Northumberland County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Reed, Elijah E. 1827 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 17, 2008, 4:20 pm Author: Leonard Wilson (1916) THE REED FAMILY REEDVILLE, in Northumberland County, Virginia, is regarded by travelers as one of the prettiest and most enterprising villages in that State. That which, some forty years ago, was forest and waste land, has now been transformed into busy factories, attractive stores, and modern dwellings. Reedville was named in 1888 for the late Captain Elijah W. Reed, by his son, George N. Reed, who at that time secured a post office for the place. The well-grounded faith and far-sighted acumen of Captain Reed was responsible, primarily, for the development of this thriving village. Locating here in 1874, he purchased a strip of land on which Reedville now stands. In 1876 he sold two lots and from this modest beginning in the early days of the fish and oyster industry the town has grown steadily, the population now consisting of nearly 1000 people. Captain Reed was born in Brooklin, Maine, December 27, 1827, and died at his home in Virginia, January 27, 1888. He was a son of George Reed, born December 17, 1794, and a grandson of Isaac Reed, born at Sedgwick, Maine, September 29, 1768, and his wife Sarah Freeman. Captain Reed came to Northumberland County, Virginia, in 1868, and, being the owner of the fish business on the Chesapeake Bay, in 1874 he brought his family to this State. He then built a factory on his own premises, and, later, conducted a mercantile establishment. In 1880 he put in operation the fish steamer "Starry Banner." His various enterprises proved successful, and his integrity in all business dealings won for him an enviable reputation as an honest and progressive business man. In early manhood Captain Reed realized the importance of religion in daily life and became a member of the Baptist Church. His life was above reproach, and his constant efforts to extend a helping hand to the needy was a most prominent characteristic. He was the personification of kindness, and his career was that of a true Christian gentleman. He married, October 17, 1847, Rebecca Sargent Herrick, born May 31, 1825, died March 2, 1874, a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Cole) Herrick. Their children were: Ella C., born in 1850; Rosa, born 1857, and George N. of further mention. George Nelson Eeed, who has so successfully continued the business established by his father, was born at Brooklin, Maine, April 13, 1863, and has made his home in Northumberland County, Virginia, since 1874. He was educated in the public schools, and graduated from Eatons and Burnetts Business College in Baltimore, Maryland. His first business transaction was made during his school vacation in the summer of 1877. His father at his solicitation, advanced him a small sum which he invested in confectionery and fruit, and, in a short time, he was able to return the capital borrowed, and had cleared 100 per cent. profit on the transaction. Mr. Reed has been engaged in the menhaden business since 1884, enjoying an extensive trade in fish oils and kindred products. The extent of his business success may be appreciated when it is stated that he is President and Treasurer of the Edwards and Reed Company; Secretary and Treasurer of the McNeal Edwards Company; Vice-President of the Northern Neck Telephone and Telegraph Company, and a director of the Morris Fisher Company; of the Seaboard Oil and Guano Company; of the Edwards Company, and of the Peoples Bank of Reedville, Virginia. Politically, Mr. Reed adheres to the tenets of the Republican party in matters pertaining to our National government. In local and State politics, however, he is in sympathy with Democratic principles as they apply to the great State of Virginia. In 1884 he accepted the office of Postmaster of Fairport, Virginia, and since 1888 he has served as Postmaster of Reedville. This office, on January 1, 1914, was elevated to the class requiring Presidential appointment, and Mr. Reed received his commission from President Wilson. He is affiliated with the various branches of the Masonic fraternity, including Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1, and Acca Temple of Richmond. He is a charter member and Master of Reedville Lodge No. 321, A. F. and A. M., and in 18SS organized Reedville Lodge, No. 71, of the Knights of Pythias. He is Steward of Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member since 18S0, and was Secretary of the building committee when the new edifice was erected in 1S9G, and is Chairman of the Church Board of Trustees. Mr. Reed married, May 6, 1886, in Northumberland County, Virginia, Miss Lilian Cuthbert Cockrell, born August 6, 1862, daughter of Lyttleton and Agnes Burgess Cockrell. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the parents of two daughters, namely (1) Agnes Rebecca, born December 8, 1887, married October 24, 1910, Dr. Henry Ward Randolph. They have one child, Ward Reed Randolph, born February 16, 1912. The family resides at Richmond, Virginia, (2) Elizabeth Cockrell Reed, born February 1G, 1889, married January 19, 1915, John A. Hinton, and resides at Reedville, Virginia. On the maternal side George N. Reed is of the seventeenth generation in direct descent from the Herricks (originally spelled Eyryk), of Leicester, England, who were prominent in the affairs of that country in the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). The family estate was named "Great Stretton," and among the descendants of distinction was Sir William Eyryk, Knight, of Stretton, who was commissioned to attend the Prince of Wales on his expedition into Gascony in 1355. In the year 1570 we find the orthography of the name changed to its present form, and in use by Sir William Herrick, who was knighted in 1005, and was a member of Parliament from 1601 to 1630. His estate, Beau Manor Park, was in County Leicester. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth he was dispatched on an important embassy to the Ottoman Porte. As a reward for his diplomatic success with the hitherto intractable Turk, he was appointed to a lucrative position in the Exchequer. His son, Henry Herrick, born in 1604, came first to Virginia, and removed to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1653. He married Editha Laskin and their progeny are most numerous in the New England States. A most interesting volume has been published containing the genealogical record of the various branches of the family, and contains an illuminated copy of the Herrick Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms of the Reed family is thus described: Or, on a chevron between three garbs gules, as many ears of corn argent. Crest: a griffin rampant or. Mr. Reed, just in the prime of life, finds himself possessed of a handsome fortune largely of his own making. He gives freely of his time to public service, enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-men, upholds the reputation of his family established by his ancestors, and emulates the Christian spirit of a devoted father. In brief, he has lived up to the best traditions of a splendid family, and is in every relation of life a good and patriotic citizen. Additional Comments: Extracted from: MAKERS OF AMERICA BIOGRAPHIES OF LEADING MEN OF THOUGHT AND ACTION THE MEN WHO CONSTITUTE THE BONE AND SINEW OF AMERICAN PROSPERITY AND LIFE VOLUME II By LEONARD WILSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSISTED BY PROMINENT HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WRITERS Illustrated with many full page engravings B. F. JOHNSON, INC. CITY OF WASHINGTON, U. S. A. 1916 Copyright, 1916 by B. F. Johnson, Inc. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/northumberland/photos/bios/reed34gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/northumberland/bios/reed34gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 8.1 Kb