Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to its history to 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

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 reception 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 materials and taking sketches for illustrations. Every section of the commonwealth wa^ visited. The better to effect our purpose, we occasionally journeyed hundreds 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 inforn^ation has been thus obtained, by observation and inquiry, and interesting but scattered details of her history and antiquities collected in a form to ensure their preservation. Written communications, moreover, have been received, embodying facts enhancing the value of this publication, 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 historical 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 notPiS of Mr. Jefferson. Oar publishers having purchased the copyright, we have availed otuselves of it *j» preparing this volume. /

IV . 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 ; 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 conditior of society.

Written history forms but a small part of occurrences. The vicissitudes of wai 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 foi his notice, which is not too insignificant to illustrate the operation of laws, of religion, and of education, and to mark the progress of the human mind."

The great variety of subjects presented, and the almost impossibility of producing such a publication witliout errors and imperfections, has created a degree of diflSdence in submitting it to the public. It will doubtless come before manj 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 t( present much not previously published, as well as that inaccessible to the mass of readers. We do not, however, consider ourselves responsible for every sentimen introduced in these pages. In order to form a correct judgment, it is useful t( hear the opinions of those who differ from us in their religious or political senti ments.

The drawings for the numerous engravings were, witli a few exceptions onl} taken by us on the spot. We trust they have an honest look, and faithfully repre sent their originals. Some biographical sketches are doubtless omitted, not les important than many inserted, while others have not due prominence. In som few cases we have supposed the reader to be familiar with them, while in otheii it arises from the extreme difficulty of obtaining the desired information.

The history of Virginia is of deep interest ; but one imperfectly chroniclec Much is left to the investigation of the antiquarian, and many a thrilling episod is lost in the lapse of generations. Yet enough remains to stimulate to the loflie: patriotism ; while the memory of her illustrious sons is cherished with just prid by our common country.

Index

^tCf" Tlie counties being arranged in alphabetical order in this work, supersedes the necU' sity of placing them in the index.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

Abingdon, 498 Amsterdam, 203 Aldie, 354 Alexandria, 542 Ayletts, 359

Banister, 2S0 Bath, 386 Bassetville, 389 Barboursville, 417 Belville, 516 Bethany, 194 Bcrryville, 233 Berkeley Springs, 386 Beverly, 444 Big Lick, 448 Bowling Green, 215 Bovdton, 378 Blacksville, 382 Blacksburg, 385 Bloomfield. 354 Brookneal, 210 Brucetown, 272 Bridgeport, 301 Brentsvilie, 442 Brownsburg, 448 Buchanon, 203 Buffalo, 360

Cartersville, 237 Ca Ira, 237 Capevilic, 404 Centerville, 254, 496 Charlottesville, 164 Charlestown, 341 Charleston, 343 Christiansbiirg, 385 Chuckatuck, 386 City Poinl, 440 Columbia, 27(L Cold Stream Mill, 291 Competition, 429 Clarksburg, 301 Clarksville, 378

Fairview, 194 Faber's Mills, 388 Fairfax, 237 Fayetteville, 267 Fairmont, 372 Farnisvillc, 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 Guy^ndotte, 209 Gvvyn's Island, 376

Indian Town, 349, 470

Jamestown, 317, 382 Jacksonville, 270, 483 Jefferson, 430

Jeffersonton, 237 Jerusalem, 470 Jonesvilie, 351

Kempsville, 435 Keysville, 220 Kilmarnock, 350 Kingwood, 432

Latvrenceville, 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 LovettevLlle, 354 Lovingston, 338 Luray. 425 Lynchburg, 210

Manchester, 229 Martinsville, 315, 496 Martinsburg, 191 Marion, 469 Maysville, 207 ftlarysviile, 220 Middiebrook, 177 Millboro' Spring, 185 Millwood, 235 Middletown, 272 Milf.Td, 301 Middleway, 334 Millville, 349 Middleburg, 353 Milford,372 Middletown, 496 Modist-town, 163 Mount Solon. 177 " Meridian, 177 " Gilead, 35-1

(1*)

VI

INDEX.

^ew Canton, 207 " Glasgow, 176 " Baltimore, 262 « Hope, 177 " London, 210 " Manchester, 194 " Market, 388, 467

"Jewbern, .443

Newport, 372

'Norfolk, 394

)ccoquan, 442

)ld Point Comfort, 252

;*attonsburg, 203 ■'almyra, 270

'arisburg, 278

'addytown, 291

'alatine, 372 J'arkersburg, 516 Petersburg, 242 }*eterstown, 383 Philippi, 187 Philmont, 354 Point Pleasant, 360 Port Royal, 215 " Conway, 349 " Republic, 460

'ortsmouth, 400

1 Princeton, 379 Prunty Town, 487 Pungoteague, 163

Ravenswood, 317

Rapid Ann M"g House, 360

Richmond, 3U3

Ripley, 317

Rocky Mount, 272

Romney, 290

Rough Creek Ch., 220

Tappahannoc, 253 Taylorsville, 427

TciTa 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 Wardens ville, 291 Waterford, 354 Washington, 447 W^ashington City, 534 Wellsburg, 194 Weston, 351 West Union, 368 Westville, 376 West Liberty, 407 White Post, 235 Whitehall, 272 Wheeling, 407 W'iuchester, 272 Williamsburg, 321 Williamsport, 487 Woodstock, 467 Woodville, 447 W}'theville, 514

Yorktown, 519

GENERAL OR OUTLINE HISTORY.