Isle of Wight County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History.....Uzzells Church, 1930 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Centennial Celebration at Uzzell's Church INTERESTING ALL DAY PROGRAM ON AUGUST 20, CELEBRATING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SITE OF UZZELL'S CHURCH. An interesting all-day program was carried out on August 20th, celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the deed for the site of Old Uzzell's Church in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, about four miles from Smithfield. Rev. C.O. Tuttle, presiding elder, was master of ceremonies. Rev. I.T. Poole read a carefully prepared "History of Uzzell's Church." Mr. R.S. Uzzell of New York, a lineal descendant of Capt. Thomas Uzzell, founder of the church and from whom it takes its name spoke on "Uzzell's Family in the Establishing of Uzzell's Church." A splendid dinner was served on the grounds. After dinner Bishop Collins Denny gave the congregation one of his always good addresses. He was followed by sbort talks from living pastors who had served this congregation. They were the Rev. J.E. Deshazo, Rev. J.D. Hosier, Rev. H.T. Todd, Rev. C.E. Johnson, Rev. S.E. Jones, Rev. D.T. Merritt and the present pastor, Rev. E.W. Somerville. They were followed by Mr. John Godwin, Sr., leading member of this church, who conceived and so happily carried out this Centennial Celebration. Rev. I.T. Poole's paper shed much interesting light on the history of this church, which may be said to have begun in the religious persecutions of France. Thomas Uzzell, the Huguenot, fled that country after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1686 and settled in Isle of Wight county. His grandson, Capt. Thomas Uzzell inherited his religious zeal, began to preach the gospel in this locality perhaps as early as 1780, and was the friend and host of Asbury, the first bishop of American Methodism. It is interesting to note that an early General Conference of the Methodist church was held at Blount's Castle, a short distance from Uzzell's residence, in 1812. Asbury died in 1816. The church in Uzzell's house and community was established, therefore, long before 1830, which is the date of deed from Thomas Uzzell to the trustees of the church conveying the acre and a quarter on which various Uzzell churches were built, the present structure dating from 1888. As early as January 6, 1794, Capt. Thomas Uzzell put on record in Isle of Wight county, Deed Book 2, page 100, a deed of Manumission freeing his slaves, containing this beautiful preamble: "Being fully persuaded from the conviction of my own mind that freedom is the nature right of mankind, and that it is my duty to do unto others at I would desire to be done by in the like situation." Asbury preached against slavery in the south and found a kindred spirit in Uzzell which shows that Methodism was against slavery fron the beginning, and that the Abolition movement began in the south. Mr. Poole's paper stresses the influences of Uzzell's church in its community, and cited its fruit in the useful Christians who came from that church. Mr. R.S. Uzzell informed tht congregation that while Capt. Thomas Uzzell's church was the first, or Mother Uzzell church, it was not the only one founded by an Uzzell. Capt. Thomas Uzzell had several useful preacher descendants. The congregation was extremely interested in hearing about some of these and claims these other churches and preachers as belonging to them, because these worthy descendants caught the torch from the falling hands of Capt. Thomas Uzzell and carried on in proclaiming the gospel in distant western and southern communities. Some of these were local preachers, but others had a wider influence. He told of the Rev. Charles Uzzell who founded the Hay Market Mission in Chicago and the "Tabernacle" in Denver, Colo. He also related incidents in the career of the picturesque and forceful "Parson Tom Uzzell," who began preaching in Leadville when it was the wildest mining town west of the Mississippi, where he preached in bar rooms with a Bible in his hands and a six shooter in his belt. He was called there the fighting parson, because he never quailed before the toughest bad man of that tough town, and became Leadville's hero on account of his courage and kindness of heart. Later he took over the Tabernacle in Denver, after his brother Charles' death, and made it the greatest institutional church in the west, with dispensary and employment agency, he labored there for a quarter of a century, became Denver's best known and best loved preacher and earned the title of "Denver's Apostle to the Poor." Bishop Denny's stirring address was heard with rapt attention. He stressed the preaching of repentance of salvation as the secret of the wonderful power and influence of early Methodism, and said the failure of much modern preaching to emphasize these fundamental requisites was the secret of its failure to produce results. He urged the preachers present to preach the Bible gospel of Asbury and early Methodism. An interesting exhibit was a quaint, portable pulpit, made by Capt. Thomas Uzzell himself, and much older than the church, from which Asbury and Uzzell often preached, it is kept as a sacred relic, in the church and is highly treasured by this congregation and community. Rev. Mr. Poole, R.S. Uzzell and Bishop Collins Denny spoke from this old pulpit stand. ****************************************************************************** History of Uzzell's Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is Read at Centenial Celebration WRITTEN BY REV. IVEY T. POOLE FOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION [AUG.] 20, 1930. While we today celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the establishing of Uzzell's Church, the history of this church, like the history of all great movements, grows out of all that has gone before. We could not, therefore, discuss the history of Uzzell's church without taking account of that unusual history which began when this section of Virginia became the cradle of American Democracy and the Protestant Church in America. Indeed we stand on holy ground. The first permanent English settlement which was made at Jamestown, not many miles from the site of Uzzell's church, on the 13th of May, 1607, began the religious background of this whole section of Virginia, and of the Nation as well. The Jamestown settlers coming to America in search of religious liberty, planted the seeds of the religious life of Virginia. In the establishment of the first colony, the religious life was not overlooked. Robert Hunt, the first minister of the Colony, suffered the hardships of the early settlers in the effort to serve their spiritual needs. Capt. John Smith describes first place of worship at Jamestown in the following words: "We did hang an awning (which is an old sail) to three or four trees to shadow us from the sun; our walls were rails of wood, our seats were unhewed trees till we cut planks; in foul weather we shifted into an old rotten tent." Thus Christianity was planted in Virginia and this section of the United States. Since the settlers came to America seeking a place where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, we would naturally expect to find a rich history connected with the establishment of the various denominations which today make up the religious life of our nation. Interesting as it would be to trace the history of other denominations, we shall have to confine ourselves in this paper to the history of Methodism in this section as it relates itself to the establishment of Uzzell's church one hundred years ago. Methodism in Virginia Methodism was planted in Virginia by Rev. Robert Williams in 1772. Robert Williams was born in England, but settled in Ireland. He received from John Wesley a license to preach under the authority of the regular missionaries in the American field. He sold his horse to obtain money for his passage to America. He sailed with a pair of saddlebags containing a few pieces of clothing, a loaf of bread, and a bottle of milk. After coming to America Williams labored for a while in New York and Philadelphia, and then came down the shore and crossed over to Norfolk, where he preached Norfolk's first Methodist sermon on the steps of the Courthouse. Williams was invited to Portsmouth by Isaac Luke, where he preached Portsmouth's first sermon under a couple of persimmon trees. From the records it seems that after laboring for a while in this section, Williams married and settled down, thus ceasing to travel as a traveling preaching. He settled about half way between Suffolk and Portsmouth, where he lived, died and was buried; his funeral being conducted by Bishop Asbury; though the place of his grave is not definitely known. After the coming of Robert Williams to Virginia, and the opening up of the way for Methodism, he was followed in May, 1775 by Bishop Asbury. Bishop Asbury made his first appearance in Norfolk May 29, 1775. With Norfolk and Portsmouth as a center he covered all the surrounding country and often established churches and preaching places in private homes. Isle of Wight Circuit With reference to the Isle of Wight Circuit and the churches making up the circuit it has been difficult to find any records which will throw light on the early history. We do find that the Isle of Wight circuit was admitted to the Virginia Conference in 1781 while the Conference was in session at Baltimore. We have been unable to determine how many churches formed the circuit at this time, and whether or not the circuit has remained intact since 1781, but it is interesting to note that just nine years after the coming of Robert Williams, the first Methodist preacher to Virginia, that the Isle of Wight Circuit was formed. We are led to believe that no circuit was formed until there was already a number of established preaching places and churches. Therefore, this section must have received a great part of the labors of the earliest Methodist preachers in Virginia; and the early preachers when they came to this section must have found the foundations well laid upon which to build the Methodist church. Uzzell's Methodist Episcopal Church, South One great failing of Methodism has always been that while we have been very busy making history, we have been all too negligent in recording history for those who follow. In trying to write the history of Uzzell's church, we are interested not only in the history of the church during the past one hundred years, but in the period preceding 1830 out of which the church came, and the largest portion of this paper deals with this early period, and for our facts concerning this period we are dependent largely upon the tradition of the community which has been handed down through the years. The central figure in the establishment of Uzzell's Church was Captain Thomas Uzzell. On the 16th day of December, 1830, Thomas Uzzell and his wife, Mary Uzzell, deeded to Josiah Parker, John P. Provan, Dolphin Driver, John Whitehead, Thomas Uzzell, Sr., John Driver, Charles D. Broadfield, John Joyner and Barth Lightfoot, trustees, for the sum of five dollars, one and a quarter acres of land; said land to be held in trust by them and their successors in office as follows: "That they shall build or cause to be built thereon a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America according to the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed upon and adopted by the members and preachers of the said church at their General Conference in the United States of America," etc. We are led to believe that Thomas Uzzell was the moving spirit in the establishment of the church because he made the deed for a small sum of money, and because he is named as one of the trustees, and also because the church when completed bore his name, and has borne the name of Uzzell's throughout its long history except from 1874 to 1888. The first building was repaired in 1874 and the name changed to Olivet. In 1888, the church was rebuilt under the leadership of Rev. C.D. Crawley, and the name was then changed back to Uzzell's. While the history of Uzzell's church properly begins in 1831 when Mr. Uzzell deeded the property on which the church stands the real history of the church possibly antedates this period by forty or fifty years, Thomas Uzzell must have been a very religious man, and must have been the religious leader of the community for many years before he saw his labors bear fruit in the erection of a permanent church building in 1830. Community tradition has it that Captain Thomas Uzzell was himself a preacher. Mr. Alphonso Garner remembers hearing his grandmother say that Mr. Uzzell preached at his home, and at three other places, and that for his services these preaching places paid him the sum of $10 per year. We do not know whether Mr. Uzzell held any official relation to the Methodist church in America at this time or not, but we think that it is altogether probable hat he was a local preacher. He could not have been a traveling preacher because he was a man of family and under the rules of that day could not travel, but as a local preacher he could have held regular services at as many preaching places as were available. Tradition also has it that Mr. Uzzell was a close friend of Bishop Asbury, and that Bishop Asbury often visited in his home and preached in his house. It is reputed that at the Conference of 1800 held at William Blunt's, Thomas Uzzell was present, and that Bishop Asbury came home with him and preached in his home. Mr. Uzzell built a pulpit which he used in the services at his home. This old Pulpit, built in the quaint style of that day, is possibly one hundred and forty or fifty years old. We do not know how long it was used in the home of Mr. Uzzell. It is said that Bishop Asbury preached from the old pulpit when visiting in the home of Mr. Uzzell. It is altogether likely that Mr. Uzzell, knowing that Bishop Asbury was coming to his home to preach and desirous of giving the Bishop better than he had for himself, constructed the old pulpit for Bishop Asbury to preach from. The old pulpit has been preserved in its original form, and is at present the property of Uzzell's church. The old pulpit was handed down through Thomas Uzzell Pinhorn, an orphan boy of the community who was reared by Thomas Uzzell, and who upon the death of Mary Uzzell, wife of Thomas Uzzell, came into possession by will of the property Mrs. Mary Uzzell. Mr. Pinhorn, by the example of Mr. Uzzell, his foster father, lived and died a faithful member of Uzzell's church, dying on the church grounds. According to wills and deeds recorded in the Clerk's Office, Mr. Uzzell left his estate to his wife, Mary Uzzell, and at her death her property went to Thomas U. Pinhorn, by will. The old pulpit was a part of this property and it remained in his house as long as he lived. At Mr. Pinhorn's death the old pulpit was taken to Uzzell's church, where it has remained ever since. Mr. John Godwin, Sr., remembers seeing the old pulpit sitting in the living room in the home of Thomas Uzzell Pinhorn when he used to go there as a boy in the company of his father. Thus we can see that the old pulpit must be a great deal older than Uzzell's church. Another interesting relic connected with the history of Uzzell's church is an old Discipline which was the property ot Thomas Uzzell. The book is of the edition of 1792, and was bought by Thornas Uzzell September, 1799. The book had formerly been the property of Rev. Stith Mead and Thomas Fletcher. On the flyleaf is the name of Thomas Uzzell, date of purchase, and person from whom purchased, in his own handwriting. The Old Discipline was found in an old desk, formerly the property of Thomas Uzzell and Thomas U. Pinhorn, by Mr. John Godwin, Sr. The purchase of this Discipline by Mr. Uzzell more than 31 years before the building of Uzzell's church confirms our contention that Mr. Uzzell was an earnest church worker long before the building of Uzzell's church. Another interesting proof that Mr. Uzzell was closely aligned with Methodism long before 1830 is the fact that on the 6th day of January, 1794, Mr. Thomas Uzzell freed the slaves which he possessed. His deed of Manu-mission is recorded in Isle of Wight Deed Book 17, page 170, and bears the form used by the early Methodist preachers in freeing their slaves. The question of slavery was agitated very much by the early Methodists. In fact, it would be difficult to begin to estimate the influence of Methodism in the abolition of slavery. In 1774, Mr. Wesley published his Thoughts on Slavery. This document had great weight in creating a sentiment against slavery. In 1780 the Conference in session at Baltimore passed a resolution requiring all Methodist preachers to agree to free their slaves, and urging all Methodist laymen to free their's also. It is impossible to believe that so soon after this action of the Conference Mr. Uzzell would have freed his slaves unless he had been a very devout son of Methodism. Thus, we can see that the traditions concerning Mr. Uzzell and his religious activities together with the construction and use of the old pulpit, the purchase and use of the Old Discipline, and the freeing of his slaves because of his convictions regarding slavery, which convictions were the same as the convictions of the leading Methodist ministers; and coupled with these facts, the fact that descendants of his became ministers of the Gospel; we believe we are safe in claiming that the history of Uzzell's church antedates 1830 by at least forty or fifty years. Our contention, therefore, is that Mr. Thomas Uzzell was a man of God, working for the best interest of his community as well as the spread of the Kingdom of God, and that he sought every means possible to better his community. He must have labored at great odds during those early days prior to getting enough people interested in establishing Uzzell's church in 1830. Just how the thing he had dreamed about and had worked to accomplish, namely, building a church for his community, was accomplished has not been left, for us either by record or by tradition, but in a study of the history of early Methodism in this section we find that the years immediately preceding 1830 were years of great revivals. We find in Bennett's History of Methodism in Virginia the following interesting data: "Rev. Joseph Carson wrote from Norfolk. 'I have arrived at this station on the 8th of March. (This was in 1827) and commenced my labors I trust with an eye single to the glory of God; determining to know nothing and preach nothing but Christ crucified. In a short time it became manifest that my feeble efforts were not in vain. Many were awakened to a sense of their condition and began to inquire what they must do to be saved. With many their conviction for sin was so powerful that their own houses became houses of prayer for the distressed, and several were converted in their own dwellings. The result of this meeting was 142 conversions; 92 white and 42 colored members were added to the Church'." Also from the same source we quote: "1827 was a (this is quoted by Mr. Bennett from Rev. Allen Bernard) memorable year in all this region. A revival broke out in Suffolk in the month of May which extended its happy influence far and wide - The work went on gloriously in Suffolk, Smithfield and the adjacent neighborhoods. When we were about to close a meeting in Suffolk one evening a Brother Baker came to us and said he wished we would hold a camp-meeting in his neighborhood. On the first day of the meeting the work broke out with unusual power. The Spirit was with us to give effect to the word preached. Rev. Daniel Hall, a veteran of the Cross, was present. He had been the presiding elder of the district in 1803 and held a great camp-meeting near Suffolk at Smith's Mill. Dr. William I. Waller preached with great zeal and success. We have never been able to ascertain the exact number that professed religion at this meeting. Some of the most influential of Suffolk were converted there and afterward joined our church. The revival influence extended from this great meeting into the adjoining circuits and hundreds were brought to Christ. In Gates county, and in Murfreesboro, Edenton, Elizabeth City, N. C., in Surry, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and in Norfolk city and county the work was gracious and powerful." Quoting further from Dr. Bennett: (This is earlier than the above quotations about 1821) "In Surry, Isle of Wight, and Prince George counties, there was an interesting work. At Laurel Springs meeting house the revival broke out at a quarterly meeting, and spread rapidly to other places, until one hundred were converted. At a camp-meeting in Isle of Wight the Spirit descended in great power, and the praise of God burst from the lips of many who had been strangers to His name, one hundred and fifty were born from above." Our contention therefore, is that it was the great revival wave which swept thru this section during his period that caused Mr. Thomas Uzzell to realize his cherished dream, the building of a permanent house of worship. Uzzell's church, therefore, as the world has known it for the past hundred years, grew out of the heart glow of Captain Thomas Uzzell and those whose hearts had caught the warmth of his godly life. The history of Uzzell's church since 1830 has been one of no great outstanding events as the world regards history, but a steady growing power for good in the community. The Church of God does not seek to write its history in glowing events, but in the lives of those who make up its membership and constituency. Uzzell's church has served and is still serving a real need in the life of the community. It has brought solace and comfort to bereaved hearts, it has laid its hand on the hearts of boys and girls and guided their lives to mature manhood and womanhood, it has been stood by the bedside of the dying and sent them out into the great realms of eternity unafraid. Its membership today is made up of strong, stalwart Christian men and women, who within its walls have found the way of life. Interesting indeed would it be if we ha a list of all those who have been members of Uzzell's church during the hundreds of years of its history; but [t]his is impossible, for only eternity will reveal the minute details of her history. We have been unable to secure the names of the pastors who served during the first forty years of its history. Beginning with 1871 the following pastors have served the church and community: 1871-1872 - J.W. Connelly. 1872-1874 - J.W. White. 1874-1875 - Alex. Doniphan. 1875-1876 - James Sumpkin. 1876-1877 - W.E. Allen. 1877-1880 - T.R. Wise. 1880-1884 - J.E. Deshazo. 1884-1888 - J.W. Hilldrup. 1888-1892 - C.D. Crawley. 1892-1893 - J.B. Deberry. 1892-1896 - T.J. Wray. 1896-1898 - C.H. McGhee. 1898-1901 - C.C. Wertenbaker. 1901-1903 - J.E. Deshazo. 1903-1905 - R.A. Compton. 1905-1907 - J.H. Amiss. 1907-1908 - R.B. Scott. 1908-1912 - R. Ferguson. 1912-1916 - C.E. Johnson. 1916-1920 - H.T. Todd. 1920-1922 - J.T. Sewell. 1922-1923 - R.S. Busby. 1923-1924 - R.S. Baughan. 1924-1926 - S.A. Jones. 1926-1927 - J.D. Hosier. 1927-1930 - E.W. Somerville. As stated earlier in this paper Uzzell's church was built in its first form in 1830-31, and stood the ravages of time until 1888, when a new building was erected. The building erected in 1888 stood in its original form until in 1912-13, when, under the leadership of Rev. C.E. Johnson, as pastor, and Mr. John Godwin, Sr., as chairman of the building committee, commodious class rooms for Sunday school use were built in the rear of the church auditorium. These class rooms have enabled the church to do a more thorough and constructive work in the matof religious education. During the history of the church the following men have served as trustees: Thomas Uzzell, Josiah Parker, John P. Provan, Dolphin Driver, Charles D. Broadfield, John Joyner, Barth Lightfoot, W.V. Wilson, John Godwin I, Norman Garner, S.O. Garner, John Godwin, Sr., E.H. Scott, J.R. Wilson and L.F. Garner; and perhaps others of whose term of office we have no record or remembrance. The first Sunday school of which we have any record was organized about 1874 by Junius W. Wills, who was the first superintendent. Others serving as superintendent are A.H. Bassett, a member of the Christian church, A.F. Nelms, W.V. Wilson, J.L. Underwood, B.W. Hearn, John Godwin, Sr., W.B. Gale, L.W. Hearn and John Godwin, Jr. Those who have served on the Board of Stewards: Junius W. Wills, George S. Nelms, Norman Garner, B.W. Hearn, John Jordan, John Godwin, Sr., W.B. Gale, W.V. Wilson, J.L. Underwood, John Godwin, Jr., S.O. Garner, J.R. Wilson, Paul Godwin, J.W. Hall, W.C. Gale and G.C. Allman. Among the many contributions which Uzzell's church has made to the world is the fine records made by one of her sons who entered the ministry, Rev. E.F. Garner was converted at Uzzell's church in the year 1885. He was licensed to preach in 1887, and admitted on trial in the traveling ministry in 1890, and served faithfully until God called him home in 1928. Thus Uzzell's church, beginning first in the religious life and labors of Thomas Uzzell, of sainted memory, has stood through the years as a city on a hill, as a lighted candle on a candlestick. Its light has gone out not only to the community surrounding it, but out into the world brightening the lives of many, many people, and only eternity will be able to reveal the results of the labors of Thomas Uzzell, its founder, and those faithful souls who have wrought, toiled and worshipped within its walls. May the next hundred years of her history be fraught with as much good as the hundred years which have passed forever into eternity. Comet News Miss Emma Brock, near Comet, has returned home after spending two weeks in Portsmouth. Those visiting in the home of Mr. Otis G. Brock Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Herbert and child of Suffolk, Mr. and Mrs. Oppenzellar and two children, Mrs. C.L. Brock and children, Mrs. S. Oppenzellar of Portsmouth, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Munford and children, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Edwards, Messrs Ernest Wells, Jimmie Barlow, Walter Beamon, and Miss Nona Joyner. Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Munford and children called on Mr. Otis G. Brock this week. Mr. Ernest Wells, Mr. Jimmie Barlow and Miss Sarah Wells were guests of Miss Lillian Brock Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Otis Brock and children were guests of Mrs. Batten Monday evening. Those from around Comet who attended the meetings at Bay View Monday night were Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Gwaltney and Mr. O.G. Brock and children, Misses Erma and Lillian and Mr. John Massey Brock. Mr. Eddie Drewry was the guest of Mr. Otis Brock Tuesday. ****************************************************************************** Church celebrates its history Uzzell's United Methodist Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary and its regular Memorial day with a special worship service and dinner, on the grounds, Sunday. At the 11 a.m. service, the Rev. James G. Holloman, superintendent of the Methodist Churchs' Portsmouth district, delivered the combined Memorial and Anniversary sermon. Immediately following the morning service a dinner was served by the members of the church in the fellowship hall and on the grounds to the more than 250 guests attending. Mrs. L. Seward Darden and Mrs. Paul Godwin served as chairmen for the dinner. At 2 p m. service, the pastor, the Rev. James O. Brooks Jr. presented the History of Uzzell's Church and other special events. Rev. Brooks welcomed members of the Thomas Uzzell family, founder and organizer of the church. Attending were Mr. and Mrs. William C. Uzzell of Amherst. Mrs. James E. Hodges and her family, wife of the late Rev. James E. Hodges, former pastor, was recognized as well as Mrs. Louise Godwin Poole, wife of the late Rev. Ivey T. Poole. It was Mr. Poole who compiled the history of the church through 1930, deriving much of his information from the Ashbury Journal at Duke University. Special music was provided at both services by the church's choir. The song service included hymns used at the dedication service of eight classrooms on April 20, 1913 and the Centennial Homecoming Day on August 20, 1930. Ronald D. Darden is the church's organist and Miss Sharon Council is the pianist. Mrs. Jim R. Wilson presented a special program, "Reflections." Mrs. William Crawley Gale, who now resides at the Hermitage Home in Onancock, was recognized as the oldest member of the church. The youngest member is LaVinia Blevins. Fifth family member generations were recognized. Members of the church and friends were recognized who attended the Sunday School Classroom dedication in 1913 and also the Centenial Homecoming Day in 1930. The congregation's members, former members and friends of the church had many reminiscences. On display in the front of the church was the old wooden pulpit constructed by Thomas Uzzell and estimated to date as early as 1789. The United Methodist Women of the Church have just installed a plaque on the front of the pulpit for this special occassion. Mr. Brooks was chairman of the memorial and anniversary program. "The Smithfield (VA) Times," Thurs., Sep. 4, 1930 (Vol. 11, No. 22), p. 1, col. 7; "The Smithfield (VA) Times," Thurs., Sep. 11, 1930 (Vol. 11, No. 23), p. 6, col. 1-6 "The Smithfield (VA) Times," Wed., May 21, 1980 (Vol. 61, No. 21), p. 11, col. 5-8 Library of Virginia (LVA), Richmond, VA "Virginia Memory" Digital Collections, "Virginia Chronicle" newspaper database: http://virginiachronicle.com/ Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com) [line breaks mine] file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/history/uzls_ch.txt