
armies  said  "The  Confederate  rank  and  file 
were  composed  wholly  of  raw  men,  and  in  the 
first  two  years  of  the  war,  volunteers.  Yet 
what  an  infantry  they  were !  Those  of  us  who 
saw  them  charge  in  line  of  battle  never  ap- 
proach a  Confederate  cemetery  without  taking 
off  our  hats  in  homage  to  the  devoted  braves 
who  ever  walked  straight  into  the  jaws  of 
death  without  flinching."  The  Confederate 
])rivate  infantryman  is  the  tyjiical  hero  of  the 
South.  The  Old  South  has  grand  memories 
and  the  New  South  has  splendid  anticipations. 
The  spirit  which  moved  the  Old  leads  the  New 
South. 

It  is  that  spirit  which  seeks  truth  through 
roughest  paths  and  heeds  no  danger  in  its  pur- 
suit. It  is  that  spirit  which  warmed  the  hearts 
and  steeled  the  nerves  to  bear  the  burdens  of 
both  the  Old  and  the  New  South,  ^ly  ideal 
hero  embraced  it  with  superb  unselfishness. 

Some  would  say  he  should  be  Robert  E. 
Lee,  whose  great  heart  and  lofty  leadership 
enchained  the  everlasting  affection  of  the 
South. 

Some  would  sa}'  he  should  l^e  "Stonewall'' 
Jackson,  whose  magic  power  so  often  awakened 
the  wonder  of  the  world. 

Some  would  say  he  should  be  Jefferson 
Davis,  whose  polished  manhood  lield  with  un- 
yielding nerve  the  pearl  of  Southern  pride. 

Some  would  say  he  was  among  the  hosts  of 
cavalrymen  and  artillerxmen,  who  flashed  their 
swords  and  pulled  their  lanyards  in  battles 
often  won. 

Yes !     These  are  the  jewels  of  the  South, 

and  there  are  honors  and  memories  for  them ; 

but  I  would  take  away  the  stars  and  trimiuings 

and  titles,  for  there  was  charm  and  ins])iration 

in  theiTi. 

I  would  eliminate,  too.  the  higher  grades  of 
service. 

The  purest  spirit,  the  deepest  love,  the 
greatest  hero,  the  noblest  manhood,  was  in  the 
infantry  private  of  the  South. 


I04 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  was  reared  when  the  "irrepressible  con- 
flict" quickened  the  pulse  nif  the  jieople.  He 
was  inspired  hy  the  intellectual  gladiators  of 
the  South. 

He  gloried  in  the  heroism  of  his  ancestors, 
■who  had  won  the  Republic  from  England.  He 
shouldered  the  burdens  of  his  convictions,  he 
grasped  his  musket  for  his  cause,  he  inhaled  the 
smoke  of  battle,  be  felt  the  sting  of  the  bullet, 
he  bled  from  shot  and  shell. 

He  dared  to  die  when  he  could  foresee  his 
unurned  ashes  scattered  on  the  soil  of  his 
enemies. 

Where  is  loftier  heroism? 

\Miere  is  nobler  patriotism? 

\Miere  is  truer  manhood? 

Where  is  grander  chivalry  ? 

Where  is  a  more  ideal  hero? 

For  principles,  he  bore  the  heaviest  cross. 

For  principles,  lie  courted  an  unknown 
grave. 

He  touched  elbows  in  the  unwavering"  line 
of  charge. 

He  gained  victory  with  the  point  of  the 
bayonet. 

He  dauntlesslv  rushed  over  earthworks. 

He  stood  like  a  "stone  wall"  tin  the  tield. 

He  was  strongest  in  battle. 

He  was  gentlest  in  victory. 

He  was  most  powerful  in  the  face  of 
menace. 

He  was  tenderest  to^  the  captured. 

His  pride  was  grand,  his  ])raverv  exalted, 
his  heroism  majestic ! 

His  marvelmis  simplicity  of  conduct  was 
consonant  with  bis  beautv  of  heart ! 

His  life  in  camp  was  characterized  bv 
praiseworthy  endurance. 

He  met  his  pri\-ations  with  the  calmness  of 
a  philosopher. 

He  enjoyed  the  pastimes  of  bis  tent  witii 
the  guilelessness  of  a  child. 

He  doted  on  his  faded  uniform  and  jeered 
at  the  "slick"  silk  hat,  even  on  the  head  of  a 
Confederate  Congressman. 

When  the  first  year  of  his  ser\-ice  had 
passed,  be  was  bright  with  hope. 


Fort  Sumter  had  fallen  and  ]\Ianassas  had 
em1:)lazoncd  his  ba}'onet  with  glory! 

The  second  year  passed,  with  564  battles 
and  engagements,  including  Shiloh,  the  Seven 
Days'  battle,  which  made  the  dark  waters  of 
the  Chickahominv  run  red.  Second  Manassas 
and  Fredericksburg,  and  his  prowess  was 
proved  to  the  civilized  world. 

The  third  year  passed,  with  627  battles  and 
engagements. 

It  saw  his  pride  at  the  highest  and  his  hoi^e 
brightest  when,  fresh  from  the  victories  of 
Chancellorsville,  be  invaded  the  soil  of  Penn- 
s_\'lvania. 

Alas !  for  human  hopes ! 

Gettysburg  turned  backward  his  footsteps 
and  started  anxiety  in  his  breast. 

How  long  coidd  these  bloody  years  last  ? 

Surely,  not  longer  than  seven,  as  his  an- 
cestors' revolution  had  cost ! 

Then  the  fourth  year  passed,  with  779  bat- 
tles and  engagements. 

His  anxiety  was  (i\-er. 

He  saw  the  ine\'itable  end. 

Hope  of  success  was  gone. 

It  was  only  a  question  of  the  da}'s  be  might 
be  spared  before  the  bullet  pierced  his  heart. 

He  saw  the  end  before  the  statesmen  in  the 
Capital  at  Richmond  even  surmised  it.  He 
knew  iix-erwbelming  numbers  would  crush  out 
the  soldiery  of  the  South. 

His  comrades  were  falling,  and  no  recruits 
came  to  fill  their  places. 

He  saw  the  end  and  felt  it  in  the  summer  of 
1864,  but  his  allegiance  to  the  ami}-,  bis  duty 
to  himself  and  his  family  bade  him  go  almost 
daily  to  a  hopeless  slaughter,  and  often  he 
marched  to  battle  for  his  personal  honor,  with- 
out the  slightest  hope  for  his  cotuitry's  inde- 
pendence. 

Can  you  imagine  heroism  more  sublime 
than  the  private  infantryman's  who  held  the 
front  lines  o-f  the  Confederacv  during  the  last 
half  G'i  1864.  and  the  winter  and  spring  of 
1865? 

Aroimd  Petersburg,  along  the  disastrous 
line  iif  retreat  to  .\pp(imattox,  and  even  there. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


105 


he  sliiHildered  liis  musket  and  yielded  readv 
oljedience  to  tlie  order  for  a  cliarj^e,  until  his 
matchless  commander  said  his  duty  to  his  coun- 
try had  been  "faithfully  performed."  and  fur- 
ther resistance  would  \ie  a  useless  sacrifice. 

He  had  enlisted  as  a  i)ri\ate.  he  fought  as  a 
jjrivate.  and  then  he  returned  to  pri\ate  life  to 
battle  for  bread. 

His  country  was  lost,  but  a  dauntless  spirit 
directed  him  in  the  evolution  to  another  citizen- 
ship. He  g;uidcd  the  plow,  wielded  the  axe, 
and  did  whatever  his  hand  found  to  do.  with 
the  same  unassuming  fortitude  which  marked 
his  career  in  the  armw 

He  inspired  courage  in  the  voung.  He  ga\-e 
life  to  the  weak,  and  grappled  the  new  order 
of  things  with  masterly  mind. 

Napoleon  said:  "True  heroism  consists  in 
]x\ng  superior  to  the  ills  of  life  in  whatever 
shape  they  may  challenge  him  to  combat." 

The  infantryman  not  only  felt  as  the  illus- 
trious warrior  when  he  uttered  this  sublime 
sentiment,  but  he  has  demonstrated  its  truth 
by  rising  superior  to  all  the  evils  of  disaster, 
imbuing  his  associates  with  that  resolute  en- 
durance which  made  him  the  breakwater  of 
the  Confederacy,  and  has  made  the  bone  and 
sinew  of  progress  and  prosperity  of  the  New- 
South. 

As  bis  is  the  glory  of  the  ]>ast,  so  his  is  the 
strength  of  the  present.  Whenever  you  find 
him,  whether  labi  ;ring  on  your  streets,  building 
your  ships  ov  tilling  your  fields,  pause  and  lift 
your  hat.  for  the  Confederate  ])rivate  infantry- 
man is  the  typical  hero  of  the  South. 

He  is  entitled  to  the  al)solute  respect  of  the 
grandest  in  the  land.  Already  many  stately 
granite  shafts  commemorate  our  hero  leaders, 
but  shall  there  not  l)e  one  higher  by  an  hundred- 
fold and  a  thousand  times  more  beautiful  in 
design  than  anv  of  these,  dedicated  to  the  in- 
fantry privates  of  the  South  ? 

Aye!  I  wish  a  shaft  of  burnished  gold 
could  lift  its  head  from  \'irginia"s  \alley.  in 
which  sleep  the  remains  of  Lee  and  Jackson, 
in  memory  of  the  private  infantrymen  rif  the 
Confederacv,  emblazoning  their  glorv  to  com- 


ing generations,  for  their  heroism  is  the  grand- 
est type  of  all  the  thousand  bloody  fields  which 
have  heralded  Southern  valor. 

The  private  infantrymen  were  lowest  in 
rank,  yet  highest  in  their  loyalty  to  the  finest 
sense  of  honor  the  human  mind  can  conceive — 
grandest  in  humility,  greatest  in  sincerity,  pur- 
est in  purpose;  and  never  can  temples  of  fame 
enshrine  the  memory  of  knightlier  souls!  The 
names  of  such  heroes  should  be  handed  down 
to  posterity. 

The  organizations  and  rosters  of  Norfolk 
County's  .soldiers  are  given  in  the  history  of 
Norfolk  County.  1861-65,  by  John  \\'.  H. 
Porter  of  Portsmouth,  inum  which  for  the 
most  part  is  compiled  the  following alphalietical 
list  of  the  gallant  men  embodied  for  the  blood- 
iest war  in  which  .\mericans  were  ever  en- 
gaged. Many  names  not  given  in  this  list  may 
be  found  in  tlie  roll  of  comrades  of  the  several 
Camps  of  Confederate  Veterans,  in  the  succeed- 
ing cliapter. 


SOLDIERS    .\ND    S.MLORS. 


.^shburv,  Jolin — Private  in   Co.   C,  6tli  Va.  Inf. 

.-Vbdell.  Thomas  F.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

All-tin.  Martin — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

.-M)>olem.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

.\danis.  Thomas  S. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

.•\rcher.  Robert  L.^Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Det.  div.   prov.  guard. 

.Arrington.  Peter — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Prom,  sergt.-maj. 

.-\ndcr!i(in,  Jolin  T. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

.•\bdell.  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

.•\tkins(in.  Junius   A. — Private   in   Co.   H.   12th  Va.   Inf. 

.■Anderson,  Charles — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Trans,   to  Huger's  Battery,   1862. 

.\bdcll.   Jaines — Private   in    Norfolk    Light   .-\rt.    Blues. 

.\ddison,  James — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 

.Anderson.  Charles  \V. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues.  . 

.Ashton.   William — Private   in   .Atlantic   .Art. 

.Allen.  George  J. — 4th   Corporal   United   .Art. 

.Applewhite.   A. — Private   in   United   Art. 

.AJbr-ght.    Charles    W. — Private    in    United    .Art. 

.Abdell.  Joseph — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard-.Art. 

.Allen.  William  A. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

-Aydlott,  Thomas — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Ashly,  William   F. — 3d  corporal   Co.   F,   i6th  Va.  Czr- 


io6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Ansel.  John  H. — Private  in  Co.  F,   i6tli  Va.  Cav. 
Armistead,  B.  .1. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Armstrong,  James  E. — Sergeant  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Aydlott.  Jolm — Private  in  Co.   I.  38th  Va    Inf.     Prom. 

corns,  sergt. 
Allen.   John    R.— Private    in    Co.    I.    ,38th    \'a.    Inf. 
Ansel.   .Andrew  J. — Private   in   Co.    B.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Asbold.  William— Private  in  Co.   B,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Aydelott.   Jacob — Private    in   Co.    B.   6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Accinelly.  B.  J. — Ord.  sergeant  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ashton.  Gerdon  C. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ashby.   William — Private   in   Co.   D,   6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Avdeiott,  Henry  C. — Private  in  Co.  H.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Adkins.   G.   B.— Private  in   Co.  H.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Armistead.    F.    W. — ist    lieutenant    in    Co.    I.   6lst   Va. 

Inf.     Not  re-elected:  joined  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Abfolem.  Leonard — Private  in  Co.  K,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Archer.  John  W. — Private  in  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Anderson.   Charles — Private  in   Co.   K.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Ashton.   Edear — Private  in   Co.   H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Ashton,  J,   V.   B.— Private  in   Co.  H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Atkinson.    George   K. — Private   in   Co.   H.   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Atkinson.   George   W. — Private   in   Co.   H.   3d  Va.   Inf. 
Anderson.  John — Private   in   Co.   D.  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Ash,   Theophilus   F. — Corporal    in   Co.   G.   gth   Va.   Inf. 
Anderton.  William   T. — Private  in  Co.   G.  Qth  Va.  Inf. 
Adams.    Wilhani    D. — Private    in    Signal    Corps. 
Adams.   Charles   S. — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 
Averett.  Thomas  H. — Private  in   Signal  Corps. 
Allie.   Heine— Private  in   Co.   H.   7th   S.   C.   Regt. 

B. 

Bailey.  Thomas  A. — Private  in  Co.  E.  32d  Va.  Inf. 
Brown,  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Bullock.  William— Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Boggs.  William — Private  in   Co.  I,  .?8th  Va.   Inf. 
Bush.   William— Private   in   Co.   I.  38th   Va.   Inf. 
Blunt.   Thomas— Private   in    Co.    I.   38th   Va.   Inf. 
Butt.  Henry  James — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Bright.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Baxter.   Thomas   F. — ist  lieutenant  in   Co.   B.  6ist  Va. 

Inf.      Prom.   capt. 
Baxter.   Benjamin   F. — ist   sergeant   in   Co.   B.  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Barnard,   Willoughby   B. — 4th    sergeant   in    Co.   B.   6ist 

Va.   Inf.     Prom,   ist  .sergt. 
Brown.  Ivy  C. — Corporal  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

1st   sergt. 
Ballance.   Stephen   R. — Private  in   Co.   B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ballance.   Stephen   R..    Tr. — Private   in    Co.   B.  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Bowden.   John   .\. — Private   in   Co.   R.  6lst.Va.   Inf. 
Beaslev.   Toachim — Corporal   in   Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Bunnel.  Kenneth — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ballentine.  James  >r — Private  in   Co.   B.  '^i^t  Va.  Inf. 
Bray.  Thomas  .A.— Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Bourke.   Thomas — Private  in   Co.   B.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Banks,   William— Private   in   Co.    P.   6lst   Va.    Inf. 
Banks,  James  M.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Beals.  Benjamin  J. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Bell.  Enoch   F.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Byrum,  William  F.— Private  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


Berry.   Martin — Private   in   Co.   C.  6lst   Va.   Inf. 
Boushell,  M.   A. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Bogart.  John  H. — ist   sergeant  in   Co.   C,  6lst  Va.   Iif. 
Bradley.   Reuben — Private  in  Co.   C.  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Butt.  John— Private  in   Co.   C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Burford.   Samuel — Private  in  Co.   C,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Byrum,  James  C. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Byrum,  Gideon   F. — Private  in  Co.   C,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Butt,  A.  B.— 3d  lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Butt,  Robert   P.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Barrett.  Joseph  E. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Butt,  Wesley  G— Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Barber.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
I    Ballance.   Martin — Private  in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Butt,   .Andrew — Private   in   Co.   E,   6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Butt.   Thomas — Private  in   Co.   E,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Brinkley.  William  D.— Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Brittingham,    Francis    O. — Private   in    Co.   H.   61  st   Va. 

Inf. 
Ballantine.  John — Private  in   Co.   H.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Berryman,  Edward  F. — Private  in  Co.  H,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Prom,  sergt. 
Bouden.  William — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Brummell,    Richard — Private    in    Co.    I,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 
Barecroft.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Beal,  John — Private   in   Co.   I.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Balls,  John  R.— Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Burfoot,  Jesse — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Burton,   George — Private   in   Co.   K,   61  st   Va.   Inf. 
Bateman,  Martin — Private  in  Co.   K,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Bradley.   Charles   M.— Private  in   Co.   K.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Bailey.  Charles  L. — Private  in  Co.  K.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Bean,   Frederick — Private   in   Co.   K.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Bradley.  James — Corporal   in   Co.  K.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Biddle.  Phillip  W.— Captain  in  Co.  F,  41  st  Va.  Inf. 
Butt,   Frederick — Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Butt,    Henry— Private   in   Co.    F,   41st   Va.   Inf. 
Butt.   Francis — Private   in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Barrett.   William    S. — Private   in    Co.   F.   41st   Va.    Iiif. 
Banks,   Edwin — Private   in   Co.   F,  41st   Va.   Inf. 
Butler,  James  N. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Bailey.  William  H.   (i)— Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Bailey.  William  H.  (2)— Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Ballentine.  Thomas  R. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Buck,   David — Private   in   Co.   F,  41st   Va.    Inf. 
Butt.   Alexander   B.— Adjutant   in  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Barnes.   Edward — Private  in   Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Brown.  Bartlett— Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Bateman.  Raynor— Private  in   Co.   A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Benton.  Joseph  J. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Britton.   James  J. — Private   in   Co.   A.   3d  Va.   Inf. 
Bright.  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  \'a.   Inf. 
Brownley.  Daniel  T. — 4th  sergeant  in  Co.  B.  3d  \'a.  Inf. 

Prom.    1st   sergt. 
Borum,  Edward  C— Sergeant  in  Co.  B.  3d  \'a.  Inf. 
Borum,  John — Private   in   Co.    B.   3d  Va'.   Inf. 
Bush.  Joseph  M.— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  \a.  Inf. 
Bowen.  Hine — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Broughton.  Joseph— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Butler.  John— Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Butters.  Francis  H.— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Bright.  .Tohn  T.— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Butler,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.   B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


107 


Bloxon.  William  H. — Sergeant  in  Co.  TI.  .id   Va.  Tnf. 

Prom.   oril.   .sergt. 
nrown.  William — Musician  in  Co.  H.  .^d  Va.  Inf. 
Ham-It,  Cieorgc — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  V'a.  Inf. 
Barrett.  Solomon  H. — Private  in  Co.  H.  .^d  Va.   Inf. 
Hceks.  William  H.^Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Boswick.  William — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Barroni,  Osceola — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Bland.   Thomas — Private  in   Co.  H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Bassett.  William  Henry — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bright,  Johnathan — Private  in  Co.  D,  Qth  Va.  Inf. 
Bright.    John     W.— Private    in    Co.    D,    9th    Va.     Inf. 

Trans,  to  Grimes"  Battery. 
Brent.  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Brown.  James — Drummer  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Boutwcll     Richard — Private    in     Co.    D.    9th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  Grimes'   Battery. 
Bateman.  Rohert — Private  in  Co.   D,  oth  Va.   Int. 
Byrd.  Daniel — Private  in  Co.  D.  oth  Va.  Inf. 
Brounley.  .A.  M. — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Beaton.  John  K. — First  sergeant  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Brittingham,   William   H. — Corporal   in   Co.   G.  9th  Va. 

Inf. 
Brownley.  William   K. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Boyd,  Henry  C. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Buxton.  John  T. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Berrv.    George    T.— Private    in    Co.    G.    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  navv  1863. 
Bennett,  William 'B.— Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Barrett.  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Burton.  Rohert  P.— Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Brownley.  Charles — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bailey.  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bailey.  Ephraim — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Boushell.  John— Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

Capt.  Naval  Bat. 
Bidgood.  Willis — Corporal  in  Co.  I.  gth  \\-i.  Inf. 
Barnes.  Belson — Corporal  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Barnes.  George— Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bidgood,  Nathaniel— Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf.    Fur. 

snhst.   1862. 
Bidgood.  J.  H.— Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bidgood.  Tully  W.— Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bunting.   William   H.— Private   in    Co.    I,   gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  navy  1862. 
Bunting.  Lloyd— Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  \'a.   Tnf.    Trans. 

to  Co.  C.  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Bunting.  Francis  H.— Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Tnf. 
Bunting.   Solomon — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Burly,  William — Private  in  Co.  T,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bushy.  William  .■\.— Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Bntler,  Rohert  M.— Third  lieutenant  in  Co.  K    gth  Va. 

Inf. 
Bilisoly,   L.    .Augustus — First   lieutenant   in    Co.   K.   gth 

Va.  Inf. 
Bilisoly,  A.  L.— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf.     From. 

1st  lieut. 
Benson.  F.  R. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  \'a.   Inf.     Trans. 

Signal   Corps   1862. 
Bilisoly.    .Adolphus — Private    in    Co.    K.    gth    Va,    Inf. 

Prom,  sergt. 
Bilisoly,  U.  B— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 


Brown,    James    W. — Private    in    Co.    K,   9th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans.   Norfolk  L.   A.   Blues   1862. 
nilisoly.  R.  E.— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Brown,    Joe    Sam. — Private    in    Co.    K,    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans.  Norfolk  L.  A.  Blues  1862. 
Brooks,  E.  S.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Brooks,    Tudor    F. — Private    in    Co.    K,    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans.   Com.   Dept.   Mahone's   Brig. 
Bennett.  John  C. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Barnes.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Beeks,  G.  W.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Butt,  Josiah— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Bennett.  William  M,— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Blamire,  E.  T. — Captain  of  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf.  Not  re- 
elected  1862. 

Barrand.  Thomas — Captain  of  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 

Bayton.  William  H. — First  sergeant  of  Co.  C,  l6th  Va. 
Inf. 

Bain,  R.  T.  K.— Corporal  of  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf.     Fur. 
suhstitute  1862. 

Brittingham.  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  C,  l6th  Va.  Inf. 

Brownley.  Joseph  F. — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Brown,   Eugene  H.. — Corporal   of  Co.   C.   i6th   \"a.   Inf. 
Ap.  engr.   in  navy. 

Butt.  Wilson  A.— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Buff.  August— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf.  Ap.  hos- 
pital  steward. 

Brotherton.  William  E. — Second  sergeant  of  Co.  A.  6th 
Va.  Inf. 

Bailey.   \\'illiani   T. — First  corporal   of   Co.    A.  6ih   Va. 
Inf.     Prom,   first   sergt. 

Baker.   Isaiah   G. — Private  in  Co.   A.  6th  Va.   Int. 

Banks.    William    T.— Private    in    Co.    A,    6th    \'a.    Inf. 
Prom,  sergt. 

Beasley,  James   W.— Private  in   Co.  A.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Bowman.    .Ahraham — Private    in    Co.    A.   6th    Va.    Inf. 

Butt,  John  J.— Private  in  Co.   A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Bell,   Joseph    S.— Private   in    Co.    A.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Balsom.  .Arthur  J. — 4th  corporal  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Bell.   Washington— Private   in   Co.   C,  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Bateman.   .Arthur — Private   in   Co.    C.  6th   Va.   Inf. 

Brown.    Edward — Private   in   Co.   C.  6th   Va.    Inf. 

Bland,    Samuel — Private   in    Co.   C.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Bourk.   John— Private    in    Co.    C,   6th    Va.    Inf. 

Bclolc.  John   W.— Private  in   Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Tnf. 

Brady.  James   E. — ist   corporal   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.   Inf. 

Benson.   Chris.   C. — 2d  corporal   in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Blunt,    Stephen — 4th    corporal    in    Co.    D,   6th    \'a.    Inf. 

Bradley.    Edward   H,— Private   in   Co.   D,   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Ballentine.    Thomas — Private    in    Co.    D.    6tli    Va.    Inf. 

Ballance.  John— Private  in   Co.  D,  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Burgess.  Miles — Private  in  Co.  D.  6lh  Va.  Inf. 

Butt.  L.  p. — 4th  corporal  in   Co.   G.  6th  Va.   Tnf 
hospt.   steward,   1862. 

Biggs.   William   G. — Private   in   Co.   G.  6th   Va 

Bell  Douglas— Private  in   Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
l8tli   Battalion  Art.   1862. 

Bell,  R.ihert  S.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
l8th  Battalion  Art.   1862. 

Biggs,  James  H. — Private  in   Co.  G.  6th  Va.    Inf. 

Bcale.    Brooke — Private   in    Co.    G,   6th    Va.    Inf.     Ap 
suh-oflficer  in  navy. 


Ap. 

Tnf. 
Trans. 

Trans. 


io8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Boush,  John  T.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Det. 

wagon  driver,   iS6j. 
Brown,  Henry  F.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Barnes,  James— Private   in   Co.    H,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Bonfanti,  John— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

corpl. 
Beane.  Wilhani  W.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Beale,  Charles  L.— 3d  lientenant  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Baldry.  John  R.— 3d   sergeant  in  Co.   H,   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Bew,  George  W.— Private  in  Co.  H,   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Bunge.   F.— Private  in  Co.   H.   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Buis.  John   H.— Private   in   Co.   H,   12th   Va.   Inf. 
Braithwaite.  Thomas— Private  in  Co.  H,   I2lh  Va.   Inf. 

Prom,   corpl. 
Bryan.    Fred   P.— Private   in   Co.  H,   12th   Va.   Inf. 
Brocket!,    William— Private    in    Co.    H,    12th    Va.    Inf. 

Ap.   engr.    in   navy.    1862. 
Brownley,  William  M'— Private  in  Co.  H,  t2th  Va.  Inf. 
Bracey,  George — Private   in   Co.   H,   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Blow.    W.    W.— Ordnance    dept. 
Bunting,  John  W. — Private  in  Heavy  Art. 
Beal,    Edward— Private    in    Otey    Battery    Art.,    Lynch- 
burg. 
Brown,    George— Private    in    Fayette    Art..    Richmond. 
Burford,   Martin   L. — Private   in   Co.    D,   Art. 
Boyce.   David — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Boiiamion,   W.   H. — Private   in    Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Beaton,   Edward  E. — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Brownley,    A.    M, — Private    in    Portsmouth    Light   Art. 
Bell,   W.   H.— Private    in    Portsmouth    Light    Art. 
Bland,  Thomas — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Brent.   George — Private   in    Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Backus,  William  T.,  Jr.— Private  in   Portsmouth  Light 

Art. 
Batten,  William  .A. — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Bright    William   Jordan — Private   in    Portsmouth   Light 

Art. 
Boutwell,    Richard    M. — Pri\ate    in    Portsmouth    Light 

Art. 
Beale,   H.— Private   in    Norfolk   Light   Art.    Blues. 
Bell,  A.  S.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Benson,   O.    S. — Private   in    Norfolk   Light    Art.    Blues. 
Bishop.  W.  I.  E.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  -Art.  Blues. 
Bell,   N.— Private   in    Norfolk    Lisbt    An.    Pdnes. 
Brock,  L.— Private   in   Norfolk  Lisrht   .Art.    Blues. 
Brickhouse,    B,    D— Private     in     Norfolk     Light     Art. 

Blues. 
Brooks.  E.  W.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .^rt.  Bines. 
Brown,  V.  H. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Browne,  Jos.  S. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Brown,  E.  P. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Butler,  R.  M. — Conioral  in  Norfolk  Lip-ht  .-Xrt.  Blues. 
Boothe.     William — Corporal     in     Norfolk     Light     Art. 

Blues. 
Brickhouse.    S.    M. — Corporal    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Busky,   C.   H. — Corporal    in   Norfolk   Light   .\rt.    Blues. 
Bedo-t.    Fred.'L. — _'(1    sergeant   of    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Balsom,    Benjamin    F. — 4lh    sergeant    of   Xnrfolk    Light 

Art.   Blues.     .\p.  coins,  sergt. 
Barnes,  John  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Barnes,    Samuel     /\. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues, 


Billups,  Andrew  J. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

Bobee.  Louis — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .•\rt.  Blues. 
In   charge   Ambulance   Corps. 

Boole.   John   J. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   Art.   Blues. 

Burford,  Martin — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Boutwell,  L.  W.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Butt.  George  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 

Butt.  C.  N.  G.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Det.  clerk  in  Treas.  Dept. 

Brown.  Richard — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  ."Krt.  Blues. 

Browning,  Henry  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art. 
Blues. 

Butt,    Nienieyer — Private   in   .Atlantic   Art, 

Buford,   Jabez — Private   in   Atlantic   Art. 

Buchanan,  J.   W. — Private  in   Atlantic  Art. 

Bauni.   .Adam — ist  sergeant   in  United  Art. 

Bullock.   John   T. — Ord.    sergeant   in   LTnited   Art. 

Bell.   Miles   K.— Private   in   United   Art. 

Belotc.   John — Private   in    United   Art. 

Betts,  W.  M.— Private  in  United  Art. 

Bisby.   Henry  T. — Private   in  United  Art. 

Bowers.   George — Private   in   United   Art. 

Bishy,    W.    J.— Private    in    United    Art. 

Bunting.   John — Private   in   United   Art. 

Black.   John    T.— Private   in   United   Art. 

Baker,  George  W. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Benson.  George — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Ratten.   Noah   T.— Private   in   Co.   C,    isth   Va.   Cav. 

Brown.   Roscoe   H. — Private   in    Co.    F.    15th   Va.    Cav. 

Bunting.   George   S. — Private   in   Co.   F.    15th   Va.   Cav. 

Berry.  John — Private  in  Co.   F,   iSth  Va.   Cav. 

Berry.   Samuel — Private  in  Co.   F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 

Brice,  George  D. — Private  in  Co.  F.  iSth  Va.  Cav. 

Bullock.   Joseph   A. — Private   in    Co.    F.    15th   Va.    Cav.- 

Benson,   Francis  R. — 1st   sergeant   in   Signal   Corps. 

Barnes.   V.    H. — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 

Beach.    William    F. — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 

Berwick.   William — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 

Blamire,  Jpmes   A. — Hospital   Steward.  Richmond. 

Brownley.  M.   D. — Private   in   Naval   Brigade. 

Barron.    Samuel — Captain   in   C.    S.    Navy. 

Barron.   Samuel.   Tr. — Lieutenant   in   C.    S.   Navy. 

Bradford.  Otey — Lieutenant  in   C.   S.   Navv. 

Blacknall.  Dr.  George — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Barrom.   Beniamin   A. — Gunner   in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Brown.   Eugene  H. — Assistant  engineer  in   C.   .S.  Navy. 

Brown.    John    B. —  Assistant  'engineer    in    C.    S,    Navy. 

Brocketl.  William  B. — .Assistant  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Baker.   Thoma* — Gunner  in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Bain,   Robert   M. — Carpenter  in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Bennett.    William — Saihnaker   in    C.    S.    Navy. 

Benthall.    Robert — .Act.    master's   mate   in    C.    S.    Navy. 

Briggs,   William — In   C.   S.   Navy. 

Bridges,   Thomas  W. — Navy  Department. 

Rilisoly,  V.   B. — Surgeon  in   C.   S.   .Army. 

Boykin.   Robert  M. — Cantain  and  assistant  commissary.. 

Brown.  Richard  T. — Private  in   Co.   C.   nth   Va.   Regt. 

Bagnall    Richard   D. — .Assistant  surgeon   in  3d  Ga.   Inf. 

Berry.  Joseph  D. — 2d  lieutenant  in  Co.  L,  17th  N.  C. 
Regt. 

Brit,  F.lisha— Private  in  Co,  .A,  4th  N.   C.  Regt. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


109 


Bratt.   Mark— Private   in   2d   N.    C.    Battalion. 
Binglcv.   William    H.— Private   in   3d    N'.    C.    Cav. 
Briirlit'.   Mark— Private   in   Co.   B,  32d   X.   C.  Regt. 

C. 

Carpenter,   William    M.— Private   in   Co.    I.   4"tli   N.   C. 

Regt. 
Carter.  John   B.— Private   in   Co.   C.    i7tli   N-   C.   Regt. 
Crow.   Benjamin  M. — Sergeant   in   1st  Va.   Inf. 
Coimcil.  James  C. — Lieutenant-colonel   in  26th  Va.  Inf 
Cox.  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  E,  26th  \'a.  Inf. 
Chaplain.  William  M. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va. 

Inf. 
Cooper,  M.  \'.  B— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Cooper,  James — Private  in   Co.  I.  ,^8th  Va.  Inf. 
Capps.  .-\.  J.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Callis.  Henry— Private  in  Co.  I.'  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Constable.  Charles  W.— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Cofer.   Robert   E— Private  in  Co.   I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
Cofer.  Reuben   F.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
Choate.  James   C. — Captain  of  Co.  A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Cherry,  John  H. — 1st  corporal  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Cherry,  James   C. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Cherry.  Jatnes   E. — Private   in   Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Casey.   Raynor — Private  in   Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Culpepper.  Maurice — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Culpepper.   Miles — Private   in   Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Culpepper.  Marshall — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Cofficld.  J.   A— Private   in   Co.   A,  3d   Va.   Inf. 
Creekmore,   Malachi — Private   in   Co.   A,   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Culpepper.   David — Private   in   Co.   H.   3d  Va.   Inf. 
Culpepper.  Joshua — Private  in   Co.   H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Culpepper.  Joseph — Private   in   Co.   H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Coston.   Thomas — Private   in   Co.   H.   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Carbon.   Robert   W. — Sergeant  in   Co.   F.  41st   Va.   Inf. 
Cuthrell.  Enos — Private  in  Co.   F.  4i5t  Va.  Inf. 
Cutherell.   John    W. — Private    in    Co.    F,   41st   Va.    Inf. 
Cutherell.   Joseph   E. — Private  in   Co.    F.  41st   Va.   Inf. 
Carter.  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  F,  4i5t  Va.  Inf. 
Creekmore.   Gregorv — Private   in   Co.   F.   41st   Va.    Inf. 
Curling.  .'Xshwell — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Castine.  Jeremiah — Private  in  Co.  A.  6l5t  Va.  Inf. 
Creekmore.  Josiah — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Castine.   J.   T. — Private   in   Co.   A.   6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Cooper,  J.  A. — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Cooper.  J.   .A. — Private   in   Co.    A.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Cooper.  C.   C. — Private   in   Co.   A.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Creekmore,   Marshall    O. — Private   in    Co.    .•\,   61  st   Va. 

Inf. 
Creekmore,  John   W. — Private  in   Co.   A.  61st  \'a.   Inf. 

Prom,    sergt. 
Creekmore.    Willoughhv    W. — Private    in    Co.    A,    61  st 

\'a.   Inf. 
Culpepper,  Daniel   R. — Private  in   Co.   .X.  6rst  Va.   Inf. 
Culpepper.  John — Private  in   Co.    .X.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Cotton.  Benjatnin  C. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6tst  Va.  Inf. 
Creekmore.   Seth — Private   in   Co.    B.  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Curling.  Joseph  H..  Sr. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  ^'a.  Inf. 
Curling.  Joseph  H..  Jr. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cooper.  William  A. — Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Cartwright,  James  E. — Private  in   Co.   C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cox.   Sharp  K. — Private  in   Co.  C.  615!  Va.   Inf. 
Creekmore,  Theophilus — Private  in  Co.  C,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 


Cowell,   Benjamin  B. — Private   in  Co.   C,  61st   \'a. 

Prom,  corpl. 
Curtis,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Chaniberlaine.  Tliomas — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va. 
Chamherlaine,  William — Private  in  Co.  D,  61  st  Va. 
Coston.  William  C. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va. 
Coston,  Henry  C. — Private  in  Co.  D.  61  st  Va.  Inf, 
Coston,  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  In 
Cherry,    William    Alexander — Private    in    Co.    D, 

Va.  Inf.  Prom,  corpl. 
Cooke,  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cotton.  John— Orderly  at  Col.'s  Headqrs.,  61  st  Va. 
Charlton.  Joshua — Corporal  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  In 
Charlton.  Samuel  Q. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va. 
Cartwright.  Denipsey — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va. 
Cherry,  Absalom— Private  in  Co.  E,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Cherry.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Corbit.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  E.  61st  Va.  Inf. 
Creekmore.  Wesley  P. — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va. 
Curling.  Bartlett — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Curling.  Edmond — Private  in  Co.  E.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Cutherell.  George — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cutherell,  Milton — Private  in  Co.  E,  6lst  Va.  Inf, 
Cutherell.  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va. 
Carr.  James  F. — 2d  lieutenant  in  Co,  H,  61  st  Va. 

Ap.   commissary. 
Crumpler.  Solomon  B. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va. 
Culpeppei^.  Franklin  J. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va. 
Cherry.    Richard   J.— Private    in    Co.    H.   61  st    Va. 

Prom,   sergt. 
Cherry.   Miles — Private   in    Co.   H,  61  st   V^.   Inf. 
Cherry.  John — Private  in   Co.   H.  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Cherrv.   David — Private   in   Co.   H.   6ist   Va.    Inf. 
Cherry.   Paul   W— Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cooke.    .A.ntonio   M. — Private   in   Co.    H.   6lst   Va. 
Chamherlaine.  Willis — Private  in   Co.   H.  6ist  Va. 
Cason.   John    S. — 1st   sergeant  in   Co.    K.   6ist   Va. 

Prom.   3d   lieut. 
Culpepper.  William  .A. — Private  in  Co.  D.  gih  \'a. 

Prom.  1st  sergt. 
Curherell.  Leonard — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  In 
Cross.  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Cowper,  Walter  G. — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va. 
Cleaves.  Lemuel  T. — Captain  of  Co.  G.  9th  Va. 
Culpepper.  Roland  H — Private  in  Co.  G.  oth  Va 
Creecy.  George  A. — Private  in  Co.  G.  oth  Va.  In 
Collni'i    George  W.   F.   D. — Private   in   Co.   G.  9th 

Inf. 
Culpepper.  Reuben — Private  in   Co.   G.  gth   \'a.   In 
Crocker.  J.  O.  B. — Captain  of  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf 
Carney.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Capns.  Josiah — Private  in  Co.   I.  oth   \'a.   Inf. 
Cutherell.  George  A. — Private  in  tTo.  K.  gth  Va.  In 
Collins.  A.  E— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Cocke,  John  N. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Cocke,  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 

ass"t   sur.   14th  Va. 
Cassell.    Charles    E. — Private    in    Co.    K.    gth    Va. 

Proin.   1st  lieut.  Topo-Engr. 
Creekmur.   Charles  J. — Private  in   Co.   K.  Qth   Va. 
Cherry.   Eugene — Private   in   Co.   K,  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Cutchin,   J.    F. — Private    in    Co.    A.    l6th   '^'a.    Inf. 
Culpepper,   A.  T. — Lieutenant  in  Co.   C,   i6th  Xz. 
Collins,   William   W.— Private  in   Co.   C,   l6th  Va. 


Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 

f. 
6ist 


Inf. 

inf. 
Inf. 


Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 

Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 

Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 


f. 
Va. 

f. 

f. 

Ap. 
Inf. 
Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 


no 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Cooper,  John   G. — Private  in  Co.   C,   l6th   Va.   Inf. 
Cutherell,    Samuel — Private    in    Co.    C,    i6th    Va.    Inf. 

Furnished   substi.    1861. 
Cain,   George   D. — Musician   in   Co.    A,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Coffin,  Thomas  W. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Ap. 

hospt.    steward. 
Cooper,   Fleming — Private  in    Co.   A,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Cooke,    Ezekiel — Private   in    Co.    A,   6th   Va.    Inf. 
Coston.  James — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

corpl. 
Carter,  Henry   C. — Private  in   Co.   A.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Crane.   Samuel — ,^d  sergeant  in   Co.   C,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Clarke,  John  J.— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va,  Inf.     Prom. 

corpl, 
Corprew,    Samuel    S. — Private   in    Co.    C,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Coleman,  John   M.— Private   in   Co.   C.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Crawley,   George   F. — 2d   lieutenant   in    Co.    D.   6th   Va. 

Inf.      Prom.    capt.    Co.    C. 
Carty,   Robert  J. — 1st   sergeant   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Coates,   Wilson — 5th    sergeant    in    Co.    D,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Corprew,  George — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Clarke,  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Chamberlaine.    William    W. — 3d    lieutenant    in    Co.    G. 

6th   Va.   Inf.      Prom.   capt.   and   A.   A.   G.   on   staff 

Gen.  Walker. 
Catlett,   John   R. — ist   sergeant   in   Co.   G.   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Chisman,  John  R. — Private  in  Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Clark,   Fred   W.— Private   in   Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Cole,  Cornelius  M. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Core,   John   H.— Private   in   Co.   G.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Collier,  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     As- 
signed  Med,  Dept.   :86i. 
Cannon.    Dougljs    C — Private   in    Co.    G,   6th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans.    Signal   Coros   1861. 
Cason,    Benjamin    F. — Private    in    Co.    G,   6th   Va.    Ifif. 

Prom.    ?d  lieut.   Co.   B,  gth  Va. 
Crockett,   George — Private   in   Co.   G,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Charlton.  Joseph — Private  in   Co.  H,   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Cusick,   Thomas — Private   in   Co.   H,    12th  Va.   Inf. 
Charlton.   Cary — Private   in   Co.   H.   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Connor,   Thomas   L. — Private   in   Co.   H.    12th   Va.   Inf. 
Carroll.  H.   W.— Private   in   Co.   H,   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Carlon,  John — Private  in   Co.  H,   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Connor,   J'ame^ — Private   in    Co,   H,    12th   Va,    Inf, 
Carter,  John  R. — Private  in   Co.   H,   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Crump,  George  R. — Private  in  Co.  I,  72th  Va.  Inf. 
Crismond,    George    E. — Private    in    Portsmouth    Light 

Art. 
Cummings,  Southall — Private  in  Portsmouth  T.ieht  Art. 
Creckninre,  Walter  A. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Culver,   George   D. — Private   in    Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Clarke,  W.  T. — Sergeant  in  Norfolk  Light  .'Xrt.   Blues. 
Cooke,   John    S. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   .A-rt.   Blues. 
Collins,  W.   W.— Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .\rt.   Blues. 
Capps,  L.  O. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Cornick,   H. — Private   in   Norfolk  Light   .^rt.   Blues. 
Carroll,    William    S. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Cocke.  W.  R.  C— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .^Vrt.  Blues. 
Cox,  William  R. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Cutherell.   William   S. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   Art. 

Blues. 


Cocke.  P.  St.  George — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

Connor.  Christopher  O. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art 
Blues. 

Curran,  Albert  G. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

Currier.  Robert  A. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

Carter,  Richard  W. — Assistant  to  commissary  sergeant, 
Norfolk   Light   Art.    Blues. 

Callis,    William — Private    in    Atlantic    .\rt. 

Cosby.   W.    H. — 5th    sergeant    in    United    Art. 

Carr,  W.  H. — 6th  sergeant  in  LTnited  Art. 

Carstaphan,   John — 2d   corporal   in   United   Art. 

Capps,   John — Private   in   United   Art, 

Clarke,   Alexander — Private  in  L^nited  Art, 

Clarke,   Fred   S. — Private   in   L^nited  Art. 

Cameron.   Charles — Private   in   United   Art. 

Cook,   Edward — Private   in   LTnited   Art. 

Chestnut,   Nicholas — Private   in   LTnited   Art. 

Cain,   Richard   C. — Private   in-Lhiited   Art, 

Cornell,   J.    R.— Private   in   United   Art. 

Conovvay,  Ed.  J. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Colonna,  George  M. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor 
Guard-Art. 

Colonna,  William — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Corbett,  Thomas  H. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor 
Guard-Art. 

Curtis,  Edward — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Crockett,  John — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Chandler,    Lindsay — Private    in    Pendleton's    .\rt. 

Crow,  Charles — Lieutenant  in  Purcell  Battery,  Rich- 
mond. 

Cooper,  John   F. — Captain   Co.   F.    15th   Va.   Cav. 

Cooper,  Arthur — Private  in  Co.   F.  15th  Va.   Cav. 

Cooper,   Edward   P. — Private   in   Co.   F.    15th   Va.   Cav. 

Culpepper,  Daniel  M. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va,  Cav. 

Cox,    Thomas — Private   in    Co.    F,    15th   Va.    Cav. 

Coleburn,  William — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Creamer,  James — Private  in   Co.   F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 

Creekmore,  Alexander  O, — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va. 
Cav. 

Creekmore,  J.  J. — Private  in  Co.  F,   15th  Va.  Cav, 

Capps,  Andrew  J. — Private  in  Co.  C,  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Camm,  Robert  J. — Private  in  New  Orleans  Cadets. 

Corprew,  O.  H.  B, — Caotain  and  assistant  quarter- 
master in   Mahone's  Div. 

Clarke,  W.  H.— Pilot  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Cherry.  Virginus — Seaman  in  C.  S.  Nav}'. 

Cone.   Edward — Seaman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Cornick,  James — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Carlon.  James — Assistant  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Corran.  A.   G. — Master's  mate  in  C.   S.  Navy. 

Cooke.  James  W. — Captain  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Cornick,  Henry — Master  in  C.  S.  Navy, 

City,   George  W. — Assistant  engineer  in  C.   S.   Navy. 

Cowley,  Stephen  A. — Captain  and  adjutant  general. 

Cocke,    W.    M. — -A-ssistant    surgeon    in    C.    S.    Army. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


1 1 1 


Cherr)-,  I.  J. — Assistant   surgeon  in  C.  S.   Army. 
Covert.  J.   M. — Assistant   surgeon  in   C.   S.   Army. 
Ctxike.  Giles  B. — Major  and  assistant  inspector  general. 
Cunningham.    Arthur    C. — Lieutenant-colonel     in     lOth 

Ala.  Regt. 
Cooke.  William  G. — Private  in   Co.   K,  30th   Battalion. 
Carr,  John   Robert — 

Cooper.   James    Samuel — Private   in   Co.   I. 
Carroll,  John   F. — Private  in   Co.   A. 


Davis,  Elzj-^Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Dier.  Edward  F.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
Dozier,  James  W.,  Jr. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Downing,  Charles  \V. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.   capt. 
Detrick.  John — Private  in   Co.   F.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Dashiell.  Levin  H. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Dey,  Apollos  O.— Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Dey.  David — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Davis.  William  T.— Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Deyscr,  Luke — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Dunford.  \'irgil  H. — Private  in  Co.  I,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Dudley.  William  R. — Sergeant  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Diggs.   Benjamin   F. — Private   in   Co.   A,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Deford.  John   W. — Private   in   Co.   .\,  61  st   Va.   Inf. 
Davis,  William  G.  B.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Davis.  James — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Doxev.  David  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 
Dudley.  Willis  W.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Darnold.  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Deconier.   John — Private   in   Co.   C,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Do.xey.  Grandy  B. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Dunstan.  W.  H. — Corporal  in  Co.  D.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Davis,  John   Harrison — Private  in  Co.  D.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Drewn-.  William — Second  lieutenant  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va. 

Inf. 
Deford.   Richard   H.— Private   in   Co.   E,  61st  Va.   Inf. 
Dillon.   Lee   W.— Private  in   Co.   K,  6i5t  Va.   Inf. 
Duke.   Gideon — Private   in    Co.   A.   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Davis,  John   W.— Private   in   Co.   B.  3d  Va.   Inf.     Det. 

to   work   in    Xavy   Yard    1863. 
Dunn.    Edward — Private    in    Co.    B,    3d    \'a.    Inf.      Ap. 

drum   major   1861. 
Dixon.  John  R. — Corporal  in  Co.  F.  3d  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

sergt. 
Deans.   Joseph— Private   in    Co.    H.   3d   ^"a.    Inf. 
Dongan.   James   W.— 1st    lieutenant   in    Co.   H,   3d   Va. 

Inf. 
Dolly,   William— 1st   lieutenant   in   Co.   H,   3d   Va.   Inf. 
DeGraw.    William — Corporal    in    Co.    D,    9th    Va.    Inf. 

Furnished   sub.   1861. 
Deakin.   George — Corporal   in   Co.   D.  9th   Va.   Inf. 
Darden.  Richard — Corporal  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Day.  William — Corporal  in  Co.  D_.  9th  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Gov.'s  Guard. 
Darden.   Samuel — Cornoral   in   Co.   D.  qth  Va.   Inf. 
Darden,   Joseph    L.— Corporal    in    Co.   D.   9th   \'a.    Inf. 
Denson.   Virginus    S. — Private   in   Co.   G.   9th   Va.   Inf. 
Dozier.  Cornelius  M. — 2d  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va. 

Inf. 
Dennis.  Samuel— Private  in  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Co.  C,  13th  Va.  Cav. 


Duncan.    Blanch. — Private    in   Co.   I,   9th   Va.   Inf. 
Duncan.  John — Private  in   Co.   I,  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Duncan.    Richard — Private   in    Co.    I,  9th   Va.    Inf. 
Daughtrey,   William — Private  in  Co.   I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Duke.   Henrj' — Private   in   Co.   I,   9th   \'a.   Inf.     Tran-. 

to  Co.  C,   13th  Va.  Cav. 
Duke.   Lewis — Private   in   Co.   I,   9th   Va.   Inf. 
Dyson,    Walter    W. — Private    in    Co.    K,   gth    V'a.    Inf. 
Dent.    William — Private   in   Co.    K,   gth   Va.    Inf.      De- 
tached   1861. 
Daughtrcy.  Robert  T. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  \'a.   Inf. 
Davis.  J.   C.   .\. — Private  in   Co.   K.  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Dunderdale.  J.   A.   F. — Private  in   Co.   K,  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Davis,   W.   W. — Sergeant  in   Co.   C,   i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Dann.   Silas — Private  in   Co.   C,   l6th   Va.   Inf.     Prom. 

sergt. 
Darden.   Edward — Private  in   Co.   C,   16th  Va.  Inf. 
Deal.    William — Private    in    Co.    C.    i6th    Va.    Inf.    - 
Diggs.    William   W. — Private   in   Co.    C,    l6th    Va.    Inf. 
Deal.   Willis— Private  in   Co.   A,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Denson.  .\lexander  J. — 2d  lieutenant  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va. 

Inf.      Prom.    1st   lient. 
Dashiell.  James   W. — 3d   lieutenant  in   Co.   C.   6th   \'a. 

Inf.     Prom.  2d  lieut. 
Doyle.   N'athan    C. — Private   in   Co.   C.   6th   Va.    Inf. 
Dunn.   Thomas — Private   in   Co.   C.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Donald.  Caleb  J.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Deiches.  W. — Private  in  Co.   G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Det.  in 

Hospt. 
Dey.  James  B.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Dashiell.  James  J.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Dunbar.  John  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  ^■a.  Inf.     Ap. 

sergt.   1863. 
Dunn.    William    F. — Private    in    Co.    H,    6th    \'a.    Inf. 

Prom,   corpl. 
Dunn.  William  .\. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Dashiell.  Charles — 2d  lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  12th  \'a.  Inf. 
Dashiell,  John  M.— 3d  corporal  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Dozier,   Thomas   L. — Private   in    Co.    H.    12th   \'a.    Inf. 
Davis.    Thomas    H. — Private   in    Co.    H,    12th   Va.    Inf. 
Davis.    William    H.— Private   in    Co.    H,    12th    \'a.    Inf. 
Diggs,   Jame^ — Private   in    Co.   H,    12th   Va.    Inf. 
Dobbs.  .Andrew  J. — Private  in  Co.  H.   12th  Va.   Inf. 
Dashiell,    F.    S.— Private   in   Co.    H.    12th   Va.   Inf. 
Drewry.  John   B. — Private   in   Co.   F.  32d  Va.   Inf. 
Drummond.  Thomas  F. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  F,  46th  \'a. 

Inf. 
Dilsburg.  John   H. — Private   in   Portsmouth  Light   .\rt. 
Denson.   A.   J. — Private   in    Xorfolk   Light   .Art.    Blues. 
Doughtie.  H.  S. — Private  in  Xorfolk  Light  .-Xrt.   Blues. 
Drummond,    R.     I. — Private    in    Xorfolk     Light     .\rt. 

Blues.      ' 
Drummond.    C.    H. — Private    in    Xorfolk     Light     Art. 

Blues. 
Dunn.  J.  R. — Private  in  Xorfolk  Light  An.  Blues. 
Davis.  .Alexander — Private  in  Xorfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Douglas.    Thomas    H. — Private   in    Xorfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Dozier.    Tully    F. — Private    in    .Atlantic   .Art. 
Duke.  W.   p. — Private  in   L'nited  .Art. 
Duncan.  James — Private   in   L'nited  .Art. 
Dalton.    .A.   J. — Private    in    L'nited    Art. 
Deane,  John — Private   in   L'nited   -Art. 
Dudlev,   William    F. — Private   in   United   .Art. 


iI2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Davis,    John — Private    in    Young's    Harbor    Guard-Art. 
Dray,  William   H. — Corporal   in  ,3d  N.  C.  Art. 
Dunaway,  A.   B. — Corporal   in   Co.   D,  gth  Va.   Cav. 
Dennis,   M.   W. — Private  in   Co.  C,   13th  Va.  Cav. 
Driver.  Elliott  J. — Private  in  Co.  C.  I3tli  Va.  Cav. 
Duke,   Hardy — Private  in  Co.  C,  13th  Va.   Cav. 
Dunford.    Emanuel — Private   in    Co.    C.    13th   Va.    Cav. 
Dockerty,  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Dickinson,   Hud&on    AI. — Lieutenant   in   Co.    I,   8th   Va. 

Cav. 
Davis.  Charles  T. — Private  in  Co.  F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Davis,  Gideon  V. — Private  in  Co.  F,  isth  Va.  Cav. 
Denby.    .\ndrew   J. — Private   in    Co.    F,    15th    Va.    Cav. 
Denby,  Edward — Private  in   Co.  F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Dixon,    Ralph — Private   in    Co.    F,    15th   Va.    Cav. 
Duke,  Joseph   T. — Private  in  Co.  I.  24th  Va.  Cav. 
Dilworth.   John   R. — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 
Darden.   Goodman — Major   of   Co.   C,  8th    N.    C.   Regt. 
Denson.  C.  B. — Captain  of  Co.  E,  loth  N.  C.  Regt, 
Denson,  Joseph  E. — Private  in  Co.  E.  loth  N.  C.  Regt. 
T)iggs,  C.  C. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Ga.  Regt. 
Downing,    Charles   W. — Captain   in   Cohoon's    Battalion 

Inf. 
DeBree.  \.   M. — Lieutenant  in   C.   S.   Navy. 
DeBree.   John,   Jr. — .Assistant    surgeon    in    C.    S.    Navy. 
DeBree.  John — Paymaster  in   C.   S.   Navy. 
Dornin,    F.    B. — Midshipman    in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Doland.   J.   T. — Assistant   engineer   in   C.   S.   Navy. 
Dunderdale.   John — Boatswain   in   C.    S.    Navy. 
Dungan.    Edward    J. — 2d    assistant    engineer    in    C.    S. 

Navy. 
Duncan.  James  H. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  B.  Baker's  Regt. 
Duffield.    Charles    B. — Major    and    adjutant    general. 


Etheredgc,  William  H. — Cantain  of  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Prom.   Maj.   41st  Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge.  John  N. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Edmond.  John  J. — Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Edmunds.   Henry — Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Edmunds,    .-^bel — Private    in    Co.   F,   41st   Va.   Inf. 

Elliott.  Kemn   B. — Private  in   Co.   F,  4rst  Va.  Inf. 

Etheredge.  Charles  O. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Edmondson.   Gabriel — Private   in    Co.   F.   41st   Va.    Inf. 

Etheredge.  Henry  S. — Sergeant  in  Co.  A,  6rst  Va.  Inf. 

Etheredge.    Jos-ah — Corporal    in    Cn     C.    61 't    Va.    Inf. 

Eason.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6i*t  Va.  Inf. 

Etheredge.  Dennis  M. — Sergeant  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Edmunds.    Luther — Musician    in    Co.    E.   6ist   Va.    Inf. 

Etheredge.   Frederick — Private   in   Co.   E.  61 '^t  Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge.   Isaiah — Private   in    Co.    E,   6lst   Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge.    John — Private    in    Co.    E.   fiist    Va.    Inf. 

Etheredge.  Martin — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va,  Inf, 

Evans,    Charles — Corporal    in    Co.   I.   5i,st   Va.    Inf. 

Eure.    Hillary — Private    in    Co.    I     6ist   Va.    Inf. 

Eure,   Henry — Private  in   Co.   I,   fn-^t  Va.    Inf. 

Eure,  -Augustus — Private  in  Co.  I.  6lst  Va.  Inf.  Fur- 
nished  stibst. 

Edwards.  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Prom,    lieu-t. 

Etheredge,  Evan  D. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Etheredge,   James   M. — Private   in   Co.    A,   3d  Va.   Inf. 


Etheredge,    Cornelius — Private   in    Co.    E,    3d   Va.    Inf. 
Trans,   to   navy. 

Etheredge.   John    E. — Private    in    Co.    H.    3d    Va.    Inf. 

Edgar,   George — Private  in   Co.   H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 

Eastman.    Lewis — Private     in     Co.     D,     pth     Va,     Inf. 
Trans,  to  navy. 

Etheredge,   Samuel   R. — Private  in   Co,   G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Edwards,    Amos   W, — Private   in    Co.    G.   9th   Va.    Inf. 

Edmonds,   Samuel  W. — Private  in   Co.   G,  gth  Va.  Inf 

Everett,   Charles — Private   in    Co.    I.   38th   'Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge,  Charles  A. — Sergeant  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Edmonds.    John    T. — Private    in    Co.    C,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Evans.    Peter — Private  in   Co.   D.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge,  George  W. — Private -in  Co.  D,  6th  Va,  Inf. 

Elliott.   John   W.— Private   in   Co.   D.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge. Private  in  Co.   G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Edwards,   Walter   A. — 3d   sergeant    in    Co,    H,   6th   Va. 
Inf.     Prom,   ist  sergt.   1863. 

Edmonds,    William — Private    in    Co.    H.    12th   Va.    Inf. 

Eason,  Israel — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va,   Cav. 

Ewell.   John — Private    in    Portsmouth    Light   Art. 

Elliott,  J.   W.— Corporal   in   Norfolk   Light   .Art.    Blues. 

Elliott.    Thomas    H. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 
Blues. 

Ewell,  Jesse — Pri-'ate  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Evans.   Arthur — Private   in   Atlantic  Art. 

Eisenbiess,   Thaddeus   E. — 2d  lieutenant  in  LTnited  Art. 

Edmonds.      Andrew — Corporal      in      Young's      Harbor 
Guard-Art. 

Everett,    Lemuel — Private    in    Young's    Harbor    Guard- 
Art. 

Etheredge.    William    E. — Private     in     Young's     Harbor 
Guard-Art. 

Etheridge,  John— Private  in  Co.  B,  .c8th  N.  C.  Inf 

Emmerson.  John — ist  corporal  in  Signal  Corps.     Prom, 
capt.   and  A.  C.   S. 

Evans,  Richard — Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Elliott,    William    H. — Co.xswain    in    C.    S.    Navv ;    also 
34th  Va.   Inf. 

Etheredge.   A.   E. — Captain   and   assistant   quarter   mas- 
ter. 

F. 

Fraley,   Edward  K. — Private  in  Co.   A.  2d  La.  Inf. 
Falk.   Victor   N.— Private   in   Co.   B,   5th   La.   Inf. 
Fitchell.   William— Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va,   Inf, 
Forrest.  John — Private  in   Co.  I,  38th  Va,  Inf. 
Frost,   W.   W.— Private  in   Co.   I,  38fh  Va.   Inf. 
Flora.  Henrv  C— Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Ferguson.   Henry — Private   in   Co.    T.  38th   Va.   Inf. 
Forbes,  Eliiah   B.— Private  in  Co.   F.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Foreman.  Josephus — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Fisher,    Caleb — Private   in    Co.    F,   dtst   Va,    Inf, 
Forrest,  John   R.— Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va,  Inf. 
Foreman.  Washington — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Foreman,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Fitchett.   William   E.— Private  in   Co.   F,   41st  Va,   Inf, 
Fentress,  John — Private  in   Co.   F.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Ferrell,  John — Private  in  Co,  A,  61  st  Va,  Inf, 
Foreman,   .Acelius  G. — Private   in   Co,   A,  6ist  Va,   Inf, 
Foreman,   W.    .\.— Private    in   Co.    A.   61  st   Va.    Inf. 
Fulford,  James — Private   in   Co.   A.  61  st  Va.    Inf. 
Fulford.    James    E. — 2d    lieutenant     in     Co.      B,     6lst 
Va,   Inf,     Prom,    ist  lieut. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


115 


Fisher,  A.   B.  C— 2d  sergeant  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  3d  licut. 
Fcrrcll.  Ge<irge — Private  in  Co.   B,  6ist  Va.   Int. 
Fanshaw.  Alpheiis — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Fentress.  Joseph — Private   in   Co.   B,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Foreman,  Jolni  W. — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Forbes,   E.    W. — Corporal   in   Co.   C.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Forbes.   Nathaniel — Private   in   Co.   C,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Fiilford.   Thomas   H. — Private  in  Co.   C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Flarity,   Thomas — Private  in   Co.   D.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Flanagan,  Edward — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Fleniniing,  Malon  R. — Private  in  Co.   D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ferebee,   Grandy — Private   in    Co.   E.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Foster,  James   S. — Private  in  Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Foreman.    Isaiali — Private  in   Co.   H,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Foreman.   Janus   R. — Private   in   Co.   H,   61st   Va.    Inf. 
Friedlin,  .-Xmile  C. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ferrill,  John— Private   in   Co.   I,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Fowler,  A.  J. — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Fi>rbes,  Simeon — Private  in  Co.  K.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Flannagan,    .Andrew — Private   in    Co.    K,   6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Fentress.   Batson — Private  in   Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Fentress,  Joshua — Private   in   Co.   A,  3d   Va.   Inf. 
Friedlin.  John — Private   in   Co.   A,  3d   Va.   Inf. 
Fisher,  William  C. — Private  in  Co,  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Forward,  John    W. — Private   in   Co.   A,  3d   Va.   Inf. 
Fitchell,  George  P. —  Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  \a.  Inf.    Det. 

to  work  in   Xavy  Yard. 
Foils,  Henry — Musician  in  Co.   H.  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Franklin.   Thomas — Private  in   Co.   H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Friedlin.    .-Xdolpli — Private   in    Co.   H.   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Flcmming,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Flemniing,   Caleb — Private   in   Co.    H,   3d   Va.   Inf. 
Futtett.   George — Private   in    Co.   D,   gth   Va.   Inf. 
Ferebee.    George    \V. — Private   in    Co.   G,   9th   Va.    Inf. 
Ferebee.  Joseph   K. — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Fiendly.  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  G,  pth  Va.  Inf. 
Field.   Richard — Private   in    Co.   I,  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Foster.    Frank     S. — Private    in    Co.    K.    gth  ■  \'a.    Inf. 

Trans.   Signal   Corps    1862. 
Foster,  .\.   R. — Private  in  Co.   K.  gth  ^^l.   Inf.     Trans. 

Signal    Corps    1862. 
Forbes.  Thomas  N. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Fiske,  Melzar  G.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Forsyth.    John — 3d    corporal    in    Co.    A,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  color  sergt. 
Flora.  Joel — Private  in  Co.  .V,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Fur.  subst. 

1862:    subst.   deserted. 
Field.   Robert — Private   in   Co.   A,  6th   Va.    Inf. 
Fredericks.  Lewis — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Face.  James    P.— Private  in   Co.   C,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Flannagan.  John  T. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Frestine.  John  W. — Private  in  Co.   D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Frestine,  J.    E. — Private   in   Co.   D.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Fulcher.  Gabriel  F. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Fisher,  James  E. — Private  in   Co.   D.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Finley,   Thomas— Private   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Fowler,  Robert — Private  in  Co.   D,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Flournoy.  E.  H.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

1st  lieutenant   1864. 
Fentress,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     .\p. 

hospt.  steward  1862. 
Fitchctt,    Julius    M— Private    in    Co.    G,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,    to    Fitchetl's    Bat.    1862. 


Fletcher,  Oliver  N.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Freeman,    Robert — Private     in     Co.    G.    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Ap.  master's  mate  navy   1864. 
Foreman.  Columbus  W. —  Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Trans.   Co.    B,   5th   Va.   Cav.,   1863. 
Freeman,  Joseph    N. — Private   in    Co.   G,   6th   Va.   Inf. 

Ap.  engr.   navy, 
Ferris,  James — Private  in   Co.   H,  6th   Va,   Inf. 
Ferratt,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  D,  14th  Va.  Inf. 
Flcnmiing,  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  F,  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Fitzgerald.    William    H. — Private    in    Co.    H,    12th    Va. 

Inf.      -Ap.    master   in   navy    1863. 
Fauth,   Bernard — Lieutenant   in   Portsmouth  Light   Art. 

Joined    Signal    Corps. 
Fitzsimmons,    Thomas — Private    in    Portsmouth    Light 

Art. 
Forbes,   V. — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Fentress,  William  T. — Lieutenant  in   Portsmouth  Light 

Art. 
Fitzgerald.   W. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   .Art.    Blues. 
Fitzgerald,    E. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light   .Art.    Blues. 
Fletcher.  F. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Floyd,  John  W.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Ferguson.  William   K. — Private   in   Norfolk  Light   Art, 

Blues. 
Ferrat,  John   B. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Det.   hospt.   steward    1863. 
Forden,    William    B. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Forrest,  William  S.,  Jr — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art. 

Blues. 
Fugitt.   William — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .Art.   Blues. 
Flannigan,    Fletcher — Private   in   Atlantic   Art. 
Fisher,   Charles — Private   in   L^nited   Art, 
Fowler,    John — Private    in    United    Art, 
Flynn,   John — Private   in   L'nited   Art, 
Fisher,  Labcn  J. — Private  in  Co.  C,  isth  Va.  Cav. 
Fentress,   Joshua — Private   in   Co.    F,    15th   Va.   Cav. 
Fentress,   David — Private  in   Co.   F,    15th   Va.   Cav. 
Fentress.  William  H. — Private  in  Co.   F,  15th  Va,  Cav. 
Fentress,  James — Private  in   Co.   F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Foreman,     Claudius   T. — Private    in    Co.     F.   15th    Va. 

Cav. 
Foremati,    William    H. — Private    in    Co.     F,    15th    Va. 

Cav. 
Foreman.     .Alexander — Private     in     Co.     F.     15th     Va. 

Cav. 
Frizzell,  Joseph — Private  in   Co.   F,   15th   V'a.   Cav. 
Frizzell.  John — Private  in   Co.   F,   15th   Va.   Cav. 
Fulford,   .Arthur — Private  in  Co.  F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Forbes,   Peter   S. — Private  in   Co.   F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Flora.  John  T. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav.    Trans. 

to   N.   C.   Regt. 
Fiske,  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Fiske.  Richard  B. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Fletcher.  Hannibal — Private  in  Co.  I,  l^th  Va.  Cav. 
Ferguson.  George   S. — Private  in   Co.   E,   ist  Va.   Cav. 
Ford,   William — Private   in   Co.   C,    13th   Va.   Cav. 
Freer.   George   H. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Forbes,  Robert  A. — Private  in   Signal  Corps. 
Freeman,    R.   J. — .Assistant   surgeon    in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Freeman.  W.  J. — .Assistant  surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Forrest,   Dulaney   A. — Lieutenant   in   C.    S.   Navy. 
Freeman,  J    M.,  Jr. — Engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 


114 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


G. 

Garrett.  W.  T.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Graham,  Josepii — Private  in  Co.   1,  38tli  Va.  Inf. 
Graham,   Tinsley — Private   in   Co.   I.  38th   Va.    Inf. 
Godfrey,   Gervais  K. — Private   in   Co.   I,   38th   Va.   Inf. 
Godfrey,  WilHam  T.— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Guy,  George — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Gray.   WiUiam   T. — Lieutenant   in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Godfrey.   Josephus — Corporal   of    Co.    F,   41st   Va.    Inf. 
Godfrey,   Walton — Private   in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Gibson,    Peter   H. — Private   in   Co.   F.   41st  Va.   Inf. 
Gill)ert.  Robertson — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Gilbert.    Richard    B. — Private    in    Co.    F,   41st   Va.    Inf. 
Grimes,  J.   A. — Private  in  Co.   A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Grimes.  J.   F.   A. — Private  in   Co.  A,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Guinn,   Franklin — Private  in   Co.   A,   6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Gwynn.   Isaac   F. — Private   in   Co.   A,   6ist   Va.    Inf. 
Gregory,   William  H. — Private  in   Co.   B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Grimstead,  Jonathan — Private  in   Co.   B,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Garret,  James  E. — Sergeant  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Gallup,  John — Corporal   in  Co.   C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Glenn,   Samuel  T. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Grandy.    Abner    W. — Private    in    Co.    C,   6ist    Va.    Inf. 
Gallop.  John   C. — Private   in   Co.    C.   6ist  Va.    Inf. 
Guilford,    James — Private    in    Co.    C,    6ist   Va.    Inf. 
Godwin.  .A.  D.  R. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Godfrey.  L.  W. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  E,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Gammon.  Joshua  B. — Private  in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Gifford.   Samuel — Private  in   Co.  E.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Gammon.   Alexander — Private  in   Co.   E,  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Gibson,   Vs'illiam   M. — Private   in   Co.   E,   6Tst   Va.   Inf. 
Grimes.  John   F. — Private   in   Co.   E,  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Gwynn.   Ashbury — Private   in   Co.    E.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Gwynn.   Frederick — Private   in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Gilbert,    Thomas — Private    in    Co.    E.    6ist   Va.    Inf. 
Gleason.  James  A. — ist  sergeant  in  Co.  H,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.    1st  lieut. 
Gallup,  John,   Sr. — Private   in   Co.   H,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Gilding.  George  F. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Gallagher,   Carney — Private  in   Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Gallagher.    Edward — Private    in    Co.    H,    6l5t    Va.    Inf. 
Godwin.    Laban    T. — Private    in    Co.    I,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,   sergt.  , 

Griggs.    Charles    W. — Private    in    Co.    K.   6ist   ^^•l.    Inf. 
Garress.   Isaiah — Private   in   Co.  K,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Gallop.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Gallop.  John,   Sr. — Private  in   Co.   A.  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Gallop,  John,  Jr. — Private  in   Co.   A,   3d  Va.   Inf. 
Godfrey.    Stenhen — Private   in   Co.   A,   3d  Va.   Inf. 
Godfrey,  Mark — Private  in   Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Gordon.  Beniamin  F. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Grant.  Vernon  C. — 3d  lieutenant  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Ap.    quartermaster. 
Guy.    Robert — 2d    sergeant     in     Co.     B,     3d     Va.     Inf. 

Elected  lieut. 
Grimes.  Bartlett— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  navy. 
Grimes.  James  E. — Private   in   Co,   H.  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Goodson.  Calvin — Private  in   Co.   H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Gleason.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Graham.   Thomas — Private   in   Co.   H,   3d   Va.    Inf. 
Grant,   Frank   H. — Private   in   Co.   B,   9th  Va.   Inf. 
Grant,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 


Goodson,    Henrj' — Private    in    Co.     D,     9th     Va.     Inf. 

Trans,   to   Grimes'   Battery. 
Greenwood,    James — Private    in    Co.    D,    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  navy. 
Gray,   William — Private   in   Co.    D,   9th   Va.    Inf. 
Gayle,  Nathaniel  G. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Trans,   to   navy   1865. 
Grant,  Jordan   W. — Private   in   Co.    G,  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Gaskins.    Thomas    S. — Private    in    Co.    G,   9th   Va.    Inf. 
Grant.    Benjamin    F. — Private    in    Co.    G,   9th    Va.    Inf. 
George,    Thomas — Corporal    in    Co.    G,    9th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  navy   1863. 
Grimes,  Joshua — Sergeant  in  Co.  I,  9th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

ensign. 
Grimes,  T.   J. — Sergeant  in  Co.   I,  9th  Va.   Inf. 
George.  J.  W. — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Gurley.  J. — Private  in   Co.  I,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Godwin,    Leroy    C. — Private    in    Co.    K,    9th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,    to    Signal    Corps    1862. 
Gray,  J.   N. — Sergeant  in  Co.   K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Grant.   L.   H. — Drummer  in   Co.   K,  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Griffin,    Cornelius — Private   in    Co.    K,   gth   Va.    Inf. 
Godwin,  D.  J. — Colonel  of  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Guy,  Joseph  L.^Private  in  Co.,  A,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gayle,  John  H. — Captain  of  Co.   C,   i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Gayle.  Levin  J'. — Private  in  Co.  C,  l6th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

Adj.   I2th  Ala.  Regt. 
Gayle,  John  M.— Private  in  Co.   C.   i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Grant,  Robert  S. — Private  in  Co.   C,   i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Grant.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Godwin,  William — Private  in  Co.   C,   16th  Va.  Inf. 
Godwin,   Ellison — Private   in   Co.   C.   l6th   Va.   Inf. 
Gornto,    William — Private   in    Co.    C,    i6th   Va.    Inf. 
Gregory,  Q.uinton  T. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gregory,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gaitley,  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Garrett,  Edward — Private  in   Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gale.  Peter  M.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gills.  Joseph  P.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gordon.    William    R. — Private    in   Co.    G.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

.Ap.  Hosp't.  Steward   1862. 
Goodridge.  F.  E. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Det. 

—1861— Lieut.  Ord.  Dept. 
Goodridge.   George   K. — Private  in   Co.   G.  6th   Va.   Inf. 

Det.— 1861. 
Guvott,  Robert  S.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.     .Ap. 

Ord.  Sergt.  gth  Va.  Regt. 
Gwynn.  T.  P.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.     .Ap.  first 

Lieut.  Marines  C.  S.  Navy. 
Gatch.  Thomas  .A. — First  lieutenant  of  Co.   H.  6th  Va. 

Inf. 
Gray,  William — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gillerlain.  Peter  J.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gale,  William — Musician   in  Co.  H.   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Grav.  James  R — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Griffin.  .A.  J.— Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Griffin.  John— Private  in  Co.  H.  T2th  Va.  Inf. 
Grimes,    Cary    F. — Captain    Portsmouth    Light    Art. 
Griffin.  J.  B. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Liglit  .Art. 
Griffin.  James  W. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Goodson,  Henry  P. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Grandy,    Charles    R. — Captain    of    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Gaskins,  G.  O. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


"5 


Ghisclin.  H.— Private  in  Norfolk  Liglu  Art.  Blues. 
Gliiselin.  R.— Private  in  Norfolk  Liglit  Art.  Blues. 
Gordon,  J.  P.— Private  in  Norfolk  I-iRlU  .\rt.  Blues. 
Gordon.    George    W. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Graves,  C.  M.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Xrt.  Blues. 
Gordon.  ^^ — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues, 
Gale.   James   D.- — Third   lieutenant   Norfolk   Light   Art. 

Prom,  first  licut. 
Gale.  Joseph   A. — Private   in   Norfolk  Light  Art.     Det. 

Hosp't.  steward  i86j. 
George.  Joseph  D. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt. 
Gale.  A.  C— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt. 
Gibbs.  William — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .'Vrt. 
Guyot.  Thomas — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Xrt. 
Gormlev.  J.  J.- — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.     Det.  in 

Hosp't.   1862. 
Gordon.    Samuel — First   corporal    .'\tlantic   Art. 
Griggs.   George  D. — Private   in   .\tlantic  Art. 
Griffin.  \Y.   .\. — Private  in   .\tlantic  Art. 
Glcnnan.  William — Private   in   United  .Art. 
Georgan.   Michael — Private  in  United   .Art. 
Godfrey,   Augustus — Corporal    Young's    Harbor    Guard, 

Art. 
Gilbert.   James — Private    in    Young's    Harbor    Guard. — 

Art. 
Griffin.  John — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard. — Art. 
Gatewood,  Robert — Chaplain   Starke's   Battery.  .'Krt. 
Gould.  B.  W.  F.— Private  in  Co.  C.  I.^h  Va.  Cav. 
Guy.  Thomas  G. — Private  in  Co.  A.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Gammon.  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  T5th  Va.  Cav. 
Grandy.  Thomas   G.^ — Private  in   Co.   F,   l.sth   Va.   Cav. 

Trans,  to  N.  C.  Regt. 
Gornto.  David  T. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Guy.  Benjamin  F. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Gaffney.  Lawrence — Private  in  Co.  C,  1st  Va.  Inf. 
Green.  Joseph  T. — Private  in  Co.  F.  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Giles.  James — Colonel  29th  Va.  Inf. 
Grant.  .A.  H. — Private  in  Co.  D,  4th  Va.  Reserves. 
Garnett.  Robert  F. — Home  Guard. 
Grandv.  P.  H.— ^L^ior  1st  N.  C.  Regt. 
Grandy.  .\.  H.— Lieutenant  Co.  B.  8rii  N.  C.  Regt. 
Grimes.  George  W. — Lieutenant  Co.  G.  17th  N.  C.  Regt. 
Griffin.  Randolph — Private  in  Co.  C,  3d  Ga.  Regt. 
Gayle.  B.  B. — Colonel  12th  .Ala.  Regt. 
Godwin,  E.  C. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Gait.  F.  L.— Surgeon  C.  S.  Navy. 
Gayle.  Nat.  C. — Carpenter.  C.  S.  Navy. 
Grav,  James — Seaman.  C.   S.  Navy. 
Gibbs.  John  R.— Master.  C.  S.  Navy. 
Green.  James  F. — .Assistant  engineer.  C.  S.  Navy. 
Gormley.   Crawford — Gunner.   C.   S.   Navy. 
Guthrie.  John  Julius — Captain.  C.   S.   Navy. 
Gayle.  Nathaniel   C. — Carpenter,  C.   S.   Navy. 
Godwin.  .Archibald  C. — Brigadier-general. 
Grice.  George   W. — Major  and   commissary. 
Griffin.  John   T. — Captain   and   assistant  civil   engineer. 
Ghiselin.  James  W.— Private:  killed  at  Shiloh.  1862. 


H. 


Henderson,  James  L. — 
Hester.  Thomas — Private. 
Hodges,  H.  H.— Private. 


Hudgins,  R.  D.— Private  in  Co.  .A.  3d  Va.  Battalion  Inf. 
Hervey,  W.  T. — Private  in  Co.   F,  Forrest's  Brigade. 
Hodges,  James  Gregory — Colonel  14th  Va.  Inf. 
Holstead.    Benjamin    F. — First    lieutenant    Co.    I,    38th 

Va.  Inf. 
Hudgins,  William  H. — Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Hudgins,  Samuel  N. — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Holland,  John — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Harvey,  John — Private  in   Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Harvey.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Howe.  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Hudgins.  John  D. — Corporal  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Riley  W.^Privatc  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  William  W. — Private  in  Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  David — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hanbury,  William  T. — Private  in   Co.   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Howell,  Jesse  B. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hughes.   Isaac  B. — Private   in   Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Jolin  H. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  John  K. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hall.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hall.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  George  A. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hudgins.  \\'illiam — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Hall,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert,    Melnotte — Private    in    Co.    F,    41st    Va.    Inf. 

Pro.   Tst  lieut.  Co.  D. 
Hodges.  George  T. — Lieutenant  Co.  .A,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Harrison.  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  .A.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead,  J.  P.— Private  in  Co.  .A.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead.  T.  E.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  Isaiah — Private  in  Co.  .A,  6ist  \'a.   Inf. 
Hodges,  Cal«f) — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Thomas  H. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hopkins.  J.  W.  M.— Captain  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead.  John  H. — Corporal  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hall,  Thomas  F.— Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
'Hall.   Samuel— Private  in   Co.   B,  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Halstead.  William  M.— Private  in  Co.  B,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 

Prom,   corporal. 
Harris.  Samuel — Private  in   Co.   B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Harrison.  John  S. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  Celius — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  Thomas  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Hodges.  John  W.— Private  in  Co.   B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hanbury,  John  W.— Private  in  Co.   B,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Halstead.  Miles  W.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Harris.  Miles  D.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hill,  Solomon  A.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hughes.  Charles  H. — Musician  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Haynes.  V.  .A. — First  lieutenant  in  Co.  D,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Hughes.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  D,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Howard.   J.    Wiley — Private    in    Co.    D.    61  st   Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  cornoral. 
Hogg.  John — Private  in   Co.   D.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 
Humphries,  John — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hall.  Carey  W.— Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hall.  James  S. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hewett.  M.  W.— Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hanbury.  Fred — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hanbury,  Horatio  B. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hanbury,  James  C. — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 


ii6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Hodges,  Daniel — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hozier,  Jeremiah  E. — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,    Thomas — Private    in    Co.    H,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,   corporal. 
Hodges,  William — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hozier,    John    W. — Private    in    Co.    H,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
Hodges.  John  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Haj-nes.    John    W. — Private    in    Co.    H,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,   sergeant. 
Harrel,  Alexander — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hobday,   John.   Jr. — Second   lieutenant   Co.   I.   6ist  Va. 

Inf.     Prom.  Capt. 
Plyslop,  Denwood — Private  in  Co.  I,  6lst  Va,  Inf. 
Halloway.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  I.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Hewlett,  Joseph  F. — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Heckrotte,  Oliver — Private  in  Co.  I.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Horton.  Daniel  W. — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert,  Max.  A. — Captain  Co.  K.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert.  Joseph   T. — First   lieutenant   Co.   K,   6ist   Va. 

Inf.     Prom,  captain. 
Herbert,    Max    A..    Jr. — Third    lieutenant    Co.    K,    6ist 

Va.  Inf.     Prom.  2d  lieutenant. 
Hozier,  John  Q. — Sergeant  Co.  K,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Hozier,  James  K.   P. — Private  in   Co.   K,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
Plitchcock,  Malachi — Private  in  Co.  K.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Hunter,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  K.  6i3t  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead,  William  R.— Private  in  Co.  K.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Harrison,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  K,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead.     Chris. — Private    in     Co.     K.    6ist    Va.     Inf. 

Prom,   sergeant. 
Hodges,   Nathan — Second  corporal   Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Hodges,  James — Private  in  Co.  .A..  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  Joshua — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges,  Patrick  H. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Josiah — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Halstead,  W.  W.— Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Herring.  Gideon — Private  in  Co.   A.  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Halstead,  Wilson — Private  in  Co.   A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert,  William — Private  in  Co.   A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Hanbnry.  Samuel  W. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hutchings.    George    W. — Second    lieutenant    Co.    B,    3d 

Va.    Inf.      Elected   caotain. 
Hutchings,   Robert   A. — Third   sergeant   Co.    B,   3d   Va. 

Inf. 
Herbert,  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Host.  Geor.ge — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hawkins,    William — Private    in    Co.     B,    3d    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Navy. 
Hall,  Henry  C— Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Heath.  William — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Hanrahan,   William    R. — Corporal    Co.   H,   3d   Va.   Inf. 

Sergt.   Signal   Corps. 
Harley,  Thomas  D. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hunley,  John — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Howard,  James  T.  B. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hawkins.  William — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hickman,  Joseph — Private  in   Co.   H,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Hoops,  John — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Host,   George — Private  in   Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Hofifler,  Elias — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert,  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 


Hansford,  James — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hansford,  Richard — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Houston,  John — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hall,  Samuel — Private  in  Co,  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hall,  Gary  J.— Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hampton.  Augustus — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Happer,  Richard  W.  B.— Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Howell,  Fletcher — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hand,  Samuel  T.,  Jr. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Harvey.  Walter — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Harding,  Milton  L. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hennicke.  Henry  O. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hargroves.  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Holt.  Edwin  W.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hundley,  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Herbert.  John  D. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hoffler,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

ord.    sergt. 
Hennicke.   Fred — Private  in  Co.  G.  Qth  Va.  Inf. 
Harrison,  Keelv — Sergeant  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

Co.  C,  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Harrell.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Henry,  William  C. — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hambleton.  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Handy,  S.  O.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hargroves,    W.    W. — Private   in    Co.    K.    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  N.   C.  Regt. 
Host,  Andrew  C. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Hudgins,  J.   Madison — Private  in   Co.   K,   gth  Va.   Inf. 

Prom,  captain  and  asst.  coms.  subs. 
Hume,  R.   G. — Private  in  Co.   K,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

to  Norfolk  L.  A.  Blues  1862. 
Hobday,  A.  T. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  \'a.  Inf.     Trans. 

Com.  Dept. 
Hennicke.   .\lbert  V. — Private  in   Co.   C,   i6th  Va.   Inf. 

Ap.   hospital   steward. 
Haynes.  James  K. — Private  in  Co.  C.  16th  Va.  Inf. 
Hunter.  Samuel  W. — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hubbard.   Alonzo   S. — Private   in   Co.    C.   l6th   Va.   Inf. 

Det.   work  in   Navy  Yard. 
Hopper,  John  Lee — Third  sergeant  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.   1st  lieut. 
Hall.  William  H. — Second  corporal  Co.  .\.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom,   sergt. 
Hudgins.  George  McK. — Private  in  Co.  .\,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom,   sergt. 
Hozier.  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hud-nn.  Philio— Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hill.  Severn  J. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hodges.  Solomon — Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hayman,  John — Captain  Co.   C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Henderson,  Thomas  J. — First   sergeant   Co.   C,  6th  Va. 

Inf. 
Hopkins.  John — Private  in  Co,  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hollingsworth.  John  J. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hogwood,  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hopkins,  Andrew — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Harrell.  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hardy.   Edward  M.— Captain  Co.   G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Holmes,  Alexander  T. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6tli  Va.   Inf. 

Det.  Qr.  Master  Dept. 
Hipkins.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Det. 

Qr.  Master  Dept. 
Hardv,  Thomas  A. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


117 


Humor.   \V.   \V— Private   in   Oi.   C.  6th   Va.   Int.     Ap. 

Q.  M.  Scrgt.  Sth  N.  C.   1861. 
llynian.   I".   M.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6tli  \'a.   Inf.     Trans. 

Signal   Corps   1862. 
Hill,  W.  H.— Second  sergeant  Co.  H.  btli  Va.  Inf.     .\p. 

Ord.   Sergt.   1862. 
Hoguood.  George — Fonrtli  sergeant  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
l-liggins.  Francis  C. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Hughes.  William   H.— Sergeant  Portsmouth   Light   Art. 

Prom,   lieutenant   Lee's   Battalion. 
Hopkins.  Joshua   H.   L.— Private   in    Portsmouth   Liglit 

Art. 
Hopkins.   Hillary — Private  in   Portsmouth   Liglit   Art. 
Hansford.  W.   R.— Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Hudgins.    Cicorgc    C. — Second    sergeant    Norfolk    Light  I 

.\rt.  Blues. 
Hodges,  John  M.— Private  in  Norfolk  Lieht  .\rt.  Blues, 
Haines.  J.  M.  D.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Hill,   A.— Private  in   Norfolk   Light   An.    Blues. 
Halstead,  R.   L.— Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .\rt.   Blues. 
Hallctt,    William    R.— Private    in    Norfolk    Light.    Art. 

Blues. 
Hatton,  John  F.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .^rt.   Blues. 
Haughton.  .\..  Jr. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Higgins,  I. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  An.   Blues. 
Higgins.  .-X. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .Art.   Blues. 
Hume.  R.  G. —  Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Huger,    Frank — Captain   of    Norfolk    Light    .Art.    Blues. 

Prom.  lieut.-col.  .Art. 
Hamtnett.    Israel    J. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .\rt. 

Blues. 
Herhert,    Henrv    W. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Hendren,  J.  Hardy — Captain  of  .Atlantic  Art. 
Hendren.  Judson — Second   sergeant  of  .Atlantic  Art. 
Haughton,   Arniistead — Fifth   sergeant   of  .Atlantic   .Art. 
Harris.  .Ahraham  M. — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 
Higgins.  John   H. — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 
Hitchings,  Ed.  T. — Private  in  L'nited  .Art. 
Hundley.  James — Private  in  L'nited  .Art. 
Hoggs,  George  W. — Private  in   United  .Art. 
Hogan,  Eugene — Private  in   L'nited   .Art. 
Hansel.  Warren — Private  in   Young's  Harbor  Guard. — 

Art. 
Holt.  Ed.  E. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard. — .Art. 
Hvllcr,   Thomas — Private  in   Young's   Harbor   Guard. — 

Art. 
Holland.  K.  H. — Private  in   Riley's  Battery. — .Art. 
Heise.    Christian    C. — Private    in    Riley's    Battery. — .Art. 
Hancock.    Francis   A. — Private   in   Doyle's   Cav. 
Holt.  William — Private  in  Stuart's  Cav. 
Haynes,   Mich. — Private  in   Stuart's  Cav. 
Harris.  Hunter — Private  in  Dearing's  Cav. 
Hajiper,  George  D.  W. — Private  in  Wise's  Legion  Cav. 
Hope,  .A.  M.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va,  Cav, 
Harrell,  Joseph  H. — Private  in   13th  Va.   Cav, 
Hancock,   William  S. — Private  in  Co.  F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hawkins.  Wallace  W. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hancock,  Francis  .A. — Private  in  Co.  F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Harrison.  Joseph  M.— Private  in  Co.  F.   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Hardy.  J.  Henry  Clay— Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hanbury.  Miles  .A.— Private  in  Co.  F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hanbury.  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  F,   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hearring,  Edward  L.— Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
7 


Hewlet,  .Ambrose — Private  in  Co.   F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Holmes,  William   H. — Private  in  Co.  I',   istli   Va.   Cav. 
Holmes,   Henry — Private   in   Co.   F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Holland.  William— Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Halstead.  W.  F.— Private  in  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Humphries.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Hudgins.  R.   K. — Captain  of  ordnance  dcpt. 
Hyman,    F.   M. — Fourth   corporal    Signal   Corps. 
Hastings.  William  T. —  Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Hatton.  William  L. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Handy.  F.  .A.  G. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Hull.  Jacob  B. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Halstead.  William  H. — Private  in  Signal   Corps. 
Handy.  Moses  P. — Courier. 

Herbert.  R.  L. — Private  in   Co.   A.   Na\al   Battalion. 
Hall.   E.   G. — .Assistant  engineer  C.  S.   Navy. 
Harding,  William  F. — .Assistant  engineer  C.  S,  Navy, 
Hughes,  B.  F. — Gunner  C.   S.  Navy. 
Hasker.   Charles  J. — Lieutenant   C.    S.   Navy. 
Halstead,  George  N, — .Assistant  surgeon  C.   S.  Navy. 


Ironmonger,  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  14th  \'a.  Inf. 
Ironmonger.   James — Private   in   Co.   I.  38th   Va.   Inf. 
Ives,  Jesse — Sergeant  of  Co.  D.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Ives,   Walter   C. — Third   lieutenant   of   Co.    E.  6ist   Va. 

Inf. 
Ives.   .Alonzo — Sergeant  of  Co,   E,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Ives.  Curtis  O. — Corporal  of  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ives.  Feli.x  G. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ironmonger.    C.    E. — Private    in    Co.    D.    cjth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  Grimes'   Battery. 
Ironmonger.   Thomas   W. — Private   in   Co.    F,   15th   Va, 

Cav, 

J. 

Jeam,   Cincinnatu? — Private  in   Mahone's   Brigade. 
Janiieson,  James  D. — Private  in   Co.   F,  33d  N,   C.  Inf. 
Jordan,  Miles  H. — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Janies,  George  T. — Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
James,  John — Sergeant  of  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Jones.  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Jones,  Robert  C. — Lieutenant  of  Co.  I.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Jones.  Walter  C. — Private  in  Co.  I.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
■Jennings.  Lemuel — Private  in  Co.   A,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Jennings.  Wickers   P. — Private  in   Co.   -A.  6lst  Va.   Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
.Tones,  Celius  W. — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
James.  Benjamin — Third  lieutenant  of  Co.  C,  6ist  Va. 

Inf.      Prom,    ist   lieut. 
James.  William  H. — Sergeant  of  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan.   William   Thomas — Private   in   Co.   D.  6ist   Va. 

Inf. 
Jarvis.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Jarvis.  .Alexander  A. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Johnson.  .Alonzo — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Johnson.   James    H. — Private   in    Co.    H.   6ist   Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
Johnson.  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va,  Inf. 
Johnson.    Lender — Private    in    Co.    H,    6ist    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,   corporal. 
Jordan,   William — Private   in   Co.   H.  6ist   Va.   Inf. 


ii8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Jones.  Walter  J. — Private  in  Co.  I.  6lst  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

lieut.   41st   Va.    Inf. 
Jackson,   William   A. — Private   in   Co.   I,   6ist   Va.    Inf. 

Fur.   substitute. 
Jackson,  Abner — Private  in  Co.  K.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Jennings,  Edward — Private  in  Co.  K.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Joliff,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Joynes,  William  P. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Joynes,  Custis  T. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan,    Alonzo    B. — Captain    of    Co.    B,    3d    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  Engr.   Corps. 
Jarvis,  Benjamin — Private  in  Co.   B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan,  James — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
James,  Cornelius — Private  in  Co.  F,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
James,  Edward — Private  in  Co.  F,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Jovner,  Cordv  J. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Joilett,  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Johnson,  Columbus — Private  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jolinson.  Augustus — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jobson,  J.  Tyler — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Jarvis,  John  E. — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jones,  Lucillicus  D. — Corporal  of  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Johnson.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.   I.  oth  Va.   Inf. 
Jones.  Nathan  E.  K. — Private  in  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan,  John  L. — Private  in  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Johnigan.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan,  O.  D.— Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Jordan.  Joseph  W. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
James,   George  W. — Private  in   Co.   C.    i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Jarvis.  J.  M. — Private  in  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Jack.  John — Private  in  Co.  A.  i6th  Va.  Inf.    Det.  work 
Navy  Yard. 

Judkins.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Jones.  Robert  C— Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Joyce.  John  M. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

James.  Joseph   P. — Private  in   Co.   D.  6th   Va.   Inf. 

James,  Richard  Y. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Johnson.  William  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Jordan.  Joseph  P. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Jones.  John  S. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 
Cant. -Gen.  Garnet's  Staff. 

Jacquimon.  A.  H. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.    Dis- 
charged. 

Johnson.  William  B. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Johnson.  Jacob  T. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Jacobus.  Tuliu.- — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Jordan,  S.  F. — Second  corporal  of  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 

James,  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Johnson,  J.  Cave — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Jenkins.  John   S. — .^diutant  of   nth  Va.  Inf. 

Jones.  William   H. — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light  Art. 

Jones,  George  T. — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 

Johnson,  Ed.  H. — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   Art. 

Johnson.  J.  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light   Art.   Blues. 

Jones.  George — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .-Vrt.   Blues. 

"joynes,  S.  H.^Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .-Xrt.   Blues. 

Joynes,  W.  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Li.eht  .-^rt.  Blues. 

Johnson.  A.  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .-Xrt.   Blues. 

James,  Robert  T. — Private  in  Norfolk  Lieht  .\rt.  Blues. 

Jordan,  Joseph   A. — Second  corporal   of   Norfolk   Light 
Art.   Blues. 

Joynes,  Thomas  C. — Sixth   sergeant   of   .\tlantic  Art. 

Jones,  John   W. — Private  in  United  Art. 

James,   Stephen — Private  in  Art  Co. — Richmond. 


Johnston,    James — Mustering    and    inspecting    officer — - 

Huger's  Div. 
Jennings,  Noah  M. — Private  in  Co.  F.  Tjth  Va.   Cav. 
Jordan.  Edward — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Joliff,  Josiah — Private  in  Co.   F,   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Johnson.   James   V. — Private   in   Co.    F.    15th    \'a.    Cav. 

Trans,  to  navy. 
James,  William  A. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
James.    Rowland — Private   in    Signal    Corps. 
Jenkins.  Charles  E. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Johnston.   Charles  H. — Courier,  Gen.   Pemberton. 
Jones,  J.  Pembroke — Lieutenant  C.  S.  Navy. 
Jeffrey,   Richard — Surgeon   C.   S.   Navy. 
Jackson.  Thomas  .•\. — Chief  engineer  C.   S.  Navy. 
Jordan.  M.  P. — Assistant  engineer  C.   S.  Navy. 
Jordan,  Charles  W. — Assistant  engineer  C.   S.  Navy. 
Jordan.  John  R. — Assistant  engineer   C.   S.   Navy. 
Johnson.  John  C. — .Assistant  engineer  C.   S.  Navy. 
Jack.   .'Mexander  E. — Assistant  engineer  C.   S.   Navy. 
Johnson,  ,\mes  C. — Engineer  C.   S.  Navy. 
Jones.   John — Seaman   C.    S.   Navy. 


K. 


King,   George — Private   in  Jackson's   Div. 
Kuhn.  Thomas  C. — Private  in  Co.  I.  ,-?8th  Va.  Inf. 
Kirby.  John  H. — Sergeant  of  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Kirby.  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Knight,  William  H.— Private  in  Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Keaton.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Kinsey.  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  B,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Kinsey.  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  B,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Kinsey,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  B.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Kher,  William — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Keeling.  Joseph — Private  in   Co.   D.  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
King,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.   I.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
King,   Edward — Private  in  Co.  I.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Kilgore.  M,   P. — Private  in  Co.  I.  6ist  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

sergeant. 
Keeling.  Robert  N.  W. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Kilgore.  Malory — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Kitchen,  Enos  I. — Private  in  Co.  E.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
King.  James — First  sergeant  of  Co.  F.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
King.   Moscoe — Private  in   Co.   F.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Kilby.  John — Private  in  Co.  F,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Kirby,  Johnson — Private  in   Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Keeling.  William — Private  in  Co.  H.  -(d  Va.  Inf. 
Kelsick.  John  R.— Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va,  Inf. 
Kilbv.   John   T. — Captain    of   Co.   I.   9th   Va.    Inf.      .\p. 

Surgeon   C.    S.   A.    1862. 
Keeter.  W.  W.— Cantain  of  Co.  T.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
King,  Thomas — Captain  of  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
King.  Jatnes — Captain  of  Co.  I.  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Kearns,  Edward — Captain  of  Co.   K,  9th  \'a.   Inf. 
Kilbv.  W.  T. — Private  in   Co.   K.  9th  \'a.   Inf.     Trans. 

Norfolk  L.  A.  Blues. 
Keeling.  Joseph  W. — Private  in  Co.  K.  oth  \'a.  Inf. 
King.   Leslie   R. — Private  in   Co.   K.  9th   Va.   Inf.     Ap. 

engineer  in  navy. 
King,  Leonard  J. — Lieutenant  of  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Karn,  Joseph  H. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Kelly,  William— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Kerr,  Edward — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  \'a.  Inf.  i 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


119 


King.  J.  Barry— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  \'a.  Inf.     Prom. 

.<crgt.-niaj.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Keeling.   Solomon   S. — Private   in   Co.   G,  6th   Va.   Inf. 

Trans.  Med.  Dept.   1861. 
Kccfe.  George  T. — Fir^t   corporal  of   Co.   H,   12th  \'a. 

Inf. 
Kellnm.  W.  P.   M.— Private  in  Co.  H,  i.'th  \'a.  Inf. 
Kceley.    Harrison — First    sergeant    of   Co.    C,    13th   Va. 

Cav. 
King.  George  \V.— Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Keeling.    John    L. — Commissary    sergeant    of    Norfolk 

Light   .\rt.   Blues. 
Ki<k.   Richard — Private   in   Atlantic  Art. 
Krou-e.  John  H. —  Private  in  .Atlantic  .'\rt. 
Knowles.  Daniel — Second  lieutenant  of  United  Art. 
Knight.  George — -Private  in  L'nited  .Art. 
Kirsh.   John    H. — Private   in   Young's    Harbor   Guard — 

Art. 
Kennedy.  John — Private   in   Xaval   Battalion. 
King.  Charles  K. — Lieutenant  C.   S.   Xavy. 
King.  Goodman — Seaman  C.  S.  Navy. 
King.  Leslie  G. — .\ssisiant  engineer  C.  S.  Navy. 


Lester.  J.  T.— Private  in  Co.  B.  ist  N.  C.  Inf. 
Lee.  Daniel  W. — Sergeant  of  Co.  G.  4th  N.  C.  Inf. 
L>Tich,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  — .  7th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Luke.  G.  G. — Lieutenant-colonel  of  56th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Lair<l.  W.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  — ,  ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lamhcth.  Robert  T. — Private  in  Co.  — .  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Lcath.  Josiah — First  sergeant  of  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Lambert.  Thomas  J. —  Private  in  Co.  I.  .38th  Va.  Inf. 
Lamonte.  Joshua — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Lamonte.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf.  | 

Lambert.  John  X. — Private  in  Co.  I.  .38th  Va.  Inf. 
Lambert.  Henry  J. — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Land.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Lowe.  John  Z. — Corporal  of  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf.  } 

Lowe.  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Lockhart.  Benjamin  H. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf.   \ 
Lynch,  Onessimus  M. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis.  .Abner — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lynch.  John — Private  in  Co.  .\.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lynch.  LcRoy — Private  in  Co.  .A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Lee.  .Me.xander  O. —  Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Lee.  Madison — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lee.  John  J. — Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Lindsay,  .\mbrose  H. — Second  lieutenant  of  Co.  B,  6ist 

Va.  Inf. 
Lupton.  J.  VV. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lee.  Willis— Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Lester.  .A.  E. — Drummer  of  Co.  D,  61st  Va.  Inf. 
Lane.  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lindon.  Mitchell — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Las^iter.  Janien — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Lewton.  William — Private  in  Co.  K.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Liverman.  Hardy — Private  in  Co.  .A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Livcrman.  Maurice — Private  in  Co.  .V.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Lumber.    William    H. — Fourth    corporal    of    Co.    B.    3d 

\'a.  Inf. 
Leggett.  Walter — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Loudoun.  James  T. — Private  in  Co.  B.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Lawrence,  .\lbert — Private  in  Co.  F.  3d  Va.  Inf. 


Lassiter.  James — Private  in  Co.  F,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Lingo,  John  W.- — Third  lieutenant  of  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Lee.  Charles  P.— Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Lash,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Linscot,  David — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Lash,  James — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

London,  J.  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Lanier.  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  A.  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Linn,  George — Lieutenant  of  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Linn.  Charles  B. —  Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Grimes'  Battery. 
Long.  L.  C. — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  \'a.  Inf. 
Land.  James  W.  T. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lattimer.  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewcr,  Henry  B. — Sergeant  of  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis.  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Litchfield.  Jacob — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis.  Ambrose — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lassiter.  John — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis.  Jacob — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Langhorne.  John  C. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  \"a.  Inf.    .\p. 

capt's.  clerk  in  Navy. 
Lash,  John  W.— Private  in   Co.   C.   i6th  Va.  Inf.     Det. 

with  sharpshooters  of  Regt. 
Lattimer.  Charles  W.— Private  in  Co.  C,   l6th  \'a.   Inf. 

Trans,  to  Navy. 
Linn.  John — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lynch.  Stephen — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lee.  Ivy — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lamb.  William— Captain  of  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

Col.  36th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Land.  Thomas  F.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lawrence.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lester.  John  T.— Second  lieutenant  of  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Langley,  William  H. —  First  corporal  of  Co.  G,  6th  Va. 

Inf.     Det.  Commissary  Dept.  1863. 
Langhorne.  William  W.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lawson,    Adrain    S. — Private    in    Co.    G.    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Co.  A.  5th  Va.  Cav.  1864. 
Laylor,  George — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis,  George  E. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lovett.  Edward  J.— Private  in  Co.  H.  uth  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis,  Thomas  J— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis,  William— Private  in  Co.  H.  T2th  Va.  Inf. 
Longworth.  James — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Lufsey,  James — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Lanier,  Samuel — Private  in  .Art.  Corns. 
Lewis,  Robert — Private  in  Portsmouth  I  ight  .Art. 
Lynch,  Wilson  B. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Liglu  .Art. 
Liverman.  H. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Lee,  L.  M.,  Jr.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Land.  W.  A.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
LeCompte,  J.  W.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Lee,  F.  D.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Levitt,  R.  C— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Lovitt,  H.  C— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Lattimer.  Carlton  C. — Fourth  Corporal  of  Norfolk  Light 

Art.  Blues. 
Lipscomb.   Charles   R.— Private   in   Norfolk  Light   .Art. 

Blues. 
Legett.  Robert— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blue.s. 
Leary,  William — Fourth  corporal  of  .Atlantic  .Art. 
Lambert,  Henry — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 


120 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


LeDoyne,  John  H. — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 

Lakin.  Edward — Second  lieutenant  of  United  Art. 

Lacoste.  Emanuel — Musician  in  United  Art. 

Lacoste.  Samuel — Musician  in  United  Art. 

Lacoste,  Eugene — Musician  in  United  Art. 

Land.  George  \V. — Private  in  United  Art. 

Lovely.  George — Private  in  L'nited  Art. 

Lawrence.  David — Private  in  L'nited  Art. 

Lewis.     John — Third     lieutenant     of     Young's     Harbor 

Guard — Art. 
Lukeland.  Straughan — Private  in  Co.  H.  gth  Va.  Cav. 
Lee.  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Larke.  Robert  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Lockheart,  John — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va:  Cav. 
Leigh.  Roscoe — Private  in  Co.  L  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Lathrop.  William  B. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Levy.  Richard  B. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Livesay.  James  E. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Lyell.  George  E. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Lindsay.  A.  L. — Major  of  Signal  Corps. 
Luke.  \V.  F. — Engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Langley.  Lemuel — blaster  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Levy.  Charles  H. — .Assistant  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Lindsay,  Hugh — Carpenter  in  C.  S.  Navy. 


M. 


Marrow.  William  C. — Quartermaster. 

Myrick,  John  D. — Captain  and  asst.  adjt.  gen. 

Moore.  George  T. — Private  in  Morris'  Guards. 

Martin.  Joseph   B. — Sergeant-major  of  4th   N.   C.    Inf., 

and  14th  N.  C.   Inf. 
Martin.  George  G. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Reserves. 
!Maver.  John  F. — Sersjeant  of  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Reserves. 
Mills.  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  C,"i8th  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  Goodson — Private  in  Co.  F,  26th  Va.  Inf. 
McFall.  J.  C— Private  in  Co.  D.  28th  Va.  Inf. 
Mallnry.  Francis — Colonel  of  56th  Va.  Inf. 
Martin,    George    A. — Captain    of    Co.    I,    38th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  lieut.-col. 
;\Iorris,  A.  W.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Martin.  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Mott.  Lewis — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
May.  Joseph  S. — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Morse.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Minor.  William  B.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Murden.  John  F. — Sergeant  of  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Merchant.  Francis  M. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  Lieut,  of  Co.  K. 
Miller.    William    H.— Private    in    Co.    F.   41st    Va.    Inf. 
McClanen.  Wilson  L. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murphy.  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murphy.  James  T. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murden.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murden.  Reuben — Private  in  Co.   F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murden.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Murden.  Caniillus — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
.Manning,  Canning — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
McPherson.  Robert — Private  in  Co.  F.  /list  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  F.  /list  Va.  Inf. 
Morecock.  J.  H. — Private  in  Co.  G.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Morecock,  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  G.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Moore.  Walter  S. — Ensign  in  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


Mansfield.  Laban — Corporal  of  Co.  A,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Mahoney.  William — Musician  of  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Mathias,  Simon — Private  in  Co.  A,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Morgan,  W.  P.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Morgan,  A.  C. — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  J.  J. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miller,  J.  H.— Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miller,  Lovett— Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mercer,  Samuel  M. — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Murphy,  T.  O.  C— Private  in  Co.  A.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Morgan,  John  J. — Private  in  Co.  A,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Martin.  Charles — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mathias.  Hilliard  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Maund.  David  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
McClanan,   Henry   B. — Private   in   Co.   B.  6ist   \'a.   Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
McPherson.  Jesse — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miles.  .\.  W.— Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Mercer.  Jacob  B. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  Jesse — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mills.  James— Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Marchant.  Johnston — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mansfield.  Mathias — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mercer.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  C.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  Frederick — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mathews.  Ephraim — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mercer.  James  P.  W. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miller,  Peter  F. — Private  in  Co.  C.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  Peleg — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Melson.  Henry — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
McPherson.  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  \'a.   Inf. 
Moore,  William — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mathews.  Elbert — Private  in  Co.  D.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  Philip — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Moore,  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Marsh.  Ben. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 
Maj'o.  George  Washington — Private  in  Co.  D.  61  st  \'a. 

Inf. 
Murray,  John  T. — Private  in  Go.  D.  61st  Va.  Inf. 
McPherson,  Peter — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mansfield.  Edward  L. — Corporal  of  Co.  H.  6ist  A"a.  Inf. 
Miller,  Christopher — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Miller.  J.  F.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mansfield.  James — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 
McWider.  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mansfield.  Willoughby — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
Mears.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 
McTyre.   Robert   W. — Private   in   Co.    H.  6ist   \"a.    Inf. 

Prom,  corporal. 
McGlone.  J. — Private  in  Co.  H.  fust  Va.  Inf. 
Morris,  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Melson.  Levi — Private  in  Co.  H.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Mitchel,  John — Private  in  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Mason,  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  6ist  Ya.  Inf. 
Manning.  S.  D. — Private  in  Co.  I.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Marchant.  F.  M. — Private  in  Co.  I.  61  st  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

1st  lieut. 
Mears.  Thomas  F. — Private  in  Co.  I.  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 
Martin.    Fred — Third    sergeant   of    Co.    .■\.   3d    ^'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  1st  lieut. 
Miller.  Patrick  H. — Private  in  Co.  A.  3(1  \'a.  Inf.    Prom. 

1st  sergt. 
Morse,  Luke — Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  \'a.  Inf. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


121 


McGuire.    Dudley    P.— Privau-    in    Co.    A.   3d   Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Ky.  Rcgt.  ass't.  sur. 
McConnt'I.  G.  B. — Private  in  Co.  A.  yl  Va.  Inf. 
Matliicson.   .Alf.x.   C. — First   sergeant  of  Co.    B.  3d   Va. 

Inf.     Elected  lieut. 
Moran,  William — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Morrisctt.  Peter — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mnrdcn,  Joslui.i — Private  in  Co.   B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mitchell.  George  W. — First  lieut.  of  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mahone.  Richard — First  sergeant  of  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mitchell.    Benianiin — First   sergeant   of   Co.    H.  3d   Va. 

Inf. 
Merkle.  George — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mahoney.  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  \'a.  Inf. 
Mahone,  Harrison — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Mahone.  Wilnier — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
McElwee.  .Andrew — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
McFarland.  William — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf.     • 
Mclntyre,  George — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Moore,  Fred  E. — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Minter.  .Andrew — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  \'a.  Inf.    Trans. 

fo  Grimes'  Battery. 
Morris.  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Matthews.  J:)lin  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Mvers,  Thomas  H. — Orderlv  sergeant  of  Co.  D.  gth  Va. 

Inf. 
Morris,  Frank — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans 

to  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Mathews.  W.  R. —  Private  in  Co.  G.  oth  Va.  Inf. 
Monte.  William  G. — Private  in  Co.  G,  oth  \'a.  Inf. 
Murphy,  Enos — Private  in  Co,  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland,  J.  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Myers.  Stephen  H. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Morgan.  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Mathews.  H. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
"Moore,    Joseph    P. — Private    in    Co.    K,    gth    \"a.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Norfolk  L.  .A.  Blues. 
Myers,  Robert  W. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Morris.  Charles  S. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Manning.  James — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Mercer.  James — Private  in  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
McCov.  Francis — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
McCoy.  Martin  V.  B.— Private  in  Co.  C,   i6th  Va,  Inf. 
McPherson.  Noah — Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland,  Robert  .A. — Private  in  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland.  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Mnndcn,  Nathan — Private  in  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
McKenny.  William  N. — Captain  of  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Not  re-elected   1862. 
Moore,  Henry  L. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Monroe.  Thomas  E. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Messick.  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Mason.   .Alex. — First  corporal  of  Co.   C.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Moore,  W.  F. — .Sergeant  of  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Minnis.  Clinton  C— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Morris,  Frank — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland,  Robert — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf.  Prom. 

sergt. 
Martin.  Samuel  J.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Martin.  Jo-lnia— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
McLean.  William— Fifth  sergeant  of  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Marsden.  B.  A.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Vii.  Inf.     Prom. 

2d  lieut.  P.  A.  C.  S. 


Merritt,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Moore.  Walter  S. —  Private  in  Co.  d.  6th  \'a.  Inf.  Prom. 

sergt. -maior  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
McPhail.  Charles  H.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va,  Inf. 
McKenny.  William   N. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Det.  .Army  Intelligence  office  1862. 
Murray,  John — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.  Fur.  subst. 
Myrick,  David — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Milhado,  .A.  G. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

Signal  Corps  i86j. 
Mapp,  Richard  .A. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  \'a.  Inf.  Trans. 

Signal  Corps  1862. 
Marsden.    James    B. — Private    in    Co.    G.    6th    \'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  Lieut.  Provost  Guard. 
Morris,  Jesse  S. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  \'a.  Inf.     Prom. 

Med.  Dept. 
Mallory,   Charles  O'C— Private  in   Co.  G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Prom.  Sergt. -Maj.  55th  Va.  Regt.  l86r. 
Mordecai.  Philip  M.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Mannix,  W.  R.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Mitchell,    Edward   F.— Private   in    Co.    H.   6th   \'a.    Inf. 

Det.  not  with  Co. 
Moore.  John  A. — Private  in  Co.  H.  I2tli  Va.  Inf. 
Marks,  R.  .A.— Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland.  James — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Moreland.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  \'a.  Inf. 
.Murray.  James  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Mayer.  Lew-is — Private  in  Co,  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Mayer.  William— Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  \'a.  Inf. 
McNamara,  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  \'a.  Inf. 
Morris.  James  E. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Mahoney,  William  B. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Moreland.   Edward — Private  in    Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
.Montgomery.  Richard — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
McHorncy.  Stephen — Private  in   Portsmouth  Liglit  .Art. 
Miller,   P.   H. — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light   .Art. 
Morgan.   .A. — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
Miles,   Henry — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Matthews.   Edward — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
Matthews.  John  W.— Private  in  Port-mouth  Light  .Art. 
Murphy.   John — Private   in    Portsmouth    Light    .Art. 
McDonnell.     Alexander     H. — Private     in     Portsmouth 

Light  Art. 
March,   Edward  G. — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
Myers.   William  T. — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light  .Art. 
Murray.   Dennis — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
Miller.   Thomas   E. — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light   .Art. 
Miller.   John — Private    in    Portsmouth    Light    .Art. 
Montague,    W.    D. — Corjjoral     in     Norfolk     Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
McKown,  C.  K, — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .Art.   Blues. 
Moore.  Joseph  P.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
McGuire,  J.   B. — Private   in    Norfolk   Liglit   .Art.   Blues. 
Morse,   B.   N. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light   .Art.   Blues. 
Maupin.  G.  W.  O..  Jr.— Private  in  Norfolk   Light  .Art. 

Blues. 
Malborn.  O.  L. — Private  in   Norfolk   Light   .Art.   Blues. 
Masi,  F.  J. — Private  in  Norfolk  Li.ght  .Art.   Blues. 
Moore,  J.   E. — Private   in    Norfolk   Light   .Art.   Blues. 
McCarrick.  D. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Moore.  Joseph  D. — Second  lieutenant  of  Norfolk  Light 

-Art.  Blues.     Prom,  to  captain. 
Merwin.  W.  F. — Private   in   Norfolk  Light   .Art.   Blues. 


122 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mitchell.   T.  G.— Private  in   Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Moreland,   Richard   R. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light  Art. 

Blues, 
Morris.  G.  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Morris,   Joseph — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   Art.    Blues. 
Marrow,   William  C. — First   lieutenant  of  Atlantic  Art. 
Mathias,  David — Fourth  sergeant  of  Atlantic  Art. 
Mathias,  Henry  B. — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Murray,  John   T. — Private   in   United  Art. 
McCarty,    Neal — Private  in   United  Art. 
Manning.   A.  J. — Private  in  United  Art. 
Murray,   George — Private   in  United   Art. 
Maloye,  Jack— Private  in  United  Art. 
Morris,  John — Private  in  United  Art. 
Miller.  Redman — Private  in  United  Art. 
Murray.   John    C. — Third    sergeant   of   Young's   Harbor 

Guard — Art. 
Martin,  John — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard — Art. 
Morrison,  Joseph — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard — 

Art. 
Murphv.  Thomas — Private  in   Young's  Harbor  Guard — 

Art. 
Madison.  James  H. — Private  in   Parker's  Art. 
Marsden.  F.  C. — Private  in  Richmond  Howitzers — Art. 
McKenny,  James  M. — Private  in   Richmond   Howitzers 

—Art. 
Martin.  James  G, — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Martin,  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  F,  isth  Va.  Cav. 
McPherson.  Thomas  G. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Mears.   Elvington  R. — Private  in  Co.   F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Miller.  Augustus — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Miller.  James — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
McClanhan.  John  H. — Private  in  Co.  — .  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Miller,  John — Private  in  Capt.  Cooper's  8th  Va.  Cav. 
McDonald,  Edward — Private  in  i6th  Va.  Cav. 

Cav. 
Mapp,  Richard  A. — Third  sergeant  in  Signal  Corps. 
Martin,  Eugene  S. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Moore.  F.  M. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Maund.  David  W. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Minter.  William  R. — Private  in   Naval   Brigade. 
Mcintosh,  Charles  F. — Commander  C.   S.  Navy. 
McCarrick.  Patrick — Lieutenant  in  C.  S,  Navy. 
Minor,  Lewis  D. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
McClenakan.  W.  F. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Mayo.  VV'yndlean  R. — Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Mallory,  C.  K. — Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

McMahon.  Hugh in  C.  S.  Navy. 

AlcCarrick.  P.  H. — Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
McBlair,  William — Master's  mate  in  C.   S.  Navy. 
Murdaugli.  William  H. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Mnrdaugh.  John  W. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Manning.  Edward  W. — Chief  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Meads.  R.  J. — Carpenter  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Mahoney,  E.  A. — Sailmaker  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
McBlair,  Charles  R. — Master's  mate  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

N. 

Nichols.  John  T.— Private  in  Co.  A,  8th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Needom.  Wilson— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Nash.  V.  W.— Lieutenant  in  Co.  — ,  32d  Va.  Inf. 
Nash.    Cincinnatu? — Private    in    Co.    A,    41st    Va.    Inf. 
Prom,   sergt. 


Nash,  Henry — Private  in   Co.  A.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Nichols,  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  B,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Nichols,  Willoughby — Private  in  Co.  B,  :iist  Va.  Inf. 
Nichols,  James — Private  in  Co.  B.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Northern.  James — Private  in  Co.  C,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Nash,  James  E. —  Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Nicholson,  Allen  F. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Nash,  John  C. — Third  corporal  of  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Nash,  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Nash.  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Norsworthy,  Francis — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Nichols,  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Nichols,  Jerry — Private  in  Co,  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Nottingham,  Jacob — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Newman,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Nash,  Richard  James — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Niemeyer,  John  C. — First  lieutenant  in  Co.   I,  gth  Va. 

Inf. 
Neville,  William  A. — Private  in  Co.  K.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Nelson.  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Nellums,  William— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Nottingham.  Obadiah — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Newton,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Nottingham,  W.  W.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Naw.  V.  J.— Private  in  Co.  E.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Norfleet,  Nathaniel — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Norwood,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Nunnaly.  E.  J. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Newby,  S.  W. — Private  in  Portsniouth  Light  Art. 
Nash,    John    H. — Orderly    sergeant    in    Norfolk    Light 

Art.  Blues. 
Nash.  W. — Private  in  Norrolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Newton,  — .  — . — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Ninuno,  P.  E. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Norvell,  C.  R.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Nelson.   Richard — Fourth   sergeant  in   United  Art. 
Nimmo,  John — Lieutenant  in  Richmond  Howitzers — .\rt. 
Northern,  James  L. — First  lieutenant  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va. 

Cav. 
Nicholas,   Willoughby   L. — Private   in    Co.    F.    15th   Va. 

Cav. 
Norsworthy,  Joseph   C. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Nash.  William  C. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Newton,  Virginiu.s^Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Nash,  D.  M.  W.— Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Nelson,  L.  J. — Boatswain  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Niemeyer.  Woodis  H. — Captain's  clerk  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

o. 

Omler.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 

Old.   W.   W.— Private   in   Co.   I.   38th  Va.    Inf.      Prom. 

captain  and  A.  A.  G. 
Old.  George  D. — Corporal  in  Co.  .\.  6ist  Va.  Inf.  Prom. 

captain  and  commissary. 
Only,  Naheriah — Private  in  Co.  .A..  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Overton,  C.  N.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Overton.  Grandy — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Only,  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Overton,  Samuel  S. — Private  in  Co.  C.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Only,  John— Private  in  Co.  D.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Only,  James — Private  in  Co.  D.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Only,  Thomas  E. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Outens,  John — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


AXD    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


123 


Only,  .•\bsa1oni — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Only.  Alexander — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Osborne.  Raison — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ottley.  William  X. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  George — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Only.  Hallowell— Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Only,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  H,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Oglevi.  Cieorge — Corporal  in  Co.  I.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Outten.    William — Second   corporal    in    Co.    B,   3d   Va. 

Inf.     Prom.  3d  sergt. 
0"Donnell.  Patrick — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  John  C. — Captain  of  Co.  G,  9th  \'a.  Inf.     Prom. 

Col.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  A.   B. — Private  in  Co.   G,  9th   Va.   Inf.     Prom. 

Courier. 
Owens,  Edward  M. — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Oliver,  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf.  1 

Owens,  Thomas  C. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf.  ! 

Owens,  Ammon  H. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  ^'a.  Inf. 
Oakley,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  Thomas  F. — Captain  of  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Owens,  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Oakham,   Thoinas  J. — Lieutenant   in   Portsmouth   Light  i 

Art. 
Overman,  Quinton — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Oniel.  Charles — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Orgain,  Jolui  G. — Captain  of  Co.  C.  i8th  Battalion  Art. 
Old,  John  F. — Fourth  sergeant  in  Co.  F,  15th  \'a.  Cav..  j 
Old.  James  Y. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Owens,  John — Gunner  in  C.  S.  Xavy. 


Pedrick.   C.    M. — Hospital   steward. 
Pierce.  Thomas  W. — Alajor  and  commissary. 
Ponlock.   Robert  G. — .A.ssistant  adjutant  general. 
Pittman.  Jolin  C. — Private  in  Co.  K,  2d  K.  C.  Inf. 
Penden,  John  L.. — Private  in  Co.  H,  2d  N.  C.  Cav. 
Powell.  John — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Peyton.  James  .\. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Pugh,  Abraham — -Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Peed.  Charles  W.— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Ponlock,  .\rthur  E. — Captain  of  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Portlock,  William  F. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Portlock.  Dempsy — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Pherral,  Isaac — Private  in  Co,  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Pritchard.  Wiley — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Pritchard.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  .■\,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Parsons.  Johnson  T. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Parker.  Peter— Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Powers.  Wesley — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Co.  C. 
Paul.  William  James — Private  in  Co.  C.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Powers,  John — Private  in  Co.   C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Parker.  George — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Portlock.   Gustavus   W. — First   sergeant   in   Co.   E,   61  st 

Va.   Inf. 
Pitt,  .\ugustus  R. — Sergeant  in  Co.  E.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Portlock.  Thomas  E. — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Peek.  Calvin  L. — Corporal  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf.   Prom. 

sergeant. 
Peek,  .\mmon — Private  in  Co.  I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Peel.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  I.  6i3t  Va.  Inf. 


Porter,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Parker.  William  S. — ^Private  in  Commissary  Dcpt.  Va. 

Inf. 
Peaks,  John  D. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Parker,  William — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Signal  Corps. 
Parsons.    William    H. — Private    in    Co.    B,   3d   Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Navy. 
Powell.  Benjamin  F. — Private  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Peed,  Julian — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  \'a.  Inf. 
Peed,  Leroy  S. — Private  in  Co.  D.  oth  \'a.  Inf. 
Pitt.  L.   D.— Private  in  Co.   D.  9th  Va.   Inf.     Trans,  to 

Navy. 
Phillips.  .Michael — Private  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Pliillips.   William  R. — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Pugh.  Lindsay — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Ya.  Inf.     Det.  to 

work  in  Navy  Yard. 
Prentis,  Joseph — Sergeant  in  Co.  I,  9lh  \'a.  Inf. 
Parker,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  I,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Parker,  W.  J. — Private  in  Co.  I,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Parker,  Willis  M.— Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Pierce,    Thomas    W. — Private    in    Co.   K,   9th   Va.    Inf. 

Ap.   Major   and   Quartermaster. 
Pierce,  William  H. — Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  \'a.  Inf. 
Porter,  John   W.   H. — Private   in    Co.    K.   gth   Va.   Inf. 

Trans,   to   Signil   Corps. 
Poulson.  George — Private  in  Co.  C.   i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Perkinson.    Charles    W. — Second    lieutenant    in    Co.    .\, 

6th  \"a.  Inf.     Elected  Capt.  1862. 
Pitts,    Marcellus — Private   in    Co.    A,   6tli    Va.    Inf. 
Phillips,    Thomas    W. — First   lieutenant    in    Co.    C,   6th 

Va.  Inf. 
Padgett,    Timothv   D. — Fourth    sergeant    in    Co.    C,   6th 

Va.  Inf. 
Peters.  John — Private  in   Co.   C.  6th   \'a.   Inf. 
Powell,  Henry — Private  in  Co,  C,  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Peed,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Pitt,  William  J.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Parr,  William — Private  in  Co,  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Purdy.  John  J.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Parsons.  Elias  -\. — Private  in  Co.  F,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Pentz.   George   McK. — Private   in   Co.   G,  6th   Va.    Inf. 

Trans.   Maryland   Line   1862. 
Portlock.    Robert   G. — Private   in    Co.    G.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Prom.  Sergt.-Maj.  gth  Va.  Inf.  1862. 
Plummer.  Joshua — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Peek,  William  N.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Pierce.  Elisha — Private  in  Co.   I,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Peed,  W.  .\.— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Pope,  John — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Phillips,  Devereu.x  M. — Private  in  Co.  I.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Parker,   Ephraim — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light  Art. 
Peed.   Robert — Private  in   Portsmouth.  Li,ght   .Art. 
Phillips.   William — Private  in  Portsmouth   Light  .\rt. 
Parker,  Thomas — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Peet.    William    T. — First    lieutenant    in    Norfolk    Light 

.\rt.   Blues, 
Petty,  J.  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  An.  Blues. 
Peet,  J.  D.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Porter.  Robert  T. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Peed,  Fred  M. — Third  sergeant  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 

Blues.     Prom.  2d  lieut. 
Parrott.     Augustus — Private     in     Norfolk     Light     Art. 

Blues. 


124 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUXT\ 


Peed,  George  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Phillips.    Thomas    B. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 
Blues. 

Patterson.  John  H. — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 

Pinkham.    Charles — Private   in    Atlantic   Art. 

Porter.   Fayette   F. — Second   sergeant   in   United   Art. 

Pagaud.    W.    H. — First    sergeant    in    Young's    Harbor 
Guard— Art. 

Philpots,   A.    Q. — Private   in   Goochland   Art. 

Parkerson,  William  H. — Private  in  Manley's  Battery, — 
Art. 

Pollard.   T.   Pollard— Private   in   Co.   A,    loth   Battalion 
Art. 

Peters,    Osmond — Captain    of    Art. — Assigned    to    ord- 
nance duty. 

Parker,   Staord   H. — Lieutenant   of   ordnance. 

Parker,  George  D. — Captain  of  battery — Fort  Fisher. 

Pritchard,   Lemuel  J. — Third   lieutenant   in   Co.   F,   i-Sth 
Va.  Cav. 

Pritchard.    William — Fourth    corporal    in    Co.    F,    15th 

Va.  Cav. 
Parsons,  Napoleon  B. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Pitts,  Andrew  J.— Private  in  Co.  F.  isth  Va.  Cav. 
Petty.  William— Private  in  Co.   F,   15th  Va.   CaV. 
Peyton,  Joseph  A. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Palmer,  George  O.  N. — Private  in  Co.  L  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Parker.  Robert — Private  in  Co.   C,   13th  Va.   Cav. 
Parker.  Joseph  A. — Private  in  Cavalry. 
Parker,  William  H. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Peters,  William  R. — Private   in   Signal   Corps. 
Page.  Hugh  N. — Captain  of  Virginia  Navy. 
Parker,  William  H. — Lieutenant  in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Parris,  Lewi.s — Master  in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Pegram,  James  W. — Midshipman  in  C.   S.  Navy. 
Parker.  John  H. — Lieutenant  in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Porter,  J.  L. — Chief  constructor  in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Pierce.  Joseph — Constructor  in   C.   S.   Navy. 
Poindexter,  C.  B. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Q 

Quillan,  John— Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Qullin.  Richard  H.— Private  in  Co.  L  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Quinn.  Michael— Chief  engineer  in   C.   S.  Navy. 


R. 

Robbins,   .\sher. 
Reid.  John. 

Ryan.  Rev.  Abram  J. — Chaplain. 
Ricketts,    Augustus — Private   in    Letcher   Rangers. 
Rou-e,  Allen   M.— Private  in  Co.  I.  2d  N.   C.   Inf. 
Richardson,  John  Q.— Major  of  S2d  N.  C.  Inf. 
Ross,  Joseph— Private  in   Co.   F.  4th  Ga.   Inf. 
Russell,  William   P.— Private  in   Co.  L.   ^2d  Va.   Inf. 
Ross.  John  E.— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Reed,  David— Private  in   Co.   I.   38th  Va.   Inf. 
Reed,  John— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Ross,  Edward— Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Rogers,  Roderick— Private  in  Co. 'l,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Robinson,  William— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Rainy,  Malachi— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Revel,  John- Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Randolph,  James  A.— Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 


Roane.  Lemuel  T. — Orderlv  sergeant  in  Co.  C,  26th  Va. 

Inf. 
Ried,  William  M. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Rogers,  Charles  E. — Private  in  Co.  B.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Rolison,  John — Private  in   Co.   C,  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Rhoner,  John — Private  in  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Robertson,  David  S. — Sergeant  in  Co.  D.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Richardson,  Benjamin — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Rutter,   Thomas — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Rawson.  Charles — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Rudd,  William  D.— Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Robinson,  E. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ribble,   Joseph — Private   in   Co.   I,  6ist   Va.    Inf.      Fur, 

subst. 
Rodman.   Pierce — Private  in  Co.  I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Ross,  George — Corporal  of  Co.  H,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Reed,  Littleton  D. — Second  sergeant  in  Co.  K.  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Reed.  Thomas   P. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.   Inf. 
Read.  Charles— Private  in  Co.   B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Richardson.  John  W. — Drummer  in  Co.   F.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Roberts,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Rowell.  William — Private  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Reed,   Robert   E.— Private  in  Co.   D,  9th  Va.   Inf. 
Richardson.  William  J. — Captain  of  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.   Maj.  and  Lt.-Col.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Revell,  Randall — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Robertson,  William  D. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Roane.  Alonzo  B. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Ruthlege,   Anthony — Private   in   Co.   I.  9th   Va.   Inf. 
Richardson.  George  Clay — Private  in  Co.  I.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Robinson,  James   H. — Second   lieutenant   in   Co.   K.  9th 

Va.  Inf. 
Richardson,  John   H. — Private   in   Co.    K,   gth   Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to   Signal   Corps. 
Rodman.  Robert  C. — Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Richardson.    N.    F.— Private    in    Co.    K,    9th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Signal  Corps. 
Richardson.  Charles  E. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  \"a.  Inf. 

Trans,  to  N.  C.  Regt. 
Reid.   Charles — Private  in  Co.   K.  9th  Va.   Inf.     Trans. 

to   Signal  Corps. 
Rudd.  Benjamin — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  \'a.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Signal  Corps. 
Riddick,  James    W. — Private    in    Co.    K.    gth    \'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  Capt.  and  Adjt.  N.  C.  Brig. 
Ramsay.  T. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Roberts,  John  R.— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ruthledge,  Absalom  F. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Robinson.   Benjamin — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ralph,  John— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Robertson,   Duncan.  Jr. — First  lieutenant  in   Co.  G.  6th 

Va.   Inf. 
Reid.    James    T.    S. — Private    in    Co.    G.    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom.   1st   Lieut.   Ord.    Stafif. 
Reynolds.    Henry    S. — Private    in    Co.    G.   6th    Va.    Inf. 

Det.   Coms.   Dept.   1862. 
Robinson,    William — Private    in    Co.    G,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to  32d   N.   C.   Regt. 
Robinson,   William   C. — Private  in   Co.   G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Robertson.  Gary — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

Sergt.-Maj.   1864. 
Robbins,  George  S. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Rosenburg.  Midi. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


125 


Rowc.    Stephen    D. — Private    in    Co.    G,    6th    Va.    Int. 

Trans,  to  Co.  A.  5th  Va.  Cav.   1862. 
Rowland.    John    H. — Private    in    Co.    G.    6th    Va.    Int. 

Trans.   Co.  D.  20th  Va.   Bat.  Heavy  .Art. 
Ridky.  William  G.— Private  in  Co.   G.' 6th   Va.   Inf. 
Ross.  John  R.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Int. 
Roberts.  Wilhani  J. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Reynolds.  William  C— Private  in   Co.   H.  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Trans,   to  Xavy   1863. 
Ranisav.  William  H. — First  sergeant  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va. 

Inf. 
Randolph.  X.  B.— First  Sergeant  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Rogers.  John  M.— First  Sergeant  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Robinson.  John  R.— First  Sergeant  in  Co.  H,   12th  Va. 

Inf.  Prom.  Sergt.  1862. 
Russ.  Francis — Lieutenant  in  Portsmouth  Light  .-Xrt. 
Reynolds.  Joseph  S. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Rogers.  F.  D. — Private  in  Portsmouth   Light  Art. 
Reardon.  Michael  E. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Rieger.  Joseph — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Rehm.  Fred — Private  in   Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Reid.  John   S.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light   .-\rt.  Blues. 
Reynolds.    Robert    E.— Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .\rt. 

Blues. 
Roberts.  John  B.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Rogers.  John  C— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Rogers.  W.  H.  R.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Rainier.  J.  T. — Corporal  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Rogers.  Charles — First  corporal   in   Norfolk  Light   .\rt. 

Blues. 
Ransomc.    .Alexander — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Reed.    Nathaniel    G. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Robbins.    Joseph    \V. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 

Blues. 
Robinson.   Edward   C. — Private   in    Norfolk   Light   .Art. 

Blues. 
Rose.  Louis — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues.    .Ab- 
sent— sick. 
Rye.   Richard — Private  in   Norfolk  Light   .Art.   Blues. 
Roberts.    W.    Roy — Second    lieutenant    in    .Atlantic    .Art. 
Richard-on.   William — Private   in  -Atlantic  .Art. 
Robinson.  F.  J. — Private  in  United  .Art. 
Rhea.  George  W. — Private  in  L'nited  .Art. 
Reid.  Charles — Private  in  L'nited  -Art. 
Roberts.  Henry — Second  lieutenant  in   Young's  Harbor 

Guard — .Art. 
Richardson.  John  F. — Second  sergeant  in  Young's  Har- 
bor Guard — .Art. 
Reed.  Charles  C. — Private  in  Co.   .A.   Smith's  .Art. 
Robertson.  Thomas  C. — Private  in  oth  \'a.  Cav. 
Robbins.  John  C. — Private  in  24th  Va.  Cav. 
Reid.    William    C. — Private    in    Co.    F.    15th    Va.    Cav. 

Trans,   to  Navy   1862. 
Russell.  Thomas  B. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Ricks.  James  R. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Reed.  Washington — Private  in   Signal  Corps. 
Riley.  Otev — C.  S.  Navy. 

Reardon.  L.  B. — .Assistant  paymaster  in   C.   S.   Navy. 
Roots.  L.  M. — Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Rani-ay.  H.  .A. — Chief  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 


Smith.   Peter — Private  in  N.  C.  Regt. 
Speight.  Henry — Private  in  68th   N.  C.  Inf. 
Semms.  W.  C. —  Private  in  Co.  .A.  7th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Sadler.  W.  W.— Private  in  Co.  F.  33d  N.  C.  Inf. 
Smitli.  W.  D. — Private  in  Co.  .A.  3d  N.  C.  Battalion. 
Sharp.  W.  D. — Private  in  Co.  F.  40th  N.  C.  Heavy  .Art. 
Satclitield.  Thomas  C. — Private  in  Co.  E.  44th  Va.  Bat- 
talion. 
Stringer.  James  W. —  Private  in  Co.  .A,  ,38th  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer.  C.   T. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith.  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Stringer.  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith.  W.  S. — Corporal  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Shermadine.  William — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Sykes.  William— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  \'a.  Inf. 
Spence.  .Abner — Private  in  Co.   I.  .38th  Va.   Inf. 
Sykes.  Jesse — Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
Sykes.  James  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  aist  Va.   Inf. 
Sykes.  .Alexander  F. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Speight.  David — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  \'a.  Inf. 
Scaff.  John  D. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Squires.  Seth  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Spivey.  Edwin — Private  in  Co.  I.  4lsti  Va.  Inf. 
Scott.  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Scott.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  A.  6rst  Va.  Inf. 
Sivells.  D.  T.— Private  in  Co.  .A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sivells.  .Alexander — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va 
Speight.  Benjamin  F. — Private  in  Co. 


-Private  in  Co.   .A.  6ist 


Inf. 
A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Va.  Inf.     Prom. 


6i.st  \'a.  Inf. 

A.  6ist   Va.    Inf. 
6ist  Va.  Inf. 
in  Co.  A.  6lst  "V'a.  Inf. 
lieutenant  of   Co.   B.  6ist   Va. 


Sykes.  W.  O. 

corporal. 
Sykes.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  .A 
Sykes.   Josephus — Private   in   Co. 
Sykes,  Henry — Private  in  Co.  .A. 
Sykes,  J.  C.  C. — Private 
Stott,    Tames   .A. — Th'rd 

Inf.     Prom.  2d  lieut.  , 

Saunders.  Daniel — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Scarfif.  Charles  S.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Steel.  William  W.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stewart.    Ash  well— Private  in   Co.   B.  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
.Stewart.  Tn/ewcll — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stewart.  William — Private  in  Co.  B,  6Tst  Va.  Inf. 
Stanley.   Samuel — Private  in   Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stanley.   Hillary — Private  in  Co.   B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sykes.  William — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sykes.  George  .A. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Simmons.  .Ashville — First  lieutenant  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Shirley.  John — Sergeant  in  Co.  C.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Stewart.  .Adrian  D. — Private  in  Co.  C.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer.  Nelson — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Savills.  Marcus  A. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6Tst  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Speight.   Raynor — Private  in   Co.  C.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Sawyer.  Gideon  L. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stewart.  David  H. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer.  William  J. — Private,  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sug.gs.  George  F. —  Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Singleton.  John — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Shepperd.  John — Private  in  Co.   D.  6ist   \'a.  Inf. 


126 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Saunders,   William   D.   B.— Private   in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Stewart,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  E,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Stokes,  James— Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stokes,  Robert — Private   in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va,   Inf. 
Stokes,  Wilson  F. — Private  in  Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Simmons,  John  R. — Third  sergeant  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va. 

Inf.     Prom,  ist  sergt. 
Sorey,  John  C. — Corporal  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sherwood,  John   M. — First   sergeant  in  Co.   I,  6ist  Va. 

Inf. 
Shepherd,   Edward   C. — Second   sergeant   in   Co.   I,   6ist 

Va.  Inf. 
Sibley,  William— Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
St.  George,  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,  W.  J.— Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sawver,  John  I. — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stafford,  Richard— Private  in  Co.   K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sykes,  Joseph  J. — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Stephens,  Joseph  L. — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Sorey,  Evan — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Staylor,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf.  j 

Sullivan,  Henry — Sergeant  in  Co.  C,  ist  Va.  Inf.  ' 

Simmons,  W.  A. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer,  Kader — Private  in  Co.  A,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Simmons,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.   B,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,    George    A. — Private    in    Co.    B,    3d    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Navy. 
Sturtevant,    William    P. — First    sergeant    in    Co.    H,   3d 

Va.  Inf. 
Sherwood.  Robert  A. — Corporal  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,  James — Third  sergeant  in  Co.   H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Stoakes,  Isaiah — Second  sergeant  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Savage,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Scott,  Robert  G.— Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Stoakes,  Edward — Private  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Southall,  J.  H. — Surgeon  in  5Sth  Va.  Inf. 
Sale,  Henry  G. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Skinner,  Abraham — Private  in  Co.  D,  pth  Va.  Inf. 
Seacrist,   Barclay — Private  in   Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Stublin,  William  C. — Sergeant  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Skelling,  John   C. — First   lieutenant   in   Co.   D,   gth   Va. 

Inf.      Not   elect,    at    reorganization. 
Savage,  T.  A. — Private  in   Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Sherwood,  O.  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Sale,  John  E. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Smith.  William  F. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Stores,  John  Wesley — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Savage,  William — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Spivey,  Jethro — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Sawyer,  Albert — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Skeeter,  W.  J.— Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Small,  Benjamin — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Savage.  Mike  L. — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Spaiilding,  John  .\. — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,  William  Alfred — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Xa.  Inf. 

Trans,  to   Signal   Corps   1862. 
Smith,  William  A. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Savage,  T.  J. — Private  in  Co.   K,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

to  Signal   Corps   1862, 
Smith,  Arthur— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

to  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Sanner,  Joseph — First  sergeant  in   Co.   C,   l6th  Va.  Inf. 

Trans,  to  Md.  Line  1862. 


Spady,    Thomas   V. — Private    in   Co.    C,    i6th    \'a.    Inf. 

Det.  as  Courier. 
Smaw,  Daniel  G. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Shelton,  William  Naylor — Corporal  in  Co.  C,   i6th  Va. 

Inf.     Det.  to  work  in  Navy  Yard. 
Sibley,  Robert  E. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Scott,  Albert  A. — Private  in  Co.  C,  16th  Va.  Inf.    Det. 

Hosp't.   Steward. 
Stringer,   Thomas   D, — Fourth   corporal    in    Co.    A,   6th 

Va.  Inf. 
Steward,    George   H. — Private   in   Co.    A,   6th   Va.   Inf. 

Prom.  Lieut. 
Stott,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Sheppard,  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Spratt,   Stewart  M. — Third   sergeant  in   Co.   C,  6th  Va. 

Inf.     Prom,  ist  lieut. 
Shipp,  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Small,   Caleb — Private  in   Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Sledd,  Joshua — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Sigman,  Jehu,  Jr. — Private  in  Co.   C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Sigman,  Peter— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Sigman,  Joseph  M. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Stanly,  Robert  J. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Sheppard,  John  H. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Stine,  William — Third  corporal  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Swift,    William    H.— Private    in    Co.    D.    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom,  sergt. 
Scarft,  William — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Spencer,  Levi — Private  in   Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,  John  F. — Private  in  Co.  F,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Simmons,  Albert  B. — Third  sergeant  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va. 

Inf. 
Styron,   Oscar  M. — Second  corporal  in  Co.   G.  6th  Va. 

Inf. 
Seal,  John  R.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,  Johnathan  K. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Segar,  John — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.     Trans,  to 

Co.  H,  38th  Va.  Inf.  1862. 
Saunders,  Palmer — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  \'a.  Inf.     Ap. 

Midshipman  in  Navy. 
Stokes,   Montford   N.— Private   in   Co.    G.   6th   Xa.   Inf. 

Prom.  Lieut.  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Sharp,  John  H. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

2d  Lieut.  P.    \.  C.  S.  1861. 
Stone,  George  F. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Segar,  Arthur  S. — Private  in  Co,  G,  6th  Va.  Inf.  Prom. 

Lieut,   in  another  regt. 
Shipp,  John   S. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,   Henry — Private  in  Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Smoot,  William — Private  in  Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf.     Dis- 
charged 1862. 
Southgate,    Lewellyn — Private    in    Co.    G,   6th    Va.    Inf. 

Ap.  Sergt. -Maj.  Col.  Godwin's  command. 
Stone,  David  D. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  ^■a.  Inf. 
Seal,  William  B. — Private  in  Co.   G.  6th  \'a.   Inf.     .\p. 

Hosp't.    Steward   1862. 
Smith,  Josiah  H. — First  lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Smith,    Alexander    M. — First    corporal    in    Co.    H,    6th 

Va.  Inf.     Prom.   Color-bearer  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Simmons,  John  L. — Fourth  corporal  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va. . 

Inf. 
Smith,  Andrew — Private  in   Co.   H,  6th  Va.   Int. 
Smith.  John  E. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

Corporal — Trans,   to   Navy   1863. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


127 


Int. 
Inf. 

,  Inf. 


in    Richmond    Howitzers^ — 

in    Riclnnond    Howitzers — 


Stubl).-.    William    J.— Private    in    Co.    H,    6tli    \'a.    Inf. 

Det.   Provost  Guard. 
Strvkcr.   Martin— Private   in   Co.   H.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Svkes,  William  A.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Scott.  William  T.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Seldner.   Isaac — First   sergeant   in   Co.   H,  6th   Va. 
Sale.  John  F. — Fourth  sergeant  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va. 

Prom.  Lieut.   1864. 
Shelton.  E.  W. — Fourth  corporal  in  Co.  H,  I2tli  Va 
Shepherd.  John  S.— Private  in  Co.  H,   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Stone.  William— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Scrihner,  James  D. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Shipp.    Josiah    P.— Private    in    Co.    H,    12th    Va.    Inf, 

Trans,  to  Co.  G.  1862. 
Sinicoc,  Augustus — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Starke.  .-X.   W. — Lieutenant-colonel   -Art. 
Smith.  Francis — Major  Heavy  Art. 

Saunders.  John  S. — Lieutenant-colonel  attached  to  Ord- 
nance Dept..  C.   S.  A. 
Saunders,    Hunter — Private 

Art. 
Santos.   Alexander — Private 

Art. 
Swain.   William — Private  in   Portsmouth   Light  Art. 
Stoakes.  Joseph  M. — Private  in   Portsmoutli   Light  Art. 
Stoakes.   H.    C. — Private   in   Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Shephard.  Edward  J. — Private  in  Portsmoutli  Light  Art. 
Stores.   Richard — Private   in    Portsmouth   Light   Art. 
Spragg.  .Aaron — Private  in  Portsmouth  Liglit  .\rt. 
Saundcr-i.   Robert — Private  in   Portsmoutli   Light  Art. 
Sheppard.  William  E. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Snow.  John  \\". — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Stores.  James — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Summers.  E.  T.  W. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Straub.  E.  G. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Saunders.  S.   S. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .\rt.   Blues. 
Sebrell.  \.  C.  H.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smiley.  C.  D. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Sterrett.  J.  S. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\vt.  Blues. 
Segar.  T.  F. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smith.  E.  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smith.  James  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smythe.  William — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Stewer.  Edwin — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Swank.  W.  A. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smith.  C.  A..  Jr. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Smith.  J.  E.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Simmons.  J. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  .Art.   Blues. 
Smilev.    Thomas    S. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Stephens,  Richard  H..  Jr.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 

Blues. 
Summers.   William   R. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   Art. 

Blues. 
Stephens,  John   W. — Third   corporal   in   Norfolk   Light 

Art.  Blues.     Prom,  ist  Sergt. 
Sale.  John  H..  Jr. — Third  lieutenant  in  .Atlantic  Art. 
Scott,  Robert— Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Sharpley.  John  J. — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Solon.  Thomas — Private  in  United  Art. 
Smith.  George — Private  in  United  Art. 
Smith.  John  D. — Private  in  L'nited  Art. 
Stokes.  James — Private  in  L'nited  Art. 
Snider,  John — Private  in  United  Art. 


Scott,  Wyatt  W.— Private  United  .Art. 

Sadler,  George — Corporal  in  Young's  Harbor  Guard- 
Art. 

Simpson,  W.  W. — Private  in  Doyle's  Cav, 

Swann,  Christopher  M. — Private  in  Co.  A.  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Skeeter,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.   C.   13th  Va.  Cav. 

Spivey,    Jetliro — Private    in    Co.    C,    13th    Va.    Cav. 

Spivey,  Henry — Private  in  Co.  C.   13th  Va.  Cav. 

Stokes,  Lemuel — Private  in  ,  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Smith,  William  T. — 2nd  sergeant  in  Co.  F.  isth  \'a.  Cav. 

Simpson,    William — Private    in    Co.    F,    15th    Va.    Cav. 

Stroud,  Cornelius — Private  in  Co.   F,   15th  Va.  Cav. 

Svkes.  Cornelius — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav.  Fur. 
Subst.    1862. 

Sanderlin,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Trans,   to  N.   C.   Regt. 

Silvester,  Keeling — Private  in  Co.  ¥.   15th  Va.  Cav. 

Steward,  Solomon — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Sadler,    Robert — Private   in    Co.   F,    15th   Va.    Cav. 

Slack.   Edward — Private   in   Co.   F.   15th  Va.   Cav. 

Smith,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Stabury.   William   H. — Private   in    Signal   Corps. 

Spooner,    .Alfred    B. — Private    in    Signal    Corps. 

Selden.   William — Captain    in   Engineers   C.    S.   A. 

Sale.  George  L. — Hospital   steward. 

Sinclair.  Arthur — Commander  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Spottswood.  C.   F.   M. — Commander  in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Sinclair.  George  T. — Commander  in  C.   S.   Navy. 

Sinclair.  Arthur,  Jr. — Lieutenant  in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Sharp,   William — Lieutenant   in   C.    S.   Navy. 

Skinner,  Thomas  L. — Lieutenant   in  C.   S.   Navy. 

Sinclair,  W.  B. — Surgeon  in  C.   S.  Navy. 

Saunders.  Palmer — Midsliipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Sinclair,  W.  H. — Midshipman  in  C.   S.  Navy. 

Schisano,   Stephen — (junncr  in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Smith,  W.  T. — Boatswain  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Skinner,  W.  W. — Master's  mate  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Smith.  William — Master's  mate  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Sinclair,  W.  B. — Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Sullivan,  Robert — Petty  officer  in  C.   S.   Navy. 

Schroeder.   Charles — Chief  engineer  in  C.   S.   Navy. 

Shannon,   Jesse   C. — Assistant   surgeon   in   C.    S.   N'avy. 

Seay.   Robert — In   C.   S.   Navy. 

Sullivan,  Anthony — In  C.  S.  Navy. 


Toomer,    Charles    H. — Lieutenant    in   41st    Ala.   Inf. 

Toomer,  Shelton — Private  in  3rd  Ala.  Inf. 

Tripple,   W.    F. — Commissary   sergeant    in   I.   N.    O.   L. 

Guards,  ist  La.  Regt. 
Tufts,  O. — Captain  in  Co.  A,   isl  Ga.  Inf. 
Trinieger.  George  M. — Private  in  Co.  G    .i^th  Va.  Inf. 
Tucker.  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  V-.x'.'li^f. 
Tucker.   Samuel — Private  in  Co.   I.  38th  Va    Inf. 
Tebault.  Daniel — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Tripple,   Charles — Private   in   Co.   I.  38th   Va    Inf. 
Tart,  George  T. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Tatem.   .Arthur   H. — Corporal    in   Co.    I.   38th   Va.    Inf. 
Tatem,   Nathaniel   C. — Private  in  Co.   F.  4rst  \'a.   Inf. 
Tatem,  Elijah — Private  in  Co.   F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Tatem,  John   W. — Private   in   Co.   F.  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Taylor.  James  F.— Private  in  Co.  F.  41  st  Va.  Inf. 
Toy,  James — Musician  in  Co.   .A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


I2S 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Thompson.   William — Private   in    Co.    A,   6ist   Va.    Inf. 
Tucker.  John  H. — 3rd  sergeant  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  1st  Sergt. 
Tucker.  James  E. — Corporal  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Thompson.  Christopher — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.  John  W. — Private  in   Co.  D.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Tatem.  Camillus  A. — Sergeant  in  Co.   E,  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
Tatem.   Benjamin   F. — Private   in   Co.   E,   6i5t   Va.   Inf. 

Prom.  Quartermaster  Sergt. 
Taylor.   Thomas   H.— Private   in    Co.   H.   61  st  Va.    Inf. 
Tranham.   A.    S. — Private  in   Co.   H,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Turner.  :\Iills— Private  in  Co.  H,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Thornton.   David   W. — 3rd   sergeant   in   Co.   I.  6ist   Va. 

Inf. 
Toppin.  Smith — Private  in  Co.  I.  61  st  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

sergeant. 
Taylor.  Revel!  I. — _'nd  lieutenant  in  Co.  K,  61st  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  1st  Lieut. 
Tatem,  George  W. — 3rd  sergeant  in  Co.  K,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Tucker,  James  A. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tucker,   Willis — Private   in   Co.   A.  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Taylor,  John — Private  in  Co.  A.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.   \\'illiam    C. — ist   lieutenant   in   Co.    B.   3rd   Va. 

Inf. 
Thomas.  A\'illiam — Private  in  Co.   B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  F,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tabb.  John — ^Musician  in   Co.   H.  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Tee.  John  C. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tabb.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.  L.  W. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Thompson.   John   W. — Private   in    Co.    D.   gth   Va.    Inf. 
Tonkin.  William  F. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Tompkins.  Thomas  G. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.  William  James — Private  in  Co.  D,  pth  Va.  Inf. 
Turner,  G.   M.— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.  Beniamin — Private  in  Co.  I.  oth  Va.  Inf. 
Tabb.    William    H.— Private    in    Co.    K.    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Prom.    Sergt. -Mai.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tyler.  Julius  H.— Private  in  Co.  B.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Tart.  John  Quincy — Private  in  Co.  B.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Tyler.  Henry  C. — Private  in  Co.  B,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Tomlinson.  Ed.   R. — Drummer  in   Co.   C.   i6th   Va.   Inf. 
Toy.  Crawford  H. — Chaplain  in  ,S3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tulane.   Alonzo  J. — Private  in   Co.  A.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Taylor.   Robert   B. — Captain   in   Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Taylor.  Richard — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Tarrant.  Elea^er — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Talbot.  John  B.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Turner.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Trifford.   William— Private   in   Co.   D.   6th   Va.    Inf. 
Thorogood.  George — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.  David  R.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.   Richard    S. — Private    in    Co.    G.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Det.  Army  Intelligence  office,   1862. 
Todd.  George  M. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.  Robertson — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.     Ap. 

Q.  M.  Sergt.  Adjt..  6th  Va.  Inf.,  and  Adit.  Div. 
Todd.    H.    S.— Private   in   Co.   G.   6th   Va.   Inf.      Prom. 

Lieut.  Co.  B,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Taylor.  William  E. — Private  in  Co.  H.   12th  \'a.  Inf. 
Tomkins.  E. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Tyler.  John   B. — Private   in   Portsmouth  Light   Art. 


Thomas,    B.   D. — Quartermaster     sergeant     in     Xorfolk 

Light  Art.  Blues. 
Thompson.  E.,  Jr. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Taylor.    W.    J. — Private   in    Norfolk   Liglit   Art.    Blues. 
Taylor.    J.    Theodore — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Thomas,  J.   D. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   Art.    Blues. 
Taylor,    John — Private    in    Norfolk    Light  'Art.    Blues. 
Tilghman.    John    L. — ist    lieutenant    in    Norfolk    Light 

Art.   Blues. 
Taylor,  Beverly  K. — ist  sergeant  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Thompson,   Henry — 3rd    sergeant    in    Atlantic    Art. 
Thompson.  David  S. — Private  in  .\tlantic  Art. 
Totten.    Samuel — Private    in    Atlantic   Art. 
Taylor.  John  G. — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Timberlake,  David — Private  in  Atlantic  Art. 
Thayer,   Stephen   B. — Private  in  .A-tlantic  Art. 
Thompson.   George — Private   in   L^nited   Art. 
Trower,     William — 4th     sergeant     in     Young's     Harbor 

Guard — Art. 
Taylor.  Ezekiel — Corporal   in   Young's  Harbor  Guard — 

'  Art. 
Tabb,  Robert  B. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Tyson,  William  G. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Tabb.  Charles — Private  in  Signal   Corps. 
Tucker,  John  S. — Seaman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Tucker.  John  R. — Captain  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Thorborn.  R.  D. — Commander  in  C.  S.   Navy. 
Taylor,    Richard — Assistant    paymaster   in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Tucker,   John    T. — Assistant    engineer    in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Turner,    Samuel   V. — Sailmaker   in   C.    S.   Navy. 
Tyman.  John  W. — Chief  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

U. 

LTrquhart.  William — Private  in  Co.  D.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
L'rquhart.  J.  W. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Co.  H.  5th  Va.  Cav. 
Urquhart.  A.  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  \'a.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  Co.   H,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

V. 
Vandenberg.  James — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Vellines,  Watson  B. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Volkman,   C.   W. — Private   in   Co.   H.  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Virnelson,  William  B. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  \'a.  Inf. 
Virnelson,  Joseph  H. — Private   in   Co.   G.  gth   \'a.   Inf. 
Voss,  James — Private   in   Co.   D.   oth   Va.    Inf. 
Voss,   Albert   C— Private   in   Co.   G.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Vaden.  W.  L.— Private  in  Co.  H.   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Vaughan.  E.   S. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Veale.    Samuel — Private   in    Norfolk   Light    Arl.    Blues. 
Vellines,  John  A. — Private  in  Atlantic  .-Xrt. 
Virnelson.  Joseph  E. — .\ssistant  engineer  in  C.  S.  N^avy. 
Vernon.  W.   H. — ist  lieutenant  in  C.   S.   Navy. 

W. 

Wright.  John   L. — Sergeant   in   Co.   K.   54th   N.   C.   Inf. 
Wright.   Minton   A. — Lieutenant   in   57th   N.   C.   Inf. 
Williams,  Daniel  A. — Sergeant  in  17th  N.   C.  Inf. 
Waterfield.  John— Private  in  7th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Wright,  Thomas  H. — Sergeant-major  in  46th  X'.  C.  Inf. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


129 


Wright.  J.   1!.— Drum-major  in  47th  N.  C.  Inf.     Trans. 

to  Ootli  \'a.  Rfgt. 
Whitfhnrsl.  John— Private  in  _'nd  X.  C.  Battahon. 
Welsh.  Patrick— Private  in  X.  C.  Rcgt. 
Willey.  John  M.— Private  in  68th  X.  C.  Int. 
Wyatt.   John — Sergeant    in    X.    C.    Regt. 
Wootten.   Peck — Private  in   Wvthe  Rifles. 
Walker.   R.    P.— Disc— disabihtv. 
Webb.  Wilhani  T.— Disc— 1863. 
Wingfield.   Thomas  H, — Medical   inspector   in  Army  of 

Xonhern  Virginia. 
Watt>.  E.  M. — Surgeon  in   Simms'  Brigade. 
White.  Franklin  J. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  .Army. 
Wingfield.   William   C. — Major   and   commissary. 
White.  John   R. — Captain  and  assistant  commissary. 
Whiting,  John   S. — Hospital   steward. 
Walters.  Edward  M. — Private  in  Xelson's  Guards,  32nd 

Va.  Inf. 
Williamson.  John  G. — Sergeant  in  Co.   .A.  3r<l  Va.  Re- 
serves. 
Wright,  Cary  W. — Sergeant  in  Co.  F.  32nd  N'a.  Inf. 
Whiteluirst.  John  J. — 2nd  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va. 

Inf. 
Williams,  .\.   B. — 3rd  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst.  C.   P.— Private  in  Co.   I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst.  W.   .\.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.   Inf. 
Whitehurst.  George — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va..Inf. 
Wilder,  James  M. — Private  in   Co.   I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilder,   Benjamin — Private  in   Co.   I,  38th  Va.   Inf. 
West.  John— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Wood.  Lorenzo — Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Waterfield.   Benjamin — Private  in   Co.    I,   .38th   Va.   Inf. 
Waterman,  .\bsalom — Private  in  Co.  I,  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Walker,  W.  W.— Private  in  Co.  I.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Woodward,    Samuel — Private   in    Co.    I.   38th    Va. 
Widgeon.  John  T. — Lieutenant  in  Co.   F,  41st  Va. 
Williamson,    H.    T. — Corporal   in    Co.   F.   41st   Va. 
Whitehurst,  Christopher — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va 
Williamson.  \'irginius — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va. 
Williamson,    Samuel — Private   in   Co.    F,   41st   Va. 
Williams,   Samuel — Private   in   Co,   F,  41st  Va.   Inf. 
Woodhouse,  Moses  C. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Wright,  David  L. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf 
Woodward,   Oden — Private  in   Co,   F 
Williamson,    Everett — Private   in   Co, 

Prom.  Orderly  Sergt. 
Wallace,  William  C. — Captain  in  Co.  A.  6lst  Va, 
Warden,  James — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Warden.  Richard  H, — Private  in  Co.  A,  61  st  Va. 
Waller,  George  W, — Private  in  Co,  A,  6ist  Va. 
Wood,    Joseph    X. — Private    in    Co.    A,    6ist    Va. 

Prom.  Corp'l. 
Wood,   Keeling — Private  in   Co.  .\.  6lst  \'a,   Inf, 
Woodward,  Joseph  T. — Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va. 
Woodward.   Leander — Private   in   Co.   A,   6ist   Va, 
Whitehurst,  Robert — Private  in  Co,  A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst.  WiUouijhbv — Private  in  Co.  .-X.  6lst  Va.  Inf 
Williams,  D.   A.— Private  in  Co.  .\,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Williams,    Marcellus — Private   in   Co.   A.   61  st   Va, 
Wright.  Peter— Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
West,  VV,  W— Private  in  Co.  .A,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehead,  Martin  \'.— Private  in  Co.  A.  6ist  Ya 
Williams,  Joseph — Private   in   Co.   A,  6lst   Va,   Inf 
Williams,  M,  D, — Private  in  Co,  A,  61  st  Va,   Inf, 


Inf, 
Inf, 
Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 
Inf. 


41st  Va.   Inf, 
F,   41st   Va.    Inf. 


Inf. 

Inf. 
Inf, 
Inf. 


Inf. 
Inf. 


Inf. 


Inf. 


Warden,   William   H, — Private   in   Co,  A,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Williams,  F^rancis  H, — 5th  sergeant  in  Co.   B.  61 -t  Va. 

Inf. 
Willianis,    Thomas — Corporal   in    Co.    B,   6lst    \'a     Int. 

Prom,   Orderly   Sergt. 
Waterfield,  Cone — Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va,  Inf. 
Waterfield,  William  T. — Private  in  Co,  B.  61st  \':\,  Inf. 
Waterfield,  .-Mcxandcr — Private  in  Co.   B,  6ist  ^'a.   Inf. 
Waterfield,    Malachi — Private    in   Co.    B.   61st   Va.    Inf. 
Wicker,   C.   W.— Private  in  Co.   B,  61st  Va,   Inf. 
Waterfield,   John    C. — Private   in    Co.    B,   6ist   X.'.    Int. 
White,  William — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
White,   Ryland   C— Private  in  Co,   B,  61  st  Va,   Inf. 
Whitehurst,  Walter  S.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  Wilson  W,  D, — Private  in  Co.  B.  6lst  \'a.  'nf, 
Williams,  Quinton  T, — Private  in  Co,  B.  6ist   Va,   Inf, 
Wicker,   William   T, — Private   in   Co.    B.   6ist   Va,    Inf. 
Wilson,   St.  Julien — 2nd  lieutenant  in   Co,   C,  6ist   Va. 

Inf,     Prom,   ist  Lieut, 
Waller,  Josiah — Private  in  Co,  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf, 
Waterfield,   Saunders — Private   in   Co.   C.  61  st   \"a.   Inf, 
Warren.  John — Private  in  Co,  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Whateley,    Leven — Private   in    Co,    C,   61  st   Va.   Inf. 
Whitehurst.  David — Private  in  Co,  C,  6rst  Va,   Inf. 
Wright,  William — Private  in  Co.  C,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Woodward.   Litaness — Private   in   Co.    C,   61  st   \'a.    Inf. 
White,  John — Private  in  Co,  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Ward,  Baker— Private  in  Co,  D.  6lst  Va.  Inf, 
Walker.   William   M.— Private  in   Co.   D,  6ist   \'a.   Inf. 
Wood,  John  M. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6lst  \'a.  Inf. 
Williams.   Hillary — Private  in   Co,   D,  61  st  Va,   Inf, 
Walker,  Lewis  Wilson — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Wilkins,  James  M. — 1st  sergeant  in  Co.  E,  6ist  \'a,  Inf, 
Williamson,  Thomas,   Corporal  in  Co,  E,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
Wagner,  Lewis — Private  in   Co.   E,  6ist  Va.   Inf, 
Williamson,  Charles  C. — Private  in  Co.  E,  61  st  \'a.  Inf. 
Williamson,   Elton — Private  in  Co,  E,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Williamson,  Henry — Private  in  Co.  E,  6ist  Va,  Inf. 
Wilkins,    W,    L.    S. — Private    in    Co.    E.   61  st    \'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  2nd  Sergt, 
White,    William    F. — Private    in    Co,    E,    6ist    \'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  Capt, 
Wilson,  Joshua  T. — Private  in  Co.  E,  6lst  Va.   Inf, 
Wright,   Benjamin — Private  in  Co.   E,  6ist  \'a.   Inf. 
Wright,  John  L, — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  6ist  Va.  Inf, 

Prom,  Capt. 
Wilkins.   Richard — Private   in   Co.   H,  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
White,  George  T. — Private  in   Co.   H.  61  st  Va.   Inf, 
Wyatt,   H,   T— Private   in   Co.   H,  6ist   Va.   Inf. 
White,  John  D, — Private  in   Co.  I,  61  st  Va.   Inf. 
White,   Richard — Private  in   Co,   I,  61  st  Va,   Inf. 
Ward.  Julius — Private  in  Co,  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Whitson,   William — Private   in   Co.   I,   6lst  Va,   Inf. 
Wise,  Stephen — Private  in  Co,  I.  6i5t  Va,  Inf, 
West,  Delaware — Private  in  Co.  K,  61  st  Va..   Inf, 
Wilson,  John — Private  in  Co.  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson,  Willis— Private  in  Co,  K,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson.  Benjamin  R. — Private  in  Co.   K,  61  st   \'a.    Inf. 
Williams,  William — Private  in   Co.   K.  6ist  ^'a.   Inf. 
Williams,   Jordan — Private   in   Co,   K.  6ist   \'a.    Inf. 
Wickings,   James   J. — Private   in    Co,    K,   6ist    \'a.    Inf. 
Wright,   William   S, — .Adjutant   in   6ist   Va.   Inf. 
White.  John   R, — 1st  lieutenant  in   Co.   A.  3rd   \'a.   Inf. 

Prom.   Capt. 


13° 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


White,  Edward  P.— Private  in  Co.   A,  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Whitehead,   John   D.— Private   in   Co.    A,   3rd   Va.   Inf. 
Williams,  William  J.— Private   in   Co.   A,  3rd  Va.   Inf. 

Prom,  and  Lieut. 
White,    Osceola    T.— Private    in    Co.    A.   3rd    Va.    Inf. 

Prom.  3rd  Lieut. 
Weston,  W.  W. — Private  in  Co.  A,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,  Robert — 3rd  corporal  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Wilkins,  William— Private  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf.   Prom. 

Corns.   Sergt. 
Wilkins,  Andrew — Private  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
White,  Charles — Private  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehead,   John   D. — Captain   in   Co.   H,   3rd   Va.   Inf. 
Whitehurst.  William — 2nd  lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va. 

Inf.     Not  re-elected  1862. 
White,   William   F. — 4th  lieutenant   in   Co.   H,   3rd  Va. 

Inf.     Prom.  Capt. 
White,  John   S.— Private  in  Co.   H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Weddon,  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
West.  William   E.— Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Welslager.  George — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Wrenn,  John  W.  H. — Adjutant  in  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Walker,  James  Robert — 3rd  corporal  in  Co.  B,  9th  Va. 

Inf. 
Williams.  Thomas   F. — Private  in   Co.   B,  9th  Va.   Inf. 

Webster, Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Williams,  Samuel — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,  John   W. — Private    in    Co.     D,    9th    Va.     Inf. 

Trans,  to  navy. 
Wilkerson,  William — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Watson,  Joseph  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
White,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
White,  Richard  W.  B.— Sergeant  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Walsh.   Joseph — Private   in   Co.    D,   9th   Va.    Inf.      De- 
tached   1861. 
Wrench,  John — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Trans. 

to  Grimes'  Battery. 
Wrenn,   Edward — Private  in  Co.   D,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Wood,  William  J. — Lieutenant  in  Co.   G,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
White,  William  H. — 1st  sergeant  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Williams.  Lemuel  H. — Corporal  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
White,   George  A. — Private  in  Co.   G,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Whitehurst,  Marshall  P.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Int. 
Williams,   Millard   C. — Private   in   Co,   G.  9th   Va.   Inf. 
Woodhouse.  Thomas  C. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  Thomas  H. — Private  in  Co.   G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Trans,  to  Co.   K,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Whitfield.  Lewis — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,  Henry — Corporal  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

Color  Corporal. 
Wagner,  Jame.s — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Prom. 

Orderly  Sergt. 
Wilson,  A.  J.— Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
White,    Thomas    J.— Private    in    Co.    K,    gth    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,   to   Signal   Corps   1862. 
White,  Frank  J.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf.    Prom. 

Surgeon  C.  S.  A. 
Williams,  David  A.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  E.  B.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  A.  J'.— Private  in   Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf.     Ap. 

Hosp't.   Steward. 
Wilson,  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Wilkins,  James  E.— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 


Williams,  W.  W.— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  Walter— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ward,    Edward    B. — Private    in    Co.    C,    i6th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom.  Adj.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Watters,  James  P. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst,  John  W.— Private  in  Co.   C,   l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wills,  John   S.— Private   in  Co.   C,   i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wills,   Joseph   P.— Private   in   Co.   C,    i6th   Va.   Inf. 
White.   N.    E.— Private   in   Co.    C,    i6th   Va.   Inf.     Re- 
enlisted  in  Norfolk  L.  A.  Blues. 
I    Wilson,  William  S.— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Watts,  A.  S. — Sergeant  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf.     Elected 

sheriff  and  disc. 
Wallace,   Thomas   D. — ist   sergeant   in   Co.   A,   6th  Va. 

Inf.     Prom.  Lieut. ;  not  re-elected  1862. 
Whitehurst,  William  H.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  1st  Sergt. 
Wilkins,  William  P.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Warren,   John   M.— Private  in   Co.   A,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Williams,   Newton   J. — Private   in   Co.   A.   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Williams,    William    Carter — Captain    in    Co.    B,  6th  Va. 

Inf. 
Wright,  Joseph,  Sr. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Watters,  David  C. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wright,  Joseph  Sr. — Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Woodhouse,   John   J. — Private   in    Co.    C,   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Prom.  Corporal. 
White,  Thomas   R.— Private  in   Co.   C,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Walters.   Alfred— Private  in  Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Wray,  John   W.— Private   in   Co.   C,   6th   Va.   Inf. 
Wallace,    William — Private    in    Co.     C,    6th    Va.     Inf. 

Trans,  to  Maryland  Line  1862. 
Webster,  W.  D.— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wiatt,  James  M.  F. — 2nd  sergeant  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Elected  3rd   Lieut.   Co.   D,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Williams,  John  J. — 3rd  corporal  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.    Sergt. 
White,   Wilham — 3rd   sergeant   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.   Int. 

Trans,  to  navy  1864. 
Wills,  George  T.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,   Robert    S.— Private   in    Co.    D.   6th   Va.   Inf. 
;    Wilkins.  William  F.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wood,  James  M.— Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wood,   Alexander — Private   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.    Inf. 
Woodhouse.    Charles — Private    in    Co.    D.   6th   Va.    Inf. 
j    Warren,   W.  J.— Private   in   Co.   D,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
j   Wright.    Howard    S. — 4th    sergeant   in    Co.    G,   6th   Va. 

Inf.     Prom.   Ensign  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Ward,  Josiah  J. — Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Whiting,   Wilham   N.— Private   in   Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Whitehurst,  Frank  M.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.    1st   Lieut.    Co.    B.   6th   Va.    Inf.    1863. 
Williams,  John  N. — Private  in   Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Wise.   William  M.   B.— Private  in   Co.   G,  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Trans,  to  Co.  A,  46th  Va.  Inf.,  1862. 
Walke,    Richard.    Jr.- Private    in   Co.    G,   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Prom.   Ord.   Officer   1862. 
I   Wicker,  D.  H.  C.  (Sub. )— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Walsh,    William    V.— Private    in    Co.    G.    6th    Va.    Inf. 
I    Wise.    William    B.— Private    in    Co.    G,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Prom   Lieut,   in  N.   C.   Regt. 
Walker,    R.    P.— Private   in   Co.    G,   6th   Va.    Inf.      Ap. 

2nd  Lieut.  P.  A.  C.  S. 


AXD    REl'RESE.\TATiVE    CITIZENS. 


131 


Wilgerson.   Henry   D. — Private   in   Co.   G.  61I1   \'a.    Inf. 

Prom.  2iid  Lieut.  Co.  B,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Williani>.  Thomas  A. — Private  in   Co.   (j,  6th   Va.   Inf. 

.\|).  Sergt.-Maj.     Prom.  Lieut.  Co.  K. 
W'alke.  I-;aac  T. — Private  in  Co.  (i,  6tli  \'a.  Inf.    Trans. 

to  X.  L.  .\.  Blues.     Prom.  OrU.  Officer. 
WiUianison.  Henry  W. — Captain  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Prom.  Lieut. -Col.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Walker.    George    B. — Private    in    Co.    G,    6th    Va.    Inf. 

Trans,  to  Sussex  Cav.   1861. 
Wright.  Daviil— Captain  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wirniington.  James  A. — 2nd  corporal  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va. 

Inf.     Prom.  Sergt. 
Wellons.  Walter  R. — .?r(l  corporal  in  Co.  H.  6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Wise.   H.   A.— Private  in   Co.  H.  6th   Va.    Inf. 
Westhrook.   D.   A. — Private   in  Co.   H.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Wise.   George   W. — Private   in   Co.   H.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Winhall.  Hiram — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wyatt.  John  L. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wood.   William   F.— Private  in   Co.   II.  6th   Va.  Inf. 
Williamson.    Harrv   W. — Lieutenant-colonel    in   6th   Va. 

Inf. 
Walker.  Luther — 2nd  sergeant  in   Co.   H,   12th   Va.   Inf. 
White.  Caleb  D. — Private  in  Co.  H.  I2tli  \'a.  Inf.    Prom. 

Corporal   1864. 
Williams.  Thomas  T. — Private  in  Co.   H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Walker.   William   H.— Private  in   Co.   H.   12th   Va.   Inf 
Ward.   Mathias— Private   in   Co.   H,   12th  Va.   Inf. 
White.  J.  J.   P.— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
White.  Ed.  J.— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
\\'hitehurst.    Leven — Private    in    Co.    H,    12th   Va.    Inf. 
Woodhouse.   W.    S. — Private   in    Co.    H,    12th   Va.   Inf. 
Wjlkins.  Henry  H.— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilkinson.  Samuel  D. — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
White.  William — Colonel  in   14th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson.    .Arthur    E. — Captain    and    commissary    in    14th 

\'a.  Int. 
Welih.    Richard — Lieutenant   in    Portsmouth    Light   Art. 

Trans,  to  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Williams.  Charles  C. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Williams.  Charles  L. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .\rt. 
Warren.  Casy  R. — Private  in  Portsmoutli  Light  .\rt. 
Whitehead,  William — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Wing.    Thomas     P. — Private     Portsmouth    Light    .\rt. 

Prom.  1st  Sergt. 
Wil-on.  Willis — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Wel>l).  James.  Jr. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Weymouth.  John — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Widgeon.  Jacob — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
Whitehead.  Severn — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  -Art. 
Waller.  James  T. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
Whitehead.  A'irginius — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  Art. 
White.  Thomas  J.  D. — Private  in  Portsmoutli  Light  .Art. 
Webb.  Thomas  C. — Private  in  Portsmouth  Light  .Art. 
W'right.  J.  R. — 4th  sergeant  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wilkins.  T.  J. — Corixjral  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wright.  E.  L. — Corporal  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Watters.  .A.  M.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
West.  William  M.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Whiting.  T.  B. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Whiting.  J.  R. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wilkin^.  C.  L. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wilkins.  John  F. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Whitehurst.  L.  H. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 


Woodhouse,  P.  D. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 
Worrell,  J.  R.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wright.  W.  S.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Wilkins.  W.  .A.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Ward.  J.  T.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wilson.  D.  C.  B.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Woodhouse,  John — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Woodward,    W.    W. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
White,  N.  E.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Wilkins.  G.   W.— Private  in   Norfolk   Light   .Art.   Blues. 
White.  C.  E.— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Whitmore.    C. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art.    Blues. 
White.    William    O. — Private    in     Norfolk     Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Wliitclnirsl.   James   O. — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   .Art. 

Blues. 
Whitlield.   Richard  W. — Private  in   Norfolk   Light  .Art. 

Blues. 
Wickers,  John — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   .Art.    Blues. 
Wright.  Junius — Private   in   Norfolk   Light   -Art.   Blues. 
Wells.  John  M. — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 
White.  Thomas  R. — Private  in   .Atlantic  .Art. 
Winslow.  Joseph — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 
Whitehurst.  Nathan — Private  in  .Atlantic  .Art. 
^\'illiams.   James    M. — Private    in    Atlantic   Art. 
Wilkins.   Nathaniel — Private  in  Atlantic  .Art. 
Williams.    Carter    W. — 2nd    lieutenant    in    United    .Art. 
Wells,   Hezekiah — Private   in   United   .Art. 
Winder.    John    E. — ist    lieutenant    in    Young's    Harbor 

Guard — .Art. 
White,    William — Private   in    Young's    Harbor   Guard — 

Art. 
Wynn,    William — Private   in    Young's    Harbor   Guard — 

Art. 
Webster.  Richard  T. — Sergeant  in   Nottoway  .Art. 
Walke,   Isaac — Lieutenant   in   Ordanance. 
Wilson.  Thomas — Private  in  Louisiana  Guard — .Art. 
Watkins.  W.  H.— Private  in  Rockbridge  Cav. 
Wilkerson.  Nathaniel — Private  in  Co.  — .  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Woodward,  James  T. — Private  in  Co.  — .  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Wise.   William   F. — 2nd   lieutenant    in    Co.   C.    13th   Va. 

Cav. 
Wilson.   .Andrew   J. — Private   in   Co.   C.    13th   Va.   Cav. 
Williams,  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  E.  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Wilkins.    William    H. — 2nd    lieutenant    in    Co.    F,    15th 

Va.  Cav. 
Wilson.  John  J. —  2nd  corporal  in  Co.  F.  i.^th  Va.  Cav. 
Warden.    Kosciusco — Private   in   Co.    F,    15th   Va.   Cav. 
Williamson.  Joshua  J.^Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Williams.  David — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Wallace.  Solomon — Private  in  Co.   F.   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Wilson.  .Amsey  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  i.^th  Va.  Cav. 
Wilson.  George  .A. —  Private  in  Co.   F.   i.sth  Va.  Cav. 
White.  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.  F,   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Whitemore.  Marchant — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Wilkins.  Thomas   B.— Private  in  Co.   F.   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Wilkinson.   John — Lieutenant   in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Ward.   William   H. — Lieutenant   in   C.   S.   Navy. 
Whittle.  William  C,  Jr. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Winder.  W.   L. — Lieutenant   in   C.    S.    Navy. 
Worth.  .Algernon  S. — 2nd  lieutenant  in  C.  S.   Navy. 
Wyndham.  R.  Mayo — Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Whitehead.  William  B.— Master  in  C.  S.   Navy. 


132 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Wilkinson.   Heniy — Master   in   C.    S.    Navy. 
Wright,   Joshua   C. — Midsliipnian   in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Wilkinson.  W.  W. — Midshipman  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Williamson.    William     P. — Enginccr-in-chief     in     C.     S. 

Navy. 
Webb.  VVilliam  A. — Commander  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Worth,   A.   S. — Lieutenant   in   C.    S.   Navy. 
Williamson.    Charles    H. — Surgeon   in    C.    S.    Navy. 
Wysham,  William  E. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Warner.  James  H. — Chief  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
West,    Joseph    S. — Assistant    engineer    in    C.    S.    Navy. 
White,  Thomas  J. — Assistant  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Walcott.  S.  F.— In  C.  S.  Navy. 
White,  Fred.  A. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Williamson,   William   A. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
White,  James   H. — Private   in   Signal   Corps. 
Walldren,  Thomas — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Wallace,  George  W. — Private  in  Signal   Corps. 
Wiles,   Samuel — Private   in   Signal   Corps. 
White,   William  A. — Private  in   Signal  Corps. 
White.  James  C,  Jr. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 

Y. 

Yates,   Samuel — Private  in   Co.   D,  gth   \'a.   Inf. 
Yates,  Josiah  D. — Private  in  Co.   D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Young,    M.    P. — Private   in    Co.    K.   Qth   Va.    Inf.     Ap. 

engineer  in  navy. 
Youre.  Stephen — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Young.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Young.   Martial — Private  in   Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Young.  J.    B. — Private   in   Co.   C.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Young.  Thomas  A. — Private  in  Co.   G.  5th  Va.   Inf. 
Young.  Jame.s — Private  in   Atlantic  Art. 
Young,  John   J. — Captain   of   Young's   Harbor   Guard — 

Art. 
Young,   C.   M. — Sergeant   in   Signal   Corps. 
Young,  Moses  P. — Assistant  engineer  in  C.  S  .Navy. 

Z. 

Zills.    J.    M.— Corporal    in    Norfolk    Light    .Vrt.    Blues. 

Cherry,  Ralph — Colored  musician  in  Co.  A.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Blamire,  George — Colored  musician. 

On  an  accompanying'  page  are  presented 
views  of  the  several  Ci-ntederate  flags,  and  an 
engraving  of  the  Great  Seal  of  the  Confeder- 
acy. The  following  explanation  of  the  flags 
will  not  be  amiss  : 


CONFEDER.VTE    FL.\GS. 

Xo.  I. — The  "Stars  and  Bars"  was  the 
first  flag  of  the  Confederate  States,  aiul  is  said 
to  have  Ijeen  adopted  by  the  Confederate  Con- 
gress at  Montgotnery,  Alabama ;  during-  the 
first  year  of  the  war,  its  use  was  quite  general 
throughout  Virginia. 


Xo.  2, — The  "Battle-Flag"  was  designed 
by  General  Beauregard,  adopted  by  Gen.  Jo- 
seph E.  Johnston  after  the  first  battle  of  Man- 
:  assas,  and  afterward  adopted  by  the  Confeder- 
I  ate  Congress.  The  reason  for  its  adoption  was 
that  in  battle  the  "Stars  and  Bars"  were  fre- 
quently mistaken  for  the  "Stars  and  Stripes." 
It  remained  as  the  "Battle-Flag"  uiuil  the 
close  of  the  war. 

X^o.  3. — On  May  i,  1863,  the  Confederate 
Congress  adopted  this  flag  as  the  national  flag. 

Xo.  4. — On  March  4,  1865,  the  Confeder- 
ate Congress  adopted  this  design  as  the  flag  of 
the  Confederate  States,  because  the  other  when 
limp,  was  too  much  like  a  flag  of  truce. 

\W  give  herewith  an  interesting  letter 
from  Gen.  Bradle}-  T.  Johnson  to  the  Ricli- 
mond  Dispatch;  on  the  subject  of  the  Con- 
federate flags,  also  a  copy  of  the  Act  of  Con- 
gress of  May  I,  1863.  and  the  amendment 
thereto  of  March  4.  1865  : — 

To   the  Editor  of  the  Dispatch: 

The  Confederate  flag,  with  the  memories  it  arouses, 
is  very  dear  to  many  people,  and  we  think  it  liut 
justice  to  perpetuate  a  true  and  accurate  description 
of  it.  I  can  find  no  record  of  the  "Stars  and  Bars"  in 
the  Acts  of  Congress.  It  was  used  by  companies  and 
regiments  in  Virginia  in  1861,  without  authority,  and 
just  as  a  matter  of  taste. 

-After  Manassas.  General  Beauregard  had  prepared 
at  his  headquarters  a  design  for  a  flag,  which  was 
painted  in  water-colors.  It  was  a  red  square,  on  which 
was  displayed  a  blue  St.  .Andrew's  cross,  bordered  with 
white,    and    charged    with    13    white,    five-pointed    stars. 

This  was  adopted  in  general  orders  from  army 
headquarters,  and  became  the  battle-flag  of  the  Con- 
federacy, which  should  blaze  in  many  a  coming  trial, 
showing   its   followers   the   way   to   duty   and   to   death. 

Three  flags  were  made  by  "the  three  Cary  girls" 
out  of  their  own  silk  frocks,  one  for  Joe  Johnston. 
Beauregard  and  Van  Dorn  each,  and  were  always  floated 
at  the  headquarters  of  these  generals,  and  on  the  march 
and   in   the   battle   showed   where   they   were. 

This  was  Beauregard's  battle-flag! 

May  I,  1863,  an  Act  of  Congress  was  passed  to 
establish  the  flag  of  the  Confederate  States,  and  it  pro- 
vided that  the  battle-flag  should  be  the  union  of  the 
new  flag,  and  that  the  field  should  be  white.  I  never 
saw  this  flag  with  troops.  General  Lee  had  one  in 
front  of  his  headquarters.  The  first  time  this  flag 
was  ever  used,  and  I  suspect  the  first  that  was  ever 
made,  was  used  as  a  pall  over  the  bier  of  "Stonewall" 
Jackson  as  he  lay  in  state  in  the  Governor's  house  at 
Richmond,  in  May,  1863.  But  this  flag  looked  too 
much  like  a  flag  of  truce,  and  did  not  show  at  sea,  so 


No.   1. 


No.   2. 


I 


No.  3. 


No.  4. 


Flags  .\nd  Gre.-\t  Seal  of  a  N.\tion  that  Fell. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


133 


the  story  went,  nnd  conseqiientlj-  on  March  4.  1865.  just 
28  days  hcfore  the  death  of  the  Confederacy.  Congress 
passed  another  Act,  adding  a  broad  red  bar  across  the 
end  of  it.  I  never  saw  this  Hag.  nor  have  I  ever  seen  a 
man  who  did  see  it — or  who  saw  a  man  who  did  see  it — 
with  this  exception:  Col.  Louis  Euker  tells  nie  that 
riding  down  to  Gen.  Custis  Lee's  quarters  in  Novem- 
ber or  December.  1864.  he  saw  this  flag  flying  over 
Howard's  Grove  Hospital,  and  his  companion,  a  Ger- 
man gentleman,  then  serving  in  the  Ninth  Virginia 
Cavalry,  asked  him  what  that  flag  was,  and  this  in- 
cident  impressed  itself  on  his  memory. 

There  is  no  possibility  of  doubting  the  accuracy  of 
Colonel  Euker's  memory.  He  is  as  nearly  certain  to 
be  right  as  any  man  I  know,  but  there  is  a  confusion 
here.  The  flag  was  not  adopted  until  March  4.  1865. 
and  he  saw  it  several  months  before.  I  explain  this 
by  thinking  the  design  for  the  new  flag  was  known 
and  canvassed.  I  have  a  colored  lithograph  now.  made 
by  Hoyer  &  Ludwig.  at  the  time,  for  Maj.  .\rthur  L. 
Rogers,  who  designed  this  alteration,  and  gave  me  the 
picture  in  Deceinber.  1864.  So.  I  take  it.  the  doctors 
at  the  hospital  had  made  themselves  a  new  flag  to 
set  tlie  fashion.  But  that  was  not  a  flag  authorized 
by  law,  and  I  have  yet  to  see  a  man  who  saw  such  a 
flag  or  saw  any  man  who  saw  a  man  who  saw  one. 
.After  -March  4.  1865.  we  were  not  making  flaes.  Please 
print  the  Acts  of  Congress  establishing  the  flags.  The 
last  act  has  never  been  printed ! 

Bradley  T.   Joh.vson. 

Herewith  is  given  the  Act  of  May  i,  iSf),v 
and  also  tlie  amendment  thereto,  passed  March 
4.   1865: 

An  Act  to  establish  the  Hag  of  the  Confederate  States; 
The  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States  of  .America 
do  enact.  That  the  flag  of  the  Confederate  States  shall 
be  as  follows :  The  field  to  be  white,  the  length  double 
the  width  of  the  flag,  with  the  union  (now  used  as  the 
battle-flag)  to  be  a  square  of  two-thirds  the  width  of 
the  flag,  having  the  ground  red :  thereon  a  broad  saltier 
of  blue,  bordered  with  white,  and  emblazoned  with 
white  mullets  or  five-pointed  stars,  corresponding  in 
number  to  that  of  the  Confederate  States.  (First  Con- 
gress, third  session.     Approved  May   I,   1863.) 

The  foregoing  was  amended  by  tlie  follow- 
ing act : 

The  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America 
do  enact.  That  the  flag  of  the  Confederate  States  shall 
be  as  follows:  The  width  two-thirds  of  the  length, 
with  the  union  (now  u-ed  as  the  battle-flag)  to  be  in 
width  three-fifths  of  the  width  of  the  flag,  and  so 
proportioned  as  to  leave  the  length  of  the  field  on  the 
side  of  the  union  twice  the  width  of  the  field  below 
it :  to  have  the  ground  red.  and  a  broad  blue  saltier 
thereon  bordered  with  white  and  emblazoned  with  mul- 
lets or  five-pointed  stars,  corresponding  in  number  to 
that  of  the  Confederate  States ;  the  field  to  be  white. 
except  the  outer  half  from  the  union  to  be  a  red  bar 


extending   the   w-idth   of  the   flag.      (Second   Congress, 
second  session.     Approved  March  4,  1865.) 


Tiiic  (;ki:.\t  .>^e.\i,. 

The  (jrcat  Seal  was  pro\ided  at  the  third 
session  of  the  first  Congress  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  as  follows : 

(No.  4.)  Joint  resolution  to  establish  a  seal  for  thr 
Confederate  Slates. 

Resohcd,  by  the  Congress  of  the  Confederate  States 
of  America.  That  the  seal  of  the  Confederate  States 
shall  consist  of  a  device  representing  an  equestriait 
ixirtrait  of  Washington  (after  the  statue  which  sur- 
mounts his  monument  in  the  capitol  square  at  Rich- 
mond\  surrounded  with  a  wreath  composed  of  the 
principal  agricultural  products  of  the  Confederacy  (cot- 
ton, tobacco,  sugar  cane,  corn,  wheat  and  rice),  and- 
having  around  its  margin  the  words :  "The  Confederate 
States  of  America,  twenty-second  February,  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty-two,  with  the  following  motto :  "Deo 
vindice." 

Approved  .April  30,  1863.  (C.  S.  Statutes  at 
Large). 

Hon.  J.  P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  State  of 
the  Confederate  States,  in  his  dispatch  of  May 
20.  1863,  (  Xo.  23)  to  Hon.  James  M.  Mason, 
Commissioner  of  the  Confederate  States  near 
the  government  of  Great  Britain,  expressed  the- 
will  of  Congress  with  regard  to  the  projx)sefl 
.seal  in  the  folhnving  manner: 

(No.  23.) 
Dep.\rtme.vt  of  St.\te, 

Richmond,  May  20,   1863. 
Hox.  J.vME.';  M.  Mason", 
&c..   &c..  &c..  . 

London. 
Sir: 
******** 

Congress  has  passed  a  law  establishing  a  seal  for 
the  Confederate  States.  I  have  concluded  to  get  the 
work  executed  in  England,  and  request  that  you  wilt 
do  me  the  favor  to  supervise  it.  You  will  receive 
herewith  a  copy  of  the  .Act  of  Congress  describing  the 
seal,  and  a  photographic  view  of  the  statue  of  Wash- 
ington. The  photograph  represents  the  horse  as  stand- 
ing on  the  summit  of  an  obelisk,  but  in  the  seal  the 
base  ought  to  be  the  earth,  as  the  representation  is  to  . 
be  of  a  horseman  and  not  of  a  statue.  The  size  de- 
sired for  the  .seal  is  the  circle  on  the  back  of  the 
photograph.  The  outer  margin  will  give  space  lor  the 
words  "The  Confederate  States  of  America,  22d  Feb- 
ruary. 1862."  I  do  not  think  it  necessary  that  the 
date  should  be  expressed  in  words,  the  figures  22.  1862, 
being  a  suflScient  compliance  with  the  requirements  o£ 


134 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  law.  Indeed,  I  knuw  that  in  the  drawing  sub- 
mitted to  the  committee  that  devised  the  seal,  the  date 
was  in  figures  and  not  in  words.  There  is  not  room 
for  the  date  in  words  on  the  circumference  of  the 
seal  without  reducing  the  size  of  the  letters  so  much 
as  to  injure  the  effect.  In  regard  to  the  wreath  and 
■the  motto,  they  must  be  placed  as  your  taste  and  that 
of  the  artist  shall  suggest,  but  it  is  not  deemed  im- 
perative, under  the  words  of  the  Act.  that  all  the  agri- 
cultural products  (cotton,  tobacco,  sugar  cane,  corn, 
wheat  and  rice)  should  find  place  in  the  wreath.  They 
are  stated  rather  as  e.xamples.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  in  so  small  a  space  ^<  the  wreath  must  necessarily 
occupy  it  will  be  impossible  to  include  all  these  products 
with  good  effect,  and  in  that  event  I  would  suggest 
that  cotton,  rice  and  tobacco,  being  distinctive  products 
of  the  southern,  middle  and  northern  States  of  the 
Confederacy,  ought  to  be  retained,  while  wheat  and 
corn  being  produced  in  equal  abundance  in  the  United 
States  as  in  the  Confederacy  and  therefore  less  dis- 
tinctive than  the  other  products  named,  may  better  be 
omitted,  if  omission  is  found  necessary.  It  is  not  de- 
sired tliat  the  work  be  executed  by  any  but  the  best 
artist  that  can  be  found,  and  the  difference  of  expense 
between  a  poor  and  a  fine  specimen  of  art  in  the  en- 
graving is  too  striall  a  matter  to  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration in  a  work  that  we  fondly  hope  will  be  re- 
quired for  generations  yet  unborn. 

Pray  give  your  best  attention  to  this,  and  let  me 
know  about  what  the  cost  will  be  and  when  I  may 
expect  the  work  to  be  finished. 

The  seal  was  presented  ti)  tlie  State  of 
South  Carolina  about  1887.  and  is  kept  in  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  State.  It  is  about 
three  inches  in  diameter,  nearly  correspond- 
ing in  size  to  the  engraving  that  appears  on  a 
preceding  page. 

Air.  ^lason  cc^ntracted  with  'Slv.  ^^'yon,  an 
artist  lit  London,  to  execute  the  seal,  the  price 
<f  which  is  shown  hv  the  ti:llowing  Ijill  : 

J.  M.  M.Nsox,  Esq. — 

To  Joseph   S.  Wyon. 

Chief  Engraver  of  Her  Majesty's  Seals,  Etc., 
287  Regent  Street.  London,  W. 
1S64      July  2.     Silver  Seal  for  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  with  ivory  handle,  box 

willi    spring  lock   and   screw   press £84 

.^,000  wafers   4  10 

I.003  seal  papers  7 

1,000  strips  of  parchment 18 

100  brass  boxes  16     5 

100  cakes  of  wax 7 

100  silk  cords  6     5 

1   perforator   5 

3  packing  cases  lined  with  tin 3 

il22   10 
By  cash.  21  March,  £42. 
Settled  by   cheque   for  lialance.   6th   July,    1864. 


SISTERS   OF    MERCY. 

rrcjbably  the  first  organization  for  nursing 
the  Confederate  soldiers  originated  in  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia.  In  the  spring  of  1861.  soon 
after  the  arrival  of  the  Southern  troops,  the 
various  camps  around  the  city  were  attacked 
with  measles  and  other  diseases.  The  accounts 
of  the  sad  condition  of  these  brave  luen  who 
had  sacrificed  sO'  much  in  our  behalf,  aroused 
the  women  of  Portsmouth  to  make  an  effort 
to  ameliorate  their  condition.  A  meeting  of 
the  most  prominent  ladies  of  the  community 
resulted  in  the  formation  of  a  society  to  nurse 
the  sick  Confederates  from  the  Sottthern 
States.  The  following  is  a  verbatim  ccpy  of 
the  circular  sent  out  to  solicit  aid  from  our 
citizens  : 

The  Sisters  of  Mercy.  The  ladies  of  Portsmouth 
desirous  to  do  all  that  they  can  to  ameliorate  the  con- 
-Jition  of  the  sick  strangers  who  have  so  nobly  left 
their  homes  and  come  to  the  defense  of  Virginia  have 
formed  themselves  into  a  society  called  "The  Sisters 
of  Mercy."  They  will  nurse  the  sick  either  at  the 
hospitals  or  at  any  other  place  in  the  city  to  which 
they  may  be  conveyed:  will  prepare  nourishment,  and 
do  all  in  their  power  to  promote  the  comfort  and  health 
of  their  patients. 

Managers — Mrs.  W.  H.  Wilson,  Mrs.  Bilisoly,  Mrs. 
Fannie  Toomer,  Mrs.  J.  C.  White,  Mrs.  Tatem.  Mrs. 
Abbie  K.  Staples,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bourdette.  Mrs.  M. 
W.  Armistead,  Mrs.  W.  C.  Smith.  Mrs.  Pinner,  Mrs. 
C.  A.  Grice,  Mrs.  Cozbell,  Mrs.  Bettie  Parrish  and  Mrs. 
H.   C.  Orr. 

This  appeal  met  with  a  generous  response 
from  all  classes  of  society,  and  the  ladies  went 
to  W(irk  with  skill,  energ\-  and  devotion  to 
make  the  aiYair  a  success.  Alany  of  the  sick 
soldiers  were  toarding  at  the  Ocean  Plouse, 
and  the  first  few  weeks  after  the  society  was 
organized  the  ladies  devoted  their  time  to 
nursing  these  men.  They  were  unfortunate  in 
this  atteiupt.  and  after  losing  two  ])atients  they 
determined  to  open  a  house  e.\clusi\-elv  under 
their  own  contr(5l.  which  should  comlMue  the 
comforts  of  a  home  with  the  care  and  attention 
of  ;i  \\ ell-kept  hospital.-  In  accordance  with 
this  iilan,  the\'  made  effrirts  to  secure  a  suitable 
l)uil(ling  and  arranged  matters  to/  place  the 
1  society  on  a  wcrkin"'  base. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


135 


The  American  House,  a  larj^e.  unfurnished 
huilding-  formerly  used  as  a  hotel,  was  placed 
at  their  disposal,  and  with  busy  hands  and 
warm  hearts  the  ladies  went  rapidly  to  work. 
All  tlie  essentials  necessary  to  a  comfortable 
home  were  soon  collected.  'i"he  colonels  of  the 
(jeorgia  regiments  ga\e  substantial  aid  by  de- 
taching men  to  assist  in  the  heavier  work  of 
lun'sing.  On  the  8th  o\  June.  1861,  "The  Hos- 
])ital  of  the  Sisters  of  ^lercy"  was  ready  for 
the  first  installment  of  sick  Confederates. 

The  work  was  arranged  s\stematically,  and 
it  has  often  been  said,  that  at  no  time  during 
the  war  was  more  devoted  work  carried  out 
more  quietly  and  un(;stentati(_msly.  To  each 
day  of  the  week  two  managers  were  ap])ointed, 
wliose  duty  it  was  to  provide  the  meals  for  that 
day.  see  that  the  sick  were  well  attended,  visit 
])atieiits.  give  such  care  as  they  needed,  super- 
intend the  servants,  provide  tempting  dishes 
for  those  whose  appetities  could  not  take  the 
usual  nourishment,  in  fact  from  early  morn 
until  9  P.  M.  become  house  mothers  to  that 
suffering  band  so  far  away  from  their  homes 
and  loved  ones.  The  town  was  divided  into 
districts,  and  to  each  manager  certain  streets 
were  assigned,  and  from  contributors  on  those 
streets  the  meals  for  that  day  were  furnished. 
In  this  manner  most  of  the  meals  were  i>ro\'ided 
by  the  housekeepers  ready  cooked.  Several  la- 
dies .sending  breakfast,  many  more  dinner  and 
others  supper.  The  merchants  sent  uncooked 
provisions,  the  commissary  furnished  the 
sick  with  rations.  Those  of  our  ladies  who.se 
circumstances  did  not  allow  them  to  contrib- 
ute were  glad  to  help  the  cause  liy  cix)king  the 
provisions  thus  provided.  In  this  manner  a 
large  amount  of  well  cooked  nourishment  was 
always  ready.  Such  breakfasts,  such  dinners, 
such  suppers  as  found  their  way  to  that  .Amer- 
ican House  could  only  he  found  in  Southern 
homes,  in  ante-bellum  times.  Each  contributor 
seemed  to  vie  with  the  other  as  to  who  should 
send  most  and  best.  Those  were  the  early  days 
of  the  Confederacy.  Hope  sat  at  every  hearth- 
stone, smiling  faces  and  bright  eyes  talked  of 
^\ar  but  knew  it  not.     The  days  of  fat  bacon, 


black-eyed  peas  and  rye  coffee  were  yet  in  the 
dim  future,  but  when  the  darkness  fell,  the 
same  hearts  and  hands  were  found  just  as 
earnest,  just  as  faithful,  just  as  devoted  and 
to  none  in  history  can  a  higher  place  be  given 
than  to  the  women  of  the  South. 

From  the  8th  of  June,  1861,  when  the  first 
sick  soldier  was  admitted,  until  the  evacuation 
of  Norfolk  in  May,  1862.  the  hospital  was 
successfully  carried  on.  The  number  of  pa- 
tients received  was  large  and  the  death  rate 
remarkably  small,  the  list  before  me  containing 
the  names  of  149  admissions  up  to  August  1, 
1861.  In  March,  1862.  the  ladies  were  re- 
quested by  Dr.  Klacknall  to  transfer  their 
labors  to  the  U.  S.  Xaval  Hospital,  at  that 
time  being  used  by  the  Confederate  authorities 
as  a  government  hospital.  After  some  debate 
and  hesitation  it  was  decided  to  agree  to  hi.s 
request. 

The  .\merican  Hmise  was  given  up  and 
the  organization  bestowed  its  attention  on  the 
sick  at  this  hospital. 

\\'hen  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  occurred, 
six  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  were  left  to  the 
care  of  these  ladies  who  removed  them  to  pri- 
vate houses  and  nursed  them  until  their  re- 
covery. 

When  this  work  \\-as  completed  the  societv 
found  its  "occupation  gone,"  but  its  spirit  still 
lived.  During  the  dark  days  of  Federal  occu- 
pancy the  needy  wives  and  children  of  our  ab- 
sent soldiers  were  supplied  w  ith  food  and  other 
necessities  from  the  scanty  stores  of  this  brave 
and  devoted  band.  Since  the  surrender  "The 
Sisters  of  Mercy"  has  developed  into  "The 
Ladies  Memorial  Aid  Society"  whose  object 
is  to  assist  the  widows  and  orphans  of  our  sol- 
diers, and  to  care  for  and  decorate  the  graves 
of  our  brave  men.  who  so  freely  gave  their 
lives  in  our  defense.  Nobly  have  they  fulfilled 
their  mission. 

From  June  u.  1866.  when  "The  Ladies 
Memorial  Aid  Society"  was  organized,  until 
May  24.  1900.  each  year  the  public  has  beheld 
only  one  phase  of  their  work. — the  well-known 
demonstration,     Portsmouth    ^lemorial    Day, 


136 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


liaving  been  originated,  .sustained  and  exclu- 
sively managed  by  this  society  until  the  organ- 
i/^ation  of  Stonewall  Camp,  C.  V.,  since  which 
time  this  work  has  been  shared  between  them. 
This  society  has  had  under  its  care  more  than 
65  orphans  whom  they  have  assisted  to  educate 
as  wdl  as  tO'  feed  and  clothe:  very  many 
widows  whose  needs  have  always  been  care- 
fully supplied.     They  have  relie\'ed  numbers 


of  sick  soldiers  and  Imried  many  of  those  who 
have  died. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  even  a  faint  outline 
of  their  labor  of  love  during  these  thirty-six 
years  of  ceaseless  activity.  In  all  this  time 
there  has  never  Ijeen  an  interruption  either 
in  their  organization  or  in  their  systematic 
benevolence. 

Virginia  S.  Staples. 


] 


CHAPTER  VIII 


MILITARY   HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY    Continued 

Confederate  Monuments  at  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk — Confederate  Veterans' Camps 
OF  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and  Berkley — United  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy 
Chapters  at  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth. 


confederate  soldiers  monuments. 

Portsmontli. 

On  J\Iay  S,  1S75,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens 
of  Norfolk  County  was  called  to  organize  a 
monumental  association.  Judge  J.  F.  Crocker 
was  chosen  to  the  chair,  and  the  following 
permanent  committee  appointed :  Judge  J.  F. 
Crocker,  president:  Maj.  William  H.  Eth- 
ridge,  of  Norfolk  County,  and  Col.  William 
White,  of  Portsmouth,  vice-presidents;  I\Iaj. 
George  \\'.  Grice,  treasurer ;  Oscar  X.  Smith, 
secretary.  Directors :  B.  A.  Armistead,  John 
T.  Griffin,  J.  G.  Wallace,  Thomas  H.  Brown, 
Alonzo  Ives,  Thomas  M.  Hodges,  of  Norfolk 
County,  j\Iaj.  W.  C.  Wingfield,  E.  G.  Ghio, 
Capt.  James  H.  Toomer,  Col.  D.  J.  Godwin, 
Capt.  John  H.  Gavle,  Capt.  W.  H.  Murdaugh, 
,i\Iaj.  F.  W^  Jett.'  Capt.  C.  ^^■.  !^rurdaugh. 
Judge  L.  R.  Watts,  Capt.  C.  T.  Phillips,  and 
Col.  William  H.  Stewart,  of  Portsmouth. 
Charles  E.  Cassell.  then  of  Portsmouth,  was 
chosen  architect.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the 
following  Noveml>er,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  select  a  site  for  the  monument.  The 
one  selected  was  at  the  intersection  of  High 
and  Court  streets,  opposite  the  court  house, 
and  the  directors  accepted  it. 


On  December  14,  1876,  the  corner-stone 
was  laid  with  imposing  ceremonies.  Judge  C. 
W.  IMurdaugh  delivered  the  address.  The 
cap-stone  was  raised  by  the  ladies  and  the 
children  June  15,  1881. 

The  monument  is  a  plain  granite  shaft 
35.6  feet  high,  surmounted  by  a  capstone,  and 
resting  upon  a  base  20  feet  high,  15  feet 
square.  It  has  on  the  four  corners  of  the  base 
bronze  figures  representing  the  arms  of  mili- 
tary service, — Infantryman,  Cavalryman,  Sail- 
or and  Artilleryman. 

The  monument  bears  only  the  inscription, 
"To  Our  Confederate  Dead,"  and  the  dates 
1861,  1862,  1863.  1864,  1865,  around  the 
shaft.  It  was  dedicated  June  15,  1893,  with 
simple  and  impressive  ceremonies.  Capt.  R. 
C.  Marshall  delivered  the  oration.  The  mili- 
tary turned  out,  and  the  Grand  Camp  Con- 
federate Veterans  of  Virginia,  then  in  session 
in  Portsmonth,  attended  the  services. 

The  lowest  bid  for  the  monument  was 
$19,000,  but  the  Raleigh  &  Gaston  Railroad 
Company  gave  us  the  granite  from  their  quar- 
ry ;  and  we  only  paid  for  the  cutting  of  it, — 
$1,730.  That  road  and  the  Seaboard  & 
Roanoke  Railroad  Company  transported  it  to 
Portsmouth  free  of  charge.  Through  the  gen- 
erosity of  these  corporations,  W.  II.  V.  Will- 


138 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


iams,  the  last  treasurer,  reported  that  the  beau- 
tiful monument,  entirely  paid  for,  only  cost 
$9,236.34.  This  amount  was  raised  by  volun- 
tary subscription  and  through  the  inde- 
fatigable efforts  of  Maj.  F.  W.  Jett  and  the 
ladies. 

This  was  one  of  the  first  monuments  erect- 
ed to'  the  "Confederate  Dead."  Quite  a  num- 
ber of  individual  memorials  hail  been  raised 
in  Richmond  and  elsewhere. 

Portsmouth  has  the  proud  distinction  of 
having  furnished  us  more  soldiers  than  it  had 
voters.  Only  900  names  appeared  on  the  vot- 
ino'  list,  but  when  the  muster  call  was  sounded, 
1,400  bra\e  hearts  donned  the  grey. 

Norfolk. 

About  the  first  day  of  January,  1868,  an 
effort  was  begun  to  raise  funds  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  monument  in  Norfolk  to  the  memory 
of  Confederate  soldiers  and  sailors. 

On  the  22nd  of  February,  1899,  the  cor- 
nerstone of  the  beautiful  monument  which  now 
stands  on  Market  Square  was  laid  with  Ma- 
sonic rites  in  the  presence  of  a  great  concourse 
of  people.  The  shaft  is  50  feet  high  and  is 
to  be  surmounted  by  a  statue  eight  and  one- 
half  feet  high,  and  there  will  be  four  figures 
at  the  base  six  feet  and  nine  inches  high, — 
on  one  face  of  the  monument  is  the  Con- 
federate Battle-Flag  and  on  another  the  Great 
Seal  of  the  Confederacy. 

The  monument  was  erected  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Con- 
federate Veterans,  and  is  a  beautiful  testi- 
monial to  the  devotion  and  valor  of  the  "Con- 
federate Dead." 

CONFEDER.^TE   \-ETER.\NS. 

Pickctt-BucJianan  Camp,  Norfolk. 

Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Confederate  Vet- 
erans, was  named  for  Alaj.-Gen.  George  E. 
Pickett,  who  commanded  the  Virginia  Di- 
vision, which  made  the  immortal  charge  at 
Gettysburg,  and  Admiral  Franklin  Buchanan, 


who  commanded  the  iron-clad  "Virginia"  on 
the  8th  of  March,  1862. 

The  camp  was  chartered  on  the  19th  day 
of  February,  1885,  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  for 
the  purpose  not  only  of  keeping  fixed  upon  the 
records  of  memory  the  deeds  and  characteris- 
tics of  their  comrades  who  have  made  greater 
sacrifices — even  of  life — than  ha\-e  been  de- 
manded of  them,  for  the  Sacred  Lost  Cause ; 
but,  as  far  as  they  can,  to  keep  alive  that  fra- 
ternity l:)orn  of  the  dangers  of  the  battle-field 
— ^^the  hardships  of  the  march  and  camp^ — and 
to  alle\-iate,  as  far  as  they  can,  the  temporal 
needs  of  those  who  are  }-et  with  them  in  time 
and  sentiment. 

ROLL    OF    COMR.\DES. 
A. 

Addison,  James  S. — Private  in  Co.  D,  Huger's  Battery — 
Art.  ■ 

Adams,  James — Private  in  6lst  Va.  Inf. 

Avery.  J.  W. — Major   17th  S.  C.  Volunteers. 

Anderson,  E.  Willonghby — Captain  of  Artillery. 

Anderson,  John  R. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Archibald,  M.  R.— Sergeant  in  Co.  A,  ist  Ga.  Inf. 

AUyn,  Joseph  T. — ist  lieutenant  and  ordnance  olTicer, 
Lane's  Battalion. 

Armstrong,  Rev.  George  D. — Volunteer  on  staff  of  Gen- 
eral Longstreet. 

Arps,  George  L. — Quartermaster  sergeant,  17th  N.  C. 
Inf. 

Anderson,  J.  S. — Private  in  Co.  D,  Huger's  Battery — • 
Art. 

Anderson,  Charles  W. — Sergeant-major,  34th  Tenn.  Inf. 

Anderson,  J.  H. — Private  in  1st  Co.  Riclimond  Howit- 
zers— Art. 

Anderson.   Peter — Private  in   Co.   A,  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Auter.   Charles  G. — Sergeant-maior  in  24th  Tenn.   Inf. 

Abdell,  W.   H.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Askew,  J.  M.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

B. 

Berry,   Nathan    VV.— Private   in    Co.    A,   1,3th   Va.    Cav. 

Broughton,   Thomas    B. — Hospital    steward. 

Bradford,   Edmund — Maj.  quartermaster. 

Barry,  James  E. — 1st  lieutenant  United  Art. 

Burwell,  D.  S. — Private  in  3rd  Co.,  Richmond  Howit- 
zers— Art. 

Brooke,  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  D,  43rd  Battalion 
Va.   Cav..   Mosby's   command. 

Bluford,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  1st  Va.  Reserves. 

Blamire,  E.  B. — Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va,   Inf. 

Bradford,  J.  D. — Lieutenant-colonel  Regular  C.  S.  Art. 

Bullock,  A.  M. — Sergeant  United  Art. 

Borland,   Thomas   R. — Private   in    Co.   K,   Qth    Va.    Inf. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


139 


Sutler.  George  W— Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 

HaxliT.  B.   F. — Sergeant  in  Co.   R.   13th  Va.  Cav. 

lirowne,  W.   B. — Private  in  Co.   F,   15th  Va.   Cav. 

Baldwin.   Charles — Private   in   Co.   A,  44th    Va.   Inf. 

Barker.   J.    E.— Private    in    Co.    H.    13th    Va.    Cav. 

Brock.  C.  H.— Private  in  Co.   H.   i.^th  Va.  Cav. 

Bonney,  James   H. — Corporal   in   Co.   B,   i6th   Va.   Int. 

Blackford,    William    W. — Lieutenant-colonel    ist    Regt. 
Engineer  Troops. 

Butt,  \\illiani  J. — jnd  lieutenant  Huger's  Battery — .\rt. 

Barnes,  W.  A. — Private  in  I5tli  Va.  Cav. 

Belote,  Smith — Private  in  Co.  G,  l6th  Va.  Inf. 

Brown,  Henry  F. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6tli  Va.  Inf. 

Banks.  Ilcartwell  J. — Private  in  Co.  F,  Gth  Va.  Inf. 

Ba.Nter,  O.   F..  Jr. — Private  in  Co.  I.  15th  V^a.  Cav. 

Bomar.  Robert  H. — Sergeant  in  ist  Co.  Hampton  Legion 
—Inf. 

Baker.  William — Private  in  United  Art. 

Brown.   Dixon — Private  in   Smith's   Battalion — Art. 

Bnsh.   Isaac   F. — Private   in   Independent   Signal   Corps. 

Bell.  H.  F.— Private  in  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav, 

Rnskey,  C.  H. — Corporal  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Burgess,   Thomas  J. — Sergeant  in  Co.   A.  7th  Ga.   Cav. 

P.riggs,  J.  R. — Private  in  l8th  Va.  Battalion. 

Burnes.  W.  .■\.— Private  in  United  Art. 

Black,   Thomas — Private  in  United  Art. 

liranham.  John   B. — Private  in   Lusts   Lee's  Connnand 
and  Treasury  Dept. 

Buchanan.  James — Private  in  Co.   A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Brown.  Philip  F..— Private  in  Co.  C,  16th  Va.  Inf. 
Barcroft,    Edward  J.— Private   in   Co.   I.  38th   Va.   Inf. 
Barrett.  R.  Cad.— Private  in  Co.  A.  13th  Va,  Cav. 
Banks,   Edgar— Private   in   Co.   B.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Burroughs.   John   J. — ist    lieutenant    .\rtillery.      Trans. 

Miss,  Dept.  and  Army  of  Tenn. 
Burroughs.    William    H. — Captain    .■\rtillery.    Army    of 

Tenn. 
Bland,  Robert  E. — Private  in   Co.  G,   1st  Va.  Cav. 
Bryan.  Fred.  P. — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Bell.  James  N. — Sergeant-major  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Boteler,     .A.     R..     Jr. — Captain     and     ordnance     officer, 

Hoke's  Brigade. 
Bell.   Thomas   K. — Ordnance   sergeant   in   X.   C.   Junior 

Reserves. 
Baylor,  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  A,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Barnes,  George   B. — Captain   and   A.   Q.   M. 
Brockenbrough,  J.  M. — Colonel  of  40th  Va.  Inf. 
Boole.  John  J. — Private  in  Hill's  Corps. 
Burrows.   Rev.   J.    L. — Of   Committee   to    Care    for   the 

W'ounded. 
Bremond.  L. — Captain  and  A.  Q.  M. 
Barnes,  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  I,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Burruss,  N. — Captain,  instructor  of  tactics  and  ordnance 

officer. 
Broughton,  Robert  S. — Corporal  in  Norfolk  Light  .'Krt. 

Blues, 
Butt,  Anthony   S. — Courier  to  Gen,   R.  E.  Lee. 
Boyd.  Thomas  I. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  C,  4th  Va.  Inf. 
Bremmer,  John  A. — Private  in  Co,  H,  6th  Va,  Inf, 
Buchanan.   Robert   H. — Private   in   Co.   C.  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Brown.   W.   .A. — Corporal   in   Pendleton's   Battery — Art. 
Battle,  Dorsey — ist  lieutenant  and  aid  to  General  Lewis, 
Banks,  R.  B. — Lieutenant  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art,  Blues. 
Baily,    Thomas   L. — Sergeant   in    Co.    F,    i8th    Va.    Int. 


Baylor.  R.   B.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Banks,  Robert — Sergeant  in  Co,  D,  6th  Va,  Inf. 
Bass,   William   Colin — Private   in  Co,   A,  3rd   Va,   Cav. 
Hohamion.  G.  A. — In  C.  S.  Navy. 
Borum,  Charles —  Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Baker.  John   C. — Lieutenant  and  drill   master   in   N.   C. 
Troops. 

C. 

Creekmur,   \\',   P. — Private   in   Co.   G.  4th   N.    C.   Cav. 

Churn,  Severn  B. — Private  in   19th  Va.  Battalion — .Xrt. 

Cooke,  .-\,  B, — Major  and  quartermaster. 

Chamberlaine,    George — Captain    and    A.    C.    S.    in    gth 
Va.   Inf. 

Curlin,  Z.  T.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6lst  Va.  Inf, 

Caffee,  James  H, — Private  in  5th  Va.   Cav. 

Calcutt,  C,  J, — Bugler  in  Co.  B,  ist  Regular  Heavy  Art. 

Culpeper,  Jo.seph   S, — In   Independent   Signal   Corps. 

Creekmur,  C,  J, — In  C.  S.  Navy. 

Costin,  William  F, — Private  in  United  Art. 

Colonna,   William   B, — Private   in   United   Art, 

Cam  Frank — In  C.  S.  Navy. 

Charles.    James    G. — Private    in    Floyd's    and    Manly's 
Batteries— Art. 

Cutchin,  J,  F, — Corporal   in   Co.  A,  i6th  Va.   Inf. 

Crocker,  Rufus  S. — Private  in  United  Art. 

Constable,   Henry   B, — Private   in   Commissary   Depart- 
ment. 

Craig.   Edward — Private   in   Co.   E,  6th   Va.   Inf. 

Carter,    L.    H. — Quartermaster    sergeant   in   Co.    .A,    1st 
Va.  Inf. 

Clark.    F.   W.— Private   in   Co.   D.    1st   Ga,   Inf. 

Chamberlaine,    .-V.    E. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Vrt. 

Blues. 
Cowand,   D,   G. — Private   in   Co,   B,  6ist  Va,   Inf. 
Cecil.  James  F. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  C.  4th  Va.  Inf. 
Clarke,  George  F — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cason.  John  S. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  K,  61st  Va.  Inf. 
Causey,  Charles  H. — ^Cantain  in  Co.  B,  3d  Va.  Cav. 
Coleman,  Junius  .A. — Lieutenant   in  25th   Battalion   Va. 

Inf. 
Chapm.in.  K.'  K — jd  lieutenant  in  Co,  .\,  igth  Battalion 

Va.  Inf, 
Chamberlaine,  \V.   W. — Captain  and  .A.  .\.   G..  Gen.   R. 

L.  Walker. 
Carter,  William  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  .^otb  \'a.  Inf. 
Cross,  Thomas  H. — Private  in  Co.  A.  i6th  'V'a.  Inf. 
Cooke,  Merritt  T. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art,  Blues. 
Cooke.  Henry  Selden — Master  in  C,   S,  Navy, 
Cralle,  Richard  K. — C.  S.  Navy  steamer  "Virginia." 

D. 

Dalton.  .\.  J. — Sergeant  in  States  Co.,  1st  Ky.  Cav. 
Dann,  W.  F,— Private  in  Co,  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Dann.  S.  S. — Sergeant  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Duncan,  A.  G. — Private  in  Co.  .A.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Dornin.  Thomas  L. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Doyle,  John  E. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues, 
Doyle.   Walter  H.— Private   Norfolk   Light   .Art.    Blues. 
Dozier,  T,   F. — Private  in  Hendren's  .Art. 
Dawes,   S,   S  — In  Co.   F,  McHenrv's  Battalion. 
Dobbs.  A.  J— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 


140 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Duff,  William  J.— ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  55th  Va.  Inf. 

Drumniond.  Thomas  L. — Private  in  Co.  F.  46tli  Va.  Inf. 

Dunn,  David  R. — Sergeant-major  in  Paschal's  Battalion. 

Diggs,   William   J. — Private   in   United    Art. 

Dodson.  J.  E. — Private  in  Co.  C.  Qth  Va.  Inf. 

Dunn.  George  R. — Major  and  A.  Q.  M. 

Dibbrell,  Watson  S. — Private  in  1st  Co.  Richmond 
Howitzers — Art. 

Dobie,  Richard  A. — Private  in  Sturdivant's  Battery — 
Art. 

Downing.  Thomas — Private  and  drill  master. 

Davis.  William  Henry — Private  in  Co.   F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Dupuy.  Dr.  H.  R. — Hospital  steward  in  Stark's  Bat- 
talion— Art. 

Dann.  S.  S. — Private  in  Co.  A.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Day,  John  H. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 

Di.xon.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Drnmmond,  H.  P.  P. — Private  in  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Inf. 

Deakins.  Solon — Corporal  in  Co.  I,  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Dougherty,  E.  C— Private  in  Co.  B,  i8th  Va.  Inf. 


Etheridge.  Dennis — Private  in  Co.   F.  T5th  Va.  Cav. 
Evans.   Richard — Private  in   Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Elliott,  Charles  G. — Captain  and  A.  A.  G. 
Edwards,  John  A. — Private  in  Co.   D,  Huger's  Battery 

—Art. 
Eason,  John  T. — Prixate  in  Co.   P..  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Edwards,  Walter  A. — Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ewell.  Jesse — Private   in   Huger's   Battery — Art. 
Emmerson,  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Elliott.    J.    Augustus — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Elliott.    Thomas    E. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Everett,  J.  C. — Lieutenant  in  charge  of  Conscript  Dept. 
Edwards,   Oscar   E. — Special   messenger  ordnance   dept. 
Etheridge,  O.  M.— Private  in  Co.   F,   isth  Va.   Cav. 
Ellison,  W.  A.— Private  in  Co.  B,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Edmonds,  L.  R. — Private  in  Co.  C.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Eanes.  John — Private  in  Co.  B,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Ellis,  W.  B.— Private  in  Co.  K,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Etheridge,  S.  A. — Private  in  Co.   F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Elam.  Thomas  G. — Private  in  Co.  E,  14th  Va.  Inf. 


Flowers.  Josenh  W. — Private  in  Co.  H,   nth  Va.  Inf. 
Foster.  William  E. — MajoLand  ordnance  officer. 
Fisher.  Lahan  J. — Private  in  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Freeman.   Virginiu' — Chief   cneineer   in    C.    S.   Navy. 
Freeman,  Robert — Private  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Freeman.  .Arthur  C. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Freeman,  E.  B. — Private  in  Co.  .A.  7lh  Tenn.  Cav. 
Fentress,   Hillary — Private  in  Co.   C.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Fitz.   Newton — Private  in   Engineer  Service. 
Face,  William  H. — Boatswain   in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Foreman,  L.  J. — Seaman  in  C.  S.  Navv. 
Fatherly,  M.  W.— Captain  of  Co.  C,  5th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Foster,  T.   Stanard — Courier  and  Dept.  of  Reserves. 
Flournoy,   Samuel — First   lieutenant   in   Co.   K,  6th  Va. 
Inf. 


Fulgham,   J.   H. — Orderly   sergeant   in   Co.   C,   13th  Va. 

Cav. 
Frost,  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Farmer,  James  A. — Master  blacksmith  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Foreman,   Cary — Private  in   Co.   A,  6ist  Va.   Inf. 
Ferguson.    George    S. — Private    in    Norfolk   Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Ferrall.  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  A.  14th  Va.  Inf. 
Ford.  Royall — Private  in   Courtney  Art. 
Ferguson.  R.  R. — Captain  of  Co.  K.  S3d  Va.  Inf. 

G. 

Gwaltney,   Richard   H. — Private  in   Norfolk  Light   Art. 

Blues. 
Glennan,  M. — Quartermaster  sergeant  in  36th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Gornto.  George  R. — Private  in   Co.  G,   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Graves,  William  A. — C.   S.  Navy. 
Greenwood.   Fred. — ist  Co.   Signal   Corps. 
Guy,  E.  E. — Engineer  Dent..  Charlotte,  N.  C. 
Goode.  John — Private  in  Co.  A,  2d  Va.  Cav.,  captain  on 

General   Early's  staff. 
Gary,  S.  Wentworth — Lieutenant  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Grimes,  J.  M. — Private  in  pth  Va.  Inf. 
Gilmer.   James   W. — Lieutenant   in    Norfolk   Light   .Art. 

Blues. 
Gale.  J.  D. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  Richardson's  Bat- 
tery— Art. 
Garnett.   T.    S.,   Jr.— .A.    D.    C.    to   ]\Iaj.-Gen.   J.    E.    B. 

Stuart. 
Gillis,  John — Sergeant  in  L^nited  Art. 
Griswold.  A.  C. — Private  in  United  Art. 
Graham,  T,  B. — Private  in  Co.  I,  5th  Va.   Cav. 
Green.     John     Shackleford — Lieutenant-colonel     in     6th 

Va.  Cav. 
Grandy,  A.  W. — Private  in  Co.  B.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Groner,  V.  D. — Colonel  in  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Gillespie.  J.  F.— Private  in  Co.  A,  48th  Va.  Inf. 
Goodrich.  A.  J. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.   Blues. 
Grandy.  C.  W. — Major  and  A.  Q.  M.,  Johnston's  .^rmy. 
Goode,  Robert  W. — Private  in  Co.  G.  ist  Va.  Cav. 
Graves,  William  C. — Private  in  Co.  D,  3d  Va.  Cav. 
Gordon,  J.  D.— Private  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Gibbs,   John    M. — Captain   of    schooner   "North    Wind." 

Lighthouse  service. 
Graham,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.  I.  ,38th  Va.  Inf. 
Gornto,  W.  T. — Private  in  Co.  C,  5th  Va.  Cav. 
Godfrey.  William  J.— Private  in  Co.  C.  .38th  Va.  Inf. 
Gauntt,  A.  W. — ^Captain  of  Co.  C,  19th  Va.  Inf. 
Gilbert,  Timothy — Private  in  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Grey,  Thaddeus  S. — Master's  mate  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Gamage.  John  O. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .^rt.  Blues. 
Godwin,  E.  S.— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

H. 

Henrv.  E.  M. — Captain  of  Co.  .A..  Qth  Va.  Cav. 

Hill,  C.  W.— Private  in  Co.  G,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hamilton,  James — Private  in   Young's  Harbor  Guard — 

Art. 
Hall.  John    P. — Private   in   Huger's   Battery — Art. 
Hudson,  J.  J. — Corporal  in  Lunenburg  Art. 
Hudgins,  J.  M. — Captain  and  A.  C.  S. 
Hodges,  Samuel — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .-^rt.   Blues. 


3& 


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AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


143 


Haves.  Joseph— Private  in  Co.  B.  Sth  N.  C.  Troops. 

Henderson,  T.   B.— Lieutenant  3d  N.   C.  Cav. 

Henderson,     Thomas     W. — Courier     Headquarters,     A. 
X.  V. 

Harris.  William — Private  in  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Harris.    William   H.— Private   in    Co.    D,   Huger's   Bat- 
terv — Art. 

Hunter.  J.  Frank— Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 

Hudgins.    Humphrey — .\rniistead's    Battery — .'Krt. 

Horbach    J.   P. — Maior  and  quartermaster. 

Holladay.  William  J.— Private  in  Co.  .\,  19th  Va.  Bat- 
talion— .\rt. 

Hodges.  S.  T.— Private  in  Co.  L  i5tJi  Va.  Cav. 

Huniphrevs,  David — Captain  of  Co.  C.  7th  Va.  Cav. 

Hudgins.  William  R.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Harrison.  Hcartwell  B. — Private  in  Co.  E.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Holmes.  W.   H— Private  in  Xorfolk  Light  .Art.   Blues. 

Holt.  L.  D. — Private  in  Co.  H.  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Holt.  Thomas  J. — Private  in  Co.   F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hall.  Joseph  Henry — Private  in  41st  Va.  Battalion  Inf. 

Hill.  Joseph  S.— Private  in  Co.  .\.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hoggard.  Horatio  C. — Private  in  Co.  I.  15th  Va.  Inf. 

Howell.  H.  A,— Private  in  Co.  H.  2d  N.  C.  Troops. 

Herbert.  .A.  T. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Hunter.  Wallace  W. — Quartermaster  sergeant  in  Sth  N. 
C.  Inf. 

Hargrove.  John  T. — Corporal  in   Co.   E.   i.ith  Va.   Cav. 

Harwood.  John  L. — Private  in  Co.  H.  32d  Va.  Inf. 

Hannah.  William  M.— Private  in   Staunton  Hill  .\rt. 

Hudgin.;.  William  E. — ist  lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Xavy. 

Hudgins.  Moses — Private  in  Co.  G.   i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Huestes.  B.  H. — Private  in  Co.  E.  32d  Va.  Inf. 

Hope.  James    Barron — A.   Q.   M.    in    Smith's   Battery — 
.\rt..  and  War  Dept. 

Hudgins.  Lewis  M. — Lieutenant  3d  X.  C.  Cav. 

Hayes.  B.  T.— Private  in  Co.  A.  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Hendren.  J.   Hardy — Captain  of   Artillery. 

Hodges.  John  H. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .\rt.  Blues. 

Henry,  John  B. — Private  in  Co.   A.   1st  Va.  Engineers. 

Hill.  John  T. — Sergeant  in   Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Holt.  Xcnophon — Private  in  Co.  D.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hart.  Edward   D. — Corporal   in   Co.   D.  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Harrison.  B.  F. — Corporal   in   Co.   F.  4Tst  Va.   Inf. 

Henrv.    X'athaniel — Chief    engineer    in    Quartermaster's 
Dept..  C.   S.   Navy. 

Hughes.  Thomas  X^. — Private  in  Co.  I.  loth  \'a.  Cav. 

Hancock.  R.  J. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hart.  .Alexander — Major  in  Wheat's  La.  Battalion. 

Hobbs.    George    W. — Sergeant    in    Co.    .A.    Xaval    Bat- 
talion. 

I. 

Irvine.  Walter  F. — Orderly  sergeant  in  La.  Guard — -Art. 
Ishon.  George  C. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
I'Anson.  \'ernon — Private  in  Reserves,  C.   S.  Army. 
Ironmonger.  Lemuel  L. — Sergeant  in  Co.  H.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ives.  Luther  C. — Private  in  Co.  I.  i.=th  Va.  Cav. 
Iredell.  C.  J. — Captain  in  Co.  E.  ist  X.  C.  Inf. 
Irvine.  Jesse   B. — Private   in  McGregor's   Battery — .Art. 

J- 

Jackson.  T.  B. — Lieutenant  of  Co.  C,  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Jarvis,  William  R. — C.  S.  Navy. 


Joyner.  R.  W.— Captain  of  Co.  E,  27th  X''.  C.  Inf. 

Jolms.  Vensy — Major  and  A.  Q.  M. 

Johnson.  E.  R. — Gunner  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

James.  Robert  T. — Private  in  Co.  D.  Huger's  Battery — 
Art. 

Johnson,  Joshua  C. — Private  in  Co.  F,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Jenkins,  John  W. — Sergeant  in  Co.  B,  gtli  Va.  Inf. 

Joynes,  Curtis  T. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 

Jacobs.  Richard  T. — Orderlv  sergeant  in  Co.  L.  loth  Va. 
Inf. 

Jordan.  Joseph  C. — Private  in  Co.  D.  Richardson's  Bat- 
talion Art. 

Jones.  R.  Henry — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 

Jones,  Caius  J. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  3d  Va.  Cav. 

Johnston.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  K.  15th  Va.  Cav. 

James.  Henry  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Lisrht  .Art.  Blues. 

Johnson.  John  T. — Captain  of  Co.  A,  Chambliss  Regt. 
Cav. 

Jones.  William  M.— Captain  and  .A.  Q.  M. 

Jett,  Jetson — Captain  of  Co.  E,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Joynes.  Thomas  C— Private  in  Co.  B.  i8th  Battalion 
Va.  Inf. 

James,  John  F. — Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

James,  R.  W. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I,  ist  Va.  Inf. 

Jones.  Hillary  P.— Colonel  4th  Corps  Art..  A.  N.  V. 

James,  Charles  E. — Private  in  Co.  I,  Signal  Corps. 

K. 

Kevin.  Thomas — Captain  of  United  .Art. 

Keeling.  Georee  H.— Private  in  Co.  K.  isth  Va.  Cav. 

Keeling.  J.  Milner — Private  in  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Keeling.  Robert  S.— Private  in  Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Keeling.  Thomas  W. — Quartermaster  .sergeant  in  6th 
Va.  Inf. 

Kevin.  John   P. — Private  in  LTnited   .Art. 

Kennedy,  Joseph  A. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  .A.  nth  Va.  Inf. 

Kirk.  Richard— Private  in  iSth  Battalion  .Art. 

King.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Kendall.  George  E. — Gunner  in  Batterv  D.  Lynchburg 
Art. 

Keehng.  Melville  C. — Corporal  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art. 
Blues. 

King.  J.  Barry— Captain  and  .A.  Q.  M..  Lightfoot's  Bat- 
talion. 

Keeling.  John  P.— Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Kins'.  Warrington  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art. 
Blues. 

Keelin.  John  E.— Sergeant  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 

Kennedy.  Charles  H. — Commander  of  C.  S.  Xavy. 

L. 

Lee.  Paul  H.  S.— Private  in  Co.  D.  3d  Ala.  Cav. 

LeFaucheur.  Louis  J. — Signal   Service  Dept. 

Lee.   Charles  C. — Private  in   Co.   D.  Huger's  Battery— 

.Art. 
Ludlow.  John  R. — Captain  of  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Leigh.  James  V.— Maior  and  Q.  M..  Clark's  Battalion. 
Lowery.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Loyall.  Benjamin   P. — Commander  of  C.   S.  Xavy. 
Lowe.  John  Z. — Private  in  Co.  E.  41st  Va.  Battalion  Inf. 
Lee.  T.  J.— Private  in  Co.  G.  38th  Va.  Inf. 
Land,  L.  W.  T— Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 


144 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Lovitt,  David  R.— Private  in  Co.  A.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lassiter,  Thomas  J. — Private :  detached  on  mail  service. 
Lawrence.  David  R. — Private  in  Co.  B,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lac3',  Rev.  W.  S. — Chaplain  of  47th  N.  C.  Troops. 
Little.   James — Private   in    Provost    Marshal    Dept.    and 

Ambulance  Corps. 
Lee,  James  \V. — Private  in  Co.  E.   12th  ^'a.  Inf. 
Lewellen,   J.    Richard — Lieutenant-colonel    of    12th    Va. 

Inf. 
Lockwood,  J.  B. — Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Loyall,  George — A.  Q.  M.  Trans.  Miss.  Dept. 
Lee,  W.  J.— Private  in  Co.  I.  13th  Va.  Inf. 
Lee,  E.  E. — Private  in  Co.  I,  13th  Va.  Inf. 
Lamb.  William — Colonel. 

M. 

McFall,  C.  J.— Private  in  Co.  D,  28th  Va.  Inf. 

McCourt,  Charles  A.— Private  in  Co.  G.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Manning,  George  W.— Private  in  Co.  A.   i^^th  Va.  Inf. 

Moore,  John  H.— Private  in  Co.  G.   i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Minson,  William  F. — Signal  quartermaster,  C.  S.  Navy. 

Martin,  J.  B.— Captain  of  La.  Rest.  Regulars  Inf. 

Mullen,  John — Colonel  of   19th  Miss.   Inf. 

Milligan,  James  F. — Major  of  Independent  Signal  Corps, 

Marsden.  B.  .A.. — 2nd  lieutenant  1st  Battalion  Va.  Reg- 
ulars. 

McCarrick,  James  W.— 12th  Va.  Inf.,  and  master  C.  S. 
Navy. 

Morris,  James— Private  in  Co.  G,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Moore.  John  W.— 2nd  sergeant  in  Co.  B,  6th  Va,  Inf. 

McLean.  John  A.— Private  in  Co.  E,  61. st  Va.  Inf 

Miller,  Miles  S.— Private  in  Co.  K,   ^th  Va.  Cav. 

Macon,  E.  B.— Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

McKay.  Hugh— Corporal  in  Co.  A.  20th  La.  Inf.  and  C. 
S.  Navv. 

March.  A.  B.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Morris,  David  P. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 

Myers.  A. — Maior  and  commissary. 

Mulcahy,   M.— Master  of   roads. 

Modlin,  James  Alfred— Private  in  Co.  H,  ist  N.  C.  Inf. 

McCoy.  Josepii — Private  in  Co.  D.  6th  Va.  Inf.     • 

Marshall,  J.  H.— Private  in  Co.  F.  3rd  N.  C.  Inf. 

McCurdy,  T,   B. — ist  lieutenant  in  Thomas  Art. 

^lowle,  Jacob — Privaie  in  L^nited  Art. 

Moore,  Theo.  L. — Private  in  Co.  K,  15th  Va.  Cav. 

IMontgomery.  F.  P. — Private  in  Co.  F,  N.  C.  Inf. 

Morris, 'Frank — Private  in  Co.  I,  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Morse,  C.  W.— Corporal  in  Co.  I.  68th  N.  C.  Cav. 

Moore,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va,  Inf. 

Mann,  Earnest  J. — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  6th  Va,  Inf. 

Moore,  Henry  V. — Lieutenant  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

McCourt.  John  A. — Private  in   tSth  Va.  Battalion  Art. 

Morris.  John  Jesse — Lieutenant  and  ordnance  officer  in 
Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Marable.  William  H. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 

Moore,  John  W. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Mears,  Oswald  B. — Orderly  sergeant  in  Co.  C,  15th  Va. 
Cav. 

Mercer.  Alfonso — Private  in  Co.  G.  ,^th  Va.  Cav. 

Mars,  John  H. — Private  in  United  Art. 


Martin,  W.  B. — Cadet.  Virginia  Military  Institute. 
McRorie,   John — Lieutenant   and   drill   master. 
Murden,  David  F. — Private  in  Co.  F,  15th  Ya.  Cav. 

N. 

Nash,  C.  A. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Nottingham.   Thomas  J. — Private  in   Navy  Battalion. 
Nash,  Dr.  Herbert  M. — Chief  surgeon  in  3rd  Corps  Art. 
Nottingham.  F.  E. — Corporal  in  Co.  E,  19th  Va.  Battal- 
ion Inf. 
Neal,  John  B.— Major  of  ist  N.  C.  Cav. 

o. 

Orr.  Henry  E. — Captain  of  Co.  H.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Old.  William  W. — Captain  on  Gen.  Ed.  Johnston's  staff. 
Osborne,    N.    M. — 1st    lieutenant   Artillery. 
Orgain,  John   G. — Captain  .of   Co.   C,   l8th  Va.   Battal- 
ion Art. 
Outten,  E.  A. — Sergeant  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 
Oliver,  Charles  B. — Lieutenant  of  C.  S.  Navy. 

P. 

Pfcil,  August — Sergeant  in  Co.  E,  6th  La.  Inf. 

Pearce,   Edward — Boatswain's  mate   in   C.   S.   Navy. 

Pettitt,  Robert  W.— Railroad  duty,  1861 ;  private  i'n  C. 
S.  Navy.   1863. 

Pickett.  Charte.s — Major  and  adjutant-general  in  Gen- 
eral Pickett's  Div. 

Phillips,  Tames  Tasncr — Colonel  nf  gth  \'a.  Inf. 

Pearce.  Frank — Private  in  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Powell.  E.  T. — Quartermaster's  clerk,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Parker,  James  F. — Private  in  Co.  A,  19th  Va.  Battal- 
ion Inf.  • 

Parker,   G.   T.— Private   in   United   .\rt. 

Parks.  Marshall — Va.  Provisional  Service,  Captain  of 
post  and  commissioner  for  establishing  North  Car- 
olina  Navy. 

Pepper,  William  T. — Private  in  21st  Va.  Inf. 

Puller.  Samuel  D. — Captain  of  Co.  A,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Phillips.  Samuel  C. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guards 
—Art. 

Payne.  Walter  T.— Private  in  44th  Va.  Battalion  Inf. 

Powell.  Albert — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist.  Va.  Inf. 

Page.  R.  L. — Commodore  of  C.   S.  Navy. 

Pegram.  R.  B. — Commander  of  C.  S.  Navy. 

Pit"t,  William   Peter— Private  in  United  Art. 

Pollard.   B.   G — Private  in   Richmond  Howitzers — -\rt. 

Perry,  Oliver  H. — Sergeant  in  Co.  B,  ist  Md.  Cav. 

Pond.  W.  H.— Private  in  Artillery. 

Powell.  J.  R. — 1st  lieutenant  in  3rd  N.  C.  Battalion  .\rt. 

Pifer,  A.  W. — Captain  of  Co.  .\.  39th  Battalion  Scouts. 

Pumpfrey.  Lemuel — Sergeant  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 

R. 

Royster.   Lawrence — Cadet.   Virginia   Military   Institute. 
Rogers.  George  T. — Colonel  of  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Refd.   C.   C— Private  in   Co,   A.   Smith's  Battalion   .\rt. 
Riddle.   Charles— Private  in   1st  Md.   Battery— .Art. 


AXD    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


•45 


Rosson.  John  A. — Private  in  Co.  A,  Mosby's  Command. 

Richardson.  B.  A. — Private  in  Smith's  Battalion  Art. 

Rogers.  Crawford  S. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art. 
Blues. 

Rainey.   William  H.— Private  in  6th  Va.   Inf. 

Rowland.    Thomas    B. — Quartermaster's    Department. 

Roberts,  John  B. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 

Robertson,  J.  E. — Private  in  Ransom's  Brigade,  N.  C. 
Troops. 

Royster,  \V.  B. — Private  in  Ransom's  Brigade,  N.  C. 
Troops. 

Robinson,  L.  D. — Private  in  Co.  F,  isth  Va.  Cav. 

Roberts,  Henrv. — Captain  C.  S.   Navy. 

Ruffin.   T.    B.— Corporal,   Co.   B.   12th   Va.   Inf. 

Rogers.  Theo.  F. — Private  Norfolk  Light  Artillery 
'  Blues. 

Russell,  Thomas  H. — Private  Co.   F,  5th  Va.   Cav. 

Rogers.    William   F. — Captain   Revenue   Marine. 

Rawlins.    William— Private    L'nited    .Art. 

Reid.  J.  T.   S. — Lieutenant  of  Ordnance. 

Roberts,    Winsficld   M.— Private   Co.    K,   6ist   Va.    Inf. 

Rose,   J.    H.— Private    Co.    H.    12th    Va.    Inf. 

Revcll,  George  A. — Private  Co.  G.  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Rickhow.  William — Paymaster's  clerk.  C.  .S.  Navy. 

Reynolds,   William   D. — Captain.   Quartermaster's  Dept. 

Reynolds.  Henry  S. — Captain  and  A.  C.  S. 

Rawley.  John    W. — Major   and    A.    Q.    M. 

Rcw.  W.  W. — 2nd  lieutenant  Co.  H.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Reid.  George  C. — Captain  and  A.  Q.  M. 

Randolph,  Robert  G.— Private  Co.  H.  12th  Va.  Inf. 

Riddick.  R.  E.— Private  Co.  A,  Lee's  Local  De- 
fenders. 

Roberts.  John   A. — Private   Co.   D,   12th  Va.   Inf. 

Rawlins,  W.  M. — Sergeant  Co.  B,  39th  Va.  Battalion 
Inf. 

Randolph.  Rt.  Rev.  A.   M.— Chaplain,  C.   S.  .Army. 


Smith.  .A.  Meade — Major  and  C.  S..  Gen.  Rosser's 
Brigade  Cav. 

Small.  N.  W. — Captain  in   Signal  Corps. 

Simmons,  B.  F. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  B,  8th  N.  C.  Regt. 

Swann,  C.  M. — Private  in  Co.  A,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Savage,  Thomas  O. — Private  in  Co.  B.  19th  \'a. 
Battalion   Art. 

Sykes,  N.  W. — Private  in  Co.  F.  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Smith.  Herbert  L. — Private  in  Co.  K.  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Sharp,  Walter — Ordnance  clerk,   special  service. 

Sykes,  John  J. — Sergeant  in  Co.  F,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Simpson.  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  B,  8th  N.  C.  Regt. 

Smith,  John  W. — Sergeant  in  Co.  B,  i8th  Va.  Bat- 
talion Inf. 

Salomon  sky.  Joseph — Corporal   in   Co.   F,  4th  Ga.   Inf. 

Smith,  Frank  M. —  Private  in  Co.  E,  .^th  Texas  Inf. 

Sharp.  John   H. — Private   in   Otey's   Battery — .Art. 

Saunders.  John  C. — Corporal  in  Signal  Corps. 

Smith,  Richard — Private  in  Co.  B.  6rst  Va.  Inf. 

Smiley,    Walter    F. — Private    in    Huger's    Battery — Art. 

Serpell.   G.   M. — Corporal  in   Co.  B,   1st  Md.   Cav. 

Shepherd,  John  C. — Private  in  Co.  I.  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Solomon.   E.   M. — Musician   in   United   .Art. 

Sivills.  E.  H. — Private  in  Co.  A.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Smoot.   T.   D. — Private  in   Pendleton's   Art. 


Simonds,  George — Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Scott,  James  E. — Private  in  Co.   I,   15th  Va.  Cav. 
Sutton,   W.    T. — Surgeon   in   Hoke's   Brigade. 
Starke,    Lucien    D. — Captain    and    -A.    C.    S. ;    and    Act. 

Insp.   Gen.   Martin's   Brigade. 
Savage,  .Alexander — Colonel  in  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Shepherd,   William    H. — Sergeant    in    Co.    B,    19th    Va. 

Inf. 
Scultalus.  George — Private  in  United  Art. 
Selden.   William — Surgeon   in   C.    S.   Army. 
Stubbs,  William  S.— Private  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Saunders,   Allen — Private   in   Ordnance   Department. 
Stevens,  R.  H. — Private  in   Cutt's   Battalion — .Art. 
Spruil,  Joseph  G. — Private  in  Co.  K,  3d  N.  C.  Cav. 
Smith,   R.   Worthy — Private   in   5th   and   15th  Va.   Cav. 
Steen,    John — Private    in    Smith's    Battalion — .Art. 
Sharp,  Charles — Private  in  United  Art. 
Smith,    James     ^larsden — Private    in     Co.    C.    Mosby's 

command. 
Southgate,  F.  M. — Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Senaca,  J.   L. — Private   Co.   I,  6th  Va.   Inf. 
Slade,  .Alexander — Sergeant  in  Co.  F,  i6th  \'a.  Inf. 
Starr,  Rev.  Dr.  William  G. — Chaplain  in  47th  Ala.  Inf. 
Smith,  F.  M. — Corporal  in  Co.  A.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Sullivan,  W.  J. — 3rd  sergeant  in  Co.  F,  3r(l  Va.  Int. 

T. 

Tarrall.    H.    A.— Private   in    Co.    C.   6th   Va.    Inf. 

Todd,  George  M. — Private  in  Co.  A,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Topham,   Frank — C.   S.   Navy. 

Taylor.  Washington — Lieutenant  and  adjutant  in  Scott's 
Battalion   Inf. 

Turner,  James  E. — Pilot  in  James  River  Squadron. 

Thomas.  J.  W.,  Jr. — Lieutenant  in  Artillery  Corps. 

Taylor.    Walter   H. — Colonel   and   adjutant-general. 

Tebault,   B.    F. — Treasury   Dept.    and   assistant   to    sec- 
retary. 

Turner,  Daniel  J..  Jr. — Independent   Signal   Corps  and 
Scouts. 

Taylor,  W.  A.  S.— -Adjutant  in  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Tucker,  Rev.  B.  D.— Otey's  Battery.  13th  \'a.  .Art. 

Taylor.  Richard  C. — Major  of  .Artillery. 

Thompson,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  \'a.  Inf. 

Taft,  Peter— C,  S,  Navy, 

Taylor,  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Turner,  Henry  L. — Private  in  Young's  Harbor  Guards — 
Art. 

Tavlor,    William    E. — Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .Art. 
Blues 

Tunstall.  Dr.   .Alexander — .Adiutant  in  6th   Va.  Inf. 

Taylor,  John  M. — Private  in  Garrett's  Battalion  .Art. 

Tredwell,  Adam — Captain,  assistant  P.  M.,  staff  of  com- 
missioners. 

Turner.  Robert  G. — C.  S.  Navy,  steamer  "Virginia." 

Tabb.    Dr.    R.    B. — Druggist    and    assistant     physician. 
Chimborazo  Hospital. 

Taylor.  Robert  B. — Major  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Todd.   West  wood   .A. — Lieutenant  and  ordnance   officer, 
Weisiger's  Brigade. 

Turner,  Benjamin — Private  in  Co.  F.  lOth  Ala.  Inf. 

Thompson,  William  E,^ — Private  in  Co.  K,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Thomas,    Benton    D. — Private    in    Lightfoot's    Battalion 
Art. 


146 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Trower,  John  R. — Master  in  C.   S.   Navy. 
Thompson,  Tazewell — Major  and  commissary. 
Taylor,  John  C. — Staff  of  General   ^Nlahone. 
Terrant.  F.  M, 

Todd.   Henry    S. — Lientcnant   and   adjutant. 
Tatem,  N.  C. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Turner,  E.  L, — Private  in  Co.  F,  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Topham,  Frank — Private  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

u. 

Upsher.  Caleh  L. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  F.,  pth  Va.  Inf. 

V. 

Vesey*.  William  J. — Private  in  Co.  B.  T3th  Va.  Cav. 
Vermilliiin,  John — ist  lieutenant  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Vellines.  M.  J. — 1st  sergeant  in  Co.  E.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Vaughan.  John  N. — Private  in  Taylor's  Cav. 
Vaughan,   R.   Frank — Sergeant   in    Norfolk    Light   Art. 
Blues. 

W. 

Walke,  Dr.   Frank   A. — Surgeon   in  46th  Va.   Inf. 
Wilbern.  William  G. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  K.  1.3th  Va.  Cav. 
Windsor.  C.  H. — 2nd  Co..  Independent  Signal  Corps. 
Walker,  James  H. — Tst  sergeant  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst.  James  Howard — Orderly  sergeant  in  Co.  G. 

i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Worthington.  H.  L. — Private  in  Co.  C.  igth  N.  C.  Regf. 
Wilkinson.  James — Private  in  Norfolk  Light   Art.  Blues. 
Ward,    B.    F. — Sergeant    in    Young's    Harbor    Guard — 

Art. 
Walters,  James  B. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Walke,   W.   Talbot— Adjutant   in  3gth  Va.   Cav. 
Walke.  Richard — Captain  and  A.  A.  and  inspector  gen- 
eral  in  3rd  Corps — .^rt. 
Woodhouse,   H.   C. — ist  lieutenant   in   Co.   H.   12th   Va. 

Inf. 
Woodhouse.  John  T. — Major  in  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Webster.   W,   W.— Jeffer's   Battery— Art. 
Wrenn.  John  W.  H. — Captain  of  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Williams.  Theo.  A. — Lieutenant,  commanding  Co.  K,  6th 

Va.    Inf. 
Woodley,  Joseph  R. — ist  lieutenant  in  Signal  Corps. 
White,   A,   A, — Private   in   Signal   Service  and  clerk  in 

Engineer's  Department. 
Walke.  A.  H.— Private  in  Co.  K,  T^th  Va.  Cav. 
Warren.  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  C.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Williams.  John  N. — Private  in  6ist  Va.  Inf.  and  ist  Co. 

Richmond  Howitzers — Art. 
Winefield,    R.    C.    M.— Private    in    Norfolk    Light    .^rt. 

Blues. 
White.  E.  V. — Sergeant  in  2nd   Ga.  Battalion   Inf.   and 

engineer  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Webber,  John  S. — Sergeant  in  Co.  A.  38th  Va.  Battalion 

Art. 
Woodhouse,  G.  H.  H. — Private  in  Co.  F.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst.  S.  T. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
Williams.    H.    W. — Sergeant    in    Co.    G.   43rd    Battalion 

Va.   Cav. 
White,  Ryland  C— Private  in  Co.  B,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


Watts,  John  Thomas— Private  in  Alexander's  Battalion 

Art. 
Williamson,  John  T.— Private  in  Co.  H,  12th  Va   Inf 
White,   W.  J.— Private  in   Co.  H.   12th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson,  William  A. — 2nd  lieutenant  in  Co.   F,  27th  N 

C.  Inf. 
Wright,  Henrv  X.— Chief  engineer  in  C.  S.  Navv. 
Wright,  Joseph  Alonzo— Private  in  Co.  C,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wright.    W.    A.— Ordnance   sergeant   in    Co.   A,    1st   N. 

C.   Inf. 
Whitel.urst.  James   Henry — Private   in   Co.  I.    <8th  Va. 

Inf. 
Walters,   James   H. — Sergeant    in     Norfolk   Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Whitehurst,   F.   M.— ist  lieutenant,  commanding  Co.   F, 

6th  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,  Dr.  Richard  P. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Army. 
Woodhouse,    William    W. — Electrician   at   headquarters, 

Mosby's  command. 
White.   William  H. — Drill  master  of  Virginia  Military 

Institute  Cadets. 
Walton,  Joseph  A.— Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. ;  and 

Independent  Signal  Corps  and  Scouts. 
Weaver.  Samuel  W. — Captain  Co.  D,  gth  Va.   Inf. 
Williams,  W.  Wallace — Sergeant  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Ward,  Dr.  Thomas  B. — Surgeon  in  Weisiger's  Brigade. 
Wynn.  B.  F.— Private  in  Co.  C.  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Worthington,    Dr.    R.    H. — Assistant    surgeon    in    C.    S. 

Navy. 
Warren,  T.  S. — Adutant  in  5 ist  Va.  Inf. 
Wedden,  Charles  S. — Quartermaster  sergeant  in  Co.  D, 

7th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Webster,  R.  T. — ^Quartermaster  sergeant  in  Lightfoot's 

Art. 
Walters,  John — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  .Art.  Blues. 
Worrell,   Edward   W. — Sergeant   in   Co.    C,    i6th   N.   C. 

Cav. 
Wrenn,  Rev.  Virginius — Private  in  Marshall's  Batter)- — ■ 

Art. 
Whitworth.  John  S. — Captain  of  Co.  I,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
West.    William   A. — Commissary   Sergeant   in   6ist   Va. 

Inf. 
West.  John  T. — Captain  of  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
West,  LeRoy  McC— Corporal  in  Co.  A..  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Wallace.  John  G. — Captain  of  Co.  C,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Winborne.  E.  J.— Private  in  Co.  A,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
White.  A.  L.— Private  in  Co.  K,  ist  S.  C.  Inf. 
Whitehurst,  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  B,  6th  Va.  Inf. 
White.  E.  P. — Commissary  sergeant  in  Co.  I,   14th  Va. 

Inf. 
Williams.  R.  H. — Sergeant  in  Co.  H,  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Webb.  Robert  W. — Orderly  sergeant  in  32nd  N.  C.  Inf. 
Whittle.  William  C. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Wil'on.   Charles  W. — Captain  of  Company  A,  6th   Va. 

Inf. 
Walker,  T.  D.— Private  in  Co.  G,  4th  N.  C.  Cav. 
Warden.  K, — Private  in  Co.  F.  isth  Va.  Cav. 

Y. 

Young,  Walter  J. — Orderly  sergeant  in  Young's  Harbor 

Guard — Art. 
Young,    N.    F. — Private    in    Otey's    Battery,    13th     Va. 

Battalion  Art. 
Yeatman,  C.  E. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Navy. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


147 


Stoiu'^x.-ull  Ciiiiip.  Pditsiinntlli. 

Ex-C(intetleratcs  ul  Xcrfolk  County  and 
Portsmouth  assemljled  at  the  Council  Cliam- 
lier  on  tlie  9th  of  A])ril,  1884.  to  organize  a 
Confederate  cam]).  Capt.  \'.  O.  Cassell  was 
elected  first  commander.  On  the  i6th  of  July, 
1884.  the  association  adopted  the  name  of 
Stonewall  Camp.  Confederate  X'eterans. 

The  objects  of  this  organization  are  to 
cultivate,  preserve  and  strengthen  those  kind 
and  fraternal  feelings,  which  bind  together 
those  who  honorably  served  in  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  Confederate  States;  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  and  histor}-  of  the  dead ;  to  assist 
such  former  comrades  in  arms  as  need  help 
and  protection :  and  to  extend  needful  aid  to 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  have 
fallen. 

ROLL  OF  COMR.\DES. 


Allen.  Henry  A. — Captain  of  Co.  K.  ptii  \'a.  Inf. 
Allen.  Mathcw  W. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — .'X.rt. 
Archer.  James  H. — Drimimer  in  Co.  B..  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Ashton,  R.  Xewton — Private  in  Co.  K.  5th  Va.  Cav. 
Ashton.  John  C. — Private  in  Norfolk  Light  Art.  Blues. 
.\rrington,  James  E.— Private  in  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Ash,  John  \V. — Sergeant  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

B. 

Baird.  J.  Thompson— Lieutenant  in  Co.  C.  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Ballentinc.  D.  W. — Sergeant  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Barlow.  T.  J. — Quartermaster  sergeant  in   Co.   C.  31st 

Va.  Inf. 
Banty.  X.  J. — Private  in  Co.  G.  6l5t  Va.  Inf. 
Barber.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6lst  \'a.  Inf. 
Beaton,  John  \V. — Captain  of  Co.  H.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Benson.  F.  R. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  \'a.  Inf. 
Bilisoly.  J.  J. — 1st  lieutenant  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Bilisoly.  J.  L. — Hospital  steward  in  Co.  K.  oth  Va.  Inf. 
Bland.  George  W. — Private  in  Co.  D.  9th  \'a.  Inf. 
Bourke,  Joseoh  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  \'a.  Inf. 
Browne.  S.  V. — Hospital  steward  in  Co.  K.  gth  \'a.  Inf. 
Brown.  E.  H. — Engineer  in  C.  S.  Xavy. 
Brown.  H.  C. — Private  in  Xaval   Brigade. 
Brooks.  E.  K. — Private  in  Co.  K.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Bunting.  J.  \V. — Private  in  Co.  A.  Heavy  .\rt. 
Butt,  Channing  M. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Butts,  D.  G.  C. — Cadet  in  Virginia  Military  Institute. 
Bohannan.  Churchill — Private  in  Grimes'  Batterv — Art. 
Bendall.  F.  M.— Private  in  Co.  I.  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Backus,  \V.  T. — Private  in  Co.  I.  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Bartee.  T.  B. — Sergeant  in  Co.  A.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Brown.   B.  J. — Lieutenant   in  85th   X.  C.   Inf. 


Butt,  Dr.  H.  F. — Brigade  surgeon.  X.  C.  Inf. 
Beaton.  James  H. —  Private  in  Co.  I,  61  st  X.  C.  Inf. 
Barrett,  T.  S. — Private  in  Ordnance  Dcpt. 
Bailey.  Thomas  .A. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  \'a.  Inf. 
Butt.  Walter  R. — Lieutenant  in  C.  S.  Xavy. 
Brownly,  Jos.  J. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.   Inf. 
Bunting,  L.  D. — Private  in  Co.  C,  13th  \'a.  Cav. 
Binford,  James  M. — Captain  of  Co.  C.  23rd  \'a.  Cav. 
Brown,     James    W. — Private    in    Xcrfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Barrett,  S.  H.— Private  in  Co.  H.,  3rd  \'a.  Inf. 


Carty.   F.  .\V. — 2nd  sergeant  in  Co.  D,  6th   Va.   Inf. 
Crismond.  John   W. — Private   in   Grimes'   Battery — Art. 
Crismond.  James  P. — Private  in  Co.  K.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Cherry,  W.  H. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — .\rt. 
Cowper.  Clarence — Private  in  Co.  C.  16th  Va.  Inf. 
Cooke.  W.  G. — Private  in  Local  Forces  4th  Battalion. 
Collonna.   John    W. —  Private   in    .\rmistead's    Batterj- — 

Art. 
Crocker,  James  F. — .\djutant  in  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Charlton.  L.  W. — Corporal  in  Co.  E.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Capps,  F.  M. — Private  in  Co.  I,  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Cutherell,  Arthur — Private  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Colbourn.  A.  -A. — Private  in  Co.  F.  46th  Va.  Inf. 
Culpepper.  A.  T. — ist  lieutenant  of  Commissary  Dept. 
Cherry.  James — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — .Art. 
Cooke.  John  K. — Captain  and  major:  agent  C.  S.  Army. 
Cutherell.  \\'.  H. — Private  in  (irimes'  Battery — .\rt. 
Curlin,  M,  W. — Major  in  Xaval  Forces. 
Collins,  \V.  B. — Quartermaster  sergeant  in   Co.   K,  gth 

Va.  Inf. 
Cooke.  W.  S. — 2nd  lieutenant  in  Co.  H.  3d  Va.  Inf. 
Cassell.  V.  O.— Captain  of  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Cooke,  A.  M.— Private  in  Co.  H,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

D. 

Dunn.  J.  Thomas — Private  in  Co.   F".  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Dunn.  W.  H. — Private  in  Grandy's  Battery — .Art. 
Denby,  Joshua — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Dewberry.  W.  T. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
DeGarylx)dy.  I. — Private  in  Co.  F.  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Drewery.  B.  J. — Private  in  Co.  F.  32nd  Va.  Inf 
Drewery.  J.  T. — Private  in  Southamton  Lee  .\rt. 
Diggs.  C.  C. — Private  in  Co.  .\.  3rd  Va.   Inf. 
Deans.  Robert  E. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Dashields.  T.  J.— Sergeant  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Dunford.  V.  H. — Private  in  Co.   I.  41st  Va.  Inf 
Darden.  H.  K. — Private  in  Co.  .\.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
DeLausans.  William — Private  in  56th  X.  C.  Inf. 
Dwyer.  Thomas  K. — Engineer  in  C.   S.  Xavy. 
Dunn.  J.  R. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Denby,  James  E. — Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Dillon.  James  E. — Sergeant  in  Grimes'  Battery — .\rt. 
Deans.  T.  H.— Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  \'a.  Inf. 
Deans,  John  E. — Captain  of  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Dashields.  J.  J. — Private  in  Co.  A,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

E. 

Edwards,  Griffin  E. — .\djutant  in  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


148 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Edwards,  William  T. — Private  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Edwards,  O.  H. — Corporal  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Edwards,  L.  B. — Private  in  Co.  G.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Edmonds,  W.  C. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Enimerson,  William — Private  in  Co.  C,  l6th  Va.  Inf. 
Eckert,  C.  H.— Private  in   Co.   B,   ist   Md.   Cav. 


Foreman,  W.  N. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Foreman,  John  E. — Private  in  Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Fendley,  J.  W. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Fiske,  W.  A.— Private  in  Co.  B,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Fulford.  J.  C. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Fauny,  Robert — Private  in  Co.  F,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Freeman.  Thomas  E. — Private  in  Co.  C,  24th  Va.  Cav. 
Ford,  William  H. — Private  in  Upshaw's  Cav. 
Flanagan,  E,  J. — Private  in  Co.  D,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Frazier,  R.  R. — Lieutenant  in  32nd  Va.  Inf. 


Gaskins.  J.  R. — Private  in   Co.   F,  3rd  Va.   Cav. 
Glea.son,    Thomas    H. — Lieutenant    in    Co.    H,    ^rd    Va. 

Inf. 
Godwin,  L.  C. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Godwin,  C.  W. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Goodwin.  J.  M. — Private  in  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Gosney,  B.  F. — Private  in  Co.  B,  5th  Va.  Cav. 
Griffin,  K.  R. — Lieutenant  in  Crutchfield's  Brigade. 
Guy,    H.    C. — 1st    lieutenant    in    54th    Regt.    of   militia; 

trans,  to  Naval  Brigade. 
Gwynn,  G.  W. — Private  in  Co.  I,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Gayle,  N.  G. — C.  S.  Navy. 

Gayle,  L.  C. — Sergeant  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Grice.  A,  P. — Lieutenant  in  Quartermaster's  Dept. 
Gay.  H.  B.— Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Guthrie.  -B.  W.— Master  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Gaskins,  J.  H. — Private  in  Grimes'  Batterj' — Art. 

H. 

Halstead,  J.  E.— Private  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Herbert,  J.  L.— Private  in  Co.  C,   l6th  Va.  Inf. 

Hodges,  Josiah — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Harvey,  A.  W.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Herring.  R.  H. — Private  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Harris.  R.  L.— Private  in  Co.  A,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Humphries,  Young — Private  in  Co.  D.  6lst  Va.  Inf. 

Hoofnagle.  R.  H. — Private  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Hester.  Thomas — Musician  in  Co.  A,  8th  N.  C.  Regt. ; 
trans,  to  C.  S.  Navy. 

Humphlet.  J.  T. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Hanrahan,  Geo.  T. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 

Hope,  W.  M. — Constructor  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

Hope,  A.  M.— Private  in  Co.  H,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Holloway,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Hodges,  Thomas  M. — Captain  of  Co.  A.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 

Hume,  J.  H. — Private  in  Signal  Corps,  Wood's  Bat- 
talion. 

Hudgins,  H.  C. — Lieutenant  rn  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Hudgins,  G.  W. — Private  in  Webb's  Battalion. 

Hall,  C.  J. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. ;  trans,  to 
C.  S.  Navy. 


Ironmonger,  A.  C. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — .\rt. 
Ironmonger,  C.  E. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Arc. 
Ives,  F.  M. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Ivy,  I.  O. — Private  in  Co.   C,   13th  Va.  Cav. 

J. 

James,  R.  B. — Sergeant  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Jenkins,  J.  S. — Adjutant  in  Co.  C.  I4th  Va.  Inf. 
Jenkins.  Miles — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Jett,    F.    W. — Captain.      Promoted    major    of    Engineer 

Corps. 
Johnson,  Theo. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

K. 

King,  G.  W. — Private  in  Co.  I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 
Knott,  Elvington — Private  in  Co,  C,  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Kreiger,  George  A. — Sergeant  in  Co.  M,  ist  Va.  Local 
Forces. 


Linn,    C.    B. — Private   in   Grimes'    Battery — Art. 
Lewis,  W.  A. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Leavitt,  J.  M.— Private  in  Co.  C,  12th  Va.  Inf. 
Laycock,  E. — Private  in  Co.  F,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Lewis.  M.  K. — Sergeant  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Loomis,  James  M. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va,  Inf. 
Langhorne,  James  K. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf.  : 

assistant  engineer,  C.  S.  Navy. 
Langhorne,  W.  S. — Private  in  1st  Si.gnal  Corps. 
Lash,  G.  W. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Lawrence.  J.  R. — Sergeant  in  Co.  D.  6"th  N.  C.  Inf. 
Lewis,  John  F. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  G.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Lilliston.  R.  W. — Drum  major  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lovitt.  John  A. — Gunner  in  C.  S.  Navv. 
Lash.  John  W.— Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Lohman,  W.  G. — Private  in  Co.  H,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Lynch,  W.  B. — Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

M. 

Marshall.  R.  C— Lieutenant  in  Co.  H,  6th  Va.  Cav. 

Mathews.  Alonzo — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

Marsh.  A.  D.— Private  in  Co.  D,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Mahoney,  E.  N. — Private  in  3rd  Co.  Richmond  How- 
itzers— Art. 

Mears,  E.  J. — Corporal  in  Co.  I.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Meads,  J.  W. — Private  in  4th  Navy  Regt. 

Minter,  A.  M. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

Miller,  J.  C— Private  in  Co.  I.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Moore.  George  T. — C.  S..  Navy. 

Monserrate,  M.  D. — Color  bearer  in  Co.  H,  3d  Va.  Inf. 

Maunin,  George  W.  O. — Private  in  Co.  H.  15th  Va. 
Cav. 

McDonell,  George  W.  R. — Sergeant  in  Grimes'  Battery 
Art. 

McHoney,  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  A'a.  Inf. 

Morrisett.  William — Private  in  Co.  B.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 

Murphy,  Enos — Private  in   Portsmouth  Rifles. 

Moore,  W.  A. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

Martin.  J.  E.— Private  in  I5tli  N.  C.  Inf. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


149 


Morris,  J.  T.— Private  in  Co.  B.  6th  \"a.  Inf. 
Miirtlaugh.  C.  \V. — Captain  of  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Murdcn.  David  T.— Private  in  Co.  F.  I5tli  Va.  Cav. 
MacMahon.  Huph — Sergeant  in  3d  Md.  Battery. 
McAlpine,  Dr.  Charles  R. — Captain  of  Co.   I,  6ist  Va. 

Inf.      Promoted    to    major. 
McKoy.  R.  K. — Sergeant  in  Co.  D.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
McDonell,   A.   F. — Private   in   Lynchburg  Battery — Art. 

N. 

Niemeyer.  \V.  F. — Lieutenant-colonel  of  5ist  Va.  Inf. 
Neville.  H.  \\'. — Private  in  Local  Forces. 
Neville.  W.  S. — Private  in  Co.  G.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Niemeyer,  H.  V. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Nicholson,  F.  J. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 

O. 

Owens,  B.  H. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 
Owens.  Joseph  T. — Captain  of  Co.  D,  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Owens.  Charles — Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Oakham.  T.  J. — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Oliver,  George  E. — Private  in  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

P. 

Powers,  John — Captain  of  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Peters.   Osmond — Captain   in   C.    S.    Navy. 

Powell.  M.  \V.— Private  in  Co.  F,  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Peters.  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Parrish.  J.  J. — Private  in  N.  C.  Inf. 

Powell.  Rev.  J.  D. — and  lieutenant  in  Dance's  Battery — 

Art. 
Parker.  A.  K. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art, 
Parrish.  Dr.  James — Surgeon  in  3rd  Va.  Cav. 
Peed.  S.  S.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Cav. 
Parker,  R.  H. — Surgeon  in  2nd  N.  C.  Battalion. 
Pate.  William  J.— Private  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Peters,  Osmond  J. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Peed,  C.   C. — Private  in   Co.  G.  Naval  Brigade. 
Peters.  William  H. — Agent  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Perry.  E.  A. — Private  in  Co.  D,  6lst  Va.  Inf. 
Phillips.  C.   T.— Adjutant  in   Co.   G.  gth   Va.   Inf. 
Phillips,  H.  O.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Porter.  John  W.  H. — Lieutenant  in  1st  Va.  Reserves. 
Potter,  James — C.  S.  Navy. 
Procter,  J.  C. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Purcell,  Thomas — Private  in  Co.  F,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Pruden,  E.  J. — Private  in  Co.  F.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Pollard.   T.    L. — Private   in   Co.   A.    loth  Va.   Art. 
Piffins,  Isaac — Private  in  31st  N.  C.  Inf. 

R. 

Ritter.  James  A. — Private  in  Co.  F.  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Russ,  S.  P. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Riddick.  J.  B. — Captain  of  Co.  I,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Rives.  G.  E.— Private  in  Co.  H,  13th  Va.  Cav. 
Robinson,  J.  H. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Ray,  Thomas  W. — Private  in  Petersburg  Battery — Art. 
Russ.  Francis — Lieutenant  in  Grimes'  Batterv — Art. 
Reynolds,  H.  C— Private  in  Co.  D.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Richardson,  James  H. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 


Richardson,  W.  J. — Lieutenant-colonel  of  gth  Va.   Inf. 

Richardson,  N.  F. — Private  in  2nd  Signal  Corps. 

Ridley.  R.— Private  in  13th  Va.  Cav. 

Ross,  Joseph — Private  in  Co.  F,  4th  Ga.  Inf. 

Round,  C.  A. — Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 

Rowan,  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 

Rustic,  J,  T, — Assistant  constructor  in  C.  S.  Navy. 

S. 

Sykes,  W.  S.— Captain  of  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 

Saundys,  John  S.— Private  in  Co.  A,  15th  Va.  Cav. 

Syers,  Charles— Sergeant  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Smith,  O.  v.— Private  in  3rd  Co.  Richmond  Howitzers- 
Art. 

Stewart.  John  F. — .Adjutant  in  3rd  \'a.  Inf. 

Scott.  Thomas — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 

Sinith,  Joseph  J. — Musician  in  Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Smith,  James  K.— C.  S.  Navy. 

Sheppard.  W.  E. — Private  in  Co.  D,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Sherwood,  William — Captain  and  commissary  of  Ma- 
hone's  Brigade. 

Slater,  L.  P.— 32nd  Va.  Inf. 

Smith,  John — Private  in  Co.  K.  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Smith,  Williamson — Private  in  Co.  A,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 

Smith.  John   E. — C.   S.   Navv. 

Smith.  W.  J.— Private  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Small,  C.  C— Private  in  17th  N.  C.  Inf. 

Stewart,  James  T. — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 

Stewart,  William  H. — Lieutenant-colonel  of  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Spivey,  A.  A.— Private  in  Co.  D,  54th  N.  C.  Inf. 

Shannon,  Thomas — Lieutenant  in  Co.  F,  8th  N.  C.  Regt. 

T. 

Taylor,  ^\'illiam?on  B. — Private  in  Co.  I.  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Tee,  John  C. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Thompson.  John  H. — Captain  of  Grimes'  Battery — .Art. 
Toomer,  James  H. — Captain  of  Engineer's  Corps. 
Tvnan.  F.  T. — Orderly  sergeant  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tyler,  H.  C— Private  in  Co.  B,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Tabb,  H.  A.— Private  in  Co.  H.  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Tyson,  Luther — Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Thomas.  L.  W. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  D,  26th  Va.  Inf. 
Tabb,  William  H.— C.   S.   Navy. 

V. 

Vanderson.  John  T. — Captain  of  Co.  D.   15th  V'a.   Cav. 
Vermillion,  Denis — Captain  of  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
\'ermillion,  .A.  P. — Private  in  Co.  K,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Vermillion.  Richard — Lieutenant  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Veale,  A.  E.— Private  in  Co.  H,  sgth  Va.  Inf. 
Virnelson,  Thomas  H. — Sergeant  in  Grimes'   Batterv— 

Art. 
Veale,,  James — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Vermillion,  G.  S. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 

W. 

Walcott,  S.  F.— C.  S.  Navy. 
Ward.  Aaron — Private  in  Co.  F.  nth  N.  C.  Inf. 
Warren.  J.  J. — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Watts,  George  W.  H.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 


ISO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Watts,  L.  R. — Private  in  Signal  Corps. 

Walker,  C.  W. — Courier  for  General  Blancliard  and  in 

Navy  Reserves. 
Wiesdorf,  Ed.— Musician  in  6th  Va.  Inf. 
Weaver,  Joseph  F. — C.  S.  Navy. 
Welton,  James  L. — Private  in  Co.  I.  I2th  Va.  Inf. 
Williamson,     C.    H.— Private    in    Norfolk    Light    Art. 

Blues. 
Williamson.  Dr.  C.  H. — Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navy. 
Williams,  Hillary  G. — Sergeant  in  Co.  D,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  Luther — C.  S.  Navy. 

Williams,  Herbert  J. — Private  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  D.  E. — Private  in  Co.  K,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,  E.  A. — Sergeant  in  Co.  C,  47th  N.-  C.  Inf. 
Williams.   Edward — C.   S.   Navv. 
Wilkerson.  G.  P.— Private  in  Co.  G,  gth  Va.  Inf. 
Whitehurst,  N.  E.— Private  in  Co.  C.  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Wood,  John   W. — Orderly   Sergeant   in   Co.   G.  9th  Va. 

Inf. 
Womble,  George  B. — Private  in  19th  Va.  Heavy  Art. 
Wilkins,   Henry — Private  in  Co.   I,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Wilson,  John — Private  in  Grimes'  Battery — Art. 
Whitehurst,  D.  W. — Private  in  Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 
Watson,  J, — Naval  Battalion. 

Wrench,  John — Private   in   Grimes'   Battery — Art. 
White,  L.  H. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  A,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
White,  R.  W.  B.— Private  in  Co.   D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Walton,   D.    S. — Lieutenant-colonel   in   Engineer   Corps. 
Wood.  W.  J. — Private  in  4th  Va.  Battalion. 
Watson.  Joseph  W. — Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Webb,  Richard — Private  in   Co.   B,  13th   Va.   Cav. 
Williams,  J.  Q.  A.— C.  S.  Navy. 

Williamson,  Lewis  W. — Private  in  Co.  K.  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Wellener,  Joseph  W. — Private  in  Co.  C,  i6th  Va.  Inf. 
Williams,   David— C.    S.   Navy. 


Yost,  John  W. — Private  in  Co.  H,  3rd  Va.  Inf. 
Young,  John  W. — Private  in   Signal   Corps. 
Young,  C.  W. — Private  in  Co.  G,  9th  Va.  Inf. 
Young,  Joseph  L. — Private  in   Printer's  Guards. 


Zink,  S.  B.— Artillery. 

Niciiicycr-SIiaiv  Camp.  Berkley. 

The  Niemeyer-Shaw  Camp,  Confederate 
Veterans,  was  organized  in  Pine  Street  Hall,- 
in  Berkley,  on  Max  2,  1892.  There  were  pres- 
ent 27  veterans.  Peleg  Pritchard  presided 
and  E.  E.  Hathaway  was  chosen  secretary. 
The  purposes  of  the  organization  are  the  same 
as  those  of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp.  It  was 
named  for  Lieut. -Col.  William  F.  Niemeyer, 
who'  fell  at  Sixjttsylvania,  and  Col.  Henry  M. 
Shaw,  who'  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Roanoke 


Island.  The  commanders  of  the  camp  since 
it  was  instituted  have  been  Capt.  John  S. 
Whitworth,  Dr.  George  W.  Wallace,  John  A. 
Morgan,  L.  M.  Wingtield  and  D.  L.  Cox. 

ROLL  OF  COMRADES. 

B. 

Brent,  John  T.— Private  in  Co.  D,  9th  Va.  Inf. 

Borum.  S.  T. 

Berry,  John  D. 

Bland,  Samuel — 5th  Co.  Washington  Light  Art. 

Bass,  Robert  J. 

C. 

Cox,  E.  L. — Lieutenant  in  Co.  C.  68th  N.  C.  Inf. 

Childrey,  J.  E. 

Casey,  James  A. — Co.  I,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 


Davis,  W.  H. 


Eason,  I.  N. 
Ellington,  William. 
Ellington,  P.  A. 
Eley,  J.  M. 


D. 
E. 


Frost,  P. 


Gresham.    T.    B. — 15th    Va.    Cav. 
Graves,  D.  A. — C.  S.  Navy. 
Gibson,  P.  H.— 38th  Va.  Inf. 

H. 

Hanbury,  H.  B.— Co.  E.  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Hayes,  Joseph — Co.  B.  5th  N.  C.  Inf. 

Hathawav,   E.   E. — 38th  Va.   Inf. 

Hozier,  j.  E.— Co.  F,  6rst  Va.  Inf. 

Huffly,  James. 

Halstead.  Dr.  Geo.  N. — Assistant  Surgeon  in  C.  S.  Navv. 

Harrell,  J.  R. 

Hoge,  A.  J.— C.  S.   Navy. 

Howard,  J. 

Hickman,  James — Co.  H.  3rd  \'a.  Inf. 

Harris,  J.  L. — Co.  G,  13th  Va.  Cav. 

I. 

Ives,  Felix — Co.  E.  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

K. 
Krause,  C.  A. 
Kirby,  W.  H.— Co.  E.  41st  \"a.  Inf. 


Lawrence.  H.  M. 


L. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


151 


Luke,  G.  G. 

Lacy,  George. 

Lowe,  T.  J. 

Lawrence.  J.  L. — Co.  G,  irth  N.  C.  Inf. 

Lane,  W.  P.— Co.  F,  sth  N.  C.  Inf. 

M. 

Miller.  \V.  H. 

Merwin,  Wm. 

Morgan.  John  A. — Co.  A,   ist  N.  C.   Inf. 

Martin.  George  A. — Colonel  in  38lh  Va.  Inf. 

O. 

Old,  George  M.— Co.  I,  15th  Va.  Cav. 


Pritchard,  Peleg — Corporal  in  Co.  A,  6i5t  Va.  Inf. 

Payne.  M. 

Parrott.  Robert. 

Petty,  W.  W. 

Poindexter,  E.  H. — Captain  in  C  .S.  Navy. 

Parker.  George — Co.   I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Pain.  C. — C.  S.  Xavy. 

Parrot.  Albert — Co.  F,  5th  Va.  Cav. 

Perkins.  \\".  L.  M.— Co.  F,  43d  X.  C.  Inf. 

Parkerson,   S. 


Randolph,  Robert. 
Rudil,   Edward — C. 


R. 

S.   Xa\T. 


s. 


A. 


Slaymaker.  Rev.  W. 

Sexton,  William. 

Sawjer,  Isaac  L. — 15th  Va.  Cav. 

Spence,  W.  S. 

Sawyer.  D.  A.— Co.  A,  Sth  X.  C.  Inf. 

Sykes,  Thomas  H. — Sergeant  in  Co.  A,  6ist  Va.  Inf. 

Stafford,  Richard — Co.  I,  61  st  Va.  Inf. 

Stoakes.  James. 

Sykes,  X.  M.— Co.  F,  41st  Va.  Inf. 

W. 

Whit  worth,  John  S.— Co.  I,  6th  Va.  Inf. 

Whitehurst.  James   H. — Co.   I,  38th  Va.   Inf. 

Wingfield.  L.  M.— Stuart's  Horse — .\rt. 

Wood,  J.  F. 

White.  M.  V. 

Warren.  John. 

Wallace.  George  W. — Private  Signal  Corps. 

UNITED    D.\UGHTERS    OF    COXFEDERACY. 

Motto: — "Lord  God  of  hosts,  be  with  us  yet. 
Lest  we  forget,  lest  we  forget." 

The  objects  of  tliis  association  are  educa- 
tional, memorial,  literary,  social  and  benevo- 
9 


lent :  to  collect  and  preserve  the  material  for 
a  truthful  history  of  the  war  between  the  Con- 
federate States  and  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica :  to  honor  the  memory  <.)f  those  who  served 
and  those  who  fell  in  the  service  of  the  Con- 
federate States;  to  record  the  part  taken  by 
Southern  women,  as  well,  in  untiring  effort 
after  the  war  in  the  reconstruction  of  the 
South,  as  in  patient  endurance  of  hardship 
and  jKitriotic  devotion  during  the  struggle ;  to 
cherish  ties  of  friendshij)  among  the  members 
of  the  society ;  and  to  fultill  the  duties  of  sacred 
charity  to  the  survivors  of  the  war  and  those 
dependent  upon  them. 

Pickett-Buchanan  Chapter,  Xo.  21,  of  Norfolk. 

OFFICERS  IX  1897. 

Mrs.  James  Y.  Leigh,  president. 
Mrs.  Frances  W.  Smith,  ist  vice-president. 
Mrs.  R.  Page  Waller,  2nd  vice-president. 
Mrs.  Walter  P.  Burrow,  recording  secretary. 
Miss  Emily  Doyle,  corresponding  secretarj-. 
Mrs.  Thomas  W.  Henderson,  treasurer. 
Mrs.  Charles  G.  Elliott,  parliamentarian. 

OFFICERS  IN    igOO. 

Mrs.  Charles  G.  Elliott,  president. 
Mrs.  Washington  Taylor.  1st  vice-president. 
Mrs.  Walter  H.  Doyle,  2nd  vice-president. 
Mrs.  Walter  P.  Burrow,  recording  secretary. 
Miss  Emily  Doyle,  corresponding  secretarj-. 
!Mrs.  Thomas  W.  Henderson,  treasurer. 

Portsmouth   Chapter,  No.  30,  Portsmouth. 
(Organized  in  1896.) 

FIRST  OFFICERS. 

Mrs.  Sallie  Magruder  Stewart,  president. 
Mrs.  Martha  A.  .\shton.  vice-president. 
Miss  Virginia  Griffin,  recording  secreiarj-. 
Mrs.  Alice  H.  Jenkins,  corresponding  secretary. 
Mrs.  Rebecca  Marshall   Xash.  treasurer. 
Miss  Lizzie  Ball   Porter,  historian. 

OFFICERS  i.v  1900. 

Mrs.    Eugenia    Schroeder    Crimip.    president. 

Mrs.  Charles  T.   Parrish.  vice-president. 

Miss  Virginia   Griffin,   recording  secretary. 

!Miss  Loretto  M.  Tooraer.  corresponding  secretary. 

Mrs.  William  H.  Stewart,  treasurer. 

Miss  Mamie  Schroeder,  registrar. 

!Mrs.  John  W.  H.  Porter,  historian. 


CHAPTER  IX 


MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  THE  COUNTY— Continued 

Spanish-Amerjcan  War — Roster  of  Jackson  Light  Infantry,  Lee  Rifles,  Norfolk 
City  Guard,  Old  Dominion  Guard,  Portsmouth  Rifle  Company — Citizen  Sailors 
ON  the   "  Maine.  " 


Tlie  war  Ijetween  tlie  United  States  and 
Spain  was  demanded  by  public  opinion,  which 
had  foi"  many  years  sympathized  with  the 
licpeless  struggle  of  the  Cuban  patriots  for 
release  from  the  thraldom  of  Spain.  Tlie  de- 
struction of  the  "Maine"  exhausted  the  pa- 
tience of  the  people  and  popular  impulse 
forced  the  issue.  Congress  passed  the  bill 
f(jrmall_\'  declaring  war  on  the  25th  of  April, 
1898.  and  dating  it  from  April  21st.  The 
President  had  issued  his  proclamation  calling 
f(jr  125,000  men  distributed  pro  rata  among 
the  States  on  the  23rd  (jf  April,  two-  days 
previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  and  the 
soldiers  of  our  twin  cities  responded  with  that 
fer\or  of  patriotism  which  lias  from  the  earli- 
est settlement  of  Norfolk  County  responded  to 
the  calls  of  justice.  The  terms  of  the  treaty 
•of  peace  with  Spain  were  \-erl)ally  agreed  upon 
November  28,  1898.  The  following  are  ros- 
ters of  officers  and  men  from  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth,  who  were  mustered  into  the  serv- 
ice of  the  United  States  iiursuant  to  the 
proclamation   of  the  President. 

FOURTH  REGIMENT  \TRGIiSIA  INFANTRY,  U.  S.  V. 

(Recruited  at  Norfolk.) 

FIELD  OFFICER. 

Col.    George   W.   Taylor. 


STAFF  OFFICERS. 

Dr.   C.  R.  Vance,  surgeon,  major,   Norfolk. 
Dr.  George  M.  Peed,  assistant  surgeon,  captain,   Ports- 
mouth. 
Dr.  W.  L.  Old,  assistant  surgeon,  captain.  Norfolk. 
Capt.  Alexander  Higgins.  quartermaster.  Norfolk. 
Capt.   P.  E.  Yateman,  adjutant,  Norfolk. 

JACKSON  LIGHT  IXFAXTRV. 

COMIW.NY  E,  FOURTH  REGIMENT,  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY,  U.  S.  ' 

This  co»ifany  Xi'as  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  May  ly,  iSg8,  and  was  mustered  out  April  27, 
1899- 

Captain,   Thomas  J.    Nottingham. 

1st  lieutenant,  William  H.  Wassum. 

2nd   lieutenant.    Edward   W.   Jones. 

1st  sergeant,  William  C.   Shelley. 

Quartermaster  sergeant,  Thomas  Q.   Lackland. 

Sergeants.  William  V.  King,  Joshua  L.  Gilbert, 
Harry  A.   Mason,  Arthur   P.   Burgess. 

Corporals,  John  E.  Griggs.  Frank  J.  Lawless.  John 
McCloud.   Frank   McLaughlin,   Harry   W.   Waikart. 

Musicians,  Charles  L.  Henley.  Walter  H.  Hamilton. 

-Artificer.    Frank    W.    Woodhouse. 

Wagoner.   Samuel   H.   Forrest. 


Tri-L'atcs. 


Ernest  L.   Banks. 
Frank  H.  Bondurant, 
.■\rniistead   Bowland, 
Albert  F.  Barrett, 
Samuel   S.   Bonway, 
Eugene  J.  Buym. 
Harry  B.  Chillson, 
Douglas   C.   Cannon. 
Philip  A.  Churchill, 


Henry  \\'.  Ciiopcr, 
Robei-t  L.  Doherty. 
James   H.   Downing. 
Harry  W.  EllingsWorth, 
Harry  L.  Fentress, 
Joseph  Fentress. 
William   H.   Forrest, 
"erhert  C.  Griffin. 
Benjamin  Hancock. 


I 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


153 


Walter  F.  Hendricks. 
James  C.  Hitchiiigs.  Jr.. 
Cary  T.  Hodges. 
William  H.  Hodges, 
Oelisciis  M.  Hodges, 
Joseph  J.   Hennellv. 
Gcoros  \V.  Hill. 
Milo  M.  Holloman. 
Richard   H.   Humphries, 
Edwar<l  Jack. 
Joseph  E.   Kevill, 
Ruby   L.   Lash. 
Henry  H.   Lash. 
George  D.  Lawton, 
Ernest  L.  Lightfoot. 
Julius  T.  Lansberg, 
Thomas  E.  Lewis, 
Clarence  P.  Linn, 
Harry  Monday. 
Dempsey   Morrisett, 
George   F.   McGuire, 
John  McRorie.  Jr.. 
Louis   B.   Montague,  Jr., 
Edgar  .A.  Moore,  Jr., 
Harry  L.   Morris, 


Edward    F.    McLaughlin, 

N'ictor   E.   N'ottinghani. 
Thomas  M.  O'Brien, 
James  W.  Rufiin, 
Harry  W.  Roberts. 
■  Chark-s  H.  Rowland, 
Luther  J.  Rowland, 
Lenncr  D.   Rawls. 
Andrew  L.  Stephens, 
Edwin  W.  Slater, 
Marvin   AL   Stokeley, 
James  D.  Shadbolt. 
Frank  G.   Skinner, 
.\lonzo  Smith, 
Harrold  Soul. 
William  \V.  Toole. 
Garent  Waller, 
James   B.   Warwick. 
Walter  Walker. 
Miles   W.   White, 
John  G.  Wilson. 
James   E.   Waterfield, 
Ben  .\.  Williams, 
John   .\.   Wolf. 


LEE  RIFLES. 

CO.Mr.WY  A.  FOVRTH  REGIMENT.  VIRGINIA  INF.WTRV.  V.  S.  V. 

This  coinpaiiy  zcas  iiiiislcrcd  into  tin-  United  Statics 
scn-icr  May  14,  1898,  and  vas  mustered  out  April  2y, 
1899. 

Captain.  Henry  H.  Sheen. 

1st  lieutenant.  William  C.  Hill. 

2nd  lieutenant.  Vincent  C.   Burrow. 

1st  sergeant.  William  G.   Sturdivant. 

Quartermaster  sergeant.  Whitney  S.  LeCompte. 

Sergeants.  Frederick  L.  Curdts.  William  H.  Har- 
rison.  Granville   M.   Tilghman.   James   T.    Shackelford. 

Corporals.  John  W.  Creekmore.  Samuel  P.  Butt, 
Collins  Hill.  Oscar  V.  Sessoms.  Wade  H.  Hayes.  Ed- 
ward M.  Curdts. 

Musicians.  Charles  A.  Bender,  .Andrew  L.  Jones, 
Luther  W.  Sykes. 

.Artificer,  Charles  T.  Sykes. 

Wagoner.  William  Woodward. 


Privates. 


.Xubrev  W.  Allen. 
William  ^L   Baker, 
.Archie  C.  Bates, 
.Archie  M.  Beattie, 
Leonard   C.   Billings, 
William  J.  Bippus, 
Richard  t).  Brinkley, 
William   S.  Brinkley, 
James  H.  Brown. 
William   E.   Coleman. 
John  J.  Cummings, 
Frederick  W.  Dodenhoft, 
Robert  K.  Eckles, 


Benjamin   E.   Edwards. 
Percy  Etheridge. 
William  T.  Fritzingcr, 
Clyde  L.  George, 
John  P.  Graves, 
Samuel  H.  Grcshani. 
William  Gwin. 
P.   T.   Henly. 
George  C.  Harman. 
Lafayette  Haughton. 
Robert  H.  Herndon. 
William  L.  Heard. 
John  C.  Hill, 


Anthony  L.  C.  Hill, 
Kubie  -A.  Hord. 
William  T.  Howland, 
.Albert  G.  Hume, 
C.  T.  Long, 
Otto  King, 
Frank  L.  Koerner. 
.Arthur  G.  McCoy. 
Frank    JL    Morgan. 
Lawrence  B.  Myrick, 
Thomas  L.  Xunnelly, 
Joseph   F.   Parks, 
James  E.   Parsons. 
William   B.   Parham. 
Charles  H.  Pettus, 
William  1).  Pritchard, 
James  K.  Reid, 
Hugh  S.  Reid. 
Joseph  M.  Saunders, 
Samuel  T.  Schaffer, 


Frank  G.  Story,  Jr., 
William   -A.   Seddinger, 
Joseph   H.   Sherrard, 
.Augustine  L.  Sherwood, 
Charles  E.  Sheppard. 
Patrick  Smith, 
William  S.  Smith. 
Oscar  G.  Scott, 
\\'ashington  M.  Spence, 
Joseph  R.  Starvo, 
Edward  N.  Waddy. 
Samuel  Wasserman, 
Harry  V.   Welsh. 
Ravniond   H.   Walker, 
Allen  O.  White, 
Will.am  T.   White. 
William  J.  Williams. 
H.    L.   Wrenn. 
William  Woodard, 
Karl  R,  Wood. 


NORFOLK  crrv  cr.^R/'. 

COMP.\NV  B.  FOURTH  REGIMENT  VIRCINI.V    INF.\NTRV.  U.  S.  V. 

This  company  teas  mustered  into  the  L'nited  States 
service  May  is.  iSqS.  and  teas  mustered  out  .-ipril  ^7, 
1899. 

Captain.   Marshall    Tarrall.      (Promoted    to   major.) 

1st  lieutenant.  Bernard  W.  Salamonsky.  (Promoted 
to  captain.) 

2nd  lieutenant.  Clinton  L.  Wright.  (Promoted  to 
lieutenant.) 

1st  Sergeant.  George  T.  Layor. 

Quartermaster  sergeant.  Walter  H.  Church.  (Pro- 
moted  to  2nd  lieutenant.) 

Sergeants.  Mills  Powell.  Sidney  E.  Smith.  Enoch  R. 
Gale.  James  ^L   McCoy. 

Corporals.  Andrew  S.  Morris.  Louis  D.  Linn.  Charles 
B.  Berr.  Andrew  J.  Kerns.  Charles  L.  Davis,  Benjamin 
F.   Tally. 

Musicians.  William  H.   Curdts.  Louis  M.  Lanier. 

.Artificer.  .Alvin  C.  Downing. 

Wagoner,  Eugene  Wyorth. 


Privates. 


Nichols  .Albone. 
Walter  F.  .Allen, 
Charles  M.  Barrett, 
Edward  G.   Brock. 
Charles  Beck. 
Edward  H.   Baieleo, 
Richard  G.  Baylor, 
Eugene  Caffee, 
Roswell  F.  CaflPee, 
Gilbert  C.  Cole. 
George  Christian, 
Clifton   H.   Dodson. 
Zclla  L.  Daniels. 
John  P.  Dougherty. 
Charles  H.  Dixon, 
John  H.   Eaton, 


William  .A.  Foster, 
W.  Q.  Folks. 
Charles  B.  Farley. 
Iii>epli   Ferris. 
John  W.  Gaylord, 
James  W.  Gorin, 
Henry  T.  Gray, 
John  L.  Clardiner. 
Charles  G.  Greaves, 
Henry   Harwood. 
Thomas  S.  Jackson. 
Mo-es  Jacobs, 
John  Jones. 
Daniel  -A.  Lassiter. 
Jnhn  E.  Milow. 
Frank  .A.  Milton, 


154 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


John  E.  Morris, 
John  A.  Morrisey, 
Major  F.  Moore, 
Edward  W.  Moore, 
Edgar  N.  Mallone, 
Louis  Myers, 
James  C.  McGinnis, 
William  H.  McClennan. 
Henry  W.  McDermott, 
William  H.  Nelson, 
James  A.  Potts. 
William  Powell. 
Jeremiah   Perr\', 
Constantine  Politicari, 
Peter  Rokos. 
Richard  E.  Riddick, 
Benjamin  Rippi, 


Edgar  L.   Sweezey, 
Oscar  L.  Shipp, 
William  L.   Thomas, 
George  B.   Sheppard, 
John  J.  Walsh, 
Ben.   T.   White, 
Caudiiis  L.  White. 
Henrv   T.  White, 
Frank  \V.  Walker, 
William  H.  Williams, 
Ernest  F.  Wilkins. 
Harry  E.  Williams, 
Isaac  F.  Wilkinson, 
Hunter  Wing. 
Edward  F.  Wilson. 
George  H.  Worrell. 


OLD  DOMINION  GUARD, 

COMP.\NY   L.    FOURTH  REGIMENT  VIRGINIA    INF.\NTRY,  U.  S.  V. 

This  comfiany  zvas  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  Me.y  21.  1898,  and  n'as  mustered  out  April  2(), 
1899. 

Captain.  George  A.  Brooks. 

1st  lieutenant.  Albert  G.  Epes. 

2nd  lieutenant.  William  H.  Dunn.  (Resigned  No- 
vember 22.  1898.) 

1st  sergeant,  George  S.  Hutchins.  (Promoted  to  2nd 
lieutenant.) 

Quartermaster   sergeant.   Walter   R.    Bennett. 

Sergeants.  William  W.  Wright.  Jr..  Thomas  E. 
Munds.  Benjamin  H.  Lassiter.  James  C.   Hutchins. 

Corporals.  Claude  N.  Markham.  Kenneth  J.  Griffin, 
Lewis  L.  Bilisoly.  William  B.  Burton.  George  M.  Job- 
son.  Nathaniel  O.  Williams. 

Musicians.   William  H.  Journee.   Harry   P.  Lane. 

Artificer.   George  R.   Myers. 

Wagoner,  George  E.  Whitehurst. 


Thomas  Allen. 
Frederick  V.  Abbott. 
Harry  L.   Belote. 
Cornelius  Borum. 
William  E.  Calvert. 
Patrick  J.  Campbell, 
George  W.  Cherry. 
Henry  L.  Culpepper, 
Walter  H.  Cramer, 
William  H.  Dorn, 
Harry  Fields. 
Charles  Grant. 
William  M.  Gray, 
John  A.  Green, 
Harry  Gregg, 
"Lewis  J.  Gorsuch. 
Clarence  Hingertv, 
L-e  B.  Hodges, 
Henry  F.  Housch, 
John  T.  Hughes. 
Eustace  B.  Hundley, 


Privates. 

Isaac  D.  Jones. 
Frank  J.  Keller. 
Geo.  E.  Kramer. 
Cliarles  A;   Lewis, 
Charles  H.  Lassiter, 
Charles  Linn. 
Louis  N.  LaTouche, 
Hugh  S.  Martin, 
Pete  V.  Maiette, 
George  B.  Madison, 
.\ddis  ]McCuIlev. 
William  T.  McCloskey, 
Harry  C.  Mattis. 
George  H.  Morisette, 
William  J.  Miskill, 
William   L.    Marshall, 
Joseph  Nicholson, 
Aaron  Porter. 
Milton  H.  Porter, 
Charles  H.   Perry, 
Walter  Quillin, 


William  Ricketts, 
John  L.  Reynolds, 
Robert  J.  Russell, 
William  T.   Roberts, 
Philip  L.  Seay. 
Theodore  Seed, 
John  E.  Taylor, 
John  H.  Toomer, 
Robert  L.  Taylor, 
Thomas  E.  Tucker, 


Ambrose  P.  Tyler, 
George  P.  Thompson, 
Littleton  B.  Tucker, 
Robert   C.  Vaughan, 
Claude  Vaughan, 
George  W.  West, 
William  H.   Williams, 
Bayless  Welsch, 
Fernando  J.  White, 
Wilbur  Waldrop. 


SECOND  REGI.MEXT  \"JRGIXI.\  INF.\XTRY,  U.  S.  V. 
PORTSMOUTH  RIFLE  COMPANY. 

C0MP.\NV  I,.  SECOND  REGIMENT  VIRGINI.\  INF.^NTRV,  U.   S.  V. 

This  company  was  mustered  into  the  United  States 
sen  ice  Mjy  ig.  i8gS,  and  mustered  out  December  19, 
1S9S. 

Captain,  E.  W.  Owens. 

1st  lieutenant.  John  W.  Leigh. 

2nd  lieutenant.   William  R.   Parrish. 

I  St  sergeant.  James  L.  Busby. 

2nd  sergeant.  William  L.  Dilsbury. 

Sergeants.  Charles  E.  Slote.  Leroy  F.  Vaughn,  Will- 
iam H.  Brown.  Richard  A.  Alexander. 

Corporals,  John  A.  Nobrega,  Charles  T.  Rudd.  Harry 
Davis,  Jesse  L.  Duffee,  Amos  J.  Weston,  Henry  A,  J. 
Smits. 

Drummer.  George  H.  Lamar. 

Bugler.  John  W.  Hodges. 

Artificer,  Harry  E.  White. 

Wagoner,  Elijah  Rickets. 


Privates. 


Louis  Banks, 
John  M.  Barnett. 
Charles  E.  Connell, 
Patrick  Cox. 
George  O.  Diggs, 
Walter  M.   Duffee, 
Joseph  M.  Davis, 
Prince  A.  Fox. 
Nicholas  Grootewall. 
John  W.  Green. 
James  L.  Gray. 
John  C.  Gallager. 
Benjamin  F.  Godwin. 
Albert  Gay. 
George  .•\.  Hawes, 
Fred  Hanson. 
John  J.   Hunt. 
William  R.  Hill. 
Enoch  -J.  Harlow. 
William  M.  Harris, 
John  E.  Tarvis. 
Arthur  Ketcham, 
Lloyd  A.  Kay. 
James  Kilgrow. 
George  F.  Keough, 
Treville  Latouche. 


Joseph    Lane, 
.Samuel  A.  Lecroy. 
lenacy  A.  Langewicz. 
Peter  Lynch. 
James  J.  jNIurnhy. 
William  H.. Martin. 
James  W.  ^Miller.   Tr.. 
W'lliam  H.  Aliller. 
Pck   McDearmon. 
Francis  W.  Nutter, 
Clifford   L.    Parker. 
Ernest  Pendleton. 
William  B.  Perry. 
John  W.  Percival. 
Richard  T.   Powers. 
Carrington  J.  Rhodes, 
AMlliam   .\.   Rouse. 
Henry  O.  Russ, 
John  Starke, 
Thomas  Saunders. 
William  H.   Sebrell. 
Robert    Snodgriss. 
Patrick  J.  Sheehy. 
Louis   Shacklock. 
Joseph  T.  Sullivan, 
George  \".   Smith, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


'55 


Henry  S.  Tyler, 
Henry  J.  Terrell, 
Nathaniel  Varney, 
James  Walsh, 
Henry  T.  White, 


Ernest  C.  Walters, 
Emory  B.  Wood, 
Charles  H.  Wingficid, 
Earl  H.  Wright, 
James  H.  Young. 


NAVY. 


Lieut.  Kenneth  McMpine,  U.  S.  S.  "Texas." 
Capt.  Wendell  Gushing  Neville.  U.  S.  Marine  Corps. 
Evan  T.  Hunley,  Boilermaker,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  many 
others  whose  names  could  not  be  obtained. 

Tlie  follnwing  citizen  sailors  were  on  the 
"Maine"'  when  she  was  blown  up  in  Havana 
Harbor : 


Charles  .Anderson,  Norfolk. 
Robert  Hutchings.  Norfolk. 
Charles  Rushworth,  Norfolk. 
Patrick   O'Ncil.   Norfolk. 
James  O'Rouke.  Norfolk. 
James   W.    Allen.   Portsmouth. 
Thomas  Kane,  Portsmouth. 
James  T.  Gordon,  Portsmouth. 
Robert  White,   Portsmouth. 
Charies  O.  White,  Portsmouth. 
Michael  Flarherty,  Portsmouth. 

The  hospital  ship  "Solace"  came  in  the  har- 
bor on  July  1 6,  1898,  and  delivered  at  the  U. 
S.  Naval  Hospital,  59  wounded  Americans 
and  47  Spaniards. 


CHAPTER  X 


THE   AGRICULTURAL  RESOURCES 

Growth  and  Importance  of  the  Trucking  Industry — The  "Father  of  Truckers" — 
The  Chief  Crops  Grown  Profitably  Here  —  Tobacco  the  Dethroned  King — 
Early  Regulations  on  the  Growth  of  Tobacco. 


"He  tliat  tilleth  his  land  shall  ha\'e  plenty 
of  bread"  and  Emerson  says :  "The  first  farm- 
er was  the  first  man,  and  all  historic  nobility 
rests  on  possession,  and  use  of  land."  Why  is 
not  the  intelligent  use  of  the  hoe  and  plow  as 
honorable  as  the  plane  of  the  carpenter,  the 
file  of  the  machinist,  the  hammer  of  the  black- 
smith, the  pen  of  the  lawyer,  the  sword  of  the 
soldier?  Agriculture  is  the  basis  of  the  Re- 
l^ublic's  wealth.  It  is  the  unfailing  source  of 
prosperity  tov  the  people.  The  skilful  culti- 
vation of  lands  not  only  brings  material  pros- 
perit)-,  but  makes  attractive  scenery  which 
cheers  the  soul  of  man — the  vines  and  olives 
of  the  hillsides  of  the  Holy  Land,  the  pastures 
and  flocks  of  its  ^•alleys,  the  wheat  and 
barley  of  its  river  l;)anks  were  the  re- 
sources    which     made     Terusalem     beautiful. 


Rural  training. 


practical  gardening"  and  farm- 


ing" should  be  taught  in  the  schools  tO'  impress 
the  utility  and  glory  of  agriculture  upon  the 
y-oung.  The  agricultural  resources  of  Nor- 
folk County  ha\'e  already  been  great:  but  will 
be  far  greater,  when  the  vast  areas  of  untilled 
ground  are  made  to  yield  toi  the  plow  and  hoe, 
l^roducing  their  full  capacity.  Away  from  the 
salt  water  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  coun- 
ty, corn,  cotton,  Irish  potatoes  and  grass  are 
-but  the  great  agricultural 


the  principal  crops- 


liusiness  of  the  county  is  horticulture  or 
"trucking."  The  late  Richard  Cox  was  the 
first  successful  trucker  of  the  county  and  was 
called  the  "Father  of  Truckers."  He  came 
to  this  county  in  1844  from  New  Jersey  and 
located  on  the  Armistead  farm  near  the  mouth 
of  the  ^^'estern  Branch,  which  farm  he  culti- 
vated on  shares,  realizing  in  the  first  year 
$1,000  for  the  owner,  who  had  oft'ered  t(.)  rent 
it  tO'  him  for  $200.  Hugh  Bates  was  the  first 
trucker  who  settled  in  Norfolk  county  and 
W.  I.  Bishop  was  the  second, — ^both  from  New 
Jersey.  Thev  preceded  Mr..  Cox  two  or  three 
years  but  neither  made  a  success  of  the  Inisi- 
ness.  So  by  right  of  prosperous  achievements 
Richard  Cox  was  the  "Father  of  Truckers," 
having  successfully  introduced  the  agricultural 
pursuit  which  is  the  chief  basis  of  the  wealth 
of  Norfolk  County.  He  cultivated  the  Armi- 
stead farm  until  1856  when  he  purchased  a 
farm  at  the  mouth  of  the  Western  Branch. 
Here  he  fully  realized  that  "He  that  tilleth  his 
land  shall  have  plenty  of  bread."  The  first 
hot-bed  e\-er  made  in  this  section  was  his  work 
and  is  still  on  the  old  homestead  adjoining 
Port  Norfolk.  The  Census  Bureau  in  iSgi 
issued  a  Ixilletin  on  truck  farming  that  is  of 
much  interest  to  truckers  and  shows  its  growth 
since    the    introduction    56  years  ago.     The 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


157 


twelftli  census  gives  the  value  uf  the  farm 
products  in  the  entire  12  census  districts  of 
the  State  at  $76,507,155.  after  paying  freights 
and  commissions. 

The  same  authority  gives  tlie  trucking 
area  of  the  Norfolk  section  as  45.375  acres, 
and  a  product  value  of  $7,692,859.  This  is 
over  10  per  cent,  of  the  entire  product. 

Norfolk  County's  climatic  and  topographic 
conditions  are  such  as  to  indicate  its  natural 
adaptaliility  for  the  profitahle  raising  of  gar- 
'den  truck.  It  is  located  on  the  Atlantic  Coast 
in  Latitude  36  degrees  5 1  minutes  North,  and 
enji.ys  the  benefit  of  the  tempering  influence 
of  tlie  Gulf  Stream.  Its  soil  is  a  rich  sandy 
loam,  quickly  responsive  to  fertilization  and 
cultivation  and  gives  abundant  yields. 

A.  JeiYers,  proprietor  of  the  Cornucopia, 
or  Southern  Horn  of  Plenty,  who  keeps  thor- 
oughly in  touch  with  the  agricultiual  develop- 
nient  of  this  section,  gives  as  his  opinion  that 
the  increase  of  acreage  and  product  since  the 
1890  census  is  fully  ^o  per  cent :  "The  aggre- 
gate sales  of  market  garden  vegetables. — from 
the  area  embraced  in  a  circle  drawn  20  miles 
around  this  seaport, — have  reached  a  point  ex- 
ceeding 85.000,000  in  a  single  vear.  Xo  other 
agricultural  area  in  the  United  States,  or  in 
the  world,  can  make  such  a  good  showing,  and 
equal  the  output  of  this  portion  of  Eastern  \'ir- 
ginia  near  the  sea. — this  portion  of  the  middle 
Atlantic  Seaboard." 

At  least  30  different  crops  are  grown  here 
extensively  and  profitably,  such  as  asparagus, 
apples.  l)erries.  l)eans,  beets,  snap-1>eans,  cab- 
Ijages,  cucumljers,  canteloupes,  celery,  kale, 
radishes,  onions,  potatoes  ( lx>th  Irish  and 
sweet),  peas,  lettuce,  spinach,  squash,  turnips, 
tomatoes  and  watermelons  and  a  large  number 
of  other  market  garden  vegetables,  also  hay, 
oats,  corn  and  other  regular  farm  crops.  The 
larger  and  more  important  crops  are:  Berries 
(alx)ut  lo.ooo.oOo  quarts  per  annum),  beans 
(200.000  half-barrel  baskets),  cabbages  (225.- 
000  Ijarrels),  cucumbers  (100,000  barrels  and 
boxes),  kale  (100,000  barrels),  lettuce  (10,- 
000  baskets),  sweet  potatoes  (60,000  barrels). 


Irish  potatoes  (450,000  barrels),  peas  (100,- 
000  ba.skets),  radishes  (50,000  barrels  and 
baskets),  spinach  (120,000  barrels),  tomatoes 
(70,000  boxes),  and  watermelons  (600,000). 
Some  of  the  early  shipments  of  the  pioneer 
truckers  brought  fabulons  prices.  Mr.  Cox 
received  $15  a  barrel  for  green  [leas,  Sio  a 
barrel  for  tomatoes,  and  sold  cucumljers  for 
$45  and  $50  »  barrel.  ]VIr.  Bishop  received 
S90  for  the  first  crate  of  berries  shipiied  to 
New  York. 

TOBACCO,    THE    DETHRONED    KIXO. 

Tol)acc()  was  king  in  the  coliinial  days  of 
\'irginia  and  the  staple  crop  of  all  the  plan- 
tations. The  laws  not  only  regulated  the  in- 
spection and  sale  but  also  the  planting  and 
curing.  It  was  the  principal  currency  for 
nearly  150  years.  Salaries,  taxes  and  all  man- 
ner of  obligations  were  payable  in  tobacco. 
The  yearly  salary  of  the  King's  attorney  was 
1. 000  pounds  of  tobacco  and  the  sheriff  i,2oa- 
pounds.  In  order  to  prevent  an  inflatii;.n  of 
the  currency  or  excessi\e  production  the  plant- 
ing was  limited  to  from  1,500  to  2,000  plants 
per  poll.  Inspectors  were  recpiired  to  view  the 
plantations  and  make  oath  before  the  loth  day 
of  July  that  ih'ey  had  counted  the  plants ;  they 
were  recjuired  to  report  to  court  the  result  of 
their  ins]3ection.  If  a  ])lanter  exceeded  the 
number  of  plants  allowed  by  law  he  was  re- 
quired to  cut  down  his  whole  crop  or  be  im- 
prisoned. Warehouses  for  lietter  upholding 
the  prices  of  tobacco  were  established  by  law 
in  1632,  to  which  all  producers  were  obliged 
to  bring  all  of  their  tobacco  liefore  the  last  day 
of  December,  except  enough  for  home  con- 
sumption, to  be  repacked  and  inspected  by 
sworn  officers.  Xo  tobacco  could  be  paid  or 
received  in  payment  until  inspected.  All  bad 
tobacco  was  burned  and  the  planters  prohib- 
ited from  planting  any  more  tobacco.  The 
law  prohil)ited  the  planting  or  replanting  of 
tobacco  after  the  loth  of  July.  In  1639  to- 
bacco, by  reason  of  the  excessive  quantities 
produced,  being  so  low  in  price  that  the  plant- 


158 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ers  could  not  subsist  l>y  it  or  be  enabled  to  raise 
more  staple  commodities  or  pay  their  debts,  a 
law  was  enacted  that  the  tobacco  of  that  year 
be  viewed  by  sworn  viewers  and  the  rotten, 
the  unmerchantable  and  half  of  the  good  be 
burned,  so'  the  whole  quantity  made  in  the 
Colony  would  not  exceed  1.500,000  pounds 
without  stripping  and  smoothing.  The  next 
year  170  pounds  of  to-bacco  stripped  and 
smoothed  was  allowed  tO'  be  made  per  poll, 
which  would  make,  in  the  whole,  1,300,000 
pounds ;  and  all  creditors  were  rec|uired  to  take 
40  pounds  for  100  pounds.  The  casks  could 
only  be  purchased  from,  coopers  and  the  middle 
men  were  not  permitted  tO'  speculate  011  cooper 
wares.  A  hogshead  was  required  to  be  43 
inches  long  and  the  head  26  inches  in  di- 
ameter, with  proportionate  bulge,  The  pen- 
alty for  manufacturing  one  of  oversize  was 
3,000  pounds  of  tobacco,  and  a  cask  made  of 
timber  not  well  seasoned  was  required  to  be 
burned.  A  cask  held  350  pounds  and  any 
cooper  who  worked  timber  not  fallen  and 
hewed  three  months  forfeited  500  pounds  of 
tobacco.  In  1705  the  law  was  that  "Whoso'- 
ever  shall  hereafter  pack,  or  cause  the  same  to 
be  packed,  any  hogshead  of  tobacco^,  they  pack 
or  cause  the  same  to  be  packed  fairly,  without 
deceit  and  equally  good  throughout  as  it  ap- 
pears at  the  head."  *  *  *  "And  if  any  person 
or  persons  whatsoever  shall  pay  away  or  put 
to  sale  any  hogshead  of  tobaccO'  which  he  hath 
deceitfully,  or  hath  caused,  or  suffered  to  be 
deceitfully  packed,  by  putting  thereuntO'  any 
stones  or  intermingling  any  dirt,  sand,  to- 
bacco stalks,  stems,  seconds,  ground  leaves  or 
other  trash  whatsoever,  shall  forfeit  for  every 
hogshead  so  deceitfully  packed  1,000  pounds 
of  tobacco." 

Act  of  Assembly,  1639: 

It  is  thought  fit  and  esta1)lislied  that  in  and  for  the 
several  circuits  and  precincts  hereunder  mentioned  there 
be  yearly  chosen  and  appointed  men  of  experience  and 
in  dignity  for  the  careful  viewing  of  each  man's  crop  of 
tobacco,  the  viewers  of  this  year  being  nominated  and 
appointed  by  the  Assembly  are  as  followeth  (viz). 
The  viewers  for  the  present  year  are  hereunder  named 


(viz.)   commissioners  being  joined  to  see  the  said  exe- 
cution. 


LOWER    NORFOLK   COUNTY. 

From  Captain  Willoughby's  to  Daniel  Tanner's 
Creek:  Captani  Thos.  Willoughby,  William  Shipp, 
Robert  Jones. 

For  the  Western  Branch  to  Elizabeth  River:  Lieut. 
Francis  Mason,  Henry  Camelyn,  Thomas  Wright.  From 
Daniel  Tanner's  Creek,  the  Eastern  Branch  on  both 
sides,  Mr.  William  Julian,  John  Gates,  George  Fandon. 

For  the  Southern  Branch  on  both  sides :  Captain 
John  Sibsey,  Thomas  Means,  Robert  Martin.  For  the 
Little  Creek  and  Eastern  shore :  Henry  Sewell,  Robert 
Hayes,   Christo.   Burrows. 

•      For  the  south  side  of  the  river,  Mr.  Edward  Wind- 
hain,  John  Stratton,  Thos.  Keeling. 


The  overproduction  being  so  great  as  to 
glut  all  the  markets,  the  legislature  suspended 
tobacco^  planting  from  February  i,  1666,  to 
February  i,  1667. 

All  tobacco  for  export  was  required  tO'  be 
shipped  from  a  port  designated  by  law  and 
Norfolk  was  one  of  the  places  first  designated. 
There  were  tobacco  warehouses  at  Norfolk, 
Portsmouth  and  Great  Bridge.  Although  there 
were  thousands  of  acres  planted  in  tobacco  in 
the  first  century  of  the  existence  of  Norfolk 
County,  now  at  the  end  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury there  is  not  an  acre  cultivated  in  the 
whole  county.  There  are,  howe\-er,  in  the 
cities  of  the  county  many  flourishing  manufac- 
tories, where  tobacco  leaves  are  rolled  into  de- 
lightful cigars.  On  November  18,  1785,  two 
lots,  Nos.  181  and  183,  belonging  to  Thomas 
Veale,  were  selected  as  a  suitable  place  for  a 
tobacco  wareho'use  in  Portsmouth  and  the 
commissioners  valued  them  at  120  pounds  cur- 
rent money.  On  the  19th  day  of  November, 
1 76 1,  Malachi  Murden,  Gent.,  produced  his 
commission  from  Hon.  Francis  Fauquier, 
Esq.,  under  the  seal  of  the  Colony,  dated  the 
1 2th  day  of  November,  as  assistant  inspector 
of  tobacco  at  the  public  warehouse  established 
in  Princess  Anne  and  Norfolk  counties,  took 
the  oath  and  gave  the  bond  for  the  office.  On 
December   3,    1742,    the  court   allowed   Capt. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


'59 


\\'illis  W'il.Miii  and  liis  smi  Lemuel  \\'ilsun 
10,000  pouiuls  of  tobacco  for  Ijuilding  a  ware- 
house at  Great  Bridge.  On  the  17th  of  IN  [arch, 
1786,  it  was  ordered  bv  tlie  court  that  'Ihimias 
Brown,  William  King  and  John  C"i>w])er  meet 
and  let  out  to  the  lowest  bidder  the  building  of 
a  wareiiouse  for  the  receptinn  of  tobacco  in 
Portsmouth. — 60  by  40  feet,  with  a  shed  on 
eacli  side  10  feet  wide,  one  funnel  of  brick  and 
a  wharf  agreeable  to  law, — and  make  report 
to  the  court.  On  .\pril  2,  1787,  Henry  Brown, 
contractor,  finished  the  warehouse  for  419 
pounds  current  money. 

There  was  a  large  tobacco  warehouse  at 
Town  Point  in  Norfolk  Borough.  On  the  17th 
day  of  January,  1771,  the  court  ordered  that 
George  Veale,  Thomas  Veale,  John  Portlock 
and  ^lalachi  \\'ilson  view  the  warehouse  built 
on  Town  Point  and  re]>ort  their  opinion,  and 
on  the  1 8th  day  of  January  the  commissioners 
apjxvinted  to  view  the  warehouse  built  on  the 
Town  Point  land  reported  that  they  had 
viewed  the  same  and  were  of  the  opinion  that 


the  said  house  is  \-ery  convenient  and  ^uffK•ient 
for  a  warehouse  for  the  insi>ection  of  tobacco 
agreeable  to  Act  of  General  Assembly  and  the 
court  agreed  to  pay  127  pounds  current  money 
for  the  same  at  the  laying  of  the  next  levy, 
with  interest  from  the  time  when  the  key  is 
tlelivered  until  payment,  which  the  proprietor 
of  the  Town  Point  Company  agreed  to  accept. 
On  August  18,  1757,  the  court  recom- 
mended (to  the  Governor  and  Council)  Ben- 
jamin Dingly  Gray  and  Jesse  Sykes  to  be  in- 
spectors of  tobacco  and  the  recommendations 
were  equivalent  to  appointment.  On  August 
17,  1767,  Peter  Butt  and  Jeremiah  Murden, 
Sr.,  were  recommended.  On  the  20th  day  of 
August,  1789,  the  court  recommended  John 
Morris  and  John  Branan  to  l>e  first  inspectors 
of  tobacco  and  James  Gaskins  and  Benjamin 
Crow  additional  inspectors  at  the  warehouse  in 
Portsmouth.  On  December  18,  .  1843,  the 
court  recommended  \\'alter  DeLacy  and  Rob- 
ert Stanwood'to  be  inspectors  of  tobacco  for 
Portsmouth. 


CHAPTER.  XI 


THE  DISMAL  SWAMP 

The  wonderful  Swamp  Region  of  Norfolk  County — O'Reilly's  Description  of  the 
Dismal  Swamp — Juniper  Water — Geology — Topography — Vegetation —  Animal 
Life — Methods  of  Draining, 


The  Dismal  Swamp  is  a  noted  section  of 
Virginia  and  North  CaroHna  and  has  a  large 
area  in  Norfolk  Count}-.  Its  limits  are  not  well 
defined,  but  it  embraces  thousands  of  acres  of 
wild  land  that  have  produced  untold  quantities 
of  \-aluable  timber.  Even  away  back  in  early 
colonial  days  the  lumberman's  axe  resounded 
in  its  great  forests,  and  when  the  Indians 
hunted  in  its  depths  it  was  one  vast  green  of 
flourisliing  juniper  trees,  except  where  the 
towering  cypress  and  pines  overtopped  the  ash, 
maple  and  gum  trees  that  flourished  on  some 
of  its  lands  of  different  soil.  Around  the  lake 
of  the  Dismal  Swamp  and  on  the  tongue-like 
peninsulas  which  lick  in  from  the  borders,  these 
latter  are  indigeiKnis  ;  but  the  largest  area  was 
covered  by  the  evergreen  of  the  white  cedars, 
that  have  left  the  tangled  beds  of  everlasting 
roots,  overgrown  by  shrubs  and  vines  noit 
higher  than  a  man's  head,  making  expanses 
which  are  termed  "lights,"  because  you  can 
stand  on  a  stump  and  overlook  them  as  far  as 
the  eye  can  reach.  There  are  still  some  oases 
in  these  "lights,"  that  grow  clumps  of  green 
trees  which  reproduce  very  rapidly  after  the 
timber  has  been  cut,  and  for  these  the 
"lights"  are  still  valued  at  $i.oo  per  acre, 
although  it  may  take  a  hundred  acres  to  pro- 
duce one  of  "green."     When   these   "lights" 


are  swept  by  fire  the  black  stump  roots  demon- 
strate the  heavy  growth  of  juniper  which  has 
been  there,  and  the  corduroy  roads  penetrating 
in  every  direction  remind  us  of  the  labor  of  the 
mules  and  swamp  slaves,  who'  were  the  happy 
lords  of  the  domain.  The  old  shanties  on  beds 
of  shavings  are  g'one,  the  drawing-knife  no 
longer  glistens  in  the  sunlight,  the  maul  and 
frow  are  silent  forever ;  new  schemes  have 
taken  hold  of  the  old  swamp  and  now  mule 
cars  ou  tramways,  and  in  some  places  steam 
engines,  haul  the  log  timber  that  formerly 
came  out  in  riven  shingles  by  mule  carts  on 
corduroy  paths. 

The  numerous  trees  and  shrubs  flourish 
luxuriantly  in  the  water  or  morass.  The 
juniper  tree  (Ciiprcssits  tliyoidcs)  stands 
firmly  \n  the  softest  part  of  the  quagmire  sup- 
ported by  long  tap-roots.  Ferns,  reeds  and 
myriads  of  shrubs  form  a  carpet  that  is  never 
exposed  to  the  sun  on  account  of  the  dense 
shade  of  these  trees. 

Trunks  of  large  trees  lie  buried  in  this 
soil,  and  e\-en  where  dense  growths  of  juniper 
trees  are  standing  as  many  more  may  be  found 
buried  in  the  peaty  soil.  In  this  loose  soil  they 
are  easily  Ijlown  down,  and  soon  sink  from 
sight.  \Vhen  kept  wet  they  never  decay,  save 
the  sap-wood,  which  is  not  more  than  one  or 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


i6i 


two  inches  tliick.  A  very  large  pruportiun  ut 
tlie  lumber  made  into  shingles  is  obtained  by 
sounding  below  the  surface :  it  is  then  dug  out 
and  "worked  up." 

The  Dismal  Swamp  is  on  a  hillside  22  feet 
alK>ve  the  level  of  the  sea.  If  a  wide  and  deep 
ditch  were  dug  from  tidewater  to  the  lake  in 
tiie  center  of  this  swamp  the  water  thereof 
would  run  out  to  the  sea  like  a  mill-race,  and 
the  swamp  would  be  a  thing  of  the  past.  This 
swamp  was  surveyed  by  Washington  at  an 
early  day,  and  he  owned  large  tracts  in  the 
swamp.  There  are  no  waters  in  the  United 
States  so  pure  as  those  of  this  swamp.  For- 
merly government  vessels  leaving  for  long 
ocean  voyages  secured  the  juniper  water  from 
the  swamp  on  accour.t  of  both  its  medicinal 
and  keeping  qualities.  Invalids  who,  with  rod 
and  gun,  go  into  this  swamp  and  spend  a 
week  or  months  sleeping  on  juniper  boughs. 
drinking  juniper  water  and  inhaling  the  ju- 
niper impregniated  air,  rapidly  improve  in 
health.  a]jpetite  and  general  robustness. 

The  celebrated  poet,  Jolm  Boyle  O'Reilly, 
said ;  "The  region  uf  the  Dismal  Swamp  was 
intended  by  nature  to  be  a  pleasure  ground,  a 
Iiealth  resort  and  a  game  preserve  for  the  east- 
ern side  of  the  continent.  In  spite  of  all  that 
has  been  done  and  left  undone  to  destroy  it, 
the  swamp  itself  is,  probably,  the  healthiest 
spot  in  America.  Its  delicious  juniper  water 
prevents  malaria  more  effectually  and  perfectly 
than  the  famed  eucalyptus  of  Australia.  The 
flying  game  of  the  continent  centers  in  this 
region,  and  the  lake  in  winter  is  the  best  shoot- 
ing ground  in  the  country.  Xow  that  wealthy 
clubs  and  individuals  are  buying  up  the  coast 
shooting,  this  incomparalile  natural  preserve 
ought  to  be  secured  for  the  nation  or  the 
State."  Lake  Drummond  is  a  beautiful  sheet 
of  water  nestling  in  the  very  bostim  of  tlie 
great  unkept  e.xpanse  of  vines  and  woods. 
The  shores  are  ragged  with  roots  and  stumps 
made  bare  by  the  washing  of  the  sleepless 
waters.  Lake  Drummoufl  is  poetically  known 
as  the  "Lake  of  the  Dismal  Swam])."  which 
has  been  immortalized  in  ])oetry  b\-  the  noble 


bard  Moure,  who  wrote  froin  Xorftjlk,  \  ir- 
ginia,  in  1803,  a  ballad  entitled  "The  Lake  of 
the  Dismal  Swamp,"  prefaced  by  a  short  love 
story  uf  a  young  man  who  lost  his  mind  upon 
the  death  of  a  girl  he  loved,  and  imagined  her 
not  dead  but 

Gone  to  the  Lake  of  the  Di>inial  Swamp. 

O'Reilly  saxs  it  is  the  \ery  eye  of  material 
anguish: — '"Its  circle  of  silvery  beach  is 
flooded  and  hidden,  antl  still  the  pent-up 
water,  vainly  beseeciiing  an  outlet,  is  raised 
and  driven  in  unnatural  enmity  to  the  riiots  of 
the  tall  juniper,  cypress  and  gum  trees  that 
completely  surround  its  shore.  The  wa\-es 
that  should  murmur  and  Ijreak  on  a  strand  of 
incomparable  brilliancy  are  pushed  bex'ond 
their  proper  limits  and  compelled  to  soften  and 
sap  the  productive  earth ;  to  wash  bare  and 
white  the  sinews  of  the  friendly  trees  and  in- 
undate a  wide  region  of  extraordinary  fer- 
tility. The  bleached  roots  of  the  doomed  trees 
seem  to  shudder  and  shrink  from  the  weltering 
death.  There  is  an  evident  bending  upw  ard  of 
the  overtaken  roots  to  escape  suiifocation.  The 
shores  of  the  lake  are  like  a  scene  from  the 
Inferno,  flatted,  twisted  and  broken,  the 
roots,  like  living  things  in  danger,  arch  them- 
selves out  of  the  dark  fltxHl,  pitifully  striving 
to  hold  aloft  their  noble  stems  and  branches. 
The  water  of  the  lake,  dark  almost  as  blood, 
from  the  surface  flow  of  juniper  sap  and  other 
vegetable  matter,  is  forced  from  si.\  to  ten 
feet  above  its  natural  level  and  dri\-en  by  winds 
hither  to  this  bank  to-day  and  thither  to 
morrow,  washing  every  \-estige  of  earth  from 
the  helpless  life-g)-ves,  till  its  wlmle  circum- 
ference is  a  woeful  network  of  gnarled  trunks 
and  intertwined  fibres.  l)leached  and  dry  as  the 
bones  of  a  skeleton,  and  sheltering  no  life  but 
that  of  the  l)lue  lizard  and  red-throated  moc- 
casin. These  bare  roots  and  blasted  stum]:is 
circle  the  waters  like  a  hideous  crown,  till  the 
lake  becomes  a  realization  of  the  Medusa. 
Here,  far  from  the  voices  of  mankind,  the 
Gorgon  stares  at  heaven,  Init  sees  with  intru- 


C62 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


verted  eyes  (.niv  tlie  writhing  liorror  of  her 
own  brow ;  hears  only  tlie  hiss,  and  shrinks 
from  the  kiss  of  her  serpent  locks,  gazing  into 
no'  living  eyes  but  those  of  her  own  damnable 
strands.  The  lake  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  is  a 
victim  waiting  for  deliverance.  Release  her 
and  she  is  no  longer  }iledusa ;  the  snake  lair 
Avill  give  place  to  bands  of  gold  and  light ;  the 
region  contaminated  by  her  oppression  will  re- 
joice and  blossom  like  a  garden." 

O'Reilly,  who  made  a  canoeing  tour 
through  the  Dismal  Swamp,  wrote  as  follcnvs 
to  a  friend,  the  letter  being  published  in  the 
Boston  Herald: 

I.N'    THE   DlSM.\I.    S\V.\MP. 

Wednesday  Morning.  May  i6,   1888. 

Dear  Ned :  I  write  this  from  near  the  heart  of  the 
Dismal  Swamp,  and  send  it  by  an  obliging  canal  man 
to  Norfolk. 

This  place  is  wonderful  and  beautiful.  It  is  a 
desolate   land   crying   for  attention   and   reclamation. 

The  story  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  is  a  tragedy  of 
nature  and  a  disgrace  to  civilization. 

Mr,  Moseley  and  I  have  had  twenty-four  hours  of 
continued  amazement  and  enjoyment. 

This  is  the  most  defamed  land  on  the  earth.  The 
Dismal  Swamp  is  the  greatest  sanitarium  on  the  Amer- 
ican continent 

In  two  hours  we  start  for  the  lake,  at  the  very 
centre  where  they  dug  for  the  lady 

"A  grave  too  cold  and  damn. 

For  a  heart  so  warm  and  true. 
And  all  night  long  by  her  tireflv  lamp 

She  paddles  her  light  canoe." 

Faithfully  yours. 

John  Boyle  O'Reilly. 

Last  night  we  stopped  at  Mr.  Wallace's,  in  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp, — one  of  the  largest  and  most  beautiful 
farms  in  America.  Last  winter  he  killed  on  his  farm 
30  bears, 

O'Reilly  sent  the  following  telegrams  to 
some  of  his  Boston   friends : 

"The  most  wonderful  and  beautiful  sheet  of  water 
on  the  continent." 

"This  message  is  sent  to  Suffolk  by  canal-chance- 
■boatman." 

"The  greatest  fishing  I  have  ever  seen,  Mr,  Mose- 
ley shot  a  bald-headed  eagle  last  night — a  splendid  bird." 

"Every  hour  unfolds  new  beauties  and  interesting 
sights." 


JUNIPER    WATER. 

Have  you  ever  tasted  juniper  water?  It 
is  nature's  own  remedy  for  kidney  and  other 
troubles  of  the  human  system.  It  is  found  in 
unlimited  quantities  in  the  recesses  of  the 
great  Dismal  Swamp,  and  the  Dismal  Swamp 
Canal  and  Lake  Drummond  are  bodies  of 
juniper  water.  Its  medicinal  virtues  come 
from  the  vast  quantity  of  juniper  roots  and 
juniper  berries  that  have  been  soaking  for  ages 
in  the  recesses  of  the  great  Dismal  Swamp. 
This  water  is  of  a  light  brown  color,  pleasant 
tO'  the  taste  and  keeps  for  years. 

Its  virtues  were  known  long  agOi  to  the 
toilers  of  the  sea  and  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years  it  has  been  in  much  demand  for  "ship's 
use"  on  account  of  its  health-giving  and  long- 
keeping  qualities. 

The  juniper  water  is  here  in  immense 
quantities  and  fortunes  are  awaiting  the  men 
who  will  put  it  on  the  market  and  ship  it  all 
over  the  world.  Capital  and  enterprise  have 
long  overlooked  this  wealth  given  us  sO'  prod- 
igally by  nature,  but  the  day  will  probably 
come  when  our  juniper  water  will  take  its 
rightful  place  among  the  great  medicinal 
waters  of  the  world. 

The  e.xcavations  for  the  canal  tluough  the 
swamp  showed  varied  material,  but  it  consisted 
chiefly  of  hard  clay  mixed  with  sand.  The 
deepest  excavation  extended  to  a  depth  of 
17/^2  feet  below  the  normal  surface  of  the 
water.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  at  this 
depth  a  large  number  of  fossils  and  oyster 
shells,  together  with  coral  and  other  calca- 
reous matter,  were  brought  up  by  the  dredges. 
"The  specimens  belong  to  a  deposit  of  the 
Miocene  age.  and  include  ovster  shells  weigh- 
ing as  much  as  five  pounds  apiece  and  fully 
12  inches  in  length."  There  are  many  very 
productive  farms  on  the  peninsulas  in  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp,  but  perhaps  the  finest  is  the  Dover 
farm,  which  is  almost  a  square  block,  em- 
bracing a  thousand  acres  of  cleared  land  and 
reaching  nearer  the  lake  than  any  other  culti- 
vated land.     The  agricultural  resources  of  the 


AXD    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


165 


Dismal  Swamp  are  just  beginning  to  be  ap- 
l)recialed.  Tlie  cliapter  is  concluded  with  the 
following  interesting  article  on  the  Disnial 
Swamp,  by  Nathaniel  Southgate  Shaler.  taken 
from  the  tenth  annual  report  of-  the  United 
States  Geological  Survey : 

GEOLOGY. 

The  Dismal  Swamp  is  the  northernmost 
part  of  the  characteristic  swajnp  country 
which  borders  the  southern  Atlantic  Coast. 
It  lielongs  altogether  to  that  group  of  inun- 
dated lands  where  the  lack  of  drainage  is  due 
to  an  original  deficiency  of  sloi>e,  combined 
with  the  flow-retarding  influence  of  vegeta- 
tion on  the  movement  of  water  from  the  land. 

Although  swamps  of  a  similar  character 
are  imperfectly  de\eloped  in  the  region  north 
of  the  Potomac,  they  do  not  take  on  a  con- 
spicuous aspect  until  we  pass  southward  of 
that  stream :  and  this  for  the  reason  that  the 
surface  of  the  countrv  north  of- it  is  consider- 
ably higher  than  in  Southern  \'irginia  and  the 
Carol inas  and  has  developed  a  stronger  topog- 
raphy. The  streams  are  sufticienth-  incised  to 
l)ermit  almost  everywhere  the  read_\-  drainage 
of  the  water  despite  the  obstructing  effect  of 
vegetation.  Moreo\er.  in  the  region  north  of 
the  Potomac  the  ordinary  cane  and  other 
plants  which  obstruct  drainage  make  l)ut  a 
scanty  growth. 

The  principal  determining  cause  which  has 
led  to  the  formation  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  is 
found  in  the  character  of  the  surface  on  which 
the  marsh  accumulation  rests.  The  whole  oi 
this  coast  from  New  York  southward  has  the 
form  of  an  ancient  sea-bottom  more  or  less 
modified  by  river  action,  the  measure  of  the 
modification  being  determined  bv  the  average 
height  to  which  the  sea-floor  has  been  elevated 
above  the  le\el  of  the  ocean  and  the  steepness 
of  the  slope  toward  the  sea.  In  New  Jersey 
the  plain  is  tolerably  elevated  and  the  slope 
from  the  interior  toward  the  shore  is  steep 
enough  to  insure  a  swift  discharge  of  the  wa- 
ter.    In  Northern  Virginia  the  height  of  the 


plain  is  somewhat  reduced  and  the  slope  pro- 
portionately diminisheil.  From  the  James 
River  southward  the  elevation  of  the  plain  at 
equal  distances  from  the  shore  is  still  further 
lowered,  the  incisive  action  of  the  streams  hav- 
ing yet  further  reduced  it.  leaving  parts  of  the 
surface  in  the  form  (iriginally  belonging  to  the 
sea-bottom.  In  this  condition  the  surface  for 
a  consideraljle  distance  from  the  coast  rises  at 
an  a\erage  rate  of  about  iS  inches  to  the  mile. 
It  is  not  a  perfect  inclined  plane,  for  it  is  cast 
into  slight  elevations  and  depressions  in  a 
manner  that  reminds  one  of  the  ocean  after  a 
time  of  great  storm,  when  the  waves  have 
fallen  to  a  height  of  two  or  three  feet,  re- 
taining at  the  same  time  their  original  hori- 
zontal amplitude.  Within  tlie  limits  of  a 
scpiare  mile  the  variations  of  the  surface  of 
this  inclined  ]ilane  amount  to  not  more  than 
two  or  three  feet.  There  is  no  distinct  order 
in  the  elexations.  Ijut  in  general  their  major 
axis  seem  parallel  to  the  existing  and  former 
shore  lines. 

Turning  to  the  field  in  which  the  Dismal 
Swamp  lies,  we  find  that  on  the  west,  in  the 
Dismal  Swamp  district,  this  Iiillowy  plain  is 
sharply  bounded  by  an  escarpment  formed  by 
the  sea  when  the  surface  of  the  continent  was 
about  28  feet  below  its  present  level.  This 
old  sea-bench,  to  which  I  shall  give  the  name 
of  the  Nansemond  shore-line,  extends  from 
near  Suffolk,  Virginia,  where  it  is  rather  ob- 
scurely indicated,  hax'ing  l:)een  somewhat 
efifaced  by  erosion,  southward  with  extreme 
distinctness  of  front  to  Albemarle  Sound. 

The  eastern  boundarv  of  the  swamp  dis- 
trict is  determined  hv  certain  low  ele\'ations, 
apparently  dune-like  in  their  nature,  which  lie 
in  the  county  of  Princess  Anne,  east  of  the 
raihv.ay  extending  from  Norfolk  to  Elizabeth 
City.  This  latter  system  of  elevatipns,  which 
attain  a  height  of  only  a  few  feet,  serve  in  a 
measure  to  retain  the  swamp  waters  upon  tlie 
surfaces  on  which  the\-  lie.  They  are,  how- 
ever, of  relatively  small  importance  compared 
with  the  effect  produced  by  the  vegetation  of 
this   district.      Although  a  large  part  of  the 


164 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


area  occupied  by  the  swamps  of  this  section  of 
the  shore  is  without  distinct  marks  of  sub- 
aerial  erosion,  the  surface  is  considerably 
divided  intO'  the  region  next  the  sea  by  the 
curious,  fiord-like  indentations  which  char- 
acterize the  whole  of  our  southern  coast,  but 
which  are  more  marked  in  Virginia  than  else- 
where. These  indentations  extend  for  some 
•distance  into  the  inundated  areas,  where  they 
terminate  rather  abruptly  within  the  wide  field 
■of  swamp  deposits.  These  streams  are  deeper 
in  most  instances  than  the  open  waters  of  the 
great  bays  into  which  they  discharge.  Thus, 
in  Albemarle  Sound  the  water  is  in  most  cases 
not  half  as  deep  as  it  is  where  the  branches  of 
the  sound  penetrate  into  the  swamp  district. 

It  is  ditTicult  to  obtain  any  satisfactory  in- 
formation concerning  the  beds  below  the  level 
■of  this  district  for  the  reason  that  the  unac- 
cented topography  fails  to  re\-eal  good  natural 
sections  and  the  artificial  cuttings,  such  as 
wells  and  ditches,  extend  only  to  a  trifling 
■depth.  On  the  northern  border  of  the  swamp 
deposits  composed  of  stratified  sand,  contain- 
ing occasional  beds  of  shells,  are  exhibited 
from  point  to  point.  The  following"  species 
determined  by  Dr.  W.  H.  Dall,  paleontologist 
of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  indi- 
cate in  a  general  manner  that  the  beds  are  of 
Pliocene  age.  Of  the  29  species  which  appear 
in  my  collection,  a  list  of  which  is  given  be- 
low, 24,  according  tO'  Dr.  Dall,  belong  to  liv- 
ing" forms,  and  fi\"e  are  extinct.  The  extinct 
species  are  found  in  the  so-called  Pliocene  of 
Florida  and  South  Carolina  and  Virginia. 
There  can  be  no  cjuestion  that  the  deposit  is 
of  preglacial  age. 


LIST  OK  SPECIES  FOUND  IN  BEDS  EXrOSED  BV  A  ROAD-CUTTING 

NEAR    THE    JERICHO    CANAL,    TWO    MILES    EAST 

OF    SUFFOLK,    VIRGINIA. 

Crepidula  convexa.  Saj'. 
Turritella  apicalis,  Hp.   (var.) 
Scalaria  clathratiila,  Adams. 
Eulima  so. 

Turbonilla  interrupta.  Totten. 
Lioniesiis  Stimpsoni,  Dall, 
Anachis  avara.  Say, 
Ethalia  sp.  fragni. 


Cadulus  carolinensis.  Bush. 

Ostrea  virginica,  Gmel. 

Pecten  eboreus.  Conr. 

Area  incile,  Conr, 

Cardium  islandiciim,  Lin. 

Crassatella  undulata,  Say. 

Eripliyla  Itinata.  Conr. 

Mactra  congesta.  Conr. 

Abra  aquabs.  Say.  ' 

Tellina  tenia,  Say. 

Telbna  modesta,  Verrill. 

Liicina  crenulata,  Conr. 

Goutdia  cerina,  Ad. 

Callista  convexa,  Say. 

Pecten   exasperatus,    Sby. 

Leda  acuta,   Conr. 

Yoldia  limatula.   Say. 

Nucula  tenuis.  Mtg, 

Cbione  albida,  Gmel, 

Dosinia   elegans,   Conr. 

Balanus  sp. 

Traces  of  this  same  deposit  occur  for  a  few- 
miles  south  of  Suffolk  and  I  suspect  the  exist- 
ence of  similar  beds  near  Elizabeth  City. 
From  certain  comminuted  fragments  taken 
from  the  bottom  of  the  main  Dismal  Swanip 
Canal,  it  seerns  to  me  not  improbable  that  the 
beds  were  touched  at  several  points  in  making 
that  excavation.  I  am,  therefore,  disposetl  to 
believe  that  the  foundation  rocks  beneadi  tb.e 
swamp  district  consist  mainly  of  the  beds  indi- 
cated by  the  foregoing  list  of  fossils. 

It  is  evident  that  the  strata  of  Pliocene  age 
which  underlie  the  swamp  were  accumulated 
in  shallow  but  quiet  water.  This  is  shown  by 
the  character  of  the  species  as  well  as  b}"  the 
fact  that  many  "of  them  are  delicate  forms, 
yet  have  suffered  no  wear  from  the  action  of 
currents.  The  deposit  in  which  these  fossils 
occur  has  apparently  suffered  no  other  dislo- 
cation than  that  which  attended  its  ele\"ation 
above  the  ocean,  which  has  bniught  it  tn  a 
height  of  about  35  feet  above  the  present  sea- 
level.  As  the  species  are  of  a  littoral  nature, 
we  may  assume  that  the  total  elevation  re- 
quired to  bring  them  to  their  present  position 
may  not  have  exceeded  100  feet.  It  may  have 
been  somewhat  less.  It  is  evident,  howexer, 
that  the  surface  of  these  beds  was  for  a  time 
at  a  higher  level  than  that  to  which  they  now 
attain,  as  is  shown  b}-  the  fact  that  they  are 
deeply  incised  by  streams  which  have  created 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


165 


a  tolerably  accented  topography,  the  elevations 
of  which  luue  been  obscnretl  b}-  subsequent 
accumulations. 

This  irregular  form  of  the  surface  of  the 
Pliocene  strata  is  only  proxed  for  the  region 
about  Suffolk.  Faint  traces  of  the  same  series 
of  beds  at  other  points  lead  me,  however,  to 
the  conclusion  that  it  is  probably  character- 
istic of  the  whole  field.  The  character  of  the 
surface  must  have  been  given  to  the  Pliocene 
beds  at  a  time  when  they  were  more  elevated 
abo\e  the  sea  than  they  are  at  present.  After 
'  the  erosion  of  this  surface  came  the  subsidence 
which  formed  the  terrace  in  which  the  Xanse- 
mond  bench  is  excavated,  which  lies  consider- 
ably above  the  Ie\el  of  the  Dismal  Swamp. 
This  requires  a  subsidence  of  more  than  50 
feet  after  the  Pliocene  deposits  were  carved 
by  streams.  The  bpich  on  which  the  Dismal 
Swamp  deposits  lie  was  afterward  formed  dur- 
ing another  i:)€riod  of  elevation  when  the  sea 
lay  at  about  30  feet  above  its  present  level. 
The  sands  worn  from  the  escarpment  which  I 
ha\e  termed  the  Xansemond  bench  were  dis- 
tributed o\-er  the  new  sea-floor  in  such  fashion 
as  to  level  off  the  inequalities  brought  about  by 
subaerial  or  marine  erosion. 

The  true  measure  of  the  inequalities  which 
characterize  the  bed-rock  surface  of  this  dis- 
trict is  not  readily  apprehended  by  an  inspec- 
tion of  the  area  within  the  field  of  the  swampy 
districts ;  the  peaty  accumulations  have  un- 
questionablv  done  much  to  destroy  such  topog- 
graphy  as  may  have  existed  in  the  region. 
Even  on  the  higher  level  of  the  upper  Xanse- 
mond bench,  which  forms  the  summit  of  the  old 
Xansemond  shore,  bounding  the  western  mar- 
gin of  the  main  Dismal  Swamp,  there  are 
niunerous  original  hollows  now  filled  in  with 
peaty  matter  of  a  consolidated  sort  on  w'hich 
ordinary  forest  trees  have  found  a  lodgment. 
I  am  informed  by  farmers  that  the\'  frequently 
discover  places  in  these  fields  which  contain 
a  peaty  deposit  many  feet  in  depth.  In  Sfime 
cases  the  accumulation  is  quite  profound,  per- 
mitting a  sharp  stick  to  be  passed  down  to  the 
dei)th  of  eight  or  ten  feet.    There  may  thus  be 


within  the  limits  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  a  num- 
l)er  of  stream  valleys  which  have  l>een  so  en- 
cumbered by  the  accumulation  of  vegetable 
matter  that  they  are  no  longer  ex'ident  to  the 
eye. 

TOPOGR.'\PHY. 

In  its  original  condition,  before  this  region 
had  been  affected  by  tillage,  the  area  of  in- 
undated lands  in  the  Dismal  Swamp  district 
was  considerably  greater  than  it  is  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  If  we  include  in  the  swamp  lands 
in  this  part  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina 
fields  \\-hich  have  been  won  to  the  plow  by 
ditching,  the  original  area  of  the  morass  was 
perhaps  one-third  greater  than  at  the  present 
time.  Xear  to  its  northern,  eastern  and  south- 
ern boundaries  the  wetter  parts  of  the  swamp 
passed  outwardly  into  fields  where  the  inun- 
dations were  less  considerable,  and  in  conse- 
quence the  sur.face  less  incumbered  by  peaty 
matter.  It  appears  tolerably  e\'ident  that  when 
the  subjugation  of  the  land  began  the  swamj) 
was  extending  its  margin,  taking  possession  of 
the  lower  land,  the' swales  between  the  bil- 
lowy ele\-ations  of  the  plain,  and  climbing  up 
the  gentle  elevations  between  these  low-  places. 
The  prcx:ess  of  artificial  drainage  went  on  rap- 
idly until  the  drainage  power  of  the  small 
canals,  dug  to  unwater  the  surface,  was  lost 
as  they  were  e.xtended  into  the  swamp.  The 
greater  portion  of  this  peripheral  drainage 
work  was  finished  before  the  middle  of  the 
present  century.  The  lands  won  from  the 
margin  of  the  morass  and  from  swamps  more 
or  less  distinctly  connected  with  the  main  area, 
probably  amounted  to  somewhere  near  700 
s(|uare  miles;  the  area  of  swamp  lands  remain- 
ing between  the  waters  of  All:>emarle  Sound 
and  those  of  the  James  River  probably 
amount  to  not  far  from  1,500  square  miles. 
In  the  last  century  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal 
Company  constructed  a  canal  in  a  general 
north  and  south  direction  from  the  waters  of 
James  River,  at  Deep  Creek,  to  the  w-aters  of 
Albemarle  Sound,  near  South  \Mlls,  X'orth 
Carolina. 


1 66 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


This  canal  was  intended  to  afford  a  line  of 
ship  communication  suited  to  the  vessels  oi 
that  age  between  the  bay  district  of  North 
Carolina  and  that  of  the  Chesaijeake.  It  was 
expected  to  furnish  a  passage  for  merchant- 
men and  war  vessels  between  these  great  sys- 
tems of  inland  waters,  and  this  expectation 
was  realized.  It  was  designed,  moreover,  to 
provide  a  means  of  access  to  the  vast  and  then 
untouched  forests  of  juniper,  cypress  and  pine 
which  abounded  in  this  held.  This  important 
waterway  was  one  of  the  must  considerable 
hydraulic  works  which  had  Ijeen  undertaken 
in  that  century. 

For  the  time  when  it  was  executed  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp  Canal  was  a  costly  and  well-con- 
trived work.  FoT  three-quarters  of  a  century 
or  more  it  was  an  important  means  of  transit 
betweai  Albemarle  Sound  and  Chesapeake 
Bay.  Of  late  its  use  for  this  purpose  has  been 
in  the  main  superseded  by  another  canal  nearer 
the  coast. 

The  effect  arising  from  its  construction 
through  the  swamp  upon  the  general  condition 
of  the  region  has  evidently  been  considerable. 
Its  course  is  about  at  right  angles  to  the  gen- 
eral slope  of  the  country.  The  first  canal  was 
originally  designed  to  afford  12  feet  of  water 
and  had  a  width  oi  50  feet  or  mure ;  the 
amount  of  excavated  material  heaped  upon  the 
banks  was  considerable.  As  no  pains  were 
taken  to  provide  channels  of  escape  through 
the  barrier  for  the  swamp  water  coming  from 
the  west,  the  western  dike  of  the  canal  serves 
to  retain  the  waters  in  all  that  region,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  fend  these  waters  from  the 
region  east  of  the  excavation.  The  water  has, 
no  doubt,  been  retained  in  the  part  of  the 
swamp  lying  west  of  the  canal  in  order  to 
keep  the  several  ditches  which  feed  the  canal 
or  which  provide  the  ways  of  floating  its  tim- 
ber from  the  recesses  to  the  navigable  depth. 
By  a  system  of  locks  which  have  a  total  lift  of 
20  feet  the  water  in  the  canal  is  maintained  at 
a  little  higher  level  than  it  had  before  the 
canal  was  constructed. 

The  result   of  this   interference    with    the 


natural  drainage  of  swamp  has  been  that  the 
western  section  of  the  morass  is  probably 
rather  wetter  than  it  was  before  the  barrier 
was  constructed,  while  the  section  to  the  east 
of  the  canal,  deprived  of  the  water  which 
originally  flowed  into  it,  has  become  partially 
desiccated.  In  the  section  to  the  west  of  the 
canal,  within  the  limits  of  the  morass,  there 
are  probably  no  areas  which  in  an  ordinary 
season  are  sufticiently  dry  to  pennit  tillage, 
though  in  periods  of  peculiar  drought  a  large 
part  of  the  surface  may  attain  this  measure  of 
desiccation.  In  the  section  to  the  east  of  the 
canal  the  higher  parts  of  the  ground  at  many 
places  are  in  an  ordinary  summer  season  so 
dry  that  they  might  be  tilled  without  incon- 
venience from  water.  In  that  part  of  its  area 
considerable  portions  of  the  surface  have  been 
improved  by  ditching,  the  swamp  covering  re- 
maining only  in  the  lower  grounds  adjacent 
to  the  slugg^ish  streams  which  traverse  the 
district.  Something  of  this  relative  difference 
in  the  measure  (jf  the  desiccation  has  doubt- 
less come  about  in  consequence  of  the  barrier 
imposed  by  tlie  embankments  of  the  Dismal 
Swamp  Canal. 

An  interesting  feature  in  the  topography 
of  the  Dismal  Swamp  is  the  presence  of  a  con- 
siderable lake  occupying  a  tolerably  central 
position  in  the  part  of  the  morass  which  lies 
to  the  west  of  the  main  canal.  The  basin  it 
occupies  is  e\'erywhere  shallcw :  probabl}-  in 
its  natural  state  the  maximun  depth  was  not 
over  six  feet.  At  first  I  purposed  to  make 
careful  stud}-  of  the  depth  and  form  of  the 
basin,  but  a  little  obser\-ation  slujwed  me  that 
the  depth  i:f  water  had  been  much  affected  by 
retaining  dams.  The  measure  uf  the  effect 
produced  by  the  obstructions  to  natural  drain- 
age not  being  determinal>le,  it  did  not  seem 
worth  while  tu  make  a  careful  study  of  the 
basin. 

There  is  a  tradition,  which  appears  in  its 
origin  mythical,  to  the  effect  that  this  basin 
was  formed  by  fires  which  occurred  in  some 
remote  time.  Intelligent  local  observers,  in 
proof  of  this  hypothesis,  note  the  fact  that, 


The  Mansion  House  on  the  Plantation  of  Col.  William  Craford,  the  Founder  of  Portsmouth,  Located  at 

Swimming  Point. 


Lake   Drummond   in   the   Dismal  Swamp. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


.69 


during  dry  seasons,  patches  uf  the  swanii)  a 
few  acres  in  extent  have  been  seen  to  burn  to 
such  a  deptli  as  to  form  a  place  for  the  accumu- 
lation of  permanent  water.  Not  only  is  proof 
wanting  to  justify  the  supjiosition  that  Lake 
Drummond  was  thus  formed,  but  there  are 
good  reasons  why  its  origin  must  be  other- 
wise explained.  It  is  difficult  to  believe  that 
in  the  course  of  a  single  dry  season  a  forest 
fire  could  burn  over  an  area  as  large  as  is  occu- 
pied by  this  lake. or  that  the  conflagration  could 
so  completely  have  removed  the  whole  dqwsit 
of  peaty  matter.  Moreover,  even  in  the  dryest 
season,  it  appears  to  be  the  only  peripheral 
portions  of  the  swamp  which  become  suffici- 
ently desiccated  to  Inirn  to  any  depth,  this  cen- 
tral portion  remaining  wet  at  any  depth  be- 
neath the  surface  even  in  the  periods  of  great- 
est droughts. 

If  Lake  Drummond  were  an  unparalleled 
feature  of  our  swamp  areas,  it  might  be  reason- 
able to  explain  its  origin  l)y  the  hypothesis  of 
an  extensive  forest  fire  in  a  period  of  great 
drought,  but  there  are  numerous  instances  in 
which  similar  lakes  occur  in  the  central  por- 
tion of  our  greater  swamp  areas.  I  have  been, 
therefore,  leld  to  the  conclusion  that  this  cen- 
tral lake  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  was  formed  in 
the  following  way,  viz :  The  gently  sloping 
platfcjrm  on  which  the  Dismal  Swamp  rests 
evidently  emerged  from  the  sea  in  a  somewhat 
rapid  manner ;  the  aljsence  of  any  marine 
bench  on  its  surface  appears  to  be  conclusi\e 
evidence  of  this.  At  first  we  may  assume  that 
the  sterile  character  of  the  soil  would  have  pre- 
vented the  simultaneous  growth  of  forest 
trees  and  other  ])lants  of  a  higher  order  over 
the  greater  part  of  the  plain.  The  growth  of 
such  plants  would  naturally  have  begun  on 
the  periphery  of  the  district,  either  on  the 
western  border,  where  the  soil  had  already 
been  formed,  or  ne.xt  to  the  sea.  where  the 
humidity  would  favor  the  growth  of  plants 
even  on  barren  sands.  I  conceive  that  Ijegin- 
ning  on  the  margin  the  f(jrest  would  advance 
toward  the  center  of  the  field,  and  the  fallen 

trees  and  other  entanglements  would  serve  to 
10 


form  an  oljsiruction  to  the  outflow  of  the  water, 
and  thus  to  retain  the  central  part  of  the  area 
in  the  condition  of  a  shallow  lake.  The  area 
of  this  basin  wouUl  \)C  gradually  narrowed  by 
the  growth  of  the  cypresses,  black  gums  and 
other  trees  which  can  naaintain  their  rocits 
beneath  the  level  of  permanent  water.  Not- 
withstanding the  fact  that  the  level  of  the 
water  of  Lake  Drummond  has  been  raised  since 
the  construction  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal, 
the  forest  is  still  slowly  gaining  up<jn  the  area 
of  the  lake  at  several  points.  Leaves  and 
drifted  wood  accunndate  ne.xt  the  shore  and 
shallow  the  basin  so  that  gradually  trees  can 
find  a  foothold  in  what  was  recently  ojjen 
water. 

If  this  view  be  correct,  Lake  Drummond 
must  be  considered  as  belonging  to  the  type 
of  peat-inclosed  lakes  which  are  so  common 
in'  the  small  morasses  of  the  glaciated  area. 
To  the  same  group  we  shall  probably  have  to 
refer  the  numercjus  other  lakes  in  the  region  of 
swamps  south  of  Albenixirle  Sound.  Lake 
Phelps,  Pingo  Lake,  Mattanuiskcet  Lake.  Alli- 
,gator  Lake  and  other  basins  on  the  more 
southern  part  of  North  Carolina  probably  lie- 
Jong  to  the  same  type  of  swamp-inclosed 
basins. 

VEGET.XTIO.N. 

Although  the  physical  conditions  of  the 
Dismal  Swamp  district  are  extremely  uniform, 
the  vegetation  exhibits  a  considerable  diversity 
in  its  distriinition  in  different  parts  of  the  area. 
The  higher  land,  lying  not  more  than  three 
feet  above  the  lowest  adjacent  le\els,  is  gener- 
ally cxcupied  by  a  grtnvth  of  pines,  altogether 
composed  of  the  conunon  s[iecies  of  sotithern 
pine  so  far  as  observed.  These  pine-clad  ele- 
vations often  rise  so  little  above  the  surface 
of  the  swamp  that  the  eye  fails  to  detect  the 
difference  in  level.  Yet  the  lessened  moisture 
due  to  the  perceptible  elevation  is  sufficient  to 
give  over  the  field  to  the  possession  of  conifer- 
ous trees.  The  lower  levels  of  the  swam])  are 
mainly   occupied   by    three   species    of    trees. 


[/O 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


wliicli  are  greatly,  tliough  siimewhat  diversely, 
tulerant  of  water  about  their  rijots.  Th-.^se  are 
the  taxodium  (ir  bald  cypress,  the  juniper  and 
the  black  gum.  The  juniper  occupies  areas 
which  are  commonly  somewhat  desiccated 
through  the  dry  season.  The  tupulo,  or  gum, 
and  the  cypress  can  inhabit  areas  which  are  in 
most  cases  water-co\-ered  even  during  the 
growing  season.  The  cypress  is  the  most  tol- 
erant of  water  of  these  species,  often  attaining 
its  best  development  in  places  where  summer 
droughts  at  no  time  remu\e  the  water  far  from 
the  surface  of  their  roots. 

The  peculiar  tolerance  cif  these  two  species 
to  water  about  tiieir  liases — a  feature  which  is 
somewhat  sharply  contrasted  with  the  other 
forest  trees  of  this  country — is  probably  to  be 
explained  by  the  fact  that  in  both  forms  we 
have  provisions  by  which  the  roots  are  enabled 
to  have  access  to  the  air,  and  thus  secure  the 
aeriation  required  by  the  processes  which  take 
place  in  their  underground  branches.  The 
knees  of  the  cypress  ha\'e  long  been  a  subject 
of  discussion  on  the  part  of  botanists,  and 
A^arious  conjectures  concerning  the  service 
which  they  perform  have  been  made.  A  study 
of  the  region  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  which 
subsided  during  the  earthciuake  of  1811, 
showed  me  very  clearly  that  wherever  by  such 
accidents  the  vascular  summits  of  these  pro- 
jections were  brought  below  the  level  of  the 
summer  waters,  the  trees  inevitably  died.  In 
other  cases,  where  by  artificial  dams  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  had  been  raised  in  a  swamp 
area,  I  found  that  the  trees,  the  summits  of 
which  were  suffused  bv  the  water  in  the  sum- 
mer season,  were  quickly  killed,  while  others 
continued  to  live. 

It  is  an  interesting  fact  that  the  knees  of 
the  cypress  develop  only  where  the  roots  upon 
which  they  rest  lie  beneath  the  surface  of  the 
water  during  the  growing  season  of  the  year. 
They  sometimes  appear  abo\-e  the  surface  of 
the  soil  which  is  bare  of  water  in  the  summer 
time,  but,  digging  down  to  the  place  occupied 
bv  the  roots,  water  will  generally,  if  not  al- 


ways, be  found  so  far  present  in  the  soil  that 
it  tills  the  excavation. 

Another  important  fact  in  this  connection 
is  exhibited  in  the  specimens  of  this  species 
which  grow  upon  ele\'ated  land  secure  from 
summer  inundation,  or  where  the  trees  stand 
on  the  margin  of  a  swamp  with  parts  of  their 
roots  on  the  dry  land  and  part  beneath  the 
water.  In  the  case  where  the  tree  is  altogether 
removed  from  the  chance  of  inundation,  the 
roots  bear  no  knees  whatever,  or  at  least  they- 
exhibit  slight  enlargements  from  point  to 
point,  which,  though  they  indicate  the  posi- 
tions the  knees  might  occupy,  never  develop 
into  such  structures.  On  the  margin  of  the 
swamp  the  roots  which  are  beneath  the  water 
will  bear  knees,  while  those  in  the  dry  soil 
exhibit  no  such  protuberances,  or,  at  most, 
the  slight  prominences  just  mentioned. 

In  the  Dismal  Swamp  the  knees  of  the 
itaxodium  never  attain  any  considerable  height 
above  the  surface,  the  tallest  seen  having  an 
elevation  of  not  more  than  three  feet  above 
the  roots  from  which  they  spring.  In  the 
swamps  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  the 
water  of  the  marshes  is  often  deeper  than  it  is 
at  any  point  in  the  Dismal  Swamp,  the  knees 
sometimes  attain  an  altitude  of  six  feet  or 
more. 

The  black  gum  contrives  to  secure  a  result 
similar  to  that  attained  by  the  taxodium  by 
quite  another  contrivance  of  its  roots,  ^^'here 
this  tree  occupies  positions  in  which  the  water 
remains  during-  the  summer  season,  the  roots, 
;  in  all  cases  in  which  I  have  been  able  to  o]y- 
ser\-e  the  facts,  have  the  habit  of  arching  up- 
ward a  few  feet  from  the  base  of  the  bole. 

Where  the  region  is  only  moderately  wet, 
where  the  water  in  the  summer  season  comes 
near  the  surface,  the  emergence  of  the  root  is 
accomplished  by  a  gentle  upward  flexure  which 
brings  its  surface  a  little  above  the  top  of  the 
ground :  where  the  water  stands  yet  higher  the 
whole  of  the  root  may  emerge  from  the  soil. 
In  rare  cases,  where  the  water  during  the 
growing  season  stands  two  feet  or  more  above 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


171 


the  level  of  the  roots,  the  flexure  in  tliat  part 
of  the  tree  is  still  more  noticeable. 

It  is  tolerably  easy  to  determine  the  depth 
of  inundation  during  the  growing  season  by  a 
close  insj)eclion  of  these  root-arches  of  the 
tupulo.  The  bark  is  very  rugose  and  in  the 
damp  swamp  is  frequently  the  seat  oi  a  con- 
siderable growth  of  annual  plants.  In  some 
cases  I  was  able  to  observe  this  coat  of  vege- 
tation on  many  of  the  root-arches  around  the 
same  tree.  The  annual  vegetation  was  every- 
where at  the  same  height,  and  therefore  may  be 
taken  as  evidence  that  the  roots  are  deeply 
covered  by  water  in  the  summer  time,  but  that 
the  knee  arches  rise  a  foot  or  more  above  the 
surface  of  the  water,  or  to  about  the  same  ex- 
tent as  the  summits  of  the  knees  (f  the  tax- 
odium. 

The  amount  of  root  arching  in  individuals 
of  this  species  as  well  as  the  dexelopment  of 
similar  knee  processes  in  the  taxodium  differ 
considerably  in  the  individual  trees.  In  some 
forms,  lying  at  the  same  height  as  others, 
which  are  abundantly  provided  with  these 
arched  processes,  the  flexures  are  almost  want- 
ing. It  appeared  to  me,  however,  that  in  the 
cases  where  the  arches  are  not  well  developed, 
the  trees  are  always  of  an  inferior  growth  and 
apparently  not  well  reconciled  to  their  en- 
vironment. 

It  is  also  a  noticeable  fact  that  the  llexures 
of  the  roots  do  not  develop  in  the  youth  of  the 
plant,  but  liegin  to  be  evident  after  the  tree  has 
attained  a  diameter  of  a  foot  or  more.  Some- 
tiiing  of  the  same  sort  may  be  observed  in  the 
case  of  the  taxodium.  The  older  the  tree,  the 
more  extensive  proportionately  are  the  knee 
processes.  A  young  tree  an  inch  or  two  in 
diameter  without  any  knees  at  all  may  often 
be  observed  growing  near  specimens  of  the 
same  species  a  foot  or  more  in  diameter,  all 
of  which  have  abundant  knee  processes.  It 
seems  clear  that  in  both  of  these  genera  the 
knees  are  features  which  are  not  developed 
until  the  plant  attains  a  considerable  size. 

It  a])]iears  to  be  a  characteristic  common  to 
nearlv  all  trees  which  have  become  reconciled 


to  very  wet  soils  that  their  trunks  are  much 
expanded  at  the  crown,  tajjering  from  that 
point  upward  more  rapidly  than  trees  in  other 
situations.  The  two  varieties  of  gum  and  cy- 
press are  conspicuous  for  this  feature.  It 
seems  evident  on  eye  inspection — I  have  made 
no  comparative  measurements — that  the  ex- 
pansion of  these  trees  at  the  crown  where  they 
occupy  wet  situations  is  much  greater  than 
when  the)-  occur  upon  relatively  dry  ground. 
Not  infrequently  with  gunis  and  cypresses,  the 
diameter  of  the  tree  at  the  crown  is  o\er  twice 
as  great  as  it  is  at  the  height  of  10  feet  above 
the  surface,  and  in  some  cases  I  have  found  the 
ratios  as  high  as  three  to  one.  An  eye  in- 
spection, without  measurement,  of  several 
other  species  in  stations  diverse  as  regards  the 
amount  of  moisture  to  which  they  were  sub- 
jected, appears  to  indicate  that  this  expansion 
of  the  crown  in  wet  conditions  is  a  common 
feature  of  forest  trees.  It  seems  possible  that 
the  enlargement  of  the  tree  just  above  the 
level  of  permanent  water  may  be  due  to  the 
same  physiological  conditions  which  determine 
the  development  of  knees  such  as  occur  in  the 
taxodium,  or  of  sharp  He.xures  of  the  roots, 
like  those  exhibited  in  the  nyssa.  When  I  tlrst 
observed  this  feature  I  was  disposed  to  think 
that  it  was  perhaps  designed  tO'  support  the 
trees  in  their  somewhat  insecure  foothold  in 
the  soft  earth  of  the  morass.  Further  inspec- 
tion has  satisfied  me  that  this  view  is  untenable 
and  that  the  peculiarity  is  more  likely  to  be 
due  to  the  cause  abox'c  mentioned. 

AXIM.M.    LIFE. 

The  singular  nature  in  the  physical  condi- 
tions in  our  morasses  is  marked  in  the  animal 
as  well  as  in  the  \egetable  fonns  which  in- 
habit their  areas.  AMiere  a  morass  occupies 
but  a  small  surface  the  exceptional  features  of 
its  animal  forms  are  not  usually  conspicuous. 
The  larger  swamps,  those  which  are  to  be 
measured  by  square  miles,  generally  ha\e  ;> 
peculiar  fauna.  The  characteristics  exhibited 
by  the  animals  which  occupy  our  morasses  are 


172 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


usually  related  to  the  nature  of  the  vegetation 
and  the  peculiar  wetness  of  the  earth.  Thus, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  nut-bearing  trees  are 
relatively  rare,  the  arboreal  rodents  are  gen- 
erally absent.  The  inundated  nature  of  the 
soil  makes  it  unfit  for  occupation  by  the  sub- 
terranean forms  of  that  group.  Thus  this 
important  order  of  mammals  is  imperfectly 
represented  in  our  larger  morasses.  So,  too, 
with  the  reptilian  forms.  Certain  of  our  ser- 
pents which  have  accustomed  themselves  to 
dry  situations  are  generally  absent  from  the 
swamps.  The  predaceous  mammals,  such  as 
the  fox  and  wolf,  find  these  marshy  lands  un- 
suited  to  their  needs.  The  species  of  birds 
which  nest  upon  the  ground  are  also  rare. 
The  birds  generally,  excepting  acj^uatic  forms, 
are  less  plentifully  developed  in  our  marshy 
areas  than  in  the  upland  districts. 

I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  undertake  any 
systematic  incjun"y  into  the  animal  life  of  our 
inundated  lands.  My  general  observations, 
however,  show  that  the  biological  conditions 
of  these  areas  are  such  as  to  afford  an  interest- 
ing subject  for  research.  Thus  the  swamps 
of  Ohio  and  other  States  north  of  Kentucky 
contain  a  good  many  species  which  are  other- 
wise limited  to  Tennessee  and  other  Southern 
States.  It  seems  probable  that  these  outlying 
groups  of  southern  fauna  occupying  northern 
districts  wall  be  cHscovered  in  other  sections  of 
the  country. 

I  have  already  noted  the  fact  that  a  num- 
ber of  species  of  trees  show  a  singularly 
specialized  structure  which  fits  them  to  the 
peculiar  environment  which  the  swamps  af- 
ford. It  seems  likely  that  this  reconciliation 
with  the  environment  will  also  be  exhibited  in 
the  animal  species  which  inhabit  these  areas. 
From  the  facts  which  ha^■e  met  my  observa- 
tion, I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  fishes  of 
our  larger  and  more  isolated  swamp  areas  will 
be  found  to  present  certain  interesting  peculi- 
arities. 

Owing  to  the  isolatiijn  of  the  swamp  areas, 
the  species  have  been  kept  from  the  com- 
mingling of  blood  which  necessarily  occurs  in 


extensi\-e  river  systems.  Thus  the  smaller 
fishes  which  inhabit  the  pools  of  our  swamps, 
have  secured  something  like  the  measure  of 
isolation  which  characterizes  the  inhabitants 
of  our  caverns,  and  it  seems  likely  that  the 
species  of  the  detached  morasses  may  have  a 
trace  of  the  same  specific  and  generic  peculi- 
arities which  are  to  be  noted  in  the  under- 
ground world.  With  this  brief  sketch  of  the 
conditions  of  animal  life  in  the  swamps,  I  will 
now  proceed  to  give  a  few  notes  which  I  have 
been  able  to  make  on  the  fauna  of  the  Dismal 
Swamp  district. 

Bird  life  is  only  moderately  abundant,  and 
is  characterized  by  the  general  absence  of  the 
ground  forms.  The  serpents  which  tolerate 
moist  ground  are  of  frequent  occurrence,  but 
are  not  known  to  present  any  peculiarities  of 
species.  The  mammalian  life  is  more  peculiar 
than  that  of  the  other  groups.  The  rodents 
are  conspicuous  by  their  absence.  Bears  are 
remarkalily  abundant.  About  200  are  killed 
each  year  within  the  limits  of  this  field  of 
morasses.  Deer  are  now  rare,  but  they  ha\-e 
been  somewhat  plenty.  The  most  peculiar 
feature  in  the  mammalian  life  is  the  fact  that 
large  numbers  of  wild  horned  cattle  are  found 
within  the  morass.  These  have  feralized  from 
domestic  herds  about  the  swamps.  Estimates 
as  to  the  number  of  these  creatures  vary  con- 
siderably. I  am  inclined  tO'  think  that  there 
are  probably  about  500  now  living  within  this 
area.  They  are  extremely  wild,  and  when 
hunted  are  often  dangerous  to  the  sportsman. 
Several  observant  persons  have  reported  to 
me  that  fierce  combats  frecjuently  take  place 
between  the  bulls  and  the  bears.  John  G. 
Wallace,  of  ^^'allaceton,  states  that  he  has  sev- 
eral times  heard  the  bellowing  of  the  hijrned 
cattle  when  they  were  engaged  in  such  com- 
bats. Another  obser\'er  stated  to  me  that  some 
years  ago  he  found  a  bull  and  a  l>ear  lying  dead 
beside  each  other,  both  having  been  killed  in 
the  combat. 

It  is  said  that  the  bears  have  a  peculiar 
habit  in  their  assault  upon  the  horned  cattle ; 
they   spring  upon   their   backs   and   rend   the 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


'73 


muscles  which  support  the  head  of  their  prey, 
and  thus  escape  tlie  dauber  from  its  horns. 
The  evidence  as  to  this  peculiar  habit  rests 
iil)on  the  fact  that  where  the  horned  cattle  have 
been  killed  in  their  contests  with  the  bears  the 
neck  muscles  are  found  divided. 

I  lia\-e  not  myself  had  an  opi)i)rtunity  of 
seeing  any  of  these  cattle,  hut  it  is  stated  that 
they  are  generally  of  a  black  color  and  of 
small  size.  They  appear  to  range  through  all 
portions  of  the  s\vam|>,  but  during  the  lireed- 
ing  season  to  prefer  the  slightlx'  elex'ated  por- 
tions where  the  canes  abound.  They  feed 
mainly  on  the  tender  shoots  of  the  cane,  and 
are  saiil  to  dwell  generally  in  herds  of  from 
20  to  50  individuals.  Occasionally  members 
of  the  wild  herds  are  tolled  out  into  the  culti- 
vated fields  by  offerings  of  salt,  and  are  led 
to  join  the  domestic  cattle.  The  greater  part 
of  the  wild  cattle,  however,  evidently  live  for 
generations  without  obtaining  access  to  saline 
materials,  a  fact  which  shows  that  salt  is  not 
really  necessar\-  to  them,  fur  within  the 
morass  they  can  have  no  opiX)rtunity  whate^'er 
of  obtaining  it.  There  are  no  salt  springs, 
the  tidal  rivers  which  penetrate  to  the  swamp 
are  all  fresh  and  there  are  no  licks,  such  as 
were  afforded  l)y  the  slightly  saline  clays  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley,  to  which  the  buffalo 
abundantly  resorted. 

METIIOn    OF   DRAIXIXG. 

During  the  time  when  sla\es  were  held  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  morasses  which  originally  con- 
stitute the  Dismal  Swamp  was  drained.  This 
task  was  accomplished  by  the  simplest  engin- 
eering expedients.  Ditches  ha\ing  a  depth 
rarely  exceeding  six  feet  were  dug  wherever 
convenience  dictated.  Each  farmer  planned 
the  system  for  his  own  land  without  any  re- 
lation to  a  general  scheme  for  impro\-ement. 
It  is  evident  that  the  work  was  done  in  most 
cases  without  even  the  surveyor's  aid.  The 
aggregate  labor  expended  in  this  ill-directed 
system  has  been  great.     Properly  applied,  it 


would  have  gone  far  toward  winning  the 
whole  of  the  unreclaimed  swamps  between  Al- 
bemarle Sound  and  the  James  River  to  agri- 
culture. There  are  hundreds  of  miles  of  these 
trenches  but  few  of  which  exhibit  any  concep- 
tion of  the  conditi(-ins  which  should  ha\'e  regu- 
lated their  construction,  in  any  scheme  for 
the  improvement  of  this  region,  the  existing 
system  of  ditches  will  have  to  be  neglected 
save  in  so  far  as  the  ditches  may  serve  for 
the  drainage  of  the  small  patches  of  land  for 
which  thcv  were  contrived. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  the  whole 
of  the  swamp  area  of  this  district,  excepting 
certain  small  strips  near  the  mouths  of  the 
larger  indentations  which  extend  northward 
from  Albemarle  Sound,  is  ready  to  be  won  to 
tillage  by  simple  and  comparatively  inexpen- 
sive improvements.  The  average  inclination 
of  the  surface  is  about  20  inches  per  mile,  and 
this  is  sufficient  to  give  a  strong  current  to 
water  flowing  in  ditches  having  a  width  on 
the  water  surface  of  four  feet  and  a  total 
depth  of  water  of  three  feet.  The  character 
of  the  soil  is  very  favorable  for  such  improve- 
ments. The  considerable  amount  of  vegetable 
matter  in  the  earth  causes  the  canals  which  are 
not  used  for  navigation  tO'  maintain  their 
banks  in  good  order.  There  are  few  tree 
trunks  buried  in  the  swamp  deposits,  as  is  well 
known  by  the  excavation  of  ditches  contrived 
for  couN'eying  timber.  The  aggregate  length 
of  these  channels  is  at  least  20  miles.  At  no 
point  in  their  various  courses  have  they  en- 
countered any  considerable  difficulty  from  the 
trunks  of. trees  lying  prostrate  Ijeneath  the 
surface.  The  rank  growth  of  the  vegetation, 
particularly  the  roots  which  seize  upon  the 
banks  of  the  canals,  will  save  all  costs  for 
re\'etting  their  slopes. 

In  devising  a  plan  for  the  drainage  of  this 
area,  it  will  be  necessary  to  take  account  of 
the  existing  canals ;  for,  although  these  have 
not  been  contrived  for  the  purpose  of  desic- 
cation and  are  in  certain  ways  unsuited  to 
that  object,  the  constructions  are  so  large  that 
it  will  be  necessary  to  introduce  them  into  the 


174 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


permit  tlie 
siifficieiitl}' 
The  drain- 
side  of  the 


scheme  of  drainage  works.  If  the  principal 
canal,  that  which  is  now  navigable  to  \essels, 
were  deprived  of  its  locks  and  a  similar  course 
were  taken  with  the  Jericho  canal  or  ditch,  ex- 
tending from  Lake  Drummond  to  the  James 
River  near  SutYolk,  the  result  would  be  that 
a  strip  of  land  ijordering  on  these  water-ways 
would.  pro\-ided'  the  embankment  (.m  either 
side  of  the  water-ways  were  cut  through  at 
a  sufficient  number  of  places  to 
exit  cf  the  water,  at  once  become 
dry  for  the  uses  of  agriculture. 
age  level  of  the  swamp  un  either 
main  channel  would  be  lowered  about  five  feet. 
This  alone  would  afi^ord  a  base  level  low 
enough  for  the  drainage  of  at  least  four  miles 
west  of  the  canal  and  about  two  miles  east 
of  it.  The  difference  in  the  distance  to  which 
the  ditches  might  Ije  made  effective  would  be 
determined  b}-  the  slightl)-  varying  slope  from 
the  west  toward  the  sea.  Along  the  Jericho 
ditch  the  drainage  would  be  less  effective  be- 
cause of  the  small  size  and  shallowness  of  that 
excavation.  At  present  the  ditch  averages  not 
more  than  15  feet  of  effecti\-e  width  with  a 
depth  of  not  more  than  three  feet.  The  level 
of  the  water,  moreover,  is  nearer  the  general 
level  of  the  swami>  than  in  the  case  of  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp  Canal. 

If  the  level  of  the  bottom  of  the  Dismal 
Swamp  Canal  were  lowered  to  12  feet  below 
the  present  le\-el  of  the  water  with  an  average 
width  of  12  feet  and  an  average  depth  of  water 
with  the  new  plane  of  four  feet,  it  would 
dotibtless  furnish  a  sufficient  e.xit  way  for  all 
the  swamp  waters  which  would  be  drained  to 
it  from  either  side,  and  it  would  then  be  pos- 
sible by  branch  ditches  to^  unwater  the  whole 
country  on  the  western  sde  of  its  path  and 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  area  to  the  east.  At 
the  same  time  the  depth  of  the  water  remain- 
ing in  the  canal  would  be  sufficient  for  all  the 
purposes  of  transportation  which  would  arise 
from  the  agricultural  use  of  this  area.  Tribu- 
tary ditches,  starting  with  the  depth  of  eight 
or  10  feet  and  a  width  of  water-wa}-  of  about 
eight  feet,  should  be  extended  with  diminish- 


ing size  and  depth  to-  near  the  western  margin 
of  the  swamp.  They  would  probably  not  need 
to  be  nearer   together  than   intervals  of  two 


nnles. 


Their  average  length  would  be  about 


eight  miles  and  thus  the  total  length  of  this 
system  would  be  about  80  miles.  Smaller 
and  shallower  ditches,  having  a  width  of 
water-way  of  not  more  than  four  feet  where 
they  connected  with  the  main  channels,  would 
need  to  be  carried  iii  a  general  north  and  south 
direction  from  the  secondary  channels  so'  that 
no  portion  of  the  surface  would  be  more  than 
a  mile  from  the  water-way.  Even  smaller 
ditches  would  have  to  be  extended  across  the 
surface  so  that  no  considerable  portion  of  the 
area  would  be  without  a  channel  for  its  flood 
waters  in  the  summer  season.  Practical  ex- 
perience in  the  district  seems  to  indicate  that 
with  this  kind  of  drainage  channels  the  soil 
would,  after  it  had  been  subjugated  to  the 
plo'w,  remain  in  a  fit  condition  for  tillage. 

In  the  section  east  of  the  Dismal  Swamp 
Canal,  a  gentle  though  slight  slope  toward  the 
sea  would  make  the  drainage  toward  the  chan- 
nel of  that^canal  less  easy  than  on  the  northern 
slope.  It  is  probable,  however,  that  within 
the  range  of  three  miles  which  would  include 
the  greater  portion  of  that  area  the  channel 
of  the  canal  would,  if  supplemented  by  side 
ditches.,  afford  an  adecpiate  means  for  unwa- 
tering  the  land.  The  regimi  }-et  further  to  the 
east  would  ha\-e  to  be  made  the  subject  of  an 
independent  scheme  of  drainage  which  should 
discharge   the   waters   into  other   main    ways. 

If  these  excavations  could  be  acccmplislied 
only  by  hand  labor  it  is  doubtful  if,  even  with 
the  present  demand  for  agricultural  lands,  it 
would  prove  profitable  to  undertake  the  drain- 
age of  this  morass.  But  recent  improvements 
in  methods. of  exca\-ation  make  it  possiljle  to 
unwater  land  of  this  description  at  a  relatively 
small  cnst  as  cnmjiared  with  older  methods  of 
hand  lalior.  The  \vh()le  r,{  the  work  can  lie 
accomplished  b\'  machine  dredging,  the  en- 
gines being  operated  by  steam  power.  In  the 
principal  ditch  the  ditching  can  be  done  froin 
the  usual    form   of   boats    and    in    the   smaller 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


I75. 


cliannels  the  apparatus  can  be  conveyed  along 
the  patli  of  its  work  Iiy  means  r,\  niovalile 
tramways  on  either  side  of  tlie  ditch. 

After  tlie  main  works  are  constructed,  llie 
cost  of  cutting  away  the  timher  and  of  first 
I)lowing  tlie  land  \\ill,  according  to  trust- 
worthy information  given  by  \arious  persons 
who  have  of  late  years  undertaken  such  work 
in  this  district,  amount  to  about  $30  per  acre. 
In  the  average  present  conditiivn  of  the  for- 
ested portions  of  the  swamp  the  return  for  this 
labor  in  the  way  of  timber  may  amount  to 
about  $60  per  acre,  which  proi)ably  would 
meet  tlie  expenses  of  clearing  the  forest  away 
and  of  pro\iding  the  smaller  drainage  chan- 
nels. 

The  area  which  would  be  won  to  tillage 
by  such  a  system  of  drainage,  though  only  a 
jjortion  of  this  swamp  district,  is  about  J50 
s(piare  miles  or  160.000  acres.  1  am  assured 
by  various  trustworthy  farmers  that  when  first 
won  to  the  plow  this  land  has  a  measure  of 
fertility  which  will  enable  the  tiller  to  reckon 
an  annual  product  of  from  80  to  100  bushels 
of  shelled  maize  per  acre.  It  is.  therefore,  safe 
to  estimate  the  money  value  of  this  area  when 
thus  improved  at  not  less  than  $16,000,000. 

.\gainst  this  estimate  of  the  tillage  value 
•  of  this  region  we  must  set  such  returns  as  it 
now  makes  in  the  way  of  timber  products.  I 
have  not  been  enabled  to  obtain  any  accurate 
statistics  as  to  the  ])rofits  derived  from  the 
timber  industry  now  carried  on  in  this  swamp. 
Nearly  all  of  the  original  forest  has  been  re- 
UKned.  culled  by  the  woodmen  or  destroyed 
by  fire.  The  supply  of  exported  timber  is 
gathered  from  the  growth  of  cypress,  juniper 
and  pine.  From  all  the  data  I  have  been  able 
to  procure  I  am  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
aggregate  profit  from  the  timber  does  not  ex- 
ceed $50,000  per  annum,  and  that  it  may  be 
much  less  than  this  amount.  Year  by  year 
the  value  of  this  ])roduct  is  diminished  through 
the  occurrence  of  forest  fires  in  the  dry  sea- 
sons, which  eradicate  from  large  areas  not 
only  the  growing  trees  but  even  their  seeds. 
Such  fires  burn  down  to  a  considerable  depth 


in  the  peaty  matter  and  thus  destroy  the  germs 
as  well  as  the  parent  trees.     On  these  surfaces, 

'  which  include  at  ])resent  perhaps  as  much  as  a 
tenth  of  the  swamp  area,  the  forest  wins  its 

:  way  in  a  very  slow  manner.  The  swamps 
are  principally  occupied  by  annual  plants. 
With  the  increase  of  the  population  around 
the  margin  of  the  swamp,  these  fires  are  apt 
to  become  more  common.     When  they  happen, 

;  they  cannot  be  extinguished  save  by  heavy 
rains,  and  they  make  the  use  of  the  swamp, 
except  on  certain  selected  areas,  ineligible  as 
a  nursery  of  timl)er.  We  thus  find  that  if  the 
swamp  were  brought  to  the  use  of  agriculture 
at  an  aggregate  C(!st  of  say  $4,000,000.  the 
gain  to  the  interests  of  the  community  would 

,  be  very   large.     On   the  one  side  of  the  ac- 

!  count,  we  may  have  a  revenue  from  the  timher 
which  is  not  likely  to  exceed  .Si 00,000  ])er  an- 
num; and  on  the  other  an  income  from  agri- 
cultural products  which  would  doubtless  ex- 
ceed $j, 000, 000  per  annum,  wlide  the  ct  st  of 
improxement  at  the  present  rate  of  interest  on 
mone_\-  would  not  exceed  $200,000  a  year. 

This  region  is  \-ery  favorably  placed  for 
cultivating  and  marketing  garden  crops.  Al- 
ready the  Norfolk  district  furnishes  a  large 
share  of  the  garden  products  used  by  four  or 
fi\e  million  of  peo])le  dwelling  in  the  cities  be- 
tween the  James  Ri\-er  and  the  coast  of  Maine. 
The  greater  part  of  the  territory  which  now 
furnishes  these  su])])lies  has  a  poor  soil  which 
can  be  made  to  yield  satisfactor\-  returns  only 
by  a  costly  system  of  fertillizing.  Exjieri- 
nients  already  made  within  the  Dismal  Swamp 
district  shows  that  this  soil  is  excellently 
aflapted  for  the  cultivation  of  vegetables.  The 
annual  demand  for  such  garden  crops  is  sure 
to  increase  apace,  and  there  is  no  other  field  so 
well  suited  for  the  enlargement  of  this  form  of 
agriculture  as  the  area  occupied  by  the  morass 
of  the  Dismal  Swamp  district.  The  drainage 
channels  could  readily  afford  water  transixir- 
tation  to  within  a  mile  of  every  part  of  the 
tilled  area.  In  a  manner  hereafter  to  be  noted 
a  large  portion  of  the  surface  could,  if  desired, 

,  be  irrigated  bv  the  higher  King  waters.    No- 


1/6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


where  else  in  the  world  is  there  near  to  great 
markets  so  large  a  field  of  land  suited  to  gar- 
den crops  which  is  not  used  for  such  purix)ses. 
If  availed  of  for  this  form  of  tillage,  the  an- 
nual return  from  the  land  would  probably  not 
be  less  than  $ioo  per  acre  or  a  total  of  some- 
where near  $16,000,000  per  annum  for  the 
region  which  it  is  proposed  to  drain.  It 
would,  of  course,  be  some  decades  before  it 
would  be  profitable  to  bring  all  this  vast  area 
into  such  use,  but  after  a  time  of  service  in 
ordinary  field  crops  it  seems  to  me  likely  that 
the  whole  of  the  surface  would  be  thus  util- 
ized. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  description  of  the 
Nansanond  escarpment  or  old  bench  that  sev- 
eral considerable  streams  which  cross  that  line 
have  their  head  waters  in  the  subordinate 
swamps  lying  in  general  at  the  height  of  sev- 
eral feet  above  the  western  margin  of  the 
swamp.  Owing  to  the  topographic  conditions 
of  these  inland  morasses,  they  could  readily 
be  converted  into-  great  storage  reservoirs  in 
which  irrigation  waters  would  be  retained.  I 
estimate  that  it  would  be  possible  to  store  in 
these  higher  swamps  for  the  purposes  of  sum- 
mer  irrigation   bodies   of    water    ha\ing    24 


scpiare  miles  of  area  and  an  average  depth  of 
five  feet,  the  whole  of  which  could  be  used  for 
agricultural  purposes  in  the  region  east  of  the 
Dismal  Swamp  Canal.  This  would  afford, 
making  allowance  for  evaporation,  a  sufficient 
amount  of  water  to  meet  in  dry  seasons  the 
exigencies  of  garden  tillage  of  an  area  of 
about  150  square  miles  or  say  about  100,000 
acres.  With  a  somewhat  more  costly  system 
of  storage  which  would  not  probably  tax  the 
tilled  land  for  reservoirs  to  the  annual  amount 
of  more  than  $10  per  acre,  the  water  could  be 
husbanded  and  would  afford  irrigation  facili- 
ties to  the  whole  of  this. district. 

It  is  thus  evident  that  we  have  in  this  re- 
gion a  combination  of  the  advantages  for  high- 
grade  tillage  such  as  are  rarely  found  in  any 
part  of  the  world,  an  excellent  soil,  ready 
water  communication,  a  favorable  climate  and 
opportunities  for  obtaining  abundant  irriga- 
tion water-  in  times  of  drought.  In  a  word, 
the  region  affords  all  the  advantages  of  the 
best  artificially  unwatered  soils  in  Belgium  and 
Holland  with  a  cost  for  the  improvement  far 
less  than  that  required  to  win  to  agriculture 
the  low-l\'ing  semi-marine  swamps  of  that  sec- 
tion. 


CHAPTER.  XII 


PUBLIC  EDVCATION   AND  LIBRARIES 

The  First  School  of  the  Cointv — The  F"irst  General  Public  School  Law  Enacted 
— St.  Bride's  Academy — Churchland  Academy — First  Complete  Public  School 
System  Established  in  the  County — Seaboard  Teachers'  Association — Public 
Schools  Re-established  After  the  War,  Under  the  New  Constitution  — Public 
Schools  of  Norfolk — Public  Schools  of  Portsmouth — The  Norfolk  Academy — 
Norfolk's   Libraries. 


Very  early  in  tlie  sexenteentli  century  tlie 
people  of  Norfolk  County  and  of  Elizabeth 
River  Shire  (of  which  Norfolk  County  was 
at  one  time  a  part)  began  to  be  interested  in 
education.  Not  only  were  parochial  and  pri- 
vate schools  opened  for  the  better  classes,  but 
arrangements  began  to  be  made  for  the  edu- 
cation of  the  poor.  In  thi.s  shire  Benjamin 
S\ines  by  devise,  confirmed  by  law,  in  1642, 
gave  certain  lands  for  the  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing a  free  school,  "and  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  all  others  in  the  like  pious  perform- 
ances." 

In  1659  Symes  and  Eaton  bequeathed  to 
Elizabeth  City  County  an  amount  equivalent 
to  $10,150,  the  interest  to  be  applied  to  the 
education  of  the  p<X)r,  the  proceeds  of  which 
are  still  being  used  in  said  county. 

Richard  Russell,  by  will  probated  Decem- 
ber 2,  1667,  set  apart  a  portion  of  his  estate 
to  I)e  devoted  to  the  education  of  six  of  the 
poorest  children  in  Norfolk  County ;  and  Capt. 
Hugh  Campbell,  in  1691,  donated  land  and 
tobacco  for  the  "emp^iyment  of  suitable  per- 
sons to  give  instruction  to  the  people  living 


on  tlie  Northwest  Ri\'er,  Ncjrfolk  County." 
Yet,  while  throughout  the  seventeenth  and 
eighteenth  centuries  there  were  a  number  of  pa- 
rochial and  pri\-ate  schools  located  in  the  towns 
of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  and  in  the  county 
at  Hickory  Ground,  Great  Bridge  and  Syca- 
more Hill,  where  the  children  of  the  well-tn-do 
classes  could  receive  instruction  in  reading, 
writing  and  arithmetic,  it  was  not  until  the 
beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century  that  any 
organized  system  of  free  public  education  was 
undertaken  l>y  the  corporate  authority  of  the 
county  or  State. 

Through  the  influence  and  suggestinn  nf 
Thomas  Jefferson,  the  Cleneral  Asseinbly  of 
Virginia,  on  the  22nd  day  of  December,  1796, 
enacted  a  school  law,  entitled  "An  Act  to  Es- 
tablish Public  Schools,"  the  preamble  of  which 
is  as  follows : 

Whereas,  it  appeareth  that  the  great  advantages, 
which  civilized  and  polished  nations  enjoy  beyond  the 
savage  and  liarbaroiis  nations  of  the  \v.Drld,  are  prin- 
cipally derived  from  the  invention  and  use  of  letters, 
by  means  whereof  the  knowledge  and  experience  of  past 
ages  are  recorded  and  transmitted,  so  that  man.  avail- 
ing himself   in   succession   of   the   accumulated   wisdom 


178 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  discoveries  of  his  predecessors,  is  enabled  more  suc- 
cessfully to  pursue  and  improve  not  only  their  acts,  but 
that  also  which  tends  to  illuminate  and  ennoble  his  na- 
ture and  understanding;  and 

Whereas,  upon  a  review  of  the  history  of  mankind, 
it  seemeth  that  however  favorable  Republican  govern- 
ment, founded  upon  the  principle  of  equal  liberty,  justice 
and  order,  may  be  to  human  happiness,  no  real  stability 
or  lasting  permanence  thereof  can  be  rationally  hoped 
for,  if  the  minds  of  the  citizens  be  not  rendered  liberal 
and  humane,  and  be  not  fully  impressed  with  the  im- 
portance of  those  principles  from  whence  these  bless- 
ings proceed.  With  a  view,  therefore,  to  lay  the  first 
foundation  of  a  system  of  education  which  may  tend  to 
produce  the  desirable  purpose, 

Therefore  be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  that  in  every  County  of  the  Connnonwealth 
there  shall  be  chosen  annually  by  the  electors  qualified  to 
vote  for  delegates  to  this  Assembly,  three  of  the  most 
honest  and  able  men  of  the  County,  to  be  called  Alder- 
men of  the  County. 

This  Act  further  provided  that  these  alder- 
men should  lav  off  the  county  intO'  sections, 
liave  autliority  to  appoint  teacher-s,  visit 
schools,  examine  pupils  and  so'  forth;  That  the 
householders  of  each  section  should  meet  and 
select  a  place  for  the  location  of  a  school,  and 
'that  all  free  male  and  female  children  should 
he  entitled  to  attend  three  years  free,  and  as 
much  longer  as  their  parents,  or  guardians, 
should  provide  for  by  paying  necessary  ex- 
]:)enses. 

Under  this  .\ct  the  electors  of  Norfolk 
County,  on  the  i6th  dav  of  April,  1798, 
elected'  William'  \\'hite,  Robert  Butt  and 
James  Browne,  aldermen,  as  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing writ,  or  certificate,  of  the  sheriff,  dated 
Aijril  17,  1798 : 

I  do  certify  that  pursuant  to  an  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  passed  22nd  day  of  December,  1796,  entitled 
an  Act  to  Establish  Public  Schools,  a  poll  was  taken  at 
the  Court  House  on  Monday,  the  l6th  day  of  April,  1798, 
for  the  election  of  three  Aldermen ;  and  that  William 
White,  Robert  Butt  and  James  Browne  were  duly 
elected. 

(Signed)  Robert  Shelton,  Deputy  Sheriff, 

for  Wilson  Butt,   Sheriff. 

Thus  in  1799,  at  the  opening  of  the  nine- 
teenth century,  schools  were  opened  in  several 
localities  of  Norfolk  County  for  the  free  in- 
struction of  children'  for  three  years.  Two 
of  these  schools  are  worthy  of  special  mention 


as  centers  of  education  for  the  people  of  this 
county,  which  has  always  favored  public  edu- 
cation. One  located  at  Hickory  Ground,  a 
community  in  the  southeast  sectjon  of  the 
county  along-  the  "Great  Road,"  on  which  was 
the  "Great  Bridge,"  where  one  of  the  first  bat- 
tles of  the  Revolution  was  fought  and  won 
by  the  Virginia  troops.  This  community  was 
early  a  center  of  culture  and  influence,  and  the 
school  became  a  prominent  factor  in  the  edu- 
cation of  its  men  and  women  through  the 
early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century,  and 
grew  and  devehjped  intO'  a  high  school  or 
academy  fur  primarv,  grammar  and  high 
school  work.  In  1835  it  was  rebuilt,  a  com- 
modious brick  structure  taking  the  place  of 
the  old  frame  or  log  building,  and  it  was  in- 
corporated by  the  General  Assembly  under  the 
name  of  St.  Bride's  Academ}'.  A  new  site 
was  donated  by  Josiah  \\'ilson,  who'  in  con- 
sideration of  "love,  zeal  and  earnest  desire  for 
the  rising  and  future  generations,  and  believ- 
ing that  a  well  grounded  education  will  be  a 
powerful  and  happy  auxiliary  to  obtain  this 
object,  doth  grant  to  Natheniel  Wilson,  Rich- 
ard W.  Silvester,  Samuel  Browne,  Jr.,  Na- 
hamani  Foreman.  D'a^^id  C.  ^^'ils<.^n,  William 
Wilson,  "W'illiam  Scott  and  \\'illiami  Tatem, 
trustees,  etc." 

Thisi  school  had  several  excellent  teach- 
ers, who'  ranked  with  the  best  educators  of  the 
State  or  nation.  Among  whom  may  be  men- 
tioned Robert  Ould,  lawyer,  judge  and  Con- 
federate commissioner  for  exchange  of  pris- 
oners; G.  T.  Exall,  E.  S.  Dulin  and  William 
T.  Davis,  each  of  whom,  in  after  years,  lie- 
came  professors  or  presidents  of  colleges  it 
this  State  and  Missouri.  The  second  was  lo- 
cated in  the  northwest  section  of  the  county 
and  in  the  community  now  known  as  Church- 
land,  also'  a  wealthy  and  cultivated  section. 
This  school  was  known  iiT  1802  as  the  Craney 
Island  School,  and  in  1840,  when  the  record 
shows  it  was  rebuilt,  it  was  called  the  Syca- 
more Hill  School,^  and  in  1854  it  was  again 
rebuilt  and  enlarged  to  a  building  of  three 
rooms,  and  was  enriched  by  James  H.  Carney, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


179 


who  by  will  set  apart  $1,500  to  Ije  invested 
and  the  proceeds  to  he  applied  for  the  henelit 
of  the  school,  "to  provide  free  education  for 
all  the  children  of  the  conmiunity,"  which  en- 
dowment continues  to  assist  in  ihe  mainte- 
nance of  this  school  to  the  present  day. 

In  Xoveml)er,  1872,  the  County  Court  in- 
corporated one  branch  of  this  school  under  the 
style  of  the  Churchland  Academy,  with  J.  T. 
Griffin,  W.  T.  Carney  and  others  as  trustees, 
for  instruction  in  hig'her  English  and  classics. 
This  school,  like  St.  iJride's  Academy,  has 
been  greatly  instrumental  in  shaping  and  de- 
veloping the  educational  work  of  this  county, 
and  also  had  many  excellent  and  distinguished 
teachers,  among  whom  may  be  named  Col.  A. 
K.  Yancey,  John  R.  Bagly,  Josiah  Ryland, 
W.  T.  Rhinehart  and  C.  W.  Coleman,  who  in 
after  years  were  trustees,  professors  and  presi- 
ilents  of  colleges  at  Richmond,  \'irginia, 
Thonias\ille,  Georgia,  Tuscalousa,  Alabama, 
and  Mexico,  Missouri. 

On  the  3rd  of  ^larch,  18 19,  an  Act  was 
passed  to  reduce  into  one  Act  the  several  Acts 
concerning  the  Literary  Fund.  This  was  the 
fund  derived  from  escheats,  confiscations,  for- 
feitures, derilict  personal  property,  fines,  etc. 
Section  13  provided  for  applying  part  of  the 
income  to  the  primary  object  of  its  institution 
and  directed  the  courts  of  the  counties,  cities 
and  corporate  towns  to  appoint  not  less  than 
five  nor  more  than  1 5  discreet  jiersons  school 
trustees  to  determine  what  number  of  poor 
children  "they  will  educate,  etc." 

Rut  it  was  not  until  1845  ^^^''■^  Norfolk 
County  reorganized  and  put  into  operation  a 
comjjlete  and  efficient  system  of  puljlic  schools 
for  the  benefit  of  all  the  free  white  children  of 
the  county. 

By  authority  of  an  Act  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  \'irginia,  enacted  on  the  17th  day 
of  February,  1845.  ^^  board  of  school  com- 
missioners met  at  Deep  Creek  and  organized 
by  the  election  of  Leroy  G.  Edwards,  chair- 
man ;  George  T.  Wallace,  clerk ;  and'  Stephen 
B.   Tatem,   treasurer,   and  arranged     for    the 


opening  of  jo  schnuls  with  three  local  trus- 
tees or  commissioners  for  each,  who  were  in- 
structed to  provide  a  building  and  employ  a 
teacher  for  a  term  of  10  months  at  a  salary  of 
$30  per  month,  to  he  paid  out  of  public  funds, 
and  such  additional  salary  as  might  be  pledged 
by  the  election  of  Lero\-  G.  Edwards,  chair- 
provided  for  were  oi)ened  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  }'ear,  and  soon  became  efficient  and  pop- 
ular, as  is  shown  by  the  rejjort  of  the  president 
of  the  school  board  at  its  fifth  annual  meeting 
in  June.  1849,  from  which  the  following  ex- 
tracts are  taken : 

"During  the  last  \ear  1.306  children  have 
received  correct  and  regular  instruction  at  our 
several  schools  in  all  such  branches  as  are 
taught  in  good  English  schools,  such  as  si)ell- 
ing,  writing,  reading,  arithmetic,  geography, 
grammar,  history,  mental  and  moral  philoso- 
phy, astrononi}',  composition,  rhetoric,  etc.  In 
several  of  the  schools  where  the  children  were 
far  enough  advanced  we  have  classes  in  higher 
mathematics,  Latin  and  French."  '■'  '■■  * 
"The  classics  did  not  enter  into  our  original 
scheme,  nor  do  we  now  require  the  qualified 
teacher  to  teach  them,  lor  a  practical  and  use- 
ful English  education,  such  as  farmers,  me- 
chanics and  persons  of  ordinary  vocation  need, 
is  our  standard."  *  '•'  '•'  "It  is  a  source  of 
regret  to  us  that  we  cannot  afford  better  pay 
to  our  teachers,  and  that  we  have  to  add  to 
this  by  pri\-ate  contributions  in  districts  where 
the  teachers  are  deserving  and  the  people  able 
to  do  so,  hut  we  are  proud  of  our  people,  who 
nobly  battled  for  the  cause  of  popular  educa- 
tion, and  who  willingly  contributed  the  pe- 
cuniary aid  necessary  to  perpetuate  it. 

"The  people  are  as  ardently  its  friends 
now  as  ever,  and  are  reaping  the  reward  of 
their  labors. 

"The  good  effects  of  our  schools  are  ol>- 
vious  to  all  observers,  arid  it  is  most  pleasing 
to  contemplate  not  only  what  has  been  done 
but  what  is  yet  to  be  done. 

"We  might  dilate  here  on  the  imi)ro\cd 
and  impro\ing  moral  and  physical  condition 


i8o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  onr  people  and  county,  but  will  only  state 
that  at  least  95  per  cent,  of  the  indigent  chil- 
dren of  the  county  are  now  being  educated. 

"That  our  system  is  yet  imperfect  we  free- 
ly admit,  and  we  are  in  want  of  an  agent  whose 
duty  shall  require  him  to  visit,  direct,  super- 
vise, investigate  and  report  each  school  sep- 
arately, one  cjualified  to  examine  and  license 
teachers  and  so  forth." 

As  a  result  of  this  report,  and  at  the  same 
meeting  in  1849,  Rev.  Thomas  Hume  was 
elected  the  first  superintendent  of  schools  for 
the  county,  with  a  salary  of  $500  per  annum. 
Suijerintendent  Hume  made  a  faithful  and 
efficient  officer  and  ser\-e(l  for  two  years,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Leroy  G.  Edwards,  who 
had  for  seven  years  been  chairman  of  the 
board  of  commissioners,  and  who  carried  his 
lo\-e  and  zeal  for  the  cause  into  the  superin- 
tendent's office,  where  he  did  a  splendid  work 
through  the  next  10  years. 

From  1845  to  1861  the  schools  grew  in 
number  tO'  30,  with  good  frame  school  houses 
and  with  fair  appliances  and  an  excellent  corps 
of  teachers,  who  were  zealous  in  their  work. 
These  teachers  in  1845  assembled  at  Deep 
Creek,  Norfolk  Count}",  and  organized  a 
teacher's  institute,  under  the  name  of  the  "Sea- 
board Teachers'  Association,"  which  was 
probably  the  first  teachers'  association  that 
e\"er  met  in  the  State  or  the  South,  for  in  its 
proceedings  it  is  stated  that  "This  organiza- 
tion is  just  twenty-five  years  after  the  first 
teachers'  association  of  the  United  States,  or- 
ganized in  Essex  County,  Massachusetts." 
Prof.  X.  B.  Webster  was  made  president,  and 
in  his  address  among  otlier  things  lie  said: 
"Fellow  teachers,  we  beseech  your  influence 
in  behalf  of  the  great  cause  of  education  and 
of  civil  liberty;  a  national  association  of  en- 
lightened educators  would  constitute  the 
strongest  bond  of  union  between  the  conflict- 
ing interests  of  the  various'  sections  of  our 
great  Confederation  of  States.  It  is  true  now, 
as  in  the  days  of  Cicero,  that  common  desires 
or  aversions  tend'  to  canent  more  closely  the 
tie  of  amity.     If  the  wicked  Cataline  pursued 


this  policy  in  his  base  attaript  to  ruin  his  coun- 
try, shall  not  the  friends  of  education  adopt 
for  their  motto,  and  ardently  loving  the  light 
of  knowledge,  and  hating  the  dark  tyranny  of 
ignorance,  associate  themselves  together  for 
the  accomplishment  of  their  noble  object,  and 
prove  to  the  world  that  intelligence  and  lib- 
erty are  inseparable?" 

But  this  splendid  system  of  30  schools 
wliicli  for  16  years  had  been  open  for  10 
months  per  year,  and  )iad  done  so  much  for 
the  county,  came  suddenly  to  an  end.  In  the 
spring  of  1862  the  Federal  Army  took  ix>s- 
session  of  the  cities  and  the  county  of  Nor- 
folk, and  the  schools  were  not  only  closed,  but 
the  buildings  destroyed,  some  were  burned  and 
others  were  torn  down  by  the  United  States 
soldiers,  and  the  timbers  moved  to  the  mili- 
tary camps  and  used  to  build  winter  quarters 
for  the  troops.  Among  those  so  destroyed 
were  the  buildings  located  at  Wallaceton, 
Cornland,  Good  Hope,  Bell's  I\Iill  and  Tan- 
ner's Creek. 

So  completely  were  the  schools  and  re- 
sources of  our  people  destroyed  by  this  ter- 
rible war  that  for  a  period  of  nine  years,  from 
1862  to  1871,  there  were  no  schools,  public  or 
private,  worthy  of  mention  within  the  county, 
and  such  education  as  the  children  received 
was  imparted  at  home  ])y  the  mothers  and 
older  sisters.  In  1868  by  the  adoption  of  a 
new  Constitution,  the  State  of  Virginia  was 
relieved  from  the  burden  of  military  govern- 
ment, and  as  soon  thereafter  as  practical  the 
General  Assembly  provided  by  law  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  free  public  school  system 
throughout  the  State.  Under  this  Act  in  De- 
cember, 1870,  Capt.  John  T.  ^^'est  was  com- 
missioned by  Gov.  Gilbert  C.  Walker  as  super- 
intendent of  schools  for  Norfolk  County,  with 
instructions  to  recommend  to  the  State  board 
of  education  three  men  from  each  magisterial 
district  of  the  county,  suitable  to  form  a  coun- 
ty school  lioard. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  recom- 
mended, and  were  appointed  school  trustees 
by  the  State  board  of  education,  to-wit : 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


181 


John  T.  Griffin.  D.  T,  Driver  and  W.  J.  Nicholson  ] 
for  Western  Branch  District. 

Capt.   Thomas  M.   Hodges,  Willis  W.   Tncker  and 
James  F.  Carr  for  Deep  Creek  District. 

William  R.  Dudley,  C.  T.  Foreman  and  E.  H.  Will- 
iams for  Pleasant  Grove  District. 

Harrison  Etheredgc.  Griffin  Jennings  and  Jesse  D. 
Sykes  for  Butts  Road  District. 

Maj.  William  H.  Etheredgc.   Milton  Cuthcrell  and 
Henr>'    Butt    for   Washington    District. 

Washington   T.    Capps.  Joseph   R.   Guy   and  James 
Sammons  for  Tanner's  Creek  District. 

January  20,  1871,  this  Ijoaicl  met  at  the 
Court  House  and  organized  witli  Supt.  John 
T.  West,  ex-ofticio  cliairnian,  and  Capt.  Thom- 
as M.  Hodges,  clerk.  After  hearing-  a  report 
of  Superintendent  West  as  to  the  powers  of 
the  board  and  the  deplorable  condition  of  ed- 
ucation in  the  county,  the  board  with  entire 
unanimity  instructed  the  district  trustees  to  at 
once  organize  separate  schools  for  white  and 
colored  children  wherever  practical  in  their  re- 
spective districts,  and  by  resolution  requested 
the  board  of  sui^ervisors  of  the  county  to  sub- 
mit to  the  vote  of  the  people  at  the  approach- 
ing May  election  the  question  of  levying  a 
tax  of  30  cents  on  the  $100  of  real  and  per- 
sonal property  to  form  a  district  and  county 
fund,  supplementary  to  that  of  the  State.  The 
board  of  su]3er\isors  promptly  submitted  the 
question,  and  the  people  by  a  large  majority 
voted  the  levy.  This  assured  a  moderate  sup- 
port for  the  19  white  and  1 1  colored  schools 
which  had  been  opened  by  April   i.  1871. 

Thus  began  the  reorganized  i)ublic  school 
system  of  Norfolk  County,  which  has  grow-n 
in  power,  efficiency  and  ])opularity  to  this 
writing.  Superintendent  West  continued  the 
supervision  of  these  schools  through  three 
terms  until  1882,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Jesse  E.  Baker,  who  served  for  four  years, 
when  Capt.  John  T.  ^\'est  was  again  elected 
superintendent,  and  has  been  re-elected  each 
successive  term  to  the  present  time,  when  he 
is  at  the  head  of  a  system  of  125  schools  (73 
for  white  and  52  for  colored  pupils)  with  an 
enrollment  of  7.000  children,  and  an  a\erage 
term  of  nine  months  for  white  and  eight 
months  for  colored. 

The    last    report  of  Superintendent  ^\'est 


shows  that  these  schools  are  taught  by  a 
trained  and  experienced  corps  of  teachers  with 
a  graded  course  of  study  from  the  primary  to 
the  high  school.  That  there  are  76  school 
buildings,  fully  ec[uipped  with  patent  desks, 
slate  black  boards,  maps,  globes,  charts,  etc., 
and  valued  at  $65,000,  and  that  there  are  now 
in  the  course  of  erection  two  $15,000  build- 
ings with  eight  nx)ms  each,  and  that  there 
was  expended  for  the  past  year : 

For  teachers'   wages $  36.466.75 

For  clerks   and   treasurers 1.613.43 

For  real  estate,  buildings  and  repairs 6.716.40 

For  contingent  expenses   5.103.90 

Total   $49,500.48 

PUBLIC    SCHOOLS   OF    NORFOLK. 

A  report  of  the  superintendent  in  1885 
says :  "A  system  of  public  schools  was  inaug- 
urated in  the  year  1857.  P'or  many  years  be- 
fore this  date  provision  had  been  made  by  the 
city  or  borough  for  the  instruction  of  the 
poorer  classes.  A  schcKil  on  the  Lancasterian 
plan  was  located  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Fenchurch  street  school,  and  a  night  school 
was  also  opened  for  those  whose  occupation 
during  the  day  debarred  them  from  other 
means  of  instruction." 

Thomas  C.  Tabb,  a  prominent  lawyer,  was 
charged  with  organizing  and  putting  into  op- 
eration a  system  of  schools  to  meet  the  needs 
of  the  public.  On  his  retirement,  William  U. 
Bagnall  was  elected  superintendent  and  re- 
mained in  office  until  his  death  in  1867.  The 
vacancy  was  filled  bv  the  election  of  Hon. 
William  \\'.  Lamli.  An  (irdinance  was  passed 
by  the  City  Council  in  187 1  to  reorganize  the 
public  schools  under  provisions  of  Acts  of  the 
General  Assembly.  >Ir.  Lamb  was  appointed 
to  continue  in  the  office  of  superintendent, 
which  he  held  until  his  death  in  the  year  1874. 
The  officers  of  the  public  school  board  are 
Hon.  John  B.  AX'hitehead,  president :  Richard 
.V.  Dobie.  superintendent ;  and  Richard  C. 
Taylor,  secretary. 

Since  1857  there  have  been  10  superintend- 
ents, as  follows : 


I«2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


9- 

10. 


Thomas  C.  Tabb,  1857  to  1865. 
William  D.  Bagnall,  1865  to  1867. 
William  W.  Lamb,  1867  to  1874. 
Gen.  Richard  L.  Page.  1874  to  1882, 
Rev.  C.   S.   Blackwell,   1882  to  1884. 
R.  G.  Banks,   1884  to  1886. 
James  Barron  Hope,   1886  to   1887. 
George   W.   Taylor,    1887   to    1890. 
Kenton  C.  Murray,  1890  to  1896. 
Richard  A.  Dobie,  1896   (Still  in  office.) 


Remarkable  progress  has  been  made  in  the 
past  few  years  in  bringing  the  public  schools 
up  to  a  higher  plane,  and  in  all  that  pertains 
to  them, — their  teachers,  the  school  buildings, 
courses  of  study,  and  results  achieved, — they 
Avill  compare  favorabh-  with  the  public  schools 
■of  any  city  in  the  South, 

Much  needed  facilities  have  recenth'  been 
afforded  by  the  completion  of  three  handsome, 
commodious,  well-arranged  and  well-located 
school  buildings  and  a  site  has  recently  been 
secured  for  a  new  public  school  building  in 
Atlantic  City  Ward. 

Norfolk  has  12  school-houses,  10  brick 
and  two  frame,  with  a  total  of  65  rooms. 
There  is  an  average  of  one  acre  of  land  to-  each 
school,  and  the  total  value  of  the  public  school 
property  is  $150,000. 

The  cost  of  public  education  for  the  year 
ending  July  31,  1899,  was  as  follows: 

Teachers'  wages   $40,780.00 

Secretary  of  the  board 500.00 

City  superintendent  1,350.00 

City    treasurer,    commissions 110.40 

Rents    1,250.00 

Fuel  and  lights 683.42 

Janitors    1,888.90 

Text  books  for  indigent  children 470.77 

Apparatus   49.00 

Other  contingent  expenses 976.07 

Total  cost  ' $48,058.56 

Superintendent  Dobie" s  report  for  the  year 
ending  July  31,  1899,  gives  the  following 
figures  regarding  the  enrollment  and  attend- 
ance : 

Total   number  of  pupils   enrolled '.  .  3,343 

Average   monthly   enrollment 3.092 

Average  daily  attendance 2,677 

A^umber  of  teachers  employed 65 

White  teachers — males,  6;  females,  48;  total 54 


Colored  teachers — males,  i;  females,  lo;  total,...  11 

Average  number  of  pupils  enrolled  to  each  teacher.  48 

Total  number  of  days  taught 198 

Average  age  of  pupils,   10.62  years. 


PUBLIC    SCHOOLS    OF    PORTSMOUTH. 

Although  the  origin  of  public  education 
may  be  traced  to  an  early  date ;  and  while  pub- 
lic schools  existed  before,  the  regxilar  free 
school  system  was  not  established  by  Act  of 
Assembly  until  1845.  Prior  to  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  city,  the  schools  were  managed  in 
conjunction  with  Norfolk  County.  The  town 
trustees,  after  the  Act  of  1845,  secured  the 
title  to  two  lots,  one  on  the  corner  of  Middle, 
and  Glasgow  streets  in  the  First  Ward  of  the 
city,  and  one  near  Fourth  street,  in  the  Fourth 
^Vard.  They  built  a  brick  academy  on  the 
first  lot  and  opened  four  schools,  and  on  the 
second  lot  a  wooden  building,  with  four 
schools.  Some  of  the  most  prominent  and 
successful  citizens  of  Portsmouth  received 
their  education  in  these  schools.  They  seem 
to  have  been  supported  by  small  tuition  and 
admittance  fees  in  certain  instances,  taxes  as- 
sessed for  the  purpose,  and  contributions  from 
the  Literary  Fund.  The  academy  on  the  first- 
named  lot  was  burned  in  1857  and  a  larger 
and  better  one  was  erected  in  its  place.  It 
was  known  as  "First  District  Academy."  The 
city  of  Portsmouth  was  incorporated  in  1858 
and  one-third  of  the  profits  of  the  "Norfolk 
County  Ferries"  was  divided  each  month  be- 
tween the  county  and  city  for  school  purposes. 
After  the  Confederate  War,  all  the  schools  re- 
opened with  an  addition  of  two,  and  continued 
until  the  present  system  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition. A  large  brick  building  was  completed 
in  ^lay,  1879,  '^^  ^  cost  of  about  $7,500  for  the 
colored  schools,  which  was  then  the  finest 
school  building  in  the  city.  In  1885  the  school 
building  in  the  Fourth  Ward  was  constructed  at 
a  total  cost  of  $12,000,  to  take  the  place  of  the 
old  wooden  building.  A  lot  was  purchased  on 
Green  street  and  a  handsome  building  was 
constructed  and  the  schools  removed  from  the 
first  district  building  to  that  home.     Here  the 


City  Col'rt  Hoise,   Norfolk,  Va. 


The  Norfolk  Academy.  Norfolk,  Va. 


1 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


185 


first  liigli  school  was  instituted  aljniit  13  years 
ago  w  ith  Prof.  L.  P.  Slater  as  principal ; 
and  lie  was  succeeded  in  iSS<;  by  Prof.  Willis 
A.  Jenkins,  the  i)rese!it  head-master.  A  hand- 
some new  brick  structure  was  erected  for  the 
new  Fifth  Ward  in  1898.  and  now  there  are 
four  handsome  school  buildings  in  the  city 
with  38  schools  and  2.000  scholars.  The  su- 
perintendents under  the  present  system  have 
been:  James  F.  Crocker.  (Iritifin  F.  Edwards 
and  John  C.  Ashton,  who  is  still  in  office. 

The  value  of  school  property.  August  1, 
1900.  was  ?47,ooo.  The  exi>enses  for  the 
year  ending  July  31,  1900,  were  $19,691.03. 
The  officers  of  the  public  school  board  are : 
David  A.  ^^'illiams.  president :  (ieorge  A. 
'J'abb,  treasurer :  and  William  A.  Culpepper, 
secretary.  

THE    XORI-OLK    .\C.\1)K.M V. 

In  January.  1804,  a  charter  of  incorpora- 
tion was  granted  to  the  "Trustees  of  the  the 
Norfolk  Academy,"  composed  of  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen:  Thomas  Xewton.  Jr..  John 
Xi\is<in.  Thomas  Blanchard.  Theoderick 
Armistead,  Robert  Broiigh,  John  E.  Holt.  Lit- 
tleton W.  Tazewell.  Phillip  Barraud.  Alex- 
ander Jordan.  Richard  H.  Lee  and  Arthur 
Lee.  This  corporation  was  endowed  with  all 
the  powers  usual  to  such  bodies  and  is  still 
a  close  corp<iration.  that  is,  one  in  which  va- 
cancies are  filled  by  the  vote  of  the  remaining 
members. 

The  original  school  building  was  situated 
on  Church  street,  a  part  of  its  site  now  being 
occupied  by  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 
With  the  exception  of  one  year.  1805.  the 
school  remained  in  its  original  location  until 
it  was  removed  in  1841  to  its  present  site,  in 
the  square  lx)unded  by  Bank  street,  Charlotte 
street.  Cumberland  street  and  Grigsby  Place. 
1  he  jjresent  building  was  planned  bv  Thomas 
Ustick  Walter.  D.  C.  L..  LL.  D..'of  Phila- 
delphia, the  architect  nf  Ciirard  College  and  of 
extensions  to  many  public  iniildings  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.     For  classicahiess  of  stvle  and 


for  appropriateness  of  design,  we  doubt  if  its 
equal  can  be  found  among  ])reparatory  schools 
of  the  South.  In  1862  the  academy  building 
was  seized  l)y  the  Uniteil  States  authorities 
and  used  by  them  for  three  years  as  a  hospital, 
its  name  being  the  "Delemater  Hospital." 

The  character  of  the  work  done  by  the 
Norfolk  Academy  has  alwaxs  kept  pace  with 
the  demands  made  upon  preparatory  schools 
l;y  the  leading  colleges  of  Virginia  and  of 
the  States  north  of  us.  Gratluates  of  the  Xor- 
fiilk  Acadeni)-  have  won  honor  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  \'irginia,  Johns  tlopkins  University, 
Lehigh  University,  Cornell  University,  Prince- 
ton University,  Harvard  University  and  the 
L^nited  States  Academies  at  Anna])nlis  and 
West  Point,  as  well  as  at  scores  of  minnr  col- 
leges in  this  and  other  States. 

The  first  principal  of  the  Norfolk  Academy 
was  Rev.  James  Whitehead,  who  remained  in 
charge  for  only  a  short  time.  In  fact  there 
were  frequent  changes  of  administration  until 
1845.  when  Col.  John  B.  Strange  (V.  M.  I.) 
assumed  charge  of  the  school.  He  remained 
principal  until  1855.  and  was  succeeded  by 
John  S.  Gamble,  who,  in  turn,  was  followed 
by  William  R.  Gait.  From  1865  to  1882, 
Re\-.  Robert  Gatewixid,  who  had  been  former- 
ly employed  as  assistant  teacher  at  the  acad- 
emy, was  principal,  and  under  his  adminis- 
tration the  school  was  particularly  successful 
in  the  training  of  bovs  for  the  United  States 
Naval  Academy.  In  1882  R.  W.  Tunstall 
and  James  H.  Dillard  were  elected  joint  prin- 
cipals, but  the  latter  resigned  in  1887  to  ac- 
cept a  flattering  offer  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
as  president  of  Marv  Institute,  from  which 
place  he  was  called  a  few  years  afterward  to 
the  professorship  of  Latin  in  Tulane  Univer- 
sity, New  Orleans.  K.  W.  Tunstall  was  sole 
principal  from  1887  to  1900,  when  he  resigned 
to  accept  the  professorship  of  Latin  and  Greek 
at  T(jnie  Institute,  Port  Deposit,  Maryland. 
J.  F.  Blackwell.  who  had  been  his  first  assist- 
ant for  1 1  years,  was  elected  ]>rinciiial  in  May. 
1900.     The  present  board  of  trustees  consists 

Richard    II. 


of    the    following    gentlemen 


i86 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Baker,  Sr.,  president;  Htm.  \\illiam  Lamb, 
vice-president ;  Smith  N.  Brickhoiise,  William 
W.  Chamberlaine.  George  \\'.  Dey,  Judge 
D.  Tucker  Brooke,  Dr.  Douglas  C.  Cannon, 
Judge  F.  Al.  W'hitehurst,  John  B.  Jenkins, 
Judge  T.  S.  Garnett,  H.  B.  Bagnall,  and 
George  Chamberlaine,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

The  Norfolk  Academy  has  had  but  one 
endowment  in  all  its  long  history,  this  having 
been  made  by  Dr.  Augustine  Slaughter,  with 
the  understanding  that  one  or  t\vo  poor  boys 
should  be  educated  annuall_\-  from  the  inter- 
est derived  from  this  sum,  amounting  to 
$4,454.17. 

By  an  order  of  the  court,  this  sum  was 
used,  together  with  other  funds,  in  the  erec- 
tion of  the  present  building  and  a  deed  of  trust 
upon  the  property  executed  by  the  trustees  of 
the  Norfolk  Academy.  In  lieu  of  interest 
upon  this  mortgage,  the  academy  has  ever 
since  educated  from  six  to  10  boys  annually 
free  of  charge.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the 
Norfolk  Academy  has  maintained  its  high 
character  from  tuition  fees  alone,  which,  in 
consideration  of  the  moderate  charges — $60 
to  $80  per  annum — is  rather  remarkable.  It 
seems  strange  that  no  public-spirited  alumnus 
or  philanthropist,  except  Dr.  Slaughter,  has 
seen  fit  to  endow  this  school,  which  has  been 
such  a  power  for  good  in  Norfolk  and  its  vi- 
cinity, and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  its  needs  in 
this  line  will  not  \'ery  much  longer  remain 
unsatisfied. 

Norfolk's  libraries. 

The  recent  handsome  gift  of  Andrew  Car- 
negie to  Norfolk  for  the  erection  of  a  library 
building  did  much  tO'  increase  the  large  and 
growing  interest  in  the  Norfolk  Public  Li- 
brary, which,  though  not  generally  known,  has 
been  in  existence  for  nearly  three-quarters  of 
a  century,  but  not  without  some  interruptions. 
Some  of  this  history  has  never  been  put  be- 
fore the  public,  and  to  gi\-e  it  just  at  this  time 
will  serve  to  make  it  doubly  interesting. 

While  tliere  were  many  private  libraries  of 


value  known  to  have  existed  in  Norfolk  in  the 
early  part  of  the  nineteenth  centry,  conspicu- 
ously those  of  Gen.  Robert  B.  Taylor,  Hon. 
Littleton  \\'.  Tazewell,  Hon.  William  ^^'irt, 
Hon.  \^'illiam  B.  Lamb  and  others,  there  is  no 
public  library  known  to  have  been  in  the  city 
of  Norfolk  before  March  22,  1827,  when  the 
Lyceum  was  opened  through  the  exertions  of 

j  Hon.  William  iMaxwell,  one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished lawyers  that  Virginia  ever  pro- 
duced, and  who  in  late  years  left  Norfolk  for 
Richmond  to  become  the  editor  of  the  J'ir- 
giiiia  Historical  Register,  and  manager  of  the 
Virginia  Historical  Society. 

The  Lyceum  was  erected  on  the  north  side 
of  Wolf  street,  \\hich  then  ran,  as  now,  from 
Catherine  (now  Bank)  to  Cumberland.  There 
was  a  small  lane  to  the  east  of  it,  which  has 
since  become  Chapel  street,  running  through 
from  Wolf  to  Freemason. 

Besides  ha\-ing  a  circulating  librar}-,  the 
building  was  used  for  public  lectures  and 
meetings  of  literar\-  associations.  The  library 
lasted  over  a  decade,  when  it  was  sold,  and  the 

■  building  was  purchased  by  the  Odd  Fellows, 
who  enlarged  it  by  putting  a  second  story  (.m 
the  same.  The  building  was  subsequently  tle- 
stroyed  by  tire. 

Some  twenty  years  after,  there  was  a  li- 
brary established  by  the  Washington  Institute, 
which  flourished  for  a  while,  but  was  broken 
up  by  the  fever  of  1855. 

In  August,  1870,  tlie  Norfolk  Library 
Association  was  organized  and  Dr.  Samuel 
Selden  elected  president.  In  October,  1872, 
it  was  chartered  by  the  Circuit  Court,  and  Dr. 
William  Selden  was  selected  president.  He 
was  followed  in  the  presidency  by  a  number 
of  other  leading  citizens,  and  the  library  llour- 

I  ished;   but   it    was   moxed    from   the     Norfolk 

i  Academy  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation Building  on  Alain  street,  against  the 
judgment  of  many  of  those  interested.  It  re- 
mained there  a  \'ery  sliort  time  and  was  then 
moved  to  the  present  library  building.  The 
move  from  the  Norfolk.  Academy,  where  the 
rent  was   free,   proved   vevy  disadvantageous,. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


187 


ami  alter  tlie  suhscnptinns  were  all  paid  up 
the  inci.iine  was  iiisiifiicieiU  to  keep  the  library 
{joiiiii'.  <'"i<l  it  ^^^^  alxnit  to  be  sold  in  1894  for 
debt,  when,  with  the  consent  of  the  stock- 
luilders.  the  books  were  transferred  t(j  a  few 
gentlemen  upon  the  condition  that  they  would 
pay  the  debts  of  the  institution  and  organize 
a  public  librarv.  CHI.  William  Lamb  was 
elected  president  and  John  L.  Roper  vice- 
presidejit  of  the  new  organization.  William 
H.  Sergeant  was  elected  librarian,  a  most 
fortunate  selection,  as  he  gave  for  a  \ery 
small  remuneration  the  benefit  of  his  experi- 
ence as  tJie  former  librarian  of  the  Mercantile 
Library  of  Baltimore.  In  getting  the  charter 
from  tlie  legislature,  the  president  had  inserted 
authority  for  the  Councils  of  the  city  of  Nor- 
folk to  a])i)i"oi)riate  a  sum  not  exceeding 
$5,000  a  year  toward  the  sui>piirt  and  main- 
tenance of  the  library.  After  the  adoption  of 
the  charter,  the  Councils  were  ])ersuaded  to 
appropriate  $1,500  a  year,  and  they  have  con- 
tinued it  to  the  present  time. 

The  library  has  gone  on  increasing,  and 
the  attendance  in  the  year  1900  amounted  to 
53,000,  and  26,000  volumes  were  given  out. 

The  librarian  and  his  efficient  assistant  are 
to  a  great  extent  the  instructors  of  our  young 
people  in  their  search  after  knowledge,  espe- 
cially in  their  assistance  to  the  young  in  pre- 
paring essays,  orations  and  debates,  and  they 
have  made  the  library  the  capstone  of  our  pub- 
lic school  system. 

Recentlv  Mr.  Myers,  one  of  the  directors, 
wrote  Andrew  Carnegie  and  asked  that  he  e.x- 
tend  the  same  generosity  toward  this  com- 
munitv  that  he  had  to  f)tliers  in  the  matter  of 


a  lilirar\',  and  he  rcsjxinded  \ery  promptly 
through  his  secretary  that  he  would  give  the 
city  i)f  Norfolk  $50,000  towards  the  erection 
of  a  library  building  if  the  city  wnuld  guar- 
antee an  a]j])ropriation  nf  .$5,000  a  year  toward 
the  support  of  the  libr.'irx-  and  a  suitable 
site. 

Colonel  Lamb,  president  of  the  Norfolk 
Public  Library,  went  before  the  Councils  and 
requested  them  to  make  this  api)ropriation  and 
to  recpiest  y\r.  Carnegie  tu  make  the  gift 
through  this  institution,  which  already  jxjs- 
sessed  a  most  \-alual)le  library,  and  whose  pres- 
ident and  directors  were  the  trustees  for  the 
benefit  of  the  public  in  the  conduct  of  the 
!  library  without  any  reward,  except  their  satis- 
faction in  C(_>ntributing  to  the  entertainment 
and  instruction  of  the  community  by  offering 
them  the  benefits  of  a  well-conilucted  library, 
and  both  Councils  responded  favorabl}'  by  a 
unanimous  vote. 

At  the  same  time,  througli  a  fa\-orable  de- 
cision of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia  in 
the  case  in  which  the  late  II.  I).  Van  W'ycke 
was  interested,  he  left  through  his  executor, 
Capt.  W.  W.  Old,  about  $15,000  toward  the 
purchase  of  a  lot  for  the  ])ublic  library. 

It  is  now  only  a  fpiestion  of  a  short  time 
before  the  city  will  have  a  public  lilirary  build- 
ing for  a  well-conducted  library,  which  will 
be  a  source  of  great  pride  to  the  communitj'. 

There  are  three  collections  of  books  ac- 
cessible to  the  public  at  Norfolk — the  library 
of  the  Niirfolk  Library  Association,  8,000 
volumes:  the  X(irf(jlk  V.  M.  C.  A.  Library 
and  the  Law  Library  of  the  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  I'ar  .\ssociation. 


11 


CHAPTER.  XIII 


CHUR.CHES  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORGANIZATIONS 

The  Church  of  England  in  the  Colony  of  \'n';GiNL-\ — Elizabeth  River  Parish — The 
Parish  Divided  into  Elizabeth  River,  Portsmouth  and  St.  Bride's  Parishes — 
St.  Paul's  Church  and  Norfolk  Long  Ago — Other  Protestant  Episcopal 
Churches  in  the  County. 


the  church  of  ENGLAND. 

Tlie  Church  of  England  was  the  Churcli  of 
the  Colony  of  Viro^inia  and  Governor  Wyatt's 
instructions  under  date  of  July  24.  162 1,  re- 
quired him  "To  keep  u]>  religion  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  near  as  may  he." 

The  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  ^^larch 
5,  1623-24,  provided: 

That  there  shall  be  in  every  plantation,  where  the 
people  use  to  meete  for  the  worship  of  God.  a  house  or 
roome,  sequestered  for  that  purpose,  and  not  to  be  for 
any  temporal  use  whatsoever,  and  a  place  empaled  in, 
sequestered  only  to  the  l)uryal  of  the  dead. 

That  whosoever  shall  absent  himselfe  from  divine 
service  any  Sunday  without  an  allowable  e.xcuse  shall 
forfeit  a  pound  of  tobacco,  and  he  that  absenteth  him- 
.selfe  a  month  shall  forfeit  fifty  pounds  of  tobacco. 

That  there  be  an  uniformity  in  our  Church  as  neere 
as  may  be  to  the  canons  in  England :  both  in  substance 
and  circumstance,  and  that  all  persons  yield  readie 
obedience  unto  them  under  painc  of  censure. 

That  the  22nd  of  March  be  yearly  solemnized  as 
holliday.  and  all  other  hollidays  (except  when  they  fall 
two  together)  betwixt  the  feast  of  the  annunciation  of 
the  blessed  virgin  and  St.  Michael  the  archangel,  then 
only  the  first  to  be  observed  by  reason  of  our  neces- 
sities. 

That  no  minister  be  absent  from  his  Church  above 
two  months  in  all  the  Yeare  upon  penalty  of  forfeiting 
Inlf  his  means,  and  whosoever  shall  absent  above  fowre 
months  in  the  year  shall  forfeit  his  whole  means  and 
•cure.    "  ■  .... 

That    whosoever   shall    disparage   a    minister   with- 


out bringing  sufficient  proofe  to  justify  his  reports 
whereby  the  mindes  of  his  parishioners  may  be  alien- 
ated from  him.  and  his  ministry  prove  the  less  effect- 
ual by  their  prejudication,  shall  not  only  pay  500  lb. 
waight  of  tobacco,  but  also  aske  the  minister  so 
wronged   forgiveness  publickly  in  the  congregation. 

That  no  man  dispose  of  his  tobacco  before  the 
minister  be  satisfied,  upon  pain  of  forfeiture  double 
his  part  of  the  minister's  means,  and  one  man  of  every 
plantation  to  collect  his  ineans  out  of  the  first  and  best 
tobacco  and  corn. 

The  22nd  of  March  was  set  apart  as  a  holi- 
da_\-  in  commemoration  of  the  escape  of  the 
Cclotiy  from  entire  annihilation  bv  tlie  terrible 
massacre  by  the  Indians  on  the  22nd  of  March, 
1622. 

The  fees  of  ministers  for  marriage  were 
twii  shillings  and  for  burying,  one  shilling. 
Their  deportment  was  regulated  by  law.  which 
prohibited  them  from  drinking  to  excess,  spend- 
ing their  lime  idly  by  playing  at  dice,  cards  or 
anv  ether  unlawful  game;  and  they  were  en- 
joined to  occupy  themseh-es  with  honest  stud- 
ies, to  excel  others  in  purity  of  life  and  be  ex- 
amples to  the  people.  They  were  required  on 
every  Sunday  before  the  evening  prayer  for  an 
hdur  (.r  mure  to  instruct  and  catechise  chil- 
dren. Parents  and  masters  who  neglected  to 
send  children  to  Sabbath-school  were  censured 
bv  the  courts. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


189 


From  the  earliest  records  of  Lower  Nor- 
folk County  there  was  a  church  at  Lvnnhaven 
near  tiie  home  of  Capt.  Adam  Thoroijood.  At 
a  session  of  the  County  Court  held  on  the  21st 
of  Xoveml>er,  1638,  in  compliance  with  aai 
order  from  the  "Go\ernor  and  Council  for  the 
building;  and  erecting  of  a  Church  in  the  upper 
part  of  this  Count}-,  with  reference  to  the  Com- 
mander and  Commissioners  of  the  said  Court 
for  the  appointing  of  a  place  fitting  and  con- 
venient for  the  situation  and  huilding  thereof," 
the  court  appointed  Capt.  John  Sibsey  and 
Henry  Sewell  a  committee  to  carry  out  the 
order,  and  the  churcli  was  located  on  Mr. 
Sewell's  land  on  a  site  donated  by  him  for  the 
purpose. 

At   the  court   held   0111  the    15th   of   May, 
1637.  it  was  ordered  that  John  Wilson,  min- 
ister of  Elizal.)eth  River  Parish,  should  solem- 
nize bans  of  matrimony  between   the  parties 
therein  named,  so  I  conclude  that  he  was  the 
tirst  minister  of  the  parish.     He  had  a  hard 
struggle  with  ]3overty,  his  tithes  were  unpaid, 
judgments  for  his  debts  were  obtained  against 
him  which  he  was  unable  to  pay,  and  with  the 
])rison  staring  him  in  the  face,  he  died  in  1640. 
The  sheritt  was  directed  to  take  charge  of  his 
estate,  collect  the  tithes  due  him  and  pay  his 
debts,  and  it  was  ascertained  tliat  only  two  men 
in   the  count}"   hail  paid   their   tithes    for   the 
previous  year. 

Notwithstanding  this  condition  of  affairs. 
Rev.  Thomas  Harrison  became  an  applicant 
for  minister  f)f  the  parish  and  was  appointed 
by  the  court,  on  the  6th  of  Jul}',  1640.  Lieut. 
I'rancis  Mason  and  Tliomas  ]\Iears  qualihetl 
as  church  wardens  of  Elizabeth  Ri\'er  Parish. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1640,  the  County 
Court  ordered:  "Whereas  the  inhabitants  of 
this  pari.sh  being  this  day  confronted  for  the  1 
])roviding  of  themseb-es  an  able  minister  to 
instruct  them  concerning  their  souls  hereat.  I 
Mr.  Thomas  Harrison,  Clerk,  hath  tendered 
his  services  to  God  and  the  said  inhabitants  in 
that  behalf  which  his  said  tender  is  well  liked 
of,  with  the  general  approbatiiw  of  the  said 
inhabitants,   the    parishonerg    of    the    parish 


Church  at  iMr.  Sewell's  P(nnt  who  to  testify 
their  zeal  and  willingness  to  promote  God's 
science  do  hereby  promise  and  the  Court  now 
sitting  doth  likewise  order  and  establish  the 
same  to  ]ray  100  pounds  yearly  to  the  said  Har" 
rison  salary  as  long  as  he  shall  continue  min- 
ister to  the  said  parish,  a  recompense  of  his 
]>ains  and  in  full  satisfaction  of  his  rates 
(tithes)  within  the  limits  which  is  to  be  paid 
to  him  as  follows :  Captain  John  Sibly,  Lt. 
Francis  Mason,  Mr.  Henry  Sewell  are  tt)  pay 
for  themseh-es  and  the  inhabitants  of  this 
parish'  for  Capt.  \^'illoughb}•'s  plantation  to 
Daniel  Tanner's  Creek  thirty-two  pounds,  ten 
shillings  sterling.  j\Ir.  Cornelius  Lloyd,  Tvlr. 
Heni-y  Gotten  and  Job  Hill  are  to  pay  for  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Western  Branch  and  Camey 
Point  thirty-three  pounds  sterling.  Mr.  Wm. 
Julian,  Mr.  John  Gatier,  Ensign  Thomas  Lam- 
bert, Thomas  Swayn.  Thomas  Meare  and  Ira 
.\tkins  are  to  pay  thirtv-six  po.unds  sterling 
for  the  inhabitants  from  Daniel  Tanner's  Creek 
and  of  all  the  Eastward  and  Southward 
Branches.  In  testimony  whereof  we  the  said 
undertakers  have  hereunto'  subscribed  our 
names. 


'AMiereas  there  is  a  difference  among  the 
inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  parish  concerning 
the  emploA'ing  a  minister  being  now  enter- 
tained to  have  among  them  the  inhaljitants 
from  Daniel  Tanner's  Creek  and  upward  the 
three  branches  of  the  Elizal)eth  River,  in  Re- 
spect they  are  the  greatest  number  of  teachable 
persons  not  thinking  it  fit  and  equal  that  they 
should  ])ay  the  greatest  part  of  one  hniidred 
])oun(!s.  which  is  by  aforesaid  -\ct  alloted  for 
the  minister's  annual  sti])end  unless  the  said 
minister  may  teach  and  instruct  them  as  often 
as  he  shall  teach  the  jiarish  Church  at  Mr. 
Sewell's  Point.  It  is  therefore  arranged 
amongst  said  inhabitants  that  the  said  minister 
shall  teach  every  other  Sunday  amongst  the 
inhabitants  in  Elizabeth  River  at  the  house  of 
Robert  Glascock  until  a  convenient  Church  be 
built  and  erected  here  for  God's  science  which 


I  go 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


is  agreed  to  be  furnished  at  tlie  charge  of  the 
inhabitants  (jf  Ebzabetli  River  before  the  first 
day  of  May  ensuing."  It  was  not  finislied,  so 
the  court  ordered  its  completion  and  ser\'ices 
were  held  in  it  in  October,  1641. 

When  Henry  Sewell  died,  his  wife  soon 
followed  him  to  the  grave.  They  were  buried 
under  the  chancel  of  the  church  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Harrison  performed  the  last  sad  rites  and  for 
his  ser\-ices  charged  1,000  pounds  of  tobacco, 
for  which  he  sued  the  administrator,  and  the 
court  gave  judgment  and  ordered  the  tobacco 
to  be  paid  in  10  days.  Rev.  Mr.  Harrison  be- 
came imbued  with  Puritanism  and  on  the  15th 
of  April,  1645,  charges  were  preferred  against 
himi  by  Mathew  Phillips  and  Thomas  Ivey, 
church  wardens  of  the  parish,  "For  not  reading 
the  book  oi  common  prayer  and  for  not  ad- 
ministering the  sacrament  of  baptism  accord- 
ing toi  the  canons  and  order  prescribed,  and  for 
not  catechising  on  Sunday  in  the  afternoon  ac- 
cording to  Act  of  the  Assembly."  The  matter 
was  transferred  to  the  Quarter  Court  at  James 
Cit)'  for  trial ;  but  Mr.  Harrison  shortly  after- 
ward moved  to  Plymouth,  Massachusetts. 

August  10,  1648,  Capt.  John  Sib.sey,  Fran- 
cis .Mason,  Thomas  Lambert,  John  Hill.  Cor- 
nelius Lloyd,  Henry  Catlin  and  Thomas  Sayer, 
vestrymen  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish,  met  and 
elected  Mathew  Phillips,  Thomas  Browne, 
Jolm  Fferinghaugh  and  Thomas  Ivy  to  fill 
'  vacancies  in  the  vestry.  Thev  adjourned  tO'  meet 
in  October,  when  they  added)  SheritT  Richard 
Conquest  to  their  liody  and  directed  that  Re\'. 
Richard  Po'wis,  who.  had  lieen  preaching  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  for  about  four 
years,  should  have  and  receive  one  year's  full 
tithes  in  tobaccO'  and  corn.  John  Hill  and 
AVilliam  Crouch  were  elected  churchwardens 
for  Elizabeth  River  Parish.  In  1649  \Mlliam 
Crouch  and  James  Warner  were  churchwar- 
dens. 

Tlie  churchwardens  were  re(|uired  to  keep 
the  church  in  repair,  pnnide  books  and  orna- 
ments, to  connect  minister's  dues,  and  render  an 
account  of  disbursements,  tO'  present  to  court 
blasphemous,  wicked  and  dissolute  per.sons.  to 


cause  vestries  toi  be  summoned  to  meet  within 
one  month  after  receiving  order  for  proces- 
sioning land,  to  give  notice  at  church  of  per- 
sons and  times  apjxDinted  to  procession,  to  e.x- 
amine  inj  presence  oi  vestries,  and  compare 
with  "the  originals,  the  registers  of  returns 
made  b}-  processicjners.  and  certify  the  same, 
to  bind  out  by  order  of  court  chiklren  of  poor 
persons  unable  toi  maintain  or  educate  them. 

The  law  required  that  12  of  the  most  able 
men  of  each  parish  should  be  chosen  by  the 
major  part  of  the  parish  tO'  be  a  vestry,  out  of 
whicli  number  the  minister  and  vestry  w^ere  to 
make  choice  of  two  churchwardens  yearly. 

On  the  17th  day  of  January,  1734,  Rev. 
Moses  Robertson,  John  Ellegcod,  churchwar- 
den. Ccl.  George  Xewton.  Maj.  Samuel  Boush. 
Stephen  \\'right.  John  Corprew,  Thomas 
Wright  and  Willis  ^^'ilson,  Gents.,  vestrymen, 
conveyed  to  Samuel  Smith  the  Glebe,  now  em- 
braced in  the  city  of  Norfolk.  On  the  5th  of 
March,  1761,  the  General  Assembly  at  Will- 
iamsburg, Virginia,  upon  the  petition  of  the  in- 
haljitants  setting  forth  the  great  inconveniences 
of  SO'  large  a  jjarish,  divided  Elizabeth  Ri\er 
Parish  into  three  distinct  parishes  from  the 
1st  (;f  INlay,  1761.  All  that  part  of  the  old 
parish  lying  northward  and  eastward  of  the 
Elizabeth  River  and  the  Eastern  Branch  was  to 
retaii<<  the  name  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish. 
All  that  section  between  the  Eastern  and 
Southern  Branches  of  the  Elizabeth  River, 
running  up  New  Mill  Creek  to  Rothery's  ^lill, 
thence  south  30  degrees  west  to  the  great  Dis- 
mal Swamp,  as  far  as  the  line  di\-iding  the 
Colony  from  Xorth  Carolina,  and  then  down 
the  said  line  to  the  line  of  Princess  Anne  Coun- 
ty, thence  ali  ng  that  line  to  the  Eastern  Branch, 
was  named  St.  Bride's  Parish.  And  all  that 
section  west  of  this  parish  was  named  Ports- 
mouth Parish.  St.  Bride's  alludes  to  the  spirit- 
ual marriage  of  St.  Catharine  who.  accca'ding 
to  legend,  had  the  liridal  ring  ]>laced  on  her 
finger  In-  cur  Sa\-i(  r  in  his  childhood.  As  St. 
Catharine  was  ne\-er  married  corporeally,  she 
has  been  called  the  "Bride  of  Heaven,"  that  is 
"Saint  Bride."     The  vestrv  of  the  old  Eliza- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


191 


I 


lictli  River  Parish  liaving  been  sjuilty  of  ille.sfal 
practices  (:i)pressi\e  to  tlic  inlial)it:ints  was  dis- 
solved, and  ail  tlie  acts  were  declared  null  and 
void.  The  sheriff  was  directed  in  advertise 
one  month  lieture  the  8th  day  of  June  a  con- 
venient time  and  place  where  the  freeholders 
and  ii<:iise-l<eepers  of  the  parishes,  respectively, 
should  meet  and  elect  12  of  the  most  able  and 
discreet  ]>ersons  of  the  respective  parishes  to 
be  vestrymen.  The  vestry  of  St.  Bride's  Par- 
ish was  directed  to  sell  the  glebe  land  of  the 
old  parish  and  divide  the  purchase  money  be- 
tween the  three  vestries  to  be  ap])lied  toward 
jnirchasing  gleh.es  in  their  respecti\e  parishes 
for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  ministers. 

The  vestry  of  the  old  i)arish,  ha\ing  le\Med 
and  collected  considerable  money  ti>  build  walls 
around  the  churchyards,  was  directed  to  make 
division  thereof  between  the  three  parishes  in 
proportion  to  the  number  of  tithables  in  each 
parish,  to  he  used  toward  building  churches 
and  such  (;ther  public  uses  as  the  \estries  should 
think  i)r(:])er.  The  first  election  for  \-estry- 
men  in  the  three  new  ])arishes  resulted  as 
follows : 

ELIZ.\BETH    RIVER    P.ARISH. 


No.  of 
\'oles. 


No.  of 
\"otes. 

Mathew  Godfrey 201  .Saunders  Calvert 1")T 

John  Hutchings 19^  Lewis  Hansford 14ti 

Joshua  Nicholson 18S  Charles  Sweny 144 

George  Abvvon isi  Christopher  Perkins..  138 

Robert  Tucker 171  |nhn  Tucker 131 

William  Oraoge   KiT  William  Ivy 109 

June  4th,  ITtU. 

PORTS-MOITH    P-ARISH. 

No.  of  No.  of 

Votes.  Votes. 

John  Tatem 281       George  Veale   219 

Thomas  Creech 280       Thomas  \'eale 219 

James  Ives 279       Thomas  Grimes 169 

John  Ferebee 279       William  Crawford }b9 

Giles  Randolph 273       leremiah  Creech 129 

John  Herbert   2.j3       Richard  Carney 128 

June  -jth,  1761. 


James  Webb 249 

Joshua  Corprew 249 

William  .Smith 240 

Thomas  Nash,  Jr 2.39 

JuneOth,  17(J1. 


ST.  BRIDE  S    P.\RISH. 


No.  of 
Votes. 


No.  of 
Votes. 

lohn  Portlock 2.51       Samuel  Happer 2.32 

Robert  Tucker 2.i0      James  Wilson 228 


H.-nrv  Herbert 20-5 

John  Wilson 18(5 

Malachi  Wilson,  Jr.  .  .   17<> 
William  Happer 1")5 


These  vestrymen-elect  subsequently  ap- 
peared in  court  and  qualified  by  taking  and 
subscribing  to  the   following  oaths: 


I. 


-.    do    declare,    tliat    1    do    believe    that 


there  is  not  any  transuhslaiitiatioii  in  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  supper,  or  in  the  elements  of  Bread  and 
Wine  at  or  after  the  consecration  thereof  hy  any  per- 
son whatsoever. 

I.  ,  do  declare  that  I  will  he  conformable 

to  the  doctrine  and  Discipline  of  the  Clnirch  of  Eng- 
land. 

I 

As  provided  in  the  .\ct  of  General  As- 
semblv  dividing  Elizabeth  R\\ev  Parish  into 
three.  Henry  Herbert.  \\'illiam  Smith.  John 
Portlock.  Thomas  Xash.  Jr.,  James  Wilson, 
Joshua  Corprew  and  John  Wilson,  vestrymen 
of  St.  Bride's  Parish,  sold  the  glebe  land  at 
public  auction  to  John  Tucker  for  three  pounds 
and  si.x  pence  per  acre.  172  acres,  amounting 
to  520  pounds  and  six  shillings. — their  deed  is 
dated  October  20.  17A1. 

August  I.  1763,  William  .Smith  and  .\nii 
his  wife  conveyed  to  James  Pasteur,  minister, 
John  Portlock,  churchwarden,  and  James 
Webb.  Joshua  Corprew.  Robert  Tucker.  Jr., 
Thomas  Xash.  Jr..  Samuel  Happer,  William 
Happer.  Malachi  Wilscii,  Jr..  Jol'n  Wilsuii. 
James  Wilson.  Jr.,  and  Henry  Herbert,  \estry- 
men  of  St.  Bride's  Parish.  200  acres  of  land 
in  said  i)arish  for  £350. 

October  12,  1765.  Samuel  Boush  and  Cath- 
arine his  wife,  in  consideration  of  £125,  con- 
veyed to  Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  minister.  Will- 
iam Orange  and  Jo.shua  Xicholson.  church- 
wardens, and  John  Hutchings.  Sr..  William 
]\y.  Robert  Tucker.  George  Abyvon,  Lewis 
Hansfcrd,  Mathew  Godfrey,  John  Willough- 
by.  John  Hutchin.gs,  Jr.,  and  Paul  Loyall. 
vestrjTnen  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish,  four  lots 
or  two  acres  of  land  known  by  the  numbers 
-19'  50.  57  and  58. 


192 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


In  connection  with  tlie  above,  tlie  follow- 
ing receipt  will  be  of  interest : 

Rec'cd  30lh  Jaiiry  1/75  from  Captain  A.  B.  C.  (Ex- 
ecutor), by  the  Hands  of  Mr.  Tabb  forty  shillings  for 
preaching  a  sermon  at  the  funeral  of  the  late  X.  Y.  Z. 

Thos.  Davis. 

In  1 764.  Thomas  Nash  and  Samuel  Happer 
were  churchwardens  for  St.  Bride's  Parish; 
Mathew  Godfrey  and  Lewis  Hansford  for 
Elizabeth  River  Parish ;  and  Thomas  Creech 
and  Amos  Etheridge  for  Portsmouth  Parish. 
In  1767,  John  Whiddon  and  John  Corprew 
qualified  as  vestrymen  for  St.  Bride's  Parish. 
In  1 77 1  Arthur  Boush  and  Matthew  Phripp 
qualified  as  vestrymen  for  Elizabeth  River 
Parish, — in  1772,  John  Taylor  was  elected  a'cs- 
Iryman  for  the  parish. 

Oil  the  17th  day  of  December,  1773,  the 
'  County  Court  ordered  the  sheriff  to  "Advertise 
the  Parish  land  and  negroes  will  be  hired  out 
on  the  first  of  January  next."  William  Hap- 
per and  John  Corprew  were  churchwardens 
for  St.  Bride's  Parish  in  1774,  and  Mathe\v' 
Phripp  and  John  Hutchings  for  Elizabeth 
River  Parish  in  1775. 

Under  the  Commonwealth  the  vestries  of 
Portsmouth  and  Elizabeth  River  parishes  were 
dissolved  and  new  \estries  ordered  l>efore 
April  I,  1779.  Pursuant  to>  this,  January  18, 
1779, — "This  day  Thomas  Veale,  John  Her- 
bert, Samuel  Veale,  John  Morris,  William 
Bail}',  WiTliam  Booker,  George  W.  Burgess, 
John  P>aine,  ^Villiam  More,  Da\'id  Porter, 
Joshua  ?.Iiers  and  Jolm  Powers  took  the  oath 
of  vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  Portsmouth  and 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  their  office."  And 
on  the  1 8th  of  March,  Mathew  Godfrey,  James 
Taylor,  Mathew  Phripp,  Thomas  Newton,  Jr., 
Paul  Loyall,  George  Abyvon.  John  Tabb, 
Goodrich  Bcush,  John  \\'i!loughby  and  Pruson 
Bo'wdoin  took  tlie  oath  as  vestrymen  of  Eliza- 
beth Ri\-er  Parish  and  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  their  office.  These  were  the  first  church 
officials  in  Norfolk  County  who  qualified  under 
the  Commonwealth  oi  Virginia.  On  the  i6th 
of  October,  1783,  Isaac  Luke  and  William  Por- 


ter   qualified    as    vestrymen    of    Portsmouth 
Parish. 

On  the  1 6th  day  of  July,  1784,  James  Tay- 
lor, Gent.,  produced  tO'  the  County  Court  an 
account  of  the  hire  of  the  negroes  belonging 
to  the  several  parishes  in  the  county,  amount- 
in  tO'  £81,  19s.  7d. ;  after  deducting  sundry  ex- 
penses, it  was  ordered  that  the  said  Taylor 
should  pay  to  the  churchwardens  of  each  par- 
ish their  proportion  of  the  said  money  in  his 
hands.  On  the  19th  of  September,  1788,  Paul 
Proby  and  Paul  Loyall  -were  ordered  by  the 
court  to  pay  the  overseers  of  the  poor  £7,  lis. 
13/d.,  the  balance  in  their  hands,  and  to  col- 
lect the  money  due  for  the  hire  of  the  par- 
ish negroes  for  1783,  and  the  clerk  was  di- 
rected to  deliver  them  a  copy  of  the  said  ac- 
count of  the  hire  of  the  negroes. 

St.  Paul's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

Norfolk  Long  .-^go  .\nd  its  Old  Mother  Church, 
A    lecture    delivered    in    St.    Paul's    Sunday-school 
room  May  12.  i8yQ,  by  Col.   William  Lamb  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  Ladies'  Parish  Aid  Society   of  .St.   Paul's 
Church,  Elicabeth  River  Parish. 

I  would  not  presume  to  come  before  this  or 
any  other  audience  in  the  capacity  of  a  public 
lecturer  of  my  own  volition,  but  I  was  invited 
by  the  ladies  of  the  Parish  Aid  Society  to  de- 
liver one  of  this  course  of  lectures,  and  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  accept.  I  have  come, 
however,  with  no  such  interesting  or  instructix'e 
literary  or  scientific  effort  as  you  ha\'e  heard 
from  the  distinguished  gentleman  who  has  pre- 
ceded me,  but  with  a  plain  story  of  Norfolk 
Long  Ago  and  its  Old  Mother  Church,  with 
some  common  place  incidents  in  a  boy's  life 
associated  with  old  St.  Paul's; 

I  have  chosen  this  subject  because  I  had  a 
right  to  feel  that  all  who'  would  assemble  here 
this  evening  must  be  more  or  less  interested  in 
that  ancient,  ivy-covered  building,  from  its 
broad  foundation,  to  its  sheltering  eves,  where 
the  sparrows  build  their  nests,  up  to  the  peaks 
of  its  homely  gables  and  in  every  thing  con- 
nected with  its  history  and  surrc^unclings.  That 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


193 


Old  Cluircli  and  its  GkI's  acre  compose  our 
Westminster  Alihey.  Here  tlie  wortliy  fore- 
fatliers  of  Norfolk  sleep.  It  is  true  they  had 
no  titles  in  the  bixjks  of  heraldry,  but  the  ties 
of  consanguinity  and  marriag-e  gave  them  titles 
more  precious  to  the  loxed  and  loving  ones  than 
any  that  Parliament,  or  King  or  Oueen.  cimld 
jx)ssibly  bestow. 

In  1680.  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  Colonial 
Assemblv  of  the  Colony  of  \'irginia  for  the 
purchase  of  50  acres  of  land  at  convenient 
points  in  the  Colony,  "for  the  establishment  of 
towns  for  the  encouragement  of  trade  and 
manufacture." 

Under  this  Act  50  acres  were  purchased 
August  16,  1682,  from  Nicholas  Wise,  a  house  j 
car]>enter  of  Elizalieth  River  Pari.sh.  in  the 
county  of  Lower  Norfolk,  by  Capl.  William 
Kobinsiin  and  Lieut. -Col.  Anthony  Lawson, 
feofees,  in  trust  for  said  county,  for  and  in  ; 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  io.ckdo  pounds  of 
good  merchantalile  tobacco  and  caske.  The 
grant  embraced  all  the  land  on  the  Elizabeth 
River  fj-om  the  eastern  to  the  western  limits 
of  the  present  Main  street,  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Back  Creek,  which  at  that  time  tlowed 
from  the  river  eastwardly  nearly  to  Church 
street.  Its  owner,  Nicholas  Wise,  could  not 
write  his  name,  so  he  made  his  mark  to  the 
deeil.  and  affixed  his  seal  in  the  presence  of  four 
witnesses.  This  was  the  hrst  of  "Norfolk 
Towne." 

In  1705,  a  considerable  i»pulation  had 
been  attracted  to  this  place  by  its  favorable 
situation  for  health  and  trade,  and  in  October 
of  that  year  Norfolk  was  incoqwrated  as  a 
town. 

In  September,  1736.  Norfolk  Burough  was 
established  by  royal  charter,  it  being  consid- 
ered by  King  George  II  a  healthful  and  pleas- 
ant place,  commodious  for  trade  and  naviga- 
tion. Samuel  Boush,  Gent.,  was  appointed 
mayor  under  the  charter,  but  he  died  before 
qualifying,  and  in  November  following  George 
Newton,  Gent.,  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
In  1739.  three  years  after  the  lx)rough  was  in- 


coqiorated.  our  Old  Church  was  built,  as  we 
learn  from  the  date  on  its  southern  gable. 

I'orrest  in  his  "History  of  Norfolk."  pub- 
lished in  1853.  says:  "Samuel  Boush.  Esq., 
the  first  mayor  of  the  Bonnigh  of  Norfolk, 
three  years  after  liis  ap])ointment,  presented  to 
the  parish  the  grounds  occupied  by  St.  Paul's 
Church,  including  the  old  graveyard.  The 
initials  of  his  name  may  Ije  seen  in  large  capi- 
tals in  the  brick  wmrk  of  the  south  end  of  the 
church  with  the  date  1739."  Bishop  Meade 
in  his  "Old  Churches  of  Virginia,"  published 
in  1857,  in  speaking  of  the  vestry  in  1749, 
says:  ".\mong  the  first  was  Col.  Samuel 
Boush.  who  gave  the  land  on  which  St.  Paul's 
and  its  graveyard  stands,  and  whose  tomb- 
stone, at  the  d(X>r  of  the  cluu\-li,  tells  where  his 
Ix^dy  lies."  lii  December,  1828.  when  the 
trustees  of  Christ  Church  refused  Dr.  French 
the  use  of  the  Old  Church  of  which  they  were 
temporary  custodians,  they  said :  "That  this 
propert}'.  as  they  are  advised,  was  a  donation 
from  -Mr.  Samuel  Boush  for  the  exclusive  use 
of  the  congregation  of  the  church  they'  repre- 
sent and  none  other,  under  a  forfeiture  of  the 
same.  "  These  st;itements  were  made  in  gtxicl 
faith  from  tradition,  but  the  record  contradicts 
them. 

Mr.  Forrest  makes  Mr.  Boush.  the  first 
mayor  of  our  borough,  present  the  land  three 
years  after  his  decease,  while  Bishop  Meade 
makes  the  son,  Colonel  Boush,  the  donor.  The 
trustees  i>f  Christ  Church  seem  to  have  been 
advised  that  it  was  a  gift  or  legacy  from  the 
father  to  the  parish  upon  certain  conditions. 
Now  neither  Samuel  Boush,  Sr.,  nc^r  his  son, 
Colonel  Boush.  could  have  gi\en  or  devisetl 
this  land  except  by  deed  or  will  of  record  in  the 
clerk's  office  of  Norfolk  County,  and  I  have 
diligently  searched  the  complete  records  of 
deeds  and  wills  from  1680  to  the  will  <if  Col- 
onel Boush  recorded  in  1759:  neither  father 
nor  son  gave  any  land  to  Elizabeth  River  Par- 
ish within  the  limits  of  Norfolk  County.  I 
found  from  the  deed  of  Peter  MallnMie, — con- 
veying to  his  daughter.  .\])phia  Malbone,  "A 


'94 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


]ott  of  land  in  Norfolk  Towne  l^  acre  begin- 
ning' at  a  white  stone,  the  sonthernniost  corner- 
stone of  my  first   lot,  next  to  the  Chnrch." — 
that  a  church  stood,  August   iq.    1726.  in  the 
church  grounds,' where  we  n<iw   are  and  not 
far  from  the  present  Cove  street.     The  deed  of 
Col.  Samuel  Bousli  to  Capt.  Simon  Hancock,- 
No\-ember.  1737,  and  the  deed  of  Peter  Mal- 
bone    to    Capt.    Nathaniel  Tatem,  No\-ember, 
1738,  also  show  that  the  first  church  was  stand- 
ing next  to'  ami  nurth  of  Malbone's  land,  and 
(;n  Church  street,  which  last  recital  contradicts 
the  tradition  that  the  present  church,  erected 
in  1739,  gave  the  name  to  Church  street.     Un- 
doubtedly when  the  corporate  limits  were  ex- 
tended   lUider   the  charter    of     173'>   to   Town 
fSridge.  the  present  Church  street  was  laid  out 
and  gi\-en  its  name  from  the  former  church, 
which  was  then  taken  down  after  the  erection 
of  the  ])resent  one. 

Having  found  that  this  ccmeter\-  was  not 
the  gift  (  f  Samuel  Boush,  let  us  inipiire  when 
it  was  dedicated  to  the  dead. 

I'y  a  general  law,  passed  in  the  Colony  in 
1667.  the  right  was  vdsted  in  the  Count_\- 
Courts,  when  expedient,  to  set  aside  and  ap- 
propriate not  more  than  two  acres  of  land  for 
church  and  burial  pur|)oses.  As  one  and  three- 
fourths  acfes  is  the  area  of  this  cemetery,  it 
Avas  doubtless  thus  appropriated  to  its  present 
uses.  "Norfolk  Towne"  was  laid  out  in  1682, 
and  soon  became  inhaljited.  Capt.  Samuel 
Boush  gave  a  chalice  to  the  "Parish  Church  of 
Norfolk  Towne,"  in  March,  1700,  showing 
that  a  church  must  ha\'e  been  erected.  But  in 
1^)86,  14  years  before  this  and  four  years  after 
the  town  was  laid  out.  Francis  Lord  Howard. 
Governor,  gave  "wdth  the  ad\ice  and  consent 
of  the  C(  unsell  of  State"  100  acres  of  land 
adjiining  Norfolk  for  a  glelie  for  Elizabeth 
River  Parish. 

/\s  these  glebes,  together  with  the  pavment 
<i,f  tithes  of  tobacco  and  corn,  were  for  the  sup- 
port c>f  the  minister  and  church  in  each  parish, 
it  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  i(>S,6  is  the 
date  of  the  erection  of  the  first  church  on  these 
grounds.  53  }-ears  before  the  present  structure 


was  built?  Tradition  informs  us  that  Col. 
Samuel  Boush  imi>orted  and  ga\-e  the  bricks 
toward  the  erection  of  the  present  church.  It 
may  be  that  he  had  the  initials  of  bis  father's 
name  put  upon  the  southern  gable  as  a  memo- 
rial of  one  who  had  been  so  long  and  so'  con- 
spicuously associated  with  the  parish :  or  the 
vestry  may  have  piu  his  initials  there  in  con- 
sideration of  his  liberality.  W'hetlier  they  were 
intended  for  the  initials  of  father  or  son,  the 
history  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish,  from  1700 
down  tO'  the  Re\'olution,  .s'hows  ni>  name  more 
w'orthy  of  being  thus  perpetuated  than  that  of 
Samuel  Boush.  Three  generations  of  the  same 
name  during  that  period  were  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  the  parish. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  this  gra\-eyard  has 
been  the  burial-ground  of  our  fathers  for 
nearly  200  _\ears,  Tradition  so  reports  it,  and 
I  ha\'e  con\-ersed  with  our  oldest  people  and 
they  liave  never  heard  of  any  other  used  before 
it.  1  called  on  old  Capt.  Edward  L.  Young  a 
few  weeks  before  his  recent  death.  He  was 
in  his  97th  year,  and  for  nmre  than  half  a 
century  bad  occupied  positions  wdiich  made  bim 
familiar  with  the  topography  of  Norfolk  and 
its  surroundings.  Although  his  ph}-sical  sig"ht 
was  gone,  his  mental  \'ision  was  unimjjaired, 
and  he  was  very  positive  that  no  public  burial- 
gro'und  existed  prioT  to  the  establishment  of 
this  cemetery  for  Norfo.lk.  If  there  had  been,  he 
would  undoubtedl}'  ha\-e  found  some  evidences 
c;f  it  while  he  was  the  public  surx'eyor  for  the 
borough  and  city  of  Norfolk.  1  have  been  re- 
peatedly informed  that  tier  upon  tier  of  cof- 
fins ha\-e  been  unearthed  in  this  yard  by  the 
sexton  when  digging"  gra\-es  previous  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  Cedar  Grove  Cemetery.  There 
is  no  nio-nument  to  be  found,  except  the  two 
recently  brought  from  James  River,  with  a  date 
anterior  to  1 7-1-4.  and  one  with  this  date  was 
remoxed  from  the  private  burial  place  oi  the 
Taylor  family,  which  was  on  the  site  of  the 
present  Custom  House  lot.  But  the  aljsence 
of  ancient  monuments  proves  nothing  against 
the  claim  that  this  was  the  original  God's  acre 
of  "Norfolk  Tdwne,''  for  within  the  memory 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


195 


I'i  some  of  diir  present  inliahitanls  twd-tliirds 
of  tlie  momiiiients  wliicli  were  in  this  yard  in 
their  day  have  chsajipeared.  Many  were 
doubtless  destroyed  and  carried  a\\a\-  (hn^ing 
the  occu])ancy  of  our  Old  Cluircli  and  its  grave- 
yard by  British  troops  durinjj  the  Revolution, 
and  some  from  hein,s;  constructed  of  soft  sand- 
stone liave  cruml)lcd  witli  a_fje.  Tiiere  were 
numlierless  graves  in  tliis  yard  that  ne\er  iiad 
a  headstone,  for  tombstones  at  tiiat  early  day 
had  to  l)e  imi'M)rted  and  were  necessarily  ex- 
pensive. 

A  century  and  luore  ago  it  was  a  common 
custom  to  have  family  vaults  for  burials  ad- 
joining- the  residences  of  the  wealthier  class  of 
citizens.  The  remains  of  some  of  them  can 
still  be  found  in  'different  parts  of  our  citv. 
and  in  my  boyhood  ga\e  rise  to  many  negro 
superstitions  of  haunted  houses.  It  seems  a 
strange  taste  to  us  in  these  modern  times,  when 
more  than  two  g;enerations  of  a  family  seldom 
occupy  the  same  residence,  but  the  early  davs 
of  our  town  and  lx)rough  were  the  davs  of 
primogeniture  and  entails.  \\'hen  men  accumu- 
lated wealth  they  did  not  have  the  ])resent  thirst 
for  public  notoriety.  Official  position  was  not 
then  the  gift  of  the  multitude.  Commissions 
came  3.000  miles  across  the  sea.  and  were  of- 
ten brought  by  the  fortunate  recipients  of  roval 
favor.  Our  solid  forefathers  sought  to  found 
a  name  in  the  community  in  whicli  thev  lived 
by  establishing  a  home  for  their  descendants. 
They  buiilt  for  themselves  substantial  resi- 
dences, surrounded  by  con\enient  out-houses 
and  enclosed  by  brick  walls,  storm  proof  against 
the  equinoctial  gales;  and  when  their  loved 
ones  died,  they  buried  them  in  a  faniilv  vault 
in  the  garden,  under  the  shadow  of  their  roof- 
tree,  and  away  from  the  crowd's  ignoble  strife. 
^\'e  do  not  think  these  houses  of  the  olden 
times  would  suit  i-ur  habits  and  customs  now. 
but  they  were  grand  old  establi.shmcnts.  I  can 
recollect  some  of  them  before  the  light  of  i 
other  days  had  clean  gone  out  (;n  the  old  hearth- 
stones, and  their  memr-ry  has  been  melli^wed 
and  hallowed  by  time.  I  recall  one  representa- 
tive home,  standing  at  a  corner,  with  its  thick 


walls,  two  stories  and  a  half  high.  .\  broad 
wain.scoated  hall  running  through  the  build- 
ing: a  capacious  ])arlor  with  its  brass  andirons 
and  lion-le.gged  fender  on  one  side;  a  sunny 
sitting  room  and  a  l)ig  hospitable  dining  room 
on  the  other;  the  broad  sideboard,  as  dissipated- 
looking  as  the  tap  room  of  an  old  time  country 
tavern ;  no  caqiets,  but  wa.xed  hard-pine  fl(x>rs, 
with  an  occasional  rug.  and  on  the  large  one 
in  the  dining  room  its  constant  companion,  the 
house  dog;  no  counterfeit  chromos  nor  daubs 
with  Dutch  gilt  frames  disfigured  the  walls, 
but  so.nie  mastcrjiieces  adorned  the  parlor,  a 
l)air  of  hunting  scenes  in  water  colors  enlivened 
the  tlining  room,  while  in  the  hall  ancestors 
with  pretty  faces  emerged  out  nf  indescribable 
dresses,  with  no  waists  to  sjieak  of,  and  intelli- 
,gent  and  brave-looking  gentlemen  were  nar- 
rowly escaping  strangulation  in  villainous 
stocks.  Upstairs  was  redolent  with  rose-leaves 
in  vinegar;  the  bed  rooms,  with  great,  high- 
post  bedsteads,  with  curtains  defying  the 
chan.ges  of  temperature  witlu)ut.  The  kitchen, 
a  Dutch-roofed,  one-st(jry  brick  house,  with 
tremendous  chimneys  at  either  end.  sufficiently 
far  from  the  mansion  to  pre\-ent  the  smell  of 
cooking  even  with  a  fa\('ring  w  ind  ;  and  a  large 
s(|uare  smoking-house,  where  the  familx'  bacon 
was  cured,  stood  in  the  paved  \ard ;  then  there 
was  the  stable  for  the  horse  and  the  inevitable 
cow.  which  an  English  ])oet  said  every  lady 
in  Xorfolk  kept  somehow;  the  wood-shed  with 
its  autumn-])ile.  reminding  one  of  a  steamboat 
landing  on  the  James  River  in  the  olden  time. 
Then  the  flower  garden  flanking  the  residence. 
with  the  (;ld-fashioned  lilacs,  snow  Ijalls.  wall 
flowers  and  roses;  and  the  big  back  garden  for 
vegetables,  with  a  stray  sunflower  cr  two,  and 
in  it.  enclosed  by  a  forbidding  wall,  the  fam- 
ily burial  vault.  We  do  not  believe  your  mod- 
ern cook,  with  all  her  cooking  stoves  and 
patented  contrivances,  could  e\er  reach  the  per- 
fection of  those  old  Virginia  negroes  who  ])re- 
sided  over  the  old-time  kitchen.  And  such  a 
kitchen  I  The  capacious  chimney,  large  enough 
to  roast  an  ox,  with  the  hu.ge  crane  that  could 
swing  pots  enough   to  lioil   the  oil   for   Mor- 


196 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


giania  to  scald  the  "Forty  Thieves,"  with  the 
back-log  of  oak  smouldering  away,  and  the 
hickory  sticks  cracking,  singing  and  treading 
snow  in  front.  How  the  Lynnhavens  would 
open  their  mouths  before  that  fire!  And  the 
steak  and  chops  and  cuts  of  venison  would 
broil  superlatively  on  those  living  coals !  The 
dinners  of  our  forefathers  often  gave  the  gout, 
but  dyspqjsia,  never. 

Of  a  wintry  night,  when  the  December 
winds  would  howl  around  the  old  Dutch- 
roofed  kitchen,  how  the  old  Guinea  negro  nurse 
Avould  make  the  white  teeth  of  the  piccaninnies 
chatter,  and  the  older  heads  roll  their  eyes, 
when  she  would  tell  how  on  such  a  night,  long 
time  agO',  she  had  seen  with  her  own  eyes 
"Old  Massa,"  who  was  buried  in  the  garden, 
come  from  the  vault  and  walk  around  the  lot, 
looking  sad  and  distressed,  because  "Young 
Missis,"  wiho  was  of  one  of  the  first  families 
in  Virginia,  had  "done  gone"  and  married  one 
of  the  "poo-r  white  trash."  And  then  the  blasts 
of  wind,  stirring  the  leaves  and  slamming  the 
blinds,  would  make  those  "darkies"  start  and 
listen,  until  they  became  so^  scared  that  none 
would  go  to  bed  that  night,  but  break  of  day 
would  find  them  fast  asleep  around  the  kitchen 
fire. 

^\'e  admit  with  modern  philosophers  that 
the  world  has  grown  better  with  advancing 
years ;  we  suppose  that  to  doubt  it  would  be  to 
question  the  humanizing  influences  of  Chris- 
tianity, but  in  those  days  individual  character 
was  as  grand  and  massive  as  it  is  now.  Those 
sterling  men  who  moulded  our  institutions  have 
no  superiors  in  our  times.  Doubtless  the  great 
mass  of  huimanity  had  not  attained  the  in- 
tellectual and  spiritual  elevation  that  has  since 
been  reached,  but  the  professional  and  middle 
classes  seem,  looking  at  them  through  the  vista 
of  the  past,  to  have  had  a  solidity  that  we  sel- 
dom find  now.  Like  our  Old  Church  many 
may  have  had  a  seemingly  rude  exterior,  but 
they  had  all  the  elements  of  true  greatness 
within.  They  had  not  l^ecome  imbued  with 
the  modern  idea  of  becoming  great  men,  and 
leaving  their  foot-prints  in  the  sands  of  time. 


They  had  the  good  sense  toi  realize  that  few- 
can  reach  the  pinnacle  of  earthly  fame ;  that 
their  noblest  work  was  to  act  well  their  part 
in  their  day  and  generation,  for  the  winds  of 
heaven  will  cover  over,  and  the  tides  of  ocean 
will  wash  out,  all  footprints  on  the  sand  be- 
fore the  moon  can  wax  and  wane,  ^\'here 
are  the  footprints  left  by  the  hundreds  who 
now  sleep  silently  around  us  ?  And  yet,  who 
would  not  rather  choose  the  lot  of  many  who 
lie  in  these  forgotten  graves,  than  of  those  who, 
to  gain  an  earthly  name,  stirred  from  its  depths 
man's  mad  ambition,  deluged  once  smiling 
lands  in  human  blood,  and  sowed  the  seeds  of 
sorrow  in  countless  broken  hearts. 

Like  some  aged  Nestor,  our  Old  Church 
has  stood  wliile  a  hundred  and  forty  years 
have  rolled  over  its  head.  It  was  erected  in 
the  Colony  of  Virginia  which,  under  the  fos- 
tering administration  of  Governor  Gooch,  was 
then  peopling  the  lovely  valley  beyond  the 
Blue  Ridge  with  that  splendid  stock  of  Scotch- 
Irish,  whose  descendants  have  done  so  much 
toward  the  elevation  of  Virginia  character. 
It  was  about  the  same  time  that  the  rich  lands 
boirdering  on  the  Shenandoah  were  settled  by 
the  Germans  from  Pennsylvania,  who'  long  af- 
ter retained  their  language,  correct  habits  and 
simplicitv  of  manners.  Bancroft,  the  histo- 
rian, in  writing  c»f  this  period,  says :  "The 
1 8th  century  was  the  age  of  commercial  am- 
bition, and  Virginia  relinquished  its  commerce 
to  foreign  factors.  It  was  the  age  when  na- 
tions rushed  into  debt,  when  stock-jobbers  and 
bankers  compeited  \Aith  landholders  for  i>o- 
litical  power;  and  Virginia  paid  its  taxes  in 
tobacco,  and  alone  of  all  the  Colonies,  alone 
of  all  civilized  States,  resisting  the  universal 
tendency  of  the  age,  had  no  debts,  no  banks, 
no  bills  of  credit,  no  paper  money." 

It  was  the  very  year,  1739.  that  England 
declared  war  against  Spain,  and  the  "Mistress 
of  the  Seas,"  in  sending  her  fleets  to  capture 
the  Colonies  of  the  discoverers  of  America, 
took  the  first  step  which  led  the  way  to  the  in- 
dependence of  her  own. 

France  and  Spain  were  allies,  and  the  loyal 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


197 


Colonv  n{  \'irufiiiia.  and  her  principal  seajxirt. 
Norfolk,  synipatliized  with  tlie  mother  coun- 
try. Tlie  Indian  wars  had  not  then  \)een  in- 
cited upon  our  Western  borders  by  the  French. 
Dut  the  Colonists  were  in  the  midst  of  exciting 
times,  for  we  find  in  the  early  records  of  the 
ijoroug'h,  in  September,  1741,  three  years  af- 
ter the  erection  of  our  church,  a  resolution  b\- 
the  lioard  of  aldermen,  that  for  the  future  the 
inhabitants  of  this  borough  shall,  to  prevent 
any  invasion  or  insurrection,  be  armed  at  the 
church  on  Sundays,  and  other  days  of  worship 
or  .Divine  .service,  under  ]>enalty  of  five  shill- 
ings. Imagine  our  present  congregation  at- 
tending church  armed !  The  vestrymen  pass- 
ing the  plates  with  swords  dangling  at  their 
sides,  and  the  squad  of  young  men  who  bal- 
ance themselves  on  the  curbstone  in  Church 
street,  when  the  people  are  passing  out,  each 
with  his  gun,  presenting  arms  to  the  young 
ladies  as  they  pass  in  review- ! 

In  1746,  we  find  the  inhal)itants  of  the 
borough  manifesting  their  loyalty  by  a  grand  ; 
procession  in  celebration  -of  the  defeat  of  the  j 
Pretender,  by  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke 
of  Cumberland,  at  the  battle  of  CuUoden.  It 
was  a  gay  affair.  The\-  had  an  effigy  of  the 
Pretender  seated  in  an  arm-chair  drawn  in  a 
cart,  musicians  of  every  description  were  in 
the  crowd,  and  a  nurse  carrying  a  warming- 
pan  with  a  child  peeping  out  of  it  was  an  at- 
tractive feature  of  the  occasion.  A  vast  crowd 
came  from  the  surrounding  country  to  see  the 
sights.  The  efiigy  was  hung,  liquor  was  plenti- 
fully distrilnited,  salutes  were  fired  and  the 
borough  illuminated.  At  night  the  efiigy  was 
burned,  and  the  ladies  were  entertained  with  a 
ball.  A  correspondent  of  the  jrHliaiiisbiirg 
Gazette  wrote:  "The  evening  concluded  with 
innocent  mirth  and  unaffected  joy,  becoming  a  | 
people  loyal  to  their  King  and  zealous  for  their 
country's  good." 

The  crowds  from  the  surrounding  country 
which  are  always  rq)orted  at  the  fairs  and 
celebrations  in  Norfolk  in  the  olden  time,  re- 
mind us  of  an  Act  of  the  General  .Assembly  in 
'^JbJ'  which  teaches  us  a  lesson  that  it  would 


be  well  for  our  city  fathers  to  heed.  The  Act 
recites  that  whereas  most  of  the  inhabitants 
are  obliged  to  pass  over  the  five  ferries  lead- 
ing to  Norfolk  in  order  to  get  to  church,  court 
and  general  muster,  and  that  by  expenses  of 
ferriage  many  poor  ]>eople  are  prevented  from 
bringing  their  small  wares  and  commodities 
to  the  market  of  the  borough,  therefore  a  tax 
is  le\ied  and  the  ferries  made  free  to  all  living 
in  the  county.  Others,  !)esides  the  inhabitants 
of  the  county,  had  to  pay  a  small  amount  for 
the  support  of  the  ferries.  In  our  boasted  age 
of  progress  no  one  from  the  surrounding  coun- 
try can  get  to  Norfolk  for  business  or  pleasure 
without  paying  for  it.  \\'e  are  surrounded  by 
a  cordon  of  toll-gates  and  toll-houses.  And  in 
mentioning  this  fact.  I  mean  no  reflection  on 
the  public-spirited  gestlemen  who  in  the  last 
decade  have  added  much  to  the  attractiveness 
of  our  surroundings  by  the  substantial  l)ridges 
and  shell  roads  which  lead  into  our  city.  While 
speaking  of  ferries,  I  would  venture  the  Dpin- 
ion  that  if  our  forefathers  in  1757  could  re- 
visit these  scenes,  nothing  would  excite  their 
surprise  more  than  the  improvement  in  the 
means  of  transportation  between  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth,  especially  as  managed  by  the  pres- 
ent eflicient  superintendent  of  the  ferry,  Capt. 
William  H.  Murdaugh,  of  the  United  States 
and  Confederate  -States  navies,  who  has  s]3ared 
no  efforts  to  add  to  the  convenience,  comfort 
and  safety  of  passengers. 

I  am  indebted  to  my  friend  \Mlliam  Port- 
lock,  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Norfolk 
County,  for  finding  for  me  in  his  office,  when  I 
had  well  nigh  'given  up  the  search,  the  old 
vestry  book  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish  from 
1749  to  1 76 1.  It  is  the  only  parish  vestry  book 
I  know  of  in  existence.  Ijetween  1739  and  the 
election  of  a  vestry  in  1832,  upon  the  reinvest- 
ment of  the  Old  !\Iother  Church.  The  first 
record  is  dated  Octolier  18.  1749.  Rev.  Charles 
Smith  was  the  minister  from  the  time  the  ves- 
try book  commences,  until  it  ends,  upon  the 
division  of  the  parish  in  1761.  when  he  re- 
moved to  Portsmouth,  where  Trinity  Church 
was  built  the  next  year,    1762,  which  church 


198 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  in  1829.  Tlie 
Mutlier  Churcli  pajid  the  minister  16.000 
pounds  of  tobacco,  and  Tanner's  Creek  Cliapel. 
4.000  pounds  of  tobacco,  annually.  After 
1753.  the  minister  was  allowed  4  per  cent,  for 
shrinkage. 

The  fulluwing  appear  as  \estr_vmen  at  dif- 
ferent periods  between  1749  and  1761.  In  the 
first  meeting  was  Col.  George  Newton,  Col. 
^^'iIlian^  Craford,  Col.  Samuel  Boush,  Capt. 
William  Hodges.  Capt.  Willis  W^'ilson,  Jr., 
Charles  Sweny.  Capt.  James  Ivy.  Capt.  John 
Phripp  and  Samuel  Bousli.  The  last  two  had 
just  taken  the  place  of  John  Scott  and  Capt. 
Samuel  Langley,  former  vestrymen.  To  these 
were  afterward  added  to  fill  vacancies  from 
deaths  and  resignations :  Capt.  \\'illiam  Ivy. 
Col.  Robert  Tucker.  Alathew  Godfrey.  James 
Webb.  Thomas  Newton.  Maj.  John  Willowby. 
Capt.  George  Veale  and  Robert  Tucker. 
Thomas  Nash  was  clerk  of  Great  Bridge  Chap- 
el, and  the  Southern  Branch  Chapel,  and 
Sampson  Powers,  and  afterwards  Thomas 
Cranberry,  was  clerk  of  the  Western  Branch 
Chape!.  James  Pasteur  signs  tlie  proceedings 
as  clerk  c-f  the  vestry  in  1751.  In  1755  George 
Chamberlaine  is  clerk  of  the  vestry  of  Tanner's 
Creek  Chapel,  and  clerk  of  the  Mother  Church. 
October  9.  1750.  at  a  meeting  of  the  vestry,  it 
was  ordered,  "That  Capt.  John  Cook.  Capt. 
John  Phripp.  Capt.  ^Nlax.  Calvert  and  Mr. 
Charles  Sweny.  shall  ha\-e  leave  and  are  hereby 
empc.wered.  to  build  a  gallery  in  the  Church  in 
Norf()lk  Towne.  reaching  from  the  gallerv  of 
'Mr.  John  Taylcr.  deceased,  to  the  school-boys' 
g-allery.  equally  t)et\nx  them,  and  their  heirs 
forever  to  have  and  to  hold."  Ordered.  "That 
i\Ir.  Matt.  Godfrey.  Mr.  Wm.  Nash.  Capt.  Tri- 
magan  Tatem  and  Mr.  Wm.  Ashley  shall  have 
leave  and  are  hereby  emix>wered,  t©  build  a  gal- 
lery in  the  Church  in  Norfolk  Towne,  reach- 
ing from  the  pulpit  to  the  schoolbov's  gallery, 
equally  betwixt  them,  etc."  In  old  times  the 
people  of  quality  seemed  to  have  preferred  the 
galleries  lx>th  in  the  churches  and  theatres. 
Now  the  ground  floor  in  the  churches,  and 
Avhat  was  formerly  the  pit  in  the  theatres,  com- 


mand the  highest  prices.     So  much  for  fash- 
ion. 

Ordered,  "That  James  Pasteur  do  have  the 
bricks  and  timbers  of  the  Old  Church  to  build 
a  house  on  the  school  land  of  such  dimensions 
as  shall  be  agreed  upon  lietwixt  he,  the  said 
James  Pasteur,  and  those  who  shall  grant  him 
liberty  to  build  on  the  said  land."  This  same 
year  Joseph  Mitchell  contracts  to  build  a  house 
for  the  vestry,  50  by  20,  with  a  porch  10  feet 
wide  and  a  chimney  in  the  middle  with  four 
fire-places,  which  we  suppose  was  for  the  poor 
of  the  parish.  Dr.  .Vrchibald  Campbell  was 
employed  by  the  vestry  as  the  physician  of  the 
parish.  The  Old  Church  was  a  slaveholder 
at  this  time,  and  the  vestry  hired  out  Davy  in 
1750  for  £8  15s..  Soil  for  £6  los.  and  Ishmael, 
Sarah  and  Nell  at  f  i   los.  each. 

At  a  meeting  held  October  8.  1751.  the  fol- 
lowing interesting  entry  was  made:  "Receiv- 
ed into  the  vestry  Capt.  George  ^^'hitweill. 
Commander  of  His  ]\Iajesty's  Ship  'Triton,' 
a  siher-plate  as  a  compliment  for  his  wife, 
Marv  Wliitwell,  lieing  interred  in  the  Church." 
And  this  reminds  me  of  another  piece  of  sih'er. 
a  large  flagron.  given  to  the  Old  Cliurch,  the 
year  after  the  division  of  the  parish,  which 
bears  the  following  inscription  : 

The  Gift  of  Chrisloplicr   Perkins. 

To  the 

Churcli  of  Norfolk  in   \'irginia. 

In   Memory  of  Elizaheth.  his  wife. 

Who  was  interred  therein 

1st  September.  1762. 

How  touchingly  these  beautiful  gifts,  now 
gone  from  the  Old  Church.*  rtmind  us  of  the 
beauty,  the  grace  and  the  lo\'eliness  that  lie 
forgotten  here.  O  Death,  in  this  world,  thou 
hast  thv  sting!  O  Grave,  in  this  world,  thou 
hast  thy  victory ! 

October  26.  lys^'- — "f^i'-  Joihn  Ramsey 
came  into  the  vestry  and  agreed  to  attend  and 
administer   ph\'sick,    etc..    to   all    the   poor   be- 


*Strange  as  it  may  appear,  these  pieces  of  silver, 
ahhongh  fomid.  iiave  never  been  returned  to  the  Old 
Church  to  which  thev  were  !?iven. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


199 


Imitjiiit;-   ti>   lliis    Parish,    within    two   miles   of  I 
the  I'ninnifjh  of  Norfolk,  and  if  he  crosses  the 
ferry,  his  ferriagfes  to  be  i)ai(l.  for  the  sum  of 
£20  i>er  year,  to  commence  friMii  this  clay,  to 
be  in  tobacco;  but  in  case  he  doth  not  chuse  to 
take  tobacco  at  such  price  as  the  vestry  shall 
rate  the  same,  then  the  ijo  is  to  be  paid  him 
in  cash."'     Octoljer    30,    17,^9, — "The   vestry  , 
a.y^rees   with    Dr.   John    Ramsev,   that   for  the 
future  he  is  not  oblig^ed  to  administer  medicine 
to.  nor  attend,  any  sick  but  those  at  the  Po<jr  , 
House  for  the  sallery  formerly  agreed  on." 

December  17,  1756.  it  is  recorded  :  "Where-  ^ 
as  the  Poor  Moiise  was  burnt  by  accident 
(  doubtless  the  house  built  by  Mitchell  in  1750). 
a  new  one  is  ordered  to  lie  erected  near  the 
same  place  34  by  28,  two  windows  in  front  and 
two  in  back,  lower  flocr  tiled  and  up])er  floor 
plank.  I-'ire-ijlace  in  each  room.  Bricks  to  l)e 
well  burnt,  antl  mortar  made  of  three  bushels 
of  lime  to  one  of  sand." 

October  24.  1738:  the  vestry  were  evident- 
ly <>i)posed  to  tramps,  for  it  is  ordered:  "That 
the  clerk  of  the  vestry  do  publicklv  advertise 
that  all  persons  who  shall  hereafter  take  any 
strouling.  sick  or  indigent  person  into  their 
houses,  without  an  order  or  the  consent  of  the 
Churchwardens  or  any  of  the  vestrymen  for  the 
time  lM;ing.  shall  at  their  own  cost  bear  all 
damages  that  shall  accrue  liy  reason  of  having 
so  taken  him." 

Novemljer,  1759,  was  the  date  of  the  com- 
mencement of  our  cemetery  wall,  for  we  find  it 
ordered:  "That  Mr.  Matthew  Godfrey  and 
Mr.  James  Webb  be  continued  Church  \\'ard- 
ens  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  they  are  herebv 
empowered  to  let  out  the  Building  the  walls 
round  the  Church  Yards,  to  the  lowest  bidder 
at  such  time  as  they  shall  think  proper."  1 
judge  from  this  order  that  the  yard  which 
Craford  gave"  the  ]>airish  in  17.32.  when  he 
laid  out  Portsmouth,  was  included  in  the  order, 
althou.gh  the  cinirch  was  not  erected  for  .several 
years  after  this.  I  know  of  no  other  church- 
yards in  the  original  limits  of  Elizabeth  River 
Parish,  except  these  two,  which  were  sur- 
rounded bv  walls. 


October.  17,  1760.  it  was  ordered:  "That 
Mr.  Josqjh  Mitchell  have  the  bricks  of  the  Old 
Church,  on  condition  that  he  clears  the  Church- 
yard of  all  the  rubbish."  1  infer  from  this 
entry  that  Pasteiu*  did  not  avail  himself  of  the 
order  passed  10  years  pre\ious.  allowin.g  him 
the  bricks  and  timber  of  the  Old  Church,  to 

,  build  a  house  on  the  school  land. 

April  20,  1 76 1. — The  last  meeting  of  the 
vestry  in  the  original  Elizalicth  River  Parish 

,  was  held,  and  we  copy  the  entire  proceedings  i 
"Ordered  that  Robert  Tucker,  Gent.,  apply  to 

i  John  Randolph,  Esq.,  clerk  of  the  House  of 
Burgesses,  for  a  copy  of  the  law  for  dividing 
the  Parish  of  Elizal)eth  River,  and  that  the 
said  Robert  Tucker,  Gent.,  deliver  the  same 
to  Benj.  Waller.  Gent.,  for  his  opinion  thereon, 
to  know  whether  the  jxjor  belonging  to  the 
other  Parishes  in  the  Division,  now  at  the 
Poor-house  in  this  Parish,  are  not  to  be  sent  to 
the  respective  Parishes,  asd  whether  the  pres- 
ent vestry  should  not  meet  before  the  time  of 
tlissolution,  to  proportion  the  expense  of  the 
poor,  minister's  stipend  and  other  necessary 
char.ges  on  the  inhabitants,  to  l')e  collected  at 
the  time  of  the  collection  by  law  appointed  on 
the  whole,  a.s  when  the  Parish  was  intire." 

Thus  end  the  records  of  the  old  vestry 
book,  from  which  we  ha\e  made  these  ex- 
tracts. belie\ing  the\'  would  be  of  interest  to 
you. 

In  1759.  there  was  considerable  ill  feeling 
in  many  of  the  parishes  of  Virginia,  between 
the  clergy  and  laity,  because  ministers  were 
made  to  receive  money  instead  of  tobacco,  for 
their  salaries.  Tobacco  at  that  time  command- 
ed a  high  price  and  the  clergy  justly  con- 
tended that  as  they  were  forceil  to  receixe  to- 
bacco when  it  was  a  drug  on  the  market,  they 
should  be  allowed  to  profit  by  any  rise  in  its 
\alue.  The  records  of  this  ])arish.  howe\er. 
show  no  controversy  on  this  subject,  and  in 
1764.  an  Act  was  passed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly, allowing  the  minister  to  live  in  Nor- 
folk and  to  have  his  salary  paid  in  money,  our 
lands  having  Ijecome  t<X)  iX)or  to  ])roduce  to- 
bacco to  advantage.     I  would  mention  that  in 


200 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


1/34.  two  years  before  the  borough  was  char- 
tered, an  Act  was  passed  authorizing  the  sale 
of  86  acres  of  the  glebe,  given  by  Lord  How- 
ard, on  account  of  its  unproductiveness,  and 
the  purchase  of  land  elsewhere  in  Norfolk 
County.  This  glebe  comprised  within  its  lim- 
its that  portion  of  our  city  lying  west  of  a  line 
drawn  from  the  residence  of  one  of  our'\'^estry- 
men.  Richard  H.  Baker,  Esq.,  to  the  home  of 
the  \enerable  Mrs.  Keeling,  on  Bute  street,  as 
well  as  portions  north  of  it. 

Our  fathers  in  the  early  days  of  the  Old 
Church  were  loyal  to  the  parent  government, 
but  it  was  not  the  loyalty  that  comes  from  fear, 
but  that  better  quality  which  springs  from 
filial  love.  They  were  justly  proud  of  tliat 
constitutional  monarchy,  which  made  every 
man's  home  his  castle,  preserved  to  him  and 
his  offspring,  life,  liberty,  and  the  undisturbed 
pursuit  of  happiness;  with  the  writ  of  habeas 
corpus,  trial  by  jury,  and  exemption  from  ta.x- 
ation  without  representation,  ^^'hen  therefore 
repeated  wars  had  burdened  the  mother  coun- 
try with  debt,  and  made  its  inhabitants  groan 
under  taxation,  Parliament  in  an  evil  hour 
sought  by  the  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act  and 
other  unjust  measures  to  wring  from  the  Col- 
onies, without  their  consent,  a  revenue  to  re- 
lieve the  embarassment  of  the  realm.  True 
to  their  innate  love  of  liberty  and  right,  our 
A'irginia  fathers  protested  against  this  flagrant 
wrong.  They  organized  in  Norfolk,  March. 
1766.  an  association  called  "The  Sons  oif  Lib- 
erty'" at  a  public  meeting  at  the  Court  House, 
on  Market  Square,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Da\'is, 
rector  of  our  Old  Church,  was  chosen  chair- 
man. 

A  manly  and  patriotic  protest,  in  the  shape 
of  a   preamble  and    resolutioss,    was    unani- 
mously adopted,  and  signed  by  57  of  the  lead-  , 
ing  inhabitants  of  the  borough,  the  secretary, 
James  Holt,  signing  first  and  our  minister  next. 
They  declared  that,  "Having  taken  into  con- 
sideration the  evil  tendency  of  that  oppressive  ; 
and  unconstitutional  Act  of  Parliament,  com- 
monly called  the  Stamp  Act,  and  being  desirous  | 
that  our  sentiments  should  be  known  to  pos- 


terity, and  recollecting  that  we  are  a  part  of 
that  Colony  who  first,  in  General  Assembly, 
openly  expressed  their  detestation  of  the  said 
Act,  which  is  pregnant  with  ruin  and  produc- 
tive of  the  most  pernicious  consequences;  and 
unwilling  to  rivet  the  shackles  of  slaven.^  and 
oppression  on  ourselves  and  millions  yet  un- 
born, have  unanimously  come  to  the  following 
resolutions : 

1.  Resolved,   that   we  acknowledge  our   Sovereign 
I   Lord,  King  George  III,  to  be  our  rightful  and  lawful 

King,  and  that  we  will,  at  all  times,  to  the  utmost  of 
our  power  and  ability,  support  and  defend  his  most 
sacred  person,  crown  and  dignity :  and  will  be  always 
ready,  when  constitutionally  called  upon,  to  assist  His 
Majesty  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  and  defend  all  his 
just  rights  and  prerogatives. 

2.  Resolved,  that  we  wiil,  by  all  lawful  w-ays  and 
means  which  Divine  Providence  hath  put  into  our 
hands,  defend  ourselves  in  the  full  enjoyment  of,  and 
preserve  inviolate  to  posterity,  those  inestimable  priv- 
ileges of  all  free-born  British  subjects,  of  being  ta.xed 
by  none  but  representatives  of  their  own  colonies,  and 
of  being  tried  only  by  a  jury  of  their  own  peers;  for  if 
we  quietly  submit  to  the  execution  of  the  said  Stamp 
.\ct.  all  our  claims  to  civil  liberty  will  be  lost,  and  we 
and  our  posterity  become  absolute  slaves. 

3.  Resolved,  that  we  will  on  any  future  occasion 
sacrifice  our  lives  and  fortunes,  in  concurrence  with  the 
other  Sons  of  Liberty,  in  the  American  provinces,  to 
defend  and  preserve  those  invaluable  blessings  trans- 
mitted by  our  ancestors. 

4.  Resolved,  that  whoever  is  concerned  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  using,  or  causing  to  be  used,  in  any  way 
or  manner  whatever  within  this  Colony,  unless  author- 
ized by  the  General  .Assembly  thereof,  those  detestable 
papers  called  the  Stamps,  shall  be  deemed  to  all  in- 
tents and  purposes  an  enemy  to  his  country,  and  by 
the  Sons  of  Liberty  treated  accordingly,  etc. 

It  is  hard  for  us  in  this  day  to  realize  the 
exalted  courage  and  patriotisiu  of  those  men 
who  thus  declared  in  ad\'ance  the  great  prin- 
ciples which  were  subsequently  adopted  in  our 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  upon  which 
our  American  Republic  was  constructed.  The 
people  oif  Norfolk  need  not  go  to  Virginia's 
ancient  capital,  or  visit  the  plains  of  Yorktown, 
in  search  of  consecrated  ground,  filled  with  the 
spirit  of  an  unselfish  patriotism  and  hallowed 
by  the  memories  of  heroic  sacrifice,  ^^'e  stand 
on  holy  ground!  The  pastor  and  56  of  the 
congregation  of  the  01d_Church  pledged  their 
lives  and  fortunes  to  bequeath  to  us  the  great 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


20I 


principles  of  civil  lil)erty.  and  they  kept  like 
true  men  tiieir  plighted  faith  to  God  and  man. 
The  hattle-tields  of  the  Revolution  could  tell 
that  some  of  these  ga\e  their  lixes:  and  that 
they  gave  their  fortunes,  the  smouldering  ruins 
of  their  once  happy  homes  in  the  old  borough 
showed,  on  that  dismal  New  Year's  night, 
when  yonder  church  was  left  alone  to  mark  the 
spot  of  the  most  tlourishing  (seaport  in  the 
American  Colonies.  The  dust  and  ashes  of 
many  are  nf)w  beneath  the  sod  in  this  sanctuary 
of  the  dead,  and  the  Old  Church,  with  its 
battle  scar,  stands  a  fitting  monument  to  those 
whose  memories  should  never  ])erish  so  long 
as  liberty  has  her  abode  in  the  old  borough 
they  loved  and  served  so  well. 

From  this  time  forward  Ilritish  misrule 
was  slowly  but  steadily  advancing  the  cause 
of  colonird  imlependence.  and  vet  in  the  midst 
of  those  thoughtful  times,  our  forefathers  had 
their  sports  and  jolly  gootl  times.  There  was 
no  sombre  Quakerism  or  sour  Puritanism  ap- 
parently in  the  .old  borough.  Here  is  a  letter 
we  find  in  the  J'irgiiiia  Ga.ccHc,  i)ul)lished  in 
\\"illiamsburg  in  1774: 

XoRFOLK,  ,Uay  3d,  1774. 

Yesterday  was  celebrated  in  this  place  the  anni- 
versary of  St.  Tamminy.  the  tutelar  Saint  of  the  Amer- 
ican Colonies.  At  one  o'clock  a  royal  salute  of  twenty- 
one  gun-.  fr.:iiTi  a  battery  erected  for  the  purpose,  ush- 
ered in  the  rcioiciiigs  of  the  day;  and  in  the  evening  a 
grand  entertainment  was  given  at  the  Mason's  Hall, 
by  the  Sons  of  the  Saint,  to  which  there  was  a  general 
invitation,  and  the  company  exceedingly  numerous  and 
brilliant,  consisting  of  near  400  persons.  At  six  the 
ball  was  opened  by  one  of  our  Burgesses  in  the  charac- 
ter of  King  Tamminy.  properly  accoutered  in  the  an- 
cient habit  of  this  country,  at  which  lime  another  royal 
salute  was  given.  The  ladies,  whose  fair  bosoms  on 
this  occasion  seemed  more  ]>articularly  animated  with 
a  generous  love  of  their  country,  indulged  the  company 
with  their  presence  till  four  in  the  morning,  and  after 
their  retirement  the  Sons  of  St.  Tanuniny.  according 
tr>  the  immemorial  custom  of  the  countries,  encircled 
their  King  and  practiced  the  ancient  mysterious  war- 
dance,  so  highly  descriptive  of  the  warmest  attachment 
and  freedom  of  spirit.  The  whole  was  conducted  with 
the  strictest  decorum,  and  to  the  universal  satisfaction 
of  ilie  assembly:  while  the  cordiality  with  which  the 
sons  of  the  Brother  saints.  St.  George.  St.  Andrew. 
St.  Patrick,  and  St.  David,  entered  into  the  general 
mirth  of  the  evening,  gave  particular  pleasure,  and  was 
truly  emblematical  of  that  happy  Union  which  has  long 


subsisted  between  the  parent  State  and  her  Colonies, 
while  Britain  was  just  and  .Vmerica  was  free,  and 
which   every   lover  of   his   country   would   wish   should 

still  subsist  for  ages  yet  to  come. 

Think  of  the  girls  dancing  tmtil  four  in 
the  morning  in  the  month  of  IMay!  Who 
would  have  imagined  that  our  great-grand- 
mothers could  have  been  guilty  of  such  dis- 
sipation! But  they  had  an  e.xcuse  for  it,  that 
the  girls  haven't  got  now;  there  were  no  street 
lamps  in  those  days,  and  we  don't  blame  them 
for  not  wanting  to  go  stumbling  home  in  the 
dark,  even  with  a  St.  David,  a  St.  George  or  a 
St.  Patrick  for  a  guide. 

I  have  come  now  to  the  .-\merican  Re\olu- 
tion,  a  most  interesting  period  in  the  historv  of 
the  Old  Church,  and  while  I  would  like  to 
dwell  upon  it,  to  give  in  detail  the  accounts  of 
the  bombardment  of  Xcirfulk  bv  the  frigate 
"Liverpool"'  and  other  \essels  of  Dunmore's 
fleet,  and  to  give  you  a  picture  of  the  scenes 
enacted  within  the  walls  of  the  cemetery,  and 
how  the  women  and  children  (if  the  old  bor- 
ough, who  had  not  been  able  to  get  away, 
gathered  under  the  shadow  of  the  walls  of  the 
Old  Church,  as  in  a  citadel,  to  protect  them 
from  the  shots  of  the  enemy ;  but  the  historv 
of  that  period  would  furnish  material  for  a 
lecture  in  itself,  and  I  have  not  time  to  dwell 
upon  it.  I  would  only  mention  one  matter  as 
associated  with  the  Old  Church.  It  is  com- 
monly reported  that  the  British  carried  away 
the  l)aptismal  font,  which  was  of  marble,  to 
Scotland.  This  we  think  is  an  error,  arising 
from  that  fact  that  the  communion  plate  was 
taken  by  the  enemy  to  Scotland.  It  was  doubt- 
less a  valuable  service.  Under  Act  XIV  of 
the  Colonial  Assembly,  Charles  II,  1661-62,  it 
was  enacted  that  the  churchwardens  take  care 
and  be  empowered  dtu^ing  their  churchwarden- 
ship  "to  keepe  the  church  in  repaire,  provide 
books,  and  decent  ornaments,  viz :  A  great 
Bible,  two  common  prayer  books,  a  communion 
cloth  and  napkin,  a  pulpit  and  cushion  this 
present  year,  and  after  annually,  something  to- 
ward communion  plate,  pulpit  cloth  and  bell,  as 
the  ability  of  the  parish  will  permit,  etc."     As 


202 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


this  -was  the  weaUhiest  parish  next  to  Bruton, 
at  Williamsburg,  in  the  Colony,  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  the  wardens  had  accumulated  a 
fund  which  enal)led  them  to  get  a  beautiful  and 
probably  a  massix'e  communion  service,  which 
tempted  the  enem_\-  to  carry  it  home  as  a 
troph}-. 

Bishop  !Meadc  tells  us  in  his  "Old  Churches 
of  Virginia,"  in  1857.  that  some  tidings  of 
the  communion  plate  had  recent!)-  been  re- 
ceived, and  hopes  are  entertained  of  its  recov- 
ery. Over  20  years  have  passed  since  then, 
and  the  Old  Mother  Church  has  not  yet  re- 
covered her  communion  set,  but  the  ladies  of 
our  congregation  have  in  the  last  few  years 
supplied  the  parish  with  a  silver  ser\-ice,  and 
the  lost  plate  w<;uld  be  chiefly  valuable  now  as 
a  sacred  relic  of  the  past.  "God  mo\-es  in  a 
mysterious  way,"  and  perha]os  after  an  absence 
of  a  century  the  communion  plate  will  be  re- 
stored to  the  vestry  of  the  Old  Church  from 
which  it  was  taken  during  the  Revolution. 

No  records  have  yet  been  found  of  the 
vestry  of  the  Old  Church  since  1761.  It  is  al- 
most certain,  however,  that  with  the  rebuilding 
of  Norfolk  after  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis 
at  Yorktown.  October.  1781,  that  the  Old 
Church  was  soon  repaired,  and  that  after  the 
meeting  of  the  first  convention  in  Richmond, 
in  1785.  Re^■.  Walker  Maury  took  charge  and 
continued  its  minister  until  October.  1788. 
when  he  died  in  his  ,^6th  year,  and  was  buried 
in  this  \artl.  After  this  comes  the  trying  pe- 
riod in  the  life  <if  the  nld  parish  church,  which 
created  much  scandal,  and  contributed  largely 
to  building  up  the  other  Evangelical  denomina- 
tions, notably  the  Presbyterian,  in  the  borough. 
In  1789-91,  Rev.  James  Whitehead  appears 
in  the  several  conventions,  as  minister  of  Eliza- 
beth River  Parish,  Norfolk:  after  this  the  Old 
Church  was  not  again  represented  until  the 
convention  in  .Mexandria,  in  1832.  It  was 
during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  W^hitehead  that  a 
most  unfortunate  controversy  occurred  in  the 
congregation  of  the  Old  Church  concerning-  the 
rival  claims  of  himself  and  Rev.  William  Bland 
for  the  possession  of  the  edifice.     Mr.  ^^'hite- 


head  was  a  line  scholar,  and  had  charge  of  the 
Norfolk  Academy,  was  a  leading  Alason,  and 
a  gentleman  of  high  social  influence.  He  was 
also  a  man  of  property,  if  we  can  judge  from 
the  following  squib  in  the  Norfolk  Herald, 
April  I,  1800:  "It  is  understood  that  Parson 
W  .  owns  some  \'ery  \alual)le  property  in  \\'ater 
street,  part  of  which  is  now  a  mere  sink.  If 
he  will  use  his  exertions  to  fill  it  up  and  make 
that  part  of  the  town  passable,  he  shall  have 
the  prayers  of  his  congregation."  Bishop 
Aleade  said  that  from  all  accounts  he  had  re- 
ceived, Mr.  Whitehead  was  a  worth}-  minister 
of  the  Gospel. 

Parson  Bland,  as  he  was  called,  was  a  man 
of  culture,  an  attractive  preacher,  very  popular 
with  some  of  the  old  families  on  account  of 
his  zealous  patriotism  during  the  Revolution, 
and  an  especial  fa\-orite  with  the  sea-captains 
who  frequented  the  borough,  many  of  whom 
attended  his  week-day,  as  well  as  Sunday, 
services.  He  was  unfortunately  a  man  of 
strong  passions,  and  not  as  teniperate  in  his 
habits  as  he  should  lia\-e  been  while  in  Norfolk. 
It  is  said  he  would  repeatedly  exhort  his  con- 
■gregation  to  do  as  he  told  them  and  not  as  he 
did.  It  is  stated  that  the  controversy  between 
the  rival  pars(jns  was  carried  on  in  the  news- 
papers in  Norfolk  during  the  week,  and  also 
in  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath,  the  same  pulpit 
serving  both  ministers,  the  one  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  other  in  the  afternoon ;  each  party 
had  their  separate  vestries  who'  had  respecti\-e- 
ly  elected  them  rector.  I  have  seslrched  the  files 
of  all  the  Norfolk  papers  I  could  obtain  from 
1794  to  1800,  but  found  no  allusion  in  them 
to  any  controversy.  As  the  diocesan  conven- 
tions of  1789  and  1790  are  reported  to  have 
decided  in  favor  of  Parson  \\'hitehead's  vestry, 
it  mav  be  the  newspaper  contro\ersy  took  place 
at  that  time,  but  I  could  find  no  Norfolk  papers 
of  those  years.  I  haxe  it  from  a  reliable  source 
that  the  rivalry  for  the  possession  of  the  Old 
Church  did  not  altogether  interrupt  the  social 
relations  of  the  two  Episcopal  parsons.  Al- 
though Mr.  Whitehead  had  much  the  larger 
proportion  of  the  Episcopalians  with  him,  and 


AiND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


203 


had  tlie  recognition  of  tlie  diocesan  convention 
in    1790,  yet  he  was  unalile  to  get  comi)lete 
control    of  .the    Old    Church,    and    therefore 
sometime   prior   to   the  fall  of    1798,    he  and 
his    snjjporters    left    the    ^lotiter    Clnu\-h     of 
Elizabeth    River    Parish    in    the     undisputed 
jwssession    of    Mr.    Jjlaiid,    his    vestry    and 
friends.     Mr.  \\liitehead    and    ins    congrega- 
tion,   after    leaving    the    Old    Church,    wor- 
siiiped    in   the    Court   House   on   East    Main 
street.     In  the  spring  of  1800  he  announced 
in  the  papers  a  subscription  on   foot  for  the 
building  of  an  Episcopal  Churcli.  and  tlie  sup- 
porters of  the  new  movement,  after  suljscribing 
a  sutticient  amount  for  the  purpose,  erected  a 
splendid  building  on   the  present   site  of  the 
First    Presbyterian    Church.     On    St.    John's 
Day.  the  24th  of  June,  1800,  the  corner-stone 
of  Christ  Church  was  laid  with  Masonic  cere- 
monies and  a  sermon  preached  by  Mr.  White- 
head in  the  Old  Church,  the  proceedings  end- 
ing with  a  sumptuous  dinner  at  the  borough 
tavern. 

The  establishment  of  Christ  Church.  Nor- 
folk, was  one  of  the  grand  results  of  religious 
liberty  in  \'irginia.  After  the  Revolution,  it 
was  natural  that  those  who  dissented  from  the 
doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England  should  set 
u|)  for  themselves  their  own  forms  of  church 
government.  Ijut  this  was  tlie  tirst  example  of 
■a  church  in  the  Diocese  of  Virginia.  Protestant 
Episcopal  in  faith  but  Congregational  in  gov- 
ennnent.  It  was  an  American  idea,  horn  of 
the  ])rinciples  of  the  great  struggle  for  civil 
and  religious  libert\-.  Church  and  State  had 
been  divorced,  but  the  men  who  projected  this 
new  movement  were  tired  of  the  want  of  dis- 
cipline under  the  old  regime:  they  demanded 
the  right  to  choose  their  own  spiritual  advisers, 
an<l  while  true  to  the  doctrines  of  the  English 
Church,  they  carried  into  ecclesiastical  matters 
the  principle  they  maintained  in  temporal  af- 
fairs, of  opposition  to  taxation  without  repre- 
sentation, and  ignoring  the  old  custom  of  the 
election  of  a  vestry  to  .govern  the  parish,  they 
appointed  a  minister,  trustees  and  other  of- 
ficers, by  the  votes  of  the  pew-holders  in  gen- 

12 


eral  meeting  assembled.  And  the  experiinent 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  congregation, 
which  has  been  an  ornament  and  an  honor  to 
the  Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia  for  more 
than  tiiree-(iuarters  of  a  century,  aboimding  in 
exemplary  piety  and  giwid  works.  P)Ut  while 
cheerfully  according  our  admiration,  we  cannot 
admit  the  claim  of  this  congregation  to  be  the 
Mother  Church  of  I'Llizabeth  River  Parish. 
No!  That  l^elongs  to  our  Old  Church,  who, 
although  for  awhile  sleepin.g  as  deathlike  as  the 
dead  around  her,  has  now  risen  from  her  slum- 
ber to  be  our  mother  still.  Had  Mr.  AMiife- 
head's  congregation  left  the  old  ])arish  building 
under  protest,  and  elected  a  vestry  according  to 
the  canons  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
of  Virginia,  it  mi.ght  have  had  a  strong  claim 
to  the  title  of  the  ilother  Church,  but  it  seems 
to  he  a  thing  imix)ssible,  that  a  congregation 
without  a  vestry.  electin.g  its  minister  and  trus- 
tees contrary  to  canon  law,  could  Ije  the  legal 
successor  of  the  parish  church,  or.ganized  and 
.governed  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  laws 
and.  customs  of  the  English  Church.  What 
constitutes  a  parish  church  ?  Parishes  under 
the  colonial  .government  had  metes  and  Ixnmds- 
established  by  civil  as  well  as  ecclesiastical  law, 
but  the  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1798 
wiped  out  the  last  vestige  of  Church  and  State 
in  \'irginia,  and  with  it  the  legal  existence  of 
])arish  divisions,  except  so  far  as  their  organ- 
ization was  preser\ed  liy  the  canons,  customs 
and  traditions  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  of  \'irginia.  How  then  could  a  con- 
gregation igufiring  all  obedience  to  those  can- 
ons, customs  and  traditions,  so  far  as  thev  re- 
lated to  parish  .government,  justly  claim  to  lie 
the  successor  of  a  con.gre.gation  which  had 
ne\er  tleparted  from  them ?  This  principle  we 
think  was  recognized  hv  the  congregation  of 
Christ  Church  in  ]\[ay,  1866,  when  by  a  vote 
of  56  ayes  to  14  noes,  they  aflopted  the  follow- 
ing resolutions,  offered  1)y  Tazewell  Tavlor, 
Esq.,  \iz : 

RL-Mf>lvccI.  *  *  *  *  (;,2(  ,i,p  (.g^g  jjj^j  manage, 
iiient  of  'he  Church  be  hereafter  confided  to  a  vestry 
of  the  Clnirch,  so  to  lie  choien.  and  this  Church  shall 


204 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


be  hereafter  governed  as  all  other  Churches  of  the 
Diocese  similarly  situated,  according  to  the  canons  and 
laws  of  the  Church,  etc. 

Resolved,  that  the  pew-holders  now  proceed  to 
elect  nine  vestrymen,  pew-holders,  who  with  the  min- 
ister of  the  Parish  shall  be  the  vestry  of  the  Church 
(Christ  Church  Parish),  for  the  ensuing  year  until 
Easter  Monday,  1867.  or  thereafter  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  elected  and  qualified  to  act. 

INlr.  Taylor  was  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers 
who  e\er  adorned  the  bar  of  Norfolk,  and  no 
one  more  fully  comprehended  the  use  of  the 
English  language,  and  these  resolutions  from 
his  pen  show  that  he  regarded  his  congrega- 
tion as  indejjendent  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish, 
althr.ugh  wiithin  its  bounds,  for  in  these  reso- 
lutions amending  the  constitution  of  the 
church,  so  as  to  make  it  conform  to  the  canons 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  Dio- 
cese of  Virginia,  he  gives  the  congregation  the 
name  vi  "Christ  Church  Parish."  A  few  days 
after.  Mav  7th,  the  newly  chosen  vestry  se- 
lected him  to-  represent  this  parish  in  the  State 
Council.  It  is  clear  then  from  its  own  recofds, 
that  Christ  Churcli  was  ne\"er  considered'  a 
parish,  but  a  Congregational  or  Independent 
E]:)iscr,pal  Church  in  the  diocese  until  May, 
1S66,  when  it  called  itself  Christ  Church  Par- 
ish, antl  hence  has  no  shadow  of  a  claim  to 
the  title  of  the  Mother  Church  of  Elizabeth 
River  Parish. 

The  services  connected  with  the  commem- 
oration of  the  death  of  Washington  were  held 
in  the  Old  Church  on  the  22nd  of  February. 
1800,  a  full  and  interesting  account  of  which  I 
found  in  the  Norfolk  Herald  of  February  25 
of  that  year.  The  procession,  consisting  of  the 
military  and  civic  societies  of  the  borough  and 
neighborhood,  was  the  largest  ever  seen  here 
up  ti>  that  time,  and  filled  the  church  to  over- 
tlnwing-,  so  that  a  great  concourse  had  to  re- 
main I  utside.  There  were  no  galleries  in  the 
church,  those  erected  prior  to  the  Revolution 
ha\-ing  been  destroyed,  and  the  present  ones 
built  subseciuent  to  1832,  the  sittings  were  con- 
Ihicd  t(i  the  ground  floor.  A  sentinel  admitted 
none  but  ladies  in  the  church  up  to  the  arrival 
of  the  ]irocession.  Pra\'ers  were  offered  by 
Rev.  Mr.  ^^'hitehead,  an  oration  delivered  hv 


Dr.  Read,  the  mayor,  an  original  monody  pro- 
nounced by  Mr.  Blancharcl,  an  address  made 
on  behalf  of  the  soldiers  by  Mr.  Hiort  oi  Cap- 
tain Myers'  couipany.  After  which  the  bier 
was  deposited'  in  the  grave  amid  a  solemn 
dirge  by  the  band,  and  three  volleys  fired  o\-er 
it  by  the  troops. 

After  the  formation  of  the  new  congrega- 
tion. Rev.  William  Bland  continued  his  minis- 
trations in  the  Old  Parish  Church  until  the 
20th  of  May,  1803,  wihen  he  died.  Upon  his 
death  the  congregation  seems  to  ha\e  been  scat- 
tered like  a  flock  that  had  lost  its  shepherd. 
For  a  while  the  Old  Church  was  occupied  by 
our  Baptist  friends,  until  their  new  church  was 
built  on  Cumberland  street,  and  then  h\  a  col- 
ored congregation  of  the  same  denomination, 
and  subsequently  it  was  used  as  a  Bible  class 
and  Sunday-school  room  for  Christ  Church, 
the  trustees  of  that  body  holding  the  property 
by  sufferance.  July  i,  1831,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
trustees  of  Christ  Church,  a  communication 
was  handed  in  by  Mr.  Steed  from  Rev.  Dr. 
Ducachet  on  the  subject  of  getting  up  another 
Episcopal  congregation  for  the  Old  Church. 

\\'hereui»n  it  was  unanimously  "Resolved. 
That  the  trustees,  so  far  as  they  are  individ- 
ually concerned,  will  rejoice  to  see  the  measure 
carried  successfully  into  eft'ect,  and  as  indi\-id- 
uals  of  the  congregation  of  Christ  Church,  it 
shall  receix'e  their  hearty  concurrence  and  pe- 
cuniary support.  As  a  body  acting  as  the  rep- 
resentatives of  a  very  large  portion  of  the  Epis- 
copalians in  this  Parish,  they  are  willing,  so 
far  as  their  authority  may  extend,  to  grant  the 
use  of  the  Old  Church  for  so  desirable  a  pur- 
pcse,  not  ck)ubting  but  it  will  be  approved  by 
ever\-  Episcopalian  among  us.  They  trust,  how- 
ever, that  suitable  arrangements  may  be  made 
to  manage  the  temporal  affairs  of  the  Church 
and  sui)i)ort  of  its  minister,  entirely  iiule- 
pendent  of  and  free  from  any  interference  with 
the  fiscal  concerns  C(;mmitted  to  their  charge; 
in  other  words,  that  the  two  churches  and  con- 
gregations in  money  matters  must  be  kept  en- 
tirely distinct,  each  depending  on  its  own  re- 
source, and  each  to  have  a  separate  board  of 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


205 


trustees  or  wardens  it)  atleiul  U>  its  interests." 
"Resolved.  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  be 
handed  to  Rev.  Dr.  Ducachet." 

Two  things  are  \ery  apparent  from  this  ac- 
tion of  the  trustees  of  Christ  Church ;  first. 
that  they  were  unwiUing  to  see  tlie  Old  Church 
revi\ed  as  a  missionary  etifort,  for  which  Clirist 
Church  woulil  l)e  in  the  least  degree  pecuniarily 
responsible,  while  they  would  be  pleased  to  see 
a  new  and  independent  congregation  of  Epis- 
copalians organized :  secondly,  that  the  trustees 
did  not  claim  to  represent  all  the  Episcopalians 
within  the  bounds  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish, 
nor  the  ownership  of  the  Old  Church,  but  could 
only  grant  the  use  of  it,  so  far  as  their  author- 
ity might  extend.  April  24.  1832.  10  months 
after  the  above  proceedings,  we  find  a  meeting 
of  the  Episcopalians  of  Norfolk  convened,  in 
accordance  with  a  public  notice  in  its  news- 
papers, at  the  Old  Church  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  vestrymen,  taking  suitable  measures 
for  repairing  that  building  and  organizing  a 
new  congregation.  Cieorge  Xewton,  Esq., 
was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Charles  W.  .Skin- 
ner appointed  secretary. 

Rev.  Henry  ^^'.  Ducachet  then,  by  request, 
addressed  the  chair,  and  ex])lained  the  i)urpose 
and  object  of  the  meeting.  It  was  then,  on 
motion,  "Resolved,  That  the  meeting  proceed 
to  the  election  of  five  vestrymen :  whereupon 
the  following  gentlemen  were  elected  by  ballot 
to  serve  as  vestrymen  until  Easter  Monday 
next,  viz:  William  H.  Thompson,  Richard  B. 
Maury,  George  Rowland,  .\lpheus  Fobes  and 
Alexander  Gait":  and  u])i.n  nution,  no  further 
Lnisiness  ofi^ering.  the  meeting  was  dissolved 
and  adjourned  sine  die. 

This  was  the  resurrection  of  the  Mother 
Church  !  A  ])arish  w  itliout  a  vestry  is  not  ex- 
tinct, but  is  in  a  state  (;f  quasi  or  suspended 
animation  until  another  vestry  is  elected,  as 
was  this  Elizabeth  River  Parish  from  1803  to 
1832.  .-\nd  whether  the  Episcojialians  who 
formed  that  meeting  were  aware  of  the  re- 
sponsibility and  result  of  their  action  or  not, 
when  in  pursuance  of  a  public  call  they  met. 
and  in  accordance  with  the  canons,  customs  and 


traditions  of  the  Protestant  Ejjiscopal  Church, 
elected  five  vestrymen  for  the  Old  Church, 
they  if^so  facto  elected  the  legal  successors  of 
the  former  vestry  of  b'lizabeth  River  Parish, 
which  vestry,  from  the  moment  of  election, 
were  invested  with  all  the  rights,  pri\ileges 
and  immunities  of  their  predecessors. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution,  there  being  no 
bishop  in  Virginia,  our  church  buildings  were 
not  consecrated,  and  were  generally  called  af- 
ter the  parish  in  wihich  they  were  situated, 
or  from  some  other  geographical  name.  The 
Mother  Church  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish  was 
generally  called  the  "Old  Church,"  and  by 
some  the  "Borough  Church."  As  it  was  neces- 
sary to  ask  readmission  into  the  diocese  under 
some  distinctive  name,  the  vestry  of  the  Old 
Church,  May  7.  1832.  resolved  that  a  name 
should  be  gi\-en  it  and  it  was  unanimouisly 
agreed  that  it  be  called  St.  Paul's  Church,  and 
from  that  day  to  this  the  ancient  edifice  has 
borne  that  name. 

At  the  same  meeting  a  petitinn  to  the  con- 
vention of  the  Protestant  I-lpi.scopal  Church  of 
the  State  of  Virginia,  assembled  at  .\le.xandria, 
was  adopted.  It  recited  that.  "The  great  in- 
crease of  worshipers  at  Christ  Church,  in  the 
Borougli  of  Xorfolk.  liaxing  rendered  it  im- 
possible for  .ill  tn  be  accommodated  there  who 
are  attached  u>  the  doctrines  and  worship  of 
the  E])iscopal  Church,  it  has  been  deemed  ad- 
visable to  organize  another  congregation  with- 
out delay.  In  pursuance  of  this  design,  sub- 
scriptions have  been  raised  to  repair  the  Old 
Church  belonging  to  the  Parish,  and  a  ve.stry 
after  due  notice  elected.  The  said  vestrv, 
therefore,  pray  to  be  recognized  1)\-  the  Con- 
A'ention  of  the  Diocese  as  representing  the  new 
congregation  under  the  style  and  title  of  'St. 
Paul's  Church."  Xorfolk.  an{l'  also  that  our  del- 
egate to  the  convention.  Richard  B.  Maury,  be 
admitted  to  a  seat  in  that  body."  Our  con- 
gregation was  duly  atlmitted  as  St.  Paul's 
Paul  s  Church,  Xorfolk,  Elizabeth  River  Par- 
ish, by  the  diocesan  con\ention,  assembled  in 
.Alexandria,  May,   1832. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to  speak  of  the  Rev. 


206 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Ebenezer  Boyden,  the  first  rector  of  St.  Paul's, 
or  any  of  his  worthy  successors,  the  most  of 
whom  I  have  known  to  love  and  esteem :  but  I 
shall  conclude  this  lecture  with  a  few  recollec- 
tions of  my  boyhood  associated  with  the  Old 
Church. 

The  vestrv-room,  as  I  first  remember  it,  oc- 
cupied nearh'  the  whi>le  of  the  head  of  the 
cross.  From  a  door  in  the  center  the  minister 
ascended  into  the  plain,  white  parallelogram 
pulpit,  with  reading  desk  and  communion  table 
immediatel}-  beloiw.  On  either  side  of  the  pul- 
pit hung  a  tablet,  on  one  the  Ten  Command- 
ments ;  on  the  other  the  Lord's  Prayer  and 
Apostle's  Creed.  Those  tablets  were  first  as- 
sociated in  my  mind  with  the  descent  O'f  Moses 
from  Ivluunt  Sinai,  and  I  imagined  them  the 
exact  counterpart  of  the  original  ones  Avhich 
the  meekest  man  in  the  world  had  destroyed  in 
a  fit  of  hasty  temper  at  the  backsliding  of  the 
children  of  Israel.  My  crude  theology-  Wad 
not  then  taught  me  that  the  inscription  on  the 
left  hand  tablet  was  from  the  new  dispensa- 
tion. 

I  well  remember  going  into  that  vestry- 
rooui  before  ser\-ice  on  one  Sunday  morning 
long  ago-,  and  being  allowed  to  sit  in  the  cush- 
ioned arm-chair  that  was  used  by  John  Han- 
cock, when  president  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, when  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
was  declared  in  1776.  I  had  not  then  any 
xerv  distinct  ideas  of  Mr.  Hancock  or  his 
Declaration,  but  I  felt  the  dignity  oi  the  posi- 
tion, although  my  feet  could  not  reach  the  floor. 
This  chair  had  been  given  to  Rev.  Mr.  Miller, 
our  pastor,  by  a  descendant  of  General  Bayley, 
a  member  of  Congress  from  the  eastern  shore 
of  Virginia,  who  had  ]nn-chased  it  in  Phila- 
delphia when  the  furniture  of  old  Independ- 
ence Hall  was  sold,  and  it  is  still  preserved  in 
our  vestry-room  as  a  valued  relic. 

The  organ  gallery  was  opposite  the  pulpit, 
in  the  foot  of  the  crcvss,  and  it  was  not  more 
than  half  the  size  of  the  present  gallery.  The 
organ  was  a  diminuti\-e  one,  painted  white, 
wlith  paneling,  and  reminded  one  of  a  child's 
coffin.     Our  childish   recollections  of    objects 


are  generally  larger  than  we  find  them  in  af- 
ter years,  and  therefore  I  am  sure  our  first 
organ  was  very  small.  I  was  an  honoraiy 
member  of  the  choir,  by  virtue  of  one  of  my 
household  being  one  of  its  number.  Although 
I  never  sang,  on  two  occasions  I  supplied  the 
place  of  the  absent  bellows-boy.  If  my  memorv 
serves  me,  the  organ  sonnded  louder  on  those 
two  Sundays  than  usual,  although  I  noticed  the 
congregation  did  not  seem  to*  be  sensible  of  the 
fact. 

We  had  fairs  for  the  benefit  of  St.  Paul's 
in  those  days.  Church  fairs  were  somewhat 
different  then  from  what  they  are  now.  Nor- 
folk was  a  r>'.uch  smaller  place,  less  metropoli- 
tan and  they  were  more  like  social  gatherings ; 
the  crowds  thiat  attended  were  less  promis- 
cuous, indeed  it  was  not  ever^'body  whoi  could 
gain  admittance.  Then  children  were  ad- 
mitted at  half-price  during  the  day,  but  after 
"bell  ring"  it  was  a  great  privilege  to  be  al- 
lo'weil.  to  remain  and  it  was  with  the  admoni- 
tion that  they  were  to  be  seen  and  not  heard. 
Now,  as  a  rule,  children  cram  the  fair  rooms 
in  the  evening,  filling  up  the  interstices  be- 
tween the  grown  i>eople,  and  wearying  visitors 
by  their  importunities  to  buy.  From  being 
most  pleasant  gatherings  they  have  become 
quite  a  burden  to  the  fair  exhibitors,  and  b\- 
no  means  as  attractive  as  they  should  be  to 
visitors. 

Norfolk  was  a  social  old  place  in  those 
times,  and  in  summer  evenings  it  was  a  cus- 
tom for  the  good  people  tO'  take  tea  on  their 
front  ])orches.  Old  Catharine  street,  now 
called  Bank,  after  sunset  on  a  pleasant  even- 
ing was  a  perfect  tea  party,  from  the  Exchange 
Bank  to  the  Bell  Church,  every  porch  being 
redolent  with  the  aroma  of  the  Chinese  herb. 
It  wias  a  great  wrong  in  the  Councils  to  have 
changed  the  name  of  Catharine  street ;  it  had 
been  so  called  for  more  than  a  century,  was 
immortalized  in  verse,  and  referred  to  in  let- 
ters of  distinguished  European  tourists. 

A  fair  at  St.  Paul's  was  a  great  event  in 
my  home.  For  weeks  beforehand,  there  would 
be  consultations  and  meetings  of  committees 


Hi':iFll.\l-    SI.     \iNlENT    DE    PaUL.     NORFOLK.    Va. 
before  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.) 


Si.   Tail  ^   1;.  iis;\m    EPISCOPAL  Church,  Norfolk,   Va. 
(The  canncn-ball  tr.  m  the  British  ship  -Liverpool.-  which  lod.ed  in  the  wall,  may  be  seen  under  the  eves,  at  the  riiht  of  the  picture.) 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


209 


on  ways  and  means,  culminating  in  sewing 
circles  in  tlie  mornings  and  evenings,  first  at 
one  Imuse  and  tlien  at  another,  and  finally  there 
would  arise  the  most  savory  smells  from  the 
kitchen  and  store-room.  No  fear  of  the 
pendent  dishcloth  could  keep  me  from  the 
kitchen  at  those  times,  and  no  jackal  ever  hov- 
ered around  a  moving  immigrant  train  with 
more  pertinacity  than  I  hung  around  the  store- 
room dix>r  to  get  a  taste  of  the  viands  or  the 
liherty  to  scrape  the  emptied  icing  dishes.  I 
rememl)er  one  fair  in  particular. — it  was  the 
first.  It  was  held  in  the  old  Arcade  building. 
which  stood  where  Johnson's  Hall  now  stands, 
and  took  its  name  from  extending  o\er  the  ad- 
joining lane  by  an  archway.  The  lane  is  still 
known  as  "Arcade  Lane."  Our  pastor.  Rev. 
Mr.  Miller,  was  there,  and  in  my  eyes  a  more 
ini])ortant  personage  than  the  door-keeper  him- 
self. 1  can  see  his  lieaming,  honest,  counte- 
nance as  he  smiled  blandly  on  the  scene,  sug- 
gestive as  it  was  of  a  replenished  treasury  for 
Old  St.  Paul's.  i)aying  particular  attention  to 
the  dignitaries  of  other  communions  who  had 
come  to  aid  the  Old  Church.  Some  lordly 
looking  gentlemen  with  gold  seals  and  gold- 
headed  canes  walked  around  with  an  air  of  im- 
portance and  wealth,  which  made  me  expect 
to  see  them  march  suddenly  up  to  a  table  and 
sweep  its  wliole  contents,  slippers,  mats,  pin- 
cushions and  all.  in  one  purchase,  but  I  noticed 
l)efore  the  evening  was  passed,  that  these  gold- 
lieaded  men.  as  a  rule,  bought  nothing  Imt  their 
suppers,  of  which  they  seemed  to  get  quite 
their  money's  worth. 

The  tirst  tower  to  Old  St.  Paul's,  witliin  the 
memory  of  man,  was  put  on  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  by  order  of  the  vestry,  by  Isaac  Smith,  a 
skillful  mechanic,  some  36  years  ago.  The 
reader  of  Howe's  "Pictorial  History  of  Vir- 
ginia," will  rememl)er  it  in  the  picture  of  the 
Old  Church,  in  the  chapter  on  Norfolk  County. 
Its  pro])ortions  were  in  keeping  with  the  rest 
of  the  buileling,  but  was  at  the  wrong  end.  It 
had  a  base  fitting  over  the  gable,  with  a  square 
tower  above,  having  a  blind  window  on  each 
side,  and  surmounted  by  a  short  spire  at  each 


corner.  The  architect,  following  the  crucial 
form  of  the  Old  Church,  surmounted  each  of 
these  with  a  modest,  gilded  Latin  cross.  Never 
was  there  a  greater  tempest  in  a  tea-pot  than 
%\ias  created  by  those  four  innocent  crosses. 
The  poor  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Miller,  blameless  of 
the  work,  was  suddenly  discovered  to  have 
Puseyite  tendencies.  A  large  portion  of  the 
congregation  was  outraged,  and  some  of  the 
infiuential  members  of  Chri.st  Church,  who  felt 
a  spiritual  responsibility  alxjut  St.  Paul's,  as 
the  weaker  congregation,  were  moved  Ijeyond 
measure.  Whether  the  souls  of  our  neighbor- 
ing Methodist  brctliren,  our  Baptist  friends,  or 
the  sterling  Covenanters  across  the  way,  were 
disturbed  in  their  Sunday  worship  by  the  .sud- 
den apparition  under  their  windows  of  the 
quadrupled  emblem  of  Rome,  we  do  not  re- 
member, but  we  shall  never  forget  that  one 
good  Catholic,  cur  friend  Eli  Ikirrot,  was  re- 
ported to  have  solemnly  protested  against  the 
innovation,  as  on  his  way  to  and  from  busi- 
ness to  his  home,  as  he  passed  the  Old  Church, 
he  was  forced  to  cross  himself  four  times. 

Never  did  Jewish  custom  more  speedily  re- 
move that  unsightly  cross  for  the  coming  holi- 
day, than  did  those  emblems  of  faith  disappear 
from  that  tower  by  order  of  the  vestry.  .And 
fur  the  want  of  some  unobjectionable  substitute 
four  gold  balls  were  placed  in  their  stead,  as 
if  some  celestial  planets  of  the  smaller  sort 
had  fallen  from  space  and  Ijeen  im]>aled  on  the 
points  of  the  spires.  What  a  sensible  change 
has  occurred  in  the  intervening  years !  Now 
the  Greek  and  Latin  cross  not  only  adorn  our 
Old  Church,  but  .scarcely  a  Christian  home  in 
our  city  but  is  beautified  by  a  representation 
of  that  cross,  to  which  we  are  taught  in  simple 
faith  to  cling,  .\mon.g  the  manifold  changes 
vvihich  have  come  in  the  progress  of  time,  the 
world  has  learned  that  the  worship  of  the 
Creator  in  spirit  and  in  truth  is  not  incom- 
patible with  the  cultivation  of  the  love  for  the 
beautiful. 

Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed 
like  one  of  those  little  flowers  that  bursting 
frorii  the  dust  through  the  mysterious   pro- 


2IO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


cesses  of  nature  in  spring-time,  in  this  ceme- 
tery, teaches  us  the  sublime  lesson  of  the  resur- 
rection from  the  dead. 

I  was  attending  Mr.  Gait's  school,  in  the 
old  frame  building,  known  as  the  Old  Acad- 
emy, which  stood  on  Church  street,  just  across 
the  way,  when  Captain  Seabury,  one  of  the 
vestrymen  of  the  church,  after  employing  a 
servant  to  dig  awav  the  sod  and  debris  in  the 
angle  formed  by  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
church  and  street  wall,  discovered  the  cannon- 
ball  fired  during  the  Revolution  by  the  British 
frigate  "Liverpool,"  and  which  had  become 
dislodged  and  fallen  from  its  position  in  the 
wall.  Whh  others  I  witnessed  the  resurrec- 
tion of  that  ball  wliich  on  New  Year's  Day, 
1776,  was  one  of  those  missiles  of  death  fired 
in  a  bombardment  which  inaugurated  the  most 
momentous  year  in  our  American  history. 
That  relic  of  the  past  was  carefully  preserved 
imtil  replaced  in  the  wall  where  it  first  lodged, 
and  I  ha\-e  regretted  that  scepticism,  the  fruit 
of  igni- ranee,  has  made  it  common  in  this  day, 
to  doubt  the  authenticity  of  this  fact.  I  verily 
believe  that  some  people  are  born  iconoclasts ; 
they  break  their  rattles  when  babies,  destroy 
their  dolls  with  infinite  zest  before  they  can 
walk,  and  when  grown,  seem  to  delight  in  dis- 
crediting the  traditions  of  their  fathers.  There 
are  some  degenerate  Virginians  who'  tell  you 
that  the  thrilling  story  of  the  rescue  of  Capt. 
John  Smith  by  the  Indian  heroine  Pocahontas 
is  all  a  romance:  when  it  is  a  fact  as  well  es- 
tablished in  the  colonial  history  o-f  Virginia, 
as  the  ducking  of  Grace  Sherwood  in  Princess 
Anne  Countv,  for  witchcraft,  or  the  more  cruel 
burning  of  poor  weak-minded  women  upon  the 
same  charge  on  the  common  in  Salem  town,  in 
the  Colony  of  Massachusetts.  Bishop  Meade 
correctly  states,  in  his  "Old  Churches  of  Vir- 
ginia." that  the  identical  ball  fired  into  the 
church  by  the  British  man-of-war  was  found 
and  preserved,  and  that  a'  governor  of  Vir- 
ginia applied  to  have  it  sent  to  the  State  Li- 
brarv  for  safe  keeping. 

Nearly    opposite    the    southern     gate,    on 
Church  street,  at  tlie  foot  of  one  of  those  splen- 


did elms,  which  were  brought  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Hampton  during  Rev.  Mr.  Miller's 
pastorate,  there  are  four  tombstones,  side  by 
side :  one  of  the  central  ones,  now  lying  prone 
upon  the  ground,  has  doubtless  attracted  your 
attention  by  the  large  heraldic  device  which 
occupies  more  than  half  of  the  stone.  It  is  the 
grave  of  John  Taylor,  whose  motto  was,  "Fide 
ct  Fiducia."  My  good  friend  Dr.  Grigsby, 
when  he  lectures  on  the  dead  of  St.  Paul's,  will 
doubtless  tell  you  all  about  the  one  \\hose  mor- 
tal remains  lie  underneath.  My  story  is  about 
something  on  the  upper  side  of  that  slab.  Diu"- 
ing  a  recess  at  the  Old  Academy,  as  was  often 
my  wont,  I  was  playing  "Old  ^Mortality" 
among  the  tombs  in  this  cemetery,  and  having 
often  heard  it  said,  that  there  was  no  monu- 
ment sho'wng  a  burial  earlier  than  the  eight- 
eenth century,  my  attention  was  riveted  on 
"1600"  on  this  stone.  The  inscription  was 
\-ery  much  ef¥ected,  much  more  so  than  now,  as 
it  has  since  been  partially  restored,  and  was 
very  difficult  tO'  decipher,  but  after  a  hasty 
in\-estigation  I  was  satisfied  that  the  deceased 
had  died  and  was  therefore  buried  in  16  hun- 
dred and  blank.  I  annoimced  the  discovery  to 
some  of  my  playmates,  but  they  treated  it  as 
a  matter  of  indifference  when  the  old  gentle- 
man died,  ])eing  more  interested  in  the  price 
of  tops  and  ma,rbles,  around  the  corner  at  Jor- 
dan's, or  in  the  success  of  a  game  of  "hop 
scotch,"  a  sidewalk  amusement  in  our  early 
days,  evidently  invented  by  some  disciples  of 
St.  Crispen,  for  speedilv  destroving  the  soles 
cf  shoes.  At  home  in  the  evening,  however. 
I  found  a  more  interested  audience,  and  when  I 
announced  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  a  second 
Christopher  Columbus  that  I  had  disco\-ered  in 
St.  Paul's  churchyard  a  tombstone  bearing  date 
in  the  seventeenth  century.  Anno  Domini  16 
hundred  and  something,  my  i-onored  father, 
whose  love  for  the  Old  Church  and  its  sur- 
roundings was  proverbial  and  whose  retentive 
inemory  made  him  familiar  with  every  grave 
in  that  burial-ground,  smiled  increduously,  told 
me  it  was  quite  impossible,  and  tliat  he  would 
,gi\'e  me  a  thousand  dollars  if  I  coulil  find  a 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


21  I 


t(>inI)stone  witli  so  old  a  date.  To  make  it 
l)indiiig.  1  liad  tlie  promised  reward  reduoe<l  to 
writing,  and  witli  the  dcKiiment  in  my  posses- 
ion went  to  l)ed  tliat  night  a  happy  Ixiy.  The 
sudden  accpiisition  of  weahli  is  a  mixed  bless- 
ing. I\iches  not  only  !ia\c  wings,  but  they 
ha\e  their  weigiits  along  uth  their  enjoyments. 
I  passed  a  restless  night!  I  s])ent  that  tlmus- 
sand  dollars  in  a  hundred  different  ways.  In 
the  first  impulse  of  gratitude  I  appropriated 
one  hundred  dollars  to  charities:  I  am  ashamed 
to  confess  that  l>efore  I  fell  asleeji  I  had  re- 
duced the  amount  to  ten.  1  recall  now  with 
sorrow,  what  latent  selfishness  was  developed 
in  my  heart  by  the  anticipated  possession  of 
that  thousand  dollars,  and  yet  I  was  not  more 
selfish  than  the  average  boy.  The  rising  sun 
found  me  up  and  dressed  and  on  my  way  to 
verify  my  discovery,  so  as  to  claim  the  prom- 
ised reward.  I  am  constitutioinally  opposed  to 
very  early  rising.  1  ha\e  always  thought  it  a 
philosophical  rejily  to  the  trite  remark,  that 
"The  early  bird  catches  the  wonu."  that  "It 
is  the  early  worm  that  gets  caught  by  the  bird." 
The  poet  who  sung  "Early  to  bed  and  earl\-  to 
rise,  make  men  healthy,  wealthy  and  wise,"  not 
only  stole  the  sentiment  and  words  from  that 
old  heathen  Aristotle,  Ijut  he  lived  under  a 
different  sky  and  a  \ery  dififerent  clime  from 
ours.  My  observation  has  been  that  the 
wealthiest  and  wisest  of  our  citizens  do  not 
cross  Stone  Bridge  before  nine  in  the  morning, 
and  many  ha\e  lived  to  a  good  old  age.  \\'c 
delude  ourselves,  i)ossil)ly,  with  the  idea  that 
it  is  malarious  before  seven  in  the  summer  and 
eight  in  the  w  inter,  in  this  regon :  and  it  is  a 
very  comfortable  delusion  to  those  who  can 
afford  it.  I  had  no  such  misgivings,  however, 
on  the  morning  mentioned.  I  can  recall  now 
how  delightfully  fresh  everj-thing  smelt  and 
felt.  The  atmosphere  was  so  rarified  that  I 
breathed  freer  than  usual,  in  striking  contrast 
to  my  accustomed  feelings  as  I  wended  mv  way 
to  school  down  those  same  familiar  streets, 
especially  when  unlearned  lessons  gave  me  an 
unwholesome  fear  of  the  rod.  My  heart  beat 
in  sympathy  with  all  nature,  displaying  itself 


am 


in  iniusual  politeness  to  the  colored  uncle 
aunties  1  met  hurrying  to  work,  and  in  gener- 
(;us  impulses  toward  the  ragged  urchins  on 
earlv  errands,  and  actually  restraining  me 
from  shying  a  rock  at  some  tem])ting  cats. 
.\t  last  the  old  churchyard  was  reached,  the 
wall  scaled,  and  "Young  Mortrdity"  was  down 
u])on  his  knees  searching  after  truth.  .Mas, 
hi  w  frail  and  weak  is  poor  humanity!  How 
liable  to  error!  Investigation  disclosed  that 
the  occupant  of  that  tomb  was  born  in  iT)  hun- 
dred and  something:  he  had  lived  too  long,  for 
further  down,  almost  illegible,  his  death  was 
recorded  in  1744.  There  were  tears  shed  o\-er 
that  grave  that  morning,  and  the  passing 
stranger,  ignorant  of  the  ordinance  prohibiting 
interments  in  this  cemetery,  may  have  wasted 
his  sym])athy  on  the  lacrymose  youth  who  had 
missed  a  warm  breakfast  in  the  fruitless  ipiest 
after  filthy  lucre. 

Generation  after  generation  ha\e  come  and 
gone,  but  still  the  Old  Church  stands,  l-lm- 
pires  have  arisen  and  have  fallen,  the  Colony 
has  bec(.me  the  State,  peace  has  had  its  victo- 
ries and  war  its  dread  alanns,  but  still  the 
|)rayer  and  song  of  praise  ascend  from  its  hal- 
lowed walls. 

For  nearly  a  century  and  a  half  children 
have  there  been  dedicated  to  (icd.  and  have 
confirmed    their    baptismal    vows    aroimd    its 


sacred  altar. 


Loving  hearts  anifjiig  them  have 


been  mad.c  one  in  God's  holy  ordinance:  and 
from  its  doors  one  after  another  has  been  car- 
ried out  by  sorrowing  friends.  There  can  be 
no  heart  in  all  this  city  that  does  not  sometimes 
warm  at  the  sight  of  Old  St.  Paul's. 

Those  to  the  manor  born  and  bred   nnist 
ha\e  some  sacred  memories  associated  w  itli  the 
Old  Church  and  its  burial-ground,  while  those 
who  have  come  from  other  places  to  cast  their 
lot  with  us  must  lie  reminded  by  it  of  their  old 
homes.     It  is  the  oldest  inhabitant,  and  bids 
a  silent  hut  impressive  welcome    to    all    who 
come  to  live  within  our  gates. 
I         To  one  who  like  myself,  can  count  fixe  gen- 
erations of  his  name  who  have  w(;rshi])ed  after 
the  manner  of  their  fathers  in  that  house  of 


212 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


God,  there  springs  up  an  attachment  which 
makes  it  second  not  even  to  his  liome.  that 
makes  it  a  part  and  parcel  of  his  life,  to  which 
he  clings  the  firmer  as  the  ehbing  tide  of  time 
sweeps  from  him  forever  on  this  shore  other 
landmarks  and  associations  of  childhood,  youth 
and  maturer  years. 

William  Lamb. 
Norfolk,  Va..  May  u.  1879. 

Christ  Protcsta-nt  Episco[>al  Church.  Xorfulk. 

On  the  24th  clay  o-f  June,  1 800,  the  corner- 
stone of  Christ  Church  was  laid,  $16,000  hav- 
ing been  suhscriljed  for  the  erection  of  the 
building.  The  new  church  was  duly  completed 
and  occupied.  It  stood  where  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  now  stands.  On  March  9, 
182/,  between  i  and  2  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
a  fire  bro'ke  out  in  tlie  workshops  on  the  south- 
ern corner  of  Main  and  Church  streets,  and 
the  flames  extending  up  Church  street  des- 
troyed the  edifice  of  Christ  Church.  On  the 
20th  day  of  June,  three  months  later  the  corner- 
stone of  the  new  Christ  Church  was  laid,  the 
one  in  wihich  divine  ser\ices  are  now  held. 
The  church  was  completed  and  consecrated  oai 
the  9th  of  Novemlier,  1828,  at  a  co-st  of  about 
$20,000. 

Rev.  Henry  William  Ducacliet  was  the  rec- 
tor and  continued  his  ministry  until  November, 
1834,  when  he  resigned:  then  Rt.  Rev.  Will- 
iam Meade  took  charge  for  two  }ears,  when  he 
resigned  the  church  into  the  hands  of  Rev. 
Martin  P.  Parkes.  The  last  named  was  a 
graduate  of  W'est  Point,  and  as  an  army  ofificer 
was  stationed  at  Fortress  ^lonro-e,  where  he 
w-as  converted  at  a  Methodist  revi\al,  and  after 
working  among  that  denomination  awhile  lie- 
came  an  Episcopalian  and  received  the  holy 
orders  of  the  church  from  the  hands  of  Bishop 
Meade.  Upon  his  resigr./atioin.  Rev.  Upton 
Beall  liecame  the  rector  of  Christ  Church, — 
his  death  occurred  on  the  loth  of  March,  1847. 
The  vacancy  was  supplied  by  Re\'.  Cieorge  D. 
Cummings,  who  remained  until  ]833.  when 
Rev,  Charles  IMinnigerode,  D.  D.,  was  called 
to  the  service  of  the  church.     During  the  yel- 


low fever.  Dr.  Minnigerode  w'as  in  Europe  and 
Rev.  Lewis  Walke  supplied  his  place  through 
that  awful  scourge,  until  he  and  his  wife  were 
stricken  down  with  the  disease  from  which  she 
died. 

The  next  rector  was  Rev.  Erskine  M.  Rod- 
man, who  commenced  in  1857  and  continued 
until  1864.  St.  Paul's  Church  having  been 
seized  and  occupied  by  the  Federal  authorities 
during  the  war.  Rev.  N.  A.  Okeson,  D.  D., 
officiated  at  Christ  Church  until  1865  when,  in 
December,  Rev.  O.  Sievers  Barten,  D.  D.,  be- 
came rector  and  served  until  his  death.  Rev. 
Carl  Eckhardt  Grammer,  S.  T.  D.,  was  called 
and  assumed  charge  on  the  ist  of  March,  1898. 
The  assistant  minister  is  Rev.  John  H,  Dickin- 
son. The  other  officers  of  the  church  are  as 
follows.  Senior  warden,  B.  P.  Loyall ;  junior 
warden,  T.  A.  Williams:  registrar,  R.  M. 
Hughes :  treasurer,  D.  S.  Burwell ;  lay  reader, 
G.  A.  Frick.  The  number  of  communicants  is 
586. 

St.    Luke's     Protestant     Episcopal     Churcli, 
Norfolk. 

In  October,  1873,  a  chapel  erected  by  the 
guild  members  of  St.  Paul's  and  Christ  congre- 
gations, under  the  name  of  St.  Luke's,  was 
opened  for  di\'ine  services.  This  chapel  has 
grown  into-  a  strong,  vigorous  and  self-sus- 
taining parisli,  having  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful and  elaborate  Episcopal  edifices  in  the 
South. 

i 
St.     Peter's    Protestant     Episcopal     Church, 
Norfolk, 

was  organized  in  1886,  and  on  the  191)1  of  No- 
\en:ijcr  of  the  same  year  the  first  \estry  was 
elected.  During  this  year  the  edifice  was  erect- 
ed, and  on  March  14,  1887,  conse:rated  by 
Bishop  ^^'hittle.  Its  first  rector  was  Rev.  Bev- 
erley D.  Tucker,  who  resigned  December  i, 
1886,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rew  \\'.  L.  Gra- 
vatt,  who  accepted  a  call  from  the  church  De- 
cember 15,  1886,  and  entered  upon  his  duties 


AXD    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


•13 


in  February.  1887.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
A\'.  R.  Smith,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by 
tlie  present  rector.  Rev.  Charles  E.  \\\x)dson. 
The  buildino-  cnipleted  cost  $2,410.07. 

There  are  two  chapels  in  Elizabeth  River 
Parish. — Emanuel  in  Huntersville.  .suburb  of 
Norfolk,  and  St.  Mark's  at  Lambert's  Point. 


RECTOK.S    IX    EI.IZ.\BETH     RIVER    P.\RI.SH. 

Rev.   John    Wilson 

Rev.  Thoni.Ts  Harrison' 

Rev.    Ri.-hard    Powis 

Rev.   William   Xern    

Rev.   James    Falconer    

Rev.  Garzia 

Rev.    Moses    Robertson.  ..  f 

Rev.    Charles    Smith.  . .  .' .• 

Rev.    Thomas    Davis 

Rev.    Walker    Maury 

Rev.  James   Whitehead 

Rev.    William    Bland 

R*v.    .\ndrc\v    Snns 

Rev.    Samnel    Lowe    

Rev.    Enoch    Lowe 

Rev,   William    Wicks 

Rev.  George  .\.   Smith 

Rev.   Henry   William    Uucachct 

Rev.    Ebenezer   Boyden 

Rt.  Rev.   William   Meade 

Rev.    Martin    P.    Parks 

Rev.  Thomas  .\tkinson 

Rt.  Rev.  Joseph   P.   B.   Wilmer 

Rev.    Upton    Beall 

Rev.  Benjamin  ^L  Miller 

Rev.   Leonidas   T.    Smith 

Rev.  David  Caldwell 

Rev.  George  D.  Ciimming.s 

Rev.    William    ^L    Jackson 

Rev.    Charles    Minnigerode 

Rev.   Lewis   Walke 

Rev.  Xicholas  .-X.  Okeson 

Rev.    Erskme    M.    Rodman i , 

Rev.  O.   Sievers   Barten    

Rev.  Beverley  D.  Tucker 

Rev.    W.    L.    Gravatt 

Rev.   John    B.    Xewton 

Rev.    .\.    S.    Lloyd 

Rev.   William    .\.    Barr 

Rev.  W.   R.   Smith 

Rev.    Charles    E.    Woodson 

Rev.   Carl   Eckhardt   Granmer    


6.37 
640 
648 
680 
720 
724 
734 
749 
773 
786 
789 

791 
808 
816 
821 
823 
825 
826 
833 
835 
836 
837 
838 
84: 
845 
845 
845 
847 
849 
853 
856 
856 
857 
86  T 
882 
887 
890 
894 
900 

900 
900 


Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal  Churcli.   Ports- 
mouth. 

It  was  in  the  early  part  o{  1761.  in  the  reign 
of  George  III.  that  an  Act  was  passed  author- 
izing the  division  of  Elizabeth  River  Parish, 
•which   was  coincident   with   Norfolk   Countv, 


into  three  parts,  that  part  west  of  the  Southern 
Branch  to  be  I'ortsniouth  Parish.' 

The  election  for  vestrymen  of  this  parish 
was  held  under  the  supervision  of  the  sheriff, 
and  on  the  Sth  day  of  June,  1761,  they  a|)- 
jjeared  before  the  County  Court  and  qualified 
as  the  law  directed.  In  1762  the  vestry  caused 
to  be  erected,  at  the  S()Uthwest  corner  of  High 
and  Court  streets  on  land  dedicated  by  Col. 
William  Craford,  Trinity  Church ;  and  they 
also  purchased  from  him  the  Glebe,  175  acres, 
now  the  site  of  Port  Norfolk.  Two  other 
churches  were  built  in  Portsmouth  Parish,  one 
near  the  village  of  Deep  Creek  and  one  near 
Hodge's  Ferry,  on  the  north  side  of  the  \\^est- 
ern  Branch.  These  two  churches  ha\e  long 
since  disappeared. 

It  would  seem  that  for  some  reason  Rev. 
Charles  Smith,  who  had  been  rector  of  Eliza- 
beth River  Parish,  gave  up  St.  Paul's  Church, 
Norfolk,  and  became  the  first  rector  of  Ports- 
mouth Parish,  and  continued  in  charge  until 
his  death  at  the  Glelje  at  Port  Norfolk,  in  1773. 
His  tombstone  with  an  interesting  inscription 
lies  in  this  churchyard.  He  was  succeeded  bv 
Rev.  John  Braidfoote,  who  was  a  native  of 
Scotland  and  had  been  only  a  short  time  in  the 
ministry  when  the  Revolutionarv  ^^'ar  broke 
out.  He  was  a  zealous  patriot,  and  served  as 
chaplain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  returning 
to  his  parish  after  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
married  Blandinah  !Moselley  of  Norfolk.  He 
died  at  the  Glebe  mow  Port  Norfolk).  1779, 
and  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his  predecessor 
in  an  unmarked  grave.  His  descendants  are 
still  auK.ng  the  parishioners  of  Trinity  Parish. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Arthur  Emmer- 
son,  who  took  charge  of  the  church  in  1785. 
He  was  a  native  of  Accomac  Countv,  and  was 
42  years  old  when  he_t<x)k  charge.  He  was  the 
son  of  a  clergyman,  and  was  ordained  in  Eng- 
land by  the  Bishop  of  London.  He  was  iii 
charge  of  a  parish  in  Brunswick  County 
and  also  Nansemond.  He  was  for  16 
\ears  rector  of  Port.smouth  Parish,  and 
lived  at  the  Glebe  until,  on  account  of  bad 
health,  he  moved  into  Portsmouth  and  bought 


214 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tlie  property  next  to  tlie  churchyard.  Here  he 
spent  tlie  remainder  of  his  days,  faithfully  dis- 
charging li/.s  duties  as  far  as  health  would 
]iermit.  Dr.  Wingfiekl  wrote  in  1855  :  "He 
is  spoken  of  by  those  who  knew  him  who>  are 
now  living,  as  a  truly  pious  man,  and  consistent 
Christian,  but  being  always  in  delicate  health, 
he  was  unable  to  perform  much  active  labor 
and  resorted  much  to  his  books,  both  for  in- 
struction and  recreation.  He  was  buried  un- 
der the  present  door-way  of  the  old  church, 
which  was  the  chancel  of  the  old  church,  but 
when  the  church  was  enlarged  or  changed,  his 
body  was  removed  to  Accomac.  He  died  in 
1 80 1,  leaving  behind  a  record  of  a  noble  Chris- 
tian life  and  unsullied  character." 

The  next  rector  was  Rev.  George  Ycung, 
who  remained  in  charge  eight  years.  He  re- 
moved to  Prince  George  County,  where  he  died 
and  was  buried  in   181 1. 

From  1809  to  1821,  the  services  of  the 
church  ceased  to  be  rendered  on  this  spot. 
The  flock  was  scattered  and  strayed  into  other 
folds.  The  church  building,  though  of  brick, 
became  much  out  of  order  and  at  one  time  wias 
converted  into  a  school-house.  "It  was  utterly 
unfit  for  holding  divine  service.  But  for  the 
timelv  efforts  of  a  few  who  were  still  attached 
to  the  old  building,  from  having  in  their  child- 
hood been  carried  there  by  their  pious  fore- 
fathers, that  too  would  soon  have  fallen  to 
ruins,  as  most  of  the  congregation  had  gone 
off  and  united  with  surrounding  denomina- 
tions, leaving  but  a  very  small  remnant  who 
remembered  and  preserxed  their  attachment 
for  the  old  church  and  her  solemn  ways." 

In  1820  an  incident  occurred  that  awoke 
the  sleeping  activity  oi  the  church  here.  Some 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  invited  a 
minister  of  that  denomination  tO'  come  and 
hold  occasional  services  for  them  in  the  old 
disused  church.  They  obtained  permission  of 
the  few  remaining  members  who  held  on  to  it, 
and  put  some  repairs  on  it  to  preserve  it  from 
utter  ruin.  The  Episcopalians,  along  with 
others,  attended  these    services,    which    were 


held  at  shorter  and  shorter  intervals.  At  last 
this  minister,  without  asking  anyone's  permis- 
sion, indicated  that  he  would  virtually  take 
possession  of  the  church,  by  giving  out  notice 
that  he  would  ha\-e  service  there  every  Sunday. 
The  members  of  the  congregation,  esteeming 
his  interpretation  of  the  laws  of  hospitality 
rather  broad,  asked  for  the  keys  of  the  church, 
and  declined  to  extend  any  further  courtesy  to 
this  minister  who'  desired  to  assume  control 
of  the  old  church.  They  then  invited  Rev. 
Enoch  AI.  LoAve,  of  Christ  Church,  Norfolk, 
to  come  over  occasionally  and  ha\e  services  for 
them.  This  he  did  until  1821  (Easter)  when 
he  called  a  meeting  and  had  a  vestry  elected  as 
follows,  viz :  \\'illiam  Dickson,  John  Dickson, 
Arthur  Emmerson,  John  Cox,  John  \\'ilson. 
D.  A.  Reynolds,  George  \\'ebb  and  William  P. 
Young.  The  vestry  invited  AI.  B.  Chase, 
chaplain  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  to  ha\'e  ser\ices 
for  them,  and  sent  M.  B.  Chase  and  Arthur 
Emmerson  to  the  convention  which  met  in 
Norfolk.  This  convention  was  held  in  Christ 
Church,  which  at  that  time  was  the  only  Epis- 
copal Church  occupied  in  Norfolk.  It  had  only 
160  communicants.  There  were  less  than  175 
in  the  community  comprising  Ixith  cities,  where 
we  now  have  a  dozen  churches  and  chapels, 
and  J, 000  communicants.  In  Hawk's  reports 
for  the  convention  of  182 1,  is  the  following 
note:  "The  old  congregation  of  Portsmouth 
Parish  has  been  revived  and  promises  to  be- 
come a  flourishing  branch  of  our  Zion."  The 
delegates  from  Portsmouth  Parish  petitioned 
foi-  its  admission  to  the  convention. 

Rev.  John  H.  Wingfield,  then  a  deacon, 
who  had  l)een  instructed  by  old  Bishop  Raxens- 
croft.  and  had  been  at  work  in  Halilfax  County, 
attended  this  convention  and  stayed  over  a  few 
days,  preaching  Sunday  at  the  church  here. 
The  vestry  immediately  met  and  called  him. 
After  consultation  with  Rev.  Mr.  Ravenscroft, 
afterward  Bishop  of  North  Carolina,  he  ac- 
cepted and  began  the  work,  to  which  he  gave 
the  best  energies  of  his  life  for  50  years.  We 
can  now  best  trace  the  history  of  the  parish  by 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


!I5 


transcriliing'  from  Hawk's  liistory  tlie  rq)orts 
Mr.  W'ingtielcl  rendered  brieHy  at  each  con- 
vention until   1835. 

"In  1822,  he  rqjorts  10  communicants, 
and  says  the  report  from  this  parisli  is  highly 
favorable  Iwth  as  resj^ects  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  condition  of  the  church.  In  1823,  he 
rei)orts  to  the  convention  :  'The  Rector  of  this 
parish  is  happy  in  having  it  to  say  that  the 
state  of  his  charge  has  suffered  nothing  since 
his  last  reix)rt.  The  church  has  been  put  in 
neat  and  comfortable  repair  and  the  congre- 
gation has  somewihat  increased."  There  have 
been  10  added  to  his  list  of  communicants,  all 
of  whom  lie  has  reason  to  hope  are  of  tlie  num- 
ber of  such  as  shall  be  saved.  Communi- 
cants i8. 

"In  1824.  he  rejjurts  to  the  cmivention: 
'The  congregation  of  Portsniuuth  Parish  in- 
creases slowly,  and  the  general  state  of  the 
church  here  is  prosperous :  an  increased  at- 
tendance on  the  preached  word  is  more  regular 
and  general.  The  gospel  kingdom  is  gaining 
ground,  and  the  Rector  rejoices  in  the  hope 
of  a  "day  of  better  things"  not  far  distant.' 
Communicants  19. 

"In  1825,  he  reports  to  the  convention: 
'Trinity  Church,  Portsmouth  Parish.  The 
Rector  laments  that  he  has  nothing  very  favor- 
able to  report  concerning  his  charge.  Init  he  is 
not  discouraged,  having  some  reason  to  hope 
that  a  Ijetter  state  of  things  will  succeed."  Com- 
nuniicants  16.  You  will  observe  that  this 
church  received  its  name  of  Trinity  Church  in 
1825.  63  years  after  it  was  fcamded. 

"In  1826  he  makes  the  following  report 
to  the  con\ention :  'Trinity  Church,  Ports- 
mouth :  There  has  been  very  little  change  in 
the  state  of  this  parish  since  the  last  conven- 
tion. The  congregation  has  somewhat  in- 
creased, and  seems  to  be  generally  a  little  more 
serious  and  attentive.  Meetings  have  been  es- 
tablished in  the  week  at  prixate  houses  for 
prayer  and  exhortation,  which  appear  to  be 
viewed  with  interest.  There  is  a  catechetical 
class  of  about  2^  children,  who  manifest  con- 


siderable interest  in  the  instructions  the  Rector 
imparts  to  them  on  the  catechism,  collects  and 
articles  of  the  church."     Communicants   15. 

"In  1827  he  reports  he  has  been  blessed 
with  the  pleasing  satisfaction  of  Ijeholding  an 
increasing  interest  on  the  subject  of  religiim 
among  his  charge,  manifested  by  the  accession 
of  several  families  to  his  congregation:  by  a 
more  regular  attendance  in  the  ])ublic  minis- 
tration of  the  word:  bv  a  greater  number  of 
persons  taking  an  active  part  in  the  services 
of  the  sanctuary,  and  by  more  devotion  in  tlie 
manner  in  which  those  services  are  conducted. 
But  that  which  proves  to  him  most  satisfactor- 
ily the  increase  c^f  religious  feeling  among  his 
people  is  the  conversion — the  true  conversion, 
he  trusts — of  thi^ee  individuals  of  his  small 
charge  within  the  last  six  weeks,  and  the  in- 
ciuiring  state  in  which  ahnut  half  a  dozen  or 
more  are  at  this  time.  He  reports  a  Sunday- 
school  started  with  12  teachers  and  80  scholars, 
and  also  that  with  the  close  of  the  past  year  he 
ceased  his  regular  monthly  ministrations  in  the 
Parish  of  Lynnhaven.     Communicants  15. 

"In  1828  he  reports  eight  persons  added  to 
the  communion,  and  also  that  measures  were 
being-  taken  to  add  side  galleries  to  the  church. 
Communicants  in  full,  24. 

"In  1829  he  reports  the  congregation  as 
large  as  the  numl>er  of  pews  will  admit. 
He  also  reports  liberal  subscriptions  tn  the 
amount  of  $1,800.  obtained  for  the  purpose  of 
enlarging  the  church,  to  which  it  is  intended  to 
add  a  steeple  and  vestry-room.  'The  whole 
design  will  leave  us  with  a  debt  of  $1,700,  for 
the  liquidation  of  which  we  depend  u]X)n  the 
future  increase  of  our  congregation  and  the 
assistance  of  friends  abroad  and  at  home.'  The 
number  of  communicants  in  1829  was  24. 

"In  18.30.  he  reports  to  the  convention  as 
follows :  'Our  house  of  worship  has  been  al- 
most entirely  rebuilt  since  last  convention.  To 
the  accomplishment  of  this  object  we  are  par- 
ticularly indebted  to  one  individual,  who,  be- 
sides his  own  personal  labor  and  a  lilieral  do- 
nation of  $100,  generously  advanced  $1,000, 


2l6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


without  which  the  work  must  ha\-e  Ijeen  greatly 
retarded,  if  not  suspended  altogether. "  Com- 
municants, TiT,. 

"In   1 83 1,  he  reports  32  communicants. 

"In  1832.  he  reports  the  parish  growing. 
Communicants,  37. 

"In  1833,  he  reports  39  communicants,  and 
speaks  with  sorrow  of  the  loss  of  life  from 
cholera,  by  which  Portsmouth  had  Ijeen  visited 
during  the  year. 

"In  1834,  he  reports  ^7  communicants,  and 
says :  'There  is  a  Temperance  Society,  in  this 
parish  numbering  about  200  members  and  con- 
tinually increasing.' 

"In  1835,  lie  reports  communicants  34,  and 
says:  'Since  the  last  con^■ention,  by  the  exer- 
tions of  the  ladies  of  the  congregation,  the 
debt  due  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  church  has 
been  fully  discharged  and  the  state  of  the  par- 
ish now,  in  outward  things,  is  more  prosper- 
ous than  it  has  ever  been  since  I  took  charge 
of  it  in  1822.  I  regret  I  cannot  say  as  much 
concerning  its  spiritual  condition.  Though  re- 
ligious seiwices  are  as  abundaiit,  and  more  so 
than  ex'er,  yet  there  is  a  general  indifference 
manifested  on  the  subject  of  personal  piety, 
which  prevails  to  a  lamentable  extent.  "All 
seek  too  much  their  own,  not  the  things  which 
are  Jesus  Christ's."  '  "  Here  ends  the  report 
as  given  in  Hawk's  "History  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  Virginia." 

The  church  had  been  on  this  spot  at  that 
time  y2i  years. 

We  will  now  turn  to  Dr.  \\'ingfield's  ad- 
dress, givai  in  1871.  He  says  in  that  ad- 
dress, "I  have  mentioned  all  that  was  done  with 
our  old  building  up  to  the  year  1828."  He 
then  tells  of  rebuilding  the  old  church,  the 
changing  of  the  chancel  from  the  east  toi  the 
west  end  of  the  church,  the  old  chancel  hav- 
ing been  where  the  front  entrance  is  now.  In 
1840  the  congregation  had  again  so  increased 
in  numbers  as  to  require  further  accommoda- 
tions. To  procure  this,  side  galleries  were 
erected,  many  seats  in  which  were  at  one  time 
rented  and  occupied — one  by  white  and  the 
other  by  colored  persons,  to  whom  they  were 


respectively  appropriated.  "These  were,"  he 
said,  "our  most  prosperous  days.  In  1842,  we 
had  2/  confirmed  and  in  1843  nineteen."  Then 
came  a  time  of  congregational  trouble,  which 
brought  much  sorrow  tO'  all  and  afifected  the 
growth  of  the  church  until  1853,  when  the 
prospects  again  began  to  brighten,  which  has 
continued  up  to  the  present  time. 

Dr.  A\'ingfield  goes  on  to  say:  "In  the 
}'ear  1856,  this  recess  chancel  and  present  ves- 
try-room were  erected  at  the  cost  of  $1,200, 
and  thus  was  commenced  the 'beautifying  of 
this  sacred  edifice,  which  has  been  gradually 
carried  on  until  it  has  reached  the  state  in 
wbich  you  now  behold  it.  During  the  late  civil 
strife,  it  was  shamefully  and  sacreligiously 
profaned  and  defaced,  from  which  condition 
it  has  since  been  restored  and  other  adornments 
added  in  memory  of  loved  ones  whom  we  would 
not  forget."  The  church  during  the  Confed- 
erate War  was  used  as  a  hospital,  boards  being 
nailed  to  the  tops  of  the  pews. 

Dr.  \\'ingfield  during  his  old  age  was  as- 
sisted by  his  son,  the  present  Bishop  of  North- 
ern California,  and  also  by  Rev.  John  S.  Lind- 
say, now  in  Boston.  He  celebrated  his  50th 
anniversary  of  rectorship  in  November.  1871, 
and  died  a  few  days  after.  "Self-sacrificing, 
devoted  to  the  service  <yi  Christ  and  the  Church, 
patient  in  his  labors,  humble  in  his  opinion  of 
his  Avorth,  he  has  entered  intO'  that  rest  which 
reniaineth  for  the  people  of  God."  His  last 
words  spoken  in  this  place  were :  "Let  us  re- 
member we  must  all  appear  before  the  judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ,  to  account  for  our  im- 
provement of  our  many  religious  privileges. 
May  we  hear  Him  say,  'Well  done,  good  and 
faithful  servants,  enter  ve  into  the  jovs  of  vour 
Lord.'  "  ' 

After  Dr.  \\'ingfield's  death.  Rev.  Thomas 
A.  Tidball  became  rector.  The  list  of  com- 
municants at  this  time  was  about  120  persons. 
He  remained  rector  six  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Reverdy  Estill,  now,  of  St. 
Paul's,  Louisville,  Kentucky. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  J.  Holt, 
who  remained  onlv  a  short  time  and  went  to 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


!'7 


New  York.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  F.  F. 
Reese,  now  of  Macon,  Geortjia,  and  he  was 
succeeded  hy  Rev.  R.  \\'.  Forsyth,  now  of 
Philadelphia.  Me  was  succeeded  by  Rt.  Rev. 
James  B.  Funsten,  now  Bishop  of  Idalio,  wlio 
resigned  in  1899.  when  Rev.  A.  G.  Thompson 
was  called  on  and  preached  his  first  sermon  on 
DecemlK^r  j,  1899.  During  Rev.  Mr.  Funs- 
ten's  pastorate  the  church  was  enlarged.  A 
watch  service  commenced  in  this  church  at 
11:30  o'clock  P.  M.,  December  31,  1900: 
Hymn  421 — Psalms  47  and  48 — Lessons  12 
Ch.  Ecclesiastes,  25  Cli.  St.  Matthew,  begin- 
ning at  31st  \'erse — Hymn  196;  the  bells  tolled 
out  the  nineteenth  century,  while  the  congre- 
gation were  at  i)rayer,  and  rang  in  the  new. 
The  services  closed  at  12:20  o'clock  A.  M., 
January  i,  1901,  in  the  twentieth  century. 

In  Deed  Bonk  No.  56,  Page  21.  in  the 
clerk's  office  of  the  Norfolk  County  Court  can 
be  found  the  fnjlnw  jng  deed: 


Whereas,  the  Legislature  of  \'irginia.  nlieii  tliey 
took  from  the  Episcopal  Church  the  Glebes  belonging 
to  the  same,  did  secure  to  the  said  Church  the  houses 
of  Public  worship,  and  all  the  Plate  and  Burying 
Grounds  attached  to  them,  to  be  used  and  disposed  of 
as  the  said  Episcopal  Church  should  see  fit  to  ordain 
according  to  her  rites  and  ceremonies : — Therefore  we 
the  subscribers.  Rector.  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of 
Trinity  Church.  Portsmoutli  Parish,  to  whom  it  be- 
longs, according  to  the  canons  of  the  said  Episcopal 
Church,  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  said  Trinity 
Church,  in  the  said  Portsmouth  Parish.  Do  hereby 
convey  and  grant  in  our  own  names,  as  officers  of  said 
Church,  in  said  Parish,  for  the  time  being  and  in  be- 
half of  the  Congregation  of  said  Church  in  said  Parish 
to  Ro.  .A.  .\rmistcad  his  heirs  and  assigns,  forever,  all 
right  and  title  to  Pew  Xo.  .^.^  in  said  Church  in  said 
Parish  for  and  in  consideration  of  his  having  paid  to 
us.  for  the  benefit  of  said  Church  in  said  Parish,  the 
sum  of  forty-five  dollars  and.  he  agreeing  to  pay  an- 
nually the  sum  of  si.xteen  dollars  (to  be  paid  quarterly 
for  the  support  of  the  minister  of  said  Churcli  in  said 
Parish),  the  said  Ro.  A.  .\rniistead.  further  agreeing 
for  himself  his  heirs  and  assigns  that  the  said  Pew  \o. 
53  shall  never  be  used  for  any  other  purpose  than  that 
for  which  the  said  Church  has  been  consecrated  and 
set  apart  and  the  rules  and  usages  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  in  these  United  States  sanction.  In  testimony 
whereof,  we  the  said  Rector.  Wardens  and  Vestrymen 
of  the  said  Church  in  said  Parish  have  to  these  pres- 
ents set  our  hands  and  seals  this  31st  day  of  May  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  i8.?o. 

(Signed)  J.    H.    Wingfield.    Rector. 

AliTHCR   E.MMERSON,   Warden. 


Ii'oi.T    WiLSO.v,    Warden^ 

J  NO.   Co.x. 

John  Cocke, 

J.\MES  Reed. 

Henry  .A.  T.  Young. 

R.  B.  Bl-tt. 

s.   m.   l.\timer, 

J.  Thompson, 

M.   Cooke. 

Alex.  G.\lt, 

Ro.  A.  Armiste.\d. 

On  the  1st  of  Septemljer,  1800,  Nancy 
Veale,  wife  of  Capt.  Isaac  Luke,  Jr.,  died  in 
Portsmouth,  in  her  25th  year,  from  grief  on 
account  of  the  death  of  her  son,  a  little  boy  27 
months  old,  whose  death  occurred  only  five 
days  before  her  own.  She  had  previously 
lost  two  little  girls.  After  her  death  her  hus- 
band, who  was  the  captain  and  owner  of  a 
merchant  ship,  made  a  voyage  to  England  and 
had  carved  in  London,  out  of  Italian  marble,  a 
slab  representing  a  beautiful  urn,  alxmt  five 
feet  long  and  three  feet  across,  tO'  the  memory 
of  his  wife  and  three  children.  This  slab  was 
fastened  with  large  copper  lx>lts  to  a  brick  wall 
which  separated  a  small  portion  of  Trinity 
Episcopal  Church  burying-ground,  near  the 
church,  from  the  main  jjortion  of  the  cemetery, 
but  during  the  Confederate  War,  while  Ports- 
mouth was  in  jx>ssession  of  the  Federal  troops, 
some  of  them  tore  it  down  from  the  wiall  to  get 
the  copper  bolts  out  of  it  and  in  doing  so  broke 
it  into  eight  pieces  of  different  sizes.  After 
the  war,  some  of  the  relatives  had  the  pieces 

,  gathered   together   and   fastened   or  cemented- 
upon  a   flat  brick   foundation   built   upon   the 
ground.    It  was  just  inside  the  private  gateway 

j  leading  into  the  churchyard  from  High  street. 
When  the  church  walls  were  extended,  this 
slab,  which  was  in  the  line  of  the  extension, 
was  taken  up  and  carefully  arranged  in  another 
portion  of  the  ground  with  the  intention  of 
replacing  it  in  some  permanent  location  in  the 

I  cemetery.  The  artist  wbo  came  from  New 
York  to  design  the  interior  decorations  of  the 
clunxh  suggested  having  it  set  on  the  wall  in- 
side the  building.  He  said  it  was  one  of  the 
handsomest  pieces  of  memorial  carving  he  had 
ever  seen,  and  was  a  treasure  of  which  no  other 


3l8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


cluirch  in  the  country  could  boast.  The  sug- 
gestion was  adopted  and  the  memorial  slab  is 
fastened  to  the  east  wall  of  Trinity  Church. 

Captain  Luke  did  not  long  survive  his  wife. 
Aftei'  bringing  the  slab  home  he  sailed  on  an- 
other voyage,  but  his  ship  ne\er  returned,  nor 
was  anything  ever  heard  of  him  again. 
A\'hether  his  ship  went  down  in  a  storm  or 
was  taken  by  pirates  will  never  be  known. 

All  Saints'  Chapel,  Park  View,  Portsmouth, 
a  mission  of  Trinity,  now  has  the  regular  min- 
istration of  Rev.  Edgar  Carpenter,  who  has 
lately  been  added  to  the  church  force  in  the 
city.  This  congregation  is  rapidly  increasing 
and  will  soon  l)ecome  a  separate  organization. 

St.  Joliii's  Protestant  Episcopal  Cluirch.  Ports- 
inouth, 

has  had  its  location  changed  and  been  entirely 
rebuilt  during  the  last  twO'  years.  The  old 
brick  building  and  lot  on  Court  street  were 
sold,  and  a  handsome  stone  church  erected  on 
the  corner  of  London  and  Washington  streets. 
It  was  dedicated  September  i,  1898.  The 
church  is  of  graceful  proportions  and  of  purely 
Gothic  architecture. 

In  1896  St.  John's  Church  reported  to  the 
convention  76  communicants.  This  year 
( 1900 )  it  will  report  about  175,  a  gain  of  over 
100  per  cent,  in  the  last  four  years.  St.  John's 
has  its  mission  in  the  rapidly  growing  suburb 
of  Port  Norfolk.  The  value  of  St.  John's 
Church  property,  including  lot  for  parish  build- 
ing,  is   about  $31,000. 

The  old  St.  John's  Church  was  established 
in  Alay,  1848,  and  the  church  building  conse- 
crated May  29,  1850.  The  first  rector  was  Rev. 
James  Chisholm,  who  died  of  yellow  fe\'er 
Septemlier  15,  1855.  Then  followed  Rev. 
Robert  Jope  from  March,  1856,  to  December, 
1858:  Rev.  Henry  Wall,  1861-62:  Rev.  John 
Crosbv,  i86s:  Rev.  R.  H.  McKim,  1866-67: 
Rev.  John  Steele,  1868:  Rev.  J.  D.  Powell, 
186S  to  1895:  Rev.  Z.  S.  Farland,  December 
],   1895 .' 


ST.    BRIDE  S    PARISH. 

There  are  two  Episcopal  churches  and  two 
missions  in  St.  Bride's  Parish :  but  for  many 
years  the  church  work  in  this  parish  was  ex- 
tinct. The  first  church  was  built  in  1662  at 
Great  Bridge,  on  the  Great  Road  just  oppo- 
site the  point  where  the  New"  Mill  Creek  road 
joins  this  great  highway  to  North  Carolina. 
Rev.  James  Pasteur  was  the  first  pastor.  It  is 
said  that  the  funeral  rites  of  Captain  Fordyce, 
the  English  officer,  who  was  killed  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Great  Bridge,  took  place  in  this  church, 
and  that  Re\-.  John  Hamilton  Rowland,  grand- 
father of  Thomas  B.  Rowland  of  Norfolk, 
officiated.  Sometime  in  the  year  1776,  Rev. 
Emanuel  Jones,  Jr.,  became  the  minister.  In 
the  year  1787,  Rev.  Needier  Robinson  was 
the  rector,  but  remained  only  one  year.  The 
church  went  into  disuse  and  was  torn  down 
about  the  year  1845. 

Re\-,  Rolaert  Gatewood  established  St. 
Paul's  Church  in  Berkley  in  1872,  reviving  the 
work  of  St.  Bride's  Parish :  afterward  St. 
Thomas'  Church  was  organized :  and  since  two 
missions, — St.  Mary's  and  Money  Point, — • 
have  been  established.  Rev.  E.  C.  Burr  was 
the  first  rector  of  St.  Thomas'  Church ;  he  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Hubert.  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  H.  S.  Lancaster.  The  present  rector  is 
Rev.  Clarence  N.  Conant. 

Since  1637  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Nor- 
folk County  has  grown  rapidly  in  wealth  and 
influence,  and  added  much  in  strengthening  the 
moral  and  religious  forces  of  this  section. 

Belo'W  we  give  the  names  of  Protestant 
Episcopal  churches  in  Norfolk,  Portsmouth 
and  Berkley,  number  of  members,  \aluation 
of  property  and  money  paid  out  in  1897-98. 


Members. 

St.   Luke's    (Norfolk)....  625 

St.     Peter's     (Norfolk 230 

Christ     (Norfolk) 554 

St.    Paul's    (Norfolk).  ...  398 

Trinity     {  Portsmniitlil  ...  361 

St.  John's  (  Portsmcnth  ) .  .  80 

St.    Paul's    (Berkley) 50 

St.    Thomas'    (Berkley)..  80 


Moncv 

I'aliialion. 

paid   out. 

$77,538 

$T  1,000 

8.950 
79.200 

4.000 
10.891 

43,000 

45.600 

3.200 

7.529 

7.895 

398 

5.000 
6,600 

432 
1.857 

CHAPTER  XIV 


CHURCHES  AND  BENEVOLENT  ORGANIZATIONS    Continued 

Catholic  Churches — Presbyterian  Churches — Hebrew  Synagogues — Church  of  Christ 
(Disciples) — Lutheran  Church — Christian  Churches — Baptist  Churches — Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Churches,   South — Benevolent    Organizations. 


ROMAN    catholic    CHURCHES. 

St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Xorfolk, 

Of  which  Rev.  Father  Julm  J-  Duherty  is  pas- 
tor and  Father  O'Hara  is  assistant,  occupies 
as  its  church  domicile  one  of  the  finest  speci- 
mens of  Gothic  architecture  in  \'irginia.  Just 
when  tlie  first  CathoHc  Cliurch  in  Xorfolk  was 
erected  is  in  doubt,  but  on  the  grounds  occu- 
pied by  the  present  edifice  there  existed  so  late 
as  1850.  an  old  church  building,  which  had 
been  for  many  years  abandoned,  the  congrega- 
tion worshiping  in  a  church  building  the  walls 
of  which  are  to  a  large  degree  preserved  in  the 
large  Doric  edifice  at  the  rear  of  the  present 
church,  which  until  its  destruction  by  fire  in 
1856  was  used  as  a  church,  and  which,  since 
then  rebuilt,  was  for  many  years  used  as  the 
domicile  of  St.  ]\Iary's  Male  Academy,  and 
since  the  removal  of  that  valuable  school  to  its 
present  habitat,  some  three  years  ago,  has  been 
used  as  a  hall  for  school  and  church  fetes. 

The  present  church  edifice  was  dedicated  in 
1858.  It  was  built  under  the  supervision  and 
as  the  result  of  the  labors  of  Rev.  Father 
O'Keefe,  who  succeeded  Rev.  Father  Hitzel- 
berger  in  1852,  at  the  end  of  a  10  years'  pas- 
torate, and  was  pastor  of  the  church  througji 
the  terrible  yellow  fever  scourge  of  1855,  ^'^' 


maining  at  his  post  of  duty  with  a  heroism  that 
won  the  hearts  of  Xorfolk  people  without  ref- 
erence to  denominational  belief. 

The  destruction  of  the  church  by  fire  in 
1856  was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  congregation, 
but,  rallying  under  Father  O'Keefe's  leader- 
ship, with  splendid  determination  and  self- 
sacrifice  they  put  their  shoulders  to  the  task, 
and  the  new  church  building  was  the  result. 
The  old  church  was  named  St.  Patrick's,  but  in 
1854  the  dogma  of  the  immaculate  conception 
was  promulgated  by  Pope  Pius  IX,  and  the 
new  church  was  the  first  of  any  prominence,  if 
not  the  first,  in  fact,  in  this  country  to  take  the 
name  of  St.  Mary's  of  the  Immaculate  Concep- 
tion. The  building  alone  (the  shell)  cost  $65,- 
000,  and  to-day  the  propertv  is  valued  at  be- 
tween $125,000  and  $150,000.  It  is  now  free 
from  debt,  and  may  be  consecrated  in  the  near 
future.  Father  Doherty  has  for  20  years  been 
pastor  of  the  church,  and  has  seen  it  grow  to  a 
position  of  power  and  influence  that  must  be 
pleasant  to  contemplate ;  he  numbers  in  his  con- 
gregation many  of  the  most  prominent  of  Xor- 
folk's  citizens. 

The  church  has  under  its  care  St.  ]\Iary's 
Male.  Academy,  St.  Mary's  Female  Academy 
and  Orphan  Asylum,  and  the  St.  \'incent  de 
Paul  Hospital. 

St.    Marv's    Male   Academv   is   under   the 


220 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


direct  administration  of  the  Xavierian  Broth- 
ers. It  is  situated  in  a  square  bounded  by 
Holt,  Reilly,  Mariner  and  Walke  streets,  has 
ample  grounds,  and  has  now  about  200  names 
on  its  rohs. 

Another  branch  of  Christian  education  un- 
der the  charge  of  St.  Mary's  Church  is  the  St. 
Mary's  Female  Academy  and  Orphan  Asylum, 
both  under  the  care  and  government  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity,  the  first  of  which  has  about 
200  pupils  on  its  rolls,  the  latter  caring  for  ' 
some  50  orphans ;  to  each  is  given  the  loving- 
care  and  direction  for  \^■l^ich  the  Sisters  are 
noted. 

The  data  obtained  in  this  sketch  of  St. 
Mary's  Catholic  Church  only  dates  back  as  far 
as  1852,  when  Rev.  Father  Mathew  O'Keefe 
became  the  pastor ;  the  congregation  was  wor- 
shiping at  that  time  in  the  old  church  on  Holt 
street,  known  as  St.  Patrick's, — on  the  morn- 
ing of  December  8,  1856,  this  church  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  only  three  of  its  walls  being  left 
standing.  Arrangements  were  at  once  made  to 
rebuild,  using  the  old  house  as  a  temporary 
place  of  worship  while  the  new  church  was  in 
course  of  erection,  and  on  March  25  the  con- 
gregation was  again  in  possession  of  their  old 
church.  On  the  same  day,  which  was  the  fes- 
tival of  the  Annunciation,  the  corner-stone  of 
the  present  edifice,  St.  Mary's,  was  laid,  and 
on  the  3d  of  October,  1858,  it  was  dedicated 
by  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  McGill.  In  the  interval 
between  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  and  the 
dedication  of  St.  Mary's  edifice  the  congrega- 
tion continued  to-  worship  in  their  old  church, 
while  the  work  of  erecting  the  new  one  was 
vigorously  entered  upon  and  pushed  forward 
to  completion. 

The  present  church,  which  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  and  most  imposing  edifices  in  the 
city,  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $125,000. 
Since  the  building  of  this  church  an  elegant 
pastor's  residence  adjoining  it  on  the  corner 
of  Chapel  and  Virginia  streets  was  erected  at 
a  cost  of  $12,000.  St.  Mary's  Female  Acad- 
emy and  Orphan  Asylum  cost  $30,000.     The 


total    valuation    of    the    church    property    is 
$182,000. 

The  present  pastor.  Rev.  Father  John  J. 
Doherty,  succeeded  Rev.  Father  O'Keefe  in 
the  fall  of  1887,  over  13  years  ago,  and  under 
his  ministrations  the  church  has  grown  in 
numbers  and  influence.  The  present  member- 
ship of  St.  Mary's  is  about  2,000  souls. 

Sacred  Heart  Roiuaii  Catholic  Church, 
Norfolk. 

In  1895  a  number  of  the  members,  realizing 
the  importance  of  having  a  second  church  in 
the  city,  withdrew  from  St.  Mary's  and  formed 
a  new  congregation  under  the  name  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  Church.  A  lot  was  purchased  on 
the  corner  of  York  and  Dunmore  streets  at  a 
cost  of  $23,000,  and  a  neat  edifice  erected 
thereon  for  $7,000.  This  church  was  built 
under  the  supervision  of  its  first  pastor.  Rev. 
Father  McCarty,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Father  T.  J.  Wilson,  whose  successor  is  the 
present  pastor,  Rev.  Father  R.  A.  Drake.  The 
membership  consists  of  1,000  souls. 

St.    Paul's  Roman    Catholic    Church,   Ports- 
mouth. 

The  f'lHo-wing  historical  account  of  this  chvrch  was 
written  bi/  Mrs.  Olivia  S.  Cooke,  one  of  its  oldest  commn ni- 
cant-s. 

The  fi\"e  Catholic  churches  which  have 
been  erected  in  the  parish,  now  the  city,  of 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  were  all  under  the 
patronage  of  St.  Paul. 

Early  in  the  nineteenth  century  the  land 
on  which  the  present  church  was  built  was 
given  by  Patrick  Robertson  for  that  purpose; 
he  also  gave  the  land  situated  on  the  north  side 
of  High  street,  adjoining  the  land  on  which 
is  now  the  Ocean  House,  with  the  tenements 
thereon,  said  land  extending  to  Middle  street. 
This  was  given  for  the  benefit  of  the  church 
when  it  should  be  erected.  The  congregation 
at  that  time  was  very  small,  consisting  of  a 
few  French  and  Irish  families. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


221 


The  first  clnircli  was  a  very  small  ijiick  edi- 
fice. ])laced  well  back  from  either  street  and 
facing  east,  with  a  brick  floor  level  with  the 
srround.  Immediatelv  bevond  the  stone  door- 
sill  was  the  grave  of  the  doiu>r,  covered  with 
a  marble  slab,  uiXDn  which  his  name  was  en- 
craved.  The  sacristv  was  in  the  northeast 
corner  of  the  building  and  separated  from  the 
body  of  the  church  by  tongue  and  gnxixed 
slabs:  there  was  neither  puli)it  nor  organ,  and 
the  whole  interior  was  very  i)lain.  When  this 
church  was  built  the  writer  does  not  know. 
This  parish  was  attended  by  the  priest  of  Nor- 
folk, who  also  had  a  small  congregation,  com- 
posed of  French  refugees  from  San  Domingo, 
who  came  here  in  October.  1799.  The  name 
of  the  re\erend  father  was  DeLacy,  who  was 
also  a  refugee.  The  first  priest  who  came  to 
take  charge  of  the  Portsmouth  congregation 
was  Rev.  jiiseph  Van  Ilorsigh.  a  native  of 
Antwerp,  who  came  in  1824,  and  remained  un- 
til 1834-  when  he  was  sent  to  Washington, 
D.  C"..  where  he  lived  until  his  deatli,  April, 
185 1. 

The  congregation  increased  so  rapidly,  it 
was  found  necessary  to  have  a  larger  building; 
therefore  the  first  church  was  pulled  down  and 
re])lacetl  by  a  very  attractive  building.  This 
church  was  built  of  brick,  stuccoed  all  over, 
and  the  floor  was  aljout  four  feet  fn;m  the 
ground.  Unlike  its  predecessor,  it  faced  High 
street  and  was  located  back  about  eight  feet 
from  the  pavement.  This  building  was  erected 
during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Father  Joseph 
Van  Horsigh.  After  the  church  was  com- 
pleted a  row  of  cedars  was  planted  on  the 
west,  north  and  east  sides,  which  gave  the 
building  a  very  picture.sque  appearance.  A 
handsome  fence  separated  the  steps  to  the  en- 
trance of  the  church  from  the  street,  and  just 
inside  the  gate  was  a  willow  tree  on  either 
side,  which  added  greatly  to  beautify  the  pic- 
ture. In  this  church  there  was  a  pulpit,  an 
organ  gallery,  which  was  ]>laced  over  the  door, 
an  organ  and  a  bell.  Over  the  sanctuary  altar, 
which  was  opposite  the  entrance  to  the  church. 


gilt 


letters.  "'Rever- 


were  the  words  in  large 
ence  IMy  Sanctutary."' 

After  Rev.  Father  Horsigh  left  the  parish, 
in  1834,  the  ne.xt  priest  who  succeeded  him 
was  a  young  German  by  the  name  of  Burgess, 
who  did  not  speak  I-lnglish  \ery  plainly:  he 
only  remained  six  months.  After  his  removal 
the  next  priest  who  came  was  Rev.  Father 
Joseph  Stoakes;  he  remained  about  18  months 
or  more.  The  congregation  was  then  w  ithout 
a  priest  for  nearly  two  years,  when,  in  the 
spring  of  1839,  Rev.  Father  Walter  Moriarty 
was  sent  to  take  charge  of  the  seemingly  for- 
gotten congregation. 

During  Rev.  Father  Aloriarty's  time  he 
had  the  church  frescoed :  the  designs  were 
"The  Crucifixion."  over  the  altar;  "The  Im- 
maculate Conception,"  on  one  side  of  the  altar, 
and  "The  Annunciation,"'  on  the  other  side, 
and  the  "Twehe  Apostles,"  six  on  each  side 
of  the  church.  The  Rev.  Father  remained  in 
charge  until  August,  1844. 

From  that  time  until  October  of  the  same 
year  the  Catholic  flock  was  left  again  without 
a  shepherd,  when  the  dear  Lord  took  com- 
passion on  this  poor  parish  and  sent  to  it  Rev. 
Father  Devlin,  the  priest  and  martyr.  Fle  re- 
mained in  charge  of  the  Portsmouth  congre- 
gation 1 1  years,  when  he.  too,  was  taken  frcjm 
it.  In  1855,  when  the  two  cities  of  Ports- 
mouth and  Norfolk  were  visited  by  the  dread- 
ful scourge,  yellow  fever,  the  good  father  was 
indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to  relieve  the  sick 
of  all  grades,  classes  and  religions,  without 
any  distinction,  until,  overcome  by  the  terrible 
strain  upon  his  system,  he,  tot),  fell  a  victim  to 
the  fever.  After  rallying  twice,  the  third  at- 
tack concjuered  and'  he  was  called  to  fill  a 
martyr's  grave.  He  did  not  leave  his  charge 
without  a  monument  to  his  memory,  which 
was  the  third  church  built  on  the  same  site. 

The  congregation  ha\ing  the  second  time 
outgrown  the  church,  the  one  built  during  the 
administration  of  Rev.  Father  \'an  Horsigh 
was  pulled  down  and  a  nuich  larger  one  built. 
This  church  was  commenced  in  18:;  i.  and  also 


13 


22; 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fronted  High  street  and  stood  a  little  back 
from  the  street.  The  first  mass  offered'  up  in 
this  church  was  on  Sunday,  February  13,  1853, 
and  Re\'.  Father  Joseph  H.  Plunkett,  a  dear 
friend  of  Father  De\'lin's,  preached  at  night  on 
"Purgatory."  After  the  death  of  Father  Dev- 
lin in  October,  1855,  Rev.  Father  Plunkett  re- 
quested his'  place,  and  was  sent  in  January, 
1856,  to  fill  it.  Notwithstanding  the  havoc 
made  in  the  congregation  by  the  fever,  the 
church  had  to  he  enlarged  by  running  galleries 
on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  building. 

This  church  was  of  short  duration,  for  it 
was  scarcely  finished'  when  it  was  leveled  to 
the  ground  by  fire  in  April,  1859,  caused  by 
the  hand  of  an  incendiary;  not,  as  at  first  be- 
lieved, from  any  malice  to  Catholics,  but  as  a 
means  to  rescue  friends  who  were  confined  in 
the  jail,  which  building  was  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  High  and  \\'ashington  streets,  op- 
posite the  church.  This  belief  was  strength- 
ened ]jv  the  absence  of  the  very  persons  the 
ne.xt  morning;  how  they  escaped  no  one  knew, 
but  all  thought  it  occurred  during  the  excite- 
ment at  the  fire,  especially  as  many  persons 
remembered  seeing  a  hack  standing  not  far 
from  the  jail  "on  A\'ashington  street. 

The  fourth  church  was  commenced  as  soon 
as   arrangements  could  be  made  to  begin  so 


great    an    undertaking'. 


The   first  thing  that 


take  charge 


Brady  was  sent  to 
which    had    been 


was  done  was  to  fill  up  the  marsh  on  the  west 
side  of  the  church,  for  that  part  of  the  yard, 
as  well  as  what  is  now  Washington  street,  was 
then,  and  for  many  years  previous,  nothing 
but  a  marsh.  After  that  the  foundation  of  the 
fourth  church  was  commenced,  making  the 
front  on  ^Vashing■ton  street,  with  an  entrance 
also  on  High.  This  church  was  commenced 
about  i860,  but  many  years  elapsed  before  it 
was  completed,  the  war  between  the  States 
being  a  drawback.  It  was,  however,  so  ar- 
ranged that  it  could  be  used  for  divine  service. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  Rev.  Father  Plun- 
kett began  to  solicit  subscriptions  and  was  en- 
abled t(i  improve  his  handsome  edifice  greatly. 
This  church  was  very  much  larger  than  any  of 
the  iithers.  and  yet  none  too  large,  as  the  con- 


gregation had  increased  in  proportion.  Like 
its  predecessor,  it  met  the  same  sad  fate,  as  it 
W'as  burned  to  the  ground  on  Sunday,  4  a.  m., 
March  28,  1897. 

Rev.  Father  Plunkett,  like  his  friend,  Fa- 
ther Devlin,  did  not  live  to  see  the  destruction 
of  his  beautiful  monument,  for  his  anxietv  and 
efforts  to  get  the  church  completed  Isrought  on 
a  spell  of  sickness,  which  finally  caused  his 
death  at  St.  Vincent's  Hospital,  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, on  February  3.  1870.  Father  Plunkett 
was  brought  over  to  his  home  on  the  following 
day  and  laid  in  state  before  the  altar  on  which 
he  had  offered  up  the  holy  sacrifice  so  often ; 
he  was  buried  on  Sunday,  February  6,  at  the 
foot  of  the  altar,  just  on  the  outside  of  the 
sanctuary  rail.  Rev.  Father  William  Hanley 
was  sent  as  assistant  to  Father  Plunkett  dur- 
ing his  sickness  and  remained  for  some  time 
after  his  death. 

Rev.  Father  Tlmmas  J. 
of  the  parish 
filled  for  14  years  by  the  much  Ijeloved  and 
lamented  Father  Plunkett.  Rev.  Father  Bradv 
took  charge  in  October,  1870,  and  went  to 
work  with  a  good  will  and  deternunation  to 
carry  on  the  work  which  was  so  well  begun  by 
Rev.  Fathers  Devlin  and  Plunkett.  In  the 
course  of  time  Rev.  Father  ^^'illiam  Hanley 
was  sent  as  his  assistant.  Rev.  Father  Brady 
by  his  efforts  had  nearly  relie\-ed  the  church  of 
the  debt  commenced  by  Father  Plunkett,  when 
it  was  burned.  The  pressure  on  the  mind  of 
our  good  and  much  beloved  pastor.  Rev.  Fa- 
ther Brady,  caused  by  this  terrible  calamity, 
was  very  great.  Howe\-er,  steps  were  immedi- 
ately taken  to  build  another  and  much  hand- 
somer church,  and  on  February  2.  1898,  the 
first  dirt  was  thrown  up  to  begin  its  founda- 
tion. Father  Brady  began  work  with  a  firm 
determination,  andi  by  his  zeal  and  the  exer- 
tions of  his  congregation,  with  the  kind  assist- 
ance of  outside  friends,  the  fifth  and  the  most 
beautiful  church  of  all  is  on  a  fair  way  of 
being  completed  in  a  much  shorter  time  than 
was  at  first  expected.  As  this  will  be  the  good 
father's  monument,  it  is  to  be  ho-ped  he  will  not 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


223 


only  live  to  see  it  completed,  but  that  lie  will 
live  to  offer  up  di\  ine  service  in  it  for  many 
years  yet  t<>  come. 

Tiie  first  sacrament  of  confuMnation  tiiat 
ever  to<.)k  place  in  the  Catholic  Church  in  Ports- 
nioutii  was  in  1830.  in  tiie  first  little  churcli. 
Archbishop  \\'hitefiel(l.  Fourth  .\rclibisiiop  of 
Baltimore,  was  the  celebrant,  and  Mrs.  Olivia 
S.  Cooke  is  the  last  of  that  little  band  who 
were  then  made  soldiers  of  Christ.  The  first 
marriage  that  ever  took  place  in  church  wa,s  in 
the  sec<;nd  eilifice:  the  parties  were  Miss  \'ir- 
ginia  Bilisoly,  daughter  of  Sylvester  Antonio 
Bilisoly  and  sister  of  the  late  Jose])h  A. 
Bilist)ly.  to  Dr.  Laurensco  Jose  Moniz,  of  Lis- 
bon. Portugal.  Ke\ .  Father  Van  Horsigh  per- 
formed the  cerenmny.  which  took  place  in  July, 
1S33.  The  second  marriage,  which  took  place 
in  the  same  church,  was  that  of  Patrick  Henry 
Ciioke  to  Olivia  S.  Bilisoly.  on  Monday.  Sep- 
tember 16.  1844.  The  stationed  priest  of  Nor- 
folk at  that  time.  Rev.  Father  Alexander  Hitz- 
elberger.  was  the  celebrant. 

(  !Mrs.  )  Olivia  S.  Cooke. 


fact  may  be  readily  accounted  for,  however,  by 
the  periods  of  intolerance  and  persecution,  of 
long  duration,  through  the  intervening  years. 
From  the  records  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Court  we  learn  that  Rev.  Josias  Mackie  was 
licensed  in  1692  to  preach  at  three  points, — 
the  house  of  Thomas  Ivy,  on  the  Eastern 
Branch ;  the  house  of  Richard  Phillpot,  on  Tan- 
ner's Creek,  and  the  house  of  John  Roberts,  on 
the  Western  Branch,  and.  in  1696.  the  house 
of  John  Dickson,  on  the  Southern  Branch.  At 
a  court  held  for  Norfolk  Countv  in  Januarv, 
1714.— 

These  arc  to  certify  to  their  worships.  His  Majes- 
ty's justices  tor  Xorfolk  County,  that  I  the  suh>crihcr 
do  pitch  upon  a  house,  last  summer  erected  and  now 
liuilt  upon  tlie  land  hclonging  unto  Ricliard  Butt.  Senr.. 
in  the  Southern  Branch  for  one  of  our  appointed  places 
of  public  meeting  for  divine  worship  and  administra- 
tion of  Gospel  ordinances,  requesting  tliat  the  same 
may  be  entered  a  record  under  niy  hand  the  first  year 
of  His  Majesty's  reign,  this  17th  day  of  Jamiary.   1714. 

Josias  M.vckie. 

The  above  request  granted  and  ordered  to  be  re- 
corded, 

Thos.  Bl-tt.  Dcl'uly  Clerk. 


PRESBVTERI.VX    CHURCHES. 

First  Prcshytcri.iii  Church.  Xorfolk. 

Presbyterianism  in  Norfolk  is  a  heritage 
from  the  early  days  of  religious  life  and  ac- 
tivity in  .America.  Rev.  Francis  Mackemie  was 
one  c»f  the  first  and  most  prominent  of  the 
apostles  of  this  faith  in  the  New  World.  His 
lal)ors  were  spent  chiefly  in  Maryland  and  the 
regii>n  northward,  but  in  May.  1684.  he  vis- 
ited the  part  of  \'irginia  lying  on  the  Elizabeth 
River,  and  there  found  an  organized  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which,  in  a  letter  preserved 
by  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  he 
says:  "I  found  there  a  desolate  people  mourn- 
ing the  loss  of  their  dissenting  minister,  whom 
the  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  remo\e  by  death 
the  ])revious  summer."  We  may  infer  that 
their  work  began  some  time  before  this,  and 
date  the  Ijeginning  of  their  church  life  some 
time  about  the  year  1680.  From  this  time  to 
1 7 10  there  are  no  records  of  the  church.    Tliis 


Norfolk  became  a  town  in  1705.  Mr. 
Mackie  died  in  1716,  as  recorded  by  the  Nor- 
folk County  Court,  and  his  people  are  spoken 
of  in  a  letter  of  the  Philadelphia  PrcsbNlery 
as  "the  congregation  on  the  Elizabeth  River." 

In  1801  the  General  Assembly  appointed 
Rev.  Benjamin  Grigsby  to  itinerate  through 
the  lower  parts  of  Virginia.  By  invitation  of 
the  church  in  the  borough  of  Norfolk,  of  which 
John  jMcPhail  and  William  McKinder  were 
ruling  elders,  he  because  identified'  with  its 
work,  and  during  the  year  1802-03  succeeded 
in  having  a  building  erected  at  a  cost  of  $12,- 
000.  This  building  still  stands  at  the  corner 
of  Bank  and  Charlotte  streets,  in  good  preser- 
vation ;  and  the  church  organizatioh  in  the 
"Borough  of  Norfolk"  continues  as  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  18 14  the  number  of 
communicants  in  this  church  was  43.  In  1840 
the  congregation,  which  numbered  122  com- 
municants, removed  to  its  new  building  on 
Church  street,   which  is  the  present  spiritual 


224 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


hunie  of  the  large  and*  flourishing  assemlily  of 
their  descendants  and  successors. 

FroiiT  the  completion  of  the  church  l>uild- 
ing  in  1802  to  the  year  1822  the  elements  for 
the  communion  service  in  the  church  were  fur- 
nished' by  the  grandmother  of  Hugh  Blair 
Grigsby  and  John  B.  Whitehead,  and'  from 
that  date  to^  December,  i860,  l>v  their  mother; 
and  by  Mrs.  John  B.  \Vhitehead,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  years  during  the  Confederate 
War,  until  her  death,  and  then  by  her  daughter 
until  the  present  time.  So'  from  under  the 
same  roo-f  for  a  hundred  years  less  five  have 
been  borne  the  sacred  elements  for  communion 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 


P.\.STORS. 

Rev.  Francis  Makeniie 1683-1692 

Rev.    Josias    Mackie 1692-1716 

Rev.   Benjamin  Grigsby' 1801-1810 

Rev.  John  H.  Rice.  D.  D 1811-1814 

Rev.  John  D.   Paxton,  D.   D 1814-1819 

Rev.  Joshua  T.  Rns.sell 1820-1824 

Rev.  Shepard  K.  Kollock,  D.  D 1825-1834 

Rev.  John  D.  Matthews,  D.  D 1835-1840 

Rev.   Samuel  J.   Cassells 1841-1846 

'Rev.   S.  J.   P'.  Anderson,  D.  D 1846-1851 

Rev.  G.  D.  Armstrong,  D.  D.,  LL.  D 1851-1891 

Rev.  James  I.  Vance,  D.  D.  .  .  .Oct.  2,  i8gi-Feb.  1,  1895 

Rev.  James  R.  Howerton.  D.  D June  19,  1895 

Rev.   Edward   Mack,  D.   D 1900 

In  1 85 1  Rev.  George  D.  Armstrong  be- 
came pastor,  and  for  40  years  continued  in 
the  relation,  sharing  with  the  church  the  joy 
of  her  achievements,  as  well  as  the  sadness 
and  burden  of  her  trials.  These  latter  were  no 
ordinary  dispensations,  such  as  are  common  to 
men,  but  scenes  of  bleeding  hearts,  and  want 
and  death — of  pestilence  and  war.  In  1855, 
during  the  summer  of  the  pestilence,  the  church 
was  brought  almost  to  desolation.  By  the  ist 
of  September  only  87  communicants  remained 
in  the  cit_V.  Some  had  died  and  many  had  fled 
from  the  fever.  The  pastor  remained.  Of  the 
87  remaining  nrembers  few  escaped  the  pesti- 
lence, and  32  (lied.  After  the  scourge  passed 
away  hope  returned,  the  life  of  the  church  was 
revi\'ed  and  she  kept  on  her  way  until  the  war 
came  on,  and  again  her  trials  were  multiplied. 


Her,  pastor  was  remo\-ed  under  an  arbitrary 
military  order  and  confined  to  a  harsh  military 
exile  for   15  months. 

After  the  war  prosperity  returned  and  the 
church  continued  to  be  a  center  (jf  light  and  of 
moral  and*  spiritual  power  in  the  community, 
an  exponent  of  evangelical  Christianity  and  a 
perpetual  admonition'  against  all  imrighteous- 
ness. 

In  July,  1891,  the  congregation  celebrated 
the  40tli  anniversary  of  the  installation  of  Dr. 
Armstrong  as  pastor.  This  anniversary  also 
marked  the  termination  of  the  pastorate  that 
had  been  so  long  and  tenderly  cherished. 

Rev.  Edward  Mack,  D.  D.,  is  the  pastor 
of  the  church  at  this  writing;  there  are  17  offi- 
cers, a  membership  of  600,  and  the  estimated 
value  of  church  property  is  $85,000. 

All  the  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  com- 
munit}-,  including  those  of  Portsmouth  and 
Berkley,  are  the  offspring  of  this  mother 
church. 

Second  Presbyterian  Church,  Xorfolk, 

Was  organized  in  1872  with  50  members,  three 
elders  and  three  deacons.  In  February,  1873, 
Rev.  N.  M.  Woods  was  called  to  the  pastorate, 
and  the  present  church  building  on  Freemason 
street  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $15,000. 
After  the  retirement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Woods,  Rev. 
E.  O.  Frierson  \\-as  called  to  the  pastorate,  and 
continued  in  charge  for  several  years.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  R.  Moreton,  who'  contiinied 
to  supplv  the  pulpit  for  a  limited  time. 

In  October,  1888,  Rev.  ^\'illiam  S.  Lacy 
was  installed  pastor,  and'  continued  in  this  po- 
sition, honored  and  loved  by  his  people  and  the 
good  people  of  the  entire  cit}-,  until  failing 
health  compelled  him  tO'  resign  in  1899.  ^x- 
tensi\-e  improvements  were  made  in  the  church 
building  this  year,  adding  much  to  the  attract- 
iveness and  comfort.  In  January,  1900,  Re\'. 
J.  Ernest  Thacker  entered  uimn  the  pastorate. 
The  memliership  now  numbers  254,  with  five 
elders  and  seven  deacons.  The  church  prop- 
erty is  valued  at  $25,000. 


I 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


225 


Collcv  Memorial  Presbyterian  CJiurch. 

X  or  folk'. 

\ 
t 

Was  organized  in  iiS83.  uilli  Rev.  L.  H.  Bald- 
win as  pastor.  His  active  services  continued 
until  1S89.  during  which  time  the  work  ])ros- 
l)ered.  Rev.  R.  .A.  Robinson  was  elected  ])as- 
tor  in  1890.  In  January,  1898,  Rev.  C.  \\'. 
Maxwell  was  installed  pastor,  and  continues 
in  that  position.  The  members  number  177. 
with  live  elders  and  six  deacons.  The  esti- 
mated value  of  the  church  propert\-  is  $00,000. 

Parle  Avenue  Presbyterian   Cliureh.   Xorfolh, 

\\'as  organized  in  1884  with  a  roll  of  40  com- 
municants, three  ciders  and  three  deacons. 
Rev.  E.  B.  McCluer  was  its  first  pastor,  and 
continues  in  that  position.  The  church  has  had 
a  moderate  but  substantial  growth.  Its  mem- 
bership now  numbers  180.  with  four  elders  and 
seven  deacons;  the  church  property  is  valued 
at  about  $12,000. 

Lambert's  Point  Prcsbvterian  Church. 
Xorfolk'. 

Was  organized  in  1897.  The  church  is  pros- 
])ering  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  C.  IX  dil- 
keson.  The  church  has  an  attractive  building, 
a  faithful  .set  of  officers  and  an  earnest  i^eople. 
'I'he  number  nf  members  is  63,  with  two  elders 
and  two  deacons:  the  estimated  \alue  of  the 
church  pro])crty  is  $5,000. 

Park  Place  Presbyterian  Church.  .Yorfolk. 

Is  the  youngest  church  of  this  communion  in 
the  city.  ha\ing  been  organizetl  in  May.  1899. 
with  a  membership  of  7,2.  Rev.  George  W. 
Lawson  is  its  zealous  and  popular  ])astor.  The 
membership  is  now  39.  with  three  elders  and 
tliree  deacons.  The  church  has  a  handsome 
building,  valued  at  $7,000. 

.-}r)nslrong    Memorial    PresbYferinn    Church. 
Berkley. 

This  churcli  was  named  for  the  distin- 
guished divine.  Kew  fleorge  D.  Armstrong, 
D.  D.     It  was  establi.shed  alxxit  10  vears  ago. 


with  II  meml)ers,  and  they  have  increased  to 
106.  The  church  building  cost  about  $0,000. 
The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  E.  L.  Scott ;  he  was 
succeeded  bv  Rev.  E.  B.  McCluer :  then  Rev. 
H.  G.  Miller,  who  was  followed  by  Re\-.  W.  .\. 
Slaymaker,  the  present  pastor. 

first  Presbyterian  Church.  Portsmouth. 

In  the  nmnth  (if  May  in  the  year  i8_'_'.  the 
old  church  which  stood  (;n  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  Middle  and  London  streets  in  the  city 
of  Portsmouth  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  God  by  Rev.  Benjamin  H.  Rice,  of 
Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  the  church,  known 
as  the  Middle  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  was 
formally  organized  with  five  members.  How 
long  previous  to  that  date  Presbyterian  serv- 
ices had  been  held  in  this  city  is  not  kmiwn 
with  accuracy ;  it  is  known,  however,  that 
prayer  meetings  with  occasional  preaching, 
conducted  under  PIresbyterian  auspices,  had 
been  held  for  .several  years  previnus  to  the 
organization  of  this  church.  Rev.  John  D. 
Paxton.  D.  D..  of  Norfolk,  and  Re\-.  Joshua 
T.  Rus.sell,  between  1814  and  1824,  held  oc- 
casional services  in  p/rivate  houses  in  (iosport; 
and  for  a  vear  i>r  nmre  Presbyterian  services 
were  held  in  Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  which  at  that  time  had  no  regular 
recti ir.  After  these  services  in  Trinity  Church 
were  discontinued  the  Presbyterians  used  the 
school-house  of  Anson  Brooks  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  .Middle  and  London  streets. 

During  1820  or  the  early  part  of  1821  the 
first  steps  were  taken  towards  the  building  of  a 
Presbyterian  church,  the  leading  sjjirits  being 
Anson  Brooks  and  Francis  Grice.  and  it  was 
mainly  through  the  efforts  of  these  gentlemen 
the  first  church  was  built.  The  lot.  180  by 
56^4  feet,  was  purcha.sed  in  July.  182 1,  for 
the  sum  of  $500  from  Mrs.  Barbary  Dougald, 
of  Al)erdeen.  Scotland.  The  five  members  who 
constituted  the  church  were  Francis  Cirice,  his 
mother,  Mary  Grice,  Dorothy  King,  Jane  Dick- 
son and  Ai)igail  Maulson.  The  first  i>astor 
was   Rev.    T.    T-    Pierce,   wlio  continued   until 


226 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


January,  1823,  and  the  first  member  received 
into  tlie  churcli  was  Mrs.  Susan  Perry.  The 
first  child  baptized  was  Virginia  Grice,  daugh- 
ter of  Francis  Grice.  The  first  regularly  in- 
stalled pastor  of  this  church  was  Rev.  Joseph 
C.  Smith,  who  continued  about  three  years  and 
was  succeeded  b}-  Re\'.  R.  F.  Cleveland,  who 
served  only  one  year.  The  next  pastor  was 
Rev.  William  Neill,  who  continued  until  the 
dissension  between  the  Old  and  Xew  School 
Presbyterians  arose.  He  sided  with  the  "Old," 
but  the  majority  of  his  flock  went  with  the 
"New  School." 

Re\'.  James  Stratton  succeeded  him.  In 
December,  1842,  L.  W.  Boutwell  was  elected 
and  ordained  a  ruling  elder,  and  in  December, 
1843,  H.  V.  Xiemeyer;  the  fomier  fell  a  vic- 
tim to  the  yellow  fever  and  the  latter  died  in 
1883,  ha\ing  served  for  40  years. 

Rev.  James  M.  Kinball  was  elected  pastor 
in  February,  1848,  and  died  March  2,  1849, 
from  the  effects  of  a  fall.  He  had  a  twin 
brother  so  much  alike  that  it  was  with  diffi- 
culty one  could  be  distinguished  fronr  the  other. 
Some  months  after  the  death  of  the  minister 
this  brother  visited  the  city  and,  unannounced, 
appeared  at  the  weekly  prayer  meeting  in  the 
church,  which  caused  great  consternation  in 
the  assembly,  and  some  thought  the  deceased 
pastor  had  arisen  from  the  grave. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Xoyes  was  the  next  pastor,  and 
he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Charles  Evaiiis. 
Under  this  pastor.  Dr.  John  W.  H.  Trugien 
was  ordained  a  ruling  elder,  who,  although 
having  a  large  practice,  always  made  it  a  point 
to  attend  divine  services  at  his  church.  He 
was  one  of  the  heroes  who  fell  at  his  post  of 
duty,  laboring  to  relieve  the  suffering  of  his 
felliiw  men  during'  the  pre\^alence  of  yellow 
fever  in  1855.  Rev.  Alexander  Porter  became 
pastor  next,  and  while  he  serve<l  the  church 
the  High  Street  Presbyterian  Church  was  or- 
ganized with  17  members  and  Rev.  Robert  J. 
Taylor  was  called  tO'  its  charge,  who  left  in 
1862  to  Ije  a  chaplain  in  the  Confederate 
Army. 

Rev.  I.  W.  K.  Handy  succeeded  Rev.  Mr. 


Porter  in  December,  1854,  and  remained  in 
charge  until  1862,  when  he  was  arrested, 
thrown  into  prison  by  the  Federal  government 
and  held  for  15  months.  Tlie  two  churches 
were  without  pastors  during  the  Confederate 
War,  and  at  its  close  were  united,  with  the 
Rev.  James  Murry  as  minister,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded in  the  spring  of  1867  by  Rev.  D.  C. 
Irwin,  who  was  followed  in  1873  by  Rev.  J. 
M.  Rose.  On  the  7th  of  January,  1877,  while 
the  congregation  were  engaged  in  religious 
service,  the  building  was  discovered  to  be  on 
fire.  The  benediction  was  pronounced  and  the 
congTegation  retired'  in  an  orderly  manner.  A 
short  while  after  the  sacred  edifice  was  in 
ruins. 

The  location  was  changed  to  the  northeast 
corner  of  King  and  Court  streets  and  a  hand- 
some new  church  edifice  was  dedicated  on  the 
26th  day  of  September,  1877.  Rev.  Mr.  Rose 
having  resigned.  Rev.  R.  Henderson  was  in- 
stalled on  April  14,  1881,  who  served  until 
1884,  when  Rev.  T.  Peyton  Waltotu  was  called 
tO'  fill  the  vacancy.  Rev.  R.  L.  McMurran  suc- 
ceeded him  and  entered  upon  his  duties  Oc- 
tober 25,  1885,  and  this  devoted  Christian 
labored  here  until  his  death.  September  28, 
1892.  The  vacancy  was  supplied  by  Rev.  John 
L.  Allison,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  R.  B. 
Eggleston,  the  present  pastor.  The  elders  are : 
William  H.  Stokes,  Paul  C.  Trugien,  William 
A,  Culpepper,  E.  L.  Lash,  E.  R.  Barksdale 
and  E.  S.  Burgess ;  the  membership  is  300. 

There  is  a  church  at  Pinner's  Point  and  a 
mission  chapel  at  Prentice  Place,  suburbs  of 
Portsmouth,  both  ser\-ed  by  Rev.  J.  \\'.  Lacy. 
The  property,  all  told,  consists  of  five  build- 
ings, with  an  estimated  value  of  $30,000. 

HEBREW    SYNAGOGUES. 

There  are  two'  Hebrew  Synagogues  in  Nor- 
folk and  several  congregations  which  are 
without  a  regular  place  of  worship. 

Bcth-El,  Norfolk. 

The  synagogue  of  the  Orthodox  Hebrews, 
was   founded  Iw  A.  L.  Goldsmith  and  Jacob 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


227 


Ulustadter.  Mr.  Goldsmith  was  the  graiid- 
fatlier  ot  Messrs.  Nusbaum,  of  this  city.  The 
building  is  located  on  Cumlierland  street,  op- 
posite the  Xorfolk  Academy.  J.  \\\  Spagat 
is  president  and  Lewis  Nusbaum  vice-presi- 
dent. The  late  Samuel  Seldner  was  president 
for  a  number  of  years.  The  rabbi,  Rev.  H. 
Benmoshe,  is  a  native  of  London,  England, 
and  enjoys  repute  as  a  scholar.  There  is  a 
Sabbath-school  attached  to  the  synagogue, 
having  about  J^  to  100  children  iij  regular 
attendance. 

Oltef  Sliolem  Temple,  A^orfolk. 

Is  the  Reformed  Church,  and  was  founded  in 
1836.  Rev.  S.  R.  Cohen  is  the  rabbi.  He 
succeeded  Rev.  B.  Eberson,  who  for  many 
years  officiated  as  rabbi  and  is  now  traveling 
abroad.  The  officers  of  the  congregation  are 
as  follows :  I.  Moritz,  president ;  Jacob  Hecht, 
vice-president ;  Mr.  Gdldman.  secretary ;  V. 
Strasburger,  treasurer.  The  congregation  has 
recently  given  out  the  contract  for  a  handsome 
new  house  of  worship,  to  be  situated  on  Free- 
mason street,  near  Granby.  The  present  lo- 
cation is  on  Church  street,  facing-  Freemason. 
Their  services  are  largely  attended.  The  choir 
is  excellent,  containing  some  of  the  best  vocal 
talent.  The  congregation  numbers  about  96 
families,  and  is  constantly  growing, 

Chcvra  Goiiiley,  Porfsiiioiitli. 

The  colony  of  Hebrews  in  Portsmouth  of 
Russian.  Polish  and  other  nativity  growing  to 
such  an  e.xtent,  it  became  necessan,-  for  them 
to  have  a  place  of  worship,  and  just  a  few 
years  ago.  after  using  the  City  Hall  and  other 
places,  they  purchased  the  club  room  of  the 
old  Portsmouth  Club,  which  for  many  years 
stood  on  Middle  street.  This  structure  they 
moved  to  a  vacant  lot  which  they  had  bought 
on  High  street  near  Washington,  and  on  which 
they  made  many  impnnenients.  Not  long  ago 
they  bought  a  lot  on  \\'ashington  street  near 
County,  but  subsequently  sold  it.     This  con- 


gregation, which  is  known  as  Chevra  Gomley, 
has  purchased  the  Central  Methodist  Church 
structure,  the  congregation  of  which  will  move 
into  the  new  edifice  to  be  erected  in  the  very 
near  future  at  the  corner  of  South  and  Wash- 
ington streets. 

Church  of  Christ  (Disciples),  Norfolk. 

Prior  to  1867  there  was  not  a  member  of 
this  body  of  Christians  in  Xorfolk.  During 
that  year  a  gentleman  and  his  wife  moved  here 
from  Richmond,  \'irginia.  They  Ijegan  in  a 
few  months  to  celebrate  the  Lord's  Supper, 
which  is  a  weekly  custom  with  this  body  of 
Christians,  in  their  own  home,  having  from 
time  to  time  their  friends  to  meet  with  them. 
Xi>w  and  then  a  new  member  would  move  into 
Xorfolk,  and  soon  the  plan  was  adopted  of 
holding  Lord's  Day  services  from  house  to 
house.  This  was  continued  from  year  to  year 
until  1873.  when  a  liall  was  procured  and  iledi- 
cated  and  a  church  organized  with  13  members. 
A  pastor  was  at  once  employed.  This  hall  was 
used  until  1879,  when  the  present  building  was 
erected  on  Freemason  street  between  Brewer 
and  Bank.  The  church  was  dedicated  in  De- 
cember, 1879.  The  present  membership  is 
about  200.  This  church,  while  poor,  has  al- 
wavs  been  self-supporting,  and  has  done  a 
marvelous  work  in  the  way  of  contrilniting  to 
every  good  work.  It  is  pre-eminently  a  mis- 
sionary church.  It  has  had  from  time  to  time 
a  number  of  able  and  cultured  pastors.  It  has 
accomplished  great  good  in  this  city  and  com- 
mimity.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Ben  C. 
Herr,  an  accomplished  gentleman,  a  fine 
scholar,  a  preacher  of  rare  ability  and  a  m<->st 
excellent  pastor.  The  outlook  for  the  church 
has  never  been  brighter.  The  members  (Dis- 
ciples) number  450;  die  valuation  cf  the 
cluirch  property  is  $25^000. 

Lutheran  Church,  Xorfolk. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1896,  Rev.  J-  E. 
Shenk  was  sent  to  X'^oi-folk  bv  the  Lutheran 


228 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Synod  to  sur\-ey  the  tield  and  gather  together 
the  scattered  members  of  that  church  who  were 
residing  here  and  form  a  congregation.  Al- 
though an  entire  stranger,  Rev.  Mr.  Shenk  en- 
tered with  a  will  upon  his  arduous  labors  and 
with  a  firm  reliance  in  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  and  knowing  no^  such  word  as  fail 
succeeded  in  a  very  short  time  in  organizing 
a  church  of  that  denomination  with  about  20 
members.  W'ith  this  small  nucleus  Rev.  Mr. 
Shenk  continued  unceasingly  to>  labor  until  at 
the  end  of  six  years  he  has  now  a  congregation 
of  158  members,  a  fine  Sunday-school  and  a 
comfortable  and  cosy  edifice  on  Charlotte 
street,  purchased  from  the  M.  E.  Church, 
which  has  been  handsomely  fitted  up  with  an 
attractive  stone  front  and  modern  improve- 
ments on  the  interior,  at  a  cost  of  about  $8,- 
000. '  Services  are  held  there  regularly  every 
Sunday  morning  and  night  and  on  W' ednesday 
e\'enings  of  each  week. 

CHRISTI.\N    CHURCHES. 

Memorial  Clirisficvi  Temple.  A'orfolk. 

The  history  of  this  church  dates  back  to 
the  year  1889.  The  first  meeting  was  held  No- 
veml>er  11,  1889,  ^'^  ^^'^^  residence  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  L.  Hill,  No.  222  Freemason  street. 
This  was  an  informal  meeting,  which  resulted 
in  the  appointment  oif  a  finance  committee, 
and  through  this  committee  a  call  was  at  once 
extended  tO'  Rev.  C.  J.  Jones,  D.  D.,  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  November  16.  1889.  Dr.  Jones  ac- 
cepted this  call  and  entered  upon  his  work  early 
in  the  following  year.  About  this  time  the 
committee  to  provide  a  place  of  worship  pur- 
chased the  Charlotte  street  chapel.  March  7, 
1890.  and  the  friends  of  the  enterprise  met  in 
the  said  chapel  and  enrolled  40  members.  At 
a  subsecpient  meeting,  held  April  18,  1890.  12 
new  names  were  added.  May  29.  1890,  the 
church  met  and  elected  officers  as  follows: 
Deacons,  Col.  .\.  Savage,  Samuel  A.  Ether- 
edge  and  A.  M.  Eley;  secretary,  T.  A.  Jones; 
treasurer,  A.  Savage:  ushers,  P.  H.  Savage 
and   James  A.  Elev. 


Under  the  labors  of  Dr.  Jones,  the  new  or- 
ganization rapidly  increased  in  its  member- 
ship. In  1895  Dr.  Jones  tendered  his  resig- 
nation, to  take  effect  August  31st,  he  having 
accepted  a  call  to  Marion,  Indiana.  July  31, 
1895,  Rev.  J.  Pressley  Barrett,  the  present 
pastor,  was  called  and  entered  upon  his  duties 
the  first  Sundiay  in  September,  having  been 
formally  installed  on  the  evening  of  August 
27th,  the  day  before  Dr.  Jones  left  for  Marion. 

The  work  of  this  church  has  been  en- 
couraging. Under,  the  labors  of  the  present 
pastor  and  his  associates  the  church  has  wit- 
nessed several  gracious  revivals,  and  its  de- 
velopment along  spiritual  and  missionary  lines 
has  been  marked.  Up  to  the  year  1895  the 
church  had  been  supported  in  part  by  the 
mission  boards  of  the  church  at  large.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  present  pastorate  the  church 
undertook  its  own  support,  and'  its  success 
has  been  phenomenal,  for,  while  it  is  not  a 
wealthy  congregation,  it  has  surprised  its 
friends  generally  by  not  only  supporting  itself 
but  also  by  supporting  a  native  preacher  in 
Japan  and  from  time  to  time  several  Bible 
women  in  India  and  Africa. 

It  is  now  undertaking  to  raise  the  neces- 
sary funds  to  send  and  support  a  missionary 
in  Armenia.  It  hopes  to  find  the  missionary 
for  Armenia  among  its  own  membership. 

Its  financial  condition  is  encotu'aging.  It 
receives  no  offerings  other  than  the  free-will 
offerings  of  the  people.  It  will  ha\e  no  enter- 
tainment or  03'ster  supper  monev  for  its  work, 
and  since  the  adoption  of  this  rule  its  finances 
ha\'e  Iieen  in  a  growing  condition,  and  they 
find  the  money  easier  to  raise  by  direct  giving 
than  by  indirect  methods.  It  has  received  37 
members  since  No\-ember  i,  1899,  and  now 
has  300  members.  It  has  for  the  past  two'  or 
three  years  raised  annuall}-  from  $2,500  to 
$2,700.  It  hopes  soon  to  reach'  its  motto : 
To  gi\-e  as  much  annually  for  the  support  of 
the  gospel  in  the  foreign  field  as  it  does  for  its 
home  wOrk. 

The  present  edifice  was  erected  under  the 
zealous  labors  of  Dr.   Jones  at  a  cost  of  $18,- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


229 


000.  and  the  church  as  a  bcxly  has  discharged 
its  iiulehtcdness  and  now  enjoys  the  privileg;es 
of  its  handsome,  coinniodiou 
free  from  debt. 


brick  Iniilding 


PriK'idciicc  Christian   Cliitrcli 

Is  one  of  the  oldest  clnirches  in  Norfolk 
County,  four  miles  from  Xorfnlk,  mi  the  hio-h- 
way  to  Great  Bridge. 

About  the  l)eginning  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury man\-  ministers  of  the  gospel,  viewing  the 
increase  of  bitterness  among  the  various  sects 
of  Christians  in  the  State,  and  lieliexing  it  the 
result  of  a  di\'ersity  of  sentiment  on  doctrines 
of  minor  im])ortance.  felt  seriously  impressed 
with  the  idea  that  these  troubles  might  be 
ended  bv  an  association  upon  principles  more 
liberal  than  those  hitherto  pursued.  They 
contended  that  Christians  might  live  in  the  ut- 
most love  and  affection  by  allowing  each  other 
the  privilege  of  thinking  for  themselves,  which 
])ri\ilege  each  one.  taken  separately,  wishes  to 
enjoy. 

They  therefore  united  together  under  the 
common  a])i)ellation. — Christian. — which  was 
given  tn  the  primitive  Disciples  at  Antioch. 
taking  for  their  rule  both  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice the  Holy  Scriptures.  Animated  by  tlie 
spirit  of  Christ,  some  ministers  commenced 
laboring  for  the  ?^Iaster  in  St.  Bride's  Parish. 
Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  and  '"many  found 
forgi\-eness  for  their  complicated  crimes." 
These,  with  Elder  X.  P.  Tatem.  who  after- 
ward became  pastor,  gave  to  each  other  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  in  1804  and  organ- 
ized a  church  known  as  "Providence."  From 
1804  to  1 81 7  no  records  of  the  church  con- 
fei^ences  have  been  preserved. 

Delegates  from  the  ^•arious  churches  of 
Tidewater.  Virginia,  met  at  Providence  in 
^lay.  1817.  and  formed  a  union  which  after- 
ward became  what  is  now  the  Eastern  \'ir- 
ginia  Christian  Conference. 

Tn  Mav,  1820.  at  a  conference  held  at  Re- 
publican Chapel.  Isle  of  Wight  County.  Elder 
Nelson    Miller,    of    Providence  Church,  was 


chosen  a  delegate  to  meet  the  brethren  of  the 
North  in  general  conference,  which  was  held 
at  Windham,  Connecticut,  to  seek  to  bring 
alx)ut  a  union  between  the  brethren  of  the 
North  and  of  the  South.  This  was  accon:- 
lilished  and  continued  until  the  breaking  out 
cif  the  war  between  the  States.  A  conference 
of  the  churches  of  this  section  met  in  Ports- 
mouth.  May,    1821. 

The  record  shows  the  membership  of 
Providence  Christian  Church  in  182 1  to  have 
been  only  36.  In  1829  the  membership  was 
considerably  over   100. 

Following  are  some  of  the  jiastors  of  the 
church  and  the  time  which  the}-  served  as  such, 
viz : 


Rev.   \'.   P.  Tatem 1804- 

Rov.    Tn.;luia    TJvpsav 1804- 

Rev.    Nelson    Miller TS04- 

Rev.   Mills   B.    Barrett iS.^o- 

Rev.    Tnslnia    Livesay ^^4r■- 

Rev.    William    Tatem iSjg- 

Rev.    Na-h    Tatem l8=iJ- 

Rev.   Mills   B.    Barrett t8:;6- 

Rev.   W.  H    Bovkin 1860- 

Rev.  P.  .'^.  P.  Corbin 1868 

Rev.   C.   .\.   .Annie 1869 

Rev.  W.  R.  WclloiT^ 1870- 

Rev.    T.    N.    Manning 1870- 

Rev.  R.   C.  Tuck iSyj- 

Rev.   H.   H.   Butler 1878- 

Rev.   G.   A.   Beebe 1878- 

Rev.   R.    A.   Ricks iR<S7- 

Rev.  T.  Presslev  Barrett,  D.  D i8qo- 

Rev.  W.  S.  Lone.  n.  n i8g6- 

Rev.  T.  P.  Barrett.  D.  D i8g8- 

Rev.   G.   W.   Tickle i8q9- 

Rev.  J.  P.  Barrett.  D.  D 1900 

Bcrca  Clirisliaii  Clnirch. 


1829 

1829 
1S29 
1844 
1849 
185,^ 
1855 
t8;9 
1862 


187,1 
T871 
1878 
T887 
1S87 
1S90 
1S96 
TS98 
1899 
igoo 


Near  Great  Bridge,  Norfolk  Cminty,  was  pur- 
chased from  the  Methodists  alxmt  1865,  and 
since  which  time  its  congregation  has  steadily 
increased.  It  is  now  served  \)v  Rev.  J.  ^^^ 
Harrell. 

Rev.  'S\.  P.  Porter  is  jiastor  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  in  TVrkley. 

CliiircJihind  Baptist  Cliiiirh 

Is  called  after  the  village  of  that  name,  which 


230 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


is  the  center  of  the  richest  agricultural  dis- 
trict of  this  section.  The  church  was  first 
called  Shoulder's  Hill,  being  a  branch  of  the 
original  Shoulder's  Hill  Church,  about  six 
miles  distant  in  Nansemoaid  County.  A 
church  was  built  here  in  1829,  when  the  place 
was  called  Sycamore  Hill,  and  for  a  period  of 
32  years  the  congregation  worshiped  alter- 
nately at  Shoulder's  Hill  and  Sycamore  Hill. 

Regular  pastoral  services  were  kept  up 
during  the  Confederate  War  by  Rev.  Reuben 
Jones,  who  had  been  pastor  since  1855.  On 
the  third  Sunday  night  in  November,  1873, 
the  edifice  was  destroyed  by  an  incendiary  fire. 
In  the  spring  of  1869  a  new  building,  which 
cost  upward  of  $6,000,  was  dedicated  by  Rev. 
J.  L.  Burrows,  D.  D. 

The  Churdhland  Baptist  Church  is  one  of 
the  very  few  country  churches  that  employs  a 
pastor  all  the  time  and  furnishes  a  parsonage 
for  him  in  which  to  live.  This  church  is 
somewhat  noted'  for  its  liberal  and  systematic 
contributions  to  the  objects  of  benevolence; 
and  for  the  fidelity  and  promptness  with  which 
they  pay  the  pastor's  salary ;  and  for  the  good 
Sabbath-school  work;  and  for  the  orderly  de- 
portment of  the  congregations. 

Rev.  Reuben  Jones  served  this  church  un- 
til his  death,  when  the  vacancy  was  filled  by 
Rev.  A.  B.  Dunaway,  D.  D.,  now  of  Port  Nor- 
folk, and  after  the  latter's  resignation,  the  pres- 
ent pastor,  Rev.  William  V.  Savage,  was 
called.  The  church  property  is  valued  at  $1,- 
200.     There  are  185  members. 


Court  Street  Baptist  C'hurcli,  Portsmouth, 

Was  constituted  in  the  year  1789.  under  the 
labors  of  Rev.  Thomas  Armistead,  who  was 
an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  Army.  He  was 
of  high  family  and  rich  connections.  He  was 
pastor  until  the  year  1792.  In  1791  the  Ports- 
mouth Baptist  Association  was  formed  in  this 
church.  After  the  resignation  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Armistead  the  church  declined  greatly,  and  at 
one  time  between  1792  and  1802  the  church 
employed  a  colored  man  by  the  name  of  Jacob 


Bishop  to  be  its  pastor.  Thomas  Etheredge 
and  Jacob  Grigg,  in  their  turn,  served  the 
church  as  pastors  for  a  short  while. 

In  1802  Rev.  David  Biggs  became  pastor, 
and  the  church  became  once  more  prosperous, 
but  his  'removal  to  the  western  country  caused 
a  decline  in  the  Baptist  cause  in  Portsmouth. 

It  is  cause  of  deep  regret  that  the  records 
of  the  church  are  lost  from  the  foundation  to 
the  year  1854.  The  facts  mentioned  above 
are  taken  from  Semple's  "History  of  the  Rise 
and'  Progress  of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia." 

We  learn  from  the  older  members  of  the 
church  that  the  next  pastor  after  Rev.  Mr. 
Biggs  was  Rev.  Thomas  Bunting,  but  how 
long  he  was  pastor  and  what  was  the  con- 
dition of  the  church  we  have  no  means  of 
knowing.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Smith 
Sherwood,  who  served  the  church  a  short 
time,  but  labored  in  the  lower  part  of  the  as- 
sociation all  of  his  life;  he  left  a  family  when 
he  died,  the  most  of  whom  are  still  living, 
and  some  of  them  are  members  of  this  church 
at  this  time.  Rev.  Mr.  Sherwood  was  suc- 
ceeded in  the  pastorate  by  Rev.  Mr.  Woolford, 
but  we  are  unable  to  give  any  information  in 
regard  to  the  condition  of  the  church  at  that 
time. 

The  next  pastor,  so  far  as  we  can  learn, 
was  Rev.  D.  M.  ^Vood'Son,  A\-ho  was  an  able 
preacher  and  an  upright  man.  He  took  charge 
of  the  dhurch  in  1821,  and  remained  10  years. 
The  church  was  quite  prosperous  under  his 
labors,  but  in  consequence  of  a  cancer  he  be- 
came' unable  to  preach,  and  after  his  resigna- 
tion Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  was  called  to 
the  pastorate.  He  became  pastor  on  the  17th 
day  of  ]\Iarch,  1833,  and  continued  in  that  re- 
lation until  October,  1854,  at  which  time  he 
commenced  a  new  interest  in  that  portion  of 
the  city  of  Portsmouth  known  as  Newtoavn, 
and  the  Fourth  Street  Baptist  Church  was  the 
result  of  his  labors.  Under  the  guidance  of 
Elder  Hume,  the  church  attained  a  higher  de- 
gree of  prosperity  than  had  ever  marked  her 
history.  At  the  conmiencement  of  his  labors 
the  church  worshiped  in  a  small,  wood  house 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


231 


at  tlie  corner  of  Queen  and  Court  streets,  but 
in  a  few  years  they  erected  a  brick  house  front- 
ing on  Court  street.  For  the  completion  of 
this  liouse  tlie  members  made  great  sacrifices. 
Many  of  tlie  male  members,  who  were  me- 
chanics, worked  on  tlie  building  at  night  after 
having  worked  all  day  where  they  were  em- 
ployed, nie  house  was  completed  in  the  year 
183S,  and  remains  a  moiutment  to  their  zeal, 
de\i»tion  and  self-denial.  Under  the  wise  coun- 
sel of  Rev.  Mr.  Hume  the  church  became  one 
of  the  most  liberal  churches  in  the  State,  and 
was  active  in  the  cause  of  missions,  Sunday- 
schools  and  all  means  of  spreading  the  king- 
dom of  Christ.  On  the  resignation  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Hume,  Rev.  S.  M.  Carter  supplied  the 
pulpit  for  a  short  time. 

In  1855.  when  the  yellow  fe\er  scourged 
the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  many 
of  the  leading  members  of  the  church  died. 
Rev.  Cornelius  Tyree  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate, but  after  accepting  the  call  asked  to  be 
excused  from  his  obligations.  Of  course  the 
church  yielded  to  his  request. 

On  the  22d  of  July,  1856,  Rev.  ^l.  R.  Wat- 
kinson  was  chosen  pastor.  His  labors  were 
very  acceptable  and  his  preaching  was  very  at- 
tractive. Large  congregations  waited  on  his 
ministry.  Great  prosperity  characterized'  the 
church  for  nearly  five  years,  when,  on  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  Ijetween  the  States, 
Rev.  Mr.  Watkinson,  in  April,  1861,  left  the 
city  of  Portsmouth,  and  in  a  few  days  sent  his 
resignation  to  the  church  by  mail.  After  the 
resignation  of  Rev.  Mr.  ^^'atkinson,  Revs. 
Thomas  Hume  and  J.  F.  Deans  supplied  the 
pulpit  in  succession  till  February  23,  1862, 
when  Re\\  I.  B.  Lake  was  elected  pastor,  but 
in  the  consequence  of  the  evacuation  of  the 
city  by  the  Confederate  troops  he  did  not  serve 
more  than  one  month. 

There  was  no  pastor  from  the  time  of  Rev. 
^[r.  Lake's  leaving  until  about  the  ist  of 
April.  1863.  when  Rev.  C.  E.  ^^^  Dobbs  was 
chosen  for  a  supply  at  first,  and  on  the  27th 
of  Sq)tember  was  chosen  pastor. 

In  May,  1863,  the  church  had  great  diffi- 


culty in  preventing  the  colored  members  from 
acquiring  entire  control  of  the  basement  of 
the  church.  The  city  was  at  that  time  under 
military  rule,  and  the  commanding  officers 
s\mipathized  with  the  colored  i)eople.  Great 
care  was  necessary  to  avert  such  a  misfortune. 
When  the  matter  was  carried  before  the  pro- 
vost judge  he  declined  to  interfere  and  the 
trouble  passed  away. 

May  9,  1864,  Rev.  C.  E.  W".  Dobbs,  the 
pastor  of  the  church,  was  imprisoned  by  order 
of  Gen.  B.  F.  Butler,  and  the  church  shortly 
after  was  occupied  as  a  hospital  by  the  Fed- 
eral forces,  and  continued  to  l)e  so  used  until 
Rev.  S.  B.  Gregory,  missionary  of  the  Bap- 
tist Home  Mission  Society  of  the  North,  came 
about  the  middle  of  December,  1864. 

On  February  10,  1865,  the  colored  niem- 
l>ers  of  the  church  were  granted  letters  of  dis- 
mission for  the  purjiose  of  organizing  an  in- 
dependent church.  This  church  after  its  or- 
ganization was  known  as  Zion's  Baptist 
Church.  Richard  Cox  gave  the  lot  upon 
which  the  house  was  built.  It  i 
and  prosperous  body. 

On  the  nth  of  June,  1865,  Rev.  William 
^I.  Young  was  elected  pastor,  but  declined  the 
call.  On  the  3d  of  Septembtr,  1865,  Re\-. 
J.  L.  Johnson  was  called  to  the  pastorate, 
and  continued  pastor  until  May  31,  1867.  His 
pastorate  was  quite  successful.  The  smallness 
of  his  salary  was  the  cause  of  his  resignation. 
August  II,  1867,  Rev.  M.  R.  ^^^atkinson  was 
elected  pastor  by  a  vote  of  39  against  36  cast 
for  Rev.  A\'illiam  M.  Young.  This  call  Rev. 
^Ir.  \\'atkinson  declined.  October  3,  1867, 
Rev.  I.  B.  Lake  was  elected  pastor  but  de- 
clined. Novemljer  10,  1867,  Rev.  Harvey 
Hatcher  was  unanimously  elected  pastor,  and 
entered  upon  his  duties  the  first  of  December 
following.  During  the  pastorate  of  Mr. 
Hatcher  the  church  built  a  pool  for  baptismal 
purposes.  He  resigned  on  the  27tli  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1870.  On  the  20th  of  March,  1870. 
Rev.  William  M.  Young  was  elected  pastor, 
but  again  declined. 

Rev.  C.  W'ilson  Smith,  of  England,  w^as 


now  a  large 


232 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


elected  pastor,  and  commenced  his  labors  May 
I,  1870;  he  resigned  on  the  8th  of  April, 
1 87 1,  to  take  effect  in  the  following  July.  He 
was  re-elected  the  nth  of  June.  1871,  by  a 
vote  of  39  to  26.  On  the  8th  of  July,  1871, 
the  church  recjuested  him  to  resign,  not  on  ac- 
count of  any  moral  objection,  but  because  the 
church  was  divided,  but  Rev.  C.  Wilson  Smith 
declined  to  do  so,  until,  in  mass  meeting  held 
July  16,  1871,  there  were  55  votes  in  favor  of 
his  resignation,. to  zj  in  favor  of  his  remain- 
ing, whereupon  he  resigned. 

Sq>tember  17,  1871,  Rev.  A.  E.  Owen 
Avas  unanimously  elected  pastor,  and  remained 
as  such  to  July.  1S99,  when  Rev.  R.  B.  Gar- 
rett was  called  to  the  church.  This  church 
has  sent  out  from  her  members  the  following 
ministers,  ^•iz. :  J.  W.  M.  Williams,  J.  L. 
Reynnldsiin,  Richard  .\llen,  C.  E.  W.  Dobbs, 
Thomas  Hume,  Jr.  (  who  was  baptized  into 
the  church,  but  licensed  bv  the  Fourth  Street 
BaiJtist  Church),  H.  Petty,  T.  J.  Knapp,  W. 

F.  Higginbotham,  George  J.   Hobday,   C.   A. 

G.  Thomas,  E.  G.  Corprew  (colored),  Ed- 
Axard  B.  Morris,  John  \\^  Daugherty  and  W. 
P.    Hines.      The  present  membership  is   501. 

Fourth    Street    Baptist    Church,    Portsmouth, 

^^'as  constituted  .\]>ril  g,  1855,  by  members  of 
the  Court  Street  Baptist  Church, — Rev. 
Thiomas  Hume,  Sr.,  moderator,  and  Samuel 
J.  Staples,  secretary.  The  exercises  contingent 
upon  the  formal  recognition  of  the  church 
were  conducted  by  Dr.  J.  L.  Burrows  and 
Rev.  Tliomas  Hume,  Sr. 

The  house  of  w"orship  is  located  in  South 
Portsmouth.  The  church  edifice,  originally 
built  of  clapboards,  was  afterward"  enlarged 
liy  the  addition  of  16  feet  tn  its  length,  and 
the  erection  of  a  gallery  and  belfry,  and  at 
present  it  is  a  commodious  brick  structure. 

Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  was  the  first 
pastor,  who  served  the  church  with  great  suc- 
cess until  May,  1861,  at  which  time  he  left 
the  city,  it  being  evacuated  by  the  Confederate 
forces.      Soon  after  the  constitution    of    the 


church,  the  terrible  scourge  of  the  yellow  fever 


became  epidemic  "in  our  cit}-.  During  its 
pre\-alence  six  of  the  members  fell  victims  to 
its  relentless  hands;  and  others  were  scat- 
tered, and  consecpiently  lost  to  this  particular 
church. 

Again  in  1861,  the  numljer  of  members 
was  depleted  and  scattered  b}-  a  call  to  arms ; 
but  at  the  close  of  the  war,  a  few  were  found 
ready  to  cultivate  the  field,  and  s])end  and  be 
spent  in  the  Master's  service.  During  the 
war  and'  after  its  close  Revs.  J.  D.  Elwell  and 
C.  E.  W.  Dobbs  supplied  the  pulpit.  Rev. 
John  Phillips  also'  preached  a  series  of  ser- 
mons, resulting"  in  great  good  and  the  admis- 
sion of  many  members  upon  a  profession  of 
faith  and  baptism. 

July  12,  1866,  Rev.  J.  C.  Hidai  accepted 
the  call  of  the  church  to  the  pa.storate,  and 
continued  to  serve  the  church  with  eminent 
usefulness  to  the  close  of  his  pastorate  in  Sep- 
tember. 1868. 

In  January,  1869,  Rev.  X.  B.  Cobb  was 
elected  pastor  in  connection  with  the  church 
at  Kempsville,  Princess  Anne  County.  Vir- 
ginia, who,  with  his  amiable  wife,  was  emi- 
nentlv  useful.  If  his  whole  time  could  ha\e 
been  given  to  this  one  church,  his  ministry 
would  lia\'e  been  an  eminent  success.  Not- 
withstanding the  di\'ision  of  his  time  between 
these  two  churches,  the  largest  and  most  suc- 
cessful revival  was  carried  on  during  his  pas- 
torate with  which  the  church  has  ever  been 
blessed.  Rev.  Mr.  Cobb  continued  until  No^ 
\-ember.  1870.  It  is  also  clue  to  Rev.  Mr. 
Cobb  to  state  that  he  was  instrumental  in  mak- 
ing collections  for  and  ])urchasing  a  bell  for 
the  chiu"ch. 

Shortl}-  after  the  resignation  of  Rev.  ]\Ir. 
Cobb,  Rev.  Patrick  Warren  made  a  visit  to 
the  church  with  a  \-iew  to  the  pastorate,  but, 
in  a  few  weeks  after  his  return  to  Washing- 
ton, sickened  and  died. 

Rev.  M.  R.  Watkinson.  of  Camden,  New- 
Jersey,  labored  a  month  with  the  church,  the 
result  of  which  was  a  great  outpouring  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.     It  was  about  this  time  that  at- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


!33 


tention  was  called  u>  Kev.  R.  W.  Cridlin,  as 
a  suitable  person  for  pastor.  He  was  called 
to  the  i)astorate  in  May,  1871.  which  he  ac- 
cepted. Rev.  Mr.  Cridlin's  stay  resulted,  under 
the  blessing  of  God,  in  uniting  and  strength- 
ening the  church,  and  greatly  building  up  the 
congregation  and  the  cause  of  Christianity  in 
our  midst ;  thus  giving  evidence  that  the 
church  would  soon  Ijecome  self-sustaining. 
But  his  wife's  health  failed,  and  he  felt  com- 
lielled  to  leave  for  other  fields  of  labor.  In 
June,  1874,  he  resigned,  to  the  great  sorrow 
of  the  church  and  the  entire  community. 

Rev.  O.  T.  Simpson  became  pastor  in  Oc- 
tober, 1874,  but  on  account  of  the  death  of  his 
estimable  wife  resigned  after  one  year's  serv- 
ice. The  church  then  engaged  the  services  of 
Rev.  E.  M.  Buyrn.  first  as  a  supply,  then  as 
pastor,  which  office  he  held  only  for  a  short 
time.  Again  the  church  was  witliout  a  pa.stor, 
during  which  time  Rev.  M.  R.  Watkinson 
made  a  second  visit,  which  resulted  in  14  pro- 
fessions. A  second  time  did  Rev.  Mr.  \Vat- 
kinson  decline  the  call  to  the  pastorship  of  the 
church.  Rev.  R.  \\'.  Cridlin  sei-ved  his  sec- 
ond term  as  pastor  of  tliis  church.  Rev.  W. 
F.  Fisher  is  the  present  pastor,  with  360  mem- 
bers. 

This  church  has  been  instrumental  in 
licensing  some  of  the  most  useful  preachers 
of  the  Baptist  Church :  George  M.  West. 
January  17.  1856;  Thomas  Hume,  Jr.,  April 
12,  i860:  I.  B.  Lake,  July  12,  i860;  John 
N.  Ward,  August  22.  1858, — the  last  named 
was  ordained  Ijv  Elders  Hume,  Teasdalc  and 
Goodall.  And  here  Rev.  I.  T.  Wallace  was 
examined  with  a  view  to  has  ordination. 
The  following  ministers  have  been  manbers  of 
this  church,  viz.;  Th(;mas  Hume,  Sr.,  Thomas 
Himie,  Jr.,  R.  W.  Cridlin,  C.  A.  Raymond, 
I.  B.  Lake,  C.  Gotxlall,  V.  Palen,  George  M. 
West,  John  N.  Ward.  H.  Avers  and  N.  B. 
Cobb. 

First  Baptist  Church,  Norfolk. 

There  had  existed  a  Baptist    Church    in 


Norfolk  some  lo  or  13  years  prior  to  the  \ear 
1817,  known  as  the  First  Baptist  Church.  It 
was  composed  largely  of  coloretl  members, 
and  Rev.  James  Mitchell  was  their  pastor. 
This  church  got  into  trouble,  and  the  white 
members,  with  the  exception  of  the  pastor's 
famih",  withdrew  and  Ijuilt  a  new  house  of 
worship  on  Cuml)erland  street,  and  consti- 
tuted themselves  into  a  church  known  as  the 
Cumberland  Street  Baptist  Church. 

This  church  was  constituted  September  20, 
181 7,  consisting  of  25  members.  The  pres- 
bytery was  composed  of  Martin  Ross,  Aaron 
Spivey,  and  Richard  Dabbs.  Rev.  George 
Patterson,  who  had  Ijeen  associate  pastor  with 
Rev.  James  Mitchell  in  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  was  chosen  pastor,  but  remained  onl}' 
four  months,  receiving  in  that  pericxl  three 
new  meml3€rs,  and  settled  in  Alexandria,  Vir- 
ginia. Rev.  Samuel  Cornelius  became  pastor 
January  28,  1818.  He  continued  five  years 
and  nine  months.  Lnder  his  administration 
61  new  nieml)ers  were  added  to  the  church. 

Rev.  Noah  Davis,  father  of  Prof.  Noah 
K.  Davis  of  the  L'niversity  of  Virginia,  be- 
came the  pastor  in  October,  1823,  and  labored 
as  pastor  only  16  months,  and  as  occasional 
supply  for  eight  months.  Rev.  Mr.  Davis 
left  to  become  the  gaieral  agent  of  the  Amer- 
ican Baptist  Tract  &  Publication  Society  in 
Philadelphia,  of  which  he  was  the  fi>under. 

Rev.  R.  B.  C.  Howell,  then  a  young  grad- 
uate of  Columbian  College,  \\'ashington,  D. 
C  was  ordained  in  this  church,  January  2j. 
T827,  by  Rev.  William  Staughton,  D.  D.,  and 
Rev.  Samuel  Wait,  .\.  ^I.  He  first  served  the 
church  as  a  supply  for  three  months ;  after 
that  was  elected  i)a,stor  April  17,  1827,  but 
did  not  accept  until  the  end  (jf  the  year.  This 
w-as  the  commencement  of  the  public  career 
of  a  distinguished  divine:  he  very  soon  made 
his  mark  in  the  community.  His  talents  and 
aggressi\-e  power  S(X)n  brought  him  in  conflict 
with  the  Pedobaptists,  and  called  forth  his 
three  sermons  on  baptism,  which  were  pub- 
lished in  pamphlet  form.  He  also  published 
three  tracts,  of  some  40  pages  each,  in  reply  to 


234 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Dr.  Dncachet,  rector  of  Christ  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  on  the  office  of  sponsors  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  of  other 
matters  in  dispute  between  Baptists  and  Epis- 
copalians. This  year  (1827)  started  Dr. 
Howell  on  the  line  of  controversy,  which  he 
kept  up  a  good  part  of  his  life.  The  church 
building  was  enlarged  about  this  time.  Dr. 
Howell  resigned  July  7,  1834,  and  left  for 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  early  in  November, 
1834,  having  labored  with  the  Cumberland 
Street  Baptist  Church  nearly  seven  years  and 
a  half  and  received  to  her  membership  364 
members. 

The  church  was  destitute  of  a  pastor  six 
months.  During  the  period  12  members  were 
added  as  the  fruits  of  a  meeting  held  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  and  others. 

Rev.  John  Goodall  became  pastor  in  Jan- 
uary, 1S35.  He  was  a  man  of  decided  ability; 
his  ultra-Baptistic  sentiments,  and  his  per- 
petual preaching  on  baptism,  drove  all  the  con- 
gregation from  his  pulpit  except  his  own  peo- 
ple. He  remained  only  one  year  and  received 
12  members.  The  church  was  destitute  of  a 
pastor  the  whole  of  the  next  year  (1836). 
During  this  time,  Rev.  Stephen  Gardiner  was 
ordained  by  Revs.  T.  C.  Braxton,  D.  M. 
Woodson,  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  A.  Paul  Repi- 
ton,  and  J.  Hendren.  During  this  year  the 
church  had  occasional  preaching  by  Revs. 
Comstock,  Gardiner,  Tinsley  and  others,  and 
six  members  were  added. 

Rev.  Joseph  S.  Baker,  M.  D.,  was  made 
pastor  in  March,  1837.  This  was  a  period  of 
great  excitement  and  trouble,  on  account  of 
disciplinary  action  against  Re\-.  James 
Mitchell,  pastor  of  the  colored  church,  known 
as  the  First  Baptist  Church.  Dr.  Baker  re- 
mained pastor  three  years,  and  received  106 
new  members. 

Rev.  Joseph  B.  Breed,  from  the  North,  be- 
came pastor  in  1840.  He  continued  two  years 
and  received  60  mem1>ers.  As  the  fruits 
of  a  meeting  held  by  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Fox, 
some  40  members  were  added  to  the  church. 

Rev.    E.    G.    Robinson,   D.   D.,   a  distin- 


guished president  of  Brown  University,  was 
ordained  in  this  church  as  its  pastor  in  Novem- 
ber, 1842,  by  Revs.  J.  B.  Jeter,  J.  Walker,  J. 
'R.  Scott  and  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.  Rev.  Dr. 
Robinson  was  a  man  of  exalted  intellect,  high 
culture  and  a  magnificent  preacher — all  intel- 
lect and  but  little  emotion — intensely  opix>sed 
to  revivals  and  religious  excitement — at  heart 
a  strong  Abolitionist.  The  church  received  16 
members  and  built  the  lecture  room. 

Rev.  John  W.  M.  Williams,  D.  D.,  sup- 
plied the  Cumberland  Street  Baptist  Church 
one  year  while  Rev.  Dr.  E.  G.  Robinson,  the 
pastor,  served  as  chajjlain  at  the  University 
of  Virginia.  Rev.  Mr.  Williams  was  or- 
dained in  this  church  February  27,  1844. 
Rev.  Dr.  E.  G.  Robinson  returned  from  the 
university,  but  remained  only  a  short  time. 
In  1846  Revs.  Latham  and  Kingsford 
preached  in  the  church  occasionally  and  a  few 
members  were  added. 

Rev.  C.  R.  Hendricson,  after  laboring  a 
short  time  as  a  supply,  became  pastor  in  June, 
1847,  and  labored  17  months.  He  was  a  fine 
pulpit  orator,  and  added  to  the  church  50 
members.  The  pastor  fell  into  serious  trouble 
and  the  church  divided  on  the  question  of  re- 
taining him  as  pastor;  a  majority  voted  to 
continue  him,  which  resulted  in  the  with- 
drawal of  nearly  all  of  the  wealth}-  and  influ- 
ential portion  of  the  church,  74  memljers  in 
number.  On  May  7,  1848,  these  persons  were 
regularly  dismissed  to  be  constituted  into  a  new 
church,  now  known  as  the  Freemason  Street 
Baptist  Chujixh.  Rev.  Mr.  Hendricson 
thought  it  prudent  to  leave,  and  he  settled  in 
Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina. 

Rev.  Reuben  Jones  entered  upon  the  pas- 
torship of  this  church  June  23,  1848.  The 
members  were  generally  poor,  but  they  were 
a  praying,  working  people,  and  strongly  at- 
tached to  the  old  mother  church.  In  1849, 
Rev.  J.  S.  Re}-nol(lson  held  a  meeting  with 
the  church,  wliich  resulted  in  the  baptism  of 
aljcjut  100  persons,  many  of  whom  prcn-ed  ut- 
terly worthless.  Rev.  G.  W.  Johnson,  frojn 
the  Methodist   Protestant   Church,    was    bap- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


235 


tized  and  ordained  about  this  time.  The 
cliurch  was  beautifully  frescoed,  the  pews 
cushioned  and  otiier  improvements  added  dur- 
ing iiis  pastoral  administration.  iVfter  live 
years  and  a  half  with  this  church,  the  pastor 
resigned  antl  left  in  December.  1853,  for  Hele- 
na, Arkansas,  having  receiveil  into  the  church 
about  180  new  members. 

Rev.  Meriwether  \\'inston,  a  native  Vir- 
ginian, was  called  from  one  of  the  churches 
in  Philadelphia  to  be  the  next  pastor.  He  was 
a  very  tluent  and  attractive  speaker,  but  left 
after  one  j^ear's  service,  about  the  commence- 
ment of  the  great  i)estilence  of  1855.  and  set- 
tled in  Savannah,  Georgia.  Rev.  James  L. 
Gwaltney  settled  as  pastor  the  latter  part  of 
1856.  One  of  the  first  duties  was  to  preach 
the  funeral  of  all  the  members  who  had  died 
with  the  yellow  fever.  He  remained  only 
one  year  and  then  returned  to  Boutetourt 
Springs. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Long,  afterward  a  professor  in 
Crozer  Theological  Seminary  at  Upland,  Penn- 
sylvania, became  the  ne.xt  pastor  of  this 
church  the  first  of  1859,  and  continued  until 
the  Confederate  War  closed  his  labors  in  May, 
1861.  His  term  of  service  embraced  about 
three  years. 

During  the  four  dark  years  of  the  Con- 
federate War,  the  Cumberland  Street  Baptist 
Church  was  served  successively  for  short 
periods,  bv  Revs.  C.  H.  Tov,  C.  Goodall  and 
J.  D.  Elw'cll. 

In  February.  1864,  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler 
was  called  to  be  pastor,  and  he  accepted ;  but 
before  he  had  time  to  take  charge,  that  is,  on 
February  9th,  the  keys  of  the  church  were 
taken  possession  of  by  the  provost  marshal 
and  handed  .  over  to  Rev.  Ira  Prescott  and 
held  by  him  for  the  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Sfxiety  in  Xew  York.  The  congregation  in- 
dignaiuly  declined  to  accept  the  services  of  a 
pastor  forced  upon  them  by  military  authority. 
After  preaching  a  while  to  empty  seats.  Mr. 
Prescott  delivered  up  the  keys  of  the  church 
to  Deacon   March,   which  the  latter  accepted 


'  upon  the  si>ecific  condition  that  he,  Prescott, 
would  go  away  and  never  come  to  the  church 
again. 

When  Re\'.  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  took 
charge  of  this  church  in  July,  1865,  it  was  in 
a  very  feeble,  dispirited  condition.  His  lalxjrs 
at  first  were  almost  gratuitous.  The  congre- 
gation and  membership  gradually  increased. 
His  health  began  to  fail,  and  while  spending 
the  spring  in  Florida  to  recuperate,  Rev.  Mr. 
-McGonigal,  from  Xew  York,  supplied  the 
cluu-cli.  He  labjred  earnestly  and  successfully, 
and  added  a  considerable  number  of  members 
to  the  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Hume  resignetl  July 
I,  1874,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  which 
sad  event  occurred  at  his  residence  in  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  March  8,  1875,  being  about 
63  years  of  age.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Cum- 
berland .Street  Baptist  Church  nine  }ears. 
Under  his  administration,  the  church  was 
lifted  to  a  high  plane  of  Christian  zeal,  be- 
nevolence and  holy  acti\'ity. 

Rew  Thomas  Hume,  Jr.,  was  immediately 
called  to  succeed  his  father,  July  17,  1874. 
He  held  this  call  under  consideration  for  sev- 
eral months,  during  which  time.  Rev.  Samuel 
Saunders,  late  from  the  theological  seminary, 
became  temporary  supply  for  the  church. 

September  18,  1874.  Rev.  Samuel  Saun- 
ders, by  request  of  the  lower  N^orthamiJton 
Baptist  Church,  was  ordained  in  this  church 
with  the  following  order  of  exercises,  viz.: 
Sermon,  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Toy;  charge  to  can- 
didate, by  Rev.  Reuben  Jones;  presentation  of 
the  Bible,  by  Rev.  A.  E.  Owen;  right  hand  of 
fellowship,  by  Rev.  G.  J.  Hobday;  ordaining 
prayer,  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Deans ;  charge  to  the 
church,  by  Rca'.  A.  C.  Barran. 

Re\-.  Thomas  Hume,  Jr.,  formally  accept- 
ed the  pastorate  Xo\embcr  21.  1874,  and 
shortly  thereafter,  December  27.  1874,  was  in- 
1  stalled  by  a  large  presbytery  in  the  presence  of 
a  very  large  assembly :  Sermon  by  Rev.  W. 
;  E.  Ilatcher,  D.  I). ;  charge  t<j  pastor  by  Rev. 
W.  D.  Thomas,  D.  D.;  charge  to  the  church 
bv  Rev.   Reuben   Tones,     .\fter  four  vears  of 


236 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


faithful  and  eminently  successful  labor,   Rev. 
Mr.  Hume  resigned  in  December,   1878.. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Wood  served  a  short  time  as 
a  supply,  and  then  liecame  the  pastor  July  i, 
1879,  continuing  in  that  position  until  1884. 
He  was  followed  bv  Rev.  Tiberius  Gracchus 
Jones,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  E.  B.  Hatcher,  the 
present  pastor,  succeeded  Rev.  Air.  Jones, 
in  1893.  The  First  Baptist  Ch,urch  is  the 
mother  of  all  the  Baptist  churches  in  Xorfolk. 
It  has  ^JO  members  and  its  jiroperty  is  valued 
at  $40,000. 

Frcciiiasoii    Slrcct    Baptist    CInirch,    Xorfolk. 

In  ]\Iay,  1848,  the  Cumberland  Street  Bap- 
tist Church  (or  First  Baptist  Church)  after 
free  consultation  gave  a  fraternal  dismissal 
to  certain  persons,  about  75  in  numlier,  who 
were  the  same  month  constituted  into  a  church, 
Rev.  J.  B.  Jeter  and  other  ministers  conduct- 
ing the  services. 

Two  of  these,  Thomas  D.  Toy  and  Will- 
iam Dey,  had  some  months  before  purchased 
a  piece  of  ground  at  the  corner  of  Freemason 
and  Bank  streets.  A  plan  o^f  a  building  was 
obtained  from  Thomas  U.  Walter,  of  Phila- 
delphia, workmen  secured  and  the  building 
begun :  the  lectm-e  room  was  completed  in 
May,  1849,  and  the  whole  house,  including 
the  spire,  about  October,  1850.  The  dedica- 
tion sermon  ,  was  preached  by  Dr.  Richard 
Fuller,  of  Baltimore.  The  cost  of  the  honse 
was  about  $35,000,  and  of  the  land  $5,000. 
The  architecture  and  acoustics  are  uncommon- 
ly good. 

The  church  worshiped,  in  the  meantime, 
the  first  year  in  the  Odd  Fellow's  Hall,  cor- 
ner of  \Vashington  and  Avon  streets.  For 
one  month  after  the  constitution,  the  pulpit 
was  filled  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Taylor,  of  Richmond, 
and  in  June  follcnving,  Rev.  Tiberius  Grac- 
chus Jones  was  secured  as  pastor,  and  the 
church  began  its  life. 

The  first  pastor.  Rev.  Tiberius  Gracchus 
Jones,  commenced  about  August,  1848,  and  re- 
mained in  all    19  years,  from   1848  to   1871, 


with  absences  amounting  to  four  vears.  It 
was  his  first  pastorate:  he  and  the  church 
grew  out  together,  and  were  endeared  to  each 
other  by  the  thousand  experiences  of  ecclesias- 
tical and  individual  life.  His  lofty  eloquence, 
noble  nature  and  gaiuine  piety,  gave  him  a 
lasting  hold  on  the  church  and  communitv. 
Under  his  care,  the  church  grew  in  numbers 
and  efficiency.  The  Sunday-school  flourished, 
and  Baptists  took  a  position  in  the  community 
that  the_\-  liad  ne\-er  before  held.  In  1863,  dur- 
ing the  occupation  of  Norfolk  by  Federal 
troops,  he  went  to  Baltimore  and  became  pas- 
tor of  the  Franklin  Square  Baptist  Church  of 
that  city,  returning  to  Norfolk  in  1865,  as 
soon  after  the  end  of  the  war  as  possible.  In 
1867,  he  was  elected  president  -o^f  Richmond 
College,  but  gave  up  the  position  after  serv- 
ing twoi  years;  and  in  1869  resumed  the  pas- 
torship of  his  old  church  in  Norfolk.  In  1871 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  First  Baptist  Church 
in  Nasln-ille,  Tennessee.  Dr.  Jones  returned 
tO'  Norfolk  in  1884,  liecoming  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church,  and  so  continuing  until 
a  few  years  before  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  27,  1895,  at  tiie  age  of  74  years. 

During  the  temporary  absence  of  Dr. 
Jones,  from  1863  tO'  1865,  the  church  had  the 
services  of  Rev.  H.  J.  Chandler  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Bealor,  who  faithfully  discharged  their  duties 
in  that  trying  time,  ministering  to  the  handful 
that  remained  in  the  city,  ami  keeping  up  the 
church  organization. 

From  1867  to  1869,  while  Dr.  Jones  was 
at  Richmond  College,  Rev.  J.  Lipscomli  John- 
son (later  a  professor  in  the  University  of 
Mississippi)  acted  as  pastor.  His  ministry 
was  markedly  successful,  especially  in  that  he 
had  great  influence  over  the  younger  part  of 
the  congregatitm,  and  the  church  was  greatly 
attached  to  him. 

After  Dr.  Jones'  removal  to  Nashville. 
l\e\-.  William  LX  Thomas  (then  in  Green\-ille, 
South  Carolina)  became  pastor.  His  faith- 
ful and  able  ministry  began  in  (October,  1871. 
He  served  until  1882,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Re\-.  J.  L.   Burrows,  D.   D.     Rev.   M.   B. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


237 


Wharton  succeeded  Dr.  lUirmws  in  1S91,  and 
resigned  in  1899,  when  Kc\'  J.  J.  Taylor,  tlie 
present  pastor,  was  called. 

The  history  of  the  church  has  been  marked 
by  the  usual  variations  of  prosperity  and  ad- 
versity. Of  its  constituent  membership  only 
a  few  persons  now  remain.  It  suffered  no 
little  by  the  yellow  fever  scourj^e  of  1855,  and 
during  the  late  war,  when,  however,  by  the 
exertion  of  some  of  the  members,  the  build- 
ing was  saved  from  injury.  The  church  has 
never  been  without  the  kernel  of  earnest,  spir- 
itual-minded members,  and  has  never  given 
countenance  to  injurious  errors  or  fanatical 
views.  At  various  times  special  meetings  have 
been  held,  with  greater  or  less  effect;  in  1849, 
by  the  beloved  Keynoldson :  in  1852  and  1874, 
by  Rev.  Cornelius  Tyree;  in  1870,  by  Rev.  A. 
B.  Earle;  and  in  1876,  by  Rev.  William  E. 
Hatcher. 

In  1872  the  pastor.  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas,  ar- 
ranged a  series  of  lectures  on  denominati(jnal 
tfjpics,  the  e.xjjenses  being  Iwrne  by  the  church. 
which  were  deli\ered  in  the  church  by  some  of 
the  prominent  Bajjtist  preachers  of  the  coun- 
try, and,  being  afterward  printed  and  cir- 
culated in  pamphlet  shape,  made  a  contribution 
to  the  literature  of  the  subject.  The  lecturers 
were  Rev.  .\l\ah  Hovey.  nf  Xcwton  Thclogi- 
cal  Seminary ;  Rev.  Howard  Osgood,  of  Cro- 
zer  Theological  Seminary ;  Rev.  J.  L.  Bur- 
rows; Rev.  X.  M.  NA'ilson :  and  Revs.  John  A. 
Broadus  and  William  AN'illiams,  of  the  South- 
ern Baptist  Theological  Seminary. 

The  Sunday-school,  under  the  superin- 
tendence successively  of  Thomas  D.  Toy,  T.  P. 
Warren,  J.  H.  Hendren.  J.  A.  Yancey,  W. 
H.  Morris  and  C.  E.  Jenkins,  has  been  notably 
successful,  both  as  to  members  and  as  to  its 
general  efficiency  and  liberality.  Unusual 
care  has  lieen  given  to  the  music  in  the  church. 

The  choir  has  Ijeen  under  the  directorship, 
first  of  Thomas  D.  Toy.  then  of  SaJiiucl 
Borum.  and  then  of  R.  B.  Toy.  The  organ- 
ists have  been  Possett.  Whitmaji.  Southard 
and  Miss  J.  McKenny.  Under  the  direction 
of  R.  B.  Tov,  the  singing  of  classic  music  in 
14' 


the  church  and  the  Sunday-sclnxil  has  been 
introduced  without  diminishing  the  congrega- 
tional singing.  The  church  continues  to  be  an 
earnest  body,  with  a  growing  interest  in  mis- 
sions and  education.  One  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel has  gone  out  from  it,  Rev.  C.  H.  Toy,  and 
one  licentiate,  Re\-.  T.  P.  W'arren.  The  prop- 
erty of  the  Freemason  Street  Baptist  Church 
is  valued  at  .$40,000,  and  the  church  has  821 
meinbers. 

Jl'est  Norfolk  Baptist  Cluirch 

Is  situated  in  the  village  of  that  name  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Western  Branch  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River.  It  is  an  offspring  of  the  Church- 
land  Baptist  Church,  not  far  distant,  and  was 
organized  in  1895.  The  building  is  worth 
.Si, 500,  and  the  church  has  93  members.  Rev. 
A.  B.  Dunaway,  D.  D.,  the  first  pastor,  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Braxton  Craig  and  he  by 
the  present  pastor.  Rev.  Vernon  I'Anson. 

South    Street    Baptist    Church.    Portsmouth, 

Is  at  the  northwest  corner  of  South  and 
Effingham  streets  in  Portsmouth.  It  was  or- 
ganized in  1889,  the  first  pastor  being  Rev. 
J.  W.  Daugherty,  who  continued  until  1894, 
when  he  was  fi>llowed  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Mitchell, 
the  present  incumbent.  The  church  property 
is  valued  at  $21,000,  and  the  church  has  the 
names  of  ^;^/   members  on  its  rolls. 

Port  Norfolk  Baptist   Church 

Is  located  in  the  northernmost  suburb  of 
Portsmouth, — Port  Norfolk.  It  was  organ- 
ized in  1898  as  a  mission  from  Calvar}-  Bap- 
tist Church.  Rev.  A.  B.  Dunaway,  D.  D.. 
was  the  first  pastor  and  continues  to  this  date. 
The  church  building  cost  over  $5,000,  and 
there  are  124  members. 

South  Norfolk  Baptist  Church 

Is  a  mission  of  the  Berkley  Avenue  Ba])tist 


238 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Church,  located  in  the  suburbs  of  Berkle}'.  It 
was  organized  in  1893,  has  115  manbers,  and 
the  building  is  worth  $2,000.  Rev.  S.  S.  Rob- 
inson is  the  present  pastor. 

Park   View  Baptist  Liuircli,  Portsmouth, 

Is  located  on  Hatton  street,  Portsmouth.  It 
was  organized  in  1899,  has  115  members,  and 
the  church  building  is  valued  at  $6,000.  Rev. 
A\'.  P.  Hines  is  pastor. 

Giliiicrtoii   Baptist   Clniirli 

Is  located  in  the  village  of  that  name,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  "new  cut"  of  the  Dismal  Swamp 
Canal,  on  the  Southern  Branch  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River  and  at  the  end  of  the  trolley  line 
south  of  Portsmouth.  It  was  organized  in 
1895  under  Rev.  F.  H.  J\Iartin,  who  served  the 
church  until  1898,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  E.  E.  Dudley,  who  remained  until  1899, 
when  l\e\'.  j.  T.  Riddick  assumed  charge  of 
the  flock.  It  has  71  meml>ers  and  the  build- 
ing is  valued  at  $1,500. 

Cak'ary  Baptist   Clnircli 

Is  an  oiTspring  of  the  Court  Street  Baptist 
Church  in  Portsmouth.  It  is  located  in  the 
suburb  called  Scottsville  and  was  organized  in 
1889.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  J.  W.  Daugh- 
erty,  who'  ser\-ed  several  years  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Revs.  R.  ^A^  Baylor,  F.  H.  Martin, 
P.  C.  Davis  and  Samuel  Saunders.  The 
church  building  and  parsonage  are  valued  at 
$3,000.     It  has  2T,7i  members. 

Biirroics  Memorial  Baptist  Cliiircli 

Is  located  at  Lambert's  Point,  sul>urb  of  Nor- 
folk and  the  seat  of  the  great  coal  piers  of  the 
Norfolk  &  Western  Railway:  It  was  organ- 
ized in  1894  and  has  138  members.  Rev.  R. 
H.  White  was  chosen  pastor  in  1895  and  he 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Cox.  The 
church  property  is  valued  at  $2,500. 


Park  Avenue  Baptist  Cliurcli.  Norfolk. 

On  May  24.  1885,  the  Park  Avenue  Bap- 
tist Church  was  organized,  with  Rev.  R.  W. 
Cridlin  as  its  first  pastor.  He  was  succeeded 
in  turn  by  Rev.  D.  W.  Gwin,  D.  D.,  who 
served  the  church  from  1889  to  1893,  and  was 
succeeded  then  by  its  present  pastor.  Rev. 
James  J.  Hall.  The  church  has  a  membership 
of  over  700,  and  is  now  in  a  sound  financial 
and  spiritual  condition.  The  present  hand- 
some edifice  is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Park 
and  Brambleton  ax'enues,  Brambleton  Ward, 
Norf(jlk,  the  erection  of  which  was  begun  un- 
der its  present  pastor  in  1895. 

Central  Az'euue  Baptist  Church,  A'orfolk. 

This  church,  which  is  located  in  Atlantic 
City  Ward,  Norfolk,  at  the  corner  of  Central 
and  Fort  avenues,  is  about  to  erect  a  hand- 
some edifice  on  Olnev  Road,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$20,000.  Its  former  pastur  was  Rev.  T.  A. 
Hall,  who  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  E.  Dud- 
ley, who  is  still  ser\ing  the  church.  It  has  189 
memljcrs. 

Grace  Baptist  Church.  Norfolk, 

On  the  corner  of  Princess  Anne  a\enue  and 
Church  street,  is  an  offshoot  of  the  Cumber- 
land Street  Baptist  Church.  The  following 
named  ministers  have  ser\-ed  as  pastors :  Rev. 
Vernon  FAnsoii,  Re\-.  W.  S.  Leake  and  Rev. 
Lundy  R.  Wright.  Re\-.  Dr.  A.  E.  Owen  is 
the  present  pastor.  The  church  is  grovving 
in  numbers  and  has  193  members. 

Spurgeon  ^[elnorial  Baptist  Church,  Norfolk, 

Was  organized  in  1892, — a  ci-ilony  from  the 
Park  Avenue  Baptist  Church.  Rev.  J.  J. 
Wicker  was  the  first  pastor,  and  he  was  suc- 
ceeded in  1896  by  Rev.  F.  H.  Martin,  who 
was  succeeded  in  1898  by  Rev.  L.  R.  Chi-istie. 
It  has  a  memlsership  of  196  and  its  property  is 
worth  $3,000. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


!39 


Pli'ijsaiit  Groz-c  Baf^tist  .Clinrch. 

Tliis  church,  the  outgrowtli  of  the  Xnrtli 
West  Baptist  Cluirch.  was  constituted  in  1845. 
located  in  Xorfolk  C(-unt\.  Its  organization 
is  (hie  ti>  tlie  indefatigahle  lalmrs  of  Deacon 
'I'honias  Jefferson  Harrison,  a  pious  and  in- 
fluential Ilaptist.  then  Jivin"-  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. It  was  througli  his  efforts  also,  and 
that  of  John  Ox)per  and  Mr.  Warden,  that  the 
house  of  worship  was  built.  Mr.  Warden, 
though  not  a  member  of  any  church,  was  a 
warm  friend  of  the  then  feeble  church,  and 
gave  liberally  of  his  means  to  its  support. 

Tlie  first  pastor  was  Rev.  (i.  .\.  Exail.  a 
teacher  in  an  academy  alx)ut  two  miles  from 
the  churcii.  Flis  i)astoratc  was  of  short  dura- 
tion, being  called  away  upon  some  importAnt 
business.  His  place  was  immediately  su])plied 
by  Rev.  E.  F.  Dulin,  of  the  same  academy. 
From  1846  to  1848  the  church  was  without  a 
])astor,  but  was  su])plied  by  pastors  of  other 
churches,  among  whom  were  Revs.  Thomas 
Hume.  Sr.,  Jeremiah  Hendren  and  Robert 
Gortlun,  and  David  Riggs,  of  Pungo. 

In  1848  the  church  called  Kew  Lemuel 
Sanderlin,  of  North  Carolina,  who  entered 
upon  his  duties  in  April.  Rev.  Mr.  Sanderlin 
contiiuied  to  labor  acceptably  until  the  close  of 
summer  (August),.  i<^54,  when  he  was  re- 
moved by  death.  The  church  was  then  with- 
out a  pastor  until  Septeml:)er,  1855,  when  Ke\'. 
Joseph  H.  Wt>ml)le  became  the  minister. 
Upon  Re\".  Mr.  Womble's  resignation.  Rev. 
Abner  Berry  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  near  the  close  of 
his  life. — May,  1858.  After  his  death  Rev. 
William  D.  Pritchard  became  pastor  and 
served  14  years, — an  evidence  of  worth  and 
api)reciation.  During  his  pastorship  Re\-. 
Thomas  G.  Wood,  a  member  of  this  church, 
was  licensed  to  preach,  and  subsequently  or- 
dained at  a  union  meeting  of  the  lower  district 
of  the  Portsmouth  Ba))tist  .\ssociati<m,  by 
Revs.  A.  Paul  Repiton.  D.  I)..  William  D. 
Pritchard,  J.  A.  Speight  and  R.   W.  Cridlin. 

In  Decemljer,  1871,  and  subsequently,  the 


church  dismisseil  43  members  ( nearl}-  one- 
half)  to  constitute  tlie  church  at  Centreville. 
This  left  them  in  a  very  feeble  condition,  so 
that  they  had  to  a])piy  to  the  state  board  for 
aid.  The  state  board,  through  the  union 
meeting  of  the  lower  district,  sent  Ke\'.  J.  A. 
S])eight.  the  then  missionary  of  the  lower  dis- 
trict,   to   preach    for    them    one    Sabbath    in    a 

'  montli. 

Re\-.  Samuel  Saunders  succeeded  I\e\-.  Mr. 
Speight  in  January,  1873,  and  ser\ed  sexen 
mouths,  leaving  to  go  to  the  Southern  Baptist 

j  Theological  Seminary.  Rev.  X.  M.  Munden, 
the  present  pastor,  commenced  his  services 
with  the  cliurch  in  October,  1873.  In  1874 
the  church  was  remodeled.  It  now  numbers 
121   members. 

/.((/.'(•  Dnuiiinond  I-)uf>tisl   Clmrcli 

Is  located  in  .Xorfolk  County,  20  miles  from 
Xorfolk,  and  three  miles  east  from  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp  Canal,  it  was  constituted  July 
2/,  1850,  Revs.  Thomas  Hume.  Sr.,  and  J.  G. 
Councill  officiating.  At  the  time  of  the  or- 
ganization there  were  but  nine  members — five 
males  and  four  females,  who  had  taken  let- 
ters from  the  Xorth  West  Baptist  Cluirch. 
In  July,  185 1,  the  new  house  of  worship,  Ijuilt 
on  a  lot  donated  by  Michael  Sykes,  was  dedi- 
cated, and  the  same  year  the  church  was  ad- 
mitted into  the  Portsmouth  Baptist  Associ- 
ation. 

From  the  time  of  organization  Revs.  Will- 
iam Gates  Thompson  and  Evan  Forbes  ser\ed 
the  church  as  pastors,  during  which  time  there 
were  seven  added  to  the  membership.  From 
1856  to  1857  the  church  with  difficulty  main- 
tained an  e.xistence. 

In  the  winter  of  1864  and  1863  the  colored 
peoule,  led  by  one  Johnson  Hodges,  took  pos- 
session of  the  house  of  worship,  but  were 
promptly  ejected  by  tl^e  Federal  forces.  In 
1866  they  again  attemnted  its  occupancy,  but 
I  were  dispossessed  by  the  civil  authorities. 

During  all  these  years  the  church  was  sup- 
])lied  irregularly  with  preaching,  respectively, 


2  40 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


by  Revs.  Lemuel  and  Dorsey  Sanderliu,  ^^'il!- 
iam  D.  Pritchard,  Absalom  Cherry  and  J.  F. 
Deans,  and  Joseph  Lassel,  of  tlie  [Methodist 
Church. 

In  February,  1S67,  the  cliurcli  again 
called  a  pastor,  and  was  served  until  1873  by 
Revs.  \\'illiam  L.  Fitcher,  Jesse  Wheeler  and 
A\'illiam  D.  Pritchard,  during  which  time  58 
persons  were  added  to  the  membership.  For 
the  next  four  years,  1873- 1876,  inclusive,  Rev. 
J.  Al.  C.  Luke  "goes  in  and  out  among  them;" 
23  members  were  added  to  the  church,  and 
much  material  progress  was  made.  Next  in 
the  pastorship  was  Rev.  O.  T.  Simpson,  who 
served  the  church  for  one  year.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  this  time  Rev.  J.  F.  Tuttle  was 
installed. 

The  church  at  present  is  in  a  healthy,  vig- 
orous condition,  is  in  co-operation  with  the 
general  work  of  the  denomination.  Rev.  D. 
G.  Lancaster  is  .the  present  pastor  and  there 
are  1 1  o  members. 

Salem  Baptist  Church 

Was  originally  called  Tanner's  Creek  and  is 
situated  about  fi\-e  miles  northeast  of  Norfolk. 
Dr.  Howell  said  it  was  brought  into-  existence 
under  the  following  circumstances :  On  Tan- 
ner's Creek,  some  six  miles  from  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  in  the  direction  of  Hampton  Roads, 
was  a  very  fertile,  wealthy  and  populous 
neighborhood.  Here  was  an  old  forsaken 
colonial  meeting  house,  which  their  fathers  had 
occupied  before  the  Revolution.  This  house  a 
Mr.  Brown  and  others  living  near  fitted  up 
for  service,  and  induced  Jeremiah  Hendren, 
of  Norfolk,  to  hold  there  regular  prayer  and 
exhortation  meetings.  The  congregation  now 
became  full,  and  the  leaders  made  application 
to  the  Cumberland  Street  Baptist  Church  to 
license  him  to  preach,  which  it  did  on  July  2, 
1828. 

Early  in  the  next  year  the  brethren  at  Tan- 
ner's Creek  purposed  establishing  a  Baptist 
church  there,  looking  to  the  services  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Hendren  as  prospective  pastor.     For  this 


purpose  they  applied  to  the  churches  in  Nor- 
folk and  Kempsville  for  the  appointment  of  a 
presbytery.  The  former  sent  Rev.  R.  B.  C. 
Howell,  the  latter  Rev.  Smith  Sherwood. 
Being"  assembled,  this  presbytery  first  consti- 
tuted the  church,  next  they  ordained  Rev.  Mr. 
Hendren  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry,  and 
installed  him  as  the  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
then  they  ordained  the  deacons.  Rev.  JNIr. 
Hendren  continued  to  serve  them  as  their  pas- 
tor until  his  death, — which  occurred  in  Janu- 
ary, 1864, — some  35  years. 

This  church  was  alwaj^s  a  feeble  body. 
Rev.  Mr.  Hendren,  being  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile business  in  Norfolk,  was  not  dependent 
upon  the  church  for  support,  but  was  enabled 
to  preach  for  them  almost  gratuitously  during 
the  whole  of  his  long  pastorate. 

In  the  year  1833  the  Portsmouth  Baptist 
Association  met  in  this  church,  and  was  hon- 
ored with  the  presence  of  the  illustrious  John 
Kerr  and  Ira  M.  Allen,  of  Philadelphia.  This 
session  was  a  memorable  one,  on  account  of 
the  strong  and  very  decided  ground  taken  by 
the  lx)dy  against  the  teachings  of  Alexander 
Campbell  and  his  followers,  which  at  that  time 
were  distracting  the  Baptist  churches  of  Vir- 
ginia and  the  country. 

In  the  year  1836  the  name  of  this  church 
was  changed  from  Tanner's  Creek  to  Salem, 
its  present  name.  There  are  no  records  of  the 
church  prior  tO'  the  Confederate  ^^'ar.  The 
membersliip  had  run  down  ver}-  low. 

In  1866  Rev.  Edward  Jordan  was  pastor. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  R.  H.  Baylor  in 
1867.  Of  the  next  two  years  we  have  no  rec- 
ords, but  we  are  in  possession  of  some  facts 
concerning  that  period.  The  meeting-house 
was  in  a  state  of  rapid  decay,  and  the  church 
well  nig-h  extinct. 

J.  Hardy  Hendren,  of  Norfolk,  desirous  of 
building  some  kind  of  monument  in  memory 
of  his  father,  concluded  that  the  best  memorial 
he  could  erect  would  be  to  rebuild  his  father's 
old  church,  which  he  did,  largely  at  his  own  ex- 
pense. Soon  a  spacious  and  neat  house  of 
worship  was  constructed  out  of  the  old  one. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


241 


and  opened  for  public  worship  some  time  alwut 
the  year  1S70.  Soon  he  had  a  flourisliing 
Sunday-school,  with  all  the  modern  appliances 
and  facilities,  two  regular  pastors.  Revs.  .A. 
Paul  Repiton  and  J.  A.  Speight,  with  frequent 
baptisms.  To  help  forward  the  cause,  Rev. 
.\.  B.  Earle  was  invited  to  hold  a  meeting  in 
the  fall  of  1871,  which  he  did  with  only  little 
success.  For  two  or  three  years  the  church 
ran  forward  gloriously  on  the  flood  tide  of 
prosjjerity,  and  then  the  ebb  tide  began. 

October  10,  1872,  Rev.  T.  G.  Wood  was 
elected  pastor.  In  January,  1873,  f^^^'-  J-  -^• 
Speight  was  elected  to  the  same  office.  So  the 
church  had  two  pastors  laboring  jointly  for 
a  short  time.  In  September,  1874,  Rev.  A. 
Paul  Repiton  was  again  made  pastor.  Revs. 
J.  A.  Speight  and  J.  F.  Tuttle  were  joint  pas- 
tors in  1876;  Rev.  Air.  Warren,  of  Norfolk, 
supplied  the  church  in  1S77;  Rev.  R.  W.  Crid- 
lin,  in  i88s  and  1886:  Rev.  W.  P.  Hines,  in 
1 878- 1 888- 1 896- 1 897;  Rev.  J.  J.  Wicker,  in 
1892;  and  l^ev.  Kelly  Hobbs,  in  1899  '^"f^ 
1900.    There  are  40  members. 

Deep  Creek  Baptist  Church 

Is  called  after  the  \illage  of  that  name,  situ- 
ated on  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal,  in  Norfolk 
County,  eight  miles  from  the  city  of  Ports- 
mouth. There  were  a  number  of  Baptists  in 
Deq>  Creek  as  far  back  as  1785.  In  that  year 
12  members  were  receixed  fnim  Deep  Creek 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  Shoulder's  Hill  Bap- 
tist Church.  One  of  these,  Jeremiah  Ritter, 
subsequently  became  a  preacher,  and  was  for 
several  years  the  jjastor  (jf  the  Shoulder's  Hill 
Baptist  Church.  But  there  is  no  evidence  of 
any  regularly  organized  church  at  Deep  Creek 
until  the  year  1830,  when  the  Deep  Creek  Bap- 
tist Church  was  admitted  into  the  Portsmouth 
Baptist  -Association,  with  Rew  Jeremiah  Hen- 
dren  for  its  delegate.  The  tody  was  never 
again  represented  in  the  association ;  after 
being  waited  u\Kn\  by  a  committee  of  the  as- 
sociation, and  borne  with  for  several  years,  it 
was  dropped  in   1840. 


The  present  church  was  organized  August 
29,  1869,  by  Revs.  N.  B.  Cobl),  Harvey 
Hatcher  and  George  J.  Hobday,  with  17  mem- 
l)ers.  The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  .A.  Paul  Repi- 
ton, who  filled  the  pulpit  from  .April  24,  1870, 
uatil  July  26,  1873,  a  little  more  than  three 
years.  Rev.  Air.  Repiton  was  an  attractive 
man  and  gave  a  fresh  impetus  and  prestige  to 
the  Baptist  cause  in  the  village. 

Rev.  J.  AI.  C.  Luke  was  the  next  pastor, 
who  occupied  that  position  from  January  4, 
1874,  to  July  19,  1876,  when  he  resigned,  hav- 
ing served  over  two  years,  not  without  a  meas- 
ure of  success.  Re\-.  A.  E.  Owen,  D.  D.,  filled 
the  pastorate  of  this  church  from  November  i, 
1877,  ""^il  1881.  Then  followed  in  succes- 
sion: Rev.  J.  F.  Tuttle,  Rev.  J.  A.  Speight, 
Rev.  W.  V.  Everton,  Rev.  J.  W.  Harris,  Rev. 
W.  F.  Fisher  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Riddick,  the  pres- 
ent pastor. 

Xorfh  West  Baptist  Church. 

This  church  is  located  in  Norfolk  County, 
aljout  a  mile  from  North  ^^'est  River  Bridge, 
near  the  North  Carolina  line.  It  appears  on  the 
minutes  of  the  Portsmouth  Baptist  Association 
first  as  the  North  Upper  Bridge,  and  then  as 
the  North  West  Upper  Bridge  Church.  In  1820 
it  assumed  its  present  name.  It  so  happened  that 
Baptist  preachers,  traveling  from  Shiloh, 
North  Carolina,  to  Pungo,  Virginia,  preached 
at  private  houses  in  the  neighlxirhood  on  their 
way.  Rev.  Edward  Alinlz,  from  Nansemond 
County,  also  paid  them  frequent  visits  and 
preached  to  the  people.  Out  of  the  fruits  of 
their  lalxirs  the  North  West  Baptist  Church 
was  constituted  in  1782,  and  was  received  into 
the  Kehukee  Baptist  .Association  at  Shoulder's 
Hill  in  1785.  The  records  of  this  church  from 
1782  to  1800, — 18  years, — were  destroyed 
when  the  meeting-house  was  burned  in  1818. 
A  new  church  was  built  in  1821.  The  present 
house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1895. 

Rev.  Jacob  Grigg  was  the  first  pastor  after 
1800,  and  he  served  as  such  from  1S02  to 
1805,  a  period  of  three  years.     Air.   Sample 


242 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


speaks  of  Rev.  !Mr.  Grigg  as  "a  preacher  un- 
surpassed by  any  in  Virginia  for  deqj  in- 
vestigation and  for  clear  and  lucid  exhibitions 
of  divine  truth."  Rev.  Dempse}'  Casey  be- 
came pastor  in  1805,  and  continued  to  serve 
until  1 8 14,  a  period  of  nine  years,  with  only 
partial  success.  Rev.  Peter  Lugg  succeeded 
Rev.  yir.  Case}',  and  remained  from  July, 
1814,  to  February,  1819,  a  period  of  five  years. 
Rev.  Reuben  Dowdy  served  as  pastor  from 
1 82 1  to  1824,  a  period  of  four  years.  Rev. 
Matthias  Etheridge,  one  of  their  own  mem- 
bers, was  next  called  to  the  pastorate,  and  held 
the  ofitice  from  1825  to  1837,  12  years.  He 
was  the  father  of  Dr.  H.  S.  Etheridge,  of  Wal- 
laceton,  \'irginia.  Rev.  William  B.  Dawley 
then  followed,  to  hold  the  office  only  one  year. 
Rev.  Matthias  Etheridge  was  again  chosen 
pastor,  and  ser\-ed  a  second  term  of  three 
years. 

To  say  nothing  of  others  who  filled  the 
office  of  clerk,  it  is  worthy  of  statement  that 
Joseph  Williams  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
church  in  1842,  and  served  over  50  years. 

Rev.  Evan  Forbes,  of  North  Carolina,  was 
made  pastor  in  November,  1842,  and  served 
until  September,  1848,  a  period  of  six  years. 
October  5,  1844,  about  20  members  were  dis- 
missed to  constitute  the  Pleasant  Grove  Bap- 
tist Church.  Rev.  Lemuel  Sanderlin  was 
chosen  pastor  in  September,  1848,  and  served 
the  church  as  such  for  several  years.  April 
'2^,  1850,  a  number  of  members  were  dis- 
missed to  constitute  the  Lake  Drummond  Bap- 
tist Church.  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Womble  was 
chosen  pastor  in  1854,  and  served  the  church 
two  years.  Rev.  A.  Barry  was  pastor  in  1856. 
Rev.  J.  D.  Elwell  assumed  the  pastorate  in 
January.  1857,  and  remained  about  six  years. 
Rev.  A.  J.  Lowe  was  pastor  in  1864  and  1865. 
Rev.  J.  F.  Deans  had  charge  of  the  church  in 
1866,  and  l)aptized  during  the  year  60  per- 
sons. Re\-.  X.  B.  Cobb  was  pastor  two  years, 
—  1867  and  1868.  Rev.  William  F'itcher 
served  the  church  one  year,  in  1869.  Rev.  A. 
Paul  Repiton  was  pastor  from  1870  to  1872. 
Rev.  T.  Babb  then  took  charge  onlv  for  a  few 


months.  Rev.  J.  A.  Speight  was  pastor  of  this 
church  from  June,  1872,  to  the  close  of  1879, 
— about  seven  vears  and  a  half.  Then  fol- 
lowed Revs.  O.'C.  Horton,  J.  A.  Speight,  W. 
V.  Everton,  J.  B.  Chittey  and  P.  S.  C.  Davis, 
the  present  pastor.  The  church  now  has  213 
members. 

Cciitrcz'illc  Baptist  Clutrch. 

This  church,  located  on  the  Great  Road, 
about  four  miles  from  Great  Bridge  and  16 
miles  from  Norfolk,  is  a  branch  from  the  Pleas- 
ant Grove  Baptist  Church,  and  was  consti- 
tuted February  7,  1872,  Revs.  A.  E.  Owen, 
R.  \\'.  Cridlin  and  ].  A.  Speight,  with  brethren 
W.  A.  Smith,  J.  B.  Howell,  A.  O.  Lee  and 
J.  ]\I.  Sawyer  composing  the  council.  The 
house  of  worship  had  been  previously  con- 
structed, and  was  dedicated  January  7,  1872. 
Re\'.  N.  M.  Munden  officiating.  The  church 
was  organized  with  41  meinbers,  representing" 
all  lhe  essential  elements  of  efficiency  usually 
found  in  the  most  highly  fa\'ored  country 
churches. 

Re\-.  J.  F.  Tuttle  was  pastor  in  1882,  and 
was  followed  successivelv  bv  Rev.  T-  A. 
Speight,  Rev.  W .  V.  Everton,  Rev.  J.  M.'  Dun- 
away,  Rev.  P.  S.  C.  Davis,  Rev.  J.  B.  Chitty 
and  Rev.  S.  B.  Overton,  the  present  pastor. 
This  church  has  jy  members  and  its  building 
is  valued  at  $1,200. 

Miilhcrrv  Baptist   Church. 

This  church  is  located  near  the  Western 
Branch  in  Norfolk  County,  about  six  miles 
west  of  Portsmouth.  It  was  constituted  in 
December,  1849,  '^X  ^  presbytery  consisting  of 
Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  Sr.,  and  Rev.  James  G. 
Council],  the  missionary  of  the  lower  district. 
The  ser\-ices  were  held  in  the  public  school- 
house,  and  six  manbers  entered  into  the  or- 
ganization. The  church  was  erected  in  1850. 
Rev.  James  G.  Councill  was  the  first  pastor 
and  served  for  four  years,  increasing  the  mem- 
bership to  84   whites   and   two  colored.      In 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


243 


Sq)teml)er,  1857,  Rev.  Isaiali  T.  Wallace  was 
ordained  in  the  church.  When  the  Confed- 
erate ^\'a^  broke  out  the  members  became 
dispirited  and  scattered.  The  cluirch  building 
was  torn  down  by  the  Federal  troops,  and 
after  the  war  the  church  membership  was  al- 
most extinct.  The  church  edifice  was  rebuilt, 
but  the  membership  became  gradually  reduced 
to  six,  and  in  1899  tlie  church  was  dropped 
from  the  association. 

Bethel  Baptist  Church 

Is  situated  in  Norfolk  County,  about  10  miles 
from  the  city  of  Norfolk.  It  was  organized  in 
1889.  Rev.  P.  S.  C.  Davis  is  the  pastor.  The 
building  is  valued  at  81,500  and  the  church 
has  a  membership  of  98. 

Berkley  Avenue  Baptist  Church,  Berkley, 

Was  organized  September  8.  1873,  by  the 
following  presbytery,  called  together  for  that 
purpose,  viz:  Revs.  A.  Paul  Repiton,  D.  D., 
R.  W.  Cridlin,  A.  E.  Owen,  N.  M.  Munden 
and  \\'illiam  D.  Pritchard.  Only  16  members 
entered  into  the  original  constitution. 

Rev.  J.  F.  Deans  immediately  took  the  pas- 
toral oversight  of  this  little  flock,  and  preached 
for  them  until  1875.  Alxnit  this  time  Re\-.  E. 
M.  Buyrn  came  to  Berkley,  and  astonished  the 
people  by  his  pleasing  elocution,  but  his  stay 
was  short.  From  1875  to  1877  there  was  no 
regidar  preaching,  except  an  occasional  ser- 
mon on  Sunday  afternoons  by  the  pastors  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  and  Sunday  night 
preaching  for  a  few  months  b\'  Re\\  Reuben 
Jones,  of  Churchland.  On  July  16,  1878, 
Rev.  Robert  V'andeventer,  from  Crozer  Theo- 
logical Seminary,  took  the  pastorate.  The 
membership  increased  from  24  to  60.  In  1881 
they  erected  a  house  of  worship,  on  a  central 
and  eligible  lot.  which  was  given  them  by  ^Ir. 
Berkley.  Rev.  FI.  N.  Ouisenhury  was  pastor 
in  1892,  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  W.  Duke  in 
1896.  who  was  followed  in  1898  by  Rev.  T. 
C.  Skinner,  the  present  pastor.  This  church 
^•35  337  members  and  the  property  is  valued 
at  $12,000. 


Broadway  Baptist  Church 

Is  situated  between  Great  Bridge  and  Kemps- 
ville  in  Norfolk  County,  about  four  miles  from 
Berkley.  It  was  organized  in  1899,  has  a 
memljership  of  17,  and  its  property  is  valued 
at  $300.     Rev.  S.  S.  Robertson  is  pastor. 

METHODIST  EPISCOP.XL  CHURCHES,  SOUTH. 

There  are,  in  all,  35  Methodist  Episcopal 
churches  in  Norfolk  County. 

SEVEN   IN    NORFOLK. 

Epworth   852  members. 

Queen  Street 589  members. 

>rcKendrce  • 580  members 

Cumberland   Street 58/    members. 

Centenarv   353  members. 

Lekie's  Memorial 263  members. 

Trinity    237   members. 

FIVE  IN   PORTSMOUTH. 

Monum'cnta!    650   members. 

Central    603   members. 

Wright   Memorial 432  members. 

Owens   Memorial 240   members- 
Park  View 213  members 

SEVF.N     IN     WESTERN    BR.\NCH     M.AGISTERI.^L    DISTRICT. 

Port   Norfolk loi    members. 

West  Norfolk 57  members. 

Churchland    55   members. 

Joliffs ^-'ot    reported. 

Olive   Branch Not   reported. 

Brighton    Not    reported. 

Cottage  Place Not  reported. 

FOUR    IN    \V.\SHINCTON     M.\CISTERI.\L    DISTRICT. 

Chestnut    Street,    Berkley 425  members. 

Liberty  Street.  South  Norfolk 176  members. 

Oak  Grove  77  members. 

Oaklette    37  members. 

FOUR    IN    T.\NNER's    CREEK    MACI.STERI.JiL    DISTRICT. 

Lambert's    Point 215  members. 

Huntersville    loi  members. 

Bethel    52  members. 

Denby's   Not  reported. 

THREE  IN   PLE.\S.\NT  GROVE   MAGISTERI.XL  DISTRICT. 

Good    Hope 154  members. 

Bethesda    128  members. 

Tabernacle  Not  reported. 

THREE  IN    DEEP  CREEK    M.XGISXERIAL   DISTRICT. 

Gilmerton    Not  reported. 

Deep  Creek   Not  reported. 

Indiana    Not  reported. 

TWO  IN  butt's  ROAD  MAGISTERIAL  DISTRICT. 

Indian  Creek  44  members. 

Mount  Pleasant  Not  reported. 


244 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Cumberland    Street    M.    E.    Church,    South, 
Norfolk. 

The  first  Methodist  Society  founded  in 
Virginia  was  organized  in  Norfolk  in  1772, 
and  is  accredited  to  Rev.  Roljert  Wilhams, 
who,  on  his  arrival  here,  preached  his  lirst  ser- 
mon on  the  Court  House  steps,  which  was  on 
the  site  of  the  great  dry  goods  store  on  Main 
street  at  the  head  of  Market  Square.  History 
records  that  they  owned  no  church  edifice  here 
before  1793  or  1794.  Their  regular  place  of 
worship  until  the  Revolutionary  struggle  is 
supposed  to  have  been  the  old  shattered  build- 
ing, the  "Play  House,"  referred  tO'  in  the 
writings  of  Pilmoor  and  Ashbury. 

Tlie  first  church  erected  on  Cumberland 
street  was  on  the  site  where  the  present  build- 
ing stands,  and  was  completed  in  1802. 

In  March,  1803,  97  years  ago,  Bishop  Ash- 
bury preached  in  it.  The  present  edifice  is  the 
third  one  built,  the  second  building  having  been 
destroyed  by  fire  on  the  night  of  March  2, 
1848.  The  third  church  was  finished  in  Janu- 
ary, 1849,  ^i^d  on  the  8th  of  that  month  was 
dedicated  by  Rev.  John  E.  Edwards,  D.  D. 
The  Methodists  numbered  at  that  time,  white 
and  colored,  between  600  and  700  members. 

In  1S48  and  1849,  such  was  the  growth  of 
Methodism  that  the  time  had  ripened  for  the 
building  of  a  new  church  edifice,  and  measures 
were  taken  to  accomplish  the  result,  and  the 
erection  of  the  Granby  Street  Church  was 
commenced  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Dr. 
John  E.  Edwards,  and  the  building  was  com- 
pleted and  dedicated  by  Dr.  Edwards  in  1850, 
who  was  its  first  pastor.  From  tliis  church  also 
sprang  Centenary  and  McKendree,  two  influ- 
ential and  self-sustaining  stations.  Queen 
Street  Church  was  the  direct  product  of  the 
Cumberland  Street  Church,  as  was  also  the 
Chestnut  Street  CIuutIi  in  Berkley.  The 
Huntersville  Church  is  a  child  of  the  Granby 
Street  Church,  now  Epworth.  So-  that  from 
the  small  number  of  600  members,  Methodism 
in  Norfolk  during  the  last  128  years  has  grown 
to  nearly  4,000,  with  about  12,000  adheraits. 


The  total  membership  in  the  Norfolk  district 
is  about  7,000;  total  value  of  church  property 
in  Norfolk,  $265,000;  number  of  pastors, 
eight;  local  preachers,  three. 

Epzvorth  M.  E.  Church,  Sonlli,  Norfolk, 

Is  one  of  the  finest  buildings  in  the  South.  It 
was  formerly  Granby  Street  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  South,  which  was  organized  50 
years  ago. 

Dr.  William  A.  Smith,  \yhile  pastor  of  the 
Cumberland  Street  Church,  saw  the  need  of  a 
new  organization,  and  declared  to  his  people 
that  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  and  of 
Methodism  demanded  that  they  build  another 
church  and  organize  a  new  society.  Under 
the  pastorate  of  Dr.  J.  E.  Edwards,  in  1848- 
49,  measures  were  taken  to  accomplish  this 
result.  A  lot  on  the  corner  of  Freemason  and 
Granbv  streets, — a  most  eligible  location, — 
was  secured,  and  the  Granby  Street  Church 
was  built.  It  was  completed  in  1850,  and  on 
the  1st  of  December  of  that  year  116  members 
withdrew  from  the  Cumberland  Street  Church 
and  organized  the  Granby  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  The  church  was 
dedicated  on  Sunday,  December  — ,  1850,  by 
Dr.  John  E.  Edwards,  who  was  its  first  pastor. 
The  official  board  consisted  of  the  following 
stewards:  H.  W.  Williams,  James  Hicks, 
Nathaniel  Nash,  E.  J.  Griffith,  G.  \Y.  W. 
Camp,  C.  F.  Martin,  E.  R.  Gale.  Trustees : 
J.  H.  Nash,  Benjamin  W.  Gatch,  James  M. 
Brooks.  William  P.  Griffith,  William  Callis, 
E.  H.  Delk,  William  Taylor,  Horatio  N.  Will- 
iams. Dr.  John  E.  Edwards  was  the  first 
pastor  of  the  church,  filling  the  station  from 
1850  to  1852.  He  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  D.  S. 
Doggett. 

The  subject  of  a  new  church  building  had 
been  agitated  for  several  _\-ears.  The  congre- 
gation felt  that  a  more  modern  and  more  com- 
modious building  was  needed.  In  March, 
1892,  Dr.  William  E.  Evans  called  upon  the 
congregation  for  a  suliscription  for  this  pur- 
pose, and  the  sum  of  $42,000    was    at    once 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


245 


realized.  The  conmiiUee  apix)iiited  to  select 
a  suitable  site  purchased  a  large  and  elevated 
lot  on  the  corner  of  Freemason  and  Boush 
streets,  one  square  west  of  the  old  site,  and  on 
this  was  built  a  church  which  is  second  to 
none  in  Virginia  or  in  the  South.  The  corner- 
stone was  laid  with  Masonic  rites  on  the  24th 
day  of  April.  1894,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
concourse  of  people,  and  Rev.  A.  Coke  Smith, 
I).  D.,  delivered  an  elocjuent  and  able  address. 
It  was  completed  and  dedicated  on  the  19th 
day  of  Januarx',  1896,  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Coke 
Smith,  who  delixercd  a  powerful  sermon,  from 
Titus,  2d  chapter,  ixlh  to  14th  verses,  to  an 
inimense  audience.  It  is  a  magnificent  struct- 
ure, with  an  interior  symmetrical  and  charm- 
ing, and  withal  comfortable;  an  exterior  stately 
and  imposing;  and  with  its  elegance  and  rich- 
ness of  frescoing,  fittings  and  furnishings  un- 
suqiassed.  It  is  truly  a  work  of  art,  and  an 
ornament  to  the  citv  of  Norfolk.  The  memliers 
of  the  congregation  felt  more  than  gratified  at 
the  happy  consummation  of  their  long-cher- 
ished hopes  and  plans,  but  perha])s  no  one  felt 
ha])pier  than  did  William  Taylor,  the  oldest 
living  member,  who  came  out  from  the  old 
Cumberland  Street  Church  and  helped  to  build 
the  Granl)y  Street  Church,  and,  after  serving 
on  the  Epworth  Church  Building  Committee, 
was  spared  to  see  the  dedication  of  their  grand 
church  edifice.  The  following  are  the  officers 
of  the  church : 


William  Taylor,  Chairniaii. 
H.  C.  Davis,  J.  D.  Gale. 

J.  L.  Roper.  A.  J,  Deiiby, 

M.  C.  Ferebee,  B.  D.  Thomas. 

R.  A.  Dodson,  R.  O.  Nottingham, 

STEWARDS. 

John  L.  Roper,  Chairman. 

W.  M.  Jones.  Secretary. 

L.  Clay  Kilby.  Church  Treasurer. 

K.  T.  Bockover.  Poor  Fund  Treasurer. 

W.  B.  Roper,  Choir  Fund  Treasurer. 

John  H.  Thompson,  Recording  Steward. 


J.   W.   Perry, 
B.  G.  Pollard, 
T.  S.  Southgate, 
W.  T.  Simcoe. 
John  T.  Bolton, 
William  A.  Wrcnn, 


G.  R.  .Atkinson, 
-M.  L.  T.  Davis, 
J.  L.  Walker, 


W.  D.  Rountree. 
R.  D.  Thomas, 
D.  J.  Turner, 


W.  J.  N'esev, 
McD.  L.  Wrcnn, 
J.  Svdnev  Smith, 
C\  \\'.   Harrcll. 
F.  C.  Deming, 
A.  C.  Miley. 


McKendree  M.  E.   Church,  South,  Norfolk. 

There  is  ])robably  no  other  congregation 
in  the  Virginia  Conference  which  has  grown 
more  rapidly  than  that  now  worshi])ing  in  the 
McKendree  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  of  Norfolk,  \'irginia.  I'Brambleton 
Ward.) 

This  section  of  the  city  has  increased  so 
rapidly  in  ].>opulation  that  in  a  few  years  it 
has  been  transformed  from  a  small  suburb  of 
500  people  into  a  populous  and  one  of  the 
most  important  residential  wards  of  the  city, 
with  over  6,000  inhabitants, — a  community  of 
thrifty,  industrious  business  men  and  mechan- 
ics, a  large  percentage  of  whom  own  their 
homes. 

This  fully  explains  the  fact  that,  in  the 
same  short  time,  the  little  chapel  which  was 
built  for  this  progressive  congregation,  about 
15  years  ago,  by  its  worthy  mother,  the  Gran- 
by  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
has  been  re])laced  by  a  commodious  and  well- 
appointed  edifice,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
over  800,  and  every  modern  appliance  for  the 
comfort  and  convenience  of  those  who  seek  its 
walls  to  worship.  This  property  cost  alx)ut 
$25,000,  and  is  truly  a  monument  to  Method- 
ism. The  new  church  was  dedicated  on  Oc- 
tober 2,  1892,  Dr.  R.  X.  Sledd  preaching  the 
sermon.  The  church  was  named  for  the  late 
Bishop  McKendree. 

Queen  Street  M.  E.  Church.  South.  Norfolk. 

Early  in  1877  the  church  building  was  fin- 
ished. It  stood  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Queen  and  Newton  streets,  where  one  of  the 
buildings  of  the  Rallentine  Arcade  now 
stands,  was  a  rectangular  brick  structure, 
without  tower  or  spire,  plain  and  neat  in  ap- 
pearance, comfortably  furnished,  had  no  gal- 


246 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


leries,  and  would  accommodate  about  400  per- 
sons. At  first  it  had  but  one  room,  but  after- 
ward a  pastor's  study  was  built  in  the  rear  of 
the  pulpit.  The  dedicatory  services  were  held 
on  Sunday,  February  25,  1877,  with  large  con- 
gregations in  attendance.  Rev.  John  E.  Ed- 
wards, D.  D.,  preached  btjth  morning  and 
evening. 

The  house  of  worship  above  described, 
after  several  years  of  use.  was  found  to  have 
been  defectively  constructed ;  the  walls  were 
bulging  in  such  a  manner  as  to  render  the 
whole  structure  unsafe.  It  was  decided  to  pull 
down  the  building,  sell  the  lot,  purchase  a  bet- 
ter one  oil  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  a 
little  further  east,  and  erect  a  much  larger  and 
better  edifice.  In  December,  1885,  a  lot  was 
bought  on  the  corner  of  Queen  and  Pulaski 
streets,  a  temporary  tabernacle  was  erected  for 
the  use  of  the  congregatioi:,  and  some  time 
during  1886  the  present  handsome  building 
was  begun.  The  lecture-room  wing  was  first 
built  and  occupied.  The  opening  services  were 
held  (m  Sunday,  February  27,  1887,  sermons 
being  preached  by  Rev.  W.  V.  Tudor,  D.  D., 
Rev.  L.  B.  Betty,  and  Rev.  A.  G.  Brown. 
Work  on  the  auditorium  was  begun  in  July, 
1888,  and  the  entire  building  was  completed 
in  1 89 1.  The  dedicator}-  exercises  were  held 
on  Sunday,  January  11.  i8yi,  and  in  spite  of 
the  \ery  inclement  weather  large  congrega- 
tions were  in  attendance.  Bishop  Robert  K. 
Hargrove,  D.  D.,  officiated  and  preached  both 
morning  and  evening.  This  cburcJT  has  con- 
tinued to  grow  very  rapidly,  and  is  now  one 
among  the  largest  in  the  district. 

Mdiiiiincntal  -M.    E.    CInircIi.    South.    Ports- 
inoiitli. 

The  day  after  Re\-.  Robert  Williams 
preached  in  Norfolk,  which  was  in  the  early 
part  of  1772.  he  preached  in  Portsmouth  on 
the  invitation  of  Isaac  Luke,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  the  place.  Rev.  Air.  Williams  remained 
in  the  twin  cities  a  month  or  more,  preaching 
to  large  congregations. 


.\  class  was  formed 


under  the  care  of  Isaac  Luke,  and  Monumental 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  goes 
back  in  unbroken  secpience  to  that  organiza- 
tion. 

Nine  years  prior  to  this  it  is  said'  that  the 
great  \\'hitfield  appeared  in  Portsmouth. 
William  Maxwell's  recollections  of  his  mother, 
printed  in  the  Antiquary,  reports  her  as  say- 
ing in  referring  to  her  mother :  "She  took 
me,  too,  to  church  along  with  her  ever}-  Sun- 
da}-,  and  I  got  some  good,  I  suppose,  from  the 
sermons  I  heard,  though  I  cannot  say  that  I 
remember  any  of  them,  particularl}-,  e.xcept 
one.  This  was  a  sermon  which  I  had  the 
happiness  to  hear  from  the  great  Mr.  ^Vhit- 
field,  when  I  was  alxiut  12  or  13  years  old. 
He  preached  in  Portsmouth  and  stood  out,  I 
remember,  on  the  steps  of  a  house  not  far 
from  the  Ferry  wharf,  for  such  crowds  of 
people  had  come  in  from  all  cpiarters  to  hear 
him  that  no  house  could  hold  them  all.  •  And 
there  he  held  his  white  handkerchief  in  his 
hand  and  talked  away  with  a  loud,  sweet 
voice  that  I  shall  never  cease  to  be  hearing. 
His  text  was  from  the  3d  chapter  of  John, 
'Ye  must  be  born  again.'  'Poor  Nichodemus, 
methinks  I  see  him  now — a  ruler  of  the  Jews — 
and  vet  did  not  know  that  he  must  be  born 
again.'  At  another  time  he  broke  out,  'Alas, 
I  tell  vou  I  might  as  well  think  to  stop  yon 
vessel  under  sail,  by  wa\'ing  this  handker- 
chief at  her,'  wa\ing  while  he  spoke,  'as  for 
one  of  you  to  think  of  getting  to  heaven  with- 
out being  born  again.'  All  the  people  were 
moved.  For  my  part,  I  thought  I  ne\er  heard 
anything  like  him  before,  and,  no  doubt,  he 
did  me  more  good  than  I  knew-  at  the  time — 
for  I  have  felt  his  words,  or  rather  the  words 
of  our  blessed  Savior  himself,  in  my  heart  from 
that  time  to  this."  As  ]\[rs.  Maxwell  was 
born  June  20,  1750,  it  must  have  been  during 
Whitfield's  visit  in  1763  that  she  heard  him  in 
Portsmouth. 

The  first  house  in  which  the  Methodists 
worshiped  in  Portsmouth,  apart  from  private 
residences,  was  the  one  which  stood  at  the  in- 
tersection of  South  and  Effingham  streets.    In 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


247 


1792  tlie  coiii^regation  purchased  a  lot  in  (ilas- 
gow  street  from  Director  Friedly.  and  traili- 
tion  says  that  tlie  Iiouse  on  Soutli  and  Efhng- 
h.ani  streets  was  mo\ed  on  wheels  or  round 
jKiIes  to  the  new  site.  The  first  ]\Iethodist 
cluirch  was  a  plain  AVLXxlen  structure,  alxait 
40  by  30  feet,  its  longest  side  parallel  to  and 
on  tlie  line  of  Glasgow  street,  it  was  twice 
enlarged  to  meet  the  demands  of  a  constantly 
increasing  congregation.  In  the  first  instance 
an  addition  of  about  20  feet  was  added  to  the 
east  end.  and  along  this  a  "singing  gallery," 
as  the  records  term  it,  was  erected  for  the 
choir.  In  the  second  instance  an  "L"  was 
aildetl  to  the  side  furthest  from  the  street,  and 
two  additional  galleries  were  a)nstructed. 
This  made  the  gi-ound  plan  of  the  building  in 
the  fomi  of  a  "T."  and  with  the  pulpit  moved 
to  the  center  and  fronting  the  new  extension, 
the  church  was  ci>nsidered  the  most  conveni- 
ently arranged  of  any  in  this  section.  No 
trace  of  the  building  save  the  foundation  re- 
mains. It  was  given  up  to  the  colored  people, 
and  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1856.  Re\-.  Jesse 
Nicholson  is  buried  in  the  church\ard.  The 
inscription  on  his  tomb  is:  "Sacred  to  the 
-Memory  of  Jesse  Nicholson,  Patriot  of  the 
.\merican  Revolution.  A  most  exemplary 
Christian — 45  years  a  minister  of  the  M.  E. 
Cluirch.  a  man  loved  and  venerated  for  his 
many  virtues,  died  September  26,  1834,  aged 
75  years."  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier, 
county  surveyor.  Methodist  minister,  school 
teacher,  and  postmaster  of  Portsmouth.  He 
lived  on  High  street,  the  present  site  of  the 
Hume  stores.  He  was  always  a  highly  re- 
spected citizen  and  a  useful  man. 

A  large  brick  church  edifice  was  erected  on 
Dinwiddie  street  between  1830  and  1833.  with 
a  seating  capacity  for  1,000  persons.  During 
the  Confederate  \\'ar  this  building  was  seized 
by  the  Ncrthern  Methotlist  Episcopal  Church 
and  while  in  its  possession  was  consumed  by 
fire  in  1864.  .Afterward  a  building  was  erected 
I  in  the  rear  portion  of  the  same  lot  and  was 
used  for  pul)lic  worship  until  1876,  when  the 
present  Monumental  Church    was    completed. 


This  edifice  is  Gothic,  with  a  lofty  spire,  richly 
stained  glass  windows,  with  a  seating"  capacity 
of  800. 

Clu'stintt  Street  M.  E.  Cluirch,  South, 
Berkley. 

The  history  of  this  church  is  \'ery  inter- 
esting, and  is  but  another  proof  of  the  active, 
progressive  spirit  of  the  people  called  Metho- 
dists. 

In  the  year  1870  several  Alethodist  fami- 
lies moved  to  the  little  \illage  then  called 
Ferry  Point;  there  was  at  that  time  no  steam 
ferry  communication  with  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, foot  boats  being  used  at  irregular  in- 
ter\-als.  There  was  no  church  in  the  place  ex- 
cept the  Christian  Church,  Rev.  Stephen  Bar- 
rett, pastor.  Soon,  on  account  of  the  distance 
from,  and  the  great  inconvenience  in  reaching, 
the  churches  of  which  they  were  members, 
these  few  ]\Iethodists  determined  to  form  a 
society  and  make  arrangements  for  regular 
church  services ;  a  room  was  secured  in  the  old 
Court  House,  fitted  up  for  religious  services 
and  called  the  chapel,  and  here  the)-  met  for 
divine  worship,  with  some  one  of  the  Methodist 
preachers  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  preach- 
ing on  Sunday  afternoon  and  the  society  hold- 
ing class  and  jjrayer  meetings  during  week 
nights.  This  continued  until  November  27, 
1870,  when  Rev.  A.  G.  Brown,  presiding  el- 
der of  the  Norfolk  District,  met  the  society  in 
the  chapel  and  formally  organized  the  church. 

The  following  was  the  first  official  roll : 
H.  C.  Oieatham.  preacher  in  charge;  H.  B.  C. 
\\alker.  M.  C.  Keeling.  H.  V.  Moore,  C.  S. 
Rogers  and   Enos   Cuthrell,   stewards. 

Central   .1/.    E.    Church.   South.   Fortsinouth. 

Forty-four  years  ago,  in  1856,  Wesley 
Chapel  Mission  was  established  by  the  Din- 
widdie Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  to  meet  the  increasing  demands  of 
Methodism  in  Portsmouth. 

The  demand  for  a  larger  editice  beoming 


24S 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


imperative,  the  old  cliurch  was  sold  in  April, 
1870,  to  a  colored  Baptist  congregation,  and 
a  site  purchased  on  County  street,  near  Wash- 
ington street,  and  a  new  building'  commenced, 
tO'  be  called  Central  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  The  corner-stone  was  laid 
with  Masonic  ceremonies,  April  22,  1870,  D. 
D.  Fiske,  master  of  Naval  Lodge,  No.   100, 

A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  officiating.  Rev.  P.  A.  Peter- 
son delivered  on  this  occasion  a  very  able  and 
interesting  address  on  "Historic  Methodism." 

From  the  time  of  the  delivery  of  the  old 
church  to  its  purchasei's  to  September  4,  1870, 
the  membership  of  Wesley  Chapel,  numbering" 
about  225,  worshiped  in  Oxford  Hall,  on  High 
street,  between  Court  and  Middle.  On  the 
25th  day  of  October.  1874,  the  building  being 
complete,  it  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Robert  N. 
Sledd,  D.  D.  Below  is  given  the  first  board 
of  stewards,  and  then  the  board  now  in  office : 
Wesley  Chapel — George  L.  Neville,  B.  H. 
Owens,  John  L.  Thomas,  James  M.  Butt, 
John  H.  Thompson.  Central  Church — Reu- 
l)en  Bohlken,  John  L.  Thomas,  William  Ives, 

B.  B.  Warren,  W.  L.  Hewlett,  W.  B.  Wilder, 
B.  H.  Owens,  George  W.  Wonycotte,  Harvey 
Lane,  J.  E.  Thompson,  F.  A.  Friedlin,  W.  E. 
Weber  and  Thomas  C.  Rice.  The  church  has 
outgrown  its  present  building  and  is  preparing 
to  erect  a  fine  stone  structure  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  South  and  Washington  streets. 

Memorial    M.    E.    Church,    South, 


]]  'rigli 


Portsmouth. 


In  1861  the  name  of  Gosport  Station  was 
changed  to  Second  Street.  There  Methodism 
prospered  for  many  years.  It  has  been  esti- 
mated that  1,500  souls  were  converted  in  that 
house.  The  location,  style  and  size  of  this 
building  not  meeting  the  demands  of  the  grow- 
ing congregation,  November  11,  1882,  while 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  George  M. 
Wright,  a  lot  was  purchased  through  W.  H. 
Elliott  on  the  corner  of  Randolph  and  Fourth 
streets,  and  the  foundation  for  a  new  church 
edifice,  to  be  called  Centenarv,  was  begun  Tulv, 
1883. 


September  13th,  of  the  same  year,  the  cor- 
ner-stone was  laid  by  Naval  Lodge,  No.  100, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  April  12,  1885,  the  building 
Avas  formally  dedicated  by  Rev.  R.  N.  Sledd, 
D.  D.  The  church  is  a  handsome  edifice,  and 
is  eligibly  located.  Its  size,  outside  measure- 
ment, is  45  by  90  feet;  height  of  spire,  130 
feet :  audience  room.  42  by  63  feet,  with  a 
gallery  14  by  42  feet;  seating  capacit}-,  500. 
The  interior  is  attractive,  the  walls  and  alcove 
in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit  being  tastefully  fres- 
coed, the  windows  of  beautiful  stained  glass, 
the  pews  comfortable.  It  is  heated  by  a  fur- 
nace located  in  the  basement,  and  is  lighted  by 
electricity. 

Board  of  stewards :  Chairman,  C.  A.  Mc- 
Lean ;  secretary,  George  Davis ;  treasurer,  R. 
A.  Etheridge;  members,  G.  T.  Townsend, 
John  E.  West,  E.  Cross,  A.  C.  Bushnell,  J.  C. 
Sumners,  Edward  Powell,  R.  H.  McLean,  A. 
P.  Cuthriell,  J.  O.  Bailey,  T.  B.  Tyler,  T.  J. 
King,  William  Anderton,  J.  J.  King  and  C.  A. 
Moody. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  1885,  Rev.  George  M. 
Wright,  to  whom  the  church  felt  indebted  for 
his  untiring  efforts  to  build  their  beautiful 
house  of  worship,  died.  Shortly  afterward,  at 
the  suggestion  of  the  pastors  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  in  Norfolk,  Ports- 
mouth and  Berkley,  the  Ouarterl_\-  Conference 
by  unanimous  vote  changed  the  name  of  the 
church  to  Wright  Memorial. 

Oak  Grove  ^[.  E.  Churcli,  South, 

Is  located  near  the  site  of  the  British  fort  at 
Great  Bridge.  It  was  first  called  Cutherell's 
meeting-house,  but  in  1842  it  was  removed 
from  that  site  about  one  mile  distant  to  the 
present  location,  when  the  name  was  changed 
to  Oak  Grove.  The  church  building  was  oc- 
cupied by  the  Federals  as  barracks  and  hos- 
pital for  about  three  years  during  the  Con- 
federate War;  it  was  almost  entirely  destroyed 
during  their  occupancy.  The  board  of  stew- 
ards is  constituted  as  follows:  Maj.  \\'illiam 
H.  Etheredge,  Frank  Williamson,  Charles  N. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


249 


l-'oreiiiaii,     Alexaiuler     Stokes     and     Luther 
Ktheredge. 

Deep  Creek  M.  E.  Cliiirch,  South. 

This  church,  prior  to  the'  Confederate 
War,  was  called  Rehobeth;  during  the  war  it 
was  entirely  destroyed  by  the  h'ederal  troops, 
who  used  the  materials  to  construct  barracks. 
A  new  building  has  since  been  erected  on  a 
new  site  in  the  heart  of  the  village. 

BENEVOLEXT   AND   KRATERXAL   ORGAXIZATIOXS 
OF    XORFOLK. 

Miuoiiry  in  Norfolk. 

This  article  was  wrillcii  for  the  "Century"  edition 
of  the  Virginian-Pilol  by  Fast  Master  Henry  L.  Turner. 

We  find  from  the  earliest  records,  accord- 
ing to  "Auld  and  Smellie's  Freemason's 
Pocket  Companion,"  piiblished  in  Edinburgh, 
A.  D.  1765,  under  the  heading:  An  exact  list 
of  the  Regular  English  lodges  according  to 
their  Seniority  and  Constitution  ur.der  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1 71 7,  recorded  No.  172, — "The  Royal 
Exchange,  in  the  Borough  of  Norfolk,  in 
Virginia,    the    1st    Thursday    of    December, 

I733-". 

This  lodge  was  one  of  the  original  eight 
which  met  in  ^\■illiamsburg  on  the  6th  of  Ma}-, 
1777,  by  request  of  Williamsburg  Lodge,  No. 
6.  The  deliberations  of  this  convention  re- 
sulted in  the  fomiation  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Virginia  on  the  13th  day  of  October,  1778. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Vir- 
ginia, held  in  October,  1786,  a  committee  regu- 
lated the  rank  and  standing  of  the  several 
lodges  then  under  its  jurisdiction.  This  lodge, 
Royal  Exchange,  No.  172,  was  changed  to 
Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i,  and  constituted  as 
dating  from  1741.  There  is  a  difterence  in 
dates  here:  the  original  charter  was  dated 
1733,  and  it  is  claimed  to  be  the  oldest  lodge 
in  existence  in  the  United  States.  It  was, 
however,  kept  on  the  register  of  the  Grand 
Lodge    of    England    until     181 3.       Mathew 


riiripp,  Esq.,  was  the  representative  of  this 
lodge  in  the  Williamsburg  Convention.  He 
was  honored  by  Ijeing  chosen  the  president  of 
the  convention.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1778 
we  find  the  names  of  Mathew  Phripp  and  Paul 
Loyall  (this  gentleman  was  evidently  one  of 
the  ancestors  of  the  Loyall  family  now  in  our 
cityj,  representing  Lodge  No.  i  at  the  session 


of  the  Grand  Lodge    of 


Virginia 


m    1790. 


Thomas  Matthews,  of  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i, 
who  was  the  speaker  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates, was  elected  grand  master,  being  the  5t!i 
grand  master.  In  1793  Mr.  Matthews  was 
presented  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  with 
an  elegant  past  master's  jewel.  At  the  Grand 
Communication  held  December,  1798,  a  char- 
ter was  granted  for  the  establishment  of  a 
lodge  to  be  known  as  Napthal  Lodge,  No.  56, 
with  Robert  Brough,  grand  master;  John  K. 
Read,  S.  W. ;  and  James  Kerr,  J.  W.  This 
lodge  was  regularly  represented  for  some 
years  by  Mr.  Brough. 

The  year  1801  was  very  unhealthy,  as 
the  lodges  lost  by  death  during  this  year  1 1 
members.  The  year  181 3  seems  to  have  been 
very  peculiarly  unhealthy  or  there  must  have 
been  an  epidemic,  as  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i, 
l(jst  14, — among  the  number  P.  G.  M.  Mat- 
thews,— and  Napthali  Lodge,  No.  56,  26;  a 
total  of  40.  At  the  Grand  Communication 
held  December,  181 3,  Robert  Brough,  of 
Napthali  Lodge,  No.  56,  was  elected  grand 
master.  The  two  lodges  lost  by  death  during 
181 5,  13.  Norfolk  health  at  that  time  must 
have  been  very  poor,  for  there  certainly  could 
not  have  been  more  than  150  Masons,  and  a 
death  rate  of  10  per  cent,  was  fearful.  With 
a  membership  at  the  present  time,  A.  D.  1900, 
of  450,  the  death  rate  for  the  last  three  years 
has  averaged  one-half  of  one  per  cent.,  show- 
ing a  vast  improvement  in  the  health,  cer- 
tainly, of  the  members  of  the  fraternity. 

There  was  also  a  lodge  in  the  city  known 
as  the  Lodge  of  Truth,  which  evidently 
worked  in  the  French  language,  as  the  names 
of  its  members  recorded  as  visiting  Norfolk 
Lodge,  No.   I,  and  Napthali  Lodge,  No.  56, 


250 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


\vere  those  of  Frenchmen  ( in  fact,  some  of  the 
descendants  of  those  good  French  Masons  were 
known  to  flie  writer),  but  all  records  in  rela- 
tion to  it  have  disappeared.  Probably  they 
may  be  in  the  possession  of  some  of  the  de- 
scendants of  those  good  old  Frenchmen.  Ma- 
sonry flourished,  and  on  October  24,  1824, 
there  occurred  in  the  borough  of  Norfolk  a 
]\Iasonic  affair  which  is  not  only  interesting  to 
the  craft  in  this  city  but  to  the  craft  where- 
soever dispersed.  I  shall  transcribe  from  the 
record  book  of  Napthali  Lijdge,  No.  56,  the 
records  as  they  appear: 

At  a  called  conimiinication  of  Lodges  No.  i,  16.  56 
and  100.  held  at  the  Mason's  Hall  pursuant  to  notice. 
Lodge  No.   I.  presiding,  on   Sunday  morning.   Oct.  24. 

A.  D.  1824,  A.  L.  5824. 

Present  Wors.   Benj.   Pollard   .Master. 

Brother  Jno.  Myers.  S.  Warden. 

Brother  Geo.  Weaver.  J.  Warden. 

Brother  W.  D.  Roberts.  L.  Deacon. 

Brother  Willoughby  Butt.  J.  Deacon. 

Brother  P.  J.  Cohen.  Treasurer. 

Brother  M.  B.  O'Xeil.  Secretary. 

Brother  John  Warrington.  Tyler. 

And  a  large  concourse  of  members  from  each  of 
the  Lodges  and  visiting  brethren.  *  *  *  *  On  mo- 
tion made  and  seconded. 

"Resolved.  That  by  a  general  suliscription  among 
the  brethren  now  present,  a  P.  M.  Jewel  he  purchased 
and  presented  to  our  distinguished  Brother  General 
Lafayette,  the  deficiency  if  any  to  be  made  good  from 
the  funds  of  each  Lodge  now  represented." 

A  committee  consisting  of  W.  M.  Senar  of  Lodge 
No.  16.  and  W.  M.  Mordecai  Cooke,  of  Lodge  No.  100, 
with  Brothers  Moses  Myers.  Thomas  Newton.  William 

B.  Lamb.  Stephen  Wright  and  four  deacons  were  dis- 
patched to  wait  on  Brother  Lafayette,  and  announce  to 
him.  that  the  Lodge  was  prepared  for  his  reception.  At 
12  minutes  before  11  o'clock  he  appeared,  and  having 
been  received  with  the  most  e.xalted  honors  and  pre- 
sented by  the  Wor.  M.  B.  Pottare  with  the  Masonic 
Badge,  he  was  by  him  addressed  in  the  following  ele- 
gant and  dignified  speech : 

"Most  Venerated  Brother,  among  the  variety  of 
cordial  welcomes,  and  heartfelt  congratulations  with 
which  you  have  been  greeted  since  your  arrival  in  our 
happy  country,  permit  us  to  enroll  that  of  the  Free  and 
.\cceplcd  ^Lasons  of  the  Borough  of  Norfolk  and  Town 
of  Portsmouth  congregated  here  in  our  Lodge  for  the 
purpose  of  tendering  you  the  assurances  of  their  re- 
spect and  fraternal  love.  We  will  not  detain  your  at- 
tention by  eulogies  on  the  antiquity  of  our  order,  nor 
dwell  on  the  honorable  character  it  has  universally 
maintained.  Neither  will  we  fatigue  you  with  a  re- 
capitulation of  the  many  virtuous  and  distinguished 
characters,   who   have  adorned   our  annals;   but   in   the 


presence  of  the  friend  and  companion  of  our  beloved 
Washington,  permit  us  to  boast  that  he  was  a  meiuber 
of  our  Craft;  and  was  proud  to  be  hailed  as  the  Grand 
Master  of  the  Lodge  of  Virginia,  from  which  stock  we 
derive  our  descent  as  Masons,  Vou.  Sir.  who  have 
stood  in  the  presence  of  Princes  and  Potentates,  have 
often  practically  experienced  the  sovereign  influence  of 
our  principles  wherever  there  has  been  found  capacity 
to  comprehend  them;  and  in  the  day  of  danger,  and  on 
the  field  of  carnage,  have  probably  witnessed  the  benev- 
olence and  magic  sympathy  they  have  extolled  amidst 
the  din  of  battles,  and  from  the  deadliest  foes.  We 
are  not.  however,  ignorant  of  your  sentiments  on  this 
subject;  they  are  recorded  in  the  toasts  with  which  you 
were  pleased  to  honor  the  fraternity  in  the  City  of 
New  York,  in  which  you  have  contrasted  names  dear 
and  precious  to  enlightened  man,  throughout  the  civil- 
ized world,  with  those  with  which  are  associated  with 
darkness  and  despotism,  with  the  degradation  of  human 
nature,  and  the  perpetuation  of  ignorance  and  super- 
stition. Permit  me.  Dear  Brother,  as  we  may  never 
again  be  favored  with  the  honor  and  happiness  of  your 
presence,  to  record  for  the  edification  of  successors  and 
of  generations  who  arc  to  follow  us.  that  we  have  your 
sanction  to  enroll  the  name  of  Lafayette  with  those  of 
Washington  and  Franklin,  in  our  annals,  for  which 
purpose  allow  us  to  confer  on  you  the  title  of  honorary 
member  of  Lodges  Nos.  i.  16.  56  and  100  here  assem- 
bled, and  permit  us  also  to  invest  vou  with  a  Past 
Master's  Jewel,  bestowed  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the 
Brethren  as  a  lasting  memorial  of  tbeir  respectful  re- 
gard. We  also  beg  that  you  will  yourself  inscribe  your 
name  in  the  Books  of  the  Constitutions  of  the  several 
Lodges  which  are  here  presented  by  their  respective 
secretaries,  for  that  purpose.  We  wish  your  signature 
to  be  preserved  among  the  archives  and  ancient  land- 
marks of  our  order,  to  which  our  successors  and  ofif- 
spring  may  point  with  elated  feelings,  and  honor  it.  as 
a  Star  in  the  East,  that  Masons  yet  unborn  may  glory 
in  your  name  and  be  stimulated  to  emulate  your 
virtues." 

To  which  the  General  returned  a  neat  and  appro- 
priate reply.  He  was  then  presented  by  the  W.  M.  with 
the  Jewel  and  by  request  became  an  honorary  member 
of  each  of  the  Lodges  then  represented  by  affixing  his 
signature  to  the  respective  constitutions.  .And  ALister 
Elect  Geo.  Washington  Lafayette  fliis  son)  and  Brother 
Le  Vasseur.  were  also  presented  with  badges  and  be- 
came honorary  members  of  each  Lodge  in  a  similar 
way.  (The  Book  of  Constitutions  of  Norfolk  No.  i. 
containing  these  signatures,  is  in  the  Masonic  Temple.  1 
The  procession  having  been  formed,  the  General  and 
his  suite  were  conducted  to  Christ  Church  where  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Wilmer  delivered  an  eloquent  sermon  adapted 
to  the  occasion,  .^fter  which  the  General  was  con- 
ducted to  his  lodgings,  they  moved  thence  to  the  Lodge, 
when  after  having  spent  some  time  (by  partakin.g  of  a 
handsome  collation)  in  the  most  affectionate  and  broth- 
erly manner  the  Lodge  was  closed  in  ancient  form. 

J.\MES  Willoughby. 

Teste.  Master. 

Fr.incis  A.  Perier. 

Secretary. 

From  the  minutes  of  Bro.  M.  B.  O'Neil. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


251 


'llius  ended  one  of  the  most  notable  events 
in  the  history  of  Norfolk.  There  is  now  liv- 
ing in  Norfolk  a  venerable  lady  who  danced 
with  General  Lafayette  at  the  ball  given  by  the 
citizens  in  his  honor.  Napthali  Lodge,  No. 
5O,  became  extinct  in  1843.  ^^'^^  records  of 
the  venerable  lodge  are  now  held  by  special 
act  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Virginia  by  At- 
lantic Lodge,  No.  2,  as  their  custodian,  and 
are  highly  prized  by  that  lodge.  After  this 
time  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i,  was  the  only 
lodge  in  the  city  until  October  14,  1854,  when 
Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  2,  was  chartered,  with 
George  L.  L'pshur  as  worshipful  master.  It 
started  out  under  most  favorable  auspices,  but 
in  less  than  one  year  from  its  charter,  Norfolk 
was  visiteil  by  the  fearful  scourge  of  \e!low 
fexer.  The  heroic  Upshur  fell  at  his  post, 
battling  with  the  dread  disease.  Norfolk 
Lodge,  No.  I,  lost  many  of  its  members  also. 

On  June  12,  1867,  a  num1)er  of  the 
brethren  of  both  lodges  united  in  forming 
Owens  Lodge,  No.  164,  with  Thomas  F. 
Owens  as  its  first  master.  He,  in  1869,  was 
elected  most  worshi|)ful  grand  master  of  the 
State,  being  the  third  and  last  grand  master 
selected  from  the  Norfolk  ^lasons.  Decem- 
ber 15,  1869,  Ruth  Lodge,  No.  89,  was  char- 
tered, with  James  B.  Blanks  as  its  first  master. 
This  lodge  was  comiX)sed  of  young  men  who 
had  settled  in  Norfolk  from  different  parts  of 
the  State  and  other  States,  and  was  originally 
intended  to  be  called  the  Lodge  of  the  Strang- 
ers. .During  tiiis  time  Kempsville  Lodge  was 
chartered  (December  12,  1871),  and  drew 
many  members  from  Atlantic  Lodge.  It  was 
afterward  removed  to  Princess  Anne  Court 
House,  and  the  name  changed  to  Princess 
Anne  Lodge,  No.  25.  Berkley  Lodge.  No. 
167,  was  chartered  December  11,  1871,  and 
drew  strength  from  both  Nos.  i  and  2. 
Elizabeth  Lodge.  No.  34,  was  chartered  in 
1 87 1,  with  P.  yi.  James  E.  Wright,  of  No. 
I,  as  its  first  master.  Decemlier  9,  1897, 
Corinthian  Lodge.  No.  266.  was  chartered  and 
Atlantic  Lodge  furnished  its  first  master   in 


the  person  of  i'ast  .Master  L.  Jack  Oliver,  the 
present  district  dejjuty  grand  master. 

The  first  temple  erected  in  the  city  was 
situated  on  the  corner  of  Freemason  and 
Cumberland  streets:  the  next,  on  the  east  side 
of  Church  street  nearly  opposite  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows" Hall,  and  was  the  property  of  Norfolk 
Lodge,  No.  I.  The  present  temple  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Freemason  and  Brewer  streets  was 
erected  in  1874-75,  and  is  the  home  of  most 
of  the  fraternity.  In  addition  to  the  lodges 
named,  there  is  Norfolk  United  Chapter,  R. 
A.  M.,  No.  I,  chartered  January  18,  1820, 
and  Grice  Commandery,  K.  T.,  No.  16,  char- 
tered April  20,  1866. 

Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  1.  A.  1-".  &  A.  .M., 
.Mexander  T.  Hofheimer,  W .  M.,  Isaac 
Moritz,  secretar\-,  meets  in  the  Masonic  Tem- 
ple the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month.  Num- 
ber of  members,  120. 

Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  2,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
Henry  L.  ^Myers,  W.  M.,  George  W.  Wilson, 
secretary,  meets  in  the  ^lasonic  Temple  the 
second'  Monday  of  each  month.  Number  of 
members  80. 

Elizal)eth  Lodge.  No.  34.  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
R.  A.  I'ebworth,  \\'.  :\I.,  R.  F.  Cleverly,  sec- 
retar\-,  meets  in  Odd  Felhms"  Hall,  Atlantic 
City  Ward,  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  month. 
-Xumber  of  members,  55. 

Ruth  Lodge,  No.  89,  A.  F.  &  .\.  M.,  Law- 
rence Royster,  W.  M.,  William  N.  Grubb. 
secretary,  meets  in  the  Masonic  Temple  the 
third  Tuesday  of  each  uKJUth.  Number  of 
manbers,  100. 

Owens  Lodge.  No.  164,  .V.  F.  &  .\.  M., 
Walter  H.  Hall.  W.  M.,  B.  .\.  Marsden,  sec- 
retary, meets  in  the  Masonic  Temple  the  sec- 
ond Thursday  of  each  month.  Number  of 
members,  68. 

Corinthian  L(;dge.  Xo.  266.  A.  F.  &  A. 
.M.,  S.  R.  Hill,  W!  .M..  L.  Jack  Oliver,  sec- 
retary, meets  in  Ingram's  Hall,  Brambleton 
Ward,  the  second  Tuesday  of  each  month. 
Number  of  memliers.  ^^. 

Norfolk  United  Chapter.  R.  A.  :M.,  No.  i. 


2;2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Newton  Fitz,  high  priest,  John  W'aUers,  sec- 
retary, meets  in  the  [Masonic  Temple  the  first 
Monday  of  each  month. 

Grice  Commandery.  No.  ib,  K.  T.,  Harry 
Hodges,  eminent  commander,  George  B. 
Jenkins,  recorder,  meets  in  the  Alasonic  Tem- 
ple the  fourth  Monday  of  each  month. 

There  are  45S  affiliated  ]\Iasons  in  the  city 
and  about  250  non-affiliates. 

The  members  of  the  fraternity  are  at  all 
times  glad  tu  welcome  visiting  brethren.  They 
can  always  be  certain  of  a  cordial  greeting 
and  an  Old  Virginia  welcome.  I  have  en- 
deavored to  give  a  slight  outline  of  the  his- 
tory of  Masonr_\-  in  our  city  by  the  sea  for 
the  last  170  years,  but  space  allowed  me  is 
too  limited  to  go  into  detail.  There  are  many 
interesting"  occasions  which  could  not  be  de- 
scribed in  so  limited  a  space,  but  I  hope  that 
I  have  said  enough  to  assin"e  the  craft 
throughout  the  United  States  and  the  world 
that  the  true  spirit  of  Masonry  lives  and 
flourishes  in  the  "Old  Borough." 

Henry  L.  Turner, 
P.  M.  Atlantic  No.  3. 

Xorfolk  L<nlgc.  Xo.  ^8,  B.  P.  0.  E. 

"The  faults  of  our  brothers  we  write  upon  the  sand ; 
Their  virtues  upon  the  tablets  of  love  and  memory." 

Ever  since  the  Benevolent  &  Protective 
Order  of  Elks  has  been  organized,  these  beau- 
tiful words  have  been  the  motto  of  evei'j'  mem- 
ber of  the  order.  Once  every  year  Elks  all 
over  the  country  liold  memorial  exercises  in 
memory  of  their  absent  brothers  who  have 
passed  away,  and  these  impressive  exercises 
are  always  attended  by  thousands  of  people, 
no  matter  where  they  are  held. 

On  the  15th  day  of  November,  1885,  a 
meeting  was  held  in  this  city  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  38,  B.  P.  O. 
E.  Frank  L.  Slade  presided  at  this  meeting, 
and  after  the  objects  of  the  order  were  ex- 
plained, the  session  adjourned  to  meet  again 
on  the  29th,  and  on  that  date  Norfolk  Lodge 
was  instituted  in  the  same  room  that  they  now 


occupy  in  the  Academy  and  Music  building. 
After  the  lodge  had  been  duly  instituted,  the 
following  officers  were  elected:  Exalted  ruler, 
Frank  L.  Slade;  esteemed  leading  knight, 
Henry  C.  Chase;  esteemed  loyal  knight,  M. 
P.  Waller;  esteemed  lecturing  knight,  Frank 
H.  White;  secretary,  Thomas  J.  Arrington; 
treasurer,  Frank  H.  Camp;  tyler,  T.  G. 
Church;  esquire,  A.  G.  Gale;  chaplain,  E.  M. 
Allen ;  inner  guard,  W.  A.  Foster ;  trustees : 
John  F.  Trudewind,  M.  \\'.  Jenkins  and  S.  S. 
Kelly. 

February  27,  1887,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  select  a  suitable  place  in  the  cem- 
etery for  an  Elks'  Rest,  and  they  selected  an 
admirably  located  plot,  on  which  was  later  un- 
veiled a  magnificent  bronze  elk.  Elks  from 
many  other  cities  participated  in  the  unveil- 
ing ceremonies,  which  were  very  elaborate. 

The  present  officers  of  Norfolk  Lodge  are : 
W.  H.  Venable,  exalted  ruler;  W.  H.  Sar- 
geant,  Jr.,  esteemed  leading  knight;  D.  J. 
MacFarland,  esteemed  loyal  knight;  W.  J.  C. 
Stockley,  esteemed  lecturing  night ;  W.  B. 
Langle}',  secretary ;  \\'.  W.  Dey,  treasurer ; 
R.  E.  Riddick,  esquire;  E.  T.  \\'right,  tyler; 
H.  E.  Chase,  chaplain;  F.  H.  Tholl,  inner 
guard;  A.  ]\Ioses,  organist;  board  of  trustees: 
R.  D.  Nichols,  E.  R.  Joynes,  A.  P.  Jones. 

Young  Men's  Cliristian  Assocafion. 

The  association  was  organized  February 
28,  1856,  in  the  room  of  the  Freemason  Street 
Baptist  Church.  Dr.  S.  K.  Jackson  was  the 
first  president,  with  T.  F.  Owens,  C.  A. 
Santos  and  A.  M.  McPheters  as  vice-presi- 
dents and  Charles  H.  Langley  and  A.  L. 
Seabury,  secretary  and  vice-secretary,  respect- 
ively. The  venerable  W.  D.  Reynolds,  who  is 
a  member  of  the  board  of  (H rectors,  was  one 
of  the  active  workers  in  the  early  days,  and 
has  alays  retained  an  active  interest  is  the 
affairs  of  the  association. 

The  association  was  incorporated  in  1886 
and  the  new  building  movemait  inaugurated. 
■Evangelist  Moodv  was  largelv  instrumental  in 


J 


CK 


•ii"'  ■ 


1 
1 

L 

(_      Li-  i 

._,  ^l '1 

AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


255 


arousing  tlie  citizens  to  tlie  inipiirtance  of  such 
a  builcling,  and  under  tlie  energetic  leadersliip 
of  General  Secretary  Dadmun,  the  necessary- 
funds  were  secured  and  the  enterprise  pushed 
to  a  successful  completion.  It  was  thought  by 
some  tiiat  tiie  building  was  too  large  for  the 
size  of  the  city,  but  the  subsecpient  growth  of 
the  city  and  development  of  the  various  asso- 
ciation activities  have  already  proved  the  wis- 
dom of  those  who  plaiuied  and  Iniilt  for  the 
future  growth,  as  well  as  for  present  needs. 

In  no  city  in  the  State  has  there  been  a 
more  cordial  support  of  this  valuable  work  for 
young  men  and  boys  than  in  Xorfolk.  The 
liberality  of  the  citizens  has  been  rewarded 
during  the  past  year  with  the  largest  results  in 
the  history  of  the  association.  The  gymna- 
sium classes  have  been  crowded  to  overflow- 
ing, frequently  as  high  as  60  and  70  gathering 
u\K>n  the  floor  for  exercise  at  one  time.  The 
enrollment  in  the  educational  classes  has  been 
nearly  double  that  of  any  previous  year,  with 
a  total  of  over  118,  who  have  been  attracted 
to  the  various  evening  classes  conducted  for 
the  benefit  of  employed  young  men.  The 
steady  increase  in  attendance  and  interest  at 
the  Bible  classes,  literary  society  and  gospel 
meetings  for  men  and  boys  on  Sunday  after- 
noons have  been  most  gratifying  to  all.  It  is 
e.\])eoted  that  the  present  year  ( 1900)  will 
eclipse  all  previous  records  in  several  respects. 

The  present  officers  and  board  of  directors 
are  as  follows:  Dr.  L.  Lankford,  president: 
W.  W.  Vicar,  vice-president ;  \V.  B.  Roper, 
second  vice-president :  Dr.  N.  .\.  McCurdey, 
third  vice-president :  C.  C.  Couper,  recording 
secretary:  T.  S.  Southgate,  W.  H.  Barnard. 
Barton  Myers,  Alfred  Clay,  Frank  Hitch, 
Luther  Sheldon.  T.  J.  Nottingham.  A.  S. 
Couper.  W.  D.  Reynolds,  G.  Benson  Ferebee, 
Harry  K.  Walcoitt  and  J.  I.  Jenkins.  H.  A. 
Meacham  is  general  secretary :  Ambrose  Page, 
junior  secretary:  W.  H.  \\'ard,  physical  di- 
rector :  Robert  Douglass,  membership  sccre- 
tarw 


Woiiiciis  Christian  Temperance  Union. 

The  president  is  Mrs.  Annie  Barnes;  vice- 
president,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Makinson;  correspond- 
ing secretary,  Aliss  Carrie  Lambert;  record- 
ing secretary,  Mrs.  T.  E.  Lee;  treasurer,  Mrs. 
A.  J.  Makinson. 

FLORENCE    CRITTENDEN    HOME 

Is  the  greatest  visible  work  nf  the  Norfolk 
Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and 
its  friends.  It  is  managed  by  a  board  which 
fills  vacancies  by  members  of  its  own  choos- 
ing, all  of  whom  must  be  members  of  some 
local  branch  of  the  \V.  C.  T.  U.  The  man- 
agers collected  from  the  members  of  the  W. 
C.  T.  U.  in  the  State,  and  from  friends  of 
rescue  work,  all  the  price  of  the  Chapel  street 
property  except  $1,000,  which  was  given  by 
Charles  N.  Crittenden  as  a  memorial  to  his. 
little  daughter.  The  Home  is  supported  by 
voluntary  oiTerings  and  b\'  an  allowance  of 
$300  per  year  from  the  city  treasury.  Last 
summer  (1900)  the  old  wing  of  the  building 
was  torn  down  and  rebuilt,  and  the  whole 
place  renovated  and  put  in  good  sanitary  condi- 
tion. A  large  per  cent,  of  the  girls  received  at 
the  Home  are  saved. 

Tlic  Mar\  /•".  BaUciiiinc  Ilmuc 

Vor  ag'e<l  women  is  located  on  Park  avenue, 
between  Bond  street  and  Corprew  avenue. 
The  president  is  Thomas  R.  Ballentine :  sec- 
retary, W.  W.  Vicar :  treasurer,  Caldwell 
Hardy:  matron,  iMiss  E.  E.  Sclden.  A  view 
r>f  the  Home  is  shown  on  a  near  by  page. 

The  Episeupdj  Chnreh  Home 

I'or    aged,    infirm    and    indigent    females,    lo- 
cated at  No.  417  Bute  street,  has  for  its  offi- 
cers:     President,   C.    \\'hittle   Sams;  matron, 
i  Miss  A.  C.  Clemmitt. 


15 


256 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


The  Turncy  Home  for  Boys 

Is  located  at  Xo.  268  Bank  street;  the  matron 
is  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Hallett. 

The  Girls'  Home 

Is  located  at  No.  210  Brewer  street.  It  is 
managed  by  the  following  named  officers : 
President,  Mrs;  Jane  Lauder;  vice-president, 
Miss  Ma}'  Reed;  secretary,  Mrs.  Lewis  B. 
White;  treasurer,  Miss  Nonie  Wilkinson; 
matron,  Miss  Ada  Ransome. 

The  Jaeksoii  Female  Orphan  Asylum 

Is  located  at  No.  112  Charlotte  street.  Rich- 
ard H.  Baker  is  president;  B.  P.  Loyall,  sec- 
retary: J.  L.  Farrant,  treasurer;  Miss  F.  A 
Woodley,  matron. 

Norfolk  Seamen's  Friend  Society. 

Col.  William  Lamb,  president;  Rev.  J.  B. 
]\Ierritt.  chaplain. 

Norfolk  Society  for  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to 
Animals. 

L.   Clay  Kilby,  president;  W.   B.   Barton, 
secretary. 

Tlnnnus, Jefferson  Lodge,  No.  43,  Orangemen. 

W.  M.,  J.  P.  Grunewald;  secretary,  J.  W. 
Shell ;  treasurer,  G.  M.  Baker. 

Friendship  Council,  No.  4,   Order  of  Chosen 
Friends. 

Counselor,   J.    H.    Rose;   secretary,   J.    W. 
Beasley. 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  FelloiM. 

Canton  No.  31,  Patriarchs  Militant:     Cap- 
tain, Andrew  Dusch ;  clerk,  George  W.   Hill. 
Old  Dominion  Encampment,  No.  i  :  Chief 


patriarch,  R.  D.  \\"illiamson;  S.  \\'.,  W.  R.  Mc- 
Dowell; H.  P.,  Jonathan  Martin;  J.  W.,  W. 
R.  Brown;  scribe,  R.  H.  \\'orsham;  treasurer, 
J.  P.  Epps. 

Jerusalem  Encampment,  No.  4 :  Chief 
patriarch,  E.  A.  Runaldi ;  scribe,  James  E.  Mc- 
Coy. 

Washington  Lodge,  Xo.  2 :  X'.  G.,  B.  D. 
Blick;  secretary,  James  H.  Hill. 

Lafayette  Lodge,  Xo.  9:  X.  G.,  Miles 
^^'ood ;  secretary,  Henry  Wetzel. 

Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  51:  X''.  G.,  J.  C. 
Phillips ;  secretary,  J.  D.  Armstrong. 

Harmony  Lodge,  Xo.  19:  X'.  G..  H.  F. 
Graves ;  recording  secretary,  John  T.  Cross. 

Lambert's  Point  Lodge:  X.  G.,  B.  A. 
Allen ;  secretary,  B.  F.  Albright. 

Vandalia  Lodge,  X^o.  47:  X.  G.,  G.  W. 
Crocker;  secretary,  G.  C.  Erwin. 

Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  :i2:  X.  G..  C.  P. 
Schmtis :  secretary,  George  W.  Toms. 

Columbia  Lodge,  X^o.  44:  X.  G.,  Dr. 
George  D.  Levy;  secretary,  H.  S.  Coles. 

Huntersville  Lodge,  Xo.  123:  X^.  G.,  E. 
V.  Atwood ;  recording  secretary,  T.  B.  Kelly. 

Knights  of  Pythias. 

L'niform  RanTv,  First  Virginia  Regiment: 
Colonel,  G.  W.  Bately;  lieutenant-colonel,  S. 
J.  Harwood;  major,  W.  C.  Corbitt ;  adjutant, 
Henry  L.  Myers ;  quartermaster,  W.  C.  \Vithy ; 
commander,  J.  T.  Lawrence. 

Virginia  Company,  X^o.  2 :  Cap- 
tain, A.  Dusch;  treasurer,  George  W.  Battley; 
recorder,  William  H.  Holland. 

Endowment  Rank,  Section  Xo.  3862 : 
President,  C.  H.  Spann ;  secretary,  George  W. 
Battley. 

Section   Xo.  47 :     President,  Jacob 

Kraemer ;  secretary,  Ira  T.  Holt. 

Xorfolk  Lodge,  Xo.  9:  C.  C,  Abe  Moses; 
K.  of  R.  and  S.,  J.  L.  Williams. 

Charity  Lodge,  No.  10:  C.  C,  J.  T.  Hud- 
gins;  K.  of  R.  and  S.,  R.  D.  Williamson. 

Brambleton  Lodge,  No.  56:  C.  C,  W.  C. 
Spann;  K.  of  R.  and  S.,  W.  A.  Wicklmuse. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


^57 


Rallibtiiie  Ludge.  Xo.  y^^ :  C.  C,  George  \\  . 
Hoff:  K.  of  R.  and  S..  James  E.  JIanowell. 

Hcf^tasopliiaiis  or  Sci'^'ii   Wise  Men. 

\'irginia  Conclave,  Xo.  i  :  Arclion,  A.  C. 
Ward:  cliancellor.  William,  Rawlings. 

Frien<lsliip  Conclave,  Xo.  2 :  Archon,  A. 
S.  Jones:  scribe,  W.  G.  Gregory. 

Columbia  Conclave,  Xo.  7 :  Chancellor,  O. 
(i.  Allen:  treasurer,  R.  D.  Sniithers:  scribe, 
.John  Hall. 

Harmony  Conclave,  Xo.  1 1  :  Archon, 
Charles  I.  Stengle:  chancellor,  John  O.  Car- 
roll ;  scribe,  H.  C.  Willis :  treasurer,  A.  F.  Mor- 
rissett. 

Improved  Order  of  Heptasoplis. 

Latuhnark  Concla\e,  X'o.  .245:  Archon, 
F.  L.  Ri;niH'y:  treasurer.  W.  X.  (Inilib;  sec- 
retary, W.  M.  Simpson :  financier.  IC.  \\'.  Reid. 

X<  rt'cilk  Conclave.  Xo.  -'3-':  Archon,  Dr. 
L.  Liift'in:  treasurer,  J.  X.  McHride;  secre- 
tary. J.   W.   Bates. 

Knigliis  of  Honor. 

Orient  Lodge,  Xo.  734 ;  Reporter,  E.  T. 
Thomas. 

Xorfolk  Lodge.  Xo.  956 :  Dictator,  R. 
Gatewood  :  reporter,  G.  ^^^  Wilson  ;  treasurer, 
W.  X.  Grubb. 

Old  Dtiminion  Lodge.  Xo.  1197:  Dic- 
tator. J.  R.  Pettis;  reporter,  John  ^L  Brough- 
ton. 

J'irginia  Lodge,  No.  19^,  Knights  and  Ladies 
of  Honor. 

Protector,  E.  D.  Blick:  secretary,  E.  T. 
Thomas. 

Royal  Arcanitm. 

Xorfolk  Council,  X'o.  228:  Regent,  Hen- 
ry Brant :  .secretary,  T.  B.  Jackson, 

Pocahontas  Council,  No.  493 :  Regent,  J. 
A.  Xengebauer:  secretary,  Frank  J.  Bain. 


Cami>ostclla    Council,   X'o.  903 :     Regent, 
!  Frank  H. -Townsend ;  secretary,   William  JiL 
Simpson. 

Tidewater  Council.  Xo.  1302:  Regent,  'Si. 
Adelsdorf;  secretarv,  Walter  V.  Russell:  col- 
lector, F.  W.  Reid.' 

Friendship  Conncil,  No.  ^3,  American  Legion 
of  Honor. 

Commander,  Robert  Stevens:  cullector,  H. 
Hodges:  secretary,  \\'illiam  X.  Grulib. 

Friendship  Council,  Xo.  7,  Order  of  Chosen 
Friends. 

Councilor,  J.  H.  Rose;  secretary,  J.  W. 
Beasley. 

Home  Circle. 

Old  Dominion  Council,  .\'o.  28:  Leader, 
H.  S.  Hemian :  secretary,  William  X'.  Grubb. 

Matoaca  Council,  X'o.  147:  Leader,  J. 
P.  Keville;  secretary,  J.  E.  Allen. 

Elizabeth    Camp,    No.    ?,    Woodmen    of    the 
World. 

Consol  Commander,  \\'.  P.  ^lurphy;  clerk, 
A.  C.  Fine. 

Norfolk    Lodge,    No.    125,    Knights    of    the 
Mystic  Chain. 

Commander,  J.  A.  Dalliy :  vice-commander, 

D.  Agey ;  secretary,  Joseph  Stebbins,  Jr. 

Norfolk  Tent.  Xo.  6.  Knights  of  the  Macca- 
bees. 

Commander.   J.  L.  \'etter :  record  keeper. 

E.  W.   Reid. 

BEXE\OLEXT    .\NI)    J-K.VrERX.XL    ORG.WIZ.VTlO.XS 
OF   PORTSMOUTH. 

Masonry  in  Portsmouth. 
Seaboard  Lodge.  Xo.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  ^L  : 


258 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


L.  H.  Davis,  W.  'SI.;  W.  L.  Davis^  secretary; 
R.  S.  Grant,  treasurer. 

Portsmouth  Naval  Lodge,  No.  100,  A.  F. 
&  A.  ^L  :  Robert  Ridle}-,  W.  M. ;  John  Rut- 
ter,  secretary ;  D.  A.  VVilliams,  treasurer. 

Mt.  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  11,  R.  A.  M. : 
R.  E.  \\'arren,  secretary. 

Portsmouth  Commandery,  No.  5,  K.  T. :  J. 
W.  Barclay,  E.  C. ;  John  W.  Rutter,  recorder. 

Porfsiiioiitli    Conclave,    No.    pj.    Knights    of 
Damon. 

Commander,  C.  E.  ]\Iurdeni;  secretary  and 
collector,  J.  A.  Scott. 

Knights  of  Pythias. 

Uniform  Rank,  Atlantic  Company,  No.  i : 
Commander,  R.  P.  Bunting,  Jr. ;  recorder, 
Charles  L.  Skeeter. 

Portsmouth    Company^    No.     15: 

Commander,  B.  Frank  Vaughan ;  recorder,  G. 
M.  Peed. 

Endowment  Rank,  Section  13:  President, 
C.  S.  Sherwood;  secretary,  W.  A.  Culpepper. 

Section  2919:     President,    J.    C. 

Niemeyer ;  vice-president,  T.  G.  Parker ;  sec- 
retary, J.  A.  Scott. 

Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  16:  C.  C, 
Charles  L.  Skeeter;  K.  of  R.  and  S.,  John  C. 
Summers. 

Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  24 :  C.  C,  A.  W. 
Lock;  K.  of  R.  and  S.,  C.  P.  Brownley. 

Seaside  Lodge,  No.  80:  C.  C,  W.  L. 
Walmsley ;  K.  of  R.  and  S.,  G.  S.  Bell. 

Royal  Arcannui: 

Portsmouth  Council,  No.  227 :  Regent,  S. 
Y.  Brown :  vice-regent,  H.  C.  Walker ;  secre- 
tary, S.  P.  Wigg. 

Ocean  Council,  No.  1063  •  Regent,  Ar- 
mand  DeR.  Alyers ;  secretary,  S.  Cleburne 
Browne. 

James  Alonroe  Council,  No.  1548:  Re- 
gent, Jesse  P.  Neville;  secretary,  James  A. 
Davis;  collector,  V.  C.  Hanrahan. 


Chesapeake    Lodge,    No.    ii~o,    Knights    of 
Honor. 

Dictator,  G.  P.  Barnes ;  reporter,  John  D. 

New. 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Felloi,.'s. 

Canton  Portsmouth,  No'.  i.  Patriarchs 
Militant :     Commander,  H.  C.  Rej'nolds. 

W'ildey  Encampment,  No.  3:  C.  P.,  Rob- 
ert C.  Williams;  recording  secretary,  Charles 
E.  Murden. 

Old  Dominion  Lodge,  No.  5  :  Recording 
secretary,  David  W.  Murden. 

Tidewater  Lodge,  No.  66:  Recording 
secretary,  C.  W.  King. 

Grice  Lodge,  No.  83 :  Secretary,  George 
A.  Scott. 

Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs. 

Old  Dominion  Conclave,  No.  293 :  Archon, 
W.  D.  Ballentine;  secretary,  S.  C.  Browne; 
treasurer,  G.  P.  Barnes. 

Portsmouth  Conclave,  No.  15:  Archon, 
William  H.  Stewart;  secretary,  S.  A.  Staples; 
treasurer,  T.  S.  Lawrence. 

Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  S^,  B.  P.  O.  E. 

E.  R.,  Charles  Welton;  E.  L.  K.,  James 
W.  Brown,  Jr.;  E.  L.  K.,  R.  H.  Neville;  E. 
L.  K.,  F.  K.  Wonnycott ;  secretary,  Calvin  H. 
Tabb ;  treasurer,  G.  A.  Tabb. 

Portsmouth  Council,  No.  5,  Order  of  Chosen 
Friends. 

Councilor,  Elvington  Knott;  secretary,  J. 
W.  Goodman. 

Magnolia    Camp,    A^o.    4,    Woodmen    of    the 
World. 

C.  C,  C.  H.  Herbert:  A.  L.,  Harrv  Filer: 
banker,  J.  R.  ]\Ic\\'illiams;  clerk,  E.  L. 
Dashiell. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


259 


Hoii.'ard  Division,  No.   2,  Suns  of   Temper- 
ance. 

\V.  B.,  A.  W.  Moore:  R.  S..  J.  C.  Herbert. 

Benevolent   Clirislimi    i'nion. 

President,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Sherwood ;  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  H.  E.  Culpepper.  Jr. 

Joseph  H.  Plunkctt  Council,  No.  .//?,  Catholic 
Bcne^'olent  Legion. 

President,  John  J.  Sliea ;  secretary,  W.  T. 
Nolan;  treasurer,  M.  J.  Hughes. 

St.  Paul's  Council.  No.  ^/t?,  Knights  of  Co- 
lumbus. 

R.  S.,  K.  J.  Griffin;  F.  A.,  T.  J.  Gibney"; 
treasurer,  J.  C.  Bain. 

Catholic  Kiiiglits  of  America. 

President,  Patrick  Holden :  vice-president, 
^  John  J.  Shea;  recording-  secretary.  William 
A.  Langhorne;  financial  secretary.  A.  L. 
Bilisoly;  treasurer,  Joseph  L.  Bilisoly;  ser- 
geant-at-arms,  M.  J.  Mulvev ;  chaplain,  Rev. 
T.  J.  Brady. 

St.  Joseph's  Society. 

President,  P.  J.  Lyons:  vice-president,  J. 
J.  Heffron ;  recording  secretary.  P.  J.  Riley ; 
financial  secretary,  P.  T.  Gallagher :  treasurer. 
P.  J.  Riley;  sergeant-at-arms.  Malachi 
Hudgins. 

Ancient  Order  of  JJiberniaiis. 

President,  P.  J.  Riley ;  secretary.  E.  M. 
Walsh  ;  treasurer,  John  T.  Gallilee. 

Trinity  Chapter,  No.  ^46.  Brotherhood  of  St. 
Andrew. 

Director,  E.  \\'.  Maupin.  Jr. :  secretary. 
Bartow  Ford:  treasurer,  R.  S.  Marshall. 


r.  .1/.  c.  A. 

President,  ]•".  L.  Crocker;  treasurer,  L.  C. 
Phillips;  recording  secretary,  W.  R.  Stevens; 
general  secretary,  James  P.  Stubbs. 

The  following  interestnip-  facts  concerning 
young  men  give  a  graphic  outline  of  the  merit 
of  the  work  done  in  their  l)ehalf :  "Over  2,000 
boys  become  young  men  e\ery  day  in  our  na- 
tion. There  are  12,000,000  young  men  in  the 
United  States.  In  line  12  abreast  they  would 
form  a  cc'lumn  2,000  miles  long.  For  each 
to  be  idle  one  week  is  equal  to  over  200.000 
being-  idle  in  one  year.  They  represent  force 
enough  to  build  a  railroad  from  New  York 
to  San  Francisco  in  one  day." 

Portsmouth,  with  its  many  hundreds  of 
young  men  and  the  Iwys  who  are  becoming 
men  daily,  could  not  afford  to  be  without  this 
organization  now  occupying  its  new  building. 
That  is  a  place  of  resort  for  young  men  and 
boys  open  seven  days  in  the  week,  with  its 
many  attractions  to  counteract  evil  influences 
that  are  continually  Ijrought  to  bear  on  these 
classes.  The  riew  building  has  been  practically 
completed  since  April,  and  most  of  the  build- 
ing has  been  in  use  since  that  time,  but  the 
formal  opening  was  delayed  until  October  3, 
1901,  in  order  that  the  financial  arrangements 
might  be  adjusted. 

Previous  to  April,  1900,  the  association 
occupied  the  old  building  on  the  present  site, 
that  was  inadequate  in  e\ery  respect,  and  owed 
$5,000  on  the  building  and  site.  This  re- 
quired the  i^ayment  of  $300  per  year  for  in- 
terest, which  was  met  out  of  the  interest  fund, 
but  now  the  associaition  owns  its  own  build- 
ing, modern  in  every  particular,  and  with  ap- 
pointments that  will  compare  favorably  with 
any  association  in  the  State.  The  income  from 
the  two  stores  and  rooms  rented  for  apart- 
ments on  the  third  floor  bring  in  an  amount 
sufficient  to  pay  the  intere.'^t  on  the  bonded  in- 
debtedness and  insurance,  .lea\-ing  the  associa- 
tion rent  free.  This  d(;es  not  mean,  however, 
that  the  association  will  not  require  as  much 


26o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


from  the  sustaining  and  contributing'  mem- 
bers as  in  the  past,  but  will  require  a  little 
more,  because  a  larger  building  and  the  larger 
work  that  was  needed  will  require  a  larger  out- 
lay in  order  to  accomplish  the  desired  results. 
The  following  gentlemen  compose  the 
building  committee:  Judge  Legh  R.  Watts, 
chairman :  James  T.  Borum,  J.  M.  Cratty,  F. 
D.  Gill.  E.  N.  Wilcox  (deceased),  and  L. 
McK.  Jafk,  treasurer,  who,  with  President 
Crocker,  have  given  much  of  their  time, 
thought  and  energy  to  this  project;  and  to 
them  is  largely  due  the  successful  completion 
of  the  building  movement.  The  men  alone 
have  not  labored  for  this  building,  but  the 
members  of  the  Women's  Auxiliary  were  as- 
sidious  in  their  efforts  in  this  particular,  and 
have  aided  materially. 


Portsmouth  Orphmi  Asylum. 

P'resident,  E.  C.  Brooks;  vice-president, 
Legh  R.  Watts ;  secretary,  William  H.  Stew- 
art; treasurer,  George  L.  Neville;  superintend- 
ent, William  A.  Culpepper. 


King's  Daughters'  Hospital. 

President,  Mrs.  Yates  McAlpine  Wilson; 
superintendent,  Miss  Elizabeth  Carpenter. 

Womerts   Christian   Temperance   Union. 

President,  Mrs.  M.  A.  Moore;  vice-presi- 
dent, Mrs.  M.  D.  Martin;  secretary,  Mrs.  M. 
E.  Saunders. 


CHAPTER.   XV 


PUBLIC   INSTITUTIONS  AND  BUILDINGS 

Thk  Norfolk  County  Feruies — Hospital  St.  Vincent  de  Paul— The  Public  Build- 
ings OF  Norfolk — The  Public  Buildings  of  Portsmouth — The  Norfolk  County 
Court  House. 


the   NORFOLK  COUXTY   FERRIES. 

The  numerous  branches  and  creeks  which 
empty  into  the  EHzaljeth  River  as  well  as  the 
river  itself,  which  divides  the  county  into  three 
sections,  made  public  ferries  necessary  for  the 
convenience  of  the  people  from  the  time  of  the 
earliest  settlement. 

There  were  three  regularly  established  fer- 
ries in  Lower  Norfolk  County  as  early  as  1637, 
supported  by  a  levy  of  six  pounds  of  tobacco 
on  each  titbable  person.  There  were  small 
boats  for  f(X)t  passengers  only.  The  General 
Assembly  passed  an  Act  in  January,  1641, 
providing  for  ferries  and  bridges,  and  paying 
ferrymen  by  a  levy  to  be  made  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  county  in  which  the  ferry  was 
kept.  The  charges  for  ferries  becoming  too 
burdensome  for  the  taxpayers,  the  law  provid- 
ing for  ferries  to  be  kept  up  at  public  expense 
was  repealed  and  the  County  Courts  were  au- 
thorized to  grant  franchises  to  individuals  for 
a  term  of  years  and  fix  rates,  and  in  1655 
County  Courts  v.ere  auth<irized  to  license  fer- 
ries. An  -Act  of  Assemljly  was  passed  in  1673, 
in  which  the  county  commissioners  were 
directed  to  report  to  the  next  session  the  most 
eligible  places  for  establishing  free  ferries.  The 
General  Assembly  in  August.  1702,  enacted 
"for  the  good  regulation    of    ferries,    which 


prove  very  useful  for  the  dispatch  of  public 
affairs,  and  for  the  ease  and  benefit  of  travel- 
ers, and  in  business  that  they  be  kept  at  places 
named  in  the  Act," — among  many  others,  "In 
Norfolk  County  from  Norfolk  Towne  to  Saw- 
yer's point  or  Lovitt's  plantation  (Ports- 
mouth's site),  the  price  for  a  man  six  pence, 
for  a  man  and  horse  one  shilling." 

Ferrymen  were  exempted  from  public  and 
county  levies  and  from  all  other  public  services 
such  as  musters,  constables,  clearing  highways, 
l)eing  impressed  and  other  things  of  like  na- 
ture.   Any  person  who  should  set  any  one  over 

j  any  ri\er  whereon  ferries  were  establislied  for 

I  pa;^  except  for  going  to  church  was  lia))lc  to  be 
fined  for  each  offense  fi\'e  pounds  current 
mone\-. 

The  Norfolk  County  Court  on  the  20th 

I  day  of  December.  1712,  ordered  "That  Capt. 
\Villiam  Craford  keep  the  ferry  on  his  side  of 
the  river  and  that  he  cause  all  persons  to  be 

j  ferried  over  as  shall  have  occasion  to  pass 
from  his  shore  to  Norfolk  Town  or  to  Mrs. 
Sayer's,"  and  Thomas  Crueller  was  ordered 
to  "keep  the  ferry  in  Norfolk  Town  and  carry 
all  persons  as  shall  have  occasion  to  pass  from 
the  town  to  Captain  Craford's  and  to  Mrs. 
Sayer's  and  back  again,  and  that  each  of  them 
shall  have  1.750  pounds  of  tobacco  salary  every 

,  year,"  and  on  December  22,  1714,     "It  is  by 


262 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  Court  thoug-ht  fit  to  allow  to  Major  Sam- 
uel Boush  for  keeping  of  the  public  ferry  here 
from  Norfolk  Town  to  Mrs.  Sayer's  Point  and 
so  likewise  from  the  Town  to  Captain  Cra- 
ford's  and  in  each  place  as  usual  for  the  sum 
of  3,000  pounds  of  tobacco."  On  November 
21,  1746.  the  court  agreed  to  allow  Col.  George 
Newton  and  Col.  William  Craford  6,000 
pounds  of  tobacco  each  for  keeping  the  ferry 
over  thf  Elizabeth  River  the  ensuing  year. 

October,  1748  (Hen.  Vol.  6,  page  14), 
— "Ferries  tO'  be  constantly  kept  from  Norfolk 
Town  to  Sayer's  Point  or  Crawford's  and  from 
Crawford's  to  Norfolk  Town.  From  Craw- 
ford's to  Powder  Point." 

In  1753  Francis  Miller  was  paid  for  keep- 
ing the  ferries  6,000  pounds  of  tobaccO'  and 
Alexander  Bruce  6,300  pounds  of  tdbacco. 

Act  of  Assembly  passed  in  1757: 

Section  i.  Whereas  it  hath  been  represented  to 
this  General  Assembly  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  County 
and  Borough  of  Norfolk,  that  on  the  branches  of  Eliza- 
beth River  and  Tanner's  Creek  in  the  said  County, 
there  are  five  public  ferries,  over  one  of  which  most  of 
the  inhabitants  are  obliged  to  pass  in  order  to  go  to 
church,  court,  and  general  muster  and  that  by  expenses 
of  ferriage  many  people  are  prevented  from  bringing 
their  small  wares  and  commodities  to  the  market  of 
the  said  borough.  Be  it  therefore  enacted.  &c,  that  the 
justices  of  the  Court  of  the  County  of  Norfolk  for  the 
time  being,  be.  and  they  are  hereby  empowered,  and  re- 
quired, to  appoint,  contract,  and  agree  with  proper  per- 
sons to  keep  the  said  ferries,  and  to  levy  the  expense 
thereof  upon  the  tithable  inhabitants  of  the  said  County 
annually  at  the  laying  of  the  County  levy. 

Section  2.  That  every  person  appointed  to  keep  the 
said  ferries  shall  constantly  keep  such  boats  and  hands 
as  the  said  Court  shall  from  time  to  time  order  and 
direct  to  be  kept  at  the  said  ferries  respectively,  and 
shall  give  immediate  passage  over  said  ferries  to  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  County  without  fee  or  reward. 

Section  3.  That  such  ferry-keepers  shall  and  may 
demand  and  receive,  from  oersons  not  being  inhabit- 
ants of  the  said  County  of  Norfolk,  the  following  rates, 
that  is  to  say.  for  a  man,  four  pence:  for  a  horse  the 
same:  on  every  coach,  chariot,  or  wagon  and  the  driver 
thereof,  the  same  as  for  six  horses ;  for  every  cart  or 
four-wheel  chaise  and  the  driver  thereof,  as  for  four 
horses :  for  every  two-wheel  chair  or  chaise,  the  same 
as  two  horses:  for  every  hogshead  of  tobacco,  the  same 
as  one  horse. 

On  Deceml>er  18,  1757,  tlie  court  ordered 
that  the  sheriff  advertise  that  the  justices 
would  meet  at  the  Court  House  on  Friday, 


January  ist  next,  between  the  hours  of  10  and 
12,  to  contract  with  the  proper  persons  that  will 
give  most  for  the  privilege  of  keeping  the  fer- 
ries in  this  county.  On  January  20,  1764,  the 
court  ordered  that  no  ferryman  in  this  county 
be  compelled  to  ferry  any  person  over  the  river 
but  from  daylight  to  nine  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing; public  express  excepted. 

j         An  Act  was  passed  in  1766  authorizing  the 
Norfolk  County  Court  to  lease  the  ferries  and 

■  apply  the  money  toward  lessening  the  county 
levy;  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  to  be  put 

!  over    to    attend    court,    general  musters  and 
church  at  the  expense  of  the  county. 

For  keeping  ferries  from  January  20, 
1769,  to  January  20,  1770,  Stephen  Tankard 
was  paid  by  the  county  7,200  lbs.  of  tobacco; 
^Villiam  Herbert  6,000  lbs.,  value  £50;  Charles 
Butler,  6,000  lbs.,  value  £50;  Max.  Calvert, 
3,600  lbs.,   value  £30;   William   Baily,   2,400 

[  lbs.,  value  £20. 

On  the  i8th  day  of  March,  1779,  the 
court  taking  the  regulation  of  the  ferries  under 
their  consideration,  ordered  that  the  prices  to 
be  paid  for  ferriage  should  be  as  follows  :  "For 
every  foot  passenger  crossing  the  said  ferries 
I  shilling,  and  for  every  horse  2  shillings,  also 
for  e\-ery  carriage  wheel  i  shilling.  And  that 
the  keeper  of  each  ferry  shall  keep  a  proper 
horse-boat,  a  proper  foot-^boat  and  two  able 
hands  to  keep  the  same.  John'  Burgess  is 
permitted  and  appointed  to  keep  the  ferries 
from  Norfolk  to  Portsmouth  and  back  again 
and  from'  Norfolk  to  Ferry  Point  and'  back 
again  and  from  Portsmouth  to  Ferry  Point 
and  back  again.  Stephen  Tankard  is  per- 
mitted and  appointed  to  keep  the  ferries  from 
Portsmouth  to  Norfolk  and  back  again  and 
from  Portsmouth  to  Ferry  Point  and  back 
again  and  from  Ferry  Point  to  Norfolk  and 
back  again." 

On  March  18.  1784,  the  court  ordered 
"That  ^^'illis  \\'ilson  and  George  Dyson  be  ap- 
pointed ferry-keepers  for  one  year  from  Ports- 
mouth to  Norfolk,  from  thence  to  FeiTy  Point 
and  from  thence  to  Portsmouth  and  that  thev 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


263 


keep  two  foot-boats  and  one  horse-boat  and  six 
hands;  that  Jolm  Burgess  and  Sam  Pryor  be 
appointed  ferry-keepers  from  Norfolk  to  < 
Portsmouth,  from  thence  to  Ferry  Point,  from 
thence  to  Norfolk  and  that  they  keep  two 
foot-boats  and  one  horse-boat  and  six  hands; 
that  Edmund  Allmand  be  appointed  from 
Ferrv  Point  to  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  to 
keep  (Hie  foot-boat." 

December  19,  1787  (.Hen.  Vol.  12,  Page 
:;i3  ). — "An  Act  authorized  the  Norfolk  Coun- 
tv  Court  to  let  out  annually  the  ferries  to  the 
highest  bidder  and  apply  the  money  to  lessen- 
ing the  countv  levy." 

"  On  January  18,  1796,  the  court  ordered 
"That  the  sheriff  advertise  that  the  public  fer- 
ries of  this  county  will  be  let  on  some  day  dur- 
ing the  sitting  of  the  Court  before  the  Court 
House  door,  that  two  ferry-boats  with  two 
hands  to  each  and  also  one  horse-boat  be  kept 
at  Norfolk  and  the  same  number'  at  Ports- 
mouth; that  the  said  boats  be  let  out  in  the 
following  manner,  to-wit :  One  foot-boat  and 
one  horse-boat  from  Norfolk  to  Portsmouth 
be  let  out  first  to  the  highest  bidder  and  then 
the  other  foot-boat  to  be  let  out  to  the  highest 
bidder  and  that  the  Ixsats  in  Portsmouth  to  be 
let  out  on  the  same  terms,  also  that  a  foot- 
boat  and  one  horse-boat  be  kept  at  Ferry  Point 
and  be  let  out  together  to  the  highest  bidder, 
which  said  boats  are  to  ply  to  and  from  the 
above  mentioned  places  respectively."  On  No- 
veml)er  23.  1796,  the  court  ordered  "That  the 
keepers  of  the  several  ferries  i)ay  unto  the 
overseers  of  the  poor  of  the  Parishes  of  Eliza- 
beth River.  St.  Bride's  and  Portsmouth,  each, 
one-third  of  the  money  due  from  them  to  the 
Court  for  the  rent  of  the  ferries." 

On  the  1 8th  day  of  November,  1799,  the 
court  ordered  'That  the  ferries  across  the 
Elizabeth  River  be  immediately  set  up  to  the 
highest  bidder  in  the  folhnving  manner : 

"One  foot-boat  and  one  horse-boat  with 
two  able  hands  in  each  boat  to  l)e  kept  at  Ferry 
Point ;  two  foot-boats  and  one  horse-boat  with 
two  able  hands  in  each  to  be  kept  at  Ports- 
mouth,   and    the    same  at  Norfolk  Borough, 


which  several  boats  shall  ply  between  any  of 
the  places  before  mentioned ;  and  that  the  said 
ferries  are  to  be  free  on  Court  days  for  all 
[persons  going  to  and  returning  from  Court, 
regimental  and  battalion  musters,  and  for  the 
officers  conveying  prisoners  to  and  from  the 
goal  of  the  said  County."  Overseers  of  the 
(xior  were  also  to  pass  free  on  their  meeting 
days. 

On  the  1 6th  of  November.  181 3.  the  com; 
missioners  reported  to  the  court  that  Holt  Wil- 
son was  the  highest  bidder  for  the  ferries 
across  the  Elizabeth  River  and  its  branches  at 
the  price  of  S4.900,  which  was  confirmed. 

A  law  was  passed  January  30,  181 7,  au- 
thorizing the  court  to  lease  the  ferries  for  a 
term  of  years  not  exceeding  seven.  At  the 
auction  on  November  17,  1817,  Willis  Wilson 
was  the  successful  bidder  for  the  ferries  at 
$5,000. 

On  the  6th  day  of  December,  1821.  a  team- 
boat  was  launched  from  the  shipyard  of  Will- 
iam Dyson  in  Portsmouth  intended  for  the 
ferry  between  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  The 
"horse-boat"  was  a  ferry-boat  propelled  by 
men.  large  enough  to  carry  over  horses  and 
vehicles.  A  "team-boat"  was  a  commodious 
ferrv-boat  propelled  by  blind  horses  as  wheat- 
threshers  and  mud  machines  were  formerly 
run.  On  the  i6th  of  July.  1821,  William  Wil- 
son and  Roijert  B.  Butt  leased  the  ferries  at  an 
annual  rental  of  $3,000  for  five  years  from 
January  i,  1822,  agreeing  to  run  a  team-boat 
between  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  and  on  the 
17th  day  of  Septemljer.  1821.  they  reported  to 
the  court  that  a  hurricane  had  swept  away  the 
bridge  or  landing  at  \\"ashington  (now  Berk- 
lev),  and  also  the  drawbridges  across  the  East- 
ern and  Southern  Branches,  in  consequence 
of  which  a  new  landing  would  be  required 
at  \\'ashington  and  a  team-lx)at  would  be 
necessary  to  transport  horses  and  vehicles 
on  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  draw- 
bridges. They  oft'ered  to  rebuild  the  Wash- 
ington landing  at  its  actual  cost  to  the 
county  and  supply  a  team-boat  if  their  lease 
could    be    extended  to  seven  years,  and  the 


264 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


court  agreed  to  tlieir  proposition.  Upon 
tlie  petition  of  the  lessees,  the  couirt  in- 
creased tlie  rate  of  ferriage  on  the  19th  of 
JNIarch,  1827,  from  five  cents  to  six  and  a 
c|uarter  cents ;  at  the  expiration  of  this  lease 
thev  re-leased  them  for  three  years  at  $3,000 
per  year.  At  the  auction  held  on  the  5th  day 
of  February,  183 1,  \\'illiam  Wilson  and  John 
Tunis  leased  the  ferries  for  seven  years  at  an 
annual  rental  of  $3,000,  agreeing  to  run  a  good 
steamboat  for  the  conveyance  of  passengers, 
horses,  vehicles  and  freight  between  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth,  and  this  was  the  advent  of 
steam  ferry-boats  on  the  Elizabeth  River.  The 
first  steamboat  was  named  the  "Gosport,"  then 
followed  the  •'Portsniouth,"  the  "Union"  and 
the  "Norfolk." 

An  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  was 
passed  on  the  second  day  of  April,  1839,  per- 
mitting the  site  for  the  ferry-landing  to  be 
changed  b>^  the  Norfolk  County  Court  from 
North  street,  Portsmouth,  "to  the  l(jwer  end  of 
anv  other  one  .street  in  that  town  which  it  may 
deem  proper  for  the  time  being  to  select,  and 
may  appropriate  so  much  as  may  be  necessary 
to  the  purpose  of  conveniently  carrying  on 
and  landing  thereat  the  public  ferry."  The 
court  was  also  authorized  to  change  the  loca- 
tion O'f  the  ferry-landing  from  Washington 
Point  to  any  other  landing  on  that  side  of  the. 
Southern  Branch,  and  on  the  loth  day  of 
December,  1839,  an  Act  was  passed  alloAving 
the  court  to  lease  out  or  run  the  ferries  by 
agents  with  power  to  borrow  .$8,000  for  the 
ferries. 

On  December  20,  1852,  the  court  reduced 
the  ferriage  to  three  cents  for  each  person. 

The  next  legislation  upon  the  ferries  will 
be  found  in  the  Act  incorporating  the  city  of 
Port.smouth  (Acts  1857-58,  Page  174). — 

.3rd  Section.  The  ferries  wliich  now  ply  by  author- 
ity of  law  between  the  said  City  of  Port>mouth  and  the 
City  of  Norfolk  and  Washington  Point,  known  as 
"Norfolk  County  Ferries"  shall  continue  to  run  as 
authorized  by  law.  and  shall  be  the  joint  and  equal 
property  of  said   City  and   County. 

They  shall  be  regulated  by  a  committee  of  six. 
three  of  whom  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Court  of  said 


County,  and  three  by  the  Council  of  said  City,  pro- 
vided that  nothing  herein  contained  shall  render  null 
and  void  or  vitiate  any  arrangement  heretofore  made 
by  which  sail  ferries  have  been  leased  or  rented  out, 
and  the  profits  of  which  shall  accrue  equally  to  said 
County  and  City. 

4th  Section.  It  shall  be  the  duly  of  the  agent  or 
lessee  of  said  ferries  to  pay  the  proceeds  thereof,  as  re- 
quired from  time  to  time,  to  the  Treasurer  of  Norfolk 
County,  who  shall  receive  the  same,  and  be  resnonsible 
for  this  disbursement  under  his  official  bond,  as  pro- 
vided for  in  this  .'Vet. 

5th  Section.  The  said  Treasurer  shall  from  the 
time  that  the  incorporating  of  the  City  of  Portsmouth, 
hereinbefore  referred  to.  shall  take  effect  (from  ratifica- 
tion of  said  -Act  by  the  People  of  Portsmouth)  appro- 
priate and  pay  annually  at  least  one-third  of  the  net 
proceeds  of  said  ferries  in  linuidation  of  the  debt  as- 
certained to  be  due  by  said  County,  up  to  the  period 
herein  specified,  one-half  of  which  shall  be  credited  to 
the  City  of  Portsmouth:  and  in  case  a  further  amount 
should  be  required  to  meet  the  demand  consequent  upon 
the  said  debt,  the  Council  of  said  City  shall  pay  over 
to  said  County  Treasurer  one  equal  proportion  with  the 
County  Court,  or  one-half  of  said  further  amount,  un- 
til the  entire  debt  shall  be  liquidated. 

6th  Section.  The  said  Treasurer  shall  also  appro- 
priate and  pay  annually  one-third  of  the  proceeds  of 
said  ferries,  in  equal  parts  and  proportions,  to  the 
Treasurer  of  the  School  Commissioners  of  Norfolk 
County  and  the  Treasurer  of  the  School  Commissioners 
of  Portsmouth,  to  be  applied  as  the  law  now  directs ; 
and  if  from  any  cause  the  public  schools  of  the  said 
County  shall  be  discontinued  or  vacated  for  more  than 
fifteen  months,  the  amount  herein  appropriated  to  said 
County  schools  may  be  otherwise  appropriated  during 
such  vacancies  for  County  purposes  by '  the  County 
Court,  and  if  from  any  cause  the  public  schools  of  said 
City  shall  be  discontinued  or  vacated  for  more  than 
fifteen  consecutive  months,  the  amount  herein  appro- 
priated to  said  schools  in  said  City  shall  be  subject  to 
the  order  of  said   City  Council. 

/th  Section.  The  remaining  one-third  of  said  ferry 
proceeds  shall  be  paid  over  as  follows :  One  moiety,  or 
half  thereof,  to  the  order  of  the  Court  of  Norfolk 
County,  and  the  other  moiety  or  half  to  the  order  of 
the  Council  of  said  City. 

Sth  Section.  When  the  Countv  delit  hereinbefore 
referred  to.  shall  have  been  liquidated,  the  one-third 
proceeds  of  said  ferries  appropriated  by  this  Act  to  that 
purpose  shall  be  paid  by  said  County  Treasurer,  one- 
half  thereof  to  the  order  of  the  Court  of  Norfolk 
Countv  and  one-half  to  the  order  of  the  Council  of  said 
City. 

The  9th  section  provides  for  the  divis- 
ion of  the  real  estate  accumulated  during  the 
union  of  the  city  and  county,  and  says  that  "no 
wharf  or  other  ]>roperty  belonging  to  the  Nor- 
folk County  Ferries  now  established  by  law,  or 
purchased'  for  its  use,  shall  be  sold  or  othcr- 
icisc  disposed  of.  without  the  conciirrciif  con- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


265 


sent  of  the  County  Court  and  Council  ui  tlie 
s;ii<l  City  of  Portsmouth." 

.\n  Act  was  approved  DecemlH?r  19,  1870, 
auihnrizinij  the  committee  of  tlie  Norfolk 
C'>iint\-  Ferries  to  borrow  a  sum  of  money,  not 
exceeiiing-  $30,000,  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
pleting' such  boats  as  were  then  in  the  course  of 
construction  for  the  use  of  the  ferries  and  for 
tlie  rei)air  of  boats  then  in  use  and  building- 
such  new  boats  as  might  be  necessary  or  ex- 
pedient to  have,  and  for  the  repairing  and 
ec|uii)i)ing  of  the  wharves,  d(xks  and  other  ap- 
purtenances of  the  ferries.  This  Act  also  al- 
io weil  the  joint  committee  with  the  consent  of 
the  County  Court  and  the  Council  of  the  city 
of  Portsmouth  to  secure  the  payment  of  said 
money  by  deed  of  trust  on  boats,  wharves, 
tolls,  etc. 

An  .\ct  approved  March  11,  1873,  made  it 
the  duty  of  the  joint  committee  for  the  regu- 
lation of  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries  to  fur- 
nish ti>  the  County  Court  of  Norfolk  County 
and  to  the  Council  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth 
an  accurate  statement  of  all  moneys  borrowed 
1)V  them,  and  an  itemized  statement  of  their 
receipts  and  disbursements  for  the  last  year 
preceding.  This  Act  also  made  it  the  duty  of 
the  County  Court  and  City  Council,  if  the 
said  annual  reports  were  approved  by  them,  to 
certify  the  same  to  the  board  of  .sui^ervisors  of 
the  county  of  Norfolk  on  or  before  the  ist 
day  of  December  of  each  year. — ^[Code  of 
1873.  Page  614,  Sec.  9.] 

"The  C<.urt  of  Norfolk  County  may  lease 
out  the  ferries  across  Elizabeth  River  and  the 
branches  thereof  or  may  cause  the  same  to  be 
kept  b\-  an  agent  appointed  by  the  Court;  such 
lessee  or  agent  shall,  if  required  by  the  Court, 
give  bond  to  the  county,  with  one  or  more 
sureties,  in  such  sum  and  with  such  condition 
as  the  Court  may  prescrilje." 

An  .\ct  was  approved  February  26,  1876, 
])ri)vi(ling  that  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries 
should  continue  to  run  as  then  authorized  by 
law;  and  should  be  the  joint  and  equal  prop- 
erty of  the  city  of  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk 
Countv ;  that  thev  should    be    regulated  and 


managed  by  a  committee  of  six,  three  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  the  judge  of  the  County  Court  and 
three  by  the  judge  of  the  Hustings  Court  of 
Portsmouth.  It  also  directs  how  the  protits 
shall  be  disbursed  and  repeals  all  Acts  and 
parts  of  Acts  in  conllict. —  [Acts  i875-7ri. 
page  1 10,  Sec.  11.] 

It  having  been  ascertained  that  the  joint 
owners  of  tlie  ferries  could  n(5t  lease  out  the 
same  under  the  laws  in  force,  the  legislature  on 
February  7,  1884.  passed  an  Act  authorizing 
the  Council  of  Portsmouth  and  supervisors  of 
Norfolk  County,  it  deemed  to  l>e  the  best  in- 
terests of  the  owners,  after  advertising  for  30 
days,  to  lease  them  out  at  public  auction,  and 
on  February  23,  1898,  an  Act  was  passed 
amending  and  re-aiacting  Section  1371  of  the 
Code  of  \'irginia,  further  i)roviding  for  regu- 
lating the  schedule  of  trips. 

The  ferry  committee  on  October  15,  1841, 
reported  to  the  court  that  the  ferries  had 
cleared  $4,138.21  from  April  ist  to  September 
1st  of  that  year.  George  Chambers  was  elected 
agent  of  the  ferries  October  18,  1852,  and  re- 
signed Julv  T,  1854, — Harrison  Ferebee  was 
elected  "in  his  stead;  James  Jarvis  was  elected 

:  December  17.  i855:'Thomas  B.  Ballentine, 
November  17.  1856,  and  Patrick  H.  Cooke  on 
February  21,  1861.  The  Federal  government 
took  possession  of  the  ferries  on  the  evacua- 
tion of  this  section  by  the  Confederate  troops 
and  held  them  until  April  20,  1866.  After  the 
war  Joseph  H.  Porter  was  the  first  agent :  he 
was  succeeded  by  Capt.  William  H.  Murdaugh, 

[  Capt.  Thomas  M.  Hodges,  John  L.  Porter, 
Esq..  and  Capt.  \Mlliam  H.  Murdaugh.  On 
the  ist  of  April,  1889,  the  ferries  were  leased 
bv  F.  D.  Gill  and  Cornelius  Thomas  for  10 
years  at  an  annual  rental  of  $16,250;  at  the 
expiration  of  this  period  they  were  again  put 
up  at  auction  and  bid  off  liy  Harry  L.  May- 
nard,  T.  J.  Wool,  John  L.  Watson  and  A.  J. 
Phillips  at  $6r,6oo  annually  for  a  term  of  10 
years.  L.  H.  Davis  was  made  manager  and 
Capt.  A.  E.  Etberidge  treasurer.     The  start- 

j  ling  increase  in  the  value  of  these  ferries  in- 
dicates the  rapid  development  and  growth  of 


266 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  cities  of  Nurfolk  and  Portsmouth  and  the 
town  of  Berkley.  There  are  now  tliree  steam 
ferry-boats  plying  regularly  l^etween  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  and  Berkley  and 
Portsmouth  and  Berkley.     The  rates  of  ferri- 


A  foot  passenger,  single  ticket  •'!  cents;  two  or  more 
tickets  each  2V2  cents. 

Man  and  horse,  single  ticket  8  cents ;  two  or  more 
tickets  each  lYz  cents. 

Bicycle,  and  rider,  single  ticket  5  cents;  two  or 
more  tickets  each  5  cents. 

Vehicle  with  one  horse  and  driver  (N.  dt  P.),  single 
ticket  10  cents;  two  or  more  tickets  each  10  cents. 

Vehicle  with  two  horses  and  driver  (N.  &  P.), 
single  ticket  18  cents;  two  or  more  tickets  each  17; i 
cents. 

Vehicles  with  one  horse  and  driver  (N.  &  B.,  P. 
&  B.),  single  tickets  8  cents;  two  or  more  tickets  each 
7J-'2  cents. 

Vehicles  with  two  horses  and  driver  N.  &  B.,  P. 
&  B..  single  tickets  l."?  cents;  two  or  more  tickets  each 
I2ji  cents. 

Additional  horses  five  cents  each  and  extra  persons 
in  vehicles  pay  extra  fare.  Cattle,  each,  4  cents;  hogs 
and    sheep,  each,  2  cents;   hand  cart   or  hand    carrage,    5 

s;  wheelbarrow,  .5  cents;  trunk  or  box,  barrel  or 
hamper  basket,  S  cents. 

The  third  steam  ferry-boat  was  appropri- 
ately named  the  "Union,"  as  a  link  uniting  the 
twin  cities  by  the  sea.  Capt.  William  Chiles 
was  for  years  engineer;  two  negroes,  each 
with  one  leg,  steered  her,  and  acted  as  deck 
hands.  One  had  a  right  leg  and  the  other  a 
left  leg,  so  they  always  bought  shoes  in  part- 
ners, one  pair  supplying  both  men. 

HOSPITAL  ST.   VINCENT  DE  PAUL. 

This  magnificent  hospital  is  located  on  the 
corner  of  Wood'  and  Church  streets,  Norfolk, 
having  spacious  grounds  of  about  six  acres, 
tilled  with  an  alDundance  of  shade  trees ;  com- 
manding a  view  of  the  city,  its  suburbs  and  the 
harbor ;  is  well  drained,  causing  the  building 
to  be  dry  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  Aside 
from  this  the  spacious  wards,  rooms  and  halls 
are  always  cool,  both  day  and  night,  through- 
out the  en'tire  summer. 

St.  Vincent's  Hospital  was  established 
March  3,   1856.     The  nucleus  of  the  present 


establisliment  was  a  private  residence,  the  prop- 
erty Oif  Dr.  James  H.  Behan  and  his  sister. 
Miss  Ann  P.  B.  Herron.  Miss  Behan  was  the 
adopted  daughter  of  Walter  Herron,  who  for- 
merly owned  the  property  where  the  hospital 
now  stands. 

The  history  of  this  hospital  is  one  of  more 
than  local  interest.  The  original  structure  was 
a  fine  si>ecimen  of  the  colonial  mansion  house. 
It  was  erected  by  Walter  Herron,  one  of  those 
enterprising  gentlemen  of  that  school  of  mer- 
chants who  laid  the  foundation  of  Norfolk's 
commercial  prominence. 

The  land  upon  which  the  hospital  stands 
was  formerly  the  property  of  a  Mr.  Plume  and 
;  was  known  as  "Plumeville."  At  the  death  of 
this  gentleman  the  property  was  heired  by  his 
nephew,  ]\Ir.  Walter  Herron,  and  at  his  death 
by  Miss  Behan,  his  adopted  daughter.  When 
that  dreaded  scourge,  the  yellow  fever  of  1855, 
decimated  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, when  the  sick  and  dying  were  counted 
by  hundreds,  many  without  shelter  and  more 
without  attention,  Miss  Ann  P.  B.  Herron 
threwr  open  the  doors  of  her  stately  home 
to  the  distressed,  and  A\hile  helping  them 
fell  herself  a  victim  to  the  plague.  Her 
dying  charge  was  that  the  property  should 
be  dedicated  to  hospital  purposes.  This 
charge  was,  in  1856,  carried  out  by  her 
brother.  Dr.  James  H.  Behan.  These  good 
people,  knowing  neither  sect  nor  section, 
established  in  that  beautiful  home  a  refuge  for 
the  sick.  Gradually  and  by  dint  of  self-sacri- 
ficing labor  they  converted  it  into  an  imposing 
structure  capable  of  caring  for  hundreds. 
From  a  capacity  to  treat  about  100  patients  an- 
nually in  its  inception,  it  grew  to  a  capacity  for 
the  treatment  of  1,473  ^*^  ^^^  time  of  its  de- 
struction by  fire  in  September,  1899. 

The  annual  report  of  1900  shows  a  total 
of  1,473  patients  treated  during  the  last  year, 
of  whom  176  paid  absolutely  nothing  and  a 
very  large  number  of  the  remainder  were  re- 
ceived at  greatly  reduced  prices,  out  of  con- 
sideration for  their  limited  means.  Of  this 
total  of   1,473  patients,   i'^Z  O'^'l^"  '^vere  from 


Entrance  to  the  Norfolk   County  Ferries  at  Portsmouth,   \'a. 


:::  i^ 


Armory  a>d  Ma-sket  Bu  liing,   Portsmouth,   Va. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


269 


\'irgiiiia.  and  tlie  remaining  960  represented 
Oi  <.)tlier  States  antl  countries.  In  additiaii  lu 
the  foregoing.  2.490  i^eople  were  treated  gratis 
in  the  free  disijensary.  This  great  work  was 
acconii)hs!ied  by  tlie  industry,  zeal  and  devo- 
tion of  tliis  order  of  unseltisli  charity  workers. 

The  hospital  structure,  a  view  of  which  ap- 
pears on  page  J08,  was  destroyed  by  fire  on 
September  21,  1899.  The  people  within  a  few 
da\  s  after  the  terrible  conflagration  set  to  work 
at  once  to  rebuild  the  hospital,  and  the  new 
building  is  a  splendid  structure. 

The  hospital  has  a  training  school  for 
nurses  which  is  so  well  and  favorably  known 
that  applications  for  admission  are  received 
almost  daily  and  from  nearly  every  State  in 
the  Union.  The  sister  superintendent  holds 
classes  and  quizzes  for  the  pupils  and  also 
directs  them  in  the  projjer  discharge  of  their 
duties  in  the  different  departments  of  the  hos- 
pital. 

Russian  and  Turkish  baths  can  \ye  secured 
in  this  hospital.  The  structure  contains  170 
rooms  and  23  wards.  The  old  or  "L"'  build- 
ing contains  two  wards.  The  entire  building 
has  accommodations  for  about  350  people  or 
about  double  the  capacity  of  the  destroyed  hos- 
pital building. 

The  staff  is  in  charge  of  Sister  Bernard, 
who  has  for  her  assistants  22  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity, 1 8  female  nurses  and  six  orderlies. 

THE  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  OF   NORFOLK, 

Both  new  and  old,  are  a  pride  to  the  city.  The 
new  buildings  present  all  that  is  new,  advanced 
and  up-to-date,  in  both  design,  interior  ar- 
rangements and  appointments,  while  the  old 
buildings  are  impressive  by  reason  of  the 
purity  and  beauty  of  their  classic  lines. 

The  City  Court  House  is  of  the  Roman- 
Doric  style  of  architecture.  The  massive  col- 
umns at  its  front  are  suggestive  of  solidity  and 
the  structure  is  crowned  by  a  handsome  dome. 

The  Federal  building,  where  Uncle  Sam 
has  his  postal  and  revenue  office  and  holds  his 


courts,  is  of  the  Corinthian  style.  The  new 
Federal  building,  on  Plume  street,  is  now 
Hearing  completion.  It  will  cost  when  com- 
l)leted  about  $350,000.  The  Post  Office  will 
be  removed  to  this  building  when  it  is  ready 
for  occupancy. 

The  Cotton  Exchange  has  a  tasteful  build- 
ing with  marble  front  at  the  cotton  head- 
quarters in  .Atlantic  City  Ward,  well  arranged 
for  its  uses. 

The  Norfolk  Academy,  of  pure  Doric  de- 
sign, is  one  of  the  buildings  most  admired  by 
visitors  to  the  city.  It  stands  near  the  center 
of  a  large  square.  This  building  was  designed 
by  Walter,  one  of  the  architects  of  the  National 
Capitol,  after  the  Temple  of  Theseus,  at 
Athens. 

Norfolk  has  several  handsome  hotel  build- 
ings, the  most  prominent  being  tlie  Monticello 
and  the  New  Atlantic.  The  Monticello  cost 
alx)ut  $500,000,  and  is  superb  in  all  its  ap- 
pointments. Tiie  New  Atlantic  cost  $250,000 
and  is  also  a  iiandsome  structure.  Ford's  Ho- 
tel (formerly  the  Gladstone),  is  next  in  archi- 
tectural importance,  and  the  contract  is  closed 
for  a  large  addition  that  will  add  about  80 
rooms. 

A  fund  is  being  raised  for  the  Norfolk 
Protestant  Hospital.  The  Market  and  Armory 
building  is  periiaps  the  largest  in  the  city,  and 
it  is  well  adapted  for  its  uses. 

The  city  is  not  deficient  in  modern  office 
and  store  buildings.  The  leading  business 
structure  in  this  line  is  the  Citizens"  Bank 
Building.  The  Columbia  Building  comes  next. 
There  are  also  other  popular  office  buildings, 
and  tenants  are  found  as  soon  as  good  business 
blocks  are  completed. 

A  number  of  new.  school-houses,  that  are 
thoroughly  modern  and  tasteful  in  appearance, 
and  many  beautiful  church  structures  complete 
the  list  of  public  buildings.  Among  the  latter 
are  the  Epworth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
that  cost  $120,000;  St.  Luke's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  that  cost  S  100.000,  and  the 
Park  .\venue  Baptist  Church,  erected  at  a  cost 
of  $25,000. 


270 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


THE  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS  OF  PORTSMOUTH 

Vary  in  st_\-le  of  arcliitecture  as  well  as  size. 
The  United  States  Hospital  is  a  massive  build- 
ing, which  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $600,000. 
It  stands  in  a  commanding  position  on  the  river 
front  and  is  one  of  the  first  objects  to  attract 
attention  as  one  enters  the  port. 

The  new  Annory  and  Market  building  is 
a  handsome  and  commodious  structure.  Other 
puljlic  buildings  are  the  Court  House,  Clerk's 
Office.  City  and  County  Jail,  City  Hall  and 
four  large  public  school  buildings.  The  Pyth- 
ian Hall,  Elks'  Hall,  Kirn  Hall,  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
Building,  St.  Joseph's  and  St.  Paul's  Acad- 
emies are  also  fine  structures.  The  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Union  Depot  is  an  ornament  to  the 
city. 

THE  NORFOLK  COUNTY  COURT   HOUSE. 

The  first  court  for  Lower  Norfolk  County 
was  held  at  a  private  residence  011  the  15th 
of  May,  1637.  It  must  be  remembered  at  that 
period  and  until  1751  the  year  began  on  the 
25th  of  March,  according  to  the  Jewish  com- 
putation, consequently  May  15th  came  before 
January  22(1  of  the  same  year.  They  were  con- 
tinued to  lie  held  at  different  residences  until 
an  agreement  was  entered  into  with  the  tavern 
keeper,  \\'illiam  Shipp.  The  court  granted 
him  a  license  to  keep  an  ordinary  and  agreed  to 
meet  regularly  at  his  tavern  if  he  would  keep 
a  first-class  establishment  with  accommoda- 
tions for  the  people  of  the  county  as  well  as 
strangers.  The  records  show  that  the  courts 
met  there  for  a  long  time.  The  first  Court 
House  was  on  Lynnhaven  River.  We  have 
not  been  alile  tO'  ascertain  when  this  first  Court 
House  was  built,  but  as  late  as  August,  1661, 
the  court  met  at  the  liouse  of  Thomas  Harding. 
The  first  county  jail  was  finished  on  the  20th 
of  [May.  1646;  until  that  time  the  sheriff  had 
to  kee])  the  ])risoners  until  they  could  be  sent 
to  tlie  public  prison  at  Williamsburg. 

The  first  Court  House  in  Norfolk  County 
of  which  we  have  any  record  was  on  Main 


street  at  the  head  of  Market  Square,  but  the 
date  of  its  construction  is  unknown.  An  Act 
passed  in  1752  to  explain  the  charter  of  the 
borough  of  Norfolk  pro\-ided  "That  nothing 
herein  contained  shall  be  construed  to  take 
away,  or  alter,  the  right  of  the  justices  of  the 
County  of  Norfolk  in  and  to  one  certain  lot 
or  parcel  of  land  within  the  said  borough, 
whereon  the  Court  House  and  prison'  now 
stand."  The  Court  House  and  prison  were  de- 
stroyed by  the  British  January  i,  1776. 

(Hen.  Vol.  9,  Page  231.)  October,  1776, 
Ordinance  for  Norfolk  County, — "Whereas 
by  the  burning  of  the  Borough  of  Norfolk,  the 
Court  House  of  the  County  was  destroyed,  and 
the  place  where  it  stood  will  be  much  exposed 
to  the  attacks  of  the  enemy  in  case  they  should 
return,  which,  together  with  the  dispersed  state 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  county,  hath 
prevented  the  rebuilding'  of  the  said  Court 
House,  by  means  whereof  the  justices  of  the 
said  County  have  been  hindered  from  holding 
courts  at  the  usual  place  and  only  one  court 
hath  been  held  for  the  said  coimty  since  the 
Court  House  was  so  burned,  and  that  not  at 
the  Court  House  and  without  a  writ  of  ad- 
journment, \\hereby  doubts  have  arisen 
whether  the  said  justices  have  power  to  build 
a  temporary  Court  House  at  any  other  place 
and  wlietherthe  proceedings  of  the  court  last 
hekl  were  valid,  therefore  enacted  that  tlie 
justices  could  erect  a  temporary  Court  House 
and  in  the  meantime  hold  court  anywhere,  pro- 
vided due  notice  was  given." 

On  June  19,  1777,  the  cnurt  ordered  "That 
the  Sheriff  make  diligent  inquiry  about  the  iron 
grates  that  belonged  t<i  the  prison  recently 
burnt  and  that  he  get  search  warrants  for  the 
same." 

On  the  17th  day  of  July,  1783,  the  court 
ordered  "That  the  Clerk  remove  the  records 
belonging  to  this  County  from  Abram  ^Vorm- 
ington's  to  Wetwood,  where  they  are  to  re- 
main 'by  consent  of  said  Clerk  in  his  safe- 
keeping until  an  office  can  Ije  built  for  their 
reception,  the  expense  thereof  to  be  laid  in  the 
ne.xt  County  levy." 


1 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


271 


After  tile  destruction  of  the  County  Court 
I  louse  two  courts  were  held  at  different  places, 
as  appear  from  the  following  orders : 

On  tlie  yth  day  of  March,  1785,  William 
Smith  was  allowed  by  the  C(.iurt  for  the  use  of 
his  room  as  Court  House,  jjer  account  to  this 
day.  12,000  pounds  of  tobacco;  Patrick  Mc- 
Cauly  for  use  of  his  room  as  an  office  for  one 
year  commencing  this  day,  3,200  pounds  of 
tobacco:  Paul  Loyall  for  bringing  the  records 
from  Great  Bridge  to  Norfolk,  300  pounds  of 
tobacco:  Katharine  Boush  for  the  use  of  the 
office  at  W'etwood  from  1784  to  this  day,  2,400 
ix>unds  (jf  tobacco.  On  December  15.  1785,  a 
letter  from  the  body  corporate  of  "Norfolk 
Borough"  imder  tlie  signature  of  the  mavor 
to  the  court  was  read,  whereupon  it  was  or- 
dered "That  Mathew  Godfrey,  Gent.,  return 
an  answer  thereto  expressing  tlie  thanks  of  this 
Court  for  the  ix>lite  oft'er  made  to  them  to  use 
their  Town  Hall   (for  holding  court)." 

On  the  1 6th  of  February,  1786,  it  was  or- 
dered "That  the  Commissioners  appointed  to 
let  out  to  the  lowest  bidder  the  building  of  a 
County  Court  House  be  directed  to  desist 
therefrom  until  the  sense  of  the  next  General 
Assembly  shall  be  known  thereon,  and  that  in 
the  meantime  the  business  of  the  Courts  shall 
be  carried  on  within  the  Borough  of  Norfolk 
as  usual,'' 

On  the  18th  of  January.  1787,  it  was  or- 
dered "That  George  Kelly,  Thomas  Brown. 
Robert  Boush  and  Ben  Pollard,  Gent.,  or  any 
three  of  them  be  commissioners,  advertise  and 
let  out  to  the  lowest  bidder  tlie  building  of  a 
County  Court  House  of  brick  agreeable  to  the 
plan  A.  In  which  jjlan  the  said  commissioners 
or  any  three  of  them  may  make  any  convenient 
alteration  which  may  appear  to  them  to  be 
necessary  and  to  ])lace  the  same  on  any  part  of 
the  Court  House  land  between  the  street  and 
girt  making  into  the  said  land." 

On  Noveml)er  22,  1788,  it  was  ordered 
"That  the  Clerk  remove  the  records  and  papers 
from  his  house  so  soon  as  the  Court  House  is 
finished  and  received,  to  the  room  set  apart  for 
that  purpose." 


About  this  time  began  a  heated  official  con- 
troversy about  removing  the  Court  House 
from  N'orfolk  to  Washington,  now  Berklcv. 
At  court  held  on  the  17th  day  of  October,  1788, 
it  was  ordered  "That  Daniel  Sanford,  Thomas 
Nash,  Sr.,  Samuel  \'eale,  John  Kearns,  Ma- 
tiiew  Godfrey,  John  Willoughby,  James  Tay- 
lor. Thomas  Ritson,  William  King,  Thomas 
Veale,  John  Cowper  and  James  Bruce  Nich- 
ols, Gents.,  be  added  to  the  Commissioners  re- 
specting the  Court  House  and  that  they  or  a 
majority  of  them  receive  the  said  house  agree- 
able to  contract  or  take  such  other  stq>s  as  may 
to  them  ap])ear  right:  to  which  Edward  Archer 
and  William  Newsome,  Gents.,  dissented  for 
the  following  reasons :  First,  because  the 
question  was  yesterday  put  for  adding  new 
Commissioners  and  the  Court  was  divided; 
2d.  because  the  Court  of  to-day  would  not  al- 
low the  same  number  of  Commissioners  to  be 
added  by  Edward  Archer,  Gent.,  from  E. 
Ri\er  Parish  that  were  allowed  from  the  other 
parishes;  3d,  because  they  are  well  convinced 
that  the  adding  of  more  Commissioners  at  all 
will  tend  to  raise  schisms  and  great  contentions 
in  the  Countv,  and  lastly,  liecause  the  four 
gentlemen  originally  app<;inted,  or  majority 
of  them,  namely,  George  Kelly,  Ben  Pollard, 
Roljert  Boush  and  Thomas  Brown,  are  able  to 
attend  and  fully  competent  to  the  determina- 
tion and  the  adding  new  ones  reflects  very 
much  on  them,  as  the  inference  is  they  will 
not  do  equal  justice." 

The  commissioners  appointed  to  let  out  the 
building  of  a  County  Court  House  of  brick, 
made  their  report  March  19.  1789.  in  these 
words,  to-wit:  "Pursuant  to  the  orders  of 
the  Worshipful  Court  of  Norfolk  County  bear- 
ing date' on  the  i8th  and  19th  days  of  Janu- 
ary. 1787.  we.  the  Commissioners  therein 
named,  did  proceed  to  let  out  the  building  of 
a  County  Court  House  to  the  lowest  bidder 
agreeable  to  the  plan  gixen  by  the  Court, 
which  Imilding  was  undertaken  by  Lemuel 
Carter  and  \\'illiain  Hobday  for  the  sum  of 
£980.  and  afterward  judging  that  a  cupola 
would  be  an  ornamental  addition  thereto,  did 


272 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


contract  with  William  Hobda}-  to  build  the 
same  for  the  sum  of  £50,  which  was  approved 
of  and  ratified  by  the  Court.  We  ha\e  also, 
in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  the  19th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1787,  drawn  on  the  County  Ireasurei"  for 
such  sums  as  became  due  to  the  undertakers  as 
they  advanced  in  the  work,  a  list  of  which 
drafts  is  hereto  annexed  amounting  to  £1,042 
IS.  3d.,  being  the  full  sum  due  to  the  under- 
takers for  building  and  completing  the  same." 

The  difficulty  lietween  the  justices  in  re- 
gard to  the  removal  of  the  Court  House  from 
the  borough  of  Norfolk  was  solved  by  an  Act 
of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  on  the  19th 
day  of  November,  1789,  authorizing  the  re- 
moval of  the  Norfolk  County  Court  without 
the  borough.  The  Act  recited  that  it  "will  be 
greatly  for  the  ease  and  relief  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  County  of  Norfolk  to  remove  the 
Court  of  said  County  without  the  borough  of 
Norfolk,"  and  enacted  that  '"from  and  after 
the  tirst  day  of  December  next  Courts  for  the 
said  County  of  Norfolk  shall  not  be  holden 
within  the  limits  of  the  Borough  of  Norfolk." 

It  also  provided  that  the  justices  should 
meet  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Shafer  at  Powder 
Point  in  St.  Bride's  Parish  and  fix  on  a  place 
for  holding-  courts  until  the  necessary  building 
could  be  erected  for  a  permanent  seat ;  that  the 
court  at  its  first  session  held  at  Mrs.  Shafer's 
house  should  appoint  commissioners  to  sell  the 
lot  of  ground  within  the  borough  of  Norfolk 
"on  which  the  Court  House  is  now  erected;" 
that  the  commissioners  should'  apportion  the 
money  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  said  lot  be- 
tween the  inhabitants  of  the  county  and  those 
of  the  borough,  according  to  the  tithables  they 
respectively  had  at  the  time  of  levying  the  ex- 
pense of  building  the  said  Court  House. 

It  also  provided  that  the  proportion  due  the 
borough  should  be  paid  to  the  chamberlain  of 
that  corporation  and  the  county's  share  should 
be  applied  toward  defraying  the  expense  of 
erecting  the  Court  House  and  other  public 
buildings  as  well  as  for  the  purchase  of  a  lot, 
and  the  surplus,  if  any,  to  be  applied  under  the 
direction  of  the  court  to  the  establishment  of 


free  schools.  The  justices  were  forbidden  to 
assess  any  tax  whatsoever  on  the  inhabitants  of 
the  borough  of  Norfolk. 

In  Deed  Book  32,  page  43,  in  the  county 
clerk's  office,  is  the  deed  from  Edward  Archer 
and  others  to  Robert  Taylor  in  consideration 
of  £1,300  for  a  certain  piece  or  parcel  of  land 
situate,  lying  and  beginning  in  the  borough  of 
Norfolk  on  the  north  side  of  ^lain  street  op- 
posite the  Market  House.  This  deed  is  dated 
the  nth  of  May,  1790,  and  recites  that  the 
commissioners  sold  under  the  Act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  passed  November  19,  1789. 
A  lien  was  reserved  for  deferred  payment 
which  was  released  by  deed  of  31st  of  May, 
1792.  The  commissioners  had  the  lot  divided 
into  three  parcels  and  sold  at  public  auction 
on  the  6th  day  of  April,  1792.  One  of  the 
parcels  was  purchased  by  Robert  Taylor, 
another  by  John  Calvert  and  the  other  by  Bay- 
lor Hill.  The  total  amount  of  the  sales  was 
£2,341.  This  was  the  land  owned  by  the 
county  for  its  public  buildings  in  the  borough 
of  Norfolk.  It  had  been  doubtless  reserved 
when  the  50  acres  were  purchased  from  Nich- 
olas Wise  for  the  town  in   1680. 

At  a  cijurt  held  on  the  20th  of  August, 
17S9, — "James  ]\Iathews,  foreman,  George  W'. 
Burgess,  W'illiam  W'ilkins,  James  Wllkins, 
James  Taylor,  Spivy  W'yatt,  John  ]\Ioore, 
William  Porter,  Richard  Baris,  George  \\ebb, 
W'illiam  Noyall.  Thomas  Powell,  John  \\"ar- 
ren,  W'illoughb}-  Creekmur,  John  ^Nlurtlen, 
John  Randolph,  Epaphroditus  Butt  and  Na- 
thaniel Tatem,  \\iio  being  sworn  a  grand  jury 
of  inquest  for  the  body  of  this  County,  went 
out  and  after  some  time  returned  and  made 
their  presentaments  in  the  following  manner : 
'W'e  the  grand  jury  present  such  of  the  Justices 
of  Norfolk  County  Court  who  have  ran  coun- 
ter to  and  \iolated  the  Constitution  sitting  as 
judge  and  party,  at  the  same  time  belonging 
to  another  jurisdiction  and  acting  legislative, 
executi\e  and  judicial  officers,  we  present  those 
of  the  Justices  wdio  have  made  the  unwarrant- 
able attack  upon  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
the  people  by  refusing  to  put  the  legal  and 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


273 


necessary  questions  of  the  administration  of 
said  Court  wlieii  repeatedly  called  for  and  de- 
manded, and  we  present  those  justices  who 
have  been  instrumental  in  retaining  the  Court 
belonging  to  the  County  within  the  Borough 
contrary  to  the  real  interest  and  rei)eated  cries 
and  complaints  of  the  people."  " 

17th  December.  1789,  Court.  13  justices 
present, — "The  Court,  in  pursuance  of  the  Act 
of  Assembly  for  removal  of  the  Court  House 
of  Norfolk  County,  etc..  do  fix  on  the  place 
called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Washing- 
ton, there  being  a  majority  of  votes  for  that 
place,  for  the  erecting  of  the  necessary  public 
buildings  at  such  place  for  the  holding  of 
courts  of  said  County,  and  that  iwitil  such 
buildings  be  erected  the  Courts  to  be  held  at 
the  brick  house  of  the  estate  of  Charles  Small- 
wotxl  at  Ferry  Point. 

"Ordered  that  Willis  \\'ilson,  John 
Kearnes,  William  Nev.sum,  Edward  Archer, 
James  Webb.  Robert  Butt  and  John  Hodges, 
or  any  five  of  them,  after  being  first  sworn 
faithfully  and  impartially  to  perform  the  duties 
required  of  them  by  the  .\ct  for  removal  of 
Norfolk  County  Couirt.  &c..  sell  the  lot  of 
ground  within  the  Borough  of  Norfolk  on 
which  the  Court  House  is  now  erected,  on  such 
terms  as  they  in  their  judgment  shall  think 
l)est  and  convey  the  same  to  the  purchaser  in 
fee  or  make  rejwrt  to  the  Court. 

"Ordered  that  Thomas  Nash.  Thomas 
Newton,  Charles  Odea:i.  John  Hudson  and 
Samuel  Veale  or  any  three  purchase  a  lot  in 
the  place  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
Washington  to  erect  public  buildings  for  hold- 
ing courts  for  said  County  and  they  or  a  ma- 
jority of  them  propose  plans  of  such  buildings 
and  lay  them  Ijefore  next  court. 

"Ordered  that  the  clerk  remove  the  rec- 
ord and  papers  from  the  present  Court  House 
to  such  a  house  as  Edward  Archer.  Thomas 
Newton  and  William  Newton  or  any  two  may 
think  proper  and  that  they  or  a  majority  of 
them  examine  the  records.  &c..  previous  there- 
to and  report  to*  next  court." 

Mav   16,   1791. — "Ordered  that  the  Court 

16 


I  be  adjourned  till  the  3rd  Monday  in  June  next 
then  to  meet  in  the  upstairs  room  of  the  red 
House  at  Ferry  Point  belonging  to  Edward 
Allmand."     July    16,     1792. — "Ordered  that 

I  Commissioners  appointed  to  sell  Court  House 
in  Norfolk  make  rei)ort  at  next  court  of  ac- 
count of  sales."  July  16,  1792. — "That  com- 
misioners  apjwinted  to  receive  the  Court 
House  built  by  James  S.  Mathews  this  day 
made  report  and  same  was  recorded." 

September  18.  1789. — "Ordered  that  the 
Clerk  furnish  the  representatives  with  the  fol- 
lowing copies  from  the  records  and  the  said 
representati\es  are  hereby  instructed  to  lay 
them  before  the  next  session  of  assembly  and  to 
urge  their  endeavors  to  obtain  remedy  to  and 
redress  of  the  same,  viz :  the  motion  for  an 
additional  numl>er  to  superintend  the  building 
of  the  Court  House  with  the  protest  against 

,  the  same.  The  judge  or  presiding  member 
of  the  court  who  refused  to  put  the  question 
for  adjourning  the  court  to  Ferry  Point  when 
called  for  by  a  majority  of  the  court.     The 

'  same  resijecting  the  recommending  justices, 
the  presentment  of  the  grand  jury  vs.  the  jus- 
tics  for  malpractices.  Officers  of  the  corjxira- 
tion  sitting  as  judges  in  the  County  Court 
and  the  opinion  of  the  court  respecting  their 
summoning  jurymen  within  the  Borough  of 
Norfolk." 

At  court  held  January  21.  1790. — "The 
commissioners  apjwinted  to  ]nirchase  a  lot  of 
land  in  the  place  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  \\'ashington.  to  erect  public  buildings 
for  holding  of  courts  for  said  County,  and  to 
prepare  plans  for  such  buildings  and  lay  them 
before  the  next  court,  made  their  report  in 
these  words  to-wit :  'In  obe^lience  to  an  or- 
der of  Court  dated  the  17th  day  of  Deceml>er. 
1789.  we  the  subscribers  met  at  the  place  called 
\\'ashingtcm  to  fix  on  a  lot  for  building  a 
Court  House  and  prison  and  having  viewed 
the  different  lots  fixed  on  No.  9  l)elonging  to 
Edmund  Allmand  and  purchased  the  same  for 
the  sum  of  £2-5,  the  said  lot  is  sufficiently 
large  for  all  necessary  buildings.  We  have 
also  caused  a  plan  of  a  c^mrt  house  and  pris- 


274 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


on  to  be  drawn  wliicli  is  hereto  annexed ;  in 
drawing  the  plans,  particularly  for  the  prison, 
we  considered  that  the  situation  of  it  would 
require  one  so  large  that  a  goaler  might  in- 
habit therein  for  the  comfortable  accommoda- 
tion of  the  unfortunate  Debtor  &  the  safe 
keeping'  of  criminals,  we  beg  leave  to  refer 
the  Court  to  the  plans  hereto  annexed  for 
further  information.  Thumas  Xash,  Sr., 
Thomas  Xewti/n.  Jr.,  Samuel  Veale."  It  is 
thereupon  ordered  that  the  said  report  be  re- 
corded and  that  the  plan. of  a  Court  House 
with  the  dimensions  of  a  prison  be  received." 

At  court  on  January  21,  1790,  it  was  or- 
dered "That  Thomas  Nash,  Thomas  Newton, 
Charles  Odean,  John  Hudson,  Samuel  Veale, 
Thomas  Bressie  and  \\'illiam  Boushell  or  a 
majority  of  them,  advertise  and  let  out  to  the 
lowest  bidder  the  building  of  a  county  prison 
of  brick  of  such  dimensions  as  are  mentioned 
in  the  n(!te  at  the  bottom  of  the  report  this  day 
returned  to  Court,  to  be  paid  for  in  such  man- 
ner as  the  said  Commissioners  or  a  majority 
of  thtm  may  agree  and  make  report  to  the 
Court." 

At  oiurt  ;\Iay  17,  1790, — "Ordered  that 
Thomas  Xash,  Thomas  Newton,  Charles 
Odean,  Samuel  \'eale,  Thoanas  Bressie,  and 
"William  B(jushell  (_.r  a  majority  of  them  ad- 
vertise and  let  out  to  the  lowest  Bidder,  the 
Building  of  a  County  Court  House  of  Brick 
of  such  dimensions  as  are  mentioned  in  the 
plan  received  by  the  Court  at  January  last."' 

The  Court  House  was  built  under  these  or- 
ders and  the  courts  were  held  in  it  until  1803. 
The  old  building  is  still  in  existence  and  used 
by  the  Berkley  Knitting  !\Iills, 

"It  l)eing  represented  that  the  location  of 
the  Court  House  and  jail  in  the  town  of  Wash- 
ington was  inconvenient  and  the  inhabitants  of 
Portsmouth  being  willing  to  erect  necessary 
public  Iniildings  at  their  own  expense  on  re- 
ceiving the  lot  with  Court  House  and  prison 
in  the  town  of  Washington,  to  lie  sold  to  re- 
inil)urse  them  for  the  expense  of  the  new 
builclings,"  on  the  20th  of  January,  1801,  the 
legislature  authorized  the  removal  of  the  court 


as  soon  as  a  Court  House  and  prison  of  like 
form  and  dimensions  and  strength  with  those 
in  the  town  of  Washington,  should  be  erected 
on  the  ground  set  apart  for  that  purpose  in 
the  town  of  Portsmouth  bv  voluntarv  contri- 
butions,— now  the  site  of  Hotel  Monroe  and 
and  the  Commercial  Building,  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  High  and  Court  streets. 

On  the  19th  day  of  April,  1803.  William 
King,  Richard  Blow,  Samuel  Brown  and 
James  S.  Mathews  on  the  bench,  the  court  re- 
ceived the  report  of  Ralph  Pigot,  \\'illiam  Wil- 
son, Jr.,  and  \\'illiam  Pritchard,  who'  had  been 
appointed  to  examine  the  materials  and  work- 
manship of  the  Court  House  and  jail  in  the 
town  of  Portsmouth,  which  report  stated  they 
had  found  them  agreeable  to  statements  of 
commissioners  and  in  conformity  with  the  Act 
of  the  Ceneral  Assembly  passed  on  the  20th 
day  of  January,  1801,  for  the  removal  of  the 
Court  House  and  jail  from  the  town  of  \\'asli- 
ington  to  the  to\\n  of  Portsmouth. 

On  the  i6th  day  of  ]\Iay,  1803, — "It  ap- 
pearing to  the  Court  that  a  new  Court  House 
and  Jail  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth  of  like 
form  and  dimensions  and  strength  with  those 
in  the  town  of  Washington  hatli  been  erected 
on  the  ground  set  apart  for  that  purpose  in  the 
said  town  of  Portsmouth.  It  is  ordered  that 
the  Court  be  henceforth  held  in  the  said  Court 
Honse  in  the  town  of  Portsnunith  to  which 
place  the  Court  doth  now  umanimously  ad- 
journ." 

Xovember  22.  1842,  the  justices  were  or- 
dered to  Ije  summoned  for  tlie  next  court  to 
consider  building  a  new  Court  House,  and  at 
the  next  court,  Decanbebr  17,  it  was  "Re- 
solved, That  Dr.  Arthur  R.  Smith,  William 
Etheridge  and  John  A.  Chandler  be  a  com- 
mittee on  the  part  of  Xorfolk  County  to  act 
with  a  committee  from  Portsmouth  to  me- 
morialize the  legislature  to  authorize  the  build- 
ing of  a  new  Court  House  on  the  lot  at  the 
northwest  intersection  of  High  and  Court 
streets,  to  sell  the  present  Court  House  and  lot 
and  apply  the  proceeds  to  the  new  Court 
House."     This  (jrder  was  amended  c^n  the  23d 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


275 


of  December,  1842,  so  that  should  Portsmouth 
l>ecome  fully  incorporated  it  should  have  power 
to  hold  a  Hustings  Court  and  that  the  Court 
House  should  be  used  by  the  said  town  to  hold 
its  Corporation  Court  therein  equally  with  the 
Count}-  Court.  James  G.  Hatton,  John  A. 
Chandler.  Richard  Raugh.  Samuel  Watts  and 
\\'illiam  Etheridge  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  petition  the  legislature,  then  in  session,  to 
authorize  the  court  to  remove  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice to  the  lot  then  occupied  by  the  clerk's 
office.  This  changt;  was  authorized  by  an  Act 
of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  on  the  14th 
of  December,  1844,  which  permitted  the  Coun- 
ty Court,  by  arrangements  with  the  trustees 
of  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  to  rebuild  the  old 
Court  House  or  l)uild  a  new  one  on  the  lot 
occupied  by  the  clerk's  office  or  some  other 
locality.  On  the  17th  of  March,  1845,  ^^■ 
A.  R.  Smith,  Leaven  Gayle,  Richard  Baugh, 
John  G.  Hutton  and  George  T.  Wallace  were 
apix)inted  a  committee  to  have  a. Court  House 
built  on  the  clerk's  office  lot,  also  a  jail  on 
said  or  any  other  lot. 

So  the  present  Norfolk  County-  Court 
House  was  built,  located  at  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  High  and  Court  streets  in  the  city  of 
Portsmouth  and  is  owned  and  occupied  joint- 
ly with  that  city.  The  court  was  removed  to 
this  Court  House  on  Monday,  the  20th  day 
of  July,  1846.  Samuel  \\'atts,  James  E.  Wil- 
son, Edward  P.  Cowper  and  Frederick  Wil- 
son were  en  the  Ijench  and  ordered  that 

"Whereas,  at  the  last  term  of  this  court 
an  order  was  made  requiring  that  all  the  jus- 
tices should  he  duh'  sunimnned  to  appear  here 


this  day  to  take  into  consideration  the  pro- 
priety of  making  an  order  for  the  immediate 
remoxal  and  sitting  of  this  court  to  and  in 
the  new  Court  House  lately  erected  by  virtue 
of  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia 
and  that  a  copy  thereof  was  set  up  at  the 
Court  House  door  and  also  at  the  Clerk's  of- 
fice door  and  it  appearing  to  the  court  that 
said  order  has  been  duly  executed  according 
to  law.  It  is  ordered  that  this  court  will  now 
proceed  to  remove  its  sessions  forthwith  to 
the  new  Court  House  on  the  lot  known  as  the 
clerk's  office  lot  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth 
and  that  all  future  sessions  of  this  court  be 
iiereafter  held  therein,"  and  the  court  there- 
u])on  proceeded  to  the  new  Court  House. 
And  so  court  lias  lieen  held  at  this  Court 
House  ever  since. 

.\fter  the  Confederate  War,  the  whole  in- 
terior of  the  court  room  was  changed  and  di- 
vided into  two  rooms,  one  for  the  Court  of 
Hustings  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth,  on  the 
west  side,  and  the  other  for  the  courts  of  Nor- 
folk County  on  the  east  side.  The  steps  and 
entrance  on  the  Court  street  side  were  clianged 
to  High  street,  the  cupola  removed  and  the 
general  aspect  was  much  filtered.  The  county 
purchased  another  lot  on  the  west  side  of  its 
clerk's  office,  on  which  it  enlarged  the  clerk's 
office  and  equipped  it  with  every  convenience. 
The  jail,  which  was  built  at  the  same  time 
with  the  Court  House,  at  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  High  and  Washington  streets,  was  re- 
cently torn  down,  and  a  new  one  for  both  cor- 
])orati(  ns  erected  at  the  northwest  corner  of 
Countv  and  Water  streets. 


CHAPTER.  XVI 


THE  BENCH  AND  BAH 

Early  Attorneys — Superior  Court  of  Portsmouth — Norfolk  City  Courts — Norfolk 
County  Court — Rates  for  Tavern  Keepers — Justices  of  the  Peace  from  1637 
• — Sheriffs  of  the  County — Clerks  of  the  Norfolk  County  Court — Ministers 
Licensed  to  Perform  the  Rite  of  Matrimony — The  Courts  of  Norfolk — The 
Courts  of  Portsmouth. 


EARLY'   ATTORNEY'S. 

The  bench  and  bar  of  Norfolk  County 
have  always  been  a  credit  to  the  profession  of 
law.  In  the  colonial  period  James  Nimmo, 
William  Young,  Walter  Lyons,  Thomas 
Clayborne,  Thomas  Nivison,  Benjamin 
Crooker,  Thomas  Bourke,  John  Brickel,  Miles 
Carey,  Anthony  Lawson  and  Thomas  Emmer- 
son  were  among  the  practicing  attorneys  at 
the  bar.  William  Robertson  was  the  first  at- 
torney for  the  Commonwealth  after  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  having  qualified 
on  the  19th  day  of  December,  1776.  Some 
of  the  distinguished  members  of  the  bar  under 
the  Commonwealth  were:  William  Wirt,  Lit- 
tleton Waller  Tazewell,  John  S.  Millson,  John 
Murdaugh,  John  A.  Chandler,  Richard  Gate- 
wood,  James  Murdaugh,  Tazewell  Taylor,  J. 
H.  Langhorne,  James  G.  Holliday,  James  W. 
Hinton,  L.  H.  Chandler,  John  Neely.  John  H. 
Gayle,  Charles  B.  Duffield,  James  Holt.  Rich- 
ard Walke. 

superior  court  of  PORTSMOUTH. 

At  the  Superior  Court  of  law  held  at  the 
Court  House  in  Portsmouth  on  the  2jnd  day 


of  May,  1809,  Hon.  William  Nelson,  one  of 
the  judges  of  the  general  court,  presided. 

On  the  23d  day  of  October,  1809,  Hon. 
James  Serriple,  judge,  presided. 

.On  the  25th  day  of  January,  1817,  Hon. 
Griffin  Stith,  judge,  presided. 

On  the  15th  day  of  June,  1831,  Hon.  Rob- 
ert B.  Taylor,  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court,  pre- 
sided. 

On  the  1st  day  of  November,  1831,  Hon. 
William  Browne,  judge,  presided,  having  ex- 
changed circuits  with  Judge  Taylor. 

On  June  ist,  1832,  Hon.  Abel  P.  Upsher, 
judge,  presided,  having  exchanged  circuits 
with  Judge  Taylor. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  1833.  Judge  Robert 
B.  Taylor  died ;  and  Gov.  L.  W.  Tazewell  ap- 
pointed Richard  H.  Baker  of  the  county  of 
Nansemond  ti:>  fill  the  vacancy.  Judge  Baker 
went  upon  the  bench  on  the  2nd  of  June,  1834, 
and  continued  as  circuit  judge  until  about  a 
year  before  his  death,  which  occurred  on  No- 
vember 29,  1 87 1,  except  when  supplanted  by 
LTnited  States  military  orders  because  of  his 
refusal  to  take  the  iron-clad  oath. 

On  :\Iarch  i,  1864,  Hon.  Edward  K. 
Snead,  military  appointee,  presided. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


'-77 


On  March  i.  1866,  Hon.  Richard  H.  Baker 
resumed  his  seat  as  judge,  having  been  re- 
appointed by  the  Governor. 

On  February  15.  1869,  Hon.  Edwin  P. 
Pitts  was  appointed  judge  in  place  of  Judge 
Baker,  removed  by  tlie  miHtary  edict  of  Maj.- 
Gen.  George  Stoneman,  U.  S.  Army. 

On  the  15th  day  of  March,  187 1,  Hon. 
George  Blow,  judge,  presided  in  the  circuit  of 
Portsmouth. 

On  .March  5,  1887,  Hon.  Chandler  W. 
Hill,  judge,  presided. 

On  the  4th  day  of  March.  1895,  Hon. 
Robert  R.  Prentis.  judge,  presided,  and  con- 
timies  in  office. 

NORFOLK   CITY   COURTS. 

An  Act  passed  March  2,  1819,  provided 
that.  "All  courts  held  in  Norfolk  Borough  for 
the  trial  of  civil  causes,  may  be  composed  of 
the  mayur.  recorder  and  one  alderman,  the 
mayor  and  two  aldermen,  the  recorder  and 
two  aldermen,  or  any  three  aldermen." 

Acts  1850-51.  page  31.  provided  that, 
"Hereafter  the  Corporation  Court  of  Norfolk 
shall  be  held  by  the  justices  of  said  corpora- 
tion or  any  three  or  more  of  them,  e.xcept 
where  it  is  otherwise  expressly  provided." 

This  Act  was  amended  January  20,  1866: 
"And  also  by  a  magistrate,  who  shall  be  called 
the  Judge  of  the  Court  of  the  Corporation  of 
the  City  of  Norfolk."  *  *  *  'The  said 
Judge  shall  be  elected  by  the  Select  and 
Common  Councils  of  the  said  city,  in  joint 
meeting  assembled,  and  shall  hold  his  oftice 
for  the  term  of  eight  years."  Tlie  only  judge 
of  the  Corporation  Court  of  Norfolk  City, 
elected  by  the  Councils  of  the  city,  was 
Thomas  C.  Tabb.  elected  May  i.  1866,  for 
eight  years. — resigned  June  4.  1868,  as  of  date 
May  I.  1868.  resignation  accepted;  at  a  sub- 
sequent meeting,  a  resolution  was  adopted  call- 
ing for  a  joint  session  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing his  successor,  but  it  was  never  held.  He 
was  succeeded  bv  O.  M.  Domian,  an  appointee 
of   Major-General   Canby ;   he    was    made    a 


I  member  of  the  Sujjreme  Court  in  18^)9  and 
was  succeeded  by  B.  B.  Foster,  military  ap- 
pointee. This  judge,  B.  B.  Foster,  was  also 
judge  of  the  Court  of  Hustings  for  Ports- 
mouth and  register  of  deeds,  holding  the  three 
(ifhces  at  one  and  the  same  time  by  military- 
edict.  The  new  Constitution  provided  for 
each  city  or  town  in  the  State,  containing  a 
population  of  5,000,  "There  shall  be  elected  on 
the  joint  ballot  of  the  two  houses  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  one  city  judge  who  shall  hold 
a  Corporation  or  Hustings  Court  of  said 
city." 

Hon.  William  H.  Burroughs  was  the  first 

judge    elected    under    this    Constitution    and 

I  ser\ed  until  the  January  term,  1877.     He  was 

I  succeeded  by  Judge  George  P.  Scarburg.  who 

I  served  until  1880.  when  he  was  succeeded  by 

Judge   Da\id  J.   Godwin,   who    served    until 

1883.     Judge  D.   Tucker    Brooke    succeeded 

him  and  served  until  1894.  when  the  present 

incumbent.    Judge    Allen    R.    Hanckel.    was 

elected. 

i  NORFOLK   COUNTY   COURT. 

The  presiding  officers  of  the  County  Courts 
were  tirst  termed  commissioners  of  the  peace, 
afterward  changed  to  justices  of  the  peace, 
who  held  regular  terms  of  court  at  designated 
points,  sometimes  private  residences,  at  other 
times  at  houses  for  public  entertainment  until 
the  lirst  Court  House  was  built.  The  instruc- 
tions to  Sir  lliomas  W'yatt.  Governor  of  \'ir- 
ginia.  July  24,  1621,  required  the  Governor 
and  Council  to  appoint  proper  times  for  the 
administration  of  justice,  and  the  Grand  As- 
sembly of  March  5,  1623-24.  directed  that 
courts  should  be  held  once  every  month  in 
i  Charles  City  and  Elizabeth  City  for  deciding 
suits  and  controversies  not  exceeding  in  value 
100  pounds  of  tobacco  and  for  punishing 
pettv  offenses.  The  General  Assembly,  in 
Tune.  1642.  enacted  that  there  should  be  held 
Monthly  Courts  with  the  power  to  determine 
debts  and  differences  under  the  sum  of  1.600 
IMJunds  of  tobacco  and  the  beginning  of  the 


278 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


term  for  Lower  Xorfolk  County  was  fixed  for 
the  15th  day  of  each  month.  Tlie  Grand  As- 
sembly of  ?ilarch.  1642-43,  changed  the  name 
from  "Monthly  Courts"  to  "County  Courts," 
reduced  the  terms  to  six  yearly  and  styled  the 
officers  "Commissioners  of  the  County 
Courts."  and  ever  since  we  have  had  the  Nor- 
folk County  Court.  The  terms  were  after- 
ward changed  back  to  monthly  and  the  juris- 
diction has  been  changed  from,  time  to  time. 

The  first  court  ever  lield  in  Lower  Xor- 
folk County  of  \vhich  we  have  any  record  was 
held  on  tlie  T5th  day  of  May.  1637,  and  the 
last  court  held  for  Xorfolk  County  by  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  was  at  the  Court  House  in 
Pr.rtsmouth  on  Saturda}-,  the  23rd  day  of 
April.  1870.  The  commissioners  pr-esiding  at 
the  first  court  were  Capt.  Adam  Thorogood, 
Francis  ALison,  Capt.  John  Sibsey,  afterward 
sheriff.  Edward  ^\'indham,  William  Julian 
and  Robert  Carne.  The  justices  presiding  at 
the  last  court  were  F.  W.  Lemosy.  W.  B. 
Harris,  ^^^  J.  Bishop  and  John  W.  McCloud, 
all  reconstruction  justices.  During  the  long 
period  in  which  magistrates  were  appointed, 
they  were  always  selected  for  their  intelligence, 
pr(;l)ity  antl  high  standing  in  the  communitv 
and  were  generally  leading  citizens. 

On-  the  1 6th  of  July,  1642,  the  first  jury 
trial  in  a  ci\-il  case  took  place.  The  panel  was 
composed  of  Bartholomew  Hoskins,  Edward 
Hall.  Thomas  Cheely,  Thomas  Keeling,  John 
Holbeck.  Francis  Land,  Christopher  B'ur- 
roughs,  Thomas  Cannon,  Simon  Hancock, 
"William  Davis  and  Alathew  Phillips.  The 
case  arose  under  the  fence  law.  John  Gookin"s 
hogs  got  into  Richard  Foster's  corn  field  and 
Foster  sued  for  damages.  The  12  good  and 
true  men  rendered  their  \erdict :  "W'e  there- 
fore, the  jury,  having  fully  examined  the  evi- 
dence given  iju  both  sides,  find  no  cause  where- 
of any  damages  should  l>e  allowed  for  the 
plaintiff's  corn  which  was  destroyed,  the  de- 
fendant ha\ing  sufficiently  pro\-ed  that  he  hath 
kejjt  a  sufficient  hog-keeper  and  sufficient  hog- 
pen according  to  the  Act  in  that  case  made 
and  provided,  and  that  the  plaintiff'  had  not 


fenced  his  plantation  according  to  the  Acts  in 
that  ca.se  made  and  provided,  wherefore  we 
give  our  verdict  that  the  plaintiff  shall  pay  all 
charges  of  the  lower  court  and  so  the  suit  be 
fully  determined.'' 

A  court  of  Lower  Xorfolk  County  com- 
posed of  four  justices  clandestinely  held  gave 
judgment  for  George  Abbott  against  Col.  Ed- 
ward Scarborough  for  7,900  pounds  of  to- 
bacco, casks  and  costs.  It  was  re^'ersed  by 
the  Grand  Assembly  in  ]\Iarch,  1661-62  (Hen. 
\'ol.  2,  Page  158),  and  the  justices  of  the  court 
were  compelled  to  pay  Colonel  Scarborough 
the  full  amount  which  the}'  had  awarded 
against  him  with  all  costs.  What  a  whole- 
some lesson  for  unjust  judges! 

At  the  court  held  for  X'orfolk  County  on 
the  2ist  day  of  December,  1753,  for  laying 
the  county  levy.  Justices  Col.  \^'il]iam  Cra- 
ford,  Capt.  \\'illiam  Ivy,  Capt.  John  Hutch- 
ings,  Capt.  George  Veaie,  Capt.  Josiah  Smith, 
William  Bradly  and  \\'illiam  Portlock  pre- 
sided and  ordered  that  Joshua  Corprew,  sher- 
iff, collect  from  each  tithable  person  22^'^ 
poimds  of  tobacco  and  pay  the  creditors  of 
the  county,  whose  claims  amounted  to  56,- 
992  pounds  of  tobacco.  There  were  ^.^t^t,  tith- 
al>le  persons  in  the  county.  Samuel  Boush 
was  the  clerk  of  the  court  at  this  date  and 
his  salary  was  1,200  pounds  of  tobacco.  The 
sherift"s  salary  was  1.200  jjounds  and  the 
King's  attorney  1,000  pounds  of  tobacco. 
Among  the  items  of  expense  at  a  subsequent 
term  were  100  pounds  of  tobacco  to  be  paid 
Richard  Smith  for  one  old  wolf's  head. 

In  1686.  3,000  pounds  of  tobacco  were 
paid  out  of  the  county  levy  by  the  sheriff'  as 
rewards  for  wolves'  heads. 

On  the  2 1  St  of  May,  1761,  the  court  as- 
signed justices  to  take  list  of  tithables  as  fol- 
lows :  Lemuel  Willoughby  to  take  the  list  for 
the  borough  of  X'orfolk  on  the  east  side  of 
Church  street  beginning  at  his  lane  to  the  ex- 
tent of  the  bounds  of  the  borough.  ^lathew 
Godfrey,  on  the  south  side  of  Tanner's  Creek 
as  far  as  Willis  Cares,  on  the  north  side  of 
the  creek  to  the  extent  of  the  bounds  of  the 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


!79 


county.  Max.  Calvert  in  the  bnroiigli  of  Nor- 
folk on  the  west  side  of  Cluirch  street  begin- 
ning on  line  west  side  of  \Villoughby's  lane,  to 
the  extent  of  the  lx)unds  of  the  borough. 
James  Webb  from  Ferry  Point  to  Great 
Bridge.  Josliua  Cori)rew  from  (ireat  Bridee 
to  Edmund's  I'ridge  and  New  Mill  Creek. 
Kicliard  Tucker,  Jr..  from  Edmund's  liridge 
to  the  ui)])er  inhabitants,  including  both  roacis. 
Thomas  \'eale  in  I'nrtsmoiuh  and  from  thence 
to  Xew  Mill  Creek.  Jnhn  Tucker  from 
Portsmouth  to  the  Western  Branch,  includ- 
ing both  sides  thereof. 

The  court  held  on  December  30,  i/(>i.  al- 
lowed William  Young,  King's  attorney,  Wil- 
son XewtiMi,  high  sherifY,  and  Samuel  Boush, 
clerk  of  the  court,  their  yearly  salary,  1,200 
pounds  of  tobacco  each.  The  total  county  ex- 
])enses  amounted  to  54.994  ix)unds  of  tobacco 
and  each  tithable  person  was  taxed  16^/3 
pounds  to  be  collected  by  the  sheriff  and  paid 
over  to  the  creditors. 

The  coiu't  held  November  10,  17O9,  "Or- 
dered for  the  future  that  it  is  to  be  an  instruc- 
tion that  they  will  not  be  allowed  for  commit- 
ting runaways,  other  than  tlidse  that  belong 
to  persons  out  of  this  county  or  those  that  can- 
not tell  their  master's  name." 

On  Monday,  August  15.  179'),  Robert 
Brough  furnished  the  court  with  a  seal  for 
Norfolk  County,  agreeable  to  an  order  of  the 
last  court,  together  with  aui  account  of  the  ex- 
pense thereof  amounting  to  $50.  It  was  or- 
dered that  he  be  authorized  to  draw  on  Willis 
Wilson  for  the  same. 

On  January  19,  1749.  the  court  ordered 
"That  the  Sheriff  for  the  future  do  keep  all 
persons  without  the  Bar,  e.xcept  the  contend- 
ing ])arties.  the  attorneys  or  such  other  per- 
sons as  the  Court  shall  think  proper  to  ask  in." 

Before  the  Revolution  the  justice  of  the 
peace  on  assuming  the  duties  of  his  office  took 
and  sub-icribcd  the   following  oafhs: 


I  do  swear  tlial  I  do  from  my  heart  abhor,  detest 
and  abjure  as  impious  and  heretical  that  damnable  doc- 
trine and  position  that  Princes  e.xcommnnicatcd  or  de- 
prived  by   the   Pope  or  any  authority  of   the  see  of  Rome 


may  be  deposed  or  murdered  by  their  subjects  or  any 
other  whatsoever,  and  I  do  declare  that  no  foreign 
Prince,  person.  Prelate,  state  or  potentate  hath  or  ought 
to  have  any  jurisdiction,  power,  superiority,  pre-emi- 
nence or  authority,  ecclesiastical  or  spiritual  in  this 
realm. 

I  do  declare  that  I  do  believe  that  there  is  not  any 
transubstantiation  in  the  sacraments  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  or  in  the  elements  of  bread  and  wine  at  or  after 
the  consecration  thereof  by  any  person  whatsoever. 

At  the  court  held  on  the  JOth  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1752,  a  writ  of  adjournment  was  re- 
cei\ed  from  Governor  Dinwiihlie  permitting 
the  court  to  adjourn  froui  the  Court  House  in 
the  borough  of  Norfolk  to  the  house  of  Thomas 
Veale  on  account  of  the  .smallpox:  but  on  .\u- 
gust  20th  the  court  adjourned  back  to  the 
Court  House. 

On  Decemlier  20,  1820,  Stephen  Lynch 
contracted  with  the  county  to  build  a  road 
from  Ballahac  to  the  Dismal  Swanij)  Canal  for 
$500. 

Notes  of  Thomas  Jefferson  written  in 
1781  :  "The  State  is  divided  into  counties. 
In  every  community  are  appointeil  magis- 
trates called  Justices  of  the  Peace,  usually 
from  eight  to  30  or  40  in  number,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  size  of  the  county,  of  the 
most  discreet  and  honest  inhabitants.  They 
are  nominated  by  their  fellows,  but  com- 
missioned by  the  Governor,  and  act  without 
reward.  These  magistrates  have  jurisdiction, 
l>oth  criminal  and  civil.  If  the  question  Ije- 
fore  them  be  a  question  of  law  only,  they  de- 
cide on  it  themselves;  but  if  it  be  of  fact,  or 
of  fact  and  law  combined,  it  must  be  referred 
to  a  jury.  In  the  latter  case,  of  a  combination 
of  law  and  fact,  it  is  usual  for  the  jurors  to 
decide  the  fact  and  refer  the  law  arising  on 
it  to  the  decision  of  the  judges.  But  this  di- 
vision of  the  subject  lies  with  their  discretion 
only.  And  if  the  question  relate  to  any  point 
of  public  lil>erty,  or  if  it  Ije  one  of  those  in 
which  the  judges  may  be  suspected  of  bias, 
the  jury  undertake  to  decide  Ixith  law  and 
fact.  If  they  be  mistaken,  a  decision  against 
right,  which  is  casual  only,  is  less  dangerous 
to  the  State,  and  less  affiicting  to  the  loser, 
than  one  which  makes  part  of  a  regular  and 


2  So 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


uniform  system.  In  truth,  it  is  better  to  toss 
up  cross  and  pile  in  a  cause,  than  to  refer  it 
to  a  judge  whose  mind  is  warped  by  any  mo- 
ti\'e  whate\'er,  in  that  particular  case.  But 
the  common  sense  of  12  honest  men  gi\-es  a 
better  chance  of  just  decision,  than  the  hazard 
of  cross  and  pile.  These  judges  execute  their 
process  by  the  sheriff  or  coroner  of  th-e  county, 
or  h}i  constables  of  their  own  appointment. 
If  any  free  person  commit  an  offense  against 
the  Commonwealth,  if  it  be  below  the  degree 
of  felony  he  is  bound  by  a  justice  to  appear  be- 
fore their  court,  to  answer  it  on  indictment 
or  information.  If  it  amount  to^  felony,  he 
is  committed  to  jail,  a  court  of  three  justices 
is  called ;  if  they  on  examination  think  him 
g\)ilty,  they  send  him  to  the  jail  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  before  which  court  he  is  tried  iirst 
by  a  grand  jury  of  24,  of  whom  13  must  con- 
cur in  opinion;  if  they  find  him  guilty,  he  is 
tried  by  a  jury  of  12  men  of  the  county  where 
the  offense  was  committed,  and  by  their  ver- 
dict, which  must  be  unanimous,  he  is  ac- 
cjuitted  or  condemned  without  appeal.  If  the 
criminal  be  a  slave  the  trial  by  the  County 
Court  is  final."'  *  *  *  "In  civil  matters 
if  the  matters  of  dispute  be  of  less  value  than 
four  and  one-sixth  dollars,  a  single  memlber 
may  try  it  at  any  time  and  place  within  his 
county."  *  *  *  "If  it  be  of  that  or  greater 
value,  it  is  determinable  before  the  County 
Court,  which  consists  of  four  at  the  least  of 
those  justices,  and  assembles  at  the  Court 
House  of  the  county  on  a  certain  day  in  every 
month."  *  *  *  "Appeal,  if  matter  be  of 
£10  sterling  or  concerns  title  to  land,  tO'  Su- 
perior Court." 

At  a  court  held  on  the  8th  day  of  July, 
1793. — "Information  having  been  received 
from  the  ]\Ia_vor  and'  Aldermen  of  the  Borough 
of  Norfolk  that  a  number  of  French  families 
have  arrived  within  Cape  Henry  (in  a  fleet 
from  Hispanio'la)  in  great  distress  and  solici- 
tation lieing  made  tO'  them  by  an  officer  of  the 
French  Republic  for  relief  to  them  distressed 
people  and  they  requesting  the  assistance  of 
this  court  for  that  purpose,  it  is  unanimously 


agreed  that  they  may  land  and  be  accommo- 
dated in  the  Marine  Hospital." 

In  Will  Book  No.  2  in  the  County  Court 
there  are  a  number  of  blank  pages  and  this 
inscription :  "These  pages  were  left  blank  for 
some  wills  which  were  proved  in  1775  to  be 
recorded  in  that  year,  'but  the  glorious  strug- 
gle with  Great  Britain  for  our  liberty  and 
property  prevented  their  being  recorded  until 
after.  Mr.  Hurt,  the  late  deputy  clerk,  began 
to  record  the  wills  following,  who  left  those 
blank  pages  for  that  purpose." 

The  Constitution  of  185 1  provided  "That 
the  Justices  shall  receive  for  their  services  in 
Court  a  per  diem  compensation  to  be  ascer- 
tained by  law  and  paid  out  of  the  County 
Treasury :  and  shall  not  receive  any  fee  or 
emolument  for  other  judicial  service."  It  was 
afterward  fixed  at  $3  per  day  while  they  were 
on  the  bench. 

At  a  court  for  Norfolk  County,  held  No- 
vember 19,  1770,  it  was  ordered  that  the  rates 
for  liquors  sold  by  tavern-keepers  should  be: 

For  every  quart  of  Punch  made  with  best  double 
refined  Loaf  Sugar.  2  shilling's. 

Quart  of  Toddy,  i  shilling  6  pence. 

Quart  of  Grog,   I   shilling  3  pence. 

Punch  made  with  Muscovado  Sugar,  per  quart,  8 
pence. 

On  September  20,  1813,  the  court  fixed 
rates  for  ta\-ern-keepers : 

Punch  per  quart,  syVi  cents. 

Toddy  per  quart  (rum),  31%  cents. 

Toddy  per  quart   (apple  brandy),  19  cents. 

Madeira  wine,  per  quart,  $1.25. 

Port  wine,  per  quart.  $1.25. 

Other  wine,  per  quart,  $i.i2i/. 

Breakfast,  37^   cents. 

Dinner,   50  cents. 

Supper,  37'X   cents. 

Bed,  per  night  25  cents. 

Corne,  per  gallon,  25  cents, 

Oats,  per  gallon.   i2'/2  cents. 

Fodder,  per  bunch,  6!4   cents. 

Stablage,  per  day.   12'X   cents. 

Stablage,  per  night,  I2'/  cents. 

Pasturage,  per  day.  i2'/2  cents. 

The  old  tavern,  the  well-sweep  and  bucket, 
the  stage  coaches  and  the  old'  worm  fence  are 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


281 


tilings  of  the  past ;  a  few  of  the  old  Dutch- 
roof  houses  remain  as  mementoes  of  the  days 
that  are  gone,  but  tlie  wlieehvright  siiop  still 
stands  and  the  anvil  of  the  blacksmith  still 
rings  at  the  cross-roads. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1861,  the  court  ap- 
propriated Si 0,000  for  the  Confederate  sol- 
diers of  the  county,  allowing  $12  each. 

On  Tlnusilay,  24th  day  of  April,  1862, 
the  court  adjourned,  L.  II.  Kingman  presid- 
ing, after  which  came  the  interregnum, — mili- 
tary despotism, — and  it  did  not  reassemble  un- 
til the  20th  day  of  September,  1865,  and  in 
1869  it  was  dissolved  by  military  edict  and 
all  justices  and  officers  were  appointed  by  the 
military  commander  of  District  No.    i. 

JUSTICES   OF   THE   PEACE. 

The  following  lists  embrace  most  of  the 
names  of  the  justices  of  the  peace,  laetween  the 
first  and  last  courts,  covering  233  years.  The 
first  period,  in  colonial  times,  to  the  division  of 
the  county :  the  second  period  covers  the  colo^ 
nial  pericKl  of  Norfolk  County  to  1 775 ;  the 
third  period  embraces  the  Revolutionary  War; 
the  fourth  period  to  1800;  the  fifth  period'  to 
the  evacuation  by  the  Confederates  in  1862; 
and  the  sixth  period  the  interregnum  and  post 
bellum  or  reconstruction : 


FIRST    PERIOD     (C0L0XI.\l). 


Capt.  Tlionias  Willoughby 
Henry   Sewell 
John  Gookin 
Henry  Woodhoiise 
Henry  Cutching 
Capt.  Willian;  Clayborne 
•Lt.-Col.  Thomas  Lambert 
Mathew   Phillips 
Edward  Lloyd 
Thomas  Mears 
Edward   Selby 
Thomas  Marsh 
Richard  Owens 
George  Kemp 
Jolm    Xorwood 
Mai.   Lemuel  Mason 
Capt.    Francis   Emperor 
Edward   Bowman 
John  Marten 


1637 
1642 

1643 

1645 
1649 

1650 


Col.  Francis  Yardlcy 
John  Hill 
Thomas  Browne 
Richard   Conquest 
William    Moseley 
Thomas  Goodrich 
Thomas    Bridge 
Col.  John  Sidney 
John   Porter,   Sr. 
John  Jorlcr.  Jr. 
Tliomas   P)ridge 
Thomas    Dailies 
Robert   Powis 
William    Daincs 
Capt.   Richard   Foster 
Thomas  Keeling 
Capt.   William   Robinson 
Maj.    Francis    Sayer 
Malachi   Thurston 
(ieorge    Fouler 
.\nthony  Lawson 
.•\dam  Keeling 
Henry   Spratt 
Capt.   William   Robinson 
Capt.  George  Newton 
Thomas  Butt 
William   Corni.x 
Thomas   Cock 
William   Burroughs 
William    Craford 
Capt.  John   Hatton 
Patrick   White 
Capt.  Thomas  Hodges 


1651 

1654 
1655 

if'57 

1658 
1675 

1678 
1686 

1687 
1689 


SECOND      PERIOD       (cOIONIAL),      AFTER      SEPARATION      FROM 

PRINCESS    ANNE.                   ' 

James    Wilson 

1691 

John  Maholy 

Richard    Church 

Edward  Moseley 

Thomas    Waike 

ir>93 

Maj.  John  Nichols 

1694 

Thomas  Scott 

1695 

Capt  William   Langley.   M.   D. 

1703 

Capt.  Mcclkon  Squiby 

Samuel  Boush 

Mathew   Crodfrcy 

John  Hoi  stead 

1708 

Jonas   Holyday 

1708 

Mathew    Spivy 

1708 

James  W'ilson.  Jr. 

I7IO 

William   Craford 

1734 

John   Hntchings 

Samuel    Smith 

Thomas  Wright 

Nathaniel   Tatem 

Cant.   Willis  Wilson 

Col.  Samuel   Boush 

1735 

Maj.   Samuel   Boush 

Capt.  Joseph   Smitli 

1742 

Charles  Sweny 

1746 

William    Portlock 

James   Ivy 

John   Tucker 

282 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Robert  Todd 

1748 

FOI'RTH     PERIOD. — .\FTER    THE    REVOLUTION    TO 

1800. 

William  Nash 

George  Veale 

William  Happer 

1785 

Markum  Herbert 

William  Newsome 

1788 

Joseph    Stewart 

Edward   Archer 

Joshua   Corprew 

John    Nash 

Wilson  Newton 

1749 

Josiah  Butt 

1789 

Josiah   Smith 

Robert  Boush 

Durham    Hall 

James   Grimes 

Dr.  Archibald  Campbell 

William   Wilson.  Jr. 

Christopher   Perkins 

Robert  Butt 

William  Bradley 

1753 

Solomon   B.   Talbot 

Col.  Robert  Tucker 

1754 

Daniel   Sanford 

Capt.  John  Willoughby 

1 755 

William    Hall 

James  Webb 

1757 

John  Hendren 

Robert  Tucker,   Jr. 

1761 

John  Hudson 

1790 

William   Atkinson 

William   King 

1 791 

Lemuel  Willoughby 

Richard    Powell 

Joseph   Hutchings 

Willis  Wilson 

Ma.x.   Calvert 

John    Kearns 

John   Portlock 

1768 

Wilson   Butt 

1793 

Samuel    Happer 

Robert   Brough 

John  Taylor 

William    White 

Malachi   Wilson 

Samuel  Davis 

Goodrich   Boush 

1767 

David   Silvester 

Mathew    Phripp 

John  Shields 

David    Porter 

James  Holt 

Thomas  Newton,  Jr. 

Kader  Talbot 

Solomon  Hodges 

1774 

Thomas    Brent 

Powell  Reins 

1794 

James   Harper 

THIRD    OR    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD. 

James  White 
James    Young 

Mathew   Godfrey 

1775 

Richard   Silvester  ■ 

1796 

James    Webb 

Samuel    Smith 

1799 

George   Veale 

Jordan  Merchant 

John   Portlock 

James-   Brown 

Cornelius   Calvert 

James  G.  Martin 

Bassett    Moseley 

James  S.   Mathews 

Robert   Taylor 

Thomas  W.  Happer 

John   Brickel 

Jesse   Nicholson 

John  Wilson 

Arthur  Boush 

1776 

Goodrich  Boush 

FIFTH      PERIOD, — TO      CONFEDER.^TE      EVACU.'VTION, 

IN     1862. 

William   Smith 

James  Wilson 

Wright  Brown 

1800 

James   Tatem 

John  Crowell 

James  Archdeacon 

Mathew   Callis 

John  Hutchings 

1777 

John  Wilson,  Jr. 

Thomas  Veale 

Richard  Blow 

I80I 

Malachi  Wilson,  Jr. 

Stephen   Wright 

1803 

Thomas   Newton,  Jr. 

Wright  Bowers 

1804 

Paul   Loyall 

Thomas    Lee 

Humphrey   Roberts 

John  Armstrong 

180S 

Thomas   Nash,  Jr. 

James    Callis 

James  Nicholson 

A.   C.   Jordan 

William    Booker 

Gresham  Nimmo 

David   Sanford 

Joseph   Seguine 

Charles    Conner 

James    Williams 

John    Willoughby 

Thomas  Talbot 

Samuel  Veale 

Robert  Thompson 

1807 

Charles  S.  Boush 

1782 

.-\rthur  Emmerson 

James   Taylor 

John  Butt,  Jr, 

1813 

George   Kelly 

Willis  Wilkins 

AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


283 


Tapley  Webb 
BcvitIv   Baytoii 
Mallii'w  Manning 
Monk-cai    Ccioke 
Bi-rnard    Mapining 
Jesse  Xf\Vv.-i)nibc 
James  Robins 
David  Fentress 
Bassett   Butt 
Jdbn  Johnston 
Xelieniiab   Foreman 
Jolin  Tbompson 
Artliur   Butt 
Xaihaniel  G.  Tatem 
John    Powell 
Anizi    W.   Wilson 
James   Davis 
Cornelius   Nash 
Samuel  W.  Happer 
William   Cocke 
W.    B.    Manning 
John  Bi.idic 
Samuel    Bartce 
John   P.   Leigh 
Holt  Wilson 
James  Warden 
Josiab    Wilson 
John    Xash 
Samuel    Wiles 
John  Hodges 
William  Wright 
Wilson  B  Scott 
Samuel    Watts 
C.  X.  X'immo 
Dr    Arthur  R.  Smith 
William  X.  Ivy 
Agesilaus  Foreman 
John  G.  Hatton 
Richard   G.    Bayton 
Leaven   Gayle 
Richard  W.  Silvester 
Richard  W.   Baugh 
James  F.  Wilson 
John    P.   Young 
William  Denby 
William  Collins 
Ezekiel  Powell 
William    Ftheridge 
Overton    Bernard 
Isaiah  Cherry 
Samuel   Browne.  Jr. 
Sampson   Crocker 
(jeorge  T.   Wallace 
John   S.   Wise 
Stephen   B.   Tatem 
Isaiah  Cherrv   Jr. 
Thomas    B.    Butt 
John    P.    Biddle 
Maurice   B.   Langhorne 
Samuel  Etheridge 
William  G.  Webb 
Edward   P.   Cowper 
Frederick   Wilson 


1814 

181 5 
1816 


1818 
1819 


182.^ 


1824 
1827 


1830 
183 1 
1833 

1834 


1836 


1837 
1841 

1842 
1843 


1844 
1846 


Thomas  R.   Ballentine 
Robert  Dickson 
William   H.   Haynes 
Iverson   X.   Hall 
Nathan  B.  Webster 
James  C.   Williams 
John   B.   McCloud 
George  W.  Gricc 
James  G.  Hodges 
Charles  L.  Cocke 
George  F.  Outten 

C.  C.   Robinson 
John  B.  Haynes 
Dennis   Simmons 
John   Foreman 
James  Flemming 
Archibald  T.  Foster 
George  T.  Old 
Thomas  \.   Mercer 
Martin  J.  Ballentine 
William  P.  Ives 
John  K.  Cooke 
Enoch   L.   Herbert 
Amzi   W,   C.   Wilson 
Lysander  H.  Kingman 
James  F.  Carr 

Dr.  V'irginius  B.  Bilisoly 
William   H.   Etlicridge 
Alexander  C.  W.  Young 
Thomas  B.  Hanbury 
Maurice  L.  Tabb 
Robert   H.   Miller 
Richard   P.   Beaton 
Girard   Henderson 
William   W.    Davis 

D.  T.  Driver 
Edward  Kearns 
William    P.    Jones 
John  S.  White 
Tapley  Portlock 
Griffin  S.  Jennings 
James  G.  Ball 
Joseph  Williams 
John  D.  Berryman 
Logan  Hurst 
Thomas  N.  Mercer 
John  T.  Pumpfrey 
James  L.  Northern 
Beverly  A.  Armistcad 
Josiah  Joliff 
William  M.  Gibson 
Jeroine  M.  Creekmur 
James  C.  Choate 

SIXTH       PERIOD. — INTERREGNUM,       POST 
STRUCTION. 

W.  H.  C.  Levitt 
John  F.  Stewart 
Lewis  H.   Hall 
George  H.   Dashicl 
William   Old 
lames  G.  Martin 


1852 


1853 


1856 


1857 


BELLUM.       RECON- 


1866 


284 


HISTORY    OK    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


George  T.  Old 

George  A.  Wilson 

Peter  S.  Hancock 

John  M.  Drewry 

Joseph  Williams 

W.  D.   Pritchard 

Frank  Ferebee 

Nathaniel  Bidgood 

James  Newby 

Stephen  B.  Tatem 

F.  W.   Pickering  military  appointment   1S69 

George  Cromwell  military  appointment  1869 

Alexander  Foreman  military  appointment   1869 

John  A.  McCloud  military  agpointment   1869 

W.  B.  Harris  military  appointment  1869 

W.  J.  Bishop  military  appointment  1869 

Mason    Woodward   military   appointment    1869 

Caleb   Hodges   military  appointment   1869 

Timothy   Cherry  military  appointment   1869 

Samuel  Craigen  military  appointment  1869 

E.  H.  Williams  military  appointment  i86g 

Tlie  legislature  abolished  the  bench  magis- 
trates and  Hon.  Legh  R.  Watts  qualified  as 
the  first  judge  of  the  County  Court  on  Mon- 
day, the  1 6th  day  of  ]\Iay,  1870.  Then  Judge 
Edward  Spalding,  Judge  George  D.  Parker 
and  Judge  William  N.  Portlock  followed,  the 
last  named  being  the  present  judge  of  the  Nor- 
folk County  Court. 

SOME   OF   THE   SHERIFFS. 

In  1634  "And  as  in  England,  Sheriffs  shall 
be  elected  to  have  the  same  power  as  there." 
[Hen.  Vol.  i,  page  224.] 

Capt.  John  Sibsey  was  sherifif  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1645. 

Richard  Conquest  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in   1649. 

Samuel  Smith  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1740. 

William  Portlock  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1741. 

Robert  Tucker  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1755- 

Charles  Sweny  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1757- 

Thomas  Veale  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1776. 

Thomas  Veale  was  the  first  sheriff  under 
the  Commonwealth;  and  Samuel  Portlock, 
James  ]\IurdeTi.  Mathew  Mound,  Joseph  Lang- 
ley  and  Mathias  Miller  qualified  as  his  depu- 
ties  on   the   1 6th  of  August,     1776.       David 


Porter,    second    sheriff    under    the    Common- 
wealth, qualified  in  1777. 


William  Booker  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 


1785. 

James  Williams  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1812. 

Arthur  Butt  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in  1819. 

Mordecai  Cooke  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1832. 

Holt  Wilson  was  sheriff'  of  Norfolk  County  in 
1835. 

John  M.  Drewry  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1854. 

Samuel  Etheridge  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1868. 

John  Lesner  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  in  1878. 

A.  C.  Cromwell  was  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County 
in  1900. 

CLERKS  OF  THE   NORFOLK   COUNTY   COURT. 


187s, 
9 

ID 


— Samuel  Boush,  from  1742  to  1774.  32  years. 
— John  Boush,  from  1774  to  1792,  18  years. 
— William  Wilson,  Jr.,  from  1792  to  1831,  39  years. 
— William  H.  Wilson,  from  1831  to  1839,  8  years. 
— Arthur  Emmerson,  from  1839  to  1859,  20  years. 
— LeRoy  G.  Edwards,  from  1859  to  1866,  7  years. 
— Griffin  F.  Edwards,  from  1866  to  1869.  3  years. 
— J.  P.  Hodges,  by  military  edict,  from  i86g  to 
6  years. 

R.  Denise.  from  1875  to  1880.  5  years. 

Alvah   H.    Martin,   from    1880  to    1900    (present 
clerk),  20  years. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  ministers  of  the 
gospel  who  performed  the  rite  of  matrimony 
and  made  report  to  the  Norfolk  County  Court 
between  June,  1787,  and  April,  1840: 

Rev.  Walker  Maury, 
Rev.  Edward  Mintz, 
Rev.   Jesse   Nicholson, 
Rev.  William  Sory, 
Rev.  James  Lewis, 
Rev.  James  Dawley, 
Rev.  George  Young, 
Rev.  William  Grimes, 
Rev.  Thomas  Moore, 
Rev.  H.  E.  Hall, 
Rev.  William  Compton, 
Rev.  Henry  Hardy, 
Rev.  J.  G.  Ogilvee, 
Rev.  Robert  A.  Armistead, 
Rev.  John  Owen, 
Rev.   George   Halson, 
Rev.   Charles  Moseley, 
Rev.  Thomas  Blount, 
Rev.  Mark  L.  Chevers, 
Rev.  Moses  C.  Searle, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


285 


Rev.  F.  A.  Ward, 

Rev.  Overton  \'.  Bernard, 

Rev.  George  W.  Nolley, 

Rev.  T.  J.  Harrison, 

Rev.   Miles  Nash, 

Rev.  Caleb  Lcacli, 

Rev.  Tlionias  Hume, 

Rev.   Henry  D.  Wood, 

Rev.  Needier  Robinson, 

Rev.  Robert  Cox, 

Rev.  Jcremiab  Rutter, 

Rev.  James  Buxton, 

Rev.  David  Briggs. 

Rev.  Rice  Haggard, 

Rev.  L.  .Mansfield, 

Rev.  Thomas  T.  Jones, 

Rev.  Joshua  Livesay. 

Rev.  Mathew  M.  Dann, 

Rev.  Robert  Criffith, 

Rev.   Mills  Barrett, 

Rev.   Edward  Cannon, 

Rev.  Reulien  Dnudge, 

Rev,  John  H.   Wingfield, 

Rev.  David  M.  \\'oodson, 

Rev.   Thomas   Howard, 

Rev.  George  A.  Bain, 

Rev.  John  Blount, 

Rev.  John  French. 

Rev.  Thomas  Crowder,  Jr. 

Rev.   Pliilip  .\nderson. 

Rev.   Bennet  T.  Blake, 

Rev.   George   M.   Bain, 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Hendren, 

Rev.  X'ernon  Eskridge, 

Rev.  A.  Paul  Repiton, 

Rev.   George  Jones,   Chaplain  U.   S.   Navy. 

Rev.  John  D.   Berrj-man, 

Rev,  Edward  T.  Berryman, 

Rev.  Joseph  S.  Baker. 

On  Septeml^er  17,  1796,  the  court  granted 
Rev.  Archibald  Davis  license  to  celebrate  the 
rite  of  matrimony;  Rev.  Benjamin  Ashley,  in 
May,  1803;  Rev.  William  Ormand,  May  17, 
1803:  Rev.  C.  H.  Burgess,  Catholic,  June  19, 
1835;  Rev.  Hardy  Herbert,  Methodist,  Au- 
gust 10.  1794;  Rev.  Thomas  Arinistead,  Bap- 
tist, January  21,  1790. 

THE    COURTS    OF    NORFOLK. 

The  courts  held  in  Norfolk  are  as  follows, 
taking  the  United  States  Courts  first: 

I'nitcd  States  Circuit  Court, — Judge,  Na- 
than Goff,  of  Charleston,  West  Virginia; 
clerk,  M.  F.  Pleasants,  Richmond;  deputy 
clerk,  at  Norfolk,  George  E.  Bowden;  United 


States'  attorney,  lulgar  Allan;  marshal,  Mor- 
gan Treat;  deputv  marshal  at  Norfolk,  Julius 
K.  West. 

The  regular  lerms  of  this  court  at  Norfolk 
are  the  first  Mondays  in  May  and  November, 
but  as  the  judge  of  the  United  States  District 
Court  is  e.x-ofihcio  judge  of  this  court,  the 
terms  of  the  court  are  held  open  the  year  round 
for  business. 

United  States  District  Court, — Judge,  Ed- 
mund Waddill,  Jr. ;  George  E.  Bowden,  clerk 
of  the  district,  located  at  Norfolk;  Joseph  P. 
Brady,  deputy  at  Alexandria.  This  court  has 
the  same  marshal  and  district  attorney  as  the 
United  States  Circuit  Court  and  the  same 
deputy  marshal,  Julius  E.  West,  at  Norfolk. 

Tl>e  terms  at  Norfolk  are  the  first  Mon- 
days in  May  and  November,  but  the  court  is 
kept  open  the  year  round. 

The  United  States  Commissioners  are : 
John  B.  Kimberley,  at  Fortress  Monroe ;  John 
C.  Tucker,  at  National  Soldier's  Home,  Hamp- 
ton ;  Alfred  C.  Garrett,  at  Ne\vix>rt  News,  and 
George  E.  Bowden,  Richard  Mcllwaine  and 
C.  W.  P..  Lane,  at  Norfolk.  J.  N.  W'hittaker 
is  clerk  to  the  United  States'  attorney. 

The   Norfolk  city  courts   are  as   follows: 

Corporation  Court, — Judge,  Hon.  Allan  R. 
Hanckel ;  clerk,  Lawrence  Royster. 

This  court  sits  on  the  first  Monday  of  each 
minith.  except  the  month  of  August.  It  has 
jiuMsdiction  over  all  criminal  matters.  It  is 
the  court  of  original  criminal  jurisdiction  in 
all  cases  of  felon}-  and  matters  not  cognizable 
by  a  justice  of  the  peace.  It  has  jurisdiction 
in  probate  and  guardianship  matters,  grants 
such  charter  rights  as  are  allowed  by  statute 
to  courts  and  wdiich  are  not  confined  alone  to 
legislative  enactment.  It  has  jurisdiction  in 
all  cases  where  appeal  is  granted  from  the  jur- 
isdiction of  a  justice  of  the  i>eace  in  civil  mat- 
ters and'  also  appellate  jurisdiction  from  the 
Police  Court  in  criminal  matters. 

Circuit  Court. — Judge.  Hon.  R.  R.  Prentis, 
clerk,  Lawrence  Waring. 

This  court  sits  in  May  and  Septeml>er  of 
each  year  and  has  occasional  special  terms.     It 


286 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


has  concurrent  jurisdiction  in  all  ci\'il  matters 
with  the  Court  of  Law  and  Chancer)',  has 
orig-inal  criminal  jurisdiction  in  certain  cases 
by  the  election  of  the  accused  and  in  certain 
cases  has  appellate  jurisdiction  from  the  Cor- 
poration Court. 

Court  of  Law  and  Chancery, — Judge, 
Hon.  \\.  B.  Martin ;  clerk,  Lawrence  Royster. 

This  court  sits  on  the  third  Monday  of 
each  month  oi  the  year,  except  the  months  of 
September  and  October,  and  the  first  day  of 
October.  This  court  has  concurrent  jurisdic- 
tion in  all  civil  matters  with  the  Circuit  Court, 
except  such  civil  matters  as  are  confined  ex- 
clusively to  the  courts  of  the  justices  of  the 
peace  on  account  of  the  small  amounts  in- 
volved. It  has  concurrent  jurisdiction  with 
the  Circuit  and  Corixjration  courts  in  all  mat- 
ters of  probate  and  guardianship. 

Police  Court, — Justice,  Hon.  R.  \Y.  Tom- 
lin;  clerk,  C.  F.  Jordan. 

This  is  a  very  important  court,  as  it  is 
the  tribunal  in  which  large  numbers  of  petty 
offenders  are  speedily  dealt  with.  This  court 
sits  on  every  day  e.xcept  Sundays.  The  jus- 
tice of  the  Police  Court  is  now  elected  as  ex- 
tra magistrate,  with  the  title  of  police  justice. 
Its  jurisdiction  is  confined  to  criminal  mat- 
ters e.xclusively,  and  it  has  a  right  of  trial  in 


certain  minor  misdemeanors'.  Appeal  lies 
from  this  court,  in  all  cases  in  which  it  has 
power  of  trial,  to  the  Corporation  Couri.  In 
cases  of  serious  crime  the  offenders  are  given 
a  preliniinarv  hearing  and,  if  there  is  a  sus- 
picion of  guilt,  the  party  is  committed  to  await 
the  session  of  the  grand  jury. 

Justices  of  the  Peace, — Norfolk  has  in  all 
seven  justices  of  the  i>eace,  under  a  new  law 
recently  passed.  Their  powers  and  jurisdic- 
tion are  those  usually  incident  to  the  office 
elsewhere. 

THE    COURTS   OF   PORTSMOUTH. 

The  courts  held  in  Portsmouth  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

Court  of  Hustings. — Judge.  Hon.  James 
F.  Crocker ;  clerk,  C.  T.  Phillips ;  sheriff,  Will- 
iamson Smith.  This  court  sits  the  first  Thurs- 
day after  the  first  Tuesday  in  every  month. 

Circuit  Court  for  the  city  of  Portsmouth 
sits  the  first  Monday  in  May  and  November. 
Hon.  R.  R.  Prentis  is  judge.  The  other  offi- 
cers are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Court  of 
Hustings. 

Police  Court, — Hon.  J.  Thompson  Baird, 
mayor,  presides;  N.  Onley,  clerk.  It  has  a 
jurisdiction  similar  to  that  of  the  Police  Court 
of  Norfolk. 


CHAPTER  XVII 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION 

Eaklv  Pkactitioners  of  Medicine  ix  Norfolk  Cointv — Prominent  Physicians  of  the 
First  Half  and  Middle  of  the  Nineteenth  Century — Norfolk  Medical  So- 
ciety— Local  and  United  States  Oiarantine. 


"Tliere  is  scarcely  a  profession  in  wliich 
tlie  sympatliies  of  its  professors  are  more  pain- 
fully excitetl  than  that  of  the  medical  practi- 
tioner. How  oftai  is  he  called  to  the  bed  of 
hopeless  sickness :  and  that,  too,  iii  a  family, 
the  meml)ers  of  which  are  drawn  together  by 
the  closest  bonds  of  love?  How  painful  it  is 
to  meet  the  inquiring  gaze  of  attached  friends, 
or  weeping  relatives,  directed  toward  him  in 
quest  of  that  consolation,  that  assurance  of 
safety,  which  he  has  not  to  give!  And  how 
melancholy  it  is  to  behold  the  last  ray  of  hope, 
which  had  lingered  upon  the  face  of  affection, 
giving  place  to  the  dark  cloud  of  despair. 

"And  when  all  is  over— when  the  bitter- 
ness of  death  hath  passed  from  the  dead  to 
tlie  living — from  tlie  departed  to  the  bereaved 
— hark  to  that  shriek  of  agony,  that  convul- 
sive sob.  that  bitter  groan,  wrung  from  the 
heart's  core,  which  Ijespeaks  the  utter  prostra- 
tion of  the  si)irit  l)eneath  the  blow  I 

"There,  cold  in  the  embrace  of  death,  lies 
the  lx)nored  husband  of  a  heart-broken  wife — 
her  first,  her  only  love!  Or  it  may  be,  the 
young  wife  of  a  distracted  husband,  the  bride 
of  a  year,  the  mi>ther  of  an  hour,  and  by  her, 
perhaps,  the  blighted  fruit  of  their  love- — the 
bud  by  the  blossom — and  lx)th  are  withered." 

Then  often  in  the  homes  of  ixjverty  they 


find  starving  children  and  mothers  to  melt 
their  hearts  in  sympathy.  Xo  profession  is  so 
often  awakened  to  the  sufferings  of  humanity 
and  none  contributes  more  liberally  to  alleviate 
the  woes  of  mankind  than  the  medical  profes- 
sion. The  practitioners  of  medicine  in  Nor- 
folk County,  embracing  both  cities,  have  not 
only  been  noblemen  in  benevolent  bearing,  but 
ha\e  ranked  in  skill  with  their  brothers 
throughout  the  land.  In  peace,  in  war,  on 
.sea  or  land,  they  have  trod  the  highest  path  of 
duty  for  which  their  profession  has  been  noted 
through  the  centuries. 

Probal)ly  the  first  practitioner  in  Norfolk 
County  was  Dr.  Thomas  Bullock,  as  there  are 
judgments  for  his  claims  in  the  County  Court 
in  1638.  one  year  after  Lower  New  Norfolk 
County  was  established. 

Dr.  ^^'illiam  Happer  was  a  i)rominent 
physician  of  Norfolk  and  resigned  from  the 
Common  Council  on  June  24,  1742.  because 
his  ])ractice  consumed  his  whole  time.  Dr. 
Archibald  Campbell  was  also  a  prominent  man 
of  that  day  and  was  one  of  the  justices  of  the 
County  Court  in  1749. 

Dr.  Phillip  Barraud  and  Dr.  Andrew  Ray 
were  surgeons  in  the  Revolution.  Dr.  Robert 
Bruce  Butt  was  a  prominent  practitioner  in 
1805.     Dr.  George  \\'.  Maupin  was  a  surgeon 


288 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


in  the  U.  S.  Army.  Dr.  Joseph  Schoolfield, 
surgeon,  U.  S.  Navy,  died  in  1850.  Dr.  Jona- 
than Cowdry  died  November  20,  1852,  aged 
85  years, — he  -was  tlien  the  oldest  surgeon  and 
oldest  officer  in  the  U.  S.  Navy.  Dr.  Joel 
Martin  died  November  10,  1854,  aged  8b, — 
he  had  been  a  surgeon  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  26 
years. 

Among  the  most  prominent  members  of 
the  medical  profession  in  the  city  of  Norfolk 
during  the  first  half  and  the  middle  of  the 
last  century  should  be  mentioned  Drs.  Will- 
iam B.  Selden,  Thomas  F.  Andrews,  William 
Selden  and  his  brother  Henry,  sons  of  Dr. 
William  B.  Selden,  Robert  B.  Tunstall  and 
William  J.  Moore. 

Dr.  William  B.  Selden  finished  his  med- 
ical education  in  1799,  in  Edinburgh,  then  as 
now  celebrated  for  the  thorough  teaching  of 
its  medical  schools.  Returning  to  Virginia, 
he  began  practice  in  Norfolk,  and  continued 
for  near  half  a  century  to  retain  the  confi- 
dence of  the  community  in  his  great  skill  and 
discrimination,  both  as  an  observer  and  prac- 
titioner, and  not  a  few  students  under  his 
wise  instruction  became  prominent  physicians. 
He  reached  an  honored  old  age,  and  died  in 
1849. 

Dr.  Thomas  F.  Andrews  was  a  man 
of'  consummate  ability.  He  received  his 
academic  and  professional  education  from  the 
best  sources,  both  at  home  and  abroad.  His 
mind  was  a  store  house  of  scientific,  literary 
and  political  information,  and  it  was  said  of 
him,  that  had  he  chosen  public  life,  he  would 
easily  have  secured'  the  highest  attainable  po- 
sitions. He  was  as  remarkable  as  a  financier, 
as  he  was  a  physician  and  surgeon.  He  re- 
tired from  medical  practice  in  1851,  to  live 
many  years  in  an  adjoining  State  in  affluent 
leisure,  and'  died  at  the  age  of  90  years. 

Dr.  William:  Selden  survived  his  ibrother 
Henry  (who  was  cut  off  by  the  epidemic  of 
yellow  fever  in  1855,  in  the  midst  of  a  success- 
ful career,  being  especially  noted  as  a  skillful 
diagnostician)  and  continued  to  practice  medi- 
cine until  advancing  age  led  him  into  retire- 


ment. He  was  an  alumnus  of  the  University 
of  Virginia  and  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  subsequently  pursued  a  medical 
course  in  the  city  of  Paris.  He  was  a  scholar 
in  the  highest  sense.  His  memory  was  extraor- 
dinary, and  it  was  said  that  when  he  was  a 
student  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  noth- 
ing eluded  his  grasp,  and  that  he  possessed  al- 
most unparalleled  powers  of  acquisition.  Be- 
ginning the  practice  of  his  profession  during 
the  cholera  epidemic  of  183 1,  he  soon  made 
f(ji"  himself  a  most  enviable  reputation  \vhich 
widened  in  its  scope  until  he  was  everywhere 
recognized  as  an  authority.  Even  after  his  re- 
tirement from  active  work,  he  kept  himself 
thoroughly  informed  of  the  various  changes 
in  doctrine  and  practice,  the  progress  medical 
science  had  developed,  and  was  ever  ready  to 
confer  with  his  junior  brethren.  He  was  not 
only  a  cultivated  and  epxerienced  physician, 
but  a  man  of  affairs  through  life,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  79. 

Dr.  Robert  B.  Tunstall  originally  prepared 
himself  for  the  calling  of  a  civil  engineer, 
which  he  relinquished  for  his  decided  predilec- 
tion for  medicine ;  after  graduating  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Pennsylvania  he  l^ecame  associated 
w  ith  the  late  Dr.  Baynham  Baylor,  at  that  time 
a  leading  physician  of  Norfolk.  Possessed 
of  a  noble  physique  and  an  unusually  lucent 
mind,  he  at  once  engaged  both  with  wonderful 
energy  in  the  work  of  his  profession  with  pre- 
eminent success.  For  many  years  and  up  to 
his  sudden  death,  at  the  age  of  64  years,  he 
was  second  to  none  in  the  professional  ranks. 

Dr.  Williami  J.  Moore  studied  medicine 
with  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Andrews  above  noted, 
and  graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, then  the  leading  medical  college  of  the 
country.  He  returned  to  Norfolk  from  Phila- 
delphia and  began  a  most  interesting  career 
as  a  physician  andi  surgeon.  He  held  for  years 
the  position  of  surgeon  to  the  U.  S.  Marine 
Hospital,  before  the  establishment  of  the 
Marine  Hospital  service,  and  served  as  sur- 
geon of  one  of  the  hospital  divisions  of  the 
Confederate    States    from    1862    until    1865, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


289 


after  wiiich  he  resumed  his  practice  in  Nor- 
folk. He  was  a  skillful  and  Ijold  operator, 
and  a  discriminating  and  successful  physician, 
and  a  most  !ovai)le  man,  kind  and  gentle,  but 
firm  and  determined,  until  his  health  began  to 
fail  a  few  years  before  his  death  at  the  age  of 
69  years.  He  loved  literature  next  to  his  pro- 
fession, but  always  avoided  a  display  of  his 
varied  accomplishments.  No  medical  man  has 
ever  jjasseil  away  leaving  a  greater  void  in 
the  hearts  of  his  ass(K'iates  and  many  friends. 
Of  the  list  of  noble  martyrs  who  fell  vic- 
tims to  the  dreadfu'J  yellow  fever  scourge 
in  1855  were  Dr.  John  W.  H.  Trugien 
on  the  29th  day  of  August:  Dr.  William 
Collins  on  the  8th  of  September:  Dr.  L. 
P.  Nicholson,  Dr.  Richard  W.  Silvester,  Dr. 
Thomas  F.  Constable,  Dr.  George  I.  Halson, 
Dr.  R.  J.  Silvester,  Dr.  Francis  L.  Higgins, 
Dr.  James  H.  Briggs,  Dr.  Richard  B.  Tunstall, 
Dr.  Henry  Selden  and  Dr.  R.  H.  Parker,  fa- 
ther of  Dr.  R:  H.  Parker,  Confederate  sur- 
geon and  now  a  practitioner  in  Portsmouth. 
Among  those  who  were  ill  with  the  fever  and 
survived  were  Dr.  \\'illiam  Selden,  Dr.  Will- 
iam J.  Moore,  Dr.  Robert  B.  Tunstall,  Dr.  E. 
D.  Grainer,  Dr.  Herl)ert  M.  Nash,  Dr.  G.  W. 
Cowdrv.  Dr.  F.  S.  Campos,  Dr.  Thomas  J. 
Hardv!  Dr.  Robert  H.  Gordon,  Dr.  D.  M. 
\\'right.  Dr.  V.  Friedman.  Dr.  D.  W.  Todd. 
Dr.  Robert  W.  Rose,  Dr.  J.  N.  Schoolfield. 
Dr.  G.  W.  O.  Maupin  and"  Dr.  William  H. 
Cix'ke,  who  was  assistant  surgeon  in  the  14th 
Regiment.  \'irginia  Infantry,  C.  S.  A.,  wound- 
ed and  died  in  prison  in  Washington.  Of 
these  Dr.  Herbert  M.  Nash  is  now  the  sole 
survivor.  Among  the  eminent  surgeons  in  the 
Confederate  Army  were  Dr.  Holt  Fairfield 
Butt,  Dr.  T'lnies  I'arrish,  Dr.  Herbert  M. 
Nash,  Dr.  "\^  B.  Bilisolv,  Dr.  T-  M-  Covert, 
Dr.  Franklin  J.  White.  Dr.  Edwin  M.  Watts, 
Dr.  William  E.  Kemble.  Dr.  R.  H.  P.  Bar- 
raud.  Dr.  Thomas  B.  Ward  and  Dr.  R.  H. 
Parker.  Surgeons  in  the  Confederate  Navy: 
Dr.  George  Blacknall,  Dr.  James  Cornick,  Dr. 
Richard  Jeffrv.  Dr.  F.  L.  Gait,  Dr.  Lewis  D. 
Minor,   Dr.   W.   F.   McClanahan,  Dr.   W.   B. 

17 


Sinclair.  Dr.  Charles  H.  Williamson.  Dr.  Will- 
iam E.  Wysham  and  Dr.  John  deBree.  Dr. 
William  \Vhite  was  a  colonel  in  the  Con- 
federate States  Army,  and  Dr.  Charles  R.  Mc- 
Alpine  was  a  major. 

There  is  somtimes  a  ridiculous  side  as  well 
as  the  serious  to  the  profession  and  iloctors 
sometimes  have  amusing  experiences.  In  the 
olden  time,  it  is  said  a  wealthy  farmer,  much 
affected  with  hypochonilria.  went  to  Langenan, 
to  consult  ^fichael  Scuppach,  better  known  b}.' 
the  appellation  of  the  iiiuiiiitaiii  doctor.  "I 
have  seen  devils  in  my  belly."  said  he,  "no 
fewer  than  se\en."  "There  are  more  than 
se\en,"  rejjlied  the  doctor,  with  the  utmost 
gravity;  "if  you  count  theni  right,  you  will 
find  eight."  After  questioning  the  patient  con- 
cerning his  case,  he  promised  to  cure  him  in 
eight  days,  during  which  time  he  would  every 
morning  rid  him  of  one  of  his  troublesome 
inmates,  at  the  rate  of  one  luuis  d'or  each. 
"But,"  added  he,  "as  the  last  will  be  more 
obstinate  and  difticult  to  e.xpel  than  the  others^ 
I  shall  expect  two  louis  d'or  for  him."  The 
farmer  agreed  to  these  terms;  the  bargain  was 
struck,  and  the  doctor,  impressing  upon  all 
present  the  necessity  of  secrecy,  promised  to 
give  the  nine  louis  d'or  to  the  poor  of  the 
parish.  Next  morning  the  imaginary  demoniac 
was  brought  to  him,  and  placed  near  a  kind  of 
machine  he  had  never  seen  before,  by  which 
means  he  received  an  electric  shock.  The 
farmer  roared  out  lustily.  "There  goes  one," 
said  the  doctor  with  the  utmost  gravity.  Next 
day  the  same  operation  was  repeated :  the 
farmer  bellowed  as  before,  and  the  doctor 
cooly  remarked,  "Another  is  ofif."  In  this  man- 
ner he  proceeded  to  the  seventh.  \\'hen  he 
was  preparing  to  attack  the  last.  Scuppach  re- 
minded his  patient  that  he  now  had  need  of  all 
his  courage,  for  this  was  the  captain  of  the 
gang,  who  would  make  a  more  obstinate  resist- 
ance than  any  of  the  others.  The  shock  at  this 
time  was  so  strong  as  to  extend  the  patient  on 
the  floor.  "Now  they  are  all  gone,"  said  the 
doctor,  and  ordered  the  farmer  to  be  put  to 
Led.      On   recovering  himself,  the  latter  de- 


290 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


clared  he  was  completely  cured ;  he  paid  the 
nine  louis  d'or  with  abundance  of  thanks  and 
returned  in  the  best  of  spirits  to  the  village. 
This  is  perhaps  an  exaggerated  specimen  of 
what  doctors  call  the  moral  treatment  of  dis- 
ease and  in  various  forms  is  used  by  every 
intelligent  physician,  especially  in  cases  of 
hypochondriacs,  and  in  nervous  forms  of  dis- 
lease,  not  dependent  on  local  causes  or  any 
known  infection,  as  doctors  are  not  and  never 
have  been  restricted  in  the  treatment  of 
human  ills  to  the  giving  of  medicines  alone, 
ibut  are  at  liberty  to  use  all  forms  of  treat- 
ment, moral,  medicinal,  surgical,  etc. 

Since  1885  the  whole  theory  upon  which  the 
former  practice  of  medicine  was  chiefly  based 
has  been  more  or  less  abandoned.  The  con- 
nection between  the  presence  of  certain  germs, 
or  bacteria,  and  the  causation  of  various  forms 
of  disease,  long  suspected  and  by  many  be- 
lieved in  years  before  that  date,  has  been 
definitely  established,  and  the  chemical  view  of 
certain  changes  both  physiological  and  patho- 
logical has  given  way  to  the  vital  or  the  in- 
fluence of  living  agents  in  the  production  of 
these  processes.  The  curriculum  of  the  med- 
ical colleges  has  been  extended  from  two  to 
four  vears,  which  is  now  hardly  sufficient  to 
train  their  students  in  those  added  studies 
which  have  been  rendered  necessary  by  the  de- 
velopment of  the  medical  sciences.  The  colleges 
have  been  forced  by  the  enactment  of  State 
-laws,  establishing  State  medical  examining 
boards,  to  reject  candidates  for  diplomas  who 
are  not  prepared  to  receive  them.  No  dog- 
matic theories  of  medicine  are  taught  in  the 
regular  medical  colleges,  but  all  teaching  is 
l;ased  upon  facts  or  verified  experiments. 
When  the  time  of  study  and  expense  incurred 
in  procuring  a  medical  education  at  the  pres- 
ent time  is  considered,  the  profession  which, 
of  all  professions,  requires  the  widest  knowl- 
edge of  the  general  science,  all  of  which  bear 
upon  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  which  ha\'e 
to  be  constantly  borne  in  mind  by  the  practi- 
tioner, it  follows  that  its  followers,  when  also 


morally  endowed,  should  have  the  fullest  s\in- 
pathy  and  encouragement  by  the  public. 

The  Norfolk  Medical  Society  was  organ- 
ized in  1870  with  Dr.  William  Selden  as  its 
president,  who  in  subsequent  vears  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Dr.  Robert  B.  Tuns'tall,  Dr.  Will- 
iam J.  Moore,  Dr.  Herbert  M.  Nash,  Dr.  J. 
D.  Gait  and  others.  It  was  reorganized  as  to 
constitution  and  by-laws  in  1899.  For  many 
years  prior  to  1855  it  had  existed  but  was 
broken  up  by  the  }'ellow'  fever. 

The  ofticers  of  the  society  (1900)  are: 
President,  Dr.  L.  C.  Sheppard;  first  vice- 
president.  Dr.  J.  L.  Lynch;  second  vice-presi- 
dent. Dr.  J.  J.  McCormick;  secretary.  Dr.  H. 
L.  Myers;  treasurer.  Dr.  W.  L.  Old. 

LOCAL   AND   UNITED   STATES   QUARANTINE. 

Since  the  port  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth 
is  one  of  the  most  important  ports  on  the  At- 
lantic Coast,  it  is  necessary  to  maintain  a  most 
vigorous  and  careful  quarantine  at  this  point. 

This  quarantine  is  maintained  by  local 
authorities,  having  charge  of  the  inner  quar- 
antine, and  the  United  States  government 
having  charge  of  the  outer  quarantine. 

The  Inner  Quarantine. — The  District  of 
Elizabeth  River  was  established  by  an  Act  of 
the  Legislature  of  Virginia  in  February,  1877, 
to  be  controlled  by  a  board  of  commissioners, 
consisting  of  two-  members  from  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  two  from  the  city  of  Portsmouth  and 
one  from  Norfolk  County. 

Their  jurisdiction  extends  from  about  the 
mouth  of  Tanner's  Creek  across  toward  the 
mouth  of  the  Nansemond  River,  and  their 
powers  are  almost  unlimited  if  exercised  for 
the  protection  of  these  ports  from  the  intro- 
duction of  contagious  and  infectious  diseases. 

In  order  to  fully  protect  the  health  of  the 
people  of  Norfolk,  the  miuiicipal  authorities 
not  long  ago  acquired  from  the  national  gov- 
ernm(ent  Craney  Island,  an  island  about  41 
acres  in  area,  for  many  years  used  as  a  LInited 
States  powder  magazine,  and  converted  it  into 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


291 


a  place  of  detention  for  cases  of  contagious 
or  infectious  diseases  found  in  or  near  the  city. 
The  buildings  on  the  island,  with  some  altera- 
tions, have  been  admirably  fitted  up  for  this 
and  hospital  purposes,  and  the  island  affords 
complete  isolation. 

The  Board  of  Quarantine  Commissioners 
for  the  District  of  Elizabeth  River  are  as  fol- 
lows :  From  Norfolk— r-Dr.  Herbert  M.  Nash, 
Col.  William  B.  Rogers.  Capt.  B.  P.  Loyall; 
Portsmouth — William  H.  Peters.  James  T. 
Borum.  William  Schroeder:  Norfolk  County 
(vacant):  President,  William  H.  Peters; 
secretary.  B.  P.  Lo\-all :  quarantine  medical 
officer.  Dr.  C.  R.  \'ance:  deputy  quarantine 
medical  officer,  Dr.  J.  J.  McCormick. 

During  the  quarantine  year  ending  Decem- 
ber 31,  1898,  the  report  of  the  quarantine 
medical  officer  for  this  district  shows  that  he 
inspected  416  vessels  of  all  nationalities,  prin- 
cipally English,  embracing  12,106  persons 
among  crews  and  passengers. 

The  Outer  Quarantine. — In  1893  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  passed  an  Act  for 
the  better  protection  of  our  seaboard  against 
the  introduction  of  disease  and  required  all 
the  seaports  on  the  coast  to  pro\-ide  certain 
plants  and  fixtures  for  examining  and  quar- 
antining ships.     In    the    event    that    certain 


cities  could  not  or  wx)uld  not  so  provide,  the 
government  undertook  to  maintain  a  quaran- 
tine establishment,  with  all  necessary-  equip- 
ments and  appliances. 

Tlie  question  was  submitted  to  the  Board 
of  Quarantine  Commissioners  of  this  district, 
and  upon  mature  consideration  of  the  matter, 
it  decided  not  to  put  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  to  this  great  e.xpense  of  such  an 
establishment  and  turned  over  to  our  national 
government  the  outer  quarantine  of  these 
pons,  retaining  to  itself  the  rigiit  to  detain 
and  examine  all  vessels  passed  into  the  com- 
mon harbor,  so  that  if  by  any  careless,  incom- 
petent or  corrupt  examination  at  the  outer 
quarantine  a  vessel  comes  to  this  harbor  with 
sickness  or  infection,  she  can  be  immediately 
sent  away. 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  Act  <  f  Congress, 
the  Marine  Hospital  service  of  the  United 
States  has  established  a  complete  quarantine 
plant  at  Cape  Charles,  Virginia,  where  in- 
fected vessels  are  detained  and  the  crews  and 
cargo  removed  on  shore,  fumigated  and  disin- 
fected. 

With  carefully  maintained  inner  and  outer 
quarantine  we  are  supposed  to  be  amply  pro- 
tected from  the  introduction  of  sickness  and 
disease  from  foreign  sources. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 


THE  PRESS  OF  NORFOLK  COVNTY 


Eakly  and  Defunct  Newspapers  of  the  County — Newspapers  of  To-Day. 


The  press  is  the  hherator,  the  instructor, 
the  historian.  It  is  the  terror  of  tyrants,  the 
dread  of  corruptionists,  the  fortress  of  free- 
dom, the  defender  of  the  CommonweaUh.  It 
is  the  mouth  uf  public  opinion  and  the  eves  of 
the  people.  Jt  is  the  sentinel  on  the  outpost 
of  the  Republic.  It  is  the  guardian  of  mno- 
cence  and  protector  of  purity.  Its  mission  is 
charity,  truth  and  justice.  The  journalist  who 
makes  this  motto  his  g-uide  will  be  applauded 
by  men  and  rew  arded  by  Heaven, — "  The  lib- 
erty of  the  press  and'  the  liberties  of  the  peo- 
ple must  stand  or  fall  together."  The  first 
newspaper  was  published  in  England  on  the 
27th  of  May,  157^1, — TIic  Livcrpocl  Times. 

The  history  ai  the  press  of  our  cities  by 
the  sea  has  mt  been  preser\-ed  as  it  should  have 
been  and  much  interesting  detail  has  been  lost. 
It  is  said  that  John  Buckner  brought  the  first 
printing  press  to  Virginia,  which  was  sup- 
pressed in   1683. 

The  first  news])a]jer  published  in  \'irginia 
was  the  rirgiiiia  Ga.zcflc.  the  first  number  of 
which  was, issued  at  Williamsburg,  August  6, 
1736.  It  was  a  sheet  about  12  inches  by  six, 
and  was  printed  and  published  by  W.  Parks, 
at  15s.  per  annum.  It  was  not  a  free  agent  to 
herald  the  genernus  impulses  of  the  heart;  but 
had  a  lord  and  master  in  the  representative  of 
t'l  e  crown  to  go\-ern  its  course.  James  Holt. 
M'huse  publication  was  e.xciting  in  the  people 


"the  spirit  of  rebellion  and  sedition,"  for  which 
Dunmore  justified  his  dastardly  seizure  of  the 
types,  fixtures  and  two-  printers,  was  a  heroic 
and  patriotic  journalist,  whose  memory  should 
be  precious  to  every  American. 

The  J'irgiiiia  Lhruiiiele  and  Norfolk  and 
Portsuionth  General  Adz'ertiser,  was  published 
by  Baxter  and  Wilson  in  J 793. 

The  Herald  and  Xorfolk  and  Portsnionth 
Adi'ertiser  was  published  by  Charles  Willet  in 

1795-  .  .  ' 

The  Epitome  of  the  Times  was  published 

by  Augustus  C.  Jordan  in  1799. 

X(.rf(dk  Gazette  and  Public  Ledger  was 
published  by  William  Davis,  1805-14. 

Xorfclk  Herald.  1819,  afterward  styled 
The  X(.rfolk  and  Portsmouth  Herald,  pub- 
lished by  O'Connor  and  Thomas  G.  Brough- 
ton ;  styled  A'or/'o//:  and  Portsmouth  Herald 
and  Dail\  Commercial  Adi'crtiser.  1844-45, 
and  Xorfolk  and  Portsmouth  Herald.  1849-5J. 
published  liy  Thomas  G.  Broughton  &  Com- 
pany, and  Thomas  G.  Broughton  &  Son. 

The  American  Beacon  and  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  Daily  Adi'ertiser,  1844,  published 
by  William  E.  Cunningham  &  Company. 

The  Xorfolk  Phoenix,  published  June  13, 
1S44.  W.  C.  Shields,  editor. 

Chror.icle  and  Old  Dominion.  1843.  pub- 
lished by  A.  H.  Cunningham.  It  became  The 
Xe:v  Era.  July,  1845.    ^Villiam  ^^■allace,  editor 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


293 


of  the  />(///v  Cliroiiiclc.  died  March  20,  1854. 

Tlw  Soiitlicni  .-Irgits,  estahHshed  June  8. 
1848.  S.  T.  Sawyer,  editor  and  proprietor, 
publislied  by  T.  M.  Crowder,  succeeded  by 
A.  F.  Leonard  in  1855.  Col.  WilHam  Lamb 
Ix-canie  a  partner  ancl  botli  conducted  tiie  pa- 
per.  1856-60. 

The  Daily  .\c7i.-s,  estabH.shed  June  i.  1857, 
issued  by  T.  F.  Boothly  and  C.  H.  Beal,  ed- 
itors and  pn)prietors. 

'J'lh-  Xorfolk  Duv  Book,  stvled  The  Dav 
Book.  1857-66.  Estabbshed  by  T.  O.  Wise 
■witli  John  R.  Hathaway,  editor,  who  soon 
l)ecaine  editor  and  proprietor.  Capt.  James 
Barron  Hope  and  Holt  Wilson  Ijecame  editors 
in  1866.  John  R.  Hathaway  became  editor, 
and  Maj.  James  F.  Milli^an.  local  editor  in 
1877. 

The  Xcw  Regime,  1864-65.  (Ben.  But- 
lers paper.) 

The  Xorfolk  Old  Dominion.  1863-66.  pub- 
lished by  R.  E.  Glassett  and  William  E.  Sex- 
ton. A.  Watson  Atwood  succeeded  (ilassett 
in  1864.  On  March  22.  1865,  the  editors  and 
proprietors  were  J.  K.  Wolcott,  R.  E.  Glassett 
and  William  E.  Se.xton.  In  1866.  E.  F. 
Preston,  editor,  styled  it  the  Old  Dominion 
and  the  Daily  Old  Dominion. 

The  Xorfolk  Po.'sf.  iS6j-66.  established  by 
E.  M.  Brown,  publisher,  and  John  Clark,  ed- 
itor. 

The  Independent  Daily  Messenger  was 
founded  on  the  29th  of  September,  1843,  ^^V 
D.  D.  Fiske.  Its  motto  was  "The  Liberty  of 
the  Press  and  the  Liberties  of  the  People 
Must  Stand  or  Fall  Together."'  It  supported 
Martin  Van  Buren  for  president,  subject  to 
the  decision  of  the  Democratic  national  con- 
vention. 

The  Public  Index  was  issued  on  the  13th 
of  April,  1844,  Thomas  C.  Connolly,  editor, 
— its  politics  was  \Miig. 

77(r  Portsmou4h  Times,  established  in 
1838:  John  T.  Hill,  editor. 

The  Commercial  Chronicle,  established  in 
1839  by  Tbeophilus  Fisk    and    A.    F.    Cun- 


I  ningham,  mergetl  with  the  Old  Dominion  as 
I  the  Chronicle  and  Old  Dominion. 

Commercial  Chronicle  and  the  Porlsmoulh 
and  Norfolk  'Tri-ll'eekly  Old  Dominion, 
1839-40. 

The  Old  Dominion  was  established  by 
Tbeophilus  Fisk  and  A.  F.  Cunningham, — the 
latter  .soon  withdrew.  James  M.  Smith  be- 
came publisher  in  December,  1841. 

The  Chronicle  and  Old  Doniinion.  1844, 
published  by  A.  F.  Cunningham  and  Tbe- 
ophilus Fisk;  1845,  Cunningham  alone  pub- 
lished. The  new  series,  March  2},.  1847,  be- 
gan with  D.  D.  Fiske  publisher  for  the  pro- 
prietor,  1847-48. 

The  Daily  Globe.  1853.  published  by  Law, 
Badger  &  Company. 

The  Xeie  Era  Daily,  conducted  by  A.  E. 
Cunningham  1845-47 :  tri- weekly  1846. 

The  Daily  Pilot.  1850.  published  by  John 
S.  Cunningham  &  Company. 

The  Daily  Transcrifit.  1853.  established  by 
D.  D.   Fiske! 

'J'he  Democrat,  1853.  Henry  E.  Orr,  ed- 
itor. 

The  Daily  Enterprise,  established  in  1873, 
by  John  W.  H.  Porter,  editor  and  proprietor, 
succeeded  by  Enterprise  Times — Porter  and 
\\'ilcox,  proprietors:  Julius  H.  Wilcox  pur- 
chased it  in  1889.  and  changed  name  to 
Progress. 
I  Portsmouth  Daily  Times.  James  B.  Camp- 
bell, editor  and  proprietor,  sold  to  Times  Pub- 
lishing Company, — W.  B.  Wilder,  manager; 
William  H.  Stewart,  editor;  Mrs.  Fanny  M- 
Downing,  associate  editor. 

Tidewater  Times  (weekly),  .\fterward  Dr. 
J.  M.  Blanton  was  editor  of  bmth  Daily  and 
Weekly  Times.  The  Times  Publishing  Com- 
pany sold  them  to  Julius  H.  Wilco.x,  who  con- 
solidated them  with  the  Enterprise. 

The  E^enijn;  Xeies  was  established  by 
Judge  Chandler 'W.  Hill  in  1883. 

The  Record  was  established  in  1884,  Col. 
K.  R.  Griffin,  editor. 

The    Evening    Times    was    published    by 


294 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Whitson  and  Griffin  a  short  while.  Tlic  Ports- 
mouth Daily  Times,  Tidcz^'crtcr  Times  and 
Portsmouth  Obsen'er  in  1886.  J.  H.  ^\'ilcox, 
editor  and  proprietor;  W.  B.  \\'ilder,  business 
manager. 

All  of  the  above  are  out  of  existence. 

Xorfolk  i'irgiuiaii. — On  the  21st  of  No^ 
vember,  1865,  the  first  number  of  the  Nor- 
folk J'irgiiiian  was  issued.  It  was  not  born 
in  halcyon  days.  Its  life  was  no  holiday.  For 
many  years  it  was  battling  for  tlie  cause  of 
good  government  and  the  recognition  of  the 
political  equality  of  the  South  in  the  Union. 
It  labored  for  the  material  prosperity  of  Vir- 
ginia and  the  commercial  ad\'ancement  of 
Norfolk.  These  great  objects  it  witnessed  se- 
cured. It  witnessed  the  South,  a  conciuered 
province,  parceled  out  in  districts  and  presided 
ever  by  military  chiefs.  It  saw  it  burthened 
by  a  throng  of  adventurers,  whose  only  ob- 
ject was  to  fatten  upon  the  wants  of  an  af- 
tlicted  people.  All  these  evils  it  has  witnessed 
swept  away,  and  the  States  of  the  South  once 
again  equal  in  a  confederacy  of  States,  their 
capitals  freed  fr(jm  the  bivouac  of  Federal 
troops  their  legislative  halls  no  longer  echo 
in  the  challenge  of  the  sentry  or  the  tread  of 
the  corporal's  guard,  but  peace  and  prosperity 
and  home  government  secured,  each  State  rap- 
idly developing  its  \-ast  wealth,  so  long  per- 
mitted to  remain  dormant.-  It  also  watched 
and  assisted  in  the  material  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  our  common  harbor,  until  Norfolk 
occupies  a  commanding  position  among  the 
commercial  cities  of  the  country,  with  a 
brilliant  future  before  it. 

The  publishers  of  the  J'irgiuiaii  were  G. 
A.  Sykes  &  Company.  Hon.  A.  M.  Keiley, 
now  judge  of  the  Consular  Court  at  Cairo, 
Egypt,  was  its  first  editor.  His  associate  was 
Capt.  James  Barron  Hope.  Col.  J.  Richard 
Lewellen  as  the  business  manager.  The  pros- 
pectus set  forth  that  "apart  from  the  usual 
feature  of  journalism,  we  design  that  The 
Virginian  should  be  especially  devoted  to  the 
advancement  of  the  prosperity  of  Norfolk  and 
her  sister  citv,  and  the  large  section  of  Vir- 


ginia whose  interests  are  common  with  them." 
A  few  months  after  the  first  issue  Mr.  Keilev 
and  Captain  Hope  retired  from  the  paper  and 
Col.  \\'illiam  E.  Cameron,  now  ex-Gavernor 
of  Virginia,  succeeded  them  as  editor.  Later 
on.  Colonel  Lewellen  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  paper.  A  month  or  so  afterward  a  new 
company  was  formed,  consisting  of  Col.  J. 
R.  Lewellen,  Solomon  Hodges,  Edward  H. 
Hodges,  T.  B.  Ruffin  and  J.  C.  Adkisson,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  J.  R.  Lewellen  &  Com- 
pany. In  November,  1866,  one  year  after 
the  first  number  was  issued.  Colonel  Lewellen 
withdrew  in  order  to-  take  charge  of  the  Nor- 
folk Journal.  His  interest  was  purchased  by 
the  remaining  partners  and  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  S.  Hodges  &  Company,  with  J. 
Alarshall  Hanna,  as  editor. 

In  January,  1867,  the  management  of  the 
paper  was  tendered  to  M.  Glennan,  Esq.,  and 
on  the  17th  of  the  month  he  entered  upon  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  position.  After 
a  service  of  a  few  months,  Mr.  Hanna  retired 
from  the  editorship,  and  the  position  was  of- 
fered to  and  accepted  by  Capt.  James  Barron 
Hope.  In  November,  1867,  Mr.  Glennan 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  paper.  On  Feb- 
ruary g,  1870,  Solomon  Hodges  disposed  of 
his  interest  to  the  other  members  of  the  com- 
pany, and  the  firm  name  w?s  changed  to 
Glennan,  Ruffin  &  Company.  In  the  follow- 
ing year  Edward  H.  Hodges,  on  account  of 
failing  health,  sold  his  interest,  alid  on  Decem- 
ber 14,  1872,  Mr.  Glennan  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  T.  B.  Ruffin.  and  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  Glennan  &  Adkisson. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  1873,  Captain  Hope 
retired  from  the  editorship  of  The  Virginian 
in  order  to  found  the  Landmark.  The  la- 
mented Capt.  John  Hampden  Chamberlayne, 
one  of  the  ablest  and  most  brilliant  journal- 
ists of  the  country,  was  selected  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. On  the  nth  of  March,  1876,  Captain 
Chamberlayne  retired  from  the  paper  in  order 
to  commence  the  publication  of  his  paper.  The 
State,  in  Richmond.  Capt.  John  S.  Tucker, 
afterward  mavor  of  Norfolk,    was    tendered 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


29s 


and  accepted  the  editorship.  On  March  24, 
1876,  J.  C.  Adkisson  disposed  of  his  interest 
to  Mr.  (Ileiinan.  in  consetpience  of  wliich  tlie 
latter  l)ecamc  tiie  sole  owner  of  the.  paper. 

On  the  31st  of  March,  1880,  Captain 
Tucker  retired  from  the  editorship,  which  de- 
])artment  was  afterward  conducted  by  Mr. 
Cdennan  until  his  appointment  as  po.stmaster 
by  I'resident  Cleveland  on  July  i,  1885,  when 
the  iK)sition  of  editor  was  tendered  to  and  ac- 
cepted by  Capt.  Henry  E.  Orr. 

It  will  ni>t  be  amiss  to  allude  to  the  links 
which  connect  this  journal  with  the  history  of 
the  press  of  this  and  other  States,  furnishing 
as  it  did  so  many  of  those  who  had  been  as- 
sociated with  it,  to  edit  and  conduct  and  man- 
age the  departments  of  successful  and  enter- 
j)rising  journals.  In  Norfolk,  it  gave  to  the 
Xcrfulh  Landmark  Capt.  James  Barrtm  Hope 
to  edit  and  S.  S.  Xottingham,  Jr.,  to  manas-e 
it.  To  the  Ledger  it  gave  Col.  J.  R.  Lewellen, 
its  manager.  Josejih  G.  Fiveash,  and  its  local 
editor.  T.  B.  Ruffin.  Colonel  Lewellen  and 
Mr.  Fiveash,  previous  to  the  establishment  of 
the  Ledger,  were  connected  with  the  man- 
agement of  the  Norfolk  Journal,  going  to  that 
paper  from  The  J'irginian.  Colonel  Lewellen 
afterward  in  connection  with  W.  S.  Copeland, 
of  The  Virginian,  purchased  the  Danx'ille 
Register.  Mr.  Copeland  also  assisted  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Petersburg  Mail.  The 
Xorfoll;  Jl'eeklv  Herald  is  owned  by  W.  S. 
Copes,  who  commenced  his  butiiness  life  oil 
The  J'irginiaji.  The^  Portsmouth  Enterprise 
was  established  by  Porter  &  Concannon,  who 
were  previously  connected  -with  The  J^irgin- 
ian.  R.  E.  Glassett,  who  in  1866-67  ^^''^  at- 
tached to  this  paper,  was  Portsmouth  city  ed- 
itor of  the  Landmark.  Julius  H.  Wilcox,  the 
editor  of  the  Portsmouth  U'eekly  Obseri'er, 
and  afterward  owner  and  editor  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Times  and  Portsmouth  Progress,  was 
for  several  }ears  on  The  I 'irginian's  staff. 
From  The  J'irginian,  ex-Governor  Cameron 
was  called  to  edit  the  Peter.<;hurg  Index  and 
afterward  elected  Governor  of  Virginia.  To 
establish  the  Richmond  State,  John  Hampden 


Chanvberlayne  resignctl  the  edilur.ship  of  The 
Virginian,  and  associated  with  him  that  bril- 
liant journalist,  "Brevity"  Bennett,  who  w-as 
connected  with  Tlie  I  'irginian  in  its  infancy. 
Maj.  James  F.  Milligan,  connected  with  so 
many  papers,  was  in  1866-67  and  '68  the  act- 
ive local  editor  of  The  J  'irginian,  leaving  it 
to  assume  th.e  same  position  on  the  Norfolk 
Journal.  Then,  too,  there  were  Henry  S. 
Brooke  and  Alexander  Bell,  who  commenced 
their  journalistic  careers  as  city  editors  of 
7  he  I  'irginian,  and  who  were  afterward  re- 
spectively associated  with  j(jurnals  in  Xew 
Mexico  and  Xew-  "i'ork.  John  W.  H.  Por- 
ter, the  war  historian  of  Xorfolk  county  and 
founder  and  owner  of  the  Portsmouth  Enter- 
prise, was  for  many  years  Portsmouth  city 
editor  cjf  The  Virginian. 

NEWSP.M'liRS    OF    TOD.W. 

J'irginian-Pilot. 

On  ALarch  31,  1898,  the  Norfolk  Vir- 
ginian and  the  Daily  Pilot  ( established  in 
1894)  were  consoliflated  and  the  Virginian- 
Pilot  was  the  result  of  the  union.  A.  H. 
Grandy,  president  of  the  Pilot  Publishing 
Company,  becoming  the  president,  and  the  late 
M.  Glennan,  president  of  the  Virginian  Com- 
pany, vice  president  of  the  Virginian  and  Pilot 
Publishing  Company. 

The  presait  management  of  the  I'ir- 
ginian-Pilot  is  as  follow'S :  A.  H.  Grandy, 
])resident,  managing  editor  and  business  man- 
ager;  W.  S.  Wilkinson,  treasurer;  L.  D. 
Starke,  Jr.,  secretary;  R.  E.  Turner,  super- 
intendent and  advertising  manager. 

The  Public  I^edgcr, 

An  afternoon  daily  paper,  was  established 
August  3,  1876.  Walter  A.  Edwards  and  Jo- 
sepli  G.  Fiveash  are  editors  and  proprietors. 
Richard  H.  Hamilton  is  city  editor  for  Nor- 
folk. John  C.  Xiemeyer  is  city  editnr  for 
Portsmouth. 


296 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


TJic  Xorfulk  Laiidinark 

Is  owned  by  tlie  Landmark  Publishing  Com- 
pany, S.  S.  Xottingham,  manager.  It  was 
founded  in  1873  by  Capt.  James  Barron 
Hope, '  whose  poems  won  for  him  the  epithet 
"Virginia's  Poet  Laureate."'  The  Norfolk 
Journal,  which  was  estaljhshed  sooit  after  the 
Confederate  war  was  sole 
Landmark. 


mtl  merged  into  the 


The  Norfolk  Dispatch 

Is  a  daily  afternoon  newspaper  owned  by  the 
Norfolk  Dispatch  Publishing  Company. 
Charles  I.  Stengle  is  president ;  H.  T.  Plum- 
mer,  treasurer:  H.  T.  Hurtt,  secretary;  and 
H.  Morton  Harper,  business  manager. 

The  Norfolk  Herald 

Is  a  weekly  newspaper.  William  S.  Copes  is 
editor  and  proprietor. 

The  A'orfolk  Joit.nial  of  Couuuerce, 

W.  Thompson  Barron,  editor,  was  established 
in  September,  1887,  and  is  published  by  the 
W.  Thompson  Barron  Company.  It  is  a  re- 
Hable  and  accurate  commercial  journal. 

The  Coriiiieopia 

Is  a  monthly  exponent  of  the  agricnllural  in- 
terests in  Tidewater,  Virginia,  edited  and  pub- 
lished by  A.  Jeffers. 


The  Portsmouth  Star^ 

An  able  exponent  of  the  interests  of  the  city 
of  Portsmouth,  was  founded  by  Paul  C. 
Trugien,  on  the  3rd  day  of  September,  1893. 
He  is  a  son  of  Dr.  John  W.  H.  Trugien,  one 
of  the  hero  martyrs  of  the  yellow  fever  in 
1855.  Mr.  Trugien  continued  as  editor  and 
proprietor  until  November,  1899,  when  a  stock 
company  was  formed  to  enlarge  the  plant, 
with  F.  D.  Gill,  president,  and  Paul  C.  Tru- 
gien, secretary,  treasurer  and  managing  ed- 
itor. The  Portsmouth  Star  has  l^een  enlarged 
five  times  since  its  first  publication  and  is  one 
of  the  progressi\e  papers  of  the  State. 

The   Unionist. 

This  newspaper  is  the  official  organ  of  the 
Central  Labor  Union,  and  is  published  every 
week  in  the  interest  of  organized  union  labor 
by  the  Unionist  Publishing  Company,  at  Nor- 
folk, Virginia.     \\^illiam  A.  Davis  is  business 


Norfolk  County  Democrat. 

Published  weekly  at  Berkley,  Virginia. 

The  Norfolk  County  Times. 

Published  weekly  at  Pinner's  Point,  Nor- 
folk Countv,  Virginia. 


CHAPTER.  XIX 


THE  PORT  AND  R.A1LR.0AD  AND  WATER.  COMMUNICATIONS 

Great  Extent  of  Water  Frost — Reasons  for  the  Commerclu,  Advantages  of  the 
Port— Inland  Water  Routes — R.\ilroad  Lines — The  Climate — Steamship  Lines 
— Comparative  Statistics  on  Exports  and  Imports,  Shipping,  Real  Estate 
Transfers  and  Coal  Shipments — The  Virginia  Pilots. 


For  much  of  the  descriptive  and  statistical 
matter  in  this  chapter,  relating  to  the  port, 
we  are  indebted  to  the  Virginian-Pilot. 

The  greater  port  of  the  cities  of  Hamptc-^ 
Roads. — so  closely  connected  by  suburban 
residence  sections  tributan,-  to  each  and  by 
electric  railway  and  ferry  steamers  as  to  be 
practically  now.  what  in  the  near  future  they 
inevitably  must  become,  one  commercial  me- 
tropolis.— consists  of  the  cape  anchorage  in- 
side Capes  Henr}-  and  Charles.  Hampton 
Roads  as  a  whole  and  the  mouths  of  the  Eliza- 
beth. Xansemond  and  James  rivers,  with  al- 
most the  entire  Elizabeth  River  and  its  three 
branches,  a  stretch  of  water  frontage, — on 
Chesapeake  Bay  of  some  i8  to  20  miles,  on 
Hampton  Roads  of  about  40  miles  and  on  the 
three  river  mouths  and  the  Elizabeth  and  its 
branches  of  fully  30  miles,  or  a  grand  total  of 
85  to  90  miles. — the  water  front  of  a  small 
kingdom. 

Lest  the  reader  should  imagine  that  the 
long  bow  is  being  drawn  or  that  stories  for 
marines  are  being  told,  or  "folk'sle  yams 
spun."  it  may  be  pertinent  to  say  that  in  the 
stormy  season  when  easterly  gales  are  blow- 


ing it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  from  Cape 
Henry  to  Back  Bay  and  from  the  shipyard  on 
the  James  to  the  locks  at  Gilmenon  on  the 
Southern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth,  lying  at 
anchor  behind  the  bluffs  of  the  capes,  off  the 
shoals  of  Ocean  \'iew.  in  Back  Bay.  in  Hamp- 
ton Roads  and  the  mouths  of  the  rivers  men- 
tioned, besides  those  on  anchorage  in  inner 
harbor  and  at  wharves  and  docks  and  piers, 
as  many  as  400  to  500  vessels,  the  majority 
of  which  are  from  Norfolk.  Ponsmouth. 
Newport  News  and  Hampton:  the  remainder 
being  those  put  in  for  refuge  to  the  most  se- 
cure harbor  and  the  one  providing  the  most 
advantages  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  and  excelled 
in  but  few  of  those  advantages  by  any  other, 
and  in  all  of  them  together  by  none  in  the 
world. 

Of  these  points  the  dominant  and  most 
valuable  is  undoubtedly  the  inner  harbor  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmotfth.  for  many  reasons 
which  will  be  treated  more  in  detail  further  in 
this  article,  but  may  here  Ije  brief!}-  summa- 
rized as  follows: 

U  ).  A  climate  which  rarely  falls  to  freez- 
ing weather,  and  therefore  gives  an  open  har- 
bor for  12  months  in  the  vear. 


298 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


(2).  A  geographical  and  topographical  po- 
sition which  remoA'es  it  from  the  beaten  track 
of  heavy  storms  from  every  direction. 

(3)-  -^  geographical  location  which 
makes  it  the  natural  center  for  European  im- 
port and  export  on  the  .Atlantic  Coast. 

(4).  A  depth  of  water  sui^cient  to  float 
the  largest  class  of  vessels  afloat  in  the  world's 
commerce. 

(5).  The  natural  and  only  outport  for  the 
finest  steaming  coal  in  the  world. 

(6).  The  logical  outport  of  the  greater 
bulk  of  Southern  lumber,  iron,  cotton,  tO'bacco 
and  corn. 

(7).  Its  contiguity  to  the  sources  of  ship- 
builder's supplies,  repair  stock  and  na-val 
stores  is  unsurpassed. 

(8).  It  is  the  key  to  the  system  of  inland 
na\'igation  of  the  coast  and  a  headquarters  for 
the  mosquitO'  fleet. 

(9).  Its  commanding  position  forces  a 
recognition  by  the  government  as  a  great  naval 
base. 

These  are  the  principal  natural  reasons, 
though  there  are  others  which  in  this  story  it  is 
intended  to  bring  out.  How  well  or  how  ill 
success  attends  the  efforts  made,  the  facts 
themselves  are  apparent  to  any  who  will  calm- 
ly investigate  and  personally  examine  this 
port. 

Of  the  artificial  reasons  only  a  few  need 
be  mentioned  here.        These  are   principalh  : 

(T  ) .  The  seeking  of  the  cheapest  route  for 
the  import  and  ex]iort  trade  of  the  country  by 
railroad  and  steamship  lines. 

(2).  The  gradual  acceptance  of  Pocahon- 
tas coal  as  the  premium  steam  coal  of  the 
world  and  the  putting  of  Norfolk  on  the  coal- 
ing-station tables  of  all  lines  coming  within 
reasonable  distance  of  this  port,  outward  or 
homeward  bound. 

(3).  The  attraction  for  vast  sums  of 
money  in  investment  offered  by  this  still  but 
partially  developed  section,  in  electric  and 
steam  railways,  manufacturing  industries  and 
rapid  awakening  of  the  people  toi  a  sense  of 


their  opportunities  and  the  taking  advantage 
of  them. 

Let  us  take  a  look  at  the  port  of  Norfolk, 
Portsmouth,  Berkley,  or  if  you  will  that  of 
the  greater  port  of  Hampton  Roads,  geo- 
graphicallv,  topographically  and  meteorologi- 
cally : 

Almost  midway  between  Maine  and  Flor- 
ida, and  directly  opposite  the  entrance  to  the 
^Mediterranean  Sea,  100  miles  north  of  Cape 
Hatteras, — the  storm  breeder  of  the  Southern 
y\tlan'tic, — Hampton  Roads  .lies,  an  inland  sea,- 
and  the  entrance  to  the  three  rivers,  famed  his- 
torically, scientifically  and  romantically. 

Crossing  the  upper  and  weaker  flow  of  the 
Gulf  Stream,  the  European  \-esseI  strikes  the 
Arctic  current  and  follows  naturally  on  its 
narrowing  current  to  the  month  of  the  Chesa- 
peake. If  in  spring  or  summer  or  fall,  its  cool 
current  is  a  pleasant  vo}-age-mate  and  the  port 
stops  short  of  the  enervating  lieat  of  the  semi- 
tropics.  If  in  winter,  the  same  traffic  follows 
the  western  edge  of  the  great  ocean  ri\-er.  and 
and  is  but  a  few  hours  from  freedom  from  ice 
and  snow  until  it  reaches  haven  here,  without 
encountering  the  perils  of  the  Hatteras  pas- 
sage. 

South  of  New  York  the  port  has  no  great 
natural  rival,  for  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore 
are  bovh  inland  cities  and,  until  the  short  cut 
canals  are  built  to  connect  them  with  the  sea, 
must  remain  so,  besides  which  even  the  con- 
struction of  those  canals  will  not  pre\-ent  their 
harbors  from  freezing  or  the  winter  storms 
from  hindering  outdoor  employment, — a  con- 
dition from  which  Norfolk  is 
free. 

To  the  south,  this  port  has  no  rival  until 
Savannah  and  Charleston  are  reached  and  be- 
tween her  and  them  stretches  Hatteras  and 
Frying  Pan  Shoals,  two  notable  ship  gra\-e- 
yards. 

Again,  the  great  cold  waves  that  sweep 
down  from  the  Dakotas  rarely  reach  as  far 
south  as  Hampton  Roads  and  even  if  they 
come  are  robbed  of    their    strength    by    the 


singularly 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


299 


mountain  ridges,  separated  by  valleys  open- 
ingf  to  tlie  south,  tliey  nuist  traverse. 

So  arranged  hy  nature  are  tiie  passes 
tluough  the  moimtains  separating  from  the 
Eastern  Coast  tlie  broad  and  fertile  West,  and 
in  such  directi<in  trend  the  valleys  leading 
coastward  that  it  is  as  if  the  Di\ine  Architect 
st(X)d  at  the  passes  and  said  to  ilic  West, 
"There  where  the  waters  mingle  as  in  the 
palm  of  a  migiity  hand  stretching  inland  from 
the  sea,  there  shall  ye  find  readiest  outlet  anil 
tliere  shall  ye  find  the  fleets  of  the  worlil  await- 
ing you  and  tiience  shall  ye  bring  back  the 
gclden  store  of  those  who  wait  ynur  fruits  and 
your  harvests." 

And  in  and  around  those  giant  passes 
through  the  mountains;  in  the  valleys,  along 
the  ridges  and  on  the  heights  the  richest  mines, 
of  utilitarian  wealth  have  lain  buried  as  if  but 
waiting  the  travel  that  was  bound  to  come  and 
that  has  come  and  is  coming,  with  wood  and 
steel  and  steam  to  meet  the  ocean  tide  of  wood 
and  steel  and   steam   waiting  at  this  port  to 

:et  it. 

When  in  1607  the  first  English  vessel 
sailed  into  the  broad  mouth  of  Chesapeake 
Bay  and  cast  anchor  in  the  shadow  of  Cape 
Henry's  huge  sand  dunes,  to  the  voyagers 
that  lined  her  bulwarks  and  stooil  upon  her 
curious  high-peaked  forecastle  and  poop  deck, 
the  shores  wooded  to  the  beach,  must  have  fur- 
nished a  view  as  soothing  in  its  sunny,  laugh- 
ing charm  as  the  stern  ice-bound  shores  of 
Massachusetts  Bay  did  in  1620  to  the  hunted 
colonists  of  the  "Mayflower,"  a  secure  one. 

But  the  canoe  of  the  red  men  i)receded 
both  over  the  local  water  courses  and  on  each 
the  canoe,  in  modified  form,  is  still    known. 

Steadily  the  size  in  tonnage  displacement 
has  grown  from  the  adveut  of  that  first  ship 
with  the  white  sails  till  now  the  craft  that  an- 
chored under  Cape  Henry's  friendly  shelter  in 
1607  could  easily  be  stowed  forward  on  some 
of  the  big  liners  that  anchor  in  nearlv  the 
same  spot,  without  danger  or  discomifort. 
Then  as  now  the  next  flight  of  sail  was  for 


pushing  on  to  Old  Point  Comfort  and  thence 
to  Hampton  Roads. 

Then  woixled  beach,  swamp  and  ridge  cov- 
ered the  e.xpanse  from  the  Elizabeth  to  Cape 
1 1  en  ry .     Now ! 

The  beach  has  given  way  to  wharf  and 
dock  and  pier,  and  each  year  sees  the  meta- 
morphosis grow;  new  docks  and  wharves  are 
built  and  others  projected,  until  today  as  far 
as  Willoughby  Spit  the  water-front  is  held 
with  the  idea  of  its  soon  being  needed  for  fur- 
ther commercial  de\'elopment.  and  e\en  the 
bay  front,  down  as  far  as  the  cape,  has  the 
eye  of  the  speculator  upon  it  and  is  even  now 
not  beyond  *Jie  hearing  of  axe,  adze,  saw  and 
liammer,  telling  of  the  march  of  a  great  city. 

Norfolk's  e.xact  position  may  be  stated 
briefly  as  follows :  It  lies  in  Latitude  36  de- 
grees, 51  nu'nutes  north.  Longitude  76  de- 
grees, 17  minutes  west  frc.m  Greenwich,  (^n 
one  side  is  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  on  the  other 
the  Elizabeth  River  and  Hampton  Roads, 
while  at  her  back  is  the  .Atlantic  Ocean.  The 
city  rests  at  the  confluence  of  the  Eastern, 
Southern  and  Western  branches  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River,  about  eight  miles  from  Ham])ton 
Roads  and  23  miles  from  Capes  Henry  and 
Charles,  on  the  .Atlantic  Coast.  The  altitude 
ranges  from  10  to  20  feet  above  the  average 
high-water  mark.  The  river's  channel  is  be- 
tween 1,000  and  1,200  feet  wide  at  the  city. 

But  Norfolk  is  connected  by  electric  rail- 
way and  ferry, — as  New  York  is  with  Brook- 
lyn and  Hoboken,  and  I5oston  with  East  Bos- 
ton and  Chelsea, — with  Portsmouth,  Berkley, 
Newport  Xews,  Hamp-ton  and  Old  Point,  so 
that  the  greater  port  also  should  be  described 
and  its  size  appreciated  : 

The  size  of  the  Roads  is  as  follows:  From 
the  Rip-Raps  (,'n  the  east  to  Ragged  Island  or 
Barrel  Wnnt  on  the  west  is  fully  10  miles, 
while  the  average  width  is  betweeni  five  and 
six  miles.  So  Hampton  Roads  embraces  an 
area  of  50  to  60  sipiare  miles,  or  nearl\-  40.000 
acreSi  and  is  50  feet  dee]). 

So  well   i^rt  tected   is  this  basin   from  the 


300 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


storms  tliat  lash  and  Ijeat  old  ocean  into  fury, 
that  on  the  approach  of  such  storms  all  vessels 
ou't  in  the  bay  or  beyond  the  capes  make  haste 
to  pass  tlirough  the  gate  that  leads  into  the 
haven  of  security,  and  there  abide  until  the  sea 
lias  quieted. 

This  immense  body  of  water,  in  the  cold- 
est of  weather,  never  suffers  from  ice,  and 
thus  it  remains  open  from  the  beginning  to 
the  end  of  the  year. 

The  Elizabeth  River,  which  forms  the  in- 
ner harbor  of  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and  Berk- 
ley, is  8,-100  feet  wide  at  its  mouth  on  the 
Roads,  with  a  minimum  depth  of  28  feet  from 
the  Roads  to  the  Navy  Yard,  on  the  Soiithern 
Branch,  to  the  Norfolk  &  Western  bridge,  on 
the  Eastern  Branch,  and  to  the  New  York, 
Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  terminus,  on  the 
Western  Branch.  It  is  nearly  a  mile  wide  at 
the  junction  of  the  Eastern  and  Southern 
Ijranches,  between  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  and  opnosite  Berklev,  and  is  at 
its  narrowest  part  1,000  feet,  while  the 
branches  are  from  1,000  to  2,200  feet  wide, 
and  its  depth  is  such  that  the  largest  and  deep- 
est draught  freighters  in  the  world  have  no 
trouble  in  na\igating  it,  the  "Maroa," 
"Samoa."  "Pinedene"'  and  other  like  steam- 
ships loading  at  will  on  the  Eastern  Branch 
and  steaming  frtmi  there  to  sea.  The  area  for 
deep  anchorage  is  fully  i.ooo  acres,  and  this 
is  constantly  being  increased,  and  of  late  the 
sight  of  100  to  150  vessels,  steamers,  schoon- 
ers and  huge  coal  barges,  lying  at  anchor  in 
this  harbor,  has  been  nothing  unusual,  while 
the  sea  room  for  small  craft  is  practically  un- 
limited. 

Another  thing  in  physical  formation  which 
gives  the  mariner  pleasure  is  the  fact  that  Nor- 
folk harbor  has  no  bar  tO'  hinder  entrance  from 
the  sea.  The  harbar  entrance  is  from  the 
northwest,  the  only  one  on  the  Southern  At- 
lantic Coast,  and  inasmuch  as  it  opens  in  the 
opposite  direction  from  the  southwestern  sub- 
tropic  cyclones,  it  is  best  protected. 

The  river  affords  about  30  miles  of  wharf 
front  and  when  the  large  creeks  whicli  make 


into  the  ciU'  territory  from  the  channel  sliall 
have  been  dredged  out  and  made  available, 
this  area  will  be  practically  doubled. 

In  speaking  of  the  city  territory  thus  it  is 
but  fair  to  state  that  the  corporate  limits  of 
the  city  are  not  intended  tO'  be  understood  as 
the  boundary,  for,  thof-gh  Smith  Creek  is  now 
the  only  one  of  size  that  thus  impinges,  yet  in 
the  future  development,  already  assured  by 
continiuously  built  up  territory',  Ohio  Creek. 
Tanner's  Creek,  Bush  and  Mason-  Creeks  are 
within  the  already  pre-empted  lines  of  the  next 
enlargement,  and  the  rapid  stride  during  the 
past  fi\'e  years  proves  conclusi\-ely  by  it:  direc- 
tion that  t!ic  next  five  will  see  the  actual 
boundaries  marked  by  the  Chesapeake  and 
Hampton  Roads  in  addition  to  the  Elizabeth 
River. 

A  brief  survey  of  the  location  is  here  per- 
missible. 

The  Chesa])'eake  Bay,  which  has  its  base 
eight  miles  north  of  Norfolk,  air-line,  and  is 
distant  only  12  miles  by  water  through  the 
Elizabeth  River  and  Hampton  Roads,  has  been 
described  by  Commodore  Maury  as  a  "King's 
Chamber"  in  the  bosom'  of  Virginia  which  no' 
belligerent  may  enter  with  other  than  good  in- 
tent. It  is  180  miles  long  and  from  10  to  25 
miles  wide. 

It  is  Virginia  water,  for  it  passes  through 
lier  borders  to  the  sea,  and  enters  it  between 
her  own  capes.  Just  between  these  capes,  and 
under  their  shelter,  lie  Hampton  Roads  and 
Lynnhaven  Bay — the  "Spit  Head"  and  the 
"Downs"  of  America. 

To  the  south,  all  the  seaport  towns  as  far 
as  the  reefs  of  Florida  have  their  harbors  ob- 
structed by  bars,  over  which  the  larger  vessels 
of  commerce  can  never  pass ;  and  the  extent  of 
back  country  naturally  tributary  to  them  is,  in 
comparison  witli  that  which  is  tributary  to  the 
seaport  toAvns  of  Chesapeake  Bay,  very  small. 
It  does  not  extend  beyond  the  drainage  of  these 
rivers. 

The  harbors  that  lie  north  of  the  Chesa- 
peake are  not  only  liable  to  obstructions  by  ice 
every  winter,  but  their  approaches  are  often 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


301 


endang;ercd  by  the  fogs  wliich  prevail  in  their 
offinjjs. 

This  noble  sheet  of  water,  with  its  spacious 
harbors,  is  large  env>ugh  to  acconunodate  ship- 
ping sufficient  to  afft>ril  transportation  for  all 
the  products  and  merchandise  of  the  ^^'est, 
were  they  a  thousand- fold  more  abundant  than 
they  are;  and  it  is  the  most  convenient  point  on 
the  entire  coast  for  distributing  them  north 
and  south  along  the  .Atlantic  seaboard,  or  for 
sending  them  to  markets  bevond  the  sea. 

The  important  ri\ers  which  empty  into  the 
Chesapeake  are  the  Elizabeth.  James,  Po- 
tomac, Rappahannock,  ^'ork.  Xansenmnd  and 
Patapsco. 

Just  south  of  Norfolk  are  three  sounds. 
F()nned  by  the  banks  enclosing  them  on  the 
ocean  side,  they  are  securely  lantl-locked ; 
while  shallow,  they  are  broad  and  peaceful 
avenues  of  trade.  They  begin  abcnit  20  miles 
Southeast  in  an  air-line  fnim  Norfolk.  The 
way  into  them  is  thmugh  the  Southern  Branch 
of  the  Elizal)eth  and  the  canals  connecting 
them  with  this  harbor. 

In  their  order  they  are  Currituck,  the  most 
northerly,  then  Albemarle,  then  Pamlico,  this 
last  the  largest.  Large  rivers,  navigable  for 
many  miles  inland,  empty  into  them ;  the  Pas- 
quotank, Perquimans  and  Chowan^  into  Albe- 
marle Sound :  the  Pamlico  and  N^euse  into 
Pamlico  Soun<l.  Tliere  are  numerous  rapidly- 
growing  cities  u|K)n  these  rivers, — Elizabeth 
City,  Edenton,  \Vashington.  New  Berne  and 
Beaufort  chief  among  them. 

Th.e  "banks"  which  enclnse  these  sounds 
begin  just  below  the  Virginia  line.  Stormy 
Cape  Hatteras  is  on  these  banks  and  Cape 
Lookout  is  at  their  southern  e.xtremity.  Roa- 
noke Island,  on  which  the  very  first  Anglo- 
Saxon  attempt  at  settlement  in  America. — 23 
years  before  Jamestown. — was  made,  is  at  the 
junction  of    Pamlico  and   Allicniarle   sounds. 

I  .\"L.\  X  I)    W  .\TF.R-ROlTES. 

The  port  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  is  the 
center  of  a  vast  system  of  inland  water-routes, 
extending  from   New   York  on  the  north  to 


the  southern  part  of  North  Carolina.  The 
natural  water-ways  are  so  numerous  and  in 
such  close  proximity  throughout  this  section 
that  a  series  of  artificial  highways  have  been 
constructed  connecting  the  bays,  sounds  and 
navigable  streams  along  the  Atlantic  Coast, 
so  as  to  make  one  conqjlete  and  almost  wh<illy 
lan(l-k>cked  passage  fn.m  New  \'(  rk  to 
Florida. 

They  make  a\ailable  to  New  Vnrk.  Phila- 
delphia, lialtiniore  and  Norfolk,  which  lie 
directly  on  their  line,  over  1,800  miles  of 
North   Carolina   river  navigation. 

These  highways  in  their  order,  going 
south,  are  the  Delaware  «S:  Raritan,  the  Chesa- 
peake &  Delaware,  the  Albemarle  &  Chesa- 
peake, the  New  Berne  &  Beaufort,  the  last  two 
the  property  of  the  Albemarle  &  Chesapeake 
Canal  Ccmipany,  of  Norfolk,  and  the  Dismal 
Swam|)  (."anal,  the  property  of  the  Lake  Druni- 
mond  Canal  &  Water  Company.  This  latter 
canal  has  the  past  year  been  reopened  as  a  ship 
canal,  having  been  deepened  to  accmnmodate 
vessels  of -eight  feet  draught,  ami  when  its  ap- 
proaches shall  have  been  dredged  to  ])roper 
dqjth  will  pass  vessels  of  10  feet,  thus  makuisj- 
not  only  a  valuable  feeder  to  Norfolk's  com- 
merce but  a  line  of  strategic  value  in  coast  de- 
fense, admitting  of  any  of  the  smaller  vessels 
of  the  navy  passing  as  far  south  as  Charles- 
t(jn.  South  Carolina,  without  danger. 

The  Albemarle  &:  Chesapeake  Canal,  con- 
necting with  Albemarle  Sound,  and  the  Dismal 
Swamp  Canal,  each  reaching  from  the  South- 
ern Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  the  latter 
to  a  more  western  point  on  the  same  sound, 
thus  offer  a  double  opportunity  for  the  mos- 
quito fleet  of  the  navy  to  protect  the  coast  line 
and  make  Norfolk  the  strongest  strategic 
point  on  the  coast  south  of  New  York  and 
e(|ual  to.  if  not  surpassing,  even  the  Empire 
City,  for  with  Norfolk  and  its  fortified  en- 
virons intact,  the  National  Capital.  Baltimore. 
Richmond  and  Annapolis  are  secure,  while  no 
citv  at  the  south  along  the  inland  water-way 
but  might  be  strengthened  almost  at  a  day's 
notice  from  this  point. 


302 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


By  means  of  these  canals  liglit  draft  steam- 
ers bound  for  Charleston,  Savannah,  Florida 
and  the  West  Indies,  yachts  and  other  small 
craft,  can  avoid  the  worst  perils  of  old  ocean, 
especially  those  of  storm-beaten  Hatteras. 

Following  are  the  dimensions  of  these 
canals :  Delaware  &  Raritan,  43  miles  long, 
locks  220  by  24  by  9 ;  Chesapeake  &  Delaware. 
14  miles,  locks  220  by  24  by  9;  Albemarle  & 
Chesapeake,  14  miles,  locks  220  by  40  by  2y ; 
New  Berne  &  Beaufort,  three  miles,  no  locks. 

These  canals  connect  such  important  bodies 
of  water  as  Delaware  Bay,  Chesapeake  Bay, 
Currituck  Sound,  Albemarle  Sound  and  Pam- 
lico Sound,  and  the  innumerable  tributaries  of 
these  bays  and  sounds,  penetrating  every  coun- 
ty in  the  rich  and  fertile  tidewater  sections  of 
six  States.  Thus  a  great  inland  shipping  busi- 
ness is  carried  on  by  hundreds  of  vessels  and 
sailing  craft  of  every  description  that  could 
not  go  to  sea  or  stand  the  storms  of  Hatteras. 

Iso  other  Southern  city,  except  New  Or- 
leans, with  its  great  river  business,  at  all  ap- 
proaches Norfolk  in  the  magnitude  and 
variety  of  its  coastwise  traffic  and  inland  boat- 
ing trade.  There  are  a  dozen  or  more  steam- 
boat lines  which  ply  regularly  between  Norfolk 
and  the  cities  and  towns  in  every  direction 
connected  by  these  inland  water-routes,  and 
the  aggregate  of  this  local  shipping  business  is 
enormous. 

The  Elizabeth  River  divides  at  Norfolk 
into  two  branches,  which  are  known  as  the 
Eastern  and  Southern,  both  of  which  are  navi- 
gable streams.  The  Southern  Branch,  as  has 
been  shown,  affords  the  means  of  approach  to 
the  Albemarle  &  Chesapeake  and  the  Dismal 
Swamp  canals,  which  penetrate  Eastern  North 
Carolina,  and  thus  sail  and  steam  vessels  are 
permitted  to  enter  that  section  of  country.  On 
the  left  of  this  stream  lies  Berkley,  and  on  the 
right  Portsmouth.  Just  above  Portsmouth,  on 
this  branch  or  arm  of  the  Elizabeth,  is  the 
United  States  Navy  Yard,  to  which  the  largest 
ships  of  the  navy  can  approach. 

The  Eastern  Branch  gives  access  to  the 
fertile    lands    of    Princess  Anne  County,  and 


during  the  trucking  season  the  stream  is  cov- 
ered with  small  craft  loaded  with  the  products 
of  the  soil  and  of  the  waters,  bound  to  this 
and  other  markets.  Norfolk  is  on  the  left  of 
this  branch  and  Berkley  on  the  right. 

Just  below  Portsmouth  the  Western 
Branch  makes  into  the  river.  This  branch 
penetrates  another  rich  trucking  section  and 
is  navigable  for  all  manner  of  small  craft.  In 
addition  to  the  main  branches  of  the  river  in- 
numerable creeks,  some  of  themi  very  imposing 
bodies  of  water,  stretch  their  arms  around  the 
cities  on  the  harbor  and  into  the  fertile  truck- 
ing sections,  and  form  a  pathway  for  sailing 
craft  and  vessels  of  every  description  to  the 
wharves  of  our  great  transportation  lines  along 
our  river  front. 

The  fact  is,  there  are  nearly  1,500,000 
acres  of  salt  water  here  directly  tributary  to 
this  port,  much  of  which  area  is  paved  with 
oysters,  and  all  these  waters  are  literally  filled 
with  bountiful  supplies  of  fish  and  crabs.  It 
was  on  the  banks  of  these  beautiful  waters 
that  the  Indians  had  their  homes  and  hunting 
grounds, — the  finest  in  the  world. 

With  nearly  or  c|uite  100  miles  of  deep- 
water  frontage  capable  of  allowing  the  largest 
freight,  passenger  and  naval  vessels  of  the 
world  to  lie  at  dock  or  wharf  along  and  within 
the  port  warden's  line,  it  would  be  but  natural 
that  this  greater  port  of  Hampton  Roads  and 
its  sub-ports  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  and 
Newport  News,  should  be  the  Mecca  of  for- 
eign, coastwise  and  inland  trade.  The  nat- 
ural law  is  the  easier  to  follow.  How  is  it 
proven  ? 

Half  way  between  Maine  and  Florida,  be- 
tween the  white  pine,  spruce,  hemlock,  white 
birch,  maple,  oak,  tamarack,  ash,  chestnut, 
hickory,  elm,  butternut  and  other  North-tem- 
perate growths  of  lumber  and  the  palm, 
orange,  long-leaf  pine,  blue  gum,  palmetto, 
lancewood,  black  walnut  and  other  semi-tropi- 
cal timber,  and  on  the  line  of  the  Southern 
pine,  cypress,  juniper,  live  oak,  of  the  South- 
ern temperate  zone,  the  natural  meeting  point 
for  contribution  and  distribution  is  Norfolk — 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


303 


and  kunber  is  one  of  the  greatest  industries  of 
tlie  port,  toth  in  lits  coastwise  and  foreign 
trade. 

Half  way  l)etween  Europe  and  South 
America  on  a  line  bisecting  the  distance  be- 
tween Norway  and  Cape  Town,  it  would  need 
but  an  uiiliniitetl  supply  of  superior  coal  to 
make  it  the  greatest  coaling  jwrt  of  the  At- 
lantic Coast  for  long-voyage  steamships,  and 
even  greater  as  a  cargo  station  for  the  world^'s 
shipping  suppl}'.  Is  it?  It  has  the  only  out- 
port  of  the  Pocahontas  Flat  Top  coal  fields' 
unlimited  and  unsurpassed — ay,  unequaled' — 
steam  coal,  and  the  nations  of  the  world  are 
sending  here  for  coal.  It  is  nearer  to  Euro]>e 
in  a  direct  line  than  any  other  cotton  port,  and 
the  world's  wearing  staple  is  one  of  the  port's 
great  shipping  indaistries.  And  so  one  might 
go  on  almost  indefinitely,  but  enough  at  pres- 
ent. Having  seen  from  its  geographical  posi- 
tion its  relation  to  the  rest  of  the  world,  a 
glance  at  its  position  in  relation  to  the  in- 
terior of  the  United  States  should  be  taken, 
and  to  do  this  an  excellent  idea  has  been  gi\-en  : 

Take  a  map  of  the  United  States,  stick  a 
])in  at  Norfolk,  another  at  New  York,  and  a 
third  at  New  Orleans.  Let  the  arc  of  the 
circle,  of  which  Norfolk  is  the  center,  cut  New 
York  and  vice  versa ;  stick  a  pin  where  these 
arcs  intersect.  Now  divide  the  distance  on 
a  straight  line  between  Norfolk  and  New 
York,  and  through  that  point  and  tb.^  inter- 
section draw  a  straight  line  from  southeast  to 
northwest.  Y^ou  have  then  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  Norfolk's  natural  freight  and  the 
traffic  territory  approximately. 

With  New  Orleans  as  the  center,  draw  an 
arc  of  a  circle  cutting  Tampa  on  the  west  coast 
of  Florida,  and  it  will  be  fomid  to  cut  the 
Mississippi  half  way  between  Cairo  and  St. 
Louis.  From  this  [xiint  draw  a  straight  line 
to  Tampa  and  an  intersecting  line  from  Nor- 
folk to  New  Orleans,  which  will  bisect  this 
line  near  Montgomery,  Alabama.  This  latter 
line  gives  the  southeastern  and  the  line  it  bi- 
sects the  southwestern  Ixjundary  of  Norfolk's 
■contributing  territory;  a  line  due  west  from 


Cairo  will  give  the  southern  boundary  in  the 
West,  and  the  frozen  North  and  the  Rocky 
Mountains  will  furnish  the  western  and  north- 
ern boundaries.  This  is  pre-eminently  her 
own  territory,  as  transportation  rates  and  dis- 
tances in  direct  line  give  her  the  preference  for 
export  trade  over  all  cmnpetitors. 

In  all  this  territory  (and  it  is  a  big  one, — 
1,000  by  2,000  miles,  roughly  stated),  Nor- 
folk is  the  nearest  Atlantic  port  and  natural 
ex]x:>rt  base.  But  much  that  is  outside  this 
territory  naturally  drifts  in  her  direction,  and 
even  the  Pacific  Coast  sends  its  products  for 
transjxjrtation  to  Europe  via  Norfolk. 

Let  us  see  by  what  means  all  these  varied 
products  of  the  fields,  the  forests,  the  mines, 
the  manii factories  and  the  shops  are  centered 
at  this,  port  for  export,  and  how  the  imjiorts 
are  redistributed.  How  the  carrying  trade  is 
accomplished,  and  what  comprises  Norfolk's 
greatest  proof  of  present  greatness  and  prom- 
ise of  future  predominance. 

R.MLKOAD    LINES. 

At  Nnrfiilk  center  f(.)urteen  railway  sys- 
tems, steam  and  electric,  some  oi  old  growth 
and  far-extended  ramifications  and  connec- 
nections;  others  of  later  date,  and  only  rapid- 
ly pushing  out  their  feeders  to  new  territory 
and  new  alliances.  Norfolk  is  the  center  from 
which  they  radiate,  and  as  the  sun's  widely 
diffused  rays  draw  toward  a  common  center, 
so  these  radiating  lines  of  steel  draw  commerce 
and  trade  to  this  city. 

It  would  bp  difficult,  c\-en  if  one  wished  to 
make  comparison,  to  say  which  of  these  lines 
is  greatest  and  which  least.  All  in  their  vari- 
ous ways  benefit  the  city.  These  lines  are — to 
commence  at  the  northeast  and  name  them  in 
rotation  from  north  to  west — the  New  York^ 
Philadelphia  &  Norfolk;  the  Chesapeake  & 
Ohio;  the  New-port  News,  Pig  Point  &  Nor- 
folk (begun);  the  Southern;  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line;  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina;  the  Sea- 
board Air  Line;  the  Norfolk  &  Southern;  the 
Norfolk   &   Western;   the   Norfolk,    Sewell's 


304 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Point  &  Haniptuii ;  tlie  Chesapeake  Transit 
Line  (projected)  ;  the  Belt  Line  Railroad,  and 
the  Norfolk,  Ocean  View,  Willoughby  Spit  & 
Old'  Point  railroads  and  railways. 

The  territory  covered'  by  these  various 
lines  of  steel  will  give  an  idea  of  their  value 
to  Norfolk.  Take  them  again  in  rotation,  but 
commence  at  the  reverse  end. 

The  Norfolk.  Ocean  View,  \\'illoughby 
Spit  &  Old  Point  railway  is  an  electric  road  of 
standard  gauge,  running,  as  its  name  shows, 
from  Norfolk  through  a  fine  trucking  and 
suburban  residence  section  to  that  Coney 
Island  of  Virginia. — Ocean  View. — and  thence 
through  a  seaside  residence  and'  club  section; 
tiirough  the  national  reservation  for  the  forti- 
fied protection  of  the  coast  from  Cape  Henry, 
to  Old  Point,  thence  through  Willoughby 
Spit,  the  finest  of  all  sea-coast  summer  resi- 
dence sections'  in  America,  between  the  won- 
derful fishing  grounds  of  Chesapeake  Bay, 
Little  Bay  and  Hampton  Roads,  the  most 
notable  watering-  place  and  the  oldest  of 
America.  Here  it  connects  with  all  bay  steam^ 
ers.  with  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway,  and 
with  the  Hampton  &  Newport  News  electric 
road. 

This  is  the  road  at  present.  It  will,  how- 
ever, naturally  be  continued  south  to'  Lyim- 
haven  Bay,  or  -further  to  Cape  Henry.  Being 
of  standard  gauge  and  connected  by  switch 
with  the  Norfolk  &  Western  Railway,  its 
products  are  easily  transported  to  all  parts  of 
the  continent,  and  through  its  connection  with 
the  Norfolk  street  railway,  it  has  become  the 
popular  resort  for  a  day's  outing  to  city  pleas- 
ure seekers. 

The  Norfolk,  Sewell's  Point  &  Hampton 
is  another  electric  road  now  almost  completed 
and  running  a  double  track  from  Norfolk's 
City  Hall  avenue  to  the  northward  cut 
through  the  suburbs  and  through  a  stretch  of 
wonderfully  fertile  trucking  cotmtry  to  SeAV- 
ell's  Point,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  beautiful 
of  Hampton  Roads  summer  resorts,  and 
thence  by  ferry  to  Hampton,  where  it  will  con- 


nect with  the  electric  roads  fast  encircling  this 
great  inner  basin  and  eventually  ascend  the 
James  and  York  rivers  to  the  new  and  old 
capitals  of  the  State. 

The  No'rfolk  &  Southern  Railroad  con- 
nects Norfolk  by  a  road  i8  miles  long  with  the 
most  famous  Atlantic  Ocean  all-the-year- 
round  resort, — Virginia  Beach, — running 
through  rich  farm  lands,  studded  with  little 
stations,  each  of  which'  is  fast  growing  to  a 
suburban  residence  section. 

At  Kempsxille  a  branch  road  starts,  which 
runs  for  some  25  or  30  miles  to  deep  water 
on  Currituck  Soiuid,  tapping  the  great  duck- 
ing and  fishing  grounds  of  North  Carolina, 
and  by  its  connection  with  the  Norfolk  & 
Western  terminal  track  furnishing  a  through 
outlet  for  this  immense  trat^c. 

Another  terminus  of  this  road  is  on  the 
Southern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  and  runs  to 
Edenton  and  Elizabeth  City,  tapping  the  great 
truck  and  fish  section  of  Eastern,  North  and 
South  Carolina.  It  connects  with  innumerable 
steamer  lines  running  in  the  sound  and  rivers 
of  this  section,  thus  furnishing  an  outlet  for 
all  this  business. 

The  Norfolk  &  W'estern  Railway  runs 
form  Norfolk  tO'  Roanoke,  Bristol,  Lynch- 
burg, Richmond,  Petersburg  and  Radford.  It 
connects  at  Norton  with  the  Louisville  & 
Nashville,  at  Kenova  it  crosses  to  Portsmouth, 
Ohio,  where  it  connects  with  the  Cincinnati  & 
Columbus,  and  at  thel  latter  place  with  the 
Ohio,  Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis,  and  thence  with 
Chicago  and  the  West.  From  Bristol  it  con- 
nects with  the  Tennessee,  Virginia  &  Georgia, 
and  at  Lynchburg  with  various  other  lines 
running  south.  Through  the  Louisville  & 
Nashville  important  western  connections  are 
made.  This  road  taps  the  great  grazing  and 
farming  country  of  \\'estern  Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  Eastern  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and 
the  Lake  and  Central  States,  the  coal  and 
mining  region  of  the  backbone  of  the  East, 
the  grain  fields  of  the  West  and  the  cotton 
and  iumljer  regions  of  the  South ;  iron,  steel, 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


305 


coke,  tobacco  and  other  valuable  products  are 
also  brought  here  in  jjreat  quantities  by  this 
road. 

The  Seaboard  Air  Line  connects  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth  via  Atlanta  with  Jacksonville. 
Florida,  and  Havana,  Cuba.  Through  Central 
North  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  it 
takes  its  way,  through  the  cotton  and  tobacco 
belt,  and  via  Atlanta  connects  with  Peusacola, 
New  Orleans.  Memphis.  Chattanooga,  Nash- 
ville, and  via  Macon  with  Savannah  and  all  of 
Florida's  principal  cities.  At  New  Orleans  it 
connects  with  the  Southern  Pacific  and  Texas 
Pacific,  thus  reaching  Southern  California  and 
San  Francisco,  whence  it  runs,  as  occasion  de- 
mands, solid  through  trains  to  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth.  A  branch  from  Monroe  runs  to 
the  heart  of  the  Alleghanies  in  "The  Land  of 
the  Sky."  as  Western  North  Carolina  is  appro- 
priatelv  termed.  Branches  also  connect  it  with 
Wilmington  and  Charleston  on  the  Southern 
Atlantic  Coast,  with  Raleigh  via  Weldon  and 
with  Richmond  via  Ridgeway.  and  soon  it  will 
reacii  Washington  and  the  North,  while  from 
Boykin's  a  branch  to  Lewiston,  North  Caro- 
lina, connects  with  the  sound  section  and  vari- 
ous other  spurs  make  the  whole  Southern  field 
open  to  its  trade.  The  iron  mills  of  Alabama 
and  Georgia,  the  health  resorts  of  the  latter 
State  and  the  Carolinas,  and  the  w-onderfully 
productive  sections  of  Mississippi,  Louisiana 
and  Texas  are  also  contributory.  This  road  is 
still  young,  but,  like  a  young  giant,  it  grows 
with  rapid  stride,  and  each  year  finds  it  more  a 
power  and  a  benefit,  thanks  to  the  policy  fol- 
lowed by  its  management. 

The  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Railroad  is  the 
Atlantic  Coast  Line's  feeder  from  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth,  and  its  outlet  to  deep  water.  The 
road  has  grown  from  a  small  lumber  road  to 
be  of  considerable  consequence,  and  now 
reaches  a  field  of  export  and  import  commen- 
surate with  its  opportunity.  The  lumber 
regions  of  the  Tar,  Roanoke  and  other  North 
Carolina  rivers  are  reached  by  it,  and  the  cot- 
ton, peanut  and  truck  sections  traversed  by  it 


are  \ery  rich.  The  road  is  pros}>erous  and 
well  run. 

The  Atlantic  Coast  Line  has  its  Norfolk 
terminus  at  Pinner's  Point,  along  witii  the 
Southern  Railway  and  the  Norfolk  &  Caro- 
lina, which  road  picked  this  sjwt  in  the 
"eighties."     Of  this  main  line  may  be  said : 

The  15  Southern  roads  that  make  up  what 
IS  known  as  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  system, 
with  an  aggregate  of  1,216  miles,  traverse  a 
region  that  is  infinitely  rich  in  undevefoped  and 
partly  developed  resources,  agricultural  and  in- 
dustrial. The  territory  of  this  system  extends 
from  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  on  the  north  to 
Charleston.  Columbia,  Orangeburg  and  Den- 
mark, South  Carolina,  on  the  south,  the  main 
line  and  its  w'idely  ramifying  branches  reach- 
ing into  almost  everv  part  of  this  area. 

The  agricultural  products  of  this  region 
have  a  wide  range  in  point  of  variety,  com- 
prising cotton,  corn,  tobacco,  wheat,  oats,  rye, 
broom  corn,  sweet  and  Irish  potatoes,  peaches, 
pears,  figs,  grapes,  and  almost  every  fruit  and 
\egetable  that  will  grow  out  of  the  tropics. 
Almost  the  whole  region  is  underlaid  with 
marl,  a  very  valuable  fertilizing  material. 
Ciilton  is  grown  in  every  part  of  this  area, 
though  more  largely  in  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina than  in  Virginia.  In  much  of  this  terri- 
tory i^eanuts  are  extensively  grown  and  make 
a  profitable  crop.  Clo\er  and  other  cultivated 
grains  do  well.  Broom  corn  is  grown  to  some 
extent.  Sweet  potatoes  make  one  of  the  most 
profitable  crops  of  this  region.  Tobacco  is  one 
of  the  important  crops  of  this  section,  but  it  is 
not  grown  over  the  whole  area.  Rice  is,  of 
course,  a  staple,  and  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant crops  of  the  southern  part  of  this  section. 
Corn  is  the  staple  crop  in  all  this  area.  There 
is  no  other  product  of  the  soil  so  manifestly  at 
hi>me  in  this  section  as  the  grape,  and  nowhere 
else  can  this  fruit  be  more  easily  and  more  ad- 
\antageously  cultivated.  Many  varieties  grow- 
wild,  yielding  in  utmost  profusion. — not  the 
small.  s<iur  grapes  that  grow  wild  in  the 
North. — but   rich,  luscious  fruit.     Grape  cul- 


18 


3o6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ture  ami  wine  making  have  come  to  be  im- 
portant and  profitable  industries.  Asparagus, 
strawberries  and  truck  of  all  kinds  are  grown 
in  this  region.  The  area  under  consideration 
is  also  rich  in  the  variety  and  the  extent  of  its 
forest  growth. 

The  railroads  of  this  region,  as  well  as  the 
landowners  and  the  people  generally,  are  thor- 
oughly aroused  on  the  subject  of  immigration. 
They  do  not  want  any  pauper  inmiigration, 
but  they  do  want  thriftv  and  .reputable  farmers 
to  come  in  and  utilize  the  resources  that  are 
lying  waste.  They  realize  the  great  Ijeneiits  to 
the  whole  section  that  would  accompany  a 
large  increase  in  population. 

The  great  Southern  Railway  has,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  and  the 
Norfolk  &  Carolina  road,  its  terminal  at  Pin- 
ner's Point,  and  the  tremendous  plant  here  lo- 
cated is  worthy  a  special  story  of  itself.  The 
Southern  has  wide  ramifications  and  is  con- 
nected with  e\ery  road  worthy  the  name  in 
the  SiAitli.  Nearly  all  of  this  the  Southern 
hatl  ljef(n-e  it  came  to  this  port,  but  tlie  port 
was  necessary,  as  the  Southern  had  no  great 
deep-water  terminus,  and  to  keep  pace  with 
the  time  must  have  one.  In  looking  over  the 
coast  line  the  very  natural  selection  fell  here, 
and  the  great  plant  of  miles  of  shifting  track, 
immense  warehouses  and'  other  necessary  ad- 
juncts of  a  port  terminal  were  built. 

Let  us  see  what  it  brought  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth ;  A  tln-ough  line  to  Atlanta  but  a 
few  miles  (generally  less  than'  loo)  further 
inland  than  the  Seaboard  Air  Line,  and'  be- 
yond the  Gate  City  to  Brunswick,  Georgia,  and 
as  far  south  as  Palatka,  Florida.  Again,  its 
great  ramifications  connect  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth with  a  network  of  roads  bearing  the 
Southern's  stamp  of  the  broad-ariow  cut  "S" 
in  the  richest  sections  of  Kentucky,  Tennes- 
see, Mississippi,  Alabama,  Georgia  and  North 
and  South  Carolina.  As  a  result,  it  pours  into 
its  warehouses  at  Pinner's  Point  tobacco,  cot- 
ti  n,  lumber,  pitch,  turpentine,  lime,  dye  stufif. 
cojiper  Ijars,  pig  iron,  steel  and  a  thousand  and 


one  products  of  Southern  fields,  forests,  moun- 
tains and  streams.  Nearly  6,000  miles  of  rail- 
road through  this  system  directly  contribute  to 
Norfolk's  greatness,  and  through  its  connec- 
tio'iis  probabl}'  30,000  miles  more  are  made 
tributary  to  this  jx^rt.  By  this  road  also  the 
Southwestern  passenger  tratfic  to  the  near-by 
seaside  resorts  of  Norfolk  is  largely  increased, 
the  public  promptly  availing  itself  of  the 
chance  of  reaching  this  favored  section. 

The  Atlantic  &  Danville  branch  of  this 
road,  recently  secured,  connects  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  with  Danville  and'  the  wonderful 
copper  mines  of  Northern  North  Carolina.  It 
runs  through  the  rich  lumber  and  tobacco  belt 
of  Southern  Virginia  and  Northern  North 
Carolina,  and  three  things  (principally)  have 
made  this  section  of  the  road, — tobacco,  lum- 
ber and  passengers.  The  variety  and  value  of 
the  lumber  is  \ery  great,  and  to  get  an  idea  of 
the  tobacco  traffic  it  is  only  necessary  to  visit 
Pinner's  Point,  where  there  are  rarely  less 
than  1,000  hogsheads  in  warehouses  for  ship- 
ment, though  steamers  are  daily  lading  them 
as  part  cargo  for  Europe;  or  to  simply  state 
the  fact  that  the  loose  tobacco  handled  on  the 
Dan\ille  market  is  only  second  in  amount  and 
generally  first  in  value  of  any  city  in  America 
or  the  world.  Cotton,  leather  and  other 
products,  raw  and  manufactured,  contribute 
not  a  little  to  the  total  shipments  to  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth.  The  Atlantic  &  Danville 
makes  tributary  all  the  section  from  Lynch- 
burg, Virginia,  to  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina, 
and  at  Danville  connects  with  the  Southern 
Railway,  thus  drawing  to  its  section  and 
eventually  to  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  the 
products  of  sections  further  south. 

The  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway  has  its 
principal  terminal  in  N^ewport  News,  but  also 
a  distinct  Norfolk  terminal,  wliere  its  local 
business  is  handled,  as  does  also  the  New 
York.  Philadelphia  &  Norfolk,  whose  main 
freight  terminals  are  at  Cape  Charles  City, 
across  Chesapeake  Bay.  and  at  Port  Norfolk, 
across  this   harbor    (  Norfolk's )     and    at    the 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


307 


gateway  ^^{  tlie  Belt  Line,  of  whicli  railway 
the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  is  also  a  coiitrihuting 
nieiiihcr. 

The  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway  taps  the 
great  West  and  Northwest,  the  centers  of 
grain,  hay,  oats,  wheat  and  other  farm 
pn.dncts.  packing-house  products,  meat  prod- 
ucts, (lair)-  products,  cattle,  hogs,  horses. 
Western  manufactures,  etc.,  and  their  immense 
warehouses  here  and  at  the  mouth  of  the  James 
River  supply  cargoes  for  several  fleets  of 
steamers  constantly  running. 

T!ie  New  York.  Philadelphia  &  Norfolk 
Railroad  runs  from  Norfolk  to  Philadelphia, 
ctnnccting  there  with  the  Pennsylvania  sys- 
tem and  through  it  with  great  Northern 
roads,  furnishing  a  territory  for  Norfolk  prod- 
i^cts  and  bringing  to  Norfolk  the  manufactures 
of  the  North  for  distribution  to  other  points 
south. 

Its  enomious  warehouses  at  Port  Norfolk 
are  a  credit  to  any  railway  system  and  its  fleet 
of  car-floats,  tugs,  barges,  house-barges  and 
steamers  of  deej)  red  are  an  excellent  foil  in 
number  and  color  to  the  like  fleets  of  deep 
\ell<.w  floated  by  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio, 

The  extent  to  which  the  Western  business 
cuts  a  hgure  with  the  railroads  of  the  South 
niay  be  realized  when  it  is  known  that  at  most 
important  Southern  centers  freight  from  the 
West  has  three  times  the  tonnage  of  frieght 
from  the  East,  and  this  is  not  all,  or  even  half, 
made  up  of  grain,  hay  and  hog  products,  as 
most  people  think.  The  miscellaneous  freight, 
other  than  these  items,  and  not  including  iron 
;md  steel.  alx)ut  equals  the  miscellaneous 
freight  from  the  East.  The  proixjrtion  of 
Western  tonnage  to  Eastern  is  steadily  increas- 
ing here. 

The  Chesapeake  Transit  Company,  another 
])rojected  electric  railway,  expects  to  run  from 
Cajje  Henry  to  Norfolk  and  connect  to  the 
southeastward  with  Virginia  Beach  and  the 
Chautauqua  Assembly  Grounds,  while  at  Nor- 
folk it  will  make  connection  with  the  numer- 
ous ramifying  lines  running  to  other  growing 
suburbs  and  watering  |)laces. 


The  Newi>ort  News,  Pig  Point  &  Norfolk 
Railway  is,  it  is  understood,  already  begun, 
and  when  completed  will  run  a  ferry  from 
Newport  News  to  Pig  Point,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Nansemond  River,  then  an  electric  rail- 
way across  the  wonderfully  productive  West- 
ern Branch  trucking  section  and  via  Port  Nor- 
folk to  Portsmouth  and  via  ferry  t<i  Norfolk. 
It  will  com])lete  the  belting  of  the  ]>ort  with 
steel  and  steam. 

These,  with  the  Belt  Line,  are  the  railway 
systems  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  ];resent  as 
port  adjuncts. 

The  great  railroads  of  the  country  are  cen- 
tering here,  the  business  of  the  country  looks 
toward  this  port  and  the  rails  are  lengthening 
into  the  sunset  West,  the  auroraed  North  and 
,  the  land  of  the  Southern  Cross,  their  center 
and  hope  being  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth. 

The  times  are  ripe  for  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth to  beccjme  the  railroad  metropolis  of  the 
I  country,  and  if  relations  are  properly  culti- 
'  vated  with  the  capital  looking  for  investment, 
they  will  be  this  and  more.  But  there  must  l)e 
unity  and  hard  and  unremitting  work.  The 
result  will  surprise  the  most  sanguine. 
!  One  by  one  the  great  railway  systems  have 
recognized  the  vast  opportunities  and  natural 
advantages  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmi.'Uth  as  a 
distributing  point,  and  have  not  lieen  slow  in 
securing  a  right  of  way  to  our  doors,  and  each 
new  addititrti  to  our  rolling  stock  has  rendered 
it  more  imjjerative  that  others  follow  their  ex- 
:  ample,  and  those  already  here  have  found  it 
necessary  to  enlarge  their  terminal  facilities  to 
accommodate  their  rapidly  developing  traffic. 
Steamship  and  steambcxit  lines,  caught  the 
fever,  and  immense  warehouses  and  wharf 
properties  have  sprung  into  existence,  as  if  by 
magic,  to  facilitate  the  handling  of  freight  and 
accommodate  the  increased  demand. 

The  result  has  been  the  rapid  development 

I  of  the  business  interests  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 

i  mouth  in  every  line,  the  establishment  of  direct 

lines  to  Europe  and  the  vast  improvement  in 

!  our  c<^)astwise  and   local   transportation. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  Norfolk  and  Ports- 


3o8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


mouth  are  now  the  terminus  of  numerous  great 
railway  systems  placing  them  in  direct  and 
easy  communication  with  every  part  of  our 
great  countr}-,  that  through  their  innumerable 
steamship  and  steamboat  lines  and  sailing  ves- 
sels which  connect  here  with'  e\'er)-  p<jint  in 
Tidewater  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  as 
Avell  as  every  important  city  on  the  Atlantic 
Coast  and  in  Europe,  it  is  not  strange  that 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  are  fast  gaining  a 
world-wide  reputation  as  a  distributing  point 
for  the  products  of  manufacture  and  agri- 
culture. 

Particular  notice  should  be  made  of  the 
Belt  Line  for  numerous  reasons,  and  the  first 
of  these  is,  that  while  it  has  no  terminal  ap- 
parent it  has  in  reality  as  many  as  there  are 
railroads  terminating  in  this  port.  It  begins 
in  the  middle  of  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  track 
and  ends  in  the  middle  of  the  Norfolk  &  West- 
ern. It  is  but  six  miles'  in  actual  length,  but 
unites  tens  of  thousands  of  miles  of  railways 
reaching  every  section  of  the  co-untry.  It  is 
not  a  passenger  thoroughfare,  luit  a  freight 
distriliutor,  yet  tlie  private  coaches  of  some  of 
the  biggest  railway  magnates  in  the  land  pass 
over  it.  It  is  contimied  by  the  Nev,'  York, 
Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  at  the  one  end  and  the 
Norfolk  &  ^^'estern  at  the  other,  and  thus 
forms  a  link  in  the  semicircle  of  steel  and 
steam  from  Port  Norfolk  or  Pinner's  Point  to 
Lambert's  Point  or  Willoughby  Spit.  It  is  the 
gatherer  and  distributor  of  freights  for  all  the 
roads,  one  to  the  other,  and  has  yet  a  distinct 
and  separate  business  of  its  own.  Its  own 
equipment  is  small  and  is  rarely  seen  on  other 
roads,  yet  the  rolling  stock  equipment  of  nearly 
every  other  road  in  the  country  is^  to-  be  seen 
on  its  tracks.  I  would  not  dare  say  it  owned 
a  single  freight  car.  yet  probably  fully  250 
freight  cars  are  hauled  over  its  tracks  every 
working  day  of  the  calendar  year.  At  present 
it  is  a  single-track  road  but  six  miles  in  length, 
still  even  now  its  side  tracks,  spurs  and 
switches  nearly  equal  its  length,  and  with  the 
continuation  of  the  rapid  development  of  in- 


dustrial plants  along  its  territory  another 
year, — for  the  road  is  yet  an  infant  in  years. — 
will  see  those  same  branches  and  spurs  multi- 
plied fourfold. 

xA.nother  curious  thing  about  the  road  is 
that  wdiile  it  has  fixed  charges  and  does  a 
thriving,  rapidly  increasing  and  \-aluable  busi- 
ness, the  greater  part  of  its  revenue  comes 
from  the  railroads  of  which  it  is  the  connect- 
ing link  and'  not  from  the  individual  or  in- 
dustry, the  road  being  to  each  railroad  a  toll- 
bridge  extending  that  road  to  the  firm  or  fac- 
tory it  desires  to  reach,  situated  on  the  neutral 
territory  of  the  Belt  Line's  circuit,  for  which 
extension  of  its  rails  the  road  so*  accommo- 
dated pays. 

Seven  great  railways  form  the  stock  com- 
pany owning  the  belt,  twoi  of  which  form  its 
ehtrance  way  and  debouchment,  and  one  of 
the  owners  must  pay  the  right-of-way  charges 
to  the  one  of  the  other  six  to  get  its  cars  to 
the  coveted  tracks.  This,  however,  will 
eventually  bring  about  the  extension  of  the 
belt  along  the  Norfolk  &  Western  tracks  direct 
to  Norfolk  and  possibly  through  the  city. 

The  Belt  Line  was  long  worked  for,  hoped 
for  and  prayed  for  before  it  came,  and  it  is 
chiefly  due  to  the  pertinacity  of  a  few  men, 
who  early  saw  its  need  and  the  advantages  it 
offered,  that  it  is  now  here.  Sexeral  roads  at 
various  times  were  prevailed  upon  to  look  at 
the  idea  with  favorable  eyes,  but  none  of  them 
was  able  tO'  force  the  situation  and  take  ad- 
vantage of  public  sentiment,  which  was 
sporadic  and  intermittent,  and  the  railroads" 
interest  at  the  same  moment  until  1897,  when 
the  right  men-  in  railroad,  public  and  press 
circles  were  at  one  and  the  same  time  located 
and  the  matter  was  simple  and  easy. 

The  right  of  way  was  secured,  the  road  or- 
ganized, built  and  equipped,  and  September  i, 
1898,  was  opened.  There  was  no  hurrah;  no 
special  train,  banquet,  speechmaking,  etc.  The 
road  was  ready ;  the  road  opened  for  business 
and  the  greatest  transportation  feat  this  port 
has  ever  known  and  the  one  which,  perhaps. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


309 


had  more  of  the  future  greatness  of  the  port  in 
it  tlian  any  other  one  acliievement  in  raih'oad 
cnter])rise  liere.  was  an  estal)Hshed  fact. 

At  Hrst  one  small  engine  handled  the  40  to 
50  loaded  and  empty  freight  cars  hauled  o\er 
the  track,  shifted  from  one  road  to  another  or 
irnm  factory  and  mill  to  the  road-way  hilling 
llie  same.  Now  two  hig  shifting  engines  of 
(p  tons  each  are  necessary  to  handle  the  150 
loaded  and  100  empties  which  it  takes,  three 
trains  each  way,  per  day,  to  haul. 

To  the  uiUhinking  person,  who  knew  Nor- 
folk and  Portsmouth  two  decades  ago,  the  de- 
\elopment  of  transiwrtation  facilities  to  their 
present  imi^ortance  will  seem  like  the  realiza- 
tion of  an  "  Arabian  Xij^hts'  "  drea.m.  To  the 
])erson  of  intellect,  who  can  link  cause  and 
effect.  the\-  will  seem  merely  like  the  working 
out  of  a  single  mathematical  problem ;  the  ac^ 
complishment  of  a  result  that  is  certain. 

The  transportation  facilities  of  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  20  years  ago  consisted  of  two 
short  railway  lines  with  a  total  of  less  than 
300  miles  of  track.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century  this  little  mileage  increased  until  the 
railroads  that  now  reach  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth have  a  grand  total  of  11.739  miles  and 
penetrate  to  every  section  of  the  country. 
These  lines  are  all  connected  by  the  Belt  Line 
that  encircles  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth and  the  town  of  Berkley. 

That  these  great  railroad  systems  have 
al)undant  faith  in  the  great  future  of  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth  is  evidenced  by  the  substan- 
tial improxements  that  thev  have  made  and  are 
making  at  this  port.  Within  the  past  few 
years  they  have  invested  enormous  amounts  in 
lands  and  buildings.  In  their  purchases  they 
have  wisely  provided  for  the  future  by  secur- 
ing much  greater  areas  than  needed  for  the 
presait  and  their  wisdom  has  been  proven  by 
the  large  advancement  in  \  alue  .  since  their 
purchase.  The  tendency  still  continues  among 
the  great  railway  systems  to  reach  tidewater  at 
this  port,  for  destiny  points  to  Norfolk  and  her 
sister  city  as  the  coming  metropolis  of  the 
Southern  Atlantic  Coast. 


The  transportation  facilities  1j\-  water, 
both  coastwise  and  foreign,  ha\e  kept  pace 
with  the  railroad  development.  In  old  days 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  sent  liUt  many  ships, 
and  the  white  wings  of  her  trading  vessels 
traversed  the  pathways  of  commerce  on  many 
seas,  but  the  coming  of  steam  has  changed  the 
character  of  their  fleet  and  multiplied  their 
shipjjing. 

Each  year  sees  a  gratifying  addition  to  the 
sum  total  of  the  ships  that  go  to  and  from  this 
port  and,  in  the  steamships  for  passenger  serv- 
ice, a  notable  improvement  in  their  general 
appointments,  so  that  now  many  of  the  passen- 
ger and  freight  steamships  that  ply  between 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  and  other  ports  will 
compare  favorably   with    any   in    America   of 


THE    CLI.M.\TE. 

But  to  return  a  few  moments  to  an  original 
proposition  of  this  article  and  expand  it  to 
])lain  view,  as  the  railroad  proposition  has 
been  spread  before  the  reader,  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty's climate  and  conditions  are  worthy  delib- 
erate and  close  scrutiny:  such  study  will  well 
repay  the  time  taken  in  the  glance,  and  explain 
one  great  reason  for  her  attraction  to  business 
men. 

The  following  tables  and  statements  are 
carefully  compiled  and  show  plainly :  First, 
the  highest  temperature  recorded  by  the  office 
of  the  United  States  Weather  Bureau  at  Nor- 
folk during  the  past  29  years;  second,  the  low- 
est temperature  during  the  same  i)eriod ;  third, 
the  temperature  and  rainfall;  and  fourth,  some 
general  averages  deduced  from  these  figures. 
The  whole  was  skillfully  compiled  by  J.  J. 
Gray,  observer  at  Norfolk,  and  his  able  asso- 
ciates. 

The  highest  temperature  ever  recorded 
during  each  month  was: 

Deg. 

January    13.    1890    "6 

February  4.   1890 • 82 

March  22.  1894   88 

.April    18.    1896 95 


3IO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


May   26,    1880 98 

June  9.   1874 102 

July   10.   1876 102 

August   5.    1899 99 

September   19.    1895 100 

October   t.   1894 89 

November  9.    1888 80 

December'  26.    1891 75 

Tlie  Idwest  temperature  ever  recorded  dur- 
ing eacli  month  was : 

Deg. 

January    17,    189,3 6 

February  8.    1895 2 

March   14.   1888 14 

April  6.   1898 31 

May    I,    1876 38 

June   I,   1894 49 

July  9.   1892 57 

August    24,    1888 56 

September  30.    1888 40 

October   15.   1876 31 

November   29.    1872 20 

December  30.    1880..... 6 

The  liighest  temperature  at  Norfolk,  Vir- 
,ginia.  for  a  period  of  29  years  was  102  de- 
grees. June  9,  1874.  and  July  10,  1876:  the 
lowest  was  2  degrees  above  zero.  February  8. 
1895. 

The  folhiwing  table  gives  the  average  tem- 
perature and  rainfall  by  months,  at  Norfolk. 
Virginia,  deduced  from  observations  covering 
a  period  of  29  years : 

Average  Average 

Month  Temperature  Rainfall 

degrees  inches 

January    41 3.60 

February    42 q.55 

March    47.- 4.54 

April   ^7 4.01 

May    66 4.47 

J""«    75 4.33 

July  78 6.00 

August   yy 5.80 

September  72 4.25 

October 61 3.86 

November  51 2.98 

December  43 -^  60 

Average  annual  temperature  for  Norfolk.  59  de- 
grees. 

Average  annual   rainfall   for   Norfolk.   ,S2.g9  inches. 

The  greatest  rainfall  in  shortest  duration 
of  time  was  five  inches  in  three  hours  and  45 
minutes,  August  14,  1898. 


Summer  rains  are  usually  of  short  ckira- 
tion  and  heavy ;  winter  rains  are  usually  of 
much  longer  duration  and  light. 

Rainfall  is  greatest  in  July  and  August; 
least  in  November,  December  and  January. 

STEAMSHIP    LINES. 

The  route  from  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  to 
Europe  via  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  is  300 
miles  shorter  than  the  route  via  New  York. 
This  means  a  saving  in  freights.  A  little  sav- 
ing on  small  shipments,  a  big  saving  on  big 
shipments. 

In  these  days  of  close  competition  and  nar- 
row margins  the  matter  of  savings  in  freight 
charges  is  worthy  of  consideration.  Nor- 
folk's port  charges  are  also  light.  Shippers 
should  study  the  figures  that  show  Norfolk's 
steadily  increasing  shipments. 

In  looking  at  the  shipping  of  the  port  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  as  the  center  factor 
in  the  great  development  of  this  section,  no 
claim  is  made  that  Norfolk  has  it  all,  as  New- 
port News  is  a  very  considerable  factor  in 
shipping  enterprises,  but  the  greatest  energy 
and  greatest  local  benefit  undoubtedly  accrue 
to  the  inner  harbor,  and  for  that  reason  its 
statistics  will  be  used  as  an  indication  of  the 
\vhole. 

STEAMSHIP    LINES. 

Norfolk  has  several  foreign  transportation 
lines  at  present,  four  of  which  are  of  large  di- 
nrensions  and  control  large  fleets  of  self- 
owned  and  chartered  steamships.  These  are 
the  William  Johnston  &  Company  (  Limited) 
Blue  Cross  Line,  the  North  American  Trans- 
port Line,  the  United  States  Shipping  Com- 
pany and  Barber  &  Company.  Besides  these 
and  but  lately  started  are  the  Norfi>Ik  &  U'est 
Indian  Fruit  &  Steamship  Company.  Huds- 
path  &  Company  and  the  Neptune  Line,  which 
seven  lines  sail  an  a\erage  of  about  eight 
steamships  per  week,  many  of  them  lieing  of 
the  largest  size  of  freighters  afloat.  But  one 
of  these  lines  carries  passengers,  but  the  wedge 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


311 


lias  toiiiul  lodgment,  and  a  year  or  two  will 
pn)bal)ly  see  ])assenger  lines  established  to  sev- 
eral of  the  great  foreign  ports. 

Beside  these,  the  number  of  steamships, 
foreign,  calling  for  bunker  coal  was  very  great 
and  is  rapidly  on  the  increase,  the  number  of 
steamers,  foreign,  clearing  from  this  port  dur- 
ing the  past  year  being  very  nearly  an  average 
of  two  per  day  for  every  day  in  the  year. 

.Among  the  prominent  foreign  ports 
reached  by  steamsiiip  fnjm  Norfolk  are  Lon- 
don, Liverpool,  Glasgow,  Cork,  Belfast,  Hull, 
.\arhaus,  Rotterdam.  Antwerp.  Amsterdam, 
Hamburg,  Bremen,  Marseilles.  Barcelona, 
Trieste,  Naples,  Alexandria,  Cape  Town,  Rio 
de  Janeiro.  Kingston,  Tampico,  Havana,  Vera 
Cruz,  Colon,  Honolulu,  Hong  Kong.  Manila 
and  numerous  others,  or  practically  every  im- 
portant port  of  every  country  of  note  in  the 
known  world,  and  wherever  steamer  floats  and 
coal  is  used  there  Norfolk  is  known. 

The  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Line  was  or- 
ganized in  1867;  N.  L.  McCready,  president; 
Isaac  Bell,  vice-presitlent ;  with  two  ships  mak- 
ing two  trips  a  week  l^etween  Norfolk,  Rich- 
mond and  New  York.  The  tonnage  was  small 
hut  rates  high, — $5.00  per  hogshead  for  to- 
bacco. Business  increased  and  in  1896  re- 
quired a  daily  service,  and  now  the  company 
has  six  large  sliips  and  another  in  contempla- 
tion. The  officers  at  present  are :  \\'.  L. 
Guillander,  presidait :  William  Rowland,  vice- 
president  :  P.  J.  S.  Sammis,  treasurer :  H.  B. 
Walker,  secretary  and  traffic  manager.  The 
business  is  constantly  increasing.  This  line 
serves  as  a  comiecting  link  for  freight  between 
the  New  York.  Philadelphia  &-  Norfolk  Rail- 
road, Chesajjeake  &  Ohio  Railway,  Southern 
Railway.  Seaboard  .\ir  Line.  Atlantic  Coast 
Line,  and  has  a  large  local  business  Ijesides. 
The  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Line  enables 
trucking  industries  to  thrive,  giving  them  a 
daily  outlet  to  New  York  City,  which  is  the 
largest  point  of  consumotion  in  the  Lnited 
States. 

Herewith  are  presented  some  statistics  re- 
garding exports  and  imports: 


EXPORTS   FOR    1900. 

Shipments  for  each  Month. 

January    $1  .,^48,698 

February    i  .808,837 

March  670,57.2 

.■\pril     1.049.542 

May  1,171.184 

June   804.1 10 

July 844.717 

.\ugust 713. 121 

September     444,826 

October    633.125 

November    937.589 

December    881.932 

Total  $11,505,729 

The  following  is  a  comparative  statement 
for  nine  years  of  the  exports  and  imix>rts, 
taken  from  the  records  of  the  Custom  House : 

EXPORTS. 

1892   $  8.,382,4I2 

1893   IO.6g6.556 

1894    8.249.138 

1895    6.594.204 

1896  15,543.882 

1897  I5..399.456 

1898  13.66g.657 

1899  14.670,803 

1900  11,505,729 

IMPORTS. 

'892  $  37.891 

1893  lOg.957 

'894  100.169 

1895  187.485 

1896  216.273 

1897  238.S68 

1898  20^992 

iSgg  206,515 

1900  318,401 

The  statement  herewith  given  shows  a 
large  increase  in  the  number  of  ships  and  ton- 
nage entered  and  cleared  during  nine  years 
past  :* 

ENTERED.  TONS.      CLE.^RED.  TONS. 

1892 .56  65,.39.T  .528  fi9fi,217 

189.3 73  73,316  491  678,986 

1894 49  52.4.56  487  624,053 

1895 49  61,742  340  4X1,7.39 

1896 87  139,473  501  >i05,110 

1897 1,97.5  19.5,254  2,168  S91,226 

1898 2,368  245,337  2,563  962,116 

1899 2,442  197,148  2,569  1,111,136 

1900 3,023  292,910  3,083  1,645,440 

*The  tonnage  of  coastwise  vessels  entering  and 
clearing  is  not  given  in  this  table. 


312 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


We  give  herewith  some  interesting  figures 
of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth's  trade: 

Exports  $  11,505.729 

Cotton 13,000,000 

Lumber    12.000,000 

Manufactures     55o2S,ooo 

General    trade    62,345,000 

Coal    8.000,000 

Trucking    6,000,000 

Oysters  and  fish  3,000,000 


Peanuts 

Horses,  mules  and   cattle. 

Fertilizers    

Real  estate  

Buildin.ffs   


1,750.000 
1,550,000 
4.000.000 
3.731.963 
1,550,000 


Total    $i83,957,6q2 

Tlie  Statistical  Abstract  for  1900,  from  the 
United  States  Go'vernraent  reports,  shows  that 
sliipments  of  merchandise  from  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  were : 


Exports. 

Imports. 

890 

$  6,958.369 

$      54.948 

900 

$34,758,323 

$2,110,852 

The  transfers  of  real  estate  for  the  past  1 1 
3-ears  have  been  as  follows  : 

NORFOLK.   PORTS.MOUTH.   NORFOLK  CO. 

189n §2,540.69.5  8734,900  $3,801,00;^ 

1P91 1,720,669  222,740  3,121,919 

1892 1,920,276  4^.5,112  1,926,657 

1893 2,099,040  467,070  977,035 

1894  1,651,449  325,416  664,207 

1895 2,668,992  216,610  1,153.616 

1896 1,136,678  406,435  1,667,878 

1897 1,299,641  210,244  1,330,349 

1898 1,8,58,805  235,490  1,125,481 

1899 2,944,984  592,109  2,452,651 

1900 2,044,086  556,876  1,130,999 

The  shipments  of  coal  from  the  port  of 
Norfolk  for  the  year  ending  December  31, 
1900,  were  as  follows  :* 

*From  the  Norfolk  Journal  of  Commerce. 

COAL  EXPORTED,  IXCLUDINn  BUNKER. 

Tons. 

Pocahontas     1.932.824 

Local 180,530 


Total    2,113.354 

Toms  Creek  and  ntlier  coal  exported 236.746 


Grand   total 2,350,100 


VESSELS    ENGAGED    IN    HANDLING    COAL. 

Foreign : 

Bunker    steamers    , 685 

Cargo   and   bunker   steamers » 126 

Cargo   steamers    exclusively 31 

Sail   vessels    19 

Total    861 

Coastwise : 

Steamers    138 

Ocean  barges  and   tugs 577 

Schooners     239 

Total    954 

Grand  total    1,815 

THE    VIRGINIA    PILOTS. 

In  Henning's  Statutes  (Vol.  2,  Page  35) 
is  found  the  following  Act  in  regard  to  pilots, 
passed  March,  1660-61,  being  the  first  legal 
authority  for  pilotage: 

Whereas  there  hath  iicen  a  gcnncrall  complaint  made 
by  masters  of  shipps  that  wee  had  neither  pilotte  nor 
b.eacons  to  direct  them  in  their  bringing  their  shipps 
upwards:  It  is  ordered  that  Capt.  William  Ocwin  bee 
made  cheife  pilott  of  James  river  and  that  for  his  en- 
couragement therein  he  shall  be  paid  for  the  pillotage 
of  all  vessels  above  eighty  tunnes.  five  pounds  sterling, 
if  he  be  employed,  and  if  not  employed  fourty  shillings. 
And  every  master  of  a  shipp  or  vessel  that  shall  anchor 
■within  Point  Comfort  having  or  not  having  a  pilott  to 
pay  thirty  shillings  to  the  said  pilptt  for  beaconage, 
And  it  is  further  ordered  that  the  said  pilott  shall  make, 
place  and  maintaine  good  and  sufficient  beacons  in  all 
necessary  places  from  Willoughbies  Shole  including 
the  whole  Shole  to  James  Cittie,  And  all  such  beacons 
afterwards  lost,  removed  or  wanting  repaire  to  be  re- 
newed or  repaired  within  fifteen  days  by  the  said  pilott. 

Henning,  Vol.  6,  Page  90,  1775, — The 
Governor  or  Commander-in-Chief  was  re- 
quired to  appoint  persons  to  examine  pilots  in 
each  district  of  the  Colony,  who  should  cer- 
tify such  as  passed  satisfactorily  to  the  Gov- 
ernor or  Commander-in-Chief,  who  would 
thereupon  make  the  appointment  and  assign 
the  appointee  to  a  branch.  The  partnership 
of  more  than  two  pilots  was  prohibited :  the 
fee  for  pilotage  to  Norfolk  was  is.  8d.  per 
foot  and  the  pilot  was  required  to  produce  the 
schedule  of  legal  fees  to  the  master  of  the 
vessel. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


313 


Henning,  Vol.  7,  Page  580, — Tlie  County 
Courts  were  directed  to  apiwint  three  persons 
to  examine  applicants  on  paying  20  shilling 
fee;  if  applicant  passed,  the  court  made  ajj- 
l)ointment  and  assigned  the  new  pilot  to  a 
branch. 

Henning,  \'ol.  9,  Page  470,  1778, — The 
commissioners  of  the  navy  w^ere  authorized 
from  time  to  time  to  vary  the  rates  of  pilot- 
age and  to  regiilate  the  fees  of  pilots  within 
the  Commonwealth.  The  General  Assembly 
which  convened  in  Richmond  on  the  5th  day 
of  May.  1783,  in  order  to  ])revent  ignorant, 
unskillful  persons  from  undertaking  i)ilotage, 
elected  Paul  Loyall,  Thomas  Brown,  James 
Barron.  John  Gwinn.  Edward  Cowper.  Charles 
Baily  and  William  Ballard,  or  any  three  of 
them,  to  examine  every  person  that  should  de- 
sire to  he  a  pilot,  he  first  producing  a  certificate 
from  the  County  Court  where  he  resided  of 
his  honesty  and  good  behavior,  paying  down 
to  the  examiners  the  sum  of  30  shillings,  and 
if  upon  examination  the  person  should  appear 
of  sufficient  skill  and  ability,  thereupon  he  was 
granted  a  branch  and  thenceforth  he  would  be 
reputed  a  lawful  pilot.  Ever}-  pilot  before  he 
took  his  branch  was  required  to  take  at  least 
one  white  apprentice  to  instruct  in  the  art  of 
his  business.  This  law  was  amended  so  as  to 
allow  partnership  not  exceeding  four  and  in- 
creasing fees  one-fifth  more  for  vessels  draw- 
ing upward  of  10  feet  water.  The  legisla- 
ture on  the  15th  day  of  Decemljer.  1791,  di- 
vided pilots  into  first,  second  and  third  classes. 
The  first  class  was  allowed  to  pilot  any  size 
vessel :  the  second  was  confined  to  ■  vessels 
whose  draft  of  water  did  not  exceed  12  feet, 
and  those  of  the  third  class  could  not  pilot  ves- 
sels drawing  over  nine  feet.  Every  applicant 
for  examination  should  produce  proof  that  he 
had  served  as  an  apprentice  for  a  term  of  five 
years.  Every  pilot  boat  was  required  to  ha\e 
its  name  painted,  10  feet  below  the  head  of  the 
foresail,  and  the  port  to  which  it  belonged  in 
letters  of  not  less  than  nine  inches  in  length. 

Thus  we  have  a  brief  outline  of  the  be- 
ginning of  this  service  dating  back  to   1660 


with  a  commission  to  one  man  by  the  Gover- 
nor of  the  State  of  Virginia  240  years  ago,  in 
resiwnse  to  the  request  of  shipmasters  for 
pilots  who  would  always  be  on  hand  for  their 
vessels,  until  with  a  steady  growing  commerce 
and  demand  for  more  pilots  their  numbers 
have  been  increased  from  time  to  time,  when 
the  i)resent  finds  them  fullv  equipped  in  everv 
respect,  and  prepared  to  handle  all  ships  com- 
ing to  the  ports  of  Virginia. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Confederate  War 
the  pilots  had  five  lx)ats  (all  sail),  named  as 
follows — "Reindeer."  "Plume,"  "Antelope,'' 
"Hope"  and  "York."  For  several  years  pre- 
vious to  the  war  the  pilots  with  these  boats 
were  commissioned  by  the  State  of  Virginia 
to  prevent  escape  of  slaves  to  Northern  [wrts 
antl  there  were  constantly  two  of  them  on 
duty. — one  in  the  York  River  and  another  in 
Hampton  Roads.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  pilots 
in  charge  to  inspect  all  vessels,  especially  those 
bound  to  Xorthern  [xjrts,  searching  carefully 
for  escaping  negroes,  and  many  an  interesting 
story  can  be  related  by  those  w'ho  performed 
this  (lut\'  to  the  State,  These  boats  were  pro- 
\i(led  with  bow-chasers,  and  vessels  whose 
captains  refused  to  heave  to  were  promptly 
rounded  up  by  a  shot  across  the  tows. 

The  "Reindeer"  was  on  duty  in  Hamilton 
Roads  and  the  "Antelojie"  in  the  York  River 
wheif  war  broke  out.  but  all  boats  were 
withdrawn  by  order  of  the  Governor  at  this 
time:  the  "Plume"  and  "Hope"  were  held  in 
Richmond  for  service  until  the  evacuation  of 
that  city,  when  both  boats  were  sunk  by  the 
Confederates  as  obstructions  in  the  James 
River,  the  pilots  receiving  no  comi)ensation  for 
them.  The  "Reindeer"  was  stranded  on  the 
Berkley  Flats  in  Norfolk  harbor.  The  "Ante- 
lope," which  was  sunk  above  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard,  was  gotten  up  and  subsequently  used  in 
the  Coast  Survey.  The  "York"  entered  serv- 
ice as  a  privateer,  with  Capt.  Oscar  E.  Ed- 
wards as  one  of  the  prize  officers,  making  sev- 
eral captures  and  a  good  record. 

The  i)ilots  then  served  their  State  in  their 
capacity-,  and  the  famous  battle  between  the 


314 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"Monitor"  ami  the  "Virginia"  found  five  of 
them  on  board'  the  latter  vessel — Capt.  Will- 
iam Parrish,  chief  pilot :  Hezekiah  Williams, 
\\'illiam  Clarke,  George  \\'right  and  Thomas 
Cunningham:  Captain  Parrish  was  standing  in 
the  scuttle  of  the  "Virginia"  during  her  en- 
gagement with  the  "Cumberland"  ofif  Newport 
News  Point  when  a  ball  cut  away  his  watch- 
chain,  penetrated'  his  clothing  and  wounded 
Commodore  Buchanan. 

The  pilot  association'  was  immediately  re- 
organized after  the  war  through  the  exertions 
of  Capt.  Oscar  E.  Edwards,  who  ever  since 
has  occupied  the  position  of  president,  suc- 
cessfully representing  the  status  of  a  State 
pilot,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  the  men 
with  whom  he  has  been  so  long  identified. 

The  State,  recognizing  over  200  years  ago 
the  necessity  for  a  regular  system  of  pilotage, 
has  by  legislative  enactments  repeatedly  sus- 
tained' that  which  is  deemed  indispensable  to 
commerce.  She  has  at  all  times  seen  that 
sufficient  encouragement  was  given  to  insure 
the  maintenance  of  a  proper  system  and  intelli- 
gent ser\ice  in  connection  with  her  maritime 
interest. 

Beginning  with  1660  and'  the  call  for  one 
pilot,  their  numbers  have  increased  with  the 
growing  requirements  O'f  shipping  until  at  the 
present  29  regularly  commissioned  pilots  con- 
stitute their  force,  and,  anticipating  a  possible 
reed  for  more,  the  Virginia  Pilot  Association 
has  at  present  13  young  men  who  after  having 
finished  their  apprenticeship  will  augment  con- 
siderably the  pilot  service  O'f  Virginia. 

The  legislature  makes  laws  for  their  gov- 
ernance, fixes  their  rates,  applies  conditions 
and  restrictions  and  gives  a  Board  of  Pilot 
commissioners  whose  members  are  representa- 
tive men  selected  by  the  Court  of  Elizabeth 
City  County  and  the  Corporation  Court  of 
Norfolk  City  from  the  comnumities  where  cen- 
ter the  maritime  interests.  These  gentlemen 
sit  as  impartial  judges  of  all  matters  and  de- 
cide finally  any  question  which  may  be  brought 
up  for  their  consideraticjn.  Thev  are  emjKnv- 
ered  to  settle  all  questions  which  may  arise  be- 


tween pilots  and  masters  of  ships,  to  examine 
into  charges  of  a  culpable  nature,  tO'  issue 
licenses  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  pilot  when 
competency  is  proven, — in  fact,  are  a  little 
court  untO'  themselves,  and  knowing  well  the 
intricacies  of  the  business  can  quickly  and  in- 
telligently decide  every  matter  of  consequence 
to  shipping,  insuring  thereby  perfection  of  a 
system  which  commerce  recognizes  as  the 
highest  service  to  it.  Kent  states  that  the 
services  of  a  pilot  are  of  such  an  important 
nature  that  they  approach  those  of  salvage. 
and  it  is  possible  even  when  employed  on  board 
by  extraordinary  endeavors  to  earn  salvage. 
.\fter  furnishing  rates  and  otherwise  provid- 
ing for  their  g"o\-ernance.  the  legislature  leaves 
detail  work  to  the  pilots,  who  make  by-laws, 
purchase  their  vessel  property  to  enable  them 
to  carry  on  the  business,  carefully  select  ap- 
prentices and  in  every  particular  conduct  the 
business  in  a  way  consonant  with  the  safety 
of  ships  and  interest  of  our  ports.  Having  a 
few  years  ago  a  plant  which  cost  but  $20,000, 
changing  conditions  have  necessitated  an  extra 
expenditure  of  $55,000  and  yearly  expenses 
which  reach  a  total  of  $40,000.  They  are 
equipped'  with  one  of  the  finest  steam  pilot 
boats  on  the  coast,  remain  ofif  Cape  Henry  day 
ancl  night,  in  calm  and  storm,  hazard  their 
lives  frequently  in  going  on  board  ships,  are 
subject  to  the  se\erest  exposure  and  lead  gen- 
erally a  dangerous  calling.  Formerly  cruising 
in  sail-boats  and  maintaining  their  business  at 
infiinitely  less  cost,  the  gradual  supremacy  of 
steam  necessitated  the  purchase  of  a  $55,000 
steamer  for  their  purpose. 

Keeping  pace  with  commerce,  the  pilots 
have  as  occasion  required  enlarged  their  sys- 
tem, augmented  their  forces  and  in  every  re- 
spect maintain  an  efficient  ser\-ice  to  the  mer- 
chant marine  of  Virginia. 

Their  relations  to  commerce  are  specifically 

as  follows — to  meet  incoming-  vessels  and  in- 

,  sure  as  specialist  safe  conduct  to  and  from  the 

ports  of   Virginia.      Boartling   theni'  as   soon 

J  as  entering-  pilot  lin-iits,  they  are  given  charge 

I  by  the  captains  and  the  responsibilities  of  a 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


315 


pilot  then  begin  ami  do  not  eml  until  the  vessel 
in  his  care  is  safely  anchored  in  harbor  or 
ni(»retl  alongside  a  dock. 

State  law  makes  ])uhlic  ser\aiits  of  them 
in  the  furtiierance  of  the  quarantine  system 
(Art.  35.  Act  April  19.  1882),  and  acting 
directly  under  this  they  have,  as  soon  as  board- 
ing a  ship,  to  inquire  into  the  health  of  the 
crew,  pt>rts  fn^n  which  she  has  recently  come 
and  to  make  inquiries  generally,  bringing 
siurh  as  are  liable  to  insi^ection  to  the  proper 
anchorage,  where  they  are  lx)arded  by  the 
(juarantine  officers,  who  examine  into  the 
health  of  the  crew  and  fully  satisfy  themselves 
that  there  is  no  danger  of  infection  before  al- 
lowing them  to  proceed  to  our  ]>orts.  Being 
the  first  to  meet  incoming  ships  and  directing 
them  as  alKne.  pilots  are  insq)arably  identified 
with  the  (juarantine  service,  and  help  to  pro- 
tect not  only  commerce  but  public  health,  pre- 
venting by  their  co-operation  with  the  health 
authorities  the  introduction  of  contagious  dis- 
eases in  our  midst.  Quarantine  officers  in  ap- 
preciation of  this  co-oi>eration  have  a  number 
of  limes  issued  memorials  to  the  State  Legis- 
lature, ack-nowledging  that  without  tb.e  pilots' 
assistance  quarantine  could  not  be  satisfac- 
torily conducted. 

Reci>gnized  Ux-ally  as  masters  of  ships  in 
their  care,  they  are  looked  to  for  safety  of 
same,  and  before  engaging  in  this  service  have 
to  pass  a  rigid  examination  before  the  Board 
of  Pilot  Commissioners  and  in  addition  give 
bond  for  their  good  behavior  and  proper  per- 
formance of  their  duties. 

Regarded  as  life  and  property  savers,  they 
frcqueiuly  rescue  ships  from  perilous  positions 
through  opportune  assistance  of  their  powerful 
boat,  and  it  will  l^e  seen  that  as  a  means  of 
security  to  shipping  and  public  good  they  are 
an  indispensable  adjunct  to  commerce,  mer- 
chants, insurance  companies,  masters  of  ships 
and  health  conditions  of  our  ports. 

Apprentices  before  being  accepted  have  the 
following  essentials  to  meet :  The  young  man 
must  be  between  16  and  18  years  of  age,  of 
go^^d  moral  character,  must  produce  evidence 


from  his  last  teacher  that  he  at  least  has  a 
good  common-school  education,  and  a  certifi- 
cate from  a  physician  that  he  is  not  troubled 
with  color  blindness  and  that  he  is  otherwise 
sound  physically.  Being  thoroughly  disci- 
plined by  the  pilots  and  retjuired  by  the  legis- 
lature to  serve  five  years  apprenticeship  to 
those  regularly  authorized,  they  are  through 
the  five  most  important  years  of  life  confined 
to  their  duties  on  board  the  pilot-boats,  where 
they  have  constantly  to  take  soundings,  ascer- 
tain courses  and  'searings,  receive  instructions 
as  to  landmarks  for  the  more  intricate  parts 
of  the  channels,  have  frequent  instructions 
from  their  superiors  in  the  art  of  piloting  and 
in  every  ])articular  acquire  the  necessary 
knowledge  of  their  future  vexation.  In- 
stantaneous judgment  and  a  good  nerve  are 
prime  requisites  and  those  in  this  business  not 
infrequently  find  themselves  in  positions  where 
both  have  to  be  promptly  exercised.  Crawling 
up  by  degrees,  they  are  divided  into  first,  sec- 
ond and  third  class  and  receive  (according  to 
the  la.st  classification  of  pilots  by  the  legisla- 
ture) first  a  12-foot  branch,  then  as  they  ad- 
vance and  ijecome  more  competent  a  15-foot 
one  is  awarded,  when,  if  after  expiration  of 
their  apjirenticeship  attention  and  faithfulness 
to  their  duties  fitted  them  for  their  last  and 
final  papers  (usually  designated  as  a  full 
branch),  he  enters  upon  equality  with  his  for- 
mer masters,  and  a  reward  for  which  he  has 
toiled  through  five  years  of  deprivation  and 
hardship.  Having  cast  his  lot  with  the  com- 
mercial interest  of  the  State  for  better  or 
worse,  fitting  himself  solely  for  one  thing  and 
for  operation  in  a  limited  field,  he  cannot  pur- 
sue his  calling  in  another  State,  cannot  when 
business  is  dlill  seek  employment  elsewhere, 
but  must  remain  and  share  with  the  varying 
conditions  of  commerce,  unfit  for  all  work,  he 
becomes  wedded  to  commerce  and  his  State. 
With  a  rapid  increase  in  size  and  value  of 
ship  and  cargo,  ranging  from  $100,000  to  sev- 
eral millions,  involving  a  greater  necessity  for 
averting  accidents,  there  is  a  correspondingly 
greater  responsibility  and  necessity    for    men 


3i6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


whose  previous  training  insures  the  best  serv- 
ice and  specifically  fits  them  for  a  work  of  such 
moment  to  the  interest  of  the  State  gener- 
ally. 

Under  the  present  circumstances  accidents 
are  exceedingly  rare,  and  any  dereliction  of 
duty  or  act  showing  unskillfulness  is  promptly 


met  by  punishment  decided  by  the  Board  of 
Pilot  Commissioners.  Their  training,  how- 
ever, is  so  thorough,  and  penalties  of  such 
severity  that  the  highest  possible  service  is  se- 
cured, seldom  an  accident  of  any  consequence 
occurs  and  the  wheels  of  commerce  run 
smoothly  along. 


CHAPTER  XX 


STATISTICS  OF  THE   POPULATION 

Tithes  and  Tithables  from    Early    Court   Records — Population  of  Norfolk  County, 

it'ju-iyuu,  from  the  census  reports population  of  norfolk  and  portsmouth 

— The  191)0  Census  by  Wards  and  Districts. 


The  first  Assembly  ever  held  in  Virginia 
was  convened  in  June,  1619,  at  Jamestown, 
wiiicii  was  then  and  for  many  years  att 
called  "J^'^ss  City;"  but  the  lirst  Act  relating- 
to  taxes  of  which  I  find  any  record  was  passed 
at  the  iJarch  session,  1623-24,  prohibiting  the 
Governor  from  laying  any  taxes  or  imposition 
upon  this  Colony,  their  lands  or  commodities 
in  any  other  way  than  by  authority  of  the 
Grand  Assembly.  So  I  must  conclude  that, 
prior  to  this  Act,  the  Governor  imposed  taxes. 
On  JMarch  5,  1623-24,  the  Assembly  enacted 
that  "there  shall  be  in  every  parish  a  public 
granary  into  which  there  shall  be  contributed 
for  every  planter  exceeding-  the  age  of  18,  alive 
at  the  crop  after  he  hath  been  here  a  year,  a 
bushel  of  corn,  the  which  shall  l)e  disposed  for 
the  public  uses  of  every  parish  by  the  major 
part  of  the  freaiien,  the  remainder  yearly  to 
be  taken  out  by  the  owners  at  St.  Thomas' 
his  day  and  the  new  bushel  to  be  put  in  the 
room."      (Hen.,  Vol.   i,  Page  125.) 

There  was  also  a  levy  of  10  pounds  of  to- 
bacco upon  every  male  head  above  the  age  of 
16.  to  defray  public  debts.  In  October,  1629, 
a  specific  le\y  was  made  of  five  pounds  of  to- 
liacco  on  the  master  of  every  family  and  every 
freeman  to  pay  for  powder,  wine  and  provis- 
ions used  bv  the  soldiers,  and  at  the  same  time 


the  burgesses  were  directed  to  make  a  list  of 
the  tithable  persons  within  their  plantations. 
A  tax  of  64  pounds  of  tobacco  was  levied  upon 
every  tithable  person  in  the  Colony  (Septem- 
ber, 1632),  to  meet  public  charges  anmunting 
to  124,056  pounds  of  tobacco.  The  revenue 
law  of  1639  levied  16  pounds  of  tobacco  per 
poll,  and  of  1643-44  nine  pounds  per  poll. 

The  heads  of  families  were  made  respon- 
sible for  all  public  dues  charged  to  freemen 
within  their  family  and  an  additional  levy  of 
18  pounds  of  tobacco  per  poll  was  made  to 
pay'  for  powder  and  expenses  of  Sir  William 
ljerkele3r's  voyage.  A  new  mode  of  ta.xation 
was  instituted  in  November,  1645,  because  the 
old  way  was  found  inconvenient  and  had  be- 
conic  insupi)ortable  for  the  poorer  classes  to 
bear.  This  assessed  four  pounds  of  tobacco 
on  100  acres  of  land,  four  pounds  on  one  cow 
three  years  old,  32  pounds  each  on  horses, 
niares  and  geldings,  four  pounds  on  breeding 
sheep,  two  pounds  on  a  breeding  goat  and  20 
pounds  on  each  tithable  person.  The  tax  lists 
were  to  be  made  yearly  by  the  25th  day  of 
June  and  returned  to  the  secretary's  office.  It 
appears  that  this  law  was  evaded,  and  in  Oc- 
tober, 1646,  a  new  list  was  ordered  to  be  made 
by  appointees  of  the  county  commissioners,  to 
be  reported  to  the  next  Grand  Assembly. 


3i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


On  the  5th  day  of  November,  1646,  the 
County  Court  levied  the  assessment  to  meet 
the  public  expenses  as  follows : 

329  titliable  persons  at  25  pounds  of  to- 
bacco  per   poll    8,225  lbs. 

4go  coues  at  5  pounds  of  tobacco  eacb 2.450  lbs. 

163  goates  at  lYz  pounds  of  tobacco  each.  . .  407^^  lbs. 

2   horses   at   40   pounds   of   tobacco   each.  .  80  lbs. 

38.000  acres  of  land  at  5  lbs.  of  tobacco  per 

100  acres   1.900  lbs. 

Total   tax    i3.o62"/2  lbs. 

It  appears  from  this  assessment  that  there 
were  only  two  horses  in  the  county  of  Lower 
Norfolk  at  this  time.  The  next  year,  on  the 
15th  day  of  November,  1647.  the  le\y  was  on 

360  tithable  persons  at  15  pounds  of  to- 
bacco  per   poll    5.400       lbs. 

546  cowes  at  3  pounds  of  tobacco  each....    1,638       lbs. 

121  goates  at  ly',  pounds  of  tobacco  each..       i8i^^  lbs. 

5  horses  and  mares  at  24  pounds  of  to- 
bacco  each    120       lbs. 

36,560  acres  of  land  at  3  pounds  of  tobacco 

per  100  acres   1.097       lbs. 

The  people,  cows  and  horses  increased  but 
the  goats  and  land  decreased.  These  levies 
were  for  county  expenses  and  not  for  State 
levies  as  rated  in  the  Act  of  1645  stated  above. 

A  penalty  of  double  tax  was  affixed  for 
concealing  taxable  property  and  thereafter 
persons  who  should  give  in  false  lists  to  the 
officer  should  forfeit  treble  the  sum  due  for 
his  taxes.  As  the  tax  on  projierty  was  made 
especially  for  the  support  of  the  war,  it  was 
repealed  in  October,  1648.  when  peace  was  de- 
clared and  the  old  custom  of  poll  tax  was  re- 
vived or  rather  retained.  In  October,  1644,  a 
public  levy  of  1,776  pounds  of  tobacco  on  296 
tithable  persons  in  Lower  Norfolk  County  Wc 
made  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  ex- 
pedition against  the  Pamunkey  Indians.  The 
list  of  tithable  persons  embraced  all  free  male 
persons  o\er  the  a?e  of  16  and  the  Act  of  Oc- 
tober extended  it  to  cover  all  male  servants  ( 
whatsoever  age  imported  thereafter :  which 
was  extended  in  Alarch,  1658.  to  embrace  all 
negroes  and  Indian  servants,  male  or  female; 
but  native  Christians  and  free  persons  under 
the  age  of  16  were  excepted.  The  Act  of  this 
date  required  the  master  of  every  family  to 


present  the  list  to  the  clerk  of  the  court, 
failing  to  meet  the  requirements  was  rei>ealed 
in  March,  1659,  and  sheriffs  were  again  re- 
quired to  make  the  lists,  but  in  October.  1661, 
it  was  alleged  that  fraud  of  sheriffs  in  return- 
ing lists  had  greatly  augmented  the  taxes  of 
the  Colony,  so  each  county  was  di\ided  into 
four  precincts,  in;  each  of  which  a  commis- 
sioner was  appointed,  to  whom  the  constable 
in  each  precinct  warned  the  people  to  bring 
their  lists  of  tithables  by  the  loth  day  of  June. 
In  March.  1662,  tithables  were  all  male  per- 
sons, negroes  male  or  female,  Indian  servants 
male  or  female,  above  16  years  of  age.  Eighty 
pounds  of  tobacco  were  assessed  against  every 
tithable  person  in  Virginia  for  paying  the  pub- 
lic levy  of  the  country  in  1682.  In  1782  the 
poll  tax  was  10  shillings  on  every  free  male 
person  over  the  age  of  21  years  who  was  a  citi- 
zen and  upon  all  slaves  abo\e  the  age  of  16 
years.  In  1788  the  poll  tax  was  abolished,  but 
was  afterward  revived  to  continue  until  this 
time,  when  it  is  $1,00  upon  ever  male  person 
over  21  years  of  age. 

In  order  that  an  estimate  of  the  population 
of  Norfolk  County  may  be  made,  for  the  time 
prior  to  the  first  census,  the  number  of  tith- 
ables are  given  below  as  far  as  could  be  ob- 
tained from  the  court  records. 


1  itbablcs. 
296 


Years. 

1644 

,f...  \  Lynnhaven  Parish 140) 

"■"'^ "(  Elizabeth  River 165  5 

1646 

1647 

i6.;8 

1649 

i6iO 

1651 

1653 

1654 

1655 

1656 

1657 

1660 

1661 


1662. 
1663. 
1664. 
166:;. 
1666. 
1667. 


305 

329 
360 

334 
380 
448 
461 
471 
454 
493 
491 

465 
402 
346 
488 
551 
580 
585 
591 
594 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


319 


1668. 
1669. 
1670. 
1671. 

ityj. 

1674. 

'675  • 
1677. 
1678. 
1679. 
1680. 
1681. 
1682. 
1683. 
1684. 
168:;. 
1686. 
1687. 
1688. 
1689. 
1690. 


597 
659 
670 
688 
684 
695 
702 
762 
81.1 
860 
875 
846 
860 
850 
922 

893 
941 

987 
904 
982 
1018 
1097 


Princess  Anno  separated  from  Xorfolk  Ci>iinly. 


1691 . 
1692. 
1695. 
1694. 
169;. 
T696. 
1697. 
1698. 
1699. 
1700. 
i-oi. 
1702. 

1703. 
1704. 
1705. 
1708. 
1709. 
1711. 
1712. 
1714. 
1715- 
1716. 
1717. 
1719. 
1720. 
1721. 
1722. 
1723- 
1738. 
■739- 
1740. 
1742. 
■746. 
1747. 
"748. 
'749- 
1750. 
1751. 
1752. 
1753- 


772 
775 
770 
764 
560 
614 
652 
652 
697 
696 

695 
692 
692 
709 
722 
807 
819 
780 
812 
891 
931 
977 
1038 
947 
1050 
1094 

1115 
1 105 
1652 
1751 
1799 
1944 
2066 
2190 
2331 
2337 
2506 
2567 
2441 
■2533 


754- 
755- 
756. 
757. 
758. 
759- 
760. 
761. 
762. 
763. 
764. 
765. 
766. 
767. 
768. 
769. 
770. 
773- 
774. 
775- 
777- 
778. 
782. 
784. 
785. 
786. 
787- 
788. 
789. 


i'llPLl.ATION   UK   XURFULK   L'ur.NTV.  VA. 


Year. 
1790 
1800 
1810 
1820 
1830 
1840 
1850 
i860 
1870 
1880 
*i890 
**igoo 


2533 
2718 
2784 
2741 
2907 

2959 
3031 
3333 
3417 
3546 
37S7 
3914 
4056 
4059 
4 '34 
4140 
4179 
4340 
4591 
4739 
2400 
2604 
2771 
3149 
3267 
3149 
3628 
4365 
4247 


Total. 
"4.524 
194'9 

23-943 
24.8ot) 
27.569 
33-036 
36.227 
46.702 
58.657 
77-038 
50.780 


White. 
9-179 

I  I  ,00 

13.400 
13.260 
13-314 
"5-444 
20.329 

24.357 
24.380 
29-197 
37.497 
"9."  "3 


Negroes. 
Free.     Slaves. 
5.345 
7.459 
9-472 
1.498       9.185 
1.898       g.594 
2.300       9,735 
2.307      10.400 
2.803        9.004 
22.320 
29-453 
39.478 
31-189 


Cliinese. 
Japs.  &  Inds 


63 

2 

7 
63 

478 


Census  of  i/po.  Borough  of  Xorfolk.  free 
whites,  1 ,604  ;  slaves,  i  .294 :  all  other  free  per- 
sons, 61.  Portsmouth,  free  whites.  1,039; 
slaves.  616:  all  other  free  persons.  47.  The 
free  colored  are  not  separately  enumerated,  but 
included  in  "all  other  free  ])r.soiis."" 

Census  of  1800.  Borough  of  Xorfolk,  in- 
cluding Portsmouth  ( the  latter  not  sejiarately 
enumeratedj,  free  wliites,  2,312;  slaves,  2,724; 

*Tliis  includes  population  of  the  cities  of  Norfolk 
and    Portsmouth. — 48.139. 

**The  pv)pulation  given  li>r  1900  for  the  county  out- 
side of  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  The 
total  population  of  the  county  was  114.831. 


320 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


all  other  free  persons,  352.  The  free  colored 
are  not  separately  enumerated  but  included  in 
"all  other  free  persons." 

Census  (if  uS'io.  Borough  of  Norfolk. 
free  whites,  4,776;  slaves  3,825;  all  other 
free  persons,  592.  Portsmouth,  free  whites, 
1,191;  slaves,  828;  all  other  free  persons,  61. 
The  free  colored  are  not  separately  enumer- 
ated, but  included  in  "all  other  free  persons." 

Census  of  1S20.  Borough  of  Norfolk, 
including  Portsmouth  (the  latter  not  sq> 
arately  enumerated),  free  whites,  4.748;  free 
colored,  599;  slaves,  3,261;  foreigners  not 
naturalized,  23. 

Census  of  iS^o.  Borough  of  Norfolk, 
including  Portsmouth  (the  latter  not  separate- 
1}"  enumerated),  free  whites,  5,231;  free  col- 
ored, 928;  slaves,  3,757. 

Census  of  1840.  Borough  of  Norfolk, 
free  whites,  6,285;  free  colored,  1.026;  slaves, 
3,709.  Portsmouth,  free  whites,  4,074;  free 
colored.  423;  slaves,  1,890. 

The  following  table  gives  the  population 
of  Norfolk  from  the  date  of  the  iirst  census 
after  it  became  a  city  to  the  date  of  the  last 
census,  also  showing  the  increase  in  each  10 
years  and  the  per  cent,  of  increase: 


Increase  Per  cent, 

of  Population,    of  Increase. 


Year 

Population 

iSiO 

14.320 

i860 

14.620 

1870 

19.229 

1880 

21.966 

1890 

.U.«7i 

1900 

46.624 

3.300* 

300 

4,609 

2.737 
12.905 
11.-53 


29.9* 

2.1 
315 
14 
58 

33 


The  following  is  the  population  of  Nor- 
folk City  in  1900  by  wards: 


Ward  I    8,623 

Ward  2    3,587 

Ward  3    9,634 

Ward  4   13,093 

Ward  5 6,940 

Ward  6    4,747 

Total    ., 46,624 


The  population  of  Portsmouth  City  in 
1900  by  wards  was  as  follows: 

Ward  I  2,181 

Ward  2  4,458 

Ward  3  3,973 

Ward  4  4,374 

Ward  5  2.441 

Total    17,427 

The  following  statement  gives  the  popu- 
lation of  Norfolk  County  ( outside  of  Norfolk 
and  Portsmouth)    in   1900  by  districts: 

Butts  Road  district 1.821 

Deep  Creek  district 3.454 

Pleasant   Grove   district 2,974 

Tanner'.s  Creek  district 13.077 

Washington    district    ( including    Berkley   town. 

—4988)     11.515 

Western   Branch   district 17.939 

Total     50.780 

*Compared  with  Xorfolk's  population  as  a  borough 
in  1840. 


CHAPTER  XXI 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF   NORFOLK 

Its  Settlement  and  History  as  a  Borough,  by  C.  Whittle  Sams — Its  Commercial 
Advantages  Recognized  One  Hundred  Years  Ago — Norfolk  as  a  City — Nor- 
folk PosTOFFicE — Norfolk  Warehouse  Association — Patriotism  and  Patriots 
of  Norfolk — Suppression  of  the  Slave  Trade  by  Norfolk  Committee  of 
Safety — Notable  Historical  Incidents — The  Association  for  the  Preservation 
OF  Virginia  Antiquities — The  \\'ishing  Oak — Fire  History  of  Norfolk — The- 
atres— Charters  of  Norfolk — Changes  Made  in  the  Names  of  Streets  Since 
1865— Mayors  of  Norfolk — Officers  of  the  City  of  Norfolk — Losses  Sus- 
tained in  the  Burning  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  by  Lord  Dunmore. 


THE     SETTLEMENT     OF     NORFOLK 

AND  ITS  HISTORY  AS  A 

BOROUGH, 

with   special  reference  to   the  owner- 
ship of  its  land. 

Written  by  C.  Whittle  Sams  for  the  History  of 
Norfolk  County. 

Whoever  it  was  that  started  that  old  story 
about  the  streets  of  Norfolk  being  laid  out 
by  a  blind  cow  did  not  know  much  about  the 
original  tracts  of  land,  and  the  creeks  which 
bounded  them.  Col.  William  Byrd  in  his 
"History  of  the  Dividing  Line"  is  much  more 
flattering  to  us,  and  says  of  Norfolk:  "The 
streets  are  straight,  and  adorned  with  sev- 
eral good  houses,  which  increase  every  day," 
but  we  cannot  help  wondering  which  streets 
they  were  which  he  saw,  or  with  what  very 
crooked  place  he  was  comparing  us. 

19 


The  land  on  which  the  city  of  Norfolk  is 
built  was  so  cut  up  by  creeks  that  the  site  of 
the  place  might  be  simply  described  as  anr- 
phibious.  After  more  than  200  years  spent  in 
filling  up  these  creeks,  there  yet  remain  over 
76  acres  of  water  or  marsh  in  the  four  old 
wards  of  the  city.  These  creeks  displayed  all 
the  irregularity  which  could  have  been  ex- 
pected of  them,  and  did  all  in  their  [xjwer  to 
hinder  the  spreading  of  the  settlement. 

The  site  of  the  original  town  was  a  i>emn- 
sula,  fronting  on  the  Elizabeth  River  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and  bounded  on  the 
north  by  two  creeks,  that  on  the  west  licing 
known  as  "Town  Back  Creek,"  and  that  on 
the  east  as  "Dun  in  the  Mire,"  "Newton's 
Creek"  or  "Plume's  Creek."  Town  Back 
Creek  has  had  a  sad  fate,  having  been  nearly 
wiped  ofif  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  being  rep- 
resented in  these  degenerate  days  by  the  nar- 
row   and  unattractive  waters  of  the  Granby 


32: 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


street  canal.  "Dun  in  the  Mire"  has  fared  Ht- 
tle  better,  having'  Ijeen  extensively  filled  up, 
its  natural  connection  with  the  ri\-er  cut  off, 
converted  into  kind  of  a  pond,  and  rebaptized 
"Mahone's  Lake,"  the  bod}'  of  water  near  the 
Norfolk  &  Western  d'ei>ot. 

This  little  peninsula  was  connected  with 
the  mainland  by  a  strip  about  400  feet  wide, 
in  the  center  of  which  ran  the  road  out  to  the 
country,  now  called  Chuirch  street,  after  St. 
Paul's  Church,  one  of  the  earliest  Protestant 
churches  in  America.  Across  this  narrow 
neck  of  land,  later,  ran  two  streets,  whose 
names  bore  elocjuent  testimony  to  their  aquatic 
nature, — one  was  called  "Marsh"  and  the 
other  "Cove." 

The  original  settlement  was  made  at  the 
northeastern  end  of  this  peninsula,  on  New- 
ton's Creek,  around  the  corner,  as  it  were, 
from  the  Elizabeth  River,  the  little  arm  of 
the  sea  named  in  honor  of  the  great  queen 
who  had  died  not  many  .years  before.  It  was 
just  at  the  eastern  or  water  end  of  the  great 
Bermuda  street;  then  known  under  the  more 
imposing  title  of  "Main"  street,  having  ef- 
fected an  exchange  with  the  street  we  now 
know  by  that  name,  \\niat  an  important  thor- 
oughfare it  must  have  been,  with  a  few  strag- 
gling hoiises,  the  street  itself  only  about  two 
squares  long,  reaching  from  the  creek  to  what 
is  now  Chapel  street.  But  there  was  plenty  of 
water,  marsh  and  pine  woods  around  tO'  make 
up  for  houses. 

To  whom  did  this  narrow  peninsula  be- 
long? It  would  seem  that  Capt.  Thomas  Will- 
oughby  was  the  first  to  see  the  future  im- 
portance O'f  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  to  set 
his  eyes  of  affection  on  the  real  estate  of  this 
section,  for  we  find  that  29  years  after  the 
settlement  at  Jamestown,  that  is,  in  1636,  he 
obtained  a  patent,  or  a  grant,  or  right  tO'  a 
grant,  of  200  acres  of  land  from  the  Colony 
of  Virginia,  in  consideration  of  his  having 
imported  four  persons  into  the  Colony.  This 
patent  he  located  here. 

It  is  interesting  to  think  of  the  considera- 
tion demanded  for  these  grants  of  land  by  the 


straggling  little  Colony  of  Virginia, — the  im- 
portation of  persons,  servants,  into  the  Col- 
ony,— one  servant  being  valued  at  50  acres 
and  entitling  the  importer  to  a  deed  for  that 
nuich  land.  It  may  well  be  imagined  that  this 
requirement  was  not  so  easy  to  be  performed. 
Transportation  was  then  difficult,  uncertain 
and  expensive.  The  servants  referred  to  were 
principally  the  "indented  servants"  of  whom 
we  have  often  heard, — white  persons  brought 
from  England  and  elsewhere,  who  were  bound 
to  their  masters  for  a  term  of  years  to  repay 
the  cost  of  their  transportation.  The  Acts 
with  reference  to  granting  lands  for  their  im- 
portation are  found  in  Henning's  Statutes  at 
Large,  Vol.  i,  Pages  274  and  444,  and  date 
back  to  the  year  1642.  An  unbroken  con- 
tinental wilderness  had  to  be  subdued,  the 
Colony  had  plenty  of  land,  but  the  laborers 
were  few.  There  were  plenty  of  Indians  and 
a  few  gentlemen,  but  a  sad  dearth  of  me- 
chanics and  laborers, — these  were  what  the 
Colony  needed,  and  so  the  ser\'ice  performed  to 
it  of  strengthening  it  in  its  infancy  and  weak- 
ness, by  bringing  in  those  who'  could  help  de- 
fend it  against  the  sa\-ages,  clear  away  the 
dense  forests,  plant  tobacco,  and  make  the 
Colony  self  supporting,  became  the  basis  of 
our  titles  to^  land.  In  other  parts  of  the  State, 
land  was  granted  for  a  nominal  rent  and  the 
actual  clearing:  and  cultivating  of  a  small  por- 
tion of  the  amount  granted.  The  object  in 
both  instances  was  the  same,  to  develop  the 
country  and  increase  its  resources. 

The  description  of  the  tract  conveyed  in 
this  earliest  patent  is  soi  hazy,  that  it  becomes 
highly  picturesque.  It  is  described  as  "200 
acres  oif  land  situate,  lying  and  being  upon 
the  main  of  the  Elizabeth  River.  North  upon 
James  River,  South  upon  the  first  Eastern 
Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  Ri\-er,  East-North- 
East  into  the  woods."  The  latter  part,  par- 
ticularly, is  so  clear.  One  would  be  nearly 
tempted  to  ihink  that  the  grantee  had  never 
gone  "East-Noi-th-East"  into  the  woods  to 
the  end  of  his  tract,  to  stake  off  his  land,  for 
fear  of  the  Indians.     Absurd  as  this  descrip- 


o 
7. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


325 


tion  is,  in  the  absence  of  an  actual  survey,  ' 
wliicli  our  forefathers  a\i)ided  on  every  pos- 
sible occasion,  we  must  remember  that  it  is 
an  attempt  to  describe  land  situated  in  an  un- 
l)roken  wiklcrness.  in  tlie  alisence  of  well- 
known  names  and  lantlmarks.  "James 
River,"  what  was  that  ?  Certainly  not  the 
"Xoble  Jeemes"  that  we  know.  It  is  pmljal)!}' 
Glebe  or  Smith's  Creek,  as  it  was  later  named, 
but  it  had  no  such  name  in  the  year  1636.  If 
that  were  so.  and  "East-Xorth-East  into  the 
woods"  were  to  be  allowed  to  sUy\)  somewhere 
about  the  corner  of  Bute  and  Church  streets, 
it  would  niM  be  such  a  very  bad  description, 
although  it  would  cover  somewhat  more  than 
200  acres. 

Captain  Willoughby  sold  his  patent,  or 
had  the  Colony  issue  a  new  patent  in  its  stead, 
on  April  i.  1644,  to  John  Watkins.  Com- 
pared to  the  first  description,  this  patent  is 
as  clear  as  a  ray  of  liijht.  The  land  is  de- 
scribed in  it  thus :  "Beginning  at  a  marked 
pine  standing  upon  a  i)oint  called  Four  Far- 
thing Point  (that  is,  Town  Point)  and  run- 
ning up  by  the  said  Eastward  Branch  side 
East-South-East  232  poles  (equal  to  3,828 
feet,  or  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile)  unto  a 
marked  pine  standing  on  a  point  on  the  West- 
ward side  of  the  mouth  of  a  creek  named  Dun 
in  the  Mire  (Newton's  Creek),  and  running 
up  the  side  of  the  said  creek  over  certain  points 
X.  X.  E.  118  poles  (equal  to  1,947  feet,  which 
would  carry  the  line  to  about  Wood  street) 
unto  a  marked  eum  standing  by  a  gut  or 
branch  side,  and  so  W.  X.  W.  2^,2  poles 
(3.828  feet)  crossing  the  land  to  a  marked 
])ine  (no  doubt  on  the  margin  of  Glebe  Creek) 
and  so  S.  S.  W.  148  poles  (2.442  feet)  cross- 
ing some  small  guts  or  points  and  butting  to- 
wards the  main  river  unto  the  first  mentioned 
tree.  " 

In  order  to  come  from  Glebe  Creek,  by 
way  of  the  river,  back  to  Four  Farthing  Point 
by  this  water-route,  as  we  would  suppose 
necessary,  to  follow  out  the  description  of  the 
land  in  this  patent,  we  would  have  to  stretch 
that  last  measurement  a  good  deal,  but  these 


old  deeds,  fortunately  for  posterity,  have  a 
good  deal  of  elasticity  about  them,  and  we 
hope  this  one  would  not  break  if  we  attempted 
it,  as  we  must  do,  in  order  to  follow  with  any 
reasonable  probability  the  course  pursued  in 
descril)ing  the  land. 

John  Watkins  held  the  land  a  short  time, 
and  then  sold  it  to  John  Xorwood,  who  sold 
it  to  Peter  Michaelson  and  the  rest  of  the 
owners  of  the  ship  "Luis  Van  Xassau,"  of 
Ulissingin,  in  Zealand,  Holland.  They  ol)- 
tained  a  new  patent  for  it.  dated  March  4, 
1649,  and  sold  it  to  Lewis  \'andernnill.  who 
on  October  19,  1662,  sold  it  ht  Xicholas  Wise, 
Sr.  On  his  death  it  descended  to  his  son 
Xichi  las  A\'ise,  Jr.,  as  his  heir-at-law,  who, 
en  August  16,  1682,  sold  30  acres  of  the 
original  200  to  \\'illiam  Robinson  and  An- 
thony Lawson.  in  trust  for  X'orfolk  Countv. 
for  certain  purposes  which  we  will  soon  dis- 
cuss. The  land  was  sold  for  an  amount  of  to- 
bacco which  we  estimate  as  having  lieen  worth 
a  few  hundred  dollars;  today  the  land  is  worth 
many  millions. 

The  deed  by  which  this  conveyance  was 
made  is  a  genuine  curiosity.  \\'hat  the  strug- 
gling Colony  of  Virginia  needed  was  persons, 
what  X'icholas  \\'ise.  Jr..  needed  was  tobacco, 
so  he  savs  in  his  deed : 


To  all  Christian  people  to  whom  these  prcsent<; 
shall  come,  I.  Nicholas  Wise,  of  Elizaheth  River  Parish, 
in  the  County  of  Lower  Norfolk,  son  and  heir  to  Nich- 
olas Wise,  deceased,  of  the  Parish  and  County  afore- 
said. Shipwright,  send  srceting  in  our  Lord  God  ever- 
lasting: Know  ye.  that  L  the  said  Nicholas  Wise  for 
and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  Ten  Thou.sand 
Pounds  of  good  merchantahle  tobacco  and  cask,  to  m;' 
in  hand  paid,  the  receijit  whereof  I  do  hereby  acknowl- 
edge from  Capt.  Wni.  Robinson  and  Lt.-Colo.  .'\nthotiy 
Lawson.  of  Lynnhaven  Parish,  in  the  County  afore- 
said. Gent..  fc<?'ffees  in  trust  for  the  said  County.  A"'' 
whereas.  I  hold  myself  well  satisfied,  contented  and 
paid,  and  for  divers  other  good  considerations  me  there- 
unto moving,  have  given,  granted,  bargained,  sold,  alien- 
ated, enfeoffed  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents, 
do,  for  mvself,  my  heirs,  ex"ors  and  adm'ors,  givi-. 
grant,  bargain,  sell,  alienate,  enfeoff  and  confirm  imto 
them,  the  i^aid  William  Ruljinson  and  Lt.-Colo.  .Anthony 
Lawson.  as  feofTees  aforesaid,  for  the  only  use  and 
behoof  of  the  said  County  forever,  one  piece  or  tract 
of  land,  containing  fifty  acres,  for  the  building  of  a 
town  in  the  said  County,  according  to  .\ct  of  .\ssemhly. 


326 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


dated  the  8th  day  of  June.  i6So.  the  said  land  being 
situate  and  lying  in  Elizabeth  River  Parish  aforesaid, 
in  the  County  aforesaid,  on  the  North  side  of  Eliza- 
beth River,  and  bounded  with  Elizabeth  River  afore- 
said to  the  South  and  West,  to  the  Northward  with 
a  creek,  and  to  the  Eastward  by  leveral  stacks  (stakes?) 
running  partly  cross  an  old  field  and  partly  through 
some  points  of  woodland,  it  being  a  small  nick  of 
cleared  ground  and  woodland,  and  part  of  200  acres 
formerly  purchased  by  my  father,  deceased. 

Then  follows  a  long  drawn  out  and  tedious 
warranty  of  title,  and  a  covenant  to  make  any 
other  deeds  necessary  tO'  carry  out  the  inten- 
tion of  tiiis  deed.     Tiien  he  proceeds : 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  for  myself, 
my  heirs  &c.  set  my  Hand  and  Seal,  this  i6th  day  of 
August,  1682,  and  in  the  year  of  the  reign  of  our 
sovereign  lord.  King  Charles  the  Second,  over  England, 
Scotland,  France  and  Ireland,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c. 

Nich.    X   Wise  &  Seal, 
mark 
Signed,  Sealed  and  Delivered 
in  presence  of 
Plover  Bray,  Richard  Hee, 
Phill.  Howard,  Jno.  Biggs. 

Acknd.  in  Ct.   i6th   .A-Ug.   1682. 

Wm.  Porteen. 

Such  was  the  instrument,  executed  in  the 
reign  of  that  autocrat  of  France  and  conse- 
crated chatnpion  of  the  faith,  Charles  II,  by 
which  land  that  was  private  property  was 
conveyed  by  two  military  officers,  as  trustees, 
for  the  immediate  purpose  of  building  a  town, 
but  really  for  an  ulterior  object  quite  distinct 
therefrom  as  we  shall  presently  see. 

The  description  of  the  site  of  the  town 
in  this  ancient  deed  is  about  as  unsatisfactory 
as  one  could  reasonably  desire.  The  land  is 
bounded  on  the  south  and  west  by  the  river. 
This  is  clear  enough.  On  the  north  by  "a 
creek."  This  is  our  old  friend, — Town  Back 
Creek.  But  the  rest  of  the  description  is  hard- 
ly sufficiently  clear  for  us  tO'  follow,  with  the 
limited  information  we  have  on  the  subject 
now,  as  we  also  suppose  that  the  town  lands 
stretched'  to  the  east  of  Church  street,  to 
Newton's  Creek,  which  would  make  the  first 
branch  of  that  creek  a  part  of  the  boundary 
on  the  north.  On  the  east  the  deed  says  it 
was  bounded  "by  several  stacks  ( meaning,  no 


doubt,  stakes),  running  partly  cross  an  old 
field  and'  partly  through  soine  points  of  wood- 
land." This  description  is  unsatisfactory,  of 
course,  as  we  have  here  no  natural  boundary 
to  go  by.  There  is  an  embarrassment,  too,  in 
understanding  this  deed  for  this  further  rea- 
son :  He  had  only  200  acres ;  he  sold  50  to 
the  town,  and  is  understood  to  have  sold  the 
remaining  150  to  Charles  Wilder,  or  to  Will- 
iam Porteen,  but  the  200  acres  went  from 
Town  Point,  at  the  mouth  of  To'wn  Back 
Creek,  to  Dun  in  the  Mire,  or  Newton's  Creek, 
and  then  up  that  creek.  So,  therefore,  when 
Nicholas  Wise  bounds  the  50  acres  he  sells 
to  the  town  on  the  east  by  the  row  of  stakes 
running  across  the  old  field  and  through  the 
points  of  woodland,  instead  of  by  Newton's 
Creek,  it  would  seem  that  a  piece  over  on  the 
eastern  end  had  been  left  out  unaccounted 
for.  It  is  highly  probable  that  this  omitted 
piece  was  the  original  settlement,  containing 
the  home  of  Nicholas  Wise,  Jr.,  being,  possibly, 
that  also'  of  his  father.  Here  also  was,  proba- 
bly, a  small  shipyard,  for  we  know  that  the 
place  must  have  been  on  the  water,  and  he  tells 
us  in  his  deed  that  he  was  a  shipwright. 
Here  may  have  been  the  homes  also  of  other 
early  settlers.  We  may  be  sure  that  it  was  an 
actual  settlement  from  the  fact  stated  in  the 
deed  that  the  stakes  ran  partly  across  "  an  old 
field," — O'ld  even  in  that  day.  Who  cleared 
this  field?  Possibly  it  was  the  Indians,  al- 
though they  did  not  generally  relish  that  form 
of  exercise.  Or,  it  might  have  been  cleared 
by  Nicholas  Wise,  Sr.,  or  Lewis  Vandermull. 
This  piece  bore,  probably,  such  a  small  pro- 
portion to  the  area  of  the  whole  50  acres,  that 
it  was  reserved  by  him,  and  not  counted  nor 
deducted!  from  the  acreage  of  the  tract,  but 
it  seems  always  to  have  been  considered  a  por- 
tion of  the  area  of  the  town,  or,  at  least,  was 
certainly  included  in  the  original  borough 
limits. 

The  Act  of  Assembly  dated  the  8th  day 
of  June,  1680,  referred'  to  in  the  deed  from 
Nicholas  Wise,  is  found  in  Henning's  Stat- 
utes at  Large,  Vol.  2,  Page  471.     It  is  en- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


titled:  "An  Act  for  cohabitation  and  encour- 
agement of  Trade  and  Manufacture."  It  was 
a  great  Act,  and  intended  to  work  wonders. 
Its  scheme  was  to  build  a  town  in  each  of  the 
20  comities  of  the  Cnlony.  and  to  ccjuip  them 
with  storehouses  and  other  facilities  of  trade, 
for  the  principal  and  special  object  of  increas- 
ing the  price  of  tobacco.  In  a  nutshell  then, 
the  real  object  sought  in  the  founding  of  Nor- 
folk was  to  raise  the  price  of  tobacco.  The 
Act  leaves  us  in  no  doubt  on  this  point.  It 
says :  "This  present  General  Assembly  have- 
ing  taken  into  their  serious  consideration  the 
greate  necessity,  usefulnesse  and  advantages 
of  cohabitation  in  this  his  majestie's  country 
of  Virginia,  and  observing  and  foreseeing  the 
great  extremities  his  majestie's  subjects  here 
must  necessarily  fall  under  by  the  present  and 
continued  lonuiess  of  the  price  of  tobacco,  the 
only  commodity  and  manufacture  of  this  coun- 
try (if  the  same  be  not  by  all  prudential 
meanes  and  ways  prevented),"  etc.,  etc.  So 
they  decided  that  the  best  way  to  prevent  that 
disaster  was  to  build  towns,  with  storehouses 
for  tobacco,  and  other  commodities,  and  grant 
special  privileges  and  rights  in  connection  with 
them.  They  therefore  selected  20  sites  for 
these  towns,  each  to  be  50  acres  in  area.  We 
think  we  recognize  among  them  the  sites  of 
Suffolk.  Smithtield,  Hampton,  and  other  old 
towns  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State. 
One  was  to  be:  "In  Lower  Norfolke  County 
on  Nicholas  Wise  his  land  on  the  Eastern 
Branch  <m  the  Eliza1)eth  Ri\er  at  the  entrance 
of  the  branch." 

The  Act  then  proceeds  in  a  rather  dicta- 
torial, and  as  we  would  now  say  a  thoroughly 
unconstitutional  way  to  declare  that :  "The 
price  to  be  paid  by  each  county  for  each  re- 
spective fifty  acres  of  land  nominated  as  afore- 
said shalbe  tenn  tlmusand  ])Ounds  of  tobacco 
and  casks,  which  summe  the  owner  or  owners 
thereof  shalbe  and  are  hereby  constrained  to 
accept,  take  and  receive  as  a  full  and  value- 
able  price  and  consideration  for  the  said  land 
forever."  Then  it  provided  that  the  land 
should  be  sold  off'  into  half-acre  lots  for  100 


pounds  of  tobacco  and  "caske,"  the  owner 
building  a  dwelling  house  and  warehouse  upon 
the  same.  As  the  little  towns  were  only  50 
acres  in  area,  it  would  take  but  100  of  these 
purchases  to  close  up  the  transaction.  It  is 
curious  to  note  that  the  city  of  Norfolk  is 
still  the  owner  of  a  part  of  its  50  acres,  thus 
acquired  220  years  ago.  It  sold  nearly  all, 
but  at  Town  Point  a  part  was  reserved ;  it 
was  platted,  divided  into  streets  and  lots,  some 
were  sold,  and  some  were  leased,  but  the  city 
still  has  an  interest  in  the  "Town  Point  Lots," 
as  they  were  called.  They  lie  principally  in 
what  was  then  water,  on  the  south  side  of 
Main  street,  and  to  the  West  of  Fayette,  the 
region  around  the  Norfolk  &  Washington 
Steamboat  Company's  wharf,  and  where  the 
old  toliacco  warehouse  was  to  be  seen  up  to 
a  few  months  ago,  which  was  built  as  a  part 
of  this  grand  scheme  for  raising  the  price  of 
the  weed.  This  warehouse  site  still  belongs 
to  the  city,  and  is  leased  by  it  to  private  per- 
sons. 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  the  different 
procedure  then  adopted  from  that  pursued 
now  in  founding  a  town.  Then  the  county 
bought  the  land.  Iniilt  a  tobacco  warehouse, 
and  resold  the  land  to  individuals,  half-acre 
lots  being  the  unit  of  subdivision.  Now,  a 
ciimpany  buys  a  farm,  lays  it  oft'  in  very 
small  lots,  builds  a  large  hotel,  and  tries  to 
get  factories.  The  old  towns  were  built  to 
raise  the  price  of  tobacco,  the  new  ones,  to  raise 
the  price  of  lots.  To  supply  an  existing  need, 
on  the  part  of  the  world  of  a  new  town  in 
which  to  live,  seems  never  to  have  entered  into 
either  plan. 

The  date  of  Nicholas  Wise's  deed  for  the 
50  acres,  August  i(>.  1682,  might  be  called  the 
birthday  of  our  city.  It  was  christened  Nor- 
folk after  the  county  in  which  it  was  situated, 
then  a  part  of  what  was  called  Lower  Norfolk 
County,  which  comprised  the  present  Norfolk 
County  and  Princess  Anne.  Upper  Norfolk 
County  was  what  we  now  know  as  Nanse- 
mond.  This  was  a  peculiar  arrangement, 
making  "Upper"  and   "Lower"   stand  in  the 


328 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


relation  of  east  and  west  to  each  other,  instead 
of  north  and  soutli.  As  Upper  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty was  as  low  and  level  as  Lower  Norfolk, 
and  stood  tO'  the  west  of  it,  we  can  see  no 
reason,  other  than  a  purely  arbitrary  selection, 
for  these  names.  The  name  of  Norfolk  was 
given  to  the  county  by  Capt.  Adam  Thoro- 
good,  in  loving  memorv  of  his  native  county 
in  Merry  England. 

It  would  seem  that  the  high  and  mighty 
"Act  for  the  cohaljitation  and  encouragment 
of  Trade  and  ^Manufacture"  was  the  only  law 
governing  the  settlement,  as  such.  The  legal 
status  of  the  inhabitants  was  somewhat  pe- 
culiar. The  land  was  bought  by  the  county, 
in  the  name  of  trustees,  but  to  be  resold  in 
fee  simple  at  once,  but  those  who  lived  and 
did  business  within  this  area  had  certain 
special  privileges.  No  separate  government 
was  provided  in  the  Act  for  the  inhabitants  of 
this  immense  territory.  It  was  more  like  a 
"City  of  Refuge,"  where,  under  certain  cir- 
cumstances, you  could  escape  from  creditors' 
attachments,  and  enjoy  peculiar  facilities  for 
handling  tobacco,  which  the  Act  so  pathetically 
declared  was  "the  only  commodity  and  manu- 
facture of  this  country."  We  do  know  that 
it  was  not  merely  the  only  commodity,  but 
the  regular  money  of  the  Colony,  as  coon  skins 
and  other  precious  possessions  have  been  at 
other  times  and  in  other  places.  It  was  this 
last  consideration  which  made  the  lowness  of 
that  vegetable  such  an  affliction  to  the  people 
of  the  Colony — their  money  was  depreciated. 

We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  half- 
acre  lots  were  readily  taken  up  by  new  comers, 
and  that  the  little  village  at  the  eastern  end 
of  Bermuda  street  was  an  active  one,  with  a 
growing  foreign  commerce.  We  can  hope 
that  the  shipwright,  Nicholas  Wise,  lived  to 
see  his  ancestral  acres  covered  with  the  grow- 
ing settlement,  and  never  regretted  selling  it 
for  the  10,000  pounds  of  tobacco,  but  he  most 
likely  did.  We  are  told  that  there  was  a  stock- 
ade built  to  defend  the  place  against  the  In- 
dians. If  this  be  so,  we  can  easily  tell  just 
where  it  would  have  been  placed.     It  would 


have  followed  the  general  line  of  Cove  street, 
reaching  from  one  creek  to  the  other.  The 
situation  of  the  town  was  well  adapted  tO'  de- 
fense, as  it  was  nearly  an  island,  leaving  only 
this  narrow  space  to  fortify.  There  is  quite 
a  dearth  of  traditions  about  tlie  Indians  just 
in  this  locality.  It  is  well  known  that  the 
racial  division  of  those  who  lived  in  this  part 
of  the  country  was  Algoncjuin,  and  that  the 
local  tribe  was  called  the  Chesapeakes,  but  we 
do  not  find  around  here  in  any  profusion  their 
stone  arroiw-heads,  spear-heads,  tomahawks 
and  pottery,  as  is  the  case  around  Richmond, 
and  in  other  parts  of  the  State.  One  would 
infer  from  this,  that  they  were  not  here  in 
great  numbers,  and  that  they  did  nothing  to 
hinder  the  development  of  the  place.  We 
know,  indeed,  from  general  history,  that  the 
serious  conflicts  with  the  Indians  in  Virginia, 
excepting  the  earliest  troubles  arormd  James- 
town, took  place  after  the  western  extension 
of  the  settlements,  and  that  the  eastern  por- 
tions were  spared  from  the  horrors  of  the 
border  warfare  which  often  drenched  the 
earth  with  blood. 

The  legal  status  of  the  inhabitants  under 
the  "Act  for  cohabitation,"  etc.,  continued  for 
54  years.  It  was  changed  by  the  "Charter  of 
the  Borough  of  Norfolk,"  which  was  granted 
by  letters  patent  of  George  II.  on  the  15th  of 
September,  1736,  which  charter  was  confirmed 
by  Act  of  the  General  x'Vssembly,  as  our  legis- 
islature  has  always  been  called,  in  the  same 
year.  It  is  delightful  to  read  this  document. 
It  breathes  such  a  spirit  of  love  and  affection 
from  the  CroAvn  of  Great  Britain  tO'  the  dear 
subjects  in  Virginia,  that  we  nearly  doubt  if 
it  can  be  true  that  in  the  short  space  of  two- 
score  years  the  navy  of  that  same  crown,  in 
the  very  next  reign,  would  utterlv  destroy  the 
little  town  which,  from  this  paper,  one  would 
think  was  the  one  jewel  it  most  dearly  prized. 
It  says :  "^^'hereas,  a  healthful  and  pleasant 
place,  commodious  for  trade  and  navigation, 
by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  our 
Colony  and  Dominion  of  Virginia,  hath  been 
appointed  and  laid  out  for  a  town,  called  by 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


329 


the  name  of  Norfolk ;  wliich  place  of  late  years, 
esi)ecially  (luring-  the  administration  of  our 
trusty  anil  well  beloved  William  Gooch. 
Esq.,  our  Lieutenant-Governor  of  our  said 
Colony,  hath  been  very  greatly  increased  in 
the  number  of  its  inhabitants  and  build- 
ings, in  so  much  that  the  said  town, 
not  being  capable  of  containing  all  such 
persons  as  liave  resorted  thereto,  divers 
of  our  Icn'ing  subjects  lia\e  seated  them- 
selves upon  the  adjoining  land,  so  far  as 
to  a  place  called  the  Town  Bridge.  Know 
ye,  that  we  being  willing  to  encourage  all 
our  good  and  faithful  subjects,  as  well  at 
present  residing  and  inhaliiting,  as  shall  or 
naay  hereafter  reside  and  inhabit  within  the 
said  town  of  Norfolk,  and  the  places  thereunto 
adjoining,  so  far  as  the  Town  Bridge,  at  the 
instance  and  petition  of  divers  of  our  dutiful 
and  loyal  subjects,  inhabitants  of  the  said 
town  and  places  adjacent,  of  our  royal  grace, 
good  will,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  mo- 
tion, with  the  advice  of  our  Council  of  our 
said  Colony,  have  constituted  and  erected,  and 
by  these  our  Letters  Patent,  do  constitute  and 
erect  the  said  town  of  Norfolk  and  the  said 
parts  thereunto  adjoining,  so  far  as  said 
Ijridge,  a  borough,  by  the  name  of  the  Bor- 
ough of  Norfolk;  and  for  us,  our  heirs  and 
successors,  do,  by  these  presents,  grant  to  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  borough  and  the  parts 
adjacent,  that  the  said  borough  and  the  parts 
adjacent  shall  be  a  Ijorough  incorporate,  con- 
sisting of  a  mayor,  one  person  learned  in  the 
law  styled  and  holding  the  office  of  recorder  of 
the  said  borough,  eight  aldermen,  and  sixteen 
other  persons  to  be  common-councilmen  of  the 
said  borough." 

The  officers  were :  Samuel  Boush,  Esq., 
mayor;  Sir  John  Randolph  (Knight),  re- 
corder; and  George  Newton,  Samuel  Boush, 
the  younger,  John  Hutchings,  Robert  Tucker, 
John  Taylor,  Samuel  Smith,  the  younger, 
James  Ivy  and  Alexander  Campbell,  aldermen. 

This  charter  was  signed  by  William 
Gooch,  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  Colony  and  Dominion  of  Vir- 


ginia, at  Williamsburg,  in  the  loth  year  of  the 
reign  of  George  II. 

We  hope  the  W'Orthy  governor  blushed  as 
he  put  his  name  to  the  document  which  de- 
scribed himself  as  the  "trusty  and  well-be- 
loved" of  royalty.  And  with  what  condescen- 
sion must  the  proud  capital  city  of  Williams- 
burg have  looked  down  upon  the  newly-char- 
tered little  borough,  but  the  future  held  very 
different  fortunes  in  store  for  the  two  places. 
The  Sanuiel  Boush,  who  was  appointed  the 
first  mayor,  was  the  first  of  three  of  that 
name.  He  died  within  two  months  of  his 
appointment,  and  was  succeedd  by  George 
Newton,  Esq. 

We  have  heard  a  great  deal  about  this 
same  "Borough"  of  Norfolk.  The  idea  is  quite 
a  popular  one,  and  is  usually  referred  to  in  an 
affectionate,  amused  sort  of  way,  as  if  it  were 
a  pretty  good  joke  that  this  place  was  once  a 
borough,  and  persons  speak  of  it  in  an  easy, 
off-hand  manner,  as  if  they  knew  everything 
that  there  was  to  be  known  alx)ut  boroughs, 
and  presume  that  everyone  else  did  the  same. 
The  fact  is,  few  of  us  know  anything  at  all 
about  them,  and  it  is  really  a  very  difficult  mat- 
ter to  define  clearly  what  is  a  borough.  In  Pol- 
lock &  I\Iaitland's  great  work,  the  "History  of 
English  Law,"  54  pages  are  devoted  to  at- 
tempting to  explain  wnat  a  borough  w^as,  and 
it  is  none  too  clear  when  you  have  read  them, 
as  the  authors  themselves  confess.  The  con- 
trast is  between  vills  on  the  one  side  and  cities 
on  the  other.  They  say :  "Certain  vills  are 
more  than  vills;  they  are  boroughs  (burgi); 
certain  boroughs  are  more  than  boroughs ; 
i  they  are  cities  (civitates).  The  latter  of  these 
two  distinctions  has  little  or  no  meaning  in 
law.  A  usage,  which  seems  to  have  its  roots 
in  the  remote  histor}  of  Gaul,  will  give  the 
name  city  to  none  but  a  cathedral  town.  *  *  * 
What  is  the  legal  conception  of  a  borough? 
The  answer  seeins  to  be:  It  is  a  mass  of  fran- 
chises, or  again,  it  is  a  group  or  body  of  men> 
a  community  or  corporation,  enjoying  a  mass 
of  franchises."  The  authors  then  go  on  to  dis- 
cuss some  of  the  franchises  which    might    or 


330 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


might  not  belong  to  a  borough,  and  consider 
in  turn  jurisdictional  privileges,  that  is,  the 
right  to  hold  courts ;  tenurial  privileges,  that  is, 
the  sort  of  title  by  which  the  land  is  to  be  held ; 
mercantile  privileges;  the  finiia  biirgi,  or  right 
to  farm  or  rent  the  borough  from  the  king,  for 
such  or  such  a  length  of  time,  for  the  purpose 
of  receiving  such  profits  as  arose  in  connection 
with  tolls,  the  fines  of  courts,  and  such  rents 
or  taxes  as  were  paid  to  the  king;  the  election 
of  officers  and  constitution  of  the  borough  j  by- 
laws and  self-government ;  self-taxing  powers  ; 
and  the  guild  merchant.  After  discussing 
these  fully,  ihey  say:  "We  may  now  recur  to 
the  question  whence  we  set  out — Could  a  bor- 
ough be  defined?  We  much  doubt  it."  The 
result  of  the  whole  discussion  seems  to  be,  that 
the  rights  of  the  borough  were  privileges 
granted  to  the  men  who  composed  the  town, 
and  did  not  belong  tO'  an  abstraction,  such  as 
the  modern  conception  of  a  municipal  cor- 
poration, a  modern  city,  a  being  in  law  dis- 
tinct from  any  or  all  of  its  inhabitants,  but 
that  this  idea  was  slowly  being  developed. 
The  matter,  in  strict  law,  is  very  involved,  and 
we  can  probably  as  well  conclude  that  the  bor- 
ough was  merely  a  rudimentary  city,  the  legal 
notions  in  connection  with  which,  as  we  are 
now  familiar  with  them,  not  having  been  then 
fully  developed. 

However  all  that  may  have  been,  our  bor- 
ough must  have  been  a  flourishing  one,  for 
vrithin  25  years,  that  is,  in  1761,  the  legisla- 
ture passed  "An  Act  for  enlarging  and  ascer- 
taining the  limits  of  the  Borough  of  Norfolk, 
and  for  other  purposes  therein  mentioned." 
This  Act  recites  the  fact  that  "his  late  majesty 
King  George  the  Second,  of  happy  and  glori- 
ous memory,"  had  granted  the  charter  above 
mentioned,  and  that :  "Since  the  date  of  the 
said  charter,  divers  persons,  proprietors  of  the 
lands  adjacent  to  the  said  borough,  have  laid 
out  the  same  into  lots  and  streets,  many  of 
which  are  built  on  and  improved,  and  people 
are  daily  resorting  thither,  and  it  is  now  be- 
come a  doubt  whether  the  proprietors  of  such 
adjacent  lots  are  to  be  considered  and  deemed 


inhabitants  of  the  said  borough,  and  entitled 
to  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities 
granted  by  the  said  charter."  It  was,  there- 
fore, declared  that  the  boundaries  of  the  town 
should  be  as  follows :  "Beginning  at  the  head 
of  a  creek,  called  Newton's  Creek,  and  thence, 
within  a  line  to  be  run  North  59  degrees  West 
72  poles  to  the  head  of  Smith's  Creek;  thence 
along  the  said  Smith's  Creek,  according  to  its 
various  courses  and  meanders,  to  the  mouth 
thereof  in  Elizabeth  River;  thence,  bounding 
on  the  said  river  the  different  courses  thereof, 
to  the  muiith  of  the  said  Newton's  Creek,  and 
thence  up  the  said  Newton's  Creek  to  the  be- 
ginning." 

Nothing  could  be  clearer  or  more  satisfac- 
tory than  this,  of  course;  and  it  must  have 
lifted  a  load  off  the  troubled  niinds  of  those  in- 
habitants who  doubted  whether  they  were  or 
were  not  blessed  with  the  "rights,  privileges 
and  immunities  granted  by  the  said  charter" 
to  the  happy  ones  within  its  fold.  As  it  was 
passed  to  solve  a  doubt  as  to  what  was  within 
the  coveted  area,  the  Act,  of  course,  would  be 
itself  perfectly  clear ;  so  it  just  began  at  the 
head  of  Xewton's  Creek,  and  then  ran  across 
to  the  head  of  Smith's  Creek,  and  then  went 
down  Smith's  Creek  tO'  the  river,  etc.  But, 
alas !  the  questions  then  arose :  What  is  the 
head  of  Newton's  Creek?  What  is  the  head 
of  Smith's  Creek?  Different  answers  were 
given.  The  borough,  with  that  self-denying 
spirit  which  has  ever  characterized  municipal 
corporations,  claimed  that  the  lines  took  in 
everything  on  earth  that  they  could  take  in, 
and  that  this  northern  line  began  at  the  end  of 
the  longest  branch  of  Newton's  Creek,  way  u^ 
there  at  Princess  Anne  avenue,  and  ran  across 
that  road  to  the  end  of  the  creek  between  the 
two  cemeteries.  The  other  contention  was 
that  it  began  at  a  branch  of  Newton's  Creek 
that  ran  up  behind  ^^'ood  street,  in  the  rear  of 
St.  Vincent's  Hospital,  and  that  it  crossed 
Church  street  at  about  the  corner  of  Bute,  and 
ran  over  to  Smith's  Creek  at  the  end  of  one  of 
its  branches.  The  difference  in  the  areas  in- 
cluded    under    the    two     constructions     was. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


331 


roughly,  the  whole  of  the  Fourth  Ward,  that 
beautiful  northern  portion  of  our  city  inhab- 
ited by  so  nianv  Afro-Americans.  They  say 
that  there  is,  or  was,  a  stone  on  the  east  side  of 
Church  street  marking  the  true  borough  line 
in  accordance  with  this  last  construction. 

It  would  seein  to  the  writer  that  the  first 
contention  was  clearly  correct  under  the  words 
of  the  Act  of  1761 ;  but  the  question  had  been 
raised,  and  seems  to  have  given  considerable 
trouble,  for  we  find  that  on  January  2,  1804, 
the  General  Assembly  passed:  "An  Act  add- 
ing certain  land  of  Thomas  Xewton  to  the 
borough  of  Norfolk."  This  Act  declared 
that:  "All  the  property  of  Thomas  Newton 
as  the  same  is  now  laid  off  into  lots  and  streets, 
adjoining  the  borough  of  Norfolk,  shall  be 
and  is  hereby  added  to  and  made  a  part  of  the 
said  borough,"  etc.  This  land  lay  between  the 
two  contending  lines,  but  did  not  comprehend 
it  all ;  so  the  question  came  up  again,  and  was 
not  finally  settled  until  January  3,  1807,  when 
the  legislature  referred  the  matter  to  William 
White,  John  Hancock  and  Tliomas  Calvert, 
Gentlemen,  who  were  empowered  to  take  a 
surveyor  and  run  the  line  according  to  the  Act 
of  1 76 1.  They  decided  in  favor  of  the  larger 
area,  and  this  settled  the  question.  The 
boundaries  thus  established  continued  to  be 
the  limits  of  the  city  until  July  i,  1887,  when 
Brambleton  was  added.  They  were  again  en- 
larged on  February  22,  1890,  by  the  Atlantic 
City  annexation,  which  was  larger  than  all  the 
other  wards  of  the  city  together,  including 
Brambleton.  May  we  all  live  to  see  the  fine 
farms  included  in  this  ward  bualt  up  into  a 
splendid  metropolis.  The  legislature  has  again 
this  year  (1902)  enlarsred  our  borders,  taking 
in  another  large  tract  to  the  north  of  the  town, 
including  La  Fayette  Park. 

What  sort  of  a  place  was  Norfolk  in  those 
early  days?  It  was  a  quaint  little  town,  with 
beautiful  views  of  the  water  in  every  direction. 
The  wealth  and  fashion  of  the  borough  resided 
on  Bermuda  street,  the  east  end  of  Main  street, 
Fenchurch,  Holt,  Chapel  and  other  streets  in 
that  section.     There  are  many  persons  living 


in  Norfolk  who  have  ne\-ev  been  down  Ber- 
muda street.  They  oueht  to  visit  it.  It  is  a 
peculiar-looking  street.  Originally  it  only  ex- 
tended as  far  west  as  to  Chapel,  and  was  after- 
ward carried  through  to  Church  by  a  sort  of 
lane.  The  narrowness  of  this  street  is  due  to 
the  ideas  which  prevailed  in  ancient  times  when 
cities  had  walls  around  them,  and  as  it  cost 
much  to  build  and  maintain  city  walls,  they 
could  not  take  in  unnecessarily  large  areas, 
and  what  was  taken  in  was  too  valuable  to  be 
wasted  in  wide  streets.  It  was  easier  to  econ- 
omize in  the  width  of  the  streets  than  to  build 
longer  city  walls.  So  this  street  represents  a 
past'  age.  ^lany  of  its  characteristic  houses 
have  disappeared,  and  have  been  replaced  by 
the  ugly,  expressionless  but  comfortable  boxes 
we  now  build,  but  some  of  the  old  patriarchs 
yet  remain.  That  whole  section  was,  no 
doubt,  handsomer  in  its  buildings  fpnnerly 
than  now, — one  large  house  being  pulled  down 
and  several  small  ones  built  in  its  place.  Here 
lived  the  Boushes,  Cornicks,  Keelings,  Hunt- 
ers, A\'alkes,  Thorogoods,  Hancocks,  Wood- 
houses,  ^iloseleys,  Chapmans,  Hayneses, 
Whitehursts,  Smiths,  Drewreys,  Newtons, 
Tatenis,  Herberts,  Kempes,  Butts,  Tuckers, 
Cookes,  Reileys,  Calverts,  Taylors,  Seldens, 
Whiteheads,  Wilsons  and  either  promineiit 
families. 

The  gravestones  in  St.  Paul's  Churchyard, 
which  might  lie  considered  our  earliest  city 
directory,  among  many  others,  contain  these 
names:  Tyler,  Sanders,  Baker,  Pollard,  Mac- 
gill,  Nivison,  Guthrie,  Hall,  Lambert,  Whittle, 
Barron,  Finley,  Portlock,  Laml),  Coviper, 
Armistead,  Randolph,  Johnston,  McPherson, 
Slaughter,  Steed,  Ijoswell,  Greenwood,  Bane, 
Allmand,  Robinson,  Vickers,  Holliday,  Ruth- 
erford, Stark,  Read.  Reid,  Wadde'y,  Bell, 
Bowden,  Thorburn,  Simm<ins,  Mercer,  Lee, 
Good,  Kerr,  Triplett,  Hayes,  Adams,  Mitchell, 
Davis,  \\'^illiamson,  Francis,  Pugh,  Thomp- 
son, Donaldson,  Scott,  King,  Gray,  Allan, 
Martin,  Walker,  Harris,  Hodges,  Bennett, 
Thomas,  Watson,  Coles  and  Hutchings, — 
names  that  we  are  more  or  less  familiar  with, 


332 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  wliich  are  borne  by  many  of  our  promi- 
nent citizens  to-day ;  and  these  with  which  we 
are  less  familiar :  Begg,  Hansford,  Stratton, 
Southwick,  McDowall,  Abyvon,  Bacon,  Dale, 
Blaney,  Bowring.  [Maxwell,  Chandler,  Dana, 
Duesberry,  Hiort,  Farmar,  Cantelo,  Brunet, 
Crommelin,  Ritson.  Soutter,  Kighley,  Patter- 
son, Farrer,  Singleton,  Eilbeck,  Craik,  Whyt, 
Fleet,  Henop,  Ritchie.  English,  Sloan,  Raine, 
Norris,  Lugg,  Stearns,  Bragg  and  Gwynn, 
All  of  these  will  be  recognized  as  good  old 
English  names,  with  a  fair  sprinkling  of 
Scotch. 

The  style  of  house  called  the  "Dutch 
Roof"  was  common  in  Norfolk  in  early  days, 
and  many  are  still  to  be  seen.  Tho  writer  has 
heard  that  the  peculiar  form  of  this  construc- 
tion, of  having  the  roof  come  down  over  the 
second  story,  was  due  to  a  desire  on  the  part  of 
the  owjiers  to  lighten  the  burden  of  their  taxes. 
That  there  was  once  a  law  which  taxed  all  the 
windows  in  a  house  below  the  roof,  and  that 
under  these  circumstances  it  became  somewhat 
the  fashion  to  minimize  the  number  of  win- 
dows which  the  tax-gatherer  could  so  count. 
Most  of  the  houses  had  good-sized  gardens, 
the  original  subdivision  having  been  into  half- 
acre  lots,  that  is,  105  feet  by  210  in  area',  or 
eight  times  the  size  now  common.  These  lots 
the  owners  usually  took  care  to  cover  up  as 
little  as  possible  with  their  houses,  preferring 
to  build  very  close  to  the  street  line,  and,  if 
they  could,  put  all  the  porch  and  front  steps 
out  on  the  sidewalk.  In  some  cases  these  took 
up  nearly  the  whole  width  of  tne  pavement,  to 
the  great  discomfort  of  the  weary  wayfarer, 
but  as  he  had  probably  done  the  same  thing 
himself,  or  knew  he  would,  if  he  ever  built  a 
house,  he  did  not  complain. 

Most  unfortunately  none  of  the  original 
houses  of  Norfolk  are  extant ;  the  walls  of  St. 
Paul's  Church  are  the  only  ones  which  sur- 
vived the  conflagration  which  swept  the  town 
out  of  existence  on  January  i,  1776,  when 
during  the  bombardment  of  the  place  by  the 
British  fleet  under  Lord  Dunmore,  the  flourish- 
ing little  seaport  was  made  a  smouldering  heap 


of  ashes,  ^^'e  have,  therefore,  no  house  older 
than  125  years.  The  population  of  Norfolk  at 
that  time  is  stated  to  have  been  over  6,000. 
Its  trade  was  considerable,  and  its  condition 
exceedingly  prosperous.  But  for  this  crush- 
ing blow  there  is  no  telling  what  the  size  and 
importance  of  this  city  might  not  have  been. 

The  first  tract  of  land  settled  was,  of 
course,  the  50  acres  sold  by  Nicholas  Wise,  Jr., 
in  1682.  This  is  the  "down  town"  of  Nor- 
folk, including  all  of  the  city  south  of  City  Hall 
avenue  and  Cove  street.  Its  southern  line  was 
the  river,  which  came  up  very  nearly  to  2\Iain 
street.  We  have  even  heard  that  Union  street 
was  at  one  time  the  port-warden's  line.  Water 
street  certainly  derived  its  name  from  the  fact 
that  it  was  originally  a  part  of  the  river.  We 
have  no  map  which  gives  accurately  the  river 
frontage  of  the  town,  but  we  know  enough  to 
be  able  to  say  that  the  two  angles  in  Main 
street  were  made  on  account  of  the  positions 
of  two  creeks,  and  that  this  street  was  a  road 
following  the  line  of  the  middle  of  the  high 
land.  The  angle  near  Commerce  street  was 
necessary  to  avoid  a  branch  of  Town  Back 
Creek  which  ran  in  from  the  north,  and  the 
angle  near  Church  street  was  formed  to  escape 
from  a  branch  of  the  river  which  made  up  from 
the  south.  An  ancient  deed  to  property  on 
the  south  side  of  j\Iain  street,  at  this  point, 
gives  us  the  information  that  this  creek  came 
up  to  within  363  feet  of  this  street,  which 
would  be  a  point  between  ^lain  and  Union, 
Union,  therefore,  having  been  water  at  this 
point  originally.  Its  appearance  here  does  not 
particularly  suggest  water  now.  It  much 
more  suggests  whiskey. 

The  first  Court  House  was  about  the  cen- 
ter of  this  tract,  on  Main  street,  at  the  head  of 
old  [Market  Square.  This  was  used  both  by 
the  county  of  Norfolk  and  the  borough.  The 
jail  buildings  were  between  it  and  Talbot 
street.  Another  Court  House  was  built  in 
1790,  on  East  Main  street,  about  the  corner 
of  Nebraska  (a  view  of  this  building  is  shown 
on  Page  24  of  this  work).  In  1836  an  ordi- 
nance was  passed  providing  for  the  filling  up 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


333 


of  Town  Back  Creek,  above  Bank  street 
bridge,  for  a  public  square.  It  was  liere  tliat 
tlie  i)resent  Court  House  was  built. 

The  deeds  to  tlie  lots  for  this  old  portion 
of  the  town,  made  to  private  persons  by  the 
county,  ran  from  Main  street  down  to  the  river 
on  the  south,  and  from  Main  street  to  the 
creeks  on  the  north.  There  is  at  least  one  of 
these  lots  still  held  by  the  owners  under  these 
ancient  conveyances,  with  a  wide  frontage  on 
Main  street,  running  back  toward  the  north, 
across  Plume  street  to  City  Hall  avenue,  then 
the  blue  waters,  or  black  mud,  of  Town  Back 
Creek.  This  tract  is  where  the  Academy  of 
Music  now  stands.  The  property  immediately 
to  the  west  of  it  was  also  so  owned  until  the 
last  two  or  three  years,  when  the  square  be- 
tween Plume  street  and  City  Hall  avenue  was 
sold  off. 

There  was  no  genera!  plan  of  subdivision 
of  this  portion  of  the  city  into  squares  and  lots. 
The  streets  opened  through  it,  such  as  Roa- 
noke Square,  Commerce,  Atlantic  and  Talbot 
streets,  were  opened  by  private  persons  dedi- 
cating part  of  their  lots  for  that  purpose. 
Even  Church  street  stopped  at  Main,  and  did 
nnt  go  through  to  the  water  until  after  1802. 
Old  Market  Square,  now  Conmiercial  Place, 
was  probably  an  exception,  and  seems  to  have 
been  reserved  by  the  authorities  on  account  of 
keeping  open  the  ferry  landing  at  the  end  of 
it.  at  the  old  "County  Dock."  as  it  was  called. 

Both  sides  of  Main  street  were  badly  cut 
up  by  a  number  of  narrow  private  lanes,  gen- 
erally coming  into  the  street  at  oblique  angles. 
Many  of  these  have  been  closed  in  recent  years, 
as  the  property  has  become  too  valuable  for 
commercial  purposes  to  let  these  rights  of  way 
interfere  with  buildings. 

W't  are  t<  'Id  that  Talbot  street  was  the  first 
street  in  the  town  that  was  paved,  and  Forrest, 
writing  in  1853,  "•*  '*^"d  '"  praise  of  this  mag- 
nificent thoroughfare,  with  its  splendid  houses. 
Think  nf  Talbot  street  as  paved  and  handsome, 
when  ^Nlain  street  was  in  the  condition  of  a 
mere  country  road! 

Church  street    is    our    most  ancient  road 


from  the  city.  Its  whole  course,  gaieral  direc- 
tion and  angles,  are  controlled  by  the  creeks 
which  lay  to  the  east  and  west  of  it.  It  began 
a  little  to  the  west  of  the  first  angle  of  Main 
street,  and  ran  in  a  straight  line  in  a  northerly 
direction  as  far  as  Holt,  running  midway  be- 
tween Town  Back  Creek  on  the  west  and  Xew- 
ton's  Creek  on  the  east.  There  it  swerved  off 
to  the  west,  to  avoid  another  branch  of  New- 
ton's Creek  which  came  across  it  at  the  inter- 
section of  Charlotte.  It  would  seem  that  it 
could  not  go  far  enough  to  the  west  to  en- 
tirely get  around  this  creek,  and  that  the  creek 
had  to  be  bridged.  This  liridge  was  called 
"Town  Bridge,"  a  name  whicJi  still  clings  to 
the  locality,  although  the  bridge,  and  creek 
have  both  vanished.  Then  Church  street 
curved  over  to  the  east  again,  but  just  far 
enough  to  escape  a  .third  branch  of  Newton's 
Creek  which  came  up  on  the  north  side  of 
Wood'  street,  opposite  the  corner  of  Bute. 
Then  this  road  performed  a  beautiful  curve  to 
the  west,  so  as  to  exactly  miss  the  head  of  the 
fourth  branch  of  this  same  creek,  which  came 
up  to  it,  opposite  to  the  corner  of  Nicholson 
street.  Then  it  went  off  to  the  east  again  so  as 
to  avoid  the  tail  end  of  Glebe  Creek,  which 
came  up  froin  the  west  on  the  other  side  of  the 
cemeteries.  The  road  was  now  fairly  out  of 
town.  It  had  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the 
borough  creeks,  but  we  know  it  did  not  get  far 
before  it  had  to  settle  accounts  with  Tanner's 
Creek. 

The  first  thing  which  would  strike  you, 
going  out  this  old  road  from  town,  would  be 
the  churchyard,  just  outside  of  the  "Town 
Lands"  in  the  country,  at  the  corner  of  Co\'e 
street,  with  the  old  church  in  it — St.  Paul's, — 
the  official  church,  the  church  established  and 
maintained  by  law,  and  as  nmcli  a  part  of  the 
general  scheme  of  government  as  the  courts  of 
law  or  any  other  department.  The  present 
brick  church  was  built  in  1739.  just  three  years 
?fter  the  charter  of  the  borough,  but  this  build- 
ing took  the  place  of  a  much  more  ancient  edi- 
fice, which  antedated  it  considerably,  bow 
much  we  do  not  know,  nor  whether  that  one 


334 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


was  the  first  Episcopal  cluirch  building  in  this 
immediate  locality,  although  it  most  probably 
was,  as  there  was  only  a  period  of  57  years  be- 
tween the  deed  from  Wise  to  the  date  of  the 
present  church.  However  that  may  be,  we 
know  that  Rev.  John  \\'ilson  was  the  minister 
here  in  1637.  An  entry  in  the  vestry  book  of 
1750  allows  James  Pasteur  to  have  the  bricks 
and  timber  of  the  "Old  Church"  with  which  to 
build  a  house  on  the  school  land,  wherever  that 
might  be.  It  would  seem  that  these  timbers 
should  have  been  well  seasoned  when  Mr. 
Pasteur  received  them,  as  the  church  must  have 
been  keeping  them  for  1 1  }'ears,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  their  previous  age. 

The  parish  of  which  this  church  was  the 
principal  house  of  worship  was  called  Eliza- 
beth River  Parish.  With  its  large  graveyard 
it  must  have  been  one  of  the  most  striking 
things  in  or  near  the  sttlenient.  It  is  to-day 
easily  the  most  interesting  historic  object  in 
the  city.  It  stood  upon  land  given  by  Samuel 
Boush,  although  this  has  been  questioned. 
This  must  have  been  Mayor  Boush,  the  first  oi 
the  three  of  that  name,  but  as  he  died  in  1736, 
the  initials  "S.  B."  in  its  south  wall  must  have 
been  for  a  memorial  to  him ;  they  did  not  refer 
to  either  of  the  other  two,  because  the  second 
Samuel  Boush  did  not  own  this  tract,  and  the 
ownership  of  the  Boush  tract  on  the  part  of 
the  third  arose  at  a  later  date  than  that  of  the 
"Old  Church"  above  referred  to.  It  was  g-iven 
to  him  by  the  will  of  his  grandfather,  the  first 
of  the  name,  and  the  property  had  belonged  to 
the  church  for  years  before  that  time. 

Although  the  church  goes  back  to  a  very 
early  date,  none  of  the  graves  in  the  church- 
yard are  earlier  than  1700, — any  stones  there 
of  prior  dates  were  brought  from  elsewhere. 
Interments  before  that  time  must  have  been 
in  private  grounds.  From  about  this  time, 
however,  until  1836  this  was  the  regular  ceme- 
tery of  the  borough. 

The  church  was  supported  partly  by  taxes, 
the  vestry  having  authority  in  law  to  levy  them 
for    its    support,    each    taxable    person    being 


charged  33  pounds  of  tobaccd,  and  in  case  of 
delay  or  non-payment  the  sheriff  was  ordered 
"to  Make  Distress  and  Sail;"  partly  by  the  hire 
of  its  slaves,  the  names  of  five  of  whom  have 
come  do'wn  to-  us :  Davy,  Soil,  Ishmael,  Sarah 
and  Nell,  their  yearly  hire  ranging  from  £8 
15s.  for  Davy  to  £1  los.  for  Nell;  and  partly 
by  the  rents  or  produce  of  its  Glebe,  or  farm, 
which  was  at  one  time  a  tract  of  86  acres  of 
land  in  the  city  here,  a  part  of  which  was 
known  to  us  as  "The  Point,"  the  fashionable 
residential  portion  of  the  city.  This  particular 
glebe  was  sold  by  the  vestry  in  1734  and  an- 
other glebe  was  acquired  in  its  place.  The 
former  is  often  referred  to  as  the  "Old  Glebe." 
We  will  say  more  about  this  tract  later  on. 
The  minister  was  paid  in  tobacco,  his  salary 
being  fixed  by  law  at  16,000  pounds  a  year, 
which  was  the  general  compensation  provided 
for  ministers,  just  as  general  law  now  regu- 
lates the  salaries  of  judges.  The  ministers  be- 
longed to  the  department  of  religion,  just  as 
the  judges  belonged  to>  the  department  of  jus- 
tice. The  amount  of  their  salaries  throws 
much  light  on  the  value  of  the  original  50 
acres  bought  from  Nicholas  Wise,  he  receiv- 
ing, therefore,  for  this  tract  an  amount  equal 
to  only  five-eighths  of  a  minister's  salary  for 
a  year.  The  washing  of  the  minister's  surplice 
cost  60  pounds  of  tobacco.  We  can  tell  from 
this  that  the  general  tax  of  33  pounds  for  the 
support  O'f  the  church  was  not  very  oppres- 
sive. 

The  vestries  of  the  church  in  those  days 
were  bodies  of  considerable  power,  having  con- 
trol over  many  subjects  which  we  would  now 
consider  purely  political.  They  exercised  the 
chief  authority  in  the  parish ;  they  apportioned 
the  parish  taxes ;  they  appointed  the  church- 
wardens; presented  the  minister  for  induction 
into  office;  and  acted  as  overseers  of  the  poor. 
They  were  an  oligarchical  body,  having  power 
tO'  fill  vacancies  in  their  own  number.  This 
form  of  church  go\-ernment  continued  up  to 
the  Revolution.  Rev.  Thomas  Davis  was  the 
rector  of  St.  Paul's  when,  on  January  i,  1776, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


335 


the  24-pound  shot  was  lired  into  the  wall  from 
the  frig^ate  "Liverpool,"  and  the  church  was 
burned  with  the  rest  of  the  town,  only  its  walls 
remaining. 

The  success  of  the  Revolution  swept  away 
the  legal  establishment  of  the  church  and  the 
powers  of  its  \-estries.  They  were  disliked  by 
those  not  regular  members  of  the  Episcopai 
Church,  and  were  considered  incompatible 
with  republican  principles  and  with  the  free- 
dom of  conscience  and  religion.  Its  glebes 
were  confiscated  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  as 
being  a  portion  of  the  property  of.  the  British 
Crown,  to  whose  rights,  by  virtue  of  the  re- 
sult of  the  war,  the  State  had  succeeded,  and 
were  granted  out  again  by  the  State  to  private 
persons.  For  this  unjustifiable  proceeding- 
Thomas  Jefferson,  then  in  full  power  in  Vir- 
ginia, has  been  generally  held  responsible. 
The  glebes  should  have  been  allowed  to  re- 
main the  propertv  uf  the  congregations,  for  the 
support  of  their  churches,  though  disestab- 
hshed,  as  much  so  as  the  church  buildings 
themselves.  But  this  \-ie\v,  although  strenu- 
oiJsly  insisted  upon,  and  urged  in  the  highest 
court,  was  not  allowed  to  prevail. 

The  church  building  was  restored  by  the 
year  1785.  A  few  years  later  a  deplorable  dis- 
pute arose  between  rival  factions  for  its  cou- 
trol  and  possession.  Two  parsons  claimed  it 
as  theirs, — Mr.  Whitehead  and  Mr.  Bland. 
They  di\-ided  the  services,  one  appearing  in 
the  morning  and  the  other  in  the  evening.  Mr. 
Whitehead  finally  withdrew  from  the  unseemly 
contest,  and  left  the  church  in  possession  of 
his  unworthy  rival,  who  was  much  more  of  a 
sporting  character  than  an  orthodox  minister. 
We  are  not  surprised  to  hear  that  within  a 
short  time  after  this  the  church  fell  into  decay 
and  was  abandoned  by  its  congregation.  It 
was  even  occupied  for  a  while  by  a  colored 
Baptist  congregation.  It  was  at  this  time  that 
Christ  Church  was  founded  by  the  Episcopal- 
ians, the  original  building  of  this  church  hav- 
ing been  erected  about  1800.  St.  Paul's  came 
back  again  into  the  possession  of  its  former 


owners  in  1832,  when  it  was  repaired  and  re- 
consecrated, and  entered  upon  a  new  course  of 
usefulness. 

Shorn  of  her  power  to  tax,  despoiled  of  her 
slaves  and  robbed  of  her  Glebe,  she  continues 
to  our  day,  more  beautiful  than  ever  before, 
a  potent  factor  in  the  spiritual  life  of  our  city. 
]\Iantled  with  ivy  and  shaded  by  elms,  the  Old 
Church  keeps  guard  over  the  dead  of  past  gen- 
erations sleeping  within  her  quiet  fold,  and 
watches  over  hundreds  of  to-day  who'  love  her 
for  her  present  and  her  past.  Well  may  we 
say  of  her:   "Esto  perpetua." 

In  pursuing  our  walk  out  the  main  road 
we  w'ould  find  that  Old  Norfolk  was  divided 
into  eight  parts.  There  was,  first,  the  50  acres 
of  the  original  town, — these  we  have  left  be- 
hind us ;  then  there  were  six  distinct  tracts 
which  we  would  pass,  three  on  each  side  of 
the  road ;  and  lastly,  there  was  the  "Old 
Glebe,"  to  the  west,  not  on  the  road  but  far  off 
in  the  country  and  quite  out  of  the  way.  The 
three  tracts  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  were 
the  Samuel  Boush  tract,  "Smith's  Other 
Land,"  and  the  Newton  property;  the  three  on 
the  east  were  the  Walke  property,  the  W^ilson 
Newton  tract  and  "Botish's  Pasture." 

The  largest  of  these  was  the  Boush  tract. 
This  magnificent  piece  of  property  began  at  the 
corner  of  Cove  and  Church,  at  St.  Paul's 
Church,  ran  northerly  up  Church  to  Bute, 
westwardly  up  Bute  to  a  stone  in  its  northern 
side,  which  may  be  seen  to  this  day  in  the  side- 
walk opposite  the  house  numbered  276,  then 
southerly  midAvay  between  Boush  and  Duke 
streets  to  Town  Back  Creek,  and  eastwardly 
up  its  channel,  or  south  side,  to  Cove  street, 
and  along  it  to  Church  street.  In  area  it  was 
98  acres,  and  was  granted  by  the  Colony  of 
Virginia,  acting  through  Nathaniel  Bacon,  its 
Governor,  on  April  16,  1690,  to  William  Por- 
teen,  in  consideration  of  his  having  imported 
two  persons  into  the  Colony.  As  he  was  en- 
titled to  50  acres  for  each  imported  person, 
we  w^onder  ho^v  Mr.  Porteen  was  finally  satis- 
fied  for  those  two-fiftieths  of  a  person   im- 


336 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ported  whicli  was  not  settled  for  by  this  tract 
of  only  98  acres. 

Porteen,  we  are  told,  had  become  the 
owner  of  the  150  acres  left  over  from  Nicholas 
Wise's  200,  Wise  having  sold  toi  Charles 
^^'ilder,  and  Wilder  having  sold  to  Porteen, 
and  he  is  said  to  have  obtained  one  patent  for 
all,  his  own  98  and  the  150  he  had  purchased, 
and  had  them  included  in  a  patent  for  248 
acres.  This  is  said  tO'  have  included  the  98 
acres  of  the  Samuel  Boush  property,  86  acres 
of  the  "Old  Glebe,"  and  64  acres  of  what  we 
can  only  call  "Smith's  Other  Land,"  for  want 
of  a  better  name.  But  it  is  clear  tO'  the  writer 
that  the  patent  stated  as  that  which  covers  these 
three  tracts  only  includes  the  Boush  property, 
the  title  to  the  other  150  acres,  no  doubt,  really 
rests  on  the  original  patent  to  Wise,  although 
Porteen  may  ha\'e  afterward  gotten  another 
patent  for  all  the  248  acres  together,  but  we 
have  never  seen  this  patent. 

This  Samuel  Boush  tract  O'f  98  acres  in- 
cluded the  whole  or  a  part  of  these  streets : 
Boush,  Granby,  Brewer,  Bank,  Cumberland, 
the  west  side  of  Church  from  Cove  to  Bute, 
the  south  side  of  Bute,  Charlotte,  Freemason, 
College  Place  and  Washington  street.  On 
this  property  is  built  a  large  number  of  the 
oldest  and  handsomest  residences  in  the  city, 
and  the  value  of  the  tract  to-day  would  have  to 
be  expressed  in  millions.  It  includes  the  Gran- 
by Theater,  the  Monticello  Hotel,  stately  dwell- 
ings, nearly  all  our  churches  and  many  of  our 
stores.  The  legal  right  to  all  of  this  rests  upon 
the  following  chain  of  title: 

Colony  of  Virginia  to  William  Porteen,  patent, 
April   16,  1690. 

William  Porteen.  descent  to  Daniel  Porteen,  his  son, 

Daniel  Porteen's  executor,  sale  to  Maximilian 
Boush. 

Maximilian  Boush,  sale  to  Samuel  Boush,  mayor. 

Samuel  Boush,  by  will  to  his  grandson,  Samuel 
Boush,  the  third. 

The  land  is  thus  described  in  the  patent 
from  the  Colony  to  William  Porteen: 

"Beginning  at  a  marked  cedar  on  a  point 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Back  Creek,  being  a  cor- 
ner tree  of  the  town  bounds  (that  is,  at  Town 


Point),  and  crossing  over  the  creek  to  a  white 
oak  on  the  Glebe  land  (this  must  have  been  at 
the  water's  edge,  midway  between  Boush  and 
Duke  streets),  thence  bounding  on  the  Glebe 
land  North-North-East  94  poles  (1,551  feet) 
to  a  white  oak  (this  point  is  now  marked  by 
the  stone  above  referred  to  in  the  north  side  of 
Bute  street,  opposite  No.  276),  thence  on  the 
Glebe  land.  East  bv  South  82  poles  (1,35.3, 
feet)  tO'  a  pine  (this  was  at  the  corner  of 
Brewer  and  Bute),  thence  on  the  land  of  Ad- 
ams, East  by  South  iii  poles  (1,831  feet)^  to 
a  dog-wood,  ■  thence  18  poles  (297  feet,  bring- 
ing the  line  up  to  Church  street),  thence  cross- 
ing over  tO'  a  chincopin,  another  corner  of  the 
town  land  (this  is  believed  to  take  the  line 
down  Chivirh  street  to  Cove),  thence  bound- 
ing on  the  bounds  of  the  town  land  according 
to  the  courses  thereof  to  the  first  mentioned 
cedar  (that  is,  up  Town  Back  Creek  to  Town 
Point,  the  place  of  beginning)." 

The  dil^culties  in  interpreting  these  old 
deeds  do>  not  arise  only  on  account  of  their 
antiquity.  There  were  some  contradictions 
and  confusions  in  them  from  the  beginning. 
The  patent  given  above  as  of  248  acres  to 
\\'illiam  Porteen  is  spoken  cf  as  "inclusive;" 
we  have  already  stated  that  we  do  not  think 
this  was  correct,  and  this  is  proved  to  be  so  by 
the  statement  in  that  patent  that  it  was  for 
the  importation  of  izvo  persons,  which  would 
include  98  acres,  but  not  248.  Again,  what 
becomes  of  the  patent  for  200  acres  to  Will- 
oughby,  the  first  of  them  all  ?  That  took  in  the 
water  front  of  the  50  acres,  and  went  back 
"East-North-East  into  the  woods,"  and  would 
seem  necessarily  to  have  included  in  its  boun- 
daries this  98  acres  of  Porteen's  patent,  to  say 
nothing  of  his  "inclusive  patent"  for  the  248 
acres,  if  such  ever  existed.  Again,  we  are  told 
that  the  Walke  plan,  of  which  we  will  speak 
later,  was  a  part  of  this  balance  of  150  acres 
once  due  to  Wise,  and  sold  to  Porteen.  On 
the  whole,  it  would  seem  that  these  200  acres 
were  \-ery  much  like  the  oil  in  the  widow's 
cruse. 

\\'ithout    stopping    longer    to    unravel    all 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


337 


the  questions  which  might  be  raised  as  to  the 
wording  of  these  interesting  docimients,  we 
know  tliat  this  Boush  tract  of  98  acres  came 
down,  by  the  above  chain  of  title,  to  the  third 
Samuel  Boush.  He  had  a  plat  made  of  it  by 
Gershom  Ximmo,  in  1762:  laid  it  off  into 
squares  and  lots,  and  sold  a  large  portion  of  it. 
These  lots  were  of  generous  size,  and  de- 
termine the  lines  of  most  of  the  property  with- 
in its  area  at  the  present  day,  although  they 
have  been  very  generally  subdivided  by  the 
owners  into  smaller  and  smaller  lots,  as  their 
increasing  value  demands  and  modem  con- 
veniences permit.  With  a  map  showing  the 
shape  of  this  tract  and  the  branches  of  Town 
Back  Creek  before  us.  we  can  easily  understand 
why  the  streets  on  it  run  as  they  do.  The  west 
line  of  the  tract  we  might  call  its  rear.  It 
runs  from  the  creek  up  to  Bute  street,  equally 
distant  from  Boush  and  Duke.  Starting  with 
this,  we  can  easily  see  why  Boush  street  runs  as 
it  does.  It  is  placed  parallel  to  this  rear  line, 
and  160  feet  from  it,  to  give  proper  depth  to 
the  lots  fronting  on  Boush.  This  street  ran 
into  Town  Back  Creek  at  about  the  distance  of 
two  squares  below  College  Place,  once  called 
Green  Boush  street,  and,  later,  Washington. 
The  "Father  of  his  Countrj-"  was  not  so  well 
known  when  Green  Boush  street  was  first 
named.  Then  comes  Granby,  duly  parallel 
with  Boush,  and  stopping  at  the  creek  on  the 
same  line  with  it.  Then  comes  Brewer,  also 
parallel,  but  running  into  the  creek  much 
sooner,  and  stopping  before  it  had  done  more 
than  just  get  down  to  \\'olfe  street,  that 
wretched,  little,  crooked  and  narrow  lane  un- 
worthy of  the  great  hero  for  whom  it  was 
named.  When  we  come  to  Bank  street,  how- 
ever, we  have  a  variation.  It  was  originally 
named  Catharine,  after  Mr.  Boush's  wife.  It 
does  not  run  parallel  with  the  other  streets 
because  it  was  placed  so  that  it  could  go  down 
as  far  as  it  could  on  a  point  of  land  between 
two  branches  of  the  creek,  and  was  placed  so 
as  to  give  proper  depth  for  lots  on  both  sides. 
It  stopped  finally  at  the  main  body  of  the 
creek,  about  the  corner  of  Cove.    Having  now 


broken  into  the  parallelism  determined  by  the 
rear  line,  Cumberland  is  run  at  a  different 
angle,  and  as  nearly  parallel  to  Church  street 
as  the  crookedness  of  that  old  creek-ridden 
road  would  allow  any  straight  line  to  run  par- 
allel to  it.  Coming  now  to  the  cross  streets, 
Bute  was  run  along  the  northern  line  of  the 
property.  Charlotte  was  run  so  as  to  make 
right  angles  with  Boush,  Granby  and  Brewer, 
but  in  so  doing  it  had  to  run  obliquely  with 
Bute,  and  fonn  the  "Flat  Iron"  triangle,  usu- 
ally called  a  "Square,"  bounded  by  Bute, 
Granby  and  Charlotte.  Then  Knight,  after- 
ward Grafton,  and  then  Mason  or  Freemason, 
was  run  parallel  to  Charlotte.  Green  Boush 
came  next,  duly  parallel  with  Freemason, 
while  the  Wolfe  part  of  that  street  dodged 
around  among  the  branches  of  the  creek  in  a 
thoroughly  disorderly  manner.  Had  Mr. 
Boush  anticipated  what  the  future  held  in 
store  for  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  that  this 
creek  would  disappear  from  the  face  of  the 
earth  and  the  city  market  be  placed  here,  he 
would  have  saved  the  city  an  immense  sum  by 
making  this  a  broad  and  straight  street.  And 
it  would  have  cost  him  nothing  to  have  done 
it.  One  branch  of  the  creek  ran  up  behind 
Granby  street  until  it  crossed  over  Freemason. 
Its  position  is  marked  to  this  day  by  the  de- 
pression in  that  street  between  Granby  street 
and  Monticello  avenue.  Another  branch  cut 
oft'  poor  ^^"olfe  street  again  between  Bank 
and  Cumberland,  about  where  Avon  comes 
into  it.  Such  was  the  platting  of  the  Boush 
property.  If  we  had  had  to  do  it  ourselves  it  is 
more  than  doubtful  if  we  could  have  done  it 
any  better.  At  least  it  could  be  used  as  an 
argument  against  the  blind  cow  theory. 

Right  here  it  might  be  well  to  say  that 
most,  if  not  all,  of  the  old  creeks  can  be  easily 
recognizetl  by  the  depressions  of  the  land  to- 
day. They  were  probably  ne%er  filled  up  any 
too  well  to  begin  with,  and  then  settlement  in- 
variably took  place.  Our  soil  is  so  level  that 
wherever  you  see  any  easily  perceptible  down- 
grade you  may  be  sure  that  at  the  bottom  of  it 
and  well  up  the  sides  there  formerly  was  a 


338 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


creek.  A  fine  illustration  of  this  is  seen  on 
both  sides  of  the  corner  of  Wood  and  Chapel 
streets.  Wood  street  is  on  a  high  ridge  of 
land,  which  ran  out  between  two  branches  of 
Newton's  Creek.  Looking  up  and  down 
Chapel  street  from  that  corner  it  runs  rapidly 
down  hill  in  both  directions.  No  creeks  are 
to  be  seen  there  now,  but  the  old  plats  show 
them  to  us,  corresponding  exactly  with  the  de^ 
pressioais  of  the  street  to-day.  The  depressions 
of  the  present  are  the  creeks  of  the  past.  Other 
instances  are  found  at  the  corner  of  York 
and  Dunmore;  the  corner  of  Freemason  and 
Thomas ;  Granby  street  near  the  old  "Stone 
Bridge;"  the  corner  of  Cove  and  Bank,  and 
many  others.  It  is  these  old  creek  beds  that 
our  high  tides  come  over.  They  never  aflect 
what  was  originally  high  land. 

Samuel  Boush,  the  owner  of  this  valuable 
property,  valuable  even  in  those  early  days, 
sold  a  large  portion  of  it,  but  at  his  death  there 
still  remained  a  very  considerable  quantity 
which  he  still  owned.  This  be  divided  by  his 
will,  lot  by  lot,  according  to  the  numbers  of 
his  plan,  between  his  three  sons,  John,  Robert 
and  William.  John  was  mayor  of  the  town  in 
1 79 1,  as  his  great-grandfather  had  been  be- 
fore him.  He  built  for  his  home,  on  the 
old  family  property,  the  fine  old  house 
on  Granby  street,  afterwards  the  property 
of  Conway  Whittle,  and  later  of  Gov- 
ernor Tazewell,  but  did  not  live  to  oc- 
cupy it.  Its  large  and  beautiful  grounds, 
bounded  by  Granby  street,  College  Place  and 
Boush  street,  with  the  creek  to  the  south,  con> 
prised  lo  of  the  lots  on  the  original  plan.  Rob- 
ert built  for  his  home,  on  the  same  tract,  in 
the  year  1800,  the  house  numbered  122  Boush 
street,  with  the  large  live  oak  in  front  of  it, 
near  College  Place,  and  lived  there  until  his 
death  in  1809.  The  Boushes  were  very  nu- 
merous and  influential,  socially  and  politically. 
They  owned  much  other  land  in  the  city  and 
county,  and  the  early  records  are  full  of  their 
transactions.  Their  descendants  comprise  a 
large  part  of  the  most  prominent  families  in 
the  city,  but  there  are  very  few  who  bear  that 


name,  as  they  are  mainly  descended  from  the 
female  branches  of  the  family. 

Northwest  of,  and  partially  enveloping  the 
Bouish  property,  was  the  "Old  Glebe."  It  is 
a  beautiful  tract  of  land,  worth  millions  of 
dollars.  It  began  at  the  stone  on  Bute  street 
in  front  of  the  house  numbered  276,  and'  ran 
south  between  Duke  and  Boush,  coinciding 
with  the  western  hne  of  the  Boush  tract,  to 
Town  Beck  Creek,  then  going  west  and  north, 
it  swept  around  "Tlie  Point,"  going,  after 
leaving  the  river,  eastwardly  up  Glebe  Creek 
to  the  head  of  one  of  its  small  branches  which 
made  in  to  the  south  between  Magazine  lane 
and  Granby  street,  as  it  is  now  extended ;  then 
it  ran  southeastwardly  in  a  straight  line  to  the 
corner  of  Brewer  and  Bute  streets,  at  a  veiy 
oblique  angle  with  Bute  street;  then  west- 
wardly  along  the  north  side  of  Bute  street 
back  tO'  the  stone.  The  old  deeds  inform  us 
that  the  stone  takes  the  place  of  "a  marked 
tree,"  or  "a  white  oak;"  and  that  at  the  corner 
of  Brewer  and  Bute  there  was  "a  marked  tree," 
or  "a  pine,"  and'  that  the  line  from  the  head  of 
the  branch  of  the  creek  was  along  "a  line  of 
marked  trees,"  as  was  also'  the  line  along  Bute. 
This  tract  contained  86  acres. 

We  believe  that  the  following  is  the  legal 
chain  of  title  by  which  this  magnificent  piece 
of  property  is  now  held,  which  comprehends  the 
most  beautiful  residential  portion  of  the  old 
part  of  the  city: 

•The  Colony  of  Virginia  to  Capt.  Thomas  Willough- 
by,  patent   for  200  acres,    1636. 

Thomas   Willoughby,   sale  to  John   Watkins,   1644. 

John   Watkins,   sale  to  John   Norwood. 

John  Norwood,  to  Peter  Michaelson,  and  others, 
sale,   1662. 

Peter  Michaelson  to  Lewis  Vandermull,  sale. 

Lewis  Vandermull  to  Nicholas  Wise,  Sr.,  sale. 

Nicholas  Wise,  Sr.,  to  Nicholas  Wise,  Jr.,  descent. 

Nicholas  Wise,  Jr.,  to  Charles  Wilder,  sale,  150 
acres. 

Charles  Wilder  to  William  Porteen,  sale. 

William   Porteen  to  Daniel   Porteen,  descent. 

Daniel  Porteen,  or  his  executors,  to  the  vestry  of 
Elizabeth    River    Parish,    sale,    86    acres. 

Vestry  to  Samuel  Smith,  sale,  January  17,  1734, 
Deed  Book  12,  Norfolk  County  Clerk's  office,  Page  33. 

Samuel  Smith  to  John  Smith,  descent. 

John  Smith  to  Josiah  Smith,  sale,  1747, — Deed 
Book   14,   Page   107. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


339 


Josiah    Smith   to  John    Smith,   will, — Will  Book   1, 
Page  53. 

This  last  John  Smith.  ■"Gentleman," — as 
he  always  took  pains  to  tell  us  in  his  deeds, — 
sold  the  property  off  in  lots  of  various  sizes, 
as  purchasers  wished  them.  A  plan  of  the 
pr<Ji>erty  had  been  made  by  Col.  Lemuel  Xew- 
ton.  on  Xoveniber  10,  1710,  and  that  plan  and 
John  Smith's  deeds  determine  the  shapes  and 
sizes  of  all  the  lots  on  the  whole  or  part  of 
these  streets:  Botetourt.  Dunmore.  Suffolk  or 
Yarmouth,  as  it  was  afterward  called,  Duke, 
the  northern  half  of  Boush,  the  western  end  of 
Queen,  the  southern. end  of  James,  the  whole 
of  York,  and  the  western  part  of  Bute  and 
Freemason.  The  dates  of  his  deeds  are  from 
about  1767  to  1800. 

Let  us  see  if  we  can  follow  the  plan  by 
which  this  projjerty  was  laid  off  into  streets. 
Beginning  at  the  western  end,  it  is  perfectly 
regular,  and  all  the  streets  cross  each  other  at 
right  angles  until  you  come  to   Duke.     The 
northern  part  of  this  is  still  regular,  but  the 
part  south  of  Bute    is    at    an    oblique  angle. 
There  are  two  good  reasons  for  this :     The 
fact  that  the  line  of  the  Glebe  property  here 
was    oblique,    and    the    position  of  the  creek 
which  runs  up  on  the  west  of  this  street.     So 
this  part  of  the  street  is  also  run  parallel  to 
the  same  line  by  which  Boush  street  was  run, 
and  at  such  a  distance  from  it  as  to  give  a 
reasonable  depth  to  the  lots  on  each  side,  on 
the  east  back  to  the  Boush  property  and  on 
the  west  back  to  this  little  creek.  Glebe  Cove, 
as  it  was  called.     But  Mr.  Smith  was  evidently 
ashamed  of  making  this  angle  in  this  street, 
so,  in  order  to  have  only  straight  streets  on  his 
plan,  he  actually  gave  these  two  parts  dift'erent 
names.     The  northern  part  he  called  Princess 
and  the  southern  part  he  called  Duke. 

At  Bute  street  there  is  an  angle  in  Bou-sh 
street.  This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  these 
parts  of  Boush  street  are  on  different  tracts. 
They  also  had  different  names,  the  northern 
part  being  called  Amelia  street.  This  northern 
part  was  on  the  Glebe  tract  and  maintained  the 
parallelism  established  bv  the  other  north  and 
20 


south  streets  on  that  plan,  while  the  southern 
part  was  on  the  Boush  plan,  and  ran  parallel 
to  its  own  back  line. 

The  angle  in  Freemason  street  occurred 
just  in  the  middle  of  the  head  of  Glebe  Cove, 
which  completely  cut  the  street  in  two,  crossed 
it  and  ran  into  the  middle  of  the  square 
toward  Bute,  and,  branching,  also  ran  down 
toward  Duke.  West  of  this  angle  Freemason 
street  is  parallel  to  the  east  and  west  streets  of 
the  Glebe  property.  Its  direction  east  of  this 
angle  was  such  as  to  make  it  coincide  with, 
and  form  a  continuation  of,  the  Freemason 
street  as  laid  out  on  the  Boush  plan. 

The  northern  part  of  Boush,  or  Amelia, 
I  street  stopped  at  a  little  branch  of  Glebe  Creek, 
which  cut  its  career  short  a  little  beyond  the 
corner  of  Queen.  Duke  got  but  little  further. 
As  for  Brown,  Dartmouth  and  Grace  streets, 
they  were  not  so  much  as  heard  of  in  those 
days. 

Such  was  the  platting  of  the  "Old  Glebe."' 
I  How  difficult  it  is  for  us  in  these  days,  never 
having  known  this  property  in  any  other  state 
than  as  a  handsome,  well-built-up  portion  of 
the  |city,  to  think  of  it  as  a  farm.  Beautiful 
houses  have  long  since  taken  the  place  of  the 
corn  stalks  and  tobacco  ])lants ;  streets  and 
trolley  poles  have  supplanted  the  marked  white 
oak  trees,  but  it  is  the  same  old  property  nev- 
ertheless. 

Before  we  describe  the  other  tracts  let  us 
say  one  parting  word  about  our  old  friend, — 
Town  Back  Creek, — which  bordered,  in  part, 
the  three  tracts  which  we  have  discussed.  Its 
full  name  is  preserved  to  us  in  the  i)lat  of  the 
Glebe  land,  although  it  is  more  frequently 
spoken  of  simply  as  "Back  Creek,"  for  the  sake 
of  brevity.  It  includes  everything  west  of  Gran- 
by  street,  out  to  the  river,  between  the  old 
Xewton  house  at  the  corner  of  Granby  and 
Plume,  and  the  high  ground  of  the  Tazewell 
property.  Then  it  stretched  eastwardly  nearlv 
to  Church  street,  and  northwardly  across  Free- 
mason, near  the  corner  of  Granby.  The  fol- 
lowing prominent  buildings  are  erected  in  its 
formerly    watery    domain :      The    Monticello 


■ik. 


340 


mSTORY  OF  NORFOLK  COUNTY 


Hotel,  the  Haddington  building,  the  City  Mar- 
ket and  Armory,  the  Ohef  Sholom  Temple, 
the  church  at  the  corner  of  Freemason  and 
Granby,  the  United  States  Post  Office^  the 
Court  House  and  the  city  jails.  We  are  told 
that  it  "ebbed  bare,"  and  in  1765  was  said  to 
have  never  "been  possessioned  in  the  memory 
of  man."  To-day  it  has  ebbed  bare  once  for 
all,  is  very  thoroughly  possessioned,  and  is 
worth  millions  of  dollars,  although  there  are 
men  yet  living  who  remember  not  only  soft 
crabbing,  swimming  and  rowing  in  it,  but 
even  shooting  wild  ducks  in  its  waters.  It 
was  crossed  by  twO'  bridges,  the  old  "Stone 
Bridge,"  near  the  Monticello  Hotel,  and  by  a 
■wooden  bridge  on  Bank  street,  near  the  Court 
House.  It  is  responsible  for  the  break  in  the 
eastern  line  of  Granby  street,  at  City  Hall  ave- 
nue, and  for  the  angles  in  Brewer  and  Bank 
streets,  which  angles  were  formed  by  the  mis- 
joinder of  streets  on  the  Bou'sh  plan  to  streets 
on  the  Town  Lands.  The  old  creek  has  gone, 
but  on  April  7,  1889,  it  rose  once  more  in  its 
might  and  stood  three  feet  deep  in  the  street 
at  the  jail  building  on  the  corner  of  Avon  and 
Cove, — Town  Back  Creek  had  reclaimed  its 
own. 

Another  of  the  eight  original  tracts,  as  we 
might  call  them,  is  "Smith's  Other  Land." 
This  name  is  not  official,  but  the  deeds  to  the 
Glebe  property  speak  of  it  in  this  way,  and  we 
have  adopted  the  description  for  want  of  a 
better.  The  Smith  referred  to  was  Samuel 
.Smith,  a  great  man  in  his  day,  being  both  a 
vestryman  and  mayor,  and  it  was  in  the  deed 
of  the  Glebe  property  to  him  that  its  eastern 
iboundary  was  spoken  of  as  being  a  line  run- 
ning along  "the  said  Smith's  other  land."  It 
was  a  tract  of  64  acres,  through  the  middle  of 
Avhich  ran  Queen  street.  It  fronted  on  Church 
street  from  Bute  to  about  half  a  square  beyond 
Oueen,  at  which  point  it  left  Church  street  at 
an  oblique  angle,  and  was  bounded  on  the 
north  by  the  Thomas  Newton  property  and  a 
branch  of  Glebe  Creek.  It  was  bounded  on 
the  west  by  the  Glebe  property,  and  south  by 
Bute  street.    It  has  been  built  on  in  large  part 


with  houses  occupied  by  colored  people.  One 
of  the  remarkable  things  about  it  is  the  extent 
of  a  branch  of  Glebe  Creek  which  was,  in  part, 
its  northern  boundarv.  This  branch,  which  is 
in  our  days  represented  by  the  marsh  between 
Granby  street,  extended,  and  James,  and  which 
is  being  rapidly  filled  up,  then  extended  across 
James,  Brewer,  Cumberland  and  Hawk  streets 
and  stopped  in  the  square  between  Hawk  and 
Smith.  Its  course  is  still  marked  by  a  ditch  or 
drain.  Another  thing  worthy  of  notice  was  a 
colored  cemetery  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
Hawk  and  Scott  streets.  It  included  nearly 
the  whole  of  Queen,  a  third  of  the  north  side 
of  Bute,  nearest  to  Church,  a  square  and  a 
half  on  Church,  and  parts  of  James,  Smith, 
Bank  and  Hawk. 

The  chain  of  title  to  this  property  is  be- 
lieved to  be  as  follows  : 

The  same  as  that  of  the  Glebe  from  the  patent 
from  the  Colony  of  Virginia  to  William  Porteen. 

William  Porteen,  or  Daniel  Porteen,  or  his  ex- 
ecutors, to  .\dams,  sale,  64  acres,  being  the  original 
200  minus  the  50  of  the  Town  Lands,  minus  the  86 
of  the  Glebe  land. 

Adams    to    Samuel    Smith,    sale. 

Samuel    Smith    to   John    Smith,    descent. 

John   Smith  to  Josiah   Smith,   sale. 

Josiah  Smith  to  John  Smith  and  James  Hutchings, 
executors,  power  of  sale  by  his  will, — Will  Book  i, 
County  office,  Page  53,  probated  January,  1761. 

Josiah  Smith  directed  his  executors  that : 
"What  shall  remain  of  a  tract  or  parcel  of  land 
unsold  at  my  decease  lying  and  being  on  the 
main  road  (that  is  Chulrch  street)  near  the 
Borough  of  Norfolk,  containing  at  first  by  a 
survey  and  plan  of  the  same  56  acres  (we 
think  this  should  have  been  64  acres),  be  laid 
off  into  lots  or  half-acres,  and  be  sold  at  the 
discretion  of  my  executors." 

In  pursuance  of  this  power,  the  two  ex- 
ecutors made  sale  of  the  land  by  a  plat  care- 
fully drawn  so  as  to  have  as  few  right  angles 
in  it  as  possible,  ^^'e  find  from  the  deeds  the 
following  purchasers,  Richard  Scott,  William 
Aitchison,  C.  Calvert,  J.  Calvert,  S.  Calvert, 
W.  Brambles,  B.  Knight,  P.  Carberry,  W. 
Orange,  N.  \\'onvcutt,  E.  Archer,  S.  Bacon, 
P.  Dale,  M.  Calvert,  P.  Loyall,    G.    Abyvon, 


AND  REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


341 


W'illiain  Bradley.  J.  Hutchings,  A.  Gordon,  S. 
Westcott,  W.  Ferrall,  E.  Moseley,  F.  Ferrall, 
N.  Bas^cl  and  M.  Robertson.  We  wonder  how 
many  ni  their  descenchmts  own  any  part  of  it 
to-day.  That  there  are  some  we  do  not  doubt, 
bnt  whether  owned  l)y  their  descendants  or  not, 
these  are  tlie  purchasers  under  whom  the  pres- 
ent owners  claim. 

North  of  "Smith's  Other  Land"  lies  the 
property  owned  we  know  from  1775  to  1804 
by  Col.  Thomas  Xewton.  It  was  of  irregular 
shape,  fronting  on  the  old  Church  street  road 
about  the  distance  of  a  square  and  a  half,  be- 
ginning where  that  other  tract  of  Smith  stopped 
and  running  about  a  half  square  north  of 
Nicholson  street,  named  in  honor  of  the  gov- 
ernor. Away  out  here  in  the  country  we  have 
at  last  gotten  out  of  the  range  of  those  elastic 
200  acres  of  Nicholas  W'ise.  and  we  are  now 
on  land  covered  by  another  patent, — one 
granted  by  the  Colony  of  Virginia,  acting 
through  Sir  William  Berkeley,  its  Governor, 
of  historic  fame,  to  Abraham  Ellet,  on  March 
25,  1664.  for  250  acres,  in  consideration  of  his 
having  gone  to  the  trouble  and  expense  of  im- 
porting five  persons  into  the  Colony,  and  to  its 
presumed  advantage.  W'e  will  give  this  patent 
in  full  in  connection  with  another  tract  whose 
title  we  know  better.  The  chain  of  title  from 
this  first  owner  to  Colonel  Newton  is  unknown 
to  the  writer.  This  tract  embraced  a  large 
number  of  small  squares,  and  takes  in  the 
whole  or  part  of  these  streets:  Nicholson, 
Scott,  Liberty,  Salter,  JefTerson,  Cumberland, 
Hawk  and  Smith.  It  is  an  unattractive  por- 
tion of  the  town,  and  is  occupied  principally 
by  colored  persons. 

We  have  now  described  all  the  land  lying 
on  the  west  side  of  the  "Old  Road.''  Let  us 
go  back  to  town  and  see  about  the  lands  which 
lay  on  the  east  side. 

On  the  right  hand  side,  going  out  from 
town,  and  opposite  the  Boush  tract,  we  first 
see  the  magnificent  Walke  property.  This 
piece  of  land  began  on  Church  street  at  the 
corner  of  Cove,  and  ran  up  Church  all  the  way 
to  'Wood  street,  then  down  Wood  to  Ne%vton's 


Creek,  and  down  that  creek  to  its  iirst  branch, 

,  now  the  site  of  Cove  street,  and  up  that  branch 

back  to  Church.     It  would  seem  that  a  large 

piece  of  the  "Town  Lands''   must  have  been 

purchased  and  added  to  this  tract,  e.xtending 

it  even  down  to  Main  street,  and  taking  in  the 

I  two  squares  on   the  north    side    of    Main  to 

Chapel.     We  ilo  not  see  how  this  could  have 

been  its  original  area,  as  we  believe  this  little 

part  was  a  portion  of  the  origmal  50  acres  of 

the  "Town  Lands."     But,    at    any    rate,  the 

j  \\'alke  plan,  as  made  in  1785,  ran  all  the  way 

from  ]\Iain  to  Wood. 

In  the  earlier  part  of  the  history  of  the 
town  this  was  a  very  fashionable  section,  some 
of  our  oldest  and  finest  residences  being  here, 
conspicuous  among  them  the  imposing  Riley 
residence,  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Riley  and 
Holt  streets,  at  one  time  known  as  "The  Re- 
treat for  the  Sick."  with  its  large  gnnmds, 
paved  walks  and  trees,  all  protected  by  massive 
brick  walls.  This  Walke  property  takes  in 
all  of  Fenchurch,  Riley,  Walke,  Falkland, 
Mariner  and  Holt  streets,  the  eastern  end  of 
Charlotte  and  a  large  part  of  Chapel.  Like 
other  tracts  we  have  mentioned,  its  value  to- 
day is  millions  of  dollars. 

The  chain  of  title  to  this  land,  we  are  told, 
is  the  same  as  that  of  the  Glebe,  given  above, 
down  to  the  time  of  William  Porteen,  who  is 
said  to  have  sold  it  to  Anthony  Walke.  At 
least,  so  Forrest  tells  us  in  his  history  of 
Norfolk.  But  right  here  we  have  difficulty  in 
finding  any  room  for  this  tract  in  the  200 
acres  of  Wise,  for  these  appear  to  be  all  taken 
up  in  the  "Town  Lands,"  the  Glebe  and 
"Smith's  Other  Land,"  but  it  is  clearly  in- 
cluded in  the  patent  given  above  to  John  Wat- 
kins,  in  1644.  We  are  also  told  by  Forrest 
tl-.at  a  large  part  of  this  property  remained  in 
this  family  for  more  than  a  century.  In  1785 
a  plat  was  made  of  the  property  for  the  pur- 
pose of  division  among  the  heirs  of  the  last 
owner.  The  old'  \\'alke  house,  we  have  been 
told,  is  still  to  be  seen  on  this  property, — it  is 
a  brick  house  (recently  altered  considerably, 
and    its    ancient    appearance  somewhat  oblit- 


342 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


erated  by  stucco),  at  the  nortlieast  corner  of 
Holt  and  Chapel  streets,  standing  about  in 
the  middle  of  the  tract. 

Pursuing  our  journey  from  town,  and  leav- 
ing the  Walke  tract  at  the  corner  of  Church 
and  Wood,  we  next  notice  the  land  on  which 
is  St.  Vincent's  Hospital.  The  writer  knows 
very  little  about  this  tract.  It  stretched  along 
the  eastern  side  of  Church  street  from  Wood 
all  the  way  up  to  a  point  opposite  the  corner 
of  Nicholson.  The  origin  of  this  title  seems 
to  be  very  obscure,  and  has  given  great  trouble 
to  title  examiners.  It  was  most  likely  a  por- 
tion of  the  Abraham  Ellet  patent.  In  the  year 
1775  it  was  the  property  of  Wilson  Newton, 
and  it  is  no  doubt  from  this  fact,  and  for  the 
reason  that  the  property  north  of  it  also  be; 
longed  to  the  Newtons  from  17 19  to  1838, 
that  the  creek,  which  we  have  soi  often  men- 
tioned, took  its  name.  This  creek  formed  the 
eastern,  and  a  branch  of  it  the  northern,  boun- 
dary of  this  tract.  The  Newtons,  it  will  be 
seen,  thus  owned  the  western  side  of  this  creek 
from  Princess  Anne  avenue  to^  Wood  street. 
No  plat  was  ever  made  of  this  property.  It 
was  rather  low  and  marshy.  Streets  were 
opened  throug'h  it  as  the  needs  of  the  com- 
munity required,  at  different  times  and  in  an 
irregular  manner.  Those  now  on  this  prop- 
erty are  Newton,  Pulaski,  Master,  part  of 
Chapel,  Clay,  Moseley,  Queen,  between  Church 
street  and  Brambleton  avenue;  Burruss,  Jones 
and  Bute  street,  extended. 

The  last  tract  which  we  will  notice  out 
here  in  the  country  is  the  Charles  Sayer  Boush 
property.  This  stretched  along  the  east  side 
of  the  old  road  from  the  Wilson  Newton  prop- 
erty, beginning  at  a  branch  of  Newton's  Creek 
which  came  up  to  Church  street  opposite  the 
corner  of  Nicholson,  all  the  way  to  Princess 
Anne  avenue,  ran  out  that  ancient  road  to  the 
head  of  Newton's  Creek,  and  down  that  creek 
to  the  branch  which  runs  up  to  Church  street. 

The  original  patent  for  the  tract  oi  land  of 
250  acres,  which  includes  this  piece,  the  prop- 
erty of  Col.  Thomas  Newton,  that  of  Wilson 
Newton,  and,  no  doubt,  other  property  in  the 


northern  part  of  the  old  town,  is  as  follows: 
"To  all,  &c..  Whereas,  &c.,  now  Kncnv  ye,  that 
the  said  William  Berkeley,  Knight,  Governor, 
&c.,  give  and  grant  unto  Abraham  Ellet  250 
acres  of  land  situate,  lying  or  being  in  the 
County  of  Lower  Norfolk — Beginning  at  a 
Spanish  oak  and  so  running  for  lengths  north- 
erly upon  the  land  of  William  Ship  and  for 
breadth  westerly  crossing  a  small  creek  butting 
on  the  Gleabe  lands,  and  so  again  for  lengths 
southerly  upon  a  small  creek  and  so  easterly  to 
the  first  mentioned  marked  tree  bounding  the 
said  quantity  of  land.  The  said  land  being  due 
unto  the  said  Abraham;  Ellet  by  and  for  the 
transportation  of  five  persons,  &c." 

The  clearness  of  this  patent  should  have 
entitled  Sir  William  to  immortality,  even  if  he 
had  not  had  it  thrust  upon  him  by  Nathaniel 
Bacon.  For  impenetrable  fogginess  and  hope- 
less incomprehensibility  this  patent  should  take 
the  first  prize  at  a  conveyance  show.  It  serves 
to  confuse  us,  without  illuminating  us,  and  to 
bring  into  question  some  of  our  former  con- 
clusions, which,  but  for  this  patent,  seem 
pretty  clear.  It  seems  a  hopeless  task  to  at- 
tempt to  follow  its  elusive  descriptions.  If 
we  only  knew  where  the  Spanish  oak  was,  or 
the  land  of  Williami  Ship,  a  little  more  defi- 
nitely than  merely  that  they  were  in  the  coun- 
ty of  Lower  Norfolk,  we  might  do  something 
with  this  description.  We  learn  from  it,  how- 
ever, that  it  was  not  the  earliest  patent  in  that 
portion  of  the  suburbs,  for  in  running  "north- 
erly upon  the  landi  of  William  Ship"  we  see 
that  he  must  have  already  acquired  an  adjoin- 
ing tract  to  the  east.  It  serves  to  confuse  our 
other  deductions  when  the  patent  says :  "And 
for  breadth  westerly  crossing  a  small  creek 
butting  on  the  Gleabe  lands."  Does  this  mean 
that  this  250-acre  tract  itself  "butted  on  the 
Gleabe  lands,"  or  that  it  crossed  a  creek  which 
"butted"  on  those  lands?  If  the  land  itself 
"butted"  on  the  Glebe  lands,  this  tract  must 
include  the  "Smith's  Other  Land"  tract,  and 
our  early  chain  of  title  to  that  tract  be  wrong. 
But  we  think  it  means  that  it  crossed  a  creek, 
which  creek  "butted"  on  the  Glebe  lands.    The 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


343 


crossing-  of  any  branch  of  Glelje  or  Smitli's 
Creek  would  satisfy  this  requirement.  On  the 
whole,  we  think  it  is  better  to  give  up  the  at- 
tempt to  follow  these  lines,  and  rejoice  that 
old  Sir  William  had  all  the  trouble  which 
Bacon  gave  him.  He  riclily  deserved  it,  on 
account  of  this  patent  if  nothing  else.  Of 
course  we  know  in  a  general  way  where  these 
250  acres  are,  because  we  know  they  included 
this  tract  of  Charles  Saver  Boush — his  chain 
of  title  establishes  that — and  that  they 
stretched  toward  the  west,  coming  into  con- 
tact with  creeks  near  the  Glebe  lands.  No  lo- 
cality in  Lower  Norfolk  County  satisfies  these 
requirements  except  the  northern  part  of 
Church  street. 

This  tract  of  land  was  formerly  called 
"Boush's  Pasture,"  and  was,  in  large  part,  of 
a  marshy  nature.  It  was  platted  in  1775,  the 
owner  being  apparently  very  proud  of  owning 
it,  for  he  gives  each  of  his  names  to  streets 
upon  it.  Besides  its  considerable  frontage  on 
Church  and  Princess  Anne  avenue,  it  compre- 
hended the  whole  or  parts  of  these  streets : 
Charles,  Sayer,  Boush,  Calvert,  Wide  and 
Landing.  But  alas  for  human  plans!  Their 
innocent  device  to  render  his  name  immortal 
has  been  cruelly  defeated  by  the  heartless  City 
Councils.  Sayer  has  been  changed  to  Chapel, 
and  Boush  to  Henry,  leaving  onlv  the  name  of 
Charles,  the  least  significant  of  the  three. 

The  plat  of  this  property  has  a  grewsome 
picture  on  it  representing  a  poor  wretch  dang- 
ling from  a  gallows  erected  across  the  avenue, 
near  the  corner  of  the  two  old  roads,  and  indi- 
cating that  as  the  place  of  public  e.xecution. 
The  geographical  position  of  Princess  Anne 
avenue  is  shown  by  this  plat  to  be  determined 
by  the  length  cf  Xewton"s  Creek,  this  road 
being  the  first  route  to  the  east  which  could  be 
taken  without  bridging  this  creek.  This  plat 
also  tells  us  that  at  the  south  end  of  Landing 
street  "a  large  loaded  flat  may  come  here." 
This  fine  landing,  on  such  deep  water,  is  about 
half  a  square  south  of  the  corner  of  Calvert 
and  Landing,  and  is  pretty  firm  land  now. 
Tliis  plat  is  really  a  ven-  gossiping  little  map. 


It  tells  us  a  good  many  interesting  things, 
among  others  that  at  that  lime  there  was  a 
"Tami  Yard"  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
two  old  roads ;  that  the  land  on  the  other  side 
of  Princess  Anne  avenue  was  owned  by  Sam- 
uel Farmer,  and  that  on  the  other  side  of  New- 
ton's Creek  by  John  Freeman,  that  to  the 
south  by  Wilson  Newton,  and  on  the  other 
side  of  Church  street  that  George  Abyvon, 
John  Pool  and  Thomas  Newton  held  sway. 
But.  after  all.  this  property  is  not  an  attractive 
portion  of  the  town,  and  is  largely  occupied  by 
the  colored  race.  We  know  its  title,  however, 
fairly  well.     It  is  as  follows : 

The  Colony  of  Virginia  to  .Miraliam  Ellet,  patent, 
March  25.   1664. 

Abraham  Ellet  to  Sarah  Ellet.  will, — Book  of 
!    Wills  and   Deeds,   No.  4.   Page   16. 

Sarah    Ellet   to   Alice   Denise,   sale. 

.Alice  Denise  to  William  Newman,  sale. 

William  Newman  to  Thomas  Norris,  sale, — Deed 
Book   d.    Page    1 00. 

Thomas  Norris  to  Thomas  Brink,  sale. — Deed  Book 
4,  Page  209,  50  acres,  a  part  of  the  property. 

Thomas  Brink  to  William  Porteen,  sale, — Deed 
Book   5.    Page  83.   the   above   50  acres. 

Thomas  Norris  to  William  Porteen.  sale. — the  other 
50  acres  of  a  loo-aere  tract  cut  off  from  the  original  250. 

William  Porteen  to  Lemuel  Newton,  sale. — Deed 
Book   for   1719-1723.  Page   171. 

Lemuel  Newton  to  Nathaniel  Newton,  descent. 

Nathaniel  Newton  to  Col.  Samuel  Boush,  sale, 
January  20.  1738. — Deed  Book  12,  Page  266, 

Col.  Samuel  Boush  to  Charles  Sayer  Boush,  will, — 
Will    Book   I.    Page   37. 

This  last  owner  platted  the  land,  and  sub- 
divided it  into  lots  in  September.  1775,  and 
sold  it  to  various  persons,  among  whont  we 
find  the  names  of  John  James,  James  Marsden, 
James  Holt,  \\'illiam  Holmes,  William  Row, 
Christopher  Calvert.  Nathaniel  and  Arthur 
Boush  and  James  Theloble. 

As  in  the  case  of  Town  Back  Creek,  we 
owed  much  of  our  information  to  a  dispute 
about  ownership;  here  again  we  are  indebted 
to  a  law  suit  for  a  part  of  this  property,  for  the 
above  chain  of  title,  it  ha\-ing  been  worked  out 
by  Judge  W.  H.  Burrows,  one  of  the  counsel 
in  the  case. 

The  three  patents  given  in  this  essay  ac- 
count   for    548    acres  of  the  old  town.     The 


344 


HISTORY-   OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


acreage  of  high  land  in  the  four  old  wards  of 
the  city  is  computed  at  665  acres.  We  think 
that  the  117  acres,  the  difference  between  these 
figures,  would  be  accounted  for  by  the  filling 
up  of  the  river  and  creeks  which  ,has  taken 
place,  and  believe  we  have  in  these  early  trans- 
actions the  foundation  of  the  present  owner- 
ship of  all  the  land  in  the  city. 

Before  we  close  we  must  say  a  word  about 
the  personnel  of  those  early  landowners.  They 
were  of  the  first  dignity  and  importance  in  the 
community.  The  list  of  the  mayors  of  the 
town  contains  the  names  of  many  of  those 
whom  we  ha\e  had  occasion  to  mention  in  this 
chapter.  At  the  head  stands  Samuel  Boush, 
mayor  in  1736:  then  came  George  Newton, 
1736;  John  Hutchings,  1737;  Samuel  Smith, 
1740:  Josiah  Smith,  1741 ;  Thomas  Newton, 
1747;  Wilson  Newton,  1751;  Paul  Lovall, 
1762;  George  Abyvon,  1767;  Cornelius  Cal- 
vert, 1768;  and  John  Boush,  1791.  Many  of 
these  were  elected  more  than  once,  the  term  of 
office  being  one  year.  The  ownership  of  land 
at  an  early  day,  and  for  long  afterward,  was 
a  prerequisite  to  the  right  to  vote,  and  its  con- 
trol carried  with  it  a  good  deal  of  consider- 
ation. 

Whether  the  object  sought  in  founding  the 
city  of  Norfolk  was  accomplished  or  not ;  that 
is,  whether  the  price  of  tobacco  was  thereby 
increased,  we  do  not  know.  We  very  much 
doubt  it.  We  know  that  most  of  the  20  towns 
founded  at  that  time  are  now  no  more,  and  are 
prepared  to  believe  that  long  before  its  de- 
monetization the  value  of  the.  weed  steadily 
declined.  But  of  this  we  are  sure,  that  a  city 
was  thereby  founded  which  is  celebrated  for 
its  amenities,  and  which  has  a  vigorovis  and 
healthy  growth,  and  that  its  existence  has 
been,  and  is,  a  blessing  to  thousands  of  our 
felloAv  beings, 

C.  Whittle  S.\ms. 

The  first  Council  under  the  charter  of  the 
borough  of  Norfolk  organized  on  the  i8th  day 
of  November,  1736.  Sir  John  Randolph, 
Knight,  qualified  as  recorder,  George  Newton, 


John  Hutchings,  Robert  Tucker,  John  Taylor, 
Samuel  Smith,  Jr.,  James  Ivy  and  Alexander 
Campbell,  Gents.,  qualified  as  aldermen.  Sam- 
uel Boush,  designated  by  the  charter  as  mayor, 
being  dead,  George  Newton  was  unanimously 
chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy.  !Maj.  David  O'Sheal 
was  appointed  deputy  recorder.  Other  alder- 
men between  the  above  mentioned  date  and 
1789  were:  Josiah  Smith,  John  Phripp,  John 
Ellegood,  Edward  Pugh,  Thomas  Newton, 
John  Tucker,  Wilson  Newton,  Christopher 
Perkins,  George  Abyvon,  Richard  Kelsick, 
Paul  Loyall,  Charles  Thomas,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Lewis  Hansford,  Alaximihan  Cal-, 
vert,  William  Atkinson,  Cornelius  Calvert, 
Bassett  Moseley,  George  Kelly,  Thomas 
INIathews  and  Paul  Proby.  Alexander  Mc- 
Pherson  was  the  first  clerk  of  the  market; 
Aldermen  Samuel  Smith  and  Alexander  Camp- 
bell intending  to  remove  to  Europe,  resigned 
on  the  24th  day  of  June,  1742.  On  the  15th 
day  of  August,  William  Nimmo  was  chosen  re- 
corder in  place  of  Col.  David  O'Sheal,  de- 
ceased, and  on  the  22d  of  August,  1748,  Pey- 
ton Randolph  was  chosen  recorder  in  place  of 
William  Nimmo,  deceased;  Anthony  Lawson 
was  elected  deputy  recorder  on  July  17,  1766. 
Henry  Tazewell,  father  of  Governor  Tazewell, 
was  made  recorder  August  19,   1782. 

The  Anicrican  Gazetccr,  published  in  Bos- 
ton in  1797,  and  represented  to  contain  "re- 
liable accounts  of  Richmond,  Petersburg  and 
Norfolk,"  as  they  were  at  that  day,  has  the 
following  paragraph  in  reference  to  Norfolk : 

"Norfolk  is  the  most  considerable  commer- 
cial town  in  Virginia.  It  was  burned  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1776,  by  the  'Liverpool'  man- 
of-war,  by  order  of  the  British  Governor, , 
Lord  Dunmore,  and  the  loss  anionnted  to 
£300,000  sterling.  The  town  now  contains 
about  500  dwelling-houses,  a  Court  House,  a 
Gaol,  an  Episcopal  and  Methodist  Church, 
and  an  academy.  In  1790  it  contained  2,959 
inhabitants,  including  1,294  slaves.  The  town' 
is  governed  by  a  mayor  and  five  aldermen.  It 
carries  on  a  brisk  trade  with  the  West  Indies, 
Europe  and  the  different   States,  and  consti- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


345 


tutes  with  Portsniuuth  a  ix)rt  of  entry.  The 
exports  for  one  year  (1794)  amounted  to 
$1,660,752.  A  canal  16  miles  in  lengh  is 
now  cutting  from  the  north  branch  of  Albe- 
marle Sound  in  North  Carolina  to  the  waters 
of  the  Soutliern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 
River.  It  will  communicate  with  the  Eliza- 
beth River  nine  miles  from  Norfolk.  Mer- 
chant vessels  of  the  largest  size  may  go  within 
a  mile  from  the  mouth  of  the  canal,  and  here 
the  water  being  fresh,  the  worm  which  does 
such  damage  to  vessels  in  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth will  not  affect  them." 

NORFOLK   AS   A   CITY. 

On  the  nth  of  February,  1S45,  Norfolk 
ceased  to  be  a  "borough,"  and  by  virtue  of  the 
amended  charter  of  that  date  became  a  "city." 
During  the  )ear  following  the  increase  in  real 
estate  was  $121,048,  and  the  tonnage  entered 
and  cleared  at  the  Custom  House  showed  a 
gain  of  100  per  cent.  In  1847  the  famine  in 
Ireland  produced  an  extraordinary  demand 
for  corn,  and  the  exports  of  this  article  from 
Norfolk  w-ere  very  great  and  profitable.  In 
1847,  to  the  ever  memorable  year  of  1855, 
Norfolk  advanced  slowly  but  steadily,  and  a 
revived  prosperity  was  evident.  The  sum- 
mer of  the  latter  year  brought  upon  the  city 
the  most  terrible  visitation  that  ever  affected 
an  American  city  and  in  three  months  con- 
verted Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  into  cliarnel 
houses.  The  dread  disease  was  imported;  it 
was  not  indi^^enous.  Since  then,  by  means  of 
proper  precautions  learned  at  dear  cost,  Nor- 
folk has  been  free  from  pestilence,  and  its 
health  record  will  compare  favorably  with  any 
city  in  the  country. 

From  1855  to  1861,  the  Ijeginning  of  the 
Confederate  War,  the  people  engaged  bravely 
in  the  work  of  recuperating  the  shattered  for- 
tunes and  enrgies,  and  in  i860  had  again 
taken  up  the  thread  of  the  lost  trade,  and  with 
splendid  and  commendable  energy  were  push- 
ing their  connections  to  the  South  and  West. 
But  the  war  stopped  all  this  and  brought  on 


another  complete  suspension  of  business  and 
stopped  all  commercial  operations.  Four  years 
of  war  drove  out  from  their  counting-rooms 
and  warehouses,  their  stores  and  workshops, 
the  business  men  of  the  community.  They 
laid  down  their  business  to  take  up  arms  in 
behalf  of  their  State,  and  those  who  returned 
after  the  war  found  their  capital  impaired, 
their  trade  gone,  their  places  of  business  and 
their  private  residences  occupied  by  strangers, 
and  in  many  instances  themselves  penniless 
and  their  families  homeless. 

They  went  to  work  with  a  determination 
to  rebuild  their  shattered  fortunes  and  to  make 
Norfolk  more  prominent  than  she  had  ever 
been  before  to  the  commerce  of  the  country. 
Day  and  day  they  toiled,  year  and  year  they 
worked,  and  each  day  and  each  year  the  trade 
and  building  exhibit  showed  an  increase  over 
the  previous  one. 

The  value  of  imports  in  1900  was  $222,- 
058.98.  In  1900  1,805  vessels  were  required 
to  transport  coal  from  this  port.  (The  first 
car-load  of  Pocahontas  coal  arrived  over  the 
Norfolk  &  Western  Railway, — New  River  di- 
vision,— on  the  17th  of  March,  1883.)  Over 
700  steamships  and  1,900  other  vessels  cleared 
from  this  port  for  foreign  ports  during  the 
year  1900.  For  coastwise  trade  during  the 
same  year  2,353  vessels  cleared  from  the  Cus- 
tom House.  The  total  tonnage  of  vessels  en- 
tered and  cleared  from  this  port  during  1900 
was   11,134,134;    cargo    tonnage,   19,484,734. 

An  idea  of  what  the  growth  of  the  city  has 
made  necessary  in  the  erection  of  new  build- 
ings may  be  gathered  from  the  following  com- 
parative statement  of  buildings  erected  for  a 
period  of  1 1  years  past : 

Year.          Brick.  Frame.  Total.  Value  (est.) 

1890 79      71  150  $  375.000 

1891 93      77  170  492.000 

1892 78  139  217  425,000 

1893 173  126  299  550.000 

1894 189  252  441  951.858 

1895 130  170  300  649.600 

1896 108  140  248  434.400 

1897 63      75  138  760,000 

1898 136      98  234  1,220.000 

1899 197  150  347  895.150 

1900 193  143  336  1,230,560 


346 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


The  United  States  Census  Bureau  report 
of  the  manufacturing  industries  of  Norfolk 
in   1900  is  as  follows : 

Establishments    44S 

Capital     $6,425,099 

Increase  in  10  years 88  per  cent 

Value  of  products $9-397-355 

Increase  in  10  years 84  per  cent 

Average  number  of  wage  earners 4,334 

Total    wages    $1,571,229 

Miscellaneous   expenses    701.597 

Cost  of  materials  used S.283,975 

This  outline  unfolds  the  splendid  destiny 
of  Norfolk,  and  the  recent  growth  is  only  the 
beginning  of  a  great  continental  emporium. 
The  predictions  of  the  great  scientist.  Commo- 
dore Mathew  F.  Maury,  are  rapidly  material- 
izing. He  observed  that  "Norfolk  is  in  a  po- 
sition tO'  have  commanded  the  business  of  the 
Atlantic  seaboard.  It  is  midway  the  coast.  It 
has  a  back  country  of  great  fertility  and  re- 
sources, and  as  to  the  approaches  from  the 
ocean,  there  is  no  harbor  from  the  St.  Johns  to 
the  Rio  Grande  which  has  the  same  facility 
for  ingress  and  egress,  at  all  times  and  in  all 
weathers.  The  waters  flowing  by  it  into  the 
sea  separate  the  producing  from  the  con- 
suming— the  agricultural  from  the  manufac- 
turing States  of  the  Atlantic  slope;  and  there 
unite  the  channels  that  lead  from  the  famous 
regions  in  the  country  for  corn,  wheat  and  to- 
bacco to  the  marts  of  commerce.  *  *  *  The 
natural  advantages  of  the  position  will  be  ob- 
vious to  anyone  who  will  compare  the  back 
country  in  Norfolk  with  that  of  New  York. 
The  country  drained  by  the  Hudson  is  all  the 
back  country  which  naturally  belongs  to  New 
York.  But  the  back  country  of  Norfolk  is  all 
that  which  is  drained  by  the  Chesapeake  Bay 
— embraced  by  a  line  drawn  along  the  ridge 
between  the  Delaware  and  Chesapeake,  thence 
northwardly,  including  all  of  Pennsylvania 
that  is  in  the  valley  of  the  Susquehanna — all 
of  Maryland  this  side  of  the  mountains — the 
valleys  of  the  Potomac,  Rapiiahanmick,  York 
and  James  rivers — with  the  valley  of  the  Roan- 
oke and  a  great  part  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  whose  only  outlet  to  the  sea  is  by  way 


of  Norfolk.  *  *  *  Virginia  saw  those  ad- 
vantages and  slept  upon  them.  Nature  had 
placed  them  there,  and  she  did  not  dream  that 
man  could  take  them  away.  But  the  enterprise 
of  New  York  has  taken  them  away.  The 
South  wants  to  regain  her  direct  trade.  We 
do  not  wish  to  discourage  the  effort,  great  as 
the  odds  against  Norfolk  now  are,  for  we 
knoAV  there  are  men  in  the  South  who  have  en- 
ergy, enterprise  and  capacity  enough  for  any- 
thing that  energ)-,  enterprise  and  capacity  can 
effect."  If  that  great  Virginian  could  see  now 
how  the  energy,  enterprise  and  capacity  of 
Southern  men  are  making  Norfolk  and  her  sis- 
ters forge  ahead,  he  would  exclaim :  "Truly 
the  people  are  aroused  and  are  building  on  the 
natural  advantages  so  as  tO'  realize  my  ideal  in 
the  near  future."  The  following  summary  of 
facts  are  significant  of  the  growth  and  im- 
portance of  Norfolk : 

The  Norfolk  Post  Office  stands  among  the 
important  post  otHces  of  the  South  and  is  the 
distributing  point  for  an  immense  total  of  mail 
matter  of  all  kinds.  The  system  prevailing  in 
the  Norfolk  Post  Otifice  is  excellent  and  thor- 
oughly up-to-date.  The  postmaster  is  Col. 
John  R.  Waddy,  and  his  assistant  is  S.  B. 
Carney. 

The  Post  Office  force  includes  15  railway 
postal^  clerks,  21  post  office  clerks,  25  letter 
carriers,  three  substitute  letter  carriers  and  two 
substitute  post  office  clerks,  one  janitor  and  one 
special  laborer, — a  total  of  68  men. 

The  outfit  of  the  office  includes  stamping 
machines  of  the  latest  device  for  printing  the 
date  and  hour  of  arrival  and  departure  of  each 
piece  of  first-class  mail  handled. 

The  report  of  registered  matter  handled 
during  the  year  ending  December  31,  1899, 
gives  figures  as  follows : 

Letters    and    packages    registered    at 

Norfolk   13.492 

Registered   package   envelopes    made 

up  and  dispatched 12,079 

Through  registered  pouches  and  sacks 

up  and  disj^atched 2,325 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


349 


Tlirough  registered  pouclies  received  2,031 
Registered  package  envelopes  received  2 1 .388 
Registered  package  envelopes  received 

in  transit 63.971 

Letters  and  packages  received  for  de- 
livery        23,780 

Total  number  registered  articles  han- 
dled       139,066 

There  were  43  mails  received  and  dis- 
patched daily,  and  about  23,000  letters  orig- 
inated and  were  received  at  this  office  dail\'. 
The  gross  receipts  of  the  nttice  are  about 
$110,000  per  annum. 

For  many  years  the  Norfolk  Post  Office 
has  been  maintained  in  its  present  location, 
the  stately  okl  go\ernment  building  on  Main 
street.  This  building  is  also  used  for  the 
United  States  Court  room  and  as  the  Custom 
House  for  this  port.  The  growth  of  Norfolk 
and  consequently  its  postal  business  has  been 
so  great  that  new  and  enlarged  quarters  for 
the  i)ostoffice  1)ecame  imperative. 

To  meet  this  demand  the  United  States 
government  is  now  completing,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $350,000,  a  thoroughly  modern,  finely 
equipped  Post  Office  building  on  Plume  street. 
This  will  be  completed  in  the  near  future.  The 
Post  Office  will  then  be  removed  to  it  and 
other  branches  of  "Uncle  Sam's"  service  will 
then  monopolize  the  present  public  building. 

No  better  inde.K  to  the  growth  of  the  city 
can  be  found  than  the  postal  receipts.  The 
following  is  a  comparative  statement  of  the 
past  10  years: 

Year  ending  Jan.  30.  1887 847,055.71 

Year  ending  Jan.  30,  1888 50,023.86 

Year  ending  June  30,   1889 

Year  ending  Jan.  30,  1890 56,476.60 

Year  ending  Jan.  30,  1891 68,419.82 

Year  ending  Jan.  30,  1892 74,360.20 

Year  ending  June  30,   1893 

Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1894 83,309.48 

Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1895 84,892.42 

Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1896 90,027.74 

Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1897 98,626.34 


Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1898 99,406.25 

!  Year  ending  Dec.  31,  1899 106,964.29 

In  addition  to  the  above  comparative  state- 
i  ment  the  following  facts  showing  the  volume 
of  money  order  business  transacted  in  this  of- 
fice will  be  interesting: 

Cash  on  hand  January   i,  1899..$     7,083.32 

16,088  domestic  orders  issued.  .  .  137,222.15 

Fees  and  war  ta.x  on  same 1,354.42 

882  international  orders  issued.  .  .  19,607.85 

Fees  on  same 221.40 

3,844  deposits  received 490,490.22 

Errors    .03 

1         Total    $655,979.39 

17.473  domestic  orders  paid $198,371.87 

120  domestic  orders  repaid 1,146.50 

253  international  orders  paid.  .  .  .  4,360.71 

3  international  orders  repaid....  90.36 

Deposited  account  Treasurer  U.  S.  446,700.00 

Errors    1.12 

Cash  un  hand  December  30,  1899...  5,308.83 

Total    $655,979.39 

j  NORFOLK  W.\REHOUSE  .\SS0CI.\T10N. 

An  accurate  history  of  the  city  of  Nor- 
folk would  contain  as  one  of  its  essential  ele- 
;  ments  a  somewhat  abridged  yet  perfectly  co- 
1  herent  and  comprehensive  history  of  the  cot- 
ton export  trade  and  even  ])ossibly  of  the  in- 
ter-State and  manufacturing  history  of  the 
staple.  It  is  not  intended  in  this  brief  article 
to  attempt  a  review,  even  in  brief,  of  Norfolk's 
share  in  the  fortunes  of  King  Cotton,  but 
rather  U>  contrast  the  beginning  and  ending 
of  the  past  decade  from  1890  to  1900.  In 
I  the  record  of  the  past  the  wise  man  reads  the 
promise  of  the  future,  and  when  the  resident 
of  Norfolk  for  the  last  10  years  ca.sts  his  eyes 
over  the  details  of  cotton  trade  handling  as 
he  has  seen  it  develop  at  this  port  during  that 
period,  the  rainbcnv  of  promise  of  future  sue- 


350 


HISTORY    OF   NORFOLK   COUNTY 


cess    wears    exceedingly    bright    and    distinct 
hues. 

In  1890,  and  so  late  even  as  1896,  the  cot- 
ton interests  of  Norfolk  were  divided,  factional 
and  self-destructive,  each  of  its  great  firms 
running  at  great  expense  its  private  ware- 
houses which  for  nearly  one-half  the  year 
stood  empty,  which  warehouses,  situated  on 
either  side  of  the  Elizabeth,  were  not  orig- 
inally intended  for  such  uses,  and  were  as  a 
natural  result  ill-fitted  for  such  usage,  often 
low,  damp  and  of  deteriorating  eft'ect  on  the 
cotton  stored  in  them,  subject  to  danger  from 
high  tides,  from  fire  and  other  dangers.  The 
compresses  were  not  convenient  to  the  ware- 
houses, were  equally  scattered,  their  rivalry 
ruinous  and  their  idleness  often  ate  up  their 
profits.  The  firms  also,  like  the  warehouses 
and  compresses  situated  in  the  business  cen- 
ter, were  scattered,  and  at  a  disadvantageous 
distance  from  the  Exchange  and  fighting  for 
individual  supremacy  instead  of  the  common 
interests  of  the  members  of  the  exchange  and 
those  of  the  port,  while  for  half  the  year  a 
scene  of  inactivity,  living  on  the  season  and 
lack  of  growth  confronted  them.  Yet,  and  in 
spite  of  those  great  and  damaging  drawbacks, 
the  cotton  trade  at  Norfolk  flourished  and  the 
port  rose  steadily  to  nearly  the  front  rank  in 
cotton  exporting. 

When  the  case  was  most  desperate  and  the 
qustion  of  Norfolk's  further  availability  as  a 
leading  port  in  the  cotton  trade  was  at  a  crisis, 
arose  the  Norfolk  Warehouse  Association, 
the  result  of  the  combined  thought  of  the  pres- 
ent officers  of  the  association,  who  are  as  fol- 
lows :  President,  John  N.  Vaughan ;  vice- 
president,  J.  W.  Perry;  secretary,  John  S. 
Jenkins ;  treasurer,  Fergus  Reid. 

These  gentlemen  conceived  the  idea  that 
great  economy  could  be  effected  in  the  handling 
of  the  trade  if  it  were  all  concentrated  at  one 
point.  To  decide  with  them  was  to  act,  and 
at  once  they  proceeded  to  acquire  a  tract  of 
land  on  the  river  front  in  Atlantic  City  Ward, 
comprising  about  eight  acres,  having  a  front- 
age on  the  river  of  about  one-eighth  of  a  mile, 


and  to  erect  on  this  property  a  plant  suitable 
to  meet  every  emergency.  They  were  cotton 
men  and  knew  what  the  cotton  traded  needed, 
and  the  results  are  full  proof  of  their  wisdom. 
Most  of  this  property  is  now  covered  by  brick 
warehouses,  completely  fireproof  and  weather 
and  tide  protected  and  having  all  necessary  ad- 
juncts, compress  and  superb  wharfage,  etc., 
making  perhaps  the  most  complete  and  com- 
pact system  of  cotton  warehouses  in  the 
United  States.  The  results  have  been  many, 
and  even  such  as  to  perhaps  surprise  the  orig- 
inators of  the  idea.  A  new  Cotton  Exchange 
faces  the  warehouses  across  Front  street. 
Every  cotton  house  of  importance  is  now  lo- 
cated either  in  the  Exchange  building  or  with- 
in stone's  throw  of  it.  It  is  a  cotton  city  of 
itself.  One  result  has  been  a  very  considerable 
saving  to  the  trade  in  charges  for  handling 
the  cotton  business ;  in  fact  the  trade  is  now 
handled  at  less  expense  than  at  any  other  point 
in  the  United  States.  It  is  found  by  those  in- 
terested that  property  used  during  the  cotton 
season  for  the  care  of  the  cotton  business, 
which  formerly  lay  idle  during  the  spring  and 
summer,  can  now  to  great  advantage  be  made 
to  turn  an  honest  penny  and  pay  a  profit  where 
it  before  sustained  a  loss,  and  with  this  idea 
in  vie\v  there  has  been  added  to  the  original 
plant  a  complete  equipment  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  ice,  with  a  capacity  of  from  60  to  70 
tons  per  diem.  This  is  operated  from  May 
15th  to  September  15th,  and  furnishes  about 
one-third  of  the  total  consumption  of  the  city 
during  that  period.  Another  plant  which  has 
been  added  to  the  original  design  is  an  equip- 
ment for  the  manufacture  of  ground  gypsum, 
otherwise  known  as  land-plaster,  which  is  used 
largely  in  Eastern  North  Carolina  as  a  fer- 
tilizer for  peanuts.  This  plant  has  a  capacity 
of  from  7,000  to'  10,000  tons  during  its  sea- 
son, which  lasts  from  about  ]May  ist  to  Au- 
gust 1st. 

The  total  value  of  the  Norfolk  Warehouse 
Association  plant  is  perhaps  between  $300,- 
000  and  $400,000,  and  in  addition  to  its  be- 
ing of  great  benefit  to  the  trade  of  Norfolk, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


351. 


which  it  has  been  the  means  of  increasing, to 
some  extent,  it  has  proved  a  financial  success 
for  its  Liriginators  and  stockholders,  and  prom- 
ises in  the  future  to  do  even  more  as  its  scope 
of  usefulness  enlarges,  which,  with  the  growth 
of  the  port  in  conmierce  and  manufacture, 
most  naturally  follow. 

The  success  attending  the  consolidation  of 
interests  in  this  great  warehouse  plant  has  in- 
spired other  industries  to  a  like  consolidation 
anil  buikling  on  economic  basis,  and  the  ben- 
efits accruing  to  the  business  industry  of  the 
port  have  been  and  are  enormous.  As  an- 
i>ther  result  of  this  institution.  Norfolk  is 
coming  to  be  looked  upon  as  perhaps  the  safest 
l)lace  at  which  to  store  cotton  for  export  in 
the  United  States  and  the  great  saving  in 
condition  of  cotton,  safety  from  deterioration 
and  damage,  and  its  advantageous  position 
geographically  and  in  relation  to  trans-At- 
lantic shipping  courses  will,  it  is  confidently 
expected,  make  it  eventually  the  leading  port 
of  cuttun  export  of  the  country. 

To  a  very  large  share  of  this  condition  of 

affairs  the  Norfolk  \\'arehouse  Association  lay 

claim. 

Virginian  Pilot. 

P.\TRIOTIS.M    -VXD    PATRIOTS    OF    NORFOLK. 

The  people  of  Norfolk  were  among  the 
first  of  the  colonists  to  express  their  condemna- 
tion of  the  oppressive  laws  of  Parliament  and 
resist  the  tyranny  of  the  British  Crown.  On 
the  31st  day  of  March,  1766,  a  public  meet- 
ing was  heid  at  the  Court  House  and  "The 
Sons  of  Liberty"  organized  to  oppose  by  all 
suitable  means  the  detestable  Stamp  Act  and 
to  propose  a  union  with  other  colonists  to  pre- 
vent the  operation  of  a  measure  so  manifestly 
unconstitutional  and  oppressive.  The  meet- 
ing was  presided  over  by  the  Episcopal  clerg}-- 
man,  Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  and  the  secretaries 
were  William  Roscoe  Carle  and  James  Holt. 
The  preamble  and  resolutions  adopted  and 
signed  were  as  follows  : 


Having  t.iken  into  Consideration  the  evident  ten- 
dency of  that  oppressive  and  unconstitutional  Act  of 
Parliament,  connnonly  called  the  Stamp  Act,  and  being 
desirous  that  our  sentiments  should  be  known  to  pos- 
terity ;  and  recollecting  that  we  are  a  part  of  that  Col- 
ony who  first  in  General  .Assembly  openly  expressed 
their  detestation  to  the  said  .-Vet  (which  is  pregnant  with 
ruin,  and  productive  of  the  most  pernicious  conse- 
quences >,  and  unwilling  to  rivet  the  Shackles  of  slavery 
and  oppression  on  ourselves  and  millions  yet  unborn, 
have  unanimously  come  to  the   following  Resolutions : 

1.  Rtsohcd,  That  we  acknowledge  our  Lord  and 
Sovereign,  King  George  the  Third,  to  the  utmost  of 
our  power  and  ability,  support  and  defend  his  most 
sacred  person,  crown  and  dignity ;  and  shall  be  always 
ready,  when  constitutionally  called  upon,  to  assist  His 
Majesty,  with  out  lives  and  fortunes;  and  to  defend  all 
his  just  rights  and  prerogatives. 

2.  Resohcd,  That  we  will  by  all  lawful  ways  and 
means  which  Divine  Providence  has  put  into  our  hands, 
defend  ourselves  in  the  full  enjoyment  of.  and  preserve 
inviolate  to  posterity,  those  inestimable  privileges  of  all 
free-born  British  subjects  of  being  ta.xed  only  by  repre- 
sentatives of  their  own  choosing;  and  of  being  tried 
by  none  but  a  jury  of  their  peers.  And  that  if  we 
quietly  submit  to  the  e.xecution  of  the  said  Stamp 
.\ct,  all  our  claims  to  civil  liberty  will  be  lost,  and 
we  and  our  posterity  become  absolute  slaves.  For.  by 
that  Act,  British  subjects  in  America  are  deprived  of 
the  invaluable  privileges  aforementioned. 

3.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed,  who 
shall  in  such  manner  as  they  think  most  proper,  go  upon 
necessary  business  and  make  public  the  above  resolu- 
tions, and  that  they  correspond  as  they  shall  see  oc- 
casion with  the  Associated  Sons  of,  and  Friends  to. 
Liberty,  in  the  other  British  Colonies  in  America. 

(Signed)  Thomas  Davis,  Ja.  Holt.  Henry  Tucker, 
Maxln.  Calvert.  Robert  Tucker,  Edward  Voss.  Jas.  Par- 
ker, Fras.  Peast,  Robert  Tucker,  Jun.,  Samuel  Calvert, 
Jno.  Hutchings,  Ja.  Gibson.  Lewis  Hansford,  Nicholas 
Winterton,  Jno.  Hutchings,  Jun.,  Griffin  Peart,  Paul 
Loyall,  Jno.  Wilson,  Will.  Roscoe  Carle.  Wm.  Skinker, 
Anthy.  Lawson.  Thos.  Butt,  los.  Hutchings.  Wm.  Gray, 
Thos.  Newton.  Sen.,  Hudson  Brown,  Jno.  Phripp,  Jun., 
John  Taylor,  John  Ramsey,  Alexander  Moseley,  John 
Gilchrist.  Jno.  Taylor.  Jr.,  Mathew  Godfrey,  William 
Calvert,  Mathew  Phripp.  Willni.  Aitchenson.  Tho.  New- 
ton. Jr..  Saml.  Boush.  Edward  Hack  Moseley,  Jr.,  Wm. 
Hancock.  Richd.  Knight,  Robt.  Brett,  James  Campbell, 
Stephen  Tankard,  John  Lawrence.  Thos.  Willoughby, 
Joshua  Nicholson,  James  Dunn,  Nicholas  Wonycott, 
John  Cramond.  Mathew  Rothery.  Alexr.  Kincaid,  Jacob 
Ellegood,  George  Muter,  Cornelius  Calvert,  Chrisr.  Cal- 
vert and  Edward  Archer. 

The  Stamp  Act  was  passed  in  1765  and  in 
the  same  year  of  the  Norfolk  resolutions 
Parliament  repealed  it;  but  in  1767  the  Chan- 
cellor of  the  Exchequer  carried  through 
Parliament  a  new  Act  for  taxing  the  Amer- 
icans, putting  a  duty  upon  tea,  glass,  paper. 


352 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  other  articles  upon  entering  our  ports. 
One  June  3,  1775,  the  ship  "Molly,"  Captain 
]\Iitchenson,  arrived  from  Whitehaven,  Eng- 
land, with  dry  goods,  etc.,  consigned  to  Eil- 
beck,  Ross  &  Company,  but  the  Committee  of 
Safety  refused  to  allow  her  tO'  land  and  or- 
dered her  to  return  to  England,  and  in  Octo- 
ber of  that  year  Dunmore  seized  James  Holt's 
printing  ofifice,  which  greatly  aroused  the  in- 
dignation of  the  people  and  then  came  the  stir- 
ring events  which  eventuated  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  borough  on  January  i,  1776. 

SUPPRESSION    OF   THE   SLAVE   TRADE. 

The    follo^ving  address  explains  how  the 

Norfolk  Committee  of  Safety  suppressed  the 

slave  trade. 

1 

To   the  FrcoHCH   of  I'irginia. 

Committee  Chamber,  Norfolk.  March  6,  1775. 
Trusting  to  your  sure  resentment  against  the  ene- 
mies of  your  Country,  we  the  committee,  elected  by 
ballot  for  the  Borough  of  Norfolk,  hold  up  for  your 
just  indignation  Mr.  John  Broxi'n,  Merchant  of  this 
place.  We  are  fully  sensible  of  the  great  caution  with 
which  public  censure  should  be  inflicted ;  and  at  all 
times,  are  heartily  disposed  to  accomplish  the  great 
design  of  the  Association  by  the  gentle  methods  of 
reason  and  persuasion.  But  an  unhappy  proneness  to 
unmanly  equivocation,  which  has  so  much  distinguished 
Mr.  Brown,  and  for  which  he  has,  in  more  than  one 
instance,  been  censured  by  the  voice  of  the  people, 
added  to  the  present  manifest  discovery  of  his  secret 
and  most  direct  attempt  to  defeat  the  measures  of  the 
Congress,  in  the  case  now  before  us,  and  of  some  very 
unjustifiable  steps  taken  to  conceal  his  disingenuous  con- 
duct, hath  precluded  us  from  the  milder  methods  we 
would  wish  to  adopt,  and  compelled  us  to  give  the 
public  the  following  narration :  On  Thursday,  the  2nd 
of  March,  this  committee  were  informed  of  the  arrival 
of  the  brig  "Fanny,"  Caotain  Watson,  with  a  number 
of  slaves  for  Mr.  Brown:  and,  upon  inquiry,  it  ap- 
peared that  they  were  shipped  from  Jamaica  as  his  prop- 
erty, and  on  his  account ;  that  lie  had  taken  great  pains 
to  conceal  the  arrival  from  the  knowledge  of  the  com- 
mittee ;  and  that  the  shipper  of  the  slaves.  Mr.  Brown's 
correspondents,  and  the  captain  of  the  vessel,  were 
fully  apprized  of  the  Continental  prohibition  against 
that  article.  These  circumstances  induced  a  suspicion 
that  Mr.  Brown  had  given  orders  for  the  Slaves  him- 
self, which  he  positively  denied,  asserting  that  he  had 
expressly  forbidden  his  correspondents  to  send  any,  as 
being  contrary  to  the  .Association,  for  the  truth  of 
which  he  appealed  to  his  own  letter-book.  The  Sec- 
retary being  desired,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Brown,  to 
attend    him    to    inspect    the   orders    said   to    have   been 


given,  reported  that  he  had  had  some  slight  and  hasty 
glances  at  letters  written  between  the  middle  of  De- 
cember and  beginning  of  January,  and  was  sorry  to  say 
he  had  seen  one  directed  to  Mr.  Henderson,  and  an- 
other to  Mr.  Livingston,  both  of  the  date  of  Decem- 
ber, and  a  third  to  Messrs.  Campbells,  of  the  first  of 
January,  all  containing  positive  and  particular  orders 
for  remittances  to  be  made  him  in  Slaves ;  at  the  same 
time  hinting  the  necessity  of  secrecy,  as  it  is  an  article, 
he  writes,  he  could  not  avowedly  deal  in.  The  Secretary 
also  reported  that  he  had  seen  a  postscript,  written  a 
few  days  after  the  determination  of  this  committee, 
directing  the  return  of  a  Slave  imported  from  Antigua, 
in  which  postscript  Mr.  Brown  writes  his  correspondent 
to  send  him  no  more  than  two  negro  lads,  as  it  would 
be  dangerous  to  sell  them  here.  But  his  orders  to  his 
other  correspondents  appear  to  have  been  so  positive 
that  they  were  complied  with,  notwithstanding  his  friend 
writes  him  that  good  Slaves  would  sell  to  more  ad- 
va:itage  in  Jamaica  than  in  Virginia.  From  the  whole 
of  this  transaction,  therefore,  we.  the  committee  for 
Norfolk  Borough,  do  give  it  as  our  unanimous  opinion 
that  the  said  John  Brown  has  willfully  and  perversely 
violated  the  Continental  .Association,  to  which  he  had 
with  his  own  hand  subscribed  obedience ;  and  that  agree- 
able to  the  Eleventh  Article  we  are  bound  ''forthwith 
to  publi.sh  the  truth  of  the  case,  to  the  end  that  all 
such  foes  to  the  rights  of  British  America  may  be  pub- 
lickly  known,  and  universally  contemned,  as  the  enemies 
of  American  Liberty,  and  that  every  person  may  hence- 
forth break  ofif  all  dealings  with  him." 

Mathew    Phripp,   Chairman. 


I 


James  Taylor, 
John  Hutchings, 
John  Lawrence, 
Joseph   Hutchings, 
Thomas   Newton,  Jr., 
Thomas  Ritson, 


John  Boush, 
James  Holt, 
Niel  Jamieson, 
Robert  Taylor, 
Thomas  Claiborne, 
Samuel  Ingles. 


E.xtract  from  the  minutes. 

William  Davies,  Secretary.' 

A  letter  dated  Thursday,  July  20,  1775, 
expressing  alarm'  at  a  report  of  desertion  from 
the  glorious  cause,  was  despatched  to  Norfolk 
from  the  several  volunteer  companies  in  Will- 
iamsburg. 

On  Saturday  the  answer  from  the  commit- 
tee was  returned : 

To  the  officers  of  the  J'ohinteer  conil'anies  in  U'ill- 
iamsburg: 

Gentlemen :  We  arc  happy  in  every  expression  of 
your  attachment  to  the  common  interest  of  your  coun- 
try, and  are  glad  we  can  intorm  you  there  is  not  the 
least  foundation  for  the  fears  you  have  declared  for 
our  safety,  upon  an  ill-grounded  report  that  any  among 
us  are  deserting  the  cause  of  their  country,  and  enlisting 
against  it.  It  is  a  report  we  can  assure  you  that  is 
totally  devoid  of  truth.  You  may  depend,  we  would 
not   sit    still   as    indifferent   spectators   of   such  hostile 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


353 


measures.  The  time  may  come  when  we  may  stand 
in  need  of  your  assistance,  surrounded  as  we  are  hy 
armed  vessels  and  some  suspected  inhaliitants ;  we  trust 
we  shall  then  receive  it:  and  should  the  Convention 
hereafter  think  it  necessary  to  quarter  any  of  you 
among  us.  you  may  rest  assured  we  shall  welcome  you 
with  willing  hearts  and  open  arms. 

We  are.  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants, 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

William  D.wies,  Secretary, 

The.^e  other  actions  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  for  Norfolk  show  that  no  truer,  braver 
and  more  patriotic  lx>dy  of  men  lias  existed  any- 
where in  all  the  time  wliich  lias  intervened.  It 
is  a  glorious  record  of  courage  and  de\'otion 
whicli  should  lie  cherished  as  a  sacred  herit- 
age. 

XOT.\BLE    HISTORICAL    INCIDENTS. 

On  June  30,  1784,  the  court  ordered  that 
a  town  Hall,  40  by  32  feet,  be  built  on  the 
public  land  adjoining  Dr.  Taylor's  lot. 

On  April  2,  1S19.  the  corner-stone  of  the 
ne^v  Custom  House,  Water  and  Church  streets, 
was  laid.  President  Monroe,  Mr.  Calhoun, 
Commodores  Decatur.  Cassin,  Sinclair,  War- 
rington,  Elliott  and  Henley  were  present,  and 
the  Portsmouth  Riflemen,  Captain  Kay,  Nor- 
folk Juniors,  Captain  Giblx>ns,  and  Captain 
Cooper's  Cavalry  gave  a  military  air  to  the 
ceremonies.  A  big  dinner  followed.  The 
building  was  Inirned  down  in  1861,  during 
the  Confederate  war. 

On  October  22,  1824,  La  Fayette  arrived 
in  Norfolk ;  Mayor  James  E.  Holt  at  the  head 
of  a  grand  procession  received  him.  Tlie 
school  children  strewed  his  pathway  with 
flowers. 

On  Apffil  24,  1844,  Henry  Clay  visited 
Norfolk  and  was  the  guest  of  Col.  Myer 
Myers. 

On  August  25,  i860,  Stephen  A.  Douglass 
made  a  speech  in  Norfolk  from  the  balcony  of 
the  National  Hotel,  corner  of  Main  and 
Church  streets. 

On  August  5,  i860,  the  "Great  Eastern" 
arrived  in  Hampton  Roads. 

The  Day  Book  was  an  able  and  persistent 


advocate  of  tlie  Uni'Mi  and  jieace  until  March 
4,  1861,  when  the  inaugural  address  incited 
its  indignation  expressed  editorially :  "Lincoln, 
the  wild,  political  despot  of  the  West,  whose 
head  has  l)een  crazed  by  the  doctrines  and  isins 
of  Horace  (ireeley,  has  proclaimed  to  those 
who  had  patience  to  hope  better  things  of  him 
that  they  must  hope  no  longer.  His  inaugural 
has  gone  forth  to  the  world,  carrying  with  it 
the  declaration  of  coercion  fully  and  explicitly 
announced.  It  has  told  the  millions  of  inhabi- 
tants of  this  country,  who  hoi)cd  for  peace 
from  his  lips,  that  they  shall  have  no  peace.  He 
proclaims  to  the  South  war!  war!  war!!!  He 
has  exiKised  his  cloven  foot  plainly  and  openly 
to  the  gaze  of  all,  that  they  may  be  no  longer 
deceived ;  and  we  must  say  that  henceforth  we 
can  have  but  little  patience  with  any  South- 
ern man  who  would  pretend  that  there  is  yet 
hope."  This  inaugural  address  united  both  po- 
litical  parties  for  the  State  and  the  South. 
Alexander  Hamiltim  said :  "There  are  certain 
scicial  principles  in  human  nature,  from  which 
we  may  draw  the  most  solid  conclusions,  with 
respect  to  the  conduct  of  individuals.  We 
love  our  families  more  than  our  neighbors ; 
We  love  our  neighbors  more  than  our  coun- 
trymen in  general.  The  human  affections,  like 
the  solar  heat,  lose  their  intensity  as  they  de- 
part from  the  center,  and  become  languid  in 
proportion  to  the  expansion  of  the  circle  on 
which  they  act.  On  these  principles  the  at- 
tachment of  the  individual  will  be  first  and 
forever  secured  by  the  State  governments; 
they  will  be  a  mutual  protection  and  support." 
On  these  principles  Whig  and  Democrat, 
Unionist  and  secessionist  rallied  to  resist  the 
invasion  of  Virginia  and  maintain  her  consti- 
tutional rights. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Common  Council  of 
Norfolk  City  on  November  5,  1861,  John  B. 
Whitehead,  Esq.,  president,  the  following 
preamble  an<i  resolutions  introduced  by  Mr. 
Bluford  were  unanimously  adopted : 

IVhcrcas,  it  is  the  duty  of  every  loyal  citizen  of 
the  Confederate  States  to  assist  the  constituted  author- 
ities thereof,  and 


354 


HISTORY   OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Whereas,  arms  and  parts  thereof  are  much  needed 
by  the  said  authorities,  be  it  therefore, 

Rcsoh'cd,  That  the  Mayor  be  and  he  is  hereby  au- 
thorized and  requested  to  appoint  four  citizens  from 
each  ward  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  the  house  of 
every  white  person  to  obtain  contributions  of  arms  or 
parts  thereof,  that  wmH  be  of  service  to  the  said  Con- 
federate authorities,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  give 
notice  officially  of  the  intended  visit  of  said  committee, 
so  that  the  citizens  may  be  prepared  to  give  freely  of 
such  unserviceable  arms  or  parts  thereof  as  may  be  in 
their  possession. 

Resolved,  That  His  Honor  be  further  requested 
to  appoint  William  E.  Foster,  sunerintendent  for  the 
Confederate  Army,  chairman  of  said  committee,  and 
that  the  whole  collection  ot  arms  and  parts  thereof 
with  a  schedule  be  tendered  by  His  Honor  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  as  the  gift  of  the  City  of  Norfolk. 

Norfolk,  Va.,  Dec.  12,  i86i. 
Capt.   James  -Cornick  : 

Dear  Sir:  Some  of  our  citizens  have  called  on 
me  and  expressed  a  wish  to  have  additional  obstructions 
put  in  our  harbor.  I  have  addressed  a  letter  to  Com- 
mander .Forrest  on  the  subiect,  but  I  know  not  whether 
a  letter  from  me  will  induce  him  to  use  the  materials 
in  the  Navy  Yard  for  that  purpose.  It  has  been  sug- 
gested that  the  Councils  ought  to  take  some  action  in 
the  matter.  I  submit  to  you  the  necessity  of  calling  a 
meeting  of  both  bodies,  the  president  of  the  Common 
Council  being  absent  from  the  city,  and  the  vice-presi- 
dent, as  I  have  been  informed,  beitig  confined  to  his 
house  by  sickness. 

Yours   very   respectfully, 
William   W.   Lamb,  Mayor. 

The  Councils  appointed  a  committee  to 
confer  with  a  committee  from  the  Council  of 
the  city  of  Portsmouth  and  the  military 
authorities  on  the  subject  suggested  by  the 
mayor. 

Military  necessities  compelled  the  evacua- 
tion of  Norfolk,  and  the  civil  authorities  were 
notified  by  the  following  cominunication : 

Headquarters  Department  of  Norfolk,  May  10,  1862. 
William  W.  Lamb,  Esq., 

Mayor  of  Norfolk. 
Sir:  The  troops  which  formerly  defended  this 
neighborhood  having  been  removed  elsewhere  by  order 
of  the  government.  I  have  not  the  means  to  defend  the 
city  and  have  ordered  all  the  forces  off  and  turn  over 
the  charge  of  the  city  to  yourself  and  its  civil  officers. 
Very   Respectfully, 

Benj.  Huger. 
Major-Genl. 

On  the  departure  of  the  Confederate 
troops,  a  committee  of  the  Councils,  composed 
of  the  mayor,  the  presidents  and  vice-presi- 


dents of  the  Councils  proceeded  in  carriages 
to  the  city  limits,  near  the  Hebrew  Cemetery 
and  awaited  the  approach  of  the  Federal 
troops ;  when  their  advance  appeared  in  sight 
the  mayor  waved  his  white  handkerchief.  He 
asked  that  General  Wool  be  requested  to  ac- 
cord them  an  audience,  and  in  response  Gen- 
eral Wool  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
Hon.  S.  P.  Chase,  rode  forward.  Thev  repaired 
toi  a  small  house  near-by  for  the  conference, 
where  the  General  very  graciously  granted 
their  requests.  Finally  Mayor  Lamb  stated 
that  there  were  provisions  in  the  warehouses 
in  the  city  and  requested  that  a  coinmittee  of 
citizens  be  allowed  to  distribute  them  tO'  the 
wives  and  children  of  Confederate  soldiers. 
General  Wool  turned  and  said :  "What  do 
you  think  of  that,  Mr.  Chase?"  The  Secretary 
said  that  would  be  all  right.  The  mayor  in- 
vited these  dignitaries  to  ride  with  them  in 
the  carriages  to  the  city.  General  Wool,  Sec- 
retary Chase,  Mayor  Lamb  and  Capt.  James 
Cornick  occupied  one  carriage.  General  Viele, 
John  B.  Whitehead,  George  W.  W.  Camp  and 
Charles  H.  Rowland  occupied  the  other  car- 
riage and  they  thus  entered  the  city,  accom- 
panied by  an  escort  of  cavalry  and  proceeded 
to  the  City  Hall.  General  Wool  promulgated 
an  order  appointing  Brigadier-General  Viele 
military  governor,  which  concluded  as  fol- 
lows :  "General  Viele  will  see  that  all  citizens 
are  carefuly  protected  in  all  their  rights  and 
civil  privileges,  taking  the  utmost  care  to  pre- 
serve order  and  to  see  that  no  soldier  be  per- 
mitted to  enter  the  city  except  by  his  order, 
or  by  the  written  permission  of  the  com- 
manding officer  of  his  brigade  or  regiment, 
and  he  will  punish  any  American  soldier 
who  shall  trespass  upon  the  rights  or  prop- 
erty of  any  of  the  inhabitants."  Gen.  John 
E.  Wool  then  returned  tO'  Old  Point. 
His  order  was  not  obeyed  and  the  peo- 
ple who  were  to  be  protected  passed  under  the 
yoke  of  compassionless  tyranny.  Federal  rule 
of  Norfolk  and  surroundings  is  a  black  stain 
on  the  name  of  the  American  Republic. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  Common  Council 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


355 


was  held  June  5,  1S62.     Mr.  Bluford  offered 
tlie  following, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Council  be  and 
they  are  horchy  tendered  to  John  B.  Whitehead,  Esq., 
president  thereof,  for  the  faithful  and  impartial  man- 
ner in  which  he  has  discharged  tlie  duties  of  his  office. 

Which  was  carried  by  acclamation. 

Burton's  history  savs  "The  return  of  our 
soldiers  to  their  homes  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described.  *  *  *  The  terrible  war 
througli  which  they  passed  is  too  well  remem- 
bered by  the  i>ei>ple  of  Norfolk.  *  *  * 
Many  a  mourning  dress,  broken  spirit,  sad- 
dened life,  maimed  fortune,  withered  hope, 
empty  sleeve,  woodai  leg,  orphaned  child,  va- 
cant chair  and  nameless  graves  in  our  dear  old 
Commonwealth,  silently  attest  its  horrors. 
Norfolk  lost  her  full  share  in  the  terrible  con- 
flict and  suffered  in  many  other  respects.'"  And 
those  whom  they  greeted  had  borjie  a  tyranny 
of  misrule,  and  suffered  insults  from  Ben. 
Butler  and  his  minions  too  fiendish  to  recall. 

On  the  14th  of  Alay,  1867,  the  ex-Presi- 
dent of  the  Confederate  States,  Hon.  Jeffer- 
son Davis,  arrived  in  the  city  from  Richmond 
en  route  for  Canada  to  join  his  family,  hav- 
ing the  day  before  been  bailed. 

On  April  20,  1870,  the  work  of  building 
the  Norfolk  city  railway  was  begun. 

On  April  30,  1870,  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee 
arrived  in  Portsmouth  via  the  Seaboard  & 
Roanoke  Railroad.  The  General,  accom- 
panied by  his  daughter,  was  met  by  Col. 
Walter  H.  Taylor,  his  former  adjutant  gen- 
eral, and  was  by  him  conducted  through  the 
dense  throng  to  the  ferry-boat.  The  air,  dur- 
ing his  passage  through  the  assemblage,  was 
vocal  with  shouts  of  welcome.  On  the  ar- 
rival of  the  steamer  at  Norfolk  an  immense 
concourse  was  assembled,  and  as  the  General 
and  his  daughter  stepped  on  the  warf  they 
were  greeted  with  cheers,  which  continued  un- 
til they  reached  a  hack. 

Gen.  Robert  Edward  Lee,  the  Christian 
soldier  and  hero  of  an  hundred  battles, 
breathed  his  last  at  Lexington,  Virginia,  Oc- 


tober  12,^  1870,  and  the  next  da\-  the  whole 
city  of  Norfolk  was  in  mourning. 

On  April  9,  1873,  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Guild  (now  St.  Luke's 
Church,  on   Bute  street),   was   formally  laid. 

On  July  30,  1875,  Maj.-Gen.  George  E. 
Pickett,  the  Confederate  hero  of  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  departed  this  life  at  the  St.  Vin- 
cent de  Paul  Hf^spital  in  this  city. 

July  30,  1876  (anniversary  of  the  bat- 
tle of  the  Crater),  was  a  gala  day  in  Norfolk. 
It  was  the  occasion  of  the  annual  reunion  of 
the  veterans  of  "Mahone's  Old  Brigade," 
Army  of  Northern  \'irginia. 

On  January  13,  1877,  the  frigate  "Swet- 
lana,"  of  the  Imperial  Russian  Navy,  arrived 
in  our  harbor.  She  was  commanded  l)y  Rear 
Admiral  Boutadoff,  with  the  Grand'  Duke 
Alexis  as  "ship's  captain,"  and  the  Grand 
Duke  Constantine  (the  younger),  lieutenant. 
There  were  also  on  board  several  princes, 
barons  and  other  memliers  of  the  Russian 
royal  family. 

On  Januiary  25,  1877,  the  Norfolk  Ger- 
man Club  gave  a  complimentary  german  to  the 
Grand  Duke  Alexis,  who  honored  the  invita- 
tion by  his  presence. 

On  February  8,  1877,  a  grand  ball  was 
given  in  honor  of  the  Grand  Dukes  and  the 
officers  of  the  Russian  frigates  "Swetlana" 
and  "Bogatyr,"  the  latter  haying  just  then  ar- 
rived. The  ball  was  a  fashionable  gathering 
of  which  Norfolk  for  a  long  time  boasted, 
and  it  was  most  admirably  and  systematically 
conducted. 

On  February  13,  1877,  the  Grand  Duke 
Alexis  and  his  companions  gave  a  grand 
matinee  dansante  on  Imard  the  flag-ship  "Swet- 
lana," of  the  Imperial  Russian  Navy. 

The  great  religious  meetings  of  Moodx 
and  Sankey  began  on  April   14,   1886. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  Market  and 
Armory  was  laid  October  29,  1890. 

Father  Abram  J.  Ryan,  the  Southern  poet, 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  \'irginia,  August  15, 
1839,   and   died   in   Louisville,    Kentucky,   on 


356 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  22nd  of  April,  1886.  His  father,  Michael 
Ryan,  was  born  in  Tipperary,  Ireland;  his 
mother,  Mary  (IMadden)  Ryan,  was  born  in 
Limerick,  Ireland.  His  father  was  a  stone- 
mason and  after  immigrating  to  this  country 
worked  for  a  while  at  his  trade  in  Baltimore, 
^Maryland,  then  removed  to  Hagerstown  and 
while  there  a  daughter  was  born.  He  after- 
ward located  at  Norfolk  and  here  his  son 
Abram  was  born.  Little  did  his  parents  real- 
ize that  they  were  raising  up'  a  boy  to  sing  the 
great  war  songs  of  tlie  South  and  become 
famous  as  the  poet-priest  the  world  over. 
Soon  after  Father  Ryan's  ordination  as  a 
Catholic  priest,  he  became  a  chaplain  in  the 
Confederate  Army,  in  which  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  On  February  7,  1900, 
Pickett-Buchanan  Chapter,  United  Daughters 
of  the  Confederacy,  decided  to  erect  a  monu- 
ment to  his  memory,  appointing  Mrs.  Walter 
P.  Burrow,  chairman,  Mrs.  Charles  G.  Elliott, 
]\Irs.  Frank  Anthony  Walke,  Mrs.  Philip  G. 
Yeatman,  Mrs.  R.  B.  Cooke,  Mrs.  Walter  H. 
Doyle  and  Mrs.  Theo.  S.  Garnett  a  committee 
to  carry  out  the  plans,  and  on  the  22nd  of 
May,  in  the  center  of  the  Confederate  lot  in 
Elmwood  Cemeten',  unveiled  the  Father  Ryan 
memorial — a  crc>ss  seven  feet  high,  made  of 
Southern'  granite  and  bearing  the  inscription 

Father  Ryan,  Poet  Priest, 

Erected    A.    D.    1900, 

By  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy 

of  Norfolk.  Va. 

His  Native  City. 

On  a  visit  to  his  native  city  in  1880,  Fa- 
ther Ryan  presented  to  James  Barron  Hope  a 
cop}-  of  his  poems  and  on  the  fly-leaf, 
written  in  his  own  hand, — "To  Virginia's  first 
poet  by  a  Southern  Priest  Poet  with  truest  re- 
gards." 

"No  poet  ever  yet  has   written   songs   so  sweet 
As  the  unfelt  fragrance  of  his  own  heart ; 
His  songs  are  flowers,  and  sometimes  birds ; — we  greet 
Such  songs;  the  bard  is  higher  than  his  art. 

Himself  I  read  beneath  the  words  he  writes 

And   he   himself   means   more   than    songs   to   me; 

Beneath   life's   suns  by  days  and   stars  through  night 
Moves  the  deep  music  of  Eternity. 


He  sings  as  best  he  can — but  when  he  sings 

His   grandest   songs,— and   hymns    the    world   calls 
l)est, 
He  knows  that   folded   in  his   spirit's  wings 

Are   songs   that    sound   not, — and   God   knows   the 
rest." 


On  December  11,  1889,  memorial  service 
for  ex-President  Jefferson  Davis  of  the  Con- 
federate States  was  held  at  the  Academy  of 
Music.  There  was  a  large  concourse  of  people 
to  do'  homage  to  the  memory  of  the  distin- 
guished dead.  All  business  was  suspended  in 
the  city  during  the  ceremonies. 

Capt.  J.  F.  Cecil,  a  noted  Confederate 
soldier  and  popular  citizen,  died  January  22, 
1890. 

Great  Bridge  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of 
the  American  Revolution  was  organized  in 
Norfolk  during  the  month  of  February,  1894, 
with  a  membership  of  12.  Mrs.  Hugh  Nel- 
son Page  was  elected  regent  for  a  term  of 
one  year.  Mrs.  Page  served  four  terms  and 
was  then  made  State  regent  of  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Re\-olution,  \\-hich  office  she 
still  holds.  Since  ]\Irs.  Page's  retirement,  the 
local  regency  has  been  held  by  Mrs.  Philip  Ed- 
ward Yeatman,  Mrs.  H.  H.  H.  Handy,  Mrs. 
James  Hubbard  and  Mrs.  James  Riddle,  who 
is  the  present  reg^ent. 

From  the  original  12  members  at  the  or- 
ganization of  the  chapter,  the  number  has 
gradually  increased  until  now  the  roll  contains 
53  names. 

The  chapter  has  done  much  to  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  the  heroes  from  this  section 
who  fought  for  the  independence  that  has 
made  this  nation  the  greatest  in  the  world, 
and  the  erection'  of  the  momnnent  at  Great 
Bridge  is  a  crowning  success  to  its  patriotic 
endeavors.  The  inscription  on  the  monument 
is  as  follows : 


This   Stone  Marks   the   Battlefield  of 
Great  Bridge.  Dec.  g,  1775. 

Erected   by  the 

Daughters  of  the  American 

Revolution, 

Norfolk,  Virginia,  1900. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


357 


THE   ASSOCIATION    FOR   THE    PRESERVATION    OF 
VIRGINIA  ANTIQUITIES. 

The  object  of  this  society  is  to  restore  and 
preserve  tlie  ancient  historic  buildings  and 
tombs  in  the  State  of  \'irginia,  and  acquire  by 
purchase  or  gifts  the  sites  of  such  buildings 
and  tombs  with  a  view  to  their  perpetuation 
and  preservation. 

Norfoliv   Brancii   was  originated   in    1888. 

OFFICERS. 

Miss    Mary   J.    Gait,    Supervisor. 
Miss  L.   L.  Taylor,  Directress. 
Mrs.  William  H.  White,  Treasurer. 
Miss  Rosa  Rountree,  Secretary. 

ADVISORY   BO.\RD. 

William  W.  Old. 

Rev.    Beverly   D.    Tucker. 

Judge  T.   S.   Garnett. 

EXECUTIVE   COMMITTEE. 

R.  M.  Hughes. 
T.  Seldeu  Bagnall. 
William   W.   Old. 
B.    P.    Loyall. 
Barton    Myers. 

>.    The  Wishing  Oak. 

By  Mrs.   Winifred  Sackvillc-Stoncr. 

On  one  of  the  principal  streets  of  Norfolk 
stands  a  dilapidated  old  mansion  known  as  the 
"Tazewell  Place,"'  being  the  former  home  of 
ex-Governor  Tazewell. 

For  many  years,  on  the  border  of  the  lawn, 
which  surrounds  this  house,  stood  an  anciait 
live  oak  with  its  roots  extending  beneath  the 
sidewalk  and  its  branches  hanging  over  the 
heads  of  passers-by. 

This  grand  old  tree  was  called  "The  Wish- 
ing Oak,''  but  the  eldest  citizen  of  Norfolk 
could  not  verify  its  age  nor  the  exact  time 
when  it  received  its  name.  However,  it  is 
claimed  that  many  individuals  have  obtained 
the  great  desire  of  their  hearts  by  going  un- 
der its  branches  and  wishing  aloud. 

There    are    two    legends    concerning    the 

origin  of  belief  in  this  oak's  miraculous  powers. 
21 


Some  claim  that  the  custom  of  wishing  be- 
neath the  tree  originated  with  a  little  girl,  who 
once  while  sitting  in  the  shadow  of  its  green 
leaves  wished  for  a  ring.  On  the  follow- 
ing day  her  aunt  presented  her  with  the  wished 
for  gift,  saying  that  she  had  dreamed  about 
the  little  maid's  wish.  This  caused  the  im- 
aginative child  to  believe  that  there  were  fair- 
ies in  the  tree  and  consequently  she  and  her 
playmates  always  came  here  to  jwur  forth  the 
desires  of  their  infantile  hearts. 

The  other  legend  says  that  "The  Wish- 
ing Oak"  was  so  christened  by  an  old  man, 
who  used  to  pass  under  the  tree's  branches 
every  morning  and  taking  off  his  hat,  would 
wish  for  fine  w^eather  or  some  special  pleasure 
during  the  day.  He  claimed  that  his  wishes 
were  always  granted,  so  others  began  to  fol- 
low his  example. 

For  almost  a  century,  young  men  and 
maidens,  who  wished  to  be  married,  have 
stood  under  this  tree  at  midnight,  when  the 
moon  was  full,  whispered  their  wish  to  the 
green  leaves  and  then  walked  two  blocks  with- 
out speaking,  which  was  the  prescri!)e<l  rule 
for  winning  a  husband  or  wife.  All  those  who 
received  their  hearts'  desire  had  such  faith 
in  the  old  oak  that  they  believed  there  was  vir- 
tue e\-en  in  its  leaves,  so  when  they  could  not 
go  to  the  tree  they  made  a  wish  by  kissing 
some  of  the  leaves  which  they  always  kept 
with  them. 

Owing  to  the  wonderful  growth  of  Nor- 
folk, and  the  necessity  for  a  new  business 
block  on  Granby  street,  the  venerable  philan- 
thropist, who  still  possessed  a  sturdy  trunk 
and  fresh  green  leaves,  was  felled  to  the 
ground  on  November  7,  1901. 

Although  it  will  always  remain  unknown 
as  to  its  fulfillment  of  all  wishes,  still  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  number  of  happy  homes  pre- 
sumably made  by  this  much  loved  tree  are 
as  numerous  as  the  ever  green  leaves  under 
which  they  were  made,  and  as  a  good'  talisman 
every  one  should  endeavor  to  possess  at  least 
one  leaf  from  the  famous  old  "Wishing  Oak." 
Winifred  S.\ckvii.i.e-Stoner. 


■358 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


FIRE    HISTORY   OF    NORFOLK. 

Written  By   Thomas  B.  Rowland  in   1898. 

Tlie  first  allusion  to  fire  matters  in  the  old 
borough  \vas  about  1740,  when  the  worship- 
ful court  "doth  order  that  on  ye  breaking  out 
of  a  fire  the  drum  shall  be  beat." 

The  second,  perhaps,  is  a  trifle  later  than 
that  when  an  order  was  passed  prohibiting 
wooden  chimneys.  On  Septemiber  14,  1751, 
the  court  ordered  the  remittance  of  £100 
sterling  to  Ennis  &  Hope,  London,  "for  one 
fire  engine  compleat,"  and  for  buckets  and 
other  utensils  usable  with  said  engine.  I  am 
not  centain,  but  under  the  impression,  that  this 
engine  was  built  by  Newsham  &  Rag;  how- 
ever, she  must  have  arrived,  for  in  1753  an 
order  is  passed  to  pay  4s.  43^^ d.  for  i^  pounds 
of  leather  to  repair  the  engine. 

There  are  no  town  records  that  show  the 
occurrence  of  any  fires  of  note — but  the  orders 
for  the  digging  of  numerous  public  wells  for 
fire  purposes,  and  for  the  supply  of  Avater  to 
the  shipping,  with  the  appointment  of  care- 
takers for  them,  make  it  plain  such  things 
were  looked  after.  In  1783  an  order  of  court 
appears  that  the  town  sergeant  be  directed  to 
bring  back  from  Kemp's  Landing  the  engines 
sent  there  for  safe  keeping.  This  means  that 
when  Lord  Dunmore  destroyed  the  town  in 
1776  we  had  engines.  Records  between  1790 
and  1800  refer  to  the  purchase  of  engines  in 
Philadelphia,  and  further  that  a  number  of 
pri\-ate  individuals  uwned  and  maintained  en- 
gines besides  those  under  'tlhe  control  of  the 
corporation.  Between  those  dates,  and  we 
may  say  up  tO'  1810,  numerous  fires  of  minor 
importance,  no  doubt,  occurred,  as  would  be 
the  case  in  all  small  towns  of  wooden  con- 
struction. But  powder  and  blowing  up  was 
much  resorted  to.  for  I  found  many  appro- 
priations of  record  for  pa}-ment  of  powder 
used. 

The  first  great  fire  of  which  we  have  any 
intelligent  record,  was  on  February  24,  1799. 
It  begun  in  the  house  of  one  Abbot,  a  shoe- 
maker, in  Woodside  lane,  wiped  out  about  162 


buildings,  from  Commerce  street,  west,  up  to 
]\Iain  street,  north.  The  Mutual  Assurance 
Society  of  Virginia  records  it  as  the  first  seri- 
ous loss  they  had:  it  cost  them  about  $35,000. 
One  incident  in  connection  with  this  fire  may 
be  noted.  Its  progress  in  one  direction  was 
stayed  by  the  free  use  of  vinegar, — the  stock 
of  one  of  the  storekeepers. 

The  next  fire  that  appears  worthy  of  spe- 
cial notice  was  on  February  22,  1804.  It  be- 
gan on  Maxwell's  wharf,  now  Roanoke  dock, 
near  the  water,  and  extended  all  along  the 
west  side  of  Market  Square,  north  to  Main 
street;  thence  west  to  iTown  Point  on  the 
south  side  of  Main  street,  destroying  in  all 
over  300  buildings,  many  of  \yhich  were  ware- 
houses filled  with  West  India  produce  of  much 
value,  for  our  trade  in  such  was  very  large. 
In  1797,  Fire  Company  No.  i,  under  Dr. 
Archer,  first  came  into  notice  as  a  distinct  or- 
ganization, and  there  are  'traces  without  any 
special  record  that  it  was  the  original  Union 
Fire  Company  that  retained  its  operative  force 
up  to  the  war,  only  disappearing  after  it. 

The  origin  of  the  Franklin  Fire  Company 
is  not  quite  so  definite,  but  as  far  back  as  1803, 
one  Oliphant,  then  cashier  of  tWe  United 
States  Bank,  was  prominent,  and  from  that 
time  up  to  1830,  under  Joseph  A.  Barron, 
John  Myers,  James  S.  Garrison,  and  others 
iti  did  continuous  duty  until  1846,  when  it  dis- 
appeared entirely. 

In  1824,  the  Pheni.x  Fire  Company,  under 
James  M.  Steed  and  others,  appears:  but  that 
company  also  disappears  in  1846  with  the 
Franklin  Fire  Company  by  being  merged  in 
with  the  Hope  and  Aid  fire  companies,  un- 
der a  new  organization,  after  the  fire  on  Main 
street  and  ^larket  Square. 

In  1830  the  Resolution  Fire  Company,  of 
Portsmouth,  was  formed  under  Charles  A. 
Grice,  with  an  engine  built  by  Stephen  Thayer 
of  Boston,  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  subscribing 
$800  towards  it. 

After  1830  the  pre\ious  prevailing  interests 
in  fire  matters  died  out,  and  not  until  1846, 
after  a  bad  fire  on  Main  street,  was  any  im- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


359 


])ri<ve(l  apparatus  introduced  and  a  chief  enjji- 
neer — Finley  F.  Ferguson — put  in  charge,  all 
prior  to  tliat  the  manual  labor  was  done  by 
negroes,  who  were  paid  so  much  an  hour.  The 
formation  of  white  companies,  after  that  pro- 
tluced  the  usual  rivalry,  and  it  was  kept  up 
until  the  war  broke  them  up.  We  might  date 
the  different  organizations  of  this  era  as  the 
Hoi>e  Fire  Company,  1847;  Relief  Fire  Com- 
])any,  1847;  Aid  Fire  Company,  1847:  United 
Fire  Company,  1850:  the  Union  retaining  its 
old  one — after  some  lajise  of  time  with  various 
dissensions  and  mucli  turbulent  trouble. 

The  Councils  in  1871  passed  sweeping  or- 
ders for  the  disbanding  of  all  the  old  organiza- 
tions, and  on  Decemljer  15.  1871,  fullv  e.stab- 
lishcd  the  jjresent  as  a  paid  department,  placing 
it  in  the  hands  of  Thomas   B.   Rowland,  Ed- 
ward ^^'.  Face,  Charles  B.  Langley,  as  a  Board 
oi  Fire  Commissioners,  with  full  and  complete 
authority  of  appointment,  and  its  administra- 
tion  with   Thomas   Kevill,   as  chief  engineer; 
Robert  W.  Rhea,  as  assistant.     The  apparatus 
at  that  time,  and  soon  after,  consisted  of  three 
steam  fire  engines,  four  hose  carts  and  a  small 
b(K)k  and  ladder  truck,  with  2y   call  men,  si.x 
substitutes,  and  seven  permanent  station  men. 
Thomas  Kevill  continued  as  chief  engineer  un- 
til 1894.  when  he  was  succeeded  b}'  the  present 
incumbent,   Martin  J.  Ryan.     In   1871   it  was 
a  (juestion  cf  policy  under  the  then  existing  con- 
ditions to  centralize  the  department,  and  as  the 
territory  to  be  covered  was  not  large — for  our 
population  had  ntjt  grown  so  much — with  quick 
movement  any  part  could  Ix;  easily  reached,  so  | 
the  present   department   building  on    William 
street  was  planned  to  contain  all  the  apparatus 
then  in  use.     But  as  the  town  grew,  in   1893 
additional  fire  quarters  on  Queen  street,  near 
Church,  were  contracted  for — since  built  and 
equipped. 

Space  not  being  within  cur  reach  for  ex- 
tended notices,  simple  references  to  date  can   I 
only  be  made    of    fires  of  much  consequence  ' 
within  the  period  under  review  : 

1776 — Burning   by   Lord    Dunmore....   1.333  buildings. 
1799 — .^s   noted   before    262  buildings. 


1804— .-Xs  noted  before 300  buildings. 

1814 — East  side  Market  Square 35  buildings. 

1819 — Main   street  to  Metcalfs   lane  to 

Talbot  street,  etc   100  buildings. 

'8-7 — CInirch  street  to  Mariner,  etc.  ...       100  buildings. 

1848 — W'oodside  wharf  to  Town  Point.        62  buildings. 

1863 — Main  street  and  Market  Square..        13  buildings. 

1873 — Market  Square. 

1881 — Cotton  warehouses,  wharves,  compress  and  ship. 

1083 — \orfolk   &    Western    Kailway   and  cotton   sheds. 

1891 — X'orfolk  storage  warehouses. 

1892 — Same  again. 

1894— McCleary's  &  McCIellan's  live  stock  .stables. 

i8g6— S.   R.   White  S:   Brothers'   foundry.  28  buildings, 

cattle  yards,  etc..  building  of  Merchants'  &  Fanners' 

Peanut  Conii)any  and  .Atlantic  City  Saw   Mills  on 

Front  street. 

Tho.\i.\s  B.  Rowland. 


THE.XTRES. 

Long  prior  to  the  Revolution  theatrical  per- 
formances were  held  in  a  wooden  building  that 
had  been  used  as  a  p<:>ttery  on  the  south  side  of 
]\Iain  street,  near  the  river  shore.  A  regular 
theatre  was  in  operation  in  1793  in  a  large 
wooden  warehouse  on  Calvert's  lane.  A  brick 
playhouse  was  built  in  1795  on  the  east  side 
of  Fenchurch  street,  and  it  was  in  this  house 
that  Junius  Brutus  Booth  performed  after  his 
arrival  in  Norfolk  from  ?\Iadeira,  June  30, 
1821.  The  Academy  of  Alusic  on  Main  street 
and  the  Granby  Theatre  on  Granby  street  are 
now  the  principal  theatres  of  Norfolk. 

CH.\RTERS  OF  NORFOLK. 

The  original  charter  of  the  borough  of  Nor- 
folk was  granted  by  letters  patent  of  George 
II,  on  the  15th  of  September.  1736,  and  was 
confirmed  by  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
the  same  year.  Acts  were  passed  amending 
this  charter  and  enlarging  the  powers  and  juris- 
diction of  the  corporation  in  1752,  1757,  17^^< 
1762,  1772,  1787,  1788,  1790,  1796,  1798, 
1802,  1803.  1804.  1806.  1807.  1808.  181 1, 
1816,  1818.  1819,  1825,  1839,  and  on  February 
13,  1845,  was  passed  the  charter  of  the  city  of 
Norfolk.  This  charter  was  amended  March  20, 
1850,  ]SIay  19,  1852,  March  22,  1853,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1858. 

After  the  Confederate  W'^v,  the  Acts  of  the 


36o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


General  Assembly,  relating  tO'  the  city  charter, 
are  as  follows: 

The  charter  of  1871  was  in  force  March 
16,  187 1.  The  Acts  of  1870-71,  Chapter  139, 
were  amended  as  follows :  Act  of  March  4, 
1872, — Page  102;  Acts  of  1872-73, — Pages 
^75>  29S;  Acts  of  1874, — Page  90;  Acts  of 
1875-76, — Page  127;  Acts  of  1876-77. — Page 
6;  Acts  of  1881-82, — Page  22. 

The  charter  of  1882  was  in  force  April  21, 
1882.  The  Acts  of  1881-82,  Chapter  70,  Page 
405,  were  repealed  January  21,  1884. 

The  charter  of  1884  was  in  force  January 
21,  1884..  It  was  amended  as  follows:  Sec- 
tions 70,  71,  72  and  /T,  amended  April  28,  1887 ; 
Section  40  amended  May  14,  1887;  Section  65 
amended  February  25,  1892;  Section  27 
amended  February  21,  1900 ;  Section  18  amend- 
ed February  26,  1900;  Section  15  amended 
February  2,  1901 ;  Sections  45,  49,  50,  52  and 
53  amended  February  15,  1901. 

The  Brambleton  Annexation  Act  was  ap- 
proved April  6,  1887,  in  force  July  i,  1887,  and 
amended  as  follows:  Sections  5,  6  and  13 
amended  March  3,  1890,  in  force  May  i,  1890; 
Section  5  amended  March  i,  1892;  Section  5 
amended  February  15,  1901. 

The  Atlantic  City  Annexation  Act  was  ap- 
proved February  22,  1890,  and  amended  as 
follows:  Sections  5,  6  and  12  amended  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1892;  Sections  2,  6  and  12  amended 
March  3,  1896;  Section  5  amendted  January  13, 
1898. 

CHANGES     MADE    IN     THE     NAMES     OF    STREETS 
SINCE    1865. 

Catharine  to  Bank. 

Bonsli,  between  Wood  and  Moseley,  to 
Queen. 

Boush,  between  Princess  Anne  road  and 
Calvert,  to  Henry. 

Union;  between  Church  and  Hawk,  to 
Smith. 

William,  between  Granby  and  Chamber- 
laine's  wharf,  to  Randolph. 


JVashiiigton,  between  Fayette  and  Mat- 
thews, to  Jackson. 

Washington,  between  Newton  and  Chapel, 
to  Pulaski. 

Wide  JVater  changed  to  Water. 

Little  Water  changed  to  Elizabeth. 

Gray  changed  tO'  Atlantic. 

Amelia  changed  tO'  Boush. 

Princess  changed  to  Dukie. 

Second  Cross  changed  to  Rcilly. 

Third  Cross  changed  to  Walkc. 

First  North  changed  to  Willougliby. 

Second  North  changed  to  Suffolk. 

Third  Nortli  changed  to  Kent. 

Marsh  changed  to  Cove. 

Wolf  changed  to  Washington. 

The  foregoing  passed  the.  Select  and  Com- 
mon Councils  January  30,  1871. 

MAYORS    OF    NORFOLK. 

A  list  of  the  mayors  of  Norfolk,  from  the 
date  of  the  original  charter  to  the  borough,  tO' 
1 90 1,  is  herewith  given: 

The  first  mayor  was  Samuel  Boush,  ap- 
pointed by  the  charter  of  the  borough,  under 
date  of  September  15,  1736,  in  the  loth  year 
■  of  the  reign  of  King  George  H.  Mayor  Boush 
died  in  less  than  two  monAhs  after  his  appoint- 
ment tO'  the  oitice.  George  Newton,  1736. 
John  Hutchings,  1737.  Robert  Tucker,  1738. 
John  Taylor,  1739.  Samuel  Smith,  1740. 
Josiah  Smith,  1741.  George  Newton,  1742. 
John  Hutchings,  1743.  John  Taylor,  1744. 
John  Phripp,  1745.  Edward  Pugh,  1746. 
Thomas  Newton,  1747.  John  Tucker,  1748. 
Robert  Tucker,  1749.  Durham  Hall,  1750. 
Wilson  Newton,  1751.  Christopher  Perkins, 
1752.  Josiah  Smith,  1753.  George  Abyvon, 
1754.  John  Hutchings,  1755.  Richard  Kel- 
sick,  1755.  Josiah  Smith,  1756.  John  Phripp, 
1757.  John  Tucker,  1758.  Robert  Tucker, 
1759-  W'ilson  Newton,  1760.'  Christopher 
Perkins,  1761.  Paul  Loyall,  1762.  Archibald 
Campbell,  1763.  Lewis  Hansford,  1764. 
Maximilian     Calvert,     1765.     James     Taylor, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


361 


1766.  George  Abyvon,  1767.  Cornelius  Cal- 
vert, 1768.  Maximilian  Calvert,  1769.  Charles 
Thomas.  1770.  George  Abyvon,  1771.  Paul 
LxDvall,  177.2.  Charles  Thomas,  1773.  George 
Abyvon,  1774.  Paul  Loyall,  1775  (tlie  records 
do  not  show  how  long  he  served).  James 
Taylor.  1778  (whose  tenn  expired  in  June). 
Cornelius  Calvert,  1778.  George  Abyvon,  I 
1 779-  Thomas  Xewton,  Jr.,  1780.  Paul 
Loyall.  1781.  James  Taylor,  1782.  George 
Kelly,  17S3.  Robert  Taylor,  1784.  Gary  H. 
Hansford.  1785.  Thomas  Newton,  Jr.,  1786. 
Benjamin  Pollard,  17S7.  George  Kelly,  1788 
(he  was  the  last  mayor  that  presided  over  the 
Common  Ci>uncil;  on  the  9th  of  August.  178S, 
the  Common  Council  was  presided  over,  for 
the  first  time,  by  its  first  president,  Richard  E. 
Lee,  Esq. ;  a  court  of  aldermen  was  then  estab- 
lished and  the  mayor  presided  over  it,  and  was 
thereafter  elected  by  the  aldennen).  Robert 
Taylor,  1789.  James  Taylor,  1790.  John 
Boush,  1 79 1.  Gary  H.  Hansford,  1791. 
Thomas  Newton,  Jr.,  1792.  Robert  Taylor, 
1793.  Thomas  Xewton,  Jr.,  1794  (served  two 
months).  James  Ramsey,  1794.  Seth  Foster. 
1795.  Samuel  Moseley,  1796.  George  Loy- 
all, 1797.  Baylor  Hill.  1798.  John  K.  Read, 
1799.  Seth  Foster.  1800.  John  Cowper, 
1801.  William  Vaughan.  1802.  Thomas  H. 
Parker,  1803.  Miles  King,  1804.  Luke 
Wheeler,  1805.  Thomas  H.  Parker,  1806. 
Richard  E.  Lee.  1807.  John  E.  Holt,  1808. 
Allies  King,  1809.  William  B.  Lamb,  1810. 
Miles  King,  Jr..  181 1.  William  B.  Lamb,  1812. 
Miles  King.  Jr.,  1813.  William  B.  Lamb,  1814. 
John  E.  Hoft.  1815.  William  B.  Lamb,  1816. 
John  E.  Holt,  1817  (served  four  mon'tlhs  less 
one  day,  and  resigned).  James  Taylor.  1817 
(served  iine  dav  and  resig'nefl ).  (  The  resigna- 
tion of  Mayor  Holt  one  day  before  his  term  ex- 
pired made  him  eligible  to  the  office  for  the  suc- 
ceeding term.)  John  E.  Holt,  18 17  (served 
one  year,  less  one  day).  John  Tabb.  1818 
(served  one  day  and  resigned).  John  E.  Holt. 
1818  (served  one  year  less  one  day)  Wright 
Southgatfe.  1819  (served  one  day  and  re- 
signed).    John  E.  Holt,  1 8 19.    Wright  South- 


gate,  1820  (served  two  days  and  resigned). 
John  E.  Holt,  1820.  George  W.  Cam]).  1821 
(served  three  days  and  resigned).  John  E. 
Hoh,  1821.  John  Tabb.  1822  (served  four 
days  and  resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1822. 
William  B.  Lamb,  1823  (  served  a  few  days 
and  resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1823.  William 
A-  Armistead,  1824  (served  a  few  days  and 
resigned).  John  E.  Holt.  1824.  John  Tabb, 
1825  (served  three  days  and  resigned).  John 
E.  Holt,  1825.  Isaac  Talbot,  1826  (served 
five  days  and  resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1826. 
Daniel  C.  Berraud,  1827  (served  three  days  and 
resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1827.  George  T. 
Kennon,  1828  (served  four  days  and  resigned'). 
John  E.  Holt,  1828.  Thomas  Williamson, 
1829  (served  two  days  and  resigned).  John 
E.  Holt,  1829.  Giles  B.  Cook,  1830  (served 
10  days  and  resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1830. 
\\'right  Southgate.  1831  (served  10  days  and 
resigned).  John  E.  Holt,  1831.  John  E.  Holt 
(19th  term),  no  record  of  any  intervening  elec- 
tion,— he  died  in  office  October  12,  1832. 
Miles  King,  1832-43.  W.  D.  Delaney.  1843- 
51.  Simon  S.  Stubbs,  1851.  Hunter  Woodis, 
1853.  Simon  S.  Stubbs,  1854.  Hunter 
Wcodis,  1855  (he  died  in  office  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year,  a  victim  of  the  yellow  fever). 
Ezra  T.  Summers,  1855.  Finley  Ferguson, 
1856.  William  W.  Lamb.  1858:  also  in  i860 
and  1862.  and  was  serving  as  mayor  when  the 
United  States  militarv  authorities  entered  Nor- 
folk. William  H.  Brooks,  1863.  James  L. 
Belote,  1864.  Thomas  C.  Tabb,  1865.  Will- 
iam W.  Lamb,  1866.  Tohn  R.  Ludlow,  1866- 
68.  Francis  DeCordy,  1868-70.  John  B. 
Whitehead,  1870-72.  John  R.  Ludlow,  1872- 
74.  John  B.  \\'hitehead,  1874-76.  Tohn  S. 
Tucker,  1876-80.  William  Lamb,  1880-86. 
Barton  Myers,  1886-88.  R.  G.  Banks,  1888- 
March  7,  1890.  E.  M.  Henry.  March  --June 
30,  1890.  Frank  Morris,  July  i,  1890:  died 
January  13,  1892.  S.  Marx,  January  18,  1892. 
Tune  30.  1892.  A.  B.  Cooke,  1892-94.  Charles 
"W.  Pettit.  1894-96.  W.  R.  Mayo.  1896-98. 
C.  Brooks  Johnston,  1898-1900:  re-elected  1900 
for  term  of  two  years;  resigned  May  14,  1901. 


362 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK   COUNTY 


Nathaniel  Beaman  elected  to  fill  unexpired 
term,  May  14,  1901. 

Norfolk  City  is  governed  under  a  charter 
which  provides  for  a  mayor ;  a  legislative  coun- 
cil composed  of  two  bodies,  an  upper  or  "select" 
council,  and  a  lower  or  "common"  council;  a 
judge  of  the  Corporation  Co'urt ;  a  judge  of  the 
Court  of  Law  and  Chancery;  a  police  judge; 
justices  of  the  peace;  a  treasurer;  and  auditor; 
a  collector;  a  commissioner  of  the  revenue;  an 
engineer ;  a  city  attorney :  a  school  board  for 
the  department  of  public  education ;  a  board  of 
street,  sewer  and  drain  commissioners  ;  a  board 
of  electrical  control ;  a  board  of  health ;  a  quar- 
antine board;  also  governing  boards  of  the 
water,  fire  and  police  departments,  etc. 

Some  of  these  boards  have  large  powers 
and.  while  they  are  all  subordinate  to  the  Coun- 
cils in  most  matters,  in  some  things  the  Board 
of  Education  has  independent  powers  under 
the  charter. 

The  two  houses  of  the  Council  have  36 
members,  23  in  the  "common"  branch  and  13 
in  the  "select'"  branch.  The  people  elect  all 
members  of  the  Council  by  wards  under  an  ap- 
portionment based  on  population  as  follows  : 

First    Ward 8 

Second    Ward 8 

Third    Ward 8 

Fourtli    Ward 6 

Fifth  Ward   I  Brambleton ) 3 

Sixth  Ward   ( Atlantic  City) 3 

From  the  whole  number  meeting  in  joint 
session  the  members  of  the  Select  Council  are 
chosen.  As  to  their  powers  :  These  bodies  are 
coordinate ;  a  measure  may  originate  in  either, 
but  must  pass  both. 

There  are  also  the  other  numerous  officials 
required  in  all  large  cities  such  as  clerks  of 
courts,  market  clerks,  weighers  and  sealers, 
grain,  street  and  plumbing  inspectors,  gangers, 
water  registrars,  cemetery  keepers,  etc. 

The  chiefs  of  the  police  and  fire  departments 
are  elected  by  the  Councils.  The  elective  city 
officials  hold  office  for  two  years,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three,  viz :  The  commissioner  of 
revenue  is  elected  for  foiu"  vears,  the  clerk  of 


the  courts  for  six  years,  and  the  city  treasurer 
for  three  years. 

In  the  four  old  wards,  on  the  $ioo,  the  rate 
of  taxation  is;  City,  $1.70;  State,  S.40;  total, 
$2.10.  Li  the  Fifth  Ward,  on  the  $100:  City, 
$1.05;  State,  $.40;  total,  $1.45,  tmtil  July  i, 
1902, — after  that  date  the  same  as  the  re- 
mainder of  the  city.  In  the  Sixth  Ward,  on 
the  $100:  City,  $1.25;  State,  $.40;  total, 
$1.65,  until  February  22,  1905, — after  that 
date  the  same  as  the  remainder  of  the  city.  The 
assessed  valuation  of  real  estate  is  about  two- 
thirds  of  the  actual  value.  The  credit  of  Nor- 
folk is  first  class ;  her  five  per  cent,  bonds  selling 
at  115,  and  her  four  per  cent,  bonds  at  107  1-2. 

OFFICERS    OF   THE    CITY    OF    NORFOLK. 

(July  I,  1900.) 

Mayor — C.  Brooks  Johnston  (resigned  May  14, 
igoi.  succeeded  by  Nathaniel  tSeaman,  same  date). 

Mayor's  clerk — Cyrus  D.  Jordan. 

City  treasurer — H.   S.  Herman. 

City  auditor — Joseph  T.  Culpepper. 

Collector  of  citv  taxes  and  levies — William  L. 
Baker. 

Commissioner   of   revenue — W.   W.   Dey. 

Commonwealth's  attorney — William  H.   Venable. 

City  attorney — Walter  H.  Taylor. 

City  engineer — W.  T.  Brooke. 

Assistant  city  engineer — Walter  H.  Taylor. 

Inspector  of  building?' — .\le.xander   Nugent. 

Inspector  of  streets — Benjamin   L.    Christian. 

Superintendent  of  cemeteries — John  W.  Broughton. 

Superintendent  of  Calvary  Cemetery — F.  GiUam 
(colored). 

Keeper  of  .\lmshouse — H.  A.  Tarrall. 

Clerk  of  the  Market— W.  H.  H.  Woodhouse. 

Sealer   of   weights   and   measures — A.    W.    Grandy. 

Ganger  and  inspector  of  liquors — J.  W.  Cake. 

Janitor  of  City  Hall — B.   F.   Bunting. 

Custodian  of  Christ  Church  Clock — T.  Shepherd 
Brown. 

HE.^LTH    DEPARTMENT. 

Board  of  Health — Nathaniel  Beaman,  mayor,  ex- 
oMcio  chairman;  N.  C.  Famplin;  Dr.  C.  F.  Newbill, 
health  commissioner. 

Clerk  to  the  Board — .\.  Plummer  Pannill. 

Physician  to  the  Almshouse — Dr.  Stark  .-X.  Sutton. 

Physicians  to  the  city  poor — Drs.  P.  S.  Schauck  and 
J.  R.   Speight. 

Coroners — Drs.  E.  N.  Newton  and  E.  F.  Oden'hal. 

\V.\TER    DEP.^RTMENT. 

Board  of  Water  Commissioners — George  Mcintosh, 
president:  Richard  H.  Wright,  treasurer:  N.  M.  Osborn. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


3i6l. 


Superintendent — Herbert  L.   Smith. 
Registrar — T.  J.  Peele. 

BOARD   OF   STREET,    SEWER   AMD   DRAIN    COMMISSIONERS. 

J.  D.  Hofheimcr,  chairman ;  H.  Hodges ;  W.  T. 
Cooke. 

FIRE    DEPARTMENT. 

Fire  Committee  of  the  Coimcils — William  \V.  Han- 
nan,  Common  Council ;  .Mbert  Stahl.  Common  Coun- 
cil ;  W.   P.  Oherndorfer.  Select  Coimcil. 

Chief  engineer — Martin  J.  Ryan. 

Assistant  engineer — John  S.  Webber. 

POLICE    DEPART.MENT. 

Board  of  Police  Commissioners — Nathaniel  Sea- 
man, mayor,  ex-oMcio  chairman;  A.  P.  Thorn;  John  N. 
Vaughan. 

Clerk   to   the   Board — Cyrus   D.   Jordan. 

Chief  of  police — Charles  G.  Kizer. 

1st  assistant   chief  of  police — M.  J.    Villines. 

2nd  assistant  chief  of  police — Andrew   Stephens. 

1st  sergeant — T.  F.  Dalton, 

2nd  sergeant — Charles  A.   Beane. 

3rd  sergeant — John  T.  Mayo. 

4th  sergeant — G.  M.  Heppel. 

Chief  clerk— L.  T.  McGuire. 

CITY    COIRTS. 

Corporation  Court — Hon.  .\llan  R.  Hanckel,  judge; 
James  V.  Trehy,  clerk. 

Court  of  Law  and  Chancery — Hon.  W.  B.  Martin, 
judge;   James   V.   Trehy,   clerk. 

Circuit  Court — Hon.  R.  R.  Prentis,  judge;  Law- 
rence Waring,  clerk. 

Police  Court — Hon.  Tazewell  Taylor,  justice — 
Cyrus  D.  Jordan,  clerk. 

Justices  of  the  peace — J.  Lee  Seneca.  James  B.  Hol- 
land. Harrv  Smith,  A.  H.  .Ashburn,  A.  J.  Dalton,  J. 
L.  Nash. 

High  constable— W.  G.  Pettis. 

THE    COMMON    COUNCIL. 

(July  I,  1900.) 

President — J.    Frank   East. 

Vice-president — Nathaniel  Beaman. 

City  treasurer,  cx-ofUcio  clerk — H.  S.  Herman., 

Acting  clerk — R.   E.   Steed. 

Messenger — Boswell  T.  Camp. 

Councilmen   (23)  — 

First  Ward — J.  Lee  Seneca.  Thomas  S.  Fitz-gib- 
bcn,  E,  H.  Cunningham.  T.  .\.  Ridgewell.  Albert  Stahl. 

Second  Ward — J.  N.  Kiernan.  W.  M.  Hannan, 
William   McManus.  J.   G.   Tilton.   F.   T.   Wise. 

Third  Ward — Nathaniel  Beaman.  J.  W.  Keeling, 
William  W.  Old.  J.  O.  Pitt.  R.  W.  Whitehurst. 

Fourth  Ward — J.  Frank  East.  D.  .\.  Underdown, 
W.  H.  Mayo.  A.  C.  W^alker. 

Fifth   Ward — C.    Preston    Denby,   A.   M.    Cousins. 

Si.xth  Ward — Edward  Camp,  Thomas  S.  Southgate. 

THE     SELECT     COUNCIL. 

President — Fred  Greenwood. 


Vice-president — Charles  H.  Consolvo. 

Clerk— H.  N.   Poulson. 

Messenger — Boswell   T.   Camp. 

Councilmen    (13) — 

First  Ward — Charles  H.  Consolvo,  T.  M.  Cashin, 
J.  J.  0"Keefe. 

Second  Ward — E.  L.  Mayer,  William  Pannill,  W. 
P.   Obcrndorfer. 

Third  Ward— J.  W.  Cashin.  Fred  Greenwood,  C.  O. 
Wrenn. 

Fourth  Ward — Frank  Jacobs    E.  S.  Joynes. 

Fifth  Ward— Jesse  O.  Reid. 

Sixth  Ward — R.  L.  Forrest. 

Finance  Committee  of  the  Councils — Nathaniel 
Beaman,  chairman  of  Common  Council :  Charles  H. 
Consolvo,  chairman  of  Select  Council;  William  W.  Old, 
Common  Council ;  E.  H.  Cunningham,  Common  Coun- 
cil;  E.   L.  Mayer,   Select  Council. 

R.  E.  Steed,  clerk  to  the  Committee. 

SINKING    FUND    COMMISSIONERS. 

Col.  Walter  H.  Tavlor.  J.  G.  Womble,  Richard 
Walke. 

BO.VRD     OF     ELECTRICAL     CO.VTROL. 

( .Xs  per  city  ordinance.  ) 

J.  A.  Ridgewell,  chainnan  of  Council  Light  Com- 
mittee. 

W.    T.    Brooke,    city    engineer. 

Martin  J.  Ryan,  chief  of  Fire  Department. 

R.  A.   Smith,  city  electrician. 

LOSSES    SUSTAINED    IN    THE    BURNING   OF    NOR- 
FOLK AND  PORTSMOUTH  BY  LORD 
DUNMORE. 

The  commissioners  appointed  by  an  Act  of 
the  Virginia  Assembly  in  1777  to  inquire  into 
and  ascertain  the  losses  sustained  by  the  late  in- 
habitants of  the  borough  of  Norfolk  by  the 
burning  of  it  and  Portsmouth  by  Lord  Dun- 
more  in  1776  were  Richard  Kello,  Daniel  Fish- 
er, Joseph  Prentiss  and  Rev.  Robert  Andrews. 

They  met  in  Norfolk  in  September,  1777, 
when  Hardress  Walter  and  Richard  Taylor, 
carpenters,  were  sworn  to  value  the  ruins. 

The  following  appears  as  a  part  of  that 
commission's  report  and  may  be  of  interest  ta 
their  descendants : 

George   .-Xbyvon.   merchant.    11    houses,   £2,139,   ips. 
James   Baker,  bricklayer,  5   houses,  £326. 
Thomas    Newton,    rope-walk.    £4.235,   6d. 
John   Hutchings.  merchant.   15  houses.  £1.949. 
Lewis  Hansford,  merchant,  i  house.  £77.  is..  3d. 
William  Holt,  merchant.  8  houses.  £1.569,  17s.,  3d. 
Taylor    Hansford,    merchant,    7    houses,    £960. 


564 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Samuel   Bacon,   watchmaker,  7  houses,  £1,816,   los. 

Elizabeth    Kelsick.   4   houses,   £433. 

John  Willoughby  estate,  12  houses,  £1,004,  ISS. 

Bartholomew  Thompson,  tanner,  8  houses,  £319. 

Samuel  Portlock,  blockmaker,  2  houses,  £981, 
12s.,  6d. 

Mary  Ross,  tavern-keeper.  2  houses,  £162,   los. 

Edward   Parke,  tanner.  7  houses.  £740. 

Mary   Herita.    baker.   8   houses,   £676.    los. 

Stephen  Tankard,  tavern-keeper,  5  houses,  £l,3S4, 
I2S.,   2d. 

James   Maxwell,   mariner,   5   houses,   £757,  8s.,   4d. 

Lemuel   Willoughby  estate.  6  houses.  £754, 

Alexander  Guthry.  mariner.  2  houses.  £278,   los. 

Thomas   Poole,   silversmith,    i   house.  £72.   10s. 

^\'illianl  Minnetree,  carpenter,  4  houses,  £230, 

Christopher  Calvert,  mariner,  11  houses,  £1,102,  15s. 

Thomas  Orion,  tanner.   ^  houses,  £291. 

James   Guy,    sailmaker,    i    house.   £252. 

James  Atkinson,  tavern-keeper.  2  houses,  £385. 

James    Leitch,    shoemaker.    4    houses    £140. 

John  and  William  Ingram,  merchants,  4  houses, 
£436. 

Joseph  Mitchell,  carpenter.  6  houses.  £1.325,  is.,  4d. 

William   Ivey,  mariner,  4  houses.  £318.  2s.,  6d. 

John   McCloud,    joiner,   3  houses,  £148,   id. 

John  Gardner,  ship  carpenter.  3  houses,  £236. 

Joyce  Edwards,   ship  carpenter,  4  houses,  £263. 

Samuel  Danby,  ship  carpenter,  2  houses,  £82. 

John  Boggess,  merchant.  3  houses,  £247,  12s. 

Lemuel   Bonick,  mariner,  5  houses,  £416. 

Anthony  Walke,  merchant,  £372. 

Joshua   Feede,  tailor,  3  houses,  £319. 

James    Dyson,    tailor,   3   houses,    £417,    los. 

John  Shore,  bricklayer,  i  house,  suburbs,  £77. 

Maximilian  Morley.   shoemaker,  5  houses.  £234. 

John  Williams,  mariner,  2  houses.  Church  street, 
il33.  los. 

Charles    Cooper,    carpenter,    7    houses.    £638. 

Richard  Pickadick,   silversmith,  3   houses,  £162. 

John  Smith.  £160,  l6s, 

Marg.  Taylor,  3  houses.  Church  street.  £200,  los. 

Robert  Tucker,  mariner,   I   house,  £93,   los. 

John    Lee.    merchant.    7    houses.    £417. 

Thomas   Morris,   carpenter.   5   houses.   £284.   55. 

William  Day,  mariner.  2  houses,  suburbs,  £68. 

Sarah  Taylor.  £187,  5s,,  6d. 

Mary  Rotherz,  4  houses.   £379. 

John   Selden  estate.  8  houses,  £815. 

W.   R.   W,  Curie,  attorney,  7  houses,  £526,   los, 

Solomon  Edev,  mariner,  5  houses,  Bermuda  street, 
^352. 

Wright  Westcott,  mariner.  5  houses,  Catharme 
street,  £988. 

James    Williains.   blockmaker.   £78.   5s. 

John  Dunn's  estate,  4  houses,  Catharine  street, 
£701,  6s. 

James    Haldane,    coppersmith.   £694.    13s.,   4d. 

James    Holt,   attorney.   2    houses,   £1,842.    ids. 

David  O'Sheal,  attornev.  3  houses,  £397. 

John  Harris,  mariner,  £167.  19s.,  3d. 

Richard   Scott   estate.  6  houses.  ,^785. 

James  Dunn,  carpenter,  7  houses,  Catharine  street, 
^395- 


Maximilian  Calvert,  merchant,  41  houses,  £3,899. 

James  Cooper,  carpenter,   13  houses,  £1,292. 

Willis    Bramble,    ship    carpenter,    2    houses,    £339. 

William  Freeman,  butcher,   10  houses,  £1,134. 

Prudence  Bayne.  2  houses,  £171, 

Goodrich   Boush.  merchant,  8  houses,  £482, 

John  Livingstone,  merchant,  8  houses,  £389, 

Robert  Hallon,  mariner,  £246. 

Sarah  Cann,   12  houses,  £1,417. 

Francis  McKerrell,  inariner.  3  houses,  Catharine 
street.  £450,  2s. 

Hodge  Miller,  mariner,  2  houses.  Main  street,  £215. 

William  Smith,  cooper.  14  houses,  £1,067,  los. 

Thomas  Drury,  mariner,  2  houses,  Cambridge 
street.  £83. 

Ed.   Moseley.  carpenter,  2  houses,  £396. 

Phripp.    Taylor   &   Co.,   merchants,   £1,305. 

Thomas    Newton,    merchant.    28   houses,   £5,654. 

James   Archdeacon,   merchant,   5   houses,   £595. 

John  Phripp  estate,  merchant.  18  houses,  £2,845,  13s. 

Mathew-   Phripp.   merchant,   £392,   7s. 

Phripp   &   Bowdoin.   merchants,  £433,   5s. 

Robert   Tucker   estate.    12   houses,   £2.962. 

John  Griffin,  carpenter,  4  houses,  £424, 

Seth  Pointer,  carpenter.  10  houses,  Catharine 
street.  £565,   is..  8d. 

Robert  Tucker.  Jr..  merchant,  6  houses.  Main 
street,  £789, 

John   Smith,  8   houses,   £1  108. 

Thomas   Matthews,    11    houses,   £995, 

John   Kelsick,   i   house.  £150. 

Samuel  Blows,  blacksmith,  2  houses.  Church  street, 
£213,  lOS. 

Dr.    James    Taylor.    13    houses,    £2,805. 

Margaret  Taylor,  5  houses,  £1,236. 

Severn  Eyres'  estate.   11  houses,  £939. 

Jacob  Williams,  baker.  7  houses,  £500. 

Society   of   Masons,    i    house,   £1.200. 

John   Godfrey,  blockmaker,  4  houses,  £286. 

Dickerson  Pryor.  joiner.  6  houses,  £546. 

Cornelius  Calvert,  merchant,  12  houses,  £2,311, 
ISS,  7d, 

Hardress   Waller,   carpenter,   16  houses,  £1,394,   SS- 

John  James,  carpenter,  7  houses,  £555. 

Paul  Proby.  mariner,  10  houses,  Bermuda  street, 
£882. 

Richard   Ingston,   mariner.   6   houses,   £647, 

Nicholas    Wonycutt,    mariner,   4   houses,    £558. 

Mary  Williamson,  5  houses.  £434. 

Paul   Loyall.  merchant,    13  houses,  £1.932,  5s. 

Loyall.  Newton  &  Co.,  merchants,  3  houses,  £2,820, 
ISS.,  7d. 

Nat  Tatum.  2  houses.  £242. 

John  Marnox,  mariner,  6  houses,  Cumberland 
street.  £489. 

William   Bevan.   joiner,   5   houses,   £238. 

William  Cornick.  mariner.  4  houses,  £337. 

Saunders   Calvert.   5   houses.   Main   street,  £526. 

Henry  Cornick.  mariner.  I  house.  £294. 

Wilson   N'ewton.   17  houses,   £1.524. 

John  Collins,  mariner,  £84, 

Rebecca   Newton,  3  houses.  £215. 

Joel  Mohun.  blacksmith.  3  houses,  £928,  l8s. 

Philip  Carberry.  baker.  3  houses,  £729. 


^\ip*'^v     Kir 


High  School  Building,  Norfolk,   Va. 


±  I 


I',     b.     t'lMlj.M     lIuL!SH,      Ni.'KKOl.K,      V'a, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


367 


i405- 


Francis  Haynes,  mariner,   I   house,  £170. 
Sarah   Dyson,  6  houses,  Bermuda  street.  £346. 
Henry  Tucker,  mariner,  8  houses,  Bermuda  street, 


George  Jamieson,  blacksmith,  4  houses,  £291,   10s. 

John   Poole,  carpenter,  4  houses,  £332. 

James  Wood,  bricklayer,  i  house.  Cambridge  street, 

£235. 

John  Brodfoot,  5  houses,  Cumberland  street,  £373, 

IDS. 

Ann   Winterton.   2   houses,   £172. 

John  Johnson,  mariner,  4  houses.  £386. 

Thomas  Thompson,  tanner,  8  houses.  Catharine 
street,  £1.520. 

James  Bushel,  carpenter,  3  houses,  without  limits 
town.  £114. 

Arthur  Denby.  wheelwright,  4  houses,  without  lim- 
its town.  £55". 

William  Wasterhouse.  2  houses,  without  Jiniits 
town.  £132. 

Howard  Poole,  bricklayer,  9  houses,  £3.336.  3s. 

William   Chisholm.   merchant.    16  houses,   £1.830. 

.Andrew   Martin,  3  houses,   Brewer  street.  £422. 

William   Porter.  2  houses.  Main  street.  £181. 

Joshua  \icholson.  4  houses.  £280. 

Morto    Brien.    tallow    chandler.   2   houses.   £190. 

Thomas  Price,  mariner.  6  houses.  Main  street.  £638. 

County  of  Norfolk.  3  houses,  £495. 

Borough    of    Norfolk.    5   houses.    £1,480.    15s. 

Parish  of  Elizabeth  River,   10  houses.  £3.355. 

William    Calvert,    mariner.    7    houses.    £480,   6s. 

Eliza  Hansford.  2  houses.  £236.  14s.,  6d. 

Thomas  Talbot,   shipbuilder.  18  houses,  £3.308. 

John  Gilchrist,  6  houses,  £609,   los. 

John  Ramsay,  physician.   10  houses.  £1.506. 

John  Woodside.  tailor,  9  houses,  Woodside  lane, 
£1,602. 

Stephen  Wright.  14  houses,  £1,681. 

Joseph  Hutchings.  12  houses,  £1,717. 

William  .-Kitcheson,  merchant,  7  houses,  Catharin'; 
street.  £1.364. 

John  Calvert,  mariner.  5  houses.  Main  street.  £537. 

Joshua   Wright,  saddler,   i   house.  £213. 

Thomas   Claiborne.  3   houses,  £346. 

Robert   Waller.  6  houses.   £1.370. 

William  and  Thomas  Farmar.  merchants,  12  houses, 
Main  and  Bank  streets.  £1.563. 

Ed.   Archer,  merchant,  5  houses.  £733. 

John   Archer,   merchant,   i   house.   £503. 

Richard   Taylor,   carpenter,  5  houses.   £1.033. 

Mathias  Christian,  miller,  2  houses.  Church  street, 
£185. 

Daniel  Hutchings.  merchant.  7  houses.  Main  street, 
£691. 

Nicholas  Poole,  silversmith.  2  houses,  Bermuda 
street.  £306. 

James  Ramsay.  6  houses.  £555. 

Town  Point  Company.  8  houses.  £677. 

John   Payne,  barber,   i   house,  £208. 

Jonas  Herbert,  mariner.  5  houses.  £541. 

John  Williamson,  blacksmith,  7  houses,  Main  street, 
£446. 

Samuel   Boush.  52  houses.  £7.405. 

Jolin  Browness,  13  houses.  ^Iain  street.  £1,400. 

Brcshaw  &  Lorrain.  carpenters,  2  houses,  £380. 


Richard   Brown,   carpenter,    14   houses,   £1,833. 

.Xndrcw  Sprowle.  merchant.  2  houses,  £155. 

Xeil   Jamieson.   merchant.    17   houses.   Main   street, 

£2,173- 

.Mcx.  Gordon,  physician.   10  houses,  £695. 

John   Hardy,   mariner.    14  houses,   £1.293. 

William   Orange,   merchant.  40  houses.   £1,792. 

James    Parker,  merchant.   5  houses,  £563. 

John  Cramond.  merchant.  4  houses,  Catharine 
street,  £341. 

Robert  Gilmour.  merchant.  5  houses.  Main  street, 
£467. 

Samuel    Farmer,  merchant.  S  houses.  £768. 

James  Campbell  &  Co.'s  rope-wa'.k  and  tan  yard, 
£1,50*. 

Matthew  Rothery.  5  houses.  Rothery's  lane,  £1.399. 

Henry  Rothery.  3  houses.  Cumberland  street,  £420. 

Peter   Bazor.  hatter.   I    house.   Cburcli   street,  £150. 

Thomas  Applewhite,  i  house.  Main  street,  £150. 

John  Greenwood,  merchant.  14  houses.  £1,423. 

Josiah   Deano.  ship  carpenter,  5   houses,  £350. 

Christopher  Busten.  ship  carpenter.  5  houses,  Cath- 
arine street.  £598. 

James  Dawson,  mariner,  10  houses.  £894. 

John  Barrett,  mariner.  3  houses.  £265. 

Benjamin  Knight.  7  houses.  £715. 

Richard  Symes.  3  houses.  £229. 

D.  W.  McCIurar.  physician.  4  houses,  in  suburbs, 
£1,083. 

Josiah  Hodge,  mariner.  3  houses.  £200. 

Talbot  Thompson,  sailmakcr.  4  houses,  Cumber- 
land street.  £40. 

Andrew   Stevenson,  mariner,  3  houses.  £270. 

The  New  Distillery  Company.  £6,000. 

Archibald  Campbell,  merchant,  iq  houses.  £2,407. 

W.  Morgan,  mariner.  2  houses.  £227. 

Count)-  of  Norfolk.  2  houses.  £1.400. 

The  total  of  which  was  £176.426  is.  lod. 

As  I  understand,  this  above  only  relates  to 
the  value  of  building's,  and  does  not  include 
value  of  merchandise,  furniture,  goods  and 
other  property  that  was  destroyed  in  the  gen- 
eral burning  of  the  town  by  Lord  Dunmore. 

At  the  same  time  the  value  of  property  de- 
stroyed in  the  town  of  Portsmouth  is  stated 
to  have  been  £8,450. 

On  Windmill  Point,  opposite,  and  where  the 
fort  was  erected,  the  value  of  property  de- 
stnjyed  is  stated  to  have  been  £2.005. 

I  make  it  that  there  were  1.333  houses  or 
!  buildings  destroyed  in  all. 

I   see  that  a  British   officer  on  board  the 

British  ship  "Otter,"  whicli  was  one  of  Lord 

Dunmore's  fleet,  in  writing  home,  stated  that 

I  there  were  only  about  12  houses  left  standing, 

on  tlie  northernmost  end  of  the  town. 

Thom.^s  B.  Rowland. 


CHAPTER  XXII 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF   PORTSMOUTH 

The  Town — The  First  Act  for  Building  the  Town — Grant  to  Craford — Will  of 
THE  Founder — Dale  Plantation — Extending  the  Boundaries — Tithables  of 
1798 — Incorporated  as  a  Town — Names  of  Squares — Effingham  Street — Incor- 
porated AS  A  City — Changing  the  Wards — Historical  Events — The  Great 
Freeze — The  August  Storm — The  Yellow  Fever — The  Gosport  Iron  Works 
—The  ,  United  States  Naval  Hospital — Portsmouth  's  Patriotism  and  Patriots 
— The  Confederate  Cause — The  Portsmouth  Fire  Department — Great  Con- 
flagrations— Mayors  of  Portsmouth — Roster  of  City  Officers. 


An  Act  of  General  Assembly  in  1662,  for 
building  a  town  (Hen.  Stat.,  Vol.  2,  Page  172, 
Ch.  16)  contained  very  minute  provisions;  the 
town  (Jamestown)  was  to  consist  of  32  brick 
houses,  one  of  which  was  to  be  built  by  each 
of  the  17  counties;  no  wooden  houses  were 
thereafter  to  be  built  within  the  limits  of  the 
town,  nor  those  then  standing  to  be  repaired, 
but  brick  ones  were  to  be  erected  in  their  stead. 
In  1680  it  was  directed  that  in  each  of  the  coun- 
ties (then  20  in  number)  50  acres  of  land 
should  be  purchased  and  laid  out  for  towns, 
the  places  for  which  are  specified  in  the  Act 
(Hen.  Stat.,  Vol.  2,  Page  271,  Ch.  5).  This 
Act  seems  not  to  have  received  the  royal  assent 
(Qd.  Page  SoS).  In  1691  another  Act  was 
passed  (Qd.  Vol.  3,  Page  58,  Ch.  8).  This  As- 
sembly suspended  (Page  108,  Ch.  i),  but  be- 
fore the  suspension,  some  lands  had  been  laid 
out  into  lots  and  built  on  (Qd.  Page  186,  Ch. 
10;  Page  432.  Ch.  44).  In  1705  an  Act  was 
passed  for  establishing  ports  and  towns,  con- 
taining provisions  of  a  general  and  compre- 


hensive character  (Qd.  Page  404,  Ch.  42)  ;  but 
this  was  repealed  by  proclamation  in  1710. 
Thenceforth  the  course  was  to  pass  special  Acts 
establishing  towns  and  therefore  Portsmouth 
was  the  outcome  of  a  special  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

On  the  Southern  Branch  of  the  broad  and 
beautiful  Elizabeth  River,  106  miles  from  the 
State  Capital,  Richmond,  230  miles  from  the 
Federal  Capital,  Washington,  and  eight  miles 
from  Hampton  Roads,  in  Latitude  36  degrees 
50  minutes  north,  and  Longitude  76  degrees  19 
minutes  west,  lies  the  city  of  Portsmouth,  in  the 
State  of  Virginia,  with  a  population  of  17,427. 
Nature  has  endowed  her  with  every  physical 
advantage  that  can  conduce  to  the  growth  of  a 
community  and  the  prosperity  of  a  people,  en^ 
joying,  as  she  does,  the  delight  of  a  climate  at 
once  so  mild  and  healthful  that  deaths  from 
sunstroke  are  almost  unknown,  and  from  extra- 
ordinary exposures  to  cold  even  in  extreme 
winter  of  the  rarest  occurrence.  Blessed  with 
the  benefits,  in  common  with  her  sisters  Nor- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


369 


folk  and  Berkley,  of  the  finest  harbor  on  the 
American  shores  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  pos- 
sessing the  profits  accruing  from  the  fertile 
lands  by  which  she  is  surrounded ;  withal  i>eo- 
pled  by  industrious  inhabitants,  she  is  moving 
forward  to  reach  those  great  proportions  her 
tVunder.  Col.  William  Craford.  expected. 

An  editorial  of  the  Daily  Messenger,  Oc- 
tober 6.  1843,  on  Portsmouth  says:  "There  is 
no  section  of  Virginia  which  presents  a  more 
desirable  residence  than  this  town.  To  the  man 
of  business  there  are  facilities  rarely  to  be  met 
with.  A  direct  communication  with  North 
Carolina  by  the  Portsmouth  &  Roanoke  Rail- 
road, a  tri-weekly  line  of  steamboats  to  Rich- 
mond and  Petersburg,  a  daily  line  to  Baltimore 
and  Philadelphia,  and  a  weekly  line  of  packets 
to  New  York,  thus  presenting  a  line  of  the  prin- 
cipal markets  in  the  country.  To  men  of 
wealth  there  are  fine  opportunities  for  invest- 
ing money,  with  other  advantages  not  found 
elsewhere.  A  climate  midway  between  the  froz- 
en regions  of  the  North,  and  the  burning  sun 
of  the  South,  the  temperature  of  which  is  most 
conducive  to  health.  Ijeing  neither  subject  to 
the  pulmonary  and  intlammatory  diseases  of 
the  North,  or  the  equally  fatal  bilious  diseases 
of  the  South. 

"Another,  and  not  the  least  important  con- 
sideration in  the  selection  of  a  residence  is  the 
advantage  which  this  town  affords  for  the  edu- 
cation of  children.  \\"e  have  several  schools 
of  a  high  order  for  both  sexes.  The  Virginia 
Literary,  Scientific  and  Military  Academy,  un- 
der the  superintendence  of  Captain  Partridge, 
which  has  at  jircsent  four  i)rc;ifessors.  and  an- 
other will  be  added  as  soon  as  the  patronage 
will  justify  it.  The  Odd  Fellows'  School,  un- 
der the  management  of  Mr.  Connelly,  where  in- 
struction is  imparted  upon  a  new  and  highly 
recommended  system.  The  Portsmouth  Fe- 
male Seminary,  with  those  accomplished  teach- 
ers. Airs.  Young  and  Miss  Town,  which  af- 
fords our  citizens  the  opportunities  of  edu- 
cating their  daughters  at  home  under  their  own 
supervision,  which  is  of  no  minor  importance 
to  those  who  have  daughters  to  educate. 


"We  have  several  other  excellent  schools 
both  for  the  primary  and  higher  branches  of 
an  English  and  classical  education." 

THE  FIRST  ACT  FOR' BUILDING  THE  TOWN. 

Under  the  following  Act  passed  on  the  25th 
of  February,  1752,  in  the  reign  of  George  II 
of  England,  and  47  years  after  Norfolk  was 
created  a  borough,  Portsmouth  was  founded. 

The  General  Assembly  begun  and  held  at 
William  and  Mary  College  in  Williamsburg 
on  Thursday,  the  27th  day  of  February,  in  the 
25th  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord.  George  II, 
by  the  peace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France, 
and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  etc., 
and  in  the  vear  of  our  Lord,  1752,  enacted 
(Chapter  XXIV)  : 

All  Act  for  Eslahiishiitg  the  Tozcii  of  Portsmouth, 
ill  the  County  of  Norfolk,  and  to  preznit  the  building 
of  ti'ooden  chiiiineys  therein. 

I.  Whereas,  it  hath  been  represented  to  this  As- 
sembly that  William  Craford.  of  the  Coimty  of  Nor- 
folk. Gentleman,  hath  lately  laid  out  a  parcel  of  land, 
on  the  south  side  of  Elizabeth  River,  opposite  to  the 
town  of  Norfolk,  into  12.3  lots,  commodious  streets, 
places  for  a  Court  House,  Market,  and  public  build- 
mgs,  for  a  town,  by  the  name  of  Portsmouth,  and  made 
sale  of  most  of  the  said  lots  to  divers  persons  who  are 
desirous  to  settle  and  build  thereon  speedily;  and  also 
that  the  said  town  lies  very  convenient  for  trade  and 
navigation: 

II.  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  Lieutenant  Governor, 
Council,  and  Burgesses  of  this  present  General  Assem- 
bly and  it  is  hereby  enacted,  by  the  authority  of  the 
same.  That  the  said  piece  or  parcel  of  land  be,  and  is 
hereby  constituted,  appointed,  erected,  and  established, 
a  t<iwn,  in  the  manner  it  is  already  laid  out,  by  the  said 
William  Craford,  in  lots  and  streets,  to  be  called  by, 
and  retain  the  name  of  Portsmouth,  and  that  the  free- 
holders of  the  said  town,  shall  forever  hereafter  enjoy 
the  same  rights  and  privileges,  which  the  freeholders  of 
any  other  town,  erected  by  Act  of  Assembly  in  this 
Colony,  have  and  enjoy, 

III.  .liul  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority 
aforesaid.  That  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any  person 
whatsoever,  to  erect  or  build,  or  cause  to  be  erected  or 
built,  in  said  town,  any  wooden  chimney;  and  if  any 
person  shall  presume  to  erect,  or  build,  any  wooden 
chimney,  contrary  to  the  directions  of  this  act,  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful,  for  the  sheriflf  of  the  said  county, 
and  he  is  hereby  required,  to  cause  such  chimney  to 
be  pulled  down  and  demolished. 

The  survey  of  the  town  was  made  on  the 
7th  day  of  February,  1752,  bv  Gresham  Nim- 
mo,  survevor. 


37° 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


At  a  court  of  Norfolk  County,  held  on  the 
i8th  day  of  January,  1750,  present,  Col.  Will- 
iam Craford,  Capt.  John  Hutchings,  William 
Portlock.  Charles  Sweny,  Capt.  William  Ivy, 
Capt.  George  Veale. 

"Col.  William  Craford  this  day  produced 
in  Court  the  plan  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth 
and  prayed  that  the  same  may  be  lodged  in  the 
Clerk's  office  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants 
thereof." 

This  map  is  now  in  the  clerk's  office  of  the 
Court  of  Hustings  for  the  city. 

GRANT  TO  CRAFORD. 

The  grant  to  William  Craford  out  of  which 
Portsmouth  was  carved  reads  as  follows : 

George,  etc..  to  all,  etc.  Know  ye  that  for  divers 
good  causes  and  consideration,  but  more  especially  for 
and  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  twenty-five  shillings 
of  good  and  lawful  money  for  our  use  paid  to  our  re- 
ceiver general  of  our  Revenues  in  this  our  Colony  of 
Virginia.  We  have  given,  granted  and  confirmed  and 
by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors  do 
give,  grant  and  confirm  unto  William  Craford  one 
certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land  containing  eleven  hun- 
dred and  twenty-nine  acres  lying  and  being  on  ye  west 
side  of  ye  mouth  of  the  Southern  branch  of  Elizabeth 
River  in  the  County  of  Norfolk  and  bounded  as  fol- 
loweth.  to-wit :  beginning  at  ye  mouth  of  Crab  Creek 
and  running  thence  by  a  line  of  markt  trees  up  ye  creek 
dividing  Wm.  Bustin's  land  from  this  south  westerly 
fifty-six  degrees  and  a  quarter  four  hundred  eighty-six 
pole  to  a  gum  Huses  corner,  thence  on  a  line  of  markt 
trees  of  the  Huses  patent  south  westerly  thirty-three 
degrees  and  a  half  one  hundred  and  twelve  pole  to  a 
pine  on  ye  north  side  of  Parrodice  Creek,  thence  run- 
ning up  ye  creek  and  bounding  thereon  north  westerly 
fifty-five  degrees  sixty-three  pole  to  a  red  oak  on  ye 
said  creek  and  at  the  mouth  of  the  reedy  branch, 
thence  o;-i  a  line  of  markt  trees  dividing  this  land  and 
the  land  of  Edward  Hues  northeasterly  five  degrees 
forty-five  "minutes"  one  hundred  forty-nine  pole  to  a 
white  oak  thence  on  a  line  of  markt  trees  dividing 
this  land  and  the  land  of  the  said  Hues  north  westerly 
twenty-two  degrees  and  a  half  forty  pole  to  a  sassafras 
thence  on  a  line  of  markt  trees  dividing  this  land  and 
the  land  of  ye  said  Hues  or  Henry  Low  northeasterly 
thirty-seven  degrees  and  a  half  one  hundred  eighty-one 
pole  to  a  pine  on  ye  east  side  of  the  head  of  Church 
Creek,  thence  running  down  on  ye  east  side  thereof 
and  bounding  northwesterly  two  degrees  three  hundred 
twenty-six  pole  thence  on  ye  said  creek  again  north- 
easterly eighty-one  degrees  ninety  pole,  thence  run- 
ning crossing  a  small  creek  issuing  out  of  Church 
Creek  southeasterly  thirty  degrees  eighty-eight  pole  to 


a  white  oak  standing  at  ye  head  of  a  small  branch 
dividing  this  land  and  the  land  of  Joshua  Carle,  it  be- 
ing a  corner  tree  of  ye  said  Carle  patent  and  running 
thence  on  a  line  of  markt  trees  dividing  this  and  the 
land  of  ye  said  Carle  southeasterly  eighty-three  de- 
grees one  hundred  and  five  feet  to  a  hickory  at  ye  head 
of  the  Island  Creek  thence  running  down  the  south 
side  of  the  said  creek  and  bounding  thereon  to  ye 
mouth  thereof  thence  bounding  on  Elizabeth  River  and 
the  Southern  branch  thereof  according  to  the  several 
courses  thereof,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Crab  Creek  the 
first  menconed  station.  It  being  the  land  found  within 
the  bound  of  a  patent  granted  to  Cant.  Wm.  Carver  ye 
I5lh  day  of  September  i66j.  for  eight  hundred  and 
ninety  acres,  with  all.  etc.,  to  have.  hold.  etc..  to  be 
held.  etc..  yielding  paying,  etc.,  provided,  etc.  In  wit- 
ness, etc. 

Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Alexander 
Spottswood  our  Lt.  Governor,  etc..  at  Williamsburg 
under  ye  seal  of  our  said  Colony  ye  thirty-first  day  of 
October  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixteen  in 
the  third  year  of  our  reign. 

_  The  122  lots  laid  out  by  Col.  Craford  as  the 
original  town  of  Portsmouth  are  contained  in 
the  following  bounds :  Beginning  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Southern  Branch,  thence  running  west- 
wardly  on  the  southern  boundary  of  Crawford's 
Bay  to  the  mouth  of  Swimming  Point  Creek, 
thence  southwardly  along  Dinwiddle  street  to 
South  street,  thence  eastwardly  along  South 
street  to  the  Southern  Branch,  and  thence 
northwardly  along  the  river  to  the  beginning, 
north  of  North  street. 


WILL    OF    THE    FOUNDER. 

The  following  is  the  will  of  Col.  William 
Craford,  the  founder  of  Portsmouth,  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Burgesses  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  men  of  Norfolk  County  in  colonial 
days : 

In  the  name  of  God,  .\men,  I,  William  Craford  of 
Portsmouth  Parish,  County  of  Norfolk  and  Colony  of 
Virginia,  at  this  time  ( tho'  sickly  in  Body)  thanks  to 
God  for  the  blessings  of  a  sound  memory,  and  in  my 
ordinary  jud.gment  and  understanding  do  hereby  make 
my  last  Will  and  Testament: — first  commending  my 
soul  to  God  the  Father  for  Mercy  and  in  hopes  of  sal- 
vation and  a  joyful  resurrection,  through  the  sacrifice 
and  intercession  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Savior  and  Re- 
deemer. 

1st.  It  is  my  will  that  "11  my  just  debts  shall  be 
paid  as  soon  as  possible. 

2ly.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  sister  .\bigail 
Conner  three   hundred   pounds  current   money  of  Vir- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


371 


ginia  out  of  my  bonds  and  mortgages  and  six  lots  of 
land  in  ronsmcuitli.  tlirco  of  tlicm  to  lie  chosen  by  her 
or  heirs,  and  three  of  them  to  be  assigned  by  Thos. 
Veale  hereafter  mentioned,  and  unto  her  heirs.  I  like- 
wise acquit  and  release  her  and  her  heirs  forever  from 
all  debts,  claims  and  demands  whatsoever. 

^ly.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  Danl.  Dale  the 
plantation  he  now  lives  on  ( not  exceeding  one  hundred 
acres)  during  his  natural  life  and  the  negro  fellow  he 
has  now  in  possession  named  Jemmy  and  after  his  de- 
cease un:o  William  Dale  his  son  and  unto  his  heirs 
forever.  1  likewise  give  unto  the  said  Danl.  Dale  the 
lott  he  built  a  Brick  House  on  in  Portsmouth  and  unto 
his  heirs,  be  first  paying  me  or  my  Executors  twenty- 
nine  pounds  \'irginia  currency   for  the  same. 

4ly.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  .-Vbigail  Veale. 
otherwise  Ethercdge,  and  unto  Amos  her  husband  the 
House  and  lot  I  now  live  in  and  upon  in  Portsmouth 
during  their  natural  lives,  and  after  their  decease 
equally  between  the  issue  of  her  body  and  their  heirs. 
I  give  iHito  the  said  Amos  Ethercdge  the  lot  of  land  in 
Portsmouth  he  lately  built  on  adjoining  to  George  Har- 
ness's and  to  his  heirs  forever.  I  likewise  give  unto  the 
said  .-Xbigail  Veale,  otherwise  F.theredge,  the  follow- 
ing negroes  viz:  Anthony,  Pompey.  together  with 
Dinah.  Joan.  Patience  and  Betty  with  all  the  issue  they 
now  have  or  in  the  future  may  have,  and  to  her  heirs 
forever.  I  likewise  give  her  all  my  household  furni- 
ture, my  Plate,  money,  and  Books  excepted.  I  give 
unto  Thos.  Bustin  in  Princess  .Anne  County  all  my 
negroes  that  he  has  now  of  mine  in  possession  and 
unto  his  heirs  forever.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  each 
of  Lemuel  \'eale's  (deceased)  children  one  lott  of  land 
in  Portsmouth  and  to  their  heirs  forever.  I  give  unto 
my  friend  and  nephew  William  Conner,  my  gun.  my 
watch  and  acquit  him  of  all  debts  and  claims.  I  give 
unto  the  children  of  Eliza  Veale  otherwise  Herbert 
(deceased)  my  negress  Nancy  and  all  her  present  and 
future  issue  and  to  their  heirs  and  for  the  regard  I 
bear  to  the  memory  of  Mary  Veale  my  former  House 
Keeper,  as  well  as  the  natural  love  I  bear  to  her  chil- 
dren, it  is  my  express  Will,  that  George  and  Thomas 
Veale  her  children  shall  have  and  hold  and  enjoy  the 
undermentioned  legacies  and  estate  to  them  and  their 
heirs  forever.  I  therefore  give  and  bequeath  unto 
George  A'cale  the  son  of  the  said  Mary  tlie  whole 
Plantation  he  lives  on  and  in  his  occupation.  Begin- 
ning Easterly  at  the  Rice  Branch  and  running  to  a 
Creek  Southerly,  then  running  on  the  South  side  of 
the  Western  Branch  Road  and  then  as  the  Line  trees 
were  last  possessioned  to  the  neighbor's  lands,  I  mean 
from  the  Rice  Branch  to  the  School  House  Branch 
and  as  far  as  it  extends  upon  the  Southward  back  of 
the  Road.  I  give  unto  him  also  half  of  the  lott  (and 
great  Copper  Kettle)  in  Portsmouth  whereon  he  lately 
built  a  slaughtering  house  and  one  half  of  all  my  lands 
in  Princess  .-Xnne  County  together  with  one  half  of  all 
my  negroes  and  their  future  increase  unto  him  the  said 
George  Veale  and  his  heirs  forever.  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  Thomas  Veale  the  son  of  the  aforesaid  Mary 
Veale  the  whole  and  all  my  lands  in  Portsmouth  Town 
and  adjacent  to  it  as  far  as  the  Rice  Branch  Westerly 
and  in  general  all  my  lands  in  Norfolk  County  whatso- 
ever not  already  given  away,  and  one  half  of  all  my 
lands  in   Princess  .\nne  Countv  together  with  one  half 


I  of  all  my  negroes  not  already  given  aw-ay  with  all  their 
future  increase  unto  him  the  said  Thomas  Veale  and 
his  heirs  forever.  I  give  all  my  stock  of  cattle,  etc., 
equally  between  George  X'ealc,  Thomas  Veale  and  Abi- 
gail N'cale  afsd.,  and  my  Plate  and  everything  else,  I 
have  not  given  away.  I  etpially  give  it  to  the  said 
Thomas   and   George   Veale,    I    constitute   and   appoint 

j   the  aforesaid  George  and  Thomas  Veale  Executors  of 

{  this  my  last  Will,  written  on  the  two  preceding  and 
this  Page  of  this  sheet  of  paper  at   Portsmouth  Town 

j   in  Norfolk  County  this  2-th  day  of  Januarv  1762. 

I  Wm.   Craford   and' SEAL. 

I   Test 
Thos.   Scott 
John  Ray 
Charles  Smith 

.April  Court  1762.  The  above  will  proved  as  per 
order  Book. 

Test  Saml.  Boush,  Clk. 

Colonel  Craford  resided  at  the  time  of  liis 
death  in  his  mansion  house  on  the  corner  of 
High  and  Craford  street,  now  the  site  of  the 
People's  Bank.  Since  his  death  his  name  has 
been  changed  to  Crawford,  as  the  signature  to 
his  will  gives  his  real  name. 


DALE   PL.\XTATION. 

Daniel  Dale  resided  on  the  part  of  the  plan- 
tation of  Colonel  Craford,  now  known  as  Swim- 
ming Point,  at  the  time  of  the  Colonel's  death. 
The  mansion  house  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  the  Guthrie  family  is  said  to  have  been  built 
by  Colonel  Craford.  The  distinguished  naval 
hero,  Commodore  Richard  Dale,  was  born  on 
this  plantation.  William  Dale,  who  heired  the 
property  on  his  father's  death,  sold  in  1770 
that  iX)rtion  now  owned  by  the  Guthries,  E.  V. 
White,  Legh  R.  Watts  and  others  to  Peter  Ed- 
wards, and  Edwards  sold  it  in  1787  to  Richard 
Nestor,  who,  in  1807,  conveyed  it  to  Samuel 
Marsh.  He  sold  the  part  containing  the  man- 
sion to  W'illiam  Smith,  in  July,  1809,  then  fol- 
lowed Smith's  conveyance  in  September  of  the 
same  year  to  Swepson  Whitehead,  then  White- 
head's to  Butler  Cocke  in  1810,  and  from  Cocke 
in  1829  to  Alexander  Gait.  On  the  26th  of 
September,  1831,  Gait  sold  to  Jacob  Shuster, 
Jonathan  Bonney  and  Harrison  H.  Banks,  of 
Elizabeth  River  Parish,  James  Reed,  John 
Harper  and  Edward  Hatton,  of  Portsmouth 


372 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Parish,  and  ^lalachi  \Mlley,  Stephen  B.  Tatem 
and  John  Foreman,  of  St.  Bride's  Parish,  over- 
seers of  the  poor  of  Norfolk  County,  and  the 
county  authorities  in  June,  1855,  sold  to  John 
G.  Hatton,  whose  son.  Dr.  Janies  L.  Hatton,  on 
Nov.  5,  1866,  sold  to  Capt.  John  Julius  Guthrie, 
the  g'allant  hero,  who  lost  his  life  in  an  effort  to 
rescue  the  crew  from  the  wreck  of  the  ill-fated 
U.  S.  S.  "Huron"  on  Virginia  Beach. 

EXTENDING  THE  BOUNDARIES. 

Chapter  VHI,  of  the  Act  of  ^lay,  1703,  in 
the  3rd  year  of  the  reign  of  George  HI : 

Section  \l.  And  whereas,  by  an  Act  of  Assembly, 
made  in  the  25th  year  of  the  reign  of  his  said  late 
majesty  King  George,  the  Second,  a  town  was  estab- 
lished in  the  County  of  Norfolk,  by  the  name  of  Ports- 
mouth, which  daily  increases :  and  whereas  Thomas 
Veale.  Gentleman,  proprietor  of  the  land  adjoining, 
hath  made  humble  request  to  this  present  General  As- 
sembly that  a  certain  quantity  of  the  said  adjacent 
lands  may  be  added  to  and  made  part  of  the  said  Town 
of  Portsmouth,  and  that  the  purchasers  of  the  lots  laid 
off  or  to  be  laid  off.  on  the  said  lands,  may  enjoy  the 
same  privileges  and  advantages  as  the  freeholders  and 
inhabitants  of  the  said  town  do  at  present  enjoy; 

Be  it  therefore  enacted,  bv  the  authority  aforesaid, 
that  so  much  of  the  said  adjacent  lands  as  are  con- 
tained within  the  bounds  hereafter  described,  includ- 
ing the  said  Town  of  Portsmouth,  shall  be  added  to 
and  made  part  of  the  said  Town  of  Portsmouth,  to- 
wit :  beginning  at  a  stake,  by  the  mouth  of  a  small 
creek  (Swimming  Point  Creek),  opposite  to  where 
Daniel  Veale  now  lives,  running  thence  up  the  said 
creek,  and  crossing  a  small  creek  south  fifty-nine  de- 
grees west ;  fifty-six  poles  thence  south ;  forty-six  de- 
grees west :  thirty-seven  poles  to  the  south  corner  of 
the  said  Veale's  land,  thence  south,  thirty  degrees  west. 
160  poles  to  the  head  of  Rice  Branch;  thence  down  the 
said  Rice  Branch  south.  22  degrees  east.  44  poles  to  the 
head  of  a  cove  issuing  out  of  Crabb  Creek  (Gander 
Creek)  ;  rhence  along  the  meanders  of  the  said  cove  to 
the  said  Crabb  Creek ;  thence  along  the  said  Crabb 
Creek,  according  to  the  meanders  thereof,  to  the  south- 
ward branch  of  Elizabeth  River;  thence  bounding  on 
the  said  branch,  and  the  said  river,  to  the  beginning. 

Section  VII.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the 
authority  aforesaid,  that  the  purchasers  of  lands  within 
the  bounds  aforesaid,  hereby  added  to  and  made  part 
of  the  said  Town  of  Portsmouth,  as  soon  as  the  same 
shall  be  laid  off  into  lots,  and  built  on  as  the  directors 
and  trustees  appointed  by  this  .^.ct  shall  direct,  shall  be 
entitled  to  and  have  and  enjoy,  all  the  rights,  priv- 
ileges and  immunities,  granted  to.  and  enjoyed  by  the 
freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  the  said  town. 

Section  VIII.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the 
authority    aforesaid.    That    Andrew     Sprowle.    George 


Veale,  Thomas  Veale.  Charles  Stewart.  Humphrey 
Roberts,  Francis  Miller,  James  Race.  David  Purcel'l 
and  Amos  Etheridge.  Gentlemen,  shall  be,  and  they  are 
hereby  nominated,  constituted  and  appointed,  directors 
and  trustees  of  the  said  town ;  and  tliey.  or  any  five  of 
them,  shall  and  may.  and  they  are  hereby  authorized 
and  ernpowered  to  survey  and  lay  off  the  said  adjacent 
lands  into  lots  and  streets,  and  make  from  time  to  time 
such  orders,  rules  and  directions,  for  the  regular  and 
orderly  placing  and  building  the  houses  in  the  said 
town  as  to  them  shall  seem  expedient ;  and  that  in 
case  of  the  death,  removal  out  of  the  country,  or  other 
legal  disability,  of  any  one  or  more  of  the  directors 
and  trustees  before-named,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful 
for  the  surviving  or  remaining  trustees  to  elect  and 
choose  so  many  other  persons  in  the  room  of  those  so 
dead  or  disabled  as  shall  make  up  the  number  of  nine ; 
which  trustees  so  chosen  shall,  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, be  vested  with  the  same  power  as  any  other  in 
this  act  particularly   nominated  and  appointed. 

An  Act  was  passed  in  May,  1783,  authoriz- 
ing the  trustees  to  assess  taxes  on  the  inhabi- 
tants not  to  exceed  three  shillings  on  e\  t 
tithable  and  one  and  one-half  per  cent,  of  the 
value  of  real  estate,  to  be  appropriated  for  pub- 
lic improvements.  They  were  also  authorized 
to  erect  a  IMarket  House  and  contract  with 
persons  for  repairing  the  streets. 

The  first  Market  House  in  Portsmouth  was 
located  in  the  middle  of  High  street,  between 
Crawford  and  Water  streets.  It  was  removed 
about  the  year  1835  to  Glasgow  street,  between 
Middle  and  Crawford,  and  converted  into  a 
dwelling  house. 

Joseph  Jones,  Paul  Loyall.  William  Lee, 
Mann  Page,  Henry  Tazewell,  Benjamin  Harri- 
son, Thomas  Nelson,  Miles  King  and  John 
Kearns,  Gentlemen,  were  api>ointed  commis- 
sioners by  an  Act  passed  in  May,  1784,  to  sell 
certain  public  lands  for  the  use  of  the  people; 
among  them  the  Gosport  lands  adjoining  Ports- 
mouth were  directed  to  be  laid  off  into  lots  uni- 
fonn  with  the  town  and  sold.  This  Act  was 
amended  in  October,  1784,  directing  that 
the  public  lands  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Gosport  be  annexed  to  Portsmouth  and 
the  governor,  with  the  advice  of  the  council, 
was  empowered  to  appoint  three  or  more  com- 
missioners to  lay  off  the  lands  into  lots  not  ex- 
ceeding a  quarter  of  an  acre  each,  with  con- 
venient streets   and  as   nearly  parallel  to  the 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


373 


Janu's  S.  Mathews. 
Bernard  Maguicn. 
Jr)hn   Miislirow. 
Robert  Thompson. 


Hcnrv 


Thomas  Emmcrson. 
John  Quareles. 
John  Brooks. 
Xathaniel   Peed. 
Dickinson. 


This  day  the  Sheriff  made  his  return  of  the  follow- 
ing Gentlemen,  to  serve  the  Town  of  Portsmouth  as 
Trustees  for  one  vear : 


William  Wilson. 
James  S.  Mathews, 
Robert  Shelton. 
John   Brooks. 
John  Quareles. 
Xathaniel   Peed. 


Robert  Thompson, 
John  Muslin iw. 
Bernard  \raguien, 
William  Porter, 
Thomas  Emmcrson. 
Henry  Dickson 


streets  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth  as  the  situa- 
tion of  the  place  would  conveniently  admit,  and 
sell  at  public  auction  after  giving  60  days' 
notice  in  the  \'irginia,  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania gazettes. 

An  advertisement  in  the  Maryland  Gazette. 
of  xApril  14,  1785,  says:  "Commissioners  hav- 
ing laid  off  Gosport,  offer  at  public  sale  300 
lots.  They  say  that  Gosport  has  superior  ad- 
vantages to  both  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk, 
as  being  nearer  the  proposed  canal  into  North 
Carolina,  deeper  water  and  a, safer  harbor  for 
the  careening  of  ships." 

Also  in  October,  1784,  five  additional  trus- 
tees were  authorized  to  be  elected  by  the  free- 
holders ;  the  election  to  be  conducted  in  the 
manner  directed  by  the  Act  "to  empower  free- 
holders of  the  several  towns  not  incorporated 
to  supply  vacancies  of  the  trustees  and  direc- 
tors thereof."  The  election  was  to  be  held  on 
the  third  Tuesday  in  April,  1786,  and  every 
year  thereafter  for  12  trustees.  i 

In  October,  1789,  the  trustees  were  author-  j 
ized  to  raise  a  sum  not  to  exceed  £400  to  erect  ; 
a  bridge  between  Gosport  and  Portsmouth,  and 
to  sell  certain  lots  in  Gosport  for  the  purpose. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  a  meeting  in 
the  oldest  book  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the 
city : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Gentlemen,  Trustees  for  the 
Town  of  Portsmouth,  on  Wednesday,  the  20th  day  of 
April.  1796. 

Present. 


Henry  Dickson  was  unanimously  elected  President 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

Andrew  Kidd  was  appointed  Clerk  to  be  paid  the 


sum  of  twenty  dollars  per  annum  for  his  services  and 
taking  the  list  of  tithables. 

Capt.  Henry  Dickson  was  appoint-d  Treasurer. 

TlTII.MiLES  FOR  I  798. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  tithables  in  the 
town  of  Portsmouth  for  the  year  1798: 

No.  of 
Persons  Names.                                                   Tithes. 

.•\rmistead.    Ralph i 

.^Iford.    Warring 4 

Aberdeen.    Henry 3 

.•Mlison.    John 2 

Anderson,    Aquila i 

B. 

Blythe.  James I 

Brooks.    John 4 

Bacci.   Philip 5 

Bustin.    Edward 4 

Buckley,    Morris 2 

Benson.    Robert 3 

Buxton,  James i 

Bustin.   John   C .' 2 

Brooks,    Thomas 2 

Brown.    James 2 

Brown.   Joseph I 

Brown.  Francis.  Sr 4 

Brown.  Francis.  Jr 3 

Binglcy.    Mathew 3 

Bernbury.    Mathew 2 

Beale.   George 3 

Ballance.   Willis I 

Blow.    Richard 7 

Burton.    Peter 3 

fSarr.   Richard 2 

Blamire.    James 4 

Butler.    George I 

Bell.    John 3 

Barnes.    James i 

C. 

Cutril.    Benjamin i 

Culpepper.  Willis i 

Crow.    Benjamin I 

Collins,    George I 

Collins,    Henry 3 

Collins.    Hannah I 

Clements.   Daniel 6 

Cann.   Cann 4 

Cotton,     Willis i 

Cooper,     Edward 4 

Carter,    Stephen I 

Cotton,  Abram 2 

D. 

Davis,     David 2 

Denby.   Jonathan 2 

Day,    John 2 


374 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


No.  of 
Persons  Names.                                                   Tithes. 

Day,     Francis 2 

Duval,    Lucy 4 

Dickson.    Henry 7 

Dickenson,    Joseph 2 

Davis,    Mary 9 

Duffey,    James I 

E. 

Emmerson.   Arthur 6 

Elliott,    Robert 3 

Eshon.     Nathaniel 7 

Edwards,    Mary 2 

Edwards,    Oney I 

F. 

Flora,  William I 

Fervion,  Euber I 

Foster,    Joseph I 

Foster,   John 8 

G. 

Gerald,    Henry I 

Gaskins,  James 2 

Graham,    Francis I 

Grant,     William I 

Gants,  John   F I 

Goffigan,  I 

H. 

Hudras,   Leon 2 

Hughes,  John i 

Hansford,    Edward 2 

Howser,     George i 

Ho vvser,   Jacob 3 

Herbert,     Arthur 3 

Herbert,    Peter 3 

Herbert.   Sophia 2 

Hall,    Samuel i 

Hall,   Lee I 

Halstead,    Jesse 2 

Hendree.   John I 

Hasf  ord.     Peter I 

Holms,    Robert I 

Herbert,   Joseph I 

Hunter,   Marianna 2 

Hopkins.    George I 

Henry.   James I 

Harper,    William ; I 

Hoffler.    Thomas 2 

Hopkins.   W.   William 2 

Herbert,    Judith I 

J.    , 

Jarvis,    John i 

Jefferson,    Ann I 

K. 

Kinder,  Joseph 2 

Kelsie.    Richard 2 

Kearnes,    John 3 


No.  of 
Persons  Names.                                                   Tithes. 

King,    William 3 

Kay.    Jonathan i 

Keeling.    Alexander i 

Kidd,    Andrew 2 

L. 

Laws.  Tubinan 2 

Li^'ingston,   ^largaret 4 

Linnel,   Thomas 3 

Leckie.  Alexander 3 

Leigh,  William 4 

Lewelling.  James i 

Langley,    John i 

Lawrence,   Elizabeth i 

M. 

Milhado,   Aaron. 5 

Mathews.  James   S 7 

Millar.    Francis I 

Millar,    Dorcas I 

Moftatt,   William 4 

Moore,   Capt.   William 2 

Moore,   William I 

Morris,     John 3 

Morgan,    John i 

Marchant.   Gideon 2 

McEvoy,    John 2 

Mushron.  John I 

Maguien,   Bernard 8 

Miars,     John I 

Miars,  George I 

Michal.     Margaret 2 

Miars,  Thomas I 

N. 

Nunn.   Joseph I 

Nicholson,    Jesse 2 

Newhran,    Edward 2 

Nash,    Thomas 8 

Newell,    James i 

Newton,     Thomas I 

O. 

Oliffe.     John 2 

Owens,     John 3 

P. 

Pritchard.   William I 

Porter.     William 7 

Peed,    Nathan i 

Paynter,     Prudent I 

Pearson,  Mary i 

R. 

Reynolds,    William 2 

Rodman.    Joseph I 

Rodman.    Robert I 

Robertson.    Patrick 3 

Rutter.   John 2 

Roberts,     Wilhain 3 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


375 


Reynolds,    William 2 

Ro'bbins,    John i 

S. 

Seymour,   Edward I 

Schoolfield.  John I 

Schiite.     William 10 

Saunders.    William 3 

Stewart.     Robert I 

T. 

Tatem,    Sarah i' 

Toomer,  Sheldon I 

Thompson,    Robert 3 

V. 

\'eale  and  Bradford 2 

Veale,     George i 

Vealc.  Thomas 2 

Vcntiis.     Mary I 

Veale.    .\nn i 

Veale.     Dempsey 2 

\y. 

Watts,  Dempsey.  Jr 3 

Webb,  Tapley I 

Wilson.  Lois 2 

Wilson.    Willis 9 

Willis,    Waller 3 

Williams.  Charles,  Jr I 

Wood.  Story 4 

Walker,  Edward  M 3 

Webb,     Georjje 2 

Wilson,  William.  Jr 4 

Walker.  Samuel I 

Watts.    William 3 

Williamson,  K.  and  G 3 

Williams.   Charles,   Sr I 

Warrener.    Edw  ard 2 

Walker.    William I 

Williams,    Wilson 3 

Williams,    James 1 

Whidliee,  John i 

\\'hidlce.    William i 

Y. 

Young.  James 5 

Total    412 

.\t  a  meeting  of  the  Gentlemen,  Trustees  for  the 
Town  of  Portsmouth  on  Saturday  May  3rd,  1800.  this 
day  the  Sheriff  made  his  return  of  the  following  Gen- 
tlemen to  serve  as  Trustees  of  the  town  aforesaid  for 
the  term  of  one  year. 

Richard  Blow.  William  King, 

James  S.  Mathews,  John  Foster. 

Bernard  Maguien,  Jona.  Dcnby. 

Henry  Dickson,  Thos.  Brooks. 

Peter  Herbert,  \athl.  Eshon, 

John  Brooks,  Daniel  Clements. 

Cat)t.  William  King  was  elected  President. 
22 


It  seems  that  hogs  were  troublesome  to  the 
ti>\vn  in  its  early  dav.  fur  on  the  29th  ui  April, 
1803,  an  order  of  tlie  trustees  empowered  the 
constables  to  take  uj)  all  hogs  going  at  large 
after  the  15th  of  May,  and  after  three  days' 
public  notice  to  sell  the  same  to  the  highest 
bidder,  one-half  for  the  good  of  the  town  and 
the  other  half  "to  the  taken  up" ;  but  in  case 
the  owner  api)earcd  before  the  day. of  sale  he 
could  recover  by  paying  $1.  This  proving  in- 
effectual,  on  the  2nd  of  March,  181 1,  the  owner 
of  a  hog  at  large  was  to  be  fined  $5.  Then 
the  country  hogs  would  visit  the  town  and  the 
town  trustees  had  so  much  trouble  in  prevent- 
ing these  rovers  that  other  decrees  were  made 
to  put  an  end  to  the  visits  of  the  country  hogs. 

On  January  4,  1803,  the  trustees  were  em- 
powered to  lease  for  99  years  renewable  for- 
ever a  part  of  the  lot  given  by  Col.  William 
Craford  for  a  market,  and  on  the  7th  of  Jan- 
uary of  the  same  year  they  were  authorized  to 
extend  the  limits  of  the  town  to  Chestnut  street 
and  to  make  rules  for  regulating  the  building 
on  lots  and  to  settled  disputed  lines.  On  the 
25th  of  January,  1805,  they  were  empowered 
to  lease  part  of  the  land  given  by  Craford  f./.- 
a  Court  House,  the  rents  to  be  appropriated 
toward  paving  streets. 

On  the  i8th  day  of  January,  181 1,  an  Act 
of  the  legislature  was  passed  providing  that 
the  limits  of  the  town  were  not  to  be  extended 
from  Etifingham  street  to  Chestnut  street  for  15 
years  unless  the  consent  of  the  owners  of  the 
land  afifected  thereby  should  be  sooner  obtained. 

On  the  2ist  of  January,  181 1,  the  trustees 
were  granted  additional  powers  and  author- 
ized to  regulate  weights  and  measures,  to  re- 
move nuisances  and  obstructions  in  town  and 
streets,  to  appoint  one  or  more  measurers  of 
wood,  salt,  coal  and  grain,  to  make  regulations 
for  protecting  property  against  fire,  to  prevent 
and  punish  fast  driving,  to  prohibit  hogs  from 
running  at  large;  to  pass  by-laws,  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  good  order  and  government 
of  the  town,  to  appoint  constables  or  town 
sergeants. 

The  number  of  trustees  was  reduced  to  sev- 


376 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


en  by  an  Act  passed  on  the  19th  of  February, 
1819.  The  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County  was  di- 
rected to  hold  annually  at  the  Market  House 
on  the  third  Tuesday  in  April  an  election  for 
trustees.  This  Act  also  made  the  trustees  a 
bod}'  corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  of 
"The  Trustees  of  Portsmouth."  They  were 
further  empowered  to  pass  by-laws  for  pre- 
-\-enting  goats  and  hogs  running  at  large. 

The  Act  incorporating  the  trustees  of  Ports- 
mouth Academy  ami  directing  the  overseers 
of  the  poor  to  convey  to  said  trustees  money 
produced  by  the  sale  of  Glebe  lands  became  a 
law  on  January  28.  1825,  and  there  was  an 
A..ct  passed  on  the  14th  of  February,  1829,  to 
revive  and  amend  "an  .Vet  to  authorize  a  lottery 
and  the  sale  of  certain  lots  in  the  town  of  Ports- 
mouth." 

On  the  4th  I  if  April,  1S31,  Water  street  was 
established  and  the  trustees  were  authorized  to 
levy  a  tax  to  pay  damages  assessed  tO'  individ- 
uals. On  March  10,  1832,  the  former  location 
of  Water  street  was  changed.  The  trustees 
were  authorized  on  the  13th  of  March,  1833, 
to  prohibit  the  burial  of  dead  persons  within 
the  limits  of  the  town  and  tO'  hold  land  for  a 
burying  ground.  The  trustees  were  empow- 
ered on  the  4th  of  ]\Iarch,  1834,  to  prohibit 
the  erection  of  any  building  east  of  Dinwiddle 
street  and  Second  street,  Gosport,  unless  the 
outer  walls  were  to  be  of  brick  or  stone. 

On  the  first  dav  of  February,  1836,  the 
trustees  were  empowered  to  cause  the  streets  to 
be  graded  and  paved,  to  employ  a  superintend- 
ent to  audit  expenses  of  paving  and  apportion 
expenses  between  ]3rri;crt}'  c  wners,  to  appoint 
watchmen  and  regulate  their  duties,  to  erect 
lamps,  to  direct  surveyor  tO'  run  limit  of 
wharves,  to  regulate  manner  of  constructing 
wharves,  to  remove  infected  persons  tO'  hospital, 
to  hold  land  for  a  Market  House,  to  rent  out 
stalls  and  make  rules  regulating  same,  to  hold 
land  and  erect  a  magazine  thereon  and  appoint 
a  keeper,  to  erect  a  Town  Hall  when  required 
by  a  majority  O'f  the  V(.:ters,  to  uurcliase  land  for 
public  squares  when  freeholders  desired  it,  to 
borrow  money  and  issue  scrip  therefor  and  to 


levy  ta.xes.  On  I\Iarch  21,  1836,  there  was 
another  Act  amending  the  Act  to  establish 
Water  street, — damages  to  be  ascertained  by  a 
writ  of  ad  quod  damnum,  and  on  the  2nd  of 
April,  1838,  tiremen  were  exempted  from  jury 
service.  On  the  22nd  of  March,  1839,  the  law- 
provided  that  the  trustees  should  consist  of  nine 
persons  to  be  elected  on  the  first  Saturday  in 
April,  and  on  the  24th  of  February,  1840,  the 
sale  of  the  Portsmouth  Academy  was  directed 
and  the  proceeds  divided  according  to  the  rela- 
tive population  of  the  town  and  county.  On 
the  28th  of  March,  1848,  a  law  was  enacted  to 
incorporate  the  commissioners  of  the  public 
schools  of  Pijrtsmouth.  As  will  be  observed, 
Portsmouth  had  a  corporate  existence  by  which 
she  was  authorized  tO'  issue  bonds  and  to  exer- 
cise certain  other  functions  of  a  municipality, 
but  she  was  not  separate  as  to  her  government 
from  Norfolk  County  until  1852.  Previous  to 
the  incorporation  of  Portsmouth  with  all  * 
habiliments  of  a  town  it  was,  of  course,  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  Norfolk  County.  A  board 
of  trustees  constituted  its  legislature  and  a 
board  of  magistrates  the  judicial  authority  of 
the  town.  Of  the  latter,  three  justices  of  he 
peace  composed  a  quorum  for  the  adjudication 
of  civil  cases,  five  for  the  trial  of  criminal  of- 
fenses. 

An  Act  of  the  15th  of  May,  1852.  in  its  6th 
section  directed  that :  "Until  otherwise  pro- 
vided, the  Town  of  Portsmouth  shall  for  the 
purposes  of  this  Act,  be  laid  off  into  two  wards, 
as  follows,  to-wit :  All  of  Portsmouth  and 
Gosport  east  of  Court  and  Fourth  streets  shall 
be  called  Jackson  ^^'ard :  all  of  Portsmouth  and 
Gosport  west  of  Court  and  Fourth  streets  shall 
be  called  Jefferson  Ward ;  and  there  shall  be  a 
separate  place  of  voting  in  each  ward  as  fol- 
lows, to-wit :  The  place  of  voting  in  Jackson 
Ward  shall  be  the  Town  Hall :  in  Jefferson 
Ward,  it  shall  be  the  Court  House." 

INC0RP0R.\TED    AS    A    TOWN. 

The  Act  of  separation  was  passed  on  the 
17th  of  February,  1852,  as  follows: 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


177 


Section  l.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly, 
That  the  voters  resident  within  the  Town  of  Portj- 
mouih.  who,  by  virtue  of  their  residence  within  the 
said  town,  would  be  entitled  under  the  present  consti- 
tution of  the  State,  to  vote  I'or  members  of  the  General 
.•\sscnibly,  lie  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  elect. 
in  lieu  of  the  board  of  trustees  now  provided  by  law 
for  said  town,  and  in  the  same  manner  and  at  the  same 
time  now  pre.-cribed  for  electing  -uch  trustees,  a  Com- 
mon Council  of  said  town,  consisting  of  thirteen  coun- 
cilmen.  who  shall  possess  all  the  nowers  and  authority 
of  the  said  board  of  trustees:  and  shall  succeed  to  all 
[he  rights,  and  be  subject  to  all  the  obligations  of  said 
beard,  and  all  suits  pending  or  rights  of  action  exist- 
ing for  or  against  the  .said  town  of  Portsmouth  or  the 
trustees  thereof,  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  this  .\ct 
by  the  voters  of  said  town,  shall  continue  in  full  force 
and  effect,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  for  or  against 
the  Town  of  Portsmouth,  or  the  Common  Council 
thereof,  as  if  this  .Act  had  not  been  passed. 

Secyon  2.  That  the  said  voters  of  Portsmouth  are 
also  hereby  authorized,  at  the  time  or  times  and  in  the 
manner  aforesaid,  annually  to  elect  a  mayor  of  said 
t<iwn,  who  shall  possess  an  the  powers  and  authority 
of  a  justice  of  the  peace,  except  that  he  shall  not,  by 
virtue  of  his  office  as  mayor,  sit  as  a  member  of  the 
County  Court  of  Norfolk  County.  It  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  said  mayor  to  enforce  the  by-laws  and  ordinances 
of  said  town  as  well  as  the  laws  of  the  Commonwealth 
within  the  same,  and  he  shall  have  concurrent  jurisdic- 
tion with  justices  of  the  peace  within  said  town,  except 
as  above  prohibited.  The  compensation  and  fees  of 
office  of  said  mayor  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Common 
Council  who  are  hereby  authorized  to  provide  that 
proper  charges  and  compensation  shall  be  made  for  any 
and  all  services  rendered  by  the  said  mayor,  and  may 
provide  for  payment  of  such  fees  to  him  by  such  par- 
ties as  they  may  prescribe,  or  the  payment  of  such  fees 
or  charges  into  the  town  treasury,  and  the  payment  to 
the  said  mayor  of  such  salary  from  the  treasury  of 
said  town  as  they  may  think  proper,  or  may  combine 
both  modes  of  compensation  as  to  said  Council  may 
seem  advisable. 

Section  3.  Vacancies  happening  in  the  office  either 
of  the  mayor  or  councilmen  aforesaid  may  be  supplied 
for  the  remainder  of  the  term  for  which  they  were 
elected  by  the  Council,  if  there  be  a  quorum  of  the 
same:  but  if  there  be  no  quorum,  then  sncli  vacancy 
or  vacancies  may  be  filled  by  a  new  election  by  the 
voters  of  said  town,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions 
of  the  Code  of  Virginia,  Chapter  54. 

Section  .\.  On  Saturday,  the  sixth  day  of  March 
next,  a  poll  of  those  hereby  authorized  to  vote  for 
mayor  and  Common  Council  of  the  Town  of  Ports- 
mouth shall  be  opened  and  conducted,  and  the  result 
returned  in  accordance  with  the  present  laws  for  hold- 
ing elections  of  trustees  in  said  town ;  and  the  officer 
conducting  the  said  poll  shall  propound  to  the  voters 
the  question  following:  ".-Xrc  you  in  favor  of  the  law 
authorizing  you  to  elect  a  mayor  and  Common  Council." 
to  which  each  voter  shall  answer  ".\ye"  or  "No."  If 
a  majority  of  votes  given  be  in  favor  of  this  .\ct.  then 
it  shall  by  the  officer  conducting  such  poll  be  declared 
adopted.     But  if  a  majority  of  the  votes  given  as  above 


be  against  the  adoption  of  this  .-Xct,  then  said  officer 
shall  declare  the  same  rejected. 

Section  5.  If  this  .\ct  be  adopted  as  aforesaid, 
notice  shall  be  given,  and  an  election  of  a  ma3'or  and 
thirteen  councilmen  of  said  town  shall  be  had  on  the 
first  Saturday  in  .April  next,  under  and  by  virtue  of 
this  .\ct ;  but  if  this  .Act  be  rejected  as  aforesaid  by 
the  people  of  Portsmouth,  then  notice  shall  be  given, 
and  an  election  shall  be  had,  on  the  said  first  Saturday 
in  .April  next,  of  nine  trustees  of  said  town,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  present  law :  and  this  .Act.  if  rejected 
as  aforesaid,  shall  thereafter  be  null  and  void. 

Section  6.  This  .Act  shall  be  in  force  from  its 
passage. 

Under  the  above  .\ct  incorporatins^  Pnrts- 
moiitli  as  a  full  grown  town,  John  S.  White 
was  the  first  mayor  and  the  followinjg;  we" 
members  of  the  first  Council :  John  L.  Porter, 
president;  C.  S.  Cocke.  W,  H,  H.  Hodges, 
Calvin  Reynolds.  H.  Ferebee.  W.  K,  WDndard, 
R.  A.  J.  Thompson.  Thomas  Moran.  H.  J. 
Phillips,  John  Lash.  Caleb  X'ash'.  John  \'er- 
million  and  W.  X.  Schoolfield.  William  M. 
Levy  was  clerk. 

NAMES  OF  SQU.ARES. 

Everybody  knows  that  the  streets  of  Ports- 
mouth have  names.  Init  not  many  know  that 
the  squares  of  the  older  parts  of  the  city  are 
also  named.  Beginning  north  of  North  street, 
between  Crawford  and  Middle  streets,  they  are 
Norfolk  Row.  Norfolk.  Red  Lion.  London, 
Golden,  Bloomber,  Edinburg.  Cavendish,  Crab 
and  Buckingham ;  between  Middle  and  Court 
streets  are  Elizabeth  Row,  Elizabeth,  Glasgow, 
Hanover.  Court  House.  Market.  St.  James, 
Bristol.  Hill.  Ferry  and  Kent:  lietween  Court 
and  Dinwiddle  are  Hampton  Row.  Hamjiton, 
Back  Creek,  Queen.  Prison.  Church.  King, 
Portsmouth.  Lincoln.  Essex,  Middleton  and 
Argyle.  Between  Dinwiddle  and  Washington 
are  Marsh.  Greenwich.  Williamsburg,  Cam- 
bridge. Oxford.  Dinwiddle,  Princess.  Coimty, 
Virginia.  Salisbury,  Lancaster  and  Newcastle. 
Between  \\'ashington  and  Green  are  Orange, 
Cofnwall.  Essex.  Bon,  Devonshire.  Cheshire. 
Hertford.  Leicester.  Dover,  Soho,  Governor, 
Berkley.  Temple.  Green.  Dunn  and  Marlow. 
Between  Green  and  Clifford,  begimiing  south 


378 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  North  street,  are  Chatham,  Boush.  iMiffling, 
Washington,  Montgomery,  Proctor,  Clerson, 
Hampsliire.  Derby,  *  *  Portland,  Exeter, 
Norwich.  Grantham  'and  Lamarso.  Between 
Effing~liam  and  Chestnut  are  Boston,  Ashburn, 
Carlisle,  Arlington,  Preston,  Alllji:)ri_)Ugh,  Bur- 
lington, Granby,  Holborn,  Hambury,  Gas- 
goyne,  Pall-lNIall,  Parke,  Drake  and  Drum- 
mond;  west  of  Chestnut  are  Ludlow,  Saville, 
Hatton,  Hemmino,  Mulberry,  Eden,  Tav- 
istock, Beverly,  Anoon,  Ambler,  Bentick  and 
Westburg.  Effingham  street  is  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  in  Portsmouth  and  is  supposed 
to  have  been  named  fi.r  the  greatest  Earl  of 
Effing-ham. 

The  tragic  cruelties  of  Dunmore  and  Tarle- 
ton  not  only  united  the  American  colonists  for 
resistance,  but  aroused  the  sympathy  of  liberty- 
loving  Englishmen,  across  the  ocean,  to  open 
declarations  against  the  coercion  policy  of  King 
George's  government. 

Among  them'  were  army  officers,  who  ten- 
dered their  resignations  rather  than  fight  Amer- 
icans, and  some  members  of  the  Parliament 
strenuously  opposed,  with  their  voices  and 
votes,  the  war  measures  of  the  crown. 

The  Earl  of  Effingham,  a  brilliant  states- 
man and  dashing  soldier,  was  a  fearless  friend 
of  America.  He  made  some  of  the  ablest  and 
most  eloquent  arguments  in  Parliament  for  the 
rights  of  the  Colonies. 

Thomas  Howard,  third  Earl  of  Effingham, 
was  born  Januarv  13.  I747-  When  a  boy  he 
had  strong  military  tastes  and  his  youthful  in- 
clinations carried  him  into  the  British  Army  at 
the  age  of  15  years,  as  an  ensign  in  the  cele- 
brated Coldstream  Guards.  He  was  not 
prompted  to  the  profession  of  arms  by  a  desire 
for  gaudy  display  in  an  officer's  glittering  uni- 
form, but  he  craved  to  test  his  manhood  on  the 
firing  line.  So  he  volunteered  for  service  in  a 
war  between  the  Russians  and  Turks  to  add 
experience  to  the  theory  of  martial  life. 

He  was  promoted  to  captain  of  the  First 
Regiment  of  Foot  Guards  on  Aug.   i,   1766 
When  the  American  Revolution  began,  he  was 
fully  equipped  for  a  brilliant  military  career. 


but  he  could  not  consent  to  enforce  with  his 
sword  measures  which  he  had  opposed  as  a  leg- 
islator. His  regiment  was  ordered  to  Amer- 
ica, but  not  desiring  to  leave  the  military  ser- 
vice, he  requested  to  be  relieved  from  service 
against  the  Colonies.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
Secretary  of  War,  in  which,  having  declared 
the  willingness  with  which  he  would  sacrifice 
his  life  and  fortune  in  support  of  the  safety, 
honor  and  dignity  of  His  AIajest3'"s  crown  and 
person,  he  said  that  the  same  principles  which 
had  inspired  him  with  these  unalterable  senti- 
ments of  duty  and  affection  to  the  King,  would 
not  suffer  him  to  be  instrumental  in  depriving 
any  part  of  his  people  of  those  liberties  which 
form  the  best  security  for  their  fidelity  and 
obedience  to  his  government.  He  expressed 
the  deepest  regret  and  greatest  mortification 
at  being  obliged  to  quit  a  profession  which  had 
been  that  of  his  ancestors  for  many  ages,  to 
the  study  and  practice  of  which  from  child- 
hood his  past  life  had  been  applied  and  his 
future  intentionally  dedicated,  and  that  as  he 
waived  the  advantage  to  which  the  custom  of 
the  service  entitled  him,  the  right  of  selling 
what  he  had  bought,  he  requested  that  he  might 
be  alloiwed  to  retain  his  rank  in  the  army;  that 
whenever  envy  or  ambition  of  foreign  powers 
should  require  it,  he  might  be  enabled  to  serve 
his  king  and  his  country  in  that  way  in  which 
of  all  others  he  thought  himself  best  calculated 
to  do  it  with  effect. 

The  Earl  of  Effingham  herein  displayed  a 
manhood  which  required  more  courage  than  to 
stand  up  in  the  line  of  battle  where  bullets 
whiz  and  thundering  shells  explode. 

At  a  great  public  meeting  in  London,  held 
in  the  common  hall  on  ;Midsummer's  Day,  reso- 
lutions of  public  thanks  were  ordered  to  be 
given  to  the  Right  Honorable  the  Earl  of  Ef- 
fi.ngham,  for  having  consistently,  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  a  true  Englishman,  refused  to  draw 
his  sword,  which  had  been  employed  to  the 
honor  of  his  country,  against  the  lives  and  lib- 
erties of  his  fellow  subjects  in  America. 

Soon  after,  a  similar  resolution  of  thanks 
in  fuller  terms  was  presented  to  him  from  the 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


379 


guild  of  merchants  in  Dublin.  His  govern- 
ment respected  his  petition  and  honored  him 
with  its  confidence  until  his  death.  He  was 
made  Deputy  Earl  Marshal.  October  21,  1777; 
Treasurer  of  the  Household,  April  10,  1782; 
Master  of  the  Mint.  February  10,  1784;  Vice 
Admiral  of  Jamaica,  July  21,  1780;  and  Gov- 
ernor of  Jamaica,  October  14.  1789.  He  had 
been  in  bad  health,  and  hoped  that  it  would  be 
Ijenetited  by  the  climate  of  Jamaica,  but  it  con- 
tinued to  decline,  and  he  died  there  on  the  19th 
day  of  November.  1791.  He  was  then  a  colonel 
in  the  army  and  Governor  General  of  the  isl- 
and. He  married  on  the  14th  of  October,  1765, 
Catharine,  eklest  daughter  I'f  Metcalf  Proctor. 
Esq.,  of  Thorpe-on-the-Hill,  near  Leeds.  She 
died  in  the  same  year.  1791.  on  board  His 
Majesty's  ship  "Diana."  in  her  passage  from 
Jamaica  to  New  York,  whither  her  ladyship 
was  going  for  the  recovery  of  her  health. 

The  third  Earl  of  Etifingham  was  a  grand 
Englishman.  He  was  true  to  the  spirit  of  free- 
dom, wiiich  e\-er  inspires  patriiitic  liearts.  He 
was  a  friend  of  liberty  and  justice.  Americans 
should  honor  his  name.  Alen  should  study  a 
character  which  subordinated  militarv  ambition 
and  glory  to  a  conscientious  conviction  of  right. 

INCORPORATED  AS  A  CITY. 

A  meeting  of  the  citizens,  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  incorporating  Portsmouth  as  a 
city,  was  held  in  Oxford  Hall  on  Wednesday 
evening,  December  9,  1857.  On  the  motion 
of  Gerard  Henderson.  George  W.  Grice,  presi- 
dent of  the  Council,  was  elected  chairman  and 
Cladius  \V.  Murdaugh,  secretary.  The  chair- 
man stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  and  then 
Stephen  Cowley,  Esq..  who  had  been  appointed 
chairman  of  a  committee  on  resolutions  at  a 
previous  meeting,  reported  the  following: 

"Whereas,  the  populatioM  and  commerce 
of  our  town  have  reached  a  point  in  numbers 
and  importance  which  require  a  more  perfect 
municipal  organization ;  and  whereas  our  pres- 
ent relations  with  the  county  are  complicated 
in  character  and  unequal  in  operation ;  there- 


fi^re.  Rcsok'cd.  Tliat  our  Town  Council  l)e  and 
they  are  hereby  instructed  to  bring  the  subject 
fully  incorporating  our  town,  through  our  Sen- 
atorial and  County  delegates  in  the  Legisla- 
ture, to  the  notice  of  the  present  General  As- 
sembly of  Virginia,  at  the  earliest  ])racticai)le 
period. 

"Rcsohed,  Tliat  said  Council  prepare,  or 
cause  to  be  prepared,  in  one  Act,  a  charter  of 
incorporation,  embracing  the  usual  forms,  privi- 
leges and  restrictions  for  our  town,  with  the 
name  and  style  of  the  City  of  Portsmouth." 

The  Act  incorporating  the  town  of  Ports- 
mouth as  a  city  was  passed  March  i,  1838, 
and  is  in  part  as  follows : 

Section  l.  Br  it  ciuictcd  by  the  d'nera!  .-Isscmhly, 
that  the  territory  contained  within  the  limits  of  the 
Town  of  Portsmouth,  prescribed  by  sundry  .Acts  of  the 
.■\ssemhlv  heretofore  passed,  shall  be  deemed  and  taken 
as  the  City  of  Portsmouth,  and  the  freeholders,  house- 
keepers and  inhabitants  within  the  said  limits,  and  their 
successors,  shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  made  a  body 
politic  and  corporate,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the 
City  of  Portsmouth :  and  as  such,  and  by  that  name 
may  contract  and  be  contracted  with,  sue  and  be  sued, 
plead  and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered  unto; 
and  may  purchase,  take,  receive,  hold  and  use  goods 
and  chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  and  choses  in  action, 
or  any  interest,  right  or  estate  therein,  either  for  the 
proper  use  of  the  said  city,  or  in  trust  for  the  benefit 
of  any  persons  or  associations  therein;  and  the  same 
may  grant,  sell,  convey,  transfer  and  assign,  let.  pledge, 
mortgage,  charge  and  encumber,  in  any  case  and  in  any 
manner  in  which  it  would  be  lawful  for  a  private  in- 
dividual so  to  do ;  and  may  have  and  use  a  common 
seal,  and  alter  and  renew  the  same  at  pleasure ;  and 
generally  shall  have  all  the  rights,  franchises,  capacities 
and  powers  appertaining  to  municipal  corporations  in 
this  Commonwealth.  Said  city  and  its  inhabitants  shall 
hencefortli  be  exempt  from  all  assessments  or  levies 
in  the  way  of  taxes  by  the  County  Court  of  Norfolk  for 
any  purpose  whatsoever. 

Section  2.  There  shall  be  for  the  said  corporation 
a  court,  which  shall  be  called  "the  Court  of  Hustings 
for  the  Cuy  of  Portsmouth :"  and  the  same  shall  be 
held  by  the  aldermen  of  said  city,  or  any  three  or  more 
of  them,  except  where  it  is  otherwise  provided.  The 
said  court  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  every 
month,  or  on  such  other  days  as  may  be  hereafter  pre- 
scribed by  law.  The  quarterly  courts  of  said  city  shall 
be  held  on  t!ie  first  Tuesday  in  January.  April.  July 
and  October ;  and  the  sergeant  of  said  city  shall  attend 
said  courts  with  his  deputies  and  summon  grand  juries; 
and  said  sergeant  and  grand  juries  shall  proceed  in  like 
manner  as  the  sheriffs  and  grand  juries  of  the  County 
Courts. 

Section  3,  The  said  court  shall  have  jurisdiction, 
and  the  mayor  and  aldermen  shall  each  have  the  power 


38o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  a  justice  of  the  peace  within  the  said  corporate 
limits,  and  every  part  thereof,  for  matters  arising  within 
the  same,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  Commonweahh. 
in  the  same  manner  and  to  the  same  extent  and  under 
the  same  laws,  rules  and  regulations  that  the  County 
Courts  of  this  Commonwealth  now  have,  and  are  now 
subject  to  or  as  they  may  hereafter  have  or  be  sub- 
jected to  by  law;  and  any  presentment  made  in  said 
court  by  a  grand  jury,  for  an  offense  against  said  laws 
committed  within  the  jurisdiction  thereof,  may  be  pros- 
ecuted in  said  court  in  like  manner,  and  the  like  pro- 
ceedings be  had  thereon  as  in  the  County  Courts  of  the 
Commonwealth.  The  members  of  the  said  Court  of 
Hustings  shall  consist  of  12  other  than  the  mayor,  of 
whom,  until  the  Council  shall  otherwise  prescribe,  there 
shall  be  six  for  each  ward. 

Section  4.  There  shall  be  a  board  called  "the 
Council  of  the  City  of  Portsmouth,"  which  shall  be 
composed  of  12  members,  of  whom,  until  the  Council 
shall   otherwise  prescribe,   six  shall   be   for  each   ward. 

Section  5.  The  Council  may  grant  compensation 
out  of  the  funds  of  the  city  to  the  mayor  of  the  city, 
and  the  members  of  the  Court  of  Hustings. 

Section  6.  All  bonds  and  writings  obligatory,  or 
contracts  with,  and  all  rights,  claims  and  demands  for 
or  against  the  said  City  of  Portsmouth,  shall  be  good 
in  law  the  same  as  they  would  have  been  for  or 
against  the  said  Town  of  Portsmouth  if  this  .-Kct  had 
not  been  passed ;  and  all  personal  and  real  estate  here- 
tofore conveyed  to  the  authorities  of  the  -Town  of 
Portsmouth,  in  trust  or  for  the  use.  benefit  or  ad- 
vantage of  any  persons  or  associations,  shall  be  and 
the  same  is  hereby  transferred  to  and  vested  in  the  .City 
of  Portmouth.  to  be  held  subject  to  all  the  trusts,  con- 
ditions and  qualifications  to  which  it  would  have  been 
subject  in  the  possession  of  said  authorities  prior  to 
the  passage  of  this  Act. 

Section  7.  At  all  elections  which  shall  be  held  by 
the  voters  of  said  city  for  the  corporate  authorities 
thereof,  the  following  persons  shall  be  entitled  to  vote, 
viz. :  All  free  white  male  inhabitants,  being  citizens  of 
the  United  States,  and  qualified  by  law  to  vote  for 
members  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia,  who  are 
freeholders  of  lots  or  real  estate  in  said  city,  whether 
improved  or  not.  and  such  other  inhabitants  not  free- 
holders, being  citizens,  and  qualified  as  above,  who 
shall  have  paid,  before  offering  to  vote,  the  city  taxes 
assessed  against  them  for  the  year  preceeding  that  in 
which  they  offer  to  vote. 

Section  8.  There  shall  be  an  election  in  eaoh 
ward  at  the  first  election  held  under  this  Act.  and  an- 
nually on  the  first  Saturday  in  April,  or  in  case  of 
failure  to  hold  the  election  on  that  day  then  such  day 
afterwards  as  the  Council  may  direct :  which  election 
in  a  ward  shall  be  for  members  of  the  Common  Council 
to  represent  said  ward,  and  for  a  mayor  of  the  city, 
and  for  such  other  officers  of  the  corporation  as  the 
ordinances  of  the  said  Council  may  require  to  be 
elected  annually  by  the  voters  thereof.  At  the  first 
electi(m  for  city  officers  under  this  Act,  there  shall 
be  held  in  like  manner  an  election  in  each  ward  for  si.x 
aldermen  or  members  of  the  Court  of  Hustings  for  said 
city,  whose  term  of  service  .shall  be  four  years;  a  city 
sergeant,  whose  term  of  service  shall  be  for  two  years ; 
a  clerk  of  the  Hustings-  Court,  wihose  term  of  service 


shall  be  six  years ;  a  city  surveyor,  whose  term  of  service 
shall  be  six  years:  a  commissioner  of  the  revenue, 
whose  term  of  service  shall  be  two  years;  and  two 
constables  for  each  ward,  whose  term  of  service  shall 
be  two  years;  and  there  shall  be  an  election  on  the 
first  Saturday  in  April  in  each  and  every  year  con- 
cluding the  terms  hereinbefore  specified,  to-wit ;  For 
members  of  the  Court  of  Hustings,  every  fourth  year ; 
city  sergeant,  every  two  years ;  clerk  of  the  Hustings 
Court  and  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  every  sixth  year; 
surveyor,  every  sixth  year;  commissioner  of  the  revenue 
and  constables,  every  second  year  after  the  said  first 
election.  And  the  terms  of  all  officers  herein  above 
specified  shall  commence  on  the  first  Monday  in  the 
month  of  May.  immediately  succeeding  their  election. 
And  every  vacancy,  occurring  in  either  of  the  offices 
enumerated  in  this  section,  shall  be  filled  by  an  elec- 
tion for  so  much  of  the  said  term  as  remains  unex- 
pired, to  be  held  at  such  time  as  shall  be  directed  by 
the  Council,  and  in  the  manner  prescribed  in  this  Act ; 
and  in  case  the  vacancy  be  in  the  office  of  clerk  of 
either  court,  the  said  Hustings  Court  may  appoint  a 
clerk  pro  tempore,  who  shall  discharge  all  the  duties 
of  the  ofiice  thus  vacated  until  a  clerk  shall  be  elected 
and  qualified.  These  shall  also  be  elected  at  the  time 
hereinbefore  named,  and  every  fourth  year  thereafter, 
an  attorney  for  the  Commonwealth  for  said  courts,  who 
shall  perform  the  same  duties  as  attorneys  for  the 
Commonwealth  in  the  County  and  Circuit  courts. 

Section  9.  Any  white  male  citizen,  who  is  qualified 
to  vote  for  city  officers  under  this  Act,  sihall  be  eligible 
as  a  member  of  the  Council  or  of  the  Court  of  Hust- 
ings', or  to  any  other  office  created  or  contained  in  this 
Act.     But  no  keeper  of  an  ordinary  shall  be  so  eligible. 

Section  10.  In  such  elections  the  city  shall  continue 
divided  (as  at  present)  into  two  wards  until  the  Council 
shall  lay  it  off'  into  wards  differently,  or  alter  (he  wards, 
and  the  said  elections  shall  be  held  at  such  place  in 
each  ward  as  shall  have  been  or  may  be  hereafter  pre- 
scribed by  the  Council. 

Section  11.  The  elections  shall  be  conducted  in  the 
following  manner:  The  sergeant  shall,  by  publication 
in  one  or  more  of  the  city  newspapers,  and  if  there  be 
no  such  newspapers,  then  by  written  advertisements  at 
sundry  places  in  the  city,  give  notice  thereof  to  the  cit- 
izens for  at  least  two  weeks  prior  to  any  election,  speci- 
fying time  and  places :  and  if  any  unadvoidable  cause 
should  render  a  change  of  either  place  necessary,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  sergeant  to  have  said  change 
announced  on  or  before  the  day  of  election,  in  one  or 
more  of  the  city  newspapers,  or  by  handbills. 

Section  12.  The  sergeant  shall  hold  the  election  in 
the  ward  in  which  he  resides  and  shall  appoint  in  writ- 
ing, previous  to  the  election,  a  deputy  in  each  of  the 
other  wards,  to  hold  an  election  therein,  who  shall  be 
invested  for  that  purpose  with  the  same  powers,  and  be 
restricted  by  the  same  disabilities  as  the  said  sergeant. 

Section  13.  In  case  of  the  inability  of  the  sergeant, 
from  sickness  or  from  any  other  cause,  to  hold  the 
election  in  the  ward  in  which  he  resides,  he  shall  have 
full  power  and  authority  to  appoint,  in  writing,  at  any 
time  before  or  on  the  dav  of  election,  a  deputy,  who 
shall  hold  the  election  in  said  ward,  who  shall  be  in- 
vested with  the  same  powers  and  restricted  by  the  same 
disabilities  as  himself.     The  elections  for  senators,  dele- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


38i 


gates   and   members   of   the    House   of    Representatives    1 
shall  lie  c<induclt(l  by  the  same  officers  and  in  the  same 
manner  as  prescribed  in  this  Act.  and  by  the  laws  of  the 
Commonwealth. 

Section  14.  Any  deputy  appointed  as  aforesaid 
shall  act  under  the  obligations  of  an  oath,  to  be  admin- 
istered to  him  by  an  alderman,  faithfully  to  execute  the 
powers  conferred  by  the  said  appointment.  And  each 
and  every  deputy  shall  make  return  to  the  sergeant 
within  three  days:  and  if  from  any  cause  there  be  no 
sergeant,  then  to  the  clerk  of  the  Council  of  the  city. 
of  the  ninnbcr  of  votes  given  to  the  respective  candi- 
dates in  the  ward  in  which  he  acted  as  deputy;  which, 
with  the  votes  given  in  hi.s  own  ward,  when  he  acts  in 
lieu  of  his  deputy,  shall  be  publi^^hed  in  some  newspaper 
in  the  city  and  be  lodged  with  the  clerk  of  the  Court  of 
Hustings. 

Section  15.  Of  per.sons  to  fill  offices  created  or 
continued  by  this  Act,  elections  shall  be  held  in  all  the 
wards  on  the  same  day:  but  if  from  any  cause  the  elec- 
tion shall  not  be  held  in  any  or  all  of  said  wards  on  the 
day  prescribed,  the  sergeant  or  his  deputy  or  deputies 
shall  proceed  to  hold  the  same  as  soon  as  said  cause  is 
removed,  after  three  days  notice  in  the  newspapers. 

Section  16.  For  superintending  said  elections  the 
Council  shall,  previous  thereto,  appoint  five  discreet  per- 
sons in  each  ward  as  commissioners,  any  tw'o  or  more 
of  whom  may  act ;  and  the  -aid  commissioners  shall 
have  such  powers  and  perform  such  duties  as  are  pre- 
scribed in  the  sixth  section  of  the  seventh  chapter  of 
the  Code  of  Virginia  and  after  taking  such  oath  as  is 
mentioned  in  the  seventh  section  of  that  chapter,  a  cer- 
tificate of  which  oath  shall  be  returned  to  the  clerk  of 
the  Hustings  Court,  to  be  preserved  in  his  office. 

Section  17.  Xo  elector  shall  be  perinitted  to  vote 
in  any  other  ward  than  that  in  which  he  resides. 

Section  18.  The  qualifications  of  any  person  or 
persons  elected  as  councilmen  shall  be  adjudged  of  by 
the  whole  number  of  councilmen  elected,  or  a  majority 
of  them. 

Section  19.  At  all  elections  which  shall  be  held  as 
aforesaid,  the  person  or  persons  who  shall  receive  the 
highest  number  of  votes,  if  duly  qualified,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  elected.  And  in  case  of  a  tie  or  equality 
vote  between  any  two  or  more  candidates,  the  sergeant 
or  other  person  conducting  the  election  shall  decide  be- 
tween the  persons  so  tied. 

Then  follow  55  other  sections  embracing 
the  general  powers  of  the  Common  Council, 
duties  of  the  mayor,  provisions  for  the  Circuit 
Court :  a  supplemental  Act  was  passed  on  the 
25th  of  March,  1858,  providing  for  the  dis- 
position of  the  cominon  property  of  the  county 
of  Norfolk  and  the  city  of  Portsmouth. 

The  Court  of  Hustings  for  the  city  of  Ports- 
mouth, established  by  the  charter,  held  the  first 
session  at  the  Court  House  of  Norfolk  County 
in  the  said  city  on  Tuesday,  the  4th  day  of 
May,  1858,  it  being  the  first  Tuesday  in  the 


month  of  May  as  prescribed.    Aldermen  Sam- 
uel Watts,  Arthur  R.  Smith,  John  Nash,  Will- 
iam H.  Morris.  Moss  W.  Armistead,  John  S. 
White.  Robert  Dickson.  William  W.  Davis,  Ed- 
ward Kearns  being  present,  the  court  proceeded 
t<<  organize,  and  Arthur  R.  Smith  was  desig- 
nated  as   chairman   to  preside   at   the   court. 
Arthur    Emmerson   was  appointed   cryer  and 
James    Murdaugh    was    appointed    clerk    [>ro 
tempore.      The    court,    being    organized    and 
opened,  proceeded  to  business,  and  the  follow- 
ing certificates  were  directed  to  be  recorded,  to 
evidence  the  due  qualification  of  the  aldermen 
of  the  city,  viz  : 

City  of  Portsmouth,  to-wit:  This  day  personally 
appeared  Ijefore  me.  James  Gregory  Hodges.  Mayor  of 
the  City  of  Portsmouth.  John  Xash.  Robert  Dickson, 
William  W.  Davis.  Arthur  R.  Smith.  William  H. 
Peters.  William  H.  Morris,  who  were  by  the  voters  of 
said  city  at  an  election  held  on  Thursday,  the  22nd  day 
of  .\pril,  1858.  at  tlie  Town  Hall  the  |)lace  of  voting  in 
Jackson  Ward  in  said  city,  elected  .Mdermcn  of  the 
said  city  in  and  for  said  ward,  and  took  the  several 
oaths  prescribed  by  law. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  joth  day  of  .April.  1858. 
J.wiES  Gkeuory  Hodges. 
Mayor. 

City  of  l\irts>nouth.  to-'cil:  This  day  personally 
appeared  before  me,  James  Gregory  Hodges.  Maycjr  of 
the  City  of  Portsmouth.  Samuel  Watts.  John  S.  White, 
Charles  R.  Mc.-\lpine.  Kdward  Kearns.  Robert  H.  Cuth- 
erell.  Moss  W.  .\rmistead.  who  were,  by  the  voters  of 
the  said  city  at  an  election  held  on  Thursday,  the  22nd 
day  of  .Xpril.  1858.  at  the  Court  House,  the  place  of 
voting  in  Jefferson  Ward  in  said  city,  duly  elected 
.■Mdermen  of  the  said  city  in  and  for  said  ward  and  took 
the  several  oaths  prescribed  by  law. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  30th  day  of  .April.  1858. 
J.\.\iEs  Gregory  Hodges. 

Mayor. 

Arthur  Emmerson,  who  was  duly  elected 
clerk  by  the  voters  of  the  city,  qualified.  David 
J.  Cjodwin.  who  was  dulv  elected  Common- 
wealth's attorney,  qualified;  the  court  fixed  his 
salary  at  $300  per  annum.  Claudius  W.  Mur- 
daugh. Leopold  C.  P.  Cowper  and  Virginius 
O.  Cassell  were  elected  commissioners  in  chan- 
cery. James  IMurdaugh.  John  S.  Stubbs,  Leo- 
pold C.  P.  Cowper,  J.  M.  Brickhouse,  James 
G.  Holliday.  James  F.  Crocker,  David  J.  God- 
win, Claudius  W.  Murdaugh.  Virginius  O. 
Cassell.  P.  H.  Daughtery  and  .\bram  S.  Watts 
qualified  to  practice  law  in  said  court. 


382 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Joseph  Hobda)',  who  was  duly  elected  com- 
missioner of  the  revenue  by  the  voters  of  the 
city,  qualified.  Herman  Mathews,  who  was 
duly  elected  constable,  qualified.  David  J. 
Godwin,  Claudius  W.  Murdaugh,  Abram  S. 
Watts,  John  Emmerson,  qualified  as  notaries 
public  under  commissions  from  His  Excellency, 
Henry  A.  Wise,  Governor  of  Virginia. 

The  court  appointed  Samuel  Watts,  David 
J.  Godwin  and  Arthur  Emmerson  a  committee 
to  prepare  rules  and  regulations  for  conducting 
business.  William  H.  Bingley  qualified  as  dep- 
uty clerk. 

In  April,  1858,  George  W.  Grice  was  elected 
first  mayor  of  the  city.  On  the  5th  of  July, 
i860,  a  bill  creating  the  office  of  judge  of  the 
Court  of  Hustings  was  enacted  and  Hon.  Ed- 
ward W.  Massenburg  was  elected  the  first 
judge. 

CHANGING   THE   WARDS. 

An  Act  to  provide  a  new  charter  for  the  city 
of  Portsmouth  was  approved  March  11,  1873 
(Acts  1872-73,  Ch.  152,  Page  122)  : 

Section  3.  The  present  Council  of  the  City  of 
Portsmouth  shall,  within  60  days  after  the  passage  of 
this  Act.  appoint  five  discreet  and  proper  persons,  resi- 
dents and  voters  in  said  city,  any  three  of  whom  may 
act,  who  shall  without  delay  proceed  to  lay  off  said 
city  into  wards,  not  less  than  two  nor  inore  than  five, 
and  to  define  the  houndaries  of  said  wards,  and,  where 
practicahle.  to  use  the  streets  and  alleys  of  said  city  for 
boundaries.  The  said  commissioners  shall  report  to  the 
Council  the  wards  laid  out,  and  the  boundaries  thereof, 
with  a  ,plat  of  the  same.  and.  if  approved  by  said  Coun- 
cil, the  same  shall  be  confirmed  by  the  Coimcil.  and 
each  ward  designated  by  names  or  numbers,  and  the 
wards  so  established  and  defined  shall  be  the  wards  of 
said  city  until  changed  by  Act  of  the  General  Assembly. 
Until  such  revision  be  made,  the  wards  of  said  city 
shall  reiuain  as  at  present  defined.  Upon  such  revision 
the  Council  shall  apportion  the  councilmen  among  the 

various  wards  established. 

******* 

Section  13.  The  Council  of  the  City  of  Ports- 
mouth, after  the  revision  of  the  wards  of  said  city,  as 
hereinbefore  provided,  shall  be  composed  of  15  mem- 
bers, to  be  apportioned  among  the  several  wards  in 
proportion  to  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  each  ward. 
The  councilmen  chosen  shall,  at  the  time  of  election 
and  during  their  continuance  in  office,  be  residents  of 
the  ward  for  wdiich  they  are  chosen.  They  shall  be 
elected  by  the  voters  qualified  to  vote  for  councilmen,  as 
hereinbefore  provided,  who  are  residents  of  the  respec- 
tive wards   for  which  such  councilmen  are  chosen.    .If 


the  revision  of  the  wards  of  the  city  as  hereinbefore 
provided  shall  not  be  made,  the  Council  of  the  city 
shall  remain  as  at  present  constituted.  The  qualifica- 
tions of  any  person  or  persons  elected  as  councilmen 
shall  be  adjudged  of  by  the  whole  number  of  council- 
men  elected  or  a  majority  of  them. 

Under  these  provisions  the  Council  took 
the  matter  up  and  at  the  meeting  on  April  6, 
1873,  Mr.  Brown  moved  that  five  discreet  citi- 
zens be  appointed  to  redistrict  the  city  and  that 
the  chair  appoint  the  committee,  which  motion 
was  carried.  The  chair  appointed  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen :  William  T.  Robinson,  G.  F. 
Edwards,  R.  E.  Glassett,  V.  A.  Haynes,  G.  W. 
Watts.  On  motion  the  chair  was  instructed  to 
fill  all  vacancies.  On  inotion  of  Mr.  Maupin 
the  wards  were  to  be  numbered  instead  of 
named.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Smith  the  com- 
missioners were  each  allowed  $25  for  their 
services. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council,  on  April  28, 
1873,  the  President  stated  that  it  was  called  to 
hear  the  report  of  the  commissioners.  Then 
followed  the  report  of  commissioners,  which 
was  adopted  by  a  resolution,  and  the  Council 
also  fixed  the  number  of  councihnen  for  the 
city  at  15,  to-\vit :  Five  each  for  the  First  and 
Second  '\\'ards,  two  for  the  Third  Ward  and 
three  for  the  Fourth  Ward. 

The  new  charter  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth, 
now  in  force,  is  provided  by  Acts  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  approved  March  6,  1882,  Jan- 
uary 28,  1884,  and  February  23,  18^94.  The 
latter  Act  extends  the  boundaries  to  embrace, 
in  addition,  the  territory  beginning  in  the 
western  boundary  line  of  the  city  at  a  point  113 
feet  south  from  the  south  side  of  Glasgow 
street ;  and  from  thence  running  west,  parallel 
with  Glasgow  street,  to  the  center  of  the  chan- 
nel of  Scott's  Creek ;  thence  northwardly  along 
the  center  of  the  channel  of  this  creek  to  low- 
water  mark  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  thence  east- 
wardly  along  the  low-water-mark  line  of  the 
river  to  the  northwestern  boundary  line  of  the 
city ;  and  thence  southwardly  along  the  western 
boundary  line  of  the  city  to  the  point  of  be- 
ginning. This  territorv  is  known  as  the  Fifth 
Ward. 


AND  REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


383 


HISTORICAL  liVli.NTS. 

The  will  of  Rev.  Charles  Smith,  the  first 
minister  of  Portsmouth  Parish,  is  dated  Jan- 
uary 24,  1 77 1.  After  disposing  of  his  estate 
including;  several  small  legacies  he  directs  his 
manuscripts  to  be  burned  and  his  body  to  be 
buried  decently  in  a  plain  pine  coffin  near  a 
cherry  tree  "bearing  about  S.  \V.  from  this 
iKUse  and  upon  the  Glelie."  and  a  ccxlicil  dated 
October  30.  177.2,  says,  "My  will  now  is  that 
after  my  within-mentioned  mulatto  woman 
Mary  waits  on  my  graddaughter  Abegail  Tay- 
lor one  year  after  my  decease  thenceforward  I 
emancipate  and  set  her  free  with  all  her  future 
issue  forever." 

Isaac  Luke  died  October  31,  1784,  in  the 
54th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
prominent  citizens  of  his  time. 

Rev.  Richard  Cave.  Jones  on  Deceml)er  17. 
1792,  produced  his  credentials  as  a  minister  of 
the  Protestant  E])iscopal  Church  to  the  Coun- 
ty Court,  and  qualified  to  celebrate  the  rites  of 
matrimony. 

The  sugar  house  near  Gosport  Bridge  was 
opened  in  1802  and  produced  the  best  double- 
refined  loaf  sugar.  It  was  burned  down  in  1831. 
The  rum  distillery  in  Gosport  with  a  capacity 
of  600  gallons  per  day  was  opened  in  1803. 

Among  the  Portsmouth  ships  and  captains 
in  1807  were:  Ship  "Flora,"  Capt.  Robert 
Benthall ;  ship  "Anacreon."  Capt.  Henry  Pet- 
ers; ship  "Elizabeth."  Capt.  Isaac  Luke;  ship 
"William  &  Mary,"  Capt.  Henr}-  Dickson ;  ship 
"Malvina,"  Capt.  Robert  Dickson;  ship  "Mo- 
doc," Capt.  Robert  Barclay ;  ship  "Margaret 
\\'right."  Captain  Rrwke:  ship  "Constitution." 
Captain  McRea. 

On  April  16,  181 1,  the  French  privateer 
"Revanche  de  Cerf."  Capt.  John  Jacques,  that 
had  been  detained  nine  months  by  Commodore 
R«dgers  and  released  by  the  Admiralty  Court, 
while  lying  in  the  harbor  opposite  the  \J.  S. 
Marine  Hospital  at  Ferry  Point  (on  Berkley 
Flats ) ,  was  boarded  by  an  armed  force  from  the 
shore,  set  on  fire,  blown  up  and  entirely  de- 
stroyed. 


On  March  31,  18 15,  Francis  Grice,  of  Phila- 
delphia, began  building  ships  in  Portsmouth. 
He  was  afterward  naval  constructor. 

On  October  23,  1824,  the  Marquis  de 
LaFayette  visited  Portsmouth ;  he  was  met  at 
the  ferry  landing,  then  at  North  street,  and  es- 
corted by  the  Portsmouth  Ritles  and  Greys  to 
the  intersection  of  Crawford  and  High  streets, 
where  the  welcome  by  the  city  was  tendered. 

In  1825  the  schooner  "Ranger,"  com- 
manded by  Captain  Seward,  whose  family  lived 
on  \\'ater  street,  was  captured  by  the  pirates 
off  the  coast  of  South  America. 

On  May  19,  1827,  the  steamer  "Fredericks- 
burg," built  by  Joseph  Porter,  was  launched, 
136  tons  burden.  She  was  to  run  between 
Washington  and  Potomac  Creek. 

On  April  16,  1829,  the  Virginia  &  North 
Carolina  Transportation  Company  contracted 
for  and  had  completed  in  30  days  10  vessels  for 
the  canal  trade  at  the  following  shipyards: 
Joseph  Porter's  Portsmouth ;  John  Overton's, 
Portsmouth ;  Miles  Chambers  &  Hathaway's, 
Portsmouth;  Ryan  &  Gayles',  Portsmouth; 
Oney  S.  Dameron's.  Norfolk ;  Isaac  Talbot's, 
Nofolk ;  John  G.  CoUey's,  Norfolk. 

On  July  30.  T830.  the  new  steamlioat  "Lady 
of  the  Lake,"  was  built  bv  Capt.  Guv  C.  W'heel- 
er  at  his  shipyard  in  Portsmouth,  moved  by 
her  own  steam. 

The  Fourth  of  July,  1833,  was  celebrated 
with  a  grand  military  parade  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  soldiers : 

Norfolk  County  Horse  Guard — Capt.  Doughty. 
St.  Bride's  Patriot- — Capt.  Tateni. 
Norfolk  L.  I.  Blue.^— Capt.  King. 
Norfolk  Juniors — Capt.  Forniauet. 
Norfolk  Independents — Capt.  Tonkin. 
Portsmouth   Light   Dragoons — Capt.    Murdaugh. 
Portsmouth  L.  I.  Greys — Capt.  Watts. 
Portsmouth  .\rtillery — Capt.  Cassell. 
Portsmouth  Rifle; — Capt.  Gaylc. 
Portsmouth   Grenadiers — Capt.   Darden. 

The  Globe  Tavern,  afterward  "The  High 
Street  Hotel,"  was  kept  by  Captain  Reynolds. 
It  was  situated  on  the  north  side  of  High  street, 
about  100  feet  east  of  Court  street,  now  the 
site  of  the  Commercial  Building.     Invitations 


384 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


to  a  ball  were  sent  out,  with  a  picture  of  an 
eagle  holding  in  his  talons  a  scroll  with  "E 
Pluribus  Unum"  : 

The  pleasure  of  your  company  is  solicited  at  a  Ball 
to  be  given  at  the  Globe  Tavern,  in  Portsmouth,  on 
Friday  evening,  the  2ist  inst. 


Arthur  Emmerson, 
Mordccai  Cooke, 
Robert  B.  Butt, 
John  B.  Levy. 
Benjamin  Spratley, 
Isaac  R.  Bayley, 
James  H.  Langhorne, 
Henry  C.  Bell. 
Joseph  A.  Bflisoly, 


Demp.sey  Nash, 
John  L.  King, 
Levin  Gayle, 
John  K.  Cooke, 
Albert  G.  Nash, 
Columbus  C.  Robertson, 
Henry  V.  Niemeyer, 
Tapley  Portlock, 
George  Blow, 
Managers. 

loth  Feb.  1834. 


On  April  24,  1844,  Henry  Clay  visited  the 
city  and  Capt.  Samuel  Watts  gave  a  reception 
at  his  mansion,  where  a  large  number  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen  were  introduced  to  the  dis- 
tinguished gentleman.  On  July  24,  1847.  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Pennsylvania"  arrived  from  Phila- 
delphia,— the  only  voyage  she  ever  made;  she 
was  receiving  ship  at  Gosport  until  burned  by 
the  Federals  in  1861, 

Liberia  was  founded  by  free  colored  people, 
sent  out  in  1822  bv  the  American  Colonization 
Societv,  of  which  Henry  Clay  was  president. 
Joseph  Jenkins  Roberts,  the  first  president  of 
the  republic,  Avas  elected  October  5,  1847, — '^^ 
was  a  native  of  Portsmouth,  and  was  carried 
out  on  a  ship  commanded  by  Capt.  Henry 
Peters. 

On  April  17,  1854,  the  ship  "Gosport,"  900 
tons,  was  launched  from  Page  &  Allen's  yard, 
Gosport. 

On  August  27,  1834,  the  brig  "St,  Julien" 
was  launched  froiti  the  shipyard  of  S,  Herbert 
in  Portsmouth,  She  was  an  unfortunate  ves- 
sel :  she  stuck  on  the  ways :  her  commanding 
ofificer,  Captain  Pleasants,  died  from  cholera 
morbus  four  days  after ;  she  was  capsized  and 
lost  at  sea  on  her  first  voyage. 

On  August  28,  1854,  the  ship  "James 
Guthrie,  1,200  tons,  was  launched  from  Page 
&  Allen's  yard,  Gosport. 

The  Great  Freeze. — In  January,  1857,  a 
snow-storm  of  great  violence  burst  upmi  the 


coast  and  invaded  the  tidewater  counties,  ac- 
companied by  a  strong  wind  and  high  tides. 
On  Monday,  the  19th,  the  snow  lay  six  feet 
deep,  and  the  river  was  frozen  over  from  shore 
to  shore.  A  few  days  later  the  whole  harbor 
was  blockaded  with  ice,  and  all  coinmunication 
by  water  was  cut  ofif.  At  one  time  the  mercury 
registered  nine  degrees  below  zero, — an  un- 
heard-of event  in  this  latitude,  but  common 
enough  in  the  North  and  Northwest  where 
"blizzards"  are  mere  incidents  of  every  win- 
ter's experience.  Thousands  of  people  swarm- 
ed-upon  the  ice  and  availed  themselves  of  this 
opportunity, — the  first  within  the  memory  of 
living  men,  and  probably  the  last  for  many  gen- 
erations to  come, — of  disporting  themselves 
upon  the  congealed  bosom  of  the  Elizabeth. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1873,  the  Seaboard 
Club  of  Portsmouth  defeated  the  Chesapeake 
Boat  Club  of  Norfolk,  over  a  three-mile  course 
down  the  harbor.  The  race  was  intensely  ex- 
citing, witnessed  by  thousands  of  people  on 
either  shore,  and  the  victory  was  complete, — 
18  minutes  and  55  seconds  to  19  minutes  and 
25  seconds ;  the  victorious  boat  was  called  the 
"Ripple,"  and  the  defeated,  the  "Vesta." 

"ripple's"  crew. 
(Trained  by  William  Webber.  L'.  S.  Navy.) 

Beyer   Lemosy — Bow,   age   17 Weight  133 

J.   W.   Brown,  Jr. — No.  2.  age   17 Weight  128 

C.  H.  Niemeyer — No.  3,  age  19 Weight  140 

Herman  C.  Niemeyer — No.  4,  age  17 Weight  146 

James   T.   Burton — No.  5,  age  2^ Weight  140 

W.   F.   Lemosy — Stroke,  age   19 Weight  141 

N.  E.  White — Coxwain,  age   19 Weight  108 

Total  Weight  936 

"vesta's"  crew. 

W.  A.  Graves.  Jr. — Bow Weight   137 

F.   B.   Dornin — No.  5 Weight  128 

W.   C.   Dickson— No.  4 Weight  151 

L.  W.  Tazewell— No.  3 Weight   144 

J.  C.  Baker — No.  2 Weight   146 

Fred    Hardy — Stroke Weight  145 

William   Waller — Coxvvain Weight  106 

Total  Weight  957 

On  August  30,  1875,  the  Third  Georgia 
Regiment  returned  to  Portsmouth  to  hold  their 
annual  reunion.  They  were  enthusiastically  re- 
ceived by  the  people  and  royally  entertained. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


38s 


Capt.  Samuel  Watts,  a  distingiiislied  citi- 
zen, died  May  18,  1876.  He  was  born  Novem- 
ber 28,  1799. 

"Tbe  Aug-ust  Storm."' — On  August  18. 
1879.  tlie  city  was  surjirised  by  tbe  unwelcome 
visit  of  sometbing  very  nearly  akin  to  a  burri- 
cane — or  so,  at  least,  it  seemed  to  tbe  unac- 
custdmed  eyes  of  tbe  population,  altbougb  it 
would  probably  bave  aroused  neitber  surprise 
nor  alarm  in  our  bretbren  wbo  dwell  in  tbe 
prairie-bonie  cf  tbe  cvclone  and  tornado.  It 
began  about  9  o'clock.  A.  M..  witb  a  furious 
easterly  wind  and  driving  rain,  wbicb  lasted 
several  hours,  inflicting  considerable  damage 
upon  tbe  sbade-trees.  fences  and  ligbtly-con- 
structed  buildings  of  tbe  city.  The  wharves 
and  gardens  near  tlie  river  were  submerged, 
vessels  were  driven  ashore,  and  the  bark  "Dav- 
id Dudley"  was  capsized  and  drifted,  bottom 
upwards,  to  tbe  Berkley  Flats.  An  occasional 
more-tban-usually  impetuous  blast  would  tear 
the  branches  from  tbe  trees,  palings  from  the 
fences  and  shingles  from  tbe  houses,  in  a  man- 
ner equally  unceremonious  and  impartial,  and 
hurl  them  about  in  all  directions.  Trees  were 
uprooted,  bouses  damaged,  and  woe  to  the 
merchants  whose  sign-boards  were  not  firmly 
secured !  Tbe  surrounding  country  also  suf- 
fered severely,  chiefly  in  tbe  matter  of  fences 
and  barns.  Numerous  slight  accidents  and 
"hair  breadth  escapes"  were  reported,  but  for- 
tunately the  city  escaped  without  any  loss  of 
life.  For  several  days  afterward  tbe  local 
newspapers  enlarged  upon  tbe  destruction 
wrought  by  this  unwonted  visitor,  which  is  still 
commonl\-  referred  to  as  "The  August  Storm." 
although  more  than  21  years  have  passed  since 
its  passage. 

On  April  2.  1885.  occurred  tbe  suspension 
of  tbe  Exchange  National  F)ank.  followed  by 
tbe  closing  of  the  Franklin  Savings  Bank  and 
Bain  Brothers  Bank,  of  Portsmouth, — the 
greatest  financial  disaster  that  ever  occurred 
in  N<irfolk  and  Portsmnutb.  The  failure  was 
estimated  to  cover  nearly  S4.000.000  and 
created  intense  excitement. 

Capt.    Osmond   Peters   died    February    15, 


1880,  aged  72  years.  He  entered  tbe  United 
States  Revenue  Marine  service  as  3rd  lieutenant 
in  1837  and  continued  in  the  service  until  his 
State  seceded  from  the  Union,  when  be  re- 
signed and  entered  the  service  of  tbe  Confed- 
erate States.  During  the  Seminole  troubles  he 
served  in  the  mosquito  fleet  against  tbe  Indians. 
He  was  a  Mexican  war  vetcan.  Captain  Peters 
was  a  man  f)f  noble  impulses,  and  an  efficient 
and  able  ofticer.  upright  in  all  bis  transactions. 

The  earthquake  of  August  ,^i.  1886.  wbicb 
filled  Charleston.  South  Carolina,  with  mourn- 
ing and  desolation,  was  felt  here  also,  and  with 
sufficient  force  to  shake  everything  else  except 
the  confidence  of  the  Portsmouth  people  in 
themselves  and  in  the  future  prosperity  of  their 
city :  but  tbe  shock  was  not  repeated  and  no 
evil  consequences  ensued.  So  extremely  in- 
fre([uent.  indeed,  are  atmospheric  or  seismic 
disturbances  of  any  kind  in  tiiis  placid  and  de- 
lectable latitude  that  their  visitations  assume 
almost  historical  importance,  being  regarded 
by  our  people  as  epochs  whence  succeeding  time 
is  measured,  and  are  consequently  entitled  to 
be  placed  on  record. 

Joe  Sam  Brown,  the  most  popular  citizen  in 
the  city,  died  September  20.  1887.  Dr.  George 
\V.  O.  Maupiii.  an  eminent  phvsician.  died  lune 
26.  1888. 

Mrs.  Fanny  Murdaugh  Downing,  of  Ports- 
mouth, was  one  of  the  sweetest  singers  of  the 
South.  Most  of  her  poems  breathed  the  spirit 
of  love  and  devotion  for  tbe  Confederate  heroes. 
Unfortunately  her  poems  have  never  been  col- 
lected in  book  form.  "After  once  writing  them 
she  seemed  to  think  little  about  them.  It  was 
as  if  a  bird  might  sing  to  express  its  feelings 
and  then  go  on  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  the 
other  delights  of  nature  without  seeming  to 
realize  that  its  own  sweet  warbles  had  added  so 
greatly  to  them."  She  was  born  Octoljer  19, 
1 83 1,  and  died  May  6,  1894. 

On  May  22.  1895.  tbe  Third  Battalion  under 
command  of  Maj.  R.  E.  Warren  left  for  Poca- 
hontas on  account  of  tbe  mine  riots,  and  re- 
turned Tune  1st. 

On  July  8,  1895.  Mrs.  Eliza  Ann  Bilisoly, 


386 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


widow  of  Joseph  A.  Bilisoly,  died  in  the  91st 
year  of  her  age.  She  was  tlie  first  president  of 
the  Ladies  ^Memorial  Association.  She  left 
eight  children,  33  grandchildren,  41  great- 
grandchildren,— total  84  and  five  generations. 
She  had  lost  by  death  three  children.  22  grand- 
children and  nine  great-grandchildren, — total 
34  dead.  Descendants  living  and  dead  at  the 
time  of  her  death,  118. 

On  July  15,  1895,  the  L'nion  Depot  of  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  was  occupied.  On  July  23, 
1895,  the  workingmen  of  the  Navy  Yard 
passed  resolutions,  in  high  tribute  to  Naval 
Constructor  Francis  T.  Bowles,  who  had  been 
ordered  to  New  York. 

On  October  20,  1898,  R.  E.  Glassett,  a  dis- 
tinguished journalist,  died.  On  November 
II,  1898,  Virginius  Butt,  one  of  the  most  ef- 
ficient commissioners  of  the  revenue  in  the 
State  died  from  the  effects  of  a  carbuncle.  On 
November  25,  1898,  Owen  D.  Ball,  one  of  the 
oldest  railroad  officials  of  the  Seaboard  Air 
Line,  died. 

On  October  16,  1899,  the  U.  S.  S.  "Texas" 
returned  to  the  Navy  Yard  from  a  mission 
destroying  derelicts. 

Patriotic  services  were  held  in  the  public 
schools  on  the  14th  of  December,  1899,  in  com- 
memoration of  the  death  of  George  Washing- 
ton. In  the  district  schools  the  observance 
took  the  form  of  readings,  recitations  and  sing- 
ing of  patriotic  songs,  but  in  the  high  school 
the  order  of  exercises  was  more  ambitious. 

The  second  and  third  grammar  grades  as- 
sembled with  the  junior,  intermediate  and  sen- 
ior high  school  classes  at  the  time  of  the  mid- 
day recess,  and  the  scholars  joined  with  gusto 
in  the  singing  of  "Hail  Columbia."  with  which 
the  exercise  opened.  Then  followed  an  ad- 
dress on  "Washington,  the  Patriot  Lender  Two 
Flags."  The  exercises  were  under  the  aus- 
pices of  Fort  Nelson  Chapter,  D.  A.  R. 

By  October  i,  1900,  Portsmouth  had  con- 
tributed $3,174.62  to  the  relief  fund  for  Gal- 
veston, Texas.  On  October  i.  1900,  the  corn- 
er-stone of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Building  was  laid 
with  Masonic  ceremonies.     Rev.  H.  W.  Battle 


of  Petersburg  was  the  orator.  On  October  9, 
1900,  Dr.  H.  F.  Butt,  a  distinguished  physi- 
cian, died.  He  had  been  an  eminent  surgeon 
in  the  Confederate  Army. 

THE  YELLOW   FEVER 

Prevailed  in  Portsmouth  during  the  months  of 
Tune,  Julv,   August,   September  and  October, 

1855- 

It  was  landed  at  our  wharves  from  the 
ship  "Ben  Franklin,"  Capt.  Bynum,  which  ar- 
rived here  direct  from  the  Island  of  St.  Thom- 
as, in  the  West  Indies,  about  the  middle  of 
June,  and  was  placed  in  quarantine  by  order 
of  the  health  officer  of  the  port,  uncler  sus- 
picion of  being  infected.  After  being  detained 
for  some  days  she  was  granted  permission  to 
proceed  to  Gosport  for  the  purpose  of  being 
overhauled.  Here  her  bilge-water  was  pumped 
out  and  a  portion  of  her  ballast  was  discharged 
upon  the  wharf.  No  apprehensions  at  her 
presence  were  entertained  until  Sunday,  July 
8th,  when  a  young  man,  who  had  been  em- 
ployed on  board  her  five  days  previously,  de- 
veloped unmistakable  symptoms  of  yellow  fever 
and  died  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day. 
The  case  created  intense  excitement,  and  the 
Town  Council,  having  been  convened  in  extra- 
ordinary session,  ordered  the  immediate  return 
of  the  steamer  to  the  quarantine  ground. 

But  the  precaution  was  taken  too  late. 
The  mischief  had  been  done  and  the  pestilence 
had  gained  a  firm  foothold  and  spread  with 
fearful  rapidity,  although  the  authorities  took 
all  possible  steps  to  arrest  its  progress.  A  re- 
lief association  was  promptly  organized  to  at- 
tend to  the  necessities  of  the  sick  and  suffer- 
ing, and  to  superintend  the  expenditures  of 
the  contributions  which  soon  began  to  pour  in 
liberally  from  all  parts  of  the  country. 

The  epidemic  had  seized  upon  the  com- 
munity when  totally  unprepared  for  it,  and  the 
citizens  were  almost  paralyzed  by  panic.  All 
mercantile  pursuits  and  mechanical  operations 
were  suspended,  the  wages  of  labor  stopped 
and  stores  closed.     The  government  gave  up 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


387 


the  Naval  Hospital  for  the  use  of  fever  pa- 
tients, and  provision  stores  were  opened, 
whence  food  and  otlier  comforts  were  issued 
to  tiiose  in  need. 

Physicians,  apothecaries  and  nurses  came 
from  distant  points  to  minister  to  the  sick  and 
dying,  when  the  local  staff  had  become  ex- 
hausted with  the  incessant  call  upon  their  ex- 
ertions, and  many  of  these  noble  volunteers 
fell  victims  to  their  own  self-sacrificing  hero- 
ism. Three  of  the  four  successive  keepers  of 
the  provision  store  died  of  the  pestilence.,  as 
did  also  10  apothecaries  and  nurses  and  12 
physicians,  of  whom  four, — Drs.  Parker,  Tru- 
gien,  Lovett  and  Nicholson, — wete  regular 
practitioners  of  the  city.  Rev.  James  Chis- 
holm,  rector  of  St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church ;  Rev.  Francis  Devlin,  priest  in  charge 
of  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and 
Rev.  Vernon  Eskridge,  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  remaining  faithful  to  their  holy 
mission,  were  constantly  to  be  found  at  the  bed- 
side of  the  plague-stricken  until  themselves  at- 
tacked by  the  devouring  pestilence  were  called 
upon  to  swell  the  number  of  its  martyr-victims. 

Among  the  other  prominent  citizens  of 
Portsmouth  who  succumbed  to  the  yellow  fever 
during  this  dark,  sad  season  were  Capt.  George 
Chambers  and  Robert  T.  Scott,  members  of 
the  Common  Council ;  Dr.  William  Collins, 
president  of  the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Railroad 
Company,  and  a  host  of  other  good  true  men 
and  women. 

The  disease  existed  here  as  an  epidemic  for 
nearly  four  months,  the  last  fatal  cases  oc- 
curring on  the  loth  of  November;  during  that 
period  nearly  1,000  human  beings  perished  by 
its  ravages. 

Thousands  of  inhabitants  had  fled  from  the 
presence  of  the  plague  to  seek  refuge  beyond 
reach  of  its  fatal  breath,  but  most  of  the  city 
authorities,  following  the  noble  example  of  the 
mayor,  D.  D.  Fiske,  and  true  to  their  own  in- 
stincts of  duty  and  humanity,  remained  here 
while  the  epidemic  lasted,  and  thus  rendered 
an  incalculable  service  to  the  community. 

If  this  dire  calamity  can  be  said  to  have  pos- 


sessed any  one  cheering  element,  it  was  surely 
to  be  discerned  in  the  spontaneous  outpouring 
of  sympathy  and  generosity  which  it  evoked 
from  e\ery  section  of  the  country  on  behalf  of 
the  stricken  and  bereaved.  So  liberally  had 
money  been  subscribed,  that,  out  of  the  funds 
remaining  in  hand,  the  treasurer  was  able  to 
appropriate  the  sum  of  $25,000  toward  the 
establishment  and  maintenance  of  an  Orphan 
Asylum, — an  institution  which  still  lives  and 
flourishes, — a  fitting  monument  to  the  charity 
and  benevolence  to  which  it  owes  its  existence. 
The  assets  of  the  Asylum  now  are  about 
$36,000.  The  first  trustees  were  D.  D.  Fiske, 
James  G.  Holladay.  George  W.  Peete,  J.  N. 
Schoolfield,  Holt  Wilson,  W.  Watts,  Joseph  A. 
Bilisoly,  Samuel  T.  Hartt,  Joseph  Bourke, 
John  K.  Cooke,  John  L.  Porter  and  Moss  W. 
Armistead.  The  vacancies  in  the  board  are 
supplied  by  the  remaining  trustees.  The  pres- 
ent members  of  the  board  are  E.  C.  Brooks, 
president:  Legh  R.  Watts,  vice-president; 
George  L.  Neville,  treasurer;  William  H. 
Stewart,  secretary;  E.  L.  Lash,  James  H. 
Toomer,  James  T.  Borum,  John  T.  King,  F. 
D.  Gill,  Dr.  Joseph  Grice,  John  A.  Morris  and 
B.  F.  Howell. 

THE   GOSPORT    IRON    WORKS 

Only  exist  in  history.  They  were  established 
between  50  and  60  years  ago  by  A.  Mehaffey, 
a  Philadelphia  capitalist.  It  was  a  very  exten- 
sive establishment.  All  kinds  of  iron  machin- 
ery were  finished  there  in  the  best  style ; 
steam  engines,  from  a  small  size  to  the  largest, 
most  ponderous  and  powerful.  The  engines 
of  the  U.  S.  S.  "Powhatan"  were  constructed 
there.  Castings  of  every  description,  in  iron, 
brass,  copper  and  lead  w-ere  moulded  at  these 
works.  The}-  kept  from  two  to  three  hundred 
men  constantly  employed. 


THE    UNITED    ST.'\TES    N.A.V.A.L    HOSPITAL, 

Just  in  the  rear  of  the  site  of  old  Fort  Nelson, 


388 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


was  commenced  in  the  year  1829.  It  is  a  very 
large  and  exceedingly  commodious  and  hand- 
some granite  building,  finely  adapted  to  the 
important  purpose  for  which  it  is  intended. 
During  all  the  wars  since  its  completion  it  has 
been  a  home  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  The 
location  was  well  chosen,  being  healthful,  re- 
tired and  convenient.  This  massive  structure 
is  a  splendid  ornament  to  the  harbor,  and 
presents  its  beautiful  and  lofty  front  for  the 
admiration  of  the  visitor  on  coming  up  the 
river.  The  strictest  order  and  discipline  are 
observed  at  the  estaljlishment.  and  its  constant 
utility  at  this  great  naval  station  is  obvious. 

Portsmouth's     p.vrRiOTisM     and     p.\triots. 

The  town  of  Portsmouth  was  the  scene  of 
many  thrilling  and  heroic  actions  during  the 
first  wars  in  our  country. 

In  the  Revolution  after  the  departure  of 
Dunmore  the  American  patriots  occupied  the 
town  and  they  were  active  in  building  ships 
for  the  navy  and  strengthening  the  fortifica- 
tions. Col.  Charles  Harrison  was  for  some 
time  in  command  of  the  Continental  forces. 

In  October,  1780,  Brigadier-General  Les- 
lie, with  about  3,000  troops  from  New  York, 
landed  at  Portsmouth,  and  took  possession  of 
the  ships  and  other  property  belonging  to  the 
government.  After  a  brief  sojourn  he  sailed 
for  Charleston,  and  shortly  afterward  joined 
Lord  Cornwallis. 

Brig.-Gen.  Benedict  Arnold  with  2,000  men 
disembarked  at  Portsmouth  on  January  2, 
1 78 1,  made  a  pillaging  expedition  as  far  as 
Richmond,  returned  to  Portsmouth  and  fixed 
headquarters  there.  Virginia  at  that  time  was 
poorly  prepared  to  resist  invasion ;  but  all  the 
available  forces  were  rallied  to  oppose  the 
incursions  of  this  detested  enemy.  It  was 
planned  to  capture  him  by  strategy,  as  had  been 
tried  at  the  North ;  but  he  kept  his  person  so 
closely  guarded  that  no  opportunity  was  given 
those  commissioned  for  the  enterprise  to  carry 
out  the  plans.  Afterward,  however,  there 
was  an  opportunity  to  capture  .\rnold  and  his 


whole  force,  which  was  lost  on  account  of  the 
failure  of  the  commander  of  the  French  squad- 
ron to  cooperate  with  the  land  forces.  Colonel 
Parker  with  the  Suffolk  militia  was  advanced 
to  Cowper's  JNIills,  the  nearest  post  to  Ports- 
mouth ;  General  Lawson  with  800  militia  was 
stationed  at  McKay's  Mills  some  miles  in 
Parker's  rear  and  General  IMuhlenberg  with 
800  infantry,  consisting  of  Colonel  Fleming's 
and  Col.  Merriweather's  regiments,  and  Colonel 
Armand's  legion  of  cavalry,  took  post  at  Cabin 
Point,  from  which  place  he  could  siipport  all 
the  advanced  force.  On  the  north  of  the 
James,  General  Nelson  with  1,000  militia  and 
some  volunteer  cavalry  were  stationed  at  Will- 
iamsburg with  orders  to  guard  the  shore  thence 
to  Newport  News.  This  was  to  keep  Arnold 
close  in  his  intrenchments  at  Portsmouth  to 
prevent  depredations  for  he  was  getting  short 
of  provisions,  which  made  it  necessary  for  him 
to  forage  on  the  country.  About  this  time  M. 
de  Tilley,  commanding  a  section  of  the  French 
squadron,  entered  Hampton  Roads  and  cap- 
tured a  British  frigate  and  some  small  vessels. 
Previously  the  American  general  had  made 
ever}-  endeavor  to  draw  Arnold  from  his  in- 
trenchments for  a  fight  in  the  open  field :  he  had 
driven  in  and  captured  some  of  his  ])ickets  and 
held  a  position  within  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
Portsmouth,  but  he  feared  with  his  small  force 
to  risk  an  assault  upon  the  breastworks.  The 
North  West  Landing,  which  had  l)een  guarded 
by  General  Gregory,  was  reinforced  by  Col. 
Everade  ]\Ieade"s  regiment.  So  the  Americans 
were  sure  of  forcing  the  surrender  of  Arnold 
for  need  of  rations  for  his  troops,  if  de  Tilley 
would  only  maintain  the  blockade  of  the  Eliza- 
beth for  a  week  or  mavbe  less.  Notwith- 
standing urgent  requests,  he  sailed  away  on  the 
20th  of  February,  1781,  alleging  that  the  shal- 
lowness of  the  Elizabeth  River  was  too  danger- 
ous for  his  vessels.  Thus  Arnold's  force  was 
released  from  peril. 

Lord  Cornwallis  was  also  at  Portsmouth, 
just  pre\-ious  to  his  fatal  expedition  to  York- 
town. 

These  invasions  caused  great  distress  and 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


3S9 


suffering  amongst  tlie  people :  but  tliey  witli- 
sU-i'A  all  with  the  nerves  of  heroes. 

When  the  British  fleet  attacked  Craney  I  si-  ' 
and  in  June.  1813,  the  Portsmmith  soldiers  be-  \ 
haved  with  great  gallantry  and  did  most  ef-  i 
fective  work  in  repelling  the  attacks  i>i  the  i 
enemy.  • 

Ca])t.  Arthur  l-'.nimcrson  of  the  Portsmnuth 
Artillery  sighted  and  tired  the  shot  that  sunk  ! 
the  "Centipede.'"  which  decided  the  fate  of  the 
da_\-  in  fa\-(ir  of  the  .\niericans. 

THE   CONl"El)i;U.\TE   C.\LSE. 

The  noble  and  heroic  part  which  iier  citi- 
zens took  in  the  war  between  the  sections  is  a 
crown  on  her  brow  of  imperishable  beauty. 

It  is  claimed  with  much  reason  and  just 
l)ride  tli;it  in  proportion  to  the  number  nf  her 
inhabitants  P(jrtsmouth  contributed  a  larger 
cjuota  of  soldiers,  armed  and  ecpiipped,  to  the 
Confederacy  than  any  other  Southern  city. 
Many  sacrificed  their  lives  and  all  their  for- 
tunes to  the  glorious  cause.  Those  who  re- 
turned have  devoted  the  remainder  of  their 
days  to  industrial  pursuits,  which  has  given 
the  city  its  present  prosperity. 

In  the  \-ery  beginning  the  corporate  author- 
ities with  chi\-alric  de\-otion  used  ever}-  means 
available  to  aid  the  Confederate  cause. 

The  era  of  American  chivalry  is  enshrined 
in  the  heroic  traditions  of  the  Confederacy. 
In  the  girlhood,  in  the  womanhood,  in  the  boy- 
hi  ;;d,  or  in  the  manhood  of  its  people;  in  the 
rank  and  file  of  its  army,  in  its  homes,  in  its 
sanctuaries,  ])atri(itism  absorbed  the  hopes  of 
all  with  beautiful  self-forgetfulness;  and  the 
remembrance  of  heroic  actions  and  knightly 
deeds  is  written  in  the  hearts  of  its  sons  and 
daughters,  so  that  although  the  States  increase 
and  the  boundaries  of  the  Union  expand  to  the 
limits  of  the  undiscovered  North  and  South 
seas,  and  their  offspring  scatter  over  the  face 
of  continents,  these  will  be  sparkling  jewels  in 
the  dust  of  time,  which  will  teach  their  hearts 
to  love  their  ancestors  of  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. 


An  agricultural  people,  armed  with  the 
noblest  impulses  of  honor  and  chivalry,  but 
without  the  appliances  to  ecjuip  and  maintain 
an  army  in  the  field,  were  converted  into  sol- 
diers, alniist  like  magic,  to  defend  their  homes 
and  firesides.  No  looms  to  weave  the  cloth — 
no  furnaces  to  mold  the  cannon — no  plants  to 
make  the  muskets — no  outputs  of  lead  for 
shot — no  manufactcjries  f<jr  powder  in  all  this 
fair  Southland,  which  produced  the  cotton  for 
the  world;  and  yet,  from  beginning  to  end,  the 
most  powerfid  nations  of  Rurc  pe  gave  their  re- 
sources of  wealth,  manufacture  and  men  to 
conquer  the  Confederate  States  of  America. 
If  Europe  had  enforced  strict  neutrality,  and 
kept  her  hireling  soldiers  at  home,  the  furled 
flag  of  the  Confederacy  would  today  l)c  the 
flying  emblem  of  a  living  nation. 

The  magnitude  of  the  intersectional  war  is 
almost  incomprehensible,  and  the  odds  in  sol- 
diers against  our  Confederacy  were  so  tre- 
mendous that  we  niar\-el  how  its  armies  held 
out  for  four  years. 

The  total  enrollment  of  oin-  army  and  na\-y, 
including  all  classes,  was  about  600,000  men, 
out  of  a  population  of  5,000,000  whites. 

The  calculations  for  the  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission,  in  regaril  to  nativity, 
gave  half  a  million  of  foreigners  in  the  Union 
armies,  of  whom  187,858  were  Germans  and 
144,221   were  Irish, 

The  total  enrollment  of  the  Unii)n  armies, 
not  including  three  and  six  months'  men,  was 
2,864,272,  or  2.2C14.2J2  more  men  than  were  on 
our  side. 

Three  hundred  and  ninety-five  thousand 
two  hundred  and  forty-fi\-e  Union  soldiers 
^vere  killed,  mortally  wounded  and  severely 
wounded,  and  their  total  deaths  from  wounds, 
disease  and  killed  were  469.298. 

Such  figures  are  elo{pient  and  ])owerful 
testimonials  of  the  tenacity,  courage  and 
heroism  of  the  Confederate  armies. 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  Council  of  the 
city  of  Portsmouth,  on  Thiu'sday  evening, 
April  18.  1861,  George  W.  Grice,  the  mayor 
of  the  city,  stated  that  he  had  just  returned 


390 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


from  the  city  of  Richmond  and  had  learned 
that  the  volunteers  would  be  called  into  camp 
some  time  the  followino-  week,  and  that  it  was 
necessary  to  make  preparations  for  defense 
and  suggested  the  purchase  of  rifles  and  buck- 
shot. Thereupon,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Morris, 
it  was  "Resolved,  That  the  city  api:)ropriate 
the  sum  of  $1,500  to  purchase  arms  and  ain- 
munition  for  the  defense  of  the  city."' 

A  committee  composed  of  George  W. 
Grice,  William  H.  H.  Hodges  and  William  H. 
Morris,  styled  the  "Military  Committee,"  was 
appointed,  to  make  purchases  of  arms  and  am- 
munition. 

At  a  meeting  on  June  15,  1861,  $1,000  was 
appropriated  for  the  relief  of  the  families  of 
soldiers  of  the  city  who  were  absent  in  various 
camps. 

On  July  17,  1 86 1,  $500  was  appropriated 
to  aid  the  Portsmouth  Light  Artillery  in  pro- 
curing side-arms. 

On  August  14,  1861,  Revs.  Handy,  Plunk- 
ett,  Peterson  and  Taylor  appeared  before  the 
board,  reporting  that  the  supply  of  provisions 
at  the  "Relief  Store"  was  exhausted  and  that 
the  families  of  the  soldiers  in  numl>er  about 
400,  were  in  extreme  necessity  and  unless  the 
Council  made  monthly  appropriations  of  from 
$1,500  to  $1,800  great  suffering  must  ensue; 
whereupon  the  Council  appropriated  $1,000 
for  support  of  the  families  of  soldiers  in  ser- 
vice. 

The  captains  of  several  companies  com- 
plained of  discrimination  in  favor  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Rifles  and  the  Portsmouth  Light  Ar- 
tillen,'  tO'  which  the  Council  replied  *  * 
*  "Tliat  the  reasons  influencing  the  Coun- 
cil to  appropriate  senarate  amounts"  were 
that  these  "two  companies  were  not  pro- 
vided with  suitable  warlike  weapons  to  de- 
fend themselves  in  the  event  of  an  en- 
gagement with  the  enemy.  The  Rifles  be- 
ing armed  with  the  ordinary  rifle  without 
bayonet  attachment,  and  the  Artillery  being 
without  the  necessary  side-arms  and  it  being 
believed  that  these  were  indispensably  neces- 
sary to  their  personal  safety  and  their  success 


in  battle,  appropriations  of  $500  were  made 
for  each  company  to  be  applied  exclusively  to 
the  purchase  of  the  requisite  arms." 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1861,  the  Coun- 
cil received  a  communication  from  the  Coun- 
cils of  Norfolk  requesting  joint  action  with 
the  military  authorities  in  adding  to  the  de- 
fenses of  the  harbor,  and  a  committee  of  seven 
was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Councils  of 
Norfolk  and  the  military  authorities  on  the 
next  day,  as  follows:  George  M.  Bain.  Jr., 
William  G.  Webb,  John  Nash,  George  L.  Ne- 
ville, John  S.  Stubbs,  James  T.  Borum  and 
John  C.  Neville. 

On  March  4,  1862,  the  relief  committee 
reported  having  issued  for  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary 206  orders  for  relief  of  soldiers'  families, 
amounting  to  $1,030. 

On  May  4,  1862,  the  Council  appointed 
Hon.  Samuel  Watts  to  proceed  to  Richmond 
and  present  views  to  the  authorities  against 
the   evacuation   of  this   post. 

On  June  10,  1862,  the  committee,  appointed 
to  report  the  circumstances  of  the  Confederate 
evacuation,  reported  among  other  things  that 
no  official  notice  was  given  the  civil  authori- 
ties by  the  major-general  commanding  the 
military  department,  or  by  the  brigadier-gen- 
eral, commanding  the  forces  around  the  city, 
of  the  evacuation  on  the  loth  of  May,  but  that 
Capt.  S.  S.  Lee,  commanding  the  Gosport 
Navy  Yard,  did  confer  with  the  civil  authori- 
ties concerning  the  burning  and  destruction 
of  the  Navy  Yard  and  rendered  every  facility 
he  could  by  allowing  the  Fire  Department  the 
use  of  the  engines  and  hose  of  the  Navy  Yard 
to  protect  the  city  against  any  danger  that 
might  be  incurred  from  the  burning.  Through- 
out the  day  the  city  was  in  the  utmost  con- 
fusion demanding  unremitting  attention  in 
various  places.  The  large  quantity  of  powder 
which  had  been  left  in  the  railroad  depot  was 
thrown  overboard.  The  commissary  stores 
were  turned  over  to  the  mayor  to  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  poor,  and  some  stores 
which  had  been  seized  by  irresponsible  and  un- 
deserving persons  were  recovered. 


^ikdi 


U     u 


t  h 


o 

a. 


C 


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U 


o 


t/3 


CJ 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


The  evacuation   by   tlie   Confederates   was  ; 
completed  about  5  o'clock  P.  M.  and  the  oc- 
cupation by  the  United  States  troops  about  9 
o'clock  P.  M..  May  10,  1862. 

The  Military  Governor.  General  \iele.  on 
tlie  23d  of  June,  1862,  suspended  the  civil 
functions  of  the  authorities  of  the  city  and  in 
an  interview  with  the  president  of  the  Council, 
George  M.  P>ain,  Jr.,  suggested  a  revocation 
of  the  order  provided  the  Council  would  take 
the  oath  to  support  the  Constitution  and  laws  of 
the  United  States.  The  Council  refused  po- 
litely but  in  no  uncertain  terms:  "It  would 
invoke  no  moral  turpitude  to  swear  allegiance 
to  the  principles  embodied  in  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution. *  *  *  jj^,f  J,,  swear  uncon- 
ditional submission  t(j  those  who  admin- 
ister, and  the  means  and  measures  of  ad- 
ministration, would  be  obnoxious  and  a  con- 
tradiction in  terms.  For  the  latter  are  at 
sundry  points  in  conflict  witli  the  former. 
\\'hatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  the  war, 
it  is  manifest  that  the  end  to  which  it  is  pro- 
gressing is  the  obliteration  of  all  the  rights- 
reserved  to  the  States,  a  more  consolidated  and 
stronger  government,  antl  the  emancipation 
of  the  blacks.  Martial  law,  for  which  no  con- 
stitutional authority  can  be  found,  has  already 
effected  much  in  this  direction  wherever  the 
Federal  arms  are  triumphant.  The  policy 
adopted  in  reference  to  slaves,  sweeps  away  all 
the  promised  protection  of  the  Federal  Consti- 
tution. In  a  word  'Mililnry  Xcccssity'  over- 
rides the  Constitution  by  'Martial  km-'  and  the 
sword  alone  is  its  expounder." 

The  last  meeting  of  the  Council  after  the 
overthrow  of  civil  authoritj-  by  the  military 
was  held  in  the  office  of  Dr.  John  Linn  April 
27,  1863:  Present.  George  M.  Bain.  Jr..  presi- 
dent; John  Linn,  J.  11.  Porter,  M.  \V.  \rmis- 
stead.  Tames  T.  Borum.  A.  Simmons  and  [. 
C.  Neville. 

The  alms-house  committee  reported  relief 
of  491  families,  that  want  and  distress  were 
on  the  increase  and  unless  more  relief  was 
afforded  starvation  must  ensue. 

June  2.  1862, — "The  first  regular  meeting 

23 


of  the  City  Council  imder  the  Restored  Gov- 
ernment of  \'irgina,  organized  at  Wheeling 
on  the  nth  day  of  June,  1861,  was  held  under 
above  date,"  Rev.  John  S.  Briggs,  president. 

On  June  22.  1863,  Daniel  Collins,  so  called 
mayor  under  this  usurped  government,  sent  a 
scandalous  and  scurrilous  message  to  the 
usurpers,  libelling  the  true  and  patriotic  men 
who  had  governed  the  city  by  virtue  of  the 
voice  of  its  true  people.  The  committee  ap- 
pointed "to  investigate  the  issue  of  Portsmouth 
City  Notes"  made  a  scandalous  report  im- 
peaching the  integrity  and  honor  of  the  form- 
er councilmen  in  submitting  their  resolution  of 
repudiation.  Then  the  evil  days  were  upon 
the  i>eople  of  Portsmouth.  The  vampires  were 
sucking  her  blood  and  \-ilif\-ing  her  g(xxl 
name. 

In  the  Virginia  Senate,  March  8,  1863, 
Hon.  George  W  .  Grice  offered  the  following, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted: 

"IVhcrcas,  the  (ieneral  Assembly  of  Vir- 
ginia have  learned  that  the  Rev.  George  M. 
Bain,  cashier  of  the  Portsmouth  Savings  Bank 
Societv.  and  William  H.  H.  Hodges,  cashier 
of  the  Merchants"  li:  Mechanics'  Savings  Bank, 
citizens  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  the  first 
named  being  over  (>o  years  of  age,  and  the 
other  a  cripple,  have  been  arrested  and  sen- 
tenced to  hard  labor  at  Hatteras,  North  Caro- 
lina, by  order  of  Major-General  Butler,  or  some 
other  officer  of  the  Federal  government  for 
alleged  fraudulent  disposal  of  the  funds  of- 
their  banks:  and  that  the  Rev.  John  H.  D. 
Wing^eld,  rector  of  Trinity  Episcoi)al  Church, 
Portsmouth,  had  been  put  to  hard  labor  on 
the  public  streets  of  that  city,  with  a  ball  and 
chain  to  his  leg,  Ijecause  he  refused  to  renounce 
allegiance  to  his  native  State:  therefore, 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly, 
That  the  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  be- 
and  he  is  hereby  requested  to  invite  the  at- 
tention of  the  Confederate  Government  to  the 
arrest  and  sentence  of  these  three  worthy  citi- 
zens of  this  State  and  to  respectfully  ask  that 
the  facts  may  be  investigated,  and  if  found  as 
stated  and  believed,  that  three  citizens  of  the- 


394 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Federal  States  (if  there  be  any  such  in  the 
hands  of  the  Confederate  authorities)  he  held 
at  hard  labor  as  hostages  for  these  three  citi- 
zens of  Virginia ;  and  if  none,  that  three  Fed- 
eral officers  be  placed  at  hard  labor,  one  with 
ball  and  chain  on  the  public  streets,  and  held 

Bain   and 


as   hostages   for   Messrs. 
Wingfield. 


Hodges, 


THE  PORTSMOUTH    FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

The  Chambers  Hook  and  Ladder  Company 
was  organized  on  the  12th  of  May,  1858,  with 
^^^  B.  Hunter  as  foreman ;  after  serving  a  few 
months  he  resigned  and  Charles  Jordan  was 
elected.  The  latter  served  until  the  begiiming 
of  the  war,  when  the  company  was  disorgan- 
ized ow'ing  to  the  enlistment  of  most  of  the 
members  in  the  Confederate  Army.  The  truck 
and  ladder  was  housed  in  a  shed  adjoining  the 
Ocean  House  and  remained  there  until  1866. 
The  company  reorganized  in  the  hall  of  the  In- 
dependent Fire  Company  on  the  12th  of  May, 
1866,  with  35  men. 

Samuel  Cuthriell  was  elected  foreman ; 
William  H.  Morris.  Jr.,  ist  assistant;  John  W. 
H.  Porter,  2nd  assistant;  \V.  A.  Fiske,  record- 
ing secretary ;  W.  L.  Foreman,  assistant  secre- 
tary ;  E.  Jordan,  treasurer. 

In  January,  1870,  Capt.  Samuel  Cuthriell 
resigned  and  at  the  February  meeting  George 
O'X.  Palmer  was  elected  foreman.  This 
meeting  authorized  the  purchase  of  a  steam 
fire  engine  and  hose  carriage. 

Captain  Palmer  contracted  with  the  Amos- 
keag  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company  of  Man- 
chester, New  Hampshire,  to  build  the  engine 
at  a  cost  of  $4,500.  He  purchased  the  hose 
carriage  for  $1,500.  The  steam  fire  engine 
"George  O'N.  Palmer,"'  arrived  in  the  city 
in  April,  1870,  and  was  probably  the  hand- 
somest engine  in  the  State  at  that  time.  The 
engine  was  pulled  to  all  fires  by  hand  until 
Capt.  John  M.  Robinson,  president  of  the  Sea- 
board &  Roanake  Railroad  Company,  pre- 
sented the  company  with  a  pair  of  horses  and 
harness.     It  will  be  observed  that  the  company 


was  an  independent  volunteer  fire  company  and 
owned  its  apparatus.  The  name  oT  the  com- 
pan}'  was  changed  to  Chambers  Steam  Fire 
Engine  Company  No.  2,  and  the  officers  were: 
George  O'N.  Palmer,  foreman;  William  H. 
Morris,  Jr.,  ist  assistant;  W.  T.  Robinson,  2nd 
assistant;  John  O'Connor,  recording  secretary; 
G.  L.  Foreman,  financial  secretary ;  F.  Durr, 
treasurer. 

In  August,  1 87 1,  the  company  with  114 
uniformed  men  visited  Richmond  and  in  a  con- 
test with  the  "brag"  engine  of  that  city  threw 
water  20  feet  farther.  In  1876,  the  company 
visited  Philadelphia  and  joined  in  the  grand 
parade  of  the  Centennial.  In  1882  it  again 
went  to  Philadelphia  to  attend  the  Bi-Centen- 
nial. 

The  Chambers  company  organized  the 
State  Firemen's  Association  at  Portsmouth  in 
1886,  which  adjourned  to  meet  in  Richmond 
in  June.  1887.  .  The  cempany  was  presented 
with  a  silver  service  by  the  city  of  Norfolk, 
consisting  of  a  balanced  ice  pitcher,  salver, 
and  two  goblets  gold-lined  inscribed : 

Presented  to  the  Chamliers  Steam  Fire  Engine 
Company.  No.  2,  of  Portsmouth,  Va.,  by  the  Councils 
of  the  City  of  Norfolk.  Va.,  in  grateful  remembrance 
of  service  in  subduing  the  disastrous  fires  which  oc- 
curred in  Norfolk  the  25th  and  26th  of  July,  1873. 

The  Chambers  company  visited  Richmond 
again  in  1887;  Roanoke  in  1888;  Baltimore  in 
1889:  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  1893;  Reading, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1895 ;  Hampton,  Virginia,  in 
1896;  Winchester  in  1897;  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1898:  and  Richmond  again  in  1900, 
when  it  secured  a  prize  of  $100  for  the  best 
looking  company  in  line. 

The  foremen  since  reorganization  have 
been: 

Capt.   Samuel   Cuthriell.  from   May,   1866,  to  Jan.   1870. 
Capt.  George  O'N.  Palmer,  from  1870  to  1876. 
Capt.  AMlliam  H.  Mcrris,  Jr.,  from  1876  to  1877. 
Capt.  \V,   T.   Robinson,   from   May,   1877,  to  July,   1877 

(elected  chief  engineer.) 
Capt.  James  W.  Brown,  from  1877  to  May,  1881. 
Capt.  Ellis  .\.  Butt,  from  May,  i88i,  to  May,  1883. 
Capt.  Richard  C.  Marshall,  from   1883   (still  in  office.) 

The   officers   serving  now   are: 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


395 


S.  B.  Ihitchins — First  Assistant  Foreman. 

E.  T.   Holt — Second  Assistant  Foreman. 

C.  S.  Minter— Tliird  Assistant  Foreman. 

R.  W.  Murden.  Jr. — Recording  Secretary   (since  1872.) 

G.  G.  Cummings — Financial  Secretary. 

W.  R.  Minter — Treasurer. 

The  ]^Ianchester  Locomotive  Works  furn- 
ished tlie  Ainoskeag  engine  now  in  use,  in 
1892.  There  are  now  116  active  members,  R. 
W.  Murden,  Jr.,  and  W.  R.  ^linter,  being  the 
oldest  members,  elected  in  1866. 

The   Independent   Fire   Company   was   or- 
ganized on  the   nth  of  May.    1853.  ^^'^tli  35   j 
men.     Some  were  killed  in  battle  during  the  I 
conflict  between  the  States,  some  died  during 
the  epidemic  of  yellow  fever  in   1855,  others 
from  natural  causes  ha\e  passed  to  the  great  i 
beyond.     Of  the  original  35,  H.  G.  Johnson, 
John  Lovitt,  Joseph  \\'ea\er.  George  Fitchett 
and  Thomas  Bland,  are  all  that  remain. 

Francis  Jordan  was  the  first  captain,  and 
others  that  followed,  serving  various  terms, 
have  been :  William  Ballentine,  Joseph  D. 
Knapp,  Cary  F.  Grimes,  Samuel  Hartt,  Samuel 
Corey.  Robert  Xoel.  Frederick  Wiersdorf  and 
Julian  Pace,  who  is  the  present  captain. 

The  company  has  a  La  France  engine  and 
hose  cart.  The  engine,  which  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  in  the  State,  being  nickel-plated 
throughout,  with  all  modern  improvements, 
cost  $4,500.  The  company  has  a  fine  engine 
house,  with  bunk,  reception  and  meeting  room, 
which  is  city  property.  The  company  fur- 
nished these  rooms  and  also  owns  ^  1,000  lb. 
bell.  It  also  owns  a  parade  carriage,  built  at 
Senaca  Falls,  New  York,  with  which  they  have 
won  prizes  at  Newport  News,  Roanoke  and 
Richmond,  for  the  finest  appearing  body  of 
men,  with  apparatus,  in  line  of  about  1,500 
men.  Tlie  carriage  cost  Si, 800.  They  have, 
too,  a  silver  service  presented  by  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  consisting  of  balanced  ice  pitcher, 
salver  and  two  goblets,  gold-lined.  The  fol- 
lowing is  inscribed  upon  the  service : 

Presented  to  the  Independent  Steam  Fire  Company. 
No.  I,  of  Portsmouth.  Va..  by  the  Councils  of  the  City 
of  Norfolk.  Va.,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  service  in 


subduing  the  disastrous   fires  which  occurred   in   Nor- 
folk the  25th  and  26th  of  July,  1873. 

But  a  few  months  ago  the  company  cele- 
brated its  48th  anniversary.  Unfortunately 
the  records  of  the  13  years  of  the  early  days 
of  the  company  have  been  destroyed ;  on  one 
occasion  the  company  sacrificed  its  own  house 
to  save  surrounding  property. 

The  following  compose  the  present  officers 
of  the  company:  Julian  F.  Pace,  foreman; 
Charles  T.  Bland,  ist  assistant  foreman;  W'. 
E.  Johnson,  2nd  assistant  foreman ;  D.  R.  Ren- 
shaw,  recording  secretary ;  Joseph  F.  Weaver, 
financial  secretary;  F.  J.  Friedlin,  treasurer; 
Dr,  F.  S.  Hope,  surgeon ;  C.  R.  Warren,  2nd 
assistant  chief. 

The  Portsmouth  Hook  and  Ladder  Com- 
pany No.  I  was  organized  on  the  26th  of 
April,  1897,  with  the  following  officers :  R. 
A.  Meads,  foreman;  S.  T.  Montague,  ist  as- 
sistant foreman;  G.  S.  Bell,  2nd  assistant  fore- 
man; E.  A.  Wood,  recording  secretary;  E.  G. 
Irving,  financial  secretary ;  H.  O.  Pearson, 
treasurer;  R.  L.  McMurran,  M.  D.,  surgeon. 
The  company  proceeded  at  once  to  procure  uni- 
forms and  other  equipments,  and  in  a  very 
short  time  was  a  thoroughly  equipped  band  of 
hre-fighters. 

I'he  Council  shortly  afterward  purchased 
a  Babcock  Aerial  Etension  Hook  and  Ladder 
Truck,  with  an  extension  ladder  58  feet  long, 
with  all  the  appliances  used  in  lighting  fires 
successfully,  and  turned  the  same  over  to  the 
young  company. 

On  October  4,  1897,  2nd  Assistant  Fore- 
man G.  S.  Bell  was  recommended  to  the  Coun- 
cil for  the  office  of  3rd  assistant  chief.  Au- 
gust 30,  1897,  John  W.  Tatem,  Jr.,  was  elected 
driver  and  W.  J.  Anderton,  tillerman.  No- 
vember 1st,  Thomas  Hume  was  elected  2nd 
assistant  foreman  in  place  of  G.  S.  Bell,  who 
had  Ijeen  elected  3rd  assistant  chief. 

The  first  inspection  was  held  May  2,  1898, 
with  36  members  in  full  uniform. 

At  the  regular  election  of  officers  held 
April    10,    1899,   the    following  officers   were 


396 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


elected:  R.  A.  Meads,  foreman;  Emmett 
Deans,  ist  assistant  foi'eman ;  C.  X.  Mark- 
ham,  2nd  assistant  foreman ;  R.  D.  Guy, 
recording  secretary;  C.  E.  Outten,  financial 
secretary;  R.  L.  McMurran,  ]\I.  D.,  surgeon; 
John  \\'.  Tatem,  Jr.,  driver :,W.  T.  Dillsburg, 
tillerman.  On  May  8,  1899,  R.  A.  Meads  re- 
signed as  foreman  and  Emmett  Deans  was 
elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  and  regular  term 
as  foreman.  H.  Robie  was  elected  ist  as- 
sistant foreman.  On  April  9,  1900,  C.  E. 
Richardson  was  elected  2nd  assistant  foreman 
and  E.   P.  Broughton,  tillerman. 

The  follcwing  compose  the  cfticers  at  this 
time:  Emmett  Deans,  foreman;  H.  Robie, 
1st  assistant  foreman;  C.  E.  Richardson,  2nd 
assistant  foreman ;  R.  D.  Guy,  recording  sec- 
retary ;  C.  D.  Deans,  financial  secretary ;  H.  O. 
Pearson,  treasurer ;  R.  L.  AIclNIurren,  M.  D., 
surgeon;  G.  S.  Bell,  3rd  assistant  chief:  John 
W.  Tatem,  Jr.,  driver;  W.  R.  Walker,  tiller- 
man. 

GREAT  CONFLAGR.\TIONS. 

On  the  2 1  St  of  March,  1821,  a  conflagra- 
tion broke  out  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Craw- 
ford streets  and  the  following  property  was 
destroyed :  On  High  street,  the  Market 
House ;  a  three-story  brick  building  owned  by 
Mordecai  Cooke  and  occupied  by  Captain 
Rooke;  five  frame  buildings  owned  by  Morde- 
cai Cooke,  one  by  Francis  Armistead,  one  by 
Dr.  George  W.  Maupin,  one  by  John  Robbins, 
two  by  Thomas  E.  Brooks :  one  brick  build- 
ing owned  by  John  Foster,  one  by  Richard  A. 
Blow ;  one  frame  building  owned  by  Capt. 
Seward ;  on  the  north  side  of  London  street 
from  where  it  crossed  water  street,  the  fire 
swept  every  building  to  the  end  of  Davis' 
wharf ;  on  ^^'ater  street  the  warehouse  and  all 
buildings  of  Richard  Blow,  blacksmith  shop 
of  Mr.  Peed,  frame  dwelling  of  John  Brooks, 
frame  dwelling  of  I\Ir.  Spady,  frame  dwelling 
of  Dr.  George  W.  Maupin,  and  the  residence 
of  Mordecai  Cooke,  completing  the  two  squares 
bounded  by  High,  Crawford  (then  Main)  | 
London,  Oueen  and  Water  streets;  warehouses  1 


on  Davis"  wharf  of  D.  Ballentine ;  warehouses 
on  Alyer's  wharf  of  John  Kay ;  ships  "Lo- 
thair,"   "Home"   and  Georgiana." 

There  was  a  considerable  fire  on  High 
street  on  April  3,  1839.  Several  buildings 
were  destroyed,  including  a  bock  store,  tin  fac- 
tory, and  the  printing  offices  of  the  Ports- 
month  Times,  John  T.  Hill,  editor.  Thomas 
Godwin,  a  cabinetmaker,  was  killed  by  the 
falling  of  a  chimney  of  a  house  now  No.  305 
High  street,  which  crushed  through  the  roof 
of  a  large  frame  building,  that  stood  on  the 
spot  now  occupied  by  the  Maupin  Building, 
Nos.  301-303,  used  as  a  cabinet-maker's  shop. 
Mr.  Godwin  was  inside  endeavoring  to  remove 
his  chest  of  tools  when  he  was  crushed  to 
death. 

On  April  28.  1859,  St.  Paul's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church  was  set  on  fire  and  destroyed. 
Twice  the  hose  of  the  Independent  and  Reso- 
lute fire  companies  were  cut  while  operating 
against  the  fires.  The  incendiaries  or  their  ac- 
cessories were  the  culprits. 

On  May  i,  1859,  the  houses  of  William 
Benthall,  Willoughby  Bain  and  William  Bain 
were  destroyed  by  incendiaries. 

The  burning  of  the  "Isaac  Bell"  was  a 
scene  ever  to  be  remembered.  A  ship  on  fire 
in  midstream  was  the  grand  sight  which  the 
people  of  Norfolk  and  Portsni£)uth  witnessed 
On  October  i,  1880.  At  3  o'clock  P.  AI.  the 
fire  bells  of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
"Isaac  Bell"  rang  out  an  alarm, — that  magnifi- 
cient  ship  was  on  fire.  A  volume  of  flames 
bursting  out  of  the  hold  of  the  ship  at  the  foot 
of  the  foremast,  and  all  efforts  to  stay  them 
being  fruitless,  the  tugs  hauled  her  to  the  Hos- 
pital flats,  where  the  ship  with  its  cargo  was 
burned  to  the  waters  edge.  The  cargo  con- 
sisted of  750  bales  of  uncompressed  cotton, 
nine  hogsheads  and  35  tierces  o'f  tobacco,  and 
14  barrels  of  resin,  the  whole  valued  at  about 
$50,000.  The  ship  was  built  in  March,  1868, 
was  1,612  tons,  with  a  carrying  capacity  of 
.2,500  tons  dead  weight  and  cost  the  company 
$200,000.  The  burning  of  the  ship  continued 
into  the  night  and  was  witnessed  by  thousands 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


397 


of  people,  wlio  lined  the  shores  and  wharves 
on  both  sides  of  Elizabeth  River. 

On  September  2.  1895,  t'^^  '^''y  ^^^"^  of  the 
Portsnumth  Lumber  Manufacturing  Company 
were  destroyed  by  tire  ignited  by  a  spark  from 
the  smoke-stack.  | 

On  October  10,  1895.  warehouse  "D,"  Sea-  j 
boaVd  Air  Line  Company,  with  contents.  Pet-  I 
ers  &  Reed's  wharf  and  stave  yards  on  Water 
street  were  destroyed  by  lire,  which  caught  in 
the  warehouse,  but  the  origin  was  not  ascer- 
tained. 

Never  in  her  history  has  Portsmouth  liad 
such  a  baptism  of  fire  as  that  which  raged  for 
five  hours  on  the  night  of  March  28,  1895. 
Thirty-five  houses  were  burned  to  ashes,  in- 
cluding St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
and  300  people  were  made  homeless  by  two 
incendiaries.  These  men  seemed  to  have  con- 
ceived a  plan  td  destroy  the  whole  city,  which 
would  have  been  accomplished  had  it  not  been 
for  the  interposition  of  circumstances,  like  the 
hand  of  Divine  Providence.  The  incendiaries 
were  apprehended  and  after  tedious  trials  were  [ 
convicted  and  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for 
terms  entirely  inadequate  for  their  heinous 
offences.  J 

Mayor  J.  Thompson  Baird  in  his  annual 
message  to  the  Council  said : 

"The  report  of  the  Chief  of  the  Fire  De- 
partment makes  the  loss  by  fire  during  the 
year  to  be  $85,566.25.  This  is  an  immense 
and  unusual  loss,  but  the  great  bulk  of  it  was 
caused  by  the  incendiary  fire  of  March  28th, 
which  the  Chief  rates  at  $70,000.  He  does 
not  cite  the  data  from  which  he  gives  this  esti- 
mate, and  I  think  his  figures  rather  above  the 
actual  loss ;  it  was,  however,  a  night  of  terror 
long  to  be  remembered  by  the  community.  At 
one  time  that  conflagration  threatened  the 
major  part  of  the  city.  But  for  the  assistance 
received  from  our  sister  city  of  Norfolk,  the 
U.  S.  Navy  Yard  and  the  county,  our  brave 
firemen,  who  fought  the  advancing  flames  with 
all  the  vigor  and  determination  which  inspires 
men  to  battle  with  the  enemv  of  their  home. 
must   have   suffered   the   agony    unspeakable. 


which  only  belongs  to  those  wln^  are  forced  to 
look  hopeless  and  helpless  on  the  unstayed  hand 
of  the  destroying  angel. 

"Four  of  the  cruel  men  who  wantonly, 
out  of  the  wickedness  of  their  hearts,  kindled 
this  and  other  incendiary  fires,  were  arrested, 
convicted  and  are  now  in  prison  in  the  peni- 
tentiary at  Richmond.  Their  trials  were  long 
and  tedious,  but  the  arduous  and  untiring  ef- 
forts of  two  of  our  eminent  citizen  lawyers, 
James  F.  Crocker  and  \\'illiam  H.  Stewart, 
who  volunteered  to  assist  the  Commonwealth's 
attorney,  was  linally  crowned  with  success,  and 
we  have  had  a  rest  which  is  likely  to  continue 
for  many  years  to  come. 

"The  people  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth  can 
ne\-er  discharge  their  obligations  to  these  most 
excellent  citizens,  for  the  battle  which  they 
fought  was  in  defense  of  every  man's  fireside, 
from  the  most  opulent  to  the  humblest.  Their 
names  are  written  in  indelible  characters  in  the 
archives  of  Portsmouth  for  emulatiiin  in  gen- 
erations to  come. 

"The  Fire  Department  of  Portsmouth  is 
not  excelled ;  it  has  reached  a  membership 
v,-hich  in  point  of  numbers  and  in  character 
of  material,  makes  it  the  peer  of  any  con- 
solidated enemy  of  the  fire  fiend  within  the 
borders  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  comi)anies 
are  bravely  ofiicered,  splendidly  etiuipped  and 
superbly  manned,  they  are  thoroughly  armed 
in  discipline,  patience  and  temperance,  and  so 
far  as  lies  within  the  power  of  their  limited 
numerical  force,  their  service  is  in\aluable 
and  their  battle-front  invincible." 

Chief  of  Police  F.  T.  Lvnan,  si>eaking  of 
the  increase  of  felonies  in  his  report  to  the 
mayor,  said : 

"This  was  owing  to  an  organized  gang  of 
desperadoes,  who  have  for  the  past  year  in- 
fested the  city.  They,  going  alxiut  at  night, 
stopped  at  nothing  short  of  murder, — houses 
were  burned,  dwellings  burglarized  and  stores 
robbed.  At  last  the  police,  obtaining  a  clue, 
arrested  and  brought  to  trial  the  leaders  of 
if  not  the  entire  gang,  when  with  the  valuable 
service   voluntarilv   given    bv     the   Common- 


398 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


wealth,  by  those  eminent  gentlemen  and  law- 
yers, Col.  William  H.  Stewart  and  Maj.  James 
F.  Crocker,  they  were  convicted,  and  are  now 
serving  long  terms  of  imprisonment  in  the 
State  Penitentiary." 

MAYORS    OF    PORTSMOUTH. 

As  a  matter  of  interest  to  the  resident  read- 
er, the  following  list  of  chief  magistrates  of 
the  town  and  city,  in  the  order  of  their  suc- 
cession, is  given : 

1.  John  S.  White,  elected  for  one  year, 
1852;  re-elected,  1853. 

2.  Hezekiah  Stoakes.  elected  for  one  vear. 
1854. 

3.  D.  D.  Fiske,  elected  for  one  year,  1855. 

4.  James  G.  Hodges,  elected  for  one  year, 
1858:  re-elected,  1837. 

George  W.  Grice.  elected  for  one  year, 
1856;  re-elected.  1859  and  i860. 

6.  John  O.  Lawrence,  elected  for  one 
year,  1861. 

7.  John  Nash,  elected  for  one  year,  1862; 
had  served  only  one  month  when  the  city  was 
placed  under  martial  law. 

8.  Daniel  Collins,  elected  under  Federal 
military  rule  for  one  year,  1863:  re-elected, 
1864  and  1865. 

9.  James  C.  White,  elected  for  one  year, 
1866;  under  the  Reconstruction  Act.  Mr. 
White  served  beyond  the  legal  term  for  which 
he  had  been  elected. 

10.  James  E.  Stoakes,  appointed  bv  Gen- 
eral Schoolfield,  May  i,  1S68. 

11.  E.  W.  Whipple,  appointed  by  General 
Canby,  October  5,  1869. 

12.  Philip  G.  Thomas,  elected  for  one 
year  1S70:  re-elected,  1871. 

13.  A.  S.  Watts,  elected  for  two  years, 
1872;  re-elected,  1874. 

14.  John  O'Connor,  elected  for  two  years, 
1876. 

15.  J.  Thompson  Baird,  elected  for  two 
years,  1878;  re-elected  at  each  subsequent  elec- 
tion until    1894. 

16.  L.  H.  Davis,  elected  for  two  years. 
1894. 


17.  J.  Thompson  Baird,  again  elected,  for 
two  years,  1896.  and  has  been  re-elected  at  each 
subsequent  election  and  is  the  present  incum- 
bent of  the  office. 

ROSTER  OF  CITY  OFFICERS. 

Mayor — J.  Thompson  Baird. 

City  Clerk— L.  P.  Slater. 

Treasurer — George  A.  Tabb. 

City  .\uditor — T.  Hume. 

City  Collector — R.  A.  Hutchins. 

Commissioner  of  the  Revenue — R.  L.  Herbert. 

City  .\ttorney — John  W.  Happer. 

Street  Inspector — John  W.  Wood. 

Clerk  of  Market — Edw.  N.  Grant. 

Physician  to  Almshouse — F.  S.  Hope.  M.  D. 

Keeper  of  Almshouse — John  Bright. 

Wood  Measurer.  Sealer  of  Weights  and  Measures 
— John  C.  Parkerson. 

Keeper  of  Cemeteries — Cary  J.  Hall, 

Judge  Hustings  Court — James  F.  Crocker. 

Clerk  of  Court— C.  T.  Phillips. 

Conmionwealth's  Attorney — R.  C.   Barlow. 

Sergeant — Williamson  Smith, 

Deputy  Sergeant — Jesse  B,  Hoofnagle, 

City  Engineer — Bascom  Sykes. 

Sanitary  Inspector — D.  W,  Murden, 

Physician  to  the  Poor — Gray  G,  Holladay.  M.  D, 

High  Constable — E,  S.  Anderton, 

Superintendent  Public  Schools — John  C,  .Ashton. 

City  Council :  John  J.  King,  president ;  D,  W.  Bal- 
lentine.  vice-president. 

First  Ward :  J.  W.  Brown.  Jr.,  Dr,  Joseph  Grice, 
W,  S,  Langhorne.  R.  E.  Crump. 

Second  Ward:  D.  W,  BaJlentine,  C,  W,  Walker, 
Charles  E.  Murden.  Emmett  Deans.  F.  O,  Cain.  Charles 
G.  Hume, 

Third  Ward ;  J,  Leon  Codd.  Jesse  M,  Overton, 
J,  Edw,  Johnson, 

Fourtli  Ward :  John  J,  King.  L.  C,  Brinson,  Sam- 
uel T,  Montague,  R,  E.  Glover. 

Fifth  Ward:     L,  il.   Palmer.  S.  Cleburne  Browne. 

Educational  Department — Superintendent  public 
schools.  John  C.  Ashton  ;  clerk  of  school  board,  William 
A,  Culpepper :  treasurer  of  school  board,  George  A. 
Tabb. 

School  Board :  D,  A.  Williams,  president :  First 
Ward,  D,  A.  Williams.  W,  O,  Hope,  L,  P.  Slater;  Sec- 
ond Ward.  B.  F,  Howell,  James  C.  Proctor,  W,  D. 
Minter;  Third  Ward,  W,  T,  Ballentine,  C.  H.  Morris, 
H.  O.  Pearson:  Fourth  Ward,  John  T,  Lawrence,  J,  F. 
Schroeder,  Charles  Owins ;  Fifth  Ward,  George  R. 
Trant.  R,  D.  Hamilton.  L.  M.  Palmer. 

Fire  Department — Chief  engineer,  F.  Wiersdorf; 
wardens,  R.  L.  Herbert.  C.  R,  Warren.  G.  S.  Bell. 

Board  of  Police  and  Fire  Commissioners^ — J, 
Thompson  Baird.  mavor.  president:  L.  -Aug.  Bilisoly, 
W.  C,  Corbitt,  J.  W.  Johnson,  R,  F,  Taylor,  James  O, 
Shannon, 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Charles  R.  Nash,  John  C, 
Niemeyer,  Caleb  N,  Moody.  C.  C.  Alexander. 

Board  of  Health — E.  L,  Lash,  president ;  E,  R. 
Barksdale,  M.  L.  Hunt,  E.  L.  Pollard,  R.  H.  Neville. 


CHAPTER  XXIII 


SKETCHES  OF  BERKLEY  AND  OTHER   TOWNS  AND  VILLAGES 

Berkley — Great  Bridge — Port  Norfolk  and  Pinner's  Point — West  Norfolk — South 
Norfolk —  Gilmerton — Lambert  's  Point — Churchland — Ocean  View — Willough- 
BY  Beach — Norfolk-on-the-Roads — Deep  Creek. 


BERKLEY. 

The  locality  of  the  town  of  Berkley  was 
first  Powder  Point  and  Ferry  Point,  then  the 
town  of  \\"ashington,  where  the  County  Court 
was  once  established.  Tradition  says  George 
Washington  visited  the  place  with  a  view  of 
locating  the  national  capital  there,  hence  it  was 
christened  the  town  of  Washington.  Not 
many  years  ago  it  was  rechristened  in  honor  of 
Lycurgus  Berkley,  a  prominent  citizen,  and 
the  town  of  Berkley,  Virginia,  was  incorpor- 
ated by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  \'irginia, 
passed  March,  1890.  At  this  time  the  assessed 
value  of  property  within  the  corporate  limits 
of  the  town  was  $845,536.  In  1899  the  as- 
sessed value  was  $1,616,236.  or  an  increase  of 
nearly  100  per  cent,  in  nine  years. 

The  limited  charter  granted  in  1890  di- 
vided the  town  into  three  wards,  and  provided 
for  its  government  by  ordering  the  biannual 
election  of  11  councilmen.  who  in  turn  elected 
the  town  officers, — mayor,  sergeant,  recorder, 
etc.  No  provision,  however,  was  made  for 
the  improvement  of  the  town,  except  by  the 
issue  of  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $10,000.  and 
this  had  to  be  authorized  bv  a  two-thirds  ma- 


jority of  the  voting  population,  which  could 
never  be  obtained.  Consequently  no  attempt 
was  made  to  permanently  better  the  condition 
of  the  streets,  the  town's  finances  being  lim- 
ited to  the  amount  collected  from  taxes  and 
licenses,  which  was  barely  sufficient  for  run- 
ning expenses. 

The  legislature  of  1895-96  passed  an 
amendment  to  the  charter,  authorizing  the  issue 
and  sale  of  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $50,000,  at 
the  option  of  the  Council.  This  was  increased 
in  1897-98  to  $100,000,  and  at  the  last  session 
of  the  Legislature  the  limit  was  made 
$150,000. 

Of  the  above  amount,  bonds  amounting  to 
$110,000  have  been  issued  and  sold,  and  $95.- 
000  has  been  expended  on  town  improvements, 
as  follows :  $5,000  for  improvement  of  the 
equipment  for  fire  protection;  $10,000  for  pur- 
chase of  real  estate  for  cemetery  and  other 
purposes;  $80,000  for  street  improvements  ex- 
clusively, which  is  evidenced  by  the  widening 
of  Chestnut  street  at  a  cost  of  $2,841.45  and 
paving  the  same  with  Belgian  block — two 
miles  of  street  graded  and  macadamized  or 
paved  with  Belgian  block — two  and  one-half 
miles  of  streets  curbed,  guttered  and  shelled — 


400 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


two  miles  of  streets  graded  and  shelled — 15,- 
000  square  yards  of  brick  sidewalk  laid.  In 
this  amount  is  also  included  the  cost  of  survey- 
ing, maps,  etc. ;  also  the  cost  of  sewers  for 
carrying  off  the  surface  water,  etc. 

The  first  bonds  issued  and  sold  bear  six  per 
cent,  interest,  and  were  sold  with  difficulty, 
^vhile  the  last  sold  realized  a  handsome  prem- 
ium, notwithstanding  the  interest  was  only  five 
per  cent. 

Berkley,  which  will  be  the  third  city  in  the 
galaxy  of  cities  forming  the  cluster  in  the  arms 
of  the  Elizabeth  River,  and  lying  in  the  crotch 
of  the  figure  V,  is  going  rapidly  to  the  front 
and  is  destined  to  be  a  place  of  note. 

Berkley  is  within  a  few  minutes  travel  by 
ferry  of  either  Norfolk  or  Portsmouth,  with 
a  number  of  manufactories,  marine  railways, 
public  buildings,  etc.  A  new  electric  street 
railway,  which  is  liberally  patronized,  has  re- 
cently been  put  into  operation,  running  tlirough 
the  principal  streets  t(,)  the  ferry,  and  aiiother 
has  been  proposed. 

The  public  schools  are  under  the  direction 
of  Prof.  O.  L.  Kennedy,  who  is  the  principal 
of  the  high  school,  and  has  six  assistants. 
■  There  are  enrolled  in  this  school  330  pupils. 
The  South  Norfolk  school  has  140  pupils,  and 
three  teachers. 

The  Ryland  Institute  is  a  chartered  institu- 
tion, and  its  objects  are  to  furnish  higher  edu- 
cation to  young  ladies.  It  is  a  female  board- 
ing school.  Rev.  A.  E.  Owen,  D.  D.,  is  the 
president  and  he  is  assisted  by  a  fine  corps  of 
teachers. 

Among  the  textile  manfactures  that  have 
assisted  Berkley  in  taking  rapid  strides  in  the 
(textile  industry  may  be  mentioned  the  under- 
wear factory  of  the  Berkley  Knitting  Mills, 
with  G.  W.  Simpson,  president,  and  William 
L.  Bailie,  Jr.,  manager;  the  Chesapeake  Knit- 
ting Mills  and  Elizabeth  Knitting  Mills,  both 
owned  and  operated  by  Foster  Black,  and  the 
more  recently  erected  Yard  &  Thread  Spinning 
Mills,  operated  by  the  Cotton  Seed  Oil  &  Fibre 
Company,  of  Philadelphia,  the  latter  mill  hav- 
ing   been    moved     from    Philadelphia    to    this 


town,  where  advantages  and  inducements  sur- 
passed those  offered  by  other  sections. 

The  aggregate  capital  represented  by  the 
above-named  mills  amounts  to  over  three- 
quarters  O'f  a  million  dollars,  and  employment 
is  given  to  over  1,000  people,  mostly  natives 
of  this  section,  who  are  fast  becoming  as  skill- 
ful operatives  as  the  labor  procured  from  the 
older  textile  industrial  sections. 

The  capacity  of  the  knitting  and  spinning 
mills  of  Berkley  will  reach  between  1,200  and 
1,500  dozen  of  underwear  per  day,  and  about 
20,000  pounds  of  yarn  are  spun  daily. 

The  development  of  these  industries  has 
to  a  great  extent  outgrown  the  industrial  popu- 
lation of  this  section,  particularly  the  female 
wage-earners,  who  are  always  in  demand  by 
the  various  spinning  and  knitting  mills,  the 
greater  portion  of  the  labor  emplo3'ed  being 
girls  16  years  of  age  and  over. 

TOWN   OFFICERS. 

Mayor— Russel!  A.   McCoy. 

Treasurer — C.  L.  Odd. 

Sergeant— W.  S.  Rudd. 

Health  Officer — Dr.  F.  M.  Morgan. 

Council — M.  C.  Keeling,  president.  First  Ward, 
M.  C.  Keeling.  J.  H.  Jacoeks.  R.  .A..  Roach.  George  G. 
Martin  ;  Second  Ward,  W.  W.  Robertson.  John  Whet- 
stone, William  L.  Bailie.  Jr.,  C.  H.  Williams,  Third 
Ward.  S.  M.  Bland.  C.  W.  Parks.  J.  E.  Reed. 

Improvement  Board — First  Ward,  G.  D.  Williams 
(secretary);  Second  Ward.  A.  H.  Martin  (chairman); 
Third  Ward,  J.  J.  Ottley. 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

Berkley  Graded — Walke  avenue,  between  5th  and 
6th  streets ;   O.  L.   Kennedy,  principal. 

South  Norfolk — Jackson  avenue ;  Miss  Lena 
Wright,  principal. 

Berkley — Liberty  street  extended,  South  Norfolk ; 
George  W.  Braye.  principal. 

U.  S.  POST  OFFICE. 

Postmaster — George  T.  Tilley. 

BENEVOLENT    ORGANIZATIONS. 

Berkley  Lodge,  No.  167,  A.  F.  &  A,  M.— W.  M.,  W. 
L.  Berkley.  Jr. ;  secretary,  J.  S.  Rodgers. 

Middleton  Lodge.  No.  145.  L  O.  O.  F. — N.  G.,  G. 
B.  Randolph  :  secretary.  Benjamin  F.  Townsend. 

St.  Bride's  Council.  No.  13.  Order  of  Chosen 
Friends — Secretary,  L.   Berkley. 

Chesapeake  Tribe.  No.  50.  I.  O.  R.  M.— Chief  of 
records.  J.  E.  Cooper. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


401 


Lee  Lodge.  No.  48.  K.  of  P.- 

W.  W.  Jdlinson.  V.  C. ;  George  T 
iam  McK.  WHodliouse.  ^L  ot  W. 
R.  an.l  S. ;  \V.  E.  Roach.  M.  of  F 
E. ;  Charles;  Piinlic.  M.  at  A.;  H 
L.  Piggott.  O.  G.:  \V.  B.  Doiigli 
Grand  Lodge. 

Old   Dominion   Council.   N'o. 
Regent.    George    A,    Simmons : 
Gibbs. 

Herkley  Lodge.  No.  278.  B.  P, 
.■\.  H.  Boushell ;  secretary.  W.  S 
L.  Nash. 


C.  A.  Marwitz,  C.  C. ; 

Wrcnn,  P.  W. ;  Will- 
:  Charles  Gibbs,  K.  of 
:  J.  H.  Jacocks.  M.  of 

A.  Jolinson.  I.  G. ;  J. 
erty.  representative  to' 

48.   Royal   .Xrcanum — 
secretary.    Charles    B. 

O.  E. — Exalted  ruler. 
Rudd:  treasurer.  ^^ 


dKE.VT  BRII1GE. 

Great  Bridge  is  located  at  the  head  of  navi- 
gation on  the  Southern  Branch,  where  the  Al- 
bemarle &  Chesapeake  Canal  enters  the  river, 
and  is  one  of  the  old-time  lively  villages.  It 
was  the  scene  of  the  battle  of  Great  Bridge, 
and  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion have  erected  a  monument  on  the  bank 
of  the  canal  in  commemoration  of  the  event. 

The  Albemarle  &  Chesapeake  Canal  Com- 
pany was  organized  in  1855  under  the  name  of 
the  Great  Bridge  Lumber  &  Canal  Company, 
and  among  the  incorporators  were  the  follow- 
ing Norfolk  Countv  names :  Thomas  V. 
\\'ebb,  S.  B.  Tatem,  L  X.  Hall,  J.  Gary  Wes- 
ton. Tlie  canals  of  this  company  form  the 
connecting  links  in  the  waterway  from  Norfolk 
to  Albemarle  Sound.  This  water-way,  start- 
ing at  Norfolk,  is  up  the  Southern  Branch  of 
the  Elizabeth  River  to  Great  Bridge:  then 
through  nine  miles  of  canal  to  North  Landing 
River:  then  down  North  Landing  River  to 
Currituck  Sound ;  through  Currituck  Sound  to 
Coinjock  Bay;  through  Coinjock  Bay  to  the 
second  canal  of  this  company  five  miles  in  to 
North  River:  down  this  river  to  Albemarle 
Sound,  making  a  route  about  78  miles  long 
through  which  vessels  drawing  as  much  as 
eight  and  a  half  feet, — with  a  tonnage  of  as 
much  as  800  tons,  and  loaded  with  as  much 
as  400,000  feet  of  lumber, — have  navigated 
with  nerfect  safety.  There  is  only  one  lock. 
220  by  40  feet,  which  enables  large  rafts  of 
timber  to  pass  through  this  canal  with  verv 
little  trouble. 

Marshall  Parks  was  president  from  1855  to 


1885:  Franklin  Weld,  from  1885  to  1898,  be- 
ing succeeded  liy  Warren  j.  Elliott,  who  is  now 
president.  Kubert  M.  Cannon  is  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager,  and  D.  S.  Burwell. 
secretary  and  treasurer.  The  directors  are : 
Robert  M.  Cann<in,  J')hn  Vermillion,  J.  H. 
Chapman,  R.  StP.  Lowry  and  E.  G.  Rich- 
mond. The  Great  Bridge  in  colonial  days  was 
a  place  of  considerable  commercial  importance. 
The  State  located  a  tobacco  warehouse  there 
and  trade  in  lumber  and  grain  also  Nourished. 
January  29,  1729,  the  town  of  Great  Bridge 
was  established  with  the  following  boundaries : 
Beginning  at  the  intersection  of  Center  Green 
Sea  Road  with  the  Post  Road  leading  from 
Norfolk  Borough  to  North  West  River  Bridge : 
thence  running  a  south  course  along  said  Green 
Sea  Road  to  the  line  of  John  Caldwell  and 
Pool's  heirs :  thence  a  northwest  course  along 
said  line  to  Horse  Run  Branch  :  thence  a  south- 
west course  to  Thurmer  Hoggard's  field  (called 
Truss)  to  a  point  from  which  a  direct  line 
may  be  run  a  northwest  course,  along  and 
within  five  feet  of  the  western  end  of  the 
house  at  present  the  residence  of  John  Hodges, 
Jr.,  to  the  channel  of  Great  Bridge  River; 
thence  nmning  up  the  channel  of  said  river 
to  the  cmirtuence  ( bv  a  cut)  of  said  Horse  Run 
Branch  with  said  river:  thence  a  south- 
east course  to  said  Green  Sea  Road  at 
the  beginning.  Samuel  Willis,  John  Cald- 
well, William  Grimes.  Sr..  John  Jcnes,  John 
Hodges,  Jr.,  and  Edward  Hall,  Sr.,  were 
■  appointed  trustees.  They  were  empowered  to 
make  by-laws  and  regulations  for  police  and 
the  regulations  for  Ijuilding  houses;  to  abate 
nuisances ;  to  improve  and  repair  streets ;  to 
levy  taxes,  not  to  exceed  $2  on  each  $100  value 
of  property :  and  to  appoint  a  clerk  and  collec- 
tor, to  keep  a  recorcl  of  proceedings.  The 
general  law  concerning  trustees  of  towns  was 
made  applicable  to  this  town.  The  records  of 
this  town  are  not  now  in  existence  and  how 
long  it  remained  a  town  is  not  known ;  but  it 
must  have  retrograded  into  a  village  before 
many  years,  for  its  history  as  a  town  is  not 
I  within  the  memory  of  man.    The  old-time  races 


402 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


at  the  village  gathered  great  crowds.  In  1820, 
Joseph  S.  Seguine.  Richard  Baugh.  Cary  Wes- 
ton and  Edward  Wilson  entered  their  horses  for 
the  races.  The  village  is  near  the  great  corn- 
growing  region  of  the  county  and  still  holds 
up  as  the  local  mart  at  the  mouth  of  a  great 
canal. 

PORT  NORFOLK  AND  PINNERS  POINT. 

Port  Norfolk  is  a  new  flourishing  town 
upon  an  ancient  foundation.  Although  it  can- 
not be  legally  termed  a  town,  if  Pinner's  Point 
on  the  east  is  added  we  have  a  large  and  flour- 
ishing community  as  the  northern  suburb  of 
Portsmouth.  The  great  docks  and  ware- 
houses of  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  and  Southern 
railroads  and  a  large  fertilizer  factory  are  lo- 
cated at  Pinner's  Point.  A  furniture  factory. 
Armour's  Cold  Storage,  and  the  terminus  and 
warehouses  of  the  Belt  Line  are  at  Port  Nor- 
folk. Tlie  commercial  and  manufacturing  ad- 
vantages of  these  localities  are  among  the  most 
favorable  on  the  Elizabeth  River.  Port  Nor- 
folk occupies  the  old  Glebe  land  of  Ports- 
mouth Parish,  embracing  the  175  acres  pur- 
chased from  Col.  William  Craford  on  the  17th 
day  of  September,  1761,  by  the  parish,  being 
the  same  property  which  he  purchased  on  the 
26th  day  of  Februarv,  1734,  from  John  Abbott,, 
of  Pasquotank  in  the  province  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Courtney,  his  wife,  and  which  was  de- 
vised by  the  will  of  Joseph  Holloway,  dated 
May  5.  1705,  to  his  .  daughter-in-law,  Mary 
Courtney.  On  this  old  Glebe  the  first  rector 
of  the  parish  was  buried.  His  tomb  was  re- 
moved to  Trinity  Churchyard  on  June  10, 
1890,  and  the  inscripition  reads  as  follows: 
"Here  lies  interred  the  Rev.  Charles  Smith, 
Rector  of  Portsmouth  Parish,  who  died  the 
nth  of  January,  1773,  in  the  6ist  year  of  his 
age.  He  officiated  as  minister  upwards  of  thirty 
years  and  his  conduct  through  life  was  unex- 
ceptionable. He  was  a  sincere  friend,  a  most 
tender  husband,  an  affectionate  father,  and  a 
humane  and  good  man.  He  was  esteemed  and 
beloved   when   alive,   and   died  universallv  la- 


mented. In  testimony  of  this  tender  regard 
his  son-in-law,  James  Taylor,  and  daughter, 
Alice  Taylor,  have  erected  this  monument." 
On  the  i8th  day  of  December,  181 5,  the 
overseers  of  the  poor,  pursuant  to  the  Con- 
fiscation Act  oi  January,  1802,  sold  this  land 
at  public  auction  for  $22  per  acre  to  John 
Thompson,  the  grandfather  of  John  Thompson 
Baird,  the  present  mayor  of  Portsmouth.  Af- 
ter the  death  of  Mr.  Thompson,  it  was  sold 
to  Col.  Levin  Gale  for  $6,500;  and  passing 
through  several  other  hands,  it  became  the 
property  of  the  Port  Norfolk  Land  Company 
on  July  1st  and  nth,  1890.  Gen.  H.  Kyt, 
Douglass,  the  distinguished  Confederate  cav- 
alry officer  and  adjutant  general  of  the  State 
of  Maryland,  was  made  president  of  the  com- 
pany, which  laid  out  the  land  in  lots  and  began 
the  building  up  of  this  beautifully  located  town 
which  overlooks  the  waters  that  floated  the 
"Great  Eastern"  and  now  bear  the  great  fleets 
of  ships  which  come  for  Pocahontas  coal.  Con- 
federate War  forts  were  located  at  Port  Nor- 
folk and  Pinner's  Point.  Here  the  British 
forces  imder  General  ISIathews,  from  the  fleet 
of  Sir  George  Collier,  landed  on  May  9,  1779, 
and  captured  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk. 

WEST    NORFOLK. 

Just  across  the  Western  Branch  from  Port 
Norfolk  is  West  Norfolk,  a  town  which  has 
had  some  bitter  experiences  within  the  past 
few  years,  but  which  still  exists  and  prospers 
in  spite  of  its  hardships.  The  chief  of  these 
trials  were  disastrous  fires  which  visited  the 
place  on  a  number  of  occasions,  and  in  the  ag- 
gregate destroyed  a  vast  amount  of  property. 
Among  the  losses  were  some  manufacturing  in- 
dustries which  have  never  been  rebuilt,  and  the 
loss  of  which  is  still  felt.  But  the  people  of 
West  Norfolk  are  gifted  with  their  share  of 
energy  and  grit,  and  the  place  is  rapidly  rising 
from  its  ashes  to  take  a  new  and  higher  place 
in  the  galaxy  of  Norfolk  County  towns.  The 
industries  now  there  and  in  operation  are  the 
Tilgham   barrel   factory,   the   Virginia   Cedar 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


403 


\\'orks  and  tlie  Eustis  Smelting  Works,  all  of 
which  are  iielping  to  put  the  town  on  its  feet 
again. 

SOUTH  NORFOLK. 

Adjoining  Berkley  is  the  thriving  com- 
munity of  South  Norfolk.  A  fe\y  years  ago 
the  site  upon  which  it  stands  was  ixrcupied  by 
individual  farms  and  strawberry  fields;  but 
such  are  the  changes  wrought  in  the  kaleido- 
scope of  time  that  this  rural  aspect  has  been 
transformed  into  one  of  more  urban  preten- 
sions. In  these  few  short  years  South  Norfolk 
has  bectune  a  lively  place  with  a  population  of 
about  2,000,  and  has  really  only  just  com- 
menced to  grow. 

The  land  upon  which  the  town  is  located 
has  been,  at  diiYerent  times,  laid  off  into  large 
lots  and  broad  streets  and  avenues,  in  which 
particulars  it  has  somewhat  the  advantage  of 
its  neighbor,  Berkley,  whose  lots  are  for  the 
most  part  smaller  and  whose  streets  are,  many 
of  them,  narrower.  These  advantages  have 
helped  to  build  up  South  Norfolk,  and  make 
it  a  place  of  handsome  residences. 

GILMERTON. 

Gilmerton  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 
"new  cut"  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal  with 
the  Southern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River, 
about  six  miles  from  Portsmouth.  It  was 
named  for  Gov.  Thomas  W.  Gilmer  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  in 
President  Tyler's  Cabinet,  and  was  killed  by 
the  explosion  of  a  great  gun  on  the  man-of- 
war  "Princeton,"  February  28,  1844.  Gilmer- 
ton now  has  about  700  inhabitants  and  in  the 
long-forgotten  past,  the  Myrtle  Isle  Tide  Mills, 
belonging  to  Dr.  William  Tatem,  were  located 
near-by,  furnishing  Indian  corn  meal  for  the 
city  markets.  About  the  year  1884,  the  John 
L.  Roper  Lumber  Company  gave  it  resurrected 
life  by  establishing  lumber  manufactories  there. 
This  company  has  now  two  planing  mills  there, 
with  18  planes  and  matchers,  making  an  output 


of  150,000  feet  of  dressed  lumber  per  day; 
two  ripping  mills  with  same  capacity  for  rip- 
ping rough  stock  into  various  sizes ;  one  saw- 
mill, containing  band  saw  and  band  re-saw, 
with  capacity  of  60,000  feet  per  day;  one  mill 
for  the  manufacture  of  white  cedar  or  juniper 
into  telegraph  arms,  pickets,  laths,  boat  boards, 
tank  plank  and  shingles,  with  daily  capacity 
of  40,000  shingles,  30,000  pickets  and  laths, 
25,000  feet  of  boat  boards  and  tank  plank  and 
2,000  telegraph  arms.  There  is  a  50-ton  loco- 
motive and  16  cars  with  tracks  connecting  with 
the  Norfolk  &  Western  Railway,  and  a  com- 
plete system  of  water  works.  Alxjut  500  hands 
are  constantly  employed  in  these  great  manu- 
factories, which  are  located  immediately  oh 
deep  water  where  the  largest  vessels  can  re- 
ceive cargoes.  The  locality  of  the  village  is 
delightful  and  healthful. 

Around  Gilmerton  there  were  a  number  of 
tide  mills,  besides  Tatem's  Mill ;  there  were 
Cocke's  Mill,  Cook's  Mill,  New  ^lill,  Willev's 
Mill  and  Old  Mill. 

Lambert's  point. 

Prospectively,  the  most  important  of  ali 
Norfolk's  suburbs,  new  and  old,  is  Lambert's 
Point,  because  here  are  combined  maritime  and 
manufacturing  facilities  and  developments, 
which  have  already  accelerated  immensely  the 
city's  growth  and  which  promise  to  continue 
to  do  so  still  for  a  long  time  to  come. 

Lambert's  Point  is  on  the  east  or  left  bank 
of  the  Elizaljeth  River,  coming  in,  about  two 
miles  nearer  the  river's  mouth  than  the  city. 
Here  the  Norfolk  &  Western  Railway  estab- 
lished, a  few  years  ago,  a  coaling  station, 
now  grown  to  be  the  first  in  importance  on 
the  Southern  Atlantic  Coast,  and  with  its 
auxiliaries  i>i  piers  for  general  traftic,  ware- 
houses and  projected  grain  elevator,  etc.,  an 
extension  of  facilities  of  the  port  of  extraor- 
dinary advantage  in  the  development  of  its 
commerce. 

The  depth  of  the  water  here  is  26  feet, 
mean  low   tide;  the  largest  merchant  vessels 


4C4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


can  come  up  here  to  load.  Some  2,000  of  all 
classes  do  come  to  coal  now,  during  the  year, 
and  about  2.000,000  tons  of  coal  are  annually 
shipped  from  these  piers,  the  product  of  the 
Pocahontas  ( Southwestern  Virginia  and  \\'est 
Virginia)    field. 

Beside  the  coal  piers,  which  are  900  feet 
long,  30  acres  were  filled  in  by  the  road  as  a 
site  for  warehouses.  There  are  two  of  these, 
705  by  140  feet  (aprons  not  included),  for 
general  traffic.  Twenty  acres  more  have  been 
set  apart  for  cotton  storage,  compressing,  etc. 

Several  land  companies  have  enlisted  with 
the  Norfolk  &  Western  Railway  to  promote 
settlement  at  this  place,  and  have  succeeded 
in  building  up  a  very  respectable  town.  They 
have  improved  an  area  to  the  north  of  .about 
600  acres,  and  between  200  and  300  residences 
and  stores,  all  told  have  been  put  up,  to  house 
and  supply  the  employees  of  the  railroad  and 
other  concerns  here.  The  place  has  many  ad- 
vantages for  such  a  settlement.  It  drains  to 
the  river,  is  sightly  and  beautiful,  and  is  ac- 
cessible by  means  of  an  electric  street  railway 
to  it  from  the  city. 

Aside  from  the  piers  and  the  railroad  im- 
provements and  works,  the  most  important 
enterprise  established  at  Lambert's  Point  is  the 
Lambert's  Point  Knitting  Mills.  These  mills 
were  built  and  equipped  at  an  expense  of  $100,- 
000  by  Norfolk  capitalists  about  five  years  ago 
and  are  now  employing  about  200  hands. 

CHURCHLAND. 

The  village  of  Churchland,  formerly 
known  as  Sycamore  Hill,  is  the  center  of  the 
great  trucking  district  west  of  the  W^estern 
Branch  in  Norfolk  County. 

It  has  three  churches,  four  stores,  and  a 
Grange  hall,  which  the  Masonic  and  Pythian 
lodges  also  use.  The  Churchland  Academy,  a 
flourishing  school  for  higher  education,  was 
founded  about  28  years  ago  by  Col.  A.  K. 
Yancey.  A  public  school  is  also  located  in  this 
village. 


OCEAN    VIEW. 

The  oldest  summer  resort  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty is  Ocean  View,  which  has  been  in  existence 
since  the  year  1879,  when  it  was  established  by 
local  capital  mostly,  and  connected  with  Nor- 
folk by  a  narrow-gauge  steam  railroad.  In 
1895  this  road  was  made  standard  gauge,  and 
is  now  operated  by  electricity. 

Ocean  View  lies  on  the  shore  of  Chesa- 
peake Bay,  almost  due  north  of  Norfolk,  from 
which  city  it  is  distant  about  nine  miles.  The 
place  "enjoys  the  gifts  of  nature  a  situation 
that  extorts  from  sightseers  the  most  un- 
bounded praise."  It  is  a  situation  facing  the 
blue  waters  of  the  Chesapeake,  dotted  with 
sailing  vessels  and  other  craft,  with  Fortress 
Monroe  barely  in  sight  across  the  water,  and 
the  capes  of  Virginia  close  at  hand. 

WILLOUGHBY    BEACH. 

Within  a  short  period  what  once  appeared 
to  be  a  valueless  spit  of  land,  forming  the  di- 
viding line  between  the  mighty  Chesapeake 
Bay  and  her  smaller  sister,  Willoughby  Bay, 
has  become  one  of  the  most  attractive  of  our 
pleasure  resorts.  Willoughby  Beach, — for 
that  is  the  name  of  this  beautiful  tract  of 
land, — bida  fair  to  become  one  of  the  most  pop- 
ular places  on  the  Atlantic  Coast. 

The  Willoughby  Beach  Company  was  or- 
ganized in  1897,  since  which  time  many  im- 
provements ha\e  been  made  to  the  property. 
A  fine  hotel  has  been  built.  Many  cottages 
have  been  erected  and  others  are  in  course  of 
construction.  An  electric  railway  runs  through 
the  property,  and  steamers  make  hourly  trips 
to  and  from  Old  Point  Ciimfort. 

NORFOLK-ON-THE-ROADS 

Is  where  the  great  thunder-bolts  of  war  rained 
during  the  early  days  of  the  Confederate  War 
and  on  the  site  of  the  forts  which  helped  to 
guard  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  until  the  evacu- 
ation. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


405 


A  double-track  electric-  railway  has  been 
put  in  operation  between  Norfolk  and  Sewell's 
Point  by  the  Norfolk  &  Atlantic  Terminal 
Company.  The  deep-water  terminus  of  the 
road  lies  on  Hampton  Roads,  opposite  a  point 
between  Old  Point  and  Newport  News,  and 
not  far  from  the  mouth  of  the  Elizabeth  River. 
For  some  time  past  active  work  has  been  in 
progress,  beautifying  the  place  and  converting 
it  into  a  summer  resort  which  is  known  as 
Norfolk-on-the-Roads.  Grounds  have  been 
laid  otif  and  beautified.  A  large  amount  of 
land  has  been  cleared  and  leveled,  and  many 
handsome  home-sites  sold.  The  Norfolk 
County  \\'ater  Company  is  extending  its  mains 
to  the  place,  thus  putting  good  water  within 
the  reach  of  those  who  are  building  cottages 
there  and  stimulating  others  to  purchase  sites 
and  build  homes. 

When  the  new  streets,  which  are  now  be- 
ing laid  out,  have  been  completed,  curbed  and 
graded.  Norfolk-on-the-Roads  will  be  one  of 
the  most  inviting  summer  resorts  in  this  sec- 
tion. 

DEEP    CREEK, 

One  of  the  last  two  old-time  villages  of  Nor- 
folk County,  is  located  at  the  north  end  of  the 
Dismal  Swamp  Canal,  the  first  station  of  the 
old-time  stage  line  from  Portsmouth  to  Eliza- 
beth City,  North  Carolina,  and  formerly  the 
principal  mart  for  the  juniper  lumber  of  the 
great  swamp:  but  the  new  era  has  changed  the 
face  of  things  in  and  around  this  old  place. 
There  are  now  four  or  five  stores  of  various 
sizes,  two  churches  and  a  Masonic  hall ;  but 
the  old  time  tavern  is  gone, — a  thing  of  the 
past :  there  were  a  number  of  old  colonial 
dwellings  in  the  village,  but  they  too  have  long 
ago  crumbled  to  dust  and  ashes.  About  two 
miles  distant  on  New  ^lill  Creek  and  about 
two  miles  from  where  the  creek  empties  into 
the  Southern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River  ' 
still  stands  an  old  colonial  home  which  was 
built  in  1744.  This  date,  with  the  name  of 
the  i;wner.  Willis  Wilkins.  is  cut  in  the  bricks 
over  the  front  door.     The  house  was  like  manv 


others  visited  and  pillaged  by  the  British  dur- 
ing the  Revolution.  It  is  a  quaint  old  build- 
ing dilapidated  by  age  and  rough  usage,  and 
is  now  but  a  monument  of  the  things  that  have 
been  in  the  far  long-ago.  A  view  of  the  home 
Is  shown  on  jiage  24. 

My  esteemed  friend,  James  F.  Carr,  of  Gil- 
merion,  writes  as  follows  of  the  old  village 
of  Deep  Creek:  "You  ask  me  for  some  of 
my  early  recollections  of  the  village  of  Deep 
Creek,  but  when  'I  try  back'  as  we  would  say 
in  the  old  fox-hunting  days  I  doubt  that  I 
can  carry  the  trail.  One  of  my  early  impres- 
sions which  is  strongly  fixed  in  my  mind  is  the 
memory  of  the  very  large  amount  of  juniper 
lumber  always  piled  along  the  banks  of  the 
canal  near  the  village.  A  favorite  amusement 
of  'we  boys'  would  be  to  get  on  top  of  these 
piles  and  see  how  far  we  cculd  go  without 
touching  the  ground ;  as  there  would  be  gaps ' 
of  more  or  less  width,  it  required  good  jump- 
ing and  the  fortunate  fellow  who  proved  the 
last  to  put  his  feet  upon  the  ground  was  the 
hero  of  the  hour.  It  seemed  to  me  then  that 
we  would  sometimes  go  a  mile  or  two  upon  the 
shingles,  rails,  cooper  staves  and  posts.  They 
actually  extended  to  the  road  collector's  office, 
one-half  mile  from  the  village,  and  in  addition 
to  this  large  quantities  of  lumber  were  piled 
on  the  west  bank,  and  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
canal  from  the  village  to  the  locks,  as  much 
more. 

"In  fact  Deep  Creek  was  the  main  depot 
for  the  lumber  product  of  the  great  Dismal 
Swamp.  While  a  large  quantity  went  to  Suf- 
folk by  the  Jericho  Canal,  and  seme  to  Gates 
County,  North  Carolina,  by  the  Orapeake  or 
Cross  Canal,  the  larger  portion  found  its  way 
by  the  Dismal  Swamp  Canal  to  the  village  of 
Deep  Creek :  from  there  most  of  it  was  shipped 
to  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  a  number  of 
large  coasting  schooners  being  exclusively  en- 
gaged in  this  trade.  Well  do  I  recollect  a  num- 
ber of  the  captains  of  these  vessels,  Waples, 
Irons,  Ellis,  Wood  and  others.  They  bought 
the  lumber  for  'spot  cash,"  no  drafts,  nor 
checks,  but  Spanish  silver  tied  up  in  shot-bags, 


4o6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


counted  then  and  there  for  their  cargoes.  It 
was  always  a  gala  time  for  the  Deep  Creekers 
when  the  shingle  captains  arrived.  The  count- 
ers ( men  who  inspected  and  counted  the  lum- 
ber) were  on  hand  with  the  white  boys  of  the 
village  who  wanted  to  make  a  little  money  for 
there  was  work  for  all,  the  boys  carrying- 
shingles  from  the  piles  to  the  lighters  where 
the  men  stowed  them.  All  the  lumber 
had  tO'  be  lightered  to  the  vessels,  as  they 
were  too  large  to  enter  the  canal.  The 
loading  of  the  vessels  was  turned  over 
to  the  mates,  while  the  captains  enjoyed 
themselves  at  the  village  playing  dominoes, 
'old  sledge,'  and  other  games  for  drinks. 
At  all  times  Deep  Creek  was  counted  a  lively 
village,  frequently  visited  by  some  of  the  older 
citizens  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  who  en- 
joyed a  quiet  game  of  bluff  (never  heard  of 
poker  in  those  days)  but  when  the  shingle  cap- 
tains were  there,  there  were  'flush  times'  in- 
deed! 

"Of  course  Deep  Creek,  like  other  places 
where  money  circulated  freely,  had  its  rough 
element,  but  it  never  interfered  with  the  better 
class,  looking  to  them  for  employment,  and 
knowing  that  a  pistol  in  the  hands  of  a  gentle- 
man was  more  dangerous  than  the  fist  of  a 
bully,  but  nearly  every  Saturday  night  these 
fellows  would  fight  among  themselves,  only  us- 
ing the  weapons  nature  gave  them,  the  battle 
cry  being  'make  a  ring  and  fight  fair,'  and 
when  the  bottom  man  cried  'nough,'  the  victor 
got  off.  On  an  occasion  of  this  sort  the  bully 
of  the  village,  Harrison  C,  had  Jack  F.  down 
'wearing  him  to  a  frazzle'  but  now  and  again 
Jack  would  dodge  his  head  and  give  Hal  the 
'best  he  had.'     After  getting  a  stinging  one  in 

the  eye,  Harrison  cried  out  'D it.  Jack, 

are  you  fending  off  my  lick?'  'Well,  said  Jack, 
T'm  trying  to  keep  ofif  some  of  the  coarsest  of 
'emi.'  The  bystanders  knowing  Jack  would 
die  sooner  than  crv  'nough,'  pulled  Harrison 
off. 

"On  another  occasion  one  of  the  fighters, 
Old  Zeke  C,  was  at  the  Major's  counter  with 


a  bottle  collared,  about  to  pour  down  a  gill  of 
'nose-paint,'  when  in  walked  Siah  H.  who  had 
been  whipped  by  Old  Zeke  the  Saturday  night 
previous,  but  Siah  had  his  'jag  on'  and  thought 
he  would  like  to  try  it  over  with  Old  Zeke  and 
was  blowing  around  to  that  effect,  when  Zeke 
said 'Haven't  I  licked  you  once?'  'Yes.'  'Didn't 
I  do  it  fair?'  'Yes.'  'Then  come  up  and  have  a 
drink,  what  the  devil  ye  blowing  'bout?'  Si 
accepted, — in  fact  he  never  refused,  would 
drink  with  you  in  the  dark,  and  never  cheat  a 
drop.  Old  Zeke  repeating,  grew  noisy,  kept 
repeating  and  grew  boisterous  until  the  IMajor, 
who  was  the  landlord  of  the  tavern,  asked  him 
to  calm  down.  Said  Zeke,  'Haven't  I  paid  for 
my  liquor?'  'Yes.'  'Well,  here's  money  for 
the  noise,  'though  I  made  it  myself;  what  the 
devil  ye  blowing  'bout?'  When  at  last  Zeke 
left  for  home  his  wavy  navigation  was  not  a 
success,  but  his  gravitation  was,  for  as  he 
turned  Ferebee's  corner  the  wind  blew  him 
down ;  he  managed  to  get  on  his  hands  and 
knees,  crawled  to  the  corner  minus  his  hat  and 
hugging  the  post  looked  ar^iund  and  hic- 
coughed :  'Hie,  what  the  devil  ye  blowing 
'bout  ?' 

"But  all  such  scenes  have  long  ago  passed 
away,  and  now  no  shingle  captains  are  seen  at 
Deep  Creek  and  no  liquor  is  sold  there,  and 
where  the  shingles  were  piled  by  the  millions 
now  are  piled  the  high  banks  of  sand  taken 
from  the  old  dismal  swamp  Canal,  the  name  of 
which  has  been  changed  to  the  Lake  Drum- 
mond  Canal  &  Water  Company.  Some  50 
years  ago  the  various  kinds  of  timber  manu- 
factured from  the  juniper  of  the  great  Dismal 
Swamp  was  'hand-made'  by  the  old  Virginia 
darkies  owned  by  the  lumber  manufacturers 
or  hired  by  them  from  other  owners. 

"Hiring  days  were  held  between  Christmas 
and  the  ist  of  January  of  each  year  at  various 
places  in  the  county,  notably  at  Deep  Creek, 
Great  Bridge  and  Hargrove's  tavern.  They 
were  largely  attended  by  the  country  people. 
The  negroes  were  put  up  at  auction  and  hired 
for  one  year  to  the  highest  bidder,  who  would 
give  bond  for  the  amount  bid  with  a  well-un- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


407 


derstood  agreement  that  the  negro  should  be 
well  treated,  his  rations  to  be  six  pounds  of 
pork,  one  peck  of  meal  and  one  quart  of  mo- 
lasses per  week,  with  sufficient  and  comfort- 
able clothing  and  two  pairs  of  shoes  for  the 
year.  Tlie  able-bodied  farm  hands,  wood-cut- 
ters, ditchers,  etc.,  would  generally  hire  for 
about  $100  a  year,  but  a  good  'shingle  gitter' 
would  bring  $150.  The  'shingle  gitters'  were 
allowed  more  liberties  than  most  other  slaves. 
The  farmers  would  require  their  hands  to  work 
from  sunrise  to  sunset,  wood  dealers  would 
e.xact  as  a  task  six  cords  of  wood  per  week, 
while  the  Dismal  Swamp  lumber  dealer  re- 
quired his  iiands  to  pay  first  their  hire  which 
was  done  even  when  he  owned  them,  then 
their  store  account  ( nearly  all  the  dealers  kept 
a  country  store),  and  the  balance  was  paid  the 
hands  in  cash.  These  hands  were  allowed  so 
much  per  thousand  for  32-inch  shingles,  so 
much  for  22-inch,  so  much  for  20-inch,  so 
much  for  fence  rails,  so  much  for  cooper 
staves :  and  I  have  known  an  industrious  fel- 
low Joe  Seguine  (negroes  generally  took  their 
master's  names),  after  paying  his  hire,  store 
account  and  other  charges,  to  have  a  balance 
in  cash  of  $150  for  six  months  work.  Settling 
days,  July  and  Christmas,  were  great  times 
with  them ;  the  country  store  crowded,  wives 
and  sweethearts  selecting  their  calico  dresses, 
bright  colored  head  handkerchiefs,  shoes,  etc., 
while  the  'half-pints'  were  continually  being 
'set  up'  by  the  men ;  and  the  break-downs,  mu- 
sic, etc.,  made  scenes  hard  to  describe,  but 
never  to  be  forgotten. 

"Among  these  swamp  hands  were  some  odd 
characters.  I  recall  Old  Tom  (Weston), — he 
generally  idled  fully  half  of  his  time  about 
the  village  stores,  yet  his  swamp  account  was 
good  and  he  always  had  a  cash  balance  due 
him  on  settling  days.  How  did  he  manage  it  ? 
Well  there  were  generally  runaways  in  the 
swamp, — negroes  who  would  'take  to  ambush' 
as  they  called  it.  without  leave  from  their  mas- 
ters. The  Norfolk  newspapers  of  those  days 
would  contain  small  wood-cuts  of  a  darky  with 
a  bundle  on  his  back  making  a  clean  cut  from 


his  home  to  the  Dismal  Swamp  'brum  proofs;' 
these  wood-cuts  were  followed  by  rewards  of- 
fered for  the  capture  of  the  well-described 
'sprinters,'  but  while  the  swamp  was  com- 
paratively a  safe  place  for  them,  and  coons 
and  'possums  could  be  trapped,  they  longed 
for  their  corn  and  coffee,  and  Tom,  whose 
credit  was  good  at  the  store,  w-ould  supply 
them  so  long  as  they  made  shingles  for  him 
at  half  price,  and  it  was  whispered  that  when 
their  shingle  account  overran  their  'grub'  bill, 
Tom  would  settle  in  full  in  a  very  ingenuous 
way,  'thusly' :  They  would  meet  at  Tom's 
camp  for  the  spot  cash,  and  would  be  rounded 
up  upon  the  spot  by  the  runaway  catchers, 
who  would  propose  then  and  there  to  'wear 
Tom  to  a  frazzle'  for  supplying  thern  Avith 
'grub'  and  after  carefully  handcuffing  and  ty- 
ing the  runaways  would  actually  show  Tom  a 
large  rawhide,  and  taking  him  out  of  sight  of 
the  runa-Lvays  would  wdiale  the  bark  off  of  one 
of  the  trees,  while  Tom  cried,  "Oh  pray.  Mas- 
ter,' and  then  receive  his  portion  of  the  reward 
for  the  runaways.  Another  original  character 
was  Sancho  (Carr), — his  business  with  his 
partner  was  to  skiff  the  lumljer  down  the 
swamp  ditches  to  the  landing  on  the  Dismal 
Swamp  Canal.  Sancho  and  'pard'  were  gen- 
erally in  the  village  on  the  Saturday  of  every 
fourth  week,  and  on  the  Monday  liked  to 
linger  for  another  half-pint ;  on  one  occasion 
Sancho  told  his  'pard'  if  he  was  so  'keen'  to 
go  to  the  swamp  he  could  saw  the  skiff  in  half 
and  "go  long'  and  he  would  'go  long'  with  the 
other  half  when  he  got  good  and  ready.  But 
on  a  certain  Saturday  Sancho,  who  was  a 
bully  with  his  own  color,  got  too  loud  and  the 
magistrate  warned  him  to  'dry  up'  or  be  tied 
up,  but  this  magistrate  was  not  long  nor  far 
removed  from  the  'poor  white  trash'  as  the 
negroes  called  the  non-slave  holders,  conse- 
quently Sancho  talked  back  and  came  out  sec- 
ond best  by  a  large  majority.  The  following 
I  ;\Ionday  Sancho  was  leaving  very  early  with 
t  his  skiff  and  when  asked  w^hy  was  it  'thusly' 
sadly  replied  that  he  had  found  out  that  Deep 
Creek  was  too  small  for  two  bullies  to  reign 


4o8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


at  the  same  time  and  so  he  was  leaving  for  tlie 
swamp.  These  times  and  scenes  are  now  in 
the  misty  past,  and  with  the  coming  of  the 
new  era,  the  manner  and  means  of  manufactur- 


ing the  Dismal  Swamp  timber  have  entirely 
changed,  and  the  machinery  of  great  mills 
make  the  shingles  now,  instead  of  the  'negro 
hand-made'  of  the  old-time." 


CHAPTER.  XXIV 


BANKS.  INDUSTRIES.  COMMERCIAL   INSTITVTIONS.  HARBOR  GOVERNMENT, 

AND  MASTERS  OF  ARTS 

Banks  ok  Norfolk  County — Industries — The  Norfolk  Silk  Company — Lumber  Mills 
— The  Norfolk  County  Fisheries — Crab  Fisheries — Oyster  Industry — Rates 
OF  Wages  for  Skilled  Labor  and  Clerical  \\'okk — The  Business  Men's  As- 
sociations— The  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's  Association  of  Norfolk 
— The  Portsmouth  Business  Men's  Association — Government  of  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth    Harbor — Masters   of    Arts    of    the     University  of  Virginia. 


the    banks   of   NORFOLK    COUNTY. 

The  banking  po\ver  of  the  county  of  Noi'- 
folk  amounts  to  one-sixth  of  the  total  banking 
power  of  the  whole  State  of  Virginia.  Thir- 
teen regularly  chartered  State  and  National 
banks  located  in  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and 
Berkley,  afford  banking  facilities  for  a  popula- 
tion of  100,000.  Two  of  these  are  National 
banks,  four  Savings  banks  and  seven  State 
banks.  The  combined  surplus  and  undivided 
profits  of  these  institutions  equal  eight  per 
cent,  of  their  total  capital  stock — their  de- 
posits aggregating  nearly  $9,500,000,  with 
loans  of  over  $7,750,000. 

There  have  been  no  serious  bank  failures 
for  over' 15  years,  and  reports  from  which  the 
accompanying  statement  is  prepared  show 
them  all  to  be  in  a  healthy  and  prosperous 
condition. 

The  following  statement  compiled  from 
reports  made  to  the  State  Auditor  by  State 
banks  and  to  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency 
by  National  banks  sht)ws  the  condition  of  the 

24 


banks  of  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and  Berkley  en 
or  about  July  i,  1901 : 


RESOURCES. 

Loans  and   discounts $  7.735.930 

Overdrafts    34.684 

U.   S.   Bonds 16.2.800 

'  U.  S.  Bonds  10  secure  deposits.^ ..;....  950.000 

'  U.  S.  Bonds  to  secure  circulation; 600.000 

Other  stocks,  bonds  and  securities 1,486.724 

■   Due  from  other  banks  and  bankers 1.284,835 

I   Real  estate,  furniture  and  fixtures 526.086 

Checks  and  other  cash  items 268,465 

I   Specie $208,942 

t  Legal     tenders 560,258 

'   Cash  not  classified 6,299  775-499 

I   .\ll   other   resources 63,291 


Total    resources $13,888,314 

LL^BILITIES. 

Capital     stock , $  1,613.038 

Surplu  >     fund .' 709,000 

Other    undivided    profits 629.706 

Circulating     notes .  600,000 

Dividends    unpaid 7,820 

Deposits  subject  to  check 8,559,493 

L'.    S.    deposits 903,492 

Due  to  other  banks  and  bankers. ......... ...  710.755 

.\11  other  liabilities I^f .Geo 


Total    liabilities $13888.314 


4IO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


The  following  table  gives  the  number  ot^ 
banks  in  each  of  the  cities  named,  together  with 
their  capital,  deposits  and  total  resources : 


No.  Banks.     Capital.  Deposits.  Resources. 

Norfolk 8          $1,370,600  $7,732,995  511,679,414 

Portsmouth....  4              21i!,43«  1,580,445  2,024,982 

Berkley 1                 3U,000  149,545  183,918 

Total 13          $1,613,038  $9,612,985  $13,888,314 


The  exchanges  of  the  Clearing  House  of 
Norfolk  City  amounted  to  $57,042,416  on 
September  30,  1900. 

The  figures  given  below  represent  the  prin- 
cipal items  of  resources  and  liabilities  of  the 
banks  in  the  State,  together  with  those  in 
Norfolk -County,  arranged  by  classes: 


No. 


Undivided 
Loans.     Capital.  Deposits.  Surplus.     Protits. 


Nat'l  Banks,     47    S23,l>4.'.3.!!  SiJ,S31,4,W  S2S.364.7.5U   Sl.913,197  S2.480.-:6' 
State  "      ni       3.5..5#.  US    6.4l)i.=o,J    35.4«1.027      1.837.4S3     :,731.(»3 

Private      "        27  1,083.I)U        3J1,6(W       l.SiW.OOO  46.173  5J..500 


Total. 


185  S50.308.777  313.060.580  S53.053.777  53,781.833  $4,264,620 


Nat'l  Banks, 
State  '[ 

Savings 


Sl.993,009 
4.738,416 
1,0311,188 


Norfolk  Co. 

S60l).000  52,961.136 
841..500  5.145,13T 
171, .538       1,3.56.692 


5250,000 

444,000 

15,000 


5182,235 
307,426 
140,045 


Total, 


13    57,770.613      51,613.038    59.462.985      5709.000      6629.706 


A  comparison  of  the  figures  for  Norfolk 
County  with  those  of  the  State  in  the  fore- 
going table  will  indicate  how  large  a  proportion 
of  the  business  transactions  of  the  State  of 
Virginia  is  handled  by  these  it,  banks.  Repre- 
senting only  about  seven  per  cent,  of  the  total 
number  of  banks,  they  have  almost  18  per  cent, 
of  the  total  deposits,  more  than  15  per  cent, 
of  the  whole  amount  of  loans  and  about  13  1-3 
per  cent,  of  the  total  capital.  Their  surplus 
and  undivided  profits  is  about  83  per  cent,  of 
their  capital,  while  the  ratio  for  the  whole  State 
is  about  63  2-3  per  cent. 

Five  National  banks  have  been  organized 
in  the  citv  of  Norfolk,  only  two  of  which  are 


now  (  No\-ember  1.  1901)  in  existence, — two 
having  been  closed  by  the  Comptroller  of  the 
Currency  and  one  going  into  voluntary  liquida- 
tion. 

The  first  bank  organized  in  the  State  under 
the  National  banking  system  was  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Norfolk  (No.  271),  which 
was  authorized  to  begin  business  February  2^. 
1864,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $100,000.  The 
president  was  Calvin  L.  Cole ;  cashier,  W.  G. 
Taylor.  It  failed  June  3,  1874,  and  its  affairs 
W'Cre  settled  by  a  receiver  appointed  by  the 
Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  its  creditors  real- 
izing 57i<^  per  cent. 

The  People's  National  Bank  of  Norfolk 
was  organized  August  31.  1870.  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $100,000,  its  first  otlicers  being  J.  C. 
Deming,  president,  and  William  S.  Wilkinson, 
cashier.  After  doing  business  over  eight  years, 
it  was  permitted  by  the  Comptroller  to  liquidate 
its  affairs,  and  it  ceased  to  exist  as  a  National 
bank  on  July  31,  1878. 

The  Exchange  National  Bank  of  Norfolk 
was  organized  May  13.  1865,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $100,000.  and  later  increased  it  to 
$200,000,  with  a  surplus  of  $150,000.  It  was 
one  of  the  largest  banking  institutions  in  the 
State  of  Virginia  and  its  failure  April.  9,  1885, 
was  for  a  time  a  severe  blow  to  Norfolk,  sev- 
eral smaller  banking  houses  being  directly  or 
indirectly  affected  by  the  closing  of  its  doors, 
and  two  of  such  banks,  together  with  a  number 
of  business  houses,  were  forced  to  suspend 
business. 

The  Comptroller  of  the  Currejicy  (at  that 
time  Hon.  W.  L.  Trenholm)  selected  William 
H.  Peters  as  receiver,  and  upon  him  devolved 
the  difficult  and  arduous  duty  of  winding  up 
the  affairs  of  this  bank,  and  so  efficiently  did 
he  administer  his  trust  that  the  depositors 
realized  72  per  cent,  upon  the  payment  of  the 
final  dividend,  a  few  years  since,  the  claims 
proved  against  the  bank  aggregating  nearly 
$3,000,000. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  banks  in  Nor- 
folk County,  with  their  capital,  date  of  organ- 
ization and  names  of  officers : 


AXD    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


411 


City  National  Bank 


Norfolk  National  Bank 
il(«S> 


Bank  of  Commerce 

(1887) 


Citizens'  Bank 

Matnne  Bank 

Merchants'  &  Mechan- 
ics' Savings  Bank 

(I8S1! 

Norfolk  Bank  for 
Savings  &  Trust 
iltiSS 

Savings  Bank  of 
Norfolk. 
(1886 

Atlantic  Trust  & 
Security  Co. 
Private 
11N»5 


NORFOLK. 

BANK    OFFICERS. 

\.  E.  Krise.  Presiident, 

John  L.  Roper.   Vice-President. 

B.  \V.  Lei«h.  Cashier. 

Caldwell  Hardy.  President. 

C.  W.  Grandy.  Vica-Presidjnt. 
.\.  B.  Schw.ir/kap.  Cishi^jr. 

W.  A.  Godwin,  .^ssist.int  Cashier. 

Nathaniel  Beaman.  President, 
R.  P.  Voi^ht.  \'ice-President, 
HuBh  M.  Kerr.  Cashier. 
M.  C.  Ferebee.  .-Issislant  Cashier. 

Walter  H.  Doyle.  President. 
Tench  F.  Tiltihnian.  Cashier. 
J.  W.  Perry.  Vice-President. 

Walter  H.  Taylor.  President. 

R.  C.  Taylor.  Jr..  Cashier. 

G.  R.  .Atkinson.  Jr..  .Assistant  Cashier. 

W.  H.  Wales.  Jr..  President. 
W.  S.  Si>ratley.  \'ice-President. 
John  E.  Wales.  Cashier. 

Caldwell  Hardy.  President. 
C.  W.  Grandy.  Vice-President. 
W.  W.  Vicar.  Cashier. 

Geortie  W,  Dey.  Presiiient. 
Geo.  Chamberlain.  Cashier. 


CAPITAL. 

s->(Hi.iwn 


4OO.II«0 


200.1)00 


ss.ooo 


30.000 


J.  W.  Perry.  President. 


PORTSMOUTH. 

BAMK    OFFICERS. 


Merchants"  &  Farmers"  John  T.  Griffin.  President. 


Bank 

Bank  of  Portsraonth 

,1867 

Pecy^les'  Bank 

1893) 

Dime  Sa%'ines  Bank 
(1901) 


J.  H.  Toomer.  Cashier. 

W.  G.  Maupin.  Jr..  .Assistant  Cashier. 

Letrh  R.  AA'atts.  President. 
J.  L.   Bilisoly.  Cashier. 
S.  D.  Maupin.  .Assistant  Cashier. 

Franklin  D.  Gill.  President. 
.Alexander  B.  Butt.  Cashier. 

T.  J.  Wool.  President. 
John  H.  Downiny.  Cashier. 

BERKLEY. 

HAiiE.  BANK  OFFICERS. 

Merchants"  *  Planters'  .Alvah  H.  Martin.  President. 
Bank.  W.  L.  Berkley.  Vice-President. 

1809  George  T.  Tilley.  Cashier. 


CAPITAL. 
$  51.500 


100.000 

.50.000 
25.000 


Berkley  Peoples. 
Bank* 

(1901:. 


Foster  Black.  President. 

Joseph  A.  Wallace.  Vice-President. 

William  B.  Dougherty.  Cashier. 


INDUSTRIES. 


30.000 


The  (development  of  the  commercial  and 
industrial  institutions  of  the  two  cities  and 
the  town  of  Berkley  has  been  phenomenal  in 
the  last  decade. 

There  are  two  large  and  successful  brew- 
eries, six  bottling  works,  two  grain  mills,  two 
creosoting  plants,  seven  peanut-cleaning  estab- 
lishments,   three    paper-box    factories,    three 

*This  bank  was  organized  in  July.  1901;  as  the  bank  statements 
preceding  this  list  of  the  banking  institutions  of  the  county  were  to 
d«e  of  July  1.  1901.  the  statement  of  the  Berkley  Peoples  Bank 
was  not  included. 


book-binderies,  nine  factories  for  making  bar- 
rels, boxes  and  crates  for  trucks  and  fruits, 
five  ice  factories,  two  cotton  compresses,  eight 
cotton-knitting  mills,  lo  fertilizer  factories, 
one  nnnufactory  of  silver-plated  ware,  car- 
riage and  harness  factories,  agricultural  im- 
plement works,  fiiundries,  machine  shops,  slii[)- 
yards.  marine  railwavs,  cigar  and  caiid\' 
factories,  grain  elevators.  i8  saw  and  planing 
mills,  two  furniture  factories,  one  peanut  oil 
and  fibre  works,  one  shirt  and  overall  factory, 
the  government  shipyard,  the  largest  coaling 
station  in  the  world,  several  sash,  door  and 
blind  factories,  six  brick  plants,  one  fence  fac- 
tory, one  trunk  factory,  one  hat  factory,  three 
electrical  supply  works,  three  steam  laundries, 
one  lightning  rod  factory,  one  silk  factory,  and 
the  fisheries  and  oyster  industry.  Some  idea 
of  their  inception  and  progress  may  be  ol>- 
tained   from  the   following  details : 

THE    NORFOLK    SILK    COMPANY. 

According  to  late  statistics,  there  are  865 
silk  manufacturing  establishments  in  the  Uni/' 
ted  States,  and  Norfolk  County  enjoys  the  dis- 
tinction of  having  one  of  tliem  within  her 
borders.  It  is  a  comparatively  new  enterprise 
for  this  section,  and  indeed  is  one  of  the  pio- 
neer mills  of  the  kind  in  the  South.  The  Nor- 
folk Silk  Company  owns  and  operates  the 
plant,  which  is  located  at  Lambert's  Point. 
The  company  was  very  unfortunate  in  the 
start,  having  had  its  building  about  half  de- 
stroyed by  fire  just  before  the  Itjoms  were  ready 
for  i-nstallation,  but  the  old  saying  that  a  poor 
beginning  makes  a  good  ending  bids  fair  to  be 
verified  in  this  instance.  The  mill  is  now 
equipped  with  nearly  150  looms,  and  is  capable 
of  producing  upwards  of  20,000  yards  of  silk 
jier  week.  _ 

America  is  a  silk  manufacturing  country, 
but  not  silk  producing,  and  the  raw  materials 
have  to  be  imp<irted.  When  this  material  ar- 
rives here  it  is  mostly  soiled,  matted  and  glu- 
tinous, and  the  preparation  of  it  foj  the  loom 
requires  careful  and  laborious  attention.    First 


412 


mSTOfiY  ,  OF   .NORFOLK   COUNTY 


of  all  the  raw  silk  must  be  carefully  assorted, 
and  then  soaked  to  remove  the  glutin  and  other 
impurities,  After  having  been  dried,  it  is  spun, 
wound  and  doubled,  if  for  tram  or  filling.  If 
for  organzine  or  warp,  after  winding  it  must 
be  spun  twice,  first  with  14  turns  to  the  right 
and  then  with  16  turns  to  the  left.  Then  this 
thread  must  be  doubled  and  redoubled  as  many 
times  as  may  be  necessary  to  give  the  desired 
weight  to  the  goods,  after  which  each  of  these 
augmented  threads  is  spun  again  to  give  it 
greater  strength,  and  reeled  to  put  back  into 
skein  form  for  dyeing.  After  the  d_\eing  comes 
another  w'inding,  and  then  a  stringing  or  pull- 
ing to  soften  and  polish  the  threads  that  have 
become  roughened  by  these  various  processes. 
When  the  organzine  thus  prepared  has  been 
made  int(j  warp  on  warping  mills,  it  is  deftly 
twisted  into  the  loom  harness  for  weaving. 
But  before  the  weaving  begins,  every  particle 
of  this  warp  must  be  carefully  inspected  or 
picked  (as  it  is  called).  This  process  recjuires 
great  skill  and  is  accomplished  by  an  extreme- 
ly delicate  little  instrument  which  is  used  by 
the  operator  of  the  loom.  When  the  weaving 
is  completed  the  goods  are  calendered  by  pass- 
ing over  hot  metal  cylinders,  and  it  is  in  this 
process  that  the  moire  or  watered  effects  are 
produced. 

The  experiment  of  manufacturing  silk 
goods  in  Norfolk  County  has  so  far  proven 
very  successful,  and  the  product  has  already 
won  a  high  standing  in  the  market.  It  will 
no  doubt  lead  to  the  establishment  of  other 
factories  of  the  same  character,  and_  then  we 
have  to  look  into  the  future  only  a  few  y;ears 
to  see  this  section  as  noted  for  its  silks  goods 
as  it  is  today  for  its  cotton  fabrics. 

Ll'MBER  MILLS. 

There  are  handled  here  about  1.000,000,000 
feet  of  lumber  a  year.  The  lumber  mills  em- 
ploy about  5,000  men ;  their  pay-rolls  aggre- 
gate $150,000  per  month,  or  nearly  $2,000,000 
annually.  These  mills  require  thousands  of 
dollars  worth  of  provisions  for  their  men,  and 


many  more  thousands  of  dollars  worth  of  hay 
and  feed  for  the  great  number  of  cattle  em- 
ployed in  hauling  timber  and  logs  out  of  the 
forest.  This,  together  with  a  large  amount 
paid  out  for  chains,  axes,  ropes  and  other  sup- 
plies needed  in  this  work,  places  the  lumber 
interests,  in  this  immediate  locality,  very  far 
ahead  in  the  line  of  home  profit  and  production 
of  any  other  branch  of  business  enterprise  in 
our  midst ;  and  it  is  growing  larger  and  larger 
every  year  in  order  to  supply  the  increasing  de- . 
mand  from  all  parts  of  this  great  country  for 
Southern  pine  '.umber. 

THE  NORFOLK  COUNTY  FISHERIES 

Have  for  years  been  of  great  importance,  as 
the  ocean  each  year  sends  in  its  finny  wealth 
in  an  unfailing  supply,  and  the  varieties  diffei"' 
according  to  the  season. 

The  fish  run  mainly  in  nine  months.  In 
March,  April,  May  and  June  the  prevailing 
fish  are  shad,  croaker,  trout  and  gray  trout. 
In  July  and  August  the  schools  of  Spanish 
tnackerel,  bluefish  and  spots  are  abundant  and 
in  prime  condition.  In  September,  October, 
and  November  the  fish  that  are  abundant  are^ 
salmon  trout,  gray  trout,  spots  and  rockfish. 

The  local  fisheries  are  mainlv  at  Virginia 
Beach,  Ocean  View  and  in  the  James  River. 
There  are  six  fisheries  (deep  sea)  at  Virginia 
Beach, — these  employ  about  100  to  120  men 
and  about  15  boats.  Ocean  View  has  about  10 
fisheries,  employing  about  200  men  and  30 
boats.  The  Ocean  View  fish  are  mainly  sold 
in  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and  Berkley  for  local 
consumption.  The  James  River  has  hundreds 
of  small  fisheries  on  either  shore,  and  this  noted- 
stream  has  a  great  wealth  of  fish,  oysters  and 
crabs.  Buckroe  Beach  is  the  site  of  many 
fisheries  that  make  a  large  annual  catch. 

These,  and  other  fisheries,  contribute  heav- , 
ily  to, swell  Norfolk  County's  annual  volume, 
of  trade,  and  packers  ship  them  to  all  the  im-; 
portant  points  east  of  the  Mississippi   River. 

The  waters  of  the  Norfolk  County  section . 
produce   not    onlv    the   species    of   fish    above 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


4'3 


noted,  but  to  a  more  limited  extent,  pompaiin. 
sheepshead,  black  bass,  white  and  sun  perch, 
Soutliern  white  and  horned  cluib,  mullet, 
carp,  pike,  suckers,  flat-back  gar,  liogfish, 
wiiitesides  and  eels.  Eels  are  caught  in  abun- 
dance from  the  wharves  of  the  cities  by  small 
boys,  but  they  are  not  much  esteemed  locally, 
on  account  of  the  abundance  of  other  more 
prized  food  tishes. 

CR.\B   FISHERIES. 

The  crab  is  "one  of  the  oldest  inhabitants"' 
of  the  Norfolk  County  section,  and  is  abun- 
dant. The  hard-shells  furnish  a  large  portion 
of  the  food  supply  of  many  families  along 
Tidewater  and  also  support  a  number  of  "crab 
factories,"  where  the  meats  are  removed  from 
the  shells  and  packed  for  shipment  to  Northern 
markets.  In  many  instances  the  shells  are 
shipped  also,  and  the  meats  and  shells  unite 
again  as  "deviled  crabs"  in  the  high-class  res- 
taurants, cafes  and  hotels  of  the  North  and 
West. 

The  soft  crabs,  or  "peelers"  (crabs  about 
to  cast  off  their  shells),  are  packed  in  boxes 
and  sent  to  Northern  markets,  where  they 
bring  fair  prices. 

The  hard  crabs  sell  for  a  few  cents.  Deviled 
crabs  are  hawked  about  the  streets  of  the  cities 
of  the  county  at  a  nickel  each. 

OYSTER    INDUSTRY. 

For  many  years  Norfolk  County  has  been 
one  of  the  principal  seats  of  the  great  oyster 
industry  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  and  her  bi- 
valves have  acquired  a  well-deserved  fame  in 
the  great  markets  of  the  country. 

Most  of  the  oysters  handled  at  this  port 
are  "tonged,'"  that  is,  picked  up  from  the  rocky 
bottoms  by  means  of  tongs  that  resemble  gar- 
den rakes  fastened  together  like  the  two  arms 
of  a  pair  of  fire  tongs.  They  have  handles 
about  12  to  30  feet  long,  enabling  the  "tonger" 
to  work  in  water  of  that  depth.  The  last  leg- 
islature, however,  so  amended  the  ovster  laws 


that  dredging  is  permitted  when  the  special 
consent  of  the  State  Board  of  Fisheries  is  ob- 
tained. 

All  Norfolk  County  oysters  enjoy  a  good 
reputation,  but   the  greatest  prestige  attaches 
lu  the  celebrated  "Lynnhaven"  oysters.     These 
come  from  Lynnhaven  Bay,  just  inside  of  Cape 
Henr_\-,  in  Princess  Anne  County,  formerly  in- 
cluded in  Lower  Norfolk  County.     The  supply 
of   "Lynnhaven"   is   limited   and   the   price   is 
always  high.     They  are  shipped  away  in  the 
}  shell  for  high-class  restaurant  and  hotel  trade, 
and  figure  on  the  bill  of  fare  at  Delmonico's 
and  other  places  of  a  similarly  high  character. 
The  great  bulk  of  oysters  brought  to  Nor- 
'  folk  and  Portsmouth  are  "shucked"  here  and 
shipped  in  barrels  or  pails    (iced)    to  all  the 
principal    cities     east   of   the   Mississippi    and 
stme  even  go  to  parts  farther  west. 
I         As   one  goes  out   in   Norfolk  and   Ports- 
;  mouth  harbor,  he  sees  many  small  boats  from 
which  colored  men  are  poking  long  tongs  down 
into  the  water,  then  drawing  them  up  to  dump 
;  their  muddy  load  on  the  boat's  bottom.     When 
i  a  load  is  obtained,  they  are  culled  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  the  law.     The  law  as  amended 
at   the  last   session  of  the   State   Legislature 
and  applying  to  all  public  rocks,  with  certain 
limited  exceptions,  pre.scribes  that  all  ovsters 
less   than   three   inches  in   length    from   hinge 
to  mouth  must  be  thrown  back  on  the  oyster 
rocks  to  grow  to  greater  size. 

When  the  small  boat  is  loaded,  the  men 
pull  up  to  their  sloop  near-by  and  there  deposit 
their  oysters  until  the  sloop  is  loaded  and  sails 
to  Norfolk  or  Portsmouth,  where  its  cargo  is 
disposed  of  to  one  of  the  many  packers  ready 
to  buy  for  cash.  In  some  cases  the  packers 
have  sloops  out  on  the  oyster  grounds  and  buy 
the  oysters  from  the  "tongers."  The  "tong- 
ers"  are,  as  a  rule,  colored  men,  and  they  make 
on  an  average  $2  to  S4  a  day  during  the'  oyster 
season,  that  lasts  from  September  ist  to  April 
25th. 

When  the  oysters  reach  the  packing  house, 
they  go  to  the  "shuckers."  who  deftly  oi)en  the 
shells   and   drop   the   oysters   into   receptacles 


414 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


provided  for  them.  An  expert  "shucker"  wil' 
open  about  30  bushels  per  day.  He  receives 
for  his  work  20  cents   per  gallon  of  meats. 

As  the  oysters  are  shucked,  the  meats  are 
put  up  in  barrels,  tubs,  pails  and  cans,  for  ship- 
ment. The  oyster  industry  probably  supports 
many  thousand  people  in  Norfolk  County. 

The  oyster  packers  are  also,  as  a  rule, 
oyster  farmers  and  they  control  a  large  acreage 
under  water,  that  is  leased  from  the  State  of 
Virginia,  at  an  annual  rental  of  $1  per  acre. 
These  lands  so  leased  are  submerged  lands 
with  a  good  firm  surface,  suitable  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  oysters  and  do  not  (in  theory)  em- 
brace natural  oyster  rocks. 

The  planter  secures  his  seed  oysters  from 
the  James  River  which,  since  other  seed  beds 
have  nearly  all  been  destroyed,  has  become  the 
seed  bed  to  which  planters  all  along  the  At- 
lantic Coast  resort  for  young  oysters. 

Previously  to  planting  his  seed,  the  oyster 
man  has  prepared  his  planting  ground  (if  it 
is  not  all  ready  in  condition)  by  scattering 
over  it  many  boat-loads  of  rocks  or  old  oyster 
shells.  These  are  essential,  for  the  "spat"  of 
the  oysters  needs  these  as  bases  on  which  to 
cling.  The  oysters  then  grow  rapidly  and  are 
ready  for  the  market  at  the  age  of  three  years. 
At  the  age  of  one  year  the  oyster  is  about  one 
inch  in  size,  two  inches  at  two  years,  and  three 
inches  or  over  at  three  years.  These  are  shell 
measurements. 

To  guard  its  interests  in  the  natural  oyster 
rocks,  which  are  the  property  of  the  Common- 
wealth, the  State  maintains  an  "ovster  navy," 
consisting  of  two  small  gunboats  and  one 
sloop.  The  gunboat  "Chesapeake"  is  manned 
by  10  to  12  men  and  is  equipped  with  a  large 
stand  of  Winchesters  and  other  guns.  The 
gunboat  "Accomack"  has  about  as  many  men 
and  is  similarly  equipped.  The  sloop  is  also 
an  important  part  of  the  fleet. 

These  vessels  are  constantly  on  the  oyster 
beds  on  the  lookout  for  oyster  thieves  who, 
some  years  ago,  were  a  great  pest.  Within 
the  past  few  years,  however,  the  vigilance  and 
acti\'ity  of  the  fleet  have  tended  to  make  the 


stealing  of  oysters   from  the   public  grounds 
both  dangerous  and  unprofitable. 

When  a  poacher  is  discovered,  there  fol- 
lows a  lively  chase  and  he  is  usually  over- 
hauled, but  sometimes  the  poachers  reach  tb- 
shore,  abandon  their  boats  and  escape.  When 
they  are  captured,  summary  justice  is  meted 
out  to  them,  usually  a  fine  and  sometimes  a 
fine  and  imprisonment  and  confiscation  of  their 
boats  and  outfits. 

RATES  OF  WAGES  FOR  SKILLED  LABOR  AND  CLER- 
ICAL  WORK. 

The  wages  paid  in  Norfolk  County  for  the 
different  kinds  of  skilled  labor  and  clerical 
work,  according  to  figures  prepared  for  the 
years  1900,  are  fair  and  proportionate  to  the 
expenses  for  board,  clothing,  house  rents,  fuel, 
etc.  The  following  are  some  of  the  customary 
rates  classified : 

Bakers — $8.12  per  week  of  60  hours. 

Binders — $9.15  per  week. 

Bricklayers — $4  per  day  of  8  hours. 

Blacksmiths — $2.50  to  $3.00  per  day. 

Carpenters — $2  to  $2.70  per   day   of  9  hours. 

Cooks,  hotel — $25   to  $150  per  month. 

Cooks,  private — $7  to  $10  per  month. 

Bookkeepers — $40  to  $100  per  month. 

Factory  hands — $j  to  $9  per  week. 

Freestone  cutters — $3.50  per   day   of  8  hours. 

Granite  cutters — $3  per  day  of  8  hours. 

Hod  carriers — $1.50  ner  day  of  8  hours. 

Hotel  waiters — $12  to  $25  per  month. 

House  servants — $6  to  $10  per  month. 

Hostlers — $16  to  $35  per  month. 

Laborers — $1  to  $1.50  per  day  of  8  hours. 

Lathers — $2  per  thousand. 

'Longshoremen — $1.50  to  $2  per  day  of  8  hours. 

Alotormen — 15  cents  per  hour. 

Masons — $24  to  $30  per  week. 

Molders — $10  to  $15  per  week. 

Nurses — f7  to  $12  per  month. 

Printers : 

Machine — $17  per  week  of  8  hours. 

Book  and  job — $15  per  week  of  9  hours. 
Pressmen — $12  to  $18  per  week. 
Painters — $10  to  $15  per  week. 
PlumbersT-$i2  to  $15  per  week. 
Stationary  engineers — $9  to  $15  per  week. 
Sewing  women — $2.50  to  $4  per  week. 
Salesmen — $35  to  $100  per  month. 
Saleswomen — $12  to  $50  per  month. 
Street  car  conductor; — ij  cents  per  hour. 
Stonemasons — $3.50  per   day   of  8   hours. 
Tailors — $12  to  $18  per  week. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


415 


Tinners— $12  to  $18  per  week. 
Truck  drivers — $5  to  $8  per  week. 

THE  BUSINESS  MEN's  ASSOCI.^TIONS 

Were  organized  to  promote  the  business  in- 
terests of  tlie  cities  by  drawing  capital  to  them 
and  encouraging  the  location  of  mercantile  and 
manufacturing  concerns  in  them,  to  direct  at- 
tention tt>  their  advantages,  and  particularly 
to  engender  a  more  general  and  social  inter- 
course amongst  gentlemen  vi  all  branches  of 
legitimate  business  residing  in  the  cities  and 
vicinity. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Norfolk 
was  organized  in  1801,  reorganized  in  1888. 
and  is,  therefore,  one  of  the  oldest  commercial 
bodies  of  the  country.  Those  two  dates,  those 
of  its  institution  and  reinstitution,  are  engraved 
on  its  seal.  It  is  a  coincidence  that  each  marks 
an  era  of  prosperitv  in  the  history  of  Nor- 
folk. 

It  is  not,  however,  for  its  age  only  that  this 
body  is  distinguished.  It  is  useful  and  influen- 
tial as  well.  The  Chamber  has  representatives 
of  all  industries  and  interests,  hnancial,  me- 
chanical, and  professional,  cf  the  city. 

It  is,  therefore,  the  special  guardian  of  the 
city's  commercial  interests,  and  the  forum,  so 
to  speak,  for  its  merchants  of  all  sorts.  It  is 
still  serviceable  in  that  particular,  although 
with  the  organization  of  other  public  bodies 
it  confines  itself  to  its  own  special  field.  At  the 
same  time  it  is  concerned,  in  the  broadest  sense, 
with  the  development  of  the  industrial  and 
manufacturing  interests  of  the  South. 

On  April  29,  1890,  the  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation of  Norfolk  was  incorporated  with  th 
following  gentlemen  as  incorporators:  E.  M. 
Henry,  Barton  Myers,  Samuel  Hodges,  Walter 
Sharp,  W.  Thompson  Barron,  N.  Burruss,  S. 
L.  Foster,  N.  P.  Catling,  C.  A.  Nash,  ;Michael 
Glennan.  W.  S.  Franklin,  V.  D.  Groner,  Ken- 
ton C.  Murray,  H.  Hodges.  James  W.  Mc- 
Carrick,  William  N.  Portlock.  H.  G.  Williams. 
William  Pannill.  Alfred  P.  Thom  and  R.  B. 
Cooke.  The  officers  for  the  first  year  were: 
President,   E.   ]\I.   Henry;    ist   vice-president, 


Barton  Myers;  2nd  vice-president  Samuel 
Hodges;  secretary,  W'alter  Sharp;  treasurer, 
W.  Thompson  Barron. 

THE    BO.-VRD    OF    TRADE    AND    BUSINESS    MESi'S 
ASSOCIATION  OF  NORFOLK. 

The  Association,  under  the  able  manage- 
ment of  its  officers,  continued  to  flourish  until 
February  10,  1898,  when  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  Merchants'  and  Manufacturers' 
Exchange  and  Wholesale  Grocers'  Associa- 
tion amalgamated  with  it  under  the  title  of 
"The  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's  As- 
ciation  of  Norfolk,  Virginia." 

The  officers  from  its  organization  have 
been : 


ELECTED. 

PRESIDE.NTS. 

RETIRED 

. 

April  9, 

1890. 

E.  M.  Henry, 

anuary  30 

1896 

anuary  30, 

lS9fi, 

T.  M.  \Vilco.\, 

anuary  13, 

1898 

anuary  l.i 

1S98, 

H.  Hodges, 

January  10, 

1S99 

anuary  10, 

1899, 

R.  H.  Jones, 

January    9, 

1900 

January    9 

1900, 

H.  C.  Hudgins. 

1st.   VICE    PRESIDENTS 

April       16, 

1890, 

Barton  Mvers, 

January  12 

1892 

January  12, 

1><92, 

R.  B.Cooke, 

January  10 

l>-93 

January  10, 

1893, 

H.  Hodges, 

January  30, 

1896 

January  30, 

1896, 

Walter  Sharp, 

January  12 

1897 

January  12, 

1897, 

E.  E.  Dawes, 

January  13, 

1898 

January  13, 

1898, 

H.  S.  Herman, 

January  10, 

1899 

January  10, 

1899, 

H.  C.  Hudgins, 

January    9, 

19J) 

January    9, 

190O, 

W.  H.  Wales. 

2d.  VICE  PRESIDENTS. 

April       16, 

1890, 

Samuel  Hodges, 

January  10, 

1891 

January  10, 

1891, 

R.  B.  Cooke, 

January  12, 

1892 

January  12, 

1892, 

Walter  Sharp, 

January  22, 

1895 

January  22, 

189.5, 

S.  L.  Foster, 

January  30, 

1896 

January  30, 

1896, 

E.  E.  Dawes, 

January  12, 

1897 

January  12, 

1897, 

D.  McCormick, 

January  13, 

1898 

January  13, 

1898, 

B.  L.  Christian, 

January  10, 

1899 

January  10. 

1899, 

W.  H.  Wales, 

January    9, 

1900 

January    9, 

1900, 

C.  W.  Fentress. 

SECRETARIES. 

April        9, 

1890, 

Walter  Sharp, 

Nov'ber    7, 

1890 

Nov'ber    7, 

1890, 

C.  Pickett,  (Died) 

March   25, 

1899 

March    25, 

1899, 

E.  E.  Dawes. 

TREASURER. 

April        9, 

1890, 

W.  T.  Barron, 

January    8, 

1900 

January    9, 

1900, 

R.  M.  Wilkinson. 

STATISTICAN. 

May          1, 

1898, 

E.  E.  Dawes. 

4i6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


THE    PORTSMOUTH     BUSINESS    MEN  S    ASSOCIA- 
TION 

Was  incorporated  December  12,  1901,  with 
the  fallowing  officers  :  President,  T.  J.  Wool ; 
treasurer,  J.  H.  Downing;  secretary,  I.  T.  Van  i 
Patten ;  vice-presidents,— Alexander  B.  Butt, 
A.  L.  Dashiell,  A.  H.  Lindsay,  Jr.,  G.  Hatton, 
John  L.  Watson;  board  of  directors, — Frank- 
lin D.  Gill,  W.  A.  Jenkins,  Charles  G.  Hume, 
Frank  Lindsay,  John  C.  Emmerson,  E.  L. 
Lash,  P.  C.  Trugien  O.  L.  Williams,  B.  1 
Hofheimer,  M.  P.  Claud,  R.  S.  Mackan. 

GOVERNMENT    OF    NORFOLK    AND    PORTSMOUTH 
HARBOR. 

Board  of  Harbor  Commissioners : — Rich- 
ard A.  Dobie,  president;  Walter  H.  Doyle, 
treasurer;  J.  M.  Hudgins,  secretary;  Wynd- 
ham  R.  Mayo,  Joseph  A.  Parker,  John  L. 
Thomas,  Henry  Kirn,  Dr.  G.  N.  Halstead ; 
committee  on  harbor  police,  Wyndham  R. 
Mayo,  Henry  Kirn  and  John  L.  Thomas; 
committee  on  docks  and  wharves,  Joseph  A. 
Parker,  Dr.  G.  N.  Halstead  and  Wyndham 
R.  Mayo;  committee  on  port  warden  lines, 
Walter  H.  Doyle,  Joseph  A.  Parker  and  Dr. 
G.  X.  Halstead.  The  president  is.  cx-officio.  a 
member  of  each  of  the  standing  committees. 
W.  T.  Brooks  is  engineer  of  the  board. 

The  harbor  masters  are :  William  W. 
Bain,  J.  M.  Berkley  and  C.  E.  Yeatman.  They 
are  charged  with  general  and  specific  duties 
as  defined  in  the  rules,  regulations  and  orders 
of  the  commissioners,  which  have  been,  or  may 
be  from  time  to  time,  promulgated. 

Their  jurisdiction  is  concurrent  over  the 
harbor  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  They  are 
vested  with  authority  to  designate  the  anchor- 
age grounds  of  all  vessels,  and  are  required 
to  keep  the  channel-way  and  track  of  steamers 
clear. 

It  is  their  duty  to  berth  vessels  at  appro- 
priate wharves  and  dock;  and,  when  called 
upon  by  the  proprietor'  or  occupant  of  any 
wharf  or  dock,  to  change  the  berth  of  any  ves- 


sel lying  at  such  occupant's  premises,  it  is  made 
their  duty  to  move  such  vessel  to  some  other 
wharf,  or  to  a  safe  anchorage  in  the  stream. 

They  are  charged  with  the  execution  of  the 
police  regulations  which  have  been,  or  may 
hereafter  be  adopted  for  the  better  government 
of  the  harbor,  and  will  report  all  delinquents 
and  offenders  to  the  committee  on  harbor 
police. 

The  practice  of  boarding  vessels  below,  or 
on  their  arrival  in,  the  harbor  is  no  longer 
deemed  necessary,  and  the  harbor  masters  have 
been  relieved  of  this  duty,  but  they  are  required 
to  see  that  the  regulations  forbidding  vessels 
from  anchoring  in  the  channel-way,  or  m  the 
track  of  steamers,  is  strictly  observed. 

They  are  entitled  to  receive  as  compensa- 
tion, fees,  as  follows,  viz :  Three  dollars  per 
month  from  each  steamer  (except  those  trad- 
ing through  the  canals,  ferry-boats  and  tugs) 
that  runs  regularly  to  the  port,  and  from  all 
transient  vessels  arriving  from,  or  destined 
to,  any  foreign  port  as  follows : 

Schooners  and  brigs $3.00 

Barks    4-00 

Ships     500 

Steamships    S-OO 

They  are  also  entitled  to  receive  from  all 
vessels  in  the  coasting  trade,  arriving  here, 
whose  length  over  all  is  75  feet  and  upwards, 
a  fee  of  $3,  to  be  paid  only  once  in  a  twelve- 
month. The  harbor  masters  are  required  to 
keep  a  register  of  all  such  coasting  vessels  for 
reference  and  for  examination  by  the  commis- 
sioners. 

They  are  required  to  see  that  the  regula- 
tions of  the  United  States  government,  requir- 
ing fog  horns  to  be  blown,  or  ships'  bells  rung, 
by  all  vessels  anchored  within  the  harbor  dur- 
ing the  prevalence  of  fog,  are  strictly  con- 
formed to,  and  they  are  required  to  report  all 
delinquents  to  the  committee  on  harbor  police. 

M.\STERS   OF   ARTS   OF   THE    UNIVERSITY   OF  VIR- 
GINIA. 

The  degree  of  Alaster  of  x\rts  of  the  Uni- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


417 


versity  of  Virginia  was  first  awarded  in  1832, 
the  recipient  being  George  N.  Johnson,  of 
Richmond,  Virginia.  Between  1832  and  1900, 
inchiding  the  session  of  1899-1900,  there  have 
been  343  Masters.  Omitting  five  years,  1862- 
1866  inclusive,  during  which  the  degree  was 
not  conferred,  the  average  number  a  session 
has  been  alxnit  five.  Tlie  number  prior  to  1861 
and  lietwecn  1867  and  1894  was  less  than  the 
average,  while  the  average  number  for  the  last 
seven  years  has  been  about  10.  Of  the  343 
Masters  of  Arts,  287  have  been  from  Virginia. 
The  counties  l)est  represented  have  been  Al- 
bemarle (56),  Henrico  (40),  Norfolk  (20), 
Louisa  (11),  Loudoun  (11).  Of  the  remain- 
ing 56  Masters  of  Arts,  representing  15  States, 
South  Carolina  has  1 1  and  Maryland  10. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  citizens  of  Nor- 
folk County,  who  have  taken  the  M.  A.  degree 
at  the  University : 

William    R.    Gait.    Norfolk 1842 

Crawford    H.    Toy.    Norfolk 1856 

Dr.  Douglass  C.  Cannon.  Norfolk 1859 

Richard    Walke.    Norfolk i860 

Richard  B.  Tunstall,  Norfolk 1868 

Robert    M.    Hughes.    Norfolk 1877 

Kfnneth  A.   Bain.   Portsmouth 1882 

John    B.    Jenkins.    Norfolk 1882 


Walter  D.  Toy,   Norfolk 1882 

George  McK.  Bain.  Portsmoutn 1883 

Mmton    \V.    Talbot,    Norfolk 1889 

Mallorv  K.   Cannon,  Norfolk 1892 

William    W.    OKI,   Jr 1894 

H.  St.  George  Tucker.  Norfolk 1895 

G.   Winston    Parrish.    Porlsniouth 1896 

Robert   .\.   Stewart,   Portsmouth 1898 

Everett   O.    Eastwood,    Portsmouth 1899 

James  W.  Hunter,  Jr 1899 

Morris  P.  Tilley.  Berkley 1899 

Robert    B.    Tunstall.    Norfolk 1899 

Littleton   T.    Walke,   Norfolk 1899 

Princess  Anne  County  has  to  her  credit 
two  Master  of  Arts  degrees.  Cincijmatus 
Morris  took  the  degree  about  1857,  and  Cap- 
tain William  \V.  Old,  then  a  resident  of  Prin- 
cess Anne,  but  now  of  Norfolk,  took  it  in  1861. 
All  the  degrees  of  M.  A.  credited  to  Norfolk 
County  go  to  the  account  of  the  cities  of  Nor- 
folk and  Portsmouth  and  the  town  of  Berkley. 

The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  of  the 
University  of  Virginia  was  first  offered  to  stu- 
dents who  proposed  to  devote  their  energies 
to  special  study  and  research  in  some  of  the 
various  departments  of  letters  or  science  in  the 
catalogue  for  1880-81.  This  degree  was 
awarded  Robert  A.  Stewart  of  Portsmouth, 
\'irg"inia,  June  12.  1901. 


CHAPTER  XXV 


THE  VNITED  STATES  NAVY  YARD 

Advantages  of  its  Situation — Virginia  Ownership — Gosport  Navy  Yard — Purchases 
OF  Land  for  the  Navy  Yard — Construction  of  the  Stone  Dry  Dock — Improve- 
ment of  the  Navy  Yard. 


The  greatest  public  institution  in  Norfolk 
County  is  the  United  States  Navy  Yard,  lo- 
cated on  the  west  side  of  the  Southern  Branch 
of  the  Elizabeth  River;  on  the  south  and  part- 
ly within  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Portsmouth. 
It  is  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Hig. 
street  and  the  ferry  wharf.  The  main  en- 
trance is  by  an  arched  way  through  a  large 
building  extending  from  the  river  to  the  yard 
of  the  Admiral's  residence.  On  the  right  of 
the  entrance  is  the  marine  guard-room,  on  the 
left  the  labor  board's  quarters  and  the  watch- 
men's room.  This  Navy  Y"ard  is  one  of  the 
oldest,  the  best  located  geographically  in  the 
United  States,  and  is  excellently  equipped  for 
constructing,  fitting  out  and  repairing  men-of- 
war  of  all  classes.  It  is  located  near  enough 
to  the  Virginia  capes  to  be  easily  accessible, 
for  Hampton  Roads  carries  the  ocean  up  to  its 
very  wharves,  and  at  the  same  time  it  is  in  a 
position  readily  defended  from  attacks  either 
by  water  or  land.  Fortress  Monroe  and  Fort 
Wool  are  the  grim  barriers  which  guard  it 
from  foeign  foes  and  the  benign  effects  of  the 
Gulf  Stream  keep  away  ice  blockades,  which 
have  only  occurred  twice  in  two  centuries. 
The  mildness  of  the  climate  allows  work  of  all 
sorts  to  be  carried  on  at  all  seasons  of  the  year 
without  interruption.  It  is  in  every  aspect  the 
finest  location  for  a  great  naval  station  on  the 


Atlantic  Coast.  The  products  of  the  great 
Pocahontas  coal  mines  are  unloaded  from  cars 
within  its  walls,  and  coal  is  the  life  of  the  great 
iron  battleships,  which  are  necessary  to  protect 
our  coasts  and  the  great  Chesapeake  Bay  with 
its  navigable  rivers  penetrating  into  the  very 
heart  of  some  of  the  richest  States  in  the 
Union,  one  of  them,  the  Potomac,  leading  from 
its  magnificent  capital.  England  first  estab- 
lished a  marine-yard  on  the  site  of  our  Navy 
Yard,  but  the  Virginians  took  charge  of  it  on 
the  departure  of  Lord  Dunmore  and  used  it 
with  varied  fortunes  until  it  became  the  United 
States  Navy  Y'ard  at  Gosport.  The  name  Gos- 
port was  doubtless  taken  from  Gosport,  near 
Portsmouth,  England,  where  one  of  the  most 
important  of  the  British  dockyards  is  located. 
There  is  a  tradition  that  this  place  had  been 
used  for  some  time,  before  the  establishment 
of  the  marine  yard  by  the  British,  as  a  careen- 
ing-ground  for  their  ships.  A  letter  written 
in  1824  by  Miles  King,  Esq.,  United  States 
navy  agent,  states  that  scarcely  had  the  British 
government  commenced  its  work  for  the  com- 
pletion of  the  naval  establishment,  when  the 
Revolution  began,  and  the  yard,  together  with 
the  adjoining  property  of  Andrew  Sprowle, 
the  British  navy  agent,  became  confiscated  and 
forfeited  to  the  State  of  Virginia. 

Virginia  immediately  commenced  prepara- 


AiND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


419 


tii:)ns  for  establishing-  a  na\'y  aaid  \igurous 
measures  were  adopted  to  tliat  end.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1776,  the  Virginia  Convention  passed 
an  ordinance  for  building  a  navy  and  directed 
the  commissioners  of  the  navy  to  provide  ma- 
teria! f'M'  two  32-gun  frigates  and  four  galleys, 
also  to  enlist  sailors  to  serve  on  the  fleet  three 
years  from  March  i,  1777. 

In  ^larch,  1777,  Thomas  Talbot  entered 
into  a  contract  with  Paul  Loyall  and  David 
Stoddard,  commissioners  of  the  Continental 
shipyard,  located  at  Gosport,  near  Portsmouth 
(on  the  site  of  the  present  Navy  Yard),  to 
furnish  timljers  for  the  frame  of  a  frigate  to 
be  built  by  the  Continental  Congress.  The 
contract  price  was  £1,000  ($3,333-33 ),  and 
it  was  estimated  at  the  outset  by  the  experts 
that  it  would  require  200  oak  trees  and  120 
pine  trees.  The  following  are  the  dimensions 
of  the  timbers  furnished  and  give  some  indi- 
cation (;f  the  size  and  character  nf  this  frigate 
(or  cruiser)  of  that  era  : 

For   Keel  and   Keelson,  324   feet. 

Stem  and  Linding.  100  feet. 

Stern  Post.  Quarter  Pieces.  Logs  and  Knee.  120  feet. 

73    Floor   Timbers.    18   ft.   long   each. 

226   Lower   Futtocks,    15   ft.   long  each. 

113  Fair  of  Timbers  of  a  side,  middle  and  upper 
Futtocks  and  Top  Timbers — containing  53  ft.  in  each 
Fair. 

67  Large  Beams.  34  ft.  each. 

20S   Knees    for    Do. 

30   Beam>  for  Quarter  Deck.  30  ft.   each. 

120   Knees    for    same. 

13    Hooks.   20   ft.    each. 

For    Bends.    1.500    feet. 

Water   ways. 

Rudder  and  Counter  Timbers. 

Head  Stock  and  6  Knees. 

Pieces  for  Ribbons. 

In  the  fr;urtl:  \-i)lume  of  the  \'irginia  His- 
torical Register  there  is  given  a  brief  account 
of  the  invasion  of  Virginia  by  Sir  George  Col- 
lier and  General  ^lathews,  in  May,  1779.  cop- 
ied from  a  volume  published  in  England,  en- 
titled a  "Detail  of  some  i)articular  ser\ices  per- 
formed m  America  during  the  years  iz/f), 
'^777^  '^77^  a"d  1779  '  supposed  to  be  chiefly 
taken  from  a  journal  kept  on  board  the  ship 
"Rainbow,"   commanded  by   Sir  George  Col- 


lier. After  giving  a  detailed  description  of 
the  attack  and  cajiture  of  the  American  forti- 
tications  and  the  disj^ersion  of  the  Virginian 
flotilla,  the  account  goes  on  to  say :  "The 
town  of  Portsmouth,  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
fort,  was  taken  possessi(,>n  of  at  the  same  time. 
Norfolk  of  the  opposite  shore,  and  Gosjxjrt, 
where  the  rebels  had  fixed  a  capital  marine- 
yard  for  building  ships,  were  all  abandoned  at 
the  same  time  by  the  enemy,  and  the  men-of- 
war  moved  up  into  the  harbor,  where  the 
moored.  The  enemy,  previous  to  their  flight, 
set  fire  to  a  fine  ship  of  war  of  28  guns,  regdy 
for  launching,  belonging  to  Congress;  and 
also  two  large  French  merchantmen,  one 
of  which  was  loaded  with  bale  goods  and  the 
other  with  a  thousand  hogsheads  of  bacon. 
The  quantity  of  naval  stores  of  all  kinds  found 
in  their  arsenals  was  astonishing.  Many  ves- 
sels for  war  were  taken  on  the  stocks  in  dif- 
ferent forwardness;  one  of  36  guns;  one  of  18 
guns:  three  of  16  guns;  and  three  of  14  guns, 
besides  many  merchantmen.  The  whole  num- 
ber taken,  burnt  and  destroyed  while  the 
King's  ships  were  in  the  river  amounted  to  137 
sail  of  vessels.  A  most  distressing  stroke  to 
the  rebels,  even  without  other  losses.  Many 
of  the  privateers  and  other  vessels  fled  up  the 
different  branches  of  the  river,  but  as  there  was 
no  outlet  the  Commodore  either  captured  or 
destroyed  them  all.  *  *  *  General  Mat- 
hews having  made  application  to  the  Com- 
modore that  the  troops  might  be  re-embarked 
on  the  24th  of  May,  in  order  to  return  to  New 
York,  Sir  George  endeavored  to  dissuade  that 
measure  being  carried  into  execution  till  the 
return  of  the  express  he  had  sent  to  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  army,  to  whom  he  had 
wrote  in  very  strong  terms,  pointing  out  the 
infinite  consequences  it  would  be  to  the  Kmg's 
service,  the  keeping  possession  of  Portsmouth, 
as  the  doing  so  would  distress  the  rebels  ex- 
ceedingly, from  their  water  communication  by 
the  Chesapeake  being  totally  stopped,  and  by 
which  Washington's  army  was  supplied  with 
provisions,  and  an  end  put  to  their  foreign 
trade;  that  the  natural  strength  of  the  place 


420 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


was  singularly  great,  both  by  sea  and  land,  and 
miglit  be  maintained  with  a  small  force  against 
a  very  superior  one;  that  the  marine-yard  was 
the  m.ost  considerable  one  in  America,  and  the 
quantity  of  seasoned  oak  timber  there  for  ship- 
building very  large ;  which,  as  well  as  a  vast 
deal  of  other  stores,  could  not  be  embarked 
then  for  want  of  vessels,  but  might  be  sent  by 
degrees  to  England,  where  it  was  much  wanted. 
*  *  *  General  Mathews,  however,  conceiv- 
ing himself  tied  down  to  the  letter  of  his  in- 
structions, did  not  care  to  recede,  and  prepara- 
tions were  therefore  made  for  abandoning  this 
valuable  settlement.  As  many  of  the  naval 
stores  as  could  be  carried  away  were  shipped 
off,  but  great  quantities  were  tmavoidably  left 
•behind  and  set  on  fire.  The  conflagration  in 
the  night  appeared  grand  beyond  description, 
though  the  sight  was  a  melancholy  one.  Five 
thousand  loads  of  fine  seasoned  oak-knees  for 
ship-building,  an  infinite  quantity  of  plank, 
masts,  cordage,  and  numbers  of  beautiful 
ships-of-war  on  the  stocks,  were  at  one  time 
in  a  blaze  and  all  totally  consumed,  not  a 
vestige  remaining  but  the  ironwork  that  such 
things  had  been."  The  account  from  whic'^ 
the  above  is  quoted  states  that  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing that  on  which  the  squadron  got  tO'  sea, 
they  were  rejoined  by  the  express-boat,  whir 
had  been  sent  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  which 
brought  his  answer,  "Now  of  no  consequence, 
as  the  evacuation  of  Portsmouth  had  taken 
place — a  fatal  and  unfortunate  measure,  niii 
Z'crsally  n-grcftcd  by  all  who  were  acquainted 
with  its  importance,  and  the  advantages  which 
would  have  resulted  to  Great  Britain  from  it 
being  in  possession  of  the  King's  troops." 

The  letter  of  Sir  George  Collier,  above  re- 
ferred to,  was  published  in  the  Westminster 
Magazine  of  June  17,  1779,  and  bears  the 
date  of  May  19,  1779.  It  says:  "You  are 
too  good  a  judge.  Sir,  of  the  very  great  im- 
portance of  this  place,  we  now  hold,  to  render 
my  saying  much  upon  the  subject  necessary; 
permit  me,  however,  as  a  sea  officer,  to  observe 
that  this  port  of  Portsmouth  (Virginia)  is 
an   exceedingly   safe   and   secure   asylum   for 


ships  against  an  enemy,  and  is  not  to  be  forced 
even  by  great  superiority.  The  marine-yarcl 
(Gosport)  is  large  and  extremely  convenient, 
having  a  considerable  stock  of  seasoned  timber, 
besides  great  quantities  of  other  stores.  From 
these  considerations,  joined  to  many  others,  I 
am  firmly  of  opinion  that  it  is  a  measure  most 
essentially  necessary  for  His  Majesty's  service 
that  this  port  should  remain  in  our  hands 
since  it  appears  to  rrie  of  more  real  consequence 
and  advantage  than  any  other  the  crown  pos- 
sesses in  America;  for  by  securing  this  th^ 
whole  trade  of  the  Chesapeake  is  at  an  end, 
and  consequently  the  sinews  of  the  rebellion 
destroyed.  I  trust  and  hope.  Sir,  you  will 
see  this  matter  in  the  same  important  light  I 
do,  and  give  such  directions  for  reinforcements 
to  be  sent  here  as  you  may  think  necessary 
in  order  to  our  preserving  and  improving  those 
advantages  which  we  have  with  so  much  good 
fortune   acquired." 

Jefferson's  notes,  1781-82. — "Before  the 
present  invasion  of  this  state  by  the  British  un- 
der the  command  of  General  Phillips,  we  had 
three  vessels  of  16  guns,  one  of  14,  five  small 
galleys,  and  two  or  three  armed  boats.  They 
were  generally  so  badly  manned  as  seldom  to 
be  in  condition  for  service.  Since  the  perfect 
possession  of  our  rivers  assumed  by  the  en- 
emy, I  believe  we  are  left  with  a  single  armed 
boat  only." 

"At  a  Norfolk  County  Court,  held  on  the 
20th  day  of  July,  1834,  Capt.  William  Moffat 
of  the  tO'Wn  of  Portsmouth  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, made  oath  before  Samuel  Watts,  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  that  he  was  the  mate  of  the  brig 
'Neptune'  and  that  whilst  he  was  at  Ports- 
mouth in  1780,  he  saw  the  State  ship  'Re- 
nown,' which  was  built  at  the  State  Navy  Yard 
at  Gosport  by  Stoddard,  the  master  ship-build- 
er, and  commanded  by  Capt.  Robert  Elliott, 
drop  down  from  the  Navy  Yard  and  when  she 
passed  the  wharf  where  the  'Neptune'  lay,  Cap- 
tain Elliott  inquired  when  the  'Neptune'  would 
be  ready  for  sea  and  expressed  a  wish  that 
she  would  get  ready  and  proceed  to  sea  under 
convoy  of  his  ship.     The  'Neptune'   fo'Uowed 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


421 


the  'Renown'  and  when  they  reached  Hampton 
Roads  tliey  found  16  or  17  sail  of  other  vessels 
waiting  the  departure  of  the  'Renown'  and 
wishing  protection  under  her.  Captain  Mof-  i 
fat  further  made  oath  that  in  May  of  the  year 
1779,  a  sioop-of-war  was  burnt  at  the  Gosport 
Navy  Yard  by  the  enemy  and  that  the  ship 
'Renown'  was  built  on  the  same  stocks  and  was 
pierced  to  carry  20  odd  guns,  but  at  the  time 
of  her  first  sailing  in  April,  1780,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  great  deficiency  of  arms  at  that 
time,  she  had  only  eight  or  ten  guns;  that  the 
'Renown'  went  into  the  port  of  Eustalea  and 
there  fitted  with  her  full  complement  of  guns 
and  returned  to  the  Colonies.  He  further 
made  oath  that  Captain  Elliott  went  to  sea  a 
second  time  in  tlie  "Renown"  and  was  chased 
into  St.  Martin.  The  'Renown'  was  captured 
and  Captain  Elliott  taken  prisoner.  This  de-, 
poncnt  did  not  return  to  Portsmouth  until  after 
peace,  being  more  than  three  years  from  the 
time  of  Captain  Elliott's  first  cruise  in  the  'Re- 
nown.' This  affiant  does  not  know  at  what 
time  Capt.  Robert  Elliott  entered  the  service, 
but  supposes  the  sloop-of-war  that  had  been 
built  in  1778,  and  was  burnt  in  Alay,  1779,  was 
designed  for  his  command,  as  he  commanded 
the  ship  liuilt  in  the  jjlace  of  that  sloop-of-war. 
On  the  return  of  this  affiant,  it  was  then  peace 
and  Captain  Elliott  was  then  at  home.  He 
does  not  know  how  long  Captain  Elliott  was 
in  prison." 

A  protest  was  entered  at  Edenton,  Xorth 
Carolina,  on  the  6th  of  June.  1779,  for  ship 
"Le  Soucy."  Capt.  Pierre  Raphael  Chorlet, 
of  Bordeaux  in  the  Kingdom  of  France,  which 
states  that  on  the  8th  day  of  May.  1779,  his 
ship  was  laying  at  moorings  before  the  town 
of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  having  366  hogsheads 
of  tobacco  part  of  her  cargo  on  board,  and  he 
was  informed  that  an  English  fleet  of  ships  1 
of  about  40  sail  was  in  the  Bay  of  Chesapeake  t 
and  had  anchored  before  Hampton  on  that 
day,  that  on  Sunday  the  following  morning 
the  fleet  came  to  anchor  in  the  Elizabeth  River. 
This  made  him  apprehend  that  the  enemy  in- 
tened  bo  make  a  descent  on  Portsmouth ;  the  1 
fort  at  which  place  having  but  a  few  soldiers 


was  incapable  of  making  any  de-f^nse.  That 
the  inhabitants  were  in  great  ci;n  fusion,  each 
shifting  for  himself.  He  went, .on  board  his 
ship  and  got  her  into  the  ScHith$);n  Branch  be- 
fore the  shipyard,  \\here  he  tanijied  until  next 
morning.  .About  10  o'clock,  the  enemy  being 
within  cannon-shot  of  the  fort,  ;lje  sailed  with- 
out a  pilot  three  or  foiu"  miles  i,ip  the  river  and 
grounded.  He  fastened  a  small  ^able  to  a  tree 
on  shore  and  waited  in  that  situation  until  the 
next  morning,  having'  i)assed  ;i  verv  tedious 
night,  the  sailors  with  matches, in i.lireir  hands 
to  burn  the  shi])  in  the  event  of  tJ^eatened  at- 
tack. He  received  information  that  the  Brit- 
ish had  landed  with.  2.500  men  and  made  them- 
selves masters  of  the  fort  and  were  preparing 
to  come  up  the  river.  His  ship  had  seven  guns 
but  his  sailors  showed  no  disposition  to  fight, 
he  called  his  officers  together  in  council  of 
war  and  all  agreed  to  burn  the  shij).  to  prevent 
a  valuable  cargo  and  the  ship,  which  with  a 
small  expense  might  be  fitted  out  a.s  a  frigate- 
of-war,  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  eiiemy. 
He  caused  all  the  pitch  and  tar  to  be  put  under 
the  scuttles  of  the  main  deck  ready  to  l)e  fired 
on  the  approach  o£  the  enemy.  He  put  into 
the  long  boat  such  provisions  as  were  neces- 
sary should,  the  crew  be  compelled  to  fly  to  the 
woods  for  safety.  About  seven  o'clock  next 
morning  he  saw  a  defile  of  boats  coming  with 
great  swiftness  toward  him,  on  which  he  dis- 
patched the  long-boat  and  crew,  reserving  the 
boatswain  to  light  the  fire,  which  being  fully 
accomplished  they  proceeded  to  join  the  long- 
boat's crew. 

This  statement  was  also  aflirmed  by  ist 
Lieut.  Pierre  Vallet.  and  2nd  Lieuts.  Louis 
Virginer  and  Armie  Bo'urgeois. 

These  court  orders  throw  some  li.ght  on  the 
reports  of  the  British  commanders  aforemen- 
tioned. 

The  Virginia  Navy  was  employed  mainly 
for  the  defense  of  the  bays  and  rivers  of  the 
State.  Commodore  Samuel  Barron. was  ap- 
pointed its  commander-in-chief,  being  styled 
"Commodore  of  all  the  armed  vessels  of  the 
Commonwealth." 

In  May,  1776,  an  ordinance  of  the  Virginia 


42: 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Convention  appointed  Thomas  Whitnev,  John 
Hutchings,  Champion  Travis,  Thomas  New- 
ton, Jr.,  and  George  Well  naval  commissioners 
to  direct  the  naval  affairs  of  the  Colony. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1790,  the  legis- 
lature passed  an  Act  placing  Mary  Boush,  wife 
of  Capt.  Goodrich  Boush,  on  the  pension  list, 
allowing  her  three  years'  half-pay  of  a  captain 
in  the  navy  of  the  state  for  immediate  relief 
and  also  allowing  her  annually  said  half-pay 
for  seven  years,  reciting  in  the  preamble  that 
Goodrich  Boush  entered  into  the  service  of  his 
country  at  the  first  establishment  of  a  naval 
armament  and  continued  in  the  service  until 
his  death,  leaving  his  widow  and  four  young 
children  in  distressed  circumstances. 

On  October  30,  1789,  Jack  Knight  and 
William  Boush,  two  negrO'  slaves  belonging  to 
the  Commonwealth,  were  mannumitted  for 
faithful  service  on  board  armed  vessels  of  the 
State,  which  were  no  longer  continued  in  the 
public  establishment. 

On  the  27th  of  March,  1794,  by  an  Act 
entitled  an  "Act  to  provide  a  naval  armament," 
the  President  was  authorized  by  Congress  to 
procure,  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  equip  and 
employ,  to  protect  our  commerce  from  the  Al- 
gerines,  four  ships  to  carry  44  gims  each  and 
two  ships  to  carry  36  gims  each,  and  tO'  ap- 
point the  requisite  number  of  officers  tO'  com- 
mand them.  The  duty  of  carrying  out  the  pro- 
visions of  this  law  was  assigned  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  Hon.  Henry  Knox. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  ships  should  be 
built,  and  immediate  preparations  were  made 
for  procuring  materials  and  plans  for  executing 
the  work.  Joshua  Humphrey's  was  appointed 
naval  constructor,  and  seems  tO'  ha\'e  had  the 
general  charge  O'f  all  the  ships  that  were  laid 
down.  Six  captains  were  apj>ointed,  and  one 
was  assigned  to  duty  as  superintendent  of  the 
construction  of  each  of  the  frig-ates. 

In  a  report  submitted  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives by  Secretary  Knox,  under  date  of 
December  27,  1794.  after  stating  the  character, 
armament,  etc.,  of  the  vessels  ordered,  the 
materials  to  be  used  and  hoAV  to  be  obtained  and 


prepared,  he  goes  on  tO'  say  that,  in  order  as 
well  to  distribute  the  advantages  arising  from 
the  operation  as  to  ascertain  where  the  work 
could  be  executed  tO'  the  greatest  advantage, 
the  building  of  the  ships  had  been  ordered  in 
six  different  ports  of  the  Union;  on;e  of  the 
ports  selected  was  Portsmouth,  Virginia, 
where  a  frigate  of  44  gnns  was  laid  down.  The 
Secretary  further  says  that  the  following  ar- 
rangement had  been  adopted  for  the  construc- 
tion and  equipment  of  the  frigates,  viz : 

1st.  xMl  contracts  for  the  principal  mater- 
ials for  construction  and  equipment  had  been 
made,  under  pursuance  of  law,  under  direction 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

2nd.  All  labor  and  inferior  materials,  not 
otherwise  provided  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  were  to  be  procured  by  agents,  who 
were  to  be  allowed  a  comipensation  Oif  two  and 
a  half  per  cent,  upon  money  expended  by  them. 

3rd.  The  captains  of  the  frigates  were  to 
superintend  the  construction  and  equipment. 

4th.  A  master  builder  or  constructor  was 
appointed  at  each  yard,  and  also  a  clerk  of  the 
yard  to  receive,  issue  and  account  for  all  public 
property  belonging  toi  the  ships.  To  each  of 
these  officers  had  been  sent  his  special  instruc- 
tic«iis. 

The  Secretary  concludes  his  repoTt  by  stat- 
ing that  at  the  time  the  work  was  commenced 
few  or  nO'  materials  for  construction  or  equip- 
ment existed  in  their  proper  shape ;  that  every- 
thing, if  not  tO'  be  created,  was  to  be  modified ; 
the  wo(xl  of  which  the  frames  were  to  be  made 
was  standing  in  the  forests,  the  iron  for  cannon 
lying  in  its  natural  bed,  and  the  flax  and  hemp 
probably  in  the  seed ;  but  that  vigorous  meas- 
ures were  being  made  for  collecting  the  ma- 
terials and  pushing  on  the  work,  and  it  was 
hoped  that  the  ships  would  be  afloat  during 
the  following  year   (170  =  ). 

The  marine-yard  at  Gosport  was  lent  to 
the  government  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  and, 
as  will  be  seen  further  on,  it  was  not  purchased 
bv  the  United  States  until  several  years  later. 
Capt.  Richard  Dale  was  appointed  superin- 
tendent of  the  yard;  Josiah  Fox,  naval  con- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


423 


structor  or  master  builder:  and  William  Pen- 
ntx'k,   navy  agent. 

Timber  of  sufficient  size  for  the  purpose  re- 
quired was  not  to  be  had  in  the  market,  and 
the  government  was  compelled  to  contract  for 
live  oak  and  red  cedar,  standing  in  the  forests 
of  Georgia,  the  government  to  cut  the  wood, 
and  the  contractors  to  haul  it  to  navigable  wat- 
ers. A  large  numlier  of  ship  carpenters  and 
choppers  were  sent  out  from  New  England. 
John  T.  Morgan,  a  master  ship-builder  of  Bos- 
ton, was  appointed  to  superintend  the  opera- 
tions of  the  party ;  to  select  the  timber  to  be 
cut :  cause  it  to  be  shaped  by  molds :  and  to  ship 
it  north  to  the  various  yards.  As  the  \york 
could  be  dixie  only  at  certain  sea,sons,  much  de- 
lay was  experienced,  and  the  end  of  the  year 
1795  found  not  one  of  the  frigates  ready  for 
launching. 

In  a  report  of  the  Secretary  t>f  War.  dated 
December  12th  of  that  year,  it  is  stated  that 
about  two-thirds  of  the  live  oak  frame  of  the 
frigate  at  Norfolk  (Gosport)  had  i>een  re- 
ceived, a  part  of  the  planking,  the  copper  for 
sheathing  and  fastening,  most  of  the  iron  work, 
the  masts  and  spars,  and  the  most  of  the  other 
materials  necessary  were  in  store  or  being  pre- 
pared. The  keel  had  been  laid  and  part  of  the 
frame  bolted  together  and  readv  for  raising. 

On  tile  establishment  of  peace,  early  in 
1796,  between  the  United  States  and  Algiers, 
work  was  suspended  upon  the  ship  at  this 
yard,  and  such  of  the  materials  collected  as 
were  thought  perishable  were  sold,  and  the  rest 
put  in  store,  ^Ir.  Pennock,  the  agent,  being  em- 
ployed to  take  charge  of  them.  In  June.  1797. 
the  materials  on  hand  at  Gosport  were  valued 
at  $52,989. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  war  with  France 
in  1798  gave  a  fresh  impetus  to  the  infant  navy. 
and  considerable  sums  of  money  were  appro- 
priated by  Congress  for  building,  purchasing, 
or  hiring  vessels  to  be  used  against  that  repub- 
lic. 

By  an  Act  of  Ccmgress.  approved  April  30. 
1798,  a  separate  department  was  created  for 
the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  navy. 


and  Benjamin  Stfxldert  was  appointed  the 
tirst  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  George  Cabot,  of 
Massachusetts,  having  declined  the  apjwint- 
ment. 

In  July,  orders  were  sent  to  Mr.  Pennock 
to  recommence  work  on  tlie  frigate  at  Gosport, 
for  which  the  name  of  "Ciiesapeake"  had  been 
chosen.  During  the  same  month,  a  brig  of  200 
tons,  which  had  been  built  near  the  Navy  Yard, 
by  Mr.  Herl>ert,  and  which  was  nearly  ready 
for  launching,  was  purchased  by  the  govern- 
ment and  fitted  out,  under  the  name  of  "Nor- 
folk." Capt.  Thomas  Williams,  of  Norfolk, 
was  appointed  superintendent,  and  afterward 
commander  of  the  brig,  being  regularlv  com- 
missioned in  the  navy. 

Josiali  Fox,  who  had  been  discharged  from 
the  yard  upon  the  suspension  of  work  in  March, 
1796,  was  now  reanpointed  as  naval  construc- 
tor and  directed  to  proceed  with  the  work  upon 
the  "Chesapeake"  on  a  plan  proposed  by  him- 
self, by  which  the  size  of  the  vessel  was  reduced 
from  a  44  to  a  36-gun  ship.  The  following  ex- 
tract of  a  letter  from  'Sir.  Stixidert  to  the  navy 
agent,  under  date  of  August  17.  1798,  will  be 
of  interest,  as  showing  the  reasons  for  reduc- 
ing the  size  of  the  ship,  and  which  is  referred  to 
more  particularly,  as  a  distingaiished  naval  his- 
torian has  made  a  verv'  different  explanation  of 
the  matter  in  his  efforts  to  correct  history.  Mr. 
Stoddert  says : 

"Believing  that  there  will  be  occasion  for 
this  ship  in  the  spring,  doubting  whether  it 
would  l)e  possible  to  have  her  ready  so  early 
without  materially  altering  her  dimensions 
and.  indeed,  not  being  entirely  satisfied  of  the 
policy  of  increasing  the  size  and  expense  of 
ovir  frigates  so  far  beyond  what  is  known  in 
Europe  without  increasing  their  force,  I  have 
determined,  although  the  keel  has  been  laid, 
to  reduce  the  size  of  the  frigate  at  Norfolk  to 
the  largest-sized  frigates  in  the  British  Navy. 
This.  Mr.  Fox  assures  me,  can  be  done  with 
very  great  advantage,  and  with  a  prospect  of 
finishing  the  ship  in  half  the  time  it  would 
take  to  complete  her  on  the  former  scale,  and 
with  half  the  expense.     In  pursuance  of  this 


42  + 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK  .  COUNTY 


idea,  I  now  enclose  you  the  dimensions  by 
which  the  frigate  is  to  be  built.  The  keel,  al- 
ready laid,  must  of  course  be  cut,  and  some  al- 
terations must  be  made  in  the  stern.  This,  Mr. 
Fox  informs  me,  can  be  easily  done.  t-  *  >>f 
The  greatest  inconvenience  will  be  in  altering 
the  molds.  This,  Mr.  Fox  says,  he  can  do  in 
full  time  after  getting  to  Norfolk."' 

Considerable  activity  prevailed  at  the  yard 
during  the  remainder  O'f  the  year.  A  brig, 
"Augusta,"'  was  purchased  by  the  citizens  of 
Virginia,  and  presented  toi  the  government.  It 
was  named  the  "Richmond,"  and  was  fitted  out 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Samuel  Barron, 
who  had  served  in  the  Virginia  Navy  during 
the  Revolution. 

The  vessels  of  Commodore  Truxton's 
squadron  frequently  resorted  to  the  yard  for 
repairs  and  supplies  and  tO'  pay  ofif  their  crews. 
We  also  find  that  large  cjuantities  of  bread  and 
of  some  other  articles  of  provisions  were  fur- 
nished during  the  vear  and  the  next  succeed- 
ing for  other  stations.  The  yard  was  also 
made  a  depot  for  the  supply  oi  masts  and  spars 
to  cruising  ships,  and  even  tO'  vessels  fitting  at 
Baltimore  and  Philadelphia. 

By  a  report  submitted  to  Congress  by  the 
Secretary  of  State  [March  2,  1799,  it  appears 
that  commissions  were  issued  for  the  district 
of  Norfolk  between  July  9,  1798,  and  January 
I,  1799,  toi  10  private  armed  vessels,  amount- 
ing in  the  aggregate  65  guns. 

On  July  16,  1799,  Commodore  Samuel  Bar- 
ron was  ordered  to  dut}-  as  superintendent  of 
tlie  yard,  ]\Ir.  Pennock,  the  agent,  not  having 
exercised  the  degree  of  economy  which  the  Na- 
vy Department  desired.  In  the  following 
month,  however,  Commodore  Barron  was  de- 
tached and  ordered  to-  the  command  of  the 
"Constellation,"  at  New  York.  In  Novem- 
ber of  the  same  year  we  find  him  again  ordered 
to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  superintend  the 
"Chesapeake,"  which,  contrary  to^  the  expecta- 
tions O'f  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  was  not 
yet  finished,  but  which  was  finall)^  launched  in 
the  following  month,  toi  begin  l.er  ill-fated  ca- 
reer. 


The  importance  of  the  Gosport  yard,  par- 
ticularly as  an  equiping,  recruiting  and  victual- 
ing station,  had  now  become  so  well  established 
that  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  resolved  to 
make  it  one  of  the  permanent  navy  yards  of  the 
country.  Toi  this  end  he  addressed  the  follow- 
ing- letter  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  with  a 
view  to  the  purchase  of  the  ground : 

Navy  Department,  January  20,  1800. 

Sir :  The  United  States  have  heretofore  occupied 
for  navy  purposes  a  piece  of  ground  at  Gosport  belong- 
ing to  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia.  It  is  supposed 
to  contain  about  ten  acres.*  The  ground  is  considered 
to  be  very  well  situated  for  a  permanent  navy  yard ; 
and  if  it  should  be  so  appropriated,  it  will  be  desirable 
to  commence  immediately  some  buildings  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  workmen  and  the  security  of  timber. 

Permit  me.  tlierefore,  by  order  of  the  President, 
to  solicit  the  favor  of  Your  Excellency  to  communi- 
cate to  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  the  desire  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  to  obtain  this  prop- 
erty, either  by  purchase  or  in  such  other  way  as  the 
T..egiskture  shall  deem  proper. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  Your 
E.xcellency's  obedient  servant. 

Benjamin  Stoddert. 
His   Excellency  James   Monroe,   Esq. 

Governor  of  Virginia. 

The  request  of  the  Secretary  Avas  promptly 
complied  with  and  on  the  25th  o-f  the  same 
month  the  legislature  passed  an  Act,  of  which 
the  following  is  a  transcript : 

Chap.  64.  An  .\ct  authorizing  the  Governor  of 
this  Commonwealth  to  convey  to  the  United  States, 
upon  certain  conditions,  the  property  of  this  Common- 
wealth called  Gosport. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  the  present 
General  Assembly  that  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  are  desirous  that  certain  lands  the  property  of' 
this  Commonwealth,  commonly  called  and  known  bj"- 
the  name  of  Gosport,  should  be  vested  in  the  United 
States,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  navy  yard  upon 
the  same : 

I.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  ^isseinbly,  That  . 
it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  Governor  of  this 
Commonwealth,  and  he  is  authorized  to  appoint  some 
fit  and  proper  person  to  meet  sucli  persons  as  shall 
be  appointed  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  to  as- 
certain and  fix  the  value  of  tne  property  belonging  to 
this  Commonwealth,  situate  near  the  town  of  Ports- 
mouth, in  the  County  of  Norfolk,  and  commonly  called 
and  known  by  the  name  of  Gosport.  So  soon  as  the  . 
vnlue  of  the  property  shall  be  ascertained,  and  the 
Governor    shall    be    satisfied     the    Government    of     the 

*The  yard  really  contained  about  16  acres. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


425 


United  States  are  willing  to  pay  the  amount  thereof  to 
this  Conimoinvealth,  then,  and  in  that  case,  it  shall  be 
lawful  for  the  Governor  of  this  Commonwealth,  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized,  for  and  in  behalf  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, by  proper  deed  in  writing,  under  his  hand 
and  the  seal  nf  the  Commonwealth,  to  convey,  transfer, 
assign  and  make  over  to  the  Lnited  States,  all  interest 
in  and  title  to,  as  well  as  all  the  jurisdiction  which  this 
Commonwealth  possesses  over,  the  public  lands  com- 
monly called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Gosport,  be- 
fore mentioned,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  navy 
yard :  Provided,  That  nothing  herein  contained  shall 
be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  the  officers  of  this  State 
from  e.Nccuting  any  process  whatever  within  the  juris- 
diction hereby  directed  to  be  ceded. 

II.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  in  case  the 
Governtncnt  of  the  United  States  shall  at  any  time 
hereafter  abandon  the  design  of  establishing  a  navy 
yard  at  the  place  hereby  ceded  to  the  United  States, 
or,  after  the  establishment  thereof,  shall  discontinue 
the  same.  then,  and  in  that  case,  the  property  in  the 
soil  and  the  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  directed  to 
be  vested  in  the  United  States  shall  revert  to  this 
Coommonwealth.  and  shall  be  considered  as  the  prop- 
erty and  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  same,  in  like 
manner  as  if  this  .\ct  had  never  been  made:  Provided, 
That  in  such  case  this  Commonwealth  will  repay  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  the  sum  or  sums  paid 
by  the  I'nited  States  in  consideration  of  the  cession 
hereby  directed  to  be  made. 

This  .Act  shall  commence  and  be  in  force  from 
and  after  the  passing  thereof. 

Ill  accoi"(lance  with  tlie  requirements  of 
the  above  quoted  law.  Thomas  Xewton,  Jr., 
Esq.,  was  appointed  on  belialf  of  the  State 
of  Virginia,  and  by  an  order  dated  7th  of  April, 
1800,  William  Peimock  was  appointed  to  act 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States  to  ascertain, 
with  Mr.  Newton,  the  value  of  the  lands  re- 
quired. In  a  letter  bearing  the  same  date,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  enjoined  the  greatest 
economy  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Pennock,  informed 
him  that  the  only  funds  available  out  of  which 
the  property  could  be  paid  for  were  tliose  ap- 
propriated for  the  building  of  the  ""4-gun 
ships."  *  He  also  intimated  to  Mr.  Newton 
that  the  less  the  amount  paid  for  the  property. 
the  more  there  would  l^e  available  for  improve- 
ments and  suggested  $100  oer  acre  as  a  fair 
valuation! 

In  a  report  to  the  President,  dater  April  25, 

"See  .Act  of  Congress  approved  February  25,  1799, 

for  "The  augmentation  of  the  Xavy."  and  which,  among 

other    provisions,    authorized    the    construction    of    si.x 

ships,  to  be  armed   with   not  less  than  74  guns  each. 

25 


1800,  Mr.  Stoddert  in  recommending  the  es- 
tablishment of  pemiiinent  navy  yards,  to  be 
the  pro])erty  of  the  United  States,  remarks  that 
a  large  part  of  die  expense  of  building  the 
frigates  arose  from  Jiandling  the  timl)er,  ow- 
ing to  the  confined  space  in  which  it  was  piled 
— enough,  he  thinks,  to  have  purchased 
ground  and  have  improved  it.  lie  states  that 
the  ground  at  Gosport  had  recently  been  ceded 
to  the  United  States  on  condition  of  the  pay- 
mait  of  its  value,  which  he  hopes  will  not  ex- 
ceed $2,000. 

To  the  surprise  of  the  Secretary-  the  value 
assigned  to  the  land  was  $12,000.  or  $7 so  |>er 

•  acre.  In  a  letter  addres.sed  to  Mr.  Pennock 
on  the  7th  of  August.  Mr.  Stoddert  expresses 
the  opini(_in  that  the  ground  should  have  been 
given  to  the  government  without  charge,  but 
that  it  must  be  taken  at  the  valuation  named, 
though  he  considered  it  exorbitant.     He  also 

j  directs  Mr.  Pennock  to  have  prepared  jilans 
for  improving  the  timber-dock,  a  creek  making 
up  into  the  yard,  and  whicli  was  then  used  as 
such. 

On  January  24.  1801.  $12,000  were  remit- 
ted to  John  Hopkins,  nf  Richmond,  Virginia, 
to  be  paid  to  the  State,  as  the  purchase  money 
of  the  Gosport  lands,  and  under  date  of  the 
15th  of  June,  1801,  a  deed  was  executed  by 
Govenu'r  Monroe,  bv  which  the  title  and  jur- 
isdiction of  the  ])ropertv  were  conveved  to  the 
United  States. 

In  a  report  submitted  tn.  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives April  2j,  1802.  by  Mr.  ^Mitchell, 
from  the  Committee  on   Na\-al   Affairs,   that 

j  gentleman  stated  that  $12,000  had  been  ex- 
pended for  purchase  and  $4,000  for  improve- 
ments at   Gosport   withmtt   authority   of   law. 

i  Under  date  of  March  10,  1802,  Mr.'  Mitchell, 
from  the  same  committee,  reported  that,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  committee,  Gosport  and  Charles- 
town.  Massachusetts,  from  the  improvements 
already  made,  and  from  other  circumstances,. 
were  the  most  eligible  places  for  receiving  and 
repairing  the  ships  in  actual  service;  and  that, 
shotild  any  additional  improvements  be  neces- 
sary at  those  places,  thev  ought  to  be  mad.'. 


426 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  also  recommended  the  appointment  of  suit- 
able persons  to  make  plans  for  impro\-ing  those 
yards  and  the  appropriation  of  $50,000  to 
carry  the  plans  into  effect. 

The  $4,000  above  referred  to  as  having 
been  expended  in  improa-ements  at  Gosport 
had  been  used  to-  build  a  spar-shed,  timber- 
shed,  a  bridge  across  a  creek  which  separated 
the  yard  from  the  rest  of  Gosport  at  that  time 
(outside  of  where  the  present  wall  stands), 
and  probably  in  part  for  wooden  whar\'es  along 
the  water-front,  and  a  fence  around  the  prop- 
erty. 

We  find  mention  of  vessels  laying  up,  re- 
pairing and  fitting  out  at  this  yard  in  1800, 
1801  and  1802.  In  1801  a  squadron  under 
Commodore  Dale  fitted  out.  On  the  27th  of 
July,  1801,  orders  were  sent  to  heave  dotvn 
the  "Chesapeake'"   for  repairs. 

In  October,  1801,  a  marine  guard  was  sent 
to  the  Gosport  yard,  and  the  navy  agent  was 
directed  to  furnish  its  members  with  quarters. 
It  is  probable  that  the  wooden  barrack-build- 
ing which  stood  on  about  the  same  site  that  the 
brick  barracks  were  afterward  built  upon  was 
erected  for  the  purpose. 

In  April,  1802,  Mr.  Pennock  recommended 
the  building  of  a  storehouse  for  provisions,  etc., 
within  the  yard.  Up  to  tliat  time,  private  ware- 
houses had  been  hired  for  the  use  of  the  navy 
stores. 

On  April  26,  1802,  Air.  Pennock  was  re- 
moved and  Daniel  Bedinger  was  appointed 
navy  agent  and  superintendent  of  the  Navy 
Yard. 

In  May,  1802,  a  circular  order  was  ad- 
dressed by  the  Department  to  navy  agents  in- 
forming them  that  specific  appropriations  had 
been  made  for  the  expenses  of  the  navy,  and 
that,  among  other  items,  $190,575  had  been 
appropriated  for  the  ourchase  and  transporta- 
tion of  timber  and  other  materials,  including 
ordnance  for  the  74-gun  ships  and  $50,000 
for  improvements  of  navv  yards. 

In  April,  1803,  $10,000  were  sent  to  Mr. 
Bedinger  to  build  a  warehouse  and  a  timber- 
shed  at  Gosport.     We  find  by  the  correspond- 


ence of  a  little  later  date  that,  instead  of  ex- 
pending the  money  for  the  purpose  authorized, 
Mr.  Bedinger  built  with  it,  first,  a  brick  wall, 
beginning  a  short  distance  from  the  waterside, 
running  along  the  north  front  of  the  yard  and 
down  the  west  side  of  the  creek  which  formed 
the  souithern  boundary,  and  part  of  which 
forms  the  present  timber-basin,  secondly,  a 
brick  dwelling  house  for  himself  within  the 
yard  and  which  was  afterward  for  many  years 
used  as  the  commandant's  house,  and  with 
what  money  was  left,  a  very  indifferent  shed 
for  timber,  and  a  warehouse,  which  afterward 
had  tO!  be  taken  down  to  prevent  its  falling. 

On  August  6,  1804,  an  order  was  sent  to 
Mr.  Bedinger  detaching  the  marine  guard  from 
the  Navy  Yard  and  ordering  it  toi  Washington. 

In  May,  1805,  Bedinger  was  ordered  to  re- 
pair the  wharves,  whiclr  had  been  represented 
by  a  citizen  as  being  much  out  of  order.  We 
find,  under  date  oif  February  6,  1806,  a  report 
from  Thomas  Turner,  accountant  of  the  navy, 
in  which  that  gentleman  states  that  $42,748.78 
had  been  expended  in  improvements  and  re- 
pairs at  this  yard,  and  vet,  except,  the  wall, 
scraoely  anything  of  permanent  value  seems 
to  have  been  done.  The  wharves  were,  and 
continued  to  be  for  many  years  later,  of  wood, 
and  of  course,  in  waters  infested  with  the 
Teredo  nai'alis,  were  constantly  requiring  ex- 
tensive repairs,  and  even  complete  renewal. 
During  the  summer  of  1806  we  find  several 
gunboats  and  ketches  fitting  out  and  laying  up, 
under  the  direction  of  Lieut.  Arthur  Sinclair. 

On  tlie  28th  of  November,  1806,  Capt. 
Stephen  Decatur  was  ordered  to'  superintend 
the  building  of  four  gunboats  at  Norfolk.  He 
seems  to  have  supeceded  Lieut.  Sinclair  in  his 
duties  also,  although  -that  Oifficer  continued 
on  duty  under  him.  In  Julv,  1807,  Mr.  Bedin- 
ger was  ordered  to  contract  for  materials  for 
10  additional  gunboats  and,  a  little  later,  to 
contract  for  building  the  same.  Captain  De- 
catur was  ordered  to  superintend  the  construc- 
tion. We  now  find  Captain  Decatur  addressed 
by  the  Department  as  "Conmianding  naval 
forces   at   Norfolk,"   and   he  appears  to  have 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


427 


continued  this  command  until  Xovember,  iSi  i  ; 
part  of  tlie  time  his  force  consisting  of  the 
frigate  '"United  States."  which  he  himself  com- 
manded, and  of  such  gunboats  and  other  ves- 
sels as  were  from  time  to  time  put  into  com- 
mission. He  appears,  however,  to  have  had 
no  imme<liate  charge  of  the  Navy  Yard,  which 
continued  under  the  control  of  the  navy  agent. 

In  Xovember,  1807,  a  marine  guard  was 
again  ordered  to  the  yard.  On  February  10, 
1808.  Bedinger's  appointment  was  revoked 
and  Thetxlore  Armistead  appointed  in  his 
place  as  navy  agent  and  superintendent  of  the 
Navy  Yard.  We.  now  find  complaints  lodged 
against  Bedinger  for  having  used  the  public 
whar\-es  and  property  in  repairing  his  own 
vessels,  though  whether  these  charges  were 
substantiated  does  not  appear. 

The  agents  up  to  this  time  seem  not  to 
have  been  required  to  give  bonds,  and  in  fact 
to  have  been  held  very  little  responsible  for 
their  acts,  the  Department  having  no  military 
control  over  them. 

In  March,  1808,  Mr.  Armistead  was  au- 
thorized to  contract  for  50  tons  of  native  hemp 
and  to  have  made  it  into  cordage  for  the  navy. 
The  work  was  done  by  private  manufacturers, 
however,  and  not  at  the  yard.  In  April  of  the 
same  year  authority  was  sent  to  Mr.  Armistead 
to  build,  a  new  timl^er-shed  and  a  warehouse. 

In  Jklay.  1809,  an  order  was  sent  to  build 
a  powder  magazine  in  the  yard.  This  stood 
near  the  creek   (afterward  the  timber-basin). 

In  June.  18 10,  on  account  of  tiie  uncertain 
relations  with  Great  Britain,  a  small  cruising 
squadron  was  ordered  to  Norfolk  under  the 
command  of  Commodore  Decatur. 

On  Julv  /th  of  tlie  same  vear  the  Depart- 
ment having  become  tired  of  the  practice  of 
operating  the  Navy  Yard  under  irresponsible 
civil  administration,  ordered  Commodore  Sam- 
uel Barron  as  commandant  of  the  yard,  the 
gunboats,  the  officers  and  men.  The  navy 
agent  was,  however,  still  continued  as  purchas- 
ing and  disbursing  agent  and  as  such  in  charge 
of  "all  stores  other  than  military."  The  fol- 
lowing letter,  addressed  to  Commodore  Bar- 


ron by  the  Secretary  of  the  Xavy.  is  of  s^^me 
interest  as  lieing  the  first  instructions  to  the 
commandant : 

X.wv  DEr.\RTMEN-T.  September  2g.   1810. 

Sir :  In  defining  your  duties  and  your  authority  in 
the  yard  at  Gosport,  it  will  be  sufficient  for  me  to 
state  that  ali  u\j  military  stores  of  every  description 
will  be  under  your  care ;  that  the  direction  of  all  ini- 
provi-.nents  in  ihe  yard,  and  of  all  reparations  to  our 
vessels  at  the  yard  are  committed  to  jou ;  and  that 
within  the  yard  you  are  to  have  the  entire  undivided 
command. 

The  navy  agent,  as  heretofore,  will  have  the  charge 
of  all  stores  other  than  military,  and  he  must  have  a 
warehouse  at  the  yard  for  their  safe-keeping,  with  per- 
fect liberty  of  ingress  and  egress. 

Paul  Hamilton*. 

The  house  which  has  been  mentioned  as 
having  beai  built  by  Mr.  Bedinger  was  as- 
signed to  Commodcrre  Barron  as  a  residence. 
It  was  at  the  time  occupied  by  the  storekeeper 
or  clerk  of  the  yard,  an  eccentric  person  of  the 
name  of  Thomas  Dulton,  an  ex-shipmaster. 
Although  the  navy  agent  was  nominallv  super- 
intendent  of   the   yard.    Captain    Dulton   had 

'  been  in  immediate  charge  of  it  for  some  years, 
performing  all  sorts  of  offices  therein,  ringing 
the  bell,  and  mustering  the  workmen  himself. 
Manv  singular  anecdotes  of  him  are  preserved 
among  the  traditions  of  the  yard.  His  will 
was  admitted  to  probate  on  the  i8th  of  June, 

I  1823.  It  was  an  odd  paper.  He  directed  a 
heart-pine  coffin  tarred  on  the  outside  and  no 
other  ornament.  He  recommended  and  com- 
manded as  far  as  he  could  that  no  branch  of 

'  his  family  go  into  or  wear  mourning  as  'T  am 
an  enemy  of  hypocrisy." 

Commodore  Barron  had  scarcely  entered 
upon  his  command  when  on  the  2gth  of  Octo- 
ber. 1 8 10.  he  was  overtaken  by  death.  Lieut. 
Robert  Henley,  under  date  of  November  loth, 
was  ordered  to  assume  temporary  command  of 
the  vard  until  a  relief  should  be  ordered. 

in  May,  181 1,  Capt.  Samuel  Evans  was 
ordered  as  commandant  and  from  that  time 
we  find  lieutenants,  masters,  medical  officers, 
boatswains  and  gimners  attached  to  the  yard 
and  to  the  vessels  in  ordinary. 

Captain  Evans  continued  in  command  un- 


42S 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


til  August  lo,  1812.  when  Cap^t.  John  Cassin 
was  ordered  to  relieve  him.  Captain  Cassin 
had,  as  lieutenant  and  master  commandant, 
been  for  several  \-eairs  aittached  to  the  Navy 
Yard  at  Washing-ton,  part  of  the  time  as  su- 
perintendent and  ]3art  of  the  time  second  in 
command.  The  Department  seems  tO'  have  re- 
garded him  as  a  valuable  dockyard  officer,  and 
the  pay  and  allowances  of  a  captain  command- 
ing a  separate  squadron  were  given  him  in  his 
new  position,  although  he  was  almost  the 
junior  captain  on  the  list  when  ordered  tO'  the 
command. 

On  the  laying  of  the  embargo  in  April, 
1812,  we  find  Commodore  Decatur's  squadron 
again  at  Norfolk,  and  he  was  ordered  b}-  the 
Department  with  the  ^"essels  under  his  com- 
mand and  with  the  gunlioats  ordered  to  be 
fitted  out  at  the  Na.\'y  Yard,  to  pre\'ent  vessels 
sailing  from  the  Chesapeake  without  regtilar 
clearances.  A  few  days  later  we  find  him  or- 
dered to  lea\'e  the  enforcement  of  the  embargo 
to  the  gunboats,  under  the  direction  of  Cap- 
tain Evans,  and  to  cruise  tO'  the  eastward  with 
his  squadron. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  181 2,  Commodore  De- 
catur's scjuadron  was  o^rdered  to  New  York 
in  anticipation  of  war  with  Great  Britain, 
which,  on  the  18th  of  June,  was  fonnally  de- 
clared. 

The  only  force  at  Norfolk  at  this  time  con- 
sisted of  21  gunboats,  the  greater  part  of  which 
were  fitted  oiit  ajiid  used  for  harbor  defense. 
On  the  I4tih  oif  July,  an  order  was  sent  to  Cap- 
tain Evans,  limiting  the  cinn]:)lement  of  men  of 
each  gamboat  to  eight  exclusive  of  officers,  or 
just  enough  to  exercise  the  guns  and  inform- 
ing him  that  in  case  of  emergency  he  must  rely 
upon  volunteers  to  bring  the  crews  up  to  an 
efficient  number.  This  order  greatly  impaired 
tlie  usefulness  of  the  gunboats  a  little  later,  as 
it  was  found  impossible  to  procure  volunteers 
to  serve  in  them. 

In  August,  as  above  stated.  Captain  Evans 
Avas  relieved  by  Captain  Cassin.  Very  little  of 
interest  occurred  during  the  remainder  of  the 
year.      In   October   a   blacksmith's    shop   was 


erected.  By  the  letters  of  Captain  Cassin  we 
find  that  considerable  quantities  of  tim]>er.  lum- 
ber and  otlier  stores  and  of  munitions  of  war, 
were  furnished  from  time  to  time  from  the 
Navy  Yard  tO'  the  armv  in  the  vicinity,  par- 
ticularly to  the  engineer  officers  who'  were 
erecting  fortifications.  During  the  summer 
Captain  Cassin's  little  force  was  increased  by 
an  armed  yacht  under  Lieut.  E.  P.  Kennedy. 

Early  jn  February,  1813,  Capt.  Cliarles 
Stewart,  in  the  "Constellation,"  which  was 
fitted  out  at  Washington,  in  lattempting  to 
get  to<  sea,  was  met  by  a  large  force  of  British 
shipSs  which  were  seen  entering  the  Chesapeake 
as  he  came  abreast  the  Horse  Shoe.  It  being 
calm  when  he  discovered  the  enemy  Captain 
Stewart  kedged  the  "Constellation"  from  the 
Horse  Shoe  to  a  position  in  the  Elizabeth 
River,  just  opposite  Fort  Norfolk,  now  the 
navy  magazine. 

Captain  Stewart  now  became  commanding 
officer  of  the  station  in  general  by  virtue  of  his 
seniority,  thcugh  Captain  Cassin  continued  to 
command  the  gunboat*  flotilla,  and  made  his 
reports  directly  to'  the  Department.  The  most 
untiring  vigilance,  activity  and  skill  were  now 
required  to  defend  the  frigate  and  flotilla  from 
capture,  and  at'  the  same  time  to  annoy  the  en- 
emy as  much:  as  possible.  Both  objects  w&re 
successfully  accomplished. 

The  inconvenience  of  having  the  gimboats 
SO'  poorly  manned  was.  severely  felt :  every  ef- 
fort was  made  to  procure  volunteers  for  them 
but  without  effect,  even  though  very  consider- 
able bounties  were  offered  for  one  month's 
service.  Lt  was  soon  found  necessary  to  put  out 
of  commission  all  but  10;  the  crews  of  those 
laid  up  being  drafted  into  those  that  were  kept 
in  commission,  thongh  even  this  left  them  very 
short-handed.  In  March  four  block-ships  were 
sunk  off  Lambert's  Point  to  obstruct  the  chan- 
nel and  to  prevent  the  ships  of  the  enemy  from 
passing  up  the  Elizabeth,  as  they  were  hourly 
expected  to  do*.  Several  attempts  were  made 
by  the  enemv  to.  cut  out  the  "Constellation" 
with  boats  but  were  thwarted  by  the  vigilance 
of  Captain  Stewart  and  his  officers  and  crew. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


429 


In  the  spring  of  1813  Captain  Stewart  was 
detaclied  from  the  "Constellation"  and  the 
command  was  gfiveii  to  Captain  Tarbell,  which 
made  Captain  Cassin  the  senior  officer  on  the 
station. 

Norfolk  continued  to  be  blockadetl  until 
the  close  of  the  war. 

On  the  30th  of  November,  1813,  Mr.  Jones, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  in  answer  to  a  reso- 
lution of  the  House  of  Representatives  calling- 
for  information  on  the  subject  of  navy  yards, 
submitted  among  other  papers  the  following 
letter  of  Captain  Cassin  giving  a  description 
of  the  ya.rd  at  the  date  of  the  report : 

Navy  Y.^rd.  Gosport.  May  25.  1S13. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  yoii  a  statement 
of  ihe  accommodations  provided  in  this  yard,  with  the 
number  of  officers  and  men  attaclied.  *  *  *  The 
commander's  dwelling  of  brick,  two  stories  high,  made 
comfortable  quarters:  marine-barracks,  miserable  huts 
of  wood,  wanting  much  repair ;  the  officers'  quarters  are 
low  two-story  frame  buildings,  the  whole  150  feet  from 
the  west  wall,  which  is  only  s'A  feet  high;  the  north- 
west is  bounded  by  warehouses  and  timber-sheds,  hav- 
ing to  extend  a  fence  on  the  east  end  to  low-water  mark. 

The  marine  hospital  stands  ,in  the  center  of  the 
yatd,  two  stories  high,  was  formerly  occupied  as  boat- 
swain s  and  gunner's  storerooms,  built  of  wood,  the 
center  of  which  is  occupied  as  a  hospital,  the  garret 
as  rigging-loft,  and  lower  part  gunner's  store,  store- 
keeper's office,  purser's  issuing-room  and  office. 

'J"he  blacksmith's  shop,  begun  of  brick,  165  feet  by 
50,  including  anchor  and  plumber's  shops,  not  com- 
pleted, the  old  shops  being  dangerous  to  heat  a  large 
file. 

One  large  timber-shed,  300  feet  long,  with  brick 
piilars.  and  50  feet  wide. 

One  small  shed  for  the  armorer  and  plumber;  two 
sheds  appropriated,  one  for  the  joiners,  the  other  for 
irast-makers.  John   C.\ssin. 

In  April.  181 5.  an  order  was  sent  u*  Cap- 
tain Cassin  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to 
raise  the  hulks  which  had  been  sunk  in  the 
channel  during  the  war  and  which  constituted 
a  serious  obstruction  to  the  narrow  channel. 

In  the  summer  of  181 7  the  keel  of  a  line- 
of-battle  ship  was  laid.  The  timber  for  this 
ship  had  been  in  store  for  years,  having  been 
collected  under  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of 
Congress  of  February  2-,.  1799,  and  subse- 
quent   amendments.       The    name    afterward 


chosen  by  lottery  for  this  ship  was  "Dela- 
ware." We  find  authority  given  during  the 
same  summer  to  build  a  saw-shed  and  a  stcam- 
sitove. 

In  January,  181 8,  authority  was  sent  to 
Captain  Cassin  to  ranove  or  jnill  down  the 
old  hospital,  which  was  situated  in  the  yard. 
A  .small  frame  building,  l(K.-ated  near  the  pres- 
ent (Iryddck  was  afterward  used  fur  some  years 
as  a  hospital. 

In  June.  1818,  the  ship  "Alert"  was  as- 
signed as  receiving-ship  at  Norfolk,  Coniinaji- 
der  Jesse  Wilkinson  being  ordered  to  command 
her. 

In  Septemljer,  1818,  Capt.  Arthur  Sin- 
clair was  ordered  to  the  Xavy  Yard  to 
superintend  the  construction  of  the  "Del- 
aware." under  Captain  Cassin.  Captain 
Sinclair  was  soon  after  addressed  as  command- 
ing naval  officer  afloat  at  Norfolk,  and  held  a 
command  sej^arate  from  the  yard  for  several 
j  years  later.  The  receiving  ship  was  a  part  of 
his  cc<mmand,  and  all  recruiting  was  done  un- 
der his  direction.  \\'e  find  about  this  period, 
and  for  some  years  after,  considerable  quanti- 
ties of  timber,  plank,  knees,  masts  and  mast- 
pieces,  and  also  of  cordage  furnished  from  Gos- 
port  to  the  navy  yards  in  other  r>arts  of  the 
country. 

In  the  latter  part  ci  181S,  the  old  wooden 
buildings  used  as  marine  barracks  were  pulled 
down  and  a  brick  building  put  up  in  their 
place.  The  line-of-battle  ship  "New  Yurk" 
was  also  commenced  in  this  year. 

In  October,  1820,  the  "Delaware"  was 
launched  and  housetl  o\er,  not  being  required 
ic'V  service  immediately. 

In  June.  i8ji.  Captain  Cassin  was  re- 
lieved by  Capt.  Lewis  Warriiigton.  During 
the  summer  of  that  vear  Captain  Warrington 
i  was  directed  to  fill-in  the  old  timber-basin. 
This  was  a  shallow  basin,  originally  formed 
by  a  creek  or  cove,  and  included  the  spot  where 
ship-house  "B"  w  as  afterward  built ;  its  banks 
were  protected  by  wharf-logs,  with  a  wharf 
across  the  entrance,   provided   with   slips    for 


43G 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


boats  toi  enter.  A  ship-house  was  authorized  to 
be  built  over  the  "New  York;"  this  was  after- 
ward lettered  "A."  A  ijair  of  masting-sheers 
was  also  authorized. 

In  August,  1 82 1,  a.  school  for  midshipmen 
was  established  under  the  charge  of  Chaplain 
David  P.  Adams,  on  board  the  "Guerriere" 
frigate,  then  in  ordinary  at  Norfolk. 

Improvements  tO'  the  Navy  Yard  buildings, 
repairs  to  the  wharves,  filling  in  and  leveling 
the  gTounds  were  carried  on  from  year  to  year 
under  the  current  appropriations.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1823,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  reported 
to  Congress  the  following  as  the  improvements 
at  Gosport  up  to-  that  date,  the  most  of  which 
have  been  previouslv  noticed  in  these  pages, 
viz. :  A  brick  wall  around  the  yard ;  a  com- 
fortable dwelling  for  the  commandant;  a  large 
and  convenient  smiths'  shop  of  brick  :  twO'  large 
brick  warehouses ;  a  few  frame  buildings  used 
as  joiners'  shop,  coopers'  shops,  etc. ;  very  con- 
venient houses  and  quarters  for  the  marines ; 
a  building-  slip;  a  substantial  ship-house;  and 
a  pair  of  masting-sheers. 

In  Deceml>er,  1824,  Captain  Warrington 
was  relieved  from  the  command  of  the  yard  by 
Master-Commandant  James   Renshaw. 

The  title  of  master-commandant  was 
changed  to  that  of  commander ;  and  sailing- 
master,  tO'  master,  by  Act  of  Congress  ap- 
proved March  3,  1837. 

Om  July  31,  1822,  United  States  ship 
"North  Carolina,"  74  guns,  Capt.  C.  W.  Mor- 
gan, sailed  directly  from  Hampton  Roads  along 
the  whar\-es  tO'  the  Navy  Yard  under  full  sail. 
On  January  i,  1838,  the  sanie  thing  was  done 
by  the  United  States  120-gun  ship  "Pennsyl- 
vania." Her  commanding  officer  was  Sam- 
uel Barron. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1824,  the  Senate  oi 
the  United  States  passed  a  resolution  calling 
upon  the  Secretary  O'f  the  Navy  for  informa- 
tion upon  the  following  points : 

1st.  The  expediency,  usefulness,  economy 
and  necessity  oi  a  dry  dock  of  sufficient  capac- 
ity for  receiving,  examining  and  repairing  ships 
of  the  line. 


2nd.    The  Isest  location  for  a  dry  dock. 
3rd.      The   probable   expense   of   the   con- 
struction of  one  of  the  size  mentioned,   in  a 
solid   and   durable  manner,   with   the  needful 
appendages  for  an  advantageous  use  of  it. 

Hon.  Mr.  Southard,  then  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  in  his  answer  toi  the  resolution,  under 
date  of  January  3,  1825,  urged  in  very  strong 
,  terms  the  necessity  not  only  of  one,  but  of  at 
j  least  two  dry  dockS'  for  tlie  navy,  at  its  then 
i  present  size.     He  called  attention  to^  the  fact 
i  that  not  one  existed  in  the  country,  althoug-h 
|.  the  arguments  toi  prove  the  propriety  O'f  build- 
I  ing  one  or  more  had  several  tinges  been  offered 
since  the  organization  of  the  Navy  Deiiartment 
in    1798;  that  twice  appropriations  had  been 
made   by    Congress    for    the    construction    of 
docks  (on  the  25th  of  February,  1799,  and  on 
the  3rd  of  March,  1813),  but  the  amounts  ap- 
propriated were  so  small  as  tO'  be  entirely  in- 
adequate to  the  purpose.     He  stated  that  the 
only  method  of  examining  and  repairing  the 
hulls  of  heavy  ships  below  the  water-line,  then 
available,  was  that  of  Iwa^'iiis;  dozi'ti.,  an  ex- 
ceedingly  slow,  expensive,  laborious  and. dan- 
gerous operation,  and  very  unsatisfactory  in 
its  results ;  while,  with  a  drj'  dock,  work  might 
be  performed  in  a  few  hours,  and  at  triflng 
expense,  which  would  tai'ce  weeks  by  the  pro- 
cess then  in  use. 

In  regard  to  the  location  he  quoted  the 
opinion  of  the  navy  commiissioners  that  there 
should  be  one  in  the  eastern  part  O'f  the  Union 
and  one  in  the  waters  of  the  Chesaoeake.  For 
the  site  of  the  first  O'f  these  he  proposed 
Charlestow-n,  Massachusetts,  and  for  the  sec- 
ond, Gosport.  The  following  paragraphs  are 
copied  from  the  Secretary's  letter : 

"At  Gosport  there  is  also'  a  valuable  yard, 
j  with  improvements;  but  there  is  not  within  its 
limits  so  good  a  position  for  a  dock  as  upon 
the  adjoining  land,  which  may  be  bought  for  a 
small  sum,  and  add  much  toi  the  convenience^ 
and  utility  of  the  establishment  already  there. 
"Tire  Chesapeake  and  its  waters  form  a 
first  object  in  every  plan  relating  to  the  nation- 
al defense,  and  somewhere  upon  them  must  be 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


431 


placed  an  imiwrtant  portion  of  our  naval 
means.  Whether  om^  principal  depot  ought  to  ! 
be  there  the  resolution  does  not  direct  us  to  in- 
quire. But  let  that  question  be  decided  as  it 
may,  Gosport  must  be  retained  as  a  repairing 
and  refitting  station,  to  which  resort  can  be 
had  in  cases  of  need.  Lying  behind  the  strong 
defenses  of  Old  Point  Comfort  and  the  Rip 
Raps,  it  can  never  be  unimportant  as  a  naval 
position.  It  has  a  numerous  surrounding  pop- 
ulation, deq>  waters'  susceptibility  of  defense, 
accessibility  at  all  times,  freedom  from  frost, 
great  facilities  in  obtaining  supplies  of  mater- 
ials and  stands  at  once  in  the  most  important 
and  connecting-  points  in  that  great  line  of  in- 
ternal intercourse  and  navigation  to  which  the 
public  attention  has  at  all  times  been  so  strongly 
directed." 

The  estimated  cost  of  construction  of  two 
docks,  based  mainly  upon  an  estimate  for  one 
at  Boston  by  Col.  Loammi  Baldwin,  then  one 
of  the  first  civil  engineers  of  the  country,*  was 
$700,000. 

No  immediate  action  was  taken  by  Con- 
gress upoji  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  but  Mr.  Southard,  on  the  21st  of  March, 
1825,  directed  the  navy  agent  at  Norfolk  to  as- 
certain the  prices  at  which  the  land  adjoining 
the  yard  to  the  southward  and  extending  in  that 
direction  to  the  river,  could  be  purchased.  Un- 
der the  date  of  April  14th  Mr.  King,  the  naval 
agent,  reported  that  the  aggregate  cost  of  the 
several  parcels  of  land  would  be  $44,500. 

Mr.  Southard  regarded  this  sum  as  alto- 
gether too  great  and  directed  Mr.  King  to  oro- 
ceed  no  further  in  his  negotiations. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1825,  Commodore 
James  Barron  relieved  Captain  Renshaw  as 
commandant  of  the  yard. 

On  the  28th  of  November  Commodore  Bar- 
ron, in  answer  to  a  complaint  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  that  too  long  a  time  was  required 

♦Colonel  Baldwin  was  one  of  a  family  of  en- 
gineers, all  more  or  less  distinguished  in  their  pro- 
fession. He  had  visited  many  of  the  dry  docks  of 
Europe,  and  was  particularly  qualified  for  the  work 
which  he  afterward  performed  of  building  the  docks 
at   Gosport  and   Charlestown. 


to  repair  and  tit  out  ships,  informed  the  Secre- 
tary that  the  delays  were  immediately  owing 
to  want  of  proper  workshops,  storehouses  and 
a  dock,  and  proposed  a  plan  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  yard,  which  involved  the  purchase 
of  more  land  (the  yard  being  altogether  too 
confined  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  re- 
quired), the  erection  of  suitable  Imildings  and 
shops,  and  of  a  floating  dry  dock.  lie  fur- 
nished a  plan  and  estimates  for  tlie  last.  He 
especially  urged  the  inexpediency  of  erecting 
wooden  wharves  and  docks  in  waters  infested 
with  the  Teredo  navalis,  which  destroyed  the 
j  structures  at  the  water's  edge  and  left  the  sub- 
j  structure  to  form  actual  obstructions  in  the 
channel. 

The  question  of  purchasing  additional 
I  ground  seems  thus  to  have  been  reopened,  and 
under  date  of  February  26,  1826,  Mr.  King,  the 
navy  agent,  suggests  to  the  Navy  Department 
the  plan  of  applying  to  the  County  Court  to  ap- 
point a  jury  to  appraise  the  lands  required  by 
the  government.  This  suggestion  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Secretary,  but  seems  to  have 
been  a  very  slow  process. 

On  the  22nd  of  May,  1826,  a  resolution 
Oif  Congress  of  the  following  purport  was  ap- 
proved, viz. : 

The  President  tO'  cause  an  examination  and 
accurate  survey  to  be  niade  by  skillful  engi- 
j  neers  of  a  site  for  a  dry  dock  at  the  navy  yards 
!  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  Charlestown, 
Massachusetts,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  Gos- 
port, Virginia,  respectively ;  and  that  such  en- 
gineers be  required  to  state  the  dimensions  nec- 
essary for  such  docks,  the  advantages  of  each 
of  the  above-named  establishments  and  the 
objections  that  apply  to  either,  with  a  detailed 
estimate  of  the  expense  of  a  suitable  site,  and 
of  constructing  a  dock  at  each  of  said  places ; 
and  the  President  be  requested  to  communicate 
the  same  to  Congress  in  the  first  week  of  the 
next  session. 

On  the  26th  oi  July  Colonel  Baldwin  (the 
civil  engineer  before  mentioned)  was  appointed 
by  the  Department  to  make  the  required  sur- 
vevs.     The  first  spot  selected  at  Gosport  as  the 


432 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


site  of  the  dock  was  at  the  northern  side  of  the 
entrance  of  tlie  creek,  now  forming  a  timber- 
dock;  this  site  was  chosen  as  being  the  best 
in  the  yard  as  it  then  existed. 

During  the  same  year  (  1826)  the  frigate 
"St.  Lawrence"  was  laid  down  and  a  ship- 
house  built,  afterward  lettered  "B." 

On  (the  3rd  of  March,  1827,  Congress 
passed  an  Act  entitled  "An  Act  for  the  gradual 
improvement  of  the  Navy  of  the  United 
States,"  by  which  there  was  appropriated  the 
sum  of  $500,000  per  annum  for  six  years,  to 
be  applied  to  the  purposes  specified  in  the  Act. 

Bv  section  4  of  the  Act  the  President  was 
authorized  to  cause  to-  be  constructed  twoi  dry 
docks  OTii  the  most  approved  plan  for  the  use 
of  the  United  States  Navy;  one  of  the  said 
docks  to  be  erected  at  some  point  to  the  south 
and  the  other  tO'  the  north  of  the  Potomac 
River. 

By  section  6  the  President  was  authorized 
to  cause  the  navy  yards  of  the  United  States  to 
be  thoroughly  examined  and  plans  to  be  pre- 
pared for  the  improvement  of  the  same  and  the 
preservation  of  the  public  property  therein; 
from  which  plans,  after  they  should  be  sanc- 
tioned by  the  President,  noi  deviation  should  be 
made  but  by  his  special  order. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1827,  Mr.  King,  the 
navy  agent,  reported  that  the  lands  from  Jef- 
ferson street,  along  the  line  of  Third  street  to 
the  county  road,  and  thence  do'wn  to-  the  water, 
could  be  purchased  for  $7,825.  He  was  au- 
thorized to  make  the  purchase,  and  also  O'f  such 
other  lands  adjoining  the  yard  on  the  south  as 
should  be  deemed  necessary,  and  was  directed 
to  consult  with  Commodores  Bainbridge,  Mor- 
ris and  Chauncey.  who'  then  constituted  ithe 
Board  of  Navy  Commissioners  charged,  under 
authoritv  of  the  Act  above  alluded  to,  with  the 
examination  of  the  yards  and  the  formation 
of   plans    for   their    improvement. 

The  lands  finally  purchased  included  all  the 
ground  south  of  Lincoln  street  and  east  of 
Third  street  to  the  creek,  and  several  parcels 
of  land  lying  to  the  southward  oi  the  creek, 
and  now  included  within  the  walls  of  the  vard. 


beii>g  toiwn  lots  Nos.  120  to  151,  both  inclu- 
sive, and  the  parcels  of  land  marked  from  i 
to  7. 

The  folloiwing  is  a  list  of  the  purchases 
made,  the  date  of  the  conveyances,  the  prices 
paid,  respectively,  and  the  names  of  the  ven- 
dors : 


LOTS 

DATE 

COST 

NAMES  OF   VENDORS 

Nos.  120,1 

21,124, 

June    9,  1826 

Sl.OOO 

Mordecai  Cooke  et  ux. 

126. 

Nov.  23.  1826 

1,200 

Nos.  122, 

123.... 

Enoch  Choate  et  ux. 

Nos.  127. 

127.... 

Mar.  26.  1829 

446 

Mary  A.  Fowler. 

Nos.    128 

to  13.5 

Nov.  17,  1827 

1,700 

Arthur  Emmerson  et  ux. 

inclusive. 

Nos.  136, 

137.... 

June  30,  1826 

4.50 

John  Andrews,  Catherine  Wil- 
kinson and  others. 

Nos.  138, 

139.... 

Mar.  24.  1827 

400 

Ann  Drewry  and  Mary  Kidd. 

Nos.  140, 

141.... 

June    8.  1827 

*50 

William  B.  Lamb  et  ux. 

Nos.  142, 

143.... 

Nov.  29.  1826 

7.50 

Thomas  Edwards  et  us. 

Nos.  1+4. 

14.5..,. 

June    a.  1827 

3.400 

Martha  Herbert. 

Nos.  146. 

147.... 

Mav     4.  1837 

475 

Thomas  Edwards  et  ux. 

Nos.  148, 

149.,.. 

Mar.  19,  1829 

300 

John  Collins,  et  ux. 

Nos.  150. 

151.... 

April  13.  1827 

2.50 

John  Wilson  et  us. 

No.  1.... 

June    2,  1827 

2,500 

No   2 

Mav     8.  1827 
Mav  28,  1827 

5,500 
1.000 

No.  3 

Sophia  Bradford. 

N0.4 

Mav  28.  1827 

2,000 

No  ft 

May  28.  1827 
Mar.  31,  1826 

800 
501 

N0.6 

No.  7 

.\pril  8.  1828 

500 

Sophia  Bradford. 

In  taking  possession  of  the  newly  acquired 
property  the  government  also  took  possession 
O'f  as  much  of  Second,  Nelson,  Jefferson  and 
Fayette  streets  as  were  included  in  it  though, 
as  will  be  shown  further  on,  these  were  not 
purchased  until  some  years  later.  It  may  be 
here  said  that  the  streets  abo\^e  mentioned  were 
never  actually  made  or  used  as  such.  A  coun- 
ty road  ran  along  the  south  side  oi  the  creek 
tO'  the  river,  where  a  bridge  crossed  from  a 
point  near  the  southern  end  oi  the  present 
mast-house  land  hotise-joiners'  shops. 

The  Board  of  Navy  Conmiissioners,  of 
which  Commodoire  Bainbridge  was  president, 
during  the  winter  of  1827-28  made  an  elabor- 
ate plan  for  the  improvement  of  the  yard,  based 
on  a  thorough  survey  of  the  yard  and  the  adja- 
cent waters  by  Colonel  Baldwin.  The  position 
before  chosen  for  a  dry  dock  was  abandoned 
and  sites  for  three  docks  were  selected  on  the 
addition  to  the  southward  of  the  creek.  The 
report  O'f  the  commissioners  was  dated  April 
I.  1828.  and  was  approved  by  the  President, 
John  Ouincy  Adams,  on  the  24th  of  the  fol- 
lowiup"  November. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


433 


CONSTRUCTION  OF  THE  STONE  DRV  DOCK. 

Tlie  work  upon  the  dry  dock  was  com- 
menced in  Nm-ember,  1827.  Colonel  Baldwin 
was  apixiinted  engineer  in  charg^e  of  the  con- 
struction of  this  as  well  as  of  that  authorized  at 
Boston;  and  Capt.  \\.  P.  S.  Sanj^er  was  ap- 
pointed resident  eng-ineer  at  Gosport.  Captain 
Sanofer  continued  the  immediate  charge  of  the 
work  under  Colonel  Baldwin  until  its  com- 
pletion. 

The  northernmost  of  the  three  sites  selected 
for  docks  was  chosen  for  the  one  about  to  be 
built.  Tlie  site  as  laid  down  ])rojected  about 
130  feet  outside  of  the  shore-line  or  iiUo  ab<iut 
10  feet  of  water.  The  average  surface  of  the 
ground  inside  the  shore-line  was  6  feet  above 
high-water  mark. 

A  strong,  water-tight  coffer-dam  was  built 
as  a  preliminary  step  to  beginning  the  excava- 
tion; this  consisted  of  two  rows  of  piles  12^ 
feet  apart,  directly  in  front  of  the  dock,  and 
8  feet  apart  at  the  sides.  Each  row  consisted 
first  of  ribbon-piles.  14  inches  square  and  45 
feet  long,  driven  eight  feet  anart.  to  whifh  were 
bolted  ribbons  of  12  by  14-inch  yellow-pine 
timber,  one  at  the  head  of  the  piles,  one  6I/2 
feet  and  one  10^/2  feet  lower:  inside  of  the 
ribbons.  ;'.  c.  toward  the  interior  of  the  dain. 
■were  driven  sheet-piles  13  inches  square,  and 
tongued  and  grooved.  The  rows  were  then 
secured  to  each  other  bv  tie-beams  laid  across. 
and  secured  to  the  heads  of  the  ribbon  piles ; 
and  by  2-inch  iron  bolts  through  the  lower  rib- 
bons, one  between  each  two  of  the  ribbon- 
piles.  Tlie  intervening  space  between  the  rows 
was  then  filled  with  clay  from  the  excavation. 
Tlie  dam  was  found  to  be  perfecth-  tight  and 
secure  and  ne\-er  gave  any  trouble  while  in 
use. 

Joining  on  to  the  coffer-dam,  on  either  side, 
was  constructed  a  cob-wharf ;  that  to  the  south- 
ward extended  only  some  fortv  yards  when  it 
turned  in  to  the  shore;  but  that  to  the  north- 
ward extending  along  the  prorH>sed  line  of  the 
quay-wall  to  the  entrance  of  the  proposed  tim- 
ber-dock, where  it  joined  a  cribwork  built  along 


the  line  designated  for  the  south  wall  of  the 
latter. 

The  exca\ation  for  the  dock  was  now 
pushed  steadily  forward,  and  the  earth  removed 
I  was  used  to  fill  in  from  the  shore-line  to  the 
'  cob-wharf  alx>ve  mentioned,  and  to  level  other 
portions  of  the  yard.  Tlie  soil  for  a  depth  of 
from  five  to  12  feet  was  a  yellow  sand;  next 
a  stratum  of  fine  compact  blue  clay,  with  here 
and  there  upon  its  upper  surface  irregular 
strata  of  blue  sand,  and  of  shells  mixed  with 
clay.  The  blue  clay  extended  at  tlie  entrance 
of  the  dock  about  30  feet  below  the  bottom  of 
the  pit,  and  at  the  head  diminished  to  15  feet, 
where  a  bed  of  gravel  was  reached,  so  hard 
that  an  augur  would  not  penetrate  it.  The  pit 
was,  when  the  excavation  was  finished,  40  feet 
deep.  340  feet  long  and  100  feet  wide  at  the 
batti  ni,  the  sides  sloping  so  as  to  make  it  about 
60  feet  wider  and  as  much  longer  at  the  top. 
A  chalyl>eate  spring  was  met  in  the  excavation, 
the  flow  of  which  was  so  strong  as  to  force 
the  water  through  the  pores  of  the  piles  which 
were  driven.  An  auger-hole  being  Ix^red  in 
the  head  of  a  pile  the  water  would  flow  out  of 
j  it  freely.  The  surtwuit  of  this  spring  was  some 
'  six  feet  below  the  level  of  the  low-water  mark. 
The  pit  ha\ing  been  prepared,  foundation 
or  bearing-piles  were  driven  in  rows  three  feet 
apart  from  center  to  center,  but  somewhat 
[  closer  along  the  central  line  of  the  pit.  These 
piles  were  about  30  feet  lone  at  the  entrance 
and  gradually  diminished  in  length  to  15  feet 
i  at  the  head,  t>eing  driven  down  to  the  stratum 
of  gravel  alx>ve  referred  to.  into  which  it  was 
impossible  to  make  them  enter  more  than  a 
few  inches.  A  row  of  sheet-piles  was  next 
driven  across  the  head  and  along  either  side 
of  the  pit.  a  row  across  the  front  entrance,  one 
under  where  the  grooves  ior  the  floating-gate 
were  to  be.  one  under  the  turning-pc-sts  of  the 
gates,  and  one  under  the  gallery,  l^iese  rows 
of  sheet-piles  act  both  as  stop-waters  and  as 
additional  supports  to  the  foundation. 

The  heads  of  the  bearing-piles  were  cut  off 
level  and  u]xin  them  were  placed  transversely 
with  the  axis  of  the  dock  yellow-iiine  beams 


434 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


12  inches  thick  either  wav  and  secured  tO'  the 
piles  by  treenails.  The  spaces  between  the 
beams  and  to^  the  level  of  their  uppermost  sur- 
faces were  then  filled  with  broken  stone,  after 
which  a  close  floor  of  4-inch  yellow-pine  plank 
was  laid,  and  upoii  this  and  directly  over  the 
lower  was  placed  a  second  course  of  timber  12 
inches  thick  by  16,  laid  edgewise;  the  inter- 
mediate spaces  between  these  were  tilled  with 
brick  laid  in  cement ;  after  tliis  another  floor 
similar  to  the  first  was  put  down. 

All  the  dimension  stone  of  this  dock  is  of 
granite  from  different  Massachusetts  quarries, 
and  nearly  all  of  it  dressed  in  the  quarries  from 
the  plans,  and  so  well  was  this  work  done  that 
it  is  estimated  that  not  $100  was  spent  in  alter- 
ing- stone.  The  rubble-backing  tO'  the  sidewalls 
was  obtained  principally  from  the  quarries 
at  Port  Deposit,  Maryland.  A  small  portion, 
however,  came  from  the  Falls  Oif  the  James 
River,  near  Richmond. 

The  chamber  of  the  dock,  or  the  portion 
ordinarily  used  for  docking  ships,  is  253  feet 
long  and  85I/4  feet  wide  at  the  coping.  The 
extreme  length  of  the  dock,  which  can  be  made 
available  by  placing  the  floating-gate  outside 
the.  entrance  and  not  using  the  turning-gates, 
is  320  feet.  The  United  States  ship  "Severn." 
measuring  324  feet  over  all,  was  docked 
by  blocking  her  up  tO'  raise  her  above 
the  miter-sills.  The  floor  of  the  cham- 
ber is  22y  feet  long  and  30  feet  wide. 
The  increase  in  the  width  of  the  cham- 
ber from  the  floor  to  the  coping  is  pro- 
duced by  offsets  in  the  side-walls,  forming  the 
altars.  The  side-walls  are  35  feet  thick  at  the 
bottom  and  but  7  at  the  coping.  The  floor  is 
laid  in  two-  comrses  of  cut  ,granite  in  the  form 
of  an  inverted  arch,  tO'  resist  the  upward  pres- 
sure of  the  water ;  the  lower  course  is  tapering 
in  form,  one  foot  thick  at  the  entrance  of  the 
chamber  and  two  feet  three  inches  at  the  head, 
thus  giving  rise  of  one  foot  three  inches :  the 
second  course  is  of  uniform  thickness,  /.  c, 
three  feet. 

The  lowest  two  altars  have  a  rise  of  15 
inches  each,  the  floor  rising  tO'  the  level  of  the 


lowest  altar  at  the  head  of  the  chamber;  the 
next  three  have  a  rise  of  one  foot  each.  These 
five  altars  are  laid  so  as  to  form  a  continuation 
of  the  in\-erted  arch ;  the  next  three  rise  three 
feet  each ;  the  next  three,  4  feet  4^^  inches 
each ;  when  a  further  rise  of  4  feet  4^  inches 
brings  us  to  the  coping.  The  width  of  the  al- 
tars from  the  lowest  up  are  as  fo'llows :  The 
first,  three  feet ;  the  next  three,  two'  feet  each ; 
the  next,  four  feet ;  the  next  two,  23/2  feet  each  ; 
the  next,  four  feet ;  and  the  upper  three,  two 
feet  each.  The  head  of  the  chamber  is  semi- 
circular. There  are  five  timber-slips  in  the 
head  of  the  dock,  with  landings  upon  the 
broad  altars.  There  are  six  flights  of  stone 
stairs  in  the  chamber  for  the  use  Oif  workmen, 
three  on  each  side,  viz. :  One  at  the  head ;  one 
at  the  center ;  and  one  at  the  entrance.  At  the 
entrance  of  the  chamber  is  the  gallery,  which 
is  the  lowest  part  of  the  floor  and  from  which 
the  water  passes  throrig-h  gates  intO'  the  dis- 
charging culverts.  Next,  outside  the  gallery, 
is  the  great  inverted  arch;  the  miter-sills, 
ag'ainst  which  the  turning  gates  rest  when 
closed,  abut  against  this  arch.  Vertical  re- 
cesses in  the  side-Wialls  receive  the  turning- 
gates  when  open.  Outside  of  these  recesses, 
at  the  entrance  of  the  dock  is  another  inverted 
arch,  a  groove  in  which,  and  continued  up  the 
side-walls,  receives  the  floating-g"ate.  The 
float-gate  may,  however.  as  has  been 
mentioned  above,  be  olaced  against  shoulders 
in  the  face  of  the  entrance,  thus  increasing  the 
capacity  of  the  dock. 

On  either  side  of  the  dock  a  culvert  four 
feet  high  and  23/  feet  wide  in  the  opening,  and 
provided  with  a  bronze  gate,  leads  from  the 
gallery  to  the  reservoir  across  the  head  of  the 
dock ;  the  culverts  are  built  of  hard  brick  laid 
in  cement,  with  straight  side-walls  and  semi- 
circular tops  and  bottoms ;  the  thickness  of  the 
walls  is  14  inches. 

The  reservoir  is  12  feet  high  and  seven 
feet  wide,  built  with  straight  side-walls  of  cut 
granite,  a  semi-circular  top  of  brick  14  inches 
thick,  and  a  brick  inverted  arch  at  the  bottom 
of  the  same  thickness. 


A  View  of  the  Opening  of  the  Stone  Dry  Dock  of  the  U.   S.  Navy  Yard  at  Gosport,  June  17,  1833.   for  the 
Reception  of  the  V.   S.  ship  "Delaware,"  the  first  line-of-battle  ship  built  at  Gosport  (Norfolk), 

AND    THE    FIRST     NATIONAL     SHIP     EVER    DOCKED    IN    A    DRV    DOCK    BELONGING    TO    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

(Reproduced  from  an  Old  Print. i 


The  U.   S.  ship  "Delaware,"  74,  in    the   Stone   Dry   Dock  of  the  U.  S.  Navy  Yard  at  Gosport.     The  keel 

OF    THIS    line-of-battle    SHIP    WAS    LAID    IN    THE    SUMMER    OF    1817.    AND    SHE    WAS    LAUNCHED    IN    1820. 

Her  name  was  chosen  by  lottery. 
Reproduced  from  an  Old  Print.; 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


437 


From  the  south  eiid  of  the  reservoir  (where 
a  well  is  situated,  reaching  to  the  surface),  a 
tunnel  with  cross-section  elliptical  in  form, 
four  feet  high  and  two  feet  nine  inclies  wide  in 
the  o]iening  and  about  190  feet  long,  leads  to 
the  pumii-well.  From  the  pump-well  a  dis- 
charge culvert  alxmt  150  feet  long  leads  into 
the  crock  at  the  southwest  comer  of  the  yard ; 
it  is  alx-ut  four  feet  square  at  the  mouth,  and 
supplied  with  a  composition  gate. 

Water  is  admitted  to  the  dock  through  fill- 
ing culverts,  one  on  either  side.  14  feet  nine 
inches  l)elo\v  tlie  coping,  and  leading  inside  of 
the  turning-gates ;  these  culverts  are  also  sup- 
plied with  bronze  gates. 

There  are  two  oump-wells  13  feet  nine 
inches  in  diameter  each,  and  connected  to- 
gether; they  are  built  of  brick;  the  bottoms 
are  inverted  arches  two  feet  thick ;  the  side- 
walls  are  2J/2  feet  thick,  with  four  projecting 
courses  of  cut  stone  at  proper  intervals  to  sup- 
port the  pump-frames.  On  the  tops  of  the 
walls  are  stone  copings  one  foot  deep  and  18 
inches  wide. 

There  are  four  lift-pumps  in  each  well,  each 
30  inches  in  diameter  and  of  three  feet  stroke, 
made  of  cast  iron,  lined  with  composition  staves 
and  supplied  with  composition  boxes  and 
vales.  The  i)umps  are  driven  by  pinion  wheels 
fitted  on  either  end  of  ilie  engine  shaft,  work- 
ing in  cog-wheels  on  the  shafts  of  the  pumps. 

Tlie  engine-house  was  a  two-story  brick 
building.  200  feet  long  by  30  feet  wide;  but 
30  feet  of  the  lower  story  was  used  for  the 
lifting  engines:  the  rest  of  the  building  was  at 
first  occupied  as  a  sawmill  and  as  a  machine- 
shop.  The  whole  is  now  used  as  a  machine- 
shop. 

The  turning-gates  are  constructed  of  tim- 
ber and  composition,  and  covered  with  copper. 
Each  gate  is  36  feet  wide  and  30  feet  8  inches 
in  height.  The  turning-posts  are  fitted  with 
composition  saucers  in  the  lower  ends,  which 
rest  upon  composition  pintles  fixed  in  the  ma- 
sonry ;  the  tops  of  the  posts  are  secured  in 
place  by  straps  keyed  to  anchors  laid  in  the 
coping.     Each  gate  is  supplied  with  two  com- 


position rollers,  and  cast-iron  tracks  are  laid 
uf)on  the  floor  for  these  to  travel  upon. 

The  floating-gate,  or  caisson,  is  built  of 
white-oak  timber  and  yellow-pine  plank,  cop- 
per-fastened. It  is  60  feet  long,  30  feet  high 
and  16  feet  wide  amidships.  The  stems  and 
keel  are  each  two  feet  thick,  and  project  14 
inches  into  the  grooves  in  the  walls  and  arches. 
There  is  a  fore-and-aft  bulkhead  from  stem  to 
stern  and  from  deck  to  keelson,  composed  of 
solid  timber,  and  two  feet  thick.  Three 
ci:>urses  of  tie-beams  from  this  bulkhead  to  the 
sides  resist  the  pressure  of  the  water.  Four 
copper  ship's  pumps  on  each  side  and  worked 
by  brakes  on  deck  are  used  for  pumping  out 
the  water  when  it  is  desired  to  lift  the  gate  out 
of  the  grooves. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  183^.  the  anniversary 
of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  the  dock  was 
opened  for  the  reception  of  the  line-of-battle 
ship  "Delaware,"  the  first  liner  built  at  Gos- 
port,  and  the  first  national  ship  ever  docked  in 
a  dry  dock  belonging  to  the  United  States. 

Large  numbers  of  ladies  and  gentlemen 
were  present  to  witness  the  opening  ceremonies, 
which  were  made  as  imposing  as  possible,  the 
occasion  being  one  of  great  rejoicing  as  well 
to  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  as 
to  the  whole  navy. 

T\^e  figurehead  of  the  "Delaware"  repre- 
sented Tamarind,  a  chief  of  the  Delaware  tribe 
of  Indians.  It  was  saved  when  the  "Delaware" 
was  destroyed  in  1861  and  is  now  in  the  Naval 
Museum  at  Annapolis.  It  is  referred  to  as  a 
masterpiece  of  wood-carving.  This  figure- 
head was  carved  by  A\'illiam  Luke,  who  had 
obtained  great  reputation  as  a  sculptor  in 
wood.  His  establishment  was  located  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Court  and  London  streets, 
Portsmouth,  and  it  is  said  that  he  executed 
all  the  car\'ing  at  that  place  for  the  United 
States  Navy.     He  died  Februarv  2,  1829. 

The  line-of-battle  ship  "North  Carolina" 
was  soon  afterward  admitted  to  the  dock. 

The  dry  dock  was  turned  over  to  the  com- 
mandant of  the  Navy  Yard  complete  on  the 
13th  of  March,   1834.     The  total  cost  of  the 


438 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


work  was  $974,3  =;6.65.  The  following'  is  a 
tabulated  statement  of  expenditures  up  to 
October  i,  1833,  as  published  in  the  report  of 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  for  that  year : 

Items.  Amounts. 

Office,  shops  and  stables $22,119.75 

Tools,  lighters,  driving-machines,  &c 41,420,44 

Pine  timber,  plank,  nails,  iron,  &c 17,794.34 

Surveys  and  plans  of  navy  yards 3,360.26 

Coffer-dam     23.532.84 

Pier-wharves  10,972.50 

Cob-wharves    14.022.59 

Excavation    58,5/2.33 

Foundation    64.097.46 

Drainage     (temporary) 33,803.46 

Masonry   of    dock 450,789.62 

Banking   up 11 ,432-7-2 

Wells   and   tunnel 13.762.02 

Engine-house    33,90i-97 

Engine  and  pumps 27,945.22 

'Turning-gates    22,^88.43 

Floating-gate  24,121.54 

Removal    of    coffer-dam 8,134.81 

Miscellaneous    35.010.55 

Superintendence     31,256.88 

Total    943,645-73 

In  1830  a  claim  was  set  up  by  the  widow 
and  trustees  of  William  Pennock  to  the  square 
of  ground  which  had  formerly  comprised  lots 
128  to  135.  both  inclusive.  This  ground  had 
been  purchased  by  the  United  States  from  Ar- 
thur Emmerson,  whose  title  was  derived  from 
the  State  of  Virginia,  and  was  of  compara- 
tively recent  date.  It  was  now  asserted  by  the 
claimants  that  the  square  had  been  purchased 
by  Wells  Cowper,  in  1785,  from  the  commis- 
sioners appointed  by  law  to  sell  the  Gosport 
lands,  and  had  been  sold  and  conveyed  by  the 
heirs  of  the  said  Cowper  to  Mr.  Pennock. 

On  the  23rd  of  March,  1830,  Mr.  Emmer- 
son informed  the  Board  of  Navy  Commis- 
sioners, in  answer  tO'  a  communication  from 
them  on  the  subject,  that  he  knew  of  no  title 
to  conflict  with  his  own ;  but  that  if  anybody 
could  produce  a  valid  title  he  was  willing  to 
refund  the  monev  he  had  received  for  it,  or  if 
suit  was  entered  he  held  himself  ready  to  de- 
fend the  title. 

Under  date  of  June  2^.  1830,  Nash  Le- 
grand,  the  navy  agent  at  Norfolk,  was  directed 
bv  the  Secretarv  of  the  Navv  to  cause  the  con- 


flicting titles  to  be  examined.  In  his  answer, 
dated  July  20th,  Mr.  Leerand  states  that  the 
heirs  of  Cowper  held  a  receipt  for  the  pur- 
chase money  paid  to  the  commissioners  in 
1785,  but  that  if  any  deed  had  ever  been  exe- 
cuted conveying  the  property  to  them  it  had 
been  lost.  They  had,  howe\'er,  held  uninter- 
rupted possession  of  the  land,  "except  the 
ownership  of  Emmerson  under  the  State  pat- 
ent." Mr.  Legrand  had  consulted  the  State's 
attorney,  whose  opinion  was  that  the  claimants 
could  easily  establish  their  title. 

Tlie  claimants  several  times  declared  their 
intention  of  entering  suit  for  the  property,  but 
seem  nerver  to  have  done  so.  As  it  was  not  de- 
sirable to  build  upon  the  ground  so-  long  as 
there  was  any  doubt  as  to  the  title,  Mr.  Le- 
grand was  directed,  on  the  30th  of  April,  1831, 
to  enter  into  a  contract  on  the  part  of  the  gov- 
ernment with  the  claimants  (they  having  pre- 
vioiTsly  expressed  their  willingness  to  do  so) 
b}'  which  the  latter  bound  themselves  to  convey 
the  property  to  the  Cinited  States  in  case  their 
title  to  it  should  be  established,  for  the  same 
amount  that  had  been  paid  to  Mr.  Emmerson, 
and  which  amoimt  that  gentleman  had  again 
promised  to  refund  should  the  decision  be 
against  him.  The  contract  was  executed  ac- 
cordingly on  the  31st  of  October,  1831,  but  no 
further  steps  seem  ever  to  have  been  taken. 

In  1832  a  correspondence  was  commenced 
by  John  Harper,  who  had  obtained  from  the 
State  of  Virginia,  under  date  of  November  13, 

1832,  a  grant  of  such  portions  of  Second,  Fay- 
ette, Nelson  and  Jefferson  streets  as  were  in- 
cluded in  the  newly  added  portions  of  the  yard, 
and  described  as  "waste  and  abandoned  lands." 
and  which  he  had  caused  to  be  surveyed  after  it 
was  not  only  in  the  possession  of  the  govern- 
ment of  the  L'nited  States,  but  actually  en- 
closed, as  was  certified  to  by  the  survevor  him- 
self. Mr.  Harper  now  desired  the  Navy  De- 
partment to  purchase  his  title. 

The  Department,  of  course,  declined  to  con- 
sider his  proposal  and  on  the  27th  of  February, 

1833,  an  Act  was  passed  bv  the  General  As- 
sanbly  o-f  Virginia  authorizing  the  trustees  of 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


439 


the  town  of  Portsmouth  to  convey  the  title  of  I 
tlie  pnti)erty  in  question  to  tlie  United  States 
upon  tlie  i)aynicnt  of  its  value,  and  also  cedino- 
to  the  United  States  the  jurisdiction  of  all  lands 
recentlv  purcliasal.  The  ground  contained  in 
the  streets  was  assessed  at  $4,779.  and  was 
duly  conveyed  to  the  g-overnment  in  1833.  by 
the  trustees  of  Portsmouth,  on  the  payment  of 
that  sum :  there  being-  some  informality  in  the 
deed,  however,  a  new  conveyance  was  made  in 
May.  1837. 

In  accordance  with  the  fin-ther  provisions 
of  the  Act  of  the  27th  of  February.  1833. 
aljove  referred  to,  Governor  Littleton  \V. 
Tazewell,  by  deed  of  April  i.  1835,  conveyed 
to  the  United  States  the  jurisdiction  of  all  lands 
recently  added  to  the  Navy  Yard  as  well  as 
of  that  purchased  in  1826  near  Fort  Nelson, 
and  ui>on  wliich  the  Xaval  Hospital  was  after- 
wartl  erected,  under  conditions  that  should  the 
government  at  any  time,  for  the  space  of  five 
years,  fail  to  use  the  property  for  the  purpose 
specitied,  the  jurisdiction  should  revert  tO'  the 
State  of  Virginia,  and  also  providing  that  the 
officers  of  the  State  should  at  no  time  be  pre- 
vented from  executing  within  the  limits  of  the 
property  any  process  whatsoever. 

Mr.  Harjjer  continued  to  urge  his  claim 
until  1839.  when  the  last  of  his  letters  is  dated. 
While  the  work  of  building  the  drv  dock 
was  going  on  some  progress  was  being  made 
imder  the  plan  for  the  improvement  of  the 
yard.  This  mainly  consisted  in  putting  up 
workshops,  erecting  a  wall  around  the  yard, 
filling  in  and  leveling  the  groimds,  etc.  After 
the  completion  of  the  dock  Capt.  W.  P.  S.  San- 
ger 1)ecame  the  civil  engineer  of  the  yard, 
which  position  he  continued  to  hold  until  1842. 
when  he  was  transferred  to  the  Bureau  of 
Yards  and  Docks,  then  newly  created. 

A  plan  of  the  yard,  made  bj-  Captain  San- 
ger about  the  year  1840  (there  is,  unfortun- 
ately, no  date  ujwn  it),  shows  the  progress  up 
to  that  time  of  the  work  of  improvement,  which 
consisted  of  the  fol!()wing,  viz. :  A  smithery ; 
an  iron  store,  including  coppersmiths',  tin- 
smiths',  and   other   small   shops;   five  timber- 


sheds:  a  storehouse;  a  mast-sliup,  with  shed 
for  masts  and  si>ars;  a  boat-shop  and  boat- 
house;  a  workshop  for  capstans,  rudders  and 
iither  heavy  work;  a  cooi)erage  and  storehouse 
for  water-tanks,  staves,  etc. ;  dwelling  houses 
for  the  commandant  and  four  other  yard  offi- 
cers, all  substantial  brick  Iniildings;  besides 
these,  a  few  temiKirarv  timl>er-sheds.  and  a 
numljer  of  small  l>uildings  not  contemplated 
I  in  the  "approved  plans,"  consisting  of  stables, 
saw-house,  watch-house,  oil-house,  tar-house, 
etc.  In  addition  to  the,se  a  large  portion  of 
the  quay-wall  had  been  built  on  the  water-front 
and  about  three-fourths  of  that  surrounding 
the  timljer-dock  or  basin.  The  timl>er-dock 
was  commenced  in  1835.  Specific  ajjjjropria- 
:  tions  were  made  for  the  quay-wall  in  1835,  and 
continued  from  year  to  year  until  1840. 

Commodore  Warrington,  who  had  as- 
sumed command  of  the  yard  May  26,  1831, 
1  continued  it  until  the  7th  of  October.  1840. 
The  yard  was  constantly  used  in  the  meantime 
for  fitting  out.  refitting,  repairing  and  laying 
up  the  ships  and  vessels  of  the  na\-y. 

The  sloop  "John  Adams"  was  built  in 
1830.  The  frigate  "Macedonian"  was  rebuilt 
here  between  the  years  1832  and  1836.  The 
survevintr-brig  "Pioneer"  was  launched  in 
1836.  Tlie  line-of-battle  ship  "Pennsylvania" 
became  the  receiving-ship  in  1837.  The  sloop 
"Yorktown"  was  commenced  in  1835  and 
launched  in  1839. 

Of  the  old  Imildings  that  were  standing  in 
1837  the  shii>houses.  the  office  buildings  along 
the  north  wall,  the  commandant's  house  and  a 
portion  of  the  marine-l>arracks,  were  still 
standing  in  1840;  the  rest  had  all  Ijeen  re- 
moved or  rebuilt. 

Commodore  W.  B.  Shubrick  assumed  com- 
mand of  the  yard  in  October.  1840,  and  re- 
tained it  until  October,  1843.  -'^  P'^"  of  the 
yard  made  under  his  flirection  by  Captain  San- 
ger and  received  at  the  Bureau  of  Yards  and 
Docks  in  November,  1842.  shows  little  prog- 
ress up  to  that  date  beyond  what  is  mentioned 
above,  the  continued  appronriation  for  "grad- 
ual improvements"   having  ceased.     A  black- 


440 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


smith's  shop  and  turning-machine  and  a  foun- 
dry and  phnnbery  had  been  added  to  the  steam- 
engine  house,  and  some  other  storehouses  had 
been  begun. 

The  steamer  "Union"  was  laid  down  at  the 
yard  in  1841  and  launched  in  1842.  The  store- 
ship  "Southampton"  was  commenced  in  1842. 

In  October,  1843,  Commodore  Shubrick 
was  relieved  by  Commodore  Jesse  Wilkinson, 
as  commandant. 

In  1842  an  appropriation  was  made  by  Con- 
gress for  a  dredging-machine  for  this  yard, 
which  was  completed  the  following  year,  and 
successfully  used  for  deepening  the  channel 
in  front  of  the  dry  dock  and  along  the  wharves  ; 
the  earth  brought  up  was  used  for  filling  up 
where  needed  in  the  yard.  During  the  year 
1843  th^  ground  around  the  dry  dock  was 
graded  and  the  pavement  relaid;  by  this  the 
dock  was  protected  from  injury  to  which  it 
had  been  subject  from  filtration. 

The  brig  "Perry"  was  laid  down  in  1843 ! 
some  additional  machinery  was  erected  in  dif- 
ferent shops  during  the  same  year.  The  quay- 
wall  was  completed  during  that  and  the  follow- 
ing years,  /.  c,  1843-44.  as  far  as  ship-house 
"B."' 

The  sloop  "Jamestown"  was  laid  down  in 
1843  ^"^d  launched  in  1844.  In  1845  another 
storehouse.  No.  16,  was  built.  A  bridge  across 
the  timber-dock  was  completed.  The  dock 
itself  was  still  in  an  unfinished  state;  no  ap- 
propriation having  been  made  for  several  years. 
Work  was  suspended  on  the  quay-wall  in  1845 
for  the  same  reason.  A  new  building-slip  was 
commenced  in  1845  i-Uider  special  appropria- 
tion. The  store-ship  "Southampton"  was 
launched  in  the  same  year. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  1846,  the  lot  of 
ground  opposite  the  Navy  Yard,  on  the  Berkley 
side  of  the  Elizabeth,  and  known  as  St. 
Helena,  was  purchased  and  added  tO'  the  yard. 
This  ground  was  needed  for  ordnance  pur- 
poses. Commodore  Wilkinson  had  purchased 
it  some  time  previoiislv  without  letting  it  be 
known  that  the  government  contemplated  doing 
so,  and  now  conveved  it  tO'  the  United  States 


for  $2,403.50,  the  amount  he  had  paid  for  it, 
with  interest  to  date,  his  sole  object  in  making 
the  purchase  from  his  private  means  having 
been  tO'  save  the  government  from  the  exorbi- 
tant valuation  likelv  to  be  put  upon  the  land  as 
soon  as  it  should  be  ascertained  that  it  was 
desired  as  an  addition  to  the  Navy  Yard.  Jur- 
isdiction of  the  St.  Helena  property  was  ceded 
to  the  United  States  by  an  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  Virginia,  dated  March  22,  1847. 

Commodore  Lawrence  Kearny  became 
commandant  on  the  ist  of  June,  1847.  Some 
progress  was  made  that  }'ear  uoon  the  launch- 
ing-slip  previously  spokai  of.  Another  store- 
house. No.  13,  commenced  the  vear  before,  was 
finished.  The  frigate  "St.  Lawrence"  and  the 
brig  "Perry"  were  launched.  The  former  had 
been  on  the  stocks  for  over  20  years.  The 
steam  frigate  "Powhatan"  was  laid  down. 

January  19,  1848,  Commodore  John  D. 
Sloat  was  ordered  to  relieve  Commodore 
Kearny  as  commandant. 

In  1848  a  small  appropriation  was  made 
by  CongTess  for  continuing  the  quay-wall,  and 
was  applied  to  build  a  coffer-dam  for  the  north 
wall  of  the  timber  dock.  Appropriations  were 
also  made  for  a  new  pair  O'f  masting-sheers,  for 
additional  machinery,  for  various  shops,  and 
for  improvements  at  St.  Helena. 

In  September,  1849,  F°rt  Norfolk  and  the 
grounds  about  it  were  turned  over  to  the  Navy 
Department  by  the  War  Department  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  magazine  for  powder  and 
balls.  Work  was  immediately  commenced 
upon  the  shell-house.  A  building  near  the  site 
of  the  present  sawmill  (outside  of  the  yard, 
when  built)  had  been  used  as  a  magazine  for 
some  years  previously.  During  the  same  year, 
building  No.  51  was  erected,  also  some  brick 
stables.  An  engine-house  to  the  smithery  was 
commenced.  A  gun-park,  a  coal-house,  and  a 
landing-wharf  were  built  at  St.  Helena.  Work 
upon  the  quay-wall  progressed  as  far  as  the 
appropriation  would  permit. 

Between  the  years  1850  and  i860  great 
progress  was  made  in  improving  the  yard,  un- 
der current  appropriations,  while  at  the  same 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


441 


time  great  activity  prevailed  in  building,  re- 
pairing, fitting  out,  and  laying  up  the  ships 
and  vessels  of  the  navy.  The  steam  frigate 
■"Powhatan"'  was  launched  in  1850. 

During  Commodore  Silas  H.  Stringham's 
administration  in  185 1,  three  oak  trees  were 
planted  in  front  of  tiie  commandant's  ottice, 
one  by  Ordnance  Officer  (afterward  Admiral) 
Farragut,  one  by  William  H.  Peters  and  one 
bv  Gunner  George  Marshall. 

Work  upon  the  quay-wall  was  steadily  con- 
tinued from  year  to  year,  though  that  portion 
to  the  southward  of  the  timber-dock,  instead 
of  being  placed  where  it  was  originally  de- 
signed to  be  on  the  "approved  plan,"  was  built 
on  a  continuance  of  the  line  of  that  to  the 
northward  of  the  dock.  This  brought  it  into 
considerably  deeper  water,  and  at  the  same  time 
added  to  the  area  of  that  portion  of  the  yard. 
In  1854  the  method  of  building  coffer-dams  to 
exclude  the  water  from  the  section  of  wall  in 
progress  was  abandoned,  and  the  work  was 
carried  on  by  the  use  of  diving-bells.  This 
change  not  only  facilitated  the  labors  but  very 
considerably  reduced  the  cost. 

The  timber-dock  was  finished  in  1854,  to- 
gether with  the  bridges  across  it.  A  culvert 
was  built  in  1853  to  drain  the  lands  adjoining 
the  yard  and  to  conduct  the  water  from  them 
into  the  dock,  thereby  considerably  freshening 
that  in  the  dock.  The  culvert  was  built  of  brick 
laid  upon  a  pine-plank  floor. 

There  being  but  a  limited  supply  of  fresh 
water  at  Gosport,  appropriations  were  made  in 
1850  for  building  cisterns  for  collecting  rain 
water;  one  was  completed  in  185 1,  with  a  ca- 
pacity of  38,000  gallons.  Afterwards  two 
large  reservoirs  were  built, — one  completed  in 
1856,  holding  124,000  gallons,  with  a  head, 
when  full,  I4>^  feet  above  the  grade  of  the 
yard.  Pipes  from  this  cistern  lead  to  hydrants 
in  different  parts  of  the  yard,  and  to  the  wharf 
at  the  masting  sheers,  thus  supplying  the  yard 
and  ships  with  water  and  also  the  engines  in 
case  of  fire.  Water  was  supplied  to  the  cistern 
from  the  roofs  of  store-liDUses  Xos.  14  and  16. 
near  which  it  was  located.     The  other  reser- 


voir, completed  in  1857,  was  located  near  tim- 
ber-sheds Nos.  32  and  33,  from  the  roofs  of 
which  it  was  supplied  with  water;  its  capacity 
is  128,000  gallons. 

\\'ork  upon  the  magazine  and  the  keeper's 
house  at  Fort  Norfolk  was  commenced  in  185 1, 
but  not  completed  until  1856.  A  reservoir  was 
built  near  the  magazine  to  contain  90,000  gal- 
lons of  water.  A  sea-wall  and  landing-wharf 
were  also  built,  and  two  old  houses  converted, 
one  into  a  store-house  and  the  other  into  a 
tilling-house. 

Building  No.  19,  a  rigging-loft,  armory, 
and  offices,  and  the  entrance-gateway,  was 
erected  in  1851-52.  A  building  was  con- 
structed in  1853  near  timber-shed  No.  33, 
which  was  designed  for  a  sawmill  and  burnetiz- 
ing-house.  It  was  entirely  devoted  to  the  lat- 
ter purpose,  however,  and  in  1856  a  sawmill 
was  erected  at  the  South  end  of  the  yard,  on 
one  of  the  sites  intended  for  a  dry  dock.  A 
culvert  was  constructed  in  1855  from  the  bur- 
netizing-house   to   the   timber-dock. 

In  1855,  Gosport,  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth 
were  visited  by  that  terrible  scourge,  yellow 
fever.  A  ship  called  the  "Ben  Franklin"  ar- 
rived in  May  or  June  with  yellow  fever  on 
board,  and  was  sent  below  to  the  quarantine, 
where  she  was  kept  until  it  was  supposed  all 
danger  was  past,  when  she  was  allowed  to  come 
up  to  Dickson's  wharf  in  Gosport,  and  there 
discharge  her  cargo.  This  occurred  during 
the  first  week  in  July.  A  few  days  afterward 
the  fever  broke  out  in  Gosport,  and  gradually 
spread  to  Portsmouth,  and  thence  to  Norfolk, 
assuming  the  most  virulent  type,  and  raging 
without  sensible  abatement  until  frost  set  in, 
late  in  October.  Work  at  the  Navy  Yard  al- 
most entirely  ceased,  the  panic  being  so  great 
that  it  was  impossible  to  procure  mechanics, 
with  the  exception  of  a  small  number  of  old 
hands.  Almost  everybody  wh<j  could  do  so 
left  the  city,  remaining  away  until  the  danger 
was  past. 

Dredging  was  carried  on  from  year  to  year 
during  the  decade,  deepening  the  channel  and 
furnishing  material  for  filling  in  the  low  places 


442 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  the  yard,  and  the  space  between  the  old 
shore-Hne  and  quay-waU  as  \\en  as  at  St.  Hel- 
ena.    A  new   dredging-machine  was  built  in 

1854. 

Grading  the  yard  was  also  attended  to; 
pavements  were  laid  around  the  buildings,  and 
brick  foot-walks  through  the  yard  in  various 
directions;  roads  were  macadamized,  and  a 
thorough  system  of  drainage  established,  by 
which  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  yard  was 
much  improved. 

Gas  for  lighting  the  yard  and  buildings  was 
introduced  in  1855. 

On  the  removal  of  the  sawmill  in  1855  and 
1856,  new  machinery  was  added  to  the  ma- 
chine-shop, and  a  new  foundry  was  erected, 
completed  in  1859,  on  site  41,  designed  in  the 
"approved  plan"  for  an  iron  and  copper  store. 
A  boiler-shop  was  commenced  to  the  northward 
of  the  machine-shop.  A  new  engine  for  pump- 
ing out  the  dry-dock  was  completed  and  set  up 
in  1856.  A  large  and  commodious  building 
was  erected  in  1856  as  a  receiving  and  issuing 
store  for  the  department  of  provisions  and 
clothing.  It  was  located  on  the  new-made 
ground,  just  south  of  the  entrance  of  the  tim- 
ber-dock, into  which  a  culvert  from  its  cellar 


leads.  An  ordnance  building  not  on  the  "ap- 
proved plan"  was  commenced  in  1858  and  com- 
pleted in  1859.  Guns  and  shot  platforms  were 
built  at  St.  Helena,  and  also  at  the  yard  south 
of  the  ship-house  "A." 

Two  large  lifting  cranes  were  erected  on 
the  quay-wall  in  1857,  and  a  large  amount  of 
machinery  of  various  sorts  was  added  to  the 
different  shops  through  the  yard.  Alterations, 
additions,  and  improvements  were  made  to 
some  of  the  buildings  under  the  appropriation 
for  "repairs  of  all  kinds."  Rail-tracks  were 
laid  down  at  St.  Helena  and  also  at  the  yard ; 
in  the  latter  connecting  the  anchor-racks  near 
the  dry-dock,  the  different  shops  and  store- 
houses, with  the  wharf  near  the  sheers. 

Considerable  building,  repairs,  etc.,  of  ships 
was  carried  on  during  the  same  period.  In 
1855  the  magnificenit  steam  frigates  "Roanoke" 
and  "Colorado"  were  laid  down;  these  vessels 
were  iinished  and  launched  in  1857.  The 
steam  sloops  "Dakota"  and  "Richmond"  were 
begun  in  1858  and  launched,  the  former  in 
1859  and  the  latter  in  i860.  A  purchased 
steamer  called  the  "Dispatch"  was  rebuilt  in 
1859  under  the  name  of  "Pocahontas." 


CHAPTER  XXVI 


THE  CONFEDERATE   STATES   NAVY  YARD 

The  Evacuation  and  Destrvction  of  the  Navv  Yard  bv  the  Federals— Occlpation 
BY  the  State  Authorities — Turned  Over  to  Confederate  Government — Evac- 
uation BY  THE  Confederates. 


The  following  accounts  of  Commodore 
McCauley,  Captain  Wright,  U.  S.  Navy,  log 
of  the  U.  S.  ^.  "Pawnee"  and  of  Captain  Sin- 
clair, C.  S.  Navy,  and  William  H.  Peters,  Esq., 
C.  S.  Navy,  agent,  and  of  the  Norfolk  Herald 
give  full  particulars  of  the  abandonment  of  the 
Navy  Yard  by  the  Federals,  its  occupation  by 
the  Confederates  and  its  evacuation  by  the  lat- 
ter. The  discovery  of  Commodore  McCauley 
"that  the  insurgents  were  throwing  up  batteries 
immediately  in  front  of  the  yard"  was  all  in  the 
imagination,  and  the  report  of  the  arrival  of 
State  troops  grew  out  of  the  strategy  of  Col. 
William  Mahone  in  ordering  trains  to  be  run 
back  and  forth  over  the  Norfolk  &  Petersburg 
Railroads  so  as  to  give  the  appearance  of  mili- 
tary forces  being  thrown  into  Norfolk  with 
great  expedition.  The  Commodore  made  his 
report  after  his  retreat  to  the  Capital  of  the 
United  States. 

Washixgtox.  D.  C.  April  26,  i86r. 
Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  detail  to  the  Department  the 
events  which  preceded  the  evacuation  and  destruction 
of  the  government  property  at  the  Gosport  Navy  Yard 
on  the  night  of  Saturday,  the  20th  of  April.  On 
Thursday  night  Flag-Officer  Pendergrast  learned  that 
obstructions  had  been  sent  down  to  be  placed  in  the 
river;  he  promptly  had  two  boats  manned  and  armed 
to  prevent  it,  but  owing  to  the  thickness  of  the  weather 
his  intentions  were  foiled.  On  Friday,  the  19th  inst., 
I  understood  that  Virginia  State  troops  were  arriving 
26 


j  at  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk  in  numbers  from  Richmond 
and  Petersburg,  and  the  neighborhood  :  and  not  having 

I  the  means  at  my  disposal  to  get  the  "Merrimac,"  "Ger- 
mantown"  and  "Plymouth"  to  a  place  of  safety,  I  de- 
termined on  destroying  them,  being  satisfied  that  with 
the    small    force    under    my    command    the    yard    was 

'  no  longer  tenable.  I  did'  not,  however,  c'arrv  that 
act  mto  execution  until  the  next  day,  before  w'l-.ich  I 
discovered  that  the  insurgents  were  throwing  up  bat- 
teries immediately  in  frrnt  of  the  yard,  when  I  sent 
Lieutenant  Selfridge,  of  the  "Cumbe'rland,"  to  General 
laliafcrro.  commanding  Virginia  troops,  with  a  mes- 
sage that  if  they  continued  to  menace  me  by  placmg 
batteries  opposite  the  yard  I  should  consider  it  an 
act  of  war,  and  fire  upon  them.  Colonel  Heath,  the 
aide-de-camp  of  the  General,  returned  with  Lieutenant 
Selfridge.  and  assured  me  that  the  General  disclaimed 
all  knowledge  of  such  batteries.  I  then  commenced 
scutfling  the  ''Germantown."  "Plymoulli."  "Dolphin" 
and  "Merrimac."  destroying  the  engine  and  machinery 
of  the  latter,  cutting  away  the  large  sheers,  spiking  the 
guns  in  the  yard  and  on  board  the  ships  in  ordinary, 
including  the  "Pennsylvania,"  and  destroying  such 
arms  of  the  old  and  obsolete  pattern  as  could  not  be 
placed  on  board  the  "Cumberland."  and  throwing  them 
overboard:  making  the  destruction  of  other  things,  with 
the  exception  of  the  public  buildings,  as  complete  as 
possible.  By  this  time  it  was  quite  dark;. my  officers, 
with  few  exceptions,  had  all  deserted  me;  even  the 
watchmen  had  thrown  oflf  their  allegiance,  and  had 
taken  part  with  the  secessionists;  so  I  determined  fm 
retiring  to  the  "Cumberland."  and  in  the  morning  act 
as  circumstances  might  require. 

With  the  "Cumberland"  I  could  have  destroyed 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  and  had  batteries  opened 
upon  the  ship  these  cities  would  have  been  at  my 
mercy.  Before  I  had  carried  out  niv  intentions  of  em- 
barking aboard  the  "Cumberland,"  Flag-Officer  Pauld- 
ing arrived  in  the  "Pawnee."  As  he  had  special  in- 
I  structions  from  the  Department,  wl.ich  he  substantially 


444 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


communicated  to  me,  and  to  which  I  gave  entire  as- 
sent, I  took  no  further  active  part  in  the  matter,  and 
embarked  on  board  the  "Cumberland;"  but  I  can  bear 
testimony  to  the  gallant  manner  in  which  Flag-Officer 
Paulding  and  his  brave  associates  executed  his  orders. 
Toward  morning  Flag-Otficer  Paulding  embarked  with 
his  force,  and  the  "Cumberland"  and  "Pawnee,"  the 
former  assisted  by  the  steamer  "Yankee"  from  Nevv 
York,  stood  down  the  river  unmolested. 

The  "Cumberland"  was  detained  some  hours  by  the 
obstructions  placed  in  the  narrows  near  Sewell's  Point, 
but  finally  overcame  them,  and  anchored  in  Hampton 
Roads   by  8   o'clock    P.    M..    Sunday. 

In  making  this,  my  report  to  the  Department,  it 
gives  me  great  pleasure  to  report  the  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct  of  those  officers  true  to  their  al- 
legiance, I  cannot  speak  in  sufficiently  high  terms  of 
Flag-Officer  Pendergrast  for  the  many  valuable  sug- 
gestions I  received  from  him.  To  Captain  Marston  and 
officers  of  the  "Cumberland"  I  feel  very  much  in- 
debted. 

Lieutenant  Selfridge  bore  a  message  to  the  com- 
manding  general    under   great   personal    risk. 

I  have  to  thank  Commander  Livingston,  Lieu- 
tenants Semmes,  Donaldson  and  Irwin  for  gallant  and 
efficient  services,  and  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Edelin,  of 
the   Marines,   my   thanks   are   particularly   due. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

C.   S,    McC.\ULEY, 

Late  Commandant  of  the  Navy  Yard  at  Gosport. 
Hon-.   Gideon   Welles. 

Secretary  of  the  Xavy. 

Capt.  H.  G.  ^\■right,  U.  S.  Engineer  Corps, 
made  the  following  report  of  the  destruction 
of  the  Navy  Yard:  "On  reaching  the  yard  it 
was  found  that  all  the  ships  afloat  except  the 
'Cumberland'  had  been  scuttled,  by  order  of 
Commodore  McCauley,  the  commandant  of  the 
yard,  to  prevent  their  seizure  by  the  Virginia 
forces,  and  that  they  were  fast  sinking.  One 
of  the  objects  of  the  expedition — that  of  re- 
moving those  vessels  and  taking  them  to  sea — 
was  therefore  frustrated.  On  reporting  to  the 
Commodore  of  the  yard,  I  found  him  disposed 
to  defend  the  yard  and  property  to  the  last,  and 
the  troops  were  accordingly  landed  and  soine 
dispositions  for  defense  taken.  It  was  soon 
determined,  however,  by  Commodore  Pauld- 
ing, who  had  coine  on  the  'Pawnee'  from 
Washington,  to  finish  the  destruction  of  the 
scuttled  ships,  to  burn  and  otherwise  destroy, 
as  far  as  practicable,  the  property  in  the  yard, 
and  \\-ithdraw  with  the  frigate  'Cumberland'  in 
tow  of  the  'Pawnee'  and  a  steam  tug  which 
•was  lying  at  the  yard. 


"To  Commander  Rodgers  and  myself  was 
assigned  the  duty  of  blowing  up  the  dry-docks 
assisted  by  40  men  of  the  volunteers  and  a 
few  of  the  crew  of  the  'Pawnee.'  The  dock 
which  is  a  massive  structure  of  granite  masonry 
has  a  pumping-gallery  running  along  the  back 
of  one  of  the  side-walls,  entering  from  the  level 
of  the  bottom  near  the  entrance  gate,  and  ter- 
minating as  is  understood,  in  the  jputnping- 
house  near  the  farther  end  of  the  dock.  Un- 
der the  circumstances  of  want  of  time  for  prep- 
arations and  the  darkness  of  night,  this  gallery 
offered  the  only  means  for  the  establishment  of 
a  mine.  Had  the  dock  been  full  of  water,  this 
advantage  could  not  have  been  availed  of,  but 
we  found  in  it  a  depth  of  only  about  two  feet. 
^\'e  accordingly  proceeded  to  construct  in  this 
gallery  a  platform  of  such  materials  as  could 
be  collected  to  a  height  above  the  surface  of 
the  water,  and  on  this  we  placed  the  powder 
(2,000)  pounds)  which  we  had  brought  from 
the  ship,  established  a  train  from  the  gallery 
to  the  outside,  and  connected  it  with  four  sep- 
arate slow-matches.  Everything  being  arrang- 
ed, all  the  men  were  sent  to  the  ship,  except 
one  of  the  crew  of  the  'Pawnee,'  who  was  re- 
tained to  watch  for  the  signal  from  the  Com- 
modore for  lighting  the  matches  and  returning 
to  the  ship.  On  the  signal,  the  matches  were 
lighted  by  Captain  Rodgers  and  myself  and  we 
made  the  l>est  of  our  way  toward  the  land- 
ing, but  before  we  could  reach  it  the  flames  of 
the  burning  buildings  had  become  so  intense, 
that  the  boats  had  undoubtedly  been  driven  off, 

'  and  indeed  we  could  not  approach  it.  After 
some  delay,  we  succeeded  in  getting  out  of  the 
yard  through  the  burning  gateway,  and  seized 
a  boat  in  the  hope  of  making  our  escape  by 
the  river.  We  proceeded  but  a  short  distance, 
however,  when  several  shots  were  fired  at  us 
from  the  Portsmouth  side,  and  as  the  armed 
force  was  rapidly  accumulating  against  us  at 
a  point  below,  where  the  river  was  narrow  and 
where  we  should  have  had  to  pass  within  ef- 
fective musket-range,  we  concluded  to  land 
on  the  Norfolk  side  and  deliver  ourselves  up 

■  to  the  commanding  general  of    the  Virginia 


AXD    REPHESEMATIVE   CITIZENS. 


445 


forces.  He  received  us  very  kindly  and  cour- 
teously, and  on  giving  him  our  parole  he  pro- 
vided us  with  comfortable  quarters  at  the  At- 
lantic Hotel.  This  was  on  Sunday  morning 
about  6  o'clock.  On  Monday,  at  noon,  he  sent 
us  with  an  officer  to  Richmond,  where  we  were 
most  kindly  treated  by  the  Governor  and  his 
family,  and  by  the  gentlemen  there  present 
from  the  various  parts  of  \'irginia,  we  re- 
mained as  guests  of  the  Governor  on  parole 
till  Wednesday,  the  24'th,  when  we  were  re- 
leased, and  on  Thursday  morning  we  left  for 
Washington."  Evidently  the  \'irginia  officers 
did  not  know  at  the  time  they  were  treating 
those  two  United  States  officers  with  such 
marked  consideration  and  courtesy,  that  they 
had  been  engaged  in  lighting  slow-matches  to 
explode  a  ton  of  powder  almost  in  the  midst 
of  thousands  of  unoffending  women  and  chil- 
dren without  a  moment's  warning. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  from  the  log 
of  the  U.  S.  S.  "Pawnee,"  April  20,  1861 : — 
"*  *  *  *  At  6.45  (P.  M.)  steaming  up 
toward  Norfolk.  Passed  the  obstructions  in 
the  channel  without  difficulty.  Kept  men  at 
quarters,  guns  loaded.  At  S  P.  'M.  ran  along- 
side of  the  Navy  Yard  wharf,  to  the  north- 
ward of  first  ship-house.  Hailed  by  the  U.  S. 
S.  'Pennsylvania,'  who  greeted  our  arri\al  with 
three  clieers.  The  tlag-ship  'Cumberland'  did 
likewise.  At  8:10  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Donaldson,  of  the  receiving-ship  'Pennsyl- 
vania' came  aboard  and  informed  us  that  all 
the  vessels  at  the  yard  had  been  scuttled  and 
the  machinery  of  the  'Alerrimac"  completely 
disabled  this  afternoon  to  prevent  their  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  insurgents,  who  had  for 
some  time  past  been  making  demonstrations 
against  the  public  property  at  the  Navy  Yard. 
Flag-Officers  ilcCauley  and  Pendergrast  came 
on  board.  Sent  parties  to  various  parts  of  the 
yard  to  secure,  remove  or  destroy  public  prop- 
erty liable  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  in- 
surgents. A  large  party  went  ashore  to  knock 
trunions  (jff  guns :  succeeded  in  breaking  a  few 
off.     Received    from   the    'Pennsvlvania'    four 


boxes  of  arms:  also  a  detachment  of  .^4,  rank 
and  file,  of  marines  with  bags  and  accoutre- 
ments. Sent  the  Massachusetts  volunteers 
ashore  in  the  Navy  Yard.  Sent  marines 
brought  from  marine-barracks  at  Washington 
to  relieve  marines  behjnging  to  the  yard;  the 
latter  transferred  to  the  'Cumberland.'  Placed 
guard  at  the  main  entrance  to  ths  yard  and 
others  patrolled  the  yard.  April  21.  Com- 
mences and  till  4  A.  M.  making  preparations 
for  setting  fire  to  the  ship-houses,  ships,  and 
storehouses,  and  destroying  the  dry-dock. 
Landed  all  turi)entine,  powder  and  waste  re- 
ceived on  board  from  the  'Anacosta'  on  Friday 
last.  Re-embarked  the  marines  and  the  Massa- 
chusetts regiment.  Sent  parties  in  charge  of 
Captain  Wilkes,  Cummanders  Sands,  Rodgers 
and  Alden,  and  Captain  Wright,  of  the  U.  S. 
Engineers,  for  carrying  on  the  preparations 
above-mentioned.  At  about  2  A.  M.  the  ma- 
rine-barracks were  set  fire  to.  At  3  130  hauled 
off  from  the  wharf  and  prepared  to  take  the 
flag-ship  'Cumberland'  in  tow.  At  4:13  .V. 
M.  the  'Cumberland,'  having  the  steam-tug 
'Yankee'  alongside,  succeeded  in  getting  a  haw- 
ser to  this  ship  and  slipping  her  cable.  We 
got  under  way  and  commenced  steaming  down 
to  Hampton  Roads.  At  4 :20  sent  up  a  rocket, 
and  the  ships,  buildings,  etc.,  were  fired.  Sent 
all  hands  to  quarters  opened  the  magazine  and 
shell-rooms  and  manned  the  starboard  battery, 
the  marines  being  all  on  deck  under  arms. 
Steaming  slowly  down,  passed  by  the  cities  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  unmolested,'  the 
flames  of  the  burning  buildings  at  the  yard  il- 
luminating the  vessels  and  the  town  perfectly. 
Steaming  slowly  to  allow  the  boats  to  come 
alongside.  Captain  Wilkes  and  Commanders 
Sands  and  Alden  and  their  parties  returned  on 
board,  but  reported  their  inability  to  bring  ofif 
Commander  Rodgers  and  Captain  \\"right,  U. 
S.  Engineers.  At  6  approached  barriers  in 
the  channel,  and  found  new  (.obstructions  placed 
there  since  we  passed  last  evening.  Deter- 
mined to  anchor  the  'Cumberland'  and  exam- 
ine the  channel,  which  was  done.     This  ship 


446 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK   COUNTY 


passed  obstructions  without  touching  anything. 
*     *     *     *" 

Captain  George  T.   Sinclair's  telegram  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Confederate  States  Navy, 
Hon.  S.  R.  Mallory,  in  regard  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Navy  Yard,  dated  April  22,  1861, 
in    part    is    as    follows:     •■****     xhe 
'Pennsylvania,'      'Merrimac,'      'Germantown,' 
'Raritan,'  'Columbia'  and  'Dolphin'  are  burned 
to  the  water's  edge  and  sunk.     The  'Delaware,' 
'Columbus,'  and  'Plymouth'  are  sunk.     All  can 
be  raised :  the  'Plymouth'  easily,  not  much  in- 
jured.    The  'Germantown'  crushed  and  sunk 
by  the  falling  of  sheers.     Her  battery  new  and 
complete  uninjured  by  tire,  can  be  recovered. 
*****     Destruction  less  than  might 
be  expected.  The  two  lower  ship-houses  burned, 
with  the  'New  York'  line-of-battle  ship  on  the 
stocks.     Also    the    rigging-loft,   sail-loft,  and 
gun-carriage  depot,  with  all  the  pivot-gun  car- 
riages and  many  others.     No'  other  buildings 
burned.      The    metal    work    O'f    the   carriages 
will   be  recovered,;  most  of  it  good.      About 
4,000    shells    thrown    overboard    can    be    re- 
covered.     The    'Germantown's'    battery    will 
be   up  and   ready   for   service   tomorrow.     In 
ordnance    building    all     small     arms    broken 
and    thrown    overboard    will    be    fished     up. 
The    brass    howitzers    thrown    overboard    are 
up.       The    'Merrimac'    has    2,200     lo-pound 
cartridges    in    her    magazine    in    water-tight 
tanks.     The  flag  of  Virginia  floats  over  the 
yard. 

"Only  eight  guns,  32-pounders,  destroyed ; 
about  1,000  or  more  from  ii-inch  to  32-pound- 
ers taken  and  ready  for  our  cause.  Many  of 
them  are  ready  in  batteries.  We  saved  about 
130  gun-carriages,  all  saved  at  St.  Helena 
(Va).  Many  thousands  of  shell  and  shot  from 
II  inch  to  32-pounders  safe.  All  the  machin- 
ery uninjured.  Magazine  captured  with  2,000 
barrels  of  powder  and  vast  numbers  of  shells 
and  quantities  of  fixed  ammunition.  An  at- 
tempt made  to  blow  up  the  dry  dock  failed. 
Everything  broken  that  they  could  break.  Pri- 
vate trunks  broken  open  and  officer's  clothing 
and  that  of  their  wives  stolen.     *     *     *     *" 


The  Virginia  flag  mentioned  by  Captain 
Sinclair  as  floating  over  the  yard  is  at  this  time 
the  property  of  Stonewall  Camp,  Confederate 
Veterans,  and  decorates  their  meeting-room  in 
the  City  Hall  of  Portsmouth. 

We  copy  from  the  Norfolk  Herald  of  April 
22,  1 86 1,  its  story  of  the  evacuation  and  at- 
tempted destruction  of  the  Navy  Yard  by  the 
Federals : 

"On  Saturday  and  Sunday  the  greatest  ex- 
citement prevailed  in  the  city.  Troops  were 
hurrying  to  and  fro  and  everyone  anxious  to 
know  what  was  to  be  done,  but  unable  to  obtain 
the  desired  information.  The  rumor  was  that 
the  'Cumberland'  was  about  to  sail  from  the 
Navy  Yard  and  preparations  were  made  t^. 
prevent  her. 

"At  12  o'clock  an  officer  came  from  tb- 
yard  bearing"  a  flag  of  truce  and  was  con- 
ducted to  General  Taliaferro's  headquarters  at 
the  Atlantic  Hotel,  where  a  consultation  was 
held,  which  resulted  in  a  promise  from,  the 
commandant  of  the  yard,  Commodore  McCau- 
ley,  that  none  of  the  vessels  should  be  removed 
nor  a  shot  fired  except  in  self-defense. 

"This  quieted  the  excitement,  but  it  was 
renewed  at  a  late  hour  when  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  the  'Germantown'  and  'Merrimac' 
had  been  scuttled,  and  that  the  heavy  sheers 
on  the  wharf  at  which  the  'Germantown'  was 
lying  had  been  cut  away  and  allowed  to  fall- 
amidships  across  her  decks,  carrying  away  the 
maintopmasts   and   yards. 

"It  was  also  perceived  that  the  men  were 
busily  engaged  in  destroying  and  throwing 
overboard  side  and  small  arms,  etc.,  and  boats 
were  constantly  passing  between  the  'Pennsyl- 
vania,' 'Cumberland'  and  other  vessels.  The 
assurance  of  the  Commodore,  given  by  his  of- 
ficers at  the  truce  interview,  however,  tended 
to  allay  the  apprehension  of  an  immediate  col- 
lision. But  the  continued  stirring  movements 
at  the  yard  soon  rendered  it  certain  that  it  was 
the  intention  of  McCauley  to  destroy  all  the 
buildings  and  other  property  there,  and  it  was, 
therefore,  with  not  much  surprise  that  about 
midnight,  after  two  or  three  slight  explosions, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


447 


the  light  of  a  serious  conflaofratinn  was  ob- 
served at  the  yard.  This  continued  to  increase, 
and  before  dayhght  the  demon  work  of  de- 
struction was  extended  to  the  immense  ship- 
houses  known  as  'A.'  and  'B.'  (the  former  con- 
taining the  entire  frame  of  the  'New  York, 
74,'  which  had  l:)een  on  the  stocks  unfinished 
for  some  38  years),  and  also  to  the  long 
ranges  of  two-story  offices  and  stores  on  eacli 
side  of  the  main  gate  of  the  yard. 

"The  flames  and  heat  from  this  tremendous 
mass  of  burning  material  was  sent  by  a  south- 
west wind  directly  toward  the  line  of  vessels 
moored  on  the  edge  of  the  channel  opposite 
the  yard,  and  nearly  all  of  these  too  were 
speedily  enveloped  in  flames. 

"The  scene  at  this  time  was  grand  and 
terrific  beyond  description.  The  roar  of  the 
conflagration  was  loud  enough  to  be  heard  at 
three  or  four  miles  distance,  and  to  this  were 
added  occasional  discharges  from  the  heavy 
guns  of  the  old  'Pennsylvania'  ship-of-the-line, 
as  they  became  successively  heated.  These 
guns,  it  is  asserted,  were  double-shotted  and 
directed  at  different  parts  of  the  yard  for  the 
purpose  of  insuring  its  ci  mplete  destruction. 
This,  however,  is  certain  that  if  all  her  guns 
had  been  thus  prepared  and  directed,  the  'burnt' 
district  could  not  have  been  more  completely 
cleared  of  its  appurtenances. 

"As  soon  as  the  torch  had  been  successfully 
applied  to  the  ship-houses,  the  'Pawnee,'  which 
had  been  kept  under  steam  from  the  moment 
of  her  arrival  about  midnight  on  Saturday, 
was  put  in  motion  and  taking  the  'Cumberland' 
in  tow,  retreated  down  the  harbor  out  of  the 
reach  of  danger,  freighted  with  a  great  portion 
of  valuable  munitions,  etc.,  from  the  yard,  and 
the  Commodore  and  other  officers  who  had 
won  for  themselves  the  inglorious  distinction 
of  destroying  devils  in  accomplishing  such  a 
vandal  work.  The  ships  proceeded  as  far  down 
as  the  barricades  at  the  narrows,  where  the 
'Cumberland'  was  left  at  anchor,  and  the 
'Pawnee'  continued  on  to  Fort  Monroe. 

"As  far  as  we  could  judge  from  a  cursory 
observation,  the  property  destroyed  embraced 


besides  the  ship-houses  and  contents,  the  range 
of  buildings  un  the  north  line  of  the  yard  (ex- 
cept the  Commodore's  and  Commander's  resi- 
dences which  were  unhurt),  the  old  marine- 
barracks  and  one  or  two  workshops,  the  im- 
mense lifting-sheers,  ithe  shi]>s  'Pennsylvania,' 
'Merrimac."  'Raritan.'  'ColumlMa"  and  brig 
'Dolphin"  burnt  to  the  water's  edge :  the  sloop 
'Germantown',  l:)roken  and  sunk,  the  'Ply- 
niHiuth'  scuttled  and  sunk  even  with  her  deck, 
and  a  vast  amouot  i^f  small  arms,  chronome- 
ters, and  valuable  engines  and  machinery  in 
the  ordnance  and  other  shops,  liroken  up  and 
rendered  utterly  useless. 

"Apearances  indicated  that  it  was  intended 
to  cripple  this  admirable  and  useful  work  (the 
dry  dock)  by  blowing  up  the  gates,  but  from 
some  cause  this  was  not  d<jne,  and  the  dock  was 
found  to  be  altogether  unhurt.  We  cannot 
bring  ourselves  to  believe  that  any  officer  of  a 
navy  distinguished  hitherto  by  a  high  sense  of 
honor  and  chivalrous  courage,  could  willingly 
condescend  to  such  an  inglorious  mode  of  war- 
fare as  this.  We  rather  regard  it  as  an  eman- 
cipation from  the  wretched  cabal  at  Washing- 
ton, and  a  practical  carrying  out  of  tlie  tactics 
laid  down  by  the  villainous  Sumner  and  other 
orators  of  the  Black  Republican  party.  Burn, 
sink  and  destroy  is  the  word  with  them. 

"Yesterday  morning  Lieutenant  Spotts- 
wood  of  the  navy,  a  \'irginian  by  birth,  ran  up 
to  the  flag-staff  in  the  Navy  Yard  the  flag  of 
the  Old  Dominion  with  its  well-known  arms, 
the  figure  of  Liberty  trampling  on  Tyranny, 
with  the  glorious  motto — 'Sic  Semper  Tyran- 
nis' — and  there  it  continues  to  flutter  in  the 
breeze. 

"A  fort  had  been  erected  at  the  Hospital 
Point  and  old  Fort  Norfolk  put  in  regular 
fighting  order  by  the  secessionists.  A  fort  has 
also  l>een  erected  at  Sewell's  Point.  12  miles 
from  Norfolk,  opposite  Old  Point  Comfort. 

"The  authorities  yesterday  waited  upon  the 
surgeon  at  the  Hospital  and  compelled  that 
officer  to  resign  his  position. 

"The  Navy  Yard  with  all  the  vessels  of 
war  except  the  'Cumberland.'  which  has  been 


448 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


towed  into  Hampton  Roads  by  the  steamer 
'Pawnee,"  was  burned. 

"Tlie  Xa\'al  Hospital  had  been  given  up  by 
the  government  officials.  The  United  States 
steamer  'Pawnee'  landed  about  500  men  at  the 
Navy  Yard  to  assist  in  the  destruction  of  gov- 
ernment property. 

"Al  the  spirit  stores  were  destroyed,  but  the 
citizens  secured  immense  quantities  of  pro- 
visions, guns,  powder  and  ball.  All  the  guns 
at  the  Navy  Yard  were  spiked  by  the  govern- 
ment officials,  but  in  such  a  bungling  manner 
that  all  but  8  or  10  have  already  been  made 
good  for  service  by  the  citizens,  and  many  of 
them  mounted  at  prominent  points  for  defense. 

"The  'Pawnee"  has  sailed  for  Washington, 
and  on  jNIonday  evening  the  "Cumberland"  was 
lying  opposite  Old  Point. 

"A  steamer  supposed  to  be  the  'Baltic,"  ar- 
rived off  Old  Point  on  Monday  evening  with 
about  1,000  Northern  troops  on  board."" 

AN    ACCOUNT     OF      THE      EVACUATION     OF    THE 

NAVY    YARD,    FIRST    BY    THE    FEDERALS    IN 

APRIL,     1861,     AND      SECOND    BY     THE 

CONFEDERATES    IN     MAY,     1 862. 

(By  IVtUiam  H.  Peters.  Nai^y  Agent.  C.  S.) 

At  about  2  o"cloGk  P.  M.  on  April  20,  1861, 
the  late  William  H.  Spooner  came  to  my  place 
of  business  in  Portsmouth  and  said  the  Navy 
Yard  gate  had  been  closed  and  that  none  but 
those  having  special  permits  were  allowed  to 
enter  the  yard.  He  also  said  it  was  rumored 
that  the  authorities  of  the  yard  were  making 
preparations  to  destroy  that  establishment  with 
fire. 

To  satisfy  ourselves  as  to  the  truth  of  these 
rumors,  Mr.  Spooner  and  myself  procured  a 
boat  and  sailed  in  it  up  to  and  in  front  of  the 
yard  as  far  as  the  timber-dock.  We  saw 
enough  to  satisfy  ourselves  as  to  the  truth  of 
all  we  had  heard.  We  found  that  the  ships 
alongside  the  wharves  had  been  scuttled  and 
were  slowly  sinking.  Men  were  engaged  in 
cutting  away  the  standing  rigging  of  the  sloop 
of    war    "Germantown."     Her    upper    masts 


were  tottering.  It  was  seen  that  a  force  of 
workmen  was  at  work  breaking  off  the  trun- 
nions of  cannon. 

On  our  return  in  passing  the  brig-of-war 
"Dolphin""  and  receiving-ship  "Pennsylvania," 
we  observed  small  guns  on  the  poop-decks  of 
those  vessels  which,  no  doubt,  had  been  re- 
cently mounted  there  to  repel  some  apprehend- 
ed attack. 

Our  people  already  much  excited  became 
alarmed  at  the  situation  of  affairs  at  the  Navy 
Yard  and  the  reported  destruction  of  that  vast 
establishment.  It  was  feared  that  the  burning 
of  the  Navy  Yard  would  involve  the  destruc- 
tion of  Portsmouth.  A  meeting  of  the  citizens 
was  at  once  called  to  consider  what  was  best  to 
be  done  under  the  circumstances. 

At  this  meeting  a  committee,  composed  of 
Capt.  Samuel  Watts,  Capt.  James  Murdaugh 
and  myself,  was  appointed  to  wait  on  the  com- 
mandant and  endeavor  to  prevail  on  him  to 
abandon  his  purpose  of  firing  the  yard. 

This  committee  proceeded  to  the  main  en- 
trance, but  was  refused  admittance.  While 
waiting  at  the  gate  a  reply  to  our  written  re- 
quest for  an  interview  with  the  commandant, 
General  George  Blow,  in  command  of  the  State 
militia  of  the  district,  Lieut.  John  T.  Maury 
and  Paymaster  John  DeBree  came  out  at  the 
gate.  The  two  last-named  officers,  having  re- 
signed from  the  U.  S.  Navy,  had  just  left  their 
ship,  the  frigate  "Cumberland,"  then  lying 
abreast  the  Navy  Yard.  These  gentlemen  said 
to  us  that  we  need  not  wait,  that  Commodore 
McCauley  declined  to  see  us ;  and  then  added 
that  it  was  useless  to  ask  any  questions  of  them 
as  to  what  was  going  on  inside  as  they  were 
not  at  liberty  to  talk  on  the  subject. 

The  Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia, 
was  fired  and  abandoned  that  night,  April  20, 
1861,  by  the  Federal  forces.  The  story  of 
which  and  the  folly  of  the  act  are  told  in  his- 
tory. Happily  a  few  houses  only  in  the  city 
and  those  of  but  little  value  took  fire  and 
burned. 

On  April  21  1861,  Capt.  Robert  B.  Pegram, 
then  just  resigned  from  the  U.  S.  Navy  and 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


449 


commissioned  a  captain  in  the  Virginia  Navy, 
appeared,  and  acting  under  authority  from  the 
Governor  assumed  command  of  the  Xavy  Yard 
in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia. 

On  April  22,  1861,  Commodore  French 
Forresit,  who  had  also  just  resigned  from  the 
U.  S.  Xavv  and  been  commissioned  a  coimno- 
dore  in  the  Virginia  Xavy,  relieved  Captain 
Pegran^  of  the  command  of  the  Xavy  Yard 
and  station. 

On  the  same  day,  viz: — April  22,  1861,  the 
writer,  who  had  been  commissioned  as  pay- 
master. Virginia  Xavy.  and  assigned  to  duty  at 
the  Xavy  Yard,  reported  and  took  charge  of  the 
"Provision  and  Pay"'  department.  His  official 
connection  with  the  yard  in  this  and  other  ca- 
pacities continued  until  the  evacuation  by  the 
Confederates  on  May  10,  1862.  The  state- 
ments contained  in  this  paper  may  therefore 
be  accq>ted  as  facts  of  which  the  writer  has 
personal  knowledge. 

The  condition  of  the  X'avy  Yard  at  Ports- 
mouth as  it  appeared  on  the  21st  and  22nd  of 
April,  186 1,  was  melancholy  to  look  upon. 
On  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  April.  1861, 
this  establishment  was  the  best  equipped  and 
in  all  respects  the  most  complete  navy  yard  in 
the  country.  On  the  morning  of  the  21st  of 
April.  1861,  it  was  almost  a  mass  of  ruins. 

The  exterior  row  of  buildings  on  the  north 
front  of  the  yard,  which  contained  large  quan- 
tities of  manufactured  articles  and  valuable 
material,  was  totally  destroyed  together  with 
the  contents  of  the  buildings.  The  two  ship- 
houses  "A"  and  "B,"  which  were  immense 
structures,  and  in  one  was  the  line-of-battle 
ship  "N^ew  York"  on  the  stocks,  were  also 
burned,  as  were  also  other  buildii'gs. 

The  destruction  of  the  stone  dry  dock  was 
attempted,  but  was  not  successful.  Twenty- 
six  barrels  of  powder,  a  quantity  sufficient  to 
have  destroyed  not  only  the  dry  dock  but  every 
building  at  the  south  end  of  the  yard,  were 
found  distributed  in  the  culvert  on  its  north 
side  and  across  the  head  of  the  dock.  These 
barrels  of  powder  were  connected  by  a  train 
which  continued  on  the  inner  steps  at  the  bot- 


tom of  the  dock,  where  it  is  supjx)sed  slow- 
matches  were  placed  for  ignition  at  a  prear- 
ranged moment. 

i  he  plan,  howe\er.  was  happil\-  discovered 
in  time  to  frustrate  it.  Lieut.  C.  F.  M.  Spotts- 
wood.  to  whom  the  discovery  w'as  reported 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  21st,  promptly 
directed  the  gates  to  be  opened,  when  the  dock 
was  flooded  and  thus  saved  from  destruction. 

Tlie  destruction  of  everv  ship  at  the  \ard 
except  the  old  frigate  "United  States"  was  at- 
tempted and  in  great  part  accomplished. 

The  line-of-battlc  ship  "Pennsylvania,"  the 
frigate  "Columbia"  and  the  brig  "Dolphin" 
were  burned  to  their  floor-heads. 

The  frigate  "Raritan"  was  burned  and  sunk 
out  of  sight.  The  steam  frigate  "Merrimac" 
was  sunk  and  burned  to  her  copper-line  and 
down  through  to  her  birth-deck,  which  with  the 
spar  and  gun-deck  were  also  burned.  The 
sloop-of-war  "Germantown"  was  sunk  and 
burned  to  her  bulwark  on  the  port  side.  The 
sloop-of-war  "Plymouth"  was  scuttled  and 
sunk.  The  line-of-battle  ships  "Delaware"  and 
"Columbus"  were  scuttled  and  sunk  at  their 
moorings. 

Many  heavy  cannon  were  spiked  and  for 
the  time  rendered  useless,  some  had  their  trun- 
nions broken  oH. 

The  abandonment  of  Portsmouth  Xavy 
Yard  and  its  partial  destruction  by  the  Federal 
authorities  was  a  most  unaccountable  pro- 
cedure. It  was  hard  to  believe  that  such  a 
step  was  in  contemplation,  even  after  it  was 
known  late  in  the  day  of  April  20,  1861,  that 
some  of  the  ships  at  its  wharves  had  been 
scuttled  and  were  sinking.  Virginia  it  is  true 
had  just  passed  the  ordinance  of  secession,  but 
had  not  yet  joined  the  Confederate  States  of 
the  South;  which  latter  it  is  not  denied  was  in 
a  state  of  quasi  war  with  the  Federal  govern- 
ment. Virginia  had  not.  nor  as  a  matter  of 
fact  had  the  Confederate  government,  the 
means  of  capturing,  or  of  even  seriously  menac- 
ing the  Federals  in  their  possession  of  this  vast, 
establishment.  For  let  it  be  remembered  that 
the  frigate  "Cumberland"  with  a  full  crew  and 


4SO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fully  equipped,  and  also  the  receiving-ship 
"Pennsylvania,"  with  batteries  and  men  suf- 
ficient to  work  them,  lay  abreast  the  yard  in 
position  to  effectually  protect  it  and  destroy 
the  city  of  Portsmouth  in  case  of  an  attempt 
to  capture,  or  on  the  slightest  demonstration 
against   the   yard. 

The  total  destruction  of  the  Navy  Yard 
at  Portsmouth  though  attempted  was  not  ac- 
complished, owing  doubtless  to  the  haste  with 
which  the  Federals  left;  some  of  the  store- 
houses and  other  buildings  were  consumed,  to- 
gether with  large  quantities  of  valuable  store 
materials,  etc.  But  many  buildings  remained 
intact ;  and  very  large  quantities  of  costly 
materials,  naval  supplies,  etc.,  were  found  un- 
injured. 

The  writer  of  this  paper,  by  direction  of  the 
Governor  of  the  State,  made  an  inventory  and 
report  of  all  public  property  in  the  port  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  taken  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1861,  in  the  name  of  Virginia.  His  re- 
port, which  is  embodied  in  public  document 
No.  25  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Virginia 
Convention  of  1861,  shows  the  number  and  de- 
scription of  buildings  that  were  left  unharmed. 
Among  these  there  were  the  commandant's 
dwelling,  the  commanders',  surgeons',  lieuten- 
ants' and  masters'  dwellings. 

The  foundry  and  its  dependencies ;  the  ma- 
chine-shop, and  its  adjuncts;  five  large  stores, 
used  for  the  storage  of  naval  supplies ;  several 
substantial  structures  used  as  workshops  and 
other  buildings,  together  with  the  drv  dock, 
timber-dock  and  quay-wharves,  cost,  as  shown 
in  that  report,  $2,944,800. 

The  ordnance  left  by  the  Federals  in  their 
hurried  departure  consisted  of  1,085  pieces  of 
heavy  cannon  with  gun-carriages,  breechings, 
blocks  and  tackle,  and  a  large  number  of  shells 
and  stands  of  grape  and  various  other  articles 
of  ordnance,  equipment  and  stores  in  large 
quantities,  including  250,000  pounds  of  pow- 
der, in  all  costing,  as  shown  in  that  report, 
$341,000. 

Of  provisions  left,  there  were  11,089  pounds 
of  bread,  991  pounds  of  pork.  674  barrels  of 


beef,  flour,  rice,  sugar,  coffee,  tea,  etc.,  costing 

$38,763- 

Of  clothing  and  small  stores  there  were 
pea-jackets  round-jackets,  trousers,  jumpers, 
shirts,  blue  flannel,  Barnsley  sheeting,  etc., 
which  cost  $50,296. 

General  naval  supplies  and  materials  of 
various  kinds  and  descriptions,  in  large  quan- 
tities and  of  great  value  in  time  of  vvar.  Their 
cost  is  reported  at  $1,488,223.  Among  the 
valuable  supplies,  there  were  large  quantities 
of  timber  and  timber  materials  of  all  kinds. 
Copper  in  sheets  and  in  bolts.  Iron  in  sheets 
and  in  bars.  Anchors  and  chains,  canvas,  and 
a  vast  amount  of  miscellaneous  articles  in  great 
variety  and  of  inestimable  value. 

On  July  I,  1861,  Virginia  having  by  com- 
pact become  one  of  the  Confederate  States  of 
America,  Governor  Letcher  directed  the  trans- 
fer of  the  Portsmouth  Navy  Yard,  with  every- 
thing therein  and  thereto  belonging,  to  the 
Confederate  government,  and  this  was  accord- 
ingly done  as  of  July  i,  1861. 

In  the  interval  between  April  21  and  July  i, 
that  is  to  say  during  the  period  Virginia  exer- 
cised control  of  the  Navy  Yard,  the  expendi- 
tures of  supplies  were  very  large,  especially  in 
ordnance  and  ammunition,  as  will  be  seen  by 
reference  to  the  inventory  report  above  re- 
ferred to. 

1  consider  it  proper  to  record  these  expendi- 
tures; and  in  doing  so  I  deem  it  best  to  give 
the  same  in  detail  rather  than  in  gross,  because 
it  may  be  interesting  to  future  readers  tO'  know 
the  particular  points  in  the  State  and  elsewhere 
that  were  fortified  with  guns  sent  from  the 
Portsmouth  Navy  Yard.  The  "Inventory  Re- 
port" shows  that  during  the  period  the  Navy 
Yard  was  officered  and  controlled  by  Virginia, 
there  were  sent  from  that  yard  the  following 
ordnance  and  ordnance  supplies,  viz : 

To     B.MTERY     .\T     N.WAL     HoSPITAL. 

5   32-poiinders   of   51    CWt. 
8  ,S2-pounders  of  57  cwt. 

2  8-inch  guns  of  55  cwt. 

With  carriages  and  other  equipments  and  ammu-, 
nition. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


451 


To  Battery  at  Craney   Island. 

4  32-pounders  of  51   cwt. 

8    32-poiindcrs    of    S7    cwt. 
10  8-inch  guns. 

7  9-inch  gun.-i. 

1  10-inch  gun. 

With  carriages  complete. 

To   B.VTTERY  AT  X.^VAL   MAGAZINE,   FoRT   XoRFOLK. 

8  9-inch  guns  of  91  cwt.,  with  carriages  complete. 

To   Battery  at  Boush's   Bluff. 

5  32-pounders    of    42    cwt.,    with    carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To   Battery  at   Pinner's   Point. 

7  32-pounders     of    57    cwt..    with     carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To  Battery  at   Pig   Point. 

4  32-pounders   of  42   cwt. 

8  32-poundcrs  of  55  cwt. 

2  8-inch  guns  of  57  cwt. 
With  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To   RiCH.MOND     \'lRGINIA. 

10  9- inch   guns  of  91   cwt. 

4  8-inch  guns  of  63  cwt. 
42  32-pounders  of  33  .  cwt. 
2  32-pounders  of  27  cwt. 

6  9-inch  guns  of  91  cwt. 

2  32-pounders  of  57  cwt. 

12  42-pOunders    of   27   cwt. 

6  8-inch  guns  of  63  cwt. 
15  32-pounders  of  61  cwt. 
2  9-inch  guns  of  91  cwt. 
2  32-pounders  of  27  cwt. 

13  32-pounders  cf  47  cwt. 
6  9-inch  guns  of  91  cwt. 

14  32-pounders   of  61    cwt. 
With   carriages,   etc.,   complete. 

To    Richmond,    \"irginia,    for    General    Beal'regard. 

8  32-pounders  of  27  cwt. 
I   32-pounder  of  42  cwt. 

5  32-pounders  of  57  cwt. 
I  32-pounder  of  47  cwt. 
1  32-pounder  of  91  cwt. 
With  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To  Capt.   R.   G.  Robb  at  Fredericksburg,  Maryland. 

4    32-pounders    of    27    cwt.,    with    carriages,    etc.. 
complete. 

To   Ke.mpsville.   Virginia. 

I   i2-pounder  brass  gun. 


I    9-pounder    brass    gun. 

Willi    tield   carriages   and   ammunition. 

To  Se.^board  &  Roanoke  Railroad. 

1  27-pounder  of  32  cwt.,  with  carriage,  etc.,  com- 
plete. 

To    General    Beauregard    at    Charleston,    South 
Carolina. 

12  32-pounders  of  61  cwt. 
12  42-pounders  ti  80  cwt. 

12  32-pounders  of  57  cwt. 

3  old  English  guns,   10,304  lbs. 
Witli  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To  Savannah,  Georgia. 

10    32-pounders    of    80    cwt.,    with    carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To  Captain   Thomas   at   Balti.more,   Maryland. 

20  24-pounder  sof  33  cwt. 
20  32-pounders  of  61  cwt. 
With    shot,    shell,    etc. 

To  Pensacola,  Florida. 

10   32-pounders    of   80    cwt.,    with    carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To  R.   p.   Pugh  .\t  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

5  32-pounders    cf    33    cwt..    with    carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To  Commander  Rousseaur  at  New  Orleans,  Louis- 
iana. 
8  8-inch  guns. 

13  32-pounders   of  47  cwt. 

2  9-inch    Dahlgren    guns. 
With  carriages,    etc.,  complete. 

To  Tennessee. 

32    32-pounder5    of    61    cwt.,    with    carriages,    etc., 
complete. 

To  Lieut.  George  T.   Sinclair  and  by  him   sent  to 
Army  South. 

8  8-inch  Dahlgren   guns  of  63  cwt. 

1  g-inch    Dahlgren    gun   of  91    cwt. 

6  32-pouiiders  of  27  cwt. 

10    32-pounders    of    61    cwt. 

9  42-pounders  of  70  cwt. 
With  carriages,  etc..  complete. 

To  General  Gwynn  and  taken  to  North  Carolina. 

4  32-pounders  of  27  cwt. 

2  32-pounders  of  42  cwt. 
26  32-pounders  01  61   cwt. 


453 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


10  32-pounders  of  46  cwt. 
10  8-inch  guns  of  63  cwt. 
With   carriages,    etc.,    complete. 

To  Norfolk  City. 

3   32-pounders    with   fi.xtures   and   ammunition. 

To   Battery   .^t   Sewei.l's    Point. 

6  9-inch   guns. 

5  32-pounders  ot  57  cwt. 

3  32-pounders  of  27  cwt. 
With    carriages,    etc.,    complete. 

To     B.-kTTERY     .\T     L.^.MBERT's     P'OINT. 

6  32-pounders    of    57    cwt.,    with    carriages,    (etc., 
complete. 

To  Gener.\l  Gwynn  to  be  t.\ke.x  to  North  Carolin,^. 

13   32-pounders   of  61    cwt. 

29  32-pounders  of  41   cwt., — Shubrick  guns. 

1   4-pounder,   numbered  90. 

I   32-pounder,  numbered  6. 

I   32-pounder,   no   mark. 

To   General    Gwynn   to   be   taken    to    Fort   Macon, 
Georgla. 

10   32-pounders. — Shubrick   guns. 
6  32-pounders  of  51  cwt. 
I  32-pounder  of  61  cwt. 
I   32-pounder  of  27  cwt. 
With  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To  Gener,\l  Gwynn  to  be  taken  to  North  Carolina. 

■Ji  32-pounders  of  61  cwt. 
6  32-pounder5   of   57   cwt. 
10  32-pounders  of  47  cwt. 
I   8-inch   gun   of  63   cwt. 
With  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To  B.\TTERY  AT  BuRWELl's   BaY 

5  32-pounders  of  57  cwt. 

I    g-inch    gun. 

With  carriages,  etc.,  complete. 

To   Battery  at   Powell's    Point. 

4  32-pounders    of    42    cwt.,    with    carriages,,    etc., 
complete. 

To  City  Point. 

I   32-pounder   of  51   cwt..  with  fixtures,   etc.,  com- 
plete. 

On  or  about  April  30,  1862,  Capt.  Sidney 
Smith  Lee,  C.   S.   Navy,  who  had  succeeded 


Commodore  Forrest  in  the  command  of  the 
Portsmouth  Navy  Yard,  notified  me  that  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  accompanied  by  the 
Secretary  of  War,  would  arrive  from  Rich- 
mond on  that  day  at  about  i  P.  ^i.  At  about 
2  P.  M.  a  message  that  the  Secretary  wished 
to  see  mie  came  from  the  comiuandant.  At 
that  time  I  occupied  the  position  of  C.  S.  naval 
storekeeper,  and  as  such  had  in  charge  all  the 
naval  supplies  in  the  yard  except  ordnance  and 
ordnance  stores. 

I  met  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Hon. 
Stephen  R.  Mallory,  at  the  door  of  the  com- 
mandant's dwelling  and  on  his  invitation  pro- 
ceeded with  him  to  a  private  room  in  the  com- 
mandant's house,  when  the  Secretary  at  once 
communicated  to  me  the  startling  intelligence, 
that  it  had  been  determined  to  evacuate  Nor- 
folk, Portsmouth  and  the  Navy  "S'ard,  adding 
that  his  visit  here  was  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
municating this  important  fact  to  Captain  Lee 
and  myself,  and  to  consult  as  to  the  removal 
of  the  naval  supplies  to  some  place  of  safety. 
The  Secretary  stated  that  the  evacuation  of 
Norfolk  became  necessary  because  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  two  great  confronting  armies  on 
the  Peninsula.  General  ^IcClellan  in  command 
of  the  Federals  had  assembled  a  large  army  in 
front  of  General  Johnston,  who  commanded 
the  Confederates  and  whose  forces  were  in 
numbers  greatly  inferior  to  jNIcClellan's.  That 
on  this  account  and  also  for  strategic  reasons, 
General  Johnston  had  decided  to  fall  back  slow- 
ly to  within  a  few  miles  of  Richmond  and 
would  begin  his  retrograde  movement  on  that 
day,  April  30th.  The  Secretary  continuing 
said  General  Johnston  calculated  that  in  about 
three  weeks  AlcClellan  would  reach  a  point  on 
the  James  River  where  he  could  easily  throw  a 
force  across  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  and 
thus  effectually  cut  off  Norfolk,  General 
Huger's  troops,  15,000  strong,  were  stationed 
at  and  around  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  They 
wciuld  be  needed  by  Johnston  in  the  battle  he 
proposed  to  make  with  General  McClellan  when 
the  proper  time  arrived.  It  was  necessary 
therefore  that  Huger  should  retire  before  the 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


453 


movement  of  McClellan  across  the  James  River 
could  be  accomplislied  and  thus  save  his  army 
for  service  witli  Joiinston. 

In  the  meantime,  tliat  is  to  say  from  iliai 
day,  tlie  30tii  uf  April,  and  the  day  i_in  which 
Huger  under  urtlers  froiu  Johnston  should  re- 
tire from  Xorfolk,  lie  wished  the  naval  supplies 
of  the  station,  or  as  many  of  them  as  could  be 
removed,  sent  forward  to  some  safe  place  in 
the  interior.  He  states  that  both  General  Hu- 
ger antl  the  commandant  of  the  yard  would  af- 
tord  me  all  the  transportation  facilities  at  their 
command.  For  obvious  reasons,  Charlotte, 
North  Carolina,  was  selected  as  the  place  for 
the  storage  of  these  supplies  and  for  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  same  as  needed  to  other  points 
in  the  South.  Shipments  to  Charlotte  of  these 
supplies  were  immediately  begun  and  were  con- 
tinued day  and  night;  care  being  taken  to  ship 
lirst  such  articles  as  were  considered  essential  in 
time  of  war  and  of  which  the  Confederates 
stood  most  in  need.  On  the  loth  day  of  May, 
1862,  the  Confederates  were  forced  to  antici- 
pate the  time  fixed  by  General  Johnston's  plans 
for  tlie  evacuation,  and  on  that  day  the  last 
train  of  cars  containing  naval  stores  and  also 
the  officers  of  the  yard  left  the  outer  depot 
at  Portsmouth.  The  officers  proceeded  via 
Weldon  to  Richmond  and  the  writer  continued 
on  the  supply  train  to  Charlotte. 

The  incident  that  compelled  the  evacuation 
on  May  10,  1862.  is  known  in  history.  Early 
in  the. morning,  before  sunrise,  James  Byers. 
master  of  the  steam-tug  "J.  B.  White,"  a  boat 
that  had  a  short  time  previously  been  employed 
by  Maj.  James  F.  Milligan,  C.  S.  Signal 
Corps,  deserted  to  the  enemy  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe. Byers,  it  was  not  doubted,  would  reveal 
the  situation  of  affairs  in  and  around  Xorfolk 
to  the  enemy,  who  seeing  his  opportunity  would 
be  sure  to  lose  no  time  in  landing  troops  at 


some  advantageous  point  and  proceed  to  ca^ 
ture  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  and  the  Navy  Yard. 
General  linger,  the  commanding  general,  in 
anticipation  of  such  a  movement  by  the  Fed- 
erals, and  realizing  the  fact  that  he  was  then 
in  no  condition  to  successfully  resist  an  attack, 
concluded  to  evacuate  with  all  possible  dis- 
patch. Orders  to  this  effect  were  accordingly 
given  and  as  before  stated  the  last  train  of 
cars  with  naval  supplies  left  Portsmouth  on 
that  day.  And  thus  the  evacuation  by  the 
Confederates  begun  April  30th  and  was  ended 
May  10,  1862. 

\ViLLi.\M    H.    Peters. 
Pouts. MOUTH,  \'.^.,   October.   1891. 

John  W.  H.  Porter,  in  his  history,  says,  re- 
ferring to  the  situation  after  the  Federal 
evacuation :  "In  the  Navy  Yard  everything 
was  activity.  Hundreds  of  skilled  mechanics 
who  had  enlisted  in  the  army  were  detailed  to 
work  there.  Work  was  commenced  on  the 
'Merrimac"  on  the  12th  of  July,  1861,  and  sev- 
eral other  vessels  were  being  built.  The  'Rich- 
mond," an  iron-clad,  to  carry  four  guns,  built 
with  slanting  roof  like  the  shield  of  the  'Merri- 
mac,' but  with  ends  above  the  water-line  and 
protected  like  the  shield,  was  launched,  as  were 
the  'Hampton'  and  'Nansemond,'  two  2-gun 
boats,  and  the  'Escambia'  and  'Elizabeth,'  two 
light-draft,  iron-protected  gunboats,  to  carry 
two  guns  each,  were  also  commenced,  and  later 
another  of  the  same  character,  called  the  'Yad- 
kin'. Some  work  was  done  on  the  'German- 
town'  and  'Plymouth'  also, — towards  fitting 
them  out  the  machine-shops  and  foundries 
were  being  run  to  their  utmost  capacity.  Num- 
erous 32-pound  Dahlgren  guns  were  rifled  and 
banded,  the  ones  w'ith  which  Captain  Fairfax 
so  successfully  contended  against  the  frigate 
'Savannah,'  and  were  sent  to  different  batteries 
around  the  harbor  and  to  other  localities." 


CHAPTER.  XXVII 


THE  UNITED  STATES  NAVY  YARD 

Improvements — Simpson  Dry  Dock — Naval  Constructor  Bowles'  Administration — 
Building  the  "Raleigh"  and  "Texas"- — International  Columbian  Naval  Ren- 
dezvous— Fitting  out  Ships  for  War  With  Spain — Records  of  Repair  and  Con- 
struction Work — The  "Raleigh"  and  "Texas"  in  the  Spanish-American  War 
— Congressional  Medals  Awarded — U.  S.  Naval  Hospital — Trophies^  in  Navy 
Yard  Park — Commandants  of  the  Navy  Yard. 


After  the  repossession  of  the  yard  by  the 
Federals,  Capt.  John  W.  Livingston  was  on 
the  20th  of  May,  1862,  ordered  to  its  command 
and  he  soon  commenced  repairing  damage^ 
and  putting  it  in  order.  There  was  no  ship- 
building in  the  yard  until  the  rebuilding  of  the 
"Galena,"  which  was  launched  March  8,  1875, 
and  building  of  the  "Alliance,"  launched  March 
13,  1879,  under  the  administration  of  Naval 
Constructor  John  W.  Easby.  The  latter  ship 
is  still  in  service ;  the  "Galena"  was  lost  in  a 
gale  off  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  in  1891. 

The  importance  of  this  Navy  Yard  has 
been  known  for  many  years  and  at  last  it  is 
beginning  to  be  brought  up  to  a  standard  of 
efficiency  gratifying  to  the  people  of  Norfolk 
County  and  the  country  at  large.  Commodor- 
D.  B.  Harmony,  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Yards 
and  Docks,  in  his  report  dated  October  15, 
1887,  says:  "The  importance  of  the  yard, 
with  its  fine  position,  mild  climate,  and  abun- 
dant natural  resources  within  control,  cannot 
be  overestimated,  and  it  is  earnestly  recom- 
mended that  every  opportunity  should  be  taken 
to  make  its  equipment  ample  in  all  particulars." 


On  February  2,  1887,  at  the  Norfolk 
Branch  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Institute  in  a  dis- 
cussion, Capt.  George  C.  Remey,  U.  S.  Navy, 
said:  "Having  regard  solely  to  geographical 
location  and  site,  I  regard  the  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard  as  the  first  in  importance  of  all  the  navy 
yards  belonging  to  the  government.  Believing 
this  to  be  so,  I  think  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Representatives  in  Congress  to  urge  and 
insist  that  ample  appropriations  be  made  to 
make  the  present  yard  a  first-class  dockyard. 
To  do  this  will  require  a  comparatively  large 
expenditure  of  money,  but  the  day  may  come, 
and  be  not  far  distant,  when  such  expenditure 
would  be  regarded  as  a  wise  one. 

"It  seems  to  me,  if  the  Virginia  Representa- 
tives in  Congress  would  endeavor  to  enlist  all 
the  Representatives  in  Congress  from  the  South 
to  advocate  a  modern  dockyard,  to  be  made  of 
the  present  yard,  that  appropriations  looking 
tO'  this  might  be  secured  if  for  no  other  argu- 
ment than  that  this  yard  is  practically  the  only 
one  in  the  South.  Having  this  in  view,  it 
would  be  the  duty  of  the  Navy  Department, 
and  I  do  not  doubt  a  pleasure,  to  elaborate 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


455 


plans  so  tliat  all  improvements  made  wonkl 
be  done  systematically,  looking  tc.  a  modern 
dockyard  as  the  result. 

"Regarding-  the  facilities  tor  obtaining 
iron  and  steel,  it  is  evident  from  common  re- 
port tliey  will  be  produced  and  manufactured 
in  large  quantities  in  the  States  of  Alabama, 
Georgia  and  Mississippi. 

"Statements  have  been  lately  made  in  the 
public  press  that  iron  and  steel  can  be  produced 
in  Alabama  cheaper  than  elsewhere  in  this 
country.  Whether  this  now  be  so  or  not,  it  is 
evident  to  the  careful  observer  that  iron  and 
steel  are  rapidly  becoming  most  important  in- 
terests in  these  States." 

SIMPSOX  DRY  DOCK. 

The  formal  opening  of  the  Simpson  Dry 
Dock  took  place  on  the  19th  of  September, 
1889.  Long  before  the  time  ordered  for 
the  opening  the  people  began  to  gather 
and  when  the  hour  arrived  about  2,000 
were  assembled  around  the  dock,  most  of 
whom  were  ladies,  and  the  scene  pre- 
sented quite  a  holiday  air.  Just  56  years, 
three  months  and  two  days  previous,  the  stone 
dry  dock  was  opened  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
crowd.  The  great  ship  "Delaware"  was  the 
christening  ship  for  that  dock  and  for  this  the 
trim  little  ship  "Yantic." 

She  presented  an  animated  and  handsonu 
picture,  trimmed  from  stem  to  stern  with  the 
flags  of  all  nations,  and  the  Naval  Post  Band, 
making  the  occasion  harmonious  with  some  of 
the  liveliest  airs.  The  work  of  flooding  the 
dock  commenced  at  9 133  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  a 
few  minutes  before  12  M.  the  "Yantic"  of  900 
tons,  swung  around  and  was  moored  in  the 
dock  under  her  own  steam,  after  which  the 
worl;  of  pumping  the  dock  out  was  commenced 
and  finished  about  2  :30  o'clock  P.  M.,  sorne 
little  delay  occurring  in  trimming  the  vessel. 
The  ship  settled  nicely  down  on  the  blocks  and 
was  greatly  admired  for  the  beauty  of  her 
model.  She  was  docked  by  Master  Shipwright 
William  F.  Smith  and  the  Simpson  force  of 
workmen. 


The  construction  of  this  dock  was  conj- 
menced  in  December,  1887.  The  time  limit 
expressed  in  the  contract  was  two  years,  but 
the  time  consumed  was  only  21  months,  and 
had  it  not  been  for  a  flood  in  April,  the  struc- 
ture would  have  been  ready  to  receive  a  vessel 
in  July. 

The  dock  is  built  upon  pile  foundations 
tln-(iughout.  the  floor  piling  being  driven  in 
rows,  spaced  three  feet  between  centers  trans- 
versely and  four  feet  longitudinally,  upon 
which  heavy  fore-and-aft  timbers  of  Georgia 
pine  are  fitted  longitudinally.  Upon  these 
(ore-and-aft  timbers  placed  traversely  four  feel 
between  centers,  are  firmly  secured  heavy 
Georgia-pine  floor-timbers.  Upon  these  floor- 
timbers  are  laid  longitudinally  Georgia-pine 
planking,  thus  forming  the  working  floor.  The 
keel  blocks  are  additionally  supported  by  four 
rows  of  piles  and  capped  with  heavy  Georgia- 
pine  timber,  running  fore  and  aft  to  the  dock. 
The  heads  of  all  foundation  piles  are  also  in- 
closed in  a  continuous  bed  of  Portland  cement 
concrete,  which  concrete  also  fills  all  spaces 
between  timbers  and  rises  to  the  planking  or 
working  floor.  Open  concrete  drains  or  sluice- 
ways are  provided  on  each  side  of  the  keel-way 
beneath  the  floor-timbers,  leading  to  the  drain- 
age culvert  and  well  near  the  entrance  of  the 
dock.  The  sides  and  head  of  the  dock  have 
an  inclination  of  about  45  degrees;  the  altars, 
or  steps,  are  all  of  Georgia-pine  timber,  hav- 
ing a  rise  of  eight  inches  and  a  lo-inch  head, 
securely  bolted  to  sidebrace  timbers,  which  are 
supported  by  piles  and  abut  upon  the  ends  of 
the  floor-timbers.  The  altars  are  locked  with 
clay-puddle,  as  the  sides  are  built  up,  and  the 
five  upjier  courses  of  altars  and  the  coping  are 
thoroughly  treated  with  wood-creosote  oil. 
The  bilge-blocks  slide  upon  oak  bearers  placed 
upon  every  third  floor-timber.  The  iron  cais- 
,  son  for  closing  the  dock  bears  against  rubber 
packing,  attached  to  sill  and  abutments  the 
whole  length  of  the  keel  and  stem,  no  grooves 
being  used.  Two  gate  or  caisson  sills  are  pro- 
vided, the  outer  one  for  use  in  repairing  the 
main  or  inner  sill.     Means  of  egress  and  in- 


456 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


gress  are  provided  by  the  continuous  altars,  or 
steps,  of  the  dock,  thus  materially  aiding  dis- 
patch and  economy  in  the  work  of  repairs  to 
vessels  occupying  the  dock.  The  dimensions 
of  this  dock  are  as  follows : 

Length    over    all    coping 530  feet. 

Length  over  all  inside  ot  caisson 6u0  feet. 

Width    on    top    amidship 130  feet. 

Width  on  floor  amidship 50  feet. 

Width  on  floor  at  entrance 53  feet. 

Width  on  top  at  entrance 85  feet. 

Depth  of  gate-sill  below  coping 3o;/2  feet. 

Depth  of  gate-sill  below  high  water 25J-2  feet. 

The  machinery  for  operating  the  dock  con- 
sists of  two  centrifugal-pumps,  each  42  inches 
in  diameter,  driven  by  two  vertical  engines  28 
inches  in  diameter  of  cylinder  by  24  inches 
stroke,  with  adjustable  cut-offs,  steam  power 
being  furnished  by  three  steel  Scotch  boile. 
13  feet  in  diameter  and  1 1  feet  long. 

These  pumps  have  a  capacity  of  80,000  gal- 
lons per  minute,  enabling  the  dock  to  be 
emptied  of  water  (without  a  vessel)  in  about 
90  minutes  and  with  a  vessel  of  moderate  dis- 
placement in  much  less  time.  The  dock  is 
filled  by  means  of  culverts  running  through  the 
caisson ;  there  are  eight  flood  gates  22  inches  in 
diameter,  operated  by  handwheels  on  the  pump- 
deck  of  caisson. 

The  contract  price  of  this  dock  complete 
wa-s  $500,000. 

BUILDING    OF    THE    "r.^LEIGh"    AND    "tEXAS." 

The  year  1889  saw  the  beginning  of  work 
on  the  great  ships  which  have  since  played  an 
important  part  in  American  naval  war  history. 
On  June  ist  work  was  begun  on  the  "Texas," 
and  Naval  Constructor  Francis  T,  Bowles  bent 
all  his  energies  not  only  to  build  three  powerful 
ships, — "Texas,"  "Amphitrite"  and  "Raleigh," 
—but  to  make  the  yard  reach  the  high  standard 
of  efficiency  which  it  has  eventually  attained. 

The  "Raleigh"  was  launched  on  the  31st 
of  March,  1892.  The  history  of  this  vessel 
and  of  her  sister-ship,  the  "Cincinnati,"  which 
was  built  at  the  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard,  is  inter- 
esting.    They  were  authorized  by  Congress  as 


vessels  of  about  3,000  tons  displaceinent,  under 
the  Act  of  September  7,  1888.  The  limit  of 
price  for  each,  exclusive  of  armament  and  of 
bonus  for  extra  speed,  was  fixed  at  $1,000,000. 
The  plans  were  duly  made,  and  called  for 
an  average  speed  of  19  knots,  maintained  for 
four  consecutive  hours,  with  a  premium  of 
$50,000  for  each  quarter-knot  additional,  and 
a  deduction  of  the  same  amount  for  each  quar- 
ter-knot of  deficiency.  When  the  House  Naval 
Committee  reported  in  favor  of  building  the 
"Raleigh"  and  "Cincinnaiti,"  it  described  them 
as  follows :  "The  3,000  ton  vessel  will  be  large 
enough  to  carry  an  efficient  armament,  and 
provide  comfortable  quarters  for  officers  and 
men,  with  fuel  to  steam  ten  or  twelve  thousand 
knots  at  10  knots  an  hour.  We  hope  to  get  in 
these  cruisers  20  knots  speed,  but  have  fixed 
the  guaranty  of  the  contractors  at  19  knots  as  a 
margin  for  safety."  But  when  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1889,  proposals  were  opened  for  these 
two  vessels,  it  was  found  that  the  bidders,  so 
far  from  expecting  to  earn  a  bonus  of  $200,000 
by  getting  a  speed  of  20  knots,  were  unwilling 
to  guarantee  even  19  knots,  except  at  a  price 
higher  than  the  one  fixed  by  Congress.  Ac- 
cordingly Secretary  Tracy  promptly  decided 
to  take  advantage  of  the  provision  in  the  Act 
for  building  these  vessels  in  the  Navy  Yard 
should  the  bidding  be  unsatisfactory.  Number 
7,  the  "Cincinnati,"  was  assigned  to  the  Brook- 
lyn Navy  Yard,  on  the  site  where  the  "Ten- 
nessee" and  "Java"  were  built,  while  No.  8,  the 
"Raleigh,"  was  assigned  to  the  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard,  on  the  slip  north  of  the  one  used  for  the 
"Texas."  The  chief  constructor  gave  orders 
to  begin  work  on  the  "Raleigh"  under  date 
of  September  25,  1889.  The  first  keel-plate 
was  laid  the  19th  of  December,  1889.  In  pur- 
suance of  the  plan  of  naming  second-class  ships 
after  cities,  the  President  decided  that  cruiser 
No.  8  should  be  called  the  "Raleigh."  She 
has.  a  length  of  300  feet  on  the  load 
water-line  and  an  extreme  breadth  of 
42  feet.  At  her  mean  normal  draught 
of  18  feet  of  sea-water,  her  displace- 
ment   is    about    3,180    tons,    the    maximum 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


457 


draug-ht  then  l>eing^  abnut  19  feet.  She 
has  two  sets  of  engine-,  working  two  screws. 
It  was  estimated  that  her  engines  would  de- 
velop 10.000  indicated  horsei>i\ver  at  full  pow- 
er, with  a  steam  pressure  of  160  pounds.  This 
drives  the  ship  at  20  knots.  Her  coal  supply 
at  normal  draught  is  400  tons,  the  bunkers 
hold  675  tons  and  with  this  supplv  she  can 
steam  1,500  miles  at  full  power,  or  10.500  at 
10  knots,  her  most  economical  speed.  The 
engines  are  of  the  triple-expansion,  vertical,  in- 
verted, direct  acting  type  with  two  low-pres- 
sure cylinders.  Her  cylinders  are  36,  53  and 
57  inches  in  diameter,  with  a  common  stroke  of 
^^  inches.  Steam  is  supplied  by  four  double- 
ended  boilers,  and  twn  single-ended  ones  to  be 
used  as  auxiliaries.  The  grate  surface  is  597 
square  feet  and  the  heating  surface,  19,382 
square  feet.  The  closed  ash-pit  system  of 
forced  draught  is  used.  The  condensers  have 
each  7,000  square  feet  of  cooling  surface.  The 
revolutions  at  full  i^ower  are  164  per  minute. 

The  main  and  auxiliary  engines  occupy 
four  water-tight  com]>artments.  and  the  boilers, 
four  others.  The  water-tight  subdivisions  at 
the  ends  of  the  ship  are  very  complete.  The 
protective-deck  is  one  inch  thick  on  the  flat, 
two  inches  on  the  slopes  at  the  ends  and  2^^ 
inches  on  the  slopes  amidships.  A  coffer-dam, 
to  be  filled  with  woodite.  or  cellulose,  extends 
around  the  ship  in  the  wake  of  the  water-line 
on  the  protective  deck.  The  ship  has  poop 
and  forecastle-decks,  with  an  open  gun-deck 
between  the  bridges  extending  along  the  tops 
of  the  hammock  Ijerthings.  connecting  the  poop 
and  forecastle.  Tlie  rig  is  that  of  a  two- 
masted  schooner,  spreading  7.210  square  feet 
of  sail.  The  boats  are  stored  on  skid-beams 
between  the  two  fore  and  aft  bridges. 

The  main  armament  consists  of  one  6-inch 
B.  L.  R.,  mounted  on  the  forecastle,  and  hav- 
ing an  arc  of  train  of  270  degrees  from  quarter 
to  quarter;  10  5-inch  rapid-firing  guns — two 
mounted  on  the  poop  and  the  after  two  on  the 
gun-deck  train  from  right  astern  to  60  degrees 
forward  of  the  beam,  the  two  forward  ones  on 
the  gun-deck  train  from  right  ahead  to  60  de- 


grees abaft  the  beam.  The  auxiliary  arma- 
ments consists  of  eight  6-inch  rapid-firing  gims 
mounted,  four  over  the  forward  and  after 
sponsons  on  forecastle  and  i><»p,  two  on  gun- 
deck  forward,  and  two  on  the  gun-deck  amid- 
ships; four  i-pounders  mounted,  two  cm  gun- 
deck  aft  (in  captain's  after-cabin),  and  two 
on  the  bridges;  two  Catlings  mounted  on  the 
tops.  The  forward  and  the  after  5-incli  guns 
on  the  gun-deck  are  protected  by  4-inch  armor. 
The  other  six)nsons  have  i-inch  armor  plates. 
The  conning  tower  is  two  inches  thick,  as  well 
as  the  tulte  leading  from  it  to  the  protective- 
deck.  There  are  six  above-water  torpedo 
tubes;  fixed  ones  ahead  and  astern,  and  the 
training  ones  on  each  bow  and  quarter. 

The  tubes  are  of  the  Howell  pattern,  using 
gunpowder  to  project  the  torpedi).  The  ship 
is  lighted  by  electricity,  the  plant  consisting  of 
two  engines  and  dynamos,  each  with  an  out- 
put of  200  amperes  at  a  constant  potential  of 
80  volts.  In  addition  to  all  necessary  lights  for 
illumination  and  signaling,  there  are  three 
Mangin  searchlight  projectors.  The  lights  are 
arranged  in  sections  on  independent  conduc- 
tors, all  controlled  irmn  a  switch-board  in  the 
dynam<>r(X)m,  so  arranged  that  either  of  the 
dynamos  can  be  put  on  any  or  all  of  the  arc  or 
incandescent  circuits. 

The  engine-power  of  the  "Raleigh"  was 
relatively  larger  than  that  of  any  other  vessel 
of  the  U.  S.  Xavy  except  the  "Vesuvius"  and 
torpedo  boats,  occurring  as  it  does  in  conjunc- 
tion with  a  larger  battery  power,  necessitating 
a  larger  crew.  The  complement  is  about  320. — ■ 
24  ofticers,  34  marines  and  a  crew  of  266.  The 
rudder  is  partially  balanced.  Its  weight  is 
about  seven  and  a  half  tons.  The  ordinary 
right  and  left  steering  gear  is  used,  actuated 
by  a  powerful  steam  steering-engine  below  the 
protective  deck.  She  cost  $1,641,915.74.  The 
3Ctual  weight  of  the  ship  when  launched  was 
1,140  tons.  The  "Raleigh"  was  the  first  ves- 
sel of  the  new  navy  to  be  built  complete  by 
the  government. 

Naval  Constructor  Francis  T.  Bowles  was 
congratulated  for  the  beautiful  launch  and  the 


458 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


successful    manner    in    whicli    the    ship    was 
built. 

The  U.  S.  battle-ship  "Texas,"  now  one  of 
the  most  historic  figures  in  America's  new  steel 
navy,  was  launched  from  our  Navy  Yard  on 
the  28th  of  June,  1892,  at  11  :!/  o'clock  A.  M., 
in  the  presence  of  a  vast  concourse  of  people. 
The  rain  was  pouring  down  and  the  Navy  Yard 
was  literally  a  sea  of  umbrellas. 

Miss  Madge  Williams  of  Texas,  who  had 
been  selected  to  christen  the  ship,  was  dressed 
in  a  navy  blue  yachting  suit,  trimmed  with 
braid.  A  large  golden  star,  symbolic  of  the 
State  she  represented,  was  worked  on  the  col- 
lar, and  a  smaller  one  on  the  front  of  her  "chic" 
yachting  cap.  On  the  launching  platform  were 
Miss  Madge  Williams  and  her  mother,  Lieut. 
Hillary  P.  Jones,  Commander  W.  S.  Cowles, 
U.  S.  Navy,  Commodore  A.  W.  Weaver,  com- 
mandant of  the  Navy  Yard,  Passed  Assistant 
Engineer  Kenneth  McAlpine,  Assistant  Sur- 
geon Shirley  Hope,  R.  E.  Glassett,  Hon. 
George  E.  Bowden,  S.  S.  Nottinham,  Mayor 
S.  Marx  and  Mayor-elect  A.  B.  Cooke  of  Nor- 
folk, W.  J.  Rodgers,  Capt.  B.  P.  Loyall,  Capt. 
W.  R.  Mayo,  W.  S.  Langhorne,  Dr.  James' 
Parrish,  O.  V.  Smith,  Esq.,  Col.  Harry 
Hodges,  Capt.  William  H.  Murdaugh,  Post- 
master A.  H.  Lindsay,  John  C.  Niemeyer,  Capt. 
James  W.  !McCarrick,  J.  G.  Fiveash ;  the  com- 
manding and  other  ot^cers  of  the  Brazilian 
man-of-war  "Almirante  Borroso,"  and  a  num- 
ber of  ladies.  All  the  steamers  in  the  harbor 
were  gaily  dressed  in  bunting.  Miss  Williams 
with  the  bottle  in  her  hands  stood  with  Com- 
mander Cowles  on  her  right  and  Lieut.  Hillary 
P.  Jones  on  her  left  and  at  a  signal  from 
Naval  Constructor  Francis  T.  Bowles  as  the 
"Texas"  started  slowly  to  glide  into  her  native 
element.  Miss  W^illiams  broke  the  bottle  and 
in  a  clear  voice  cried :  "I  christen  thee  Texas." 
Then  amidst  the  hurrahs  and  yells,  the  tooting 
and  screeching  of  steam  whistles  and  the  play- 
ing of  the  band,  the  ship  shot  with  great  rapid- 
ity to'  the  water,  snapping  immense  hawsers  as 
though  made  of  paper  twine,  until  her  headway 
had  been  checked,  the  whole  time  being  only  46 


seconds.  The  ship  was  swung  around  with 
lines,  and  tugs  fastened  on  and  towed  her 
around  to  the  dock.  The  launching  was  a 
grand  success,  there  not  being  the  slightest 
hitch  in  any  particular,  and  was  a  noted  event 
in  the  career  of  Naval  Constructor  Francis 
T.  Bowles,  now  the  Chief  Constructor  of  the 
Navy. 

The  U.  S.  S.  "Texas"  is  a  steel-armored, 
twin-screw,  second  class  battleship  of  6,335 
tons  normal  displacement ;  length  between  per- 
pendiculars, 290  feet ;  extreme  breadth,  64  feet 
one  inch ;  molded  depth  39  feet  eight  inches ; 
designed  draft  of  water  forward  22  feet ;  de- 
signed draft  of  water  aft  23  feet;  the  mean 
draft  will  be  22  feet  six  inches.  When  carry- 
ing about  500  tons  of  coal,  she  can  steam  1,110 
miles  at  her  estimated  highest  speed  17  knots, 
or  8,500  miles  at  10  knots.  There  is  bunker 
capacity,  however,  for  450  additional  tons. 
The  main  armament  consists  of  two  12-inch 
breech-loading  guns,  each  weighing  46  1-2 
tons,  mounted  in  two  turrets  en  echelon, — one 
being  on  the  starboard  side  aft,  the  other  on 
the  port  side  forward, — having  a  complete 
broadside  range  on  their  respective  sides,  the 
forward  or  port  gun  also  having  a  range  of  40 
degrees  on  the  stai-board  side,  and  the  after 
gun  70  degrees  on  the  port  side;  with  six 
6-inch  breech-loading  guns,  one  mounted  for- 
ward and  one  aft  on  the  upper  deck,  as  bow 
and  stern-chasers,  each  having  a  range  of  120 
degrees,  the  others  being-  mounted  in  sponsons 
on  the  main-deck.  The  secondary  battery  con- 
sists of  four  6-pounder  and  four  3-pounder 
rapid-firing  guns,  with  four  47-pounder  Hotdi- 
kiss  guns,  all  mounted  on  the  gun-deck  behind 
1 14  Inch  plating;  two  Catling  guns  and  two 
Hotchkiss  guns  mounted  on  the  bridge,  the 
same  in  military  tops,  and  two  3-poundef  rapid- 
firing  guns  on  the  flying  bridge.  There  are 
six  torpedo  tubes,  one  in  the  bow,  one  in  the 
stern  and  two  on  each  side ;  a  strong  ram  bow 
adds  to  her  effective  powers. 

The  turrets  are  armored  with  12  inches  of 
steel  and  their  bases  with  12  inches  of  steel, 
which  also  protects   the  liydraulic  machinery 


I'M 


\  ,-. 


i'i~~<'ii  i 


'^1 


The  Spanish  cruiser  "Reina  Mercedes"    in  the  Simpscn 
Dry  Dock. 


The  U.  S.  S.  "Texas. 


The  U.   S.  submarine  bdat   "Holland"   in  the  Stonj 
Dry   Dock. 


Guns  taken  from  the  Spanish  Cruiser  "Almirante 
OtjUENDO".-  IN  Navy  Yard   Park. 


The   U.    S.    submarine   boat  "Holland"    in  the  Stone        Stern-Plate  of  U.  S.  S.   "  San  Francisco,"  showing  the  hole 
Dry  Dock.  caused  by  a  shot  fired  from  Morro  Castle,  which    was 

the  last  shot  fired  during  the  War  with  Spain. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


401 


for  working  the  g-uns,  and  tlie  smoke-pipe  cas- 
ings. A  belt  of  steel  amior  12  inches  thick. 
extending  two  feet  above  the  designed  water 
line,  4K'  J<?et  below  it  and  116  feet  in  length, 
protects  the  lx)ilers  and  engines.  A  protective- 
deck  of  -'-inch  steel  is  laid  above  the  arn>or- 
belt;  beyond  this  belt  it  is  inclined  downward 
toward  the  extremities  and  sides  and  is  three 
inches  thick  on  the  slopes.  At  the  ends  of  the 
belt  are  diagonal  armored-bulkheads  of  6-inch 
steel  p<->inted  toward  the  bow  and  stern,  whose 
oblique  surface  afford  additional  protection. 
This  protective-deck  carries  the  massive  sup- 
ports for  the  redoubt  ou  the  deck  above  and 
have  coal  bunkers  at  the  side  and  extending 
athwartship  which  protect  this  support :  all  the 
hatches  and  openings  on  this  deck  have  coft'er- 
dams.  The  top  of  the  redoubt  is  covered  with 
a  2-inch  steel  deck ;  the  redoubt  is  continuous. 
and  is  accessible  only  from  the  protecti\e-deck 
and  is  built  on  the  cellular  system.  A  double 
bottom  extends  under  the  engines,  boilers  and 
magazines,  and  is  divided  both  longitudinally 
and  traiisversely  into  nutiierous  water-tight 
compartments.  This  double  bottom  is  con- 
tinued fore  and  aft  by  the  floors  of  store- 
rooms, etc.,  and  the  extremities  are  arranged 
as  trimming-tanks.  The  space  between  the 
double  bottom  and  the  protective-deck  is  sub- 
divided into  many  water-tight  compartments 
whose  numerous  bulkheads  add  to  the  ship's 
strength  ;  there  are  129  of  these  compartments, 
all  connected  to  steam  and  hand-pumps  l)y  an 
extensive  drainage  system,  thus  minimizing  the 
disastrous  effects  of  the  ram  and  torpedo;  in 
the  wake  of  the  armor-belt,  the  ship  has  a 
triple  skin  as  there  is  a  wing  passage  outboard 
the  coal  bunkers.  In  the  coal  bunkers  above 
the  protective-deck  there  is  a  fore-and-aft 
water-tight  bulkhead  girder  extending  five  feet 
above  the  water-line,  giving  the  ship  a  triple 
skin  to  this  height.  The  boilers  and  engines 
are  contained  in  six  water-tight  compartments 
below  the  protective-deck,  three  on  each  side, 
with  a  central  passage  providing  protective 
communication  between  the  extremities  of  the 
ship ;  below  this  passage  and  between  the  boil- 


27 


er  rooms  are  situated  the  magazines  and  shell- 
rooms.  Alx>ve  the  turrets  is  a  tlying-deck  for 
navigating  the  ship,  on  which  lx>ats  are  stowed  ; 
two  second-class  torpedo  lx>ats  are  carried  in 
addition  to  the  usual  complement. 

The  ship  is  lighted  throughout  by  electric- 
ity and  carries  two  powerful  electric  search- 
lights and  two  smaller  searchlights  for  boat 
use;  ample  ventilation  of  magazines,  store- 
roc>ms  and  quarters  is  provided,  also  fresh 
water  distilleries.  There  is  a  steam  steering- 
engine  below  the  protective  deck  and  a  steam 
capstan  and  windlass  on  the  main  and  upper- 
decks  forward. 

The  ship  is  driven  bv  two  sets  of  triple-e.x- 
pansion  engines,  of  the  vesical,  inverted  direct- 
acting  tyi>e,  capable  of  developing  5,800  horse- 
power with  natural  draft,  and  8,600  with  an 
air  pressure  of  two  inches  of  water.  The  en- 
gines occupy  two  water-tight  compartments, 
each  set  ha\'ing  three  cvlinders  36,  57  and  78 
inches  in  diameter,  with  a  common  stroke  of  39 
inches.  There  are  fo^ir  double-ended  steel 
boilers  14  feet  in  diameter  and  17  feet  long,  of 
the  horizontal  return-tire  tubular  type,  each 
having  six  corrugated  furnace-flues,  total  heat- 
ing surface  of  about  17,000  square  feet.  t(jtal 
grate  surface  about  500  square  feet :  the  wi  irk- 
ing pressure  is  150  pounds  per  square  inch.  All 
four  boilers  are  connected  to  one  srnoke-pipe ; 
the  closed  fire-room  system'  of  forced  draught 
is  used.  The  condensers  are  made  entirelv  of 
composition  and  nuntz  metal,  with  independent. 
circulating  and  air  pumps. 

Piston-valves  are  used  for  the  high  pressure 
and  intermediate  cylinders  and  a  double-parted 
balance  slide-valve  on  the  bow  pressure,  with 
double  bar-links.  The  engine-framing  and  bed- 
plates are  cut  of  cast  steel ;  the  hollow  shafting, 
piston-rods,  connecting-rods,  and  working 
parts  are  generally  of  forged  steel.  The  pro- 
pellers are  four-bladed  and  14  feet  six  inches  in 
diameter.  The  machinery  was  built  by  the 
Richmond  Locomotive  &  Machine  Works,  of 
Richmond.    Virginia. 

The  "Texas"  holds  a  prominent  position  in 
the  development  of  the  new  navy.    The  majcr- 


462 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ity  of  the  ships  laid  down  prior  to  the  "Texas" 
were  more  or  less  reproductions  of  the  best 
cruisers  built  in  Europe,  but  when  the  first  bat- 
tle-ship and  armored  cruiser  were  authorized, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  offered  a  prize  of 
$15,000  for  the  best  design  for  either  vessel, 
competition  being  thrown  open  to  the  world,  as 
he  desired  to  secure  the  best  talent  wherever 
found,  judging  that,  although  American  con- 
structors, engineers  and  ordnance  officers  had 
but  slight  experience  at  that  time  in  designing 
such  ships,  their  ingenuity  and  talent  would 
keep  the  navy  in  the  front  rank  for  future  work. 
The  accuracy  of  the  judgment  is  shown  by  the 
battle-ships  and  cruisers  designed  by  these 
same  officers  not  four  years  afterward,  which 
excel  anything  designed  abroad. 

The  construction  of  the  "Texas"  was  auth- 
orized by  Act  of  Congress  approved  August 
3rd,  1886,  and  a  circular  embodying  the  condi- 
tions of  the  competition,  the  principal  require- 
ments and  data,  were  issued  August  21,  1886. 
Numerous  designs  were  submitted,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1887  the  board  of  naval  experts  unan- 
imouslv  decided  that  the  best  was  that  sub- 
mitted by  William  John,  an  English  naval  arch- 
itect of  the  highest  reputation,  who  had  recently 
died.  ]\Ir.  John  described  his  design  in  a  paper 
read  before  the  Institute  of  Naval  Architects 
at  its  annual  meeting  in  London  in  1888,  and  it 
was  favorably  regarded  by  the  eminent  naval 
officers  and  constructors  present.  The  same 
Act  of  Congress  authorized  the  building  of  this 
battle-ship  at  a  navv  yard,  and  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard  was  selected.  At  that  time  it  was 
entirely  lacking  in  the  mechanical  appliances 
and  other  necessary  facilities  of  a  modern  ship- 
building plant,  and  the  workmen  were  totally 
inexperienced  in  building  steel  ships.  Much 
time  was  necessarily  occupied  in  forming  the 
nucleus  of  a  plant,  and  in  organizing  and  in- 
structing the  workmen,  and  it  was  not  until 
June  II,  1889,  that  the  first  keel-plate  was  laid. 
At  this  period,  the  manufacture  of  steel  for 
ship-building  purposes  was  but  partially  devel- 
oped and  the  output  O'f  the  steel  makers  could 
not  supply  'the  demand  from  public  and  private 


shipyards.  The  material  for  each  portion  of  a 
ship's  structure  is  ordered  of  the  dimensions 
required  in  the  order  in  which  it  will  be  needed, 
and  can  only  be  used  in  its  proper  place;  but 
the  material  was  delivered  so  irregularly  that 
many  vexatious  delays  ensued. 

The  stern-post  was  ordered  in  July,  1889, 
but  it  was  not  completely  delivered  until  Aug- 
ust, 1890,  more  than  a  year  afterward,  thus 
necessitating  suspension  of  the  work  on  the 
after  portion  of  the  shio  during  this  long  pe- 
riod ;  the  steel  plates  for  the  protective-decks 
were  ordered  in  November,  1889,  the  contract 
requiring  them  to  be  delivered  in  60  days  there- 
after, yet  they  were  not  half  delivered  until 
June,  1890,  and  the  order  was  not  completed 
until  May,  1891  :  during  this  long  period  the 
greater  portion  of  the  work  to  be  done  above  the 
protecti\-e-deck  was  necessarily  at  a  stand-still ; 
at  the  time  of  the  launching,  none  of  the  armor 
had  been  received. 

The  contractors  for  the  structural  plating 
of  the  "Texas"  caused  excessive  delays  by 
their  irregular  deliveries.  Six  months  after 
the  beginning  of  the  "Texas."  the  cruiser  "Ra- 
leigh" was  laid  down  and  launched  in  March 
and  the  double  turreted  monitor  "Amphitrite" 
had  been  rebuilt  and  made  ready  for  her  armor, 
though  none  of  it  had  been  received  up  to  this 
time.  That  this  could  be  done  is  an  evidence 
of  the  rapidity  with  which  the  plant  and  organ- 
ization had  been  advanced  ;  and  at  that  time  the 
workmanship  at  the  Navy  Yard  was  unsur- 
passed and  the  larg'est  battle-ship  couldj  be 
built  with  economv  and  dispatch.  The  "Texas" 
was  the  first  battle-ship  of  the  new  steel  navy; 
a  single  shot  can  totally  disable  a  cruiser,  but 
the  armored  battle-ship  has  much  greater  en- 
durance and  can  take  the  risk  of  receiving  the 
fire  of  heavy  guns,  knowing  that  the  vitals  of 
the  ship  are  protected  by  armor. 

In  cruisers  armor  is  sacrificed  to  speed  and 
coal  endurance,  and  they  are  expected  to  use 
their  superior  speed  to  escape  from  more  pow- 
erful ships.  In  battle-ships  speed  is  sacrificed 
to  armor  and  armament;  two  or  more  large 
guns  are  carried,  and  t;he  loading  mechanism. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


463 


crew  and  machiner)-  are  protected  from  imme- 
diate destruction  by  armor ;  they  are  expected 
to  take  part  in  hotly  contested  sea-fights,  where 
hard  blows  and  stubborn  endurance  will  win 
the  day.  The  battle-ship  differs  from  the  mon- 
itor in  carrying  the  heavy  gnns  high  above  the 
water  so  that  they  can  be  used  in  all  ordinary 
weather  at  .sea  and  in  carrying  numerous  ad- 
ditional brecch-Ioading  and  rapid-firing  guns. 
The  space  not  occupied  by  these  guns  aft'ords 
commodious  quarters  for  the  crew :  the  moni- 
tor's heav}-  gims  can  not  Ije  used  in  rriugh  water 
and  only  a  few  of  the  smallest  rapid-firing  guns 
can  be  carried.  The  structure  of  a  battle-ship 
is  far  more  complete  than  that  of  a  cruiser.  Not 
only  is  there  a  far  more  extensive  subdivision, 
but  there  are  the  supports  and  strengthening 
for  armor  and  armament  and  the  mechanism' 
for  loading  and  manipulating  the  gvms,  all  of 
which  must  be  light  and  yet  ?mply  strong. 

THE    IXTERX.\TI0X.\L    COLl'MBIAX    XAVAL 
REXDEZVOrS. 

The  great  International  Coluniliian  Xaval 
Rendezvous  in  Hampton  Roads,  celebrating  the 
400th  anniversary  of  the  discovery  of  America 
by  Christopher  Columbus,  was  an  event  which 
will  long  be  remembered  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Norfolk  County ;  never  before  had  such  a  grand 
naval  pageant  l>een  beheld  on  the  waters  of  the 
"King's  Chamber." 

On  the  25th  of  April,  1890.  Congress 
authorized  the  President  to  extend  invitations 
to  foreign  nations  to  send  ships  or  war  to  join 
the  United  States  Navy  Yard  in  rendezvous  at 
Hampton  Roads  and  proceed  thence  to  the  re- 
view. Pursuant  to  this,  the  26th  of  April.  1893, 
was  announced  as  the  date  fixed  for  the  rendez- 
vous. Another  Act  of  Congress  provided  for 
the  construction  in  Spain  of  reproductions  of 
two  of  the  caravels  of  Columbus  in  order  that 
they  might  be  a  feature  of  the  review  and  a 
third  caravel,  a  duplicate  of  the  largest  vessel 
of  Columbus,  the  "Santa  ]\Iaria."  was  built  by 
the  Spanish  government  and  sent  across  the 
Atlantic  to  participate  in  the  celebration. 


Rear-Admiral  Bancroft  Gherardi  w'as  di- 
rected by  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  assume 
command  on  the  1st  of  March,  1893,  c>f  the 
fleet  for  the  naval  review  and  he  directed  the 
organization  of  the  United  States  fleet.  Com- 
mander-in-chief, Rear- Admiral  Bancroft  Gher- 
ardi, U.  S.  Navy;  commanding  First  Squadron, 
Rear-Admiral  A.  E.  K.  Benham,  U.  S.  Navy ; 
Commanding  Second  Squadron,  Rear-Admiral 
John  G.  Walker,  U.  S.  Navy. 


FORMATION. 

NAME    OF   SHIP. 

TYPE. 

Flag  of  Commander-in-Chief.     "Philadelphia." 
Dispatch  Boat.                                  "Cushiny." 

Protected  cruiser 
Torpedo  boat 

FIRST  SlJUADRON. 

Section  N'o.  1. 

1.  Leader, 

2.  Mate. 

"Newark"  i6ai:>. 
"Atlanta." 

Proierted  rruiser 

Partially 
Protected  cruiser 

Section  No.  2. 

3.  Leader. 

4.  Mate. 

"San  Francisco," 
"Bancroft," 

Protected  cruiser 
Gun  vessel 

Section  No.  3. 

.V  Mate, 
t-i.  Leader, 

"Bennington*" 

"Baltimore," 

SECOND    SOl'ADROS. 

Cruiser 
Protected  cruiser 

Section  No.  4. 
T.  Leader, 

"Chicago"  (flaK), 

Partially 
Protected  cruiser 

8.  Mate. 

"Yorktown." 

Cruiser 

Section  No.  5. 

9.  Leader. 
10.  Mate. 

"Charleston," 
"Vesuvius." 

Protected  cruiser 
Dynamite-gun 

vessel 

Section  No.  6. 

IL  Mate. 
13.  Leader. 

"Concord." 
"Mianionomoh." 

Cruiser 

Double- 
turreied  Monitor 

By  the  end  of  ]March  the  "Philadelphia," 
"Atlanta,."  "Baltimore,"  "Chicago,"  "York- 
town,"  "Charleston,"'  "X'esuvius,"  "Concord" 
and  "Cushing"  were  assembled  at  Haiupton 
Roads.  The  rest  of  the  United  States  vessels 
arrived  early  in  April  except  the  "^iliantono- 
moh,"  which  did  not  join  the  fleet  until  it  ar- 
rived in  the  Hudson  River.  The  two  caravels, 
"Nina'"  and  "Pinta"  were  towed  from  Europe 
to  Havana,  Cuba,  by  the  "Newark"  and 
"Bennington"  and  there  turned  over  to  the 
Spanish  authorities.  The  "Santa  Maria"  was 
sent  to  Havana  by  the  Spanish  government. 

When  anchored  at  Hampton  Roads  in  the 
rendezvous  fomiation,  unon  the  completion  of 
some  preliminary  exercises  for  which  they  had 
been  sent  l>y  squadrons  to  the  mouth  of  Chesa- 


464 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


peake  Bay,  the  United  States  ships  lay  on  the 
nortli  side  of  tlie  Roads,  tlie  tlagsliip  "Philadel- 
phia"' being-  abreast  of  Old  Point  Comfort 
wharf,  with  the  First  Squadron  tO'  the  east- 
ward of  her'  and  the  Second  Squadron  toi  the 
westward,  the  shijDS  at  sino-le  anchor  and  about 
two  cables  apart.  The  "Vesuvius"  was  given 
an  inshore  berth. 

The  first  foreigii  ship  to  arrive  was  the  Rus- 
sian cruiser  "General  Admiral/"  on  the  8th 
of  April.  The  Russian  cruiser  "Rynda"  ar- 
rived on  the  first  and  the  Italian  cruiser  "Giov- 
anni Bausan"  as  well  as  the  French  cruiser 
"Jean  Bart,"  on  the  i6th  of  April,  after  which 
foreig"n  ships  came  in  from  day  to  day  until 
the  23rd  of  April,  when  the  accession  of  the 
Brazilian,  squadron  made  the  foreign  fleet  com- 
plete with  the  exception  of  the  Russian  flag- 
ship, "Dmitri  Donskoi,"  and  the  Argentine 
cruiser  "Xueve  de  Julio,"  both  of  which  joined 
the  assembled  fleet  in  New  York.  The  visiting 
ships  on  their  arrival  were  berthed  in  two  col- 
umns abreast  of  the  United  States  fleet,  but  a 
little  farther  tO'  the  southward  and  arranged 
so  the  nationalities  should  be  together.  The 
national  salutes  were  fired  by  the  foreign  ships, 
coming  into'  the  roads  and  returned  from  Fort- 
ress Monroe. 

On  the  17th  of  April  the  English  squadron, 
composed  of  the  flag-ship  "Blake,"  "Aus- 
tralia," Magicienne,"  "Tartar"  and  "Part- 
ridge," under  the  command  of  Vice- Admiral 
Sir  John  O.  Hopkins,  K.  C.  B.,  came  in  and 
was  assigned  ai  position  at  the  head  of  the  for- 
eign columm,  with;  the  "Blake"  abreast  the 
"Philadelphia"  and  the  "Partridge"  at  the  sea- 
ward end  of  the  squadron — the  latter  was  or- 
dered south  twO'  days  afterward. 

Tlie  French  flag-shipi  "Arethuse,"  Rear- 
Admiral  H.  d'Abel  de  Libran,  entered  the 
Roads  on  the  19th  and  took  her  station  at  the 
head  of  the  French  squadron.  The  Italian  flag- 
ship "Etna,"  Rear- Admiral  G.  B.  Magnaghi, 
arrived  on  the  20th.  The  three  vessels  of  the 
Spanisii  squadron,  the  "Infanta  Isabel,"  "Reina 
Regente"  and  "Neuva  Espana,"  each  with  a 
caravel  in  tow,  stood  in  past  the  ships  at  anchor 
and  then  turning  steamed  back  to  their  posi- 


tion at  the  eastern  end  of  the  third  column, 
abreast  the  English  squadron,  the  caravels  be- 
ing- berthed  near  them. 

After  getting  well  in  past  the  columns  of 
war-ships,  one  caravel,  the  "Santa  Maria,"  had 
cast  off  her  line.  Then  making  all  sail  she 
stood  dox^'ii,  before  a  moderate  westerly  breeze, 
between  the  United  States  ships  and  the  sec- 
ond column,  presenting  a  most  interesting  and 
picturesque  sight.  She  was  afterward  taken 
tO'  a  berth  near  the  Soanish  flag-ship. 

The  fleet  dressed  ship  on  the  22nd  in  honor 
of  the  anniversary  of  the  marriage  of  the  King 
and  Queen  of  Italy,  and  a  national  salute  was 
fired  at  8  A.  M.,  at  noon  and  at  sunset.  The 
dispatch  vessel  "Dolphin,"  designated  as  the 
reviewing  ship,  had  joined  the  fleet  on  the  14th 
of  April  and  had  left  on  the  19th  for  Annapo- 
lis, Maryland,  where  Hon.  Hillary  A.  Herbert, 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  embarked.  They  ar- 
rived on  the  22nd,  flying  the  Secretary's  flag. 
As  she  approached  and  stood  in  between  the 
United  States  column  and  the  visiting  squad- 
rons, salutes  of  17  guns  each,  in  honor  o<{  the 
Secretar}',  were  fired  by  the  fort  on  shore,  by 
the  "Philadelphia,"  and  by  each  foreign  flag  or 
senior  officer's  ship.  The  salutes,  fired  in  suc- 
cession, were  returned  by  the  "Dolphin,"  those 
fired  by  foreigir  ships  being  returned  giin  for 
gun,  with  the  flag  of  the  foreign  nation  at  the 
fore  in  each  case.  Immediateh'  upon  letting 
go  her  anchor  the  "Dolphin"  dressed  ship,  as 
the  fleet  had  done  at  8  A.  ]\I.  On  the  23rd  of 
April  the  Spanish  squadron  departed  for  New 
York  with  the  caravels  in  tow.  On  the  evening 
of  the  same  day  the  Brazilian  squadron  arrived, 
under  command  of  Rear-Admiral  Julio  de  Nor- 
onha,  this  squadron  comprising  the  "Aquida- 
ban"  (flag-ship),  "Tiradentes"  and  "Republi- 
ca." 

^^'hile  the  ships  were  at  Hampton  Roads, 
entertainments  to  the  foreign  officers  were 
given  on  board  of  the  United  States  vessels  and 
a  grand  ball  was  given  at  Norfolk. 

International  boat  races  took  place  at  Nor- 
folk and  at  Old  Point  Comfort,  prizes  for  the 
winning  crews  l>eing  p-iven  by  the  citizens. 

On  the  24th   of  April   the  combined  fleet 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


465' 


left  H&mpton  Roads.  For  the  United  States 
fleet,  whicli  weij^hed  anclior  first,  the  prepara- 
tory signal  to  q;et  under  way  was  made  at  8  145 
A.  AI.  At  this  time  the  shipg  were  riding  to 
the  ebb,  and  the  "Xewark"  had  shifted  from  a 
berth  next  the  "Phildelphia"  to  one  at  the  east- 
ern end  of  the  column.  The  signal  of  execution 
was  made  at  9  o'clock  A.  AI. 

"The  XeA\ark"  got  under  way  and  steamed 
at  five  knots  along  the  northern  side  of  the  col- 
umn, followed  in  succession  by  eacli  ship  of 
the  Unite<l  States  fleet.  This  movement  formed 
the  fleet  in  column,  natural  order,  heading  to 
the  .southward  of  west,  ships  300  yards  apart 
between  centers. 

The  "Philadeli)hia"  got  under  way  in  time 
to  take  a  position  ahead  of  the  "Xewark."'  The 
"Dolphin,"  flying  the  Secretary  of  the  X'avy's 
flag,  weighed  and  stood  out  indei>endently,  off 
the  starlx>ard  bow  of  the  '"Philadelphia." 

When  the  United  States  fleet  was  under 
way,  well  closed  up,  full  speed — eight  knots — 
was  signalled,  and  before  reaching  X'ewport 
X^ews  Middle  Ground  the  column  counter- 
marched to  port.  The  "Dolphin"  stopped  at 
the  turn,  while  the  United  States  fleet  passed 
in  review.  Returning,  the  column  passed  be- 
tween the  visiting  squadrons  at  anchor  and 
Old  Point. 

The  United  States  fle^t  then  slowed  to  half- 
speed  until  the  visiting  squadrons  got  into  their 
assigned  positions  when  full  speed  was  re- 
sumed. 

The  com]x>sition  of  the  fleet  as  it  sailed 
from  Hampton  Roads  was  as  follows : 


PORT  COLUMN. 


NO.  OF  SHIPS.       STARBOARD  COLVMN.         NO  OF  SHIPS. 


United  States 12 

HoUand 1 

Germany   2 

Total 15 


England 4 

Russia 2 

}•  ranee 3 

Italv 2 

Hrazil 3 

Total 14 


In  this  order,  with  an  interval  of  600 
yards  l>etween  the  two  columns,  and  with  the 
ships  in  each  column  separated  by  distances  of 


'  300  yards,  the  combined  fleet  of  eight  nations 
stood  out  from  the  capes  of  the  Chesapeake 
Bav  and   sliajied  an  dft'shore  cmirse  for  New 

'  \'o'rk. 

Xaval  Constructor  Bowles,  on  July  9,  1894, 
rejiorted  the  progress  of  work  on  the  "Te.xas," 
"Amphitrite"  and  "Raleigh."  together  with  a 
tabular  statement  as  to  repair  work  on  the 
"Atlanta,"  "Bancrok."  "Charleston."  "Con- 
cord." "Constellation,"  "Detroit,"  "Dolphin," 
"Esse.x.''  "Fern,"  "AIiantonomi:)h,"  "Mc>nonga- 
hela,"  "Alontgomery,"  "Xewark,"  "Nantuck- 
et."  "Portsmouth,"  "Standish,''  "Vesuvius," 
"Wyandotte,"  "Wahneta"  and  yard  launches. 
He  also  made  suggestions  for  various  improve- 
ments in  the  vard,  as  follows: 


11''  Dry  dock  No.  i  (stone-dock)  is  limited  in 
capacity  to  vessels  of  the  size  of  the  ".-Xtlanta,"  and  if 
lengthened  100  feet  could  be  used  for  all  the  cruiser 
class  of  vessels,  which  would  increase  its  usefulness 
to  a  very  large  extent. 

(2)  Dry  dock  No.  2  is  so  constructed  at  the  gate 
that  it  can  not  be  usecl  for  docking  the  battle-ships  now 
building,  and  it  will  be  exceedingly  dangerous  to  at- 
tempt the  docking  of  the  "Texas"  or  armored  cruisers 
in  this  dock  when  at  the  load-draft.  An  additional  dry 
dock  of  sufficient  size  for  these  vessels  is  recommended, 
and  the  importance  and  necessity  of  beginning  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment  the  construction  of  such  a 
dock  at  this  navy  yard  can  not  be  overestimated.  An 
available   and   desirable    site   adjoins   dry   dock    No.   2. 

(3)  The  difficulty  of  berthing  ships  at  this  navy 
yard,  owing  to  insufficient  wharfage,  has  been  frequently 
experienced  during  the  past  year,  and  the  necessity  for 
berthing  ships  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
shops  has  delayed  and  increased  the  cost  of  the  work 
of  repairs.  It  has  occurred  several  times  during  the 
past  year  that  both  dry  docks  were  in  use.  and  every 
berth  at  the  wharves  occupied.  On  two  occasions  it 
was  necessary  to  berth  a  sliip  at  St.  Helena,  opposite 
the  navy  yard.  It  is  recommended  that  the  timber- 
basin,  no  longer  required  for  the  original  purpose.  b« 
cleared  out  and  converted  into  a  fitting  basin  by  build- 
ing a  wall  and  gate  across  the  continuation  of  Rowan 
avenue,  utilizing  that  portion  of  the  dock  to  the  west 
for  spar  limber,  the  eastern  portion  to  be  deepened 
and  provided  with  retaining  walls  and  a  pontoon  bridge 
at  the  eastern  end. 

(4)  The  shipfitters'  shop  has  proved  of  entirely  in- 
adequate capacity  for  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  de- 
partment. It  is  too  small  for  the  machines  it  now 
contains,  and  the  equipment  of  tools  is  not  more  than 
half  what  it  should  be.  My  recommendation  of  last 
year  in  regard  to  this  matter  is,  therefore,  renewed  and 
urged,  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  smithery 
(building  No.  9)  has  continued  to  develop  serious  de- 
fects, and.   in  order  to  obtain   necessary   space   for  the 


466 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tinners,  the   tinshop  has  been   moved   to   the   spar-shed 
(building  No.  28). 

It  is  therefore  suggested  that  a  new  shipfitters'  ' 
shop  be  erected  in  the  vacant  lot  adjacent  to  the  timber-  , 
basin,  which  shall  have  wings  and  galleries,  and  be 
fitted  with  traveling  cranes,  elevators  and  all  modern 
appliances,  electric  plant,  new  shop  engine  and  boilers, 
and  additional  machine  tools,  and  be  connected  with 
the  railroad  system  of  the  yard. 

In  building  Nd.  42,  thus  vacated,  it  is  proposed  to 
locate  the  foundry  at  the  north  end,  utilizing  the  present 
chimney,  enlarging  the  plant  with  cupolas  and  cranes, 
the  south  end  of  this  building  fo  be  rearranged  in  two 
stories  for  plumbers,  coppersmiths,  tinsmiths,  and  pipe-  t 
fitters. 

Building  No.  9.  the  present  smithery.  to  be  torn 
down  and  a  new  one  erected  having  iron  framework 
and  corrugated  iron  sides  and  roof,  and  be  supplied 
with  a  5,000-pound  steam-hammer,  a  new  reverberatory 
furnace,  and  the  jobbing,  angle,  beam  forges  to  be  re- 
arranged. 

Estimated  cost  of  changes,  and  installation  of  tools, 
rearrangement  of  shop  interiors,  and  new  tools  and 
equipments,  $150,000. 

(5)  When  ships  in  dry  dock  or  in  the  vicinity 
are  undergoing  repairs,  much  time  is  lost  by  the  work- 
men in  going  to  and  from  the  shops,  which  are  2,000  ! 
feet  distant.  It  is  suggested  that  a  one-story  shop 
with  a  shed  at  each  end.  be  built  between  the  two 
dry  docks  and  supplied  with  a  small  outfit  of  ma- 
chinery and  a  motive  engine  of  40-horsepower,  for 
which  steam  could  be  obtained  from  the  pump-house. 
The  sheds  would  provide  convenient  stowage  for  dock- 
ing gear  and  cover  for  stage  plank  shores,  horses,  etc., 
which  deteriorate  rapidly  from  exposure.  The  esti- 
mated cost  of  machinery  for  this  shop  and  for  erect- 
ing and  installing  the  plant  is  $20,000. 

(6)  A  locomotive  lO-ton  traveling  crane  and  car 
would  greatly  reduce  the  cost  of  handling  the  ma- 
terial  of  this   department.  $4,300. 

(7)  A  floating,  self-propelling  derrick  with  re- 
volving jib.  having  a  capacity  of  80  tons,  is  very  neces- 
sary and  could  be  built  and  maintained  by  this  depart- 
ment to  advantage.  The  facilities  now  available  for 
handling  heavy  weights  are  inadequate  to  the  work  of 
the  yard,  $75,000. 

SUMMARY. 

4.  Changes  and  installation  of  tools,  rearrange- 
ment of  shop  interiors,  new  tools  and  equip- 
ments        $150,000 

5.  Machinery   for   new   one-story   shop,   to   be 

located  between  the  two  dry  docks,  and  for 
erecting  and   installing  plant   in   same....       20.000 

6.  A  locomotive  lo-ton  traveling  crane  and  car        4.300 

7.  A   floating,   self-propelling  derrick,  80  tons 

capacity    7S'000 


$249,300 


On  July  6,  1895.  Naval  Constructor  Bowles 
submitted  a  report  e^ivinsf  a  detailed  description 
of  the  work  done  on  the  "Texas,"   "Amphi- 


trite"  and  "Raleigh,"  from  July  I,  1894,  to 
June  30,  1895,  including  the  condition  of  the 
work  at  the  latter  date,  and  the  estimated  date 
of  readiness  for  trial,  also  a  statement  of  the  re- 
pair work  done  during  the  previous  yeas. 

On  the  "Texas,"  q8  per  cent,  of  the  work 
has  been  completed,  based  on  the  final  com- 
pletion of  the  vessel  and  outfit,  ready  for  sea. 

The  "Amphitrite"  was  reported  ready  to 
go  into  commission  April  16,  1895,  and  com- 
plete in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  Bureau 
of  Construction  and  Repair,  the  equipage  hav- 
ing been  put  on  board.  She  wait  into  commis- 
sion April  23,  1895,  and  sailed  from  the  yard 
May  9,  1895,  when  the  draft  of  water  was  13 
feet  gyi  inches  forward  and  14  feet  5J^  inches 
aft. 

In  a  letter  dated  August  5,  1894,  Naval 
Constructor  Bowles  reported  the  "Raleigh" 
complete,  fitted  out  and  ready  for  sea,  as  far 
as  the  work  of  the  Bureau  of  Construction  was 
concerned.  The  "Raleigh"  left  the  Navy  Yard 
September  8.  1894,  at  i  P.  M.,  all  stores,  am- 
munition, water  and  coal  on  board,  and  boilers 
at  steaming  level.  With  the  exception  of  tor- 
pedoes, she  was  fullv  equipped.  The  draft  of 
water  forward  was  18  feet  nine  inches  and  aft, 
20  feet.  Her  displacement  was  3.485  tons.  The 
"Raleigh"  returned  tO'  the  yard  a  second  time 
on  October  23,  1894,  to  have  the  ventilation  of 
her  fire-room  improved,  and  left  January  21, 
1895. 

When  Naval  Constructor  Bowles  was  or- 
dered from!  this  yard,  many  testimonials  of 
sincere  regret  were  tendered  him.  The  me- 
chanics and  clerks  passed  resolutions  express- 
ing their  hig-h  appreciation  and  the  people  of 
Norfolk  County  generally  feel  that  they  owe 
him  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  his  work  in  up^ 
building  this  great  naval  station. 

On  July  14,  1896,  Naval  Constructor  A. 
W.  Stahl  reported  on  the  work  done  on  the 
"Texas,"  "Amphitrite"  and  Steam  Tug  No.  5. 
and  also  gave  a  statement  as  to  the  repair  work 
done  during  the  fiscal  year  1896,  ending  June 
30th. 

The  "Texas"  went  into  commission  August 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


467 


15,  1895,  and  left  the  Navy  Yard  September 
5,  1895.  Tlie  draft  of  water  forward  was  21 
feet  GYi   inches,  and  aft.  23  feet  4^4   inches. 

On  January  4,  1S96,  the  "Texas"  returned 
to  the  yard.  She  went  out  of  commission  Jan- 
uary 27,  1896,  in  order  that  certain  desirable 
alterations  and  improvements  in  her  construc- 
tion might  be  carried  out.  The  work  was  be- 
gun January  6,  1896,  and  was  still  in  progress 
at  the  date  of  the  report.  It  was  thought  that 
the  ship  would  be  ready  for  sea  in  all  respects 
in  matters  coming  under  the  Bureau  of  Con- 
struction and  repair  by  August  31,  1896. 

The  "Amphitrite"  arrived  at  the  Xavy 
Yard  in  August.  1895.  in  order  that  the  board, 
of  which  Commodore  T.  O.  Selfridge.  U.  S. 
Navy,  was  president,  might  inspect  her  and 
make  recommendations  and  estimates  for  the 
improvement  of  the  ventilation  of  her  boiler 
and  engine-rooms,  and  the  reduction  of  the 
excessive  temperature  in  her  living  spaces.  The 
work  recommended  by  the  board  was  author- 
ized by  a  letter  from  the  Bureau,  dated  Sep- 
tember 9,  1895.  ^Vork  was  begun  at  once  and 
completed  November  15.  1895,  the  vessel  leav- 
ing the  yard  November  20.  1895. 

The  work  on  Steam  Tug  No.  3  ("Samo- 
set"),  of  which  the  keel  was  laid  January  13, 
1896.  was  stopped  on  February  8.  1896.  on  ac- 
count of  lack  of  funds.  On  Tune  13,  1896, 
work  was  resumed,  additional  money  having 
become  available  by  the  passage  of  the  naval 
appropriation  bill. 

Tlie  work  on  the  "Texas,"  as  shown  in  the 
report  of  the  naval  constructor  of  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June 
30,  1897,  consisted  in  completing  the  changes 
which  had  been  authorized  and  most  of  which 
had  been  completed  prior  to  July  i,  1896.  The 
principal  work  completed  after  that  date  con- 
sisted in  shifting  hydraulic  numns  to  redoubt, 
overhauling  hydraulic  turning-gear,  alterations 
in  engine-room  ventilation  system,  fitting  elec- 
tric fans  in  redoubt,  recalking  decks,  painting 
and  cementing,  inclining  experiment  and  other 
items  of  minor  importance.     The  vessel  went 


into  commission  July  20,   1896.  and  left  the 

I  yard  August  25th  following. 

The  keel  ui  the  "Samoset"  (Steam  Tug 
Xt>.  5)  had  been  laid  and  the  stem  and  stern- 
post  erected  prior  to  July  i,  1896.  Subsequent 
to  that  date  ail  work  was  completed  except  dav- 
its and  sitancliions,  plumbing,  scuppers,  steer- 
ing arrangements,  towing  bitts.  fittings  for 
running  lights,  painting  and  other  minor  items, 
which  were  all  partially  completed.  The  work 
was  reported  as  96  per  cent,  cnmpletecl  on  July 
I,  1897,  ^'i'^'  ^''*^  estimated  date  of  completion, 
ready  for  trial,  was  given  as  August  10,  1897. 

j  Among  the  vessels  on  which  repair  work 
was  done  during  the  fiscal  year  ending  June 
30,  1897.  were  the  "Fortune,"  "Raleigh,"  "Co- 
lumbia." "Standish."  "Montgomerv,"  "Frank- 

j  lin"  "Cushing,"  ^'Newark,"  '"Wahneta." 
"Maine,"  "Fern,"  "Castine,"  '"Amphitrite," 
"New  York,"  "Monongahela,"  "^lassachu- 
setts." 

During  the  Spanish-American  War  the 
Navy  Yard  was  the  scene  of  great  activity 
and  many  ships  were  fitted  out  for  war  service. 
The  sailing  of  the  Spanish  fleet  from  Cadiz, 
Spain,  was  a  matter  of  intense  interest  at  this 
seaport  and  many  torpedoes  were  planted  be- 
tween Fortress  Monroe  and  the  Rip  Raps  to 
protect  this  harbor  against  Admiral  Cer/era's 
fleet.      Guard-boats    were    stationed    at    Old 

j  Point  to  pilot  friendly  vessels  to  and  fro 
through  the  narrow  opening  in  the  line  of  tor- 
pedoes, which  was  to  be  closed  on  the  appear- 
ance of  a  hostile  fleet  off  the  capes  of  Virginia. 
The  following  is  an  outline  of  the  work 
done  at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  upon  vessels 
under  construction  or  out  of  commission  dur- 
ing the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1898 : 

U.  S.  S.  "Newark." — This  vessel  was  sur- 
veyed in  April,  1897,  ^nd  work  upon  her  auth- 
orized July  I,  1897.  The  work  consisted  main- 
ly of  laying  new  main  deck,  installing  eight 
improved  electric'  ammunition  hoists  for  6- 
inch  rapid-firing  guns,  and  a  thorough  and 
ccmplete  overhauling  of  the  entire  vessel,  pre- 
paratory to  recommissioning.     The  vessel  was 


468 


HISTORY    OF   NORFOLK   COUNTY 


commissioned  on  May  21,  1898,  and  left  the 
yard  on  June  15th. 

U.  S.  tug  "Fortune." — This  tug  was  sur- 
veyed on  May  11,  1893,  and  work  begun  Oc- 
tober 10,  1896,  since  which  timie  there  were 
frequent  delays  on  account  of  lack  of  funds  and 
the  necessity  of  putting  the  men  on  more  ur- 
gent work.  The  work  upon  her  during  the. 
fiscal  year  consisted  of  rebuilding  the  interior 
and  joiner  work  of  the  vessel.  The  work  was 
aboiit  60  per  cent,  completed. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Foote." — This  vessel 
was  delivered  at  the  }"ard  by  the  contractors 
July  26,  1897.  The  work  upon  her  consisted 
chiefly  of  the  completion  of  items  not  finished 
by  the  contractors  at  the  time  of  deUvery,  and 
the  addition  of  conveniences,  etc.,  as  were  nec- 
essary to  fit  the  vessel  for  her  first  cruise.  She 
was  commissioned  August  7,  1897,  and  left  the 
yard  August  8,  1897. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Winslow." —  This  ves- 
sel was  delivered  at  the  yard  by  the  contractors 
December  22.  1897.  The  work  consisted 
chiefly  of  the  completion  O'f  items  not  finished 
by  the  contractors  at  the  time  O'f  delivery,  and 
the  addition  of  conveniences,  etc.  The  vessel 
was  commissioned  on  December  29,  1897,  and 
left  the  yard  January  .6,  1898. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Rodgers." — This  ves- 
sel was  delivered  at  the  vard  by  the  contractors 
March  20,  1898.  There  were  many  items  of 
W'Ork  left  incomplete  by  the  contractors  which 
had  to  be  done  at  the  yard,  and,  in  addition,  the 
vessel  was  subjected  to  an  overhauling  and 
some  necessary  alterations  and  additions.  She 
was  commissioned  April  2,  1898,  and  left  the 
yard  April   17,   1898. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "McKee." — This  vessel 
was  delivered  at  the  yard  by  the  contractors 
May  22,  1898.  The  work  done  upon  her  con- 
sisted of  the  completion  of  work  left  unfinished 
by  the  contractors  and  the  fitting  of  such  ad- 
ditional conveniences  as  were  necessary  in  pre- 
paring the  vessel  for  her  first  cruise.  She  went 
into  commission  May  16.  1898,  and  left  the 
yard  May  27,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Nashville." — This  vessel  arrived 


at  the  yard  June  19,  1897.  The  work  of  fitting 
her  out  proceeded  at  once,  and  consisted 
chiefly  of  installing  the  battery,  alteration  to 
stem,  painting  hull  above  water,  and  such  mis- 
cellaneous work  in  connection  with  the  im- 
provement or  addition  of  conveniences  as  was 
necessary  in  preparino'  the  vessel  for  her  first 
cruise.  She  was  out  into  commission  August 
9,  1897,  ^"cl  left  the  yard  September  4,  1897. 

The  colliers  "Merrimac"  and  "Cassius" 
were  fitted  out  at  this  yard.  The  work  upon 
them  consisted)  chiefly  O'f  the  installation  of 
such  small  batteries  as  were  assigned  to  them, 
preparation  for  the  accommodation  of  naval 
crews,  and  such  overhauling  and  repairs  as 
were  necessary  in  order  to  prepare  them  for 
naval  duty.  Work  upon  the  "Merrimac"'  was 
begun  April  11,  1898,  and  completed  April  23, 
1898.  Work  on  the  "Cassius"  was  begtm  May 
23,  1898,  and  completed  June  24,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Iris"  (distilling  ship).— The 
work  on  this  vessel  consisted  of  that  in  connec- 
tion with  ithe  installation  of  the  apparatus  nec- 
essary for  the  service  recpiired  of  her  and  such 
general  overhauling  and  repair,  alteration  in 
quarters,  etc.,  as  were  necessary  to  enable  her 
to  accommodate  her  naval  crew. 

The  auxiliary  gunboats  "Apache"  and 
"Yankton"  were  converted  and  fitted  out  at 
this  yard.  The  vrork  upon  them  consisted  prin- 
cipally of  the  installation  of  their  batteries, 
such  changes  in  the  interior  joiner  work,  etc., 
as  were  necessary  in  order  to  accommodate 
their  naval  crews,  ammunition,  etc.,  and  the 
necessarv  overhauling  and  repair.  The  work 
upon  the  "Yankton"  was  begun  April  23, 
1898,  and  completed  June  18,  1898.  The  work 
upon  the  "Apache"  was  begun  May  20,  1898, 
and  completed  June  2;^.  1898. 

The  revenue  cutters,  "Hamilton,"  "Mor- 
rill," "Windom,"  "Manning,"  "Woodbury" 
and  "Hudson,"  were  fitted  out  for  use  as 
auxiliary  naval  vessels  at  this  yard.  The  work 
upon  them  consisted  chiefly  of  the  installation 
of  additional  batteries,  magazines,  such 
changes  in  their  interiors  as  were  necessary 
to  accommodate  the  naval  crews,  and  miscel- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


469 


laneous  items  of  overliauling"  ami  repair  inci- 
dent to  tlieir  first  commissioningf.  The  work 
oil  each  was  completed  in  April,  1898,  except 
in  the  case  of  tlie  "Manning,"  on  which  the 
alterations  were  conclnded  on  the  3d  of  the 
succeedinsj  month. 

The  light-house  tenders  "Suw  anee,"  "Ma- 
ple" and  "Armeria,"  were  fitted  out  at  this 
yard  for  use  as  auxiliary  naval  vessels.  The 
\\x>rk  upon  them  consisted  chiefly  of  the  in- 
stallation of  additional  batteries,  magazines, 
such  changes  in  their  interior  as  were  neces- 
sary to  accommodate  the  naval  crews,  and  mis- 
cellaneous items  of  overhauling  and  repair  in- 
cident to  their  first  commissioning.  The  work 
on  them  was  completed  on  the  "th,  loth  and 
30th  of  May,  1898. 

Repairs  were  made  dining  the  year  at  the 
Norfolk  Navy  Yard  on  vessels  in  commission, 
named  herewith:  "Alice,"  "Amphitrite," 
"Brooklyn,"  "Cincinnati."  "Gushing,"  "Dol- 
phin," "Dupont,"  "Ericsson,"  "Fern," 
"Foote,"  "Franklin,"  "Justin,"  "Katahdin," 
"Maine,"  "Mohav,k,"  "Montgomerv,"  "Nash- 
ville," "Niagara,"  "O.sceola,"  "Porter,"  "Puri- 
tan." "Saturn,"  "Sioux"  "Solace,"  "Stand- 
ish,"  "Sterling,"  "Terror,"  "Triton,"'  "Uncas," 
"Vesuvius,"  "Vicksburg,"  "Wahneta,"  "Wil- 
mington," "\\'inslow"  and  "Wompatuck." 

For  the  fiscal  \ear  ending  June  30,  1899, 
work  was  done  ui>on  ships  under  construction 
or  out  of  commission  at  the  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard,  as  follows: 

U.  S.  S.  "Alexander." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  September  28,  1898,  and  was  put 
out  of  commission  November  2,  1898,  to  be 
fitted  as  a  collier  and  manned  by  a  merchant 
crew.  This  work,  consisting  of  a  general  over- 
bauling  and  refitting,  was  still  in  progress 
June  30,  1899. 

U.  S.  S.  "Apache." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  24,  1898.  In 
addition  to  the  removal  of  her  battery,  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Buffalo." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  24,  1898.    In  ad- 


dition to  the  removal  of  her  batterv  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance.  She  left  the 
yard  for  the  New  York  yard  July  21,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Cassius." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  Decemlier  29,  1898.  In  ad- 
dition to  tlie  removal  of  her  battery  the  only 
\\x>vk  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Dorothea." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  on  September  20,  1898.  In 
addition  to  the  removal  of  her  batter\-  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
to  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  tug  "Fortune." — Frequent  delays — 
at  some  times  on  account  of  lack  of  funds,  and 
at  others  due  to  the  necessity  of  shifting  the 
men  to  more  urgent  work,  had  retarded  pro- 
gress on  this  vessel.  On  June  30.  1899,  the 
work  was  about  80  per  cent,  completed. 

U.  S.  S.  "Frolic." — This  vessel  was  put  out 
of  commission  Se]>tember  27,  1898.  The  ship 
was  docked,  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted, 
and  she  was  given  such  overhauling  as  was 
necessary  to  fit  her  for  service  with  the  Illi- 
nois Naval  ]\Iilitia.  This  work  was  completed 
but  by  the  Bureau's  order  of  November  i, 
1898,  she  was  ag"ain  put  in  ordinary,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  was  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  S.  "Governor  Russell." — This  vessel 
was  put  out  of  commission  September  28, 
1898.  In  addition  to  repairing  injuries  to  deck 
house,  caused  by  collision,  and  the  removal  of 
her  battery,  the  only  work  done  on  her  was 
such  as  was  necessarv  for  iier  care  and  main- 
tenance. 

■  U.  S.  S.  "Hannibal." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  October  18,  1898.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  removal  of  her  battery,  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hawk." — This  vessel  was  put  out 
of  commission  Septeml>er  14,  1898.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  removal  of  her  battery,  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hornet." — -This  vessel  was  put 


47° 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


out  of  commission  October  14,  1898.  The  ves- 
sel was  docked,  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted 
and  she  was  given  such  overhauling  as  was 
necessary  to  fit  her  for  service  with  the  North 
Carolina  Naval  Militia.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted and  she  left  the  vard  December  19,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "I\Iarcellus.'"-^This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  on  March  8.  1899.  In  ad- 
dition tO'  the  removal  of  her  battery  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  mamtenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Newport." — This  vessel  came  tc 
the  yard  on  September  25,  1898,  being  then 
out  of  commission.  The  "Newport,"  which 
had  been  used  for  general  service,  was  given  a 
complete  overhauling  to'  refit  her  for  the  use 
of  the  cadets  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy.  This 
work  was  completed  IMay  26,  1899,  and  on 
June  30  the  following  she  was  still  at  the  Navv 
Yard.' 

U.  S.  S.  "Oneida." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  19,  1898.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  removal  of  her  battery  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Puritan." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  September  26,  1898, 
and  was  put  out  of  commission  March  i,  1899. 
All  necessar\-  work  was  done  on  her  to  per- 
mit of  the  installation  of  new  and  larger  evap- 
orators, but  no  other  work  was  done  on  her 
except  that  necessary  for  her  care  and  mainte- 
nance. A  survey  was  ordered  to  ascertain 
what  was  necessary  to  be  done  to  prepare  her 
for  her  new  commission. 

U.  S.  S.  "Rainbow." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  June  25,  1898.  A  lot  of  temporary 
accommodations  for  cattle  were  removed  from 
her  deck.  Beyond  this  no  work  was  done  ex- 
cept such  as  was  necessary  for  her  care  and 
maintenance.  She  left  this  yard  for  the  New 
York  yard  July  22,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Reina  Mercedes." — This  vessel 
arrived  at  the  yard  Alay  27,  1899.  As  she  was 
leaking  considerably,  she  was  placed  in  dock 
for  the  purpose  of  repairing  damage  to  her 


bottom.  This  work  was  still  in  progress  June 
30,  1899.     No  other  work  was  done  on  her. 

U.  S.  S.  "San  Francisco." — This  vessel  ar- 
rived at  the  yard  in  October,  1898,  and  was  put 
out  of  commission  October  25,  1898.  A  com- 
plete overhauling  of  the  vessel  was  begun, 
which  was  still  in  progress  June  30,  1899.  The 
work  in  general  consisted  of  laying  new  main 
and  berth-decks,  of  replacing  all  ordinary  wood 
by  fireproof  wood  or  other  fireproof  material, 
installing  10  electric  ammunition-hoists  for 
the  main  and  secondary  batteries,  fitting  new 
fire  main,  changing  rig',  and  in  general  over- 
hauling throug-hout  and  modernizing  the  en- 
tire vessel. 

U.  S.  S.  "Saturn." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  Navy  Yard  Septanber  10,  1898,  and  was 
put  out  O'f  commission  November  4,  1898. 
Work  was  begun  toward  putting  this  vessel  in 
thorough  order  as  a  collier.  This  work  was 
not  quite  completed  June  30,  1899,  having  been 
suspended  on  account  of  more  urgent  work. 

U.  S.  S.  "Siren." — This  \'essel  was  put  out 
of  commission  September  24,  1898.  The  ves- 
sel was  docked,  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted 
and  she  was  given  such  overhauling  as  was 
necessarv  to  fit  her  for  service  with  the  Vir- 
ginia Naval  Militia.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted and  she  left  the  yard  June  22,  1899. 

U.  S.  S.  "Stranger." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  24,  1898.  The 
"Stranger"  was  docked,  her  bottom  cleaned  and 
painted  and  she  was  given  such  overhauling 
as  was  necessary  to  fit  her  for  ser\-ice  with  the 
Louisiana  Naval  Militia.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted and  she  left  the  yard  December  6,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Southery." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  December  18,  1898.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  removal  of  her  battery,  the  only 
work  done  on  her  was  such  as  was  necessary 
for  her  care  and  maintenance. 

On  December  24,  1898,  the  Spanish  gun- 
boats "Alvarado"  and  "Sandoval,"  captured  at 
Guantanamo,  Cuba,  commanded  by  Lieuten- 
ants Victor  Blue  and  Edward  A.  Anderson,  ar- 
rived at  the  Navv  Yard. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


471 


U.  S.  S.  "Sylvia." — This  vessel  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  16,  1898.  She 
was  docked,  her  lx)ttom  cleaned  and  painted 
and  she  was  given  such  overhauling  as  was 
necessary  to  Fit  her  for  service  with  the  Mary- 
land Xaval  Militia.  This  work  was  completed 
and  she  left  the  yard  Deceinber  17,  1898. 

U.  S.  S.  "Terror." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  September  26,  1898,  and  was  put  out 
of  commission  February  25,  1899.  Work  was 
begiui  toward  a  thorough  overhauling  of  this 
vessel  preparatory  to  recommissioning.  This 
work  was  not  completed  June  30,  1899. 

U.  S.  S.  ''\'iking.'" — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  Septeinlier  17.  1898,  and  was  put 
out  of  commission  September  21,  1898.  \\'ork 
was  begim  to  fit  her  out  as  a  gunboat  for  ser- 
vice in  Central  America.  By  the  Department's 
orders  this  work  was  suspended  from  May  24. 
1899,  to  June  25,  1899,  when  it  was  begmi 
again.  This  work  consisted  of  a  general  over- 
hauling and  refitting,  and  was  still  in  progress 
June  30,  1899. 

U.  S.  S.  "Wasp." — This  vessel  was  put  out 
of  commission  September  27,  1898.  This  ves- 
sel was  docked,  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted 
and  she  was  given  such  overhauling  as  was 
necessary  to  fit  her  for  service  with  the  Florida 
Xaval  Militia.  This  work  was  completed  and 
she  left  the  yard  December  6,  1898. 

The  revenue  cutters,  "Hudson,"  "Mann- 
ing," "Morrill,"  "W^indom,"  "Woodbury"  and 
"Hamilton."  and  light-house  tenders.  "Ar- 
meria,"  "Maple"'  and  "Suwanee,"  which  have 
been  fitted  out  at  this  yard  for  auxiliary  naval 
service,  returned  here  at  the  end  of  hostilities 
with  Spain.  Tlneir  batteries  were  removed 
and  all  other  necessary  work  was  done  to  re- 
store them,  so  far  as  practicable,  to  their  orig- 
inal condition  before  being  fitted  for  naval 
service. 

During  the  year  ending  June  30,  1899,  the 
Norfolk  Xavy  Yard  made  repairs  upon  the 
following  vessels  in  commission  :  "Aberenda," 
"Alexander,"  "Alliance,"'  "Alice,"'  "Annapo- 
lis,"' "Amphitrite,"  "Apache,"  "Badger," 
"Brooklyn,''  "Calumet,"'  "Caesar,""  "Cassius,'" 


"Cincinnati."  "Columliia,"  "Dolphin,"  "Ea- 
gle,"' "Essex,""  "Fern,""  "Fish  Hawk,"."Frank- 
Hn,"  "Glacier,"  "Hannibal.'"  "Hornet,"  "Jus- 
tin,"" "Katahdin.""  "Lebanon,'"  "Leonidas," 
"^klcKee,""  "Massachusetts,"'  "Massasoit," 
"Minneapolis,"  "IMohawk,"  "Monongahela," 
"Montgomery,"'  "Xewark."  "Nashville," 
"Xe\v  York,"  "Oregon,"  "Piscataqua."  "Pom- 
pey,'"  "Princeton,""  "Prairie.""  "Resolute," 
■"Sandoval,""  "Scindia,'"  "Sioux."'  "Siren," 
"Solace.""  "Southery,"'  "Standish."'  "Sterling," 
"Stranger,""  "Sylph,'"  "Talbot,"  Texas,"'  "Te- 
cuniseh"  "Triton,"  "Vicksburg,"'  "Vesuvius," 
"\'iking,"  "Vixai,"  "VulcaA,"  "Wahneta," 
"Wasp,"  "Wilmington,"  "Yankee,"  "Yank- 
ton" and  "Yosemite." 

On  December  i,  1898,  Past  Assistant  En- 
gineer Kenneth  McAlpine  was  presented  with 
a  handsome  sword  by  his  friends  and  admirers 
in  recognition  of  his  services  on  the  "Texas" 
in  the  battle  of  Santiago. 

The  iron  safe  of  the  "]\Iaria  Teresa,"  the 
captured  Spanish  ship  which  was  lost  off  Cat 
Island,  was  opened  at  the  Xavy  Yard  on  De- 
cember I,  1S98.  The  coin  found  in  it  was 
dumped  into  five  canvas  bags  of  the  size  which 
hold  S500  in  silver.  It  was  not  counted  but 
estimated  to  be  about  $2,000. 

For  the  year  ending  June  30,  1900,  work 
was  done  upon  ships  under  construction  or  out 
of  commission  at  the  Xorfolk  Navy  Yard,  as 
follows : 

U.  S.  S.  "Alexander." — This  vessel,  which 
had  arrived  at  the  yard  September  28,  1898, 
was  fitted  out  as  a  collier  to  be  manned  by  a 
merchant  crew.  This  work  consisted  of  a  gen- 
eral overhauling  and  refitting,  and  was  com- 
pleted August  4,  1899.  In  February,  1900, 
this  vessel  returned  to  the  yard  and  was  put 
out  of  commission.  Her  condition  was  ex- 
tremely filthy ;  she  was  fumigated,  cleaned 
throughout,  and  put  in  ordinary.  In  compli- 
ance with  orders  received  June  23,  1900,  to 
refit  the  vessel  as  a  collier,  the  work  of  general 
overhauling  and  refitting  was  begim  at  once. 

U.  S.  S.  "Annapolis."" — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  in  August.  1899.  and  was  put  out 


472 


HISTORY    OF  NORFOLK   COUNTY 


of  commission  in  September,  1899.  A  general 
survey  of  the  vessel  was  ordered  but  was  not 
completed,  as  the  vessel  was  towed  to  Annapo- 
lis in  October,  1899.  On  the  return  of  the  ves- 
sel to  this  yard  in  'Slay,  igoo,  the  survey  was 
again  taken  up  and  crmipleted  May  28,  1900, 
and  appro\-ed  by  the  Bureau  June  7.  1900.  In 
compliance  with  this  survey,  a  complete  over- 
hauling of  the  vessel  was  begun,  which  was  still 
in  progress  June  30,   1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Dorothea." — A  survev  was  held 
on  this  vessel  July  25,  1899,  and  was  approved 
August  8,  1899.  The  work  under  this  survey 
consisted  of  a  thorough  overhauling  and  refit- 
ting as  a  gunboat  and  supplying  outfit  and  sup- 
plies for  general  ser\-ice.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted December  30,  1899,  ^"d  the  vessel  was 
towed  to  League  Island. 

U.  S.  tug  "Fortune.'" — The  Avork  of  re- 
building the  interior  and  refitting  the  vessel  in 
general,  which  had  been  held  back  by  frequent 
delays,  was  completed  December  23,  1899,  and 
the  vessel  left  the  yard. 

U.  S.  S.  "Frolic." — A  survey  \\as  held  on 
this  vessel  July  26,  1899,  and  approved  August 
9,  1899.  The  work  done  under  this  survey 
consisted  of  a  complete  overhauling  and  re- 
fitting as  a  gunboat  for  general  service.  The 
work  on  this  vessel  was  practically  completed 
at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year  except  final  paint- 
ing. 

U.  S.  S.  "Governor  Russell." — The  only 
work  done  on  this  vessel  during  the  fiscal  year 
was  such  as  was  necessarv  for  her  care  and 
maintenance.  The  vessel  was  removed  from 
the  yard,  having  been  sold  by  the  government. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hannibal." — A  survey  was  held 
on  this  vessel  February  28,  1900,  and  was  ap- 
proved with  certain  modifications,  June  23, 
1900.  The  work  under  this  survey  consists  of 
fitting  a  new  steel  bulkhead  in  the  coal  bunk- 
ers, enlarging  crew  space  and  thorough  gen- 
eral overhauling  and  refitting  for  service  as 
a  navy  collier.  On  June  30,  1900,  this  work 
was  still  in  progress. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hawk." — A  survey  was  held  July 
26,  1899,  and  approved  August  8,  1899.     The 


work  under  this  survey  consisted  of  a  thorough 
overhauling  and  refitting  as  a  gunboat  for  gen- 
eral service.    On  June  30,  1900,  this  work  was 
s  still  in  progress. 

•  U.  S.  S.  "Hist." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  in  September,  1899.  In  accordance 
with  an  approved  survev  held  at  Port  Royal, 
South  Carolina,  August  22,  1899,  a  certain 
amount  of  miscellaneous  minor  repairs  and 
overhauling  was  done  on  this  vessel.  An  ad- 
ditional survey  was  held  May  18,  1900,  and 
was  approved  May  24,  1900.  Tlie  work  under 
this  survey  was  to  consist  of  a  thorough  over- 
hauling and  entire  refitting  of  the  vessel  as  a 
gunboat.  On  June  30,  1900,  this  work  was 
still  in  progress. 

U.  S.  S.  "Illinois." — The  work  on  this  ves- 
sel consisted  in  building  boats,  furniture, 
blocks  and  entire  outfit,  and  was  40  per  cent, 
completed  at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year. 

U.  S.  S.  "Kearsarge." — The  work  on  this 
vessel  consisted  in  building  boats,  furniture, 
blocks  and  entire  outfit.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted. 

U.  S.  S.  "Kentucky." — The  work  on  this 
vessel  consisted  in  building  furniture,  blocks 
and  entire  outfit.     The  work  was  completed. 

L^.  S.  S.  "Lebanon." — The  only  work  done 
on  this  vessel  was  such  as  was  necessary  for 
care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  S.  "Newport." — The  work  of  this 
vessel  consisted  of  doing  necessary  work  to  en- 
able the  Bureau  of  Equipment  to  install  an 
electric-light  plant,  making  minor  changes  in 
the  storer-ooms  o-f  the  vessel  and  building  an 
additional  ordnance  storeroom.  This  work 
was  completed  April  7,  1900,  and  the  vessel 
left  this  yard  April  10,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Oneida." — -The  work  on  her  con- 
sisted in  docking,  cleaning  and  painting,  and 
such  additional  work  as  was  necessary  for  care 
and  maintenance.  She  left  the  yard  March  21, 
1900. 

IJ.  S.  S.  "Puritan." — A  small  amount  of 
work  was  done  preparator}'  to  the  vessel 
leaving  this  yard  for  Annapolis.  This  work 
consisted   of   docking,    cleaning   and   painting 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   aTIZENS. 


473 


lx)ttoin.  overhauling  steering  gear,  steam 
winclies,  operating  rods  for  drainage  system, 
turret-turning  gear,  turn-l>uckles  on  turret- 
aprons,  water-closets,  anchor  gear,  life-buoys, 
boat-booms,  steam  capstan  and  installing  the 
secondary  battery.  This  vessel  left  the  yard 
Noveml)er  18,  1899,  for  Anna]>olis.  She  re- 
turned to  the  yard  June  29,  1900,  and  was 
docked  and  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted. 
This  vessel  left  the  yard  July  3,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "San  Francisco." — A  complete 
overhauling  of  the  vessel  was  begun  and  was 
still  in  progress  on  June  30.  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Saturn." — Work  was  begun 
toward  putting  this  vessel  in  thorough  order  as 
a  collier,  but  was  soon  suspended  on  account  of 
more  urgent  work.  On  May  i,  1900,  work 
was  resumed  and  on  June  30,  1900,  was  95  per 
cent,  completed.  The  work  in  general  con- 
sisted of  a  thorough  scaling,  cleaning,  painting 
and  overhauling  and  making  and  fitting  new 
spars. 

Torpedo  boat  "Stringham."' — This  vessel 
was  docked  at  the  Xavy  Yard  for  the  removal 
of  propellers  and  shafts.  The  expense  of  this 
work  to  be  borne  bv  the  Harlan  &  Hollings- 
worth  Company. 

U.  S.  S.  "Southery." — The  only  work  done 
on  this  vessel  was  such  as  was  necessary  for 
her  care  and  maintenance. 

U.  S.  Army  "Sumner"  (formerly  U.  S. 
S.  '"Cassius"  ). — This  vessel  was  transferred  to 
the  War  Department  September,  1899,  and 
under  orders  from  the  Navv  Department  was 
converted  into  an  army  transport.  The  work 
in  general  consisted  of  practically  rebuilding 
the  vessel.  All  of  the  interior  work  on  the 
vessel  was  torn  out  and  she  was  thoroughly 
scaled,  cleaned  and  painted,  new  wooden  decks 
fitted,  oflicers'  and  soldiers'  quarters  built  com- 
plete, additional  superstructure  deck  added,  ex- 
tensive repairs  made  to  framing  double-bottom, 
lavatories  and  bathrooms  for  soldiers  and  ofifi- 
cers  and  crew  fitted,  cold-storage  rooms  fitted, 
etc.     She  left  the  yard  in  March,  igoo. 

U.  S.  S.  "Viking." — The  work  of  fitting 
this  vessel  out  as  a  gunlx)at  for  service  in  Cen- 


tral America,  which  was  suspended  from  May 

24,  1899,  ^^  Jime  25,  1899,  was  again  taken  in 
hand  and  was  ci^mpleted  October  24,  1899.  The 
work  consistetl  of  a  general  o\-erhauling  and 
refitting.  In  Xovemljer,  1899,  this  vessel  was 
transferred  to  the  War  Department  and,  under 
orders  from  the  Bureau,  the  battery  was  re- 
moved. This  vessel  left  the  yard  Deceml^er  23, 
1899. 

U.  S.  S.  "Wasp." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  in  Septeml>er,  1899.  In  compliance 
with  a  survey  held  at  Port  Royal;  South  Caro- 
lina, August  22,  1899,  a  certain  amount  of  mis- 
cellaneous minor  repairs  and  overhauling  was 
done  on  this  vessel.  An  additional  survey  was 
held  May  18,    1900,  and  was  a])proved  May 

25,  1900.  The  work  under  this  survey  was 
to  consist  of  a  thorough  overhauling  and  en- 
tire refitting  of  the  vessel  as  a  gimboat.  On 
June  30,  1900.  this  work  was  still  in  progress. 

The  following  named  vessels  in  commission 
were  repaired  at  the  Navy  Yard :  "Alice," 
Coal  Barge  No.  i  (equipment ),  "Caesar,"  "Es- 
sex," "Franklin,"  "Gloucester."  "Gwin," 
"Marcellus,"  "Mohawk."  "Nashville,"  "Nez- 
inscot,"  "Prairie,"  "Potomac,"  "Porter," 
"Siren,"  "Sioux,"  "Scorpion."  "Talbot," 
"Texas."  "Triton,"  "Vixen"  and  "Wahneta." 

The  cruiser  "Reina  Mercedes."  the  only 
ship  of  any  size  which  was  saved  from  the 
wreck  of  the  Spanish  fleet  at  Santiago,  was 
brought  to  the  Xa\-v  Yard  from  lower  quaran- 
tine May  27,  1899. 

Her  arrival  had  been  timed  for  12  o'clock, 
but  it  was  I  130  P.  M.  before  she  ship  was  made 
fast  along  the  north  dock. 

She  was  given  a  tumultuous  welcome  as  she 
came  up  the  harlx)r.  A  wealth  of  flags  and ' 
bunting  was  flying  from  the  escort  of  22  tugs. 
Every  craft  tied  down  the  whistle  lever  and 
there  was  a  babel  of  siren  notes.  Grimes'  Bat- 
tery and  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Band  met  the 
"Reina  Mercedes"  below  Sewell's  Point  and 
joined  the  procession. 

She  was  saluted  by  every  passing  steamer 
and  acknowledged  each  greeting  with  a  blast 
from  her  whistle.     The  vessel  carried  on  her 


474 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


deck  a  small  engine  used  for  pumping  out  her 
bilges,  and  to  this  had  been  attached  a  whistle 
made  out  of  6-inch  shells.  She  was  towed 
up  from  Old  Point  by  a  tandem  of  three  tugs. 

Thousands  of  people  lined  the  water-front 
on  both  sides  of  the  harbor  and  did  their  best 
to  make  themselves  heard  above  the  din  of  the 
siren  whistles ;  a  waving  forest  of  hats,  um- 
brellas and  handkerchiefs  told  that  the  crowds 
were  cheering. 

The  "Reina  Mercedes"'  had  a  great  amount 
of  woodwork  on  her,  but  while  this  exposed 
her  to  imminent  danger  of  fire  from  American 
shells,  it  is  noteworthy  that  she  was  the  only 
one  of  the  Spanish  vessels  which  was  not  set 
on  fire.  The  ship  was  grie\'ousl}'  mangled  by 
the  shots  which  ploughed  their  wav  through 
her. 

One  of  these  shots,  said  to  have  been  a 
1 2-inch  from  the  "Texas"  struck  the  "Mer- 
cedes" on  the  starboard  quarter,  just  behind  the 
forAvard  sponson  on  the  main  deck  and  burst 
when  about  three  feet  inside  the  ship.  The 
force  of  the  explosion  was  probably  upwards, 
for  the  floor  of  the  gun  deck  was  torn  entirely 
away  for  a  considerable  distance.  The  course 
of  the  shot  was  obliquely  across  the  main-deck, 
the  fragments  of  the  shells  evidently  having 
scattered.  The  mainmast  was  almost  cut  in 
two.  The  dynamo  was  demolished  completely 
and  everything  within  a  wide  radius  seemed  to 
have  been  perforated.  Another  sliot  carried 
away  the  corner  of  the  bridge,  killing  the  ex- 
ecutive officer  of  the  ship  and  lo  seaman.  Still 
another  shot  crashed  through  the  main-deck, 
and  innumerable  punctures  of  her  small  pipes, 
ventilators,  etc.,  showed  the  work  of  the  small 
calibre  gims. 

The  "Mercedes"  had  eight  torpedeos  aboard 
of  her  and  two  Hontori  5-inch  euns,  one  of 
which  was  jammed  with  a  solid  shot. 

The  vessel  was  used  as  a  transoort  in  the 
early  days  of  the  Soanish-American  War  and 
this  fact  accounts  for  her  slendor  armament. 
She  was  caught  in  Santiago  by  the  United 
States  blockading  fleet.  She  was  fired  upon 
by  the  "Texas"    and    "Massachusetts"   upon 


showing  herself  at  the  mouth  of  the  harbor  on 
one  occasion  and  sustained  a  very  severe  hand- 
ling. 

The  "Mercedes"  did  not  attempt  to  leave 
the  harbor  with  Cervera's  fleet  on  July  2nd, 
and  was  sunk  by  the  Spanish  themselves  to  pre- 
vent the  American  ships  from  entering  the 
harbor.  She  was  afterward  raised  by  a  wreck- 
ing company  and  brought  into-  Hampton  Roads 
on  May  21st,  thence  to  the  Navy  Yard  for 
the  sum  of  $75,000.  She  was  put  in  the  Simp- 
son dry  dock  and  had  her  bottom  cleaned  and 
after  remaining  for  almost  18  months  at  this 
yard  she  left  in  tow  of  two  naval  tugs  for  the 
Portsmouth  (New  Hampshire)  yard  on  the 
24jth  of  August,  1900. 

The  work  at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  upon 
ships,  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1901, 
was  as  follows : 

U.  S.  S.  "Illinois."— In  this  year  all  of  the 
work  of  building  boats,  furniture,  blocks  and 
entire  outfit,  was  completed  and  the  articles 
shipped  to  the  works  of  the  contractors. 

U.  S.  S.  "Virginia."— The  work  of  build- 
ing an  outfit  of  boats  for  this  vessel  was  com- 
menced. 

U.  S.  S.  "Ajax." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  Navy  Yard  March  i,  1901 ;  was  put  out  of 
commission  March  16,  I90i,and  necessary  steps 
taken  for  her  proper  care  and  preservation. 
Under  date  of  M?.rch  14,  1901,  the  Bureau  di- 
rected that  necessary  repairs  be  proceeded  with 
to  put  the  vessel  in  efficient  condition  for  ser- 
vice, and  ordered  a  general  survey,  which  was 
held  and  approved  Aoril  i,  1901.  The  work 
consists  O'f  general  overhauling  and  refitting. 

U.  S.  S.  "Alexander." — The  work  of  re- 
fitting this  vessel  as  a  collier  was  completed 
and  the  vessel  left  the  yard  August  10,  1900. 
She  returned  to  the  yard  March  7,  1901  and  a 
few  repairs  were  made  to  enable  her  to  make 
another  trip  to  Manila  and  return. 

U.  S.  S.  "Annapolis." — The  general  over- 
hauling of  the  vessel,  undertaken  in  the  pre- 
vious year,  was  completed.  The  vessel  went 
into-  commission  November  14,  1900.  and  left 
the  yard  December  6,  1900. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


475 


U.  S.  S.  "Apache." — On  May  31.  1900,  a 
general  sur\ey  was  lield  on  this  vessel  and  nec- 
essary rei)airs  to  put  her  in  efficient  service  were 
recommended.  On  July  23,  1900,  the  survey 
was  approved  with  certain  modifications,  and 
the  repairs  were  ordered  to  be  made  at  the 
New  York  Xavy  Yard.  The  vessel  left  the 
yard  August  3,  1900,  for  New  York. 

Ferr\-  launch  No.  291. — At  the  beginning 
of  the  fiscal  year,  ending  Jime  30,  1901,  this 
launch  was  about  one-tenth  comoleted.  Dur- 
ing the  year  the  work  was  carried  on  to  com- 
pletion, the  launch  placed  in  drj-  dock  and  her 
bottom  sheathed  with  copper.  All  work  was 
completed  February  20,  1901,  and  the  launch 
was  placed  in  service  Anril  i,   1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Frolic." — On  October  23,  1900, 
the  Bureau  directed  that  all  repairs  under  it  be 
made  to  fit  the  vessel  for  foreign  service.  Cer- 
tain additions  and  alterations  were  recom- 
mended by  the  Board  of  Inspection  and  Survey 
and  were  approved.  This  work,  and  other 
minor  work  incidental  to  commissioning,  was 
undertaken  at  once  and  was  completed.  The 
vessel  left  the  yard  December  28,  1900. 

Steamer  "Hamilton.'" — This  is  a  private 
vessel,  which  was  damas-e'd  in  collision  with 
the  U.  S.  tug  "Wahneta.""  This  work  was 
completed  June  29,  iqoi. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hannibal." — The  work  under 
the  survey  of  February  28,  1900,  consisted  of 
fitting  a  new  steel  bulkhead  in  the  coal  bunk- 
ers, enlarging  crew  space  and  thorough  gen- 
eral overhauling  and  refitting  for  service  as  a 
navy  collier.  This  work  was  commenced  dur- 
the  latter  part  of  the  fiscal 


insr 


vear  ending 


June  30,  1900,  and  was  completed  during  Sep- 
tember, 1900.  The  vessel  left  the  yard  Novem- 
ber 6,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hawk."— Under  date  of  June  27, 
1900,  the  Department  indicated  its  intention  of 
loaning  this  vessel  to  the  Ohio  Naval  Militia 
and  directed  completion  of  repairs  at  least  pos- 
sible cost.  On  July  11,  igoo,  the  Bureau  di- 
rected the  fitting  of  the  after  berth-deck  space 
for  use  of  additional  officers.  This  work  was 
completed,  the  vessel  docked,  bottom  cleaned 


and  painted  and  left  the  yard  September  6, 
1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hist." — The  work  under  the  sur- 
vey, approved  May  24,  1900,  was  commenced 
during  the  fiscal  year  ending  the  following 
June,  but  verv-  little  was  done.  The  work  in 
general  consisted  of  a  complete  overhauling 
and  refitting  the  vessel  as  a  gunboat.  All  of 
!  this  work  was  completed  May  4,  1901,  and  the 
vessel  left  the  yard  ]\Iay  8,   1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Lebanon." — This  vessel  has  been 
in  ordinary  since  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal 
year.  Necessary  work  has  been  done  for  her 
care  and  preservation.  A  survey  was  held  on 
this  vessel  November  19,  1900,  to  determine 
i  what  was  necessary  to  put  the  vessel  in  effi- 
cient condition  for  service  as  a  collier.  This 
surve}"^  was  approved  December  8,  1900 ;  but 
on  account  of  more  urgent  work  only  a  few 
items  of  repairs  were  undertaken  and  none  has 
been  completed. 

U.  S.  S.  "San  Francisco." — -A  complete 
overhauling  of  the  vessel  was  begun,  in  com- 
pliance with  the  Bureau's  order  of  May  23, 

1899,  and  is  now  in  progress  and  about  six- 
tenths  completed.  It  is  estimated  that  this  ves- 
sel will  be  ready  for  commission  about  January 
I,  1902. 

U.  S.  S.  "Saturn." — The  work  of  putting 
the  vessel  in  thorough  order  as  a  collier  was 
completed  and  the  vessel  left  the  yard  August 
5,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Siren."" — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  April  11,  1901,  and  necessary  steps 
were  taken  for  her  proper  care  and  preserva- 
tion. On  May  20.  1901,  the  Bureau  directed 
!  that  necessar}-  repairs  be  made  to  this  vessel  to 
fit  her  for  service  in  training  landsmen  attached 
to  the  receiving-ship  "Franklin." 

U.  S.  S.  "Southery."" — This  vessel  was  in 
ordinary  at  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year,  and 
necessary  work  was  done  for  her  proper  care 
and  preservation.     Under  date  of  August  30, 

1900,  the  Bureau  directed  that  all  work  on  this 
vessel  under  its  cognizance,  which  might  be 
necessary  to  put  the  vessel  in  proper  condition 
for  service,  to  be  done.     Under  this  authority 


470 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


.the  vessel  was  la^iven  a  thorough  overhauHng 
and  refitting.  Tliis  work  was  completed,  the 
vessel  laid  up  in  ordinary,  and  only  such  work 
done  as  was  necessar}-  for  care  and 
preservation.  On  June  14.  1901, 
Department  assigned  this  vessel  for 
in  confining  prisoners,  commanding 
cer  of  the  "Franklin"  in  charge, 
upon  his  recjuest  and   tlie   commandant's 


the 
use 
offi- 
and 
ap- 


proval thereof,  minor  changes,  alterations  and 
improvements  were  made,  as  follows :  Fit  iron 
bars  across  air  ports,  cut  door-opening  in  bulk- 
head in  crew  spaces  forward,  fit  fresh-water 
pipe  from;  scuttle-butt  to  prison  space,  etc.  This 
vessel  is  now  in  the  service  tO'  which  she  has 
been  assigned. 

U.  S.  S.  "Terror." — This  vessel  was  un- 
dergoing extensive  repairs  and  alterations  un- 
der authority  of  sur\'ey,  approved  December 
9,  1898,  and  authority  of  the  Bureau  of  Con- 
struction and  Repair  as  to  certain  items  found 
necessary  and  desirable  subsequent  to  holding 
this  survey ;  but  the  majority  of  this  work  was 
practically  suspended  during  the  fiscal  year  on 
account  of  more  urgent  work.  The  most  im- 
portant item  of  work  was  the  overhauling  of 
the  air  compressors  and  this  is  about  completed. 
The  work  under  this  survey  is  about  eight- 
tenths  completed.  Upon  recommendation  of 
the  naval  constructor,  the  Bureau,  under  date 
of  June  14,  1900,  ordered  a  survey  to  be  held 
on  this  vessel  tO'  ascertain  and  report  what  ad- 
ditional work  was  necessary  to  put  the  vessel 
in  condition  for  service. 

U.  S.  S.  "Texas." — Extensi\-e  repairs  have 
been  ordered  on  this  vessel,  under  survey  held 
March  21,  1901,  and  approved  by  the  Bureau 
of  Construction  and  Repair  March  27,  1901  ; 
but  nO'  work  has  yet  been  done,  except  such  as 
is  necessary  for  her  proper  care  and  preserva- 
tion. 

U.  S.  S.  "Wasp." — The  work  on  this  ves- 
sel, under  the  survey,  approved  May  25,  1900, 
comanenced  at  the  end  of  the  last  fiscal  year, 
but,  owing  to  more  urgent  work,  little  progress 
was  made.     The  work  was  taken  actively  in 


hand  in  May  and  on  June  30,  1901,  the  work 
was  nearly  completed. 

U.  S.  tug  "Alice." — Necessary  work  was 
done  on  this  tug  during  the  year  to  keep  her 
in  proper  condition  for  yard  service. 

U.  S.  S.  "Alliance." — While  at  Hampton 
Roads,  May  31,  1901,  overhauling  and  repairs 
were  requested  on  truss  of  main-yard.  This 
work  was  authorized  by  the  commandant  June 
3,  1 90 1,  and  was  completed  June  8,  1901. 

.  U.  S.  S.  "Alvarado." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  June  25,  1901.  for  the  purpose  of 
docking  and  cleaning  and  painting  bottom,  and 
this  work  was  completed.  By  authority  of  the 
commandant  of  June  2/,  1901,  the  work  of 
securing  forward  whaleboat-davit  was  begun 
and  under  authority  of  the  Bureau  of  June  27, 
1901,  the  painting  of  hull  and  all  work  exposed 
to  the  weather  was  soon  in  progress,  and  about 
six-tenths  completed. 

U.  S.  S.  "Amphitrite.'' — This  vessel  ar- 
rived at  the  yard  May  12,  1901.  The  work 
consisted  principally  of  repairs  to  turret  ma- 
chinery, loading  grating,  turret  clip  circles  and 
bulkheads,  fitting  jackstays  for  side-curtains, 
covering  flying-deck  with  canvas,  repairs  to 
berth-deck  and  mounting  two  Maxim  guns. 
All  this  work  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  May  31,  1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Cjesar." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  February  21,  1901,  to  have  necessary 
repairs  made,  and  to  be  fitted  out  for  service 
with  a  merchant  crew.  As  the  services  of  the 
vessel  were  urgently  needed  by  the  Department 
only  such  repairs  were  authorized  as  were  nec- 
essary for  the  safety  and  efficiency  of  the  ship 
and  that  could  be  be  done  in  25  working  days, 
and  a  survey  was  ordered  covering  this  work. 
The  survey  was  duly  held  and  approved  March 
26,  1901.  Tliis  vessel  left  the  yard  May  22, 
1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Chesapeake." — This  vessel  ar- 
rived at  the  yard  February  17,  1901,  for  re- 
pairs, alterations,  etc.  On  February  7,  1901, 
the  Bureau  requested  a  report  from  the  naval 
constructor  as  to  the  estimated  time  and  cost 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


477 


to  do  the  work  required  to  put  the  vessel  in 
efficient  condition  for  service.  On  March  2, 
1901.  tlie  reiK)rt  was  approved,  the  work  or- 
dereil  and  sur\ev  ordered  to  be  held  to  cover 
tiie  same.  This  work  was  completed  and  the 
vessel  left  the  yard  April  12,  1901. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Cushing." — This  ves- 
sel arrived  at  the  yard  Februar_\-  9,  1901,  and 
was  ordered  placed  in  condition  for  service  by 
June  I,  1901.  The  vessel  was  docked  and  the 
bottomi  cleaned  and  painted.  Miscellaneous 
minor  repairs  were  made  from  time  to  time  as 
requested  by  the  commanding  officer.  All  this 
work  was  completed.  The  vessel  is  still  at  the 
yard. 

U.  S.  S.  "Dixie." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  March  14,  1901.  for  the  juirpose  of 
docking,  cleaning  and  painting  Ixittom  and  such 
rq:)airs  to  her  bottom  plating  as  necessarv,  all 
of  which  was  completed.  The  \essel  left  the 
yard  April  22,  1901. 

U.  S.  S.  torpedo  Ijoat  "Dupont." — This 
vessel  arrived  at  the  yard  March  14,  1901,  and 
was  ordered  placed  in  condition  for  serv-ice  by 
June  I,  1 90 1.  All  work  was  completed  except 
fitting  filling  i)ipe  to  fresh-water  tank,  and  this 
will  l>e  completed  July  6,  1901.  The  vessel  is 
still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  S.  "Eagle." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  Decemlier  14,  1900.  for  the  purp<jse 
of  docking  and  cleaning  and  painting  bottom. 
This  work  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  Januan,^  12,  1901. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Ericsson." — This  tor- 
pedo boat  arrived  at  the  yard  January  2,  1901  ; 
was  docked,  bottom  cleaned  and  painted,  rud- 
der repaired  and  water-closets  overhauled.  The 
vessel  returned  to  the  yard  in  May,  1901,  and 
was  ordered  placed  in  proper  condition  for  ser- 
vice by  June  i,  1901.  Numerous  rejiairs  were 
made.  This  vessel  will  be  docked  July  ist  and 
the  bottom  cleaned  and  painted.  It  'is  esti- 
mated that  this  work  will  be  completed  by 
July  6,  1 90 1. 

U.  S.  S.  "Essex." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  vard  December  2^.  1900.     The  Depart- 

28 


ment,  under  date  of  December  24,  1900,  di- 
rected that  necessary  repairs  reconnnended  by 
the  board  of  inspection  and  survey  be  pro- 
ceeded with,  aiul  under  this  autlKjrity  the  wurk 
was  done.  This  work  was  completed  and  the 
vessel  left  the  yard  January  12,  1901. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Eoote." — This  tor- 
pedo lx5at  arrived  at  the  yard  February  11, 
1901,  and  was  ordered  placed  in  proper  con- 
dition for  service  by  June  i,  1901.  This  work 
was  completed.     The  vessel  is  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  receiving-shi])  "Franklin." — The 
work  done  on  the  "Franklin"  during  the  fiscal 
year  was  completed  June  i,   1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hannibal. "^ — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  May  31,  1901,  for  the  purpose  of 
docking  and  cleaning  and  painting  bottom. 
This  work  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  June  4,  1901. 

U.  S.  tug  "Hercules." — \\'ork  was  done 
on  this  tug-  during  the  fiscal  year. 

U.  S.  S.  "Hannibal." — This  vessel  arrived 
\-essel  arrived  at  the  yard  January  10,  1901, 
for  the  purpose  of  docking  and  cleaning  and 
painting  bottom.  This  work  was  completed 
January  19,  1901.  The  vessel  left  the  yard 
January  22,   1901. 

U.S.  S."Leonidas." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  January,  1901,  and  repairs  were  made. 
This  work  was  completed  February  20,  1901. 
The  vessel  left  the  yard  February  20,  1901. 
The  vessel  again  returned  to  the  yard  June  14, 
1901,  for  the  purpose  of  docking  and  cleaning 
and  painting  lx)ttom.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted June  29,  1901.  This  vessel  left  the  yard 
July  I.  1901. 

U.  S.  torpedo>  boat  "Manley." — This  vessel 
was  hauled  out  on  the  marine  railway  July  14, 
1900,  her  bottom  cleaned  and  painted  and 
proper  data  taken  ior  the  preparation  of  plans 
for  general  informatiun.  The  \e?sei  left  the 
yard  August  6,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Marcellus." — On  December  22, 
1900,  the  Bureau  authorized  necessary  work 
on  this  vessel  to  put  her  in  serviceable  condi- 
tion to  transport  coal  from  Norfolk  to  Hamp- 


478 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK   COUNTY 


ton  Roads.  This  work  was  commenced,  but 
was  suspended  to  allow  more  important  work 
to  be  proceeded  with.  On  April  19. 
1901,  the  bureau  ordered  a  survey  held 
on  this  vessel.  The  survey  was  held 
May  3,  1901,  and  cog'nizance  was  taken  of  the 
work  under  way.  and  report  was  made  on  all 
■other  work  necessary  to  be  done  to  put  the  ves- 
sel in  efficient  condition  for  service.  This  sur- 
vey w^as  approved  May  11,  1901,  but  none  of 
the  work  has  yet  been  begun.  The  vessel  went 
'Out  of  commission  June  4,  1901,  and  necessary 
steps  have  been  taken  for  her  care  and  preserva- 
tion. 

U.  S.  S.  "Mayflower." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  April  13,  igoi,  for  docking,  clean- 
ing and  painting  bottom,  and  necessary  repairs. 
This  work  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  May  13,  1901. 

U.  S.  tug  "Mohawk." — This  tug  has  been 
in  yard  service  during  the  entire  fiscal  year : 
repairs  in  connection  with  this  service  have 
been  made.  This  work  was  completed  April 
25,  1901.  June  24,  1901,  the  commandant 
authorized  docking  this  vessel  to  clean  and 
paint  bottom.  It  is  estimated  that  this  work 
will  be  completed  July  6,   1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Nero." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  April  16,  1901.  Upon  recommenda- 
tion of  Board  of  Inspecticn  and  Survey,  the 
Bureau  authorized  such  work  as  was  absolutely 
necessary  tO'  put  this  vessel  in  condition  to 
make  another  trip  to  Manila  and  return.  The 
■work  was  completed  June  i,  1901,  and  the  ves- 
sel left  the  yard  lune  11,  1901. 

U.  S.  tug  "Nezinscot." — This  tug  was 
■docked'  August  20,  1900,  bottom  cleaned  and 
painted,  and  repairs  made.  This  tug  left  the 
yard  August  24,  1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Piscataqua." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  December  12,  1900,  and  upon  rec- 
ommendation of  Board  of  Inspection  and  Sur- 
vey, the  work  was  ordered ;  it  was  completed 
-and  the  vessel  left  the  yard  December  27,  1900. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Porter." — This  vessel 


arrived  at  the  yard  February  26,  1901,  and 
was  ordered  placed  in  condition  for  service 
June  I,  1901.  All  of  this  work  was  completed 
June  15,  1901.     This  vessel  is  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  tug  "Potomac." — This  vessel  arri\'ed 
at  the  yard  November  20,  1900,  and  had  tem- 
porary repairs  made,  and  the  vessel  left  the 
yard  November  26,  1900.  The  vessel  again 
returned  to  the  yard  April  21,  1901,  and,  un- 
der date  of  April  24,  1901,  the  Bureau  ordered 
undertaken  without  delay  certain  repairs.  The 
\'essel  left  the  yard  June  5,  1901. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Rodgers." — This  ves- 
sel arrived  at  the  yard  May  9,  1901,  with  a 
damaged  stem  and  bow ;  was  docked  May  22 ; 
the  stem  and  bow  rejaaired  ;  bottoni  cleaned  and 
painted  and  minor  repairs  made  and  was  un- 
docked  June  5,  1901.  The  vessel  is  still  at  the 
yard. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Shubrick." — This  ves- 
sel arrived  at  the  yard  June  8,  1901,  in  charge 
of  contractors :  was  turned  over  to  the  govern- 
ment. Necessary  steps  have  been  taken  for 
her  care  and  preservation,  and  her  boats  have 
been  stored  and  pronerly  numbered.  Under 
date  of  June  24,  1901,  the  Bureau  ordered  the 
stififening  of  the  stern  of  this  vessel,  but  this 
work  has  not  yet  been  begun ;  it  will  be  neces- 
sary for  the  vessel  to  go  into  dry  dock.  The 
vessel  is  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  tug  "Sioux." — This  tug  has  been  al- 
ternately in  ordinary  and  in  yard  service,  etc., 
since  the  beginning  of  the  fiscal  year.  On  De- 
cember 28,  1900,  the  Bureau  ordered  a  sur- 
vey held  on  this  vessel  to  determine  the  exact 
condition  of  the  vessel  and  the  time  and  cost 
required  to  place  her  in  efficient  condition  for 
service.  The  survey  was  held  January  7, 
1 90 1,  and  approved  Tanuary  23,  1901,  but  the 
work  was  ordered  done  at  the  navy  yard  at 
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  and  only  such 
work  ordered  done  at  this  yard  as  was  neces- 
sary to  place  the  vessel  in  condition  tO'  be  towed 
to  the  Portsmouth  yard,  which  consisted  of 
overhauling   steering  gear,   coal   scuttles,   etc. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


479 


Tliis  wiirk  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  June  5.  1901,  in  tow  of  the  "Poto- 
mac." 

U.  S.  S.  "Standish." — This  vessel  arrived 
at  the  yard  Avigust  2.  1900.  for  the  purpose 
of  docking  and  cleaning  and  painting  bottom. 
This  work  was  completeil  and  the  vessel  left 
the  yard  August  6.  1900.  The  vessel  again 
returned  u>  the  yard  F"ebruary  17.  1901,  for 
repairs,  alterations,  etc.  On  February  7,  1901. 
the  Bureau  requested  a  report  from  the  naval 
constructor  as  to  the  estimated  time  and  cost 
recjuired  to  do  the  work  necessary  to  put  the 
vessel  in  efficient  condition  for  service.  On 
March  20.  1901,  the  report  was  approved,  the 
work  ordered  and  survey  ordered  to  be  held 
to  cover  the  same.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted and  the  \essel  left  the  yard  May  21, 
1 90 1 . 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Stockton." — This  ves- 
sel arrived  at  the  yard  September  24.  1900,  in 
charge  of  contractors,  for  the  purpose  of  dock- 
ing  and  cleaning  and  painting  bottom,  prepar- 
atory to  her  trial  trii>.  and  for  repairs  to  dam- 
aged stem  and  dent  in  starlx)ard  side,  at  risk 
and  expense  of  contractors.  This  work  was 
completed  and  the  vessel  left  the  yard  Novem- 
l)er  I.  1900.  The  vessel  again  returned  to  the 
yard  February  24.  1901.  still  in  charge  of  her 
contractors;  was  clocked  March  4.  1901.  at  ex- 
pense of  contractors,  in  order  to  examine  condi- 
tion of  under-water  hull  and  fittings.  De- 
fects in  painting  of  bottom  were  cor- 
rected and  zincs  on  bottom  scraped,  as 
per  recommendation  of  a  naval  board. 
The  vessel  was  turned  over  to  the  gov- 
ernment March  11.  1901.  and  proper 
steps  were  taken  for  her  care  and  preservation. 
Upon  recommendation  of  the  na\al  construc- 
tor the  Bureau  directed  that  the  foundation  of 
the  starljoard  engine  air-pump  be  strengthened 
and  cost  thereof  charged  to  contractors  and 
this  work  was  completed.  Minor  items  of  re- 
pairs have  l)een  made  from  time  to  time,  such 
as  repairs  to  steering  engine,  galley  inimp,  etc. 


All  authorized  work  was  completed.  The  ves- 
sel is  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Stringham." — This 
vessel  arrived  at  the  yard  about  July  27,.  1900. 
I  in  charge  of  contractors.  By  direction  of  the 
I  Bureau,  of  July  26,  1900,  the  vessel  was 
docked,  bottom  cleaned  and  ])ainted.  and  mis- 
cellaneous work  done,  at  the  risk  and  expense 
of  the  contractors.  This  vessel  left  the  yard 
July  31.   1900. 

U.  S.  S.  "Syli>h." — This  vessel  arrived  at 
the  yard  Sei)teml)er  17,  1900.  The  vessel  was 
docked,  bottom  cleaned  and  painted,  outside 
of  ,  -  sel  from  water-line  to  rail  cemented  and 
painted.  This  work  was  coninleted  and  the 
vessel  left  the  yard  September  20,  1900.  The 
vessel  returned  to  the  yartl  June  24.  1901.  for 
docking  and  other  work.  This  work  was  com- 
pleted and  the  vessel  left  the  yard  June  29, 
1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "Topeka." — This  vessel  arri\ed  at 
the  yard  March  8.  1901,  for  repairs.  The 
work  was  completed  and  the  vessel  left  the 
yard  May  20.    1901. 

U.  S.  S.  "X'ixen." — This  \-essel  arri\ed  at 
the  yard  Jul\-  16.  1900.  and  numerous  repairs 
considered  necessary  for  the  efficiency  of  the 
ship  were  requested  bv  the  c<imnianding  officer. 
Upon  recommendation  of  the  naval  construc- 
tor, under  date  of  August  i.  1900.  certain  re- 
pairs were  authorized  by  the  Bureau  and  a  sur- 
vey ordered  to  be  held  to  cover  the  saiue.  This 
sun-ey  was  held  August  14.  approved  August 
18,  and  work  under  this  authority  was  done. 

U.  S.  tug  "Wahneta." — This  tug  has  been 
in  yard  service  during  nearly  the  entire  fiscal 
year,  and  repairs  in  connection  with  this  ser- 
vice have  been  made.  This  tug"  is  still  in  yard 
service. 

U.  S.  water  barge  No.  2. — This  water 
barge  was  docked  July  7.  1900.  and  her  bottom 
cleaned  and  painted.  Bv  direction  of  the  De- 
partment, the  cost  of  docking  this  barge  was 
charged  to  the  Bureau  of  Equii>ment. 

U.  S.  torpedo  boat  "Winslow." — This  ves- 


48o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


sel  arrived  at  the  yard  March  28,  1901,  and 
was  ordered  placed  in  condition  for  service  by 
June  I,  1 90 1.  Necessary  repairs  were  made. 
The  vessel  is  still  at  the  yard. 

U.  S.  tug  "Wompatuck." — This  vessel  ar- 
rived at  the  \ard  December  12,  1900,  and,  upon 
recommendation  of  the  Board  of  Inspection  and 
Survey,  the  following  work  was  done:  Awning 
stanchions  fitted  on  upper  deck,  black  paint 
removed  from  outside  of  hull  between  water- 
line  and  rail,  and  this  portion  of  vessel  painted 
white,  all  work  exposed  to  weather  painted 
regulation  colors.  The  vessel  left  the  yard 
December  27,  1900. 

We  give  herewith  a  statement  relative  to 
the  vessels  docked  from  Jnlv  i,  1900,  to  June 
30,  1 90 1,  inclusive  : 

Dock.  Vessels.     Days  in  dock. 

No.   I   34  297 

No.  2  13  340 

THE    "R.ALEIGH"    .\ND    "'tEX.\s"    IN    THE    SP.\N- 
ISH-.\iIERIC.\N    WAR. 

As  before  stated  the  ships  built  at  this  yard 
were  important  factors  in  war  history ;  the  fol- 
lowing reports  show  the  part  they  acted  in  the 
Spanish-American  \\'ar : 

U.  S.  S.  "R.'iLEiGH.'  off  Manila.  Luzon,  May  4.  1898. 
Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  re- 
port of  the  operations  of  this  vessel  of  your  squadron 
during  the  engagement  with  the  Spanish  squadron  and 
.shore  batteries  at  Cavite,  near  Manila,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  May  I.  1898:  .\t  about  12:10  A.  M..  of  May 
1st.  when  passing  in  column,  natural  order,  abreast  of 
El  Fraile  Island,  at  '.he  entrance  to  the  bay.  I  observed 
a  flash,  as  of  a  signal  thereon,  and  at  about  12:15  A.  M. 
a  shot  was  fired  from  EI  Fraile.  passing,  as  I  think, 
diagonally  between  the  "Petrel"  and  this  vessel.  A 
shot  was  fired  in  return,  but  without  effect,  by  the 
starboard  after  5-inch  gun  of  this  vessel.  At  5  A.  M. 
when  the  squadron  was  nearly  abreast  the  city  of 
Manila  and  the  flag-ship  w'as  turning  to  pass  down 
toward  Cavite.  the  Lunetta  battery  of  apparently  heavy 
guns  at  Manila  opened  fire  and  continued  so  long  as 
the  squadron  was  in  action.  This  vessel  shifted  position 
from  starboard  to  port  (inside)  quarter  of  the  "Balti- 
more." and  held  that  position  until  retired  at  7:35  A. 
M.  At  a  few  minutes  after  5  A.  M.  this  vessel,  so 
soon  as  the  Spanish  vessels  at  Cavite  bore  on  the  port 
bow.  opened  fire  with  the  6-inch  gun,  and  then  with 
the  5-inch  guns  in  succession,  as  fast  as  they  would 
bear.      The    secondary    battery    guns    did    not    seem    to 


reach  the  enemy,  and  their  fire  was  soon  stopped  and 
not  again  used  until  the  distance  was  considerably 
lessened.  At  11:20  A.  M.,  w'hen  signal  was  made  to 
reengage,  this  vessel  started  ahead  full  speed  (using 
reserve  speed )  to  keep  up  with  the  flag-ship,  but  it  was 
found  to  be  impossible,  and  falling  l>ehind  all  the  time, 
I  cut  across  to  gain  line  abreast  of  Cavite  battery  just 
as  the  flag-ship  passed  the  "Baltimore"  at  that  port, 
at  which  time  we  opened  fire  with  all  guns.  At  12,  in 
obedience  to  signal,  this  vessel  attempted  to  get  into 
the  inner  harbor  to  destroy  enemy's  vessels,  but  getting 
in  shoal  water — 20  feet — was  obliged  to  withdraw,  and 
so  reported.  While  attempting  to  get  inside,  the  bat- 
tery was  used  on  an  enemy  vessel  at  anchor  ( supposed 
to  be  the  "Don  Antonio  de  Ulloa")  until  she  sank. 
Not  being  able  to  find  a  channel  farther  inside,  and 
everything,  in  sight  having  been  destroyed,  at  i  :30  P. 
M.  withdrew  and  later  anchored  near  the  flag-ship.  I 
enclose  statement  of  the  ammunition  expended  during 
the  engagement.  I  am  very  pleased  to  report  that  the 
officers  and  crew  behaved  splendidly.  Each  and  every 
one  seemed  anxious  to  do  his  whole  duty,  and,  so  far 
as  I  can  learn,  did  it.  Their  whole  conduct  was  be- 
yond praise. 

This  vessel  was  struck  but  once,  and  then  by  a 
6-pounder  shell,  which  passed  through  both  sides  of 
the  whaleboat  (above  her  water-line)  and  then  glanced 
along  the  chase  of  the  starboard  6-pounder  on  our  poop. 
The  gun  was  not  injured,  and  the  whaleboat  but  slight- 
ly, and  she  is  again  ready  for  service.  I  am  happy  to 
report  that  there  were  no  casualties  of  any  kind.  This 
v'essel  at  the  close  of  the  engagement  was  in  as  good 
condition  as  when  it  began,  and  without  any  prepara- 
tion could  have  fought  it  over  again. 

In  conclusion,  permit  me  to  congratulate  you  upon 
the  very  brilliant  victory  you  achieved  over  a  naval 
force  nearly  equal  to  your  own,  backed  bj'  extensive 
shore  batteries  of  very  heavy  guns,  and  this  without  the 
loss  of  a  single  life.  History  points  to  no  greater 
achievement. 

\'ery  Respectfully. 

J.    B.    COGHLAN, 
Captain  U.  S.  N.,  Commanding. 
(to)   Commodore  George  Dewey, 

Coniinandci'-in-cliicf.    U.    S.    Naval   Force. 

Asiatic  Station. 

The  destruction  of  the  fort  at  Guantanamo 
by  the  "Texas," 

U.  S.  S.  "Texas,"  off  Santiago.  June  16.  1898. 
Sir:  I  respectfully  submit  the  following  statement: 
Yesterday  at  8:45  \.  M.  the  flag-ship  signalled  the 
"Texas: Proceed  without  delay,  Guantanamo  ;  de- 
stroy fort :  resume  blockade  station  this  evening."  At 
8 :50  went  ahead  at  full  speed,  steam  under  three 
boilers  only.  At  i  :07  beat  to  general  quarters  for 
action,  and  stood  up  through  the  narrow  channel,  fol- 
lowed by  the  "Marblehead,"  to  the  westward  of  Cayo 
del  Hospital  in  ordsr  to  get  within  eft'ective  range  of 
the  fort  on  Czyo  del  Toro.  Went  ahead  until  in  25 
feet  water,  dropped  anchor  under  foot,  and  at  2  :o6 
P.  M.  opened  fire  on  the  fort  at  2.300  yards,  the  fort 
having   opened   fire   on   us   as   we   passed   the   Hospital 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


481 


Cove.  About  2:45  tlie  fort  ceased  firing,  and  at  3:20 
we  ceased  to  fire,  having  destroyed  in  ohodience  to  or- 
ders, though  in  all  probahility  the  enemy  will  remount 
guns  again  in  three  or  four  days.  Being  ordered  to 
resume  station  on  blockade  tlie  same  evening,  we  got 
under  way  about  3:30.  stood  out  the  chaimel  and  down 
the  harbor  and  returned  to  this  place,  reporting  to  the 
comniandcr-in-chiet  in  person  about  8 145  P.  M.  I 
would  state  that  in  going  through  the  narrow  channel 
to  the  westward  of  Cayo  del  Hospital  the  "Texas" 
broke  adrift  a  contact  submarine  mine,  and  the  "Marble- 
head"  picked  up  one  on  her  starboard  propeller,  each 
containing  about  100  pounds  of  gun  cotton,  but  owing 
to  Divine  care  neither  of  them  exploded. 

There  was  no  casualty  nor  injury  of  any  kind,  but 
I  trust  the  action  of  the  "Texas"  will  meet  with  your 
approbation. 

Very  Respectfully, 

J.  W.  Phillip, 
Captain    U.   S.    X.,   Cominandiiig. 
(to)    The  Commandcr-in-Cliief, 

North  Atlantic  Squadrcn. 


Tlie  part  taken 
of  July  3,  1898: 


the  "Texas"  in  the  battle 


U.  S.  S.   Texas,"  off  Santiago.  July  4,  1898. 

Sir :  In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Ar- 
ticle 437,  Navy  Regulations,  I  respectfully  submit  the 
following  statement  in  regard  to  the  part  the  "Texas" 
took  in  the  engagement  with  the  enemy  yesterday.  At 
daylight  on  the  mornmg  of  the  3rd,  the  "Texas"  stood 
out  from  entrance  to  harbor,  taking  day  blockading 
position,  about  three  miles  from  the  Morro  (the  Morro 
bearing  north-northeast). 

-•\t  9:30  the  Morro  bearing  N.  by  E.  '-<  E.,  distant 
5,100  yards,  the  enemy's  ships  were  sighted  standing 
out  of  the  harl)or.  Immediately  general  signal  250 
was  made :  this  signal  was  followed  by  the  "Iowa's" 
almost  at  the  same  time.  The  ship  as  per  order  was 
heading  in  toward  the  entrance;  went  ahead  full  speed, 
putting  helm  hard  astarboard,  and  ordering  forced  draft 
on  all  boilers,  the  officer  of  the  deck,  Lieut.  M.  L. 
Bristol,  having  given  the  general  alarm  and  beat  to 
quarters  for  action  r-.t  the  same  time.  As  the  leader, 
bearing  the  .-Vdmiral's  flag,  appeared  in  the  entrance 
she  opened  fire,  which  was,  at  9:40.  returned  by  the 
"Texas"  at  range  of  4.200  yards  while  closing  in.  The 
ship  leading  was  of  the  "\"izcaya"  class  and  the  flag- 
ship. 

Four  ships  came  out.  evidently  the  "Vizcaya,"  the 
"Oquendo,"  "Maria  Teresa"  and  "Colon."  follovved  by 
two  torpedo-boat  destroyers.  Upon  seeing  these  two, 
we  immediately  opened  fire  upon  them  with  our  sec- 
ondary battery,  the  main  battery  at  the  time  being  en- 
gaged with  the  second  and  third  ships  in  line.  Owing 
to  our  secondary  battery,  together  with  the  "Iowa"  and 
"Gloucester,"  these  two  destroyers  were  forced  to  beach 
and  sink. 

Whilst  warmly  engaged  with  the  third  in  line,  which 
was  abreast  and  engaging  the  "Texas,"  our  fire  was 
blanketed  for  a  short  time  by  the  "Oregon"  forging 
ahead  and  engaging  the  second  ships.    This  third  ship. 


after  a  spirited  fire,  sheered  inshore,  and  at  10:35  ran 
up  a  white  flag.  W'e  then  ceased  fire  on  the  third  and 
opened  fire  with  our  forward  guns  at  long  range  (6,6oo 
yards)  on  the  second  ship  (.which  was  then  engaged 
with  the  "Oregon")  until  11:05,  when  she  (enemy's 
second  ship)  sheered  into  the  beach,  on  fire.  .\t  11:10 
she  struck  her  colors.  We  ceased  fire  and  gave  chase, 
with  "Brooklyn"  and  "Oregon,"  for  the  leading  ship 
until  I  :20,  when  the  "Colon"  sheered  in  to  the  beach 
and  hauled  down  her  colors,  leaving  them  on  deck  at 
foot  of  her  flag-staff.  We  shiit  off  forced  draft  and 
proceeded  at  moderate  speed  to  close  up. 

I  would  state  that  during  this  chase  the  "Texas" 
was  holding  her  own  with  the  "Colon,"  she  leading 
about  four  miles  at  the  start. 

The  reports  of  the  executive  officer  and  the  sur- 
geon are  transmitted.  I  have  the  pleasure  of  stating 
that  the  entire  battery  of  the  "Texas"  is  in  a  most  ex- 
cellent condition  and  ready  for  any  service  required  by 
the  commander-in-chief,  especially  calling  attention  to 
the  efficiency  of  the  two  turret-guns,  due  to  tlie  altera- 
tions recently  made  by  Lieut.  F.  J.  Haeseler.  of  this 
ship.  The  bearing  and  performance  of  duty  of  all 
officers  met  with  my  entire  approval. 

Very  respectfully  sulmiitted. 

J.  W.  Phillip. 
Captain    V.   S.   .V..   Commanding. 
(to)    TItc   Commander-in-Chief. 

Xorth  Atlantic  Squadron. 

U.    S.    S.    "Tex.\s/'    I  St    Rate,   off    Santiago    de   Cuba, 

July  4.  1898, 

Sir :  I  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report 
on  the  injuries  received  by  this  vessel  during  the  en- 
gagement with  the  Spanish  fleet  near  Santiago  de  Cuba, 
July  3,  i8g8.  A  shell  about  si.x  inches  in  diameter  en- 
tered the  starboard  side  above  the  main-deck  near  top 
of  hammock  berthing,  immediately  forward  of  ash- 
hoist,  angle  of  entrance  being  about  20  degrees  forward 
of  the  beam ;  shell  apparently  exploded  immediately 
after  passing  through  the  outer  plating  of  hanmiock 
berthing,  passing  into  the  forward  air-shaft  to  forced- 
draft  blower,  destroying  doors  of  both  air-shafts  and 
the  adjacent  bulkheads.  Several  pieces  passed  through 
the  doorway  of  after  shaft  and  penetrated  the  after 
bulkhead  of  the  shaft.  The  mass  of  shell  pieces  passed 
on  through  bulkhead  and  casing  of  starboard  smoke- 
box,  producing  an  aperture  therein,  irregular  in  form, 
measuring  about  three  feet  vertically,  two  feet  fore  and 
aft.     The  ash-hoist  machinery  was  badly  damaged. 

-\  piece  of  shell  struck  forward  jamb  of  starboard 
door  of  pilot  house,  smashing  it  and  carrying  away 
considerable  of  paneling  and  framing,  and  passed  out 
through  after  bulkhead. 

The  bulkhead  forming  the  after  part  of  forward 
gun-house  is  bulged  forward  about  six  inches.  This 
bulge  extends  over  the  entire  starboard  side  of  bulk- 
head. A  large  number  of  rivets  passing  through  the 
stiffening  bars  and  frames  are  shorn  off  or  broken. 
At  the  base  of  the  gun-house  the  margin  pieces  of  main- 
deck  have  been  lifted  up  and  separated  from  the  steel- 
deck.  A  galley  ventilator,  which  passed  through  berth- 
ing abaft  the  above-mentioned  bulkhead,  was  destroyed. 

.\  number  of  hammocks  and  bedding  stowed  in  the 


4S2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


herthing,  of  which  :ibove-mentioned  bulkhead  formed 
the  forward  plating,  were  badly  burned.  The  deck 
planking  and  frames  of  the  after  part  of  the  bridge 
deck  over  a  surface  about  six  by  12  feet  have  been 
torn  up  and  destroyed.  The  starboard  forward  part 
of  the  third  cutter  wa-  blown  away,  keel  broken,  plank- 
ing and  frammg  of  the  port  side  badly  damaged,  leav- 
ing it  unfit  for  repairs..  One  ladder  leading  to  bridge 
deck  forward  was  badly  damaged.  One  main-hatch 
ladder  leading  to  gun-deck  was  destroyed.  The  boal- 
covers  and  awning-curtains  used  as  splinter  protection 
over  the  forward  boats  were  blown  away,  burned  and 
destroyed. 

The  hanunocks,  cloths,  and  battens  securing  same 
to  bulkheads,  were  earned  away  from  six  compartments 
of  hammock  berthing. 

The  electric  wire  battens  and  fittings  were  carried 
away  in  a  great  miry  places  on  main  and  gun-decks 
forward.  The  starboard  side  of  the  main-deck  between 
frames  53  and  56  shov.'s  marked  depressions,  beams  and 
stanchions  being  bent  and  buckled,  the  crown  of  some 
of  the  beams  no  longer  existing.  The  steel-deck  has 
in  several  places  become  separated  from  the  beams 
through  the  stretchino;  or  breaking  of  rivets,  and  there 
are  now  leaks  in  several  places. 

The  rivets  securing  the  head  of  midship  stanchions 
to  the  web  of  beams  of  frames  55  and  56  have  been 
sheared  ofT.  The  condition  of  starboard  side  of  the 
main-deck  is  attributed  partly  to  the  firing  of  the  12-inch 
turret-guns  over  the  deck  during  the  engagement,  as 
mentioned  in  my  report  of  June  6.  but  mainly  by  similar 
causes  during  the  battle  of  yesterday. 

The  marked  increase  in  the  injuries  to  the  deck  may 
be  attributed  not  only  to  the  repetition  of  great  strains 
over  a  surface  whose  support  was  already  weakened, 
but  to  an  increase  in  the  charge  of  powder,  i.  e.,  re- 
duced charge  previously  used  to  full  charge  used  dur- 
ing this  battle.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  framing 
of  the  deck  in  this  ship  is  too  light  to  permit  the  further 
firing  of  the  12-inch  guns  over  the  decks  without 
serious  injury. 

Giles  B.  Harber, 
Lieut.    Com.    L'.    S.   iV.,   Executive   Officer. 
(to)Thr   Cijiniiniiidnig   Officer. 

CONGRESSIONAL    MEDALS    AWARDED, 

Congressional  medals  of  sih-er  were 
awarded  to  the  officers  and  bronze  medals  to 
each  member  of  the  crew  of  the  revenue  cutter 
"Hudson"  for  conspicuous  bravery  in  the 
Spanish-American  War.  The  medals  were 
awarded  for  the  work  done  by  those  on  board 
the  "Hudson,"  in  rescuing  the  torpedo  boat 
"Winslow"  at  Cardenas,  May  11.  1898.  First 
Lieut.  Frank  H.  Newcomb,  in  command,  re- 
cei\-ed  a  gold  medal  with  a  very  complimen- 
tary letter  from  Secretarv  Gage.  The  fnur  c;,ffi- 
cers  recei\-ing  the  sih-er  medals  were  T.  Hutch- 


inson Scott,  of  Pennsylvania ;  Ernest  E.  Mead, 
of  Massachusetts ;  N.  E,  Cutchin,  of  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  son  o-f  the  late  Nathaniel 
Cutchin:  and  Theodore  G.  Lawton,  of  Minne- 
sota, The  medals  are  in  neat  morocco  boxes 
dark  in  color,  four  and  a  half  by  six  inches 
long,  and  are  sunk  to  their  thickness  in  a  bed 
of  black  velvet,  making  a  pretty  and  effective 
contrast.  The  top'  of  the  box  is  lined  with 
white  velvet.  The  medals  are  counterparts  of 
each  other  with  the  exception  that  one  is  gold, 
four  of  silver  and  three  of  bronze.  Accom- 
panying each  silver  medal  is  a  letter  from  Sec- 
retary Gage.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the 
one  sent  to  Chief  Engineer  N.  E.  Cutchin,  of 
the  "Dexter"  : 


Tre.\sury  Dep.\rtment, 

Office  of  Secretary, 
Washington,  D.   C,   Nov,   19,   igoi. 
Chief  Engineer  N.  E.  Cutchin,  R.  C.  S. 

Sir:  Under  the  following  provisions  of  a  joint 
resolution  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  ap- 
proved May  3,  1900,  there  was  awarded  to  you  a  silver 
medal  in  recognition  of  your  conduct  and  services  in 
the  battle  at  Cardenas,  Cuba,  on  the  nth  day  of  May, 
1898: 

"Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  as- 
sembled. That  in  recognition  of  the  gallantry  of  First 
Lieut.  Frank  H.  Newcomb,  of  the  revenue  cutter  service, 
commanding  the  revenue  cutter  "Hudson,"  his  officers 
and  the  men  of  his  command,  for  their  intrepid  and 
heroic  gallantry  in  the  action  at  Cardenas,  Cuba,  on 
the  nth  day  of  May,  i8g8,  when  the  "Hudson"  rescued 
the  United  States  naval  torpedo  boat  "Winslow"  in  the 
face  of  a  most  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  guns,  the 
"Winslow"  being  disabled,  her  captain  wounded,  her 
only  other  officer  and  half  her  crew  killed.  The  com- 
mander of  the  "Hudson"  kent  his  vessel  in  the  very 
center  of  the  hottest  fire  of  the  action,  although  in 
constant  danger  of  getting  ashore  on  account  of  the 
shallow  water,  until  finally  he  got  a  line  made  fast  to 
the  "Winslow"  and  towed  that  vessel  out  of  range  of 
the  enemy's  guns.  In  commemoration  of  his  signal 
act  of  heroism  it  is  hereby  enacted  that  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury  be  authorized  and  directed  to  cause 
to  be  prepared  and  to  present  to  First  Lieut.  Frank 
H.  Newcomb,  revenue  cutter  service,  a  gold  medal,  and 
to  each  of  his  officers,  a  silver  medal,  and  to  each  mem- 
ber  of   his   crew   a   bronze   medal." 

The  officers  of  the  "Hudson"  are  the  only  ones  to 
whom  Congress  awarded  gold  and  silver  medals  for 
■heroism  in  battle  during  the  war  with  Spain. 

I  take  pleasure  in  presenting  to  you  the  medal 
awarded,  and  in  congratulating  you  upon  the  recogni- 
tion  thus   bestowed   by   the   National   Legislature. 


o 
X 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


485 


Your  arc  requested  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
the  medal. 

Respectfully, 

L.    J.    G.\GE, 

Secretary. 

The  medals  were  made  at  tlie  Philadelphia 
Mint  and  are  particularly  handsome.  On  the 
obverse  side  is  a  representation  of  Bellona. 
goddess  of  war,  looking  upon  the  scene  of  the 
resale  of  the  "Winslow"  at  Cardenas.  On  the 
re\erse  side  is  a  figure  representing  Fame,  en- 
gaged in  engraving  upon  the  medal  the  in- 
scription :  "Joint  resolution  of  Congress,  ap- 
proved May  3.  1900.  in  recognition  of  the  gal- 
antry  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Hudson, 
whi\  in  the  face  of  a  galling  fire,  towed  the 
\\'inslow  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's  guns." 
At  the  bottom  is  inscribed  the  name  of  the 
recipient.  Accompanying  each  medallion  is  a 
pendant  medal,  which  is  a  small  fac  simile  of 
the  medallion.  The  medal  is  suspended  by  the 
Spanish  war  colors,  from  the  pin  bar,  on  which 
appears  the  word  "Cardenas." 

U.  S.  XAVAL  nOSPIT.AL. 

The  U.  S.  Xaval  Hospital  is  a  superb  edi- 
fice— a  solid  and  massive  structure  built  of 
granite.  The  grounds  in  front  are  as  large  as 
Capital  Square,  Richmond,  and  are  ornamented 
with  a  great  variety  of  trees,  and  have  numer- 
ous walks  and  avenues  leading  to  the  water. 
Behind  the  hospital  is  a  large  and  beautiful 
pine  and  oak  forest.  The  grounds  and  grove 
inckule  about  75  acres.  They  are  much  fre- 
quented by  the  people  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, to  whom  they  supply  the  place  of  a 
park. 

They  are  laid  out  in  drives  and  promen- 
ades. In  the  cemetery  attached  to  the  hospital 
are  buried  the  remains  of  many  officers,  sail- 
ors and  marines.  Conspicuous  among  the 
graves  are  those  of  some  50  or  60  Confederate 
soldiers  and  sailors,  each  with  a  head-lxjard  in- 
scril)ed  with  the  name  of  the  person  buried  be- 
neath.    Several  Russians  and  quite  a  number 


of  the  victims  of  the  "Huron"  disaster  are 
buried  here. 

Among  the  promiiieiU  monuments  is  one  tO' 
the  memory  of  Lieut.  John  H.  Marshall,  U.  S. 
Na\y,  born  in  Caroline  County,  Virginia,  in 
the  year  1800  and  died  June  i,  1850;  and  Dr. 
Lewis  W.  Minor,  a  distinguished  naval  sur- 
geon. 

In  front  of  the  Hospital  is  a  monument  to 
the  memory  of  Maj.  John  Saunders,  born  in 
Virginia  in  1771  and  died  in  18 10. 

The  Hospital  was  Iniilt  in  1835-36.  Four 
medical  officers,  including  a  meilical  director, 
are  stationed  at  the  Hospital,  where  everything 
goes  on  as  regularly,  smoothly  and  systemati- 
calh'  as  if  operated  by  machinery.  The  sur- 
geons know  their  duties  and  perform  them 
faithfully  and  ably.  The  sick  of  the  na\'y  from 
181 1  were  treated  in  a  private  house  known 
as  the  Gait  house  which  stood  not  very  far 
from  the  place  where  the  "Galena"  was  built 
in  the  Navy  Yard.  The  present  grounds  were 
turned  over  to  the  U.  S.  Navy  in  1827  and 
the  sick  were  brought  to  the  Hospital,  only  one 
wing  of  which  was  completed.  July  17,  1830. 

On  the  ground  in  front  of  the  Naval  Hos- 
pital was  located  Fort  Nelson,  of  Revolution- 
ary fame. 

There  are  many  interesting  war  relics  in 
the  Navy  Yard,  as  shown  by  the  following: 

Memor.vxdcm  of  Trophies  ix   Xavv  Y.\rd   P.\rk. 

1  bronze  gun  and  carriage  from  the  Spanish  fort 
on  Cayo  del  Toro,  Guantanamo  Bay.  Cuba,  captured 
July  3.   1898. 

2  torpedoes  from  the  Spanish  cruiser  "Reina  Mer- 
cedes."  captured   July   3,    1898. 

2  ll-inch  shell  from  the  Spanish  cruiser  "Maria 
Teresa,"  captured  July  3.  1898. 

2  14  c.  m.  rapid  fire  guns:  2  14  c.  m.  cartridges, 
from  the  Spanish  cruiser  ".\lmirante  Oquendo."  De- 
stroyed in  the  battle  of  Santiago.  July  3.   1898. 

2  torpedo-tubes, — Santiago.  July  3.  1898. 

2  range-finders. — Santiago,  July  3,  1898. 

2  revolving  cannons  and  stands. — i  revolving  can- 
non stand. — Santiago.  July  3.  i8g8. 

3  Spanisli  mines. — picked  up  by  the  U.  S.  S. 
"Marbleliead."  at   Gvjntanamo   Bay.  July.   1898. 

I  ,7  m.  m.  Hotchkiss  gun  and  mount. — Santiago, 
July  3-  1898. 


486 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


I  Chinese  gun  and  carriage. — captured  by  U.  S. 
Marines  at  Tien  Tsin,  June,   igoo. 

I  cannon,  captured  from  the  British  on  the  Lakes. — 
War  of  1812. 

1  cannon,  captured  in  the  British  frigate  "Java,"  bv 
the  U.   S.    frigate   "Constellation."   December  29,    1812. 

2  cannon. — War  of  Revolution. 

3  carronades.  captured  during  the  Mexican  War, 
1846. 

1  Turkish   stone-shot  from   Constantinople. 

2  cannon   from  the  U.   S.   frigate  "United   States," 

1845. 

4  pieces  of  armor  from  the  deck  of  the  "Merri- 
mac."     (C.   S.   S.  "Virginia.") 

2  broken  cannon  from  the  U.  S.  line-of-battleship 
"Pennsylvania,"  destroyed,  1861. 

2  iron  stands  from  the  wreck  of  the  U.  S.  frigate 
"Cumberland." 

Melted  bell  metal  from  the  wreck  of  the  U.  S. 
frigate  "Raritan."  destroyed.  1864. 

Armor  from  the  wreck  of  the  C.  S.  ram  "Albe- 
marle." 

Armor    from    the    C.    S.    ram    "Texas." 

6  cannon,  smooth  bore.  War  of  1812. 

2  20-pounders.  sm.ooth  bore,  1862. 

2  60-pounders,  smooth  bore,  1865. 

2  lOO-pounders.  smooth  bore,  1863. 

1  8-inch  rifle.  1876. 

2  9-inch  rifles.   1864. 

2  i2-pounders  boal  howitzers  and  mounts  (bronze), 
1865. 

I  l2-pounder  boat  howitzer  and  carriage  (bronze), 
1870. 

I  l2-pounder  boat  howitzer  and  carriage  (bronze), 
1863. 

COMMANDANTS    OF    THE    NAVY    YARD. 

A  list  of  the  officers  whO'  have  been  in 
command  of  the  Navy  Yard,  is  given  here- 
with : 

Capt.  Richard  Dale.   Superintendent.   1794  to   1795. 

Capt.  Thomas  Williams.  Superintendent,  1798  to 
July  16,  1799. 

Commodore  Samuel  Barron.  Superintendent.  July 
16,   1799.  to  August  — .   1799. 

On  June  15.  1801.  the  Navy  Vard.  which  up  to  that 
time  belonged  to  the  State  of  Virginia,  was  deeded  to 
the  United  States. 

William  Pennock.  Navy  Agent  and  Superintendent, 
June   15.   1801,   to   April   26.   1802. 

Daniel  Bedinger.  Navy  Agent  and  Superintendent, 
April  26.   1802,  to  February   10.   1808. 

Theodore  Armistead.  Navy  Agent  and  Superin- 
tendent. February  10,  1808,  to  February  7.  1810. 

Commodore  Samuel  Barron.  Commandant,  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1801,  to  October  29.  1810. 

Lieut.  Robert  Henley.  Commandant,  November  10, 
1810,   to   May,    181 1. 


Capt.  Samuel  Evans.  Commandant,  May,  181 1,  to 
August  10,  1812. 

Capt.  John  Cassin,  Commandant,  August  10,  1812, 
to  June  — .  1821. 

Capt.  Lewis  Warrington.  Commandant,  June  — , 
1821.  to  December  — .  1824. 

Master  Commandant  James  Renshaw,  Command- 
ant, December  — .   1824,  to  May  25,  1825. 

Commodore  James  Barron,  Commandant,  May  25, 
1825,  to  May  26,  1831. 

Commodore  Lewis  Warrington,  Commandant,  May 
26,   183 1,  to  October  7,   1840. 

Commodore  W.  B.  Shubrick.  Commandant,  October 
— ,   1840,  to  October  — ,   1843. 

Commodore  Jesse  Wilkinson.  Commandant,  Octo- 
ber — .  1843.  to  June  I.  1847. 

Commodore  Laurence  Kearney,  Commandant,  June 
I,    1847,   to  January   19.    1848. 

Commodore  John  D.  Sloat,  Commandant,  January 
19,  1848,  to  February  17.   1851. 

Capt.  Silas  H.  Stringham.  Commandant,  February 
17,    1851,  to   April    I.   1852. 

Capt.  Samuel  Breese,  Commandant,  April  i,  1852, 
to  May  10,   1855. 

Commodore  Isaac  McKeeyer,  Commandant,  May 
10,  1855,  to  April  I,  1856. 

Capt.  Thomas  A.  Dornin.  Commandant,  May  6, 
1856,  to   April  30.   1859. 

Capt.  Charles  H.  Bell,  Commandant,  April  30,  1859, 
to  August  I,   i860. 

Commodore  Charles  S.  McCauley,  Commandant, 
August   I,   i860,  to   April   21,    1861. 

Capt.   Robert   B.    Pegram,   Commandant,   April   21, 

1861,  to   April   22.    1861    (Virginia    Navy). 

Capt.  French  Forrest.  Commandant,  April  22,  1861, 
to   April  — .    1862    (Confederate   States    Navy). 

Capt.    Sidney   Smith   Lee,    Commandant,   April  — , 

1862,  to  May  10.  1862   (Confederate  States  Navy). 
Capt.  John   W.   Livingston,   Commandant,  May  20, 

1862,    to   November    16,    1864. 

Capt.  John  M.  Berrien.  Commandant,  November 
I,,  1864.  to  October  7.  1865. 

.    Commodore     Robert     B.    Hitchcock,    Commandant, 
October  31,   1865,  to  August  7,   1866. 

Rear-Admiral  S.  C.  Rowan,  Commandant,  August 
7,  1866,  to  July  23,  1867. 

Commodore  A.  H.  Kilty,  Commandant,  August  15, 
1867,  to  October  I,  1870. 

Rear-Admiral  Charles  H.  Davis,  Commandant,  Oc- 
tober  I.   1870,  to  July   I,   1873. 

Commodore  T.  H.  Stevens.  Commandant.  July  i, 
1873,   to  July   I,   1876. 

Commodore  J.  B.  Crcighton,  Commandant,  July  I, 
1876,   to  July  I,   1879. 

Commodore  A.  K.  Hughes.  Commandant,  July  i, 
1879.  to  July  3.  1882. 

Capt.  W.  K.  Mayo.  Commandant,  July  3,  1S82,  to 
April  10,  1885. 

Commodore  W.  T.  Truxton.  Commandant,  April 
10,   1885,  to  March   11.   1886. 

Capt.  George  Brown.  Commandant,  March  11,  1886, 
to  December  31,  1889. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


487 


Commodore  A.  W.  Weaver,  Commandant,  January 
14,  1890,  to  January  16.  1893. 

Capt.  E.  E.  Potter,  Commandant,  January  16,  1893, 
to  July  29,  1893. 

Commodore  George  Brown.  Commandant,  July  29, 
1893,  to  June  I,  1897. 


Capt.  N.  H.  Farquhar,  Commandant,  June  i,  1897, 
to  September  30.   1899. 

Capt.  A.  S.  Barker.  Commandant.  October  5.  1899, 
to  July   16,   1900. 

Rear-.-\dmiral  C.  S.  Cotton.  Commandant,  July  16, 
1900. 


CHAPTER.  XXVIII 


SKETCHES  OF  SOME  OF  THE  PROMINENT  MEN  WHO  HAVE  PASSED  AWAY 

Capt.  Adam  Thorogood  — Commodore  Richard  Dale — Commodore  James  Barron — Hon. 
Littleton  W.  Tazewell — Commodore  Thomas  Alovsius  Dornin — Charles  Reid 
^Hl'gh  Blair  Grigsby,  LL.  D. — Gen.  Richard  Lucian  Page  — Capt.  Robert 
Baker  Pegram — Capt.  Charles  Fenton  Mercer  Spottswood — Capt.  James  Wal- 
lace Cooke — Hon.  George  Blow — Capt.  John  Jclits  Guthrie — Capt.  Carter 
Braxton  Poindexter — Col.  William  White— Capt.  William  H.  Murdaugh — 
Lieut.  Dulany  A.  Forrest — Capt.  James  Barron  Hope— Capt.  William  C. 
Wheeler — Naval  Constructor  George  R.  Boush — Capt.  Walter  R.  Butt — 
Lieut. -Col.  William  Frederick  Niemeyer — Naval  Constructor  Samuel  Wilson 
Armistead. 


CAPT.    ADAM    thorogood. 

One  of  the  first  settlers,  was  the  wealthiest 
and  most  prominent  citizens  of  his  day  in 
Lower'  Norfolk  County.  He  belonged  to^  a 
good  family  in  England  and  was  the  youngest 
brother  of  Sir  John  Thorogood,  Knight.  At 
the  age  of  19  in  162 1,  he  left  his  home  and 
crossed  the  ocean  to  seek  his  fortune  in  Vir- 
ginia, leaving  his  sweetheart  behind  him.  He 
settled  in  Elizabeth  City  Shire.  He  was  a 
landed  proprietor  in  Elizabeth  City  County  in 
1626  and  returned  to  England  to  marry  his 
affiance.  Upon  the  occasion  of  their  marriage 
his  brother,  Sir  John,  gave  the  bride  two  hand- 
some silver  bowls  as  a  bridal  present,  which 
afterward  became  subjects  of  litigation  in  Vir- 
ginia. After  the  death  of  Captain  Thorogood, 
one  of  the  appraisers  of  his  estate  insisted  that 
they  be  returned  with  his  personal  property, 
but  the  widow  claimed  them  and  the  Governor 
and  Council  at  James  City,  to  whom  the  con- 
tention was  referred,  decided    in    her    favor. 


Captain  Thorogood  represented  Elizabeth  City 
County  in  the  House  of  Burgesses  at  the  ses- 
sions of  1629,  1630  and  1632,  and  in  1635  lo- 
cated a  patent  for  600  acres  of  land  on  the 
Lynnhaven  River  and  removed  there.  He  was 
commander  of  the  county  in  1637  and  first  pre- 
siding officer  of  the  County  Court.  He  was 
the  only  owner  of  horses  in  the  county  for  sev- 
eral years  probably  the  first  owner  of  slaves. 
From  an  inventory  of  his  estate  it  appears  that 
he  had  on  his  'JLynnhaven  plantation  seven 
head  of  horses,  94  head  of  cattle  and  140 
"goates." 

On  one  occasion  when  he  paid  a  visit  to  his 
neighbor,  Capt.  Thomas  ^^'illoughby,  he  re- 
quested the  servants  to  give  his  horses  a  feed 
of  corn ;  they  told  him  it  was  a  shame  to  give 
horses  corn  when  they  themselves  might  need 
it  before  the  next  crop.  He  promised  tO'  return 
the  corn  the  horses  consumed  and  that  satis- 
fied the  servants.  Just  outside  the  bounds  of 
Captain  Thorogood's  plantation  was  a  small 
cove  called  Oyster  Creek  with  beds  of  delight- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


489 


ful  bivalves.  They  were  on  aiidtlier  man's 
demesne  but  the  Captain  claimed  the  rigiit  to 
take  them.  He  thought  that  "as  commander 
of  the  county  he  was  entitled  to  more  priv- 
ileges than  other  jieople,"  as  he  wanted  the 
oysters  "to  send  an  occasional  dish  to  Sir  John 
Harvie."  who  was  Governor  of  the  colony,  and 
he  contested  the  right  of  the  owner  to  interfere 
with  him.  He  was  not  sustained,  which 
showed  that  there  was  law  even  in  that  day 
for  the  lowly  as  well  as  the  rich  and  high- 
born citizen.  This  was  tlie  first  oyster  war  in 
America.  Captain  Tliorogoud  died  in  the  be- 
ginning of  1640,  the  owner  of  nearly  7,000 
acres  of  land.  His  widow,  within  less  than  a 
year,  married  John  Gookin. 

CO.M.MODOKE   RICH.XRD   D.\LE. 

The  familv  of  Dale  was  one  of  the  ancient 
and  respected  families  of  Norfolk  County.  The 
homestead  of  the  Dale  family  was  on  Swim- 
ming Point,  now  embraced  in  the  limits  of  the 
city  of  Portsmouth.  Commodore  Richard 
Dale  was  born  in  this  county  in  the  year  1756. 
The  County  Court  records  show  that  on  the 
19th  day  of  February,  1773, — "Richard  Dale 
this  day  came  into  Court  and  chose  Isaac  Luke 
his  guardian."  It  appears  that  at  the  early  age 
of  12  years  he  decided  to  l^e  a  seaman  and  fol- 
lowed that  life  until  he  retired  from  the  navy. 
He  was  five  times  taken  prisoner  l)y  the  British 
during  the  Revolution.  He  was  in  Mill  Prison 
at  Liveqiool.  l)ut  escaped,  and  was  seized  by 
a  press-gang,  carried  back,  and  thrown  into  a 
noisome  dungeon  for  40  days.  Being  released, 
he  was  again  thrown  into  the  Black  Hole  for 
singing  rebellious  songs.  .Again  escaping,  he 
fled  to  France,  and  was  appointed  ist  lieuten- 
ant in  the  "Bon  Homme  Richard."  in  the  fleet 
of  John  Paul  Jones,  which  spread  such  terror 
along  the  Western  Coast  of  Scotland.  In  the 
desperate  action  with  the  "Serapis."  he  dis- 
tinguished himself,  and  was  wouncletl  in  the 
'head.  Being  appointed  captain  of  an  armed 
merchantman  in  the  American  service,  he  con- 


timied  to  command  her  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
In  1794  he  was  matle  captain  in  the  United 
States  Navy;  and  in  1801  he  commanded  the 
Mediterranean  Squadron.  He  retired  in  1802 
to  private  life,  antl  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
days  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  died  in  1826, 
aged  70  years,  loved  and  honored  by  all  who 
knew  him. 

The  will  of  W'ingtield  Dale  of  Port.smouth 
Parish,  dated  October  7,  1766,  is  recorded  in 
the  County  Court  of  Norfolk  County  : 

"Item.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son,  Richard 
Dale,  at  the  marriage  of  my  above-mentioned  wife,  one 
negro  man  Pero  to  him  anid  his  heirs  forever,  also  my 
cane  and  silver  shoe  liuckles." 

I 

'  After  certain  other  legacies  he  directed  the 
remainder  of  his  property  to  be  sold  and  one- 
third  of  proceeds  to  be  paid  to  his  wife  Ann 
Dale, — the  balance  to  be  equally  divided  be- 
tween his  children  Richard,  Elizabeth,  David, 
Sarah,  "and  a  child  not  yet  born." 

COMMODORE    J.AMES    B.VRRON 

Was  born  September  15.  1768,  in  Hampton, 
Virginia,  and  died  .\pril  21.  1831,  at  his  home 
in  Norfolk.  Virginia.  He  went  to  sea  early  in 
life  and  served  with  his  father  in  the  marine 
service  of  Virginia,  commanding  the  "Patriot." 
He  entered  the  U.  S.  Navy  as  lieutenant  March 
9,  1798,  and  cruised  under  Barry  in  the  "Uni- 
ted States"  in  the  West  Indies  and  afterwards 
to  France. 

He  was  promoted  to  captain  May  22,  1799, 
and  commanded  the  44-gun  ship  "President" 
in  Dale's  squadron  in  the  expedition  to  Tripoli, 
and  was  transferred  in  1802  to  the  36-gun 
ship  "New  York,"  of  Morris'  squadron  and 
afterward  to  the  "Chesapeake,"  38  guns,  and 
returned  home  in  her.  He  went  to  the  Med- 
iterranean in  the  "Essex,"  2>^  guns,  under  the 
flag  of  his  brother  Samuel  Barron  and  was 
again  put  in  command  of  the  "President"  in 
1805.  He  was  the  sixth  captain  on  the  new 
navy  list  and  on  returning  home  in  1806  he 
was  given  command  of  the  "Chesapeake"  and 


490 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


hoisted  a  broad  pennant  on  her  in  June,  1807. 
He  put  to  sea  on  June  22nd  and  was  followed 
out  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay  by  the  "Leopard"  of 

50  guns,  an  English  frigate,  and,  while  unpre- 
pared to  fight,  was  fired  into  from  that  ship, 
after  some  parley  concerning  search,  and  com- 
pelled to  surrender,  having  been  wounded.  He 
was  tried  on  several  charges,  found  guilty  of 
two  and  suspended  from  rank  and  pay  for  five 
years  until  1813.  During  the  period  of  his 
suspension  he  was  absent  from  the  United 
States,  and  on  his  return  became  involved  in  a 
controversy  with  Commodore  Stephen  Deca- 
tur, a  commissioner  of  the  navy,  who  opposed 
Barron's  having  a  command,  and  killed  that 
officer  in  a  duel  at  Bladensburg  on  ^larch  22, 
1820.  himself  being  seriously  wounded.  He 
resided  in  Norfolk  until  1825,  commanded  the 
Philadelphia  Xavy  Yard,  1825-27;  Gosport 
Navy  Yard,  1827-32 :  Philadelphia  Navy 
Yard.  1833-37:  on  waiting  orders,  1838-42. 
He  became  the  senior  officer  of  the  navy  in 
1839.  continued  on  waiting  orders  until  his 
death,  having  been  in  the  navy  ^^  years.  Com- 
modore Barron  in  the  latter  nart  of  his  life 
built  a  large  house  on  the  left  side  of  Fen- 
church  street,  Norfolk,  immediately  opposite  to 
Falkland  street,  and  resided  there  until  his 
death.  In  person  he  was  a  very  commanding 
figure  with  a  fine  appearance:  but  was  near- 
sighted. When  Commodore  Barron  fought 
the  unfortunate  duel  at  Bladensburg  he  was 

51  years  old  and  Decatur,  who  died  on  the  day 
he  was  shot,  was  41  years  old.  Commodore 
Barron's  tomb  is  in  Trinity  Churchyard.  Ports- 
mouth.* 

HOX.   LITTLETON   W.  T.\ZEWELL, 

Of  Norfolk,  was  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  of  Virginia  from   1796  to  1800,  a 

*Another  tomb  'n  Trinity  Churchyard  is  that  of  an 
English  officer,  who  was  killed  in  a  duel;  the  inscrip- 
tion reads:  "Edward  Ottley,  Esq.,  Lieut,  in  His  Brit- 
tanic  Majesty's  Royal  Navy.  \vho  was  killed  in  a  duel 
October  28.  1806.  aged  =6  years." 


Congressman  from  1800  to  1801.  He  was  ap- 
pointed a  commissioner  to  Spain  in  18 19,  un- 
der the  treaty  for  the  purchase  of  Florida.  He 
represented  Virginia  in  the  United  States  Sen- 
ate as  a  Democrat  from  1825  to  1833.  He  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  convention  to  re- 
vise the  \'irginia  Constitution  in  1829,  and 
was  Governor  of  Virginia  from  1834  to  1836. 
In  1840  he  received  11  electoral  votes  for  Vice- 
president  of  the  United  States.  He  was  born 
December  17,  1774,  and  died  ^lay  6,  i860. 

C.\PT.    HUGH    N.    PAGE 

^^'as  born  in  \'irginia  in  the  year  1788,  and 
a  large  share  of  his  long  and  useful  life  was 
spent  in  Portsmouth. 

He  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of 
Lake  Erie  with  Perry,  and  in  many  subsequent 
engagements.  In  so  many  ways  did  he  prove 
his  bravery  and  his  ability  that  he  won  for 
himself  the  plaudits  of  a  nation,  and  Congress 
presented  him  with  a  sword  soon  after  the 
battle  of  Lake  Erie.  Some  years  later  the 
State  of  Virginia  presented  him  with  another. 
He  died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  84  years,  June  3, 
1 87 1,  loved  and  honored  by  all. 

COMMODORE   THOMAS    .\L0YSIUS   DORNIN. 

On  April  22,  1874,  Commodore  Thomas 
Aloysius  Dornin,  a  citizen  of  Norfolk,  died  in 
the  74th  year  of  his  age  in  Savannah,  Georgia. 
He  entered  the  United  States  Navy  as  midship- 
man in  1815  from  the  State  of  RIaryland.  In 
1856  he  was  made  commandant  of  the  Gosport 
Navy  Yard  and  remained  three  years.  He  was 
next  in  command  of  the  "San  Jacinto"'  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  where  he  remained  until  the 
Confederate  \Var  began,  when  he  was  ordered 
home  in  command  of  the  "Constellation"  and 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  naval  sta- 
tion at  Baltimore,  where  he  remained  during 
the  entire  war.  Commodore  Dornin  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  his  father  was  exiled  in 
1803  on  account  of  his  friendship  for  Robert 
'  Emmett,  the  Irish  patriot. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


491 


CHARLES    REID, 

The  eldest  son  of  George  Keid  and  I'.li/.ahctli 
Taylor,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Forfar.  Scotland, 
on  the  4th  day  of  April,  1800,  and  dying  at 
his  residence.  No.  524  East  Main  street,  Nor- 
folk. \'irginia.  Tuesday  morniiii;;-,  January 
17,  1899.  was  the  last  living  link  in  Norfolk 
County  which  conncxned  the  eighteenth  century 
with  the  nineteenth,  and  the  last  person  who 
had  lived  in  .\orfolk  County  continuously  from 
the  tirst  year  of  the  nineteenth  century.  He 
came  with  his  jjarents  in  i8ox  to  Virginia, 
where  they  settled  tirst  in  Portsmouth,  and 
afterward  in  Norfolk.  His  parents  returned 
to  Scotland  temporarily  in  1816,  and  left  him 
with  his  uncle.  Robert  Soutter,  a  Scotch  mer- 
chant, who  entrusted  him  with  the  settling  of 
his  father's  business.  At  the  age  of  21  years, 
after  he  had  received  the  best  education  to  be 
obtained  in  this  section,  he,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  his  uncle,  Mr.  Soutter,  went  into  the 
grocery  and  commission  business  in  Water 
street,  near  Commercial  Place.  On  the  17th 
day  of  March.  1825,  he  married  Lucretia  Nash 
of  Portsmouth,  who  died  in  1868.  A  short 
time  after  his  marriage  he  formed  a  partner- 
sliip  with  his  brother  George,  and  did  business 
on  Commercial  Row,  near  the  ferrv  wharf. 
The  firm  prospered,  and  for  fifteen  years  they 
transacted  a  large  commission  and  stave  ex- 
porting business.  George  then  withdrew  from 
the  firm  and  Charles  retired  from  the  grocery 
business  and  with  Robert  Soutter,  Jr.,  estab- 
lished the  stave  exporting  commission  and 
guano  Ijusiness  on  Nivison's  wharf  under  the 
name  of  Reid  &  Soutter,  and  continued  the 
business  until  Mr.  Soutter  withdrew  to  accept 
a  position  in  New  York,  .\fter  the  close  of  the 
Confederate  War  he  "associated  with  himself 
his  two  sons,  George  C.  and  James  T.  S.  Reid, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Charles  Reid  &  Sons," 
and  was  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  was  for  a  number  of 
vears   magistrate,    chairman   of   the   Common 


Council,  president  of  the  School  Board,  a  mem- 
ber and  president  of  the  Board  of  Harbor  Com- 
missioners, president  of  the  Norfolk  Savings 
Institution,  director  of  the  old  Farmers'  Bank 
of  Virginia,  and  a  member  of  the  Ix^ard  of 
directors  of  the  Marine  Bank.  He  was  for 
many  years  a  leailing  member  and  treasurer  of 
the  First  Presb\terian  Church  of  Norfolk,  also 
vice-president  of  the  Seamen's  Friend  Society, 
For  many  years  past  he  made  it  a  custom  to 
have  a  family  reunion  on  his  birthday.  He 
was  the  father  of  eight  children  (one  dead  at 
the  time  of  his  death),  and  he  left  108  descend- 
ants, children,  grandchildren  and  great-grand- 
children; of  whom  44  were  grandchildren  and 
57  great-grandchildren. 

— Prom  L.  N.  C.  Antiquary. 
HUGH  BL.MR  GRIGSBV,  LL.  D., 

\\'as  born  in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  on 
November  22,  1806,  and  died  at  his  country 
seat  '"Edgehill,"  Charlotte  Countv,  Virginia, 
April  28,  X 88 1. 

He  was  the  son  of  Benjamin  Grigsby,  who 
was  born  in  Orange  County,  Virginia,  Sep- 
tember 18,  1770,  and  was  a  pupil  of  Rev.  Will- 
iam Graham,  at  old  Liberty  Hall  Academy, 
the  precursor  of  the  present  Washington  and 
Lee  University.  Among  his  fellow  students 
was  Archibald  Alexander,  the  .subsequently 
eminent  divine,  who  was  his  companion  when 
in  early  manhood  they  sought  their  life  work 
in  a  horseback  journey  to  Southside,  Virginia. 

I  Leaving  his  companion  in  Petersburg,  Grigsby, 

!  "with  his  sole  personal  possessions  in  a  pair  of 
saddle-bags,"   continued    his    solitary   ride  to 

,  Norfolk  where  he  located,  and  was  the  first 
pastor  of  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 

1  borough.  Here  he  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Hugh  and  Lilias  (Blair)  McPherson, 
and  providentiallv  and  faith  full  v  la1;)ored  until, 
as  is  recorded  on  the  handsome  marble  obelisk 
erected  to  his  memory  in  Trinity  Churchyard, 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  "in  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  his  calling,  he  fell  a  martyr  to  yellow 


492 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fever  on  the  6th  of  October.  1810."  His  widow- 
married,  secondly,  January  16,  1817,  Dr.  Na- 
tlian  Colgate  Whitehead  who.  although  edu- 
cated as  a  physician,  relinquished  practice  and 
was  for  27  years  the  honored  president  of  the 
Farmers'  Bank  of  Virginia,  in  Norfolk.  He 
died  in  1856.  Hon.  John  B.  Whitehead,  ex- 
mayor  of  Norfolk,  is  the  issue  of  this  mar- 
riage. 

Hugh  Blair  Grigsby  left  two  children : 
Hugh  Carrington.  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  13,  1857.  and  Alary  Blair, 
born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia.  July  9.  1861,  who 
married  December  i,  1882.  ^^■.  R.  Gait,  Pay- 
master United  States  Navy,  son  of  Prof.  W. 
R.  Gait  of  Norfolk  and  nephew  of  Alexander 
Gait,  the  sculptor. 

Hugh  Blair  Grigsbv  was  a  member  of  the 
Virginia  Con\-entiou.  1829-30.  president  of  the 
Virginia  Historical  Societv  and  chancellor  of 
William  and  Mary  College. 

GEN.   RICHARD  LUCI.-\N    P.\GE 

Died  August  9.  1901.  He  was  the  most  con- 
spicuous figure  in  Norfolk.  He  had  won  dis- 
tinction in  the  old  navy  and  had  alsO'  achieved 
high  honors  in  the  Confederate  Army.  In 
personal  appearance  General  Page  was  tall  and 
commanding  and  for  many  years  his  resem- 
blance to  his  illustrious  kinsman.  Gen.  Robert 
E.  Lee.  was  subject  of  remark  by  those  who 
were  familiar  with  the  personality  of  the  two 
soldiers. 

While  General  Page  was  a  man  of  great 
dignity,  and  in  a  marked  degree,  "a  gentle- 
man of  the  Old  School,"  he  was  always  urbane 
and  considerate  in  manner  and  never  lost  his 
interest  and  sympathy  for  the  young.  This 
beautiful  trait  of  his  character  especially  e:v 
deared  him  to  young  people.  This  characteris- 
tic led  him  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  matters 
of  educating  and  training  the  young.  For 
four  years  he  was  superintendent  of  the  public 
schools  of  Norfolk,  and  although  it  had  been 


many  years  since  he  retired  from  that  position, 
he  took  an  active  interest  in  public-school  edu- 
cation, even  after  he  had  arrived  at  an  age 
when  the  majority  of  men  can  no  longer  find 
pleasure  in  public  affairs. 

General  Page  was  an  earnest  and  consistent 
member  of  the  church,  ami  for  many  years  was 
the  senior  warden  of  Christ  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  of  Norfolk,  and  to  the  end  of  his 
life  was  a  regular  attendant  upijn  the  church 
services. 

General  Page,  who^  had  gained  renown  for 
his  distinguished  service  in  the  naval  and  mili- 
tary annals  of  the  Confederate  States,  was  born 
in  Clarke  County,  Virginia,  in  1807,  and  was 
in  his  94th  year  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  John  Page,  who  came  to 
Virginia  from  England  in  the  early  days.  Gen- 
eral Page  was  a  son  of  William  Byrd  and  Anne 
Page  and  the  grandson  of  Henry  Lee.  the 
father  of  Gen.  Henrv  Lee,  the  famous  "Light- 
horse  Harry,"  who  was  the  father  of  Gen. 
Robert  E.  Lee. 

He  entered  the  Lfnited  States  Navy  as  a 
midshipman  in  1824,  serving  on  the  sloop-of- 
war  "John  Adams,"  of  the  West  India  Squad- 
ron, under  Coimilodore  Porter,  with  whom 
he  made  two  cruises.  In  1825  he  was 
transferred  to  the  frigate  "Brandywine"  under 
Commodore  Morris  and  helped  to  carry  Gen- 
eral La  Fayette  back  to  France.  From  1842  to 
1843  '''6  ^^''is  ordnance  officer  at  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard.  Afterward  he  acted  as  executive 
officer  and  lieutenant  commander  of  the  frigate 
"Independence."  flagship  of  Commodiire  Shu- 
brick  during  the  Mexican  War. 

Following  this  war,  he  returned  to  the  Nor- 
folk Navy  Yard  and  did  ordnance  duty  for 
two  years.  From  1852  to  1854  he  served  with 
the  African  Squadron,  after  which  he  was  pro- 
moted to  commander  in  September.  18^5  :  then 
he  returned  to  ordnance  duty  at  the  Navy 
Yard,  and  became  a  member  of  the  Retiring 
Board.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate 
War.  he  was  on  duty  at  the  Navy  Yard  here 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


493 


to  wliich  lie  had  Ijeen  recalled  a  year  previous, 
and  on  the  secesion  of  Virginia,  he  resigned 
his  rank  and  office  and  was  appointed  aide-de- 
camp to  Governor  Letcher  with  special  duties 
in  the  organization  of  the  State  Xavy. 

He  superintended  the  erection  of  the  forti- 
fications at  the  mouth  of  the  James  River  and 
those  on  the  Xansemond  River  and  Pagan 
Creek.  Until  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk,  he 
served  as  ordnance  officer  at  the  Navy  Yard, 
then,  Ijeing  promoted  from  commander  to  cap- 
tain, estahlished  the  ordnance  and  construction 
depot  at  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  where  he 
remained.  March  i.  1864.  he  was  commis- 
sioned brigadier  general  in  the  Provisional 
Army,  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
outer  defenses  of  Mobile  Bay.  He  established 
his  headquarters  at  Fort  Morgan,  where  he 
was  summoned  to  surrender  by  Farragut's 
flag-lieutenant  and  General  Granger's  chief- 
of-staft". 

In  the  face  of  overwhelming  odds,  he  gal- 
lantly replied  that  he  would  defend  the  post  to 
the  last  extremity.  For  the  next  two-  weeks  the 
fight  was  waged  in  a  desultory  way  both  day 
and  night,  and  on  the  morning  of  August,  the 
22nd.  a  furious  bombardment  began,  over 
3,000  shells  being  thrown  into  the  fort  during 
12  hours,  but  General  Page  and  his  iieroic  men 
kept  up  the  fight  with  all  their  power.  The  cit- 
adel of  tlie  fort  took  fire  at  9  o'clock  at  night 
and  the  walls  were  repeatedly  Ijreached  by  the 
enemy's  shells  and  his  best  guns  were  disabled. 

On  the  following  morning,  after  spiking  all 
serviceable  guns  and  throwing  all  the  remain- 
ing powder  overboard,  the  General  capitulated 
with  full  honors  of  war. 

Tlie  defense  of  Fort  Morgan  under  the 
command  of  General  Page  is  one  of  the  most 
celebrated  instances  of  heroism  in  the  history 
of  the  war.  After  the  capitulation  he  was 
held  as  a  ]irisoner  of  war  until  September, 
1865,  and  while  in  prison  he  was  mistaken  for 
Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee  bv  the  enemv. 


C.\PT.    ROBERT    li.VKF.R    PKOR.VM, 

Of  Norfolk,  died  on  the  25th  of  October,  1894, 
He  was  born  in  Dinwiddle  Countv,  Virafinia, 
December  10,  181 1,  and  at  the  age  of  18  vears 
entered  the  United  States  Navy  as  a  midship- 
man on  the  sloop-of-war  "Boston."  He  was 
made  passed-midshipman  and  ordered  to  the 
"John  Adams"  in  1835  and  in  1840  was  as- 
signed to  the  Naval  01)ser\atory  in  Washing- 
ton. He  was  promoted  to  lieutenant  in  1841 
and  served  on  the  "Saratoga"  from  1841  until 
the  close  of  the  Mexican  war.  By  his  gallant 
conduct  in  the  attack  on  a  fiotilla  of  pirates  on 
August  4,  1855,  at  Hong  Kong  with  Captain 
Fellows  of  the  British  Na\-v  he  recei\-ed  the 
thanks  of  the  British  government  and  the 
State  of  Virginia  presented  him  with  a  sword 
inscribed:  ".A.  mother's  gift  to  her  devoted 
son."  Lieutenant  Pegram  served  at  the  Nor- 
folk Xavy  Yard  from  1856  to  1858,  after- 
ward on  the  "\\''ater  Witch"  and  "Bibb." 
While  attached  to  the  "Bil)b,"  \'irginia  passed 
the  ordinance  of  secession  and  he  immediately 
resigned  his  commission  in  the  L^nited  States 
Xavy.  He  w  as  made  a  captain  in  the  \'irginia 
Xavy.  He  served  the  Confederacy  and  at  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  on  duty  in  Europe. 
He  returned  home,  was  made  a  railroad  su- 
perintendent, and  afterwanl  general  agent  of 
a  life  insurance  companv. 

C.\PT.    CH.\RLES    FEXTON    MERCER    SPOTTSWOOD 

Died  in  Xorfolk  on  the  6th  day  of  August, 
1892,  in  the  80th  year  of  his  age.  He  entered 
the  United  States  Xavy  away  back  in  the 
"twenties"  and  while  serving  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean Sea  married  a  Spanish  lady — Miss 
Aquimbau — at  Port  Mahon,  Island  of  Min- 
orca. He  was  stationed  at  the  Gosjxirt  Xa\-y 
Yard  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Confederate 
War  and  was  on  duty  there  after  he  entered  the 
Confederate  service.     He  was  on  duty   for  a 


494 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


considerable  time  in  connection  with  the  ord- 
nance work  at  Charlotte,  North  Carolina. 

Captain  Spottswood  was  a  man  of  sterling 
character  and  of  a  retiring  disposition.  He 
was  a  native  Virginian  and  spent  much  of  his 
life  in  Xorfolk.  where  he  was  held  in  the  high- 
est esteem. 

CAPT.    J.\MES    WALLACE    COOKE 

Was  born  in  the  year  1812.  In  1828,  at  the 
age  of  16.  he  was  appointed  a  midshipman  in 
the  United  States  Xavy,  and  immediately  re- 
ceived orders  to  join  the  frigate  "Giierriere." 
In  1834  he  passed  his  examination.  He  soon 
rose  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  and  served  with 
honor  in  that  capacity  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war.  When  the  Southern  States  se- 
ceded Captain  Cooke  resigned  his  position  in 
the  old  navy  and  entered  the  Confederate 
Navy.  By  his  activity  and  bravery  he  soon 
rose  tO'  the  rank  of  commander,  and  before  the 
close  of  the  war  to  that  of  commodore,  for  val- 
uable service  rendered  the  government  while 
in  command  of  the  ''Albermarle."  His  achieve- 
ments with  her  is  one  of  the  brightest  pages  in 
history.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  re- 
turned to  Portsmouth,  where  he  died  in  Tune. 
1869. 

HON.     GEORGE    BLOW 

Died  on  the  2nd  of  May,  1894.  He  was  born 
in  Sussex  County,  Virginia,  on  the  15th  of 
May,  1813,  and  at  the  age  of  seven  removed  to 
Norfolk  with  his  grandmother.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  William  and  Mary  College  and  took 
a  law  course  at  the  University  of  Virginia. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Norfolk  bar  in  1833, 
where  he  practiced  law  until  1840,  when  he 
removed  to  Texas  and  was  elected  lo  the  con- 
gress of  that  republic  in  1841.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term,  he  returned  to  Norfolk,  where 
he  remained  until  his  death.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Sovereign  Convention  of  Virginia 
in  i860,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  Confeder- 


ate War  was  made  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
41st  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  but  resigned 
when  his  troops  were  turned  over  to  the  Con- 
federate States.  After  the  war,  in  1870,  he 
was  elected  judge  of  the  First  Judicial  District 
Court  and  sen-ed  two  terms.  He  was  an  able, 
upright  and  just  judge,  and  retired  with  the 
entire  respect  of  the  bar. 

C.\PT.    JOHN   JULIUS   GUTHRIEj 

Of  Portsmouth,  who  was  one  of  our  naval  he- 
roes, lost  his  life  in  endeavoring  to  rescue  the 
men  from  the  U.  S.  S.  "Huron,"  which  was 
lost  off  the  coast  of  North  Carolina  Novem- 
ber 25,  1877.  ^^  entered  the  navy  as  a  mid- 
shipman in  1834;  he  went  with  the  South  at 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Confederate  War  and 
served  with  courage  and  honor  all  through  the 
four  years.  After  the  war  he  was  made  su- 
perintendent of  the  life-saving  service  of  this 
district  and  sacrificed  his  life  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duty.  He  married  Louisa  S.  Spratley, 
of  Portsmouth.  His  honored,  career  in  the 
navy  is  being  continued,  as  it  were,  in  the  per- 
son of  his  son.  Dr.  Joseph  A.  Guthrie,  who  is 
a  surgeon  in  the  U.  S.  Navy.  Captain  Guthrie 
was  born  in  Washington,  North  Carolina, 
April  15,  181 5. 

CAPT.    C.\RTER    BR.\XTON    POINDEXTER 

Died  in  February,  1893,  when  he  was  nearly 
yy  years  of  age.  He  was  in  the  United  States 
Navy  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Confederate 
War  and  resigned  to  enter  the  service  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  served  gallantly  in  the  Confederate 
Navy  and  had  attained  the  rank  of  captain  be- 
fore the  close  of  the  war:  He  lived  and  died 
a  true  Southerner  in  heart. 

COL.    WILLIAM   WHITE 

Died  on  the  22nd  of  June,  1894,  at  the  age  of 
'/2  years.  He  was  born  in  Xorfolk  County, 
was  a  student  at  Yale  College,  graduated  in 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


495 


medicine  at  Ricliiniuul  and  Philadelphia  and 
for  years  practiced  liis  i)r(ifessii)n  at  Deep 
Creek.  He  was  a  stanch  old  line  Whi.ef.  He 
represented  Portsmouth  and  Xnrfolk  C<iunty 
in  the  Virginia  State  Convention  in  1861,  and 
there  vigorously  opjiosed  the  secession  of  his 
State.  But  immediately  on  the  passage  of 
the  ordinance  of  secession  he  tendered  his  ser- 
vices to  Governor  Letcher  and  was  appointed 
a  major  in  the  State  forces.  He  served  suc- 
cessively in  the  14th  Regiment.  Virginia  In- 
fantry, as  major,  lieutenant-colonel  and  after 
the  death  of  the  gallant  Colonel  Hodges,  at 
Gettysburg,  was  [jromoted  to  colonel.  Pie  re- 
ceived a  severe  wound  at  Ciettysburg,  where  he 
beliaved  with  distinguished  gallantry.  He  was 
a  man  noted  for  vigor  of  intellect  and  great 
force  (if  character. 

L".M'T.  WII.I.IA.M    11.  MrRD.\l"GH 

Was  born  in  the  citv  oi  I^)rtsnl<luth  on  the 
7th  of  August.  1827,  and  died  Saturday,  De- 
cember 29,  1 90 1,  in  his  native  city.  In  the 
year  1841  he  was  appointed  a  midshipman  ir 
the  United  States  Navy  by  President  Tyler. 
He  served  through  the  Mexican  \\'ar  on  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Potomac,"  Commodore  Aulie.  In 
the  year  1840  he  served  as  passed  midshipman 
and  master  under  Capt.  Delia ven  in  the  famou? 
Grinnell  Arctic  e.xpeclition  in  search  of  Sir 
John  Franklin,  and  received  the  Victoria  medal 
for  distinguished  services  rendered.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States 
until  the  hostilities  between  the  States  broke 
out  in  w'ar.  Upon  the  secession  of  his  native 
State,  while  holding  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  he 
resigned  from  the  United  States  service  and 
offered  his  sword  to  the  cause  of  the  South. 

He  proceeded  to  Richmond  in  June.  1861. 
and  reported  fm"  duty  and  was  assigned  with 
rank  oi  lieutenant.  His  first  dutv  was  that 
of  making  surveys  in  the  James  River,  estab- 
lishing batteries  and  obstructing  the  channels. 
After  discharging  this  duty  Lieutenant  Alur- 
daugh  was  with  Commodore  Barron  assigned 

29 


to  the  defense  of  North  Carolina,  where  lie 
was  ordered  to  the  command  of  a  \cssel.  but 
before  he  took  command  a  battle  at  I'nrt  I  lat- 
teras  was  fought,  in  which  he  U)(ik  a  consjiic- 
uous  part,  and  was  very  seriously  wounded. 

Being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain,  he 
was,  while  disabled  for  active  duty,  on  ordnance 
duty  at  the  Navy  Yard  here.  He  was  with 
Capt.  French  Forrest  in  the  tug  "Harmony."' 
in  Hampton  Roads,  during  the  two  davs'  light. 

W'lien  it  was  determined  to  evacuate  Nor- 
folk and  Portsmouth,  he  was  sent  to  select  a 
place  for  an  ordnance  depot.  He  selected 
Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  and  his  judgment 
in  such  selection  w-as  signally  vindicated  by 
the  fact  that  the  point  selected  was  never,  until 
the  surrender  in  possession  of  the  eneniw 
From  Charlotte  he  was  ordered  to  command 
the  steamer  "Beaufort,"  on  the  James  River, 
and  afterward  was  sent  abroad  to  purchase 
ortlnance  supplies,  for  which  important  service 
he  was  especially  fitted,  possessing-  adniirabJe 
tact  and  judgment  and  a  high  intelligence.  So 
well  was  this  w'ork  performed  that  it  excited 
liigh  encomiums,  and  he  was  to  have  had  a 
leading  part  in  the  most  important  service,  but 
the  war  came  to  an  end  before  the  plans  were 
matured. 

At  the  clo5e  of  the  war  lie  went  to  South 
America  and  engaged  in  business,  but  returned 
to  Portsmouth  after  a  few  years.  He  was 
for  many,  years  superintendent  of  the  Nor- 
folk County  Ferries.  He  was  appointed  by 
President  C!e\'eland  supervising  inspector  of 
steam  vessels  for  this  district.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Harlxir  Commissioners  for 
many  years  and  was  a  vestryman  of  Trinity 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  30  years. 

LIEV'T.   DUL.VXV   A.    FORREST 

Was  a  Marylander  bv  birth  and  was  commis- 
sioned a  midshipman  in  the  United  States 
Navy  in  1841.  His  fatlier  was  also  in  the 
navy  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Lake 
Erie,  and  was  presented  by  Congress  with  a 


496 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


sword  for  disting-nished  services  rendered 
therein.  Lieutenant  Forrest,  previous  to  his 
entering  the  army,  had  served  in  the  Texan 
Navy  and  subsequently  served  in  the  Mexican 
^^*ar.  On  January  6,  1853,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  tO-  Sarah  Bruce  Butt,  sister  of  Dr. 
H.  F.  Butt,  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia.  Return- 
ing from  a  cruise  to  the  East  Indies  in  1861  on 
the  U.  S.  S.  "Hartford,"  he  (with  other 
Southern  officers)  resigned  his  commission 
and  tendered  his  services  to  the  Confederate 
Navy,  which  were  accepted.  Whilst  in  com- 
mand of  -Fort  St.  Philip,  near  Wilmington, 
North  Carolina,  he  received  a  stroke  of  paraly- 
sis, which  rendered  him  mifit  for  further  ser- 
vice, and  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  in 
Oxford,  North  Carolina,  August  10,  1863. 

CAPT.    J.-VMES    BARRON    HOPE. 

Through  his  maternal  ancestor.  James  Bar- 
ron, the  elder,  who  organized  the  Virginia  Co- 
lonial Navy,  of  which  he  was  commander-in- 
chief  during  the  Revolution,  and  through 
James  Barron,  the  younger,  a  person  of  rank 
and  distinction  in  his  day,  there  came  as  herit- 
age that  unswerving  devotion  tO'  Virginia  for 
which  James  Barron  Hope  was  always  remark- 
able. I  may  say  that  his  very  heayt  throbbed  in 
unison  with  the  heart  of  his  native  State  and 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  South 
he  has  been  declared  "Virginia's  laureate." 
For  though  he  was  many  men  in  one,  he  stood 
chief  as  poet. 

His  father,  a  handsome,  talented  man,  was 
Wilton  Hope,  Esq.,  of  "Bethel,"  Elizabeth 
City  County,  Virginia;  his  mother.  Jane  Bar- 
ron, an'  attractive  gentlewoman  of  the  Old 
School,  warm  and  generous  in  her  feelings  and 
of  quick  and  lively  sympathies.  She  wielded 
a  clever, ready  pen,  and  was  a  personage  in  her 
family.  She  brought  her  son  into  the  world 
on  the  23d  of  March.  1829,  at  the  residence 
of  her  father.  Commodore  James  Barron,  the 
younger,  who  then  commanded  the  Gosport 
Navy  Yard,  and  he  was  not  only  the  child  of 


her  material,  but  also  of  her  spiritual  being, 
closely  knit,  not  onlv  in  mutual  affection,  but 
in  confidence,  in  feeling,  in  tastes  and  aspira- 
tions. 

To  his  grandfather  the  little  namesake  was 
an  object  of  tender  solicitude  (some  of  the  let- 
ters that  passed  between  the  two  are  very 
quaint),  and  it  was  whHe  the  Commodore  was 
in  command  at  Philadelphia  that  his  grand- 
son gained  a  part  of  his  very  early  instruction 
in  Germantown.  His  education  was  continued 
in  Hampton,  Virginia,  at  the  academy,  under 
a  master,  John  B.  Carney,  Esq.,  whom  he  ten- 
derly revered  and  whom  he  held  as  a  beloved 
frien.d,  through  all  his  later  years,  while  July, 
1847,  saw  him  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
A.  B.  from  William  and  Mary  College.  At 
this  ancient  seat  of  learning  originated  the  diffi- 
culties which  finally  led  to  the  duel  between 
himself  and  J.  Pembroke  Jones.  Mr.  Jones  was 
accounted  one  of  the  bravest  and  most  promis- 
ing officers  of  the  navy.  Mr.  Hope  was  an  or- 
nament to  the  law,  the  soul  of  honor,  without 
fear  and  full  of  the  promise  that  his  riper  years 
developed;  both  the  flower  of  Hampton's 
youth,  the  pride  and  promise  of  the  place,  so 
that  the  towH  blazed  up  with  excitement  and 
the  vigilance  of  the  authorities  knew  no  sleep- 
ing. Many,  indeed,  were  the  obstacles  to  be 
overcome  to  bring  the  affair  to  its  culmination. 
But  overcome  they  were  and  the  three  special 
constables  who  arrived  on  the  scene,  just  in 
time  as  they  hoped,  could  do  naught  but  stand 
unwilling  witnesses  to  the  duel  fought  upon 
the  beach  near  Fortress  Monroe,  in  April, 
1849.  Both  fell  dangerously  wounded.  Then 
a  deep  concern  and  anxiety  pervaded  all  classes 
of  the  community,  and  the  steamer  that  brought 
Mr.  Hope  up  from  Old  Point  was  met  at 
Hampton  wharf  by  a  throng  of  friends,  some 
of  whom  bore  his  litter,  while  the  others  es- 
corted it,  and  thus  he  was  carried  to  his  home. 

There  he  fought  with  death  and  conquered 
and  then  became  secretary  to  his  uncle,  Com- 
modore Samuel  Barron,  from  whose  vessel,  the 
"Pennsvlvania,"    he    was    transferred    to    the 


AXD   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


497 


"Cayenne"  ami  in  1S5J.  in  ihat  sloop-of-war, 
made  a  cniise  to  the  \Vest  Indies. 

In  1856  he  was  elected  Commonwealth's 
attorney  of  Elizabeth  City  County,  which  po- 
sition he  held  up  to  the  breaking-  out  of  the 
war.  Already  Mr.  Hope,  as  "Henry  Ellen," 
had  been  reckoned  a  valued  contributor  to 
The  Literary  Mcssciif^cr.  Already  the  South- 
ern press  was  eloquent  in  his  praise  and  he  was 
hailed  "Old  Hampton's  Bard."  The  next  year 
Lippincott  brought  out  "Leoni  di  Monota"  and 
other  poems.  The  volume  was  cordially  no- 
ticed by  the  Southern  critics  of  the  time,  not 
for  its  central  poem  alone,  but  for  several 
of  its  minor  ones  and  for  '"Tlie  Charge  at 
■Balaklava,"  which  G.  P.  R.  James — as  have 
others  since — declared  unsurpassed  by  Tenny- 
son's "Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade." 

When  May  13,  1857.  the  250th  anniversary 
of  the  English  settlement  at  Jamestown,  was 
celebi-ated  he  stood  poet,  as^  also  at  the  base  of 
Crawford's  statue  of  Washington  in  Capitol 
Square,  Richmond,  February  22,  1858;  and  in 
Julv  of  that  same  vear  pronounced  a  poem  be- 
fore the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  society  and  graduat- 
ing classes  of  his  alma  mater.  The  next  year 
these  recited  poems,  with  others  of  a  miscel- 
laneous nature,  were  published.  The  verdict 
was  that  his  promise  was  fulfilling  itself.  The 
majestic  pictures  he  now  threw  upon  his  can- 
vas were  painted  in  fadeless  tints. 

Then  came  the  war  and  at  once  he  cast 
aside  the  pen  for  the  sword.  He  served 
throughout  the  struggle,  attained  the  rank  of 
captain  and  was  paroled  at  the  capitulation  of 
Johnston's  amiy  at  Greensboro,  North  Caro- 
lina. With  his  old  home  in  ashes,  with  shat- 
tered fortunes  and  impaired  health,  he  returned 
to  Virginia  and  took  up  existence  anew  in 
Norfolk.  He  eml)arked  in  journalism  and 
successfully  edited  the  Norfolk  Day-Book,  un- 
der its  Democratic  auspices,  the  Norfolk  Vir- 
ginian and  in  1873.  founded  the  Norfolk 
Lai)uUnark,  of  which  he  was  the  head  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  His  opinions,  based  upon 
principle,   were  his   own.      His   championship 


could  not  be  bought.  His  editorials  were 
original,  versatile  and  brilliant  and  often  shook 
off  prose  to  rise  to  the  beauty  and  dignity,  if 
not  the  actual  measure  of  verse.  I  have  heard 
it  said  that  he  led  the  Democratic  i)ress 
throughout  the  State  and  it  was  especially  in 
the  struggle  between  the  "Founders"  and  the 
"Readjusters"  that  he  showed  himself  most 
vigilant  and  most  sagacious. 

Ill  1880  it  was  warmly  urged  upon  him 
tliat  he  was  the  man  to  unite  the  two  factions; 
but  he  positively  protested  against  and  declined 
the  nomination  for  Congress  in  his  district  and 
advocated  the  renomination  of  Hon.  John 
Goode. 

Journalism  was  not  wholly  congenial  to 
him.  The  relentless  call  for  "copy"  vexed  the 
loftier  fancies  that  surged  through  his  brain. 
His  health  failed  more  and  more,  but  his  was 
the  spirit  of  a  giant  and  often  he  lx)re  a  physi- 
cal agnoy,  well  nigh  past  the  bearing,  with 
a  patience  and  fortitude  wonderful  to  remem- 
ber, and  hid  away  his  pain,  even  from  his  near- 
est friends,  under  a  beautiful  si>licitude  for 
others.  It  was  out  of  this  sufYereing,  out  of  the 
toil  and  distraction  of  his  newspaper  life,  that 
he  had  sent  into  print  (1874)  "Little  Stories 
for  Little  People,"  and  four  years  later,  "Un- 
der the  Empire,  or  the  Story  of  Madelon;" 
that  he  had  written  the  ode  deli\ered  at  the 
unveiling  of  the  monument  raised  to  Annie 
Lee  by  .the  ladies  of  Warren  County,  North 
Carolina;  delivered  a  memorial  ode  in  War- 
renton,  Virginia,  and  recited  another  at  the 
Virginia  ^Military  Institute,  as  also  the  poem  at 
Lynchburg's  celebration  of  its  founding. 

Thus  he  became  closely  linked  with  the 
city  of  his  adoption,  whose  best  interests  he 
promoted  both  by  voice  and  pen.  He  declined 
the  collectorship  of  her  port  because  he  deemed 
that  through  journalism  he  could  better  serve 
her.  As  superintendeilt  of  her  public  schools. 
these  institutions  attained  the  largest  enroll- 
ment of  pupils  and  the  highest  standard  of  ex- 
cellence shown  since  their  opening  in  1857.  He 
was  the  first  president  of  her  first  successful 


498 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


musical  suciety ;  first  commander  of  her  camp 
of  Confederate  veterans,  the  poet  of  her  first 
Memorial  Day  when  she,  as  did  her  sister  city, 
time-honored  and  hospitable  old  Portsmouth, 
upon  a  like  occasion,  called  forth  some  of  the 
jnost  stirring  lines  ever  penned. 

Congress  chose  him  poet  for  the  Yorktown 
celebration  in  1881,  and  his  metrical  address., 
"Arms  and  the  ]\Ian,"  with  various  sonnets 
was  published  the  next  year.  Brilliant  in 
imaginarv  and  glowing  with  color,  the  flower 
of  his  genius,  its  noble  measures  only  revealed 
their  full  beauty  when  they  fell  from  the  lips 
of  him  who  framed  them,  and  it  was  under 
this  pell  that  one  of  those  who  had  thronged 
alx)ut  him  on  the  19th  of  October  cried  out, 
"Now,  I  understand  the  power  bv  which  the 
old  Greek  swayed  the  men  of  their  generation." 

Again  his  State  called  u|K)n  him  to  weave 
among  her  annals  the  laurels  of  his  verse  at 
the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  monument 
erected  in  Richmond  to  Robert  E.  Lee.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  in  October,  1887,  bin  the 
poet's  voice  had  been  stilled  forever.  He  died 
September  15th,  as  he  had  wished  to  die,  "in 
harness,"  and  at  home.  Death  was  kind  in 
that  he  came  swift  and  painless.  His  poem. 
sa^•e  for  the  after  softening  touches,  had  been 
finished  the  previous  dav  and  was  recited  in 
Richmond  by  Capt.  William  Gordon  M'Cabe. 
Many  pronounced  it  his  master-piece  and  its 
strain  now  pathetic,  now  majestic,  again  noble, 
or  tender  or  impassioned,  has  been  called  the 
"Song  of  the  Dying  Swan." 

He  has  been  frecjuently  described  as  "a 
slender,  graceful  man,  with  a  carefully  kept 
beard  and  a  manner  as  coiurtly  as  that  of  Sir 
Roger  de  Coverly,"  words  which,  though 
fitly  apolied,  are  but  as  the  bare  outlines  of  a 
picture,  for  he  was  the  embodiment  of  what 
was  Ijest  in  the  Old  South.  This  courtliness, 
that  like  some  subtle  essence  escapes  descrip- 
tion, gifted  himi  with  a  rare  charm.  There 
was  charm,  too,  in  his  pale  face  which,  in  con- 
versation, flashed  out  of  its  deep  thonghtful- 
ness  into  vivid  anim"t'on.     His  fine  head  was 


crowned  with  soft  hair,  fast  whitening"  before 
its  time.  His  eyes  shone  under  his  broad,  white 
forehead  wise  and  serene,  until  his  fearless 
spirit,  or  his  lofty  enthusiasm  awoke  to  fire 
their  grey  depths.  His  was  a  face  that  women 
trusted  and  little  children  looked  up  into  with 
smiles.  Men  called  him  friend  and  learned  the 
meaning  of  that  name,  and  he  drew  and  linked 
men  to  him  from  all  ranks  and  conditions  of 
life. 

He  was  backward  and  modest  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  his  own  interests,  but  he  spared 
no  pains  when  the  welfare  of  others  was  at 
stake.  In  very  truth  did  he  love  his  fellow 
men — with  greatest  tenderness  those  who  suf- 
fered— and  his  faith  in  God  was  that  of  a  little 
child. 

No  sketch  could  approach  justice  toward 
Captain  Hope  without  at  least  a  brief  review 
of  his  domestic  life;  for  his  relations  with  his 
household  were  peculiarly  beautiful.  In  1857 
he  had  married  Annie  Beverly  Whiting,  of 
Hampton,  Virginia.  Hers  was  the  face  and 
form  to  take  captive  his  poet's  fancy,  and  in 
after  years  he  loved  to  describe  her  to  their  chil- 
dren as  "a  tiny,  fairy-like  creature  whose  loveh- 
face  was  so  animated  and  eves  were  so  bright 
that  she  seemed  to  sparkle  all  over."  She  pos- 
sessed a  character  as  beautiful  as  her  person ; 
a  courage  and  strength  of  w'U  far  out  of  pro- 
portion to  her  dainty  shape,  and  an  intellect 
of  masculine  robustness.  Often  the  poet  availed 
himself  of  his  wife's  nice  discernment;  often 
the  editor  brought  his  work  to  the  table  of  his 
library  that  he  might  labor  with  the  faces 
around  him  that  he  loved,  for  their  union  was 
a  ver\'  congenial  one,  and  when  two  daughters 
came  to  bless  it,  as  husband  and  father.  Cap- 
tain Hope  poured  out  the  treasures  of  his  heart, 
his  mind  and  soul.  To  his  children  he  was  a 
wise  teacher,  a  tender  guide,  an  unfailing 
friend,  the  most  delightful  of  companions.  His 
gentleness  was  that  of  a  woman ;  his  sympatliy 
for  and  his  understanding  of  young  people 
never  aged  and  he  had  a  circle  of  dear  and  fa- 


miliar   friends   of 


aees   that   usuallv 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


499 


gatliere<l  alvxit  Iiim  once  a  week.  There,  be- 
side liis  own  hearth,  his  reaily  wit,  his  kindly 
humor  sparkled  most  brightly,  and  there  flowed 
forth  most  evenly  that  speech  accounted  by 
many  well  worth  the  hearing-.  For  his  was 
also  the  art  of  listeninp-;  he  not  only  led  the 
expression  of  thought,  but  inspired  it  in  others. 
His  own  roof -tree  looked  down  uix)n  J'imes 
Barron  Hoj^e  at  his  best  and  down  ujxjn  a 
home  in  the  sacred  sense  of  the  word,  fnr  he 
touched  with  poetry  the  prose  of  daily  living 
and  left  to  those  who  loved  him  the  blessed 
legacv  of  a  memory  which  death  can  not  take 
from  them. 

I  have  said  that  in  his  early  years  old 
Hampton  claimed  him.  He  l^ecame  the  son  of 
the  city  of  his  adoption  and  sleeps  among  her 
dead. 

C.\PT.  \VILLI.\M  C.  WHEELER. 

Chief  Engineer  William  C.  ^^■heeIer,  who. 
died  August  i6,  1900,  was  a  native  of  Ports- 
mouth. He  entered  the  United  States  Navy 
in  April,  1847,  and  was  in  the  Mexican  War. 
in  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry's  squadron.  He 
served  on  the  coast  survey  and  on  the  Euro- 
pean, West  Indian,  African  and  other  stations, 
and  in  the  expedition  to  Paraguay.  He  was 
on  the  U.  S.  frigate  "San  Jacinto"  at  the  cap- 
ture of  the  British  mail  steamer,  "Trent."  with 
Mason  and  Slidell  on  board.  He  was  chief  en- 
gineer of  the  James  River  flotilla  and  of  the 
fleet  that  went  to  the  relief  of  Washington 
City  when  threatened.  He  also  went  out  from 
New  York  for  the  builders  in  the  Royal  Italian 
iron-clad  steamer.  "King  of  Portugal,"  as  the 
guarantee  chief  engineer.  In  the  revenue  cut- 
ter service  he  was  a  chief  engineer,  having 
srved  as  consulting  and  superintending  engi- 
neer for  ser\-ice  on  the  fleet  afloat  on  the  Great 
Lakes  and  on  the  coast  of  the  United  States. 
He  was  retired  after  a  service  of  nearly  48 
years,  a  veteran  of  two  wars. 

X.W.\L  CONSTRUCTOR  GEORGE  R.    BOUSH,  , 

Of  Portsmouth,  died  in  May.   1893.     ^^  ^^''^ 


apix>inted  assistant  naval  constructor  .\ugust 
5,  1869;  was  made  naval  constructor  March 
I  J.  1875,  and  was  retired  October  22,  1887. 
He  married  Miss  IJilisoly.  of  Portsmouth, 
who  sun-ived  him.  He  was.  several  years 
prior  to  his  a])p()intnient  master  shi])  builder 
in  the  yard,  and  was  well  known  by  the  older 
generation. 

C.\PT.  WALTER  R.   BITT 

Was  born  in  Portsmouth  December  10,  1839. 
At  the  early  age  of  fifteen  he  was  commisioned 
a  midshipman  in  the  United  States  Navy  from 
Washington  Territorv.  During  his  first  cruise 
on  the  U.  S.  S.  "Constellation,"  off  the  coast 
of  Africa,  he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant,  be- 
ing at  that  period  (  1859)  the  youngest  of 
that  grade  in  the  navy.  During  this  cruise  the 
"Constellation"  captured  a  "slaxxr,"  which 
contained  between  GiM)  and  TiH)  Africans,  in- 
tended to  be  sold.  This  vessel  was  regularly, 
with  its  cargo,  delivered  to  the  United  States 
agent  at  Monrovia.  The  Africans  were  lil)er- 
ated  and  the  \'essel  sold  as  a  lawful  prize.  The 
officers  and  seamen  were  entitled  to  a  certain 
percentage  of  this  prize  money,  payment  of 
which  was  refused  by  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment to  the  Southern  officers  and  others, 
who  subsequently  resigned  their  commissions 
in  1861.  Upon  his  return  to  the  United  States 
in  Boston,  believing  his  allegiance  due  his  na- 
tive State,  like  many  oth?r  SoutherMi  officers. 
he  resigned  his  commission,  and  was  tliereupnn 
imprisoned  in  Forts  Lafayette  and  Warren, 
thence  transferred  to  the  L'.  S.  S.  "Congress," 
then  lying  in  Hampton  Roads.  Being  paroled 
and  afterward  exchanged,  he  entered  the  Con- 
federate States  Navy  as  lieutenant  and  was 
ordered  to  the  famous  iron-clad,  "Virginia," 
participating  in  the  two  memorable  engage- 
ments between  that  \essel  and  the  wooden 
fleet  and  "Monitor"  in  Haninton  Roads,  re- 
maining with  the  "X'irginia"  until  the  evacua- 
tion of  Norfolk  and  the  destruction  of  that  ves- 
sel bv  the  Confederate^.     At  tlie  close  of  the 


500 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


war  he  became  a  captain  in  the  Peruvian  Navy 
and  tilled  other  prominent  positions,  visiting 
California,  where  he  remained  in  the  civil  en- 
gineering service  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  26,  1885. 

LIEUT. -COL.    WILLL\M    FREDERICK   XIEMEYER. 

^^'illiam  Frederick  Niemeyer  was  born  in 
the  county  of  Norfolk  tnd  State  of  Virginia, 
on  the  1 2th  day  of  May,  1840,  and  heroically 
met  his  death  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  in 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  on 
the  1 2th  day  of  May,  1864,  his  24th  birthday. 

His  great-grandfather,  Hans  Heinrich  Nie- 
meyer, was  born  at  Hoya,  Germany,  in  1734, 
and  died  in  1806. 

His  grandfather,  John  Christian  Niemeyer, 
was  born  in  1776,  at  Verden,  near  Bremen, 
came  to  America  at  the  age  of  18  years,  and 
in  1813  he  married  Ann  McLean,  his  second 
wife,  the  grandmother  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  at  Moyock,  in  Currituck  Count}',  North 
Carolina. 

His  father,  William  Angus  Niemeyer,  who 
died  February  3,  1900,  was  born  April  28, 
i8i(>.  and  married  Sarah  Howard  Chandler 
(now  living)  on  the  31st  day  of  July,  1839. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph  A.  Chandler,  whO' 
was  on^  of  the  foremost  citizens  and  most  dis- 
tinguished lawyers  of  his  day  in  Tidewater, 
Virginia. 

Col.  Niemeyer  was  the  eldest  of  12  chil- 
dren, three  sisters  and  nine  brothers.  His 
brother,  John  Chandler  Niemeyer,  ist  lieu- 
tenant of  Company  I,  9th  Regiment,  Virginia 
Infantry,  was  killed  m  the  famous  charge  of 
Pickett's  Virginians  at  Gettysburg  on  the  3rd 
day  of  July,  1863. 

William  Frederick  Niemeyer  was  a  prom- 
ising child  with  the  noblest  predilections.  On 
tlie  death  of  his  grandfather  Chandler,  when 
not  quite  eight  vears  old.  he  wrote  the  follow- 
ing tender  and  touching  letter  of  condolence  to 
his  grandmndier : 


April  16,  1.S48. 
iJv   De.vr  Grandm.\: 

I  am  very  sorry  that  grandpa  died,  but  the  Lord 
will  take  care  of  you ;  do  not  weep,  he  is  in  the  arms 
cl  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  he  has  got  a  crown  of  glory 
upon  his  head ;  he  has  an  arm-chair,  and  he  is  singing 
and  is  shouting  in  glory.  We  must  try  to  be  good 
and  when  we  die  we  may  meet  him  there ;  he  cannot 
come  to  us,  but  we  can  go  to  him  if  we  are  good. 
Your   loving  grandson. 

William    F.   Niemeyer. 

He  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  Portsmouth  and  at  the  Nor- 
folk Academy;  and  upon  the  recommendation 
of  Surgeon-General  Lawson,  United  States 
Army,  was  appointed  a  cadet-at-large  at  West 
Point  by  President  Jamej  Buchanan.  His  con- 
ditional appointment  over  the  hand  of  Jefferson 
Davis,  Secretary  of  War,  was  made  on  the  19th 
day  of  February,  1857,  which  directed  that  he 
should  repair  to  West  Point,  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  between  the  ist  and  20th  of  June, 
to  be  examined,  and  that  under  certain  condi- 
tions in  January  next  his  warrant  as  a  cadet,  to 
be  dated  the  30th  dav  of  June,  1857.  would  be 
made.  The  conditions  were  fultilled  by  credit- 
able examinations  and  excellent  deportment, 
which  secured  the  warrant  as  a  cadet  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  dated  as  prom- 
ised over  the  hand  of  John  B.  Floyd.  Secretary 
of  War,  January  22,  1858.  His  course  at  the 
Military  Academy  was  marked  with  credita- 
ble distinction ;  but  the  tocsin  of  war  having 
sounded  and  although  within  a  month  of 
graduation  he,  with  the  heroic  Gen.  James 
Bearing,  the  dashing  Gen.  Thomas  L.  Ros- 
ser,  and  other  noble  spirits,  left  the  Academy  to 
give  their  services  to  their  native  States. 

On  May  i,  1861,  John  Letcher,  Governor 
of  Virginia,  commissioned  ^\'illiam  Frederick, 
Niemeyer  2nd  lieutenant  in  the  Proivisional 
Army  of  Virginia,  and  on  May  9th  he  was  or- 
dered by  the  Adjutant-General  of  Virginia  to 
report  to  Maj.-Gen.  W' alter  Gwynn,  command- 
ing Virginia  forces  at  Norfolk ;  thereupon 
General  Gwynn,  on  the  loth  of  May,  ordered 
him  to  report  to   Col.   R.    E.   Colston,   under 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


;oi 


wlimn  he  served  as  drill  master  at  the  en- 
trenclied  camp,  near  Norfolk.  On  the  19th 
day  of  July,  1861,  the  President  appointed  him 
2nd  lieutenant,  Corps  of  Artillen,-,  in  tiie  Con- 
federate States  Amiy.  over  the  hand  of  L.  P. 
Walker,  Secretary  of  \\"ar,  C.  S. :  and  his  res- 
ignation as  2nd  lieutenant  of  the  Provisional 
Army  of  Virginia  was  accepted,  to  take  effect 
on  the  25th  of  Julv. 

Samuel  M.  Wilson,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Portsmouth,  having  been  authorized  by  the 
Secretary  of  War  to  organize  a  battalion  or 
regiment  for  the  service  of  the  Confederate 
States,  called  to  his  assistance  the  promising 
young  lieutenant  whose  military  training  was 
essential  to  Colonel  \\'ilson"s  success. 

Portsmouth,  Va.,  May  5,   1862 
Major  William    F.   Niemeyer: 

Sir:  I  hereby  certify  that  at  election  held  for  the 
office  of  Major  of  the  Battalion  or  Regiment  being  raised 
by  me  for  the  service  of  the  Confederate  States,  nnder 
authority  of  the  War  Department  through  letter  of  the 
Adjutant-General  of  the  6th  of  July.  1861,  you  have 
this  day  been  duly  elected  Major  of  said  Battalion  or 
Regiment,  and  notice  of  your  election  has  been  sent 
to  Major-General  B.  Huger.  commanding  Department 
of  Norfolk,  to  whom  you  will  report  for  duty. 
I  am  very  respectfully, 

Vour  obedient   servant, 
Samuel  M.  Wilson. 

Headquarters  Dep.\rtment,  Korfolk,  May  6,   i86j. 
Report  to  General   Blanchard   for   duty  with  Wil- 
son's Battalion. 

By  order  of  General   Huger. 

S.    S.     .\NDERSON. 

Assistant  Adjutant-General. 
Departmext  of   Norfolk.   Headquarters   Third   Bri- 
G.\DE.  Portsmouth,  V.\..  May  6,  i86j. 

Special  Orders.  No.  83. 

I.  Major  William  F.  Niemeyer.  Wilson's  Battalion, 
having  reported  for  duty  to  Brigade  Headquarters  by 
order  of  Major-General  Huger.  is  assigned  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  troops  at   Forrest   Entrenchment. 

By  command  of  Brigade-General  Blanchard.  Com- 
manding Third   Brigade. 

W.    L.    RiDDICK, 

Assistant   Adjutant-General. 
Dep.\rt.ment  of   Norfolk,   Headquarters    Third   Bri- 
gade. 

Portsmouth,   Fa.,  May   7,    1862. 
Special  Orders,  No.  84. 

II.  Major  William  F.  Niemeyer.  Wilson's  Battal- 
ion, will  proceed  to  Pig  Point  and  superintend  the 
election  of  company  officers   for  Company  "H,"  Ninth 


Virginia,  Captain  Neblett,  and  Sussc.\  Defenders.  Wil- 
son's Battalion,  Captain  Mason,  to  be  held  tomorrow, 
8th  instant,  in  accordance  with  provision  of  Conscript 
-A-Ct. 

Major  Niemeyer  will  furnish  each  officer  then 
elected  with  a  certificate  of  election,  and  duplicates 
must  be  sent  to  .-Adjutant  and  Inspector  General's 
office.    Richmond,    through    Brigade    Headquarters. 

By  command  Brigade-General  Blanchard,  Com- 
manding Third  Brigade, 

W.    L.    RiDDICK, 

Annuitant  Adjutant- Oeiural. 
To  Major  W.  F.  Niemeyer, 

Commanding  Forrest  Entrenchment. 

Major  Niemeyer,  with  his  command,  re- 
treated from  Forrest  Entrenchment,  near 
Hairs  Corner,  in  \\'estern  Branch,  Norfolk 
County,  on  the  loth  of  May,  1862,  the  day 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  were  evacuated, 
which  he  noted  in  his  diary,  "The  .•maddest  day 
of  my  life,"  and  marched  to  Suffolk.  On  the 
1 1  th  day  of  May,  he  left  for  Petersburg,  via 
Weldon,  where  he  arrived  on  the  13th,  and 
assimimed  command  of  the  city  and  the  Depart- 
ment of  Appomattox  for  a  short  while.  On 
the  22nd  day  of  May,  1862,  the  officers  of  the 
line  assembled  at  Jarrett's  Hotel,  in  Petersburg, 
under  supervision  o(  Maj.  George  W.  Grice, 
assistant  quartermaster,  and  elected  field  offi- 
1  cers  of  the  Si.xty-first  Virginia  Regiment  In- 
fantry, as  follows:  Colonel,  Samuel  M.  Wil- 
son; lieutenant-colonel,, William  F.  Niemeyer; 
major,  William  H.  Stewart.  Their  commis- 
sions were  issued  on  the  15th  of  July,  1862, 
by  George  W.  Randolph,  Secretary  of  War, 
to  date  from  the  22nd  day  of  May,  1862. 

He.\dqu.\rters,    Petersburg,   Va., 
August  23.  1862. 
Pursuant  to   Special   Order,  Headquarters.   Peters- 
burg.   .Auguft   22d.   the  members   of   Board   of   Survey 
met  this  day  at  12  M.,  and  valued  and  mustered  into 
Confederate   service  the  following  horses : 

One  roan  mare,  belonging  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
William   F.   Niemeyer,   valued   at  $175. 

One  bay  horse,  belonging  to  Major  William  H. 
Stewart,  valued  at  $225. 

(Signed)        Lieutenant  Charles  D.  Myers,  .■\.  D.  C. 
John  .\.  Baker.  .\.  D.  C. 
Lieutenant  J.  A.   Shinglein,  .A.   D.   C. 

Detachments  of  the  6ist  Regiment,  Vir- 
ginia Infantr}-.  were  sent  from  Petersburg  to 
City  Point,  Port  Walthall,  and  Point  of  Rocks, 


502 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


on  the  Appomattox  Ri^-er,  below  the  city  of 
Petersburg. 

On  the  3d  of  September  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  Richmond,  and  from  thence  to 
Brook  Church,  where  it  encamped  until  the 
5th,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Rapidan  Station  to 
rebuild  the  railroad  bridge.  The  army  of 
Northern  Virginia  was  then  in  ]\Iaryland.  and 
on  its  return  to  Virginia,  the  6ist  \^irginia 
Regiment  was  assigned  to  Mahone's  Brigade 
by  order  of  General  Lee. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Niemeyer  was  in  ac- 
tive command  of  the  6ist  Virginia  Regiment 
from  its  organization  until  October,  1862, 
when  its  command  devol\-ed  upon  Col.  V.  D. 
Groner.  selected  to  succeed  Colonel  \\'ilson. 
who  had  resigned. 

Colonel  Niemeyer  was  engaged  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Fredericksburg,  Zoar  Church.  Mc- 
Carty's  Farm.  Chancellorsville,  Salem  Church, 
iGettysburg,  Hagerstown,  Bristoe  Station, Mine 
Run.  Wilderness,  Shady  Grove  and  Spottsyl- 
vania  Court  House.  He  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  ankle  at  Bristoe  Station ;  and  after  hav- 
ing commanded  his  regiment  in  two  brilliant 
and  successful  charges  of  the  memorable  12th 
day  of  May,  1864,  was  killed  by  a  sharpshooter 
in  the  shadow  of  that  bloody  day  at  Spottsyl- 
\'ania  Court  House.  So  fell  a  noble  man,  a 
brave  soldier,  a  true  citizen,  who  loved  his 
country  better  than  his  life,  and  who  was  loved 
by  his  soldiers  with  brotherly  devotion.  His 
remains  were  sent  to  Richmond  and  buried  in 
Hollywood  Cemetery,  where  they  now  rest. 

He  married  in  Portsmouth  on  the  2nd  day 
of  January,  1862,  Sarah  Campbell  Smith,  who 
has,  since  the  death  of  her  husband,  devoted 
her  life  to  aiding  the  widows  and  orphans  of 
Confederate  soldiers,  and  iu'  perpetuating  mem- 
ories of  the  Lost  Cause,  with  ardor  and  devo- 
tion, unflagging  and  fearless,  as  a  true  and 
faithful  daughter  of  the  Confederacy. 


Stonewall  Camp.  Confederate  Veterans, 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  has  on  more  than  one 
occasion  tendered  to  her  unanimous  vote  of 
thanks  in  appreciation  and  gratitude  for  her 
invaluable  services  in  its  behalf,  and  she  shall 
have  the  thanks  and  esteem  of  every  individ- 
ual member  as  long  as  life  lasts. 

Colonel    Niemeyer   left 
Frederick  Xiemever. 


one    child — John 


N.WAL    CONSTRUCTOR    S.«iMUEL    WILSON    ARMI- 
STE.\D, 

A  resident  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  died  Jan- 
uary i-j,  1895,  from  an  accident  at  Mare  Island 
Navy  Yard,  California.  He  was  born  in  Sep- 
tember, 1861.  and  in  1879  stood  a  competitive 
examination  for  admission  toi  the  United 
States  X'aval  Acadauy  and  passed  among  the 
tirst  on  the  list.  After  graduating  he  again 
stood  a  competitive  examination  for  a  post- 
graduate course  at  the  great  shipyard  of  the 
British  government  at  Greenwich,  England, 
which  course  was  inaugurated  by  this  govern- 
ment for  the  brightest  men  in,  the  Naval  Acad- 
emy, and  in  this  examination  he  was  successful. 
After  finishing  his  course  he  was  assigned  to 
the  "New  York"  for  about  a  year;  he  was  then 
ordered  to  the  Ouintard  Yard,  Boston,  to  su- 
perintend the  construction  of  the  United  States 
cruiser,  "IMarblehead."  He  next  werit  to  New 
York  in  connection  with  the  same  ship,  vv'ich 
had  been  sent  there  for  completion.  His  next 
duty  was  at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  in  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  where  he  remained  only  a 
few  months,  when  he  was  ordeixd  tO'  Mare  Isl- 
and Navy  Yard,  and  there  the  accident  oc- 
curred, caused  by  the  breaking  of  hawser, 
which  struck  him  with  fatal  effect.  He  was  a 
man  of  brilliant  culture,  great  skill  and  earnest 
devotion  to  dutv. 


CAPT.    JOHN    JULIUS    GUTHRIE. 


Representative  Citizens 


InllX  ITLIUS  (iL'THRIE,  who  re- 
■^ides  at  Swiniminsr  Point,  near  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  is 
a  native  of  Portsmouth,  and  a  son  of 
Capt.  John  Julius  Guthrie. 
Samuel  (nithrie,  the  g-reat-grandfather  of 
our  subject,  served  with  two  brothers  in  the 
Revolutionarv  War.  Dr.  John  \\'ilburn  Guth- 
rie, his  son  and  grantlfather  of  the  present 
family,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  2nd  Regiment  of 
North  Carolina  during  the  war  of  1812.  He 
owned  an  elegant  home  at  \\'ashington,  North 
Carolina,  and  was  a  well-known  pliysician  of 
his  day,  with  a  large  practice,  a  cultured  and 
influential  gentleman. 

Capt.  John  Julius  Guthrie,  his  son,  was 
born  April  15,  1815,  and  entered  the  United 
States  Navy  in  1834  as  a  midshipman,  in 
which  ser\-ice  he  attained  high  distinction  both 
in  time  of  war  and  peace.  A  brief  sketch  of 
his  interesting  life,  written  by  one  familiar 
with  his  career  and  character,  appeared  in  the 
Norfolk  Daily  Land  mark .  December  2,  1877, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

'"The  subject  of  this  brief  memoir  was  born 
in  a  State  prolific  in  brave  men,  having  first 
seen  the  light  in  \\'ashinsfton.  North  Carolina, 
where  his  father,  Dr,  J.  W.  Guthrie,  U.  S. 
Army,  resided.  His  earlv  education  was  care- 
fully directed,  and  was  partly  acquired  at  the 
University  of  Chapel  Hill.  In  1833  he  was 
a])p<)inted  a  cadet  at  West  Point,  but  after  a 
year's  instruction  at  that  fannnis  school  he  re- 
ceived an  appointment  in  the  navv.  which  he 


entered  as  midshipman  in  1834.  lie  was  or- 
dered to  the  sloop-of-war  'John  .\dams.'  Ixnuid 
to  the  Mediterranean,  where  that  ship  joined 
the  squadron  under  command  of  C"ommodore 
Paterson.  The  name  of  that  officer  will  readily 
be  recalled  by  those  who  were  intimate  with 
the  lamented  (iuthrie.  and  the  impressions 
made  then  on  his  youthful  mind  are  explained 
by  the  fact  that  he  traveled  with  the  Commo- 
dore's family  through  a  great  part  of  Europe, 
and  in  their  company  made  a  journey  to  the 
Holy  Land. 

"On  his  return  from  Europe  he  was  or- 
dered (1838)  to  join  the  frigate  'Columbia,' 
Commodore  Reed,  and  in  her  sailed  from  this 
port  for  China.  At  the  expiration  of  three 
years  he  returned  to  the  United  States  and 
passed  his  examination  with  credit.  In  1840 
he  was  married  in  Portsmouth  to  Louisa  S. 
Spratley,  who  survived  him  24  years.  He 
then  served  in  the  "PennsyKania"  (receiving- 
ship),  the  steamers  'Poinsett,'  'Macedonia,' 
sloop-of-war  'Warren.'  steamers  "Huron"  and 
'On-ka-Hye'  ( commanded  by  Lieut.  Arthur 
Sinclair,  whose  name  is  still  dear  to  many 
hearts  in  this  city ) .  and  from  her  he  was 
transferred  (1845)  to  the 'Flirt'  (  always  asso- 
ciated here  with  the  celebrated  Jack  Davis). 
In  this  vessel  Guthrie  sailed  for  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  where  he  served  through  the  Mexican 
War,  his  vessel  performing  varied  and  arduous 
services  as  a  meml>er  of  the  squadron  lilockad- 
ing  Vera  Cruz. 

"At  the  end  of  the  war  he  returned  to  the 


5o6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


United  States,  and  after  a  short  time  of  service 
he  was  ordered  to  the  frigate  'Brandywine," 
destined  for  the  Brazils,  where  he  spent  three 
years  under  Commodore  Storer,  who  com- 
manded the  squadron.  He  was  again  ordered 
to  that  station  (1852),  and  while  engaged  in 
this  duty  he  translated  a  history  of  Brazil,  the 
manuscript  of  which  was  lost  at  sea  while  en 
route  to  the  publishers.  On  his  return  to  the 
United  States,  he  was  ordered  to  report  for 
duty  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Observatory  under 
Capt.  Mathe^v  Fontaine  Maury,  and  was  for 
two  years  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  confi- 
dence and  affection  of  that  great  man,  who 
organized  this  branch  of  the  public  service. 
'iN'hen  detached  from  the  observatory  he  re- 
ported to  Captain  Biglow  ( 185.S) ,  on  board  the 
'Levant'  under  orders  for  the  East  Lidies. 

"Captain  Guthrie's  second  visit  to  the 
coast  of  China  was  destined  to  be  far  more  ex- 
citing than  that  previously  recorded,  for  it 
was  then  that  the  Anglo-French  war  occurred, 
in  which  the  Chinese  at  the  Barrier  Forts,  on 
the  Canton  River,  were  attacked  l)y  our  naval 
forces  as  the  American  flag  had  been  wantonly 
fired  upon  by  these  infuriated  Celestials. 
Reparation  for  this  outrage  having  been  re- 
fused, the  gallant  Foote,  afterward  an  admiral, 
got  the  'Plymouth'  and  'Levant'  into  position, 
and  under  a  heavy  fire  from  their  batteries 
landed  a  force  of  seamen  and  marines.  One 
division  of  the  stormers  was  commanded  by 
Guthrie  and  his  splendid  valor  carried  him 
foremost  of  them  all  up  the  beach,  where, 
after  a  fierce  struggle,  the  Chinese  were  driven 
back,  and  hauled  down  their  ensign  with  his 
own  hands.  Previous  to  this  assault.  Lieuten- 
ant Guthrie,  as  a  volunteer,  had  made  by  night 
a  close  reconnoisance  of  the  forts,  four  in 
number,  which  had  been  well  and  skillfully 
C(instructed  by  European  engineers  according 
to  the  best  methods  then  known  to  military 
men. 

"Early  in  April.  1858,  he  arrived  at  Bos- 
ton, in  the  'Levant,'  and  was  granted  the  cus- 
tomary three  months'  leave.     During  this  time 


he  presented  the  flag  he  had  captured  at  the 
Barrier  Forts  to  his  native  State,  which  had 
voted  him  a  sword  of  honor  for  his  conspicu- 
ous gallantry  in  the  assault  by  which  they  were 
carried.  Passing  over  minor  details  of  routine 
service,  we  resume  the  thread  of  his  eventful 
life. on  board  the  sloo"-of-war  'Saratoga,'  un- 
der Commander  Alfred  Taylor,  under  orders 
from  Philadelphia  for  Africa.  While  cruising 
along  that  desolate  and  torrid  coast,  informa- 
tion was  received  that  a  large  ship,  freighted 
with  900  slaves,  was  up  the  Congo  River,  and 
that  her  captain,  a  notoriously  daring  man, 
was  resoh'ed  never  to  be  captured.  An  expe- 
dition was  at  once  fitted  out  against  this  enemy 
of  humanity,  and  Lieutenant  Guthrie,  then  the 
executive  otficer  of  the  'Saratoga,'  having 
picked  the  officers  and  men  of  the  detachment, 
undertook  the  desperate  enterprise. 

"In  this  he  was  successful.  The  slaves 
were  liberated  in  Liberia,  and  Lieutenant  Guth- 
rie brought  the  slaver  'Nightingale'  to  the 
United  States  as  a  prize.  He  reached  New 
York  in  July,  1S61,  and  found  the  Republic 
convulsed  by  civil  war. 

"Here  he  met  his  old  friend  Captain  Foote, 
who  said  to  him,  'Guthrie,  I  hope  you  will  re- 
main in  the  sendee.'  To  which  our  dead  friend 
made  the  characteristic  answer,  'I  shall  do  that 
which  my  conscience  enjoins  on  me,  as  I  un- 
derstand my  duty.'  'I  know  you  will,'  was 
Foote's  reply,  and  this  was  all  that  passed  be- 
tween those  brave  seamen  and  lifelong  friends 
on  the  mournful  topic  of  Guthrie's  resigna- 
tion." 

The  "Nightingale"  was  the  last  slaver  ever 
captured  by  an  American  war-ship  and  this 
occurred  April  21,  1861.  She  was  owned, 
manned  and  equipped  in  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, and  a  Southern  officer  captured  her  after 
the  war  between  the  States  had  virtuallv  com- 
menced. 

Lieutenant  Guthrie  accepted  a  commission 
as  captain  in  the  Confederate  States  Navy,  and 
served  with  gallantrv  until  the  close  of  the 
war.     In  1875  he  was  apoointed  by  President 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


507 


Grant  as  general  superintendent  and  disburs- 
ing agent  of  the  life-saving  stations  on  the 
coast  of  North  Carolina  and  \irginia.  He 
was  drowned  November  25.  1877,  in  his  noble 
and  heroic  attempt  to  save  the  lives  of  those 
on  board  the  U.  S.  man-of-war  "Huron," 
stranded  ofi  Kitty  Hawk  Beach,  North  Caro- 
lina. 

Captain  Guthrie  married  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  Benjamin  Spratley,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  War  of  18 12.  Captain  Spratley"s  wife  was 
a  daugliter  of  Dr.  William  C.  Schutte,  a  French 
Royalist  and  refugee  from  San  Domingo.  The 
widow  of  Captain  Guthrie  died  in  1900,  aged 
nearly  jS  years.  She  was  a  most  excellent  and 
lovable  lady,  highly  gifted,  refined  and  accom- 
plished. Of  10  children  born  to  this  union, 
seven  reached  maturitv.  and  six  are  now  living, 
as  follows :  Dr.  Joseph  A.,  U.  S.  Navy,  who 
two  years  ago  left  the  United  States  as  sur- 
geon of  the  flag-ship  "'New  York,"  and  is  now 
in  charge  of  the  U.  S.  Naval  Hospital  as  Isa- 
bela,  Island  of  Basilan,  Philippine  Islands: 
Mary  Louisa;  Annette  Caroline;  Elizabeth  Jo- 
anna, wife  of  Hubert  D.  Ward  ;  Jeanne  Agnes; 
and  John  Julius,  the  oldest  surviving  child. 
The  five  last  named  all  reside  at  tlie  old  home- 
stead at  Swimming  Point. 

Captain  Guthrie  was  a  Christian  gentleman 
of  rare  intellectual  attainments,  polite,  gentle 
and  kind — he  controlled  his  men  by  the  force 
of  a  gallant  example  and  his  own  heroic  bear- 
ing. Many  of  our  present  admirals  served  un- 
der him  as  junior  ofticers,  and  it  is  safe  to  say 
that  all  would  testify  to  his  uniform  kindness 
and  genuine  worth.  He  was  always  consider- 
ate of  his  inferiors  and  while  enforcing  disci- 
pline was  never  abusive  or  exacting. 

Benjamin  Wilbur  Guthrie,  oldest  son  and 
first  torn  child  of  Captain  Guthrie,  died  in 
New  York  City,  April  21,  1S95.  Early  in 
1 861,  he  entered  the  Confederate  army,  where 
he  served  until  after  the  Seven  Days'  battle 
around  Richniond,  whn  he  was  appointed  lieu- 
tenant in  the  navy  and  ordered  to  Charleston, 


South  Carolina,  and  was  there  on  the  "Pal- 
metto State,"  an  iron-clad  gunboat,  when  that 
city  was  evacuated.  At  the  termination  of 
the  war,  after  remaining  a  few  months  at 
home,  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  engaged 
in  the  wall-paper  business,  married  and  resided 
there  until  his  death.  His  widow  survives  him. 
When  a  boy.  John  Julius  Guthrie.  Captain 
Guthrie's  namesake  and  oldest  surviving  son, 
lived  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  from  1853  to  1861,  when  he  re- 
turned to  his  native  city.  He  was  a  midship- 
jnan  in  the  service  of  the  Confederate  States 
Navy  from  1861  until  1865  and  during  that 
time  was  captured  at  Island  No.  10,  and  sent 
to  the  prison  at  Sandusky,  Ohio.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  to  Portsmouth  and  for 
a  number  of  years  traveled  from  Baltimore, 
New  York  and  Louisville,  Kentucky.  For  the 
past  few  years  he  has  made  his  home  at  Swim- 
ming Point.  This  home  is  an  old  colonial 
brick  house  and  was  built  by  Col.  William 
Craford,  to  whom  the  land  upon  which  Ports- 
mouth now  stands  was  granted  by  royal  pat- 
ent in  1716  by  King  George  I.  Colonel  Cra- 
ford founded  and  laid  out  Portsmouth  after 
his  own  native  city — Hull,  England,  and  this 

'  mansion  house  on  his  plantation,  the  present 
home  of  the  Guthrie  family — was  erected  in 
1735,  or  thereabouts.  It  is  beautifully  and  pic- 
turesquely located  on  the  Elizabeth  River,  op- 
posite Norfolk.  A  view  of  this  home  is  shown 
on  page  168  of  this  work.  This  building  is 
referred  to  on  page  26  of  this  history  and  is 

j  also  mentioned  in  and  in  connection  with  the 
will  of  Colonel  Craford  in  Chapter  XXII. 

I  Mr.  John  Julius  Guthrie  is  well  known  in 
Portsmouth  and  Norfolk  County,  and  is  a  man 
of  many  admirable  traits  of  character.  He 
was  educated  at  Georgetown  College,  D.  C, 
and  has  traveled  extensively.  He  has  never 
sought  office,  but  leads  a  quiet,  unostentatious 

j  life  and  devotes  his  time  to  literature  and  farm- 

'  ing.  A  portrait  of  Captain  Guthrie  accom- 
panies this  sketch. 


=;oS 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ICHARD  T.  CROMWELL,  who.  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  John 
G.  Cromwell,  conducts  a  farm  of 
132  acres  near  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
is  well-to-do  and  has  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  this  section  of  the  State.  He  was 
born  October  15,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Frank- 
lin and  Isabelle  C.  (  Phelps)  Cromwell,  grand- 
son of  John  G.  Cromwell,  Jr.,  and  great-grand- 
son of  John  G.  Cromwell,  Sr. 

John  G.  Cromwell,  Sr.,  was  born  in  ^Liry- 
land  in  the  eighteenth  centnry  and  during  his 
life  followed  the  trades  of  carpenter  and  shoe- 
maker very  successfully.  His  ancestors  came 
to  this  country  from  England  and  trace  their 
dcscait  direct  from  Oliver  Cromwell,  well 
known  in  English  historv  as  Lord  Protector  of 
England,  and  a  descendant  of  the  House  of 
Stuart.  John  G.  Cromwell,,  Sr.,  had  a  son, 
John  G.  Crcimwell.  Jr.,  also  born  in  Maryland 
in  1809.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  like 
his  father,  and  died  at  the  age  of  72  years, 
leaving  a  son,  Franklin,  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Franklin  Cromwell  was  born  April  20, 
1832,  and  claims  Maryland  as  his  native  State. 
When  he  reached  manhood  he  diligently  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  trade  of  his  ancestors,  that 
of  a  carpenter,  and  worked  at  it  for  15  years. 
He  then  abandoned  it,  went  to  Norfolk  in  com- 
pany with  an  uncle,  Joshua  Hawkins,  and  com- 
menced work  on  some  land  belonging  tO'  him. 
For  seven  years  they  were  very  successful,  and 
at  the  end  of  that  time  voung  Cromwell  bought 
the  farm  of  132  acres  for  $10,000.  Half  of 
that  sum  was  paid  do\\-n  and  the  balance  was 
soon  canceled,  as  he  made  mone}-  rapidly,  ow- 
ing to  the  productiveness  of  the  land.  Agri- 
cultural pursuits  occupied  his  attention  from 
that  time  until  about  seven  years  ago,  when 
his  two  sons,  Richard  T.  and  John  G.,  rented 
the  property:  the  father  still  makes  his  home' 
there. 

Franklin  Cromwell  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Isabelle  C.  Phelps,  a  daughter  of  Nelson 
Phelps.      The  ceremony  took  place  February 


9,  1861,  and  they  had  the  following  children: 
Joshua  P..  born  September  30,  1867,  who  is 
a  successful  farmer,  married  Bertha  Hart,  and 
has  four  children.  Jennie  P.,  who  is  living  in 
Norfolk,  the  wife  of  R.  J.  Malbon,  and  has 
four  children;  Richard  T.  and  John  G.,  both 
residing  on  the  home  farm;  and  Ruth  B..  who 
married  E.  B.  Macon,  and  with  her  husband 
and  little  boy  resides  in  Norfolk.  Mr.  Crom- 
well belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternitv.  having 
became  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  loi.  of  Mary- 
land, in  1853.  In  politics,  while  he  votes  the 
Republican  ticket  in  presidential  campaigns, 
his  preference  is  given  to  the  Democratic  party 
in  city  and  township  elections. 

Richard  T.  Cromwell,  the  subject  of  this 
biography,  attended  the  public  schools  during 
his  youth.  His  brother,  John  G.,  born  ]\Iarch 
9,  1873,  shared  his  fortunes  in  those  earlv 
days,  and  both  remain  on  the  farm  with  their 
father.  In  1894  thev  rented  the  farm  and  ha\'e 
since  been  successful  to  a  marked  degree.  The 
farm  is  in  the  center  of  the  greatest  garden  area 
in  the  world,  the  soil  being  a  sandy  loam,  es- 
pecially adapted  to  gardening,  and  the  climate 
being  such  that  some  kind  of  truck  ma}^  be 
raised  and  marketed  at  every  season  of  the 
year.  The  132  acres  is  nearh-  all  one  large 
garden-spot,  taking  not  a  few  laborers  to  care 
for  it  properly.  Last  year  $16,000  worth  of 
truck  was  sold  off  of  the  place,  the  expense  of 
preparing  the  ground  the  raising  and  market- 
ing the  products  amounted  to  about  half  that 
sum.  Most  of  the  produce  raised  is  put  on  the 
boats  at  Norfolk  on  one  day  and  the  following 
day  it  reaches  New  York  City  in  time  for  the 
morning  market,  which  begins  there  about  12 
o'clock  at  night.  In  all  probability  it  is  eaten 
by  the  residents  of  that  city  at  their  noon  meal 
of  the  day  after  it  is  sent  from  Norfc'l'^,  In 
December  the  cabbage  is  transplanted :  in  Jan- 
uary radishes  and  lettuce  and  other  spring  veg- 
etables are  sown,  and  when  these  are  ready  for 
the  market  they  are  shipped  to  Boston  and 
Philadelphia,  as  well  as  to  New  York  City.  In 
extreme  cases  strawberries  have  iaeen   in   the 


LIEUT.-COL.    WILLIAM    H.    STEWART, 
1862. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


S'l 


market  in  April,  hut  May  usually  sees  huiulreds 
of  acres  of  tliis  fruit  ready  for  use. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  keeps  a  kennel  of 
line  dogs,  and  when  he  can  take  his  recreation 
enjoys  the  hunting  of  rabbits  and  partridges, 
which  aboimd  on  and  around  his  farm.  He 
is  the  embodiment  of  activity,  energy  and  per- 
severance, and  may  well  he  proud  of  his  well- 
regulated  farm  and  the  successful  business  lie 
carries  on.  He  and  his  brother  take  an  active 
part  in  political  affairs  and  are  thorough  Dem- 
ocrats. 

«  ■  » 


April,  1777. 
August,  1777, 
Philadelphia;" 
October.  1777, 


)L.  WILLIAM  HEXRY  STEW- 
ART is  well  known  to  the  residents 
of  Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  the 
scene  of  his  entire  business  career. 
He  attained  prominence  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law  and  through  his  connection  with 
many  quasi-public  enterprises.  He  is  a  son 
of  William  Charles  and  Catharine  Matilda 
(Garrett)  Stewart,  and  comes  of  a  family  long- 
established  on  \'irginia  soil.  On  his  mother's 
side  he  is  directly  descended  from  William 
Moseley,  who  came  to  Norfolk  County  in  1649 
and  was  a  member  of  the  County  Court  from 
1650  until  his  death. 

Charles  Stewart,  great-grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  born  about  1730,  mar- 
ried Martha  Foreman,  daughter  of  Alexan- 
der Foreman.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  and  the  records  in  the  War 
Department,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  show  that 
Charles  Stewart  was  commissioned  as  ensign 
in  Captain  William  Grimes'  Company  of  the 
15th  Virginia  Regiment  of  Foot,  commanded 
b\'  Lieut. -Col.  James  Innes.  His  name  first 
ap])ears  on  the  roll  of  that  organization  for 
July  I,  1777,  with  remark,  "Commissioned 
He  is  reixjrted  on  the  roll  for 
as  "Looking  after  the  sick  in 
on  the  roll  for  September  and 
without  remark ;  on  the  roll  for 
November.  1777,  as  "Turned  over  to  Captain 
Gregory's  Company;"  December,    1777,  he  is 


reported  with  rank  as  2nd  lieutenant,  and  on 
rolls  for  January,  F'ebruary.  March  and  April, 
1778.  his  name  is  borne  without  remark.  His 
name  ne.xt  appears  on  the  roll  for  December, 
1778,  oi  the  field  and  staff  oi  the  nth  Virginia 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Buford, 
with  remarks,  "Appointed  June  24th,  1777, 
rank  2nd  Lieutenant,  5th  Company;"  and  on 
the  muster  rolls  of  Capt.  David  Mason's  Com- 
])any  <if  the  11  lb  Virginia  Regiment  in 
General  Woodford's  Brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Buford,  from  December,  1778, 
to  November,  1779,  witliout  additional  in- 
formation. The  roll  of  November.  1777, 
shows  the  designation  of  the  organization 
to  be  "the  5tb  tand  nth  Virginia  Regi- 
ment of  Foot,"  commanded  by  Col.  Will- 
iam Russell.  The  records  of  the  Bureau  of 
Pensions  in  Washington  show  that  Charles 
Stewart  was  granted  2,666  2-3  acres  of  land 
on  April  10,  1819,  bv  the  State  of  Virginia, 
for  three  years  service  as  an  ensign  in  the  Vir- 
ginia Continental  line, — Virginia  ^Military 
\\'arrant  No.  6,308.  In  minute  book  No.  12, 
page  49,  of  the  Norfolk  County  Clerk's  office, 
appears  the  following  order ;  "At  court  held 
for  Norfolk  County  the  15th  day  of  February, 
1813,  Jesse  Nicholson  came  into  court  and 
made  oath  that  Charles  Stewart,  formerly  of 
this  county,  was  an  ensign  in  the  15th  Virginia 
Regiment  in  the  Revolutionary  War ;  that  he 
served  for  u])wards  of  three  years,  and  how 
much  longer  he  does  not  know,  and  he  thinks. 
was  afterward  advanced  to  a  lieutenant,  which 
is  ordered  to  be  certified,  ajid  it  is  also  certi- 
fied by  the  court,  William  Stewart,  Charles 
Stewart  and  Alexander  Stewart,  are  the  only 
children  and  heirs  at  law  of  the  said  Charles 
Stewart,  who  is  dead." 

On  the  19th  day  of  July,  1790,  Charles 
Stewart  w'as  recommended  to  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  by  the  Court  of  Justice  of  Norfolk 
County  as  a  proper  person  to  be  captain  in  the 
militia  of  this  county ;  was  duly  appointed  and 
qualified  ljy  taking  oath  of  fidelitv  to  the  Com- 
monwealth of  \'irginia. 


Prior  to  the  Revolu- 


512 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tion,  under  the  colonial  government,  he  held 
an  office  in  the  militia  of  Norfolk  County.  The 
court  records  show  a  number  of  real-estate 
transactions  in  St.  Bride's  Parish  of  Norfolk 
County ;  also  the  land  office  in  Richmond  shoAvs 
land  patents  issued  by  Lieut.-Gov.  Beverly 
Randolph  to  \VilIiam  Wilson.  Jr.,  and  Charles 
Stewart ;  and  the  land  tax  book  for  St.  Bride's 
Parish  for  1797  in  the  Circuit  Court  Clerk's 
office  of  Norfolk  Countv,  shows  Charles  Stew- 
art assessed  with  seven  parcels  of  real  estate, 
amounting  to  542  acres,  valued  at  £273,  i6s., 
8d.  Charles  Stewart  died  in  February,  1801. 
His  children  were:  William,  born  August  11, 
1780;  Charles,  born  August  30,  1782;  Joseph, 
born  May  20,  1784;  Ann,  born  July  12,  1786; 
Alexander,  born  March  8,  1788;  and  John 
born  December  9,  1791  Joseph  Ann  and  John 
died  in  infancy. 

Alexander  Stewart,  son  of  Charles  Stew- 
art, married  Lauretta  Wallace,  in  1807,  and 
died  in  181 3  as  a  result  of  a  cold  contracted 
while  serving  in  the  War  of  1812.  His  widow 
was  afterward  twice  married.  She  was  born 
March  3,  1786,  and  died  June  6,  1857.  They 
had  three  children:  Joseph,  born  in  1808; 
William  Charles,  born  September  21,  1810; 
and  Caroline  Frances,  born  October  17,  181 2. 

William  Charles  Stewart,  son  of  Alexander 
Stewart  and  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  a  lieutenant  of  State  Volunteers  during 
the  Mexican  War,  but  his  command  was  not 
called  into  service.  He  was  imprisoned  during 
the  Confederate  War  at  Old  Point  by  Gen.  B. 
F.  Butler,  for  his  loyalty  to  the  South.  On 
September  13,  1837,  he  married  Catharine  Ma- 
tilda Garrett,  and  they  had  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  as  follows:  William  Henry; 
Charles  Alexander:  Robert  Edward  Bruce; 
Nannie  Garrett,  deceased ;  and  Sarah  Cath- 
arine fEtheridge),  deceased.  ^Villiam  Charles 
Stewart  died  June  29,  1865. 

Col.  William  H.  Stewart  was  educated  at 
common  and  private  schools  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, at  the  Union  Male  Academy  of  Hertford 
Countv.   North  Carolina,  and  at  the  Lhiiver- 


sity  of  Virginia.  He  was  an  ardent  secession- 
ist and  promptly  responded  to  the  call  of  his 
native  State  for  troops  to  repel  the  Northern 
Army  of  Invasion.  He  was  2nd  lieutenant  of 
the  Wise  Light  Dragoons,  State  Volunteers, 
called  out  April  22,  1861,  and  encamped  at 
Denby's  Church  in  Norfolk  County,  to  picket 
the  beach  with  Doyle's  cavalry  from  Ocean 
View  to  Sewell's  Point.  After  a  few  weeks 
of  active  service,  the  organization,  having  in- 
sufficient numbers  to  be  mustered  into  the  Con- 
;  federate  service,  was  disbanded,  and  the  Jack- 
!  son  Greys  were  recruited  and  mustered  into 
the  Confederate  Army  July  12,  1861.  His  first 
service  was  at  Fort  Nelson,  heavy  artillery, 
Portsmouth,  Virginia;  from  thence  to  rifle- 
gun  battery  at  Sewell's  Point,  Norfolk,  Coun- 
ty, Virginia.  Captain  William  H.  Stewart, 
Jackson  Greys,  commanding  this  battery,  was 
engaged  March  8,  1862,  with  the  U.  S.  frigate 
"Minnesota;"  and  with  the  United  States  fleet 
bombarding  Sewell's  Point,  May  8,  1862.  On 
the  evacuation  of  Norfolk,  he  was  ordered  to 
Petersburg,  his  company  being  assigned  to  the 
6ist  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantn-,  as  Company 
A,  and  was  elected  major  of  his  regiment.  He 
was  in  the  engagement  at  Rappahannock  R.  R. 
Bridge,  November  7,  1862;  at  Fredericksburg, 
December  11,  12  and  13.  1862;  at  McCarty's 
Farm  or  Chancellorsville,  May  2,  and  3,  1863; 
at  Gettysburg,  July  2  and  3,  1863;  at  Hagers- 
town,  commanding  brigade  picket  line,  July 
6  to  II,  1863;  at  Culpeper  or  Brandy  Station, 
August  I,  1863;  at  Wme  Run,  December  2, 
1863;  at  the  Wilderness,  May  6,  1864;  at 
Shady  Grove,  May  8,  1864;  at  Spottsylvania 
Court  House,  wounded  slightly.  ]\Iay  12,  1864, 
promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel.  Here  the  col- 
onel of  the  regiment  was  also  severely  wounded 
so  that  the  command  of  the  regiment  devolved 
upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stewart,  who  com- 
manded the  regiment  in  the  following  engage- 
ments:  At  North  Anna  River,  May  21  to  23, 
1864;  at  Hanover  Court  House,  Rlay  28  and 
29,  1864;  at  Lee's  Station,  June  i,  1864;  at 
Cold  Harbor  June  i,  2  and  3,  1864;  at  Turkev 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


513 


Ridge  (  skirmishiiif;')  June  4  to  13,  1S64;  at 
Frazier's  Farm,  skirmisli,  June  13,  1864;  at 
Wilcox  Farm  (Petersburg).  June  22,  1864; 
at  Gurley  House,  June  23,  1864;  at  Ream's 
Station.  June  27.  1864:  at  tlie  Crater.  July  30. 
1864:  at  Ream's  Station.  August  25.  1864;  at 
Burgess'  Mill,  October  29.  1864;  at  Hicksford, 
December  9  and  10.  1864.  On  the  return  of 
Colonel  (ironer.  after  recovering  from  his 
wound.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stewart  issued  the 
following  congratulatory  order : 

Headquarters,  OlsT  Va.  Inft.,  Dec  11,  ISO-l. 

GENERAL  ORDER  NO.   1-1. 

As  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  is  about  to  relinquish 
command,  he  desires  to  express  to  the  officers  and  men  his 
heartful  thanks  for  uniform  courtesy  and  prompt  observ- 
ance of  all  orders.  He  congratulates  you  upon  the  noble 
part  you  have  taken  in  the  brilliant  success  of  the  cam- 
paign. Besides  participating  in  the  capture  of  artillery, 
small  arms  and  prisoners,  eight  battle-flags  are  trophies 
of  vour 'prowess.  Soldiers!  These  achivements  have 
only  been  attained  by  sad  depletion  in  your  ranks.  Let 
the  noble  deeds  of  your  fallen  comrades  and  the  oppres- 
sive slavery  of  your  kinsmen  stimulate  you  to  renewed 
efforts  in  behalf  of  your  afflicted  country.  Stand  steady 
and  firm  by  your  tattered  battle-fiag  of  the  future  as  you 
have  in  the  past  and  soon  an  honorable  peace  with  the 
independence  of  your  country  will  be  a  glorious  reward. 
William  H.  Stewart, 

Lieut.-Col.  Commanding. 
W.  .\.  S.  Taylor. 
Adj't. 

The  regiment  was  in  the  battle  of  the  19th 
of  August.  1864,  under  Colonel  Groner,  but  his 
old  wound  forced  him  to  relinquish  the  field. 
The  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Hatcher's  Run,  February  6,  1865,  uixkr  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Stewart ;  at  Petersburg  the  reg- 
iment evacuated  the  Bermuda  Hundred  line, 
April  I.  1865;  was  engaged  with  cavalry  at 
Amelia  Court  House,  April  5,  1865;  at  the 
battle  of  Cumberland  Church,  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Stewart  commanded  the  division  picket 
line,  Anril  7.  1865;  and  the  command  sur- 
rendered at  Appomattox  Court  House  April 
9,  i8'')5.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stewart  was  pa- 
roled a"id  returned  to  his  father's  home. 

After  the  war  Colonel  Stewart  engaged  in 
farming  on  his  father's  farm,  the  latter  dying 
soon  after  the  -former's  return  from  the  Con- 


federate service,  and  continued  until  1870. 
when  he  removed  to  Portsmouth,  studied  law 
and  was  licensed  to  practice  on  October  3, 
1871 ;  there  he  has  since  resided  and  practiced 
law.  He  was  Commonwealth"s  attorney  of 
Norfolk  County  from  July  i,  1875,  to  July  i, 
1893,  an  eventful  period  of  public  litigation. 
Tlie  finances  of  the  county  were  in  such  con- 
dition in  1873  as  to  require  a  special  levy  of 
15  cents  on  $100  to  meet  the  increasing  de^ 
mands  upon  the  county;  but  in  1876  the  regu- 
lar levy  was  reduced  five  cents  and  in  1880  no 
tax  was  levied.  Al  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  held  on  October  21,  1879,  the 
following  was  offered  and  passed :  "In  view 
of  the  fact  that  there  is  a  large  balance  in  the 
hands  of  the  county  treasurer,  sufficient  to 
meet  the  expenses  for  the  year  1880,  it  is  so 
recommended  that  we  levy  no  countv  tax  for 
next  year."  Book  No.  i.  Page  337.  This  was 
owing  to  the  fact  that  several  suits  had  been 
pushed  to  a  successful  termination  bv  the  at- 
torney for  the  Commonwealth,  which  brought 
large  sums  into  the  treasury  of  the  countv.  the 
most  important  of  which  was  the  judgment 
against  the  city  of  Portsmouth  for  a  sum  over 
.$12,000,  obtained  from  a  settlement  growing 
out  of  the  separation  of  the  city  and  countv  in 
1858.  On  December  4,  1877,  the  Board  of 
Health  of  the  city  of  Norfolk  voted  Common- 
wealth's Attorney  William  H.  Stewart  a  reso- 
lution of  thanks  for  prosecuting  the  slaughter- 
house nuisance  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city  in 
"an  able  and  direct  manner."  .  The  Public  Led- 
ger in  1877  said :  "In  Col.  William  H.  Stew- 
art, the  Commonv.-ealth's  Attorney  for  the 
county  of  Norfolk,  the  people  have  a  faithful 
and  fearless  representative — a  man  who  neither 
fears  nor  courts  the  action  of  the  rings  that 
have  controlled  and  prevented  the  prosperity 
of  that  county.  In  these  times  of  degeneracy 
and  sycophancy  a  faithful  officer  is  a  jewel  of 
])riceless  value  to  a  tax-burdened  and  ring- 
ruled  peo])le." 

Colonel  Stewart  was  Portsmouth  city  edi- 
ti'r  nf  the  Norfolk  Landmark  from  its  estab- 


514 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


lishment  by  Capt.  James  Barron  Hope,  until 
April  I,  1876.  He  was  the  editor  of  the  Daily 
Times  of  Portsmouth  for  two  years,  resigning 
March  6,  1880.  He  has  been  closely  identi- 
fied with  the  street  railways.  ha\'ing  been  vice-  j 
president  and  director  of  the  Portsmouth  Street 
Railway,  and  president  and  director  of  the 
Port  Norfolk  Electric  Railway  from  its  organi-  j 
zation  until  he  resigned  in  April,  1897.  The 
location  of  a  town  on  the  old  Glebe  farm.  Port 
Norfolk,  was  his  conception. 

Colonel  Stewart  was  married  October  30. 
1873.  to  Annie  Wright  Stubbs.  of  Portsmouth, 
a  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Stella  L.  H.  ( Armi- 
stead)  Stubbs.  She  was  born  July  30.  1848. 
and  died  November  28.  1883.  They  had  one 
child.  Robert  Armistead,  born  on  Friday, 
March  9.  1877.  ^^'illiam  H.  Stewart  again 
intermarried  with  Sallie  Watson  ]\Iagruder.  of 
Albemarle  County.  Virginia.  September  20. 
1888.  Her  father  was  Col.  Benjamin  H.  Ma- 
gruder  and  her  mother  ^laria  Louisa  JMinor,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  James  Alinor  (  and  Polly  Wat- 
son), who  was  a  son  of  Garrett  ^Nlinor.  of 
Sunning  Hill.  Louisa  County,  Virginia,  and 
Marv  Overton,  iicc  Terrill.  Garrett  Minor 
was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for 
that  county  in  1775. 

William  H.  Stewart  is  a  member  of  Vir- 
ginia Society.  Sons  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion ;  past  commander  of  Stonewall  Camp. 
Confederate  Veterans :  and  vice-president  of 
the  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  Bar  Asso- 
ciation. He  is  a  vestryman  of  Trinity 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  Portsmouth 
Parish,  and  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  Portsmouth  Orphan  Asylum.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Vis- 
itors to  Mount  Vernon  in  1898.  His  ora- 
tion on  ]\Iatthew  Fontaine  Maury  excited 
great  interest.  Li  commenting  upon  it  the 
Norfolk  Landmark  editorial  said :  "Some 
of  us  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  this  ora- 
tion on  a  former  occasion,  but  the  remem- 
brance of  the  beauty  and  fervor  of  its  style  and 
the  lofty  patriotism  which   pervaded   it   from 


beginning  to  end  will  cause  us  to  feel  thankful 
for  the  chance  of  once  more  enjoying  it ;  Col- 
onel Stewart  is  a  speaker  of  rare  gifts  and  can 
command  respect  and  admiration  uix)n  any 
subject  that  he  touches;  but  this  is  one  dear 
to  his  heart."  And  Prof.  Willis  A.  Jenkins 
wrote :  "Colonel  Stewart  is  an  orator  of  un- 
usual ability  and  among  the  many  excellent  ef- 
forts I  have  heard  from  him.  none  compare 
with  the  picturescjue,  complete,  impassioned, 
magnificent  oration  on  the  great  Virginian. 
Among  the  hundreds  of  lectures  and  orations 
to  which  I  have  listened.  I  recall  no  one  that 
I  enjoyed  more,  nor  one  that  has  made  a  deeper 
impression  upon  me."' 

A  portrait  of  Colonel  Stewart  appears  on 
Page  12.  In  connection  with  this  sketch  a 
war-time  picture  is  shown,  engraved  from  a 
photograph  taken  in  1862. 


EXRY  L.  GUY.  postmaster  and  mer- 
chant   at    Tanner"s    Creek,    Norfolk 
County,   \'irginia,   is  a  man  of  rare 
business  ability,  and  bv  the  pleasant 
and     courteous     manner     which     he 
manifests  toward  every  one  has  become  \'ery 
popular  and  has  made  many  friends  through- 
out his  section  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Guy  was  born  January  25.  1864,  and 
is  a  son  of  Joseph  L.  and  Mary  F.  ( Braugh- 
ton)  Guy,  grandson  of  John  Guy,  and  great- 
grandson  of  George  Guy.  George  Guy  was 
one  of  four  brothers  who  were  born  and  reared 
in  Norfolk  County,  and  lived  here  during  the 
eighteenth  century,  mainly  following  both 
farming  and  fishing.  Of  these,  Harry  died 
in  early  life;  Nelson  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age; 
Bailey  attained  the  age  of  60  years ;  and 
George,  great-grandfather  of  Henry  L.  Guy, 
died  of  old  age.  His  son.  John,  the  grand- 
father of  Henry  L.,  was  a  farmer  and  fisher- 
man in  Norfolk  County  and  passed  to  his  final 
rest  in  1858  when  72  years  old.  His  son.  Jo- 
seph L.,  was  born  January  31,  1825,  about  four 


COL.    WILLIAM    LAMB. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


517 


miles  from  Xorfolk.  Until  a  short  time  ago 
he  led  an  active  life  as  a  farmer  and  fisherman, 
and  disp<_>sed  of  the  frnits  of  his  skill  in  the 
Xorfolk  market  with  great  success;  he  is  now 
retired  from  business.  In  1852  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mary  F.  Braughton,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  A.  Braughton,  a  successful  mer- 
chant. J.  D.,  Anna  B.  and  Henry  L.  are  his 
children. 

Mr.  Guy's  education  was  limited  to  the 
knowledge  obtained  irom  a  common  school, 
and  much  of  his  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm. 
In  18S9,  howe\-er,  he  started  out  for  himself, 
rented  a  storeroom  in  Tanner's  Creek,  pur- 
chased a  stock  of  merchandise  and  did  a  suc- 
cessful business  for  five  years.  He  sold  his 
business  at  that  time  and  removed  to  Norfolk, 
where  he  was  in  business  two  years,  and  then 
sold  out  again  and  returned  to  Tanner's  Creek. 
Tliere  he  built  a  storeroom,  directly  opposite 
to  the  one  he  had  previously  occupied,  and  pur- 
chased another  stock  of  merchandise.  He  has 
been  in  the  same  line  ever  since  and  enjoys  the 
best  of  trade. 

During  Cleveland's  administration  Mr. 
Guy  was  appointed  postmaster  and  has  held 
the  same  position  ever  since,  the  postoffice  now 
being  located  in  his  store.  In  politics  ]\Ir.  Guy 
is  an  ardent  Democrat.  In  religious  attach- 
ment he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Mr.  Guy  is  industrious  and  energetic,  and 
discharges  his  duties  in  a  manner  above  criti- 
cism, dius  acquiring  the  goixl  will  and  com- 
mendation of  all  who  have  dealings  with  him. 
His  unqualified  success  in  business  is  as  grati- 
fying to  his  friends  as  it  is  to  himself. 


OL.  \\TLLIA:\I  LAMB,  editor,  sol- 
dier, statesman,  orator  and  man  of 
business,  whose  portrait  is  shown  on 
the  opposite  page,  was  born  at  Nor- 
folk. \'irginia,  September  7,  1835, 
and  was  graduated  from  William  and  Mary 
College  in   1855,  after  which  he  took  the  law 

30 


course.  He  then  became  editor  of  the  Daily 
Southern  Argus,  and  continued  as  such  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War.  He  was 
a  delegate  to  the  DeuKxratic  National  Conven- 
tion in  1856.  In  1857  he  secured  the  election 
of  a  City  Council  at  Norfolk,  pledged  to  es- 
tablish a  system  of  public  school  education,, 
modeled  upon  that  of  New  England,  and  they 
put  it  in  operation  in  advance  of  any  Southern' 
community.  He  has  been  the  champion  of 
popular  education  since  that  time.  He  warmly 
advocated  the  education  of  the  colored  race, 
after  his  state  was  re-admitted  to  the  Union. 
He  was  a  visitor  to  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and  acting  rector  during  one  session,  and  has 
long  been  a  visitor  of  William  and  Mary  Col- 
lege, and  a  trustee  of  the  Norfolk  Academy. 
He  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  State  Dem- 
cxrratic  electoral  ticket  in  i860,  sided  with 
Breckenridge  when  the  party  was  divided,  and 
i  was  the  one  elector  on  that  ticket  that  was. 
chosen. 

When  the  war  between  the  States  broke  out 
he  tendered  his  services  and  that  of  his  volun- 
teer company,  "The  Woodis  Rifles,"  to  the 
Governor  of  Virginia  for  active  duty,  and 
served  till  the  fall  of  Fort  Fisher,  North  Caro- 
lina, January  15,  1865,  of  which  he  was  com- 
mander. Captured  there,  he  was  so  desperately 
wounded  that  his  life  was  saved  with  difficulty. 

Previously,  on  the  25th  of  December,  1864, 
he  had  repulsed  a  combined  attack  of  Gen. 
Benjamin  F.  Butler  and  .Vdmiral  Porter  with 
the  famous  powder-ship.  The  heroism  dis- 
played in  the  defense  of  Fort  Fisher,  before  it 
fell  under  the  combined  attack  of  General  Terry, 
a;nd  Admiral  Porter,  earned  for  Colonel  Lamb 
the  title  of  "Hero  of  Fort  Fisher"  among  the 
people  of  the  Southern  States.  He  was  stimu- 
lated to  this  brilliant  defense  by  a  message  from 
General  Lee,  the  head  of  the  Confederate 
forces,  to  the  effect  that  if  Fort  Fisher  was 
taken  by  the  enemy,  he  (Lee)  could  not  feed 
his  army.  The  engineering  feat  of  Colonel 
Lamb  is  best  described  in  the  words  of  his 
friend.  Col.  J.  R.  Waddv,  of  Norfolk: 


5i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"Although  Colonel  Lamb  entered  the  Con- 
federate service  as  captain  of  a  rifle  company, 
two  Parrott  guns  were  assigned  him  and  he 
was  sent  to  Sewell's  Point,  situated  on  Hamp- 
ton Roads,  below  Norfolk,  to  help  protect  the 
batteries  which  were  being  constructed  there. 
The  afternoon  he  arrived  at  Sewell's  Point  his 
company,  with  details  from  other  companies, 
had  an-  engagement  with  the  gimboat  'Mon- 
ticello,'  which  had  t>een  sent  there  to  interrupt 
the  work  on  the  batteries.     After  an  hour's 
fighting  his  Parrott  gims  drove  the  'Mouticello' 
away.     It  was  here  that  Colonel  Lamb  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  commencing  the  study  of 
military  engineering,  and  from  that  time  until 
tile  end  of  the  war  he  was  an  indefatigable  stu- 
dent, g^etting  all  the  text-lxwks  available,  es- 
pecially  through   the   blockade   after   he  took 
command    of    Fort    Fisher.      He    found    in 
■Charleston,  while  on  the  staff  of  General  An- 
derson at  Wilmington,  a  complete  history  of 
the  Crimean  War,   with  a  full  plans  of  the 
works  and  defense  of  Sebastopol.    He  took  the 
fortifications  arormd  Sebastopol  as  his  model 
and  adapted  them  to  the  defense  of  New  In- 
let,   with    many    modifications    and    improve- 
ments, and  when  the  fort  was  captured,   al- 
though far  from  being  finished,  it  was  the  larg- 
est fortification  in  the  Confederacy  and  was 
■called  the  'Malakoff  of  the  South.'  The  land- 
face  extended  from  the  Cape  Fear  River  to  the 
ocean,   and   the   sea-face  protectiaig  the   Inlet 
Avas  a  series  of  lotteries  connected  by  a  heavy 
curtain,  ending  with  a  mound  60    feet    high, 
which  had  a  plunging-  fire    on    the    channel. 
These  two  sides  of  the  works,  which  were  all 
that  had  been  completed,  were  nearly  a  mile 
and  three-quarters  in  length,  but  had  only  44 
guns,  two  mortars  and  four  pieces  of  light  ar- 
tillery to  defend  them,  an  armament  smaller 
than  several  of  the  frigates  in  the  attacking 
fleet.    Although  40,000  shot  and  shell  were  ex- 
pended against  these  works,  not  a  magazine 
of  bo'mb-proof  was  injured,  and  not  a  gun  on 
Ihe  sea-face  dismormted  by  the  Federals.     On 
the  land-face  in  the  first  bombardment  when 


Butler  and  Porter  were  defeated,  only  one  gun 
was  injured.  It  was  in  the  first  fight  that  an 
unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  to  destroy  the 
works  by  an  explosion  of  a  powder-ship  \\ith 
250  tons  of  powder.  In  the  second  bombard- 
ment the  land-face  gtms,  20  in  number,  were 
taken  in  detail  and  after  a  terrific,  direct  and 
enfilading  fire  for  three  days  and  two  nights, 
19  of  these  guns  were  rendered  unserviceable, 
although  the  works  proper  was  only  slightly 
injured.  The  work,  which  was  built  of  timber, 
sand  and  turf,  was  constructed  for  sea-coast 
defense  only  against  ships,  the  shifting  sands 
rendering  a  moat  impossible  without  masonry, 
which  was  not  obtainable,  and  the  palisade-line 
in  front  of  the  land-face  was  thro'wn  up  mere- 
ly to  prevent  surprise  from  a  sudden  landing 
from  a  fleet  when  the  garrison  was  reduced 
to  less  than  600.  Colonel  Lamb  had  no'  engi- 
neer detailed  to  assist  him  in  the  work,  but  his 
plans  were  approved  by  Beauregard,  Long- 
street,  French,  Whiting  and  Raines. 

"After  the  Confederate  War,  this  fort  was 
adopted  as  the  model  at  West  Point  for  in- 
structing the  cadets  in  sea-coast  fortifications, 
the  plan  of  Sebastopol  having  previously  been 
used,  and  was  continued  until  the  modern  plan 
of  a  fort  constructed  of  sand,  concrete  and 
turf  was  adopted  and  which  plan  carries  out 
many  of  the  improvements  of  tlie  previous  plan 
which  had  been  made  by  Colonel  Lamb  in  the 
construction  of  Fort  Fisher.  Had  the  work 
been  completed  as  designed  by  Colonel  Lamb, 
it  is  believed  by  most  eminent  engineers  that  a 
small  force  could  have  held  the  works  against 
all  comers,  notwithstanding  the  co-operation 
of  the  fleet.  The  capture  of  Fort  Fisher  was 
a  new  departure  in  the  reduction  of  forts.  Tlie 
immense  fleet  did  the  work  in  a  few  days,  that 
a  regular  land  siege  would  have  taken  months 
to  do  in  the  way  of  disarming  the  fort,  and 
while  the  garrison  was  under  a  terrific  fire  for 
three  days  and  two  nights,  rendering  repairs 
impossible,  besiegers  were  resting  quietly  and 
were  able  to  approach  within  100  yards  of  the 
works   in  comparative  safety.      Tlie 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


S19 


numbered  not  over  1.500  men.  while  the  troops 
that  landed  from  the  transixirts  were  8,500 
and  were  re-enforced  by  2.000  sailors  and 
marines.  After  the  fort  was  entered  the  strug- 
gle lasted  from  3  130  until  9  p.  m.  Most  of 
the  time  the  fleet  co-operated  with  the  army 
after  they  entered  the  wt.>rks,  by  means  of  sig- 
naling, and  while  necessarily  some  few  of  the 
Federals  were  killed  by  this  fire  from  the  fleet, 
it  was  more  destructive  to  the  Confederates 
than  the  fire  of  the  assailants  in  the  fort  and 
prevented  the  garrison  from  dislodging  the 
amiv  after  the  sailors  and  marines  had  been  re- 
pulsed. .At  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  the 
bombardment  was  not  only  the  greatest  that 
ever  occurred  in  history  in  weight  of  metal, 
but  it  was  the  longest  hand  to  hand  fight  dur- 
ing the  Confederate  War.  The  Federal  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  was  nearly  as  many  as 
there  were  soldiers  in  the  garrison. 

"Since  the  war  Colonel  Lamb  has  given  the 
harbor  of  Norfolk  the  benefit  of  the  knowledge 
he  acquired  as  an  engineer  in  tidal  currents, 
having  had  one  island  in  his  command  with 
two  gims  swept  away  and  his  mound  threat- 
ened, requiring  him  to  use  every  expedient  for 
the  protection  of  his  works  against  the  shift- 
ing currents  of  the  river  and  sea.  He  has,  also, 
in  the  work  of  Whiting  u|)on  the  Cape  Fear 
River,  an  object  lesson  in  the  value  of  jetties 
in  preserving  channel-ways,  which  he  prac- 
tically applied  to  the  Elizabeth  River,  with 
the  advice  and  approval  of  Gen.  John  Newton, 
Chief  of  Engineers,  when  the  coal  trestle  of 
the  Norfolk  &  Western  Railway  w-as  run  out 
to  Laml>ert's  Point  Light  House  on  a  solid 
bulkhead,  the  channel,  Ixith  north  and  south 
of  the  river,  having  been  greatly  improved  by 
the  structure." 

Avoiding  public  life  when  he  returned  to 
Norfolk.  Colonel  Lamb  devoted  himself  to  de- 
veloping the  natural  resources  of  the  city  and 
State.  He  manages  the  large  shif^ments  of 
coal,  fostered  by  the  Norfolk  &  Western  Rail- 
way, which  have  made  Norfolk  the  principal 
coaling  station  of  the  Atlantic  Coast.    He  was 


the  first  to  formulate  and  use  a  through  bill 
of  lading  from  interior  cities  to  Europe  via 
Norfolk.  He  has  been  repeatedly  elected  pres- 
ident of  the  different  l>xirds  of  tratle  in  Nor- 
folk, and  is  now  president  of  jts  Chaml)er  of 
Ci>mmerce.  In  1876  he  was  a  delegate  tn  the 
Democratic  National  Convention  which  nom- 
inated Samuel  J.  Tilden  for  the  United  States 
presidency,  and  lie  has  had  a  more  or  less  ac- 
ti\e  i>art  in  State  politics  since  that  date,  hav- 
ing presided  at  four  State  conventions,  and 
been  twice  on  the  presidential  electoral  ticket. 
He  was  ma_\-or  of  Norfolk  for  six  years.  For 
more  than  20  years  Colonel  Lamb  has  been 
president  of  the  Norfolk  Seamen's  Friend  So- 
cietA',  and  he  is  now  a  manager  of  the  Jackson 
Orphan  Asylum.  Since  the  war  he  has  con- 
tributed at  least  $50,000  to  the  comfort  and 
maintenance  of  the  unfortunate  companions 
of  his  soldier  days. 

Colonel  Lamb  has  addressed  various  soci- 
eties upoiT  agricultural,  commercial,  biographi- 
cal and  social  subjects.  In  1899  St.  Lawrence 
University  in  Canton,  New  York,  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  He  married  in 
Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1857,  Sarah  A. 
Chaffee,  a  lady  distinguished  for  her  beauty 
and  accomplishments. 


ILLI.\M  F.  SHUMADINE,  a  well- 
known  truck  farmer,  is  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Laml>ert's  Point, 
\'irginia.  and  his  occupation  is 
that  of  many  of  his  neighljors  and 
friends.  He  was  Ijorn  in  Norfolk  County, 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  present  home,  which 
was  also  the  birthplace  of  his  father.  He 
is  a  son  of  F.  B.  and  Elizal)eth  (Wood) 
Shumadine.  His  father  was  successfullv 
engaged  in  farming  for  many  years.  Alx>ut 
si.x  years  ago  he  retired  from  active  ser- 
vice to  live  upon  the  competency  gained 
in  many  years  of  toil.  He  was  born  in 
1827,  and  his  wife,  who  is  also  a  Virginian  by 


520 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


birth,  was  born  in  1830.  They  reared  eight 
children,  among  them  the  following:  John 
E.,  a  carpenter  at  Lambert's  Point;  William 
F. ;  James  Henry  and  Walter  Lee,  both  grocers 
in  Norfolk;  and  Charles  Thomas  and  Albert 
Jackson,  who-  are  market  gardeners. 

William  F.  Shumadine  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  place  and  from 
the  first  years  of  his  manhood  devoted  the  most 
of  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
now  has  a  well-improved  farm  which  is  in 
a  state  of  high  cultivation,  and  upon  this  pro- 
ductive place,  market  gardening  is  carried  on 
extensively,  many  of  the  products  being  sent 
north  to  New  York  City,  where  they  are  dis- 
posed of  quickly  and  profitably. 

Mr.  Shumadine  was  joined  in  the  bonds  of 
matrimony  with  ^label  Elizabeth  Thear,  a 
daughter  of  James  Thear,  a  respected  resident 
of  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  of  which  Airs. 
Shumadine  is  a  native,  her  birth  having  taken 
place  in  1874.  She  is  one  of  a  family  of  three 
children,  the  others  being.  Blanche,  the  wife  of 
Cliff  Stanley,  who  is  employed  in  the  clerical 
department  of  the  Norfolk  &  Western  Rail- 
way ;  and  Eulia.  who  is  deceased. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  ha\-e  no  chiklren.  They  enjoy  to  a 
large  degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  their 
neighbors,  and  dispense  hospitality  with  a  free 
and  generous  hand.  They  are  active  members 
of  the  IMethodist  Episcopal  Churcli.  South. 
Socially  ]Mr.  Shumadine  affiliates  with  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  and  in  his  political  views  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat and  consistently  upholds  his  chosen  party. 


R.  ^^'.  J.  GRIMES  has  a  large  and  lu- 
crative   pract'.ce    in    and    about    the 
beautiful    city   of    Norfolk,    Virgina, 
where  he  located  in  1886.  and  where 
he  has   followed  his   profession  con- 
tinuoi.isly    since  that    thne.      He   is   located   at 
No.  215   West  Braml:!leton  avenue.     He  was 
born  on  the  Western  .Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 


River  March  5,  1854.  He  is  a  son  of  William 
Staughton  and  Elizabeth  F.  (Taylor)  Grimes. 
The  Grimes  family  is  of  English  extraction 
and  the  ancestors  of  the  Doctor  fought  under 
Oliver  Cromwell.  William  Staughton  Grimes, 
the  father,  is  still  living  and  reached  his  75th 
mile-stone  October  28,  1901.  He  followed 
fanning  nearly  all  of  his  active  days,  but  is 
now  spending  the  sunset  of  life  with  his  eldest 
daughter  and  her  family.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried and  each  of  his  wives  was  a  devout  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he  has: 
filled  the  office  of  deacon  for  many  years.  His 
first  marriage  was  contracted  with  Elizabeth 
F.  Taylor,  the  mother  of  Dr.  Grimes,  who  was 
a  daughter  of  James  Taylor.  Her  father  was 
an  own  cousin  of  Rev.  James"  B.  Taylor,  one 
of  the  first  Baptist  missionaries  tOi  Rome.  Six 
children  were  born  of  this  uiuon,  \\".  J.,  the 
subject  of  this  narrative,  being  the  eldest.  Two 
died  in  infancy,  and  the  O'thers  are  as  follows: 
Mary  F.,  wife  of  W.  B.  Carney,  who  resides  on 
a  farm  on  the  Western  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 
River ;  Lucy  A.,  wife  of  John  S.  Wise,  a  son 
of  John  S.  Wise,  Sr.,  who  is  a  cousin  of  Gov- 
ernor Wise  and  John  Beauregard,  whose  birth 
took  place  in  1861,  and  who  is  now  residing 
in  Isle  of  Wight  County.  Dr.  Grime's  mother 
died  in  1865,  in  the  30th  year  of  her  life.  Some 
time  later  his  father  married  again,  being 
united  with  ]Martha  A.  Carney.  Again  he  was 
called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  companion, 
for  in  November,  1898,  his  second  wife  died, 
aged  76  years. 

Dr.  Grimes  attended  pu]>lic  school  in 
his  boyhood,  meanwhile  assisting  his  father 
on  the  farm.  Later  he  attended  Church- 
land  Academy,  and  read  medicine  under 
the  preceptorship  of  Dr.  Edwin  Phillips, 
of  Suffolk.  Pie  subsequently  attended  the 
University  of  Virginia,  taking  a  medical 
course  and  afterward  entered  Jeft'erson  Med- 
ical College,  at  Philadelphia,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1881.  Re- 
turning to  his  native  State  he  began  practice  at 
I  Smithfield,  where  he  remained  for  seven  vears. 


I 


^», 


f'-'^^Jiy  .rfcca„^i„it,p^Ycrk^ 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


52s. 


medical  officer  of  the  District  of  Elizabeth 
River,  an  unsolicited  apixiintment  ma'de  by 
tlie  Governor  of  \'irginia  in  view  of  Dr.  Nash's 
familiarity  with  the  subject  of  infectious  fe- 
vers. This  position  he  was  forced  to  resign  be- 
cause of  the  demands  of  his  practice. 

Dr.  Nash  was  for  some  time  president  of 
the  Norfolk  Board  of  Health,  and  systema- 
tized its  oj>erations.  He  was  for  several  terms 
the  president  of  the  Norfolk  Medical  Society, 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  original  members. 
He  has  for  many  years  been  a  member  of  the 
American  Me<lical  Assocation.  American  Pub- 
lic Association,  Southern  Surgical  and  Gyne- 
cological Association,  a  member,  and  ex-vice- 
president,  of  the  Medical  Examining  Board  of 
Virginia,  and  ex-president  and  honorary  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Medical  Society.  He  was  the 
pioneer  in  his  city  in  gynecological  work,  a 
branch  of  surgery  that  has  occupieil  no  little 
amount  <.)f  his  time. 

His  contributions  to  medical  literature 
have  been  made  principally  in  the  city  and 
State  S(;cieties.  He  is  visiting  physician  of 
Hospital  St.  Vincent  de  Paul,  and  consulting 
surgeon  to  the  Norfolk  Protestant  Hospital. 

In  1867  Dr.  Nash  was  married  to  Mary  A. 
Parker,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Wilson  Parker, 
Esq.,  who,  under  the  old  regime  in  Virginia 
had  long  been  a  member  of  the  old  Corpora- 
tion Courts,  of  which  the  justices  served  with- 
out remuneration,  and  their  decisions  were  sel- 
dom reversed.  Her  grandfather,  Copeland 
Parker,  held  a  position  in  the  customs  depart- 
ment of  the  first  union  of  the  States,  and  sub- 
sequently was  surveyor  of  the  ports  of  Smith- 
field  and  Norfolk.  Her  great-grandfather, 
Nicholas  Parker,  resided  at  his  seat,  Maccles- 
field, Isle  of  Wight  County,  Virginia,  which 
he  inherited  and  which  subsequently  became 
the  property  of  his  eldest  son.  Colonel  Josiah 
Parker,  who  was  a  distinguished  officer  of  the 
Virginia  line  in  the  Revolution,  and  the  first 
member  of  Congress  from  his  district,  under 
the  present  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 
Another  brotlier  of  her  grandfather,  Nicholas, 


was  a  lieutenant  in  the  X'irginia  line,  and  died 
at  Leesburg  while  enroute  to  join  Washing- 
ton's army  at  the  North.  The  Parker  family 
held  a  prominent  ])osition  in  England  l)efore 
the  settlement  of  some  of  its  memliers  in  Vir- 
ginia. Dr.  and  Mrs.  Nash  have  two  daughters, 
Elizabeth  Parker  and  Mary  Louisa.  Dr.  Nash 
is,  both  by  hereditary  proclivity  and  convic- 
tion an  adherent  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  and  has  been  for  years  a  vestryman  of 
old  St.  Paul's  Church,  erected  in  1739.  Dr. 
Nash  is  president  of  the  Board  of  Quarantine 
Commissiivners  for  the  District  of  Elizabeth 
River,  which  office  he  has  held  since  the  death 
of  W'illiam   H.    Peters. 


HOMAS  VANDERBERRV  has  been 
successfully  carrying  on  the  business 
of  a  truck  farmer,  or  market  gar- 
tlener,  on  the  land  which  constitutes 
his  homestead,  at  Lambert's  Point, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  where  he  established 
his  business  many  years  ago.  j\lr.  Vander- 
berry  was  born  at  Lambert's  Point,  February 
28,  1 83 1,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  I\Iary 
(Garrison)  Vanderberry.  The  former  turned 
his  attention  to  farming  during  his  early  man- 
hood and  continued  that  vocation  during  all 
his  active  life.  He  died  at  the  advanced  age 
of  85  years.  He  and  his  wife  were  natives  of 
Virginia,  the  latter,  like  bis  son,  Thomas,  hav- 
ing been  born  at  Lambert's  Point.  Mrs.  Van- 
derberry lived  to  attain  the  age  of  80  years, 
and  was  the  mo'ther  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
three  survive,  namely:  Martha,  W.  J.  and 
Thomas,  lx)th  sons  following  agricultural  pur- 
suits. 

Thomas  Vanderberry  was  reared  on  his 
father's  farm  and  early  in  life  decided  to  de- 
vote his  attention  to  market  gardening.  He 
is  an  expert  in  his  line  of  business  and  his 
years  of  experience  and  practical  work  have 
given  him  a  clear  insight  into  the  business  and 
thoroughly  qualified  him  to  make  it  a  success. 


526 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Frances 
Davis,  who  was  born  at  Lambert's  Point 
March  31,   1840. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vanderberry,  three  dangliters  and  two-  sons, 
namely:  Lidiana,  who  died  at  the  age  of  16 
years  and  eight  days ;  Louisiana,  who  married 
L.  W.  Shuniadine,  a  prosperous  merchant  in 
Norfolk:  Nettie  Frances,  who  married  Frank 
Robinson,  a  truck  farmer  of  some  prominence 
at  Lambert's  Point;  and  Thomas  L.  and  Len- 
wood  Beal,  who  live  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Vanderberry  favors  the 
Democratic  party  and  takes  a  lively  interest  in 
both  local  and  national  affairs,  as  should  all 
true  citizens.  The  family  worship  at  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  of  which  they  are  devout  mem- 
bers. 


SAAC  W.  MILLER.    This  enterprising, 
wide-awake  citizen  of  Lambert's  Point, 
Virginia,  has  acquired  a  considerable 
reputation  as  a  successful  agriculturist 
and  market  gardener  in  Norfolk  Comi- 
ty.    He  was  born  in  1857,  upim  the  same  farm 
which!  is  his  home,   and  which  has  been  the 
scene  of  his  lifelong  labors. 

Cater  Miller,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  and  mainly  followed  farm- 
ing. He  is  now  living  in  retirement  and  en- 
joying the  fruits  of  an  industrious  and  well- 
spent  life,  untroubled  by  thoughts  of  the  fu- 
ture. Isaac  W.  Miller's  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Sarah  Vanderberry,  is  a  daughter 
of  Edward  Vanderberry,  who,  like  the  major- 
ity of  his  neighbors,  followed  truck  farming 
in  the  vicinity  of  Lambert's  Point,  where  Mrs. 
Miller  was  born.  Five  children  were  born  to 
her  and  her  husband,  namely  :  Emma ;  Isaac 
AV. ;  J.  T. :  Adeline ;  and  C.  F.  The  last  named 
follows  truck  gardening  in  Jhe  vicinity  of 
Isaac  W.  Emma  is  the  widow  of  the  late 
Henry  Cooper.  Adeline  married  H.  J.  Robin- 
son, an-d  resides  on  a  farm  near  the  homeplace. 

Isaac  W.  Miller  received  his  mental  train- 


ing in  the  public  schools,  which  he  attended 
while  working  mornings  and  evenings  on  his 
father's  farm.  When  grown  to  manhood  he 
naturally  followed  the  same  work  as  his  father. 
In  1898  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Emily 
S.  Styron,  a  daughter  of  W.  D.  Styron,  of 
Norfolk.  Mrs.  Miller  is  one  of  a  family  of  five 
children,  the  others  being — George,  now  de- 
ceased ;  Florence,  who  married  Albert  J.  Shu- 
madine,  a  prosperous  market  gardener  at  Lam- 
bert's Point ;  and  Loulie  and  Mary,  yet  unmar- 
ried. I\Iary  makes  her  home  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Miller,  who  now  have  tliree  little  ones  of. 
their  own.  The  eldest  of  these  is  a  son,  who 
bears  the  name  of  Isaac  W.,  Jr.  The  second 
is  a  daughter  called  Ethel  Vernice,  and  the 
third  is  an  infant,  yet  unnamed.  Both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  They  are  highly  es- 
teemed in  their  neighborhood  and  are  entitled 
to  be  classed  among  its  best  citizens. 

Politically  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  greatly  respected  for  his  straightforward 
business  methods  and  excellent  personal  traits 
of  character. 


APT.  ISAIAH  BARKER,  a  gentle- 
man of  wide  acquaintance  in  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  and  its  vicinity,  is 
manager  of  the  Norfolk  branch  of 
the  extensive  oyster  industry  con- 
trolled by  the  firm  of  R.  R.  Higgins  &  Com- 
pany. He  was  born  in  Barnstable  County, 
Massachusetts,  December  31,  1841,  and  is  a 
son  of  Isaiah  and  Betsey  (Higgins)  Barker, 
his  mother  being  an  aunt  of  R.  R.  and  A.  Hig- 
gins, who  form  the  firm  of  R.  R.  Higgins  & 
Company. 

Captain  Barker  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  schools  of  Wellfleet,  Cape  Cod, 
Massachusetts,  and  at  the  age  of  1 1  years  took 
to  a  seafaring  life.  He  rose  from  the  lowest 
ranks  to  be  a  captain,  and  as  such  continued  for 
a  period  of  17  years. 

The  business  of  R.  R.  Higgins  &  Company 


HON.    LEGH    RICHMOND    WATTS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


529 


was  established  in  1828  in  the  city  of  Boston, 
where  the  members  of  the  firm  now  reside.  The 
main  business  is  at  Boston,  with  branches  at 
Drownville,  Riiode  Island;  W'elltleet,  Massa- 
chusetts; and  Norfolk,  Virginia.  Tlie  Nor- 
folk branch  was  established  in  1879.  '^"'^  •" 
that  year  Captain  Barker  became  manager  of 
it.  Under  capable  management  this  branch 
has  met  with  remarkable  success.  They  raise 
a  fine  quality  of  oysters  and  have  12  regular 
oyster  Ijoats  for  carrying  on  operations.  They 
employ  from  100  to  125  men  and  their  busi- 
ness is  done  at  the  wharf  of  Nottingham  & 
W'renn.  Tlie  product  of  this  company  is  first 
sent  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  thence  dis- 
tributed to  diflferent  cities  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Canada.  The  oysters  are 
in  good  demand  because  of  their  excellent  qual- 
ity and  flavor.  Captain  Barker  is  a  man  of 
recognized  ability  and  is  esteemed  as  one  of 
the  most  substantial  business  men  and  most 
worthy  citizens  of  Norfolk. 

December  15,  1863,  Captain  Barker  was 
joined  in  matrimony  with  Lizzie  D.  Atwood, 
a  native  of  W'ellfleet.  Massachusetts,  and  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  Atwood,  of  W'ellfleet.  Fra- 
ternally Captain  Barker  is  a  member  of  Adams 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  is  next  to  the  old- 
est lodge  in  Massachusetts ;  and  of  Joseph 
Warren  Qiapter,  R.  A.  'M..  of  Provincetown, 
Cape  Cod.  Religiously  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Freemason  Street  Baptist  Church,  of  Norfolk. 


ON.    LEGH    RICHMOND   ^^•ATTS. 
prominent  as  lawyer,  banker  and  man 
of  business,  a  portrait  of  whom  ac- 
companies   this    sketch,    was   born    in 
Portsmouth,  \"irginia,   December   12, 
1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Edward  and  Ann 
(Maupin)  Watts,  and  grandson  of  Col.  Demp- 
sey  \\'atts. 

Dr.  Edward  Watts  was  torn  in  Portsmouth 
in  1807,  and  was  a  graduate  of  the  University 
of  Pemisylvania.     In   1837  he  married  Ann 


Maupin,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  George  W.  Mau- 
pin, who  was  a  surgeon  in  the  United  States 
Army.  Dr.  Watts  died  in  1849,  leaving  three 
children,  namely:  Mrs.  G.  ^I.  Holladay,  re- 
lict of  the  late  James  G.  Holladay;  Dr.  Edward 
M.,  who  died  in  June,  1890;  and  Legh  R. 
The  paternal  ancestors  were  English  and  the 
maternal  were  French  Huguenots. 

Legh  R.  Watts  attended  the  schools  of 
Portsmouth  and  Norfolk,  including  the  Vir- 
ginia Collegiate  Institute,  which  was  under  the 
preceptorship  of  Prof.  N.  B.  Webster,  and  the 
Norfolk  Academy,  under  Professor  William 
R.  Gait.  Near  the  beginning  of  the  Confed- 
erate War  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Sig- 
nal Corps,  but  was  discharged  from  military 
service  in  1862,  because  of  physical  disability. 
After  the  evacuation  of  Portsmoutli;  he  ran 
the  blockade  and  escaped  from  the  city.  He 
re-entered  the  Confederate  Army  and  was  as- 
signed to  duty  as  assistant  to  Major  George  W. 
Grice,  chief  of  the  Forage  Department  of  South 
Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida,  with  head- 
quarters in  Columbia,  South  Carolina.  The 
responsibility  of  this  department  is  ap]iarent, 
for  upon  it  depended  the  subsistence  of  Gen- 
eral Lee's  Army.  He  continued  at  Columbia 
until  the  cajiture  of  the  city  by  General  Sher- 
man and  then  removed  to  Chester,  South  Car- 
olina. Mr.  Watts  surrendered  with  General 
Johnston's  army  and  received  his  parole  at 
Greensboro.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  entered 
the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  at  the  same  pursued  a  number  of 
academic  studies.  He  graduated  in  the  acade- 
mic school  in  1865,  and  from  the  department  of 
law  in  1867,  with  the  degree  of  B.  L.  Immedi- 
ately thereafter  he  returned  home  and  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  Ijecoming 
identified  with  the  firm  of  Holladay  &  Gayle, 
with  which  he  continued  until  his  election  as 
judge  of  the  Countv  Court  by  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Virgania.  He  was  re-elected  for  a 
second  term  of  six  years,  receiving  no  opposi- 
tion. He  continued  in  that  capacity  until  Feb- 
'■■  ruary,   1880,   when  he  resumed    his    practice, 


530 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


much  to  tlie  regret  of  the  bar  of  Norfolk 
County.  He  was  reversed  by  the  Appellate 
Court  en  appeal  in  only  two  cases.  The  dig- 
nity maintained  in  his  court,  his  careful  and 
impartial  adjudication  of  all  matters  brought 
before  him,  and  his  profound  knowledge  of 
the  law  all  combined  to  make  him  one  of  the 
most  popular  of  judges.  In  1884  he  formed  a 
partnership,  which  still  continues,  with  G.  Hat- 
ton,  the  firm  name  becoming  Watts  &  Hatton. 
In  1883  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Bank 
of  Portsmouth,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
prosperous  institutions  in  Virginia,  and  he  has 
since  served  as  such.  He  has  been  vice-presi- 
dent, from  Virginia,  of  the  American  Bankers' 
Association,  vice-president  of  the  Virginia 
State  Bar  Association,  and  president  of  the 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  Bar  Association.  He 
has  given  much  attention  in  recent  years  to 
the  practice  of  corporation  law  and  is  counsel 
fcr  many  of  the  corporations  and  large  busi- 
ness firms  of  Portsmouth  and  vicinity.  In 
1884  he  was  made  counsel  of  the  Seaboard  & 
Roanoke  Railroad  Company,  the  parent  com- 
pany of  the  Seaboard  System.  Subsequently, 
in  1890,  he  was  made  general  coimsel  of  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  System,  extending  from 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  to  Atlanta,  Georgia, 
and  in  this  position  he  had  charge  of  the  fa- 
mous litigation  instituted'  by  Thomas  F.  Ryan, 
the  New  York  millionaire,  to  secure  control 
of  its  properties.  This  litigation  continued, 
under  his  direction  from  1896  to  1901.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1899,  John  Skelton  Williams,  of  Rich- 
mond. Virginia,  and  his  associates,  purchased 
a  controlling  interest  in  the  Seaboard  Air  Line 
System,  which  was  subsequently  consolidated 
with  the  Georgia  &  Alabama  Railway  and  the 
Florida  Central  &  Peninsular  Railroad  and 
other  roads,  forming  what  is  known  as  the  Sea- 
board Air  Line  Railway,  a  road  with  a  mileage 
of  about  2,600  miles.  In  December,  1900.  he 
was  appointed  general  counsel  of  this  system, 
which  extends  from  Portsmouth  and  Rich- 
mond. Virginia,  to  Tampa.  Florida. 

Although  he  has  never  accepted  any  oftice 


that  was  not  interwoven  with  his  profession, 
he  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  political  af- 
fairs of  the  State.  During  1880  he  was  an 
elector  on  the  Democratic  ticket  and  partici- 
pated actively  in  the  campaign  against  j\Ia- 
hone.  and  although  the  latter  had  an  independ- 
ent electoral  ticket  in  the  field,  supposed  to  be 
in  favor  of  the  election  of  General  Hancock, 
the  regular  ticket  was  elected  by  a  large  ma- 
jority. Judge  Watts  receiving  the  highest  vote 
cast.  In  1883  he  was  selected  by  Hon.  John 
S.  Barbour,  chairman  of  the  Democratic  State 
Committee,  as  one  of  the  executive  committee, 
and  continued  in  service  during  all  the  me- 
morable campaigns  of  that  great  leader.  He 
was  president  of  the  Democratic  State  Con- 
vention in  1884.  which  elected  delegates  to  thg. 
Democratic  National  Convention  of  that  year. 
He  was  for  some  years  a  member  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  Portsmouth,  and  was  president  of  that 
body  for  eight  years.  He  was  appointed  a 
member  of  the  State  Board  of  Visitors  of  the 
Uni\-ersitv  of  Virginia,  by  Governor  Fitzhugh 
Lee.  and  was  reappointed  bv  Governor  Charles 
T.  O'Ferrall.  He  has  also  served  on  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Eastern  Lunatic  Asylum. 
In  1889  he  was  elected  supreme  regent  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum,  and  was  elected  for  a  second 
term  in  1890. 

Judge  Watts  was  joined  in  marriage  No- 
vember 26.  1868.  with  IMattie  Peters,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  H.  Peters,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth, 
and  they  are  the  parents  of  six  children. 


R.  H.  ROLFE  DUPUY,  a  physician 
and  surgeon  of  unusual  ability  and 
skill,  located  at  No.  42  Olney  Road, 
has  been  a  general  practitioner  in 
Norfolk.  Virginia,  since  1887,  and 
has  received  a  fair  share  of  patronage  during 
his  many  years  of  practice.  He  was  born  No- 
vember 21,  1845,  in  Prince  Edward  County, 
Virginia,  being  a  son  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  W. 
and    Paulina    Pocahontas    (Eldridge)  Dupuy,. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


53« 


and  lx)asts  oi  l)eing  a  tlirect  descendant  of  Po- 
cahontas, on  tlie  maternal  side,  the  Eldridge 
family  being  an  old  and  prominent  one  in  Vir- 
ginia. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Dupuy  was  a  native  of  Prince 
Edward  County,  Virginia,  and  was  quite  a 
prominent  man  of  his  day.  He  was  a  physi- 
cian in  whom  the  public  had  unbounded  con- 
fidence and  he  enjoyed  an  extensive  and  well- 
paying  practice  for  many  years,  giving  his  un- 
divided attention  to  his  profession.  He  was 
great!)-  beloved  as  a  citizen  as  well,  and  for 
years  was  associated  in  his  profession  with  Dr. 
J.  P.  !Mettaur,  of  the  same  county.  He  was  not 
only  well-read  and  abreast  of  the  times,  but 
was  a  frecjuent  contributor  to  medical  journals. 
He  and  his  wife  were  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  His  death  occurred  in  1854 
and  he  was  54  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  de- 
mise. His  companion  survived  until  she  at- 
tained the  age  of  84  years,  when  she,  too, 
crossed  to  the  other  shore.  This  esteemed  cou- 
ple reared  a  family  of  nine  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living. 

Dr.  H.  Rulfe  Dupuy  attended  the  public 
schools  during  his  youth  and  afterward  took  a 
more  comprehensive  course  in  the  academies  of 
his  native  county.  \\'hen  but  18  years  old  he 
went  to  war  and  served  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  Confederate  Army,  mainly  in  hos- 
pital work.  One  year  later  the  war  closed  and 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  present  at  the 
surrender  at  Appcmiattox. 

Returning  from  the  war  he  engaged  in  the 
drug  business  at  Farmville,  Virginia,  where  he 
continued  in  that  line  for  two  or  three  years. 
He  subsequentlv  followed  the  same  business  in 
Arkansas  and  ^Mississippi  for  several  years, 
and  succeeded  in  finishing  his  medical  course  in 
1874. 

Dr.  Dupuy  immediately  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  having  lo- 
cated at  Cumberland,  where  he  remained  for 
12  years  and  built  up  quite  a  large  practice. 
He  served  three  vears  as  surgecn  for  the  P>uck- 
ingham  Slate  Quarries,  and  in   1887  removed 


to  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  now  ranks  among 
the  most  successful  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
his  vicinity.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the 
State  Medical  Society  and  the  Norfolk  Medi- 
cal Society.  Like  his  father,  he  is  an  occa- 
sional contributor  to  medical  journals  and  is 
medical  examiner  for  several  life  insurance 
companies  in  Norfolk,  amnng  them  the  North- 
western  Mutual. 

May  21,  1867,  Dr.  Dupuy  was  joined  in 
matrimony  with  Nannie  Walton,  a  daughter  of 
the  late  Dr.  Richard  P.  Walton,  of  Norfolk. 
Fuur  children  were  born  to  the  Doctor  and 
his  worthy  wife,  namely :  Minnie :  Cortlandt ; 
Rolfe  W. ;  and  Howell  Eldridge.  Minnie  mar- 
ried Charles  T.  Ironmonger,  of  Boston,  and 
they  have  three  children — Mary,  Cortlandt  and 
Thomas  Dupuy.  Cortlandt  married  Edmund 
Foster,  also  of  Boston,  and  they  ha\-e  <ine  child, 
Lavinia.  Rolfe  W.  is  a  successful  lousiness 
man  of  Norfolk:  he  married  a  Miss  Walker,  of 
Danville,  Kentucky,  anil  one  child,  Elizal>eth. 
Caldwell,  brightens  their  home.  Howell  Eld- 
ridge, the  youngest  son,  is  a  resident  of  New 
York  City. 

Both  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  flevout 
members  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 
the  former  having  been  an  elder  of  that  church 
for  years.  He  affiliates  with  the  A.  F".  &  A. 
M.,  of  Norfolk. 

Dr.  Dupuy  is  one  of  Norfolk  County's  most 
highly  esteemed  and  valuable  citizens,  and  at 
one  time  was  health  dfficer  of  Norfolk.  Dur- 
ing that  perioil  he  did  his  full  share  in  bring- 
ing alxuit  many  needed  reforms,  insisting  on 
more  cleanliness  in  streets  and  a  better  sewer- 
age system. 


M.  AGEL.\STO.  a  well-known  citi- 
?en  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  is  a  prosper- 
ous cotton  merchant,  a  line  of  busi- 
ness with  which  he  has  been  identified 
since  his  early  manhood. 
Mr.  Agelasto  was  born  in  Greece  in  1S33, 
and  received  his  educatii  n  in  Smvrna,  Turkev, 


532 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  in  Athens.  Greece.  He  was  then  engaged 
in  the  cotton  business  in  Greece  until  1859,  in 
which  year  he  came  to  this  country  and  located 
in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  He  embarked  in 
the  cotton  business  in  that  city,  and  later  be- 
came agent  for  Ralli  Brothers.  He  came  to 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  1880,  and  has  since  been 
engaged  as  cotton  merchant  here.  He  is  pos- 
sessed of  more  than  ordinary  ability  as  a  busi- 
ness man,  and  well  merits  the  success  which 
has  attended  his  efforts. 

A.  M.  Agelasto>  was  married  in  1867,  at 
Syra,  Greece,  to  Polyxene  A.  MaATOgardato, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  three  children, 
namely:  Peter,  Michael,  and  Alexander.  Re- 
ligiously, they  are  members  of  the  Greek 
Church.  Mr.  Agelasto  lias  been  engaged  in 
his  present  business  for  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, and  understands  it  in  all  its  details.  He 
is  well  known  in  Norfolk  County,  where  he 
has  many  warm  friends. 


AMES  HUME  is  a  prominent  insur- 
ance dealer  of  Portsmo'Uth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  was  born  in 
Portsmouth,  in  1879.  He  is  a  son  of 
J.  H.  Hume,  and  a  grandson  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Hume. 

Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  grandfather  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  first  president  of 
the  PortsmoiUh  Lisurance  Company,  which 
was  established  in  1852,  and  which  liquidated 
in  July.  1898.  He  was  a  minister,  and  at 
his  death,  in  1872.  his  son,  J.  H.  Hume,  took 
charge  of  his  insurance  business.  J.  H.  Hume 
was  then  carrying  on  a  wholesale  booksellers' 
and  stationers'  store,  under  the  firm  name  of 
R.  G.  Hlnne  &  Brother.  J.  H.  Hume  carried 
on  an  extensive  insurance  business,  and  among 
the  companies  he  represented  was  the  Virginia 
Fire  &  Marine  Lisurance  Company.  Mr. 
Hume  was  president  O'f  the  People's  Bank  of 
Portsmouth  during  the  later  years  of  his  life. 


He  married  a  Miss  Peebles  of  Petersburg,  who' 
is  now  a  resident  of  Portsmouth. 

James  Hume  was  partially  educated  in 
Portsmouth,  and  also  attended  the  University 
of  North  Carolina.  He  returned  to  his  native 
town,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business.  L  is  a  notable  fact  that 
he  is  of  the  third  generation  of  the  Hume  fam- 
ily to  handle  insurance  for  the  Virginia  Fire 
Lisurance  Company.  He  assumed  his  father's 
business  in  1898,  and  represents  the  following 
companies,  namely :  North  British  &  Mercan- 
tile Lisurance  Company  O'f  New  York;  Sun 
Lisurance  Office  of  London ;  Liiperial  Lisur- 
ance Company,  Limited,  of  London;  Tide- 
water Lisurance  Company,  a  local  company; 
Greenwich  Lisurance  Company  of  New  York; 
and  other  minor  companies. 

John  H.  Hume,  a  brother  of  James,  is  an 
attorney,  although  not  in  practice  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  Charles  G.  Hume  is  city  attorney  of 
Portsmouth. 

-James  Hume  is  one  of  the  most  influential 
young  business  men  in  Portsmouth,  and  has 
done  much  to  assist  in  the  progress  of  that 
city.  He  is  progressive  and  enterprising,  and 
is  possessed  of  excellent  business  ability.  He 
is  a  member  of  Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  82, 
B.  P.  O.  E.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Business 
Men's  Association.  Religiously,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  His 
office  is  located  at  No.  226  High  street. 


ARRY  A.  BRINKLEY,  a  prominent 
young  attorney  of  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  has  been  a 
member  of  the  bar  in  that  city  since 
1900.  He  is  a  native  of  Portsmouth, 
and  is  a  son  of  A.  Brinkley,  wliO'  is  a  wholesale 
grocery  dealer  at  No.  157  Water  street,  Nor- 
folk. A.  Brinkley  is  a  native  of  Nansemond 
County,  he  married  Laura  Warren,  a  native 
of  Norfolk,  who  is  a  descendant  of  Gen.  Joseph 
Warren,  who  was  killed  at  Bunker  Hill. 


WALTER    H.    DOYLE. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


S3S 


Harry  A.  Brinkley  attended  the  Norfolk 
Academw  and  completed  the  course  there.  He 
then  attended  tlie  Virg-inia  ^Military  Institute, 
and  finislied  the  academic  course  there  in  1896. 
He  then  went  to  the  University  of  Virginia, 
where  he  took  up  the  study  of  law,  and  re- 
ceived tlie  degree  of  B.  L.  in  1899.  After 
graduatinsf  from  that  institution,  he  went  west, 
and  was  Ii^rated  at  Spokane,  Washington,  for 
alxiut  three  months.  He  returned  to  Ports- 
mouth, \'irginia.  in  the  spring  of  1900,  and 
opened  an  office  at  Xo.  408  Court  street.  He 
had  been  admitted  to  the  liar  in  July,  1898, 
having  taken  the  second  examination  under  the 
new  regime,  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  engaged  in  the  general  practice 
of  his  profession,  and  has  met  with  much  suc- 
cess. His  ability  as  a  lawyer  is  undisputed : 
he  is  a  man  of  learning,  and  is  progressive  and 
modern  in  all  liis  ideas. 

Mr.  Brinkley  married  ]Mary  Thompson  of 
Baltimore,  who  is  a  descendant  of  ex-Governor 
Chew  of  Maryland.  Mr.  Brinkley  resides  with 
his  parents.  He  is  one  of  the  best  known  citi- 
zens of  Portsmouth. 


joined  in  marriage  with  \'irginia  Camp,  a 
daughter  of  George  W.  Camp,  and  they  are 

;  the  parents  of  four  children,  Bessie  A. ;  Ed- 
ward  Fitzgerald;   Walter   H.,  Jr.;   and  John 

j  E.      Mr.    Doyle's    portrait    accompanies    this 

I  sketch. 


ALTER  H.  DOYLE,  who  has  been 
closely  identified  with  the  financial 
interests  of  this  community  for 
many  years,  needs  no  introduction 
to  the  residents  of  Norfolk  County. 
He  is  president  of  the  Citizens'  Bank,  of  Nor- 
folk, an  ijffice  for  which  he  is  well  qualified 
by  long  experience  in  connection  with  bank- 
ing institutions.  As  a  young  man  he  became 
bookkeeper  for  the  Citizens'  Bank,  in  1868  and 
upon  giving  evidence  of  his  true  worth,  was 
advanced  successively  to  the  positions  of  teller, 
assistant  cashier,  cashier  and  president. 

Mr.  Doyle  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
in  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  John  E.  Doyle.  He 
received  his  educational  training  in  the  schools 
of  this  city  and  pursued  a  collegiate  course  at 
Calvert  College,  in  Marxland.     Mr.  Dovie  was 


r 


J.  ROBINSON,  a  successful  business 
man.  although  not  an  old  resident,  of 
Portsmouth,    Norfolk    Count}-,    Vir- 
ginia, is  vice-president  of  the  Virginia 
Sash  &  Door  Company.     He  has  con- 
ducted a  sawmill  for  the  past  15  years,  and  has 
a  thorough  understanding  of  ever_\-  detail  of 
the  business. 

^Ir.  Robinson  was  born  and  reared  in 
Greenesville  County,  Virginia,  and  at  an  early 
age  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  For  three 
years,  he  conducted  a  sawmill  in  Southampton 
County  and  in  the  early  "  'nineties"  moved  to 
Portsmouth.  He  came  to  the  city  a  stranger 
and  possessed  of  no  capital,  and  is  now  in  com- 
fortable circumstances,  owning  about  $7,000 
worth  of  real  estate,  in  addition  to  his  business. 
He  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Phil- 
lips-Mahoney  &  Company,  lumber  and  mill 
business,  to  which  firm  he  sold  his  interests  in 
1899.  The  Virginia  Sash  &  Door  Company 
was  organized  and  incorporated  on  March  i, 
1901,  with  J.  N.  Hart  as  president:  J.  J.  Rob- 
inson, vice-president;  and  H.  L.  Watts,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  Mr.  Robinson  is  also  serv- 
ing as  general  manager,  and  tO'  his  efficiency 
in  that  capacity  is  due  much  of  the  success  of 
the  company.  They  carry  a  complete  line  of 
sash,  doors  and  blinds,  and  have  offices  and 
warerooms  on  Queen  street,  adjoining  the  lum- 
ber yard  and  planing  mill  of  Hart  &  W'atts. 
The  building  occupied  is  50  bv  70  feet,  in  di- 
mensions, and  the  goods  manufactured  are 
shipped  extensively  to  points  in  Virginia,  Geor- 
gia, Florida,  and  North  Carolina,  and  up  the 
Chesapeake  Bay. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  united  in  marriage  with 
.\nnie  R.  Weaver,  who  comes  of  a  substantial,. 


536 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


old  Virginia  family,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Win- 
field  Weaver  of  Greenesville  county,  Virginia. 
The  father  was  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of 
the  legislature,  and  was  also  at  one  time  sheriff 
oi  the  co'unty.  This  union  resulted  in  four 
children,  namely :  Annie  James,  aged  14 
years ;  Lucille  Manning,  aged  1 1  years ;  Mal- 
colm Graime,  aged  five  years ;  and  Carl  Ran- 
dolph, aged  two  years.  Mr.  Robinson  erected 
a  comfortable  home  at  the  corner  of  B  and 
Pearl  streets,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  build- 
ers in  the  Fifth  Ward.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum.  Religiously,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


ORMAN  CASSELL,  a  prominent  at- 
torney    of       Portsmouth,      Norfolk 
Coimty,  Virginia,  whose  office  is  lo- 
cated in  the  Merchants'  &  Farmers' 
Bank  building,   has  been   practicing 
law  in  Portsmouth  since  1882.     He  was  \yoni 
in    that    city,  and  is  a  son    of    Virginius  O. 
Cassell. 

Charles  Cassell,  the  grandfather  of  Nor- 
man, located  in  Norfolk  County,  in  1826,  com- 
ing from  Washington,  D.  C.  His  son,  Vir- 
g"inius  O.  Cassell.  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County.  His  death  oc- 
curred there  in  1891  at  the  age  of  64  years. 
He  was  a  lawyer,  and  at  one  time  served  as 
Commonwealth's  attorney  oi  Norfolk  County. 
During  the  Confederate  War,  he  was  captain 
of  a  Virginia  company  and  rendered  valuable 
service  in  the  Confederate  cause.  He  mar- 
ried Jane  Manning,  who-  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County,  and  is  now  residing  in  Portsmouth. 
They  reared  several  children,  who  are  engaged 
in  various  lines  of  business. 

Norman  Cassell  attended  the  University  of 
Virginia,  took  the  degree  of  B.  L.  in  June, 
1882,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  first 
began  the  practice  of  his  nrofession  in  partner- 
ship with  his  father,  under  the  firm  name  of 
V.  O.  Cassell  &  Son.     Mr.  Cassell  possesses 


much  ability  as  a  lawyer  and  has  won  distinc- 
tion as  such  in  the  city  in  which  he  resides. 
He  has  a  large  clientage,  which  increases  each 
year,  and  he  is  well  known  in  Norfolk  County. 
In  political  belief,  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  takes 
no  active  interest  in  politics.  Mr.  Cassell  lives 
with  his  family  in  Portsmouth.  He  attends 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


LLIS  A.  BUTT,  chief  clerk,  Depart- 
ment of  Yards  and  Docks,  United 
States  Navy  Yard,  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  November  23, 
1846,  the  eldest  son  of  George  W.  and  Eliza- 
beth A.  (Wood)  Butt.  His  father,  George  W. 
Butt,  died  December  7,  1853;  I'^'S  mother, 
Elizabeth  A.  Butt,  is  still  living  and  resides  in 
her  native  city,  Portsmouth,  Virginia.  George 
W.  Butt  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  in  busi- 
ness as  a  contractor  and  builder. 

Ellis  A.  Butt,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Ports- 
mouth, and  at  an  early  age  learned  the  trade 
of  printer,  under  the  late  D.  D.  Fiske,  who 
owned  and  edited  the  Portsmouth  Transcript. 
He  worked  at  that  trade  on  the  different  news- 
papers published  in  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth 
some  five  years  or  more;  was  connected  with 
the  Portsmouth  Gas  Company  for  a  number  of 
years ;  and  engaged  in  the  cigar  and  tobacco 
business  for  a  short  time.  On  April  18,  1885, 
he  was  appointed  store  clerk  in  the  Department 
of  Yards  and  Docks,  United  States  Navy 
Yard,  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  promoted  to  the 
position  of  chief  clerk,  October  i,  1886,  hold- 
ing said  position  at  this  time. 

Mr.  Butt  was  married  November  11,  1885, 
to  Annie  Warren  Ives,  only  daughter  of  the 
late  William  and  Rachel  E.  Ives.  Mr.  Ives 
was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  50 
years  or  more,  having  retired  from  the  same 
just  prior  to  his  death.  Mrs.  Ives  died  Febru- 
ary 6,  1902.    Two  children  have  been  born  to 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


537 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butt — Ellis  V\  arren,  burn  Janu- 
ary 9,  1888;  and  Fairlie  Marshall,  lx)rn  June 
18.  1897. 

Mr.  Butt  is  a  Democrat,  having  represented 
his  nati\e  city  of  Portsmouth  in  the  X'irginia 
Legislature,  1881  and  1S8.2  (in  what  wa3 
known  as  the  Readjuster  Legislature),  being 
the  only  Democrat  elected  during  that  period 
from  the  Second  Congressional  District  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  a  member  of  Portsmouth  Lodge, 
No.  24,  Knights  of  Pythias :  Pcirtsmouth 
Council,  Xo.  22"/,  Royal  Arcanum;  e.x-captain 
and  honorary  member  of  the  Chambers  Steam 
Fire  Company  (  volunteer )  :  a  member  of  and 
past  exalted  ruler,  Portsmouth  Lodge,  No. 
82,  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 


ICHARD  B.  TUXSTALL,  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  White,  Tunstall  & 
Thom,  attorneys-at-law  in  the  city  of 
Xorfolk,  Virginia,  is  one  of  the  most 
prominent  lawyers  in  the  Old  Domin- 
ion. He  was  born  in  Xorfolk,  July  i.  1848,  a 
son  of  Dr.  Robert  B.  Tunstall,  who  was  for  a 
period  of  40  years  one  of  the  leading  physicians 
of  Xorfolk.  Dr.  Tunstall  married  Elizabeth 
(Williamson)  Walke. 

Richard  B.  Tunstall  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  private  schools  in  Xorfolk,  and  in 
1864  entered  the  Virginia  Military  Institute, 
where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  Con- 
federate War.  It  was  his  privilege,  although 
under  the  age  of  16  years,  to  participate  in  the 
famous  battle  of  X^ewmarket.  It  was  in  this 
battle,  that  the  Virginia  Military  Cadets 
showed  of  what  nerve  and  daring  they  were 
possessed.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  Mr.  Tunstall 
entered  the  L^niversitv  of  \^irginia,  where  he 
remained  three  years,  and  graduated  in  June, 
1868,  with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts. 

After  leaving  college,  Mr.  Tunstall  spent 
the  ensuing  year  in  teaching  school,  and  also 
in  preparing  to  enter  the  university  law  school. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  university  law  de- 


partment in  1870,  and  opened  practice  in  Xor- 
folk the  same  year.  He  continued  to  practice 
alone  until  October,  187 1,  when  he  went  to 
Xew  York  City,  and  became  associated  with 
the  firm  known  as  Kaufmann,  Tunstall  & 
W'agoner.  This  firm  made  a  specialty  of  real 
estate.  He  subsequently  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  John  Grimball,  the  firm  name  being 
Grimball  &  Tunstall.  This  partnership  contin- 
ued until  June,  1883,  when  Mr.  Tunstall  re- 
turned to  Xorfolk  an*l  entered  the  firm.  In 
January,  1900,  the  jjresent  firm  oi  White.  Tun- 
stall &  Thom  was  formed.  This  firm  has  one 
of  the  largest  law  practices  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  each  member  l3€ing  a  lawyer  of  more 
than  ordinary  ability.  It  was  the  firm  of  Tun- 
stall &  Thom  which  organized  and  promoted 
the  Norfolk  Land  Company,  and  that  company 
has  developed  one  of  the  best  resident  suburbs 
of  Norfolk,  known  as  the  Ghent  Addition. 

Mr.  Tunstall  is  one  of  Norfolk's  most 
progressive  citizens,  and  is  actively  interested 
in  all  public  enterprises  which  tend  to  advance 
the  interests  of  the  citv  in  which  he  lives. 


lOBERT  J.  NEELY,  deceased,  for 
many  years  one  of  the  most  prominent 
lumber  merchants  of  Portsmouth, 
\'irginia,  was  well  known  throughout 
Xorfolk  County,  and  took  an  active 
part  in  its  affairs. 

Mr.  Neely  was  born  in  Bucks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  and  with  his  brother  William 
moved,  in  1853,  to  Southampton  County,  \'ir- 
ginia,  where,  under  the  firm  name  of  R.  J.  & 
W.  Xeely,  they  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, their  platit  being  located  at  Franklin. 
Both  served  throughout  the  Confederate  War, 
having  enlisted  from  Si3uthamptoii  County. 
William  Xeely  was  in^  the  quartermaster's  de- 
partment. Robert  J.  Xeely  was  a  sergeant 
and  served  mainly  about  Richmond,  being  a 
guard  at  Libby  Prison  a  part  of  the  time.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Franklin 


538 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  soon  moved  to  Portsmouth,  where  he 
bought  twO'  of  the  wharves  now  owned  b}'  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line,  and  conducted  a  hmiber 
business  at  the  corner  of  Crawford  and  London 
streets,  deaHng  also  in  doors,  sash  and  blinds. 
He  conducted  a  coal  yard  at  Gosport,  and  had 
the  largest  business  of  the  kind  in  Portsmouth. 
In  1866,  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Bank  of  Portsmouth  and  served  as  a  director 
until  1890,  when  he  died  at  the  age  of  62  years. 
He  filled  numerous  public  offices.  He  was  in 
the  Council  six  years,  was  a  chairman  of  the 
finance  committee,  and  was  on  the  ferry  com- 
mittee six  years.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Board  of  Trade  of  Portsmouth, 
and  was  an  active  supporter  of  all  enterprises 
tending  to  benefit  the  city.  He  commanded 
the  respect  and  good  will  of  the  entire  com- 
munity, and  upon  his  death  there  appeared  in 
the  local  papers  many  articles  eulogistic  of  his 
life  and  work,  and  pronouncing  his  demise  a 
loss  to  the  city  of  Portsmouth. 

In  1869,  Mr.  Neely  married  Elizabeth  N. 
Ridley,  who  was  born  in  Southampton  County, 
Virginia,  and  is  a  daughter  of  F.  T.  Ridley, 
and  a  great-granddaughter  oi-  Maj.  Thomas 
Ridley,  who  served  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  carried  on  an  extensive  correspondence 
with  both  Washington  and  La  Fayette.  Mrs. 
Neely  was  one  of  six  children  born  tO'  her  par- 
ents, as  follows:  William,  who- was  killed  in 
the  second  battle  of  Manassas,  during  the  Con- 
federate War :  Mrs.  L.  B.  Drewry  of  Jackson, 
North  Carolina;  Elizabeth  N. :  Mrs.  N.  B. 
Ridley  of  Portsmouth;  Julia;  and  Frank  T., 
deceased. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neely  became  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  as  fellows  :  Clara ;  William  R. ; 
Elizabeth  N.;  Jane  Boyd;  R.  Johnson;  John 
Thompson ;  and  Emily  G.  Clara  was  reared  in 
Portsmouth,  and  left  in  September,  1899,  for 
Tokio,  Japan,  where  she  expects  to  remain  for 
seven  years  as  an  Episcopalian  missionary. 
She  is  a  correspondent  of  the  missionary  papers 
of  New  York  City.  William  R.,  who  has  been 
a  civil  engineer  in  the  employ  of  iiie  United 


States,  at  Vicksburg,  for  10  years,  was  edu- 
cated in  the  University  of  Virginia.  He  was- 
at  one  time  sent  on  an  expedition  to  South 
America  under  Admiral  Walker,  but  resigned 
and  returned  toi  his  old  corps.  R.  Johnson, 
who  graduated  from  Blacksburg  College,  Vir- 
ginia, and  Cornell  University,  in  naval  archi- 
tecture and  marine  engineering,  is  now  at  the 
Norfolk  Navy  Yard.  John  Thompson  is  now 
taking  a  course  in  engineering  at  Blacksburg 
College.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Neely  was  a  Mason. 
Although  his  family  were  Presbyterians,  he 
became  a  member  o-f  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  Airs.  Neely  is  a  member  of  Ports- 
mouth Chapter,  United  Daughters  of  Confed- 
eracy. She  and  her  daughters  are  members 
of  the  various  organizations  of  Trinity  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church,  and  two  of  the  daugh- 
ters are  teachers  in  the  industrial  school.  Clara, 
Neely  is  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  the- 
American  Revolution.  They  all  belong  to  the 
King's   Daughters. 


I 


OHN  NEWTON  WILLIAMS,  a  life- 
long resident  of  the  city  of  Norfolk, 
is  a  member  of  the  wholesale  dmg 
firm  of  Williams,  Martin  &  Gray.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in 
1842,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Martha  Julia; 
(Armistead)  Williams'. 

John  \\'illiams  was  born  in  Fairfax  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  and  came  to  Norfolk  in  1813, 
when  a  lad.  He  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits and  later,  in  banking.  He  was  clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court  for  about  30  years  prior  to 
the  war,  and  before  that  was  a  department 
clerk  about  10  years.  He  was  elected  treas- 
urer while  the  city  was  still  under  martial  law 
and  in  the  hands  of  the  Federal  Army,  and  was 
also'  president  of  the  City  Council  a  number  of 
years.  His  death  occurred  in  1875.  He  was 
a  member  of  Christ  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Williams  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Martha  Julia  Armistead,  a  daughter  of 


MAJ.    CHARLES    ROBERT    McALPINE,    M.    D. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


541 


Theodorick  and  Martlia  (Xewton)  Armistead. 
She  was  born  in  Norfolk  and  died  in  1858,  at 
tlie  age  of  52  years.  Tliey  became  tiie  parents 
of  four  children,  namely :  Eliza  Darraugh, 
wife  of  Captain  William  Sharp,  who  was  in 
the  United  States  and  Confederate  navies  and 
now  lives  in  Norfolk;  Walter  Wheeler  and 
Theodorick  Armistead.  deceased;  and  John 
Newton. 

John  Newton  Williams  attended  pri\-ate 
schools  in  Norfolk  and  William  and  Mary  Col- 
lege. At  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War 
he  enlisted  at  the  age  of  18  years  in  Compan\' 
F.  6th  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  being  first 
stationed  at  Craney  Island.  He  joined  his 
regiment  as  it  went  into  the  second  battle  of 
Manassas,  having  witnessed  the  battle  between 
the  "Monitor"  and  "Virginia."  He  was  taken 
sick  with  typhoid  fever,  and  running  the  block- 
ade returned  home  and  was  cared  for  at  the 
heme  of  his  brother  at  Leeslmrg.  Virginia. 
Ujjon  his  recovery  he  joined  the  Richmond 
Howitzers.  Artillery,  and  was  in  the  battle  at 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  where  his  com- 
mand surrendered.  The  regiment  disbanded 
and  he  tramped  to  Leesburg,  returning  home 
via  Baltimore,  where  he  took  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance. He  arrived  home  June  23,  1865.  and 
on  the  following  day  his  father  was  elected  city 
treasurer  and  employed  him  in  that  office.  He 
was  subsecjuently  elected  deputy  to  his  father 
and  continued  thus  for  18  montlis.  He  con- 
tinued bookkeeping  for  three  or  four  years,  and 
then  went  into  the  drug  business,  organizing 
the  firm  of  Walke  &  Williams,  which  continued 
for  a  period  of  25  years.  He  was  then  out  of 
business  on  account  of  ill  health  for  about  three 
years,  and  in  1898  the  drug  firm  of  Williams. 
Martin  &  Gray  was  established,  his  partners 
being  A.  S.  Martin  and  George  T.  Gray.  Their 
concern  is  located  at  No.  79  Commercial  Place 
and  they  are  large  wholesale  dealers  in  drugs, 
paints,  oils.  etc. 

Mr.  Williams  was  joined  in  the  bonds  of 
matrimony,  in  1866,  with  Virginia  A.  Bland, 
who  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  in  1846, 

31 


and  is  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Richard  and  Virginia 
(Williams)  Bland.  Three  children  have  i)een 
Ixirn  to  them  namely ;  Richard  Bland,  assist- 
ant surgeon  on  the  L'.  S.  battleship  "Kear- 
sarge"  ;  John  Newton,  Jr.,  who  is  attending  the 
University  of  Virginia  at  Charlottesville;  and 
Alice  B.,  who  is  attending  schcxil  in  New  Jer- 
sey. They  are  all  members  of  St.  Luke's  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church. 


AJ.  CH.VRLES  ROBERT  McAL- 
ITXE,  M.  D.,  deceased,  a  distin- 
guished soldier  and  eminent  physi- 
cian of  Portsmouth.  Virginia, 
whose  portrait  is  herewith  shown, 
was  born  at  Kempsville,  in  Princess  Anne 
County,  Virginia,  on  April  9,  1827,  and  died 
February  14,  1876.  He  was  educated  at  Will- 
iam and  Mary  College,  studied  medicine  under 
Dr.  Balform  in  Norfolk  and  then  went  to  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania  where  be  gradu- 
ated and  received  his  professional  diploma  in 

1847. 

Dr.  James  McAlpine,  of  Edinburg,  Scot- 
land^, our  subject's  father,  immigrated  to  this 
country  aIx)Ut  the  first  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury and  located  in  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia. He  soon  acquired  a  large  practice  and  be- 
came one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the 
seaboard.  He  married  Yates  Newton  Fisher, 
which  union  resulted  in  three  sons  and  one 
daughter:  James  Newton,  a  physician;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  the  late  Dr.  Virginius  Bil- 
isoly;  and  Charles  R. 

Dr.  Charles  R.  McAlpine  commenced  the 
])ractice  of  his  profession  in  his  native  county. 
He  married  and  continued  his  profession  there 
until  he  removed  to  Portsmouth,  in  1856, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  useful  life, 
e.xcejn  the  period  of  his  military  service.  He 
filled  with  credit  a  number  of  positions  of  pub- 
lic trust.  Previous  to  the  war  between  the 
States,  he  was  health  officer  of  the  city  and  a 
member  of  the  Council  when  Portsmouth  was 


542 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


incorporated  in  1858.  He  was  president  of 
the  Board  of  Health  and  a  member  of  the  Pub- 
lic School  Board.  He  was  often  urged  for 
mayor  of  the  city  and  the  characteristics  of 
the  man  are  truly  described  in  a  communication 
presenting  his  name,  as  follows :  "In  a  recent 
issue  the  names  of  several  prominent  gentle- 
men are  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  office 
■of  mayor  of  Portsmouth.  Being  in  a  state  of 
semi-military  vassalage,  it  is  useless  to  shut 
•our  eyes  to  the  fact  that  the  military  aim  of 
this  government  is  an  usurping  power  in  the 
State.  Under  the  circumstances,  the  incum- 
bent of  this  office  should  be  a  man  of  firmness, 
unwavering  resolution  and  possessing  ample 
knowledge  of  the  law.  He  should  be  a  man 
having  force  of  character,  one  who  commands 
respect  of  his  fellow  citizens,  possessing  ad- 
ministrative ability  and  resolution  to  resist  the 
smallest  encroachment  of  the  law,  no  matter 
from  what  source  emanating.  Without  any 
disparagement  of  any  of  the  gentlemen  here- 
tofore named,  such  a  one  is  Dr.  Charles  R. 
IMcAlpine.  and  he  possesses  the  qualities  in  an 
eminent  degree.  His  administrative  ability 
and  moral  courage  are  unquestioned.  Modest 
and  unassuming  in  his  demeanor,  there  lurks 
behind  these  qualities  a  settled,  determined  will' 
to  execute  fearlessly  any  undertaking  in  which 
he  may  engage.  Prompt  and  energetic  in  his 
profession,  relieving  the  poor  and  indigent, 
without  hope  of  compensation,  with  the  same 
alacrity  and  willingness  as  the  wealthy,  he 
•commands  the  respect  and  retains  the  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow  citizens  in  an  eminent  de- 
gree. As  a  magistrate  of  the  city  heretofore, 
he  filled  the  position  with  that  dignity  charac- 
teristic of  the  man,  dispensing  justice  with  an 
even  hand,  regardless  of  position ;  and  as 
m-ayor  lie  v.-ould  be  found  equal  to  anv  emer- 
gency. An  intimate  acquaintance  of  years 
•warrants  the  writer  in  making  this  statement, 
and  his  earnest  wish  to  see  his  native  city  rise 
from  her  present  prostration,  is  his  pretext  for 
the  advocacy  of  a  warm  friend's  advancement 
to  this  position  of    trust    and    responsibility. 


Aware  that  he  has  never  sought  office,  and 
that  possibly  any  disability  under  which  he 
may  be  laboring,  or  has  been,  may  be  soon  re- 
moved and  without  his  knowledge,  his  name  is 
hereby  presented  to  the  voters  of  Portsmouth 
as  one  eminently  qualified  to  adorn  the  office 
of  mayor."  He  was  an  honored  Knight  of 
Pythias,  and  had  passed  through  all  the  de- 
grees of  Masonry  from  entered  apprentice  to 
Knight  Templar.  He  was  past  master,  past 
high  priest  and  past  eminent  commander.  His 
high  standing  in  all  benevolent  societies  with 
which  he  was  connected,  betokens  the  heart  of 
the  man.  for  he  was  charitable  and  unselfish  to 
a  degree  which  merits  the  highest  admiration. 
He  was  one  of  the  bravest  of  the  brave  Con- 
federate soldiers — courageous,  calm  and  fear- 
less on  the  field'of  battle.  His  faithfulness  to 
his  friends  is  aptly  illustrated  by  Judge  Claud- 
ius W.  Murdaugh,  for  whom  he  risked  his  life 
to  snatch  from  the  jaws  of  death.  We  quote 
in  full  from  an  address  delivered  before  Stone- 
wall Camp,  in  describing  the  battle  of  Salem 
Church.  Judge  Murdough  said :  "It  was  my 
destiny  to  be  shot  down  by  a  ball  through  the 
hip,  and  I  fell  about  midway  between  the  two 
lines,  and  here  my  personal  recollections  of  the 
battle  of  Chancellorsville  cease.  But  I  hope 
you  will  pardon  me  for  this  personal  allusion. 
I  have  referred  to  it  particularly,  in  order  to 
pay,  in  this  connection,  a  merited  tribute  to 
two  as  brave  and  gallant  Virginians  as  ever 
trod  God's  green  earth.  When  our  company 
reached  the  main  lines,  as  I  was  afterward  in- 
formed, there  was  an  inquiry  made  as  to  where 
I  was,  and  one  of  the  men  who  was  by  my 
side,  in  falling  back,  answered  that  I  had  been 
shot,  and  as  he  supposed,  killed;  immediately 
a  comrade  sprung  tO'  his  feet  and  cried  out,  'Is 
there  any  one  who  will  volunteer  with  me  to 
bring  him  behind  the  lines  ?'  The  inquiry  had 
scarcely  been  made  before  the  response  came 
from  another,  T  will.'  And  it  was  no  sooner 
said  than  these  two  brave  and  gallant  spirits 
jumped  over  the  fence,  behind  which  our 
forces  were  lying,  and  rushing    to    the    spot 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


543 


where  they  liad  been  directed,  tlicy  seized  me 
and  bore  me  to  the  rear :  let  it  be  remembered 
♦hat  this  was  done  at  a  time  wIicti  tlie  Federals 
were  ponring  forth  \-olley  after  volley  in  rapid 
succession,  when  the  air  was  full  of  missiles, 
when  streams  of  shot  and  shell  screamed  and 
hissed  on  every  side.  And  as  I  now  recall,  it 
seems  to  me  almost  miraculous  how  anything 
could  live  under  such  a  terrible  fire.  And  yet 
these  two  men  dared  brave  it  all — shell,  canis- 
ter and  bullets — to  save  a  friend.  I  refer  with 
swelling  heart  to  these  two  gallant  souls,  and 
when  history  tells  of  heroes  who  fell  it  can 
tell  of  none  truer  or  braver  than  Major  Charles 
R.  McAlpine  and  Capt.  John  Hobday — the  one 
survived  the  war.  lived  and  was  ever  honored 
and  respected  by  our  people,  as  he  justly  de- 
served; the  other  was  killed  at  Burgess"  IMill 
Octol>er  2j,  1864,  while  gallantly  leading  his 
company."' 

The  nation  ma\-  have  no  niche  for  such  he- 
roes, but  they  will  ever  be  honored  by  the  truly 
l)rave  men.  wherever  their  deeds  are  recited. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  Dr.  Mc- 
Alpine  raised  a  company  and  organized  at 
Glebe's  school  house,  composed  of  material 
from  both  city  and  country,  called  the  Bilisoly 
Blues,  which  was  first  attached  to  the  41st  Reg- 
iment, and  subsequent  to  the  organization  of 
the  regiment  at  Petersburg  was  transferred  and 
became  Company  I,  6ist  Regiment,  Virginia 
Infantry.  On  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth,  Captain  McAlpine  and  his  com- 
pany were  ordered  to  join  the  troops  around 
Richmond,  and  were  held  on  reserve  at  that 
print  during  the  memorable  Seven  Days*  fight- 
ing. The  military  career  of  the  deceased  here 
commenced,  and  for  cool,  decided  courage  and 
manly  daring,  was  unsurpassed  by  any  soldier 
of  the  Confederacy  during  the  eventful  four 
years'  struggle.  He  was  engaged  in  the  fol- 
lowing battles :  Catlett's  Station,  September 
zj.  1862;  Fredericksburg.  December  11,  12 
and  13,  1862;  Zoar  Church.  April  30.  1863; 
McCarty's  Farm.  May  i,  1863;  Chancellors- 
ville.  May  2  and  3.  1863;  Salem  Church,  May 


3,  1863  ;  Gettysburg,  July  2  and  3,  1863  ;  picket 
fight,  July  4,  1863;  Bristow  Station,  October 
14,  1863;  Mine  Run,' December  2,  1863:  Wil- 
derness, May  6,  1864;  Shady  Grove,  Alay  8, 
1864;  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May  12, 
1864:  Hanover  Junction,  May  28.  1864:  Cold 
Harbor.  June  2  and  3,  1864;  Turkey  Ridge 
(skirmishing),  June  4  to  13,  1864;  Frazier's 
Farm.  June  13,  1864;  Wilcox  Farm  (Peters- 
burg). June  22,  1864;  Gurley  House,  June  23, 
1864:  Johnson's  Farm,  August  19,  1864: 
Ream's  Station,  Augiist  25,  1S64;  Burgess' 
Mill.  October  29,  1864;  Hatcher's  Run,  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1865.  At  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania 
Court  House,  Captain  McAlpine  was  promoted 
to  major  for  gallant  daring  at  the  battle  of 
Frazier's  Farm,  where  he  was  badly  wounded 
in  the  shoulder.  On  March  23,  1865.  he  sent 
into  the  War  Department  his  resignation  as 
major  of  the  6ist  for  the  purpose  of  ol)taining 
authority  to  raise  a  battalion  of  partisan  rang- 
ers, to  operate  along  the  Blackwater  River. 
The  fall  of  the  Confederacy  a  few  days  later, 
of  course  defeated  this  purpose.  The  chivalric 
bearing  and  soldierly  character  that  adds  lus- 
tre  to  the  militar)-  record  of  Major  McAlpine 
during  the  great  struggle,  is  evidenced  by  let- 
ters given  him  by  Colonial  Groner,  Colonel 
Stewart  and  Adjutant  Taylor,  to  present  to  the 
War  Department  for  a  separate  command,  each 
paying  fitting  tribute  tO'  his  military  ability  and 
personal  characteristics.  The  fall  of  the  Con- 
federacy came  before  Major  ^IcAlpine  could 
formulate  his  plans  for  an  independent  com- 
mand, and  after  the  surrender  he  returned  to 
Portsmouth  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  which  he  pursued  with  unfaltering 
zeal  and  faithfulness  until  his  death,  February 
14,  1876.  He  was  a  true  friend,  a  good  citi- 
zen, a  brave  soldier  and  a  noble  man. 

Dr.  Charles  R.  McAlpine  was  married 
February  24,  1852,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Anne 
Land,  and  the  living  children  of  this  union  are: 
Yates;  Kenneth,  Past  Assistant  Engineer,  U. 
S.  Xavy ;  Xewton  :  William  Lewis ;  and  James 
Fisher.     Miss  Yates  McAlpine  married  James 


544 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Kdwin  Wilson,  a  native  citizen  and  prominent 

merchant  of  Portsmouth,  who  died  in  1884,  at 

the  age  of  36  years.    They  had  one  son,  Charles 

D.  Willard. 

♦-•-♦ 


H.  SARGEANT,  jr.,  is  prominent 
among-  the  yoimg  lawyers  of  Nor- 
folk, who  have  displayed  ability  in 
the  practice  of  their  profession. 
He  began  practice  in  the  city  in 
1896,  and  in  the  time  which  has  since  elapsed 
has  been  identified  with  numerous  important 
litigations,  being  counsel  for  several  prominent 
concerns.  He  was  reared  in  the  vicinity  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  H.  Sar- 
geant,  city  librarian,  and  a  nephew  of  Lieuten- 
ant Carter  Williams,  of  Mahone's  Brigade,  C. 
S.  Army,  and  of  General  Sheldon  Sargeant,  an 
officer  of  the  Federal  Army  of  the  Intersec- 
tional  War. 

W.  H.  Sargeant,  Jr.,  recei\'ed  his  intellec- 
tual training  in  the  local  schools  and  in  the 
Norfolk  Academy.  He  then  prepared  himself 
frr  the  legal  profession  in  the  University  of 
Virginia,  from  which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1895.  As  he  had  not  yet  reached  his 
majority  he  entered  the  law  offices  of  White- 
hurst  &  Hughes,  and  in  ]\Iarch,  1896,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar.  He  continued  with  the 
firm  above  mentioned  until  Septemljer.  1896, 
since  which  time  he  has  practiced  alone  and 
has  achieved  unqualified  success.  He  dex'ctes 
a  great  portion  of  his  time  to  real  estate  and 
corporation  law,  represents  th-el  interests  of 
a  number  of  Northern  capitalists  and  is  also 
attorney  for  the  Guarantee  Building  &  Loan 
Association,  Old  Dominion  Building  &  Loan 
Associaiion,  National  Building  &  Loan  Asso- 
ciation, of  Baltimore,  ^Merchants'  &  Mechan- 
ics' Loan  and  Investment  Company,  Colonial 
Savings  &  Investment  Association  and  Calvert 
Building  &  Loan  Association.  Politically  he 
is  unswerving  in  his  support  of  the  Democratic 
party,  and  firmly  believes  in  the  principles 
which  it  advocates.     He  has  been  an  enthusi- 


astic party  worker,  and  formerly  served  as  pres- 
ident of  the  Third  Ward  Democratic  Club.  He 
is  a  rising  yoimg  politician  and  only  missed  be- 
ing sent  to  the  State  Legislature  by  twO'  votes. 
He  is  now  a  member  of  the  City  Council  from 
the  Third  Ward. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Sargeant  is  senior  warden 
of  Owens  Lodge,  No.  164',  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
scribe  in  Norfolk  United  Chapter,  No.  i,  R. 
A.  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the  B.  P.  O.  E., 
in  which  order  he  is  esteemed  leading 
knight,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  He  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  other  organi- 
zations of  a  worthy  character.  For  some  time 
he  was  secretary  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Debating 
Society ;  secretary  of  the  local  assembly  of  the 
Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrew ;  secretary  of  Nor- 
folk Lodge,  No.  125,  Knights  of  the  Mystic 
Chain :  and  secretary  of  St.  George's  Society ; 
at  present  he  is  a  member  of  the  gymnasium 
committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation. He  is  also  historian  of  Pickett-Budia- 
nan  Camp.  Sons  of  Confederate  \'eterans. 


APT,  J.  H.  KEGEBEIN.  who  is  cap- 
tain of  Chemical  Engine  Company, 
No.  I,  of  the  Norfolk  Fire  Depart- 
ment, is  well  known  in  that  city.  He 
was  born  in  New  York  City  Septem- 
ber 23,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  F.  Kege- 
bein.  When  he  was  12  years  old  he  removed 
to  Norfolk,  where  he  completed  his  mental 
training.  When  a  very  your.g  man  he  worked 
in  a  furniture  store,  and  later  in  grocery  stores. 
His  first  work  in  the  Norfolk  Fire  Department 
was  as  a  volunteer  fireman,  and  in  December, 
1887,  he  was  promoted  to  hoseman.  In  1894 
he  was  again  promoted,  this  time  to  be  driver 
of  Engine  Company  No.  i.  In  July,  1895, 
Capt.  Kegebein  was  appointed  captain  of  En- 
gine Compan\-  No.  i,  at  headquarters,  and 
held  this  office  until  1896,  when  the  chem- 
ical engine  was  added.  February  12,  1896. 
he  was  appcinted  to  his  present  position. 


HON.    C.    BROOKS    JOHNSTON. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


547 


He  lias  been  in  some  large  tires  and  has  ren- 
dered much  valuable  service,  always  acting 
witli  splendid  judgment  and  precision.  The 
chemical  engine  has  prevented  many  disastrous 
fires,  such  as  that  at  the  Davis  furniture  store, 
which  was  on  tire  and  was  extinguished  with- 
out water.  At  another  time  a  vessel  belong- 
ing tc  the  Merchants'  and  Miners'  Steamship 
Companv  caught  tire  and  burned  tour  hours 
before  it  landed.  The  fire  was  supposed 
to  have  been  put  out  before  it  landed, 
but  to  make  sure,  the  chemical  company 
was  called.  When  the  hatchway  was  opened 
a  draught  started  the  fire  anew.  Captain 
Kegebein  had  charge  of  the  company,  and 
after  much  careful  work  the  fire  was  ex- 
tinguished. This  same  company  also  did 
great  service  in  extinguishing  the  fire  on 
the  seventh  fioor  of  the  Citizens'  Bank 
building,  for  whicli  it  received  the  highest  com- 
mendation. Captain  Kegebein  has  made  many 
valuable  improvements  at  the  engine  house. 
His  career  as  a  fighter  of  fiames  has  been  an 
excellent  one,  and  he  bids  fair  to  make  many 
advancements  in  his  chosen  field  of  work. 

Captain  Kegebein  married  Almeda  Fisk,  a 
daughter  of  James  Fisk,  of  Princess  Anne 
County.  Virginia.  The  children  which  re- 
sulted from  this  union  are  named  Grace;  Lil- 
lian :  John ;  and  Frederick.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  I. 
O.  R.  M.  and  K.  of  P. 


OX.  C.  BROOKS  JOHNSTON, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of 
the  Norfolk  Railway  &  Light  Com- 
pany, whose  portrait  accompanies  this 
sketch,  was  mayor  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, from  May,  1898,  until  the  spring  of 
1 90 1.  In  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  public 
olilice.  the  same  general  business  abiity  was  dis- 
played as  characterized  the  conduct  of  his  own 
affairs.  He  effected  many  needed  reforms 
during  Viis  administration,  placed  the  city  on  a 


good  financial  bases,  and  enforced  measures 
which  promoted  the  health  ami  prosperity  of 
the  ci  nimunity. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  Ix  rn  .\ugust  1,  1854, 
in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  where  he  attended  pri- 
\ate  sclu:ols  until  he  was  14  years  of  age,  and 
then  began  to  earn  his  own  living.  He  was 
employed  in  the  large  drug  store  of  C.  A.  San- 
tos and  subsequently  became  bookkeeper  for 
Mapj)  &  Comiiany,  wholesale  dealers  in  stoves 
and  tinware.  He  was  in  partnership  with  his 
father  for  four  years  in  the  retail  grocery  bus- 
iness on  Main  street.  During  the  year  1880 
he  went  to  work  for  the  Norfolk  Knitting  & 
Cotton  Mamifacturing  Company,  as  lx)ok- 
keeptr.  and  so  well  did  he  ser\e  their  interests 
that  in  January,  1882,  he  was  i)romoted  to  be 
superintendent  of  the  plant.  In  18S5,  ''i  '•''"''' 
nection  with  W.  C.  Dickson,  he  became  lessee 
of  the  mill  which  they  have  since  operated. 
This  is  the  pioneer  knitting  mill  built  south  of 
Masiiu  and  Dixon's  line,  and  under  the  excel- 
lent management  of  the  present  [jroprietors  its 
capacity  has  been  trebled.  It  has  never  been 
closed  for  want  of  orders  and  gives  employ- 
'  ment  to  over  200  persons.  There  is  perfect 
harmony  between  employers  and  employees, 
and  to  the  credit  of  both  it  may  be  said  that 
there  has  never  been  any  friction  in  the  mill. 
!  Aside  from  this  business  'Slv.  Johnston  was 
I  elected  on  September  i.  1899,  ist  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  the  Norfolk  Rail- 
way &:  Light  Company. 

Mr.  Johnston  has  always  Ijeen  an  enthusi- 
astic Democrat,  and  from  boyhood  has  taken 
an  active  interest  in  party  affairs.  In  1886  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors of  Norfolk  County,  representing  the 
clistrict  of  Tanner's  Creek.  While  serving  in 
that  capacity  he  was  largely  instrumental  in 
preventing  the  removal  of  the  County  Court 
House  from  Portsmouth.  When  Atlantic  City 
was  anne.xed  to  Norfolk,  in  1890,  he  was  made 
chairman  of  the  local  board  if  inipro\enicnt, 
and  filled  that  position  until  Fel)ruary.  i8g8. 
During  this  period  he  also  served  two  terms  in 


548 


iilSTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  Common  Council    of    Norfolk^  from  the 
Sixth  Ward,  and  for  about  six  years  was  a 
member  of  the    City    Democratic    Executive 
Committee,  of  which  he   was    chairman.     Al- 
though opposed  by  two  strong  candidates,  Cap- 
tain W.  R.  Mayo,  then  mayor  of  Norfolk,  and 
Police  Commissioner  George  H.  Dawes,  Mr. 
Johnston  was  elected  mayor  in  1898,  lacking 
but  a  few  vot(?s  of  having  a  majority  over  both 
of  his  opponents.    His  practical  business  meth- 
ods were  carried  into  office  with  him,  and  his 
record  as  mayor  was  a  brilliant  one.     At  the 
sacrifice  of  his  private  interests,  he  devoted  his 
attention  to  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  his  ad- 
ministration resulted  in  greater  progress  than 
that  of  any  of  his  predecessor.   Realizing  that 
the  public  schools  were  not  what  they  should  be 
he  set  about  to  remedy  defects,  and  the  city 
can  now  boast  of  schools  as  fine  as  any  city  in 
the  State  can  show.     He  was  instrumental  in 
placing  the  municipal  bonds  upon  a  four  per 
cent,  basis,   which   resulted    in    a    saving    of 
thousands  of  dollars  annually.     Probably  the 
greatest  amount  of  good  accomplished  during 
his  term  of  office  was  in  the  reorganization  of 
the  Board  of  Health,  by  reason  of  which  the 
li\-es  O'f  citizens  were  better  protected.     Shortly 
after  going  into  office  smallpox  became  preva- 
lent and  spread  with  alarming  rapidity.     No 
salary  was  attached  to  the  office  of  member  of 
the  Board  of  Health,  and  it  was  entirely  with- 
out a  head.     The  officials  were  unable  to  cope 
with  the  dread  disease,  and  the  same  conditions 
existed  the  follow  year.    Being  strongly  impor- 
tuned to  become  president  of  the  board,  Mr. 
Johnston,  after  some  hestitancy,  consented.  He 
realized  the  dange'r  of  a  pest-house  within  the 
city  limits  and  through  the  action  of  General 
\\'yman  received  permission  to  use  Craney  Isl- 
and without  expense  to-  the  city.     Craney  Isl- 
and was  then  under  the  direction  of  the  Navy 
Department.       Thomas    Martin    secured    the 
transfer  of  control  to  the  U.  S.  Marine  Hos- 
pital, which  was  in  charge  of  General  Wyman. 
That  officer,  in  response  tO'  the  urgent  appeal 
of  Mr.  Johnston,   turned   it  over   to   Norfolk 


City.  Such  measures  were  at  once  instituted 
as  have  afforded  protection  to  the  city  and  at 
a  very  small  cost.  Through  his  promptness  of 
action  and  keen  foresight,  the  city  was  saved 
from  yellow  fever  during  the  epidemic  at 
Hampton.  Mr.  Johnston  was  re-elected  to 
succeed  himself,  but  resigned  to  accept  the  po- 
sition he  now  holds  and  to  attend  to  his  private 
business. 

On  September  10,  1895,  Mr.  Johnston  was 
joined  in  marriage  with  Clara  M.  Goodwin, 
a  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  Tebeault,  and  they 
reside  in  the  Sixth  Ward,  where  they  are  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  of  a  happy  home. 
A  man  of  high  character  and  pleasing  personal- 
ity, Mr.  Johnston  has  greatly  endeared  him- 
self to-  the  people  of  Norfolk,  who  recognize  in 
him  a  citizen  of  sterling  worth. 


ILLIAM  \Y.  IMARSHALL,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer  of  the  Security 
Loan  &  Trust  Company,  and  pres- 
ident of  the  Personal  Property  Mu- 
tual Fire  Insurance  Association, 
of  which  he  was  a  prime  organizer,  is  one  of 
the  live  realty  men  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and 
stands  well  to  the  front  among  the  hustlers  who 
have  promoted  the  progress,  advancement  and 
development  of  that  city. 

Mr.  Marshall  is  a  son  of  James  T.  Mar- 
shall, a  prominent  insurance  man  of  Norfolk, 
where  young  Marshall  was  born,  reared  and 
educated.  When  grown  to  manhood  the  son 
engaged  in  clerking  in  a  large  clothing  house 
in  his  native  city  and  followed  that  line  of 
business  until  1897.  He  then  went  into  the 
real-estate  business  and  from  the  start  has 
made  a  specialty  of  selling  suburban  property. 
His  first  month's  work  proved  that  he  had  nat- 
ural ability  for  the  work,  as  he  sold  over 
$15,000  worth  of  lots  in  Virginia  Place,  and 
has  been  one  of  the  principal  workers  in  the 
earlv  development  of  that  section. 

In    1899   Mr.   Marshall  became  associated 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


549 


with  Abljutt  Morris  and  uthers  uiulcr  the  tirm 
name  of  Morris,  Marshall  &  Company,  in  the 
real  estate  business,  and  the  partnership  then 
formed  existed  luitil  March.  lyoi,  wlien  it 
was  dissolved.  This  tinii  was  strictly  up-to- 
date  and  enterprising,  as  the  result  of  their 
lalx-ir  goes  to  show.  They  purchased  unim- 
proved lots  in  Virginia  Place,  Park  Place  and 
Brambleton,  building  fine  modern  residences 
upon  them.  After  otherwise  improving  the 
lots,  they  were  sold  and  now  stand  among  the 
most  beautiful  and  valuable  suburban  homes 
in  the  city.  This  company  also  carried  on  fire 
insurance  as  a  side  line,  and  by  so  doing  added 
to  their  already  large  income. 

Since  the  beginning  of  1901  Air.  Marshall 
has  conducted  the  same  kind  of  business,  buy- 
ing lots,  improving  and  building  upon  them  and 
afterward  selling  at  good  round  figures,  by 
which  he  realized  a  neat  sum  on  each  invest- 
ment. He  is  connected  with  various  other  en- 
terprises of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Marshall  is  one  of  the  few  men  who 
can  take  one  dollar,  invest  it  carefully,  and  in 
a  short  time  realize  two  in  its  stead.  Who- 
ever can  do  this  has  his  future  insured  in  the 
financial  w<  rid,  and  is  accounted  among  the 
successful  men  of  his  dav. 


M 


)X.  R.  RANDOLPH  HICKS,  one  of 
Norfolk's  ablest  lawyers,  was  torn  in 
Warrenton,  Virginia,  in  1870.  There 
he  was  reared  and  educated  by  pri- 
\ate  teachers,  later  attending  the  Epis- 
copal High  School,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  1886.  He  then  tixik  a  course  at  the 
University  of  Virginia,  completing  the  law 
course  in  that  institution  in  1890. 

Mr.  Hicks  entered  upon  his  law  career  at 
Roanoke.  Virginia,  where  he  opened  an  office. 
He  became  interested  in  politics,  and  at  the 
age  of  23  years  was  elected  chairman  of  the 
IcKal  committee  of  the  Democratic  party.  He 
is  an  able  and  fluent  speaker,  and  during  the 


year  1897-1898  made  a  number  of  campaign 
speeches,  and  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
State  Legislature.  During  this  time  he  had 
also  succeeded  in  building  up  a  good  practice, 
but  desiring  a  larger  field  decided  to  locate  in 
Norfolk.  He  spent  much  of  the  year  of  1897, 
in  Norfolk  and  a  year  later  gave  up  his  practice 
in  Roanoke  entirely,  and  removed  to  Norfolk. 
He  has  established  a  fine  practice  in  that  city, 
and  represents  many  of  the  leading  enterprises 
in  Norfolk.  He  stands  high  in  the  estimation 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  is  well  known  in 
Norfolk  County  as  a  man  of  much  ability. 

Mr.  Hicks  married  Ella  Johnson  Kerr,  a 
daughter  of  State's  Attorney  Charles  (i.  Kerr, 
of  Baltimore,  Maryland. 


ICHARD  L.  FORREST,  who  is  em- 
ployed as  chief  clerk  in  the  joint  de- 
partment of  the  Norfolk  &  Western 
Railway  Company  and  Merchants'  «St 
Miners'  Transportation  Company,  is 
one  of  the  best-known  young  business  men  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk 
January  18,  1869,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  S.  For- 
rest. W.  S.  Forrest  was  born  in  181 7  at  Lon- 
don Bridge,  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia, 
and  iwssessed  great  literary  ability.  He  wrote 
the  history  of  Norfolk  and  vicinity  in  1853, 
and  also  the  history  of  the  yellow  fever  epi- 
demic in  Norfolk,  in  1856.  He  was  editor  of 
the  old  Norfolk  Argiis,  which  was  published 
in  Norfolk  alxDUt  40  years  ago.  He  contributed 
many  articles  to  leading  ])apers  and  magazines, 
winning  for  himself  quite  a  reputation  in  the 
field  of  literarv  labor.  His  death  occurred  in 
1878. 

Richard  L.  Forrest  was  educated  in  the 
private  school  of  Prof.  William  R.  Gait,  and 
at  the  early  age  of  16  years  secured  a  ]x>sition 
with  the  Merchants'  &  Miners'  Transportation 
Company.  Later  he  was  employed  by  the  Nor- 
folk &  Western  Railway  Company  and  the 
Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company. 


550 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mr.  Forrest  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sallie  Robertson,  a  Virginian  b)?  birth.  He 
was  elected  to  the  City  Council  from  z^tlantic 
City  Ward,  in  Ma}',  1900,  and  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Select  Council,  being  chairman  of 
the  park  committee. 


HOMAS  JEFFERSON  RAN- 
DOLPH, one  of  the  most  prominent 
lawyers  of  the  city  of  Norfolk,  is  a 
descendant  of  the  illustrious  Thomas 
Jefferson,  third  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  founder  of  Democracy. 
He  is  also-  descended  from  the  famous  Tuck- 
ahoe  branch  of  Virginia  Randolphs.  He  was 
born  in  Albemarle  County,  Virginia,  July  21, 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Caotain  W.  L.  Randolph, 
C.  S.  Army,  who,  through  his  mother,  was  a 
great-grandson  of  Thomas  JefTerson. 

Thomas  J.  Randolph  attended  school  at 
Charlottesville,  and  further  pursued  his  studies 
at  McCabe's  university  school,  Petersburg,  and 
at  the  University  of  Virginia,  where  he  ma- 
triculated in  1886.  He  received  the  degrees 
of  B.  A.  and  B.  Ph.  from  the  latter  institution 
in  1889,  and  in  1891  received  the  degree  of  M. 
A.  He  then  studied  law,  and  at  the  same  time, 
during  the  session  of  1891-1892.  was  instruc- 
tor in  modern  languages  in  the  Norfolk  Acad- 
emy. He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1892,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  active  practice.  Al- 
tho'Ugh  in  a  sense  a  conservative  man,  and  one 
who  can  be  depended  upon  at  all  times,  ag- 
gressiveness has  characterized  his  career  from 
the  start  and  'gained  for  him  a  prominent  posi- 
tion at  the  bar.  He  is  a  great  upholder  of  the 
principles  of  Democracy,  and  during  cam- 
paigns does  considerable  stump-speaking.  He 
has  always  been  identified  with  the  Third 
Ward  and  has  been  active  in  the  Third  Ward 
Democratic  Club.  He  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  City  Democratic  Executive  Committee 
in  1898,  for  a  period  of  two  years,  and  was 
re-elected   in    1900  for  two  years  more.     He 


was  elected  a  delegate  from  the  Third  Ward 
to  the  gubernatorial  convention  which  nom- 
inated Goivernor  Tyler  in  1897,  and  to  the  city 
convention  of  1899,  to  nominate  candidates  for 
the  State  Legislature.  He  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  school  trustees  in  1898  for 
a  period  of  four  years.  Mr.  Randolph  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  military  affairs,  having 
served  six  years  in  the  Lee  Rifles,  Company 
A.,  Fourth  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  and 
was  also  adjutant  of  the  battalion  of  Naval  Re- 
serves, under  Commander  Cannon. 

November  14,  1895,  Mr.  Randolph  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Laura  Lester,  the 
daughter  of  Hon.  Rufus  E.  Lester,  a  member 
of  Congress  from  the  First  District  of  Georgia. 
They  have  two  daughters,  Laura  Lester  and 
Martha  Jefferson.  Mr.  Randolph  is  a  past 
master  of  Ruth  Lodge,  No.  89.  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
and.  also  past  sachem  of  Black  Hawk  Tribe, 
No.  57,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  which  he  represented  at 
the  great  council  held  at  Danville. 


RANK  T.  CLARK,  a  member  of  the 
firm  known  as  the  Frank  T.  Clark 
Company,  Limited,  successors  to 
Cooke,  Clark  &  Company,  dealers  in 
sash,  doors,  blinds,  hardware,  etc., 
and  gas  and  electric  combination  fixtures,  is 
one  of  the  most  enterprising  men  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk  April  21, 
1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Tarleton  Woodson  Clark, 
who  was  a  lifelong  resident  of  Norfolk. 

Frank  T.  Clark  received  his  mental  train- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Norfolk,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood.  He  has  devoted  all  his  time  to 
mercantile  pursuits  since  beginning  an  active 
business  career.  The  business  ho-use  now 
known  as  the  Frank  T.  Clark  Company,  Lim- 
ited, was  established  by  Luther  Sheldon  in 
1870.  January  i,  1889,  Mr.  Sheldon  sold  the 
business  to  W.  T.  Cooke  and  Frank  T.  Clark, 
and  the  firm  became  known  as  Cooke,  Clark 
&  Company,   under  which   style  it  continued 


JOHN    L.    ROPER 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


553 


until  January  i,  1900,  when  the  concern  was 
sold  to  Frank  T.  Clark  and  associates.  The 
Frank  T.  Clark  Company.  Limited,  manufac- 
tures and  handles  sash,  doors,  blinds,  hardware, 
plate  and  window  glass,  cabinet  mantels, 
grates,  tile  work,  gas,  electric  and  combination 
fixtures,  paints  and  builders"  and  painters'  sup- 
plies. This  is  one  of  the  leading  firms  of  Nor- 
folk, and  Mr.  Clark  occupies  a  conspicuous 
place  among  the  prominent  and  influential  bus- 
iness men  of  that  city.  He  jx^ssesses  more  than 
ordinary  business  ability,  and  is  a  man  of  keen 
percei)tions  and   sound   judginent. 

Mr.  Clark  is  president  of  the  Norfolk 
Freight  &  Transj^rtation  Bureau,  and  is  also 
a  member  of  the  Business  Men's  Association. 
He  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the 
Travelers'  Protective  Association.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  political  affiliations.  Religiously 
he  is  a  Presbyterian.  He  is  a  man  of  pleasing 
personality  and  has  many  friends  in  Norfolk. 


•  )HN    L.    ROPER,    wliose    reputation  i 
as  a  lumberman  extends  far  beyond  the 
confines  of  his  own  State,  has  been  one 
I  )f  the  leading  and  most  prominent  cit- 
izens of  Norfolk.  Virginia,  since  1865.   i 
It  was  in  that  year,  in  partnership  with  Fran-   j 
cis   R.   Baird,   that  he  established   the  lumber 
business  which  has  grown  to  such  an  enormous 
size,  and  of  which  he  is  now  at  the  head.    That 
the  amount  of  liusiness  transacted  each  vear  is 
extensive  can  readily  be  imagined  when  it  is 
stated  that  the  landed  interests  of  the  Jolin  L. 
Roper  Lumber  Co.  consists  of  more  than  200- 
000  acres,  all  of  which  is  owned  in  fee.     The   ; 
value  of  so  gigantic  an  enterprise  to  a  city  is 
incalculable,  and  it  may  be  said  that  this  com-  ' 
pany  has  done  its  full  share  and  more  toward 
making  Norfolk  one  of  the  greatest  seaports 
in  the  world. 

The  original  firm  name  was  Baird  &  Ro- 
per, and  in  1866  they  built  their  first  mill  on 
the  North  Landing  River,  in   Princess  Anne 


County.  During  the  following  year  they 
built  a  second  mill  at  Deep  Creek  in  Norfolk 
County.  Tlie  firm  name  was  changed  to  J.  L. 
Roper  &  Company  after  the  death  of  Mr. 
Baird  in  1876,  and  continued  as  such  until 
1885,  when  it  was  incorporated  under  the  State 
laws  of  Virginia  as  the  John  L.  Roper  Lum- 
ber Company.  Tiie  principle  office  of  the  com- 
pany is  in  Norfolk,  located  next  to  the  Nor- 
l(.'lk  and  Portsmouth  ferry  docks,  and  their 
principal  mills  are  at  Gilnierton,  Virginia,  and 
Roper  and  ^^'inthrop.,  North  Carolina.  .\t 
Gilmerton.  a  town  five  miles  from  Norfolk, 
in  Norfolk  County,  on  the  Southern  Branch 
of  the  Elizabeth  River,  are  located  their  large 
planing  mills,  with  a  capacitv  of  150,000  feet, 
or  more,  per  day.  They  also  have  there  a 
band-sawmill,  with  dry  kilns  and  all  modern 
equipment,  such  as  electric  light  plant,  fire  de- 
partment, stores,  churches  and  comfortable 
homes  for  the  employes.  Roper,  North  Caro- 
lina, which  was  named  after  John  L.  Roper, 
was  founded  by  this  company,  and  is  located 
on  the  Pamlico  division  of  the  Norfolk  & 
Southern  Railroad,  four  miles  from  Albemarle 
Sound.  This  division  is  30  miles  long,  extend- 
ing from  Albemarle  Sound  to  the  Pungo  River, 
and  is  another  manifestation  of  the  enterprise 
of  the  John  L.  Roper  Lumber  Company.  It 
was  constructed  in  the  interest  of  the  business 
and  was  subsequentlv  sold  to  the  Norfolk  & 
Southern  Railroad  Company.  In  this  town 
they  have  a  well-equipped  band-sawmill,  dry 
kilns  and  all  moderij  appliances  for  the  man- 
ufacture of  pine  lumber,  they  being  pioneers  in 
the  South  in  the  ])reparation  of  pine  lumber 
for  the  Northern  markets.  Tliey  also  hax'e  a 
mill  used  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of 
cedar  luiuber,  such  as  tank-plank  and  boat- 
boards.  They  ha\'e  a  cedar  shingle-mill,  the 
Roper  cedar  shingle  being  well  known  through- 
out the  L'nited  States.  At  \\'inthrop,  North 
Carolina,  on  the  Neuse  River,  they  have  a 
comparatively  new  band-sawmill,  with  dry 
kilns,  etc.,  for  manufacturing  lumber,  and  at 
other  points  in  \'irginia  and  North  Carolina 


554 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


they  have  circular  mills  for  manufacturing 
pine  lumljer.  In  addition  to  the  lumber  of 
their  own  manufacture,  they  contract  for  the 
output  of  other  mills,  and  are  undoubtedly  the 
largest  lumber  dealers  of  this  section.  The 
principal  products  of  this  company  are  North 
Carolina  lumber  in  all  its  forms,  from  boards 
in  the  rough  to  the  finest  interior  woods,  cedar 
lumber  of  all  dimensions,  telegraph  arms,  cedar 
shingles,  railroad  ties  and  cooper  logs  and 
staves.  Mr.  Roper  is  president  of  and  the  prin- 
cipal stockholder  in  the  company,  and  has  as- 
sociated with  him  in  the  management  of  the 
business  his  two  sons,  George  W.,  as  vice-pres- 
ident of  the  company,  having  general  charge 
of  the  mills;  and  W.  B.,  as  secretary,  having 
general  supervision  of  the  office  work.  R.  D. 
Parrot,  treasurer,  is  bookkeeper  and  has  been 
identified  with  the  company  since  1867. 

John  L.  Roper  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
and  is  a  son  of  Richard  Byham  Roper,  who 
was  born  and  raised  to  manhood  in  Lowther, 
England.     His  mother  was  Esther  A.   Re}-n- 
olds,  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.     The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  came  from  Norfolk  in  1865, 
and  since  that  time  has  been  prominently  iden- 
tified with  various  interests  of  the  city.     His 
entire  time  has  not  been  devoted  to  his  business, 
and  he  has  never  been  too  busy  to  assist  those 
who  were  not  so  fortunate  and  successful  as 
himself.     He  is  of  charitable  disposition  and 
has  given  freely  of  time  and  money  tO'  \yorthy 
charitable   organizations.      He  has   served    as 
president  of  the  United  Charities  of  the  city 
since  its  inception  and  has  given  much  atten- 
tion to  the  Union  Mission.     He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  various  Masonic  bodies  of  the 
city  and   State,   and  was  instrumental  in  the 
organization  of  the  Masonic   Relief  Associa- 
tion, through  which  the  Masonic  Temple,  of 
Norfolk,  was  built.     He  has  been  interested  in 
educational  work,  and  indirectly  through  his 
efforts  the  Norfolk  College  was  built;  he  was 
president  of  this  institution  for  about  18  or  20 
years.    For  many  years  he  was  president  of  the 
Norfolk  &  Princess  Anne  Turnpike  Company, 


and  at  the  present  time  is  president  of  the 
North  Carolina  Pine  Association,  the  Sea- 
board Fire  Insurance  Company  and  the  Roper 
Storage  Company.  He  is  also  financially  in- 
terested in  many  other  enterprises.  While  never 
active  in  politics  he  has  served  several  terms 
in  the  City  Council,  having  been  president  of 
the  Common  branch  one  term.  A  portrait  of 
Mr.  Roper  accompanies  this  sketch,  being  pre- 
sented on  a  foregoing  page. 


1-\:\IES  N.  PEED  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  M.  L.  T.  Davis  &  Company, 
dealers  in  wholesale  groceries  at  No'. 
183  Water  street,  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia.  He  was  born  in 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  in  1869,  and  is  a  son 
of  S.  S.  Peed,  and  grandson  of  James  Peed. 

James  Peed  was  a  native  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, and  was  of  English  and  Scotch  descent. 
His  son,  S.  S.  Peed,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  also  a  native  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. His  death  occurred  in  October,  1895.  For 
18  years  he  was  manager  of  the  George  L. 
Cro'w  Company.  He  was  a  strong  Democrat 
in  politics  and  served  as  chairman  of  several 
committees  while  a  member  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil of  Portsmouth.  He  married  Elizabeth  F. 
Neville,  also  a  native  of  Portsmouth.  She 
lives  in  that  city  with  her  son,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

James  N.  Peed,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Portsmouth, 
and  in  1884  entered  the  grocery  store  of  M. 
L.  T:  Davis  &  Company,  taking  a  clerical  po- 
sition. He  is  now  a  member  of  the  company, 
of  which  he  is  also  manager.  This  finm  is 
probablv  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  Norfolk, 
and  its  business  covers  the  territory  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Peed  has  done  much 
to  assist  in  the  growth  of  this  firm,  and  is  thor- 
oughly competent  to  manage  such  a  large  con- 
cern.    He  is  possessed  of  good  judgment  and 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


555 


unusually  keen  perceptions,  and  his  long  busi- 
ness experience  has  made  him  an  authority  in 
his  line. 

James  X.  Peed  married  Mattie  Corbitt,  of 
Southampton  County,  Virginia,  and  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  them  namely :  Mar- 
garet C.  and  Samuel.  He  has  always  made 
his  home  in  Portsmouth,  where  he  is  well 
known  and  highly  esteemed  for  his  good  citi- 
zenship. 

Mr.  Peed's  brother,  Dr.  George  M.  Peed,  is 
a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Virginia,  and 
also  of  the  Johns  Hopkins  Hospital.  He  re- 
turned to  Portsmouth  in  1897,  practiced  one 
year  and  was  then  appointed  assistant  surgeon 
of  the  Fourth  Regiment.  Virginia  Infantry, 
U.  S.  v.,  being  sent  to  Jacksonville,  Florida. 
He  was  next  sent  to  the  division  hospital  in 
Cuba,  and  later  returned  to  Portsmouth,  where 
he  was  mustered  out.  He  was  reappointed  and 
sent  back  to  Cuba  for  six  months  and  later  re- 
ported at  Camp  Meade,  where  he  acted  as  ex- 
amining physician  for  recruits.  He  then  went 
to  the  Philippines  with  the  regiment  and  was 
on  active  duty  for  18  months  as  ist  assistant 
surgeon.  He  was  finally  appointed  captain  and 
returned  to  America  on  a  90-days'  leave,  when 
he  was  made  surgeon,  with  rank  of  major.  He 
returned  to  the  Philippines  in  July,  1901. 


EORGE  ^IcKEXDREE  BAIX.  one  of 
the  prominent  educators  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  has  been  connected  with 
the  schools  of  that  city  since  1894. 
He  comes  from  a  fine  old  Virginia 
family  and  was  born  at  Portsmouth  May  11, 
1859.  His  great-grandfather.  James  Britian 
Bain,  lived  in  Portsmouth.  George  Bain,  his 
grandfather,  also  lived  in  Portsmouth,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  banking  and  insurance  business. 
George  M.  Bain,  his  father,  was  born  in  1826, 
and  is  now   living  in   Xorfolk.      He  married 


Willie  F.  Cherry,  who  was  born  in  that  city 
in  1827. 

George  McKendree  Bain  grew  to  manhood 
in  his  native  town.  He  was  a  pupil  i:i  a  private 
school  at  Norfolk  and  later  attended  Randolph 
College,  near  Richmond,  and  the  University  of 
Virginia.  There  he  was  graduated  in  1883, 
receiving  the  degree  of  M.  A.  He  then  began 
the  study  of  law  at  the  University  of  Virginia 
and  also  attended  Columbia  College  at  New 
York  City.  He  next  went  al)road  and  remained 
one  year,  after  which  he  returned  to  Virginia 
and  took  up  his  present  vocation,  that  of  teach- 
ing. His  first  ser\'ice  in  that  capacitv  was  in 
the  Kenmore  High  School.  Since  1894,  he  has 
been  identified  with  the  schools  of  Xorfolk, 
and  has  been  deeplv  interested  in  their  growth 
and  advancement.  He  is  a  deep  student  and  a 
man  of  scholarly  attainments.  He  stands  among 
the  foremost  educators  of  X'orfolk  County  and 
this  section  of  Virginia,  and  is  widely  and  fa- 
vorably known. 

Mr.  Bain  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  be- 
longs to  no  fraternal  organizations.  Socially 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Club  and  the 
Country  Club,  of  X'orfolk. 


HARLES  W.  COLEMAN,  attorney- 
at-law  in  the  city  of  Portsmouth, 
Xorfolk  County,  Virginia,  was  liorn 
in  Caroline  County,  Virginia.  He 
was  educated  at  Richmond  College, 
from  which  he  graduated,  after  which  he 
taught  school.  He  then  read  law,  and  after- 
ward took  a  course  in  the  Universitv  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1892.  He 
at  once  began  practice  in  the  Kirn  Building  in 
Portsmouth,  where  his  office  is  now  located. 
He  is  engaged  in  general  practice,  and  has  a 
large  clientage.  Previous  to  practicing  his 
profession  he  was  principal  of  the  Churchland 
Academy.  Mr.  Coleman  is  a  lawyer  of  marked 
al)ility,  and  a  man  of  scholarlv  attainments; 


S56 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


he  is  possessed  of  mucii  shrewdness  and  good 
judgment.  He  married  Virginia  J.  Griffin,  a 
daughter  of  John  T.  Griffin,  and  they  reside 
in  Norfolk  Count}',  where  they  are  well- 
known.  Tliey  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  Coleman  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics  and  has  received  several  import- 
ant nominations.  At  one  time  he  was  a  candi- 
date for  the  Senate.  His  prospects  of  a  splen- 
did future  in  legal  circles  are  promising. 


OLONEL  C.  A.  NASH,  a  repre- 
sentative citizen  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, has  been  identified  with  many 
important  enterprises  of  the  city  for 
many  years.  He  has  a  military  rec- 
ord of  which  he  and  his  family  may  justly  feel 
proud. 

Colonel  Nash  was  born  in  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  and  at  the  age  of  i6  years  became  a 
member  of  the  Norfolk  Junior  Rifles.  After 
ser\-ing  in  that  organization  for  some  time  he 
joined  the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues.  He 
-vvas  a  member  of  that  command  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war  and  continued  thus  until  his  elec- 
tion as  first  sergeant  of  the  Jackson  Grays,  ir> 
July,  1 86 1.  The  company  was  recruited  in 
Colonel  Nash's  native  county.  After  seeing 
some  service  at  Sewell's  Point,  this  coni- 
pany,  on  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk,  proceeded 
to  Petersburg,  where  it  was  assigned  to  duty 
as  Company  A,  6ist  Regiment,  Virginia  In- 
fantry. In  the  following  October  the  regi- 
ment was  assigned  tO'  Mahone's  Brigade.  Col- 
onel Nash  took  part  in  all  the  battles  in  which 
his  regiment  was  engaged  until  the  severe 
wounds  he  had  sustained  compelled  him  to 
gO'  to  the  hospital.  His  first  wounds  were  re- 
ceived the  battle  of  the  Crater,  on  July  30, 
1864,  and  on  August  19th  of  the  same  year, 
he  was  more  seriously  wounded  at  Davis  Farm 
and  was  forced  to  retire  from  the  field.  Later 
he  resigned  his  commission  in  the  6ist  Regi- 
ment and  sought  and  obtained  the  consent  of 


the  Secretary  of  War  to  enlist  in  Mosby's  bat- 
talion of  partisan  rangers,  as  a  private.  In 
the  ranks  of  this  daring  command  he  served 
until  its  disbandment  subsequent  to  the  sur- 
render of  General  Lee  and  the  fall  of  Rich- 
mond. After  the  war  Colonel  Nash  took  no 
active  part  in  miltary  affairs  until  his  election 
as  first  lieutenant  of  the  Norfolk  City  Guard, 
May  3,  1877.  September  23,  1879,  he  suc- 
ceeded to  the  command  of  that  company.  He 
was  elected  major  of  the  4th  Regiment,  Vir- 
ginia Volunteers,  March  2,  1885,  and  attained 
the  rank  of  colonel  on  October  7,  1890.  This 
he  resigned  in  1896. 

Colonel  Nash  has  long-  been  prominent  in 
the  business  circles  of  Norfolk ;  he  is  connected 
with  many  commercial  enterprises  and  is  a 
director  in  one  of  the  city's  most  important 
banks.  It  is  a  fact  well  worthy  of  mention  that 
Colonel  Nash  is  a  self-made  man  to  the  fullest 
extent  implied  in  that  term.  He  started  out 
after  the  war  with  willing  hands  and  with  the 
same  determination  that  characterized  his  life 
as  a  soldier  during  the  bloody  conflict  from 
1 86 1  to  1865,  and  by  fair  dealing  with  all  men, 
he  has  become  one  of  Norfolk's  most  success- 
ful and  valued  citizens. 

In  political  belief  he  adheres  to  the  princi- 
ples promulgated  by  the  Democratic  party  and 
has  been  called  upon  to  fill  many  important 
offices.  He  served  in  the  Council  of  Norfolk 
many  years  and  was  chairman  of  the  finance 
committee.  He  is  a  Mason  and  is  connected 
with  numerous  other  fraternal  organizations. 


EV.  WILLIAM  VANN  SAVAGE, 
pastor  of  the  Churchland  Baptist 
Church,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Hertford  County,  North 
Carolina,  April  6,  1864.  He  is  a  son 
of  Robert   R.    Savage. 

Robert  R.  Savage,  who  was  also  a  Baptist 
minister,  was  born  October  14,  1832,  in  Nan- 
semond  Count}',  Virginia,  and  graduated  from 


THEODORE    JACKSON    WOOL. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


559 


the  Wake  Forest  College  of  North  Carolina. 
He  spent  most  of  his  life  in  North  Carolina 
aiul  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  preachers 
of  that  Stale  in  his  da)-.  He  marrietl  Kowcna 
Vann,  who  was  born  in  Hertford  Conntx , 
North  Carolina,  December  19.  1840.  and  they 
reared  five  children,  namely :  William  V.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch :  Carrie,  who  married  J. 
L.  Camp;  Lizzie;  Mary,  who  married  Rev.  H. 
T.  Williams;  and  Toy  D..  a  law  student  at  the 
University  of  \'irginia. 

Rev.  Willianv  Y.  Sa\age,  whose  name 
heads  these  lines,  attended  the  Buckhorn  Acad- 
emy of  Hertford  County,  North  Carolina,  and 
later  graduated  from  Wake  Forest  College. 
North  Carolina,  in  1884.  He  then  taught 
school  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  acting  in 
the  capacity  of  principal  of  the  city  schools  for 
three  years.  He  also  taught  in  the  academy  at 
Henderson,  North  Carolina.  Rev.  Mr.  Sav- 
age was  ordained  to  the  ministrv  in  1801.  and 
for  a  period  of  six  years  (x:cupiecl  a  pulpit  in 
North  Carolina.  He  located  at  Churchland, 
Virginia,  in  1S97,  v^'iere  he  has  since  resided. 
He  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments  and  has 
done  much  noble  work  in  his  chosen  profession. 
He  has  a  large  congregation  who  honor  him 
for  his  teachings  and  upright  life. 

Rev.  Mr.  Savage  was  married  in  1888  to 
Mattie  Williams,  who  was  born  in  Raleigh, 
North  Carolina.  Augu:t  21,  1868,  a  daughter 
of  John  G.  Williams,  a  prominent  banker  of 
that  city.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  four 
children  namely  :  Mattie  T. ;  Robert  R. ;  John 
G. :  and  William  \'.,  Jr.  Rev.  ;\lr.  Savage  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics. 


HEODORE  JACKSON  WOOL, 
whose  portrait  is  shown  on  the  op- 
posite page,  was  born  at  Nyack, 
Rockland  County,  New  York,  June 
17,  186;.  where  he  lived  until  Sep- 
tember,  1876,  when  he  removed  with  his  fa- 


ther's family  to  I'etcrsliurg.  \'irginia,  where 
his  father  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  busi- 
ness. 

Mr.  Wool  w.'is  perhaps  the  imly  buy  l)iirn 
at  the  North  at  the  \'cry  close  nf  the  war  be- 
tween the  States  named  after  a  Siauhern  gen- 
eral. 

]\Ir.  Wool's  father  was  a  lifelong  Demo- 
crat, a  Southern  sympathizer  throughout  the 
war.  and  a  great  admirer  of  General  "Stone- 
wall" Jack.son,  after  whom  Mr.  Wool  was 
named. 

Removing  to  the  South  in  187O,  during  the 
Hayes-Tilden  campaign,  when  Federal  sol- 
diers were  placed  at  the  voting  precincts  at 
Petersburg,  to  intimidate  Southern  voters,  his 
father  threw  himself  at  once  into  the  ranks  of 
the  Virginia  Democrats. 

Mr.  \\'ool  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Nyack  and  Petersburg,  after  which  he  attended 
McCabe's  university  school  at  Petersburg,  and 
in  1884  entered  the  so])h(imore  class  at  Hamp- 
den Sidney  College,  from  which  institution  he 
was  graduated  in  1887,  recei\-ing  the  medal  for 
oratory  in  his  senior  year. 

He  then  taught  school  ior  two  years  in 
Charlotte  County,  Virginia,  and  in  Sei)teniber, 
1889,  came  to  Portsmouth  to  take  the  position 
of  principal  of  the  Fourth  District  schools,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  for  three  years,  until 
June,  1892.  During  this  time  he  labored  ccn- 
-scientiously  and  earnestly  in  connection  with 
others  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  pulilic- 
school  system,  and  much  credit  is  due 
him  for  his  indefatigable  efforts  in  rais- 
ing the  standard  of  public-school  work  in 
Portsmouth.  Durinsr  the  winter  of  1891 
and  1892,  he  nursued  the  study  of  law, 
having  taken  a  summer  course  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia,  during  the  summer  of 
1 89 1,  and  attended  the  University  during  the 
winter  of  1892  and  1893.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  the  summer  of  1893,  and  took  up  the 
practice  of  law  at  Norfolk,  continuing  his  resi- 
dence in  Portsmouth. 


56o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


In  January,  1894.  he  formed  a  copartner- 
ship with  Benjamin  D.  Wiiite,  afterward  judge 
of  the  County  Court  of  Princess  Anne  County, 
which  continued  until  January  i,  1901.  In  the 
meantime  Mr.  Wool  had  become  interested  in 
a  number  of  enterprises  in  Portsmouth  and  its 
suburbs,  and  upon  the  termination  of  his  part- 
nership with  Judige  White,  he  removed  his 
office  to  Portsmouth,  where  he  has  continued 
in  the  general  practice  of  the  law. 

Mr.  Wool  has  devoted  a  great  portion  of 
his  time  to  the  material  development  of  Ports- 
mouth and  the  surrounding  territory.  In 
April,  1899,  he  became  one  of  the  lessees  of 
the  Norfolk  County  Ferries  and  in  May,  1899, 
Avas  one  of  a  syndicate  to  purchase  the  Port 
Norfolk  Electric  Railway  Company  since 
which  time  he  has  served  as  counsel  for  both 
companies. 

In  March,  1900,  when  the  two  companies 
were  consolidated  as  the  Norfolk,  Portsmouth 
&  Newport  News  Railway  Company,  Mr. 
\\'ool  was  elected  a  director  in  the  company 
and  made  its  counsel,  and  he  has  had  much  to 
do  with  the  extensions  and  developments  which 
have  grown  out  of  that  consolidation. 

He  is  connected  with  numerous  land  im- 
provement companies,  among  which  may  be 
named, — the  Portsmouth  Water  Front  Lanc^ 
Company,  Pinner's  Point  Water  Front  Com- 
pany, Pinner's  Point  Land  Company,  Pinner's 
Point  Home  Company,  Western  Branch  Land 
Company,  and  the  Air  Line  Land  Company,  in 
all  of  which  companies  he  is  a  director  and  for 
the  most  of  which  he  is  counsel.  He  is  identi- 
fied with  the  syndicate  which  purchased  about 
500  acres  of  land  on  the  Western  Branch  of  the 
Elizabeth  River,  consisting  of  the  Rodman, 
Maynard  and  Livingston  farms,  and  is  vice- 
president  and  counsel  of  the  Portsmouth  Dime, 
Savings  Bank. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Portsmouth 
Business  Men's  Association,  Mr.  Wool  was 
chosen  as  its  first  president. 

In  the  summer  of   1892,   Mr.   Wool  was 


joined  in  marriage  with  Esther  Todd,  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  D.  W.  Todd,  of  Portsmouth, 
since  which  time  three  children  have  blessed 
their  home. 

Mr.  Wool  has  always  been  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat. He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  Elks  and  Royal  Arcanum. 
He  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
is  recognized  as  a  man  of  energy  and  ability, 
and  although  still  young,  in  the  prime  of  his 
life,  the  impress  of  his  labor  and  influence  has 
been  felt  upon  the  progress  of  the  community. 


ON.  MERRITT  TODD  COOKE  was 
born  October  17,  1846,  in  Norfolk 
and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  Armstead  T.  M. 
and  Mary  Louisa  (Todd)  Cooke,  and 
grandson  of  Mordecai  Cooke. 
Mordecai  Cooke  was  born  in  Gloucester, 
Virginia,  in  1785,  and  moved  to  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  early  in  life,  becoming  a  very  prom- 
inent figure  there  in  public  affairs.  He  was  a 
man  of  wealth  and  owned  a  large  number  of 
slaves  being  a  true  type  of  the  Southern  gentle- 
man. 

Dr.  Armistead  T.  M.  Cooke  was  born  and 
reared  in  Portsmouth,  and  attended  the  schools 
of  that  town.  He  was  graduated  from  the 
University  of  Virginia  and  the  Medical  College 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  then  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  his  profession  at  Norfolk.  His 
death  occurred  in  1866,  at  the  age  of  51  years. 
Dr.  Cooke  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Mary 
Louisa  Todd,  a  daughter  of  Merritt  Moore 
Todd. 

Merritt  Todd  Cooke  was  born,  reared  and 
educated  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  attending  the 
Norfolk  Academy  and  the  private  school  of 
Professor  Gait  and  of  Professor  Harrison,  of 
Nelson  County.  When  the  Confederate  War 
opened,  he  left  school  and  by  running  the  Fed- 
eral blockade  at  Norfolk  joined  the  Norfolk 
Light  Artillery  Blue. 


He  served  in  that  com- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


561 


pany  with  tlie  dasli  and  \iiii  cliaracteristic  of 
the  Southern  soldier-  until  the  war  was  closed 
by  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Rol)ert  E.  Lee.  Mr. 
Co<:)ke  was  paroled  at  Lyncliburg,  Virginia. 
He  then  returned  to  Xorfolk,  where  he  has 
since  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business. 
In  1872,  he  was  elected  city  collector  of  taxes 
and  served  two  terms.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
City  Council,  of  which  he  served  as  president 
several  terms.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State 
Legislature  from  1891  to  1899.  and  was  one 
of  the  most  able  representati\es  who  ever  went 
from  his  district.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
finance  committee,  and  chairman  of  the  Demo- 
cratic caucus  of  the  House  of  Delegates. 

Mr.  Cooke  married  Marv-  E.  Dickson,  a 
daughter  of  Richard  Dickson  and  Kate  Tal- 
cott  Hale,  his  wife.  Mr.  Dickson  was  a  promi- 
nent merchant  of  X'orfolk  at  an  early  date. 
They  have  five  children :  Richard  Dickson,  a 
student  in  law  at  the  University  of  Virginia ; 
Mary  Louisa;  Merritt.  T..  Jr.:  Kate  Talcott; 
and  Elizabeth  Avman. 


RAXKLIX  D.  GILL  is  one  of  the 
most  prominent  business  man  of 
Portsmouth,  and  is  at  the  head  of 
various  enterprises  which  have  gone 
far  toward  giving  the  city  the  com- 
mercial standing  it  now  enjoys.  He  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Portsmouth  Knitting  Mills,  which 
were  incorporated  in  1896,  the  building  having 
been  erected  in  1894,  1895  and  1896.  The 
officers  are :  Franklin  D.  Gill,  president  and 
general  manager ;  John  T.  King,  vice-presi- 
dent :  Alexander  B.  Butt,  secretary  and 
treasurer ;  and  R.  S.  Mackan.  superintend- 
ent. The  building  occupied  is  a  two-storv 
brick  structure,  covering  aljout  two  acres 
of  land,  and  is  well  arranged,  and  equipped 
with  modern  machinery  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  cotton  knit-goods.  They  employ 
about  250  men  and  women,  and  use  an- 
nually between  1,200  and  1.500  bales  of  cot- 
ton.    It  is  the  first  and  only  mill  of  the  kind 


in  Portsmouth,  and  about  $50,000  is  paid  an- 
nually in  wages,  some  of  the  employees  l>eing 
paid  by  the  day  and  others  by  the  piece.  They 
have  their  own  electric  light,  steam  heating 
and  dyeing  plants,  and  a  250  horsepower 
steam-engine.  The  plant  is  fully  equipped  for 
turning  out  finished  garments,  especially  under- 
wear. The  process  of  conxerting  the  cotton 
from  the  bales  to  finished  garments  is  a  most 
interesting  one.  The  bales  are  first  run 
through  the  carding  machines,  then  to  the  spin- 
ning room,  thence  tu  the  knitting  room,  after 
which  the  cotton  is  put  through  the  washing 
room,  then  through  the  finishing  room,  and 
lastly  finds  its  way  to  the  packers,  and  is  pre- 
pared for  shipment.  Railroad  facilities  are  e.\- 
cellent,  as  the  concern  owns  its  own  track, 
which  is  connected  with  the  Seaboard  Air 
Line  Railroad.  The  manufactured  garments 
are  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world,  being 
handled  through  agents  at  Xew  York  City. 

]\Ir.  Gill  was  born  near  Portsmouth,  and 
reared  in  that  city.  He  is  of  Scotch  descent. 
For  years  he  was  identified  with  the  tobacco 
business  at  Xorfolk,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
lessees  of  the  X'orfolk  County  Ferries,  which 
he  owned  and  operated  from  1889  to  1899.  in- 
clusive. He  is  president  of  the  People's  Bank, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  flourishing  banks  in 
the  city  of  Portsmouth.  He  is  also  president 
of  the  Portsmouth  Star  Publishing  Company, 
which  publishes  the  Portsmouth  Star,  one  of 
the  best  and  most  successful  papers  in  the 
State  of  Virginia. 


OX.  JAMES  F.  CROCKER  is  a  na- 
tive of  Isle  of  Wight  County,  \'ir- 
ginia.  which  he  represented  in  the 
State  Legislature  before  he  moved  to 
Portsmouth,  in  1856,  and  formed, 
with  Colonel  D.  J.  Godwin,  the  well-known 
firm  of  Godwin  &  Crocker.  This  firm  con- 
tinued until  1880,  when  Colonel  Godwin  was 
elected  judge  of  the  Corporation  Court  of  Nor- 


562 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


folk  City.  Mv.  Crocker  continued  alone  in  the 
practice  of  law  until  1896,  Avlien  he  formed, 
with  his  nephew,  Frank  L.  Crocker,  the  law 
firm  of  Crocker  &  Crocker.  In  1900,  at  the  in- 
stance of  the  bar  of  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk, 
he  was  unanimously  elected  by  the  State  Legis- 
lature to  the  oiifice  of  judge  of  the  Court  of 
Hustins's  for  the  citv  of  Portsmouth. 


Y  X  D  H  A  AI  ROBERTSON 
]\IAYO,  ex-mayor  of  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  and  ao  extensive  manu- 
facturer, was  Ixirn  in  Norfolk. 
April  4,  1844.  He  is  a  descendant 
of  one  of  the  early  families  of  Virginia,  the 
Mayos  having  emigrated  from  Southern  Eng- 
land in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury to  Barbadoes  Island,  and  thence  to  Vir- 
ginia. Col.  William  Mayo,  the  first  in  the  line 
in  the  Old  Dominion,  was  associated  with  Col. 
William  Byrd  in  locating  the  boundary  of  the 
Colonies  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  In 
1728,  during  the  reign  of  George  II,  he  also 
surveyed  and  laid  out  the  site  of  the  city  of 
Richmond,  Virginia. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
Peter  Poythress  jNIayo.  who  was  Ijorn  in  Pow- 
hatan County,  Virginia,  in  1797,  and  died  in 
1857.  During  his  active  career  he  was  one  of 
the  leading  'attorneys  of  Norfolk,  and  once 
served  as  Commonwealth's  attorney.  His 
wife.  Ann  Elizabeth  Upshur,  was  a  daughter 
of  Littleton  Upshur,  a  planter  of  Northamp- 
ton County,  Virginia,  and  a  niece  of  Judge 
Abel  P.  Upshur,  who'  was  Secretary  of  War 
and  of  the  Navy,  under  President  Tyler. 

j\lr.  Mayo  received  his  primary  education 
in  the  Norfolk  ililitary  Academy,  at  a  private 
institution  in  Powhatan  county,  and  at  Will- 
iam Dinwiddie"s  school,  in  Albemarle  County. 
In  1859  he  received  the  honor  of  an  appoint- 
ment to  the  "United  States  Naval  Academy  at 
Annapolis.  He  was  enrolled  there  until  the 
spring  of   1861,   when  upon  the  secession  of 


Virginia  he  resigned  from  the  Academy,  en- 
tered the  Coinfederate  ser\-ice,  and  was  as- 
signed tO'  the  navy.  He  was  detailed  to  bat- 
tery duty  at  Pig  Point,  opposite  Newport 
News,  and  subsequently  at  Drewry"s  Bluff,  in 
repelling  the  advance  of  the  Federal  fleet  up 
the  James  River.  Later  he  served  upon  Con- 
federate iron-clads  at  Savannah,  Charleston 
and  Wilmington,  took  part  in  the  defense  of 
Fort  Fisher,  North  Carolina,  during  both  of 
the  Federal  bombardments  and  the  assault,  and 
afterward  served  in  the  batteries  below  W'il- 
mington,  until  the  evacuation  of  that  post.  He 
then  joined  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia, 
and  during  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek  was 
captured  and  taken  to  Tohnson's  Island,  Ohio. 
Upon  his  release  at  the  close  of  the  war,  he 
promptly  returned  to  civil  life,  and  shipped  be- 
fore the  mast  in  the  merchant  service.  Soon 
after  entering  the  service  he  was  promoted  to 
be  mate,  and  subsecpiently,  to  be  master. 

In  1874  ]\Ir.  MayO'  was  married  to  a  daugh- 
ter of  Commodore  Stephen  Decatur,  of  the 
United  States  Navy,  at  Bolton,  Massachusetts. 
In  1877  he  settled  at  Norfolk,  and  established 
steam  brick  works  on  the  banks  of  the  James 
River.  This  has  been  his  principal  enterprise, 
and  he  is  still  engaged  in  manufacturing  brick. 

He  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  social, 
business  and  political  life,  and  has  frecpently 
participated  in  various  conventions  of  the 
Democratic  party.  Under  the  first  administra- 
tion of  Mr.  Cleveland  he  served  as  collector 
of  customs  for  the  port  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, and  during  the  years  1896  and  1897 
was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Norfolk. 


OHN  L.  WATSON  conducts  the  lead- 
ing real-estate  and  insurance  agency 
in  the  citv  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia, 
and    is    prominently    identified    with 
manv  of  that  city's  most  prominent 
and  successful  enterprises.      He  was  born  in 
Norfolk  County,  Viiginia,  in   1863,  and  is  a 
son  of  James  F.  Watson. 


HON.    WILLIAM    NATHANIEL    PORTLOCK. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


565 


James  F.  Watson  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Nortli  Carolina.  He  was  for  some  years  a 
mechaaiic,  and  then  turned  his  attention  to 
mercantile  pursuits.  He  served  four  years  in 
the  Confederate  Army.  He  is  of  a  very  re- 
tiring disposition.  His  wife  is  now  deceased. 
Of  the  large  family  of  children  bom  to  them, 
John  L.  Watson  is  the  only  one  residing  in 
Portsmouth. 

John  L.  Watson  attended  the  public  schools 
and  the  Portsmouth  Academy,  and  entered 
upon  his  business  career  in  1883,  as  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  Sealward  &  Roanoke  Railroad 
Company.  He  continued  with  this  company 
for  six  years,  and  in  that  time  did  some  col- 
lecting. This  led  to  his  establishing  a  collec- 
tion and  rental  agency,  the  first  one  in  the  city. 
He  was  kxated  in  the  early  years  of  the  busi- 
ness at  different  places  on  High  street,  but  his 
office  for  the  past  15  years  has  been  at  No.  355 
High  street.  He  has  formed  one  or  two  part- 
nerships in  this  time,  but  they  have  been  of 
short  duration.  He  has  dropped  the  collection 
feature  of  his  enterprise,  and  now  devotes  his 
entire  time  to  the  insurance  and  rental  busi- 
ness. He  was  in  the  real-estate  business  for 
a  time,  but  is  now  acting  only  in  the  capacity  of 
agent.  He  is  interested  in.  and  helped  to  or- 
ganize, 16  land  companies,  and  was  interested 
in  the  Portsmouth  Street  Raihvay.  At  the 
present  writing  he  is  interested  in  the  Ports- 
mouth Electric  &  Gas  Company.  He  is  treas- 
urer of  the  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  &  Newport 
News  Railway  Company,  and  vice-president  of 
the  Portsmouth  Cotton  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, with  which  he  has  been  identified 
since  its  organization.  He  is  a  director  of  the 
Bank  of  Portsmouth,  and  has  been  secretary 
of  the  Home  Permanent  Building  Association 
of  Portsmouth  since  its  organization.  He 
founded  the  last  named  institution  13  years 
ago.  in  his  present  office,  and  during  the' time 
of  its  existence  nearly  a  half  million  dollars  of 
stock  has  Ijeen  matured.  Mr.  Watson  has  an 
extensive  business  and  emplovs  five  assistants. 

32 


He  is  chairman  of  the  local  Ixiard  of  improve- 
ments for  the  Fifth  Ward,  in  which  he  resides, 
which  has  about  four  miles  of  sidewalks ;  dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1901.  $50,000  was  spent  in 
this  ward.    He  is  a  Democrat  in  iKjlitics. 

Mr,  Watson  married  Mercer  Rixhe,  of 
Portsmouth,  who  is  of  Revolutionary  stock. 
Her  father  was  Thomas  A,  Roche,  captain  of 
a  company  in  a  New  York  regiment  during 
the  Confederate  War,  and  while  in  the  South 
he  met  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Watkins  in  Norfollk 
County.  After  the  war,  they  were  married 
and  remo\-ed  to  New  York,  where  Mr.  Wat- 
son's wife  was  born.  She  was  eight  years  of 
Gge  when  her  father  died,  and  she  and  her 
mother  returned  to  Portsmouth.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  \\"atson  have  three  children,  Louise, 
Mertie  and  Ralph. 


•  )X.  WILLIAM  XATHAXIEL 
PORTLOCK,  a  very  prominent  citi- 
zen of  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
whose  portrait  is  shown  on  the  op- 
posite page,  has  served  on  the  bench 
of  Norfolk  County  since  1892,  and  at  the  pres- 
ent time  is  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention of  Virginia,  session  of  igoi-2.  He 
comes  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent 
families  of  Norfolk  County,  his  ancestors  hav- 
ing settled  in  the  county  early  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  and  having  been  active  partici- 
pants in  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns,  and  is  a  son  of  Franklin  Portlock, 
grandson  of  Nathaniel  Portlock,  and  great- 
grandson  of  William  Portlock.  The  earliest 
representative  of  this  family  came  from  Eng- 
land as  far  back  as  1634,  and  located  near  what 
is  well  known  as  the  "Portlock  Estate,"  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  city  of  Norfolk.  Nathaniel 
Portlock,  grandfather  of  otir  subject,  was  born 
on  this  estate,  the  title  to  which  has  been  in 
tlie  family  since  early  colonial  davs. 

Franklin    Portlock,    the    father,    was    also  ' 


566 


HISTORY-  OF   NORFOLK    COUNTY 


born  oil  the  old  homestead  in  1826,  and  died 
hi  1896.  At  the  age  of  26  years  he  married 
and  settled  on  a  near-by  tract  at  Great  Bridge 
and  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  a 
public-spirited  man  and  took  a  large  share  in 
.advancing  the  interests  of  his  county.  He  was 
always  an  active  worker  in  the  Democratic 
party  and'  served  as  school  trustee  for  many 
years  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  mar- 
ried Eugenia  Herbert  Tatem,  a  daughter  of 
Dr.  William  Tatem,  an  eminent  physician  who 
practiced  medicine  for  many  years  in  the  city 
and  county  of  Norfolk.  Dr.  Tatem  served  in 
the  Legislature  of  Virginia  for  several  terms, 
and  was  instrumental  in  the  change  from  the 
Whig  to  the  Democratic  admininstration.  Eu- 
genia H.  (Tatem)  Portlock.  the  mother  of 
Jndge  Portlock,  is  still  living  and  enjoys  the 
love  and  esteem-of— a  large  circle  of  relatives 
and  friends  who  appreciate  the  many  noble 
•qualities  with  which  she  is  endowed.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Franklin  Portlock  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  William  Nathaniel; 
Emily  A.;  Eugenia  T.,  wife  of  T.  W.  Butt: 
Frank  L. ;  Bessie  F.,  wife  of  C.  L.  Young;  and 
a  child,  Bettie,  who  died  in  infancy. 

William  Nathaniel  Portlock  was  reared  on 
the  farm  and  was  a  student  for  several  years  at 
13ethel  Military  Academy,  Fauquier  County, 
Virginia.  He  was  elected  clerk  oif  the  Circuit 
Court  on  July  i,  1877.  an  office  he  held  for 
seven  years.  He  was  at  the  same  time  deputy 
in  the  city  courts  of  Portsmouth  City  for  a 
period  of  six  years,  commissioner  in  chancery, 
commissioner  of  accounts,  and  treasurer  of 
Norfolk  County  and  Portsmouth  Ferries.  He 
afterward  entered  the  law  department  of  the 
^"niversity  of  Virginia,  and  thereafter  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and 
soon  established  a  successful  career.  He  has 
had  unusual  experience  in  the  courts,  and  has 
attained  a  high  degree  of  success  as  a  counsel- 
lor. January  i,  1892,  he  was  elected  judge  of 
the  County  Court  of  this  county,  and  was, 
without  opposition  re-elected  to  that  position  in 
J  898,  now  serving  in  that  capacity.    He  has  a 


comprehensive  knowledge  of  legal  principles, 
and  his  utter  impartiality  in  decisions  has 
gained  for  him  the  confidence  and  good  will 
of  the  citizens  of  the  county.  June  12,  1901, 
he  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention  convened  at  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, to  which  position  he  was  nominated  and 
elected  by  the  people  of  his  native  county  with- 
out opposition,  his  nomination  as  a  delegate  to 
that  body  ha^-ing  been  made  in  the  county  con- 
vention by  acclamation.  The  official  census  of 
the  State  indicates  that  he  represented  in  the 
Consitutional  Convention  a  larger  constituency 
than  any  other  member  of  that  body. 

Judge  Portlock  is  a  member  of  the  Alpha 
Tau  Omega  fraternity,  and  has  always  evinced 
an  interest  in  its  personnel  and  welfare.  He 
has,  since  boyhood,  enjoyed  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  people  of  his  county,  who  have 
conferred  upon  him  many  positions  of  trust 
and  emolument. 


RANK  L.  CROCKER,  an  attorney  of 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  boni  near  Lynchburg, 
Campbell  County,  Virginia.  He  is 
the  son  of  Rev.  W^illiam  A.  and  Fran- 
ces K.   (Jennings)  Crocker. 

His  father,  Rev.  William  A.  Crocker,  was 
born  in  Isle  of  Wight  County,  Virginia,  in 
1825,  and  was  for  58  years  a  minister  oi  the 
Methodist  Church.  During  the  Confederate 
war  he  was  chaplain  in  Colonel  Hodges'  regi- 
ment, and  also  established  the  army  intelli- 
gence office  at  Richmond,  which  proved  very 
valuable. 

Frank  L.  Crocker  received  his  collegiate 
education  at  Randolph-Macon  College,  Ash- 
land, Virginia,  where,  in  1886,  he  received  the 
degree  of  A.  B.  After  leaving  college  he  went 
to  Texas,  where  he  taUght  school  for  several 
years,  reading  law  at  the  same  time.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Dallas,  Texas,  in  1890, 
and  shortly  afterward   returned  to  Virginia, 


AND  REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


567 


and  located  in  Richmond  County,  where  his 
father  was  then  presiding  elder.  Subsequently 
he  practiced  in  the  "Xorthern  Xeck"  of  Vir- 
ginia. At  Irvington  he  became  assistant  editor 
of  the  Virginia  Citisen,  and  also  practiced 
there  about  two  years.  In  1896  he  removed  to 
Portsmouth  and  Ijecame  asstKiated  with  Judge 
James  F.  Crocker,  in  the  practice  of  law,  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Crocker  &  Crocker.  He 
continued  in  that  partnership  until  the  present 
year,  when  Judge  Crocker  became  Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Hustings  for  the  city  of  Portsmouth. 
Frank  L.  Crocker  has  since  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  alone,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  able  men  of  the  bar  in  \'irginia. 
He  is  well  known  in  Norfolk  County  as  a  man 
of  splendid  business  ability  and  good  judg- 
ment. 

For  the  past  four  years  he  has  been  a  stew- 
ard and  trustee  of  Monumental  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  in  Portsmouth,  and 
has  been  president  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  for  a 
number  of  years.  In  this  capacity  he  has  done 
much  noble  work,  and  his  influence  has  been 
felt  greatly  in  the  community.  He  is  now 
president  of  the  King's  Daughters'  Hospital 
Association,  which  purposes  shortly  to  erect 
a  new  hospital  building  in  the  city. 


F.   HOWELL,  who  is  now  retired 
^  g.      from  business  activities,  has  taken  an 
gj       active  pan  in  the  affairs  of  Ports- 
mouth,   particularly    on    the    School 
Board,  of  which  he  has  been  a  mem- 
ber for  many  years.     He  was  born  in  Xanse- 
mond  Countv,  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  E.  D. 
Howell. 

E.  D.  Howell  was  born  and  reared  in  X'an- 
semond  County,  Virginia,  and  was  a  son  of 
Rev.  Edward  Howell,  a  Baptist  minister,  who 
preached  in  Xansemond  County,  Virginia,  and 
in  Gates  County,  X^orth  Carolina,  where  he  died 
about  1888.  Rev.  Mr.  Howell's  father  came 
to  this  country  from  Scotland  when  a  young 


man,  accompanied  by  two  brothers  and  a  sis- 
ter, and  located  in  Xansemond  County,  Vir- 
ginia. The  family  became  a  very  prominent 
one  and  was  possessed  of  large  means,  its 
members  being  in  the  main  planters,  but  their 
fortunes  were  destroyed  during  the  Confed- 
erate War.  E.  D.  Howell,  father  of  B.  F.,  was 
reared  in  Nansemond  County,  Virginia,  and 
was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. He  married  Maria  A.  Suiwner,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children,  namely :  E.  S., 
who  resides  at  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Mrs.  G.  K. 
Atkinson,  whose  husband  was  in  the  grocery 
business  at  Portsmouth  for  many  years;  and 
B.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  E.  D.  How- 
ell died  about  1857,  and  Mrs.  Howell  after- 
ward married  Lemuel  W.  Williams,  who  was 
a  master  joiner  in  the  X'orfolk  Xavy  Yard, 
and  held  a  position  as  foreman  for  many  years. 
He  died  of  apoplexy  in  1873.  Three  children 
were  born  of  this  union,  all  of  whom  are  dead. 
Mrs.  Williams  died  in  1876,  at  the  age  of 
47  years. 

B.  F.  Howell  attended  the  common  schools 
of  Portsmouth  and  those  of  Xansemond  Coun- 
ty. During  the  war  and  for  some  years  after- 
ward he  lived  with  his  grandfather  while  at- 
tending school.  He  then  returned  home  and 
entered  a  printing  office  at  Xorfolk.  When 
the  Portsmouth  Enterprise  was  started  he  be- 
came foreman  and  proof-reader,  a  position  he 
held  for  si.x  or  seven  years.  His  health  failing, 
he  decided  to  change  his  business,  and  at  first 
conducted  a  grocery.  A  few  years  later  he  be- 
gan an  installment  paying  business  alone,  and 
made  a  great  success  of  it.  He  bought  proj)- 
erty  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Wasliington 
streets,  and  erected  buildings.  He  sold  out  in 
1896,  and  has  since  lived  practically  a  retired 
life.  He  has  invested  largely  in  real  estate. 
He  recently  built  a  fine  new  home  at  Xo.  19 
Dinwiddle  street.  Mr.  Howell  has  been  a 
member  of  the  School  Board  for  a  period  of  12 
years,  and  in  that  time  has  put  forth  his  ut- 
most endeavor  to  improve  the  school  system 
and  increase  its  facilities.     It  is  to  such  men 


568 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


as  he  that  the  credit  should  be  given  for  the 
fact  that  the  scliools  of  Portsmouth  are  unex- 
celled in  the  State  of  Virginia. 

May  ID,  1877,  Mr.  Howell  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Ida  C.  Ames,  who  was  born 
in  May,  1859,  and  received  her  education  in 
her  native  city,  Portsmouth,  and  in  college  at 
Murfreesboro,  North  Carolina.  Her  father, 
S.  S.  xAmes,  came  from  Accomac  County,  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  in  business  at  the  City  Alarket 
in  Portsmouth  until  his  retirement  in  1887. 
They  have  adopted  a  daughter,  Nellie,  who  is 
now  attending  school.  Politically,  Mr.  How- 
ell has  been  a  lifelong  Democrat.  He  is  past 
chancellor  of  Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  24,  K.  of  P. ; 
and  for  15  years  has  been  a  member  of  Ports- 
mouth Company,  No.  15,  Uniform  Rank,  and 
is  a  lieutenant  on  the  major's  staff.  Relig- 
iously, he  is  a  member  of  the  Monumeutal 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  which 
he  is  a  steward. 


HARLES  G.  HUME  is  city  attorney 
of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and  has 
achieved  a  high  degree  of  success  in 
the  practice  of  the  legal  profession. 
He  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, and  is  a  son  of  John  H.  Hume,  and 
grandson  of  Rev.  Thomas  Hume,  for  many 
years  pastor  of  the  Court  Street  Baptist 
Church. 

John  H.  Hume  was  born  in  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  and  for  many  years  was  identified 
with  the  banking  and  industrial  interests  of 
the  city.  He  died  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  55 
years.  He  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Anna 
Peebles,  who  was'  b<Trn  in  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia, and  now  resides  in  Portsmouth.  Her 
father  was  president  of  the  South  Side  Rail- 
road before  and  during  the  early  years  of  the 
Confederate  War.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hume  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, as  follows  :  Anna  H.,  wife  of  Walter  H. 
Taylor  of  Norfolk ;  John  H.,  Jr.,  of  Ports- 


mouth; Charles  G.,  the  subject  of  this  bi- 
ography ;  James,  an  insurance  agent  and  mem- 
ber of  the  firm  of  Hume  &  Brother  of  Ports- 
mouth ;  Marian ;  Thomas,  who  is  in  the  employ 
of  the  Seaboard  Air  Line ;  Hartwell  Heath ; 
Joseph  Stewart ;  Julian  Robert ;  and  Frank 
Wynne.  The  family  residence  is  at  the  corner 
of  Court  and  North  streets. 

Charles  G.  Hume  studied  law  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia.  July  7, 
1899.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  politics,  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  City 
Council  until  he  resigned  to  accept  the  ofiice  of 
city  attorney',  July  i,  1901,  succeeding  John 
W^  Happer.  He  has  maintained  his  office  in 
the  new  Commercial  Building  since  1899.  He 
stands  well  at  the  i>ar,  and  has  many  friends 
throughout  the  county.  He  is  a  member  of 
Trinity  Chapter,  No.  346,  Brotherhood  of  St. 
Andrew,  and  is  a  director  in  the  Business 
Men's  Association  of  Portsmouth.  Religi- 
ously, the  Hume  family  favor  the  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is 
a  vestrvman. 


OSTER  BLACK,  one  of  the  foremost 
business  men  of  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  has  attained  a  high  degree 
of  success  in  the  business  world.  As 
president  of  the  People's  Bank  of 
Berkley,  he  has  displayed  unusual  ability  as  a 
financier,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  stable  condi- 
tion of  the  bank  and  the  position  it  occupies 
in  comparison  with  the  leading  institutions  of 
the  kind  in  this  section  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Black  is  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage,  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1871.  He  lo- 
cated in  Norfolk  County  in  1889,  and  entered 
the  field  of  business  with  an  energy  which  has 
since  characterized  his  career,  making  a  success 
of  every  undertaking.  In  that  year  he  began 
operating  the  Atlantic  City  Mills  of  Norfolk, 
and  in  1890  started  the  Chesapeake  Knitting 
Mills.     In    1893  he  established  the  Elizabeth 


COL.    J.   R.    -WADDY. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


571 


Cotton  Mills,  of  which  he  is  now  secretary  and 
treasurer,  a  concern  which  lias  from  250  to  300 
€mplayees.  Both  mills  have  been  successfully 
operated  since  their  inception,  and  their  prod- 
ucts are  sold  direct  to  the  trade  in  every  State  in 
the  Union.  He  was  also  the  founder  of  the 
Merchants'  &  Planters'  Bank  of  Berkley.  A 
man  of  intellectual  attainments,  honesty  and 
strict  integrity.  Mr.  Black  represents  the  high- 
est ty^le  of  citizenship. 


OL.  J.  R.  WADDY,  who  served  with 
high  honor  throughout  the  Confed- 
erate War,  is  well  known  as  the  post- 
master of  Norfolk.  He  was  born  in 
Xorthampton  County.  Virginia,  December  24, 
1839,  and  comes  of  a  family  which  has  long 
been  located  on  Virginian  soil. 

Colonel  W'addy  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  and 
was  graduated  in  1853.  He  was  engaged  in 
teaching  school  for  two  years,  when  on  the 
recommendation  of  Gov.  H.  A.  Wise  and  Gen. 
T.  J.  Jackson,  under  whom  he  was  instructed 
at  Lexington,  he  was  appointed  2nd  lieutenant 
in  the  4th  Regiment,  U.  S.  Artillery.  He  was 
promoted  to  be  ist  lieutenant  and  served  in 
that  capacity  until  the  secession  of  Virginia 
in  i86t,  when  he  resigned  his  position  in  the 
Federal  Army.  He  tendered  his  services  to 
John  Letcher,  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  Jeff- 
erson Davis,  president  of  the  Confederate 
States.  He  was  given  the  rank  of  ist  lieuten- 
ant in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  was  then 
assigned  to  duty  as  captain  in  the  Adjutant- 
General's  Department :  he  was  ordered  to  duty 
under  General  Pemberton,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  James  River,  for  the  purpose  of  organiz- 
ing the  1st  Brigade,  serving  around  Smith- 
field,  \'irginia.  He  ranained  there  until  No- 
vember, 1 86 1,  when  he  was  ordered  to  the 
Pocotaligo  River,  South  Carolina,  as  adjutant- 
general  of  the  1st  District  in  a  department  com- 
manded bv  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee.    Shortlv  after- 


ward, when  General  Lee  was  ordered  to  Vir- 
ginia to  assume  command  of  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  ordered  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  as 
adjutant-general  of  the  department  of  South 
Carolina,  Georgia  and  Florida,  and  remained 
there  until  the  defeat  of  General  Van  Dorn,  in 
Mississippi,  when  he  w-as  ordered  to  report  at 
Richmond  for  assignment  to  duty.  He  was 
m.ade  adjutant-general  of  the  Department  of 
Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana,  in  which  sta- 
tion he  continued  until  the  early  part  of  1864. 
He  was  again  ordered  to  report  at  Richmond 
for  duty  under  General  Beauregard,  at  Charles- 
ton, in  ordnance  and  artillery  service.  During 
the  latter  part  of  ^lay,  1864,  when  General 
Beauregard  was  ordered  to  Petersburg  for 
command.  Colonel  Waddy  was  directed  to  ac- 
company him,  upon  the  General's  request.  He 
remained  with  that  officer  until  1864,  whai  he 
was  ordered  to  Charleston  with  General  Harris, 
the  latter  being  in  the  Engineering  Corps. 
While  there  he  was  appointed  special  commis- 
sioner for  the  exchange  of  10.000  prisoners,  a 
duty  he  discharged  to  the  satisfaction  of  lx»th 
governments,  for  which  he  was  promoted  to 
the  full  rank  of  colonel  of  artillery.  The  Fed- 
eral commissioner  in  the  exchange  of  prisoners 
was  Colonel  Bennett,  of  Connecticut.  Colonel 
Waddy  remained  in  Savannah  until  the  night 
of  December  22,  1864,  when  the  Confederate 
troops  evacuated  the  city  and  crossed  the  Sa- 
vannah River,  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  occupying 
the  city.  The  Confederate  Amiy  was  over- 
taken b}'  Sherman  at  Durham  Station  and  then 
marched  to  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina,  where 
it  was  surrendered  by  Joseph  E.  Johnston  to 
General  Sherman.  Colonel  Waddy  returned  to 
his  natal  county,  where  he  followed  farming 
a  few  years,  and  then  went  to  New  York  and 
was  engaged  in  business  for  himself  until  1877. 
He  returned  to  Virginia  and  again  followed 
farming  for  a  period  of  five  years,  after  which 
he  made  his  advent  in  Norfolk,  where  he  has 
since  been  a  prominent  figure.  He  ser\-ed  as 
inspector-in-chief  of  export  grain  for  the  Nor- 


572 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


folk  &  Western  Railway  grain  elevators  until 
1898,  when  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Norfolk. 

There  is  no  data  within  reach  relating  to 
the  estahlishment  of  the  Norfolk  Post  Office. 
In  1800  Edward  Archer  was  postmaster.  His 
successors  were  Andrew  M.  McConnice,  Wal- 
ter R.  Jones,  Alexander  Gait,  Philip  I.  Cohen, 
John  P.  Leigh,  Alexander  Gait  and  A.  M. 
Vaughan.  The  last  named  was  in  office  a1; 
the  commencement  of  the  Intersectional 
War,  and  held  it  under  the  Confederate  gov- 
ernment until  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  by  the 

Confederates,   May   10,    1862.      Then  

Trott  was  put  in  charge  of  the  office  and  was 
succeeded  by  Warren  W.  ^^'i^g,  who-  was  suc- 
ceeded by  E.  Whipple.  Then  again  followed 
Warren  W.  Wing,  who  was  succeeded  in  turn 
by  H.  B.  Nichols,  M.  P.  Rue,  J.  W.  Long  and 
Michael  Glennan,  who  was  followed  by  Capt. 
F.  L.  Slade.  Captain  Slade  was  followed  by 
W.  W.  Degge,  who  was  succeeded  by  W.  H. 
H.  Trice.  Mr.  Trice  was  succeeded  by  W. 
T.  Anderson,  and  Mr.  Anderson,  on  Novem- 
ber 27,  1898,  by  Colonel  J.  R.  Waddy  whose 
appointment  was  confirmed  by  the  Senate  Jan- 
uar)r  17  1899. 

In  1806  the  Post  Office  was  located  at  No. 
31  West  Main  street.  It  was  afterward  located 
on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  near  Church 
street,  where  the  Saulisbury  Building  now 
stands.  It  was  then  moved  to  West  Main 
street,  in  a  building  occupying  the  site  of  the 
present  Citizens'  Bank  Building,  the  Post 
Office  adjoining  the  Custom  House  lot.  It  was 
afterward  removed  tO'  the  Dodd  Building  on. 
Main  street,  opposite  Commerce  street,  then 
back  to  its  previous  quarters,  and  afterward  to 
the  site  of  the  present  Ferebee,  Jones  &  Com- 
pany Building,  corner  of  Main  and  Commerce 
streets,  and  from  there  to^  its  present  location  in 
the  Custom  House  Building. 

Colonel  Waddy,  during  his  official  career, 
has  displayed  intelligence,  zeal  and  fidelity  to 
trust  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  has 


gained  the  highest  esteem  and  respect  of  the 
community.  Naturally  of  a  courteous  and  pro- 
gressive disposition,  he  has  had  constantly  as 
his  aim  the  pleasure  and  accommodation  of  the 
patrons  of  the  office.  Fraternally  he  is  prom- 
inent in  the  affairs  of  Pocahontas  Council,  No. 
493,  Royal  Arcanum,  in  which  he  has  filled  all 
the  chairs  and  is  at  the  present  time  past  regent. 
In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  Republican.  His  por- 
trait is  presented  on  a  preceding  page. 


ASCOM  SYKES,  who  is  a  native  of 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  was  born 
in  1857.  He  comes  from  one  of  the 
old  families  of  Norfolk  County, 
whose  members  have  been  identified 
with  the  growth  and  development  of  this  com- 
munity for  more  than  a  centun-. 

Mr.  Sykes  is,  at  present,  acting  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  city  engineer  of  Portsmouth,  and  was 
formerly  resident  engineer  of  the  Norfolk  & 
Carolina  Railroad  Company.  He  is  a  gentle- 
man of  recognized  ability  in  his  profession, 
and  is  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Ports- 
mouth. 


SAAC  T.  VAN  PATTEN,  who  is  sec- 
retary of  the  Business  Men's  Associ- 
ation of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  Countv, 
Virginia,  was  born  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  He  received  his  scholastic  train- 
ing in  that  city  and  in  Gettysburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  his  family  resided  some  years. 

Mr.  Van  Patten  was  26  years  old  when 
he  removed  to  Portsmouth.  He  entered  the 
government  service  at  Portsmouth,  in  Janu- 
ary, 1876,  accepting  a  position  in  the  pay  de- 
partment of  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard.  He  con- 
tinued working  in  that  department  for  22 
years.  He  spent  one  year  at  the  naval  station" 
at  Key  West.  He  resigned  his  position  in  the 
pay  department  of  the  Navy  Yard  to  accept 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


57? 


the  secretan'ship  of  the  Business  Men's  Asso- 
ciation of  Portsmouth.  He  lias  full  charge  of 
the  corresiX)ndence  of  tiiat  organization,  and 
reports  to  the  board  of  directors  regularly. 

The  Business  Men's  Association  was  in- 
corpvirated  in  1901,  with  T.  J.  Wool  as  presi- 
dent ;  John  H.  Downing,  treasurer,  and  Isaac 
T.  Van  Patten,  secretary.  The  vice-presidents 
are:  Ale.xander  B.  Butt,  E.  L.  Dashiell,  A.  H. 
Lindsay,  Jr.,  G.  Hatton  and  John  L.  Watson. 
The  board  of  directors  is  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing: Franklin  D.  Gill,  Willis  A.  Jenkins. 
Charles  G.  Hume,  Frank  Lindsay,  John  C. 
Emmer.son,  E.  L.  Lash,  P.  C.  Trugien,  O.  L. 
Williams,  B.  F.  Hofheimer,  M.  P.  Claud  and 
R.  S.  ]\Iackan.  Mr.  \'an  Patten  is  a  man  of 
splendid  business  ability,  possessing  .sound 
judgment  and  keen  perception.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  influential  citizens  of  Portsmouth,  is 
highly  respected  for  his  good  qualities,  and 
stands  high  in  the  community. 

Mr.  \'an  Patten  married  a  daughter  of 
W.  A.  Smith,  who  was  a  merchandise  broket 
for  many  years.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  of  X'orfolk ;  he  is  now  deceased. 
Four  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Van  Patten,  namely:  Ellsworth  P., 
who  was  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  when  but  17  years  old,  to  the  drafting 
room  at  the  Navy  Yard,  and  placed  under  Mr. 
Hart;  Margaret  H. ;  Isaac  T.,  Jr.;  and  Alfred 
F.    The  Van  Pattens  reside  at  Cottage  Place. 

Mr.  Van  Patten  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  Heptasophs,  and  National  Union. 
He  attends  the  Presbvterian  Church. 


HARLES  C.  COBB,  of  the  firm  of 
S^i      Cobb  Brothers  &  Company,  cotton 
'^      brokers,    at    No.   245   Main  street, 
Norfolk.  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1864.     He  is  a  son  of  James  C.  and 
Mary   (Bell)   Cobb,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  Nonh  Carolina.    James  C.  Cobb  is  a 


farmer  and  merchant  of  North  Carolina ;  he  is 
//  years  old.  His  wife  died  at  the  age  of  54 
years.  Of  1 1  children  torn  to  this  union, 
seven  reached  maturity. 

Charles  C.  Cobb,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch,  attended  school  at  La  Grange  and 
Kings  Mountain,  North  Carolina.-  After  fin- 
ishing school  he  kept  books  for  a  firm  for  twQ 
years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  in 
1888.  He  engaged  in  the  cotton  business  as 
clerk  for  Lewis,  Hilliard  &  Company,  and  re- 
mained in  their  employ  one  year.  He  then 
went  into  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
Cobb  Brothers  &  Gillum.  This  partnership 
existed  for  three  years,  when  Mr.  Gillum  with- 
drew. Since  that  time  the  firm  name  has  read 
Cobb  Brothers  &  Company.  They  buy  and  sell 
cotton,  grain,  provisions,  bonds  and  stocks, 
either  for  cash  or  on  a  margin.  They  conduct 
a  very  large  business,  which  is  constantly  on 
the  increase. 

Mr.  Cobb  married  Maud  Fulcher,  a  na- 
tive of  Wilson,  North  Carolina,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  L.  H.  Fulcher,  also  a  native  of  that 
state.  This  marriage  occurred  in  July,  1898,- 
and  one  child, — ]\Iareu, — has  blessed  their 
union.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Ep- 
worth  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Cobb 
is  a  ^lason  and  a  member  of  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum. He  is  a  man  of  splendid  business  abil7 
ily  and  high  character,  and  is  well  known  and 
greatly  respected  in  Norfolk. 


OHN    W.    HAPPER.      The    city    of 
Portsmouth  claims  many  able  lawyers 
among  her  citizens,   but  none  more 
able  than  John  \\'.  Happer,  of  the  law 
i  firm  of  Edwards  &  Happer.     He  was 

l>3rn  in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and  was 
between  one  and  two  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  moved  to  the  city  of  Norfolk.  His 
j  father,  George  D.  Happer,  was  engaged  in 
'  farming,  and  later  was  interested  in  the  tim- 
ber business  in  this  county.     He  represented 


574 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Norfolk  County  in  tlie  State  Legislature  for 
a  number  of  terms.  His  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Eliza  A.  White,  was  a  native  of  Nor- 
folk County.  Her  father,  John  White,  was 
one  of  Virginia's  sons.  He  was  also  born  in 
■Norfolk  Counity.  Unto  (this  worthy  couple 
were  born  nine  children.  Of  these  three  are 
now  living,  namely:  Mrs.  Fannie  H.,  widow 
of  John  F.  Stewart,  of  Suffolk,  Virginia;  Mrs. 
A.  O.  Leigh,  of  Portsmouth,  widow  of  Dr. 
James  W.  Leigh,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia;  and 
John  \V.,  who  was  the  youngest  o-f  the  family. 
Mrs.  Happer  was  a  devout  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  When 
Norfolk  was  evacuated,  during  the  war,  John 
W.  Happer,  with  his  mother  and  sister,  ran 
the  blockade  and  went  to  North  Carolina,  the 
father  being  already  within  the  Confederate 
lines.  They  located  at  Weldon,  North  Caro- 
lina. 

John  W.  Happer  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Weldon,  North  Carolina,  then  went 
to  Halifax,  and  next,  tO'  Columbia,  both  in 
Tyrrell  County,  North  Carolina,  where  he  at- 
tended the  common  schools  until  1870.  He 
then  returned  to  Norfolk  and  attended  the 
school  of  Prof.  N.  B.  Webster,  where  at  the 
same  time  he  served  as  instructor  in  mathe- 
matics. In  September,  1872,  he  attended  the 
University  of  Virginia,  studied  Latin,  law  and 
medical  jurisprudence,  and  completed  the 
■course  in  the  two  last  named  branches.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Norfolk,  but  soon 
removed  to  Portsmouth,  which  city  has  since 
been  his  home.  For  the  past  20  years  he  has 
t)€en  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  in  part- 
nership with  Mr.  Edwards,  and  for  a  period  of 
from  12  tO'  15  years  was  city  attorney  oif  Ports- 
mouth, being  succeeded  by  Charles  G.  Hume, 
the  present  incumbent. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Happer  is  a  member  of 
Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  82,  Benevolent  &  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks ;  Atlantic  Lodge.  No'.  24, 
Knights  of  Pythias;  Royal  Arcanum;  and  Na- 
tional Union.  He  has  Ijeen  chancellor  in  the 
lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  as  an  Elk 


has  passed  through  the  four  chairs, — he  rep- 
resented the  lodge  at  the  annual  reunion  held 
at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana.  December  6, 
1883,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Rosa 
Lee  Edwards,  and  they  have  three  children, — 
John  W.,  Jr.,  G.  Douglas  and  Rosa  Lee. 


APT.  LLOYD  WASHINGTON 
LAMBERT  is  a  sailing-master  and 
ship-owner,  trading  between  Norfolk 
and  New  York  and  other  ports.  He 
was  born  at  Lamlaert's  Point,  Nor- 
folk County.  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
Holt  Lambert,  Jr. 

John  Holt  Lambert,  Sr.,  the  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  came  to  this  country  from  Eng- 
land, and  settled  at  "Hornet's  Point,"  which 
place  was  afterward  given  the  name  of  Lam- 
laert's  Point.  He  owned  a  large  number  of 
slaves,  as  did  his  son,  the  father  of  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  opens  these  lines.  John  Holt 
Lambert,  Jr.,  was  born  in  1810,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  oyster  planting  and  farming  until 
1882.  He  then  retired  from  active  business 
duties,  and  his  death  occurred  10  years  later, 
at  the  age  of  82  years.  He  married  Ann  Eliza 
Cooper,  who  was  bom  at  Lambert's  Point,  Oc- 
tober 17,  1827.  Her  father  was  William 
Cooper,  a  circuit  preacher  of  the  Christian 
Church.  John  Holt  Lambert.  Jr.,  and  his  wife 
had  eight  children,  namely :  William  John, 
Edward  James  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  deceased; 
Eleazer  Orwell,  who  is  engaged  in  the  whole- 
sale liquor  business  in  Norfolk;  Lula  M..  who 
married  Charles'  A.  Morris,  a  merchant  of 
Norfolk;  Lloyd  Washington,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  and  Archie  Stephens  and  Tiberius 
Darling,  both  merchants. 

Captain  Lambert  holds  the  championship 
medal  of  the  world  for  quail  shooting.  A 
$1,000  challenge  is  now  offered  by  his  friends 
in  Norfolk  to  all  competitors.  Captain  Lam- 
bert now  has  a  record  of  killing  184  quail, 
from  sunrise  to  sunset. 


THOMAS    R.    BALLENTINE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


577 


Captain  Lambert  married  Rhoda  Bell  Diin- 
ston.  a  daughter  of  Aiigustin  Dunston.  She 
is  one  of  tiiree  children,  the  others  being  Lee, 
ard  James;  and  Lula  \'irginia,  who  makes  her 
home  with  her  sister.  The  Captain  and  his 
wife  are  blessed  with  the  following  children : 
Essie  Viola;  Lottie  \\'ashington ;  Blanche 
Louise ;  Ruby  Holt ;  Gladys  Rose ;  Lloyd  W'asli- 
ington ;  and  Elizabeth  Warren. 

Ca])tain  Lambert  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
He  is  an  attendant  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Church. 
He  is  well  and  favorably  known  to  every  citi- 
zen of  Lambert's  Point,  who  respect  and  ad- 
mire him  for  his  many  admirable  traits  of  char- 
acter. Captain  Lambert  has  many  friends 
throughout    Norfolk  County. 


1866. 


ORNELIUS  F.  ROBINSON,  a  suc- 
cessful truck-farmer  of  Norfolk 
County,  \'irginia,  was  born  and 
reared  on  his  present  farm.  The 
date  of  his  birth,   was  October  29, 

His  father,  William  Robinson,  son  of 


Henry  Robinson,  was  also  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation, and  lived  to  be  47  years  old.  William 
Robinson  married  Sarah  Cooper,  who  was 
born  in  1832.  She  had  five  children,  namely: 
Martha  J.,  of  Lambert's  Point;  Amanda  S., 
deceased;  W.  J.  and  H.  J..  Imth  truck-farmers: 
and  Cornelius  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Cornelius  F.  Robinson  received  his  scho- 
lastic training  at  Lambert's  Point,  where  he 
spent  all  of  his  life.  He  began  fanning  at  a 
very  early  age,  and  has  met  with  much  success 
in  that  vocation.  He  is  well  known  as  one  of 
the  best  truckers  in  that  vicinity,  and  finds  a 
ready  market  for  all  the  products  of  his  land. 
Possessed  of  much  energy  and  thrift,  he  has 
worked  unceasingly,  and  has  just  cause  to  feel 
proud  of  his  success. 

Cornelius  F.  Robinson  was  married  in  1891 
to  Nettie  F.  Vanderberry.  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Vanderberry,  and  has  two  children, — 
Flossie  Estelle,  aged  eight  vears :  and  Hunter 


Franklin,  aged  four  years.  Mr.  Robinson  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics.  Religiously,  he  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  Church. 


lIOM.\S    R.  BALLENTINE,  who   is 
well  known  to  the  citizens  of  Norfolk 
Virginia,  by  reason  of  his  connection 
with  various    jniblic    enterprises    and 
charitable  institutions,  owns  and  ctm- 
ducts  the  largest  truck  farm  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty.    He  was  born  in  Currituck  County,  North 
Carolina,  in  1820. 

]\Ir.  Ballentine  first  came  to  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  in  1849.  locating  on  a  farm  about 
18  miles  from  the  city  of  Norfolk  on  what  is 
known  as  Butt's  Road.  There  he  remained  for 
seven  vears  and  then,  in  1855.  sold  his  farm. 
During  1856  and  1857  he  was  agent  for  the 
Norfolk  County  Ferries,  after  which  he  again 
moved  to  the  conntry  and  purchased  a  farm  at 
Hickoi-y  Ground.  Three  years  later  he  dis- 
posed of  this  property  and  bought  another  farm 
near  by,  where  he  resided  from  Januar\-,  1861, 
until  November,  1867.  He  then  rented  the 
last  named  place  and  moved  to  the  city  of 
Norfolk  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  purchased  a  large  truck  farm  one  and  a  half 
miles  east  of  the  city,  which  he  has  since  con- 
ducted, giving  it  a  personal  supen-ision.  He 
devotes  his  entire  time  to  this  business,  mak- 
ing two  trips  daily  to  the  farm.  The  import- 
ance of  the  Norfolk  section  as  a  trucking  field 
is  amply  evidenced  by  the  statistics  of  the  Ag- 
ricultural Department  and  the  figures  of  ship- 
ments on  railroads  and  steamships,  which  clas- 
sify it  as  one  of  the  greatest  fields  in  this  in- 
dustry in  the  United  States.  The  land  is 
a  rich  sandy  loam,  quickly  responsive  to  fertil- 
ization and  cultivation,  and  yields  abundantly. 
Mr.  Ballentine  has  engaged  in  trucking  on  an 
extensive  scale  and  has  been  eminently  success- 
ful, marketing  his  products  in  New  York,  Bos- 
ton, Philadelphia,  Baltimore  and  Washington. 


578 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


His  farm  is  the  largfest  in  the  county  under 
one  management.  In  the  city  he  has  built  the 
Ballentine  Building,  the  Arcade  Market,  and 
numerous  other  structures.  He  is  a  director 
in  the  Norfolk  National  Ba-nk  -and  the  Norfolk 
Bank  for  Savings  and  Trusts,  and  has  held 
stock  in  the  old  Exchange  Bank. 

Mr.  Ballentine  was  first  joined  in  marriage 
with  Mary  F.  Hughes,  who  was  born  in  Curri- 
tuck County,  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  Jan- 
uary, 1883.  He  formed  a  marital  union  in 
1885,  with  Annie  E.  Baxter,  of  Currituck 
County,  North  Carolina.  In  1894  he  built  the 
Mary  F.  Ballentine  Home  for  the  Aged,  which 
has  since  been  maintained  at  his  expense.  This 
work  of  charity  was  done  in  accordance  with 
the  idea  and  wishes  of  his  deceased  wife.  The 
building  was  dedicated  and  deeded  to  a  board 
of  trustees,  in  1894.  It  is  located  on  Park  ave- 
nue in  Brambleton  Ward,  Norfolk,  and  is  fur- 
ther mentioned  in  Chapter  XIV.  A  view  of 
the  home  is  shown  on  Page  254.  Mr.  Ballen- 
tine's  early  days  were  spent  in  learning  the 
trade  of  a  mechanic,  which  he  followed  but  a 
short  time,  as  he  decided  to  take  up  a  work  in 
which  he  could  manifest  more  independence. 
He  is  a  man  of  admirable  character,  charitable 
in  disposition  and  ever  ready  to  lend  a  helping 
hand  to  one  who  has  not  been  so  successful  as 
himself.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Ballentine  accom- 
panies this  sketch,  being  presented  on  a  pre- 
ceding page. 


EV.  AUSTIN  EVERETT  OWEN,  a 
distinguished  citizen  of  Berkley,  Vir- 
ginia, is  too  well  known  to  need  an 
introduction  to  the  citizens  of  Norfolk 
County.  His  record  as  pastor  of  the 
Court  Street  Baptist  Church  of  Portsmouth, 
and  Grace  Baptist  Church  of  Berkley,  extend- 
ing over  a  period  of  more  than  30  years,  is  re- 
plete with  good  deeds  and  honest  endeavors  to 
raise  the  moral  standard  of  his  charges.  He  is 
also   president   of   Ryland    Institute,   a   school 


for  young  ladies,  and  in  this  capacity  has  alsa 
been  successful.  He  has  not  only  succeeded 
in  imparting  knowledge  to  them  from  books, 
but  by  the  strength  of  his  personality  and  the 
example  of  a  well-spent  life,  has  influenced 
them  to  lives  of  good  purpose. 

Rev.  Mr.  Owen  was  born  in  Powhatan 
County,  Virginia,  September  27,  1837,  and  is 
a  son  of  Richard  Johnson  Owen,  and  grandson 
of  Elisha  Owen,  who-  was  a  son  of  William 
Owen.  Elisha  Owen  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Yorktown  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
Richard  Johnson  Owen  was  born  in  1797,  in 
Prince  Edward  (now  Appomattox)  County, 
Virginia,  and  died  in  1892,  at  the  remarkable 
age  of  95  years.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
and  also  followed  farming  on  a  small  scale. 
He  was -a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
was  baptized  in  his  80th  year  by  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  He  was  always  a  Democrat,  al- 
though he  was  a  Union  man  at  the  outbreak  of 
the  Intersectional  War.  He  was  exempt  from 
military  service  on  account  of  his  age.  He  was ' 
joined  in  marriage  with  Narcissa  Langsdon,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy  (  McGruder) 
Langsdon,  natives  of  Powhatan  County,  Vir- 
ginia. 

The  Langsdons,  who  were  Huguenots, 
came  to  the  United  States  from  France,  as  ear- 
ly as  1685.  They  became  extensive  land- 
owners, and  had  many  slaves,  but  under  the 
influence  of  the  Wesley  Revivals  they  freed  all 
their  slaves.  The  Huguenot  Springs  are  lo- 
cated on  the  former  holdings  of  the  family. 
Narcissa  (Langsdon)  Owen  died  in  1887.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  As  a.  rcr 
suit  of  her  union  with  Mr.  Owen  she  gave 
birth  to  four  children,  as  follows :  William 
Thomas,  born  in  1829,  who  served  in  Wise's 
Brigade  and  was  killed  at  Drewry's  Bluff; 
Julia  Ann  Johnson,  born  in  1833,  who  married 
Richard  F.  Vest,  a  trader,  and  is  now  living 
at  Powhatan,  Virginia;  Virginia  E.,  born  in 
1835,  who  married  John  R.  Toney,  a  carpenter 
and  contractor,  and  died  in  1875:  and  Austin 
Everett,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


579 


Austin  Everett  Owen  spent  four  and  a  lialf 
years  in  attendance  at  Richmond  College,  after 
which  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Bajnist 
Church,  his  tirst  charge  being  in  Brunswick 
County,  Virginia.  He  located  in  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  in  1871.  and  liecame  pastor  of  the 
Court  Street  Baptist  Church,  where  he  re- 
mained 27J/2  years.  He  left  that  church  on  the 
last  day  of  January,  1898,  and  assumed  the 
duties  of  pastor  of  Grace  Baptist  Church,  of 
Berkley,  on  the  ist  day  of  February,  1898.  He 
was  ordained  in  1861,  and  has  never  been 
without  a  pastorate  a  day  since  that  time.  He 
was  selected  president  of  the  Ryland  Institute, 
at  Berkley,  in  1897,  and  entered  upon  tlie 
duties  of  that  office  in  1898.  This  institution 
was  organized  in  Suffolk,  Virginia,  in  1892, 
and  was  linally  removed  to  Berkley.  It  is  lo- 
cated in  the  old  Marine  Hospital,  built  several 
years  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  stands 
like  a  fort,  with  its  solid  walls  two  feet  in 
thickness.  ]\Ir.  Owen  is  a  trustee  of  Richmond 
College;  he  was  moderator  of  the  Portsmouth 
Baptist  Association  four  years,  and  was  presi- 
dent of  the  General  Assixiation  two  vears, — 
the  highest  iionor  in  the  church.  He  has  been 
vice-president  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Board  of 
Virginia  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Convention  : 
and  president  of  the  Foreign  ^lission  Board  of 
the  General  Association  of  Virginia,  located  at 
Norfolk.  He  has  been  highly  honored  by  the 
church.  He  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.  from 
Baylor.  University  of  Texas  about  twenty 
years  ago.  He  is  on  the  lecture  platform,  to  a 
considerable  extent,  treating  his  subjects  both 
in  a  humorous  and  instructive  manner.  It  has 
often  been  remarked  by  good  critics  that  he 
could  attain  the  highest  degree  of  success  as 
a  humorous  lecturer.  Rev.  Mr.  Owen's  char- 
acter is  above  reproach,  and  the  comment  was 
made,  upon  his  leaving  the  Portsmouth  pas- 
torate, that  no  man  or  woman  in  the  town  could 
say  they  ever  knew  of  him  doing  a  mean  act. 

December  6,  1866,  Rev.  Austin  Everett 
Owen  was  united  in  wedlock  with  Marv  Hen- 
rietta Hall,  a  daughter  of  Clement  and  Louise 


(.Andrews)  Hall.  Miss  Hall  was  born  in 
Brunswick  County,  Virginia,  in  1842.  As  a 
result  of  this  union  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owen  had 
10  children,  namely:  Minnie  Etta;  Xettie 
Blanche;  Sarah  Hall ;  Mary  B. ;  Austin  E.,  Jr. ; 
Louise  .\ndrews :  \\'illiam  Russell ;  Jennie 
Ethel ;  Richard  Clement :  and  Myrtie  Belle. 
Minnie  Etta,  born  August  31,  1867,  married 
M.  P.  Clend,  who  is  in  the  insurance  business 
in  Portsmouth,  and  resides  at  Berklley.  Thej- 
have  four  children,  namely  :  Jesse  O. ;  Reese  L. ; 
Eldridge  F. ;  and  Hugh  Montague.  Xettie 
Blanche,  born  in  1870,  married  John  Freeman 
and  they  reside  at  Union,  X^orth  Carolina. 
Sarah  Hall,  born  in  August,  1872,  married  J. 
E.  Britton,  a  merchant  of  North  Carolina,  and 
they  have  three  daughters, — Annie,  Jennie  and 
Sarah.  IMary  B.  died  in  infancy.  Austin  E., 
Jr.,  born  January  2,  1876,  is  first  bookkeeper 
for  the  Bank  of  Portsmouth.  He  was  united 
in  marriage,  August  6,  1901,  with  Helen  Xor- 
fleet  Foote,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  George  A.  Foote, 
of  Warrenton,  Xorth  Carolina.  Louise  An- 
drews died  in  infancy.  William  Russell  is  a 
student  in  the  theological  seminary  at  Qiester, 
Pennsylvania.  Jennie  Ethel,  born  in  1883,  is 
living  at  home.  Richard  Clement,  born  in 
July,  1885,  holds  a  clerical  position.  Myrtie 
Belle  died  in  infancy. 


) 


OHX  W.  BLASSIXGHAM,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  in  Xorfolk 
County,  Virginia,  is  a  native  of  Glou- 
cester County,  Virginia,  and  was  born 
December  10,  1856.  He  is  a  son  of 
J.  W.  Blassingham,  who  was  born  in  Virginia, 
where  he  carried  on  general  farming  all  his  life. 
He  died  in  his  native  State.  He  married 
Emma  Dunston,  and  they  reared  the  following 
children:  Benjamin  F. ;  George;  Mary  L. ; 
John  W. ;  James  L. ;  and  Lorena  fWinfield). 
John  W.  Blassingham  was  educated  in  the 
private  schools  of  his  native  town,  and  lived 
at  home  with  his  parents  until  1879.     In  1880, 


58o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


he  removed  to  Norfolk  County,  and  located 
■on  a  farm  near  his  present  home.  In  1892,  he 
bought  his  home  farm  of  21  acres,  on  which 
he  has  since  resided.  He  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming,  and  as  he  had  a  thorough  training 
in  that  occupation,  having  helped  his  father  on 
the  old  homestead,  he  is  well  fitted  to  success- 
fully manage  a  farm  of  his  own.  He  is  held 
in  high  esteem  by  the  rest  of  the  farmers  in 
Norfolk  County  as  a  man  worthy  of  the  ut- 
most confidence. 

Mr.  Blassingham  married  Virginia  Row- 
land, who  was  born  in  Norfolk,  December  12, 
1866.  She  is  a  daughter  of  J.  H.  Rowland,  a 
farmer  of  Norfolk  County.  Mr.  Blassingham 
and  his  wife  are  blessed  with  four  children, 
namely  :   Lindsey ;  Virginia ;  Julia  :  and  Fanny. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  built  the  com- 
fortable eight-room  frame  house,  which  stands 
■on  his  farm  in  1892.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  Religiousl)-  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


lOBERT  EDWARD  BRUCE  STEW- 
ART was  born  at  "Beechwood."  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  July  20.  1863, 
and  is  of  Scotch  ancestry.  He  is  a 
son  of  the  late  William  Charles  Stew- 
art (who  died  June  29,  1865),  a  prominent 
farmer,  who  bore  the  rank  of  lieutenant  of 
State  Volunteers  during  the  Mexican  War,  but 
whose  command  was  not  called  into  the  service. 
On  account  of  advanced  age,  he  was  exempt 
from  military  service  during  the  Confederate 
War,  but  was  imprisoned  at  Old  Point  by  Gen. 
B.  F.  Butler  for  his  loyalty  to  the  South. 

His  mother,  Catharine  Matilda  (Garrett^ 
Stewart,  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Henry  Gar- 
rett, a  wealthy  farmer  and  lumber  merchant, 
who  was  for  many  years  superintendent  of  the 
Dismal   Swamp  Canal. 

Mr.  Stewart  was  educated  at  the  common 
schools,  Suffolk  Military  Academy  and  Vir- 
•ginia  Military  Institute.     After  leaving  school, 


he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  mother's  farm 
at  "Beechwood."  At  an  early  age,  he  took 
quite  an  active  part  in  politics  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Democratic  Executive  Committee 
for  several  years ;  he  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Delegates  from  Norfolk  County  in  Novem- 
ber, ,1891.  In  July,  1893,  he  was  appointed  by 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  as  clerk  to  the  cap- 
tain of  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard ;  his  letter  of 
resignation  and  the  reply  of  the  Governor  of 
Virginia,  which  follows,  is  a  significant  testi- 
monial of  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  as 
a  member  of  the  legislature,  and  the  character 
of  his  work  in  that  body. 

Portsmouth,  Va.,  July  10,  1893. 

Hon.  p.  \V.  McKinnev, 

Oorernor  of  Virginia. 

Sir:     Having  accepted  a  position   under  the  United 
States  Government,  I  hereby  tender  my   resignation  as  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Delegates  of  Virginia. 
\'ery  Respectully, 

R.  E.  B.  Stewart. 

Commonwealth  of  Virginia.  ) 
Governor's  Office,      [ 
Richmond,  Va.,  July  11,  1893.         ) 
Hon.  R.  E.  B.  Stewart, 

Member  of  the  Souse  of  Delegates, 

Norfolk,  Va. 
Dear  Sir:— 

Your  communication  of  the  10th  instant  making  a 
tender  of  your  resignation  as  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Delegates  of  Virginia  has  just  come  to  hand. 

I  am  constrained  most  regretfully  to  accept  your 
resignation.  Virginia  has  need  at  all  times  of  the  serv- 
ices of  her  true  and  loyal  sons,  and  in  view  of  the  vital 
importance  of  the  measures  likely  to  come  up  for  con- 
sideration by  the  next  General  Assembly,  the  loss  of 
advocates  of  tried  ability  and  experience  will  be  deeply 
felt.  1  congratulate  you  personally  upon  your  appo  nt- 
nient  to  an  office  under  the  Government,  and  hope  that 
you  will  find  the  employment  both  profitable  and  pleas- 
ant. 

Very  truly  yours, 

P.  W.  McKinney, 

Governor  of  Virginia. 

Mr.  Stewart  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his 
new  position  and  moved  to  Portsmouth,  to  re- 
side. He  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  on 
April  25,  1892,  a  member  of  the  Auxiliary 
Board  of  World's  Fair  Managers,  of  Virginia, 
from  the  2nd  Congressional  District.  He  was 
appointed  clerk  of  the  fire  board  of  the  city  of 
Portsmouth  in  July,  1899;  and  was  a  candidate 


DR.    LEROY    LEE    SAWYER. 


AND  REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


583. 


before  the  Democratic  primary,  April  ^5,  1900, 
for  the  position  of  clerk  of  the  courts,  but  was 
defeated.  He  is  editor  of  the  Tidez^.'atcr  Maga- 
zine, started  in  July,  1901.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  He 
is  a  great-grandson  of  Charles  Stewart,  second 
lieutenant  of  the  15th  and  nth  Virginia  regi- 
ments. Continental  Line,  during  the  American 
Revolution.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Alexander 
Stewart,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812, 
and  contracted  a  cold  in  the  service,  from  which 
he  died. 

Robert  Edward  Bruce  Stewart  married 
Lucy  Lee  \\'est  on  June  5,  1895,  and  they  have 
one  child.  Nannie  Elizabeth,  born  May  17, 
1896.  Mrs.  Stewart's  father,  Leroy  M.  West, 
was  a  gallant  (Confederate  soldier,  who  surren- 
dered at  Appomattox ;  he  married  Marion 
Hunter,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Hunter,  who  was 
a  SI  in  of  Josiah  Wilson  Hunter,  who  was  a  son 
of  Jacob  Hunter,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
Princess  Anne  County  Committee  of  Safety  in 
1775,  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  {Sec  James' 
Antiquary,  Xo.  i.  Part  2.) 

Mr.  Stewart  has  two  brothers, — Colonel 
William  H.  Stewart,  a  prominent  lawyer,  of 
Portsmouth,  Virginia;  and  Charles  A.  Stewart, 
who  is  a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Comptroller 
of  the  Currency  at  Washington,  D.  C.  His 
sisters,  Nannie  G.  and  Sarah  Catharine 
(Etheridge),  are  deceased. 


.  LEROY  LEE  SAWYER,  a  well- 
known  physician,  of  Great  Bridge. 
Norfolk  County.  \'irginia,  whose 
portrait  is  herewith  shown,  was- born 
in  Pertjuimans  County,  North  Caro- 
lina, July  25,  1863.  He  is  a  son  of  William 
and  F.atherine  (Foster)  Sawyer. 

William  Sawyer  was  born  December  10, 
1 81 6.  in  Camden  County,  North  Carolina,  and 
died  January  13,  1892.  He  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  w^as  well  known  in  the  com- 
munity.    He  married  Katherine  Foster,  a  na- 


tive of  Tennessee.  They  reared  seven  children, 
and  those  living  are  John  L. ;  Walter  W.,  a 
Methodist  minister;  Charles  W.,  a  physician; 
Leroy  Lee,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  also  a 
physician;  and  Willie  R.,  a  traveling  salesman. 

After  receiving  his  primary  education  Le- 
roy Lee  Sawyer  attended  the  University  of 
Maryland,  from  which  he  was  graduated  Jan- 
uary 16,  1890.  He  also  passed  the  medical 
examinations  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
Dr.  Sawyer  located  in  Centreville,  where  he 
practiced  medicine  for  eight  months,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Great  Bridge,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  For  three  years  he  was  engaged 
in  mercantile  business  in  that  village,  but  has 
devoted  most  of  his  attention  to  his  profession. 
In  this  he  has  been  very  successful,  becoming 
well  and  favorably  known  in  his  section  of  the 
county.  He  is  modern  and  progressive  in  his- 
ideas,  and  is  always  interested  in  any  new  dis- 
coveries which  pertain  to  the  science  of  medi- 
cine. 

Dr.  Saw^yer  married  Etta  H.  Hanbun-  De- 
cember 23,  1 89 1.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
J.  Hanbury,  and  was  born  at  Great  Bridge, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  They  have  one 
child  living,  Leroy  Lee,  Jr.,  who  was  born  De- 
cember 2,  1899.  Another,  Maud  Lee,  died 
June  17.  1897,  aged  five  months  and  21  days. 
Dr.  Joseph  Sawyer  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  Dr.  Sawyer  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Masonic 
order  and  Seaboard  Medical  Society.  Politi- 
callv  he  is  a  Democrat. 


OHN  T.  KING,  who  has  been  identified 
with  the  growth  and  progress  of  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  for 
many  years,  is  engaged  in  both  the 
wholesale  and  the  retail  grocery  busi- 
ness in  that  city.  He  was  born  in  Nansemond 
County,  Virginia,  in  1838.  and  at  the  age  of 
10  years  removed  to  Portsmouth,  where  he  has- 
since  resided. 


S84 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY-- 


Mr.  King  is  interested  in  the  large  whole- 
sale grocery  business  of  John  J.  King  &  Com- 
pany, conducted  at  No.  6i6  Crawford  street, 
while  a  retail  store  under  the  management  of 
C.  W.  King,  a  son  of  our  subject,  is  carried  on 
at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Henry  streets.  Mr. 
King  is  interested  in  both  stores,  but  does  not 
take  an  active  part  in  the  management  of  either. 
He  has  much  cause  to  be  thankful  for  his  suc- 
cess. He  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  busi- 
ness matters  and  has  been  interested  in  many 
public  enterprises.  He  is  vice-president  of  the 
Portsmouth  Knitting  Mills,  to  which  he  gives 
much  of  his  attention. 

Mr.  King  has  three  sons:  John  J.,  C.  W. 
and  James  E.  He  has  represented  his  ward  in 
the  Citv  Council  of  Portsmouth. 


EORGE  T.  TILLEY,  one  of  the  prom- 
inent and  progressive  business  men 
of  Berkley,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, is  cashier  of  the  Merchants'  & 
Planters'  Bank  of  Berkley,  and  also 
conducts  a  large  fire  insurance  agency,  repre- 
senting many  of  the  leading  companies  of  the 
United  States.  He  is  identified  with  numerous 
other  enterprises  and  is  postmaster  of  Berkley, 
taking  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
welfare  and  progress  of  that  town.  He  was 
born  in  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia,  in 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  M.  and  Elizabeth 
(Hare)  Tilley. 

Edward  M.  Tilley  was  born  in  Bristol, 
Rhode  Island,  and  removed  to  Norfolk  directly 
after  the  close  of  the  Confederate  War.  He 
was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  founders  of  Berkley,  where 
he  has  resided  for  more  than  30  years.  He 
conducted  the  Tilley  lumber  yard  in  Berkley 
until  1895,  when  he  resigned  the  management 
■of  the  business  to  his  eldest  son.  He  is  a 
wideawake,  energetic,  public  spirited  citizen, 
and  is  everywhere  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Hare,  who  was  born  in 


New  York  State,  and  died  in  1898.  They 
were  parents  of  the  following  children :  Will- 
iam M.,  who  IS  now  carrying  on  the  business 
established  by  his  father;  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
Alvah  H.  Martin,  clerk  of  the  County  Court; 
Clara  E.,  wife  of  John  W.  Jones,  a  contractor 
and  builder  of  South  Norfolk;  Jennie  M.,  wife 
of  Foster  Black,  proprietor  of  the  Chesapeake 
Knitting  Mills  of  South  Norfolk;  and  George 
T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

George  T.  Tilley  deals  in  real  estate  in  ad- 
dition to  his  lire  insurance  business,  in  Berkley 
and  Tidewater,  Virginia.  His  enterprise  and 
straightforward  business  methods  bring  him 
a  liberal  patronage.  He  maintains  an  office 
in  the  Martin  Building,  and  is  the  local  repre- 
sentative of  the  Continental  Fire  Insurance 
Company  of  New  York,  the  St.  Paul  Fire  & 
Marine  Insurance  Company  of  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota, and  others  equally  prominent.  He  is 
largely  interested  in  the  building  and  loan  busi- 
ness, being  secretary  of  the  Berkley  Permanent 
Building  &  Loan  Association  and  the  Chesa- 
peake Building  Association.  He  has  discharged 
the  duties  of  cashier  of  the  Merchants'  & 
Planters'  Bank  of  Berkley  in  a  most  creditable 
manner.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Berkley  by  President  McKinley  in  1898,  and 
is  now  acting  in  that  capacity.  He  is  a  man 
of  great  popularity,  and  his  business  connec- 
tions have  been  such  as  to  bring  him  prominent- 
ly into  public  notice. 

Mr.  Tilley  was  joined  in  matrimony  with 
Helen  S.  Michie,  and  they  are  the  parents  of 
four  children,  namely :  Thomas  C. ;  William 
B. ;  George  I. ;  and  Helen  E. 


ITTLETON  WALLER  TAZEWELL, 

one   of   Norfolk's   esteemed   citizens, 

comes     of    a    distinguished     family, 

which  will  always  live  in  the  annals 

of  the  history  of  Virginia.     He  was 

born   in   Norfolk   in    1848,   and  is   a   son  of 

Edmund     and     Anne    Elizabeth     (Tazewell) 

Bradford. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


585 


His  fatlier  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1816.  and  came  of  a  dis- 
tinguished family  in  that  State.  His  paternal 
ancestor,  six  generations  back,  was  the  cele- 
brated William  Bradford,  who,  in  1685,  intro- 
duced the  art  of  printing  into  the  Middle  Col- 
onies of  America  and  whose  books  now  jell  at 
fabulous  prices.  •  Edmund  Bradford  was  edu- 
cateil  in  Philadelphia  and  at  the  age  of  15  en- 
tered the  United  States  ^Military  Academy  at 
West  Point,  and  upon  his  graduation  was  as- 
signed to  the  4th  Regiment  U.  S.  Artillery. 
He  served  through  the  Indian  wars  in  Florida 
and  through  the  Mexican  War,  and  was  pre- 
sented with  a  sword  by  his  fellow  citizens  of 
Philadelphia  for  conspicuous  gallantry  at  the 
taking  of  the  city  of  ]\Ionterey.  He  resigned 
from  the  army  after  the  Mexican  War,  married 
Anne  Elizabeth  Tazewell,  and  settled  on  an  es- 
tate in  Princess  Anne  County,  near  Norfolk. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Confederate  War, 
he  entered  the  Confederate  Army,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war  as  inspector  general 
and  as  quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  major. 
After  the  war,  he  was  in  the  commission  busi- 
ness for  many  years,  finally-  retiring  from  active 
business.     He  died  in  1899. 

Anne  Elizabeth  (Tazewell)  Bradford, 
mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
in  Norfolk  in  1817  and  died  in  1899,  her  union 
with  Edmund  Bradford  resulting  in  the  birth 
of  the  following  children:  Littleton  Waller; 
Samuel  Sydney,  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia, 
who  was  born  in  1853  and  married  Kate  Spots- 
wood  Braxton ;  Edmund  de  Vaux,  of  Norfolk, 
born  in  1856,  who  married  Virginia  Cooper; 
Anne  Nivison,  who  married  Richard  Walke; 
Mary  Fisher,  who  married  William  T.  Bur- 
well,  now  a  captain  in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  and  died 
in  1884:  and  Ella  Tazewell,  who  after  the 
death  of  her  sister.  Mary  F.,  married  Capt. 
William  T.  Burwell.  Mrs.  Bradford  was  a 
daughter  of  Hon.  Littleton  Waller  Tazewell, 
who  was  descended  from  \^'iIliam  Tazewell, 
who  came  to  this  countrv  from  England  in 
1715-  '  V       ,. 


William  Tazewell  was  born  in  Dorset 
County,  England,  in  1690.  He  settled  on  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  and  there  in  1721 
married  Sophia  Harmanson,  a  daughter  of 
Littleton  Harmanson.  William  Tazewell  was 
a  lawyer,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1752, 
owned  a  large  estate.  He  was  an  Episcopalian 
and  his  descendants  have  clung  to  that  faith. 
He  left  the  following  children  :  Littleton,  who 
was  born  in  1728,  and  died  in  1781  ;  John, 
born  in  1834  and  died  in  1780;  Gertrude,  born 
in  1732,  who  married  John  Stratton ;  and 
Anne,  born  in  1732,  who  first  married  Rev. 
William  Nivison,  and  secondly.  Rev.  .Arthur 
Emmerson. 

Littleton  Tazewell  was  a  lawyer  and  a 
prominent  man  of  his  day.  He  married  Mary 
Gray  and  they  had  two  children :  Henry,  and 
a  daughter  who  died  in  intancy. 

Henry  Tazewell,  the  great-grandfather  of 
our  subject,  was  born  in  1753,  ^n*i  was  one  of 
the  foremost  men  of  his  day  in  Virginia.  He 
was  a  lawyer,  but  entered  public  life  when  quite 
young.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Burgesses  in  1775,  member  of  the  Virginia 
Convention  of  1776,  and  was  regularly  re- 
turned a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates 
under  the  new  Constitution,  until  his  elevation 
to  the  bench  of  the  General  Court,  then  became 
a  member  of  the  first  Court  of  Appeals  of 
Virginia  and  in  1795  was  chosen  a  Senator  of 
the  United  States,  and  was  elected  president  of 
the  Senate.  He  died  in  1799  and  is  buried  in 
Philadelphia.  He  married  Dorothea  Elizabeth 
Waller,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  ^^'aller,  of 
Williamsburg,  Virginia,  and  she  died  about 
1776,  leaving  two  children,  Littleton  Waller 
and  Sophia,  w'ho  married  Benjamin  Taliaferro. 

Littleton  \\'aller  Tazewell  was  born  in 
1774  and  became  a  lawyer,  was  elected  a  mem^ 
ber  of  the  House  of  Delegates  about  1797. 
In  1799  he  represented  the  Williamsburg 'dis- 
trict in  Congress.  He  declined  re-election  and 
came  to  Norfolk  in  1802,  and  soon  entered 
upon  a  large  and  important  practice.  In  this 
year  he  married  Anne    Stratton   Nivison,   ai 


586 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


daughter  of  Col.  John  Nivison,  and  with  the 
exception  of  a  short  time  spent  in  a  special  ses- 
sion of  the  State  Legislature,  he  continued  the 
practice  of  law  with  honor  and  success,  and 
though  a  resident  of  a  provincial  town  at  the 
same  time  was  consulted  (1819)  by  London 
merchants  on  the  "Custom  of  London"  and  by 
the  priests  of  Rome  on  the  canon  law.  He 
was  appointed  by  President  Monroe  one  of  the 
commissioners  under  the  Florida  treaty.  In 
1825  he  was  elected  a  Senator  of  the  United 
States,  and  continued  a  Senator  by  re-election 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  also  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Virginia  Convention  of 
1829-30.  He  was  elected  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia in  1834,  but  resigned  before  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  and  from  that  time  until  his 
death  he  continued  in  private  life,  having  given 
up  his  law  practice  some  time  before.  He  died 
in  i860. 

The  children  of  Littleton  Waller  Tazewell 
and  Anne  Stratton  Nivison  were :  Henry, 
who  died  unmarried ;  John  Nivison,  who^  died 
unmarried;  Littleton  Waller,  who  married 
Sarah  Harris  and  died  leaving  one  daughter, 
Sarah  Nivison,  who  is  unmarried :  Louisa 
Nivison,  who'  died  unmarried  ;  Sarah,  who  died 
young;  Sarah  A.,  who  died  unmarried;  Anne 
Elizabeth,  who  married  Edmund  Bradford; 
Mar}^,  who  married  Mathew  Page  Waller  and 
had  the  following  children, — Nannie  T.,  who 
died  young,  Robert  Page,  who  married  Vir- 
ginia Pelham  Stuart,  Littleton  Waller  Taze- 
well, now  major  in  the  U.  S.  Marine  Corps, 
who  married  Clara  Wynne,  William  Nivison, 
who  married  Anne  Duncan,  Corbin  Griffith, 
who  married  Fanny  M.  Byrd,  and  Mathew 
Page,  who  died  young;  and  Ella  Wickham, 
youngest  child  of  Littleton  Waller  Tazewell, 
who  died  unmarried. 

There  being  no  male  heirs  of  Littleton 
Waller  Tazewell  bearing  his  name,  his  grand- 
son, Littleton  Waller  Tazewell  Bradford,  son 
of  his  daughter,  Anne  Elizabeth  (Tazewell) 
Bradford,  had  his  surname  changed  to  Taze- 
well bv  order  of  court. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in 
the  Norfolk  scliools,  at  the  Virginia  Military 
Institute  and  at  the  University  of  Virginia.  He 
was  for  some  years  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Evans,  Burwell  &  Tazewell,  wholesale  grain 
dealers  and  extensive  importers,  but  is  not  now 
in  active  business.  Mr.  Tazewell  married 
Mary  Louisa  Walke,  daughter  of  Richard 
Walke  and  Mary  Diana  Talbot,  his  wife,  both 
being  descended  from  old  Virginia  families. 
They  have  three  children:  Littleton  Waller, 
Jr.,  Calvert  Walke  and  Edmund  Bradford. 


APT.  GOODSON  MILLER,  who  is 
the  oldest  pilot  in  the  service  of  the 
Norfolk  Company  Ferries,  was  born 
in    Norfolk    County,   Virginia,    De- 
cember 26,    1842.     He  is  a  son  of 
Lindsay  and  Martha  J.  (Camp)  Miller. 

Lindsay  Miller  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
his  wife  was  a  native  of  Gloucester  County, 
this  State.  The  husband  was  a  ship-carpenter, 
and  followed  that  occupation  all  his  life.  He 
died  at  the  age  of  50  years,  and  his  wife  died 
at  the  age  of  68  years.  They  had  six  children, 
three  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely  :  James 
W.,  of  Baltimore;  Goodson;  and  George  W., 
of  Atlantic  City  Ward,  Norfolk. 

Capt.  Goodson  Miller  grew  to  manhood  in 
Gloucester  County,  Virginia,  and  attended  the 
schools  of  that  county.  He  has  devoted  his  life 
to  the  vocation  of  a  mariner.  As  a  boy,  he 
first  served  as  cook  on  the  schooner  "John 
Francis,"  which  was  owned  by  James  Arring- 
ton  and  John  Crittenden.  He  left  their  em- 
ploy to  engage  in  the  oyster  business  in  Mary- 
land, and  later  in  Virginia.  When  the  war 
began,  he  enlisted  in  the  Gloucester  Greys,  a 
body  of  infantry  rmder  Colonel  Page,  who  had 
served  in  the  Mexican  War.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  enlisted  in  1861,  in  Company  F, 
26th  Regiment  Virginia  Infantry,  and  was  in 
the  surrender  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  in 
1865.     He  received  a  serious  wound  while  at 


NATHANIEL    BEAMAN. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


589 


Petersburg.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  Captain 
Miller  returned  to  Gloucester,  Virginia,  where 
he  again  engaged  in  the  oyster  business.  In 
that  he  continued  until  1868,  when  he  went  to 
Gloucester,  Massachusetts,  and  engaged  in 
mackerel  fishing.  He  continued  in  that  line 
for  four  seasons,  when  he  again  returned  to 
Gloucester,  Virginia.  He  entered  into  the  oys- 
ter business,  in  which  he  remained  until  1873. 
He  then  became  master  on  the  steamer 
"Union,"  a  ferry-boat,  which  ran  between  Nor- 
folk and  Berkley.  This  craft  was  leased  by 
Berkley  and  Jackson,  and  Captain  Miller  was 
master  on  that  line  until  1875.  He  next 
shipped  on  the  ferry-boat  "Elizabeth,"  in  the 
employ  of  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries,  where 
he  has  continued  up  to  the  present  time.  He 
has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  pilot  in 
the  employ  of  the  company,  and  has  a  wide 
reputation  among  seafaring  men. 

Captain  Miller  was  married,  November  24, 
1869,  to  Louisiana  H.  Teagle,  who  was  born  in 
Gloucester  County,  Virginia,  March  7,  1849. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
Teagle.  The  Captain  and  his  wife  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  children,  namely: 
Kenneth  G.,  who  was  born  November  9,  1877; 
Lulu  M.,  born  January  30,  1880;  Lindsay  E. 
and  Claudius  E.,  deceased;  and  Vera  L..  wlio 
(lied  in  infancy. 

Captain  Miller  has  met  with  much  success 
in  his  career  as  a  seaman,  and  has  won  much 
praise  from  those  who  are  above  him  in  office. 
He  has  many  ^^•arm  friends  in  Norfolk  and  its 
vicinity. 


OHN  F.  BLACKWELL,  A.  M.     This 

gentleman  is  the  efficient  principal  of 

Norfolk   Academy,    which    is    located 

in  Norfolk,  Virginia.     He  was  born 

in  Norfolk,  and  is  a  son  of  Rev.  John 

D.   Blackwell,   who  served   as  pastor  of  two 

Methodist   churches   in   Norfolk,   and   one   in 

Portsmouth. 

Mr.    Blackwell    was    reared    in    Fauquier 
3  3 


County,  Virginia.  After  graduating  from 
Bethiel  Military  Academy  in  1877.  he  entered 
Randolph-Macon  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated,  in  1881,  with  the  degree  of  A.  M. 
He  then  taught  school  for  two  years,  after 
which  he  entered  the  Johns  Hopkins  Univers- 
ity, where  he  took  a  post-graduate  course.  He 
later  took  up  his  chosen  vocation,  that  of  teach- 
ing, was  made  assistant  principal  of  the  Nor- 
folk Academy,  and  continuetl  thus  until  1899. 
In  that  year,  his  splendid  ability  being  recog- 
nized. Mr.  Blackwell  was  elected  to  the  position 
of  principal  of  that  institution,  and  has  served 
most  efficiently  as  such  ever  since.  He  takes 
great  pride  in  making  this  academy  the  best 
preparatory  school  in  the  State,  and  it  is  at- 
tended by  the  sons  of  many  of  the  most  prom- 
inent men  of  Virginia. 

Mr.  Blackwell  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attain- 
ments, a  good  disciplinarian,  and  thoroughly 
competent  to  take  charge  of  such  a  large  insti- 
tution. He  is  considered  one  of  the  foremost 
educators  of  Virginia,  having  won  an  enviable 
reputation  as  such  throughout  the  State. 


ATHAXIEL  BEAMAX.  present  may- 
or of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  whose  por- 
trait is  shown  on  the  opixjsite  page,. 
is  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  in- 
fluential business  men  of  tiie  city. 
He  is  president  of  the  National  Bank  of 
Commerce,  and  of  the  Norfolk  Storage 
Company,  and  is  closely  identified  with  many 
other  flourishing  enterprises.  As  mayor,  he  is 
giving  the  city  a  conservative,  business-like  ad- 
ministration, which  is  meeting  wth  the  hearti- 
est approval,  not  only  of  his  constituents,  but 
the  citizens  in  general,  regardless  of  part)-  affili- 
ations. 

Mr.  Beaman  was  born  at  Murfreesboro, 
North  Carolina,  February  10,  1859,  and  comes 
of  a  distinguished  Southern  family.  He  ob- 
tained liis  intellectual  training  in  the  schools- 
of  his  native  town ;  thinking  that  the  larger 


590 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


city  of  Norfolk  afforded  greater  opportunities 
for  success  in  business,  he  moA^ed  there  in  1879. 
He  estabHshed  a  wholesale  grocery  house,  and 
was  successfully  engaged  in  that  line  oi  busi- 
ness until  1892,  when  he  was  made  president 
■of  the  Bank  of  Commerce,  an  official  position 
lie  has  since  maintained.  Under  the  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  Beaman,  the  bank,  in  1897,  in- 
-creased  its  capital  to  $200,000,  and  recently, 
to  $500,000,  making  it  now  the  largest  bank- 
ing institution  in  Tidewater  Virginia.  He 
also  became  president  of  the  Norfolk  Storage 
Company  and  is  interested  in  a  number  of  other 
enterprises.  Although  always  having  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Democratic  party  at  heart,  he  did 
not  take  an  active  part  in  politics  until  1898, 
when  he  was  importuned  to  become  the  party 
-candidate  for  alderman  from  the  Third  Ward, 
.and  accepted.  His  election  followed,  and  ow- 
ing to  his  great  knowledge  of  financial  mat- 
ters he  was  made  chairman  of  the  finance  com- 
mittee. The  welfare  of  the  city  was  ever  fore- 
most in  his  mind,  and  through  the  recommend- 
.ations  of  this  committee  many  reforms  were 
-wrought  by  the  City  Council.  During  his 
■chairmanship  the  bonds  of  the  city  were  placed 
•on  a  four  per  cent,  basis,  which  alone  saved 
Norfolk  thousands  of  dollars  annually.  With- 
out increasing  its  tax  rate,  the  streets  of  the 
•city  were  improved  and  paved,  a  new  filtering 
plant  was  added  to  the  City  Water  Works  at 
a  cost  of  $2,500  and  the  obnoxious  old  toll 
bridges  were  replaced  by  substantial  iron 
structures.  A  number  of  new  free  school  build- 
ings were  also  erected,  and  marked  improve- 
ments in  every  way  were  brought  about.  His 
work  in  the  council  was  duly  recognized  by 
the  citizens  of  Norfolk,  and  at  the  election  held 
in  1 90 1  Mr.  Beaman  was  chosen  mayor  unani- 
mously by  the  council,  upon  the  resignation  of 
Mr.  Johnston  in  the  spring  of  1901.  He  is 
•wisely  following  out  the  same  policy  that  he 
adopted  when  councilman  and  is  bringing  about 
many  desirable  changes  in  the  city  affairs. 
On  October   19,   1887,  Mr.  Beaman  was 


united  in  marriage  tO'  Katherine  Prentis,  of 
Suffolk,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Robert  R. 
Prentis,  and  a  sister  of  Judge  Robert  R.  Pren- 
tis, present  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  this 
district.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaman  have  three 
children:  Sallie,  Robert  P.  and  Nathaniel, 
Jr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beaman  attend  Christ  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church,  of  which  Mrs.  Bea- 
man is  a  member. 


AMES  H.  TOOMER,  cashier  of  the 
Merchants"  &  Farmers'  Bank,  and  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Norfolk,  comes 
of  a  family  well  known  in  Norfolk 
County,  the  seat  of  its  activities  for 
many  years.  Mr.  Toomer  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth and  was  reared  and  educated  there. 
Prior  to  the  Confederate  War  he  was  an  of- 
ficer in  the  United  States  Coast  Survey,  and 
during  the  war,  he  was  a  captain  in  the  Corps 
of  Engineers,  Confederate  States  Army.  He 
served  throughout  the  war,  and  shortly  after- 
ward applied  himself  to  the  banking  business, 
to  which  he  has  devoted  his  entire  time. 

The  Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank  was 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Virginia,  the 
date  of  its  organization  being  December  i, 
1885.  The  present  officers  were  then  elected, 
as  follows :  John  T.  Griffin,  president ;  James 
H.  Toomer,  cashier;  and  W.  G.  Maupin,  Jr., 
assistant  cashier.  The  directors  are  John  T. 
Griffin,  Joseph  A.  Parker,  Wright  B.  Carney, 
James  T.  Borum,  George  L.  Neville,  Henry 
Kirn,  R.  C.  Marshall,  T.  J.  Barlow,  S.  P. 
Oast,  J.  S.  Crawford  and  James  H.  Toomer. 
This  institution  was  first  located  on  the  corner 
of  High  and  Crawford  streets,  but  the  volume 
of  its  business  transactions  increased  with  such 
rapidity  that  it  was  forced  to  seek  larger 
quarters  after  an  existence  of  but  two  years, 
and  located  in  the  Kirn  Building,  on  High  and 
Middle  streets.  The  bank  remained  in  this 
building  until  it  moved  into  its  new  building. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


591 


wliich  was  begun  in  1900,  and  first  occupied 
by  the  bank  January  19,  1901.  The  building 
is  of  three  stories,  is  built  of  brick  and  stone, 
and  is  modern  in  its  arrangement  and  conven- 
iences. The  ground  floor  is  occupied  exclusive- 
ly by  the  bank,  and  the  upper  floors  are  devoted 
to  office  purposes.  The  capital  stock  of  the 
bank  is  $51,500.00,  and  the  surplus  and  un-  j 
divided  profits  amount  to  $107,141.20.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  stable  financial  institutions  of 
the  country,  by  reason  of  the  methods  employed 
by  the  president  and  cashier,  to  whom  much 
credit  is  given  for  the  conditions  that  exist. 

On  the  left  bank  of  Xew  Mill  Creek,  about 
two  miles  from  where  it  flows  into  the  South-  ; 
ern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  stands  one  1 
of  the  oldest  houses  in  Norfolk  County.     Over 
the  door,  an  inscription,  which  is  still  remark- 
ably distinct  and  legible,  shows  that  the  house 
was  built  in  1744  by  Willis  W'ilkins.     A  pic- 
ture of  this  house  is  shown  on  Page  24  of  this 
book.     It  is  of  two  stories,  with  a  Dutch  roof, 
and  is  built,  according  to  traditions,  of  brick 
brought  from  England,  laid  alternately,  one, 
red  and  the  next,  blue.     The  courses  are  laid 
with  is  called  the  "Flemish"'  bond.     A  wing 
on  the  end  and  a  porch  on  the  east  side  have 
been  added  to  the  house  in  recent  years,  but  in 
olden  times,  it  was  said,  there  were  two  wings, 
or  L's,  attached  to  it.     These  have  long  since 
been  torn  down  and  no  vestige  of  them  can  now 
be  seen.     Like  all  colonial  houses,  many  inter- 
esting stories  and  incidents,  some  sad  and  pa- 
thetic, others  gay  and  humorous,  are  connected 
with  this  old  house  of  Willis  Wilkins.     The 
grandmother  of  Captain  Toomer,  Sally  Owens, 
who  was  born  in  this  house  in  1772,  and  was 
the   granddaughter   of    Willis   Wilkins,    used 
frequently  to  speak  of  it  as  she  remembered  it 
in  earlier  days.     At  that  time  the  creek  flowed 
■directly  in  front  of  the  house,  about  25  yards 
distant,  with  a  width  of  clear  water  perhaps 
150  yards  across.     After  passing  the  house  it 
changed  its  course  somewhat,  so  that  from  the 
front  veranda,   a  broad  expanse  of  water  in 
front  and  a  stretch  of  nearlv  half  a  mile  down 


the  creek,  gave  a  pleasing  variety  to  the  view 
of  oaks,  beeches,  etc.,  which  bordered  it,  and 
almost  surrounded  the  house.     Surely  it  was 
"beautiful  for  situation."     A  magnificent  beech 
still  stands  in  the  j-ard  near  the  house,  which, 
when  the  sun  is  at  meridian,  shades  nearly  a 
quarter  of  an  acre  of  ground.     From  the  yard 
in  the  rear  of  the  house,  runs  a  lane  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  long,  to  the  main  road  from 
Deep  Creek  village  to  Great  Bridge.     This  lane 
was  said  to  have  been  lined  with  cedar  trees, 
all  the  way  from  the  house  to  the  main  road. 
It  was  down  this  lane  that  Sally  Owens,  as  a 
wild  young  girl,  started  her  horse  at  full  gallop, 
in  a  race  with  some  of  her  companions.     The 
horse  became  unmanageable,  and  leaping  the 
gate  opening  into  the  yard,  threw  her  violently 
to  the  ground,  and  left  her  senseless  for  many 
hours. 

It  was  down  this  lane  too,  as  a  little  girl, 
four  or  five  years  of  age,  that  she  saw  the 
coming  of  the  red-coats  to  the  house,  when  this 
part  of  the  country  was  occupied  by  the  British 
during  the  Revolutionary  War.  Standing  in 
the  door,  she  was  watching,  with  great  curios- 
ity, the  soldiers  in  their  bright  uniforms,  as 
they  marched  down  the  road.  As  one  of  them, 
proceeding  more  rapidly  than  the  rest,  hastened 
to  the  yard  gate  and  raised  the  latch  to  open 
it,  her  little  heart  was  filled  with  fear,  and, 
running  back,  she  hid  herself  in  a  closet  in  her 
room.  Following  quickly,  the  tall  grenadier 
flung  the  door  wide  open,  and  seeing  the  poor 
little  child  crouching  and  trembling  in  the 
comer  of  the  closet,  muttered. — "poor  little 
thing." — and  left  her  to  recover  from  her  fri.ght 
as  best  she  could,  while  he  and  his  comrades 
proceeded  to  ransack  the  house  and  possess 
themselves  of  such  valuables  as  excited  their 
cupidity. 

Many  such  as  these  were  the  incident  con- 
nected with  this  old  house,  where  Sally  Owens 
spent  her  youthful  days.  She  loved  to  recall 
these  incidents  and  relate  them  to  her  grand- 
children. Many  years  have  passed  since  she 
was.  laid  at  rest,  and  most  of  the  old  stories 


592 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


she  used  to  tell  linger  but  faintly  in  the  mem- 
ories of  her  descendants,  but  there  still  stands 
the  old  house  with  its  quaintness,  to  suggest  to 
the  imagination  the  people  who  cnce  dwelt 
within  its  walls,  and  the  scenes  in  which  these 
people  acted  their  different  parts. 


L.  BILISOLY  is  cashier  of  the  Bank 
of  Portsmouth,  reputed  to  be  the 
strongest  financial  institution  of  Ports- 
mouth. This  bank  was  organized  on 
February  9,  1867,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $51,000,  which,  on  October  15,  1889,  was  in- 
creased to  $100,000.  It  has  the  largest  busi- 
ness in  the  city  in  point  of  collections  and  de- 
posits, the  latter  amounting  to  more  than  $600,- 
000.  It  was  at  first  located  opposite  to  the 
building  which  it  now  occupies.  The  present 
lot  was  purchased,  and  the  building  erected 
which  is  now  its  quarters.  The  bank  was 
founded  by  Toseph  Bourke,  Maj.  George  W. 
Grice,  \V.  \\".  Davis  and  W.  H.  H.  Hodges,— 
the  first  officers  being  ]\Ir.  Grice,  president; 
Mr.  Hodges,  cashier ;  and  E.  Alexander  Hat- 
ton,  2nd  cashier.  ]\Ir.  Bilisoly  has  been  iden- 
tified with  this  institution  since  1883,  and  has 
served  as  cashier  since  October,  1889.  The 
other  officers  are, — Hon.  Legh  R.  Watts,  presi- 
dent ;  and  S.  Dawson  Maupin,  assistant  cashier. 
Mr.  Bilisoly  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia. October  27,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph 
A.  Bilisoly,  and  grandson  of  Antonius  Sylves- 
ter Bilisoly,  who  was  born  at  Ajaccio,  Corsica, 
France.  The  last  named  came  to  this  country 
with  Count  DeGrasse,  and  is  buried  in  the  vault 
of  the  St.  Paul's  Roman  Catholic  Church  at 
Portsmouth.  He  was  in  partnership  with  his 
father-in-law.  Bartholomew  Accimelly.  in  the 
ship-building  business  at  Portsmouth,  on  the 
wharf  between  High  and  King  streets.  They 
carried  on  the  business  until  about  181 7,  when 
Mr.  Bilisoly  applied  himself  to  mercantile  pur- 
suits. He  retired  in  1833,  and  died  in  1845, 
at  the  age  of  87  years.  ■.•;_-.' 


Joseph  A.  Bilisoly,  father  of  J.  L.,  was  born 
December  4,   1799,  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and 
was  taken,  when  an  infant,  to  Portsmouth,  in 
1800.      In    1828   he  went   to   Mexico,    where 
he  remained  until    1833.      He    then   returned 
to    Portsmouth    and    bought    out  his    father's 
business,     which     he     conducted     until    1862. 
He  then  lived   in   retirement  until   his   death, 
December   15,    1880,  at  the  age  of  81   years. 
He   was   joined   in   marriage   in   April,    1822, 
with     Eliza     Ann     Benson,     who    was     born 
at    Portsmouth    in    1804,    and    died    in    1895. 
Her  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.     Her  father  came  to  this  country 
from   County   Down,   Ireland,   in    1783.     Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bilisoly  had  1 1  children,  one  of  whom 
died  in  1855.     Ten  grew  to  maturity  and  were 
married,   and  eight  are  living  at  the  present 
time. 

Prior  to  engaging  in  the  banking  business, 
J.  L.  Bilisoly  acted  as  cashier  for  the  Norfolk 
&  Southern  Seaboard  Air  Line,  and  Atlantic 
Coast  railroads,  having  followed  railroad  work 
for  years  in  many  capacities.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Old  Dominion  Guard,  which  h!e 
joined  in  April,  1857,  3"d  continued  with  them 
until  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  when  he  became 


sergeant-major    of    the 


regmient. 


He 


was 


called  to  the  headquarters  of  General  George 
E.  Pickett,  and  appointed  hospital  steward, 
with  M.  M.  Lewis  as  medical  director.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  home,  riding 
from  Appomattox  Court  House  to  Portsmouth 
astride  a  mule. 

In  addition  tO'  the  banking  business,  he  is 
identified  with  various  other  interests  of  Ports- 
mouth, being  president  of  the  Portsmouth 
Land,  Improvement  &  Promotion  Company; 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Portsmouth 
Electric  &  Gas  Company ;  a  director,  as  well  as 
cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Portsmouth ;  a  director 
of  the  Portsmouth  Star  Publishing  Company; 
chairman  of  trustees  of  the  Roval  Arcanum; 
treasurer  of  the  People's  Lot  Club;  treasurer 
of  the  Catholic  Knights  of  America;  treasurer 
of  St.  Paul's  Church  that  is  being  built,  which' 


COL.    GEORGE  W.    TAYLOR. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


595 


will  cost,  when  completed,  upwards  of  $ioo,- 
ooo.  He  is  a  member  ui  tiie  Catholic  Church, 
and  is  colonel  commanding  Stonewall  Camp, 
Confederate  Veterans. 

March  lo,  1862,  Mr.  Bilisoly  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Mary  E.  Bourke,  a  daughter  of 
Josepii  Bourke,  who  was  a  merchant  from 
1836  until  his  death.  Five  children  blessed 
this  union,  as  follows:  Walter  L.,  who  re- 
sides with  his  family  at  Park  View,  and  is  in 
business  for  himself  in  Norfolk;  F,  Nash,  win 
conducts  a  fine  dairy  farm  near  Portsmouth, 
and  is  quite  active,  politically,  having  held  sev- 
eral offices ;  Lorena ;  Adele  Virginia ;  and 
Louvel  A.,  who  acts  as  clerk  for  his  brother. 


JL.    GEORGE   W.    TAYLOR,  who 

has  attained  a  high  degree  of  success 

in  business  and  has  been  prominently 

identified  with  the  afifairs  of  Norfolk, 

comes  of  an  old  and  honored  family 

of  Norfolk  County.     He  was  born  in  Norfolk, 

Virginia,  in  1853,  and  is  a  son  of  Walter  H. 

Taylor. 

Walter  H.  Taylor,  who  was  a  prominent 
importer,  was  born  in  Norfolk  City,  and  died 
with  yellow  fever  in  1855.  He  married  Cor- 
nelia Cowdery,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk  and 
Avas  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Cowdery,  a  sur- 
geon in  the  United  States  Navy,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 19,  1899,  at  the  age  of  89  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Taylor  became  the  parents  of  10  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Maj.  R.  C,  a  merchant,  of 
Norfolk;  Colonel  A\'alter  H.,  president  of  the 
]\Iarine  Bank  of  Norfolk ;  Robertson,  a  coffee 
importer,  of  Baltimore,  ^Maryland;  John  C. 
a  merchant  of  Norfolk;  L.  Page,  clerk  in  the 
^larine  Bank,  of  Norfolk  :  \\'ickham,  who  died 
in  April,  1894;  George  W. :  Mary  Louisa,  of 
Norfolk;  Cornelia,  wife  of  B.  P.  Loyall.  of 
Norfolk :  and  Margaret,  wife  of  H.  C.  \Miite- 
head.  who  is  treasurer  of  the  Norfolk  City 
Railway  Company. 

George  ^^'.  Taylor  attended  school  at  Nor- 


folk and  then  took  a  course  of  study  in  the  Vir- 
ginia ^Military  Institute,  from  which  he  was 
graduated.  He  then  taught  school  in  the  coun- 
try and  in  the  Norfolk  public  schools,  of  which 
he  became  superintendent.  Prior  to  becoming 
superintendent  of  the  schools,  he  served  as 
clerk  for  the  Merchants'  &  Miners'  Transporta- 
tion Company,  and  in  1879  established  the  firm 
of  George  \\\  Taylor  &  Company,  dealers  in 
coal  and  ice.  He  has  frequently  been  called 
upon  to  serve  in  public  cyffice.  and  has  invaria- 
bly acquitted  himself  with  credit  and  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  City  Council  several 
terms,  a  member  of  the  board  of  police  com- 
missioners one  term ;  and  a  member  of  the  elec- 
tion board  for  several  years,  finally  resigning. 
He  is  now  rendering  efficient  service  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Harbor  Commissioners. 
During  the  Spanish-American  War  he  served 
as  colonel  of  the  4th  Regiment,  \^irginia  In- 
fantry, U.  S.  Volunteers. 

In  1882  Colonel  Taylor  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Elizabeth  Higgins,  who  was  born 
in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  1863,  and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Margaret  Higgins.  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  as  follows :  Marga- 
ret de  Bree;  Bayne;  Eliza  A.,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; and  George  de  Bree.  Religiously  they 
are  members  of  Christ  Protestant  Episcopal 
Giurch.  Fraternally  Air.  Taylor  is  a  member 
of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  has  always  been  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party.  His  portrait  appears  on  another 
page  of  this  book. 


THOMAS  DUNN  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Confederate  ^^'ar.  and  for  a  number 
of  years  has  been  a  machinist  with  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  Company.  He  was 
born  in  Portsmouth.  Norfolk  County, 

\'irginia.  October  i,   1846.  of  Scotch  descent. 

He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  G.  and  Maria  (Lloyd) 

Dunn.     His  father  was  a  seaman. 


596 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


J.  Thomas  Dunn  was  but  15  years  old  when 
he  left  the  public  schools  to  enlist  in  the  Con- 
federate service.  On  account  of  his  age,  he 
was  twice  refused.  On  March  4,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  the  Xorfolk  County  Rifle  Patriots, 
which  was  first  organized  in  i860,  and  did  tine 
service  throughout  the  war.  Mr.  Dunn  ac- 
companied the  regiment  from  the  Navy  Yard 
to  Sewell's  Point,  in  March,  1862,  where  it 
became  Company  F,  of  the  41st  Regiment 
Virginia  Infantn.-,  and  was  subsequently 
assigned  to  :\Iahone's  Brigade.  He  witnessed 
the  famous  battle  between  the  "Virginia"'  and 
the  "Monitor,"  but  the  first  engagemnt  in 
which  he  participated  was  at  Seven  Pines, 
where  Company  F  distinguished  itself  for 
bravery.  He  also  took  part  in  tlie  the  Seven 
Days  battle  before  Richmond,  in  the  engage- 
ments at  Malvern  Hill,  Fredericksburg,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  the  Wilderness,  Cold  Harbor,  the  Cra- 
ter, and  Yellow  Tavern.  He  was  twice  cap- 
tured,—first  at  Strasburg,  in  1864,  and  second- 
ly, at  Yellow  Tavern,  being  held  at  Lookout 
until  May,  1865.  He  was  the  youngest  regu- 
lar soldier  in  his  regiment,  and  was  not  yet  19 
years  old  when  the  war  closed. 

Mr.  Dunn  had  but  a  limited  education,  as 
his  school  career  was  abandoned  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  war.  He  perfected  himself  as  a 
machinist,  and  has  continued  in  that  line  of 
business  ever  since.  He  was  foreman  of  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  shops  for  a  number  of  vears, 
and  is  still  in  that  road's  employ.  He  married 
Mary  E.  Ballentine,  a  daughter  of  Charles 
Ballentine,  and  they  have  four  children. 

William  H.  Dunn,  Mr.  Dunn's  oldest  son, 
served  10  years  in  the  State  militia,  in  which 
he  held  the  otTice  of  lieutenant.  He  was  also 
a  lieutenant  in  the  Old  Dominion  Guards  dur- 
ing the  Spanish-American  War.  E.  C.  Dunn, 
another  son,  who  is  a  inachinist  with  the  Sea- 
board Air  Line  Company,  married  Efifie  Gar- 
ris,  of  North  Carolina,  and  thev  have  one 
daughter, — Stella.  "Slary  ElizalDeth  Dunn,  a 
daughter,  married  G.  Hope  Thompkins,  who 


is  paymaster  of  the  Aetna  Iron  Works;  they 
have  two  sons, — ^John  and  Thomas,  who  live 
in  Portsmouth.  Sarah  C.  Dunn,  another 
daughter,  married  Kemper  Hankins,  assistant 
agent  of  the  New  York,  Philadelphia  &  Nor- 
folk Railroad ;  they  have  one  son,  whose  name 
is  Kemper. 

J.  Thomas  Dunn  has  always  been  active  in 
political,  fraternal  and  social  affairs  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  served  in  the  City  Council  one 
term,  on  the  School  Board  for  three  terms,  and 
was  registrar  of  the  Third  Ward  for  three 
terms.  He  is  a  charter  member,  and  adjutant, 
of  Stonewall  Camp,  Confederate  Veterans, 
and  has  served  as  such  since  1890.  He  is  trus- 
tee and  treasurer  of  Grice  Lodge,  No.  83,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  and  was  chief  of  the  board  of  organ- 
izers of  Seaside  Lodge  No.  80,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  of  \Vhich  lodge  he  was  the  first  rep- 
resentative. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Inter- 
national Association  of  Machinists.  He  has  a 
pleasant  home  on  Prentis  avenue,  in  Ports- 
mouth, where  he  is  surrounded  by  a  host  of 
warm  friends. 


AMES  W.  ALEXANDER,  deceased. 
For  many  years  this  gentleman  occu- 
pied a  place  among  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  was  engaged  in 
the  tin,  copper  and  plumbing  business.  He 
was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  was  a 
son  of  James  and  Ann  (Waller)  Alexander. 
James  Alexander  removed  to  Portsmouth 
with  his  family  in  1840.  There  he  conducted 
a  hotel  for  many  years,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  prominent  citizens  of  that  place.  His 
hotel  was  located  on  High  street,  and  there 
he  entertained  such  guests  as  Henry  Clay,  and 
other  distinguished  men.  He  was  an  active 
member  of  the  Whig  party.  His  home  was  in 
the  suburbs,  or  at  that  time  in  the  country, 
the  land  being  bought  later  by  the  Perrys.  Five 
children  resulted  from  his  union  with  Ann 
Waller,  who'  was  a  native  of  Stafford,  Vir- 


AND  REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


597 


giiiia,  of  whom  but  two  are  living,  namely : 
Mrs.  Louisa  Xoel.  who  lives  on  Dinvviddie 
street  in  Portsmouth,  and  William  H..  who  is 
also  a  resident  of  Portsmouth. 

James  \\'.  Alexander  removed  with  his 
parents,  in  1840,  to  Portsmouth,  where  he 
continued  to  live  until  his  death.  In  1863  he 
entered  the  tin.  copper  and  i)lumbing  business, 
which  he  carried  on  extensively  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  died  in  1883,  aged  49  years, 
and  his  death  was  greatly  mourned  in  the  com- 
munity. He  was  a  man  of  honor  and  integ- 
rity, charitable  and  kind  to  all,  and  his  many 
lovable  traits  of  character  and  open  business 
methods  made  many  warm  friends. 

Mr.  Alexander  was  married,  in  1862.  to 
Alice  Montague,  who  was  born  in  Portsmouth. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Richard  T.  and  Mary 
(Hobday)  ilontague.  Richard  T.  Montagiie 
was  born  in  Middlesex  County,  Virginia,  and 
w-as  a  cousin  of  ex-Lieut. -Gov.  Roljert  Mon- 
tague. His  wife,  Mary  Hobday  Montague, 
was  born  in  Gloucester,  Virginia.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Alexander  six  children  were  born,  name- 
ly :  James  E.,  a  plumber  of  Portsmouth ;  Mary 
F.  (Brownley),  of  Portsmouth;  Henrietta 
(AIcLean),  of  Portsmouth;  Richard  A.,  a 
joiner  by  trade;  E.  W.,  who  is  employed  on  the 
Sea1x)ard  Air  Line ;  and  Arthur  C.  The  Alex- 
ander homestead,  which  has  been  occupied  by 
the  family  for  2-  years,  is  located  at  Xo.  331 
Fourth  street,  Portsmouth.  Mr.  Alexander 
was  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  wife  is  an  active 
worker  in  the  Trinity  Methodist  Episci>j:)al 
Church,  and  ]\Ir.  Alexander  was  for  a  number 
of  vears  a  steward  in  the  church. 


HARLES  R.  NASH,  a  well-known 
citizen  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  is  a 
dealer  in  coal  and  ice  and  has  an 
extensive  establishment  in  the  city. 
He  was  born  at  the  old  family  Imme 
at  the  corner  of  London  and  Middle  streets, 
Portsmouth,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Xash. 


Mr.  Xash  traces  his  lineage  back  to  Thom- 
as and  Annie  Xash,  wlm  settled  in  Norfolk 
County  as  early  as  1061.  bringing  with  them 
from  England,  their  native  place,  three  chil- 
dren and  four  white  servants.  Upon  coming 
to  this  county,  they  bought  480  acres  of  land 
on  the  \\'estern  Branch,  \yhich  was  later  ex- 
changed for  a  heavily-timbered  tract  on  the 
Southern  Branch  in  St.  Bride's  Parish.  The 
memljers  of  the  family  were  large  planters  for 
many  generations.  ■  The  grandfather  of 
Charles  R.  Nash  was  a  magistrate  of  Norfolk 
County  for  many  years,  having  served  as  such 
from  the  age  of  21  years  until  his  death. 

John  Xash,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  as  born  in  St.  Bride's  Parish.  Xorlolk 
County,  Virginia.  He  was  a  grocer  through- 
out his  entire  business  career,  and  was  also 
engaged  in  the  heavy-lumber  luisiness.  supjjly- 
ing  the  L'nited  States  government.  He  was 
mayx)r  of  Portsmouth  in  1862,  when  the  city 
was  turned  over  to  the  Federals.  He  ser\-ed 
as  magistrate  of  Portsmouth  and  Xorfolk 
County  until  his  death,  June  24,  1884,  at  the 
age  of  79  years.  His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth 
Edwards,  by  whom  he  had  four  children, 
namely:  Thomas  E.,  John,  Virginius  W'.,  and 
Mary  Susan,  all  deceased.  He  afterward  mar- 
ried the  widow  of  Dr.  Woodley,  w'hose  maiden 
name  was  Xancy  Collins,  and  who  was  born 
in  Portsmouth.  They  became  the  parents  of 
five  children,  as  follows:  Sarah  L.,  widow  of 
R.  G.  Hume,  deceased ;  Annie  C. ;  William  C. ; 
Charles  R.  and  Farley  P.  In  1824,  when  the 
IMarquis  de  La  Fayette  visited  Portsmouth, 
Mrs.  Xash  received  him  and  presented  him 
with  a  lx>uquet, — she  being  then  about  13 
years  of  age.  Her  address  in  making  the 
presentation  is  as  follows:  "General,  your 
love  of  liberty,  your  disinterested  labor  for  the 
independence  of  these  L'nited  States,  endears 
you  to  our  fathers  anil  mc»thers.  wlmse  recapit- 
ulation of  your  valor,  and  of  your  friendship 
for  our  beloved  Washington,  has  awakened  in 
our  young  hearts  feelings  of  gratitude  which  we 
cannot  express.     Be  so  kind,  sir,  as  to  receive 


•S98 


HISTORY  :0F    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


-  from  our  hands  this  wreath.  We  wish  it  to 
express  our  most  unfeigned  respect  for  your 
heroism,  your  regard  for  our  country,  and  for 
us  the  happy  people  of  our  Union."  On  June 
9,  1890,  a  talalet  was  placed  at  the  corner  of 
High  and  Crawford  streets  in  commemoration 
of  the  event  of  1824.  The  address  in  that 
year  made  by  Mrs.  Nash  was  repeated  by  that 
lady's  granddaughter.  Rebecca  Coke  Nash,  and 
she  also  repeated  the  poem.  The  entire  body 
•of  Lancaster  school  girls  then  recited  the  fol- 
Jovving  poem  in  concert : 

It  is  a  maxim  of  our  school, 

And  certainly  a  golden  rule, 
That  nothing  is  without  grace 

If  only  in  its  proper  place; 
And  where  is  ours  on  this  free  day 

When  all  come  on  in  grand  array; 
To  welcome  one  where  should  we  be, 

But  here  to  show  ourselves  to  thee. 
The  Nation's  guests,  the  Nation's  joy 

And  dear  to  every  girl  and  boy; 
Whose  name  we  never  shall  forget. 

The  great  and  gentle  LaFayette. 

Mrs.  Nash  lived  to  reach  the  advanced  age 
of  90  years.  She  died  September  12.  1898, 
having  had  comparati\-ely  no  sickness  or  ail- 
ments until  a  few  days  prior  to  her  death. 

Charles  R.  Nash  received  his  scholastic 
training  in  the  schools  of  Portsmouth,  under 
C.  T.  Phillips,  now  clerk  of  the  court.  He 
■was  first  engaged  for  six  years  as  clerk  for 
a  wholesale  ccxmmission  house  at  Norfolk,  and 
then,  in  1878,  he  embarked  in  the  ice  business. 
He  has  an  ice  office  and  store-house,  located 
on  Queen  street,  and  another  building  of  the 
same  size  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street. 
He  established  the  coal  branch  of  his  business 
in  1894;  it  occupies  a  building  facing  on 
Crawford  street.  He  has  room  for  about  1,600 
tons  of  coal,  runs  three  teams,  and  employs  a 
number  of  people.  He  enjoys  a  high  class  of 
trade,  and  is  highly  thouglit  of  by  his  fellow 
citizens.  Mr.  Nash  has  been  identified  with 
numerous  other  enterprises.  He  is  vice-presi- 
dent and  a  director  of  the  Portsmouth  Gas 
Company,  and  a  director  of  the  People's  Bank, 
in  the  establishment  of  which  he  was  one  of 


the  prime  movers.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
City  Council,  and  since  1885  has  been  a  jus- 
tice of  the  peiace.  He  married  Rebecca  F. 
Marshall,  of  Fauquier  County,  Virginia,  great- 
granddaughter  of  Chief  Justice  -  jMarshall. 
Four  daughters  were  born  to'  bless  this  union, 
namely:  Rebecca  Coke,  who  was  born  in 
1880;  Nancy  Collins;  Florence  Hibbett;  and 
Mary  Byrd  Marshall.  Religiously  Mr.  Nash 
is  a  member  of  Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  he  was  a  vestryman  for  about 
10  years. 


LMER  F.   WHEELER,  who  is  cap- 
tain of  the  steamer  "Ocean  View," 
and  a  resident  of  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  that 
city  in  1872.     He  is  a  son  of  Charles 
and   Elizabeth   Wheeler,   the   former  being  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  the  latter  a  native  of 
Georgetown,  D.  C. 

Charles  Wheeler  was  a  boatman,  and  dur- 
ing the  war,  a  blockade  runner.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Home  Guards  of  Norfolk.  His 
death  occurred  just  two  months  before  his  son, 
Elmer  F.,  was  born.  His  wife  died  at  the  age 
of  67  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church.  Eight  children  were  born  to 
them,  of  whom  they  reared  five,  as  follows : 
Joseph,  who  died  at  the  age  of  35  years;  Will- 
iam J.,  who  is  a  printer,  with  W'.  T.  Barron  & 
Company  of  Norfolk;  Charles,  who  is  a  tinner 
of  Atlantic  City  Ward,  Norfolk;  Mary,  who 
married  Capt.  J.  L.  Cherry  of  the  tug  "Helen," 
of  Philadelphia,  and  is  now  hving  in  Atlantic 
City  .Ward,  Norfolk;  and  Elmer  F.,  whose 
name  heads  these  lines. 

Elmer  F.  Wheeler  attended  private  schools 
and  St.  John's  Academy,  at  Norfolk!  After 
leaving  school,  he  followed  steaniboating,  for 
two  years  and  was  then  an  apprentice  in  the 
Norfolk  Landmark  office,  for  two  years.  "He 
then  returned  to  steamboating,  as  captain  of  the 
"Major,"  and  was  later  captain  of  the  tug 
"Willard."     He  was  made  mate  of  the  "Ocean 


CAPT.  JAMES    W.    McCARRICK. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


60 1 


View,"  and  later  was  appointed  captain  of  that 
vessel,  a  position  he  has  continued  to  fill  with 
much  efficiency  for  tlie  past  four  years. 

Captain  Wheeler  was  married,  in  1898,  to 
Maggie  C.  Lanigan,  a  daughter  of  T.  P.  and 
Margaret  Lanigan,  born  in  Norfolk  in  1875. 
They  have  one  child,  Elmer  F.,  who  was  born 
in  December,  1899.  Captain  Wheeler  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  St.  JMary's  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church.  The  Captain  is  a  member  of  the 
Masters  and  Pilots  of  Steam  Vessels  Associa- 
tion. Progressive  Harbor.  No.  9.  He  is  also  a  , 
member  of  the  Emerald  Beneficial  Association  : 
and  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 


sketch  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Jilasonic  order.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


ILLIAM  W.  HARRIS  is  superin- 
tendent of  the  Gilmerton  mills  of 
the  John  L.  Roper  Lumber  Com- 
pany. He  was  born  January  10, 
1 86 1,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  B.  Harris, 
who  was  born  in  Virginia.  His  father  married 
Jennie  Henderson,  who  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  and  the  subject  hereof  was  the  only 
issue  of  this  union. 

.■\fter  receiving  his  mental  training  in  the 
public  schools,  Mr.  Harris  engaged  in  the  mill- 
ing business,  in  which  he  first  w(  rked  for  Tilley 
Brothers.  He  was  then  in  the  employ  of  the 
Johnson  Lumber  Company  Tor  a  period  of  12 
years,  as  mill-man..  He  became  identified  with 
the  John  L.  Roper  Lumber  Company  in  1896, 
was  superintendent  of  the  Gilmerton  plant,  and 
has  since  occupied  that  position.  He  is  a  man 
of  good  business  ability  and  is  capable  in  the 
management  of  his  affairs.  He  occupies  a 
liigh  place  in  the  esteem  of  his  employers,  as 
well  as  of  the  men  under  his  charge. 

In  1882,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Martha  Bernard,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  R.  S. 
Bernard,  a  prominent  resident  of  Berkley.  Vir- 
ginia, and  they  have  five  children,  as  follows : 
Bernard  ;  Henderson  :  Raymond  :  Martha  ;  and 
Catherine.      Politicallv.    the     subject    of    this 


APT.  JA:\IES  W.  McCARRICK,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Norfolk,  and 
general  Southern  agent  for  the  Clyde 
Steamship  Company,  was  born  in 
Norfolk  June  22,  1843. 
His  father.  Patrick  McCarrick,  who  came 
to  America  from  Ireland  when  a  boy,  had  a 
notable  record  in  the  service  of  the  Confeder- 
ate States.  His  active  business  career  after  the 
war  was  spent  in  the  service  of  the  Old  Do- 
minion Steamship  Company,  in  command  of 
several  of  its  vessels.  During  the  war  he  first 
served  as  master  in  the  North  Carolina  Navy. 
and  was  later  commissioned  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Confederate  States  navy.  He  commanded 
the  steamer  "Sea  Bird."  the  flag-ship  of  Com- 
modore Lynch,  when  that  vessel  was, sunk  at 
Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina,  and  with  the 
entire  crew  was  captured  by  Admiral  Rowan, 
L'.  S.  Navy.  After  being  exchanged,  he  was 
detailed  as  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Canadian 
Expedition  for  the  relief  of  prisoners  at  John- 
son's Island,  and  upon  the  failure  of  that  en- 
terprise through  betrayal  he  ran  the  blockade 
with  the  celebrated  Capt.  John  W'ilkinson.  He 
also  commanded  the  steamer  "\\'inslow"  when 
she  rescued  the  crew  of  the  French  corvette 
"Prony,"  for  which  he  was  officially  thanked 
by  the  French  government.  The  "W^inslow" 
was  lost  in  making  this  rescue. 

Capt.  James  W.  McCarrick,  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch,  was  educated  at  Mount  St. 
]Mar}-'s  College  and  at  Georgetown  College, 
leaving  the  latter  institution  early  in  1861  to 
enlist  with  the  Norfolk  Juniors,  of  the  12th 
Virginia  Regiment,  commanded  by  Gen.  W^ill- 
iam  Mahone.  He  was  one  of  the  25  volunteers 
from  that  company  that  manned  one  of  the 


602 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


guns  which  repelled  the  attack  of  the  Federal 
steamer  "Monticello,"  upon  the  Confederate 
batteries  at  Sewell's  Point.  Soon  after  this, 
he  received  an  appointment  as  master's  mate 
in  the  North  Carolina  Navy,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  steamer  "Winslow"  at  Hatteras  Inlet. 
He  participated  in  the  capture  of  merchant  ves- 
sels along  the  coast  of  North  Carolina.  After 
being  transferred  tO'  the  Confederate  Na\'y, 
his  first  action  was  ujx)n  the  "Sea  Bird,"  under 
Commodore  Lynch,  in  cutting  out  a  Federal 
schooner  from  under  the  guns  of  the  Federal 
fleet  in  Hampton  Roads,  and  successfully 
bringing  her  into  Norfolk,  although  pursued 
by  four  Federal  gunboats.  He  participated  in 
the  action  at  Roanoke  Island,  where  a  few  im- 
provised gunboats  held  Burnside's  fleet  in 
check  all  day.  Later,  in  the  engagement  at 
Elizabeth  City,  he  was  wounded  and  captured 
on  the  sinking  steamer  "Sea  Bird,"  by  Captain 
Flusser,  of  the  Federal  fleet.  Being  paroled 
under  the  "Wool  cartel,"  he  returned  to  Nor- 
folk, and  from  the  Naval  Hospital  witnessed 
the  "Virginia"  going  down  the  river  to  attack 
the  "Cumberland"  and  "Congress,"  attended 
by  a  number  of  small  gunboats.  Upon  one  of 
these  was  his  friend.  Midshipman  Charles  K. 
Mallory,  whom  Captain  McCarrick  hailed  and 
begged  that  he  bring  back  a  Federal  officer  for 
whom  he  might  be  exchanged.  It  happened 
that  Midshipman  Mallory  was  one  of  the  offi- 
cers detailed  to  remove  the  prisoners  from  the 
"Congress."  and  he  did  bring  back  an  officer  in 
safety,  for  whom  McCarrick  was  exchanged. 
He  was  then  promoted  to  be  master  and  as- 
signed to  the  navy  yard  at  Selma,  Alabama. 
Subsequently  he  was  attached  to  the  iron-clad 
"Tuscaloosa,"  in  Mobile  Bay.  From  there  he 
was  sent  by  Admiral  Buchanan  to  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  to  receive  some  guns  that  had  been 
captured  by  Gen.  Wirt  Adams  on  the  Big 
Black  River.  After  returning  from  this  expe- 
dition, he  was  sent  with  orders  from  the  Sec- 
retary of  War  to  select  men  for  the  Mobile 
fleet  from  the  commands  of  Generals  Loring 


and  Pope  at  Demopolis,  Alabama.  During  the 
naval  operations  in  Mobile  Bay  he  was  on  the 
steamer  "Baltic,"  in  charge  of  the  forward  di- 
vision and  was  subsequently  ordered  to  the 
flag-ship  "Tennessee,"  but  being  taken  .sick 
was  sent  on  shore  to  the  hospital,  just  in  time 
to  escape  the  capture  of  the  "Tennessee"  by' 
Farragut.  After  his  recovery  he  served  upon 
the  gimboat  "Macon,"  guarding  the  ferries  of 
the  Savannah  River  against  Shern'an's  ad- 
vance. In  his  service  he  participated  in  sev- 
eral encounters  with  troops  and  light  batteries. 
He  was  afterward  detailed  to  command  a  bat- 
tery at  Shell  Bluff,  where  he  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  became  agent 
for  the  Atlantic  Coast  Mail  Steamship  Com- 
pany at  Portsmouth,  and  continued  as  the 
Portsmouth  agent  after  the  company  was  ab- 
sorbed by  what  is  now  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company,  and  until  he  was  tendered 
and  accepted  a  position  as  general  claim  agent 
of  the  Seaboard  Air  Line,  Atlantic  Coast  Line 
and  Piedmont  Air  Line,  with  headquarters  in 
Portsmouth.  This  Captain  McCarrick  re- 
signed in  1875  to  accept  the  general  Southern 
agency  of  the  Clyde  Steamship  Company,  a  po- 
sition he  has  retained  up  to-  the  present  time. 
His  portrait  accompanies  this  sketch,  being  pre- 
sented on  a  page  in  proximity  to  this. 


i 


ONATHAN  H.  JACOCKS,  who  has^ 
been  a  prominent  resident  of  Norfolk 
County,   Virginia,     for    many    years, 
makes  his  home  in  Berkley.     He  was 
born  at  Nag's  Head,  North  Carolina, 
August  7,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  Jonathan  Hill 
and  Grizzelle  Pointer  (Copeland)  Jacocks,  na- 
tives of  the  old  Tar-Heel  State. 

Jonathan  H.  Jacocks,  Sr.,  was  a  farmer  of 
North  Carolina  and  took  an  active  interest  in 
all  that  pertained  to  the  welfare  of  his  State- 
and  countrv.     In  those  earlv  davs,  he  was  a 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


603 


\\'hig  and  rei)resented  his  county  in  the  State 
Legislature  several  terms.  He  was  a  very 
prominent  man  and  was  also  called  upon  to 
serve  as  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention. He  was  known  as  General  Jacocks, 
by  reason  of  his  rank  in  the  State  militia.  He 
was  very  active  in  the  work  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  although  it  was  about  18  miles 
distant,  he  was  a  regular  attendant.  He  and 
his  wife  became  parents  of  six  children,  of 
whom  two  survive,  namely :  Jonathan  H.  and 
Grizzelle  Emily,  wife  of  E.  A.  Lee,  who  resides 
in  North  Carolina. 

Jonathan  H.  Jacocks,  the  subject  of  this 
biography,  was  a  pupil  in  academy  at  Eliza- 
beth City,  and  in  various  other  schools.  He  at- 
tended tlie  Horner  School  at  Oxford,  and 
finished  his  educational  training  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia.  After  leaving  the  Uni- 
versity he  relurn.ed  home  and  enlisted  in  the 
Confederate  service.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Roanoke  Island,  and  after  an  incarceration  of 
two  weeks  was  paroled.  He  was  in  the  service 
for  a  period  of  three  and  a  half  years,  and 
served  with  gallantry  and  honor.  At  the  close 
of  the  war.  he  engaged  in  farming  in  North 
Carolina  and  so  continued  until  January,  1882, 
when  he  removed  to  Berkley,  Virginia,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  was  first  engaged  in 
the  real-estate  business,  and  then  was  in  the 
commission  business  in  Norfolk  for  two  years, 
since  which  time  he  has  engaged  in  his  pre's- 
ent  line.  He  has  served  as  councilman  in  Berk- 
ley for  over  five  years,  having  resigned  that 
office  in  1901.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Harbor  Commissioners,  in  which 
capacity  he  has  rendered  excellent  service.  He 
owns  two  small  farms,  but  rents  both.  He  is  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  Merchants'  & 
Ranters'  Bank  of  Berkley,  a  trustee  in  the 
Berkley  Permanent  Building  &  Loan  Associa- 
tion, and  a  director  and  trustee  cf  the  Chesa- 
peake Building  &  Loan  Association. 

In  1 87 1,  Mr.  Jacocks  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage with  Mary  Kate  Harrell.  a  native  of 
Gates  County,  North  Carolina,  and  a  daughter 


of  Samuel  R.  and  Elizabeth  Harrell.  Thev  are 
parents  of  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing, namely:  Grizzelle;  Henry  M. :  Jonathan 
\V. :  and  Estelle  A.  Henry  M.  graduated  from 
college  in  1900  at  Blacksburg,  and  took  a  post- 
graduate course  in  mechanical  engineering  and 
mining  in  the  same  institution.  He  is  now  with 
the  Mathieson  Alkali  Works,  at  Saltville.  Vir- 
ginia. Jonathan  W.  graduated  from  the  col- 
lege at  Blacksburg  in  1900,  and  took  a  post- 
graduate course  in  chemistry.  He  is  now  with 
the  Woodstock  Iron  Works  at  Anniston,  Ala- 
bama. Mr.  Jacocks  is  a  member  n\  the  Epis- 
copal Church,  whilst  his  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  Fra- 
ternally, the  former  is  a  member  of  Lee  Lodge 
No.  48,  K.  of  P.,  in  which  he  is  master  of  the 
exchequer. 


AMES  FOLEY  MAUPIN.  general  for- 
warding agent  at  Norfolk  of  the  At- 
lantic Coast  Line,  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  March  23,  1849.  and 
is  a  son  of  William  Gabriel  and  Anna 
(Foley)  Maupin.  He  is  descended  from  an 
old  Huguenot  family  of  the  same  name. 

The  earliest  ancestor  in  this  country  was 
Gabriel  Maupin,  a  Huguenot,  who,  because  of 
persecution  in  France,  came  to  this  country  in 
the  ship  "Nassau,"  accompanied  by  his  wife 
and  three  children,  and  located  in  the  Maniken 
Settlement  near  Williamsburg,  Virginia.  The 
name  Gabriel  has  been  transmitted  from  father 
to  son  through  six  generations,  and  is  now 
borne  by  a  son  of  the  subject  hereof,  who  is  12 
years  of  age.  The  great-grandfather  of  James 
F.  Maupin,  Gabriel  Maupin,  was  in  command 
of  the  Powder  Horn  at  Williamsburg  during 
the  Revolutionary  W'ar.  and  subsequently  re- 
ceived a  grant  of  4,000  acres  of  land  in  Ken- 
tucky. The  grandfather.  Dr.  George  \\'ashing- 
ton  Maupin,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  United  States 
Army  and  for  many  years  was  stationed  at 
Fortress  Monroe.  He  was  married  at  Ports- 
mouth  to  Ann   J^Ioffatt,   of   Portsmouth,   her 


ri 


•6o4 


HISTORY    OF . NORFOLK    COUNTY 


father  having  come  to  this  country  from  Eng- 
land. They  reared  three  children,  namely; : 
Ann  Eliza,  who  married  Dr.  Edward  M. 
Watts,  father  of  Judge  Legh  R.  Watts,  of 
Portsmouth ;  William  Gabriel ;  and  Dr.  George 
W.  O.  Maupin,  deceased,  father  of  Dr.  George 
W.  O.  Maupin,  of  Portsmouth. 

William  Gabriel  Maupin  was  born  and  lived 
in  Portsmouth,  where  he  was  engaged  in  busi- 
ness pursuits,  and  was  for  several  consecutive 
terms  city  treasurer,  a  member  of  the  City 
Council,  a  magistrate  and  member  of  the  police 
board.  Being  physically  unfit  for  military 
duty,  he  did  not  tai<^e  an  active  part  in  the  Con- 
federate War,  but  on  account  of  his  strong 
Southern  sympathies  and  his  efforts  to  assist 

.  the  families  of  those  in  the  field,  he  was  impris- 
oned and  treated  with  especial  harshness  by 
Gen.  B.  F.  Butler.  Mr.  Maupin  for  many  years 
conducted  an  ice  business  at  Nos.  213-215 
Queen  street.  This  business  was  established 
by  Mr.  Watts  in  1832,  and  is  probably  the 
pioneer  concern  in  handling  Northern  ice  in 
Tidewater  Virginia,  the  ice  having  previously 
been  gathered  in  thin  sheets  and  sold  by  meas- 
ure to  consumers.  Mr.  Maupin  purchased  the 
business  in  1870,  after  it  had  passed  through 
several  hands,  and  it  is  now  conducted  by  his 
son,  George  W.,  who  in  1895,  added  to  it  the 
coal  business.  William  Gabriel  Maupin  died 
January  10,  1892.  The  familv  residence  at 
No.  608  Court  street  was  built  by  him  soon 
after  his  marriage.  He  was  married  before 
the  war  to  Ann  Foley  of  Petersburg,  who  is 
still  living  at  the  age  of  76  years.  Ten  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  namely:  Nannie  M., 
of  Portsmouth:  William  G.,  who  is  assistant 
cashier  of  the  Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank,  of 
Portsmouth :  James  F. ;  Dr.  Edward  Griffith, 
of  New  York  City :  Samuel  Dawson,  who  is 
assistant  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Portsmouth : 
Mattie ;  Alliene :  Ruth  :  George  W. :  and  Mary, 
who  died  when  young.  Religiously,  Mr.  Mau- 
pin was  an  Episcopalian,  although  the  mem- 

-bers  of  the  family  are  in  the  main  Catholics. 
James   Foley   Maupin   pursued  his   studies 


in  the  private  schools  of  Norfolk  and  Ports- 
mouth, his  father  having  planned  for  him  a 
collegiate  course,  and  possibly  a  profession, 
but  the  stringency  in  finances  after  the  close 
of  the  war  prevented  this,  and  James  was  early 
forced  to  enter  tlie  world  of  labor.  With  a 
view  toward  entering  upon  a  commercial  life, 
he  gave  his  services,  free,  to  a  wholesale  gro- 
cery firm  in  Norfolk,  paying  his  own  ferriage 
between  the  two  cities.  In  August,  1867,  he 
accepted  a  clerkship  with  the  Seaboard  &  Roan- 
oke Railroad  Company  at  Portsmouth,  and 
steadily  advanced  until  he  attained  the  posi- 
tion of  chief  clerk  in  his  department.  Sep- 
tember 13,  1875,  lie  was  appointed  Portsmouth 
agent  of  the  Seaboard  Air  Line.  On  Novem- 
ber 26,  1885,  the  executive  committees  of  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  and  of  the  Atlantic  Coast 
Line  appointed  him  as  forwarding  agent  at 
Portsmouth, — the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Rail- 
road being  the  trunk  line  between  Portsmouth 
Virginia,  and  Weldon,  North  Carolina,  for 
each  of  these  companies, — at  the  same  time, 
the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Railroad  Company 
made  him  its  Portsmouth  agent.  In  April, 
1888,  he  was  appointed  general  freight  agent 
of  the  Western  Branch  Railroad,  operating  in 
the  truck  section  of  Norfolk  and  Nansemond 
counties.  In  March,  1890,  the  Western  Branch 
Railroad  having  been  extended  to  Tarboro, 
North  Carolina,  where  it  connected  with  the 
Atlantic  Coast  Line  and  having  changed  its 
name  to  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Railroad,  Mr. 
Maupin  severed  his  connection  with  the  Sea- 
board Air  Line  and  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line 
and  accepted  the  general  forwarding  agency, 
at  Norfolk,  of  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Rail- 
road. This  he  did  in  the  belief  that  it  had  a 
great  future  and  was  destined  to  become  the 
Virginia  deep-water  terminus  of  the  Atantic 
Coast  Line.  In  April,  1892,  he  accepted  the 
Norfolk  agency  of  the  Norfolk  &  Washington, 
D.  C,  Steamboat  Company,  which  he  retained 
until  August,  1893,  when,  the  increasing  busi- 
ness of  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Railroad  re- 
quiring all  of  the  space  of  its   Norfolk  ter- 


HON.    THEODORE    S.    GARNETT. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


607 


niinals,  tlie  steamboat  company  had  to  seek 
utlier  quarters  and  Mr.  Maupin  resigned  the 
agency.  The  Atlantic  Coast  Line  absorbed 
the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Railroad,  and  in  con- 
junction with  the  different  steamboat  lines  run- 
ning into  Norfolk  from  the  Eastern  cities,  in 
October,  1896,  elected  him  general  forwarding 
agent  at  Norfolk.  In  this  capacity  he  handled 
th'e  immense  traffic  passing  through  Pinner's 
Point  (Virginia)  terminals,  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line  from  Pinner's  Point  covering  about 
2,500  miles  of  railroad  in  Virginia,  the  Caro- 
linas,  Georgia  and  Florida.  ^Ir.  Maupin  is  a 
member  of  the  local  Freight  Agents'  Associa- 
tion, which  has  a  membership  in  the  National 
Freight  Agents'  Association. 

In  1888,  Mr.  Maupin  married  Edmonia 
Fitzhugh  Tomlin,  a  direct  descendant  of  Carter 
Braxton,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. She  is  an  ardent  member  of  Fort 
Nelson  Chapter,  D.  A.  R.,  of  Portsmouth,  and 
is  a  Colonial  Dame  of  Virginia.  Two  chil- 
dren were  born  of  this  union,  namely :  \\\\\- 
iam  Gabriel ;  and  Lucy  Lindley,  who  died  in 
infancy.  ^Ir.  Maupin  recently  completed  a 
fine,  new  liome  at  No.  42  Court  street,  in  Ports- 
mouth. 


ON.  THEODORE  S.  GARNETT,  of 
the  firm  of  Garnett  &  Garnett,  attor- 
neys of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was  born 
in  the  city  of  Richmond,  Virginia, 
October  28,  1844.  His  primary  edu- 
cation was  received  in  the  Episcopal  High 
School  at  Alexandria.  Virginia,  and  his  col- 
legiate course  was  taken  at  the  Unversit}^  of 
Virginia.  At  the  very  beginning  of  the  Con- 
federate War  he  joined  the  company  of  Han- 
over Artillery  that  was  imder  the  command  of 
Capt.  William  Nelson.  -He  was  soon  trans- 
ferred to  the  Navy  Department  of  the  Con- 
federacy, but  later  resigned  to  enlist  in  the  Es- 
sex troop  of  cavalr}-,  Company  F,  of  the  9th 
\'irginia  Regiment.  He  sen-ed  in  this  com- 
mand as  a  private  soldier,  but  was  detailed  for 


duty  at  division  lieadquarters  from  May,  1863, 
until  January  2j,  1864,  when  he  was  appointed 
aide-de-camp  on  the  staff  of  Maj.-Gen.  J.  E. 
B.  Stuart,  commanding  the  cavalry  corps  in 
the  Anny  of  Northern  Virginia.  He  was  with 
that  general  when  the  latter  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Yellow  Tavern  ]\lay  11,  1864,  and 
aided  in  carrying  him  from  the  field.  He  at- 
tended the  dying  commander  until  his  death 
the  next  day,  and  was  present  at  his  funeral  at 
Hollywood  May  13,  1864.  After  this  he  was 
commissioned  ist  lieutenant  and  attached  to 
the  staff'  of  Gen.  W.  H.  F.  Lee.  He  served  in 
that  capacity  until  March,  1865,  when  he  was 
commissioned  captain  and  assistant  adjutant- 
general  of  the  cavalry  brigade  of  Gen.  Will- 
iam P.  Roberts,  holding  that  rank  at  Appomat- 
tox. Captain  Garnett  participated  in  many 
serious  engagements  during  his  military  career 
and  had  three  horses  shot  under  him. 

After  the  war  he  returned  to  the  University 
of  Virginia.  He  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1867,  from  the  law  department.  His  subse- 
quent progress  in'tlfe  profession  was  rapid;  in 
three  years  he  was  elected  judge  of  Nansemond 
County.  Although  re-elected  he  resigned  the 
judgeship  and  moved  to  Norfolk,  where  he  has 
since  been  successfully  engaged  in  the  pursuit 
of  his  profession. 

Judge  Garnett  is  a  member  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Theo- 
logical Seminary  and  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  Norfolk  Academy.  He  is  a  past  com- 
mander of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Confeder- 
ate Veterans,  and  is  commander  of  the  Yir- 
ginia  Division,  United  Confederate  Veterans. 

Theodore  S.  Garnett.  Sr.,  father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  was  a  pronnnent  civil  engi- 
neer, and  during  his  active  career  was  con- 
nected with  the  construction  of  se\-erel  import- 
ant Southern  railways.  He  was  chief  engineer 
and  superintendent  of  the  North  Carolina,  the 
Qiarlotte,  Columbus  &  Augusta,  and  other 
railroads.  He  was  born  in  Essex  County,  Vir- 
ginia, November  18,  1812,  and  died  May  28. 


•6o8 


HISTORY   OF    NORFOLK  COUNTY 


1885.  He  was  a  son  of  James  Mercer  Garnett, 
who  was  born  in  Essex  County,  Virginia, 
June  8,  1770,  and  died  in  May,  1843. 

James  Mercer  Garnett  was  the  founder  and 
first  president  of  the  United  States  Agricul- 
tural Society  and  a  noted  author  on  ahied  top- 
ics. For  12  years  he  maintained  a  female  sem- 
inary in  his  own  house,  and  actively  sought  to 
introduce  improved  methods  of  education.  He 
served  several  years  in  the  Virginia  Legisla- 
ture, and  was  twice  elected  to  Congress,  where 
he  was  a  friend  of  his  colleague,  John  Ran- 
dolph, of  Roanoke,  and  engaged  in  controversy 
Avith  Matthew  Carey,  the  Protectionist.  In 
1829  he  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Con- 
stitutional Convention. 

The  founder  of  the  American  branch  of  the 
Garnett  family  was  John  Garnett,  who  came 
from  England  in  1674,  and  located  in  Glou- 
cester, Virginia. 

A  portrait  of  Judge  Garnett  accompanies 
this  sketch,  being  presented  on  a  foregoing 
page. 


OHN  HOLLAND,  Jr.,  is  one  of  the 
many  successful  truck  farmers  of  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia.  He  was  born 
at  Lambert's  Point,  February  28, 
1844,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
.(Abdell)  Holland. 

John  Holland  was  born  in  1810,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  67  years.  He  was  a  ship-owner, 
and  also  engaged  extensively  in  the  oyster  busi- 
ness. His  wife  was  born  on  the  Eastern  Shore 
of  Virginia,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  chil- 
dren, namely :  Margaret  Ann,  deceased,  who 
married  James  H.  Sammons ;  John,  Jr.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  Amanda  H. ;  Edward; 
Eliza  J.,  who  married  J.  F.  Coleman,  a  farmer, 
living  on  Princess  Anne  Turnpike  in  Norfolk 
County;  Sarah,  who  married  A.  J.  Backus,  a 
farmer  of  Sewell's  Point;  and  Martha  Vir- 
ginia, whose  first  husband  was  Edward  Lam- 
bert, deceased.  She  later  married  Thomas 
Harmon  of  Lambert's  Point. 


John  Holland,  Jr.,  whose  name  opens  this 
sketch,  received  his  mental  training  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  at  Lambert's  Point.  In  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  a  battalion  of  heavy  artillery,  being  at 
that  time  but  18  years  old.  He  remained  in 
that  battalion  for  three  years,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  Company  I,  the  38th  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantry,  Stewart's  Brigade,  Pickett's 
Division.  He  was  captured  six  days  before 
Lee's  surrender,  and  was  confined  at  Newport 
News  in  full  view  of  his  home.  After  two 
months,  he  was  discharged.  He  received 
slight  wounds  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  but  never 
lost  a  day's  service.  Since  the  close  of  the  war, 
he  has  been  engaged  in  truck  farming,  in  which 
he  has  met  with  much  success.  He  is  a  thrifty 
farmer,  and  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
tilling  of  the  soil. 

Mr.  Holland  married  Elizabeth  Ashby,  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Ashby,  and  a  sister  of  the 
following :  Mary,  deceased ;  Susan ;  Sarah, 
who  married  W.  W.  Bell ;  Martha,  the  wife  of 
T.  H.  Frost;  Emma  F.,  the  wife  of  J.  T,  Phil- 
pott,  who  is  engaged  in  the  furniture  business 
in  Norfolk;  and  William,  who  met  his  death 
in  the  Confederate  War. 

Mr.  Holland  is  one  of  the  most  influential 
citizens  of  Tanner's  Creek,  and  is  always  in- 
terested in  the  advancement  of  the  community. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 


E.  KRISE,  whose  residence  in  Nor- 
folk dates  back  over  a  period  of  but 
10  years,  easily  takes  rank  among  the 
leading  financiers  of  the  city.  He  is 
president  of  the  City  National  Bank 
of  Norfolk,  one  of  the  safest  and  most  sub- 
stantial banking  institutions  in  this  section. 

The  City  National  Bank  was  established  in 
1892,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $200,000,  and 
was  safely  piloted  through  the  financial  sea, 
which  was  rufiled  by  depression  in  business, 
bank  failures  and  panics,  in  1893.  Careful  and 
capable  management  has  characterized  this  in- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


609 


stitution  from  its  inception,  and  the  state  of 
its  tinances  is  excellent.  It  has  paid  in  divi- 
dends $78,000,  and  placed  to  the  account  of 
surphis.  $50,000,  and  to  undivided  profits, 
S25. 529.95.  The  ot-ficers  of  the  bank  are,  A. 
E.  Krise.  president:  Captain  Jnlm  L.  Roper, 
vice-president:  B.  W.  Leigh,  cashier;  and  F.  A. 
Porter,  assistant  cashier.  Its  directory  includes 
nianv  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of 
the  city,  as  follows;  John  L.  Roper:  Barton 
Mvers :  R.  A.  Dodson :  C.  \V.  Fentress ;  Floyd 
Hughes;  S.  L.  Foster;  S.  O.  Collins:  W.  T. 
Simcoe;  \V.  H.  Minor;  John  Sheridan:  D.  F. 
Donovan ;  A.  E.  Krise :  and  B.  \\'.  Leigh.  The 
City  National  Bank  is  a  United  States  deposi- 
tary; City  depositary  and  United  States  Court 
dept)sitary.  Its  principal  correspondents  are 
the  Chemical  National  Bank  of  New  York,  the 
Independent  National  Bank  of  Philadelphia, 
.and  the  Drovers'  &  ^Mechanics'  National  Bank 
of  Baltimore.  The  bank  occupies  its  own 
building  on  Main  street,  which  is  most  complete 
in  its  arrangements  for  carrying  on  this  line  of 
business.  The  safes  are  probably  the  largest  of 
their  kind  in  the  city,  weighing  16.000  pounds. 
They  are  of  special  construction,  consisting  of 
four  distinct  safes  within  a  safe,  each  having  its 
individual  safe  lining,  and  so  divided  that  each 
is  independent  of  the  other.  There  are  also 
four  large  valuts  for  the  deposit  of  silverware 
and  other  valuables. 


mnin '  II  ifi .  II     • 

LAWRENCE  GRONER.  an  attor- 
ney-at-law.  of  Norfolk.  Virginia,  has 
been  unqualifiedly  successful  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  has  es- 
tablished a  reputation  for  himself  as 
a  lawyer  throughout  the  State.  He  was  the  Re- 
publican nominee  for  attorney  general  of  Vir- 
ginia in  1901,  and  added  greatly  to  the  strength 
of  the  party  ticket.  He  comes  of  a  distin- 
guished family  of  Virginia,  being  a  son  of  Gen- 
eral Virginius  Despeaux  Groner.  whose  sketch 
-appears  on  another  page  of  this  book,  and  a 


grandson  of  the  late  Judge  John  A.  Campbell, 
formerly  one  of  the  justices  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court. 

Air.  Groner  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Septem- 
ber 6,  1872,  and  received  his  early  education  in 
old  Hanover  Academy.  He  then  attended 
Washington  and  Lee  University  for  three  ses- 
sions, after  which  he  spent  two  years  in  the 
city  of  Chicago  in  an  important  position  in  the 
World's  Fair  of  1893.  Returning  from  Chica- 
go, in  1893.  he  entered  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia and  completed  the  course  in  law.  He  has 
since  been  engaged  in  practice  in  Norfolk,  and 
in  his  clientage  are  manv  prominent  residents 
and  business  firms,  both  of  his  own  and  other 
cities. 

Although  Mr.  Groner  has  always  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  politics  and  in  the  success  of 
the  Republican  partv.  he  has  never  accepted 
the  nomination  for  any  oftice  except  in  the  line 
of  his  profession.  During  various  campaigns 
he  has  "stumped"  the  State  and  is  exceedingly 
popular  with  all  classes.  He  is  possessed  of 
ability  as  an  orator,  never  failing  to  impress  his 
hearers  by  his  earnest  and  convincing  manner. 

On  April  11.  1898,  Mr.  Groner  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Anne  Reed  Vaughan.  a 
daughter  of  Col.  John  N.  Vaughan,  of  Nor- 
folk. 


ON.  F.  M.  WHITEHURST.  a  native 
of  Princess  Anne  County.  Virginia. 
descended  from  Richard  Whitehurst, 
one  of  its  first  settlers,  was  born  De- 
cember I.  1835. 
He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  coun- 
ty and  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  w-as  taking  the 
law  course  at  the  University  of  Virginia  when 
the  war  between  the  States  broke  out.  Upon 
the  secession  of  Virginia,  he.  immediately  en- 
tered the  service  bv  enlisting  in  Company  F, 
6th  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  and  serving 
as  private,  then  as  first  lieutenant,  commanding 
a  company  until  the  springing  of  the  mine 
around  Petersburg.  The  last  year  of  the  war 
he  spent  in  prison. 


6ic 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Since  tlie  war  he  has  pursued  his  profes- 
sion, except  for  six  vears,  when  he  was  judge 
of  the  court  of  his  native  county.  At  preseni, 
and  since  1884  he  lias  been  the  senior  member 
of  the  firm  of  Whitehurst  &  Hughes,  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia. 


£N.  VIRGINIUS  DESPEAUX 
GRONER,  one  of  Norfolk's  most 
distinguished  citizens  and  business 
men,  served  with  high  honors 
throughout  the  Confederate  War.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  September  7, 
1836.  and  is  a  son  of  George  Groner. 

George  Groner  was  born  in  Germany  and 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1827,  landing 
in  New  York  City.  He  shortly  afterward  came 
to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits. He  married  Eliza  Newell,  who  came  of 
a  prominent  old  family  of  Virginia.  Her 
brother  served  as  a  member  of  Capt.  Arthur 
Emmerson's  company  of  light  artillery,  in  the 
repulse  of  the  British  at  Craney  Island,  during 
the  War  of  1812.  Her  grandfather.  Captain 
Robert  Newell,  commanded  a  privateer  in  the 
Continental  service  during  the  Revolutionary 
War, 

General  Groner  was  reared  in  Norfolk  and 
educated  at  the  Norfolk  ^Military  Academy, 
from  which  he  graduated  with  honor  in  1S53. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  but  soon  after  west 
to  Texas  with  the  intention  of  purchasing  a 
ranch,  bearing  letters  to  Gov.  Samuel  Hous- 
ton, by  whom  he  was  received  with  courtesy, 
and  was  induced  to  abandon  his  project.  He 
was  appointed  by  the  Governor  to  Colonel  Bay- 
lor's command  of  Texas  Rangers.  He  served 
as  such  for  a  period  of  five  months  and  then, 
after  the  election  of  President  Lincoln,  started 
on  his  return  to  Virginia.  He  visited  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  and  was  commissioned  by  Gov- 
ernor Pettus  to  go  to  New  York  and  su- 
pervise the  shipiiient  of  rifies  to  Mississippi 
from  Springfield,  Massachusetts;     After-per- 


forming this  service  he  returned  to  Norfolk 
to  prepare  for  the  coming  conflict.  He 
received  several  communications  from  Gov- 
ernor Pickens,  of  South  Carolina,  and  then 
engaged  in  organizing  a  regiment  of  vol- 
teers  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  taking 
Fortress  IMonroe.  For  advice  in  regard  to 
this  enterprise  he  visited  Governor  Letcher  dur- 
ing the  session  of  the  Virginia  Convention,  ac- 
companied by  Adjutant-General  Richardson, 
and  bearing  a  letter  from  ex-Governor  Wise. 
Governor  Letcher  proposed  to  submit  their 
views  to>  the  convention,  but  fearing  that  such 
a  course  would  furnish  information  to  the  Fed- 
eral authorities,  he  declined  to  pursue  the  en- 
terprise. He  again  went  to  Jackson,  Missis- 
sippi, and  reported  to  Governor  Pettus.  He 
then  visited  President  Davis,  and  was  com- 
missioned, the  commission  being  confirmed  by 
!  the  Provisional  Congress,  as  assistant  adju- 
tant-general, with  the  rank  of  captain  in  the 
regular  army.  He  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
Montgomery,  under  L.  Polk  Walker,  the  first 
Secretary  of  War.  Among  his  first  duties  was 
the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of  Captain  Wor- 
den,  U.  S.  Navy,  who  had  been  permitted  to 
visit  the  defenses  at  Pensacola,  on  promising 
to  give  no  information,  and  to  report  to  the 
Confederate  authorities  on  his  return,  but  in- 
stead had  attempted  to  proceed  directly  to 
Washington.  Captain  Groner  had  the  distinc- 
tion of  transmitting  the  telegram  from  the  Sec- 
retary of  AVar  to  General  Beauregard,  ordering 
the  opening  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter.  Up- 
on the  removal  of  the  seat  of  the  Confederate 
government  to  Richmond,  Captain  Groner  was 
assigned  to  duty  in  the  War  Department  as  as- 
sitant  adjutant  general,  and  discharged  im- 
portant duties  in  connection  with  the  organi- 
zation of  troops.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  he  en- 
tered active  service  in  command  of  a  North 
Carolina  regiment  of  cavalry,  being  stationed 
on  the  Blackwater  River,  in  Virginia,  where 
he' had  several  skirmishes  with  the  nth  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  Cavalry.  During  his  first 
Maryland  campaign  he  commanded  the  61  st 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  with  headquar- 


A.    J.    PHILLIPS. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


613 


ters  at  W'arrenton,  Virginia.  Upon  the  return 
of  tlie  army  to  Culjieper  Court  House  lie  held 
W'arrenton,  in  command  of  his  own  regiment, 
a  regiment  of  Mississippi  infantry,  and  two 
batteries,  until  the  advance  of  !McClellan  com- 
pelled his  withdrawal,  when  in  obedience  to 
orders  he  moved  to  the  Ra])pahannock,  njiijo- 
site  Falmouth.  Here  he  observed  the  ad\-ance 
of  the  Federal  Army.  Informing  General  Lee 
of  the  situation,  he  was  ordered  to  hold  the  ford 
if  he  could,  and  if  not,  to  rejoin  the  army  on 
the  line  of  the  North  Anna.  The  Rappahan- 
nock was  very  high,  and  consequently  the 
Northern  Army  was  greatly  delayed.  Lee  con- 
centrated his  forces  at  Fredericksburg  and  held 
that  line  many  months,  two  of  the  great  battles 
of  the  war  being  fought  there.  Colonel  Gron- 
er's  regiment  became  a  part  of  Mahone's  Bri- 
gade, and  upon  the  promotion  of  the  latter  to 
be  a  major-general.  Colonel  Groner,  on  many 
occasions,  commanded  the  brigade.  After  the 
final  surrender  at  Appomattox  Court  House, 
he  rode  to  Richmond  and  was  the  recipient  of 
kind  attention  from  Generals  Ord  and  Patrick. 
At  Norfolk,  however,  the  general  in  command 
treated  the  Confederate  officers  with  such  in- 
dignity that  Colonel  Groner  reported  his  con- 
duct to  General  Grant,  who  promptly  retired 
the  offender  from  command.  At  this  time  be- 
gan his  friendship  for  Grant,  which  continued 
with  unabated  warmth  until  the  latter" s  death. 
Upon  the  close  of  the  war  General  Groner 
turned  his  attention  to  business  affairs,  and  in 
the  time  which  has  since  elapsed  has  fostered 
and  promoted  many  enterprises  which  have 
brought  him  prominently  before  the  public.  He 
served  as  one  of  the  two  Virginia  commission- 
ers at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at 
Chicago,  in  1893.  .\1x)Ut  1888  he  purchased 
of  the  W.  E.  Tavlor  and  Camp  estates  several 
acres  of  land,  with  water-front  on  Elizabeth 
River,  extending  from  .\venue  B.  in  Atlantic 
City  Ward.  He  erected  a  bridge  over  a  space 
of  water  out  to  a  point  where  there  is  naviga- 
tion and  there  built  several  oyster  houses.  The 
shells   from  these  houses  have  been  used   to 

fill  in  a  roadwav  to  the  mainland,  and  are  fast 
34 


making  the  foundation  for  a  large  area  of  prop- 
erty. It  is  General  Groner's  intention  to  make 
this  one  of  the  finest  wharfs  in  the  South  and 
when  it  is  completed  he  will  have  a  half  mile  of 
fine  dock  surface.  From  the  mainland,  he  has 
700  feet  of  private  dock,  then  800  feet  along  the 
Elizabeth  River,  600  feet  on  Tarrant  Creek, 
and  then  on  the  east  side  he  will  liave  fmm  800 
to  1 ,200  feet,  according  to  the  extent  of  future 
construction.  This  seems  like  a  gigantic  enter- 
prise, but  it  is  onlv  a  matter  of  a  few  years  be- 
fore large  buildings  will  appear  where  water, 
mud  and  shells  are  now  seen.  General  Groner 
has  filled  in  with  wrecked  vessels,  the  water- 
soaked  wood  making  a  fine  foundation  for 
terra  firma.  The  oyster  industry  at  Groner's 
wharf  has  grown  to  enormous  proportions, 
and  the  demand  for  shells  has  raised  the  price 
to  anywhere  from  1^/4  to  2 J/  cents  per  bushel. 
About  300,000  bushels  are  sold  yearly,  in  ad- 
dition to  those  which  are  used  for  filling  in. 

General  Groner  married  a  daughter  of 
John  A.  Campbell,  late  justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  and  they  have  three 
sons. 


J.  PHILLIPS,  a  leading  merchant 
of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  where  he 
owns  a  handsome,  large  drv  goods 
store  and  enjovs  a  splendid  patron- 
age, and  is  prominently  identified 
with  the  growth,  progress  and  develojiment  of 
Norfolk  County. 

yir.  Phillips  was  born  in  the  city,  which  has 
ever  been  his  home,  47  years  ago  and  received 
his  scholastic  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
Portsmouth.  At  the  age  of  1 1  years  he  was 
employed  by  the  Confederacy  as  a  messenger 
boy  in  the  Navy  Yard  at  Richmond.  Virginia. 
At  the  early  age  of  17  years  he  entered  the  real 
estate  business  and  is  still  connected  with  the 
principal  development  companies  of  his  section. 
He  has  been  a  promoter  and  an  active  niember 
of  all  i)f  the  Pinner's  Point  companies,  being 
at   the  present  time  vice-president  of  two  of 


•6i4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


them,  and  president  of  two  or  three  others.  He 
was  also  instrumental  in  securing  the  location 
of  a  shipyard  at  that  point.  He  is  one  of  the 
early  stockholders  of  the  Cotton  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  and  is  president  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Dime  Savings  Bank,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  prime  organizers.  He  is  also  sec- 
retary and  a  director  of  the  Norfolk,  Ports- 
mouth &  Newport  News  Railway  Company, 
.and  is  a  member  of  its  executive  committee. 

Mr.. Phillips  entered  the  dry-goods  business 
in  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Ports- 
mouth Dime  Savings  Bank,  in  partnership  with 
W.  C.  Nash,  under  the  firm  name  of  Phillips 
■&  Nash.  This  firm  conducted,  with  marked 
success,  a  large  retail  dry  goods  business  for 
seven  years.  Mr.  Phillips  then  withdrew  from 
the  business,  selling  his  interest  to  Mr.  Nash. 
Shortly  afterward  Mr.  Phillips  found  a 
more  desirable  location  and  opened  a  similar 
business  of  his  own.  The  business  increased 
SO'  rapidly  that  it  became  necessary  to  have 
more  store  room  and  better  accommoda- 
tions, and  in  1894  he  removed  to  his 
present  building,  located  at  Nos.  302-304 
High  street.  This  store  is  among  the 
largest,  handsomest  and  most  commodious 
to  be  found  in  the  city  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  most  important  mercantile 
features  of  Portsmouth.  The  building  occu- 
pied is  three  stories  high,  and  is  well  stocked 
with  dry  goods,  notions,  etc.  Eight  clerks  are 
employed  and  are  under  the  efficient  manage- 
ment of  Mr.  Parker,  who  sees  that  everything 
is  carried  on  without  friction. 

Politically  Mr.  Phillips  is  closely  allied  to 
the  Democratic  party,  and  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  a  daughter  of  the  late  O.  B. 
Sherwood,  a  pioneer  resident  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, and  for  many  years  a  business  man  of 
prominence  in  Portsmouth.  Mrs.  Phillips  has 
one  brother,  C.  S.  Sherwood,  a  jeweler  of  the 
same  city.  Mr.  Phillips  and  his  estimable  wife 
Tiave  an  interesting  family,  consisting  of  two 


sons  and  five  daughters.     One  son,  C.  S.,  is  a 
reliable  bookkeeper  in  the  Bank  of  Commerce. 
Fraternally  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of    Pythias,     Royal    Arcanum,    Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men  and  several  other 
organizations.     The  large  and  successful  bus- 
iness he  has  built  up  forms  the  most  substantial 
monument  to  his  energy,  and  proves  his  talent 
for  correctly  judging  the  needs  of  people,  and 
his  superior  ability  in  catering  to  their  wants. 
He  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  great  personal  en- 
terprise, and  of  commendable  and  most  help- 
ful public  spirit.    It  may  be  said  of  the  various 
enterprises  with  which  he  is  connected  that  to 
his  wise  counsel  and  energetic  management  is 
due  much  of  the  success  they  have  attained. 
As  an  active  member  of  the  Portsmouth  Bus- 
iness Men's  Association,  Mr.  Phillips  endorses 
every  movement  calculated  to  advance  the  in- 
terests of  Portsmouth  and  is  justly  regarded 
as  one  of  her  foremost  citizens.     His  portrait 
accompanies  this  sketch. 


OSEPH  R.  IVES  &  COMPANY,  real 

estate   dealers   of   Norfolk,   Virginia. 

Some  of  the  most  enterprising  citizens 

of  the  city  of  Norfolk  are  engaged  in 

the  real-estate  business.    They  are  men 

of  energy  and  ability  and  the  great  increase  in 

population,  trade  and  natural  development  is 

in  large  part  due  to  their  efforts. 

Joseph  R.  Ives,  of  the  firm  of  Joseph  R. 
Ives  &  Company,  stands  in  the  front  rank  of 
the  younger  and  more  active  dealers  in  real  es- 
tate in  this  section,  and  is  also  treasurer  of 
the  Norfolk  Land  &  Trust  Company,  and  di- 
rector in  several  other  companies.  Mr.  Ives 
possesses  all  the  talents  necessary  to  a  success- 
ful career.  He  received  ample  business  educa- 
tion and  careful  training  in  real-estate  opera- 
tions. 

The  firm  is  thoroughly  reliable  and  trust- 
worthy and  deals  largely  in  city  and  suburban 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


615 


properties  and  makes  a  specialty  of  farming, 
trucking  and  timber  lands.  This  firm  values 
proi>erties  and  negotiates  loans  on  all  kinds  of 
securities. 

Mr.  Ives  first  saw  the  light  of  day  near 
Hickory  Ground  in  Norfolk  County  and  if  nat- 
ural ability,  fair  dealings  and  strict  integrity 
count  for  anything  his  recortl  will  be  an  honor 
to  his  native  countrv  and  his  state. 


HARLES  A.  STEWART  comes  of  a 
distinguished  family  of  Virginia, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  Charles  and 
Catharine  Matilda  I  Garrett)  Stew- 
art. The  records  of  the  family  go 
back  on  the  paternal  side  to  Charles  Stewart, 
great-grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  bio- 
graphy, a  sketch  of  whom  is  embraced  in  that 
of  Colonel  \\'illiam  H.  Stewart  on  another  page 
of  this  volume.  A  maternal  ancestor  was 
William  Moseley,  a  justice  of  the  County 
Court  from  1650  until  his  death,  who  came  to 
Norfolk  County  from  Riitterdam,  Holland,  in 
1649.  Blandinah  Moseley,  who  married  Rev. 
John  Braidfoot,  a  chaplain  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War,  was  the  great-granddaughter  of  Will- 
iam Moseley  through  his  son,  Arthur,  and 
grandson,  Arthur,  and  was  the  great-grand- 
mother of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  After  the 
death  of  ^Ir.  Braidfoot,  his  widow  married 
Willis  ^\'ilkins,  and  her  daughter  by  this  union 
was  the  grandmother  of  Charles  A.  Stewart. 

Mr.  Stewart  obtained  his  education  in  the 
common  schools,  at  William  R.  Gait's  school, 
Norfolk,  Virginia.  Eaton  &  Burnett's  Business 
College,  Baltimore,  Marvland,  and  the  Colum- 
bian University,  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he 
studied  law.  In  1878  he  printed  and  published 
a  small  weekly  paper  at  \\'allaceton,  and  after- 
ward worked  on  the  reportorial  stafY  of  the 
Portsmouth  Daily  Times,  as  local  editor,  a  po- 
sition which  he  resigned  in  the  fall  of  1879, 
to  take  the  management  of  "Beechwood"  farm. 
He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Democratic  Congres- 
sional Convention  at  \'irginia  Beach  in  Sep- 
tember,   1884,   and   the  Democratic   Guberna- 


torial Convention  at  Richmimd.  in  1885.  which 
nominated  Fitzhugh  Lee. 

September  i,  1886,  he  was  appointed  to  a 
clerkship  in  the  United  States  Treasury  De- 
partment, at  ^\'ashi^gton,  D.  C,  and  was  as- 
signed to  the  office  of  Comptroller  of  the  Cur- 
rency, having  successfully  passed  an  examina- 
tion before  the  United  States  Civil  Service 
Commission  in  March  of  that  year.  Since  en- 
tering the  Department  he  has  been  promoted 
a  number  of  times  and  at  present  holds  a  re- 
sponsible position  in  that  branch  of  the  service 
which  has  charge  of  the  affairs  of  insolvent 
National  banks.  After  locating  in  \\'ashington 
Mr.  Stewart  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp  Canal  traversing  Norfolk  County, 
and  by  a  series  of  newspaper  letters,  published 
in  Philadelphia  and  Washington  jiapers,  as- 
sisted in  no  small  degree  in  drawing  attention 
to  this  neglected  water-way,  which  has  recently 
been  reconstructed,  and  is  now  one  of  the  finest 
canals  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  Mr.  Stewart's 
legal  residence  is  Norfolk  County,  but  at  pres- 
ent he  resides  at  the  suburban  town  of  Falls 
Church.  Virginia,  where  he  is  a  vestryman  of 
"The  Falls  (Episcopal)  Church,"  built  in  co- 
lonial times,  George  Washington  having  been 
connected  therewith  as  vestryman. 

Mr.  Stewart  is  a  member  of  the  Virginia 
Society,  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution.  His 
military  record  is  three  years  service  in  the 
National  Guard  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 
He  intermarried  with  Marv  Isabella  Tabb,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  B.'  Tabb,  of  Norfolk 
County,  December  6,  1887,  and  they  have  two 
daughters  and  one  son,  namely:  Elizabeth 
Tabb,  born  ^larch  6,  1890:  Catharine  Maud, 
born  November  23,  1891 ;  and  Charles  A.,  Jr., 
born  July  30,  1900. 


AJ.  A.  MYERS,  one  of  Norfolk's 
most  prominent  and  progressive 
citizens,  is  manager  of  the  Equita- 
ble Life  Assurance  Society  of  the 
United  States.  This  is  one  of  the 
greatest,  strongest  and  most  progressive  life 


6i6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


insurance  companies  in  the  world,  and  under 
the  efficient  management  of  our  subject  com- 
mands a  leading  patronage  in  the  city  of  Nor- 
folk and  this  section. 

Major"  Myers  is  a  Confederate  veteran  of 
rank  and  honor,  bearing  an  excellent  record  for 
service  during  the  Confederate  War.  He  was 
a  staff  officer  and  his  military  title  has  clung  to 
him  throughout  the  years  that  have  elapsed 
since  the  war.  He  was  a  merchant  during  his 
early  days,  but  after  the  war  entered  the  real- 
estate  business,  a  keen  foresight  and  good  judg- 
ment pointing  out  to  him  a  new  leasehold  on 
proseperity  in  the  South.  His  wisdom  was 
soon  made  apparent,  and  by  energetic  and  well 
directed  efforts  he  established  a  large  business 
in  Norfolk,  doing  much  to  advertise  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  community  in  distant  cities 
and  States.  The  natural  result  was  a  great  in- 
flux of  people  which  has  been  of  incalculable 
benefit   to   Norfolk. 

Major  Myers  served  in  the  City  Council 
and  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates  of 
Virginia,  representing  his  constituents  accept- 
ably in  both  offices.  He  is  also  a  prominent 
Thirty-second  degree  A.  A.  Scottish  Rite  Ma- 
son; an  Hon.  Grand  Cross  of  the  Court  of 
Honor,  a  member  of  Grice  Commandery,  No. 
i6,  Knights  Templar  and  Acca  Temple  of  the 
i^Iystic  Shrine,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of 
his  fellow  citizens  to  a  marked  degree. 


ENNETH  A.  BAIN,  attorney  and 
counselor-at-law,  is  a  son  of  Robert  T. 
K.  and  Amelia  (Benson)  Bain,  and 
was  born  in  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia. 
After  a  preparatory  course  in  the  schools 
of  Portsmouth  and  elsewhere  in  the  State,  he 
attended  the  Universitv  of  Virginia,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  and  where  he  then  prosecuted 
his  legal  studies. 

The  first  vears  of  Mr.  Bain's  business  life 
were  devoted  to  teaching,  and  in  that  vocation 


he  occupied  important  and  responsible  positions 
in  some  of  the  most  noted  high  schools  and 
academies  of  Virginia.  He  has  been  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  city  since 
1896,  and  now  has  an  office  at  No.  408  Court 
street. 

Mr.  Bain  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments, 
a  deep  student,  and  possessed  of  sound  judg- 
ment and  good  business  perceptions.  His  abil- 
ity as  a  lawyer  is  recognized  wherever  he  is 
known. 


LEXANDER  E.  WARNER,  born  in 
the  city  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  was 
admitted  tO'  the  bar  in  li 


ILLIAM  A.  FISKE,  the  proprietor 
of  the  principal  printery,  bookbind- 
ery  and  blank  book  manufactory 
in  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  is  the  sec- 
ond son  of  the  late  David  Dodge 
Fiske  and  Elizabeth  Bryant  Stevens,  his  wife, 
and  was  born  in  that  city  May  9,  1840. 

The  business  was  established  by  his  father 
in  the  "thirties"  and  continued  by  him  uninter- 
ruptedly (except  for  a  few  months  during  the 
yellow  fever  epidemic  in  1855),  until  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  between  the  States  in  1861, 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  joined  the  Con- 
federate Army  as  a  private  in  Company  B, 
3rd  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  while  a 
younger  brother,  Melzar  Gardner  Fiske,  in  his 
1 6th  year,  entered  Comnany  K,  9th  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantry,  and  was  mortally  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill.  Mr.  Fiske 
served  with  Company  B  throughout  the  strug- 
gle ;  was  wounded  and  captured  at  the  battle  of 
Five  Forks ;  removed  to  the  Federal  prison 
at  Point  Lookout,  and  released  from  there  at 
the  close  of  hostilitiies. 

The  business  was  abandoned  soon  after  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  all  the  practical  printers 
in  town  having  joined  the  Confederate  Army, 


i 


► 


DR.    FRANK    ANTHONY    WALKE. 


AND    REPIiESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


619 


and  tlie  plant,  including  the  equipment  of  The 
Daily  Triiiiscrif>t  newspaper,  confiscated  by  the 
Federal  military  forces  when  they  occupied 
Portsmouth. 

Stx^n  after  his  release  from  prison  Mr. 
Fiske,  together  with  his  father,  re-established 
the  business  with  an  entirely  new  plant,  in- 
cluding newsiKiper  outfit.  The  newspaper,  not 
proving  remunerative,  was  soon  discontinued 
and  the  energies  of  the  firm  devoted  entirely 
to  the  other  branch  of  the  business,  of  which 
Mr.  Fiske  has  been  in  full  control  since  the 
death  of  his  father,  in  July,  1S70. 

Mr.  Fiske  is  inclined  to  be  quiet  and  retir- 
ing in  disposition.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics: represented  Portsmouth  in  the  \'irginia 
House  of  Delegates,  session  1876-77,  and  was 
apjK)inted  postmaster  of  Portsmouth  by  Presi- 
dent Cleveland  during  the  latter's  first  adminis- 
tration. In  his  younger  years  Mr.  Fiske  was 
active  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  has  filled  all 
the  principal  chairs  in  the  several  IMasonic 
bodies :  he  is  also  a  Pythian  and  past  exalted 
ruler  of  the  Portsmouth  Lodge,  B.  P.  O.  E. 

Mr.  Fiske  is  still  actively  engaged  in  busi- 
ness at  No.  108  High  street,  where  the  plant 
has  been  located  for  the  past  35  years.  Al- 
though h.andicapped  by  unfavorable  conditions 
and  circumstances  he  has,  by  hard  work  and 
close  application,  built  up  a  business  which 
is  a  credit  to  Portsmouth  and  speaks  well  for 

him. 

♦-•-• ■ — 


R.  FRANK  ANTHONY  WALKE. 
one  of  the  leading  members  of  the 
medical  profession  of  Norfolk.  \'ir- 
ginia,  whose  portrait  appears  here- 
with, comes  of  a  very  prominent  \^ir- 
ginia  family.  He  was  born  in  Princess 
Anne  County,  X'ireinia.  October  i,  183 1. 
and  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Sir  Thomas 
^^'alke.  an  admiral  of  the  Dutch  Na\y, 
who  landed  on  the  shores  oi  Chesapeake 
Bay  in  the  immediate  \icinity  of  Norfolk, 
in     1632.        There    were    three    members    of 


the  House  of  Burgesses  bearing  tlie  name 
of  Anthony  W'alke.  in  the  first  half  of 
the  eighteenth-  century.  One  of  these  mar- 
ried Jane  Randolph,  of  Curl's  Neck,  Virginia, 
on  the  James  River.  She  was  a  granddaughter 
of  Thomas  Rolfe,  a  son  of  Pocahontas. 

Dr.  W'alke's  father,  John  Newton  Walke, 
was  a  farmer  in  Princess  Anne  County.  He 
married  ]\Iary  Land,  also  a  native  of  Princess 
Anne  County,  He  died  at  the  age  of  31  years 
and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  18  years.  John  Ran- 
dolph, the  "Sage  of  Roanoke,"  was  related  to 
the  W'alke  family,  being  a  nephew  of  James 
Randolph,  wife  of  Anthony  W'alke. 

Dr.  W'alke  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Norfolk,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia ;  in  Jefifer- 
son  County,  Virginia  ( now  West  \'irginia)  ; 
at  the  high  school  at  Alexandria,  Virginia;  at 
Concord  Academy,  in  Caroline  County,  Vir- 
ginia ;  and  at  the  Universities  of  Virginia  and 
of  Pennsylvania.  He  took  a  course  in  medi- 
cine in  the  latter  institution  and  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1851.  He  then  entered  the  United 
States  Navy  as  assistant  surgeon,  his  first  ser- 
vice being  on  the  old  warship,  "Princeton." 
He  was  stationed  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Hospital 
at  Portsmouth,  in  1855,  and  went  through  the 
yellow  fever  epidemic  of  that  year.  The  hos- 
pital was  thrown  open  to  the  afflicted,  and  the 
city  of  Portsmouth  presented  Dr.  W'alke  with 
a  gold  medal  as  a  token  of  appreciation  of  his 
services.  In  1857  he  left  the  navy  and  opened 
a  drug  store  in  Norfolk,  also  engaging  in  the 
practice  of  medicine.  After  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Intersectional  War.  in  1861,  he  joined 
the  Confederate  Army  as  a  member  of  the  13th 
North  Carolina  Regiment,  with  the  rank  of 
surgeon.  At  the  end  of  six  months  he  was 
transferred  to  the  46th  Regiment.  \"irginia  In- 
fantry,, and  served  in  that  command  until  the 
surrender  at  Appomattox.  He  hen  returned  to 
Norfolk  and  resumed  his  practice.  He  sub- 
sequently lived  and  practiced  in  Charles  City 
County,  and  Appomattox  Countv.  but  returned 
to  Norfolk  in  1878.     He  opened  another  drug 


620 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


store,  which  he  conducted  until  1898,  since 
whicli  time  he  has  devoted  his  entire  time  to 
the  practice  of  medicine. 

Dr.  Walke  is  surgeon  of  Pickett-Buchanan 
Camp,  Confederate  Veterans,  of  Norfolk,  and 
is  surgeon  general  of  the  United  Confederate 
Veterans  of  Virginia.  He  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried, first  in  1852,  to  Anna  Maria  Baylor.  He 
was  again  married  in  November,  1896,  to  Belle 
W.    Tunstall,   but   has   no  children  by   either 

union. 

4  « » 


OHN  C.  ASHTON  is  a  native  of  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  Countv,  Virginia.  He 
is  a  son  of  John  Newton  Ashton,  a 
native  of  King  George  County,  Vir- 
ginia, but  who  became  a  resident  of 
Portsmouth  in  the  year  1839.  He  was  of  the 
Ashton  family  that  immigrated  to  Virginia 
about  the  year  1625  and  settled  in  Westmore- 
land County. 

John  Newton  Ashton  married  Ellen  Cocke, 
a  daughter  of  John  Cocke,  who  has  been  a  res- 
ident of  Portsmouth  since  1829.  Mr.  Cocke 
was  a  descendant  of  Richard  Cocke,  who  im- 
migrated from  Worcestershire,  England,  and 
settled  at  Malvern  Hill,  Henrico  County,  Vir- 
ginia, about  the  year  1626.  John  Cocke  and 
John  Newton  Ashton  were  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful merchants  in  Portsmouth  for  many 
years  and  both  of  them  occupied  positions  of 
honor  under  the  municipal  government. 

John  C.  Ashton,  the  subject  of  this  bio- 
graphy, attended  the  public  and  private  schools 
in  Virginia  up  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  Con- 
federate War.  While  the  war  was  in  progress 
he  volunteered  for  service  in  the  Norfolk  Light 
Artillery  Blues,  which  company  was  afterward 
known  as  Company  C,  Richardson's  Battalion 
of  Artillery,  and  participated  in  all  of  the  bat- 
tles in  which  his  battery  was  engaged  after  his 
enlistment.  He  was  finally  made  a  prisoner  of 
war,  with  his  entire  company,  at  the  fall  of 
Petersburg  in  April,  1865,  and  was  imprisoned 
at  Point  Lookout,  Maryland,  for  a  few  months. 


Since  the  war  Mr.  Ashton  has  been  a  member 
of  Stonewall  Camp,  Confederate  Veterans,  and 
for  several  years  past  has  been  treasurer  of 
that  organization. 

In  1869  he  established  himself  in  mercantile 
business  in  Portsmouth,  which  he  still  controls. 
In  1886  Mr.  Ashton  was  appointed  superin- 
tendent of  public  schools  for  the  citv  of  Ports- 
mouth, which  oiifice  he  has  held  continuously  to 
the  present  time.  Under  his  superintendence 
the  schools  have  increased  in  number  from  20 
to  38  and  the  course  of  study  has  been  ex- 
tended. 

In  1888  the  Public  High  School  was  estab- 
lished, which  prepares  its  graduates  for  en- 
trance into  colleges  and  State  Universities  and 
into  the  United  States  Academies  at  Annapolis 
and  West  Point. 

In  1880  Mr.  Ashton  was  married  to  Martha 
E.  Cole,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  William  Cole,  of 
Prince  George  County,  Virginia.  They  have 
one  child,  a  daughter. 


INDSEY  McD.  SILVESTER,  clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court  at  Portsmonth,  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  the  city  of  Norfolk 
June  13,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  W. 
W.  and  Virginia  L.  (Lindsay)  Silves- 
ter, natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
respectively. 

Mr.  Silvester  is  a  grandson  of  Dr.  R.  W. 
Silvester,  who  attained  success  in  Norfolk  as 
a  practitioner  of  medicine.  Dr.  Silvester  was 
the  father  of  the  following  children :  Richard, 
deceased;  William,  who  died  of  yellow  fever  in 
1855 ;  Keeling,  who  was  killed  while  serving 
in  the  army  during  the  Confederate  War ;  Mar- 
garet, who  died  of  yellow  fever;  Lydia,  wife 
of  R.  C.  Taylor,  of  Norfolk,  she  being  the  only 
surviving  child ;  and  W.  W.  It  is  an  old  Vir- 
ginia family  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  the 
first  county  records  in  1637  refer  to  the  family 
as  one  of  the  earliest  established  here.  They 
have  always  been  prominent  in  the  county. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


021 


\\".  W.  Silvester  was  lx)rn  in  Virginia  and 
was  a  well-known  farmer  of  Norfolk  County. 
He  was  an  otticer  in  the  Commissary  Depart- 
ment, U.  S.  Army,  during  the  Confederate 
War.  He  always  took  a  deep  Interest  in  the 
political  attairs  of  the  county,  being,  after  the 
war,  a  stanch  Republican.  He  died  May  i8. 
1889,  and  was  buried  with  Masonic  rites.  His 
wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Lindsay,  of  Currituck 
County,  North  Carolina,  died  Tune  30,  1889. 
Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  six  of  whom 
are  living,  namely:  R.  \\'..  president  of  the 
Agricultural  College  (jf  Maryland;  Lindsey 
McD. ;  \\".  \\'.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real  es- 
tate business  in  Berkley,  Norfolk  County ; 
Lydia  E..  wife  of  Harry  Welch,  of  Detroit, 
Michigan  ;  Jane  B.,  of  Washington,  D.  C. :  and 
Margery  G.,  who  was  educated  in  Washington, 
D.  C.  and  is  now  engaged  in  teaching  in  the 
schools  of  that  citv. 

L.  M.  Silvester  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  Norfolk  County,  and  later  attended  the 
Virginia  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College, 
after  which  he  successfully  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, now  owning  two  farms  of  600  acres  each. 
His  farms,  which  are  located  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, are  well  improved  and  mainly  devoted  to 
grain  and  truck  raising-.  He  was  elected  clerk 
of  the  Circuit  Court  on  the  Republican  ticket 
in  1887,  and  has  been  twice  re-elected,  serv- 
ing in  a  highly  satisfactorv  manner. 

Mr.  Silvester  was  joined  in  marriage  De- 
cember 19,  1882,  with  Virginia  E.  Hurst,  a 
native  of  Norfolk  County  and  a  daughter  of 
Logan  and  Lucy  V.  Hurst  ( iice  Hughlett),  old 
residents  of  the  county.  Her  parents  died  when 
she  was  an  infant,  and  she  was  reared  by  her 
grandmother,  Virginia  Fauntleroy  Hughlett 
(nee  Edwards).  Five  children  have  blessed 
this  union:  Logan  W.,  who  is  attending  the 
Norfolk  Academy ;  Stewart  Leigh ;  Lucy  H. ; 
L.  M.,  Jr.;  and  Virginia.  Mrs.  Silvester  is 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  subject  of  this  biograiihv  is  a  member  of 
the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  is  a  man  who  stands 
high  among  his  fellow  citizens.     He  is  a  de- 


voted and  affectionate  husband  and  father,  a 
kind  neighbor,  charitable  to  the  ixjor  and  highly 
respected  by  all  classes  of  people. 


RTHUR  EMMERSON  WILSON,  a 

highly  respected  and  popular  citizen 
of  Portsmouth,  was  born  at  the  old 
Wilson  homestead  on  North  street  in 
that  city  on  the  3rd  day  of  September, 
1832,  and  died  in  1896.  He  was  educated  at 
the  University  of  Virginia.  During  the  yellow 
fever  ei)idemic  in  1855  he  remained  in  the  city 
heroically  devoting  his  time  to  nursing  the  un- 
fortunate victims. 

In  June.  1861,  Mr.  Wilson  was  a])i)ointed 
captain  .\.  C.  S.  in  the  14th  Regiment,  Vir- 
ginia Infantry,  C.  S.  Army,  and  was  afterward 
detached  as  purchasing  agent  and  quartermas- 
ter. He  was  captured  by  Kilj^atrick  on  the  raid 
through  King  William  County  and  after  be- 
ing exchanged  resumed  his  duty  in  the  counties 
between  the  York  and  Rappahannock  Rivers. 
He  served  faithfully  through  the  war  and  was 
paroled  on  the  surrender  of  General  Lee.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  Stonewall  Camp,  Con- 
federate Veterans,  in  July,  1884. 

After  the  war  Mr.  Wilson  went  into  the 
drug  business  with  John  N.  Williams  in  Nor- 
folk, continuing  until  he  began  business  on  his 
own  account  in  Portsmouth,  which  he  pur- 
sued until  his  death. 

In  1856  Mr.  Wilson  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Annie  Taylor  Moler,  a  native  of  Jeffer- 
son County,  \\^est  Virginia,  a  daughter  of  Levi 
and  Esther  (Taylor)  Moler.  The  family  is 
English  and  the  great-great-grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Wilson  had  a  grant  of  land  in  the  Vir- 
ginia Valley  from  the  English  Crown.  Levi 
':  Moler  and  his  wife  were  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, namely:  Lee  H.,  who  was  a  captain  in 
the  Confederate  Armv,  serving  with  Gen. 
"Stonewall"  Jackson,  and  at  the  present  time 
resides  in  Shq:)herdstown,  \\'est  Virginia; 
Mary  E.,  deceased;  and  Annie  Taylor,  widow 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


622 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\'ilson  reared  four  children, 
of  whom  two  are  living:  Esther  Murdaugh 
and  Anna  Fleet,  the  latter  the  wife  of  Claudius 
W.  Murdaugh.  \\'illiam  Lee,  born  in  1858, 
died  at  the  age  of  39  years,  and  Arthur  Tay- 
lor, born  in  1873,  died  at  the  age  of  28  years. 

The  father  of  Arthur  Emmerson  Wilson 
was  William  H.  Wilson,  who  was  clerk  of  the 
Norfolk  County  Court  for  eight  years,  when 
he  resigned  to  become  cashier  of  the  Bank  of 
Virginia,  in  which  place  he  served  until  the 
occupation  of  Portsmouth  by  the  Federal 
forces  in  1862.  He  first  married  Ellen  Keel- 
ing, daughter  of  Rev.  Jacob  Keeling,  of  Suf- 
folk, and  their  children  were:  Arthur  Em- 
merson ;  Sarah,  wife  of  Col.  James  G.  Hodges ; 
Lucrece.  wife  of  Col.  D.  J.  Godwin ;  and  Will- 
iam Holt.  His  second  wife  was  Margaret 
Murdaugh ;  they  had  one  child,  Mary,  wife  of 
Dr.  George  W.  O.  ]\Iaupin.  His  father  was 
A\'illiam  \\'ilson,  who  served  as  clerk  of  the 
Norfolk  County  Court  39  years,  whose  father 
was  John  Wilson,  colonel  of  Norfolk  County 
during  the  Re^•oIutionary  War.  Colonel  Wil- 
son had,  prior  to  that  war,  been  a  member  'of 
the  County  Court  and  a  colonial  military  offi- 
cer. He  was  an  ardent  and  enthusiastic  patriot, 
as  shown  by  his  letters  to  Gov.  Patrick  Henry. 
In  his  will  he  left  one  negro  girl,  a  legacy  to  a 
young  lady,  provided  she  did  not  marry  an 
enemy  of  the  American  Independence. 


RIFFIN  FAUXTLEROY  ED- 
\\'ARDS  has  been  a  practicing  attor- 
ney at  Portsmouth  since  his  admis- 
sion to  the  bar  in  1869,  and  has  at- 
tained success  in  his  profession. 
He  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
in  1843,  3nd  attended  bearding  school  in  North 
Carolina  two  and  one-half  years,  classical 
school  at  Norfolk  for  one  year,  and  was  at- 
tending Emory  and  Henry  College  when  the 
war  broke  out.  He  enlisted  in  the  61  st  Regi- 
ment,  Virginia   Infantry,   and   was   appointed 


sergeant-major.  He  was  later  adjutant  and 
participated  with  the  regiment  in  every  engage- 
ment until  he  was  wounded  at  Salem  Church, 
on  Friday,  prior  to  the  surrender  of  the  army 
at  Appomattox  Court  House  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing. After  the  surrender  of  General  Lee  Mr. 
Edwards  returned  home  to  Portsmouth  and 
qualified  as  deputy  to  his  father,  Leroy  G.  Ed- 
wards, who  was  clerk  of  the  Circuit  and  Coun- 
ty Courts  of  Norfolk  County.  He  served  as 
such  until  1866,  when  his  father  died  and  our 
subject  was  elected  clerk  in  his  stead.  He  filled 
the  office  until  removed  in  1869  by  the  jNIilitary 
Government  of  Virginia,  he  refusing  to  take  the 
iron-clad  oath.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1869  and  has  since  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law — the  past  20  years  as  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Edwards  &  Happer.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Virginia  State  Legislature  of  1879 
and  1880.  He  is  indenendent  in  politics.  He 
was  superintendent  of  schools  of  Portsmouth 
from  1882  to  1886.  He  has  been  commissioner 
of  accounts  since  1870.  He  is  a  member  of 
Stonewall  Camp,  Confederate  Veterans :  Sons 
of  the  American  Revolution;  and  the  Society 
for  the  Preservation  of  Virginia  Antiquities. 

Mr.  Edwards  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Isabel  Bilisoly,  daughter  of  Joseph  A.  Bilisoly, 
deceased,  and  they  have  one  son,  J.  Griffin, 
who  married  Martha  Nelson  Page  Boswell.  He 
was  educated  in  the  Christian  Brothers'  Col- 
lege at  Norfolk.  They  have  lost  one  son  by 
death,  Carl,  aged  six  years.  The  family  are 
members  of  the  Catholic  Qiurch,  although  the 
family  of  Mr.  Edwards  has  always  been  Epis- 
copalians. They  reside  at  No.  421  London 
street. 

His  fatlier,  LeRov  Griffin  Edwards,  was 
born  in  Northumberland  County,  Virginia,  and 
was  the  son  of  Griffin  Edwards  and  Priscilla, 
his  wife,  who  was  Priscilla  Lee,  daughter  of 
Kendall  Lee,  of  the  estate  of  "Ditchley,"  in 
that  county.  He  removed  to  Norfolk  County 
in  early  life  and  was  always  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  the  county.  He  was  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  1866,  president    of    the    Dismal 


► 


I 


I 


ALONZO   P.  CUTHRIELL. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


625 


Swamp  Canal  Company,  superintendent  of 
public  schools  and  clerk  of  the  County  and  Cir- 
cuit Courts  of  Norfolk  County.  He  was  close- 
ly related  to  the  well-known  Virg^inia  families 
of  Griffin,  Fauntleroy.  Lee,  Ball,  Bushrod, 
Fitzhugh  and  many  others  of  the  historical 
counties  of  Xorthumberland.  Lancaster,  \\'est- 
moreland  and  others  in  the  "Northern  Neck" 
of  Virginia.  He  married  Fannie  W.  Robbins, 
of  Norfolk  County,  whose  ancestors  were  of 
Norfolk  and  Gloucester  Counties,  respectively. 
Mr.  Edwards  was  a  man  of  high  literary  attain- 
ments and  very  popular.  He  left  three  sons 
and  one  daughter  :  John  Robins,  now  deceased, 
who  removed  to  Missouri  and  was  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  his  county;  LeRoy  Bushrod, 
of  this  city;  Griffin  Fauntleroy.  the  subject  of 
this  sketch :  and  Rosa  Lee,  the  wife  of  Capt. 
John  W.  Rapper,  of  Edwards  &  Happer. 


LONZO  P.  CUTHRIELL.  master 
painter  at  the  Norfolk  Na\y  Yard, 
a  portrait  of  whom,  engraved  from 
a  recent  photograph,  is  shown  on  the 
foregoing  page,  was  born  March  7. 
1856,  at  Norfolk,  \^irginia,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  Cuthriell. 

John  Cuthriell  was  born  near  Great  Bridge, 
in  Norfolk  County.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade  and  conducted  a  shoe  manufacturing  bus- 
iness. His  death  occurred  during  the  yellow 
fever  period,  in  1855.  He  married  Ellen  Stokes. 
who  was  also  born  near  Great  Bridge,  and 
died  in  Portsmouth.  October  23.  1881.  Those 
of  their  children,  who  are  living,  are :  Alonzo. 
P.;  Margaret  (Brown),  of  Portsmouth;  and 
James  C,  who  is  a  machinist  in  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard. 

Alonzo  P.  Cuthriell  was  reared  in  Ports- 
mouth, and  attended  the  private  schools  of  Mr. 
Simmons  and  Miss  Sarah  Custus.  His  first 
■work  was  for  Mr.  Ward,  in  a  barrel  factory. 
-\vhere   he  continued    10  or    12   months.      He 


then  served  an  apprenticeship  as  a  painter,  un- 
der John  Walton  and  Thomas  Vernilson,  and 
after  14  months  secured  a  position  in  the  Nor- 
folk Navy  Yard,  where  he  completed  his  ap- 
prenticeship. He  worked  as  a  journey  two 
years  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  B.  A. 
Richardson,  of  Norfolk,  for  whom  he  worked 
j  six  years.  He  was  appointed  bv  the  Secretary 
I  of  "the  Navy  as  quarterman.  in  charge  of 
i  painters  in  the  construction  department  at  the 
'  Norfolk  Navy  Yard  June  15.  1888.  This  po- 
sition he  held  until  October,  1900.  when  he 
was  appointed  master  painter  by  Hon.  John 
D.  Long.  Secretary  of  the  Navy.  He  has 
charge  of  the  paint-shop  and  \-arnish-room, 
finishing  all  the  fine  furniture  in  the  various 
vessels.  There  are  from  25  to  150  men  under 
his  charge,  with  an  average  of  40  constantly  at 
work.  He  had  charge  of  the  painting  of  the 
"Raleigh"  and  the  "Texas."  besides  many 
other  vessels  of  importance.  Mr.  Cuthriell 
makes  a  constant  study  of  paints  and  had  the 
honor  to  go  to  New  York  as  an  expert,  by  or- 
der of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  when  a  de- 
cision was  to  be  rendered  by  the  United  States 
government,  as  to  the  quality  of  paints. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in 
1878  to  Rosa  D.  Montague,  who  was  born  and 
,  reared  in  Portsmouth,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
James  R.  Montague.  Her  father  is  a  ship-car- 
penter by  trade  and  has  worked  most  of  his 
life  in  the  Navy  Yard.  He  is  now  over  70 
I  years  old.  He  married  Louisa  Guin.  who  is 
also  living.  Mr.  Cuthriell  and  his  wife  have 
three  children,  namely:  John  F..  who  is  at- 
tending Randolph-Macon  College,  and  prepar- 
ing for  the  ministry  ;  Nellie  L. :  and  Lyda  May. 
;Mr.  Cuthriell  has  always  been  a  prominent 
worker  in  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  he 
is  chairman  of  the  building  committee,  and  a 
member  of  the  board  of  stewards.  He  has  al- 
ways been  a  Republican  in  politics.  Socially 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum;  and 
Portsmouth  Lodge.  No.  16.  Knights  of  Pyth- 
ias, being  a  meml^er  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


626 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Virginia.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Fire  Company.  Mr.  Cuthriell  has  worked  un- 
tiringly and  with  a  determination  tO'  succeed, 
and  has  just  cause  to  be  proud  of  the  result. 
He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact. 


CGEXE  McCLELLAN  ISAAC,  who 

is  a  well-known  resident    of    Park 

Place,    Norfolk,   Virginia,   has   been 

in   the   United    States   naval   service 

for  many  years.      He  was  born   in 

Philadelphia,    Pennsylvania,  March   12,   1862, 

and  is  a  son  of  Gustave  Isaac. 

Gustave  Isaac,  who  was  born  in  Elberfeld, 
Germany,  in  1812,  immierated  to  this  country 
in  1833,  3nd  located  at  Philadelphia,  where  it 
was  not  long  before  he  became  one  of  the  larg- 
est importers  and  wholesale  dealers  in  leaf  to- 
bacco, his  business  increasing  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  where 
he  extensively  imported  leaf  tobacco  and  soon 
became  known  as  one  of  the  best  judges  of 
that  commodity  in  the  city.  He  had  unlimited 
credit  and  was  at  one  time  considered  one  of 
the  wealthiest  merchants  of  New  York.  Dur- 
ing the  Franco-Prussian  War  he  contracted 
with  the  government  of  Germany  to  furnish 
the  German  Army  with  tobacco  but,  owing  to  a 
failure  in  the  tobacco-  crop  and  the  soaring  of 
prices  he  lost  all  he  possessed  in  fulfilling  his 
contract.  A  luxurious  home  on  the  Hudson 
at  Dobb's  Ferry,  together  with  the  remainder 
of  his  property,  was  lost  in  this  unfortunate 
transaction.  He  never  fully  recovered  from 
the  effects  of  this  reverse,  and  subsequently  be- 
came a  broker  in  leaf  tobacco,  continuing  in 
that  business  imtil  his  death. 

Eugene  McClellan  Isaac  began  his  educa- 
tion in  a  private  school  on  Staten  Island,  then 
attended  high  school  in  New  York  City.  At 
the  age  of  14  years,  he  entered  a  military  acad- 
emy at  Tioga,  near  Philadelphia,  spent  one  year 
there,  then  returned  home  and  worked  in  his 


father's  office  for  a  short  time.  He  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  Ilfeld  &  Company,  general 
merchants  of  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico,  at  their 
branch  establishment  located  at  Plaza  del 
Alcalde,  New  Mexico.  Finding  that  a  com- 
mercial career  did  not  suit  him  he  returned 
to  the  East  within  nine  months  and  entered 
the  United  States  Navy  at  the  age  of  17 
years,  as  an  apprentice  on  board  the  U.  S. 
S.  "Minnesota,"  cruising  along  the  Atlantic 
seaboard  until  he  was  transferred  to  the  "Ports- 
mouth," which  sailed  for  the  West  Indies, 
stopping  at  most  of  the  ports  of  that  country, 
thence  to  the  Azore  Islands,  Portugal,  Madeira 
and  England.  He  was  transferred  to  the  "Van- 
dalia,"  which  vessel  was  afterward  lost  in  the 
Samoan  hurricane,  and  during  1881  and  1882. 
cruised  back  to  the  West  Indies,  then  to  New- 
foundland, where  he  was  located  during  the 
fishery  troubles.  Having  reached  his  majority 
he  re-enlisted  and  was  promoted  to  school  mas- 
ter and  continued  as  such  until  1886  on  board 
the  "New  Hampshire."  He  then  cruised  to  the 
Bermudas,  thence  to  the  West  Indies,  return- 
ing to  Norfolk,  where  his  second  term  of  enlist- 
ment expired.  He  concluded  to  give  up  the 
sea  and  took  a  position  as  cit\r  editor  on  the 
Norfolk  Evening  Nczvs,  which  he  retained  for 
nine  months  and  then,  as  the  paper  did  not 
prove  a  success,  re-enlisted  for  a  third  term 
in  the  navy  and  was  assigned  to  the  receiving 
ship  "Franklin."  He  remained  on  board  that' 
ship  as  detail  clerk  from  1887  until  1897,  when 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  mate  by  Theo- 
dore Roosevelt,  then  acting  Secretary  of  the 
Navy.  Mr.  Isaac  continued  in  that  position  un- 
til Julv  18,  1898.  when  he  was  again  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  boatswain,  which  he  now  holds, 
the  commission  being  signed  by  President 
McKinley.  During  the  war  with  Spain  he  was 
assigned  for  a  short  while  to  take  charge  of 
the  coast  signal  service  from  Cape  Charles  to 
Cape  Hatteras,  and  since  then  has  served  on 
board  the  battleship  "Iowa,"  on  which  vessel 
he  went  to  South  America,  thence  by  way  of 
the  Straits  of  Magellan  to  the  Pacific  Ocean, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


627 


visiting  all  the  jxirts  on  the  eastern  and  wes- 
tern coast  of  South  America.  He  cruised  on 
the  "Iowa"  wiiile  she  was  protecting  our  in- 
terests on  the  Pacific  Coast,  from  Puget  Sound 
to  Panama,  U.  S.  of  Colombia,  being  present 
during  the  revolution  there  in  1901-0.2  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  landing  of  U.  S.  marines  and 
blue-jackets  on  November  22,  1901,  to  pro- 
tect American  interests  along  the  line  of  the 
Panama  Railroad  and  in  the  cities  of  Panama 
and  Colon.  Mr.  Isaac  was  detached  from  the 
"Iowa"  while  at  Panama,  and  ordered  home, 
his  tour  of  sea  duty  having  expired,  subse- 
([uently  Ijeing  ordered  to  command  the  U.  S. 
S.  "Triton,"  at  Wa.shington,  D.  C. 

Mr.  Isaac  was  united  in  marriage  to  Rose 
Creekmur,  a  daughter  of  Charles  J.  and  Eliza- 
beth Creekmur,  and  they  have  one  son,  Louis 
C.  liorn  January  16,  1888,  who  is  now  at  home 
attending  school. 

Mrs.  Rose  C.  Isaac,  Mr.  Isaac's  wife,  is  a 
daughter  of  Charles  J.  Creekmur,  one  of  the 
.historic  figures  of  the  Confederate  War.  The 
latter  was  born  in  Norfolk  County  September 
14,  1828,  and  as  a  boy  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  When  18  years  of  age  he  came  to 
the  city  of  Norfolk  and  at  his  country's  call 
enlisted  in  the  ist  Virginia  Volunteers,  being 
assigned  to  Company  F,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  John  Young,  of  Portsmouth.  He  served 
throughout  the  entire  Mexican  campaign,  be- 
ing present  at  the  battles  of  Chapultepec,  Re- 
saca  de  la  Palma  and  other  noted  engagements. 
At  the  conclusion  of  war  with  Mexico  he  re- 
turned to  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and  engaged 
in  commercial  pursuits,  shortly  afterward  be- 
ing united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  J.  Mills, 
of  Bell's  Mills.  Virginia.  Upon  the  breaking 
out  of  the  Confederate  War  he  enlisted  in  the 
Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues  and  served  with 
them  for  a  period  of  our  months,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  to  accept  the  position  of 
jnirser's  steward  on  l)oard  the  Confederate  iron- 
clad "Virginia,"  known  to  history  as  the  "]Mer- 
rimac."  which  vessel  was  then  under  construc- 
tion at  the  Norfolk  .\avv  Yard.     [Mr.  Creek- 


mur participated  with  great  gallantry  in  the 
notable  e.xploits  of  this  famous  vessel,  which 
revolutionized  the  naval  warfare  of  the  world. 
He  was  one  of  her  crew  when  she  sank  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Cuiuberland"  and  destroyed  the 
"Congress,"  sending  dire  dismay  to  the  hearts 
of  the  people  of  the  North.  He  was  present  at 
the  memorable  naval  battle  between  the  "Mer- 
rimac"  and  the  "Abmitor,"  in  Hampton  Roads, 
and  remained  on  board  of  her  until  she  was 
finally  burned  and  sunk  in  the  James  River  to 
avoid  capture  Ijy  the  Federal  troops.  Return- 
ing home  after  the  close  of  hostilities,  Mr. 
Creekmur,  when  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Con- 
federate Veterans,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was 
i;)rganized,  became  a  member  and  was  ever 
thereafter  prominently  identified  with  it  and 
took  a  lively  interest  in  all  the  affairs  of  the 
organization.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Mexican  Veterans.  Mr.  Creekmur  was  a  man 
of  unswerving  character  and  upright  demeanor 
in  life,  and  would  scorn  to  do  an  ignoble  act. 
He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  of  Norfolk.  Virginia,  and  took 
an  active  interest  in  all  that  concerned  its  wel- 
fare. I\Irs.  Isaac  is  his  only  surviving  child 
and  is  naturally  proud  of  her  father's  brilliant 
life  and  record.  She  is  a  member  of  Pickett- 
Buchanan  Chapter,  United  Daughters  of  Con- 
federacy, of  Norfolk. 

Religiously  Mr.  Isaac  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Mr.  Isaac  hav- 
ing been  clerk  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of 
Norfolk  for  four  years.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat.  He  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  belong- 
ing to  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  144.  I.  O.  O.  F.,. 
of  Norfolk,  Virginia. 


; 


IE  CITIZENS'  BANK  of  Norfolk, 
\'irginia,  is  one  of  the  strongest  fi- 
nancial institutions  of  the  State.  It 
was  organized  in  May,  1867,  with 
Richard  Taylor  as  president,  W.  W. 
Chamberlaine  as  cashier,  and  the  following  di- 


628 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


rectors :  Richard  H.  Chamberlaine,  W.  W. 
Sharp,  C.  W.  Grandy,  D.  D.  Simmons,  Will- 
iam H.  Peters.  G.  W.  Rowland,  G.  K.  Good- 
ridge,  R.  C.  Taylor,  Richard  ^^''alke,  Jr.,  and 
Richard  Taylor.  The  bank  started  with  a 
paid-up  capital  of  $50,000  and.  having  the  con- 
fidence of  the  community,  at  once  commanded 
a  full  share  of  public  oatronage.  In  1872  Pres- 
ident Taylor  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Richard  H.  Chamberlaine.  who  died  in  office, 
in  July,  1879.  William  H.  Peters  succeeded 
Mr.  Chamberlaine  as  president  of  the  bank,  and 
continued  as  such  until  July,  1900.  In  Jan- 
uary, 187,^ ,  Walter  H.  Doyle  was  elected  assist- 
ant cashier,  and  in  1879  as  made  cashier,  W. 
W.  Chamberlaine  ha\'ing  resigned.  Mr. 
Doyle  was  chosen  president  in  1900  as  the 
successor  of  Mr.  Peters.  In  July.  1885,  the 
capital  was  increased  to  $100,000.  $40,- 
000  of  which  was  capitalized  from  the  sur- 
plus fund,  and  the  remaining  $10,000  was 
paid  in  by  the  stockholders.  In  July,  1889, 
the  capital  was  further  increased  to  $200,- 
000,  $50,000  coming  out  of  the  surplus  fund, 
and  $50,000  being  allotted  to  desirable  de- 
positors, not  stockholders.  In  October,  1891, 
the  capital  of  the  bank  was  again  increased  to 
the  present  amount,  $300,000.  The  increase 
was  allotted  to  and  taken  by  the  stockholders. 
The  dividends  declared  since  the  organization 
of  the  bank,  in  May.  1867,  aggregate  $462,- 
185.50,  being  454  per  cent.  The  surplus  fund 
and  undivided  profits  have  steadily  accumu- 
lated and  now  aggregate  $240,000. 

The  Citizens'  Bank  was  started  where  the 
Savings  Bank  of  Norfolk  is  now  located,  and  in 
1885  was  removed  to  the  Dodson  Building. 
January  19,  1899,  it  was  moved  to  its  present 
location,  the  old  St.  James  Hotel  site.  The 
bank  building  consists  of  seven  stories ;  it  is 
of  the  skeleton-steel-constructioii  type  of  arch- 
itecture, is  absolutely  fireproof  and  has  a  front- 
age on  iClain  street  of  54  feet  and  a  depth  of 
137  feet.  A  glance  at  the  handsome  structure 
shows  it  to  be  of  the  Italian  Renaissance  style. 
the  walls  being  of  hard-burned  brick  through- 


out, faced  with  pressed  brick  of  old  gold  tint 
on  all  four  sides,  and  trimmed  with  Worcester 
stone  and  terra  cotta.  The  entire  first  floor, 
with  the  exception  of  a  handsome  entrance,  is 
devoted  to  the  bank.  The  upper  floors  are  di- 
vided into  offices  of  various  sizes,  of  which  115 
are  used  for  renting  purposes.  Everv  facility 
known  has  been  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 

Two  hydraulic  pas- 


tenants  of  the  building. 


and 


a  large  steel   staircase, 


with  marble  steps,  permit  access  to  all  the 
floors,  while  in  the  rear  there  is  a  special 
freight  elevator.  A  mail  chute  is  placed  in  the 
hallway,  extending  from  the  mail  box  in  the 
first  story  to  the  top  of  the  building.  Each 
floor  is  furnished  with  toilet  rooms,  while  in 
the  basement  a  room  has  been  provided  for  bi- 
cycles. A  complete  electric  light  plant,  owned 
and  operated  by  the  bank,  furnishes  light  for 
the  entire  building.  The  Warren- Webster  sys- 
tem of  steam  heating  on  the  indirect  plan  is 
used,  while  the  sanitary  plumbing  is  perfect. 
The  banking  room  proper,  on  the  first  floor,  is. 
a  scene  of  beauty,  never  to  be  forgotten  by  the 
visitor.  The  desks,  handsome,  substantial  af- 
fairs, are  arranged  in  the  center,  surrounded  by 
cages  of  marble  and  wrought  metal,  with  aisles 
next  to  the  wall,  giving  access  to  the  president's 
and  cashier's  private  rooms,  coupon  rooms  for 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  a  handsomely  furnished 
directors'  room,  an  employes'  room  and  a  toilet 

inking  room  ; 
handsomely    wainscoated 


room.    The  banking  room  and  entrance  hall  are 


with 


floored  with  marble-lithic  tiling 


marble  and 
The  officers' 
and  directors'  rooms  are  wainscoated  with  quar- 
tered oak.  In  the  latter  is  a  massive  mantlepiece 
of  the  same  wood,  artistically  carved.  A  mez- 
zanine story  in  the  rear  of  the  banking  room 
contains  storerooms  for  the  bank  books,  em- 
ploves'  dining  rooms,  kitchen  and  pantry.  A 
cistern,  having  a  capacity  of  10.000  gallons, 
furnishes  excellent  drinking  water  for  each 
floor.  The  main  feature,  however,  of  the  bank- 
ing room  is  the  magnificent  vault,  absolutely 
fire  and  burglar-proof,  and  one  of  the  finest 
in  the  countrv.     This  vault  is  built  free  from 


EDWARD    W.    FACE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


631 


contact  witli  tlie  walls  of  tlie  building,  and  is 
onlv  connected  with  tlie  floor  of  the  bank  at 
the  entrance  of  it.  leaving  a  space  open  down  to 
the  basement  floor,  the  space  between  the  vault 
and  the  walls  being  about  two  and  one-half 
feet.  This  vault  is  about  14  feet  wide  by  18 
feet  long,  and  is  divided  into  two  floors.  The 
lower  department  is  devoted  to  the  storage  of 
silverware.  The  upper  portion  is  divided  into 
two  departments,  separated  by  iron  grills.  The 
first  department  is  devoted  to  the  safety  deposit 
department,  wherein  are  370  lx>xes,  which  are 
rented  to  the  public  at  from  S5  to  $40  per  an- 
num, according  to  size.  The  entrance  to  the 
vault  is  guarded  by  a  massive  door,  weighing 
just  seven  tons,  which  moves  on  ball-bearing 
liinges,  and  can  be  moved  by  a  child.  The  door 
is  operated  by  an  automatic  time-lock.  Behind 
a  vestibule  of  several  feet  are  double  massive 
doors,  opened  by  a  combination  lock.  These 
are  four  and  a  half  inches  thick  and  are  made 
of  the  best  and  hardest  steel.  The  vault,  which 
is  of  steel  throughout,  is  perfectly  air-tight 
and  water-tight.  The  facing  is  of  Italian  mar- 
ble from  the  old  Convent  Quarries  at  Siena, 
as  is  also  the  wainscoating  and  counters  in  the 
banking  room,  the  same  as  used  in  the  Con- 
gressional Library  at  ^\'ashington.  This  pre- 
sents a  beautiful  view.  In  order  to  guard 
against  any  and  all  contingencies,  the  vault  is 
supplied  with  an  electrical  device  for  the  pur- 
pose of  winding  the  clock  and  thereby  prolong- 
ing the  opening  period,  in  case  of  a  fire  or  riot. 
This  device  is  new  and  is  a  patent  of  Mr.  Hol- 
lar of  the  Hollar  Lock  Inspection  and  Guaran- 
tee Company,  the  designers  of  the  vault.  Thus 
it  may  be  seen  that  the  Citizens'  Bank  is  as 
absolutely  safe  against  fire  and  burglary  as 
human  ingenuity  can  make  it. 

The  bank  transacts  a  very  large  legitimate 
banking  business,  such  as  receiving  deposits, 
negotiating  loans,  buying  and  selling  stocks 
and  bonds,  exchange,  etc.  As  the  thermometer 
indicates  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  temperature  of 
the  day  and  season,  so  the  bank  indicates  the 
depression  or  buoyancv  of  the  business  of  the 


city.  The  bank  may  be  likened  untu  the  heart, 
the  cash  which  continually  flows  back  and  forth 
between  the  bank  and  the  people,  correspond- 
ing with  the  blood  that  circulates  through 
every  artery,  at  each  pulsation,  and  thus  keeps 
alive  the  human  body,  which  would  otherwise 
become  inanimate.  There  is  a  continual  cur- 
rent of  cash  flowing  from  the  banks  through 
all  the  arteries  of  trade,  day  in  and  day  out, 
which  is  their  sustenance  and  supjxirt,  just  as 
the  blood  from  the  heart  constitutes  the  vitality 
of  the  human  frame.  The  presence,  therefore, 
of  a  live,  substantial  bank  in  a  city  is  an  in- 
dication of  a  powerful  pulsation,  plenty  of  cash 
permeating  the  entire  commercial  system,  and 
a  healthy  condition  of  every  branch  of  busi- 
ness. The  Citizens'  Bank  is  one  of  the  great 
hearts  of  the  commercial,  manufacturing  and 
agricultural  bodies  of  this  city  and  State. 
What  a  history  of  success  is  connected  with  the 
institution,  which  has  l>een  fostered  with  con- 
servatism and  built  up  by  the  acumen  and  abil- 
ity of  a  management  that  deserves  to  rank  with 
the  leading  financial  enterprises  of  the  South. 
Tench  F.  Tilghman.  cashier  of  the  insti- 
tution, above  described,  was  born  in  Norfolk  in 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Tench  F.  Tilghman,  Sr. 
The  father  was  born  in  Talbot  County,  Mary- 
land, and  came  of  a  prominent  old  family  of 
that  State.  He  was  an  engineer  by  profes- 
sion, but  died  at  an  early  day.  He  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Barron,  a  daughter 
of  George  \\'.  Camp,  of  Norfolk,  for  many 
years  cashier  of  the  Exchange  Bank  of  Vir- 
ginia. 


DWARD  W.  FACE,  a  highly  respected 
and  valued  citizen  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, whose  portrait  accompanies 
this  sketch,  is  a  prominent  manufac- 
turer of  brick,  a  line  of  business  he 

has  followed  here  for  almost  half  a  century. 

He  w-as  born  at   Fortress   Monroe,  Virginia, 

May  14,   1829.  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and 

Catherine  (  Heftley)  Face. 


632 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Edward  Face  was  born  in  1808.  He  was 
a  carpenter  by  occupation  and  sent  by  the 
government,  under  Captain  Hill,  commander 
of  the  fort  at  that  time,  tO'  Chattahoochee, 
Florida,  to  build  an  arsenal  for  the  protection 
of  the  ammunition  there.  While  on  this  duty 
he  was  drafted  by  the  State  to  take  part  in  the 
war  with  the  Seminole  Indians.  As  the  arsenal 
was  then  being  built  he  put  in  a  substitute,  pay- 
ing $100  and  a  horse,  but  the  substitute  got 
only  a  short  distance  away  when  he  was  killed 
by  the  Indians.  Mr.  Face  and  his  family  were 
frequently  obliged  to  seek  refuge  in  the  arsenal 
during  the  war,  Edward  W.  being  then  about 
five  years  old.  After  the  completion  of  the 
arsenal  and  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  Ed- 
ward Face  was  very  successfully  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits.  After  President  Jackson 
vetoed  the  National  Bank  Bill,  State  banks 
sprang  up  and  the  money  became  almost  worth- 
less. For  this  reason,  combined  with  the  ill 
health  of  Mrs.  Face,  Mr.  Face  moved  his  fam- 
ily to  Philadelphia.  He  subsequently  took  his 
family  to  Hampton,  Virginia,  and  upon  return- 
in  gto  his  business  in  Philadelphia  found  that 
liis  partner  had  sold  out  and  pocketed  much 
of  the  money.  His  death  occurred  soon  after, 
leaving  a  widow  and  five  small  children.  Mrs. 
Face  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
and  came  of  a  sturdy  Dutch  family  of  that 
State.  She  possessed  all  the  energy  and  thrift 
of  her  race,  and  imparted  these  qualities  to 
her  children,  whom  she  brought  up  and  edu- 
cated in  admirable  fashion.  All  of  her  children 
grew  to  maturity,  and  o-^  their  number,  E.  W. 
Face  is  the  sole  survivor.  She  died  in  1876, 
at  the  age  of  71  years,  and  is  buried  at  Elm- 
wood  Cemetery,  Norfolk  City.  She  always 
regretted  the  fact  that  her  husband  was  buried 
in  Florida,  so  far  from  home,  and  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  promised  her  that  when  he  was  able 
he  would  bring  the  remains  to  the  family  lot 
for  reburial.  Accordingly,  some  years  ago. 
he  went  to  Florida  and  was  conducted  to  the 
spot  at  the  old  Spanish  fort.     Finding  the  re- 


mains almost  intact,  they  were  removed  to 
Norfolk  and  placed  by  the  side  of  the  departed 
wife.  Five  children  were  born  to  Edward  and 
Catherine  (Heftiey)  Face,  namely:  William 
H. ;  Edward  W. ;  Vandalia  E.,  wife  of  Jesse 
Ewell ;  Virginia,  wife  of  Larkin  Davis,  of  Nor- 
folk; and  Samuel  A. 

Edward  W.  Face  attended  the  school  con- 
ducted by  John  B.  Carey  at  Hampton,  Vir- 
ginia, and  after  his  school  days  was  apprenticed 
to  the  trade  of  a  carpenter.  He  remained  at 
that  but  a  short  time,  whai  he  became  appren- 
ticed to  Henry  W.  Herbert,  and  served  thus 
five  and  a  half  years.  He  then  went  to  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  after  working  there  three 
years  removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  where,  in 
1855,  he  began  to  work  at  his  trade  as  a  brick- 
layer. It  was  just  prior  to  this  date  that  the 
yellow  fever  was  raging  and  wiped  out  many 
entire  families  in  a  short  period,  hardly  enough 
surviving  at  times  to  bury  the  dead.  Graves 
could  not  be  dug  fast  enough  and  coffins  had  to 
be  brought  from  Baltimore,  and  as  a  result  the 
dead  were  buried  in  trenches.  Mr.  Face  con- 
tinued at  his  trade  until  1888,  when  he  began 
the  manufacture  of  brick,  having  bought  out 
the  establishment  of  William  H.  Turner,  who 
was  his  ardent  friend,  and  contributed  much 
to  his  early  success,  for  which  Mr.  Face  will 
always  feel  g^rateful.  He  began  on  a  small 
scale  and  each  year  the  business  was  increased. 
An  output  of  5,000  bricks  per  day  was  then 
considered  very  large,  but  at  the  present  time 
he  turns  out  about  30,000  daily.  He  employ's 
about  40  men  and  has  four  barges  and  a  tug  to 
bring  clay  from  the  Nansemond  River.  He 
has  one  shed  with  a  capacity  of  500,000  bricks 
and  two  with  a  capacity  of  300,000  each. 
There  is  a  demand  for  all  he  can  manufacture, 
and  during  the  year  1901  he  had  but  few 
brick  left  in  the  yards.  When  Mr.  Face  first 
came  to  Norfolk,  there  were  no  houses  in  the 
beautiful  part  of  the  city  in  which  he  is  now 
located.  It  was  called  "Gun  Point,",  because, 
the  cannons  were  fired  here  to  avoid  breaking 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


633 


windows  in  the  residences.  He  lias  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  development  of  the  city  and 
has  held  various  offices  of  public  trust.  He 
served  two  terms  as  councilman  and  refused 
to  serve  longer;  During  his  second  term  he 
offered  the  resolution  disbanding  the  volunteer 
fire  department  and  establishing  a  paid  depart- 
ment. In  consideration  of  that  action  he  was 
made  fire  commissioner  for  the  city  and  served 
in  that  capacity  seven  or  eight  years.  He  was 
then  appointed  fire  marshal  Ijy  Judge  Bur- 
roughs. He  was  appointed  harbor  master  by 
Gov.  William  E.  Cameron,  and  served  26 
months.  Upon  the  death  of  Captain  Kennedy 
he  was  appointed  to  succeed  that  gentleman  as 
powder  officer  and  was  afterward  appointed  by 
Governor  Cameron  for  a  full  term  of  four 
years. 

Mr.  Face  was  joined  in  marriage  March 
27,  1 85 1,  with  Elizabeth  W.  Dunbar,  a  native 
of  Xorfolk.  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ann 
Dunbar,  old  and  highly  esteemed  residents  of 
Norfolk,  who  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Face  is  a 
great-granddaughter  of  Capt.  Jonathan  Bar- 
ret, of  the  Continental  Army.  Six  children 
were  bom  to  bless  this  union,  namely :  Sarah 
C,  widow  of  William  K.  Furguson ;  Walter 
E.,  who  first  married  Annie  E.  Powell,  and 
after  her  death,  was  united  to  Egmont  S. 
Shine;  Florence  B.,  wife  of  Almore  Reed,  of 
Baltimore,  Maryland;  Louise  D.,  wife  of  W. 
A.  Minter;  George  S.,  who  married  Edmonia 
V.  Powell ;  and  Lillie,  who  lives  at  home  with 
her  parents.  March  27,  1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Face  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  anniver- 
sary. A  large  number  were  present,  but  none 
who  attended  the  marriage  ceremony  50  years 
before,  they  having  passed  away  or  moved  to 
distant  homes.  It  was  an  event  of  rejoicing 
and  congratulation.  Mrs.  Face  and  all  the 
children  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Qiurch.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  very 
fond  of  travel,  and  in  1900  visited  the  Paris 
E.xposition.    He  has  been  to  Cuba  and  ^lexico, 


and  in  1901  attended  the  Pan-American  Ex- 
position. He  is  one  of  Norfolk's  most  highly 
esteemed  citizens. 


CLAY  KILBY,  one  of  the  most  pro- 
gressive business  men  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  was  born  in  Suffolk,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Hon. 
James  R.  Kilby.  His  great-great- 
grandfather fought  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
under  John  Paul  Jones,  and  was  in  the  cele- 
brated fight  between  the  "Serapis"  and  "Bon- 
homme  Richard." 

Hon.  James  R.  Kilby  was  born  in  Hanover 
County,  Virginia,  December  31,  1819.  His 
father  died  and  the  widowed  mother,  having 
sole  charge  of  a  number  of  small  children,  was 
unable  to  give  him  the  education  he  otherwise 
would  have  had.  Although  his  attendance  at 
school  amounted  to  little,  he  became  a  very 
learned  man  through  individual  study  and  re- 
search. At  the  age  of  14  years  he  became  as- 
sistant to  the  clerk  of  the  court  of  Xansemond 
County,  and  a  few  years  later  accepted  a  po- 
sition as  deputy  sheriff'  of  that  county.  In 
the  meantime  he  had  determined  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  practice  of  law,  and  qualified 
himself  for  that  profession  during  his  incum- 
bency of  the  above  named  positions.  He  was 
licensed  to  practice,  and  in  time  became  a  well- 
known  public  figure  in  Virginia,  both  as  law- 
yer and  in  connection  with  the  affairs  of  his 
State.  He  was  a  State  elector  and  served  in 
State  and  National  conventions.  He  repre- 
sented Nansemond  County  in  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Virginia  in  1851,  1852  and  1853, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  convention  held  at 
Richmond  in  April,  1861,  which  passed  the 
ordinance  of  secession.  He  was  sheriff  of  Nor- 
folk County  one  term,  and  after  his  removal 
from  Portsmouth  to  Suffolk  practiced  his  pro- 
fession for  a  period  of  30  years.     He  was  a 


k 


634 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


devout  Christian  and  joined  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  in  1843.  Three  of  his  chil- 
dren are  living,  namely :  ]\Irs.  Dr.  W.  W. 
Murray,  who  resides  in  Suffolk,  Virginia; 
Judge  Wilbur  J.,  also  of  Suffolk;  and  L.  Clay. 

L.  Clay  Kilby  received  a  good  educational 
training  at  Randolph-]\Iacon  College  in  the 
sessions  of  1869-1870.  He  then  took  a  course 
of  study  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  Col- 
lege, during  the  fall  of  1870.  He  came  to 
Norfolk  as  a  clerk  for  the  Kilby  &  Ashburn 
Lumber  Company,  and  was  afterward  in  the 
employ  of  the  John  L.  Roper  Lumber  Company 
for  a  period  of  nine  years,  having  full  charge 
of  its  immense  shipping  department.  He  then 
formed  a  copartnership  with  Robert  Johnson, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Johnson  «&  Kilby,  as 
general  merchandise  brokers,  manufacturers" 
and  packers'  agents.  In  January,  1898,  this 
firm  was  dissolved  and  Mr.  Kilby  has  since 
continued  in  the  business  alone.  He  has  at- 
tained a  high  degree  of  success  and  represents 
some  fifty  houses  of  manufacturers  and  pack- 
ers, among  which  is  the  American  Sugar  Re- 
fining Company.  ]Mr.  Kilby  has  taken  an  en- 
thusiastic interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
welfare  of  Norfolk  and  the  county  in  general, 
and  has  identified  himself  with  all  organiza- 
tions tending  to  the  betterment  of  the  public 
conditions.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Health  in  1894,  having  been  elected 
on  the  Prohibition  Reform  ticket.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Norfolk  Society  for  the 
Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals,  in  1891,  of 
which  Mr.  Irving  was  president  two  years. 
Mr.  Kilby  then  succeeded  as  president,  and 
has  since  continued  in  that  capacity.  His  work 
as  such  has  been  in  the  nature  of  a  blessing  to 
the  horses ;  through  his  society  and  other  simi- 
lar bodies,  the  passage  of  splendid  state  laws 
was  secured  for  the  prevention  of  cruelty  to 
animals.  His  efforts  as  president  of  this  body 
have  been  attended  by  success,  and  he  has 
gained  the  hearty  approval  and  co-operation  of 
the  best  citizens  of  Norfolk. 

Mr.    Kilby   was   joined   in   marriage  with 


Susie  Borum,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Samuel 
R.  Borum,  and  they  have  two  children  living, 
Annette  and  Elizabeth.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  for  some  years,  and  has  taken  an  ac- 
tive interest  in  all  worthy  enterprises  of  a  like 
character.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Epwort^ 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  which 
he  has  been  treasurer  for  the  past  15  years. 
He  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day-school for   17  years. 


COLLINS  ARMISTEAD,  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Armistead  &  Myers,  en- 
gaged in  the  real-estate  and  insurance 
business  in  the  city  of  Portsmouth, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  one  of  the  prominent  families  of  Nor- 
folk County.  His  seventh  maternal  ancestor 
was  one  of  the  earliest  landowners  of  Virginia 
and  possessed  property  granted  by  Queen  Anne 
in  1 7 19.  Mr.  Armistead  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County  and  is  a  son  of  Beverly  A.  Armistead 
and  grandson  of  Francis  N.  Armistead.  Francis 
N.  Armistead  came  to  Norfolk  County  from 
Maryland.  Beverly  A.  Armistead  was  born 
three  miles  from  Portsmouth,  where  he  lived 
all  his  life.  He  was  at  one  time  president  of 
the  Bank  of  Portsmouth,  succeeding  IMayor 
Grice,  after  that  gentleman's  death.  Beverly 
A.  Armistead  died  in  1886,  aged  52  years. 
He  had  been  retired  from  active  business 
duties  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death. 
He  married  Laura  Collins,  who  was  born  in 
Portsmouth,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Collins.  She  died  in  1895.  .  Her  great- 
grandfather was  the  second  rector  of  Trin- 
ity Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  at  Ports- 
mouth. Besides  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
Mr.  Armistead  and  his  wife  reared  five  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  ]\Irs.  William  Hart;  Mrs. 
E.  Alexander  Hatton ;  Francis  Noble,  who  died 
aged  21  years;  and  ^Margaret  B.,  the  wife  of 
Rev.  Z.   S.   Farland,  the  rector  of  St.    John's 


CAPT.  IRA  W.  TAPLEY. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


637 


Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  of  Portsmouth. 
Rev.  Mr.  Farland  is  a  Virginian  by  birtli :  he 
attended  W'ilHam  and  Mary  College,  and  the 
Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia.  He  took 
up  the  ministry  at  Richmond,  where  he  was 
rector  of  St.  Paul's  Church  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  1896  he  removed  to  Portsmouth 
to  accept  the  rectorship  of  St.  John's  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church. 

J.  Collins  Armistead,  whose  name  heads 
these  lines,  attended  the  high  scho<3l  at  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  and  also  the  Episcopal  High 
School  at  Alexandria,  after  which  he  went  to 
McCabe's  school  at  Petersburg.  A  year  after 
his  return  to  Portsmouth  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness. He  is  interested  in  various  enterprises 
and  is  president  of  the  E.  D.  Clements  Dry 
Goods  Company.  The  real-estate  and  insur- 
ance firm  of  Armistead  &  Myers  is  one  of  the 
best  known  !in  Portsmouth,  and  conducts  a 
large  business,  which  increases  annually.  Mr. 
Armistead  is  notable  for  keen  business  per- 
ception, sound  judgment  and  reliable  business 
methods,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  most 
trustworthy  men  of  the  city. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order.  Religiously  he  is  an  Epis- 
copalian. 


ILLIAM  F.  SMITH,  who  is  master 

shipwright  of  the    Norfolk    Xavy 

Yard,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was  born 

'ii     in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  is  a 

son  of    William    F.    Smith.      His 

father  conducted  a  shipvard  in  Baltimore  for 

many  years. 

William  F.  Smith,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  learned  the  trade  of  a  ship-builder  with 
his  father,  and  in  1856,  at  the  age  of  19  years 
removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  entered  the 
Navy  Yard  as  a  journevman,  and  was  soon 
after  made  quarterman  and  later  foreman.  His 
marked  ability  was  again  recognized  by  pro- 
motion and  he  was  made  master  shipwright,  a 

position  he  has  since  retained  with  great  cred- 
35 


it  to  himself.  His  first  work  in  ship-building 
was  on  the  "Colorado"  and  "Roanoke."  The 
mast-house,  block-makers'  department  and 
cooper  shop  of  the  Navy  Yard  are  all  in  one 
building.  From  75  to  80  shipwrights  are  em- 
ployed, together  with  about  12  spar-makers,  6 
coopers  and  from  20  to  30  calkers,  all  of  whom 
are  under  Mr.  Smith's  supervision. 

Mr.  Smith  married  Martha  B.  Nottingham, 
whose  father  was  formerly  employed  at  the 
Navy  Yard.  They  have  two  children,  Mrs. 
Aurelia  G.  Alexander,  and  Robert  Irvin,  both 
of  Portsmouth.  Mr.  Smith  was  reared  in  the 
Episcopal  faith,  while  his  wife  is  a  Methodist. 
He  did  not  serve  in  the  army  during  the  war 
but  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  a  rifle 
company  before  the  war.  He  performs  his  du- 
ties in  a  faithful,  conscientious  manner,  hav- 
ing a  thorough  knowledge  of  his  trade,  and  is 
one  of  the  oldest  employes  of  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard. 


APT.  IRA  W.  TAPLEY.  Among: 
the  many  well-known  sea  captains 
in  the  employ  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company,  is  the  gentle- 
man whose  name  heads  these  lines, 
who  has  his  home  in  Brooklyn,  New  York, 
He  was  born  at  West  Brooksville,  Maine,  Sep- 
tember 12,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
Lucy  H.   (Wasson)   Tapley. 

Capt.  Thomas  Tapley  was  a  master  mariner 
for  40  years  and  sailed  in  many  parts  of  the 
world.  He  followed  the  life  of  a  seaman  from 
the  time  he  was  10  years  old  until  his  retire- 
ment some  years  ago.  He  is  now  enjo3dng  the 
pleasures  of  home  life  at  West  Brooksville, 
where  he  has  lived  for  many  years.  Of  seven 
children  born  to  Captain  Tapley  and  his  wife, 
all  are  living,  and  their  names  are  as  follows : 
O.  L.,  a  merchant;  Ira  W. ;  O.  W.,  a  dealer  in 
insurance:  T.  S.,  a  physician:  Eugene,  also  a 
physician ;  Lucy  H. ;  and  Mrs.  Eliza  C.  Smith. 
Capt.  Thomas  Tapley  and  his  wife  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding  August  26,  1901,  and  at 


638 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


their  table  20  children  and  grandchildren  sat 
down  to  dinner. 

Ira  W.  Tapley,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch,  grew  to  manhood  in  West  Brooksville, 
where  he  was  taught  in  public  and  private 
schools.  At  the  age  of  15  years  he  began  his 
sea-faring  life  as  deck-boy  on  his  father's  ves- 
sel, and  was  in  the  Mediterranean  and  South 
American  trade.  He  has  filled  all  the  positions 
from  deck-hand  to  master,  becoming  a  cap- 
tain at  the  age  of  30  years.  His  first  vessel 
was  the  "Hessian  Republic,"  a  steamer  of 
alxjut  1,100  tons,  and  he  sailed  between  Bos- 
ton and  Hayti.  He  has  been  in  the  employ 
of  several  steamship  companies.  His  duties 
with  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company 
began  in  1880,  when  he  was  master  of  the 
"City  oi  Columbia."  With  the  exception  of  a 
short  time  he  has  been  in  the  service  of  that 
company  e^-er  since.  The  three  vessels  which 
he  has  commanded  since  entering  the  company's 
employ  are  the  "City  of  Columbia ;"  the  side- 
wheeler,  "Old  Dominion ;"  and  his  present 
command,  "Jamestown."  The  "Jamestown" 
is  a  vessel  of  3,000  tons,  and  is  one  of  the  finest 
ships  owned  by  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Company. 

Captain  Tapley  was  wedded  to  Carrie  A. 
Stover,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  they  have 
two  daughters,  Mildred  W.  and  Carrie  E.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  has 
always  been  very  fortunate  in  his  sea  career, 
and  is  an  excellent  commander,  highly  es- 
teemed by  his  employers  and  by  those  whom 
he  has  in  charge.      His  portrait  accompanies 

this  sketch. 

*  ■  » 

ICHARD  B.  FENTRESS,  a  gentleman 
whose  career  in  the  business  world  has 
been  marked  bv  the  greatest  activity, 
is  identified  with  numerous  enterprises 
which  have  been  a  credit  to  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  as  well  as  to  their  promoters.  He  is 
president  of  the  Norfolk  Refrigerating  &  Stor- 


age Company,  and  also  of  the  Norfolk  Cutlery 
Company. 

Mr.  Fentress  was  born  in  Princess  Anne 
County,  Virginia,  May  29,  1863,  and  is  a  son 
of  Richard  Fentress— coming  of  a  prominent 
old  Virginia  family.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  After  two 
years  spent  in  the  retail  grocery  business  he 
founded  the  commission  business  of  C.  W. 
Fentress  &  Company,  wholesale  dealers  in  but- 
ter and  cheese.  They  built  up  a  very  large 
trade  and  exported  the  products  of  Virginia  to 
a  large  extent.  In  1898  a  stock  company  was 
formed  with  Richard  B.  Fentress  as  president; 
Charles  Wesley  Fentress,  vice-president;  and 
B.  Watkins  Leigh,  secretary  and  treasurer.  In 
1899  they  purchased  the  premises  from  No. 
24  to  No.  26  Foster's  lane,  which  were  then 
occupied  by  a  few  old  dwellings,  and  there 
caused  to  be  erected  one  building,  five  stories 
high,  and  95  by  125  feet,  in  dimensions;  one 
building,  five  stories  high,  and  50  bv  80  feet  in 
dimensions ;  one  building  of  three  stories,  25 
by  269  feet  in  dimensions ;  and  one,  three  stor- 
ies high,  25  by  80  feet  in  dimensions.  The 
storage  capacity  is  500  cars  and  the  buildings 
are  complete  in  every  detail  of  equipment. 
The  capacity  of  the  plant  is  being  enlarged  in 
order  to  meet  the  great  increase  in  demand. 
The  company  now  employs  about  20  men.  Mr. 
Fentress  is  president  of  the  Norfolk  Cutlery 
Company,  which  succeeded  the  old  Bridgeport 
Silver  Plate  Companv,  in  February,  1901,  and 
manufactures  all  kinds  of  silver  plated  cutlery. 
This  company  employs  about  100  men,  and  its 
officers  are  Richard  B.  Fentress,  president,  and 
S.  O.  Collins,  vice-president.  Its  directors  are 
Richard  B.  Fentress,  S.  O.  Collins,  W.  T. 
Simco,  A.  E.  Krise,  B.  Watkins  Leigh  and  A. 
F.  McFarland.  An  idea  of  the  enormous  bus- 
iness transacted  may  be  gained  from  the  fact 
that  the  weekly  pay-roll  is  between  $800  and 
$1,000.  Mr.  Fentress  is  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Belt  Line  Stock  Yards,  of  which  he  is 
secretary  and  treasurer.  He  is  associated  with 
the  Wiltten  Manufacturing  Company,  manu- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


639 


facturers  of  tankage.  He  has  submitted  to  the 
Council,  and  is  about  to  be  j,^raiited,  a  franchise 
for  a  hot-and-cokl-air  ilistributing  plant.  He 
has  done  considerable  building  in  Norfolk, 
alone,  as  well  as  in  association  with  others.  He 
Iniilt  two  bk)cks  of  modern  residences  on  Ham- 
ilton avenue  and  three  residences  on  Mowbury 
Arch,  where  his  own  residence  is  also  located. 
Although  a  man  of  great  prominence  in  the 
comnumity.  he  has  never  sought  to  turn  his 
])<>])ularity  to  political  advantage. 

Mr.  Fentress  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Lottie  L.  Gunn.  a  native  of  North  Caroline, 
ami  a  daughter  of  W.  H.  Gunn,  of  Norfolk. 
Thev  have  three  children  :  Charles  Linwood ; 
Milton  A. :  Mabel  L. 

Mr.  Fentress  has  recently  secured  a  fran- 
chise in  Baltimore.  Mantland.  for  a  cold  stor- 
age plant,  the  plans  for  which  are  being  drawn. 
The  plant  will  be  constructed  as  soon  as  the 
I)lans  are  completed,  at  an  estimated  cost  of 
$1,500,000. 


PN.  HARRY  LEE  ^LWNARD,  a 
gentleman  who  has  done  much 
toward  the  development  of  the  city 
of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  is  the  Rep- 
resentative of  this  Congressional  Dis- 
trict in  the  L'nited  States  Congress.  He  was 
born  June  8,  1861.  at  Portsmouth,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  \\'.  ^^laynard.  The  latter  was  born 
in  Virginia,  resided  in  Norfolk  County  after 
the  war  and  was  engaged  in  truck  farming  until 
his  death,  in  1897.  His  widow,  a  daughter  of 
John  C.  Neville,  is  now  li\'ing,  at  the  age  of 
62  years. 

Harry  Lee  ^Maynard  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Norfolk  County,  and  the  Vir- 
ginia Agricultural  and  Mechanical  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1880.  He 
then  moved  to  Portsmouth,  became  a  clerk  in  a 
wholesale  house,  and  for  many  years  was  con- 
nected with  a  New  York  wholesale  commis- 
sion house.  He  has  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  political  affairs,  and  in  1890  was  elected 


a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates.  In  1894 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  and  re-elected 
to  that  body  in  1898.  While  serving  in  that 
capacity  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  in  No- 
vember, 1900,  and  is  proving  one  of  the  most 
able  representatives  this  district  has  ever  had. 
During  the  last  10  or  12  years  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  real-estate  business,  with  an  office 
in  the  Commercial  P.uilding.  He  is  an  official 
in  different  enter])rises.  and  is  a  director  of  the 
Portsmouth  Dime  Savings  Bank.  He  is  iden- 
tified with  various  land  improvement  com- 
panies and  other  enterprises  tending  to  im- 
prove Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Maynard  was  united  in  marriage  with 
a  daughter  of  E.  C.  Brooks,  and  they  have  five 
sons  and  one  daughter. 


|]R.  JOSEPH  GRICE.  who  is  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Ports- 
mouth, is  one  of  the  inost  prominent 
of  the  young  [jhysicians  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia.  He  is  a  native  of 
that  city,  as  was  his  father,  ^Lij.  George  W. 
Grice. 

The  Grice  family  in  America  dates  back  to 
an  early  period  in  the  eighteenth  century,  when 
an  ancestor  came  from  Wales  and  settled  in 
Delaware.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Walter 
Martin,  who  came  from  England  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Pennsylvania.  They  had  a 
son,  Francis  Grice,  who  was  born  March  29, 
1732.  He  married  Mary  Brock enborough, 
whose  parents  were  from  England,  and  they 
had  the  following  children :  Francis  and 
Charles,  who  settled  in  North  CaRilina :  and 
Joseph,  the  great-grandfather  of  the  subject 
of  thJs  sketch. 

Francis  Grice.  son  of  Francis  and  Mary 
(Brockenborough)  Grice,  enlisted  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  in  the  spring  of  1776,  at  the 
age  of  17  years,  and  served  with  credit  in 
various  capacities.  He  was  taken  prisoner  by 
the  British,  and  many  were  the  hardships  he 


64c 


HISTORY;   OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


endured.  He  was  exchanged  in  January,  1780. 
His  later  life  was  mainly  spent  in  building  gov- 
ernment ships  at  his  private  shipyard  at  Phila- 
delphia. He  married  Mary  Smith,  December 
12,  1780,  and  their  children  were, — Francis; 
Samuel ;  Charles ;  George ;  Joseph ;  and  another 
who'  died  young. 

Joseph  Grice,  the  great-grandfather  of  Dr.' 
Grice,  moved  from  Philadelphia  tu  Virginia 
some  time  between  1812  and  18 18,  and  with  his 
sons  engaged  in  furnishing  large  supplies  of 
timber  to  the  go\'ernment.  His  son,  Joseph, 
grandfather  of  the  Doctor,  married  Abby 
Cox,  July  26,  1823.  She  was  a  descendant  of 
some  of  the  early  settlers  of  New  Jersey,  her 
father  having  been  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 
When  Mr.  Grice  died  he  left  a  widow  and  three 
children,  of  whom  the  oldest  was  George  W. 

Major  George  W.  Grice  was  born  at  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  May  16,  1824.  His  father 
died  in  183 1,  and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  scnool 
at  the  age  of  14  years,  to  support  his  widowea 
mother  and  his  sisters.  He  soon  won  his  way 
to  the  front,  commanding  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  all,  and  even  as  a  young  man,  at- 
tained a  high  degree  of  success.  He  held 
many  important  public  and  municipal  ofiices. 
In  1861,  he  was  among  the  first  to  enlist  in  the 
cause  of  the  South,  being  then  chief  magistrate 
of  Portsmouth.  By  his  plans  and  fine  execu- 
tion he  materially  assisted  in  causing  the  panic 
among  the  Federals,  which  resulted  in  their 
burning  and  evacuating  the  Gosport  Navy 
Yard  in  April,  1861.  He  was  later  appointed 
captain  and  acting  quartermaster  in  the  Con- 
federate service  and  assigned  to  duty  as  post 
quartermaster  at  Portsmouth.  He  was  the  rep- 
resentaive  of  the  city  who  met  the  well-known 
3rd  Georgia  Regiment  and  assigned  it  to  quar- 
ters. When  the  brigade  was  ordered  to  evacu- 
ate Portsmouth  in  1862,  he  marched  with  them 
as  brigade  quartermaster,  and  served  in  the 
battles  about  Richmond,  ending  at  Malvern 
Hill.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Senate 
of- Virginia  and  served  a  number  of  terms.  Af- 
ter his  promotion  on  the  staff  of  the  army.  Gen- 


eral Taylor,  in  1862  or  1863,  asked  for  his 
transfer  to  the  Trans-Mississippi  Department, 
with  plenary  powers  as  assistant  quartermas- 
ter general,  but  Major  Grice  declined  the  ser- 
vice. He  was  especially  active  in  securing  and 
promptly  furnishing  supplies  to  General  Lee's 
army,  and  in  this  his  services  were  invaluable 
to  the  cause.  As  chief  of  subsistence  and 
transportation  for  the  States  of  South  Caro- 
lina, Georgia,  and  Florida,  with  headquarters 
at  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  he,  by  almost 
superhuman  eft'orts,  collected  and  forwarded 
to  General  Lee  his  sorely  needed  supplies.  He 
continued  to  serve  in  that  capacity  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Upon  receiving  his  parole 
he  bravely  faced  the  situation  and  encouraged 
others.  He  returned  to  Virginia  in  the  fall  of 
1865,  and  immediately  set  to  work  to  repair 
his  shattered  fortune.  He  assisted  in  founding 
the  Bank  of  Portsmouth  in  1867,  and  served  as 
its  president  until  his  death.  In  September, 
1875,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Raleigh 
&  Gaston  Railway,  also  the  Raleigh  &  Augusta 
Air  Line  Railway,  both  now  being  parts  of  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line.  These  positions  he  filled 
only  one  month  before  his  death  from  apoplexy, 
November  12,  1875.  Major  Grice  first  mar- 
ried Margaret  Nash  Edwards,  who  died  in 
1864,  without  issue.  November  29,  1866,  he 
formed  a  second  union,  wedding  Henrietta 
Harding,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  they  had 
three  children — Nenie,  who  died  in  infancy; 
George  W.,  Jr.,  who  died  in  childhood;  and 
Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  biography. 

Dr.  Joseph  Grice  was  born  September  29, 
1869,  and  was  primarily  educated  in  the  pri- 
vate schools  of  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk.  In 
the  fall  of  1889,  he  entered  the  University  of 
Virginia,  where  he  took  an  academic  course 
and  a  medical  course,  graduating  Jrne  14, 
1893.  He  then  went  tO'  New  York  and  was 
on  the  staff  of  the  City  Hospital  of  New  Yor^ 
City  for  a  year  and  a  half,  in  the  meantime 
pursuing  post-graduate  work.  In  December,. 
1895,  he  entered  upon  his  practice  in  Ports- 
mouth and  success  has  crowned  his  efforts  in 


CORNELIUS    MICHAEL    CRUSEB. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


643 


the  community.     He  has  .served  as  president 
of  tlie  Board  of  Health  for  two  terms. 

Fraternally,  Dr.  Grice  is  a  member  of  the 
State  ]\Iedical  Society  of  Virginia ;  the  Sea- 
iKiard  Medical  Society  of  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina;  and  the  Norfolk  Medical  Society,  of 
which  he  is  vice-president.  In  June,  1900,  he 
was  elected  to  the  City  Council  of  Portsmouth 
from  the  First  \\ard.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the 
Portsmouth  Orphan  A.sylum.  Religiously,  he 
is  a  member  of  St.  John's  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  he  is  a  vestryman. 


)RXELIUS  2^IICHAEL  CRUSER, 
a  well-known  resident  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  whose  portrait  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  comes  of  a 
very  prominent  family  of  this  sec- 
tion. His  earliest  ancestors  in  America  came 
from  Germany  in  1790,  and  settled  near  Port 
Richmond,  on  Staten  Island,  where  at  one  time 
the\'  owned  a  farm  near  the  Sailors'  Snug  Har- 
bor, a  place  of  retreat  for  disabled  sailors.  The 
name  of  the  family  was  spelled  Krutzer  until 
changed  to  the  present  style  liy  Capt.  Cornelius 
Cruser  about  1833. 

Capt.  Cornelius  Cruser  and  his  family  re- 
moved from  Staten  Island.  Nevv  York,  to 
Gloucester  County,  Virginia,  and  located  on 
the  York  River,  15  miles  above  Yorktown.  He 
embarked  in  the  oyster  business,  of  which  he 
was  one  of  the  pioneers.  The  water-front 
along  the  river  was  owned  by  a  few  persons, 
some  individuals  holding  as  much  as  five  miles' 
frontage,  all  of  which  thev'  wished  to  retain. 
Being  unable  to  buy  Captain  Cruser  was  forced 
to  lease  land  for  a  home.  With  his  sons,  he 
embarked  in  the  oyster  business,  owning  a 
20-ton  vessel  in  which  to  carry  oysters  to  New- 
York.  The  oysters  at  that  time  were  assorted 
according  to  size,  the  largest  ones  being  placed 
by  hand  in  the  vessel,  with  the  deep  shell  down, 
so  that  they  would  keep  for  a  month  or  more. 


They  were  sold  by  the  hundred.  Their  .small 
boats  made  four  tri|)s  to  New  York  each  sea- 
son. Ca])tain  Cornelius  Cruser  had  four  chil- 
dren:  Washington  C. ;  Cornelius  Crocheron; 
James  Henry :  and  a  daughter  who  was 
dorwned  in  York  River  by  the  capsizing  of  a 
boat. 

Capt.  Cornelius  Cocheron  Cruser,  in  1853, 
moved  from  Gloucester  County  to  Tanner's 
Creek,  in  Norfolk  County,  where  he  bought 
four  acres  of  land  from  Michael  Hendren  and 
built  the  old  homestead  as  it  now  stands.  The 
house  was  framed  on  Staten  Island,  loaded  on 
a  vessel  and  brought  to  Tanner's  Creek,  where 
it  was  completed  by  a  Northern  contractor. 
The  framing  is  of  hemlock,  the  weather  boards, 
of  white  pine,  and  the  foundation,  of  New 
York  pressed  brick.  He  changed  his  business 
somewhat  and  began  to  plant  oysters  in  Tan- 
ner's Creek.  For  many  years  he  carried  his 
own  oysters  to  New  York,  but  gave  it  up  after 
moving  to  Tanner's  Creek,  disposing  of  his 
large  yessels  and  using  only  small  sloops,  more 
suited  to  the  place.  Seeing  the  necessity  of 
having  labor  he  could  control,  he  commenced 
to  buy  slaves  and  owned  eight  at  the  time  of 
the  outbreak  between  the  North  and  the  South. 
He  was  a  Union  man  but  took  no  part  in  the 
war.  At  that  time  he  owned  five  small  sloops, 
one  of  which  was  confiscated  in  York  River, 
and  another  in  Petersliurg;  aside  from  tliis  he 
lost  most  of  the  money  he  had  in  tlie  l)ank.  At 
this  time  he  had  a  great  man_\-  oysters  planted, 
and  as  he  was  shut  off  from  Northern  markets, 
he  could  only  peddle  a  few  in  the  city  and  to 
the  soldiers.  After  the  declaration  of  peace, 
his  oysters  that  had  been  growing  four  years 
brought  a  good  price  from  Northern  buyers. 
He  then  bought  several  small  sloops,  and  in 
connection  with  the  oyster  business  began  rais- 
ing vegetables  for  Northern  markets. 

Capt.  Cornelius  C.  Cruser  was  married,  in 
1845,  to  Margaret  Ann  Hendren,  a  daughter  of 
Michael  Hendren.  The  latter  had  a  brother, 
Jeremiah    Hendren,   a    Baptist   preacher,   who 


644 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


founded  Salem  Qnirch,  near  the  cross-roads 
on  Sewell's  Point.  He  also  had  a  sister,  Ann, 
who  married  a  Frenchman,  Mr.  Jefroy,  who 
died  young,  and  was  survived  for  many  years 
by  his  widow.  Michael  Hendren  was  of  Irish 
descent.  He  was  a  sailmaker  by  trade,  and 
went  to  New  York  in  early  manhood  and  car- 
ried on  business  there.  He  married  a  Miss 
Kelly  and  soon  after  removed  to  Virginia, 
where,  in  1833,  he  bought  a  tract  of  96  acres 
in  Norfolk  County,  from  Samuel  Smith,  in 
consideration  of  $1,200.  This  tract  was  situ- 
ated where  the  Indian  Pole  Bridge  now  is ;  in 
fact,  Mr.  Hendren  sold  the  right  of  way  for  the 
road  and  bridge  through  his  farm.  The  In- 
dian Pole  Bridge  was  built  in  1843,  ^"^  ^ 
Mr.  Talbot  was  its  keeper  for  a  period  of  14 
years,  until  his  death.  Mr.  Hendren's  first 
wife,  Sarah,  died  September  9,  1840,  at  the 
age  of  31  years.  He  was  again  married,  and 
his  second  wife,  Sarah  Frances,  died  Septem- 
ber 17,  1868,  at  the  age  of  66  years.  Michael 
Hendren  survived  until  June  16,  1871,  when 
he  died,  at  the  age  of  74  years.  Eight  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Captain  and  Mrs.  Cruser, 
five  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows :  Cor- 
nelius Michael,  the  subject  of  this  biography; 
William  Samuel ;  James  Henry,  a  record  of 
whose  life  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume; 
Lola  Ann  (Bunting)  ;  and  Hansford  Thornton. 

William  Samuel  Cruser,  the  second  son  of 
Captain  Cruser,  was  married  in  1878.  to  Mary 
Virginia  Simpson,  of  Norfolk,  and  to  them 
were  born  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  now 
livijig,  namely :  Maude  Lillian,  who  was  mar- 
ried in  1898,  to  William  Loughran,  of  Nor- 
folk ;  Mabel  Lee ;  William  Cecil ;  and  Leroy 
Simpson. 

Lola  Ann  Cruser  was  married  March  2, 
1886,  to  Robert  L.  Bunting,  and  of  two  daugh- 
ters born  to  them,  one,  Glad)-s.  is  now  living. 

Hansford  Thornton  Cruser  was  first  mar- 
ried, in  i87q,  to  Josie  W.  Ironmonger,  who 
died  in  1888,  leaving  two  sons,  Newton  and 


Hansford  T.,  Jr.  In  1889  he  married  Nannie 
Bell  Powers,  and  six  children  were  born  to 
them,  as  follows :  Arthur  Loyd,  Viva  Arvilla, 
Edith  Estelle,  Audrey,  Hazel  Frances,  and  one 
who  died  young. 

Ella  Augusta,  a  daughter  of  Captain  Cor- 
nelius C.  Cruser,  who  died  September  12,  1893, 
was  married  to  George  S.  Bunting  September 
II,  1880. 

Captain  Cornelius  Crocheron  Cruser,  who 
was  born  on  Staten  Island,  New  York,  in  1818, 
died  in  1901,  at  the  age  of  83  years,  while  at 
the  home  of  his  son,  William  Samuel  Cruser, 
near  the  old  homestead.  His  two  brothers, 
Washington  and  James  Cruser,  lived  in  Glou- 
cester County,  Virginia ;  for  political  offenses 
during  the  Confederate  War  they  were  im- 
prisoned for  some  time  in  Castle  Thunder,  a 
Southern  prison  at  Richmond. 

The  three  oldest  sons  of  Captain  Cruser 
continued  in  the  oyster  business  many  years, 
and  now  have  some  interest  in  the  business. 

Cornelius  Michael  Cruser  started  life  un- 
der favorable  circumstances,  having  a  small 
capital  and  business,  but  was  possibly  too 
eager  for  quick  riches.  Embarking  in  a  large 
business  he  bought  a  70-ton  schooner,  but  fate 
seemed  to  be  against  him.  He  was  soon  ship- 
wrecked and  lost  all  he  had.  With  willing- 
hands  and  a  cheery  heart  he  made  a  new  start, 
but  was  again  overtaken  by  the  loss  of  his  ves- 
sel. He  then  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits, 
in  which  his  industry  and  persevering  efforts 
were  crowned  with  success.  He  was  married 
in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  to  Mary  Eliza  Dun- 
can, who  is  of  Scotch  descent,  and  two  sons 
were  born  to  them,  namely:  Clarence  Milton, 
iDorn  September  30,  1867;  and  George  Levi, 
born  December  28,  1869,  who  is  deceased. 
Clarence  Milton  Cruser  was  married,  in  1895, 
to  Emma  U.  Thomas,  and  they  have  had  five 
children,  as  follows:  Milton  Hendren:  Cor- 
nelius Clyde:  Preston  Delmar:  and  two  who 
are  deceased. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


645 


H.  CUTCHIN,  who  is  clerk  in  the 

commandant's  office  in  the  Xurfcilk 
Xavy  Yard,  was  born  at  Ports- 
moutli  in  i860,  and  is  a  son  of  Cap- 
tain Nathaniel  Y.  Cutchin. 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Y.  Cutchin  was  horn  in 
Isle  of  Wight  Count);,  Virginia,  and  was  a 
seafaring  man  until  his  retirement,  having  met 
with  many  exciting  adventures  during  the  war. 
Two  of  his  vessels  were  run  ashore  and  set  on 
fire  to  avoid  capture,  the  crews  escaping  in 
small  boats.  He  was  twice  made  prisoner  and 
was  in  command  of  the  side-wheel  steamer 
"West  Point,"  when  she  ran  the  fire  of  the 
blockading  tleet  at  the  mouth  of  the  James 
River.  Captain  Cutchin  delivered  her  safely  i 
to  the  proper  autlu)rities  at  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, where  she  was  badly  needed  as  a  Heating  1 
hospital  for  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.  The  I 
"West  Point"  was  the  last  steamer  to  leave 
Norfolk  rtying  the  Confederate  flag.  Mr. 
Cutchin  served  in  the  City  Council  of  Ports- 
mouth for  two  terms,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  March  ii,  1894.  at  the  age  of  72 
years.  He  married  Virginia  Crocker,  a  native 
of  Brooklyn.  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of 
Edward  Crocker.  Her  father  was  a  boat- 
swain of  the  old  navy  and  spent  his  last  years 
in  Portsmouth,  dying  at  his  home  on  South 
street.  Virginia  (Crocker)  Cutchin  passed 
away  March  9.  1895,  '^^  the  age  of  62  years. 
Capt.  Nathaniel  Y.  Cutchin  and  his  wife  reared  ; 
six  children,  namely :  N.  E.,  who  is  chief  en- 
gineer in  the  revenue  cutter  service  and  is  sta- 
tioned at  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts:  Hattie 
B.,  wife  of  Davis  C.  Bain  of  Portsmouth;  W.  I 
H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  John;  Aurelia, 
of  Portsmouth :  and  Agnes. 

N.  E.  Cutchin,  the  oldest  brother  of  the 
subject  hereof,  was  born  in  1857,  and  was  ; 
among  the  first  to  be  enrolled  as  a  pupil  in  the 
public  schools  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  at  that 
disparagingly  spoken  of  as  "free  schools," 
through  a  popular  prejudice  that  yielded  only 
to  time.     Many  of  the  young  men  of  Ports- 


mouth were  among  the  first  scholars  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  in  the  old  academy  building,  on 
Glasgow,  near  Middle  street.  In  1879,  he  grad- 
uated from  the  Nautical  and  Engineering  Col- 
lege of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
commissioned  a  second  assistant  engineer  in 
the  United  States  Revenue  Cutter  Service,  in 
1883.  He  was  promoted  to  be  ist  assistant 
engineer  in  1895,  and  in  1898  attained  the 
rank  of  chief  engineer.  He  served  on  vessels 
of  the  revenue  cutter  service  in  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  along  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
coasts,  and  was  at  times  stationed  in  the  Co- 
lumbia River  and  Puget  Sound.  During  1887, 
1888  and  1889,  he  was  one  of  the  officers  at- 
tached to  the  revenue  cutter  "Bear"  (made 
famous  as  one  of  the  vessels  of  the  Greely 
Relief  Expedition  in  1884,  under  Commander, 
now  Rear-Admiral,  W.  S.  Schley),  cruising 
in  the  North  Pacific,  Behring  Sea  and  Arctic 
Ocean,  and  in  1887  todk  an  active  |)art  in  the 
rescue,  on  the  coast  of  Russian  Siberia,  of 
James  Vincent,  the  only  survivnr  of  18  men 
who  were  part  of  the  crew  of  the  ill-fated 
.\merican  whaling  bark  "XapoleDU,"  which 
was  crushed  in  the  ice  in  May.  1885.  On  the 
return  to  San  Erancisco,  from  the  cruise  of 
1888,  the  "Bear"  brought  back  to  ci\ilization 
160  shipwrecked  men.  picked  uj)  on  the  barren 
strip  of  land  known  as  Point  Barren,  Arctic 
Ocean,  the  northernmost  point  of  land  on  our 
continent.  Their  vessels  had  been  caught  in 
the  ice  and  abandoned.  The  annual  cruise  of 
the  "Bear"  to  the  "Land  of  the  Midnight  Sun." 
among  a  strange  people  and  in  a  strange  land, 
is  often  exciting  as  well  as  interesting.  In 
May,  1900,  Mr.  Cutchin  was  one  of  the  five 
officers  of  the  "Hudson"  to  receive  medals 
awarded  by  joint  resolutii>ns  of  Congress,  for 
"intrepid  and  heroic  gallantry"  in  the  action  at 
Cardenas,  May  11,  1898. 

W.  H.  Cutchin  was  one  of  the  first  scholars 
of  W.  H.  Stoke's  scIkkiI.  He  studied  naviga- 
tion and  sailed  with  his  father  for  11  years. 
He  returned  to  his  home  in  Portsmouth  in 
188^,  and  purchased  a  farm  on  the  outskirts 


646 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  the  city.  He  became  quite  active  in  politics 
tics,  and  was  elected  magistrate  of  Western 
Branch  district.  After  serving  in  that  office 
for  two  terms,  he  was  defeated  by  the  candidate 
on  the  fusion  ticket.  In  1893,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  his  present  position  as  clerk  in  the 
commandant's  office  at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard. 
He  is  a  trusted  employe,  and  is  highly  esteemed 
by  all  for  his  splendid  ability  and  faithfulness 
in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

Mr.  Cutchin  married  Laura  F.  Linn,  who 
was  born  in  Portsmotith,  Virginia,  and  is  ii 
daughter  of  Charles  B.  Linn,  who  was  a  mer- 
chant of  Portsmouth  city  for  a  number  of 
years.  Three  children  were  born  to  this  union, 
namely :  Grace,  John  and  Marion.  They  live 
on  Prentis  avenue,  in  Prentis  Place.  In  politics, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and 
was  at  one  time  counsellor  for  the  Senior  Order 
of  United  American  Meclianics.  He  is  now  a 
member  of  the  annexation  committee  of  Nor- 
folk County. 


S.  RLTDD,  who  has  been  a  promi- 
nent resident  of  Berkley,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  for  many  years, 
is  ser\'ing  in  an  official  capacity  as 
sergeant  of  the  town,  his  head- 
quarters being  in  the  Town  Hall  at  the  corner 
of  Berkley  avenue  and  Main  street.  He  was 
born  at  Hampton,  Virginia,  June  19,  1844, 
and  is  a  son  of  Edmund  and  Ann  (Stanworth) 
Rudd.  lx)th  natives  of  Virginia. 

Edmund  Rudd  was  a  Virginian  pilot  and 
followed  that  vocation  during  nearly  his  entire 
active  life.  During  the  war  between  the  States 
he  was  for  the  most  part  in  the  Confederate 
service  and  was  engaged  in  piloting  vessels  up 
the  James  River  after  the  blockade  was  or- 
dered. He  retired  soon  after  the  war.  He  was 
part  owner  of  the  pilot-boat  "Hope,"  which 
was  sunk  in  the  James  River  by  order  of  the 
Confederate  government  to  help  blockade  the 
river.     Mr.  Rudd  died  at  the  age  of  79  years. 


He  was  an  old-time  Whig  and  a  strong  sup- 
porter of  the  Confederacy.  He  and  his  wife 
were  active  in  church  work.  His  wife  died  in 
1848,  having  given  birth  to  four  children, 
namely :  Thomas,  who  lost  his  left  leg  in  the 
Confederate  service,  and  is  now  in  the  Soldiers' 
Home  at  Richmond;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Ham- 
met  -Sharpe,  of  Richmond,  Virginia,  born  in 
1840,  and  deceased  in  1861 ;  Edmund,  who 
served  four  years  in  the  Confederate  army,  and 
is  now  following  the  trade  of  a  boiler-maker 
at  Berkley;  and  W.  S.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

W.  S.  Rudd  attended  the  public  schools  of 
Hampton,  Virginia,  and  after  his  school  days 
lived  with  liis  sister  in  Richmond.  He  came  to 
Portsmouth  with  his  father's  family,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  a  baker,  with  James  Reed 
of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  subsequently  moved 
back  to  Hampton,  and  later,  when  Norfolk  and 
Portsmouth  were  evacuated  by  the  Confeder- 
ates, he  was  in  the  Union  lines,  working  at  his 
trade.  While  traversing  his  daily  route  on  a 
bread  wagon,  he  distributed  most  of  the  under- 
ground mail  received  through  the  lines  for  rela- 
tives of  the  Confederate  soldiers,  thus  render- 
ing an  invaluable  service  to  the  cause.  He  did 
not  see  his  own  relatives  again  until  after  Gen- 
eral Lee's  surrender.  He  was  married,  in  1866, 
and  was  then  engaged  in  the  bakery  business 
in  Norfolk,  on  Church  street,  near  Charlotte 
street,  for  seven  years.  In  1879  he  removed 
his  business  to  Berkley,  where  he  conducted 
his  bakery  until  1890.  In  the  meantime,  he 
served  seven  years  as  special  police  officer  under 
the  appomtment  of  the  judge  of  the  Norfolk 
County  Court.  In  1890  he  was  elected  town 
sergeant,  upon  the  incorporation  of  Berkley  as 
a  town.  ?nd  served  two  year.^.  after  which  he 
again  conducted  his  bakery.  He  is  now  serv- 
mg  his  fourth  vear,  in  a  second  term,  as  town 
sergeant,  an  office  which  he  has  filled  in  a  most 
creditable  manner. 

Mr.  Rudd  was  united  in  marriatre  witli 
Sarah  Virginia  Petit,  a  native  of  Norfolk,  and 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  Petit,  deceased. 


DENNIS  ETHERIDGE. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


649 


They  became  the  parents  of  eight  cliildren,  of 
whom  the  following  are  now  living:  Charles 
E.,  a  macliinist  in  the  Xorfoik  Xavy  Yard,  who 
married  Ella  Howard  of  Berkley:  \V.  S.,  Jr., 
who  is  clerking  for  the  N.  Y.,  P.  &  N.  R.  R. ; 
Walter  S.,  who  is  aq  ordnance  man;  and  F. 
M.,  who  is  an  undertaker  and  enilialnier.  Mrs. 
Rudd  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Fra- 
ternally, Mr.  Rudd  is  past  exalted  ruler  of  the 
Elks.  ' 


m 


ENNIS  ETHERIDGE.  whose  por- 
trait is  herewith  shown,  is  president 
and  general  manager  of  the  Mer- 
chants' and  Farmers'  Peanut  Com- 
pany, which  oi)erates  one  of  the 
largest  peanut  industries  in  the  United  States. 
From  85,000  to  100,000  bags  of  peanuts  per 
year  are  cleaned,  separated  and  graded,  and 
employment  is  given  to  about  y^  men  and 
women.  The  company  was  established  in  Oc- 
tober, 1886,  with  Mr.  Etheridge  as  president 
and  general  manager,  and  INF.  L.  T.  Davis,  as 
secretary. 

Dennis  Etheridge  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina August  24,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaiah 
Etheridge.  His  opportunities  for  an  educa- 
tion W'Cre  very  meager.  He  moved  to  Norfolk 
in  1872  and  engaged  in  the  commission  busi- 
ness as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Etheridge. 
Fulgham  &  Company.  He  continued  with  that 
firrn  a  number  of  years  and  then  embarked  in 
the  peanut  trade,  and  is  now  one  of  the  laest- 
known  men  identified  with  that  business.  Mr. 
Etheridge  is  a  busy  man  but  has  found  time  to 
serve  in  the  Council  of  Norfolk  one  term,  al- 
though it  was  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  business 
interests. 

He  bears  an  honorable  record  for  service 
in  the  Confederate  Army  during  the  Intersec- 
tioiial  War.  He  enlisted  in  the  6ist  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantry,  and  upon  the  reorganization 
■of  the  Confederate  Army  joined  Company  F, 
15th   Regiment.  Virginia  Cavalry,    of    which 


John  F.  Cooper  was  captain.  He  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  Brandy  Station, 
tile  Wilderness,  Culpepper  Court  House,  and 
others.  He  was  captured  at  Luray  and  con- 
fined in  prison  for  14J/2  months. 

Dennis  Etheridge  was  joined  in  marriage 
with  Louisa  J.  Co.x,  of  North  Carolina,  in  Fel>- 
ruary,  1866,  and  they  have  six  children,  name- 
ly:  Mrs.  Sally  Jackson;  Mrs.  Lillie  Wombie; 
Elizal^eth;  W.  E. ;  Lulu;  and  Myron.  Fra- 
temally  Mr.  Etheridge  is  a  maiiber  of  Ruth 
Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  89;  and  Pickett- 
Buchanan  Camp  Confederate  Veterans,  of 
Norfolk. 


ONSDALE  J.  ROPER,  the  well-known 
cashier  of  the  John  L.  Roper  Lumber 
Company's  plant  at  Gilmerton,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  has  been  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  progress  and 
wealth  of  that  prominent  concern.  He  was 
born  March  4,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  William 
B.  and  Hannah  (Lithgow)  Roper,  his  native 
city  being  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

William  B.  Roper  w^as  born  in  England,  but 
when  still  a  young  man  determined  to  cross 
the  ocean,  and  therefore  came  to  .Cmerica  and 
located  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  followed  a 
successful  trade  as  a  marble-cutter.  There  he 
met  Hannah  Lithgow,  a  native  of  Philadelphia, 
who  became  his  worth)^  helpmeet. 

Lonsdale  J.  Roper  attended  the  .schools  of 
his  native  city,  and  was  a  pupil  in  the  Central 
High  School  there.  He  chose  for  his  life  work 
the  trade  of  a  wheelwright  and  coach-maker, 
and  learned  all  the  difi^erent  branches  of  the 
trade  while  residine  in  Philadelphia.  Tn  i86g. 
he  removed  to  Norfolk  County,  and  chose 
Deep  Creek  for  a  location,  the  Baird  &  Roper 
lumber  mills  being  located  at  that  place,  of 
which  he  was  the  efficient  superintendent  of  the 
same  until  they  were  destroyed  I)v  fire.  Then 
their  location  was  changed  to  Gilmerton,  where 
the  John  L.  Roner  Lumber  Company  was 
formed.     Some  time  later  he  resigned  his  du- 


650 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ties  as  superintendent,  tO'  become  cashier.  He 
found  the  work  of  superintendent  too  heavy  for 
one  of  his  years,  so,  after  serving  the  company 
faithfully  for  20  years  in  that  position,  he  as- 
sumed the  lighter  duties  of  cashier,  his  pres- 
ent occupation. 

In  June,  1853,  while  living  in  his  native 
city,  he  was  united  in  matrimoiny  with  Caro- 
line M.  Lake,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
in  January,  1830.  He  and  his  worthy  wife 
reared  a  number  O'f  children,  whose  names  are 
as  follows  :  William  D. ;  Alice  L. ;  Joseph  S. ; 
Charles  B. ;  David  L. ;  and  Thomas  D.  David 
L.  departed  this  life  November  6,  1901.  AHce 
is  the  wife  of  J.  D.  Carey.  In  their  religious 
life,  the  family  arc  identified  witli  the  Baptist 
Church,  of  Gilmerton. 

Mr.  Roper  affiliates  with  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
L  O.  O.  F. ;  and  K.  of  P.  He  has  had  an  ac- 
tive, industrious  career,  one  that  would  justify 
him  in  retiring  and  taking  life  easier,  but  his 
interest  in  the  busy  world  is  so  keen,  that  he 
prefers  to  stay  at  his  post  and  comtmue  to  do 
his  best.  He  is  highly  honored  and  esteemed, 
and   his   influence   is  great   among  his   fellow 

citizens. 

■♦  »  » 


OSEPH  J.  RIDDICK,  who  is  engaged 
in  iuisiness  at  Great  Bridge,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was.  born  in  Gates 
County,  North  Carolina, ,  March  6, 
1S50.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mar- 
garet (Louis)  Riddick,  who  were  both  natives 
of  that  county.  John  Riddick  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  and  was  clerk  in  the  court  oi 
his  county,  being  an  ardent  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics. He  married  Margaret  Louis,  and  they 
reared  11  children.  Those  living  are:  Maggie 
L. ;  Fanny;  R.  M. ;  and  Joseph  J.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch. 

Joseph  J.  Riddick  was  reared  in  North 
Carolina,  and  has  been  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits  since  first  entering  upon  a  business 
career.  In  1884  he  settled  in  Great  Bridge; 
where  he  engaged  in  business  in  the  store  of 


George  A.  Wilson,  afterward  launching  a 
business  of  his  own.  He  carries  a  good  stock, 
and  supplies  the  various  wants  and  needs  of 
the  residents  of  Great  Bridge,  and  its  vicinity. 
He  possesses  good  business  ability,  and  is  fair 
and  honest  in  his  dealings. 

In  1880,  Mr.  Riddick  married  Florence  V. 
Wilson,  a  daughter  of  the  late  George  A.  Wil- 
son, of  Norfolk  County.  She  was  born  at 
Great  Bridge  in  1855,  and  died  in  1886.  One 
child,  Cecil,  was  born  to  this  union.  Mr.  Rid- 
dick is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  but  does  not 
aspire  to  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 


AMES  HENRY  CRUSER,  who  has 
been  engaged  in  the  oyster  business 
for  many  years,  has  a  fine  home  at 
Cru.ser  Place,  Norfolk  Comity,  Vir- 
ginia, where  his  family  have  been  lo- 
cated for  aboiut  a  half  a  century. 

The  Cruser  family  is  one  of  prominence- 
in  the  county,  and  was  first  established  in 
America  in  1790,  when  some  of  his  ancestors 
came  from  Germany  and  located  on  Staten  Isl- 
and. The  family  name  was  spelled  Krutzer 
until  changed  to  Cruser  by  Capt.  Cornelius 
Cruser,  about  1833.  Captain  Cruser  removed 
from  his  home  on  Staten  Island  to  Gloucester 
County.  Virginia,  being  accompanied  by  his 
family.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  the 
oyster  business,  and  shipped  to  New  York  City' 
and  other  Northern  markets.  He  had  four 
children,  as  follows:  Washington  C,  Cor- 
nelius Crocheron ;  James  Henry ;  and  a  daughr 
ter,  who  was  drowned  in  the  York  Ri\'er  by 
the  capsizing  of  a  boat. 

Captain  Cornelius  Crocheron  Cruser  was 
born  in  18 18,  on  Staten  Island,  and  like  his 
father  engaged  at  the  oyster  industry.  In  1853. 
he  moved  from  Gli>ucester  County  to  Tanner's 
Creek,  Norfolk  County,  where  he  purchased 
four  acres,  of  land  from  his  fathev-in-law, 
Michael  Hendron,  and  built  the  old  homestead 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


651 


Avliicli  has  since  stood,  having  brought  the 
frame  of  the  house  from  Staten  Island,  and 
also  the  pressed  brick  for  its  fcaindation.  In 
addition  to  the  oyster  business,  he  engaged  in 
trucking,  and  sliipped  vegetables  to  Xorthern 
markets.  During  the  Intersectional  War,  he 
was  a  Xorthern  sympathizer,  but  did  not  par- 
ticipate in  the  struggle.  During  that  period 
the  oyster  industry  was  at  a  standstill,  owing 
to  the  closing  of  Northern  markets  to  ship- 
ments, and  the  Captain  lost  all  the  wealth  he 
had  accumulated.  His  oysters  had  a  growth 
of  four  years,  and  were  of  such  size  as  to  com- 
mand a  high  price  when  the  markets  were  again 
opened.  He  died  in  1901,  at  the  advanced  age 
of  83  years. 

Capt.  Cornelius  C.  Cruser  was  married,  in 
1845,  to  Margaret  Ann  Hendron,  a  daughter 
of  Michael  Hendron,  who  was  prominent 
among  the  early  residents  of  Tanner's  Creek. 
Eight  children  blessed  this  union,  of  whom  the 
following  grew  to  maturity  :  Cornelius  Mich- 
ael, whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work :  William  Samuel ;  James  Henry ;  Lola 
Ann,  wife  of  Robert  L.  Bunting;  Hansford 
Thornton:  and  Ella  Augusta  (^Bunting),  who 
died  in  1893. 

James  Henry  Cruser  was  united  in  mar- 
riage. January  9.  1885.  to  Emma  Etta  Parker, 
a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Anna  Parker, 
both  of  whom  came  from  England,  where  they 
were  born,  reared  and  married.  Mr.  Parker 
became  a  citizen  of  this  corntry.  and  during 
the  war  with  the  South  enlisted  in  the  Union 
Army,  and  gave  his  life  in  the  mterest  of  that 
cause.  His  widow  married  Thomas  Reynolds, 
and  is  now  living.  James  Henry  Cruser  and 
his  wife  became  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Olive  B..  horn  .April  i^,  188''):  .\mber 
E.,  born  July  17.  1887;  Melvin,  born  July  28, 
1889;  Lawrence  C,  born^  December  12,  1890; 
Gilbert  M..  born  January  18,  1892:  James  O.. 
born  March  18,  1893.  and  deceased  October  7, 
1895  :  Myrtle,  born  Xovember  28,  189^  ;  James 
R..  born  April  22,  1897:  Coral  C,  born  Feb- 
ruary 20,  1900,  and  deceased  July   10.   1901 ; 


and  Violet,  born  September  3.  1901.  Mr. 
Cruser  built  at  Cruser  Place  a  very  line  home 
of  II  rooms,  which  is  arranged  and  equipped 
with  modern  conveniences.  He  takes  a  deep 
interest  in  the  prosperity  and  progress  of  his 
town  and  community,  and  stands  high  among 
his  fellow  men. 


OBERT  ARMISTEAD  STEWART, 
M.  A.,  Ph.  D.,  the  only  child  born  to 
Col.  William  H.  and  Annie  Wrigiit 
(Stubbs)  Stewart,  was  born  in  P(jrts- 
mouth.  Virginia,  ^klarch  9.  1877. 
Robert  A.  Stewart's  primary  education  was 
conducted  in  Portsmouth,  first  in  the  primary 
school  and  later  in  the  Portsmouth  Academy, 
and  Portsmouth  English  and  Classical  School. 
Afterward,  he  attended  Col.  Hillary  P.  Jones' 
Schnol.  in  Xorfolk.  He  matriculated  in  the 
academic  department  of  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia in  September,  1894,  and  took  the  degrees 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts  and  Master  of  Arts.  June 
15,  1898.  He  was  for  two  years  assistant  to 
Maj.  Horace  Jones,  principal  of  the  University 
High  School  at  Charlottesville,  while  pursuing 
his  cf)urse  at  the  University.  For  the  session 
of  1899-1900.  he  was  called  to  fill  the  chair 
of  I-"rench  and  German  at  Wofford  College, 
.Spartansburg,  South  Carolina,  in  place  of  the 
regular  professor,  who  was  on  leave  in  Europe. 
Upon  lea\ing  that  institution.  Dr.  J.  H.  Car- 
lisle, president  of  Wofford  College,  wrote  as 
follows :  "He  leaves  a  good  record  here,  and 
carries  with  him  the  res|)ect.  confidence  and 
g(K)d  wishes  of  professors  and  students."  Mr. 
Stewart  returned  to  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia for  the  session  of  1900-1901  for  ])ost- 
graduate  study,  and  receive-i  the  degree  of  Ph. 
D.,  June  12.  1901,  being  the  youngest  man  to 
whom  the  honor  was  ever  awarded  by  that 
institution.  During  the  same  session  he  was 
assistant  in  Teutonic  languages,  and  associate 
editor,  with  Dr.  James  A.  Harrison,  on  the 
r6-volume  edition  of  Edgar  Allen  Poe's  works. 


652 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


published  by  T.  Y.  Crowell  &  Co.,  of  New 
York.  He  is  now  assistant  in  Romance  lan- 
guages at  Tulane  University,  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana. 


ON.  JAMES  MILNOR  KEELING,  a 
leading  attorney  of  Norfolk,  who  for 
a  long  term  of  years  was  judge  oS 
the  County  Court  of  Princess  Anne 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  that 
county  August  31,  1844.  His  family  is  one 
of  the  oldest  in  Virginia,  the  first  settler  being 
Thomas  Keeling,  whoi  came  from  England  tO' 
what  is  now  Princess  Anne  County  in  1635. 
The  family  homestead,  which  passed  into  other 
hands  in  1881,  has  been  continuously  in  the 
hands  of  the  Keelings  since  1693.  Tlie  father 
of  the  Judge  was  Solomon  S.  Keeling,  born 
in  1805,  died  in  188 1,  who  was  the  son  of 
Adam  Keeling,  born  in  1745,  who  served  in 
the  Revolutionary  War  as  a  lieutenant  in  the 
light  horse  cavalry,  and  died  in  180S.  Solo- 
mon S.  Keeling  married  Martha  Peters,  a 
daughter  of  Milnor  Peters,  a  business  man  of 
Norfolk. 

Judge  Keeling  was  reared  at  the  homestead, 
and  at  the  age  of  15  years  entered  the  military 
academy  of  Prof.  N.  B.  Webster,  at  Ports- 
mouth, and  subsequently  the  academy  of  Will- 
iam R.  Gait,  where  he  remained  for  two  years. 
But  it  was  difficult  for  Virginia  youths  to  con- 
fine their  attention  to  text-books  at  that  period, 
and  on  March  8,  1862,  the  day  of  the  memor- 
able encounter  between  the  Virginia  and  ]\Ioni- 
tor,  he  left  school  to  enter  the  Confederate 
ser\nce.  Joining  the  Chesapeake  Cavalry  on 
April  I,  1862,  he  led  the  adventurous  life  of  a 
trooper  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war, 
being  promoted  to  sergeant,  and,  on  occasions, 
commanding  his  company.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Gaines'  Mill,  Seven  Days  before  Rich- 
mond, Culpeper  Court  House,  the  Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Brandy  Station 
( where  he  was  wounded  by  a  saber-cut  on  the 
right  hand),  Beaver  Dam  Station,  Luray,  Win- 


chester, Cedar  Creek,  Dumfries,  Ream's  Sta- 
tion, Raccoon  Ford.  Stevensburg,  Trevilian 
and  Lacey  Springs.  He  participated  in  Staurt's 
celebrated  raid  around  the  army  of  Burnside, 
was  with  Stuart  at  Yellow  Tavern,  and  bore 
a  message  from  him,  shortly  before  he  was 
killed,  to  Col.  Henry  Clay  Pate.  For  a  short 
time,  Sergeant  Keeling  served  as  courier  for 
Gen.   Fitzhugh  Lee. 

The  war  over,  Mr.  Keeling  studied  law  for 
three  years  under  Alexander  Coke,  of  Princess 
Anne  County,  and,  having  been  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1868,  actively  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  in  1872.  On  June  18, 
1875,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  County 
Court  of  Princess  Anne  County  by  Gov.  James 
L.  Kemper.  In  this  position  he  was  continued 
by  legislative  election  in  the  fall  of  1875,  and 
again  in  1879,  1885  and  1891.  After  con- 
tinuous service  upon  the  bench  for  2 1  years,  he 
resigned  in  1896,  and  removed  to  Norfolk,  to 
resume  the  practice  of  his  profession  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  bar. 

Judge  Keeling  is  a  past  district-deputy 
grand  master  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  main- 
tains a  membership  in  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp, 
Confederate  Veterans,  of  Norfolk,  besides  hav- 
ing other  fraternal  connections.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Novemljer,  1876,  to  Annie  Whiddon 
Shepherd,  formerly  of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  They 
have  one  child,  Sarah  Camp. 


ICHARD     HENRY     BAKER.     The 

distinguished  Baker  family  is  of  Eng- 
lish ancestry  and  of  ancient  residence 
in  the  Old  Dominion,  one  of  the  Amer- 
ican founders  of  the  family  having 
been  knighted  by  King  Charles  in  the  seven- 
teenth century. 

Richard  H.  Baker  was  born  in  Nansemond 
County,  Virginia,  in  1826.  His  early  educa- 
tional training  was  at  the  Norfolk  Academy, 
and  afterward  at  the  Episcopal  High  School, 
near    Alexandria,    Virginia.     After   the   com- 


M.    D.    EASTWOOD. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


65s 


pletion  of  his  studies  at  this  admirable  schooi, 
lie  t(X>k  the  full  course  at  the  University  of 
X'irgiuia,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  B.  L..  i 
in  1850.  From  1870  to  1875.  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Board  of  Visitors  at  that  in- 
stitution. He  began  to  practice  law  in  Nor- 
folk as  soon  as  he  graduated;  in  1879,  '^^  '^'^ok 
in  iiis^son  as  a  law  partner,  and  the  firm  of' 
Baker  tSc  Baker  still  exists.  During  the  admin-- 
istration  of  President  Fillmore,  IMTT  Baker  was 
judge-advocate  of  the  naval  cuurts  at  Norfolk. 
Upon  the  secession  of  Virginia,  in  1861,  he 
went  immediately  into  the  military  service  of 
the  State,  but  was  soon  after  elected  to  the' 
Legislature  of  Virginia  from  the  citv  of  Nor- 
folk, and  was  continuously  re-elected,  without 
opposition,  until  the  close  of  the  war,  his  ser- 
vices in  the  House  being  considered  too  val- 
uable to  permit  him  to  withdraw  from  the 
office. 

He  was  married  November  12,  1850,  toi 
Anna  M.  May,  a  daughter  of  David  May,  Esq., 
of  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  to  them  werd 
born  eight  children, ,  of  whom  the  followingi 
survive:  Maria  M.,  w-ife  of  John  Burroughs, 
of  Norfolk:  Richard  H..  of  Norfolk,  who  mar- 
ried the  daughter  of  the  late  distinguished  Capt. 
James  Barron  Hope,  of  Norfolk ;  Kate  H.,  wife 
of  George  G.  Hobson,  of  Norfolk:  Benjamin' 
May,  a  physician  of  Norfolk;  Lucy  Lee;  and^ 
Emily  Gay. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Baker,  also  Richard 
Henry  Baker,  was  born  February  22,  1789,  in 
Nansemond  County,  Virginia.  He  was  a  law- 
yer of  high  repute,  and  judge  of  the  Circuit? 
Court  for  nearly  a  third  of  a  century,  and  up 
to  within  a  short  time  of  his  death,  in  1871; 
His  wife  was  Lelia  Ann  Barraud,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Philip  Barraud,  of  Williapisburg,  a  dis- 
tinguished surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  afterward  appointed  by  Washington,  in' 
recognition  of  his  conspicuous  military  service, 
surgeon  of  the  U.  S.  Marine  Hospital  at  Nor-» 
folk,  which  office  he  held  until  his  death,  in 
1832.  Judge  Baker  left  six  children.  Richard' 
Henry ;  Philip  Barraud,  a  surgeon  in  the  Con- 


federate Army,  who  died  in  1887;  Mary,  wid- 
ow of  Capt.  T.  Barraud,  who  was  killed,  fight- 
ing gallantly,  at  the  battle  of  Brandy  Station, 
in  1863;  Catherine  B.,  wife  of  Capt.  Samuel' 
Wilson,  of  Charlotteville;  Lelia,  wife  of  Maj. 
Robert  B.  Taylor,  of  Norfolk;  and  Emily 
Eyre,  deceased  wife  of  Judge  T.  S.  Garnett, 
of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Baker's  grandfather  was  Richard  Bak- 
er, born  in  Nansemond  County,  in  1764.  His 
wife  was  Judith  Bridger,  great-grandfather  of 
Sir  Joseph  Bridger,  a  member  of  the  Council 
of  State  under  Charles  II.  He  died  in  1789, 
leaving  three  children, — Benjamin  Beverly, 
Mary  and  Richard  Henry  Baker.  The  great- 
grandfather's name  was  I3enjamin  Baker,  born 
in  Nansemond  County  early  in  1700;  his  wife 
was  Sallie  Blount,  of  North  Carolina,  and  to 
them  were  born  three  sons, — William,  Blake 
and  Richard.  The  founder  of  the  Baker  fam- 
ily in  America  came  from  Sussex,  England,, 
prior  to  1650. 


D.  EASTWOOD,  whose  portrait 
is  shown  on  the  opposite  page,  has 
been  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits in  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk  County  on  the 
Western  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  and 
is  a  son  of  Josiah  Eastwood,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  Norfolk  County.  Josiah  Eastwood 
followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  and  never 
removed  to  the  city.  He  married  Lydia  Pow- 
ell, who  was  born  in  Norfolk  County.  M.  D. 
Eastwood  is  the  only  one  living  of  several  chil- 
dren born  to  his  parents. 

M.  D.  Eastwood  settled  in  Portsmouth  in 
1 85 1,  and  his  first  work  in  that  city  was  as  a 
clerk  in  a  store.  He  has  since  engaged  in  var- 
ious lines  of  mercantile  business  and  for  30 
vears,  until  1895,  carried  on  business  alone. 
He  owns  a  large  amount  of  real  estate  in  Ports- 


656 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK  ,  COUNTY 


mouth  and  the  country  adjoining.  He  is  also 
interested  in  several  prominent  enterprises  of 
Portsmouth,  being  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Bank  of  Portsmouth,  and  a  director  in  the 
People's  Bank  of  that  cit)-.  He  is  possessed  of 
much  shrewdness  and  good  judgment  in  bus- 
iness affairs,  and  has  always  been  prominent 
in  all  worthy  enterprises  undertaken  for  the 
development   of    Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Eastwood  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  A.  Thornton,  of  Gloucester  County,  Vir- 
ginia, who  died  in  October,  1901,  after  40 
years  of  wedded  life.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eastwood,  namely:  M.  L., 
who  took  a  course  at  Eastman's  Business  Col- 
lege at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York;  Elizabeth 
(Brooks),  of  Cottage  Place;  Frank  T.,  who  is 
clerk  in  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard;  John  T.,  who 
was  educated  at  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and  is  now  a  civil  engineer  of  New  Orleans; 
Wililam  T.,  educated  at  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, now  a  prominent  attorney  of  Ports- 
mouth;  Joseph  Powell,  an  electrical  engineer 
of  Portsmouth,  who  was  educated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia;  Everett  O.,  who  was  also 
educated  at  that  university,  where  he  taught 
astronomy  for  three  years,  and  who  is  now  at 
the  Boston  School  of  Technology;  and  N 
Louise,   who  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Eastwood  is  a  member  of  St.  John's 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


ILLL'VM  HENRY  VENABLE,  a 
gentleman  who  has  attained  a  high 
degree  of  success  as  a  practitioner 
of  the  bar  at  Norfolk,  was  born  at 
Hickory  Grove,  the  old  homestead 
of  his  family  near  Hampden  Sidney,  in  Prince 
Edward  County,  Virginia,  September  2,  1870. 
He  is  a  son  of  Maj.  Andrew  Reid  and  Louisa 
Cabell  fCarrington)  Venable,  and  comes  of  a 
distinguished  line  of  ancestry  on  both  sides  of 
the    house.     Representatives    of    this    family 


played  an  important  part  in  die  Revolutionary 
War,  and  were  closely  identified  with  the  his- 
tory of  Virginia  from  that  period  down  to  the 
present  day. 

Mr.  Venable  received  his  preliminary  edu- 
cational training  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county.     He  entered  Hampden  Sidney 
College  in  September,    1887.     From  the  first 
he  took  a  prominent  place  among  the  public 
speakers  of  that  institution,  and  his  oratorial 
ability  was  in  evidence  during  the  entire  time 
he  attended  college.     During  the  first  year  he 
was  awarded  the  Freshman  Declaimer's  Medal 
in  the  Union  Literary  Society.     He  was  absent 
from  college  during  the  session  of  ^888-1889, 
but  returned  in  September,  1889.     Durnig  the 
session  of  1890-1891,  he  represented  his  society 
at  both  the  intermediate  and  final  celebrations, 
and  was  sent  by  his  fraternity  as  a  delegate  to 
the    "Chi    Phi"    convention    held    in    Atlanta, 
Georgia.     He  graduated  with  the  degree  of  A. 
B.  in  1892,  and  carried  off  the  Senior  Orator's 
Medal  presented  by  his  society.     He  was  the 
unanimous  choice  of  his  college  to  represent  it 
in  the  Liter-Collegiate  Oratorical  Association 
of  the  State  O'f  Virginia,  and  in  the  contest  held 
in  Richmond,  July  7,  1892,  he  carried  off  first 
honors   and   the  gold  medal.     In   ttie   fall   of 
1892,  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the 
University  of  Maryland.     In  the  summer  of 
1893  he  attended  the  summer  law  school  of  the 
University  of  Virginia  under   Prof.   John   B. 
Minor,  and  graduated  from  the  University  of 
Maryland  with  the  degree  of  B.   L.   on  May 
25,    1894.     In    the   meantime   he    acquired    a 
practical   knowledge  of  his  profession   in  the 
law  office  of  a  relative,  Maj.  R.  M.  Venable, 
of  Baltimore,  Maryland. 

Mr.  Venable  located  in  Norfolk  September 
20,  1894,  and  has  since  practiced  law  in  this 
city.  His  ability  and  true  worth  as  a  lawyer 
soon  became  recognized,  and  his  practice  has 
since  been  a  constantly  growing  one.  He  num- 
bers among  his  clients  many  of  the  leading 
citizens  and  business  firms  of  Norfolk,  and 
stands  high  among  the  members  of  the  legal 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


657 


profession.  He  was  sent  by  the  Board  of  Trade 
and  lUisiness  Men's  Association  of  Norfollt, 
of  which  he  is  a  member,  to  represent  the  city 
in  the  Pure  Food  Congress  held  in  W'asliing- 
ton,  U.  C,  in  January,  1899.  In  March,  1901, 
he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  exalted  ruler 
of  Norfolk  Lodg-e,  No.  38,  Benevolent  &  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks.  He  was  the  first  com- 
mander of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Sons  of 
Confederate  Veterans,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
and  the  first  worthy  president  of  Norfolk 
Eyrie,  Fraternal  Order  oi  Eagles  of  America, 
and  is  a  member  of  Virginia  Conclave,  No.  i, 
Heptasophians  or  Seven  Wise  Men^ 

On  November  15,  1899,  Mr.  Venable  was 
united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  with  Eliza- 
beth   Berkley  Wight,  of   Richmond,   Virginia. 

.■\t  the  Democratic  primary  election  held  in 
Norfiilk,  .April  17,  1900,  he  receixed  the  nom- 
ination of  the  party  for  the  office  of  Common- 
wealtli's  .Attorney  for  the  city  of  Norfolk  and 
was  elected  to  that  office  in  the  general  election 
held  in  May  of  that  year  by  a  large  majority. 

On  August  I,  1 90 1,  he  was  appointed  as- 
sistant counsel  of  the  Norfolk  Railway  &  Light 
Company,  and  will  retire  from  i)olitics  on  the 
1st  of  July  so  as  to  be  able  to  devote  more  of 
his  time  to  this  company  and  other  corpora- 
tions l)v  whom  he  has  been  retained  as  counsel. 


RANK  D.  PINKERTON  is  manager 
for  Baugh  &  Sons  Company,  manu- 
facturers of  fertilizers  and  chemicals, 
located  at  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania: 
he  is  secretary  of  the  Baugh  Chemical 
Works  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  His  office 
is  located  at  No.  159  Main  street,  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia. Mr.  Pinkerton  was  born  in  Rockbridge 
County,  Virginia,  April  11,  1858,  and  is  a  son 
of  Rev.  William  and  Mary  (Dandridge)  Pink- 
erton. 

Re\-.  William  Pinkerton  aufl  his  wife  were 
natives  of  Eastern  Virginia.  The  former  was 
a  minister  in  the  Presbvterian  Church,  and  for 


40  years  was  one  of  the  most  able  clergymen 
of  that  denomination.  He  preached  in  many 
(if  the  important  cities  of  Virginia  and  other 
States,  and  was  a  man  of  noble  purpose  and 
excellent  character.  He  left  behind  him  the 
reputation  of  one  who  was  ardent  in  the  life 
work  that  demanded  and  received  his  best  en- 
deavors, an<l  who  possessed  a  character  well 
rounded  in  Christian  completeness.  His  wife, 
who  came  from  one  of  the  oldest  and  best 
families  of  Virginia,  was  a  woman  who  was 
loved  for  her  many  acts  of  charity.  She  took 
an' active  part  in  church  work  until  ])revented 
by  the  infTrmities  of  age. 

Frank  D.  Pinkerton,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  has  been  connected  with  Baugh  &  Sons 
Company  for  the  past  29  years.  He  left  home 
to  enter  their  employ  as  a  traveling  salesman, 
and  also  spent  15  years  in  their  office.  He  has 
been  engaged  for  some  time  in  his  present 
work  in  Norfolk,  looking  after  the  interests  of 
the  firm.  His  long  service  with  the  company 
speaks  well  for  his  ability  and  faithfulness.  He 
is  an  excellent  business  man,  and  commands 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact. 

Mr.  Pinkerton  was  married,  December  26, 
1886,  to  Mary  H.  Coulson,  a  native  of  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
H.  Coulson,  a  well-known  citizen  of  that  place. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pinkerton  have  four  children, 
namely:  Mary  B. :  Frank  C. ;  Eleanor  D. ; 
and  Margaret  I.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
and  his  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  Mr.  Pinkerton  is  a  ruling  elder.  He 
is  one  of  Norfolk's  most  influential  citizens, 
and  is  well  and  favorablv  known. 


FRANK  ROBERTSON,  an  ac- 
tive and  energetic  citizen  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  is  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Paper  Company,  a  prosperous  en- 
terprise of  the  city.     He  was  born  in  Isle  of 


658 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Wight  County,  Virginia,  January  17,  1868, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  W.  and  Roxana  E.  (Carr) 
Robertson,  both   natives  of  Virginia. 

John  W.  Robertson  is  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  is  now  63  years  of  age.  He  served 
during  the  Confederate  War,  under  General 
Lee,  in  Mahone's  Brigade,  in  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia.  He  saw  much  hard  ser- 
vice, and  narrowly  escaped  death  in  an  ex'- 
plosion  at  Petersburg.  He  is  a  prominent  of- 
ficer in  the  Baptist  Church  at  South  Quay, 
Virginia.  Mrs.  Robertson  is  now  past  61  years 
of  age,  and  is  an  active  and  consistent  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  Eight  children  were 
born  to  them,  as  follows:  W.  Frank;  E.  J. 
and  J.  M.,  who  are  traveling  salesmen  for  the 
Old  Dominion  Paper  Company ;  Sallie,  wife  of 
Richard  L.  Forrest ;  Alphonso,  who  is  attend- 
ing school;  Lillie;  Roxie;  and  Inez. 

W.  Frank  Robertson  first  attended  the 
academy  at  South  Quay,  and  later  the  male 
academy  at  Franklin,  Virginia.  He  then 
clerked  in  the  mercantile  establishment  of  J.  R. 
Howell  &  Company,  at  Franklin,  for  one  year, 
and  then  entered  a  business  college  at  Norfolk, 
where  he  completed  a  course  of  study.  He 
accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  with  the  Old 
Dominion  Paper  Company,  a  position  which  he 
held  until  1894,  when  the  company  was  incor- 
porated and  Mr.  Robertson  was  made  secretary 
and  treasurer.  They  manufacture  paper  of  all 
kinds  and  employ  many  people,  and  under  the 
conservative  management  of  its  president,  Rob- 
ert Johnston,  the  business  has  assumed  large 
proportions.  Each  year  has  witnessed  an  in- 
crease in  business  and  it  is  now  on  a  good  pay- 
ing basis.  Mr.  Robertson  is  a  man  of  recog- 
nized ability  and  has  had  his  share  in  the  suc- 
cess of  the  firm. 

W.  Frank  Robertson  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church  since  he  was  13  years  of 
age,  and  has  always  been  an  active  church 
worker.  At  the  age  of  25  years,  he  became 
affiliated  with  the  Freemason  Street  Baptist 
Church,  of  Norfolk,  and  served  as  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  for  three 


years.  He  resigned  in  November,  190 1,  and 
became  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school  of 
the  Central  Avenue  Baptist  Church  of  Norfolk. 
This  is  a  new  church,  but  the  school  has  an  en- 
rollment of  200  pupils,  and  he  has  met  with  fine 
success  in  his  efforts  to  build  it  up.  On  June 
14,  1893,  Mr.  Robertson  married  Lucy  Henley 
Hall,  a  native  of  Nansemond  County,  and  a 
daughter  of  Arthur  E.  Hall,  a  prominent  man 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  of 
Norfolk.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
three  children,  namely:  Annie  May;  Alma 
L. ;  and  William  Arthur.  Mrs.  Robertson  is 
a  member  of  Centenary  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  being  one  of  those  who  aided 
in  its  establishment  a  number  of  years  ago. 
Fraternally,  the  subject  of  this  biography  is  a 
member  of  Owens  Lodge,  No.  164,  A  F  & 
A.  M. 


HARLES    SCHR'OEDER,    who    has 
been   engaged   in  the  railroad,  mill 
and  general  supply  business  for  more 
than  a  quarter  of    a  century,   is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  E.  V.  White 
&  Company  of  Norfolk.     He  has  taken  a  deep 
interest   in   the   affairs    of   the  city,   and  was 
formerly  a  member  of  the  City  Council.     A 
brave,  daring  soldier  and  a  successful  business 
man,  he  well  merits  the  esteem  in  which  he  is- 
held. 

Mr.  Schroeder  was  born  at  Portsmouth, 
January  22,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Antonius 
and  Theresa  Schroeder.  His  parents  were  na- 
tives of  Prussia  and  moved  to  Jamaica  about 
1832,  where  he  followed  surveying  a  couple  of 
years.  They  then  moved  to  Virginia,  where 
they  lived  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the 
father  dying  in  December,  1854,  at  the  age  of 
55  years,  and  the  mother,  in  February,  1865, 
aged  65  years.  The  former  located  in  Norfolk 
in  1834,  followed  farming  for  a  time,  and  then 
engaged  in  generalljusiness. 

Charles    Schroeder    entered    the    engineer 


GEORGE    W.    MERRILL. 


AND    REPE^ESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


66 1 


corps  of  the  United  States  Xavy  in  1853,  ^^^ 
was  advanced  to  the  rank  of  passed  assistant 
engineer,  in  which  capacity  he  was  serving 
when  N'irginia  Joined  the  Confederacy.  He 
immediately  thereafter  resigned  his  commission 
and  tendered  his  services  to  the  Governor  of 
Virginia.  He  was  assigned  to  the  Confederate 
States  Xavy  with  the  rank  of  chief  engineer, 
was  detailed  for  special  duty  for  several  months 
with  Commodore  Matthew  F.  Maun.-,  and  sub- 
sequently served  at  Richmond  in  connection 
with  the  naval  batteries  and  the  James  River 
squadron.  He  acted  as  a  member  of  the  first 
naval  examining  board  of  engineers  of  the  Con- 
federate government,  and  was  later  appointed 
special  agent  for  the  purchase  of  naval  sup- 
plies, an  office  which  frequently  required  him 
to  run  the  blockade  of  Southern  ports.  He 
always  acted  as  chief  engineer  on  the  vessel 
on  which  he  took  passage.  When  the  expedi- 
tion was  organized  under  the  command  of 
Captain  John  Wilkinson  for  the  relief  of  Con- 
federate prisoners  at  Johnston's  Island,  Ohio, 
he  was  detailed  as  chief  engineer.  The  idea 
was  to  go  through  Canada,  and  thev  left  Wil- 
mington. Xorth  Carolina,  on  the  blockade  run- 
ner "Robert  E.  Lee."  After  their  arrival  at 
Halifax,  Xova  Scotia,  the  party  was  separated, 
to  allay  suspicion,  to  meet  again  at  St.  Cather- 
ines. Upon  their  arrival  at  the  latter  place, 
they  were  much  chagrined  to  find  that  their 
plans  had  become  known  and  the  enterprise 
must  be  abandoned.  Returning  to  Halifax, 
they  sailed  for  the  Bermudas,  and  attempted 
to  enter  the  port  at  \\'ilmington.  but  were 
chased  by  blockade  cruisers  and  torced  to  run 
their  vessel  ashore  on  Dauber's  Beach,  near 
Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  and  abandon  her. 
On  returning  to  Richmond,  Mr.  Schroeder  was 
ordered  to  resume  his  duties  as  purchasing 
agent.  He  subsequently  evaded  the  Federal 
blockade  a  number  of  times  and  successfully 
reinforced  the  Confederate  military  supplies. 
He  continued  to  serve  in  that  manner  until 
confined  to  his  bed  with  vellow  fever,  by  which 
he  was  incapacitated  for  a  number  of  months. 

36 


Up<3n  recovery  he  was  assigned  as  chief  engi- 
neer of  the  cruiser  "Tallahassee,"  a  vessel 
which  captured  numerous  merchantmen,  some 
of  which  were  bonded  and  others  destroyed. 
Unfortunately,  however,  in  running  into  the 
Bermudas  for  recoaling,  the  "Tallahassee""  was 
allowed  only  enough  coal  to  carry  her  to  Wil- 
mington. Arriving  there,  the  cruiser  was 
abandoned  and  the  boat  dismantled.  Mr. 
Schroeder  was  next  engaged  in  a  special  mis- 
sion to  England,  when  the  announcement 
reached  them  that  the  war  was  closed.  He 
then  went  to  Halifax,  and  with  Captain 
John  Wilkinson  and  Capt.  John  Taylor  Woods, 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  for  two  years, 
when  he  withdrew  from  the  firm  and  returned 
to  Portsmouth.  About  18  months  later,  he 
went  to  San  Francisco  as  engineer  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Pacific  Steamship  [Mail  Company, 
and  in  that  capacity  went  to  China,  where  he 
remained  five  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Portsmouth  in  May,  1873.  and  embarked  in 
the  general  hardware  trade  as  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  E.  \".  ^^"hite  &  Company,  with  which 
he  has  since  been  connected.  He  is  one  of  the 
substantial  business  men  of  the  city,  and  enjoys 
the  friendship  of  his  fellow  citizens  to  a  marked 
degree. 

In  1861,  Mr.  Schroeder  was  joined  in  the 
bonds  of  matrimony  with  Marv  E.  City,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  G.  City,  an  officer  of  the 
navy,  and  they  have  four  children,  namely: 
Eugenia.,  wife  of  Robert  Emmett  Crump,  of 
Portsmouth;  Mary;  William  C,  a  graduate 
of  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Virginia,  at  present  located  in  Xew  York  City;, 
and  Lucrece. 


EORGE  W.  MERRILL,  prominent 
hat  manufacturer  of  Xorfolk.  Vir- 
ginia, having  the  only  establishment 
of  the  kind  in  the  city,  was  born  in 
South    Xorwalk,    Connecticut,  July 

18,  1872.    He  is  a  son  of  William  S;  and  ^t^ry 

Ann  (  Reill )  Merrill. 


662 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


William  S.  Merrill  was  a  sea-captain  for 
many  years  and  circumnavigated  the  globe.  He 
was  in  the  mines  of  Colorado  and  Australia, 
and  in  the  diamond  mines  of  Africa.  He 
was  a  European  oyster  dealer  on  Long 
Island  Sounil  for  years,  and  was  the  first  dealer 
to  ship  a  barrel  of  oysters  to  England.  He 
removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in  October, 
1900,  and  died  in  November  of  the  same  year, 
at  the  age  of  72  years.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  He  married  Mary  Ann 
Reill,  who  was  born  in  1828,  and  died  in 
1883.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
Church.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  Ella  Louise;  William  R.,  of 
Stratford,  Connecticut,  captain  of  an  oyster 
boat;  Irene  May;  and  George  W.,  the  subject 
•of  this  biography. 

George  W.  Merrill  attended  the  South  Nor- 
walk  High  School  in  Connecticut,  and  then 
learned  the  trade  of  a  iiat  maker  in  his  native 
town.  He  accompanied  his  father  to  Norfolk, 
"Virginia,  in  Octol^er.  1900.  and  established  the 
only  hat  manufactory  in  the  city.  His  uncle 
had  established  the  first  hat  factory  in  Nor- 
"vvalk,  Connecticut.  The  business  is  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  G.  W.  Merrill  &  Com- 
pany, and  is  located  at  No.  241  Church  street. 
It  is  the  only  firm  in  the  State  of  Virginia  man- 
ufacturing soft,  stiff  and  straw  hats,  and  silk 
tiles.  From  a  small  lieo^inning,  the  business 
lias  grown  to  large  oroportions  under  capable 
management,  and  the  quality  of  the  articles 
manufactured  is  such  as  to  warrant- an  equally 
large  growth  each  succeeding  year. 

Mr.  Merrill  was  married  at  the  famous 
"Little  Church  Around  the  Corner"  in  New- 
York  City,  to  Lulu  A.  Cronk,  a  daughter  of 
Peter  D.  and  Ida  F.  (Brown)  Cronk.  She 
was  lx)rn  in  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  January 
17,  1874.  During  his  short  residence  in  Nor- 
folk, Mr.  Merrill  has  gained  a  host  of  friends, 
and  is  highly  respected  by  all  with  whom  he 
comes  in  contact. 

It  makes  no  difference  whether  we  spell  the 
last  syllable  of  Merrill  with  an  /  or  an  c. 
"The  families  represented  bv  it  have  a  common 


origin.     For  269  years  the  family  have  resided 
on  American  soil.     The  family  was  originally 
Huguenot    French,   spelling  the  name  Merle, 
and  had  a  Ijlack    bird    on  the  coat  of  arms. 
Hence  the  name  of  those  residing  anciently  at 
Place  De  Dombes,  France.     The  first  IMe'rrill 
that  set  foot  on  American  soil  was  born  in  the 
year  memorable  for  the  assassination  of  Henry 
IV.     Disliking  the  political  movements  of  the 
times,  the  Merrill  family  left  France  and  went 
into    England.      Nathaniel     Merrill     born    in 
1 610,  grew  up  in  that  English  home.     Before 
he  was  23  years  of  age  he  married  an  English 
girl,   Hannah    Wilterton    by  name,  and  very 
properly  emigrated  to  America.     He  reached 
Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  even  before  the  well- 
known  pioneer,  Reginal  Foster.     Merrill,  how- 
ever, made  his  home  in  Newbury,  Massachu- 
setts, two  years  after.     He  had  there  various 
children,   the  descendants   of  whom   are  now 
scattered   over   the  whole  country.      The  de- 
scendants  of   Nathaniel     made     distinguished 
records  in  New  England ;  they  were  politicians, 
members  of  constitutional  con\-entions,  fought 
in    the     Revolution,    where   they   commanded 
companies,  and  in  the  war  between  the  States 
one    attained    the    rank    of    brigadier-general 
and  there  was  one  of  the  familv  who  founded 
a   Pennsylvania  town.      The  children   of   Na- 
thaniel, the  immigrant  to  this  countrv,  and  his 
wife  Hannah  ^^'ilterton,  were:    John,  born  in 
1635;  Nathaniel,  born  in  1638;  Susan,  bom  in 
1640;  Daniel,  born  in  1642;  Abel  and  Thomas, 
born  in  1648,  and  oossiblv  others.     With  the 
exception  of  John,  the  children  seemed  to  have 
located     in     Massachusetts,     Vermont,     NeAV 
Hampshire   and   Maine;   but  John,   for   some 
reason,  wis  adopted  by  Gregory  Wilterton  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut.     Why  he  was  adopted 
by  Mr.  Wilterton  is  only  suggested  by  the  lat- 
ter's  name.     He  may  have  been  grandfather, 
father  of  Nathaniel's  wife,  the  name  being  the 
same.     As  Nathaniel  Merrill,  Sr.,  did  not  die 
until  1654.  the  adoption  of  his  son  John  proba- 
bly occurred  before  he  died.     When  Gregory 
Wilterton's  will  was  read,  it  was  found  that 
John  Merrill  had  been  made  his  heir.     John 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


663 


Merrill  married  Sarah  Watson  and  had  10 
children,  and  hence  the  great  number  of  Mer- 
rills since  found  in  Connectitcut  . 

Our  subject.  George  W.  Merrill,  is  a  de- 
scendant of  the  Connecticut  branch  of  the  IMer- 
rill  family.  His  jx^rtrait  accompanies  this 
sketch. 


ICKLIFFE  J.  BOHAXXAX.  who 
is  captain  of  the  steamer  "Ala- 
bama," is  a  well-known  resident  of 
Xorfolk.  He  was  born  in  Mathews 
County,  \lrginia.  in  1849.  a"<i  is 
a  son  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (  Ainslie)  Bohannan. 
Joseph  Bohannan  was  born  in  Mathews 
County.  Virginia,  in  1810,  and  died  there  in 
1S93.  aged  83  years.  He  was  a  tailor  by  occu- 
pation, and  owned  a  good  farm.  He  received 
the  appointment  of  postmaster  of  Mathews 
Court  House  in  1850.  and  held  that  office  under 
the  Federal  government  until  i860.  He  was 
appointed  by  Jefferson  Davis.  President  of  the 
Confederate  States,  to  fill  that  office,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  so  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  well-to-do  up  to  the  time  of  the  war.  in 
which  he  lost  everything  but  his  farm.  Re- 
ligiously, he  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  He  married  Jane  Ainslie,  who  was 
born  in  Baltimore.  Maryland,  and  died  in  1897. 
at  the  age  of  84  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Peter  Ainslie,  a  native  o.f  ScdtTand  and  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Christian  Church.  They  had  eight 
children,  as  follows :  Eliza,  who  married 
Henr}-  Taurman.  a  farmer  bv  occupation ; 
Ariannie.  who  married  William  Barker,  a  min- 
ister of  the  Christian  Church,  and  who  is  now 
dead :  Edgar,  who  lives  at  Fairmount,  Ken- 
tucky ;  L.  Kate,  widow  of  Marshall  \\'illiams. 
now  residing  in  Baltimore ;  Christopher,  de- 
ceased, who  was  an  attnrney-at-law  of  Rich- 
mond. Virginia:  W'ickliffe  J.,  the  subject  of 
this  biography:  Alice,  who  married  Albert 
\\'illiams.  a  farmer  of  Mathews  County,  ^'ir- 
ginia;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Wickliffe  J.  Bohannan  attended  the  private 


schools  of  Mathews  Court  House,  and  after 
leaving  school  was  apix)inted  deputy  sheriff  o{ 
Mathews  County.  He  first  went  to  sea  about 
1870,  as  a  sailor  before  the  mast,  in  the  coast 
trade.  He  was  a  common  sailor  for  about 
three  years.  He  was  made  mate  on  the  sailing 
vessel  "James  Baymore."  plying  between 
Philadelphia.  Baltimore,  Xew  York  and  other 
ports.  He  then  went  on  the  "Surprise"  as  sec- 
ond mate,  and  two  months  later  was  ship- 
wrecked near  Cape  Henry :  the  vessel  was  lost, 
but  all  the  crew  were  saved.  He  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Bay  Line  of  steamers  in  1872.  as 
quartermaster  on  the  "George  Leary."  He 
then  l:>ecame  lookout  and  gradually  worked  his 
way  up  to  the  command  o.f  a  vessel.  He  was 
successivelv  in  command  of  the  "Roanoke," 
"Seaboard?"  "Westover."  "Gaston,"  "Vir- 
ginia." "Carolina."  "Georgia."  and  "Ala- 
bama." becoming  captain  of  the  last  named 
upon  its  completion,  in  1893.  He  has  had 
great  experience  in  every  department  of  work 
on  a  steamer,  and  his  services  are  highly  valued 
by  the  company  for  which  he  works. 

Captain  Bohannan  was  joined  in  marriage, 
in  1878,  with  Columbia  Bray,  who  was  born  in 
York  County,  Virginia,  in  •  1856.  and  is  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Bray.  They 
have  had  two  children,  one  dying  in  infancy, 
and  the  other.  James,  dying  at  the  age  of  five 
years.  Religiously,  the  Captain  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Frater- 
nally, the  former  is  a  member  of  ^lystic  Circle 
Lodge.  X'o.  109.  A.  F.  &  A.  ]M. :  Jerusalem 
Chapter,  X"o.  9.  R.  A.  M. :  Royal  Arcanum : 
Heptasophs;  and  Rescue  Harbor,  Xo.  14.  Mas- 
ters" &  Pilots"  Association,  all  qi  Baltimore. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


M.  LLOYD,  a  partner  of  Charles  W. 
Priddy.  and  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Pocomoke  Guano  Company,  is 
one  of  X'orfolk's  representative  citi- 
zens. He  was  born  in  Pocomoke 
City.  ^Maryland,  January  2~.  1865,  and  is  a  son 


634 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  Christopher  C.  and  Anna  Grace  (McMas- 
ter)  Lloyd,  both  natives  of  Maryland,  and 
members  of  old  families  of  that  State. 

Christopher  C.  Lloyd  is  one  of  the  most 
influential  citizens  of  Pocomoke  City,  ilary- 
land,  and  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  He 
was  sheriff  of  his  native  county  two  terms,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  all  important  enter- 
prises. He  is  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  of  that  city,  and  one  of  its  most 
active  workers.  His  wife,  a  daughter  of  Hon. 
S.  S.  I\Ic]\Ia?ter,  died  in  September,  1898.  Of 
seven  children  born  to  this  union,  but  five  are 
living,  among  whom  are  Mrs.  E.  B.  Freeman, 
the  wife  of  a  prominent  citizen  of  Norfolk ; 
and  S.  M.,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch. 

S.  ^I.  Lloyd  underwent  his  mental  training 
at  Pocomoke  City,  ^^laryland ;  and  after  finish- 
ing school  he  embarked  in  the  fertilizing  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  continued  up  to  the  present 
time.  He  located  in  Norfolk  in  1881,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  devoted  his  time  to  many 
enterprises  which  are  for  the  good  of  the  city 
in  which  he  lives.  He  is  a  man  of  splendid 
business  ability,  conscientious  and  possessed  of 
good  judgment,  and  has  met  with  much  suc- 
cess. 

February  7,  1893,  Air.  Lloyd  married  Effie 
Payne,  a  daughter  of  W.  T.  Payne,  who  is  for- 
eign freight  agent  for  the  Norfolk  &  Western 
Railway  Company  at  Norfolk.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lloyd  have  three  children, — JNIcMaster,  Walter 
P.  and  Catherine.  Mrs.  Payne  is  a  member 
of  St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of 
Norfolk. 


1LLL\M    W.    SIMPSON,    a    well- 
known   farmer  of  Norfolk   Coun- 
ty,   \'irginia,    was   born    at    Cape 
Charles,     Virginia,     October     15, 
1835,  and  is    a  son  of    John  A. 
Simpson.     John  A.  Simpson  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade,  and  died  in   1838. 

William  \\'.  Simpson  spent   13  months  in 
the  arm\-.   serving  in  General   Mahone's  Bri- 


gade. He  was  slightly  wounded  at  one  time, 
but  never  disabled  from  duty.  At  the  time 
of  his  marriage,  which  occurred  January  15, 
1862,  he  had  but  10  cents  in  money,  and  owned 
no  property.  By  depriving  himself  of  much, 
and  enduring  many  hardships,  through  sheer 
thrift  and  energy  he  soon  got  a  good  start  in 
the  world,  and  at  the  present  time  owns  con- 
siderable real  estate  in  Norfolk,  besides  his 
farm,  which  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county. 
He  is  a  self-made  man,  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  and  deserves  much  credit  for  his  per- 
severance and  pluck. 

Mr.  Simpson  married  Rebecca  Yealdhall. 
Thev  were  blessed  with  six  children,  namely : 
William  Leonard,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  who 
married  a  daughter  of  George  Congdon,  from 
Chesterfield  County,  Virginia;  John  Randolph, 
who  married  Lillian  Backus,  a  daughter  of 
Ouincy  Backus,  a  truck  farmer;  Elijah  Ben- 
ton, who  married  Rose  Foreman ;  Edgar 
Lloyd,  who  married  Anna  Baldwin ;  Olin,  who 
married  William  Dey,  and  is  living  in  Bram- 
bleton,  Norfolk  Coimty ;  and  Alarsula,  who  re- 
sides with  her  parents. 


ENJAAIIN  F.  GIBSON,  who  is  much 
interested  in  agricultural  aft'airs  in 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and  is  re- 
siding upon  his  farm  of  97/4  acres,  a 
few  miles  south  of  Berkley,  is  a  na- 
tive of  North  Carolina.  He  was  born  Decem- 
ber 22,  1S47.  snd  is  a  son  of  P.  H.  Gibson. 

P.  H.  Gibson  was  born  in  North  Carolina,, 
and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  in 
1898,  and  his  death  was  sincerely  regreited  by 
all  who  knew  him.  He  located  in  Norfolk 
County  in  185 1,  and  lived  on  a  farm  near 
Great  Bridge  for  five  years.  In  1861  he  en- 
listed in  the  army,  and  served  for  four  years. 
Losing  all  he  possessed  during  the  trials  of  that 
war,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Norfolk  at 
its  close,  and  later  settled  upon  a  farm  near 
that  of   his   son.     There   his   death   occurred. 


JOHN   HOWARD    SHARP. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


607 


He  marrieil  \'irginia  Traftoii,  who  was  born  in 
Nortli  Carolina,  and  they  reared  the  following 
children,  namely:  Benjamin  F.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch:  \'irginia,  deceased;  and  J.  L..  a 
farmer  living  near  Benjamin  F.  P.  H.  Gibson 
married,  secondly,  \'irginia  Busten,  and  they 
reared  three  children,  namely:  Anna  (Mc- 
Cloud):  Maggie,  deceased;  and  Lilly. 

Benjamin  F.  Gibson  lived  in  Xorfolk 
during  the  last  two  years  of  the  war.  From 
his  father  he  learned  to  farm,  and  in  July, 
1884.  he  l>night  his  present  farm.  This  is  a 
tinely  improved  piece  of  land,  and  is  kept  in 
excellent  condition.  There  is  a  comfortable 
nine-r(X)m,  two-story  house  of  brick  on  the 
place,  and  this  greatly  adds  to  the  value  and 
appearance  of  the  property.  Mr.  Gibson  is  a 
man  of  thrift  and  enterprise,  and  tie  has  worked 
conscientiously  for  many  years.  He  is  well 
deserving  of  success. 

He  married  Lizzie  Lewelyn  in  1874.  She 
is  a  native  of  Xorfolk.  They  are  the  parents 
of  four  children,  namely:  Lura  (Doughty); 
Harry,  a  resident  of  Norfolk ;  x*\lice ;  and 
Charles,  also  a  resident  of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Gibson  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 


OHX  HOWARD  SHARP,  a  g;entle- 
man  of  prominence  in  railroad  circles, 
whose  portrait  accompanies  this 
sketch,  is  treasurer  of  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Railwav  Company,  and  is 
located  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia.  He  was  born 
December  3.  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  William 
\\'illoughby  and  Mary  Ann  Lewis  (Schtx*!- 
field)  Sharp.  He  comes  of  a  distinguished 
\'irginia  family,  many  of  its  representatives 
having  served  in  high  ofifices  of  public  trust, 
and  the  record  of  all  its  members  having  been 
a  credit  to  the  State  and  county  in  which  they 
lived. 

William  Sharp,  of  County  Kent,  England, 
ivas   the   first  of   the   familv   to  ci:)me   to   the 


Colony  of  Virginia.  He  landed  at  Curl's 
Neck,  Charles  City  County,  Virginia,  in  1620, 
from  the  "Harr." 

Col.  William  Sharp,  grandfather  of  John 
Howard  Sharp,  was  a  man  of  great  influence 
and   popularity.       He    stuilied    law    in   Judge 
Wythe's  office  in    Richmond,   and  his   fellow 
pupil  was  Hon.  Henry  Clay.     In  the  War  of 
181 2.  he  was  in  command  of  the  9th  and  54th 
regiments,  of  Virginia,  under  Generals  Robert 
B.     Taylor    and    Wade    Hampton.      Colonel 
Sharp  is  described  as  being  tall  and  erect,  with 
piercing  black  eyes,  and  as  a  fine  specimen  of 
physical  manhood  and  soldierly  bearing  as  a 
commander.     After  the  war  with  Great  Brit- 
ain, he  was  chosen  as  the  first  clerk  of  the  bor- 
ough of  Xorfolk.     His  wife  was  the  beautiful 
Mary  Willoughby,  a  trace  of  whose  ancestry 
is  found  in  the  following  extract  from  "Vir- 
ginia and  Virginians,"  bv  Dr.  R.  A.  Brock  of 
Richmond :    "Captain  John  Smith,  the  father 
of  the  Colony,  who  had  served  on  the  staff  of 
General  Lord  ^^'iIloughby  in  the  Netherlands, 
brought    to    Virginia     Thomas     Willoughby 
(then  a  boy  of  14),  founder  of  the  family  in 
the  Colony.     By  royal  patent,  this  \Mlloughby 
acquired  12.000  acres  of  land  on  the  southern 
shore  of  Chesapeake  Bav.     From  him  a  num- 
ber of  Xorfolk  families  have  sprung,  among 
others  the  descendants  of  General  Taylor,  who 
still  hold  the  manor  estate  on  Willoughby  Bay. 
In   1767,  Henry  Willoughby  of  Virginia  be- 
came the  17th  Lord  Willoughby  of  Parham, 
recovering  the  baronv  and  manors  in  a  contest 
before  the  House  of  Lords."     In  1813,  during 
the  war  of  that  period,  the  British  landed  a 
force  from  their  fleet  in  Lynnhaven  Bay,  and 
captured  400  negroes  from  Mr.  Willoughby. 

William  Willoughby  Sharp,  father  of  John 
Howard  Sharp,  was  born  in  Xorl"lk  and  died 
in  1 87 1,  aged  about  70  years.  He  was  an  emi- 
nent lawyer,  who  in  1821  succeeded  to  the 
great  practice  of  Hon.  Littleton  Waller  Taze- 
well, and  retired  in  1861.  He  married  Mary 
Ann  Lewis  Schoolfield.  and  thev  had  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  Captain  William :  Charles, 
an  attorney  of    Xorfolk ;    John  Howard,  the 


668 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


subject  of  this  biography:  Rev.  Henry  T.,  pas- 
tor of  the  W'albrook  Protestant  Episcopal 
Churcli  of  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  Walter,  an 
officer  in  the  Portsmouth  Water  Works ;  Mrs. 
Claudia  \\'ilson ;  ^Irs.  Eliza  F.  Southall ;  Vir- 
ginia Margreeta,  wife  of  Rev.  T.  M.  Ambler, 
who  died  in  1871,  leaving  a  daughter,  Mary 
Can,',  wife  of  Judge  Thomas  H.  Wilcox,  of 
Norfolk;  and  Evelyn,  who  was  born  in  Nor- 
folk about  1840,  and  who  died  in  1898,  un- 
married. 

Captain  William  Sharp,  eldest  brother  of 
John  Howard  Sharp,  was  born  March  26, 
1826.  He  entered  the  United  States  Navy  on 
September  9,  1841,  having  been  appointed  a 
midshipman  by  President  Tyler,  who  was  a 
neighbor  of  the  Sharps  in  Charles  City  Coun- 
ty. He  went  to  sea  from  Norfolk,  January  9, 
1842,  and  spent  three  years  on  the  frigate 
"United  States."  In  December,  1844,  he  was 
on  board  the  "St.  Marys,"  bound  for  Mexico, 
and  in  January,  1845,  '^^'^^  sent  to  the  "James- 
town," going  to  the  coast  of  Africa.  He  re- 
turned by  way  of  the  West  Indies,  arriving  in 
Boston  in  August,  1846.  In  that  year  he  went 
to  the  Naval  School  in  Annapolis,  and  gradu- 
ated in  the  summer  of  1847.  In  September, 
1847,  h^  l^ft  Norfolk  on  the  frigate  "Brandy- 
wine,"  and  arrived  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  October, 
16,  1847.  December  6,  of  that  year,  he  was 
sent  to  the  United  States  brig  "Perry,"  which 
he  left  on  February  10,  1849,  ^^'^  arrived  at 
Norfolk  April  5,  1849,  on  the  store-ship  "Re- 
lief." He  was  then  on  the  coast  survey  of  Al- 
bemarle and  Pamlico  sounds.  In  March,  185 1*, 
he  was  on  board  the  "San  Jacinto,"  going  to 
Europe  and  the  Mediterranean.  April  20, 
1853,  he  was  transferred  to  the  "St.  Louis," 
and  in  August  to  the  "Cumberland."  He  re- 
mained on  the  Mediterranean  Sea  until  June, 
1855.  He  was  ordered  to  the  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1857, 
and  then  went  from  Boston  to  the  Pacific 
Ocean,  on  the  "Merrimac."  He  was  passed 
midshipman  form  1847  to  1855.  In  the  spring 
of  1858,  he  was  transferred  to  the  "Vandalia" 
in  the  Pacific,  and  in  the  fall  of  1859  returned 


on  the  "^lerrimac"  to  Norfolk, 
February,  1S60.  He  was  then  stationed  at  the 
Norfolk  Navy  Yard.  He  served  in  the  capacity 
of  lieutenfint  from  1855  tO'  1861,  when  he  re- 
signed. He  was  apoointed  a  lieutenant  in  the 
Confederate  States  Navy,  and  for  three  months 
was  stationed  at  the  Naval  Hospital  under 
Com.  Giarles  F.  Mcintosh,  drilling  troops. 
He  was  sent  to  Richmond  and  assigned  to  the 
naval  department  under  Commodore  Samuel 
Barron,  on  the  Sounds  of  North  Carolina,  with 
a  view  to  closing  up  Newman.  In  the  fall,  the 
Federal  fleet  attacked  Hatteras  Inlet  forts. 
Commodore  Barron  going  ashore  and  taking 
charge  of  the  forts  on  the  second  day.  Before 
noon  of  the  next  day,  they  surrendered  and 
the  garrison  was  captured.  Lieutenant  Sharp 
was  taken  aljoard  the  "Minnesota"  and  carried 
to  New  York  under  Commander  Stringham ; 
he  landed  at  Governor's  Island ;  where  he  was 
imprisoned  for  three  months.  He  was  then 
sent  to  Fort  Warren,  and  two  weeks  later  was 
sent  with  others  to  Hampton  Roads,  where, 
nine  days  later,  he  was  exchanged  for  John  L. 
Worden,  who  afterward  commanded  the 
"Monitor."  Lieutenant  Sharp  was  sent  to 
Richmond,  and  then  became  a  member  of  the 
board  of  examiners  at  Mobile,  Charleston, 
Savannah,  \\'ilmington  and  Richmond.  Then 
he  went  with  Commodore  Samuel  Barron,  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  to  blockade  the  Tennes- 
see and  Cumberland  rivers.  The  battle  of 
Murfreesboro  (Tennessee)  pre\-ented  any  ac- 
tion, and  they  returned  to  Richmond.  Captain 
Sharp  was  then  for  two  years  in  command  of 
the  gunboat,  "Beaufort,"  and  from  that  was 
transferred  to  Kinston,  North  Carolina,  where 
he  superintended  the  building  of  the  gunboat 
"Neuse,"  in  the  spring  of  1864.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1864  he  was  appointed  naval  ordnance 
officer  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  re- 
mained there  until  the  early  winter.  In  1865, 
he  was  relieved  from  duty  at  Charleston,  just 
after  the  surrender  of  Lee.  He  has  been  en- 
gaged in  various  business  pursuits  since  the 
war,  and  resides  at  No.  200  Freemason  street. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


66^ 


Norfolk.  In  1S56.  lie  was  united  in  marriagfe 
with  Eliza  D.  Williams,  a  daughter  of  John 
Williams,  who  held  the  fmsition  of  Clerk  of  the 
Court  of  the  City  of  Norfolk,  for  a  number  of 
years.  She  was  a  descendant  from  the  New'- 
tons  and  Armisteads,  whose  history  is  given 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  They  became  par- 
ents of  the  following  children :  William  Wil- 
loughby.  who  is  a  member  of  the  well-known 
firm  of  Sharp  &  Bryan.  Exchange  Place.  New- 
York,  and  whose  success  in  business  in  that 
connection  has  been  well  merited:  Walter  New- 
ton, the  well-known  financial  writer  of  the  .V<7i«.' 
Vcrk  Suit;  and  Julia  A.,  who  married  Captain 
\\"illoughby  \\'alke.  of  the  United  States  Light 
Artillery,  stationed  at  Fortress  Monr(.ie. 

Charles  Sharp,  second  son  of  William  Wil- 
loughby  Sharp,  was  born  October  18.  1829. 
and  graduated  with  distinction  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia.  At  the  age  of  21  years, 
he  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  which  he  continued  alone  for  years, 
with  marked  success.  During  the  war  he  was 
a  member  of  the  United  Artillery  Company,  of 
Norfolk.  He  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Scarborough.  Duftield  &  Sharp,  after  the  war. 
Subsequently,  severing  connection  with  them. 
he  became  the  senior  member  of  :he  ce'ebrated 
admiralty  law-firm  of  Sharp  &  Hughes.  Some 
years  ago.  Mr.  Sharp  decided  to  withdraw 
from  that  firm,  and  has  since  practiced  alc:ie. 
although  his  health  is  not  of  the  best.  He  mar- 
ried, in  1857.  Lucy  Southall,  a  daughter  of 
Hon.  Valentine  Southall.  of  Charlottesville, 
Virginia,  and  they  have  two  children  living, 
namely :  Florence,  wife  of  Lieutenant  Com- 
mander Albert  \\'.  Grant,  U.  S.  Navy,  and  W. 
W.  Sharp,  a  resident  of  Norfolk  County. 

Walter  Sharp,  youngest  son  of  William 
Willoughby  Sharp,  married  Mary  Reardon.  a 
daughter  of  H.  B.  Reardon  of  Norfolk,  and  she 
died  within  a  year  after  their  marriage.  He 
formed  a  second  union,  wedding  Susan  Holi- 
day, of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  they  have  the 
following  living  children :  George  I.  of  New 
York  Citv ;  Louisa  of  Norfolk :  Walter  D.  of 


I 


Norfolk ;  Lewis  of  Atlanta.  Georgia :  and  Etta, 
Mary  and  Tilghman.  of  Norfolk. 

Claudia  Sharp  (Wilson),  eldest  daughter 
of  William  Wiloughby  Sharp,  was  Ixirn  in 
Norfolk,  \'irginia.  She  married  George  Rid- 
dick  Wilson,  a  son  of  George  Wilson,  who  at 
one  time  was  presiding  justice  of  the  Norfolk 
County  Court.  The  issue  of  this  union  was: 
Bird,  who  died  young;  William  Sharp,  w'ho 
perished  when  but  21  years  of  age,  on  Ixiard 
the  California  steamer  "Bienville,"  when  it  was 
burned  at  sea  ofif  San  Salvadur:  Mary  Wil- 
loughby, who  married,  at  Annajxilis.  Lieuten- 
ant Commander  Hugo  Osterhaus,  U.  S.  Navy, 
by  whom  she  has  two  children, — Ensign  Hugo, 
U.  S.  Navy,  and  Carl,  a  student  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia :  and  Evelyn,  who  died 
about  1896.  was  the  wife  of  Lieutenant  Alfred 
Miles.  U.  S.  Navy,  who  died  of  yellow  fever 
aboard  the  United  States  steamer  "'Nvpsic."  in 
New  York  harbor.  Lieutenant  Miles  and  his 
wife  are  survived  by  two  children, — Claudia 
Wilson  Miles  of  Annapolis,  Maryland ;  and 
Alfred  Miles  of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  Mrs. 
Claudia  Wilson  survives  her  husband  ( who 
died  alx)ut  18S9).  and  resides  at  Annapolis. 

Eliza  F.  Sharp  (Southall),  second  dau.gh- 
ter  of  William  Willoughby  Sharp,  married 
James  Cocke  Southall.  LL.  D.,  formerly  editor 
of  the  Ricliiiiond  Enquirer  and  the  Central 
Presbyterian,  and  an  author  of  some  note,  who 
was  the  eldest  son  of  \'alentine  Wood  Southall. 
The  Southall  family  is  one  of  prominence  in 
Virginia.  In  1825.  Valentine  Wood  Southall 
married  Martha  Cocke,  a  singular  conjunction 
here,  as  both  parties  were  descended  in  a 
double  line  from  Richard  Cocke  (  i  ) .  the  first 
of  the  Cocke  family  in  America.  Martha 
Cocke  (7).  daughter  of  James  Powell  Cocke 
(6),  was  descended  through  James  Powell 
Cocke  (4),  from  Thomas  Cocke  (2),  eldest 
son  of  Richard  Cocke  (  i).  Through  her 
mother,  Lucy  Smith,  she  was  descended  from 
William  Cocke  (2),  father  of  Mary  Cocke  (3), 
wife  of  Obadiah  Smith.  \'alentine  Wood 
Southall   was  descended   from   Martha   Cocke 


670 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


(4),  who  married  Henry  Wood,  in  1724.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  WilHam  (3),  son  of  John 
(2) ,  who  was  a  son  of  Richard  ( i ) .  This  was 
his  maternal  line.  His  erandfather,  Colonel 
Turner  Southall.  married  Martha  Vandewall, 
who  was  the  daughter  of  Martha  (Cocke) 
Pleasants,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Martha 
Cocke  (3),  who  was  the  daughter  of  Richard 
Cocke  (2),  son  of  Richard  Cocke  (i).  Thus 
the  pair  trace  their  descent  to  four  of  the  five 
sons  of  Richard  Cocke  ( i ) ,  and  Richard 
Cocke,  the  younger,  of  Charles  City,  alone  is 
not  represented.  Col.  Turner  Southall,  pater- 
nal grandfather  of  Valentine  Wood  Southall, 
was  a  very  prominent  figure  in  Henrico  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  in  the  last  quarter  of  the  eight- 
eenth century.  He  represented  HenricO'  Coun- 
ty  in  the  House  of  Delegates   from   1778  to 

1784,  and  was  a  member  of  the  State  Senate  in 
1790,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  from  the  sena- 
torial district  of  Henrico,  Goochland  and 
Louisa  counties.  He  was  colonel  commandant 
of  the  County  oi  Henrico,  and  was  very  active 
during  the  Revolution.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety  in  1774- 1775,  and 
was  appointed  on  a  commission  to  erect  the  new 
capitol  building  in  Richmond,  and  to  lay  ofif 
the  streets  of  the  new  city :  was  a  director  of 
public  buildings,  and  one  of  the  trustees  to  im- 
prove the  navigation  of  the  James  River.     In 

1785,  he  was  vestryman,  with  Peyton  Ran- 
dolph and  Bowler  Cocke,  of  Henrico  Parish. 
He  was  connected  with  every  important  public 
movement  in  Henrico  County,  from  1770,  to 
1790.  Maj.  Stephen  Southall,  of  Henrico 
County,  who  served  as  a  lieutenant  throughout 
the  Revolutionary  W^ar,  was  the  father  of  Val- 
entine Wood  Southall,  and  made  his  home  in 
Richmond.  Valentine  Wood  Southall  was  for 
many  years  a  leading  member  of  the  bar  of  Al- 
bemarle County  :  for  many  years  he  represented 
Albemarle  County  in  the  House  of  Delegates, 
of  which  body  he  was  speaker.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1850- 
185 1  ;  attorney  for  the  Commonwealth,  of  Al- 


bemarle County,  for  many  years ;  a  member  of 
the  State  Convention  of  1861,  and  acting  presi- 
dent of  that  body  after  President  Janney's  sick- 
ness. The  children  of  Dr.  James  C.  and  Eliza 
F.  (Sharp)  Southall  are, — James  P.  C,  pro- 
fessor in  the  Alabama  School  of  Technology 
at  Auburn.  Alabama;  and  Evelyn  H.,  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia.  Mrs.  Southall  is  a  widow  and 
now  resides  at  No.  456  Fremason  street,  Nor- 
folk, Virginia. 

Referring  to  the  maternal  ancestry'  of  John 
Howard  Sharp,  his  grandfather  was  Dr.  Jo- 
seph Schoolfield,  U.  S.  Navy.  The  School- 
lield  family  came  with  Lord  Baltimore  to 
Maryland,  one  part  remaining  in  Maryland  and 
the  other  settling  in  Virginia.  One  Joseph 
Schoolfield  was  born  August  5,  1722,  and  was 
a  son  of  John  and  Hannah  Schoolfield.  Dr. 
Joseph  Schoolfield  was  born  in  W^orcester, 
Maryland,  and  died  in  Portsmouth,  September 
26,  1850.  He  entered  the  navy  in  1807,  and 
was  stationed  at  the  Naval  Hospital  at  Ports- 
mouth. He  was  surgeon  in  that  institution  at 
the  age  of  25  years  and  continued  there  until 
1809,  when  he  resigned  just  after  his  marriage. 
He  then  practiced  in  Portsmouth  until  his 
death.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Lewis,  who  was 
born  January  28,  1781,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
John  and  Frances  Dalton  (Dunn)  Lewis.  Her 
mother  was  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Re- 
becca (Harrison)  Dunn,  the  mother  of  Mrs. 
Dunn  being  a  Bland.  Mrs.  Schoolfield  died 
November  30.  1862.  As  a  result  of  her  union 
with  Dr.  Joseph  Schoolfield.  she  had  eleven 
children,  of  whom  the  following  grew  to  ma- 
turity :  Mary  Ann  Lewis ;  Hannah  Frances ; 
Louisa ;  Rebecca  Parhani ;  Joseph  N. ;  Ira 
Chase;  and  William  Dunn.  Mary  Ann  Lewis 
Schoolfield  was  born  Julv  21,  1809,  in  Ports- 
mouth. She  was  united  in  marriage  with  Will- 
iam Willoughby  Sharp,  on  December  23,  1824, 
in  Portsmouth.  Hannah  Frances,  who  was 
born  March  26,  181 1,  married  John  Mason 
Wyche  of  Sussex  County.  Louisa,  born  Sep- 
tember 8,  1 81 2,  married  Lieutenant  Gordon  C. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


071 


Ashton,  U.  S.  Xavy.  June  6.  183 1.  Her  luis- 
band  died  at  sea,  and  slie  afterward  married 
John  D.  McGill.  of  Middlesex  County.  Rebecca 
Parham.  born  February  i,  1816,  married  Col- 
onel David  G.  Potts,  of  Petersburg.  Joseph 
N..  bom  September  21,  1819,  married  Mary 
S.  English  of  Georgetown,  D.  C.  Ira  Chase, 
born  January  18,  1821.  married  Parmelia 
Branch  of  Petersburg.  William  Dunn,  bom 
March  3,  1828.  married  Miss  Riddick  of  Ports- 
mouth. The  coat  of  arms  of  the  Schooltield 
family  was  received  from  the  heraldic  office.  2^ 
Cranbourne  street.  London,  and  was  given  the 
family  for  services  rendered  in  the  Crusades. 
The  motto  is :   "Omne  b«5num  desuper." 

John  Howard  Sharp  entered  the  classical 
school  of  that  distinguished  educator,  William 
R.  Gait,  and  also  attended  the  Norfolk  Mili- 
tar}'  Academy.  He  finished  his  educational 
career  at  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  at 
Lexington.  The  war  of  1861  found  him  en- 
gaged in  commercial  pursuits,  but  he  was  one 
of  the  charter  members  of  Company  F.  a  mili- 
tary company  raised  at  Norfolk  after  the  John 
Brown  Raid,  and  subsequently  acquired  quite 
a  reputation  as  Company  G.  6th  Regiment  of 
Virginia.  ^Ir.  Sharp  went  to  Craney  Island 
with  this  companv.  and  subsequently  was  aj>- 
pointed  a  lieutenant  in  the  \'irginia  Army,  and 
ordered  to  report  to  Colonel  F.  H.  Smith,  at 
Craney  Island.  He  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
quartermaster's  and  subsistence  department 
there.  Some  months  later,  the  Army  of  Vir- 
ginia was  disbanded,  and  a  commission  as  cap- 
tain in  the  army  of  the  Confederate  States  was 
forwarded  to  ilr.  Sharp,  with  orders  to  con- 
tinue at  his  post.  He  declined  to  accept  the 
commission,  and  after  putting  his  office  in  or- 
der resigned  and  turned  it  over  to  Captain 
George  Chamberlaine.  Mr.  Sharp  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Richmond.  \'irginia.  and  was  one  of 
the  charter  members  of  the  light  artillery  com- 
pany known  as  Otey's  Battery,  of  Richmond. 
He  followed  its  fonunes  and  shared  its  honors 
until  1864,  when  he  was  detailed  to  serve  as  a 


personal  courier  for  General  E.  P.  Alexander, 
Giief  of  Artillery,  ist  Corps,  Army  of  North- 
ern Virginia.  He  served  under  that  officer, 
and  surrendered  with  him  at  Appomattox 
Court  House,  April  9,  1865.  The  war  ended, 
Mr.  Sharp  went  to  North  Carolina  and  en- 
gaged in  farming,  at  which  he  continued  until 
1880.  He  then  left  his  farm  to  accept  the  office 
of  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Carolina  Cen- 
tral Railroad  at  Wilmington,  North  Carolina, 
which  road  had  just  been  acquired  by  John  M. 
Robinson,  of  the  Seaboard  System.  In  1893. 
Mr.  Sharp  was  chosen  treasurer  of  what  was 
then  called  the  Seaboard  System  of  Roads, 
when  headquarters  were  moved  to  Portsmouth, 
\'irginia.  This  was  regarded  as  a  tnost  credit- 
able promotion.  He  was  called  to  succeed 
\\'illiam  W.  Chamljerlaine,  who  had  been  ten- 
dered the  position  under  the  reorganization, 
but  declined  to  ser\-e  longer.  In  1899.  when 
the  greater  Sealx)ard  Air  Line  was  organized 
and  the  mileage  greatly  increased.  Mr.  Sharp 
was  elected  treasurer  of  that  system,  which  re- 
sponsible position  he  has  ably  filled  since. 

December  19,  1866.  Mr.  Sharp  was  united 
in  marriage,  at  Charlotte.  North  Carolina,  with 
a  daughter  of  Dr.  Cyrus  L.  Hunter,  the  author 
of  "Revolutionary  Sketches  of  Western  North 
Carolina."  He  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Humphrey 
Hunter,  the  Revolutionary  patriot,  who  served 
under  "Lighthorse  Harry,"  and  who  is  well 
known  in  connection  with  the  Mecklenburg 
Resolutions,  in  1776.  John  Howard  and 
Sophia  (Hunter)  Sharp  became  the  parents  of 
six  daughters  and  two  sons,  of  whom  \*irginia 
married  George  P.  Hardy,  an  electrical  engi- 
neer, now  of  New  York  City :  William  L.  is 
farming  in  North  Carolina ;  Henry  Talbott  is 
connected  with  the  staff  of  the  Xezc  York  Sun; 
and  the  other  five  daughters  are  unmarried  and 
reside  with  their  parents  at  Swimming  Point, 
Portsmouth.    Virginia.      Their    names    are. — 


Claudia  Willoughby :  Katharine  Lyman :  Nan- 
cy  Forne}-; 
Stedman. 


Florence   Southall :   and   Frances 


672 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


R.  H.  S.  ETHERIDGE.  a  medical 
practitioner  of  Wallaceton,  Norfolk 
County.  Virginia,  is  a  gentleman 
whose  trained  abilities  have  brought 
him  into  public  notice,  and  won  for 
him  the  regard,  esteem  and  respect  justly  due 
to  a  man  of  his  influence  and  usefulness  in  the 
community.  The  work  of  a  physician,  from 
its  very  nature,  is  of  the  kind  that  brings  him 
into  closest  relationship  with  the  people.  The 
manner  in  which  he  carries  the  heavy  responsi- 
bilities of  his  vocation  is  ever  to  the  public  a 
matter  of  most  vital  importance.  That  Dr. 
Etheridge  knows  fully  the  ethics  of  his  profes- 
sion, as  well  as  its  requirements,  and  every  day 
of  his  life  lives  up  to  them,  admits  of  no  dis- 
cussion. His  high  standing  everywhere  proves 
his  fidelity  to  his  patients'  interests,  and  his 
success  proves  his  talents. 

Dr.  Etheridge  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
in  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Mathias  and  Amy 
(Dudley)  Etheridge.  Mathias  Etheridge  was 
also  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  followed  the 
calling  of  a  Baptist  minister  throughout  his 
life.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Amy 
Dudley,  a  native  of  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia ;  of  the  family  reared  by  them,  but  three 
brothers  survive,  namely :  H.  S. ;  O.  M.,  a 
resident  of  Berkley;  and  J.  B.,  of  Princess 
Anne  County,  Virginia. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  having  secured 
all  the  learning  possible  from  attending  com- 
mon schools,  entered  the  Medical  Institute,  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  graduated  with  honor 
from  that  institution  in  1861.  He  chose  Nor- 
folk County  as  his  field  of  operations,  and  has 
done  excellent  work  here  ever  since. 

Dr.  Etheridge  has  been  twice  married,  Sar- 
ah C.  Stuart  became  his  wife  by  the  first  mar- 
riage. She  was  a  native  of  Norfolk  County, 
and  they  reared  an  only  child,  Amy  C,  who 
married  Dr.  John  L.  Lister,  a  well-known 
physician  and  surgeon  of  Camdeu  County, 
North  Carolina.  In  iSgS,  death  deprived  him 
of  his  companion,  and  after  some  time,  in  1900, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  E.  (Dav- 


enport) Ferebee,  the  widow  of  Col.  Dennis  D. 
Ferebee,  who  rendered  gallant  service  in  the 
Confederate  Army.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed November  28.  By  her  former  marriage 
she  had  one  child,  Margaret  E.,  who  married 
Dr.  McMurran,  a  physician  of  Portsmouth, 
Virginia.  In  religious  faith  the  family  are 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
Protestant  Episcopal  Churches.  Dr.  Etheridge 
is  a  member  of  the  Norfolk  Medical  Society, 
and  likewise  of  the  Seaboard  Medical"  Society 
of  North  Carolina.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics. 


OHN  M.  JOHNSON.  The  business  of 
general  merchandising  in  a  community 
like  Deep  Creek,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, is  always  a  feature  of  consider- 
able importance.  The  man  who  has 
the  faculty  to  carry  this  on  successfully  be- 
comes an  important  factor  in  the  growth  and 
general  prosperity  of  the  place.  Mr.  Johnson, 
the  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  biog- 
raphy, has  been  such  a  merchant,  and  has  dealt 
in  all  the  articles  required  by  the  household,' 
from   provisions   to  clothing. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  son  of  John  T.  and  Vir- 
ginia (Moore)  Johnson,  natives  of  Norfolk' 
County,  and  was  born  at  Deep  Creek,  January* 
27,  1857.  John  T.  Johnson  spent  his  entire 
life  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  owned_  an 
80-acre  farm  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1889. 
He  chose  for  his  wife  Virginia  Moore,  and 
they  had  seven  children,  namely :  William 
S. ;  Alice  M. ;  Eha;  John  M. ;  Robert;  Molly; 
and  Thomas. 

John  M.  Johnson  attained  his  early  mental 
training  in  the  public  schools  of  Deep  Creek, 
and  the  Poughkeepsie  Business  College,  and' 
heloed  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  16 
years  of  age.  He  decided  at  that  tune  to  em- 
bark in  mercantile  life,  and  accordingly,  in 
1876,  established  his  present  business  at  Deep 
Creek.  During  the  quarter  of  a  century  since 
elapsed,  he  has  conducted  the  business  with  the 


LEWIS    C.    JONES. 


I 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


675 


best  of  results,  proving  liis  good  judgment  and 
foresight  as  well  as  his  ability  in  that  Tine. 

In  1898,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  matri- 
nunv  with  Ella  Brooke,  who  was  a  native  of 
Petersburg.  They  have  one  child,  Clarenre, — 
the  light  of  the  home.  The  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Snuth. 

In  politics  Mr.  Johnson  accepts  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Republican  party.  In  fraternal 
circles,  he  is  a  Mason  of  some  ]irominence.  He 
is  well  thought  of  in  his  community,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  by  his  friends. 


',\\"IS  C.  JOXES,  whose  entire  life  has 
been  de\-oted  to  the  industry  of  build- 
ing and  repairing  ships,  maintains  a 
large  shipyard  at  the  foot  of  Main 
street  in  Berkley.  The  yard  covers  an 
area  of  two  acres,  and  a  very  important  feature 
is  a  marine  railway  of  three  sections,  with  trac- 
tion power  sufficient  to  draw  up  vessels  of 
200  tons"  register.  It  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant concerns  of  the  kind  in  this  section,  and 
gives  employment  to  a  large  force  of  men.  Air. 
Jones  was  born  in  Smitbfield,  \'irginia,  and  is 
a  son  of  Nathan  and  Cassandra  B.  (Jordan) 
Junes.  Xathan  Jones  was  a  capitalist,  having 
been  left  a  fortune  by  his  father.  The  sul)ject 
of  this  sketch  is  one  of  12  children,  of  whom 
two  sons  and  three  daughters  are  now  living. 
He  is  the  youngest  of  six  brothers. 

Mr.  Jones  attended  the  schools  of  his  na- 
tive town,  and  first  entered  business  life  as  a 
clerk,  receiving  a  salary  of  $3  per  week.  He 
then  learned  the  trade  of  a  ship-carpenter  with 
Mr.  Hope,  and  after  working  a  period  of  18 
months  became  boss  of  the  yard.  He  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  the  Baker  Wrecking  Com- 
pany, where  he  continued  for  12  years.  He 
learned  every  detail  of  his  business  thoroughly, 
and  his  work  was  of  a  very  high  character. 
In  association  with  others,  he  next  bought  C. 
J.  Colonna's  marine  railway.  Later  the  prop- 
erty changed  hands  and  the  business  was  con- 


ducted under  the  firm  name  of  L.  C.  Jones  & 
Compaii}-.  The  entire  concern  was  subse- 
(|uently  acquired  by  Mr.  Jones,  and  he  has  con- 
ducted it  in  a  highly  successful  manner  for 
more  than  20  years.  During  the  summer  and 
fall  the  yard  presents  a  picturesciue  and  stirr- 
ing spectacle,  from  25  to  40  skilled  mechanics 
being  employed  at  rejjair  work.  During  the 
winter  a  large  force  is  employed  in  building 
tugs,  barges,  schooners  and  other  vessels. 
Many  of  the  craft  built  here  are  familiar  along 
this  section  of  the  Atlantic  Coast,  prominent 
among  them  being  the  tugs  "Marietta."  "Mol- 
lie,"  "Alarie  Joseph"  and  "Dauntless,"  and  the 
schooner  "M.  J.  Lee."  Mr.  Jones'  thorough 
familiarity  with  the  industry  has  resulted  in  a 
number  of  trips  to  Washington,  D.  C.  and 
Richmond  to  present  the  needs  of  the  port  for 
national  and  State  aid,  and  it  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  interests  of  this  community  could  not 
have  been  more  ably  represented.  Mr.  Jones 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Council  of 
Berkley,  and  served  on  various  important  com- 
mittees. He  has  ever  had  the  welfare  of  the 
community  and  county  at  heart,  and  is  one  of 
the  foremost  in  the  belief  that  the  greatest  ul- 
imate  good  will  be  accomplished  by  the  con- 
solidation of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  and  Berkley 
into  a  single  corporation,  and  it  is  thought  but 
few  years  will  elapse  before  this  idea  will  be 
carried  out. 

Mr.  Jones  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sarah  A.  Bott,  a  native  of  Amelia  County,  Vir- 
ginia, and  a  daughter  of  Sidney  S.  Bott,  of 
Chesterfield  County,  Virginia.  They  are  the 
parents  of  five  children,  as  follows  :  Nathan ; 
L.  C,  Jr. :  Alice  C. ;  Frank  AI. ;  and  Raymond 
B.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  charter  memi)er  of  the  Be- 
nevolent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  Lodge 
and  also  a  charter  member  of  Robert  E.  Lee 
L<jdge,  K.  of  P.,  and  has  passed  through  all 
the  chairs.  He  has  one  of  the  most  attractive 
homes  in  the  town,  and  in  the  summer,  when 
the  foliage  is  verdant  and  flowers-  are  in  bloom, 
the  place  is  one  of  striking  beauty.  The  long 
and   deep   verandas,    which   extend   along   the 


676 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


front  and  side  of  the  house,  constitute  a  very 
pleasing  feature  and  add  greatly  to  its  attrac- 
tive appearance.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Jones  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  being  presented  on  a  pre- 
ceding page. 


ILLIAM  S.  JOHNSON,  a  well- 
known  merchant  of  Gilmerton, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  is  also 
of  some  prominence  as  a  real-estate 
dealer,  and  occupies  a  conspicuous 
place  in  the  social  and  political  affairs  of  his 
community. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  son  of  John  and  Virginia 
(Moore)  Johnson,  and  was  born  December  21, 
1847,  on  his  father's  farm  near  Gilmerton. 
John  Johnson  claims  Norfolk  County  as  his 
native  place,  but  he  was  reared  in  St.  Louis, 
Missouri.  There  he  spent  the  first  35  years 
of  his  life,  and  finally  returned  to  Norfolk' 
County  and  located  on  a  farm  near  Gilmerton, 
■where  he  was  very  successful  in  farming.  He 
married  Miss  Moore,  a  daughter  of  John 
Moore,  and  they  had  a  numher  of  children. 

William  S.  Johnson  went  to  school  in  his 
boyhood  days  at  Deep  Creek,  unti;  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  15  years,  resided  on  the 
farm,  assisting  his  father  in  whatever  way  he 
could.  A  position  as  clerk  in  Mr.  Stout's  store 
was  then  offered  him,  which  he  accepted,  and 
kept  for  some  time.  He  subsequently  found 
■employment  in  the  Roper  lumber  mills,  as  clerk, 
and  remained  there  until  1876.  In  1883,  he 
embarked  in  mercantile  business  for  himself  at 
Gilmerton,  and  so  successful  has  he  been  that  he 
has  continued  in  the  same  line  ever  since. 

In  1896,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Flora  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Isle 
of  Wight  County,  Virginia.  They  have  reared 
two  children, — Esther  A.  and  W'illiam  G. 
Tliey  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,   South. 

Mr.  Johnson  owns  several  houses,  and  has 
also  an  interest  in  a  tract  of  land  in  Norfolk 
County,  consisting  of  about  280  acres  in  all,  be- 


sides this,  he  owns  and  rents  a  fine,  large  farm. 
In  his  political  action,  he  does  his  part  to  ad- 
vance the  interests  of  the  Republican  party  in 
his  district,  and  has  served  as  supervisor  for 
16  years,  giving  satisfaction  to  ail. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  and  also  of  the  K.  of  P.  organization. 
He  is  industrious  and  energetic  as  a  business 
man,  and  as  a  citizen  is  highlj'  respected  and 
honored  for  his  ability  and  worth.  His  store 
is  a  model  of  neatness  and  order,  showing  his 
taste  throughout,  and  he  has  the  patronage  of 
the  best  class  of  people  in  his  vicinity. 


E.  HALL,  a  leading  merchant  and 
enterprising  citizen  of  Great  Bridge, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  where  he 
has  been  a  merchant  since  1899,  also 
owns  the  sawmill  at  that  place,  having 
established  that  business  in  1897.  Mr.  Hall  is 
a  son  of  W^esley  and  Frances  (Land)  Hall,  and 
grandson  of  James  Hall,  the  father  and  grand- 
father having  been  born  at  Great  Bridge.  J. 
E.  Hall's  birth  occurred  January  14.  J864,  at 
the  same  place,  and  he  has  been  a  resident  of 
Great  Bridge  for  many  years. 

Wesley  Hall  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in 
1817,  and  during  his  active  life  followed  the 
occupation  of  a  carpenter  and  ship-builder. 
During  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  United  States  Navy  Yard,  at 
Portsmouth.  His  marriage  with  Frances 
Land,  a  native  of  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  blessed  with  eight  children,  namely : 
Willis ;  Robert  A. ;  Susan ;  M.  W. :  Frank :  J. 
E.;  Mary  F. :  and  M.  Land.  Willis,  Robert 
A.  and  Frank  are  deceased.  Susan  married 
M.  W.  Hodges.  Mary  F.  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  a  Mr.  Striker,  of  Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Hall  obtained  what  education  was  pos- 
sible from  the  schools  at  Bell's  Mills,  and 
worked  in  a  sawmill  for  some  time.  He  final- 
>lv  went  into  that  business  at  Great  Bridge,  and 


S.    T.    DICKINSON,   JR. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


679 


then  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  is 
polite  and  accommodating,  and  his  trade  is 
rapidly  increasing  hy  reason  of  the  fact  that  he 
employs  only  fair,  straightforward  metliotis  in 
ail  his  affairs.  He  chose  for  his  wife  Eettie 
Curling,  a  daughter  of  Bartlett  Curling,  a  mem- 
ber of  Col.  William  H.  Ste\vart's_  regiment, 
who  fought  gallantly  in  the  war  between  the 
States.  Mrs.  Hall  was  born  near  Hickory 
Ground  and  has  proved  a  worthy  helpmeet  for 
her  husband.  They  have  one  child,  Frank  N., 
born  January  4,  1890,  who  occupies  quite  an 
imponant  place  in  the  domestic  circle. 

In  political  opinions,  Mr.  Hall  is  a  decided 
Democrat,  and  helps  much  to  advance  his- 
party's  interests.  He  and  his  wife  are  devoted' 
members  of  the  Berea  Christian  Church,  and' 
are  active  in  all  its  good  work. 


T.  DICKIXSOX,  Jr..  o"f  the  prosper- 
ous and  enterprising  business  firm  of 
S.  T.  Dickinson  &  Company,  provi- 
sion brokers,  located  at  No.  170 
Water  street.  Norfolk,  Virginia,  is  a 
man  of  recognized  ability,  and  has  done  much 
to  build  up  and  increase  the  business  with  which 
he  has  been  connected  since  1897.  The  pres- 
ent company,  at  that  time,  succeeded  C.  E. 
Verdier  &  Company,  and  from  the  start  suc- 
cess has  crowned  their  efiforts.  Under  the  capa- 
ble management  of  ^Ir.  Dickinson,  the  busi- 
ness has  increased  largely,  the  volume  during 
the  present  year  being  more  than  five  times  that 
of  their  first  year's  business.  Everything  in  the 
modern  grocery  line  is  handled  by  this  house, 
which  conducts  strictly  a  wholesale  trade. 

S.  T.  Dickinson,  Jr.,  is  a  native  of  Caroline 
County,  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  S.  T. 
and  Bettie  Ann  (Chandler)  Dickinson,  who 
were  born  and  reared  in  the  same  county.  Dr. 
S.  T.  Dickinson  is  widely  known  all  over  the 
State  of  Virginia,  and  is  considered  one  of  the 
leading  physicians  and  surgeons  of  his  State. 
He  resides  at  Mil  ford  and  has  an  enormous 


practice  in  that  vicinity.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Jefferson  iledical  College  and  for  the  past  40 
years  has  been  actively  engaged  in  his  chosen 
calling.  He  has  frequently  been  offered  a  pro- 
fessorship in  various  colleges,  but  prefers  the 
more  useful  and  beneficial  life  of  a  general 
practitioner.  He  has  served  as  coroner  and  has 
held  many  autopsies.  During  the  war  he 
served  four  years  as  surgeon,  chiefly  engaged 
in  hospital  work.  Dr.  Dickinson  is  a  worthy 
scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  favorably 
known  families  in  the  State.  He  and  his  wife 
are  devout  and  active  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  to  which  they  contribute  largely.  The 
Doctor  now  fills  the  office  of  deacon,  which  he 
has  held  for  a  number  of  years.  His  practice 
extends  not  only  throughout  the  county  in 
which  he  is  a  resident,  but  also  into  adjoining 
counties.  He  and  his  worthy  wife  have  reared 
three  sons,  the  eldest  being  the  subject  of  this 
review.  The  others  are  Charles  R.  and  R.  D. 
The  former  resides  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  being 
employed  in  the  offices  of  the  Chicago.  Burling- 
ton &  Quincy  Railroad.  The  latter  resides  in 
New  York  City  and  is  working  in  the  superin- 
tendent's office  of  the  Western  Union  Tele- 
graph Company. 

S.  T.  Dickinson,  Jr.,  had  good  educational 
advantages,  and  graduated  from  Richmond 
College,  at  Richmond,  \'irginia.  in  the  class  of 
1888.  After  leaving  school  he  spent  six  years 
in  railroad  work,  being  employed  first  on  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad,  and  later  on  the  Louis- 
ville &  Naslnille  road.  He  severed  his  connec- 
tion with  the  latter  in  order  to  accept  a  more 
flattering  position  with  the  Panama  Railroad 
Company,  in  South  America.  He  served  first 
as  clerk  and  afterward  became  an  ofiicer  of  tJie 
company  and  spent  four  years  as  such,  during 
which  he  had  many  thrilling  experiences  in  that 
strange  country. 

As  an  oflicer  of  the  road  he  came  in  close 
contact  with  the  government  officials  of  that 
country,  especially  during  the  periods  of  revo- 
lutionary outbreaks,  when  the  revolutionists 
attempted  to  overthrow  the  government.    He 


6So 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


was  frequently  called  upon  at  such  times  to 
take  the  Governor  and  his  staff  across  the  isth- 
mus, from  Panama  to  Colon  or  vice  versa,  as 
the  occasion  demanded.  It  was  also  the  duty 
of  the  railroad  company  to  transport  large 
bodies  of  men  in  the  same  manner. 

In  1884  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  city  of  Pan- 
ama. In  a  short  time  it  was  beyond  control 
and  was  raging  from  the  wharf  four  blocks 
deep.  Mr.  Dickinson  was  quartered  in  a  dis- 
tant part  of  the  city  and  after  reviewing  the 
situation  reported  to  the  Governor  that  the  only 
chance  he  saw  to  save  the  city  was  to  go  a  block 
or  two  ahead  of  the  fire  and  blow  up  sections 
of  several  blocks  with  dynamite.  The  Gov- 
ernor soon  saw  the  policy  of  the  proposition 
and  gave  permission  to  Mr.  Dickinson  to  put 
the  plan  into  execution.  This  he  pledged  him- 
self to  do  with  the  help  of  12  selected  men. 

The  men  were  furnished  him  and  they  set 
about  the  task,  ha\-ing  the  support  of  the  lead- 
ing people.  But  the  police  were  not  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  movement,  and  either  could  not 
or  would'  not  give  their  support  by  keeping  the 
people  back  out  of  danger  and  the  plan  had  to 
be  abandoned.  The  consecpience  was  that  the 
fire  continued  to  rage  and  cut  its  way  through 
the  entire  city,  destroying  55  blocks.  Much  of 
the  property  destroyed  might  have  been  saved. 
This  was  acknowledf^ed  by  the  populace  when 
it  was  too  late. 

Much  has  been  said  about  the  unhealthy  cli- 
mate of  Panama,  but  it  is  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Dickinson  that  much  sickness,  and  in  fact  near- 
ly all  the  epidemics  of  that  climate,  are  brought 
on  by  neglecting  the  laws  of  hygiene.  He  be- 
lieves that  if  the  people  will  observe  the  laws 
of  health,  keep  regular  hours  and  not  expose 
themselves  to  night  dews,  health  in  that  local- 
ity can  be  preserved  as  well  as  in  any  other. 
While  there,  he  was  also  engaged  in  the  ex- 
change business,  buying  and  selling  gold,  silver 
and  drafts.  Finally  he  returned  home  in  1897, 
and  emljarked  at  once  in  the  business  which  has 
engaged  his  attention  ever  since. 

Mr.  Dickinson  is  also  a  director  in  the  Nor- 


folk Freight  &  Transportation  Bureau,  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  the  proceedings  of  that 
body.  October  5,  1897,  he  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage with  Ruth  Owens,  a  daughter  of  B.  H. 
and  Missouri  Owens.  Her  father  was  form- 
erly a  very  prominent  business  man  of  Ports- 
mouth, but  is  now  retired.  Both  of  her  par- 
ents are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  Mr.  Dickinson  is  a  member  of 
Freemason  Street  Baptist  Church,  and  is  now 
filling  the  double  position  of  deacon  and  treas- 
urer, and  in  addition  to  his  very  evident  inter- 
est in  the  church,  he  has  a  large  class  of  young 
men  in  the  Sunday-school  of  that  denomina- 
tion. He  spends  much  of  his  time  and  effort 
in  religious  work,  being  especially  interested 
in  Sunday-school  work.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Master  Mason,  a  Modern  Puritan  and  also  a 
member  of  the  Uniform  Rank  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  He  is  looked  upon  as  a  model  citi- 
zen, and  as  such  is  a  source  of  pride  to  the 
good  citizens  of  Norfolk.  His  portrait  accom- 
panies this  sketch. 


OBERT  \\'.  :\IacDONALD.  proprie- 
tor of  five  restaurants  in  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  was  the  first  to  establish  a 
dairy  lunch  business  in  the  city.  He 
is  a  gentleman  of  recognized  ability, 
is  ambitious  and  energetic,  and  the  success  at- 
tending his  efforts  is  well  merited. 

Mr.  MacDonald  was  born  in  Canada  in 
1873,  and  when  15  years  of  age  went  to  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts,  where  he  became  identified 
with  the  restaurant  and  hotel  business.  He 
next  went  tO'  Baltimore  and  followed  the  same 
line  of  business,  and  in  1894  came  to  Norfolk, 
Virginia.  He  established  the  pioneer  dairy 
lunch  business  of  the  city  at  Nol  99  Main 
street, — now  No.  231  IMain  street.  His  busi- 
ness grew  with  remarkable  rapidity  and 
prompted  him  in  establishing  four  other  stands 
in  the  city.  He  now  conducts  establishments 
at  Nos.  231,  365  and  289    ]Main    street;    108 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


68 1 


Commercial  Place:  and  99  Roanoke  avenue: 
and  in  tlie  spring  of  1902  will  occupy  the  new 
building  on  Atlantic  street,  opposite  the  new 
Post  Office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  Business  Men"s  Association  in  Nor- 
folk, and  oi  the  Norfolk  Refrigerating  &  Cold 
Storage  Compajiy.  He  is  principal  owner  of 
the  Cr)stal  Ice  Cream  Company,  the  capacity 
of  which  was  200  gallons  per  day  in  1901.  It 
will  he  increased  to  a  capacity  of  i.ooo  gal- 
lons per  day  in  1902. 

In  1895  Mr.  MacDoii^ld  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Sadie  Clark,  who  was  born  in 
Canada  and  is  a  daughter  of  J.  B.  Clark,  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  West 
Somerville,  Massachusetts,  and  have  one  son, 
Atwo<id  Laing.  who  was  l>irn  in  1896.  Mrs. 
MacDonald  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Arcanum :  Knights  of  the  Maccabees : 
]M(xlern  Puritans:  and  the  Seaside  Club  of 
Ocean  View. 


RS.  IDA  (  TOHXSOX)  GORDAX. 
an  estimable  resident  of  Norfolk, 
Xorfolk  Comity.  Virginia,  was 
Ixirn  in  Xashville,  Tennessee,  Oc- 
tober 5.  1847,  ^"d  is  a  daughter 
of  John  Bellenfant  and  Eliza  (Baird)  Johnson. 
She  is  one  of  the  eight  children  born  to  her 
parents,  namely :  Mary  P.,  widow  of  Charles 
P.  Maguire,  living  at  Nashville,  Tennessee: 
Fannie  B.,  wife  of  James  \\'.  Leigh  of  Nor- 
folk. \'irginia:  John  B.,  who  died  in  the  Con- 
federate Army;  Ellen,  who  died  in  her  youth; 
Alexander  D.,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Ida,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Anna,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  six  years :  and  Alexander,  who  died  in 
infancy.  Mrs.  Gordan"s  father  and  brother 
were  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  their  prop- 
erty was  all  confiscated.  The  Federal  Army 
took  possession  of  their  home,  but  General 
Thomas  kindly  permitted  them  to  occupy  two 
or  three  rooms.    The  property  was  put  up  for 


sale,  and  a  good  price  was  paid  for  it  by  one 
of  the  daughters.  Mrs.  Gordan  was  between 
the  lines  of  the  contending  armies  throughout 
the  war. 

Ida  Johnson  was  married  to  George  W. 
Gordan  in  1875.  He  was  Iwrn  in  X'orfolk  in 
1842,  and  was  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Susan 
(Stratton)  Gordan.  His  father  was  a  banker 
and  established  the  banking  concern  of  John 
D.  G<:>rdan  &  Company.  He  and  his  wife  were 
the  parents  of  nine  children,  as  follows :  Sarah, 
deceased;  Mary  Ann,  of  Norfolk,  widow  of 
Robert  Timberlake,  a  banker;  John  D..  de- 
ceased, who  was  engaged  in  the  lianking  Imsi- 
ness;  Susan  B.,  widow  of  \'ictor  Nottingham, 
I  a  capitalist;  Virginia,  who  lives  at  the  old 
home,  which  was  built  during  Revolutionary 
times;  Joseph  P..  deceased,  who  was  a  banker; 
Cornelia,  deceased  :  George  \\'.,  husband  of  the 
subject  hereof;  and  Henry  C.  deceased,  who 
was  also  a  banker. 

George  \\'.  Gordan  enlisted  for  service  in 
tne  Confederate  Army  when  a  boy,  and  ser\ed 
until  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  at  first  in 
the  Young's  Harbor  Guard.  Artillery,  and 
afterward  in  the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery 
Blues.  After  the  war  he  was  a  lieutenant  in 
the  Blues,  of  which  his  l)rother  Joseph  was 
also  a  member  during  the  war.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  \\ent  into  the  private  bank 
of  John  D.  Gordan,  which  was  in  operation 
for  a  period  of  65  years.  He  subsequently 
engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  con- 
nection with  Leigh  Brothers  &  Phelps,  and 
continued  thus  until  his  death  in  1887.  He  was 
a  \'ery  successful  business  man  and  stood  hi.gh 
in  Norfolk,  where  he  always  lived.  The  bank- 
ing firm  of  John  D.  Gordan  &  Company  ceased 
alx)Ut  six  years  after  the  death  of  the  last 
memlier  of  the  family. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gordan  became  the  parents 
of  four  children,  as  follows :  Ida  Johnston, 
who  married  John  Sage  Fiske,  an  importing 
merchant  of  New  York  City;  James  Leigh, 
who  is  in  the  citizens'  Bank  of  Norfolk ; 
John  Dozier,  who  is  with  the  Old  Dominion 


682 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Guano  Company;  and  Virginia  Baird,  who  is 
attending  school.  Religiously,  Mr.  Gordan 
was  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church.  Freternally  he  belonged  to  the 
Roval  Arcanum. 


ARTIN  J.  RYAN,  the  et=ficient  chief 
of  the  Norfolk  Fire  Department, 
was  born  in  Ireland,  November  4, 
1854,  and  for  the  past  30  years 
has  been  engaged  in  fire-depart- 
ment work. 

Mr.  Ryan's  parents  came  to  the  United 
States  and  settled  in  Kingston,  New  York, 
where  the  subject  hereof  was  reared  and 
schooled.  Subsecjuently  he  engaged  in  ship 
carpentry,  and  the  manufacturing  of  boilers. 
While  a  resident  of  Kingston  he  took  a  great 
interest  in  its  fire  department,  and  joined  that 
body  in  1870.  Fie  organized  the  Union  Hgse 
Company,  No.  4,  and  was  its  first  foreman. 
In  1876  he  moved  toi  Norfolk,  and  engaged  in 
the  cotton  business.  Shortly  after  having  set- 
tled in  Norfolk  Mr.  Ryan  joined  the  Norfolk 
Fire  Department.  In  1888  he  relinquished  his 
cotton  business  tO'  accept  the  iX)5ition  of  in- 
spector of  the  Norfolk  \\'ater  Works.  During 
the  year  1894  he  was  discharged  from  that 
position  on  account  of  not  being  in  accord  with 
the  municipal  administration.  Three  days 
later  he  was  elected  chief  of  the  Norfolk  Fire 
Department,  having  been  foreman  of  Engine 
Company,  No'.  4.  Chief  Ryan  has  held  the 
office  of  chief  since  his  first  election  to  that  of- 
fice, a  fact  which  proves  his  capability. 

Chief  Ryan's  administration  has  bean 
superb.  The  call  department  has  been  organ- 
ized intO'  a  full-pay  department,  with  five 
steamer  companies,  a  chemical  company,  and 
two-  truck  companies.  Two  fire-engine  houses 
have  been  added,  and  the  department  has  been 
distributed  more  or  less.  The  fire-alarm  sys- 
tem, having  45  miles  of  wire,  has  been  di- 
vided into  six  circuits,  and  many  of  the  wires 


have  been  placed  under  groinid.  These  are  but 
few  of  the  many  improvements  made  by  Mr. 
Ryan. 

The  earl}'  records  of  the  Norfolk  Fire  De- 
partment were  not  kept,  but  since  the  election 
of  ■Mr.  Ryan  a  full  account  of  the  date  and  time 
of  each  fire  has  been  recorded,  and  of  the  box 
from  which  the  alami  was  turned  in,  the  lo- 
cation, owner  of  property,  occupant,  descrip- 
tion and  occupation  of  buildings,  \-alue  of 
property,  insurance  carried,  and  cause  of  the 
fire.  These  records  can  be  referred  to  at  any 
time.  The  Chief's  first  call  to  a  fire  brought  the 
department  to  the  large  warehouses  of  Jones, 
Lee  &  Company,  which  had  been  burning 
some  time.  With  cjuick  judgment.  Chief 
Ryan  placed  his  men  where  tons  of  water 
could  be  thrown  on  the  burning  buildings,  and 
they  were  saved.  The  Chief  has  performed 
many  noble  feats  in  life-saving,  which  called 
for  daring  nerve  and  quick  judgnient,  and 
these  feats,  both  in  life  and  property-saving, 
have  brought  him  the  highest  praise.  !Mr. 
Ryan  has  in  his  possession  many  letters  from 
some  of  the  most  representative  citizens  of 
Norfolk,  in  testimony  of  his  splendid  conduct 
and  management  of  his  men  during  large  fires. 

Chief  Ryan  has  entertained  visiting  fire- 
men and  their  companies  with  much  courtesy, 
and  often  at  a  considerable  personal  expendi- 
ture. The  records  of  fires  in  1899  show  that 
out  of  168  fires,  m  12  months,  with  a  property 
valuation  of  $2,531,090,  and  a  total  insurance 
of  $1,684,200,  the  total  damage  was  but  $51.- 
903.30.  In  1900,  there  were  219  fires,  with  a 
property  valuation  of  $1,983,655,  insurance, 
$877,350,  and  a  total  fire  loss  of  $32,387. 

In  1882  Mr.  Ryan  married  Elizabeth  Cav- 
cinaugh,  a  native  of  Norfolk,  and  he  has  a  fam- 
ily of  se\'en  children.  He  is  a  member  of  St. 
Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  International  Association  of 
Fire  Engineers :  the  Benevolent  &  Protective 
Order  of  Elks ;  the  Emerald  Beneficial  Asso- 
ciation;  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus;  and  is 
president  of  the  local  branch  of  the  Catholic 


JAMES    H.    SHANNON. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


687 


Knights    of    America.       In    politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

The  city  of  Norfolk  has  just  cause  to  be 
proud  of  its  fire  department  chief.  He  has  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  fighting  the  flames,  and 
never,  with  the  exception  of  <nie  instance,  has 
lie  allowed  a  fire  to  spread.  He  has  been  very 
efficient  in  saving  property,  and  bids  fair  to 
liold  his  present  position  as  long  as  his  age 
and  health  permit. 


\MES  H.  SHAXXOX.  deceased,  was 
for  many  years  an  honored  citizen  and 
business  man  of  Portsmouth.  Norfolk 
County.  A'irginia.  and  was  a  worthy 
representati\e  of  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  prominent  families,  whose  history  is 
closely  interwoven  with  the  historv  of  this  sec- 
tion, yir.  Shannon  was  joined  in  marriage 
with  Martha  Smith  Key.  Both  families,  the 
Shannons  and  the  Kevs.  were  noted  for  their 
fighting  proclivities,  and  members  of  both  dis- 
tinguished themsehes  by  their  courage  and 
bravery  during  both  the  Revolutionary  \^'ar 
for  freedom,  and  the  War  of  181 2. 

Baron  Shannon,  grandfather  of  James  H. 
Shannon,  was  a  refugee  from  Ireland.  He 
was  prominent  in  the  Emmett  Rebellion  and 
for  safety  came  to  America,  settling  on  the 
banks  of  the  Schuykill  River  in  Pennsylvania. 
His  marriage  with  a  Miss  Clementine,  a  French 
lady,  resulted  in  the  birth  of  four  sons :  Liv- 
ingstone, Clement,  John  and  Henry.  The  two 
oldest  sons  fitted  out  a  privateer  during  the 
War  of  181 2,  and  were  granted  letters  of 
marque.  At  the  close  of  that  war,  Livingstone 
settled  in  X'ew  York  City,  and  Clement  settled 
in  Philadelphia,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  tea  business,  his  younger  brother, 
Henry,  having  previously  lived  in  the  latter 
city  for  years. 

•   John  Shannon,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
located  at   Reddington,   Xorth   Carolina,   now 

known  as  Elizabeth  Citv,  being  so  named  in 
37 


honor  of  Elizabeth  Tooley,  its  piiMieer  bene- 
factress and  founder.  This  estecnietl  and 
time  honored  lady  was  the  grandmother  of  our 
subject  on  the  maternal  side.  She  deeded  to 
Elizabeth  City  the  land  now  known  as  the 
"Water-Front."  and  for  some  distance  back. 
Her  daughter,  also  called  Elizabeth  Tooley, 
married  the  John  Shannon  previouslv  men- 
tionetl,  father  of  our  subject.  He  was  lieiuen- 
ant  in  a  military  compan_\-  from  Elizal)eth  City 
in  t)ie  War  of  181 2,  and  with  his  company  was 
stationed  at  Sewell's  Point,  near  Xorfolk,  Yir- 
ginia. 

The  Keys  were  prominent  and  well  known 
in  Xorfolk  County.  They  donated  the  land 
through  which  the  Key  Road  extends  and  the 
lake  known  as  Key  Lake  was  a  part  of  their 
property.  John  Key,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Shannon,  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  army 
and  navy  in  the  Revolutionary  \\'ar,  serving  as 
ensign  in  the  8th  Virginia  Regiment  of  the 
Continental  Army.  His  son.  Jonathan  Kev, 
was  born  in  1767  and  died  October  17.  1853. 
He  married  Lois  Veale,  a  descendant  of  Craw- 
ford \'eale.  Their  son.  Jesse  Key,  was  born 
August  5,  1789.  and  died  October  12,  1815. 
He  also  had  a  taste  for  military  life,  serving  as 
lieutenant  of  the  Portsmouth  Rifle  Coni]iany  in 
the  War  of  1812.  ^lartha  Smith  Key  was  his 
only  child. 

James  H.  Shannon  and  Martha  Smith  Key 
were  married  November  4,  1834,  and  she  was 
the  first  to  depart  this  life,  dying  May  8,  1881, 
at  the  age  of  67  years.  ^Ir.  Shannon  survived 
until  May  12,  1897,  when  he  died  at  the  age  of 
86  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  10  chil- 
dren, several  of  whom  died  in  early  life.  Those 
who  grew  to  maturity  were:  Jesse  Clement; 
Thomas ;  !Mary  Alexina ;  ^^'illiam  L. ;  Mon- 
roe \\'hedbee;  and  Henry  A. 

Jesse  Clement  Shannon,  after  his  gradua- 
tion at  \\'ake  Forrest  College  in  North  Caro- 
lina, took  a  two  years'  course  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
graduating  in  1859,  at  the  early  age  of  22 
years.      .\t   the  outbreak  of  the   Confederate 


588 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


War  he  was  located  at  Elizabeth  City,  North 
Carolina.  He  served  as  surgeon  in  the  68th 
North  Carolina  Regiment,  C.  S.  Army,  and 
was  taken  captive  at  the  fall  of  Hatteras,  and 
was  incarcerated  first  at  Fort  McHenry,  then 
at  Fort  Hamilton,  and  later  at  Fort  Lafayette. 
At  that  time  it  was  generally  understood  among 
the  Southern  States  that  no  Confederate  pris- 
oners would  be  exchanged  but  would  be  held 
as  traitors.  Upon  hearing  this  Mrs.  Shannon, 
his  mother,  wrote  to  President  Jefferson  Davis 
a  letter  of  inquiry  and  shortly  afterward  re- 
ceived a  reply  from  him  assuring  her  that  her 
son  would  be  exchanged  at  the  earliest  moment 
possible.  This  was  in  1862  and  the  letter  has 
been  preserved  by  the  family  ever  since.  Dr. 
Jesse  Clement  Shannon  married  Lavinia  T. 
Old,  a  daugther  of  James  Old,  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  they  had  one  child, 
James  O.  Dr.  Shannon  served  throughout  the 
war,  but  during  his  service  contracted  con- 
sumption, from  which  he  died  in  1868. 

Thomas  Shannon  was  also  a  resident  of 
Elizabeth  City  at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  War  and  immediately  enlisted  in  the 
8th  North  Carolina  Regiment,  C.  S.  Army. 
Subsecjuently  he  was  promoted  to  2nd  lieuten- 
ant, and  was  later  commissioned  ist  lieutenant 
for  his  bravery  at  Cold  Harbor,  in  1864.  How- 
ever, he  never  received  the  latter  as  he  was 
taken  prisoner  during  the  conflict  at  that  place, 
and  held  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  is  now  a  resident  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
where  he  is  employed  by  the  National  Biscuit 
Company  as  cashier,  and  with  this  company 
he  has  been  connected  for  the  past  30  years, 
having  entered  their  employ  a  few  years  after 
■locating  in  St.  Louis,  in  1869.  His  services 
are  of  great  value  to  the  company  and  aside 
from  business  cares  he  takes  an  interest  in  so- 
cial life.  He  is  a  member  of  Stonewall  Camp. 
Confederate  Veterans,  of  Portsmouth,  and  is 
also  an  active  member  of  the  Sons  of  the  Rev- 
olution. 

William  L.  Shannon,  deceased,  married 
Miss   E.   O.'  Ballentine,   of   Portsmouth,   and 


upon  his  death  was  survived  by  his  wife  and 
two  children :     Leon  G.  and  Elizabeth  M. 

Monroe  Whedbee  Shannon  is  a  painter  by 
trade  and  is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  at  Portsmouth.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  I.  Veale,  of  Portsmouth, 
and  they  have  six  children,  namely :  Howard, 
Jesse,  Lela,  John,  Julia  and  James. 

Henry  A.  Shannon  is  connected  with  the 
police  department  of  Portsmouth,  \'irginia, 
and  makes  his  home  with  his  sister.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Julia  Johnston,  who 
was  born  in  Richmond  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  Johnston.  They  have  three  sons : 
Thomas  C,  James  J.,  and  Henry  A.,  all  of 
whom  were  born  on  the  old  homestead. 

Mary  Alexina  Shannon  was  reared  at 
Portsmouth  and  still  makes  her  home  at  the 
old  famly  residence  at  No.  212  Dinwiddie 
street,  which  was  originally  the  property 
of  Jesse  Key,  and  where  all  the  children 
of  James  H.  and  Martha  Smith  (Key) 
Shannon  were  born.  Miss  Shannon  is 
among  the  best  known  and  honored  residents 
of  Portsmouth,  being  esteemed  and  loved  by  all 
who  know  her.  She  is  very  liberal  in  her 
gifts  to  charity  and  does  much  to  show  her  in- 
terest in  the  commtmity  in  which  she  dwells. 

Portraits  of  James  H.  Shannon  and  Thom- 
as Shannon,  his  son,  are  presented  in  connec- 
tion with  this  sketch,  and  appear  on  a  foregoing 
page.  The  portrait  of  Thomas  Shannon  was 
engraved  from  a  photograph  taken  in  the 
spring  of  1902. 


OHX  \\'ILLIS,  Jr.,  who  is  well  known 
as  the  jM-oprietor  of  the  magnificent 
furniture  establishment  located  on  the 
corner  of  Church  and  Main  streets,  in 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  was  born  in  North- 
ampton County,  Virginia,  in  1870.  He  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Rinthia  (Travis)  Willis. 

John  Willis,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Northampton 
County,  Virginia,  where  he  is  now  living  at  the 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


689 


age  of  75  years.  He  has  always  followed  the 
vocation  of  a  farmer  and  has  met  with  suc- 
cess. He  served  with  liDnur  throughout  the 
Confederate  War.  He  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage with  Rinthia  Travis,  who  died  in  1885, 
at  the  age  of  55  years,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  as  follows:  Kate, 
who  married  \\'illiam  P.  Wise,  a  farmer  of 
Xorthampton  County:  Lutlier  A.,  a  farmer  of 
Northampton  County ;  Amanda,  deceased ; 
Margaret,  who  married  W.  T.  Fitchett,  a 
farmer  of  Northampton  CoiJnty:  Lloyd,  a 
fanner  of  Xorthampton  County:  Lummia, 
who  lives  with  her  father ;  Roberta,  deceased ; 
John.  Jr. ;  and  Mattie,  wdio  resides  at  home. 
John  Willis,  Jr.,  attended  the  public  and 
private  schools  at  Northampton  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  15  years,  and  then  clerked 
in  a  store  there  for  one  year.  He  next  went 
on  a  fami  for  himself  and  remained  for  four 
years,  after  which  he  came  to  Norfolk.  He 
clerked  in  the  furniture  store  of  B.  A.  John- 
son for  18  months,  and  afterward,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Johnson  &  ^^'illis,  established  a 
business  at  No.  360  Main  street.  The  firm 
continued  at  that  location  for  a  year,  and  then 
moved  to  Portsmouth.  At  the  end  of  one  year 
there  Mr.  Johnson  retired  and  P.  W.  Carney 
succeeded  to  his  interests,  the  firm  name  be- 
ing changed  to  Carney  &  Willis.  This  con- 
tinued for  15  months,  when  Mr.  Willis  sold 
out  to  Mr.  Carney  and  removed  to  Norfolk, 
purchasing  the  stock  of  Mr.  Johnson  in  1895. 
Tlie  establishment  was  located  on  Church 
street,  where  he  remained  until  1900.  In  the 
meantime,  in  1897,  he  bought  out  his  old  part- 
ner, Mr.  Carney,  in  Portsmouth,  and  conduct- 
ed that  business  for  two  years  in  connection 
with  his  Norfolk  Store.  He  then  resold  the 
Portsmouth  store  to  Mr.  Carney.  In.  January, 
1901,  Mr.  Willis  moved  into  the  Hotel  Norfolk 
bu'ilding,  better  known  as  the  Purcell  House, 
the  oldest  hotel  building  in  the  city.  The  di- 
mensions of  the  building  are  50  feet  on  Main 
street,  150  feet  on  Church  street,  and  it  is  five 
stories  high.     The  entire  building  is  occupied 


by  this  business,  and  he  also  has  an  annex,  the 
dimensions  of  wiiich  are  50  by  99  feet,  the 
latter  being  used  as  a  warehouse.     It  is  two 
stories  high.    From  a  modest  beginning  a  com- 
paratively short  time  ago,  Mr.  \\'illis'  business 
has  witnessed  a  wonderful  growth,  and  is  to- 
day considered  to  be  the  largest  furniture  es- 
j  tablishment  south  of  New   York  City.     His 
stock  is  a  comprehensive  one,  of  all  kinds  of 
modern  and  antique  furniture,  together  with 
!  carpets  and  draperies.     Enterprising  and  en- 
!  ergetic,    honest    and    straightforward    in    his 
■  every  transaction,  success    has  come  to    him 
'  wholly  through  his  own  efforts. 

Mr.  Willis  was  married,  in  1892,  to  Pearl 
Johnson,  who  was  torn  in  Mathews  County, 
Virginia,  in  1871,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Benja- 
min A.  and  Lelia  Johnson,  and  they  have  four 
children,  namely :  Rose,  who  was  born  in  1893  ; 
Benjamin  A.,  born  in  1895;  Gladys,  born  in 
1896;  and  John,  born  in  1898.  Mrs.  Willis  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South.  Mr. 
^\"illis  is  a  meml>er  of  the  Modern  Puritans 
and  the  Roval  Arcanum. 


L.  ^lAYER,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Mayer  &  Company,  manufacturers 
and  dealers  in  machinery  and  sup- 
plies, is  engaged  in  business  at  No. 
74  Commercial  Place,  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  torn  in  Norfolk,  and  has  al- 
ways made  that  city  his  home. 

Mr.  Mayer  received  his  education  in  the 
Norfolk  Academy,  and  iiegan  his  business  ca- 
reer at  the  age  of  18  years.  He  engaged  in 
the  same  line  of  business  which  he  now'  fol- 
lows, and  has  always  met  with  success.  Thi.s 
business  has  been  conducted  under  the  firm 
name  of  Mayer  &  Company  since  1878,  and 
is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  concerns  of 
the  kind  in  the  country.  The}-  handle  engines, 
boilers,  pumps,  injectors,  siphons,  hose,  tools, 
shafting  and  pulleys,  iron  pipes,  fittings,  valveS, 
cocks,  etc.,  belting,  packing,  waste,  iron  and 


690 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


steel,  nails,  oils  and  cordage.  They  do  a  large 
business  which  increases  each  year.  ]\Ir. 
Mayer  is  a  man  of  fine  business  perception, 
possessing  a  keen  foresight,  and  unusual  ex- 
ecutive ability. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Select  Council  of  Norfolk  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  lodge,  and  of  the  Virginia  Club.  Po- 
liticallv,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


ICHARD  A.  DOBIE,  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  ]nil)lic  schools  of  the  city  of 
Xorf(,)lk.  Virginia,  has  established  a 
record  of  which  any  man  may  well 
feel  proud.  His  policy  during  his  in- 
cumbency of  that  office  has  been  one  of  prog- 
ress, and  it  is  but  justice  to  this  gentleman  tO' 
say  that  the  high  degree  of  excellence  of  the 
Norfolk  schools  is  chiefly  due  tO'  his  efforts. 

Mr.  Dobie  was  born  in  Sussex  County,  Vir- 
ginia, August  3,  1846,  and  was  educated  at 
Newville  Academy.  He  was  a  young  man  at 
the  time  of  the  Intersectional  ^^'ar,  but,  de- 
voted to  the  cause  of  the  Confederacy,  he  en- 
listed in  January,  1864,  in  Sturdivant's  Battery 
of  Artillery.  From  that  time  until  the  sur- 
render of  General  Lee,  he  bravely  discharged 
the  duties  required  of  him  as  a  soldier,  and 
then  returned  home.  For  a  period  of  15  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Harbor  Com- 
missioners, eight  years  of  which  time  he  served 
as  president  of  the  board,  and  rendered  efficient 
service  in  that  capacity,  although  no  salary  was 
attached  to  the  office.  In  1896  he  first  be- 
came identified  with  the  public  schools  of  Nor- 
folk, being  elected  superintendent,  to  succeed 
K.  C.  Murray,  deceased.  The  following  year 
he  was  re-elected,  and  has  held  that  office  since. 
He  has  displayed  wonderful  executive  abilit}-, 
organizing  the  schools  on  a  thorough  business 
basis.  He  has  elevated  the  standard  of  schol- 
arship and  the  efficiency  of  the  corps  of  teach- 
ers, and  maintained  perfect  harmony  with  the 


School  Board  and  the  citizens  of  Norfolk.  He 
is  a  man  of  great  popularity  with  the  residents 
of  the  city,  rich  and  poor,  alike,  having  many, 
warms  friends,  socially,  who  are  politicall)'. 
opposed  to  him. 

Mr.  Dobie  is  an  unswerving  supporter  of 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has 
never  voted  any  other  ticket.  He  has  taken  a 
very  prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  Roval 
Arcanum,  and  has  held  the  position  of  grand 
regent  of  Virginia,  and  representative  from 
Virginia  to  the  Supreme  Council.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  ]\Iasonic  fraternity,  and  was 
master  of  Owens  Lodge,  No.  164,  A.  F.  & 
A.  j\l.,  of  Norfolk,  for  several  terms.  He  is 
commander  of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Con- 
federate Veterans,  and  has  always  taken  a  very 
great  interest  in  the  workings  of  that  organi- 
zation. 


OHX  OSWALD  PITT,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business  in  Nor- 
folk, A'irginia,  was  born  in  Norfolk 
December  18,  1862.  His  parents, 
^lerritt  G.  and  Lucy  (Campbell)- 
Pitt,  were  born  in  Isle  of  \\"ight  County,  Mr- 
ginia. 

John  Oswald  Pitt  attended  the  schools  of 
Norfolk  and  afterward  learned  the  trade  of 
a  blacksmith,  which  he  followed  a  short  time, 
but  at  the  age  of  21  years  he  gave  it  up,  and 
accepted  a  position  on  the  police  force.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  police  force  two  years, 
when  he  was  promoted  to  be  a  police  detective. 
He  continued  thus  for  about  10  years,  when 
he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  in  which 
he  has  remained  up  to  the  present  day.  He 
is  a  self-made  man  and  has  just  cause  to  be 
proud  of  the  success  which  has  come  to  him 
throHgh  constant  faithfulness  to'  business,  and 
a  determination  to  succeed.  He  is  well  known 
among  the  business  men  of  Norfolk,  and  is 
highly  respected  for  his  honestv  and  integrity. 
Mr.  Pitt  was  united  in  marriage  with  Del- 
phia   E.    Wright,   of   Princess   Anne   County, 


EDWARD    CAMP. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


693 


\"ir_£jinia,  and  they  have  one  daugliter.  Eolinc. 
In  May,  1900,  Mr.  Pitt  was  elected  a  council- 
man from  the  Third  Ward,  and  is  now  a  niem- 
l>er  of  tiie  Common  Council.  He  is  serving 
on  tlie  public  building  CDinmittee,  and  also  on 
the  committee  for  employment  of  inmates  of 
the  City  Jail.  He  is  on  the  committee  to  con- 
fer with  the  fire  and  police  committees  in  ref- 
erence to  the  relief  of  firemen  and  policemen. 
He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  has  been 
an  active  Worker  in  politics. 


DWARD  C.\MP,  general  superintend- 
ent of  the   Norfolk   Knitting   Mills, 
w  hose  portrait  is  herewith  presented, 
is  an  old  and  highly  respected  resi- 
dent of  the  city,  having  located  here 
in  April,  1868.     He  was  born    in    Tompkins 
County.  New  York,  June  13,   184J,  and  is  a 
son  of  Hermon  and  Catherine  Camp. 

Hermon  Camp  was  born  in  Connecticut  and 
spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  New  York  State. 
He  followed  farming  for  a  time  and  was  also 
a  merchant  and  manufacturer.  His  wife.  Cath- 
erine, was  a  native  of  New  York  State. 

Edward  Camp  grew  to  manhood  in  Tomp- 
kins County.  New  York,  and  at  the  age  of  17 
years  enlisted  on  May  7.  1861.  in  Company  I, 
32nd  Regiment,  New  York  \'olunteer  Infan- 
try. He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run 
and  was  wounded  at  ^^'est  Point,  May  7.  1862, 
just  one  year  from  the  date  of  his  enlistment. 
He  was  discharged  from  the  service  about  six- 
months  later  and  returned  to  his  home,  where 
he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  and  farming. 
In  1868  he  came  to  Norfolk,  \'irginia,  where, 
with  the  e.xception  of  four  years,  he  has  since 
lived.  He  was  engaged  in  trucking  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  has  since  witnessed  the 
de\eli ipment  of  what  was  his  truck  farm  into  a 
thickly  settled  district  of  the  city.  He  became 
identified  with  the  Norfolk  Knitting  ]\Iills  in 
the  capacity  of  foreman  in  the  finishing  de- 
l^artment,    and    from    that   position    was   pro- 


moted to  be  general  superintendent  of  the  plant 
January  i,  190 1.  He  gave  to  the  mill  com- 
l)any  the  land  on  which  the  plant  is  now  located. 
The  Norfolk  Knitting  Mills  is  an  extensive 
plant,  employing  about  22^  men.  and  manufac- 
turing men's  balbriggan  underwear,  which  has 
a  sale  throughout  the  country.  Mr.  Camp  has 
made  a  success  in  a  business  way,  and  is  a 
man  of  recognized  ability.  He  has  many 
warm  friends  of  long  vears  standing,  and  is 
highly  respected  wherever  known. 

In  18O2  Mv.  Cam])  was  ji  lined  in  the  bontls 
of  matrimony  with  Susan  J.  W'infield,  of  Tru- 
mansburg.  Tompkins  County,  New  York,  and 
they  Jiave  two  children,  Hermnn  \\'.  and  Mary 
H.  Politically  he  is  a  true  Reiniblican.  He 
was  appointed  deputy  marshal  of  the  Eastern 
District  of  Virginia,  and  served  five  years.  In 
1895  '1^  ^\"^s  elected  a  member  of  the  City 
Council,  succeetling  Mr.  Anderson,  and  has 
been  twice  re-elected.  He  is  public  spirited  and 
progressi\e.  and  has  always  Ijeen  found  on  the 
right  side  of  measures  tending  to  advance  the 
best  interests  of  the  city.  I'ralernally  he  is  a 
Mason  and  Knight  Templar.  He  is  a  member 
of  Truman  Post,  No.  157,  G.  .\.  R..  of  Xew 
York.  Religiously  Mr.  Camji  is  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Presbvterian  Church. 


H.  TRICE,  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
^^  .  H.  H.  Trice  &  Company,  real' 
estate  dealers  in  the  city  of  Norfolk, 
\'irginia.  is  a  son  of  W.  H.  H.  Trice, 
one  of  the  most  prominent  real  estate 
dealers  Norfolk  has  ever  had. 

W.  H.  H.  Trice  was  born  in  Louisa  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  in  1844,  and  about  30  years  ago 
came  to  Norfolk,  where  he  was  employed  as  a 
mail-clerk  by  the  government  for  a  period  of  20 
years.  At  the  end  of  tliat  time,  with  no  capital, 
but  with  a  strong  determinatii^n  to  succeed  and 
a  character  above  reproach,  Mr.  Trice  em- 
barked in  the  real  estate  business.  At  the  time 
of  his  engaging  in  this  business,  he  had  a  desk 


694 


HISTORY    OF.  NORFOLK    COUNTY 


in  the  office  of  James  Y.  Leigh,  where  he  was 
located  for  several  years.  He  then  formed  a 
partnership  with  W^alter  Sharp,  which  con- 
tinued for  nine  years,  at  the  -expiration  of 
Avhich  time  they  separated,  and  the  business 
was  conducted  as  Trice  &  Son. 

Many  of  the  most  successful  real  estate  men 
in  Norfolk  have  learned  the  business  under  Mr. 
Trice.  Besides  owning  a  large  amount  of  real 
estate  himself,  the  firm  does  a  large  general 
realty  business,  buying  and  selling  property 
both 'in  and  out  of  Norfolk.  \V.  H.  H.  Trice  &: 
Company  are  agents  for  property  in  Norfolk, 
and  in  the  suburban  towns  around,  and  the 
business  is  conducted  with  splendid  manage- 
ment. H.  H.  Trice,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
could  not  have  received  his  knowledge  of  this 
business  under  a  better  preceptor,  as  his  father 
is  one  of  the  most  successful  real  estate  men  in 
Virginia. 

H.  H.  Trice  is  acknowledged  to  be  one  of 
the  leading  young  business  men  of  Norfolk, 
possesses  sterling  business  qualities,  and  is 
modern  and  progressive  in  all  his  undertakings. 


OHN  BENSON  JENKINS,  attorney- 
at-law  in  the  cit}'  of  Norfolk,  is  a  well- 
known  member  of  the  bar  of  Virginia. 
He  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1859.  He  was  educated  at 
\\'ebster  Institute,  and  at  William  R.  Gait's 
school,  in  Norfolk.  He  attended  Richmond 
College,  and  afterward  was  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  M.  A.,  in  June,  1882.  After  com- 
pleting the  course  at  the  Universitv  of  Vir- 
ginia, he  attended  the  Harvard  Law  School, 
and  subsequently  studied  law  at  the  Cniversity 
of  Virginia. 

In  1885,  Mr.  Jenkins  began  the  practice  of 
his  chosen  profession  in  the  city  of  Norfolk, 
wliere  he  has  won  distinction  as  a  lawyer  of 
more  than  ordinary  ability.  He  has  a  large 
general  practice,  to  which  he  devotes  most  of 
his  time.     He  has  been  identified  with  all  the 


prominent  enterprises  which  have  been  under- 
taken to  develop  Norfolk,  and  is  one  of  that 
city's  progressive  citizens. 

December  19,  1888,  Mr.  Jenkins  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Eunice  B.  Wort- 
ham,  of  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  is  a  member 
of  Owens  Lodge,  No.  164,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  is 
a  director  of  the  Public  Library,  manager  of 
the  Norfolk  Seamen's  Friend  Society,  and  a 
trustee  of  the  Norfolk  Academy.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  public-spirited  citizens  of  Norfolk, 
and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  are  for- 
tunate enough  to  meet  him,  or  to  have  busi- 
ness dealings  with  him. 


\^'.   McCULLOUGH  is    one  of  the 
largest    wholesale    and    retail    lumber 
dealers  in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia,  his   business   being   located   at 
the    corner    of    Brooke    avenue    and 
Boush  street.     He  succeeded  to  the  business 
established  bv  his  father,  who  died  April  9, 
1896. 

Allen  Anderson  IMcCullough,  father  of  F. 
W.,  came  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  just  after  the 
Confederate  War,  in  '1865,  and  located  on  the 
waterfront,  on  the  property  which  is  now  a 
part  of  the  piers  and  wharves  of  the  Old  Do- 
minion Steamship  Company.  He  engaged  ex- 
tensively in  the  coal  and  lumber  trade.  About 
1875,  he  concluded  the  work  of  filling  in  the' 
marsh  land  which  extended  from  the  old  wall 
at  Granby  street  out  to  the  port-warden's  line, 
a  distance  of  over  one-third  of  a  mile,  and  run- 
ning along  the  port  warden's  line,  nearly  1,000 
feet.  This  vast  tract  of  waste  land,  over  which 
the  tide  ebbed  and  flowed,  was  converted,  at  an 
enormous  outlay  of  money  and  work,  and  in 
the  face  of  much  opposition  from  various 
sources,  into  what  is  now  the  splendid  ter- 
minals of  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway,  and 
the  New  York,  Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  Rail- 
road on  the  west,  and  the  site  of  a  number 
of  fine  buildings,  erected  and  in  course  of  erec- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


695 


tion,  on  Granby  street,  opposite  the  Monticello 
Hotel,  on  tlie  east.  Tliis  vast  property,  only 
partially  improved  and  developed,  has  been  a 
great  factor  in  the  growth  of  Norfolk,  and  es- 
pecially has  this  b€en  the  case  in  its  immediate 
neighborhood,  where  values  have  increased  to 
figures  only  dreamed  possible  by  Mr.  ^NIcCul- 
lough  himself.  As  an  instance  of  this,  the 
Cheasapeake  &  Ohio  Railway  purchased,  in 
1893.  property  for  which  they  paid  over  half 
a  million  dollars,  said  purchase  being  a  part  of 
this  tract  and  the  property  adjoining  it.  This 
property  will  always  stand  as  a  monument  to 
the  perseverance  and  energy  of  its  originator 
and  maker,  who  had  the  courage  to  undertake 
the  task  in  the  face  of  almost  insurmountable 
difficulties.  Allen  Anderson  ^IcCullough  was 
born  in  Cecil  County,  Maryland,  where  he  was 
reared  on  a  farm.  He  was  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business  at  Marlboro  until  he  came  to  Nor- 
folk. He  married  Miss  Wheatley,  who  sur- 
vives him.  They  had  two  sons,  one  of  whom 
died. 

F.  ^^^  McCullough  was  born  and  reared 
in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  early  in  life  became 
identified  with  his  father's  business.  He  began 
at  the  foot  of  the  ladder  and  learned  the  busi- 
ness in  all  its  details  and,  when  he  assumed 
the  management  of  it  in  1896,  was  well  quali- 
fied for  the  work.  He  has  many  friends  and 
acquaintances  in  the  city,  and  has  alway.'? 
evinced  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  welfare  of  Norfolk. 


|-\MES  F.  DUNCAN.  This  gentleman 
occupies  a  prominent  place  in  legal 
circles  in  Norfolk,  ^"irginia,  having 
been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in 
Norfolk  since  1882.  ^Ir.  Duncan  was 
born  in  St.  Louis.  Missouri,  May  6,  1835.  and 
is  a  son  of  James  Duncan,  who  spent  his  last 
days  in  Gloucester  County,  \''irginia,  where  he 
died  in  1895. 

James  F.  Duncan  was  educated  at  the  \'er- 


mont  Episcopal  Institute,  at  Burlington,  Ver- 
mont, and  at  Washington  University,  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  later  took  a  law  course  at  the 
University  of  Mrginia.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  St.  Louis  in  1876,  and  practiced 
there  with  much  success  for  some  time.  In 
1882,  yir.  Duncan  removed  to  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  has  a  large  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice. He  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments,  and 
his  knowledge  of  his  chosen  profession  is  thor- 
ough. ]\Ir.  Duncan  held  the  position  of  city  at- 
torney of  Norfolk  from  1S91  until  1894,  and 
prosecuting  attorney  for  the  city  from  1896 
until  1899.  He  is  much  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare and  prosperity  of  Norfolk,  and  gives  his 
assistance  readily  when  any  public  enterprise  is 
undertaken.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  an  active  worker  in  that  or- 
ganization. 

Mr.  Duncan  married  Lucy  Dabney,  of 
Gloucester  County,  \'irginia.  and  thev  are  the 
parents  of  two  children,— Emery  D.  and  :Mary 
F.  JNIr.  Duncan  has  erected  a  beautiful  home 
in  Norfolk.  He  is  a  member  and  past  exalted 
ruler  of  Norfolk  Lodge.  No.  38,  B.  P.  O.  E., 
and  is  also  a  member  of  various  other  orders! 


ILLIAM     LAURENCE     BAKER, 
who   is  now    serving    his    second 
term  in  the  office  of  city  collector 
of  Norfolk,  \'irginia.  was  born  in 
Norfolk,  in   1857.       He  is  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  .the  many  well-known  famil- 
ies of  Virginia,  and  has  just  cause  to  be  proud 
of  his  ancestry. 

Mr.  Baker  was  reared  and  partially  edu- 
cated in  his  native  city,  and  after  attending 
Prof.  N.  B.  \^'ebster's  private  school  in  Nor- 
folk, he  pursued  a  supplementary  course  at 
Bingham's  ^Military  Academy  in  North  Caro- 
lina. At  the  close  of  his  school  days.  Mr. 
Baker  went  into  the  transportation  business, 
becoming  purser  on  the  old  Washington  Line 
of  steamers,  in  which  service  he  remained  four 


696 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


years.  He  then  secured  a  position  as  cotton 
weigher  for  the  Norfolk  Cotton  Exchange, 
which  he  filled  for  a  period  of  15  years.  In 
1896,  he  was  chosen  as  the  Degnocratic  nomi- 
nee for  the  office  of  city  collector,  and  w'as 
elected  by  a  large  vote,  and  sworn  into  office  in 
July  of  that  year.  He  served  to  the  entire  sat- 
isfaction of  his  fellow  citizens,  and  won  much 
praise  for  his  faithfulness. 

IMr.  Baker  was  defeated  in  his  effort  to 
secure  a  renomination  for  that  office,  but  has 
since  been  nominated  and  elected  to  a  second 
term  as  collector.  Air.  Baker  has  always  been 
a  stanch  member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
for  some  years  has  taken  an  active  interest  in 
the  affairs  of  that  party.  By  his  faithfulness 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  he  has  won  the 
approval  of  the  entire  public,  as  is  shown  by 
his  election  to  a  second  term  as  city  collector. 
Mr.  Baker  is  a  member  of  several  fraternal 
organizations,  among  them  being :  the  A.  F.  & 
A.  ^l. :  B.  P.  O.  E^:  K.  of  P. ;  I.  O.  R.  M. ; 
and  Royal  Arcanum. 

Mr.  Baker's  home  is  on  Boush  street,  in 
the  Second  Ward.  He  has  a  host  of  friends  in 
Norfolk  and  in  that  vicinity,  and  is  looked 
upon  as  one  of  tlie  most  public  spirited  men  of 
the  citv. 


^^'ESLEY  FENTRESS  is  one  of 
the  directors  of  the  City  National 
Bank  of  Norfolk,  Norfolk  County, 
Mrginia.  and  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  C.  W.  Fentress  &  Company, 
wholesale  dealers  in  butter,  eggs  and  cheese. 
]\Ir.  Fentress  was  born  in  Princess  Anne  Coun- 
ty, A'irginia,  in  1856,  a  son  of  James  Fentress. 
James  Fentress,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  also  a  native  of  Princess  Anne 
County.  He  was  a  farmer  b\-  occupation,  and 
also  dealt  in  lumber  extensively,  furnishing 
much  of  the  lumber  for  the  United  States  Navy 
Yard.  He  died  at  the  age  of  75  }^ars.  His 
wife,  Annie  (Dawley)  Fentress,  aied  at  the 
age  of  65   years.     Of  four  children  born  to  i 


them,  the  subject  hereof  is  the  only  one  who 
survives. 

C.  Wesley  Fentress  attended  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  county,  and  at  the  age  of 
16  years  began  his  business  career.  In  1876, 
he  opened  a  retail  grocery  store  on  the  corner 
of  Church  and  Freemason  streets,  in  Norfolk, 
\'irginia.  where  he  remained  until  1889.  Su)5- 
sequently.  he  engaged  in  the  commission 
and  wholesale  business,  although  on  a  very 
small  scale:  in  1889,  he  organized  the  business 
house  of  C.  \\".  Fentress  &  Company,  whole- 
sale dealers  in  butter,  cheese  and  eggs.  This 
business  grew  so  rapidly  that  the  Norfolk  Re- 
frigating  &  Cold  Storage  Company  was  or- 
ganized, Mr.  Fentress  being  one  of  the  original 
members.  C.  \\'.  Fentress  &  Company  have 
three  floors  of  the  building  at  No.  82  Roanoke 
street,  devoted  to  refrigerating  and  storing,  but 
this  is  not  sufficient  room,  and  a  great  portion 
of  the  Norfolk  Refrigerating  &:  Cold  Storage 
Company's  space  is  utilized.  C.  W.  Fentress 
&  Company  do  an  immense  business,  export- 
ing a  fine  quality  of  butter,  cheese  and  eggs  to 
Germany.  They  handle  butter  and  cheese 
from  the  North  and  West,  especially  the  noted 
Herkimer  County  cheese.  The  company  has 
its  own  code  of  advertising,  and  has  established 
a  reputation  which  is  well  known  in  this  coun- 
try and  abroad. 

Mr.  Fentress  is  identified  with  various  en- 
terprises in  Norfolk,  and  is  keenly  alive  to  any 
undertaking  which  is  for  the  advancement  of 
the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  has  built 
and  enlarged  several  business  blocks  and  resi- 
dences in  Norfolk,  and  is  an  extensive  real-es- 
tate owner.  He  is  a  director  in  the  City  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Norfolk,  vice-president  of  the 
Norfolk  Refrigerating  &  Cold  Storage  Com- 
pany, one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  Business  Men's  Association  of  Nor- 
folk, of  which  he  is  now  a  vice-president,  and 
a  member  of  the  Seaboard  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany. 

Air.  Fentress  was  married  to  Sue  Bayton, 
daughter  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Bayton  of  Portsmouth. 


ALVAH  H.  MARTIN. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


699 


She  tlied  at  the  age  of  24  years,  leaving  an  in- 
fant child,  which  died  soon  afterward.  Mr. 
Fentress  married,  secondly,  Effie  Eley.  a 
daughter  of  Capt.  Hubert  Eley.  of  Berkley. 
\'irginia,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  J.  Hubert;  Ethel  Ann;  Charles 
W. :  and  Thomas  J.,  all  attending  school. 

Mr.  Fentress  is  a  ^lason  and  has  taken  the 
degree  of  Knight  Templar.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  progressive  business  men  of  Norfolk, 
where  he  is  highly  esteemed  for  his  upright 
character  and  fair  metlKxls  in  dealing  with  all. 


i^\XK  E.  WILCOX.  Among  the  well- 
known   business    men    of    Norfolk. 
\'irginia.    is    the    gentleman    whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.    He  is  secre- 
tary and    general    manager    of    the 
American  Fertilizing  Company,  which  is  one 
of  the  largest  establishments  of  the  kind  in  the 
United  States. 

Mr.  \\'ilcox  attended  the  high  school  of  his 
native  town,  and  after  finishing  school  removed 
to  Norfolk,  where  he  became  clerk  for  C.  L. 
Upshur,  a  manufacturer  of  fertilizers,  who  was 
then  president  of  the  Upshur  Guano  Company. 
Subsequently,  Mr.  Upshur  withdrew  from  the 
old  company  and  organized  the  American  Fer- 
tilizing Company.  At  his  death,  in  1886.  ilr. 
Wilcox  became  general  manager  of  this  latter 
company  and  has  remained  so  ever  since. 

The  American  Fertilizing  Company  was 
organized  in  1883.  and  ^Nlr.  Upshur  acted  as 
president  of  the  company,  with  W.  F.  Wise 
as  vice-president.  The  company  was  reorgan- 
ized in  1886  under  the  present  officers,  namely  : 
C.  A.  Nash,  president :  W.  F.  Wise,  vice-presi- 
dent; F.  E.  Wilcox,  secretary  and  general 
manager;  and  Henrv  Kirn,  treasurer.  The 
directors  of  the  companv  are  as  follows :  C. 
A.  Nash.  Henry  Duke.  W.  F.  Wise.  J.  E. 
Wright.  J.  T.  Grifiin.  T.  E.  Peake.  Henry  Kirn. 
W.  B.  Carney,  and  ^I.  W.  Annstead.  The 
business  was  first  established  on  Water  street. 


but  the  company  purchased  some  property  and 
erected  a  large  plant  at  South  Portsmouth, 
equipped  with  new  and  modern  improvements ; 
it  is  304  by  200  feet,  in  dimensions,  with  304 
feet  of  wharf.  The  pay-roll  of  this  company 
has  reached  Si. 000  per  week.  When  the  Amer- 
ican Fertilizing  Company  began  to  produce 
goods  for  the  market,  the  old  Peruvian  guano 
was  then  used  in  this  locality.  This  company 
now  manufactures  the  "Red  Brand,"  "Straw- 
lierry  Guano,"  "Blue  Brand,"  and  "Peruvian 
Mixture."  for  sweet  iwtatoes.  and  also  for  to- 
bacco and  cotton.  Many  others  of  their  brands 
have  found  ready  markets  in  the  South  and 
West,  as  well  as  in  the  Eastern  states.  This 
company  keeps  thoroughly  abreast  with  the 
times,  using  any  new  material  which  proves 
beneficial  to  different  plants. 

Mr.  Wilcox  has  been  secretary  and  general 
manager  of  this  business  ever  since  he  became 
a  member  of  the  company,  and  has  devoted  all 
of  his  time  to  the  building  up  of  this  business, 
and  has  introduced  the  goods  in  North  and 
South  Carolina,  where  an  immense  amount  is 
sold  each  year.  In  1900,  the  American  Fertiliz- 
ing Company  manufactured  21.000  tons  of  the 
fertilizer. 

Mr.  Wilco.x  is  well  known  in  Norfolk, 
where  he  is  always  interested  in  any  public  un- 
dertaking which  is  for  the  advancement  of 
the  citv. 


EORGE  ALEXANDER  MARTIN,  a 
^  respected  citizen  of  Berklev.  Norfolk 

J^  H  County,  \'irginia,  a  recent  portrait 
uf  whom  accompanies  this  sketch, 
has  attained  a  high  degree  of  success 
as  a  practitioner  of  law.  He  has  ever  evinced 
a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  wel- 
fare of  Norfolk  County,  in  whose  growth  and 
development  he  has  taken  no  small  part.  Mr. 
^lartin  was  born  in  Norfolk  County  and  is  a 
son  of  Col.  James  Green  Martin,  Sr. 

The  earliest  representative  of  the  Martin 
family  in  this  country  was  Gen.  Joseph  Martin, 


700 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


who  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Martin.  The  mother 
of  Thomas  Martin  was  a  sister  of  Lord  Fair- 
fax, of  England,  who  was  descended  from 
the  Dnke  of  Kent,  who  sailed  with  Wilham 
the  Conqueror,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Hastings.  The  history  of  the  Fairfax  family 
includes  that  of  Lord  Fairfax,  who  was  gen- 
eral of  the  Parliamentary  army  opposing  that 
of  Charles  I,  of  England. 

Gen.  Joseph  Martin  attained  prominence 
as  a  general  during  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  rendered  invaluable  assistance  to  the 
Cause  of  Independence.  He  was  the  father  of 
five  sons,  namely  :  Henry ;  James  G. ;  George ; 
Joseph;  and  the  youngest,  of  whose  name  the 
record  is  missing,  and  who  remained  in  Ken- 
tucky with  his  father  and  his  brother,  Joseph. 
.George  was  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Henry  settled  in  Henry  County, 
Virginia,  and  it  was  after  him  that  the  town  of 
^lartinsville  was  named.  James  G.  settled  with 
his  brother,  George,  in  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, where  they  owned  adjoining  farms.  He 
was  an  Episcopalian  minister  and  later  re- 
moved to  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina.  He 
had  one  son,  William,  a  celebrated  doctor  of 
Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina.  Dr.  William 
Martin  had  three  sons,  viz. :  Gen.  James  G. ; 
William  F. ;  and  Dr.  Charles.  Gen.  James  G. 
Martin  was  a  major  in  the]\Iexican  War,  and  a 
major-general  in  the  Confederate  Army,  being 
a  graduate  at  West  Point.  Among  his  de- 
scendants is  Judge  W.  B.  Martin,  of  Norfolk. 
William  F.  Martin  was  a  colonel  in  the  Con- 
federate Army.  Dr.  Charles  Martin  was  a 
distinguished  dentist  of  Norfolk ;  he  died  with- 
out issue. 

George  Martin,  the  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, served  as  aide-de-camp  to  his  father.  Gen. 
Joseph  Martin,  during  the  Revolutionary  War, 
and  was  cotemporary  with  Daniel  Boone  in 
settling  Kentucky.  He  came  to  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty from  Kentucky,  immediately  after  the  Rev- 
olutionary War.  He  married  Ann  Old,  and 
they  reared  two  sons.  Col.  James  Green,  Sr. ; 
and  George  Thomas,   who  died   about   183;^. 


The  latter  married  Olive  Gresham,  a  sister  of 
Thomas  B.  Gresham,  and  they  had  two  chil- 
dren, Joseph,  who  died  very  young;  and  Mi- 
nerva, who  married  Robert  Miller,  from  whom 
are  descended  Dr.  Miller  and  others  prominent 
in  Norfolk  County. 

Col.  James  Green  Martin,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  March  11,  1797. 
He  married  a  sister  of  General  Foreman,  who 
was  a  captain  of  cavalry,  and  later  a  general 
during  the  War  of  1812.  General  Foreman 
was  descended  from  Alexander  Foreman,  one 
of  the  first  settlers  of  Norfolk,  who  owned 
large  possessions  about  Great  Bridge,  where 
the  famous  battle  was  fought.  James  Green 
Martin  was  reared  in  Norfolk  County,  and  be- 
came a  merchant  in  partnership  with  General 
Foreman,  continuing  as  such  until  after  his 
marriage  with  the  latter's  sister.  He  then  re- 
moved to  his  farm  in  the  country.  He  served 
in  the  War  of  181 2,  having  entered  the  ser- 
vice at  the  age  of  16  years,  under  Captain  Poll- 
ard. He  was  later  made  a  colonel  in  the  mi- 
litia. He  also  became  presiding  magistrate  of 
Norfolk  County,  and  served  as  such  until  he 
resigned  in  1849.  He  was  also  a  local  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  preacher.  Five  children  \vcre 
born  to  Colonel  Martin  and  his  wife,  nan:ely : 
James  Green,  Jr.;  George  Alexander;  Fran- 
ces Ann ;  Marina  Martha ;  and  Mary  E.  James 
Green,  Jr.,  was  the  father  of  Alvah  H.  and 
George  G.,  the  latter  an  attorney  of  Berkley, 
and  ]\Iaude,  wife  of  F.  W.  Lyons,  who  is  treas- 
urer of  Norfolk  County.  George  Alexander 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Frances  Ann  was 
the  wife  of  George  T.  Old,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  Their  union  was  blessed  by  two 
children,  James  Y.  and  Mrs.  Alonzo  Ives.  Ma- 
rina Martha  married  N.  B.  Foreman,  a  son  of 
General  Foreman ;  both  are  deceased,  leaving 
the  following  children :  Ionia,  wife  of  J.  F, 
Cooper,  who  was  captain  of  Company  F,  15th 
Regiment,  Virginia  Cavalrv,  C.  S.  Army,  and 
after  the  war  went  to  Texas,  where  he  became 
a  judge;  Eugenia,  who  married  Jerome  Ethe- 
ridge,    of    Princess    Anne    County,    Virginia: 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


701 


Frances,  who  married  a  legislator  of  Florida; 
Florence,  widow  of  Gideon  Hearing,  a  Confed- 
erate soldier;  and  Mary,  who  married  a  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature  of  Florida.  Mary  E.,  the 
youngest  child  born  to  James  Green  Martin  and 
his  wife,  married  \\'illiam  H.  Barnes,  recently 
deceased,  who  was  t'eputy  clerk  of  the  Nor- 
folk County  Court.  Mrs.  Barnes  also  died, 
leaving  the  following  children  :  Maacah,  who 
died  recently,  unmarried;  Mary  (Wicks),  of 
Berkley;  and  Marina  (Sykes),  of  Mount 
Pleasant,  Norfolk  County. 

Alvah  H.  Martin,  a  son  of  Col.  James 
Green  ^lartin.  Jr.,  and  Bettie  L.  Gresham,  his 
wife,  and  nephew  of  the  subject  of  this  biog- 
raphy was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1858.  He  first  entered  the  office  of  the 
clerk  of  Norfolk  County  in  1874.  He  was  soon 
after  appointed  deputy  clerk,  and  later,  clerk, 
to  fill  a  vacancy.  He  was  then  elected  county 
clerk  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth  consecu- 
tive term  of  six  years  each,  the  last  term  hav- 
ing begim  July  i ,  1899.  He  has  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  ot^ce  in  an  irreproachable  manner, 
and  although  the  office  is  an  attractive  one  and 
there  are  many  candidates  for  it,  the  people 
have  always  rallied  to  his  support.  He  is  prom- 
inently identified  with  many  land  and  improve- 
ment companies  and  manufacturing  concerns. 
He  is  president  of  the  Merchants'  &  Planters' 
Bank,  of  Berkley,  and  a  director  in  the  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Commerce,  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  also  the  owner  of  large  landed 
interests,  which  he  manap-es  profitably.  The 
Improvement  Board  of  Berkley  was  established 
by  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1896,  and  of 
this  ilr.  ilartin  was  elected  chairman.  Thi.s 
body  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  Berkley,  and 
evidences  of  its  work  may  be  seen  on  every 
street.  In  politics  Mr.  Martin  is  a  Republican, 
having  allied  himself  with  that  party  at  the 
same  time  as  did  General  Mahone.  He  was  a 
trusted  friend  and  supporter  of  the  latter,  with 
whom  he  served  on  the  Republican  State  Ex- 
ecutive Committee.  Socially,  as  well  as  in 
business,  Mr.  Martin  moves  in  the  best  circles, 


and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  with  whom  he  is 
acquainted.  Mr.  Martin  married,  January  6. 
1881,  Mary  E.  Tilley,  a  daughter  of  Edward 
M.  Tilley  of  Berkley,  Virginia,  who  for  more 
than  25  years  has  represented  that  section  on 
the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Martin  have  been  born  the  following  children : 
Fay;  Mabel;  James  Green;  Alvah  H.,  Jr.;  and 
Howard  Gresham.  Mr.  and  !Mrs.  Martin  are 
members  of  Memorial  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South. 

A  portrait  of  Alvah  H.  Martiji,  engraved 
from  a  recent  photograph,  accompanies  this 
sketch. 


OHN  S.  ETHEREDGE,  a  prominent 

liveryman   of   Berkley,   was   born   in 

Berkley,    Norfolk    County,    Virginia, 

April  16,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  John 

Etheredge,  and  grandson  of  Samuel 

Etheredge. 

John  Etheredge  was  born  five  miles  south 
of  Berkley,  in  Norfolk  County,  and  was  a  civil 
engineer  by  occupation.  He  was  also  engaged 
in  the  livery  business  in  Berkley,  where  he 
spent  40  years  of  his  life,  and  died  there  in 
1888.  He  married  Inda  Hodges,  who  was 
born  in  Norfolk  County,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
J.  H.  Hodges.  They  reared  seven  children,  as 
follows  :  John  S. :  Lala  :  Percy  ;  Rosa ;  Colon 
and  ^lary,  deceased ;  and  Inda. 

John  S.  Etheredge  attended  the  public  and 
private  schools  of  Berkley,  and  later  engaged  in 
the  livery  business  in  partnership  with  his  fa- 
ther. Upon  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1888,  he 
continued  the  business  alone.  He  enjoys  his 
full  share  of  patronage  and  has  the  largest  busi- 
ness in  Berkley,  the  stable  being  98  by  165  feet, 
in  dimensions.  He  is  wideh"  known  in  Nor- 
folk County,  and  numbers  his  friends  almost 
by  his  acquaintances. 

In  March,  1900.  Mr.  Etheredge  was  joined 
in  matrimony  with  Miss  L.  Rogerson,  who  was 
born  in  Petersburg,  Mrginia.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Benevo- 


702 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


lent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  Knights  of 
Pythias ;  and  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics.  Religiously,  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


ON.  TAZEWELL  TAYLOR,  judge  of 
the  Police  Court  of  Norfolk,  is  one 
of  the  most  brilliant  of  the  younger 
members  of  the  bar  of  this  county. 
He  was  elected  to  his  present  office 
in  1900.  He  had  previously,  been  for  several 
years  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  in  which 
body  he  was  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  tire- 
less workers  in  behalf  of  the  city's  progress. 
Judge  Taylor  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, August  19,  1874,  and  comes  of  an  old 
and  distinguished  Virginia  family.  He  is  a 
son  of  Frederick  S.  and  Bessie  (Brooke)  Tay- 
lor, the  latter  of  Fauquier  County.  His  grand- 
father was  Tazewell  Tavlor,  who  attained  dis- 
tinction as  a  lawyer,  and  was  a  well-known 
citizen  of  Norfolk.  On  his  father's  side,  his 
ancestry  in  America  can  be  traced  back  about 
200  years. 

Tazewell  Taylor  was  reared  in  Norfolk  and 
here  received  his  preliminar}-  education.  He 
entered  William  and  Hilary  College  at  Will- 
iamsburg, Virginia,  and  was  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  1892,  with  the  degree 
Oif  A.  B.  During  the  following  year  he  took  a 
post-graduate  course  in  that  institution.  In 
the  fall  of  1893,  he  entered  the  law  department 
of  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  was  grad- 
uated with  the  degree  of  B.  L.  in  1895.  Not 
having  reached  his  majority,  he  spent  a  brief 
period  in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  Corpora- 
tion Court,  and  in  September,  1895,  was  ad- 
mitted to  tlie  bar.  He  at  once  entered  into 
active  practice,  and  in  1897  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  James  U.  Goode,  the  firm  name  be- 
ing Goode  &  Taylor.  It  was  a  strong  legal 
combination,  and  they  quietly  worked  their 
way  to  the  front,  acquiring  a  good  clientage, 
which  was  constantly  becoming  larger.     This 


firm  was  dissolved  in  the  spring  of  1900,  when 
Mr.  Taylor  was  elected  judge  of  the  Police 
Court.  He  is  a  student,  by  nature,  and  is  en- 
dowed with  the  qualifications  which  go  to  make 
a  good  lawyer.  During  the  year,  1898,  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Common  Council  of 
Norfolk  from  the  Third  Ward,  and  imme- 
diately because  one  of  the  hardest  working 
members  of  that  body.  He  secured  the  passage 
of  good  legislation,  and  actively  supported  all 
measures  which  he  deemed  for  the  good  of  the 
city.  He  was  placed  upon  a  number  of  com- 
mittees, among  them  the  finance  committee, 
and  attended  as  many  as  100  committee  meet- 
ings in  one  year.  He  is  an  unswerving  sup- 
porter of  the  Democratic  party,  but  has  always 
refused  political  office  unless  it  was  associated 
with  his  profession.  Aside  from  the  profes- 
sion of  law,  he  is  a  director  in  the  National 
Bank  of  Commerce,  and  in  the  Seaboard  Fire 
Insurance  Company,  two  strong  local  organ- 
izations. 

In  1897,  Judgp  Taylor  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  McCaw,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, a  lady  of  many  excellent  traits  of  char- 
acter, who  has  proved  a  true  helpmeet  to  him. 
They  have  one  son,  and  reside  on  West  Fair- 
fax avenue.  Ghent. 


HARLES      W.      ROCKAFELLER, 

superintendent  of  the  Tunis  Lumber 
Company  of  Berkley,  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty,  Virginia,   was  born   in   Stafford 
County,   Virginia,   and   is   a   son   of 
J.   F.   M.  and  F.   M.    (Whaling")    Rockafeller. 
J.  F.  M.  Rockafeller  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
and  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 

J.  F.  M.  Rockafeller  was  a  farmer  of 
Northern  Virginia  at  one  time,  and  later 
spent  many  years  in  prospecting  m  the  West, 
notably  in  California,  Nevada  and  Utah.  He 
went  to  California  during  the  gold  fever  in 
1849,  making  the  journey  by  the  overland 
route,  and  suffered  many  hardships  on  the  way. 
He  mined  in  California,  and  made  considerable 


MRS.    MARGARET    CROMWELL. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


705 


money,  whicli  he  afterward  lost  tlirough  some 
misfortune.  He  died  in  Utah,  in  1887.  aged 
74  years.  He  married  Mi-ss  F.  M.  Whaling, 
whose  father  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  early 
families  of  Maryland.  Mrs.  Rockafeller  was 
a  very  devout  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  a  most  worthy  woman.  Charles  \V. 
RtX'ka feller  is  the  youngest  of  seven  children, 
but  three  of  whom  are  now  surviving.  Of 
these.  Mrs.  T.  W.  Williams  is  living  in  Wash- 
ington. D.  C. :  and  Mrs.  A.  P.  Crane,  resides 
in  Baltimore. 

Mr.  Rockafeller  was  educated  in  Xew  York 
and  in  \'irginia,  in  the  latter  State,  attending 
Oak  Seminary.  After  leaving  school,  he  em- 
barked in  the  drug  business,  but  after  six 
months  in  that  line  abandoned  it,  and  served 
as  a  machinist.  At  this  he  continued  for  six 
years,  when  he  entered  the  building  and  real 
estate  business  in  Baltimore,  where  he  lived 
for  seven  years.  He  subsequently  entered  the 
lumber  business  in  Norfolk,  and  has  been  en- 
gaged in  that  business  for  the  past  13  years. 
He  spent  seven  months  in  North  Carolina,  and 
six  months  in  South  Carolina,  in  the  employ 
of  the  Atlantic  Coast  Lumber  Company.  With 
the  exception  of  the  13  months  spent  in  the 
service  of  that  company,  he  has  been  with  the 
Tunis  Lumber  Company,  and  is  at  present 
superintendent  of  its  mills.  He  stands  high  in 
the  esteem  of  his  employers  and  subordinates, 
and  is  a  man  worthy  of  the  confid«nce  reposed 
in  him. 

Mr.  Rockafeller  was  married  January  12, 
1874,  to  Miss  E.  F.  Fritter,  a  native  of  Staf- 
ford County.  \'irginia,  and  a  daughter  of  W. 
P.  and  Eliza  Agnes  Fritter,  the  latter  an  hon- 
ored resident  of  South  Norfolk.  They  have 
three  children,  namely:  Grace;  Lillian  M.,  the 
wife  of  John  M.  Gibbs,  of  South  Norfolk; 
and  C.  Hamilton,  inspector  for  the  E.  H. 
J^arnes  Box  Company.  Mr.  Rockafeller  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  in 
which  the  former  was  a  deacon  for  many  years ; 
he  was  also  for  a  number  of  years,  superintend- 
ent of  the  Sunday-school. 


I  Mr.  Rockafeller  has  served  as  a  member  of 
the  Town  Council  of  Berkley  for  several  terms. 
He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the 
politics  of  the  county,  and  is  an  ardent  Demo- 
crat. He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum 
and  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Me- 
chanics. 


RS.  ^L\RGARET  CROMWELL, 
an  octrigenarian  and  a  highly  es- 
teemed resident  of  Tanner's 
Creek.  \'irginia,  whose  portrait 
accompanies  this  sketch,  is  a  lady 
possessing  many  excellent  ciualities,  and  oc- 
cupies a  high  place  in  the  estimation  of  her  nu- 
merous friends.  Mrs.  Cromwell  was  born  No- 
vember 9.  1819,  and  is  the  relict  of  George  E. 
Cromwell,  who  died  at  the  age  of  65  years. 

General  E.  Cromwell  was  a  native  of  Mary- 
land, and  was  born  in  the  year  1813,  being  a 
son  of  George  Cromwell,  also  born  in  ]Mary- 
land,  who  was  of  English  descent,  and 
traced  his  ancestors  in  a  direct  line  to  Oliver 
Cromwell,  so  well  known  in  English  history. 
George  E.  Cromwell  was  a  farmer  and  fruit 
grower,  and  a  great  lover  of  fine  stock,  es- 
pecially fine  horses.  At  the  time  of  his  demise 
he  left  a  widow  and  five  children  to  mourn  his 
death.  The  names  of  the  children  are  as  fol- 
lows :  George  E. ;  Emma  V. ;  Anna  P. ;  Joseph 
B.,  deceased;  and  Maggie  E.  George  E.,  the 
only  son  living,  is  a  farmer  and  resides  near 
Norfolk.  Emma  V.  married  John  E.  Ross, 
also  a  farmer,  and  they  live  on  the  farm  near 
Tanner's  Creek;  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Ross  have  two 
children,  James  F.  and  Georgia  E.  Anna  P. 
was  united  in  marriage  with  C  E.  Powell,  and 
also  lives  on  a  farm  near  Tanner's  Creek.  Mag- 
gie E.  is  the  wife  of  J.  D.  Guy,  whom  she  mar- 
ried April  27,  1886,  and  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Joseph  Emmett,  born  February  5,  1887. 
and  Mary  Louisa,  born  May  2,  1889,  who  at- 
tend school  at  home. 

J.   D.   Guy  was  born  in   1861    in   Norfcjlk 


7o6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


County,  Virginia,  where  he  remained  until 
1882,  after  securing  his  mental  training  as 
best  he  could,  fromi  the  public  schools.  He 
then  rented  a  farm  and  started  out  for  himself. 
On  this  he  remained  for  two  years,  and  subse- 
quently purchased  a  farm  of  100  acres,  on 
which  he  still  resides  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful. He  has  it  in  the  highest  state  of  cul- 
tivation, with  well-kept  outhouses  and  a  com- 
modious and  convenient  residence,  in  wliich 
he  and  his  family  dwell  in  comfort.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  ^Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  South,  and  attend  services  regu- 
larly. Mr.  Guy  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and 
served  as  a  registrar  of  votes  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Guy  traces  his  descent  from  George 
Guy,  who,  with  three  brothers,  Bailey,  Nelson 
and  Harry,  lived  in  Norfolk  County  during 
the  eighteenth  century,  and  mainly  followed 
fishing  and  farming.  Harry  died  in  early  life 
and  Nelson  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  Bailey  at- 
tained the  age  of  about  60  years,  and  George 
died  of  old  age.  The  last  named  was  a  native 
of  Norfolk  County  and  was  the  great-grand- 
father of  Mr.  Guy.  His  son,  John,  the  grand- 
father of  Mr.  Guy,  was  a  farmer  and  fisher- 
man of  the  same  county,  and  passed  to  his  final 
rest  in  1858,  being  72  years  old  at  the  time 
of  his  demise.  His  son,  Joseph  L.,  the  father 
of  Mr.  Guy,  was  born  in  1825,  and  is  now  liv- 
ing a  retired  life  at  Tanner's  Creek,  having 
been  for  many  years  a  successful  fisherman, 
disposing  of  the  fruits  of  his  skill  in  the  Nor- 
folk market.  Mr.  Guy  is  considered  a  repre- 
sentative farmer  in  this  district,  is  progressive 
in  his  methods,  successful  in  his  business  and 
thoroug'hly  reliable  in  every  respect. 


APT.  F.  M.  WOOD,  who  is  in  the 
service  of  the  Norfolk  County  Fer- 
ries, was  born  in  Plymouth,  Wash- 
ington County,  North  Carolina,  in 
October,  1874.  He  located  in  Nor- 
folk in  1886,  but  his  mental  training  was  re- 


ceived in  the  schools  of  North  Carolina.  At 
the  early  age  of  13  years,  he  became  mess  boy 
on  a  yacht.  He  then  sailed  up  and  down  the 
Atlantic  Coast  on  a  sailing  vessel,  and  also 
made  a  voyage  to  the  W'est  Indies.  After  leav- 
ing the  sailing  vessel,  he  worked  on  a  tug-boat. 
and  filled  g11  the  positions  on  various  kinds  of 
craft.  His  advance  was  so  rapid  that  at  the  age 
of  18  years,  he  was  master  of  a  vessel,  his  first 
command  being  the  "Dirigo,"  owned  by  the 
Tunis  Lumber  Company.  The  first  steam  ves- 
sel which  he  commanded  was  the  tug  "Major" 
of  Norfolk.  Since  1S99,  he  has  been  connected 
with-  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  trusted  employees.  He  is  now  master 
of  the  steamer  "Twin  City."  His  record  as 
a  seaman  has  always  been  an  excellent  one. 

Captain  Wood  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Dora  Randolph,  of  Berkley,  Virginia,  and  they 
have  four  children, — Annie  E. ;  Herbert  M. ; 
Marion  L. ;  and  Joseph  D.  The  \\'ood  family 
reside  in  Berkley,  where  they  are  well  known 
and  highly  esteemed  by  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
Captain  Wood  is  a  member  of  the  American 
Association  of  Masters  &  Pilots. 


♦-•-* 

APT.  A.  D.  MORG.\N,  harbor  master 
at  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  was  born  in  ]\Iathews 
County,  yirginia.  May  10,  1857. 
He  is  a  son  of  William  Morgan,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Virginia. 

Captain  Morgan  received  his  intellectual 
instructions  in  private  schools  of  JNIathews 
County,  and  at  the  age  of  16  years  began  the 
life  of  a  mariner.  He  was  first  employed  on  a 
sailing  vessel  for  five  years,  and  at  the  age  of 
22  years  was  master  of  a  steam  vessel.  He 
continued  this  life  until  he  was  appointed  har- 
bor master  of  Portsmouth,  a  position  he  fills  in 
a  most  able  and  creditable  manner,  winning  the 
highest  commendation  for  his  faithful  dis- 
charge of  duty.  He  was  appointed  harbor  mas- 
ter in  1898,  and  bids  fair  to  hold  that  position 
for  some  time  to  come. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


707 


Captain  Morgan  is  a  member  of  the  Amer- 
ican Association  of  Masters  &  Pilots,  and  is 
one  of  the  charter  niem1)crs  of  that  nrijaniza- 
tion.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Roval  Arcanum ; 
Woodmen  of  the  World :  and  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
lodges.  He  makes  friends  easily,  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  Ports- 
mouth. 


\1T.  GEORGE  B.  DOWXIXXi.  who 
has   been   associated   with   the   Mer- 
chants    &     Miners     Transportation 
Company  for  the  past  five  years,  was 
l)orn  at  Mackey  Ferry,  Washington 
County,  North  Carolina.  January  g,  1871.    He 
is  a  son  of  Thomas  S.  and  Hattie  E.  (Wood) 
Downing. 

The  Downing  family  is  one  of  the  oldest 
families  in  the  United  States,  and  a  tract  of 
land,  which  was  granted  by  the  English  crown, 
is  still  owned  by  IMrs.  D.  M.  Herrington.  a 
descendant  of  the  original  Downing  grantee. 
Capt.  William  Downing,  who  came  from  Eng- 
land, settled  in  A\'ashington  County,  North 
Carolina,  as  early  as  i~oi.  He  engaged  in  the 
sawmill  business,  sawing  boards  for  the  old 
Methodist  Church  at  Edenton,  North  Carolina. 
Henry  Downing,  his  son  was  Capt.  George  B. 
Downing's  great-grandfather,  and  Col.  Joseph 
Downing  was  his  grandfather.  The  first  rep- 
resentative to  the  House  of  Representatives, 
from  Washington  County,  was  Capt.  \\'illiam 
Downing,  and  he  was  also  elected  speaker  of 
that  liody. 

Thomas  S.  Downing,  the  father  of  George 
B.,  was  a  farmer  throughout  his  career.  His 
early  life  was  spent  as  a  mill-boy.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  running  a  water  and  grist-mill  until 
the  time  of  the  war.  when,  in  1863,  he  enlisted 
in  the  Montgomery  True  Blues,  and  served  un- 
til the  end  of  the  conflict.  He  then  married, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  in  ^\'ashington 
County  until  1879,  when  he  removed  to  Tyrrell 
County.  There  he  spent  his  remaining  days, 
and  departed  this  life,  May  31,   1896.       His 


wife,  Hattie  E.  Wood,  died  February  9,  1888. 
Tliey  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  still 
living,  namely:  Mrs.  Katie  C.  Barco;  George 
B.,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  Thomas  W. ; 
Richard  S. ;  Leila  (Lipscomb)  ;  and  Joseph  H. 

Capt.  George  B.  Downing  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Tyrrell  County,  although  his  early 
training  had  been  received  in  Washington 
County,  North  Carolina.  In  1889,  at  the  age 
of  18  years,  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  where  he 
began  his  nautical  career.  He  took  a  position 
as  cook  on  a  steamboat,  and  from  that  he  filled 
various  positions  on  the  deck  until  he  was  made 
master.  His  first  steam-craft  was  the  tug 
"Juniijer."  He  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Sea- 
board Air  Line  for  three  years,  and  ne.xt  en- 
gaged with  the  Merchants  &  Miners  Trans- 
portation Company,  in  whose  service  he  has 
been  for  the  past  five  years.  He  has  proven 
very  valuable  to  this  company,  and  is  held  in 
high  esteem  by  his  employers  and  by  those  be- 
neath him  in  rank. 

Captain  Downing  was  married  in  1896  to 
Mattie  E.  Perry  of  Berkley.  She  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  J.  H.  Perry,  who  was  a  merchant.  Cap- 
tain Downing  and  his  wife  have  two  children. 
namely:  James  B. ;  and  Hattie  M.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  is  a  memlier  of  the  Elizabeth 
Lodge,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  of  Norfolk;  he  is  also  a 
member  of  the  American  Association  of  Mas- 
ters &  Pilots.  He  has  been  quite  active  in  the 
reorganization  of  the  latter.  Captain  Down- 
ing makes  his  home  in  Berklev. 


J.  OTTLEV,  who  has  been  idjsntified 
with  various  business  interests  of 
Berkley  for  many  years,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  inhabitants  of  the  town.  He 
was  born  in  Berkley,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  October  7,  1846,  being  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry, and  is  a  son  of  William  Ottley. 

William  Ottley  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  occupation  until  his  death  in 
1846,  before  the  birth  of  his  son.  J.  J.    He  was 


7o8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Halstead,  wlio 
was  born  in  Xorfolk  County,  and  died  in  1876, 
at  the  age  of  69  years.  They  had  six  cliildren, 
as  follows:  Covington  M.,  who  died  in  1881 ; 
Sarah  K.,  widow  of  C.  O.  Ives,  who  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation:  John  K.,  who  was 
wounded  in  front  of  Petersburg,  and  died 
there;  Mary  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four 
years ;  William  N.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Missis- 
sippi;  and  J-  J-.  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

J.  J.  Ottley  was  married  in  November, 
1889,  to  Rosa  C.  Parker,  a  daughter  of  Josiah 
and  Mar}'  Ann  ( Keith )  Parker.  She  is  de- 
scended from  Col.  Josiah  Parker,  who  served 
in  the  Re\'i:>lutionary  ^^'ar,  and  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Trenton.  The  family  have  always 
been  prominently  identified  w^ith  the  army  and 
navy,  and  Maj.  Leo  P.  Parker,  a  brother  of 
Mrs.  Ottley,  was  latelv  retired  from  the  navy. 
Religiously,  Mrs.  Ottley  is  a  member  of  the 
St.  Thomas  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of 
Berkley. 

■Mr.  Ottley  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  many  of  the  leading  business  enterprises 
of  the  town,  and  at  the  present  time  is  treasurer 
of  the  Berkley  Permanent  Building  &  Loan 
Association :  a  director  of  the  Merchants'  & 
Planters"  Bank ;  and  a  director  in  the  Chesa- 
peake Building  Aasociation,  of  which  he  is  also 
vice-president.  He  has  many  lifelong  ac- 
cjuaintances  in  Berkley,  and  enjoys  the  uni- 
versal good  will  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. 

4  ■  » 


APT.  JOHN  E.  BUNCH,  who  is  in 
the  employ  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Ferries,  and  is  pilot  of  the  "Twin 
City,"  was  born  in  Chowan  County, 
North  Carolina,  March  16,  1862. 
He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Goodwin) 
Bunch,  both  natix-es  of  North  Carolina.  Will- 
iam Bunch  was  a  farmer  and  followed  that 
occupation  all  his  active  life.  Of  five  children 
born  to  himself  and  wife,  three  are  now  living, 
namely :   Ephraim,  John  E.  and  Puss. 


Capt.  John  E.  Bunch  grew  to  manhood  in 
Chowan  County,  and  attended  the  schools 
there,  although  his  educational  advantages 
were  indeed  meager.  He  farmed  until  he  was 
19  years  old,  working  on  nearby  farms.  He  be- 
came a  deck-hand  on,  the  "Schuyler  Nelson," 
under  Capt.  E.  L.  Hoagland,  and  worked  his 
way  up  from  that  position  to  his  present  one. 
He  has  been  with  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries 
some  time,  and  is  one  of  their  most  esteemed 
employes.  At  present  he  is  pilot  of  the  "Twin 
City"  ferry-boat. 

Captain  Bunch  was  married  in  July,  1901, 
to  Catherine  Revere  of  Virginia.  By  his 
former  marriage  with  Lula  E.  Parker,  who 
died  July  7,  1896,  aged  27  years,  four  children 
were  born,  two  of  whom  are  now  living, — 
Willie  A.  and  Hazel. 


R.  J.  H.  COSTENBADER,  one  of  the 
bright  and  energetic  young  business 
men  of  Berklev,  Virginia,  where  he 
a1)ly  represents  the  profession  of 
dentistry,  has  made  ample  prepara- 
tion for  his  chosen  calling,  and,  judging  by  the 
extraordinary  rapidity  with  which  his  present 
clientage  has  been  built  up,  gives  promise  of  be- 
ing one  of  the  most  successful  dentists  in  that 
city.  Dr.  Costenbader  was  born  in  ^^'estmore- 
land  'County,  Virginia,  in  1876,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  H.  and  Ella  J.  (Pitt)  Costenbader. 

\\'illiam  Costenbader  was  a  native  of 
Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsyl\-ania,  a  miller  and  mer- 
chant by  occupation,  and  during  his  active  life 
enjoyed  the  greatest  success.  He  is  now  68 
years  old,  and  is  living  a  retired  life  in  West- 
moreland County,  Virginia.  His  beloved  wife, 
Ella  J.  (Pitt)  Costenbader,  was  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  died  in  1898,  at  the  age  of  50 
years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  her  husband  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  They  had  seven  chil- 
dren, namely:  S.  Benjamin,  a  successful  mer- 
chant of  Pennsvh'ania ;  Ehvin  H.,  manager  of 


JOHN  T.  GRIFFIN. 


AXU    REl'RESEXTATRE    CITIZENS. 


1 1. 


his  father's  mill  aiul  stnre  in  Westmoreland 
County,  Virginia,  known  as  the  Potomac 
Mills;  Cora  V.,  wife  of  Robert  L.  Thomas,  a 
farmer  in  \\'estmoreland  County;  J.  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  bioerai)hy :  Frank  L.,  who  is 
now  taking  a  course  in  medicine  and  surgery 
at  the  University  College  of  Medicine  in  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  and  who  is  a  dentist  by  pro- 
fession ;  and  \'ivenna  and  Ardelle,  both  at 
Imme. 

Dr.  Costenbader  attended  school  at  Oak 
Grove  Institute  in  Westmoreland  County,  Vir- 
ginia, and  supplemented  this  by  a  course  in  the 
dental  department  of  the  University  College 
of  Medicine,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1899. 
His  next  move  was  to  start  his  practice  in  Nor- 
folk, and  there  he  enjoyed  five  months  of  suc- 
cess in  his  chosen  line  of  work,  removing  at 
that  time  to  Berkley,  and  there  establishing  an 
office  at  the  corner  of  Berkley  a\'enue  and 
Chestnut  street,  where  he  has  remained  ever 
since,  doing  a  fine  business. 

Dr.  Costenbader  is  still  enjoying  single 
blessedness.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Berkley 
Avenue  Baptist  Church,  which  he  attends  regu- 
larly. He  affiliates  with  Lee  Lodge,  K.  of  P., 
and  is  a  member  of  tliie  Berkley  Business  Men's 
Association. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  \vell  read  and 
unusually  intelligent  man.  and  stands  high  in 
the  esteem  of  his  acquaintances,  who  respect 
him  as  one  who  is  fulfilling  all  the  requirements 
of  a  true  citizen. 


^)HN  T.  GRIFFIN,  a  gentleman  of 
i  H  promin&nce  in  Norfolk  Countv,  Vir- 
I  O  ginia,  whose  busine<^s  career  has  been 
^=J  one  of  unceasing  activity,  is  president 
of  the  Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank, 
of  Portsmouth,  and  is  identified  with  many 
other  enterprises  which  have  contributed  in 
a  large  degree  to  the  progress  and  prosperity  of 
the  c«tie»  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth  and  of 
Norfolk   Countv.      He   was   born    at    Suffolk. 

38 


Virginia,  February  5,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of 
Nathaniel  Grififin  and  grandson  of  Luke  Griffin, 
who  was  born  in  Nansemond  County,  Virginia. 
Nathaniel  Griffin  was  also  born  in  Nanse- 
mon<l  County,  Virginia.  He  mainly  followed 
farming  throughout  his  life,  and  conducted  a 
large  coach-making  business  at  SufYt)lk.  He  re- 
moved to  Norfolk  County  in  1844  and  there 
farmed  until  his  death  in  1887.  at  the  age  of 
81  years.  He  married  Virginia  Ann  Gwinn, 
who  was  born  in  Nansemond  County  January 
25.  1819,  and  died  December  15,  19.  o,  at  the 
age  of  almost  82  years.  They  became  the 
parents  of  three  children :  One  who  died  in 
infancy;  Virginia  Judson,  who  died  in  May, 
1S98;  and  John  T.,  the  sul)ject  of  this  bio- 
graphy. 

John  T.  Griffin  was  six  years  of  age  when 
his  father  moved  to  Norfolk  County,  and  there 
went  to  school  until  1855,  when  he  entered  the 
Columbian  L'niversity,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
After  graduating  from  that  institution,  in 
1859.  he  taught  the  preparatorv  department 
there  during  1859,  i860  and  a  part  of  1861. 
He  then  returned  to  Norfolk  County  and  in 
1862  served  as  engineer  on  General  Randolph's 
stafif,  and  later  with  other  officers.  He  was 
on  the  defenses  of  Petersburg,  after  the  evacu- 
ation of  Norfolk,  and  served  until  the  surren- 
der at  Apptxnattox,  when  he  reported  to  Gen- 
eral Lee,  the  parole  being  signed  by  that  gener- 
al's adjutant,  Walter  H.  Taylor,  of  Norfolk. 
He  then  taug'ht  school  at  Churchland  Academy 
during  1865  and  1866.  After  the  war  he 
served  for  two  years  as  surveyor  of  Nanse- 
mond County,  and  since  1867  has  been  engaged 
in  truck  farming  on  a  large  scale.  He  has  six 
very  fine  truck  farms,  mainly  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, all  of  which  are  connected  by  telephone.  In 
1884,  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Norfolk 
Storage  Company,  and  served  as  such  for  sev- 
eral years.  At  the  request  of  the  depositors, 
in  1885,  he  became  a  trustee  of  the  bankrupt 
firm  of  Bain  &  Brother,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  that  office  in  a  most  acceptible  man- 
ner.    In  December.  1885.  he  was  chosen  presi- 


712 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


dent  of  the  Mercliants"  &  Farmers'  Bank,  an 
official  position  lie  lias  since  maintained  in  a 
most  creditable  manner.  He  is  also  a  director 
of  the  Atlantic  &  Danville  Railway,  the  Sea- 
board Insurance  Company,  the  Portsmouth 
Wharf  &  \\'areh6use  Company,  the  American 
Fertilizing  Company ;  and  has  been  president 
of  the  Western  Branch  Drawbridge  Company 
since  its  organization  in  1871 ;  being  also  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors.  The  other 
officers  of  the  last  named  concern  are  E.  C. 
Brooks,  secretary ;  and  William  G.  jMaupin, 
Jr.,  treasurer.  !Mr.  Griffin  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  men  of  the  county,  and  makes  his 
residence  in  the  vicinitv  of  Churchland. 

In  1865  Air.  Griffin  married  Julia  Armi- 
stead  Benn,  who  was  born  in  Nansemond 
County,  Virginia,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Benn,  an  ensign  in  the  War  of  1812.  Three 
children  resulted  from  this  union,  namely : 
Thomas  Benn :  Virginia  Julia ;  and  Jvlary 
Gasena.  Thomas  Benn  was  born  in  1866  and 
looks  after  the  farming  interests  of  his  father. 
He  married  Miss  W'illiams^  of  Petersburg,  and 
they  have  five  children,  namely :  Mortimer ; 
Nathaniel  J. ;  Sarah ;  Thomas  Benn  and  John 
T.  Virginia  Julia  married  C.  W.  Coleman, 
an  attorney  of  Portsmouth,  and  they  have  a 
daughter,  Julia  G.  Mary  Gasena  is  the  wife 
of  James  Vernon  Carney.  Politically  ]\Ir. 
Griffin  is  a  Democrat  and  has  been  a  magistrate 
since  1879.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Churchland 
Baptist  Church  and  takes  an  earnest  inteoest  in 
church  work.  His  portrait  accompanies  this 
sketch. 


ILLIAIM  G.  ASHLEY,  superintend- 
ent of  the  Union  Mission,  resides 
at  No.  114  South  Reservoir  ave- 
nue, Norfolk,  Virginia.  He  occu- 
pies a  leading  place  among  the 
many  useful  citizens  of  that  city,  and  is  known 
as  a  man  of  strong  character,  very  pleasant  in 
manner,  but  firm  and  persistent  in  executing 
his  work  to  the  best  of  his  abilitv. 


Mr.  Ashley  is  a  son  of  William  P.  and  Vir- 
ginia D.  (Guy)  Ashley,  natives  of  Virginia, 
and  was  born  in  Norfolk,  October  12,  1847. 
William  P.  Ashley  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
penter and  builder,  which  he  followed  until  the 
breaking  oirt  of  the  Confederate  War.  He 
then  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  serving 
under  Custis  E.  Lee,  youngest  son  of  Robert  • 
E.  Lee,  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 
For  the  following  four  years,  Mr.  Ashley  saw 
active  service,  and  when  the  war  closed  he  re- 
turned to  his  business  life  as  a  carpenter  and 
builder,  and  pursued  that  dCaupaticn  until  his 
death,  October  16,  1878,  at  the  age  of  69  years. 

In  1845,  William  P.  Ashley  was  united  in 
the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  with  Virginia  D. 
Guy,  a  daughter  of  Elias  E.  Guy,  and  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  \'irginia's  oldest  and  best 
families.  She  was  a  deeply  religious  woman, 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  al- 
ways busy  with  church  work.  She  and  her 
husband  had  five  children,  of  whom  William  G. 
is  now  the  only  survivor.  The  names  of  their  ■ 
family  are  as  follows  :  William  G. ;  Ida  V.,  who 
married  James  H.  Carroll,  of  New  York,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  35  years ;  Elizabeth  E. ;  Eva 
M.,  wife  of  Frank  A.  Smith,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  32  years ;  and  Harry. 

William  G.  Ashley  attended  school  in  his 
native  city  until  he  attained  the  age  of  14  years, 
and  obtained  what  education  was  possible  in 
that  space  of  time.  After  leaving  school,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  4th  Virginia  Battalion, 
and  like  his  father  served  under  Custis  E. 
Lee.  Being  too  young  to  carry  a  Belgian  rifle, 
he  was  given  a  breech-loading  carbine,  which 
had  been  captured  from;  the  Federals  during 
the  first  year  of  the  war.  He  took  his  place 
in  all  the  conflicts  in  and  around  Richmgnd, 
and  did  gallant  service,  but  was  mainly  en- 
gaged in  the  battles  in  and  around  Fort 
Harrison  and  Drewry's  Bluff  ,  and  was  pres- 
ent at  the  surrender  of  Richmond.  Dur- 
ing all  the  years  of  his  service  he  was 
never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner,  but  was 
all  the  better  for  the  dutv.     The  war  closed 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


71J 


before  he  had  attained  his  19th  year,  and  he 
became  a  contractor  and  builder,  as  was  his 
fatlier.  He  proved  very  successful  in  that  line 
of  business,  in  which  he  continued  until  Aug- 
ust, 1900,  when  he  assumed  the  numerous 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  his  present  posi- 
tion as  superintendent  of  the  Union  Mission. 

The  Union  Mission  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
was  established  in  1892,  and  has  progressed 
rapidly  since  that  time,  until  it  is  a  credit  to 
the  city ;  the  religious  services  are  held  regu- 
larly every  evening,  and  a  Sunday-school  for 
Qiinese  has  also  been  established  in  connection 
with  the  other  work.  Besides  this  there  is  an 
industrial  school,  which  has  grown  with  great 
rapidity,  and  which  contains  a  carpenter  shop, 
a  shoemaker  department,  and  a  department 
where  all  the  various  trades  are  taught  and  car- 
ried on,  so  that  everyone  is  kept  busy,  each  at 
his  trade.  The  good  that  has  been  accomplished 
and  is- now  being  done  by  this  mission  can  not 
be  overestimated ;  the  library  and  reading 
rooms  are  not  only  of  advantage  to  the  occu- 
pants, but  to  anyone  who  may  choose  to  come 
and  enjoy  them.  Sometimes  e.xtra  beds  have 
been  made,  and  meals  prepared,  around  the 
stove  in  the  chapel,  all  the  other  beds  having 
been  previously  filled.  As  many  as  14  have 
been  accommodated  in  this  way.  Funds  for 
the  support  of  the  mission  are  collected  from 
the  best  people  of  Norfolk,  and  under  the  effi- 
cient management  of  Mr.  Ashley,  who  is  also 
ably  assisted  in  his  work  by  his  worthy  wife,  it 
is  doing  much  for  the  betterment  of  the  conili- 
tion,  both  religiously  and  physically,  of  those  in 
need. 

On  September  23,  1878,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  united  in  marriage  with  Nan- 
nie Pebworth,  a  native  of  Norfolk  and  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Georgia  Pebworth, 
also  natives  of  Virginia.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren of  their  own,  but  have  adopted  a  child, — 
Guy, — whom  they  are  rearing  to  the  best  of 
their  ability.  Both  are  active  in  the  work  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  thev  are  members. 

In  fraternal  circles.  Mr.  Ashlev  is  a  member 


of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  having  passed 
through  all  the  chairs  of  both  organizations; 
he  also  affiliates  with  the  Improved  Order  of 
Red  Men. 

The  work  in  which  Mr.  Ashley  is  engaged 
is  much  to  his  taste  and  delight,  and  he  has  al- 
ways proved  himself  to  be  the  right  man  in  the 
right  place.  With,  unfailing  energv-  and  perse- 
verance he  has  applied  himself  to  his  task,  and 
his  work  takes  rank  among  the  most  useful 
and  praiseworthy  in  the  city. 


ICHARD  COX  BARLOW,  who  is  one 
of  the  leading  attorneys  of  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  is  a 
descendant  of  one  of  the  old  Virginia 
families.  His  maternal  grandfather 
Richard  Cox,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  of 
Scotch  descent,  and  was  left  an  orphan  at  an 
early  age.  In  1840,  he  removed  to  Norfolk. 
County,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  truckers  of 
this  county,  being  known  as  the  "Father  of 
Truckers."  His  farm  was  located  three  miles 
from  Portsmouth,  and  this  he  conducted  until 
1890,  when  he  died,  aged  85  years. 

Thomas  J.  Barlow,  the  father  of  Richard 
Co.K  Barlow,  was  born  at  Williamsburg, 
Virginia,  .where  he  lived  until  his  mar- 
riage with  Annie  Cox,  in  1865.  In  that 
year  they  removed  to  Portsmouth,  where 
^Ir.  Barlow  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness. He  continued  in  that  line  for  some 
time  and  then  engaged  in  the  trucking 
business.  He  now  lives  in  Portsmouth,  but 
continues  to  make  daily  visits  to  the  farm.  His 
marriage  with  iliss  Cox  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  five  children,  namely  :  Tillie  C. :  Annie  C. ; 
Richard  C.  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  C.  H.,  a 
physician  of  New  York  City ;  and  Carrie  Y. 

Richard  Cox  Barlow  was  reared  in  Ports- 
mouth, and  after  attending  the  public  schools 
of  that  town  took  a  course  at  William  and 
Mary  College,  after  which  he  attended  the  Uni- 


714 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


versit}-  of  Virginia.  He  graduated  from  that 
institution  with  the  degree  of  B.  L.,  in  June, 
1897.  He  opened  spacious  offices  at  No.  600 
Court  street,  where  he  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession.  He  has  met  with  much  suc- 
cess in  his  chosen  vocation,  and  his  practice, 
which  is  general,  is  large  and  lucrative.  He 
possesses  much  natural  ability  as  a  lawyer,  and 
has  easily  won  the  confidence  of  the  citizens  of 
Portsmouth,  by  his  upright  and  honest  deal- 
ings with  all  men. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Barlow  is  a  Democrat.  He 
was  elected  Commonwealth's  attorney  of  the 
city  of  Portsmouth,  and  has  served  in  that 
capacity  since  July  i,  1900.  Socially,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  B.  P.  O. 
E..  and  in  religious  attachment  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 


tlOMAS  M.  CASHIN,  who  was  form- 
erly engaged  in  business  with  his  fa- 
ther, Michael  Cashin,  at  No.  463 
Church  street.  Norfolk,  for  12  years, 
was  born  in  Norfolk  in  1871.  He 
was  educated  in  St.  John's  Academy,  after 
which  he  began  his  business  career.  He  first 
engaged  in  the  barrel  business  with  his  father, 
and  continued  thus  about  10  years,  when  he 
succeeded  tO'  the  business.  In  1901  he  en- 
gaged in  the  junk  business.  He  is  alwa3-s  in 
the  market  for  the  purchase  of  old  wrecks, 
old  steamers,  old  mills  and  old  machinery  of 
all  kinds.  This  business  is  well  known  in 
Norfolk  and  the  surrounding  country. 

M.  T.  Cashin,  the  brother  of  Thomas  M., 
was  for  a  period  of  20  years  connected  with 
the  firm'  of  James  Power  &  Company,  and 
later  Ijecanie  their  successor.  He  is  a  whole- 
sale' and  retail  dealer  in  old  iron,  metals,  rags, 
rope,  anchors,  chains,  sails,  riggings,  dam- 
aged cotton,  etc.  His  warehouses  and  yards 
are  located  at  No.  26  Rowland's  wharf,  at 
which  place  he  handles  large  amovmts  of  paper 
stock,  metal,  etc.     This  business  was   estab- 


lished 50  years  ago  by  James  Power  &  Com- 
pany. M.  T.  Cashin  is  well  provided  with 
submarine  armor  and  diving  apparatus,  and  is 
always  prepared  to  take  charge  of  all  kinds  of 
submarine  diving  work. 

Thomas  M.  Cashin  became  a  member  of 
the  Select  Council  in  July,  1900.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  38,  B.  P. 
O.  E.,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Eagles.  He 
is  one  of  the  best-known  young  business  men 
in  Norfolk,  and  is  highlv  respected  for  his  hon- 
est, upright  dealing  with  all  men. 


VPT.  JESSE  T.  RHODES,  who  has 
charge  of  the  vessel  "Luray,"  and  is 
in  the  employ  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company,  was  born  in 
Elizabeth  City.  North  Carolina,  De- 
cember 15,  1862.  He  is  a  son  of  Jesse  and 
Sarah  (Davis)  Rhodes.  His  parents  were 
both  natives  of  Elizabeth  City,  and  his  father 
was  a  steamboat  pilot.  Jesse  Rhodes  died  in 
1882,  his  wife  having  passed  away  in  1875. 
They  had  four  children,  namely :  Samuel  D. ; 
Jesse  T. ;  Henry  B. ;  and  Annie. 

Jesse  T.  Rhodes  has  been  a  resident  of  Nor- 
folk since  he  was  eight  years  old.  He  attended 
the  schools  of  that  city,  and  at  the  age  of  14- 
years  began  his  life  on  the  sea.  At  the  age  of 
16  years  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Old  Do- 
minion Steamship  Company,  and  has  remained 
in  their  service  up  to  the  present  writing.  He 
made  rapid  progress  and  soon  worked  his  way 
to  the  top.  The  first  ship  which  he  commanded 
was  named  "Pamlico."  and  plied  from  Norfolk 
to  North  Carolina.  He  has  also  commanded 
the  "Newberne,"  "Albemarle,"  besides  his  pres- 
ent vessel,  the  "Luray."  He  is  well  known 
among  the  seafaring  men  who  make  Norfolk 
their  home,  and  his  genial,  affable  manners 
make  him  beloved  by  all. 

Captain  Rhodes  married  Catherine  Kesler, 
of  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina,  and  they 
have  two    daughters,    Elizabeth    L.,  aged   16 


^^.(l-< 


AND   REPKI-.SI-XTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


717 


years,  and  Catlierine.  aged  10  years.  Captain 
RIiDiIcs  is  a  member  of  the  Association  of  Mas- 
ters and  Pilots  of  Steam  \'essels  of  tlie  United 
States,  and  also  belongs  to  the  Roval  Arcanum. 


B.  CARNEY,  a  truck  farmer  re- 
siding- on  the  Western  P>ranch  of 
the  Elizabeth  River,  whose  por- 
trait is  herewith  shown,  has  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits  exclu- 
sively all  his  life.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County.  Virginia,  Januarv  ij,  1853,  "P^"  the 
farm  which  is  still  his  home,  and  which  was 
also  tile  birthplace  of  his  father.  He  is  a  son 
of  James  and  Katherine  Ann  (  Bruce)  Carney. 
James  Carney  was  born  December  3,  1819. 
and  died  March  17.  1871.  The  greater  part 
of  his  life  was  spent  in  liis  nati\-e  county,  where 
he  mainly  followed  farming.  He  devoted  some 
time,  however,  to  teaching  school,  and  spent 
several  years  in  Mississippi,  during  which  pe- 
riod he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
He  subsequently  returned  to  Norfolk  County. 
He  was  twice  married,  being  first  united  with 
Katherine  Ann  Bruce,  mother  of  the  subject 
hereof.  She  was  also  born  in  Norfolk  County. 
and  passed  to  her  final  rest  November  25,  1865. 
She  was  the  mother  of  se^^en  children,  of  whom 
two  only  are  now  living,  viz. :  W.  B.  and  a 
sister,  Julia.  Some  time  after  the  death  of  his 
first  wife,  the  father  married  again,  selecting 
Jlrs.  Emily  J.  Meyers,  widow  of  Moses  Mey- 
ers, of  Norfolk  Countv.  for  his  wife.  This 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one  son,  James 
v.,  and  one  daughter,  Emily  M. 

W.  B.  Carney  received  his  mental  train- 
ing in  a  private  institution  of  learning  at 
Churchland,  and  soon  after  leaving  school  en- 
gaged in  farming,  to  which  he  has  devoted  his 
undivided  time  and  attention.  He  has  the  well- 
earned  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most 
practical  and  successful  men  in  this  vicinity 
in  the  line  of  general  truck  farming.  In  1874 
Mr.  Carney  was  joined  in  the  bonds  of  matri- 


mony with  Mary  F.  Grimes,  who  is  a  native 
of  Norfolk  County,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
S.  and  Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Grimes.  She  is 
also  a  granddaughter  of  William  Grimes,  a 
great-granddaughter  of  Thomas  Grimes,  both 
natives  of  Norfolk  Cciuntv,  \"irginia.  and  a 
great-great-granddaughter  of  Lieut.  John 
Grimes,  who  came  to  this  country  from  Eng- 
land, where  he  served  under  Oliver  Cromwell. 
Mrs.  Carney  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren, namely:  William  J.,  a  physician  of  Nor- 
folk; Mary  F. ;  Lucy  A.,  now  Mrs.  John  S. 
Wise:  and  John  B.  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  in  September,  1865,  and  some  time 
afterward,  their  father,  William  S.  Grimes, 
contracted  a  second  marriage,  being  united 
with  ]\Iartha  A.  Carney. 

W.  B.  Carney  and  his  wurth_\-  wife  have 
a  family  which  consists  of  seven  children,  as 
follows:  \\'il]iam  J.:  Alonzo  B. ;  Taylor  E. ; 
Elizabeth  C. :  W.  B..  Jr. ;  lone;  and  Lucy.  Mr. 
Carney  is  a  man  of  good  judgment  and  has 
well  improved  his  opportunities.  He  is  a 
director  in  the  Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank, 
of  Portsmouth,  and,  like  his  father,  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pvthias. 


OE  LEVY  has  attained  an  enviable 
reputation  in  Norfolk  and  vicinity 
as  a  practitioner  of  law,   and   al- 
though he  has  been  in  practice  but 
a  few  years  he  already  commands  a 
remunerative  patronage.    He  was  born  in  Nor- 
folk. Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  in  December, 
1876,  and  is  a  son  of  D.  E.  Levy. 

Moe  Levy  attended  the  common  schools, 
after  which  he  took  a  course  of  study  in  the 
\\'illiam  Penn  Charter  College,  from  which  he 
graduated  with  the  degree  '^f  Bachelor  of 
Arts,  in  1895.  He  then  prepared  himself  for 
the  legal  profession  by  attending  a  course  of 
lectures  in  the  law  department  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania.     He  graduated  from  that  in- 


7i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


stituticn  in  1898  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Laws,  and  remained  in  Philadelphia  for  a 
few  months.  He  then  returned  to  his  native 
home  and  began  the  active  practice  of  law.  His 
ability  .in  that  direction  was  soon  recognized 
and  his  clientage  has  ever  been  on  the  increase. 
He  has  a  large  practice  in  the  Federal  courts, 
is  attorney  for  various  mercantile  establish- 
ments, and  is  frequently  called  into  criminal 
cases  in  which  he  displays  no  small  degree  of 
ability.  He  has  a  fine  suite  of  offices  in  the 
City  National  Bank  Building. 

jNIr.  Levy  was  joined  in  the  bonds  of  matri- 
mony on  December  17,  190 1,  with  Miriam  Ull- 
man,  of  Warrenton.  Virginia.  He  is  very 
popular  among  the  citizens  of  Norfolk,  both 
socially  and  in  his  professional  capacity.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Roval  Arcanum. 


BENEZER  BLACK,  president  of  the 
Traders'  &  Truckers'  Bank,  and  also 
president  of  the  Kensington  &  Park 
Place  Land  Company,  of  Norfolk, 
Norfolk  Countv,  Virginia,  was  born 
in  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in  1850.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  E.  Black,  an  expert  baker,  who  settled 
in  Norfolk  in  1864.  where  he  worked  as  such 
imtil  1866,  when  he  died. 

Ebenezer  Black,  whose  name  heads  these 
lines,  learned  his  father's  trade,  and  with  his 
brothers,  James  M.  and  John  ]\L,  established  a 
bakery  in  Norfolk,  under  the  firm  name  of  J. 
]\L  Black  &  Company,  at  No.  285  Church 
street.  James  I\L  Black  died  in  1893,  and  his 
brother.  John  M.  died  four  years  later.  Eben- 
ezer Black  scon  closed  his  bakery,  and  went 
into  the  real  estate  business,  being  associated 
with  the  growth  and  development  of  Ken- 
sington and  Park  Place.  He  became  president 
of  the  Kensington  &  Park  Place  Land  Com- 
pany. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Traders'  &  Truckers'  Bank,  of  which  he  was 
elected  president.  Tliis  bank  began  lousiness 
January  6.   1902.  with  a  minimum  capital  of 


$30,000.  and  a  maximum  capital  of  $50,000. 
It  is  located  in  the  C.  Weston  building,  which 
has  Ijeen  remodeled.  It  has  a  fine  fire-proof 
time-lock  safe  and  deposit  department.  This  is 
the  only  haul:  in  Norfolk  which  is  opened  from 
9  A.  '^L  until  9  P.  M.  on  Saturdays,  which  is 
of  much  benefit  to  merchants  and  working  men 
in  general. 

The  officers  are  as  follows :  Ebenezer 
Black,  president;  C.  N.  W'hitehurst,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  and  Turner  P.  Gray,  cashier ;  W.  L. 
A\'ard  is  general  bookkeeper.  The  directors 
are,  Ebenezer  Black,  C.  N.  Whitehurst,  T.  P. 
Gray,  Joe  Morris,  J.  W.  Spagat,  John  G.  Til- 
ton,  H.  D.  Oliver,  M.  J.  :\Iadden,  Samuel 
Phillip,  J.  W.  Cashin,  \V.  W.  Dey,  J.  O.  Reed, 
C.  E.  Kruzen,  Henry  Nixdorff,  J.  G.  Riddick, 
Alan  G.  Burrow,  H.  Crockin  and  W.  R. 
Martin. 

Mr.  Black  has  always  been  greatly  inter- 
ested in  the  progress  of  Norfolk  and  has  done 
much  to  assist  in  its  development.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  active  business  men  the  city  has, 
and  is  well  known  as  a  man  of  much  shrefwd- 
ness  and  ability.  He  married  Alice  L.  Moore, 
a  daughter  of  John  A.  ]\Ioore,  of  Norfolk.  The 
children  are:  Jessie;  Ethel:  John  E. ;  James 
L. :  William  'M. :  and  Ruth  Frances. 


OLDER  NOBLE  POULSON,  a  resi- 
dent of  Norfolk  and  a  gentleman  well 
known  throughout  this  section  of 
\'irginia,  was  born  in  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  September  23,  1850,  and  is 
a  son  of  George  Oldham  and  Martha  Ann 
(Spooner)  Poulson. 

George  Oldham  Poulson  was  born  in  Ac- 
comgc  County,  Virginia,  April  2,  1805.  He 
came  to  Portsmouth  when  a  youth  and  re- 
mained a  resident  of  that  city  until  his  death, 
February  16,  1875.  He  married  Martha  Ann 
Spooner,  a  native  of  Alexandria,  Virginia,  Jan- 
uary 9.  1840,  and  to  this  union  four  children 
were  born,   namely :     George  Bagwell ;  Will- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


719 


iam  Erskine;  Mary  Eskridge:  and  Holder 
Noble. 

George  Bagwell  Poulson  was  born  and 
reared  in  Portsmouth,  Virginia.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  and  died 
there  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  31  years.  He  was 
captured  by  the  Federal  troops  while  hospital 
steward  of  the  Salisbury  prison  pen.  After 
the  war,  he  conducted  a  drug  business  until 
the  time  of  his  death. 

William  Erskine  Poulson  was  born  and 
reared  in  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and  has  re- 
sided in  Chicago,  Illinois,  for  many  years,  oc- 
cupied as  a  life  insurance  solicitor.  He  was 
made  a  Mason  at  Portsmouth  when  quite 
a  young  man,  since  which  time  he  has  attained 
the  honorary  and  highest  degree  known  to  the 
Scottish  Rites. 

Mary  Eskridge  Poulson,  the  only  daughter 
of  her  parents,  died  in  infancy. 

Holder  Noble  Poulson  remained  in  his  na- 
tal city  until  1871,  and  from  1875  to  1887  was 
a  resident  of  Chicago,  Illinois.  In  the  latter 
year  he  returned  to  the  city  of  Norfolk,  where 
he  has  since  made  his  home.  Since  the  age  of 
16  years,  his  life  has  been  divided  in  occupation 
as  druggist,  life  insurajice  solicitor,  and  clerk 
of  the  Select  Council  of  Norfolk.  He  has  held 
the  last  named  position  three  terms,  a  period 
of  six  years.  Mr.  Poulson  was  united  in  mar- 
riage, June  23.  1886,  with  Lucy  X.  Parrott  of 
Norfolk,  and  they  have  two  children, — Lucy 
Aurelia  and  Mary  Baker. 

Than  the  Poulson  family  there  is  none  in 
this  section  more  highly  esteemed :  although  the 
name  is  an  uncommon  one.  there  being  few  in 
the  State  outside  of  the  "Eastern  Shore."  it 
is  one  of  the  oldest  in  Virginia.  The  name  of 
Spooner,  too,  is  very  uncommon  in  this  section, 
but  quite  prominent  in  the  earliest  history  of 
Plymouth,  Massachusetts.  Few  can  lay  claim 
to  better  ancestry  than  Mr.  Poulson,  de- 
scended, as  he  is,  on  his  father's  side  from  men 
who  have  had  much  to  do  with  the  early  his- 
tory of  Virginia  and  its  development  to  the 
present  day;  and  on  his  mother's  side  from 


those  who  played  as  important  a  part  in  the 
affairs  of  Plymouth,  and  the  old  Bay  State,  at 
its  earliest  period. 


ILLIAM  G.  PETTIS,  who  is  high 
constable  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  that  city  January  14, 
1856,  and  is  a  son  of  Judson  R. 
Pettis. 
Spencer  Pettis,  the  great-grandfather  of 
\\'illiam  G.,  came  to  the  L^nited  States  from 
France  with  General  LaFayette.  But  little  is 
known  of  his  history.  His  wife,  Nancy  Pettis, 
lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  108  years,  dying  in 
Orange  County.  Rev.  Madison  Pettis,  grand- 
father of  the  subject  hereof,  was  a  minister  of 
the  gospel  all  his  life.  He  married  Eliza  Sem- 
ple.  a  lineal  descendant  of  Bari^n  Semple.  of 
Scotland.  They  had  five  children,  namely: 
Eliza ;  Robert ;  Judson  R. ;  Sallv  H. :  and  Rev, 
William  M. 

Judson  R.  Pettis,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  ^lay  7,  183 1,  in  Williams- 
burg, Virginia.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  art 
of  ship-building,  and  built  some  of  the  noted 
ships  of  that  dav,  nne  of  which  was  known 
as  the  "Louis  Napoleon."  \\'hen  the  yellow 
fever  broke  out  in  1853.  he  abandoned  his 
business,  as  thousands  of  others  did,  to  assist 
in  nursing  the  sick.  He  was  possessed  of  won- 
derful vitality  and  nerve,  and  being  of  an  ex- 
ceptionally strong  constitution  was  of  great  as- 
sistance in  nursing  the  sick.  He  received  no 
compensation  for  his  services.  In  1861.  Mr 
Pettis  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  but, 
being  transferred  home  to  act  as  assistant,  he 
never  saw  active  service.  After  the  close  of 
the  war,  he  turned  his  attention  to  house  build- 
ing. In  1868,  he  was  elected  parole  officer 
<  and  later  sergeant  of  the  force.  This  position 
he  held  until  he  was  elected,  about  26  years 
ago,  sanitary  inspector  of  the  city  of  Norfolk. 
He  has  held  this  position  since  that  time,  filling 
i  it  with  marked  success.     During  many  of  the 


•20 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


outbreaks  of  smallpox  and  other  contagious 
diseases,  he  has  cared  for  those  afflicted,  and 
prevented  the  spread  of  the  disease.  He  is  still 
a  very  well  preserved  man. 

Judson  R.  Pettis  married  ]Mary  Jane  Casey, 
a  daughter  of  Graham  Casey.  She  died  at  the 
age  of  29  years,  leaving  three  children,  name- 
ly :  Charles  E. ;  Caroline,  deceased ;  and  Will- 
iam G.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  second 
marriage  was  with  Anna  Decordy,  a  daughter 
of  Francis  Decordy.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge  No.  19,  and  is  well  known 
and  highly  respected  in  Norfolk. 

William  G.  Pettis  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Norfolk.  He  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Hinton,  Gocde  &  Chapman,  but  gave  it  up  to 
learn  bricklaying.  This  was  in  1872,  and  in 
1884  Mr.  Pettis  entered  the  government  em- 
ploy as  a  mail  carrier,  during  Cleveland's  ad- 
ministration. He  then  began  contracting,  and 
erected  many  of  the  substantial  brick  buildings 
of  Norfolk.  He  reconstructed  the  City  Water 
Works,  the  Knitting  I\Iills  and  Hotel  Glad- 
stone, and  also  built  many  fine  residences.  From 
1890  until  1894,  he  was  a  member  of  the  City 
Council,  and  was  secretary  of  the  T.  S.  Barbour 
Democi'atic  Club,  a  duh  which  has  been  active 
since  1887.  He  was  the  father  of  the  resolu- 
tion in  the  City  Council  to  purchase  the  Nor- 
folk City  Park,  which  gave  $1,200  worth  of 
employment  to  the  labor  class  during  the  winter 
months.  In  1898,  Mr.  Pettis  was  elected  by 
the  Councils  over  Col.  D.  J.  Turner,  to  the  of- 
fice of  high  constable,  and  was  almost  unani- 
mously re-elected  in  1900.  He  has  filled  this 
office  acceptably,  and  bids  fair  to  remain  in  it 
for  some  time  to  come. 

Mr.  Pettis  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  P.  Hodges,  a  daughter  of  Caleb  Hodges, 
a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
volume^  The  children  resulting  from  this  un- 
ion are  as  follows  :  Pauline  A.,  a  stenographer 
in  her  father's  ofiice ;  Willie  E. ;  another  daugh- 
terter ;  and  two  boys, — Charles  S. ;  and  James 
B.  T. 


Mr.  Pettis  has  a  very  attractive  home  at 
No.  130  Wood  street,  in  Norfolk.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men ; 
Knights  of  the  ^lystic  Chain  and  Knights  of 
Pythias;  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Eagles 
Lodge. 


]\I.  TILLEY  is  recognized  as  one  of 
founders  and  substantial  citizens  of 
Berkley,  Norfolk  County,,  Virginia, 
whose  interests  he  has  probably  done 
more  to  promote  than  any  other  man. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for 
many  years,  and  built  the  Berkley  Electric 
Light  &  Power  Company's  plant.  He  was  born 
in  Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  in  1834,  and  was 
reared  in  that  State. 

Upon  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War, 
Captain  Tilley  resided  in  the  State  of  New 
York  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  i6th  Reg., 
N.  Y.  Vol.  Inf.  Later  he  was  promoted  to  be 
a  captain  on  the  staf¥  of  General  Newton.  In 
1865  he  came  to  Port  Norfolk  and  started  in 
the  lumber  business  by  erecting  a  lumber  mill 
in  Berkley  on  a  small  promontory  east  of  the 
town,  known  as  Washington  Point.  In  1876, 
his  mill  was  destroyed  by  fire,  but  undaunted 
he  immediately  rebuilt,  and  from  that  time  on 
his  plant  was  an  unqualified  success.  ]\Ir.  Til- 
ley,  having  reaped  a  moderate  competence  in 
this  field  of  labor,  decided  to  turn  its  manage- 
ment over  to  his  eldest  son.  He  has  interests 
in  the  local  cotton  mills  and  other  enterprises. 
He  has  a  beautiful  residence  in  South  Norfolk, 
a  suburb  of  Berkley. 

Mr.  Tilley  has  five  children,  as  follows : 
William  M.,  who  has  charge  of  the  plant  for- 
merly conducted  by  his  father;  George  T., 
cashier  of  the  ^lerchants'  &  Planters'  Bank, 
and  a  prominent  insurance  and  real-estate  man 
of  Berkley :  Mrs.  Foster  Black,  whose  husband 
is  lessee  of  the  Chesapeake  Knitting  Mills  and 
the  Elizabeth  Cotton  Mills;  Mrs.  Alvah  H. 
Martin,  whose  husband  has  been  clerk  of  the 


HENRY    KIRN. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


723 


County  Court  of  Norfolk  County  for  more 
tlian  twenty  years ;  and  Mrs.  John  Jones,  whose 
husbantl  is  a  leading  contractor  and  builder. 

Mr.  Tilley  is  public  spirited  and  has  at  heart 
the  interests  of  Berkley  and  all  that  pertains 
to  its  advancement.  In  1900.  a  magnificent 
church  edifice,  the  Chestnut  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  $40,000,  and  of  this  amount.  Mr.  Tilley 
contributed  $25,000.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
church,  and  his  generosity  was  inspired  by  his 
desire  to  leave  a  fitting  memorial  of  his  de- 
ceased wife. 


ENRY  KIRN,  one  of  the  best-known 
citizens  and  business  men  of  Norfolk 
County,  \'irginia,  whose  portrait  ap- 
pears on  the  opposite  page,  has  been 
identified  with  various  business  enter- 
prises and  financial  institutions,  but  his  great- 
est success  has  been  in  truck  farming.  He  is 
located  in  one  of  the  greatest  truck  farming 
districts  of  the  world,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
extensive  farmers  in  the  State. 

Mr.  Kirn  was  born  in  W'urtemberg,  Ger- 
many, December  i,  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Will- 
iam H.  Kirn,  a  native  of  that  place.  The  lat- 
ter was  a  hatter  by  trade  and  followed  that  vo- 
cation all  his  life.  He  married  Anna  Pflieger. 
also  a  native  of  Germany,  and  they  reared  10 
children,  of  whom  those  living  are  as  follows : 
Maria:  Gottlieb;  Henry,  the  subject  of  this 
biography:  Louisa:  Caroline:  Frederick;  Ro- 
sina;  and  Fredericka.  The  father  died  in  1857, 
at  the  age  of  50  years. 

Henry  Kirn  received  his  education  in  Ger- 
many, and  then  served  an  apprenticeship  of 
three  years  at  the  blacksmith  trade.  At  the 
age  of  17  years  he  came  to  the  United  States, 
the  trip  consuming  52  days  and  costing  him 
$70.  He  landed  in  New  York  Citv  on  August 
3,  1852,  and  went  to  Philadelphia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  lived  and  followed  his  trade 
until  1857.  He  met  Richard  Cox,  of  Norfolk 
County,   Virginia,  known  as  the   "Father  of 


Truckers,"  by  whom  he  was  induced  to  locate 
in  tliis  county,  in  1857,  and  he  has  never  had 
cause  to  regret  this  choice  of  location.  He 
started  a  blacksmith  and  wheelwright  shop  at 
Churchland,  and  remained  in  business  until 
1861,  after  which  he  engaged  in  trucking.  Af- 
ter the  close  of  the  Confederate  War,  he  en- 
tered into  partnership  with  Tully  Wise  and,  to- 
gether, they  worked  five  truck  farms,  consist- 
ing of  400  acres.  They  continued  together  for 
two  years,  when  their  partnership  was  ended 
by  the  death  of  Mr,  Wise.  Mr.  Kirn  has  since 
continued  in  business  alone,  and  is  now  one 
of  the  largest  farmers  in  \'irginia,  owning 
about  2,000  acres  of  land  in  Norfolk  and  Nan- 
semond  Counties.  Among  other  commercial 
enterprises,  he  is  a  director  in  the  Norfolk  Na- 
tional Bank,  the  Norfolk  Bank  for  Savings  & 
Trust,  the  Norfolk  Marine  Bank,  and  the 
^^lerchants"  &  Farmers"  Bank  of  Portsmouth. 
He  served  on  the  Board  of  Harbor  Commis- 
sioners of  Norfolk  County  for  about  15  years. 
He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  served  for  two 
years  as  supervisor. 

Mr.  Kirn  was  married,  in  1856,  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  to  Elizabeth  Smith, 
who  was  born  in  Nuremberg,  Bavaria,  May  8, 
1838,  and  they  had  the  folowing  children: 
Anna,  who  married  M.  W.  Armistead;  Will- 
iam H. :  Henry.  Jr. ;  Rufus ;  Clara ;  Bessie ; 
Charles  (i),  deceased;  Charles  (2).  deceased, 
Mr.  Kirn  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  lodge. 


EROY  M.  NICHOLAS,  who  has  been 
very  active  in  the  political  affairs  of 
his  community,  and  has  occupied 
numerous  positions  of  responsibility 
and  trust,  is  at  the  present  time  prin- 
cipally engaged  as  commissioner  of  revenue, 
and  in  conducting  the  aft'airs  of  his  farm  near 
Hickory  Station.  He  was  born  near  Hickory 
Ground,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  July  i, 
18 V,  and  is  a  son  of  Joshua  and  Martha 
(Mills)  Nicholas. 


724 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Joshua  Nicholas  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  died  there  in  1871,  aged 
65  years.-  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  was  very  successful  in  his  life  work.  Re- 
ligiously, he  was  a  member  of  Goodhope  JMeth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  By  his  first 
marriage  he  had  the  following  children: 
James  \\'.,  :  Calvin  \'. ;  Willoughby  L. ; 
and  Annie  \'.  James  \\'..  who  died  in 
1892,  served  in  the  Confederate  ^^'ar,  and 
then  became  a  minister  of  the  IMethodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  with  pastorate 
at  ]\Iount  Pleasant.  \"irginia.  Calvin  V. 
V.  served  in  the  United  States  Navy  during 
the  Confederate  ^Var,  and  was  afterward  in  the 
employ  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Fur  Company. 
^Villoughby  L.,  deceased,  was  in  the  Confed- 
erate service  during  the  same  conflict,  and  was 
imprisoned  for  18  months  at  Elmira,  New 
"S'ork.  He  was  a  teacher  in  Norfolk  Count}" 
45  years.  He  also  engaged  in  teaching  at  Lex- 
ington, Kentucky,  where  he  serA^ed  for  a  time 
as  postmaster.  Annie  V.  first  married  Ed- 
ward Cone,  and  subsecpiently  James  Lassiter. 
Joshua  Nicholas  then  married  the  mother  of 
Leroy  M.  Her  maiden  name  was  IMartha 
Mills,  and  she  was  born  near  Beill's  IMills.  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  and  died  in  1877,  at  the 
age  of  63  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Goodhope  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 
Her  first  union  was  with  Taylor  Sivills,  by 
whom  she  had  five  children,  as  follows :  Tay- 
lor, who  lost  his  life  in  the  battle  of  Chan- 
cellorsville ;  Ethelbert ;  \\^illiam  T. :  Catherine, 
wife  of  Joseph  Rodgers ;  and  Sally,  wife  of 
Wilson  Forbes.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  be- 
came parents  of  two  children:  Leroy  M..  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Martha,  wife  of 
Charles  C.  Frost. 

Leroy  M.  Nicholas  attended  the  common 
schools  of  the  county,  most  of  the  time  under 
the  instruction  of  his  brother,  \^'illoughby  L. 
Nicholas.  He  then  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  a  line  of  work  which  he  has  since 
followed ;  at  the  present  time  he  manages  his 
farm  near  Hickorv  Station.     He  was  elected 


commissioner  for  the  second  district  of  Norfolk 
County  in  1889,  and  is  now  serving  his  fourth 
term  in  that  capacity.  He  was  chairman  of 
the  Norfolk  County  Republican  Commitee  for 
eight  years,  and  retired  from  that  office  in 
June,  1901.  He  stands  very  high  in  his  party, 
and  has  many  friends  throughout  Norfolk 
County. 

In  1875.,  ^^^-  Nicholas  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Amanda  L.  Roach,  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Nibble  ( Halstead)  Roach.  She 
w-as  born  near  Hickory  Ground  in  August, 
1858,  and  as  a  result  of  her  union  with  Mr. 
Nicholas  has  gi\-en  birth  to  six  children,  name- 
ly :  Ida  Lillian,  who  was  born  in  December, 
1875,  and  married  Batson  O.  Fentress,  a 
farmer  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors; Annie  Clara,  born  in  1877,  who  married 
Benjamin  Lassiter,  a  furniture  dealer  in  Nor- 
folk; Sadie,  born  in  1879,  ^^''''o  hves  with  the 
subject  hereof;  Harry  L.,  born  in  1881,  who  at- 
tended the  Norfolk  Business  College;  Clyde  V., 
who  died  in  infancy ;  Raleigh  P.,  who  was 
born  in  1892,  and  is  attending  school;  and 
James  G..  who  was  born  in  1895.  Religiously, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South.  Fraternally.  ^Ir.  Nicholas  is  a  member 
of  Orion  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican in  politics. 


ARRY  L.  \\'ATTS,  who  is  the  junior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Hart  &  \\'atts, 
is  extensively  engaged  in  the  lumber 
and  planing  mill  business  at  Ports- 
mouth. Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  He 
was  born  in  Portsmouth,  and  is  a  son  of  Judge 
A.  S.  Watts,  who  was  judge  of  the  Corporation 
Court  of  that  city  for  a  period  of  12  years, 
but  is  now  living  practically  in  retirement. 
Judge  Watts  married  a  daughter  of  David  A. 
Bain. 

Harry  L.   Watts   first   accepted   a  clerical 
position  in  the  cotton  business  at  the  Cotton 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


725 


Exchange,  and  was  then  in  the  employ  of 
George  L.  Arps.  He  was  engaged  in  the  in- 
surance business  several  years  at  Portsmouth, 
and  was  secretary  of  the  Portsmouth  Gas  Com- 
pany from  1897  to  1899.  In  1898.  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  'Sir.  Hart  under  the  firm 
name  of  Hart  &  Watts,  in  the  planing  mill  and 
lumber  business.  They  rank  among  the  fore- 
most concerns  in  that  line  of  business,  and  their 
enterprise  is  gradually  growing.  Mr.  \\'atts 
is  a  man  of  marked  ability  in  business  affairs, 
and  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character  ha\c 
gained  him  numerous  friends  throughout  Nor- 
folk County. 

Mr.  \\atts  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  H. 
F.  Butt,  and  has  three  children, — Harry.  Lee. 
Holt,  Fairfield  and  Sarah  ^lonrovia.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  was  collec- 
tor for  his  lodge  several  years,  but  resigned 
this  position.     He  is  an  Episcopalian. 


EXJAMIX  H.  :»IARKS.  a  well-known 
lawyer  of  Xorfolk.  Norfolk  County. 
Mrginia,  was  born  in  Prince  George 
County,  Virginia,  in  1S71.  He  is  a 
son  of  Robert  C.  ^larks.  one  of  the 
most  prominent  business  men  of  Norfolk. 

Robert  C.  ^larks  was  born  in  Prince  George 
Coimty,  Virginia.  He  became  one  of  the  largest 
peanut  growers  in  the  State,  and  in  1889  re- 
moved to  Norfolk.  He  was  connected  with 
the  American  Peanut  Company,  manufactur- 
ers, which  shipped  peanuts  to  all  parts  of  the 
world.  He  left  that  company  in  189.2  to  be- 
come president  and  treasurer  of  the  Norfolk- 
Virginia  Peanut  Company.  Tliis  company 
handles  60,000  sacks  of  peanuts  each  year  and 
exports  its  products  in  every  direction  abroad. 
It  is  widely  known,  and  carries  on  an  immense 
business,  employing  about  80  men  in  the  fac- 
tory. Mr.  ^larks  is  one  of  the  most  influential 
business  men  of  Norfolk,  and  is  widely  known 
there. 

Benjamin  H.  IMarks  attended  a  college  at 


Petersburg.  \''irginia,  and  later  took  a  course 
of  law  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1893.  In 
that  year  he  commenced  practice  in  Norlolk. 
where  he  has  since  remained,  and  is  attorney 
for  many  of  the  leading  business  firms  of  the 
city.  He  stands  high  in  legal  circles.  an3  is  a 
lawyer  of  undisputed  ability.  He  has  a  large 
general  practice,  and  is  one  of  the  active  ynung 
professional  men  of  Norfolk. 


FORGE  R.  TRANT  is  a  member  of 
the  firm  ni  Pollard,  Trant  &  Com- 
pany, which  is  extensively  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business,  and  maintains  a 
lumber  yard  and  oftice  on  Crawford 
street,  between  County  and  Columbia  streets. 
It  is  the  oldest  firm  in  the  city  of  Portsmouth, 
and  was  established  22  vears  ago  bv  Mr.  Trant 
and  \\\  T.  Baker. 

Mr.  Trant  was  born  and  reared  in  King 
William  County,  Virginia,  and  at  an  early  day 
entered  the  employ  of  a  lumbei-  firm  at  Rich- 
mond, ^'irginia.  He  then  spent  three  3-ears 
in  the  lumber  business  in  North  Carolina,  and 
in  1879  moved  to  Portsmouth.  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. A'irginia.  In  partnership  with  W.  T. 
Baker,  deceased,  who  was  a  son  of  General 
Baker  of  North  Carolina,  he  established  his 
present  business  enterprise.  He  was  next  in 
partnership  with  L.  T.  Gwathmey.  and  is  now 
associated  with  Mr.  Pollard,  who  is  in  the  gen- 
eral commission  business  at  Norfolk.  Mr. 
Trant  has  full  charge  of  affairs  at  Portsmouth, 
their  business  being  a  verv  extensive  one.  They 
are  both  excellent  business  men  and  their  en- 
terprise has  been  one  of  continued  success.  Mr. 
Trant  is  also  president  of  the  Portsmouth  & 
Norfolk  Building  &  Loan  Association,  with 
whish  he  has  been  officially  connected  for  the 
past  five  years.  Before  that  time  he  was  a 
stockholder  in  it. 

George  R.  Trant  married  \"irginia  Y.  Boy- 
kin,  a  daughter  of  R.   \'.   Boykin,  of  Ports- 


\ 


726 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


mouth,  who  is  deceased.  This  iinioii  was 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  four  children,  as  fol- 
lows:  Mildred  M.  and  Emma  B.,  who  attend 
Hollins  Institute :  Helen  M. ;  and  George  R., 
Jr.  The  last  named  is  the  fourth  of  the  family 
to  bear  the  name  of  George  R.  Air.,  Trant  is 
a  member  of  the  School  Board;  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  chairman  of  the 
finance  committee  of  that  organization.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he 
is  a  deacon.  He  has  a  very  fine  home  in  Park 
View,  a  beautiful  residence  district  of  Ports- 
mouth. 

*  ■  » 


HARLES  W.  PRIDDY,  one  of  Nor- 
folk's most  reliable  and  progressive 
citizens,  is  president  of  the  Norfolk 
Bagging  Company  and  of  the  Poco- 
moke  Guano  Company,  and  one  of 
the  firm  of  Charles  W.  Priddy  &  Company, 
wholesale  jobbers  of  bagging  and  ties  for  bal- 
ing cotton.  He  was  born  in  Charlotte  County 
Virginia,  October  6,  1864,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
D.  and  Mary  E.  Priddy. 

John  D.  Priddy  was  a  farmer  and  merchant 
at  Keysville,  Virginia,  for  many  years,  and  the 
old  family  homestead  is  now  owned  by  the 
subject  of  this  sketch.  John  D.  Priddy  was  a 
thrifty  man  and  was  well  and  favorably  known 
over  a  large  section  of  the  country.  He  died 
in  1887,  at  the  age  of  /2  years;  his  wife  died 
in  1895,  3t  the  same  age. 

Charles  W.  Priddy  attended  various 
schools,  and  then  took  an  advanced  course  at 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  He  was  then  en- 
gaged in  the  fertilizing  business  in  Richmond, 
Virginia,  and  some  years  later  in  Baltimore. 
He  came  to  Norfolk  in  1896,  and  has  since  been 
active  in  the  various  enterprises  above  men- 
tioned, all  of  which  he  established.  The  Poco- 
moke  Guano  Company  has  a  large  output,' and 
does  business  in  four  States, — Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  The 
Norfolk  Bagging  Company  manufactures  bag- 
ging and  cotton  ties  in  its  factory  at  Ports- 


mouth. It  is  the  largest  concern  of  its  kind  in 
the  South,  employing  from  100  to  125  men, 
and  does  business  in  all  the  Southern  States, 
from  Virginia  to  Mississippi.  Charles  W. 
Priddy  &  Company  are  wholesale  jobbers  of 
bagging  and  ties  for  covering  cotton  and  do 
business  throughout  the  Southeast.  They  have 
storage  houses  in,  and  distribute  goods  from, 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina ;  Charleston, 
South  Carolina ;  Savannah,  Georgia ;  and  Nor- 
folk, Virginia.  Mr.  Priddy  maintains  his  of- 
fices at  Nos.  622-624-626  Citizens'  Bank  Build- 
ing in  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Priddy  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Myrtie  Young,  daughter  of  J.  T.  S.  and  Mary 
E.  Young,  of  Virginia,  both  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. This  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  three  children,  namely :  Fanny  Y. ;  Mai 
Merriman;  and  Sidney  Young.  Mr.  Priddy 
is  chairman  of  the  finance  committee  of  the 
Jamestown  Celebration  for  1907,  and  also  vice- 
president  of  the  Norfolk  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. He  is  one  of  Norfolk's  most  earnest, 
enterprising  and  active  business  men.  He  be- 
lieves faithfully  in  the  future  greatness  of  Nor- 
folk as  a  commercial  center,  and  takes  a  prom- 
inent part  in  her  activities. 


DMUND  L.  BARLOW,  a  prosperous 
business  man  of  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, is  junior  member  of  the  firm 
of  T.  J.  Barlow  &  Brother,  wholesale 
and  retail  grocers.  This  firm  handles 
groceries,  feed,  flour,  etc.,  in  large  quantities 
at  their  store  at  Nos.  810  and  812  Crawford 
street.  It  carries  an  abundant  stock  and  en- 
joys the  patronage  of  the  best  people  of  the 
city.  It  has  a  double  store  building,  large  and 
roomy,  and  a  large  force  is  employed  and  kept 
busy  most  of  the  time  in  attending  to  the  wants 
of  customers. 

This  business  was  founded  in  1867  by  T. 
J.  Barlow,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  who 
first  conducted  a  retail  business  onlv,  but  grad- 


I 


N.   A.    McCURDEY,    M.    D. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


729 


ually  changed  to  botli  wliolesale  and  retail.  By 
his  energA-  and  perseverance  he  has  made  the 
most  of  liis  opportunities  to  build  up  the  busi- 
ness, and  has  established  a  large  and  constant- 
ly increasing  trade. 

Edmund  L.  Barlow  was  born  at  Williams- 
burg, \'irginia,  and  is  a  son  of  John  H.  Bar- 
low, deceased.  John  H.  Barlow  was  for  many 
years  verv  prominent  in  business  circles,  and 
was  engaged  very  successfully  in  mercantile 
pursuits  at  Williamsburg  for  alxiut  40  years. 
All  of  the  members  of  this  family  are  deceased, 
with  the  exception  of  Edmund  L.  and  his 
brother.  T.  J. 

Edmund  L.  Barlow  moved  to  Portsmouth 
in  1890,  after  obtaining  his  mental  training  at 
his  birthplace,  where  he  remained  untfl  he  at- 
tained manhood.  He  has  since  been  a  resident 
of  Portsmouth,  and  entered  the  firm  as  junior 
member  in  1896.  when  its  name  became  T.  J. 
Barlow  &  Brother.  The  business  owes  much 
cf  its  success  to  the  efforts  of  this  gentleman. 
who  has  built  up  a  most  enviable  trade  by  his 
genial,  accommodating  manners  and  his  evi- 
dent desire  to  make  friends  of  his  customers. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Isabel  Stout,  an  estimable  young 
lady  of  Portsmouth,  and  they  reside  at  their 
comfortable  home  at  Xo.  312  North  street. 
They  attend  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Barlow  is  a  Democrat,  who  does  what  he 
can  to  promote  the  interests  of  his  party. 


A.  McCURDEY,  .M.  D.,  phy^icia:: 
and  surgeon  located  at  Xo.  371  Free- 
mason street,  Xorfolk,  X'irginia, 
whose  portrait  appears  herewith,  has 
met  with  the  most  flattering  recog- 
nition of  his  ability  and  worth  during  his  short 
but  successful  practice  in  that  city,  and  has 
won  golden  opinions  from  all  fair-minded  citi- 
zens 1)y  his  skillful  and  practical  methods  of 
treating-  all  applications  for  his  professional  as- 
sistance.     He   is  e.xceptionally   well   fitted   to 


make  a  success  of  his  chosen  calling,  having 
graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Virgir.ia,  and  is  well  read  and 
keeps  abreast  oi  the  times  in  his  profession  as 
well  as  upon  the  leading  questions  of  the  day. 
Like  his  mother,  he  is  a  native  of  Xorfolk  and 
was  born  December  15.  1871,  being  a  son  of 
T.  B.  McCurdey  and  Martha  Frances  \\'ins- 
low,  his  wife. 

T.  B.  McCurdey,  the  father,  is  a  native  of 
Richmond.  He  has  an  army  record  which  is 
a  source  of  pride  to  him  and  his  family.  He 
served  in  the  Thomas  Battery,  Artillery,  en- 
listing as  a  private  and  receiving  promotion 
as  1st  junior  lieutenant.  He  ser\etl  in  Pickett's 
Division,  Longstreet's  Corps :  after  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg,  his  battery  became  a  part  of 
Casker"s  Battery,  in  which  he  was  made  ist 
lieutenant.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service 
on  the  close  of  the  war. 

Dr.  McCurdey  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
three  children,  the  other  members  of  the  family 
Ijeing  Carrie  W.,  wife  of  Rev.  George  P.  Rut- 
ledge,  of  Philadelnhia,  Pennsylvania :  and  a 
brother.  Paul  W.  McCurdev. 

June  30,  1900,  the  D(x:tor  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Virginia  Farragut  X'ewton,  a 
daughter  of  George  Xewton  and  Celestia 
Meade  Loyall,  old  and  highly  respected  fami- 
lies of  X^orfolk.  Mrs.  McCurdey's  lineage  is 
traceable  directly  t»  ancestors  who  wer«  among 
the  first  families  to  settle  in  Virginia.  The 
Doctor  and  his  accomplished  wife  have  one 
son,  Xewton  Farragut,  who  is  a  great-nephew 
of  David  Glascow  Farragut,  the  first  admiral 
of  the  United  States.  ]\Irs.  McCurdey  was 
named  after  her  mother's  sister,  Mrs.  \'irginia 
Farragut,  a  lady  of  great  benevolence  and 
charity  and  wife  of  Admiral  David  Glascoe 
Farragut,  of  the  United  States  X'^avy.  Religi- 
ously they  are  members  of  Christ  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  Xorfolk,  Virginia, 

Dr.  McCurdey  received  his  primary  in- 
struction at  the  Xorfolk  Academy.  In  1894 
he  matriculated  in  the  University  of  Virginia 
and  graduated   from  the  medical  department 


730 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


with  high  honors  in  1896.  He  then  served  one 
year  as  interne  in  the  Norfolk  Retreat  for  the 
Sick,  now  known  as  the  Norfolk  Protestant 
Hospital,  subsequently  taking  a  post-graduate 
course  in  New  York  City.  Feeling  himself  to 
be  fully  equipped  to  do  justice  to  the  noble 
profession  which  it  is  his  aim  in  life  to  honor. 
Dr.  McCurdey  returned  to  Norfolk  and  opened 
an  office  as  general  practitioner  in  1898.  His 
success  has  been  phenomenal  and  he  is  looked 
upon  as  one  of  the  rising  j-oung  physicians  of 
the  city. 

Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Rathbone 
Lodge.  No.  93,  K.  of  P..  being  also  examining 
physician  of  the  Endowment  Rank  and  having 
held  the  office  of  trustee.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Norfolk  Medical  Society,  the  INledical  So- 
ciet}-  of  Virginia,  and  a  fellow  of  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  takes  a  becoming  in- 
terest in  politics,  but  allows  nothing  to  interfere 
with  his  professional  duties.  He  is  interested 
in  educational  matters  and  has  served  as  a 
school  trustee.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of 
the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and 
is  highly  esteemed  as  a  citizen. 


APT.  CHARLES  A,  EARNEST, 
who  has  a  remarkable  record  for 
long  and  faithful  service  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Company,  is  now  serving  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  division  superintendent.  Captain 
Earnest  was  born  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  No- 
vember 15,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  George  L.  and 
Agnes  L.  Earnest,  the  former  a  native  of  Han- 
over County,  and  the  latter  of  King  William 
County,  Virginia. 

Captain  Earnest  passed  his  boyhood  in 
Richmond,  Virginia.  At  the  age  of  13  years, 
his  health  being  bad,  his  father  permitted  him 
to  go  to  sea  in  the  hope  of  improving  his  health, 
and  to  choose  sailing  as  his  life  work,  if  he  so 
desired.  The  father  was  well  acquainted  with 
several  ship-owners  in  Richmond,  and  starting 


his  son  under  very  favorable  auspices.  He 
first  became  a  cabin  boy,  in  1858,  on  the  schoon- 
er "Gallego."  which  ran  as  a  packet  between 
Richmond  and  New  York.  He  remained  on 
it  four  months,  in  which  time  they  made  three 
trips.  Li  the  spring  of  1859  he  changed  to 
the  bark  "Virginian,"  in  the  South  American 
trade,  making  three  voyages, — to  Pernambuco, 
Bahia  and  Rio  de  Janeiro,  Brazil.  His  health 
having  greatly  improved,  he  returned  home  in 
i860,  and  re-entered  school.  He  attended  but 
one  month,  when  another  vessel  came  to  Rich- 
■  mond,  which  needed  a  boy.  He  gave  up  school 
and  again  shipped  on  the  bark  "Parthian."' 
He  made  a  voyage  to  Brazil,  and  upon  return- 
ing found  war  in  progress  between  the  North 
and  South.  He  could  not  get  to  his  home  in 
Richmond,  and  so  went  on  the  ship  "Planter," 
bound  for  Havre.  France.  While  there  he 
chanced  to  meet  his  brother-in-law,  A.  V. 
Soule,  in  command  of  the  bark  "Fame"  of 
Richmond.  He  was  delighted  to  meet  him 
and  managed  to  be  transferred  to  that  vessel 
from  the  "Planter."  He  continued  on  board 
the  "Fame''  for  eight  months,  and  finally  re- 
turned to  New  York.  Still  being  unable  to 
go  to  his  old  home  on  account  of  the  war,  he 
put  to  sea  again  in  the  ship  "Oracle,"  bound 
for  Callao,  Peru.  He  continued  with  that  ves- 
sel three  years,  making  South  American  and 
European  ports.  Upon  one  occasion  he  was 
washed  overboard  while  on  the  boom,  furling 
a  sail,  but  was  rescued.  He  finally  made  the 
port  to  San  Francisco,  and  from  there  went  to 
Hong  Kong,  China,  and  thence  to  the  East 
Indies.  He  then  went  to  Yokohama,  Japan, 
aitd  finally  returned  to  San  Francisco,  and 
thence  went  to  New  York.  He  returned  to 
Richmond  after  an  absence  of  five  years,  and 
remained  at  home  one  year.  He  became  rest- 
less and  determined  to'  continue  his  seafaring 
life,  to  which  he  had  become  wedded.  He  went 
on  the  steamer  "Dirjg'o,"  bound  for  Portland, 
Maine,  and  this  voyage  marked  the  end  of  his 
sailing  days,  and  the  beginning  of  his  career 
on  steamers.     He  spent  the  following  winter 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


731 


in  Richmond,  and  in  March  again  went  to  New 
York  and  became  quartermaster  on  the  steamer 
■"Saratoga,"  of  the  Old  Dominion  line,  a  com- 
l)anv  which  had  been  organized  a- short  time 
previously.  Thus  began  Fvis  services  witli  the 
Old  Dominion  line,  with  whicTi  he  has  since 
continued.  During  this  extended  period  he  has 
lost  bui  three  months  work,  that  period  being 
in  1874.  when  he  became  sick.  In  March, 
1868.  wiien  Captain  Earnest  became  identified 
witii  this  ciimpany,  the  fleet  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion Steamship  Company  consisted  of  four  small 
seagoing  ships,  namely  :  "Albermarle,"  Capt. 
H.  A.  Bouerne;  "Hatteras,"  Capt.  George  W. 
Couch  ;  "Xiagara,"  Capt.  Sylvester  Blakeman  ; 
and  "Saratoga,"'  Capt.  S.  Alexander;  also  an 
old  screw  steamer,  "Virginia,"  which  was  used 
for  a  spare  boat.  In  the  fall  of  1868,  he  was 
promoted  to  be  second  mate  of  the  "Saratoga," 
and  during  1869-1870  was  mate  of  the  "W'y^an- 
oke,"  the  first  iron  vessel  built  by  the  company. 
It  was  the  finest  and  fleetest  ship  on  the  coast, 
and  was  of  about  2.000  tons  burden.  He  be- 
came first  officer  on  this  boat,  and  in  1873  took 
command  of  the  "Hatteras."  His  record  for 
quick  promotion  is  mrist  remarkable.  He 
started  as  quartermaster,  without  friend  or 
favor,  in  1868,  and  in  October,  1873,  was  made 
captain,  having  passed  through  all  the  inter- 
mediate grades  in  a  little  over  five  and  ojie-half 
years.  He  was  2"/  years  of  age  when  he  was 
made  captain,  and  was  the  youngest  man  who 
ever  commanded  an  Old  Dominion  steamer. 
However,  he  was  not  permitted  to  enjoy  his 
good  fortune  long,  being  obliged  to  retire  from 
sea  service  and  take  shore  duty  on  account  of  a 
partial  loss  of  eyesight,  after  serving  success- 
fully as  master  about  12  months.  He  served 
as  chief  stevedore  at  Norfolk  from  1874  to 
1894,  and  then  as  wharf  superintendent  from 
1894  to  1900.  Since  i900.Jie  has  served  most 
efficiently  in  the  capacity  of  division  superin- 
tendent. His  long  termi  of  faithful  service 
has  gained  for  him  the  good  will  of  the'  officials 
of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company,  and 


he  enjoys  the  highest  esteem  of  the  employees 
of  that  company   in  general. 

In  1876,  Captain  Earnest  married  Sarah  E. 
Talley,  a  daughter  of  Xathaniel  and  Mary  J, 
Talley,  of  Hanover  County,  Virginia.  ]\Irs. 
Earnest  departed  this  life  in  1S96,  leaving  five 
children,  as  follows:  Mary  Louise;  Charles 
A. ;  Elizabeth  Talley;  Agnes  Mills;  and  Jennie 
Ludwell. 


T.  SCOTT,  the  active  manager  of 
the  well-known  furniture  firm  of 
Thomas  Scott's  Sons  of  Ports- 
mouth, A'irginia,  of  which  he  is 
also  a  member,  is  a  business  man 
of  no  ordinary  ability,  as  the  unqualified  suc- 
cess of  that  enterprising  firm  goes  to  prove. 
The  present  company  is  composed  of  W.  T. 
and  A.  C.  Scott,  and  their  affairs  are  conducted 
in  a  large,  three-story  building,  24  by  113  feet 
in  dimensions,  at  No.  317  High  street,  and  the 
capacity  of  this  large  building  is  insufficient 
at  the  present  time,  and  the  increasing  trade 
compels  the  owners  to  have  additional  room, 
so  that  the  adjoining  building  at  No.  319  High 
street  is  also  utilized  for  this  purpose.  The 
house  carries  a  large  stock  of  all  kinds  of  furni- 
ture, and  employs  several  clerks,  !Mr.  Scott 
having  full  charge  of  the  undertaking  and  em- 
balming department,  and  being  an  expert  in 
that  line. 

This  concern  is  one  of  the  largest  of  its 
kind  in  Portsmouth,  enjoys  a  fair  patronage, 
and  is  the  oldest  furniture  house  in  the  State. 
The  business  was  established  by  Thomas  Scott, 
father  of  W.  T.  Scott,  in  1856.  In  that  year, 
he  erected  a  substantial  building,  having  done 
business  in  a  small  way  since  1850.  Under 
his  splendid  management,  the  business  was 
conducted  very  successfully  up  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  December  25,  1897.  During  the 
Confederate  War  he  served  four  years  as  a 
sergeant  in  the  Signal  Corps  of  the  Army  of 


732 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Nortliern  Virginia,  leaving  his  business  inter- 
ests during  tliat  time  in  the  hands  of  Caleb 
Fleming.  Mr.  Fleming  proved  faithful  to  the 
trust  and  was  afterward  taken  in  as  a  partner 
and  the  business  was  carried  on  for  some  years 
under  the  firm  name  of  Scott  &  Fleming. 
Thomas  Scott  was  quite  a  prominent  and  pub- 
lic spirited  citizen,  and  was  interested  in  various 
enterprises  of  importance  in  and  about  Ports- 
mouth, where  he  was  born,  reared  and  spent 
almost  his  entire  life.  He  owned  several'  fine 
farms,  one  being  located  just  six  miles  from 
Portsmouth.  He  was  a  director  in  the  Bank 
of  Portsmouth. 

W.  T.  Scott  was  born  at  No.  714  Mill 
street,  which  is  still  his  home.  In  early  youth 
he  entered  his  father's  establishment,  where  he 
remained  for  some  time,  but  for  14  years  prior 
to  the  death  of  that  beloved  parent,  he  con- 
ducted a  truck  farm,  and  succeeded  to  his 
father's  business  in  1897.  Socially,  he  is  a 
man  of  much  prominence,  being  a  member  of 
ithe  following  organizations :  B.  P.  O.  E. ;  K. 
of  P. ;  I.  O.  O.  F.,  both  the  lodge  and  encamp- 
ment ;  I.  O.  R.  M. ;  Royal  Arcanum ;  I.  O.  H. ; 
and  Chambers  Steam  Fire  Engine  Company, 
No.  2.  In  his  religious  views  he  favors  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  As  a 
citizen  he  is  one  of  the  valued  members  of  the 
community,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all 
his  acquaintances. 


ESSE  O.  REID,  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  D.  P.  Reid  &  Brother,  dealers  in 
hay,  grain  and  fertilizers,  w'ith  plSc? 
of  business  at  Nos.  415-417.  Church 
street,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was  born  in 
Northampton  County,  V^irginia,  August  19, 
1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Victor  and  Ann  W.  Rjeid. 
His  parents  were  nati\-es  of  Northampton 
County. 

Jesse  O.  Reid  attended  common  schools  in 
Surry  County,  and  later  William  and  Mary 
College,   at  W^illiamsburg,   Virgima.     He  re- 


moved to  Norfolk  when  he  was  a  boy,  in  1871. 
After  leaving  college,  and  at  the  age  of  19 
years,  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  in 
which  he  has  continued  up  to  the  present  time. 
He  became  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  D.  P.  Reid 
&  Brother,  which  is  very  well  known  in  Nor- 
folk and  Norfolk  County. 

Mr.  Reid  has  been  a  member  of  the  board 
of  local  improvement  of  Brambleton  ward  for 
three  years,  chairman  of  the  street  committee 
for  two  years,  and  a  member  of  the  fi- 
nance committee  for  two  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Select  Council,  and  is  now  serv- 
ing his  second  term.  He  belongs  to  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World.  Mr.  Reid  is  a  business  man 
of  great  promise,  full  of  energy,  and  pos- 
sessed of  modern  ideas  in  regard  tO'  the  man- 
agement of  his  affairs.  He  is  well  known 
among  business  men  of  Norfolk,  and  is  highly 
esteemed  bv  all. 


ILLIAM  TAYLOR,  who  has  been  a 
resident  of  Norfolk  since  1829,  has 
witnessed  the  wonderful  growth  of 
the  city  in  that  period.  He  was 
for  many  years  engaged  in  black- 
smithing  but  is  now  living  in  retirement,  after  a 
very  active  and  sMccessful  busines*  career.  He 
was  born  in  Powhatan  County,  Virginia,  in 
1813,  and  is  a  son  of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth 
Taylor. 

Jesse  Taylor  was  born  in  Virginia  and  al- 
ways followed  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  dying 
at  abou^  the  age  of  65  years.  His  wife  was 
also  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  they  reared  seven 
childnen,  of  whom  William  is  the  only  one  now 
living. 

William  Taylor  lived  in  ^Manchester.  Vir- 
giiaia,  until  1829,  when  he  moved  to  Norfolk 
and  there  attended  school.  He  began  the  black- 
smith business  on  Church  street,  in  1833,  and 
carried  it  on  in  a  highly  successful  manner 
until  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  during  the  Con- 
federate War,  since  which  time  he  has  not  en- 


~1 


JAMES    H.    SAMMONS. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


735 


gaged  in  business  enter]irises,  except  that  lie 
has  always  dealt  more  nr  less  in  real  estate,  and 
now  owns  the  building  where  he  lives,  the  one 
adjoining,  and  also  cither  jiroiierty  in  the  city. 
He  was  an  old  line  Whig  during  the  existence 
of  that  party,  but  never  sought  political  prefer- 
ment. 

Feliruary  14.  i8^^4.  Mr.  Taylor  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Fanny  Ximnio.  of  Princess 
Anne  County,  \'irginia,  and  they  reared  six 
children,  of  whom  one  is  now  living, — Mrs.  B. 
T.  Bockover.  of  Norfolk.  ]\Irs.  Taylor  died 
June  15.  1895.  and  ^Ir.  Taylor  took  a  second 
wife  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Martha  Balsom.  He 
has  three  grandchildren:  Horace  P.,  Edward 
and  Elizabeth  Taylor.  Religiously,  Mr.  Taylor 
has  been  an  active  member  of  Epworth  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  South,  for  over  60 
years,  and  has  held  many  of  its  offices.  He  is 
a  gentleman  of  wide  acquaintance,  and  has 
numerous  warm  friends,  who  admire  him  for 
his  manv  excellent  traits  of  character. 


possesses  much  natural  ability,  is  a  fluent  speak- 
er, and  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments.  Al- 
though he  has  not  resided  long  in  Norfolk,  he 
has  made  many  firm  friends,  who  have  much 
confidence  in  his  ability.  He  has  a  large  prac- 
tice, wliich  is  steadily  increasing.  Mr.  Hillyer 
is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Busi- 
ness Men's  Association  of  Norfolk. 


ILLIAM  LOWE  HILLYER,  a  ris- 
ing young  attorney  of  Norfolk, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  was 
born  in  San  Francisco,  California, 
in  1867.  When  he  was  a  child  his 
parents  removed  to  Washington.  D.  C,  where 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  There  he  studied 
law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1894.  He 
practiced  law  in  Washington  until  1896,  when 
he  went  to  Newport  News,  ^^irginia,  and  there 
continued  his  practice. 

Mr.  Hillyer  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Regi- 
ment. Virginia  Infantry,  during  the  Spanish- 
American  \\'ar,  and  was  made  a  2nd  lieutenant, 
and  afterward  ist  lieutenant.  He  served  for 
one  year  with  the  regiment,  and  afterward  re- 
turned to  his  profession  at  Newiwrt  News.  In 
the  spring  of  1901,  he  removed  to  Norfolk, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  practice. 
He  has  met  with  much  success  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  is  well  known  in  legal  circles.     He 

39 


AMES  H.  SAMMOXS,  a  prominent 
business  man  of  Lambert's  Point, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  whose  por- 
trait is  herewith  shown,  has  quite  re- 
cently leased  his  fine  truck  farm  at 
that  place  and  at  the  present  time  is  interested 
in  the  real  estate  business  at  Norfolk.  Mr. 
Sammons  was  born  May  10,  1840,  upon  the 
same  farm  which  is  his  home  to-day  and  upon 
which  his  entire  life  has  been  spent. 

Keeling  Sammons,  our  subject's  father, 
was  born  in  Princess  Anne  County,  \'irginia, 
in  1 810,  and  passed  to  his  final  rest  in  1882. 
He  turned  his  attention  to  farming  early  in  life 
and  supported  himself  and  family  by  agricul- 
tural operations,  and  was  at  all  times  upright, 
industrious  and  progressive.  He  was  joined- 
in  marriage  with  Mrs.  Hilary  Shumadine,  whose 
birth  took  place  in  Norfolk  County  in  1802  and 
who  survived  her  husband  four  years.  Only 
one  child  blessed  this  union,  James  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  biography. 

Tames  H.  Sammons  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  place  and  early  in 
life  took  up  the  same  vocation  as  his  father, 
that  of  truck  farming.  Being  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  ability  and  an  indefatigable 
worker,  he  labored  with  the  utmost  zeal  to  im- 
prove his  opportunities  and  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  efiforts.  A  short  time  ago  he 
abandoned  the  hard  manual  laljor  connected 
with  the  farm  and  turned  his  attention  to  real- 
estate  investments. 

Mr.  Sammons  has  been  twice  married.  On 
December  25,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Marga- 


736 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ret  Ann  Holland,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Abdell)  Holland.  Mrs.  Sammons  was  born 
at  Lambert's  Point,  near  Bowden's  Ferry,  and 
has  two  brothers,  John  and  Edward,  and  four 
sisters,  Amanda  H. ;  Eliza  J.,  who  married  J. 
F.  Coleman,  of  Norfolk  County;  Sarah;  and 
Martha  Virginia,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Harmon, 
of  Lambert's  Point.  By  this  union  Mr.  Sam- 
mons had  two  children:  Mary  M.,  wife  of 
James  G.  Simmons,  a  real  estate  dealer  of  Nor- 
folk, who  has  three  children,  Marion  L.,  Eloise 
and  Margaret  S.;  and  Margaret  L.,  widow  of 
R.  A.  Saunders,  residing  in  Norfolk  who  has 
one  daughter,  Elizabeth  M.  Mrs.  Sammons 
died  July  14,  1871.  Mr.  Sammons  was  again 
married  September  15,  1874,  to  Mary  Peyton, 
of  Norfolk  County :  by  this  union  there  was 
one  son,  James  Keeling,  whO'  died  at  the  age 
of  seven  years. 

In  his  political  convictions  Mr.  Sammons  is 
an  ardent  Democrat,  and  upholds  the  interests 
of  his  chosen  party.  The  family  worships  at 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and 
holds  a  high  position  in  social  circles. 


HARLES  H.  BLIVEX,  a  prominent 
and  influential  citizen  of  Berkley,  is 
superintendent  of  the  Berkley  & 
So'Uth  Norwalk  Water  &  Electric 
Light  Company.  He  was  born  in 
Berkley,  May  27,  1879,  ^"d  'S  a  son  of  Charles 
and  Jessie  V.  (Hope)   Bliven. 

Charles  Bliven  was  born  August  10, 
1839.  in  New  York  State,  where  he  attended 
the  common  schools.  He  served  several  years 
in  the  army  dviring  the  Confederate  War,  and 
>in  1865  located  at  Hampton,  Virginia,  where 
he  operated  a  grist-mill  and  sawmill.  He  then 
moved  to  Norfolk  and  for  a  time  was  engaged 
,in  house  building.  He  then  built  wharves  and 
docks,  and  in  1893  founded  the  Berkley  \\^ater 
W'^orks,  upon  the  completion  of  which  he  be- 
came superintendent.  He  then  embarked  in 
business  on  a  new  pier  adjoining  the  Berkley 


ferry-landing,  supplying  coal  and  water  to 
steamers  and  harbor  craft  on  short  notice.  It 
is  an  excellent  lay-up  dock  for  its  patrons,  as  it 
is  opposite  the  central  portion  of  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  and  near  the  business  part  of  Berk- 
ley, in  close  proximity  to  first-class  machine- 
shops  and  ship-chand^Iers'  stores.  In  addition 
to  a  modernly  equipped  coal  elevator  and  water 
supply  station,  the  firm  has  a  large  warehouse 
and  is  prepared  to  take  out  and  store  large 
cargoes  of  all  sorts,  and  to  afford  excellent 
shipping  facilities  for  the  business  men  of 
Berkley  and  the  trucking  interests  of  this  sec- 
tion. December  18,  1806,  Mr.  Bliven  was 
united  in  marriage,  at  Hampton,  Virginia,  to 
Jessie  V.  Hope,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  a 
daughter  of  G.  W.^and  S.  A.  Hope,  both  na- 
tives of  X'irginia.  Six  children  blessed  this 
union,  as  follows:  George  H.,  who  resides  in 
Greenville,  South  Carolina,  where  he  is  super- 
intendent of  the  electric  light,  electric  railway, 
and  gas  and  water  companies,  having  married  , 
Minnie  A.  Durham,  a  native  of  Canada;  M. 
Harvey,  superintendent  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Water  Company,  who  married  Rena  Heath, 
and  resides  in  Norfolk:  Sarah  R. :  Charles  H., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Jessie  A.,  who  is  in 
the  employ  of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern  Railroad 
Company;  and  William  E..  a  student.  Mr. 
Bliven  died  September  7,  1898,  and  in  him 
Berkley  lost  one  of  its  best  citizens. 

Charles  H.  Bliven  attended  Robert  Gate- 
wood's  school,  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  after 
completing  his  schooling  worked  for  his  father. 
He  was  then  with  Civil  Engineer  Phelps,  and 
later  clerked  for  the  Berkley  Coal  &  Ice  Com- 
pany. He  then  helped  in  the  construction  of 
the  Norfolk  County  Water  ^^'orks,  on  which 
he  continued  for  six  months,  or  until  tlTeir 
completion.  He  then  accepted  the  position  of 
superintendent  of  the  Berkley  &  South  Norfolk 
Water  &  Electric  Light  Company.  April  i, 
1902,  he  took  charge  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Water  Company  as  superintendent,  with  office 
at  25th  and  Church  streets,  Norfolk.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  People's  Bank  of  Berkley, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


737 


and  is  chairman  of  tlie  Berkley  Fire  Depart- 
ment. He  has  ever  had  the  jjrogress  of  the 
city  at  lieart,  and  has  curtiribiited  both  time 
and  money  to  tliat  end.  He  is  a  man  of  pleas- 
ing personality,  and  has  many  stanch  friends 
throughout  the  county.  Mr.  Bliven  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Berkley,  and  be- 
longs to  the  Christian  Endeavor  Society  of  his 
church. 


bleton ;  one  brick  house  on  York  street ;  five 
houses  on  Washington  street;  four  on  Goff 
street;  four  on  Holt  street;  and  lo  in  Grigsby 
Place.  He  opened  Cirigsby  Place  by  erect- 
ing lo  fine  houses  with  pressed-brick  fronts. 
In    addition    to    building    new     Imuses,     he 

after     re- 
good 


ARTIX  W.  BURK,  who  is  engaged 
in  building,  buying  and  selling 
houses  in  Norfolk,  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  was  born  in  Germany, 
in  183 1,  He  is  a  son  of  J.  J. 
Burk,  who  came  to  America  before  the  Con- 
federate War,  and  who  manufactured  saddlery, 
knapsacks,  and  various  leather  necessities  for 
military  use. 

Martin  W.  Burk  learned  the  saddlery 
business  under  his  father  while  in  Germany, 
and  in  1855  started  for  the  United  States, 
making  for  the  port  of  Baltimore.  IMaryland. 
They  were  kept  from  landing  for  three  months 
on  account  of  yellow  fever  in  that  city.  A  year 
later  they  came  to  Norfolk,  where  Mr.  Burk 
remained  one  year.  He  then  went  to  Eliza- 
beth City,  North  Carolina,  where  he  opened  a 
saddlery  store.  In  this  he  was  very  successful, 
receiving  large  contracts  for  military  work 
during  the  w-ar.  He  employed  62  men  to  as- 
sist him,  and  did  an  enormous  business.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  went  to  Norfolk,  where 
he  entered  the  drygoods,  shoe  and  notion  busi- 
ness, his  store  lieing  located  where  C.  D. 
Kenny's  tea  store  now  stands.  In  1869,  he 
sold  cut  his  drygoods  store,  and  opened  a  con- 
fectioner's store,  which  he  conductad  for  11 
years.  He  sold  out  that  business  to  engage  in 
buying,  selling  and  building  houses.  The  first 
home  he  erected  was  a  double  house  on  Church 
street,  and  since  that  he  has  erected  many 
buildings.  He  built  the  Charlotte  business 
block  on  Main  street,  five  modern  brick  houses 
on  Cumber  street,  four  brick  houses  in  Brjjm- 


and 


has  bought   many  old    ones, 
modelins;    them,    has    sold    them    at    a 


pr 


)fit.     He  owns  two  fine  cottages  at  Ocean 


\'icw  Beach.  When  he  first  began  to  build 
houses,  he  bought  some  land  on  Princess  Anne 
Road,  where  he  estal)lished  a  brick  manufac- 
turing plant,  using  the  brick  in  building  his 
houses.  Later  he  sold  this  plant.  He  is  con- 
nected with  many  of  the  leading  enterprises  of 
Norfolk,  and  is  one  of  that  city's  most  pro- 
gressive citizens.  He  has  done  more  than  his 
share  in  assisting  in  the  growth  of  the  city, 
and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  come  in 
contact  with  him. 

Mr.  Burk  married  Louisa  T.  Trudewind, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1892.  Three  chil- 
dren, who  resulted  from  this  union,  are  living, 
namely:  William  H.,  of  the  firm  of  Ames  & 
Burk,  piano  dealers ;  Carrie,  who'  married  W. 
H.  Hyslop ;  and  Emma,  who  married  T.  J. 
Carey.  . 


APT.  RICHARD  B.  BOAZ,  who  is 
captain  of  the  steamer  "Hamilton." 
which  is  owned  by  the  Old  Domin- 
ion Steamship  Company,  was  born 
in  Prince  George  County,  Virginia, 
January  20,  1843.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Clara  (Gilbert)  Boaz.  John  Boaz  was  torn  in 
Scarborough,  England,  and  his  wife  was  born 
in  Chesterfield  County.  Virginia.  He  was  a 
master  mariner  and  followed  a  seafaring  life 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of 
65  vears.  His  wife  died,  aged  57  years.  They 
had  but  one  child, — Richard  B.. — whose  name 
heads  this  sketch. 

Richard  B.  Boaz  grew  to  manhood  tn  Ches- 
terfield County,  Virginia,  He  received  his 
schooling  at  City  Point,  Virginia,  and  at  the 


738 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


early  age  of  14  years  began  his  seafaring  life. 
His  first  work  was  as  boy  on  deck,  and  from 
that  position  he  has  worked  his  way  to  the 
top,  lilling  the  various  positions  up  to  that  of 
master.  He  has  sailed  all  over  the  Atlantic, 
and  has  had  cliarge  of  many  vessels.  He  be- 
gan service  in  the  employ  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company  in  1867,  his  first  command 
being  the  old  "Hatteras."  He  left  the  employ 
of  that  company  for  a  few  years,  but  resumed 
his  connection  in  1873.  He  is  one  of  the  old- 
est employees  of  that  company.  He  has  had 
command  of  the  "Hatteras,"  "Breakwater," 
"Brighton,"  "Roanoke,"  "Guyandotte."  "Man- 
hattan," "Jamestown,"  "Princess  Anne"  and 
his  present  vessel,  the  "Hamilton."  This  ves- 
sel he  has  commanded  since  January,  1900.  It 
is  a  fine  vessel,  and  Captain  Boaz  is  an  excellent 
navigator.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his 
sea  career,  and  is  a  man  of  genial,  pleasant  per- 
sonality. 

Captain  Boaz  married  Mrs.  Hughes,  who 
was  formerly  Louisa  Alerchant.  She  has  three 
children, — Alfred  S. ;  ]\Iary  L. ;  and  Agnes. 
Captain  Boaz  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  'M. 


1900. 


XTOXIO  J.  SMITH,  a  very  prom- 
ising young  attorney-at-law.  residing 
at  Norfolk.  \"irginia,  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  Xorlolk  County  and  has 
been  practicing  since  the   spring  of 

He  is  winning  hosts  of  friends,   and 


bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  leading  lawyers 
of  his  community.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter 
Smith,  well  known  as  one  of  Norfolk's  leading 
dry  goods  merchants,  as  well  as  a  reliable  citi- 
zen, and  is  a  brother  of  the  late  Peter  X.  Smith, 
who  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  Xor- 
folk's  distinguished  attorneys. 

Peter  X.  Smith  spent  his  early  life  in  X'or- 
folk,  Virginia,  attending  the  public  schools  for 
some  time,  and  striving  most  diligently  for  his 
education.  After  completing  the  course  given 
in  a  preparatory  school,  he  entered  Georgetown 


of  iMaster  of  Arts  and  Master  of  Laws.  From 
that  time  on  he  practiced  with  great  success  in 
Norfolk,  and  built  up  the  most  lucrative  prac- 
tive  then  enjoyed  by  any  lawyer  in  that  city. 
He  was  closely  identified  with  many  enterprises 
which  have  added  to  the  growth  and  wealth 
of  the  city  and  given  it  prestige  as  a  thriving 
business  center.  In  a  short  time  he  was  fam- 
ous for  his  talent  and  eloquence,  and  was  an 
efficient  master  of  chancery  until  his  death  in 
February,  1896.  In  losing  Mr.  Smith,  Nor- 
folk lost  not  only  an  esteemed  and  respected 
citizen,  but  one  who  had  mastered  all  he  had 
striven  to  attain,  one  who  never  faltered  in  the 
path  of  duty,  and  one  greatly  interested  in 
much  of  the  business  life  of  the  city.  He  held 
a  number  of  offices,  such  as  director  in  the 
Norfolk  Bank  for  Savings  &  Trusts,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  Business  Men's  Association, 
in  which  he  was  very  popular. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  native  of 
X'orfolk,  and  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  1876. 
His  boyhood  days  were  happily  spent  in  attend- 
ing school  in  his  native  city,  where  he  improved 
every  opportunity  for  securing  ^1  the  education 
possible.  He  entered  Georgetown  University 
after  his  primary  study  wag  finished,  and  took 
a  classical  course,  graduating  in  1896.  About 
this  time  he  chose  law  for  his  profession  and 
re-entered  Georgetown  University,  to  prepare 
himself  for  his  life  work.  In  1898,  he  received 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws  and  in  1899 
the  degree  of  jMaster  of  Laws.  He  then  re- 
turned to  X'orfolk,  and  made  that  city  his 
home.  He  was  fortunate  in  his  efforts  to  se- 
cure a  foothold  there,  and  after  a  time  was  ap- 
pointed or  commissioned  deputy  clerk  of  the 
Court  of  Law  and  Chancerv. 


University,   and   graduated   with   the   degrees  I  ther's  farm. 


RANK    H.    MILLER    is    engaged    in 

the  real  estate,    loan    and    insurance 

business     in     Portsmouth,     Norfolk 

County,  Virginia.     He  was  born  in 

Virginia,  and  was  reared  on  his  fa- 


Wi$C "" 


V  /y 


DEVEREUX    W.    WARREN. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


741 


Mr.  Miller  is  a  self-made  man,  having  re- 
ceived bitt  a  limited  education  and  having 
started  out  in  life  without  capital.  At  the  age 
of  17  vears  he  came  to  Norfolk  County,  where 
he  became  a  collector  for  a  firm  at  $5  per 
week.  He  later  mo\ed  to  Portsmouth,  where 
he  was  employed  by  John  Crawford  for  six 
years  and  ti\e  months.  He  spent  several 
months  in  New  York  City  at  one  time,  where 
he  was  engaged  as  clerk  for  the  Adams  E.x- 
press  Company.  After  leaving  the  employ  of 
Mr.  Crawford  he  started  into  business  for 
himself,  and  has  occupied  his  present  office  for 
the  past  six  years.  Upon  entering  this  line, 
he  rented  a  room  in  a  private  house,  at  No. 
612  Columbia  street,  where  he  conducted 
business  for  some  time.  As  his  patronage  in- 
creased rapidly,  he  was  soon  compelled  to 
find  larger  quarters,  and  he  is  now  located  at 
No.  612  Middle  street.  He  established  his 
present  business  in  1893,  and  he  is  now  one 
of  the  largest  dealers  of  the  kind  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  handles  large  land  deals,  but  has 
always  been  independent  in  his  ventures,  hav- 
ing never  been  connected  with  any  of  the  large 
land  companies.  He  employs  three  clerks  to 
assist  him  in  his  work,  and  they  are  kept  con- 
stantly busy.  He  represents  the  National. 
Pennsylvania  and  Philadelphia  Underwriters 
fire  insurance  companies.  Persevering  and 
self-reliant,  he  has  worked  himself  to  the  top, 
and  no  man  in  Portsmouth  has  more  cause  to 
be  proud  of  his  success  than  has  Mr.  ^filler. 
He  began,  as  before  stated,  without  capital, 
but  each  day  he  devoted  himself  to  his  work 
with  renewed  energ}'  and  a  determination  to 
succeed.  He  is  now  one  of  the  leading  busi- 
ness men  of  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  [Miller  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Effie  Clark,  of  Washington,  in  1888.  Her 
father  is  l>uried  in  that  city,  having  died  about 
30  years  ago.  He  was  a  contractor  and 
builder.  After  his  death  her  mother  removed 
with  her  two  daughters  to  Norfolk  County. 
^'irginia.  Mrs.  Miller's  sister  married  V.  B. 
Stuvvesant,  of  Richmond,  \'irginia.     To  Mr.      dying  in  189: 


Miller  and  his  wife  have  been  born  five  chil- 
dren, namely:  Howard;  Crawford:  Frank; 
Effie:  and  Margaret.  J-  D.  Miller,  a  brother 
of  Mr.  Miller,  is  a  prosperous  harness  and 
carriage  dealer,  having  places  of  business  at 
Hampton  and  Newport  News,  Virginia. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  active 
in  Democratic  politics  for  the  past  two  years. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Roval  Ar- 
canutm';  I.  O.  O.  F. :  B.  P.  O.  E. ;  and 
Chambers  Steam  Engine  Fire  Company.  No. 
2.     He  is  a  Methodist  in  religious  preferences. 


E\'EREUN    W.    \\"ARREN.    one   of 
Norfolk's  prominent    business    men, 
whose     portrait     accompanies     this 
sketch,  is  engaged  in  business  at  No. 
105  Commercial  Place,  where  he  han- 
dles seeds  of  all  kinds.    He  was  born  in  North- 
ampton  County,    \'irginia,    and    is    a'  son   of 
Thomas  P.  Warren. 

Thomas  P.  Warren  was  also  a  native  of 
Northampton  Countv,  \'irginia,  and  when  a 
young  man  came  to  Norfolk,  where  he  first 
taught  school.  Later  he  was  clerk  iov  some 
years  for  Borum  &  McClean,  dealers  in  agri- 
cultural implements,  after  which  he  and  C. 
Billups  purchased  the  agricultural  implement 
business  of  S.  March,  taking  John  J.  Wood- 
house  in  as  partner.  They  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive business  for  many  years  and  when  C. 
Billups  sold  his  interest,  Mr.  \\'oodhouse  be- 
came equal  partner  with  Mr.  Warren  and  con- 
tinued the  business  until  1869.  At  that  time 
l)ut  little  trucking  was  done  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty and  Warren  &  Woodhouse  carried  but  a 
small  stock  in  seeds.  Mr.  \\"arren  persuaded 
the  trucksters  to  raise  spinach,  which  they 
found  to  be  a  success,  so  much  so  that  they 
shipped  it  to  Northern  markets,  .\fter  that 
the  firm  handled  grains  and  seeds  of  all  sorts, 
and  were  very  successful  in  selling  them.  Mr. 
Warren,  who  was  succeeded  in  business  by  his 
son  in  1869,  lived  to  reach  the  age  of  74  years. 


742 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Devereux  W.  \A'arren  was  two  years  of 
age  when  brought  from  Northampton  Coun- 
ty to  Norfolk,  where  he  received  his  education. 
He  clerked  in  a  grocery  and  also  in  a  clothing 
store  for  a  number  of  years,  and  also  clerked 
for  his  father  until  the  latter's  retirement. 
Thus  he  gained  much  practical  experience  in 
his  line  of  business,  and  that,  together  with 
energy  and  a  determination  to  succeed,  has 
been  the  secret  of  his  success.  His  ex- 
perience has  proved  that  spinach  is  one  of  the 
most  profitable  crops  grown  in  the  South, 
much  of  it  being  shipped  North.  The  fall  pea 
crop  has  also  found  a  ready  market  of  late. 
Mr.  Warren  handles  both  home  and  foreign 
products,  and  his  knowledge  of  seeds  is  un- 
disputed. His  store  was  located  first  on  Roan- 
oke Square,  later  on  Roanoke  avenue,  and  in 
1892  was  removed  to  its  present  location.  No. 
105  Commercial  Place.  Mr.  Warren  pos- 
sesses much  good  business  ability,  sound  judsf- 
m.ent  and  energy,  and  his  method  in  dealing 
with  customers  is  honest  and  above  criticism. 
He  is  one  of  Norfolk's  progressive  citizens. 


EORGE  DONIPHAN  PARKER,  Jr., 
a  member  of  the  firm  o^f  George  D. 
^  I      Parker   &    Son,    attorney s-at-law   ini 
Berkley,  Norfolk    County,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Berkley  in  1870.     He  is 
son  of  George  Doniphan  Parker,  Sr.,  and  Ur- 
banna  Howey,  his  wife,  the  former  a  native 
of  Missouri,  and  the  latter,  of  North  Carolina. 
George   Doniphan   Parker,   Sr.,   settled   in' 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  Coimty,  in  1867,  and  one 
year  later  removed  to  Berkley.     He  served  im 
the  Confederate  War,  being  captain  of  his  ccm- 
pany,  under  Colonel  Lamb,  commanding  thef 
regiment.     He  began  the  practice  of  law   in 
Berkley,  in   1870,  and  has  served  as  countyi 
judge  and  commonwealth's  attorney.     He  has; 
also  been  a  presidential  elector.   He  has  always 
been  identfiied  with  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  Berkley,  and  gives  his  assistance  ta 


every  worthy  public  enterprise  which  is  for  the 
good  of  the  community.  He  married  Urbannai 
Howey,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  this 
union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  four  children, 
namely :  Thomas  H.,  deceased,  who  was  a 
civil  engineer:  Mary  A.,  deceased:  George 
Doniphan,  Jr.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
William  H.,  deceased.  Mr.  Parker  and  bis 
wife  are  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church. 

George  Doniphan  Parker,  Jr.,  attended  the 
public  schools  in  Norfolk  County,  and  also  a 
private  school  in  Fauquier  County  for  one' 
}-ear.  He  then  entered  Randolph-Macon  Col- 
lege, where  he  remained  for  three  and  a  half 
years.  After  his  course  at  that  institution  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern 
Railroad  Company,  and  continued  thus  for 
three  years.  He  then  entered  the  law  depart- 
ment of  W^ashington  and  Lee  College,  where 
he  graduated  in  June,  i8g2.  He  was  ad^- 
mitted  to  the  bar  the  month  following,  and 
immediately  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession.  He  entered  into  partnership  with  his 
father,  the  firm  name  reading  George  D.  Park- 
er &  Son.  They  had  offices  in  Berkley  and  in 
Portsmouth  for  one  year,  but  abandoned  the 
Portsmouth  ofiice  on  account  of  the  father's 
sickness.  They  practice  in  all  the  courts  of 
the  State, — civil,  criminal  and  maritime.  This 
firm  has  become  very  well  known,  and  they 
have  a  large  clientage.  Both  gentlemen  are' 
lawyers  of  much  ability,  having  won  recogni- 
tion throughout  the  country. 


ICHOLAS  C.  PAMPLIN,  who 
has  been  one  of  the  substantial  citi- 
zens of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  for  the 
past  2y  years,  is  manager  of  the 
Western  Union  Telegraph  Com- 
pany's office  in  that  city. 

Mr.  Pamplin  was  born  in  Appomattox 
County,  Virginia,  and  was  reared  and  educated 
in  the  town  of  Pamplin.   He  learned  telegraphy 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


743 


at  the  age  of  jo  years,  in  Pamiilin,  Virginia, 
in  1862,  and  thereafter  went  to  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, where  lie  served  (hiring  the  most  stirring 
part  of  tile  Confederate  War.  As  a  telegrapher, 
he  rendered  valualjle  service  to  the  cause  of  liie 
Confederacy.  He  subsequently  served  one 
year  in  Georgia,  and  from  September,  1865.  to 
August,  1866,  was  located  at  St.  Louis,  ^lis- 
souri.  He  then  returned  to  Virginia,  and  was 
located  in  the  city  of  Richmond  until  January, 
1875,  when  he  removed  to  Norfolk  to  accept 
his  present  position  as  manager  of  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Companv's  office  there.  At 
that  time  there  were  four  instuments  in  oper- 
ation, two  operators,  one  clerk,  four  messen- 
gers and  one  lineman.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  ;^t,  instruments.  17  operators,  seven 
clerks  and  four  linemen,  with  an  average  of 
60  miles  each.  Many  of  the  wires  now  used 
as  duplexed  and  quadruplexed.  thus  greatly  in- 
creasing the  carrying  capacity.  There  are  two 
duplexed  wires  direct  to  New  York  City. 
When  ^Ir.  Pamplin  first  assumed  charge  of  the 
local  office,  it  was  located  in  the  Dodd  Build- 
ing, formerly  occupied  by  John  Dodd's  tailor 
shop.  In  Octol>er,  1899,  it  was  removed  to  the 
present  handsome  quarters  in  the  Dodson 
Building,  at  No.  185  ^lain  street,  where  the 
Citizens"  Bank  was  formerly  located.  ^Ir. 
Pamplin  served  one  term  in  the  City  Council 
of  Norfolk.  He  has  always  evinced  a  deep  in- 
terest in  public  affairs:  he  has  served  16  years 
as  a  memljer  of  the  School  Board,  and  is  now 
a  member  of  the  city  health  department. 


Mr. 


where  he  practiced  his  jirofession  with  a 
markeil  degree  of  success  until  1896,  when  he 
located  in  Norfolk.  Mis  superior  knowledge 
of  the  fundamental  i)rinciples  of  procedure, 
and  his  ability  as  a  counselor  soon  became  ap- 
parent. As  a  natural  consequence  his  prac- 
tice increased  and  now  extends  over  Eastern 
X'irginia  and  the  northern  portion  of  North 
Carolina.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  assign- 
ment cases.  His  office  is  in  the  Talbot  Build- 
ing on  Main  street.  Apart  from  his  profes- 
sion, he  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  progress 
and  advancement  of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Michelsohn  is  prominently  identified 
with  a  number  of  fraternal  organizations, 
among  them,  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  National 
Bank  of  Commerce,  and  is  connected  with 
various  business  firms. 


DOLPH  MICHELSOHN,  during  his 
six  years'  residence  in  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, has  attracted  much  attention 
as  a  lawyer  and  counselor  and  com- 
mands a  large  practice. 
Michelsohn  is  a  native  of  Germany, 
where  he  was  educated,  studied  law  and  ad- 
mitted to  practice.  He  came  to  the  United 
States   and   landed    at    Baltimore,    Marvland, 


<i 


S.  SPRATLEY,  one  of  the  most 
esteemed  residents  of  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  ^Merchants  &  Mechan- 
ics' Bank  of  that  city,  was  born  in 
Norfolk,  October  31,  1820.  He  is  a  son  of 
Josq>h  Spratley. 

The  subject  of  this  biography  was  reared 
in  Norfolk,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
gunsmith  with  his  father,  and  succeeded  him 
in  business.  '  He  conducted  a  general  gun  and 
repair  store.  Later,  with  his  brother,  he  de- 
voted his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
for  20  years  owned  what  is  now  known  as  the 
City  Park.  This  formerly  consisted  of  75 
acres  of  land,  and  was  purchased  from  ]\Irs. 
Seymour.  Mr.  Spratley  raised  all  kinds  of 
vegetables,  for  which  he  found  a  ready  market 
in  Norfolk.  He  sold  his  farm  and  removed 
to  Norfolk,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In 
1857,  he  was  one  of  the  reorganizers  of  the 
Merchants'  &  Mechanics'  Bank,  the  only  or- 
ganization of  the  kind  now  doing  business  in 
Norfolk     which    withstood    the    Confederate 


744 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


W'ar.  In  1853.  with  Elisha  Gammage  as  its 
first  president,  there  -were  stockholders,  but 
three  of  whom  are  Hving.  They  are :  J.  E. 
BarrT ;  John  C.  Sheppard,  of  Princess  Anne 
County ;  and  W.  S.  Spratley.  The  idst  named 
gentleman  is  the  only  one  now  directly  con- 
nected with  the  management  of  the  bank.  Mr. 
Spratley  was  made  vice-president  of  the  insti- 
tution January  i,  1897. 

In  1850,  Mr.  Spratley  married  Mary  J.  De- 
laney,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  children, 
as  follows :  James  H.  and  William  D.,  both 
farmers;  Richmond;  Eliza  C.  (Cooper);  Ella 
(Holland)  ;  Mary;  and  Joseph  R.  The  four 
last  named  are  deceased.  Mr.  Spratley  has 
•watched  with  interest  the  progress  and  growth 
of  Norfolk  County ;  and  has  always  been  one 
of  Norfolk's  most  influential  citizens,  entering 
into  any  enterprise  which  was  for  the  good  of 
the  community  .  He  is  well  known  and  highly 
esteemed  in  tlic  citv. 


OHN  JAY  \\-ARREN.  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  is 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Gas  Company.  He  was  born 
in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  Jay  Warren.  Sr.,  who  died  in  1896. 
John  Jay  Warren,  Sr.,  was  born  on  the  old 
family  homestead,  about  10  miles  from  Lake 
Drummond,  and  three  miles  from  the  present 
town  of  Wallaceton.  His  father  was  also  born 
on  this  property,  which  was  established  by  the 
latter's  father,  who  came  from  Halifax  County, 
North  Carolina,  about  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  John  Jay  Warren,  Sr.,  married 
a  daughter  of  Franklin  Lvnch.  also  a  native  of 
Norfolk  County.  Her  mother  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  Grimes.  This  union  re- 
sulted in  the  following  offspring:  John  J.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Franklin  T.,  a  druggist 
of  Portsmouth;  E.  Claude  of  Portsmouth;  M. 
D. ;  L.  A.;  and  Ralph  A.  ls.lv.  Warren  had 
pre\-iously  married  a  Miss  Charlton,  by  wliom 


he  had  two  daughters,  both  of  whom  are  now 
living.  He  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War, 
and  then  became  a  member  of  Grimes'  Battery, 
Artillery,  with  which  he  continued  until  1863, 
when  he  was  accidentally  injured.  He  was 
later  transferred  to  the  hospital  corps  under 
Dr.  Frank  Anthony  Walke,  of  Norfolk.  Upon 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  settled  at  the  old  home 
in  Norfolk  County  and  followed  farming  prac- 
tically up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a 
Democrat  and  active  in  political  affairs.  He 
was  commissioner  of  revenue  for  Norfolk 
County,  and  Avas  also-  superintendent  of  the 
poor  at  one  time.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  County  Commissioners  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  and  was  secretary  of  the  electoral 
board  of  Norfolk  County. 

John  Jay  Warren,  the  gentleman  whose 
name  heads  these  lines,  was  a  pupil  in  the  pu1> 
lie  and  high  schools  of  Norfolk  County,  and 
at  the  age  of  17  years  entered  business  life. 
He  was  clerk  in  a  store  in  Norfolk  one  year. 
He  was  then  clerk  of  the  Norfolk  Gas  Com- 
pany, from  August  20,  1896,  until  January  15, 
igoo,  and  on  the  latter  date  was  promoted  to 
be  cashier  and  chief  clerk.  He  resigned  this 
position  January  15  1 901,  to  accept  his  present 
one  as  secretary  and  treasiu^er  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Gas  Company.  He  is  also  secretary  of 
the  Portsmouth  Business  Men's  Association. 
He  resides  with  his  mother  and  her  family  at 
Portsmouth.  Some  of  the  members  of  the 
family  are  Episcopalians  and  others  are  Bap- 
tists in  their  religious  preferences. 


APT.  JOSEPH   W.   SIMMONS,   in- 
spector   of    hulls    for    the    Norfolk 
district,  has  led  the  life  of  a  navigat- 
or, and  has  worked  his  way  from  the 
bottom    of    the    ladder    slowly    but 
surely  to  the  top.     Captain  Simmons  is  a  na- 
tive of  Elizabeth   City,    North   Carulma,   and 
made  his  appearance  in  Norfolk  in  1873.     ^^^ 


^^&iiUtJLAJ^UJL^ 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


747 


education  was  very  limited,  for  lie  attended 
school  but  nine  weeks  before  beginning  his 
maritime  career. 

The  first  situation  Captain  Simmons  ob- 
tained was  on  a  sailing  vessel,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  cook,  the  trip  being  to  Norfolk. 
There  he  remained  for  the  short  space  of  17 
davs,  working  for  the  master  of  the  vessel. 
After  receiving  three  whippings  he  took  his 
leave,  and  shipped  on  a  vessel  called  the 
"Sncnvstorm."  an  inland  and  Southern  trader, 
on  which  he  staid  for  12  months.  He  then 
returned  to  Norfolk  and  engaged  in  work  with 
the  Baker  Wrecking  Company.  He  became 
master  of  three  ships  for  this  company,  and 
was  given  a  master's  and  pilot's  license  on 
taking  leave  of  the  company.  The  first  steam 
vessel  he  commanded  was  the  "William 
Gates."  This  he  left  after  a  time,  and  engaged 
in  the  coast  survey,  which  was  in  its  first  sea- 
son under  the  super\-ision  of  the  naval  officers. 
He  worked  on  the  coast  of  Florida  until  1878. 
when  he  entered  the  life-saving  service,  having 
previously  worked,  in  1874-1875.  on  the  coast 
of  North  Carolina.  In  1880  he  returned  to 
Norfolk  and  entered  the  service  of  the  Clyde 
Steamship  Company,  plying-  between  Norfolk 
and  North  Carolina  ports,  and  later  worked 
on  the  tugboat  "William  H.  Phillips."  as 
master.  His  time  of  serWce  there  w'as  38 
months,  after  which  he  entered  the  employ  of 
the  New  York.  Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  Rail- 
road Company,  as  mate  of  the  "Cape  Charles." 
and  at  different  times  was  both  mate  and  cap- 
tain of  every  boat  in  the  service.  Captain 
Simmons  again  desired  a  change,  and  leaving 
that  company,  he  engaged  with  the  Norfolk 
Countv  Ferries,  and  later  with  the  Merritt 
Wrecking  Company.  He  then  returned  to  the 
service  of  the  Clyde  Steamship  Company,  and 
afterward  engaged  in  coastwise  piloting.  For 
a  short  time  he  was  also  in  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company's  service,  but  about  10 
years  ago  he  engaged  as  master  of  the  steam- 
boat "Dennie  Simmons."  on  which  he  re- 
mained   until    his    appointment,    in    October, 


189 1,  as  United  States  Inspector  of  Hulls,  for 
the  Norfolk  district. 

•  During  his  long  years  of  active  service 
Captain  Simmons  has  never  faltered,  but  has 
pushed  forward  and  upward  with  untiring  en- 
erg)-  and  zeal,  until  he  stands  far  in  advance 
of  his  starting  point.  He  is  not  yet  content. 
howe\-er.  and  his  friends  predict  for  lum  a 
still  better  future,  to  l)e  attained  by  his  per- 
severance, uprightness  and  wise  judgment. 

Fraternallv.  Captain  Simmons  belongs  to 
Norfolk  L.)dge,  No.  i,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.:  Nor- 
folk United  Chapter,  No.  i.  R.  A.  M. :  Grice 
Commanderv,  No.  16,  K.  T. :  and  Acca 
Temple.  A.' A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Richmond, 
\"irginia. 


VMES  EDWARD  COLE,  an  attorney- 
at-law.  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  whose 
portrait  accompanies  this  sketch,  was 
liorn  in  Greenesville  County.  \'irginia. 
September  30,  1865.  His  father  was 
Cole,  of  Petersburg.  \'irginia,  a  son  of 
William  Cole,  of  Prince  George  County,  and  a 
member  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  families 
of  Tidewater  \'irginia.     His  mother,  Richetta 


John 


Peter,   of   Surry 
John  Peter,  and 


Countv,  was  a  daughter  of 
also  a  member  of  one  of  the? 
leading  families  (if  Tidewater  \'irginia.  She 
was  a  granddaughter  of  Richard  Cocke,  of 
Bacon's  Castle.  Virginia,  from  whose  family 
Mr.  Cole's  father  was  also  descended.  John' 
Cole  and  his  wife  were  second  cousins.  He; 
died  in  Greenesville  County  in  August.  1889, 
and  his  wife  died  in  1879.  They  were  buried 
at  Grace  Church.  Meiierrin  Parish,  of  that 
county. 

James  Edward  Cole  takes  his  first  given 
name  from  James  Cocke,  of  Bon  Accord,  Vir- 
ginia, and  his  middle  name  from  Edward  Wy- 
att,  of  Greenesville  County,  a  relative  of  the 
Cole  family.  ]\Ir.  Cole  was  reared  in  Peters- 
burg, where  he  attended  McCabe's  school.  He 
entered  the  Universitv  of  \"irginia,  and  was 
graduated  from  that  institution  June  26,  1889, 


748 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


with  tlie  degree  of  B.  L.  He  then  removed  to 
Norfolk,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  residing  in  the  connty.  outside 
of  the  city,  for  a  period  of  lo  years.  He  moved 
into  the  city  of  Norfolk,  in  March.  1899.  He 
was  a  partner  of  L.  L.  Kellam  for  one  year,  and 
in  February.  1892.  formed  a  partnership  with 
Robert  W.  Shultice,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Cole  &  Shultice.  This  association  was  dis- 
solved in  July,  1900,  after  a  very  successful  ex- 
istence of  eight  years,  and  Mr.  Cole  has  since 
continued  alone.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  cor- 
poration law,  and  is  attorney  for  the  Bay 
Shore  Electric  Railway.  He  was  the  chief  pro- 
moter of  the  Cape  Henry  syndicate,  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  developing  the  land  sur- 
rounding Cape  Henrv.  Since  he  took  hold 
of  the  enterprise  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment has  surveyed  land  in  the  district 
for  the  purpose  of  erecting  forts.  He  is 
president  f)f  the  Chesapeake  Transit  Com- 
pany, which  is  now  in  operation,  the  object 
being  to  connect  Cape  Henry  with  Nor- 
folk, having  a  deep-water  terminus  at  Lynn- 
haven  Bay,  which  is  west  of  Cape  Henry, 
at  the  mouth  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  A  man 
of  ceaseless  energy,  with  no  inclination  to- 
identify  himself  with  matters  foreign  to  his 
profession,  he  has  achieved  a  great  success. 
He  is  an  esteemed  member  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion and  a  valued  citizen  of  Norfolk. 


ILLL\M  TALBOT  WALKE. 

gentleman  is  prominent    in 


This 
busi- 
ness circles  of  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County.  Virginia,  being  at  the 
head  of  a  large  general  insurance 
agency  in  that  city.  He  is  descended  from  one 
of  the  earliest  and  best-known  families  in  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  Norfolk,  January  31,  1838. 
and  is  a  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  D.  (Talbot) 
Walke. 

One  Thomas  Walke    settled    in    Princess 
Ann  County,  Virginia,  in  1762.     He  married 


Mary  Lawson.  and  they  had  a  son,  Anthony, 
who  also  had  a  son  named  Anthony.  An- 
thony, the  third,  was  William  Talbot  Walke's 
great-grandfather.  His  son.  William  Walke, 
was  born  in  1787,  and  married  Elizabeth  M. 
Nash.  They  were  the  parents  of  Richard 
Walke.  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Richard  Walke  was  born  in  1812,  in  Prin- 
cess Anne  County,  Virginia,  where  his  family 
had  lived  for  generations.  Previous  to  the  out- 
break of  the  Confederate  War  he  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  collector  of  customs,  and  later 
!  was  cashier  of  the  old  Norfolk  Savings  Bank. 

William  Talbot  Walke  was  graduated 
from  William  and  Mary  College  at  the  age  of 
18  years.  He  later  engaged  in  a  wholesale 
business  concern,  where  he  continued  until 
1862.  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
Army.  He  served  as  adjutant  in  the  39th 
Battalion.  Virginia  Cavalry,  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  conflict  between  the  North  and 
South.  Li  1869  he  engaged  in  his  present 
business,  and  later  admitted  his  son.  Isaac 
Talbot  Walke.  to  the  agency.  They  represent 
many  of  the  oldest  and  best-known  companies 
in  fire,  life,  accident  and  marine  insurance. 
The  companies  represented  are  as  follows : 
Commercial  Union  Assurance  Company  (Lim- 
ited) of  London.  England;  Royal  Exchange 
Assurance  Company,  of  London ;  Phoenix  As- 
surance Company,  of  London :  Northern  As- 
surance Company  of  London ;  Pennsylvania 
Fire  Insurance  Company  of  Philadelphia ;  the 
Petersburg  Savings  Insurance  Company  of 
Petersburg,  Virginia ;  Thames  and  Mersey  Ma- 
rine Insurance  Company  (Limited)  of  Lon- 
don ;  Travelers"  Insurance  Company  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  and  a  number  of  others. 
They  also  have  the  local  ticket  agency  for  the 
New  York,  Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  Railroad. 
Norfolk.  Ocean  View  &  Virginia  Beach  Rail- 
way and  the  principal  lines  tO'  Europe ;  they 
also  sell  excursion  tickets  to  summer  resorts 
at  reduced  rates. 

Mr.  W'alke  has  the  following  children  now 
living :    Richard  G. :  Mary,  who  married  J.  P. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


749 


Higginson:  Sally  W.,  the  wife  of  H.  Chipley; 
and  Isaac  T.  Mr.  Walke  is  a  man  of  keen 
Inisiness  perceptions,  is  ix>ssessed  of  much 
ability  and  energy,  and  is  looked  upon  as  one 
of  tlie  foremost  citizens  of  Norfolk,  eminently 
worthy  of  tiie  esteem  in  wliicli  he  is  held  and 
of  the  confidence  reix>sed  in  him. 


A.AC  R.  DOZIER,  who  is  engaged  in 

the   general   merchandise  business   at 

Dozier's  Comer,  near    Aloney  Point, 

Xorfolk  County,  Virginia,  was  born  in 

North  Carolina,  September  22,  1867. 

T;  lley  Dozier.  the  grandfather  of  Isaac  R., 
was  horn  in  Norfolk  County,  \^irginia,  and 
was  a  farmer  all  his  life.  He  lived  in  North 
Carolina  until  his  death.  He  married  Frances 
Holstead,  and  to  them  were  born  three  chil- 
dren, namely:  Philip;  Mar}'  (West);  and 
Samuel,  the  father  of  Isaac  R. 

Samuel  Dozier  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
June  22,  1826,  and  worked  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  reached  his  majority.  He  lived 
in  North  Carolina  until  1900,  when  he  removed 
to  Norfolk,  and  is  now  making  his  home  with 
his  son.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Hinton"s  regi- 
ment, North  Carolina  Infantry,  and  served  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.  He  followed  farming 
all  of  his  active  business  life,  and  gave  up  that 
occupation  after  his  removal  to  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. In  1852,  he  married  Elizabeth  Matthias, 
who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  February  i, 
1836.  They  reared  the  following  children : 
Jennie,  who  married  a  Mr.  Phillips,  and  lives 
in  South  Norfolk;  Mary  (Eason)  ;  Hilliard; 
Isaac  R. :  Enoch  F.,  a  mechanic,  who  lives  in 
Brambleton ;  and  Sallie,  deceased. 

Isaac  R.  Dozier  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  county,  and  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  1892.  In  that  vear  he  re- 
moved to  Norfolk,  where  he  worked  in  Wrenn's 
carriage  factory  until  1893.  He  then  opened 
a  general  store  in  Berkley,  where  he  resided 
for  one  year,  and  in  1895,  he  located  in  Moyock, 


North  Carolina,  where  he  engaged  in  business. 
He  resided  there  until  1900,  when  he  purchased 
his  present  property  near  Money  Point,  to 
which  he  moved  February  i,  1900.  He  has 
since  erected  a  comfortable  eight-room  frame 
house  of  two  stories.  He  has  a  store  at  the 
place  known  as  Dozier's  Corner,  and  there  he 
he  is  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  busi- 
ness. He  has  met  with  much  success,  which 
is  due  entirely  to  his  own  untiring  efforts  and 
determination  to  succeed.  Politically  ]\Ir. 
Dozier  is  a  Democrat. 


ICHARD  TURNER  BROOKE,  a 
well-known  citizen  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  has  followed  vari- 
ous lines  of  business,  is  at  present  de- 
linquent tax  collector.  He  was  lx>rn 
in  Culpeper.  \'irginia.  June  5,  1863,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  L.  and  Maria  (Ashby)  Brooke. 
Mr.  Brooke  comes  of  distinguished  ances- 
try on  both  sides  of  the  house.  He  is  a  grand- 
son of  Matthew  W.  Brooke,  who  had  four 
brothers  and  a  sister,  the  latter  being  Mrs. 
Landon  Carter,  of  Fauquier  County,  Virginia. 
He  was  reared  'and  educated  in  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  and  on  coming  to  America  located  in 
Prince  William  County,  A'irginia.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Lewis,  a  daughter  of  Warner 
Lewis,  who  owned  "Warner  Hall,"  one  of  the 
most  ancient  and  historic  places  of  Gloucester 
County,  Virginia.  She  had  a  sister,  Mary 
Lewis,  mother  of  Mrs.  Edward  C.  Marshall, 
of  Markham,  Virginia. 

John  L.  Brooke  was  born  at  ""Warner 
Hall,"  Virginia,  in  October,  1824.  His  father 
moved  to  Fauquier  County  when  John  L.  was 
a  mere  child,  and  there  he  was  reared,  near 
Markham.  On  the  opening  of  the  war  he  was 
made  captain  of  Company  E,  13th  Regiment 
\'irginia  Infantry,  and  was  taken  prisoner  in 
1864.  He  was  confined  in  the  Old  Capitol 
Prison  in  Washington  until  the  close  of  the 
war.     Prior  to  that  great  conflict  he  was  the 


750 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


owner  of  large  landed  estates.  He  was  united 
in  marriage  with  ]Maria  Ashby,  a  daughter  of 
Marshall  Ashby,  of  Belmont,  Virginia.  Her 
father  married  a  ]\liss  Cocke.  ^larshall  Ash- 
by had  three  brothers,  Turner,  Samuel  and 
Thompson.  Gen.  Turner  Ashby,  a  son  of 
Samuel,  and  a  cousin  of  !Mrs.  Brooke,  was 
reared  in  the  same  house  with  the  last  named, 
and  was  like  a  brother  to  her.  He  was  a  gen- 
eral in  the  Confederate  Army  and  g'ave  his  life 
for  the  cause,  as  did  his  brother  Richard,  who 
was  killed  near  Winchester.  For  these  two 
gallant  soldiers  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
named.  Mrs.  Brooke  had  two  brothers,  Dr. 
John  Washington,  a  surgeon  on  General 
Early's  staff,  and  Col.  Henry,  who'  fought  un- 
der Zollicoffer  and  Kirby  Smith,  and  was 
twice  badly  wounded.  The  latter  was  made  a 
brigadier  general  just  before  the  war  closed, 
and  while  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at 
Knoxville.  Tennessee,  was  assassinated  bv  a 
Yankee  carpetbagg'er.  John  L.  Brooke  and  his 
faithful  wife  were  the  parents  of  the  following 
children :  Robert,  of  Fauquier  County,  Vir- 
ginia; Lucy  ^I.,  who  married  A.  P.  Davis,, 
and  had  a  daughter,  Helen,  deceased ;  ^^'ar- 
ner  L.,  who  married  ]\Iiss  Shelby  Fassman,  of 
Nashville.  Tennessee,  and  has  a  son,  Douglas; 
Rebecca  Peyton,  deceased,  wife  of  F.  S.  Tay- 
lor, who  had  the  following  children,  Tazewell, 
A.  Brooke,  Anna,  F.  Southgate,  and  Selden ; 
John  Ashby,  who  married  Sarah  Forrant, 
both  now  deceased;  Agnes,  wife  of  Dr.  John 
C.  Wise,  living  in  \\'arrenton,  Virginia,  who 
has  three  children. — Douglas,  Henry  and  Ag- 
nes ;  Richard  Turner,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ; 
and  John  L.,  a  teacher  residing  at  Remington, 
A'^irginia. 

Richard  Turner  Brooke  was  reared  in 
Gloucester  County,  where  he  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  and  Gloucester  Academy,  and 
graduated  from  the  latter  institution.  He  first 
engaged  in  the  transportation  business  at  Nor- 
folk, whither  he  moved  in  1881.  Several  years 
later  he  became  registry  clerk  in  the  Norfolk 
Post  Ot^ce  under  the  first  Cleveland  admini- 


stration, but  resigned  to  accept  a  position  as 
passenger  agent  on  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio 
Railway,  a  position  which  he  held  for  nine 
years.  He  resigned  to  accept  a  position  with 
his  brother,  \\'arner  L.  Brooke,  of  the  finn  of 
W-  L.  Brooke  &  Company,  which  conducted 
a  wholesale  grocery  for  two  years.  Later  Mr. 
Brooke  accepted  the  position  of  delinquent  tax 
collector,  which  he  has  since  successfullv 
filled. 

On  December  18,  1901,  Mr.  Brooke  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Nellie  Randolph 
Wise,  a  native  of  Norfolk,  and  a  daughter  of 
T.  O.  and  Susan  Wise.  She  is  a  member  of 
St.  Luke's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
always  been  interested  in  local  politics. 


LL\S  E.  GCY,  one  of  Norfolk's  sub- 
stantial business  men  and  progress- 
ive citizens,  conducts  a  large  plumb- 
ing establishment  in  that  city.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  and  is  a  son  of 
Elias  and  Nanc}-  (Spann)  Guy. 

Elias  Guy  was  a  son  of  Henry  Guy,  and 
was  born  in  X'orfolk,  Virginia,  as  was  his  fa- 
ther. Li  his  boyhood  days  he  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  eight  years  at  rope-making, 
and  at  the  age  of  21  years  had  discharged  all 
the  financial  obligations  of  his  father.  He 
served  as  chief  of  police  of  the  city  for  40 
years,  and  was  serving  as  such  at  the  time  of 
his  death  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  69  years.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  members  of  ^^'ashing- 
ton  Lodge,  No.  2,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Norfolk. 
He  married  Nancy  Spann,  who  was  born  in 
1802.  and  died  in  1874.  Her  mother.  Keziah 
(Llewellyn)  Spann.  was  of  \\'elsh  descent. 
Ten  children  blessed  this  union,  as  follows : 
Elizabeth.  Annie.  A'irginia,  ]\Iargaret  F.,  Li- 
diana,  Lavina  and  Anna,  deceased ;  Henry 
Clay,  of  Portsmouth;  Elias  E.,  the  subject  of 
this  biography;  and  James  R.,  an  engineer  by 
vocation,  who  is  now  a  merchant  in  Norfolk. 


DR.    FRANK    S.    HOPE, 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


753 


Elias  E.  Guy  attended  private  schools  at 
Norfolk,  and  then  became  an  apprentice  in  the 
niacliine-shops  at  the  Atlantic  Iron  Works. 
Before  completing  his  term  of  service  the  war 
broke  out  and  he  volunteered  for  sen-ice.  He 
was  then  but  18  years  old.  and  from  the  fact  of 
his  being  under  age  his  father  had  him  re- 
leased and  placed  in  the  Gosport  Navy  Yard, 
which  was  then  in  the  hands  of  the  Confeder- 
ates. He  worked  on  the  "Merrimac,"  drilling 
holes  for  the  plate  and  on  the  prow,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  Xavy  Yard  until  the  yard  was 
abandoned  by  the  Confederates  at  the  time  of 
the  evacuation  of  Norfolk.  What  was  pre- 
served of  the  machinery  of  the  yard  was  taken 
to  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  where  ]Mr.  Guy 
followed  and  worked  in  the  yard  there  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  assisted  in  putting 
machinen,-  into  the  Confederate  iron-clad  "Hal- 
ifax." which  was  afterward  blown  up  by  Cap- 
tain Cushing.  United  States  Army,  and  the 
"Neuse,"  which  was  built  at  Kingston.  At 
Charlotte  he  saw  the  hanging  of  23  "Bufifa- 
loes,"  or  Confederates,  caught  with  arms 
fighting  against  the  South.  13  of  them  being 
executed  at  one  time.  They  were  captured  in 
one  of  Pickett's  raids.  At  Charlotte  he  was 
detailed  with  the  treasury  department  as  a 
guard.  In  the  party  was  ^Irs.  Jefferson  Da- 
vis. They  guarded  the  public  money,  which 
amounted  to  SSoo.ooo  in  gold,  silver  and  pen- 
nies, as  far  as  Washington,  Georgia,  where 
they  met  President  Da\is,  who  then  ti«ik 
charge  of  his  wife  and  the  treasury.  After  the 
war  he  returned  to  Norfolk,  possessing  at  the 
time  just  $2,50,  which  had  been  paid  him  in 
liquidation  of  a  loan  of  $400.  He  remained 
at  home  three  days  and  then  went  to  Balti- 
more, where  he  obtained  work  in  Denmead's 
ship\-ard,  in  the  machine  department.  There 
he  stayed  a  few  weeks,  and  then  returned  to 
Norfolk  and  worked  in  the  Navy  Yard.  Four 
years  later  he  purchased  an  interest  in  a 
plumbing  business,  and  in  1871  went  into  busi- 
ness for  himself.  He  is  now  located  on  the 
corner  of  Bank  and  Plum.e  streets,  where  he 


conducts  an  extensive  establishment  under  the 
firm  name  of  E.  E.  Guy  &  Sons. 

January  11,  1865,  Mr.  Guy  formed  a  mat- 
rimonial alliance  with  Leluce  Brown,  who 
was  born  in  Hampton,  \'irginia,  in  1849,  ''"^ 
is  a  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Mary  Ann 
Brown.  They  have  had  niiie  children,  as  fol- 
lows:  Annie  L..  who  married  Harry  Nichols,  a 
wholesale  grocer  of  Norfolk:  Elias  L.,  who  is 
in  business  with  his  father;  John  McLean, 
who  died  in  1882:  Lee  Spaulding,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  E.  E.  Guy  &  Sons; 
James  R.,  who  is  a  shipbuilder  and  hull 
draughtsman  at  Richmond,  Virginia ;  Louis 
E.,  a  dental  student  at  Baltimore;  Cecil  B.,  an 
apprentice  to  the  Virginia  Pilots'  Association ; 
Norman  Leluce,  who  is  attending  school ;  and 
Mar}-  Marguerite,  w-ho  is  also-  in  school.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  and  family  are  members 
of  the  Freemason  Street  Baptist  Church.  Fra- 
ternallv,  he  is  a  member  and  past  officer  of  At- 
lantic Lodge,  No.  2,  A.  F.  &  A.  :M.  ;  Norfolk 
United  Chapter,  No.  i,  R.  A.  M.;  Grice  Com- 
mandery.  No.  16,  K.  T. ;  and  McDaniel  Lodge 
of  Perfection.  His  two  sons,  Elias  L.  and  Lee 
Spaulding,  are  also  past  officers  in  the  same 
bodies.  James  R.  Guy  is  a  member  of  At- 
lantic Lodge,  No.  2,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Elias  E. 
Guv  is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum ; 
Knights  of  Honor ;  Home  Circle :  and  Pickett- 
Buchanan  Camp,  Confederate  \'eterans.  He 
was  twice  a  candidate  for  mayor  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  and  served  in  th€  City  Council 
until  he  resigned.  He  was  at  one  time  chair- 
man of  the  street,  drain  and  sewer  commission 
of  Norfolk. 


R.  FRANK  S.  HOPE,  who  is  one  of 
the  most    prominent    physicians    of 
Portsmouth,    Norfolk    County,    Vir- 
ginia, and  is  also  health  officer  of  that 
city  comes  from  one  of  the  old  and 
prominent  families  of  Virginia.     He  was  born 
in  Portsmouth  and  is  a  son  of  \\'illiam  M.  and 
\'irginia  F.    (Owens)   Hope. 


754 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


George  Hope,  the  paternal  great-grand- 
father, was  a  native  of  Whitehaven,  England, 
and  was  born  March  28,  1769.  He  was  brought 
to  America  in  that  year  and  later  in  life  learned 
the  ship-building  business.  He  first  located 
in  Norfolk,  where  he  remained  untii  his  death, 
in  1818.  He  married  Mrs.  Rebecca  Ballard, 
tiee  Meredith.  His  son,  John  Hope,  was  born 
at  Hampton,  Virginia,  January  20,  1786,  and 
he  also  learned  his  father's  trade.  John  Hope 
married  Ann  Watkins,  of  Hampton,  Virginia, 
and  nine  children  were  born  to  them,  among 
whom  was  William  M.  Hope,  the  father  of 
Frank  S. 

William  M.  Hope  was  born  in  Hampton, 
in  1812,  and  attended  the  Hampton  Academy, 
which  he  left  at  the  age  of  16  years,  to  follow, 
his  trade  and  business,  that  of  ship-building. 
For  two  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  City 
Council  of  Portsmouth.  He  held  the  position 
of  master  shipwright  at  the  Norfolk  Navy 
Yard  under  President  Cleveland.  In  1840 
he  married  Catherine  F.  Nillis,  of  Hampton, 
Virginia.  She  and  her  infant  child,  died  in 
1 84 1.  Mr.  Hope  married,  secondly,  Virginia  F. 
Owens,  a  daughter  of  James  Owens,  of  Ports- 
mouth. Nine  children  were  born  to  them,  of 
whom  five  reached  maturity,  as  follows  :  Revr 
H.  M.,  of  Danville,  Virginia;  William  O., 
of  Portsmouth;  Dr.  Frank  S. ;  Dr.  James  S., 
of  Portsmouth;  and  Virginia  Lee,  deceased, 
who  married  D.  L.  Roper,  of  Brooklyn,  New 
York.  Mrs.  Hope's  uncle  is  Commodore  James 
B.  Owens,  formerly  of  the  LTnited  States  Navy. 

Dr.  Frank  S.  Hope,  who  name  heads  these 
lines,  received  his  education  in  Portsmouth, 
and  at  the  University  of  Virginia,  fia^m  which 
institution  he  was  graduated  in  1876.  He  spent 
one  year  in  Illinois,  after  which  he  went  to 
Philadelphia,  where  he  took  a  special  course 
in  medicine.  He  returned  to  Portsmouth  in 
1879  and  has  practiced  his  profession  there 
ever  since.  In  1885  he  was  elected  health  offi- 
cer of  Portsmouth,  a  position  he  has  continued 
to  fill  up  to  the  present  time,  in  a  most  able  and 
satisfactory    manners.     He    has    a    thorough 


knowledge  of  the  science  of  medicine,  and 
much  confidence  is  placed  in  his  ability.  By 
his  genial  and  courteous  manners  he  wins 
many  friends,  and  he  is  ranked  as  one  of  the 
best  physicians  of  Norfolk  County. 

Dr.  Hope  was  married,  in  1884,  to  Anna 
M.  West,  of  Norfolk  County,  and  they  have 
one  daughter,  Mary.  Dr.  Hope  has  been  the 
only  physician  to  serve  as  c(uarantine  c'iificer  of 
the  port  of  Portsmouth.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  American  Medical  Society,  and  also  of  the 
Virginia  State  Medical  Society.  A  portrait  of 
Dr.  Hope  accompanies  this  sketch,  being  shown 
on  a  foregoing  page. 


OSEPH  LaVILLE  YOUNG,  Sr.,  a 
prominent  journalist  oi  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  was  bom  November  11, 
1834,  near  Richmond,  on  the  James 
River,  on  an  estate  of  his  maternal 
great-grandparents.  Thev  lx;re  the  name  of 
Pritchard,  and  came  to  America  from 
Caernarvonshire,  Wales,  as  a  young  married 
couple,  about  1730.  naming  their  new  home 
"Warwick." 

There  is  quite  a  romance  connected  with 
the  lives  of  these  early  ancestors.  Owing  to 
some  college  escapade  Richard  Pritchard  was 
for  a  time  suspended  from  his  school  privi- 
leges, and  decided  to  temporarily  ostracise 
himself  from  his  o-wn  immediate  family,  which 
was  one  of  the  best  in  ^^'aIes ;  so  he  accepted 
of  the  tendered  hospitality  of  a  nobleman  by 
the  name  of  Hewes.  During  his  stay  with  him 
he  was  brought  into-  daily  contact  with  a  beau- 
tiful daughter  of  the  household,  to  whom  he 
became  deeply  attached.  His  feelings  being  re- 
ciprocated, the  inevitable — their  betrothal — 
followed,  much  to  the  disapproval  of  the  fa- 
ther. They  were  married,  however,  and,  after 
a  few  years  of  life  in  Wales,  removed  tO'  Vir- 
ginia, where  they  established  their  famous 
home,  "Warwick  on  the  Tames."  Their  domi- 
cile was  a  hospitable  one,   and   its  halls   fre- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


755 


quently  rang-  with  the  laughter  of  the  distin- 
guislied  and  fashiunaljle  tlirongs  that  graced 
it.  It  was  burned  during  the  Confederate 
War. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pritchard  became  the  par- 
ous of  tive  children:  Jane.  Sidney  (grand- 
mother of  the  subject  of  this  biography)  ; 
Polly  (or  Mar>-),  who  married  a  Mr.  Elliott 
and  removed  to  Kentucky:  Xancy;  and  Sallie 
(Biggott). 

The  holocaust  of  the  Richmond  Theatre  in 
1814  came  near  resulting  seriously  to  two 
members  of  this  family,  Jane  and  Xancy 
Pritchard.  who  were  attending  that  night  the 
play  of  "Raymond :  or  .\gnes,  the  Bleeding 
Xun." 

Jane  Pritchard  married  Captain  Rodbird. 
and  went  with  him  to  live  at  his  Xew  England 
home  at  Bath,  Maine. 

X'ancy  Pritchard  went  to  England  to  look 
up  the  estate  of  the  family  and  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  some  of  her  Welsh  kinsfolk. 
She  returned  bearing  testimonials  of  their 
affection,  and  afterward  Ijecame  the  wife  of 
Christopher  Roberts,  then  collector  of  cus- 
toms for  the  port  of  Richmond. 

Sidney  Pritchard,  grandmother  of  our  sub- 
ject, owned  a  large  estate  in  Chesterfield 
County,  \irginia.  running  through  which  was 
the  Clover  Hill  coal-fields,  famous  in  after 
years  for  their  enormous  yields  of  bituminous 
coal. 

Paternally.  Joseph  LaVille  Young  is  of 
French  Huguenot  stock,  his  great-grand- 
father coming  from  France  to  this  country. 
The  grandfather,  who  was  born  in  Maryland, 
after  growing  to  manhood  went  to  Hanover 
County,  Virginia,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business.     He  there  married  a  Miss  Barker. 

The  father  of  the  subject  of  this  biography 
was  John  La\'ille  Young,  who  was  born  at 
the  "Slashes,"  now  known  as  Ashland,  in 
Hanover  County,  \'irginia.  SeptemlJer  i. 
1805.  and  at  an  early  age  reinoved  to  Ches- 
terfield County,  Virginia.  On  March  13, 
1827,   he  married    Mary    Anne    Shoemaker, 


daughter  of  Mahlon  Shoemaker  and  Sidney 
Pritchard,  his  wife  (the  latter  of  "Warwick 
on  the  James").  He  engaged  in  school  teach- 
ing until  1828,  when  he  was  called  to  the  com- 
mand of  one  of  the  first  steamers  that  ran  on 
the  James  River.  In  183 1  he  was  captain  and 
part  owner  of  the  steamer  "Comet,"  plying  on 
the  Appomatto.x  and  James  Rivers.  He  fol- 
lowed steamboating  until  liis  death  in  1843.  ^^ 
the  age  of  38  years. 

Of  the  children  lK>rn  to  John  LaVille 
Young  and  Mary  Anne  Shoemaker,  his  wife, 
were :  William  Sidney,  John  Mahlon.  Joseph 
La\'ille,  George  Shoemaker.  Mary  Anna  and 
Charles  Pritchard.  The  third  child  (Joseph 
LaVille).  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  at  13  years 
of  age,  entered  the  oftice  of  the  Ricliinoiid  Eii- 
qifircr,  then  owned  and  edited  by  William  F. 
and  Thomas  Ritchie,  sons  of  the  distinguished 
Thomas  Ritchie,  who  launched  this  influential 
journal  in  1804.  Here  Mr.  Young  remained 
until  1852,  when  his  career  as  an  all-round 
newspaper  man  began.  In  the  26  years  of  his 
journalistic  life,  he  has  served  in  every  ca- 
pacity pertaining  to  the  profession,  from 
"printer's  devil"  through  the  composing  and 
press  rooms,  the  news  department,  reix>rtorial 
chair,  up  to  editor-in-chief.  Then  for  many 
years  he  engaged  in  clerical  work,  and  now 
holds  the  position  of  writer  in  the  X'orfolk 
X^avy  Yard.  He  came  to  Portsmoulh  April 
29',  1865,  just  after  the  close  of  the  Confed- 
erate War. 

During  the  war  between  the  States  he  was 
a  memljer  of  Maj.  Richard  F.  Walker's  bat- 
talion, which  formed  a  part  of  Colonel  Evans' 
regiment  of  State  troops.  Although  on  de- 
tached duty  as  manager  of  the  composing 
room  of  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  which  was 
the  proclaimed  organ  of  the  Confederate 
States  government,  whenever  the  city  was 
thought  to  be  endangered  or  the  services  of  his 
command  needed,  he  was  ever  with  it. 

His  graphic  accounts  of  life  at  the  Confed- 
erate Capital  during  the  darkest  days  of  the 
short-lived  nation  have  attracted  much  atten- 


^56 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tion.  Among  these  are  a  thrilling  account  of 
"the  evacuation  of  Richmond."  "Blockade 
running  and  its  perils,,  during  the  war.  etc.. 
which  mav  yet  be  reA-ised  and  given  in  book 
form  to  the  public. 

Mr.  Young  married  Carrie  Elethia.  the 
only  daughter  of  Jatnes  Sivells  and  Jennette  B. 
Richardson.  Mr.  Richardson  was  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Norfolk  County,  and  well  known  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  men  of  his  day.  He 
■was  the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Railroad's  first 
superintendent  of  construction  and  afterward 
a  thrifty  merchant,  wharf  builder  and  farmer. 
By  this  marriage  eight  children  were  born : 
Carrie  E.  (deceased),  James  La\'ille  (de- 
ceased), ;May  Jennette,  Irene  Rodbird,  Joseph 
LaVille,  Linda  Olive,  Charles  Pritchard  and 
^^'illiam  Allegree. 


EROME  P.  CARR,  proprietor  of  the 
Pythian  Castle  Drug  Store,  which  is 
by  far  the  tinest  of  any  of  its  kind 
in  the  city  of  Portsmouth.  A^irginia, 
has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  for  a  number  of  years,  and  by  untir- 
ing energy  and  honest  methods,  together  with 
his  superior  skill  and  care  in  correctly  filling 
prescriptions,  has  built  up  a  paying  business 
and  ranks  among  the  substantial  citizens  of 
that  prosperous  city. 

rvlr.  Carr  is  a  native  of  the  city  which  is 
still  his  home,  having  been  born  at  the  old  fam- 
ily residence  on  the  corner  of  County  and 
Eftingham  streets,  where  the  Carr  family 
has  continued  to  reside  for  more  than  half 
a  century.  He  is  a  son  of  George  and  Laura 
A.  (Williams)  Carr,  and  grandson  of  Jesse 
Carr,  for  whom  the  town  of  Carrsville,  Vir- 
ginia, was  named,  and  whose  death  occurred  at 
that  place. 

George  Carr  was  a  native  of  Isle  of  Wight 
County.  \'irginia.  which  was  also  the  home  of 
his  ancestors.  He  followed  railroading  for 
many  years,  being  a  competent  locomotive  en- 


gineer   on    the    Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway, 
with  headquarters   at   Portsmouth,   where  he 

:  located  in  1855.  and  made  that  city  his  home 
until  cut  off  by  death  in  1875.  He  had  one 
brother,  Jesse  L.  H.  Carr,  who  also  located  in 
the  same  city  but  has  been  deceased  for  many 

!  years. 

j         The  w-idow  of  George  Carr  is  still  living 

1  in  Portsmouth.  Her  family  consisted  of  five 
children,  four  of  whom  reached  maturity,  as 
follows :    !Mrs.  Laura  King.  widoAV  of  J.  Dan- 

'  forth   King,   of  Portsmouth ;  Jerome   P.,  the 

\  subject  of  this  brief  biography ;  Hope :  and 
George  H..  a  prominent  physician  of  Ports- 
mouth. 

Jerome  P.  Carr  attended  the  public 
schools  until  he  attained  the  age  of  15  years. 
and  then  entered  the  drug  store  of  G.  A. 
Krieger,  with  whom  he  remained  for  three 
years.  During  this  time  he  studied  diligently, 
and  being  an  apt  scholar  learned  much  of  the 
business.  He  attended  the  examination  before 
the  State  Board  of  Pharmacy,  which  he  suc- 
cessfully passed  at  the  early  age  of  17  years, 
and  became  a  registered  pharmacist.    The  fol- 

t  lowing  year  he  went  into  business  for  himself, 
establishing  a  drug  store  at  the  corner  of  Bart 
and  Green  streets.  His  business  flourished 
and  in  a  short  time  he  built  a  more  commodi- 

'  ous  building  on  Green  street,  directly  opposite 
his  present  place  c>f  business,  and  carried  on 
a  verj-  successful  business  at  that  stand  for  five 
years.  February  i,  1898,  another  drug  store 
was  opened  by  him  in  the  Pythian  Castle, 
where  he  conducted  the  only  wholesale  and  re- 
tail drug  store  in  the  city.     Both  stores  were 

I  operated  for  some  time,  but  quite  recently  the 
old  store  was  closed  out.  and  ^Ir.  Carr  gives  his 
whole  time  and  attention  to  the  business  in  the 
Pythian  Castle.  He  carries  a  full  line  of 
drugs  and  such  accessor}-  articles  as  are  to  be 
found  in  well-appointed  drug  stores,  and  em- 
ploys three  clerks  and  a  porter. 

Mr.  Carr  was  united  in  marriage  with 
^lartha  F.  \\'omble,  a  daughter  of  J.  G.  \\'om- 
ble,  who  was  formerly  of  Raleigh,  North  Caro- 


HARDY    DUKE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


759 


lina.  but  who  resided  in  Norfolk  County  for 
many  years,  l^eing  prominently  identified  with 
its  progress.  He  was  a  retired  hardware  mer- 
chant, and  was  also  president  of  the  Norfolk 
National  Bank,  and  a  director  in  several  other 
institutions  of  note.  He  served  as  a  memlx;r 
of  the  Citv  Council  of  Norfolk.  Mr.  Carr  and 
his  worthy  wife  attend  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  South. 

By  industry  and  frugality  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  has  built  up  a  large  and  exceed- 
ingly profitable  business,  and  has  shown  a  very 
enterprising  spirit.  He  has  at  all  times  mani- 
fested a  fitting  interest  in  the  welfare  and  ad- 
vancement of  Portsmouth,  and  stands  among 
her  foremost  citizens. 


ARDY  DUKE,  conspicuous  among  the 
many  truck  farmers  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, \'irginia,  is  a  man  of  great  energy 
and  activity,  and  thoroughly  awake  to 
the  interests  of  his  business  and  the 
welfare  of  his  county.  The  farms  which  he 
owns  and  oversees  comprise  2;^,^  acres  on 
the  western  branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River, 
the  Grimes  farm,  the  old  Fox  Hall  farm  and 
the  Bridge  farm.  He  employs  quite  a  numlier 
of  hands  to  assist  him  in  the  work  of  truck 
farming.  In  winter  he  has  work  for  about  12 
hands  and  in  the  summer  season  when  work 
is  much  heavier,  he  employs  from  20  to  100 
hands,  a  force  which  in  itself  denotes  the  suc- 
cess of  his  business. 

Mr.  Duke  is  a  native  of  Nansemond  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  and  was  born  March  28,  1832.  He 
is  a  son  of  \\"hitman  and  Susan  Duke,  also  na- 
tives of  Nansemond  County,  and  is  one  of  1 1 
children  born  to  them.  He  and  his  brother, 
Henry,  are  now  the  only  survivors  of  the  once 
large  family.  Whitman  Duke  was  a  large  land- 
owner, possessing  many  fine  farms,  which  were 
cultivated  by  his  slaves. 

Hardy  Duke's  early  life  was  spent  on  one 
of  his  father's  famis.  but,  in  1855,  when  he 
had  arrived  at  the  age  of  21  vears,  he  came  to 


Norfolk  County,  where  he  soon  became  over- 
seer on  the  farm  of  Capt.  John  Wise.  There 
he  contracted  yellow  fever;  on  recovering  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Nansemond  County, 
and  remained  a  year.  In  1859.  however,  he 
again  came  to  Norfolk  County,  and  in  1862, 
during  the  Confederate  War,  he  went  to  Suf- 
folk, Virginia,  and  enlisted  in  the  13th  Reg- 
ular \'irginia  Cavalry,  and  served  faithfully 
and  bravely  until  the  end  of  the  conflict.  His 
was  hard  service;  at  Hanover.  Pennsylvania, 
his  hcrse  was  shot  from  under  him.  At  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  was  held  as  a  prisoner,  but. 
was  finally  released  and  discharged  at  Suffolk. 
At  that  time  he  was  sick  and  went  immediately 
to  his  home,  where  he  gradually  recovered  his 
usual  good  health. 

Mr.  Duke,  after  his  recuperation,  again  set 
out  for  Norfolk  County,  and  worked  for  one 
year  under  Richard  Cox,  the  "Father  of  Truck- 
ers." He  then  liecame  interested  in  the  firm  of 
\\'ise  &  Curran,  with  whom  he  assumed  the 
duties  of  a  position,  and  remained  with  them 
for  three  years.  He  rented  one-half  of  the 
Love  farm  and  found  employment  as  a  farmer 
for  the  following  three  years.  Then  he  pur- 
chased /^  acres  of  his  present  large  farm  of 
2^^  acres.  Thus  he  made  his  beginning  and 
from  that  time  on  his  success  has  lieen  apparent 
to  all. 

On  December  26.  1867.  ^Ir.  Duke  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Margaret  Raby,  who 
was  born  in  Nansemond  County,  March  31, 
1840,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Abram  and  Cather- 
ine Raby.  Mrs.  Raby  is  a  native  of  Nanse- 
mond County,  and  she  and  her  husband  reared 
three  children,  namely :  Robert.  Margaret,  and 
Richard  L.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  and  his 
worthy  wife  have  had  four  children,  namely: 
Charles  L.,  who  was  born  December  11,  1868, 
and  whose  death  occurred  September  22,  1872  ; 
Maggie  R.,  born  November  6,  1872  ;  Harry  R.. 
who  was  born  November  21.  1877.  and  died 
ilay  4.  1878;  and  \\'.  H..  whose  birth  occurred 
September  26,  1878.  and  who  is  now  a  willing 
and  useful  assistant  on  the  home  farm. 


760 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


The  family  are  members  of  the  Chnrchland 
Baptist  Church.  Fraternally,  Mr.  Duke  is 
prominent  as  a  member  of  the  Masonic  organi- 
zation. Politically,  he  is  an  ardent  Democrat, 
always  ready  to  be  of  service  to  his  party.  His 
portrait  accompanies  this  sketch. 


SCAR  VIX'CEXT  SMITH,  deceased, 
was  born   ^May   i.    1843,   in  Gooch- 
land County,  Virginia,  and  was  a  son 
of    Capt.    William    C.    and    Martha 
Elizabeth  (Courtney)  Smith. 
Capt.  William  C.  Smith  was  born  in  Rich- 
mond, Virginia.     At  the  close  of  the  Confed- 
erate War,  in  which  he  participated,  he  became 
superintendent  of  the  old  Bay  line  of  steam- 
ers and  served  in  that  capacity  until  his  death, 
in  1880.     He  was  united    in    marriage  with 
^lartha  Elizabeth  Courtney,    who    was    born 
near  Richmond,  Virginia,    in    which  citj'  she 
now  resides,  at  the  advanced  age  of  83  years. 
She  comes  of  a  fine  old  \^irginia  family.    Cap- 
tain and  Mrs.  Smith  had  six  children, — four 
daughters    and    two    sons.      One   daughter — 
Sarah   Campbell   Smith, — married   Lieut.-Col. 
^^'illiam  Frederick  Xiemeyer.  who  was  born 
at  Portsmouth,  and  was  attending  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  w-hen 
the   Intersectional   War  broke  cut.      He  left 
within  a  month  of  graduation  to  join  the  Con- 
federate Army,  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Spottsylvania,  at  the  age  of  21  years,  having 
on  that  day  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  briga- 
dier-general.    An  account  of  his  life  may  be 
found  in  Chapter  XXVHI  of  this  work.     He 
had    one    son,    John    Frederick,  who  lives  at 
Richmond,  Mrginia.     Mrs.  X'iemeyer  lived  at 
Portsmouth,   Virginia,    for    many  years,  but 
moved  to  Richmond,  where  she  died  in  1901. 
Oscar    Vincent    Smith    was    educated    at 
Richmond  College,  and  in  i860  or  1861  took 
lip  railroading    with    the    Seaboard  Air  Line 
Railway.    Soon  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Con- 
federate ^^'ar  he  joined    the    3rd    Richmond 


Howitzers,  Artillery,  of  which  he  was  later 
an  officer.  He  ser\-ed  through  the  entire  war 
and  was  at  the  surrender  at  Appomattox 
Court  House.  He  returned  to  Portsmouth  in 
the  fall  of  1865,  and  resumed  work  with  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway.  He  was  made 
assistant  superintendent,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death, — February  7,  1894. — was  general 
traffic  manager  of  the  system.  He  was  con- 
nected with  many  business  enterprises  of  the 
city,  in  whose  welfare  he  was  always  deeply 
interested.  He  was  a  strong  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
worker,  and  for  12  years  was  a  manber  of  the 
board  of  education,  of  which  he  was  president 
for  a  period  of  lour  years.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Stonewall  Camp,  Confederate  Veterans, 
the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  the  Independent  Or- 
der of  Odd  Fellows,  and  belonged  to  the  Busi- 
ness Men's  Association  of  Xorfolk.  He  was 
well  known  in  transportation  circles,  and  was 
a  prominent  and  respected  citizen  of  Ports- 
mouth. He  was  an  earnest  Christian  and  a 
member  of  Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  under  which  he  is  buried.  A  font  to 
his  memory  was  placed  in  the  church  by  his 
widow.  It  was  designed  by  Stent,  of  Xew 
York,  and  made  in  Italy,  of  Carrara  marble, 
representing  an  angel  gracefully  bending  on 
one  knee,  with  uplifted  hands,  on  which  rests 
a  shell-shaped  basin,  holding  baptismal  water. 
The  whole  figure  is  about  seven  feet  high,  and 
rests  on  a  base  of  marble.  2^/2  by  5'/>  feet  in 
size,  with  this  simple  inscription  on  the  top: 
"To  the  memory  of  Oscar  ^'incent  Smith. 
May  I,  1843;  February  7,  1894."  Mr.  Smith 
was  very  actively  interested  in  securing  the 
erection  of  the  Confederate  monument  on 
Court  street,  near  High  street,  Portsmouth. 
January  10,  1867,  ]\Ir.  Smith  married  A11- 
nie  Theodosia  Cocke,  who  was  born  on  June 
16,  1847.  '"  X'orfolk  County,  on  the  family 
homestead  called  "Paradise."  located  on  Para- 
dise Creek,  five  or  six  miles  from  Portsmouth ; 
the  property  now  belongs  to  the  Portsmouth 
Land  Company.  ^Irs.  Smith  is  a  daughter  of 
Charles    Leonard    and    Ann    Roe    (Cowper) 


AXD   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


761 


Cocke.  Her  paternal  grandfather  was  Col. 
Ricliard  Cocke,  of  Shoal  Bay,  James  River. 
Charles  Lec-nard  Cocke  was  bom  at  Shoal 
Bay,  on  the  James  River,  but  came  to  Ports- 
mouth as  a  young  man,  and  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  many  years.  He  was  post- 
master at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  August. 
1854.  His  wife  died  in  August,  1855,  at  the 
age  of  ^^  years.  Mrs.  Cocke  was  bom  at 
Hampton,  \'irginia,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  John  and  Susan  Barron  Cowper,  her  fa- 
ther being  in  the  United  States  Navy.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Cocke  had  nine  children,  four  of 
whom  lived  to  maturity,  and  those  now  living, 
in  addition  to  Mrs.  Smith,  are. — Mrs.  John 
Emmerson  and  Judge  Charles  L.  Cocke,  re- 
siding in  Sussex  County.  \'irginia.  Oscar 
\'incent  Smith  and  his  faithful  wife  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  namely:  Eliza- 
beth Courtney,  wife  of  Lieut.  Kenneth  Mc.\l- 
pine,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  now  located 
at  the  Norfolk  Na\y  Yard,  who  sened  on  the 
battle-ship  "Texas"  during  the  Spanish- 
American  War  and  was  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Santiago:  and  Oscar  Emmerson.  who  mar- 
ried Manha  Gatewood.  of  West  Point.  \'ir- 
ginia,  and  lives  in  Portsmouth.  Religiously, 
Mrs.  Smith  is  an  Episcopalian,  as  was  her 
husband.  The  family  home  has  been  at  No. 
402  Court  street  for  many  years.  Mrs.  Smith 
is  a  woman  of  many  fine  traits  and  has  numer- 
ous friends  throughout  this  locality. 


r^^lEORCE    A.    FRICK.    a    popular    at- 

W^      t omev-at-law  of  Norfolk.   Virsrinia. 

5  largely  interested  in  the  develop 

ment  of  the  city  and  \-icinity.  being 

secretan,-  of  the  \'irginia  Beach  De- 

\elopment  Company,  with  offices  at  No.  407. 

in  the  Citizens"  Bank  Building. 

The  Virginia  Beach  Development  Com- 
pany was  formed  in  1900.  by  A.  M.  Jordan. 
James  S.  Groves.  C.  E.  Lent  and  George  A. 
Prick.     Mr.  Jordan    v.-as    elected    president; 


Mr.  Groves,  \4ce-president  and  manager;  Mr. 
Lent,  treasurer:  and  Mr.  Frick,  secretarj-  and 
attorney.  This  o^mpany  purchased  about 
1,500  acres  of  land  in  Princess  Anne  County, 
Virginia,  from  the  Norfolk,  \'irginia  Beach  & 
Southern  Railroad  Company.  This  tract  was 
known  as  \'irginia  Beach,  and  being  immedi- 
ately laid  out  in  building  lots  and  otherwise 
improved,  makes  a  vcn,-  desirable  location  for 
permanent  homes.  It  is  located  18  miles  from 
the  city  of  Norfolk. — a  25  minutes  ride. — 10 
trains  being  run  daily.  The  climate  is  all  that 
could  be  desired,  the  close  proximity  of  the 
Gulf  Stream  makes  the  winters  mild  and 
genial,  and  as  a  summer  resort  it  is  imequaled 
by  any  other  place  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  The 
ocean  breeze  tempers  the  air  along  the  lovely 
driveways  for  miles  on  a  hard  beach  or  on  a 
shell  road  amidst  pine  trees,  where  the  air  is 
redolent  with  the  perfume  of  beautiful  South- 
ern flowers  and  fragrant  with  the  odor  of  the 
pines. 

As  a  bathing  resort  \  irginia  Beach  is  im- 
surpassed  along  the  eastern  o:>ast.  and  unless 
the  winter  seas<Mi  proves  particularly  inclem- 
ent, salt  water  bathing  is  indulged  in  the  year 
round.  The  conveniences  and  accommoda- 
tions of  the  Princess  Anne  Hotel,  which  is 
both  beautiful  and  modem  in  design,  together 
with  many  available  cottages,  have  done  much 
to  popularize  the  place,  and  boating,  fishing, 
shooting,  golf.  etc..  are  among  the  many 
pastimes  which  cause  the  seasons  to  pass  rap- 
idly in  this  lovely  place.  In  addition  to  these, 
many  fine  building  lots  have  been  sold,  and 
handsom.e  residences  have  been  built  thereon 
for  permanent  homes.  The  coming  season 
will  witness  the  erection  of  several  more  fine, 
modern  cottages,  the  plans  having  beer,  already 
drawn.  As  secretan.-.  Mr.  Frick  has  de- 
voted much  of  his  time  and  energ)-  to  funher- 
ing  the  success  of  this  enterprise. 

Mr.  Frick  is  a  native  of  Baltimore.  Mary- 
land, where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  attended 
various  schools.  He  subsequently  entered  St. 
John's  College  at  Annapolis,  from  which  he 


762 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


graduated  in  1880.  He  was  then  engaged  in 
teaching  for  a  cimple  of  years,  during  which 
time  he  also  studied  law.  Later  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar.  and  in  1887  went  to  Shelby. 
North  Carolina,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession  until  Novem- 
ber II.  1897,  when  he  located  in  Xorfolk,  Vir- 
ginia. After  practicing  law  in  that  city  for 
a  short  time  he  became  associated  with  J.  F. 
Duncan,  and  together  they  carried  on  a  general 
law  practice,  acting  also  as  corporation  law- 
yers. This  firm  did  a  very  successful  business 
until  1900,  when  it  was  dissolved  by  mutual 
consent,  and  since  then  Air.  Frick  has  prac- 
ticed alone.  He  is  counselor  and  advisor  for 
several  corporations  O'f  Norfolk,  is  attorney  for 
the  Chautauqua-by-the-Sea  Assembly,  and  the 
Atlantic  Light  &  Water  Company,  which 
furnishes  light  and  water  for  Virginia  Beach. 
He  is  also  ad\-isor  for  the  Southern  Amuse- 
ment Company,  of  Virginia  Beach. 

Mr.  Frick  has  taken  an  unusual  interest  in 
the  welfare  and  development  of  Xorfolk  and 
is  looked  upon  as  one  of  her  most  progressive 
citizens. 


EORGE  T.  POWELL,  captain  of  the 
tug-boat  "Helen,"  at  Newport  News, 
A'irginia,  is  an  expert  seaman  and 
experienced  navigator,  having  spent 
many  years  as  a  mariner,  the  first 
years  of  his  nautical  career  having  been 
passed  on  sailing  vessels  alone. 

]\Ir.  Powell  was  born  in  Alathews  County, 
Virginia.  December  26.  1866.  both  of  his 
parents  being  natives  of  the  same  county.  He 
is  a  son  of  John  B.  Powell,  who  has  also  fol- 
lowed the  life  of  a  mariner.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Bettie  Marchant,  passed  to 
lier  rest  when  George  T.  was  about  three  years 
old,  leaving  five  children,  as  follows  :  Edward 
E.,  of  Texas;  Napoleon  B.,  of  Middlesex 
County,  Virginia;  George  T..  to  whom  this 
biography  is  devoted;  John,  who  is  deceased; 


and  Jane,  the  wife  of  Ellis  S.  Dunton,  of  Lan- 
caster Coimty,  Virginia.  It  is  a  remarkable 
coincidence  that  these  sons  all  followed  in  the 
footsteps  of  their  father  and  chose  a  life  on 
the  water,  while  the  daughter  married  a  man 
who  was  also  a  mariner. 

George  T.  Powell  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Josephine  Gray,  a  daughter  of  Edward 
and  Zura  Gray,  the  ceremony  being  performed 
April  28,  1892.  Mrs.  Powell  is  a  native  of 
Norfolk  County.  Two  children  blessed  this 
union,  namely:  William  T.,  born  in  May, 
1893;  and  Susan  J.,  born  in  June,  1895.  The 
family  are  somewhat  divided  in  religious 
opinion,  the  Captain  being  a  Baptist  and  his 
wife  a  Methodist. 

Captain  Powell  obtained  his  mental  train- 
ing in  the  public  schools  of  Mathews  County, 
where  he  studied  diligently  during  his  early 
youth.  Six  months  after  leaving  school  he 
began  his  maritime  career,  first  working  in  the 
capacity  of  cook  on  small  sailing  vessels  and 
afterward  becoming  a  mate.  When  but  17 
years  old  he  was  the  proud  owner  of  a  sloop, 
the  "Edwin,"  then  used  in  oyster  fishing, 
which  business  Captain  Powell  filled  for  a 
period  of  eight  years.  In  1884  he  took  charge 
of  the  pungy  known  as  the  "Flying  Arrow." 
About  a  year  later  he  began  steamboating,  and 
worked  first  on  the  tug  "Kate  Cannon"  as 
cook,  which  position  he  filled  for  two  years 
and  some  months.  He  subsec|uently  served 
nine  months  as  mate  on  the  "Sam  Johnson," 
captain  of  the  "Maid  of  the  Mist."  and  later 
capitain  of  the  "Baby."  The  following-  six 
years  were  spent  in  the  employ  of  the  Cannon 
firm  on  Lambert's  Point,  as  captain,  after 
which  he  served  three  years  with  Captain 
Fitchett.  as  mate,  and  10  months  on  the  tug 
"Portsmouth."  oi  the  New  York.  Philadelphia 
&  Norfolk  line.  For  the  past  five  years  Cap- 
tain Powell  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the 
Chesapeake  &  Ohio  line,  at  Newport  News,  as 
captain  of  several  of  its  vessels,  being  at  the 
present  time  in  command  of  the  tugboat 
"Helen,"  as  before  mentioned.  . 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1^7 


Captain  Powell  is  a  member  of  Atlantic 
Council.  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  of  Harbor  No.  9.  Association 
of  Masters  &  Pilots  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the 
United  States.  He  affiliates  also  with  Atlan- 
tic Lodge,  No.  51,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Massa- 
soit  Tribe.  No.  -j-j,  I.  O.  R.  M. 


i 


L'GH  GORDON  .\nLLER.  a  brilliant 
young  attorney-at-law  of  Norfolk, 
X'irginia.  whose  portrait  appears  on 
the  opposite  page,  has  had  a  meteoric 
career  in  the  field  of  national  politics, 
being  well  known  and  frequently  entertained 
in  most  of  the  large  cities  of  the  United  States. 
Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Norfolk,  March  2, 
1875,  and  is  a  son  of  M.  S.'  and  Fannie  Vir- 
ginia (Harrison)  Miller,  of  North  Carolina. 
His  ancestors  were  Scotch-Irish,  and  on  his 
mother's  side  he  is  descended  directly  from 
the  Gordon  clan  of  Scotland  so  celebrated 
in  history.  He  was  a  mere  youth  when 
he  removed  to  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia, with  his  parents,  and  there  resided 
for  several  years.  He  returned  to  Nor- 
folk in  1882,  after  taking  a  course  of  study 
under  a  private  instructor.  A  few  years 
later  he  entered  the  law  office  of  George  Mcin- 
tosh and  for  two  years  pursued  the  study  of 
law.  \\'hile  Judge  Brooke  was  on  the  bench, 
he  appointed  Mr.  Miller  deputy  clerk  of  the 
courts  and  assigned  him  to  duty  in  the  Cor- 
poration Court,  where  he  was  given  charge  of 
the  court  proceedings.  Judge  Hanckel  was 
elected  to  succeed  Judge  Brooke,  and  Mr.  Mil- 
ler was  continued  in  his  old  position.  March 
20,  1896,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Nor- 
folk, and  at  once  resigned  the  office  of  deputy 
clerk  of  court  and  entered  upon  the  active  prac- 
tice of  his  profession,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  almost  constantly  engaged  in  important 
litigation.  As  a  trial  lawyer  he  has  been  espe- 
cially successful.  In  1896,  he  received  the 
nomination  of  the  Reform  party,  which  was 


then  in  power,  for  the  office  of  city  attorney, 
but  declined  it.  At  the  November  term,  1898, 
he  was  admitted  to  practice  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  by  special  order  of 
the  court,  being  perhaps  the  youngest  advocate 
who  ever  appeared  before  that  august  tribunal, 
and  in  the  argument  of  the  Anderson  habeas 
Corpus  case  the  United  States  Supreme  Court 
by  unanimous  consent  e.xtended  the  usual  time 
allowed  an  advocate  in  order  that  he  might 
conclutle  his  argument  in  the  case.  He  is  also 
probably  the  youngest  man  e<er  so  hdiKired  by 
that  body. 

Members  of  the  Supreme  Cimrt  and  De- 
partment of  Justice  have  since  pronounced  Mr. 
Miller's  argument  on  that  occasion  a  notable 
effort.  His  reputation  as  an  orator  goes  be- 
yond local  lines,  and  his  name  has  frequently 
been  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  Repub- 
lican nomination  for  Congress.  He  has  al- 
wa}-s  taken  an  acti\-e  part  in  political  affairs, 
being  independent  locally  and  a  Republican  on 
national  issues.  One  of  Mr.  Miller's  most 
notable  speeches  was  made  for  the  Reform  ele- 
ment of  the  "City  Administration,"  at  the 
Academy  of  Music  in  Norfolk  on  April  11, 
1900,  in  a  joint  debate  with  Judge  East.  The 
speech  has  since  been  published  in  pamphlet 
form.  He  stumped  the  State  with  Senator 
Henderson  for  McKinley  and  sound  miniev  in 
1896:  also  in  the  Congressional  campaign  of 
1898  and  the  gubernatorial  campaign  of  1902. 
For  some  time  he  has  been  assistant  United 
States  attorney,  although  he  keeps  his  private 
offices  and  cares  for  his  general  practice,  as 
senior  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Miller  &  Cole- 
man. 

]\Ir.  Miller  bears  a  natiijnal  reputation  as 
an  orator  since  his  celebrated  tour  of  the 
Northern  and  Eastern  cities  tor  McKinley  and 
Roosevelt  in  1900.  He  was  recognized  as  one 
of  the  national  stars  in  that  campaign,  and,  be- 
sides filling  a  great  many  of  the  most  important 
assignments  made  by  the  Republican  National 
Committee  spoke  jointly  on  \arious  occasions 
with  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Lyman  J.  Gage; 


768 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Hon.  Jacob  Gould  Schurman  of  the  first  Phil- 
ippine Commission  and  president  of  Cornell 
University^  Hon.  James  M.  Beck,  ist  assistant 
attorney  general  of  the  United  States;  Hon. 
John  K.  Richards,  solicitor  .general ;  Hon. 
Chauncey  M.  Depew,  Hon.  Mnrat  Halstead. 
Mr.  Fairchild.  and  others  of  national  reputa- 
tion. This  extract  from  the  report  of  ^Ir.  ]\Iil- 
ler's  first  appearance  in  the  metropolis  of  the 
United  States,  is  taken  from  the  Nck'  York 
Sun  of  October  i6,  1900: 

"Senator  Depew  was  to  have  been  the  chief 
speaker  of  the  Republican  mass  meeting  at 
Camp  McKinley,  I2^lh  street  and  Seventh  ave- 
nue, last  night.  The  Senator  was  called  to 
Xew  Haven  at  noon,  however,  and  in  his  place 
the  National  Committee  sent  a  young  lawyer 
from  Norfolk,  Virginia,  named  Hugh  Gordon 
]\Iiller.  It  was  said  the  young  man  was  a  dis- 
covery of  L'nited  States  Senator  Scott.  No 
matter  who^  discovered  him,  he  is  the  real 
thing  in  the  way  of  an  orator.  He  stirred 
up  the  audience  of  8.000  or  10,000  men 
and  women  to  a  pitch  of  enthusiasm  not 
often  seen  in  political  meetings.  It  remind- 
ed one  of  the  reception  given  to  Bourke 
Cochran's  speech  when  he  demolished  Bryan 
in  Madison  Square  Garden  four  years  ago. 
^\'hen  the  speech  was  concluded  the  audi- 
ence, led  by  a  man  with  an  American  flag, 
surged  forward  to  shake  hands  with  the  beard- 
less youth  from  Virginia.  This  interfered  with 
the  rest  of  the  speaking,  and  General  Greene, 
who  presided,  cut  it  short.  The  crowd  waited' 
until  the  orator  left  the  tent  by  the  stage  en- 
trance in  125th  street.  There  he  was  almost 
mobbed.  They  cheered  him  and  followed  him 
all  the  way  to  the  elevated  station."  (Then 
followed  a  report  of  the  speech. ) 

Mr.  Miller  made  12  speeches  in  New  York 
City  alone,  had  great  audiences  always,  and 
was  everywhere  received  with  the  greatest  en- 
thusiasm. The  Speakers'  Bureau  of  the  Na- 
tional Executive  Committee  gave  Mr.  Miller 
great  credit  for  arousing  the  overconfident 
voters  in  that  memorable  campaign,  especially 


in  the  pivotal  States  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey.  In  this,  as  in  the  other  four  campaigns 
in  which  Mr.  iMiller  had  stumped  his  native 
State,  he  gave  his  services  to  his  party  without 
charge. 

On  the  20th  of  October,  1900,  Mr.  Miller 
after  a  noted  speech  was  carried  out  of  the 
building  down  Broadway  at  Worth  street  in 
New  York  on  the  shoulders  of  many  of  the 
audience  and  such  Associated  Press  dispatches 
as  the  following  ha\-e  naturally  made  him  cele- 
brated as  an  orator : 

New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  Oct.  28,  1900. 

The  Republicans  of  this  city  are  still  talking  of  a 
remarkable  tribute  spontaneously  paid  to  an  orator  who 
came  to  this  city  as  an  entire  stranger  last  week.  He 
was  Hugh  Gordon  Miller,  of  \'irginia,  who  is  on  the 
staff  of  speakers  of  the  national  committee.  Mr.  Miller 
came  here  to  speak  at  a  rally  of  the  Young  Men's 
Republican  Club.  He  is  only  '2b  years  old,  and  many  of 
the  spectators  stared  in  surprise  when  they  saw  what  a 
stripling  he  was.  The  young  man's  eloquence,  however, 
kept  his  audience  on  their  feet,  and  once,  after  a  particu- 
larly effective  burst,  they  rushed  forward  and  swarmed 
over  the  platform,  cheering.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting 
the  members  of  the  Young  Men's  Club  carried  the 
speaker  from  the  hall  on  their  shoulders.  The  crowd 
followed  his  carriage  to  the  hotel  and  would  not  be  satis- 
fied until  he  had  addressed  them  again. 

Not  content  with  this,  the  Club  lined  up  several 
hundred  strong  in  front  of  the  hotel  at  noon,  when  Mr. 
Miller  took  his  departure,  unhitched  the  horses  from  the 
barouche  and  dragged  the  vehicle  to  the  depot,  and  was 
hailed  by  the  throng  as  the  next  Governor  of  Virginia 
and  the  future  President  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Aliller  was  the  civil  aide  from  Virginia 
on  the  grand  marshal's  staff  at  the  McKinley 
Inauguration  and  enjoyed  the  friendship  of 
that  great  statesman.  He  was  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  city  of  Norfolk  at  the  Nash- 
ville Centennial  and  made  a  speech  for  the  dele- 
gation. Through  the  appointment  of  Gov.  J. 
Hoge  Tyler,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  great 
industrial  convention  at  Philadelphia  in  1901. 
He  was  guest  of  honor  and  one  of  the  principal 
speakers  at  the  great  Lincoln  Dinner  at  the 
Waldorf-Astoria  in  New  York  in  February, 
1 90 1,  the  speech  on  that  notable  occasion  being 
afterward  ptiblished  in  book  form  along  with 
those  of  Senator  Hanna,  Senator  Depew, 
NMiitelaw  Reid  and  others,  and  was  the  princi- 


AND   REPEiESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


769 


])al  si)«aker  of  the  Middlesex  Club  in  Boston  at 
the  Grant  Dinner  in  April.  1901.  He  was  one  of 
the  principal  speakers  at  the  Editors'  &  An- 
tliors'  Con\ention  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  in  the 
summer  of  1901 ;  was  one  of  the  speakers  with 
Governor  Shaw  and  others  at  the  great  ban- 
quet in  Philadelphia  in  1901.  and  also  with 
General  Wheeler  at  the  same  place  in  January, 
1902;  and  has  been  entertained  at  banquets  in 
most  of  the  large  cities  of  this  country.  Mr. 
Miller's  latest  speech  was  in  replv  to  the  toast 
of  "Lincoln  and  Lee"  a  short  while  ago.  with 
Governor  Murphy  and  (General  Grosvenor  and 
others  as  speakers,  at  the  annual  banquet  of 
the  original  Lincoln  Association  in  Xew  Jer- 
sey. Mr.  ^Miller's  trilnite  to  Lee  was  eloquent 
and  enthusiastically  received  everywhere  in  the 
North.  ]\Ir.  Miller  has  accepted  an  invitation 
from  the  famous  Grant  Club  of  Des  Moines. 
Iowa,  the  most  powerful  political  organization 
in  the  West,  to  be  their  -speaker  at  the  Grant 
Dinner  in  April. 

Mr.  Miller  enjoys  the  confidence  of  the  men 
who  control  the  affairs  of  the  Nation.  It  is 
well  known  that  President  McKinley  thought 
very  highly  of  him  personally  as  well  as  polit- 
ically, and  it  is  believed  he  occupies  tiic  same 
relation  with  President  Roosevelt.  He  has  the 
warm  and  unqualified  endorsement  of  the  na- 
tional as  well  as  State  organization  of  his 
party,  and  has  been  frequently  suggested  of 
late  for  United  States  district  attorney,  and  at 
Washington  for  assistant  attorney  general  of 
the  United  States.  Mr.  Miller  has  never  been 
a  candidate  for  any  position  outside  of  his  pro- 
fession, in  which  he  stands  high  in  his  State. 


lURMER     HOGGARD,     who     still 

maintains  the  homestead  in  Princess 

Anne    County,    Virginia,    established 

by  his  great-grandfather  in  1670,  in 

which    numerous    of    his    ancestors 

were  born,  is  a  true  representative  of  the  type 

of  Southern  gentleman  which  predominated  in 

ante-ljellum  days,  famed  for  courtesy  of  man- 


ner and  hospitality  in  entertainment.  He  is 
a  gentleman  of  wide  acquaintance  and  his  life 
has  been  one  of  great  activity. 

The  Hoggard  family  is  of  English  extrac- 
tion, a  Thnrmer  Hoggard  having  come  from 
that  country  to  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  purchased  several  hundred 
acres  of  land  about  1670.  There  he  built  a 
large  and  very  substantial  house  of  brick, 
thought  to  ha\'e  been  brought  from  England. 
The  house  has  since  stood  and  is  in  an  excel- 
lent state  of  preservation ;  the  mortar  is  yet 
like  stone  and  there  is  not  a  crack  in  the  thick 
walls.  The  old  fireplace  and  mantels  have 
since  been  used  and  remain  in  their  original 
state.  A  large,  spacious  hall  runs  through  the 
center  of  the  house,  and  the  ceilings  are  un- 
usually high.  Paintings  of  the  family  from  an 
early  period  down  to  the  present  time  adorn 
the  walls.  Gigantic  oaks  ornament  the  yard 
surrounding  this  grand  old  home,  and  also  in- 
numerable pecan  trees.  Here  Thurmer  Hog- 
gard lived  in  a  stirring  period  of  colonial  days. 
He  purchased  more  land  and  engaged  in  the 
culture  of  tobacco,  a  product  which  in  those 
days  was  used  as  a  medium  of  exchange. 
The  minister  was  paid  in  tobacco,  and  the 
necessaries  of  life  were  purchased  with  it. 
Ships  came  o\'er  from  England  with  brick 
aboard  for  ballast,  and  returned  laden  with  to- 
bacco. Thurmer  Hoggard  lived  and  died  on  this 
old  estate.  They  had  the  following  children : 
Thurmer,  Joseph  and  Susan,  all  of  whom  died 
young;  and  Naithaniel,  Mary,  Susan  (2), 
Diana  and  Elizabeth,  all  of  whom  grew  to  ma- 
turity. Each  of  the  children  was  left  an 
estate,  and  Nathaniel,  the  only  living  son,  in- 
herited the  homestead  and  500  acres  of  land. 
To  this  he  later  added,  by  purchase,  about  300 
acres  on  either  side,  making,  all  told,  i.ooo 
acres  in  one  body,  besides  other  property 
owned  by  him  in  the  coimty. 

Nathaniel  Hoggard  was  a  ship-builder  and 
a  farmer.  He  ser\-ed  as  an  ofificer  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War,  and  the  sword  he  carried  now 
adorns  the  wall  of  the  home  in  which  he  was 


770 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


born  and  lived.  During  the  war  he  built  two 
merchant  brigs  and  vvdien  the  British  came  they 
burned  them  while  on  the  ways  and  th?  keels 
still  lie  there.  The  channel  of  Broad  Creek 
was  then  about  15  feet  deep,  while  at  the  pres- 
ent time  it  is  not  more  than  five  feet.  Mr. 
Hoggard  owned  many  slaves  and  engaged  in 
cotton  raising  on  an  extensive  scale,  giving 
attention  also  tO'  other  produce.  He  died  a 
middle-aged  man.  He  married  Mary  Gard- 
ner, and  their  children  were  as  follows:  Mar- 
garet ;  Susan  ;  Joseph  ;  Thurmer ;  John ;  and 
Nathaniel. 

Thurmer  Hoggard,  son  o'f  Nathaniel  and 
Mary  (Gardner)  Hoggard,  inherited  the  old 
homestead,  on  which  he  was  born  about  1785. 
He  assisted  his  father  for  a  time  and  was 
county  clerk  when  the  Court  House  was  at 
Kempsville,  and  also  after  its  removal  tO'  its 
present  situation.  He  was  a  vestryman  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  furnished  lumber  for  the  Gosport 
Navy  Yard  from  the  forests  of  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  most  of  it  being  hand-hewed. 
He  died  in  1835.  He  married  Harriet  Hard- 
ing, by  whom  he  had  the  following  children : 
Nathaniel;  Alary;  Harriet;  Margaret;  and 
Thurmer,  the  subject  of  this  biography. 

Thurmer  Hoggard,  son  of  Thurmer  and 
Harriet  (Harding)  Hoggard,  was  born  Jan- 
uary 14,  1814,  in  the  old  home  which  he  in- 
herited upon  the  death  of- his  father,  and  in 
which  he  has  always  lived.  He  owns  and  con- 
ducts a  farm  of  270  acres  of  choice  land,  and 
has  been  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  his  com- 
munity. He  served  as  a  magistrate  before  and 
after  the  Confederate  \\''ar,  and  was  county 
treasurer  one  term.  He  has  been  a  vestryman 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  since  he 
was  24  years  of  age,  and  has  in  his  charge  the 
communion  service  of  solid  silver  which  was 
used  in  the  first  Episcopal  service  in  this  vicin- 
ity. He  uses  on  his  table  the  silver  spoons  and 
plates  brought  from  England  by  his  great- 
grandfather, and  also  uses  the  table,  chairs  and 
other   furniture,   which   have   been   well   kept. 


He  has  the  Episcopal  records  of  the  parish,  be- 
ginning with  November  20,  1723.  He  is  pos- 
sessed of  many  excellent  traits  of  character 
and  a  pleasing  personality,  and  to  his  many 
friends  his  home  is  always  a  place  of  welcome. 
He  married  Elizabeth  F.  Cornick,  and  they 
had  the  following  children:  Thurmer  H.; 
Horatio  C. ;  Margaret,  deceased ;  Mary ; 
Thomas  J. ;  and  Fanny.  His  wife  and  help- 
meet, who  shared  the  joys  and  sorrows  of  his 
life  for  so*  many  years,  died  about  1889.  The 
two  daughters  and  one  son,  Thurmer  H., 
make  their  home  with  their  father. 

Horatio  C.  Hoggard  was  born  in  1846  on 
his  father's  plantation,  and  there  grew  to  ma- 
turity. He  erected  a  residence  adjoining  the 
home  of  his  father,  in  which  he  has  since  lived 
and  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits.  At  the 
age  of  16  years,  with  the  permission  of  his 
father,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  15th  Vir- 
ginia Battalion,  and  served  throughout  the 
war.  In  1886  he  opened  a  real-estate  office  in 
Norfolk,  and  later  admitted  his  brother. 
Thomas  J.,  into  partnership,  and  they  dealt 
extensively  in  city,  suburban  and  State  prop- 
erty until  1901.  Then  they  dissolved  partner- 
ship, and  Mr.  Hoggard  admitted  two  of  his 
sons,  H.  C,  Jr..  and  H.  P.,  the  firm  name  re- 
maining as  before.  He  has  also  been  associ- 
ated with  building  and  loan  associations. 

Thomas  J.  Hoggard.  who  is  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business  in  Norfolk,  was  born 
on  the  family  homestead  in  Princess  Anne 
County,  Virginia,  in  1852.  He  was  reared  on 
the  plantation  and  attended  the  Norfolk  Acad- 
emy. He  then  became  general  yardmaster  of 
the  Norfolk  &  \\'estern  Railway,  and  contin- 
ued as  such  for  nine  years.  In  1886  he  re- 
signed the  position  and  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business  with  Horatio  C.  Hoggard,  a 
partnership  which  was  dissolved  in  July,  1901, 
since  which  time  Thomas  J.  Hoggard  has  con- 
tinued alone.  He  makes  large  sales,  princi- 
pally to  parties  residing  outside  of  the  city  of 
Norfolk,  although  he  handles  considerable  city 
property. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


773 


R.  JAMES  TERRELL  REDD,  whose 

portrait  accompanies  this  sketch,  was 

born  at  the  old  family  seat.  "Biiena 

X'ista,"  in  Henrico  County.  \'irginia. 

December  31.  1863.    Even  as  a  child. 

he  was  noted  for  his  intense  devotion  to  study. 

his  power    of    mental  concentration,  and  his 

genius  for  mathematics. 

He  took  his  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  at 
Richmond  College,  where  he  was  afterward 
professor  of  mathematics  for  awhile.  Feeling 
that  medicine,  and  m:>.x  especially  surgery,  was 
his  vocation,  he  entered  the  Medical  College  of 
Virginia,  where  he  graduated  in  1895  with  the 
highest  honors,  winning  the  alumni  medal.  He 
also  won  the  prize  on  surgery  and  two  others 
out  of  a  possible  six,  tying  on  the  fifth.  He 
was  also  ofifered  a  professorship  in  the  college. 
Dr.  Upshur,  in  delivering  the  medals,  said : 
''In  the  59  years  this  college  has  been  running. 
it  has  never  before  turned  out  such  a  man." 

Dr.  Redd  practiced  his  profession  for  a 
short  time  in  Richmond,  and  then.  ha\-ing  a 
strong  predilection  for  country  life,  removed 
to  Churchland.  Xorfolk  County,  where  he  has 
built  up  a  large  practice  and  won  the  confidence 
and  affection  of  the  community.  He  is  assisted 
in  his  work  by  his  brother  and  partner.  Dr. 
Paul  E.  Redd,  who  graduated  at  the  same  time 
from  the  same  medical  college,  and  who  mar- 
ried, in  1897.  ]\L"ttie  Livesay  of  Richmond. 

Dr.  Redd's  father  was  James  Taylor  Redd, 
a  civil  engineer,  and  for  35  years  county  sur- 
veyor of  Henrico  County.  He  died  April  3. 
1898.  leaving  to  his  children  a  heritage  of 
honor,  integrity  and  virtue  more  precious  than 
gold. 

The  Redds  trace  their  ancestrv.  in  un- 
broken line  to  Sir  Rufus  de  Redde.  who  came 
to  America  with  Alexander  Spottswood,  in 
1710.  In  1741.  he  discarded  his  title  and  was 
thereafter  known  as  Rufus  Redd.  He  married 
Governor  Spottswood's  niece.  Caroline  Moore, 
and  founded  the  Redd  family  in  \^irginia.  Ed- 
mund Redd,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of 


this  sketch,  married  Sdphia  Burton,  whose  fa- 
ther, Thomas  Burton,  married  Clementina 
Pleasants.  The  Pleasants  line,  a  fine  old 
Quaker  stock,  goes  back  through  fi\e  genera- 
tions to  John  Pleasants,  who  came  from  Xor- 

'  wich,  England,  in  1668,  and  took  up  enormous 
grants  of  land  at  Curl's  Neck,  on  the  James 
River.  James  Pleasants,  an  early  governor  of 
X'irginia.  was  of  this  line.  Through  the  female 
branches,  this  line  also  descends  from  Sir 
Tarleton  Fleming,  second  son  of  the  Earl  of 
W'igton.  who  came  to  V'irp'inia  in  1616.  land- 
ing at  J-amestown  and  settling  in  New  Kent. 

Samuel  Redd,  father  of  Edmund  Redd, 
above  mentioned,  married  Elizabeth  Taylor, 
whose  father,  Edmund  Taylor,  although  a 
mere  lioy,  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary 
Army.  Edmund  Taylor's  mother.  Anne  Lewis, 
was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Charles  Lewis,  who 
was  mortally  wounded  while  leading  the  charge 
at  the  battle  of  Point  Pleasant.  This  noted  bat- 
tle, although  belonging  to  "Dunmore's  War." 
was  practically  the  lieginning  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  the  first  blow  struck  for  American 
liberty.  Col.  Charles  Lewis  was  a  younger 
brother  of  the  famous  and  stanch  old  Indian 
fighter.  Gen.  Andrew  Lewis.  Through  the 
female  branches,  this  line  is  traced  uibiokcn, 
by  the  College  of  Heraldry,  through  many 
noble  and  several  royal  personages,  to  King 
Alfred  the  Great  of  England  in  849. 

Samuel  Redd,  father  of  Samuel  Redd,  be- 
fore-mentioned, married  Lucy  Rogers,  a 
granddaughter  of  Col.  William  Byrd  of  W'est- 
over.  Lucy  Rogers'  father.  Col.  John  Rogers, 
was  an  officer  in  the  Continental  Army,  and 
with  his  nephew,  John  Rogers  Clarke,  on  the 
famous  Lev.'is  and  Clarke  expedition.  This  Col. 
John  Rogers,  when  a  youth,  was  captured  by 
the  Indians,  who  tortured  him.  partially  scalp- 
ing him  and  tearing-  out  his  finger  nails.  He 
finally  escaped,  and  after  marvelous  feats  of 

I  bravery  and  endurance  succeeded  in  making 
his  way  through  the  wilderness  to  the  white 
settlements.     Colonel  Rogers'  father  was  Giles 


774 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Rogers,  a  grandson  of  the  martyr,  Rogers, 
who  met  death  unflinchingly  at  the  stake  for 
his  faith's  sake,  and  his  mother  was  Rachel 
Eastman. 

Dr.  Redd's  mother  was  Sally  A.  Johnson, 
an  only  child  of  Achilles  Douglas  Johnson 
and  Lucy  Terrell,  his  wife.  Achilles  Douglas 
Johnson  was  a  wealthy  tobacconist  of  Lynch- 
burg, Virginia,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio-.  His 
parents  were  Newby  Johnson  and  Sally  Doug- 
las, a  direct  descendant  of  the  Scottish  "Black 
Douglas,"  Earl  of  Angus.  Sally  Douglas'  fa- 
ther was  William  Douglas,  and  her  mother 
was  a  Miss  Lynch,  of  the  celebrated  Irish 
famijy. 

Lucy  Terrell  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph 
Terrell,  born  in  1777;  son  of  Thomas  Terrell, 
born  in  1727;  son  of  Henry,  born  in  1700;  son 
of  David,  born  in  1670;  son  of  William,  born 
in  England,  in  1635.  David  Terrell  received 
immense  grants  of  land  in  Caroline  County, 
Virginia,  from  King  George  I.  It  is  worthy  of 
note  that  these  lands,  as  also  the  old  parch- 
ment charter  for  them,  signed  with  the  roval 
seal  and  the  King's  signature,  remain  in  the 
possession  of  the  descendants  of  David  Terrell 
to  this  day. 

Dr.  James  Terrell  Redd  has  five  brothers, 
viz. :  Edmund  Douglas,  a  civil  engineer,  of 
Richmond,  Virginia ;  Thomas  Crawford,  also 
a  civil  engineer,  of  Richmond,  Virginia ;  Will- 
iam Pleasants,  a  real  estate  dealer,  of  Rich- 
mond, Virginia ;  Paul  Eustace,  who^  is  associ- 
ated with  the  subject  hereof  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  at  Churchland.  Norfolk  County ;  and 
Junius  Adolph,  draughtsman  in  the  construc- 
tion department  of  the  Newport  News  ship- 
yard. Dr.  Redd  has  also  one  sister,  Lucy, 
who  married  William  L.  Wise,  son  of  Will- 
iam F.  Wise,  residing  at  Poplar  Hill,  Church- 
land,  Norfolk  County. 

The  ancient  heraldic  coat  of  arms  of  the 
Redd,  or  de  Reddes,  is  a  shield,  argent,  within 
a  bordure  engrailed,  gules ;  two  chevrons, 
azure;  supported  by  two  leopards,  regardant. 
The  crest  is  a  wild  boar's  head,  couped,  erect; 


and  the  motto,  "Sans  Peur"  (without  fear). 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  and  Knights  of  Pythias  fraternities. 


APT.  WILLIAIM  S.  FITCHETT, 
who  has  commanded  various  tugs 
of  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  line,  at 
the  present  time  on  the  "Helen," 
plying  in  and  around  Newport 
News,  Norfolk  and  Cape  Henry,  has  followed 
the  life  of  a  sailor  for  a  period  of  20  years,  and 
is  an  able  seaman.  Like  his  parents,  he  is  a 
native  of  Mathews  County,  Virginia,  where 
his  birth  occurred  November  15,  1864.  He  is 
a  son  of  Herod  and  Nancy  (Callis)  Fitchett. 
His  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  died 
in  June,  1891,  being  68  years  old  at  the  time 
of  his  demise.  He  was  an  ardent  Democrat. 
His  wife  died  in  November,  1864,  when  Will- 
iam S.  was  but  three  days  old,  he  being  the 
youngest  of  10  children,  namely:  Alary;  Kit- 
tie;  Susan;  Lizzie;  Chastina;  John;  George; 
Thomas ;  Eliza ;  and  William  S.  Kittie  and 
Susan  are  still  residents  of  Mathews  County, 
the  former  being  Mrs.  Andrew  Armistead  and 
the  latter  Mrs.  George  Hudgins.  Chastina 
and  Eliza  are  residents  of  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land,— the  former  being  Mrs.  John  Adams, — 
and  John  is  a  tinner  of  the  same  city.  George 
and  Thomas  are  prosperous  fanners  of 
Mathews  County,  Virginia. 

On  May  20,  1891.  Captain  Fitchett  was 
joined  in  matrimony  with  Maggie  Hundley,  a 
daughter  of  \\'illiam  J.  and  Ann  Hundley, 
and  a  native  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  where  her 
birth  took  place  in  Alay,  1870.  The  Captain 
and  his  estimable  vrife  have  a  family  of  five 
children,  viz. :  William  H.,  born  December 
21,  1892;  Irene,  born  June  29,  1894;  Mar- 
garet, born  September  29,  1896;  Annie,  born 
April  II,  1898;  and  Sadie,  born  August  10, 
1900.  The  family  attend  the  Memorial  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  South,  of  Atlantic 
City  Ward,  Norfolk. 


FRANCIS    M.    MORGAN,    M.    D. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


177 


Captain  Fitchett  had  the  advantages  of  a 
public  scliool  training,  and  immediately  after 
leaving  school  became  a  sailor,  making  all 
ports  from  Norfolk  to  Baltimore.  He  was 
subsequently  employed  on  tishing  steamers  for 
the  following  five  years,  and  touched  all 
points  from  Baltimore  to  Cape  Lookout  and 
along  the  coast  of  North  Carolina.  He  next 
worked  in  the  capacity  of  deck-hand,  c-ctween 
Norfolk  and  Cape  Charles,  on  the  New  York, 
Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  line,  for  two  years, 
and  afterward  served  as  mate  on  the  same  line. 
In  1893  he  was  promoted  to  be  captain  on  the 
tug  "Philadelphia,"  and  ser\-ed  thus  for  two 
years.  He  was  captain  of  the  "Norfolk"  for 
three  years,  and  of  the  "Portsmouth"  for  two 
and  a  half  years.  He  then  severed  his  con- 
necticr.  with  that  line  and  entered  the  employ 
of  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  line,  on  which  he  has 
served  three  years,  as  captain  of  various  tug- 
boats.    Captain  Fitchett  is  a  faithful  c>t^cer. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  socially 
he  is  a  member  of  Brambleton  Lodge.  No.  56. 
K.  of  P.;  and  Norfolk  Lodge.  No.  i.  A.  F. 
&  A.  M. 


ijHN  T.  STEELE,  the  efficient  gen- 
eral manager  of,  and  correspondent 
for,  the  Virginian-Pilot, — Berkley  Bu- 
reau.— is  a  popular  young  man  of 
Berkley.  Virginia,  and  works  with  un- 
tiring energA"  and  zeal  in  furthering  the  inter- 
ests of  the  bright,  newsy  paper,  whose  interests 
are  so  closely  identified  with  his  own.  Mr. 
Steele  was  born  in  Gatesville.  North  Carolina, 
in  August,  1873.  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and 
Elizabeth  Steele,  both  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  still  living  in  Berkley,  \'irginia.  They 
had  10  children,  as  follows:  John  T..  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biography:  James;  Martha:  Will- 
iam: Charles:  Milton,  who  is  deceased:  Lu- 
ther :  Henn>- :  Eugene ;  and  Harr}\ 

John  T.  Steele  attended  the  public  schcxjls 
of  his  native  place  and  acquired  what  educa- 
tion was  there  possible.     He  subsequently  en- 


tered tlie  Suffolk  Collegiate  Military  Institute, 
and  afterward  attended  Berkley  ^lilitary  In- 
stitute. He  then  commenced  life's  struggle  by 
beginning  newspaper  work.  His  talent  in  that 
direction  was  soon  recognized,  and  he  was 
given  the  position  of  general  manager  of.  and 
correspondent  for,  the  Virginian-Pilot  of  Nor- 
folk at  Berkley,  which  place  he  still  retains. 
.  In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Steele  is  a  member 
of  the  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  Chesapeake 
Tent,  No.  11,  and  of  Berkley  Lodge  No.  48, 
K.  of  P.  His  political  opinions  are  in  favor 
of  the  Democratic  party.  He  belongs  to  the 
Main  Street  Christian  Church.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's 
Association  of  Norfolk. 

!Mr.  Steele  is  looked  upon  as  a  rising  young 
man,  being  ever  ready  to  support  all  measures 
that  tend  toward  the  advancement  and  pros- 
perity of  Berklev. 


RANCIS  M.  MORGAN.  M.  D..  a  well- 
known  physician  of  Berkley,  who  com- 
mands a  large  practice  in  the  city  and 
the  immediate  vicinity,  was  born  in 
Currituck  Countv.  North  Carolina,  in 
1846. 

Dr.  Morgan  received  his  preliminarv-  edu- 
cation in  some  of  the  best  schools  of  the  State 
of  North  Carolina,  after  which  he  took  a  course 
of  study  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Virginia,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1869  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  He 
returned  to  his  native  county  and  began  the 
active  practice  of  medicine.  From  the  first  he 
achieved  success  as  a  physician,  and  his  reputa- 
tion spread  beyond  the  limits  of  Currituck 
County.  In  1888  he  removed  to  Berkley  and  in 
a  short  time  established  a  large  practice,  which 
he  has  continued  to  enjoy.  During  his  residence 
in  \'irginia,  he  has  been  coroner  and  county 
and  city  health  officer.  During  the  epidemic 
of  smallpox  in  Berkley,  in  1899.  he  labored 
incessantly  for  the  suppression  of  this  terrible 


778 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUXTY 


disease,  and  much  is  due  him  for  his  suc- 
cess along  this  line.  Dr.  Morgan  is  a  member 
of  the  Seaboard  Medical  Association  of  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  He  is  medical  exam- 
iner for  the  Hartford  Life  Insurance  Company. 
Fraternally  he  takes  great  interest  in  the  Benev- 
olent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  of  which 
he  is  a  prominent  member.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pvthias.  Dr.  Morgan  is 
a  Democrat  of  the  old  school,  and  takes  great 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  State  and  county.  He 
stands  well  in  the  medical  profession  of  Nor- 
folk County,  and  is  one  of  the  most  progres- 
sive citizens  of  Berkley.  Dr.  Morgan's  por- 
trait accompanies  this  sketch. 


OSIAH  :\IcCOY  WILLIAMSON,  an 
influential  farmer  living  one  and  a 
half  miles  north  of  Great  Bridge, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  was  born 
in  Portsmouth,  December  20,  1836. 
He  is  a  son  of  Caleb  Williamson,  and  grand- 
son of  Henry  Williamson.  The  Williamson 
family  is  of  Scotch  and  English  descent.  Hen- 
ry Williamson  was  born  in  Norfolk  County, 
and  his  son,  Caleb,  was  also  a  native  of  that 
county.  Caleb  Williamson  married  Martha 
McCoy,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  and 
to  them  were  born  10  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely:  Elton,  who  served  in  the  war  be- 
tween the  States :  Henry,  who  also  served  in 
that  war;  Josiah  AIcC. ;  \\'illiam  and  Thomas, 
twins,  of  whom  the  former  was  in  the  signal 
service,  and  the  latter  in  Company  E,  6ist 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry ;  Rufus ;  Isaac  ; 
Austin;  and  two  sons  who  died  in  infancy,  as 
did  the  two  daughters. 

Josiah  McCoy  Williamson,  while  the  war 
was  in  progress,  was  at  sea  on  a  merchant  ves- 
sel trading  between  Europe  and  the  West  In- 
dies. He  followed  the  sea  for  12  years.  Since 
then  he  has  followed  tfie  occupation  of  a 
farmer,  and  his  knowledge  of  agricultural  mat- 
ters is  very  thorough.     He  is  considered  one 


of  the  best  farmers  in  the  vicinity  of  Great 
Bridge.  He  now  owns  160  acres  of  finely  im- 
proved land  near  Great  Bridge,  in  which  town 
he  is  very  well  known. 

Mr.  Williamson  married  Delia  Williamson, 
who  was  born  in  Norfolk  County.  They  have 
one  son,  Carroll,  who  married  Ludie  Ether- 
idge,  and  conducts  a  general  merchandise  store 
at  Great  Bridge.  Our  subject  is  a  Democrat 
in  politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Oak  Grove 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  in  which 
he  is  an  active  worker. 


W.  GARY,  who  has  served  as  super- 
intendent and  collector  of  the  Dismal 
Swamp  Canal  for  the  past  t,^  years, 
is  a  prominent  resident  of  Deep 
Creek,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
where  he  was  born  December  24,  1839. 

Benjamin  A.  Gary,  his  father,  was  born  in 
Prince  George  County.  Virginia,  in  1805,  and 
removed  to  Norfolk  County  in  1837,  locating 
at  Deep  Creek,  where  he  was  engaged  as 
teacher  and  followed  a  mechanical  trade.  He 
married  Rebecca  L.  \\'eston,  who  was  born  in 
Deep  Creek,  in  1809,  and  they  reared  two  chil- 
dren, namely :     Sterling  W.  and  S.  \\'. 

S.  W.  Gary  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  on  April  20,  1861,  as  a  member  of  the 
3rd  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  Pickett's 
Division.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Yorktown,  Williamsburg,  Seven  Pines.  Mal- 
\-ern  Hill  and  Harper's  Ferry.  He  was  in  the 
^Maryland  campaign,  and  Gettysburg,  and 
was  then  taken  prisoner,  and  incarcerated  from 
Julv  3,  1863,  to  July,  1865.  During  this  time 
lie  suffered  much  from  deprivation,  subsisting 
for  84  days  on  cornmeal  and  pickles.  He  was 
released  in  1865,  and  in  1866  reiurned  to  Deep 
Creek,  where  he  has  smce  resided.  He  was 
made  superintendent  and  collector  of  the  Dis- 
mal Swamp  Canal,  and  has  since  served  in  that 
capacity. 


j\Ir.   Garv  was  united    in    marriage 


ith 


JOHN    W.    RUTTER. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


781 


Mary  R.  W'estun,  in  18O7.  Slie  died  in  iSSo, 
leaving  one  son,  II.  W'entworth.  Fraternally, 
he  belongs  to  the  Masons.  Elks,  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Odd  Fellows  and  other  t)rders.  He  is 
a  Democrat  in  politics.  Religiously,  he  is  a 
memlier  nf  the  Methodist  Episcdjial  Church, 
S<juth. 


(3HX  W.  Rl'TTF.K.  whose  portrait 
a[)p£ars  on  the  <  opposite  page,  has  been 
prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Portsmouth 
and  of  Norfolk  County,  \'irginia,  since 
the  Ci:)nfederate  War,  and  has  served 
in  various  capacities  of  otTicial  trust.  He  was 
born  in  Currituck  County.  North  Carolina,  and 
is  a  son  of  Alfred  Rutter.  whose  land  was  in 
North  Carolina,  but  adjoined  Virginia. 

John  \\'.  Rutter's  grandfather.  Rev.  Jere- 
miah Rutter.  a  Baptist  minister,  was  l)orn  at 
Deep  Creek  and  was  of  Scotch  descent.  Rev. 
Jeremiah  Rutter  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Court  Street  Baptist  Church,  and  also 
preached  at  Churchland. 

Alfred  Rutter,  our  subject's  father,  was 
l)orn  at  Deep  Creek  in  1794  and  was  reared 
there.  In  early  life  he  was  overseer  for  \\'es- 
ton,  and  was  a  farmer  and  magistrate  until 
his  death  in  1857.  By  his  first  marriage  Al- 
fred Rutter  had  three  children,  as  follows: 
Lydia,  deceased:  James  Alfred,  who  was  a 
member  of  ?\Iajor  Etheredge's  company,  41st 
Regiment,  \'irginia  Infantry,  was  W(iunded  at 
the  Crater,  near  Petersburg,  returned  home 
after  Lee  surrendered,  and  died  in  1884:  and 
Barney,  who  was  born  about  1S33,  and  is  a 
ship-carpenter  by  trade.  'Sir.  Rutter  formed 
a  second  matrimonial  alliance,  wedding  Chloe 
Drake,  who  was  reared  in  \'irginia,  and  died 
in  1884,  having  given  birth  to  the  following 
children:  Martha,  deceased;  Chloe,  who  re- 
sides in  North  Carolina:  John  W.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch:  Cornelius,  deceased;  Benjamin 
and  Joseph,  twins,  both  deceased;  and  Melissa, 
deceased. 

John  W.  Rutter  was  reared  in  North  Caro- 


lina until  i8r.i.  living  with  his  widowed  mother. 
Being  a  union  man  in  his  views,  he  left  home 
for  Washington  in  1861,  and  joined  Company 
H,  1 6th  Regiment,  West  Virginia  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  as  a  private.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1863  he  was  transferred  to  the 
quartermaster's  department  and  served  un- 
til the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  was  honora- 
bly discharged.  He  then  worked  in  the  Nor- 
folk Navy  Yard  as  assistant  weigher  and  wood 
inspector.  He  held  various  positions  in  the 
Navy  Yard,  and  there  learned  the  block- 
maker's  trade.  He  continued  at  this  until  1870 
when  he  was  appointed  Deputy  United  States 
Marshal.  He  afterward  returned  to  the  Navy 
Yard  as  a  special  laborer  in  the  block-maker's 
department,  and  remained  there  until  appointed 
quarterman  of  laborers  in  the  Bureau  of  Yards 
and  Docks.  In  November,  1873,  he  left  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  which  he  has 
since  followed,  his  establishment  being  located 
at  Nos.  1010-1012  South  street.  He  took  the 
United  States  Census  in  his  district  in  1870, 
1880  and  1890,  and  discharged  the  duties  of 
that  i.H)sition  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner. 
He  was  appointed  on  the  School  Board  of 
Norfolk  County,  Western  Branch,  and  served 
about  10  years.  In  addition  to  his  mercantile 
business  he  has  served  as  clerk  of  the  district 
and  county  school  boards.  He  was  appointed  at 
notary  public  and  has  served  as  such  under 
four  governors.  He  served  as  magistrate  at 
Portsmouth  from  1885  to  1899.  He  has  also 
been  land  assessor  of  the  district  and  commis- 
sioner of  revenue  for  the  First  District  of  Nor- 
folk County,  embracing  three  townships.  Fcr 
four  years  he  was  deputy  treasurer  of  Norfolk 
County.  He  has  a  complete  record  of  all  bis 
acts  as  a  notary  and  masfistrate. 

Mr.  Rutter  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Esther  Elizabeth  Parker,  who  was  born  in  Per- 
quimans County,  North  Carolina,  in  1842,  and 
was  a  child  when  her  parents  moved  to  Ports- 
mouth. They  have  had  the  following  children  : 
Nealie,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  a  Mr. 
Cutler;  Norman  Whitfield,  who  is  a  ship-joiner 


782 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


in  the  Norfolk  Navv  Yard;  Arthur  John,  who 
attended  William  and  Marj'  College,  taught 
school  for  a  period  of  six  years,  and  is  now 
with  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company ; 
Willie  H.,  who  is  a  clerk ;  Lena  May  (  Casteen) , 
of  Portsmouth :  and  Cyrus  Clifton,  deceased. 
Religiously  Mr.  Rutter  is  a  member  of  the 
South  Street  Baptist  Church.  He  has  been 
a  Mason  since  1866,  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
Templar,  Scottish  Rite,  ^Ivstic  Shrine;  is  past 
master,-  past  high  priest,  and  at  the  present 
time,  secretary,  of  Portsmouth  Naval  Lodge, 
No.  100,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  and  recorder  of  Ports- 
mouth Commandery,  No.  5,  K.  T.  He  is  an  A. 
P.  A.,  and  an  honorary  member  of  Junior  Or- 
der  of  United  American  Mechanics.  He  was 
formerly  a  member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public since  its  inception  in  1866,  and  has 
served  therein  in  nearly  all  capacities.  He  is 
past  department  commander,  and  has  many 
badges  in  token  of  services  rendered.  He  has 
a  badge  of  solid  gold  presented  to  him  by  the 
Department  of  North  Carolina,  G.  A.  R.  He 
also  ser\'ed  on  the  staff  of  Colonel  Albert  D. 
Shaw,  commander-in-chief  of  the  G.  A.  R. 


HOMAS  MORRISON,  a  prominent 
farmer  residing  near  Berkley,  in  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  in  December,  1834.  He 
is  a  son  of  Andrew  Morrison,  who 
was  born  in  New  Jersey,  and  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  Andrew  Morrison  married  Mary 
Martin  of  Pennsylvania,  and  they  reared  the 
following  children:  Thomas,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  Andrew ;  Robert ;  Anna ;  and 
Harriet. 

Thomas  Morrison  located  in  Norfolk  when 
he  was  18  years  old,  and  has  lived  in  Nor- 
folk County  since  that  time.  He  v.'orked 
for  Richard  Cox,  the  "King  of  Truckers,"  for 
nine  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  located 
on  a   farm  near  his  present  place,  in  Wash- 


ington district.  In  1892,  he  purchased  the 
land  on  which  he  now  lives,  and  which  con- 
sists of  26  acres.  This  land  he  keeps  in  a 
splendid  state  of  cultivation,  giving  his  con- 
stant attention  to  the  work.  He  is  thoroughly 
conversant  with  agricultural  matters,  and  is 
one  of  the  best  farmers  of  Norfolk  County. 

Mr.  Morrison  married  Fanny  Cotton,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia.  They  ha\'e  one  child, 
John  R.,  who  is  also  a  farmer  and  lives  near 
his  parents.  :\Ir.  Morrison  enlisted  in  1861, 
in  the  41st  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  and 
served  in  the  army  two  years.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat in  politics.  Religiously,  he  belongs  to  the 
Qiristian  Church. 


HOMAS    A.     SMOTHERS,    who    is 
postmaster  at  Lambert's  Point,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  and  is  also  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  business  in  that  vil- 
lage, was  born  in  Chesapeake  County. 
Virginia,  near  Petersburg,  August  21,    1871. 
He  is  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Mary  E.  ( Wat- 
son)  Smothers. 

George  W.  Smothers  was  a  native  of  Nortii 
Carolina,  and  was  born  in  1841.  He  died 
August  31,  1 89 1.  He  was  a  railroad  man  and 
came  to  Norfolk  in  1886.  He  married  Mary 
E.  Watson,  whO'  was  born  in  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1861,  and  died  January  14,  1892. 
They  reared  two  children,  namely:  Mary  E., 
who  married  a  Mr.  Moore,  and  Thomas  A., 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Thomas  A.  Smothers  received  his  mental 
training  in  his  native  county,  and  later  entered 
the  drug  business  in  Chesapeake  County,  where 
he  remained  twO'  vears.     He  settled  in  Norfolk 


and  established  a  drug 


DUSl- 


County  in  1887, 
ness  at  Lambert's  Point,  where  he  has  since 
continued.  He  carries  a  full  line  of  drugs, 
cigars  and  tobacco,  and  has  a  large  patronage. 
He  was  appointed  postmaster  January  6,  1895, 
which  position  he  still  retains  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all.     Mr.   Smothers  is  a  con- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


783 


scientious  business  man,  is  possessed  of  tlirift 
and  inte.^rity,  and  is  higlily  esteemed  in  the 
community.  He  has  a  thorough  understand- 
ing of  drugs,  and  much  confidence  is  placed  in 
his  abihty  as  a  chemist. 

Mr.  Smothers  married,  in  September, 
1894,  Minnie  A.  Friary,  wlio  was  born  Novem- 
ber 15,  1870.  They  liave  two  cliiUh-en, — 
Thomas  A. :  and  Mary  E.  Tlie  family  attends 
the  CathoHc  Cliurch.  Pohtically  Mr.  Smoth- 
ers is  a  Repul)iican. 


EXRY  B.  ETHEREDGE,  a  well- 
known  resident  of  Great  Bridge,  Nor- 
folk County,  \'irginia.  was  born  in 
this  county  August  18.  1867,  and  is 
a  son  of  \\"illiam  H.  Etheredge, 
grandson  of  Henry  Etheredge,  and  great- 
grandson  of  Henry  Etheridge,  the  elder. 

Henry  Etheredge,  the  great-grandfather, 
was  bcrn  in  Scotland  and  came  to  this  country 
at  an  early  day.  He  fought  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War  and  the  War  of  18 12.  He  located  in 
Norfolk  County  and  lived  here  until  his  death. 
His  son,  Henry,  was  Ijorn  in  NorfolTv  County 
in  1790.  He  married  Martha  Butt,  and  they 
reared  three  children, — Rebecca,  Carson  and 
William  H. 

William  H.  Etheredge  was  l>orn  in  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  July  i-j,  1820,  and  in 
1829  located  in  the  city  of  Norfolk.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  which  he  followed 
many  years.  At  the  age  of  21  years,  he  built 
a  shop  within  two  miles  of  Great  Bridge,  which 
he  operated  until  1841.  He  then  built  a  sliop 
on  his  present  farm  near  Great  Bridge,  and 
there  carried  on  his  business  until  1861.  He 
then  enlisted  in  the  41st  Regiment,  Virginia 
Infantry,  as  captain  of  Company  F,  a  volun- 
teer company  of  60  men,  of  which  he  was  com- 
missioned captain  by  Governor  Letcher  of  Vir- 
ginia. They  tirst  went  into  camp  at  the  old 
Marine  Hospital  in  Berkley,  and  in  May. 
moved  to  the  Navv  Yard,  under  command  of 


Commodore  Forrest.  Here  he  had  100  men  in 
his  company,  and  took  charge  of  the  Navy 
Yard,  helping  during  that  time,  to  put  the 
"Merrimac"  in  dry  dock.  He  remained  there 
nine  months,  in  that  time  guarding  the  "Mer- 
rimac," and  then  took  his  company  to  Sewell's 
Point,  to  rejoin  his  regiment.  He  saw  service 
ill  the  battles  of  Seven  Pines,  Fredericksburg, 
Salem  Church,  Gettysburg  and  Cherryvale. 
He  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major,  after 
the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  August  18,  1862, 
and  was  in  command  of  the  regiment  during 
the  battle  of  Williamsburg.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  in  1865,  he  returned  home  and  located  on 
his  present  farm.  In  1843,  '^^  married  Sarah 
A.  Carson,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk  County 
in  1828,  and  they  became  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Lillian,  'decea.sed:  Ella; 
Luther;  Linnseus;  Lelia;  Mellis:  William  T. ; 
Henry  B. ;  and  Martha  R. 

Henry  B.  Etheredge  was  reared  in  Norfolk 
County,  and  then,  for  four  years,  resided  in 
Norfolk,  where  he  was  engaged  as  a  clerk. 
Then,  in  1891,  after  farming  for  two  years,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  the  Albermarle  &  Chesa- 
peake Canal  Company,  and  for  three  years 
served  as  keeper  and  timber  insi)ector.  Since 
January,  1901,  he  has  been  collector,  and  has 
ably  discharged  the  duties  of  that  position. 

Mr.  Etheredge  was  united  in  marriage  wdth 
Leila  V.  Stout,  wbo  was  Ixjrn  near  Grealt 
Bridge,  Norfolk  County,  and  they  have  two 
sons, — Carson  S.  and  Forrest.  Politically, 
Mr.  Etheredge  is  a  Democrat.  In  religious 
attachment  he  is  a  member  of  the  Oak  Grove 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South. 


AMES  T.  DULLER,  a  .successful 
farmer  living  at  Lambert's  Point, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  was  born 
in'  Norfolk  County,  February  10, 
1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Cato  Miller. 
Cato  Miller  was  born  in  Norfolk  County, 
and  was  reared  on  a  farm.     He  has  followed 


784 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  occupation  of  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and  is 
.  still  living  at  the  age  of  69  years.  He  married 
Sarah  Vanderberry.  who  is  also  a  native  of 
Norfolk  County.  They  have  reared  five  chil- 
dren, namely :  Emma,  who  married  Henry 
Cooper;  Isaac  W. ;  James  T.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch ;  C.  F. ;  and  Addie  L.,  who  married 
Henry  Robertson.  All  of  the  children  reside 
at  Lambert's  Point. 

James  T.  Miller  has  farmed  all  his  life, 
with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  the 
commission  business  in  New  York.  His  farm 
contains  30  acres  of  finely  improved  land,  and 
is  the  old  H.  J.  Lambert  homestead.  Mr. 
Miller  has  had  much  experience  in  farming 
and  is  a  thoroughly  competent  manager. 

He  married  Ora  Smith,  who  is  also  a  native 
of  Lambert's  Point.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that 
both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  were  born  in  the 
same  house.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a  daughter  of 
John  \V.  Smith.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
and  his  wife  have  two  children, — James  T., 
Jr.,  and  Goldie.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  Po- 
litically, Mr.  Miller  is  a  Republican. 


ILLIS  HUTCHINGS  is  the  efficient 
principal  of  the  public  schools  at 
Lambert's  Point,  Norfolk  County, 
A'irginia.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County,  March  18,  i860,  and  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Caroline  (Sawyer)  Hutch- 
ings. 

Joseph  Hutchings  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina, June  2S.  1 82 1,  and  died  December  5, 
1899.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
settled  in  Norfolk  County  in  1849,  \vhere  he 
remained  until  his  death.  He  married  Caro- 
line Sawyer,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
September  3,  1827,  and  died  August  31.  1894. 
They  reared  the  following  children  :  Adelia 
H..  who  married  Felix  Jennings,  and  after- 
ward Mr.  Hodges :  Joseph,  Jr. ;  Willis,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Luther. 


After  attending  the  public  schools  in  his  na- 
tive county,  Willis  Hutchings  took  a  course  in 
North  Carolina  College,  and  later  went  toi 
Richmond,  Virginia,  and  there  attended  Rich- 
mond College.  He  then  spent  two  years  at  a 
Baptist  theological  seminary  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  which  he  left  in  i8'85.  He  then  be- 
gan to  teach  school  in  Norfolk  County,  and 
also  spent  some  time  in  the  county  clerk's  of- 
fice in  Portsmouth.  For  eight  years,  he  served 
as  deputy  treasurer  of   Norfolk   County.     In 

1899,  Mr.  Hutchings  took  charge  of  the 
schools  at  Lambert's  Point.  There  were  then 
but  two  teachers  there,  and  there  are  now  five. 
Two  hundred  and  fifty  pupils  are  enrolled. 
Mr.  Hutchings  has  served  as  principal  of  these 
schools  with  much  ability,  and  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all,  and  he  is  looked  upon  as  a 
man  of  high  capacity  and  scholarly  attain- 
ments. 

He  was  married  January  21,  1885,  to  Fan- 
nie Creekmur,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. They  reared  the  following  children : 
Roberta;  Pauline;  and  Raymond.  Mrs. 
Hutchings   died     in     1892.     On   January   20, 

1900,  Mr.  Hutchings  married  Leona  Ricketts, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  In  politics.  Mr. 
Hutchings  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  ^  member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  and  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 
He  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  has  done  considerable  preaching  in  a  num- 
ber of  towns  and  villages. 


ILLIAM  I.  CONOVER,  who  is  a 
truck  farmer  in  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  located  at  Edgewater,  is 
one  of  the  influential  residents  of 
of  the  county.  He  was  born  in 
Monmouth  County,  New  Jersey,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Mary  (Schenck)   Conover. 

John  Conover  was  born  in  1835,  and  died 
in  1869,  at  the  age  of  34  years.  He  was  reared 
in  Monmouth  County,  New  Jersey,  and  was 
by  occupation  a   farmer.     He  married  Mary 


HENRY    B     WILKINS 


RESIDENCE    OF    HENRY    B.    WILKINS. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


■87 


Scheiick,  a  daughter  of  John  C.  Scheiick,  form- 
erly a  well-known  fanner  of  Monmouth  Coun- 
ty, who  is  deceased.  Mrs.  Conover  is  still 
living,  at  the  age  of  68  years.  She  has  had  tive 
children,  namely :  John  and  Peter  S..  twins, 
both  living  in  New  Jersey ;  Charles,  who  is  in 
business  in  Cincinnati ;  Derua.  who  died  in  in- 
fancy; and  \\"illiam  I.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

William  I.  Conover  attended  school  two 
years  at  the  Peddie  Institute,  Hightstown,  New 
Jersey,  and  in  1869  removed  to  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. He  finished  his  schooling  at  Lambert's! 
Point,  and  later  took  up  his  present  occupa- 
tion.— that  of  truck  farming.  He  has  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  homes  in  this  section  of  the 
count}-.  It  is  situated  on  the  bank  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River,  and  each  day  many  vessels  are  to 
be  seen  passing  the  premises.  'Six.  Conover 
has  always  been  successful  in  farming,  and  has 
found  a  ready  market  for  all  the  products  of 
his  land. 

He  married  Ella  Rue,  a  daughter  of  Mat- 
thew P.  Rue.  She  was  born  in  IMonmoutlV 
County,  New  Jersey.  They  have  one  son. — 
John  \\'., — who  is  a  student  of  Washington 
and  Lee  University  at  Lexington.  \'irginia.  In 
politics,  Mr.  Conover  is  a  Republican.  He  at- 
tends the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  well 
known  and  highly  respected  in  Norfolk 
Countv. 


:NRY  B.  WTLKINS,  dealer  in  coal 
and  wood  at  No.  1213  Washington 
street.  Portsmouth.  Norfolk  County. 
\'irginia,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
at  the  age  of  22  years  settled  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  became  clerk  for  the  banking  house 
of  Bain  &  Brother,  and  remained  in  their  em- 
ploy II  years.  In  1885  he  engaged  in  business 
for  himself,  opening  a  wood  and  coal  estab- 
lishment at  his  present  location.  He  has  given 
his  constant  attention  to  this  business  since 
1887.  and  has  met  with  good  success.  He  em- 
plovs   several   people  to  assist  him  and  con- 

41 


ducts  a  large  business  in  Portsmouth  and  vi- 
cinity. H<inest  and  u|iright  in  his  dealings,  he 
has  made  many  friends,  who  patronize  him  lib- 
erally. 

Mr.  Wilkins  married  Sarah  L.  Reed,  of 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  to  them  ha\e  been 
born  four  children,  namely  :  Samuel,  deceased, 
and  Eva,  Reed  and  Arthur,  who  are  at  home. 
Mr.  Wilkins  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and, 
although  he  has  not  given  much  of  his  time 
to  political  matters,  he  served  four  years  as  a 
member  of  the  Citv  Council  of  Portsmouth. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 
Religiously  he  is  a  member  of  the  S<nith  Street 
Baptist  Church.  A  portrait  of  Mr.  Wilkins  and 
a  view  of  his  home  appear  on  a  preceding 
page. 


Countv 


R.    CHARLES    WILSON    DOUGH- 
TIE.     This    gentleman    is    a    well- 
known  physician  of  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  and  is  located  at  Lambert's 
Point.     He  was  born  in  Nansemond 

,  Virginia.  Februarv  20.  1876.  and  is  a 

H. 


son  of  H.  S.  Doughtie.  and  grandsnn  nf  W 
Doughtie. 

H.  S.  Doughtie  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  married  Sarah  J.  Nortleet.  also  a 
native  of  Nansemond  Countv.  X'irginia.  and 
a  daughter  of  John  A.  Norfleet.  They  reared 
one  child,  Charles  Wilson,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Charles  Wilson  Doughtie  attended  the 
schools  of  his  native  county,  and  also  the  Suf- 
folk Military  Academy.  Later,  he  entered  the 
Medical  College  of  Virginia,  at  Richmond, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1898.  He 
began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Nansemond 
County,  whence  he  removed  to  Lambert's 
Point.  He  has  been  associated  with  Dr.  Her- 
bert R.  Drewry.  another  well-known  physician 
of  Lambert's  Point.  Dr.  Doughtie  is  a  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  of  great  ability,  and  has  been 
recognized  as  such  in  Norfolk  County.  He  has 
a  \ery  large  practice,  and  gives  much  of  his 


788 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


time  to  medical  societies,  of  several  of  which 
he  is  a  prominent  member. 

Dr.  Doughtie  was  married,  November  21, 
1900,  to  Florence  M.  Willis,  a  native  of  Rich- 
mond, Virginia.  He  is  surgeon  for  the  Nor- 
folk &  \\'estern  Railway  Company,  and  is  one 
of  the  staff  of  Hospital  St.  Vincent  de  Paul. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Health  of 
Norfolk  County,  of  the  Virginia  State  Medical 
Society,  the  Norfolk  Medical  Society,  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  Fraternally, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Red  Men,  Elks  and  the  Masonic  order.  Re- 
ligiously, he  is  a  member  of  the  ^lethodist 
Episcopal  Church.   South. 


W.  DENNIS,  a  highly  respected 
farmer  living  in  Norfolk  Comity, 
A'irginia.  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
where  he  was  born  September  22, 
1834.  He  is  a  son  of  ^I.  and  Mary 
(Dennis)  Dennis. 

The  father  of  M.  W.  Dennis  was  a  farmer 
and  settled  in  Norfolk  Count}-  when  he  was 
50  years  of  age.  His  death  occurred  in  1898. 
He  married  Mary  Dennis,  a  daughter  of  A. 
Dennis,  who  was  born  in  Virginia.  They 
reared  seven  children,  of  whom  those  living 
are  as  follows:  M.  W.,  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch ;  Samuel ;  Mary,  who  married  a 
Mr.  Harrison ;  and  Leigh,  who  married  a  j\Ir. 
Smith. 

M.  W.  Dennis  was  reared  in  West  Nor- 
folk, and  he  has  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer  all  his  life.  He  owns  100  acres  of  fine 
trucking  land,  which  is  kept  under  a  splendid 
state  of  cultivation,  and  his  farm  is  considered 
one  of  the  best  in  Norfolk  County. 

Mr.  Dennis  was  married  in  1857  to  Eliza- 
beth F.  Love,  a  native  of  Norfolk  County. 
They  have  been  blessed  with  14  children,  of 
whom  those  living  are  as  follows:  Lulie  J.: 
Julia  J. ;  John  E. :  Willie  H. :  Faianie  L. :  Ro- 
land; Maurice  W. ;  and  Claude.     Mr.  Dennis 


enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  March, 
1 86 1,  and  saw  much  hard  service  along  the 
James  River.  He  was  discharged  on  account 
of  sickness. 

Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  There  is 
no  more  enterprising  citizen  of  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty than  Mr.  Dennis,  and  he  has  a  host  of 
friends  in  that  countv. 


R.  HERBERT  R.  DREWRY,  a  well- 
known  physician  of  Lambert's  Point, 
Norfolk  Countv,  Virginia,  was  born 
in  Southampton,  Virginia.  He  is  a 
son  of  E.  A.  and  Laura  S.  (Roney) 
Drewry. 

E.  A.  Drewry  was  a  native  of  Southamp- 
ton, Virginia.  He  married  Laura  S.  Roney, 
a  native  of  Dinwiddle  County,  Virginia,  and 
they  reared  the  following  children :  Emmett, 
deceased;  ^lary;  and  Herbert  R..  the  subject 
of  this  biography.  Mr.  Drewry  married,  sec- 
ondly, Alta  S.  Booth,  who  was  born  in  Peters- 
burg. Virginia.  They  have  two  children, 
namely :     Patrick  H.  and  Hunter  L. 

After  finishing  his  primary  education, 
Herbert  R.  Drewry  attended  the  AlcCabe 
Academy,  jn  Petersburg,  and  then  entered  the 
Virginia  Military  Institute,  after  which  he  wa3 
engaged  in  the  feed  business  for  one  vear 
and  a  half.  He  was  connected  with  the  Hotel 
Exchange  i>f  Richmond  for  10  years,  during 
which  period  he  attended  the  Richmond  ^led- 
ical  College.  He  was  graduated  from  that  in- 
stitution in  1895,  and  after  practicing  medicine 
in  Richmond  six  months  located  in  Norfolk. 
In  1896,  he  settled  at  Lambert's  Point,  where 
he  has  sfnce  resided,  being  associated  in  prac- 
tice with  Dr.  Charles  Wilson  Doughtie. 

Dr.  Drewry  is  one  of  the  best  ])hysicians 
of  Norfolk  County,  and  has  a  large  and  lucra- 
tive practice.  He  has  a  perfect  understanding 
of  the  science  of  medicine  and  surgery,  and  is 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


789 


always  interested  in  any  new  methods,  which 
are  likely  to  be  of  assistance  to  him  in  his  pro- 
fession. He  easily  wins  the  confidence  of  those 
who  are  associated  with  him,  either  profes- 
sionally or  socially,  and  is  highly  respected  for 
his  many  admirable  traits  of  character. 

Dr.  Drewry  is  a  member  of  the  Xcrfolk 
Medical  Society,  the  Seaboard  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, and  the  Virginia  State  Medical  So- 
ciety. Fraternally,  he  is  a  member  of  the  fol- 
lowing lodges :  Masonic :  Odd  Fellows ; 
Maccabees;  Elks:  K.  A.  M.  O. :  and  Red  Men. 
He  attends  the  Prostestant  Episcopal  Church. 
Dr.  Drewry  stands  very  high  in  the  com- 
munitv. 


UBREY      L.      CHILDRESS,      who 
carries  on  a  general  trucking  busi- 
ness,  is  living  on  his   farm  of   187 
acres  in  Xorfolk  County.    Virginia, 
near  Ocean  Mew.     He  was  born  in 
Appomattox    County,   \'irginia.   January   2^, 
1867,  and  is  a  son  of  T.  C.  Childress,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  \'irginia. 

T.  C.  Childress  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  War. 
He  married  Jane  R.  Webb,  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  they  reared  six  children,  of  whom 
those  living  are  as  follows :  Charles  E. ; 
Thomas  W. ;  Alice  B. :  and  Aubrey  L..  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch. 

Aubrey  L.  Childress  received  his  mental 
training  in  Richmond,  and  spent  his  early  life 
in  and  about  that  city.  He  settled  in  Xorfolk 
County  in  1885.  locating  on  the  farm  where 
he  has  since  lived.  He  owns  187  acres  of 
land,  but  cultivates  only  127  acres.  He  carries 
on  a  .!:;eneral  trucking  business,  in  which  he  has 
met  with  much  success.  He  has  always  been 
deeply  interested  in  agricultural  matters,  and  is 
possessed  of  much  practical  knowledge  in  that 
line.  He  tries  to  keep  abreast  with  the  times 
in  affairs  that  concern  his  business,  and  takes 
advantage  of  all  new  methods  introduced  to 
assist  those  engaged  ir.  the  trucking  business. 


Mr.  Childress  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  S. 
Fisher,  a  native  of  Xorfolk  County.  She  had 
three  ch.ildren  by  her  previous  marriage  with 
L.  J.  Fisher,  namely :  Eddie  T. ;  Emma  V. ; 
and  Grace  E.  L.  j.  Fisher  was  a  prominent 
man  in  this  community.  He  served  in  the 
Confederate  War  as  a  member  of  Company  C, 
15th  Regiment.  Virginia  Cavalry.  Army  of 
Xorthern  \'irginia,  and  was  with  his  command 
all  the  time  except  12  days  when  sick.  He 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  oi  his  com- 
pany and  was  once  wounded  slightly.  He  was 
elected  a  member  of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp. 
February  2^.  1884.  After  the  war  he  settled 
on  the  place  where  Mr.  Childress  resides,  and 
by  diligence  and  economy  was  able  to  leave 
to  his  family  the  snug  sum  of  about  S6o,ooo. 
invested  in  real  estate.  He  died  January  15, 
1890.  Mr.  Childress  and  his  wife  have  one 
child. — Tillman  C,  who  was  born  in  1891. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of 
the  Elks.  Politically,  he  casts  his  vote  with 
the  Democratic  party.  He  is  a  Baptist  in  re- 
ligious views.  Mr.  Childress  stands  high  in 
the  community,  where  he  is  well  known  for 
his  manv  admirable  traits  of  character. 


ILLIAM  J.  LAXD.  one  of  the  prom- 
inent farmers  of  X'orfolk  County, 
\'irginia.    was   born    near    Ocean 
\"iew.  on  Tanner's  Creek,  October 
12,    1851.     He  is   a    son    of   H. 
Land,  also  a  native  of  Virginia. 

H.  Land  was  a  farmer  and  spent  most  of 
his  life  in  \'irginia.  He  married  Mary  Ellis, 
a  native  of  X'orfolk  County,  and  a  daughter  of 
•William  Ellis.  They  reared  four  children, 
namely:  ■\\"illiam  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Rittie.  who  married  a  Mr.  Bunter; 
Sarah,  wife  of  K.  O.  Backus ;  and  Peter  S. 

\\'illiam  J.  Land,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  attended  a  private  school  and  was  reared 
.on  his  father's  farm,  where  he  learned  much 
about  agricultural  matters.     When  he  grew  to 


790 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


manhood  he  also  took  up  this  occupation,  and 
has  successfully  followed  it  since  that  time. 
He  has  167  acres  of  land  in  Norfolk  County, 
about  115  acres  of  which  he  cultivates.  He 
also  raises  oysters  on  his  farm,  which  he  mar- 
kets. He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  progress 
made  by  other  farmers  in  the  community,  and 
always  lends  his  assistance  to  any  worthy  en- 
terprise. He  is  possessed  of  much  thrift  and 
energy,  and  is  upright  in  character  and  honest 
with  all  men. 

In  1879,  Mr.  Land  married  Henrietta  Butt, 
who  died  in  1880.  In  1885,  he  married  Mag- 
gie Bunting,  a  native  of  Norfolk  County,  and 
a  daughter  of  George  Bunting.  They  have 
four  children,  namely :  jNIinnie,  who  married 
E.  G.  Harrison ;  Everett :  Neva ;  and  ^lary. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  He  is  very  well 
known  in  Norfolk  County,  where  he  is  highly 
esteemed  for  his  good  qualities. 


OHN  S.  WRIGHT,  Jr.,  general  man- 
ager of  the  Churchland  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  has  filled  that  position 
of  trust  since  1899,  and  stands  among 
the  foremost  citizens  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia.  The  company  with  which 
lie  is  connected  is  based  on  Norfolk  County 
capital,  with  W.  B.  Carney  as  president,  and 
manufactures  barrels,  crates  and  baskets,  the 
first-named  product  having  been  patented  by 
Mr.  Wright  in  1899.  The  plant  covers  about 
65^  acres  of  land  and  consists  of  five  build- 
ings, and  furnishes  employment  to  one  hundred 
men.  The  daily  output  is  estimated  to  be 
3,000  barrels  and  5,000  baskets,  which  find  a 
ready  market. 

Mr.  Wright  is  a  native  of  the  same  county 
of  which  he  is  a  resident,  his  birth  having  oc- 
curred May  18,  1857.  He  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
Wright.  Sr.,  and  Julia  Wells,  his  wife,  and 
grandson  of  James  Wright,  who  was  a  Vir- 


ginian by  birth,  as  was  also  the  father  of  the 
subject  hereof,  who  was  born  February  22, 
1824. 

John  S.  Wright,  Sr.,  was  a  prominent  man 
in  his  day.  He  had  the  advantage  of  a  good 
education,  having  attended  Richmond  College, 
and  finished  his  scholastic  training  in  New 
York.  At  the  eai^Iy  age  of  21  years  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  on  the  Western  Branch  of  the 
Elizabeth  River,  and  was  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  during  the  remainder  of  his  life, 
although  he  followed  mercantile  pursuits  for 
some  years,  in  connection  with  farming.  He 
was  a  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  in  his  religious  life  was  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  50  years, 
and  served  for  some  time  as  a  deacon.  He  de- 
parted this  life  May  15,  1897^  and  was 
mourned  by  many  friends.  His  wife  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  where  her  birth  oc- 
curred in  November,  1826.  She  had  six  chil- 
dren as  follows:  James  W. ;  John  S.,  Jr.,  the 
subject  of  this  biography;  Mary  F. ;  Julia  W. ; 
Stephen  R.  and  Bettie  W. 

John  S.  Wright,  Jr.,  derived  his  education^ 
from  the  Churchland  Academy  (Virginia), 
and  the  Polytechnic  College,  of  Blacksburg, 
Virginia.  Upon  completing  his  studies,  he 
entered  active  life  as  a  farmer  and  continued 
in  that  occupation  for  many  years,  until  he  en- 
tered upon  the  responsibilities  of  his  present 
position  as  general  manager  of  the  Churchland 
Manufacturing  Company.  This  he  fills  with 
such  diligence  and  ability  as  to  place  him  high 
in  the  estimation  of  his  colaborers. 

Mr.  Wright  has  been  twice  married,  the 
first  ceremony  having  taken  place  in  December. 
1882,  when  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
]Mary  E.  Wilkins,  who  w-as  born  in  Northamp- 
ton County,  Virginia.  This  union  resulted  in 
one  child,  John  L.,  born  in  1890.  In  October 
of  the  following  year  j\Ir.  Wright  was  called 
upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  beloved  com- 
panion. In  August,  1899,  Mr.  Wright  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Annie  E.  Williams, 
who  is  a  native  of  Petersburg,  Virginia. 


JOHN    B.    WHITEHEAD 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


•93 


In  political  action,  Mr.  Wright  is  a  zealous 
supporter  of  the  Democratic  party.  In  re- 
ligious attachment,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church.  Fraternally,  he  belongs  to  the 
K.  of  P. 


UHN  B.  WHITEHEAD,  a  representa- 
tive citi;^en  of  Norfolk,  whose  portrait 
is  herewith  presented,  was  born  in  the 
iiouse   where  he  now   resides   in  that 
city.  November  3,  1822.     He  pursued 
his  studies  in  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey,  and 
at  Coleman's  school  in  Caroline  County,  \'ir- 
ginia. 

Nathan  C.  Whitehead,  the  father  of  John 
B.,  was  born  in  Southampton  County,  \"irginia, 
in  i792,  and  was  a  graduate  of  the  old  Penn- 
sylvania Medical  College.  He  practiced  med- 
icine in  Norfolk  with  success  and  finally  gave 
up  the  profession  to  accept  the  presidency  of 
the  Farmers"  Bank,  which  responsible  position 
he  held  for  27  years  until  his  death,  in  1856. 
He  was  a  magistrate  in  Norfolk  for  38  years, 
and  during  the  scourge  of  vellow  fever,  upon 
the  death  of  the  mayor,  took  charge  of  the  city. 
He  was  married  in  1817  to  Lillian  Blair  Mc- 
Pherson.  who  bore  him  several  children,  of 
whom  the  following  five  lived  to  maturity : 
Elizabeth,  deceased  in  1855 ;  John  B.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  Cornelia  G..  deceased  wife 
of  Henry  Irvin,  of  Maryland;  William  C,  who 
died  in  January,  1857;  and  Mary  Elizabeth, 
deceased  wife  of  Lieut.  Carter  Braxton  Poin- 
dexter,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  and  later, 
of  the  Confederate  States  Navy. 

The  grandfather  of  Mr.  \\'hitehead  was 
William  Whitehead,  a  native  of  Southampton 
County,  ^'irginia.  and  a  farmer  throughout 
his  life. 

John  B.  \\'hitehead  served  as  president  of 
the  Cor.imon  Council  of  Norfolk  for  many 
years,  and  was  mayor  from  1870  to  1872,  and 
again  from  1874  to  1876.  He  was  for  a  time 
president  of  both  the  Exchange  N'ational  and 
Franklin  Banks,  president  of  the  Baker  Sal- 


vage Company  and  of  the  Dismal  Swamp 
Canal  Company  ;  he  was  president  and  principal 
owner  of  the  Norfolk  City  Railway,  from  1874 
until  1887.  Mr.  Whitehead  is,  and  has  been 
for  many  years,  engaged  in  the  real  estate  busi- 
ness. 

He  was  married  in  1843  tu  Emily  Arnold 
Herman,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Herman,  and 
their  union  was  blessed  with  several  children, 
of  whom  those  surviving  are:  Henry  C. ; 
Emilv.  wife  of  Washington  Taylor;  and  Lily 
B..  wife  of  W.  T.  Walke.  Jr. 


R.  W  ILLIAM  A.  FURCRON.  Fore- 
most among  the  successful  profes- 
sional men  of  Great  Bridge.  Norfolk 
County,  \''irginia,  who  by  carefully 
diagnosing  his  cases,  and  bringing 
his  knowledge  to  bear  in  the  treatment  of  them, 
has  established  a  high  reputation  in  the  city 
and  its  vicinity,  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.! 
He  is  a  native  of  New  York,  w-as  born  ia 
Brooklyn,  September  11.  1869,  and  is  the  sou 
of  AMUiam  A.  and  ]\Iary  T.  (^Snelling)  Fur- 
cron.  Both  parents  claimed  \'irginia  as  their, 
native  State.  The  mother  was  a  direct  de- 
scendant of  the  \\'ood  family,  that  came  to 
this  country  from  England,  and  were  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Jamestown.  William  A., 
Furcron  was  of  French  descent,  and  his  an- 
cestors also  came  to  America  at  an  early  date. 
He  followed  the  fortunes  of  a  toliacconist  fir 
many  years,  spending  most  of  his  life  in  the 
North,  and  during  the  Confederate  War  was 
of  much  aid  in  buying  supplies  and  helping  to 
build  fortifications.  He  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mary  T.  Snelling.  who  was  born  in 
Chesterfield,  Virginia,  December  14.  1832. 
They  reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Anna  C. ; 
ilary  C. ;  Charles  C. :  \'irginia  F.,  and  William 
A.  Mr.  Furcron  departed  this  life  in  April, 
1900,  at  the  age  of  y;^  years. 

William   A.    Furcron  obtained   his   mental 


794 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


training  in  the    schools   of    Jersey   City,   the 
major  portion  of  his  Hfe  having  been  spent  at 
that  place.     Upon  leaving  school,  he  became 
assistant  superintendent  of  a  box  factory  and 
successfully  performed  his  duties  there  for  the 
next   seven  }ears   when   he  determined  to   fit 
himself   for  the  medical   profession.     He   ac- 
cordingly entered   Bellevue  Hospital    ^Medical 
College,    and   graduated     therefrom    in    1894. 
Subsequently,  he  came  to  Virginia,  where  he 
decided  to  settle  in  Kempsville,  Princess  Anne 
County,  and  practice  his  profession.     His  suc- 
cess was  soon  e\'ident,  but  in  1898  he  changed 
his  location  for  the  benefit  of  his  practice,  and 
sought  a  larger  field  for  his  labors  in  the  town 
of  Great  Bridge  and  the  country  surrounding. 
He  has  continued  to  reside  there  ever  since  and 
is  enjoying  his  work  and  closely  attending  ta 
his  growing  practice.     He  is  popular  among, 
his  friends,  and  commands  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  communit}-  in  which  he  resides. 
In    December,    1895,    the    subject    of   this, 
sketch  was  united  in  matrimony  with  Alary  E. 
Stokley,   who  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina. 
Both  are  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  of  which  they  are  members.     Tn  poli- 
tics, Dr.  Furcron  is  ever  ready  to  stand  for  the 
interests  of  the  Democratic  party.     Fraternal- 
ly, he  is  a  Mason. 


OHN  STEWART  WTSE.  known  as 
one  of  Norfolk  County's  most  active 
citizens,  is  engaged  in  a  flourishing 
business  as  a  truck  farmer,  and  has 
been  located  on  his  present  farm  since 
1894. 

Mr.  Wise  is  a  son  of  the  late  John  S.  Wise, 
who,  during  his  life,  was  engaged  in  the  double 
occupation  of  farmer  and  merchant,  and  con- 
ducted a  store  at  Cliurchland  with  notable  suc- 
cess. He  was  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  his 
county,  and  in  losing  him  Norfolk  County  lost 
a  useful  citizen  and  leader. 

John  Stewart  Wise  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County,  August  19,  1849.     His  education  was 


obtained  at  the  Churchland  Academy,  after 
which  he  helped  his  father  in  the  work  of  the 
farm.  At  the  early  age  of  21  years,  he  com- 
menced truck  farming  on  the  Lysandei'  H. 
Kingman  farm,  where  he  continued  for  four 
years.  About  that  time  he  purchased  an  80- 
acre  tract  of  land  on  Scott's  Creek,  where  he 
established  himself  and  lived  for  the  next  20 
years,  previous  to  locating  on  his  present  farm, 
in  1894.  His  land  is  adapted  to  almost  any 
branch  of  farming.  Mr.  Wise  knows  his  busi- 
ness thoroughly,  having  had  much  experience 
in  farming,  and  stands  among  the  most  suc- 
cessful truck  farmers  in  the  county.  The 
products  of  the  farm  finds  a  ready  market 
wherever  they  are  sent. 

May  5,  1881,  Mr.  Wise  was  joined  in  mat- 
rimony with  Lucy  Grimes,  who  was  also  born 
in  Norfolk  County,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam S.  Grimes.  They  have  reared  two  chil- 
dren, namely :  Lucy  Wortley,  wdiose  birth 
took  place  June  6,  1882;  and  Mary  Stewart, 
born  July  26,  1885.  The  family  are  devoted 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Wise, 
in  his  political  opinions,  is  independent. 


M.  BIDGOOD,  a  prosperous  truck 
farmer  of  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
has  a  splendid  farm  located  on  the 
\Yestern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 
River.  He  was  born  on  this  farm 
September  19,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  C.  U.  Bid- 
good. 

C.  E.  Bidgood  was  born  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  September  4,  1825,  and  died  Oc- 
tober 24,  1900.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Bidgood, 
was  born  December  23,  1827,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 19,  1867.  He  spent  his  life  in  Norfolk 
County,  engaged  in  farming.  Politically,  he 
was  a  strong  supporter  of  Democratic  prin- 
ciples. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bidgood  became  parents 
of  the  following  children:  John  W. :  C.  M., 
the  subject  of  this'  biography ;  Thomas  A. ; 
Dr.  Vincent  C. :  Nathaniel  B. ;  and  Anna  J. 


C.    W.    WALKER. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


797 


C.  M.  Bidgood  lias  passed  liis  entire  lite 
in  Norfolk  County,  with  the  exception  of  three 
years  siient  in  IMeniphis,  Tennessee.  He  is  a 
progressive  and  successful  agriculturist,  em- 
ploying only  the  most  appro\ed  methods  of 
farming.  Personally,  he  is  a  man  of  e.xcellent 
character,  and  stands  high  in  the  esteem  and 
good  will  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

February  19,  1880,  Mr.  Bidgood  was 
joined  in  matrimony  with  Annie  ^I.  March, 
who  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in 
1857,  and  the}-  have  five  children.  namel\- : 
Philip  C. ;  Mary  M. :  Ellen:  Annie  K. :  and 
Ernest  C.  Mr.  Bidgood  is  a  firm  believer  in 
the  principles  advocated  by  the  Democratic 
party,  and  has  always  given  that  party  his  un- 
wavering supjxirt.  Religiously,  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Churchland  Baptist  Church. 


W.  W'.ALKER.  a  iirominent  citizen 
of  Portsmouth.  Norfolk  Countv. 
Virginia,  whose  portrait  is  herewith 
shown,  is  proprietor  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Steam  Laundry,  and  is  a 
very  successful  business  man.  He  is  a  veteran 
of  the  Confederate  War.  and  although  only  a 
boy  at  the  time  rendered  valuable  service  to 
the  Confederate  cause.  He  was  born  at  Ports- 
mouth. January  g.  1845.  ^nd  is  a  son  of  Vin- 
cent Walker. 

A'incent  Walker  was  born  in  Delaware  in 
March,  1803,  and  settled  at  Portsmouth,  in 
1 83 1,  serving  as  captain  of  the  guard  at  the 
Navy  Yard  for  30  years.  He  ran  the  block- 
ade in  October,  1862,  in  order  to  join  the 
Confederate  Army,  but  being  refused  enlist- 
ment went  to  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  where 
during  the  remainder  of  the  war  he  occupied 
the  same  position  in  the  Confederate  States 
Navy  Yard  he  had  previously  held  in  the 
United  States  Navy  Yard.  He  died  in  Ports- 
mouth in  1869.  His  wife.  Sarah  M.  Hodges, 
a  daughter  of  John  M.  Hodges,  who  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  W'ar  of  181 2,  died  in  1868. 


Early  in  1861  C.  W'.  Walker  joined  the 
Junior  Guards,  an  organization  of  toys  about 
15  years  of  age,  who  armed  themselves  as  best 
they  could,  but  they  were  not  accejited  b\-  the 
government.  He  then  acted  as  courier  for  Gen- 
eral Blanchard  until  the  evacuation,  after 
which,  being  refused  permission  to  accompanv 
the  troops,  he  crossed  the  Federal  line  and  en- 
tered the  machine  department  of  the  Charlotte 
Navy  Yard.  Eighteen  months  later  he  en- 
listed in  the  navy,  and  for  a  year  was  on  duty 
on  the  school-ship,  "Indian  Chief,"  in  Charles- 
tt)n  harlxir.  During  this  time  he  frequently 
had  exciting  adventures  as  one  of  the  boat's 
crew  which  served  in  the  protection  of  the  city 
and  Fort  Sumter  on  night  patrol.  He  was 
for  three  months  a  member  of  the  guard  of  the 
Whitworth  gun.  at  the  foot  of  Calhoun  street, 
and  subsequently  was  detailed  in  the  ordnance 
department  at  Selma,  Alabama,  .\ftcr  Sher- 
man had  marched  to  the  sea  Mr.  Walker  \-is- 
ited  his  father  at  Charlotte,  following  in  the 
track  of  Sherman's  army.  He  found  the  coun- 
try so  stripped  that  it  was  with  dit^culty  that 
he  procured  enough  food  to  keep  him  alive 
while  on  the  long  tramp  homeward.  He  served 
in  the  machine  department  at  Charlotte  until 
the  arrival  of  the  "gold  train"  from  Richmond, 
after  the  evacuation  of  the  capital,  when  he 
was  among  the  men  who  volunteered  as  guard 
for  the  Confederate  Treasury  at  Charlotte, 
North  Carolina.  The  narty  was  joined  by 
Mrs.  Davis,  wife  of  the  President,  and  her 
daughter,  Winnie.  During  the  trip  by  wagon 
to  the  railroad  station,  ^Ir.  Walker  was  one  of 
the  three  men  who  assisted  ^Mrs.  Davis  in  car- 
rying her  daughter,  when  she  sought  relief 
from  the  tiresome  journev  by  walking.  He 
accompanied  the  party  as  far  as  Augusta, 
Georgia,  and  finally  surrendered  at  Blacksburg. 
South  Carolina,  having  served  in  the  last  or- 
ganized Ixxly  of  Confederate  troops  east  of 
the  Mississippi,  and.  perhaps,  the  last  one  to 
surrender.  Since  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Wal- 
ker has  resided  at  Portsmouth,  where  he  w-as 
for  1 5  years  a  locomotive  engineer  on  the  Sea- 


798 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


board  Air  Line  Railway.  Then,  for  six  years, 
he  was  master  mechanic  in  the  Portsmouth 
shops  of  the  same  company.  Since  1895  he 
has  conducted  the  Portsmouth  Steam  Laundry, 
and  has  a  very  prosperous  business. 

Mr.  Walker  is  a  member  of  Stonewall 
Camp,  Confederate  X^eterans,  and  in  the  Ma- 
sonic order  has  filled  every  office  from  that 
of  junior  deacon  to  that  of  commander  of  the 
Knights  Templar.  He  organized  the  Knights 
of  Dixie,  which  has  since  disbanded.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  City  Council,  and  has  done  es- 
pecially good  work  as  chairman  of  the  street 
committee.  He  first  married  Azulah  F.  Knott, 
a  daughter  of  Rev.  \\'illiam  Knott,  by  whom 
three  children  were  born,  namely:  J.  V.  K., 
Lee  ^^'bod  and  C.  \\'.,  Ti'-  He  formed  a  sec- 
ond union,  wedding  Mrs.  Annie  Beauregard 
(Warren)  Riddick,  a  descendant  of  Gen.  Jo- 
seph Warren,  who  was  killed  at  Bunker  Hill. 
The\'  have  one  child.  Russell  Ashbv. 


ILLL-\]M  F.  WISE.  The  gentleman 
whose  name  heads  this  record  is  a 
highly  esteemed  and  respected  citi- 
zen of  Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
and  owns  550  acres  of  choice 
farming  land  within  its  borders.  He  is  among 
the  foremost  representative  agriculturists  in 
that  section.  Having  a  large  amount  of  real 
estate  in  the  vicinity  of  Norfolk,  he  founded 
West  Norfolk  in  1888,  and  has  assisted  very 
materially  in  building  up  this  suburb,  which 
now  has  a  population  of  1,200.  Mr.  Wise  was 
born  on  the  old  Ballard  farm  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  March  2,  1840.  He  is  a  son  of 
John  Stewart  and  Martha  A.  (Love)  Wise, 
a  grandson  of  Tully  Wise,  and  great-grandson 
of  George  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Stewart)  Wise. 
George  D.  \\'ise  was  the  first  of  the  Wise 
family  to  leave  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia, 
of  which  one  John  \Mse  was  the  founder  in 
America,  having  located  on  the  Eastern  Shore 
soon  after  landing  in  this  countrv.     The  union 


of  George  D.  \\'ise  with  Elizabeth  Stewart 
took  place  October  3,  1783.  John  Stewart 
Wise  was  born  near  Craney  Island,  Norfolk 
County,  \"irginia,  and  during  his  particularly 
active  life  followed  the  double  occupation  of 
farmer  and  merchant.  He  built  the  first  store 
at  Churchland,  and  gave  that  place  its  name. 
He  was  a  Whig,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  large- 
ly interested  in  educational  matters,  and  was 
one  of  the  principal  organizers  of  the  free 
school  system  in  \'irginia.  He  was  a  man  cf 
marked  ability  and  was  well  known  as  a  man 
of  sterling  qualities.  His  death  took  place  in 
1865,  and  he  was  deeply  mourned  by  a  large 
circle  of  friends. 

He  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Martha 
A.  Love,  who  was  born  at  Love's  Point  (now 
West  Norfolk),  February  10,  1816.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Love,  the 
former  a  native  of  Norfolk  County,  and  a  son 
of  Alexander  Love,  a  native  of  Paisley,  Scot- 
land. Two  sons  and  two  daughters  were  born 
to  John  Stewart  Wise  and  his  wife,  as  follows : 
Tully,  deceased ;  William  F.,  the  subject  of  this 
biography ;  Josephine,  who  married  a  Mr. 
Wright:  and  Martha  A.,  wife  of  S.  B.  Carney. 

William  F.  Wise  received  his  primary  edu- 
cation at  the  Churchland  public  school,  and 
later  attended  Harroldville  Academy,  in  North 
Carolina.  In  1861.  he  enlisted  in  Company 
G,  59th  Regiment  Virginia  Infantry,  the  3rd 
Wise's  Legion,  thus  taking  up  the  cause  of  his 
State,  and  of  the  Confederate  States  of  Amer- 
ica. The  company,  of  wdiich  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, disbanded  October  27,  1861,  and  Mr.  Wise 
was  subsequently  appointed  2nd  lieutenant  of 
Company  C,  13th  Regiment  Virginia  Cavalry, 
and  served  in  that  capacit;^  until  discharged 
from  service  June  25,  1865,  when  his  chosen 
side  laid  down  its  arms  and  peace  was  once 
more  established.  During  this  bitter  conflict, 
Mr.  Wise  endured  many  hardships,  saw  much 
active  service,  and  was  wounded  several  times. 
In  1863,  at  Brandy  Station,  he  was  wounded 
in  the  ankle,  on  account  of  which  he  was  re- 


» 


JAMES    EDWARD    DUKE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


So  I 


tired  from  Lee's  army.  He  continued  with  his 
command,  however,  and  was  wounded  at  Sail- 
or's Creek,  the  last  battle  of  the  war,  where  hp. 
was  injured  in  the  spine.  He  was  captured  at 
Appomattox  Court  House,  was  taken  to  Wash- 
ington, where  his  release  by  General  Grant  fol- 
lowed. May  20,  1865,  and  he  returned  to  Nor- 
folk the  following  day. 

Air.  \\'ise  has  been  thrice  married.  His 
first  union  was  contracted  in  1866,  wdth  Lucy 
A.  Ballard,  who  died  in  1867,  leaving  one  son, 
\\"illiam  L.,  who  is  still  a  resident  of  Church- 
land.  The  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Wise  was 
contracted  with  Mary  W.  Xelms,  a  native  of 
Isle  of  Wight  County,  \"irginia.  September 
18.  1873,  she.  too.  crossed  the  river  of  death, 
leaving  two  children, — a  daughter  Emma,  now 
Mrs.  J.  B.  Lindsay,  and  a  son,  George  N.,  an 
attorney-at-law  in  Newport  News.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  the  Virginia  Alilitary  Institute  and 
the  University  of  Virginia.  In  1886,  Mr. 
Wise  was  united  in  marriage  with  his  present 
wife,  at  that  time  Fanny  (Krozer)  Jett,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  John  R.  Krozer,  who  is  today 
the  oldest  practicing  physician  in  Baltimore, 
^Maryland.  It  will  be  remembered  that  in 
''Baker's  Secret  Service  of  the  United  States" 
it  is  stated  that  \\'illiam  S.  Jett  was  with  Bain- 
bridge  and  Ru^gles  at  the  water's  edge  when 
Johii  Wilkes  Booth  made  his  escape  en  Mr. 
Jett's  horse  across  the  Potomac  River  to  Gar- 
rett's barn,  where  Booth  was  later  killed;  and 
that  Air.  Jett  was  tried  for  his  life  for  helping 
Booth  to  escape.  He  was  found  innocent  of 
the  charge  and  liberated.  He  wa-;  merely 
showing  his  humanity  to  a  suffering  man,  not 
knowine  that  the  fugitive  was  John  Wilkes 
Booth.  Airs.  Wise  is  also  a  granddaughter  of 
Dr.  Krozer,  who  had  the  honor  of  being  sur- 
geon of  the  illustrious  Napoleon. 

Air.  Wise  is  one  of  the  most  progressive 
farmers  in  his  section,  and  carries  on  a  general 
trucking  business,  which  when  properlv  maii- 
aged  yields  a  splendid  income.  He  is  inde- 
pendent in  politics,  and  like  his  father  b.elieves 
in  the  doctrines  and  tenets  of  the  Pr(  testant 


Episcopal  Church.  His  fine  farm  of  550  acres 
is  located  on  the  Western  Branch  of  the  Eliza- 
beth River. 

*-—■ 

jIVAIES  EDWARD  DUKE,  a  member 
nf  the  firm  of  Duke  &  Smith  and  of 
the  Southampton  Lumlier  Company, 
of  Norfolk,  \'irginia.  of  which  he  is 
treasurer,  is  one  of  the  prominent  and 
influential  business  men  of  that  city.  He  was 
Ixirn  in  Alanchester,  Virginia,  September  u. 
1867.  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Cordelia 
lHum])hreys)  Duke,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina. 

James  Duke,  the  father,  was  for  many 
years  engaged  in  growing  and  selling  tobacco, 
and  for  some  years  was  prominently  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  also  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  with  success.  He  was 
a  man  of  affairs,  emploved  man\-  people,  and 
was  well  and  favorably  known  over  \'irginia 
and  Eastern  North  Carolina.  He  was  com- 
missioner for  two  terms,  but  owing  to  lack  of 
time  refused  to  serve  longer  in  that  capacity. 
He  was  a  man  of  e.Kceptional  ability  and  a  most 
worthy  citizen.  He  and  his  wife,  Cordelia, 
were  both  of  the  Episcopal  faith.  Air.  Duke 
was  thrice  married,  his  first  union  being  with 
Polly  Gray :  three  ch'ldren  were  born  of  this 
marriage :  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  52  years ;  William,  who  died  in  1878, 
at  the  age  of  42  years;  and  Alartha,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  39  years  and  was  the  wife  of 
William  D.  Elliott.  Air.  Duke's  second  wife 
died  after  nine  months  of  married  life.  His 
third  wife  was  Cordelia  Humphreys,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children:^  James  Edward;  and 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  J.  Cowell,  who  re- 
sides in  North  Carolina.  Air.  Duke  died  Oc- 
tober 26.  1890,  aged  about  69  years,  and  his 
wife  died  January  21,  1881.  at  the  age  of  47 
years.  She  came  of  a  ^'irginia  and  North  Car- 
olina family. 

James  Edward  Duke,  subject  of  this  bio- 
graph  v.  attended  the  public  schools  of  Nurth 


8o2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Carolina,  then  completed  a  collegiate  course 
at  King's  Mountain,  and  subsequently  attended 
the  Bingham  Military  Institute.  After  his 
school  days  he  taught  in  the  public  schools  of 
North  Carolina  for  two  years,  and  was  very 
successful  in  that  line  of  work.  He  next  en- 
gaged in  office  work  for  some  four  years,  oc- 
cupying various  responsible  positions,  one  of 
them  being  with  the  L.  T.  Gwathmey  Com- 
pany, who  did  an  extensive  lumber  business  in 
Norfolk,  Virginia. 

In  June,  1893,  he  formed  a  co-partnership 
in  the  lumber  business  with  A.  R.  Smith,  which 
has  since  existed.  They  deal  chiefly  in  North 
Carolina  and  Georgia  yellow  pine,  although 
they  also'  handle  hard  woods  and  white  pine  in 
large  quantities.  The  local  trade  receives  their 
attention  when  the  purchaser  desires  lumber  in 
car-load  or  cargo  lots,  but  their  main  channels 
of  delivery  are  found  in  the  Northern  markets 
and  European  ports.  They  are  largely  en- 
gaged in  supplying  the  government  with  white 
and  yellow  pine.  In  recent  years  two  large 
sawmills  have  been  erected  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  their  constantly  growing  trade,  one 
being,  located  at  Southampton,  Virginia,  on  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway  and  the  other  in 
Norfolk  County.  More  than  100  men  are 
given  employment  in  these  mills.  The  firm 
also  acts  as  selling  agent  for  a  North  Carolina 
pine  mill  which  was  erected  near  Spring  Hope, 
or.  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line.  From  these  three 
mills  at  once,  this  firm  is  able  tO'  supply  75,000 
feet  of  lumber  daily.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  lumber  firms  in  the  South,  and  it 
is  safe  to  say  Mr.  Duke  is  justly  entitled  to 
the  crecHt  of  being  one  of  Norfolk's  most 
enterprising  and  responsible  young  business 
men.  He  is  president  of  the  Southern  Amuse- 
ment Company  at  Virginia  Beach,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Battery  Park  Amusement  Company, 
located  at  Rodman  Heio'hts,  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  "bojum"  of  the  Supreme  Nine, 
Concatenated  Order  of  Hoo-Hoo,  an  or<yaniza- 
tion  designed  for  prominent  dealers  in  lumber 
and   sawmill   machinery.      The   honor   of   the 


"bojumcy"  was  conferred  upon  him  bv  the  or- 
der at  the  convention  held  at  Norfolk  in  annual 
session  September  9-13,  1901,  it  being  attended 
by  members  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States, 
representing  the  different  branches. 

]\Ir.  Duke  is  very  fond  of  travel  and  has 
visited  abroad,  combining  business  with  pleas- 
ure. He  made  a  tour  of  London,  Liverpool, 
Edinburgh,  Berlin  and  most  of  the  large  cities 
of  Europe,  including  Paris,  where  he  spent  sev- 
eral weeks  in  viewing  the  exposition. 

Mr.  Duke  was  united  in  marriage  Novem- 
ber 20,  1895,  with  Mary  Rose  Loughran,  who 
was  born  in  \\'ashington,  D.  -C,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Fitzgerald) 
Loughran.  Mrs.  Duke  is  a  graduate  of  one 
of  the  leading  convents — Holy  Cross — of  the 
city  of  Washington,  and  is  a  lady  of  culture 
and  of  pleasing  presence.  Both  of  her  parents 
are  now  living;  her  father  is  an  extensive 
wholesale  and  retail  tobacco  merchant  of  the 
city  of  Washington,  and  is  also  a  large  real 
estate  owner. 

A  portrait  of  Mr.  Duke  may  be  seen  in 
connection  with  this  sketch ;  it  appears  on  a 
foregoing  page. 


AMES  S.  COOPER,  one  of  the  many 
prominent  truck  farmers  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  is  living  on.  a  fine 
farm  near  Cit\'  Park,  Norfolk.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  July  5,  1841,  and 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  Cooper. 

Samuel  Cooper  died  when  James  S.  was 
but  three  years  old.  He  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation. He  married  Jakie  Lane,  a  Virginia 
lady,  who  died  but  18  months  after  her  hus- 
band's death. 

James  S.  Cooper  received  his  mental  train- 
ing in  Norfolk.  He  ejilisted  in  the  army  dur- 
ing the  Confederate  War,  beginning  service 
February,  1862,  in  the  St.  Bride's  Artillery. 
He  was  afterward  transferred'  to  the  14th 
Regiment  Virginia  Infantry.     He  took  part  in 


R.    A.    HUTCHINS. 


I 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


805 


tlie  batile  of  Uenmula  Hundred,  and  also  the 
battle  of  Seven  Pines,  and  received  an  honor- 
able discharge  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  be- 
gan work  as  a  truck  farmer,  but,  having  no 
money,  was  obliged  to  commence  at  the  bottom 
and  work  up.  This  he  did  n:ost  successfully, 
and  labored  with  untiring  energy  and  zeal.  He 
is  now  the  owner  of  several  farms  and  a  hand- 
some residence  near  City  Park  in  Norfolk. 
His  home  is  provided  with  all  modern  im- 
provements, and  his  land  is  kept  in  a  condition 
of  excellent  cultivation.  His  advice  is  often 
sought  on  matters  pertaining  to  the  tilling  of 
the  soil,  as  he  is  considered  an  authcrity  on 
such  matters. 

Mr.  Cooper  married  Emily  S..  Flora,  a 
daughter  of  Alexander  Flora.  Mr.  Flora 
was  the  father  of  the  following  children, 
namely:  Henry  C.  who  died  in  the  arniv. 
being  a  member  of  the  same  company  as 
Mr.  Cooper:  Emily,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Coop- 
er: and  Sarah  Frances  and  Alexander,  de- 
ceased. Alexander  Flora's  wife  was  Jane 
Lambert,  a  native  of  Lambert's  Point.  Mrj 
Cooper  and  his  wife  have  the  following  chil- 
dren, namely:  Henry  Cornelius,  who  was' 
born  in  1867,  is  engaged  in  the  trucking  busi- 
ness, and  married  Lillie  Cheney  of  Sewell's 
Point;  yiary  Susan,  who  lives  at  home:  Lelia 
Jane,  who  married  C.  F.  ]\Iiller,  a  truck  farm- 
er; and'  Irene,  who  is  at  home. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  His 
family  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  South.  He  is  an  upright  citizen,  and 
is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  who  know 
him. 

■♦  ■  » 


A.  HUTCHINS,  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  whose  por- 
trait accompanies  this  sketch,  has 
served  in  the  capacit}'  of  city  collector 
since  1883,  and  his  conduct  of  affairs 
has  met  with  the  universal  approval  of  the  pub- 
lic.    He  was  born  at  Portsmouth  in  1842.  and 

Hutchins. 


is  a  sen  of  George  W 


George  W.  Hutchins  was  born  in  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia,  and  at  an  early  day  removed 
to  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  where  he  became  a 
ship-carpenter  -in  the  United  States  Navy 
Yard.  About  1836  he  was  married  at  South 
Portsmouth  to  a  daughter  of  Moses  Taylor, 
an  early  resident  of  that  place.  Mr.  TayKir 
was  born  in  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia, 
and  removed  to  what  is  now  Fourth  street. 
South  Portsmouth.  He  was  foreman  of  the 
riggers  at  the  Navy  Yard  for  many  years,  and 
died  during  the  Confederate  W'ar,  at  the  age 
of  about  76  years.  He  was  a  leading  Democrat 
of  his  community,  and  was  a  ])rominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife  died  in 
1855  of  yellow  fever.  They  had  eight  children, 
as  follows:  W.  T.,  of  Portsmouth,  who  was 
a  brick-mason  by  trade  and  is  now  living  in 
retirement ;  Mrs.  James  \V.  Bromley,  of 
Portsmouth;  Mrs.  Virginia  Ricketts,  also  of 
Portsmouth ;  ^lary  A.  Harrison,  widow  of 
^^'illiam  Harrison,  an  upholsterer  of  Norfolk, 
who  now  resides  at  Staten  Island,  New  York-, 
at  the  age  of  yy  years;  Mrs.  Hutchins,  the 
mother  of  R.  A. ;  Robert,  deceased :  George, 
who  died  of  yellow  fever  in  1855;  and  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Butt,  deceased.  George  W  .Hutch- 
ins and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  10  chil- 
dren, si.x  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows : 
R.  A.:  Eudora  (Lumber),  of  Newport  News, 
who  married  a  leading  contractor  formerly  of 
Baltimore,  Maryland;  Virginia  (Thomas), 
whose  husband  has  been  in  charge  of  the  mag- 
azine at  Fort  Norfolk  for  the  oast  20  years, 
and  who  lives  on  ^\'ashington  street,  in  Ports- 
mouth:  Emily  (]\Iyers),  of  Portsmouth,  who 
married  a  tailor ;  Almedia,  of  Portsmouth ;  and 
S.  B.,  a  record  of  whose  life  appears  elsewhere 
in  this  work. 

R.  A.  Hutchins  was  reared  and  schooled 
at  Portsmouth,  and  served  his  time  as  an  ap- 
prentice to  the  trade  of  ship-builder  in  the 
Navy  Yard.  He  later  built  many  steamboats 
and  barges  in  the  harbor.  On  April  21,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  the  Marion  Rifles,  of  South 
Portsmouth,  having  pre\iriusly  belonged  to  the 


8o6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


volunteer  company  from  the  time  he  was  i8 
years  old.  He  saw  much  hard  fighting  and 
continued  with  his  regiment  until  taken  pris- 
oner at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  when  he  was 
sent  to  Fort  Delaware  and  Point  Lookout.  He 
returned  to  Portsmouth  just  prior  to  the  close 
of  the  war,  on  account  of  sickness.  He  did  not 
again  engage  in  business  for  se\-eral  years,  ow- 
ing to  the  condition  of  his  health.  In  1872 
he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  in  South 
Portsmouth,  and  continued  to  follow  that  line 
until  1883.  He  had  served  two  terms  in  the 
City  Council  and  in  that  year  was  made  city 
collector  to  succeed  H.  A.  Allen,  being  the  first 
official  selected  to  that  office  by  the  people. 
While  a  member  of  the  Council  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  street  committee,  when  paving  was 
introduced.  He  has  always  been  one  of  the 
most  progressive  men  of  Portsmouth,  and  en- 
joys the  highest  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

In  November,  1865,  R.  A.  Hutchins  was 
joined  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  with  Mary 
E.  Barrett,  who  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Henry  Barrett,  who  died  of 
yellow  fever  in  1855.  Eight  children  blessed 
this  union,  as  follows :  Henry  A.,  a  travel- 
ing salesman  for  G.  &  R.  Barrett,  of  Norfolk ; 
R.  A.,  Jr.,  a  ship-carpenter  in  the  Navy  Yard, 
who  married  a  daughter  of  M.  W.  Allen,  and 
has  three  children;  Claude  E.,  shippine  and  re- 
ceiving clerk  for  G.  &  R.  Barrett,  of  Norfolk, 
who  is  married  and  has  two  children :  Ruth, 
wife  of  W.  N.  White,  a  gunsmith  of  Ports- 
mouth ;  E.  Linwood,  who  died  at  Colorado 
Springs  at  the  age  of  21  years,  and  was  in  the 
employ  of  the  Virginia  Chemical  Company; 
Laura;  William  R.,  a  clerk  in  the  Navy  Yard; 
and  Peyton  Coles,  who  lives  at  home  and  is 
serving  an  apprenticeship  to  the  machinist 
trade  at  the  Navy  Yard.  The  family  home  is 
at  No>.  1024  Dinwiddle  street,  in  which  neigh- 
borhood Mr.  Hutchins  has  lived  for  more  than 
36  years.  He  has  always  been  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat in  ]iolitics.  Socially  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  been  a  Mas- 
ter Mason  for  16  years;    he    was    master  of 


Portsmouth  Naval  Lodge,  No.  100,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  for  two  years.  He  is  a  member  of 
Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  16,  K.  of  P.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Court  Street  Baptist 
Church  for  36  years,  and  a  deacon  therein  for 
many  years. 


E.  POWELL,  a  prosperous  truck- 
farmer  of  Norfolk  County,  \'irginia, 
is  located  in  one  of  the  best  trucking 
districts  in  the  United  States.  He 
has  operated  on  an  extensive  scale, 
and  uses  only  modern  methods  in  carrying  on 
his  enterprise.  He  was  born  on  the  Talbot 
farm  in  Norfolk  County,  June  9,  1854,  and  is 
a  son  of  Tames  H.  and  Martha  Eliza  fOst) 
Powell. 

James  H.  Powell  was  born  on  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Virginia,  in  1822,  and  died  in  1870, 
at  the  age  of  48  years.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer 
throughout  his  life,  raising  vegetables  for  the 
New  York,  Boston  and  Philadelphia  markets. 
He  married  ^lartha  Eliza  Ost,  whose  family 
has  been  located  at  Sewell's  Point  for  more 
than  100  years,  and  they  became  parents  of 
the  following  children:  C.  E.,  the  subject  of 
this  biography;  Robert  T.,  who  is  a  farmer, 
and  also  takes  an  active  interest  in  politics ;  W. 
T.,  a  successful  farmer;  Susan  (Ferrett), 
whose  husband  is  a  merchant  of  Norfolk ;  and 
Brie,  who'  is  a  farmer  and  a  magistrate. 

C.  E.  Powell,  being  the  oldest  son,  was 
naturally  the  one  to  take  his  father's  place  upon 
the  latter's  death,  and  he  assumed  charge  of 
the  farm  and  reared  and  educated  the  children. 
It  was  a  hard  task  for  one  so  young,  but  well 
did  ,he  accomplish  it,  keeping  the  children  to- 
gether until  they  matured  and  became  settled. 
He  has,  in  the  main,  engaged  in  raising  vege- 
tables on  his  home-farm  of  60  acres,  and  his 
two  other  farms,  which  he  runs  in  connection. 
He  has  commodious  outbuildings  for  the  hous- 
ing of  his  produce  and  stock,  and  built  a  com- 
fortable home  to  replace  the  old  house,  which 


FRANKLIN    PORTLOCK. 


^>^^M^ 


( 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


8ii 


had  been  standing  for  over  a  century.  He  is 
a  great  lover  of  fine  stock,  and  makes  a  special- 
tv  of  his  Shropshire  sheep  and  Poland-China 
hogs,  which  are  unexcelled  in  the  State. 

In  1879,  Mr.  Powell  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Anna  Cromwell,  whose  family  has 
been  well  known  in  this  State  for  more  than 
200  vears.  and  is  descende.d  from  Oliver  Crom- 
well. Two  children  were  the  issue  of  thi& 
union,  namely :  Xellie  C,  born  December  19, 
1879;  and  Charles  E.,  born  October  27,  1892. 
Mr.  Powell  is  a  Democrat  in  State  politics, 
but  is  inclined  to  be  independent  in  national  af- 
fairs, having  voted  for  McKinley  in  1900.  He 
attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  although  not  a  member,  and  is  one  of 
its  most  liberal  supixirters.  He  is  very  chari- 
table toward  the  poor,  always  looks  out  for 
their  interests  in  the  community,  and  conse- 
quentlv  enjovs  their  highest  esteem  and  good 
will. 


RANK    L.     PORTLOCK.    the    well- 
known  road  commissioner  of  Norfolk 
County,  \'irginia,  also  a  surveyor,  is 
BJ     engaged  in  farming  south  of  Berkley. 
He  was  Ijorn  near  Great  Bridge  Sep- 
tember 6,  18^9,  and  is  a  son  of  Franklin  Port- 
lock. 

Franklin  Portlock  was  born  in  Norfolk 
County  in  1826,  the  Portlock  family  having 
come  to  \'irginia  quite  early  in  the  seven- 
teenth century.  He  married  Eugenia  H.  Ta- 
tem,  a  native  of  Norfolk  County,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  William  Tatem.  Franklin  Portlock 
was  a  farmer  and  brick  manufacturer.  To  him 
and  his  wife  were  born  the  following  children : 
Judge  William  Nathaniel,  of  Norfolk  County: 
Emily  A. :  Eugenia  T.,  who  married  T.  W. 
Butt;  Frank  L..  the  subject  of  this  sketch  :  Bet- 
tie  B.,  deceased :  and  Fanny  B..  who  married  C 
L.  Young. 

Frank  L.  Portlock  attended  school  in  Nor- 
folk County,  and  after  finishing  his  studies 
taught  until  1890.     His  school  was  located  at 


Oak  Grove,  one  mile  north  of  Great  Bridge. 
In  1890  he  was  elected  road  commissioner  of 
Norfolk  County,  and  has  since  held  that  office. 
In  addition  to  this  office  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock  raising,  and  in  this  is  very 
successful.  By  reason  of  the  confidence  placed 
in  liim  he  was  apointed  to  his  present  position, 
and  he  has  filled  that  office  in  a  most  accepta- 
ble manner.  Mr.  Portlock  was  instrumental 
in  securing  the  right  of  way  for  the  extension 
of  the  Berkley  Branch  Street  Railway  to 
Money  Point. 

In  1898  Mr.  Portlock  married  Marion 
West,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  L.  M.  \\'est.  They  have  one 
child.  Marion  E.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  Providence  Christian  Church,  of 
which  he  is  clerk.  He  is  a  member  of  Hick- 
ory Ground  Lodge,  No.  180,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  which  he  is  master.  He  is  also  notary  pub- 
lic, having  been  commissioned  in  September. 
1900.  Portraits  of  Frank  L.  Portlock  and  his 
father,  Franklin  Portlock,  accompany  this 
sketch,  being  presented  on  foregoing  pages. 


HULL    DAMDSON.    one    of    the 
liest-known    citizens    of    Norfolk,    is 
proprietor  of  the  New  Atlantic  Ho- 
tel of  that  city,  and  also  of  Ocean 
\'iew  Hotel  of  Ocean  \'iew,  \^irginia. 
He  was  born  in  Lexington.  Kentucky,  and  is 
a  son  of  James   T.   Davidson,    who    was    a 
banker. 

Mr.  Davidson  attended  Kentucky  Univer- 
sitv  at  Lexington,  and  after  completing  his 
education  went  into  the  First  National  Bank 
of  that  city  as  a  clerk.  He  continued  in  that 
position  for  eight  years,  and  then  began  the 
manufacture  of  machinery,  as  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Davidson  &  Williams.  In  1884  he 
became  proprietor  and  manager  of  the  Phoe- 
nix Hotel:  he  purchased  the  property  in  1891, 
and  at  the  same  time  organized    the    present 


8l2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Phoenix  Hotel  Company.  He  continued  as 
manager  until  1893,  when  he  resigned  to  give 
his  entire  attention  as  mayor  to  the  admin- 
istration of  the  city's  affairs.  He  was  elected 
to  this  office  in  1892,  by  a  majority  of  1,000 
votes.  He  refused  a  renomination,  and  at  the 
same  time  refused  the  nomination  for  State 
Senator  from  Fayette  County.  From  1894  to 
1897  he  was  editor  of  the  Lexington  Daily 
Argonaut,  the  only  daily  paper  in  Central 
Kentucky  to  support  William  Jennings  Bryan 
for  the  presidency  in  1896.  In  1897  he  sold 
out  his  interests  in  Lexington  and  moved  to 
New  York,  where  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale 
liquor  business.  In  1900  he  took  charge  of 
the  restaurants  in  the  American  Pavilion  at 
the  Paris  Exposition,  furnishing  banquets  for 
State  delegations,  foreign  potentates  and  other 
distinguished  visitors.  He  studied  up  on  hotel 
systems  and  the  catering  business  while  in 
Europe,  and  on  his  return  to  the  United  States 
concluded  to  go  back  to  the  hotel  business.  In 
190 1  he  took  charge  of  the  Ocean  ^'iew  Hotel 
at  Ocean  View,  Virginia,  which  he  still  con- 
ducts. He  has  met  with  strand  success  in  this 
enterprise,  bringing  it  up  to  a  high  plane  as  a 
fashionable  summer  hostelry.  When  the  At- 
lantic Hotel  was  sold  in  September,  1901,  he 
organized  a  company  and  became  its  manager. 
Under  such  capable  management  the  New  At- 
lantic became  the  most  popular  hotel  in  the 
city,  being  first  class  in  all  its  appointments. 
Mr.  Davidson  established  the  Parisian  Cafe, 
which,  for  novelty  and  efficient  service,  ap- 
pealed strongly  to  popular  favor,  and  is  at  all 
times  well  patronized.  Another  pleasant  fea- 
ture of  this  hosteln,'  is  a  barber  shop  unex- 
celled in  all  the  South,  which  has  proved  as 
popular  with  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  as  with 
the  traveling  public.  Mr.  Davidson  has  al- 
ways led  a  life  of  great  activity  wherever  he 
has  been  located.  He  was  prominent  in  public 
affairs  as  a  resident  of  Lexington,  Kentucky, 
where  he  organized  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
and  served  as  its  second  president. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  joined  in 


matrimony  with  ^lagdalen  D.  Lancaster,  of 
Lexington,  a  daughter  of  M.  P.  Lancaster. 
She  died  in  1897,  lea\-ing  two  children, — Anne 
E.;  and  Merritt  L.,  who  is  a  member  of  the 
class  of  1903  at  Yale  University.  Fraternally, 
Mr.  Davidson  is  a  Mason,  and  has  attained  the 
rank  of  Knight  Templar  and  Noble  of  the 
Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks; 
Knights  of  Pythias ;  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows ;  Improved  Order  of  Red  ]\Ien ; 
and  the  Order  of  Hoo  Hoos.  He  was  elected 
an  honorary  member  of  the  Traveling  Men's 
Association,  and  is  one  of  the  incorporators  of 
the  Ter-Centennial  Exposition  of  Norfolk. 


OL.  WILLIAAI  W.  SALE.  Among 
the  young  attorneys  at  law  of  Nor- 
folk who  have  achieved  signal  suc- 
cess in  the  practice  O'f  their  profes- 
sion, none  stands  higher  than  the 
gentleman  named  above.  Possessed  of  a  de- 
termination to  succeed  and  learned  in  legal 
lore,  it  was  but  a  short  time  after  he  opened 
his  office  until  he  had  a  lucrative  practice, 
which  has  increased  as  each  succeeding  year 
has  passed  by.  He  is  a  power  in  the  workings 
of  the  Democratic  party  in  this  district,  and  at 
present  represents  Norfolk  City  and  Princess 
Anne  County  in  the  State  Senate. 

Colonel  Sales  was  born  in  Fairfield,  Rock- 
bridge County,  \"irginia,  September  20,  1870, 
and  is  a  scion  of  a  distinguished  old  \'irginia 
family.  On  the  maternal  side  he  is  a  grandson 
of  John  Templeton,  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction, 
famous  as  an  agriculturist  during  his  day. 
^Villiam'  M.  Sale,  the  Colonel's  father,  was  an 
extensive  planter,  and  one  of  the  largest  slave 
owners  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia. 

William  ^^^  Sale  was  reared  on  a  farm 
I  and  performed  all  the  duties  incidental  to 
I  farming  until  he  was  18  years  old.  when  he 
'  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  general  store. 
I  He  cultivated  his  mind  in  the  various  schools 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


813 


of  his  native  county,  and  in  1890  matriculated 
at  Washington  and  Lee  University,  from 
wiiicli  he  graduated  with  distinction  in  1893, 
witii  a  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  the 
fail  of  1893  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Norfolk,  having  formed  a 
partnership  with  W.  A.  R^>ss.  which  continued 
until  1895,  since  which  time  he  has  practiced 
alone.  His  success  at  the  bar  is  too  well 
known  to  require  mention  here.  He  has  made 
a  specialty  of  cori)oration  law  and  chancery 
practice,  and  has  a  well-established  clientage. 
He  is  attorney  for  the  National  Building  As- 
sociation, and  the  Guarantee  Building  &  Loan 
Ass<jciation  of  Baltimore.  He  is  also  vice- 
president  of  the  Southern  Shorthand  &  Busi- 
ness Universitv.  and  lectures  once  a  week  on 
commercial  subjects.  Colonel  Sale  is  prtnni- 
nent  in  military  affairs,  with  which  he  has  long 
been  identified.  He  was  for  a  time  secretar}- 
and  treasurer  of  the  Lee  Rifles,  and  an  active 
member  for  several  years  of  Company  A,  4th 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry.  He  was  ap- 
pointed a  memljer  of  the  military  staff  of  Gov- 
ernor J.  Hoge  Tyler  in  January.  1898,  with 
the  rank  of  colonel  of  cavalry,  a  position 
which  he  now  holds,  being  probably  the  young- 
est man  ever  a])i)ointed  to  that  position.  He 
was  recently  apjxiinted  commissioner  of  valu- 
ation for  the  city  of  Norfolk,  being  the  first 
man  so  appointed.  The  position  was  worth 
from  $7,000  to  $8,000  per  annum  in  a  city  of 
Norfolk's  size,  but  it  was  rendered  valueless 
by  the  action  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  \'ir- 
ginia  in  declaring  the  Act  creating  it  uncon- 
stitutional. Colonel  Sale  is  an  enthusiatstic 
worker  in  the  Democratic  party,  and  in  1896 
was  spoken  of  as  a  candidate  for  the  State 
Legislature,  but  withdrew  his  name  before  the 
convention  met.  He  is  a  niemlier  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic City  E.xecutive  Committee,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Third  Ward  Democratic 
Club,  which  is  next  to  the  largest  political  or- 
ganization in  Norfolk.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
the  National  Democratic  Convention  at  Kan- 


sas City,  Mis-souri,  which   renominated  Will- 
iam Jennings  Bryan  in  1900. 

Colonel  Sale  is  a  prominent  memljer  of  the 
Knights  of  the  Mystic  Chain,  and  is  treasurer 
of  the  local  lo<lge.  He  is  aso  a  member  of  the 
Kappa  Alpha  fraternity.  He  is  possessed  of 
I'.o  mean  ability  as  an  orator,  is  a  lucid  and 
entertaining  speaker,  and  his  words  carry  great 
weight  with  a  jury  or  miscellaneous  audience. 
He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  concerns 
the  progress  of  Norfolk,  and  lends  his  earnest 
supiH>rt  to  all  public  enterprises  and  improve- 
ments. 

♦-•-• 


APT.  EUGENE  B.  WILLIS,  who  is 
in  tlie  service  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company,  was  Ijorn  in 
Smyrna,  North  Carolina,  April  22, 
1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Cicero  and 
Theresa  (Piner)  Willis.  Both  his  parents 
were  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  his  father 
followed  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  through  his 
active  life,  dying  in  1888,  aged  61  years, — his 
wife  still  survives  him,  and  is  li\-ing  in 
Smyrna,  North  Carolina. 

Eugene  B.  Willis  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Smyrna  and  grew  to  manhood  in 
that  town.  At  the  age  of  18  years  he  shipped 
before  the  mast  on  a  sailing  vessel,  and  fol- 
lowed that  a  number  of  years ;  he  then  entered 
the  coast  survey  service,  in  which  he  remained 
for  three  years.  Afterward  he  entered  the 
revenue  service,  and  later  secured  a  position  on 
the  Clyde  line  of  steamers.  He  left  the  employ 
of  the  Clyde  Steamship  Comijany  August  30, 
1886,  to  enter  the  service  of  the  Old  Domininn 
Steamship  Company,  in  which  "he  has  ror- 
mained  up  to  the  present  writing.  He  has 
filled  the  positions  of  first  and  second  mate  and 
master.  The  first  vessel  which  he  commanded 
was  the  "Albemarle,"  and  he  has  also  com- 
manded the  "Rosalie."  "Ocracoke."  "Hat- 
teras."  "Newberne."  and  for  the  past  18 
months  has  been  captain    of    the    "Rosalie." 


8i4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  navigation, 
and  is  one  of  the  best  masters  in  the  employ  of 
the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company. 

Captain  Willis  was  united  in  marriage  with  | 
IVIaria  H.  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Smyrna, 
North  Carolina.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  also  of  the  Old  Dominion  Benev- 
olent Association,  and  the  Association  of  Mas- 
ters &  Pilots  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the  United 
States. 


OHX  \\'.  JONES  is  a  prominent  con- 
tractor and  builder  located  on  Chesa- 
peake avenue,  Berkley.  Norfolk  Coun- 
tv,  Virginia,  and  has  erected  many 
large  and  important  buildings 
throughout  this  county  and  in  adjoining 
counties.  He  was  born  in  Norfolk  County, 
A^irginia,  February  28,  1858.  and  is  a  son  of 
A\'illiam  and  Frances  (Boushell)  Jones,  both 
natives  oi  Norfolk  County. 

William  Jones  was  born  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
tv.  \'irginia.  in  1832,  and  became  a  teacher. 
He  taught  in  pri\-ate  schools  for  several  years, 
and  then  abandoned  the  profession  and  ac- 
cei)ted  a  position  in  Norfolk  as  a  fancy  painter, 
having  served  an  apprenticeship  as  coach- 
painter  when  a  boy.  He  and  his  wife  were 
earnest  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  church  work.  He  died 
in  1867,  his  wife,  who  was  born  in  1826,'  hav- 
ing died  in  1866.  Both  came  of  well-known 
Virginia  families,  and  they  became  parents  of 
two  children,  of  whom  the  youngest,  ^Marion, 
died  in  infancy. 

John  W.  Jones  attended  the  public  and 
private  schools  of  Norfolk  County,  and  after 
his  school  days  served  an  apprenticeship  to 
the  carpenter  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for 
several  years.  He  then  branched  intO'  con- 
tracting and  building  for  himself,  and  many 
large  buildings  have  been  erected  under  his 
direction.  He  built  the  D.  B.  Bradford  Build- 
ing in  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina ;  the  John 
T.   Spratley   Building,   in   Surry   County ;  the 


Memorial  [Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
in  Berkley :  the  People's  Bank  Building,  in 
Berkley;  the  Waverly  Building,  for  W.  L. 
Berkley;  the  Salisbury  Building,  occupied  by 
Robert  Salisbury;  a  large  school-building  at 
Lambert's  Point ;  another  large  school-house  at 
Scottsville,  and  two  of  the  largest  school- 
buildings  in  the  county  outside  the  limits  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth.  He  has  erected 
many  of  the  fine  residences  in  each  of  the  twin 
cities,  and  his  work  compares  favorably  with 
that  of  any  other  contractor  and  builder  in  the 
county.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  W.  AL 
Tilley  Company,  which  deals  in  sash,  doors, 
-blinds  and  lumber  at  Berkley.  He  is  a  director 
in  the  Berkley  Permanent  Building  &  Loan 
Association ;  and  is  a  member  of  the  Berkley 
Business  ]Men's  Association.  He  also  holds 
stock  in  the  People's  Bank,  and  in  the  LeRoy 
jManufacturing  Company,  of  Berkley. 

October  2j,  1887,  ^Ir.  Jones  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Clara  E.  Tilley,  v.-ho  was 
born  in  Baltimore.  ^Maryland,  and  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  E.  AL  Tilley.  of  Berkley.  They  have 
four  children,  namely :  Edward  T. ;  "\Vesley 
T. ;  Delha  B. ;  and  Raymond  T.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jones  are  members  of  the  Liberty  Street 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  which 
he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards.  Fra- 
ternallv  he  belongs  to  Berklev  Lodge,  No.  167, 
A.  F.  '&  A.  M. 


ARRY  L.  TR0T3*L-\N,  who  has  a 
farm  of  400  acres  near  Churchland, 
Xurfolk  County,  Virginia,  is  one  of 
the  well-known  agriculturists  of  the 
county.  He  was  born  at  Churchland, 
and  is  a  son  of  T.  E.  Trotman. 

T.  E.  Trotman  is  a  prominent  farmer  and 
merchant  of  Norfolk  County.  He  was  born  in 
Gates  County,  North  Carolina.  He  married 
Mary  Sears,  a  native  of  Nansemond  County, 
Virginia,  and  they  were  blessed  with  two  chil- 
dren, namely:  Percy  E.,  a  farmer:  and  Harry 
L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 


HENRY   DUKE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


817 


Harry  L.  Trotman  attended  school  at 
Cluircliland  and  later  went  to  college.  After 
leaving  college  he  engaged  in  the  merchandise 
business  with  his  father,  in  which  he  still  con- 
tinues. His  farm  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
State,  and  Mr.  Trotman  takes  great  pride  in 
its  cultivation.  He  is  a  man  of  honest,  up- 
right character,  and  is  greatly  respecned  by  all 
who  come  in  contact  with  his  pleasing  persofi- 
ality.  He  is  honest  and  fair  in  his  dealings, 
and  is  a  man  of  good  business  ability.  Mr. 
Trotman  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Benevolent  &  Protective  Order 
of  Elks. 


N'RY  DUKE.    Among  the  many  pros- 
perous   farmers   of   Norfolk   County. 
Virginia,    is    the    gentleman    whose 
name   heads   this   sketch,   and   whose 
portrait  is  shown  on  the  opposite  page. 
He  was  born  in  Nansemond  County.  Virginia, 
July  17,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  Whitman  and 
Susan  Duke. 

\\'hitman  Duke  was  born  in  Nansemond 
County,  \'irginia.  where  he  farmed  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1866.  at 
the  age  of  87  years.  His  wife,  who  was  also  a 
native  of  Nansemond  County,  died  in  i86j. 
Of  II  children  born  to  this  union,  but  two 
are  now  living,  namely  :  Hardy ;  and  Henrv, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Henry  Duke  attended  school  in  Nansemond 
County,  and  resided  with  his  parents  until  the 
Confederate  War  broke  out.  He  enlisted  in 
1 86 1  in  Company  I,  9th  Regiment,  Virginia 
Infantry,  Craney  Island  Light  Artillery,  from 
which  he  was  transferred  to  Company  C,  13th 
Regiment.  \'irginia  Cavalry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
courier  for  General  John  R.  Chambers 
and  took  part  in  the  following  bat- 
tles :  Brandy  Station :  Gettysburg ;  Spottsyl- 
vania ;  The  Wilderness ;  and  Hanover  Junction. 
He  was  struck  by  bullets  several  times — one 
passing  through  his  clothing    and    the    other 

42 


through  his  hat — but,  singularly,  he  was  never 
wounded.  He  was  discharged  from  the  serv- 
ice at  the  surrender  at  Appomattox  Court 
House. 

He  then  returned  to  Sufifolk.  and  remo\ed 
to  Norfolk  County  in  1867,  where  he  engaged 
in  truck  farming  near  Churchland.  He  has 
since  continued  truck  farming  for  himself,  be- 
sides managing  the  Kingman  farm.  He  has  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  agricultural  affairs,  is 
modern  and  progressive  in  every  way,  and  is 
looked  upon  as  a  gentleman  of  much  abilitv. 

Mr.  Duke  was  married  in  November,  1869, 
to  Elizabeth  A.  Mears,  who  was  born  in  Nanse- 
mond County,  Virginia,  and  died  January  16, 
1902.  Mr.  Duke  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
is  a  manber  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
Masonic  lodges.  Religiously  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  has  many  friends 
in  Norfolk  County,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem 
bv  all  in  the  community. 


HOMAS  KEVILL,  deceased,  for  many 
years  one  of  the  most  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was  lx:)rn 
in  Ireland,  and  was  six  months  old 
when  he  emigrated  to  Canada  with 
his  parents.  He  went  from  there  to  Lowell, 
Massacliusetts,  where  he  attended  scIkmiI  for  a 
time,  and  then  went  into  the  clothing  business 
at  Boston  as  a  member  of  the  Ingalls  Com- 
pany. He  remo\ed  to  Norfolk,  \'irginia.  in 
1848,  and  opened  a  branch  store,  remaining  in 
business  there  until  his  retirement  in  1892. 
He  died  January  2^.  1898,  at  the  age  of  j^ 
years. 

Mr.  Kevin  was  captain  of  a  volunteer  fire 
company  of  Norfolk,  and  drilled  and  fitted  his 
men  out  for  service  in  the  Confederate  Army 
at  his  own  expense.  He  was  made  captain  of 
the  Norfolk  United  Artillery,  Company  A, 
Smith's  Battalion.  April  19,  1861,  They  were 
stationed  at  Fort  Norfolk  during  the  first  year 
of  the  war,  up  to  the  evacuation  of  Norfolk, 


8i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  during  that  time  he  volunteered  with  31 
of  his  men  to  tight  aboard  the  iron-clad  "Mer- 
rimac"-"Virginia"  against  the  Federal  fleet  in 
Hampton  Roads,  in  March.  1862.  He  was  in 
charge  of  a  9-inch  Dahlgren  gun,  the  muzzle 
of  which  was  shot  off,  but  he  continued  in  the 
engagement  in  that  condition,  sinking  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Cumberland"  and  burning  the  U. 
S.  S.  "Congress."  He  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles about  Richmond,  and  afterward  went  to 
Drewry's  Bluft".  being  in  the  battle  of  Howlett 
House  of  James  River,  near  the  front  of 
Dutch  Gap.  On  the  retreat  when  Richmond 
was  evacuated  he  was  on  the  left  flank  of  Gen- 
eral Gordon  and  finally  surrendered  with  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia  at  Appomattox 
Court  House,  April  9,  1865.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp,  Confederate 
Veterans. 

After  the  war  Captain  Kevill  returned  to 
Norfolk  and  sold  the  most  valuable  piece  of 
property  he  possessed  tO'  pay  off  obligations 
contracted  before  the  war.  He  served  as  chief 
engineer  of  the  Norfolk  volunteer  and  paid  fire 
departments  for  a  period  of  23  years.  He  was 
a  man  of  the  highest  type  and  was  loved  and 
respected  by  every  one  with  whom  he  was 
acquainted. 

In  1850  Mr.  Kevill  was  married  to  Au- 
gustine L.  Shield,  who  was  born  in  NorfoH- 
and  was  a  daughter  of  William  Shield.  She 
■died  in  189.4,  at  the  age  of  59  years.  Religi- 
ously, both  were  members  of  St.  Mary's  Ro- 
man Catholic  Church.  They  were  parents  of 
seven  children,  as  follows  :  Thomas,  deceased : 
William  J.,  deceased,  who  was  educated  in  the 
American  College  of  Lorraine.  France,  and 
was  a  Jesuit  priest  of  Washington,  D.  C. ; 
Mary,  widow  of  Michael  Glennan;  Anna  Se- 
lina,  wife  of  James  E.  Allen,  a  merchant  of 
Norfolk ;  Virginia  Buchanan,  who  was  born  in 
1862.  and  died  in  infancy,  was  named  after 
Commander  Buchanan,  of  the  "Merrimac"- 
" Virginia;"'  Thomas  Francis,  a  tobacco  mer- 
chant of  Washington.  D.  C,  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  Fourth  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantr}', 


and  went  on  garrison  duty  in  Cuba  after  the 
war;  and  Joseph  Emmett,  who  is  clerking  in 
Norfolk,  also  served  in  the  Fourth  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantry,  under  Col.  George  W. 
Taylor. 


CHARD  E.  WOOD,  the  capable  and 
eflicient  captain  of  the  ferry-boat 
"Queen  City,"  which  plies  between 
Berkley  and  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  is 
a  resident  of  the  former  city,  and 
holds  licenses  as  a  marine  engineer  and  as 
master  and  as  pilot  of  steam  vessels.  He  has 
spent  many  years  of  service  on  board  various 
vessels,  and  has  worked  his  way  up  from  a 
common  deck-hand  to  positions  of  importance 
and  trust,  to  which  he  does  honor  by  his  care- 
ful, discreet  management  and  faithful  service. 
Mr.  Wood,  like  his  parents,  is  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  v.diere  he  was  Ijorn  October  2, 
1871.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Martha 
Anne  (Downing)  Wood.  The  latter  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  Downing,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  46  years.  She  was  through- 
out her  life  a  devout  Methodist.  Samuel  F. 
Wood  was  born  in  1850,  and  is  a  marine  engi- 
neer of  some  prominence,  being  at  the  pres- 
ent time  employed  on  the  tug  "Chowan," 
which  runs  from  Norfolk  to  North  Carolina 
ports.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics,  and  of  the  Ma- 
rine Engineers'  Association. 

Mr.  W^ood  is  one  of  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living,  as  follows : 
Joseph ;  Maud  Olivia  ;  Richard  E. ;  Felder : 
Elwocxl  S. :  and  Samuel  F..  Jr.  All  of  the 
brothers  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  their  fa- 
ther and  chose  life  on  the  water,  while  the  only 
sister,  married  Columbus  Sivills.  section  mas- 
ter on  the  Norfolk  &  Southern  Railroad,  and 
resides  at  Shore.  North  Carolina.  Joseph  is 
captain  of  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway  tug 
"Dorothea,"  at  Norfolk.  Felder  is  captain  of 
the  ferry-boat  "Elizabeth."  running  between 
Norfolk  and  Berkley.     Elwood  S.  is  employed 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


819 


on  the  steamer  "Norfolk,"  and  Samuel  P..  Jr., 
on  the  tug  "Delmar." 

In  189J  Mr.  Woo<l  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Ella  M.  Hudgins,  a  daughter  of  William 
R.  and  Mary  ( Sears j  Hudgins,  and  enjoyed  a 
brief  jjeriod  of  wedded  bliss.  Mrs.  Wood  was 
a  native  of  North  Carolina.  She  was  called  to 
her  heavenly  home  September  3,  1901,  leaving, 
besides  her  sorrowing  husband,  a  little  (laugh- 
ter, Lillie  Mauil,  who  was  born  in  Berkley, 
in  February,  1894.  Mr.  Wood  formed  a  sec- 
ond union  Januarv  i,  1902,  wedding  Estella 
L.  Bowden,  and  they  now  reside  at  No.  409 
Harrison  street,  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Wood  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  city,  and  then  adopted  the  life  of  a 
mariner,  which  he  has  followed  ever  since. 
He  tirst  worked  in  the  capacity  of  fireman  on 
the  tug  "William  F.  Taylor"  and  later  on  the 
"E.  B.  Lane,"  after  which  he  served  as  deck- 
hand on  the  "\\  illiam  C.  Pierrepont.''  He 
was  serving  as  such  when  the  \essel  was 
burned  at  Portsmouth,  and  Air.  Wood  nar- 
rowly escaped  death.  After  l>eing  employed 
in  a  similar  capacity  on  the  tug  "Victoria''  for 
a  short  time  he  conceived  a  desire  to  take  a  sea 
voyage,  and  during  the  following  four  years 
had  many  rough  experiences  while  visiting 
most  of  the  seaports  of  the  United  States  and 
of  various  other  countries.  He  then  decided 
to  abandon  sea  voyages,  and  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  fireman  on  the  ferry-ixiat  "City  of 
Norfolk."  which  he  filled  for  a  brief  time,  after 
which  he  was  advartced  to  be  first  mate  of  the 
"Chowan,"  which  ran  from  Norfolk  to  all  the 
ports  of  North  Carolina.  Further  promotion 
follov  ed.  and  Mr.  \\"ood  became  captain  of  the 
tug  "David  B.  Hill,"  and  served  thus  yery 
efficiently  for  one  year.  Later  he  was  engi- 
neer on  the  "Rosalind,"  which  he  left  only  to 
assume  command  of  tlie  tug  "Sally,"  and  did 
general  tugging  from  Norfolk  through  the 
Dismal  Swamp  Canal.  He  had  the  honor  of 
towing  the  "William  Donnelly"  and  the  "Oak- 
land." the  first  two  schooners  towed  through 
that  canal.     Mr.  Wood  remained  in  command 


of  the  "Sally"  for  three  months,  and  was 
afterward  transferred  to  the  tug  "Mutual," 
as  captain,  and  was  engaged  in  doing  local 
towing  in  the  river.-  Some  time  later  he  was 
assigned  to  his  present  {wsition  as  captain  of 
the  ferry-steamer  "Queen  City."  which  plies 
between  Berkley  and  Portsmouth,  the  county- 
seat  of  Norfolk  County.  This  command  is 
very  satisfactory  to  Mr.  Wood,  who  by  his 
courteous  manner  has  won  the  good  will  of 
the  traveling  public.  He  has  made  Berkley  his 
home  for  the  past  14  years,  and  resides  at  No. 
16  IMiddleton  street.  Although  a  member  of 
the  Berkley  A\-enue  Baptist  Church,  he  is  4ib- 
eral  toward  all  religious  denominations,  and  is 
known  to  be  extremely  charitable  to  the  ex- 
tent of  his  means.  In  political  action  his  sup- 
port is  given  to  the  Prohibition  party. 

Mr.  Woods  is  a  member  of  Tidewater 
Lodge,  No.  30,  Junior  Order  of  American 
Mechanics;  Association  No.  loi.  Marine  En- 
gineers; and  Progressive  Harbor,  No.  9,  As- 
sociation of  Masters  &  Pilots  of  Steam  \''es- 
.sels  of  the  United  States.  He  has  made  a 
good  record,  and  is  deservedly  popular  among 
his  fellow  citizens. 


HARLES  T.  BLAND,  of  Ports- 
mouth, one  of  the  most  prominent 
pul)lic  men  of  Virginia,  who  has  at- 
tained a  high  degree  of  success  as 
an  attorney-at-law,  journalist  and 
political  leader,  is  serving  his  fourth  term  as 
a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  born  October  3,  1857,  and  is  a 
son  of  George  W.  and  Louisa  Frances  (Stew- 
art) Bland,  his  parents  being  natives  of  Ports- 
mouth. 

Charles  T.  Bland  was  reared  at  Ports- 
mouth, and  attended  the  parish  school  at  St. 
John's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  also 
the  public  schools.  He  carried  papers  at  the 
age  of  12  years,  and  at  the  age  of  14  years  be- 
came a  store  boy  and  clerk  for  R.  G.  Hume  & 


820 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Brother,  booksellers  and  stationers.  At  the 
age  of  1 6  years  he  entered  the  carriage  fac- 
tory of  A.  Wren  &  Sons,  of  Norfolk,  where 
he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years,  and 
then  worked  two  years  as  a  journeyman.  At 
the  age  of  20  years  and  10  months  he  was  mar- 
ried and  then  moved  with  his  wife  to  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  where  he  followed  his  trade, 
and  in  the  meantime  attended  the  Houck 
Night  School  for  young  men,  from  which  he 
was  graduated.  He  spent  two  or  three  years 
in  Baltimore.  Maryland,  in  North  Carolina, 
and  in  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  was  then  for 
some  years  a  commercial  traveler  out  of  New- 
ark, New  Jersey,  and  New  York  City,  his  line 
being  coach  and  carriage  varnishes.  He  took 
the  civil  service  examination  held  under  Presi- 
dent Cleveland,  at  Baltimore  City  College,  and 
applied  for  a  position  in  the  postal  service.  He 
passed  the  examination  but  declined  the 
proffered  position.  He  was  a  student  by  na- 
ture, and  while  traveling  took  up  the  study  of 
law.  He  subsequently  returned  to  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and  applied 
himself  to  newspaper  work,  as  a  member  of 
the  staff  of  the  Portsmouth  Progress,  the 
Portsmouth  Star,  the  Portsmouth  Enterprise 
and  the  Portsmouth  Times  at  different  periods. 
He  was  night  and  sporting  editor  of  the  Nor- 
folk Virginian,  and  is  now  the  Portsmouth  city 
editor  of  the  Norfolk  Landmark.  For  several 
years  he  was  Southern  correspondent  for  the 
Carriage  Monthly,  of  Philadelphia.  He  was 
half-owner  and  the  editor  of  the  Evening 
Times,  published  at  Portsmouth.  During  this 
time  aiid  for  many  years  pre\'iously  it  was  his 
custom  to  devote  two  hours  of  each  day  to- 
study,  to  which  practice,  extending  over  24 
years,  he  still  adheres.  He  mastered  the  pro- 
fession of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  by 
Circuit  Judges  J.  Taylor  Berry  and  Benjamin 
Gunter.  He  took  up  the  practice  of  law  in 
February,  1899,  and  in  September,  1899,  ^^'^^ 
given  a  certificate  from  the  summer  law  school 
of  the  University  of  Virginia,  signed  by  Will- 
iam M.  Lile  and  Raleigh  C.  Minor,  law  pro- 


fessors, which  attested  the  fact  that  he  had 
passed  a  satisfactory  examination.  He  soon 
etstablished  a  good  practice,  and  is  now  in 
partnership  with  James  B.  Hope,  Jr.,  with  a 
magnificent  suite  of  offices  on  High  street,  the 
firm  enjoying  a  large  and  lucrative  practice. 
He  is,  as  already  stated,  serving  his  foiu^th 
consecutive  term'  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  and  in  that  body  occupying  an  envi- 
able position,  being  one  of  its  strongest  and 
most  conspicuous  members.  He  is  a  promi- 
nent public  speaker,  both  in  political  and  fra- 
ternal circles.  He  is  general  counsel  for  sev- 
eral large  business  concerns,  and  his  advice 
is  frequently  sought  in  matters  of  importance 
to  the  community.  His  life  well  illustrates 
that  which  may  be  accomplished,  under  most 
adverse  circumstances,  by  perseverance  and 
industry. 

Mr.  Bland  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Josephine  Hyselop,  a  daughter  of  William  T. 
Hyselop,  and  they  became  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren, the  two  eldest,  Edgar  Allen  and  Charles 
Raymond,  being  deceased.  Those  living  are 
Ethel  Maywood;  Virginia  Louise;  William 
Marshall ;  and  Eularia  Frances.  They  reside 
at  the  northwest  corner  of  Dimviddie  and 
King  streets.  Mr.  Bland  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  He  has  always  voted  in  the  Second 
Ward,  and  has  been  delegate  tO'  all  political 
conventions, — municipal,  congressional  and 
gubernatorial.  He  has  always  evinced  a  deep 
interest  in  educational  matters,  and  has  been 
active  in  elevating  the  public  school  system, 
striving  at  all  times  to  get  the  largest  appro- 
priations possible  for  the  public  schools  of  the 
State.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Business  Men's  Association,  and  was 
the  founder  of  the  Portsmouth  Dime  Savings 
Bank,  whose  charter  he  drew  up.  He  or- 
ganized the  second  largest  Pythian  lodge  in 
the  State, — Seaside  Lodge,  No.  80,  and  con- 
ferred the  three  ranks  on  217  members  in  three 
weeks,  which  is  the  record  in  Pythianism.  He 
was  grand  chancellor  of  the  Knights  of  Pyth- 
ias of  \'irginia  but  resigned  August  i,  1900, 


VIRGINIUS    BUTT. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


823 


after  serving  halt  of  liis  term.  He  still  be- 
longs to  the  Grand  Lodge  and  is  also  a  niem- 
l>er  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men :  In- 
depentlent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  (of  which 
he  is  past  grand);  Benevolent '&  Protective 
Order  of  Elks;  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  ^Mechanics ;  \\'oodmen  of  the  World ; 
Impr  ved  Order  of  Heptasophs;  and  Knights 
of  the  Mystic  Chain.  He  is  staff  captain  of  the 
First  Regiment.  \'irginia  Artillery;  and  is  first 
assistant  foreman  of  the  IndeixMident  Steam 
Fire  Engine  Company.  No.  1,  the  largest  vol- 
unteer fire  organization  in  the  country.  Mr. 
Bland  is  a  man  of  estimable  character,  and  has 
made  legions  of  friends  throughout  this  sec- 
tion of  the  State.  He  is  a  man  in  whom  every- 
one places  the  most  absolute  confidence,  as  is 
evidenced  by  the  oxerwhelming  vote  he  re- 
ceives whenever  his  name  is  before  the  public 
as  a  candidate. 

He  is  now  very  prominently  mentioned  for 
the  office  of  Congressman,  as  he  was  two  years 
ago,  when  he  refused  to  allow  his  name  to  be 
used  in  the  convention  in  that  connection.  His 
many  friends  insist  that  he  allow  them  to  show 
their  appreciation  of  his  sterling  worth. 


IRGINIUS  BUTT,  deceased,  for  many 
years  a  prominent  and  valued  citizen 
of  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  was  com- 
missioner of  revenue  for  a  period  of 
18  years,  and  was  pronounced  the 
best  oflicial  who  ever  served  in  that  capacity. 
He  was  born  in  Portsmouth  September  30, 
1848,  and  was  a  son  of  George  ^^'.  and  Eliza- 
beth A.  (Wood)  Butt,  both  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

George  W.  Butt  was  a  carpenter  li\-  trade 
and  followed  that  occupation  all  his  life,  dy- 
ing in  1853.  His  widow  is  still  living  and  is 
an  honored  resident  of  Portsmouth.  She  has 
passed  the  75th  milestone  in  the  journey  of 
life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Court  Street 
Baptist  Church.     Four  children  blessed  their 


union,  as  follows:  Ellis  A.,  a  resident  of 
Portsmouth,  who  is  chief  clerk  in  the  Navy 
Yard  ;  Shelton  L.,  who  resides  at  Atlantic  Citv. 
Xew  Jerse\- ;  Virginius ;  and  Otis,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Virginius  Butt  attended  school  in  Ports- 
mouth, after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  a 
carpenter.  He  was  engaged  as  a  contractor 
and  builder,  under  his  own  name,  and  built 
many  fine  residences  and  buildings  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  went  to  work  in  the  United  States 
iVavy  Yard  and  was  elected  commissioner  of 
revenue  in  1880.  His  services  were  such  that 
he  was  re-elected  upon  the  expiration  of  his 
term,  and  was  re-elected  each  succeeding  term 
for  a  period  of  18  years.  He  served  in  that 
office  until  his  death,  November  11,  1898,  at 
the  age  of  50  years.  He  was  considered  one 
of  the  solid  business  men  of  the  city,  and  was 
everywhere  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  During 
the  "seventies"  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
City  Council.  Fraternally  he  was  a  member 
of  Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  24,  K.  of  P.,  of  which 
he  was  keeper  of  the  seal  for  26  vears:  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.;  I.  O.  R.  M.;  and  Royal  Arcanum. 
He  was  a  Democrat  in  jxtlitics  and  took  a  (lee]> 
interest  in  local  affairs. 

May    II.    1870,    Mr.    Butt    was   joined   in 
marriage  with  Sallie  F.   Grimes,  a   nati\e  of 
Portsmouth,  and  a  daughter  of  Herbert  and 
Frances    ( ]^leiggs )    Grimes,   both   her  parents 
being  dead.    Her  father  was  a  farmer  for  years 
but  was  working  in  the  Navy  Yard  when  he 
contracted  the  yellow  fe\er,  in  1855,  which  re- 
sulted in  his  death.     Mrs.  Grimes  was  after- 
,  ward  married  to  Richard  Drake,  and  the  sur- 
'  viving  offspring  of  her  second  union  are  Varina 
'  and  Adrienne.     She  died  in  May,  1S99,  '^^  the 
age  of  67  years.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grimes  were 
members  of  the  Court  Street  Baptist  Church. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butt  became  the  parents  of  three 
children,  Lela  E.,  Sadie  H.  and  X'irginius.  Jr. 
Lela  E.  is  the  wife  of  William  W.  Perkins,  by 
'  whom  she  has  one  daiighter.  Sallie  \'irginia. 
Mrs.  Butt  is  a  member  <if  the  Court  Street  Bap- 
tist  Church,  whilst  the  children  belong  to  Mon- 


824 


HISTORY  .  OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


umental   Methodist  Episcopal  Church,   South, 
of  Portsmouth.     A  portrait  oi'  the  subject  of 
•this  sketch  appears  on  a  preceding  page. 


ILLIAM    E.    WARREX. 


conimodating  commander 


the  ac- 
of  the 
steamer  "Virginia."  running  be- 
tween Newport  News  and  Nor- 
folk, has  been  in  the  employ  of  the 
Chesapeake  «&  Ohio  Railway  Company  for  the 
past  iq  years.  He  first  served  as  mate  for 
some  time,  until  he  was  advanced  to  his  pres- 
ent posticin  as  master,  and  has  held  the  latter 
position  for  the  jiast  14  years.  William  E. 
Warren  was  born  January  9,  1856,  in  Rich- 
mond, \'irginia,  and  is  a  son  of  Elijah  E.  and 
Amanda  (Ouarles)   Warren. 

Elijah  E.  Warren  as  born  in  Massachu- 
setts, and  after  obtaining  his  scholastic  train- 
ing adopted  the  occupation  of  a  bookkeeper. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Amanda 
Quarles.  a  native  of  Richmond,  Virginia,  and 
they  had  six  children,  of  whom  three  survive, 
namely:  Charles  H.,  who  is  a  prosperous 
druggist  in  Richmond;  William  E.,  the  subject 
hereof:  and  John  A.,  who'  is  engaged  in  the 
printing  business  at  Richmond.  Mr.  Warren 
was  a  decided  Democrat  in  his  political  opin- 
ions, and  was  at  one  time  assistant  city  treas- 
urer of  Richmond.  He  and  his  worthy  wife 
were  both  devoted  members  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  during  their  lives,  and  were 
ever  faithful  to  their  religious  vo'ws.  In  1880 
Mr.  Warren  died,  at  the  age  of  75  years,  and 
his  wife  sur\-ived  him  for  six  years,  and  died 
at  the  age  of  65  years.  In  fraternal  circles  Mr. 
Warren  was  considered  a  pr()minent  member 
of  the  ]\Iasonic  order. 

William  E.  Warren  attended  the  p.ublic 
schools  at  Richmond.  After  the  close  O'f  his 
school  days  he  went  to  sea,  and  made  twO'  voy- 
ages to  South  America  as  cabin  boy.  On  his  re- 
turn he  worked  on  the  coasting  vessels  plying 
between  Richmond,  Norfolk  Philadelphia  and 


New  York,  and  learned  much  that  helped  him 
during  later  years.  His  next  position  was  on 
a  tug-boat  en  Chesapeake  Ba}-  and  the  James 
River,  where  he  held  the  position  of  mate,  and 
later  was  promoted  to  be  master.  Soon  after- 
ward he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chesapeake 
&  Ohio  Railway  Company,  as  mate,  and  later 
became  master,  which  latter  position  he  still 
holds  on  the  steamer  "Virginia." 

Mr.  Warren  was  united  in  marriage,  Oc- 
tober 25,  1898,  with  Annie  Higgins,  who  was 
horn  in  Richmond.  Virginia,  in  1876,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  H.  and  Jeannette  Higgins. 
They  have  two  children, — William  H.,  born  in 
1S99,  and  Mabel  Louise,  born  August  22, 
1901.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warren  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  Fra- 
ternallv,  Mr.  W'arren  is  a  member  of  the  Elks, 
Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  38,  B.  P.  O.  E.  He  is 
esteemed  and  respected  as  a  representative 
citizen. 


APT.  WILLIAM  E.  LUCKETT, 
who  is  in  command  of  the  steamer 
"Washington,"  runn'ing  between 
Norfolk  and  Washington,  D.  C,  is 
one  of  the  most  able  seamen  who  has 
charge  of  a  vessel  between  these  two  ports. 
He  was  l)orn  in  Washington,  _D.  C,  December 
29,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Francis  and  Jane 
(Dove)  Luckett.  He  comes  of  a  patriotic 
family,  both  of  his  grandfathers  having  served 
in  the  War  of  1812. 

Francis  Luckett,  the  father  of  William  E., 
was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  was  also  a 
master  mariner.  He  died  at  the  age  of  52 
years.  His  wife,  a  nati\'e  of  Virginia,  still 
survives  him,  and  is  making  her  home  in 
Washington,  D.  C.  Eleven  children  were 
born  to  this  couple,  five  O'f  whom  still  survive. 
They  are  John  F. ;  Francis  M. ;  William  E. ; 
Miranda;  and  Jane. 

Capt.  William  E.  Luckett,  grew  tO'  man- 
hood in  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  received 
his  education.     When  13  years  old  he  went  on 


CAPT.    JOHN    F.    CASON. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


827 


one  of  his  father's  sailing  vessels  and  in  1879 
became  a  licensed  pilot,  although  he  had  been 
a  pilot  two  years  previous  to  that  time.  The 
first  steamer  of  which  he  was  given  command 
was  the  "Excelsior,"  which  belonged  to  the 
Potomac  Company.  He  was  gi\en  comniimd 
of  the  "Xewiwrt  News,"  of  which  he  was  cap- 
tain until  transferred  to  the  captainship  of  the 
steamer  "Washington."  This  vessel  is  one  of 
the  most  modern,  up-to-date  steamers  plying 
between  \\'ashington  and  Norfolk.  Captain 
Luckett  was  given  charge  of  that  steamer 
April  16.  1901.  He  has  been  in  his  present 
employ  for  the  past  eight  years,  and  has  never 
had  a  complaint  made  against  him,  nor  has  he 
been  brought  before  the  harbor  master  for  any 
mismanagement.  His  record  is  a  clean  one, 
worthy  of  the  highest  praise.  He  is  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all  who  have  aught  to  do  with 
him,  and  is  a  man  of  honor  and  fine  character. 
Captain  Luckett  married  Blanche  G.  Ad- 
ams, of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  they  make 
their  home  at  No.  1009  5th  street,  southeast, 
in  that  city.  The  Captain  is  a  member  of  An- 
drew Jackson  Lodge,  No.  120,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  .Alexandria,  Virginia;  Alount  Vernon 
Chapter,  No.  14,  R.  A.  M. ;  Old  Dominion 
Guard,  No.  11,  K.  T. ;  Lodge  No.  4,  Order  of 
the  Eastern  Star,  of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  and 
Harbor  No.  31,  Association  of  Masters  & 
Pilots  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the  United  States. 


APT.  JOHN  F.  CASON.  who  is  in 
command  of  the  steamer  "Pennsyl- 
vania," of  Philadelphia,  was  born  in 
Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  and  is  ? 
son  of  Frederick  and  ^largaret 
(Wallace)  Cason,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 
The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and 
died  in  1866,  being  survived  bv  his  wife,  who 
lives  at  Brambleton.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South. 

Captain  Cason  was  five  years  of  age  when 
his  father  died.     He  attended  the  public  and 


I  pay  schools  of  Norfolk  County,  and  after  leav- 
ing school  w-ent  into  the  employ  of  the  Alber- 
marle  &  Chesapeake  Canal  Companv  at  Great 
Bridge  and  remained  in  that  connection  for  two 
years.  He  then  went  aboard  the  steamer 
"Lyniihaven,"  as  deck-hand,  running  between 
Norfolk  and  Xtirth  Carolina  ports.  After  con- 
tinuing as  such  for  a  period  of  six  or  eight 
months  he  went,  as  mate,  on  board  the  steamer 
"Ilygeia,"  running  between  Elizabeth  City, 
North  Carolina,  and  Fairfield.  North  Carolina, 
and  carrying  mail.  Two  years  later  he  com- 
menced as  pilot  on  the  steamer  "Lizzie  May," 
used  in  building  the  Norfolk  &  Soutliern  Rail- 
road. After  spending  six  months  in  that  ca- 
pacity. Captain  Cason  became  mate  on  the 
steamer  "Carrie,"  making  the  same  ports  as  the 
"Hvgeia."  The  vessel  broke  down  and  he 
came  to  Norfolk  on  board  the  tug  "Nettie," 

j  owned  by  the  wrecker,  James  Cole.     He  con- 

I  tinued  as  mate  on  this  tug  for  two  years,  and 
then  became  its  captain.  He  was  subseciuently 
captain  on  the  tug  "Gates."  owned  by  Joseph 

I  Baker,  and  also  on  the  "Mollie  Wentz,"  and 
others.  He  was  next  captain  of  the  "Belle  of 
Virginia,"  belonging  to  Mr.  Wimple,  and  was 

I  engaged  in  towing  between  ]\Iurfreesboro  and 

'  Norfolk.  He  continued  thus  for  one  year, 
and  then  became  captain  of  the  tug  "Norfolk," 
belonging  to  the  New  York  &  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  Company.  Subsequently  he  was  cap- 
tain of  the  tugs  "Portsmouth"  and  "Philadel- 
phia." .After  the  lapse  of  six  years  he  went  on 
the  -Steamer  "New  York."  as  mate,  and  in  a 
short  time  was  advanced  to  be  captain.  He 
was  afterward  on  the  steamer  "Cape  Charles," 
of  the  same  line,  until  she  was  burned.  In 
March,  1899,  he  assumed  command  of  the 
"Pennsylv,ania."  which  runs  between  Cape 
Charles  and  Norfolk. 

Captain  Cason  was  united,  in  marriage,  in 
1884.  with  Bettie  D.  Tatem.  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Jane  (Sparrow)  Tatem.  She  was 
l)orn  in  Norfolk  County.  \'irginia.  in  1862.  and 
died  ?^Iarch  19,  1895.     They  became  the  par- 

;  ents  of  six  children,  of  whom  four  are  now 


828 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


living,  namely  :  Alexander  W. ;  Bettie  T. ; 
Jennie  S. ;  and  Clyde  G.  Religiously  the  cap- 
tain is  a  member  of  St.  Paul's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  Berkley.  In  politics  he  is  a 
stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  Democra- 
cy. He  has  had  a  life  of  stirring  activity  and  has 
met  with  many  interesting  adventures  on  the 
water.  A  man  of  strong  personality,  he  has  the 
good  will  and  respect  of  ever}"one  with  whom 
he  comes  in  contact.  A  portrait  of  Captain 
Cason  accompanies  this  sketch  of  his  life. 


EANDER  T.  BLICK,  one  of  Norfolk's 

oldest  contractors  and  builders,  who 

has  been  engaged  in  that  business  in 

Xorfolk  County  for    over  50    years, 

was  born  in  Petersburg,  Virginia,  in 

1829.     He  is  a  son  of  Thomas   Blick,   who 

served  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  spent  most  of 

his  life  as  a  civilian  in  Petersburg. 

Leander  T.  Blick,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  was  reared  and  schooled  in  Petersburg. 
He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  house  building 
and  general  carpentry,  and  in  the  fall  of  1850 
came  to  Norfolk,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
until  1855.  He  then  began  general  contract- 
ing, the  first  two  houses  which  he  erected  being 
on  Church  street,  iDCtween  Main  and  \\'ater 
streets,  for  Louis  Salisbury.  His  first  partner 
in  business  was  John  Edmonds,  but  the  firm 
soon  became  known  as  Blick  &  Jakeman,  Mr. 
Jakeman  having  become  a  partner  in  the  busi- 
ness. This  firm  continued  imchanged  for  25 
.5-ears.  When  ]\Ir.  Jakeman  died  Mr.  Blick 
took  his  son  into  partnership.  He  has  worked 
mostly  on  residences,  and  some  of  the  best 
homes  in  Ghent  and  Norfolk  have  been  erected 
by  him.  He  has  also  built  many  of  the  large 
stores  and  warehouses  in  Norfolk.  He  has  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  contracting  and  Imild- 
ing,  and  his  many  years  of  experience  prove, 
his  abilitv  to  compete  with  newer  firms.  Al- 
though Mr.  Blick  is  represented  in  the  firm 
and  looks  after  the  business,  his  son  takes  most 


of  the  active  charge  of  the  business,  and  is  one 
of  the  inost  prominent  business  men  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Blick  married  Amanda  Belote,  a 
daughter  of  James  L.  Belote,  of  Norfolk.  She 
died  in  1875,  ^"d  of  eight  children  born  to  this 
union,  those  living  are  as  follows :  Alice,  wife 
of  Walter  H.  Barnes,  of  Goldsboro,  North  Car- 
olina ;  James  Thomas,  who  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father:  Charles  F.,  who  is  a 
wholesale  and  retail  grocer,  of  Portsmouth ; 
and  Lillie  Irene. 

Mr.  Blick  served  12  months  in  the  Con- 
federate War,  Ijeing  stationed  in  the  Navy 
Yard  at  Portsmouth.  He  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Cotmcil  of  Norfolk,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business 
Men's  Association  of  Norfolk.  He  has  always 
been  an  active  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  serv- 
ing in  all  the  offices  of  the  local  lodge  and  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  He  has  never 
drawn  benefits  from  this  lodge.  Mr.  Blick  is 
one  of  the  best  known  of  the  older  citizens  of 
Norfolk  County,  and  is  a  man  of  charitable 
deeds,  and  a  kind  and  generous  nature. 


OSEPH  C.  PRINCE,  who  holds  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  superintendent  of 
the  warehouses  of  the  Norfolk  Ware- 
house Association,  has  been  engaged 
in  the  cotton  business  all  his  life.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  December  29. 
1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret 
Prince. 

Joseph  C.  Prince  attended  the  schools  of 
Norfolk,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  When 
he  was  a  mere  boy  he  began  work  in  the  cot- 
ton warehouses  at  Norfolk,  and  has  filled  every 
position  in  that  business.  The  cotton  industry 
is  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  Norfolk, 
and  Mr.  Prince  has  charge  of  all  the  cotton 
which  comes  into  the  warehouses  of  the  Nor- 
folk Warehouse  Association.  He  fills  the  po- 
sition of  superintenderit  with  great  acceptaliil- 
ity,  and  is  fully  qualified  to  hold  any  position 


GEORGE  A.   BEW. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


83 1 


iti  the  cotton  business.  He  has  a  thonnisjh 
knowledge  of  the  industry,  and  too  much  credit 
cannot  l)e  given  him  for  the  manner  in  wliich 
he  takes  charge  of  the  cotton  which  comes 
into  Norfolk.  He  is  also  superintendent  of  a 
large  ice  plant,  which  is  a  part  of  the  Norfolk 
warehouse  system,  and  of  a  mill  for  grinding 
plaster  rock  used  for  fertilizing.  Attention 
is  paid  to  the  two  last-mentioned  industries  in 
the  summer,  when  the  cotton  trade  is  slack. 
]\Ir.  Prince  is  a  member  of  the  Common 
Council  of  Norfolk,  and  has  also  served  as 
a  member  of  the  Select  Council  for  three  terms, 
having  been  elected  on  the  straight  Democratic 
ticket.  He  never  sought  political  preferment 
and  only  accepted  this  office  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  his  friends.  He  is  a  menilier 
of  the  Roval  .Vrcanum  and  Elk  lodges. 


RORGE  A.  BEW.  State  Pilot  for  the 
State  of  Virgfinia,  whose  portrait  ac- 
companies this  mention,  resides  at 
Norfolk,  and  is  an  experienced  navi- 
gator and  pilot,  whose  ecpial  is  rarely 
met  with  by  reason  of  his  broad  experience  in 
that  line  of  work.  Mr.  Bew  is  a  native  of  Nor- 
folk, where  his  birth  took  place  February  2, 
1872,  and  his  earl\-  mental  training  was  ob- 
tained froiu  the  pulMic  schools  of  that  city.  In 
1889  he  began  the  life  of  a  seaman,  doing  his 
first  work  in  a  pilot  boat.  After  serving  a 
five  years'  apprenticeship  under  the  Virginia 
Pilots'  Association  Mr.  Bew  was  granted  a 
license  in  1894,  as  a  \^irginia  State  Pilot.  Af- 
ter receiving  his  license  he  served  on  '"Phan-; 
torn  No.  5,"  "\\'illiani  Starkey  No.  2."  and 
"William  A.  Graves  No.  6."  all  pilot  boats.  At 
the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  active  pilot, 
either  on  the  "Relief"  or  the  "'William  .\. 
Graves."  the  inner  vessel. 

The  duties  of  a  pilot  are  very  imiiortant, 
as  upon  the  pilots  alone  depends  the  safety  of 
the  vessel  and  all  its  passengers.  It  is  the 
duty  of  these  pilots  to  cruise  at  sea  and  meet 


all  fiireign  steamers,  steering  them  through 
dangerous  places  to  Norfolk,  Newport  News 
and  Hampton  Roads.  The  United  States  Nav- 
igation Laws  requires  one  pilot  to  be  at  the 
out-harbor  constaiUly,  which  accounts  for  the 
outgoing  and   incoming  jjilot   boats. 

Mr.  Bew  is  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Cor- 
delia (Sexton)  Bew.  His  fatlier  is  a  bnat- 
builder  by  trade  and  resides  in  Norfolk,  being 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Epworth  League, 
<if  that  city.  His  mother  is  an  Episcopalian 
and  is  an  active  member  of  Christ  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church.  Eight  children  were  born 
to  them,  of  whom  four  only  are  now  among 
the  living.  They  are:  John  W.  and  Charles 
D.,  both  of  whom  are  clerks  in  mercantile  es- 
tablishments in  Nnrfdlk;  Nellie  B.,  who  mar- 
ried Capt.  James  G.  Peake,  a  member  of  the 
Virginia  Piliits'  Association;  and  George  .\., 
the  subject  of  this  brief  narrative.  Like  his 
mother,  Mr.  Bew  is  an  Episci-.palian.  Fratern- 
ally he  is  a  JNIason  of  high  degree,  holding 
membership  in  Norfolk  Lodge.  No.  i.  .\.  F. 
&  A.  ;\I.:  Norfolk  United  Chapter,  No.  i,  R. 
A.  M. :  and  Commandery,  No.  16,  K.  T.,  of 
Norfolk;  and  of  .\cca  Temple,  A.  .\.  O.  N. 
^1.  S.,  of  Richmond,  Virginia.  He  also  afifili- 
ates  with  Norfolk  Lodge.  No.  32,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  Minerva  ribe.  No.  100,  I.  O.  R.  M.  In 
politics  he  favors  the  Democratic  party,  but 
lias  never  been  prevailed  upon  to  accept  office. 
He  is,  however,  filling  his  place  as  a  go<5d  citi- 
zen of  Norfolk  and  is  esteemed  by  his  many 
acquaintances. 


\PT.  CHARLES  H.  JOHNSON, 
who  holds  the  responsible  i>osition 
of  harbor  master  at  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, is  a  son  of  Capt.  William  Y. 
Johnson,  and  was  born  in  Balti- 
more, ^laryland,  November  17,  1855. 

Capt.  \\'illiam  Y.  Johnson  was  one  of  the 
l)est-known  men  of  Norfolk.  He  was  born  in 
Dauphin  County.  Pennsylvania.     He  received 


832 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  his 
native  county,  after  which  he  began  work  on 
a  railroad  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  was 
raised.  In  1868  he  left  his  native  State  and 
removed  toi  Virginia,  first  locating  at  Ports- 
mouth. In  1881  he  settled  in  Norfolk,  where 
he  continued  in  the  line  of  business  which  he 
entered  upon  coming  South.  He  was  inspector 
of  steamboats  at  Norfolk  for  many  years,  and 
was  otherwise  interested  in  marine  service.  In 
1885  he  was  selected  as  one  of  Norfolk's  rep- 
resentatives in  the  Virginia  House  of  Dele- 
gates, where  he  served  for  two  sessions.  He 
was  for  a  number  of  years  a  memljer  of  the 
City  Councils.  In  1894  he  was  appointed  in- 
spector of  hulls  of  steam  vessels,  a  position 
which  is  under  the  civil  service  rules.  His  rec- 
ord in  that  position  could  not  have  been  better. 
and  he  performed  his  duties  with  faithfulness 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
Norfolk,  October  5,  igoi.  His  wife,  Huldah 
M.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Maryland,  is 
still  living  at  her  home  in  Norfolk.  Their 
family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely : 
Charles  H. ;  \^'ood  P. ;  Hattie  H. ;  and  Por- 
ter Y.  Capt.  William  Y.  Johnson  was  a  genial 
and  courteous  gentleman,  greatly  beloved  by 
all,  and  his  death  was  deeply  felt  in  the  com- 
munity. He  had  served  his  county  and  State 
with  distinction,  and  the  place  he  occupied  will 
not  be  easily  filled. 

Capt.  Charles  H.  Johnson,  the  subject  of 
this  biography,  came  to  Norfolk  when  he  was 
a  mere  boy.  There  he  was  schooled,  and  at 
the  age  of  14  years  began  his  life  as  a  mariner. 
He  first  served  as  clerk  on  one  of  his  father's 
vessels,  and  filled  various  positions  up  to  those 
of  pilot  and  master.  His  first  command  was 
that  of  the  "Harbinger,"  of  which  vessel  he 
took  charge  in  1878.  He  continued  in  steam- 
boat service  until  1897,  when  he  was  appointed 
to  his  present  position  of  harbor  master.  Each 
day  finds  him  at  his  post  of  duty,  discharging 
his  duties  in  a  faithful  and  conscientious  man- 
ner. He  is  a  man  of  honor  and  integrity,  and 
possesses    a    pleasing    personality.      Captain 


Johnson  is  a  member  of  the  Association  of 
Masters  &  Pilots  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the 
United  States. 


ON.  D.  TUCKER  BROOKE,  attorney- 
at-law  and  ex-judge,  stands  at  the 
head  of  his  profession  in  Norfolk, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  He  was 
born  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  April 
28,  1852,  and  comes  of  a  long  line  of  distin- 
guished aaicestors,  many  of  whom  resided  in 
Richmond.  He  is  a  son  of  Hon.  Henry  L. 
Brooke,  grandson  of  Hon.  John  T.  Brooke  and 
great-nephew  of  Robert  Brooke,  who  was  gov- 
ernor of  Virginia  in  1794. 

Hon.  John  T.  Brooke  was  a  leading  lawyer 
of  his  day.  He  had  a  brother,  Francis  T.,  who 
was  also  an  attorney  and  judge,  and  another 
brother,  Dr.  Lawrence  Brooke. 

Hon.  Henry  L.  Brooke  was  Common- 
wealth's attorney  of  Richmond  for  several 
years.  He  married  Virginia  Tucker,  a  sister 
of  Hon.  John  Randolph  Tucker,  of  Richmond. 

Hon.  D.  Tucker  Brooke  attended  private 
schools  in  his  native  city,  and  then  completed 
an  academic  course  at  the  school  of  Virginias 
Dabney,  at  Middleburg,  Virginia.  He  took  a 
course  of  one  year  in  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, after  which  he  taught  public  and  private 
schools  for  a  period  of  nine  years.  July  11, 
1873,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  Taze- 
well Taylor,  where  he  thoroughly  digested 
Blackstone,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  law 
in  October,  1874.  He  then  opened  an  office 
with  George  Mcintosh  under  the  firm  name  of 
Mcintosh  &  Brooke,  which  continued  until 
1879.  Mr.  Brooke  then  continued  alone  until 
June,  tS8o,  when  a  partnership  was  formed 
with  Thomas  R.  Borland.  In  February,  1884, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  elected  by  the 
legislature  tO'  fill  an  unexpired  term  of  Judge 
Godwin,  as  judge  of  the  Corporation  Court. 
He  served  in  a  most  creditable  manner,  and 
was  re-elected  by  the  legislature  for  a  term 


MATT.    M.    TUNIS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


835 


of  six  years,  ending  in  1895.  He  then  re- 
turned 10  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Nor- 
folk, where  lie  enjoys  a  very  large  clientage. 
His  ability  as  a  counsellor  and  advocate  are 
well  known,  and  as  a  citizen,  who  has  every 
interest  of  the  city  at  heart,  he  ranks  equally 
high.  June  12,  1901,  Air.  Brooke  took  his 
seat  in  the  Constitutional  Convention  at  Rich- 
mond. 

Judge  Brooke  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Lucy  B.  Higgins,  a  daughter  of  Ignatius  Hig- 
gins  of  Norfolk,  and  they  became  parents  of 
six  children,  as  follows  :  Lucy  D. ;  Eloise  M. ; 
Henry  Lawrence;  Mary  Walton-;  Lena  Ran- 
dolph :  and  Alarguerita  Custis. 


ATT  il.  TUNIS,  a  prominent  rep- 
resentative of  the  younger  element 
of  the  legal  profession  of  Norfolk, 
\'irginia,  whose  portrait  is  here- 
with shown,  has  displayed  excep- 
tional ability  in  his  chosen  vocation,  and  al- 
ready commands  a  lucrative  practice.  He  was 
born  in  Talbot  County,  Alaryland.  in  1873, 
and  is  a  son  of  Theophilus  Tunis,  who  is  presi- 
dent of  the  Tunis  Lumber  Company,  and  was 
formerly  a  State  Senator  from  his  county. 

Matt  M.  Tunis  obtained  an  educational 
training  at  Geogretown  College  and  in  the 
University  of  Virginia,  where  he  pursued  the 
study  of  law,  and  was  graduated  in  1895.  He 
w-as  admitted  to  the  bar  of  \'irginia  in  July, 
1895,  and  immediatelv  thereafter  located  at 
Norfolk.  He  devoted  himself  entirely  to  his 
profession,  and  very  shortly  had  a  large  client- 
age, which  has  steadily  increased.  In  1899  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Richard  B.  Taylor, 
under  the  tirm  name  of  Tunis  &  Taylor,  and 
they  have  comfortable  and  commodious  offices 
in  the  Taylor  Building.  He  has  a  large  gen- 
eral practice  and  is  secretary,  treasurer  and 
attorney  for  the  South  Norfolk  Company,  a 
concern  organized  for  the  improvement  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  in  Berkley,  and  which,  in 
the  course  of  time,  will  become  one  of  Nor- 


folk's greatest  projects.  He  is  also  attorney 
for  the  Tunis  Lumber  Company,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Virginia  Sawmill  Company, 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers. 

Mr.  Tunis  has  recently  moved  to  Norfolk 
County.  He  is  enthusiastic  in  his  support  of 
the  straightout  Democratic  party  and  one  of 
its  leaders. 

He  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  physique,  fond  of 
athletic  sports,  and  is  a  member  of  the  New 
Boat  Club.  He  possesses  many  pleasing  traits 
of  character,  and  numbers  his  friends  by  his  ar- 
quaintances. 


EORGE  LEMUEL  NEVILLE,  an  ex- 
tensive lumber  and  hardware  dealer 
of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  that  city,  January 
8,  1836.  He  is  a  son  of  Willis  and 
Margaret  (Hays)  Neville.  The  Neville  fam- 
ilv  originally  came  from  England,  and  its  de- 
scendants are  now  in  possession  of  a  coat  of 
arms  which  dates  back  to  1066. 

Willis  Neville  was  born  in  Norfolk  Coun- 
tv.  December  28,  181 2.  and  was  a  son  of 
Willis.  George  L.  Neville's  mother,  Margaret 
(Hays)  Neville,  was  a  daughter  of  Lemuel 
Hays,  and  a  native  of  Norfolk  County.  She 
died  in  1875.  aged  71  years;  Mr.  Neville  died 
in  1883.  They  "reared  five  children,  namely: 
William  Allen,  who  is  living  in  Portsmouth; 
George  Lemuel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ;  Eliz- 
abeth Frances,  the  widow  of  Samuel  S.  Peed, 
who  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  Norfolk  for  many  years,  and  who  died  in 
1895:  Wi.lis  Henry,  who  died  in  Portsmouth, 
in  1883;  and  Robert  PuUen.  Willis  Henry 
Neville's  wife  and  family  recently  removed-  to 
Texas;  he  left  four  sons  and  one  daughter, 
namely:  George  Wilder:  Frank  L. ;  Willis 
Gushing;  Edward  L. ;  Ruth  Lane :  and  Wendell 
Gushing.  George  Wilder  Neville  is  a  meinber 
of  the  firm  of  Weld,  Neville  &  Company,  cot- 
ton dealers  of  Houston.  Texas.  They  carry 
on  an  immense  business,  having  branch  offices 


836 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


in  New  York,  Liverpool  and  other  large  cities. 
Frank  L.  and  Willis  Gushing  Neville  are  also 
engaged  in  the  cotton  business.  Wendell 
Gushing  Ne\-ille  is  a  captain  in  the  marine 
service.  He  had  the  honor  to*  be  one  of  the 
first  to  land  in  Cuba,  and  was  also  a  member 
of  the  first  party  to  enter  Pekin,  China.  He 
is  now  in  the  Philippines,  serving  as  governor 
of  Isabela  Island.  Robert  PuUen  Neville, 
brother  of  our  subject,  is  a  warrant  officer  in 
the  United  States  Navy,  and  is  a  resident  of 
Portsmouth. 

George  Lemuel  Neville,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  attended  the  common  schools  oi  Ports- 
mouth. At  the  age  of  15  years  he  left  school 
to  begin  work  as  a  clerk  in  the  wholesale  gro- 
cery store  of  Keeling  &  Pratt.  He  remained 
with  that  firm  for  some  time,  and  next  went 
into  the  lumber  business  as  clerk  for  George 
W.  Peete.  Later  he  worked  for  R.  J.  Neely 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War.  He 
ran  the  blockade  to  Richmond,  where  he  en- 
tered the  Confederate  Army,  and  served  as 
bookkeeper  in  the  treasury  department.  Being 
a  fine  bookkeeper  and  splendid  accountant,  he 
was  kept  there,  mainly  performing  that  line 
of  duties  until  the  evacuation  of  Richmond. 
He  returned  home  to  be  married,  but  was  ob- 
liged to  leave  his  young  wife  and  return  to 
Richmond,  as  that  city  was  thi'eatened.  He 
saw  active  service  for  a  while,  and  worked  in 
the  trenches,  where  his  hand  was  blistered.  He 
applied  for  a  furlough,  which  was  not  granted 
at  once,  although  it  was  approved  later,  and 
then  he  returned  to  liis  home  in  Portsmouth. 

In  Portsmouth  Mr.  Neville  engaged  in  the 
lum.ber  business,  and  later  on  also  took  up  the 
hardware  business  with  James  M.  Butt,  the 
firm'  being  Butt  &  Neville.  It  was  established 
in  1877,  and  continued  until  the  death  of  Mr. 
Butt.  Mr,  Neville  then  conducted  the  business 
alone  for  some  time,  and  four  years  ago  Will- 
iam L.  Grubb  was  admitted  as  a  partner.  They 
do  a  large  business  annually,  and  are  well 
known  in  Norfolk  County.  Mr.  Neville  is  a 
fine  business  man,  and  has  met  with  much  suc- 
cess in  his  career. 


He  was  married  to  Sarah  Ellen  Newman, 
December  28,  1864.  She  was  lx)rn  in  Isle  of 
Wight  County,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  (Nors worthy)  New-man,  who  were  both 
natives  of  that  county.  Mr.  Neville  and  his 
wife  reared  seven  children,  namely :  Nellie 
Newman ;  Sallie  Newman ;  Rosa  Newman,  de- 
ceased: Georgia  Lee,  who  married  Walter  H. 
Dey,  of  Norfolk ;  Mary  Marvin,  deceased ; 
George  L.,  Jr.,  who  is  at  home;  and  Joseph 
Hugh,  who  is  teaching  school  at  Capron, 
Southhampton  County,  Virginia. 

Mr.  Neville  was  elected  sergeant  of  the  citv 
of  Portsmouth  soon  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
and  remained  in  that  capacity  until  displaced 
during  the  reconstruction  period.  Fraternally, 
he  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  having 
joined  that  organization  over  40  years  ago.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Portsmouth  Orphan  Asylum :  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Mer- 
chants' &  Farmers'  Bank,  and  also  of  the  Bank 
of  Portsmouth.  He  is  a  director  in  the  Bay- 
Shore  Terminal  Coinpany,  which  has  its  main 
office  in  Norfolk;  and  is  vice-president  and  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Con- 
solidated Turnpike  Company. 

Religiously,  ilr.  Neville  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  Ports- 
mouth. No  public  enterprise  is  complete  with- 
out his  assistance,  which  he  has  always  given 
most  cheerfully.  He  is  one  of  the  most  entei"- 
prising  and  progressive  citizens  of  Portsmouth, 
and  is  held  in  high  esteem  bv  all  who  know  him 
or  come  in  contact  with  him. 


T.  EASTWOOD,  one  of  the  ris- 
ing   young    attorneys    of    Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  \'irginia, 
is  a  native  of  that  citv,  and  a  son 
of  M.  D.  Eastwood.   'M.  D.  East- 
wood has  been  a  resident  of  Portsmouth  for 
the  past  45  years,  and  is  one  of  that  city's  prom- 
inent and  influential  citizens. 


GEORGE    H.   H.    WOODHOUSE. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


839 


W.  T.  Eastwood  received  his  primary  ed- 
ucation in  the  schools  of  Portsmouth,  and  later 
took  an  academic  course  of  two  years  at  Will- 
iam and  Mary  College.  In  1900  he  entered 
the  University  of  \'irginia  and  pursued  a 
course  of  law  in  that  institution,  where  he 
graduated  in  June,  1901.  He  at  once  began 
the  general  practice  of  his  profession  in  Ports- 
mouth, opening  an  office  in  the  Commercial 
Building.  He  has  won  recognition  in  legal  cir- 
cles as  a  lawyer  of  much  natural  ability.  He 
possesses  a  sound  judgment,  and  is  conscien- 
tious and  thorough  in  all  his  undertakings.  He 
has  a  large  practice,  which  is  steadily  increas- 
ing, and  to  which  i:e  gives  his  entire  attention. 

Mr.  Eastwood  was  one  of  the  original  com- 
mittee, composed  of  three  members,  to  draw 
up  the  charter  for  the  organization  of  the 
Portsmouth  Business  Glen's  Association.  He 
resides  with  his  parents  at  Xo.  308  Xorth 
street.  The  family  are  members  (if  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church. 


ILORGE  H.  H.  WOODHOUSE,  who 
has  rendered  \'aluable  service  to  the 
city  of  Xorfolk  as  clerk  of  the  City 
Market,  is  a  veteran  of  the  Confed- 
erate War.  He  was  born  near  Xim- 
mo"s  Church,  in  Princess  Anne  County.  Vir- 
ginia. July  3.  1840.  and  comes  of  an  early  and 
honored  family  of  that  county.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  Franklin  \\'oodhouse.  and  grandson 
of  Josiah  \\'oodhouse,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  Princess  Anne  County.  Both  followed 
agricultural  pursuits. 

John  Franklin  \\'oodhouse  married  X'ancy 
May.  and  both  died  when  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  young,  the  father,  at  the  age  of  56 
years,  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  48  years. 
They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  Josiah  ;  Ann  Eliza :  John  Thomas ;  Will- 
iam :  Elizabeth  :  Solomon  ;  Henrietta  ;  a  daugh- 
ter who  died  in  infancy ;  and  George  H.  H. 
George  H.   H.  Woodhouse.  being  left  an 


I  orphan  in  childhood,  had  to  do  the  best  he 
could  to  earn  a  living.  He  attended  school 
when  the  opportunitv  was  presented,  and  in 

,  the  meantime  engaged  in  farming.     He  mar- 

]  ried  Maria  J.  Harrison,  a  daughter  of  George 
W.  Harrison,  and  the  union  proved  a  happy 

1  one.  Hand  in  hand  they  fought  adversitv, 
working  and  saving,  and  when  their  circum- 
stances became  better  Mr.  Woodhouse  had  the 
misfortune  to  lose  his  beloved  wife  in  her  21st 
year.  They  had  one  son.  Arnold  James,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  30  years.  When  the  Con- 
federate War  broke  out,  Mr.  Woodhouse  was 
one  of  the  first  to  enlist,  to  fight  for  the  cause 
of  the  South.  He  joined  Company  F,  6th 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  known  at  the 
time  as  the  Seaboard  Rides.  He  was  a  brave 
and  gallant  soldier,  and  always  performed  his 
full  share  of  duty,  and  more.  In  the  battle  of 
Malvern  Hill  he  was  shot  in  the  left  arm.  and  it 
became  necessary  to  amijutate  that  member  at 
the  shoulder.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  he  returned 
to  his  company  to  do  what  service  he  could  and 
fought  until  -Lee's  surrender.  After  the  war 
he  returned  to  farming  and  raised  a  general 
line  of  produce.  He  purchased  oyster  beds  and 
oyster  boats,  and  engaged  in  shipping  oysters 
and  fish,  in  addition  to  supnlying  them  for  the 
home  market.  He  carried  on  this  business  un- 
til 1898,  when  he  practically  retired  and  moved 
to  Xorfolk.  aUhough  he  still  owns  his  farm 
and  his  oyster  interests. 

In  July.  1900,  the  citizens  of  Xorfolk  chose 
]Mr.  Woodhouse  as  clerk  of  the  Citv  Market. 
to  succeed  Abe  Moses.  The  Xorfolk  City 
Market  was  begun  in  the  earlv  days  of  the 
citv  and  was  located  on  Commercial  Place  for 
many  years.  In  1890  the  present  location  was 
chosen,  it  being  back-water  p-rnund  of  the  Eliz- 
abeth River.  It  was  filled  in.  piles  were  driven 
and  a  brick  building  was  erected,  which  was 
opened  for  trade  in  October.  1893.  The  meat 
market  consists  of  about  25  stalls,  and  there 
mav  be  obtained  the  best  of  the  home  product 
and  that  of  the  great  West.  Fruit,  vegeta- 
bles, game  and  fish  stands,  to  the  number  of 


840 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


60,  are  stocked  with  the  best  of  the  season's 
produce,  and  the  market  as  a  whole  is  unex- 
•  c'elled  anywhere  in  the  South.  The  old  ordin- 
ance required  that  all  markets  should  close  at 
12  o'clock  noon,  except  Saturday',  but  Mr. 
Woodhouse  was  instrumental  in  the  repeal  of 
that  ordinance,  and  they  are  now  allowed  to 
keep  open  all  day.  It  is  his  duty  to  see  that 
the  market  is  kept  clean  and  that  the  people  are 
properly  dealt  with,  and  in  this  he  has  dis- 
charged his  duty  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 
every  one.  being  ably  assisted  in  his  work  by 
Deputy  Clerk  J.  Glover. 

Mr.  Woodhouse  formed  a  second  matri- 
monial alliance,  wedding  Georgianna  B.  Ewell, 
a  daughter  of  Solomon  Ewell.  This  union 
has  resulted  in  no  issue,  but  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Woodhouse  have  reared  several  children,  giv- 
ing them  the  affection  and  advantages  which 
they  would  confer  upon  children  of  their  own. 
Mr.  Woodhouse  is  a  member  of  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men ;  Pickett-Buchanan  Camp, 
Confederate  Veterans ;  the  Elks ;  I.  O.  O.  F. ; 
K.  of  P.;  and  the  Eagles.  A  portrait  of  Mr. 
Woodhouse  is  shown  on  a  preceding  page. 


LEXANDER  B.  BUTT,  a  prominent 
business  man  of  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  is  cashier  of 
the  People's  Bank  of  Portsmouth.  It 
is  one  of  the  leading-  banks  of  the 
community,  and  was  organized  in  1893,  with 
John  H.  Hume  as  president,  and  Mr.  Butt  as 
cashier.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Hume,  Frank- 
lin D.  Gill,  the  present  incumbent,  was  elected 
president.  Its  directory  consists  of  many 
prominent  business  men,  whose  names  are  a 
warrant  of  the  bank's  stability.  They  are 
James  F.  Crocker,  Charles  R.  Nash,  C.  T.  Phil- 
lips, C.  L.  Culpepper,  M.  D.  Eastwood,  John 
T.  King,  Cornelius  Thomas.  Charles  A.  Mc- 
Lean and  Franklin  D.  Gill.  They  have  a  paid- 
up  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  and  do  a  general 
banking     and    deposit    business.     They    first 


started  out,  west  of  their  present  locati(3n,  on 
High  street,  but  at  that  time  bought  tlie  pres- 
ent building  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Craw- 
ford streets,  and  later  remodeled  the  build- 
ing. It  is  a  substantial  three-story  structure, 
constructed  of  brick  and  stone,  the  first  floor 
being  devoted  to  banking  purposes  and  espe- 
cially to  facilitate  that  work,  and  the  upper 
floors  being  given  up  to  ot^ce  use. 

Mr.  Butt  was  born  in  Portsmouth  and  is 
a  son  of  Dr.  H.  F.  Butt,  also  a  native  of 
Portsmouth,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  the 
oldest  practicing  physician  there.  Mr.  Butt's 
mother  is  still  living,  and  he  has  three  broth- 
ers and  three  sisters,  all  living  in  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Butt  has  had  for  his  age  an  extensive 
experience  in  the  banking  business.  He  ]>egan 
at  the  bottom,  in  the  Bank  of  Commerce,  in 
Norfolk,  and  continued  in  different  positions 
with  that  bank  for  a  period  of  10  years;  since 
1893  he  has  occupied  his  present  position.  He 
also  has  many  other  business  interests,  being 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Portsmouth 
Knittinig  Mills,  of  which  Mr.  Gill  is  president; 
a  director  of  the  Portsmouth  Star;  and  ist 
vice-president  of  the  new  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation of  Portsmouth.  He  is  a  member  and 
officer  of  several  different  insurance  organiza- 
tions. 

Mr.  Butt  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Nimmo,  and  they  have  four  children.  For 
years  he  has  been  a  member  of  Trinity  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  vestry- 
man and  treasurer. 


UGH  JOHNSTON,  who  is  editor  of 
the  Norfolk  County  Democrat,  which 
is     published     in     Berkley,     Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Edge- 
combe County,  North  Carolina,  No- 
vember 15,  1875.     He  is  a  son  of  George  W. 
and  Laura  Johnston. 

George  ^V.  Johnston  was  born  in   North 


Carolina. 


He  is  now  engaged 


m 


farming  in 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


841 


Sussex  County,  Virginia,  and  is  well  and  fa- 
vorably known  in  that  community,  lie  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace  for  a  numl:>er  of  years. 
He  is  now  50  years  old,  and  his  wife  is  48 
years  of  age.  They  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  which  j\lr.  Johnston  is  an  of- 
ficer. Of  nine  children  born  to  this  couple,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest. 

Hugh  Johnston  received  hi.s  early  mental 
training  in  private  schools  of  Xorth  Carolina, 
in  the  public  schools  of  Virginia,  and  at 
Churchland  Academy  in  Norfolk  County. 
Later  he  attended  Richmond  College.  He 
afterward  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Nor- 
folk County  for  four  years.  He  began  to 
work  for  the  Norfolk  County  Democrat,  in 
September.  1901,  having  assisted  in  the  or- 
ganization of  that  paper.  It  is  conducted  by  a 
stock  company,  and  has  started  with  very  good 
prospects.  It  advocates  the  principles  of  the 
Democratic  party,  and  has  met  with  a  good 
measure  of  success. 

■Mr.  Johnston  takes  an  active  interest  in 
politics,  and  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising 
citizens  of  Berkley,  where  he  is  held  in  high 
esteem  bv  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him. 


HARLES  J.XMES  WOODSEND,  a 
member  of  the  Business  Men's  Asso- 
ciation 'of  Berkley,  \'irgini-a,  is  an 
architect  and  builder  of  that  town, 
and  an  expert  artisan.  He  has  been 
a  resident  of  Norfolk  County  for  the  past  14 
years,  and  has  spent  12  years  of  his  life  in  the 
United  States  Navy  Yard.  Mr.  \\'o(xlsend  is 
of  English  nativity  and  was  born  in  London 
in  September,   1847. 

In  the  year  1868  lie  came  from  England  to 
the  Uniterl  States  and  was  located  in  Boston 
for  a  short  time.  Thence  he  went  to  Ontario, 
Canada,  and  from  there  to  Northern  Michigan, 
where  he  resided  until  1887.  Then  he  left 
Michigan  and  came  to  Norfolk  C<>imtT,  Vir- 
ginia.     Norfolk   Citv   was  his   home   for  the 


next  five  years,  when  he  moved  to  Berkley, 
and  has  l>een  numbered  among  that  town's  resi- 
dents ever  since. 

In  1869  Mr.  Woodsend  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Maria  E.  Toman,  who  was  lx>rn  in 
1847,  'It  Preston,  Canada.  Thev  ha\e  one 
child,  ?Mward,  who  was  born  in  1870,  and  who 
married  Carrie  C.  Vrooman ;  he  is  a  memlier 
of  the  Jefiferson  Pie  Company,  of  Norfolk. 
Mrs.  Charles  J.  Woodsend  is  a  member  of  tlie 
M.  E.  Church,  South.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of  Canadian 
Order  of  Foresters. 

Mr.  \\'oodsend  is  a  shrewd  business  man 
and  a  successful  manager,  and  has  accumu- 
lated a  comfortable  competency.  He  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  progressive  men  of  his 
section  of  the  county,  and  stands  high  in  the 
estimation  of  the  public.  He  is  a  man  of  high 
principles,  honest  and  straightforward,  and 
numbers  his   friends  bv  the  score. 


H.  BRITTINGHAM,  a  contractor 
and  builder  of  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk Countv,  Virginia,  was  born 
on  Deep  Creek  Road,  three  miles 
from  Portsmouth,  in  November. 
1836.  He  is  a  sun  of  William  P..  and  grand- 
son of  Micajah  I'rittingham. 

Micajah  Brittingham,  the  grandfather  of 
W.  H.,  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  and  also  farmed 
during  his  life.  He  served  in  the  War  of 
18 1 2.  William  P.  Brittingham,  his  son,  was 
born  in  Marvland.  July  4,  1806,  and  was  but 
five  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  He  bought  a  farm 
adjoining  his  father's,  three  miles  from  Ports- 
mouth. He  married  Martha  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  Norfolk  County.  William  P.  Britting- 
ham served  as  deputy  sheriff  under  Mr.  Man- 
ning, during  his  early  years,  and  then  accepted 
a  position  with  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries, 
where  he  continued  until  his  death,  in  1855. 
He  died  from  yellow  fever,  at  the  age  of  30 
vears.     W.  H.  Brittingham  has  one  sister  liv- 


842 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


ing. — Elizabeth. — who  married  O.  H.  Ed- 
wards, and  resides  in  Portsmouth. 

W.  H.  Brittingham.  whose  name  opens 
these  lines,  attended  the  county  schools  one 
year,  and  later  went  to  Prof.  N.  B.  Webster's 
school  in  Portsmouth.  He  left  school  at  the 
age  of  15  years,  and  was  apprenticed  to  John 
P.  Minter.  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  house  car- 
penter. ^^'hen  his  father  died  (his  mother 
having  pre\-iously  passed  away),  he  took 
charge  of  the  family,  which  consisted  of 
nine  children, — a  very  large  undertaking 
for  a  young  man  just  starting  out  in 
life.  He  worked  in  the  Gosport  Navy 
Yard  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Confed- 
erate War,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  old  Ports- 
mouth Rifle  Company,  which  was  organized  in 
1792.  It  became  known  as  Company  G,  9th 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  Armistead's  Bri- 
gade. Pickett's  Division.  He  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Malvern  Hill  and  Gettysburg,  and 
was  slightly  woimded  in  the  latter.  He  was 
in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  regiment  partici- 
pated during  the  closing  days  of  the  war.  He 
Avas  captured  at  Sailor's  Creek  three  days  be- 
fore the  surrender,  and  was  confined  at  Point 
Lookout,  leaving  there  on  the  last  special  re- 
lease. 

After  the  war,  Mr.  Brittingham  returned 
to  Portsmouth,  where  he  again  took  up  his 
trade.  In  1873  'i^  began  contracting  for  him- 
self, and  has  followed  that  line  of  business 
ever  since.  He  employs  a  ■  large  number  of 
men  to  assist  him.  He  built  the  Market.  Kim 
Building  and  many  houses  in  Norfolk.  His 
work  is  of  a  very  high  order,  and  he  is  well 
known  in  Norfolk  County.  He  lends  his  as- 
sistance to  anv  public  aiterprise  which  is  un- 
dertaken for  the  advancement  of  Portsmouth, 
and  is  one  of  that  city's  most  influential  citi- 
zens. 

Mr.  Brittingham  married  Miss  S.  W. 
Brickhouse,  who  was  born  on  the  Eastern 
.Shore  of  Virginia,  near  Accomac.  They  have 
six  children,  namely:  Mary  B.,  who  is  teach- 
ing school  in  Portsmouth  ;  Martha  P.,  a  teacher 


of  Norfolk  County;  \\'illiam  V..  a  bookkeeper 
and  plumber;  Philip  B.,  who  clerks  for  Mr. 
Barlow;  Smith  R.,  a  law  student ;  and  Edith  B., 
who  is  at  school. 

Mr.  Brittingham  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 
He  was  fomierly  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Order  of  Chosen  Friends.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Monumental  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  being  steward  of 
that  church,  and  one  of  its  active  workers.  He 
has  a  host  of  friends  in  Portsmouth,  who  honor 
him  for  his  manv  good  traits  of  character. 


D.  CUTHERELL,  one  of  the  old 
residents  of  Portsmouth.  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  a  ship-joiner  in 
the  United  States  Navy  Yard  in  that 
city,  was  born  in  Portsmouth  in  1831. 
He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Cutherell,  and  grand- 
son of  Samuel  Cutherell. 

The    Cutherell    family    located    in    Great 
Bridge  in  162^,  and  were  the  first  Methodists 


in  Tidewater  Virginia. 


Preaching  was  carried 


on  in  R.  D.  Cutherell's  great-grandfather's 
family  for  over  40  years,  and  it  was  this  great- 
grandfather who  donated  the  land  on  which 
the  Cutherell  Meeting  House  was  erected  in 
1770.  The  Cutherell  family  in  those  days  o-ften 
entertained  as  many  as  40  people,  at  one  time, 
in  their  home.  When  the  British  passed 
through  Norfolk  County,  Mr.  Cutherell  buried 
all  of  his  valuables  in  a  field.  He  was  obliged 
to  feed  the  soldiers,  and  in  return  was  most 
shamefully  abused. 

Samuel  Cutherell,  the  grandfather  of  R.  D., 
was  born  in  Portsmouth.  He  was  commis- 
sioner of  reA'-enue  and  collector  of  taxes  for 
many  years.  He  served  in  the  War  of  1812, 
helping  to  defend  Craney  Island. 

Samuel  Cutherell,  the  father  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  also  born  in  Portsmouth. 
He  was  a  contractor  and  builder  during  most 
of  his  active  life.  For  many  years  he  was 
secretary  of  the  Cham1>ers  Hook  and  Ladder 


ALBERT    JASON    WHITEHURST. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


345 


Company  of  Portsnunith.  then  known  as  the 
Resolute  Fire  Company.  He  married  Mary 
\'irginia  Stanliope.  a  daughter  of  William 
Stanhope,  of  Norfolk  City.  William  Stanhope 
was  a  lieutenant  of  a  cavalry  company  from 
Norfolk  during  the  War  of  1812.  He  manu- 
factured hats,  and  later  in  life  moved  to  the 
West,  and  for  some  time  conducted  a  large 
fur-warehouse  in  Missouri.  This  warehouse 
was  destroyed  by  the  Indians.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Norfolk,  where  he  died,  and  was 
buried  in  St.  Paul's  Chuchyard.  His  mother 
was,  at  the  time  of  her  death,  the  oldest  resi- 
dent of  Norfolk.  Dr.  Crawford  Toy,  a  pro- 
fessor of  languages  at  Cambridge  University, 
and  a  very  eminent  man,  is  one  of  her  de- 
scendants. 

R.  D.  Cutherell,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  and  schooled  in  Portsmouth,  where 
he  was  apprenticed  as  a  house-builder,  under 
W.  G.  Butler.  His  contract  with  that  gentle- 
man ended  in  185 1.  He  then  conducted  that 
business  alone  for  a  number  of  years,  and  when 
the  Confederate  War  broke  out  he  was  detailed 
to  work  on  war  vessels,  among  them  being  the 
"Merrimac"'  (C.  S.  S.  "Virginia").  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  carried  on  contracting  un- 
til 1886.  when  ne  entered  the  United  States 
Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth  as  a  ship-joiner. 
He  is  a  splendid  workman,  and  much  confi- 
dence in  his  ability  is  felt  by  his  employers  and 
those  beneath  him  in  grade. 

Mr.  Cutherell  married  Hilary  F.  Simnions, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  Simmons,  who  was 
principal  of  the  public  schools  of  Portsmouth 
for  some  time.  ]\Irs.  Cutherell  also  taught 
school  for  a  while.  She  died  in  1888,  aged 
58  years.  Of  eight  children  born  to  tliis 
couple,  five  are  now  living,  namely :  Anna  V.. 
the  wife  of  John  L.  Beaton,  of  Portsmouth  : 
Samuel  D.,  a  government  storekeeper  in  Cali- 
fornia :  Fannie  F.,  widow  of  the  late  George 
A.  Scott:  Jennie. S.;  and  Robert  D.,  Jr.,  who 
is  in  the  hardware  and  mill-supplv  business  in 
Norfolk:  Eva:  Emily  Amelia  (Williams)  ;  and 
Mar\-  Wightman  are  deceased. 


Politically  Mr.  Cutherell  is  a  DenvTcrat. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Religiously, 
he  is  a  member  of  Monumental  Meth<xlist  Epis- 
copal Church,  South,  and  was  secretary  of  the 
Sunday-school  for  ^;^  cc)nsecutive  years.  He  is 
now  a  teacher  in  tiiat  body.  Mr.  Cutherell  has 
many  interesting  curios,  which  have  been  col- 
lected from  all  over  the  world.  He  has  in  his 
l^ossession  the  \\  hig  ticket  voted  by  his  grand- 
father in  1844.  for  Henry  Clay  as  president, 
and  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  as  vice-president. 
His  home  is  very  charming,  and  is  l(x:ated  at 
No.  200  Washington  street,  Portsmouth.  Mr. 
Cutherell  has  watched  with  interest  the  growth 
and  development  of  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk 
County,  and  has  always  given  his  assistance 
to  any  worthy  enterprise. 


LBERT  JASON  WHITEHURST, 
whose  portrait  is  herewith  shown,  is 
one  of  the  most  progressive  real  es- 
tate dealers  and  rental  agents  of  Nor- 
folk. Virginia,  and  his  enterprise  in 
that  line  has  gone  far  toward  making  Norfolk 
the  popular  city  it  now  is.  He  was  born  in 
Princess  Anne  County.  Virginia,  near  Salein 
Church,  and  is  a  son  of  Neverson  H.  \\'hite- 
hurst,  now  deceased. 

Mr.  Whitehurst  was  reared  in  the  country, 
and  in  his  early  life  engaged  in  farming.  Upon 
arriving  at  manhood  he  moved  to  Norfolk  and 
for  a  few  years  clerked  for  some  of  the  leading 
grocers  of  the  city.  He  then  opened  a  retail 
grocery  at  the  corner  of  Bute  and  Brewer 
streets,  which  he  conducted  for  several  years. 
He  then  sold  out  and  followed  the  business  of 
a  broker  until  1899,  when,  with  ^I.  V.  Ham- 
mack,  under  the  firm  name  of  Hammack, 
Whitehurst  &  Company,  he  engaged  in  selling 
suburban  property,  and  conducted  a  general 
real  estate  business.  The  partnership  lasted 
until  1 901.  when  Mr.  AX'hitehurst  began  busi- 
ness alone'under  the  firm  name  of  A.' J.  White- 
hurst  &   Company.     He  ,  organized    a   coni- 


846 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


pany  which  purchased  tlie  J.  S.  Cooper  truck 
farm  of  35  acres,  situated  in  the  Seventh  Ward, 
known  as  Park  Place  \\'ard,  and  laid  it  out 
in  lots,  which  he  is  now  placing  on  the  market. 
Colley  avenue  runs  tlirous:h  the  center  of  this 
addition  and  is  well  o^raded.  Walks  have  been 
built  and  shade  trees  set  out,  and  there  is  a 
fine  water  frontage  on  the  port.  It  is  to  be 
sold  exclusively  for  residence  purposes.  Mr. 
Whitehurst  handles  property  in  Virginia  Place 
and  also'  considerable  farming  land.  He  is  in- 
terested in  the  development  of  a  large  tract  of 
land  at  Day's  Point,  where  alx)ut  2,500  acres 
are  being  sold  in  smajl  tracts  for  truck  farms. 
Those  already  sold  have  been  disposed  of  to 
men  from  Ohio  and  the  West,  who  are  well 
pleased  with  the  transaction.  Mr.  Whitehurst 
has  gained  many  friends  by  his  enterprising 
business  methods,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of 
all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  He  was 
a  meml>er  of  the  Board  of  Health  of  Norfolk 
for  a  period  of  two  years,  and  had  the  honor 
of  being  its  president. 

Mr.  Whitehurst  is  an  active  and  enthusias- 
tic member  of  Harmony  Lodge,  No.  19,  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  and  was  the  principal  factor  in  organiz- 
ing, on  December  14,  1891,  Norfolk  Lodge, 
No.  32,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  with  321  charter  members 
ranging  in  age  from  21  to  44  years.  This 
lodge  has  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most 
popular  and  prominent  in  Norfolk.  Mr. 
Whitehurst  has  filled  all  of  the  principal 
offices  of  the  lodge  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Encampment  and  Canton.  He  is  a  past 
grand  of  his  lodge  and  past  district  dep- 
uty grand  master  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  W'oodmen  of  the 
World,  and  of  the  Brotherhood  Accident  Com- 
pany, composed  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  members.  He  is 
president  of  the  Young  Men's  Society  of  the 
Cumberland  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  an  office  he  has  held  for  years, 
and  belongs  to  the  Epjvorth  League.  He  is  an 
active  church  worker,  a  member  of  the  choir 
and  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbatlir-school,  having 
a  class  composed  of  30  young  men.     He  -was 


joined  in  marriage  with  Lillian  T.  Dozier,  a 
daughter  of  Marshall  Dozier,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Clinton,  of  Norfolk.  They  have 
four  children,  namelv :  Marshall  Neverson;' 
Myra  Bernice;  Mildred  Lucille;  and  Albert 
Jason,  Jr. 


OSCOE  J.  DODD,  who  is  chief  clerk 
in  the  construction  department  at  the 
Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  is  a  gentleman  of 
wide  experience  in  that  field  of  work. 
He  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, on  St.  Patrick's  Day,  1855,  and  is  a  son 
of  Matthew  M.  Dotld. 

Matthew  M.  Dodd,  who  was  born  at  Nor- 
folk, was  an  officer  in  the  navy  for  many  years, 
and  died  in  the  service  in  1857.  He  was  at- 
tached to  the  line-of-battleship  "Pennsylvania," 
and  to  the  "Cyane,"  throughout  the  Mexican 
War.  He  made  his  home  at  Portsmouth.  liis 
wife  was  of  the  Gayle  family  of  Mathews 
County,  Virginia,  where  she  was  born.  She 
died  in  1872,  having  given  birth  to  three  chil- 
dren, namely  :  Lucy  C,  of  Portsmouth,  widow 
of  T.  J.  Jenkins,  who  died  in  Nortli  Carolina, 
in  September,   1901 ;  a  son,  who  was  a  loco-' 


motive  engmeer  on  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Rail- 
way until  he  met  death  in  an  accident  on  Fel> 
ruary  22,  1896.  in  Weldon.  North  Carolia; 
and  Roscoe  J. 

Roscoe  J.  Dodd  was  reared  in  Portsmouth, 
and  there  attended  the  public  schools.  At  the 
age  of  18  years  he  entered  actively  into  busi- 
ness life  by  accepting  a  position  as  clerk  with 
the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway.  Hei-esigned 
to  accept  the  office  of  deputy  clerk  of  the  Ports- 
mouth courts  under  Colonel  James  D.  Brady, 
who  was  later  collector  of  internal  revenue  for 
the  district.  He  continued  with  Colonel  Brady 
for  a  period  of  six  years.  He  then  served  two 
years  as  deputy  sherifif  of  Norfolk  County,  un- 
der John  Lesner.  He  was  then  appointed  clerk 
to  Captain  George  A.  Stevens  in  the  navy, 
with  whom  he  continued  about  19  months,  be- 
ing attached  dyring  that  time  to  the  monitor 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


847 


"Canonicus,"  and  l>eing  at  New  Orleans  dur- 
ing the  political  troubles  between  IMcEnery  and 
Kellogg.  He  then  returned  home  and  was 
soon  appointed  captain's  clerk  on  the  steamer, 
"Pinta,"  under  Lieutenant  Commander  N.  M. 
Dyer,  afterward  Captain  Dyer,  who  command- 
ed the  "Baltimore"  in  the  engagement  in  Ma- 
nila Bay.  under  Admiral  Dewey.  After  re- 
taining this  position  neafly  a  year  he  returned 
to  Portsmouth,  and  shortly  afterward  accepted 
a  clerical  position  with  the  Lobdell  Car  Com- 
pany of  \Vilmington,  Delaware,  where  he  re- 
mained three  or  four  years.  Upon  his  return 
to  Portsmouth,  he  was  engaged  in  the  United 
States  Navy  Yard  for  a  time,  and  then  ac- 
cepted a  position  with  the  cotton  firm  of  Eure, 
Farrar  &  Price  at  Norfolk.  With  this  concern 
he  continued  until  Cleveland's  first  administra- 
tion. In  June,  1885.  he  was  appointed  chief 
clerk  in  the  navigation  office  in  the  Norfolk 
Navy  Yard,  whicl^  has  since  been  merged  into 
the  equipment  department.  He  filled  that  po- 
sition until  near  the  close  of  Cleveland's  first 
administration,  and  then  was  transferred  by 
Admiral  Brown  to  the  general  storekeeper's  de- 
partment, as  chief  bookkeeper,  in  order  to  open 
the  books  under  the  new  system  inaugurated  bv 
Secretary  Whitney.  He  held  that  position  no 
longer  than  was  necessary  to  get  the  books  in 
order,  and  was  then  made  chief  clerk  under 
Pay  Inspector  Joseph  Foster,  which  was  not  a 
political  position.  He  served  as  chief  clerk 
under  seven  different  storekeepers,  being  with 
eaqh  for  a  term  of  from  one  to  two  years.  He 
was  removed  by  Pay  Inspector  Bellows,  in  the 
latter  part  of  Harrison's  administration,  and 
was  srcceeded  by  Mr.  \'an  \'ranken.  from  Phil- 
adelphia. He  was  out  of  that  office  less  than 
a  year,  and  ^\'as  meanwhile  employed  by  the 
Imperial  Guano  Company  of  Norfolk.  Psv 
Director  F.  C.  Cosby  was  sent  here  by  the 
Paymaster  General  to  relieve  'Mr.  Bellows,  and 
straighten  the  tangle  affairs  had  gotten  into, 
and  one  of  his  first  actS;  was  to  send  for  Mr. 
Dodd,  to  resume  his  former  position.  The  lat- 
ter accepted  and  served  with  him  and  his  suc- 


cessor Pay  Inspector  Burtis.  He  was  appoint- 
ed by  Mr.  Lisle,  also,  and  served  with  him  for 
three  months,  when  he  was,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  present  chief  constructor  of  the 
navy,  Francis  T.  Bowles,  transferred  to  the  po- 
sition of  chief  clerk  of  the  construction  de- 
partment. Mr.  Bowles  was  then  in  charge  of 
the  department,  and  was  succeeded  by  Naval 
Constructor  Albert  W.  Stahl.  who  served  from 
October  4,  1895,  to  May  15.  1901,  when  he 
was  succeeded  by  Naval  Constructor  Robert 
Stocker.  Mr.  Dodd  has  held  more  respt^nsible 
positions  than  any  other  clerk,  having  been 
chief  clerk  in  three  different  departments.  He 
has  supervision  over  the  work  of  31  persons, 
26  of  them  being  clerks. 

Mr.  Dodd  married  into  the  Dorsey  family, 
one  of  the  oldest  families  of  Maryland,  and 
has  two  children,  Haywood  S.,  who  is  13  years 
of  age,  and  is  attending  school ;  and  Ada  Dor- 
sey, who  is  three  years  old.  Fraternally,  Mr. 
Dodd  is  a  inember  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  and 
the  National  L^nion.  He  is  liberal  in  his  re- 
ligious views.  In  1892  he  erected  his  present 
fine  home  in  Cottage  Place,  and  it  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  in  that  district. 


APT,  IRA  E.  DOLE  has  been  in 
the  service  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  is  one  of  their  most 
trusted  captains.  He  was  torn  in 
Brewer,  Maine,  December  2,  1849,  ''nd  is  a 
son  of  Ira  and  Mary  J.  (Hayes)  Dole. 

The  Dole  family  settled  in  Newbui'y, 
Massachusetts,  in  1650,  and  were  from  the 
northern  part  of  France.  Ira  Dole,  the  father 
of  Ira  E.,  was  born  in  Limerick,  Maine,  and 
later  settled  in  Brewer;  his  wife  was  born  in 
the  same  town.  He  was  a  farmer  and  spent 
his  days  in  the  town  of  Brewer,  his  death  oc- 
curring at  the  advanced  age  of  76  years.  His 
wife  died  at  the  age  of  36  years,  and' he  again 
married.     Bv  his  first  union  he  had  two  chil- 


848 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


dren, — Charles,  a  farmer  of  Holden,  Maine, 
and  Ira  E.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Capt.  Ira  E.  Dole  atttended  school  in 
Brewer,  Maine,  where  he  lived  until  he  was 
17  years  dd.  At  that  age  he  went  to  sea  on 
a  sailing  vessel,  and  from  the  lowest  position 
soon  worked  himself  to  the  top.  His  first 
command  was  a  brig  called  the  "Manson,"  of 
300  tons.  He  remained  on  sailing  vessels  for 
a  period  of  15  years.  His  first  steamer  was  the 
"Breakwater,"  and  belonged  to  the  Old 
Dominion  Steamship  line.  His  services  with 
the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company  began 
in  1882,  and  he  has  had  charge  of  the  follow- 
ing vessels  :  "Breakwater ;"  "Cleopatra ;" 
"Richmond;"  "City  of  Atlanta;"  "York- 
town;"  "Hamilton;"  "Jefferson."  He  took 
command  of  the  "Jeft'erson"  in  1899.  Captain 
Dole  has  sailed  on  the  Northern  and  Southern 
Atlantic  Ocean,  the  Mediterranean  Sea  and  the 
South  American  side  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
these  voyages  all  being  made  in  sailing  ves- 
sels. 

Captain  Dole  married  Dora  E.  Pierce,  of 
Brewer,  ]\Iaine.  and  they  have  two  daugh- 
ters,— Edith  W.  and  Ethel  N.  Captain  Dole 
belongs  to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  to  the 
Foresters.  He  makes  his  home  in  Arlington, 
New  Jersey,  where  he  is  one  of  the  best-known 
and  most  highlv  esteemed  citizens. 


APT.  ISAAC  H.  BEALE,  who  has 
been  connected  with  the  Norfolk 
County  Ferries  for  the  past  17 
years,  has  been  identified  with  the 
progress  and  development  of  Nor- 
folk for  the  past  28  years,  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen  of  that  place.  He  was  born  in  South- 
ampton Ci)unty,  Virginia,  April  2/,  1849,  ^^'^ 
is  a  son  of  Jesse  A.  Beale. 

Jesse  A.  Beale  was  born  in  Southampton 
County,  and  was  a  farmer  during  all  his  act- 
ive life.     He  married  IMargar'et  March,  who 


and  now  resides  in  Ashland,  Virginia.  They 
had  two  children,  namely :  Isaac  H.  and  Mrs. 
Annie  Peel,  of  Ashland.  Jesse  A.  Beale  was 
a  member  of  the  old  13th  Regiment,  Virginia 
Cavalry,  in  1849. 

Capt.  Isaac  H.  Beale  began  his  seafaring 
life  when  a  boy  O'f  16  years.  His  first  work 
was  as  an  oyster  culler,  and  from  that  he  filled 
all  the  various  positions  on  different  crafts  run- 
ning from  New  York  to  Savann-ah.  His  first 
command  of  a  steam  vessel  was  in  South  Caro- 
lina waters.  Since  coming  to  Norfolk  he  has 
filled  the  positions  of  pilcSt  and  master,  and  for 
the  past  17  years  has  been  connected  with  the 
ferry-boats  of  Norfolk  Cotmty.  He  is  next  to 
the  oldest  man  in  point  of  service,  on  the  Nor- 
folk County  Ferries.  He  is  very  popular,  and 
is  well  known  in  Norfolk.  He  has  won  many 
friends  by  his  pleasing  personality,  and  is 
greatly  loved  by  all  w^hoi  know  him. 

Captain  Beale  married  Anna  McDonald,  of 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and  to  them  have  been 
born  two  children, — McHenry  and  Annie  L. 
Captain  Beale  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  Knights  of  Pythias  lodges.  Politically  he 
is  a  Democrat. 


O.  WRENN,  one  of  the  progressive 
business  men  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  A. 
A\'renn  &  Sons,  carriage  and  wagon 
manufacturers,  a  concern  well 
known  throughout  the  Southern   States. 

A.  Wrenn  &  Sons  operate  the  largest  car- 
riage factory  'in  the  South,  which  is  located 
from  No.  20  to  No.  40  Union  street.  The 
business  was  established  as  far  back  as  1852 
by  A.  Wrenn.  who  then  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  vehicles  in  a  small  way.  Owing  to  his 
fair  business  methods  and  the  increasing  de- 
mand for  his  product,  his  enterprise  thrived 
and  soon  grew  to  large  proportions.  About 
1880  C.  O.  \Vrenn  and  McD.  L.AVrenn,  his 


Avas   born    in    Nansemond    County,    Virginia,    '  sons,  were  taken  in  as  members  of 'the  firm. 


WILLIAM    B.    JOHNSON. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


S51 


and  since  the  retirement  of  tlieir  father,  a  few- 
years  later,  they  have  owned  and  successfully 
conducted  the  plant.  The  output  of  tlieir  fac- 
tory is  more  than  5.000  vehicles  jwr  annum. 
which  find  a  ready  sale  throughout  \'irginia, 
North  Carolina.  South  Carolina.  Georgia. 
Florida,  Maryland,  Delaware  artd  other  States 
of  tl'.e  South.  They  manufacture  buggies. 
runa!x)uts,  phaetons,  surreys,  traps,  rocka- 
ways  and  delivery  wagons,  and  also  deal  in 
harness,  rol>es.  etc.  Theirs  is  one  of  the  most 
substantial  business  houses  in  Norfolk,  fur- 
nishing employment  to  150  people. 

C.  O.  Wrenn  is  well  known  to  the  citizens 
of  Norfolk,  and  since  May.  1900,  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Select  Council  of  the  city, 
doing  all  within  his  power  to  secure  for  it  a 
good,  honest  business  administration. 


ILL! AM  B.  JOHNSON,  who  died 
February  22,  1902,  was  the  only 
exclusive  undertaker  and  embalmer 
in  the  city  of  Portsmouth,  and 
stood  prominently  to  the  fore  in 
that  profession.  He  was  born  at  Richmond, 
Virginia,  June  12.  1841,  and  his  parents  were 
both  Virginians.  He  was  14  years  of  age  when 
his  father  died  and  he  had  one  brother.  Adol- 
phus.  who  was  killed  during  the  Confederate 
War.  and  two  others.  Oscar  and  Elliott,  who 
are  deceased.  Two  half-brothers  and  a  half- 
sister  of  Mr.  Johnson  are  living  in  Richmond. 
\'irginia. 

Mr.  Johnson  came  to  Norfolk,  Virginia. 
in  1859  and  served  in  Company  H,  6th  Regi- 
ment. Virginia  Infantry.  Mahone's  Brigade. 
He  served  as  a  private,  until  discharged  be- 
cause of  disability.  He  re-enlisted  and  was 
detailed  for  service  at  Richmond  as  a  sergeant. 
He  was  captured  (Outside  the  city,  returned  to 
Norfolk  at  the  close  of  the  war  and  then  set- 
tled in  Portsmouth  in  the  same  year,  1865.  He 
entered  the  employ  of  the  firni  of  Scott  & 
Flemming.  and  in  1866  began  the  undertaking 


business  fur  himself.  He  first  located  on  High 
street,  and  later  moved  to  County  street.  He 
was  located  at  No.  608  Green  street  for  four 
years.  He  erected  a  fine  building  of  two  stor- 
ies, 46  by  26  feet,  in  dimensions,  and  also 
another  block  containing  several  stores  and 
offices.  He  also  erected  a  large  and  fine  resi- 
dence, thus  owning  the  entire  block.  Start- 
ing with  comparatively  nothing  in  a  financial 
way  he  achieved  a  grand  success.  He  always 
evinced  a  deep  iiUerest  in  the  welfare  of  Ports- 
mouth. He  dealt  almost  exclusively  with  the 
merchants  of  the  city,  and  was  identified  with 
many  improvements  in  Portsmouth.  In  1887 
Mr.  Johnson  completed  a  course  in  prepara- 
tion for  his  profession,  in  the  Clarke  School 
of  Embalming  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  in  the 
United  States  College  of  Embalming,  in  1892. 
He  sen-ed  three  terms  as  president  of  the 
State  Board  of  Embalmers.  having  main- 
tained that  official  position  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Iwdy.  12  years  ago. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  first  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  E.  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert A.  J.  Thompson,  and  a  native  of  Ports- 
mouth. Her  father  was  an  early  resident  of  the 
city  and  was  well-known  in  the  navy,  where  he 
had  charge  of  the  blacksmithing  department. 
He  served  as  city  councilman  several  years,  and 
died  about  1884.  Two  children  blessed  this 
union,  namely :  Maywcod  Lee.  who  died  in 
1878,  at  the  age  of  eight  vears;  and  William 
Mosbey,  who  was  born  in  1867.  and  died  at 
the  age  of  20  months.  The  latter  was  named 
after  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Johnson.  Mr.  Johnson 
formed  a  second  union,  wedding  his  sister-in- 
law,  Annie  R.  Thompson. 

Mr.  Johnson  had  a  very  fine  business,  the 
establishment  being  exceedingly  well  managed. 
The  building  was  especially  adapted  to  this  line 
of  business.  His  office  was  in  the  front,  and 
immediately  back  of  the  office  was  a  room  in 
which  a  complete  line  of  samples  was  carried, 
the  stock  being  kept  up  stairs.  He  maintained 
a  private  morgue,  and  had  stables  in  connec- 


S-,2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tion  with  his  business.  He  carried  a  line  cf 
hardware  suppHes.  and  had  his  own  engrav- 
ing machine.  He  had  ambulances  for  the  ben- 
efit of  his  patrons,  and  funeral  cars  which  are 
among  the  best  in  the  State.  For  two  years  he 
was  presiding  officer  of  the  Undertakers'  Asso- 
ciation of  Virginia.  Fraternally  he  was  a  Ma- 
son and  attained  the  rank  of  Knight  Templar. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  and 
B.  P.  O.  E.  Religiously  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  his  widow  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  A  portrait 
of  Mr.  Johnson  is  shown  on  a  preceding  page. 


^^  AUL  B.  LUKE,  who  has  filled  the  po- 
yj^  sition  of  conductor  on  the  Norfolk  & 
Southern  Railroad  for  many  years, 
has  given  eminent  satisfaction  by  his 
good  service,  and  is  esteemed  and  re- 
spected by  the  citizens  of  Berkley,  Virginia. 
He  is  a  native  of  Elizabeth  City,  North  Caro- 
lina, where  his  birth  occurred  May  i,  1874,  and 
is  a  son  of  Col.  G.  G.  and  I\L'iry  (Wright) 
Luke,  the  former  a  native  of  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  He 
is  a  grandson  of  John  Luke,  a  great-grandson 
of  Paul  Dale  Luke,  and  a  great-great-grandson 
of  Isaac  Luke. 

Isaac  Luke  was  a  '  prominent  citizen  of 
Portsmouth,  his  residence  being  located  on 
Court  street.  He  had  the  honor  of  entertain- 
ing Rev.  Robert  Williams,  the  first  Methodist 
Episcopal  preacher  who  ever  preached  in  Nor- 
folk or  Portsmouth.  The  eminent  divine  came 
to  this  vicinit}^  on  board  a  schooner,  and 
preached  his  first  sermon  from  the  Court  House 
steps.  Later,  successive  sermons  were  deliv- 
ered from  the  steps  of  Isaac  Luke's  residence. 
Interest  in  these  meetings  grew,  and  finally  a 
church  organization  was  formed.  This  oc- 
curred during  the  year  1784,  and  on  October 
31st  of  the  same  year  Isaac  Luke  died  in  his 
54th  year.  He  left  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, namely :     Paul  Dale,  William^  B.,  Isaac, 


Jr.,  and  Elizabeth.  The  eldest  of  these,  Paul 
Dale  Luke,  had  two  sons,  Paul,  for  whom  the 
subject  hereof  is  named,  and  John,  the  grand- 
father of  our  subject. 

Col.  G.  G.  Luke  was  a  man  of  afifairs  in 
his  day,  and  was  well  known  throughout  North 
Carolina,  Virgini^a  and  Maryland.  During  his 
early  years  he  chose  law  for  his  profession, 
and  was  engaged  in  diligent  study  when  the 
Confederate  War  broke  out,  but  he  left.aJl.  to 
enlist  in  the  army.  He  was  .takeji  prigoper  at 
one  time  and  then  exchanged,  but  was  after- 
ward captured  again,  and  stayed  in  prison  for 
several  months.  At  the  close-'  of  the  conflict 
he  finished  his  law  course,  and  commenced 
practicing  at  Camden  Court  House,  North  Car- 
olina, following  up  the  Circuit  Courts  with 
headquarters  at  that  place  until  1888.  He  also 
practiced  at  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina. 
For  four  years,  during  President  Cleveland's 
administration,  he  served  as  petition  clerk  in 
the  House  of  Representatives,  and  afterward 
removed  to  Berkley,  Virginia,  on  account  of 
impaired  health.  He  died  at  the  age  of  61 
years,  but  his  widow  still  survives,  and  is  an 
lionored  resident  of  Berkley.  Mr.  Luke  and 
his  wife  were  active  members  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  Colonel  was  always  active  in 
politics,  also.  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Luke  had  a 
family  of  six  boys  and  four  girls,  six  of 
whom  are  still  living. 

Paul  B.  Luke  received  his  early  mental 
training  at  Elizabeth  City,  after  which  he  en- 
tered railway  service  as  a  brakeman  on  the 
Norfolk  &  Sonthern  Railroad.  He  filled  that 
position  for  six  months,  when  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  assistant  yard  master 
in  Berkley.  In  this  he  served  one  year  and 
was  then  further  ad\-anced  to  be  a  conductor, 
in  1893.  which  position  he  still  holds.  He  has 
always  been  considered  fortunate  in  regard  to 
accidents,  and  is  well  known  as  accommodat- 
ing and  pleasant. 

]May  8,  1901,  Mr.  Luke  was  lunited  in 
marriage  with  Lillian  Estelle  Horney,  a  na- 
tive of  Maryland,  and  a  daughter  of  Charles 


I 

I 


» 


THOMAS    B.    GRIFFIN. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


855 


Horney.  Her  mother  is  deceased,  and  her 
father  still  resides  in  Maryland.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
South,  but  Mr.  Luke  worships  with  the  Epis- 
copal Church. 

Mr.  Luke  is  assistant  chief  conductor  of 
R.  E.  Lee  Division.  No.  205.  of  the  Order  of 
Railway  Conductors,  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia. 
and  was  sent  to  the  convention  at  St.  Paul. 
Minnesota,  as  a  delegate  in  May,  1901.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  having  passed 
through  all  the  chairs.  He  has  ever  been  faith- 
ful to  the  best  interests  of  his  employers,  who 
place  a  high  value  on  his  services. 


HOAL-VS  B.  GRIFFIN,  a  truck  farmer 
of  Norfolk  Count}',  whose  jxirtrait  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  is  well-known 
throughout  his  section  of  the  county, 
and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who 
knovv  him.  He  is  a  son  of  John  Griffin,  and 
was  born  July  8.  1867,  near  West  Norfolk. 
Virginia.  I\Ir.  Griffin's  father  also  occupies  a 
place  of  much  prominence  among  agricultur- 
ists, and  owns  several  farms,  which  he  keeps 
in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  the  most 
of  his  early  years  in  attending  school  at 
Churchland.  thus  securing  what  education  he 
could,  and  has  been  engaged  in  truck  farming 
ever  since.  He  now  owns  150  acres  adjoining 
his  father's  farms  on  the  Western  Branch  of 
the  Elizabeth  River,  and  there  he  and  his  fam- 
ily enjoy  a  happy  home. 

In  1890  Mr.  Griffin  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Rachel  Williams,  a  daughter  of  J.  M. 
Williams.  She  was  born  in  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1871.  Six  children  resulted  from  this 
union,  as  follows  :  Mortimer  W. ;  John  N. ; 
Sadie;  Thomas  Ben;  John  T. ;  and  Charles  C, 
who  is  deceased.  The  family  are  faithful  at- 
tendants of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Politically  Thomas  B.  Griffin  is  an  earnest 
Democrat  and  believes  the  principles  of  that 


party  will  best  advance  the  interests  of  the 
country.  He  has  always  been  one  of  Norfolk 
County's  most  progressive  citizens,  and  every 
enterprise  which  promises  the  promotion  of 
business  and  the  development  of  the  material 
interests  of  the  community,  has  found  in  him 
a  willing  advocate. 


UHN  \V.  BETTS.  sui>erintendent  of  the 
Sealxiard  Wharf  Warehouse  Com- 
pany, and  also  agent  for  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line  Railroad  Company^  with 
offices  at  the  warehouse  on  ist  street, 
at  the  head  of  Wythe,  in  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Granville  Coun- 
ty, North  Carolina.  He  is  a  son  of  Calvin 
Betts.  who  was  clerk'of  the  Superior  Court  of 
that  count}-,  and  also  judge  of  probate. 

At  the  age  of  22  years  John  W.  Betts, 
whose  name  o|>ens  these  lines,  was  elected  reg- 
ister of  deeds  of  Granville  County.  North  Caro- 
lina. He  sen-ed  in  that  capacity  for  five  years. 
He  was  then  appointed  to  the  position  of  dep- 
utv  collector  of  internal  revemie  for  the  Fourth 
District  of  North  Carolina.  l)eing  located  at 
Raleigh,  Oxford  and  Durham.  After  12  years 
spent  in  that  office  he  became  bookkee])er  for 
J.  W.  Blackwell.  and  remained  in  that  gentle- 
man's employ  for  two  years.  The  following 
10  years  he  held  a  position  with  the  Tunis 
Lumber  Company,  giving  it  up  to  accept  his 
present  one.  His  position  as  sui)erintendent  of 
the  Seaboard  Wharf  &  Warehouse  Company 
is  a  verv  responsible  one.  and  ^Ir.  Betts  fills  it 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  company.  He 
is  also  serving  as  agent  for  the  Atlantic  Coast 
Line  Railroad  Company.  Possessed  of  more 
than  ordinary  business  ability,  with  firm  de- 
termination, and  much  energy,  he  has  won  suc- 
cess in  his  business,  and  is  one  of  the  influential 
men  of  the  community. 

]\Ir.  Betts  was  married  in  Norfolk,  in  1877, 
to  Nannie  W.  Reynolds,  who  was  born  in  Isle 
of  Wight  County.  Mrginia.     They  have  had 


S56 


KISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  folio-wing  children:  Lillie  S.,  who  teaches 
school;  Mrs.  \\'.  G.  Dolby;  Mrs.  Ernest  Le- 
Compt;  John  \V.,  Jr.,  deceased:  and  Lola  W., 
who  died  in  1901,  aged  20  years. 

Mr.  Betts  is  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World  and  the  Masonic  order.  The  fam- 
ily attend  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


D.  FREITAS,  well  known  at  Nor- 
folk and  in  the  surrounding  country 
as  an  extensive  truck  farmer,  is  es- 
teemed as  a  sober,  energetic  citizen, 
who  by  his  industry  has  accumulated 
a  very  comfortable  competency. 

Mr.  Freitas  was  born  in  Portugal,  in  1856, 
and  remained  there  until  he  attained  the  age 
of  12  years,  when  he  went  to  South  America, 
and  this  country  proved  to  be  his  home  for  the 
12  years  following.  He  has  seen  much  of  the 
world,  for  his  age.  and  has  visited  many  dif- 
ferent countries,  learning  more  and  more  about 
their  mode  of  life  and  their  civilization.  When 
still  young  he  entered  the  United  States  Navy, 
and  while  alward  one  of  the  gunboats  visited 
the  far-away  country  of  Africa,  and  entered 
almost  every  seaport  in  the  "Dark  Continent." 
The  vessel  then  received  orders  to  sail  for  In- 
dia, and  on  its  arrival  there  many  an  enjoy- 
able day  was  spent  in  visiting  the  seaport 
towns  of  that  country,  in  the  interests  of  Uncle 
Sam.  Japan  was  afterward  \isited,  where  the 
vessel  remained  for  some  time.  Tartary  was 
the  next  place  of  interest,  but  a  very  short 
time  was  spent  there  previous  to  returning  to 
Japan,  and  later  to  China,  the  last-named  coun- 
try claiming  attention  for  quite  a  while.  The 
orders  were  finally  given  tO'  sail  for  the  West 
Indies  again,  and  from  there  tO'  New  York. 
His  time  of  enlistment  had  expired,  and  he  left 
the  good  ship  "\\'orcester,"  where  he  had  seen 
such  good  service,  and  settled  down  to  life  in 
America.  During  his  voyage  around  the  world 
he  had  learned  a  number  of  languages,  and 


during  his  iirst  year  in  this  country  was  em- 
ployed as  an  interpreter  to  a  great  extent. 

In  1874  Mr.  Freitas  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  Jane  Lagamacino-,  a  native  of 
Genoa,  Itall}',  who  at  the  age  of  seven  years  was 
brought  to  this  country,  her  home  at  first  be- 
ing in  Louisville,  Kentucky.  She  afterward 
removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  she  re- 
mained for  the  following  three  years,  previous 
to  making  her  home  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania. After  spending  two  years  in  that  lo- 
cality she  decided  to  settle  permanently  at  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  and  there  remained  until  her 
marriage  with  Mr.  Freitas. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Freitas  and  his 
good  wife  settled  on  the  land  owned  by  Mrs. 
Freitas.  This  land  consisted  of  about  73  acres 
of  fine  ground,  situated  on  the  shell  road  run- 
ning from  Norfolk  to  Ocean  View,  about  four 
miles  from  the  former  and  two  miles  from  the 
latter.  Fifty  acres  of  this  land  have  been  made 
irito  a  garden,  wheire  all  kinds  of  the  best 
farm  products  are  raised.  Besides  the  out- 
liouses  necessary  for  truck  farming  on  a  large 
scale,  they  have  built  a  storeroom  and  stocked 
it  with  groceries,  and  for  the  past  several  years 
have  ministered  to  the  wants  of  their  neighbors 
and  friends  to  great  advantage.  They  carry  on 
a  flourishing  and  profitable  trade,  and  enjoy 
the  respect  and  good  wishes  of  all. 

Mr.  Freitas  and  his  excellent  wife  have  had 
seven  children,  as  follows :  Emily  Elizabeth, 
the  eldest  child,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  J. 
Mary  of  Norfolk;  John  Michael,  who  departed 
this  life  at  the  age  of  20  years  and  se\-en 
months ;  Josie  Frances ;  Mary  Cecilia  and 
Louis,  who  are  at  home ;  Maggie  Rosa,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  1 1  months  and  two  days ; 
and  Teriza  Rosa.  The  family  reside  in  their 
fine.  lo-room  house  on  the  farm,  and  are  justly 
proud  of  their  beautiful  home.  They  are  reg- 
ular attendants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church, 
of  which  they  are  devout  members. 

During  President  Cleveland's  administra- 
tion Mr.  Freitas  was  appointed  postmaster, 
and  held  that  position  during  that  administra- 


i 


¥ 


JOEL    C.   WHITE. 


AND    REPRESENTATIX'E    CITIZENS. 


859 


tion  and  for  three  years  in  Harrison's  admin- 
istration, wHen  he  resigned.  Mr.  Freitas  is  a 
man  on  whom  his  fellow  citizens  can  rely,  and 
who  therefore  enjovs  their  confidence. 


)EL  C.  \\'HITE.  a  well-kn.nvn  archi- 
tect and  builder  nf  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
Coimty,  Virginia,  whose  portrait  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Norfolk  in  i8y.  and  is  a  son  of  Janlcs 
G.  White. 

James  C  White,  who  was  a  native  of 
Mathews  County.  X'irginia.  early  in  life  re- 
moved to  Norfolk.  In  1835  he  began  business 
in  Norfolk  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Cullis  &  \\'hite,  and  among 
that  firm's  earliest  work  was  the  Norfolk  Acad- 
emy. After  1846  Mr.  White  conducted  th.c 
business  alone.  Eight  years  later  he  took  hisson, 
Joel  C,  into  the  firm,  that  partnership  continu- 
ing for  four  years,  after  which  he  again  a.';- 
sumed  entire  charge  of  the  business.  He  erected 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  and  many  oth- 
er prominent  buildings  of  Norfolk.  He  retired 
from  active  duties  in  1880  and  11  years  later 
died,  at  the  age  of  86  years.  Mr.  White  mar- 
ried Priscilla  Potts,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Sally  Potts.  His  wife  also  died  in  her  86th 
year.  James  G.  \\'hite  was  an  active  worker 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South,  and 
was  one  of  the  trustees.  He  was  an  Odd  Fel- 
low. Those  of  his  children  who  survive  are: 
Joel  C.  the  suljject  of  this  sketch;  Sally;  John 
J.,  of  Norfolk;  William  O.,  of  \\'illiamsb"urg; 
and  Charles  E.,  of  Norfolk. 

Joel  C.  White  learned  the  contracting  liusi- 
ness  with  his  father,  snending  four  vears  in 
partnership  with  him.  They  erected  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  building,  on  Church  street,  which  was 
their  first  contract.  With  the  exception  of  a 
few  years  spent  in  partnership  with  his  brother. 
Joel  C.  White  has  conducted  the  business  alone 
since  1858.  He  erected  the  Norfolk  College 
of  Young  Ladies.  Centenary  Methodist  Episco- 


pal Church.  .South.  Hospital  St.  Vincent  de 
Paul,  many  prominent  business  blocks  and  nu- 
merous houses.  He  is  considered  one  of  the 
best  contractors  in  Norfolk  County,  and  has 
recei\ed  mtich  praise  for  his  architectural  de- 
signs. He  has  done  much  to  assist  in  the  de- 
velopment of  Norfolk  and  is  progressive  and 
modern  in  his  ideas. 

Mr.  White  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Elizabeth  H.  White,  a  daughter  of  James 
White,  of  Mathews  County,  Virginia.  Of 
10  children  born  to  this  union,  but  three  are 
living,  namely :  John  H. ;  Mattie  Mav,  wIkt 
married  William  Freeman;  and  Joel  C.,  Jr., 
whii  is  shipping  clerk  in  Norfolk. 

Mr.  White  still  takes  many  contracts  for 
buildings,  but  manages  to  fintl  time  in  which 
to  indulge  in  his  favorite  sports,  hunting  and 
fishing.  He  has  been  an  active  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  lodge  since  he  reached  his  major- 
ity, having  served  as  past  grand  of  his  lodge, 
and  is  now  past  grand  of  the  State.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  lodge.  He  has  ser\ed 
in  the  City  Council  for  many  vears.  and  was 
commissioned  by  Governor  Walker  as  one  of 
the  councilmen.  when  the  new  charter  was 
amended. 


J.  ARMISTEAD.  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  R.  J.  Armistead  &  Company, 
dealers  in  harness  and  carriage  fur- 
nishings, comes  of  one  of  Norfolk's 
mi'St  prominent  families,  tracing  its 
ancestry   in   this  country  back  to    1632.      He 
was  born  at  Portsmouth,  and  is  a  son  of  M. 
\\'.  Armistead. 

M.  W.  Armistead  was  born  near  Hampton 
in  181 1,  and  came  from  Elizabeth  City  County 
to  Portsmouth  alxuit  1840.  He  was  engaged 
in  the  wlmlesale  grocery  business  at  Ports- 
iiiouth.  and  later  at  Norfolk  from  1869  to  1878, 
h.is  death  occurring  in  the  latter  year.  The 
mother  of  R.  J.  Armistead  was  also  born  near 
Hampton  and  lived  until  1893,  when  she  died 
at  the  age  of  76  years.    Their  children  were  as 


:86o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


follows:  Lizzie  A.  (Benson),  a  widow  re- 
siding at  Portsmouth ;  M.  W:,  a  farmer  O'f 
Nansemond  County,  who'  has  six  children ; 
Samuel  Wilson,  a  naval  constructor,  who'  was 
killed  at  the  Mare  Island  Navy  Yard,  Cali- 
fornia, in  January,  1895,  leaving  a  widow  (a 
daughter  of  A.  H.  Lindsay)  and  three  chil- 
dren, who  reside  at  Norfolk;  and  R.  J.,  whose 
name  heads  these  lines. 

R.  J-  Armistead  first  engaged  in  business 
as  a  clerk  in  the  grocery  store,  and  continued 
thus  from  1880  until  1889,  when  the  firm  of 
R.  J.  Armistead  &  Company  was  established. 
He  has  always  been  the  active  manager  of  this 
concern,  and  from  its  inception  until  1899  car- 
ried a  line  of  vehicles  in  addition  to  the  pres- 
ent stock.  He  made  a  success  of  it  from  the 
first  and  enjoys  a  large  and  well  paying  pat- 
ronage. He  has  other  business  interests,  and 
owns  considerable  property  in  the  city. 

Mr.  Armistead  was  united  in  marriage  with 
a  daughter  of  William  H.  H.  Hodges,  formerly 
cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Portsmouth,  her  mother 
being  a  Griswold.  They  are  parents  of  five 
children,  namely:  William  H. ;  L.  M.,  born 
in  1887;  Susie,  born  in  1892:  Mary  G.,  born 
in  1895  ;  and  Robert  J.,  Jr.  Fraternally,  Mr. 
Armistead  is  a  member  of  Ocean  Council, 
Royal  Arcanum.  Religiously,  the  family  are 
Episcopalians,  although  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a  Baptist.  A  member  of  the  Armi- 
stead family,  it  is  said,  gave  the  ground  on 
which  was  built  the  oldest  Episcopal  church  at 
Hampton.  Virginia. 


RNEST  L.  DASHIELL,  a  progressive 

real    estate,     insurance    and     rental 

agent,  has  been  engaged  in  that  line 

■  of  business,  in  Portsmouth,  for  the 

past  five  years  in  a  highly  successful 

manner.     He  was  born  in  that  city  and  is  a 

son  of  J.  J.  Dashiell. 

J.  J.  Dashiell  was  born  in  Isle  of  Wight 
County.  Virginia,  but  located  in  Norfolk  Coun- 


ty several  years  prior  to  the  Confederate  War. 
He  served  four  years  in  General  Mahone's 
Brigade,  and  then  returned  and  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  at  Norfolk  for  several 
years.  He  then  removed  to  Portsmouth,  and 
was  elected  by  a  large  majority  tO'  the  office 
of  cemetery  keeper.  He  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics.  He  served  in  the  capacity  above  men- 
tioned until  his  death,  July  7.  1900.  He  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Daughtrey,  a  member  of  one  of 
the  early  families  of  Portsmouth.  Her  father 
was  William  Daughtrey,  who  was  a  conductor 
on  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway,  and  lost 
his  life  in  an  accident.  Mrs.  Dashiell  was  born 
in  Portsmouth,  and  had  three  brothers, — C. 
L.,  P.  H.  and  B.  F.  C.  L.  Daughtrey,  who 
died  in  1901,  was  a  stone  and  marble-cutter  and 
dealer,  and  conducted  large  marble  works  in 
Portsmouth.  He  was  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
P.  H.  Daughtrey  is  a  wholesale  merchant  of 
Cumberland,  Maryland.  B.  F.  Daughtrey  is  a 
hatter  of  Portsmouth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dashiell 
reared  10  children,  namely  :  O.,  a  plumber  and 
stove  dealer  of  Portsmouth ;  W.  H.,  a  retail 
grocer;  J.  C,  who  is  proprietor  of  a  cafe;  E. 
W.,  who'  is  in  charge  of  the  claim-  department 
of  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  Railroad  at  Pinner's 
Point;  A.  L.,  who  is  employed  as  a  molder  at 
the  Navy  Yard ;  L.  L. ;  Ida  M. :  Hattie  M. ; 
Mrs.  J.  F.  O'Connor :  and  Ernest  L. 

Ernest  L.  Dashiell  left  school  at  the  age 
of  12  years,  and  engaged  with  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company  as  messenger,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  for  two  years.  He 
was  then  with  Attorney  W.  G.  Elliott  until  that 
gentleman  became  president  of  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line  Railroad,  and  then  was  with  Cap- 
tain C.  G.  Elliott,  treasurer  of  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line  Railroad,  for  three  years.  He  next 
held  a  clerical  position  with  the  New  York, 
Philadelphia  &  Norfolk  Railroad  Company  un- 
til 1896,  when  he  entered  upon  business  for 
himself.  He  was  exclusively  in  the  insurance 
business  for  three  years,  and  then  added  real 
estate.      He   has  met   with   success   and   rep- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


86i 


resents  tlie  following  companies  :  'Aetna  Insur- 
ance Company  of  New  York ;  New  York  Un- 
derwriters Agency  of  New  York ;  Seaboard 
Fire  Insurance  Company,  a  home  enterprise 
and  the  oldest  company  in  Eastern  \'irginia ; 
New  Yjprk  PJate  Glass  Insurance  Company; 
Travelers  Insurance  Company  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut;  and  the  Orient  Insurance  Con:- 
pany  of  Hartford,  Connecticut.  He  also  has 
large .  real  estate  interests,  having  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  successful  agencies  in  the 
city  or  county.  His  assistants  are  Mamie 
Baker,  who  is  lxx)kkeeper  and  has  charge  of 
the  office,  and  D.  F.  Bourke,  who  has  charge 
of  collections. 

Mr.  Dashiell  married  ]\Iabel  L.  Baker,  and 
they  have  one  child,  !Mabel  L..  who  died  at 
the  age  of  two  years.  Tliey  have  a  comfort- 
able residence  at  No.  1007  Washington  street. 
Fraternally,  Mr.  Dashiell  is  a  member  of  the 
B.  P.  O.  E.,  -Royal  Arcanum,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Woodmen  of  the  World  and  National 
Union.  In  religious  attachment  he  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  ilethodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 
He  is  an  enthusiastic  worker  in  the  Y.  M.  C. 
A.,  and  has  charge  of  the  Boys'  Brigade.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation of  Portsmouth. 


,m 


.\MUEL  L.  BURROUGHS,  who  has 
attained  prominence  as  postmaster  of 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  b<5rn  in  Portsmouth,  Feb- 
ruary 8.  185S.  and  is  a  son  of  John 
H.  Burroughs. 

John  H.  Burroughs  was  born  in  Mathews 
County,  \'irginia.  and  his  wife  came  from  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia.  His  parents  were 
from  Stafford  County,  but  at  an  early  day 
removed  to  Mathews  County,  Virginia.  John 
H.  Burroughs  was  a  Union  man  during  the 
Intersectional  \\"ar.  and  he  and  his  sons  be- 
came Republicans  in  politics.  He  and  his  wife 
became  the  parents  of  12  children,  of  whom 


two  sons  and  one  daughter  are  deceased.  Of 
those  living,  all  reside  in  Portsmouth  except 
Alonzo  C,  a  naval  officer  stationed  at  Mare 
Island,  California;  and  Minnie  C.  (Hernan- 
dezs),  who  resides  at  Philadelphia. 

Samuel  L.  Burroughs  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  until  he  was  16  years  of  age,  and 
was  then  engaged  in  the  book  and  stationery 
business  at  Norfolk  until  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  in  1898.  He  has  the  distinction  of 
being  the  youngest  man  who  ever  served  as 
postmaster  of  Portsmouth.  He  was,  at  the  time 
of  his  appointment,  chairman  of  the  congres- 
sional committee,  and  vice-president  of  the  Re- 
publican League  Club,  from  Virginia.  As 
postmaster  he  has  given  universal  satisfaction, 
and  has  hearty  indorsements  for  reappointment 
in  1902.  The  Post  Office  Innlding  is  in  an  old 
State  Bank  building,  on  the  corner  of  High 
and  Court  streets,  and  is  rented  by  the  govern- 
ment. During  his  administration  the  business 
of  the  office  has  increased  over  80  per  cent.,  and 
he  has  worked  for  and  secured  many  valuable 
changes  and  additions  in  the  service.  The 
transactions  of  the  money-order  department 
have  increased  100  per  cent,  in  volume,  the 
registry  order  department  has  increased  to 
1,000  pieces  more  than  in  any  previous  year, 
and  the  number  of  carriers  has  grown  from  six 
to  10,  and  of  clerks  from  three  to  five.  The 
grade  of  the  chief  clerk  has  been  changed  to 
that  of  assistant  postmaster,  the  present  incum- 
bent being  W.  E.  Crismond.  Four  deliveries 
are  daily  made  to  an  estimated  number  of  from 
25.000  to  2S.000  people,  extending  a  mile  into 
the  country.  The  salaries  of  all  employees,  in- 
cluding the  subject  of  this  sketch,  have  been 
increased  from  $300  to  S500  each.  There  are 
increased  facilities  for  rapid  handling  of  mails, 
and  it  now  has  10  star-route  offices.  As  an 
accommodation  to  business  men,  the  money-or- 
der department  is  kept  open  from  7  130  A.  M. 
to  7:00  P.  M.  There  are  received  and  dis- 
patched 144  mail  bags  daily.  Mr.  Burroughs 
is  the  first  postmaster  of  Portsmouth  to  secure 
permission  of  the  Department  to  close  the  of- 


862 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fice  on  Southern  ^Memorial  Day,  in  May.  Act- 
ing witli  the  president  of  the  Council,  he  se- 
cured an  earher  arrival  and  a  later  departure 
of'  mails  fo*-  the  North,  and  his  efforts  in  this 
line  and  the  results  secured  have  received  fa- 
vorable comment  from  the  press  of  Ports- 
mouth. At  a  cost  of  $4,000  a  screen-wagon 
service  has  been  added,  a  great  improvement 
over  the  push-cart  service,  and  one  which  is 
warranted  by  the  large  increase  in  business. 
Mr.  Burroughs  is  a  man  of  great  executive 
ability,  and  his  conscientious  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  office  has  gained  for  him  the 
good  will  and  hearty  approval  of  the  citizens 
of  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Burroughs  was  first  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Annie  B.  Lane,  who  died  about 
1895,  leaving  three  children,  as  follows  :  Hat- 
tie,  Harvey  and  Aletha.  He  formed  a  second 
union  in  February,  1901, — wedding  Mrs.  Lalla 
B.  Jonas,  who  had  three  children,  namely  :  Lalla 
Jones ;  Park  Jones  and  Jack  Jones.  They  re- 
side at  No.  509  Dinwiddle  street.  Fraternally, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the 
N'ational  L^nion.  Religiously,  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 


GOD  P.  JOHNSON,  in  the  service 
of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Company  as  captain  of  the  steamer 
"Accomack."  was  born  in  Me- 
chanicsburg,  Pennsylvania,  ,in 
i860.  He  is  a  son  of  \\'illiam  Y.  and  Hulda 
M.  (Howard)  Johnson. 

William  Y.  Johnson  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  engaged  in  the  steamboat 
business,  and  in  1869  removed  to  Norfolk, 
where  he  remained  until  1S94.  He  was  ap- 
pointed inspector  of  hulls,  and  held  that  of- 
fice until  his  death,  which  occurred  October 
I.  1901,  at  the  age  of  ~2>  years.  At  one  time 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature, 
serving  in  the  House  of  Delegates,  and  was 


also  a  member  of  die  City  Council  of  Norfolk 
three  terms,  both  in  the  Select  and  Common 
branches.  He  was  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
belonged  to  the  Masonic  order.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  William  Y.  Johnson  married  Hulda 
M.  Howard,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elea- 
nor (Flemming)  Howard.  She  was  born  in 
Frederick,  Maryland,  and  is  now  living  in  Nor- 
folk. Seven  children  were  born  to  William  Y. 
Johnson  and  his  wife,  four  of  whom  are  now 
living.  They  are  as  follows :  Charles  How- 
ard, harbor  master  at  Norfolk;  Hattie  H.,  who 
lives  with  her  mother;  Porter  Y.,  a  merchant 
of  Norfolk;  and  \\"ood  P.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Wood  P.  Johnson  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Portsmouth.  After  leaving  school 
he  went  on  the  Portsmouth  Enterprise,  remain- 
ing there  until  1881.  He  then  worked  with  his 
father  as  clerk  on  the  wharf  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  worked  as  purser  on  the  steamboat 
"Harbinger."  Later  he  became  first  pilot  and 
master,  and  in  1887  went  back  to  the  wharf, 
becoming  his  father's  clerk.  Mr.  Johnson  en- 
tered the  service  of  the  Old  Dominion  Steam- 
ship Company  in  January,  1894,  as  purser  and 
first  officer.  He  remained  in  that  capacity  un- 
til February,  1900.  when  he  was  made  captain 
of  the  vessel  "Accomack."  Much  confidence 
is  placed  in  his  ability  as  a  seaman,  and  he 
is  highly  esteemed  by  his  employers  and  by 
those  beneath  him  in  rank. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  married  in  x\pril.  1890, 
to  Fannie  V.  Smith,  a  daughter  of  George 
William  and  Virginia  (Howard)  Smith.  She 
was  born  in  Frederick,  Maryland,  in  1861. 
They  have  two  children,  namely ;  Virginia 
Howard,  who  was  born  February  11.  1894; 
and  Kate  Marie,  who  was  born  January  19. 
1896.  The  Captain  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Elizabeth  Camp,  No.  3,  Woodmen  of 
the  World :  and  Progressive  Harbor,  No.  9, 
Masters'  &  Pilots'  Association.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat. 


CAPT.    M.    C.    KEELING. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


865 


APT.  M.  C.  KEELING,  who  has  long 
been  one  of  the  most  prominent  men 
of  the  town  of  Berkley,  of  which  he 
is  now  mayor,  was  horn  in  Williams- 
bnrg,  Virginia,  October  7.  1838. 
His  father  and  grandfather  were  natives  of 
Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia.  Although 
the  family,  both  in  England  and  America,  had 
been  members  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  Captain  Keeling's  father  conceived  a 
strong  admiration  for  Rev.  Melville  Co.x.  the 
noted  African  missionary,  and  accordingly 
named  his  son  after  him. 

When  Captain  Keeling  was  about  a  year 
old  his  parents  moved  with  their  family  to 
Norfolk,  where,  when  20  years  old,  he  joined 
the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues,  an  organi- 
zation whose  inception  dates  back  to  1828.  He 
participated  in  his  first  parade  with  that  body 
on  February  22.  1858,  and  has  been  a  member 
of  that  command  ever  since.  In  point  of  con- 
tinuous service  he  is  probably  the  oldest  officer 
if  not  the  oldest  member  of  the  Volunteers  of 
Virgi'.i'a.  When  the  "Blues'"  went  to  the  front 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  War,  Cap- 
tain K'-eling  accompanied  them,  saw  his  share 
of  havd  service  and  received  his  portion  of 
hard  knocks.  He  was  twice  wounded,  once  at 
Chanccllorsville,  and  again  at  the  Crater.  He 
was  taken  prisoner  during  the  Stone\vall  raid, 
but  was  shortly  afterward  exchanged.  He  was 
again  captured  at  Hatcher's  Run.  and  was  im- 
prisoned at  Point  Lookout  three  months, 
or  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  re- 
leased by  order  of  President  Johnson.  He  was 
elected  to  the  captaincy  of  his  company  March 
I,  1889.  During  the  visit  of  the  Blues  to  New 
Orleans,  in  1895-,  at  the  Mardi  Gras,  he  was 
created  "Duke  of  Norfolk"  bv  the  King  of  the 
Carnival  and  presented  with  the  "Jewel  of  the 
Household."  He  is  an  honored  and  respected 
citizen  of  Berkley,  where  his  neighbors  admire 
him  for  his  public  spirit  and  sterling  worth  as 
a  man.  He  is  prominent  in  both  public  and 
private  enterprises  of  the  town,  and  served 
as  a  member  of  the  Council  for  some  vears. 


He  was  elected  by  that  body  as  mavor  of  the 
town  in  1899,  and  has  given  Berkley  an  honest, 
business-like  administration.  He  also  served 
as  president  of  the  Council. 

.\ugust  12,  1866,  Captain  Keeling  was  uni- 
ted in  marriage  with  Sally  Walker,  a  daughter 
of  H.  B.  C.  Walker.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Princess  Anne  Countv,  Virginia,  and  married 
Miss  Creecy.  IMrs.  Keeling  was  born  in  Hart- 
ford in  1842.  As  a  result  of  her  union  with 
Captain  Keeling  she  gave  birth  to  two  chil- 
dren:  Emily  Armistead.  who  married  C.  W. 
Robertson,  a  lumber  dealer  of  Norfolk;  and 
Harry  Walker,  who  is  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  R.  E.  Johnson  Company,  brokers,  of 
Norfolk.  The  latter  married  Lucy  Scott,  a 
daughter  of  R.  B.  and  Susan  Scott.  Captain 
Keeling  is  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school 
of  the  Chestnut  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  and  is  one  of  the  best-known 
]\Iasons  of  Berklev.  His  portrait  accompanies 
this  sketch. 


KS.   ELIZA  ANN  HODGES,    the 
relict  of  Caleb  Hodges,  Sr.,  is  an 
honored   resident   of   Portsmouth, 
\'irginia.     She  was  born  at  Deep 
Creek,    Norfolk    County,  July  iS, 
1820,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lucretia 
Cherry.    Her  father  was  a  ship-carpenter,  mer- 
chant and  farmer. 

On  November  5,  1840,  Eliza  Ann  Cherry 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Caleb  Hodges, 
Sr..  who  was  born  at  Deep  Creek,  a  son  of 
Josiah  Hodges.  Josiah  Hodges  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  and  was  a  child  when  brought 
to  Deep  Creek,  where  he  was  reared  by  Sam- 
uel Weston.  He  followed  farming  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  at  an  early  age.  He 
married  Mrs.  Lydia  (Brown)  Gordon,  and 
they  were  the  parents  of  the  following  chil- 
dren :  Nathan.  Thomas.  Josiah.  Hilry,  James, 
Elizabeth  and  Caleb.  Sr. 

Caleb  Hodges,  Sr..  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  learned  boat  building  with  his  brother. 


866 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Thomas  Hodges.  They  established  a  business 
at  an  early  day,  and  manufactured  skiffs  and 
other  light  boats.  They  built  boats  and  ran 
some  of  them  to  near-by  ports  with  produce. 
They  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
shingles,  doors,  blinds,  etc.,  during  the  days 
in  which  such  things  were  made  by  hand. 
Caleb  Hodges,  Sr.,  became  the  owner  of  three 
farms,  but  as  he  did  not  believe  in  slavery  he 
paid  all  his  help  by  the  day.  He  served  as 
magistrate  and  was  captain  of  a  company  of 
State  Militia.  From  the  time  he  reached  his 
1 8th  year,  until  his  death,  he  was  a  very  active 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  at  all  times  his  house  was  thrown  open 
for  church  work.  He  was  superintendent  of 
the  Sabbath-school  until  the  time  of  his  death, 
and  he  and  his  wife  were  the  center  and  main 
support  of  their  church.  He  built  a  large  tab^ 
ernacle  called  the  Rohoboth  Church,  which  the 
colored  people  of  the  community  now  own,  and 
m  which  they  hold  religious  services.  He  had 
a  very  fine  property,  with  a  fine  home,  good 
orchards  and  other  improvements,  and  this,  un- 
divided, is  now  owned  by  his  widow.  He  died 
in  i8^i,  at  the  age  of  53  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hodges  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children :  Caleb  W.,  de- 
ceased ;  Samuel  W. ;  Albert,  deceased,  and 
Jerome,  twins;  Henry  T.,  deceased;  Caleb,  Jr.; 
Mary  P.,  wife  of  W.  G.  Pettis;  Joseph  G. ; 
Emily,  wife  of  J.  Carson ;  John  N. ;  and  Kate 
F.,  wife  of  J.  W.  Outten.  Mrs.  Hodges  is  now 
eigl:ty-two  years  of  age,  and  is  enjoying  the 
best  of  heahh.  She  is  a  loving  mother  and 
kind  neighbor,  and  has  many  friends  in  this 
countv. 


APT.  JOHN  S.  WEBBER,  assistant 
chief  of  the  Fire  Department  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  was  born  in  that  city 
in  1843.  He  is  a  son  of  John  Web- 
ber, who  served  for  many  years  in 

the  United   States  Navy,   and  died  in   1869, 

aged  54  years. 


Capt.  John  S.  Webber  was  reared  in  his' 
native  city,  received  his  mental  training  there, 
and  learned  the  trade  of  a  sailmaker.  This| 
trade  he  followed  for  a  period  of  six  years,' 
after  which  he  accepted  a  clerkship.  He  en- 
listed in  the  Confederate  War,  and  served  un- 
til its  close  in  Company  A,  38th  Virginia  Bat- 
talion of  Artillery.  Captain  Webber  began  his 
career  as  a  fireman  40  years  ago,  his  first  po- 
sition being  that  of  lamp-boy.  He  was  subse- 
Cjuently  promoted  to^  be  hoseman,  and  in  1896 
to  be  foreman  of  Engine  No.  i.  In  that  year 
he  was  elected  by  the  City  Council  as  assistant 
chief  of  the  Fire  Department  of  Norfolk.  He 
has  served  in  'this  capacity  with  great  ac- 
ceptability since  that  time,  and  is  very  highly 
spoken  of  by  his  men  and  by  the  public  in 
general. 

He  manages  the  Queen  street  fire  district 
with  much  good  judgment,  and  everything  is 
kept  in  excellent  condition  around  the  engine- 
house.  An  old  hcvok-and-ladder  cart,  which 
was  bought  in  Baltimore  in  1858,  by  Thomas 
Corprew,  for  the  city  of  Norfolk,  is  still  kept 
at  this  engine-house  as  a  relic.  The  original 
wheels  of  the  cart  were  used  until  1898.  There 
is  a  second-class  Silsby  engine  and  a  Gleason  & 
Bailey  combination  truck  and  chemical  engine, 
with  a  capacity  of  70  gallons,  an  extension 
ladder,  65  feet  long,  and  two  50-foot  ladders 
at  this  eng'ine-hO'Use.  Seven  fine  horses  are 
used,  and  also  a  buggy  for  the  assistant  chief. 
The  building,  which  is  of  brick,  was  erected  in 
1893.  The  floors  are  brick  with  steel  guide- 
rails.  The  second  floor  is  devoted!  to  reception 
and  sitting  rooms,  bedrooms,  lockers  and  baths. 
Eleven  men  are  employed,  nine  being  on  duty 
daily.  This  company  has  won  much  praise  for 
bravery,  both  individually  and  as  a  whole,  at 
fires  which  called  for  quick 'action  and  steadi- 
ness of  nerve. 

Captain  Webl>er  married  Caroline  Mary  of 
Norfolk.  Their  children  are  as  follows :  Lucy 
P.  (Childs)  ;  Sarah  L.  (Page)  ;  Madeline  E. 
(Cage):  Caroline  Lawreiice;  John  J.:  Will- 
iam S. :  Charles  C. ;  and  Oliver  A. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS'. 


867 


H.  :\IIXOR,  one  of  Norfolk's 
large  real  estate  owners  and  a  pro- 
moter of  the  Park  Place  district  in 
tlie  city,  is  also  a  director  of  the 
City  National  Bank.  He  was  born 
in  Chenango  County,  New  York,  and  was 
reared  in  the  country.  Much  of  his  early  life 
was  devoted  to  learning  a  trade,  but  being 
very  active  in  mind,  he  decided  to  venture  into 
the  lumber  business,  and  accordingly  estab- 
lishing himself  in  that  line  in  Bradford  County, 
Pennsylvania,  where  his  business  proved  a 
great  success. 

But  Mr.  Minor  worked  too  hard  and  his 
health  became  much  impaired ;  he  was  advised 
by  Dr.  S.  W.  Mitchell,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
by  his  friends  to  go  South  on  a  vacation,  which 
he  did,  traveling  through  several  States.  Find- 
ing the  Southern  air  very  benefkial  to  him,  he 
decided  to  locate  at  some  city  where  he  could 
enjoy  the  air  from  the  ocean.  His  health  soon 
returned  under  this  treatment  and  with  it 
came  the  desire  to  be  busy  at  some  employ- 
ment. Therefore,  in  company  with  several  of 
Norfolk's  most  active  citizens,  he  purchased 
178  acres  of  land  north  of  the  city  and  ad- 
joining the  city  park.  This  land  they  platted 
as  Park  Place,  laid  out  streets  and  walks, 
planted  shade  trees,  and  finally  had  aoout  2,100 
lots  in  splendid  condition  to  sell,  with  sewers 
and  water  pipes  laid,  and  fitted  for  all  the  con- 
veniences of  modern  homes.  These  improve- 
ments were  soon  followed  by  electric  lights 
and  the  telephone  service.  Mr.  Minor's  prop- 
erty was  on  a  fine  citation,  and  he  was  one 
of  the  first  to  build,  his  beautiful  residence  be- 
ing situated  in  the  midst  of  grassy  lawns, 
plariited  artistically  with  shade  trees  and  flow- 
ers. Besides  his  home  property  he  owns  sev- 
eral other  fine  and  altogether  desirable  lots. 

As  will  be  seen  from  this  account,  Mr. 
Minor  has  been  <ne  of  the  city's  greatest  bene- 
factors, having  taken  such  an  i'nterest  in  the 
welfare  of  Park  Place  that  his  fellow  citizens 
should  feel  proud  of  its  beauty,  as  well  as  grate- 
ful to  its  promoters.     }^r.  ^Iinor  is  a  stock- 


holder and  director  of  the  City  National  Bank, 
of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers.  He  is 
interested  in  the  Union  Stock  Yards  at  Berk- 
lev.  Fraternallv,  he  is  a  member  of  Atlantic 
Lodge,  No.  2,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Norfolk  United 
Chapter,  No.  i,  R.  A.  M..  and  Grice  Com- 
niandery.  No.  16,  K.  T.,  all  of  Norfolk.  He 
still  holds  membership  in  Scottich  Rite  de- 
grees in  Harrisburg  Consistory,  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  member  of  Acca  Tem- 
ple, A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia. 


-VROD    D.    LOWNSBERY,    an    e.x- 

tensive  real  estate  dealer  of  Norfolk, 

Norfolk  County,  \'irginia,  was  born 

in  O.xford,  New  York.   There  he  was 

reared  and  educated,  and  at  the  age  of 

20  years,  possessing  an  ambitious  disposition, 

he  acted  upon  the  advice  which  Horace  Greeley 

gave  to  3-oung  men,  to  "Go  West." 

Mr.  Lownsbery  went  to  Michigan,  and  at 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Confederate  War, 
enlisted  for  service  in  Company  F,  Third 
Regiment.  Michigan  \^olunteer  Cavalry.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to  Arkan- 
sas, which  was  then  very  sparsely  inhalj- 
ited,  and  there  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness. Later,  he  became  a  cotton  dealer, 
and  in  this  venture  he  secureil  a  very  good 
financial  start  in  the  world.  He  remained 
in  Arkansas  for  13  years,  and  then  sold  out 
his  business  interests  and  returned  to  his  native 
State.  He  entered  the  wholesale  grocery  busi- 
ness at  Jamestown,  New  York,  and  carried  on 
that  business  W'ith  success  for  several  years. 
He  relinquished  the  business  and  retired  from 
active  life  for  awhile,  but  in  1884  he  made  a 
trip  to  the  South,  to  see  the  country,  and  was 
so  impressed  with  its  climate  that  he  resolved 
to  locate  in  Norfolk.  Being  offered  a  tract 
of  So  acres  of  land  just  two  miles  from  the 
city,  he  purchased  it  for  $5,000.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  general  truckin-g  business  on  this 
land,  and  the  first  year  cleared  $2,800.     Fiv« 


868 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


years  later  he  sold  the  same  tract  of  land  for 
$15,000,  and  since  that  time  it  has  again  been 
sold  for  $30,000.  After  the  sale  oi  this  land, 
he  removed  to  Norfolk  proper,  where  he  be- 
came one  of  the  promoters  of  East  Bramble- 
ton,  and  now  owns  86  lots  there.  He  was  one 
of  the  promoters  of  Villa  Heights,  owning  one- 
eleventh  of  the  suburb.  Two  street  car  lines 
connect  Villa  Heights  andi  Norfolk,  and  the 
pretty  little  suburban  town  is  steadily  growing. 
It  is  well  graded,  and  is  thoroughly  modern 
in  all  its  improvements.  About  700  trees  have 
been  set  out.  Besides  the  property  which  Mr. 
Lownsbery  owns  in  East  Brambleton  and 
Villa  Heights,  he  is  possessedi  of  one-seventh 
of  the  Miller  tract  of  land  of  72  acres  on  the' 
Southern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth  River,  and 
of  a  large  amount  of  city  property.  Mr. 
Lownsbery  has  seen  the  population  of  Norfolk 
double,  and  has  done  much  to  assist  in  the 
progress  and  development  of  the  city.  He  is 
one  of  Norfolk's  best  capitalists,,  and  is  inter- 
ested in  many  enter]5rises  in  that  city.  He  is 
a  stockholder  in  the  knitting  mills. 

Mr.  Lownsbery  is  possessed  of  extraordin- 
ary business  ability  and  good  judgment. 
Naturally  persevering  and  energetic,  he  has 
pushed  on  to  success  with  a  will,  and  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  capable  business  men 
of  Norfolk.     He  is  a  IMason. 


OHN  H.  CORE,  a  respected  and  hon- 
ored  resident  of  Norfolk,   Virginia, 
whose  business    associations  identify 
him  with  the  leading  real  estate  inter- 
ests in  that  thriving  community,  is  a 
well-known  agriculturist.     For  many  years  he 
has  made  a  specialty  of  stock  raising,  dealing 
especially  in  .thoroughbred  hogs,  which  he  was 
among  the  first  to  introduce  in  Norfolk  County. 
Mr.   Core  was  born  in  Bellehaven,  Acco- 
mack County,  Virginia,   November   12,    1S3S, 
and'  is   a  son   of,  William  .H..  and   IMargaret 
{(Wilkins)  Core.     He  ^vas  reared  in  his  native 


county,  where  he  obtained  his  primary  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools.  This  was  supple- 
mented by  a  more  complete  course  in  Ran- 
dolph-Macon College.  He  also  took  a  special 
law  course  in  Norfolk,  Virginia.  After  all 
these  preparations,  however,  he  chose  instead, 
a  mercantile  life  in  Norfolk,  where  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  George  J.  Thomas,  engag- 
ing in  the  wholesale  grtjcery  trade  under  the 
firm  name  of  Thomas  Core.  This  firm  con- 
ducted a  large  and  prosperous  business  until' 
1875,  when  the  partnership  was  dissolved  by 
the  death  of  his  partner. 

Mr.  Core  enlisted,  in  1861,  as  a  corporal  in 
the  Confederate  Army  in  Company  G,  6th 
Regiment.  Virginia  Infantry.  He  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  Fort  Norfolk,  and  participated' 
in  the  battle  at  Drewry's  Blufif.  Returning  to 
Richmond,  he  was  detached  from  his  regiment 
on  account  of  sickness,  but  in  November,  1862, 
he  was  able  to  again  enter  the  service,  and 
joined  the  famous  Mosby  troop,  in  which  he 
served  throughout  the  war ;  he  is  at  the  present 
time  a  valued  member  of  the  Mosby  Camp. 

About  1876,  Mr.  Core  purchased  land  and 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  truck  and 
stock  raising.  As  the  years  passed  by,  he  de- 
voted more  attention  to  the  last  named  feature, 
especially  to  hogs,  paying  as  high  as  $/^  for  a 
pair  O'f  thoroughbred  pigs.  He  made  a  great 
success  of  this  branch  of  farming,  and  raised 
only  the  best  breeds.  He  prospered  to  such  an 
extent  that  he  was  soon  the  owner  of  375  acres 
in  Princess  Anne  County,  and  100  acres  in 
Norfolk  Coiuity. 

Mr.  Core  continued  farming  quite  exten- 
sively up  to  1883,  when  he  sold  his  land  in 
Princess  Anne  County,  but  still  owns  the  100 
acres  in  Norfolk.  This  tract  lies  directly 
northwest  of  Ghent,  and  is  very  valuable  real 
estate.  At  the  option  of  the  owner,  it  will  be 
converted  into  building  lots,  and  in  this  way 
may  be  made  to  yield  enormous  profits. 

Mr.  Core  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Martha  Tarrant,  a  daughter  of  Capt.  William 
Tarrant,    a    well-known    citizen    of    Norfolk 


JOHN    WILLIS    BIDGOOD. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


671 


County.  Although  he  has  personally  superin- 
tended the  farms  accumulated  by  liis  good 
management  and  correct  methods,  Mr.  Core 
has  not  been  too  busy  to  take  a  fitting  interest 
in  municipal  affairs.  He  has  served  tiie  city 
as  a  magistrate,  and  as  president  of  the  Board 
of  Healtli,  and  is  justly  considered  one  of  Nor- 
folk's leading  and  most  progressive  citizens. 


iCHARD  B.  TAYLOR,  attorney-at- 
law,  is  a  member  of  the  well-known 
firm  of  Tunis  &  Taylor,  with  offices  in 
the  Taylor  Building  at  No.  308  Main 
street.  He  was  born  in  Northamj)- 
ton.  \'irginia,  January  20,  1874.  and  is  a  scion 
of  a  distinguished  ^'irginia  family.  His  pa- 
ternal great  grandfather  was  CJen.  Robert  Bar- 
raud  Taylor,  who  enjoyed  a  wide  reputation 
as  soldier,  lawyer  and  judge, — he  was  a  gen- 
eral in  the  American  Army  during  the  war 
with  England  in  18 12.  and  for  many  years 
was  a  prominent  judge  of  the  Circuit  Court. 
On  the  maternal  side  of  the  family,  Mr.  Taylor 
is  a  grandson  of  Judge  Richard  H.  Baker,  a 
man  of  great  prominence  in  his  day,  who  suc- 
ceeded Judge  Robert  Barraud  Taylor  on  the 
Circuit  Court  bench. 

It  was  the  success  of  the  eminent  jurists 
from  whom  he  is  descended  that  influenced 
Richard  B.  Taylor  to  enter  the  legal  profes- 
sion. He  completed  a  course  of  study  in  the 
Episcopal  High  School,  near  Alexandria,  and 
during  1 891- 1892  attended  the  academic  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  Virginia.  He 
then  entered  the  law  department  of  the  latter 
institution,  and  w^as  shortly  afterward  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Norfolk.  During  the 
following  nine  months  he  gained  valuable  ex- 
perience in  the  law-office  ofvhis  uncle.  Richard 
H.  Baker.  He  then  practiced  alone  until  Jan- 
uary I,  1899,  when  he  became  associated  with 
]\Iatt  M.  Tunis,  under  the  firm  name  of  Tunis 
&  Taylor.' a  partnership  which  has  siuce  ex- 
isted. He  is  attorney  for  the  South  Norfolk 
44 


Companv,  and  the  Tunis  Lumber  Companv  of 
Berkle>-.' 

In  politics,  Mr.  Taylor  has  always  been 
enthusiastic  in  his  support  of  the  Democratic 
party,  although  he  has  never  aspired  to  political 
preferment,  nor  would  he  accept  of  office  other 
than  one  in  the  line  of  his  profession.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Grace  Eyre,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Severn  Eyre  of  Baltimore,  and  they 
have  one  daughter,  Margaret  I'2yre.  Fratern- 
ally, Mr.  Taylor  is  a  meml:>er  of  Delta  Kappa 
Epsilon,  a  college  society. 


OHX  WILLIS  BIDGOOD,  a  prominent 
truck  farmer  of  Norfolk  County,  \'ir- 
ginia,  whose  portrait  is  shown  on  a 
preceding  page,  comes  of  a  well- 
known  family  of  the  county.  He  was 
born  on  the  old  Bidgood  homestead  in  Norfolk 
County  March  31,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  C.  E. 
and  Elizabeth  S.  Bidgood.  The  family  descent 
is  traceable  to  three  brothers  bearing  that  name, 
who  came  to  this  country  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  After  the  close  of  that  great 
struggle,  one  of  thebrothers  settled  in  Nanse- 
mond  County.  Vireinia,  and  from  him  is  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  descended. 

C.  E.  Bidgood  was  born  in  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  September  4,  1825,  and  died  October 
24,  1900.  His  wife,  who  was  born  December 
23,  1S27,  died  September  19,  1867.  They 
reared  si.x  children,  namelv :  John  Willis ;  C. 
M. ;  Thomas  A. ;  Dr.  Vincent  C. :  Nathaniel  B. ; 
and  Anna  J.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  oc- 
cupation and  lived  in  Norfolk  County  all  of 
his  life.  He  was  a  DeuKX'rat  in  his  political 
belief. 

John  Willis  Bidgood  went  to  school  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate  ^\"ar,  and  after 
its  close  attended  Columbian  College.  In  1869 
he  returned  home  and. in  1870  went  to  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  where  he  was  engaged  in. the 
merchandise  business  for  a  period  of  five  years. 
He  hjis  since  been  enga.ged  in  truck  farming 
and  has  met  with  deser\ed  success.       .  ■    .. 


.87.2 


.m.ST.ORY    OF    NORFOLK.  COUNTY 


In  1875  ^^^'-  Bid.s^ood  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Florence  S.  Gary,  who  was  bom  in 
N.ansemond  County,  Virginia,  June  2,  1846, 
and  is  a  daugliter  of  WilHam  R.  Gary  and 
Ehzabeth  S.  Riddick,  his  wife.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  them,  namely :  William  G. ; 
Elizabeth  B.;  Fanita;  Sumner;  and  John  Wil- 
lis, Jr.,  and  Margaret  L.,  both  deceased.  Fra- 
ternally Mr.  Bidgood  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is 
a  Democrat  is  politics,  whilst  in  religious  at- 
tachment he  is  a  Baotist. 


ILLIAM  H.  ROBINSON,  who  is 
chief  engineer  of  the  Atlantic 
Pump  House,  of  Atlantic  City 
Ward,  Norfolk,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  was  born  in  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  in  1849. 

In  Wilmington,  Mr.  Robinson  was  reared 
and  schooled,  and  it  was  there  that  he  mastered 
the  art  of  engineering.  He  has  been  a  sta- 
tionary engineer  for  the  past  32  years,  and  in 
this  line  he  has  been  \ery  successful.  He  has 
served  with  many  large  firms,  such  as  Hollin 
&  Hollinsworth;  jMcCullough  Iron  Works; 
Beggs  &  Olman ;  Pullman's  Palace  Car  Com- 
pany ;  and  Willis  Singley  Pulp  Works.  In 
1S99,  he  removed  to  Atlantic  City,  or  the  Sixth 
Ward  of  Norfolk,  to  become  engineer  of  the 
Atlantic  Punnp  House.  Ten  years  previous  to 
that  time,  the  citizens  of  Atlantic  City  had 
erected  a  sewer  pump-house  36  by  36  feet  in 
dimensions,  which  was  enlarged  in  1901.  It 
has  a  20-horse-power  engine  and  boiler,  and  an 
extra  50-horse-power  engine  and  boiler  have 
been  lately  added.  One  is  a  Wells  engine,  and 
the  other  a  Morrison,  and  there  are  two  cen- 
tripetal pumps,  one  of  which  pumps  4,000,000 
•gallons  per  24  hours,  and  the  other  5,000,000 
galjons.  Tliere  is  a  receiving  well  20  feet  deep 
and  10  feet  in  diameter,  which  drains  all  of  the 
Sixth  Ward.  This  is  assisted  by  the  ptmrp- 
house  at  the  corner  of  Ward  avenue  and  Duke 


street.  The  smoke-stack  is  of  terra-cotta 
brick,  and  is  80  feet  high.  In  the  same  build- 
ing with  the  pump-house,  is  the  police  station 
of  Atlantic  City  Ward.  Mr.  Robinson  is  as- 
sisted very  ably  by  Frank  Norton  and  William 
F.  Thornton,  on  Colley  avenue,  and  at  Ward 
avenue  and  Duke  street,  by  William  Humph- 
rey and  Joseph  Walters.  He  is  held  in  high 
esteem  by  his  employers  and  much  confidence 
is  placed  in  his  ability  as  an  engineer.  In  1874 
Mr.  Robinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Maria 
L.  W^ard,  a  native  of  Chester  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. There  were  three  children,  namely: 
Winficld,  deceased ;  Charles  H.,  a  cigar  manu- 
facturer of  Norfolk;  and  Mary  A.,  who  resides 
at  home. 

Mr.  Robinson  is  a  member  of  Colley  Mem- 
orial Presbyterian  Giurch,  and  has  been  as- 
sistant superintendent  of  the  Young  People's 
Society  of  Atlantic  City  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  is  a  man  of  honest,  upright  character,  and 
his  friends  are  many. 


ipOHN  LESNER,  ex-sherifif  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  has  for  many  years 
l)een  one  of  the  most  active  and  in- 
fluential citizens  of  Norfolk.  He 
was  born  in  Germany  in  1839,  and 
is  a  son  of  Philip  Lesner. 

John  Lesner  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  nati\-e  town,  and  early  in  life  learned  the 
trade  of  a  tailor.  In  i860,  he  came  to  Amer- 
ica, landing  in  Virginia.  He  worked  at  the' 
trade  of  a  tailor  for  some  time,  carrying  on 
that  business  until  1870,  when,  through  his  ac- 
tive spirit  in  political  affairs,  he  was  elected 
depnty  sheriff  to  Sheriff  W.  L.  Kent.  Three 
years  later,  owing  to  his  capability,  he  was 
made  sheriff'  of  Norfolk  County,  and  was  re- 
elected to  that  oflfice  for  four  consecutive  terms. 
He  faithfully  discharged  his  duties,  and  served 
in  the  capacity  of  sherifiF  with  great  acceptabil- 
ity to  all  wlio  were  concerned.  Since  that 
time,  he  has  filled  many  offices,  among  them 
that  of  collector  antHissesscn-  nn  t4ie  Board  of 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZEN?. 


873 


Supervisors ;  he  was  chairman  of  the  building. 
committee  during  tire  construction  of  the 
steamer  "Portsmouth." 

In  1867,  Mr.  Lesner  bouglit  a  block  ofi 
land  on  Church  street,  which  was  known  as 
Huntersville.  He  built  a  house  on  the  land/ 
and  laid  out  a  park.  This  soon  became  sa 
popular  that  he  added  to  it  a  "zoo,"  laid  out 
walks  and  planted  shade  trees,  also  erecting 
a  high  fence  around  the  park.  On  July  23,, 
1885,  he  built  a  beautiful  entrance  to  this  park,, 
on  Church  street,  and  made  a  trip  to  Germany, 
where  he  purchased  an  orchestral  organ,  the 
finest  which  has  ever  been  brought  into  the 
State  of  \''irginia.  This  organ  now  stands  in 
Mr.  Lesner"s  reception  hall  in  his  own  home, 
and  represents  many  hundred  dollars  of  cost. 
He  e.xpended  $25,000  in  beautifying  this  gar- 
ffen,  which  became  known  as  "Lesner's  2*Iaple- 
wood  Garden."  It  was  a  beautiful  garden, 
and  was  visited  by  many  hundred  people.  A 
few  years  ago  this  garden  was  sold,  or  at  least, 
a  part  of  the  grounds,  which  is  occupied  hv  a 
brewery.  On  the  rest  of  the  land  ]\Ir.  Lesner 
has  built  several  homes,  which  he  owns  and, 
rents.  He  has  made  many  trips  to  his  native 
country,  in  which  he  was  accompanied  by  his 
family. 

He  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Matilda 
Killman,  a  daughter  of  James  Killman.  She 
died  at  the  age  of  35  years.  Their  children 
were :  James,  who  is  engaged  in  railroad 
business  in  PennsA'lvania :  John,  who  is  general 
agent  for  the  Consumers'  Brewing  Company, 
and  president  of  the  Builders'  Manufacturing 
Company;  and  AVilliam,  who  is  associated  with 
the  Anheuser-Busch  Brewing  Associatirsn.  Mr. 
Lesn«-  married,  secondly,  Margaret  Rehling, 
a  daughter  of  John  Rehling  of  Norfolk.  Their 
children  are:  Edward,  who  enlisted  in  the 
Si»anish-Americar  ^^"ar,  served  at  Santiago, 
in  Company  A,  i6th  Regiment,  Virginia  In- 
fantry, U.  S.  v.,  and  is  now  in  the  hospital 
department  in  the  Philippines:  Fr^-'erick : 
Qiarlc^:  Ruth;  and  Amv. 

M*-.  Tesner  is  a  member  of  the  Ro^•al  Ar- 


canum, and  I,  O.  O.  F.  lodges.  He  has  don^ 
much  to  assist  in  the  de\elopment  and  growth 
of  Norfolk,  and  is  possessed  of  more  than  or- 
dinary business  abilit}'.  He  stands  high  in  the 
Cdmnnmit}-,  and  is  esteemed  and  respected  by 
all  wild  ciiuie  in  contact  with  him. 


nllX    T.    WILLIAMSON,    a    retired 

contractor  and'  builder  of  Norfolk, 
Norfolk  County,  \'irginia,  was  born 
in  Princess  .A.nne  County,  Virginia,  in 
1830.  He  is  a  son  of  Abel  and  Mary 
(Williamson)  Williamson,  and  a  grandson  of 
Abel  \\'illiamson. 

Abel  Williamson,  Jr.,  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  and  came  to  Norfolk  in.  1855.  The  siege 
of  yellow  fever  persuaded  him  to  return  to 
Princess  Anne  County.  He  suffered  from 
deafness,  and  in  his  /()ih  year  he  was  struck 
by  a  load  of  lumber  on  a  tramway,  which 
caused  instant  death.  He  married  Mary  Will- 
iamson, a  daughter  of  Caleb  W^illiamson  of 
Princess  Anne  County. 

John  T.  Williamson,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  at 
the  age  of  16  years  was  apprenticed  to  John 
Whitehurst,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter 
and  builder.  In  1 861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Nor- 
folk Juniors,  and  was  taken  prisoner  twice 
during  the  war.  He  served  with  gallantry 
and  distinction  throughout  the  conflict.  He 
settled  in  Norfolk,  and  in  1870  built  the  first 
building  in  what  is  now  known  as  Brambleton. 
This  was  a  store  and  residence  for  James  E. 
Moore.  The  building  w^s  burned  some  years 
later.  Plis  first  residence  was  erected  for  F. 
Richardson,  wht;  laid  out  the  suburb  of  Bram- 
bleton. In  1884,  .he  built  the  city  school  house 
on  Cumberland  street,  in  1890,  the  city  alms- 
house, and  many  otiher  prominent  public  build- 
ings and  private  homes.  He  met  with  much 
success  in  his  career,  and  was  able  to  iietire 
from  active  business  duties  in  1894.  He  was 
grtotly  missed  in  his  profession,  as  his  work- 
manship was'  ajways  of  the  highest  order. 


874 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mr.  \\'illiamson  married  Mary  F.  White- 
hurst,  a  daughter  of  John  W'hitehurst.  She 
died  in  1899,  aged  6^  years.  Three  children, 
who  were  born  of  this  union,  are  deceased. 
Tliey  were  named, — Everett,  John  and  Robert. 
Those  living  are  as  follows  :  Mrs.  Sarah  God- 
frey; Robert  A.,  a  contractor  and  builder; 
Broxton  O..  also  a  contractor  and  builder; 
Laura;  Tunstall,  a  carpenter;  and  ^Minnie. 

Mr.  Williamson  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  since  1859. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  Knights  oi  Honor.  Religiously,  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  has  served 
for  many  years  as  deacon,  and  as  treasurer  of 
a  society  in  the  church. 


EBELOX  B.  CAPPS,  a  well-known 
contractor  and  builder,  at  Xo.  801 
Tunstall  avenue,  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Prin- 
cess Anne  County,  Virginia,  April 
i86s-     He  is  a  son  of  Dennis  and  Ann 


26, 

(Davis)  Capps. 

Dennis  Capps  was  born  in  Princess  Anne 
County,  as  was  his  wife.  He  was  a  farmer  all 
his  life,  and  was  one  of  the  prominent  farm- 
ers of  that  county.  His  death  occurred  in 
1869,  at  the  age  of  45  years.  His  wife  died 
December  25,  1897,  after  having  lived  63 
years.  Seven  children  resulted  from  this 
union,  whose  names  are  as  fo'llows :  George- 
anna,  the  wife  of  George  Miller,  a  farmer  of 
Princess  Anne  County ;  Dennis,  deceased ; 
Lizzie,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Wlhitehurst,  also  of 
that  county;  Josephine,  whO'  married  S'  D- 
Burgess,  of  Princess  Anne  County ;  John  W. ; 
Zebelon  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and 
Charlie,  whO'  died,  aged  13  years. 

Zebelon  B.  Capps  lost  his  father  when  he 
was  but  frjur  years  old,  a'nd  at  a  Very  early  age 
he  was  obliged  to  begin  work  for  himself. 
When  it  was  possible  he  attended  school  in  his 
native  C(jun'ty,  but  He  received  only  a  v.ery  lim- 


ited education.  He  was  put  to  work  for  the 
small  remuneration  of  $24  per  year,  and  for 
five  years  was  on  the  water  in  battery  shoot- 
ing. He  then  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpen- 
ter and  builder,  in  mastering  which  he  spent 
about  five  years ;  in  1889  he  moved  tO'  Norfolk, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  soon  became 
well  knO'Wn  as  a  contractor  and  builder,  and 
many  of  the  most  substantial  buildings  in  Nor- 
folk are  the  result  of  his  work.  He  erected 
the  eight-room  school  building  in  the  First 
Ward,  and  also  one  in  the  Fourth  Ward.  He 
built  the  large  drug  store  near  the  bridge,  on 
the  Norfolk  side  of  Ghent,  and  also  mp.ny  resi- 
dences in  that  suburb,  notably  :  Mr.  Malbon's, 
Mr.  Johnston's,  Mrs.  B.  Johnston's  and  others. 
He  often  employs  a  large  number  oi  workmen 
to  assist  him.  Air.  Capps  has  won  splendid 
recognition  for  his  excellent  work,  and  is  one 
of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Norfolk. 
He  married,  November  17,  1889,  Nettie 
Harrison,  a  native  of  Princess  Anne  County. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  William  T.  Harrison, 
whoi  died  in  1899.  Mrs.  Harrison  makes  her 
home  with  her  daughter  and  son-in-law.  Mrs. 
Capps  is  the  youngest  of  two  living  children, 
— her  brother,  Henry  A.,  being  a  farmer  in 
Princess  Anne  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Capps 
are  members  of  the  Queen  Street  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  in  which  Mr.  Capps 
is  league  chorister.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics. 
Mr.  Capps  is  a  self-made  man,  and  possessed 
of  many  manly  attributes  of  character  and 
mind. 


ICHARD  P.  BUNTING,  ex-sheriff  of 
Norfolk  County,  V^irginia,  was  for 
many  years  a  sticcessful  business  man 
■  iif  Portsmouth,  his  native  city.  He 
is  now  filling  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner, 
being  located  at  Cottage  Place,  Virginia  ave- 
nue. ISIr.  Bunting  was  born  September .  2 1 , 
1858,  and  is  a  son  o^f  Richard  P.  an^  Virginia 


THOMAS    W.    BUTT. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


877 


A.   ( Diggs)  Bunting,  both  parents  being  \'ir- 
ginians  by  birth. 

Richard  P.  Bunting,  the  fatlicr,  was  a  very 
prominent  man  (hn-ing  iiis  Hfe,  and  was  well 
known  and  honored  by  the  citizens  in  Xor- 
tVIk  County  and  its  vicinity.  During  liis  en- 
tire hfe  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  ma- 
chinist. At  one  time  he  was  customs  officer 
at  Old  Point  Comfort,  and  served  thus  for  six 
or  eight  years.  He  was  later  elected  sheriff 
of  Elizabeth  City  County,  in  which  i>osition 
he  served  four  years.  He  was  a  Mason  of 
high  degree,  being  a  Knight  Templar,  and  al- 
ways took  an  active  part  in  IMasonry.  He  de- 
parted this  life,  at  the  age  of  55  years,  in  July, 
1889.  His  wife  was.  before  marriage,  Vir- 
ginia A.  Diggs,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
^larv  A.  Diggs,  a  family  well  known  and  of 
some  prominence  in  Portsmouth.  Her  death 
took  place  in  July,  1887,  two  years  previous  to 
the  demise  of  her  Iiusband.  The  subject  of 
tills  sketch  was  one  of  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, and  he  and  his  sister,  Rosa  L.,  now  Mrs. 
L.  W.  Codd,  are  the  only  ones  now  living,  the 
others  having  died  while  very  young.  L.  ^^^ 
Codd  is  deputy  sheriff  of  Norfolk  County,  and 
is  serving  his  third  term  in  that  office. 

The  Pittsfield  (Massachusetts)  schools 
were  the  source  of  Mr.  Bunting's  mental  train- 
ing: following  this  he  immediately  engaged  in 
the  grocer)-  and  liquor  business  in  his  own 
name.  For  16  years  he  continued  in  this  busi- 
ness, and  was  fairly  successful.  During  this 
time  he  served  in  the  jxisition  of  United  States 
ganger  of  liquor  for  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth. 
In  1887  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  over 
1, 100  votes  to  the  office  of  sheriff,  defeating 
a  candidate  who  had  held  the  office  for  17 
years.  During  his  term  of  four  years  he  was 
ever  faithful  to  his  duties.  One  man,  Henry 
Coleman,  was  hanged  under  his  supervision 
as  sheriff.  Since  then  he  was  interested  in  the 
real  estate  business  until  1899,  when  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  so  great  was 
the  public  satisfaction  during  his  first  term  as 


such  that  he  was  elected  a  second  time,  and  his 
term  will  not  expire  until  June  30,  1903. 

Mr.  Bunting  chose  for  his  wife  Emily  F. 
Lawrence,  a  native  of  Portsmouth,  and  a 
daughter  of  the  late  John  O.  Lawrence,  of  that 
city,  who  served  as  postmaster  and  mayor  dur- 
ing his  busy  life,  and  was  of  much  promi- 
nence. Four  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union,  as  follows:  Guy  J..  Emily  V..  R.  Paul 
and  Lawrence  W.  Mrs.  Bunting  is  a  very 
active  member  of  the  Park  \'ie\\  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South. 

■  Socially,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a 
valued  member  of  the  Business  Men's  Associ- 
ation of  Portsmouth,  and  in  fraternal  circles 
he  affiliates  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  the  Improved  Order  of  Red 
Men  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias, — being  cap- 
tain of  Atlantic  Company,  Uniform  Rank,  and 
past  chancellor  of  Portsmouth  Lodge,  Xo.  16. 
Mr.  Bunting  takes  a  very  decided  interest  in 
politics. 


HOMAS  W.  BUTT,  whose  portrait  is 
shown  on  the  opposite  page,   is  one 
of    the    progressive    and    substantial 
farmers  residing  south  of  Berkley,  in 
Xorfolk  County.  \'irginia.     He  was 
born  near  Great  Bridge.  Xorfolk  County.  Vir- 
ginia, Februarv  14.  1848.  and  is  a  son  of  Henry 
Butt. 

Henry  Butt  was  l>iirn  in  Xorfolk  County 
and  always  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer.  He  married  Mary  A.  Old,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  this  county,  and  they  reared  the 
following  children:  Frank  and  Mary  E..  de- 
ceased :  Frederick,  a  farmer  residing  near 
Great  Bridge:  Henry,  who  lives  on  a  farm  near 
Great  Bridge:  and  Thomas  ^^'..  the  subject  of 
this  bi<igraphical  record. 

Thomas  W.  Butt  attended  school  at  Elbow, 
Virginia,  and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm 
until  the  latter's  death  in  1857.  He  was  but 
13  years  of  age  when  the  Confederate  War 


878 


HISTORY.   QE   :N.ORFOLK    COUNT.Y 


broke  out  and  was  left,  at  home  in  charge  of 
the  farm.  He  resided  on  the  home  place  until 
1868,  then  located  on  a  farm  of  his  own  near 
Great  Bridge,  on  which  he  lived  and  farmed 
successfully  until  1894.  He  then  piirchased 
his  present  farm  of  225  acres,  which  he  de- 
votes to  general  farming  and  trucking.  He 
also  raises  some  stock  and  is  a  contractor.  He 
has  a  comfortable  thrc-story  house  of  nine 
rooms,  located  on  his  farm,  and  everything 
about  the  place  has  an  air  of  system  and  neat- 
ness, which  indicates  capable  management  and 
prosperity.  His  farm  is  what  is  known  as  the 
Keys  Hawksey  land. 

December  21,  igoo,  ]\Ir.  Butt  was  joined 
in  marriage  with  Eugenia  T.  Portlock,  who 
was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  and  they  have  a 
son,  William  P.  In  politics  Mr:  Butt  is  a 
Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  Berkley  Lodge, 
B.  P.  O.  E.  Religiously  he  and  his  wife  belong 
to  Providence  Christian  Church. 


C.  FLETCHER,  who  is  inspector  of 
plumbing  at  the  City  Hall  in  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  \'irginia, 
was  born  in  \Vashington  County, 
\'irginia,  December  6,  1861.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Louisa  AL  (Hyslop) 
P'letcher,  the  father  a  native  O'f  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  the  mother  a  native  of  Virginia. 
John  Eletcher.  the  father  of  J.  C,  was  a 
ship-carpenter  during  his  active  life.  He  is 
nmv  an  hcjnored  and  respected  resident  of 
Portsmouth,  and  is  ^2  years  of  age.  His  wife 
died  a  number  of  years  ago.  Five  children 
were  born  to  this  union,  namely :  Mary  E., 
deceased,  who  married  George  ]\Ieshler,  of 
Portsmouth,  and  died,  leaving  two'  children, — 
Mary  and  Ida;  Charles  B.  Fletcher,  who  is  a 
carpenter  in  the  United  States  Navy  Yard  in 
Portsmouth;  Anna,  the  wife  of  T.  B.  Tyler, 
who  lives  in  Newport  News;  J.  C,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch :  and  Robert  T. 

J.  C.   Fletcher  attended  the  public  schools 


of  Portsmouth,  and  learned  his  trade  of 
plumbing'  and  gas-fitting  with  Alexander  & 
Powell,  the  oldest  firm  of  the  kind  in  the  city. 
He  worked  for  that  firm  for  12  years,  and  in 
the  Navy  Yard  until  1896,  assuming  his  pres- 
ent position  in  August  of  that  year.  He  was' 
appointed  to  the  position  of  inspector  of  plumb- 
ing by  the  City  Council,  and  has  filled  it  in  a 
most  acceptable  manner.  He  has  a  thorough 
understanding  of  his  work,  and  is  a  most  effici- 
ent and  capable  man. 

Mr.  Eletcher  is  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  P}i:hias  and  Ocean  Council,  No.  1063, 
Royal  Arcanum,  of  Portsmouth.  He  is  very 
well  known  in  Portsmouth,  where  he  has  a 
host  of  friends. 


B.  CROWELL,  general  agent  for 
the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Company,  who  has  his  head- 
quarters at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  is  a 
native  of  Ohio.  There  he  was 
reared  and  educated,  removing  to  Newport 
News,  Virginia,  in. 1 881,  when  a  movement 
was  begun  there  to  build  up  that  town.  He 
was  the  first  postmaster  of  Newport  News,  and 
filled  that  office  with  great  acceptability.  When 
there  was  business  enough  to  justify  a  small 
steamer  touching  that  port  he  was  appointed 
agent  for  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Com- 
pany, and  has  been  connected  with  that  com- 
panj-  ever  since.  He  remained  in  Newport 
News  until  1894,  when  he  removed  to  Norfolk, 
assuming  the  agency  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company  there. 

Mr.  Crowell  has  been  connected  with  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Newport  News  since 
its  organization,  being  one  of  the  directors. 
He  is  alsO'  a  director  in  the  Colonial  Fire  In- 
surance Company  of  Washington,  and  is  in- 
terested in  several  other  business  enterprises.  ■ 
He  is  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  executive 
ability,  and  manifests  keen  foresight  and  sound 
judgment  in  all  weighty  business  matters. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


879 


lOBERT  JOHNSTON,  president  <>{ 
tlie  Old  Dominion  Paper  Company, 
of  Norfolk,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, is  of  Scotch-English  ancestry. 
He  was  boni  in  Portsmouth,  Novem- 
ber 15,  1859.  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  M.  Johns- 
ton and  .\ugusta  J.  Young,  his  wife.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  Princess  Anne  County, 
\'irginia,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, X'irginia. 

Robert  Johnston's  paternal  grandfather, 
James  J.  Johnston,  was  a  Scotchman,  and  a 
boat-builder  by  trade.  His  son,  Robert  M. 
Johnston,  was  born  in  1809,  and  died  in  1864. 
He  was  a  farmer  and  served  several  terms  as 
sheriff  of  Princess  Anne  County.  The  ma- 
ternal great-grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  Rev.  George  Young,  rector  of  Trin- 
ity Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Ports- 
mouth. He  settled  iji  Norfolk  County  in 
1802,  having  come  here  from  England.  His 
son.  Captain  Hy.  A.  F.  Young,  was  born  in 
England  in  1787.  and  came  to  the  United 
States  with  his  parents.  He  was  appointed  to 
the  United  States  Navy,  and  served  in  the 
War  of  1812.  He  retired  from  the  navy  in 
1856,  resigning  his  position  several  years 
later.  He  cast  his  fortune  with  his  adopted 
State  (Virginia)  when  she  seceded  from  the 
Union.  His  resignation  after  his  retirement 
was  unique ;  he  alleged  the  reason  for  such  a 
course  being  that  he  did  not  want  to  receive  a 
gratuity  from  a  government  with  which  he 
had  no  sj-mpathy. 

Robert  Johnston,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  removed  with  his  parents  to  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  in  1864.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  of  that  city  until  1874,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  a  position  as  messenger  in  the 
United  States  Treasury  Department,  and  as- 
signed to  duty  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, Hon.  Benjamin  H.  Bristow.  He  also 
sen'ed  under  Hon.  John  Sherman,  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury.  He  took  the  civil  service  ex- 
aminations, and  was  appointed  a  clerk  in  1878. 
Later  he  attended  lectures  at  the  law  school 


of  Georgetown  University,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1880.  He  was  pro- 
moted to  be  chief  of  division  in  the  custom 
office  in  1882.  and  relinquished  that  position 
two  years  later  to  begin  his  i)resent  business. 

He  became  president  of  the  Old  Dominion 
Paper  Company  in  January,  1884.  The  prod- 
uct of  the  company  goes  from  Maryland  to 
Georgia,  and  west  as  far  as  Tennessee.  It  is 
one  of  the  largest  concerns  of  the  kind  in  the 
South,  and  is  excellently  managed.  Mr. 
Johnston  is  a  director  in  the  foUov.ing  insti- 
tutions: Merchants"  &  Mechanics'  Savings 
Bank;  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's 
Association  of  Norfolk:  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; and  the  Tidewater  Insurance  Company. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  hav- 
ing been  treasurer  of  the  Blue  Lodge  for  the 
past  10  years,  and  served  as  worshipful  master 
for  two  years.  He  is  a  memlier  of  the  First 
Presbvterian  Church  of  Norf(j!k. 


m 


LEXANDER  H.  ASHBURN,  who 
has  been  a  magistrate  .of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  since  January,  1894,  was 
born  in  Nansemond  County,  \'ir- 
ginia.  in  1828.  Mr.  Ashburn  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  his  first  business  under- 
taking was  in  the  tannery  line.  Later  he  dealt 
extensively  in  lumber.  He  owned  several  mills 
in  Isle  of  Wight  County,  Virginia,  but  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  North  and 
South  he  gave  up  this  business. 

^Ir.  Ashburn  went  to  Windsor,  Virginia, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and 
also  did  some  railroad  contracting.  He  was 
also  postmaster  of  Windsor  for  some  time, 
and  during  the  war  was  appointed  by  the  gov- 
ernment to  supply  the  sailors'  and  soldiers' 
wives  and  families  with  the  necessaries  of  live- 
lihood. He  did  not  realize  one  cent  in  return 
for  this,  and  accordingly  was  obliged  to  accept 
any  position  he  could  obtain  in  order  to  earn 
a  living. 


880 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


]\Ir.  Ashburn  was  employed  as  a  book- 
keeper after  coming  to  Norfolk,  in  1877. 
Later  he  held  the  office  of  street  inspector  at 
Brambleton.  and  served  in  that  capacity  until 
his  appointmejit,  in  1894,  to  the  office  of 
magistrate.  He  has  filled  that  position  ever 
since,  to*  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 
He  was  appoiiited  through  the  Temperance 
administration,  being  an  advocate  of  that 
cause. 

Mr.  Ashburn  has  been  twice  married.  His 
first  union  was  with  Miss  Wadkins.  a  daugh- 
ter of  M.  H.  Wadkins.  She  died,  leaving  two 
daughters.  Mr.  Ashburn  married,  secondly. 
Miss  Owens,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Putnam 
Owens,  and  they  have  four  sons,  namely:  Lee; 
Wallace:  Charles:  and  William  H.,  all  of 
whom  are  representative  men  of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Ashburn  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  for  a  great  many  years,  and  is 
deacon  of  that  church.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity.  He  has  watched  with 
interest  the  growth  of  Norfolk  and  the  coun- 
try surrounding,  and  has  always  been  keenly 
interested  in  its  progress.  He  is  a  man  of 
honor  and  integrity,  and  his  services  have 
always  been  greatly  appreciated. 


AURENCE  WARING,  attorney-at- 
law,  and  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Norfolk.  Virginia,  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Jones  &  Waring.  He  was 
born  in  Richmond,  Virginia.  Decem- 
ber 14.  186S.  and  is  a  son  of  William  P. 
Waring. 

Laurence  Waring  was  educated  at  Balti- 
more, at  the  Lester  Academy.  He  studied  law 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1894.  Mr. 
Waring  opened  practice  in  Norfolk  with  C.  W. 
B.  Lane,  under  the  firm  name  of  Waring  & 
Lane.  Mr.  Lane  died  in  1897.  after  which 
Mr.  Waring  continued  the  practice  alone  for 
one  year,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Mr.  Jones,    the    firm  name  reading  Jones  & 


Waring.  In  1894  Mr.  Waring  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  re-elected  in 
1900.  He  was  elected  on  the  Democratic 
ticket.  Mr.  Waring  has  always  taken  an  act- 
ive interest  in  local  politics,  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  brightest  young  lawyers  in  Nor- 
folk. He  has  filled  the  position  of  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  witli  great  acceptability,  and 
bids  fair  to  occupy  that  office  for  some  time  to 
come.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  his  profes- 
sion and  has  a  large  general  practice,  and  is 
ranked  with  th  leading  lawyers  of  Norfolk. 
Mr.  ^^'aring  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trade  and  Business  Men's  Association  of 
Norfolk. 


HE  NOTTINGHAM  &  WRENN 
COMPANY,  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  progressive  business  con- 
cerns of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  deals  ex- 
tensively in  coal,  both  wholesale  and 
retail,  and  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
lumber,  shingles  and  laths.  This  business  was 
established  in  1877  by  Thomas  J.  Nottingham 
and  William  A.  Wrenn.  who'  dealt  in  coal, 
wood  and  ice.  At  that  time  they  shipped  the 
ice  from  the  pure  lake  waters  of  Maine,  and 
dealt  extensi^•elv  in  hard  and  soft  coal,  and  all 
kinds  of  lumber.  Thomas  J.  Nottingham  died 
in  September.  1891,  and  the  company  was  or- 
ganized and  incorporated  with  the  following 
officers  :  William  A.  Wrenn,  president ;  Thom- 
as J.  Nottingham,  Jr.,  vice-president:  G.  B. 
Eerebee,  secretary  and  treasurer;  and  William 
J.  Woodward,  manager  of  the  lumber  depart- 
ment. The  above-mentioned  gentlemen,  to- 
gether with  William  T.  Anderson,  form  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  company.  The  com- 
pany also'  invested  in  real  estate  enterprises,  and 
manufacturing  concerns,  and  has  lent  a  helping 
hand  to  many  business  ventures  of  the  city,  of 
the  most  progressive  nature.  It  has  large  lum- 
ber mills  at  Grifton.  North  Carolina,  and  man- 
ufactures and  deals  in  North  Carolina  pine  and 
cypress  lumber,  long-leaf  Southern  pine  tim- 


C.    PRESTON    DENBY. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


883 


lier.  sliingles,  laths,  etc.  In  addition  it  handles 
the  products  of  many  other  mills,  the  magni- 
tude of  its  transactions  being  evidenced  by  a 
view  of  the  yards  and  wharf  of  X-ottingham  & 
Wrenn,  and  the  city  pier  of  the  XorfcJk  (Jt 
\\'estern  Railway.  The  company  maintains  a 
finely  equipped  ofiice  on  Granhy  street. 

\\'illiam  A.  Wrenn,  president  of  the  Xot- 
tingham  &  Wrenn  Company,  is  a  son  of  A. 
Wrenn,  founder  of  the  well-known  carriage 
manufacturing  establishment  of  .\.  Wrenn's 
Sons.  William  .\.  Wrenn  is  vice-president  of 
the  Norfolk  Ice  Company,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  founders.  This  company  dropped  the 
handling  if  natural  ice  in  i8gc).  finding  that  it 
could  manufacture  a  fine  quality  at  a  luuch 
smaller  exjiense. 


interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  native  city,  and 
is  always  willing  to  assist  in  aity  public  move- 
ment which  is  for  the  good  of  that  community. 
.\n  honest,  upright  citizen,  he  is  respected  as 
such,  and  stands  high  in  X'orfolk. 

On  December  26.  1886,  Mr.  Denby  was 
married  to  Martha  Cartwright,  who  is  a  na- 
tive of  Xorth  Carolina.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum  and 
also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Puritan  society.  In 
political  faith  he  has  always  adhered  to  Demo- 
cratic principles.  His  portrait  accompanies 
this  sketch. 


PRESTOX  DEXBY,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  Citv  Council  of  Nor- 
folk, Xorfolk  County,  Virginia,  rep- 
resenting the  Fifth  Ward  from 
Brambleton,  was  born  in  Norfolk 
October  4,  i860.  He  is  a  son  of 
L.  Deuby,  who  lived  on  the  place  in 
known   as   the    Millsville    farm. 


County 
Charles 
this  county, 

Charles  L.  Denby  followed  the  occupation 
of  farmer  until  1886,  when  he  removed  to  X'or- 
ff^lk,  departing  this  life  at  the  age  of  63  years. 
His  wife,  Virginia  (Ximmo)  Denby,  was 
born  in  X'^orfolk.  She  makes  her  home  with 
her  children,  C.  Preston :  and  ]\Irs.  \'irginia 
Flournoy,  of  Washington,  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. 

C.  Preston  Denljv  was  reared  and  schooled 
in  X^orfolk,  which  city  has  always  been  his 
home.  He  learned  bookkeeping  at  an  early 
age  and  has  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  that 
occupation.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  in  May,  1900,  representing  the 
Fifth  ^\'ard  from  Brambleton.  He  has  served 
on  the  committee  on  storage  of  oils,  special 
street  committee,  school  committee  and  im- 
provement for  Xewton's  Creek.     He  is  deeply 


CH.VRD  W.  PE.\TROSS,  one  of  the 
poi)ular  young  barristers  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  has  enjoyed  a  large  client- 
age since  1899,  ^vh.en  he  first  ap- 
peared at  the  Norfolk  County  Bar. 
Mr.  Peatross  is  a  son  of  Hon.  Robert  O. 
Peatross,  a  prominent  citizen  nf  Bowling 
Green.  \'irginia,  and  is  a  native  of  Caroline 
County,  where  he  was  born  in  1870.  The  boy- 
hood days  of  Mr.  Peatross  were  spent  in  ac- 
quiring an  education  at  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  place.  He  had  exceptional  scholastic 
training,  and  after  finishing  in  the  public  school 
entered  Randolph-Macon  College,  where  he 
graduated  with  honor  in  1890. 

Mr.  Peatross  decided  to  teach  school  for 
a  time,  and  was  ])rofessor  of  English  in  the 
University  School  at  Knox\-ille,  Tennessee, 
which  position  he  retained  until  he  reached  the 
age  of  29  vears,  having  nrovetl  successful  as  a 
teacher. 

While  teaching,  Mr.  Peatross  studied  law, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Knoxville.  Ten- 
nessee, in  1898.  He  acquired  great  fluency  of 
speech  and  is  well  equi])ped  for  the  career  of 
a  lawyer.  In  1899  he  removed  to  X'orfolk  and 
engaged  in  practice,  and  the  possession  of  a 
legal  turn  of  mind,  coupled  with  superior  ex- 
ecutive ability,  has  made  him  successful,  and 
won  him  mnnerous  friends,  who  predict  for 
him  a  lirilliant  future. 


884 


HISTORY;  OF-  NORFOLK   COUNTY 


LARENCE  W.  TEBAULT,  who  has 
been  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  de- 
\'elopment  and  growth  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  is  president  of  the  Security 
Real  Estate  Company,  secretary  and 
treasurer  of  the  West  End  Annex  Company, 
and  a  partner  of  D.  P.  Blount  in  the  general 
real   estate  business. 

Mr.  Tebault  was  born  in  Princess  Anne 
County,  Virginia,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  A.  G. 
Tebault,  whoi  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Princess  Anne  and  Norfolk  Coun- 
ties for  53  years  prior  to  his  death.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketclM'eeeived  his  intellectual  train- 
ing in  the  schools  of  Princess  Anne  and  Nor- 
folk Counties,  and  early  in  life  embarked  in 
the  real-estate  business.  He  organized  Park 
Place,  on  the  tract  of  i8o  acres  formerly  owned 
by  R.  H.  McDonald,  and  this  he  disposed  of 
for  $150,000.  He  organized  the  suburban  dis- 
trict of  Villa  Heights,  formerly  known  as  the 
80  acres  of  the  Ward  heirs,  which  he  sold  tO' 
the  present  company  for  $80,000.  He  has 
also  made  large  sales  in  city  and  country  prop- 
erty, and  in  August,  1899,  was  one  of  the 
principal  factors  in  organizing  the  Security 
Real  Estate  Company,  of  which  he  is  president, 
and  D.  P.  Blount  is  secretary  and  treasurer. 
This  company  has  built  more  than  190  iiomes 
at  Lambert's  Poiint,  Bramblleton,  Pinner's 
Point,  Portsmouth  and  Norfolk.  The  com- 
pany will  sell  any  kind  of  a  lot  desired,  and  on 
it  will  erect  a  house  from  plans  desired  by  the 
purchaser,  exacting  at  first  but  a  small  part 
of  the  purchase  price.  In  this  manner  the  com- 
pany has  aided  many  men  in  securing  homes. 
It  also  has  for  sale  a  considerable  amount  of 
farming  and  timber  lands  in  this  section  of 
the  State,  and  negotiates  loans.  It  deals  in  min- 
eral lands,  including  copper,  kaolin  and  iron- 
ore  lands  in  Virginia.  It  organized  the  Wheel- 
ing Development  Company,  which  owned  the 
A.  J.  Newton  property  of  150  acres,  which  it 
sold  for  $100,000.  In  1891  the  Security  Real 
Estate  Company  was  the  principal  factor  in  or- 
ganizing a  company  to  purchase  of  the  Hamp- 


ton Roads  Company  a  site  of  703  acres  of  land 
and  water  for  a  new  shipyard  building  and  dry 
dock,  planned  at  a  cost  oi  $5,000,000.  The 
Security  Real  Estate  Company  stands  among 
the  foremost  concerns  of  the  kind  in  Norfolk 
County,  its  success  being  due  to  the  executive' 
ability  of  its  othcers,  their  untiring  energy,  and 
the  enterprising  business  methods  they  employ. 
David  Perry  Blount,  who  is  identified  with 
the  various  enterprises  above  mentioned,  was 
born  in  Washington,  Beaufort  County,  North 
Carolina,  and  is  a  son  of  Maj.  John  G.  Blount. 
He  was  reared  and  schooled  in  his  native  town, 
and  spent  his  early  active  career  in  the  trans- 
portation business  at  Washington,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Memphis,  Tennessee.  In  1893  he 
came  to  Norfolk  and  established  the  Blount 
Fruit  &  Produce  Company,  which  still  exists 
and  is  located  at  Nos.  3'5-37  Roanoke  street. 
In  August,  1899,  he  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  Security  Real  Estate  Company,  of  which 
he  is  secretary  and  treasurer;  he  is  also  presi- 
dent of  the-West  End  Annex  Company.  He  is 
vice-president  of  the  United  States  Mutual  Pro- 
tective Association,  and  stands  prominent 
among  the  leading  business  men  of  Norfolk. 


HE  BENNETT  MEDICINE  COM- 
PANY, of  Norfolk,  which  during  its 
brief  existence  has  won  the  confidence 
of  the  people  and  a  large  patronage, 
is  composed  of  L.  R.  Bennett,  presi- 
dent :  E.  K.  Bennett,  secretary ;  and  R.  M. 
Bennett,  oculist.  The  company  was  estab- 
lished April  13,  1901,  and  has  placed  on  the 
market,  with  wonderful  success,  Dr.  Bennett's 
New  Life,  the  great  cell-builder,  a  remedy  for 
all  chronic  diser.ses  where  there  is  a  deficiency 
of  nutrition  and  cell  groAvth ;  Dr.  Bennett's 
Wonder  Oil  for  the  relief  of  pain ;  Dr.  Ben- 
nett's Corn  and  Bunion  Cure ;  and  Dr.  Ben- ' 
nett's  Neuratine,  a  remedy  for  nervous  dis- 
eases. The  consultation  parlors  and  labora- 
tory are  located  at  No.  448  East  Main  street. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


88s 


The  members  of  the  company  are  brothers, 
all  born  in  Daviess  County.  Kentucky.  Dr.  L. 
R.  Bennett  is  a  graduate  of  the  Eclectic  Medi- 
cal College  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio:  Dr.  E.  K. 
Bennett,  of  the  University  of  Ohio;  and  Dr. 
R.  M.  Bennett,  of  the  Louisville  Medical  Col- 
lege. 


;»HX  N..HART  Ls-the  senior  member 
of  the  firm  of  Hart  &  Watts,  exten- 
sive planing  mill  operators,  of  Ports- 
mouth. Virginia.    They  are  wholesale 
and  retail  dealers  in  lumber  and  build- 
ers" supplies  in  general. 

Mr.  Hart  was  \K>m  in  New  Jersey,  where 
he  resided  until  1870,  when  he  removed  to 
Ponsmoulh.  He  comes  of  a  g<x)d  old  family 
of  New  Jersey,  and  enjoyed  the  advantages  of 
a  good  academic  and  collegiate  course  of  study. 
After  locating  in  Portsmouth,  he  served  as 
clerk  for  20  years  in  the  employ  of  R.  J.  Neely 
&  Company,  with  the  exception  of  some  three 
or  four  years  spent  in  other  large  mills.  In 
1890,  his  present  business  enterprise  was 
started  by  Mr.  Han  and  his  brother,  W.  F. 
Hart,  under  the  firm  name  of  John  N.  Hart  & 
Brother.  The  partnership  continued  until  the 
death  of  W.  F.  Han,  in  1894.  John  N.  Han 
then  operated  the  business  alone  until  1898, 
when  he  took  Harr%-  L.  Watts  into  partner- 
ship. The  building  in  which  the  business  was 
b^un  was  on  the  site  of  the  present  structure. 
It  was  originally  a  car  shop  of  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Railway.  It  was  transformed  into 
a  planing  mill  by  Mr.  Grice.  and  conducted  as 
such  by  him  until  Mr.  Han  purchased  it. 
During  the  Confederate  War,  it  was  used  as  a 
hospital.  This  mill  was  destroyed  by  tire  in 
1897,  and  was  at  once  replaced  by  the  present 
one.  The  plant  and  lumber  yard  cover  about 
two  and  a  half  acres,  the  dimensions  being 
600  by  226  feet.  The  location  of  this  industry 
is  on  High,  Chestnut  and  Queen  streets.  The 
mill  is  modern  in  all  its  appointments,  its 
machinen,-  being  of  the  most  approved  t\-pe. 


and  the  firm  manufacture  a  full  line  of  house 
finishings  goods,  which  are  sold  in  neighbor- 
ing towns  and  cities,  and  as  far  distant  as  Bal- 
timore, Maryland,  and  Washington.  D.  C. 
Emplo)Tnent  is  given  to  about  50  men,  who 
are  in  charge  of  a  regular  foreman,  W.  J. 
Parker.  Messrs.  Han  and  Watts  are  also 
identified  with  the  \irginia  Sash  &  Door  Com- 
pany, adjoining  their  lumber  mill,  on  Queen 
street.  This  company  was  incorporated  in 
March,  1901,  and  its  officers  are  as  follow^s:  , 
John  N.  Hart,  president :  J.  J.  Robinson,  vice- 
president;  and  H.  L.  Watts,  secretan-  and 
treasurer.  The  subject  of  this  biography  is 
held  in  high  esteem  in  Portsmouth,  where  he 
has  been  in  business  for  so  many  years;  his 
residence  is  at  Park  View.  Mr.  Hart  has  been 
twice  married.  His  first  union,  with  Lutie  M. 
Turner,  occurred  in  1896.  She  died  in  April, 
1901.  He  subsequently  married  Lena  S. 
Spotts. 


:lliam  s.  langhorne,  who 

is  engaged  in  the  wholesale  and  re- 
tail drug  business  at  No.  800 
Crawford  street.  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk Coimty,  Virginia,  is  a  native 
of  Portsmouth,  and  a  son  of  Maurice  B.  Lang- 
home. 

The  Langhorne  family  is  one  of  the  old 
families  of  Virginia.  The  great-grandfather 
of  William  S.  Langhorne  was  a  resident  of 
\\'arwick  County,  near  Newport  News.  Will- 
iam Langhorne,  the  paternal  grandfather,  com- 
manded the  company  which  escorted  the  Mar- 
quis de  La  Fayette  through  the  town  of  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  during  his  visit  to  -\merica. 
He  was  also  a  soldier  during  the  War  of  1812. 
He  married  Charlotte  Wilson,  whose  father 
fought  in  the  Revolutionarv-  War.  Her 
grandfather  commanded  troops  at  Great 
Bridge  during  Cornwallis"  invasion.  Maurice 
B.  Langhorne.  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  and  for  many 


586 


HISTORY    OF    NOR'FOLK    COUNTY 


3'ears  was  a  prominent  attorner  of  that  city. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  1852,  a  colonel  in  the  Virginia  State 
Militia.  He  married  a  Miss  Bilisoly.  Will- 
iam Wilson,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  was  clerk  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Court  for  39  years.     He  died  in  1843. 

\^^illiam  S.  Langhorne,  whose  name  opens 
these  lines,  served  in  the  Confederate  Army 
during  the  Intersectional  War.  He  enlisted  in 
March.  i86j,  in  Company  K,  9th  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantry  (the  Old  Dominion  Guard), 
which  was  attached  to  Armistead's  Brigade, 
Pickett's  Division.  Being  under  age,  he  was 
Iionorably  discharged  after  the  first  ^Maryland 
campaign,  having  participated  in  all  the  battles 
of  his  brigade.  He  re-enlisted  in  the  Signal 
Corps  at  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  served 
around  that  city  until  after  the  Crater  battle, 
when  he  was  ordered  to  the  Trans-!Mississippi 
Department,  and  surrendered  to  General  Gor- 
don Granger,  U.  S.  Army,  at  Galveston,  Texas, 
June  5,  1865.    He  arrived  home  July  10,  1865. 

In  1867,  Mr.  Langhorne  engaged  in  the  re- 
tail drug  business,  and  has  continued  in  that 
line  ever  since.  He  has  a  large  wholesale  and 
retail  drug  store,  which  is  well  known  through- 
out that  section  of  Virginia.  The  present 
building  at  No.  800  Crawford  street  was  ready 
for  occupancy  in  May,  1894.  Mr.  Langhorne 
is  interested  in  several  banks  in  Portsmouth, 
and  is  a  director  in  the  Permanent  Home 
Building  Association.  He  has  done  much  to 
assist  in  the  progress  and  development  of 
Portsmouth,  and  is  a  man  of  splendid  business 
abilities.  This  fact  has  been  pro^■en  by  his 
steadily  growing  business. 

Mr.  Langhorne  married  Rosalie  Bilisoly,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  Bilisoly.  They  have  two 
.sons  and  one  daughter,  namely:  William  S.. 
Jr.,  who  assists  his  father;  Maurice  B.,  who  is 
bookkeeper  for  Earl  Gregory  &  Company : 
and  Rosalie,  who  is  now  14  years  old.  Politi- 
cally. Mr.  Langhorne  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  City  Council.  He  belongs  to 
the  Royal  Arcanum  and  Catholic  Knights  of 


America.  He  is  cpiartermaster  of  Stonewall 
Camp,  Confederate  \'eterans.  His  son,  W'ill- 
iam  S.  Langhorne,  Jr.,  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Columbus;  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks ;  Royal  Arcanum :  and 
Portsmouth  Business  Men's  Association.  In 
religious  belief,  the  family  adheres  to  the  faith 
of  the  Catholic  Church. 


S.  BROOKS,  one  of  the  leading  real 
estate,  insurance,  and  rental  agents  of 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  like  his  father 
and  grandfather,  is  a  native  of  that 
city,  and  is  closely  identified  with 
many  enterprises  which  have  added  to  its 
growth  and  wealth,  and  given  it  prestige  as  a 
thriving  business  center.  Mr.  Brooks  was 
born  in  1865  and  is  a  son  of  E.  C.  Brooks,  and 
grandson  of  William  Brooks. 

E.  C.  Brooks  has  never  known  any  other 
home  than  Portsmouth,  having  been  a  prom- 
inent business  man  of  that  place  for  many 
years.  He  is  now  living  in  partial  retirement, 
having  a  desk  in  the  office  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  and  rendering  at  pleasure  some  as- 
sistance in  the  real  estate  business,  but  more 
frequently,  however,  giving  valuable  advice. 
In  company  with  Mr.  Etheredge,  he  estab- 
lished a  commission  house  in  Portsmouth,  and 
under  the  firm  name  of  Etheredge  &  Brooks 
conducted  a  verv  profitable  business  until  1894, 
when  it  was  discontinued.  About  that  time 
the  E.  C.  Brooks  Company  was  formed,  with 
E.  C.  Brooks  as  president,  Mr.  Etheredge, 
vice-president,  and  R.  S.  Brooks,  as  secretary 
and  general  manager.  This  company  con- 
ducted a  wholesale  fancy  grocery  and  con- 
fectionery business  until  about  1898  at  Nos. 
111-113  High  street. 

R.  S.  Brooks  began  his  business  career 
when  he  was  18  years  old.  His  first  work 
was  at  Norfolk,  in  th.-  wholesale  grocery 
house  of  M.  L.  T.  Davis  &  Company,  where  he 
filled  a  position  with  credit  to  himself  and  satis- 


WILLIAM    THOMAS    SYKES. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


889 


faction  to  his  employers,  for  a  period  of  18 
months.  During  this  time,  young  Brooks  ob- 
tained some  insight  into  the  business,  and  was 
later  associated  with  his  father  in  a  similar 
line,  as  before  mentioned. 

In  1898,  Mr.  Brooks  embarked  in  the  real- 
estate  business,  having  an  office  on  Court 
street.  Two  months  later,  he  removed  to  his 
present  location.  No.  313  High  street.  A 
large  amount  of  business  is  disjiosed  of  at  this 
office,  necessitating  the  employment  of  two 
competent  assistants.  Mr.  Brooks  is  alsQ  sec- 
retary of  the  Portsmouth  &  Norfolk  County 
Building  &  Loan  Association,  which  adds  not 
a  little  to  his  clerical  work.  This  association 
was  incorporated  in  April,  1884,  and  the  pres- 
ent officers  are:  George  R.  Trant.  president; 
R.  A.  Hutchins,  vice-president ;  and  C.  S.  Sher- 
wood, treasurer.  The  last  named  gentleman 
has  filled  that  office  since  the  inception  of  the 
company,  which  operates  principally  in  Ports- 
mouth and  its  suburbs.  It  has  been  the  means 
of  improving  and  de\-eloping  various  parts  of 
the  city,  and  has  been  instrumental  in  causing 
the  erection  of  a  large  number  of  dwelling 
houses.  Besides  being  of  such  material  benefit 
to  hcmeseekers,  the  association  offers  great 
inducements  for  profitable  investment.  h£r\ing, 
in  the  year  1900,  paid  a  10  per  cent,  dividend 
on  the  capital  invested. 

Socially,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Business  Men's  As- 
sociation of  Portsmouth,  and  is  affiliated  with 
the  Masonic  Order,  Elks.  Royal  Arcanum,  and 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Court  Street  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  is 
treasurer.  His  marriage  with.  M. -Elizabeth 
Eastwood,  a  daughter  of  M.  D.  Eastwood,  a 
highly  respected  citizen  of  Portsmouth,  re- 
sulted in  the  birth  of  five  children,  viz : 
Hazeltine  E. :  R.  Sherwood :  Man,-  T, ;  Eleanor 
Louise,  and  Elizabeth.  The  family  home  is 
located  at  Cottage  Place,  one  of  the  most 
charming  and  rapidly  growing,  suburbs  of  tlie 
city.  Mr.  Brooks  was  one  of  the  very,  first  t.o 
take  up  his  residence  there. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  very 
successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  as  a  man  of 
sound  judgment,  great  industry,  and  honorable 
dealing,  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  com- 
munity of  which  he  is  a  prominent  and  worthy 
member. 


II.LIAM  THO^LAS  SYKES, 
AniDUg  the  many  prominent  agri- 
culturists of  Norfolk  Ctiunty,  \'ir- 
ginia,  is  the  gentleman  whi^ise 
name  opens  these  lines,  and  whose 
portrait  appears  on  the  opposite  page.  He  re- 
sides on  his  farm  near  Great  Bridge,  where  he 
is  engaged  in  general  farming.  Mr.  Sykes  was 
born  five  miles  south  of  Great  Bridge,  January 
25,  1850.  and  is  a  son  of  William  W.  Sykes. 

William  W.  Sykes  was  born  one  mile  south 
of  his  son's  present  farm,  in  1829.  He  was 
engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  He  en- 
listed in  the  Confederate  Army  under  Captain 
Hopkins,  and  served  for  two  years.  He  mar- 
ried Nancy  .\.  Halstead.  and  tliey  were  blessed 
with  one  child, — William  Thomas. — the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  Sykes  died  in  1893. 
William  Sykes  married,  sedmdly.  Emma  J. 
Sykes,  and  they  have  reared  the  following  chil- 
dren, namely:   Willie:  Laban  ;  and  Frances. 

William  Thomas  Sykes  has  been  engaged 
in  farming  all  his  life,  and  also  spent  five  years 
in  the  lumber  business.  In  1884.  he  bought 
his  present  farm,  which  contains  84  acres  of 
well-cultivated  land.  He  also  purchased  an- 
other farm  of  174  acres,  and  one  of  74  acres. 
He  takes  great  pride  in  bringing  this  land  to  a 
fine  state  of  cultivation,  and  devotes  all  of  his 
time  and  energy  to  ag-ricultural  matters.  He 
built  a  modern  two-story  house,  of  seven 
rooms,  on  his  home  farm,  and  this  has  added 
greatly  to  the  general  appearance  of  the  place. 
November,  ig,  J883,  Mr.  Sykes  was  wed- 
ded tq  Vandalia  Waterfield,  wlio  was  born  in 
Nqrth  Carolina,  in  1841.  Shf  jvas  a  daughter 
of  Jes.se  R.  Waterfield.  Her  death  occurred 
August'21.   1S91,  and.she  leftfour  children, 


890 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


namely:  N.  Ava,  Thomas  E.,  Lillie  Mae,  and 
an  infant  child ;  the  three  last  named  are  de- 
ceased. Mr.  Sykes  is  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  religiously,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  South.  He  is  one  of 
the  most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  Great 
Bridge,  and  is  a  man  of  honor  and  integrity. 


^^  HILLIPS  &  MAHONEY,  operators  of 
yj^  a  large  planing  mill  and  lumber  yard 
and  dealers  in  all  kinds  of  builders' 
supplies,  conduct  their  extensive  es- 
tablishment at  No.  1206  Court  street, 
Portsmouth,  Virginia.  It  is  one  of  the  most 
progressive  firms  in  the  city,  and  gives  employ- 
ment to  about  50  persons.  It  was  established 
February  2,  1892.  by  J.  W.  Phillips  and  A.  N. 
Mahoney,  and  at  first  these  twO'  practical 
mechanics  did  all  of  their  own  work.  The  suc- 
cess which  attended  their  efforts  caused  them 
to  enlarge  their  business  and  employ  assist- 
ants. From  a  small  beginning,  with  little  cap- 
ital to  further  their  enterprise,  the  present  ex- 
tensive business  has  grown,  ranking  among  the 
largest  and  most  prosperous  of  the  county. 
Both  members  of  the  firm  are  possessed  of  un- 
usual ability,  and  are  most  worthy  citizens. 

J.  W.  Phillips  was  born  on  Court  street, 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  in  1856,  and  is  a  son  oi 
Henry  J.  Phillips.  The  latter  was  a  ship-car- 
penter and  an  excellent  mechanic.  He  was  en- 
gaged at  the  Navy  Yard  for  some  time  prior 
to  the  Confederate  W^ar,  and  was  a  leader  in 
his  work.  He  died  in  1886,  and  his  wife  passed 
away  in  1899.  He  had  a  large  family  of  chil- 
dren, most  of  whom  are  now  progressive  citi- 
zens of  Portsmouth.  J.  W.  Phillips  served  an 
apprenticeship  Avith  LeRoy  Godwin,  one  of  the 
finest  mechanics  Portsmouth  has  ever  had.  He 
also  engaged  in  contracting  somewhat  before 
entering  into  partnership  with  ]\Ir.  Mahoney. 
He  married  Cora  M.  Williams,  a  daughter  of 
John  J.  WiJliams.  and  they  have  two  children, 
— Mar>'  E.  and  Joseph  J.  They  reside  at  No. 
221  Washington  street.     Mr.  Phillips  carries 


old-line  insurance  in  the  Union  Central  and 
Northwestern  insurance  companies,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum. 

A.  N.  Mahoney  was  born  in  Albemarle 
County,  Virginia,  in  1857,  ^'''d  is  a  son  of  A. 
IMahoney,  who  was  a  fine  carpenter,  and  for 
many  years  in  the  employ  of  the  James  River 
Canal  Company.  The  father  was  born  at  Old 
Point  Comfort,  and  resided  at  Portsmouth  un- 
til he  was  19  years  old,  when  he  moved  to 
Richmond,  where  he  married  Mary  C.  Everett, 
a  native  of  that  city.  Both  are  deceased.  Two 
of  their  sons,  G.  W.  and  W.  C,  now  reside  at 
Richmond.  Both  of  them  are  mechanics,  and 
one  is  a  master  car-builder.  A.  N.  Mahonev 
learned  his  trade  with  his  father  at  Richmond, 
and  was  employed  in  the  locomotive  works  at 
that  city  a  number  of  years.  After  removing 
to  Portsmouth  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Mr. 
Godwin  until  the  firm  of  Phillips  &  Mahoney 
was  established.  He  married  Mary  T.  Tynan. 
a  daughter  of  C.  B.  Tynan  of  Portsmouth,  and 
they  have  four  children,  as  follows:  Lee  \^ic- 
tor,  who  was  boi'n  in  Richmond,  on  the  day  i;f 
the  unveiling  of  the  Lee  memorial  monument : 
Madeline ;  Mary  T. ;  and  Harry  L.  Socially, 
Mr.  Mahoney  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Columbus.  He  carries  old-line  insurance  in  the 
Union  Central  and  Northwestern  insurance 
companies. 


H.  DAVIS,  a  well-known  business 
man  and  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 
Portsmouth,  is  superintendent  of  the 
ferries  plying  between  Portsmouth, 
Norfolk  and  Berkley,  having  filled 
the  position  efficiently  since  April,  1899. 

Mr.  Davis  was  bom  at  Williamsburg,  Vir- 
ginia, and  is  a  son  of  J.  A.  Davis,  who  for 
many  years  was  in  the  government  employ. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  a  brother  and 
sister  who  reside  in  Portsmouth,  u^miely : 
William  L.,  who  is  special  battle-ship  inspector 
at  Newpi^irt  News,  but  resides  at  Portsmouth : 
and  Mrs.  Marv  T-  Powers,  a  widow. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


891 


L.  H.  Davis  has  been  a  resident  of  Ports- 
mouth since  1873,  having  been  reared  in  that 
city.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  as  a  ma- 
chinist, and  was  employed  in  the  Navy  Yard 
for  a  period  of  12  or  13  years.  In  1896,  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  Portsmouth,  and  fi.>r  two 
years  gave  the  city  an  honest  business  admin- 
istration. He  then  had  charge  of  the  power 
plant  of  the  city  for  two  years.  He  had  served 
as  councilman  prior  to  being  mayor.  In  April. 
1899,  he  accepted  his  present  position  as  super- 
intendent of  ferries.  In  March,  1900,  the  fer- 
ries were  consolidated  with  the  Port  Norfolk 
Electric  Railway,  and  the  present  name  of  the 
corporation  is  the  Norfolk,  Portsmouth  &  New- 
port News  Railway  Company.  The  officers 
are:  Harry  L.  Maynard,  president:  Gustavus 
Ober  of  Baltimore,  vice-president ;  A.  J.  Phil- 
lips, secretary :  John  L.  Watson,  treasurer : 
Theodore  Jackson  Wool,  counsel :  'SI.  R.  Jones, 
superintendent  of  tlie  railway :  and  L.  H. 
Davis,  superintendent  of  ferries.  Mr.  Davis 
has  entire  charge  of  the  extensive  business  of 
the  ferries,  which  employ  about  100  men. 

Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  with  a 
daughter  of  John  W.  Land,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren :  L.  L.  Davis,  aged  20  years,  who  is  learn- 
ing mechanical  drafting:  and  Bertha  H.,  aged 
17  years.  Religiously,  he  and  his  family  are 
members  of  the  Fourth  Street  Baptist  Qiurch. 
Their  residence  is  at  No.  431  Randolph  street. 


OHN  W.  H.  PORTER,  who  is  widely 
known  as  a  practitioner  of  law,  com- 
m.issioner  in  chancery  and  writer  on 
historical  subjects,  maintains  his  law 
office  at  No.  212  High  street,  in  the 
city  of  Portsmouth.  Virginia.  He  was  born 
in  that  city  in  1842,  and  comes  of  one  of  the 
oldest  families  of  the  State,  his  ancestors  hav- 
ing been  established  in  Nr:.rffilk  County  more 
than  250  years  ago.  ric  is  descended  from 
John  Pi.>rter,  Jr..  who  came  to  Norfolk  County 
as  far  Ixick  as  the"  year  1646,  married  ^fary 


Sidney,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Sidney,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  justices  of  the  County  Court 
and  high  sheriff  of  the  county,  Ijesides  filling 
other  official  positions.  The  line  of  descent 
from  John  Porter,  Jr.,  to  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  as  follows :  Samuel  Porter,  who 
died  in  1698:  Samuel  Porter  Jr..  who  died  in 
1718;  William  Porter,  wh(j  died  in  1760:  W'ill- 

,  iam  Porter,  Jr.,  who  died  in  1807;  Joseph 
Porter,  who  died  in  October,  1831 :  and  John 

!  L.  Porter,  father  of  John  W.  H.  Porter,  \vho 

'  died  in  December,    1893. 

William  Porter,  Jr.,  fhe  great-grandfather, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  W'ar.  He 
entered  the  army  in  1775,  as  a  lieutenant  in  the 
1 2th  Virginia  Regiment,  was  promoted  to  be 
captain,  and  later  was  appointed  captain  of  an 
artillery  company,  and  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war.     He  was  a  vestryman  in  the  Estab- 

'  lished  Church  and  filled  a  number  of  official 
positions  in  the  county.  In  1782.  he  married 
Elizabeth  Luke,  daughter  of  Isaa^  Luke,  and  a 
cousin  of  Commodore  Richard  Dale.  His 
brother.  David  Porter,  was  before  and  during 
the  Revolutionary  War,  a  justice  of  the  County 
Court,  and  high  sheriff  of  the  county.  Joseph 
Porter,  the  grandfather,  served  as  captain  of 
Virginia  troops  in  the  War  of  18 12,  between 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain.  He  car- 
ried on  an  extensive  ship-building  establish- 
ment in  Portsmouth,  and  did  a  large  business 
in  that  line. 

John  L.  Porter,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  biographical  sketch,  deserves  to  be  classed 
among  the  world's  greatest  inventors,  for,  as 
far  as  authentic  records  show,  he  was  the  first 
man  who  conceived  the  idea  of  a  steam-pro- 
pelled, iron-clad  vessel  for  war  purposes.  He 
was  born  in  Portsmouth,  September  13;  1813. 
and  died  December  4,  1893.  His  mother  was 
Frances  Pritchard,  daughter  of  Capt.  Williajn 
Pritchard.  an  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  had  four  brothers,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased,  namel^" :     \Mlliam,  who  was  prominait 

•'  in  the  mercantile  and  shipping  business,  and 
later  removed  to  Petersburg,  where  he  resided 


892 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


until  his  death;  Sydney  Dale,  who  went  to 
Mobile,  Alabama,  and  became  prominent  as  a 
ship  and  steamboat  builder ;  Joseph ;  and 
Fletcher.  He  learned  the  art  of  ship-building 
under  his  father,  and  after  his  father's  death, 
carried  on  the  business  and  became  the  owner 
of  several  vessels  engaged  in  the  West  India 
trade.  In  1846  he  was  appointed  acting  con- 
structor in  the  United  States  Na\'y,  and  sent 
to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  to  superintend  the 
building  of  the  iron  sloon-of-war  "Alleghany," 
remained  in  Pittsburg  about  three  years. 
While  there,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  building 
a  seagoing,  iron-clad  ship,  and  made  plans  and 
specifications,  which  were  submitted  to  the 
Navy  Department  at  ^\'ashington,  but  nothing 
was  done  about  it  at  that  time,  except  to 
acknowledge  their  receipt.  The  idea  was  too 
far  advanced  for  those  days,  ^^'e  had  not 
then  reached  the  era  of  iron-clads.  He  re- 
tained, however,  copies  of  his  plans  for  future 
use.  This  was  15  years  before  England  and 
France  began  experimenting  on  the  subject. 
Shortly  after  this,  ]\Ir.  Porter  received  a  reg- 
ular appointment  as  constructor  in  the  navy 
and  built  for  the  government  the  sloop-of-war 
"Constellation,"  the  steam  sloops  "Pensacola" 
and  "Seminole."  and  the  steam  frigates  "Pow- 
hatan'' and  "Colorado."  besides  a  number  of 
smaller  vessels.  The  beginning  of  the  troubles 
between  the  States  found  him  stationed  at  the 
Pensacola  Navy  Yard,  and,  upon  the  secession 
of  Florida,  in  Jaimary,  1861,  he  was  ordered 
to  the  Washington  yard,  wh-ere  he  remained 
until  April,  when  he  was  ordered  to  the  Gos- 
port  Navy  Yard,  and  witnessed  the  destruction 
of  that  establishment  by  the  Federal  authori- 
ties on  the  20th  of  that  month.  Among  the 
vessels  destroyed  at  that  time  was  the  frigate 
"Merrimac,"  which  was  sunk  and  burned  to 
her  water-line.  She  was  raised  May  30th,  and 
Mr.  Porter  put  the  hulk  in  the  dry  dock.  Mr. 
Porter  was  opposed  to  the  secession  of  'Vir- 
ginia, but  when  the  State  decided. to  go  out 
of  the  Union,  he  resigned  his  position  in  the 
United  States  Navy  and  ca§t  his  fortunes  with 


her.  He  considered  that  he  owed  allegiance 
first  to  his  State.  He  received  an  appointment 
as  constructor  in  the  Confederate  States  Navy, 
and  was  ordered  to  remain  on  duty  in  the 
Gosport  Navy  Yard. 

Then  the  thought  of  his  Pittsburg  iron-clad 
recurred  to  him  and  he  made  a  model,  but  so 
modified  as  to  bring  it  within  the  limited  build- 
ing facilities  of  the  South.  He  took  the  model 
to  Richmond  on  June  24,  1861,  and  submitted 
it  to  Secretary  Mallory  of  the  Confederate 
States  Navy,  who  ordered  a  board  to  assemble 
the  next  day  to  consider  it.  The  board  was 
composed  of  Mr.  Porter,  Chief  Engineer  Will- 
iam P.  Williamson  and  Lieutenant  John  M. 
Brooke.  The  board  approved  the  model  and 
decided  to  recommend  that  a  boat  be  built 
after  it,  but  the  necessary  delay  that  would  be 
occasioned  in  building  machinery  for  her  sug- 
gested to  Mr.  Porter  that  he  could  adapt  his 
plan  to  the  "Merrimac,"  and  utilize  the  ma- 
chinery in  her.  He  so  stated  to  the  board,  and 
his  suggestion  was  adopted.  He  returned  to 
the  Gosport  Navy  Yard  to  draw  his  plans,  and 
Chief  Engineer  'VVilliamson  went  there  to  sup- 
erintend her  machinery.  Mr.  Porter  completed 
the  plans  on  July  loth,  returned  to  Richmond 
with  them,  submitted  them  to  Secretary  Mal- 
lory and  that  official  approved  them  and  sent 
the  following  order  to  Commodore  Forrest, 
commanding  the  Navv  Yard : 


Navy  Department.         ) 
H.M'OND,  Va.,  July  11, 1861.  ) 


Ric 
Fi.ag-Officer  F.  Forrest: 

Sir— You  will  proceed  with  all  practicable  dispatch 
to  make  the  changes  in  the  Merrimac,  and  to  build, 
equip  and  fit  her  in  all  respects,  according  to  the  plans 
and  designs  of  the  Constructor  and  Engineer,  Messrs. 
Porter  and  Williamson.  .\s  time  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance in  this  matter,  you  will  see  that  the  work  pro- 
gresses without  delay  to  completion. 

S.  R.  Mallory, 
Seeretary,  Confederate  States  Navy. 

This  order  set  the,  ball  in, motion  and  Mr. 
Porter  had  full  sway.  Work  on  the  vessel  was 
pushed  as  rapidly  as  .possible,'  'and,  on,  the  8th 
of  March,  1862,  she  made  her  debut.  The, re- 
sult is  a  matter  of  geiier^l  history.     The  whole 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


899 


system  of  naval  architecture  was  re\nlution- 
ized  aiul  tlie  nations  of  the  old  world  realized 
the  fact  that  the  days  of  their  wooden  ships 
were  numberetl.  The  difference  in  the  plans 
of  Mr.  Porter  and  those  of  Federal  naval 
architects  was  that  in  his  boats  the  resisting 
surface  was  on  a  slant  wiiile  in  theirs  it  was 
perpendicular. 

In  the  summer  of  1861  before  the  ports  of 
the  Confederate  States  had  been  closed  by 
blockade.  Mr.  Porter  advised  Secretary  JMal- 
lory  to  import  from  Europe  iron-plating  and 
steam-engines  for  gtmboats  so  as  to  keep  the 
enemy  out.  but  the  Secretary  thought  the  war 
would  be  over  in  six  months  and  it  was  useless 
to  go  to  so  much  expense.  Had  the  advice 
been  taken  the  result  of  the  war  might  pos- 
sibly have  been  different.  Certainly  the 
"Louisiana"  and  "Mississippi'"  at  New  Or- 
leans would  have  been  tinished  in  time  to  have 
saved  that  city  from  capture  and  the  vessels 
which  were  supporting  McClellan"s  army  on 
the  Virginia  Peninsula  would  have  been  driven 
array.  The  South  was  rich  in  timber  with 
which  to  build  the  gunboats,  but  had  no  ma- 
chinery or  iron-plating  for  them. 

Mr.  Porter  was  made  chief  constructor  in 
the  Confederate  States  Navy,  a  position  corre- 
sjxMKling  with  that  of  chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Construction,  and  served  in  that  capacity  con- 
tinuously until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  de- 
signed most  of  the  iron-clads  built  in  the 
South,  and  also  several  seagoing  iron-clads. 
which  the  Confederate  government  contracted 
to  have  built  in  England  and  France,  but  which 
were  stopped  by  those  governments.  After 
the  war  he  went  to  Baltimore,  and  w^as  for  a 
time  superintendent  of  Abrams  &  Sons  ship- 
yard. He  had  charge  of  the  ship-building  de- 
partment of  the  Atlantic  Iron  ^^'orks  in  Nor- 
folk until  that  company  discontinued  business. 
He  was  superintendent  of  Baker's  shipyard  in 
Berkley  until  1883.  when  he  was  appointed 
superintendent  of  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries, 
serving  some  five  years  until  he  retired.    When 


Portsmouth    was    first    incorporated,    lie   was 
elected  president  of  the  first  City  Council. 

John  L.  Porter  married  Susan  N.  Buxton, 
who  was  born  in  Nansemond  County  in  18 17, 
and  -Still  resides  at  Portsmouth.  Their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  George  P..  of  Ports- 
mouth; Mary  Susan,  wife  of  Prof.  John  S. 
Moore,  of  Oxford,  Georgia:  Alice  F.,  who 
married  George  H.  Ellison,  both  deceased,  of 
Mobile.  Alabama':  John  W.  H. :  Martha  ]).. 
who  married  Prof.  Frank  P.  Brent,  now  of 
Richmond;  and  James  B.,  of  the  Norfolk  busi- 
ness firm  of  Porter.  McNeal  &  Company. 

John  W.  H.  Porter  attended  the  public 
schools,  and  later  the  Virginia  Collegiate  In- 
stitute in  Portsmouth,  and  was  pursuing  an 
academic  course  at  the  University  of  Virginia 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  \\'ar.  He  was  in 
one  of  the  companies  of  universitj-  students 
that  assisted  in  the  taking  of  Harper's  Ferry 
by  the  Virginia  troops  in  .\pril.  1861,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Portsmouth,  and  at  once 
entered  the  Confederate  service  as  a  member 
of  Company  K.  9th  Regiment,  Virginia  In- 
fantry', known  as  the  "Old  Dominion  Guard," 
He  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  Signal 
Corps,  and  again  in  the  infantry,  where  he  was 
promoted  to  lieutenant  in  1864,  serving  as  such 
until  the  war  closed.  He  was  19  years  old  at 
the  time  of  enlistment,  .\fter  the  war  he 
studied  law-  in  the  office  of  Godwin  &  Crocker, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1866,  at  once 
beginning  practice.  In  1872  he  was  elected 
city  attorney  and  served  as  such  for  a  period  of 
seven  years.  He  then  retired  from  practice  to 
devote  attention  to  new.spaper  work,  conduct- 
ing the  Porfsiiioiifli  Daily  Eiiterf*risc,  of  jivhich 
he  was  editi>r  and  publisher,  until  1889.  when 
he  sold  the  paper  and  resumed  the  practice  of 
law.  In  1883  he  was  elected  to  the  Virginia 
Legislature,  serving  two  successive  terms.  He 
has  served  as  councilman  from  the  Second 
^^'ard.  and  as  a  member  of  the  joint  ferry  com- 
mittee managing  the  Norfolk  County  Ferries. 
His  office  for  the  past  two  years  has  been  in 


45 


goo 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  Rosenbaum  Building.  The  members  of 
the  Porter  family  have  been  prominent  in  the 
administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  county  of 
Norfolk  and  cit)'  of  Portsmouth  since  the  early 
days  when  John  Porter,  Jr.,  first  located  there. 
John  W.  H.  Porter  was  joined  in  marriage 
in  January,  1869,  with  a  daughter  of  Owen  D. 
Ball,  of  Baltimore,  who  was  superintendent  of 
the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Railroad  and  resided 
some  years  at  Portsmouth.  She  is  a  direct  de- 
scendant of  Caleb  and  Priscilla  Dorsey,  of  Elk 
Ridge,  Maryland.  Two  children  were  born 
of  this  union :  J.  Ridgely,  bookkeeper  at  the 
Bank  of  Portsmouth;  and  Hunter  Ball,  who 
is  now  obtaining  his  intellectual  training.  Mr. 
Porter  is  a  member  of  the  ]\Ionumental  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  trustees  of  that  church. 


.^CHIBALD  OGG,  of  the  firm  of  Ogg 
&  Walker,  contractors  for  all  kinds 
of  stone  work,  who  is  located  at 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, in  1875.  His  father,  George  Ogg, 
whose  death  cx;curred  in  1896,  was  a  carver. 

Archibald  Ogg  was  reared  and  schooled  in 
Richmond,  and  sen-ed  a  portion  of  his  appren- 
ticeship under  his  father,  who  had  learned  his 
trade  and  art  in  his  native  country,  Scotland. 
His  partner  in  business,  Mr.  Walker,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Aberdeen,  Scotland.  These  gentlemen 
opened  their  business  in  Portsmouth,  in  1896, 
with  general  offices  at  Nos.  818-820  Glasgow 
street,  and  their  marble  and  monument  yard  is 
located  at  the  corner  of  Qiestnut  and  London 
streets.  They  have  also  another  large  yard 
where  the  stone-cutting  is  carried  on.  Since 
removing  to  Portsmouth,  this  firm  has  handled 
practically  all  of  the  large  contracts  in  stone 
work  in  the  city  and  vicinity.  At  the  present 
writing,  they  are  constructing  two  large  build- 
ings, which  will  be  a  credit  to  themselves  and 
to  the  community, — the  Court  Street  Baptist 


Church  and  the  Central  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  South.  They  employ  on  an  average 
25  men  the  year  round,  and  during  the  busiest 
seasons  often  have  from  50  to  75  men.  Among 
the  many  fine  buildings  they  have  erected  are 
the  ^Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank  at  Ports- 
mouth a  fine  bank  at  Suffolk,  and  several  large 
buildings  in  Norfolk.  They  have  also  built 
the  E.  M.  Tulley  monument,  the  Samuel  Bland 
monument  at  Berkley,  and  a  large  monument 
for  ]\Ir.  Griffin.  This  firm  has  by  far  the  larg- 
est business  of  the  kind  in  Norfolk  Count}',  and 
has  established  a  reputation  throughout  this 
section  of  Virginia. 

Mr.  Ogg  married  Mary  E.  Castine  of  Nor- 
folk, her  parents  being  residents  of  Norfolk 
County.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  un- 
ion, namely :  Isabel  and  George.  Mr.  Ogg 
has  a  home  on  the  boulevard  in  Park  View, 
the  charming  suburb  of  Portsmouth.  In  poli- 
tics, he  favors  the  Democratic  party.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Woodmen  of  the  \\'orld.  Pie  is 
deply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Portsmouth, 
and  is  one  of  that  city's  most  prominent  citi- 
zens. 

*~-^ 

ILLIAM  H.  STOKES,  an  old  and 
highly  esteemed  resident  of  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  is  principal  of  the 
Portsmouth  Academy,  a  vvell-pat- 
ronized   institution,    which   he   es- 
tablished in  1868.     He  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  in  1845,  ^"^  ^^  a  son  of  Isaiah  and 
Jane  (Morton)  Stokes. 

Isaiah  Stokes  was  a  pattern-maker  by  trade, 
and  followed  that  Lccupation  in  the  Navy 
Yard  until  his  retirement  five  years  before  his 
death  in  1875,  at  the  age  of  70  years.  He  was 
born  in  Ireland  and  served  in  the  Confederate 
Amiy  during  the  Intersectional  War.  He 
married,  in  America,  Jane  Morton,  a  native  of 
Ireland.  William  H.  Stokes  has  one  sister; 
and  a  brother,  Edward 'S.,  who  joined  tlie 
Porthmouth  National  Grays,  of  which  his 
father  was  a  sergeant,  served  during  the  war 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


901 


arid  died  October  4.  1864.  in  Chimborazo  Hos- 
pital at  Richmond,  about  two  weeks  after  be- 
coming of  age. 

William  H.  Stokes  was  an  infant  when  his 
parents  located  in  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and 
he  first  attended  public  school  in  the  basement 
of  the  Court  Street  Baptist  Church.  He  then 
attended  the  \'irginia  Collegiate  Institute,  un- 
der Prof.  N.  B.  V/ebster,  until  the  outbreak 
of  the  Confederate  War.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  be  became  a  bookkeeper  in  the  naval  store- 
kee])er's  office  in  the  Navy  Yord.  and  served 
thus  until  the  office  was  abolished,  in  July, 
1867.  He  then  began  teaching,  having  estab- 
lished the  Portsmouth  Academy,  on  County 
street,  between  Court  and  Dinwiddle  streets. 
It  began  \\-ith  an  attendance  of  15  pupils, 
about  10  of  whom  were  in  the  primary  depart- 
ment, of  which  his  sister.  Miss  E.  J.  Stokes.* 
has  had  charge  since  the  start.  In  1873,  the 
school  was  removed  to  Court  street,  opposite 
the  site  of  the  old  St.  John's  Church,  where  it 
remained  for  15  years.  In  the  meantime  the 
attendance  had  greatly  increased.  It  was  then 
moved,  in  1887,  to  No.  401  Crawford  street, 
where  it  has  since  been  l<x:ated.  A  night 
school  was  established  which  convenes  three 
nights  a  week,  its  object  being  to  prepare  boys 
for  examination  in  the  Navy  Yard.  This 
course  includes  lK)okkeeping.  mathematics  and 
penmanship.  Many  prominent  business  men 
received  their  start  in  this  institution,  and  a 
few  girls  also  attend,  most  of  them  being  in  the 
primar}-  dqiariment.  The  night-school  ses- 
sion continues  for  eight  months,  and  the  day- 
school  session,  for  two  months  longer.  The 
recent  enrollment  is  85  students.  There  are 
two  large  school  rooms,  and  alcove  them  is 
the  home  of  Professor  Stokes.  He  edited  the 
Portsmouth  Times  from  1880  to  188;.  until 
the  failure  of  Bain  &  Brother,  and  at  different 
times  since  has  been  editor  of  the  Portsmouth 
Record.  At  one  time,  he  was  associate  editor 
of  the  Portsmouth  Enterprise,  with  John  W. 
H.  Porter. 

Mr.  Stokes  was  united  in  marriage  with 


Josie  E.  Clemm  of  Baltimore,  October  11, 
1877,  and  five  children   were  boni  to  them, 

I  namely :  Annie ;  Josie  Clemm ;  William  Reese ; 

I  Emily  Anerson ;  and  Ralph  Mort(.)n.  Annie 
married  J.  Harlan  Winslow  of  Shelby,  North 

I  Carolina,  who  is  identified  with  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Railway.  They  have  two  daughters, 
Amiie  Marie  and  Madge  Stokes.  Josie  Clemm 
died  at  the  age  of  five  years,  and  William 
Reese  died  at  about  the  age  of  two  years. 
Emily  Anerson  is  15  years  old.  and  lives  .at 
home.  Ralph  Morton,  who  was  born  in  1890, 
also  lives  at  home.  In  politics,  Mr.  Stokes  is 
a  Democrat,  and  he  has  frequently  been  urged 
to  run  for  mayor.     Socially  he  is  a  member 

,  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.     In  religious  belief, 

j  he  is  a  Presbj^terian,  as  was  his  father.  He 
has  been  an  elder  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Portsmouth  since  1869,  and  is  also 
superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school. 


E.  CRUMP,  secretary  and  treasurer 
of  the  Portsmouth  Cotton  Manufac- 
turing Company,  was  born  in  Rich- 
mond, Henrico  County,  \^irginia,  in 
j  1859-     He    has    been  a  resident  of 

Portsmouth  for  the  past  32  years,  and  is  one 
of  that  city's  most  influential  citizens. 

Mr.  Crump  has  been  associated  with  the 
Portsmoutli  Cotton  Manufacturing   Company 
since  1898.    The  board  of  directors'  first  meet- 
ing was  held  January  2.  1893,  to  arrange  for 
'■  the  erection  of  a  cotton  factor)-  in  Portsmouth. 
The  directors  were  as  follows :  W.  G.  Parker ; 
Franklin  D.   GiH:  T.   W.   Whisnant :  Joseph 
F.     Weaver:    Joseph    A.    Parker;    John    L. 
^  Thomas;  James  A.  Mulvey :  A.  J.  Phillips;  E. 
W.  Owens ;  John  L.  W^atson ;  John  T.  King ; 
S.  P.  Oast;  L.  H.  Pearson;  John  H.  Hume: 
V.  G.  Culpepper:  and  Robert  Bohlken.     Mr. 
Whisnant  was  elected  president  of  the  com- 
I  pany;AV.  G.  Parker,  vice-president;  James  A. 
Mulve}-,  secretary- ;  and   Alexander    B.    Butt, 
■  treasurer.     W.  G.  Parker  wa^  made  president 


9o2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  tlie  company,  ^lay  22,  1895,  and  on  July 
8,  1896,  E.  N.  Wilcox  became  secretary,  suc- 
ceeding Mr.  Alulvey.  July  7,  1898,  Mr.  Crump 
was  elected  secretary  to  succeed  Mr.  Wilcox, 
and  on  January  9.  T901,  he  was  made  secretar\' 
and  treasurer,  at  which  time  the  two  offices 
were  merged  into  one.  The  capital  stock  of 
the  Portsmouth  Cotton  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany is  very  valuable,  and  the  company  is  pay- 
ing large  dividends. 

Mr.  Crump  is  a  man  of  splendid  business 
ability,  and  he  is  interested  in  several  oi  the 
leading  enterprises  of  Portsmouth.  For  the 
past  19  years,  he  has  been  associated  wifli  the 
Greenleaf- Johnson  Lumber  Company,  acting 
in  the  capacity  of  secretary.  He  is  chairman 
of  the  finance  committee  of  the  City  Council 
of  Portsmouth,  and  is  considered  one  of  the 
most  progressive  business  men  of  that  city. 
He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Ports- 
mouth, and  always  gives  his  assistance  when 
any  worthy  mo-vement  is  undertaken  to  im- 
prove the  city.  ]\Ir.  Crump  has  an  elegant 
home  at  No.  109  Court  street.  Mr.  Crump 
was  joined  in  marriage,  in  1889,  to  Eugenia  T. 
Schmeder,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Schroeder,  of 
Portsmouth,  \'irginia,  who  was,  prior  to  the 
war  Ijetween  the  States,  in  the  United  States 
Navy.  But  at  the  beginning  of  that  war,  he 
enlisted  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  the 
Confederate  States  Navy.  Mrs.  Schroeder,, 
the  mother  of  Mrs.  R.  E.  Crump,  was  Ixirn  in 
Portsmouth  and  was  descended  from  one  of  the 
early  families  of  Virginia.  Mrs.  Crump  is 
president  of  Portsmouth  Chapter,  United 
Daughters  of  the  Confederacv. 


TEPHEN  BOWERS,  an  extensive 
brick  contractor  of  Portsmouth,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  was  born  on 
the  Western  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 
River,  Norfolk  Comity,  August  22, 
He  is  a  son  of  Jeremiah  Bowers,  who 

His  sTandfa- 


1829 

was  born  in  Norfolk  Countv 


ther  was  also  a  Virginian. 


Jeremiah  Bowers  was  a  wheelwright  and 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  worked  for  many 
years  in  Norfolk.  He  also  farmed  somewhat 
in  the  county.  He  married  JMahala  'McPher- 
son,  who-  was  born  in  Perc^uimans  Countv, 
North  Carolina.  She  removed  with  her  par- 
ents to  Portsmouth,  where  she  was  married 
and  where  she  died  in  1855.  She  left  three 
sons, — Samuel  and  Thomas,  who  are  deaeased  ; 
and  Stephen,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Stephen  Bowers  was  reared  in  Portsmouth. 
He  served  an  apprenticeship  as  a  brick-mason 
with  William  B.  Cullens,  who  is  deceased.  He 
was  with  that  gentleman  from  1843  until 
1848,  and  then  entered  into  business  for  him- 
self. He  is  now  engaged  in  government  con- 
tracting, and  has  erected  all  of  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line  Railway  buildings  in  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Bowers  married  Mary  Jane  Denby, 
who  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  March  24, 
1 83 1.  She  is  a  daughter  of  William  B.  Denby, 
an  early  resident  of  Portsmouth.  Her  mother 
was  Jane  Veale,  a  descendant  from  Crawford 
Veale,  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Ports- 
mouth. Mrs.  Bowers'  uncle.  Dr.  Dempsey 
Veale,  practiced  medicine  at  Deep  Creek  for 
many  years.  One  sister,  Adelia  D.  Denby,  is 
deceased ;  she  married  William  Virnelson,  and 
at  her  death,  left  two  children, — Clififord,  who 
is  assistant  gunner  in  the  L'nited  States  Navy, 
and  is  now  located  near  Philadelphia:  and 
Mamie,  the  wfe  of  Clarence  T.  Peed,  a  clerk 
in  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  Railway  offices,  who 
lives  in  Portsmouth,  and  has  three  children, 
viz. :     Clarence ;  Ralph  D. ;  and  Adelia  A. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bowers  have  had  eight  chil- 
dren, two  oi  whom  are  deceased.  Their 
names  are :  Alice  Dale,  deceased ;  Sallie,  the 
wife  of  James  C.  Curlin ;  Will  D. ;  Blanche; 
Josephine;  Delia,  deceased:  May.  the  wife  of 
Paul  Whitehurst;  and  Eva,  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward M.  Dashiell. 

Mr.  Bowers  and  his  son.  Will  D.,  are  now- 
erecting  two  large  magazine  buildings  at  the 
United  States  Arsenal  in  Norfolk  County. 
Thev   have   done  much  work  for  the  orovern- 


LYSANDER   HENRY    KINGMAN. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


905 


nieiit    and    the  Seaboard    Air    Line    Railway.   | 
They  also  erected  the  Chamljerlin  Hotel  at  Old  j 
Point,  the  Po.st  Office  at  Xorfolk.  and  many 
other  large  and  important  structures  in  the  cit\- 
and  vicinity.     Will  I).  Bowers  has  also  done  a 
large  amount  of   work   in   Xew   York   City. 
This  firm  is  one  of  the  best  known  of  the  kind 
in  \'irginia.  and  their  workmanship  is  of  the  ! 
highest  order.     They  have  done  much  to  as- 
sist in  the  general  progress  of  Xorfolk  Coun- 
ty,  and   stand   among   the    foremost   business 
men  of  Portsmouth. 


S.  W'lLSOX,  master  machinist,  out- 
side, in  the  United  States  Xavy 
Yard  at  Portsmouth,  X'orfolk  Coun- 
ty. X'irginia,  was  born  in  that  city  in 
1862.  He  is  a  son  of  James  R.  Wil- 
son, who  was  connected  with  the  Xavy  Yard 
for  many  years. 

James  R.  Wilson  was  born  in  Maryland. 
on  Chesapeake  Bay.  He  was  a  ship-joiner  in 
the  Xavy  Yard  for  many  years,  and  died  in 
1892.  Besides  R.  S.,  another  son,  James  H., 
lives  in  Portsmouth.  James  R.  Wilson's  fam- 
ily were  all  natives  of  Baltimore,  Maryland. 
R.  S.  Wilson  attended  the  public  schools 
of  Portsmouth,  and  also  Prof.  X".  B.  Web- 
ster's school  in  Xorfolk.  Since  entering  upon 
his  business  career,  he  has  continued  his  studies 
both  by  correspondence  and  in  schools.  In  the 
summer  of  1878,  at  the  age  of  16  years,  he  en- 
tered the  Xavy  Yard  as  an  apprentice.  In 
1899,  he  was  gi\en  his  present  jxjsition,  that  of 
master  machinist  on  tb.e  mitside.  He  has 
charge  of  all  re])air  work  on  all  machinery 
afloat,  and  placed  the  machinery  in  the  "Ra- 
leigh.'" He  was  connected  with  the  work  on 
the  "Texas"  and  many  others  among  the  prin- 
cipal vessels  of  the  navy.  Mr.  Wilson  is  what 
may  be  termed  a  self-marle  man.  He  has  al- 
ways sought  to  improve  his  mind  and  gain 
additional  knowledge  of  his  profession,  and  he 
is  possessed  or  more  than  irdinarv  ability. 


Mr.  Wilson  married  Alice  E.  \\'ilson,  a 
daughter  of  Willis  Wilson,  who  was  a  Con- 
federate soldier.  He  was  a  member  of  Grimes' 
Battery,  Artillery,  and  died  S(K)n  after  the  war 
closed.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wil.son  have  four 
daughters  and  two  sons,  namely:  Herbert 
L..  who  is  learning  draughting  in  the  engineer- 
ing department  in  the  Xavy  Yard :  Georgia 
Elizabeth,  who  attends  school  in  Portsmouth ; 
Mary  Maupin  and  Dora,  also  at  school ;  Hazel ; 
and  Roliert. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wilson  is  a  Republican. 
Socially,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Ocean  Council, 
X'^o.  1.063,  RoyaJ  Arcanum:  and  X'ational 
Union.  He  also  belongs  to  the  B.  P.  O.  E. ; 
.Vtlantic  Lodge.  Xo.  24,  Knights  of  Pythias; 
and  the  Independent  Fire  Company.  The  \\'il- 
son  family  attend  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal 
Cluu-ch.  South. 


YSAXDER  HEXRY  KIXGMAN, 
deceased,  for  many  years  a  well- 
known  resident  of  X'orfolk  County, 
Virginia,  was  lx>rn  in  Amherst.  Mas- 


sachusetts, 


in  I003.  He  came  to 
Xorfolk  County,  \'irginia,  when  a  yoiuig  man 
and  engaged  in  teaching  school. 

Mr.  Kingman  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Elizabeth  Carney,  who  died  in  !<S37.  His  sec- 
ond marriage  was  contracted  with  Mrs.  Tay- 
lor, n€e  Grimes.  He  was  again  married,  wed- 
ding Mrs.  Wilder,  who  died  in  1863.  In 
1865  he  married  }ilrs.  Joseph  ^L  Wise,  who 
was  born  in  Elizabeth  City.  Xorth  Carolina, 
November  19,  1824,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Dr. 
John  M.  Krozer.  Dr.  Krozer  was  a  graduate 
of  the  Imperial  College  of  X'ienna ;  ujkju  com- 
ing to  the  United  States  he  located  at  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  where  he  married  Fran- 
ces Mayer,  a  native  of  (Germany.  Tlieir  chil- 
dren were:  Dr.  John  J.  R. :  and  Mrs.  King- 
man. Mrs.  Kingman  was  first  married  in 
1839,  to  Andrew  J.  Wise,  who  died  in  1862, 
at  the  age  of  44  years. 


9o6 . 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mr.  Kingman  was  a  teaclier.  lawyer  and 
farmer,  and  stood  high  among  his  fellow  men. 
He  served  as  a  justice  of  Norfolk  Cotmty  be- 
fore and  during  the  Confederate  War.  He 
was  a  Baptist  in  his  i-eligious  attachment, 
while  in  political  belief  he  was  a  strong  Whig. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  residing  on 
the  farm  of  120  acres,  which  is  now  owned  by 
his  widow,  and  is  under  the  management  of 
Henry  Duke.  Mrs.  Kingman  is  one  of  the 
grand  old  ladies,  for  which  the  South  is  noted. 
Especially  is  she  kind  to  the  young,  and  al- 
though she  has  never  had  any  children  of  her 
own.  she  has  reared  many  homeless  ones. 

A  portrait  of  Lysander  Henry  Kingman 
accompanies   this  mention. 


URDON  K.  BAKER,  deceased,  who 
came  of  a  prominent  old  family  of 
Virginia,  was  engaged  in  pile  driv- 
ing, dredging  and  wharf  building, 
his  residence  being  at  the  comer  of 
Main  and  Virginia  streets,  in  Berkley.  He 
was  born  in  Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1850,  and  was  a  son  of  Capt.  Joseph 
and  Rachel  (Moody)  Baker,  and  grandson  of 
Barnabas  Baker,  who  w'as  a  sea-captain. 

Joseph  Baker  was  born  in  West  Dennis, 
Massachusetts,  and  received  his  mental  train- 
ing in  that  State,  his  mother  and  sister,  Nabby 
Taylor,  being  school  teachers.  He  was  mas- 
ter of  a  vessel  when  fourteen  years  old,  and 
took  a  vessel  filled  with  corn  to  Ireland,  during 
the  famine  there  in  1846.  In  that  year,  he 
and  his  brother  Barnabas  came  south  and  lo- 
cated first  at  Portsmouth,  where  they  remained 
until  the  winter  of  1856-57,  when  they 
moved  to  Berkley,  Virginia.  They  were  the 
first  wreckers  in  the  bay  and  liecame  the  most 
extensive  operators  in  that  line  in  the  United 
States.  They  were  the  most  daring  as  well 
as  the  most  successful,  wreckers  of  their  day, 
and  were  always  on  hand,  day  or  night,  when 
inforn^ed   of   trouble.      Thev    sent   a    steamer 


named  the  B.  &  J.  Baker  on  a  wrecking  expedi- 
tion to  Africa,  but  this  did  not  result  success- 
fully.    At  another  time    they    went  to  Cape 
Horn  for  a  similar  purpose.     Tliey  raised  the 
"Merrimac"   for  the  Confederates.    They  also 
raised  the  "Germantown,"  which  was  sunk  in 
1 86 1.     They  worked  on  the  government  man- 
of-war  which  was  lost  off  the  coast  of  North 
Carolina,  and  assisted  in  carrying  down  crews, 
some  of  which  were  lost.     In  1877.  while  sav- 
ing a  Norwegian  bark,  loaded  with  barrels  of 
petroleum,  Barnabas  Baker  fell  into  the  hold, 
and  his  death  resulted  an  hour  later,  at  the 
age  of  72  years.     He  was  a  brave  and  daring 
mian,  and  performed  many  heroic  services  dur- 
ing his  life.     At  one  time  when  their  vessel 
was  in  a  storm,  he  lashed  those  en  board  up  in 
the  rigging  and  then  proceeded  to  fasten  him- 
self likewise.     The  vessel  sank  to  such  a  depth 
that  only  the  mast  was  above  water.     They 
were  rescued  by  a  friendly  vessel,  and  only  two 
of  the  number  died,  their  deaths  resulting  from 
the  extreme  cold.     The  company  O'wned  one 
of  the  first  steamers  of  the  harbor  of  Norfolk, 
the  "Bladen,"   and    also    were    possessed    of 
steamers  and  sailing  vessels  of  all  kinds.     In 
1 86 1,   they   sent   down   a   tug  called   "Young 
America,"  after  a  vessel  in  distress,  which  had 
on  board  a  cargo  of  sugar  and  molasses.     The 
tug  went  to  Hampton  Roads,  and  was  taken 
bv  the  Federals  and  confiscated,  although  she 
was  going  on  a  peaceful  mission,  before  Nor- 
folk Harbor  was  blockaded.     After  the  death 
of  Barnabas   Baker,   Capt.  Joseph   Baker  as- 
sumed charge  of  the  business  and  carried  it  on 
for  a  number  of  years,  when  the  Baker  Sal- 
vage Company  was  formed  in    Norfolk  and 
Berkley.     He  continued  with  the  company  un- 
til it  sold  out,   when  he  undertook  dredging 
and  wharf  building,  which  he  followed  until 
his  death.     He  was    born  October  23,    1813, 
and  died  March  6,   1893.     In   1835,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Rachel  Moody,  who 
was  born  June  30,  18 13,  and  died  January  i, 
1874.   Both  Avere  devout  members  of  the  Pres- 
bvterian  Church.     Seven  children  blessed  their 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


907 


unidii.  of  whom  three  died  before  coming  to 
\'irginia.  namely :  Albert  A.  and  Lydia,  who 
died  the  same  week,  of  scarlet  fever;  and 
Tiiankful,  who  died  in  1846,  aged  one  year. 
TlK)se  who  grew  to  maturity  W'Cre, — Joseph 
A.,  a  record  of  whose  life  appears  elsewhere 
in  this  work;  Mercy  B..  wife  of  Capt.  J.  J. 
Cole,  who  was  identified  with  the  wrecking 
business;  Gurdon  K..  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch  :  and  Ann  L..  wife  of  William  H.  Kirby. 

Gurdon  K.  Baker  was  educated  in  Char- 
lotte, North  Carolina,  and  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
and  after  school  days  engaged  in  business  with 
his  father.  He  succeeded  to  the  latter's  busi- 
ness, which  he  conducted  until  his  death.  He 
died  August  14.  1895.  at  the  age  of  45  years, 
and  was  the  last  of  tne  seven  children  born  to 
his  parents. 

Mr.  Baker  was  married  November  3,  1881, 
to  Nannie  Hodges,  a  native  of  Berkley  and 
daughter  of  George  T.  and  Herbert  A.  (Live- 
ly) Hodges.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Nor- 
folk County.  X'irginia,  and  her  mother,  of 
Hampton,  Virginia.  Mr.  Hodges  was  born 
in  Norfolk,  and  became  commissioner  of  rev- 
enue and  looked  after  his  father's  business. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  40  years,  and  his  w'ife 
at  the  age  of  34  years.  Religiousl}',  they  were 
Episcopalians.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  became 
the  parents  of  four  children,  namely :  Clar- 
ence H.,  who  died  at  -he  age  of  two  years ;  Jo- 
seph P.,  who  attends  school:  Gurdon  K.,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  one  year ;  and  Gurdon  K.,  the 
seci.md  son  to  bear  that  name.  ^Irs.  Baker  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbvterian  Church. 


>SEPH  A.  BAKER,  who  was  a  ma- 
rine engineer  and  a  wrecker  through- 
out his  entire  business  career,  lost  his 
life  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.    He 
was  just  entering  his  prime  and  was 
highly  esteemed  by  his  acquaintances,  to  whom 
his  unfortunate  end  was  a  sad  blow.     He  was 
lx)rn  June  14.   1840.  and  was  a  son  of  Capt. 


Joseph  and  Rachel  (Moody)  Baker.  His 
grandfather  on  the  narental  side  was  Barnabas 
Baker,  who  was  a  sea-captain,  and  he  comes 
of  Puritan  stock. 

Capt.  Joseph  Baker  was  born  in  West  Den- 
nis, Massachusetts,  and  received  his  mental 
training  in  that  State.  His  mother  and  sister, 
Nabby  Taylor,  were  school  teachers.  He  was 
master  of  a  vessel  when  14  years  old,  and  took 
a  vessel  loaded  with  corn  to  Ireland,  during 
the  famine  there  in  1846.  In  that  year  he  and 
his  brother  Barnabas  came  south  and  located 
first  at  Portsmouth,  where  they  remained  until 
the  winter  of  1856- 1857,  when  they  removed 
to  Berkle)-,  \'irginia.  They  were  the  first 
wreckers  in  the  bay  and  became  the  most  ex- 
tensive operators  in  that  line  in  the  United 
States.  They  were  the  most  daring,  as  well 
as  the  most  succesful,  wreckf-rs  of  their  day, 
and  were  always  on  hand,  day  and  night,  when 
infomied  of  the  trouble.  They  sent  a  steamer 
named  the  "B.  &  J.  Baker,"'  on  a  wrecking  ex- 
pedition to  Africa,  but  this  did  not  result  suc- 
cessfully. At  another  time  they  went  to  Cape 
Horn  for  a  similar  purpose.  They  raised  the 
"Merrimac"  for  the  Confederatc^<.  They  also 
raised  the  "Germantown,"  which  was  sunk  in 
1 86 1.  They  worked  on  the  government  man- 
iif-war  which  was  lost  ofT  the  coast  of  North 
Carolina,  and  assisted  in  carrying  down  crews, 
some  of  which  were  lost.  In  1877,  while 
ser\-ing  a  Norwegian  bark,  loaded  with  petro- 
leum in  barrels,  Barnabas  Baker  fell  into  the 
hold  and  his  death  resulted  an  hour  later,  at 
the  age  of  72  years.  He  was  a  brave  and  dar- 
ing man,  and  performed  many  heroic  services 
during  his  life.  At  one  time  when  their  ves- 
sel was  in  a  storm,  he  lashed  those  on  board 
up  in  file  rigging  and  then  proceeded  to  do  the 
same  to  himself.  The  vessel  sunk  to  such  a 
depth  that  only  the  mast  was  above  water. 
They  were  rescued  by  a  friendly  vessel,  and 
only  two  of  the  number  died,  their  deaths  re- 
{  suiting  from  the  excessive  cold  and  exposure. 
The  company  owned  one  of  the  first  steamers 
of  the  harbor  of  Norfolk,  the  "Bladen,"  and 


908 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


also  were  possessed  of  steamers  and  sailing 
vessels  of  all  kinds.  In  1861,  they  sent  down 
a  tug  called  "Y'oung  x\merica,"  after  a  vessel 
which  had  on  board  a  cargo  of  sugar  and  mo- 
lasses. The  tug  went  to  Hampton  Roads,  and 
was  taken  by  the  Federals  and  confiscated,  al- 
though she  was  going  en  a  peaceful  mission, 
before  Norfolk  harbor  was  blockaded.  After 
the  death  of  Barnabas  Baker,  Captain  Joseph 
Baker  assumed  charge  of  the  business  and 
carried  it  on  for  a  number  O'f  years,  when  the 
Baker  Salvage  Company  was  formed  in  Nor- 
folk and  Berkley.  He  continued  with  the  com- 
pany until  it  was  sold  out,  when  he  undertook 
dredging  and  wharf  building,  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  his  death.  He  was  born  October 
23,  1813,  and  died  March  6,  1893.  In  1835, 
he  married  Rachel  Moody,  who  was  born  June 
30.  1813,  and  died  January  i,  1874.  Both 
were  de\-ont  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Seven  children  blessed  their  union, 
of  whom  three  died  before  coming  to  Vir- 
ginia, namely :  Albert  A.  and  Lydia,  who  died 
in  the  same  week  of  scarlet  fever:  and  Thank- 
ful, who  died  in  1846,  aged  one  year.  Those 
wlio  grew  to  maturity  were, — Joseph  A. : 
Mercy  B.,  wife  of  Capt.  J.  J.  Cole,  who  was 
identified  with  the  wrecking  business ;  Gurdon 
K.,  whose  biography  is  also  in  this  work;  and 
Ann  L.,  wife  of  William  H.  Kirby. 

Joseph  A.  Baker  was  educated  in  Norfolk. 
where  he  attended  Professor  Webster's  school, 
and  later  Professor  White's  school.  After 
school  days,  he  went  into  business  with  his 
father,  but  not  liking  it  did  not  work  steadily 
at  wrecking.  He  sought  other  employment, 
but  always  returned  when  his  father  needed 
his  assistance  in  emero-ency  cases.  He  and  his 
brother-in-law.  Captain  Cole,  took  the  first 
steamer  to  Richmond  after  the  war,  and  later 
he  was  engineer  on  a  steamer  which  conv^eved 
troops  all  through  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  He 
started  east,  and  was  discharged  from  the  ser- 
vice before  reaching  New  Y'ork.  He  continued 
as  a  worker  in  the  Navy  Y''ard,  and  was  engi- 
neer on  different  boats  until  his  death.     Upon 


the  request  of  his  father,  he  went  to  the  as- 
sistance of  a  boat  which  was  ashore  on  Smith's 
Island.  In  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  he  had 
all  the  pumps  arranged  and  ready  for  operation 
as  soon  as  the  tide  was  suitable.  At  the  in- 
stance of  Capt.  King,  he  lay  down  to  rest. 
He  had  been  asleep  but  a  short  time  when  it 
was  discovered  that  something  was  wrong  with 
the  boiler,  and  he  was  awakened  to  right  the 
matter.  He  knew  at  once  that  the  boiler  had 
on  too  much  steam,  and  with  lantern  in  hand 
and  a  monkey  wrench  to  ooqh  the  safety-valve, 
he  approached  it.  The  boiler  blew  up,  instant- 
ly killing  him  and  the  two  Cobb  brothers,  and 
wounding  several  others.  This  terrible  acci- 
dent occurred  on  August  30,  1869,  when  he 
was  29  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Baker  was  married  January  22,  1863, 
to  Henrietta  S.  Long,  a  native  of  Maine,  and 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Nancy  Long.  Mrs. 
Baker  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
]Mr.  Baker  belonged  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


folk. 


ARRISON  S.  ACKISS  was  formerly 
the  assistant  treasurer  of  the  Bridge- 
port Sih-er  Plate  Company,  and  also 
for  many  years  was  the  efficient  clerk 
of  the  United  States  Court  in  Nor- 
Norfolk  County,  \''irginia.  He  was  born 
in  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia,  July  31, 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Mary 
Anne  (  Seneca),  Ackiss. 

William  H.  Ackiss  and  his  wife  were  both 
natives  of  Princess  Anne  County.  William  H. 
Ackiss  has  always  given  much  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  is  still  engaged  in 
farming.  Their  son,  Caleb  L.,  was  for  several 
years  stenographer  to  the  naval  constructor  at 
the  Navy  Y'ard  at  Portsmouth,  which  position 
he  lately  resigned,  and  is  now  connected  with 
the  passenger  department  of  the  Boston  &  Al- 
bany Railroad.  Boston,  Massachusetts.  A 
sister,  younger  than  the  subject  hereof,  died  at 
the  age  of  five  years,  and  the  remainder  of  the 


t''*^        .<:  ■ 


SAMUEL    T.    HAND. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


9" 


eight  cliildren  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ackiss 
are  living  in  Princes*  .\nne  County. 

Harrison  S.  Ackiss.  whose  name  heads 
these  lines,  attended  the  public  schools  of  Prin- 
cess Anne  County,  after  which  he  went  to  New 
York,  where  he  entered  a  business  college, 
from  which  he  was  graduated.  He  then  ac- 
cepted a  position  as  boiikkeeper.  and  worked 
at  that  several  years.  In  1888  he  settled  in 
Norfolk.  \'irginia,  where  from  1890  until  1S92 
he  was  deputy  clerk.  In  1892  Mr.  Ackiss  was 
made  clerk  of  the  United  States  courts  in  Nor- 
folk, and  tilled  that  position  with  credit  and 
honor  to  all  until  1898.  His  services  in  the 
capacity  of  clerk  of  the  United  States  courts 
were  excellently  rendered  and  his  resignation 
was  received  with  much  regret.  He  next  en- 
tered mercantile  business  as  assistant  treasurer 
of  the  Bridgeport  Silver  Plate  Company,  an 
office  which  he  held  for  two  years,  until  No- 
vember. 1900. 

Mr.  Ackiss  was  married  November  21, 
1893.  to  Lizzie  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  Will- 
iam A.  and  Ella  Anderson.  Mr.  Anderson 
has  an  iron  foundry  in  Norfolk,  and  is  an  in- 
fluential citizen  of  the  city.  Two  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Ackiss, — Ella 
D.  and  Harrison  S..  Jr.  The  family  attend 
the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  .\ckiss  is  well  known 
in  Norfolk,  where  he  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
all  public  enterprises  which  are  undertaken  for 
the  advancement  of  the  communitv. 


VMUEL  T.  HAND,  a  chief  engineer 
in  the  merchant  marine,  lately  retired 
from  service  at  sea,  is  a  gentleman  of 
marked  ability  as  a  marine  engineer, 
as  his  years  of  successful  service  tes- 
tify. He  resides  at  No.  600  Chestnut  street, 
Portsmouth.  Virginia.  Mr.  Hand  was  bom  at 
Warren.  Massachusetts,  October  29,  1845,  ^nd 
is  the  only  son  of  Samuel  T.  and  Lois  C.  (Cur- 
tis )  Hand,  and  grandson  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth ( Pennington ^  Hand.     Tlie  beloved  pater- 


nal grandparents  passed  their  last  days  at  the 
home  of  the  father  of  the  suljject  thereof,  in 
Somerset  Count\-,  New  Jersey. 

Samuel  T.  Hand,  Sr.,  the  father,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Somerset  County,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
was  born  August  31,  1819.  He  was  a  man  of 
splendid  business  sagacity,  and  for  more  than 
half  a  century  served  as  su|>erintendent  of 
roads  and  bridges  of  the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke 
Railroad,  now  a  pan  of  the  Seal)<jard  .-\ir  Line 
Railway.  He  left  his  native  State,  and  located 
in  \'irginia  about  1848.  The  following  year. 
he  entered  the  service  of  the  aforesaid  com- 
I)any,  as  one  of  its  officials.  His  sujierior  ex- 
ecutive ability  fitted  him  to  a  nicetv  for  such  a 
position  and  the  success  of  that  company  is  at- 
tributed largely  to  his  efforts.  Although  it 
was  his  earnest  desire  to  spend  his  closing  years 
in  retirement,  through  the  earnest  and  com- 
bined efforts  of  the  other  oflricials,  he  was  per- 
suaded to  retain  his  position,  and  continued  in 
the  business  for  which  he  was  so  admirably 
adapted,  up  to  his  last  illness.  His  death  took 
place  June  11.  1900.  He  was  quite  prominent 
in  Masonic  circles. 

The  mother  oi  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  She  was 
born  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  March  10, 
1812,  and  passed  to  her  final  rest,  January  19. 
1899.  She  and  her  husband  were  the  parents 
of  three  children. — two  daughters  and  one  son. 
Tlie  son  was  the  second  child  born  to  them,  and 
is  the  only  surviving  meml>er  of  the  family. 

Sarah,  the  eldest,  was  born  September  13. 
1843,  ''nd  died  August  26.  1848.  Mary  J.,  the 
youngest  daughter,  died  in  1855,  during  the 
prevalence  of  yellow  fever,  being  only  one  year 
old  at  the  time  of  her  death. 

Samuel  T.  Hand  attended  Webster  Collegi- 
ate Institute  of  Portsmouth,  and  after  leaving 
school  entered  the  machine  shops  in  the  same 
city,  where  he  served  a  three  years'  apprentice- 
ship. He  then  went  to  Wilmington.  Dela- 
ware, and  worked  one  year  in  the  marine  ma- 
chine shops  of  that  place.  Later,  he  served  for 
some   time  as    jnl   assistant   engineer   in    the 


912. 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


United  States  Navy.  \Vhen  the  Confederate 
War  broke  out,  he  enHsted  in  Company  D, 
9th  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  but,  in  a 
short  time,  was  discharged  for  disability.  He 
returned  to  the  service  in  the  navy,  from  which 
he  resigned  in  1865,  and  spent  some  time  in  the 
shops  of  the  Seaboard  &  Roanoke  Railroad. 
He  was  soon  promoted  to  be  an  engineer  and 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  locomotive.  A  little 
later  he  was  transferred  to  one  of  the  Seaboard 
company's  boats,  where  he  also  served  as  engi- 
neer. Severing  his  connection  with  that  com- 
pany, he  entered  a  similar  service  with  the  Pio- 
neer Line,  and  later  with  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Company,  where  he  remained  for  a 
period  of  27  years.  He  finally  resigned  his 
position  with  that  company  in  May,  1900. 
Since  1S66,  he  has  been  a  chief  engineer  in  the 
merchant  marine,  a  position  he  is  well  qualified 
to  fill  in  an  able  manner. 

Mr.  Hand  has  l)een  twice  married.  His 
first  wife  was,  before  marriage,  Margaret  Vir- 
ginia Divine,  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  but 
reared  principally  in  Virginia.  She  crossed 
the  river  of  death,  June  25,  1897,  after  31 
years  of  happy  wedded  life;  she  was  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  . 

On  March  16,  1899,  Mr.  Hand  was  again 
married,  Mary  J.  Pritchett  being  this  time 
the  lady  of  his  choice.  The  ceremony  took 
place  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  of  which  the 
present  Mrs.  Hand  was  then  a  resident,  al- 
though she  is  not  a  native  of  that  place.  She 
was  born  October  7,  1870,  at  Elizabeth  City, 
North  Carolina.  Two  children  bless  this  un- 
ion, Samuel  T.,  Jr.,  and  Margaret  Lois.  Mrs, 
Hand  is  one  of  a  familv  of  seven  children,  and 
early  embraced  the  faith  of  the  Protestant 
Episcojjal  Church. 

In  his  lon^:;-  and  e\-entful  service  on  ocean- 
going steamships.  Mr.  Hand  had  many  inter- 
esting exj^eriences,  his  duty  calling  him  on 
Chesapeake  Bay,  the  North  Carolina  sounds, 
the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  Caribbean  Sea ;  he  fre- 
quently visited  Cuba  in  charge  of  one  of  the 
largest  steamships.     Since  1900.  when  he  re- 


signed his  position  with  the  Old  Dominion 
Steamship  Compnay,  he  has  been  largely  inter- 
ested in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  has  a  1,400- 
acre  farm  in  Southampton  County,  which  he 
personally  oversees.  He  raises  cotton,  peanuts, 
and  corn, — the  annual  yield  being  about  eight 
bales  of  cotton  and  300  bags  of  peanuts,  while 
the  corn  crop  varies. 

Mr.  Hand  takes  little  or  no  interest  in  poli- 
tics, having  led  loo  busy  a  life  to  assume  even 
the  duties  of  minor  offices.  But  with  social  cir- 
cles, it  is  far  different.  Like  his  father,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has 
advanced  through  the  intermediate  degrees  to 
the  rank  of  a  noble  of  the  Mystic  Shrine,  being 
a  member  of  Acca  Temple,  of  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia. He  also  affiliates  with  the  Benevolent' 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights 
of  Pvthias. 


1863. 


AMES  T.  HOLLAND,  proprietor  of 
a  dairy  lunch  in  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
and  also  justice  of  the  peace  of  the 
Fourth  Ward  of  that  city,  was  born 
in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  December  20, 
His  paraits  were  J.  T.  and  Aurilla 
(Heath)  Holland,  both  of  whom  were  born  in 
Isle  of  Wight  County. 

J.  T.  Holland  was  a  house-joiner,  and  was 
employed  in  the  Navy  Yard  for  18  years.  He 
died  in  1894,  aged  67  years.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  devout  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  His  wife  died  January  10,  1884, 
aged  56  years.  Of  13  children  born  to  this 
union,  four  are  now  living,  as  follows:  Ros- 
well  S.,  a  painter  in  the  Navy  Yard ;  Annie, 
who  married  Mr.  Nugent,  an  oil  merchant; 
Julia;  and  James  T.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
James  T.  Holland  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Norfolk  and  at  an  early  age  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business,  at  Avhich  he  worked 
for  three  years,  and  then  bought  out  the  dairy 
lunch  business  of  Mr.  Miller.  This  he  has 
carried  on  very  successfully,  becoming  well 
known  in  the  citv. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


9^3 


Mr.  Holland  was  married.  September  12, 
1894,  to  Mary  Seares,  a  native  of  Norfolk. 
and  a  daughter  of  George  and  Anna  Seares. 
Mr.  Sears  was  an  honored  citizen  of  Norfolk 
for  many  years.  Mr.  Holland  and  his  wife 
are  adherents  of  the  Catholic  faith.  Mr.  Hol- 
land was  elected  a  member  of  he  City  Council 
.several  years  ago,  and  was  also  made  chair- 
man of  the  cemeter}'  committee,  resigning  that 
office  because  of  his  election  in  1900  to  the  of- 
fice of  justice  of  the  peace.  As  such  he  has 
sened  his  ward  in  a  most  acceptable  manner, 
winning  much  commendation.  Mr.  Holland 
is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and 
has  also  been  an  officer  of  the  Elks  lodge  for 
the  past  two  years. 


K.  GEORGE  H.  CARR.  Conspicuous 
among  the  young  men  of  sterling 
worth  of  Norfolk  Count}-,  \'irginia. 
whose  professional  work  has  given 
him  a  wide  acquaintance  in  this  local- 
ity, is  Dr.  George  H.  Carr  of  Portsmouth,  a 
rising  young  physician  and  surgeon  with  a 
good  practice  and  excellent  prospects,  who  is 
located  at  No.  610  Court  street.  He  is  a  na- 
tive of  Portsmouth,  and  was  lx)m  May  8, 
1875,  being  a  son  of  George  T.  and  Laura  A. 
(Williams)  Carr,  both  \'irginians  by  birth. 
The  paternal  grandfather  came  from  England 
and  was  a  man  of  keen  business  sagacity.  For 
him  the  town  of  Carrsville.  \'irginia.  was 
named. 

Get-^rge  T.  Carr,  the  father,  was  a  locomo- 
tive engineer  by  profession,  and  devoted  his 
life  ti-T  that  vocation,  in  the  employ  of  the  Sea- 
board .\ir  Line  Railway.  He  was  a  native  of 
Isle  of  Wigfit  Coimty,  and  moved  to  Ports- 
mouth in  the  "fifties.""  being  well  and  favor- 
ably known  in  that  city.  He  passed  to  the 
life  beyond  the  grave  in  1875.  He  was  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  P.,  and  took  an  ac- 
tive part  in  its  councils.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Laura  A.  Williams,  a  native  of 


Portsmouth.  Her  father  died  at  the  early  age 
of  2^  years,  when  she  was  a  mere  child.  She 
is  beloved  by  all  who  know  her,  and  has  been 
for  many  years  an  honored  resident  of  Ports- 
mouth, having  attained  the  age  of  59  years. 
After  the  death  of  her  father,  her  mother  mar- 
ried again,  being  united  with  Henry  Hopkins. 
This  marriage  was  without  issue. 

Dr.  Carr  is  one  of  a  family  of  se\-en  chl- 
dren.  three  of  whom  are  deceased.  Those  liv- 
ing, besides  the  Doctor,  are:  Lollie:  Jerome 
P. ;  and  Hope  M.  Lollie  married  J-  D.  King, 
who  is  deceased.  Jerome  P.  is  a  prosperous 
druggist  of  Portsmouth,  where  all  the  surviv- 
ing members  of  the  family  reside  with  their 
mother.  One  daughter.  Clara,  died  at  the  age 
of  28  years. 

Dr.  Carr  attended  Portsmouth  High 
School,  and  aferward  spent  some  time  in 
clerking  in  his  brother's  drug  store,  where  he 
also  read  medicine.  Wliile  thus  employed,  he 
conceived  the  idea  of  entering  the  medical  pro- 
fession. He  subsequently  became  a  student  in 
the  College  of  Physicians  &  Surgeons,  of  Balti- 
more. Maryland.  After  one  session  he  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Maryland,  and  graduated  from  that  insti- 
tution. April  15,  1896.  He  passed  his  exam- 
ination before  the  State  Medical  Board  in  that 
year,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen  pro- 
fession, as  a  general  practitioner.  July  3rd  of 
the  same  year,  locating  at  once  in  his  native 
city.  Since  that  date,  he  has  applied  himself 
energetically  and  continuously  to  his  profes- 
sional duties,  and  has  succeeded  in  building  up 
a  very  substantial  practice. 

Dr.  Carr  is  a  member  of  the  Seaboard  Med- 
ical Society  of  ^'i^ginia  and  North  Carolina, 
the  Virginia  State  Medical  Society,  and  the 
Portsmouth  ^ledical  Society.  He  also  affiliates 
with  a  number  of  fraternal  organizations,  and 
is  medical  examiner  for  some  of  them.  Among 
these  are  the  Woodmen  of  the  ^^'orld.  the 
Heptasophs.  Mystic  Chain.  Elks  and  Endow- 
ment Rank.  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a 
valued    member  of  the  Portsmouth  Business 


914 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Men's  Association.  From  1896  to  1900,  he 
was  city  physician  of  Portsmouth.  In  pohtics, 
he  is  a  Democrat,  but  takes  little  interest 
in  political  affairs.  He  has  never  fallen  a  vic- 
tim of  Cupid's  darts.  He  holds  a  membership 
in  Monumental  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  with  which  he  united  13  years  ago. 


ILLIAM  H.  LAND,  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Townsend,  Joynes  & 
Company,  who  conduct    a    rental 
agency  at  No.  227    Main    street, 
Norfolk,     Norfolk    County,     Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  Princess  Anne  County,  Vir- 
ginia, August  30,  1866.     He  is  a  son  of  Ben- 
nett and  Elizabeth  F.   (Rainey)  Land. 

Bennett  Land,  who  was  bom  in  1824,  was 
a  well-known  merchant  and  farmer  of  Prin- 
cess Anne  County.  He  saw  much  active  ser- 
vice throughout  the  Confederate  \Y^v,  and  was 
as  well  known  as  any  man  of  his  regiment, — 
the  15th  Regiment,  Virginia  Cavalry, — in  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  He  was  the  last 
member  of  his  company  to'  return  home,  as  he 
waited  until  all  the  generals  had  surrendered. 
He  received  a  slight  wound  at  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg.  After  the  war,  he  returned 
to  the  mercantile  business  at  London  Bridge, 
Virginia,  and  continued  in  that  line  of  business 
until  about  four  years  before  his  death,  when 
he  retired  from  active  duties.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1S96.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  F. 
(Rainey)  Land,  was  a  daughter  of  John  S. 
Rainey,  an  old  and  well-known  citizen  nf  Prin- 
cess Anne  County.  She  was  born  in  1832, 
and  died  in  1897.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

William  H.  Land,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch  was  one  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living  and  reside  in  Norfolk.  They  are 
as  follows :  Bennett,  who  is  in  the  real  estate 
and  auction  business  ;  John  S.,  who'  was  form- 
erly in  the  wholesale  business ;  William  H. ; 
Mary  E. ;  Alice  R.  and  Marguerite. 


William  H.  Land  was  educated  in  Prin- 
cess Anne  Comity,  and  attended  Randolph- 
Macon  College.  He  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  until  1891,  when  he  accepted  a  posi- 
tion as  bookkeeper,  which  he  retained  until 
1898,  when  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
business,  and  the  firm  name  is  now  known  as 
Townsend,  Toynes  &  Company.  This  is 
strictly  a  rental-business  firm ;  they  have  met 
with  marked  success  in  all  their  undertakings, 
and  rank  as  the  largest  business  firm  of  the 
kind  in  Norfolk.  They  rent  property  in  all 
the  surrounding  towns,  with  the  excq^tion  of 
Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Land  was  married  June  14,  1900,  to 
Fannie  Patrick,  a  native  of  Nordi  Carolina, 
and  a  daughter  of  William  H.  Patrick,  of 
Washington,  in  that  State.  The  subject  of 
this  sketdh  and  his  wife  have  one  child, — Mary 
Elizabeth.  The  parents  are  members  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Land  is  a 
Mason,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge 
Chapter  and  Commandery,  all  of  Norfolk,  and 
also  a  member  o'f  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  an 
excellent  business  man,  and  is  in  thorough 
sympathy  with  the  progress  of  the  community 
in  everv  line  of  advancement. 


EV.  Z.  S.  FARLAND  is  the  esteemed 
rector  of  St.  John's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia.  He  was  born  in 
Essex  Co'Unty,  Virginia,  August  29, 
1868,  and  is  a  son  of  Z.  S.  and  Ellen  D.  (Gor- 
don) Farland.  Z.  S.  Farland,  Sr.,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  his  wife  was 
a  native  of  Essex  County,  Virginia. 

Rev.  Z.  S.  Farland,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  educated  at  William  and  Mary 
College,  and  also  attended  the  theological  sem- 
inary at  Alexandria,  Virginia.  He  became  as- 
sistant rector  at  St.  Paul's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  in  Richmond,  after  leaving  col- 
lege and  served  in  that  capacity  for  18  months. 


I 


JOHN    A.    ANDERSON,    JR. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


9'7 


December  i,  1893.  lie  Ijecaine  rector  of  St. 
John's  Pri>testant  EpiscoiKil  Quircli,  in  Ports- 
nioutli.  and  has  remained  tliere  since  tliat  time. 
A  iiandsonie  new  dnirch  was  erected  on  the 
corner  of  London  and  Washington  streets,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Farland  may  well  be  proud  of  the 
fact  that  the  membership  has  more  than 
doubled  since  he  first  took  charge  of  tlie  church. 
He  has  done  much  noble  work,  displaying  un- 
tiring energA-  and  zeal. 

He  was  married,  .\pril  27,  1898.  ^largaret 
Braidfo<;>t  Armistead,  a  native  of  Portsmouth. 
and  a  daughter  of  Beverly  A.  and  Laura 
(Collins)  Armistead.  She  is  a  great-grand- 
daughter of  Rev.  John  Braidfoot,  the  second 
rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Portsmouth  Parish. 
Rev.-  Mr.  Farland  is  a  member  of  the  Seaboard 
Lodge,  Xo.  46,  A.  F,  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is 
chaplain:  of  Ocean  Council.  Xo.  1063.  Royal 
Arcanum,  of  which  he  is  also  chaplain :  and  of 
Atlantic  Lodge,  No.  24,  Knights  of  Pythias. 


OHX  A.  AXDERSOX.  Jr..  a  very 
successful  dealer  in  wall  paper,  and  a 
decorator  and  painter  by  trade,  whose 
ixirtrait  accompanies  this  sketch,  pur- 
sues his  business  at  his  store  at  Xo. 
255  Church  street,  X'orfolk,  Virginia,  and  is 
known  in  that  city  as  a  progressive,  public-spir- 
ited citizen,  who  does  his  part  for  the  welfare 
of  the  city.  He  is  a  son  of  John  A.  and  Sarah 
F.  Anderson,  both  natives  of  Xorfolk  County, 
and  was  bom  in  Xorfolk,  April  7,  1875. 

John  A.  Anderson,  Sr..  is  now  retired  from 
active  business  life,  enjoving  the  fruits  of  his 
earlier  years  of  industry.  He  was  a  general 
broker  for  many  years,  besides  being  identified 
with  the  X'^orfolk  Fire  Department.  He  and 
his  wife  are  living  in  X'orfolk,  where  they  are 
active  members  of  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  Mr.  Anderson  is  an  Elk  and  a 
Mason. 


John  A.  .\nderson,  Jr..  was  the  only  child 
of  his  parents,  and  received  the  best  kind  of  an 
education  that  the  .schools  of  his  native  city, 
.\\)rfolk,  aflforded.  His  education  having  been 
completed,  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself, 
and  bought  out  the  stock  of  V.  W.  Coffee, 
thereby  becoming  a  dealer  in  wall  paper,  etc., 
in  which  line  he  has  continued  with  marked 
success  up  to  the  present  time,  doing  nnich 
work  in  Xorfolk. 

On  March  13,  1892,  Mr.  Anderson  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Lillian  Midvett,  a  na- 
tive of  Pasquotank.  X'orth  Carolina,  where  she 
was  reared.  They  ha\e  two  children. — Thelma 
P.  and  Jennielle  L.  In  religious  views.  Mr. 
Anderson  is  an  Episcopalian,  and  his  wife  is 
a  Methodist. 

Mrs.  Anderson  is  descended  from  one  of 
Xorth  Carolina's  oldest  families. — the  Perrv 
family, — who  received  Perquimans  County  as 
a  grant  from  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  and  came 
from  England  to  this  country  in  the  seven- 
teenth century.  In  that  county  is  a  burial 
ground  of  about  two  acres,  in  which  only  the 
Perr}-s,  or  members  of  the  Perry  family,  are 
buried.  Mrs.  Anderson  is  a  daughter  of  John 
S.  and  Delphina  Midyett.  both  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. The  father  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  was  also  a  fisherman  in  X'orth  Caro- 
lina; he  departed  this  life  in  September.  1887. 
at  the  age  of  40  years.  He  and  his  wife  had 
a  number  of  children,  two  of  whom  still  sur- 
vive, namely,  Margaret  L.,  the  wife  of  V.  P. 
Jones  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  Mrs. 
John  A.  Anderson,  Jr..  wife  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

Mr.  Anderson  has  a  fine  tenor  voice,  and 
holds  an  important  place  among  the  singers  at 
St.  Paul's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church ;  he 
also  sings  in  the  choir  of  the  Central  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  at  Portsmouth,  and 
participates  in  the  ser\-ices  at  the  Synagogue. 
Mr.  Anderson  is  a  man  of  great  industr}-,  and 
is  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  conimimity,  of 
which  he  is  a  prominent  and  worthy  member. 


9i8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


R.  J.  G.  RIDDICK,  who  is  probably 
the  oldest  practicing  physician  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia^  and  one  of  the 
best  known  in  the  community,  was 
born  in  Sussex  County,  Virginia, 
June  lo,  1 86 1.  His  parents  were  Rev.  James 
A.  and  Judith  A.  (  Gregory)  Riddick. 

Rev.  Mr.  Riddick  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina, and  for  over  50  years  was  a  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Conference  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  filled  many  pulpits,  and  did  much 
noble  work  during  his  lifetime.  He  reached 
the  advanced  age  of  90  years,  and  departed 
this  life  in  1900,  his  death  being  deeply  felt 
throughout  the  community  in  which  he  resided. 
His  wife,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  a  sister  of 
W.  F.  C.  Gregory,  of  Petersburg,  Virginia, 
was  a  devout  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  South,  and  always  assisted  her 
husband  in  religious  work.  Of  nine  children 
born  to  them,  six  are  now  living. 

J.  G.  Riddick,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  educated  at  McCabe's  school  in  Peters- 
burg, and  graduated  from  the  literature  de- 
partment of  Randolph-Macon  College.  Later 
he  studied  medicine  at  the  College  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in 
1883.  He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Norfolk,  and  very  soon  worked 
up  a  practice  which  has  always  spoken  well 
for  his  ability  and  knowledge  of  his  profession. 
He  has  a  large  general  practice,  and  belongs  to 
many  medical  associations.  Among  them  are 
the  Norfolk  Medical  Society :  American  Med- 
ical Association;  Virginia  State  Medical  So- 
ciety; and  the  Tidewater  Medical  Association. 
He  was  health  officer  of  Norfolk  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Health  in  that  city.  He  is  also  on  the  physi- 
cian's staff  at  Hospital  St.  Vincent  de  Paul. 

Dr.  Riddick  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sallie  Yates  Councill,  a  daughter  of  Rev. 
James  G.  Councill.  Rev.  Mr.  Councill  is  a 
minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  now 
filling  a  pulpit  near  Alexandria,  Virginia.  Mrs. 


Riddick  is  a  graduate  of  the  Hollins  Listitute 
of  Virginia,  and  taught  in  private  schools  for 
some  time.  Dr.  Riddick  and  his  wife  have 
two  children,  namelv  :  Anna  Ruth ;  and  Judith 
Gregory.  Mrs.  Riddick  is  a  Baptist,  while 
her  husband  is  a  member  of  the  Epworth 
I  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order ;  Knights  of 
Pytliias;  Red  Men;  and  is  a  director  in  the 
Traders  &  Truckers'  Bank  of  Norfolk. 

Dr.  Diddick  has  always  been  influential  in 
assisting  all  public  enterprises  which  tend  to- 
ward the  advancement  of  Norfolk,  and  is  well 
and  favorably  known  throughout  the  countv. 


ty, 


ILLIAM  B.  WILDER,  who  is  the 
proprietor  of  a  job-printing  estab- 
lishment in  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  \^irginia,  was  born  in 
Elizabeth  City,  Pasquotank  Coun- 
North  Carolina,  March  27,  1853.     ^is  pa- 


rents were  George  M.  and  Martha  S.  Wilder. 

George  M.  Wilder  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. He  settled  in  the  South  in  1830,  and 
taught  in  an  academy  for  some  time.  He  died 
in  1864,  and  his  death  was  sincerely  mourned 
by  all  who  knew  him.  He  and  his  wife  were 
Methodists.  Our  subject  is  the  oldest  of  four 
children  born  to  this  union,  three  of  whom  are 
living. 

William  B.  Wilder  received  his  mental 
training  at  Chapel  Hill,  North  Carolina,  under 
his  father's  tutorship.  After  completing  the 
course  at  Chapel  Hill,  he  became  a  page  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  at  Washington,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  for  five  years.  There 
were  23  pages  in  the  House  at  that  time.  He 
learned  the  printer's  business  at  Elizabeth 
City,  North  Carolina,  after  which  he  removed 
to  Portsmouth,  in  1876.  He  was  employed  on 
the  Portsmouth  Enterprise  for  some,  and 
later  on  the  Portsmouth  Times.  Ele  became 
business  manager  of  that  paper  and  part  own- 
er.    Subsequently,  he  established  a  job-print- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


919 


ing  establishment,  which  he  has  conducted  ever 
since.  He  sold  his  interest  in  the  Portsmouth 
Times  to  J.  JI.  Wilcox.  Subsequently,  he  es- 
tablished the  Portsmouth  Star,  together  wtih 
P.  C.  Trugien,  to  whom  he  sold  his  interest. 
Mr.  Wilder  then  bought  an  interest  in  the 
Pilot,  and  became  business  manager  of  that 
paper.  He  remained  in  that  position  for  one 
year,  when  he  sold  out  his  interest.  Although 
he  was  actively  engag"ed  in  these  enterprises. 
he  did  not  discontinue  his  job-printing  work. 
but  after  relinquishing  his  interest  in  the  Pilot, 
he  devoted  himself  entirely  to  his  present  work. 
He  does  a  large  amount  of  job  printing,  re- 
ceiving orders  from  many  of  the  near-by 
towns. 

Mr.  Wilder  was  married,  in  ]\Iay.  1879.  to 
Miss  E.  J.  Richards,  a  daughter  of  Elisha  and 
Phoebe  D.  Richards,  and  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey. They  have  one  son. — Fred  Maurice,  who 
is  a  clothing  salesman  with  John  A.  Morris. 
Mr.  Wilder  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
^lethodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  in  which 
Mr.  Wilder  has  been  a  steward  for  20  years. 
He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  Prohibition 
party,  but  votes  the  Democratic  ticket  when 
there  is  no  Prohibition  candidate.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  influential  and  progressive  busi- 
ness men  of  Portsmouth,  honest  and  upright 
in  cliaracter.  and  honored  and  loved  bv  all. 


EV.  A.  C.  THOMSON  is  rector  of 
Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  bom  in  Fredericks- 
burg, Spottsylvania  County.  Virginia. 
April  16.  1871,  and  is  a  son  of  Elliott  H.  and 
Jeanette  R.  (Conover)  Thomson. 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomson's  father  is  the  archdea- 
con of  the  diocese  of  Shanghai,  China,  having, 
been  in  that  country,  with  intervals  in  which 
he  made  trips  to  America,  for  43  years.  He 
was  educated  at  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and   also  attended   a  theological   seminarv  at 


Alexandria.  Virginia,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1859.  In  the  class  was  Bishop  Phil- 
lips Brooks.  He  married  Jeanette  R.  Conover, 
a  daughter  of  William  P.  Conover,  of  Phila- 
delphia. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one 
of  five  children  born  of  this  union,  of  whom 
three  were  born  in  China.  jNIrs.'A.  P.  Thorn- 
ton is  deceased,  and  Frank  D.  is  general  man- 
ager of  the  Lackawanna  Iron  &  Steel  Works, 
for  the  United  States  Steel  Corporation. 

Re\'.  A.  C.  Thomson  went  to  Cheltenham 
Academy,  near  Philadelphia,  and  later  attended 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  took 
the  degree  of  A.  B.  He  pursued  a  theological 
course  at  the  theological  seminarv  at  Ale.x- 
dria,  Virginia,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  B.  D.  He  tiwk  up  his  life's 
work  at  Tappahannock,  \'irginia,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years,  and  afterward  accepted 
the  rectorship  of  the  Church  of  the  Resurrec- 
tion, at  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  While  there  he  built 
a  rectory  and  for  four  vears  enjoyed  a  highly 
successful  pastorate.  In  December,  1899.  he 
accepted  the  rectorship  of  Trinity  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  and  since  then  has  filled  that  pulpit  in 
a  most  acceptable  manner,  winning  for  himself 
much  praise  for  his  worthiness  and  abilitv. 
Rev.  Mr.  Thomson  spent  13  years  of  his  life  in 
China,  and  speaks  the  Chinese  language  with 
fluency.  He  is  a  deep  student  and  a  man  of 
scholarly  attainments,  speaking  many  lan- 
guages, and  being  conversant  with  all  the  im- 
portant topics  of  the  day.  He  has  traveled 
widely,  having  crossed  the  Atlantic  six  times, 
made  two  trips  around  the  world,  and  visited 
almost  every  country  and  clime. 

In  November,  1893,  Rev.  Mr.  Thomson 
was  married  to  Mary  G.  Fitzhugh,  a  daughter 
of  Captain  Fitzhugh,  formerly  of  General 
Pickett's  staff,  and  later  judge  of  the  Circuit 
Court  in  San  Francisco.  Captain  Fitzhugh's 
wife  was  Ann  Grayson  of  Loudoun  County, 
Virginia.  Rev.  Mr.  Thomson  is  a  Mason,  hav- 
ing taken  the  32d  degree  in  that  order.  He 
takes  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  those  who  re- 


920 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


side  in  his  commtmity,  and  quickly  lends  liis 
support  to  any  worthy  enterprise  which  tends 
to  the  advancement  of  the  people  of  Norfolk 
County. 


OHN  W.  WOOD,  who  is  street  inspec- 
tor iif  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  was  born  in  that  city,  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1842.  His  parents  were 
William  D.  and  Sarah  (Gaskins) 
Wood. 

William  D.  \\'oud  was  born  in  1794,  and 
followed  the  trade  of  ship-carpenter  all  his  life. 
He  was  a  private  in  the  War  of  1812.  His 
wife  afterwards  received  a  pension  for  his  ser- 
vices in  that  war.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  of  the  county,  and  was  well  and  favor- 
ably known.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Rifle  Company,  which  was  organized 
October  29,  1792. 

John  \\'.  \\'ood,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ports- 
mouth, and  learned  the  trade  of  a  ship-car- 
penter, working  in  the  Navy  Yard.  He  was 
apprenticed  to  the  United  States  government 
when  the  Confederate  War  opened.  He  en- 
listed June  13,  1861,  in  the  Portsmouth  Rifle 
Company,  which  became  Company  G.  9th 
Regiment.  \'irginia  Infantry,  Armistead's 
Brigade,  Pickett's  Divisiou,  and  ser\'ed  exactly 
four  years.  He  took  part  in  all  the  engage- 
ments of  the  regiment  until  captured  at  Sailor's 
Creek,  Virginia,  April  6,  1865.  He  then  went 
to  Point  Lookoiit  prison,  where  he  remained 
until  June  13,  1865.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  \yorked  at  his  trade,  that  of  a  ship-car- 
penter, and  July  i,  1875,  was  elected  street  in- 
spector. He  has  lield  that  oflice  for  27  years,  a 
longer  period  than  any  man  in  the  State  has 
ever  filled  it.  He  employs  his  workmen  with 
care  and  consideration  for  obtaining  the  best 
service  for  the  nx>ney.  He  is  a  good  manager, 
and  has  served  in  the  ofBce  of  inspector  with 
much  credit  to  himself  and  those  who  employ 
him. 


Air.  Wood  was  married  November  20, 
1879,  to  Rebecca  J.  Godfrey,  a  native  of  Ports- 
mouth, and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Rosanna 
Godfrey,  both  long  since  deceased.  Mrs. 
Wood  is  a  member  of  rilonumental  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  Mr,  Wood  is  a  ge- 
nial, courteous  and  hospitable  man,  of  the  true 
Virginia  type.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  horti- 
culture, and  takes  much  pride  in  his  green- 
house and  lawn,  Mr.  Wood  is  one  of.  Ports- 
mouth's most  esteemed  citizens,  and  his  friends 
are  man\-. 


DWARD  B.  WILKINS.  a  well-knuwn 
contractor  and  builder  of  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Pleasajit  Grove  district, 
Norfolk  County,  February  25,  1856. 
His  parents  were  Edward  N.  and  Abigail  A. 
(Murray)  W'ilkins.  His  grandfather.  Col. 
Jobn  Wilkins,  took  part  in  the  Wzr  of  1812, 
and  his  great-grandfather  served  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary War. 

Edward  N.  Wilkins  was  a  farmer  and 
merchant,  and  followed  these  occupiations  all 
his  life.  He  died  at  the  age  of  66  years,  and 
his  wife  died,  in  1871,  aged  49  years.  Both 
were  members  of  the  Goodhope  Alethodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South.  Their  children 
were  as  follows:  J.  W.,  who  is  engaged  in 
the  furniture  business  in  Portsmouth ;  Edward 
B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch'',  Anna  A,,  who 
lives  in  Portsmouth;  James,  who  died  in  1871  ; 
and  W.  W..  who  is  engaged  in  the  produce 
business  in  Portsmouth, 

Edward  B.  W^ilkins  attended  the  country 
schools  of  Norfolk  County,  and  at  an  early  age 
began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  carpenter.  In 
1891,  he  started  into  business  for  himself,  and 
since  that  time  has  secured  many  large  cmi- 
tracts  for  the  erection  of  public  buildings  and 
private  homes.  Most  of  his  work  is  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  thoroughly  understands  his  busi- 
ness, his  work  is  first  class  in  everj-  respect,  and 


EDWARD   OVERMAN- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


923 


lie  is  considereil  one  of  tlie  best  contractors  in 
Xortolk  County. 

Mr.  W'ilkins  was  married.  Deccnrl)er  23, 
1 89 1,  to  Ida  Blanche  Tyree.  a  daug<iter  of  A. 
II.  and  Elizahetli  Ann  Tyree.  and  a  native  of 
Richmond,  Virg-inia.  Her  parents  were  also 
natives  of  Virginia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilkins 
iiave  one  adii])led  chid,  wliose  name  is  Ellis. 
Both  are  members  of  the  Park  \'iew  Methodist 
Epi.sc(>i>al  Church.  South.  Mr.  W'ilkins  being 
one  of  its  trustees.  He  is  a  member  of  Sea- 
side Lcxlge.  Xo.  80.  K.  of  P.,  of  Portsmouth. 


l-.ORGE  G.  MARTIX.  city  attorney  of 

Berkley,  Xorfolk    County.  Virginia. 

^  B     was  born  August  8.  1869,  in  Xorfolk 

County,  and  is  a  son  of  Col.  James 

Cireen  Martin,  who  was  one  of  the 

prominent  lawyers  of  Xorfolk  for  a  numlier 

of  years. 

Colonel  Martin  was  a  native  of  X'orfolk 
County.  He  studied  law,  and  became  one  of 
the  leading  advocates  in  this  section  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Leg- 
islature Ijefore  the  breaking  out  of  the  Confed- 
erate War.  He  was  opposed  to  secession  and 
was  elected  from  Xorfolk  County  on  that  issue, 
but  when  Virginia  seceded  from  the  Union  he 
,gave  his  services  to  his  State,  enlisting  in 
Cooper's  Cavalry.  His  death  occurred  in  1880, 
at  the  age  of  51  years.  He  married  Mrs.  Bettie 
Love  Martin,  uce  Gresham,  who  was  born  in 
X'orfolk  County  in  1837.  She  is  now  living 
in  Berkley.  To  them  were  born  six  children, 
namely :  Alvah  H.,  who  is  clerk  of  the  Nor- 
folk County  Court;  Maud,  who  married  S.  W. 
Lyons,  and  is  living  in  Berkley,  her  husband 
being  county  treasurer :  James  T.,  William  B. 
and  Love,  all  three  deceased:  and  George  G. 

George  G.  Martin,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch,  attended  Randolph-]\Iacon  College.  He 
took  a  course  of  law  at  the  University  of  \'ir- 
ginia,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1892.-  He 
commenced  practice  at  once,  opening  an  office 

46 


in  Norfolk.  He  at  once  won  recognititm  as  a 
lawyer  of  splendid  ability,  and  has  always  met 
with  much  success.  In  1899  he  removed  to 
Berkley,  where  he  opened  an  office.  He  is 
city  attorney  of  Berkley,  and  is  also  attorney 
for  the  Merchants'  &  Planters'  Bank,  tilling 
both  positions  in  a  most  acceptable  manner,  and 
giving  entire  satisfaction  to  all. 

On  Septeml>er  jj,.  1892.  Mr.  Martin  mar- 
ried Lillian  H.  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  1872. 
a  daughter  of  Rev.  R.  T.  Wilson.  They  have 
two  children. — Lillian  E..  who  was  born  in 
September,  1895;  ^nd  Mary  Maud,  who  was 
born  in  1896.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
cojxil  Church.  South.  Mr.  Martin  is  a  mem- 
ber of  P.erklev  Lodge.  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of 
the  B.  P.  O.  E.  lodge. 


DWARD  OVERMAX,  one  of  Ports- 
mouth's most  prominent  contractors 
and  builders,  whose  portrait  accom- 
panies this  sketch,  was  born  at  Ports- 
mouth, Virginia,  in  1859,  and  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  C.  Overman. 

Joseph  C.  Overman  was  b<irn  in  Xorth 
Carolina,  and  with  his  brother,  Quinton  D.. 
came  to  Portsmouth  when  quite  young.  Then, 
as  young  men.  they  returned  to  Xorth  Caro- 
lina, and  married  sisters.  Elizabeth  and  Mary 
Gritifin.  The}-  afterward  residetl  in  Ports- 
mouth until  the  outbreak  of  the  Confederate 
War,  when  Joseph  C.  0\erman  went  to  work 
in  the  Xa\y  Yard.  The  lirother  enlisted  in 
Grimes'  Battery.  Artillery,  and  was  killed  in 
the  battle  of  Sharpsburg.  During  the  latter 
years  of  his  life,  Joseph  C.  Overman  was  en- 
gaged as  a  ship-carpenter,  and  at  one  time  was 
connected  with  the  Sealx)ard  Air  Line  Rail- 
way. His  first  union,  with  Elizal>eth  Griffin, 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  sons.  Edward,  and 
Quinton  D.,  who  resides  in  Park  View-,  and  is 
foreman  of  the  blacksmithing  .and  engineer- 
ing in  the  Xavy  Yard,  a  position  he  has  held 


924 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


for  about  lo  years.  Mr.  Overman  formed  a 
second  union,  wedding  the  widow  of  Caleb 
Spann,  and  they  reared  three  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  Jesse,  a  carpenter,  living  in  Cottage 
Place;  Austin,  a  draughtsman  for  Naffy  & 
Levy  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania:  and  Jo- 
seph, who  resides  in  Prentis  Place,  Ports- 
mouth, and  is  a  coppersmith  in  the  Navy  Yard. 

After  the  death  of  Ouinton  D.  Overman, 
his  widow  and  three  children,  Joseph,  William 
H.  and  Rena  removed  to  North  Carolina.  Jo- 
seph was  married  and  died  in  Elizabeth  City, 
North  Carolina.  In  1882  William  H..  with 
his  mother  and  sister,  moved  to  Knoxville, 
where  after  some  years  the  two  last  named 
died.  William  now  resides  in  Memphis,  Ten- 
nessee. 

Edward  Overman  was  reared  in  Norfolk 
County  and  attended  the  public  schools.  He 
served  an  apprenticeship  as  carpenter  under 
Milton  Harding,  who  was  an  architect,  and, 
while  thus  serving,  pursued  the  study  of  arch- 
itecture. He  entered  business  for  himself  in 
1884,  doing  only  house  contracting  at  first, 
but  has  later  included  bridge  building  and  gen- 
eral contracting  in  his  business.  He  also  does 
considerable  architectural  work,  having  de- 
signed and  built  the  Pythian  Castle,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Court  and  County  streets,  the  business 
block  of  Joseph  A.  Parker,  a  large  building 
for  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Hampton,  Vir- 
ginia, the  Merchants"  &  Farmers"  Bank  Build- 
ing, the  Judge  L.  R.  Watts  and  the  Bennett 
business  blocks,  and  also  many  residences  of 
the  city,  including  those  of  Mr.  Neely  and  Cap- 
tain Phillips.  In  1888  be  erected  for  himself 
the  second  house  built  in  Cottage  Place,  and 
also  has  other  real  estate  holdings  in  the  city. 
He  has  a  lot  in  Park  View,  and  others  along 
Virginia  avenue  from  County  street  to  Colum- 
bia street.  He  has  a  large  number  of  men  in 
his  employ,  varying  from  20  to  30,  and  does 
contract  work  throughout  the  county.  He 
has  charge  of  the  repair  work  on  the  Western 
Branch  Bridge,  and  is  now  erecting  a  fine 
house  in  Churchland. 


Mr.  Overman  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Cora  Spann,  a  daughter  of  Caleb  Spann,  and 
a  native  of  Portsmouth.  They  have  six  chil- 
dren, namely  :  Edward ;  Bertha ;  William ; 
Mary;  Lee;  and  Ouinton.  In  politics  Mr.  Ov- 
erman is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Heptasophs  and  Royal  Arcanum,  and  form- 
erly belonged  to  the  Odd  Fellows  and  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Court  Street  Baptist  Church  for 
the  past  20  years,  and  his  family  are  all  mem- 
bers of  the  same  church. 


SCAR  FRANKLIN  BYRD,  D.  D.  S., 
whose  office  is  located    at    No.  206 
High     street,    Portsmouth,    Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  is  one  of  the  .prom- 
inent dentists  of  the  county.    He  was 
born  in  Accmnac  County,  Virginia,  March  3. 
1870,  and  is  a  son  of  Frank  and  Charlotte  E. 
(Matthews)  Byrd,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 

■  Frank  Byrd  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
and  later  in  life  followed  the  insurance  busi- 
ness. He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  officials  for  many  years.  He  died  Oc- 
tober 28,  1901,  aged  66  years.  His  wife,  who 
was  also  a  Methodist,  and  a  most  devout 
woman,  died  in  May,  1900.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  one  of  four  children,  namely : 
Lynn  C,  who  died  in  July,  igoi,  and  who  was 
a  member  of  the  wholesale  firm  of  James  Bailey 
&  Son  of  Baltimore,  Maryland ;  Clyde  P.,  a 
broker  in  Baltimore,  Maryland :  Colmore  E., 
a  traveling  salesman:  and  Oscar  Franklin, 
whose  name  opens  these  lines. 

Dr.  Byrd  was  educated  in  an  acafiemy  of 
his  native  county,  and  afterward  attended  the 
University  of  ?ilaryland.  where  he  took  a  scien- 
tific course.  He  graduated  from  the  dental  de- 
partment, with  the  class  of  1890.  For  three 
years  he  practiced  in  his  native  county,  when 
he  removed  to  Portsmouth,  and  in  February, 
1894,  opened  an  office  in  that  city.    He  has  met 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


925 


with  mucii  success,  and  wnrked  up  a  larofe  and 
lucrative  practice.  Dr.  Byrd  keeps  abreast  witli 
all  the  new  and  scientific  improvements  which 
facilitate  work  in  his  profession,  and  he  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  dentists  in  the  county. 
The  Doctor  was  married.  November  20, 
1901.  to  Annie  Blanche  Richards,  a  native  of 
Pocomoke  City.  Maryland.  Dr.  "Byrd  is  a 
member  of  Seaboard  Lod«e,  Xo.  56,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.:  and  Mt.  Horeb  Chapter.  No.  11,  R.  A. 
M.  He  belongs  to  the  Royal  Arcanum  and  is 
district  deputy  grand  master  for  District 
Xo.  34. 


HARLES  \\\  PARKS,  an  electrician 
in  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Berkley,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  and  was  born  in  Salisbury, 
Maryland,  in  1859.  He  is  a  son  of 
J.  T.  and  \'irginia  ( Dishroon )  Parks. 

J.  T.  Parks,  the  father  of  Charles  W.,  was 
born  in  Mar}dand.  He  is  foreman  of  the 
Greenleaf-Johnson  LAimber  Company  of  Berk- 
ley, having  held  that  position  for  a  number  of 
years.  His  wife  died  in  1887.  They  had 
si.x  children,  as  follows :  Charles  W. :  Lillie, 
who  lives  in  Berkley:  John  H.,  who  is  a  clerk 
in  Norfolk ;  Mammie,  who  li\-es  in  Berkley ; 
Cassie,  who  married  I.  T.  Bell,  a  clerk  in  Nor- 
folk:  and  Joseph  F..  an  electrician  and  ma- 
chinist at  the  Navy  Yard. 

Charles  ^\^  Parks  attended  the  schools  of 
-Salisbury,  Maryland,  and  in  1878  removed  to 
Berkley,  and  became  an  employee  at  the  Nor- 
folk Navy  Yard,  as  an  electrician.  He  has 
worked  in  that  capacity  evei?  since,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  by  his  employers  and  fellow 
workmen.  Mr.  Parks  is  a  member  of  the  Town 
Council,  having  l)een  elected  from  the  Third 
\\'ard.  He  was  elected  by  the  Council  as  chief 
of  the  Berkley  Fire  Dqiartment  in  July,  1900, 
and  fills  this  position  in  a  most  creditahle  man- 
ner. 

In  1886  Mr.  Parks  married  Alberta  Ed- 
wafds.  a  daughter  of  John  and'  IMartha  Ed- 


wards. She  was  born  ift  Northampton  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  in  1859.  They  hive  one  child, — 
Charles  W.,  who  was'born  in  Septeml>er,  1888. 
Mr.  Parks  is  a  member  of  Berklev  Lodge,  No. 
176.  A.  F.  &  A.  M. :  Berkley  Lodge,  No.  278, 
B.  P.  O.  E ;  the  Royal  Arcanum ;  and  Ports- 
mouth Lodge,  No.  16,  K.  of  P.  Mr.  Parks  is 
an  Episcop.'ilian  in  his  religious  views.  His 
wife  is  a  Baptist. 


L.  THOMPSON,  jeweler  an<l  opti- 
cian, at  No.  88  Chestnut  street.  Berk- 
ley, Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  was 
Ixirn  in  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin, 
May  12,  1867.  He  is  a  son  of  E. 
B.  and  Clara  Thompson,  the  former  a  native 
of  New  York,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Illinois. 
E.  B.  Thompson  held  the  jxisition  of  post- 
master of  Waupaca,  and  later  accepted  a  jxv 
sition  in  the  War  and  Navy  Department.  He 
removed  to  Virginia  in  October,  1885,  on  ac- 
count of  his  healtli,  and  located  in  Nottoway 
County.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted 
in  the  21st  Regular  Wisconsin  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served"  throughout  the  war.  His 
right  arm  was  badly  shattered  at  the  battle 
of  Perry ville,  and  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital. 
He  refused  to  allow  the  member  to  be  ampu- 
tated, and  because  of  this  decision  he  was  ob- 
liged to  care  for  the  wound,  himself,  while  in 
the  hos})ita'.  The  arni  did  not  heal  entirely  for 
20  years,  nor  was  the  bullet  which  had  lodged 
in  it  found  until  20  years  after  the  wound  was 
recHved.  Mr.  Thompson  is  now  living  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  holds  a  govern- 
ment position.  He  is  now  64  years  old.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Metrop<^>litan  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Washington,  D.  C.  His 
wife  died  in  1891,  aged  52  years.  Of  five  chil- 
flren  born  to  this  unif>n,  but  three  are  now  liv- 
ing, namely  :  Laura  A.,  a  kindergarten  teacher 
in  Washington.  D.  C. ;  G.  L.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketcn  ;  and  Evan  B.,who  was  employed  by  the 
Berkley  Power-House    Company    for   several 


926 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


years, — he  enlisted  in  the  army  during  the 
Spanish-American  War,  and  served  as  second- 
class  machinist  in  the  torpedo-boat  service,  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  first-class  machinist 
and  is  now  warrant-maehinist. 

G.  L.  Thompson,  whose  name  heads  these 
lines,  attended  the  common  schools  of  Wau- 
paca County,  Wisconsin.  After  leaving  school 
he  learned  the  jewelry  business,  and  in  1887 
moved  to  Virginia,  and  located  in  Berkley, 
where  he  cng'aged  in  the  jewelry  business,  hav- 
ing an  optical  department  in  connection  with 
his  stock  of  jewelry.  His  store  is  well  pat- 
ronized, and  his  customers  receive  prompt  and 
careful  attention. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  married,  in  August, 
iHgfi.  to  Laura  J.  Perry,  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  who  was  reared  in  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia. She  has  lived  in  Berkley  for  the  past 
18  years,  and  her  parents  are  James  H.  and 
Mary  Perry.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson, — Clara  M. ;  and  an 
infant.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  belongs  to  the  K. 
of  P. :  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and  W.  O.  W. 


EV.  RICHARD  B.  GARRETT,  D.  D., 
a  gentleman  who  has  been  prominent- 
ly engaged  in  ministerial  work  in 
various  parts  of  the  United  States,  is 
pastor  oi  the  Court  Street  Baptist 
Church  of  Portsmouth,  Virginia.  He  was 
born  in  Caroline  County,  Virginia,  November 
22,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Richard  H.  and 
Fanny  B.  (Holloway)  Garrett,  both  natives 
of  Virginia. 

Richard  H.  Garrett  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  a  justice 
of  the  County  Court.  It  was  in  his  barn  that 
John  Wilkes  Booth,  the  assassin  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  was  caught  and  killed.  He  was  a 
deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church  for  50  years;  and 
his  wife  a»id  their  children  were  all  members 
of  the  same  church.     They  had  five  children, 


as  follows  :  Richard  B. ;  Lillie,  wife  of  W.  H. 
Maxwell  of  Austin,  Texas;  Robert  C,  who  re- 
sides at  Carlisle,  Kentucky :  Nettie,  wife  oif 
J.  P.  Taliaferro,  of  Essex  County,  Virginia; 
and  Cora,  wife  of  W.  H.  Fritts  of  Carlisle, 
Kentucky.  Mr.  Garrett  was  educated  in  dif- 
ferent academies,  and  at  the  Southern  Baptist 
Theological  Seminary,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1881.  He  was  in  charge  of  the 
Baptist  Church  at  Carlisle,  Kentucky,  for  two 
and  a  half  years,  after  which  he  was  located 
at  Maysville,  Kentucky,  for  five  and  a  half 
years.  During  his  stay  there  his  congregation 
erected  a  church  at  a  cost  of  $30,000,  and  the 
meml>ersliip  of  the  church  increased  according- 
ly. In  i88g  he  went  to  Austin,  Texas,  as 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  was 
very  .successful  in  his  work  in  that  city,  wliere 
he  established  two  missions,  one  of  them  being 
for  Swedes.  Leaving  there  in  1894,  he  located 
at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  as  ]jastor  O'f  the 
First  Baptist  Church.  The  handsome  church 
edifice  was  burned  to  the  ground  the  day  be- 
fore he  accepted  the  pastorate,  and  under  his 
faithful  guidance  one  still  more  handsome 
arose  from  the  ashes.  He  continued  there  for 
five  years,  and  in  July,  1899,  came  to  Ports- 
mouth and  took  charge  of  the  Court  Street  Bap- 
tist Church.  There  is  now  in  course  of  con- 
struction a  beautiful  new  church  at  a  cost  of 
$45,000.  Rev.  Dr.  Garrett  has  made  his  in- 
fluence felt  in  every  department  of  church 
work,  and  the  scope  of  the  endeavors  of  his 
church  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that 
the  congregation  supports  a  missionary  in 
China,  pays  the  expenses  of  a  student  in  col- 
lege, and  supports  an  orphan  in  the  Portsmouth 
Orphan  Asylum.  During  the  year  1901,  $22,- 
000  was  raised  in  the  church,  about  $1 1,000  of 
which  was  used  in  building  the  new  church,  and 
the  remainder  was  applied  to  other  works  of 
charity  and  bene\-olence.  The  degree  of  D. 
D.  was  conferred  upon  Rev.  Mr.  Garrett  in 
1895.  by  Carson  and  Newman  College,  in  Ten- 
nessee. He  lectures  frequently  on  humorous 
and  historical   subjects,  and   for  twO'  seasons 


WILLIAM    T.    BOOLE. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


929 


was    connected    with    the    Rfclpatli    Lyceum 
Bureau. 

Rev.  Mr.  Garrett  was  marrieil.  Octotjer 
18.  18S3.  to  Anna  L.  Howe  of  Mount  SterHng. 
a  daughter  of  William  and  Emily  Howe.  They 
have  two  cliildren :  Ricliard  H.  and  Mav  E. 
Fraternally,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  Ma- 
son and  has  attained  the  rank  of  Shriner.  He 
is  a  member  of  .\tlantic  Lodge.  Vd.  24. 
Knigiits  of  Pythias. 


LLl.XM  T.  BOOLE,  master  boiler- 
maker  in  the  L'nited  States  Xavy 
Yard,  at  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  X'irginia,  whose  portrait 
is  herewith  oresented.  was  bona  on 
the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  but  has  prac- 
tically lived  in  Portsmouth  all  his  life.  He  is 
a  son  of  Luther  J-  Boole. 

Luther  J.  Boole  was  a  ship-joiner  in  the 
Xavy  Yard  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  en- 
listed in  the  Confederate  service  and  died  from 
the  effects  of  the  hardships  which  he  endured 
during  that  time.  He  was  last  stati':>ned  at 
Craney  Island.  He  was  a  very  religious  man, 
and  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  married  Sarah  F.  Johnson. 
She  married,  secimdl)-.  John  Willis,  and  now 
resides  at  Cheapside,  on  the  Eastern  Shore. 
William  T.  Boole  has  one  sister,  Mrs.  James 
Powell,  who  lives  in  Portsmouth.  Two  broth- 
ers are  deceased. 

Mr.  Boole  was  reared  aiid  schooled  in 
Portsmouth.  He  went  to  Baltimore,  where  he 
served  an  apprenticeshi])  under  William  Tole- 
man,  who  was  a  master  mechanic  of  the  ma- 
rine works  there.  After  four  years'  appren- 
ticeship, Mr.  Boole  returned  home.  He  entered 
the  Xa\y  Yard  in  .\])ril.  1S72,  and  with  the 
exception  of  18  months  during  Cleveland's  ad- 
ministration, he  has  worked  there  ever  since. 
He  was  reappointed  as  master  boiler-maker, 
under  Harrison's  administration.  He  has 
about  90  men  under  his  charge  and  attends  to 


;  all  repairs  and  new  marine-b<:)iler  work-.  He  is 
a  tirst-class  workman,  and  his  long  service 
shows  what  confidence  is  placed  in  his  abilitv 
;  to  manage  this  department.  He  is  con.scien- 
j  tious  and  painstaking  in  all  his  undertakings. 
Mr.  Boole  married  Eva  J.  Grew,  of  Balti- 
more. She  has  one  brother  and  two  sisters, 
who  are  residents  of  Portsmouth.  Mr.  Boole 
and  his  wife  have  one  daughter  and  three  sons, 
namely :  \\'illiam  Allen,  a  boiler-maker  at  the 
Xav\-  Yard :  Celonous,  also  at  the  Xavy  Yard ; 
Eva  J.:  and  George  Atwell.  In  politics  Mr. 
Boole  is  a  Republican.  He  has  served  in  the 
City  Council  and  was  at  one  time,  police  com- 
missioner of  Portsmouth.  He  is  a  member 
of  Portsmouth  Lodge,  Xo.  82,  B.  P.  O.  E., 
Knights  of  Pythias,  in  which  he  is  past  chan- 
cellor; also  being  a  member  of  the  Endowment 
Rank.  Impro\ed  Order  of  Heptasophs :  and  a 
non-resident  msBiiber  of  the  Board  of  Trade 
and  Business  Men's  Association  of  X'orfolk. 
He  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Central 
Methi'dist  Episcopal  Church.  South. 


R.  CHASTIXE  G.  WILLIAMS,  one 
of  the  leading  physicians  of  Berkley 
X'orfolk  County.  \'irginia,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Esse.x  County,  Virginia,  and 
was  lx)rn  in  1872.  He  is  a  son  of 
William  A.  and  Sally  (Watts)   Williams. 

Dr.  \\'illiams  attended  \\'illiam  and  Mary 
College,  after  w^ich  he  entered  the  L'niversity 
College  of  Medicine,  at  Richmond,  Virginia, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1896.  He 
took  a  full  course  in  medicine  and  surgery.  He 
began  the  i)ractice  of  his  profession  in  Esse.x 
County,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  and 
then  went  to  Middleburg,  Florida,  where  he 
practiced  three  years.  He  then  came  to  Berkley, 
and  opened  an  office  on  the  corner  of  Chestnut 
street  and  Berkk^-  a\enue.  He  devotes  all  of 
his  time  to  his  practice,  which  is  general,  and 
he  is  known  as  f)ne  of  the  l)est  physicias  and 
surgeons  in  the  county.     Although  he  has  not 


930 


H:ISg^§;X*  Of 'iNORFQLK-:  COUNTY: 


lived  in  Berkley  many  years?  lie;  has  woi>  the 
Gi:5nhdence-  of  all,  and  has  met.  with  niucli  -suc- 
cess. He  has  a  ..thorough  knowledge -of  the 
spie;nce  of  medicine,  and  is  always  interested  in 
any  new  discoA'eries  which  tend  to  advance  his 
profession. 

Dr.  Williams  is  a  member  of  the  Virginia 
State  Medical  Society.  In  religious  views  he  is 
a  Baptist. 


HOMAS  C.  HUMPHRIES,  who  is  a 
justice  of  the  peace  in  Berkley,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  with  an  office 
on  the  corner  of  North  and  Liberty 
streets,  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
July  8,  1833,  and  is. a  son  of  John  and  Adelia 
(Ferebee)   Humphries,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina. 

John  Humphries  was  a  farmer,  and  for 
many  years  held  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  Court 
of  Equity.  He  died  in  office,  in  November, 
1847,  aged  47  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His 
wife  died  in  1874,  aged  66  years.  Of  10  chil- 
dren born  to  this  union,  but  two^  sundve,  name- 
ly :  Thomas  C,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ;  and 
Alice,  wife  of  A.  P.  Frost  of  Berkley.  Those 
deceased  are  as  follows :  Martha,  Margaret, 
William,  Ann,  Amanda,  Adelia,  Gideon  and 
Mary. 

Thomas  C.  Humphries  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  county,  and  later 
studied  at  Randolph-Macon  College,  where  he 
was  a  classmate  of  Bishop  Wallace  W.  Dun- 
can. He  was  obliged  to  leave  school  on  account 
of  sickness,  and  after  his  recovery  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Indiantown, 
North  Carolina.  While  living  in  Currituck 
County  (from  i860  to  1868)  he  was  sheriff, 
and  also  represented  that  county  in  the  State 
Legislature  in  1868,  1869  and  1870.  He  be- 
gan farming  in  1856,  -and  continued  thus  un- 
til 1872,  when  he  moved  to-  Berkley.  There  he 
engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  later  re- 
moved   to  Norfolk,  where  he  carried  on  the 


same  line  of  business.  He  subsequently  re- 
turned to  Berkley,  and  since  1896  has  filled 
the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  in  a  most  ac- 
ceptable manner.  He  has  been  commissioner 
of  revenue  and  land  assessor  for  two  terms. 

Mr.  Humphries  was  married,  September 
II,  1856,  to  Mary  P.  Frost,  who  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Ann  (Perkins)  Frost.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Humphries  have  been  blessed  with  seven  chil- 
dren. Those  living  are  as  follows :  J.  R.,  who 
married  Anna  Sykes,  and  -  iives  in  Berkley; 
Mary,  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Bell,  who  has  four  chil- 
dren, namely, — Howard,  Joe,  Cooper  and 
Mary ;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  George  Coxon,  whose 
husband  is  a  watchmaker  at  Norfolk ;  Thomas 
F.,  who'  married  Ida  Morgan ;  and  Lelia,  the, 
wife  of  Capt.  Howard  Cason.  The  deceased 
children  are  Adelia  and  Anna. 

Mr.  Humphries  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  Memorial  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  or- 
der. His  family  is  well  known  in  Berkley,  and 
stands  high  in  a  social  and  business  way. 
Genial,  courteous  and  affable,  Mr.  Humphries 
has  won  numerous  friends  in  Norfolk  County, 
who  esteem  and  respect  him  for  his  many  ad- 
mirable traits  of  character. 


OSIAH  BORUM,  who  has  an  excellent 
record  for  service  as  a  marine  engin- 
eer, is  a  well-known  resident  of  Berk- 
ley,  Norfolk    County,   Virginia.     He 
was  born  in  Gloucester  County.  Vir- 
ginia, November  9,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  Rob- 
ert S.  and  Mary  E.  (Powell)  Bonmi,  natives 
of  Virginia. 

Robert  S.  Borum  was  engaged  in  farming 
throughout  his  life  and  died  in  1852.  His  wife 
died  in  ]\Iarch.  1853.  They  were  members  of 
Mount  Zion  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
Gloucester  County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  the  youngest  of  seven  children  born  to  his 
parents,  only  two  of  whom  are  living.     He  has 


CALEB    HODGES. 


AND    REPEiESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


933 


a  sister,  Sarah  A.,  wife  of  F.  P.  Jarvis.  She 
was  born  in  Gloucester  County,  Virginia,  and 
now  resides  in  Mathews  County,  Virginia. 

Josiah  Boruni  received  his  educational 
training  in  the  common  schools  of  Mathews 
County,  Virginia,  and  when  old  enough  learned 
the  trade  of  an  engineer,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed all  his  life.  He  first  worked  nine  months 
in  the  machine  shops  of  the  Norfolk  Xavy 
Yard,  then  went  to  wurk  as  tireman  on  a  steam- 
boat. He  continued  at  the  latter  occupation 
for  three  years,  and  was  licensed  as  an  engin- 
eer on  April  27,  1869.  He  has  never  lost  a 
year's  work  since  beginning  at  his  trade, — a 
wonderful  record  of  service.  He  first  took 
charge  of  the  "Elizabeth  City,""  -.vhicli  ran 
through  the  Dismal  Swamp  to  Elizabeth  City, 
North  Carolina.  He  has  1)een  in  the  service  of 
the  Norfolk  County  Ferries  for  a  period  of  15 
years,  and  in  that  time  has  not  had  a  personal 
accident.  His  record  for  continuing  with  one 
company  for  so  long  a  time  reflects  great  credit 
on  his  ability  as  an  engineer,  and  shows  the 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  employers. 

May  3.  1870.  Mr.  Borum  was  joined  in 
marriage  with  Man,'  E.  Bassett.  a  native  of 
\'irginia.  by  whom  he  had  two  children, — 
Sarali  A.,  who  married  Captain  W.  E.  Cline 
of  Berkley,  and  has  one  son,  Herbert  C. :  and 
Mary  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  10  months. 
Mrs.  Borum  died  Januar}-  19,  1875.  -^^  '^'''^  ^S^ 
of  24  years.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Berkley 
Avenue  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Borum  was  mar- 
ried, secondly,  on  November  12,  1877.  to  Selina 
Diggs,  a  native  of  Berkley.  Virginia,  and  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Mary  A.  Diggs.  Her 
father  is  one  of  the  pioneer  residents  of  Berk- 
ley, and  is  now  past  70  years  of  age.  Mrs. 
Diggs  died  April  20.  1891.  at  the  age  of  62 
years.  She  was  a  devout  Christian,  a  member 
of  the  Chestnut  Street  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  and  was  a  woman  of  estimable 
character,  with  manv  friends.  Two  children 
blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  Borum  and  his  wife, 
Selina,  namely  :  Josiah  V.  and  Carrie  E.  The 
son,  Josiah  V.,  is  a  steward  of  the  Chestnut 


Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and 
is  secretary  of  the  Sunday-schOol ;  he  married 
Vida  O.  Foreman,  and  they  have  a  son,  Ver- 
non L.  Josiah  Borum  and  his  family  are  mem- 
ers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
of  which  he  is  trustee.  He  is  a  Mason ;  he  was 
a  charter  member  of  Lee  Lodge.  K.  of  P.;  a 
charter  member  of  Middleton  Lodge,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  of  which  he  is  a  past  officer;  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  Thomas  Jefferson  Lodge.  Junior  Order 
of  United  American  ^Mechanics:  and  a  charter 
member  of  the  Engineers'  Benevolent  Associa- 
tion. 


ALEB  HODGES,  a  scion  of  one  of  the 
prominent  old  families  of  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  whose  portrait  is 
shown  on  the  foregoing  page,  has 
attained  a  high  degree  of  success, 
both  as  a  merchant  and  as'a  real  estate  dealer. 
He  was  born  at  Deep  Creek,  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia.  August  2^.  1850.  and  is  a  son  of 
Caleb  Hodges.  Sr..  and  grandson  of  Josiah 
Hodges. 

Josiah  Hodges  was  a  native  of  North  Car- 
olina and  when  a  child  came  to  Deep  Creek, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  where  he  was  reared 
by  Samuel  Weston.  He  became  a  fanner,  but 
died  early  in  life.  He  married  Mrs.  Lydia 
(Brown)  Gordon,  and  their  children  were: 
Nathan,  Thomas.  Josiah.  Hilry.  James,  Eliza- 
beth and  Caleb,  all  of  whom  were  reared  by 
their  mother. 

Caleb  Hodges.  Sr..  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  Deep  Creek,  and  spent 
his  early  life  as  a  farmer.  He  then  learned 
ship-building  and  with  his  brother,  Thomas, 
established  a  business — building  boats  of  light 
weight.  In  addition  to  this  line  of  work,  they 
manufactured  shingles,  staves  and  the  like,  the 
work  Ijeing  done  by  hand  at  that  early  day. 
They  built  some  boats  which  they  ran  to  nearby 
ports  with  produce,  and.  in  all.  had  a  very  pros- 
perous business.  He  was  captain  in  the  State 
Militia,   and   drilled   the   companies   at    Deep 


934 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Creek  and  Portsnujuth.  From  the  time  he  was 
1 8  years  old  he  was  a  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  held  all  of 
the  ofifices.  He  was  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day-school at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  was  a 
class-leader.  He  built  a  church  then  known  as 
Rehoboth  Church,  which  is  now  owned  by  the 
colored  people  of  the  community.  He  was 
also  greatly  interested  in  schools.  He  built  a 
fine  home  on  his  land,  and  owned  three  ex- 
cellent farms,  and  this  property  and  the  or- 
chard of  choice  fruit  planted  by  him,  remain 
as  they  were  years  ago.  and  are  monuments  to 
his  memory.  The  land  is  now  owned  by  his 
widow,  and  is  still  undivided.  He  died  in 
1871,  in  his  53rd  year.  In  1840  he  married 
Eliza  Ann  Cherry,  who  is  now  living  in  Ports- 
mouth at  the  age  of  82  years,  and  they  had  the 
following  children  :  Caleb  W.,  deceased  :  Sam- 
uel W. ;  Albert,  deceased,  and  Jerome,  twins; 
Henry  T..  deceased;  Caleb,  the  subject  of  this 
biographical  record ;  Alary  P.,  wife  of  W.  G. 
Pettis ;  Joseph  G. ;  Emily  Jane,  wife  of  J. 
Carson;  John  N. ;  and  Kate  F.j  wife  of  J.  W. 
Outten. 

Caleb  Hodges  attended  the  public  school' 
and  learned  the  trade  of  house  carpentering 
with  his  father,  with  whom  he  continued  until 
18  years  old.  About  1869  he  removed  to 
Portsmouth  and  there  went  into'  business.  He 
built  several  houses  which  he  sold  to  good  ad- 
vantage, and  in  1890  located  in  Norfolk,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
the  corner  of  Chapel  and  Queen  streets  until 
1897.  He  then  opened  his  present  store,  in 
which  he  carries  a  full  line  of  general  grocer- 
ies, hay,  grain,  feed,  coal  and  wood.  He  has 
been  very  active  in  real  estate  circles  in  Norfolk 
and  has  built  as  many  as  22  houses  there,  some 
of  which  he  sold  well,  retaining  the  others. 
He  also  built  10  houses  in  Berkley,  and  is  now 
building  five  brick  houses  and  a  store,  near  the 
corner  of  Moseley  and  Chapel  streets. 

In   1886  Mr.   Hodges  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Guider.  a  daughter   J 
of  George  Horst.   of  Baltimore.      Fraternallv  | 


the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  At- 
lantic Lodge.  No.  2.  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  served  four  years 
as  a  member  of  the  City  Council  in  a  creditable 
manner. 

♦-•-• 

ILLIAM  G.  LARMOUR,  occupying 
the  important  position  oif  general 
foreman  on  the  Norfolk  &  South- 
ern Railroad,  at  Berkley,  Virginia, 
is  well  known  and  liked  as  an  hon- 
est, upright  citizen.  He  is  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Elizabeth  (Gardham)  Larmour.  both  na- 
tives of  Canada.  His  birth  took  place  in 
Brantford,  Ontario.  February  20,  1871. 

Robert  Larmour.  his  father,  filled  many  po- 
sitions of  importance  during  his  active  life,  and 
is  now  a  retired  railroad  superintendent  and 
makes  his  home,  together  with  his  beloved  wife, 
at  Stratford.  Ontario.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Canada  militia,  serving  as  a  loyal  subject  of 
Queen  Victoria,  and  did  his  part  in  helping  to 
defeat  the  movement  of  the  Fenian  riders,  in 
1866.  He  has  now  reached  the  age  of  61  years, 
and  his  wife  has  attained  the  age  of  55  years; 
both  are  enjoying  the  best  of  health  and  are 
leading  a  retired  life. 

William  G.  Larmour  was  the  second  child 
in  a  family  of  five  children,  and  the  others  are 
still  residing  in  their  nati\-e  countv.  The  early 
years  of  his  boyhood  were  spent  in  obtaining 
his  mental  training  in  the  public  schools  of 
Stratford  and  London,  Ontario,  after  which  he 
started  out  in  life  tO'  earn  his  own  living.  His 
first  employment  was  as  a  machinist  in  the 
shops  of  the  Grand  Trunk  Railway,  his  loca- 
tion being  at  Fort  Gratiot.  Michigan.  Some 
time  later  he  became  draftsman,  and  served  as 
such  for  three  years,  in  the  employ  of  the 
Detroit  Dr}-  Dock  Company.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  returned  to  the  employ  of 
the  Grand  Trunk  Railway  Company,  filling  the 
position  of  draftsman  at  Battle  Creek  and 
Port  Huron.  Michigan.  He  remained  with 
that  companv  until  September,  1898,  when  he 


^Wi?SI' 


DR.    WILLIAM    K".     WOOD. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


937 


nioveil  to  Berkley,  \'irg-inia.  and  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern  Railroad 
Company  as  dfaftsman.  The  following  two 
Rears  of  his  service  on  that  line  were  so  satis- 
factory that  he  was  then  given  his  present  re- 
sixinsible  positinn  as  general  foreman,  and  has 
about  lOO  men  working  under  his  supervision. 
During  all  the  years  he  has  spent  in  railroad 
service  Mr.  Larnmur  has  always  pro\-c(l  faith- 
f\il  to  his  duties  and  thorough  and  prompt  in 
action.  He  is  a  master  workman  in  his  line, 
and  has  always  given  an  eminent  degree  of 
satisfaction. 

In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Larmour  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Blue  Lodge.  His  work 
does  not  occupy  all  of  his  time,  for  he  is  also 
interested  in  the  Southern-Southwestern  Rail- 
way Club,  kx-ated  at  .'Atlanta,  Georgia.  He 
takes  an  interest  in  church  affairs  as  well,  be- 
ing a  member  of  St.  Thomas  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  at  Berklev.  \'irginia.  and  serving 
as  a  vestrvman. 


.  WILLIA-M  K.  WOOD,  one  of  the 
leading  practicing  physicians  and  sur- 
geons in  Berklev,  Virginia,  whose 
portrait  the  publishers  of  this  work 
present  on  the  opposite  page,  com- 
mands an  extensive  practice  throughout  his 
section  of  Norfolk  County.  He  has  spent 
many  years  of  his  life  in  careful  training,  hav- 
ing attended  some  of  the  very  best  medical 
sch(Xils  in  the  country,  until  he  became  fully 
prepared  and  equipped  to  successfully  battle 
with  disease  in  almost  everv  form.  Dr.  Wood 
has  not  only  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
the  medical  profession,  but  skillfully  treats  the 
most  complicateil  cases  with  promptness  and 
decision,  thus  givin.g  his  patients  unliounded 
confidence  in  his  ability. 

Dr.  Wood  is  a  native  of  Pasquotank  Coun- 
ty. North  Carolina.  He  was  born  in  1875.  and 
is  a  son  of  John  R.  and  Keziah  (  Whitehurst) 
Wood.     The  father  was  a  native  of  Princess 


Anne  County.  Virginia,  and  during  his  .short 
life  was  a  farmer,  but  tlealh  claimed  him  in 
1886,  at  the  early  age  of  30  years.  He  and 
his  wife  were  devout  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  His  wife,  Keziah  (Whitehurst) 
Wood,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  a 
tlaughter  of  David  and  Mollie  Whitehurst.  was 
born  in  1850.  She  and  her  husband  had  four 
children,  namely:  Emily  .\..  a  resident  of  Cen- 
treville.  Norfolk  County,  \irginia:  Irene  F.. 
j  the  wife  of  Edward  T.  Humphries,  a  farmer. 
j  of  Princess  Anne  County.  \'irginia;  \\'illiam 
K. :  and  David  \\'..  who  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Norfolk  County. 

Dr.  Wood  had  exceptional  training  for 
his  profession  in  the  way  of  schools  and  col- 
leges. He  attended  the  Atlantic  Collegiate  In- 
slitute  at  Elizabeth  City.  North  Carolina,  and 
then  spent  one  term  in  Willi'^m  and  Mary  Col- 
lege, and  subsequently  attended  the  Baltimore 
Medical  College,  in  1893.  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  1896.  having  completed  the  course  in 
medicine  and  surgerv.  He  found  his  first  loca- 
tion in  Centreville.  North  Carolina,  where  he 
held  the  position  of  ])hvsician  for  the  county 
almshouse,  and  also  had  charge  of  the  county 
pesthouse.  which  jxisitions  showed  the  confi- 
dence placed  in  him.  In  May.  1901.  he  re- 
moved from  Centreville  to  Berkley.  Virginia, 
finding  there  much  l)roader  field  for  his  labors. 
He  enjoys  a  good  general  practice  and  has  an 
ofiice  at  No.  91  Chestnut  street. 

October  31.  1900.  marked  the  dale  of  Dr. 

Wood's     marriage     with     Elba    X'anderlip,    a 

daughter  of  Truman  and  Bell  Vanderlip.     In 

religious  belief  Mrs.  Wt)od  is  in  accord  with 

I  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

I  Dr.  Wood  is  quite  prominent  in  fraternal 
I  circles,  being  a  member  of  the  Masonic.  Inde- 
;  pendent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights  of 
Pvthias  lodges.  He  is  a  valued  member  of 
I  the  V'irginia  State  Medical  Society,  and  also 

of  the  Tidewater  Medical  Society. 
!         In  his  political  convictions  Dr.  Wood  is  a 
j  pronounceel  Democrat,  and  a  most  active  parti- 
i  san.     He  served  as  a  member  of  the  Demo- 


93« 


HISTORY . OF    NORFOLK   COUNTY 


cratic  County  Executive  Committee  for  four 
years,  and  was  active  in  the  organization  of  the 
party  in  the  last  gubernatorial  and  legislative 
contests  in  Norfolk  Countv.  In  this  connec- 
tion his  work  was  considered  by  his  friends  to 
be  of  the  highest  order. 


LLEXOR  &  ARMENTRAUT.  This 
firm  conducts  the  largest  wholesale 
grocery  establishment  in  Portsmouth, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  Their 
place  of  business  is  at  No.  808  Craw- 
ford street,  near  the  new  City  ^Market  in  the 
Seaboard  block. 

H.  N.  B.  Ellenor,  the  senior  member  of 
the  firm,  located  in  Portsmouth  in  1868.  In 
1875  he  formed  a  partnership  with  I.  C.  Brink- 
ley,  and  they  continued  in  business  together  for 
20  years.  The  partnership  was  then  dissolved, 
and  Mr.  Ellenor  took  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Ar- 
mentraut,  into  partnership  with  him.  They 
carry  an  immense  stock,  dealing  lx)th  in  retail 
and  wholesale  groceries,  and  buying  goods  by 
the  car-load.  Mr.  Ellaior  gained  his  experi- 
ence in  the  grocery  business  by  clerking  for 
James  Jones,  and  later  for  W.  &  J.  Parker,  an 
old  finn  of  Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Ellenor  married  Ella  Barnes,  who  was 
born  in  Portsmouth,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Har- 
vey Barnes.  Mr.  Barnes,  who  was  one  of  the 
ealiest  retail  grocery  dealers  of  Portsmouth, 
died  in  August,  1892,  aged  83  years.  He  was 
formerly  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  and 
was  born  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ellenor  have  two  children, — Ida 
Luvenia,  wife  of  J.  N.  Armentraut ;  and  Will- 
iam Harvey,  who  clerks  in  his  father's  store. 
Mr.  Ellenor  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
fraternally  is  a  member  of  the  following 
lodges  :  Royal  Arcanum  ;  Knights  of  Pythias, 
in  which  he  has  taken  all  the  degrees :  and 
Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  The  family 
attend  the  Baptist  Church. 

John  N.  Armantraut  was  born  and  reared 


in  Rockingham,  Shenandoah  Valley, .  Vir- 
ginia. He  came  to  Portsmouth,  March  28, 
1889,  and  entered  the  grocery  business  with  O. 
L.  Williams,  with  whom  he  continued  until 
January  i,  1895.  He  then  entered  intO'  part- 
nership with  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Ellenor. 
Mr.  Armentraut  married  Ida  Luvenia  Ellenor. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men,  and  Woodmen  of 
the  World  lodges.  Mr.  Armentraut  is  a  busi- 
ness man  of  marked  ability,  and  is  honorable 
and  upright  in  all  his  dealings. 

The  firm  of  Ellenor  &  Armentraut  occupies 
four  floors  of  the  building  in  which  they  con- 
duct their  business.  The  building  is  no  feet 
long,  and  20  feet  wide.  They  have  established 
a  reputation  throughout  Norfolk  County  as  a 
reliable  and  trustworthy  house,  with  a  stock  of 
groceries  which  cannot  be  excelled  in  the  State. 
Mr.  Ellenor  and  Mr.  Armentraut  are  greatly 
interested  in  the  progress  of  Portsmouth,  and 
always  lend  their  support  to  any  enterprise 
which  tends  to  promote  it.  They  stand  among 
the  foremost  business  men  of  the  city. 


TEPHEN  BARNABY  CARNEY,  the 

efficient  assistant  postmaster  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  was  bom  near  Church- 
land,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Capt. 
Stephen  Carney,  and  grandson  of  Barnaby 
Carney. 

Capt.  Stephen  Carney  was  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1810,  on  a  farm,  and  there  was  reared. 
Later  in  life  he  I^ecame  a  tiller  of  the  soil. 
He  had  a  large  estate,  which  he  managed  most 
successfully.  He  was  a  true  Southern  gentle- 
man, and  was  very  fond  of  outdoor  sports, 
being  particularly  inclined  to  the  old  style  of 
fox  hunting.  He  served  as  captain  of  militia 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  December  25, 
1890. 

Stephen  Barnaby  Carney,  wljose  name 
opens  these  lines,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  at- 


WILLIAM    B.    CHEEK. 


AND   REPRESEI^TATIVE   CJTI-ZENS. 


94? 


.4*r!>TC_-V.-V5X^.*  ».!.<..  1 


tended  school  iij.  .hjs  native  county.  By  the 
breaking  out  of.the  Confederate  \\ar>  he  was 
deprived  of  nrany  boyliood  pleasures.  He  assist- 
ed his  father  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  when 
very  young  took  a  great  interest  in  politics.  He 
served  eight  years-as  ehairman  of  the  Board 
oi  Suj)ervisors  of  Norfolk  County.  He  also 
ser\ed  five  years  as  chairman  of  the  Second 
Congressional  District  Republican  Executive 
Committee,  and  has  been  a  delegate  to  the 
State  convention  for  20  years.  Mr.  Carney 
was  one  of  the  promoters  and  incorporators 
of  West  Norfolk,  and  secured  the  first  charter 
for  the  Norfolk  &  Carolina  Railroad.  He  was 
appointed  assistant  postmaster  of  Norfolk 
March  27,  1898,  and  is  filling  this  office  with 
great  accqjtability.  His  duties  are  to  look 
after  the  books  of  the  office,  and  to  take  charge 
of  the  stock.  He  is  one  of  the  most  influential 
citizens  of  Norfolk  County,  and  is  a  man  of 
splendid  business  ability,  and  progressive  and 
enterprising  spirit.  He  is  widely  known  in 
Norfolk,  and  in  this  section  of  \'irginia,  as  a 
man  of  honor  and  integrity,  who  is  charitable 
to  all. 

Mr.  Carney  is  a  member  of  the  ilasonic  or- 
der. Knights  of  Pythias  and  Royal  Arcanum. 
Religiously,  he  is  a  Baptist. 


ILLIAM  A.  WEST,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business  in  Ports- 
mouth, Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
was  born  near  the  Dismal  Swamp 
Canal  at  a  place  now  known  as 
"Cornland."  March  19,  1841.  He  is  a  son  of 
John  \\'est  and  grandson  of  William  West, 
descended  from  Capt.  Nathaniel  West,  one  of 
the  \\'est  brothers  prominent  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  Virginia,  and  was  probably  the  first  of 
the  West  family  to  locate  in  Norfolk. 

William  West,  the  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
John  \\est.  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born 
in   1814.     He  was  a  captain  of  State  troops 


piior  to  the  Confederate  War.    His  wife,  Sarah 
A.  Hodges,  who  was  born  in   1816^  died  in 

;  1850.  She  had  three  sons:  L.M..  John  T. 
and  William  A. 

William  A.  West,  tl>e  subject  of  this  sketch, 
served  as  sergeant  of  Company  A,  61  st  Regi- 
ment, Virginia  Infantry,  during  the  Confed- 
erate War,  taking  part  in  many  of  the  promi- 
nent battles.  October  i,  1896,  he  leased  his 
farm  which  he  had  operated  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  removed  to  Portsmouth  that  he 
might  the  better  attend  to  his  lumber  interests. 
Air.  West  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men 
of  Portsmouth. 

In  1880  Mr.  West  married  Bettie  F.  Smith, 

1  who  was  born  in  1841,  in  Culpeper  County, 
Virginia,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sarah  A. 
(Newlon)  Smith.  Peter  Smith  was  born  in 
Rappahannock  County.  \"irginia,  June  11, 
181 5,  and  was  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer;  his 
wife  was  born  in  Loudoun  County,  Virginia, 
in  1 8 14,  and  died  in  1884.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  West 
liave  one  son.  who  is  20  years  old.  His  name 
is  John  William  Casper  West,  and  he  is  now 
lieutenant  at  the  Blacksburg  Military-  Acad- 
emy, where  he  is  completing  his  last  term. 

Mr.  \\"est  is  a  meml^er  of  the  board  of 
stew'ards  of  Monumental  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  and  is  also  superintendent  of 
the  Sunday-school.  His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  West  has  a  brother 
who  is  superintendent  of  the  county  schools  of 
Norfolk,  and  is  a  Methodist  minister. 


ILLIAM  B.  CHEEK,  whose  portrait 
is  herewith  shown,  is  a  storage 
merchant  of  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  and  was  born  in 
\\'arren   County.   North   Carolina, 

January  15.  1S54.     He  comes  of  a  very  go<xl 

family,  and  is  a  son  of  John  S.  and  Clementine 

(Bagley)  Cheek. 

John  S.  Cheek  was  born  in  1819,  and  died 

at  the  age  of  68  year...    He  was  a  slave-owner 


942 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  planter,  raising  tobacco,  cotton,  corn, 
wlieat  arnd  oats  extensively.  He  was  one  of 
tl"fe  most  successful  planters  of  the  day.  He 
married  Clementine  Bagley,  who  was  born  at 
W'illiamston,  Martin  County,  North  Carolina, 
in  1830.  She  was  a  daughter  of  D.  W.  Bag- 
ley,  who  was  a  merchant.  John  S.  Cheek  had 
seven  children,  namelv :  William  B.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  Olivia,  who  married  Dr. 
Landis,  of  Durham,  North  Carolina ;  Corinne 
M.,  who  married  Edward  Royster,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  carriage  business  at  Henderson, 
North  Carolina:  Helen  B. ;  Cornelia  W.,  who 
married  M.  K.  Pleasant,  of  Louisburg,  North 
Carolina;  John  S..  a  merchant,  of  Ocosta, 
Washington;  and  Robert  L.,  also  living  in  the 
same  place.  Williami  B.  Cheek's  mother  is 
a  direct  descendant  of  Philip  Bagley.  one  of 
the  heroes  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  who  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  is  also 
related  to  Dr.  Joseph  Warren,  who  lost  his 
life  in  that  famous  1>attle  of  Revolutionary 
days. 

William  B.  Cheek  attended  the  Horner 
school  in  Oxford,  Granville  County,  North 
Carolina.  Before  he  had  reached  the  age  of 
16  years  he  was  obliged  to  leave  school,  as  his 
father's  health  failed,  and  he  was  called  upon 
to  take  charge  of  the  large  farm  and  other  bus- 
iness. He  remained  in  that  connection  until 
1884,  when  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia. 
He  became  interested  in  several  lines  of  busi- 
ness, finally  taking  charge  of  the  storage  busi- 
ness in  the  spring  of  1892,  and  in  which  line  he 
has  since  continued.  He  is  an  enterprising  citi- 
zen of  Norfolk,  well  thought  of.  and  highly  es- 
teemed for  his  good  business  ability  and  up- 
rightness of  character. 

Mr.  Cheek  married  Lucy  Gurley,  of  Nor- 
folk. She  is  a  daughter  of  William  P.  and  Ag- 
ness  Gurley,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
At  her  mother's  request  before  that  lady's 
death,  she  was  afterward  adopted  by  Mrs. 
George  W.  McGlanhon.  Mr.  Cheek  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat in  politics.  He  is  an  advocate  of  Chris- 
tian   Science,    having   received   many   benefits 


therefrom.  Socially^  he  is  a  member  of  several 
fraternaf  organizations,  and  is  district  deputy 
supreme  archon  of  t^ie  Lnproved  Order  of  Hep- 
tasophsr,  of  this  district. 


HEODORICK  A.  WILLIAMS,  a  poi> 
ular  young  attomey-at-law  of   Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  is  a  son  of  the  Hon. 
T.  A.  Williams,  one  of  the  city's  most 
esteemed  citizens,   and  was   born  in 
Nc^folk  in  1874. 

Hon.  T.  A.  Williams  was  born  and  reared 
in  Norfolk,  and  received  his  mental  training 
in  the  schools  of  that  city.  He  began  his  busi- 
ness career  as  a  bookkeeper,  after  which  he  en- 
tered mercantile  life.  When  the  Confederate 
War  broke  out  he  had  l^een  in  business  only  a 
short  time,  but  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  leave 
all  and  join  the  army.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
to  act,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Mahone's 
Brigade,  but  was  later  advanced  through  merit. 
He  fought  gallantly  through  ij  of  the  most 
serious  engagements  of  the  war,  and  at  the  sur- 
render at  Appomattox  he  had  command,  as 
captain,  of  two  companies  of  the  6th  Regiment, 
Virginia  Infantr)-. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Captain  Williams 
returned  to  mercantile  pursuits,  entering  the 
grocery  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Row- 
land &  Williams.  Later  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  T.  A.  Williams  &  Dickson,  and  still 
later  ti>  T.  .\.  Williams  &  Company. 

Captain  Williams  had  a  successful  career; 
he  was  identified  with  banking  interests,  and 
November  11,  1889,  became  president  of  the 
Bank  of  Commerce,  and  held  that  position  until 
his  death,  November  14,  1891,  at  the  age  of 
51  years.  He  was  an  active  citizen,  and  served 
in  the  City  Council  several  years.  He  was  also 
a  member  of  the  School  Board,  and  a  trustee 
of  the  Norfolk  Academy. 

Theodorick  A.  Williams  was  reared  in  Nor- 
folk, and  attended  the  Norfolk  Academy,  and 
the   Episcopal    High    School,    of    Alexandria, 


CAPT.    HORATIO    H.    GLOVER. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


945 


Virginia,  wliere  he  obtained  liis  primary  edu- 
cation, and  afterward  studied  law  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  \"irginia.  wliere  he  graduated  in 
1896.  In  1897  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
He  lias  since  built  up  a  lucrative  practice,  and 
is  recDgnized  to-day  as  one  of  the  leading 
young  attorneys  of  the  city.  He  is  a  good 
writer  and  a  fluent  sjieaker.  and  although  in- 
terested in  some  of  the  recent  enterprises  of 
Norfolk  he  has  never  neglected  his  profession 
for  other  business  propositions. 


APT.  HORATIO  H.  GLOVER,  who 
is  in  command  of  the  steamer  "Al- 
bemarle," in  the  service  of  the  Old 
Dominion       Steamship       Compan\-, 
comes   of  a   seafaring   family.      lie 
was  born  at  Camden,   Maine,  September   13, 
1845.  3"d  'S  ^  son  of  Thomas  and  Lucy  (Ea- 
ton) Glover. 

Jolm  Glover,  the  sreat-grandfather  of  Capt. 
Horatio  H.,  was  a  sea  captain.  His  son,  John 
Glover,  was  also  a  sea  cantain.  Thomas  Glover 
was  lorn  on  Fox  Island,  and  was  a  master 
mariner,  making  deep  water  voyages  all  his 
life  on  sailing  vessels.  He  died  in  i860,  aged 
48  years.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Camden. 
Maine,  died  in  1852.  aged  34  years.  They  had 
three  daughters  and  one  son.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  second  child. 

Capt.  Horatio  H.  Glover  attended  school 
ami  grew  to  manhood  in  the  State  of  Maine. 
and  at  the  age  of  15  vears  made  his  first  voyage 
at  sea.  His  first  work  was  as  cook  on  a  small 
sailing  vessel.  From  the  grade  of  cook  he  ad- 
vanced rapidly,  filling  all  the  positions  on  a  ves- 
.sel,  until  he  became  master.  He  held  the  posi- 
tion of  chief  stevedore  on  the  New  York 
wharves  for  three  vears.  His  service  with  the 
Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company  began  in 
November,  1877,  when  he  was  given  command 
of  the  steamer  "Rapidan."  In  July.  1895,  Cap-, 
tain  Glover  took  command  of  the  steamer 
"Richmond,"  and   in   February.    1898,   he  be- 


came captain  of  his  present  vessel,  the  "Al- 
bemarle." He  has  experienced  many  narrow 
escapes  and  thrilling  incidents  on  the  water 
but,  on  the  whole,  has  been  very  successful.  He 
is  an  excellent  sea  captain  and  has  had  a  splen- 
tl:d  career.  His  jileasant  and  courteous  man- 
ners make  him  beloved  by  all.  who  admire  him 
for  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character. 

Captain  Glover  married  Louisa  S.  Matth- 
ews, of  Lincolnville,  Maine,  and  they  have  two 
daughters:  Mary  L..  wife  of  Addison  C. 
Brown;  and  Eleanor  R.,  wife  of  Leonard  R. 
Johnson,  Jr.  Both  families  reside  in  Brooklyn, 
New  York.  Captain  Glover  is  a  member  of 
Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. :  Norfolk 
United  Chapter,  No.  i,  R.  A.  M. :  and  Grice 
Commandery,  No.  16,  K.  T..  all  of  Norfolk. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor; 
Legion  of  Honor;  Royal  .Arcanum;  and  Pilots' 
&  Masters'  Association  of  Steam  Vessels,  Pro- 
gressive Order,  No.  9,  of  Norfolk.  A  por- 
trait of  Captain  Glo\'er  accompanies  this 
sketch. 


R.  ALEXANDER  TUNST.\LL,  who 
has  attained  a  high  degree  of  success 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  comes  of  a  very  prom- 
ii:ent  \'irginia  family.     He  was  l^orn 
in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  April  8,  1843,  ^""-l  faces 
his  ancestry  back  to  Col.  Richard  Tunstall  of 
King  and  Queen  County,  Virginia. 

Col.  Richard  Tunstall  was  tlejjuty  clerk  of 
court  in  Essex  County.  Virginia,  in  1721,  and 
a  clerk  of  the  court  of  King  and  Queen  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  from  1753  to  1756.  He  was  elect- 
ed burgess  from  that  county  in  November. 
1766,  and  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  in  1774.  He  was  a  colonel  during 
the  Revolutionary  War.  He  married  .\nne 
Hill,  and  among  their  children  was  Richard 
Tunstall,  Jr.,  who  was  born  in  King  and  Queen 
County,  Virginia,  was  clerk  of  the  court  of  that 
county  from  1777  to  1784,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  King  and  Queen 


946 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


County  in  1774.  He  married  Catherine 
Brooke,  a  daughter  of  Col.  George  and  Ann 
(Tunstall)  Brooke. 

Col.  George  Brooke,  born  in  1725,  was  a 
son  of  Humphrey  Brooke  (and  Elizabeth 
Braxton),  the  third  son  of  Robert  Brooke, 
Sr.,  and  Catherine  Boothe,  his  wife.  Robert 
Brooke,  Sr.,  was  a  justice  of  Essex  County, 
Virginia,  in  1691.  and  was  a  surveyer  by  pro- 
fession. He  was  father  of  Maj.  Robert  Brooke, 
Jr.,  of  Governor  Spottswood's  Knights  of  the 
Golden  Horseshoe.  Col.  George  Brooke  was 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  froin 
1768  to  1776,  and  of  the  Virginia  Convention 
of  1775-76,  member  of  the  Virginia  State  Sen- 
ate, 1777  to  1779,  and  treasurer  of  the  State 
of  Virginia  from  1781  to  his  death,  in  April, 
1782.  '^ 

Alexander  Tunstall,  a  son  of  Richard  and 
Catherine  (Brooke)  Tunstall,  was  born  in 
King  and  Queen  County,  Virginia,  March  19, 
1787.  He  was  cashier  oif  the  Farmers  Bank 
of  \'irginia  at  Norfolk,  a  branch  of  the  Vir- 
ginia State  Bank  of  Richmond,  and  was  asso- 
ciated with  James  Lyons.  He  married  Eliza- 
beth Todd  Baylor,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Bay,- 
lor  and  Lucy  Todd  Garnett,  his  wife,  and 
among  their  children  was  Robert  Baylor  Tun- 
stall, the  father  of  our  subject. 

Robert  Baylor  Tunstall  was  born  in  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  August  31,  18 18,  and 
was  educated  at  Norfolk,  Hampden-Sidney 
College,  in  Prince  Edward  'County,  and  at  the 
Medical  College  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating 
from  the  last-named  institution  in  1842.  He 
then  returned  to  Norfolk,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  his  death, 
April  I,  1883.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Nor- 
folk Medical  Society.  On  January  7,  1840,  he 
married  Elizabeth  Walke  Williamson,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Thorn  Williamson  of  Norfolk,  Virginia. 
The  \\niliamson  family  is  traceable  back  to 
Sir  Thomas  Williamson  of  "Cobham  Hall," 
in  Surry  County,  Virginia,  opposite  James- 
town. The  next  in  line  of  descent  was  John 
Williamson,  who  married  Rebecca  Chamber- 


laine  and  was  elected  a  vestryman  of  Curl's 
Church,  Henrico  County,  Virginia,  June  17, 
1735.  Thomas  Williamson,  son  of  John  and 
Rebecca  ( Chamberlaine)  Williamson,  was  born 
in  Henrico  Comity,  Virginia,  in  1708,  and  was 
elected  vestryman  O'f  the  same  church  October 
8,  1737.  He  married  Judith  Flemming,  and 
among  their  children  was  John  Williamson,  the 
second  of  the  name,  who.  by  his  wife,  Sarah 
Price,  had  a  son,  Thom  Williamson,  father  of 
Mrs.  Robert  B.  Tunstall.  Thorn  Williamson 
was  born  at  "The  Brook,"  in  Henrico  Coamty, 
May  22,  1777,  and  died  'in  Norfolk  in  1846, 
being  buried  in  Cedar  Grove  Cemetery,  Nor- 
folk, Virginia.  On  July  13,  1809,  he  married 
his  second  wife,  Anne  M.  Walke,  whose  daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth  Walke  Williamson,  married  Dr. 
Robert  B.  Tunstall.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Tunstall 
were  the  parents  of  the  following  children,  who 
grew  to  maturity  :  Baynham,  Alexander,  Vir- 
ginia Baylor  (Thom),  Nannie  McClellan 
(Hunter),  Richard  B.,  Robert  W.  and  Will- 
iam Brooke.  A  number  of  others  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

Dr.  Alexander  Tunstall,  subject  of  this  bi- 
ography, was  reared  in  Norfolk,  and  attended 
the  Norfolk  Military  Academy  for  four  years, 
William  Richard  Gait's  Mountain  Home 
School  in  Botetourt  County  two  years,  then 
William  and  Mary  College,  at  Williamsburg, 
Virginia,  whence  he  went  into  service  in  the 
Confederate  War,  in  April,  1861,  after  which 
he  took  a  course  in  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical 
College  in  New  York,  and  was  graduated  in 
1868.  He  became  interne  in  the  hospital  of 
that  name,  and  was  subsequently  a  resident 
physician  in  the  Nursery  and  Child's  Hospital, 
New  York,  for  one  year.  He  returned  to  Nor- 
folk in  1870,  and  has  since  been  one  of  the 
successful  physicians  and  surgeons  of  that  city. 
He  is  a  man  of  estimable  character,'  and  stands 
high  in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He 
has  a  very  beautiful  residence  overlooking  the 
Elizabeth  River,  located  at  the  west  end  of 
Fre-emason  street.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
^'irginia  State  Medical  Society,  and  the  Nor- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


947 


folk  Medical  Sexiety.  of  which  latter  he  sen-ed 
lx)th  as  secretary  and  president.  He  was  the 
adjutant  of  the  fith  Regiment.  \'irginia  In- 
fantPi-,  in  the  Confederate  War.  the  regiment 
forming  a  part  of  Mahone's  Brigade  of  the 
Army  of  Xorthern  \'irginia.  He  lias  lieen 
medical  examiner  of  die  Xew  York  Life  and 
Mutual  Life  insurance  companies  of  Xew 
York.  He  has  always  taken  an  earnest  and 
active  interest  in  the  progress  and  development 
of  the  city  of  Xorfolk. 

In  April.  1876.  Dr.  Tunstall  married  An- 
nie D.  Mcintosh,  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Charles 
F.  Mcintosh,  C.  S.  Xavy.  who  lost  his  life 
during  the  Confederate  \\'ar,  in  1862.  after  a 
gallant  struggle  with  Farragut  ahove  Xew 
Orleans.  The  living  issue  of  this  unic^n  is : 
Elizabeth  \\'alke.  Charles  Mcintosh.  Richard 
and  Ruth. 


HE    XATIOXAL  BAXK  OF  COM- 
MERCE is  cme  of  the  solid  financial 
mstitutions  of  Norfolk,  and  for  many 
years  has  been  a  material  factor  in  the 
growth  and  development  of  the  city. 
fostering  new  enterprises  and  giving  support 
to  all  business  ventures  tending  to  elevate  Xor- 
folk in  the  commercial  world. 

The  Xational  Bank  of  Commerce  is  the  out- 
growth of  the  People's  Xational  Bank,  which 
was  organized  in  1867  wiih  J.  C.  Demming 
as  president.  It  was  reorganized  as  the  Bank 
of  Co:rmerce,  July  16.  1878.  with  John  Peters 
as  president.  The  latter  was  succeeded  by 
James  E.  Barry.  July  12,  1879,  and  he  in  turn 
relinquished  the  duties  of  that  office  to  Hon. 
T.  A.  Williams,  Novemljer  11,  1889.  The  next 
president  was  Nathaniel  Beaman.  who  now 
maintains  that  official  capacity,  the  other  offi- 
cers being  Robert  P.  \''oight  as  vice-president : 
Hugh  'SI.  Kerr,  cashier :  and  M.  C.  Ferebee. 
assistant  cashier.  The>-  are  all  men  of  promi- 
nence and  experience  in  the  business  world, 
and  the  business  affairs  of  the  bank  have  flour- 
ished under  the  wise  administration.    The  orig- 


inal capital  stock  of  $50,000  was  enlarged  to 
$100,000  in  1890.  to  $200,000  in  1897,  and  to 
$500,000  in  1901.  The  Bank  of  Commerce 
was  converted  into  the  Xational  Bank  of  Com- 
merce, Decemljer  2,  1901.  The  following 
statement  made  February  25,  1902,  shows  not 
only  the  wonderful  gmwth  of  the  institution, 
but  its  sound  financial  condition : 

RESOURCES. 

Feb.  26,  1W)2. 

Loans  and  discounts §1 ,7"23.8.i.i  1 1 

U.  S.  bonds  and  premiums 2.57,912  00 

Other  bonds 42,796  78 

Premium  account  

Banking  house  and  fixtures ;32,000  00 

Other  real  estate l.l.S*^  17 

Due  from  banks 70,904  81 

Due  from  approved  reserved  agents  123,.386  11 

Cash  and  exchanges 191,68.5  71 

$2,443,378  69 

LI.\BILITIES. 

Capital  stock  paid  in S   500,000  00 

Surplus  fund 250,000  00 

Undivided  prohts 13.6*2  26 

National  bank  notes  outstanding 246,300  00 

Dividends  unpaid 120  00 

Individual  deposits I,l:i3..590  10 

Bank  deposits 249,736  33 

Bills  pAvable  and  rediscounted 

Temporary  loans 50,0W  00 

52,443,378  69 

The  directors  of  the  bank  are:  K.  B.  El- 
liott, B.  T.  Bockover,  R.  W.  Santos.  Fred 
Greenwood,  J.  W.  Hunter,  Thomas  H.  Will- 
cox,  Henrv  L.  Schmelz,  Alvah  H.  Martin. 
Hugh  M.'  Kerr,  Robert  P.  Voight.  F.  M. 
Whitehurst,  Cary  P.  Weston,  Tazewell  Tay- 
lor, T.  S.  Southgate  and  Nathaniel  Beaman. 
The  Xational  Bank  of  Commerce  has  hand- 
some and  commodious'  quarters  at  No.  241 
Main  street.  The  building,  which  the  bank 
owns,  was  renovated  and  refitted  in  1897:  it 
is  made  of  stone  and  the  interior  is  of  marble 
and  mahogany,  presenting  an  appearance  of 
simple  elegance.  It  is  specially  arranged  for 
the  banking  business,  and  every  detail  which 
will  in  any  way  facilitate  the  work  has  I^een 
provided.  One  of  the  best  features  of  the  l>ank 
R  its  fire  and  burglar-proof  vault.     It  is  di- 


948 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


vided  into  twoi  parts,  one  part  being  used  for 
safety  deposit  boxes  and  the  other  for  banking 
purposes.  Among  the  bank's  principal  corre- 
spondents are  the  following  well-knOwn  con- 
cerns ;  National  Park,  Hanover  National, 
Chase  National  and  National  Bank  of  Com- 
merce, New  York ;  First  National  and  Corn 
Exchange,  of  Philadelphia;  First  National  of 
Baltimore ;  and  Central  National  of  Wash- 
ington. 

The  cashier  of  the  bank,  Hugh  M.  Kerr, 
is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  has  been  identified 
with  the  institution  for  four  years. 


-APT.  JOSEPH  DOWNING  WOOD, 

a  well-known  citizen  of  Portsmouth, 
Virginia,  is  president  of  the  Amer- 
ican Association  of  Masters  &  Pilots, 
an  organization  which  was  estab- 
lished 12  years  ago,  and  has  its  headquarters 
in  Odd  Fellows  Hall,  on  Church  street,  Nor- 
folk. It  has  been  reorganized,  and  now  has  a 
membership  of  150.  It  is  not  a  labor  organiza- 
tion, its  purpose  being  to  secure  good  com- 
petent men  for  navigators,  which  tends  to  bene- 
fit employers  as  well  as  the  members.  It  is 
also  a  social  organization.  Captain  Wood  was 
quite  active  in  the  reorganization  of  this  order 
and  is  now;  president.  Captain  W.  A.  Mayer 
being  vice-president. 

Captain  Joseph  Downing  Wood  was  born 
in  Plymouth,  Washington  County,  North  Car- 
olina, and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  S.  and'  Martha 
( Downing)  Wood.  He  comes  of  distin- 
guished ancestry  on  both  sides  of  the  family. 
The  Wood  family  is  of  English  origin,  and 
some  of  its  members  were  comparatively  early 
settlers  of  North  Carolina.  The  Downing 
family  has  long  been  one  of  prominence  in 
North  Carolina.  It  is  also  of  English  extrac- 
tion, the  first  of  its  representatives  in  this  coun- 
try being  Henry  Downing,  who  came  from 
England  and  was  ^  very  early  pioneer  of 
Plymouth,  North  Carolina.    He  was  possessed 


of  large  estates  in  that  locality.  A  direct  de- 
scendant of  this  pioneer  was  Col.  Joseph  Down- 
ing, grandfather  of  Capta-in  Wood.  He  was  a 
wealthy  and  influential  man  of  Plymouth,  and 
owned  about  1,200  acres  of  land  in  that  vi- 
cinity. He  had  a  large  number  of  slaves,  fol- 
lowed farming,  and  also  owned  and  operated  a 
mill  there.  He  was  the  leading  man  of  that 
section,  but  the  Confederate  War  caused  him 
to  loose  the  greater  portion  of  his  property. 
He  spent'  his  life  on  the  farm,  and  died  in 
1865.  His  union  with  Nancy  Jones,  also  of 
North  Carolina,  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven 
children,  as  follows  :  Richard  ;  Hester  ;  Martha, 
the  mother  of  Captain  Wood ;  Thomas ;  Cath- 
erine ;  Stephen ;  and  Jannis.  Mrs.  Downing 
died  in  1867.  The  okl  Downing  estate  re- 
niained  in  the  family  until  about  1896. 

Samuel  S.  Wood  was  boi-n  in  Tyrrell  Coun- 
ty, North  Carolina,  in  March,  1845,  s-^d  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  during  the 
early  part  of  his  life.  During  the  past  15  years 
he  has  followed  marine  engineering,  and  lives 
at  Berkley,  Norfolk  Comity,  Virginia.  In 
1866  he  married  Martha  Downing,  who'  died 
in  April,  1888,  leaving  five  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, as  follows:  Joseph  D.,  Maud,  Richard, 
Felder  A.,  Stephen  and  S.  Frank. 

Captain  Joseph  Downing  Wood  came  to 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  when  about  17  years  of  age. 
He  had  received  a  common-school  education 
in  the  rural  districts,  and  after  coming  to  Nor- 
folk attended  night  school.  Diunng  his  early 
life  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  afterward  se- 
cured a  position  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store 
in  Elizabeth,  North  Carolina.  Then  his  con- 
nection with  marine  life  began  as  a  deck-hand, 
from  which  humble  position  he  has  worked  his 
way  up  to  be  master  and  pilot.  He  has  now- 
been  master  for  some  12  years,  serving  six 
years  of  that  time  for  Norfolk  County  firms. 
He  has  been  master  of  his  present  command, 
— the  steam-tug  "Dorothea" — for  the  past  two 
years. 

Captain  Wood  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Ada  Estelle  Burnell  of  Portsmouth.  Virginia, 


PILKINTON    C.    CODD. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


55' 


in  which  city  they  now  reside.  He  is  a  pleas- 
ant, genial  man  and  has  many  friends.  Fra- 
ternally, he  is  a  member  of  Berkle\-  Lodge, 
K.  of  P. 


E.  CRISMOXD.  who  has  served 
efficiently  in  the  cajxicity  of  as- 
sistant postmaster  of  Portsmouth 
since  April,  1898,  is  a  native  of 
that  city.  He  was  born  in  Janu- 
ary, 1863,  and  is  a  son  of  George  E. 

George  E.  Crismond  was  born  in  Glou- 
cester County,  \'irginia,  and  came  to  Ports- 
mouth in  the  "fifties."  He  was  a  ship-joiner 
by  trade  and  was  employed  in  the  Navy  Yard. 
He  served  in  Grimes'  Battery,  Artillery,  in  the 
Confederate  Army  during  the  Intersectional 
War.  and  after  its  termination  resumed  his 
work  at  Portsmouth.  He  died  in  the  summer 
of  1899.  He  married  a  ^liss  Topping,  a  de- 
scendant of  the  W'crnd  family  of  Portsmouth. 
Mrs.  Crismond  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  and 
died  in  that  city  in  1888.  Five  daughters  were 
born  to  George  E.  Crismond  and  his  wife,  as 
follows:  Mrs.  William  J.  Bohannan ;  Mrs. 
John  W.  Hart,  whose  husband  is  in  the  steam 
engineering  department  of  the  Xa\y  Yard ; 
Mrs.  Clifford  B.  Corey,  whose  husband  is 
superintendent  of  track  laying  of  the  Inireau 
of  Yards  and  Docks  of  the  Xavy  Yard ;  Mrs. 
W.  Roland  King,  of  Portsmouth;  and  Ethel, 
of  Portsmouth.  ^\^  E.  Crismond  is  the  only 
son  born  to  his  parents.  His  brother-in-law. 
William  J.  Bohannan,  is  senior  member  of  the 
wholesale  and  retail  grocery  firm  of  Bohan- 
nan, Blick  &  Company,  on  South  street ;  he  is 
a  native  of  Portsmouth,  and  his  father  was  a 
Confederate  soldier.  Mr.  Bohannan  and  his 
wife  have  four  children,  namely :  Williani  J. ; 
Aurelius  J. ;  Earl  Parker :  and  Marshall  T. 

W.  E.  Crismond  was  reared  at  Ports- 
mouth, where  he  attended  school,  and  was  also 
a  pupil  in  Prof.  N.  B.  Webster's  school  at 
Norfolk.     He  was  then  employed  by  the  .\d- 

ams  and  Sguthern  express  companies  as  clerk 
47 


I  for  six  years,  and  in  1888  was  appointed  by 
:  Secretary  of  the  Navy  Tracy  as  chief  clerk  in 
j  the  equipment  department  at  the  Xavy  Yard. 
He  continued  thus  for  four  years,  and  was 
removed  when  President  Cleveland  Ijegan  his 
second  administration.  He  then  became  local 
clerk  and  ticket  agent  of  the  .\tlantic  &  Dan- 
ville Railway  Company,  with  office  at  Nor- 
folk, and  served  as  such  until  April,  1898, 
when  he  was  apixjinted  assistant  postmaster 
at  Portsmouth  by  Mr.  Burroughs.  He  is  pos- 
sessed of  exceptional  ability,  and  is  well 
thought  of  by  all  to  whom  he  is  known.  He 
attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
South. 


IJILKINTON  C.  CODD,  owner  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  largest  livery  business 
in  the  city  of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  whose  portrait  ac- 
companies this  sketch,  is  a  wholesale 
and  retail  dealer  in  horses  and  also  a  veterinary 
surgeon  of  recognized  abilitw  Mr.  Codd's 
early  life  was  spent  in  the  butcher  business, 
which  he  learned  under  his  father.  In  October, 
1899,  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business  on  a 
small  scale,  having  only  four  horses.  Under 
his  successful  management,  the  enterprise  has 
proved  a  great  success.  He  now  owns  50  head 
of  fine  horses  and  has  the  largest  stables  in  the 
city.  The  buildings  cover  half  a  block,  and  in- 
clude also  a  blacksmith  shop. 

Pilkinton  C.  Codd  was  born  in  I'ortsmoutli 
September  27,  1857,  3"^'  's  ^  son  of  John  A. 
and  Clara  Codd,  both  parents  being  natives  of 
Baltimore,  Maryland.  The  father  was  born 
in  1829  and  passed  to  his  final  rest  in  1884. 
He  was  reared  in  X'orfolk  County,  Virginia, 
followed  the  butcher  business  very  successfully 
in  Portsmouth  for  manv  years,  and  was  well 
known  in  mercantile  circles.  He  and  his  es- 
teemed wife  reared  a  family  of  10  children. 
Those  living  are  as  follows:  Jacob;  John: 
William;  Walter;  Charles:  Louis :  Pilkinton 
C. ;  Clara,  who  was  united  in  marriage  .with 


952 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Young  Old ;  and  Kate,  who  is  the  wife  of 
George  Porter. 

In  i88g  Pilkinton  C.  Codd  was  united  in 
matrimony  with  Freddie  Old,  who  was  born  in 
Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia.  They  have 
two  children, 'Marshall,  who  was  born  in  1892  ; 
and  Mary,  whose  birth  took  place  in  1895.  The 
family  attend  divine  service  at  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  which  Mrs.  Codd 
is  a  member. 

Mr.  Codd  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  and  is 
faithful  to  the  interests  of  his  party  at  all  times. 
In  fraternal  circles  he  affiliates  with  the  Royal 
Arcanum  and  Knights  of  Pythias. 


R.  ROBERT  SHEILD  PERKINS, 
who  has  attained  a  high  degree  of 
success  in  the  practice  of  the  medical 
profession,  is  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Norfolk.  He  is  a  North  Carolinian 
by  birth,  but  of  Virginian  ancestry,  being  a 
scion  of  the  Sheild  family,  which  has  been  one 
of  prominence  since  near  the  beginning  of  the 
seventeenth  century,  when  it  was  established  in 
this  State  and  country. 

Robert  and  Mary  (Bray)  Sheild  were  the 
first  of  the  family  to^  come  to  this  country 
from  England,  locating  in  York  County,  Vir- 
ginia. They  had  a  son,  Robert  Sheild.  The 
latter,  who  died  March  4.  1669,  married  Eliza- 
beth Davis,  and  had  a  son,  Robert.  Robert 
Sheild,  the  third,  was  born  April  26,  1667,  and 
was  churchwarden  of  Charles  Parish.  He 
married  Mary  Dunn,  only  daughter' of  Charles 
Diinn,  who  married  Temperance  Roberts, 
who  is  referred  to  in  the  early  records  as  "sis- 
ter to  Thomas  Roberts."  Among  the  chil- 
dren born  of  this  union  were  Robert  Sheild 
and  Dunn  Sheild,  the  last  named  marrying 
Susan  Curtis.  The  former,  whose  will  was 
proved  May  21,  1753.  married  Sarah,  widow 
of  Thomas  Barber,  and  they,  too,  Iiad  a  son 
named  Robert.  Robert  Slieild.  the  son,  served 
as  captain  in  the  French  and  Indian  War,  and 


became  major  in  the  militia  of  York  County, 
Virginia.  He  was  also  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
He  married  Rebecca  Hyde,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Hyde,  and  granddaughter  of  Robert 
Hyde,  who  was  an  attorney-at-law.  Tlieir 
two  sons  were  Samuel  and  Robert.  Robert 
Sheild  died  March  31,  1804.  He  married  at 
Chiskiack,  February,  1781,  Martha  Hansford. 
They  had  a  son,  the  seventh  Robert  Sheild. 
He  was  born  October  30,  1789,  and  died  No- 
vemter  10,  1840.  He  married  Martha  Drum- 
mond,  and  they  had  a  daughter,  Martha, 
mother  of  Dr.  Robert  Sheild  Perkins.  Robert 
Sheild  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates. 

Rev.  Samuel  Sheild,  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Rebecca  (Hyde)  Sheild,  entered  William  and 
Mary  College  in  1769.  He  entered  the  philos- 
ophy schools,  and  in  1773  received  from  the 
faculty  one  of  the  two  medals  given  by  Lord 
Botetourt,  July  29,  1773,  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  classical  learning.  Rev.  Mr.  Sheild 
was  a  friend  of  Gen.  Thomas  Xelson,  who  rec- 
ommended him  in  1774  to  Bishop  Beilby  for 
orders.  In  1775  he  was  made  minister  of 
Drysdale  Parish  in  Caroline  County,  and  after 
the  death  of  John  Camm,  president  of  William 
and  Mary  College,  he  became  minister  of 
York-Hampton  Parish,  to  which  was  added 
in  1792  the  duties  of  Charles  Parish  which  ad- 
joined. Bishop  Meade  .relates  that  "Mr. 
Sheild  was  very  earnest  in  his  discourses  and 
that  a  ladv  of  the  old  school,  at  a  time  when 
stifif  brocades  were  the  church  dress  of  those 
who  could  atiford  it,  would  go  home  after  some 
of  Mr.  Sheild's  more  animated  discussions  and 
call  upon  her  maid  to  remove  her  clo'thes,  for 
she  had  heard  so  much  of  hell,  damnation  and 
death  that  it  would  take  her  all  evening  to 
cool."  By  his  first  marriage  Rev.  Samuel 
Sheild  had  three  children :  Col.  Robert.  Capt. 
Samuel  and  Mary.  He  formed  a  second  union 
with  Lucy  Howard,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
Howard,  and  they  had  two.  children ;  Martha 
and  Henrv  Howard.  His  will  was  proved  in 
York  County  Court,  June  20,  1803.  and  men- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


953 


tioned  his  three  sons :  Robert,  Samuel  and 
Henry  Howard. 

Col.  Robert  Sheild  was  justice  of  the  peace 
for  York  County,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Delegates.  He  first  married  Eliza- 
beth Sheild,  a  cousin,  and  secondly  Mary 
Reade,  a  daughter  of  Hawkins  Reade.  He 
was  father  of  the  following  children :  Sam- 
uel R. ;  Richard  Henry :  Elizabeth,  who  mar- 
ried George  C(x)|)er;  Martha,  who  married 
Joseph  Algernon  (iraves,  of  Surry  County. 
Virginia;  Reljecca ;  and  Roberta. 

Samuel  R.  Sheild  was  a  physician  and 
married  a  daughter  of  W'estwood  Armistead, 
clerk  of  Elizal>eth  City.  Their  children  were: 
Xaiuiie,  who  married  John  W  illis,  of  Hamp- 
ton; Dr.  Mallory,  who  married  Florence  W. 
Garrett  and  had  two  daughters :  and  Capt. 
Samuel,  who  was  clerk  of  York  County  40 
years.  The  last  named,  who  lived  at  Win- 
ton,  York  County,  married  Sallie  C.  Dudley, 
a  daughter  of  Maj.  William  Dudley,  of  War- 
wick County,  her  mother  lieing  a  Cary.  Their 
children  were:  Mary  Eliza,  who  married  Dr. 
Francis  Mallory.  a  member  of  Congress :  and 
Bolivar,  who  was  born  in  1825  and  was  also 
clerk  of  the  county  for  several  years. 

Dr.  William  Henry  Sheild  married  Anna 
B.  Corbin,  at  Isle-in-\'iew,  Gloucester.  No- 
vember 29,  183 1,  Rev.  John  Goodall  offici- 
ating. She  died  February  3,  1847.  among 
their  children  being:  William  Henry,  a  sur- 
geon in  the  Confederate  Army,  who  died  in 
October,  1894. — he  was  also  assistant  physi- 
cian at  the  Eastern  Lunatic  Asylum :  and  Or- 
lando Fairfax,  an  artillery  officer  in  the  Con- 
federate Army,  who  died  in  1862.  Dr.  Will- 
iam H.  Sheild  fr>rmed  a  second  union  with 
Susan  Ann  Howard,  a  daughter  of  Col.  Henry 
Howard,  of  York  County,  and  among  their 
children  is  Charles  Henry,  who  married  Jane 
Barton,  a  daughter  of  David  Barton,  by  whom 
he  had  a  son.  Charles  H.,  a  lawyer,  of  Louis- 
tille.  Kentucky.  After  her  death  he  married 
her  sister  Martha,  by  whom  he  had  a  son. 
Niifton. 


The  coat  of  arms  i>f  the  Sheild  family,  as 
preserved  on  old  silver  and  engraxed  on  a  ring, 
is:  On  a  bend  engraved  three  escutcheons. 
The  crest  is  a  fleur-de-lis.  ;md  the  niotlo.  "Be 
Traiste." 

On  the  paternal  side  Dr.  R.  S.  IV-rkins  is 
descended  from  Baker  I'erkins,  who  came  to 
\'irginia  and  settled  in  York  County,  where  he 
purchased  "Poplar  Hall."  situated  between 
\'orktown  and  Jamestown.  He  owned  a  mer- 
chant ship  and  as  long  as  he  lived  was  accus- 
tomed to  send  to  England  for  his  merchandise. 
His  wife  was  of  English  birth.  They  had  two 
children :  Baker,  Jr.,  and  his  twin  sister,  who 
was  grandmother  of  Judge  I'aker  P.  Lee. 

Baker  Perkins.  Jr..  resided  on  the  large 
plantation,  "Poplar  Hall,"  inherited  from  his 
father.  He  married  Zelica  Miles  Whitaker, 
who  traced  relationship  to  Rev.  Alexander 
Whitaker,  who  came  to  Virginia  with  Dale. 
He  was  a  son  of  the  distinguished  Puritan,  Dr. 
Whitaker.  master  of  St.  John's  College,  Cam- 
bridge. Without  absolute  authf>rity,  but  with 
almost  certainty,  it  is  asserted  that  he  per- 
formed the  wedding  ceremony  of  Pocahontas 
and  John  Rolfe.  In  a  letter  dated  from  James- 
town. Jime  9,  1617,  Gov.  Samuel  Orgall  men- 
tioned that  Rev.  W'hitaker  had  been  drowned. 
Zelica  ^files  Whitaker  was  a  daughter  of 
Richard  Harwood  Whitaker  and  Zelica  Miles, 
his  wife,  the  latter's  mother  being  a  Tabb. 
Richard  Harwotxl  \MTitaker  was  a  grandson 
and  ward  of  Col.  William  Harwood,  by  whom 
he  was  reared.  According  to  a  will  found  in 
the  records  of  Charles  City  County,  the  latter 
was  a  son  of  Samuel  Harwood.  He  cajne  very 
early  in  the  seventeenth  century  to  Virginia 
and  settled  on  the  James  River,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  grant  of  land  called  "Weyanoke"  or 
"Wanock,"  one  of  the  residences  of  King 
Powhatan.  In  1767  or  1768  he  married  Mar- 
garet ^^'ardropp.  of  the  Isle  of  Wight.  The 
Miles  family,  above  mentioned,  intermarried 
with  the  Carys,  Brians,  Seldens,  Camms  and 
other  families  of  colonial  times.  The  Whit- 
akers    also    intermarried  with   the  Carvs.  of 


.954 


HISTQRY,    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"Pear  Tree  Hall."  \\'arwick  County,  \'irginia. 
Baker  and  Zelica  Miles  (Whitaker)  Perkins 
were  parents  of  three  cliildren :  Alexander 
H. ;  Richard  C. :  and  Mahala. 

Dr.  Richard  C.  Perkins,  father  of  our  sub- 
ject, is  an  alleopathic  physician  residing  at 
present  in  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia. 
He  served  during  the  Confederate  War  as  cap- 
tain in  the  Commissary  Department.  He  mar- 
ried Alartha  Sheild,  by  whom  there  were  two 
children :  Ida,  widow  of  William  Whitehurst, 
of  Princess  Anne  County ;  and  Robert  Sheild. 

Dr.  Robert  Sheild  Perkins  was  reared  and 
educated  in  North  Carolina.  He  later  at- 
tended Horner's  Academy  at  Oxford,  North 
Carolina,  and  then  attended  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  Hahnemann  JNledical  College  of 
Philadelphia,  since  which  time  he  has  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Norfolk. 

Dr.  Perkins  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Cornelia  Vaughan,  of  Norfolk,  and  has  seven 
children:  Louise  H.,  wife  of  Commander  C. 
K.  Curtis,  U.  S.  Navy;  Rosa  V.;  Kenneth 
Sheild:  Robert  ^I.;  Allan  Armistead:  Vir- 
ginia :  and  Claudia. 


R.  THO^L\S  H.  WILKINS,  a  well- 
known  physician  of  Portsmouth, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  comes 
from  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  fami- 
lies of  this  State.  He  was  born  in 
Portsmouth,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Tefiferson 
Wilkins. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Wilkins  was  born  on  the 
Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia,  and  settled  in 
Portsmouth  when  young.  He  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  feed  business,  his  store  being  located 
on  the  corner,  near  the  ferry  landing.  He 
married  Miss  McCoy,  who  has  taught  school 
for  over  25  years,  and  now  conducts  a  private 
school  on  Court  street,  in  Portsmouth.  Her 
brother,  C.  W.  McCoy,  has  been  in  charge  of 
the  freight  department  of  the  Bay  line  of 
steamers,  and   is   also  employed  by  the   Sea- 


board Air  Line  Railway  Compan\-.  Mrs.  Wil- 
kins has  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  namely : 
Thomas  H..  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  E.  P., 
whc  IS  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Ports- 
mouth ;  and  Sarah  J.,  who  is  at  school. 

Thomas  H.  Wilkins  received  his  primary 
education  in  Portsmouth.  He  entered  the 
drug  business  in  Norfolk,  and  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Portsmouth,  where  he  continued  in 
that  business  until  1897, — a  period  of  eight 
years.  He  then  attended  the  Lniversity  Col- 
lege of  Medicine,  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1900.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  engaged  in  practicing  his  pro- 
fession, and  has  met  with  much  success.  He 
thoroughly  understands  drugs  and  their  uses, 
and  is  considered  one  of  the  best  physicians  in 
Portsmouth.  He  has  a  large  practice,  and  has 
cause  to  be  proud  of  the  progress  he  is  making 
in  his  profession. 

Dr.  Wilkins  is  a  member  of  the  Norfolk 
Medical  Society,  and  also  of  the  Virginia  State 
Medical  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum  and  Heptasoph  lodges,  and  is  ex- 
amining physician  of  the  latter.  Religiously 
he  is  a  Methodist.  His  mother  teaches  the  in- 
fant class  in  ^lonumental  [Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  South,  and  is  very  active  in  church 
work. 


C.  ^L\RSHALL  is  Commonwealth's 
attorney  for  Norfolk  County,  a  posi- 
tion he  has  held  since  189 1,  maintain- 
ing an  otfice  in  the  Kirn  Building. 
He  was  born  in  Fauquier  County, 
Virginia,  and  attended  Clifton  Preparatory 
School  before  the  war. 

Mr.  Alarshall  entered  the  Confederate 
Armv  at  the  age  of  16  years.  ser\-ing  with 
the  Sixth  Regiment.  Virginia  Cavalry,  one 
vear,  and  then  with  the  Seventh  Regiment. 
Virginia  Cavalry.  He  served  as  aide-de-camp 
on  General  Thomas  L.  Rosser's  staff  for  the 
last  years  of  the  war,  and  was  wounded  at 
the    battle    of    Trevillian's    Station,    between 


EDWARD    M.    BRUCE 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


957 


Gen.  Phil.  H.  Sheridan  and  Gen.  Wade  Hajnj)- 
tun,  June  ii.  1864.     He  was  shot  through  the 
right  lung  and  was  out  of  service  until  Jan- 
uary. 1863,  when  he  resumed  his  duties.     He 
was  at  Appomatto.x  Court  House,  but  did  not 
surrender  with  General  Lee  and  his  army,  for 
the  reason  that  Rosser's  command  was  not  then 
surrendered,  the  General  having  determined  to 
attempt  to  join  General  Johnston's  command. 
After  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Marshall 
commenced  teaching  school  in  his  native  coun- 
ty, and  later  had  charge  of  an  academy  fiiere. 
He  then  went  to  Brookville  Academy  in  Mary- 
land, near  Washington,  and  had  charge  of  that 
institution.     He  removed    to    Portsmouth    in 
1873.  ^^''^s  there  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1875, 
and    immediately    thereafter    entered    uixm    a 
practice  which  has  since  continued.      For   10 
years  he  was  in  partnership  with  Judge  Claud- 
ius  ^^'.    Murdaugh,   under  the   firm  name  of 
iMurdaugh  &  Marshall,  their  association  being 
terminated  by  the  death  of  Judge  IMurdaugh  in 
1899.     Mr.  Marshall  was  Commonwealth's  at- 
torney of  Portsmouth  about  eight  years,  and 
since  1891  has  been  Commonwealth's  attorney 
of    Norfolk    County,   Virginia,  the  duties  of 
which   office  he   has  discharged   in  a  manner 
entirelv  satisfactorv  to  all  concerned. 


DWARD    M    BRUCE,    who    is    en- 
gaged   in    the    general    merchandise 
business  at  Bruce    Station,    and    is 
also  one  of  Norfolk  County's  well- 
known  truckers,   was    born    on    his 
present  farm,  December   17,   1850.     He  is  a 
son  of  William  .A..   Bruce,  who  was  born  in 
1821. 

William  A.  Bruce  is  still  living,  and  resides 
with  his  son.  He  farmed  throughout  his  act- 
ive life.  He  married  Louisa  Coplin.  who  was 
born  in  Nansemond  County,  Virginia,  and 
died  in  1855.  Their  children  were. — Sarah. 
who  married  Mr.  Peak :  Louisa,  who  married 
George  King,  deceased :  Henrietta,  who  mar- 
ried M.  Jones,  deceased:  Edward  M.,  the  sub- 


ject   of    this    sketch:    and    Jenny     and     Ida, 
deceased. 

Edward  ]\I.  Bruce  attended  school  in 
Churchland.  and  early  in  life  applied  himself 
to  farming.  In  1892.  he  built  his  present  store, 
where  he  has  since  carried  on  a  general  mer- 
chandise business.  He  owns  124  acres  of 
good  farming  land,  and  is  also  engaged  in 
trucking.  His  store  is  much  patronized  by 
the  residents  around  Bruce  Station,  and  they 
are  always  treated  with  courtesy  and  fair 
dealing. 

Mr.  Bruce  married  L(ney  Keeling,  who 
was  l>«irn  in  Princess  .\nne  Cnunty,  \'irginia, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Keeling.  They 
have  two  children,  namely :  Maggie  V.  and 
Elizalieth  F.  Mr.  Bruce  is  a  meml>er  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  and  in  religious  belief  prefers  the 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Bruce  is  well  known  in 
Norfolk,  and  is  considered  one  of  this  coun- 
ty's best  farmers  and  most  enterprising  citi- 
zens. He  has  a  host  of  friends  in  the  com- 
munitv.  who  will  view  with  pleasure  his  [por- 
trait that  appears  on  a  page  in  ])nixiniity  to 

this. 

♦ » » 


.MBROSE      HARX'EV      LINDSAY, 
who  is  probably  one  ot  the  largest 
and  most  successful  farmers  in  Nor- 
folk County,  \'irginia,  is  also  a  man 
of  various  other  business  enterprises. 
He  was  born  in  183 1  and  reared  in  Currituck 
Countv,  North  Carolina,  where  he  also  owned 
and  operated  a   farm  for  some  years. 

In  1858  Mr.  Lindsay  removed  to  Norfolk 
Countv,  Virginia,  and  located  on  a  farm  at 
Deep  Creek.  He  made  his  home  there  until 
Tanuarv.  1870.  since  which  time  he  has  resided 
in  the  city  of  Portsmouth,  Norfolk  County, 
and  was  postmaster  of  said  city  for  two  terms, 
under  Presidents  .Arthur  and  Harrison,  re- 
spectively. He  was  an  officer  in  the  Confed- 
erate Army,  being  2nd  lieutenant  in  Captain 
Hopkin's  company,  which  was  afterward  Com- 


958 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY. 


pany  B,  6ist  Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry. 
His  resignation  as  an  officer  in  the  army  was 
accepted  on  tlie  groimd  that  his  services  to^  the 
Confederacy  would  be  of  greater  beneiit  by  his 
personal  attention  tO'  his  large  farming  interest. 

Since  the  war  Mr.  Lindsay  has  cleared 
probably  the  largest  tract  of  swamp  and  tim- 
bered land  cleared  by  any  oaie  man  in  Virginia, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Ag- 
riculture for  some  years.  He  has  about  3,000 
acres  in  one  body  within  a  mile  of  Deep  Creek, 
all  oif  which  is  under  cultivation.  He  has  large 
mercantile  interests  in  Portsmouth,  and  resides 
at  No.  306- Crawford  street.  He  is  a  man  of 
pleasing  personality,  and  occupies  a  high  place 
in  the  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

The  termination  of  the  war  and  its  results 
left  him  greatly  embarrassed  financially,  but  by 
his  great  energy  and  enterprise  he  soon  liqui- 
dated an  indebtedness  of  $70,000,  personal  and 
security  obligations,  and  is  now  in  a  prosper- 
ous condition  and  free  of  debt.  Success  has 
characterized  his  entire  business  career ;  his 
word  is  as  good  as  his  bond,  and  he  is  generally 
known  as  one  of  the  substantial  and  repre- 
sentative men  of  Eastern  Virginia.  He  is  a 
gentleman  by  birth  and  raising,  a  man  of  high 
character  and  universally  respected. 


LILIAN  A.  NORFLEET,    M.    D.,    a 

prominent  representative  of  the  medi- 
cal profession  of  Berkley,  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Franklin,  Southampton 
County,  Virginia,  j\Iay  2,  1864.  He 
is  a  son  of  Alexander  W.  and  Indiana  V.  (Ed- 
wards) Norfleet,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 

Alexander  W.  Norfleet  was  a  merchant  at 
Franklin.  Virginia,  all  his  active  life.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and 
served  gallantly  in  the  Nansemond  Cavalry. 
He  was  widely  known,  and  lived  to  reach  the 
age  O'f  y;^  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  a  deacon,  and 


was  one  of  the  oldest  Masons  in  Eastern  Vir- 
ginia. His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Jordan  and 
Susan  (Clanton)  Edwards,  and  a  sister  of 
Lieut. -Col.  L.  R.  Edwards,  U.  S.  Army,  Span- 
ish-American War,  who  previously  served  as  a 
lieutenant  in  the  Confederate  Anny,  and  also 
a  sister  of  \\'illiam  Edwards,  w'ho  served  in 
the  war  between  the  LTnited  States  and  Mexico. 

Dr.  Norfleet  is  one  of  eight  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living.  Both  of  his  parents  came 
of  prominent  Virginia  families.  On  his  fa- 
ther's maternal  side  he  is  a  descendant  of  Col. 
Willis  Parker,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  and 
Capt.  John  Holland,  an  officer  of  the  War  of 
1812.  On  his  father's  paternal  side  he  is  a 
descendant  of  John  Cowper,  a  captain  in  the 
United  States  Navy  during  the  Revolutionary 
War,  who  in  the  small  bark  "Dolphin"  sailed 
out  of  the  Nansemond  River,  and  attacked  two 
English  cruisers  off  Cape  Henry. 

Dr.  Norfleet  is  a  graduate  of  the  Medical 
College  of  Virginia,  class  of  1886,  and  prac- 
ticed his  profession  at  Ivor  and  Radford,  Vir- 
ginia, prior  to  locating  in  Berkley,  in  1893, 
since  which  time  he  has  commanded  a  large 
practice  in  this  section.  He  has  membership 
in  the  Norfolk  Medical  Society  and  the  Sea- 
board Medical  Association,  of  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  the  advancement  of  the  town  and 
is  identified  with  various  enterprises,  among 
them  the  Berkley  People's  Bank  and  the  At- 
lantic Building  &  Loan  Association,  O'f  which 
he  is  a  director. 

On  October  3,  1889,  Dr.  Norfleet  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Sallie  Griffin,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  John  C.  and  Nannie  (  Boykin)  Grif- 
fin, of  Southampton  County,  Virginia.  Dr. 
Griffin  died  in  1887,  aged  about  47  years.  His 
widow  is  a  beloved  member  oif  the  household 
of  Dr.  Norfleet.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Norfleet  have 
four  children,  namely  :  Lelia  C. ;  Hontas  Z. : 
Nannie  C. ;  and  Margaret  G.  He  belongs  to 
no  secret  orders,  but  is  medical  examiner  for 
numerous  companies. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


959 


L.  BERKLEY,  a'  well-kimwu 
dealer  in  furniture  and  liardware 
in  Berkley,  Norfolk  County,  Vir- 
ginia, was  lx>rn  in  Berkley,  Au- 
gust i8,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of 
Lycurgus  and  Eliza  MiddJeton  Berkley,  who 
were  natives  of  Fairfax  County,  Virginia. 
The  father  was  the  founder  of  the  town  of 
Berkley,  and  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
men  of  Virginia. 

W.  L.  Berkley  started  in  business  for  him- 
self in  1888.  In  1894  he  erected  his  present 
store,  which  is  40  by  80  feet  in  dimensions 
and  consists  of  two  stories.  He  carries  a  full 
line  of  furniture,  carpets,  stoves,  ranges,  and, 
in  fact,  everything  pertaining  to  the  furnish- 
ing of  a  house.  He  buys  his  goods  from  dif- 
ferent manufacturers  in  jNIichigan,  Indiana 
and  Ohio,  and  wherever  he  can  obtain  the  best 
goods.  He  does  an  immense  business,  which 
increases  each  year,  and  is  one  of  the  largest 
dealers  in  that  line  in  Norfolk  County.  A  care- 
ful manager,  painstaking  and  thorough  in  all 
he  undertakes,  he  has  met  with  much  success 
in  his  business,  a  fact  due  entirely  to  his  own 
efforts.  He  is  much  interested  in  various 
business  enterprises  of  Berkley,  being  presi- 
dent of  the  Berkley  Permanent  Building  & 
Loan  Association,  an  organization  that  was 
started  15  years  ago;  and  is  vice-president  of 
the  Merchants'  &  Planters'  Bank,  which  was 
established  two  years  ago  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $30,000. 

Mr.  Berkley  was  married  June'  17,  1885, 
to  Judith  E.  Ferebee,  a  daughter  of  Tliomas 
Cooper  and  Bettie  (Wallace)  Fereljee,  and 
four  children  were  born  to  them,  namely: 
Percival  C. ;  Judith  F. ;  Helen  M. ;  and  W.  L., 
Jr.  Mr.  Berkley  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  also  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  councilmen  of  Berkley. 
He  is  one  of  the  most  influential  business  men 
of  the  town,  and  is  a  man  of  sterling  qualities, 
possessing  many  of  the  characteristics  of  his 
father,  who  was  one  of  the  most  noble  men  of 
Virginia. 


ULIUS  L.  BUNTING,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  Nurthami)- 
ton  C'liunty,  Virginia,  Sq>teml)er  19, 
1857,  '-^"  t;he  farm  where  his  grand- 
father had  lived  and  died,  and  where 
his  father,  James  Bunting,  was  iiom  and 
reared. 

In  i860  his  father  removed  tt>  Norfolk 
County,  and  a  short  while  afterward  was  acci- 
dentally drowned,  being  only  26  years  of  age 
when  he  met  his  death. 

His  mother,  who  was  Cassie  A.  Bishop 
before  her  marriage,  and  the  daughter  of 
Charles  Bishop,  died  July  6,   1898. 

His  father's  early  death  threw  much  care 
and  responsibility  upon  him.  and  when  quite 
young  he  assisted  in  the  farm  work,  going  to 
school  at  odd  times. 

He  came  to  the  City  of  Norfolk  in  1876, 
and  secured  a  clerkshi])  in  a  ship-chandlery  and 
grocery  store,  which  p(jsitit»n  he  held  until 
1880,  when  he  succeeded  to  the  business  of  his 
former  employer.  This  business  under  his 
able  management  grew  and  pro'Sjjered,  and 
was  continued  at  the  old  stand  until  1901, 
when  it  was  removed  to  his  new  Ixiilding  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  Brewer  and  Washing- 
ton streets,  this  l)uilding  having  been  erected 
by  him  to  meet  the  requirements  of  his  increas- 
ing business. 

In  1889  he  associated  himself  with  J.  W. 
Montague,  succeeding  Peter  Turney  in  the 
wholesale  rubl>er  footwear  and  rubber  clothing 
business,  having  also  the  Scmthern  agency  for 
Carter's  oiled  clothing.  This  business  is  one 
of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  South,  and  was 
located  at  No.  71  Commercial  Place  until  1901, 
when  it  was  also  removed  to  his  new  build- 
ing, thus  housing  his  two  interests  under  one 
roof. 

In  March,  1902.  \\'.  H.  Lang  was  admitted 
to  partnership  in  the  grocery  and  ship-chand- 
lery business,  the  firm  name  becoming  Bunt- 
ing, Lang  &  Company. 

Our  subject  is  a  self-made  man  in  every 
sense  that  term  implies,  and  is  one  of  the  sub- 


960 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


stantial  business  men  of  Norfolk,  command- 
ing the  -respect  of  all  who  come  in  contact  with 
him,  either  in  a  business  or  social  way. 

Mr.  Bunting  was  married  in  1879  to  Mar- 
tha J.  Hailes,  a  daughter  of  John  Hailes,  who 
was  a  merchant  during  the  latter  years  of  his 
life.  This  union  is  blessed  by  the  birth  of 
three  children,  namely :  Mary  J.,  Etta  M.  and 
Julius  L.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Bunting  is  Democratic  in  politics  but 
has  never  sought  political  honors.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Freemason  Street  Baptist 
Church,  serves  on  the  board  of  deacons,  and  is 
church  custodian. 

In  the  fraternal  world  none  are  more 
prominent  or  take  a  more  active  interest  than 
Mr.  Bunting,  the  following  local  fraternal  or- 
ganizations claiming  lifim  as  va  beloved  and 
worthy  brother :  Elizabeth  Lodge,  No.  34,  A. 
F.  &  A.  M.:  Norfolk  United  Chapter.  No.  i, 
R.  A.  M. ;  Grice  Commandery,  No.  16,  K.  T. ; 
Harmony  Lodge,  No.  19,  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Charity 
Lodge,  No.  10,  K.  of  P.;  Black  Hawk  Tribe, 
No.  57,  I.  O.  R.  M.;  Virginia  Conclave,  No.  i, 
Heptasophians  or  Seven  Wise  Men. 

For  the  past  eight  years  he  has  filled  the 
office  of  supreme  treasurer  for  the  United 
States  of  the  last  named  order,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  Acca  Temple  Mystic  Shrine,  of 
Richmond.  Va. 


VRMAN  R.  ANDERSON,  who  was 
for  many  years  successfully  engaged 
in  the  dry  goods  business  in  Ports- 
mouth. Norfolk  County,  Virginia, 
where  he  at  present  deals  in  real  es- 
tate, is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  a  son 
of  Joseph  Page  and  Margaret  S.  (Redman) 
Anderson,  both  natives  of  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia. 

Walter  G.  Anderson,  the  paternal  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  in 
the  United  States  Navy  and  was  a  charter 
member  of  Portsmouth  Naval  Lodge,  No.  100, 


A.  F.  &  A.  M.  His  son,  Joseph  P.,  the  father 
O'f  Harman  R.,  followed  in  his  footsteps  and 
early  took  up  a  seafaring  life,  which  he  mainly 
followed  during  his  career,  occasionally  vary- 
ing it  by  divers  land  occupations.  In  1845  or 
1846  he  removed  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  a  few 
years  later  fell  a  victim  to  the  gold  fever  which 
prevailed  all  over  the  country,  and  went  to 
California,  where  he  "struck  gold."  In  1850 
he  returned  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  once 
more  became  a  seaman.  After  his  marriage 
he  abandoned  sea  life  for  a  time,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  the  book  business  at  Portsmouth. 
He  served  during  the  late  Confederate  War  as 
a  civil  engineer,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
building  the  fort  at  Craney  Island,  being  at 
that  time  assistant  to  Captain  Demock.  He 
served  principally,  however,  as  captain  of  mer- 
cantile vessels,  and  had  many  rough  experi- 
ences. He  was  cast  away  three  times  on  Cat 
Island,  of  the  W'est  Indies,  and  was  taken  ofif 
each  time  by  rescuing  vessels.  On  account  of 
ill  health  he  was  honorably  discharged  from 
the  army,  and  died  in  1864,  at  the  age  of  50 
years.  He  was  a  member  of  Portsmouth  Na- 
val Lodge,  No.  100,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  and  Mt. 
Horeb  Chapter,  No.   11,  R.  A.  M. 

Harman  R.  Anderson  was  third  in  a  fam- 
ily of  eight  children.  The  others  were  as  fol- 
lows:  Eliza:beth,  who'  died  young;  Walter  G., 
who  succumbed  to  an  attack  of  yellow  fever  in 
1855  ;  George,  who  also  died  in  early  life;  Rob- 
ert H.,  a  well-to-do  merchant  in  the  South ; 
Sarah  E.,  a  resident  of  Portsmouth;  Joseph 
P.,  a  prominent  business  man  of  Norfolk;  and 
Henry  W.,  deceased. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  reared  in  the  cities  of 
Norfolk  and  Portsmouth,  his  parents  having 
removed  to  that  vicinity  in  i860.  In  1880  he 
went  into  the  dry  goods  business  for  himself, 
in  which  he  enjoyed  a  fair  patronage  for  many 
years,  and  practically  retired  in  1896.  Since 
then  Mr.  Anderson  has  devoted  some  time 
and  attention  to  the  real  estate  business,  with 
his  office  at  Portsmouth. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  united  in 


JOHN    W.    BALLARD. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    OTIZENS. 


963 


marriage  with  Mary  \'.  \\'ise.  who  was  born 
near  Cliurchiand.  in  Xorfolk  County,  and  who 
is  a  daughter  of  John  S.  Wise.  They  have 
two  children :  May  R..  who  is  at  present  at- 
teu(hng  the  Woman's  College  at  Richmond, 
having  completed  the  course  in  the  Ports- 
mouth High  School;  and  Henry  Stewart,  who 
is  in  scliool  at  Portsmouth.  The  family  at- 
tend the  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  they  are 
memijers. 

Politically.  Mr.  Anderson  is  an  ardent 
Democrat ;  he  is  also  prominently  allied  with 
many  fraternal  organizations,  chief  among 
which  are  the  Masonic  and  K.  of  P.  lodges. 
He  is  a  member  of  Sealx)ard  Lxidge.  No.  56. 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.:  Mt.  Horeb  Chapter.  No.  11. 
R.  A.  yi. :  Grice  Commandery.  No.  5.  K.  T. : 
Royal  Arcanum :  Heptasophs ;  and  Atlantic 
Lodge,  No.  24.  K.  of  P.,  in  which  he  has 
passed  through  all  the  chairs.  Mr.  Ander- 
son has  won  an  enviable  reputation  among  the 
best  business  men  of  the  city,  and  is  recognized 
as  the  personification  of  integrity  and  honor. 
He  is  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  is  greatly 
interested  in  the  welfare  and  advancement  of 
his  community. 


OHX  A\-.  BALLARD,  who  is  living  on 
his  farm  of  250  acres,  where  he  car- 
ries on  an  extensive  oyster  and  fish 
business,  is  one  of  the  well-known 
men  of  Norfolk  County.  He  was 
born  on  his  present  farm  near  Churchland, 
July  5.  1872.  and  is  a  son  of  L.  R.  Ballard. 

L.  R.  Ballard  was  born  in  Isle  of  Wight 
County,  Virginia,  in  18.^3.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1889.  He  settled  in  Nansemond 
Comity  when  a  boy  and  later  removed  to  Nor- 
folk County,  where  he  remained  the  greater 
part  of  his  life.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  married  Bettie  \\'ells,  who  was  born 
in  North  Carolina.  She  died  in  1887.  They 
reared  the  following  offspring:  Fannie  \\'.. 
who  married  a  Mr.  Dennis:  William  L.,  de- 


ceased; and  John  W..  the  subject  of  this 
.sketch. 

John  W.  Ballard  attended  the  Churchland 
Academy,  and  after  finishing  school  engaged 
in  the  merchandise  business  in  Churchland. 
However,  he  did  not  remain  Imig  in  that  line, 
but  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  the 
oyster  and  fish  business.  He  owns  a  farm  of 
250  acres,  which  is  kept  in  a  fine  state  of  culti- 
vation. The  oyster  business  he  carries  on  at 
Hampton  Roads,  shipping  to  New  York  and 
other  Northern  cities.  He  also  supplies  the 
home  market.  In  adilition  to  the  oyster  and  fish 
business  he  carries  on  general  truck  farming. 
Mr.  Ballard  is  one  of  the  best-known  farmers 
in  the  State,  and  is  considered  an  authority  on 
oyster  and  fish  matters. 

In  politics  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a 
Democrat.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order.  Religiously  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  A  portrait  of  Mr. 
Ballard  accompanies  this  sketch,  being  pre- 
sented on  a  foregoing  page. 


1  CHARD   T.   BARNES,   master  ma- 
chinist (inside)  at  the  United  States 
Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth, and  is  a  son  of  Joshua  N. 
Barnes,  who  was  also  a  native  of  that  town. 
Joshua  N.  Barnes  was  a  carpenter  and  con- 
tractor by  trade,  and  died  some  years  ago. 

Richard  T.  Barnes,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  worked  on  the  Norfolk  County 
Ferries,  first  under  Joseph  Porter  and  later  un- 
der Captain  Murdaugh.  He  remained  there 
until  he  reached  the  position  of  chief  engineer, 
and  shortly  afterward  left  Portsmouth  and 
went  to  Baltimore,  where  he  took  charge  of  the 
People's  Iron  Works  for  a  few  months.  He 
returned  to  Portsmouth,  where  he  resumed  his 
duties  at  the  ferries,  under  Gill  &  Company, 
and  remained  there  about  one  vear.     He  then 


964 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


entered  the  Navy  Yard,  and  on  October  i, 
1893,  was  appointed  master  machinist  in 
charge  of  the  engineering  department.  He 
succeeded  WilHam  A.  Fairless,  having  been 
examined  accordijig  to  civil  service.  The  em- 
ployees,— inside, — of  this  department  number 
about  80  men.  Mr.  Barnes  has  met  with  much 
success  since  assuming  the  charge  of  this  de- 
partment and  is  highly  commended  by  all  for 
his  faithful  and  conscientious  service.  He  is  a 
fine  workman  and  has  succeeded  in  life  solely 
through  his  own  merit. 

Mr.  Barnes  has  several  brothers  living  in 
Portsmouth  and  in  Baltimore.  He  has  been 
twice  married,  his  present  wife  having  been 
Laura  King.  W'ilkie  T.,  a  son  of  Mr.  Barnes, 
is  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Pilots'  Associa- 
tion, and  lives  in  Ghent ;  he  has  one  daughter. 
Mr.  Barnes  also  has  one  daughter. 

Mr.  Barnes  is  a  member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F., 
having  joined  that  body  over  30  years  ago. 
He  is  also'  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor 
of  Portsmouth.  He  is  an  Episcopalian,  al- 
though his  wife  prefers  the  Baptist  faith.  Mr. 
Barnes  resides  in  a  very  comfortable  home  at 
No.  809  Court  street,   Portsmouth,  Virginia. 


P.  DeMUTH.  a  well-known  con- 
tractor and  builder  of  Berkley,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  was  bom  in 
Frederick  County,  Maryland,  June 
5,  1840.  He  is  a  son  of  Henry  and 
Barbara  (Valentine)  DeMuth,  both  natives  of 
Frederick  County,  Maryland. 

Rev.  John  Valentine,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
noted  divine  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Maryland.  He  was  a  scholar,  well  and  favor- 
ably known.  Henry  DeMuth,  the  father  of 
S.  P.,  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  of  Frederick 
Cminty  for  10  years.  He  was  well  known  in 
that  county.  He  died  at  the  age  of  78  years, 
and  his  wife  died  aged  83  years.  Eleven  chil- 
dren    resulted     from     this     union,     namelv : 


Joshua,  who  lives  in  Iowa ;  Samuel,  deceased ; 
Henry,  who  lives  in  Baltimore  County,  Mary- 
land; Cecelia,  the  widow  of  John  Stansberry, 
who  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Frederick 
County;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Granville 
Stultz,  of  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania ; 
Jeremiah,  who  lives  in  Frederick  County, 
Maryland,  on  the  home  place ;  William,  Anna 
and  Elizabeth,  deceased ;  an  infant,  who  died 
unnamed ;  and  Mary  A.,  deceased. 

S.  P.  DeMuth,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  attended  the  common  schools  of  Freder- 
ick County,  Maryland,  and  after,  leaving  school 
learned  the  trade  O'f  a  carpenter  and  contrac- 
tor. Then,  at  about  the  age  of  15  years,  he 
began  to  work  for  himself.  He  went  to  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  where  he  worked  for  30 
years.  He  erected  many  of  the  substantial 
buildings  now  standing  in  that  city  and  its  su- 
burbs, and  also  erected  many  government 
buildings  for  which  he  was  greatly  com- 
mended, the  workmanship  being  of  the  high' 
est  order.  From  Baltimore  he  went  tO'  Ash- 
land, Virginia,  where  he  took  charge  of  a  large 
stock  farm,  known  as  the  River  View  Stock 
Farm,  owned  by  E.  H.  Wise.  He  remained  at 
Ashland  for  four  years,  and  in  1897  removed 
to  Berkley,  where  he  engaged  in  his  present 
business.  He  first  removed  to  Berkley,  at  the 
solicitation  of  Mrs.  Greenleaf  Johnston,  for 
whom  he  built  21  houses.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  enterprising  business  men  of  Berkley, 
and  stands  high  in  the  community.  He  re- 
ceives many  contracts  in  Berkley  and  sur- 
rounding towns,  and  is  kept  busy  all  of  the 
time.  He  is  a  conscientious,  energetic  worker, 
and  is  deserving  of  the  success  which  has  been 
his. 

Mr.  DeMuth  was  married,  November  4, 
i860,  to  Rebecca  J.  Sutton,  a  native  of  Balti- 
more, and  a  daug'hter  of  Joseph  Sutton,  de- 
ceased, who  was  a  well-known  man  in  Mar}-- 
land.  The  Sutton  family  were  of  English 
origin  and  were  early  settlers  of  Maryland. 

Mr.  DeMuth  and  his  wife  have  had  1 1 
children,  whose  names  are  as  follows :     Clin- 


MICHAEL    GLENNAN. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


967 


ton  :  Harry  C. :  Florence ;  Clara  B. :  Claude ; 
Robert  E.  L. :  Emory ;  Jay  G. :  Robert  E.  and 
Howard,  deceased;  and  one  deceased,  without 
name.  Clinton  married  Mary  Towson.  lives  in 
Ghent,  Virginia,  and  has  three  children. — 
Paul.  Carl  and  Re>Tiolds;  he  is  a  contractor 
and  architect.  Harry  C.  is  a  fanner  of  .Ash- 
land, Virginia.  Florence,  who  has  taught  in 
one  school  in  Frederick  Counts'.  Maryland,  for 
10  years,  is  a  graduate  of  New  Windsor  Col- 
lege. Clara  B.,  a  graduate  of  the  Baltimore 
Xormal  School,  is  a  teacher  in  Frederick 
County.  Robert  E.  L.  is  doing  business  with 
I'.is  brother,  Clinton,  under  the  firm  name  of 
DeMuth  Brothers,  carpenters  at  Ghent,  Vir- 
gina.  Emory  farms  with  his  brother,  Harry 
C,  and  Jay  G.  is  now  taking  a  course  in  the 
Norfolk  Business  College. 

Mr.  DeMuth  has  been  a  lifelong  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  Ijelongs  to 
the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Me- 
chanics. 


B 


"Texas."  and  was  employed  on  its  construc- 
tion until  completed.     He  also  worked  on  the 
"Raleigh.'     He  has  made  a  great  success  of 
his  work,  having  taken  advantatge  of  every 
opportunity  presented  to  him  to  improve  his 
position,  and  he  stands  high  in  the  esteem  of 
I  the  officers  under  whom  he  works. 
I         In  February.   1891,  Mr.  Hart  was  united 
I  in  marriage  with   Minnie  Pethabridge.  a  na- 
I  tive  of  Berkley,  and  a  daughter    of    Elmore 
i  Pethabridge.  and  they  have  four  children. — 
Ellie  B. :  Man,-  L. :  Elmore  J. :  and  Francis  J. 
Mr.  Hart  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
I  He  belongs  to  the  B.  P.  O.  E.     He  is  a  well- 
known  citizen  of  Berkley,  and  has  his  home  at 
the    corner    of    \\ashington    and    Mulljerry 
streets. 


RAXCIS  H.\RT  is  a  ship-fitter  who 
has  worked  in  the  United  States  Xavy 
Yard  at  Portsmouth  for  the  past  10 
years.  He  is  unexcelled  in  his  line  of 
work,  and  is  a  leading  man  in  the 
yard.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1865,  where 
he  attended  the  public  schools.  He  learned  his 
trade  in  Scotland,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of 
five  years.  It  was  at  that  time  that  iron  began 
to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  ships,  and  in 
this  branch  Mr.  Hart  learned  all  the  details. 
Having  friends  in  America,  he  came  to  this 
country",  and  for  two  years  was  located  in  New 
Orleans.  Finding  the  climate  of  Norfolk  more 
agreeable,  he  located  here  in  1886,  and  for  a 
few  years  worked  in  small  shipyards.  He 
then  became  identified  with  the  Navy  Yard. 
As  before  mentioned,  he  learned  the  use  of 
iron  in  the  construction  of  ships  in  Scotland 
while  working  on  the  "Trafalgar,"  a  four- 
masted  steel  sailing  ship.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  men  to  begin    work    on    the    battle-ship 


ICHAEL  GLENNAN,  deceased, 
whose  portrait  is  shown  herewith, 
was  for  many  years  one  of  the 
most  prominent  and  influential  cit- 
izens of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  He 
was  owner  and  editor  of  the  J'irginiaii.  which 
was  consolidated  with  the  Pilot  in  1898,  into 
the  J'irgiitian-Pilot.  The  admitted  power  of 
the  press  to  mould  public  opinion  was  always 
exerted  by  him  in  behalf  of  the  best  interests 
of  his  city.  State  and  country,  and  he  enjoyed 
the  confidence  and  affection  of  the  citizens  of 
this  community  to  a  marked  degree. 

Mr.  Glennan  was  born  in  Dublin.  Ireland, 
and  was  about  four  years  of  age  when  he  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  locating 
in  Brooklyn.  New  York.  With  his  parents  he 
removed  to  Norfolk.  \'irginia,  and  attended 
the  private  school  of  Mr.  Hubert,  afterward 
attending  the  parochial  school  of  Father  O'- 
Keefe. 

When  the  Confederate  War  broke  out  he 
enlisted  in  1861.  becoming  an  orderly  to  Gen. 
W.  B.  Taliaferro,  at  the  age  of  16  years,  when 
he  assimied  command  of  a  volunteer  company 
at  Norfolk,  \'irginia.     He  was  afterward  re- 


968 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


fused  enlistment  on  account  of  his  youth  and 
lameness.  November  26.  1861,  he  became  a 
private  in  Company  G.  .^6th  Regiment,  North 
Carohna  Heavy  Artillery.  Department  of  Cape 
Fear.  He  participated  in  all  the  engagements 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cape  Fear,  near  AMlmington, 
being  among  those  who  captured  the  Federal 
vessels  at  Masonboro  Inlet,  and  the  blockade 
runner  "Kate,"  off  Smith  Island.  He  partici- 
pated in  both  engagements  at  Fort  Fisher  and 
was  captured  there.  He  was  imprisoned  at 
Governor's  Island,  New  York,  and  while  thus 
incarcerated  contracted  rheumatism  from 
which  he  never  recovered.  He  was  parolled,  re- 
turned to  the  service  and  was  at  Greensboro  at 
the  surrender  of  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  and 
his  army.  After  surrender.  May  2,  1865,  he 
proceeded  to  Norfolk.  During  the  service  he 
was  promoted  to  qwartermaster  sergeant.  Jan- 
uary 25,  1884,  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
Pickett-Buchanan  Camp.  Confederate  Veter- 
ans, of  Norfolk.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he 
engaged  in  teaching  at  Portsmouth  for  two 
years,  beginning  with  two  paid  and  two  charity 
pupils.  He  then  became  employed  in  the  mail- 
ing department  of  the  Daily  Argus,  and  in 
1867  the  management  of  the  Virginian  was 
tendered  to  him.  In  November  of  the  same 
year  Mr.  Glennan  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
paper,  and  in  1876  became  sole  owner  by  pur- 
chasing the  remainder  of  the  stock.  In  1880 
he  became  editor  of  the  paper.  Capt.  John  S. 
Tucker  retiring.  In  1887  he  was  commis- 
sioned postmaster  of  Norfolk  by  President 
Cleveland,  turning  the  editorial  chair  over  to 
Capt.  Henry  E.  Orr.  After  the  expiration  of 
his  term  as  postmaster  he  was  proft'ered  a  sec- 
ond appointment,  but  refused  owing  to  press- 
ing business  engagements.  He  then  re- 
sumed his  duties  as  editor  of  the  Virgin- 
ian. His  paper  inaugurated  the  Yorktown 
Celebration,  which  was  held  in  1881  and 
porved  so  great  a  success.  He  was  also 
one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  State 
Memorial     Day    services    of    Virginia.       He 


continued  in  charge  of  the  Virginian  until 
1898,  when  it  was  consolidated  with  the  Pilot. 
He  was  a  very  prominent  figure  in  politics  and 
served  as  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Execu- 
tive Committee,  chairman  of  the  State  Demo- 
cratic Committee  several  times,  and  as  dele- 
gate to  national  conventions.  He  served  as 
World's  Fair  Commissioner  for  the  Second 
District  of  Virginia.  He  was  at  times  men- 
tioned for  Congressman  from  this  district  and 
in  1889  was  urged  to  accept  the  nomination 
for  Governor,  but  declined  for  business  reas- 
ons. During  his  incumbency  as  postmaster,  he 
gained  the  lasting  favor  of  the  farmers  of 
the  county  by  inaugurating  free  rural  mail 
delivery. 

In  1879  Mr.  Glennan  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage with  ;\Iary  Kevill.  who  comes  of  a  ^■e^y 
prominent  family  of  this  county,  being  a 
daughter  of  Capt.  Thomas  and  Augustine  L. 
(  Shield)  Kevill.  They  became  parents  of  five 
children,  as  follows :  Edward  Kevill,  born 
September  28,  1880,  who  is  identified  with  the 
J'irginian-Pilot;  ]\Iary  Bell,  born  April  4, 
1884  ;  Michael,  who  was  born  August  3.  1885  ; 
Alma  Augustine,  born  ^May  18,  1888:  and 
William  Shield,  born  June  15,  1893.  Mr. 
Glennan  died  March  3,  1899.  and  his  death 
was  mourned  by  his  fellow  citizens  as  a  sad 
loss  to  the  community.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Norfolk  Public  Library  and 
was  one  of  its  presidents.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  were  devout  members  of 
St.  Mary's  Roman  Catholic  Church.  Father 
O'Keefe,  pastor.  He  was  a  member  of  all  the 
Catholic  societies   of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Glennan  was  a  very  charitably  dis- 
posed man  and  believed  in  giving  one-half  of 
his  net  earnings  toward  the  relief  of  those  in 
destitute  circumstances  or  who  had  met  with 
misfortune.  For  many  years  this  continued  to 
be  his  practice.  Many  letters  of  regret  came  to 
the  family  after  his  death,  expressing  the  feel- 
ings of  those  whom  he  had  befriended. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


969 


.\10S  B.  SLAY-MAKER,  a  successful 
druggist  of  Berkley,  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty. X'irgiuia,  was  born  in  Rocking- 
ham County,  \"irginia.  and  is  a  son 
of  Amos  B.  and  Elizabeth  J. 
(Clarke)  Slaymaker.  the  lather  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  \'irginia. 

Mr.  Slaymaker  comes  of  a  family  whicli 
for  many  years  was  prominent  in  the  affairs 
of  Pennsylvania.  The  first  one  of  the  family 
to  come  to  this  country  was  one  JMathias  Slay- 
maker. The  name  was  originally  spelled 
Sciileiermacher,  and  was  changed  at  the  time 
Mathias  came  to  America.  He  came  from 
Stras.-lurg,  in  Alsace  (then  in  France),  and 
settled  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  bought  1,000  acres  of  land  of  the 
London  Company.  His  title  was  confirmed 
by  William  Penn,  and  the  document  and  land 
still  continue  in  possession  of  the  family.  He 
had  a  brotlier.  Major  William,  wlio  was  in 
what  was  known  as  the  "Giant  Regiment," 
of  the  first  king  of  Prussia,  the  father  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great  of  Prussia.  Another  brother 
was  charge  d'affaires  at  the  Court  of  St. 
James  (England)  during  the  reign  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great.  One  of  the  ancestors  of  this 
family  established,  under  the  direction  of 
Frederick  the  Great,  the  University  of  Berlin. 
The  descendants  of  Mathias  Slaymaker  with 
one  exception  remained  in  Lancaster  County, 
Pennsylvania. 

Henry  Slaymaker,  the  great-great-grand- 
father of  Amos  B.,  participated,  as  captain,  in 
Braddock's  expedition  in  the  French  and  In- 
dian War,  and  was  in  the  attack  on  Fort  Du- 
(|uesne  when  (leneral  Braddock  was  mortally 
wounded  and  his  army  routed.  He  was  also 
in  the  Revolutionary  War.  He  had  a  sister, 
Isal)ella  Slaymaker.  from  whom  all  the  clergy- 
men of  the  Duffield  family  have  descended. 
Amos  Slaymaker.  great-grandfather  of  Amos 
B.,  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  that 
framed  the  first  constitution  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  one  of  the  first  con- 
gressmen elected  from  that  State,  and  took,  an 


tactive  part  in  the  Revolutionary  \\'ar.  He 
had  a  son,  Jasper,  who  was  attorney  of  Lan- 
caster County.  Pennsylvania,  and  also  repre- 
sented that  county  in  the  State  Legislature. 
L'ntii  his  death  he  was  associated  in  practice 
witii  James  Buchanan,  afterward  President  of 
the  United  States.  W.  T.  Slaymaker,  grand- 
fatlier  of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  was  an 
officer  in  the  War  of  181 2.  Amos  B.  Slay- 
maker, father  of  the  gentleman  whose  name 
iieads  this  sketch,  became  a  dry  goods  mer- 
chant in  Alexandria,  Virginia,  and  continued 
as  such  for  a  period  of  40  years.  His  business 
extended  over  X'ortheastern  Virginia,  and  he 
was  a  widely-known  man.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Sixth  Regiment.  Virginia  Cavalry, 
throughout  the  Confederate  \\'ar.  He  was 
promoted  to  tiie  commissary  department  and 
was  commissdoned  a  captain.  Although  he 
saw  much  hard  service,  he  was  never 
wounded  or  taken  capti\-e.  He  hatl  a  brother, 
Henry  C,  who  received  two  wounds,  wliicii 
finally  resulted  in  his  death.  Amos  B.  Slay- 
maker served  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia under  cominand  of  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart. 
He  was  married  in  1859,  ^"'^  this  union  was 
I  productive  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  re- 
side in  Alexandria.  \'irginia.  and  Washin.g- 
ton,  D.  C,  except  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
Mr.  Slaymaker  afterward  married  Florence 
Milburn,  who  now  resides  in  Alexandria. 

Amos  B.  Slaymaker,  Jr.,  after  his  school 
days  went  into  the  drug  business  and  later 
I  graduated  from  the  Pharmaceutical  .School  of 
I  \\'ashington,  in  1890.  He  began  clerking  in 
a  drug  store  while  in  college,  and  remained 
there  eigiit  years.  He  then  remo\ed  to  Loudoun 
County,  Virginia,  where  he  w-as  engaged  in 
the  drug  business  for  two  years,  and  then  came 
TO  Norfolk  in  189 1.  He  followed  his  profes- 
sion in  Norfolk  for  a  period  of  10  years,  and 
then  removed  to  his  present  position  in  Berkley 
fronx  Martin's  Pharmacy,  of  Norfolk.  He 
bought  his  present  store  in  December.  1901. 
and  has  gocvJ  prospects  for  a  successful  busi- 
ness. 


970 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Mr.  Slaymaker  was  joined  in  the  bonds  of 
matrimony,  November  30,  1899,  with  Ada  L. 
Fred,  a  daughter  of  Burr  Fred,  of  Virginia. 
He  and  his  wife  are  church  members.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  jMasonic  order,  and  is  also  a 
corporal  of  the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues, 
a  military  organization  which  had  its  incep- 
tion February  22,  1828.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
that  this  battery  was  the  first  to  visit  the  North 
after  tlie  Confederate  A\'ar. 


HO^klAS  ^^■ININGDER,  a  highly  suc- 
cessful butcher  of  Berkley,  Norfolk 
County,  \'irginia.  was  born  in  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  December  27,  1829, 
a  son  of  Lewis  and  Eliza  W'iningder. 
Lewis  A\'iningder  was  born  in  1789,  and  died 
in  1845;  his  wife,  who  was  born  in  1784,  died 
in  1868.  He  was  a  Catholic,  and  his  wife  was 
a  Baptist.  Of  10  children  bom  to  them, 
Thomas  is  the  only  one  surviving. 

Thomas  W'iningder  was  educated  in  Balti- 
more. He  embarked  in  the  meat  business  while 
in  that  city.  In  i860  he  settled  in  Norfolk, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  business  for  five 
years,  and  removed  to  Berkley  in  September, 
1865.  He  has  followed  the  butchering  busi- 
ness all  his  life,  and  has  been  very  successful. 
He  well  remembers  when  the  spot  on  which  the 
Norfolk  Market  now  stands  was,  about  25 
years  ago,  used  for  a  boat  landing.  He  has 
often  watched  the  fishermen  catching  crabs 
and  fish  there.  Mr.  Winingder  handles  his  own 
slaughtered  meat,  and  no  better  can  ]ye  ob- 
tained anywhere.  He  handles  only  the 
choicest  of  meats,  and  his  patrons  are  served 
promptly  and  efficiently. 

Mr.  Winingder  was  married  in  October, 
1859.  to  Fannie  Petherbridge,  a  native  of 
Maryland,  and  to  them  was  born  one  child, — 
Thomas.  Thomas,  who  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness with  his  father,  married  Lizzie  Moore, 
and  they  have  a  daughter, — Mildred.  The  first 
wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  died  at  the 


age  of  38  years.  He  married,  secondly,  two 
years  later.  Emma  J.  Dougherty,  a  naive  of 
Baltimore,  and  they  had  two  daughters, 
namely :  Hattie.  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Cunning- 
ham, of  Newport  News ;  and  Frances  R. 
Mrs.  Emma  Dougherty  Winingder  died  June 
3,  1886,  and  Mr.  Winingder  formed  a  third 
union,  wedding  Sarah  J.  Robinson,  also  a  na- 
tive of  Baltimore.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
IMethodist  Church. 

Mr.  \\'iningder  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum,  and  is  a  trustee  of  his  lodge.  He  is 
a  stockholder  in  the  People's  Bank  of  Berkley, 
and  owns  the  eight  acres  of  land  on  which  he 
resides.  He  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  has 
never  spent  $25  for  physician's  bills,  and  also 
that  he  has  not  drank  .liciuors  of  any  kind.  He 
is  a  man  of  exemplary  habits,  and  is  a  worthy 
and  most  highly  esteemed  citizen. 


OR^LAN  FRISTOE  ALLEN,  an  at- 
torney-at-law  of  Norfolk  County, 
A'irginia,  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Allen  &  Allen,    the    senior  member 

I  being  his   father.  L.  B.  Allen.     He 

I  was  born   in   Berkley.   Norfolk  County,   \'ir- 

I  ginia,  January  9,  1878,  and  is  one  of  ten  chil- 

:  dren  born  to  his  parents. 

L.  B.  Allen  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
May  8.  1848.  He  received  his  education  in 
Columbian  College  (now  University)  at 
Washington.  D.  C.  and  was  graduated  in 
1868,  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
He  received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from 

'  that  institution  in  1871.  He  then  taught 
school  in  Norfolk  with  \\"illiam  B.  Rodman, 
and  was  afterward  principal  of  the  Boush 
street  school,  then  known  as  the  First  \\'ard 
public  school.  He  then  studied  law  with  the 
firm  of  Scarburg.  Duffield  &  Sharp,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  liar  in  1871.  He  formed  a 
partnership  with  Judge  George  D.  Parker, 
which  existed  from  1877  to  1886,  aft'er  which 

j  time  he  practiced  alone  until  he  formed  a  part- 

I  nership  with  his  son,  in  1901. 


JOHN    G.    DEBAUN. 


AND   REPBIESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


973 


Norman  Fristoe  Allen  attended  private 
schools  in  Berkley,  and  took  a  course  of  study 
in  Rev.  Roben  Gatew-xxi's  school  for  boys, 
and  at  Bowling  Green  Academy  in  Caroline 
County,  finishing  his  law  course  at  Riclunond 
College  at  Richmond.  \'irginia.  in  1900.  He 
spent  a  year  in  his  father's  office  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court  of 
\irginia.  July  5.  1901.  He  then  began  the 
active  practice'  of  law  on  July  22  of  that  year, 
at  Berkley,  maintaining  an  office  on  Berkley 
avenue.  He  is  in  partnership  with  his  father 
under  the  firm  name  of  -\llen  &  Allen,  a  firm 
which  practices  in  all  courts.  It  is  a  strong 
legal  combination  and  stands  well  among  the 
law  firms  of  the  cit>-.  Religiously,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  a  member  of  the  Berkley  Ave- 
nue Baptist  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, and  takes  an  active  part  in  {wlitical  mat- 
ters. 


3HX  G.  DeBAUX.  whose  portrait  is 
herewith  shown,  is  a  prosperous  farm- 
er, residing  four  miles  soutli  of  Berk- 
ley, in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and 
comes  of  a  family  well  known  in  this 
section.  He  was  bom  at  Saddle  River,  Ber- 
gen County.  New  Jersey.  January  2.  1850.  and 
is  a  son  of  Garrett  Dunica  and  Elizabeth 
( Young)  DeBaun. 

On  his  mother's  side  Mr.  DeBaun  can  trace 
his  descent  from  Hendrick  Young,  who  emi- 
grated from  Germany  to  this  country-  with  his 
parents  at  sue  years  of  age,  and  was  botmd 
out  to  service  until  he  was  21  years  old  to  pay 
for  his  passage  to  .\merica. 

Jacob  Young, 
was  bom  March  18.  1763.  On  the  ist  of 
May.  1 79 1,  he  married  Anna  Christie,  who  was 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Cooper) 
Christie,  and  was  bom  April  6.  1773.  Her 
father  ser\-ed  in  the  Revolutionary-  War  as  a 
post  rider.  carr\ine  dispatches.  Jacob  Young 
died  February-  6.  1833.  age«l  74  years.  10 
months  and  20  days.    The  following  were  the 


son   ot   Hendrick   Young. 


children  bom  to  Jacob  Young  and  Anna  Chris- 
tie, his  wife:  Hendrick.  Elizabeth,  James, 
Hannah.  Jacob.  .\nn  and  John. 

James  Young,  third  child  of  Jacob  Young, 
was  bom  November  5.  1797.  near  Ramsey's. 
Bergen  County.  New  Jersey,  and  was  married 
on  Saturday.  February  9,  1822  to  Anna  Pulis. 

;  who  was  born  Tuesday.  October  20.  1807.  and 
a  granddaugliter.  on  her  mother's  side  of 
Abraham  and  Dorcas  ( Dunn )  Acker  son.* 
James  Young  was  among  the  best  educated,  a 
great  advocate  of  temperance,  and  not  one  of 
his  descendants  to  this  day  are  intemperate. 
He  was  a  pillar  of  his  church  and  choir  mas- 
ter for  many  years.  The  old  homestead  that 
has  been  held  by  the  Youngs  for  many  genera- 
tions is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  family.  James 
Young  had  his  arm  amputated  July  27.  1859. 
and  died  from  the  results  of  the  operation  on 
May  15.  1861.  The  following  named  children 
constituted  the  family  of  James  and  .\nna 
( Pulis )  Young :  .\nna.  bom  February  3. 
1822.  married  to  William  G.  DeBaun  October 
2.  1847.  "l'^  ^I^y  8.  1856:  Jacob  Pulis.  bom 
May  24.  1826.  married  to  Ellen  Maria  Acker- 
man  February  12.  1843:  Mani".  born  August 
29.  1827.  died  May  3.  1837.  with  scarlet  fever: 
Elizabeth,  bom  Simday.    Februar}-    15.  1829. 

!  married  to  Garrett  Dur\ea  DeBaun  on  Mon- 

■  day.  January  i.  1849:  Hannah,  bom  Friday. 
I  September  21.  1832.  died  June  9.  1837.  with 
•  scarlet  fever:  Maria  (Man.-),  bom  November 

14.  1838.  married  October  6.  1855.  to  Nicholas 
Hopper  Ackennan :  Harriet,  bom  .\ugust  14. 
1842.  married  to  John  J.  Hopper.  April  10. 
1859:  Elizabeth  Yoimg.  the  fourth  child,  is 
the  mother  of  John  G.  DeBaun.  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

In  regard  to  the  descent  of  John  G.  DeBaun 

■  on  his  fathers  side,  we  have  the  following: 
Tlie  DeBauns  were  orisrinally  French,  but  dur- 
ing the  religious  persecution  directed  against 
the  Huguenots,  they  fled  to  Holland,  thence 
to  America.  Yonk  DeBaun.  the  first  one 
that  came    to    this    country,    came  here   in 

.  1686  with  his  familv.  in  which  there  were  four 


974 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters, — Mattie, 
Jacobus,  Coral  and  Christina.  Jacobus,  the 
second  child,  married  Anneke  Van  Ressaler, 
January  12,  1709;  she  was  a  near  relative  of 
King  William  II,  of  England,  and  stadtholder 
of  the  Netherlands,  and  came  to  this  country 
and  settled  in  New  Amsterdam. 

Coral  DeBaun,  the  third  child  iif  Yonk 
DeBaun.  married  Annytie  Haring,  and  they 
had  eleven  children. 

Jacob  DeBaun,  the  tifth  child  of  Coral  and 
Annytie  (Haring)  DeBaun,  was  born  October 
3,  1728,  and  died  November  19.  181 1.  He 
married  Rachel  Cole,  and  they  had  a  family  of 
nine  children. 

Petrus  DeBaun,  the  third  child  of  Jacob 
and  Rachel  ( Cole)  DeBaun,  was  born  July 
15,  1759,  and  married  Jacamynte  Westervelt. 
They  had  six  children,  namely:  Rachel,  mar- 
ried to  Henry  Wannamaker ;  Johanus  P.,  mar- 
ried tO'  Polly  Alary  Storms ;  Alagdalena,  mar- 
ried to  Koon  Wannamaker ;  Maria  Polly,  mar- 
ried to  Joseph  Rider ;  Jacob,  married  to  ]\Iiss 
Acker. 

Johanus  P.  DeBaun,  second  child  of  Petrus 
and  Jacamynte  (Westervelt)  DeBaun,  born 
August  4.  1784,  married  Molly  Mary  Storms, 
who  was  born  February  3,  1790,  the  marriage 
occurring  December  7,  1807.  Their  children 
were  the  following:  Jemima,  born  March  9, 
1807,  married  to  Jeremiah  Ryker  in  1829; 
Catherine,  born  November  6,  1809,  married 
to  David  Ackerson;  Rachel,  born  August  22, 
1811,  married  to  James  Wilson  in  1831 :  John, 
born  September  2,  1813,  married  Letty  Folly 
in  1834:  Peter,  born  October  15,  1815,  married 
Theodosia  Odell :  Abraham,  born  November  6, 
181 7,  married  Sarah  Morse;  Margaret,  born 
September  7,  1810,  died  May  25,  1820;  Jacob, 
lx>rn  February  17,  1822,  married  ]\Iaria  Acker- 
man  :  Margciret  (2)  and  Joseph,  born  April  19, 
1824,  twins;  Garrett  Duryea,  born  October 
17,  1826,  the  father  of  our  subject,  John  G. 
DeBaun  ;  \\'illiam  G.,  liorn  September  19,  1828, 
married  Anna  Youngs;  and  Isaac,  born  August 
15-  1833-    Johanus  P.  DeBaun,  his  wife,  father 


and  mother,  and  grandnarents,  are  buried  in 
the  cemetery  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at 
Saddle  River,  Bergen  Countv,  New  Jersey, 
This  cemetery  has  been  the  final  resting  place 
of  the  DeBaun  familv  for  many,  many  years. 

Garrett  Duryea  DeBaun.  the  eleventh  child 
of  Johanus  P.  DeBaun  and  his  wife,  Molly 
Mary  Storms,  was  born  in  New  Jersey  October 
17,  1826,  and  has  alwavs  followed  farming. 
He  removed  to  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  in 
March,  1869,  and  located  near  Providence 
Church,  where  he  purchased  a  farm.  He  re- 
aided  there  until  he  moved  to  Princess  Anne 
County,  where  he  now  lives.  While  residing 
in  New  Jersey  he  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Elizabeth  Young,  who'  was  born  in  New  Jer- 
sey in  1829,  and  they  reared  the  following  off- 
spring: John  G.,  subject  of  this  biographical 
record;  Hattie;  James  Y.,  a  record  of  whose 
life  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work  ;  Theodosia  ; 
Peter ;  and  Jacob. 

John  G.  DeBaun  was  educated  in  New  Jer- 
sey and  attended  Mountain  Institute  (in  Rock- 
land County,  New  York).  He  took  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits  at  an  early  age  and  lived 
with  his  father  until  1876,  the  date  of  his  mar- 
riage. He  owns  some  300  acres  of  land  and 
carries  on  general  farming,  raising  some  stock. 
In  1900  he  erected  a  modern  lo-room  house 
of  two  stories,  and  has  a  very  comfortable  as 
well  as  attractix-e  home.  The  DeBaun  family 
own  about  1,000  acres  of  land  in  ^^'ashing■ton 
district,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  and  is  a 
\'ery  prominent  family. 

On  January  5.  1876,  John  G.  DeBaun  mar- 
ried IMaria  Wright  at  the  home  of  Mathew 
Hare,  in  Oaklette,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia. 
She  had  lived  with  the  Hare  family  since  the 
death  of  her  mother  in  1859.  In  1866  they 
moved  to  Norfolk  Countv  from  Ogdensburg, 
New  York.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James 
Wright  and  Emma  Basford,  his  wife,  who 
were  married  in  1848  near  Ingersoll,  Canada. 
By  this  marirage  were  the  following  children  : 
John:  Sarah:  Ad.line:  Maria  (Mrs.  DeBaun), 
born   August  6,    1854:  "Samuel  and   Edward.- 


DR.    THOMAS    JUDSON    WRIGHT. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


977 


Mrs.  Maria  ( Wright )  DeBaun  is  a  grand- 
daughter <jf  Emtiia  nionier.  whi)  was  born  at 
Baughterbey  Hall.  Cheshire.  England,  and 
came  to  this  country  about  1843,  and  died  in 
the  Province  of  Quebec  soon  after.  Mrs.  De- 
Baun's  grandfather  Basford  died  in  Ingersoll. 
Canada,  and  his  parents  died  in  Bartomsly. 
Cheshire.  England,  and  are  buried  in  a  vault 
there.  Her  father.  James  Wright,  was  bom 
in  England  and  came  to  this  CDuntry  with  his 
sister,  Mrs.  John  Carr.  and  her  husband.  Mrs. 
Carr  died  very  young,  leaving  two  children, 
both  of  whom  are  dead.  To  the  union  of  John 
G.  and  Maria  (Wright)  DeBaun  were  bom 
these  children:  Garetta  M.,  who  married 
Frank  Curlin :  Maria ;  and  Theodosia.  The 
family  are  members  of  Providence  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  DeBaun  is  a  Deinocrat  and  a 
prominent  member  oi  the  Grange. 


AMES  T.  CASTEEX.  a  rising  young 
business  man  of  Norfolk,  \'irginia, 
who  is  in  the  employ  of  the  Old 
Dominion  Steamship  Company,  was 
born  October  4,  1873.  and  is  a  son  of 
John  T.  and  Alberta  (Gray)  Casteen.  His 
parents  were  natives  of  \'irginia. 

James  T.  Casteen  was  a  pupil  in  public  and 
private  schools  at  Portsmouth.  September  7. 
1888,  he  secured  a  iX)sition  with  the  Chesa- 
peake &  Ohio  Railway  Company  at  its  termi- 
nus in  Portsmouth.  He  worked  as  office  boy, 
and  later  for  C.  P.  Brownley.  agent  of  the  same 
company.  In  July,  1890,  he  secured  a  position 
as  clerk  in  the  office  of  that  company's  super- 
intendent of  floating  propeny  at  Newport 
News,  under  the  supervision  of  W'.  N.  Cook- 
sey.  This  position  was  previously  tilled  by 
C.  St.  John  Howard,  who  at  present  is  purser 
on  the  steamer  "X'irginia."  which  plies  be- 
tween  Norfolk  and  Newport  News. 

Mr.  Casteen  continued  his  work  with  the 
Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway  Company  until 
Januarv.  18^1.,  when  he  entered  the  emplov  of 
'48 


the  Freidlin  wholesale  grocery  house  in  Ports- 
mouth.  Virginia,     where    he   Remained   until 
May,  1891.     He  then  accepted  a  position  with 
E.  C.  Brooks  &  Companv,  general  commission 
:  and  produce  merchants,  located  at  Portsmouth. 
He  reniained  in  their  employ  until  the  fall  of 
I  1891,  at  which    time    he    accepted  a  position 
with  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio   Railway  Com- 
I  pany  and  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship  Com- 
;  pany,  working  under  C.  P.  Brownley.     Later 
]  Mr.  Casteen  was  transferred    to   the   general 
.  offices    at    the    corner  of  Church  and  Water 
I  streets  in  Norfolk.     He  is  now  filling  the  posi- 
tion of  O.  S.  and  D.  clerk.     Mr.  Casteen  is 
one  of  the  brightest    and    m6st    progressive 
young  men  of  the  city,  and  is  possessed  of  un- 
tiring energ}-  and  zeal.     He  readily  gains  the 
confidence  of  those  who  employ  him.  and  his 
future  career  seems  ven,"  promising. 

He  was  married  ilay  17,  1899,  to  a  daugh- 
I  ter  of  John  W.  Rutter.  Mr.  Rutter  and  his 
wife,  Esther  Parker  Rutter,  are  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  Mr.  Casteen  and  his  wife 
have  one  child, — John  T.  Mrs.  Casteen  is  a 
member  of  the  South  Street  Baptist  Church. 


R.  THOMAS  JUDSOX  WRIGHT, 
a  prominent  ohvsician  of  Churchland. 
Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  whose 
portrait  accompanies  this  sketch,  was 
born  in  Xansemond  County,  \'ir- 
j  ginia.  Septeml^er  26.  1845.  He  is  a  son  of  W. 
;  J.  and  Martha   (Smelley)   Wright. 

W.  J.  Wright,  the  father  of  our  subject. 

was  born   in    Xansemond   County,   March   8. 

1819.  and  departed  this  life  in  1874.     He  was 

t  a  prominent  and  wealthy  citizen  of  that  county 

all  his  life.     He  married  Martha  Smelley.  who 

was  born  in  \'irginia  in  i8ji.     They  reared 

;  five  children,   namely :     Joseph   S.,   deceased, 

who  was  a  member  of  the  Signal  Corps,  C.  S. 

I  Army:  John  H..  a  captain  in  Col.  William  H. 

Stewart's  regiment,  the  6ist   Regiment,  ^'ir- 

ginia  Infantry:  William  S..  deceased,  who  was 


978 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


adjutant  of  the  6ist  Reg-iment,  Virginia  In- 
fantry ;  J.  Edwin,  deceased,  a  member  of  the 
Signal  Corps,  C.  S.  Army :  and  Tliomas  Jud- 


son. 


Thomas  Judson  Wright,  whose  name  opens 
these  Hnes,  attended  the  Yate's  school  at  Belle- 
ville, and  later  Columbian  University,  at 
.Washington,  D.  C,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated in  1870,  receiving  the  degrees  of  A.  B. 
and  M.  D.  He  then  attended  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  University  of  New  York  and. 
after  graduating  in  the  class  of  1871,  located 
_at  Edenton,  North  Carolina,  where  he  prac- 
ticed in  partnership  with  Dr.  W.  R.  Capehart, 
until  1874. 

After  taking  a  post-graduate  course  in 
New  York,  he  took  up  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  1875  in  Churchland.  He  is  a  splen- 
did physician,  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
his  profession,  and  his  reputation  has  been  es- 
tablished in  Norfolk  County.  He  enjoys  a 
large  practice  and  stands  high  in  his  profes- 
sion. 

Dr.  Wright  was  married,  January  10,  1881, 
to  Mary  E.  Johnson,  of  Petersburg,  Virginia, 
^vho  was  born  March  30,  1852.  They  have  two 
children  namely  :  Thomas-  J-udson,  Jr. ;  and 
Anna  S.  Dr.  Wright  is  a  member  erf  the  Sea- 
board Medical  Association,  and  the  Norfolk 
J\IedicaI  Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  Religiously  he  is  a  Bap- 
list,  being;  a  deacon  in  the  church. 


R.  BENJAMIN  MAY  BAKER  re- 
sides at  No.  177  Freemason  street, 
and  his  office  is  at  No-.  61  Granby 
street,  Norfolk,  Virginia. 

Dr.  Baker  was  born  August  8, 
1865,  at  Petersburg,  Virginia.  His  boyhood 
was  spent  in  that  city  during  the  weary  and 
burdensome  period  known  as  "reconstruction 
times." 

After  a  brief  preliminary  schooling  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  sent  tO'  the  University 


of  Virginia.  He  then  attended  the  Columbia 
Medical  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1889. 
Soon  after  obtaining  his  medical  diploma  he 
came  to  Norfolk,  where  he  began  the  practice 
of  medicine,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged. 

In  the  spring  of  1894  Dr.  Baker  made  a 
trip  to  New  York  City,  where  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Theodosia  Burr  Potts,  of  that 
city.  They  have  three  children, — Richard 
Henry,  Helen  Mav  and  Benjamin  May,  Jr. 


ICHARD  M.  PHELPS,  a  well-known 
ci\il  engineer  of  Berkley,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  North  Carolina, 
July  31,  1 87 1.  He  is  a  son  of  Hor- 
ace F.  and  Melissa  E.  (Snell)  Phelps,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  North  Carolina. 

Horace  F.  Phelps  was  a  civil  engineer,  and 
did  much  surveying  in  his  county.  He  also 
taught  school  for  a  number  of  years,  being 
both  a  public  and  private  tutoT.  He  was  well 
and  favorably  known  in  his  section  of  the 
State.  His  death  occurred  in  1895,  at  the  age 
of  65  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church.  His  wife,  a  devout  member  of 
the  Methodist  Church,  is  still  living,  aged  56 
years.  Both  were  descended  from  old  families 
of  North  Carolina.  Three  children  were  born 
to  Horace  F.  Phelps  and  his  wife,  namely : 
Richard  M.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  ;  Pegram 
L.,  of  Berkley ;  and  Lula,  who  lives  in  North 
Carolina. 

Richard  M.  Phelps  was  educated  princi- 
pally at  the  Creswell  Academy,  where  he  took 
a  special  course  in  civil  engineering.  He  also 
gained  much  of  his  knowledge  of  that  profes- 
sion from  his  father.  He  made  his  home  in 
Washington  County  until  1894,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Edenton,  North  Carolina,  where  he 
opened  an  office,  and  worked  for  some  time. 
In  1896  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  and  has  been 
in  business  for  himself  since  that  time.  He 
left   Norfolk   to  settle   in   Berklev.   and   from 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


979 


1897  until  1901  was  constructiun  engineer  for 
the  Berkley  Street  Railway  Company.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  the  official  engineer  of 
tlie  town,  and  has  done  nnicli  general  work  in 
civil  engineering,  lie  ha.s  established  a  good 
reputation  as  a  civil  engineer  of  much  ability, 
and  is  well  known  in  Norfolk  County. 

On  May  23.  1893.  Mr.  Phelps  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Edna  Phelps,  a  native  of 
North  Carolina.  They  bore  no  relationship 
to  each  other,  although  the  family  names  were 
identical.  Mrs.  Phelps  was  a  daughter  of 
Hardy  Phelps,  and  for  many  years  was  a 
teacher.  She  taught  school,  both  in  public  and 
private  institutions  in  North  Carolina,  for  si.x 
years.  She  died  in  1897,  in  her  27th  year, 
leaving  one  child, — Richard  M., — who  is 
named  for  his  father.  Mr.  Phelps  formed  a 
second  marriage,  wedding  Alma  Shell,  of 
Richmond.  Virginia,  No\ember  22,  1899. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  L.  R.  and  Ada  Shell,  and 
ha.s  one  daughter. — Alma  May. 

Mr.  Phelps  has  met  with  much  success  in 
liis  profession,  and  has  made  for  himself  a 
hi  St  of  warm  friends,  who  admire  him  for  his 
many  good  traits  of  character.  He  and  his 
wife  attend  the  Episcopal  Church. 


APT.  ELLSBERRY  V.  WHITE, 
now  connected  with  important  com- 
mercial and  financial  interests  of 
Norfolk,  \''irginia,  is  well  known 
throughout  the  South  through  his 
association  as  engineer  with  the  famous  iron- 
clad ram,  C.  S.  S.  "Virginia."  whose  brief 
service  in  Hampton  Roads  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  the  civilized  world.  He  is  a  native  of 
Georgia,  and  was  born  in  Wilkinson  County 
in  1839.  W^hen  he  was  a  child  his  parents 
moved  to  Macon,  where  he  was  schooled  and 
apprenticed  to  a  machinist,  in  which  line  he 
worked  for  several  years,  and  fitted  himself  un- 
wittingly for  his  future  distinguished  service 


Georgia,  when  he  became  a  meml>er  of  the 
City  Light  Guards,  commanded  by  Capt.  Pey- 
ton H.  Colquitt,  a  brother  of  the  late  Senator 
A.  H.  Colquitt,  .\fter  the  secession  of  Georgia 
this  company  was  mustered  into  service  as  a 
part  of  the  Second  Georgia  Battalion,  and  was 
the  first  Cieorgia  command  to  enter  Virginia, 
reaching  Norfolk  two  days  after  the  evacu- 
ation by  the  Federals  and  the  destruction  of 
the  Navy  Yard.  .After  his  arrival  Captain 
White  witnessed  the  expiring  flames  i)f  the 
burning  of  that  magnificent  old  ship,  the  "Mer- 
rimac,"  once  the  pride  of  the  navy  and  the  ob- 
ject of  admiration  in  foreign  ports,  whose 
sunken  hull  was  to  be  raised  and  made  the 
foundation  of  the  irresistible  floating  battery, 
known  as  the  "Virginia."  Sergeant  White, 
for  such  was  his  rank  at  that  time,  ap])lied  sub- 
sequently for  admission  to  the  dinfcderate 
States  Navy,  and  was  accepted  and  commis- 
sioned as  an  officer  of  the  Engineer  Corps. 
January  19,  1862.  He  was  among  the  first 
men  assigned  to  the  "V'irginia,"  and  remained 
with  her  until  her  destruction.  His  office  re- 
quired him  to  do  duty  on  the  gim-deck  during 
engagements,  which  gave  him  an  opixirtunity 
to  observe  closely  the  operations  of  the  day. 
The  thrilling  history  of  this  famous  old  bat- 
terv  has  been  often  told  by  Captain  White 
upon  the  lecture  platfcjrm.  where  he  has  ap- 
peared many  times  for  the  benefit  of  charitable 
enterprises  and  on  behalf  of  Confederate  Vet- 
eran associations.  On  Pages  86-92.  inclusive, 
of  this  book  may  be  found  a  history  of  the  bat- 
tle-ship "Merriniac"-"\'irginia,"  written  by 
Captain  White. 

In   the  encnimter  between   the   "Monitor" 

and  the  "\'irginia,"  March  9,  1862,  the  honors 

j  of  shot  and  shell  were  well  balanced,  and  if  the 

'  "Virgirrra"  had  not  on  the  previous  day  lost 

I  her  ram  in  the  sides  of  the  "Cumberland,"  the 

'  moment  when   she  succeeded  in   sinking  that 

famous  old  frigate,  Ericsson's  iiuention  would 

i  probably  have  seen  its  last  day  afloat:  as'  ?t 

was,  the  "M<^)nit(ir"    drew    away    after   that 


In  i8^6  the  familv  removed  to  Cnlumbus,   :  shock  and  sought- shallow    water    where    the 


98o 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


"Virginia"'  could  not  follow,  and,  though  often 
thereafter  given  an  opportunity  to-  meet  the 
"Virginia,"  never  again  offered  to  accept  bat- 
tle with  her.  Captain  White  remained  on  his 
vessel,  whose  very  presence  effectually  guarded 
the  James  River  from  the  Federal  tleet,  until 
the  evacuation  of  Norfolk  in  1862,  when,  de- 
spite the  entreaties  of  her  officers  and  men  for 
permission  to  attack  some  Northern  port,  she 
was  ordered  abandoned,  and  it  became  neces- 
sary to  destroy  the  historic  vessel,  which  was 
accomplished  by  her  own  men  on  Alay  12, 
1862,  near  Craney  Island.  Captain  White 
afterward  joined  the  crew  in  the  defense  of 
tlie  James  River  at  Drev/ry's  Bluff,  where 
they  again  encountered  the  "Monitor"  where 
the  rest  of  the  Federal  fleet,  and  de- 
feated the  attempted  landing  of  troops.  Sub- 
sequently he  was  assigned  to  the  gunboat 
"Baltic,"  and  participated  in  several  minor 
actions  about  Mobile  Bay,  assisting  the 
"Florida"  when  she  ran  the  blockade  under 
command  of  Captain  Moffat,  with  a  fever- 
stricken  crew.  He  then  resigned  from  the 
navy,  and  returned  to  Columbus,  Georgia, 
where  he  invented  and  put  into  operation  ma- 
chinery with  which  nearly  all  the  buttons  and 
buckles  used  in  the  army  were  subsequently 
manufactured.  Becoming  a  member  nf  the 
Georgia  Reserves,  he  served  with  them  when 
called  to  Atlanta  under  General  Hood,  in  the 
important  battles  of  June  20,  21  and  22,  1864. 
After  the  fall  of  Atlanta  he  was  ordered  to  re- 
turn to  Columbus,  where  he  encountered  the 
Federal  forces  of  General  Wilson,  and  was 
compelled  to  surrender.  Thus  ended  a  mili- 
tary record  of  which  he  might  justly  be 
proud. 

After  these  events  Captain  White  resided 
at  Portsmouth,  and  then,  making  his  home  in 
BaltinKjre,  was  occupied  for  over  two  years  as 
a  traveling  salesman.  By  industrious  persist- 
ence he  accumulated  a  small  capital,  which  en- 
abled him  to  embark  in  business  as  a  partner  of 
his  father-in-law,  Nathan  Forbes,  at  Norfolk. 
Subsequently    he    estaWished    an    independent 


business  under  the  title  of  E.  V.  White  &  Com- 
pany. Captain  White  is  a  man  whose  ability 
is  recognized,  and  he  has  been  called  tO'  fill 
some  important  and  responsible  positions.  In 
political  life  he  has  often  sat  as  a  delegate  in 
State  and  national  conventions.  For  many 
years  he  served  as  commander  of  the  Norfolk 
militia;  at  the  occasion  vi  the  noted  Mexican 
Parade  at  Norfolk,  the  largest  ever  seen  in 
the  city,  his  services  were  in  demand  as  grand 
marshal  of  the  day. 

His  religious  affiliations  are  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  he  has 
represented  that  denomination  in  State  and 
general  conferences  many  times.  He  was 
chief  promoter  of  the  Park  View  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  at  Portsmouth, 
which  was  dedicated  in  1894  by  Rev.  Sam 
Jones. 

He  is  officially  connected  with  various 
business  enterprises  of  the  city  and  county, 
being  president  of  the  Tidewater  Insurance 
Company  of  Norfolk  and  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Norfolk  National  Bank.  Under  him 
was  introduced  one  of  the  largest  branches  of 
any  business  known  in  Norfolk, — railroad, 
steamboat  and  manufacturers'  supplies, — 
which  started  in  1868  with  only  about  $2,000 
invested.  Now,  with  the  many  houses  in  Nor- 
folk, the  investment  has  grown  to  possibly 
more  than  three-fourths  of  a  million  dollars. 


ILLIAM  H.  WHITE,  formerly 
United  States  district  attorney 
for  the  Eastern  District  of  Vir- 
ginia, is  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
White,  Tunstall  &  Thom,  an  as- 
sociation of  legal  talent  which  has  attracted 
attention  throi.ighout  the  State  and  enjoys  a 
large  clientage,  both  individual  and  corporate. 
Mr.  White  was  born  in  Norfolk  County,  x\pril 
16,  1847,  ^^'^^  is  a  son  of  Dr.  William  White. 
Dr.  William  White  was  also  a  native  of 
Norfolk    County,    and    became    a    prominent 


WILLIAM    V     H.    WILLIAMS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   aTI2:ENS. 


983 


member  of  the  medical  profession.  He  was 
also  a  power  in  public  affairs  and  represented 
the  county  of  Norfolk  in  the  Virginia  Conven- 
tion of  1861,  strongly  advocating  the  Union, 
but  when  the  convention  voted  in  favor  of  se- 
cession he  was  among  the  first  to  tender  his 
services  to  the  Governor  of  the  State,  and  be- 
came a  Confederate  soldier.  He  received  a 
commission  as  major  of  the  14th  Regiment. 
\'irginia  Infantry,  and  ultimately  became  its 
commander.  His  regiment  formed  a  part  of 
Armistead's  Brigade  of  Pickett's  Division,  and 
he  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  that 
famous  division,  receiving  many  serious 
wounds  in  the  famous  charge  at  Gettysburg. 
He  fought  with  great  gallantry  and  bravery, 
and  although  thev  went  down  in  defeat,  the 
division  of  which  he  is  a  member  will  live  for- 
ever in  the  hearts  and  minds  of  true  Southern- 
ers. The  Doctor  never  entirely  recovered  from 
wounds  received  in  battle,  and  they  were  the 
cause  of  his  death  in  1896. 

\\'illiam  H.  White  received  a  partial  edu- 
cation at  the  \'irginia  Military  Institute  at 
Lexington,  and  completed  it  at  the  University 
of  \'irginia.  He  entered  upon  the  practice  of 
law  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  in  April,  1868. 
and  was  subsequently  made  Commonwealth's 
attorney  for  Norfolk  County.  He  removed  to 
the  city  of  Norfolk  in  1870.  and  for  several 
years  was  Commonwealth's  attorney  for  that 
city.  In  1873  h^  formed  a  partnership  with 
Judge  T.  S.  Garnett.  under  the  firm  name  of 
White  &  Garnett,  which  existed  until  1896, 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  appointed 
Unite<l  States  district  attorney  for  the  East- 
ern District  of  \'irginia  by  President  Cleve- 
land, the  appointment  being  confirmed  by  the 
Senate  in  January,  1897.  He  resigned  from 
that  office  in  December,  1898,  and  on  January 
I,  1899,  became  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
White.  Tunstall  &  Thom.  a  firm  enjoying  one 
of  the  largest  practices  in  Virginia.  Mr. 
^^'hite  is  also  connected  with  many  business 
enterprises  of  the  citj-,  being  vice-president 
and  general  counsel  of  the  Norfolk  Gas  Com- 


pany, a  director  of  the  Norfolk  National 
Bank,  and  director  of  the  Norfolk  Bank  for 
Savings  &  Trusts.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  State  Board  of  Visitors  of  the 
\'irginia  Military  Institute  at  Lexington,  Vir- 
ginia. 

Politically  Mr.   Wiiite  has  always  been  a 
sturdy  supporter  of  Democratic  principles,  but 
has  never  sought  or  accepted  political  offices 
;  other   than  those  connected   with   his   profes- 
1  sion.     He  is  a  lawyer  first  and  always,  possess- 
i  ing  a  sound,  discriminating  mind,  a  profound 
I  knowledge  of  legal  principles,  and  as  an  advo- 
i  cate  is  earnest  and  eloquent.     He  is  conserva- 
tive in  speech  and  of  courteous  nature,   but 
withal  is  a  pleasing  conversationalist  and  loves 
intellectual  intercourse  with  his  friends. 


ILLIAM  \'.  H.  WILLIAMS,  de- 
ceased, whose  portrait  is  herewith- 
shown,  was  a  prominent  citizeii  of 
Portsmouth,  \'irginia.  He  was 
the  yoimgest  son  of  John  Will- 
iams and  Paulina  Luke  Herbert,  and  was  Ixirn 
in  Portsmouth  April  12,  1846. 

Mr.  Williams  was  descended  from  soiue  of 
the  oldest  families  in  \'irginia.  His  paternal 
ancestors  first  settled  on  the  Eastern  Shore. 
His  great-grandfather.  Samuel  Williams,  born 
in  1725.  and  Sarah  Haggoman.  his  wife,  moved 
to  Mathews  County.  \'irginia.  before  the  Revo- 
lution, and  were  jjatrintic  American  symjja- 
thizers.  Thomas  \^"illiams,  their  third  son, 
born  in  1762,  married  Mary  L.  Billups  and 
they  had  eight  children,  all  noted  for  their  strict 
integrity  and  high  moral  character.  Their 
longevity  was  remarkable — all  lived  to  be  over 
80.  except  the  heartiest  and  strongest,  who  was 
drowned  at  75  years.  John,  second  son  of 
Thomas  Williams,  and  father  of  William  V. 
H..  was  born  June  18,  1807;  he  married  Paul- 
ine Luke  Herbert,  daughter  of  Peter  Herbert 
and  Elizabeth  Granberr\-  Luke,  on  Januarv  27, 

1835- 


?u 


HIS:fORy,  OF    NPRFOLK  ;  eO^NTY, 


I  .Isaac  Luke,  one  of  the  maternal  ancestors, 
was  in  his  day  one  of  the  best  known  and  most 
prominent  citizens  of  Portsmouth,  a  large 
landowner  and  a  wealthy  man.  He  was  a 
member  and  vestryman  of  Trinity  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  but  after  hearing  George 
Williams,  an  English  divine,  preach  on  Meth- 
odi$m, '  he  entertained  him  at  his  home  on 
Court  street  and  became  the  first  class-leader 
of  the'  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  south  of 
the  Potomac  River.  He  and  his  wife  are  bur- 
ipd  in  Trinity  Protestant  Episcopal  Church- 
yard, and  his  wife's  tombstone  is  now  ensconced 
on  the  south  end  of  the  east  wall  in  the  church. 
This  tombstone,  which  was  brought  from  Eng- 
land, was  priginallv  fastened  on  the  wall  in 
the  churchyard  with  copper  bolts ;  but  during 
the  war  betwen  the  States  the  Federal  soldiers 
wrenched  it  from  its  place  for  the  sake  of  the 
copper  bolts,  which  they  sold  as  old  copper. 
The  stone  was  broken  and  lay  upon  the  ground 
until  after  the  war,  when  the  pieces  were  ce- 
mented t(jgether.  In  1804,  when  the  present 
church  was  remodeled,  the  rector.  Rev.  Ji  B. 
Funston,  had  it  carefully  reset  in  the  church 
wall,  where  it  now  rests. 

Through  the  Herberts,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  descended  from  the  nobilitv  of  Eng- 
land. The  Herbert  family  in  America  was  es- 
tablished by  three  brothers,  who  came  from 
England  and  settled  in  St.  Bride's  Parish  on  a 
neck  of  land  between  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth, 
once  called  Ferry  Point,  for  a  short  time  Her- 
bertsville,  and  now  known  as  Berkley.  The 
Herberts  were  well-to-do  people,  and  were 
very  proud  of  their  birth  and  position.  Mr. 
Williams'  great-great-grandfather,  William 
Herbert,  was  descended  through  Fitzhugh 
Herbert,  from  Lord  Herbert.  William  Her- 
bert, born  in  1718,  married  Janet  Causou,  and 
had  12  children,  but  we  have  records  of  the 
families  of  only  four  of  them.  Reuben,  the  old- 
est, born  in  1743,  married  Bett)-  Sparrow  in 
1765.  Martha,  the  third  child,  married  Mr. 
Odean.  Janet,  the  sixth  child,  married  Mr. 
Moore.        William,    the    seventh    child,    had 


a  grandson  living  near  .  New  Orleans  in 
1868.  Reuben  Herbert  and  Bett>-,  his  wife, 
had  10  children.  Those  who  married  were 
Martha,  the  eldest,  who  married  Thomas- 
Tatem  in  1786:  Peter,  the  second  child, 
born  September  9,  1769,  who  married  Peg- 
gy Sparrow,  died  December  i,  1792.  and 
after  her  death  married  Elizabeth  Cranberry 
Luke,  April  30,  181 6,  and  died  suddenly  of 
apoplexy  on  Sunday,  December  6,  1829;  Jo- 
seph, the  third  child,  who  married  Sarah  Re\- 
nolds;  Frances,  the  fourth  child,  who  married 
Sheldon  Toomer,  in  1793  ;  Mary,  the  fifth  child, 
who  married  James  Lewelling;  and  Reuben, 
the  eighth  child,  who  married  Ann  V.  Luke. 

Peter  and  Elizabeth  ( Luke)  Herbert  were 
the  parents  of  Pauline  Luke  Herbert,  who  mar- 
ried John  Williams,  and  was  the  mother  of 
William  V.  H.  Williams.  John  Williams  and 
his  wife  had  five  children :  Mary  Elizabeth, 
Thomas  Herbert,  Lucy  lane,  John  Herbert  and 
William  V.  Herbert. 

William  \'.  H.  Williams  was  educated  at 
the  Virginia  Collegiate  Institute,  at  that  time 
the  principal  institution  of  learning  in  this  sec- 
tion. Though  too  young  to  enter  the  Confed- 
erate Army,  a  fact  which  he  always  regretted, 
he  was  a  zealous,  patriotic  worker  in  the  cause. 
His  family,  however,  were  well  represented  in 
the  Southern  Army,  his  two  brothers,  John 
Herbert  Williams  and  Thomas  Herbert  Will- 
iams, enlisted  early  and  stayed  to  the  finish. 
His  uncle,  John  Luke  Herbert,  was  wounded 
at  Malvern  Hill  Julv  i,  1862,  and  honorably 
discharged,  but  enlisted  again  in  the  Engineer 
Corps.  Lieut. -Col.  G.  G.  Luke,  a  cousin,  led  the 
brigade  at  the  capture  of  Plymouth,  North  Car- 
olina, and  was  severely  wounded  at  Drewry's 
Blufif;  but  he  was  again  with  the  brigade 
around  .Petersburg,  and  was  captured  at  Five 
Forks. 

After  the  war  ]\Ir.  \\'illiams  engaged  in  sev- 
eral lines  of  business  and  at  the  age  of  19 
had  a  large  school  in  Hampton,  Virginia, 
where  he  taught  for  several  years.  He  returned 
to   Portsmouth   and   for   about   two  vears  as- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


985 


sisted  Capt.  C.  T.  Phillins  in  his  school,  but 
afterward  establislied  a  school  on  North  street, 
between  Court  and  Middle  streets,  in  the  old 
homestead  i>f  iiis  grandfather.  Peter  Herbert. 
Tjiis  school  was  larsrely  patronized,  and  was 
always  a  ereat  pleasure  to  him.  He  contin- 
ued to  conduct  it  until  1874.  when  he  was 
elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Insurance  Company.  It  was  the  only 
home  company  in  this  section  owned  and  man- 
asjed  by  home  ( Portsmouth)  people.  Its 
buildings  was  on  Hisrh  street,  where  the  new 
Merchants'  &  Farmers'  Bank  now  stands. 
During  his  management  of  the  business, 
through  his  ability  and  integrity,  its  success 
and  prosperity  were  icmarkable.  At  his  death 
no  one  satisfactory  to  the  company  could  be 
secured  to  take  his  place,  so  the  company, 
which  had  been  incorporated  in  1852,  was  sold, 
the' entire  assets,  liabilities,  business  and  charter 
of  the  company.  The  stockholders  received 
nearly  four  dollars  for  one.  or.  in  exact  figures. 
$3.90  net  ioT  every  dollar  invested.  During 
the  24  years  he  was  connected  with  the  cnm- 
pany  he  did  not  lose  a  day  on  account  of  sick- 
ness until  the  illness  which  resulted  in  his 
death.  July  14,  1898. 

For  years  Mr.  Williams  was  the  intimate 
friend  and  business  companion  of  O.  V.  Smith, 
and  these  two  together  took  an  active  part  in 
the  advancement  of  the  city's  interest,  which 
very  naturally  developed  her  advantages.  At 
the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  actively  con- 
nected with  the  following  organizations  :  Sec- 
retary and  treasurer  of  the  Portsmouth  In- 
surance Company :  director  of  the  Bank  of 
Portsmouth ;  director  of  the  Portsmouth  Com- 
pany ;  secretary  of  the  Portsmouth  Land  Im- 
pro\ement  &  Pronn ition  Company ;  a  memlier 
of  the  Board  of  Trade':  trustee  and  director 
of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  of  which  he  had  alsn 
served  as  i)resident :  a  steward  and  trustee  "f 
Monumental  Methtxlist  Episcopal  Church, 
South,  and  at  the  time  of  his  election  was  the 
youngest  man  to  fill  that  office:  a  director  nf 
the  Portsmouth  &  Norfolk  County  Building  & 


Loan  Association;  past  master  of  Seaboard 
Masonic  Lodge,  No.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  a 
member  of  Portsmouth  Council.  No.  22y, 
Royal  Arcanum;  treasurer  of  the  Confederate 
Monumental  Association  from  1880  until  the 
completion  of  the  Confederate  Monument;  and 
had  served  on  the  School  Board,  and  in  the 
City  Council. 

On  February  21,  1882,  Mr.  Williams  mar- 
ried Sallie  E.  Kearns,  of  New  Orleans,  Louisi- 
ana, daughter  of  Lawrence  Lamb  and  Anna 
(Devereaux)  Kearns.  They  had  four  chil- 
dren: Pauline  K.,  Lawrence.  Cecile  and  \\'. 
V.  H. 

Mr.  \\'illiams  was  loved  and  resjiected  by  all 
who  knew  him,  but  it  was  in  his  home,  among 
his  family,  that  his  generous  heart  and  gentle 
nature  were  seen  at  their  best.  His  presence 
shed  sunshine  and  happiness  wherever  he 
went.  He  was  one  of  the  most  charitable  men 
of  the  city.  With  a  generous  disposition  and  a 
lavish  hand,  he  aided  the  poor  and  helped  the 
needy.  He  gave  systematically — creed  ar  na- 
tionality made  no  difference  to  him.  Besides 
contributing  nobly  to  his  own  church — Monu- 
mental r^Iethodist  Episcopal,  South — he  gave 
liberally  to  others  of  the  city,  and  made  it  a 
point  to  give  regularly  one-tenth  of  his  income 
to  charity. 

No  man  could  be  more  sorely  missed  from 
the  business  and  social  life  of  the  city  than 
!Mr.  Williams.  His  charitable  acts  will  live 
in  the  memory  of  his  intimates  who  chanced  to 
know  of  them.  The  influence  of  his  sound 
business  sense  will  live  after  him,  and  his 
thousand  good  qualities' will  not  soon  l)e  for- 
gotten. 


APT.  WILLI A.M  W.  OLD,  a  promi- 
nent attorney  of  Norfolk,  was  born 
in  Princess  Anne  County,  Virginia, 
November  17,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of 
Jonathan  Whitehead  Old,  and  a 
lineal  descendant  of  Edward  Old,  who  settled 
in  Lower  Norfolk  County,  \'irginia,  early  in 


9S6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


the  seventeenth  century.  During  the  Indian 
wars  previous  to  the  Revolution,  and  in  that 
struggle  itself,  members  of  his  family  gallantly 
served  the  Commonwealth.  Thomas  Old,  of 
that  period,  and  his  kinsman,  James  Tooley, 
were  members  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  in 
Princess  Anne  County  during  the  War  of  In- 
dependence. Captain  Old's  mother,  Elizabeth 
Anne  (W'hitehurst)  Old,  connects  him  with 
another  old  and  honorable  family  of  Virginia. 
Her  father.  Colonel  William  Whitehurst,  was 
for  many  years  the  presiding  justice  of  Prin- 
cess Anne  County  by  commission  from  the 
Governor. 

Captain  Old  .studied  in  his  3'outh  at  the 
Norfolk  Academy,  then  under  the  superintend- 
ence of  John  B.  Strange,  who  afterward  lost 
his  life  at  Sharpsburg,  as  a  colonel  in  the  Con- 
federate service.  In  1855,  on  account  of  a 
yellow  fever  epidemic.  Colonel  Strange  left 
Norfolk  and  established  the  Albemarle  Mili- 
tary Institute,  where  young  Old  studied  three 
years.  In  October,  1S58,  after  a  few  months 
at  the  Broun  &  Tebbs  school  in  Albemarle 
County,  he  entered  the  University  of  Virginia, 
vihere  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
M.  A.,  July  4,  1 86 1.  Already  the  war  had  be- 
gun, and  the  "University  Volunteers"  had  been 
organized  at  the  university,  in  which  he  held 
the  rank  of  junior  second  lieutenant. 

On  the  day  of  graduation  they  were  mus- 
tered into  the  Confederate  service  and  as- 
signed to  Wise"s  Brigade,  then  operating  in 
\\'est  Virginia,  where  the  company  was  on 
duty  until  disbanded  the  following  December 
by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  ^^'ar.  Captain 
Old,  determined  to  remain  in  the  service,  acted 
for  a  short  time  as  volunteer  aide  upon  the 
stafif  of  General  Wise,  and  then  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  14th  Regiment,  Virginia  In- 
fantry, commanded  by  Col.  James  Gregory 
Hodges.  He  was  wounded  in  the  second  day's 
fight  at  Seven  Pines,  June  ist,  and  in  August 
following  was  commissioned  captain  and  as- 
sistant quartermaster  and  assigned  to  Battery 
No.  9  of  the  Richmond  defenses,  under  com- 


mand of  Col.  James  Howard.  He  served 
there  until  May,  1863,  when  he  was  ordered 
to  Jackson's  old  division,  then  commanded  by 
Maj.-Gen.  Edward  Johnson,  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  commissary  train  during  the 
Pennsylvania  campaign.  In  December,  1863, 
he  resigned  that  position  to  become  aide-de- 
camp upon  the  stafif  of  General  Johnson.  On 
May  12,  1864,  during  the  tighting  at  Spotts- 
sylvania  Court  House,  he  was  engaged  in 
carrying  a  message  to  Gen.  C.  A.  Evans,  when 
General  Johnson  and  many  of  his  troops  were 
captured.  He  was  subsequently  assigned  to 
the  staff  of  Lieut. -Gen.  Richard  S.  Ewell,  and 
on  June  12.  1864,  to  the  staff  of  Gen.  Jubal  A. 
Early,  with  whom  he  served  throu^i  the 
Maryland  campaign  and  the  movement  on 
Washington  in  that  year.  In  August  of  the 
same  year  his  old  commander.  General  John- 
son, having  been  exchanged,  ordered  to  the 
Western  Army,  then  under  General  Hood,  and 
assigned  to  command  the  division  of  Patton 
Anderson.  Captain  Old  rejoined  his  staff,  and 
served  in  the  West  until  October  31st,  when  he 
was  severely  wounded  at  Florence,  Alabama, 
and  incapacitated  for  duty  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  war.  On  being  paroled  after  the 
capitulation  of  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  he 
returned  home  and  was  engaged  in  teaching 
school  and  farming  until  civil  affairs  were  well 
settled. 

In  February,  1868,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  at  Norfolk, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  his  profession  as  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Walke  &  Old,  until  that  firm  was  dis- 
solved by  the  death  of  Mr.  W^alke.  Since  then 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  William 
W.  Old  &  Son.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  Norfolk,  has 
for  several  years  been  delegate  to  the  council  of 
his  diocese  and  chancellor  of  the  diocese  of 
Southern  Virginia,  and  was  delegate  to  the 
general  convention  at  New  York  in  1889; 
Baltimore,  in  1892:  Minneapolis,  in  1895; 
Washington,  in   1898:  and  San  Francisco,  in 


DANIEL    V.    GASKINS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


989 


1901.  In  1870  he  was  married  to  Alice  Her- 
bert, daughter  of  Edward  H.  Herbert,  one  of 
the  most  influential  men  of  Princess  Aimc 
County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Old  have  six  children, 
viz.:  Dr.  Herbert,  a  physician  of  Norfolk: 
William  W..  Jr..  an  attorney  and  a  partner  of 
his  father:  Anne,  wife  of  Charles  Webster,  a 
lieuten  nt  in  the  United  States  Navy:  Dr.  Ed- 
ward H.  N..  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
\'irginia,  who  is  located  in  New  York  City : 
Margaret  Nash ;  and  Ellen  Alice. 


ON.     EDWARD     SPALDING 
judge  of  the  County  Court  of 


was 
Nor- 
folk County  f(^r  six  years  ending  De- 
cemlier  31,   1885.     He  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  general  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Norfolk  since  the  latter  part  of 
1869,  and  has  a  lucrati\e  practice. 

Judge  Spalding  was  born  in  Kennel:)ec 
County,  Maine,  in  1842,  and  was  educated  at 
the  academy  in  W'aterville.  Maine.  After 
graduating  from  this  institution  he  secured  a 
position  in  the  Treasury  Department  at  Wash- 
ington,  D.  C,  and  while  there  read  law.  He 
graduated  from  the  Columbian  Law  School  in 
1869  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Washington  in  the 
fall  of  that  year.  Then  he  came  to  Norfolk, 
Avhere  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  always 
been  regarded  as  one  of  the  successful  prac- 
titioners at  the  bar  of  Norfolk,  and  has  a  large 
general  practice.  Although  a  strong  supporter 
of  the  Republican  party,  since  the  expiration 
of  his  term  on  the  bench  he  has  never  accepted 
office.  He  has  always  been  found  on  the  right 
side  of  measures  intended  for  the  Ijenefit  of 
the  community  in  which  he  resides,  whose  in- 
terests he  has  ever  had  at  heart.  He  has  been 
active  in  supporting  various  enterprises  and 
is  a  large  owner  of  real  estate  and  a  director 
in  a  numl>er  of  land  companies. 

Judge  Spalding  is  married  and  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Presbvterian  Church. 


WIEL  V.  GASKINS.  funeral  direc- 
tor, with  place  of  business  at  No.  610 
Middle  street,  Portsmouth,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Ports- 
mouth. He  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Gas- 
kins  and  Julia  A.  V.  Hatton  { iicc  Dyes),  his 
wife. 

Our  subject's  maternal  great-grandfather 
Peter  Dyes,  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary 
War.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and 
established  a  home  on  the  Southern  Branch  of 
the  Elizal)eth  River,  one  mde  from  Gilmerton. 
which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  family. 
The  Dyes  family  were  influential  in  assisting 
in  the  growth  and  development  of  the  county. 
Nathaniel  Dyes,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
who  was  also  a  farmer,  married  Mary  .\nn 
Copeland  Clark,  a  member  of  the  Llewellyn 
family  of  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Virginia. 

Daniel  Gaskins.  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  1x>ni  in  Nansemond  Comity, 
Virginia,  October  5,  1820.  His  wife,  Julia 
A.  V.  Hatton  (tiec  Dynes)  was  born  Novem- 
ber 6.  1820.  in  Norfolk  County,  on  the  home- 
stead founded  by  her  grandfather.  Peter  Dyes. 
Daniel  Gaskins  was  an  undertaker  and  cabinet 
maker,  following  his  trade  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  18,  1864.  He  was  well 
and  favorably  known  in  Portsmouth,  where  he 
spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
His  wife  is  still  living,  aged  81  years.  Of  eight 
children  lx)rn  to  this  couple,  but  two  survive. 
Georgia  A.,  the  wife  of  B.  F.  Vaughan;  and 
Daniel  V.,  the  subiect  of  this  sketch. 

Daniel  \'.  Gaskins  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schcx)ls  of  Portsmouth,  and  after  leaving 
school  engaged  in  the  undertaking  business, 
succeeding  his  father.  He  married,  November 
15.  1869,  Elizabeth  Sargent  Sirian.  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Lienor  E.  Sirian. 

George  Sirian  was  a  Grecian  by  birth,  and 
his  parents  were  massacred  by  the  Turks. 
When  a  lx)y  of  nine  years,  at  the  time  of  the 
massacre,  he  swam  from  an  island  to  a  United 
States  man-of-war.     He  was  taken  on  lx>ard 


990 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY' 


and  brouglit  to  this  country  by  Mr.  Randolph, 
of  Richmond,  Virginia.  For  40  years  he  was 
gunner  in  the  United  States  Navy.  He  became 
a  gunner  under  George  Marshall,  U.  S. 
Navy,  who  afterward  became  his  father-in-law. 
Mrs.  Elenor  E.  Sirian  is  'still  living,  active  and 
vigoroiis,  at  the  age  of  82  years. 

Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  two  children, 
whose  names  are :  Elizabeth  S. ;  and  Marga- 
ret A.  Mr.  Gaskins  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church. 

Mr.  Gaskins  is  a  member  of  the  following 
fraternal  associations :  Portsmouth  Naval 
Lodge,  No.  100,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Atlantic 
Lodge,  No.  24,  K.  of  P. ;  Grice  Lodge,  No. 
83,  I.  O.  O.  F. :  Montauk  Tribe,  No.  55,  I.  O. 
R.  M.:  Peabody  Council,  No.  106,  Jr.  O.  U. 
A.  M. ;  Old  Dominion  Council,  No.  293,  I.  O. 
H. ;  Magnolia  Camp,  No.  4,  W.  O.  W. ;  Ocean 
Council,  No.  1063,  Royal  Arcanum;  and 
Friendship  Council.  Seven  Wise  Men,  of  Nor- 
folk, Virginia. 

Mr.  Gaskins  is  a  genial  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman, well  and  favorably  known  as  one  of 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  city.  His  por- 
trait accompanies  this  sketch,  being  presented 
on  a  foregoing  page. 


AJ.  RICHARD  G.  BANKS,  United 

States  collector  of  the  port  of  Nor- 
folk, is  a  native  of  Hampton,  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  born  September  3, 
1840.  He  was  educated  at  the 
Hampton  Academy  and  at  Columbia  College, 
and  shortly  after  leaving  the  latter  institution, 
in  May,  1861,  was  appointed  quartermaster  of 
the  50th  Regiment.  Virginia  Infantry,  in  Gen- 
eral Floyd's  Brigade,  with  the  rank  of  captain. 
He  served  as  quartermaster  until  the  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson,  from  which  he  escaped  to  Chat- 
tanooga, where  he  was  put  in  charge  of  the 
military  depot  of  General  Kirby  Smith  and 
served  there  about  si.\  months.     July  i,  1862, 


he  went  with  General  Smith's  command  to 
Lexington,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  put  in 
charge  of  the  quartermaster's  depot  for  about 
two  months.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  was 
appointed  major  and  went  to  Mississippi,  hav- 
ing been  assigned  to  General  W.  W.  Loring's 
staff.  In  that  position  he  served  only  a  short 
time,  when  he  was  detailed  by  Gen.  Joseph  E. 
Johnston  to  go  to  Selma,  Alabama,  and  es- 
tablish a  quartermaster's  depot.  This  he  ac- 
complished and  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
same,  remaining  at  that  point  until  near  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  fol- 
lowing battles :  First  battle  of  Cross  Lanes, 
and  Carnifex  Ferry,  West  Virginia;  Fort" 
Donelson,  Tennessee ;  Richmond,  Kentucky, 
and  in  numerous  minor  engagemets.  After 
the  war  was  over  he  went  to  Goochland  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  where  he  carried  on  a  farm,  and, 
having  prepared  for  the  legal  profession  in  the 
meantime,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1871. 

He  practiced  his  profession  until  the  fall  of 
1879,  at  which  time  he  was  appointed  United 
States  inspector  of  customs  and  stationed  at 
Norfolk,  Virginia.  This  office  he  held  until 
1883,  when  he  resigned  in  order  tO'  take  his 
seat  in  the  State  Legislature,  to  which  he  was 
elected  that  year.  Owing  to  a  technicality  he 
was  unseated,  but  at  the  new  election  ordered 
he  was  triumphantly  vindicated,  receiving  a 
majority  of  900  votes.  In  1884  he  was  made 
superintendent  of  the  schools  at  Norfolk  and 
acted  as  such  until  1886.  Two  years  later  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  Norfolk,  and  held  that 
office  until  March,  1890,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  office  of  United  States  collector  of 
the  port  Oif  Norfolk,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

Mr.  Banks  was  married,  January  15,  1863, 
to  Miss  Nannie  M.  Argyle.  daughter  of  Thom- 
as Argyle,  a  planter  of  Goochland  County, 
Virginia.  Tbev  have  had  one  child,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Richard  G.  Banks,  our  subject's  father, 
was  born  in  Esse.x  County,  Virginia,  in  1802. 
He  was  a  graduate  of  the  medical  department 
of  the  University  of  Maryland,  and  began  the 


AND   REPHESENXATIVE   CITIZENS: 


i9i 


practice  of  his  profession  in  1823,  at  Hampton, 
Virginia,  where  he  remained  until  the  breaking 
out  of  tlie  war.  He  was  then  put  in  charge 
of  a  hospital  at  Portsmouth,  Virginia,  and 
afterward  transferred  to  Richmond,  in  the 
same  capacity,  where  he  continued  until  the 
close  of  the  struggle.  He  then  went  to  Balti- 
more, Maryland,  where  he  practiced  medicine 
until  his  death,  in  1870.  He  was  married,  in 
1 82 1,  to  Mathilda  E.  Dewees,  daughter  of 
.Andrew  Dewees,  a  prominent  merchant  of 
Baltimore.  They  had  five  sons,  as  follows: 
William  Wallace,  Henry  T.,  Andrew  Dewees, 
E.  A.  and  Richard  G.  William  Wallace  was  a 
surgeon  in  the  United  States  Army,  who  re- 
signed after  the  Mexican  War,  and  was  ap- 
pointed consul  to  ^lexico,  where  he  married 
the  daughter  of  the  Governor  of  Zacatecas,  and 
where  his  death  occurred  in  1S59,  at  the  age 
of  36  years.  Henry  T.  was  born  in  1827,  and 
is  now  living  in  \\"ashington,  D.  C.  Andrew 
Dewees,  born  in  1834.  was  the  first  editor,  in 
connection  with  Roger  A.  Prj-or,  of  the  South- 
side  Democrat,  published  at  Petersburg,  and 
was  afterward  editor  of  the  Cincinnati  En- 
qiiirer:  in  1857  he  was  defeated  as  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate  for  clerk  of  the  National 
House  of  Representatives  by  General  Cullom. 
In  1858  he  was,  with  General  Stedman,  elected 
public  printer,  and  during  the  Confederate  War 
was  adjutant  general  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  J.  E. 
Johnston,  by  whom  he  was  held  as  a  warm 
and  trusted  friend.  He  died  in  1881.  E.  A., 
who  was  born  in  1838,  was  a  lawyer  and  was 
educated  at  the  University  of  Virginia.  He 
went  to  Alabama  in  1858,  locating  at  Mont- 
gomery, where  he  edited  the  Montgomery  Con- 
federation until  the  opening  of  the  Confederate 
War,  when  he  entered  the  Confederate  Army 
and  was  made  captain  and  afterward  paymaster 
at  New  Orleans.  After  the  evacuation  of  that 
city  by  the  Confederate  forces  he  was  raised  to 
the  rank  of  major  and  assigned  to  General 
Loveirs  staff,  and  then  to  General  Pemberton's, 
where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
company  with   General   Loring  he  went   into 


business  in  New  Orleans,  and  died  there  in 
1 868.  'Hie  youngest  son  is  Richard  G.,  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.  The  mother  of  this 
family  died  in  1845. 

George  W.  Banks,  grandfather  of  Major 
Ranks,  was  a  native  of  Essex  County,  Virginia. 
He  practiced  law  in  his  native  county  during 
his  mature  years,  was  a  member  of  the  County 
Court,  and  succeeded  to  the  office  of  high  sher- 
iff; he  was  a  major  in  the  War  of  1812.  He 
married  Miss  Baughan,  and  died  in  1842.  The 
great-grandfather  was  also  a  native  of  Essex 
County,  and  was  a  ])lanter  by  occupation.  The 
great-great-grandfather  was  born  in  England, 
and  upon  coming  to  America  located  in  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  died.  The  maternal  ancestors 
of  Mr.  Banks  were  French ;  one  of  the  family 
was  Mr.  Dewees,  of  Philadelphia,  a  well-known 
medical  writer. 


OHX  J.  BURROUGHS,  who  is  a  mem-, 
ber  of  the  firm  of  Burroughs  Broth- 
ers, attorneys-at-law,  at  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  at  Princess  Anne 
Court  House.  Virginia,  April  22, 
1841,  and  is  a  son  of  John  J.  and  Ann  (Nim- 
mo)  Burroughs.  His  father  was  deputy  clerk 
at  Norfolk  when  a  young  man,  and  later  re- 
moved to  Princess  Anne  Court  House,  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  was  clerk  of  courts  for  40 
years. 

John  J.  Burroughs,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
county.  He  attended  Prof.  William  R.  Gait's 
private  school,  and  Lynchburg  College.  He 
left  college  to  enlist  at  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in 
"Old  Company  F,"  but  was  transferred  to  the 
Western  Department.  He  was  soon  promoted 
to  the  ofiice  of  lieutenant  of  artillery  and  served 
gallantly  to  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the 
war  was  over  Mr.  Burroughs  decided  to  take 
up  the  profession  of  law.  and  accordingly  be- 
gan the  study  witli  his  brother.  Hon.  William 
H.  Burroughs.     With   faithful  attention  and 


992 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


close  application  to  his  chosen  duties  he  soon 
fitted  himself  for  his  profession  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  in  1866.  He  had  had  some  exper- 
ience in  his  father's  office.  Mr.  Burroughs  at 
once  began  to  practice  at  Princess  Anne  Court 
House,  where  he  remained  a  short  time.  He 
soon  decided  that  a  larger  field  would  be  pre- 
ferable, and  in  January,  1869,  remoA'ed  to  Nor- 
folk where  he  entered  into  partnership  with 
his  brother,  who  was  then  practicing  in  that 
city.  The  firm  name  was  Burroughs  Brothers, 
and  remains  so  to  this  day.  The  brothers  have 
practiced  together  since  1869  with  the  excep- 
tion of  eight  years,  during  which  time  William 
H.  Burroughs  was  judge  of  the  Corporation 
Court  of  Norfolk  City.  The  firm  has  a  large 
general  practice  and  stands  foremost  among 
prominent  law  firms  of  Norfolk.  In  1894  John 
J.  Burroughs  was  elected  police  justice,  and 
served  as  such  one  term. 

Mr.  Burroughs  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Eliza  Moore  of  Wythe  County,  Virginia.  She 
died  when  very  young.  He  married,  secondly, 
M.  May  Baker,'  a  daughter  of  Richard  H. 
Baker,  of  Norfolk,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren living,  namely :  Richard  Hansford,  Hugh 
May  and  Benjamin  Baker. 

Mr.  Burroughs  is  a  member  of  the  Bar  As- 
sociation of  Virginia ;  the  Pickett-Buchannan 
Camp,  Confederate  Veterans ;  and  the  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  He  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainments, 
a  deep  student,  and  is  endowed  with  all  the 
qualities  which  go  to  make  a  good  lawyer. 


LO\\^EXBERG.  The  history  of 
Norfolk  City  and  vicinity  would  not 
be  complete  without  a  brief  outline  of 
the  activities  of  such  a  man  as  the  one 
whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  David 
Lowenberg  was  lx>rn  in  Wurtemberg,  Ger- 
many, October  25,  1839.  He  was  educated  in 
his  native  city,  and  came  to  America  in  1855, 
landing  at  New  York.  Soon  after  he  went  to- 
Asheville,  North  Carolina,  and  lived  in  Golds- 
boro  for  three  years,  engaged  in  the  general 


merchandise  trade.  In  i860  he  went  to  Green- 
ville, South  Carolina,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
business  until  the  war  broke  out ;  he  volun- 
teered as  a  private  in  the  i6th  Regiment,  South 
Carolina  Infantry,  commanded  by  Colonel  El- 
liott, with  which  he  served  until  the  fall  of 
1864.  After  leaving  the  army  he  located  in 
Norfolk,  and  engaged  in  business  with  his 
brother,  J.  B.  Lowenberg,  the  partnership  con- 
tinuing until  1872.  Then  Mr.  Jacob  Hecht 
and  A.  F.  Jacobs,  brothers-in-law,  were  taken 
into  the  firm,  and  a  wholesale  business  was  es- 
tablished under  the  firm  name  of  Lowenberg, 
Jacobs  &  Company.  This  company  existed  un- 
til 1879,  when  Mr.  Jacobs  withdrew,  and  Low- 
enberg Brothers  &  Company  continued  the 
business.  Mr.  Lowenberg  withdrew  from  the 
company  in  1886,  and  devoted  himself  for  the 
next  year  tO'  erecting  a  large  block  of  business 
houses,  and  establishing  the  D.  Lowienberg 
Boot  &  Shoe  Company,  which  is  now  the  larg- 
est and  best  store  in  the  city  of  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Lowenberg  was  president  of  the  Tide- 
w'ater  Investment  &  Trust  Company  during  its 
existence,  and  is  now  president  of  the  Norfolk 
Knitting  &  Cotton  Manufacturing  Company. 
He  erected  the  Chesapeake  Knitting  Mills  and 
the  Lowenberg  Knitting  Mills,  and  is  treas- 
urer of  the  South  Norfolk  Development  Com- 
pany, and  of  the  Southwest  Virginia  Mineral 
Land  Company.  He  is  president  of  the  At- 
lantic Impro'\-ement  Compan}-,  and  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Realty  Company ;  treasurer  of  the  Nor- 
folk Investment  Company ;  a  director  in  the 
Norfolk  National  Bank  and  the  Norfolk  Bank 
for  Savings  &  Trusts ;  vice-president  and  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Norfolk-Hampton  Roads 
Company ;  secretary-treasurer  and  general 
manager  of  the  Portsmouth  Improvement 
Company ;  president  of  the  South  Norfolk 
Belt  Line  Improvement  Company ;  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  American  Contracting 
Company,  and  of  the  Commonwealth  Realty 
Company ;  and  president  of  the  Monticello 
Realty  Company  and  tlie  Norfolk  &  Atlantic 
Terminal  Company. 


SAMUEL    BUCHANAN    HUTCHINS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


995 


Mr.  Luwenberg  was  married  March  5, 
1865.  to  Cecelia  Hecht.  daughter  of  Rev.  Jo- 
sepli  ilecht.  \\li(»  wa.s  pastor  of  the  Xorfulk 
Street  Congregational  Church  in  Xew  York 
City  for  21  years,  and  later  lived  in  Norfolk. 
They  liavc  four  children,  named  as  follows: 
Minnie  i).,  wife  of  A.  E.  Camp  of  Norfolk; 
and  Benjamin,  Jacob  and  Harrv  L.,  of  Xin- 
folk. 

It  can  he  truly  said  that  Mr.  Lowenberg  de- 
votes himself  to  the  best  interests  of  Norfolk, 
where  he  is  one  of  most  public  spirited  citi- 
zens, and  is  always  ready  to  lead  nff  in  any 
works  of  jniblic  improvement. 


HE  NORFOLK  BANK  FOR  SAV- 
INGS &  TRUSTS,  one  of  the  young- 
est banking  institutions  of  Norfolk, 
has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the 
commercial  affairs  of  the  city.  .\1- 
though  a  savings  bank,  primarily,  it  has  been 
particularly  successful  in  handling  large  estates 
in  a  fiduciary  capacity.  Among  its  officers  and 
directors  are  numbered  many  of  the  substantial 
business  men  of  the  city,  men  of  prestige  in 
other  lines  of  business, — giving  it  an  advantage 
which  has  placed  it  in  the  foremost  ranks  of 
the  banking  concerns  of  \'irginia. 

The  Norfolk  Bank  for  Savings  «S:  Trusts 
was  organized  in  1893  under  a  liberal  charter 
granted  by  the  Virginia  Legislature,  and  was 
opened  for  business  on  August  2nd  of  that 
year.  It  was  particularly  fortunate  in  having 
at  its  head  C.  G.  Ramsay,  a  man  of  great  abil- 
(ity,  who  was  well  known  in  the  circles  of 
finance  not  only  in  this  country,  but  in  foreign 
countries  as  well.  Owing  to  the  death  of  Mr. 
Ramsay,  in  February,  1894,  C.  W.  Grandy  was 
elected  president  and  served  until  1901.  when 
Caldwell  Hardy  succeeded  him  in  that  iiffice. 
Mr.  Grandy  is  now  vice-president,  and  W.  W. 
Vicar  is  cashier.  The  directors  are :  J.  G. 
Womble.  D.  Lowcnberg,  DcCourcv  W.  Thnm, 
Henry  Kirn.  Caldwell  Hardy,  R.  Page  Waller, 


J.  N.  Vaugiian,  R.  Lancaster  \\illiams,  M.  L. 
T.  Davis,  Thomas  R.  Ballentine,  C.  A.  Wood- 
ard,  W.  H.  White.  G.  L.  Arps,  C.  Billups.  T. 
H.  Willcox.  William  M.  Wlialey,  C.  W. 
Grandy,  A.  P.  Thorn,  W.  W.  Vicar,  Thomas 
Townsend,  G.  M.  Serpell,  C.  Brooks  Johnston 
and  E.  C.  Fosburgh.  The  bank  was  organized 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $250,000,  which  was 
later  reduced  to  $100,000.  Its  policy  from  the 
beginning  has  been  a  progressively  conserva- 
tive one,  following  the  lines  of  legitimate  bank- 
ing as  practiced  by  the  best  institutions  of  its 
kind  in  the  country.  That  this  course  has  met 
with  the  approval  of  the  community  is  attested 
by  the  fact  that  during  the  eight  years  of  its 
existence  it  has  been  entrusted  with  over  $2,- 
500,000  of  the  savings  of  the  people,  besides 
having  done  a  large  and  increasing  business 
in  its  commercial,  trusts  and  safe  dejmsit  de- 
partments. The  business  of  this  bank  is  classi- 
fied and  conducted  under  four  distinct  heads, 
namely :  The  savings  department,  the  com- 
mercial department,  the  trusts  department,  and 
the  safe  deposit  department.  Separate  systems 
of  accounts  are  kept,  so  that  each  department 
is  complete  in  itself.  It  acts  as  trustee,  guar- 
dian, executor  and  administrator,  and  has  su- 
perior facilities  for  handling  estates.  The  ad- 
vantages of  a  corporation  as  trustee,  or  in  other 
fiduciary  relations,  lie  in  its  ability,  absolute 
safety,  and  in  the  fact  that  the  corporation  will 
outlive  the  trust.  We  may  say  that  the  won- 
derful success  of  the  Norfolk  Bank  for  Sav- 
ings &  Trusts  is  due  almost  wholly  to  the  abil- 
ity of  its  officers,  and  the  confidence  the\-  ha\e 
inspired  in  the  people. 


1855- 


AMUEL  BUCHANAN  HUTCHINS, 
a  well-known  contractor  and  builder 
of  Portsmouth.  Norfolk  County, 
\"irginia,  whose  portrait  appears 
herewith,   was   lx)rn   in   that   city   in 

He  is  a  son  of  George  Hutchins. 


George  Hutchins  was  employed  in  the  Gos- 


996 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


port  Navy  Yard  at  Portsmouth,  having  re- 
moved to  that  city  when  a  young  man.  He  was 
a  Democrat  and  very  active  in  pohtics.  He 
died  in  1857.  George  Hutchins  married  Mar- 
garet F.  Taylor,  a  daughter  of  Moses  Taylor, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  South  Ports- 
mouth. Before  his  death  and  prior  to  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Confederate  War,  Moses 
Taylor  was  foreman  of  the  riggers  at  the  Navy 
Yard.  Margaret  F.  (Taylor)  Hutchins  died 
December  18,  1897.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Hutchins  were  blessed  with  10  children,  all  of 
whom  are  residents  of  Portsmouth  or  its  vi- 
cinity. They  are  as  follows :  Medora  ( Lum- 
ber) ,  of  Newport  News :  Virginia  (  Thomas)  ; 
Emily  (Myers)  ;  Alameda;  Samuel  Buchanan; 
R.  A.,  who  is  citv  collector  of  Portsmouth; 
George  W.,  who  was  a  contractor,  and  is  now 
deceased;  Mary;  Margaret;  and  Olivia,  de- 
ceased. 

Samuel  Buchanan  Hutchins  attended  the 
public  schools  of  Portsmouth,  and  at  the  age 
of  14  years  he  was  apprenticed  to  John  T. 
West  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  house  carpenter. 
With  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  as  clerk 
in  his  brother's  grocery,  he  has  continued  in 
that  business  ever  since.  He  commenced  con- 
tracting for  himself  13  vears  ago,  and  his  work 
has  been  mainly  the  building  of  houses.  He 
is  a  fine  mechanic,  and  there  is  no  better  con- 
tractor in  Norfolk  County.  He  has  become 
widely  known  in  Portsmouth,  and  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  and  his  work  is  always  of  the 
highest  order.  Mr.  Hutchins  has  erected  some 
of  the  finest  homes  in  Portsmouth,  and  at  pres- 
ent has  under  contract  the  building  of  the  Court 
Street  Baptist  Church,  and  the  Central  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  South.  He  has  erected 
many  churches  and  public  buildings.  In  1901 
he  built  the  Port  Norfolk  Baptist  Church.  He 
stands  high  as  a  contractor  and  is  a  man  of 
good  business  ability.  He  devotes  all  of  his 
attention  to  his  business,  and  is  always  ready 
to  take  advantage  of  the  newest  ideas  to  facili- 
tate his  work. 

Mr.   Hutchins    married    Ida    V.    Noel,   a 


daughter  of  Capt.  Robert  Noel.  Of  nine  chil- 
dren born  to  this  union,  four  are  deceased. 
Those  living  are  as  Tollows:  S.  B.,  Jr.,  who 
assists  his  father:  Lucille;  Alice;  Alameda;  and 
Christopher.  Mr.  Hutchins  is  deeply  interested 
in  politics,  but  has  never  cared  to  accept  office, 
having  refused  a  nomination  to  the  City  Coun- 
cil. He  is  a  member  of  the  following  fraternal 
organizations:  Portsmouth  Lodee,  No.  16. 
Knights  of  Pythias ;  the  Masonic  order ;  Benev- 
olent and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  Royal  Ar- 
canum ;  National  Cnion ;  and  Royal  Tribe  of 
Joseph.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Fourth  Street 
Baptist  Church,  which  his  mother  helped  to  or- 
ganize. 


ON.  WILLIAM  H.  BURROUGHS, 
who  has  been  prominent  on  the 
bench  and  at  the  bar  of  Norfolk 
County.  \'irginia,  since  1854.  was 
born  at  Princess  Anne  Court 
House,  Virginia,  February  20,  1832.  He  at- 
tended school  there,  and  was  graduated  from 
the  ^\'illiam  and  Mary  Military  College,  at 
\Villiamsburg,  in  185 1.  He  then  taught  school 
in  that  academy  until  1853,  when  he  took  up 
the  study  of  law,  and  was  graduated  and  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1854. 

Mr.  Burroughs  opened  practice  at  Prin- 
cess Anne  Court  House,  where  he  remained 
until  1859,  when  he  went  to  Jacksboro,-  Ten- 
nessee. He  practiced  law  there  until  the  war- 
broke  out,  when  he  enlisted  in  Churchwell's 
regiment,  known  as  the  ist  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment. He  was  soon  promoted  to  the  position 
of  captain  of  the  3rd  Regiment,  Tennessee  Ar- 
tillery, and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  in  Eastern  Tennessee.  Ken- 
tucky and  Southwestern  Virginia. 

In  1866  Mr.  BurrOiUghs  returned  to  Prin- 
cess Anne  Court  House,  Virginia,  where  he 
resumed  his  practice.  He  removed  to  Nor- 
folk in  1869,  and  entered  into  partnership  with 
his  brother,  J.  J.  Burroughs.  In  1870  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  Corprration  Court,  and 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


997 


?en-e(l  in  that  capacity  until  January,  1877. 
when  lie  resumed  his  general  practice,  in  which 
he  has  been  so  successful.  In  1877  he  wrote 
and  published  a  lxx)k-  on  "Taxation,  Federal 
and  State,"  and  in  1881  he  published  a  book 
on  "Public  Securities,  including  Municipal 
Bonds."  These  works  ha\e  1>een  highlv  com- 
mended. 

Mr.  Burroughs  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  several  other  orders.  He  is  well  known  in 
legal  circles  in  Norfolk  County,  and  this  sec- 
tii>n  of  \'irginia,  and  is  a  lawyer  of  much 
talent.  He  has  a  large  general  practice,  having 
met  with  more  than  ordinary  success  in  his 
profession. 


vLDWELL  HAKDV  has  been  identi- 
fied with  the  banking  interests  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia,  for  more  than  25 
years,  and  his  great  executive  ability 
has  gained  recognition  far  beyond  the 
ccnhnes  of  his  own  State.  He  is  president  of 
the  Norfolk  National  Bank  and  the  Norfolk 
Bank  for  Savings  &  Trusts,  and  vice-president 
of  the  American  Bankers"  Association,  made 
up  of  bankers  of  the  United  States.  He  is  one 
<->f  the  city's  most  highly  esteemed  and  Imnored 
capitalists,  and  has  been  identified  with  many 
commercial  enterprises  and  the  general  develop- 
ment of   Norfolk. 

The  Norfolk  National  Bank  is  one  of  the 
most  stable  financial  institutions  of  the  South. 
The  prestige  it  enjoys  is  amply  illustrated  by 
the  foll<nving  clipping-  from  "The  Banker,  Mer- 
chant and  Manufacturer,"  of  Chicago  and 
New  York:  "Of  the  several  Southern  cities 
visited  by  your  corresnondent  during  the  past 
few  months,  there  is  certainly  none  whose  peo- 
ple have  more  reason  to  take  pride  in  their 
banking  institutions  than  those  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia.  The  banks  of  this  city  are  not  only 
provided  with  thorouyhlv  adequate  capital,  but 
are  also  judiciouslv  managed  on  a  liroad  and 
at  the  same  time  conservative  l)asis.  They  pro- 
vide, too,  for  the  merchants  and  business  men 


generally,  the  most  amnle  banking  facilities 
and  accommodations.  'I'he  tinances  of  the 
banks  of  Norfolk  are  managed  with  circum- 
spection, econtMiiy  and  ability,  and  in  this  re- 
j  sjjcct  the  city  has  an  en\iable  reputation.  One 
j  of  them  whose  resources,  amount  of  business 
and  gratifying  condition  entitles  it  to  consid- 
eration as  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  ably 
managed  institutions  of  the  South  is  the  Nor- 
folk National  Bank,  which  from  the  date  of 
its  organization  has  enjoyed  a  career  of  unin- 
terrupted progress  and  ])rosperity  which  well 
attests  the  foresight,  conser\atism  and  ability 
which  have  characterized  the  guidance  of  its 
affairs.  The  men  who  have  been  identified  with 
the  management  of  this  bank  have  always  been 
representative  of  Norfolk's  largest  and  most 
important  interests,  as  business  men,  capitalists 
and  financiers.  The  Norfolk  National  Bank 
has  passed  through  every  season  of  financial 
stringency  which  has  afflicted  the  country  at 
large,  from  the  date  of  its  establishment,  with 
stabilit}'  unshaken  and  credit  unimpaired,  and 
retaining  the  implicit  confidence  of  all  whose 
names  have  been  inscribed  upon  its  books.  It  is 
a  well  recognized  rule  among  financiers  that  the 
volume  of  deposits  in  a  given  bank  constitute 
trustworthy  criterion  of  the  confidence  re])osed 
by  the  communit}'  in  the  management  of  such 
bank.  How  high,  then,  must  be  the  confidence 
reposed  in  the  management  of  the  Norfolk 
National,  continued  under  the  same  guidance 
for  many  years,  when  they  are  able  to  report 
such  a  line  of  deposits  as  $2,750,000.  It  seems 
almost  needless  to  say  that  in  respect  to  the 
conservatism  of  its  management  this  bank  is 
not  excelled  by  any  contemporary  institution 
of  the  country ;  but  it  ma\-  be  added  that  its 
ciiuservatism  has  always  l)ecn  tempered  by  a 
judicious  lilierality.  Giving  no  encouragement 
to  ventures  of  a  speculative  character,  this  bank 
has  ever  been  prompt  to  supp<:)rt  enterprises  di- 
rected along  the  paths  of  industrial  develop- 
ment and  legitimate  commerce.  The  Norfolk 
National  is  a  designated  United  States  deposi- 
tarv,  carries  the  accounts  of  many  of  the  lead- 


998 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK ' COUNTY 


ing  merchants  and  mannfacturers  of  Norfolk, 
and  enjoys  every  facility  for  transacting  all 
business  entrusted  tO'  its  care,  with  promptness 
and  at  minimum  expense.  In  conclusion  we 
need  only  say  that  in  inviting  correspondence 
this  bank  offers  inducements  to  those  to  whom 
banking  facilities  of  a  superior  order  are  essen- 
tial, which  can  not  fail  to  compel  favorable 
consideration." 

The  building  now  occupied  by  the  Norfolk 
National  Bank  was  built  in  1850,  and  for 
many  years  was  occupied  by  the  Exchange 
Bank  of  Virginia,  which  went  into  licjuidation 
as  the  result  of  the  Confederate  War.  The 
Norfolk  National  Bank  was  organized  August 
I,  1885.  In  1893  they  built  on  to  the  rear  of 
the  building  and  made  many  desirable  improve- 
ments thnjughout.  Every  facility  known  to 
latter  day  banking  has  been  added  and  its  quar- 
ters are  elaborately  furnished.  The  first  floor 
is  entirely  given  up  to  the  carrying  on  of  the 
banking  business.  On  the  second  floor  are  the 
directors'  room,  the  clerks'  closets  and  toilet 
rooms,  and  also  a  storasre  room.  A  unique  and 
pleasing  feature  of  this  institution  is  to  be 
found  on  the  third  floor,  consisting  of  a  din- 
ing room  and  kitchen,  maintained  fur  the  ben- 
efit of  employees.  An  excellent  cuisine  is  pro- 
vided and  a  fine  dinner  is  furnished  everv  after- 
noon at  three  o'clock.  The  orio-inal  officers  of 
this  bank  were  C.  G.  Ramsay,  president ;  C. 
W.  Grandy,  vice-president ;  and  Caldwell 
Hardy,  cashier.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Ram- 
say, February  11.  1894,  Mr.  Grandy  became 
president  and  Colonel  George  Tait,  vice-pres- 
ident. On  April  i,  1895,  Mr.  Grandy  having 
declined  re-election  as  president,  J.  G.  Womble 
was  elected  to  that  position  and  Mr.  Grandy 
was  re-elected  vice-president.  Mr.  Womble 
retired  from  the  oresidencv  in  1899,  and  Cald- 
well Hardy  succeeded  to  the  presidency.  A.  B. 
Schwarzkopf,  formerly  assistant  cashier,  being 
made  cashier.     The  directors  of  the  bank  are : 

C.  W.  Grandy ;  M.  L.  T.  Davis,  of  M.  L.  T. 
Davis  &  Companv ;  W.  D.   Rountree,  of  W. 

D.  Rountree&  CoiTipany ;  Williain  H.  White; 


F.  S.  Royster,  president  of  the  F.  S.  Royster 
Guano  Company;  R.  Page  Waller;  John  N. 
Vaughan,  of  A'aughan  &  Barnes:  D.  Lowen- 
berg;  J.  G.  Womble:  C.  A.  Woodard;  C.  Bil- 
lups,  of  C.  Billups,  Son  &  Companv;  Thomas 
R.  Ballentine:  Caldwell  Hardy:  VX'illiam  M. 
Whaley,  president  of  the  Roanoke  R.  R.  &  L. 
Company;  and  Henry  Kirn. 


B.  SCHWARZKOPF,  who  has  been 

identified  with  the  Norfolk  National 
Bank  since  its  organization,  now  oc- 
cupies the  ofiice  of  cashier.  He  was 
born  in  Norfolk.  Virginia. 
Mr.  Schwarzkopf  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  natal  city,  and  began  his  connection  with 
the  Norfolk  National  Bank  on  its  establish- 
ment, as  a  runner.  He  made  his  services  val- 
uable to  the  bank,  and  was  rewarded  by  pro- 
motion after  promotion  until  he  was  made 
cashier,  a  position  he  fills  in  a  manner  creditable 
to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned.  He  is  truly  a  self-made  man,  and 
his  sterling  worth  to  the  community  is  recog- 
nized by  all. 


DGAR  EUGENE  DAWES,  secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business 
]\len's  Association  of  Norfolk,  V^ir- 
ginia.  was  born  in  that  city  April  5, 
1857.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  S. 
Dawes,  and  grandson  of  John  Dawes,  who 
were  descendants  of  the  English  nobility. 

Sir  William  Dawes,  one  of  Edgar  Eugene 
Dawes'  ancestors,  v.t.s  one  of  the  royal  cha]3- 
lains  of  Queen  Anne.  The  "Biographical 
Dictionary,"  pnblished  in  Richmond,  Virginia, 
in  1826.  speaks  of  Sir  William  Dawes,  as  a 
pious  and  learned  gentleman  who  was  sent  to 
the  United  States  bv  Queen  Anne  to  reorganize 
the  Established  Church.  He  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  died  in  1724.  He  was  the 
author  of  several  religious  works. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


999 


John  Dawes,  ihe  grandfather  of  tlie  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Warwick  County, 
X'irginia.  and  became  a  seafaring  man.  serving 
in  the  United  States  Xavv.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  62  years.  He  married  Ann  Seymour, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  •/-  years.  Their  chil- 
dren were  :  Robert :  Samuel  S. :  Nelson  :  and 
Caroline,  who  married  William  Shelly. 

Samuel  S.  Dawes,   father  of    the  subject 
hereof,  was  born  at  Hampton.  \'irginia.  July 
16,  1 819,  and  at  the  age  of  14  years  entered 
a  dry  goods  store  at  Hampton  as  a  clerk.    He 
continued  as  a  clerk  until   1845,  when  he  es- 
tablished a  general  dry  goods  store  on  Church 
street,  in  Xorfolk.     Later  he  remo\-ed  to  Main 
street,  where  he  carried  on  this  business  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war.     He  then  became 
a  clerk  in  the  treasurer's  office  in  Richmond, 
and  joined  the  Home  Guards.     After  the  war 
he  returned   to  Xorfolk,    where  he  held   the 
office  of  treasurer  of  X'orfolk  for  15  years.   He 
then  became  entry  clerk  in  the  Custom  House, 
and  held  diat  position  four  years,  when  he  was 
chosen  secretary  of  the  Merchant  &  Jklanufac- 
turing  Association.     In   1895   Mr.  Dawes  re- 
tired from  active  business  duties,  and  is  living 
at  his  home  on  Boush  street.     He  has  enjoyed 
a  very  active  and  useful  career,  and  is  a  man 
of  considerable  literary  ability,  having  written 
much   for  newspapers,  and  also  some  poetry 
which  has  been  published.     He  married  Mary 
Jane  Seymour,  who  was  born  July  6,  1824,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  62  years.     She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Eliza  Seymour.     Her  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:     Robert  X.,  William  S. 
.ind  Samuel  S..  deceased:  Mary  L.,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  H.  Browne :  and  Edgar  Eugene. 
Edgar  Eugene  Dawes  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  X'orfolk.     For  24  years  he  was  em- 
ployed as  clerk  for  Burruss.  Son  &  Company, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  made  secre- 
tary of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's 
Association  of  Norfolk,  'of  which  a  full  de- 
scription  is  given  elsewhere  in    this  volume. 
Mr.  Dawes  affiliates  with  the  Democratic  party, 

and  wa.<  n  member  of  the  Democratic  commit- 
49 


tee  from  the  Third  Ward  for  several  years. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  possessed  of  much 
business  ability  and  is  well  and  favorably 
known  in  Xorfolk,  being  one  of  that  city's 
most  progressive  business  men.  He  married 
Mrs.  Linda  Wright  Dey,  and  they  have  two 
children, — Linda  R.  and  Edgar  Eugene. 


ON.  ALVINZA  JEFFERS.  a  well- 
known  resident  of  the  city  of  Xorfolk. 
\'irginia,  has  been  an  e.xtensive  real 
estate  dealer  there  since  1880  and 
through  the  medium  of  The  Cornu- 
copia, which  he  edits  and  publishes,  has  at- 
tracted many  men  from  other  States  to  kxate 
in  Xorfolk  County  or  elsewhere  in  Virginia. 
Mr.  JetYers  was  born  in  Canton,  St.  Law- 
rence County,  Xew  York,  and  received  his 
education  there.  During  his  early  manhood 
he  taught  school  in  Xew  York  State.  Missouri 
and  Kansas,  and  remained  in  the  latter  State 
for  a  period  of  10  years.  He  spent  most  of  this 
time  in  Marshall  County,  and  while  there  was 
elected  to  the  State  Legislature  of  Kansas, 
where  he  served  one  term.  He  was  then  elected 
and  served  two  terms  as  county  superintendent 
of  public  instruction.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in 
Battery  D,  Xew  York  Light  Artillery,  and 
served  with  bravery  to  the  close  o'f  the  war. 

In  1880  Mr.  jeffers  located  in  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  and  in  1884,  started  the  publication 
of  The  Cornucopia,  a  paper  devoted  to  the 
real  estate  interests  of  the  county  and  State. 
He  has  placed  in  circulation  more  than  a 
million  copies  of  this  paper,  which  contains 
maps  and  charts  and  illustrates  to  the  public 
the  advantages  of  this  section.  His  office  is  a 
"Bureau  of  Information"  respecting  Eastern 
\'irginia.  His  p"incipr.l  work  has  been  in  in- 
teresting-capitalists of  X'ew  York,  Ohio,  Illi- 
nois, Michigan  and  other  States,  and  in  this 
wav  he  has  drawn  to  this  seaport  the  best  men 
to  invest  money  and  to  locate  here.  He  has 
had  some  verv  extensive  real  estate  transac- 


lOOO 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tions  and  has  disposed  of  large  tracts  of  land 
proiitably.  In  private  life  Mr.  Jeffers  is  a 
man  of  strong  personality,  and  the  citizens  of 
this  section  accord  him  the  highest  respect, 
and  esteem  him  as  one  of  the  most  substantial 
residents  of  the  commimitv. 


AMES  A.  KERR,  a  member  of  the 
legal  fraternity,  and  a  notary  public, 
of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  is  an  excellent 
counselor  and  adviser,  and  is  able  to 
enroll  his  name  on  the  list  of  the  best 
lawyers  of  the  State.  Mr.  Kerr  was  born  at 
Petersburg,  Virginia,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. A  good  practical  education  in  the  Uni- 
versity School  of  W.  Gordon  McCabe,  of  that 
city,  was  closely  followed  by  a  thorough  normal 
course  in  the  University  of  Virginia,  which  he 
entered  in  187 1,  and  from  which  he  graduated 
with  honors  in  1874.  The  following  three 
years  he  labored  in  the  capacity  of  schoolmas- 
ter, and  during  this  time  his  spare  eagles  were 
hoarded  and  saved  toward  defraying  the  ex- 
penses of  a  legal  education.  Returning  to 
the  same  university.  Mr.  Kerr  then  took  a 
special  law  course,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1878. 

Finding  a  mo'st  desirable  location  at  Nor- 
folk he  opened  an  office  there  during  the  same 
year  and  has  confined  his  practice  to  that  lo- 
cality ever  si  ace.  His  name  had  been  before  the 
public  only  a  comparatively  short  time,  before 
he  was  recognized  as  a  man  of  ability,  and  as 
one  who  was  an  honor  to  his  profession.  After 
practicing  alone  for  se\'eral  years  Mr.  Kerr  as- 
sociated himself  with  the  late  William  H.  C. 
Ellis,  and  together  they  engaged  in  the  general 
practice  of  law,  many  important  cases  being 
handled  by  them  in  a  very  satisfying  manner  to 
their  clients.  In  1896  this  partnership  was  dis- 
solved, and  .since  that  time  Mr.  Kerr  has  prac- 
ticed alone.  In  1880  he  was  appointed  United 
States  Commissioner  and  retained  the  position 
until    1884.      Since  his   retirement   from   that 


office  he  has  practiced  in  the  sevferal  courts 
and  has  filled  with  credit  the  office  of  notary 
public.  In  1890  he  was  appointed  commis- 
sioner of  accounts  for  the  Corporation  Court 
of  Norfolk  City,  which  office  he  still  holds. 

With  his  superabundant  energy  and  un- 
daunted perseverance,  he  has  attracted  to  him- 
self a  large  and  well-paying  business.  His  close 
application  to  his  professional  work,  supple- 
mented by  his  genial  and  hearty  manners,  has 
not  only  surrounded  him  with  a  host  of  ad- 
miring friends,  but  has  placed  h.im  among  the 
leading  attorneys  and  counselors-at-law  in  his 
county  and  State,  and  this  distinction  is  well- 
merited.  Although  modest  and  unassuming 
in  manner  and  somewhat  reserved  in  public, 
Mr.  Kerr  is  nevertheless  a  public-spirited  citi- 
zen, and  is  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  and 
advancement  of  Norfolk. 


HEODORE  N.  RAMSAY,  a  promi- 
nent real  estate  dealer  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  has  certainly  done  much  to 
develop  the  suburbs  of  that  city,  and 
can  well  boast  of  his  ability  in  this 
line  of  business,  having  sold  upwards  of  3,CK)0 
building  lots  during  the  past  eight  years. 

Mr.  Ramsay  is  a  native  of  Raleigh.  North 
Carolina,  where  he  was  practically  reared. 
About  1884  he  removed  to  Norfolk  and  en- 
gaged in  the  life  insurance  business,  which  oc- 
cupied his  attention  until  about  eight  years 
ago,  when  he  discontinued  it  in  order  to  en- 
gage in  buying  and  selling  realty.  He  deals 
in  both  city  and  country  property  and  still  has 
a  number  of  very  desirable  beach  lots  for  sale. 
Mr.  Ramsay  sold  1,800  lots  in  Park  Place 
alone ;  these  sales  were  augmented  by  the  dis- 
position of  1,160  lots  in  Kensington  and  Wil- 
loughby  add i tions,  besides  a  large  number  of 
sales  in  various  parts  of  Norfolk,  and  especi- 
ally in  the  popular  suburb  of  Ghent.  Many 
of  these  lots  were  sold  on  the  installment  plan, 
and  thus  splendid  inducements  were  offered  to 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


lOOI 


tlie  home>;eeker.   and   these   suburbs  are  now- 
dotted  witli  tine  residences. 

Mr.  Ramsay  has  also  been  instrumental  in 
selling  a  large  number  of  truck  farms,  both  in 
Norfolk  County  and  in  North  Carolina,  and 
stands  t<vday  among  the  most  active  real  estate 
dealers  in  Norfolk,  in  the  advancement  of 
which  city  he  has  assisted  so  materially.  His 
business  integritv  has  stood  the  most  severe 
tests,  and  his  unqualified  success  is  attributed 
to  his  ability  to  read  character  and  to  his  quick- 
ness in  perceiving  the  wants  of  his  customers. 
Truly  has  he  made  an  enviable  record  as  a  real 
estate  dealer,  and  is  also  highly  esteemed  in  his 
communitv  as  a  citizen. 


ICHARD  M.  JOHNSTON,  a  well- 
equipped  and  promising  young  attor- 
ney-at-law  and  a  worthy  and  es- 
teemed citizen  of  the  flourishing  city 
of  Norfolk,  \'irginia.  was  born  in 
Lincoln  County,  North  Carolina,  in  1S76. 
Young  Johnston  proved  to  be  very  studious 
from  early  youth  and  his  boyhood  days  were 
spent  in  attending  the  schools  of  his  native 
place,  where  he  won  manv  a  hard-fought  bat- 
tle in  his  endeavors  to  fitly  prepare  himself  for 
the  struggle  of  life.  After  completing  the 
course  in  the  public  schools  he  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  North  Carolina,  where  he  took  up 
the  study  of  law  and  determined  to  devote  his 
life  to  that  honorable  profession. 

Mr.  Johnston  entered  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  in  1896.  He  was  subsequently 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  became  a  full-fledged 
lawyer.  He  came  to  the  bar  in  Norfolk  in 
1900  and  has  met  with  an  unusual  degree  of 
success,  gaining  a  foothold  among  men  of  his 
profession.  He  is  a  thorough  student,  is 
methodical  and  industrious  in  all  the  details  of 
his  business,  both  private  and  public,  and,  as 
a  general  practitioner,  it  is  predicted,  he  will 
soon  win  an  enviable  position.      He    has    al- 


ready identified  himself  with  many  of  the  in- 
dustries of  Norfolk,  whose  prosperitv  is  dear 
to  his  heart. 

Mr.  Johnston  is  unmarried.  He  is  a  man 
of  firm  purpose,  and  it  is  his  constant  aim  to 
as.sist  in  elevating  the  social  and  moral  condi- 
tion of  his  comnuuiitv. 


L\RLES  PARKER  P.REESE,  con- 
sulting mechanical  engineer  for  the. 
firm  of  Carpenter,  Brecse  &  Fergu- 
son, well-known  architects  of  Nor- 
folk, Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  was 
bom  in  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

Mr.  Breese  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  Shetifield  Scientific 
School,  of  Yale  University.  He  chose  the  pro- 
fession of  a  mechanical  engineer,  and  devoted 
many  months  to  that  work,  grasping  the 
minutest  details.  After  doing  work  in  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  he  removed  to  Nor- 
folk, where  he  has  since  been  established  in 
business.  On  June  15,  1901,  the  firm  of  Car- 
penter, Breese  &  Ferguson  was  established, 
{  succeeding  J.  E.  R.  Carpenter,  architect.  Car- 
penter. Breese  &  Ferguson  have  received  many 
large  contracts,  and  among  the  buildings  which 
:  they  have  planned  €nd  completed  are  the 
Hume  Building.  Withers  Building,  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  Swan  Building,  Coun- 
try Club  House,  the  Gill  \\'arehouse,  for  the 
Henry  \\"alke  Company,  and  many  others. 
They  have  also  remodeled  many  business 
houses,  warehouses  and  private  homes. 

Mr.  Breese  has  charge  of  the,  plans  of  elec- 
tric lighting  plants  and  electric  railways,  also 
buildings  and  factories,  and  is  thoroughly 
versed  in  mechanical  and  electrical  engineer- 
ing in  all  its  branches.  He  has  a  wide  repu- 
tation, and  there  is  no  Ijetter  engineer  in  this 
section  of  \^irginia.  He  is  a  memljer  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men"s  Associ- 
ation   of    Norfolk;    Virginia   Club:   Country 


I002 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Club;  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  i,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ; 
and  Ruth  Lodge,  No.  89,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He 
was  married,  in  1889.  to  Miss  M.  G.  Moore, 
daughter  of  Dr.  E.  D.  Moore,  deceased. 


UGUSTUS  T.  STROUD,  attorney-at- 
law  in  the  city  of  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Nor- 
folk in  1879,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
Stroud,  and  a  grandson  of  Edward 
Stroud. 

Matthew  Stroud,  the  great-great-grand- 
father of  Augustus  T.,  died  before  1800.  He 
was  a-  native  of  England,  and  was  a  master 
mariner.  John  Stroud,  the  great-grandfather, 
was  a  stone-mason  and  one  of  the  sub-con- 
tractors for  the  building  of  Fortress  ]\Ionroe. 
He  married  a  Miss  Sturgess,  of  the  Eastern 
Shore  of  Virginia.  Edward  Stroud,  his  son, 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  served  as 
sergeant  in  Doyle's  Cavalry  during  the  Con- 
federate War.  He  became  the  owner  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  at  Ocean  View  and  Sewell's 
Point.  About  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  the 
residence  on  this  property  was  a  court  house, 
and  the  kitchen  a  jail.  Tlie  Confederate  sol- 
diers camped  on  his  farm.  John  Stroud,  the 
father  of  Augustus  T.,  was  born  at  Ocean 
View,  his  birthplace  being  where  the  Ocean 
View  Hotel  now  stands.  He  was  always  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits,  conducting  a  re- 
tail grocery  store  in  Norfolk.  He  owned  a 
fine  home  at  Ghent.  He  married  Emma  Cook, 
a  daughter  of  Cassius  Cook  of  Norfolk. 

Augustus  T.  Stroud,  whose  name  opens 
these  lines,  -attended  the  Norfolk  Academy, 
from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1897.  He 
then  entered  the  University  of  Virginia,  and 
graduated  from  the  law  department  of  that  in- 
stitution in  1900.  He  engaged  in  the  general 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Norfolk,  where  he 
has  taken  an  earnest  interest  in  all  local  affairs. 
He  has  been  quite  active  in  political  matters, 
having  been  a  delegate  to  many  con\-entions. 


and  also  a  candidate  for  the  State  Legislature. 
As  a  lawyer,  he  has  won  considerable  recogni- 
tion, as  he  is  an  earnest  advocate  and  fluent 
speaker.  He  purchased  45  acres  of  land  at 
Sewell's  Point,  and  divided  it  into  resident 
lots  to  form  a  negro  colony;  he  has  already 
sold  over  100  lots  to  negroes.  He  has  also 
done  some  building  there.  He  possesses  good 
sound  judgment  and  much  energy,  and  is 
looked  upon  as  one  of  Norfolk's  most  promis- 
ing young  business  men. 


ARIUS  W.  TODD,  a  retired  merchant 
of    Norfolk,    Norfolk   County.    Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  Westchester  Coun- 
ty, New  York,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr. 
D.    W.    Todd.     Dr.    Todd   came  to 
Norfolk  during  the  siege  of  yellow  fever,  and 
did  much  noble  work  in  assisting  in  the  care 
of  the  afflicted. 

Darius  W.  Todd,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
first  engaged  himself  as  a  clerk  in  the  grocery 
establishment  of  S.  S.  Griggs  upon  locating  in 
Norfolk.  In  1858,  he  opened  a  restaurant, 
which  afterward  became  known  as  the  Atlantic 
Hotel,  and  was  located  on  Water  street.  He 
then  established  a  wholesale  liquor  and  tobacco 
house,  to  which  was  subsequently  added  a  re- 
tail department.  Jamies  G.  Gill,  James  G. 
Todd  and  J.  H.  Schlegel  were  taken  intoi  the 
firm  in  1898.  Three  years  later,  Mr.  Gill 
withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  Mr.  Todd  sold 
his  interest  to  his  son.  The  fimi  is  now  known 
as  Todd  &  Schlegel,  wholesale  and  retail  to- 
bacco dealers.  Besides  building  up  this  large 
business.  Mr.  Todd  has  been  extensively  en- 
gaged in  buying  and  selling  property.  He  has 
dO'ue  considerable  building  in  Norfolk  and 
Berkley,  and  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  tract  of 
land  in  Berkley,  and  many  residences.  He  has 
traveled  abroad,  thereby  gaining  many  new 
ideas,  which  have  been  of  assistance  to  him  in 
his  business. 

\MTile  Mr.  Todd  is  retired  from  active  busi- 


JOHN    H.    DOWNING. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


1005 


ness  duties,  lie  is  keenly  alive  to  all  progressive 
movements  of  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  and  the 
surrounding  to\\ns.  and  is  ever  ready  to  give 
his  assistance  to  any  worthy  enterprise.  He 
makes  his  home  in  Portsmnuth,  aixl  is  one  of 
the  most  active  citizens  in  that  town.  He  has 
always  possessed  e.xcellent  business  ability, 
sound  judgment,  and  ceaseless  energy,  perse- 
vering in  all  that  he  has  undertaken.  Xo 
business  man  in  Norfolk  or  its  vicinity  is  lietter 
known  that  Mr.  Todd. 


ENJA.MIN  R.  JONES  &  COMPANY 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  suc- 
cessful real  estate  firms  in  the  city 
of  Norfolk,  \'irginia,  and  consists  of 
Benjamin  R.  and  Alexander  yi. 
Jones.  The  former  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina, in  i860,  and  the  latter  was  born  in  Edge- 
comb,  of  the  same  State,  in  1870,  both  being 
sons  of  Rev.  Richard  Henry  Jones,  a  retired 
Episcopalian  minister,  who  now  resides  in 
Norfolk. 

Benjamin  R.  Jones  came  to  Norfolk  about 
1885,  and  entered  into  a  partnership  under  the 
firm  name  of  Marshall  &  Jones.  They  engaged 
in  real  estate  busine>;s  on  an  extensive  scale, 
and  in  1890  developed  Lambert's  Point.  In  a 
period  of  four  months,  they  sold  property 
amounting  to  $484,000.  the  land  consisting  of 
490  acres  formerly  known  as  the  truck  farms 
of  Parker,  Rust,  Mellon,  Backus.  Landberry, 
Cooper,  Conovo  &  Brother,  and  Wood.  Many 
fine  houses  have  l:)een  built,  streets  graded  and 
trees  set  out,  making  an  attractive  little  suburb. 
After  the  dissolution  of  the  firm  of  Marshall 
&  Jones,  the  firm  of  Benjamin  R.  Jones  & 
Company  was  established.  In  1900,  they  sold 
for  $140,000  a  tract  of  land  at  Tanner's 
Creek,  at  the  present  time  owned  by  the  New- 
Norfolk  Company.  They  have  dealt  largely 
in  timber  lands  in  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia, and  also  in  mining  lands.  In  1895  Mr. 
Jones  organized  the  land  company  which  has 


placed  W'oodlantl  Addition  on  the  market,  and 
which  owns  about  one-third  of  it  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  They  have  graded  streets,  set  out 
shade  trees,  and  built  walks,  and  about  30  Hue 
nuxlern  residences  have  been  erected.  They 
organized  the  Villa  Heights  Company,  and 
helped  to  organize  other  land  companies, 
which  have  done  much  toward  developing  the 
suburbs  of  the  city  of  Norfolk.  It  is  their 
aim  to  sell  to  men  who  will  im])rove  the  pro]>- 
erty.  and  take  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
city.  In  1900  Benjamin  R.  Jones  formed  and 
organized  the  Smokeless  Furnace  Company  of 
Portsmouth,  manufacturers  of  smokeless  fur- 
naces, and  on  January  16,  1902.  Benj.imin  R. 
Jones  &  Company  and  A.  J.  Newton  bought 
out  the  entire  business  of  the  furnace  com- 
pany, and  are  now  sole  owners  and  ])ro])rietors. 
The  Jones  brothers  are  men  of  superior  busi- 
ness ability,  and  their  honest  and  straightfor- 
ward transactions  have  gained  them  respect 
wherever  thev  are  known. 


AMES  Y.  DeBAUN  is  one  of  the  pro- 
gressive farmers  of  Norfolk  County, 
Virginia,  and  has  a  fine  farm  of  145 
acres,  located  south  (;f  the  town  of 
Berkley.  He  was  born  near  Pater- 
son,  New  Jersey,  about  20  miles  from  the  city 
of  New  York,  and  is  a  .son  of  Garrett  Duryea 
and  Elizabeth  (Young)  DeBaun.  The  history 
(^f  the  DeBaun  and  YouTig  families  is  given 
in  detail  in  the  sketch  i;f  John  G.  DeP.aun, 
brother  of  the  subject  hereof. 

Garrett  Duryea  DeBaun  was  born  in  New 
Jersey.  October  17.  1826,  and  has  been  a  farm- 
er throughout  his  entire  life.  He  removed  to 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  in  March,  1869,  and 
after  remaining  here  for  many  years  finally  lo- 
cated in  Princess  Anne  C<  unty.  Virginia, 
where  he  now  resides  and  owns  a  fine  farm. 
He  was  married  in  New  Jersey  to  Elizabeth 
Young,  and  the  following  children  blessed  their 
union:     John    G.,    a     biographical     sketch   of 


ioo6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


whom  appears  elsewhere  in  tliis  volume;  Hat- 
tie;  James  Y.,  whose  name  heads  these  lines; 
Theodosia;  Peter  and  Jacob.  The  combined 
holdings  6f  the  different  members  of  the  De- 
Baun  family,  in  Norfolk  County,  amount  to 
more  than  i,ooo  acres  in  Washington  district, 
Norfolk  County. 

James  Y.  DeBaun  came  to  Norfolk  Coun- 
ty, Virginia,  with  his  parents  in  i86g,  and  has 
been  a  resident  of  \\'ashington  district  since 
that  time.  About  1891,  he  located  upon  his 
present  farm,  which  lies  near  the  old  estate  of 
his  father.  He  has  a  farm  of  145  acres, 
which  he  devotes  to  general  trucking  and  stock 
raising,  in  which  branches  he  has -met  with 
good  results.  He  is  a  man  of  good  ability  and 
excellent  character,  and  stands  high  in  the  es- 
teem of  his  fellow  meii. 

Mr.  DeBaun  was  joined  in  marriage  with 
Lucy  Wetzel,  ^\-ho  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1867, 
and  they  have  reared  four  children,  as  follows: 
Garrett ;  James ;  Bessie ;  and  Kattie.  In  poli- 
tics, j\lr.  DeBaun  is  a  strong  supporter  of 
Democratic  principles. 


R.\NCIS  RICHARDSON  has  for 
many  years  been  prominent  among 
the  many  real  estate  men  in  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  and  in  that  time  has  estab- 
lished a  number  of  suburbs  of  the  city 
which  will  long  stand  as  monuments  tO'  his 
memory. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  there  reared.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  in  Haverford  College, 
from  which  he  was  graduated.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  fruit  and  nursery  business  at 
Macedon,  Wayne  County,  New  York,  in  i860, 
and  continued  thus  until  1868.  He  sold  his  in- 
terests and  removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in 
1870.  He  embarked  in  the  real  estate  business 
and  in  that  year  took  steps  toward  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  suburb  of  Norfolk,  \\-hich  became 
Brambleton.     With    wonderful    foresight    he 


saw  the  growth  of  the  city  would  be  in  the  di- 
rection of  this  town,  the  site  of  which  had  been 
a  farm  under  partial  cultivation.  It  was  owned 
by  George  Bramble,  whoi  had  245  acres,  the 
only  tenant  being  W.  H.  C.  Lovitt.  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson purchased  40  acres  of  this  land  and  in- 
duced J.  F.  B.  Marshall  to  purchase  an  ad- 
joining tract  of  36  acres.  They  laid  out  the 
land  in  lots,  and  opened  up  streets,  built  roads 
and  bridges  to  draw  country  tra\-el  through 
their  property.  Their  intention  to  establish  a 
model  community  in  every  particular  was  car- 
ried out  to  the  end.  The  streets  were  opened 
at  a  uniform  width  of  60  feet  and  were  made 
tQ  intersect  each  other  at  right  angles.  $1,200 
was  expended  in  laying  out  brick  and  board  ' 
sidewalks.  Due  precaution  was  taken  that  the 
moral  tone  nf  the  community  should  be  of  the 
best,  and  in  the  sale  of  lots,  the  early  pur- 
chasers were  required  to  give  a  bond  in  the 
sum  of  $1,000  not  to  sell  or  permit  to  be  sold 
intoxicating  licjuors  on  the  premises,  by  which 
naeans  the  temperance  sentiment  was  firmly  es- 
tablished. The  result  of  this  enterprise  is  well 
known.  ]Mr.  Lovitt,  who  controlled  adjoining 
land,  joined  with  the  original  promoters  in 
their  work,  and  through  the  efforts  of  J.  F.  B. 
^Marshall  and  Mr.  Richardson,  a  tract  of  30 
acres  was  purchased  by  Mrs.  M.  Hemenway, 
a  wealthy  and  philanthropic  lady  of  Boston, 
who  aided  greatly  in  carrying  out  their  plans. 
There  were  in  1887,  at  the  time  of  annexa- 
tion to  Norfolk,  about  500  handsome  brick  and 
frame  houses  in  Brambleton,  and  numerous 
diwellings,  schools  and  churches  have  since 
been  built.  The  population  numbers  about 
5,000,  and  consists  of  the  very  highest  class 
of  citizens.  The  suburb  became  a  part  of  the 
of  Norfolk  under  very  advantageous  condi- 
tions, including  the  right  of  local  option.  ]\Ir. 
Richardson  and'  his  associates  can  look  with 
pride  upon  their  work,  and  it  is  safe  toi  say  his 
name  will  always  be  connected  with  that  oi 
Brambleton. 

Mr.  Richardson  also  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  at  Campostella,  in  Berkley,  and  laid  out 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1007 


140  lots.  He  is  president  of  the  i'ark  View- 
Land  Company  of  Portsmouth,  and  was  one 
of  its  original  promoters.  He  was  a  promoter 
and  stockholder  of  the  South  Portsmouth  Land 
&  Improvement  Company,  which  has  about 
900  lots.  In  1 89 1,  he  established  in  South 
Portsmouth  an  ornamental  and  shade  tree  nur- 
sery, growing  Norway  maple,  elm  and  poplar 
trees.  He  is  president  of  the  Southern  Branch 
Drawbridge  Company.  He  served  as  super- 
visor of  census  in  18S0.  and  is  a  member  of  the 
recently  org-anized  Chamber  of  Commerce.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  promoters  of  shell  roads, 
which  have  since  been  built  in  all  directions 
from  the  citv  of  Norfolk. 


^m 


W.  PANNILL,  real-estate  dealer,  is 
one  of  the  most  energetic  and  active 
men  in  that  line  of  business  in  the  city 
of  Norfolk,   Virginia.       He    is    also 
identified  with  several  other  important 
real-estate  concerns,   among  them, — the   Nor- 
folk Real  Estate  &  Stock  Exchange,  of  which 
he  is  secretary. 

Mr.  Pannill  is  a  Virginian  l>y  birth,  his 
birth  having  (Kcurred  at  Petersburg  in  this 
State.  About  1884,  he  moved  to  Norfolk  and 
worked  two  years  as  clerk  in  a  wholesale  gr<i- 
cery  house,  previous  to  entering  the  real-estate 
business,  in  which  he  has  shown  much  ability 
by  making  st)me  very  reiuarkable  sales.  Upon 
first  embarking  in  this  business,  he  was  asso- 
ciated witli  his  brother.  A;  P.  Pannill,  and  the 
firm  name  was  Pannill  Brothers.  Together 
they  entered  into  the  development  of  Ghent, 
now  a  very  ]X)])ular  suburb  of  Norfolk.  Sev- 
eral hundred  sales  were  made  in  this  addition 
alone,  l)esides  a  laree  number  in  various  other 
parts  of  the  city,  while  some  little  attention  was 
also  given  to  buying  and  selling  farms  and 
truck  patches. 

Subsequently  the  present  company  was 
formed,  and  since  lyoo  this  firm  has  devoted 
especial  attention  to  making'  sales  in  Ghent's 


Second  Aildition  to  Norfolk,  or  West  Ghent, 
as  it  is  known.  .\  large  number  nf  valuable 
building  lots  in  that  liKality  have  been  disposed 
of  since  then  by  this  enterprising  firm,  and 
beautiful  cottages  and  handsome  modern  resi- 
dences iiave  sprung  u\t  as  if  by  magic,  as  many 
as  26  having  been  built  in  si.x  months'  time 
upon  land  sold  by  Mr.  Pannill  alone:  he  deals 
principally  in  city  property. 

Mr,  Pannill  is  one  of  the  representative 
men  of  his  section  in  matters  pertaining  to 
realty  and  his  opinions  are  sought  and  valued 
as  those  of  a  man  of  delilxrate  and  temperate 
judgment  and  intelligeiu  thought.  His  long 
experience  in  his  business  has  gi\en  him  a  clear 
insight  into  all  of  its  various  details  In  the 
advancement  of  Norfolk  he  is  certainly  an  im- 
portant factor,  and  has  the  gixid  will  of  all  in 
his  community.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Arcanum. 


LAUDIUS  R.  PARLETT.    This  gen- 
tleman   is    one    of    Norfolk's    most 
pniminent    architects    and    builders, 
lie  is  also  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
I).   O.   &  C.   R.    Parlett,  dealers  in 
general  building  supplies,  at  .\nnapolis,  ]\Iary- 
land.     He  was  born  in  Harford  County,  Mary- 
land. 

Mr.  Parlett  spent  the  first  18  years  of  his 
life  in  his  native  county.  In  1882.  he  removed 
to  Norfolk,  Norfolk  County,  \'irginia,  where 
he  worked  as  a  journeyman  for  his  brother, 
D.  S.  He  soon  entered  into  contract  building, 
and  has  erected  many  of  the  best  and  most  sub- 
stantial buildings  in  Norfolk.  In  i88y,  he 
built  the  City  Market  and  .\rmory,  and  has 
also  erected  the  following  buildings,  namely : 
No.  I  school  house  in  Brambleton ;  Epworth 
Methodist  Ejiiscopal  Church,  So'uth:  Christian 
Church,  now  knowTi  as  the  C  hristian  Memorial 
Church,  and  a  number  of  modern  and  beautiful 
homes,  such  as  those  of  F.  S.  Royster,  C.  Wes- 
ley Fentress,  G.  L.  Arps,  Dr.  Grandy,  G.  W. 
Roper,  and  others.     He  has  enlarge<l  and  re- 


ioo8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


modeled  many  prominent  business  blocks,  such 
as  the  Albemarle,  and  built  the  Tunstall,  New, 
Century,  and  the  Eclipse,  formerly  the  old  Na- 
tional Hotel. 

In  1901,  Mr.  Parlett  became  equal  partner 
in  the  firm  of  D.  O.  &  C.  R.  Parlett,  dealers  in 
general  building  supplies,  at  Annapolis,  Mary- 
land. This  firm  does  a  large  business  and  is 
well  known.  In  January,  1900,  Mr.  Parlett 
was  appointed,  together  with  F.  E.  Notting- 
ham and  A.  Treadwell.  city  assessors.  Mr. 
Parlett  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  business 
men  of  Norfolk.  He  is  an  architect  of  splen- 
did ability,  and  the  buildings  which  he  has 
erected  are  a  monument  to  his  thorough  under- 
standing of  his  profession  and  the  excellency 
of  his  workmanship.  He  is  deeply  interested 
in  the  progress  and  development  of  Norfolk, 
and  lends  his  assistance  to  any  worthy  enter- 
prise. 

Mr.  Parlett  married  a  Miss  Brock,  who 
died  early  in  life.  He  married,  secondly,  Mar- 
garet Gordon,  a  daughter  of  William  Gordon 
of  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  a  niece  of  Dr. 
Gordon  of  Norfolk. 


ILLIAM  E.  KING  is  manager  of  the 
Turkish  Bath  House,  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  an  establishment  which 
is  of  a  high  class  in  every  respect, 
and  equal  to  the  bath  houses  of 
many  of  the  largest  cities  in  this  country.  The 
thorough  management  of  this  place  has 
brought  it  into  great  popularity,  and  it  has 
frequently  been  necessary  to  increase  its  facili- 
ties. For  many  years  Turkish  baths  were 
given  in  St.  Vincent's  Hospital  on  a  very  small 
plan,  and  in  time  the  present  building  was 
erected  in  addition  to  the  hospital.  In  1894, 
the  establishment  was  remodeled,  and  again  in 
1900,  so  that  at  the  present  time  it  possesses 
all  the  equipment  of  a  modern  Turkish  bath- 
house. It  is  finished  in  hard  wood  and  marl^le; 
the  building  is   of   brick,    steam   heated,   and 


lighted  by  gas  and  electric  lights,  the  electric 
light  plant  being  owned  by  the  concern.  The 
establishment  consists  of  a  reception  room, 
which  is  handsomely  furnished :  nine  dressing 
rooms :  four  sleeping  rooms  and  10  lounges,  all 
showing  artistic  arrangement,  and  being  con- 
ducive to  comfort  and  cleanliness.  The  treat- 
ment is  considered  excellent  for  rheumatism, 
gout,  nervous  prostration,  and  colds,  and  the 
baths  are  patronized  by  many  of  the  leading 
residents  of  the  city,  as  well  as  by  visitors  to 
the  city.  The  procedure  from  the  time  of  en- 
tering the  building  until  the  time  of  leaving  is 
a  most  interesting  one.  One  enters  a  neat  dress- 
ing room  where  he  prepares  for  a  bath,  and 
is  then  ushered  to  the  hot  room,  where  the  tem- 
perature is  at  150  degrees;  the  feet  are  placed 
in  hot  water  and  the  patron  is  retained  here 
until  he  gets  up  a  free  perspiration.  This  room 
is  provided  with  cold  water  for  drinking,  and  a 
paper  or  book  for  reading.  He  next  passes 
into  the  steam  room,  where  he  is  thoroughly 
steamed ;  he  is  then  placed  on  the  marble  slab 
and  given  a  good  washing,  and  massage,  and 
his  hair  is  shampooed.  He  is  next  taken  to  the 
shower  baths,  and  thence  to  the  pool,  which  is 
virtually  a  basin  14  bv  18  feet  in  dimensions, 
with  four  feet  nine  inches  of  clear,  running  wat- 
er, of  the  right  temperature.  He  takes  a  plunge, 
and  the  reaction  immediately  takes  place.  He 
is  then  put  on  a  cot,  to  rest,  after  which  he  may 
enjoy  the  librarv  and  smoking  room,  invigor- 
ated with  new  life,  and  feeling  the  activity  of 
youth  again. 

Mr.  King  was  born,  in  1867,  on  a  farm,  in 
Anderson,  South  Carolina,  and  was  reared 
there.  He  spent  some  time  in  the  regular 
army,  and  for  one  year  was  at  the  World's 
Fair  at  Chicago  as  a  member  of  the  Columbian 
Guards.  After  this  he  entered  the  Tu'-kish 
bath  business,  which  he  learned  in  every  detail. 
He  spent  much  time  in  the  best  bath-houses 
of  the  South,  and  in  1894  came  to  Norfolk  to 
succeed  V.  T.  Hofifman  as  manager  of  the 
baths  here.  He  is  ablv  assisted  by  Charles  C. 
Jones. 


CAPT.    ETHAN    ALPHONSO    ALLEN. 


MRS.    MARY    ALLEN    JENNINGS. 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


lOII 


RS.  MARY  ALLEX  JILXXIXGS. 
one  of  tlie  best  known  and  most 
hig^lily  respected  women  of  Lam- 
bert's Point,  Xorfolk  County.  \'ir- 
ginia,  where  she  is  at  the  present 
writing  successfully  engaged  in  horticultural 
operations  and  truck  farming,  is  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  Ethan  Alphonso  Allen,  and  granddaugh- 
ter of  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 
Mrs.  Jennings  was  born  in  her  present  home, 
April  17,  1S29,  this  property  having  been  in 
the  possession  of  the  family  since  1708. 

The  following  article,  handed  to  us  by  Mrs. 
Jennings,  is  of  oarticular  interest  as  relating 
to  the  historic  figure,  Ethan  Allen,  and  to  his 
second  wife,  granduarents  of  our  subject: 

ETHAN    Allen's   .second   wife. 

.A.    Bit    of   Loc.il    Personal    History. 

Since  the  mention,  in  a  recent  number  of  the  Fiw 
Press,  of  the  fact  that  among  the  graves  in  Ehiiwood 
Cemetery,  BurHngton.  \'ermont,  is  that  of  the  second 
wife  of  Ethan  Allen,  many  persons  have  visited  the 
grave.  The  inscription  on  her  tombstone,  which  is  a 
horizontal   tablet,   is   as   follows: 

Beneath  this   Stone 
Rest  the  Remains  of 
Frances  Montezuma, 

wife  of 

Dr.    Jabez    Penniman. 

Who   Died   October    13,    1834. 

Aged  74  years. 

There  was  living  in  Kew  York  City,  in  the  year 
1762,  according  to  Mr.  Hall  a  widow  lady,  named  Mar- 
garet Montesquieu.  She  had  been  the  wife  of  a  colonel 
in  the  British  service,  who  was  killed  in  the  old  French 
and  Indian  War,  leaving  her  a  widow  with  a  child, 
named  Frances.  This  child  in  after  years  became  the 
second  wife  of  Gen.  Ethan  Allen,  and  he  her  second 
husband.  Her  mother,  after  the  death  of  Montesquieu, 
made  the  acquaintance,  in  New  York,  of  Crean  Bru-h. 
an  Irishman  and  a  widower  who  was  employed  in  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
and  married  him.  He  soon  after  came  to  Vermont, 
settled  in  Westminster,  and  became  clerk  and  sur- 
rogate of  Cumberland  County,  which  county  com- 
prised the  territory  now  included  in  the  counties  of 
Windham  and  Windsor,  with  parts  of  otlier  coulTties. 
It  is  of  interest,  by  the  way,  to  note  the  fact  that  the 
charter  of  Cumberland  County,  granted  by  the  Province 
of  New  York,  elegantly  written  on  parchment,  was 
presented    to    the    University   of   Vermont    by    the    late 


prc- 


L'dney    H.    Pciuiiman    of   Colchester,   and    is   stil 
served   in   the   University's   library. 

When  the  American  Colonics  revolted,  Crean 
Brush  became  a  virulent  and  active  Tory.  He  repre- 
sented Cumberland  County  in  the  Legislature  of  the 
Provmce  of  New  York,  and  procured  the  passage  of  a 
bill,  offering  a  reward  of  £100  sterling  each  for  the 
ajiprchension  of  Ethan  Allen  and  Remember  Baker. 
[  He  was  in  the  British  service  as  a  commissioner  to 
receive  confiscated  property,  was  captured  by  a  United 
States  frigate  on  board  a  ship  which  he  had  loaded 
with  the  property  of  .'Vmerican  patriots,  and  lay  for 
i  19  months  in  jail  in  Boston.  From  this  jail  he  es- 
caped by  exchanging  garments  with  his  wife,  who  had 
been  permitted  to  visit  him  in  his  cell.  Disguised  in 
his  wife's  petticoats,  he  walked  out  unmolested,  when 
the  turnkey  closed  the  jail  for  the  night.  His  wife  had 
left  a  hor.se  tied  outside  for  him.  and  he  made  his 
way  to  New  York,  then  held  by  the  British.  Having 
suffered  the  loss  of  his  lands  in  \'eruiont,  and  of  his 
own  self-respect,  he  finally,  in  1778.  blew  out  his  brains 
with  a  pistol. 

Shortly  before  this  event,  his  step-daughter.  Fran- 
ces Montesquieu,  being  then  a  girl  of  18  years,  mar- 
ried Captain  Buchanan,  a  British  oflicer.  He  only 
lived  one  year  after  the  marriage:  and  she  was  a  widow 
m  1783  and  was  living  in  Westminster  with  her  mother, 
who  was  then  a  Mrs.  Wall,  having  contracted  a  third 
marriage    with   one    Patrick   Wall. 

Mrs.  Buchanan  was  then  about  2i  years  old,  and 
IS  described  as  a  handsome  and  fascinating  woman 
Crean  Brush  had  left  her  by  his  will  a  third  of  his 
property,  which  amounted  to  something  in  spite  of  his 
heavy  losses,  and  she  created  a  decided  sensation 
among  the  villagers  by  her  dashing  style  and  imperious 
bearing.  Gen,  Ethan  .■\llen  made  her  acquaintance 
during  his  frequent  visits  to  Westminster,  and  a  some- 
what intermittent  friendship  arose  between  them.  He 
was  a  widower,  his  first  wife  having  died  a  year  be- 
fore. She  was  flattered  by  the  attentions  of  the  lead- 
ing spirit  of  the  new  commonwealth,  and  was  at- 
tracted by  his  original  conversation  and  finer  traits  of 
character,  while  at  times  his  strong  nature  and  some- 
what rough  ways  repelled  her.  The  gentler  feelings 
prevailed  in  time:  she  consented  to  marry  him.  and 
they  were  married  on  the  l6th  of  February,  1784. 
There  were  some  novel  features  about  the  ceremony. 
She  and  her  mother  at  that  time  occupied  rooms  in 
the  large  mansion  of  Gen.  Stephen  R.  Bradley  in  West- 
minster. The  Supreme  Court  of  Vermont  was  in 
session  there,  and  Chief  Justice  Moses  Robinson  and 
one  or  two  other  judges  were  boarding  for  the  time  at 
General   Bradley's. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  named — a  sharp  winter 
morning — while  Gen.  Bradley  and  the  judges  were  at 
breakfast.  Gen.  .Mien  drove  up  to  the  door  with  a  pair 
of  spirited  horses  and  black  driver.  Entering  Mrs, 
Wall's  apartments,  he  found  Mrs.  Buchanan  in  her 
morning  gown,  standing  on  a  chair,  arranging  some 
china  on  the  shelves  of  a  closet,  "Well.  Fanny,"  he 
said,  "if  we  are  to  be  married,  now  is  the  time  for  1 
am  on  my  way  to  .-\rlington."  "Very  well."  she  replied, 


IOI2 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


getting  down  from  the  cha.r : — "but  give  me  time  to  put 
on  my  josie"  (A  ■Joseph"  was  the  name  then  given  to 
an  outer  garment  with  large  cape,  much  worn  by  ladies 
when  riding.)  Soon  after,  the  couple  appeared  in  the 
breakfast  room,  and  addressing  the  Chief  Justice,  Gen. 
Allen  said :  "Judge  Robinson,  this  young  woman  and 
myself  have  concluded  to  marry,  and  we  would  like 
to  have  you  perform  the  ceremony.."  "When?"  asked 
the  Judge,  much  surprised.  "Now,"  replied  Allen.  "For 
myself,"  he  continued.  "I  have  no  great  opinion  of  such 
formality,  and  from  what  I  can  discover,  she  thinks 
as  little  of  it  as  I  do,  but  as  a  decent  respect  for  the 
opinions  of  mankind  seems  to  require  it  you  will  please 
proceed."  "General,"  said  the  Judge,"  this  is  an  im- 
portant matter.  Have  you  given  it  due  consideration?" 
"Certainly."  replied  Allen,  "but,"  looking  at  Mrs. 
Buchanan.  "I  do  not  think  it  requires  much  considera- 
tion." The  ceremony  then  proceeded  until  the  Judge 
put  the  customary  question,  whether  he  (Ethan)  w-ould 
live  with  Frances,  "according  to  the  law  of  God." 
"Stop."  cried  Allen :  then  after  a  pause  and  lookmg 
out  of  the  window — "The  law  of  God  is  written  in  the 
great  Book  of  Nature,  yes,  go  on."  The  ceremony 
ended,  Mrs.  Allen's  trunk  and  guitar  case  were  placed 
in  the  General's  sleigh,  and  they  took  their  leave  and 
were  driven  to  the  General's  home  in  Sunderland. 
Bennington  County.  Thus  did  the  step-daughter  and 
heir  in  part  of  the  notorious  Tory,  Crean  Brush,  be- 
come the  wife  of  the  man  for  whose  head  Brush  had 
caused  a  reward  of  £ioo  sterling  to  be  offered,  four 
years  before !  A  volume  of  Ethan  Allen's  "Oracles  of 
Reason"  in  the  State  Library,  bears  on  the  fly  leaf  the 
following  in  Gen.  Allen's  bold  handwritmg.  The  book 
was  then  fresh  from  the  press. 

"Ethan  Allen  w-as  born  on  the  2ist  of  January, 
1739.  and  Fanny  Allen,  his  wife,  was  born  the  4th  of 
April,  1760.  and  were  married  the  l6th  of  February, 
1784.  This  book  is  a  present  from  the  author  to  his 
lady:  ,    ''• 

Dear   Fanny,   wife,   the   beautiful   and  young. 

The  partner  of  my  joys,  my  dearest  self, 

My  love,   pride   of   my   life,  your   sex's   pride. 

And  pattern   of  sincere  politeness 

To   thee   a   welcome   compliment   I    make 

Of  treasures  rich,  the  'Oracles  of  Reason.'  " 

Fanny  Buchanan  made  a  faithful  and  affectionate 
wife  to  Ethan  Allen.  She  was  wont  to  hold  a  rather 
stiff  curb  on  his  impetuous  nature  as  when  she  drove 
a  nail  high  up  in  the  wall  of  their  bed  room,  and  re- 
quired him  to  hang  his  watch  upon  it  every  night  when 
he  came  home  from  a  convivial  meeting,  as  a  test  that 
he  was  reasonably  sober  when  he  came  in.  It  is  re- 
ported that  he  did  not  always  come  home  sober;  but 
that  he  always  made  out,  by  hook  or  crook,  to  get  his 
watch  on  the  nail,  and  that  he  would  then  refuse  to  take 
any  lecture  the  next  morning,  pointing  triumphantly 
to  the  ticking  instrument  on  the  nail,  as  the  agreed 
upon  proof  that  he  was  not  tipsy  when  he  came  to  bed. 
She  bore  him  three  children :  Hannibal ;  Fanny,  who 
became  a  nun  in  a  Catholic  convent  of  Hotel  Dieu,  iji 


Montreal,  and  Ethan  Alphonso.  She  and  their  children 
came  with  him  to  his  new  home  in  Burlington.  Some 
time  after  his  death,  she  married  as  her  third  husband, 
Dr.  Jabez  Penniman  of  Colchester,  who  was  the  col- 
lector of  customs  for  the  District  of  Vermont  under  the 
administration  of  President  Jefferson. 

Hon.  David  Read,  in  his  chapter  of  the  history  of 
Colchester,  describes  her  as  "a  woman  highly  esteemed, 
of  brilliant  mind  and  a  highly  cultivated  taste."  She 
was  much  interested  in  botany  and  floriculture  and 
especially  in  "the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  wild 
flowers."  Her  full-length  portrait  was  painted  when 
she  was  about  nine  years  old,  by  Copley,  the  famous 
artist.  Copley  also  painted  the  portrait  of  her  mother 
when  she  was  Mrs.  Brush.  These  portraits  were  for- 
merly in  the  possession  of  Udney  H.  Penniman ;  and 
recently  have  been  returned  to  Burlington  and  are  now 
in  possession  of  Mrs.  Prof.  Goodrich.  They  are  ex- 
ceedingly interesting,  not  only  as  specimen  of  Copley's 
earlier  work,  but  as  illustrating  the  costume  of  the  time, 
and  preserving  the  features  of  Ethan  Allen's  wife  and 
mother-in-law. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  Fanny  Montesquieu 
Buchanan  Allen  Penniman.  bore  four  children  after 
her  marriage  to  Dr.  Jabez  Penniman,  viz :  Hortensia, 
who  married  Judge  William  Brayton  of  Swanton : 
Udney  H.  :  Julietta.  who  married  Dr.  Nathan  R.  Smith 
of  Baltimore.  Maryland:  and  Adelia.  who  married 
George  Harrington,  and  after  his  death  married  the 
late  Dr.  Robert  Moody,  of  Burlington.  Four  of  her 
descendants  are  now-  residing  in  this  city,  viz:  Mrs. 
J.  E.  Goodrich,  daughter  of  Adelia ;  Mr.  Luther  Penni- 
man, son  of  LTdney,  and  Miss  Minnie  and  Miss  Effie 
?>Ioore,  children  of  Clarinda  Penniman,  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Udney. 

Capt.  Ethan  Alphonso  Allen,  father  of  Mrs. 
Jennings,  was  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain 
State  and  was  born  at  Burlington  October  24. 
1789.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  United  States 
Army  and  won  merited  distinction  for  his  dar- 
ing and  bravery.  He  was  a  man  of  remark- 
ably fine  and  commanding  appearance  and  by 
his  enthusiasm  infused  much  patriotism  into 
the  breasts  of  his  fellow-soldiers.  He  was  twice 
married,  his  first  union  being  with  Mary  Su- 
san Johnston,  a  native  of  Lambert's  Point, 
Norfolk  County,  Virginia,  born  September  26, 
1797,  One  child,  a  son,  Ethan  Alphonso  Al- 
len, blessed  this  union  for  a  time,  but  is  now 
deceased ;  he  left  a  5on  also  named  Ethan  Al- 
len, who  had  a  son  Ethan  Samuel  Allen,  The 
mother  died  November  i,  181 8.  A  number  of 
years  later  Captain  Allen  contractel  a  second 
marriage,   being  united   April   4,    1826,   with 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1013 


Martha  Washington  Johnston,  who  was  born 
February  22.  1802,  and  died  April  20.   1855. 
She  was  the  mother  of  our  subject  and  was  a  , 
daughter  of  Capt.  John  Johnston,  a  famous  ma- 
riner and  a  noted  sea  captain,  who  purchased  , 
tile  present  home  of  Mrs.  Jennings  in  1798  and   \ 
called  it  "Lebanon."     Because  of  the  magnifi-  i 
cent  driveway  bordered  with  magnolias,  the  , 
home  is  now  called  "Magnolia  Grove." 

An  obituary  of  Capt.  Ethan  Alphonso  Al- 
ien appeared  in  the  Xezi'  York  Herald  of  Sat- 
urday, January  13,  1855.    It  is  as  follows: 

"Capt.  Allen  died  at  Norfolk,  Mrginia, 
on  the  6th  inst..  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age. 
Captain  Allen  was  a  son  of  Colonel  Ethan  Al- 
len, of  Revolutionary  renown,  and  particularly 
distingui.shed  for  the  affair  at  Ticonderoga. 
Captain  Allen  was  born  in  \'ermont.  and  hav- 
ing been  educated  at  West  Point,  entered  the 
army.  He  served  until  1821.  when  the  army 
was  reduced.  The  annexed  correspondence 
t(x>k  place  on  Captain  Allai's  retirement  from 
the  army.  The  first  letter  is  from  the  non- 
commissioned officers  and  soldiers  of  his  com- 
mand. Colonel  Ethan  Allen  left  but  two  sons, 
of  which  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch  was 
the  younger.  His  brother.  Captain  Hannibal 
Allen  died  while  in  command  of  Fort  Nelson. 
Norfolk  Harbor,  in  the  year  1814.  Three 
braver  soldiers  than  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  and 
his  sons  never  drew  sword  : 


Cr.\xey   Isl.\n-d,  June   10,    1821. 
C.\Fr.\iN  Eth.^n  a.  Allex — 

Sir : — As  you  are  about  to  take  your  leave  of  us, 
probably  never  to  meet  again,  we  deem  it  a  duty  to 
express  on  the  occasion  of  our  unfeigned  regret,  and 
to  tender  you  our  united  declaration  of  the  veneration 
and  respect  we  have  always  entertained  for  you  as  an 
officer  during  the  period  we  have  had  the  honor  of 
being  under  your  command.  Be  assured,  sir,  that  we 
entertain  the  liveliest  gratitude  to  you  for  your  inde- 
fatigable zeal  in  promoting  our  happiness  and  welfare, 
and  the  disciphne  and  good  order  of  your  command, 
which  convince  us  that  your  aim  was  at  all  times  to 
promote  the  public  good  in  your  official  capacity,  with- 
out oppression. 

-As  you  are  now  about  to  retire  to  private  life 
from  the  bustle  of  a  camp,  and  from  the  service  of 
your  country  (which  you  have  served  honorably  and 
faithfully  for  nearly  seventeen  years),  it  is  our  wish  and 


trust  that  the  Almighty  will  guide  and  protect  you 
wherever  you  go,  and  that  prosperity  may  attend  you  in 
whatever  pursuit  of  life  you  may  hereafter  enter  upon. 
We  now  bid  you  adieu.  That  the  blessings  and 
prayers  of  your  old  company  may  be  propitious  is  our 
sincere  wish. 

(Signed  By)  \Villi.\m   Cooper. 

D.^XIEL  Dawling, 
George  Covzexs, 
J.\MES    H.\xx.\. 

Sergeants  of  Company  O,  and  by  the  rest  of  the 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  of  said  com- 
pany. 

Captain  Allen  received  the  following  an- 
swer : 

Cr-vxey  Isl.\xd,  June  11,  1821. 

I  cannot  well  express  the  feelings  of  my  heart  to 
the  men  of  the  company  that  I  have  lately  had  the 
honor  of  commanding,  for  the  spontaneous  declaration 
of  approbation  and  good  wishes  which  has  been  by 
them  tendered  to  me.  I  hope  that  whenever  and  under 
whatever  circumstances  I  may  hear  of  Company  O, 
that  its  reputation  for  correct  discipline,  subordination 
and  honorable  conduct  may  stand  unrivaled.  I  am 
now  about  retiring  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  private  life. 
I  leave  you  with  regret.  I  hope  that  your  conduct  may 
be  such  as  to  command  the  esteem  of  your  officers  and 
the  respect  of  the  citizens.  With  feelings  of  sincere 
friendship.     I  bid  you  all  a  long  and  last  farewel!. 

E.  A.  .\llex. 

To  CoMP.\XY  O.  Late  Captain  U.  S.  A. 

Mrs.  Jennings  has  always  been  a  bright, 
active  woman.  She  possesses  a  good  mind 
and  scholarly  instincts  and  was  well  educated 
in  private  institutions  of  learning.  She  has 
been  twice  married,  but  has  been  a  widow  for 
many  years,  both  her  husbands  having  been 
long  since  deceased.  Her  first  marriage  was 
with  Andrew  Weir,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  who 
was  born  April  12,  181 8,  and  died  August  9, 
1865.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  United 
States  Navy,  and  upon  his  death  left  two  chil- 
dren: Walter  G.,  who  died  April  22.  1889; 
and  Allen,  who  is  his  mother's  standby  and  su- 
perintends her  farm,  giving  personal  attention 
to  every  detail  of  the  farm  work. 

Our  subject's  second  marriage  with 
George  Wythe  Jennines,  who  was  born  at  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  October  10.  1820.  He  was  a 
son  of  William  Jennings,  a  native  of  the  same 
citv.     Mr.  Jennings  was  also  a  militar\-  man 


IOI4 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


of  some  distinction  and  saw  active  service 
during  the  Mexican  War.  serving  as  sereeant. 
He  died  December  5,  1888,  and  was  mourned 
as  only  a  good  and  esteemed  resident  can  be. 
Both  husbands  were  Democrats. 

Mrs.  Jennings  is  the  owner  of  considerable 
real  estate,  which  with  the  valued  assistance  of 
her  son  she  manages  wisely  and  well.  Although 
the  possessor  of  an  ample  competence,  her 
thrifty  habits  will  not  allow  her  to  lead  an  idle 
life,  even  at  her  advanced  age.  and  her  many 
and  various  ways  of  assisting  people  in  deep 
distress  and  want  have  caused  her  to  become 
widely  known,  loved  and  esteemed.  She  is  an 
active  member  of  the  IMethodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  with  which  she  united  many 
years  ago. 

In  connection  with  this  sketch  are  presented 
the  portraits  of  Mrs.  Jennings  and  her  father, 
Capt.  Ethan  Alphonso  Allen. 


AVID  R.  CREECY,  of  D.  R.  Creecy 
&  Company,  is  one  of  the  greatest 
hustlers  among  real  estate  men,  and 
stands  second  to  none  on  investments 
and  sales  in  Norfolk  and  its  sur- 
rounding country.  There  are  two  classes  of 
real  estate  dealers  in  the  world.  One  class 
sits  in  the  office  and  waits  for  a  purchaser, 
while  the  other  class  goes  out  and  finds  buy- 
ers and  sells  land  before  the  others  even  reach 
their  office.  To  this  latter  class  belongs  the 
firm  of  D.  R.  Creecy  &  Company,  dealers  in 
all  kinds  of  Norfolk,  realty ;  these  gentlemen 
are  always  en  the  alert,  ready  to  make  big  or 
little  deals,  and  are  among  the  up-to-date, 
wide-awake  firms  of  the  city.  They  started  in 
business  in  1896,  with  offices  in  the  Moritz 
Building,  but  a  year  later  moved  into  the  City 
National  Bank  Building,  at  the  corner  of  ?\Iain 
and  Atlantic  streets. 

D.  R.  Creecy  &  Company  have  been  inter- 
ested in  a  number  of  large  real  estate  transac- 
tions, principal  among  which  have  been  Vir- 


ginia Place,  River  View  and  a  portion  of  the 
Ballentine  farm.  They  have  sold  also  over 
1. 000  building  lots.  They  have  for  sale  hotels, 
dwelling  houses,  fruit  farms,  stock  and  grain 
farms,  plantations,  lumber  and  sawmills,  tim- 
berland,  stores,  factories,  coal  lands,  vacant 
lots,  summer  resorts,  wharf  and  mining  prop- 
erty, stone  and  marble  quarries  and  gold  and 
copper  mines.  They  publish  in  connection 
with  their  business.  TJic  American  Real  Es- 
tate Adz'ci'tiser,  a  monthly  paper  devoted  to 
the  realty  business. 

Mr.  Creecy  was  born  in  Norfolk  County. 

I  near  Portsmouth,  \'irginia,  in  1863,  and  is  a 
son    of    David   R.   and   Pauline   ( Wilkinson ) 

I  Creecy,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Per- 
quimans County,  North  Carolina,  in  182 1. 

David  R.  Creecy,  Sr.,  followed  farming  at 
his  native  place  until  about  50  years  ago,  at 
which  time  he  went  to  Norfolk  and  bought  a 
farm  at  Paradise  Creek,  near  Portsmouth, 
where  he  followed  market  gardening.  Fif- 
teen years  later  he  sold  this  place  and  was  en- 
gaged in  similar  business  on  a  farm  at  Sewell's 
Point,  for  two  years,  and  later,  for  two  years, 
at  Berkley,  Mrginia,  after  which  he  retired 
from  active  life.  He  married  Pauline  Wilkin- 
son, a  native  of  Norfolk,  who  was  a  daughter 
of  John  Wilkinson,  and  died  in  1898,  at  the 
age  of  73  years. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  acquired  his 
mental  training  in  the  oublic  schools  of  his  na- 
tive city,  and  was  reared  there,  devoting  much 
of  his  early  life  to  clerking  in  a  furniture  store. 
After  14  years  spent  in  this  manner,  he  en- 
tered business  under  the  firm  name  of  Creecy 
&  Dilt,  furnishers,  and  continued  thus  for  four 
years,  when  they  met  reverses  and  closed  the 
business,  paying,  however.  100  cents  on  every 
dollar. 

In  1885.  a  friend  of  'Mr.  Creecy.  knowing 
his  business  capacity,  urged  him  to  take  an 
interest  in  real  estate.  This  he  did,  and  on  his 
first  day  sold  49  lots  in  the  Park  Place  dis- 
trict, a  most  promising  suburb  of  Norfolk. 
He  knew  from  that  time  on  that  he  had  found 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1015 


liis  calling,  and  perceiving  tliat  Xorfulk  had 
before  it  a  great  future,  witli  fine  opportunities 
for  interested  capitalists  to  invest  in  real  es- 
tate, he  went  to  work  diligently  and  has  since 
won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  a  large  cir- 
cle of  acquaintances,  and  made  some  of  the 
best  sales  on  record.  He  has  hamlled  much 
proi)erty  in  Park  Place,  Virginia  Place,  River 
\"iew,  Ghent,  Sewell's  Point,  Lambert's 
Point,  Williamson's  Addition,  and  other 
places,  starting  in  while  many  of  these  subur- 
ban places  were  only  cornfields.  His  main  ef- 
fort has  been  to  improve  them,  and  to  sell  to 
men  wlni  would  build  and  make  all  the  modern 
improvements.  These  places  now  boast  of 
fine  streets,  walks,  shade  trees,  etc.  Besides 
these  subdivisions,  ]Mr.  Creecy  has  also  han- 
dled agricultural  land  in  the  county,  especially 
for  market-gardening  purposes.  He  has  also 
sold  and  handled  much  property  for  Norfolk 
proper,  for  instance,  the  Norfolk  College, 
which  is  to  be  rebuilt  as  the  Granby  Hotel, 
and  also  the  Atlantic  Hotel.  He  is  now  de- 
veloping a  large  area  of  mineral  lands  in  both 
Halifa.x  County,  \'irginia,  and  in  North  Car- 
olina. 

Mr.  Creecy  as  one  of  the  originators  of  the 
American  Real  Estate  Company.  Although  a 
very  active  citizen,  he  has  never  aspired  to  the 
honors  of  public  office. 


j^^ETER  ALEXANDER  AGELASTO. 
yJs  attorney-at-law  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
was  born  at  Bombay,  India,  Febru- 
ary 14.  1868,  of  Greek  ancestry.  He 
came  to  V^irginia  with  his  parents  in 
and  settled  in  Norfolk.  He  was  edu- 
it  the  University  of  Virginia,  from  the 
law  department  of  which  he  was  graduated  in 
the  spring  of  18S8.  After  his  graduation  he 
went  abroad  for  alx)Ut  a  year.  Early  in  i88g 
he  liegan  in  X^orfolk,  the  practice  of  his  chosen 
profession,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  He  has 
been  \ery  successful,  ha\ing  built  up  a  good 


1881, 
cated 


practice  and  gained  a  creditable  standing  at  the 
bar.  He  is  a  man  nf  scholarly  attainments, 
and  is  progressive  in  all  his  ideas. 

Mr.  Agelasto  does  not  belong  to  any  fra- 
ternal organizations.  His  parents  and  two 
brothers  also  reside  in  Norfolk. 


ENRY  O.  BILLUPS,  who  is  a  butcher, 
\\  ith  place  of  business  at  stall  No.  26, 
CUy  Market,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was 
born  in  Mathews  County,  Virginia,  in 
1858.     He  is  a  son  of  Frank  S.  Bill- 
ups,   who  was  a  merchant  of   Norfolk  many 
years  ago,  and  is  now  living  in  that  city  in  re- 
tirement. 

Mr.  Billups  grew  to  manhood  in  his  nati\e 
county,  and  attended  the  district  scIkkjIs  of  that 
time.  In  1875.  he  came  to  Nijrfolk,  where  he 
served  as  an  apprentice  boy  to  Thomas  Win- 
ingder.  .\t  that  time  ]\Ir.  W'iningder  was  locat- 
ed at  the  old  City  Market,  in  stalls  Nos.  29-31, 
and  all  animals  were  slaughtered  on  the  home 
place.  Mr.  Billups  soon  learned  all  the  partic- 
ulars of  the  business,  and  worked  lor  Mr.  W'in- 
ingder nine  years  and  seven  months.  He  then 
entered  into  partnership  with  P.  B.  William- 
son, the  firm  name  being  Williamson  &  Billups, 
and  their  shop  was  in  stall  Nos.  18-20  at  the 
old  City  ]\Larket.  When  the  new  City  Market 
was  opened  in  October,  1893,  Mr.  Billups  se- 
cured one  of  the  best  stalls  and  was  one  of  the 
first  occupants  of  the  new  building.  In  1896, 
he  began  business  alone,  and  his  trade  is  on  the 
increase.  He  keeps  only  the  best  of  meats,  and 
his  prompt  and  courteous  attention  wins  for 
him  much  patronage.  His  shop  is  open  from 
4  A.  M.  to  12  P.M. 

He  was  married  to  Mary  W.  Harris,  a 
daughter  of  Hunter  Harris,  of  North  Caro- 
lina. They  have  two  children,  namely  :  Harry 
E. ;  and  George  M.  Mr.  Billups  is  a  member 
of  the  following  fraternal  organizations : 
Knights  of  Pythias:  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows;  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men; 


ioi6 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


Woodmen  of  the  World ;  Knights  of  the  Mac- 
cabees ;  National  Union ;  Benevolent  and  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks ;  and  Modern  Puritans. 
He  is  what  may  be  termed  a  self-made  man, 
and  is  possessed  of  good  business  abilit}^  and 
many  sterling  qualities. 


MOS  JOHNSTON  ACKISS,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in 
Norfolk,  also  holds  the  office  of  Com- 
monwealth's attorney  in  Princess 
Anne  County,  Virginia.  He  is  a 
young  man  of  unusual  ability,  and  has  made  a 
success  in  his  profession.  He  was  born  at 
Princess  Anne  Court  House,  Virginia,  Au- 
gust 31.  1 87 1,  and  is  descended  from  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  Lower  Norfolk  County. 
Caleb  Lamont  Ackiss,  the  grandfather  of 
Amos  Johnston  Ackiss,  was  a  son  of  Thomas 
and  Jane  (Lamont)  Ackiss.  He  was  an  ex- 
tensive farmer.  He  married  Lovey  Fisher,  a 
daughter  of  Israel  Fisher. 

John  B.  Ackiss,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
was  reared  on  his  father's  plantation  and  went 
West  tO'  the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  he  was 
overseer  of  a  plantation ;  he  returned  to  Virginia 
prior  to  1861.  He  enlisted,  in  that  year,  as  a 
private  in  Capt.  E.  W.  Copp's  company,  was 
later  discharged  on  acount  of  sickness,  and 
never  regained  his  health  sufficiently  tO'  re- 
enter the  service.  He  became  a  commissioner 
of  revenue  of  the  county,  and  served  as  such 
until  his  death  in  1880,  at  the  early  age  of  43 
years. 

Amos  Johnston  Ackiss  was  nine  years  of 
age  when  deprived  of  the  assistance  of  a 
father,  and  at  the  age  of  1 1  years  he  be- 
gan clerking  in  a  store  in  the  summer  and 
attending  pul>lic  school  in  the  winter.  When 
nineteen  years  old  he  attended  William 
and  Mary  College,  and  then  became  clerk 
of  the  County  Court  of  Princess  Anne 
County,  where  he  took  up  the  study  of 
law    in     1893.     He    then    entered    the    law 


department  of  the  University  of  Virginia, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1894.  He  lo- 
cated for  the  practice  of  his  profesion  at  Prin- 
cess Anne  Court  House  in  1895,  and  was  ap- 
pointed commissioner  of  courts,  which  office 
he  held  for  two  years.  He  then  resigned  to 
accept  the  iiffice  of  Commonwealth's  attorney, 
in  which  capacity  he  is  now  serving.  On  July 
23,  1900,  he  opened  an  office  in  Norfolk,  in  the 
Citizens'  Bank  Building,  where  he  spends  a 
part  of  each  day,  having  established  a  well- 
paying  practice  in  that  city. 

In  1894,  Mr.  Ackiss  was  joined  in  marriage 
with  Bessie  Sheild  Kemshall  of  Suffolk,  a 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Robinett  (Sheild) 
Kemshall.  Her  mother  was  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Sheild  of  Norfolk,  Virginia.  This  un- 
ion has  been  blessed  with  one  daughter, — 
Madge.  Fraternally,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  a  member  of  Princess  Anne  Lodge,  No.  25, 

A.  F.  &  A.  M. :  Princess  Anne  Lodge,  No.  16, 
I.   O.   O.    F. ;  and    Norfolk    Lodge,   Na   38, 

B.  P.  O.  E. 


A.  WAINWRIGHT,  a  leading  resi- 
dent and  lousiness  man  of  Norfolk, 
Virginia,  is  a  large  property  owner 
and  heavy  real-estate  dealer  in  the 
above-named  city,  having  success- 
fully conducted  some  of  the  best  deals  yet  made 
in  that  vicinity.  He  is  indigenous  to  Norfolk 
County,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  1877  in 
the  city  which  is  still  his  home.  His  father  is 
Capt.  R.  D.  Wainwright.  well  known  in  the 
community. 

Mr.  \^'ainwright  attended  various  institu- 
tions of  learning  in  his  nati\-e  place  during  his 
youth,  availing  himself  of  every  opportunity  to 
acquire  a  more  comprehensive  education,  and 
finally  entered  V.  P.  I.,  where  he  took  a  scien- 
tific course.  His  college  education  completed, 
young  Wainwright  accepted  a  clerical  position 
in  the  large  realty  office  of  R.  M.  Garrettson  & 
Company,  of  New  York  City,  and  remained  in 


4 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


1017 


their  employ  for  several  years,  or  until  1900. 
He  severed  his  connection  with  this  company 
during  that  year,  and  went  to  South  Carolina, 
where  he  was  engaged  as  paymaster  for  the  At- 
lantic Coast  Lumber  Compan\-.  and  tilled  this 
Ix)sition  with  credit  to  himself,  and  to  the  em- 
inent satisfaction  of  lids  anployers.  While 
thus  employed,  he  could  not  fail  to  see  the  ad- 
vantages open  to  real-estate  dealers  along  the 
coast;  returning  to  his  old  home  in  1901,  he 
oijened  a  real-estate  and  loan  office,  a  business 
for  which  he  had  received  special  training  and 
for  which  he  has  much  natural  adaptability,  as 
the  number  and  character  of  his  recent  sales  go 
to  prove.  He  owns  some  very  fine  real  estate 
in  Norfolk,  which  he  is  improving  and  prepar- 
ing tc  market. 

Mr.  W'ainwright  is  an  energetic  man,  and 
understands  how  to  make  a  success  of  his  work. 
Besides  being  an  e.xcellent  business  man.  he  is 
a  public-spirited  citizen,  and  is  no  Ijetter  pleased 
than  when  performing  some  useful  serxice  in 
the  community.  He  is  blessed  with  exceptional 
talents  and  takes  a  liigh  place  in  social  affairs. 


R.  LUTHER  R.  CHILES,  who  for  a 
third  of  a  century  has  followed  the 
calling  of  a  ohysician  and  surgeon, 
lias  won  a  standing  that  may  well 
be  envied.  No  more  popular  or  es- 
teemed gentleman  than  he  is  to  be  found  in 
Norfi  Ik,  \'irginia,  which  place  has  been  his 
hijme  and  the  scene  of  his  successful  lalx)rs, 
for  the  past  10  or  11  years. 

Dr.  Chiles  is  a  native  of  Chesterfield 
County,  \'irginia,  where  he  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  attended  the  district  schools.  When 
he  reached  manhix>d"s  years,  he  chose  to  fit 
himself  for  the  medical  profession.  Entering 
a  well-known  medical  college  of  \'irginia.  he 
began  his  preparations  for  his  life  work,  and 
in  time  completed  the  medical  course  with 
credit.     A  short  time  afterward  he  opened  an 

where  he  engaged 


office  in  Hanover  Countv. 


in  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  Fnim 
the  start  his  success  was  marked,  and  a  little 
later  he  sought  a  broader  field  for  his  labor 
at  Manchester,  \'irginia.  which  was  his  home 
for  a  period  of  21  years.  His  practice  grew 
and  yielded  gotxl  returns.  Being,  as  he  is, 
a  thorough  student,  and  well  versed  in  all  that 
pertains  to  his  business,  he  was  regarded,  in 
a  comparatively  short  time,  as  one  of  the  best 
and  ablest  physicians  and  surgeons  in  Man- 
chester, and  succeeded  in  winning  the  confi- 
dence of  a  large  element  of  the  p<ipuIation, 
which  learned  to  depend  entirely  on  his  efforts 
1  for  success  in  battling  disease.  It  is  needless  to 
say  that  Dr.  Chiles,  in  addition  to  keeping 
abreast  of  the  times,  was  an  indefatigable 
worker  and  served  his  patients  well.  This  he 
did  too  well,  in  fact,  for  his  own  good,  caus- 
ing his  own  health  to  break  down,  and  neces- 
sitating his  removal  from  the  city  in  order  to 
seek  a  much  needed  rest.  In  leaking  about 
for  a  more  healthful  resort.  Dr.  Chiles  came 
to  Norfolk.  Virginia,  where  he  found  the  cli- 
mate to  be  of  such  benefit  to  him  that  he  de- 
cided to  locate  here  permanently,  and  since 
189 1,  has  been  a  general  practitioner  in  Nor- 
folk. He  has  not  only  regained  his  own 
[  health,  but  is  now  able  to  care  for  a  large  and 
'  constantly  increasing  number  of  patients.  His 
practice  is  remunerative,  being  principally 
among  well-to-do  people. 

Dr.  Chiles  is  a  gentleman  who  fully  ap- 
preciates the  duties  of  his  profession,  and  at  the 
same  time  does  not  forget  the  claims  which  the 
public  has  upon  him  as  a  citizen.     While  a 
resident  of  Manchester,  he  was  elected  mayor 
of  that  city  and  served  as  such  for  two  tenns. 
;  He  was  also  elected  a  member  of  the  State 
Senate  and  served  one  tenri.     Being  tall  and 
I  of  noble  physique,  he  has  a  commanding  ap- 
!  pearance;  in  addition  to  his  imposing  person- 
!  ality,  he  is  a  fluent  speaker,  with  a  fine  com- 
mand of  language. 
I         Dr.  Chiles  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of 
the  healthful  climate  of  Norfolk,  and  can  not 
sav    too    much  in  its  favor.     He  served  for 


ioi8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


some  time  as  a  member  of  tlie  Board  of  Health, 
and  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  proceedings 
of  that  body.  During  the  late  Confederate 
\\'ar,  he  serx-ed  as  surgeon  on  the  east  side 
of  the  James  River  and  at  Georgia  Hospital, 
and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  expert 
surgeons  in  Norfolk. 

Acti\e  in  thought  and  movement,  pos- 
sessed of  keen  foresight,  the  Doctor  is.  apart 
from  his  calling,  a  man  of  influence  and  force ; 
as  a  physician,  he  is  both  trusted  and  loved. 
His  office  is  at  No.  570  Church  street.  Fra- 
ternally Dr.  Chiles  has  been  a  member  of  the 
following  organizations:  Masons,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
■  and  Knights  of  Pythias,  as  well  as  several 
others.     He  is  not  now  active  in  anv. 


REDERICK 


NOTTINGHAM. 


Norfolk.  He  has  built  about  500  houses  in 
Norfolk,  a  record  which  shows  the  volume  of 
business  transacted  by  him.  He  believes  in 
building  up  the  city  proper,  before  improving 
suburban  property. 

Mr.  Nottingham  was  assessor  in  1900. 
He  is  a  self-made  man.  and  possesses  many 
sterling  qualities.  He  has  just  cause  to  be 
proud  of  his  business  career,  because  he  has 
met  with  success  solely  through  his  own  un- 
tiring efforts. 


who  is  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and 
rental  business  in  Norfolk,  Norfolk 
County.  \'irginia.  was  born  in  North- 
ampton County,  Virginia. 
Mr.  Nottingham  was  reared  on  a  farm  in 
his  native  county,  and  upon  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Confederate  \\'ar  eidisted  and  served 
until  its  close.  He  endured  many  hardships, 
participated  in  many  important  battles,  and 
can  relate  many  thrilling  incidents  which  oc- 
curred during  his  service.  At  the  close  of  the 
war.  he  returned  home  and  followed  mercan- 
tile pursuits  until  1881.  He  met  with  re- 
verses, and  after  settling  all  debts  removed  to 
Norfolk,  where  he  was  obliged  to  begin  at  the 
bottom  once  more.  Being  a  man  of  untiring- 
energy  and  perseverance,  his  ability  was  soon 
recognized,  and  he  accepted  a  position  with 
W.  H.  Turner,  at  one  time  one  of  the  largest 
real  estate  dealers  of  Norfolk.  \Mien  that 
gentleman  died.  Mr.  Nottingham  took  charge 
of  his  estate,  and  looked  after  all  the  prop- 
erty owned  by  him.  He  saved  money,  and 
scon  began  to  build  and  sell  on  a  small  scale. 
His  business  gradually  increased,  and  he  is 
now  one  of  the  largest  real  estate  dealers  in 


HOMAS  S.  SOUTHGATE  &  COM- 
PANY,    Norfolk,     Virginia.       This 
hrm   occupies  an   individaul   position 
in  this  section,  and  to  them  must  be 
given  credit  for  the  development  of 
an  entirely  new  character  of  commercial  busi- 
ness, which  did  not  exist  in  the  South  up  to  a 
few  years  ago. 

Business  was  established  by  Mr.  Southgate 
individually  in  1892  under  the  firm  name  of  T. 
S.  Southgate  &  Company.  It  was  carefully 
planned  and  laid  out  on  broad  lines  with  a  \"iew 
to  the  possible  development  of  which  a  dis- 
tributive business  was  susceptible.  And  it  may 
be  safely  said  that  the  proportions  to  which  it 
has  attainetl  is  conclusive  evidence  to  the  mind 
of  any  one  that  the  original  views  and  expec- 
tations of  this  gentleman  have  been  largely 
more  than  realized. 

They  may  be  styled  "Wholesale  Brokers 
and  Southern  Distributing  Agents"  for  all 
classes  of  finished  manufactured  product,  and 
have  the  representation  of  the  largest  and  most 
influential  manufacturers  and  producers  in  the 
North,  East  and  West.  They  enjoy  the  most 
intimate  relationship  with  every  wholesale 
dealer  in  the  States  of  Virginia,  North  and 
South  Carolina,  which  fact  enables  them  to  say 
to  the  manufacturers  that  if  they  will  place 
their  interests  in  their  hands  they  will  guaran- 
tee to  put  their  product  with  the  selling  medi- 
ums, which  it  is  the  desire  of  everv  manufac- 


I 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE    CITIZENS. 


loig 


turer  to  accomplish.  All  the  product  is  handled 
through  this  port,  the  aggregation  of  which  is 
several  hundred  cars  ])er  montii. 

Mr.  Southgate's  entire  attention  is  given  to 
the  further  development  of  his  business.  He 
nevertiieless  finds  time  to  perf(  rni  a  siiare  of 
the  duties  of  a  public-spirited  citizen,  serving 
the  city  in  its  Councils  and  being  connected 
with  several  of  its  banking  institutions. 


D.  ARMSTRONG,  one  of  the  j>ro- 
gressive  citizens  of  Xorfolk.  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  J.  D.  Armstrong 
Oyster  Packing  Company,  whose 
plant  is  located  in  Berkley.  \'irginia. 
was  born  in  Baltimore.  Maryland,  in  i860, 
and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Catiierine  Arm- 
strong. His  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia 
and  his  father  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Maryland. 
J.  D.  Armstrong  came  to  Xorfolk  in  1876 
and  associated  himself  with  H.  Edwards  & 
Company  in  the  oyster  business  until  1880.  He 
was  then  connected  with  the  Xorfolk  &  South- 
ern Railroad  Company  until  1884.  He  then 
identified  himself  witii  the  Nottingham  & 
W'renn  Company,  and  remained  with  them 
until  1891,  when  he  organized  tiie  J.  D.  .Arm- 
strong Oyster  Packing  Company,  with  D.  D. 
Wright  as  president  and  H.  E.  Willis  vice- 
president,  and  J.  D.  Armstrong  secretary  and 
treasurer.  Their  plant  was  established  at  the 
foot  of  Pearl  street  in  Berkley,  \'irginia,  and 
thej-  now  employ  250  workmen.  Their  output 
is  200.000  gallons  of  oysters  per  season.  It  is 
the  largest  packing  house  south  of  Baltimore 
and  handles,  in  addition  to  their  own  plants, 
oysters  from  the  Eastern  Shore,  James  River, 
Chesapeake  Bay  and  all  the  rivers  tributary 
thereto.  The  company  is  capitalized  at  $25,- 
000.  all  paid  in. 

In  1 88 1  Mr.  .Armstrong  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Sallie  V.  Thornton,  who  was  born 
in  Portsmouth.  Virginia,  in  1863,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Walter   and   Roberta   Thornton. 

50 


They  are  the  parer/ts  of  seven  clnldrcn :  Wal- 
ter, the  manager  of  the  business  establi.shed  by 
his  father:  John,  the  lxx>kkeeper  of  the  ab<ive- 
mentioned  firm :  Hattie,  Lessie.  Duston,  \'ira 
and  Maxine.  He  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  Le  Kies  Memorial  Methodist  I':pisco]>al 
Church,  Soutii.  Fraternally,  he  is  a  m«nl)er 
of  Grice  Commandery,  Xo.  16,  K.  T..  of  Xor- 
folk, Mrginia,  l)eing  a  Royal  .Arch  Ma.son  and 
Master  Ma.son,  and  has  Ijeen  secretary  of  . At- 
lantic Lodge,  Xo.  51,  I.  O.  O.  F..  for  20  years. 
In  188)  he  organized  the  Massasoit  Tril>e.  Im- 
proved Order  of  Red  Men,  in  Xorfolk,  and  has 
been  the  keeper  of  wam])um  for  the  last  1  5 
years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Royal  Ar- 
canum and  a  memlier  of  Xorfolk  Lodge,  Xo. 
Ti8.  B.  P.  O.  E.  He  is  chairman  of  the  local 
lx>ard  of  improvement  for  .Atlantic  City  Ward 
and  has  served  on  the  City  Council  for  eight 
years.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Oyster  Pack- 
ers' .Association  of  Xorfolk  and  Portsmouth, 
trustee  of  Le  Kies  Memorial  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  South,  and  its  choir  master.  He 
is  an  unswerving  Democrat  and  has  alwavs 
taken  an  active  part  in  political  affairs  and  has 
been  spoken  of  for  mayor  of  Xorfolk,  but  he  is 
connected  with  too  many  private  business  en- 
terprises to  accept  any  office  in  which  there  is 
anv  emolument. 


HARLES  H.  COXSOLVO,  whose 
career,  as  a  member  of  the  Select 
Council  of  Xorfolk,  has  l)een  marked 
•  by  the  greatest  activity  in  protecting 
and  furthering  the  interests  of  the 
city,  occupies  a  high  ])lace  in  the  esteem  of  his 
fellow  citizens.  As  a  representative  citizen, 
and  one  peculiarly  dominated  by  a  desire  to 
see  Xorfolk  in  the  front  rank  of  Southern  cit- 
ies, he  stands  out  prominently. 

Mr.  Consolvo  was  born  at  Xorfolk,  Febru- 
arv  9.  1 87 1,  and  is  a  scion  of  a  prominent  old 
Virginia  family.  His  ancestry  in  America  may 
be  traced  back  to  about  1730.  in  which  year  the 


1020 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


family  became  established  in  Virginia.  He  re- 
ceived a  good  education  in  St.  John's  Academy, 
at  Norfolk,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of 
George  W.  Taylor  &  Company,  a  firm  with 
which  he  has  since  been  identified.  He  is  also 
one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Norfolk  Steam 
Laundry,  and  owns  the  franchise  for  bill  post- 
ing in  Norfolk  and  vicinitjr.  He  became  inter- 
ested in  political  affairs  before  attaining  his 
majority,  and  in  1898  was  elected  to  the  Select  i 
Council  of  Norfolk  froni  the  First  Ward,  being 
the  youngest  member  of  either  branch  of  the  1 
Council.  His  youth  has  in  nO'  wise  interfered  ' 
with  the  efficiency  of  his  service.  Having  en- 
tered upon  business  at  an  early  age,  he  has  had 
wade  experience  and  is  enabled  to  give  all  mat- 
ters brought  before  the  Council  mature  reflec- 
tion and  the  proper  consideration.  Having 
evidenced  his  knowledge  of  finance  and  his 
general  executi\'e  ability,  he  was  made  chair- 
man of  the  finance  committee,  and  it  has  since 
been  demonstrated  to-  the  satisfaction  of  every- 
one that  the  selection  was  a  wise  one,  and  has 
redountled  to  the  benefit  of  the  people  of  the 
city. 

Mr.  Consolvo  is  unswerving  in  his  support 
of  the  Democratic  party,  whose  principles  he 
believes  to  be  wise  and  just,  and  has  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  workings  of  the  party.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  and  Protective 
Order  of  Elks,  and  the  Board  of  Trade  and 
Business  Men's  Association,  of  Norfolk.  Re- 
ligiously, he  is  a  member  of  St.  Mary's  Roman 
Catholic  Church. 


ICHARD  L.  HERBERT  was  born  at 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  July  12,  1846. 
His  father,  Francis  C.  Herbert,  was 
a  prominent  business  man,  whose 
family  came  from  England  and  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Portsmouth ;  he 
was  born  in  Norfolk  County  in  1808,  and  died 
in  1876.  Richard  L.  Herbert's  mother  was 
Mary   E.    (Consolvo)    Herbert,    daughter    of 


William  and  Mary  Consoh'O'.  of  Norfolk,  Vir- 
ginia, who  were  of  Spanish  descent.  She  died 
of  yellow  fever  during  the  epidemic  in  1855. 
He  has  one  brother,  J.  C,  who  is  employed  by 
the  Post  Office  Department  in  the  city  of 
Portsmouth. 

Mr.  Herbert  was  educated  at  the  Webster 
Institute,  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  15, 
when  he  assisted,  early  in  1861,  in  organizing 
the  Junior   Guards,   an   organization   of  boys 
about   15  years  of  age,  who  being  full  of  the 
fervor  and'  patriotism  of  youth,  armgd  them- 
selves as  best  they  could  with  a  view  toward 
entering  the  Confederate  Army,  but  were  not 
accepted  by  the  government  on  account  of  their 
tender  age.     They  afterward  acted  as  couriers 
for  General  Blanchard,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  department,  until  after  the  evacuation  of 
Portsmouth.     After  this,  young  Herbert,  who 
was  determined  to  enter  active  service,  ran  the 
blockade  through  the  Federal  lines  and  made 
his  way  to  Richmond  for  tb.e  purpose  of  join- 
ing Grimes'  Battery.     When  he  reached  there 
he  met  Capt.  John  H.   Th.ompson,   who  was 
acting  provost  marshal,  and  was  by  him  de- 
tailed for  service  in  the  ordnance  department, 
and  became  a  private  in  Company  A,  4th  Na- 
val Battalion,  under  command  of  Major  Miner, 
who  was  afterward  succeeded  by  Major  Curl- 
ing.   Richard  Amnion  was  captain  of  the  com- 
pany.    Young  Herbert  did  service  in  defense 
of  Richmond  ag-ainst  the  raids  of  Dahlgren, 
Stoneman  and  Kilpatrick,  around  the  Chick- 
ahcwniny  Swamp.     He  continued  in  active  ser- 
vice around  Richmond  until  the  evacuation  and 
was  among  tiie  last  troops  tO'  leave  that  city  to 
join  that  part  of  Lee's  army  on  the  south  side 
of  the  James,  and  was  captured  en  route  and 
paroled.     He  returned  home  on  the  i8th  day 
of  April,  1865,  and  readily  found  employment. 
He  was  connected  with  the  Seaboard  &  Roan- 
oke Railroad  until  1868  as  machinist,  and  then 
until  1870  as  locomotive  engineer.     In  the  lat- 
ter vear  he  became  an  engineer  in  the  Ports- 
mouth Volunteer  Fire  Department,  which  po- 
sition he  resigned  in   1S83  to  accept  that  of 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


I02I 


general  superintendent  of  the  EUectric  Light  &  ' 
Gas  Company.  This  position  he  held  for  ii 
years,  during  which  period  the  first  electric 
light  plant  in  the  Tide\vater  section  was  in- 
stalled and  other  improvements  made.  During 
all  this  tiine  he  had  taken  an  active  pan  in  p«> 
litical  atTairs  and  did  yeoman  5er\ice  for  his 
party,  serving  as  chairman  of  the  Democratic 
Executive  Committee  from  1873  to  1893.  hold- 
ing a  seat  in  the  City  Cmmcil  two  terms,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Delegates  of 
\'irginia  from  Ponsmouth  City  during  the  ses- 
sion of  1887-88.  On  March  i.  1894.  having 
retirefl  from  the  p':>sition  of  superintendent  of 
the  Electric  Light  &  Gas  Company,  on  account 
of  failing  eyesight,  he  received  from  President 
Cleveland  the  appointment  of  postmaster  for 
tbe  city  of  Portsmouth.  In  this  impoaant  sta- 
tion, he  was  zealous  as  usual  in  the  interest  of 
the  public,  and  succeeded  in  putting  the  office 
in  the  front  rank  of  its  class  ir  character  of  ad- 
ministration and  improved  conveniences.  In 
November.  1898.  he  was  appointed  by  Judge 
A.  S.  Watts,  of  the  Hustings  Court,  commis- 
sioner of  the  revenue  for  the  city  of  Ports- 
mouth, to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  \'ir- 
ginius  Butt,  deceased.  In  May.  1900.  he  was 
elected  by  the  people  to  this  same  office,  which 
position  he  now  holds. 

Mr.  Herbert  was  made  a  Mason  in  1868. 
is  past  master  and  has  taken  the  degree  of 
Knight  Templar:  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
CWd  Fellows.  Royal  Arcanum  and  Hepta- 
sophs.  He  has  been  connected  with  the  Pons- 
mouth \'olunteer  Fire  Department  e\-er  since  | 
1866.  and  has  held  the  position  of  ist  assistant 
chief  engineer  for  the  past  15  years.  He  is  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Chambers  Steam  Fire 
Engine  Company.  No.  2.  one  of  the  oldest  or- 
ganizations of  the  State,  and  is  a  brave  and 
fearless  fireman.  i 

Mr.  Herbert  was  married  on  May  25.  1869. 
to  Mary  E.  Browne,  daughter  of  Benjamin 
\V.  Browne,  of  Portsmouth.  Mrs.  Herbert's 
mother  was  Sarah  Wilson  and  came  of  a  pn.im- 
inent  family  of  that  name  in  Norfolk  Counts-. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herbert  have  four  children, 
three  sons  and  one  daughter:  Calder  H.,  a 
prominent  business  man :  J.  Pendleton,  a  first- 
class  ships'  draftsman  in  the  L'nitc  '  <-  -  c 
Navy  Yard:  Richard  A.,  who  is  a  n 
and  Ethel  Browne. 


1^^  I\ER  D.  JACKSON,  of  the  O.  D. 
,fc  ■:  t;  Jackson  Realty  Com))any.  which  is 
j^_^«  known  as  one  ot  '  '  '  /' 
'^^^^^      largest  realty  comp:. 

was  \K'm  in  .\thens  C"iinty.  < 
He  has  been  engagetl  in  the  real-estate  busiiLt-- 
in  Norfolk  County.  Virginia,  since  1897.  and 
there  is  not  a  better  known  business  man  in  the 
city  of  Norfolk  than  this  prentleman. 

.\t  the  age  of  24  years.  Mr.  Jackson  entered 
the  mercantile  business  in  his  native  cor 
and  subsequently  engagetl  in  business  wit". 
Akron  Iron  Company  of  Akron.  Ohio.     He 
sold  that  business  in  1882.  and  began  to  deal 
in  and  handle  coal  mining  property,  establish- 
ing mines  in  the  town  of  Jacksonville.  At!v  - 
Count\%  Ohio.     This  is  now  one  of  the  ni,~: 
thrifty  towns  of  Ohio.    Later,  he  went  to  Co- 
lumbus. Ohio,  where  he  continued  in    ' 
line  of  business,  and  sold  S3.400.000 
coal  mining  property  in  Ohio.    In  1895.  he  re- 
moved to  Norfolk.  Norfolk  County.  \"irginia. 
and  in    1898  established  the  O.   D.  Jacks^ni 
Realty  C  liaving  his  offices  in  the  Mon- 

ticello  H     .  ling. 

The  O.  D.  Jackson  Realty  Company's  busi- 
ness is  largely  in  real  estate  and  inves: 
curities.  It  is  also  engaged  in  pr 
Southern  colonies  and  industrial  enterprises. 
The  company  handles  suburban  properties  in 
large  tracts,  also  timberland  and  agricultural 
lands  in  large  acreage.  It  does  not  handle  anv 
agricultural  tracts  less  than  S2.300  in  \-alue. 
The  company  sold  a  tract  of  5.000  acres  to  the 
Franklin  Land  Company,  and  one  of  ij.o>'^'> 
acres  to  the  \'irginia  Land  &  Lumber  C  rii- 
pany.    The  latter  is  known  as  the  Wallace  tract 


1022 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


and  is  being  improved  for  truck  farmers.  In 
February.  1902,  they  sold  a  tract  of  31,000 
acres  in  North  Carolina,  at  $120,000,  and 
another  tract  of  10.000  acres  adjoining,  at 
$40,000.  During  1899  Mr.  Jackson  sold  to 
parties  in  Ohio,  alone,  over  $258,000  of  Nor- 
folk County  propertv.  He  has  a  large  circle  of 
acquaintances  in  all  of  the  large  cities,  from 
New  York  to  Chicago,  and  makes  frequent 
trips  to  Ohio  in  order  to  keep  before  them  the 
land  in  his  possession.  He  is  assisted  most 
ably  in  business  bv  his  two  sons,  William  W. 
and  Fred  H. 

The  O.  D.  Jackson  Realty  Company  has 
done  more  to  assist  in  the  development  of  Nor- 
folk and  Norfolk  County  than  any  other  con- 
cern of  the  kind  in  this  section  of  Virginia, 
and  the  citizens  of  Norfolk  have  just  cause  to 
be  proud  of  the  fact  that  they  have  in  their 
midst  so  progressi\-e  and  public  spirited  a  gen- 
tleman as  the  one  whose  name  heads  this  bi- 
ography. 


APT.   JOSEPH   J.   JONES,   a   well- 
known  sea  captain  of  Norfolk,  Nor- 
folk C<:unty.  Virginia,  was  born  in 
[Maryland,  March  2,   1854.  and  is  a 
son  of  Darius  S.  Jones.     Darius  S. 
Jones  was  also  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  was 
a  mariner  for  many  years.     He  died  at  the  age 
of  70  years. 

Joseph  J.  Jones  grew  to  manhood  in  Alary- 
land,  where  he  received  his  scholastic  training. 
He  began  his  career  as  a  seaman  at  the  lowest 
grade,  but  his  quickness  of  perception,  close 
application  to  duty,  and  th(.irough  knowledge 
of  the  sea  soon  placed  him  in  the  top  ranks  and 
at  the  earlv  age  of  18  vears  he  became  master 
of  a  sailing  vessel.  His  first  steam  vessel  was 
the  "Harbinger."  Later  in  life  he  operated  a 
line  of  steamers  of  his  own,  and  this  business 
was  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  North 
Carolina  line.  He  continued  in  that  line  of 
business  for  22  years,  and  has  followed  steam- 


boating  up  to  the  present  time.  Captain  Jones 
has  been  a  resident  of  Norfolk  since  1878,  and 
is  always  interested  in  that  city's  welfare. 

Captain  Jones  was  married  to  Catherine  C. 
Holtzman,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  and  they 
have  three  children,  namely :  Catherine  E. ; 
Joseph  S. ;  and  Alarie  'SI.  Two  are  deceased, 
namely :  An  infant,  and  Catherine.  Captain 
Jones  is  a  Democrat  in  politics. 


) 


and  Virginia 


DWIX  R.  EASTWOOD,  who  is  at  the 
head  of  Eastwood's  Private  Detective 
Agency,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia,  was 
born  in  Gloucester  County,  Virginia, 
in  i860.  He  is  a  son  of  Alexander 
(Wright)  Eastwood. 
\lexander  Eastwood  is  a  brick-mason  by 
trade  and  spent  his  early  days  in  Norfolk, 
working  at  that  business.  He  is  now  engaged 
in  farming.  He  served  throughout  the  Con- 
federate War,  having  enlisted  in  the  Southern 
Army.  His  wife,  Virginia  Wright,  is  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Rachel  Wright,  and  was  born 
on  Staten  Island,  New  York.  She  is  a  Meth- 
odist. Of  12  children  born  to  Alexander  East- 
wood, the  following  are  now  living :  Edwin 
R.,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  James,  a 
farmer  of  Gloucester  County ;  Alice,  who  mar- 
ried Dr.  William  Simcoe,  of  Gloucester ;  Al- 
berta, the  widow  of  Capt.  W^alter  Almond.  Jr. ; 
Albert,  a  farmer,  of  Gloucester;  Virginia,  who 
married  Captain  Marshall,  and  is  living  at 
West  Point,  Virginia ;  Rachel,  who  married 
Captain  Tucker,  and  is  living  in  King  and 
Queen  County,  Virginia;  and  Garry,  who  is 
living  at  home. 

Edwin  R.  Eastwood  attended  public  and 
private  schools  in  his  native  county.  After 
leaving  school  he  farmed  somewhat,  and  then 
went  to  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  he  became 
a  commercial  traveler.  From  that  business  he 
went  into  the  service  of  the  Atlantic  &  Dan- 
ville Railroad  Company,  now  known  as  the 
Southern    Railway   Company,   and   worked   as 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1023 


clerk  for  that  company  a  shon  time.  In  18S3 
he  engaged  in  the  orivate  detective  business, 
which  he  commenced  tor  the  Southern  Railway 
G-mpany.  with  headquaners  at  Richmond. 
\"irginia.  Later  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  where 
he  established  Eastwood's  Private  Detective 
.\giency.  the  only  agency  of  the  kind  in  N:>r- 
folk.  His  offices  are  in  the  Citizen?'  Bank 
Building.  Mr.  Eastwood  is  a  man  of  shrewd- 
ness and  is  possessed  of  those  attributes  which 
go  to  make  a  successful  detective.  He  %va5 
deputy  United  States  marshal  and  also  a  city 
detective  for  some  time.  He  has  met  with 
much  success  in  his  chosen  work. 

In  1885  Mr.  Eastwood  married  Fannie 
Johnston,  a  daughter  of  J.  L.  Johnston.  She 
was  bom  in  Gloucester  Count)-.  \"irginia.  in 
1 86 1.  Mr.  Eastwood  is  a  Republican  in  na- 
tional politics.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Knights  of  P\-thias. 


r^m  APT.  THOMAS  MUSE  SOUTH- 
Rfl  GATE,  who  is  in  command  of  the 
vessel  "Mobjack,"  which  is  owned 
by  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Company,  and  which  is  conceded  to 
be  the  fastest  vessel  in  the  serx-ice  of  that  com- 
pany, was  bom  in  King  and  Queen  Count}-. 
\"irginia.  September  19.  1838.  He  is  a  son  of 
James  S.  and  Myra  Anne  (  Muse)  Southgate. 
James  S.  Southgate  was  a  Virginian  by 
birth,  and  for  many  years  followed  the  C'ccu- 
pation  of  a  fanner.  In  connection  with  his 
agricultural  pursuits  he  also  conducted  a  board- 
ing school.  He  removed  to  Norfolk  in  1853. 
where  he  died  at  the  age  of  73  years.  He  mar- 
ried Myra  Anne  Muse,  who  was  a  daughter  o:' 
Thomas  Muse.  That  gentleman  was  clerk  of 
Middlesex  County.  Virginia,  for  30  years.  Mrs. 
Southgate  died  at  the  a?e  of  67  years.  Of  five 
children  bom  to  her,  but  two  are  living,  name- 
ly :  James :  and  Thomas  Muse,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

Thomas  Muse  Southgate  grew  to  manhood 


in  his  native  count}-.  He  removed  to  Nor- 
folk in  1853.  At  the  age  of  16  years  he 
shipped  as  mate  on  the  steamer  "Star."  This 
was  the  first  vessel  he  ever  took  passage  on 
and  was  also  the  first  vessel  of  which  he  be- 
came master.  He  was  captain  of  the  "Star" 
at  the  age  of  19  year*.  His  rise  was  rapid,  as 
can  be  readily  seen  by  his  promotion  to  be  a 
captain  at  that  early  age.  In  1870  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamship 
Cc^mpany  and  was  given  command  of  the 
steamer  "Olive"  Since  that  time  he  has  had 
command  of  the  "Pamlico."  "Newbemc." 
"Shenandoah."  "Mantio."  "Northampton." 
and  his  present  vessel,  the  "M-'biack."  This 
steamer,  as  before  menti'-ned.  i<  o«nsidered  the 
fastest  one  owned  by  the  Old  Dominion  Steam- 
ship Company,  and  is  a  beautiful  vessel.  Cap- 
tain Southgate  was  in  the  Confederate  senice 
during  the  Intersectional  War  and  saw  much 
active  service  in  ihe  naval  movements  on  these 
waters. 

Captain  Southgate  married  Mar}-  E.  Port- 
lock,  and  they  have  six  children,  as  follows: 
Thomas  S. :  M}Ta  jiuse :  Elizabeth :  Fannie 
B. ;  Helen  H. :  and  Hugh  Law-ton.  The  Cap- 
tain is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor  and 
the  Royal  Arcanum.  His  record  as  a  vessel 
commander  is  above  reproach,  and  his  career 
has  been  a  ver}-  successful  one.  He  pc>ssess€S 
many  admirable  traits  of  character,  which 
greatly  endear  him  to  his  acquaintances,  and 
he  is  widdv  known. 


ilOHN  FR.\NCIS  LAW  LER.  city  ser- 
geant of  Norfolk.  \'irginia.  was  bom 
in  Richmond.  Virginia.  May  18.  1855. 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Shaw-)  Lawler. 
John  Lawler  was  l>^m  in  '"  i\}ueens. 

Ireland,  and  his  wife  was  b<->ni  j.  W'ex- 

ford.  Ireland.  They  came  to  the  L'nited  States, 
locating  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  where  Mr. 
Lawler  followed  his  trade  of  blacksmithing. 


I024 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


In  1855  lie  remmed  to  Norfolk,  where  his 
death  occurred  at  the  age  of  72  years.  Of  13 
children  bom  to  this  couple,  but  five  are  now 
living,  and  these  are  residents  of  Norfolk,  with 
the  exception  of  P.  H.  Lawler,  who  lives  in 
Washington. 

John  Francis  Lawler,  whose  name  heads 
these  lines,  was  reared  in  Norfolk,  where  he 
attended  the  puljlic  and  parochial  schools.  Af- 
ter leaving  school  he  entered  the  United  States 
Navy,  as  a  carpenter's  mate,  and  was  on  the 
U.  S.  S.  "Plymouth"  for  three  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time  he  entered  the  contract- 
ing and  building  business  in  Norfolk,  in  part- 
nership with  A.  F.  Holmes,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Lawler  &  Holmes.  They  followed 
this  business  for  15  years,  during  which  time 
they  erected  many  of  the  fine  business  buildings 
and  pri\-ate  residences  now  standing  in  Nor- 
folk. They  erected  the  Ballentine  home  in 
Brambleton,  and  the  Ballentine  and  Hadding- 
ton blocks  in  Norfolk.  While  engaged  in  the 
contracting  business  they  established  a  livery 
stable  on  Cove  street,  which  thev  sold  out  to 
W.  T.  Davis  in  1888.  In  that  year  :\Ir.  Law- 
ler was  elected  fire  commissioner,  but  resigned 
that  position  later,  and  was  elected,  on  the 
Democratic  ticket,  to  the  State  Legislature,  in 
which  he  served  during  1889  and  1890.  He 
made  a  record  worthy  of  mention,  and  was  a 
supporter  of  the  Belt  Line  Bill,  which  was 
fought  very  hard  by  the  city  of  Portsmouth. 
Mr.  Lawler  succeeded  in  getting  this  bill 
through. 

In  1896  Air.  Lawler  was  nominated  and 
elected  to  the  office  of  city  sergeant,  and  is 
now  serving  his  third  term  in  that  office.  Dur- 
ing his  last  term  he  had  two  executions,  which 
is  the  greatest  record  of  the  kind  made  by  any 
sheriff  in  the  past  60  years.  He  treats  the  pris- 
oners with  kindness,  but  never  swerves  from 
the  path  of  duty.  During  his  service  in  the 
office  of  city  sergeant,  an  operating  room  and 
an  isolation  hospital  have  been  added  to  the 
old  jail,  and  a  new  jail  has  been  built. 

Mr.  Lawler  was  a  member  of  the  Demo- 


cratic committee  and  was  the  first  chairman  of 
Brambleton  Ward,  when  it  was  annexed  to 
Norfolk.  He  did  much  in  the  matter  of  an- 
nexing the  ward  and  it  became  a  part  of  Nor- 
folk in  1887,  three  vears  after  he  erected  his 
home.  Mr.  Lawler  has  always  taken  a  deep 
interest  in  militarv  affairs,  having  served  as 
drummer  boy  in  the  "Guard"'  durino-  his  youth. 
He  was  also  quartermaster  and  sergeant  in 
the  4th  Regiment.  Virginia  Infantrv.  for  five 
years. 

Mr.  lawler  married  Nora  Donovan,  daugh- 
ter of  Patrick  and  Mary  Donovan.  She  was 
born  in  Richmond.  Virginia,  but  when  she  was 
a  child  her  parents  removed  to  Norfolk,  where 
she  was  reared  and  educated.  Nine  children 
have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  IVIrs.  Lawler,  five  of 
whom  are  now  living,  namelv :  John  B. ;  Lee; 
Emmett ;  Vincent,  and  Nora. 

Mr.  Lawler  is  a  member  uf  several  fra- 
ternal organizations,  among  them  being  the 
Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  Em- 
erald Beneficial  Association;  St.  Patrick's  Be- 
nevolent Society;  Ancient  Order  of  Hibern- 
ians; Knights  of  Columbus;  National  Union: 
Catholic  Bene\-oIent  Legion  ;  Eagles  ;  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men;  and  the  Board  of  Trade 
and  Business  IMen's  Association  of  Norfolk. 
He  is  a  prominent  man  in  local  circles,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  for  his  many  admirable  quali- 
ties. 


ESSE  A.  HAAIILTON,  who  gallantly 
served  in  Mahone's  Brigade  through- 
out the  Confederate  War,  is  a  promi- 
nent truck  farmer-  located  on  the 
\\'estern  Branch  of  the  Elizabeth 
River,  in  Norfolk  County,  Virginia.  He  was 
born  in  Nansemond  County.  Virginia,  October 
23,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Jethro  Hamilton,  also 
a  native  of  Nansanond  County. 

Jesse  A.  Hamilton  came  to  Norfolk  County 
in  1861,  and  at  the  age  of  18  years  ailisted  in 
the  Confederate  Armv  before  the  actual  seces- 
sion of  \'irginia.     He  was  in  Company  A,  i6th 


J 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1025 


Regiment.  \'irginia  Intantrv.  and  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  in  Mahone's  Brigade.  An- 
derson's Dinsion.  He  activelv  participated 
in  the  battles  at  Malvern  Hill,  Manassas. 
Crampton's  Gap,  Fredericksburg.  Chancellors- 
ville.  Salem  Church.  Gettysburg.  Bristol,  Mine 
Run,  the  Wilderness.  Spottsylvania  Court 
House,  Anderson  Farm,  near  Hanover  Junc- 
tion, the  Crater,  and  Hatcher's  Run.  He  was 
wounded  three  times  during  the  last  year  of- 
the  war.  first  at  Hanover  Junction,  May  27, 
1864,  when  he  received  a  wound  in  the  right 
shoulder.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
the  Crater  July  30.  '864.  being  struck  bv  a 
shell  in  the  left  hip.  and  disabled  until  January 
I,  1865.  On  February  7.  1865,  he  was  again 
wounded  at  Hatcher's  Run.  being  hit  bv  a  "rifle 
shell  in  the  right  hand  and  wrist. 

Upon  his  return  home  after  the  war.  he 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  since 
continued  thus.  He  has  been  located  on  his 
present  farm  of  104  acres  since  1875,  and  has 
carried  on  trucking  on  an  extensive  scale,  and 
■  with  good  results.  He  is  one  of  the  substantial 
men  of  the  community  and  has  manv  friends. 
December  31.  1874.  Mr.  Hamilton  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Anna  H.*  Love,  and 
they  have  reared  five  children,  naoiielv ;  Min- 
nie L. :  Qarence:  Anna  S.;  Margaret:  and 
IMarvin  G.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  and  Roval  Arcanum. 


S.  HERMAN,  who  holds  the  respon- 
sible position  of  treasurer  of  the  citv 
of  Norfolk.  \"irginia.  was  born  in 
Nansemond  County.  \'irginia.  De- 
cember 5,  1B59.  Shortly  after  his 
birth  he  was  brought  to  Norfolk,  where  he 
lived  until  1866.  when  he  was  taken  to  Louisi- 
ana and  lived  there  until  1870.  He  was  takei: 
to  Minnesota  in  the  fall  of  1870  and  lived  there 
until  the  fall  of  1872.  whai  he  came  to  Nor- 
folk to  live  permanently.  He  was  educated 
in  the  Norfolk  Academy  and  at  the  age  of  17 
years  began  work  in  a  wholesale  boot  and  shoe 


house.  He  remained  in  that  business  four 
years  and  then  entered  the  banking  business, 
in  which  he  was  engaged  16  vcars. 

Mr.  Herman  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Common  Council  from  the  Second  Ward  in 
1894.  and  served  most  acceptablv  in  that  Ix-dy 
until  1896.  In  1897  he  was  elected  citv  treas- 
urer, carrying  all  of  the  wards  in  the  citv,  with 
the  exception  of  the  4th.  He  has  since  been  re- 
elected to  that  office,  and  this  fact  alone  proves 
his  ability  to  hold  such  a  position.  This  is 
one  of  the  most  important  offices  in  connection 
with  the  city  government,  and  Mr.  Herman 
has  won  much  praise  for  his  faithfulness  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duties.  He  is  keeniv  alive 
to  the  interests  and  progress  of  Norfolk,  and 
IS  interested  in  several  important  enterprises. 
Although  his  duties  in  the  office  of  citv  treas- 
urer have  been  exacting.  Mr.  Herman  has 
found  time  to  engage  in  other  undertakings, 
and  is  a  business  man  in  everv  s-jnse  of  the 
word. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Mar- 
tha Sigourney.  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Sigour- 
ney.  November  24,  1887.  ,  They  have  two  sons, 
Andrew  Sigourney  and  William  Foster. 

Mr.  Herman  was  elected  president  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's  Associa- 
tion, of  Norfolk,  in  1901.  and  again  in  1902, 
having  been  for  several  years  chairman  of  the 
executive  committee  of  that  organization.  He 
is  also  prominent  in  fraternal  organizations, 
beang  a  member  of  the  :Masonic  order.  Knights 
of  Pythias,  Elks,  Mystic  Chain  and  others.  By 
virtue  of  his  many  sterling  qualities  and  his 
manliness  of  character,  he  has  won  many 
friends,  and  is  esteemed  by  all  as  one  of  the 
best  citizens  of  Norfolk. 


JHN  J.  HALL,  who  is  engaged  in  a 
prosperous  mercantile  business  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  \\'il]iam 
W..  is  a  substantial  citizen  of  Great 
Bridge,  and  exerts  a  wide  influence 
in  the  promotion  of  the  town's  best  interests. 


1026 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  is  a  son  of  William  H.  Hall  and  a  grand- 
son of  Willis  Hall,  bcth  of  these  honored  gen- 
tlemen having  been  born  at  Great  Bridge. 
The  Hall  family  have  lived  in  Norfolk  County 
since  a  very  early  day.  and  played  their  part 
in  the  history  of  the  county.  William  H. 
Hall  owned  a  large  plantation  and  a  number 
of  slaves.  He  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  mat- 
rimony with  Argy  Hall,  who  was  also  lx)rn 
at  Great  Bridge,  and  they  had  seven  children, 
four  of  whom  still  survive,  namely :  John  J. ; 
A\'illiam  A\'.,  engaged  in  business  with  the  sub- 
ject hereof;  George  ]\I..  the  efficient  postmaster 
at  Great  Bridge,  who  was  appointed  to  that 
position  in  1896;  and  Virginius.  The  beloved 
father  of  these  children  departed  this  life  in 
1895. 

John  J.  Hall  was  born  October  28.  1848, 
at  Great  Bridge,  Norfolk  County,  Virginia. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he 
had  acquired  a  sufficient  mental  training  in 
the  schools  of  Bell's  Mill  to  enable  him  to  cope 
more  intelligently,  than  he  otherwise  could, 
with  the  many  probems  of  life.  In  1871  he 
engaged  in  mercantile^  pursuits  at  Bell's  Mill, 
and  was  successful  for  seven  years.  In  1882 
he  moved  to  Great  Bridge  and  there  established 
his  present  business,  taking  into  partnership 
with  him  his  brother,  William  \\'.  The  hon- 
esty and  uprightness  with  which  he  conducts 
his  affairs,  and  which  distinguish  his  dealings, 
detract  in  no  way  from  his  popularity,  and  he 
is  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

Mr.  Hall  has  been  twice  married.  He  was 
first  united  in  marriage  with  Martha  Lock- 
wood,  who  was  born  in  Norfolk,  and  they  had 
one  child,  a  daughter,  named  Willie  L.  In 
1896,  some  time  after  the  death  of  his  firsf 
wife,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Josephine 
Holman,  a  native  of  Norfolk  Coi:!Uy.  They 
attend  the  Berea  Christian  Church,  and  are 
identified  with  all  its  interests. 

Mr.  Hall  is  Democratic  in  his  political 
opinions  and  is  outspoken  in  his  endorsement 
of  that  party's  aims.  Fraternally  he  is  a 
Mason. 


A^IUEL  C.  PHILLIPS,  a  well-known 
dealer  m  furniture,  stoves  and  car- 
pets and  other  household  furnishings, 
with  place  of  business  at  present  at 
Nos.  331-337  Church  street,  Nor- 
folk, Virginia,  was  born  in  that  citv  March 
8,  1843. 

His  father,  Samuel  Phillips,  was  a  native 
of  the  Eastern  Shore,  Virginia,  and  was  a 
steamboat  captain  for  many  }«ears.  In  1840  he 
removed  to  Norfolk,  where  he  resided  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  47 
years.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  He  married  Annette  Mea- 
gher, who  was  torn  in  Charleston,  South  Car- 
olina, and  by  her  had  two  childrai,  George  A. 
and  Samuel  C. 

Samuel  C.  Phillips,  the  subject  of  our  bi- 
ography, received  his  education  in  the  Norfolk 
Military  Academy,  then  conducted  by  Prof. 
William  R.  Gait.  After  the  war,  in  1867,  Mr. 
Phillips  embarked  in  the  notion  business  on 
Main  street,  at  the  head  of  Commercial  Place, 
which  he  conducted  successfully  for  several 
years.  He  started  his  present  business  on  a 
small  scale  some  five  years  ago  and  now  car- 
ries one  of  the  largest  stocks  of  furniture,  car- 
pets and  house  furnishings  in  the  city,  occupy- 
ing three  large  stores,  the  center  one  of  which 
is  three  stories  in  hei5"ht.  and  every  available 
space  is  occupied.  He  emoloys  seven  assist- 
ants and  does  an  extensive  business  Uiroughout 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 

Mr.  Phillips  has  become  very  well  known 
in  Norfolk  as  a  reliable  and  trusworthy  man. 
and  all  his  dealings  are  honest  and  fair  with  all. 
His  success  has  been  of  his  own  making  and 
he  has  worked  with  untiring  energy,  and  every 
day  makes  new  customers.  He  holds  office  in 
several  local  organizations,  notable  among 
which  are  Pocahontas  Council,  No.  493,  Royal 
Arcanum,  in  which,  after  passing  through  all 
the  chairs,  he  has  been  made  trustee  of  its 
funds.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Emerald  Bene- 
ficial Association,  as  also  of  the  Catholic 
Knights  of  America  and  a  director  of  the  Twin 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1027 


City  Permanent  Buildins^  Association,  as  also 
a  director  of  the  Traders'  &  Truckers'  Bank 
of  Norfolk.  \"iro-inia.  a  stockholder  of  the 
Tidewater  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  a 
member  of  the   Business   Men's   Association. 


\MES  S.  GROVES.*  president  of  the 
James  S.  Gro\es  &  Company,  whole- 
sale commission  house,  vice-president 
and  general  manager  of  Chautauqua- 
by-the-Sea  Assembly,  vice-president 
and  manager  of  the  X'irginia  Beach  Develop- 
ment Company,  president  of  the  \'irginia  Beach 
Ice  Company,  and  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of  the  Ocean  View  Pleasure  Com- 
pany, has  been  a  resident  of  Norfolk,  \'irginia, 
for  only  nine  years,  but  is  a  practical  real  estate 
man,  and  is  looked  ut>on  as  an  authority  in  real 
estate  deals  and  investment  securities,  having 
devoted  many  years  to  the  business. 

Mr.  Groves  was  Ixirn  at  Wellington,  Nortli 
Carolina,  and  was  reared  and  schooled  in  the 
same  locality.  When  grown  to  manhood,  he 
went  to  Roanoke.  \'irginia.  where  he  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  business  and  for  seven  years 
was  instrumental  in  developing  that  city.  Dur- 
ing that  time  he  served  in  the  City  Council, 
was  a  director  of  the  Exchange  Bank,  and  at 
one  time  was  a  candidate  for  mayor  of  that 
city. 

Ujx  )n  lixrating  in  Norfolk  Mr.  Groves'  long 
experience  in  the  real  estate  business  gave  him 
an  insight  into  the  future  of  the  city,  and  he 
was  quick  to  grasp  the  opportunities  there  of- 
fered. He  has  ever  since  been  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal factors  in  its  development  and  improve- 
.ment.  In  1894  he  established,  at  N<^s.  39  and 
41  Roanoke  dock,  the  wholesale  commission 
house  of  James  S.  Groves  &  Company,  one 
of  the  most  prosi)erous  wholesale  mercantile 
establishments  of  Norfolk.  S.  T-  Kennedy  is 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  company;  all 
kinds  of  pro<luce  from  Florida,  Tennessee. 
North    Carolina    and    X'irginia.    are    handlerl 


with  facility,  and  large  shipments  are  made  to 
,  the  North,  and  throughout  the  eastern  part  of 
j  the  United  States. 

I  In  1900  Mr.  Groves  Ijecame  interested  in 
the  X'irginia  Beach  Development  Company. 
He  has  served  as  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of  that  comi)any  smceits  organization. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Ocean 
\'iew  Pleasure  Company.  In  1900  this  com- 
pany built  a  pier,  i.ooo  feet  long  and  20  feet 
wide,  all  above  high  tide,  which  has  done 
much  to  make  the  place  what  it  is  to-day,  a 
famous  pleasure  resort.  From  this  pier  fish- 
ing can  be  indulged  in  to  the  heart's  content. 
Seats  are  provided  for  those  desiring  to  watch 
the  boats,  or  to  enjoy  the  ocean  breeze.  A 
"merry-go-round"  and  a  vaudeville  perform- 
ance, accompanied  bv  a  fine  orchestra,  provide 
ample  entertainment  for  the  pleasure  seeker. 
Few  men  of  Norfolk  have  l^een  more  ener- 
getic and  active  in  building  up  that  city  than 
has  Mr.  Groves,  and  to  such  men  as  he  are 
due  its  wonderful  strides  of  improvement  and 
progress.  Although  he  has  never  sought  oflfice 
in  Norfolk,  he  is  an  active  worker  in  the  inter- 
ests of  his  adopted  home,  and  is  esteemed  by 
all  who  know  him.  He  is  a  valued  memljer  of 
the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men's  As- 
Sfxiation.  of  Norfolk. 


ARRY  K.  \\OLCOTT*  is  the  senior 
member  of  the  firm  of  Wolcott.  Wol- 
cott  &  Gaee,  a  combination  of  legal 
talent  which  has  attracted  wide  at- 
tention by  its  success  in  practice  and 
takes  rank  among  the  leading  law  firms  of  Nor- 
folk. 
I  Harry  K.  Wolcott  was  born  in  Granville, 
Ohio.  Octoljer  2^.  1868.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  \'an  Wert  County,  Ohio,  and 
then  entered  upon  the  study  of  law  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor.  He  grad- 
uated from  that  institution  with  the  class  of 
1892  and  in  that  year  was  admitted  to  the  bar 


I028 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


in  the  State  of  Ohio.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  alone,  in  Van  Wert 
County,  until  April  27,  1894,  when  he. became 
associated  with  his  brother,  Edward  W.  Wol- 
cott.  They  gained  a  lucrative  patronage  and 
continued  in  practice  there  until  1895,  when 
they  removed  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  and  were 
admitted  to  practice  in  the  same.  Their  suc- 
cess was  immediate,  and  in  1898  they  took  into 
partnership  Ralph  P.  Gage,  also  of  Ohio.  They 
have  had  charge  of  many  cases  in  the  courts 
of  Norfolk  County,  and  Harry  K.  Wolcott  won 
an  enviable  reputation  as  a  criminal  lawyer, 
in  the  trial  of  Orville  I.  Fleming,  on  the  charge 
of  murder.  His  whole  interest  is  centered  in 
his  profession,  which  he  has  fully  mastered. 
He  is  as  successful  in  the  preparation  of  cases 
for  trial  as  in  the  argument  before  court  or 
jury.  The  offices  of  the  firm  are  located  in  the 
City  National  Bank  Building.  Mr.  Wolcott  is 
an  active  worker  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  of  which 
he  is  a  director. 

Edward  W.  Wolcott  was  born  in  Granville, 
Ohio,  April  19,  1871,  and  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio.  He  was  ad- 
•  mitted  to  the  bar  of  Ohio  in  1894  and  then  be- 
came a  partner  of  his  brother,  Harry  K.  Wol- 
cott. He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  when 
but  22  years  of  age  was  elected  chairman  of 
the  party  organization  in  Van  Wert  County, 
Ohio.  He  also  came  to  Norfolk,  Virginia,  to 
engage  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
stands  well,  both  as  a  member  of  the  bar  and  as 
a  citizen. 


RTHUR  C.  FREEAIAN,*  a  prominent 
business  man  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
was  made  manager  of  the  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company  in  1895.  He 
was  made  superintendent  of  the 
company's  agents  for  Virginia,  under  O.  F. 
Bresee  &  Sons,  the  following  year,  and  was 
then  pnnnrited  to  be  one  of  the  executive  special 
agents  of  the  company,  in  which  capacity  he 
has  displayed  rare  ability. 


Mr.  Freeman  was  born  in  Norfolk  in  1845 
and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  M.  Freeman,  and  grand- 
son of  Joseph  Freeman.  His  father  was  born 
in  Yorktown,  Virginia,  and  learned  the  jewelry 
trade  from  Joseph  Clarico,  wIto  manufactured 
and  sold  watches  and  jewelry  in  Norfolk,  in 
1792.  Joseph  M.  Freeman  married  the  daugh- 
ter of  his  employer,  and  succeeded  to  the  own- 
ership of  the  concern  in  1831.  The  business 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  subject  hereof  in 
1873.  Mrs.  Freeman  died  in  1876  and  her 
husband  passed  away  in  1882.  They  reared 
five  sons,  who  served  in  the  Confederate  War, 
as  follows:  Virginius;  Joseph  M. ;  William 
H. ;  Robert ;  and  Arthur  C.  Virginius,  who 
was  a  chief  engineer  in  the  United  States 
Navy,  resigned  to  oflfer  his  sword  tO'  the  State 
of  Virginia.  He  was  immediately  appointed 
a  chief  engineer  in  the  Confederate  States 
Navy  and  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  where  he 
remained  until  the  fall  of  that  cit}'.  He  was 
then  stationed  at  Charleston  until  it  capitulated. 
He  surrendered  at  Greensboro,  North  Caro- 
lina, with  Johnston's  army.  Joseph  M.  also 
served  in  the  United  States  Navy,  and  resigned 
in  1853  to  engage  in  business  with  his  father. 
At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  joined  the  Con- 
federate States  Navy,  and  later  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Norfolk  Light  Artillery  Blues ;  still 
later  he  again  served  in  the  navy.  William  H. 
raised  a  company,  and  was  made  a  captain  in 
the  Confederate  States  Army.  Resigning  in 
1864  he  went  into  the  Confederate  States  Navy 
and  was  stationed  at  Wilmington,  North  Car- 
olina. Robert  served  in  Company  G,  6th  Regi- 
ment, Virginia  Infantry,  Mahone's  Brigade. 
He  participated  in  all  the  battles  of  that  bri- 
gade, and  was  captured  on  the  retreat  follow- 
ing the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  He  was  ex- 
changed, and  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Navy 
and  was  on  board  the  "Albemarle"  when  that 
vessel  was  blown  up.  Joseph  M.  Freeman  was 
elected  treasurer  of  the  city  of  Norfolk  but 
refused  to  qualify.  He  served,  however,  as  a 
member  of  the  Select  Council  of  the  city. 
Arthur  C.  Freeman  attended  private  school 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1029 


in  Norfolk,  and  in  1861,  when  the  Confederate 
War  broke  out,  enlisted  in  the  City  Guard,  of 
Norfolk.  He  was  with  that  body  until  it  dis- 
banded and  then  enlisted  in  North  Carolina,  as 
orderly  sergeant  in  the  Goldsboro  Guards,  un- 
der Captain  Gregory.  He  was  transferred  to 
the  navy  and  served  under  command  of  Com- 
modore Tatnall  and  Commodore  William  Wal- 
lace Hunter.  He  was  one  of  the  officers  in 
the  expedition  that  captured  the  United  States 
steamer  "Water  Witch." 

Lieut.  Thomas  Pelot,  C.  S.  Navy,  who  led 
the  expedition,  was  killed  in  action.  After  the 
fall  of  Savannah  Mr.  Freeman  was  ordered  to 
the  "Chicon)"  at  Charlestcm,  and  upon  the  fall 
of  that  city  went  with  the  na\'al  brigade  to 
Drewry's  Bluff,  and  serxed  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  has  since  resided  in  Norfolk  and 
is  one  of  the  substantial  business  men  of  the 
city.  In  1901,  at  a  banquet  given  in  Washing- 
ton, he  was  presented  by  the  Mutual  Life  In- 
surance Cumpany  with  a  beautiful  gold  watch, 
with  monogram  and  date,  for  being  the  largest 
insurance  writer  in  their  employ  in  the  State 
of  \'irginia. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Emma  B.  Blow,  a  daughter  of  Judge  George 
Blow.  She  comes  of  a  very  prominent  family 
in  this  locality.  The  first  of  the  family  in  this 
country  was  Samuel  Blow,  who,  it  is  supposed, 
came  from  England,  as  he  received  from  the 
crown  a  large  grant  of  land,  located  in  Sussex 
and  Hampton  counties,  Virginia.  His  son, 
Richard  Blow,  settled  at  Portsmouth,  although 
he  owned  interests  on  both  sides  of  the  river. 
He  was  president  of  one  of  Norfolk's  earliest 
banks.  He  was  also  a  large  ship  merchant,  and 
owned  numerous  sailing  vessels  which  plied  be- 
tween Norfolk,  the  \Vest  Indies  and  other 
ports.  He  received  a  vote  of  thanks  for  the 
use  of  a  ship  by  the  government,  during  the 
Revolutionary  War.  He  left  a  large  property, 
to  which  his  son,  George  Blow,  added  large  es- 
tates on  the  James  River,  >and  abandoned  the 
business  of  a  ship  merchant  for  the  plantation. 
George  Blow  married  Eliza  Waller,  a  daughter 


of   Robert    Waller,   and   to  this   union   Judge 
George  Blow  was  born. 

Judge  George  Blow,  father  of  Mrs.  Free- 
man, was  educated  at  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  graduated  from  the  law  department. 
He  then  went  to  Texas,  where  he  acquired  a 
large  practice  and  was  elected  to  Congress. 
He  subsequently  returned  to  Norfolk,  where 
he  practiced  law,  and  was  elected  to  the  State 
Legislature.  He  was  a  personal  friend  of 
Ste])hen  A.  Douglas  and  served  as  a  Douglas' 
elector.  Whenever  Mr.  Douglas  visited  Nor- ' 
folk  he  was  a  guest  of  Judge  Blow.  He  was  • 
elected  a  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion, and  served  a  iierind  of  15  years  on  the 
Circuit  Bench.  For  many  years  he  was  a  part- 
ner of  John  Goodc,  and  retired  from  practice 
at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  a  fine  speaker  and 
writer.  He  died  in  1893,  at  the  age  of  80 
years.  He  was  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  41st 
Regiment,  Virginia  Infantry,  at  Sewell's  Point. 
He  married  Elizabeth  Allmand.  a  daughter  of 
Albert  Allmand,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  the  following  children:  Allmand  A.,  a  niin- 
mg  engineer  of  Denver,  Colorado,  who  mar- 
ried ]\Iiss  Goodell,  of  that  city;  George  P.,  who 
served  in  the  United  States  Navy  many  years, 
was  an  officer  on  the  "]\Iaine,"  when  that  battle- 
ship was  blown  up,  married  Adele  Matthewson, 
of  LaSalle,  Illinois,  and  is  now  living  a  retired 
life  in  Chicago;  ALnggie,  wife  of  Warren  G.  El- 
liott, who  is  president  of  the  Atantic  Coast 
Line  system;  Emma  C,  wife  of  Arthur  C. 
Freeman  ;  Eliza  W.,  wife  of  M.  S.  Atkinson,  of 
Baltimore,  Maryland ;  Lulu,  who  married  Will- 
iam B.  Page;  Jennie,  who  married  E.  Hoff; 
and  .\tala,  wife  of  Lewis  Noble.  About  1857 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Allmand  gave  her  daughter, 
the  wife  of  Judge  Blow,  a  large  lot  adjoining 
his  residence  on  Boush  street,  and  here  they 
caused  to  be  erected  a  magnificent  four-story, 
brick  residence,  which  is  now  owned  by  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Arthur  C.  Freeman. 

Arthur  C.  Freeman  and' his  wife  have  three 
children,  as  follows :  Emma  B.,  wife  of  Lieut. 
Allen  M.   Cook,  U.   S.   Navy:  Elizabeth  All- 


I030 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


mand ;  and  Arthur  C,  Jr..  a  civil  engineer.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  served  as  a  justice  of  the 
peace  several  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Trade  and  Business  Men"s  Associa- 
tion, of  Norfolk,  and  of  Pickett-Buchanan 
Camp,  Confederate  Veterans ;  and  belongs  to 
the  Masons  and  Elks. 


sergeant 


OMEO  M.  DOZIER.*  police 

of    the    Atlantic    City    Ward    police 
force,     was     born     in     Churchville, 


Virginia,    December     ii, 
is     a  son     of     Cornelius 

S.       ( Dennis)       Dozier. 

ser\'ed   in   the   Confederate 


OD- 


and 
and  Eliz- 
abeth S.  ( Dennis)  Dozier.  Cornelius 
Dozier  ser\ed  in  the  Confederate  War,  and 
was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Malvern  Hill,  June 
2,  1862.  His  wife  then  removed  to  Norfolk. 
Romeo  M.  Dozier  was  reared  in  Norfolk. 
W'hen  a  mere  lad  he  was  in  the  naval  service 
of  the  government  as  steward's  attendant  about 
20  months.  He  then  learned  the  tinsmith's 
trade  under  Mr.  Watson's  instruction,  and 
worked  for  that  gentleman  eirfit  years.  His 
next  work  was  as  rate  keeper  at  the  Elizabeth 
River  ferries,  where  he  continued  for  five 
years.  He  became  toll  collector  for  the  At- 
lantic City  toll  bridge,  and  after  spending  seven 
years  there  was  emploved  as  assistant  in  the 
city  water  works  dejjartment.  March  i,  1898, 
he  was  elected  police  sergeant  of  the  force  at 
Atlantic  City.  This  was  the  first  police  protec- 
tion afforded  to  that  ward,  the  area  of  which  is 
larger  than  the  city  of  Norfolk  and  Brambleton 
combined.  At  that  time  there  were  but  five 
policemen,  but  now  there  are  nine  regulars. 
Their  names  are:  Romeo  M.  Dozier;  J.  L. 
Henderson ;  E.  B.  Forrest ;  B.  J.  Jones ;  E. 
Whitehead;  A.  S.  Hunley;  B.  F.  Whitemore; 
G.  L.  Marshall;  and  A.  Brown,  special.  The 
policemen's  pay  in  1898  was  but  $2.00  per 
day.  but  ]Vlr.  Dozier  succeeded  in  obtaining  an 
increase  of  25  cents'  per  day  for  them.  They 
are  prompt,  active  and  efficient.  ]\Ir.  Dozier 
served  for  several  vears  as  countv  constable. 


and  was  chairman  of  the  local  board  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  the  office  of  police  sergeant. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife 
was  Miss  ]\largaret  Ellen  Fentress,  a  daughter 
of  Ezekiel  Fentress,  of  Princess  Anne  County, 
Virginia.  She  died,  aged  31  years,  leaving  the 
following  children  :  Susan  E. ;  ]\Iarv  E. ;  Ro- 
meo M.,  Jr.;  William  C. ;  and  an  infant  son, 
deceased.  Mr.  Dozier  formed  a  second  union, 
in  this  instance  with  Mattie  V.  Hill,  a  daughter 
of  George  ^^'.  Hill,  of  Norfolk,  and  their  chil- 
dren are :  ]\Iattie  V. ;  Emmett  W. ;  Nellie  M. ; 
George  W. ;  Ruth  B. ;  Luther  L. ;  and  Clara 
L.  Three  children  are  deceased,  namely;  Hor- 
ace, Charles  L.  and  an  infant  son. 

Mr.  Dozier  is  a  charter  member  of  Atlantic 
Lodge,  No.  51,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  K.  O.  T.  M.  and  Jr.  O. 
U.  A.  M.  He  is  well  known  in  Atlantic  City 
and  Norfolk,  where  he  is  highly  esteemed  as 
an  honest,  upright  citizer. 


i 


OHN  H.  ^^■ATERS,*  who  has  charge 
of  the  sewer  pump  station  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Duke  and  \\'ard  avenues.  At 
lantic   Citv  ^^'ard,   Norfolk,   Norfolk 
County,  Virginia,  was  born  in  Nor- 
folk, in  1873.     He  is  a  son  of  Capt.  Bray  B. 
\\'aters.  one  of   Norfolk's  oyster  raisers  and 
boatmen. 

Capt.  Bray  B.  \\'aters  owns  and  conducts 
an  ovster-boat,  having  been  engaged  in  that 
business  for  many  vears.  He  ser\-ed  in  the  old 
9th  Regiment,  A'irginia  Infantry,  during  the 
Confederate  War,  and  was  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill.  He  served  as  a  pilot 
on  the  James  River  during  the  war. 

John  H.  Waters,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Norfolk,  and  as- 
sisted his  father  in  tonging  oysters  until  he  was 
19  years  old.  He  then  began  the  study  of 
electricity  and  worked  himself  up  to  the  grade 
of  a  first-class  electrician.  In  1898  he  was 
given  charge  of   the   pumping  station   at   the 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1031 


corner  of  Duke  and  Ward  avenues,  which 
drains  the  southwestern  part  of  Ghent  and  car- 
ries to  Atlantic  Citv.  A  ti\e  liorse  power  mo- 
tor is  used,  wliich  is  an  automatic  macliine. 
Tliis  motor  works  but  twn-tliirds  of  tlie  time 
in  order  to  do  all  the  work  necessary,  and  is 
one  of  the  modern  improvements  put  into  use 
to  successfully  drain  Ghent  and  its  lower  lands. 
Mr.  Waters  gives  his  entire  time  to  this  task 
and  is  a  faithful  ^nd  conscientious  workman. 
He  was  married  to  Vera  Pyles,  a  daughter  of 
John  Pvles,  of  Xorfolk. 


APT.  SELBY    AUGUSTUS    HAR- 
NEY,* who  is  in  command  of  the 
steamer  "Hampton,"  and  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Old  Dominion  Steamshi]) 
Company,    was    born    in    Currituck 
County,   North   Carolina,   October   30.    1857. 
He    is    a   son   of   Thomas    Smith   and   Jennie 
( W'oodhouse)    Harney. 

Thomas  Smith  Harney  was  born  in  Cam- 
den County,  North  Carolina,  and  was  a  mas- 
ter mariner,  sailing  on  inland  waters.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  62  years.  His  wife,  who  was 
lx)rn  in  Currituck  County.  North  Carolina,  died 
at  the  age  of  48  years.  They  had  five  children, 
four  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely :  Selby 
Augustus,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Capt. 
George  W. ;  Mrs.  Lurania  Morgan;  and  Mrs. 
Carrie  E.  Zoeller.     William  is  deceased. 

•  Captain  Harney  received  his  mental  train- 
ing in  his  native  county,  and  in  the  public 
scbo<.l-,  of  Elizabeth  City,  whither  his  parents 
had  removed.  At  the  age  of  15  years  he  began 
steamboatin,g  as  a  mail  agent,  and  followed 
that  occupation  for  three  years.  He  was  in 
the  coast  survey  service  for  three  jears,  sail- 
ing the  waters  from  Maine  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  anil  up  the  Mississippi  Ri\er  as  far 
as  Vicksburg.  He  became  connected  with  the 
Old  Dominion  Steamship  Company  October 
30,  1882,  and  has  remained  in  the  service  of 
that  company  up  to  the  present  time.     He  w-as 


promoted  to  be  a  master  at  the  age  of  21  years, 
and  has  had  command  of  the  following  ves- 
sels: "I*jiter])rise,"  "Luray,"  "Ham])ton 
Roads."  "Xantasket."  and  "Hampton,"  of 
which  he  became  captain  in  April.  1901. 

Captain  Harnev  married  Mamie  M.  South- 
all,  who  was  born  in  Smithlield,  Virginia,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  T.  H.  Southall.  who  represents 
an  old  family  of  Virginia.  The  Captain  and 
his  wife  have  two  children,  namely :  Cather- 
ine ^^3ore  and  Sally  Southall.  Captain  Har- 
nev is  a  member  of  the  following  fraternal  or- 
ganizations :  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  K.  of  P. ;  B.  P. 
O.  E. ;  Royal  Arcanum  ;  Knights  of  the  Mystic 
Chain ;  Old  Dominion  F'enevolent  .Association ; 
and  a  social  club  at  Ham])ton,  called  "Pow- 
hatan." 

Captain  Harney  makes  his  home  in  Hamp- 
ton, where  he  has  a  host  of  well-wishing 
friends.  His  record  as  a  captain  is  excellent, 
and  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  employers 
and  those  who  are  beneath   h.im   in   rank. 


LLIS  A.  JENKINS,*  a  well-known 
educator  of  Portsmouth.  Virginia, 
is  principal  of  the  Portsmouth  High 
School  and  supervisor  of  the 
schools  of  the  second  district  of 
the  citv.  He  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  Se])tem- 
t)er  24.  i860,  and  comes  of  a  prominent  family 
of  Xorfolk  County.  He  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
Jenkins,  and  a  grandson  of  Jethro  A.  Jenkins, 
a  native  of  Portsmouth,  and  one  of  the  incor- 
porators of  what  is  now  the  Seaboard  .\ir  Line 
Railway,  with  which  he  was  identified  until 
its  first  reorganization. 

John  S.  Jenkins  was  born  at  Portsmouth 
and  was  graduated  from  the  law  department  of 
the  University  of  Virginia.  He  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  law.  first  as  a  member  of  the  firm 
of  Stubb  &  Jenkins,  and  later  alone.  He  was 
a  Union  man  in  princiole.  and  wrote  articles 
against  secession.  Thus  he  remained  until  V^ir- 
ginia  seceded,  and  then  he  went  with  his  State. 


I032 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


He  was  a  member  of  the  4th  Regiment,  Vir- 
ginia Infantry,  and  was  killed  in  Pickett's 
charge  at  Gettysburg,  being  one  of  those  to 
cross  the  stone  wall.  He  held  the  rank  of  ad- 
jutant and  was  31  years  of  age  when  he  died. 
He  married  IMiss  Haro-rove,  a  daughter  of 
W.  W.  Hargrove,  who  operated  a  stage  line 
between  Portsmouth  and  Sufiff)lk,  his  home  be- 
ing at  Hargrove's  Tavern,  Poplar  Grove.  Mr. 
Hargrove  was  in  the  Mexican  \^'ar,  and  died 
soon  after  its  close.  As  a  result  of  their  union 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins  had  two  sons,  Willis  A. 
and  John  S.,  who  was  born  July  9,  1862,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Boone  &  Jen- 
kins, of  Norfolk.  At  the  close  of  the  Con- 
federate War,  Mrs.  Jenkins  opened  the  Ports- 
mouth Seminary  for  Young  Ladies,  which  she 
conducted  for  a  period  of  30  years.  It  was  a 
well-conducted  institution,  and  the  average  at- 
tendance was  from  80  to  90  pupils.  Mrs. 
Jenkin's  maintained  this  seminary  until  the 
early  "nineties,"  when  it  was  turned  over  tO 
Miss  Bain,  who  sold  it  to  Miss  Holladay.  It 
is  not  now  in  operation.  Mrs.  Jenkins  has  al- 
ways been  a  woman  of  afifairs,  and  has  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters.  She 
has  been  president  of  the  United  Daup-hters  of 
Confederacy,  and  is  president  of  the  Ports- 
mouth Students'  Club.  She  is  broad-minded 
and  well  educated,  and  has  traveled  extensively 
in  Europe. 

Willis  A.  Jenkins  attended  his  mother's 
school  until  Le  was  14  years  of  age,  and  then 
entered  Phillips'  Military  Academy,  which  was 
conducted  by  C.  T.  Phillips,  now  clerk  of  the 
court.  He  remained  in  that  institution  two 
years  and  then,  in  1876,  went  to  William  and 
Mary  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  in 
1878,  at  the  age  of  18  years:  he  is  one  of  the 
youngest  graduates  of  that  institution.  In 
1890  he  took  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts. 
After  1878  he  was  engaged  in  teaching,  with 
his  mother,  for  several  years,  and  then  be- 
came assistant  bookkeeper  for  Hymans  & 
Dewey.      He   traveled   in   the   South   for   one 


year,  and'  then  for  the  followinp-  year  sold  bit- 
ters, etc.,  for  Hodgeman,  Spencer  &  Company. 
He  next  returned  to  the  institution  conducted 
by  his  mother,  and  taught  for  a  few  months. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance business  with  John  L.  Watson  about  one 
year.  In  October,  1887,  John  W.  Young,  prin- 
cipal of  the  fourth  district  school,  at  Ports- 
mouth, died  and  Mr.  Jenkins  was  elected  as  his 
successor,  taking  charge  in  December,  1887. 
In  September,  1888,  he  was  elected  to  his  pres- 
ent position  as  princinal  of  the  Portsmouth 
High  School,  and  supervisor  of  the  second  dis- 
trict schools.  He  has  also  been  very  active  in 
normal  school  work.  For  two  years  he  was  an 
instructor,  appointed  by  the  State  Board  of 
Education  and  for  the  past  10  years  he  has 
been  associate  manarrer  of  the  Virginia  Sum- 
mer School  of  Methods,  together  with  E.  C. 
Glass,  superintendent  of  the  Lynchburg  (A''ir- 
ginia)  school.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Portsmouth  Business  Men's 
Association. 

Mr.  Jenkins  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Dews,  who  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Duras  C.  Dews,  and  they  have 
had  five  children,  namelv :  Herndon ;  Marga- 
ret V..;  Willis  A.,  Jr.,  deceased;  Julius  Dews; 
and  Winbourne.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


/ 


LBERT  STAHL*  is  a  gentleman  who 
needs  no  introduction  to  the  citizens 
of  Norfolk  County.  His  record  of 
public  service  as  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  of  Norfolk,  and  his  two 
thriving  business  hnuses  in  that  city,  have 
brought  him  prominently  before  the  public  as 
a  man  worthy  of  the  highest  respect  and  es- 
teem. He  is  a  practical  decorator  and  dealer 
in  wall  paper,  at  No.  253  Church  street,  and 
also  at  No.  102  Granby  street. 

Mr.    Stahl   was   born   in   Sandusky,   Ohio, 
Julv   19,   1857.      His  parents  moved  to  Balti- 


AND   REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1033 


more.  Maryland,  shortly  after  the  Confederate 
War  and  there  he  was  reared  and  educated. 
He  learned  the  art  of  decorating  in  March. 
1873,  and  since  then  has  been  engaged  in  that 
line  of  business.  He  has  traveled  extensively 
throughout  the  counlrv.  princijially  xn.'^iting 
the  larger  cities,  where  he  followed  his  profes- 
sion. He  IcKated  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  in 
1885  and  engaged  in  the  wall  paper  and  decor- 
ating business.  Beginning  in  a  small  and  un- 
pretentious manner,  his  business  has  grown 
}ear  by  year  until  his  establishment  is  now  un- 
rivaled in  the  city.  Of  his  two  places  the  one  at 
Xo.  253  Church  street  was  first  started,  and  car- 
ries a  larger  and  more  general  stcxrk  than  the 
other.  The  business  at  No.  102  Granby  street 
is  new.  and  very  exclusive  in  the  stock  carried, 
which  is  a  superb  line  of  the  latest  and  newest 
<lesigns  in  foreign  and  domestic  paper  hang- 
ings. As  a  practical  decorator  Mr.  Stahl  is 
considered  one  of  the  best  in  the  South,  and 
specimens  of  his  work  may  be  found  in  the  At- 
lantic Hotel,  the  Marine  Bank  and  in  many 
of  the  private  residences  in  Norfolk. 

Mr.  Stahl  has  always  been  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  the  Democratic  narty  but  never  en- 
tered actively  into  politics  prior  to  1898.  when 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  City  Couiicil 
trim  the  First  Ward.  He  has  ever  been  an  en- 
thusiastic achocate  of  all  measures  calculated 
to  lienefit  and  develon  the  city,  and  has  been 
particularly  active  in  improving  the  public 
schools  of  Norfiilk.  and  the  streets  of  the  cit)'. 
He  also  rendered  efficient  service  for  two  vears 
as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Fire  Commis- 
sioners. 

Albert  Stahl  is  married  and  has  ime  son, 
and  with  his  family,  attends  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Atlan- 
tic Lodge.  No.  2, 'a.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Norfolk 
United  Chajner,  No.  i.  R.  A.  M. ;  Grice  Com- 
mandery.  No.  16,  K.  T. :  Acca  Temple,  A.  A. 
O.  X.  M.  S. :  Norfolk  Lodge.  Xo.  s^.  B.  P.  O. 
E. ;  Lodge  Xo.  228,  Royal  Arcanum  ;  Impro\ed 
Order  f)f  Red  Men  ;  Golden  Chain  ;  and  Ancient 


Order  of  United  \\'orkmen.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Business 
Men's   Association,   of   Xorfolk. 


11.  McLFAX*,  who  is  master  boat- 
1  milder  at  the  Xorfolk  Xavy  Yard. 
was  bom  in  Portsmouth,  in  1833.  He 
is  a  son  of  R.  and  l-:iizal)eth  P.  ( Tut- 
ton)  McLean. 
R.  McLean  was  a  native  of  Maryland  and 
removed  to  Portsmouth  in  1828.  He  was  a 
stone-mason  by  trade,  and  was  one  of  a  num- 
ber who  went  to  Fortress  Monroe  to  build  the 
fort.  At  the  completion  of  that  work  he  moved 
to  Portsmouth  to  build  the  stone  dry  dock  at 
the  Gosixirt  Xavy  Yard.  The  dock  was  com- 
pleted in  1833  and  Mr.  McLean  worked  on  it 
until  his  death  in  1832.  He  was  but  ^^  years 
old  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  died 
in  Baltimore  in  1881.  Of  five  sons  born  to 
them  but  one  is  now  living. 

R.  H.  McLean,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
went  to  Washington  after  his  father's  death. 
He  remained  there  but  a  short  time,  when  he 
moved  to  Portsmouth.  There  he  received  his 
mental  training,  partly  in  the  old  Portsmouth 
Academy  and  later  in  the  public  school.  He 
was  ajiprenticed  as  a  boat-builder  at  Norfolk, 
under  Richard  Vermillion.  He  completed  his 
apprenticeship  there  and  after  Mr.  Vermil- 
lion's death  went  to  work  at  the  Navy  Yard  as 
a  mechanic,  under  Thomas  Johnson,  now  de- 
ceased. That  was  in  1854,  and  he  continued 
at  that  work  until  1873,  when  he  was  appointed 
master  lx)at-builder  to  fill  the  vacancy  made  by 
the  resignation  of  William  Hitchings.  With 
the  exception  of  four  years,  during  which  time 
he  was  engaged  in  the  grocer}^  business  he  has 
since  continued  in  the  capacity  of  master  boat- 
builder.  All  of  the  vessels  made  and  repaired 
in  the  X-avy  Yard  are  under  Mr.  McLean's 
supervision.  He  now  has  56  men  under  his 
charge,  probably  three  times  as  many  as  when 


I034 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


he  first  accepted  the  position  of  master  boat- 
builder.  Mr.  McLean  is  held  in  high  esteeiji 
by  those  above  and  below  him  in  rank,  and  is 
highly  commended  for  his  excellent  workman- 
ship. 

He  was  married,  in  Portsmouth,  to  a 
daughter  nf  William  Pettit,  of  Alexandria, 
Virginia.  She  died  in  1900,  leaving  six  chil- 
dren, namely:  Charles;  George;  Rosa 
(Loach)  ;  Lulu  (Tavlor)  of  Norfolk:  Fannie; 
and  Delia  (Dempsey).  of  Portsmouth.  Mr. 
McLean  has  resideel  on  4th  street,  in  South 
Portsmouth,  for  the  past  30  years.  He  is  a 
Republican  in  jjolitics.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  the  oldest  charter  member 
of  Portsmouth  Lodge,  No.  16,  K.  of  P.  He  is 
a  member  of  W'right  Memorial  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  of  whicli  he  is  a 
steward  and  trustee. 

o  ■  » \ 


YCURGUS  BERKLEY,*  an  extensive 

real   estate,    fire  and    life    insurance 

dealer,  of   Berkley,   Norfolk  County, 

\'irginia,  was  born  in  Berkley  August 

15-   1855.     He  is  a  son  of  Lycurgus 

and  Eliza  A.   (Middleton)   Berkley. 

Lycurgus  Berkley,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Fairfax  County,  Virginia,  near  Fairfax  Court 
House.  For  many  ^■ears  he  was  a  wholesale 
dealer  in  dry  goods  and  notions  in  Norfolk. 
He  disposed  of  that  business  and  removed  to 
Berkley,  which  city  takes  his  name.  He  turned 
his  attention  to  real  estate  and  to  developing 
the  town.  He  was  a  prominent  man  in  Nor- 
folk County,  and  in  fact  was  known  through- 
out Virginia,  and  the  Carolinas.  He  was  one 
whose  life  was  actuated  in  everything  he  did 
by  noble  purpose  and  purity  of  motive.  Char- 
itable, genial  and  courteous,  he  won  hosts  of 
friends  by  reason  of  his  many  acts  of  kindness, 
antl  by  always  lending  a  helping  hand  to  those 
in  need.  He  was  particularly  interested  in 
young  men  who  were  just  starting  out  in  busi- 
ness life,  and  always  gave  them  good  advice 
and  his  assistance.     He  took  but  little  interest 


in  politics,  but  liked  to  see  good  men  at  the 
head  of  the  government.  He  gave  $500  to  each 
of  the  religious  denominations  in  Berkley,  and 
a  building  site  to  the  Baptist  and  the  Pres- 
byterian churches ;  he  also  offered  the  same  to 
the  Catholics,  but  thev  were  not  able  to  erect 
a  building  on  the  site.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  age  of  52  years.  He  married  Eliza  A. 
Middleton,  who  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of 
65  years.  She  is  a  prominent  worker  in  Alem- 
orial  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and 
a  woman  of  many  admirable  traits  of  character. 
Four  children  resulted  from  her  union  with 
Mr.  Berkley,  namely:  John  IMiddleton,  who 
is  active  in  politics,  is  now  a  member  of  the 
Town  Council,  and  was  second  mayor  of  Berk- 
ley, after  its  incorporation ;  Lycurgus,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch :  iNLartha  P.  S.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  20  years;  W'averly  D.,  a  dealer 
in  furniture,  stoves  and  tinware,  in  Berkley, — 
he  is  vice-president  of  the  Merchants'  &  Plant- 
ers' Bank,  and  also  president  of  the  Berkley 
Building  &  Loan  Asoociation,  the  first  concern 
of  its  kind  in  the  town. 

Lycurgus  Berkley,  whose  name  opens  these 
lines,  was  a  student  in  Randolph-Macon  Col- 
lege, which  he  left  in  his  intermediate  year.  He 
returned  to  his  home,  and  entered  the  whole- 
sale dry  goods  business  with  liis  father.  Later, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  J.  W.  Hunter,  the 
firm  name  reading  J.  W.  Hunter  &  Company. 
He  remained  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Hunter 
for  two  years,  when  he  sold  his  interest  in  the 
business,  and  removed  to  Berkley,  in  June. 
1900.  He  then  engaged  in  the  real  estate,  fire 
and  life  insurance  business,  in  which  he  has 
been  very  successful.  He  is  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  business  ability,  honest  and  up- 
right in  all  his  dealings,  and  has  won  the  con- 
fidence and  respect  of  all  who  come  in  contact 
with  him,  either  in  a  business  or  social  way. 
He  is  vice-president  of  the  Business  Men's  Ex- 
change and  Board  of  Trade,  treasurer  of  the 
Atlantic  Permanent  Building  &  Loan  Associa- 
tion, and  holds  other  responsible  positions  in 
various  other  business  enterprises. 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1035 


Mr.  Berkley  was  married  in  October.  1S74. 
to  Mary  E.  Wicks,  wlio  is  a  native  of  Norfolk, 
X'irginia,  and  a  dauijliter  of  Capt.  Edward  F. 
Wicks.  Captain  Wicks  and  liis  wife  are  botli 
deceased.  Tliree  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  Berkley  and  his  wife,  namelv :  Martha, 
deceased  at  the  age  of  19  years ;  Lucille,  a  grad- 
uate of  Mary  XVashington  College,  with  the 
class  of  1901  ;  and  Alice  Hunter.  Mr.  Berk- 
ley and  his  wife  are  members  of  Memorial 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South,  and  the 
former  is  steward  and  treasurer  for  the  board 
of  stewards.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Knrghts 
of  Pythias  and  Royal  Arcanum,  being  collector 
for  the  latter  organization. 


EXJ.\^nX  F.  McHORXEY,*  who  is 
ca])tain  on  the  vessel  "Belle  Hortun," 
which  plies  between  Newport  News 
and  SewelFs  Point,  was  born  in  Cur- 
rituck County.  North  Carolina,  No- 
vember 17,  1874.  He  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Jennie  ( Woodhouse)   ^McHorney. 

Benjamin  McHorney  was  a  steamboat  cap- 
tain in  his  younger  days,  but  later  in  life  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  died  when 
his  son,  Benjamin  F.,  was  but  four  years  old. 
In  politics,  he  was  a  Democrat.  His  widow, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Jennie  Woodhouse, 
was  a  native  of  Currituck  County,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  is  now  living  in  Norfolk,  aged  52 
years.  She  is  a  member  of  the  ^Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  Siiuth.  Five  children  were  the 
offspring  of  this  union,  namely  :  Walton,  Man- 
liff  and  Samuel,  deceased;  Walter,  who  is  cap- 
tain of  the  steamboat  "Teddy,"  and  lives  in 
Norfolk:  and  Benjamin  F.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch. 

Benjamin  F.  McHorney  had  very  meager 
educational  advantages.  His  slight  schooling 
was  received  at  the  O.xford  Orphan  Asylum,  in 
O.xford.  North  Carolina.  He  went  on  the 
water  at  the  age  of  14  years,  and  suffered 
many  hardships,  being  ill   treated,   and   ship- 


wreckeil  three  times.  He  was  cabin  boy  on  an 
ocean  liner,  which  was  owned  by  the  .Merritt 
\\'recking  Comi)any.  Subsequently  he  was 
employed  on  a  sailing  vessel  for  a  period  of  si.x 
years.  He  worked  liimself  up  from  cook  to 
seaman,  then  tcj  mate,  and  later  was  promoted 
to  the  position  of  captain.  Later,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  steamboating  on  several  different 
lines.  For  the  past  ei?ht  months  he  has  been  in 
the  employ  of  the  Norfolk  &  Atlantic  Terminal 
Company,  and.  as  before  stated,  is  captain  of 
that  company's  steamboat  "Belle  Horton," 
which  plies  between  Newjjort  News  and  Sew- 
ell's  Point.  He  is  a  good  seaman,  and  is  held 
in  high  esteem  by  his  emi)loyers  and  the  mem- 
bers of  his  craft. 

Mr.  McHorney  lives  with  his  mother  in 
Norfolk.  He  is  a  member  of  Harmony  Lodge, 
No.  19.  Indei>endent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  Progressive  Harbor,  No.  9,  Association  of 
Pilots  and  Masters  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the 
L'nited  States.    In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


ORACE  G.  MUXDEN*,  who  is  .sec- 
ond captain  on  the  steamboat  "Belle 
Horton,"  which  plies  between  Xew- 
port  News  and  Sewell's  Point,  was 
born  at  Neuse  River,  North  Caro- 
lina, in  1875.  He  is  a  son  of  Da\is  and  Mary 
F.  (Carroll)  Munden. 

Davis  Munden  was  a  native  of  North  Caro- 
line, and  for  many  years  was  an  oyster  packer. 
He  was  a  blockade  runner  during  the  Confeil- 
erate  War.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin F.  and  Mary  Carroll.  She  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  1896,  aged  56 
years.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Davis 
Munden  antl  his  wife,  namely:  Albert,  an  en- 
gineer on  the  tug  "Piedmont"  at  Xorfolk: 
Jane,  who  married  Ernest  Mason,  a  policemaii. 
of  X'orfolk :  Sarah,  deceased;  Charles,  who  is 
with  the  Olive  Wait  Oyster  Company;  Xettic, 
the  wife  of  John  Stringer  of  X'orfolk;  Julia, 
who  married  T.  J.  Ewell ;  Davis  R..  who  lives 
in  Elizabeth  City,  and  is  engaged  in  mercantile 


I036 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


pursuits;  James  L..  of  Norfolk,  who  is  captain 
of  the  steamboat  "Matthews;"  and  Horace  G., 
the  subject  of  this  sketcli. 

Horace  G.  ^lunden  attended  the  pubHc 
schools  at  Atlantic  Citv,  and  after  leaving 
school  worked  in  a  mill  for  a  short  time.  He 
then  went  on  the  water  for  the  Merritt  Wreck- 
ing Company,  working  as  cook  and  deck-hand. 
His  next  work  was  steamboating  for  John  H. 
Cannon  &  Company,  with  whom  he  remained 
i8  months.  He  was  deck-hand  on  the  "Vik- 
ing," and  also  held  that  position  on  several 
other  vesels.  He  received  his  pilot's  license  in 
1897,  after  which  he  was  mate  on  the  "Suc- 
cess," for  three  months.  He  was  captain  of 
the  "Sylph"  two  months,  and  then  went  on  the 
tug  "Lambert's  Point."  and  later  on  the  tug 
"Philadelphia,"  of  which  he  was  first  officer. 
While  on  the  tug  "Portsmouth,"  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  captain,  after  which,  in 
September,  1900,  he  entered  the  service  of  the 
Norfolk  &  Atlantic  Terminal  Company.  He  is 
now  filling  the  position  of  second  captain  of  the 
steamboat  "Belle  Horton,"  and  is  considered 
one  of  the  most  capable  men  on  that  vessel. 

Mr.  IMunden  is  a  Democrat  in  politics.  He 
is  well  known  and  highlv  esteemed  among  sea- 
faring men,  and  possesses  many  good  traits  of 
character. 


H.  WHITE,*  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Portsmouth,  Virginia,  at  the  date  of 
this  writing  was  superintendent  of 
the  Portsmouth  Gas  Company.  He 
was  born  in  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
hna,  in  1866. 

Mr.  White  was  reared  in  his  natal  city,  and 
is  a  graduate  of  tlie  South  Carolina  Military 
Academy.  After  graduation  he  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship as  a  machinist,  then  ran  on  the 
railroad  for  a  time.  He  was  next  employed  as 
a  draughtsman  by  the  South  Carolina  Rail- 
road Company,  and  subsequently  had  a  run  on 
that  road  for  a  short  time.  He  went  to  Macon, 
Georgia,  where,  in   1889.  he  became  superin- 


tendent of  a  gas,  electric  and  street  railway 
company,  and  afterward  went  to  Belleville,  Illi- 
nios,  where  he  rebuilt  a  plant,  of  which  he  took 
charge.  He  continued  in  that  city  until  Janu- 
ary, 1893,  when  he  came  to  Portsmouth,  Vir- 
ginia, and  assumed  the  position  of  superintend- 
ent of  the  Portsmouth  Gas  Company.  This 
concern  was  chartered  and  established  April 
17,  1854,  and  was  conducted  very  successfully 
for  a  number  of  years.  It  then  ceased  to  pay 
dividends,  but  since  Mr.  White  became  super- 
intendent, in  1893,  its  affairs  have  been  in  a 
healthy  and  prosperous  condition.  H.  L.  Watts 
was  the  treasurer  of  the  company,  and  Mr. 
White  later  acted  in  that  capacity  for  a  period 
of  three  years.  The  daily  capacity  of  the  plant 
has  been  increased  from  20,000  to  150,000  cu- 
bic feet,  and  the  equipment  is  of  the  later  pat- 
tern. There  are  about  850  consumers  in  the 
city  of  Portsmouth.  Mr.  White  has  entire  su- 
pervision of  all  work  outside  of  the  of^ce,  and 
has  charge  of  the  street  lighting.  In  the  streets 
there  are  84  lights,  14  being  conmiercial  lights 
of  2,000  candle  power.  The  gas  plant  is  at 
the  north  end  of  Green  street ;  and  is  equipped 
with  a  dynamo  and  other  modern  machinery. 
The  charter  was  renewed  in  February,  1884, 
when  the  electrical  plant  was  added,  granting 
the  privilege  of  lighting  Portsmouth  City  and 
Norfolk  County.  They  have  2-inch,  cast-iron 
mains  in  the  ground,  and  are  probably  the 
only  company   which  has  them. 

Mr.  White  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Voelker,  of  Belleville,  Illinois,  who  died 
August  21,  1894,  leaving  one  child,  Ann  Voel- 
ker, who  is  living  with  ]\Ir.  \Miite"s  mother,  in 
Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

Mr,  White  formed  a  second  marital  union 
with  Cyrena  White,  of  Portsmouth,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Littleton  White,  and  granddaughter  of 
John  K.  Cook,  one  of  the  prominent  residents 
of  this  county  in  his  day.  Three  children  were 
born  to  them,  namely:  Henry  H.,  Jr.,  who 
died  in  infancy:  Henry  H..  Jr.;  and  Cyrena. 
The  familv  residence  is  in  Park  View.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  \Miite  is  a  Democrat.     He  is  a  Ma- 


AND    REPRESENTATIVE   CITIZENS. 


1037 


son  and  a  member  of  the  Elks :  Heptasophs ; 
and  Royal  Arcanum.  Religiously  he  is  an 
Episcopalian,  whilst  his  wile  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


ILLIA^I  E.  BRUCE,*  a  well- 
known  farmer  of  Norfolk  County, 
\'irginia,  was  burn  on  his  present 
farm,  on  the  \\'estern  Branch  of 
the  Elizal^th  River,  May  15, 
1849.  ^^*^  '*  ^  SO"  '^^  William  A.  Bruce  of 
Norfolk  Coimty. 

William  E.  Bruce  attended  school  at 
Churchland,  and  early  in  life  began  farming. 
This  occupation  he  has  always  followed,  and 
has  made  his  home  on  the  farm  on  which  he 
was  born.  He  has  100  acres  of  finely  improxed 
trucking-  land,  and  also  carries  on  general 
farming.  In  this  he  has  met  with  more  than 
usual  success,  and  is  considered  one  of  the 
best  posted  farmers  in  his  section  of  the  coun- 
ty, ilr.  Bruce  is  a  good  citizen,  always  will- 
ing to  aid  in  any  worthy  enterprise. 

'Slv.  Bruce  married  Zue  Love,  who  died  in 
1882.  He  is  independent  in  politics.  Relig- 
iously, he  is  a  member  of  the  Churchland  Bap- 
tist Church. 


TlX-JAMIN      F.      WAINWRIGHT,* 

who  is  serving  as  first  officer  of  the 

steamer  "Ocean  \''iew."  was  born  in 

Salisluiry,   Maryland,   in    1873.     He 

is  a  son  of  Isaac  J.  and  Margaret  B. 

Wainwright,  who  were  natives  of  Maryland, 

and   are  now   living  in   Baltimore.      Isaac  J. 

Wainwright  is  a  retired  mariner. 

Benjamin  F.  \\"ainwright  attended  the 
schools  of  Salisbury,  and  after  leaving  school 
went  to  sea  as  cook.  He  continued  working  in 
that  capacity  for  six  years,  when  he  became 
mate,  and  sailed  on  several  different  vessels 
for  the  following  three  years.  He  began 
steamboating,  at  Norfolk,  in  1894,  as  deck- 
hand and  cook,  and  was  licensed  as  a  pilot  in 


1895.  His  first  vessel  was  the  "All)emarle," 
on  which  he  served  as  mate.  He  then  entered 
the  United  States  lighthouse  service  as  deck- 
hand, and  continued  thus  18  months.  For  the 
ne.xt  three  months,  he  acted  as  mate  on  the  tug 
"Willard,"  and  afterward  on  the  following 
tugs, — "Grace  Titus,"  "J.  S.  Hoskins,"  "Esh- 
erick"  and  "Cahill."  After  leaving  the  "Ca- 
hill,"  he  was  app<^inted  first  officer  of  the 
steamer  "Ocean  \'iew,'"  in  which  capacity  he 
is  now  serving.  He  is  an  expert  seaman,  and 
his  future  looks  verj-  promising. 

Mr.  Wainwright  is  a  memlier  of  the  Royal 
.\rcanum,  and  of  the  Ass<xiation  of  Pilots  & 
Masters  of  Steam  Vessels  of  the  United  States, 
Protective  Harbor,  No.  9. 


IRGIXIUS  L.  BACKUS.*  a  well-to- 
do  farmer  of  Lambert's  Point,  Nor- 
folk County,  Virginia,  and  one  of 
the  most  highly  esteemed  citizens  of 
that  place,  was  born  May  22,  1859, 
on  the  farm  which  he  now  owns  and  culti- 
vates. He  is  a  son  of  Richard  S.  Backus,  and 
a  grandson  of  Anthony  Backus. 

Richard  S.  Backus  was  born  on  the  same 
farm,  and  died  in  i88r,  aged  64  years.  He 
married  Anna  S.  Taylor,  who  was  Iwrn  in 
Norfolk  County,  and  they  reared  13  children, 
of  whom  nine  are  still  living,  namelv :  Jane 
W.;  Lydia:  Richard  S.,  Jr.:  William'H.  ;"Ben 
F. ;  Virginius  L. ;  Marv  D. ;  Amelia;  and 
Herbert  T. 

\'irginius  L.  Backus  owns  28  acres  of  land, 
on  which  he  lives.  He  also  owns  another  farm 
of  28 'i  acres.  In  addition  to  these,  he  has 
considerable  property  in  Norfolk  and  Newport 
News.  He  has  always  met  with  much  success 
in  farming,  and  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the 
best  agriculturists  in  Norfolk  County.  He 
takes  a  deep  interest  in  movements  which  pro- 
mote the  advancement  and  progress  of  his 
community,  and  willingly  gives  his  support  to 
any  worthy  enterprise. 

Mr.  Backus  was  married  in  1883  to  Mar- 


IO.S8 


HISTORY    OF    NORFOLK    COUNTY 


tha  Robertson,  who  was  bom  in  Norfolk 
County,  and  is  a  daughter  of  William  Robert- 
son. They  have  one  child.  Pearl  L.  Politi- 
cally, Mr.  Backus  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  L  O.  O.  F.  He  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South.  He  is 
well  known  in  Norfolk  County,  and  is  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all,  as  an  honest,  upright  cit- 
izen. 


i|ILUAAI  J.  LUKE,  a  storekeeper  at 
Berkley,  Virginia,  for  the  Norfolk 
&  Southern  Railroad  Company, 
has  proved  himself  worthy  tO'  fill 
that  position  by  his  promptitude 
and  unremitting  attention  to  his  business.  He 
was  born  in  Camden  County,  North  Carolina, 
March  19,  1871,  and  is  a  son  of  Col.  G.  G. 
and  Mary  (Wright)  Luke,  the  latter  a  native 
of  Camden  County,  who  is  now  an  honored 
resident  of  Berkley,  Virginia,  about  58  years 
of  age. 

Col.  G.  G.  Luke  was  an  attorney-at-law 
who  was  well  and  favorably  known,  stood  high 
as  a  worthy  and  enterprising  citizen  of  his 
community,  and  was  of  distinguished  ancestry. 
He  was  reared  in  Portsmouth,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  education  started  out  in  life  as  an 
attorney-at-law,  and  practiced  extensively  in 
the  First.  District  of  North  Carolina  for  many 
years.  He  served  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
52nd  Regiment,  North  Carolina  Infantry,  dur- 
ing the  Confederate  War,  until  taken  prisoner 
at  Hatteras,  when  he  was  taken  tO'  Washing- 
ton, and  afterward  to  Fort  Warren,  in  Boston 
harbor,  and  exchanged  after  six  or  eight 
months.  In  politics,  Colonel  Luke  was  an  ar- 
dent Democrat,  and  was  the  leader  of  his  party 
for  years  in  the  First  District  of  North  Caro- 
lina. He  served  in  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives as  petition  and  resolution  clerk,  during 
President  Cleveland's  administration.  In  fra- 
ternal circles  he  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  or- 
der. He  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal   Church.     Colonel   Luke 


departed  this  life  in  Berkley,  A'irginia,  but  was 
taken  to  Elizabeth  City,  North  Carolina,  for 
burial,  being  much  mourned  by  all  who-  knew 
him. 

^^'illiam  J.  Luke  is  the  eldest  of  seven  chil- 
dren, the  others  being, — Paul  B.,  a  yardmaster 
in  the  employ  of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern  Rail- 
road Company,  who  resides  at  Berkle)^;  Gran- 
ville G.,  a  machinist;  Lucinda  L.,  who  died  at 
the  age  of  13  years ;  Sallie;  Addie,  who  attends 
school;  and  Latham  Lewis. 

The  primary  education  of  \\'illiam  J.  Luke 
was  obtained  under  the  instruction  of  his 
father,  after  which  he  attended  the  academv  at 
Camden.  \\'hen  his  school  days  had  ended,  he 
departed  for  a  time  on  a  government  surveying 
tour,  which  lasted  nearly  two  years,  and  sur- 
veyed, in  1887-1888,  the  State  line  between 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  After  return- 
ing from  this  trip  he  surveyed  what  was  then 
the  Albemarle  &  Pantee'o  Railroad,  but  has 
since  become  known  as  the  Pamlico  Division 
of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern  Railroad.  This 
trip  consumed  six  months,  after  which  he  en- 
tered the  service  of  the  Norfolk  &  Southern 
Railroad  Company  as  brakeman.  He  contin- 
ued thus  for  seven  months,  at  which  time  he 
was  promoted  to  be  a  conductor-,  and  served  as 
such  satisfactorily  for  nine  years.  Mr.  Luke 
then  acted  as  yardmaster  at  Berkley  until 
March  14,  1900,  when  he  was  appointed  to 
take  charge  of  the  comoany's  store,  and  has 
held  that  position  since  then  with  great  credit 
to  himself. 

In  1893.  Air.  Luke  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Lillie  Maud  Holland,  a  native  of  Berkley, 
Virginia,  and  a  daughter  of  \\'illiam  N.  Hol- 
land, also  a  resident  of  that  town.  They  have 
one  child, — Mary  Gladys.  Mr.  Luke  attends 
St.  Thomas'  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
while  his  wife  attends  the  Berkley  Baptist 
Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors.  In 
every  way,  he  is  a  worthy,  upright  citizen,  and 
one  whO'  helps  to  give  character  to  a  com- 
munitv. 


irs:DE: 


PAGE 

Ackiss.  A.  1 1016 

AcWss.  H.  S 908 

Agelasto,    A.    N 531 

Agelasto,   P.   A 1015 

Alexander,  J.  W 596 

Allen.    N.    F 970 

Anderson.    H.    R 960 

Anderson.  J.   A..  Jr 917 

Arniistead,   J.    C 6.^4 

Arnii  stead.    R.    J 859 

Arm-lrong.    J.    D 1019 

Ashlmrn.   A.   H 879 

Ashley.   \V.    G 712 

Asliton.  J.   C 620 

Backus.    V.    L 1037 

Bain.    G.    McK 555 

Bain.   K.    A 616 

Baker.  Dr.  B.  M 978 

Baker.    G.    K 906 

Baker.   J.    A 907 

Baker.   R.   H 652 

Baker.  \V.  L 695 

Ballard.    J.    W 963 

Ballentine.    T.    R 577 

Banks.    Maj.   R.   G 990 

Barker.   Capt.   Isaiah 526 

Barlow,   E.   L 726 

Barlow,   R.    C 713 

Barnes.    R     T 963 

Beale.   Capt.   I.   H 848 

Beanian,   Xathaniel    .S89 

Bennett  Medicine  Company.  The  884 

Berkley.   Lycurgus  1034 

Berklev.   W.   L 959 

Betts.  .T.   \V 855 

Bew.   G.   A 831 

Bidgood.   C.    M 794 

Bidgood,  J.  W 871 

Bilisoly.   J.    L 592 

Billups.  H.   O loiS 

Black.    Ebenezer 718 

Black.-  Foster    568 

Blackwell.  J.  F.,  A.  M .=;89 

Bland.    C.    T 819 

BlassinKham.    J.    W 579 

Blick.   L.   T 828 

Bliven,   C.   H 7.^6 

Boaz.   Capt:   R.   B 737 

Bohannan.   W.   J 663 

Boole.   W.    T 929 


P.^GE 

Borinii.   Josiah    930 

Bowers,   Stephen    902 

Breese.  C.   P looi 

Brinkley,  H.   A 532 

Brittinghani.    W.    H 841 

Brooke.   Hon.   D.   T 8.^2 

Brooke.   R.   T 749 

Brooks.    R.    S 886 

Bruce.    E.    M 957 

Bruce,   W.    E 1037 

Bunch.  Capt.  J.  E 70S 

Bunting.  J.   L 959 

Bunting.    R.    P 874 

Burk.   M.   \V 7i7 

Burroughs.  J.   J 99' 

Burroughs,    S.    1 861 

Burroughs.  Hon.   \V.   H 996 

Butt.    A.    B 840 

Butt.    E.    A .S36 

Butt.   T.   W 877 

Butt;    Virginius    823 

Byrd.  O.  F..  D.  D.  S 9^4 

Camp.   Edward   693 

Capps.    Z.    B 874 

Carney.    S.    B 938 

Carney.    W.    B 717 

Carr.   Dr.   G.   H 913 

Carr.   J.    P 756 

Cashin,   T.   M 714 

Cason.    Capt.    J.    F 827 

Cassell.    Norman    5.s6 

Casteen.   J.   T 977 

Cheek.    W.    B 94i 

Childress.   A.    L 7S9 

Chiles.    Dr.   L.    R 1017 

Citizens    Bank.    The 627 

Clark.    F.    T 5.=;o 

Cohb.   C.   C 573 

Cole.    J.    E..... 747 

Coleinan.   C.   \V 555 

Conover.    W.    1 784 

Consolvo.    C.    H 1019 

Codd.    P.    C 9^1 

Cooke.    Hon.    M.    T 560 

Cooper.  J.   S 802 

Core.    J.    H 868 

Costenbader.  Dr.  J.  H 708 

Creecy.    D.    R 1014 

Crismond.   \V.    E 951 

Crocker.  Hon.   J.    F 561 


lAGE 

Crocker,    F.    L 566 

Cromwell,   Mrs.    Margaret 705 

Cromwell,  R.  T 508 

Crowell.   M.   fi 87S 

Crump.    R.    E 901 

Cruscr.   C.    M , 643 

Cruser,  J.   H 650 

Cutchin.    \V.    H 645 

Cuthriell.   A.   P 625 

Cutherell.    R.    D 842 

Dashiell.    E.    L 860 

Davidson,   J.    H 811 

Davis.   L.   H 890 

Dawes.  E.  E 998 

DeBaun.   J.    G 973 

DeBaun.   J.    Y 1005 

Denhv.   C.   P 883 

Dennis.   M.   W 788 

DeMuth.    S.    P 964 

Dickinson.  S.  T..  Jr 679 

Dobie.    R.    A 690 

Dodd.    R.   J 846 

Dole.  Capt.  I.  E 847 

Doughtie.  Dr.  C.  W 787 

Downing.   Capt.    G.    B 707 

Dovle.    W.    H 535 

Do'zier.    I.    R 749 

Dozier,   R.    M lo.W 

Drewrv.  Dr.  H.  R " 788 

Duke.    Hardv    759 

Duke.   Henrv   8f7 

Duke.  J.   E 801 

Duncan.   J.    F -. 695 

Dunn.    J.    T 595 

Dupuy.  Dr.   H.   R 530 

Earnest.  Capt.  C.  A 7.10 

Eastwood.   E.   R 1022 

Eastwood.   M.   D 65.S 

Eastwood.    W.    T 836 

Edwards.   G.    F 622 

Ellenor  &   .-Vrmentraut 9.^8 

Ethercdge.    H.    B 783 

Etheredge.   J.    S 70l 

Etheridge.  Dennis   649 

Etheridge.   Dr.   H.    S 672 

Face.   E.   \V 631 

Farland.  Rev.   Z.   S 014 

.  Fentress.    C.    W 696 


I040 


INDEX. 


Fentress,   R.   B 638 

Fiske,  W.  A 616 

Fitchett,   Capt.   W.    S 774 

Fletcher,  J.   C 878 

Forrest,    R.   L 549 

Freeman,  A.   C 1028 

Freitas,    J.    D 856 

Frick,  G.  A 761 

Furcron,  Dr.  W.  A 793 

Garnett,  Hon.  T.  S 607 

Garrett.  Rev.  R.   B 926 

Garv,    S.    W 778 

Gaskins,    D.    V 989 

Gibson,  B.   F 664 

Gill,    F.    D 561 

Glennan,   Michael   967 

Glover,   Capt.   H.   H 945 

Gordan.   Mrs.    Ida 681 

Grice,    Dr.   Joseph 639 

Griffin,    J.    T 711 

Griffin,    T.    B 855 

Grimes,  Dr.   W.  J 520 

Groner,    D.    L 609 

Groner,   Gen.  V.  D 610 

Groves,   J.    S 1027 

Guthrie,    J.    J 505 

Guy,   E.   E 750 

Guy,  H.   L 514 

Hall,   J.    E 676 

Hall.  J.  J 1025 

Hamilton,    J.    A 1024 

Hand,   S.   T gn 

Happer,  J.  W 573 

Hardy,   Caldwell   997 

Harney,   Capt.   S.   A 1031 

Harris.   W.    W 601 

Hart,    Francis    967 

Hart,   J.   N 885 

Herbert,  R.  L ....1020 

Herman,    H.    S 1025 

Hicks,  Hon.   R.  R 549 

Hillyer,   W.   L 735 

Hodges,    Caleb    933 

Hodges,  Mrs.  Eliza  .-V 865 

Hoggard.    H.    C 770 

Hoggard,  Thurmer    769 

Holland,  J.   T -.  .  .   912 

Holland.  John,   Jr 608 

Hope,  Dr.   F.   S 7^3 

Howell,    B.    F 567 

Hume,    C.    G 568 

Hume.   James    :  . . .   532 

Humphries.    T.    C 930 

Hutchins,    R.    A 805 

Hutchins,   S.    B 995 

Hutchings,   Willis    784 

Isaac,  E.   McC 626 

Ives,  J.  R.  &  Company 614 


Jackson,   O.   D 1021 

Jacocks,  J.  H 602 

Jeffers,    Hon.    Alinza 999 

Jenkins,   J.   B 694 

Jenkins,   W.   A 1031 

Jennings,  Mrs.  Mary  A ion 

Johnson,   Capt.   C.   H 831 

Johnson,    J.    M 672 

Johnson,    W.    B S51 

Johnson.  W.   S 676 

Johnson,  W.  P 862 

Johnston,  Hon.   C.  B 547 

Johnston,  Hugh    840 

Johnston,  Robert   879 

Johnston,   R.   M looi 

Jones,  B.  R.  &  Co 1005 

Jones,  Capt.  J.  J 1022 

Jones,    J.    W 814 

Jones,   L.    C 675 

Keeling,   Hon.  J.   M 652 

Keeling,    Capt.    M.    C 865 

Kegebein,  Capt.  J.  H 544 

Kerr,  J.  A 1000 

Kevill,    Thomas : 817 

Kilbv,  L.   C 633 

King,  J.   T 583 

King,  W.  E 1008 

Kingman,   L.    H 905 

Kirn.    Henry    723 

Krise.    A.    E. .  . .' 608 

Lamb.   Col.   William 517 

Land,   W.   H 914 

Land,  W.  J .'  789 

Lambeit,   Capt.   L.    W ^74 

Langhorne.   W.    S 885 

Larmour.  W.   G 934 

Lawler,   J.   F 1023 

Lesner.    John    872 

Levy,  Moe   717 

Lind--ay.    A.    H 957 

Lloyd.   S.    M 663 

Lowenberg.  D  992 

I  Lownsberv,  J.   D 867 

Luckett.   Capt.   W.   E 824 

Luke,   P.    B 852 

Luke,  W.  J 1038 

Marks.    B.    H 7-25 

Marshall.  R.   C 954 

Marshall.   W.    W 548 

^lartin.   G.   A 699 

Martin.   G.   G 923 

Maupin.  J.   F 603 

Mayer.    E.   L 689 

Mavnard.  Hon.  H.  L . .  .   6,^9 

Mayo.  W.   R 562 

Mc.\lpine.  Maj.  C.  R..  M.  D....   541 

McCarrick.  Capt.  T.  W 601 

McCulIough,   F.   W 694 


McCurdey,  N.  A.,  yi.  D 729 

McDonald,    R.    W 680 

McHorney,   B.   F 1035 

McLean,   R.   H 1033 

Merrill,   G.   W 661 

Michelsohn,   Adolph    743 

Miller,   Capt.   Goodson 586 

Miller,   F.   H 738 

Miller,  H.   G 767 

Miller,   I.   W 526 

Miller,  J.  T 783 

Minor,   W.   H 867 

Morgan,  Capt.  A.  D 706 

Morgan,  F.  M.,  M.  D y77 

Morrison,   Thomas  782 

Myers,    Maj.    A 615 

Munden,   H.   G 1035 

Nash,   C.    R 597 

Nash,  Col.  C.  A 556 

Nash,  H.  M.,  M.  D 523 

National   Bk.   of   Commerce,  The  947 

Neely,   R.   J 537 

Neville,    G.    L 835 

Nicholas,    L.    M 723 

Norfleet,  J'.  A.,  M.   D 958 

Nottingham,   F.   E 1018 

Nottingham  &  Wrenn  Co.,  The.   880 
Norfolk  Bank  for  Savings,  The.  995 

Ogg,  Archibald  900 

Old,  Capt.  W.  W 985 

Ottley,   J.   J 707 

Overman,    Edward    923 

Owen,  Rev.   .\.   E 578 

Pamplin,    N.    C 742 

Pannill,    S.    W 1007 

Parker,  G.  D.,  Jr 742 

Parks,   C.  W 92S 

Parlett.    C.    R 1107 

Peatross,   R.    W 883 

Peed.    J.    N 554 

Perkins,  Dr.  R.   S ' 952 

Pettis,    W.    G 719 

Phelps,   R.    M 978 

Phillips.   A.   J 613 

Phillips    &    Mahoney 890 

Phillips,   S.    C 1026 

Pinkerton,    F.    D 657 

Pitt,   J.    0 690 

Poulson,  H.   N 718 

Porter,  J.  W.  H 891 

Portloek,   F.   L .".....  811 

Portlock.  Hon.  W.  N 565 

Powell,  C.  E 806 

Powell,    G.    T 762 

PriddT,   C.   W 726 

Prince.'   J.    C 828 

Ramsay,    T.    N 1000 


INDEX. 


1041 


PAGE 

Randolph.   T.  J 550 

Ro.ld.    Dr.   J.   T 773 

Rcid.  J.   0 732 

Rhodes.   Capt.   J.    T 714 

Richardson.   Francis    1006 

Riddick.  Dr.  J.  G 918 

Riddick,    J.    J 650 

Robertson,  \V.   F 657 

Robinson,   C.   F 577 

Robinson,   J.   J 535 

Robinson,  \V.  H 872 

Rookafcller.    C.    W 702 

Roper,    J.    L 553 

Rt)per,   L.  J 649 

Rudd.  W.  S 646 

Rntter.  J.  \V 781 

Ryan,  M.   J 682 

Sale.   Col.   W.    W 812 

Samnions,   J.   H 735 

Sargcant,  W.  H..  Jr 544 

Savage.   Rev,   W.  V 556 

Sawyer,   Dr.  L.   L 583 

Schwarzkopf,   A.    B 998 

Scott.    \V.    T 731 

Shannon.    J.    H 687 

Sharp.  J.   H 667 

Sbrocdcr.    Charles 658 

Shnniadine.   W.   F 519 

Silvester.  L.   McD 626 

Simmons.   Capt.   J.   \V 744 

Simpson.  W.  W 664 

Slavmaker.   .\.   B 969 

Sm-th.  .-v.   1 7.^8 

Snrth.   O.    V^ 760 

Smith,  W.   F 6.^7 

Smothers.  T.  A 782 

Sonth.eate.   Capt.   T.  M 102.3 

Sontbsate.  T.  S.  X:  Co 1018 

Snalding.    Hon.    Edward 989 

Snratley.    W.    S 743 

Stahl     .Albert 10^2 

Steele.    J.    T 777 

Stewart.  C.  A 61  ^ 

Stewart.  R.  A..  M.  A..  Ph.  D...  651 


PAGE 

Stewart,   R.    E.   B 580 

Stewart,  Col.  W.  H sii 

Stokes.    W.    H ^ 

Stroud,    .A.    T 1002 

-Svkcs.   Bascom    S72 

Sykes,    \V.    T 889 

Tapley,   Capt.    I.    W 637 

Taylor,   Col.   G.   W 595 

Taylor.    R.    B 871 

Taylor,   Hon.   Tazewell 702 

Taylor.  William    73^ 

Tazewell.    L.    \V 

Tebanlt,   C.   \V 

Thomson.  Rev.   A.   C 


584 
884 
919 

1  hompson,   G.    L 925 

Tillcy,  G.  T. 


.^84 

1  illcv.    E.    M 720 

Todd,  D.   \V 1C02 

Toomer.  J.  H 590 

Trant,    G.    R 725 

Trice.    H.    H 693 

Trotman.    H.    L 814 

Tunis.    M.    M 83., 

Tunstall.    Dr.    .Mexander 945 

Tunstall.   R.   B 537 


Vanderberry.    Thomas 525 

Van  Patten.  I.  T ^72 

Venable,   W.    H 656 


:  Waddy.  Col.  J.  R 571 

I  VVainwright.    B.    F 1037 

I  Wainwright.    R.    .\ !0i6 

IWalke.  Dr.  F.  A 610 

Walke.   W.   T 748 

Walker.    C.    W 707 

Waring,    Laurence 880 

Warner,  .A,   E 616 

Warren.  D.   W 741 

I  Warren.    J.    J 7AA 

Warren.   W.   E 824 

■  Waters.    T     H 1030 


PAGE 

Watson,   J.    L 562 

Watts,   H.   L 724 

Watts.   Hon.   L.    R 529 

Webber.  Capt.  J.  S 866 

West,   W,    A 941 

Wheeler.    E.    F 598 

White,   Capt.   E,   V 979 

White,  J.  C 859 

White,    H.    H ,036 

White.   W.   H 980 

Whitehead,    J.    B 793 

Wliitehurst,  A.  J 845 

Whitehurst,   Hon.    F.   M 609 

Wilder.    W.    B 918 

Wilcox,   F.    E .' ()99 

Wilkins,  E.  B 9'>o 

Wilkins,   H.    B 787 

VV'ilkins,  Dr.  T.  H 954 

Williams,   Dr.   C.   G 929 

Williains,    J.    \ 538 

Williams    T.   A 945 

Williams,  W.  V.   H 983 

Williamson,  J.   McC 778 

Williamson.  J.  T 873 

Willis,   Capt.   E.    B 813 

Willis.  John.   Jr 688 

Wilson,    A.    K 621 

Wilson,    R.    S 905 

Winningder,   Thomas    970 

Wise,  J.   S 794 

Wise,    W.    F 798 

Wolcott,  H.   K 1027 

Woodhouse.  G.   H.   H 839 

Wood,  Capt.  F.  M 706 

Wood,  Capt.  J.  D 948 

Wood,  J,   W 920 

Wood,  Dr.   W.   K 937 

Wood,    R.    E 8"i8 

Woodsend.  C.  J , 841 

Wool,   T.   J 5^9 

Wrcnn,    C.    0 848 

Wright.  J.  S..  Jr 790 

Wright,  Dr.  T.  J 977 

Young.   J.   I.      Sr  754 


Portraits 


PAGE 

.•Mien,  Capt.  E.  A loio 

.Anderson.  J.   A..  Jr 916 

.Armory.  Citv  Office  and  Market 

Building.  Xorfolk.  Va 324 

.Armory    and    Market    Building, 

Portsmouth.   Va 268 

Ballard.  J.  W 962 

Ballentine.  T.  R 577 

"Banner  of  the  Old  Dominion".  2 

Beaman.    Xathanicl 588 


I 


Bew.    G.    .A 8^0 

Bidgood.    J.    W 870 

Boole.  W.  T 928 

Bruce.  E.   M 956 

Butt.  T.   W 876 

Butt,  Virginius   822 


Camp,  Edward   692 

Carney.  W.  B 716 

Cason,  Capt.  J.   F 826J   Confederate 

Cheek,    W.    B 940       mouth.   Va 


City  Court  House.  Norfolk.  Va.    181 
Citv  Hall  and  V.  S.  Post  Office. 

Portsmouth,  Va   392 

Codd,   P.   C 950 

Cole.  J.   E 746 

Colonial   House  built    by    Willis 

Wilkins  in   1744 — Deep  Creek.     24 
Confederate      Monument,     Xor- 
folk.  Xd    142 

Monument.     Ports 


145 


1042 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Cromwell,    Mrs.    Margaret 704 

Criiser,    C.    M 642 

Ctithriell,    A.    P 624 

DeBaun.  J.   G 97^ 

Denby.   C.    P 882 

Destruction    of    tlie    "Virginia," 

May    nth.    1862 85 

Dickinson.  S.   T..  Jr 678 

Downing.  J.  H 1004 

Doyle.    W.    H 534 

Duke.  Hardy   758 

Duke.   Henrv   S16 

Duke.    J.    E 800 

Eastwood.   M.   D 654 

Entrance  to  the  Norfolk  County 

Ferries   at    Portsmouth.   Va...  268 
Etheridge,   Dennis    648 

Face.  E.   W 630 

First  Court  House  owned  by  the 

Borough    of    Norfolk 24 

Flags  and   Great   Seal  of  a   Na- 
tion  tliat   Fell 132 

Garnett,   Hon.   T.   S 606 

Gaskins.    D.   V 98S 

Glennan,  Michael   966 

Glover,   Capt.   H.   H 944 

Griffin,    J.    T 710 

Griffin,   T.    B 854 

Guns    taken    from    the    Spanish 
Cruiser   ".\lniirante    Oquendo" 

in  Navy  Yard 460 

Guthrie,  Capt.  J.  J 504 

Hand.   S.  T 910 

High    School    Building,   Norfolk, 

Va 366 

High     School     Building,     Ports- 
mouth,   Va 392 

Hodges,    Caleb    932 

Homestead  of   Kader  Talbot   on 

Tanner's  Creek   24 

Hope.   Dr.   F.    S 752 

Hospital    St.    Vincent    de    Paul. 

Norfolk,    Va    207 

Hutchins.    R.    .\ 804 

Hutchins,  S.  B 994 

Jennings.   ^Trs.   Mary  Allen ion 

Jones.   L.   C 674 

Johnson.    W,    B     850 

Johnston.   Hon.   C.   R ■.  . .   546 


PAGE 

Keeling,  Capt.  M.  C 864 

Kingman.    L.    H 904 

Kirn,    Henry    722 

Lake   Drummond   in   the   Dismal 

Swamp    168 

Lamb,   Col.    William 516 

Mansion  House  on  the  Planta- 
tion of  Col.   William   Craftird, 

at    Swimming   Point 168 

Martin,   A.    H 6g8 

Mary    F.    Ballentine    Home    for 

the  Aged,   Norfolk,  Va 254 

Mc.\lpine,  Maj.  C.  R..  M.  D....   540 

McCarrick.  Capt.  J.   W 600 

McCurdej-,  N.  A.,  M.  D 7-'8 

"Merrimac,"  destroyed  at  the 
burning  of  the   Norfolk   Navy 

Yard,  .April  19th,  1861 85 

"Merrimac"  in  dry  dock,  being 
converted  into  .the  iron  bat- 
tery "Virginia"   8s 

Merrill,    G.    W 660 

.Miller.  H.  G 766 

Morgan,  F.  M.,  M.  D 776 

Nash.  H.  M.,  M.  D , 5^^ 

Norfolk  .Academy,  Norfolk.  Va.    181 
Norfolk    County    Court     House, 
Portsmouth,  Va   392 

Old  Marine  Hospital  Building, 
(now  Rylan  Institute,  Berkley 
Va.)    48 

Overman,  Edward  922 

Phillips,    A.   J '612 

Plantation  Home  of  Solomon 
Butt  Talbot  on  Tanner's  Creek     24 

Portlock,    F.    L 809 

Portlock.    Franklin    808 

Portlock,   Hon.   W.    N 564 

Redd.   Dr.   J.    T 772 

Reprint  of  a  Map  of  the  Battle- 
ground of  Hampton  Roads...  74 

Roper,  J.   L 552 

Rutter,  J.  W 780 

Sammons.  J.    H 734 

Sawyer,   Dr.  L.   L 582 

Shannon,   J.   H 685 

Shannon,   Thomas    '.  .   684 

Sharp,    J.    H 666 


PAGE 

Spanish  Cruiser,  "Reina  Merce- 
des,"    in     the     Simpson     Dry 

Dock    460 

Stern-Plate    of    U.    S,    S.    "San 

Francisco"    • 460 

Stewart,  Lieut.-Col.W.  H.(i862)  510 

Stewart,   Col.   W.  H 12 

St.    Paul's    Protestant    Episcopal 

Church,   Norfolk,   Va 207 

Sykes,  W.  T 888 

Tapley,  Capt.  L  W 636 

Taylor,   Col.   G.   W 594 

Trinity       Protestant       Episcopal 

Church,    Portsmouth,    Va 392 

Tunis,  AL  M 834 

U.  S.  Custom  House,  Norfolk, 
Va 366 

U.  S.  Court  House  and  Post  Of- 
fice,  Norfolk, ,  Va 348 

U.  S.  Naval  Hospital 484 

U.  S.  Ship,  "Delaware" 433 

U.  S.  submarine  boat  "Holland" 
in  the  Stone  Dry  Dock 460 

LI.  S.  submarine  boat  "Holland" 
in  the  Stone  Dry  Dock 460 

U.    S.    S.   "Te.xas" 460 

View  of  the  Opening  of  Stone 
Dry  Dock  of  the  U.  S.  Navy 
Yard   at   Gosport 433 

"Virginia"  engaged  in  battle 
with  the  "]\Tonitor"  in  Hamp- 
ton Roads,  March  9th,  1862...     85 

"\'irginia"  passing  Fort  Nor- 
folk, March  8th,  1862 85 

"Virginia"  sinking  the  "Cumber- 
land" March  Sfh.  1862 S5 

Waddv,   Col.  J.  R 570 

Walke,  Dr.  F.  A 618 

Walker,    C.    W 796 

Warren,    D.    W 740 

Watts,  Hon.  L.  R 528 

White.  E.  v.,  of  Engineer  Corps, 

in   Confederate  Naval  uniform  8^ 

White,  J.   C 858 

Whitehead,  J.  B 792 

Whitehurst,    .■\.    J 844 

Wilkins.    H.    B 786 

Wilkins.  H.   B.,  Residence  of.  .  .  786 

Williams,  W.  V.  H 982 

Woodhouse,  G.  H.  H 838 

Wood,  Dr.  W.  K 936 

Wool.   T.    J 558 

Wright,   Dr.    T.   J 976 


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