CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - HISTORY - Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Lynchburg History ----¤¤¤---- CAMPBELL CHRONICLES and FAMILY SKETCHES Embracing the History of CAMPBELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1782-1926 By R. H. EARLY With Illustrations J. P. BELL COMPANY LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 1927 City of Lynchburg Chapter III Lynchburg LYNCHBURG, often designated "Tobacco Town" and "City of Hills," received its name from its founder, John Lynch, who displayed wonderful forethought in his selection of the site. New London had been in existence since the middle of the century and Rustburg established several years previously, yet they were soon left behind in progressive movement and now Lynches town need fear no county rival. Doubtless the city father had an eye for scenery and when he staked his plan upon the power and possibilities of James river, he cast a glance upon the surrounding hills and gained inspiration from their appealing beauty. The town as to its natural features is best described by Anne Royal, first woman journalist, who when travelling through the South, made a visit to the city. She writes she was "astonished to find this garden spot of Virginia which remained in obscurity, unnoticed and unsung" and enthusiastically notes her impressions. "Daylight disclosed to me one of the richest pictures of scenery to be found. Of all the travels and other notices of this part of the State, I never heard a word on the beauty of the scenery, the most rich and varied within the same bounds of which any town in the Union can boast. Situated on James river, the land on which Lynchburg stands ascends from the •water's edge at first gradual then more abrupt and finally terminates in an elevated plain. From this summit you have a view unequalled either for grandeur or beauty. A smooth broad river rolls at your feet and again the opposite shore presents an abrupt high bluff, with huge rocks of terrific wildness, and terminates in smooth conic hills, beyond which are seen farms and houses. The wildest hills and ledges of rocks run up the river's edge and beyond all the Blue Ridge mountains. What distinguishes the scenery of Lynchburg from any I have met with is that such a number of images are drawn within so narrow a compass: the rough, the smooth, the sublime and the beautiful are thickly mingled, combining every catalogue of the picturesque and the fanciful. Whether we regard the boldness of the figures or the variety they assume from different points it is the most finished picture of spontaneous or studied beauty and the town is most happily blessed by nature. The Peaks of Otter, 25 miles distant in Bedford county are seen to rise in sharp blue points almost perpendicularly 4,OOO feet. On the north side of the town there is a beautiful view of Tobacco Row mountains in Amherst county and crosswise Candle r?s waving range slants in a southeasterly direction." Mrs. Royal, born 1769 at Newport, Md., fled with her mother from the Indians and settled at Sweet Springs, Va. There she met Capt. Wm. Royal, elderly veteran of the French and Revolutionary Wars whom she married in Botetourt county. After sixteen years of sheltered life she found herself a widow and in poverty. This pioneer of American newspaper women started then her journalistic career at the age of 6O years as editress and chief reporter of "Paul Pry" and the "Huntress." Her resourcefulness and energy were at their height when she was in search of news. The notes from her Southern travels were gathered into her first volume of a series, ten in number, which recount her experiences and observations and which won for her national reputation as a clever, observant, entertaining and caustic writer. She revolutionized the press of her day. On July 2nd, 1854 she issued her last number of the Huntress and died a few days afterwards. There are three books extant which furnish history of Lynchburg and which include information concerning the surrounding districts. The first of these volumes, "Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg" is rarely obtainable because it was printed in limited edition. It was written about 75 years ago by Margaret Anthony-Cabell (daughter of Christopher Anthony, Jr., a distinguished attorney of Lynchburg) who was then living in Buckingham county on James river. The Sketches originated in her desire to entertain her young children during the long winter evenings, when she was restricted in literary facilities by her residence in an isolated country neighborhood. The recollections of her youth spent in Lynchburg, supplied subjects for these fireside tales, told to interested yet juvenile listeners, in lieu of more imaginative narratives; though, in effect, a lure as of romance seems to hover in the personal description and delineation of character—in the worth and gallantry of her men, the virtue and beauty of her women —which might capture the attention of any age. Mrs. Cabell, wife of Dr. Clifford Cabell, a practicing physician of Buckingham, was of Quaker ancestry, through both parents, and she lived at a period when Quakerism—so potent a factor in manners and customs of its day—was disappearing from the community and being superseded by influence of other sects. Besides its use as a record of families, her book is valuable because it furnishes annals of the village stage which Lynchburg had not then outgrown, and quaintly expressed seems to reproduce something of the social atmosphere prevailing at the time. "Sketches and Recollections" was not originally intended for publication: it was not then customary for women to print what they might write. Many confided their thoughts to journals or diaries, but these were kept in their desks and only shown to their most intimate friends. When at length the writer was induced to put her "utterances of happy memories" into print, the small edition was largely distributed as gifts to her circle of friends. The lack of an index, which interfered with its use as family record, has been supplied by a pamphlet index compiled in recent years and now obtainable from the State library at Richmond. About the end of the nineteenth century and fifty years after the issuance of Mrs. Cabell’s book, Rev. Asbury Christian, also a native Lynchburger, using the Sketches as background for his "Lynchburg and Its People," brought the growth and outlook of the city to the date of his publication in a volume of full details concerning citizens, many of whom were then active but have since passed away. He rendered timely service in collecting chronicles when Lynchburg was making ready for extended growth and enterprise and it must be a matter for civic gratulation that he seized the opportunity of his residence there to procure these annals while attainable, for the time when the city library would call for them. Taking up the thread of events as they passed, he recalled the agitations of the 5Os-the preparation for war and entrance into it—the city's toll in sons who made the supreme sacrifice; the impoverished condition following; military rule and espionage; onwards till around the 7O's when control and enterprise became re-established in the hands of citizens and there was renewal of hope and effort: then the land boom which came in 189O, and wild speculation, followed by money crisis and depression in industry: a revival from this stage and activity in suburban development, chief interest in which centered in Rivermont, for a proposition had been made and accepted for the establishment of Randolph-Macon Woman's College and its site was selected in that locality; and in April, 1891, Rivermont bridge, at end of Main Street, was formally opened to the public. This was a time of much rejoicing and the occasion was celebrated by the booming of cannon, the shriek of steam whistles and loud cheers from the crowd assembled. First the officers of Rivermont company went over the structure, the large gathering of people following them. The bridge had been suggested by Colonel Thomas Whitehead, and his plan was seized by Major Edward S. Hutter, who was largely instrumental in organizing the company. Closing his recital at the end of the century, Mr. Christian stated that Lynchburg was entering upon an era of prosperity unknown in its history. A third town history contributed by James P. Bell, of Quaker origin himself, gives a statistical account of Quakerism, its followers in the community, its gathering and active operation, and its passing. "Our Quaker Friends" compiled in calendar form, prompts the wish that Mr. Bell, with his early associations and resources, had depicted more of the home life and happenings of this picturesque band of people, whose earnest desire for free exercise of their religion had occasioned their drifting in search of a favorable locality and their removal therefrom when they met with opposition or intolerance. Religious belief and observance made them distinctly peculiar and this was heightened by their dress and mannerism in speech. These three volumes occupy each their own niche in town history, and serve as a basis of information concerning the times embraced, pointing to the need of a later account of the town of larger interests, grown as it has into a manufacturing center with extended limits and greater population, for at this very time the long contemplated plan of embracing within its bounds contiguous territory is being carried into execution and there may be reasonably visualized further expansion from the operation of its numerous industries. The recent extension adds eight miles of real estate and eight thousand increase in population. In 1786 John Lynch applied to the General Assembly for the charter of a town to be laid off on 4-5 acres of land contiguous to Lynch's ferry, the same to be vested in John Clark, Adam Clement, Charles Lynch, John Callaway, Achilles Douglass. William Martin, Jesse Burton, Joseph Stratton, Micajah Moorman and Charles Brooks, trustees. In October of that year the town of Lynchburg was authorized to be established. The first official meeting was held May 8th, 1787, at which assemblage John Clark, Jesse Burton, Joseph Stratton, William Martin, Micajah Moorman and Achilles Douglass were present. Richard Stith was appointed to survey and lay off the town and his plan was recorded at the Court House February llth, 18O5. The town was to be on a single hill called Lynchburg, but was first known as Lynch's Warehouse, for tobacco was engrossing industrial attention. Trustees had no control in the town except over titles of lots. Following the year 1791 owners began to petition for more time in which to improve their lots, so that they might erect better buildings. Several persons had lost their buildings because they were not finished in the allotted time, others wished to improve theirs but feared to do so because of the short time allowed. A petition to the Assembly on November 5th, 1793, asked the privilege of establishing a market house in the town, the structure to serve the double purpose of market and Mason's hall, as the lodge of Free Masons were planning to form a society and were in great need of a hall. Concretely the request was for permission to raise £45O necessary for construction of a hall, and the petitioners were principally Free Masons. Without other legislation, in 1802 Lynch laid off additional lots, several of which were improved. He had a rough map made of the town and demanded that owners should not be compelled to improve them in a specified time, as there was great scarcity of material. On December 8th, 1804, citizens asked for an act of complete incorporation as the town had grown so large the officers could not control riots, vice and law violations. On the 10th of January, 18O5, Legislature passed an act for incorporating the town, and for enlarging it; then the half-acre lots adjoining Lynchburg which Lynch had laid off were made a part of the town and a map made and put on record at the Court House. A charter was provided at this date which authorized freeholders and housekeepers to select annually by ballot twelve freeholders, who should meet and elect by ballot one mayor, one recorder and four aldermen, the balance to serve as common council-men. But no power was given them to contract debts. On May 6th, 1805, the first court of Hustings for Lynchburg corporation assembled at the Mason's Hall: present William Warwick, mayor; Thomas Wyatt, recorder; Geo. D. Winston, Samuel J. Harrison, Roderick Taliaferro and Meredith Lambert, aldermen. This court ordered that William Norvell be appointed clerk of court, and, he being qualified according to law, entered into bond with William Warwick and John Wyatt as his securities. John Davis was appointed sergeant for one year and entered into bond with William Davis and John Lynch, Jr., as his securities. William Davis and John Lynch, Jr., were recommended to the Governor as fit persons to exercise the duties of coroner. On motion of Thomas S. McClelland in behalf of Wilson Davenport and Josiah Leake, it was ordered that they be admitted to practice as counsel and attorneys for the corporation court. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the society of Masons had given use of their hall for the purpose of holding court of hustings, it was ordered that the hall be considered as the court house for the corporation. 1805.—William Davis, Samuel Irvine and John Lynch, Jr., were appointed commissioners to receive proposals for ground upon which to build a jail and to procure a temporary jail with a draft for a new one. May 7th, the same year, Charles and William Johnson were appointed as constables and Thomas W. Cocke, master-commissioner. May 8th, William Davis, John Lynch, Jr., and Samuel J. Harrison were appointed commissioners to contract for a jail 12 ft. square, two stories high, seven ft. pitch on Water street, below the market house. This structure, which attracted attention by its quaintness, was eventually pulled down for the purpose of broadening Ninth street at its intersection with Main. July 1st, Josiah Leake was appointed commonwealth's attorney, thus completing the organization of the court, which was still held in Mason's Hall. John Lynch donated a lot to the community on June 18, 1805, "lying on the hill adjoining the town," "for the purpose of erecting public buildings and using it as a public square"; but in event the ground should become relinquished from the purpose for which it was given and intended "it should then return to the heirs of John Lynch forever"; thus as long as a court house remains on that site it may be said to own it. The first court house was built upon this ground in 1812; it was taken down and the present one, replacing it, was erected in 1852, and was designed by John Wills, architect, the grandfather of city clerk Thomas D. Davis. An act of February 19th, 1812, authorized freeholders and housekeepers to elect fourteen freeholders, who should select one mayor, one recorder, six aldermen and the balance to serve as common councilmen. An effort made in 1813 by freeholders to enlarge the boundaries of the town was opposed by John Lynch, yet the Legislature added to the corporate limits on February 9th "that lot of ground conveyed by John Lynch to the town for a public square" upon which the court house and jail had been erected. A third extension of the town occurred on February 9th, 1814, when its limits extended to Harrison street "as soon as it was laid off in lots with convenient streets." A plat of this new district was recorded on September 8th, 1814, in the Hustings Court clerk's office. A fourth extension was made on March 10th, 1819, and the Act of that date provided for the town's division into two wards, freeholders of each ward to elect nine men who were to select one mayor, one recorder, and seven aldermen, the remainder to be councilmen. The request sent December 20th, 1825, for further extension of limits was granted January 3Oth, 1826 and was the first extension to reach the river, giving a narrow frontage from the mouth of Blackwater at the toll bridge to the mouth of Horseford branch at Hurt's mill. A plat of this addition was recorded on September 27th, 1827. An Act of January 29th, 1830, authorized the common council to raise $40,OOO by lottery, and one passed on February 19th of the same year, gave authority to qualified voters of each ward to elect six aldermen and six councilmen, who were to elect by ballot from amongst themselves one mayor, one recorder, and one senior alderman. Petitions were sent for enlarging the town's corporate limits on February 1st, 1843; again on January 31, 1846. Petitions asked permission to locate a poor-house outside of town limits and to purchase necessary lands. The Act granting this petition was passed March 17, 1849. Act of January 19th, 1848, authorized the common council to guarantee 6% on $5OO,OOO stock in Richmond and Alleghany railroad company, chartered in 1846 to run from Richmond on southwest side of James river to or below the mouth of Kanawha river. At the same time by charter of the Lynchburg and Tennessee railroad, the common council was authorized to guarantee 6% on $5OO,OOO of stock in that road, in both cases without any vote. By Act of January 16th, 1851, qualified voters were authorized to elect the mayor. A sixth extension of city limits occurred on May 2Oth, 1852, but this added but little amount to the city's limits of 1826. At this time Lynchburg was made a city and the various acts affecting the charter were reduced into one. By this charter the common council was authorized (upon petition of one-fourth of the freeholders) to direct a vote of the freeholders to be taken as to whether the city should subscribe to the stock of an internal improvement to be constructed near the city and to make the subscription if the proposition was sustained by a majority of the freeholders voting. The extension which took place December 9th, 187O, was the most comprehensive one which had then taken place, and required a plat of the boundaries included, of Per oval's Island, along the James river banks to the ravine at the base of White Rock hill, to the corner of the Presbyterian cemetery, thence to Spring Valley branch, crossing both arms of the Lynchburg and Salem turnpike, to the Meeting house branch on the Forest road, along Blackwater to the abutment of what was then the Orange, Alexandria and Manassas railroad bridge spanning James river. Large districts outside of corporate limits were laid off into squares and streets by the owners, thus a portion of Diamond and Franklin hills were laid off" by the Henry Davis estate and on Daniel's hill by Judge William Daniel and others. On February 9th, 1856, in an address to Virginia Assembly a number of petitioners opposed the incorporation of Spring Hill cemetery, an objection which was repeated on December 8th, 1857. On January 25th, 1860, suburbans petitioned that the town be authorized to levy taxes from the suburbs as soon as the waterworks were enlarged and extended into the suburbs. Among John Lynch's gifts to Lynchburg was a lot on the town side for Amherst bridge, and land for the public burying ground, known as the "Old Methodist Graveyard," where many of the earlier citizens were interred, but it later became a soldier's cemetery, and for many years past has been the setting for memorial services. Acts of Assembly in connection with Lynchburg: January 28, 1811, authorizing John Lynch to build a toll bridge across James river at Lynchburg. February 28, 1818, authorizing erection of a free bridge across James river. February 7, 1818, incorporating the Lynchburg and Salem Turnpike company. March 16, 1836, incorporating the Lynchburg and Campbell Court House Turnpike company. February 16, 1846, incorporating the Ann Norvell Orphan Asylum. March 16, 1849, incorporating the Lynchburg Female Orphan Asylum. March 21, 1851, authorizing three justices to hold Corporation court. In 189O the city encroached upon more county area in Rivermont (and later its extension, Peakland), West and South Lynchburg. In 1926 it incorporated eight additional acres, including Brookville, Burton's Creek, "West Lynchburg, Fairview Heights and Fort Hill. John Lynch (son. of Charles, Sr., and Sarah Clark-Lynch), the founder of Lynchburg, born 174O, moved, when twelve years old, to the wooden building on Chestnut Hill, then his father's residence, but acquired later by Judge Edmund Winston, and sometimes called Winston's Hill. Later still it was the home of Henry Langhorne (who married Frances, daughter of James Steptoe), and was burnt during Langhorne's residence, but rebuilt; many years afterwards it became a part of the Elliott estate. Lynch married Mary Bowles and lived on his farm near the Quaker meeting house, until the establishment of the ferry bearing his name over the James River, when he moved to the house, built at the ferry, remaining there till 18OO, then returned to his farm. Still later he built a house (burned in 182O) in Lynchburg, on Court street, where the Presbyterian manse now stands, and lived there till his death in 182O. Lynch was a Quaker, wore their garb, and used their speech. His obituary notice describes him as a zealous and pious member of the society, prompt in the discharge of the duties of husband, father and friend, though laboring for 5O years under a pulmonary complaint which rendered him weak in body; his mind of the first order, with a fortitude and firmness of character seldom equalled. He witnessed the first laying of the corner stone of the town of Lynchburg, its rise and progress from the time when the site was a wilderness. Such was the veneration the citizens entertained for him that he was regarded in the light of one of the patriarchs of old. Few measures of a general nature were set on foot without consulting him and he was found to be a promoter of whatever tended to advance the general good. A large concourse of people followed his remains to his resting place in the northeast corner of the Quaker burying ground. A singular fatality amongst his sons left no male descendant in the community to bear his name. His son, Dr. John C. Lynch was poisoned by Bob, a slave, in 181O. The negro was tried for the crime but acquitted because the court was not unanimous, though the majority thought the prisoner guilty. An accomplice in the murder was Lucy, a free woman. "William Radford and Samuel "Wyatt were assigned as counsel for the prisoner. Courts at the time had not begun using juries and law was administered by justices. Those at this trial were Meredith Lambert, James Stewart, John Schoolfield, and James Mallory. Five days later Lucy was brought to trial before the same court with the addition of John Lynch, when she was adjudged guilty, but was sent on for further trial to the Supreme Court of Campbell in the foliowing April. At the end of the trial, John Lynch, father, and Edward, who was brother and administrator of John C. Lynch, decided to emancipate Bob, of which act there is the following record: "Nov. 9, 1810.—Having a negro slave named Bob, aged 3O years, fallen under my care by descent from my son, who died intestate, and being fully persuaded that freedom and liberty is the natural law of mankind and that no law, moral or divine, hath given me a right to property in the person of any of my fellow creatures and notwithstanding the injury done to me and mine, by Bob, from his confession and evident circumstances for which he was tried and acquitted by the laws of his country—believing as I do that no circumstances whatever can change the principle, and leaving the event unto Him Who hath said 'Vengeance is mine and I will repay,' I therefore for myself and heirs do hereby emancipate Bob." (Signed) JOHN LYNCH, EDWARD LYNCH. John Lynch in 178O patented 3,OOO acres of land on both sides of Blackwater and Fishing creeks; in 1789 patented 320 acres on the south branch of Lynch's creek, both sides of Lynches Ferry road; in 1792 patented 16O acres on the banks of Fluvanna, bed of the river from the common water mark, including islands and rocks; patented in 1793 45O acres on Opossum, Fishing and Rock Castle creeks, including part of Candler's mountain; also 3453 acres on James river, including islands and rocks; in 18O6 patented 44 acres near Lynchburg; in 181O patented 111 acres on James river, Joe's branch and Fishing creek; in 1814 patented 36O9 acres on James river, Blackwater and Fishing creeks. Children: —John Lvnch, Jr., was mayor of Lynchburg in 18O9; killed 1810. —Edward B. Lynch, eldest son of John Lynch, Sr., married Mary Terrell, who was said to have been the most beautiful woman ever seen in Lynchburg. They had 8 children; Zalinda, eldest, married Nathaniel "Winston; another daughter married Charles "Withers; another married Dr. Pretlow; Dr. Micajah T. Lynch moved to Richmond, and Charles E. Lynch to Waynesville, Ohio; three daughters also moved to Ohio. —Hannah died in early womanhood. —Micajah married Ann, daughter of James C. Moorman; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Norfolk; died early in life; s. p. —Anselm died young. -William married Jane, daughter of Dr. Humphreys; they and their young son died of consumption. William was a colonel in the war of 1812, stationed at Camp Holly; his regiment was remarkable for its perfect drill. —Mrs. Alexander Liggat of Lynchburg, was the only member of the family who survived to mature age; she and her son, Alexander (who never married), resided in the old John Lynch, home, where the Presbyterian manse on Court street now stands. Her daughter married Whitwell Tunstall, had two sons, John and Alexander, both of whom have descendants; and a daughter, Nannie, who died unmarried. WILL OF JOHN LYNCH I, John Lynch of Lynchburg, Campbell county, do hereby dispose of my worldly estate in the following manner: 1st, I lend to my wife, Mary Lynch, the houses and lots •where I now live, known in the plan of the town by numbers 129, 131 and 119, including all improvements, on the same, all household and kitchen furniture, riding carriage, horses, cattle and hogs, and the benefit of all the profits arising from the Lynchburg mills, Liberty and Lynch's Warehouses and all the profits from the tolls of the Lynchburg Toll Bridge Company, and rent that becomes due from Peter Detto for the remainder of his lease of the tenement he now occupies as a grocery; also the use or profits of the place on Fishing creek, where Isham Roberts lives, also the use and profits of the place where the widow Fears now lives, lying between the turnpike road and the new road to Tate's Lane, bordering on the town lands; and the rents of the brick house built by my son Christopher on part of lot number 22 and also rents of lot No. 33, lying between Liberty Warehouse and Lynch street on 3rd alley. 2ndly. I give to my daughter, Matilda Roberts, the lot and improvements thereon where she now lives, bought of Samuel K. Jennings, being the greater part of lot No. 6O, also two unimproved half acre lots on the opposite side of the street numbered 164 and 166, also one other half acre lot lying between Lynch street and Blackwater, next below and opposite, where Michael Niger lives on which Enoch Roberts built a stable, and a tract lying on Fishing creek, supposed to contain 20O acres, beginning on Tate's line where there is a dividing line between her sister Zalinda Davis and herself, to a large chestnut tree on an old road called the Chestnut Oak Stand to Richard Perkin's line at his northeast corner to Jonathan and Newby Johnson's line with the same to William Daniel's line onwards to Enoch Roberts' line, being the land he purchased of Achilles Moorman crossing the turnpike road with his line to Tate's line to the beginning with all improvements thereon; also one half acre lot No. 11 and its improvements for which a deed has been executed to her husband, Enoch Roberts, and a square of half acre lots lying between 8th and 9th streets and between 5th and 7th alleys numbered 383, 384, 394 and 395 for which a deed has been executed to her husband—all of which I give unto my daughter Matilda, and her children forever. 3rdly. I give to my daughter Zalinda Davis that tract of land lying on Fishing creek below and adjoining the above tract of her sister, supposed to contain 2OO acres, and beginning on Tate's line where the dividing line begins thence with Tate's line to the turnpike along the same till it comes to where the road leading from Lynchburg to the former dwelling house of "William Davis, Jr., leaves the turnpike to the land on Fishing creek just above where a considerable quantity of sand has been taken for building purposes, in a straight line till it forms a right angle with the chestnut oak where the line corners, or at the distance of 75 poles 'with the dividing line to the beginning; also the half acre lot No. 94 on which she now lives, with all improvements, and an unimproved half acre lot No. 98 on the other side of the street opposite No. 94, and No. 9, whereon William Davis, Jr., built a stone house, for which lot a deed has been executed to him, also part of lot No. 3 on 2nd street upon which Wm. Davis, Jr., built a brick house, also the lot which Peter Detto now occupies as a grocery, to extend back the full width of the lot, being part of the old lot No. 3, and to take possession at the expiration of Peter Detto's present lease, also the half acre on which Charles Hoyle's old stable stands between Lynch street and Blackwater now occupied by David R. Edley as a lumber yard and fronting lot 17; also a square of 4 half acre lots lying between 6th and 7th streets and between 7th and 9th alleys, numbered 221, 223, 238 and 239 which lots and appurtenances I give to my daughter, Zalinda Davis, and her children forever. 4thly. I give to my son, Edward Lynch, the tract of land whereon he now lives with all the improvements and the boundary agreeable to a deed executed by me to him, including the grist mill, paper mill, carding machine, etc., on Fishing creek, also the half acre lot No. 35 and improvements thereon, on which lot Thomas Higginbotham and others now live, for which lot a deed has been executed to him, also one other half acre lot on which the widow of Henry Land on Davies lived for several years lying between Lynch street and Blackwater and opposite lot No. 33, all of which lots and lands I give to my son, Edward, and his children forever. 5thly. I give to my daughter, Polly Liggat, the tract of land whereon Nancy Jackson now lives near Candler's Mountain, supposed to contain 2OO acres and boundary as follows r by the land of Rowland Jones' estate, Robert Johnson, Samuel Irvine's estate and others, reserving to her mother the privilege of getting firewood and occasionally timber for repairs, also the half acre lot No. 1 on which William B. Perrow lives and opposite Lynch's warehouse, also 4O feet of ground and improvements, being part of lot 3, for which a deed has been executed to her husband, Alexander Liggat, also the half acre lot on which she lives, being lot 117 and improvements, except a small part of the lot which has been taken off for the court house, offices, etc., also 126 feet and 3 inches of ground being a part of lots 43 and 47 lying in front of the lots my daughter Polly and myself now live on, and after the death of my wife,. I also give to my daughter Polly the three lots where I now live 129, 131, and 119 with all improvements thereon, to her and her children forever. 6thly. I give to my son, William B. Lynch one tract on the west side of the Meeting House branch adjoining the lands of Richard Chilton, Edmund Tate and others, the other tract on the east side of the Meeting House branch adjoining the former tract and including the houses and lot whereon he now lives, also a square of four half acre lots lying between 7th and 8th streets and 7th and 9th alleys numbered 4O2, 411 and 412 also one half acre lot on 2nd street No. 96 with improvements, now occupied by Lawyer Smith for which a deed has been executed, also one other unimproved half acre lot 97. below and adjoining No. 96, also my half of the Blackwater mills and lands attached with improvements thereon and to have possession, at death of his mother, all of which I give to William and his children forever. 7thly. I give to my son, Micajah, the tract of land lying on both sides of Rock Castle creek, whereon I formerly lived supposed to be 6OO acres for which a deed has been executed by me to him, also a square of lots on the hill lying between 5th and 6th streets and 7th and 9th alleys numbered 217, 219, 236 and 237 with their improvements, also ground on 2nd and Water streets the full width of the lot being part of No. 3, also a square of half acre lots where Christopher Lynch has brick yards lying between 8th and 9th streets and 1st and 3rd alleys numbered 305, 3O7, 325 and 327 all of which I give to Micajah Lynch and children forever. 8thly. I give to my grandson, John Davis, the half acre lot No. 95 lying on 2nd street except the part owned by Widow Tompkins whereon she lives, to John Davis and children. 9thly. I give to my three great grandsons, William Powell Roberts, George Edward Roberts, and Christopher Roberts, children of Samuel Roberts, the tract of land whereon _______ Dowdy now lives, supposed to contain 7O or 8O acres with the following boundary, beginning on Ward's road where William Johnson's old meeting house path crosses the road, along Ward's road to the old iron works on a ridge along which William Johnson in his latter time used to go to the Meeting House, then with, the said line to William Norvell’s line along to William Johnson's old Meeting House path to the beginning on Ward's road—to be equally divided between my three great grandsons or the survivors of them, and I appoint my son Micajah to be their guardian as respects the tract of land that he shall have the care and management for their benefit. 10thly. I direct my executors to sell and convey as much of the residue of my real estate as shall be deemed sufficient to pay my debts beginning with my lands on Seneca creek and then my Amherst lands, reserving that which borders on the river until it goes below the mouth of the branch below the horseford and then lot No. 65 with improvements being the lot formerly owned by David Moore. Whatever remains after my debts are paid to be equally divided between all of my before named children and after the death of my wife, all estates loaned her or of which she is to have benefit, except the three lots where I live which are given to my daughter Polly Liggat, the ground and improvements where Peter Detto occupies which is given to my daughter Zalinda Davis, to be equally divided between my children as before named except the Lynchburg Mills of which my son William B. Lynch is to have no part of in consequence of his having my half of the Blackwater mills. It is my desire that if any of my children should die without leaving a child or children that the portion of such shall be equally divided between the rest of my children. If any misunderstanding or dispute arises between my children respecting my will, I desire and direct that they shall not go to law but submit the same to William Davis, Sr., William Daniel, Thomas Wyatt and Chiswell Dabney, whose decision shall be final. Lastly I appoint my wife, Mary Lynch, to be executrix and my sons, Edward, William B., Micajah and Anselm Lynch executors to execute this my last will and testament, as witness my hand and seal this lOth day of the 8th month 182O. JOHN LYNCH. In presence of WILLIAM DANIEL CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY JAMES C. MOORMAN JAMES STEWART At a court of Hustings for the corporation of Lynchburg at the court house, Tuesday the 5th day of December, 182O, the last will of John Lynch, Sr., was exhibited in court by Edward Lynch, one of the executors named, and proved by the oaths of William Daniel and Christopher Anthony, two of the subscribing witnesses, and ordered to be recorded. Teste: William W. Norvell, Clerk. From a start on Lynchburg Hill, of Lynch's provision, with tobacco as the single industry of its early life, the town became, like Rome, a city of seven hills, Court House, Garland, College, Federal, Diamond, Daniel, White Rock. It grew slowly; had its first store in 179O. In 18O5 Lynch added more lots to the town, in 18O6 added land on Blackwater creek. The same year Dr. George Cabell started a town on his land at the forks of the creek and James river, adjoining his Point of Honor home. Tobacco warehouses were built by John Lynch, Dr. Cabell, Win. Martin, Wm. Davis, and the town earned fame for its tobacco market. It became the largest town in the southwest. In 18O1 Lynch turned his ferry over to Thomas Johnson. In 1811 an Act was passed by Assembly authorizing him to build a toll bridge across the James and the ferry was abolished. Directors in the town's bank were Charles Johnston, Christopher Anthony, Jr., James C. Moorman, John Lynch, Thomas Wyatt and Henry Davis. Thomas Wyatt was the first town recorder. In 183O the town contained eleven hardware stores, forty-one groceries, three auction houses, three confectionary shops, one brass foundry, three hat stores, two Bible societies, three rope walks, six tailor shops, three chair factories, three cabinet •warehouses, two printing offices (for semiweeklies), eighteen dry goods stores, three apothecary shops, two book stores, five millinery stores, three tin and coppersmiths, three shoe stores, one tract society, five saddle shops, seven shoe maker shops, three coachmaker shops, one gunsmith shop, two banks; one Presbyterian church, two Baptist, two Methodist (one reformed), one Episcopal (a fine building with church organ), one Masonic hall, court house with a large bell, stone jail (claimed to be best in Virginia, equal to any in the United States), fifteen lawyers, eighteen physicians, seven tobacco warehouses (inspecting annually from 15,OOO to 18,OOO hogsheads, each weighing 1,5OO pounds, largest inspection in the States). There was exported from 25,OOO to 3O,OOO barrels of flour. About 1,5OO batteaux, which were operated between Lynchburg and Richmond, kept about 1,5OO hands employed. There were two large manufacturing mills, Scott's and George Callaway's; and the Langhorne brothers were erecting one on a larger scale than any in the upper country, purchasing their water power from the canal corporation. Fifteen manufactories employed from 4OO to 5OO workers. The town possessed a carding machine, and a powder magazine. In 1852 Lynchburg was chartered as a city. The Lynchburg Manufactoring Company had been organized in 1828 by Dr. John J. Cabell, John Schoolfield, John Caskie, Ed Duffel, Wm. Morgan, E. Fletcher, Henry Davis, Samuel Garland, Sr., John Hollins and David G. Murrell as trustees, and in January following the Assembly granted them a charter. It was proposed to manufacture cotton, wool, hemp and flax, for which purpose a mill on Blackwater creek was soon completed and the machinery put in place. Michael Connell was employed as manager, and the mill was started with the manufacture of cotton goods. By degrees the town reached into contiguous farm land for territory, and became the home of varied industries, for in trade, as in real estate, it spread itself, as purveyor to demand beyond its borders. Among varied industries, manufacture of shoes took the lead, boasting, in this industry, precedence over other Southern cities, the successful operation being proven by the returns from the capital invested. A few collapses of corporations, not well established, point to the careful management of the Craddock and Terry Shoe Company, the followers of Witt and Watkins, an earlier corporation supplying the same product, which became absorbed by the later one. In 1920 Lynchburg, with the employment of a city manager, E. C. Beck, entered upon new methods of administering its municipal affairs. The policy of larger expenditure of funds was instituted in the promotion of city interests, beginning' with street improvement, a measure relieving a tendency to congestion in the direct avenues of ingress and egress, to and from the city, which in earlier times was limited to Fifth and Twelvth streets but later eased by routes through Rivermont and Fairview. The most important work, so far accomplished, has been the reinforcement with cement of old Rivermont bridge, planned by Manager Beck when it had been considered necessary to build a new viaduct. The contract for work on the bridge was ready to be signed when the city manager died. The plan was designed by Allan J. Saville, Philip Aylett and A. C. Janni, and the construction was done by the \Vhiting Turner Company of Baltimore, supervised by the Allan J. Saville Company, Inc., of Richmond, actual work by J. M. Hough, resident engineer of the Company. "Amherst" or Ninth Street bridge connecting Lynchburg with Amherst county was built in August, 1878 by the "Western Bridge Company of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it replaced a toll bridge that had been washed away in the flood of November 24, 1877 when James river rose 33 feet; a former bridge had been carried away by a flood in 187O. A contract between the Lynchburg Toll Bridge Company, the City of Lynchburg and Amherst county was signed in November 1882 providing for the purchase of the bridge from the Company for $25,000, one half of the price to be paid by the city and the other half by the county, and the expense of maintenance was to be borne equally by city and county. The contract was signed by Camillus Christian on the part of the Company and John W. Carroll, Jesse E. Adams, Peter J. Otey, Thomas L. Walker and Thomas Fauntleroy for the city. It had been authorized by the General Assembly January 14, 1882 and approved by the voters of Amherst county on November 7, 1882. The bridge, purchased from the joint stock company owning it, was thrown open to the public as a free thoroughfare. In August, 1886 the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad Company instituted proceeding in court to condemn a boundary of land on the northwest side of Ninth street and southwest side of James river known as the "toll-house lot." These proceedings were resisted by the city of Lynchburg and by Amherst county as owners of the lot by purchase from the Toll Bridge Company. It was finally agreed that the railroad should pay $5OOO for the right of way for one track across the approach and wing of abutment and that it should remove the toll house. It is near this spot that the Lynchburg Chapter D. A. R. placed a boulder with bronze tablet inscription to mark the site of the old ferry house which was built by the founder John Lynch when he operated a ferry from this point across the river. Due to the proposal and efforts of Ernest Williams, a citizen, Lynchburg acquired in 1919 the fine concrete viaduct which replaced the Ninth street bridge spanning James river to the Amherst side, and which was constructed at the expense of the railroad companies (which held contiguous property), the city and the county of Amherst. The picturesque iron bridge, relic of the past, was not at once removed but remained for some years as memorial of its former service, no longer of use, for the viaduct meets all requirements by its breadth, elevation and various entrances; not far apart the two crossways stood as symbols of the past and present; yet at the present writing negotiations are pending for purchase of the skeleton bridge, by Nelson county authorities, for the purpose of removing it to the last named county and re-erecting it across the James river in that section of the country. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________