Pioneer settlers of Grayson County, Virginia

Front matter

f;

-u

-Jv-^ . Vft,

Introduction

It is with unfeigned pleasure that I write these lines to introduce this modest volume to the reading public. I have known the author and the people of whom he writes for more than a half century. The author himself is of one of the old pioneer families who, by their courage and stalwart virtues, made Southwestern Virgmia the garden spot of the world— "The land of the free, and the home of the brave." He was brought up among them, and is by blood akin to hundreds of them. He writes what he knows, and knows what he writes is true. The book is a recital of facts with but little embellishment— a garner for preserving for posterity, a history of the brave doings of the men and women of the generations gone by. This is clearly the author's purpose in writing it, and as such it is worthy of the hearty endorsement of the children of a noble ancestry. And it will be read by this and coming generations, not only in the happy homestead, the hills and valleys of Southwestern Virginia, but in many other states, for the sons of this hill country are spread far and wide over the South and West. Many men and women in the far off western plains will read with thrilling interest story after story of the early days of their fathers and grandfathers who felled the forests and drove the wolves and bears from their lurking dens, and built their log cabins by the spring. The springs of laughing waters are still there, but the log cabins of the pioneers are gone — and beautiful homesteads, waving harvests and lowing herds tell of the comfort and good cheer of the country. The ramshackle school house, in which the children learned their a b c's in the years long gone, are replaced with academies and high schools of architectural taste and viii Pioneer Settlers

adapted to educational purposes. And instead of the log cabin or humble private home of the settlers in which the "circuit-rider" used to conduct divine services, now the "church-going-bell" in every neighborhood calls the people to worship in elegant houses of worship.

This book tells the how of all this change, and the worthy author merits the hearty thanks of all for putting the story in permanent form for preservation. I cordially commend it to book lovers of the day.

Knoxville, Tenn. D. SULLINS.

October, 1913.

Preface

The times, opportunities, and surroundings have changed so much since the early settlement of this country that the people of the present generation do not realize what were the labors, privations, cares, and anxieties of their ancestors. They were such as try the nerve, strength, and fortitude of mankind.

History proves to us beyond a doubt that our noble ancestors, by strenuous labors and perseverance, changed the face of this country, which they found wild and uncultivated, and that we now enjoy the fruits of their labor, while they "Rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

They cut down the forests, built their log cabins and stables, cleared up the low-lands and swamps, cleaned up the hills and mountain sides. Their cattle, sheep, and hogs lived on the range, but had to be brought in at night near the cabm to protect them from the ravenous wolves and other wild animals that were plentiful then. Bells were put on the cattle and sheep so that they could be found when they strayed away. The rich weeds and pea-vines and other vegetable growth afforded feed for the stock, and hogs fed on the mast, and foraged in the woodland. Pens were made, and the stock was driven into them at night, and often large log fires had to be built to keep the wolves away.

We are not attempting in this book to givs sketches of all the families that have helped to make our section of the country what it now is, but will give some items of history and tradition that we think will be of interest to many and that have not hitherto been recorded.

We hope that those who scan these pages will not read with the eye of the critic but with appreciation of the facts and items that have been gathered together.

Index

AsBURY, Bishop Francis 171

Anderson, Maj. James 67

Anderson, Orville, Clerk of Court 10

Bourne, William, first Clerk of Grayson 17

Bourne, Stephen G. 17

Blair, Thomas, Sr : 26

Blair, John.. 26

Blair, Lorenzo Dow 51

Bryan, Francis 163

Bryan, Joseph 131

Bryan, Lewis H 132

Bryan, Morgan 132

Canute, King of England 162

Canute, William 163

Canute, Col. Eli 163

Coltrane, Col. Ira B , 123

Cornett, Judge Geo. Washington 164

Cooley, Benjamin. -- 186

Carico, Rev. William 100

Cox, John, of revolutionary fame 167

Dow, Lorenzo 51

Dickey, Mathew 189

Dickey, John, Sr 188

Dickey, Dr. John R 184

Dickenson, Col. Martin 54

Dickenson, John 55

Davis, Col. Alexander M.._ 56

Early, John, Sr 205

Early, James 203 xii Pioneer Setlers

Early, John, Jr — 203

Felts, Creed N 51

Felts, Thomas, Detective 52

Fulton, Rev. Creed 160

Fulton, Samuel 160

Fulton, Judge Andrew 16

Garland, Landon Cabell, LL. D 143

Garland, Charles — . 142

Garland, Mary 142

Garland, David S - 144

Garland, Samuel 146

Garland, Hugh A. 146

Garland, Augustus H. - 146

Garland, Rev. James Powell, D. D 147

Garrison, Isaac 155

Garrison, David - 155

Goodykoontz, David 193

Goodykoontz, Rev. Alfred M. 197

GwYN, James 58

Hale, Lewis, ancestor from Kent, England 107

Hale, Edward, ancestor from Kent, England 104

Hale, Judge Garland 121

Hale, Col. Stephen, Sr. 114

Hale, Capt. Lewis, Jr - 112

Hale, Capt. Peyton N 113

Hale, Capt. Fielden Lewis 118

Hale, Maj. Peyton G 127

Hale, Eli C - 116

Hale, Hasten 73

Hale, Prof. W. Stephen 116

Hash, Jane 173

Hanks, Joshua .._ 16

Pioneer Settlers xiii

Hanks, "Nancy" 158

Hanks, Creed L 158

IsoM, David 118

Jones, Admiral John Paul 148

Jones, Churchill 153

Jones, Maj. Minitree 153

Jones, Maj. Spotswood 153

Jones, Maj. Churchill 153

Jones, Maj. Abner 156

Jones, William 155

Johnston, Capt. Robert 61

Johnston, James B _ 69

Johnston, Mary 61

Kyle, Judge William 52

Kenny, William 205

Kenny, Robert 205

Kenny, William, Jr _ 205

Kenny, John A 205

La Rowe, Louis 206

Lenoir, Gen. William..... 58

LUNDY, FiELDEN J., Clerk of Court 17

McCamant, Col. Samuel..._ 59

McCamant, Dr. Thomas Jefferson 60

McCamant, Thomas Jefferson, Jr 60

Moore, Col. Alfred 82

Moore, Spotswood J.._ 157

Moore, Churchill F 157

McMillan, Col. John 173

I xiv Pioneer Settlers

Nuckolls, John, James, William, York, Eng 65

Nuckolls, Capt. Robert G... 72

Nuckolls, Charles 66

Nuckolls, Nathaniel 90

Nuckolls, Garland 71

Nuckolls, John, S. C., Killed by Tories, 1780 91

Nuckolls, Ezra 84

Nuckolls, Stephen Friel, Member of 46th Congress 86

Oglesby, William 89

Osborne, Enoch 171

Osborne, Solomon 171

Osborne, Zachariah.— 171

Pendleton, Edmond, "Jurist" 146

Perkins, Timothy 24

Perkins, Johnston 48

PuGH, Stephen 25

PuGH, John 116

Phipps, Benjamin 173

Phipps, Joseph 173

Phipps, Columbus 174

Phlegar, Judge Archer A. 199

Piper, Col. James 180

Reeves, George 176

Reeves, John 176

Swift, Col. Flower, Ancestor from England 98

Smith, Gen. Alexander, of "Stuarts," Eng 180

Scott, James, of Ireland 126

Sheffy, Rev. Robert Sawyers 70

Thomas, Jonathan 24

Pioneer Settlers xv

Thomas, Stephen B 24

Thomas, Dr. Fleming._ 175

Vaughn, Nathaniel 16

Vaughn, Rev. John 16

Vaughn, Rev. Thomas C 138

Ward, Ballard E. 73

Worrell, James 159

Worrell, Esaw, Sr 159

Worrell, Capt. John 160

Worrell, Churchill : 160

Waugh, Capt. John Blair 48

Young, Ezekiel._ 50

Young, Fielden 175

INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Benjamin Floyd Nuckolls Frontispiece

Dr. David Sullins vii

The Old Kitchen 1

The Old Nuckolls Homestead 9

Frances Bourne 17

MastinHale 21

Nuckolls Springs 25

The Hale Brick Residence. 33

Elizabeth Blair Waugh 37

Cliffside 41

Residence of Captain John B. Waugh 49

Elizabeth Thomas._ 53

Col. Samuel McCamant 57

Matilda Dickinson McCamant 65

Nuckolls Cemetery 69

Clark Nuckolls and Wife 73

Ballard E. Ward and Wife 85

James Stuart Ward „ 87

William Swift Nuckolls 89

Susan B. Hale 93

Margaret Swift. 99

Martha Nuckolls 101

Hale Coat of Arms.._ 105

The Hale Monument 113

Eh C. Hale 117

Lucinda Hale... 121

Amanda J. Hale 125

Stephen Friel Nuckolls 129

Lucinda Bourne 133

Sophia P. Hale 135

Major Peyton G. Hale 137

Garland Coat of Arms 141

Landon C. Garland, LL. D. 145

The Garret Cemetery 147

Benjamin F. Nuckolls and Wife _ 195

Pioneer Settlers of Grayson County J Virginia

Chapter I

The portion of Southwest Vu-ginia embraced in Grayson and Carroll counties, bounded by New River and Wythe county on the North, and by the Blue Ridge and state of North Carolina on the South, was first known as Botetourt District, afterwards, as Washington and Montgomery Districts.

New River was first called Woods River and afterwards changed to New River. A Mr. Woods discovered the river, and set up claims on lands on the waters of Crooked and Chestnut Creeks. Other boundaries were secured by Buchanan. Some of the titles to land on which the town of Galax is built run back to the old Buchanan papers.

In 1720, Spottsylvania was formed from portions of Essex, King William, and King and Queen counties, and was named for Col. Alexander Spottswood, who was one of the colonial governors of Virginia.

Orange was formed from Spottsylvania in 1734; Augusta from Orange in 1738; Botetourt from Augusta in 1769; Fincastle coimty was formed from Botetourt in 1772, and covered far more than half of the present state of West Virginia, all of the present state of Kentucky, and all of what we now know as Southwest Virginia.

In 1776, the county of Fincastle was abolished, and out of its territory three new counties were formed, to-wit: Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky.

Montgomery was formed from Fincastle in 1776; Wythe from Montgomery in 1790; Grayson from Wythe in 1792; Carroll county from Grayson in 1842.

When Wythe county was formed from Montgomery m 1790 it included a large boundary reaching to the North

Carolina line on the South, and embracing what is now known as Grayson and Carroll counties.

Evansham (afterwards changed to Wytheviile) was selected as the place to hold courts and elections, and all free holders were required to go there to vote.

The early settlers had selected land along New River and its tributary creeks, as they were most productive, and were rich with wild pea-vine and other vegetation for the stock.

They did not like to have the county seat so far removed from them, so they called for a county on the south side. Flower Swift was one of the magistrates of the Wythe court. He, with others, made an effort to get a county cut off from Wythe, but was met with violent opposition.

William Bourne was a candidate for the Legislature, but was not elected on account of his known intention to secure a new county. When the Legislature met, Bourne was there as a lobby member, and succeeded in carrying out his wishes. Mr. Grayson, of Montgomery county, gave much help in securing the new county, and in recognition of his services the county was named for him — "Grayson".

The first court was held in William Bourne's bam on Knob Fork of Elk Creek. Flower Swift, Minitree Jones, and Nathaniel Frisbie were appointed magistrates.

The members of the first court were Flower Swift, Enoch Osboume, Minitree Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Philip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Matthew Dickey, Lewis Hale, and Moses Foley. William Bourne was appointed clerk of the court.

Records of the first court held in Grayson county, in William Bourne's barn. May 21st, 1793, and partial proceedings of some subsequent courts :

Be it remembered that on the 21st day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1793, at the house of Willaim Bourne, in the County of Grayson, a Commission of the Governor, Henry Lee, of the Commonwealth of Virginia, for the County aforesaid, directed to Flower Swift, Enoch Osbourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale, and Moses Foley, Gent., bearing date the 10th day of December, 1792, was produced as being read, and thereupon Flower Swift took the Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth, the Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, the Oath of a Justice of the Peace, and the Oath of a Justice of the County Court in Chancery, which Oaths were administered to him by Minitree Jones and Nathaniel Frisbie, and then the said Flower Swift administered all the aforesaid Oaths to the aforesaid Enoch Osbourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, and Lewis Hale, who took the same.

A Commission from His Excellency, Henry Lee, Governor of the Commonwealth, to Phillip Gaines to be Sheriff of the County of Grayson to take effect from and after the 13 day of this instant, was produced by the said Phillip Gaines and Read, and thereupon, he, together with William Bobbitt and John Stone his Security, and entered into and acknowledged their bond for the said Phillip Gaines due performance of his Office, which is Ordered to be recorded and Flower Swift and Enoch Osbourne administered to the said Phillip Gaines the Oath of Allegiance to support the Commonwealth of the United States, and also the Oath of Sheriff.

At a Court held for Grayson County the 27th day of May, 1793.

Flower Swift Enoch Osbourne Nathaniel Frisbie Nathaniel Pope Mathew Dickey Lewis Hale

Gentlemen, Justices.

The Court proceeded to appoint a Clerk. Whereupon William Bourne was chosen to that office, and thereupon, he together with Thomas Blair, Jeremiah Stone, and John Stone, his Security, entered into and acknowledged their bond according to law for the said Bournes due performance of the duties of his said office, and the said William Bourne thereupon took the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Oath of the Clerk of a County Court.

MiNiTRE Jones,

Gent.

Phillip Gaines, Esq., is Nominated as Surveyor, and it is Ordered that the same be certified to the president and professors of William and Mary College.

Alexander Smyth, Gent., produced License Signed by Richard Carey, Henry Taswell, and Edmond Winston, permitting him to practice as an Attorney in the Inferior and Superior Courts within this Commonwealth, and having taken the Oath prescribed by law, is admitted to practice in the Courts.

The Court adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow.

Flower Swift.

At a Court continued and held for the County of Grayson on the 22nd day of May, 1793.

MiNiTRE Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale,

Gent.

William Drope is admitted a Deputy Clerk to this Court, whereupon he took the Oath prescribed by law.

Ordered, that for the purpose of appointing Commissioners to value property taken by E, the County be divided into two Districts, that part eastward of Meadow Creek and New River to form one end, and the residue of the County the other.

William Bobbitt, Jacob Colyar, and George Martin are appointed Commissioners to value property in the lower Eastern District; and Enoch Osbourne, David Cox, Stephen Goast, in the upper or Western District, and it is ordered that they be served with notice to qualify according to Law.

Flower Swift, Enoch Osbourne, Nathaniel Pope,

Gent.

The Court proceeded to fix upon a place of holding Courts, and fixed upon a place known by the name of Rose's Cabins, cr within one mile thereof, and appointed the house wherein Court now sits as the place of holding Courts until publick buildings shall be erected.

Minitre Jones and Enoch Osbourne, Gent., entered their dissent to the order fixing the permanent place of holding Courts.

Absent, Flower Swift, Gent.

Charles Nuckolls, Flower Swift and Phillip Gaines, Gent., in Court agree that they will Convey to trustees for the use of the Courts, 100 Acres of land at the seat of the public buildings, one-half thereof to be laid out into Lets and Streets, and establish a Town; the balance to be Common, Reserving three half-acre Lotts at their choice after the Lotts were laid off.

-Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey, Gent., are appointed Commissioners on behalf of the Courts to fix on the situation for the publick Buildings within the District aforesaid, to receive from the proprietors of the Lands there a conveyance there of, or an Obligation for the Same, and to contract with an undertaker for the erection of the necessary buildings according to plans to be by them prepared, and finally to lay off a Town at the place; provided that the auction of the buildings shall be let by auction to the lowest bidder, on some Court day, on public notice.

Gent.

On motion of Phillip Gaines, Esq., David Vaughn is admitted a Deputy Sheriff in the County, whereupon he took the Oath prescribed by Law.

Alexander Smith is appointed Deputy Attorney for the Commonwealth, in this Court, which is ordered to be Certified to; And it is further ordered that he be allowed the Sum of Twenty pounds in the levy the present year, as a compensation for his services for one year from this time.

The Court also appoints Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey to hold elections for overseer of the poor, the election to be held at the Forge on the 12th day of June next.

Ordered that Shadrack Greer and Tobias Phipps be recommended as Justices of the Peace for this County.

The Court appoints the oflicers for the regiment of Malitia; Ordered that Flower Swift be recommended as Leut. Col., Minitre

Jones, Major of the first Battalion, Avery Henick, Captain of Rifle Company, first Battalion, John Wilson, Leut., William ChaflBn, Ensign.

James Anderson, Captain of Rifle Company, Second Battalion, William Vaughn, Lieut., and Geo. Levesy, Ensign.

There are 3 Companies for first Battalion, Three Captains, Nathaniel Pope, John McCoy, John Pickerell.

Second Battalion, Three Captains, Jonathan Ward, Abner Jones, George Howell.

Court adjourned until Court in Course.

Gent.

Court 10th of June, 1793:

A deed from Flower Swift and Mary his wife, to Mathew Dickey, proven by Minitre Jones, and Redmond Cody.

Ordered that Revd. Moses Foley be admitted to solemnize the rights of matrimony, agreeable to the rules of his church, so soon as he shall enter into bond according to law.

Ordered, that a road be opened from Blair and Dickey's furnace to the county line. From the Furnace to the ground where the Courthouse is to be erected, thence to the Forge, thence to William Jennings, Joseph Mill, Nathaniel Pope, James Cock, and William Williams (Wagoner), views the grounds to County line.

Dennis Fielder, Rubin Cornute, and William Long, who were at the last Court, appointed to view Different ways petitioned for by the Inhabitants of Elk Creek, upon their Oaths do say there may a waggon Road be made from Jeremiah Stones to Hale's Meeting house, from thence to the Widow Roarch Cabin, from thence to Richard Wrights, Sen., to Richard Wrights, Jun., and that the Survey of the same keep it in Repair according to Law.

Ordered that John Nash be allowed for the killing one Old Wolfe out of present County Levy.

Ordered that Joseph Fields be allowed for the killing one Old Wolfe out of present County Levy.

At a Court Continued for the Examination of a Negro man named Natt, the property of James Cox, on Suspicion of his Feloniously taking from Thomas Blair one Duck Blanket to the value of fifteen Shillings.

The above named Natt was led to the Bar, and upon Examination, denieth the Fact, Wherewith he stands charged, upon which several Witnesses were Sworn and examined, and the prisoner heard in his own Defence; On Consideration of which of the Circumstances relating to the Crime, the Court are of Opinion that he is guilty of the fact wherewith he stands charged, but the things being of Small Value, and the prisoner praying Corporal punishment, it is ordered that he Receive fifteen Lashes at the publick whippin post of the County on his bare back, well laid on, and it is said to the Sheriff that Execution thereof be immediately done. Ordered that this Court adjourn until Court in Course.

Flower Swift.

A Suit on Bond given by Phillip Gainer. Martin Dickenson Plf.

V

Daniel Sheffy Dft.

Upon a bond for the forthcoming of the property at the day of Sale upon an Execution obtained from Court.

Robert Sayers proved two days attendance as on evidence in the Suit Baker vs. English, and 16 miles traveling here, and the same returning each Daj^ .

The Court proceeded to Lay the County Levy, and find the Claims for and against the Same as follows, viz.:

To the Clerk's Publick Services the present year 25 Dol.

The Sheriff same 25 Dol.

To Clerks and Surveyor Book, &c, 50 Dol.

To Alexander Smith Att. Com 66.67.

To Creditors for Wolfe heads 50 D.

To Clerks for examining Com. Books 5 Dol.

To account for Delinquents 25.33 D.

Ordered that the Sheriff Collect the Levy and give Bond in the Clerk's Office in ten Days.

The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be observed by Ordinary keepers:

(You will see this Order on p. 35 in the old records of the first Courts for Grayson County which belongs to the Clerk's Office at Independence, Va. William Bourne, first Ordinary Keeper, at his house. B. F. N.)

COURT RECORDS (See page 35)

The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be Observed by Ordinary keepers, viz.:

8 Pioneer Setters

£ s d

A breakfast with Coffee 13

Ditto Without Coffee 10

Dinner Warm, if good 16

Cold 13

Lodging Clean for 1 in bed 6

2 in bed 4

More than 2 in bed

Stableage pr night 6

Do pr 24 hours 9

Do. for less than 24 hours 6

Pasturage in Season pr night 6

Do. pr 24 hours 9

Corn pr. Gallon 8

Oats pr. Gallon 6

Do. inferior 5

West India rum pr half-pint..._ 10

Cosbert Do per Do 6

Taffia Do pr. Do. 6

French brandy pr. Do 9

Peach Do. per Do 6

Gin pr. Do 8

Whiskey pr. Do 6

Good Cider pr. qt.._ 8

Good Beer pr. Do.._ 6

Small beer 4

At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 24th Day of June, l'}94.

Flower Swift, Enoch Osbournb, MiNiTRE Jones, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale,

Gentlemen Justices.

Ordered that Joshua Cox be allowed in the next County Levy for the Killing of five Young Wolves."

"Ordered that this Court adjourn from the house of William Bourne to the New Courthouse, Court in Course". Last Court. Wm. B.'s House.

First Court, N. C. House:

At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 22nd day of July, 1794.

Flower Swift, Nathaniel Frisbib, Nathaniel Pope, Lewis Hale,

Gent, Justices.

Ordered that the Stock Mark of George Martin be Recorded a half Crop off the Left ear, and a half penny out of the right ear, viz.: the half Crop out of the upper side of the left and the half penny out of the underside of the right.

A Deed from Mathew Dickey and Rebaca Dickey his wife to Thomas Blair, proven by the Oath of Greenberry McKinzie, and ordered to be Certified.

A Deed from Flower Swift, and Mary his wife, to Jessie Williams was proven by the Oaths of William AUin, John Williams, and Augustus Webber, three of the witnesses there to, and 0. R.

On the motion of George Ring and Richard Hale, a certificate is granted for obtaining letters of administrations on the Estate of Martin Ring, and Whereupon they entered into with William Hale, Lewis Hale, Dudley Hale, and Jacob Spraker, their Securities, and qualified according to law.

Ordered that John Fielder, Elisha Bedsaul, and Martin Dickenson be appointed to appraise the personal property and make report there of to Court.

Ordered that Dudley Hale be appointed Overseer of the road in place of Timothy Roark, and that he, with the usual hands, keep the same in repair.

On motion of Robert Nuckolls, who, having produced the receipt of the Clerk of this Court for the sum of Twelve Dollars and fifty Cents, a license is granted him to keep an Ordinary at his house in Greenville, One year from the first of May last. Whereupon he entered into bond with Security accordingly.

A List of Insolvent Tythes for the year 1810 was produced in Court and allowed by the Court, aud proved by the Oath of Abner Jones.

A Commission from his Excellency, James Wood, Leutenant Governor, in the absence of the Governor, appointing Abner Jones and John Robertson Justice of the Peace for Grayson County in Chancery.

This closes the copies from the first Book of Record for the Courts of Grayson county. Said book begins with the date of the 21st day of May, 1793, and closes with the 31st of May, 1811.

First court held in new courthouse, on 22nd of July, 1794. Second courthouse built about 1838. County divided, and Carroll cut off of east end of Grayson, in 1842. (For record of First Court for Carroll, June, 1842, see F. L. Hale's obituary.) Independence was chosen as the county seat of Grayson, in 1850 or 1851. Orville Anderson was clerk. He moved to Independence, and died there soon after moving.

The following, in reference to the laying of the comerstone of the M. E. Church at Fries, Virginia, is taken from The Roanoke Times of November 27th 1902:

NOTABLE DAY FOR FRIES

"The gods have indeed been kind to our infant city on this day of days in her history. The laying of the corner-stone of any pioneer church of any settlement is a vital event in the history of that place, and the people of Grayson, Wythe, Carroll and other counties, have beyond question shown their appreciation of this fact, as demonstrated by their large outpouring today. The occasion which gathered so many hundreds of noble women and men within the corporation of Fries today was the laying of the corner-stone of the M. E. Church, South. The ceremonies were entirely in the hands of the Masons and Odd Fellows and conducted in their very impressive style, each and every ofiicer being in good voice and all were men of high intelligence and fine personal bearing. The Order of Rebekah, with its queenly membership, was in good evidence, and under command of its noble grand, Miss Donna Fielder. Marshals of the day were Dr. Koontz and R. L. Dickenson.

"Lodges were represented from Wytheville, Crozier, Ivanhoe, Hillsville, Old Town, Independence and Pulaski. Dixie Lodge, of this city, has for its worshipful master. Judge Padgett, of Grayson county court. The noble grand of Fries Lodge of Odd Fellows is J. D. Baley.

"Deposited in the corner-stone is a list of Old Town Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., names of charter members and names of members at this time; a list of members of Dixie Lodge, and time of organization; also a list of Fries Lodge, No. 39, L 0. 0. F., with time of organization; a list of Fries Sunday-school; an account of the massacre of the Bartlett family and others by four runaway negroes on the 11th of August, 1851; list of trustees of the chui'ch; list of members of the church at this place; paper giving time of organization of Washington Mills and names of directors, copies of Holston Conference Annual, Methodist Discipline, Holston Methodist, Grayson Gazette, Grayson Journal, Virginia Odd Fellows, Christian Advocate, Wytheville Dispatch and Roanoke Times.

"The church building has brick foundation and is to be of wooden super-structure, with a seating capacity of about 800. It will be completed by spring and will have practically no debt hanging over it, due to the liberality of Col. Fries and the public. The church will be, as it now is, under the charge of Rev. T. C. Vaughan, a man of christian zeal and noble personality.

"Rev. E. F. Kahle, presiding elder of this conference, delivered the oration of the day. In clear, well niodulated tones and classic style he portrayed the building of Solomon's temple, injecting the thought that, after the colossal work was done it fell short of the humblest meeting house of this era. Since it never knew the Savior of man. His masterful address received the closest attention and will be treasured a long time by those who heard him.

"Within a hundred feet of the church stands the public school, which, when completed, will accommodate 500 children.

"These buildings are under the architectural guidance of Capt. R. P. Henry, who has charge of the extensive and difficult building of this city.

"After the ceremonies matters were handed over to the tender care of a committee of ladies, who undertook, with happy result, the feeding of the vast multitude, serving a splendid dinner and supper.

" More anon from this strenuous little city. "

The first trial held in the new court-house in Independence was that of the four negroes who were engaged in the fight of which an account is given below :

"An account of a fight or massacre that occurred with the Bartlett family, John Clements, William B. Hale and Currin C. Hale and four runaway negroes, on the grounds now occupied by the Fries Company, which fight or massacre took place on Monday morning, about 10 o'clock, August 11, 1851.

"Wilham Bartlett and Elizabeth Paschel, his wife, moved to New River, Grayson county, Va., in 1834, with their two sons and one daughter — Samuel Bartlett, Alfred G. Bartlett and Matilda Bartlett, wife of Cyrus Wilcox.

"William B. Hale moved to the adjoining far-m east on the river, with his son, Currin C. Hale, about 1838.