Historical collections of Virginia ... relating to its history and antiquities; together with geographical and statistical descriptions. To which is appended an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia

Front matter

■ * HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS VIRGINIA; CONTAINING A COLLECTION OF THE MOST INTERESTING FACTS, TRADITIONS, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ANECDOTES, &c. RELATING TO ITS HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES, TOGETHER WITH GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL DESCRIPTIONS. TO WHICH IS APPENDED, AN HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ILLUSTRATE D B Y OVER 100 ENGRAVINGS, GIVING VIEWS OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS,— SEATS OF EMINENT MEN, PUBLIC BUILDINGS— RELICS OF ANTIQUITY— HISTORIC LOCALITIES, NATURAL SCENERY, ETO, ETC. BY HENRY HOWE. [Arms of Virginia.] [Thiw alwaya with tyranta.] CHARLESTON, S. C. PUBLISHED BY BABCOCK & CO 1845. ENTERED, According to the Act of Congress, in the year 1845, BY BABCOCK & CO., In the office of the Clerk of the District Court or SOUTH CAROLINA.

Preface

. III

PREFACE.

. The primary object of the following pages is to narrate the most prominent events in the history of Virginia, and to give a geographical and statistical view of her present condition. Similar volumes* have appeared on Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The favorable recep tion of these in their respective states, has led to the opinion that one upon Virginia — the mother of states and statesmen, the " Old Dominion," so rich in historic lore — would meet not only the approval of Virginians, but be favorably received by others. Early in the year 1843 we commenced travelling over the state, collecting ma terials and taking sketches for illustrations. Every section of the commonwealth was visited. The better to effect our purpose, we occasionally journeyed hun dreds of miles on foot, often sharing alike the hospitality of the planter and the mountaineer, and cheered onward by pleasant interviews with some of her most intelligent citizens.

Much valuable information has been thus obtained, by obser vation and inquiry, and interesting but scattered details of her history and anti quities collected in a form to ensure their preservation. Written communications, moreover, have been received, embodying facts enhancing the value of this publi cation, and placing us under lasting obligation to their authors. This work has three departments. The first — an outline, or general history — comprises an abstract of leading events from the first settlement of Virginia to the present time ; the first five chapters of which are from the admirably written his torical sketch in Martin's Gazetteer,! and the last by a gentleman personally familiar with most of the events related. The second consists of miscellanies, intended to throw light upon the past and present condition of the commonwealth.

The third and principal department, is arranged in counties, in alphabetical order, where each is successively described. In this are the descriptions of towns, literary institutions, historic localities, seats and memoirs of eminent Virginians, antique structures, natural scenery, anecdotes, local history, and events but glanced at in the outline sketch, fully detailed. * The first on Connecticut— was published in 1836 ; the one on Massachusetts, 1838 ; New York, 1841 ; Pennsylvania, 1843, and New Jersey, 1844. Connecticut and Massachusetts were prepared by John W. Barber— the pioneer in works on this plan ; New York and New Jersey by John W. Barber and Henry Howe; and Pennsylvania by Sherman Day. t This work, published in 1836, was the first issued descriptive of Virginia, since the celebrated notes of Mr. Jefferson. Our publishers having purchased the copyright, we have availed ourselves of it in preparing this volume.

PREFACE.

. Thus the volume comprehends a history and a gazetteer. Its advantages over formal histories are, that the events and their localities are given together, serving more strongly to impress the memory j the past and present are in juxtaposition, and many events given which regular history, in her stately march, does not step aside to notice — events usually considered of minor importance, but forming the undercurrent of history, and useful in illustrating the advancement and condition of society. Written history forms but a small part of occurrences. The vicissitudes of war have been considered more worthy of narration, than those things promoting the wellbeing of man. Says an eminent essayist : " The perfect historian considers no anecdote, no peculiarity of manner, no familiar saying, as too insignificant for his notice, which is not too insignificant to illustrate the operation of laws, of re ligion, and of education, and to mark the progress of the human mind."

The great variety of subjects presented, and the almost impossibility of pro ducing such a publication without errors and imperfections, has created a degree of diffidence in submitting it to the public. It will doubtless come before many possesing better means of information, and more knowledge on some subjects introduced, than could reasonably be expected in us. Besides drawing largely from a great variety of publications, we are enabled to present much not previously published, as well as that inaccessible to the mass of readers. We do not, however, consider ourselves responsible for every sentiment introduced in these pages. In order to form a correct judgment, it is useful to hear the opinions of those who differ from us in their religious or political sentiments. The drawings for the numerous engravings were, with a few exceptions only, taken by us on the spot.

We trust they have an honest look, and faithfully represent their originals. Some biographical sketches are doubtless omitted, not less important than many inserted, while others have not due prominence. In some few cases we have supposed the reader to be familiar with them, while in others it arises from the extreme difficulty of obtaining the desired information. The history of Virginia is of deep interest ; but one imperfectly chronicled. Much is left to the investigation of the antiquarian, and many a thrilling episode is lost in the lapse of generations. Yet enough remains to stimulate to the loftiest patriotism ; while the memory of her illustrious sons is cherished with just pride by our common country. INDEX. flC5- The counties being arranged in alphabetical order in this work, supersedes the necessity of placing them in the index.

CITIES AND TOWNS Abingdon, 498 Amsterdam, 203 Aldie, 354 Alexandria, 542 Ayletts, 359 Banister, 290 Bath, 386 Bassetville, 389 Barboursville, 417 Belville, 516 Bethany, 194 Berryville, 233 Berkeley Springs, 386 Beverly, 444 Big Lick, 448 Bowling Green, 215 Boydton, 378 Blacksville, 382 Blacksburg, 385 Bloomfield, 354 Brookneal, 210 Brucetown, 272 Bridgeport, 301 Brentsville, 442 Brownsburg, 448 Buchanon, 203 Buffalo, 360 Cartersville, 237 Ca Ira, 237 Capeville, 404 Centerville, 254, 496 Charlottesville, 164 Charlestown, 341 Charleston, 343 Christiansburg, 385 Chuckatuck, 386 City Point, 440 Columbia, 270 Cold Stream Mill, 291 Competition, 429 Clarksburg, 301 Clarksville, 378 Darksville, 191 Deep Creek, 400 Deaton, 460 Drummondstown, 163 Dumfries, 442 Dunkirk, 348 Eastville, 404 Edinburg, 467 Edom Mills, 460 Elizabethtown, 368 Elizabeth, 516 Estillville, 464 Fairview, 194 Faber's Mills, 388 Fairfax, 237 Fayetteville, 267 Fairmont, 372 Farmsville, 432 Falmouth, 484 Fairfield, 448 Fincastle, 202 Flint Hill, 447 Frankfort, 284, 291 Franklin, 428 Fredericksburg, 474 Front Royal, 497 Gap Mills, 383 Gainsboro', 272 Georgetown, 542 Gerardstown, 191 Gosport, 400 Gordonsville, 417 Greenville, 177 Grave Creek, 368 Granville, 382 Guyandotte, 209 Gwyn's Island, 376 Hampton, 248 Hallsboro', 220 Harper's Ferry, 334 Harrisville, 447 Harrisonburg, 460 Heathsville, 404 Hicksford, 289 Hillsboro', 354 Horntown, 163 Holliday's Cove, 194 Holtsville, 372 Huntersville, 430 Indian Town, 349, 470 Jamestown, 317, 382 Jacksonville, 270, 488 Jefferson, 430 Jeffersonton, 237 Jerusalem, 470 Jonesvife, 351 Kempsville, 435 Keysville, 220 Kilmarnock, 350 Kingwood, 432 Lawrenceville, 206 Lawnsville, 352 Lafayette, 385 Lewisville, 206 Leesburg, 353 Leesville, 210 Lewisburg, 284 Lewisport, 301 Leetown, 334 Lewiston, 359 Leon, 360 Lexington, 448 Lebanon, 463 Liberty, 188 Little Plymouth, 348 Liberia, 442 Loretto, 253 Lovettsville, 354 Lovingston, 388 Luray, 425 Lynchburg, 210 Manchester, 229 Martinsville, 315, 496 Martinsburg, 191 Marion, 469 Maysville, 207 Marysville, 220 Middlebrook, 177 Millboro' Spring, 185 Millwood, 235 Middletown, 272 Milford,301 Middleway, 334 Millville, 349 Middleburg, 353 Milford, 372 Middletown, 496 Modist-town, 163 Mount Solon, 177 " Meridian, 177 «« Gilead, VI INDEX.

Terra Salis, 344 Thoroughfare., 442 Trout Run, 299 Trouts' Hill, 506 Union, 354, 383 Union Hall, 272 Urbanna, 379 Upperville, 261 Warm Springs, 184 Warwick, 229 Waynesboro', 177 Warrenton, 261 Wardensville, 291 Waterford, 354 Washington, 447 Washington City, 534 Wellsburg, 194 Weston, 351 West Union, 368 Westville, 376 West Liberty, 407 White Post, 235 Whitehall, 272 Wheeling, 407 Winchester, 272 Williamsburg, 321 Williamsport, 487 Woodstock, 467 Woodville, 447 Wytheville, 514 Yorktown, 519 Mount Crawford, 460 Moorefield, 300 Montville, 354 Morgantown, 381 New Canton, 207 " Glasgow, 176 " Baltimore, 262 " Hope, 177 " London, 210 " Manchester, 194 " Market, 388, 467 Newbern, 443 Newtown, 272, 348 Newport, 372 ' * Norfolk, 394 Occoquan, 442 Old Point Comfort, 252 Pattonsburg, 203 Palmyra, 270 Parisburg, 278 Paddytown, 291 Palatine, 372 Parkersburg, 516 Petersburg, 242 Peterstown, 383 Philippi, 187 Philmont, 354 Point Pleasant, 360 Port Royal, 215 " Conway, 349 " Republic, 460 Portsmouth, 400 Princeton, 379 Prunty Town, 487 Pungoteague, 163 Ravenswood, 317 Rapid Ann M'g House, 360 Richmond, 303 Ripley, 317 Rocky Mount, 272 Romney, 290 Rough Creek Ch., 220 Salem, 447 Saltville, 469 Scottsville, 164 Scottville, 430 Shinnstown, 301 Sistersville, 496 Shepherdstown, 336 Somerville, 262 Smithfield, 315, 382 Smithville, 430 Snickersville, 354 Spring Hill, 177 Sperryville, 447 Staunton, 177 Stephensburg, 272 Stevensburg, 237 Strasburg, 467 Suffolk, 386 Summerville, 392 Sutton, 193 Tappahannoc, 253 Taylorsville, 427 GENERAL OR OUTLINE HISTORY.

Introduction

— PROGRESS OF COMMERCE — ROANOKE SETTLEMENTS. Discovery of America. — England. — Want of commerce in early times. — Voyages of the Cabots. — Progress of English discovery— Frobisher— Gilbert— Raleigh.— Failure of the Roanoke settlements Page 11

Chapter II. Settlement At James Town

— SUFFERINGS OF THE COLONIES — ADVENTURES OF SMITH. New company raised— its charter.— James Town. — Machinations against Smith. — Difficulties of the colony. — Smith taken prisoner— his release. — Arrival of Newport. — Discovery of earth believed to be gold.— Departure of Newport.— Survey of the Chesapeake and its waters by Smith.— Smith made president.— Second arrival of Newport.— Judicious conduct of Smith. — New charter. — New arrival of emigrants.— Badness of the selection.— New settlements.— Accident to Smith— his departure— his character PageSz CHAPTER HI. PROGRESS OF THE COLONY — MASSACRE OF 1622— DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. State of the colony at Smith's departure — its conduct and subsequent sufferings.— Arrival of Gates of Lord De La Ware— his departure.— Arrival of Dale.— Martial law.— Gates governor.— Grants of land to individuals. — New charter.— Marriage of Pocahontas. — Friendly relations with the Indians Cultivation of tobacco.— Tenure of lands.— Tyranny of Argall.— Propriety of reform in the government — Yeardley governor.— First colonial assembly in 1619.— Introduction of women.— Introduction of negroes by the Dutch in 16-20— Constitution brought over by Sir Francis Wyatt.— Relations with the Indians — Massacre of the 22d of March, 1622— its consequences.— Struggles between the king and the comnanv — Commissioners sent to Virginia— Firmness of the Virginians.— Dissolution of the company. -Page ik INDEX, VII

Chapter IV. Progress Of The Colony From The Dissolution Of The London

COMPANY TO THE BREAKING OUT OF BACON'S REBELLION IN 1675. Accession of Char'es I. — Tobacco trade. — Yeardley governor — his commission favorable — his death and character. — Lord Baltimore's reception. — Stale of r^igion— legislation upon the subject. — Invitation to the Puritans to settle on Delaware Bay. — Harvey governor. — Grant of Carolina and Maryland. — Harvey deposed — restored. — Wyatt governor. — Acts of the legislature improperly censured. — Berkeley governor. — Indian relations. — Opechancanongh prisoner — his death. — Change of government in England. — Fleet and army sent to reduce Virginia. — Preparation for defence by Berkeley.— Agreement entered into between the colony and the commissioners of the commonwealth. — Indian hostilities. — Matthews elected governor.— Difficulties between the governor and the legislature— adjusted.— State of the colony and its trade.— Commissioners sent to England.— The Restoration. — General legislation * * Page 51

Chapter V. Bacon's Rebellion

— HOSTILE DESIGN3 OF THE FRENCH. Indifference to change in England.— Navigation Act.— Convicts.— Conspiracy detected.— Discontents.— Cessation from tobacco planting for one year.— Royal grants. — Virginia's remonstrance. — Success of deputies.— Indian hostilities.— Army raised and disbanded by governor.— People petition for an army — elect Bacon commander— he marches without commission and defeats Indians— pursued by governor, who retreats on hearing of rising at Jamestown. — Governor makes concessions.— Bacon prisoner— is pardoned.— People force commission from governor.— Bacon marches to meet Indians— hears he is declared a rebel by Berkeley— marches to meet him— he flees to Accomac— Convention called and free government established.— Bacon defeats the Indians.— Berkeley obtains possession of the shipping, and occupies Jamestown— is besieged by Bacon, and driven out.— Jamestown burnt.— Death of Bacon— character of his enterprise.— Predatory warfare— treaty between governor and his opponents. — Cruelty of Berkeley.— King's commissioners.— Departure of Berkeley and his death.— Acts of Assembly passed during Bacon's influence.— Conduct of king's commissioners.— Culpeper governor.— Discontents. — Conduct of Beverly.— Howard governor.— General conduct of Virginia and progress of affairs.— Plan of Callier for dividing the British colonies Page 69

Chapter VI. Events From The Tear

1705 TO THE TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Gov. Nicholson superseded by Nott, and he by Jennings. — Administration of Gov. Spots wood .— Drysdale governor— succeeded by Gooch.— Death of Rev. James Blair.— Notice of Col. William Byrd.— Gooch's charge to the grand jury against Presbyterians, Methodists, &c— Burning of the capitol at Williamsburg.— Revision of the colonial laws.— Departure of Gooch.— Din widdie governor.— Encroachments of the French.— Mission of George Washington beyond the Alleghanies to the French commandant of a fort— its inauspicious results.— Gov. Dinwiddie prepares to repel the encroachments of the French. — Expedition against them under Col. Fry, and the erection of Fort Duquesne.— Washington's skirmish with Jumonville— he erects Fort Necessity— he surrenders to the French, and marches back to Virginia.— The Burgesses pass a vote of thanks to him.— Gov.

Dinwiddie resolves to prosecute the war— the futility of his projects.— Arrival of Gen. Braddock — Braddock's defeat.— Bravery of Washington and the Virginia troops.— Frontiers open to incursions from the savages.— Fauquier governor.— Troops destined for the conquest of Duquesne rendezvous at R ay stow n.— Defeat of Major .Grant, and heroism of Captain Bullet.— Fort Duquesne evacuated.— End of the war Page 88 CHAPTER VH. FROM THE TERMINATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR TO THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS.

Encroachments of Britain upon the American colonies.— Spirited conduct of Virginia thereon.— Patrick Henry's resolution on the right to tax America.— Death of Governor Fauquier.— Arrival of Lord Bottetourt— Continued aggressions of the mother country.— Death of Bottetourt.— Lord Dunmore governor.— Dunmore's war.— Battle of Point Pleasant.— Speech of Logan.— End of the Indian war.— Meeting of the Continental Congress.— Dunmore removes the gunpowder of the colony from the magazine at Williamsburg —Patrick Henry forces the receiver-general to make compensation.— Dunmore flees on board the Fowey man-of-war.— Meeting of the Virginia Convention.— Dunmore, with the Bntish fleet, attacks Hampton.— Affair in Princess Anne.— Defeat of the enemy at Great Bridge.— Norfolk burnt.— Delegates in Con-ress instructed by the General Convention of Virginia to propose the Declaration of Independence— A constitution for the state government adopted.— Patrick Henry governor.— Dunmore driven from Gwynn's Island.— First meeting of the legislature under the state constitution.— Indian war —Col Christian makes peace with the Creek and Cherokee nations.— Revision of the state laws — Glance at the war at the north.— Sir Henry Clinton appointed commander-in-chief ot the British army. —He transfers the seat of the war to the south.— Sir George Collier, with a Bntish fleet, enters Hampton Roads —Fort Nelson abandoned.— The enemy take possession of Portsmouth, and burn Suffolk— 1 hey embark for New York.— Gen. Leslie invades Virginia, and lands at Portsmouth— The government prepares to resist the enemy.-Leslie leaves Virginia.-Arnold invades Virginia, lands at Westover, and marches to Richmond.-He returns to Westover, and arnves at Portsmouth.-Washington forms a Dlan to cut off his retreat.— Clinton detaches Gen. Philips to the assistance of Arnold.— Defenceless situation of Virginia.— Philips takes possession of Petersburg, and commits depredations in the vicinity. —Death of Gen Philips— Cornwallis enters Petersburg.— Tarleton's expedition to Charlottesville.— Various movements of the two armies.— Cornwallis concentrates his army at York and Gloucester — Surrender of Cornwallis PV Iu*

CHAPTER VDI. FROM THE CLOSE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT

TIME. End of the war.— Action of the Virginia Convention upon the federal constitution.— Origin of the Federal and Democratic parties.— Opposition to the alien and sedition laws in Virginia.— Report of Mr. Madison thereon —War of 1812.— Revision of the state constitution in 1829-30— Action of Virginia upon the subject of slavery in 1831-2.-Policy of the state in reference to internal improvement and education ragtia INDEX. MISCELLANIES.

Page Academy, the first in the valley of Va 454 Allen's Cave 497 Anecdotes, revolutionary 290 359 Ann, Mad, notice of 173 Archer, Col. Win 173 Archer, Dr. B.T 431 Arnold 243 305 399 Ashley, Gen. Wm. H 431 Austin, Stephen, birthplace of 515 Bacon's Castle 486 Baptist, warrior parson. 258 " preacher confined at Fairfax 239 Baptists, history and persecutions of 379 college of 312 487 539 Banks, Linn 360 Barbour, Gov 424 Judge 424 Baylor, Col 293 Blackburn, Gen 186 Blannerhasset, notice of 516 Bland, Col. Theodorick 440 " Richard 441 Blind Preacher 350 Blind, institution for the 179 Blowing Cave 185 Boatmen, life of 496 Booker, Wonder, longevity of- 435 Bottetourt, Lord 326 Brady, Capt. Samuel 200 Braxton, Carter 348 Burk, the historian 248 Buffalo Knob 270 Bursted Rock, the 428 " Campbellites," sketch and college of. 193 Campbell, Col. Arthur, biography of 503 Gen. Wm 504 505 Carrington, Judge Paul 220 Can, Dabney 358 Gaudy's Castle 292 Catholic Colleges 312 542 Census of 1840 160 Certificates, revolutionary 240 Church, the Established, abolition of 142 Church, ancient.234 247 255 311 315 317 342 381 395 Champe, Sergeant 352 City, ancient, relics of an 209 Clay, Henry 293 Clarke, Gen. Geo. Rogers 234 " Gen. Wm 234 Coal Mines of Eastern Va 230 Columbian College 539 Convention, troops of 165 Convention of 1788 and 1829-30 312 Cornstalk, murder of 364 Country, description of, on the Big Sandy 506 Craney Island, attack on 403 Crawtord, Col 193 Cunningham, Capt. Wm 251 Culpeper minute-men ' 237 Cyclopean Towers 180 Dale, Commodore 403 Dan, the passage of 427 Darke, Gen 340 Davies, Rev. Samuel 293 Davison, J., anecdote of. 435 Deaf and Dumb 17g Declaration of Independence at Richmond. .. . 313 Dick Pointer, heroism of 287 Dismal Swamp 40i Dodridge, Philip, anecdotes of 197 Page Dodridge, Rev. J., work of 196 Dunmore's palace 328 Early settlers, customs of in nw.

Va 198 372 Eastern shore described 404 " monumental inscription on 405 Eggleston, Major 174 Emory and Henry College 498 Emigration to Va. from the North 254 Episcopal church, first in valley of Va 273 Episcopal Theological Seminary 543 Eulen'sleap 366 Fairfax, Lord 235 275 " stone 300 Foreman, Capt., defeat of 368 Forsyth, Hon. John 484 Fort Donnally, attack on 287 " Henry, siege of 409 " London 274 " Nelson, abandoned 399 " Rice, attack of- 201 " Savannah 285 " Seybert, massacre at 428 " Young 172 " at Point Pleasant 366 Forts of early settlers described 201 Fortification, ancient 270 Francisco, Peter 207 Garden, the Devil's 300 Gates, Gen 192 German settlers, customs of 461 Germanna, ancient town of 475 Giles, Gov 170 Gilmer, F. W 165 265 Gigantic race, relics of a 469 Girardin, the historian 248 Glass windows, the 444 Grundy, Hon. Felix 193 Greenbrier, early settlements in 285 Grayson, Hon. Wm 442 Graham, Rev. W., anecdotes of. 455 Great Bridge, battle of. ■ 397 Gwyn's Island, battle at 376 Harrison, President 218 " Hon. Benj 218 Hanging Rocks, battle near 292 Hampden Sidney College 433 Henry, Patrick 213 220 295 Helphistine, Major 275 Henrico, origin of its name 302 Hoge, Rev. M 434 Houston, President 455 Horses, wild 163 Hughs, Jesse, anecdotes of. 301 Huguenot settlement 431 Ice Mountain 291 Indian incursions 173 204 278 286 468 Indian graves 426 " mounds 350 456 " relics 300 Indians, ancient, of Va 135 " relics of in eastern Va 349 470 " skirmish with 300 Insane and idiotic persons, number of in Va* • . 179 James City, battles in 319 Jefferson, President 168 214 Jefferson's Rock 335 Joe Logs ton, anecdotes of INDEX.

IX Page Johnsons, intrepidity of. 416 Johnson, Judge Peter 505 Kanawha, falls of 267 " salt works 344 " gas wells 346 " pictured rocks at 346 Ken ton, Gen. Simon 267 Laws, ancient 150 Law, Lynch, origin of 212 Lead Mines of Wythe 515 Lee, Gen. Charles 191 " Francis Lightfoot 511 " Gov 511 " Richard Henry 510 Lewis, Meriwether 171 " Gen. Andrew 204 " Charles 182 362 " family 181 " Colonel Fielding 482 Life in western Va 152 " in eastern Va 156 Longevity, list of remarkable cases of 148 Long Island, battle of 501 Littlepage, Lewis 483 Lucas family 279 Lunatic Asylum 178 321 Luray, cave at 425 M'Nutt,Gov 456 Mad Ann 172 Mason, George 260 Marshall, John 262 275 Marshall's Pillar 268 Massie, Gen. N 283 Marriages, poetical notices of 332 Madison, D. D., James 333 Madison, President 422 Mammoth mound 370 Matoaca, inscriptions at 229 Medical Colleges 312 539 Mercer, Gen. H 480 Meredith, Capt 251 Monumental Inscriptions at Hampton 249 « *4 oldest in Virginia 261 » « at Turkey Island 312 « " at Norfolk 396 » " at York 521 523 " " at Washington 540 Morgan, Gen. D 233 276 " anecdote of 515 Moore family, captivity and murder of 489 Moore's Lamentation, a song 495 Moore, Hon. A 456 Moore house 530 Monroe, President, 356 Muhlenburg, Gen. P 468 Natural Pillars 278 Bridge 457 " Tunnel 464 Negro duel 351 Nelson family, seat of- 295 " Gov. 522 Newspapers, first in Va 331 Norfolk, burning of 398 Obituary 148 Old Church 520 » Capitol 305 329 " Dominion, origin of the name 131 " magazine J--*-0 " Raleigh tavern 330 O'Hara, Gen., anecdote of. 245 Opechancanough's residence 349 Page, Gov 281 Parson Cummings, anecdote of 499 Pass of the Ja mes 176 Peter Wright, the hunter 172 Peaks of Otter I89 Pace Petersburg volunteers 145 Pendleton, Edmund 215 Philips, the tory 438 Philips, Gen., death of 244 Pocahontas basin 248 " place where she rescued Capt.Smith 282 Poes, the bravery ot' 414 Point Pleasant, battle of 361 31)6 " " song on 366 Powell's Fort Valley 425 Point of Fork, invasion of 271 Pleasants.Gov 283 Preaching, the first in western Va 192 Presbyterian clergyman, the first in America . . 293 Princess Ann, skirmish in 438 Prince William, military events in the vicinity. 442 Quakers, persecution of 151 354 Randolph, John of Roanoke 223 440 Edmund 313 " Peyton 333 " Macon College 378 Reminiscences, revolutionary 243 River, the lost 300 Richmond Theatre, the burning of 309 " invasionof 305 Roberdeau, Gen. D. -- 275 Rice, Dr. J. H 434 Rumsey, the first steamboat inventor 336 Salt, fossil 469 Scotch- Irish, settlements of 451 Scott, Gen. Charles 244 " Major Joseph 242 " Gen. Winfield 248 Scenery of the valley of Va 456 Settlements, early, in mv.

Va 189 382 444 " " in sw. Va 499 Simcoe, skirmishes of 217 271 290 306 319 Sheffey, Daniel 179 Spring, Augusta 177 " Alum 450 BlueSulplrar 289 " Bottetourt 448 " Dagger's 203 " Fauquier 262 " Grayson 216 " Holston 464 " Hygeian 278 " Howard 430 Jordan 273 " Orkney 467 " Red 385 " SaltSulphur 384, " Shannondale 34*> Sweet 384 " White Sulphur of Gieenbrier 28& Slavery and tobacco 133: Slaughter, Capt 237 Southampton insurrection — 471 Spotswood, Gov., visit to the family of. 476 Statistics of 1840 160 Stephens, Gen 191 Stevens, Gen. E 240 Stockton, Isabella, romantic courtship of. 192 Suffolk, burning of 387 Superstition, anecdotes illustrating it at the present day ** 50O Summers, Judge • 347 Stone structure, ancient, on Ware creek 391 Tarleton, Col 166 212 Taylor, Col. John 215 " Geo.Keith 440 Tea-table, the 292- Thruston, Col., the warrior parson 234 283 Tories, the hanging of 358 " insurrection of 301 Trough-Hill, battle of 300.

Tyler, Judge 219 " President 219 327 X INDEX, Page University of Virginia 165 Uncle Jack, the negro preacher 174 Union Theological Seminary 434 Upshur, Hon. A. P 405 Van Bebbers, anecdotes of the 366 Virginia, general view of- 128 " Governors ■/■ •• 145 " Military Institute 449 Virginians in high official stations under the United States ., 146 Virginians, Jones's description of 330 Waddel, James, the blind preacher 417 Washington, marriage and courtship of 389 " his office at Soldier's Rest 233 " entry of as surveyor 237 " anecdotes of 241 543 " residence of at Mt. Vernon 257 " statueof 306 11 modestyof 329 11 motherof 483 " college 449 4 farm 482 Paee Washington, likeness of at Harper's Ferry- ■• . 335 " his recommendation of Volney •■ 261 " aged servant of. 184 " sac-simile of his writing 509 " " of the entry of his birth 509 " birthplace of 507 " Lord Brougham's sketch of the character of 508 " Judge Bushrod 513 Col. William 484 Weyer's Cave 183 Weddings of early settlers 198 Westover, theseatof Col. Byrd 217 Weems, Parson 255 256 Wetzel, Lewis 413 Weedon, Gen 480 Wirt, William 171 William and Mary College 324 Witchcraft, trial for 436 Woodford, Gen. Wm 215 Wolf-pits, construction of 206 Wythe, George 352 Zane, Elizabeth, heroism of. OF VIRGINIA.

Chapter I. Introduction, Progress Of Commerce, Roanoke Settlements

Discovery of America. — England. — Want of Commerce in early times. — Voyages of the Cabots. — Progress of English discovery — Frobisher — Gilbert — Raleigh. — Failure of the Roanoke settlements. The claims of the Icelanders, the Welsh, and even the Norwe gians,* to the discovery of America, seem in modern times to be universally set aside in favor of a native of a milder clime. In deed, the evidence by which their respective claims were sought to be established was so vague, contradictory, and unsatisfactory,! and their discoveries, if proved, so entirely accidental, and useless to mankind, that it is not at all astonishing that all the merit should be given to that individual whose brilliant genius first de monstrated a priori the existence of a continent in the western waters, and whose adventurous darings led him to risk his life in the search of a world, of the existence of which he was only in formed by his science, with little aid of any human experience ; or that posterity should give to Columbus the undivided glory of an exploit for which he received only the ignominy of his contempo raries, and to Italy the honor due the birthplace of so distinguish ed a son, from whose brilliant achievements she has received little else.

In 1460, the Portuguese discovered the Cape de Verd islands, and afterwards extended their discoveries farther south. This near prospect of an easier and more direct route to India, had already begun to excite the jealousy of the Venetians, who then nearly monopolized the trade of India, and to elevate the hopes of the Portuguese, who expected to enjoy a portion of the wealth and luxury which the Venetians derived from that trade ; when the minds of both, and indeed of all Europe, were turned in another * Winterbotham's America, vol. I. p. 1 and 2, and Hinton's United States. t Bancroft's Hist. U. States, vol. I. p. 6, and notes. t " L'ltalie reparut, avec les divins tresors que les Grecs fugitifs rapporterent dans son sein; le ciel lui re've'la ses lois ; I'audace de ses ens ants decouvrit un nouvel hemis phere." — De Stael — Corinne. direction by the occurrence of an event in the history of maritime discovery, compared with which all others sunk into insignificance.

This event was the discovery of America, by Christopher Colum n bus. The education of this daring mariner, his dis- Uct. 11, 149.2. app0intments and dangers, his difficulties and his brilliant success, or the melancholy story of his sad reverses, and the example afforded in him of the ingratitude of kings, it is not the purpose of the writer to narrate. He refrains from recounting so temptingly interesting a narrative, because it would lead him too far from his purpose, which is only to narrate succinctly the progress of navigation and discovery to the time of the first colony settled in Virginia, — and because the same story has been so well told by Robertson, Irving, and others, that it ought to be fa miliar to all. Notwithstanding the advances in navigation which have been enumerated, the art of ship-building was still in such a rude and imperfect state, that the vessels in which Columbus embarked on an unknown sea, a modern mariner, with all the advantages of modern science, would scarcely venture in, to cross the Atlantic.

The largest was a vessel of no considerable burden,* and the two others scarcely superior in burden to large boats, and the united crews of the three only amounted to ninety men, including officers, .and a few gentlemen, adventurers from Isabella's court. But notwithstanding these inadequate means for the prosecution of maritime discovery, the ardor of enterprise was so much ex cited by the brilliant achievements of Columbus, the greedy thirst for gain, and hope of finding some country abounding in gold, to gether with the eager desire which still prevailed of discovering some passage through the great continent of America, which might lead to India, that in twenty-six years from the first discovery of land by Columbus, the Spaniards had visited all of the islands of the West Indies — they had sailed on the eastern coast of America from the Rio de la Plata to the western extremity of the Mexican Gulf — they had discovered the great Southern Ocean, and had acquired considerable knowledge of the coast of Florida.