CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - HISTORY - Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches
			  Small Towns and Villages
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                   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


Small Towns and Villages

Chapter IV
Hat Creek.

  HAT Creek village situated between the creek o£ that name and Little Falling
river, was started about 1742 and grew with the building of the church there;
this old church has been rebuilt and renewed several times and the old burying
ground is said to contain graves which date back before the middle of the 18th
century. A small stream called Entray creek runs between the village and Morris
Church which is ahnost due north of it. Good soil roads lead to Hat Creek, but
it is not near a railroad; the Presbyterian church stands about a mile outside
of the village, and while the building is new, it stands upon the same site,
first selected for it. The church of 1847 was perhaps the building preceding the
present one; Parson Hammersley preached there 3O years, dying during the War
between the States. A little further is Morris Church, the settlement named for
the English settlers there; it was designated "New School" to distinguish it
from Hat Creek "Old School"; parishioners at the latter place were Irvine,
Clark, Armistead, Hamlet, Asher, Morris, Smith, "Williams, and
others—descendants of whom are yet to be found in the neighborhood. John Irvine
settled at a place afterwards owned by his grandson, O. C. Clark, and Dr. J.
Paulett Clark, his son (now resident in Lynchburg). In 182O William Cobbs,
president, and other citizens in the neighborhood of Hat Creek, requested to be
incorporated under the name of the Hat Creek Literary Society, with privileges
granted in such cases; three years later the same petition was presented by
Thomas J. Marshall a new president of the society. In 1829 twenty citizens
petitioned for a change of election from the junction of Little and Big Falling
river to Hat Creek Meeting House. In 1835 the voters at Hat Creek Meeting House
asked to have election moved to Brookneal because of the inaccessibility of Hat
Creek house. Little Concord church (Charlotte county) is almost on the county
line near Cub creek and but a few miles from Red House (on the Richmond road), a
place built by the Hancocks. At the time it had become the custom to paint
houses red, and that one took name from its color. Chas. Hunter kept a tavern at
Red House about the middle of the 19th century when as an important stopping
place for travellers it became well known, and still is used as a guiding point
for directing travel along the highway. An old sampler worked in cross-stitch*
picturing the house and grounds, is preserved. The fancy for its red color still
continues, all surrounding buildings having the same color. A log cabin club
house has been built in Hat Creek village within enclosed grounds and given the
name Bob White; it is owned by a company formed largely of Lynchburg citizens
and used as a recreative and hunting lodge.

*Worked in 1824 by Mrs. Ann Harvey.


  John Irvine's Hat Creek settlement, lacking but fifteen years of two centuries
in age, has seen the rise, the ventures, the growth of all other county
towns,-it has grown little but it has retrograded little; now it waits for its
wheels to arrive, when it may go forward avoiding the mistakes and losses it has
witnessed, in the progress of its neighbors.

Rustburg

  Rustburg, the county seat of Campbell, is situated on Route 18, about twelve
miles from Lynchburg, and also furnishes a station on the Lynchburg and Durham
Division of the Norfolk and "Western Railroad.

  The public buildings grouped there are the court house, old and new clerk's
office, (of brick construction) all within one enclosure, and, at the distance
of a square there stands the county jail; beyond the latter is the High School
Building also of brick.

  The village has a population of around 400 inhabitants, four
churches,—Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Episcopalian—the county bank, six
merchandise stores, one drug store, two hotels, two roller mills, a tomato
canning factory, two garages, and three filling stations. There is a Rosenwald
school for negroes, who have also a church in the town. Daily mail is carried to
outlying sections, along five rural free delivery routes, from the post office.

  The home of former clerk Alexander adjoined the court house grounds but was
burned some years ago. One of the Withers’ family residences was purchased by
Judge Nelson at the time of his removal to Rustburg; it stands at a bend of the
road leading from the main street and faces Long Mountain. Among the residents
of Rustburg are County Clerks, Goggin and Woodson with their families, and
nearby are Merriman, Anderson, Thornhill, Perrow and other homesteads. Sheriff
R. L. Perrow lives on Route 18 midway between Rustburg and Lynchburg, where his
ancestors settled.

  Because of its long period of establishment the Fountain Hotel (1786-1926) has
become quite historic.

  Henry Finch, received 20O acres of land through military service and agreeable
to the king's proclamation of 1763. Bernard Finch, (probably a son of William
Finch whose will was recorded in 1811) married in 18O4 Sallie Webber. He
patented 35O acres along Lawyer's Road upon the head branches of Molley's and
Bear's creeks. In April 1786 he was granted leave to keep an ordinary (inn) at
his house at the Court House; descendants bearing the name have continued the
popular tavern known as the Fountain Hotel, where the fame of its well prepared
and generously served viands attracts many guests to this day.

  Early marriages in the Finch family were;-Sallie Finch m. Miles Lester in
1788, John Finch m. Nancy Webber in 1796, Blagdon Finch m. Jane Dawn in 1798,
Betty Finch m. John Gardner in 1794, Sallie Finch m. Ambrose Rosser in 18OO,
Elizabeth Finch m. Jesse Rosser in 1818, Polly Finch m. George Bird in 18O3;
Barnett Finch is recorded in the county from 1825 to 1870.

  The Rust family is said to have come from England; one branch of it settled in
Westmoreland county. Dr. William Cabell surveyed land for George Rust on Castle
creek, upper Tye river, in 175O. Captain George Rust lived in Fauquier county
and had a son, William, whose son Albert was an officer in the Confederate army
and was commissioned a general; he had previously served in the United States
army. Albert Rust married Anne Bouldin a daughter of John Breckenridge Cabell
(son of Dr. George) formerly of Campbell county but at that time living in West
Virginia.

  It is not known to me at what time Jeremiah Rust came to Bedford; he was
settled there before its division to form Campbell, and upon the establishment
of the latter county promptly made an offer of 5O ,acres of his meadow land for
the new county seat; but other land was offered for the same purpose at that
time and a clash of petitions ensued, creating a controversy which lasted a year
or more before the final decision was made in favor of Rust's land, and the
village then started was given his name. In 1784 John Callaway, Charles Cobbs,
William Henderson and Charles Moile Talbot were appointed trustees to receive a
deed for the land given the county by Jeremiah Rust for erecting public
buildings thereon. In January, 1785 a prison had been finished and was approved
as sufficient for the purpose, and In February the court of justices ordered
that the new prison then received be considered as the jail of the county to
keep debtors and criminals.

  Jeremiah Rust lived but five years after the county was formed yet in 1783 a
temporary court house had been built upon his land even while the struggle was
going on between the two factions, each advocating choice of their sites, the
point in dispute being as to which was most central and accessible.

  Long Mountain, rising above the meadow upon which the town of Rustburg Is
situated, at one time bore the name of Rust's Mountain; It stretches the length
of six or more miles, and a cave on one side Is said to have harbored tories and
outlaws during the Revolution. It is one of two detached mountain ranges in the
county, the other being Candler's Mountain.

  In 178O Jeremiah Rust patented 458 acres of land on the head branches of
Molleys and Beaver creeks. His will recorded in 1787 bequeathed money to his
four oldest sons George, Peter, David and Enos: he had already given David land
lying between Green and Molley's creeks by the old ford; his wife was given all
of his "goods and chattels" for her use in raising the younger children: the
tract on Meadow-creek and one on the north side of Molley's creek adjoining the
town land and the tract below David Rust's was to be sold and the proceeds
divided between Rebecca (Mrs. Wm. Lucas) Enos, Isaac, Sarah, Elizabeth (Mrs.
Morris Roberts), Anne E. (Mrs. Mack Roberts) and his youngest son Jeremiah. His
wife, Mary, and sons, George and Peter, were appointed executors of his estate.

  The first school fair in Virginia was held, at Rustburg in October 19O8, when
prizes were awarded the county public school pupils.

  This school fair was started by the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs with
the aid of J. S. Thomas, then school examiner in the district, and with the
agreement of the Van Dyke League to help in Campbell. At that time no work of
the kind was being done in the state, though the Boys' Corn Club had become
organized by the United States Department of Agriculture- The school fair work
reached and encouraged the best efforts of a large number of workers, while the
Boys' Demonstration work emphasized the value of expert knowledge and training,
for which the school fair prepared the ground. In the long list which embraced
prizes in agriculture, horticulture, domestic science and art, manual training
and literary work, every child of school age had the chance of exhibiting the
work he or she could do best.

  The Fair Committee consisted of W. L. Garbee, county superintendent of
schools, chairman; John Gills and Miss Jennie Mosby from Brookville district;—W.
S. Frazier and Miss Mae Brandt from Otter river district:-G. A. Bradley and Miss
Bertie Burton from Seneca district;—and J. A. Connelly and Mrs. V. H. Lawson
from Falling river district.

  The school fair hall was burned, then the fair was discontinued. On November 5
and 6, 1926 Campbell held its first agricultural and school fair at Alta Vista,
the fair being strictly educational, athletic events alone furnished
entertainment. This fair was sponsored by county school officials and farmers of
the county for the purpose of developing keener interest in agricultural
affiairs and to stimulate interest by competition and improved school activities
and ultimately to 
induce the diversification of crops,-upon which prosperity of the county depends
rather than upon the bulk of any one crop. Men, women and children prepared and
entered exhibits, which conduced to the success of the fair.

  Mrs. C. S. Ferguson, home demonstration agent for Campbell has been very
active in organizing and directing agricultural and home economics clubs of
county girls and women, and in securing for the girls home demonstration short
courses annually at Lynchburg College. Mrs. Ferguson is also engaging county
attention in demonstrations for the development of better poultry and
standardization methods.

  While housekeepers are thus being aided by the home demonstrator, the farmers
are receiving benefit of expert knowledge on crop manipulation from Bruce
Anderson, farm agent for Campbell. Tobacco marketing has been a problem of the
past year, and farmers have passed through a trial of co-operative sales. The
organizations co-operating with the county agents to further boys club work are
the Lynchburg National Bank, the Campbell County Bank at Rustburg and the G. B.
Lewis Company of Lynchburg.

Marysville

  In 1782 Micajah Davis brought to the South River Meeting a certificate of
removal from Cedar Creek Meeting. He bought land on Seneca creek where he
located and built his dwelling house, merchant mill and store house. In October
179O a petition was addressed to Virginia Assembly for the establishment of a
ferry from the land of John Connefax in Campbell over Staunton river to that of
Colonel John Ward on the Pittsylvania opposite bank; as there was then no ferry
for a number of miles yet there were roads leading to Micajah Davis' store and
mill, Lynch's Warehouse, Oxford Iron Works, Campbell Court House and New London.

  In 1792 Davis patented 5OO acres on the west branches of Seneca creek, and,
the branches of Staunton river, and next year he located a town on his land at
Seneca Mills, which being remote from any other place of business, through the
encouragement given to farming operations and mechanics, and to tradesmen to
settle there, had attracted public attention, and he was thereby encouraged to
lay it out in half acre lots in the form of a town, to which he gave the name of
his wife, calling it Marysville. Some lots in it were sold and in October 1793
Davis applied to Legislature to enact a law establishing it as a town, which was
agreeably done. But it met with no considerable encouragement from investors
though acts were passed in 1815-16 allowing further time for improvement. In
1817 the trustees, John Harvey, John Organ, and Benjamin Davis sold Thomas Fox
lot No. 16. beginning at Mary's alley to Philip Payne's land and Chestnut
Street; again Thomas Fox, Jesse Harvey and Benjamin Davis, trustees, sold Edmund
Wade lot No. 7 at Spring street. Sales were slow and infrequent, Micajah Davis
became discouraged and decided to leave the community. He and his wife with
their nine minor children moved from Campbell to White Oak, Henrico county. Then
the town of Marysville which he had sponsored, following the fate of other boom
enterprises became little more than a location on a roadway and designation on
the map; yet it later revived and acquired stores and dwellings, but they have
disappeared: the old mill still remains. Much of the land in the neighborhood
became embraced in the large estate of the Payne family. Not far away lies
Patrick Henry's grove place which was never dwelt upon.

  Micajah Davis, Jr., (son of Micajah, Sr.) b. 1779 married Mary C. Gwatkin, and
remained in the county: ch.—William m. Mary Alexander;—John m. Ann Jennings;
children, William Minor m. Nannie Hunter Eubank; Christopher, m. . . .; —Mary
Jane m. John Henry. Thomas Newman, son of Wm. Minor and Nannie H. Davis married
Blanche Thompson and resided in Lynchburg, where he was city collector, an
office now held by his son, H. Minor Davis. Thos. N. Davis was a Confederate
veteran and prominent Mason.

  Samuel Davis married Anne Lipscombe, in 1769; located near Green Springs,
Louisa county, later moved to Bedford: children—George Dixon, b. 18O5 m. 184O
Mary Ann, dau. of John J. Wills (clerk of Lynchburg court, member of Legislature
and architect of Lynchburg C. H.): Geo. D. Davis died in 1879: his son, Thomas
D. was for many years clerk of Lynchburg court.—John Thomas m. Margaret Preston;
his dau. Mary m. Camillus Christian, a banker in Lynchburg.

Brookneal

  Brookneal, situated between Staunton and Falling rivers, is not far from
Halifax and Charlotte county lines. It belongs in a section, the fertility of
which, largely contributed to the favorable decision as to Bedford county
division and the neighboring farm land continues to produce a rich crop yield:
the succession of these broad fields, in full cultivation, furnishes an
attractive setting for the town, which is said to have received its name from
the intermarriage of the families of Brooks and Neal.

  In 1756 William Brooks patented 2OO acres on the lower side of Reedy creek.

  In 1782 John Brooks purchased 1OO acres of land lying on both sides of Little
Falling river from Susan Lawson, and her son William, of Henry county, a tract
which had been willed to Bartlett Lawson by William Rodgers who in 1753 patented
300 acres on both sides of Little Falling river.

  In 1743 Roger Neale patented 2OO acres on the north side of Staunton river and
both sides of Cub creek, also patented 1OO acres on both sides of Whipping
creek. Daniel O'Neal patented 3OO acres on Sycamore, and 3OO acres on Austin and
Sycamore creeks. In 1784 Zepaniah Neal patented 20O acres on west branches of
Cheese creek.

  A petition was sent in 1799 by 50O county residents for the establishment of a
warehouse for tobacco inspection upon John Brooks' land along Staunton river, to
be known as Brooks' Warehouse: receiving authority then, those interested,
erected a warehouse which for two years was operated as designed: at the end of
that time 6OO petitioners urged the location of a town, there, to be called
Brookneal, at the same time presenting a request for establishment of a ferry
across the Staunton from Brooks' land in Campbell to that of the late Patrick
Henry in Halifax, the ferry to be located at the end of Seven Islands.
Activities seem to have lulled in the community, for in the following years
several petitions were sent asking for the re-establishment of tobacco
inspection and allowance of a longer period for improving lots in Brookneal.

  In 1831 a false alarm of a negro uprising in the town caused great alarm in
the surrounding district and many persons, in consequence, left their homes and
collected together for protection at more distant points: but the rumor proved
to be without foundation of fact, excitement subsided, no one sustained injury,
and all returned to their abandoned homes.

  An appeal was made in 1832 by Campbell, Charlotte and Halifax residents for
the reappointment of commissioners to resurvey and lay off Brookneal with the
same powers as first appointed- A post office was established in the town in
1835, and during this year it was petitioned that voters in election at Hat
Creek Meeting House be allowed to move elections to Francis Callaway's tavern at
Brookneal.

  Because of the inaccessibility of Hat Creek, again in 1843 the petition was
made that cavalry be allowed to muster at Brookneal, the three adjoining1
counties joining in the request that such companies as enrolled themselves in
the voluntary artillery there be exempt from military duties in those counties. 

  A volunteer troop of cavalry was formed at Brookneal in 1845 of members from
Campbell, Halifax and Charlotte with Dr. Robert E. Withers as lieutenant and
drill master. The training of the officers occurred every Spring at the Court
House. Two other cavalry companies were formed in the county, one at Rustburg
and the other at Leesville near Bedford county line: there were also two
regiments of militia in the county, and two companies in Lynchburg: all of the
officers were required to drill together.

  In 1856 Company "C" of the llth Regiment (commanded by Colonel Samuel Garland
of Lynchburg) was under Captain Adam Clement, with Henry Howard Withers as
lieutenant. This company drilled at St. John's Church, not far from Pigeon Run
(the present Gladys). Captain John D. Alexander was captain of a cavalry company
of Campbell men. Volunteer companies mustered into service one year, then the
government issued orders for reorganization.

  The ferry across Staunton river at Brookneal was replaced by a steel
bridge—constructed by the Canton Ohio Bridge Manufacturing Company, through
contract with the Brookneal Bridge Company—for wagons and pedestrians: its
length being 9O feet by 16 feet width. Erection of the bridge was placed in the
hands of E. S. Moorman of Rustburg, as superintendent of construction. Falling
river is crossed by a bridge at Rush's mill near Brookneal.

  Substantial brick houses replace the old wooden structures, in the business
section of the town, which were destroyed a few-years ago by fire. Brookneal has
two banks, two hotels, two garages and service stations, three tobacco
warehouses, a hydro-electric plant, an ice factory, a flour, lumber and planing
mill; it has four churches—Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and a negro
church—and a fine school building: one weekly newspaper, the "Union Star," B. F.
Ginther, editor and manager.

  Two railroads pass through Brookneal—the Lynchburg and Durham, a branch of the
Norfolk and Western, on the north, and the Virginian on the south side with
freight and passenger stations. The town is also entered by good soil roads, and
the State Highway passes through it, thus giving transportation facilities. At
this time it is undergoing street improvements and extension of its limits.

  Liberty Farm with its notable vineyards is between (Brookneal and Naruna and
has the largest commercial orchard in the county. The bulk of its grape crop is
packed in baskets and shipped to the coal field section of West Virginia:
careful attention is given to the cultivation of the vineyard, which is probably
the largest in the state.

  As an economical measure, Brookneal's two banks have become consolidated into
one, the Peoples National Bank of Brookneal. R. C. Blackford, a prominent and
well-known Lynchburg attorney, was recently elected to the presidency to succeed
C. C. Scott. It has served the community well from the time it was founded
several years ago by J. E. Webb and has an unbroken record of growth and progress.

Leesville

  Leesville at the junction of Goose creek and Staunton river in the
southwestern part of Campbell is now a station on the Virginian railway just
west of the thriving town of Alta Vista: grouped in the vicinity are many old
homes, as the town was started over a hundred years ago. The first known settler
there was Captain Jacobus Early, eldest son of Colonel Jeremiah Early who was a
captain of Bedford militia in 1781; a captain of Campbell militia in 1782; he
married Sarah, daughter of Colonel Charles F. Wall. His plantation lay on both
sides of Goose creek to the mouth of William's branch the north side of Staunton
river, by Callaway's corner and adjoining Leftwich property; it embraced lands
inherited from his father and 115 acres purchased of Mark and Elizabeth Snow
(Henry Snow's patent) along Watery branch. In 1793 Early sold this land to John
Lee and in 1794 sold Edward Bybee 500 acres in Pittsylvania county and then
moved to southwest Virginia, his descendants settling in Kentucky and West
Virginia.

  There was a boom in 1818 for town building along water courses supposed to be
navigable for batteaux and John Lee conceived the idea of locating a town on his
land, giving it his name. He laid off 1OO acres in half acre lots and of these
sold sufficient to yield him $2O,OOO, reserving the home and its grounds: then
closed the sale. At his death, four years later, his son, Richard, came into
possession of the old home and occupied it several years. None of the lots
purchased were ever improved and there was no attempt made to transact business
there until 1826. At that time Stephen Terry rented the old Early mansion and
converted it into a store house, and afterwards, opened a tobacco manufactory,
continuing to operate as a merchant and manufacturer till 183O. He became
dissipated, neglecting his business, and the buildings were closed in 1831.
Afterwards business revived and at one time there were 4 stores of general
merchandise, 2 tanneries, 3 blacksmiths, 3 physicians, 2 tailors, 2 cabinet
makers, 2 carpenters, a wheelwright, a male academy, 2 churches, post office,
and near the village, a saw and grist mill, hemp and carding machinery and
cotton gin: in 19O2 there remained 2 stores, a shoe maker, blacksmith, public
school house, 2 churches, post office, grist and flour mill.

  When John M. Speed was the Campbell delegate to the Legislature three efforts
were made to form a new county of parts of Campbell, Pittsylvania and Bedford in
1845, '48 and '57: it was to be called Staunton with Leesville as the Court
House; but the petition was not favored and was finally withdrawn. Near to
Leesville there is a stone quarry, with layers of a thickness to be serviceable
for building purposes, which has long been used for paving slabs and from which
many of the neighboring houses have been provided with steps and platforms.
Lumber trade is carried on around Leesville to some extent.

  The grave of an Indian girl (containing pottery, beads, etc.} was found in
1919 by John L. Douglass on the Gordon farm, near Leesville, by the Staunton
river: and there have been found many flint arrows and tomahawks in the vicinity.

  An early settler around the Leesville community was John Brown, of whose
purchase in 1784 from James and Ann Martin and Jos. Eads of 196 acres, the first
county deed book makes record; this land lay along1 Catamount branch of Staunton
river beginning at Eads' corner: it is also recorded that he then freed a slave.
In 1785 Brown purchased from Wm. and Martha Alford 20O acres, known as Alford's
Mountain near the river, witnesses to the transaction being Micajah Davis, Jos.
Childress and John Vest.

  In 1798 Brown petitioned for a ferry on his land to cross the Staunton. He
lived in a brick dwelling at the top of a hill leading to Leesville. One of this
name was conspicuous for his habit of wearing a spike-tail coat ornamented with
brass buttons and his long hair tied in a cue; thus he would appear riding to
mill, or around among his neighbors, with a negro servant behind him: he was a
successful farmer and a man of means.

  James Brown m. Catherine Leftwich: children,—Fannie m. John Jefferson,—Jane m.
Col. Abner Anthony, one time agent at Lynch's;-Ann m. Col. D. Reid Arnold,-Maria
m. Albon Arthur,—America m. Jas. L. Arthur, state senator and treasurer of
Bedford county,—Virginia m. 1st Fletcher Arnold, m. 2nd Fletcher Lukin,-Bertie
m. 1st Col. Frank Board of Bedford, who was killed in Confederate service; Dr.
J. J. Board of Lynch's was a son; m. 2nd Alex. A. Arnold,—Thomas married a Miss
Brown: Jas L. Arthur m. (2d) Clara Anderson.

  Littleberry Moon lived at the top of Moon's Mtn., which took its name from
this family. The ancestor of the Moon family went with the Conqueror to England
at which time the name was Du Mohon, Mhoon, then Moon. Littleberry moved in 1838
from his father's home in Buckingham county; his mother was Jean Breckenridge,
dau. of Wm. Hopkins, who was the son of Dr. Arthur Hopkins of Revolutionary
fame. He bought 600 acres from Wm. Anderson upon which he built Viewmont, his
home, facing the distant Peaks of Otter, and standing not far from Leesville: m.
Martha Perkins, dau. of Littleberry Moon, Sr., a wealthy merchant of
Scottsville, who had died young, and his wife also, leaving 4 orphan daughters
who were then raised by their uncle Benjamin Perkins of Scottsville. Viewmont
replaced a smaller, quaint old house which was moved to the negro quarters: the
land upon which it stood had been the part of Col. Early's large estate devised
to his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Anderson. Littleberry's brothers, Overton of
Albemarle, and Arthur of Buckingham, were amongst the wealthiest citizens of
those counties: the family seem to have confined themselves to the marts of
trade, rather than official or military activities. Children of Littleberry
Moon, were-Maria m.   .   .   .  Gilbert, d. soon afterwards,-Sallie P. m. Col.
Goodman,—Jennie B. m. Leverette S. Early, son of Col. Edmund Early,—Elizabeth m.
Sam'l C. Goggin clerk of Campbell county,—Littlebery, Jr. d. at Lexington
1858,-Edward was killed in the Confederate army,—John B. moved to a western state.

  Robert F. Gaines moved to Campbell from Charlotte; m. Elizabeth Noel; d. 1865;
had 6 sons, 1 dau. (m. W. S. Smith)—Charles E. and Richard T. died in
Confederate service; William, also a Confederate soldier died in July, 1865;
Robert H. (C. S. veteran) m. Margaret Scott; James C. enlisted in C. S. army in
the autumn of 1864, was captured April 1, 1865, at Five Forks battle near
Dinwiddie C. H., and sent to Pt. Lookout where he was imprisoned until June 13,
1865; m. Rosa. dau. of Robert P. Mattox of Leesville, moved to Rock Wall, Texas,
where he now resides.

  Other Leesville residents, Col. Abner Anthony; John Anthony m. dau. of Col.
Reid Arnold, lived in the old brick dwelling on the hill above Anthony's creek:
Dr. Haden, whose home was at top of Haden's hill; Morton Pannill, merchant at
Leesville m. 1st Kitty Leftwich; m. 2d Mrs. Brown, nee Moorman; Green Terry,
later moved to a farm Solitude two miles away; Wm. A. Lee; Burwell Lee: Dr.
Austin; Dr. Withers; Thos. A. Richardson; John Jefferson; Robt. P. Mattox; James
Camper; Dr. David Ward.

  Mt. Hermon community, Wyatt A. Lee, son of John Lee, had 7 ch.-Lucinda m.
Christ. West,-Ann m. Wm. Merritt,-J. Dibrel m. Bertie Sweeney,-Ed. S. m. Anna
Bruce; these two brothers moved to Missouri;-Robert C. m. Hassie Pearman.

  King George's Hill is between Staunton and Pig rivers: an old tombstone nearby
is inscribed to the memory of one "Charles Carter who departed this life on the
9th of May, 1827. He was loved by those who knew him, best loved by those who
knew him best:" Carter was doubtless a resident in a neighboring county.

Lynch's Old Tavern on Ward's Road

  Two Lynch purchasers appeared in Campbell section at an early period of its
land distribution, but whether of the same family cannot be asserted as their
names are spelt differently; this may have been through choice of the owners or
just an accident in clerical writing.

  In 1726 one John Lynch patented a tract of land in Brunswick county on
Meherrin river and Fontaine creek; and about the same period Thomas Linch
patented land on the north side of the Roanoke (Staunton) river: the
comparatively small acreage of their patents seems to indicate that land was
procured for the purpose of settling upon it, and the date shows that they were
among the earliest settlers.

  These Lynchs preceded Charles Lynch, of James river locality, by more than
twenty years: they may have been the ancestors of John Lynch of Ward Road Inn,
who must not be confused with Lynchburg's founder, for if they were connected
with the Quaker family, as similarity of name might suggest, it is unknown to
me. The old inn or liquor tavern, erected on the main road—which was swathed
across the county by Major John Ward—stands in fair state of preservation and is
yet occupied by members of that Lynch connection though not now used for public
entertainment. The weatherworn building, without trace of paint, suggests long
use and haunting memories of peace revelries and war incidents. It is quaintly
but conveniently constructed, with low pitched rooms having broad, grooved
timber ceilings, and entered through a long covered porch which extends across
the front and is blocked at one end by a small detached room: liquors were
stored in the latter, and tumblers of the beverage were served customers through
a square opening with sliding shutter, cut in the dividing wall for the purpose.
The house is finished with gabled roof having three dormer windows, and in plan
and location is admirably situated for a wayside inn, standing as it does midway
between Lynchburg and Alta Vista on a much travelled route, unsupplied with
accommodations for travellers, about a mile or so from Castle Craig settlement.

  This Lynch family is allied with the Blankenship, Trent and Johnson families:
one John Lynch drew a pension for service in the War of 1812, and Robert
Johnson, who married a Blankenship, also served in that war at the battle of
Ellicott City, Maryland. When he returned to his home he talked so much about
the engagement there he was given the name "Ellicott Johnson" which clung to him
through the remainder of his life. His son, Daniel Johnson, born 18O4, died 1897
attached himself to the Dearing household at Avoca, where he spent a good part
of his life and at death was buried in the Lynch family burying ground. His
wonderful memory was stored with county narrative, with much of which he had
been personally familiar and he was ever ready with reminiscences of what had
transpired during his long life of 93 years, and of people with whom he had come
in contact.

  In 1769 Isham Blankenship patented 576 acres on the ridge between Ivy and
Tomahawk creeks.

Castle Craig

  The settlement at Castle Craig is situated about eight miles from Evington,
seven miles from Alta Vista, a mile or more from Lynch/s old tavern and two
miles from Kingston, on Ward's Road: it is said to have been given its name by
an English woman after a place in England. It possesses a store, a church, post
office, several homes and the now (ever present) gasoline station.

  John Ward (probably second of the name) sold land to an Englishman, Rev. Mr.
Loder, a Congregationalist minister, who preached in the Presbyterian church at
Castle Craig. An old Protestant Methodist church there called Paneuil was
replaced by Otterburne, a Missionary Baptist; Boswell Traylor of Quiet Retreat
preached at the latter church. Rev. Pinckney Scott preached at Pleasant Grove, a
free church, for the Methodists.

  Edward Estes of Big Lick (Roanoke) about the middle of the 19th century bought
Ridge Valley, a house built by one Goodman and embracing the family dwelling,
tavern and merchandise store, which Estes used for the same purposes. His
daughter, Celia, married Henry Williamson, and the daughter of the latter
couple, Ann Eliza, m. Anderson Dudley,-and now widowed, Mrs. Dudley occupies the
Ridge Valley home. Henry Hazelwood was the first post master at Castle Craig.
There was a second tavern in the settlement called, from the proprietor's name,
Simmons-Chapman.

Kingston

  John King patented 369 acres of land in 175O on Car gill's creek the north
side of Staunton river: the same year William. King patented 4OO acres on
Smith's creek adjoining John Davis. The first mention of the King name in
connection with Campbell is that of William King of Montgomery county, born
1753, who enlisted in the Bedford militia for two months as guard at the lead
mines in Wythe county under Captain Robert Adams, and Lieutenant McReynolds of
Colonel Charles Lynch's command. King received a pension for his Revolutionary
service. After the war he became a resident of Campbell and his will has
Sackville King's name attached as witness: the instrument bestows his property
on his wife, Mary King, to be by her devised to their children at her death;
designating his heirs by name,-Patsy Candler, Jesse W., John W.,  and Charles W.
King and grandson William M. Goodman the son of Achilles Goodman.

  The name, Sackville King, is found signed to many petitions from Lynchburg and
the county to Virginia Assembly.

  Sackville King married Anne, the daughter of George and Judith Burton-Payne.
His father-in-law willed him 30O acres of land on Cany Creek, Fluvanna river,
where King was living in 1781. He sold Samuel Scott in 18OO a lot in Lynchburg,
on Water and Second Streets, upon a part of which Mason's Hall stood—one half
acre—reserving so much of the lot as the hall and its eve occupied for its use;
the price paid him for the part sold was £1OO: the lot is now in the city's
business center.

  In 1824 King petitioned for establishment of a town upon his land lying on
Ward's Road and receiving favorable response, started the village of Kingston
(situated not far from Castle Craig), named for himself—a place like other paper
towns of the time, which acquired no extensive bounds, yet the name given to it
clung to the locality, and might more appropriately have been called King’s Folly.

  King was an eccentric character, often the buffet of fortune. He was twice
High Sheriff of the county, an officer so appointed because he had served on the
bench of magistrates longer than any other justice: the office carried with it
that of treasurer also, and was the most powerful local office in Virginia, the
fees and perquisites making it the most lucrative. King was upon the county's
charge once when called to fill the shreivalty, being then an inmate of the alms
house.

  He lived to be very old and was apparently estranged from his family, as
during the latter years of his life he staid alone in a cabin with only servants
near: had his coffin made several years before his death, kept it under his bed
and stored apples in it, said the little negroes would be afraid to steal the
fruit from such a container: at that time he appears to have moved to the country.

  King's will written in 1838 devised his property of every description, to his
grand-daughter, Mary Ann R. Layne, the dau. of James and Nancy King-Layne of
Montgomery county and appointed his friend John Teas, of New London, her guardian.

  The town he ambitiously started now shows only decay and wreckage: two stores
which remain indicate the amount of its former merchandising industry—but
windows and doors are barred against entrance. In striking contrast a new
residence is being constructed nearby; and its situation on the national highway
may attract other homeseekers and bring new interests and settlers to the
community.

  "Blue Door" church, an Episcopal Mission church is about a mile from Kingston,
situated upon a side road.

  Beyond Kingston a few miles, Yellow Branch ( earlier known as Early’s
Cross-Roads) is reached: it formerly supplied camping ground for religious
gatherings and obtained the name of Tabernacle Ground; it also supplied a site
for picnic-grouping1. Here neighbor pledged himself to meet neighbor in yearly
convivialties, for which bountiful provision was made by the housekeepers and
eager anticipation awaited the appointed tryst, when happy abandon characterized
the program of amusements, and age engaged with youth in aim of pleasure. These
picnics continue as harvest-home gatherings which serve to keep alive the
neighbor spirit of mutual interest. Yellow Branch has its school house and not
far away stands Early's Chapel.

  Twin Oaks lost the home to which it gave name, but the splendid trees yet
stand. Beechwood, purchased from E. E. Ross, about seventeen years ago by an
English family, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rogers, is yet occupied by the widow Rogers
and her sister, Mrs. Rowles. Next is approached the former home of Lewis E.
Williams, now occupied by his descendants: it bears the name Spring Bower, from
a bold spring nearby, which is shaded by a branching tree covered with the
parasitic mistletoe: two brick structures of an earlier period, which furnished
home and office building, yet remain.

  Approaching Lynchburg we come to the large grant of 1OOO acres on Flat creek
obtained by Robert Russell and now distributed among his descendants. A portion
of this property was obtained some years ago by Lynchburg for its City Farm,
upon •which necessary buildings were constructed. Within sight of Lynchburg,
Senator Glass' country home is reached and nearby the former property of John W.
Carroll.

Concord

  Concord, known better as Concord Depot, a station on the Norfolk and Western
railroad, near Pilot mountain, and situated on the border line between Campbell
and Appomattox, contains between three and four hundred inhabitants. It has a
Methodist and a Baptist church and a four year accredited high school with
attendance of 180 pupils. The name was taken from New Concord church, (an
offshoot of early Hat Creek Presbyterian church) but came near being called
instead Tight Squeeze from the report of Captain Jack Alexander, county wit,
that at the gathering there in celebration of the completion of the station it
was a tight squeeze to get anything to eat: Concord church is not situated in
the village, but stands 9 miles away.

  The first house in Concord was built by Robin Wilson, an Irishman, who owned
it but a short time, and sold to James Car dwell one of the first settlers to
have a steam saw mill in the county, which he operated from 180O till 185O-'6O:
he also owned a foundry, a blacksmith shop, and a threshing machine called a
"ground hog" machine, worked by 8 horse power: the teeth of the cylinder knocked
out the grain. Cardwell also made pots, skillets, plows and castings. His son
Charles moved to Missouri.

  Rev. Richard Brown, a Methodist preacher, conducted a merchandise store in the
village; he was followed by Burks and Fitch: Mr. Scruggs now has their stand.
Nat. Guggenheimer, a Lynchburg merchant, opened a branch store in Concord with
Maurice Furber as manager; and Robert A. Doss, (son of Over-street Doss, owner
of a good deal of land around the village) an early county sheriff and
treasurer, also had a store, but following the fate of many sheriffs, his office
caused his failure. Raleigh Chilton kept a tavern, used also as post office,
later owned by Hubbels.

  There was no provision for mail distribution from the tavern, and Dr. D. S.
Evans and William Dinwiddie •would collect and carry it around every few days to
the neighbors in the surrounding country. Major Thomas L. Arlington was the
first postmaster and depot agent. Owners of land nearest the village were Samuel
Staples, (father of George, Jeffrey, James and Powhatan) James Cardwell and
Sampson Evans. George Staples and George Abbott drove stages. Burton Landrum
conducted a liquor shop. James Cardwell sawed ties for the railroad, the first
train over which, passed Concord in 1854, creating much interest and excitement.
Concord is reached by a sand clay road from Rustburg and by a tar macadam road
which leaves the river near Six Mile bridge, from Lynchburg and is the shortest
route from that city.

  Concord railroad station was burned down during Hunter's raid on Lynchburg in
1864 by one of his soldiers named Rucker, from Ohio, who was probably the
descendant of a former Campbell county resident: the Federal troops were driven
away by Early's corps before they could do further damage in that section. Three
Presbyterian churches of similar names, Old Concord, New Concord and Little
Concord, are in the neighborhood of Concord Depot, one in Charlotte, one in
Appomattox and the other in Campbell; the latter designated as New Concord was
first located on Landrum's land moved to Shaw's and moved a third time; it is a
frame structure and stands near the roadside; its minutes have been continuously
kept and bound.

  Tradition reports that Robert Cardwell (father of James Dixon Cardwell,
inventor of the threshing machine) was of notable English ancestry: born in 1762
at Thornhill parish England, he went first to North Ireland and from there
emigrated to America, landing in Virginia, where he arrived shortly after the
Revolution. He married and located in Campbell near the locality which became
Concord: there he raised a large family of boys and one daughter.

  His second son, James Dixon, Jr. b. 1790, married three times, an Elliott, a
Cheatham, and a Walker, and owned a large quantity of land towards Pilot
Mountain. Jas. D.'s son, Charles Wesley, born 1825, married Dorothy M. Franklin;
Charles Wesley's son, Robert, went to Missouri, where he graduated from
Washington University of St. Louis in 1893. This grandson of James Dixon
Cardwell, the inventor, was also an inventor: he patented a number of articles
which are in general use, including the Friction Draft Gear (called the Cardwell
Gear): Robert Cardwell now lives in Chicago.

  John Thomas Cardwell a son of the emigrant remained at Concord, and also had a
large family of sons and one daughter. His son Josephus, married Mary, the
daughter of Captain Rees and Martha Evans; their daughter Ora, married Daniel
Benjamin, the son of Dr. Daniel S. Evans. Members of this family yet live at the
Pilot Mountain farm, situated not far from Concord.

  Little Concord church is within Appomattox lines.

  The two land slices taken from Campbell to add territory to Appomattox county
in 1845 and 1848, threw the families then living within that boundary into the
latter county and records of these residents were burned with all of the county
records when Appomattox court house was destroyed by fire in 1892; unless the
families possess duplicate copies, there is no way of recovering those court
papers.

  Two or three old covered bridges remain in the county; one of these relics of
past usage crosses Falling river about ten miles from Concord Station.

Otter River

  Otter River was established in the early days of the Southern railroad as an
inn, where the trains waited until the passengers were fed. It was run by
Captain Stewart from Washington, •whose son Frank married Ella the daughter of
Benjamin Anthony. Walnut Hill, home of the Anthonys, Arnolton, home of Colonel
Reid Arnold, and Otter River, home of Samuel C. Tardy are near; the latter place
is now owned by a family of Tweedy, formerly living at Rustburg. Read Arnold was
a lieutenant in the Confederate Army and later made colonel of militia.

  Families in the neighborhood, Anthony, Andrews, Douglass, Tardy, Wyatt.

Evington.

  Evington, a station established by the Southern Railroad company and,—built
upon land owned by Miss Evie Smith-was given her name; it was in former years a
community of considerable wealth. Without information to the contrary I am led
to believe that the first house erected near Evington was that of Colonel
Jeremiah Early, who moved there in 1755 from Culpeper, though in a deed of land
purchased from John Gibson of 2OO acres in Russell parish, Bedford county, he is
recorded as "Jeremiah Early of Augusta county" being then a lieutenant in the
Augusta District Militia.

  Early purchased 2OO additional acres in 1758, from Wm. Bryan of Albemarle
county, lying on Elk creek, Bedford, and a parcel of land on the north side of
the road to Warwick, from the trustees of Bedford county, upon which he agreed
to build within one year: as he is not known to have occupied any other home,
the one now owned by the family of Thomas N. Langhorne, a mile or more from
Evington, must be the one erected during 1758-9 to which the deed refers. Like
many later buildings in the county it was constructed of broad boards overlaid
with weather boarding and sealed closely inside with plaster, leaving no space
between outer and inner lining's, and stands upon a basement of brick
foundation, paved with broad slabs of stone.

  Early also built a mill and a tavern in the neighborhood. He acquired much
landed property and owned the Washington Iron Works in partnership with James
Callaway, his son-in-law: at the end of the century of his eleven children only
the two youngest Rev. Abner Early and Mrs. William Anderson were left in the
county, the former occupying the old family mansion; Jeremiah Early, colonel of
the Bedford Militia, died in 1779 aged 49 years.

  Irvines, Watts, Saunders, Anthonys, Callaways, Hicks and Hadens were among the
earliest settlers in Flat creek section near Evington. Three Hicks brothers came
to America from Lancaster, England in 1771: William and Henry went to Defiance,
Ohio, Thomas took up homestead in Pennsylvania. After a few years sojourn in
Ohio, William Hicks moved to Bedford county, Va. where he bought a farm near
Evington upon which he settled. His two eldest sons having gone west, during the
latter years of his life be placed his son, James Westmoreland in charge of his
farm; one of the other sons later returned home.

  Hon. E. A. Hicks, the present delegate from Campbell to the Legislature, lives
on a farm owned by his grandfather: he served on the board of supervisors for 2O
years, was chairman for 8 years; elected to the House of Delegates in 192O and
re-elected in 1922: he was educated at New London Academy. A large Hicks family
connection lives around Evington. R. L. Hicks and Miss M. M. Hicks are employed
in the Bureau of Standards in Washington city.

  John Callaway b. 1738, son of Colonel William and Elizabeth Tilly-Callaway m.
1st Tabitha, dau. of Henry and Sarah Tate; m. 2nd Agatha, dau. of Major John
Ward: resided near Evington. In 1785 his brother, Col. Jas. Callaway was
security on his bond to Patrick Henry, governor, for his commission as high
sheriff and treasurer. John Callaway in 1786 was one of the trustees of the town
of Lynchburg then established. His will recorded in 1821 devised to his three
grand-daughters, Matilda, Docia and Sally (daus. of his son William) 16O acres
of land on the north side of Otter; to his grandson, George W. Callaway, he
devised the land patented to James and John Callaway 67,OOO and some hundred
acres in Franklin, Botetourt, Henry and Patrick counties. To his beloved friend,
Henry Ward, he bequeathed the debt due him from Capt. John Ward.

  The John Callaway who moved to Georgia in the last quarter of the 18th century
may have been a son of this John Callaway of Campbell. John Hewitt married Sarah
A. dau. of John Callaway, Sr. in  1827 and lived on Otter river about a half
mile from Wyndholm. He built a temporary home expecting to build a better one
later in an oak grove on the hill above, but did not live to carry out his
plans; both husband and wife died early leaving one son, Richard Newton, and a
dau. Kate. Dr. Richard N. Hewitt added to the house built by his father and
lived there; he married Frances Dorothea, dau. of Jonathan and Pamela Michie of
Louisa county and their dau. Anna K. married Thomas Nelson Langhorne (dec.) and
lives at Wyndholm.

  First William Watts, and then his son-in-law, Judge Fleming Saunders lived at
Flat Creek, a house built by the former, and later occupied by Captain Fleming,
a son of Judge Saunders, who married Mary Gwaphmey of Norfolk; the property is
still owned by the family of the latter couple-Major Robert Saunders married
Carrietta Davis, and resided at a place named for her, called Caryswood, which
also remains in his family.

  John Anthony, who was a justice of Albemarle in 1745-6, moved to Campbell and
acquired a large estate in land: in 1754 patented 1012 acres on both sides of
Otter river adjoining William Stone and in 178O patented 130O acres on the south
branch of Otter creek, in 1759 patented 674 acres at the head of Ivy creek a
branch of Blackwater creek: in 1785-6 he was deputy sheriff to John Callaway: in
18O1 Mrs. Elizabeth Anthony's will (then recorded) mentioned children;—John, Jr.
_______ -Elizabeth Cowan,-Abner.  .   .   —Mary Menges,-Elizabeth
Robertson,—Lucy Jones,-grandson Col. Charles m.  .  .   -Sarah Bradford,-and
grandson John A. Callaway: there is still a large connection of this family in
the locality.

  Rev. Abner Early lived in his father's old mansion; his son Jacob moved with
his family to Indiana; son William moved to Mississippi: family of his son, John
W. moved to California: sons, Abner and Edmund remained in Campbell, and the
latter heired his grand-father's home: but later moved to a place built by himself.

  William Irvine, a Scotch settler, purchased land on Otter river where he built
a home called Otter and married Mary-Anthony: he died when William, his only
son, was small. He was one of the first justices of Bedford, and an active
citizen there. William, Jr. married Martha, the dau. of Jesse Burton, who
assisted in laying out Lynchburg and lived near Burton's creek, named for him
and changed from Rock Castle creek: a gr. grandson, Dr. James Sinkler Irvine,
(who m. Evie Saunders) owns the old Irvine home place.

  Haden is another name still found among residents in the neighborhood: in 1793
John Haden m. Rachel Reynolds, 1795' Rachel Haden m. John Moorman; 181O Jas. C.
Haden m. Nancy Johns. In 1812 James M. Haden was captain of a company of
Grenadiers in the 3rd Va. Reg. which served in the war with England. In 1821
Margaret D. Haden, married Henry T. son *of Rev. Abner Early. In 1814 Jane Haden
m. Samuel C. Tardy, who lived near Otter River, a station on the Southern R. R.
Cornelia F. dau. of Dr. Madison Haden m. Judge John G. Haythe of Gladys: his son
Dr. J. W. Haythe was severely wounded in a battle near Petersburg. Capt. Chas.
Anthony m. Martha Haden.

  Colonel Alexander Austin's old home was on the road to Evington; his dau.
Sarah married Peter Rawlings and her family now occupies the old home; his son
Thomas moved to Missouri.

Type of the Old South.

  Rev. Charles Carter Randolph, born in 1846 at The Grove near Warrenton,
Fauquier County, Va. was 3rd son of Captain Charles C. Randolph (son of Robert
and Elizabeth Hill Randolph of Charles City County) and his wife, Mary A:
Fauntleroy-Mortimer. When a lad of 14 years Federal soldiers sacked his home and
the family were forced to seek refuge in the home of a kinsman. In 1862 he
entered Co. "F" 6th Virginia Cavalry in which a brother-in-law was lieutenant.
That year he saw service in the Valley of Virginia and at the battle of Port
Republic first met Stonewall Jackson. In crossing a stile Jackson dropped his
glove and the little soldier picked it up for him, an act that attracted
Jackson's attention to the youthful and diminutive figure. After enquiring his
name, the general ordered him to put down his gun and return to the rear, but so
persistent was the young soldier's refusal to obey this order, that Jackson
became impressed with his earnestness and took him on as courier for oral
dispatches and ordered him to overtake the army, which Randolph reached at
Malvern Hill engagement, the climax of the Seven Days Fight. The boy carried
dispatches for Jackson at 2nd Manassas and went with him to Frederick and
Antietam where he rode hard all day carrying dispatches through heavy fighting
around the Dunkard Church. Jackson thought him too young for continued military
service and recommended him for a scholarship at Virginia Military Institute
which Randolph entered in February 1863.

  May 15, 1864, as a member of Co. "C" of the Cadet Corps, he took part in the
battle of New Market. As the boys charged up the hill to take the battery, he
was wounded and left for dead on the field, where later a comrade found him and
brought a surgeon to him: after several weeks he recovered but lost his hearing
in one ear. Only three days before New Market battle his oldest brother, Captain
Robert Randolph, of the Black Horse Company of Fauquier, was killed at Meadow
Bridge near Richmond.

  In 1866 Charles Randolph re-entered Va. Mil Inst. and graduated in 1870.

  In 1872 he entered the Theological Seminary at Alexandria, graduated in 1876
and next year was ordained by Bishop Whittle. After serving the parishes of
Christ Church, Matthews Co., Va., St. Thomas', Baltimore Co., Maryland; and
Woodville, Botetourt Co., Va., with two years at Americus, Georgia—in 1899 he
became rector of Moore Parish, Campbell Co. with charge of the churches—Good
Shepherd, Evington; Trinity, Rustburg; St. Peters, Lynch Station (afterwards
moved to Alta Vista); Christ, (built by him) near Winfall; and St. John's near
Gladys for a short while; also Union Church at Castle Craig and Blue Door
Mission near Kingston. After a devoted ministry in Moore Parish of 17 years, he
retired in 1916. However, he continued to supply various town churches till the
autumn of 1924. He married 1st Sallie T. Anthony of Botetourt, who died a year
after her marriage; m. 2nd Sarah Blair dau. of Rev. Wm. McGuire of Essex Co.:
children; Bessie Carter, Mary Mortimer, Charles C., Wm. McGuire and Robert: Rev.
Chas C. Randolph died in 1925 at Richmond. Builder of mission churches and
preacher for 48 years he was an unfailing friend and minister to all classes,
colors and religious beliefs: those who came near him recognized the earnestness
of his Christian spirit and he was dearly loved. Among his friends he showed
himself the chivalrous gentleman, tolerant and magnanimous: all who knew him
felt the influence of a personality of exceptional sweetness and charm.

  Good Shepherd Episcopal Church was built through the efforts of Captain
Fleming Saunders of Flat Creek: vestrymen of the church were John Thompson
Brown, Captain Saunders, Thomas Langhorne, and Captain James G. Begg. The
rectory formerly occupied by Rev. Charles C. Randolph, has been sold, and the
minister officiating there now lives at Alta Vista. In 1872 Begg (born 1829 at
Kinross, Scotland, a great nephew of Robert Burns) purchased The Grove near New
London, and lived there 35 years: he died in 19O9 and was interred at the
churchyard of Good Shepherd church. He was educated at Edinburg, and had been
connected with the iron works at Lochgelly and Coatbridge, and was captain of
the 29th Lanarkshire Volunteers, which had been organized as a Home Guard. He
sold his interests in the iron works and emigrated to Virginia. Since his death
The Grove has passed through several ownerships and been renamed Closebum Manor.

Confederate Soldiers from Evington

Arthur, John A.
Anthony, John W.
Early, Leverett S.
Farmer, Bogus
Farmer, William
Haden, Benjamin
Haden, Clarence V.
Haden, Dr. Joel W. of Capt. Jordan's company, Wise brigade; severely
     wounded in battle near Petersburg.
Haden, Mark A.
Haden, M. H.
Irvine, Captain Edward
Irvine, Captain Jesse
Irvine, John B.
Irvine, Dr. William H.
Hicks, James  H.
Hicks, James W.
Hicks, R. W.
Hicks, W. H.
Hunter, J. A.
Hunter, Robert
Fields, Daniel
Mason, John L.
Murrell, D. B.
Phillips, William
Pribble, C. J.
Saunders, Captain Fleming
Saunders, Major Robert C.
West, William H.

Lynch (R. R. Station, Clarion)

  The land which Lynch Station covers was originally owned by the family of Lee
who were large landholders in that section; the Lee home, built partly of stone,
was said to be over one hundred years old when it was recently burned. In 1825
Mt. Hermon (Methodist) church, one mile west of the present town, was built on
land donated by John Lee, and, excepting one at Leesville, was the only church
within a radius of many miles: pastors there were Milton Andrews, Nathaniel
Thomas, J. A. Proctor, John Harmon, Joshua Hunter, etc. The old church was torn
down and a larger one erected in 1875; the discarded timbers were used in the
construction of a school house which was taught by Mrs. Charles Douglass, dau.
of Ralph Smith: prior to this a private school was conducted on Ralph Smith's
land by Miss Elizabeth Lambert.

  Upon the completion of the Lynchburg and Danville Railway in 1873 a station
was settled upon land belonging to William Frazier, which he had purchased from
the estate of John Laughon, who married into the Lee family. It was given the
name Lynch Station because Charles Henry Lynch, a landowner several miles east,
had been instrumental in securing subscriptions for financing the railroad- The
Fraziers had long been landholders in the vicinity, their home being a mile
northwest of Lynch’s. Other near residents were John W. and Benjamin H. Anthony;
Rev. Milton E. Andrews; Wyatt, Alexander and D. R. Arnold, Henry W. Adams;
Benjamin and Alexander Brooks, Rev. Milton L. Bishop; Charles A. Douglass, Sr.;
Edward Lynch; Dr. Thomas L. Dillard; the Dearing family, Anselm and Wm. O.
Frazier; Gaines family; William Goodman; Wm. and Charles Hall; Charles Hughes;
John Laughon; Wyatt, Richard and Moses Lee, the sons of John Lee; Moorman
family; Wm. Merritt; William Pannill; Benj. W. Porter; Ralph Smith, Benjamin
Tardy; Hardaway Turner; John and Kenneth Urquhart; James Wood; Whitfield and
Charles West; Judge Robert H. Ward; Christopher West.

  The railroad which has been given several names, but now called Southern
Railway System, was three years under construction and furnished work for
country people, who had returned from the war in great need. The name of the
station being similar to Lynchburg, another station on the road, was changed to
Clarion but the post office retained the first designation. The first building
erected was the home of John B. Omohundro, section foreman for the company.
William Quid's store conducted by his son Eugene, (who later represented
Campbell in the Legislature) followed. Wyatt A. Andrews with Haden and Bragg in
sawmill business, procured several acres in connection with a sawmill and that
was the first industry. James A. Traylor erected several homes, and two stores,
one of brick, which were laid by Samuel Crawford, veteran of the Mexican war.

  The first station agent and post master was Abner Anthony from Leesville, who
while in his office was struck over the head by burglars and lay in critical
condition for weeks afterwards: Oscar M. Turner succeeded in the office and he
also practiced law: Eugene Taylor, pioneer citizen, was also a postmaster. Wyatt
A. Andrews and John L. Douglass were merchants in partnership till the former
opened a drug store: Andrews was a confederate veteran, married Annie R. Bishop.
John L., son of Chas. A. Douglass, m. Lucy Hardwicke of Tennessee, and was
identified with railway mail service for 4O years. John L. Webb of Orange county
was associated with the J. T. Marshall Lumber Co. in the operation of a mill not
far from the village; married Valeria M. Snow. Dr. John J. Board (son of Col.
Frank H. Board, killed at Winchester battle) practiced medicine, and his
brother-in-law, Dr. T. C. Dennis, dentistry, when Lynch's was in its infancy:
the latter married Lily Board and Dr. Board m. Lily B. dau of D. R. Arnold,
lieutenant in the Confederate army. John C. Thompson, a pioneer, married Clara
Victor Snow; Joseph Tyree m. Mary E. Douglass, and conducted a merchandise store.

  Jesse, son of Wm. Frazier received a bullet during service in Confederate
service which was never extracted: he travelled through the west but returned to
his home ultimately.

  In 188O James Hardwick and James Traylor published a weekly called the
Campbell County Record., which was later taken to Rustburg. After a few years
the press was brought back to Lynch Station and the Campbell County Clarion
published for some years by B. J. Wilkinson, an attorney and Confederate
soldier: "Wilkinson m. 1st Mollie Turner, m. 2nd Virginia Traylor. Two of the
most successful merchants were John J. Anthony and Paul T. Anthony, brothers and
partners in business.

  Wm. C. Arthur 40 years in Southern Railway service m. Theresa Laughon; he was
wounded in Confederate service. Charles A. Douglass, Jr. m. Kate Boisseau of
Petersburg; he died in 1926.

  Lynch Station was incorporated as a town in 1884, with Oliver Peak as first
mayor. One of the ordinances provided that no vehicle should be driven through
the main street at a speed over six miles per hour. Before 19OO the charter was
allowed to become inactive.

  Prior to the settlement of Alta Vista, three miles to the south, more business
was transacted at Lynch Station than at any other point in the county, excepting
Lynchburg. It was the nearest point for residents of Ward's Road section and for
the people fifteen or twenty miles to the west in Bedford county. Their farm
products were carried to the local merchants there for purchase or for shipment:
many train loads of lumber and wood were shipped and there was a large output of
ore from the manganese mines, at one period of the town's history.

  James Traylor, Thomas Fauntleroy and H. M; Oliver were instrumental in
securing the erection of a Baptist church at the station in 1879: the first
preacher was Rev. James Eubanks, who taught a boys' school at Sunny side in
Bedford. Other ministers who officiated there were Dr. Frank Fisher, Rev. C. A.
Woodson, Rev. W. D. Barr, and Rev. Charles Anthony. John Adams, a Confederate
veteran, was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.

  About 189O Rev. Dr. Jaeger visited the county as a missionary for the
Episcopal church and was active in raising funds for the erection of St. Peters
church which was consecrated in 1892. Rev. James F. Plummer was the first
regular minister with H. W. Adams, Sr., John C. Thompson and Thomas Payne as
vestryman. Rev. Frederick Le Mosey followed in the pulpit, but he was killed by
a runaway horse; after him Rev. Charles Carter Randolph took charge. In 191O the
membership of St. Peter's was moved to Alta Vista.

  Benjamin Porter was among the first settlers in the locality; he moved from
Orange county in 179O and acquired land upon which he built his dwelling and a
merchandise store near the present Arnolton, which received its name from the
Arnold family, who later came into possession of it. The store was used as a
post office before the construction of the railroad. Captain Porter died during
the heavy snow storm of 1857 which drifted ten feet deep in places, and there
was difficulty in attending his funeral. His sons William, John, and Benjamin
moved to Missouri; dau. Elizabeth m. . . Rogers of Orange county: dau. Anne F.
m. Kenneth son of Walter Urquhart who came to Virginia from Scotland and settled
in Campbell at the foot of Johnson's Mountain. In 1789 Walter Urquhart patented
50O acres lying upon the west branches of Johnson's creek. Shiloh church stood
near the homes of the Porters and Urquharts near Johnson's Mountain, some miles
above Lynch' s.

Alta  Vista

  The name of the town, Alta Vista, was suggested by its situation: lying on the
Staunton river, at the junction of the Southern and Virginian railroads, it was
founded by Henry Lane, (one of its present active citizens) at the time of the
building of the last named road, upon land formerly belonging to a member of the
Adams' family.

  The Staunton's water power has furnished an important factor in the town's
development and foremost among its enterprises are the Lane Brothers' Cedar
Chest and Alta Vista Cotton Mill Companies which have become well established
and much advertised; the former is claimed to be one of the largest
manufactories of cedar chests in the world. The town possesses also a mallet
factory, stove factory and ice plant, which, with the above named industries,
make it the second important manufacturing center in the county: it provides a
market for tobacco in its two warehouses, one each for bright and dark tobacco,
also boasts ownership of the largest High School in the county, excepting
Lynchburg.

  Here there is seen a fine post office building, public library, two banks and
six churches,-Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Western Methodist, Presbyterian,
Pentacostal Mission and Church of the Living God; two hotels, two
newspapers,-one, the Alta Vista Journal (weekly) and the Tri-County Democrat, a
semiweekly issue; two drug stores, three garages and service stations, and two
automobile agencies.

  Near the locality is Otter-River or Ward's Bridge which crosses the Otter, a
tributary of the Staunton. In 181O Major Ward replaced his ferry with a toll
bridge, now a free bridge furnishes passage across the river for travel along
Route 14.

  Members of the Ward, Adams, Lynch, Dealing and Fauntleroy families lived in
the immediate neighborhood, where some of the old homes still stand, and some
representatives still live. Unusual beauty, in name selection, for their
estates, was manifested, such as Otterburne, Monteflora, Avoca, and the like,
prompted doubtless by the natural beauty of the scenery.

  Romantic interest centers around Otter bridge from its connection with the
Otter River picnics started about the middle of the last century on the banks of
the Otter near its junction with the Staunton and not far from Alta Vista. They
were inaugurated with the purpose of drawing county people together, and formal
invitations were issued by appointed committees for a two-day festival. The
picnickers assembled in a romantically situated glen just beyond the bridge,
where a dance pavillion was erected and long tables provided to receive the
spread of daintily prepared food from bountifully laden baskets; and benches
supplied to seat the company: nature lent a hand in furnishing vine and root,
trunks and abundance of shade, •with the lulling sound of flowing water on river
banks below. An invitation of August 26 and 27, 187O, gives committee names, Dr.
Wm. V. Adams, Chiswell Dabney, Dr. Maurice Early, Mosby H. Payne, C. R. Payne,
T. L. Anthony, G. E. Coleman, with those of managers, Maj. Chas. H. Lynch, Maj.
J. C. Ward, Dr. F. A. Perrow, Bowling Clark, Colonel H. W. Adams, Captain Wm. E.
Johns, and J. A. Payne: without distinction of age, here extremes met and two of
the promoters of the festivities were bachelors of 7O years.

  As time wore on one day sufficed for this neighborhood gathering but the same
spot lures the pleasure seekers to its attractive shelter.

  Alta Vista has an enthusiastic chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution
named for Colonel Charles Lynch, whose residence was near there.

Winfall

  Before the construction of the Lynchburg and Durham Railroad, through the
locality, the present station of Winfall was simply a trading point possessing
one general merchandise store. In earlier times the family of Elliott, who held
the English king's grant of land, had settled in the neighborhood, descendants
of whom remain there. The building of the railroad gave the community its post
office and station which was named after a small stream flowing at the foot of
the hill: the present post master is S. W. Elliott, who also operates a store
there.

  In 1797 Thomas Elliott bought a tract of land, upon which stood a mill, on
Falling river from James McReynolds; again in 1803 bought 4OO acres lying on
both sides of Mountain Run from McReynolds. In 1811 William Elliott purchased
land on Troublesome creek from John Pribble. An allottment was made in 181O of
Thomas Elliott's estate—land adjoining that of Robert Elliott, Jr.—to Prudence,
Tabitha, Thomas P. and Archibald Elliott, beneficiaries. In 1814 a deed
transferring property from Thomas Elliott to Robert Elliott was recorded.

  Besides its station and post-office Winfall has a school building, a gasoline
station, 2 stores, a Baptist church, with a Methodist church nearby on the main
road and five miles beyond the station, on east ferry road, Grace Episcopal
church, the land upon which it is erected,, having been given by W. C. Mitchell.

  Families around the community are Elliott, Mitchell, Brown, Daniel, Page and
others.

  General Wyatt Elliott, C. S. Veteran, and clerk of U. S. Court in 1896 and one
time resident in Lynchburg, was a member of the Elliott family at Winfall.

Gladys

  The village which now bears the name of Gladys, and is a station on the
Lynchburg and Durham railroad, started as Connelly's Tavern, and that was used
as a relay post for the mail which was brought on horseback from Rustburg by Mt.
Zion, Marysville and Brookneal; the first post master having been Mr. Stoner.
Later the place received the name Pigeon Run from the pigeon roost which near
the middle of the 19th century was observable in a densely wooded section known
as The Barrens where changing locality at night flocks of pigeons more than a
mile in length continued to roost till early spring time. Almost every autumn
wild pigeons would sweep over the forests searching for nuts and acorns; they
would settle down on a piece of forest land marching in solid mass, and closely
examine the ground, roosting in the undergrowth but when they were disturbed by
hunters, they changed their roosts to the tall pines of the unbroken forest.
Hundreds of huntsmen from the contiguous county would throng to their shelter
every night in wagons, buggies and vehicles of all kinds, and form a regular
encampment, spending the night in search of the birds, which did not remain in
the same place but often changed their quarters. Their range extended from four
to six miles in width and from ten to fifteen in length, and they would commence
moving off in the morning as soon as it was light.

  Churches then were the meeting places for neighbors, and the first heard of in
this locality was situated about 1OO yards from the Alexander home in a grove of
fine oaks and called Molley's Creek church, but the old structure was blown down
during a storm in 183O. It was used by Methodist and Baptist alike, but located
on Alexander's land he exercised a proprietary right over it. The next church,
St. John's Episcopal, still used, •was erected through the efforts of Mr.
Osgood, a ministerial student, who was employed as a teacher in the
neighborhood: Wesleyburg of the Methodists followed, then the Baptist erected
Mt. Calvary, but the latter was replaced by Kedron, land for which was donated
by Richard Morgan.

  School started in a one-room log cabin, and was taught by Dr. Moorman; in 182O
the school acquired 2 rooms, to which was added a third in 1913, fourth in 1917,
and in 1919 it possessed 8 rooms; it was converted into Seneca High School in
1917 and since 192O it has been an accredited high school with seven teachers in
charge. Large tracts of land around Pigeon Run were owned by the Withers'
family: Gladys Inn was built by Dr, Robert Withers. The Moyer house was also
used as a post office and the Haythe house as a store. After disposing of his
Shady Grove property Richard Morgan moved to the Haythe house and his son, Dr.
Morgan built a drug store which he used as a dental office also, during his
residence in Gladys.

  The Lynchburg, Halifax and North Carolina railroad completed in 1890, placed
Robinson's Crossing at Kedron church; a station was established at Pigeon Run
and called Woodlawn, but changed later to Gladys, its present name, at the
suggestion of Major Otey, president of the railroad company, after the name of a
stockholders' daughter. This road was afterward sold to the Norfolk and "Western
railroad company as a branch line, with the name Lynchburg and Durham, and is
yet operated as such. With the choice of Gladys for the station, the village
numbered its third change of name, and from then parted with the one which had
been suggested by the roosting of pigeons in the neighborhood.

  Situated in a tobacco and grain growing section of rolling country, Gladys
possess two churches, three stores, hotel and school house, two garages, a
blacksmith shop, mail and rail service, a grist mill, a physician and two
pastors: rural free delivery was started in 19O2. The first improved wagon road
was built in 1917 extending from Gladys to Long Island.

  Grouped in the neighborhood are a number of old houses, which were the homes
of families who were once active in the county affairs and who dispensed
hospitality to such extent that it made those homes notable, but those owners
have all gone and other tenants now occupy them. These country places are not
near enough to be seen from the station, though in easy access, over good soil
roads which now prevail. Not far away stands St. John's Episcopal church, and
its nearby burial ground furnishes a resting-place for many of its former
parishioners. Among the places, become historic by association with the past,
are Robert Alexander's Rock Castle (which later was the Robert W. Withers'
home); Adam Clement's Oakwood; Spotswood Henry's Shady Grove (later home of
Richard Morgan, still later of Captain William Perrow); a house built solidly of
rock, the residence of the Page family; Paynes, Lemmons', Haythes' properties
not far distant.

Naruna

  Naruna (a name which is said to be of Indian origin) is situated, in open
country on the Lynchburg and Durham division of the Norfolk and Western
railroad: fine pine forests are seen near. Perhaps its chief interest centers in
its High School which in 1923, through contribution of its patrons and an
appropriation from the state was erected for the instruction in vocational
agriculture and home economics, and thus became a Smith-Hughes Agricultural
School. The principal of this institution is Miss Rose Gilliam, who resides in
the old Gilliam home a few miles distant and who, in conjunction with two other
teachers, Miss Rachel Whitlow of Rustburg High School and Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke
of Fairview Heights graded school, prepared the Campbell County Geography
Supplement in 1925 under the supervision of Dr. Wilson Gee of the school of
Rural Economics and Rural Sociology at the University of Virginia—a booklet
published by the Campbell county school board.

  Near Naruna is the large apiary of Tanner C. Asher, who has besides colonies
of bees in Halifax and Charlotte counties. Bee-raising is a growing industry
which is now fostered by conventions of bee-raisers. In 192O there were 2555
hives in Campbell and the yield of honey and wax amounted to $15,77O: the
sources from which the bees obtain honey are the sour wood, tulip, poplar,
clover and fruit blossoms, asters and sumac: that these furnish sufficiency is
proven by the fact that bees do not materially depredate upon the neighboring
vineyards.

  A property situated between Naruna and Brookneal and known as Liberty Farm,
now established on a commercial basis, is conducted by Samuel A. Ford and sons,
and is largely devoted to apple orchards and vineyards, about eight acres, (with
around a dozen varieties of grapes) constituting the space covered by the
latter. The crop of grapes is packed in baskets and shipped to West Virginia
markets principally, though much of it finds a local market. This Ford family is
of Huguenot origin, the spelling of the name having been abbreviated into its
present form. An early ancestor was the first sheriff of Buckingham county; the
present head of the family married the daughter of Dr. Samuel Taylor of
Richmond, who is said to have been a brother of Chancellor Creed Taylor. Samuel
A. Ford was a member of Company "G" 3rd Va. Cav. Wickham's brigade, and was with
the command under General Early in the Valley campaign; having entered service
in 1863 at the age of 17 years. Of the captains of his company, George Matthews
was killed at Mitchell's Ford, Edward Garrett killed at Amelia C. H., and Robert
Page was last in command. Samuel Ford purchased Liberty Farm about twenty-five
years ago; a property which had passed through various hands. Report says it was
first owned by Hancocks, and the present residence was the site of slave
quarters. More authentic seems the information that it was owned by John J.
Callaway. Ford obtained the land from Foster, a liquor merchant of Lynchburg.
Perhaps his apple crops afford the largest market return, as culls and dropped
fruit are run through press, the cider from which finds ready sale locally.

  Near 'Liberty Farm' is a negro settlement which bears the name 'Cake Walk'.

County Almshouse

  Campbell appears to have made as good provision as falls to the lot of other
county almshouses, yet it is not possible to dissociate the pathetic, the
tragic, from the lives of inmates of an institution, which (from long usage of
the term) we commonly call the poor house—that is the refuge for those who have
come to the end of their resources, who must wrench themselves from old ties and
face a situation of dependence upon the community and its provision. The most
touching feature is that this fate comes principally to the old, the infirm, the
helpless, and that under the most favorable circumstances their lives pass out
in shadow, even in many instances in invalidism. In order to reach the
institution it is necessary to take the highway which connects Lynchburg and
Rustburg then leaving that road midway between these two places, turn to the
right, cross Beaver creek and the railway track and follow a road leading up
hill: the stables for county mules and horses are first reached in nearing the
institution. Then there comes into view the white washed brick buildings around
a quadrangle; frame houses in the valley below and on the hillside, beyond the
main buildings, and a chapel for religious services. The superintendent of the
almshouse, C. E. Blankenship, has a screened whitewashed brick house, with
porches also screened, and low ceilings. Fronting the quadrangle, and across
from it, there is a double-dining-room, one side for the white inmates, and the
other for negroes; for both there is provided bench-seats at the oil-covered
tables. A negro, hired for the purpose, is cook; and a white woman is employed
as nurse and assistant in the care of the sick and aged.

  The white residents are housed in four brick buildings, one and a half stories
high, having two downstairs rooms in each building and two in the upper half story.

  Negroes are allotted rooms in the frame house in the valley. The cook prepares
three meals a day—of vegetables, meat, bread, coffee and milk. Beds, quilts and
blankets, pine dressers, kerosine lamps and wash-basins comprise the
furnishings, without attempt at ornament.

  Screens furnished are not acceptable to the inmates, and the screen doors are
found propped open and even taken down and carried away in protest against their
usage. Perhaps these unfortunates reach a stage of contentment, that fate is so
far benignant, and realize that for them the elements of gladness, of happiness
do not exist, unless in retrospect or else in reflection from the lives of those
more happily situated.


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