CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - HISTORY - Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Notable Neighbors and Visitors ----¤¤¤---- 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 Notable Neighbors and Visitors Chapter X Last Homes of Patrick Henry JOHN HENRY, son of Alexander and Jean Robertson-Henry of Aberdeen, Scotland, came to Virginia in 1728. He seems to have been a relative (and became the friend) of Colonel John Syme, a Hanover Burgess, who lived at Studley, Hanover, and there Henry visited him. Col. Syme married Sarah, dau. of Isaac and Mary Dabney-Winston, but died in 1731, and several years afterwards his widow married John Henry. They continued to live at Studley, a frame house with beautiful grounds, on the Tottipottimoi river and there three sons, John Syme of her first marriage, William and Patrick Henry were born, the last named, in 1736, and a few months afterwards his parents moved to M t. Brilliant in the Rocky Mills neighborhood near the South Anna river. In 1765, though living in Hanover, Patrick Henry filled the vacancy in the representation of Louisa, in the Assembly. In 1779 he purchased a large tract of land in Henry, the county named for him, an estate called Leatherwood, which numbered 10,OOO acres and there he resided until 1784. Retiring from the governorship in 1786, his next move was to Prince Edward county. At this time he was poor and in debt: then—though he had reached the age of 5O years,—he set himself the task of repairing his fortunes; this was accomplished principally by investments in land. In 1794 he purchased Long Island, Campbell county, upon which he lived before settling at Red Hill, and even afterwards he alternated between the two places for some years. As his last and preferred abode, Red Hill became a historic place. Standing but a few miles from Brookneal and on the Staunton river, was the old one story and a half house with a lean-to, in which Henry was content to spend his last days, for he liked to hear the rain pattering on the roof; and he appears to have been a man of simple tastes, with no desire to build a mansion having many rooms like those of his neighbors. His home was much enlarged afterwards and several generations of descendants occupied it, but it was burned down a few years ago and not rebuilt. He, and members of his family, are buried in an adjoining enclosure where tombstones mark each burial place. To the patriot's old homestead and last resting place many visitors have made pilgrimages. In the neighborhood of Red Hill, beside an old road leading through the woods, there stands Cub Creek Presbyterian church, a building of unusual style of architecture—erected for the Charlotte Presbyterian colony from Pennsylvania,—which is still in a good state of preservation. In colonial days people drove many miles to attend worship there, and among its congregation were a number of large land owners from adjoining counties: also in the nearby churchyard there are graves of many who had been prominent in their generation. Founded about 185 years ago the church took its name from the adjoining stream. Staunton Hill—former home of Senator Bruce (of Maryland)—a handsome structure which was built by his father, Charles Bruce, in 1848, is about 2 miles from Red Hill. Situation and construction cause it to be a "show place" in Charlotte county; its fine pillared front of Italian marble making it especially noticeable. The reception rooms are finished in hardwood panelling and colored glass window decoration is unique. A broad double stairway reaches the top story, from which fine views are obtained of the river low lands. Thomas N. Page married a daughter of Charles Bruce, and is said to have written Red Rock while on a visit there. A few years ago this fine estate was acquired by a company of realtors and became incorporated as Staunton Hill Lodge with the aim of making it a recreative club house for its shareholders, but failure to realize their expectations in the investment, caused the company to dispose of it at a considerable loss. Recently it has been repurchased by a member of the Bruce family who plans to restore and occupy it. In his will Patrick Henry directed that all the lands in his Long Island estate be divided into two parts; by Randolph's old road to the new road from the overseer's house to where Davis' mill crosses the road, thence to Potts' spring at the old quarter place and along to the upper part where Philip Payne lived, Long Island and other islands and 1OO acres of back land most convenient for timbers, to be included: these estates were left in fee simple to his wife for two of their sons which she was to name and point out. To his wife he gave all of his lands at or adjoining Red Hill (properly purchased from Fuqua, Booker, Watkins and others out of a tract called Watkins' order) and at her death they were to be given to two of their sons. Leatherwood (Henry county), Prince Edward, Kentucky and Seven Islands lands and those "lately purchased of Marshall Mason, Nowell, Wimbush, Massy and Prewitt" were directed to be sold and after payment of his debts the residue equally divided between their two other sons. All the rest of his estate, whether lands, slaves, personal estate, debts or rights, he gave to his wife to enable her to educate and bring up their children. If the debt for the lands he had covenanted to sell Judge Wilson, in Virginia and North Carolina, could not be recovered, that property should be given his wife for the benefit of their children, but in case his wife married again he revoked and made void every gift, legacy, authority or power mentioned and directed that she should have no more of his estate than she could recover by law; nor should she become the guardian of his children, nor executrix of his will: his friends, Edmund Winston, Philip Payne and George D. Winston were made joint executors. Mrs. Dorothea D. Henry, his widow, married Judge Edmund Winston, and litigation followed, when court commissioners divided the various tracts of land. A codicil to his will had become necessary by his contract to sell his Leatherwood land to George Hairston and transfer of the proceeds in the purchase of two shares of the Saura Town lands (amounting to 6314- acres) and this property devised to two of his sons in lieu of his former bequest to them of the Leatherwood estate, etc. Red Hill, Long Island and Saura Town estates then furnishing seats for his six sons, whose names he gave -as Patrick, Fayette, Alexander Spotswood, Nathaniel, Edward Winston and John; and grandson, Edmund Henry, to whom he bequeathed 1OOO acres of land where his father Edward died, joining Peregors and Coles* lines and intended for his son Edward (dec.) : names of daughters given are Dorothea S. Winston, Martha Catherine Henry, Sarah Butler Henry, Anne Roane, Elizabeth Aylett and Martha Fontaine. Henry's Red Hill estate contained 292O acres; Long Island 3522 acres; two of the Campbell tracts embraced 1O3O acres and 44O acres, which perhaps were Shady Grove (given his son, Spotswood Henry) and The Grove, a place upon which no residence was erected. Jefferson's Bedford Home In 175O Peter Jefferson patented 713 acres of land in Lunenburg county on Staunton river adjoining the property of Benjamin Clements. In 1797 Thomas Jefferson patented 8OO acres on the branches of Dreaming and Buffalo creeks, and 1OO acres on the south branch of Ivy creek. He sold Samuel Jordan Harrison in 1811 the latter tract and one on Ivy creek containing 474 acres (which had been granted to Richard Tullos in 1771), for £4OO. and the further sum of £8OO. guaranteed to be paid. Ivy is a tributary of Blackwater creek, which adds its overflow to James river at Lynchburg. Tomahawk creek has its source on Jefferson's land and owes its name to an Indian battle which took place near the stream in early times: numberless tomahawks and arrow-heads have been and may still be found along its banks. Tomahawk unites with Burton and forms Dreaming creek in Campbell's northwest corner. Jefferson's land lay not far from New London town and the Academy. A two-room farm house stood on his 8OO-acre tract, and Jefferson made many visits there. When disabled by a fall from his horse he recruited at this Bedford place. The plan of building Poplar Forest home was formed when he was caught at his farm house, without resources during a long rainy spell; the home, several years under construction, was completed about 181O. His first letters written there, which are embraced in his published works, are dated August, 1811. In 1821 he made four visits to the Forest, which he describes as an excellent house— inferior only to Monticello—"where he was comfortably fixed and attended with a few good neighbors; and he passed his time there in a tranquility and retirement much adapted to his age and indolence." Enormous poplars suggested the name chosen, for many of these trees cluster in groups so close together as to present the appearance of giant poplars. A descendant of Jefferson also has given a description of this historic and interesting home "built of brick according to a design of his own, one story in front, and, owing to the fall of ground, two in the rear, the lower story being a basement with a wine cellar underneath; an exact octagon in shape, with a central hall, 2O feet square, lighted from above, a room which served as a dining room and which contained a portable dumbwaiter with shelves; around the dining room were grouped a drawing room, four bedrooms, and a pantry. A terrace extends from one side of the house and a portico in front connected by a vestibule 'with the central room, and in the rear, a veranda upon which the drawing room opens with windows extending to the floor." Two large mounds of earth on either side of the house serve to screen from view outbuildings behind them. Jefferson's journeys to and from Bedford, made in his private carriage drawn by his own horses, consumed three days in travelling over 1OO miles. Stops were made always at the same inns: at Ford's tavern between Monticello and the Forest, the following incident occurred during one of these journeys: Upon his arrival Jefferson was shown into the best room where a respectable looking stranger was seated. The latter opened conversation without having an idea as to Jefferson's identity. He introduced the subject of certain mechanical operations which he had recently witnessed, inquiries and remarks made in response, satisfied him that he was conversing with an eminent engineer. Agriculture was next introduced and he then made up his mind that his companion was a farmer on a large scale. Finally, the topic of religion was broached and the clergyman (who was Rev. Charles Clay, known as "Parson Clay"), began to suspect that he was conversing with a member of his own profession, but could not discover to what particular persuasion he leaned. When Jefferson retired, Clay sought the landlord and asked the name of his fellow lodger. "What," said his host, "Don't you know the Squire? That is Mr. Jefferson." "Not President Jefferson?" exclaimed his enquirer. "I tell you that was neither an athiest nor an irreligious man, one of juster sentiments I never met." From this recounter, of these two neighbors in the county, a warm friendship ensued and letters passed between them have been preserved, a half dozen from Jefferson to Clay are included in the former's published writings. One written from Monticello January 27, 179O, states: "I hoped that during my stay here I could have the pleasure of seeing you in Bedford, but I find it will be too short for that. I wished to visit again that greatest of our curiosities, the Natural Bridge, and did not know but you might have the same desire. I understand you are a candidate for representation of your district in Congress. I cannot be with you to give you my vote, but I am sure I shall be contented with such a representative as you will make, because I know you are too honest a patriot not to wish to see our country prosper by any means, though they be riot exactly those you would have preferred. Wishing you every prosperity in this and in all your other undertakings (for I am sure from my knowledge of you they will always be just), I am, dear sir, your friend and servant." Another letter written January 29, 1815, tells of his sending, as a gift, a complete set of spectacles, from early use to old age, as a token of his friendship for the Reverend Clay. Thomas Jefferson is said to have acquired the Poplar Forest estate through his marriage to the widow Wailes, nee Skelton. There was a well known tract in Bedford-Campbell section in earlier times called "The Forest," mentioned in several early deeds. One, dated previous to the formation of Bedford, records purchases of land by Rev. William Stith in conjunction with Nicolas Davies and, in the division of their investments, The Forest fell to Stith, who died in 1755. Afterwards, Colonel John Payne acquired The Forest, a property he divided and in his will bequeathed one part each to the sons of his second marriage, Philip and John Smith Payne. Nothing has been found showing that this was the same property as that held by Jefferson, who sometimes called his place "The Forest." His manager there was Peter Yancey. In May, 1926, there was staged upon the lawn of this historic place the pageant "An Afternoon of Retrospection," under the direction of Mrs. Roy A. Ralph, author of the play, who portrayed the part of the "Spirit of Democracy," and was assisted in her presentation by patriotic societies. This pageant, given under the auspices of the Woman's Club of Lynchburg, was divided into four parts, as follows: I. The Beginnings of Religion—a reproduction of the first religious services at Jamestown, in 1607—the cast, the Boy Scouts of Lynchburg. II. The Beginnings of Education—the granting of the charter to William and Mary College, London, 1693; produced by Blue Ridge, Lynchburg, and Poplar Forest,—the three Lynchburg Chapters of D. A. R. III. The Beginnings of Independence—Jefferson submitting his draft of the Declaration to the Committee, 1776—presented by the Little Theatre of Lynchburg. IV. The Beginnings of Social Culture—Dolly Madison and her friends, 18O9-1817—produced by the Lynchburg Committee of Colonial Dames. Poplar Forest is now the country residence of C. S. Hutter. The only change which has taken place in the house since Jefferson occupied it, has been in the roof, originally with a dome elevation, which became badly injured in a storm and being considered unsafe, was not renewed. A circular driveway leads to the front steps, facing which there is a solid circle of dwarf boxwood, planted there by Mrs. Sextus Hutter, mother of the present owner. Hero of New Orleans The war cloud which hung over the country from 1812 on through 1814 lifted, and the preliminaries of peace between the United States and England were signed at Ghent on December 25th, 1814-a glad celebration of this Day among days. News of the action reached New York on February 11th, 1815, and was flashed over the country and followed by general rejoicing, and feting of the military leaders who had borne the brunt of battle. During the following April Lynch-burg was honored by a visit from General Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, who was en route to Washington, and made a stop at Poplar Forest, the Bedford home of Thomas Jefferson. A committee of citizens from Lynchburg was sent out on the Forest road to meet him as he drove along in a four-horse vehicle with Jefferson, his host, and they were escorted to the court house, where speeches were made welcoming Jackson to the Hill City; the party thence proceeding to the Bell Tavern. A public dinner, presided over by Mayor James Stewart, was served at Martin's warehouse, and was followed by a fashionable ball that evening at the same tavern. Next morning the distinguished guests crossed the ferry and pursued their onward course to Washington city; the memorable occasion causing much local satisfaction, for even in anticipation the visit of General Jackson aroused enthusiastic interest among the citizens—especially among those who held the same political opinions—and extensive preparations were made for his reception. Many private homes were newly decorated and furnished in his honor. It was the time when the fashion of frescoed papering was in vogue and a number of householders invested in that fashionable and costly wall papering. Among others, Dr. John J. Cabell—an ardent admirer of Jackson—selected papering for his home on Main street, depicting scenes around Paris-of Verseilles, Trianon, etc., the fine quality of which was proven by its remaining on the walls in fair state of preservation for nearly a hundred years, and when the property passed into the possession of the Elks' society in 1903 it was taken down and portions of it are yet preserved. Other wall paper decorations represented English hunting and pastoral scenes and one pattern reproduced Don Quixote illustrations, one of the latter used in the home of Captain Labby,—also situated on Main street,—was of Sancho Panzo tossed in a blanket, papering which was still untouched when last enquiries were made concerning it. Returning in the triumphal march of Jackson through Bedford and Campbell were soldier citizens of the two counties who had served in the southern engagement during the war of 1812, and among these were members of the families of Read and Alexander. Other Distinguished Visitors President Andrew Johnson, entertained in 1869. President Rutherford B. Hayes, entertained in 1877. President Grover Cleveland, visitor in 1895 for a few hours. Honorable Henry Clay, of whom Lynchburg had been an enthusiastic supporter when he was a candidate for the presidency. Senator Allan G. Thurman, in 1874. At the time that the South was under military control, General N. M. Curtis of New York was sent to take charge of the Lynchburg District. The political atmosphere was unfavorable for his reception. His predecessor had blundered. He realized that the people were still sore from their recent disappointment and were chafing under the coercion to which they were subjected. He brought to bear upon the situation a sense of justice and that spirit, called the milk of human kindness, which enabled him to understand the local point of view and deliberately set himself the task of winning the people's confidence. He asked for their co-operation. When he left he had not only gained their respect but their friendship as well and the assurance of a welcome whenever it was his pleasure to return. He cemented his tie with the community by joining the Lynchburg Society of Masons, and thus strengthened the brotherly feeling he had created by his good will and service. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________________________________