Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History.....Revolution, 1931 

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"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 148, Mon., Sep. 14, 1931, p. 1  

NANSEMOND COUNTY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

  Attention of readers of The News-Herald is directed to the opening 
installment of an interesting narrative of Nansemond county's part in the 
American Revolution by Wilbur E. MacClenney, well-known local historian, 
whose writings on historical and genealogical topics have attracted 
considerable attention. His latest contribution will be of special interest 
at this time due to the fact that the nation next month will observe the 
150th anniversary of the American War for Independence. 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 148, Mon., Sep. 14, 1931, p. 5 

Part Taken By Nansemond County In The American Revolution 

      (BY W. E. MACCLENNY) 

    Editor's note - This is the first chapter of carefully prepared narrative 
  of the part this county played in the Revolution, prepared by Wilbur E. 
  MacClenny, whose historical research and publications have attracted 
  statewide attention.  Mr. MacClenny has drawn upon all available resources 
  for the facts he has completed for readers of The News-Herald, his first aim 
  being accuracy, great care having been taken not to pervert or misstate the 
  facts of history.  This author's reputation for reliability in historical 
  research work and his familiarity with his subject, should make this series 
  of articles of great value to the students of local and state history.  It 
  is a valuable addition to Virginian history and readers are advised to clip 
  and preserve the chapters as they appear from time to time. 

  At the time the Revolutionary war was beginning to brew there were several 
places where much trade was carried on in Nansemond county.  Suffolk, the 
county seat and the only incorporated town, had been a place of considerable 
trade for many years, and in addition to the trade carried on there was some 
shipbuilding being done, and other industries were thriving.  As early as 1769 
the Inspector’s salary at Suffolk was 25 pounds sterling.  Sleepy Hole was on 
the main highway from Norfolk to Richmond, and the western part of the state 
and was the site of a tobacco warehouse with some trade both domestic and 
foreign.  Milner's Town on the Western Branch of Nansemond river had a large 
public tobacco warehouse and was a place of considerable trade with a large 
section of county as far as Hicksford, now Emporia.  Somerton an ancient 
village was on the highway of travel and had a good trade with the surrounding 
country and with a part of northeastern North Carolina.  Wilkinson's, in the 
vicinity of Chuckatuck, was the site of a tobacco warehouse.  South Quay on 
the Blackwater river was a strategic point, where much trade was carried on, 
and where other industries were thriving, and in addition it had some ship 
yards, which were used to good advantage by the colonies of Virginia and North 
Carolina. 

  As early as 1770 there was a merchants' meeting held in the town of Suffolk 
to discuss the trade situation and other things.  The meeting that year was 
held at the house of Anthony Hay, and Suffolk was represented by Josiah 
Granberry, John Driver, Thomas Gilchrist, John Hamilton and Willie Cowper. 
Nansemond county was represented by Joseph Scott, Archibald Buchanan and 
Anthony Warrick. 

  From this meeting developed the Nansemond County Committee of Safety.  In 
the House of Burgesses for 1774 Nansemond was represented by Benjamin Baker 
and Lemuel Riddick, and in 1775, by Lemuel Riddick and Willis Riddick. 

  At the time of the Revolutionary war, Nansemond county was prepared to live 
at home.  Everything that was necessary for comfort was raised and made on 
the farms.  Very little provisions were imported into the county.  All the 
food stuffs, and clothing materials were raised and manufactured by the people 
in their homes.  They exported much tar, turpentine, black-eye peas and timber 
products, such as staves and shingles. 

  On July 11th, 1774 a set of resolutions or resolves were adopted by the 
people of Nansemond in meeting assembled, which we give here. 

Nansemond County (Virginia) Resolutions. 

  At a general meeting of the Freeers and Inhabitants of the County of 
Nansemond on the 11th day of July 1774, the following Resolutions were 
proposed and unanimously agreed to: 

  Resolved, That we will at all times, whenever we are called upon for that 
purpose, maintain and defend, at the expense of our lives and fortunes, his 
Majesty's right and title to the Crown of Great Britain and his Dominions in 
America, to whose royal person and Government we profess all due obedience 
and fidelity. 

  Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties to be paid by the 
inhabitants within this Dominion, for any purpose whatsoever is peculiar and 
essential to the General Assembly, in whom the Legislative authority of the 
Colony is vested. 

  Resolved, That every attempt to impose such taxes or duties by any other 
authority is an arbitrary exertion of power, and an infringement of the 
constitutional rights and liberties of the Colony. 

  Resolved, That to impose a tax or duty upon tea by the British Parliament, 
in which the Commons of the North American Colonists can have no 
representation, to be paid upon importation by the inhabitants of the said 
Colonies - is an act of power without right, is subversive of the liberties 
of the said Colonies, deprives them of their property without their consent, 
and thereby reduces them to a state of slavery. 

  Resolved, That the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary Acts of Parliament, 
to be executed by military force and ships of war upon our sister Colony 
Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston, is a strong evidence of the corrupt 
influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, and a convincing 
proof of their fixed intention to deprive the Colonies of their constitutional 
rights and liberties. 

  Resolved, That the cause of the Town of Boston is the common cause of all 
the American Colonies. 

  Resolved, That it is the duty and interest of all the American Colonies 
firmly to unite in an indissoluble union and association to oppose, by every 
just and proper means the infringement of their common rights and liberties. 

  Resolved, That a general association between all the American Colonies not 
to import from Great Britain any commodity whatsoever, ought to be entered 
into, and not dissolved until the just rights of the said Colonies are 
restored to them, and the cruel Acts of the British Parliament against the 
Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston, are repealed. 

  Resolved, That no friend of the rights and liberties of America ought to 
purchase any commodity whatsoever which shall be imported from Great Britain, 
after a certain time hereafter to be limited by the Congress, which is shortly 
expected to meet, nor ought such to have any kind of dealing or connection 
with any merchant who shall refuse to agree to the measures hereafter to be 
adopted by said Congress. 

  Resolved, That every kind of luxury, dissipation, and extravangance, ought 
to be banished from amongst us. 

  Resolved, That manufactures ought to be encouraged by opening subscriptions 
for that purpose, or by any other proper means. 

  Resolved, That the African trade is injurious to this Colony, obstructs the 
population of it by freemen, prevents manufacturers and other useful emigrants 
from Europe from settling among us, and occasions an annual increase of the 
balance of trades against this Colony. 

  Resolved, That the raising sheep, hemp and flax ought to be encouraged. 

  Resolved, That to be clothed in manufactures fabricated in this Colony ought 
to be considered as a badge and distinction of respect and true patriotism. 

  Resolved, That the dissolution of the General Assembly by the order of the 
British Ministry, whenever they enter upon the consideration of the rights an
d liberties of the subject, against attempts to destroy them, is an evidence 
of the fixed intention of the said Ministry to reduce the Colonies to a state 
of slavery. 

  Resolved, That the people of this Colony, being by such dissolution, 
deprived of legal representation, ought to nominate and appoint, for every 
county proper Deputies to meet upon the 1st day of August, in the city of 
Williamsburg, then and there to consult and agree upon the best and most 
proper means for carrying into execution, these, or any other Resolutions. 

  Resolved, That Lemuel Riddick and Benjamin Baker, Esquires, our late 
Representatives be, and they are hereby, nominated and appointed Deputies upon 
the part of the freeholders and inhabitants of this county, to meet such 
Deputies as shall be appointed by the other counties and corporations within 
this Colony, in the City of Williamsburg, upon the 1st day of August next, or 
at any other time or place, for the purpose aforesaid. 

  Resolved, That at this important and alarming conjuncture it be earnestly 
recommended to the said Deputies, at the said General Convention, that they 
nominate and appoint fit and proper persons, upon the part of this Colony, to 
meet such Deputies in a general Congress, as shall be appointed upon the part 
of the other Continental Colonies in America, to consult and agree upon a firm 
and indissolute union and association, for the preserving, by the best and 
most proper means, their common rights and liberties. 

  Resolved, That this Colony ought not to trade with any Colony which shall 
refuse to join in any union and association that shall be agreed upon by the 
greater part of the Colonies upon this Continent, for the preserving their 
common rights and liberties. 

  Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to each of the 
Printers of both the Gazettes, with the earnest request of this county that 
the other colonies and corporations within this Colony will appoint Deputies 
to meet at the time and place, and for the purpose aforesaid. 

  In the early spring of 1775, Parson John Agnew, who was minister at what is 
now the Glebe Church, being a British subject was very active to put down the 
spirit of the Revolution in the county.  He appointed a special Sunday on 
which he was to preach a special sermon, from the text: "Render unto Caeser 
the things which are Caesar's."  His hearers pricked up their ears for they 
knew what was coming.  He began to decry the heinous sin of disloyalty to 
government.  Suddenly, Mr. Wm. Cowper, a vestryman and a magistrate's pew, and 
mounting the steps of the pulpit ordered the speaker to come down.  "I'm doing 
my Master's business," said the parson.  "Which Master?" replied Cowper: "your 
Master in heaven or your master over the seas?  You must leave this church or 
I will use force."  "I will never be the cause of breeding riot in my Master's 
house," said the minister.  Parson Agnew then came down from the pulpit and 
walked down the aisle and through the crowd at the church door, which parted 
to make him passage.  He entered his carriage and drove away, and never 
entered the church to preach again where he had preached for so many years. 

  Later charges were sent against him to the "Virginia Gazette"  Signed by Mr. 
John Gregorie (C. C.) 

(Another chapter will appear shortly) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 150, Wed., Sep. 16, 1931, p. 5 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

     (By W. E. McCLENNY) 
         Chapter III [sic; II] 

NANSEMOND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE 

                     March 24, 1775. 

  However disagreeable and unhappy it is to hold up for public censure the 
conduct of any man, yet when we consider the present unfortunate disputes 
between the Mother Country and her Colonies would probably, in the result, 
be the ruin of both, if some timely, judicious, and wise methods were not 
contrived to effect a reconciliation, and adjust the lamentable differences; 
we cannot but think that all those who endeavor to frustrate, and labour to 
counteract such laudable ends, are enemies to America, no friends to the 
excellent Constitution of England, and strictly merit the censure and 
disesteem of all lovers of their country, freedom, and just rights.  We, 
therefore, the committee for the County of Nansemond aforesaid, in obedience 
to the eleven Article of the Association, as well as for the above-mentioned 
reasons, think it our duty to publish the behavior (respecting the 
Association, etc.) of the Reverend John Agnew, rector of Suffolk (now Lower) 
Parish, in this county, as it appeared from the testimony of William Cowper 
and Solomon Shepherd, Esquires, Messrs. James Murdaugh, Willis Hardgraves 
[sic; Hargroves], Thomas Minton, Johathan Smith and Major Thomas Godwin, 
taken before us this 6th day of March, at Suffolk. 

  Mr. Agnew being first summoned to attend, but refused, Mr. Shepherd 
declared, that upon his remonstrating to the said Askew how disagreeable it 
was to his audience in general, and to himself in particular, to hear the 
Association, and those who had come into it, abused from the pulpit in the 
sermons he there preached, desired that he would in future desist therefrom. 
His answer was, "If you do not like such sermons, you can only leave your 
seat;" and to the same gentleman said, that delegates of the provincial 
congress had rebelled in all their resolves.  In presence of Major Thomas 
Godwin and Captain William Cowper, he asserted, as his opinion, that it was 
no hardship to be carried beyond sea for trial of crime committed here.  Mr. 
Hardgraves has frequently heard him (when speaking of the congress) declare 
that all such combinations and associations were detestable.  Mr. Minton says, 
that after condemning the present Association, he produced one of his own, and 
in his presence offered it for signing.  In a conversation his reverence had 
with Mr. Smith, he affirmed our gentlemen (meaning, as Smith took it, the 
gentlemen of the general congress) knew not what they were about; that to 
resist the king and parliament was rebellion, and that the proceedings of the 
general congress were resisting the king and parliament; that the designs of 
the great men were to ruin the poor people; and that, after awhile, they would 
forsake them, and lay the whole blame on their shoulders, and by this means 
make them slaves.  Upon Smith's doubting how all this extraordinary villainy 
could be brought about, "Why (says the parson) they have already begun; for 
the committee of Suffolk has invaded private property; they taken goods from 
a man of Carolina, and sold them against his will."  He likewise informed Mr. 
Smith there was an association of the other party up the country, and the 
people signing it very fast; that they had discovered their error in signing 
the present one, and that he would see this fact published in the Norfolk 
paper shortly. 

  We have now related the substance of what the above named gentlemen declared 
upon their oaths, and here we could wish to end this narrative; but we have 
too much regard for our own characters to suffer them to be injured by so 
barefaced a slander as appears in Smith's testimony, respecting the Carolina 
gentleman and his goods.  The truth of that transaction is precisely this: Mr. 
Samuel Donaldson, merchant, and one of the committee of this county, informed 
some of the members that his friend, Mr. John Thompson, merchant of North 
Carolina, had imported some goods into this colony, which come under the tenth 
Article of the Association, and desired that a committee might be held to 
determine what should be done with them; and Mr. Donaldson (that Mr. Thompson 
might suffer as little inconvenience as possible from the detention of the 
goods) advertised them to be sold on the same day that the committee was to 
sit.  At the time appointed we met, when Mr. Thompson was present, and, on 
examining him and some letter he produced, we found that by the importation of 
these goods he had not violated any of the articles of the Association.  And 
although we were not entirely pleased with Mr. Donaldson's advertising the 
sale of the goods before he had orders from us so to do, yet we ordered them 
to be sold under the care and direction of three gentlemen of the committee. 
Mr. Thompson bought the goods, and expressed himself highly satisfied, and 
insisted on our partaking of a cheerful bowl with him. 

  Upon the whole the publick will plainly discover the principles this 
reverend gentleman entertains, and in what light he views the general 
resolutions adopted and entered into for our relief from the oppressive hand 
of power.  Had this zealous advocate for despotick rule been as assiduous in 
the discharge of the several duties of his function as he has been industrious 
in propagating false and erroneous principles, not only in private discourse, 
but in blending detestable tenets in his angry orations from the pulpit, in 
order to gain a party in opposition to the common cause, and thereby lending 
his little aid to seduce the very people that gave him bread to a state of 
wretchedness, this committee had not been at the trouble to examine the 
eleventh Article of the Association, and opening his conduct to the censure 
of the world. 
                   John Gregorie, 
            Clerk of the Committee. 

  In April 1776 the Virginia Gazette carried an advertisement calling for 
"Ship carpenters" as follows: "It being necessary for the publick service to 
keep a body of ship carpenters in constant employment, this is to give notice 
that two companies, consisting of one captain and thirty men each, are to be 
raised.  The captain is to have one dollar per diem, the men half a dollar, 
their provisions and rum.  They are to find their own tools and arms.  Such 
as are willing to engage may repair to Williamsburg or Suffolk."  No doubt 
there was stationed at Suffolk a company of ship carpenters until the time the 
town was burned, May 13th, 1779. 

In the Journal of the Committee of Safety of the colony is this entry: 
      "Williamsburg, April 9th, 1776. 
  "The proceedings and sentence of the court of Commissioners for Nansemond 
county, respecting the conduct of Rev. John Agnew and the said Agnew's appeal 
from the said sentence were laid before the committee.  Resolved, that this 
committee hear the said appeal tomorrow, and that Mr. Agnew have notice to 
attend."  The minutes of the committee from this point to April 29, 1776, are 
missing, so we have no knowledge of the result of the appeal.  Rev. John Agnew 
left the county some time during this year and became chaplain of the Queen's 
Rangers, a British troop.  He was taken prisoner, along with his son, Stair 
Agnew, during the Revolution and carried to France. 

  In the Virginia convention of 1776, which gave to the new state its first 
constitution, which was at the same time the first written constitution of 
a free state in history, and which put forth George Mason's Bill of Rights, 
the county was represented by Col. Willis Riddick, who was commandant of the 
county militia, and by William Cowper, who had won popularity by his action in 
expelling Parson Agnew from the Bennett's Creek (now known as the Glebe) 
Church.  In the convention of 1788, which ratified the constitution of the 
United States, the county was represented by Willis Riddick and Solomon 
Shepherd. 

  As early as 1775 Suffolk had become a storage place for army stores, and 
Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, designed to destroy these stores. 
Colonel Woodford sent 125 men under Colonel Scott and Major Marshall to 
Suffolk, and later he followed with the main body, coming by the way of Great 
Bridge from Norfolk.  When he arrived at Suffolk he was joined by a number of 
cavalry volunteers.  For the next four years Suffolk was a place where 
military and naval stores were gathered for the American army, and there was 
a small garrison around the town to protect these.  Some of those soldiers 
died while on duty in Suffolk, and from the old Vestry Book of Upper Parish 
it is found that some of those who lost their lives for the cause of liberty 
lie buried in the old colonial church yard on the corner of Church and Prentis 
streets, as the sexton was paid a certain sum of money for burying soldiers. 

(Another chapter will appear shortly.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 154, Mon., Sep. 21, 1931, p. 2 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

     (By W. E. MacClenny) 
         Chapter III 

NANSEMOND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE 

  At a meeting held for Nansemond county, August the 18th, 1775. 

  It being reported that Messrs. Donaldson and Hamilton, merchants in the town 
of Suffolk, had intentionally shipped a considerable quantity of provisions to 
Boston, in the Brigantine John, Hugh Kennedy master, contrary to a resolution 
of the committee of New York, made 27th, 1775, and acceded to by the several 
provinces; the aforesaid gentlemen appeared, and several depositions and 
protests being read, fully convinced this committee that the said Donaldson 
and Hamilton intended the voyage of the said brig for Antigua. and that it was 
by the express direction of the governor and captain of the man-of-war, (who 
had information of her loading with provisions three weeks before she sailed) 
that the said brig was taken, and carried to Boston.  The aforesaid gentlemen 
being charged with shipping some ham and butter, on the 17th of April last, to 
Henry Lloyd, a gentlemen of Boston: 

  Resolved, that the said gentlemen in so doing have not violated the 
association, the said articles being shipped prior to any resolution to the 
contrary. 

  By the order of the committee: 
               John Gregorie, Clerk. 

   Nansemond County (Virginia) Committee 

  At a committee held for Nansemond county, at the house of John Aspray, in 
Suffolk town, on Wednesday, the 22d of November, 1775, present: Willis 
Riddick, chairman, and eleven members. 

  Betsy Hunter being summoned to appear before this committee for writing 
certain letters to her mother and brother, (John Hunter, of Norfolk), 
informing them of the situation of our guards in this county, that the people 
were in arms at Suffolk and Smithfield, and that our troops were crossing the 
river on their march down here, and many other matters of importance, the said 
Betsy Hunter appeared, and said, that she did not intend them as letters of 
intelligence, and inimical to the American cause. 

  Ordered, therefore, that the said Betsy Hunter, with Mary and Martha Wilson, 
who were privy to and assisting in the said letters and were also summoned to 
appear before this committee, be advertised in the publick papers, and looked 
on as enemies to America. 
             Lemuel Godwin, Clerk. 

  Some of the Nansemond militia were engaged in the battle of Great Bridge, 
Dec. 9th, 1775. 

  After the burning of Norfolk January 1st, 1776, numbers of the houseless and 
distressed fugitives from that place fled to Suffolk.  The people of Suffolk 
threw open their doors to them and every building was soon crowded with them. 
When Col. Howe, of the Virginia forces, retired to Suffolk in February, 
bringing with him 650 men, the town was threatened with serious distress by a 
lack of provisions for her many guests, but the country folk came to their aid 
and all were at last cared for. 

  The Nansemond County Committee of Safety had an arsenal at "Sock Point" on 
Nansemond river where both land and sea forces could be supplied with 
munitions of war, as it was a strategic point that could not well be reached 
by the enemy. 

  1776.  Lieut. Edward Allen was an officer in the Continental army from 
March, 1776, until Dec. 1st, 1779, when he resigned.  His resignation went to 
Brig. Gen. Charles Scott.  Nansemond county had 800 militia and there were 
45,000 from Virginia.  There were 15 regiments from Virginia and the whole 
state furnished 54,000 troops for the war.  That year South Quay became a port 
for the importation of foreign goods. 

  For some time before March 16th, 1776, the Southampton Minute Men had been 
on duty at Suffolk as the following will show: "At a meeting (Committee of 
Safety for Southampton Co., Va.) on March 16th, 1776, we find the following 
entry:  This committee having received a letter from the honorable Committee 
of Safety, the same is ordered to be copied in the minutes; Gent., you will be 
pleased to order your regular company to march as soon as possible to their 
station in Suffolk, with such arms and necessities as they have.  The company 
of Minute Men from ye county now on duty there may be discharged on the 
arrival of the regulars, who are to receive the public arms and blankets from 
the Minute Men. 
  By order of the Committee of Safety, 
             Gent. ye obt. servant, 
                 Edmund Pendleton. 
"To the Gent. of the Committee of Southampton: Pursuant to the above 
directions ordered that Captain Ridley with the Company under his command 
march for his station at Suffolk on Monday the 18th of this instant." 

(Another chapter will appear shortly.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 156, Wed., Sep. 23, 1931, p. 6 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

         By W. E. MacCLENNY 
              Chapter IV 

  1778.  There was a law passed in Virginia forbidding spirituous liquors to 
be distilled from Indian corn, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat, meal or flour in 
the state from Feb. 15th, 1779, to Oct. 15th, 1779, and a pain of forfeiting 
the liquor so made. 

  The year 1779 was a memorable one for Suffolk, as that year Sir Henry 
Clinton projected a plan to humble the pride and destroy the resources of 
Virginia.  He sent a powerful fleet, under Sir George Collier, which anchored 
in Hampton Roads, landed a heavy force under General Matthews, which took 
possession of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and committed expensive devastations. 
It was on this expedition that Suffolk was burned on May 13th. 

  As soon as the news of the arrival of the British in Hampton Roads was 
received, the militia of Nansemond were called to arms. Suffolk was appointed 
as the meeting place.  Only 200 men responded to the call, and these were 
poorly armed.  Few had muskets, and still fewer ammunition.  These, however, 
were obtained from Captain Bright, who commanded the letter-of-marque brig 
Mars, that was lying in the river.  Bright also furnished two cannons, which 
were immediately mounted on cart wheels.  This little army under Col. Willis 
Riddick, marched about eight miles on the Norfolk road and went into camp on 
May 11th on the field in front of Captain James Murdaugh's house.  (Now 
Nansemond).  Three young soldiers, Josiah Riddick, Thomas Granbury and Thomas 
Brittle, were sent ahead to get information of the enemy's advance.  They were 
captured by the British just below Hall's Mill in Norfolk county, and carried 
to New York, where they were prisoners of war for a year and a half.  The 
militia under Col. Riddick, getting no news from the scouts, remained in 
ignorance of the approach of the British.  Two officers, Captains King 
(perhaps Michael King, of Low Parish) and Davis, went off to a tavern 
(Hargroves tavern) about a mile from camp to spend the night.  While there 
they were surprised by the enemy.  Davis was killed, but King escaped and 
informed his comrades in camp of the enemy's proximity.  Col. Willis Riddick 
was so confident that the enemy was still at a great distance that he had 
retired to his house (on the White Marsh road) for the night.  The command 
devolved upon Col. Edward Riddick, and he ordered a retreat to Suffolk.  Next 
morning two officers were dispatched to learn the position and force of the 
enemy.  They came in sight of the British four miles below Suffolk, and 
counted 600 infantry.  The little force of militia had become demoralized 
during the night and only 100 answered to the call of arms next morning. 
Resistance was useless, and every man was told to look out for himself. 
Some delayed long enough to gather their property together, only to be 
captured by the British; the rest escaped.  The royal troops entered the town 
and set fire to the buildings.  The court house, the clerk's office with all 
the county records, and many other buildings were destroyed. 

  Says one writer: "Ruthless devastation attended the British.  They set fire 
to the town and nearly the whole was consumed.  Several hundred barrels of 
tar, pitch, turpentine and rum had been deposited on lots contiguous to the 
wharves.  The heads of the barrels being knocked out, and their contents, 
which flowed in a commingled mass, catching fire from the blaze, descended to 
the river, like torrents of burning lava.  As the wind blew from the wharves 
with great violence, these substances, with difficulty soluble in water, 
rapidly floated to the opposite shore in a splendid state of conflagration, 
which they communicated to the thick and decaying herbage of an extensive 
marsh, the growth of the preceding year.  This immense sheet of fire, added to 
the vast columns of undulating flames which ascended from the burning houses 
of the town, the explosion, at intervals of the gunpowder magazines, the 
consequent projection through the air of large pieces of ignited timber, which 
flew like meteors to astonishing distances all contributed to form a 
collective scene of horror and sublimity such as could not be viewed without 
emotions not to be described."  The old colonial church was damaged less than 
perhaps any other building except the old Constance home which stood alone. 
There was a large tar and stave yard just west of the present city limits on 
the creek where it is now crossed by the highway, and the barrels were 
unheaded and turned out on the sand and absorbed, and signs of it may be seen 
there today and within the memory of the present generation this sand and tar 
was hauled in the town, and used for bonfires on many occasions more than a 
century after it had been emptied out.  One writer who came to Suffolk on this 
occasion remarked that it was one of the saddest sights of his life when he 
saw the homeless inhabitants of the town on the road seeking shelter anywhere 
they could find it.  This was no doubt done because the British said that no 
loyal inhabitant to England was allowed to live in the town.  From a volume 
entitled "A detail of Some Particular Services Performed in America during the 
years 1776, 1777, 1778 and 1779 compiled from journals and original papers 
supposed to be chiefly taken from the journal kept on board of the ship 
Rainbow, commanded by Sir George Collier, etc."  (This is from the British 
point of view during the Revolution.)  Regarding Suffolk, it says, "The Town 
of Suffolk, famous for their sedition and for banishing every loyal inhabitant 
out of it, was also taken (1779). 9000 barrels of salted pork, which was 
stored there for Washington's army, 8000 barrels of pitch, tar and turpentine 
with a vast quantity of other stores and merchandise were all burnt and 
destroyed, together with several vessels in the harbor richly ladened which 
could not be brought away, as several bodies of armed rebels appeared in the 
neighborhood." 

  Not being satisfied with burning Suffolk Town and destroying the military 
stores and vessels in the harbor they marched out on the White Marsh road to 
the home of Col. Willis Riddick, since known as "Soldiers Hope" farm, from the 
fact that Col. Riddick was engaged in packing pork for the Continental army, 
and destroyed practically everything in sight, including a large quantity of 
provisions then ready to be transported.  They left the huge hog-kettle in 
which the hogs were scalded after they were slaughtered, and this remained in 
the vicinity until after the war of 1861-1865 when it was sold to a junk 
dealer, and broken up as, it was too large for ordinary use.  It looked as if 
the Town had been wiped off the map.  After Suffolk was burned, the county 
court probably held session at Chuckatuck after the court house and clerk's 
office had been burned. An act was passed remitting the taxes on the lots made 
vacant by the fire. 

  The winter of 1779-1780 was a hard one.  The Chesapeake Bay was frozen over 
down as far as the capes. 

  In 1780 Col. Tarleton joined the royal forces at Suffolk.  There was a 
battle fought between the Virginia militia and the British under Tarleton in 
Scott's old field (this was in the vicinity of exit of Lake Prince) in which 
the British retreated across the creek at Milner's.  Milner's Town was burned 
by the British on November 1st, 1780.  In January 1781 Benedict Arnold with 
his command crossed the county and river at Sleepy Hole, and in July, 1781, 
Lord Cornwallis with his command crossed the river at the same place. 

  1780.  Inspector's salaries: Milner's 3000 lbs. of tobacco; South Quay 4000 
lbs. of tobacc. 

  Not only were the people of Nansemond very active on land, but on the high 
seas also, as the following accounts of their activities will show.  These 
things took place in the northern part of the county, and later it will be 
shown what the people in the southern part of the county were doing in the 
vicinity of South Quay. 

  (Another Chapter follows shortly.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 158, Fri., Sep. 25, 1931, p. 5 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

      By W. E. MacCLENNY 
             Chapter V 

  The following is from the files of "The Christian Sun," published in Suffolk, 
July 2nd, 1858: 

THE SHIP "DOLPHIN" 

  In the war of the Revolution, the young and feeble navy of the colonies 
performed feats unsurpassed by any deeds of heroism and bravery on ancient or 
modern times.  The powerful ships of the English were frequently held at bay 
and forced to strike their colors to some small vessel, on board of which were 
men as brave as those who bled at Thermopylae, or fell at Marathon.  One 
achievement ought not to pass into oblivion. John Cowper, of Nansemond County, 
Virginia, as brave a man as ever breathed, sailed from the Nansemond river in 
a small barque, called the "Dolphin," and engaged the enemies of his country 
near Cape Henry.  The Dolphin was seen from the shore hotly engaged with two 
huge cruisers: the conflict was long - night spread her curtain over the 
desperate scene.  The Dolphin and her crew never returned to land.  The fate 
of the cruisers is likewise unknown.  The chief officers of the Dolphin, 
besides her gallant captain, were Lieutenants Philip Chamberlayne, James 
Cunningham and Frank Lennis, and Surgeon Dr. Simeon Harris.  The crew in all 
numbered 70.  Captain Cowper, before weighing anchor, deliberately nailed his 
flag to the masthead, and declared that he would never strike it to an enemy. 

  A poem was composed by Maj. D.B. Dunbar on "Dolphin," two verses of which we 
give. 

"The sun was rising in the east, 
   When pealed the cannon's roar. 
 The sun had sunk far in the west, 
   Ere the bloody fight was o'er; 
 When on the bosom of the deep, 
   The "Dolphin" rode no more. 

"And long the maids of Nansemond, 
   Watched by the lonely strand, 
 To welcome back the noble crew, 
   That ne'er returned to land 
 Their flag unstruck floats o'er their tomb 
   On ocean's yellow sand." 

  Mr. John Kilby, who wrote the only original account that we have seen of the 
battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis, he being a member at 
that time of Capt. John Paul Jones' crew, began his career as a member of the 
crew of the Sturdy Beggar, a Letter of Marque-vessel that was fitted out in 
the upper Chowan river, very likely at South Quay, and when she put to sea, 
her guns had to be taken off and lightered over the bar.  Later his ship was 
captured and he was taken prisoner and when exchanged carried to France and 
enlisted under Capt. Jones for his cruise.  He was the ancestor of the Kilbys 
of Nansemond, and his original manuscript is now in possession of a member of 
the family, and was published in "Scrivner's Magazine" about the time his 
commander's bones were brought from France and re-interred at Annapolis, 
Maryland. 

  The privateer Marquis Lafayette was built in the last three years of the war 
within one mile of Suffolk by Willie Cowper and company, two brothers trading 
as merchants.  Reliable tradition says that she was built at Red's Wharf, 
which was on the "Rose Hill Farm," now known as Kingsboro.  She was planned to 
carry twenty-six guns, but at the time she sailed out of the river she only 
carried twelve guns - six pounders and was named by 140 men of all 
descriptions.  She was on the stocks the latter part of October, 1780, and 
about completed.  About that time a British fleet of war vessels and many 
transports having on board the army commanded by General Leslie sailed in 
Hampton Roads.  The main army landed without delay and took possession of 
Portsmouth, while two detachments, one on the north side of the Nansemond 
river and the other on the south side, were sent up the shores of the 
Nansemond intending to make a juncture at Suffolk, which they did. 

  The owners of the Marquis Lafayette having been apprised of their approach 
made hasty preparations to launch the vessel to prevent her being burned on 
the stocks.  After being launched she was scuttled and sunk in about 18 feet 
of water only about one-half hour before the British who had landed on the 
south side of the river arrived at Suffolk.  She was immediately raised by the 
British and taken to Portsmouth to be fitted out.  Fortunately her sails and 
rigging had been removed to a farm about seven miles from Suffolk.  On the 
night of the same day on which she was removed the detachment on the north 
side of the river came to the place where the sails, rigging and other things 
were stored, and remained nearly a half a day but did not open the house where 
they were stored.  (Tradition says that they were stored on what is now known 
as the Stockley farm.) 

  On her arrival at Portsmouth preparations were made to fit her out and send 
her to New York, but at that moment Gen. Leslie received orders to evacuate 
Portsmouth without delay which he did and the ship was again sunk at Gosport. 
(This is now the U.S. Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va.) 

  Her owners when they learned of this lost no time in raising her, and 
brought her up the Nansemond river, no doubt to the vicinity of where her 
rigging and sails were stored, and near the Sack Point arsenal from which she 
was no doubt supplied with war munitions.  She was about ready for sea, when 
in the latter part of December of the first of January, Benedict Arnold, the 
traitor, arrived in Virginia, and was subsequently followed by Gen. Phillips, 
and the state was permanently invaded and in addition Lord Cornwallis was 
expected in Virginia from North Carolina. 

  It was at this point that Captain Meredith took command and prepared for the 
enterprise in which he afterwards was successful.  Those who know what 
situation the county was in at that time can appreciate the difficulties which 
presented themselves to such an undertaking.  The cavalry and infantry of the 
enemy were daily, and the artillery occasionally on the shores of the 
Nansemond as high up as the headwaters.  It was most dangerous to remain for a 
moment in the narrow waters, and accordingly the ship was moved down near the 
mouth of the river, where it was wide, but this movement brought her in full 
view of the British ships.  The entrance to the Nansemond river is extremely 
difficult to navigate, and it was not believed that the enemy had a pilot who 
could bring a ship of sufficient size to attack that ship in the river.  They 
did not attempt it, but sent some boats in the night which were discovered and 
returned without making the attempt.  When the Marquis Lafayette started out 
of the river, with Boss Mitchell as her pilot, she successfully ran the 
blockade of British ships and made the open sea, and sailed for Delaware, but 
as the British were in that vicinity she sailed for Rhode Island.  She next 
sailed for Charleston, S.C., and made several captures of importance, and 
again sailed for Rhode Island.  She was at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay at 
the time of the siege of Yorktown.  Later her masts were changed, and Captain 
Monroe became her commander, and he captured a Liverpool Letter of Marque 
vessel of 16 nine pounders and eighty-seven men.  She was then ordered to 
Virginia to take on a cargo of tobacco and to sail for France, and to have her 
bottom coppered there.  On this trip she was chased by a British frigate and 
was finally run aground on the sands near Cape Henry. 

  In 1781 the Nansemond militia was under the command of Col. Josiah Parker. 
Lord Cornwallis invaded Virginia in April.  Inspectors salaries: Milner's 40£, 
South Quay 45£ and Suffolk and South Quay had flour inspectors. 

(Another Chapter will appear Shortly) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 160, Mon., Sep. 28, 1931, p. 5 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

      (By W. E. MacCLENNY)
             Chapter VI 

  During the next two years (1780-1781) the people of Nansemond had good cause 
to remember the British and the effects of war. Cols. Dalman and Parker with 
their commands camped near Suffolk for some time watching the British, and 
there was a winter camp at Chuckatuck mill in 1780-1781, and some of the 
American soldiers received their discharges at that place.  In 1780 Captain 
William Mayo's company passed through Suffolk and encamped near the Dismal 
swamp, and there was an American camp at Gum Bridge near Suffolk in the swamp. 
These commands were doing watchful duty, to ascertain the movements of the 
British in this section. 

  Benedict Arnold, the traitor, on his return from his Richmond raid crossed 
Nansemond county, crossing the river at Sleepy Hole ferry on January 16th, 
1781.  He was being followed by General Muhlenburg, who advanced within the 
sight of the enemy's lines at Portsmouth, Va., and cut off a small picket, and 
defied Arnold to leave his works.  He could not storm the works with only 
three hundred bayonets among his two thousand militia, nor could he attack by 
regular approaches with two brass six pounders.  Accordingly he retired 
sixteen miles, and encamped on February 18th, 1781, at Shoulder's Hill, and 
then remained in the county for some time. 

  The British General Tarleton, after his failure to capture the Virginia 
legislature, joined the royal troops encamped at Suffolk.  In 1781 a 
detachment of British troops, under Captain Saunders came up from Portsmouth, 
crossed the river at Sleepy Hole and carried off many horses, negroes and 
other property and returned by the way of Suffolk.  In July, 1781, the British 
Cavalryman, Tarleton was at Chuckatuck. 

  Lord Cornwallis having crossed the James from Williamsburg, marched through 
Nansemond, also crossing the river at Sleepy Hole.  Among the British troops 
who were at Suffolk during this year (1781) were the Queen’s Rangers, of which 
troop Parson John Agnew was chaplain, and his son, Stair Agnew, was a captain. 

  While the British under Lord Cornwallis were passing through Nansemond 
county in July, 1781, on his way to Portsmouth, and on his ill-fated York Town 
campaign, it became necessary while the army was being ferried over the river 
at Sleepy Hole for them to go into camp for several days near where Driver now 
stands.  The British soldiers learned by some means that two of the citizens 
of that community, John Darden and Pasco Turner were at odds, and would not 
even so much as speak to each other.  For their amusement the British soldiers 
proceeded to the woods nearby and procured a quantity of large logs and built 
a high pen on what is now Mr. Herbert Harrell's farm, and then proceeded to 
get the two obstinate neighbors and placed them in the pen, and told them that 
they could never come out until they had become friends.  In that situation, 
and under those conditions it did not take them very long to make up their 
differences, forgive each other and become fast friends.  When this had been 
done they were released, and allowed to go home, and for aught we know they 
were always friendly afterwards.  The relater remarked that that was one good 
deed done by the British. 

  There is a tradition, regarded reliable, that on one of their visits to 
Nansemond county, that a detachment went out towards Blackwater river and 
visited the old King homestead in the Upper Parish, and when they arrived the 
cavalrymen rode through the doors of the house, and kitchen, and cut up things 
generally with their swords.  They made a search of the premises to try to 
find the valuables, as he was reported to be a man of wealth.  They did not 
find anything of much value as he had removed his property to an island in the 
nearby swamp, on which he was supposed to have buried a large amount of money, 
but this is very doubtful, as there was not much money in circulation in those 
days.  From the first of January, 1781, until after the surrender at York 
Town, Nansemond county was in the thick of the war.  Major Gen. Steuben, had 
his headquarters at Petersburg, and on the 13th day of January he issued the 
following order. "All the militia and volunteers in the lower counties of 
Virginia are to put themselves under the immediate command of Col. Josiah 
Parker."  This was followed by an order of Robert Lawson, B.G.M., as follows: 
The militia of the counties of Isle of Wight, Nansemond, Princess Anne and 
Norfolk were ordered to be collected by Col. Josiah Parker, and the order was 
confirmed by Thomas Nelson, Jr., which included the counties of Southampton 
and Surry in addition to those mentioned above.  The letter was to be used by 
Col. Josiah Parker as his commission.  The militia of those counties reached 
its maximum strength during the last days of the war.  Several ships had been 
sunk in the deep places in the Nansemond river by their owners to keep them 
out of the hands of the enemy, and some of those were raised and used to 
transport supplies to the army around York Town. 

  It is to be regretted that the records of so many counties have been 
destroyed, that no accurate register of the militiamen who served in that 
campaign can never be compiled.  Nansemond is one of these sufferers, and very 
little is known of what her men did in the great struggle, or even who they 
were. 

(Chapter VII will appear shortly.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 166, Mon., Oct. 5, 1931, p. 2 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

       By W. E. MacCLENNY 
             Chapter VII 

  While the people in the northern part of Old Nansemond were busy trying to 
keep the British off her soil the people in the southern part of the county 
were very active as the following will show. 

  From 1713 on South Quay appears to have grown in importance, and by the time 
of the Revolutionary War, it was ready to become one of the most strategic 
points in Virginia.  It was hard for the British fleets to patrol all the 
ocean entrances to the North Carolina sound waters, and then too most of those 
entrances were protected by American letter-of-marque vessels. 

  Large warehouses had been built there for the reception of goods, especially 
tobacco.  Early in 1778, so important had the place become that an army 
quartermaster's depot was established there, and the wagon trains were being 
assembled in different sections to carry the supplies to Suffolk, Portsmouth, 
Williamsburg, Richmond and other places.  In 1776 South Quay became a port for 
importation of foreign trade with a custom house, and North Carolina 
complained about the revenue collected there. 

  Before the Revolution, a ship yard had been established at South Quay for in 
July, 1776, two galleys were being built there for the North Carolina colonial 
navy, but when they were completed they were large enough to go to to sea. 
The sail cloth, anchors and 12-pound cannon at Bath were furnished these ships 
to protect Ocracoke Inlet from the British.  The next year, 1777, they were 
completed, and by that time, there was much trade from Virginia, North 
Carolina and South Carolina going via South Quay. 

  By 1778, it had suddenly grown in importance, several American vessels being 
dispatched there at one time with supplies for the quartermaster's department 
of the Continental army.  In looking over the accounts we find that the Quaker 
boat and shoemakers of the Albemarle or eastern section of North Carolina were 
busily engaged, in their trade, their products were secured, shipped to South 
Quay, by water, and then carried by wagon train to the army in the field. 
Clothes and blankets were sent from the New River section of North Carolina 
the same way.  Sail cloth and ship rigging were coming there from foreign 
ports, sugar from the West Indies and on the 19th of December, 1778, Capt. 
Boris in the "Heart of Jesus" (some writers say this ship named "The Holy 
Heart of Jesus," others say she was the "Sacred Heart of Jesus") landed 22 
French cannons for the government of Virginia, and was paid 150 lbs. of 
tobacco for 100 lbs. of cannon metal.  The remainder of the cargo of cannons 
was carried to Edenton, N.C., by the same ship and as they were never paid for 
the captain unloaded them in the town, and several are to be seen in the old 
town today.  Those cannons are nearly eleven feet in length and are made of 
iron.  Some of them have marks and coats of arms on them.  When they were 
landed they were estimated to weigh about 10,000 pounds, and were 24-pounders. 

  Relative to the cannon unloaded at Edenton, N.C., from the same ship Col. 
Fred A. Olds, of Raleigh, N.C., has this to say: "Flanking the statute of 
Washington (in Raleigh, N. C.) are two cannons which are most appropriately 
placed there.  They are French guns, about 24-pounders, and bear upon the 
breech the fleur de lis of France.  In 1776 the chairman of what was known as 
the committee of safety of North Carolina was Richard Caswell, who afterwards 
became the first governor under the constitution.  He ordered 24 of these 
cannons, which were brought by a friend in France and were sent to Edenton on 
the Spanish ship, Heart of Jesus.  They came in 1777 (?) and some of them were 
mounted in battery at Edenton, while others were placed upon the privateer, 
Richard Caswell.  In some way, never explained, this privateer was blown up 
one night in Edenton bay. Most of her guns were recovered.  The two guns now 
installed here (Raleigh) were some of those in the battery of Edenton." 

  What use was made of the cannon by Virginia has never been known with 
certainty.  From evidence extant it appears that they were kept at South Quay 
for sometime, and were then moved up the state to be kept for use and out of 
the way of the British.  The following order appears to relate to them. 

  On January 13th, 1781, Major General Steuben, then in command of the 
Virginia militia in this section wrote to Col. Josiah Parker, of Smithfield, 
Va., as follows: "I have just heard that there is a quantity of artillery and 
some ammunition lying at South Quay.  If it is so, I request that you will 
take every advantage in your power to have them removed, and at all events 
prevent them from being of any service to the enemy." 

  The following is given as a possible solution to the question: 

  "In the spring of 1793 ten cannon were found in the Pamunkey river near 
Hanover court house. They measured 12 feet in length, and averaged about 5,500 
pounds in weight.  They were cast at Dusci, France, in 1663-1698 during the 
reign of Louis XIV, and known as 24-pounders. 

  "Those guns showed the unmistakable evidence of having been created by the 
most skilled artisans, the inscriptions and carvings were specimens of the 
most exquisite workmanship, and each gun had its own name.  The same beautiful 
carving was found on all the 24-pounders, which is conclusive evidence that 
they were fashioned from the same mould, and carved by hand in the same 
period.  The name of some member of the Bourbon family of France appeared on 
each gun.  The mottoes, "Ultimo Ratio Regnum," and "Nec Pluribus Impar" are 
shown.  Each gun had an ornate scroll work, carving of a woman's head, Bourbon 
coat of arms, crowns, fleur de lis, drums, cannons, flags, shields, etc.  The 
date and place of its manufacture were shown.  There were slight differences 
between the carvings on the breech according to the date of the manufacture of 
the guns. 

  "The question that has puzzled students of history is how did these guns 
chance to get to Hanover county, Virginia, and what use did General Lafayette 
propose to make of them; to what place was he attempting to carry them.  Being 
of such massive type they were too heavy for field artillery, for by 
reference, it is found that this beloved Frenchman brought to this country 
arms and ammunition.  In addition, the French government also transported 
munitions of war to aid General Washington in his struggle for American 
independence. 

  "In 1781, Lafayette was operating in Virginia against Lord Cornwallis, and 
as the French general retreated toward Richmond, his rear guards were 
overtaken by Tarleton at Hanover courthouse.  In Tarleton's report to Sir 
Henry Clinton that British officer said: 'Near Hanover courthouse we found ten 
French Bronze cannon, 24-pounders, too heavy to move or destroy, except to 
spike and throw five or six of them into the Pamunkey river.' 

  "In a letter from Col. Davies to Thomas Jefferson, then governor of 
Virginia, dated February 25th, 1782, that same officer reported as follows: 
'The cannon in Pamunkey river were those I had brought up from York and 
Cumberland and were taken by the enemy at Taylor's Ferry (Hanover courthouse) 
and thrown into the river.' 

  "In the course of time two of these cannon were taken to the Virginia 
Military Institute at Lexington, Va.; two to the United States Military 
Academy, at West Point, N.Y.; two to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., 
and one has been placed in front of the war department building in Washington, 
D.C." 

  The question arises could these have been some of the 22 guns from France 
that were landed at South Quay?  Perhaps some day it will be found out with 
certainty whence these cannon came. 

  Could the Swedish iron have been bronze?  As both sets bear French marks, 
and not many vessels were then entering the Virginia Capes; and it may have 
been that the cannon sold to Virginia were of bronze while those sold to North 
Carolina were of iron.  It appears that it is possible that they were a part 
of the cargo of "The Sacred Heart of Jesus," landed at South Quay on the 19th 
day of December, 1778. 

  Salted and other provisions were being shipped by Gov. Richard Caswell from 
almost every quarter in North Carolina to this depot to be sent to the army in 
the North, 600 bbls. of pork being in one consignment from New Bern.  Foreign 
manufactured cloth, and linens were being received and distributed from there, 
some of the cargoes being valued at as much as £500 each.  At this depot, 
large quantities of salt were landed and distributed.  Even pig iron was 
landed there.  Mr. Jefferson said on June 22, 1779, that it was inconvenient 
for trade, but it had this advantage, it was hard for the enemy to get to.  By 
1780, the inspectors salary at South Quay was 4000 lbs. of tobacco. 

  Yet, it proved such a thorn in the flesh of the British in the prosecution 
of the war that in July, 1781, a British force of 700 men was dispatched 
against it, and it was burned July 16th, 1781, less than six months before the 
final battle of Yorktown.  The large warehouses filled with rum, tobacco and 
other public military stores were all destroyed as well as 150 bbls. of sugar 
at the home of a Mr. Manning in the vicinity and a 9 hundred weight of ship 
rigging.  The same writer says that many Tories in Nansemond joined the 
British at that time.  As an evidence of this there are now in the state 
archives department at Richmond, Va., petitions from some of the men who 
turned Tory at that time, and were later caught, tried and condemned to death, 
praying for pardon on the ground of youth, dependent aged parents and other 
things, but what effect their petitions had is not known. 

(Another chapter will appear shortly.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 168, Wed., Oct. 7, 1931, p. 2 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

     (By W. E. MacCLENNY) 
          Chapter VIII 

Where Nansemond County's Soldiers in the American Revolution Were Buried 

  According to Dr. H.J. Eckenrode in his list of Virginia soldiers in the 
Revolution, Nansemond county had in 1776, 800 men in her militia.  She also 
had her quota in the regular Continental service, and we think we are safe 
in saying that at least 98% of these men lie today in unknown and unmarked 
graves.  We shall try in a brief way to identify some of Nansemond's 
soldiers and tell what we know of their last resting places. 

  Hons. Lemuel Riddick.  This was no doubt Col. Lemuel Riddick, who was one 
of the main movers in getting Suffolk incorporated in 1742, was associated 
with George Washington and others in organizing the Dismal Swamp Land Co., 
and was interested in other public enterprises, one of which was the opening 
of Somerton Creek for navigation, and was a Burgess from Nansemond from 1736 
to 1775, excepting one session; also a member of the convention March 20, and 
Benjamin Baker represented the county at the beginning of the struggle. 
Lemuel Riddick most likely was buried in the vicinity of Suffolk.  Benjamin 
Baker was likely buried on the Piney Pleasant farm near South Quay.  Nansemond 
had her committee of safety, but from the records left we do not know the 
names of all of them.  March 24th, 1775, the committee met to take up the case 
of Parson Agnew; and the following persons were present as witnesses against 
him: William Cowper, who no doubt lived at Cedar Vale near Beamon, and perhaps 
was buried there; Solomon Shepherd, who lived on what is known as the Bidgood 
farm near Sleepy Hole, and lived there after he returned from the service in 
the Continental army, and was perhaps buried on that farm; James Murdaugh, who 
lived at Nansemond, and was perhaps buried on his farm; Willie Hargroves no 
doubt lived at Hargroves Tavern, or half-way house, recently burned, and was 
buried in that vicinity. Thomas Minton lived near Sleepy Hole on the Minton 
farm and likely was buried in the graveyard on the farm; Jonathan Smith, 
nothing known of him; and Maj. Thomas Godwin, who lived in the Suffolk Parish, 
either near Sleepy Hole or St. John's P.E. Church.  Willis Riddick and eleven 
others met on Nov. 22, 1775, at the house of John Aspray, in Suffolk Town, and 
John Gregorie was clerk to the committee.  We know nothing of John Gregorie 
and John Aspray.  So much for the committee of safety. 

  On Feb. 11, 1777, the vestry of the Upper Parish of Nansemond county ordered 
paid to William Whitfield, the sexton of the church the sum of £11:1:0 for 
burying several Revolutionary soldiers in the churchyard.  These were no doubt 
some of the men occupying the town while it was a quartermaster's depot, 
before it was burned in 1779.  None of the names are given, nor do we know the 
exact spot where they were buried in the lot. 

  Lieut. Edward Allen was detailed to Suffolk in the early days of the war, 
and later resigned and settled on the Rose Hill farm, now Kingsboro Heights, 
and we believe that he is buried in the Allen cemetery on that farm. 

  Lieut. John Barnes. Nothing known of him. 

  Thomas Brittle, a scout sent by the Nansemond militia to find out the 
British strength, and he and his companions were captured near Hall's mill in 
Norfolk county, and carried as prisoners to New York, where they remained for 
18 months.  Nothing more known of him. 

  James Bowser, nothing known of him. 

  Timothy Bramtum, nothing known of him. 

  Lieut. James Buxton lived in Bennett's Pasture, perhaps on the Richard 
Bennett farm now owned by Mr. Vernon G. Eberwine. 

  William Byrd, nothing known with certainty about him, but likely from the 
Cypress Chapel community. 

  Dr. Cohoon, from near Suffolk. 

  Capt. John Cowper, navy, perhaps from Beamon, as were Edward, Leonard and 
Peter Cowper.  Their graves are unknown. 

  Capt. Joshua Carr, nothing known with certainty, but likely owned the Carr 
farm near Myrtle, now owned by Mr. R.B. Glenn, and perhaps he was buried in 
the old graveyard on the farm. 

  Abraham Cole, from near Whaleyville, perhaps buried on his farm. 

  Ensign Jonathan Cross, nothing known with certainty, but likely he lived at 
"Farmers Delight," near Holy Neck Church, and buried on that farm. 

  George Cowling 3rd, Ma. Regt. Capt. John Blackwell's Co., but further than 
this nothing is known. 

  Capt. William Eley, from the Upper Parish of Nansemond. 

  Henry and William Everett were killed or died in the war, and they went from 
near. [sic] Their graves are unknown. 

  Thomas Granbury, a member of the Nansemond militia, and was captured with 
Thomas Brittle and carried to New York, and remained for 18 months as a 
prisoner.  Nothing more known. 

  William Gwinn. Capt. Davis, of the Nansemond militia, was killed at 
Hargroves Tavern, in May, 1779, and nothing more is known of him. 

  Capt. John Dorlan died at his home near South Quay, May 22, 1824, age 73 
years.  He commanded northern troops, and after the war migrated south, and 
engaged in business first in Petersburg, later at South Quay, where he married 
the widow of Col. Richard Baker, and was survived by his widow and four 
children. 

  Capt. Anthony Godwin, Capt. Kinckin Godwin and Lieut. Thomas Godwin were 
from the vicinity of Chuckatuck, and reliable tradition says that two of the 
Godwins were buried in the old graveyard near Chuckatuck. 

  Lieut. Joseph Godwin, Va. state navy.  Nothing more known. 

  Captain Joseph Holladay was no doubt from the same section. 

  Willis Holland and Joseph Holland were from the Holland section.  Captain 
Henry Holland and Capt. George Holland from Upper Parish of Nansemond county, 
and were either killed or died in the war as neither returned. 

  Henry Harrison, survived and died on July 3rd, 1837, at the advanced age of 
84 years.  The chronicler records that "He died after a lingering illness, and 
that he was an old Revolutionary patriot in the days of our peril."  Very 
likely he was buried on his farm near Lummis, now owned by Mr. Pulley. 

  John Harrell, nothing known with certainty, but likely from near Cypress. 

  Moses Hedgebeth, from the Holland section. 

  Samuel Hosier, soldier, served three years. 

  Edward and Dempsey Howell served with the N.C. troops.  Edward, according to 
the adjutant general's office was sick at Valley Forge, and did not leave the 
service until 1782.  Both are likely buried on the old homestead near Cleopus. 

  Miles Howell from near Holy Neck. 

  Lieut. John Hudnall, very likely from the Bellville section. 

  Elijah Jones, Frederick Jones and Britton Jones were from near Holland, 
Frederick and Britton lost their lives in the service and all lie in unknown 
graves. 

  (Final chapter of this narrative will appear tomorrow.) 


"Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol. 9, No. 169, Thurs., Oct. 8, 1931, p. 2 

Part Taken By Nansemond Co. In the American Revolution 

      (By W. E. MacCLENNY) 
            Chapter IX 

  Stephenson Johnson, from near Myrtle and buried near his house on the 
Johnson farm. 

  Capt. Henry Holland, from near Holland. 

  Timothy and William Langston were from the Somerton section, and Timothy was 
standing near Gen. Washington, perhaps at the siege of Yorktown, when the 
British fired a bar shot toward them, and it fell to the ground and made a 
large hole.  The general remarked: "Our friends over yonder must be mad with 
us by doing that way."  Timothy secured that bar shot, put it in his knapsack, 
and brought it home with him when he came, and it has been used for different 
purposes by different generations and is now owned by Mr. Dempsey Langston. 

  Gideon Langston, 3 years in the Continental line. 

  Capt. Michael King, from Lower Parish. Private John Logan, served three 
years. 

  Capt. John Murdaugh, from what is now Nansemond. 

  Major John Moss, nothing known. 

  Francis Moss, Armourer, died in 1781. 

  Stark Moss, carpenter, Virginia state navy, died about 1782. 

  John March, from the Somerton section, served three years. 

  Thomas Myars, nothing known. 

  Michael Murphy, survived the war and was a resident of Suffolk for many 
years, and was one of the first Methodists in the town. 

  Capt. Joseph Meredith, of the Marquis LaFayette, and Ross Mitchell who 
piloted the good ship out of the Nansemond river, have dropped from the 
memory of the county. 

  Mr. Joseph Pell, surgeon, Virginia state navy, and was on the Revenge when 
she sunk at the mouth of the Nansemond river. 

  William Oliver, soldier. 

  Francis Powell, 2nd midshipman, Virginia state navy. 

  Ensign Willis Pugh, 15th Va. Regt., all of these served three years and drew 
bounty lands. 

  Elijah Parker, nothing known. 

  ...... Peel.  He was one of the last survivors drawing a pension in 
Nansemond, and was from the Whaleyville section. 

  James Reynolds, nothing known. 

  Capt. Dempsey Riddick, Capt. Josiah Riddick, Josiah (he being one of the 
captured scouts in 1779), Capt. Robert M. Riddick, Col. Willis Riddick, Capt. 
Willis Riddick, Capt. Jason Riddick and Col. Edward Riddick were from the 
vicinity of Suffolk, and perhaps several of them lie buried in the Riddick 
cemetery on the White Marsh road. 

  John Rawles, Nathaniel Ralls, Mills Rogers, nothing known. 

  Joseph Ross, nothing known. 

  Thomas Rutter, nothing known. 

  Thomas Smith, from Somerton. 

  Ned Streeter. 

  Henry Skinner, lived near Saunders station and was one of the last survivors 
in the county. 

  Capt. Richard Taylor, from near Suffolk. 

  Capt. John Washington, no doubt lived near the mouth of the Washington ditch 
at the "Dismal Town" and was a relative of Gen. George Washington, and was 
associated with him in his business in the Dismal swamp when the war broke 
out.  Nothing more known. 

  John Whitehead, Solomon Whitfield, nothing known. 

  Moses Williams, navy, served three years. 

  Nansemond county had a few negroes who were in the Virginia state navy 
during the Revolution.  Harry (a slave belonging to Captain John Cowper, of 
Bennett's creek) was distinguished for his zeal and daring.  Cupid (a slave 
belonging to Mr. William Ballard) stood faithful on all occasions as a 
champion of liberty, and discharged all his duties with a fidelity that made 
him a favorite of all the officers.  These two served on the "Liberty," the 
only vessel in the Virginia navy that was never captured, and at one time she 
was concealed in the Nansemond river. 

  When the Patriot was sunk Capt. Starlings, a native-born African, tried to 
get to Nansemond for service. 

  Thus in a rambling way we have tried to trace what is known of Nansemond's 
sons and their part in the Revolution, and hope that some day it may be done 
by better hands. 

            (THE END) 

****************************************************************************** 

Additional information: 

The author generally spelled his surname MacCLENNY, although his parents, 
   David [Jr.] & Ann Maria (HOLLAND) McCLENNY, did not. 

A Spanish-American War veteran, he was the author of "The life of Rev. 
   James O'Kelly and the early history of the Christian church in the South" 
   (1910: Raleigh, NC, Edwards & Broughton Printing Co.) 
   LVA: Closed Stacks BX6793.O4 M3 

He & his parents are buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suffolk - Block H, Lot 56. 
   Cedar Hill list, an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/cemeteries/cedar_m.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/history/revwar/nan_rev.txt