Nottoway County Virginia USGenWeb Archives History - Books .....History Of Nottoway County 1950
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Book Title: Old Homes And Families In Nottoway

NOTTOWAY COUNTY, 1788-1860

    In undertaking to write the story of Nottoway one finds very little source
material available. Until a few years ago the early records at Nottoway Court
House were in very bad condition, having been terribly mutilated by Federal
troops during General Grant's brief occupation of Nottoway Court House, April 
5, 1865.

    The Will Books, which cover the twenty years from 1845 to 1865, have been
destroyed and the indexes cut out of the others. One can still see in the old
Will Book of 1827, written on the flyleaf by a Yankee soldier, "Abraham Lincoln,
President of Virginia, 1865." Thanks, however, to the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and Emergency Relief, the old records have
been re-indexed and put back in fair condition, and the first Will Book
completely restored through the generosity of the Daughters of the American
Revolution.

    What we now know as Nottoway County was Prince George until 1734 when Amelia
was formed from Prince George, and in 1788 Nottoway County was taken from
Amelia. It embraced the Nottoway Parish and was named for the Nottoway River,
which then separated Amelia from Lunenburg County, and which, in turn, was named
for the Nottoway Indians. The Nottoway Indians lived in Southampton County on a
reservation about fifteen miles square on the Nottoway River near Jerusalem,
then the county seat of Southampton. According to Colonel William Byrd, in 1728
they numbered about two hundred. They were called Mangoac or Nadowa, a name
given to them by other tribes of Indians, "which means "adders" or
"rattlesnakes." The name "Nadowa" later became anglicized into Nottoway. As late
as December 17, 1804, there were Indians in Nottoway County, as evidenced by a
petition from the people of Nottoway sent to the legislature on that date to
have trustees appointed for the Nottoway tribe of Indians living in the county
at that time.

    Not much is known about the part Nottoway, then Amelia, played in the
Revolutionary War. We do know, though, that she furnished a good many troops,
and that William Fitzgerald II, who lived at Leinster in this county promptly
organized a company, was elected captain and served throughout the war. He was
wounded at the battle of Guilford Court House and was breveted major for
gallantry in action in that engagement.

    Tarleton, with his British Cavalry, passed through the county on his famous
raid to Bedford. He burned Edmundson's Old Tavern, which place later became
known as Burnt Ordinary and still later as Morgansville. The house, rebuilt by
Captain Samuel Morgan, is still standing and is to be seen on the right side of
the road to Wellville about three miles east of Blackstone.
<2)

    It was at West Creek that nine of Tarleton's cavalry had their famous
encounter with Peter Francisco in which Francisco, although their prisoner,
wounded two and put to flight the others. This occurred in full view of the
British cavalry.

    A vivid account of this encounter is given in Howe's History of Virginia and
is in part as follows:

    "While the British Army was spreading havoc and desolation all around them
by their plundering and burnings in Virginia in 1781, Francisco had been
reconnoitering, and while stopping at the house of a Mr. Ward, then in Amelia,
now in Nottoway County, nine of Tarleton's cavalry came up with three negroes,
and told him he was their prisoner. Seeing he was overpowered by numbers, he
made no resistance. Believing him to be very peaceful they all went into the
house, leaving him and the pay-master together. "Give up all you possess of
value," said the latter, "or prepare to die." "I have nothing to give up," said
Francisco, "so use your pleasure." "Deliver instantly," rejoined the soldier,
"those massive silver buckles which you wear in your shoes." "They were a
present from a valued friend," replied Francisco, "and it would grieve me to
part with them. Give them into your hands I never will. You have the power; take
them if you think fit." The soldier put his sabre under his arm, and bent down
to take them.

    Francisco finding so favorable an  opportunity to recover his liberty,
stepped one pace to the rear, drew the sword wth force from under his [the
trooper's] arm, and instantly gave him a blow across the skull.

    "My enemy," observed Francisco, "was brave, and though severely wounded,
drew his pistol, and in the same moment that he pulled the trigger, I cut his
hand nearly off. The bullet grazed my side. One of the soldiers mounted the only
horse he could get and presented his gun at my breast. It missed fire. I rushed
on the muzzle of the gun. A short struggle ensued. I disarmed and wounded him.
Tarleton's troop of four hundred were in sight. All was hurry and confusion,
which I increased by repeatedly hallooing as loud as I could, 'Come on my brave
boys, now's your time; we will soon dispatch these few and then attack the main
body.' The wounded man flew to the troops, and the others fled panic-stricken.
The eight horses that were left behind I gave to Ward to conceal for me.

    "Discovering Tarleton had dispatched ten more in pursuit of me, I made off.
I evaded their vigilance.

    "They stopped to refresh themselves. I, like an old fox, doubled, and fell
on their rear.

    "Finding my situation dangerous, and surrounded by enemies, I left."

    Peter Francisco lived in Buckingham County. After the Revolutionary war, he
"was made sergeant-at-arms of the House of Delegates. He died on Sunday, January
16, 1831, in Richmond, and is buried in Shockoe Cemetery.

    The Daughters of the American Revolution have erected a tablet at West Creek
to commemorate the valor of this brave man.

    In the War of 1812, Nottoway bore her share of the burdens of this conflict.
Besides furnishing troops, she sent a distinguished son, Dr. James Jones, of
Mountain Hall, to serve as Surgeon General of Virginia.

    The period between the close of the Revolutionary War in 1781, and the
beginning of the War between the States in 1861, has been called the Golden Age
in Virginia. This "was especially true of Nottoway. This section was
predominantly agricultural. Tobacco was the chief crop and more than two -minion
pounds annually were produced at this time by Nottoway growers. Here was the
stronghold of slavery, and here, perhaps, it wore its kindliest aspeet.

    According to Howe, the population of Nottoway County in 1840 was: white,
2490; slaves: 7071; free colored: 158. Total population: 9719- nearly three
times as many slaves as white.

    The white population was largely of the planter class. The planter had great
responsibilities in managing his large acres and many slaves; yet he had time to
cultivate the elegancies of life, to engage in the social graces, and to become
familiar with all current political topics. Consequently it was during this
period that Virginia produced many of her greatest men, and from this system
there arose that hospitality for which her people were noted. Nowhere were the
wishes and wants of the guest more regarded and nowhere was the character of a
true gentleman held more sacred. What mattered if they indulged in horse racing
and cock fighting-they held to the standard that a gentleman's word was as good
as his bond. No people had a clearer sense of honor and a higher regard for
womankind. The duels sometimes engaged in during this period had one redeeming
feature: They bred a wholesome respect for a woman's good name, and loose talk
concerning a person's character was seldom heard.

    Writing about the early conditions in Nottoway, Dr. William S. White, the
Presbyterian minister, says: "My life in Nottoway may be characterized as one of
incessant but delightful labor. That county had long been celebrated for the
politeness, refinement and hospitality of its inhabitants, but they were
deplorably irreligious -card playing, horse racing and wine drinking were*
almost universal among the higher classes."

    There were two race tracks within a few miles of Blackstone, one just west
of the town on the north side of Jordan's, now Hungarytown, Road. It was a
double track one-fourth of a mile long-the race paths overgrown "with brush and
trees may still be seen. Across the road stood Hamlin's Tavern, the first to be
built in the lower end of Nottoway County. There are no records to indicate when
it was built, but it stood in great dilapidation as late as 1787. The house now
occupied by Lee Bland is only a few yards east of the tavern site.

    The other track was called Bellefonte, and was situated a few miles east of
Blackstone. It was run by Colonel Jeter, and "was laid off about the year 1822.
Here the -wealth, fashion and beauty of Old Virginia assembled from time to
time, coming from the Blue Ridge Mountains on the west to the Chesapeake Bay on
the east; among its famous clientele were William R. Johnson, of North Carolina,
known as "King of Turf"; Captain William Junkin Harrison, of Diamond Grove in
Brunswick County; John R. Goode, of Mecklenburg, and, John Randolph, of Roanoke,
all famous horsemen. This race course "was looked upon as a den of iniquity by
the ministers in the county, who did not rest until a great revival was held
near the track and the president of the club, Major Hezekiah Anderson, and its
owner, Captain Richard Jones, both professed religion and joined the church. The
tavern at Bellefonte was turned into a seminary for young ladies, and Colonel
Jeter became a bankrupt and died in a small cabin nearby.

    The settlements in the early days of the county were few. In most instances
the places were named for the tavern owners, as Jenning's Ordinary named for a
Mr. Jennings who ran a tavern there. Nearby is the grave of Captain James Dupuy,
a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and not far away was the home of Major
Hezekiah Anderson. Major Anderson was the father of Mary Jane Anderson, who
became the mother of the famous southern poet, Sidney Lanier.

    Burkeville was named for the family who ran Burke's Old Tavern, and Black's
and White's for the two rival tavern keepers Schwartz and White-Schwartz, in
German, meaning black. These two taverns were located at the intersection of
three roads; namely, Cocke's, Hungarytown, then called Jordan's Road, and Old
Church. These three roads intersected at a point just east of the old Schwartz
Tavern, now the Anderson home. This early settlement consisted of the two
taverns on opposite sides of Jordan's Road, a doctor's office, a blacksmith
shop, and an ice house.

    The stagecoach from Petersburg came over Cocke's Road by way of
Morgansville, Black's and White's, Nottoway Court House, and thence to North
Carolina. The settlement of Black's and White's grew as time went on, and the
citizens thought a more dignified name should be selected. so they chose
Beliefonte; however, due to the objections of the Post Office Department because
of the similarity of Bellefonte, Pa., and Bellefonte, Va., this name had to be
abandoned. Finally, about 1885, at a meeting of the citizens, Dr. J. M. Hurt
suggested that the name "Blackstone" be chosen after the famous English jurist
of that name.

  Cocke's Road is one of the oldest roads in the county. It was named for
Abraham Cocke -who ran a mill near the forks of Big and Little Nottoway Rivers.
He was granted by the court in 1740 a road to his mill, and the road from that
time came to be known as Cocke's Road or Cocke's Lane. That is how it received
its name, and not, as some believe, from Dr. Cox who perished in the big snow of
1857, more than a hundred years later.

    In the early days, the oldtime Virginian loved privacy and, like an
Englishman, he elected to build his house as far as possible from his neighbor's
and out of sight of the public road; consequently his goings and comings were
rather infrequent, and except for the time passed in social visiting, his big
day away from home was when he attended court.*

   *The old monthly County Court day has gone out of existence since Feb. 1,
1904, changed by the Constitutional Convention of 1901-02.

    Nottoway Court House was first located at Hendersonville, one mile west of
its present location, although the first Deputy Clerk's Office was in a house in
the yard at Windrow, afterwards the home of Thos. Freeman Epes.

    The building at Hendersonville evidently burned down sometime during 1789,
for we find in Order Book No. 3, 1789, page 529, the following: "It is the
opinion of this court that the next court for this county shall sit at Peter
Randolph's dwelling house, that being the centre fixed on. And it is ordered
that all pleas, bills, processes and proceedings whatever be adjourned thereto,
and it is ordered that the Sheriff make his return to that place."

    It was also ordered on page 528, Order Book No. 3, "that Samuel Sherwin,
Peter Randolph, Freeman Epes and Rawleigh Carter, or any three of them, shall
receive the gaol, stocks and pillory when finished and make return to this court
thereof."

    After the building at Hendersonville burned, the question of a suitable
location for the new Court House arose. There were several mills along the
Little Nottoway River, the most important belonging to Peter Randolph. He had
obtained permission to dam Lazaretta Creek, and there is a local tradition that
when the work was completed, he stood on the dam and defied God Almighty to
break it. The story runs that on that very night a freshet came and swept the
dam away.

    Peter Stainback had a tavern there, and a man by the name of Hood, a
blacksmith shop. Wood Jones, the county surveyor, was ordered to make a survey,
and decided that this location was very suitable as it was about the center of
the county.

    Sometime during the latter part of 1789, according to Order Book No. 3,
1789, page 540, commissioners were appointed by the court to let the building of
the Court House and other necessary buildings for this county to be built on the
land of Peter Randolph.

    In 1793, at the May Court, the commissioners appointed to view and receive
the Court House if done according to contract, reported unanimously that it was
not done according to bargain. It was later received by the Court. However, it
must have been a very inferior building for the records show that it was
constantly in need of repair. It was repaired in 1827, 1832, and again in 1834;
finally, at the June term of court, 1841, the building and the Clerk's Office
were ordered to be sold at the July Court following.

    On December 5, 1839, the contract for the present building -was let to
Branch Ellington, and a payment of $1,000 was made on the initial cost. Three
years passed in the construction of the new building, and it was 1843 before
court was held in its new quarters.

    The early gentlemen justices of Nottoway were: William Greenhill, Francis
Fitzgerald, John Doswell, Richard Bland, Samuel Pincham, Hamlin Harris, Freeman
Fpes, William Fitzgerald, William Watson, Richard Dennis, James Dupuy and Peter
Robertson. Any three of these men constituted a court.*

*The Clerks of Nottoway from 1789, when, the records began, up to the present
time, 1949, nave been: Isaac Holmes, Peter Randolph, Francis Fitzgerald, Richard
Epes, Herman Jackson, Edward S. Deane, Charles Deane, Rives Hardy, J. Lindsay
Cobb, J. H. Irby, and Hodges Boswell, the present incumbent.

    After the Court House was built, two taverns were opened, one owned by Peter
Randolph. He built it for speculation and as it was operated by a man by the
name of George, it was known as "George's"; the other was operated by Edmund Wells.

    The Court House green was used as a muster ground where the -militia
drilled. Most of the prominent men were at one time or another officers of the
militia, which accounts for so many titles in those days.

    Nottoway Court House is described in Martin's Gazeteer of Virginia, circa
1835, as follows: "(Post Village) sixty-seven miles west of Richmond and one
hundred and eighty-nine miles from Washington, situated on the Nottoway River
one mile east of Hendersonville, in the business part of the county. It contains
a Court House, Clerk's Office, criminal and debtor's jail, besides fifteen
dwelling houses, one mercantile, one hotel, one saddler, one tailor, and one
blacksmith shop. In the vicinity, on Nottoway River, there is a manufacturing
flour mill. A daily stage passes this place on its route from Petersburg to
North Carolina. Population, seventy persons of whom one is an attorney and one a
regular physician."

    It was the scene of many political meetings, and other stirring events. Here
took place in July 1818, one of the strangest duels ever recorded* A duel in
which the principals did not fight. An account of this unfortunate affair is set
forth in "Notes on Southside Virginia," by The Honorable Walter A. Watson, and
is in part as follows: "Colonel William C. Greenhill and Colonel Tyree G. Bacon
were prominent citizens of Nottoway. Greenhill lived in the lower end of the
county on Sellar Creek; he was a man of education. Colonel Greenhill and Colonel
Bacon, who had been a delegate in the legislature, had some personal or
political differences, it seems. Randolph, when elected Judge of the General
Court, about 1812, was colonel of the milita regiment, and Bacon was the major.
To this vacancy Greenhill, a cousin of Randolph, was elected by the officers of
the regiment, being promoted over the head of Bacon. This was probably the
beginning of the feud which led to the unfortunate affair." Colonel Greenhill
challenged Colonel Bacon to a duel and Dr. John S. Hardaway, being unaware of
the nature of the communication, bore the challenge from Colonel Greenhill to
Colonel Bacon. Colonel Bacon placed the blame on Dr. Hardaway. Dr. George S. G.,
Bacon, Colonel Bacon's son, then living in Mecklenburg County, and Dr. John S.
Hardaway met at Nottoway Court House afterwards and staged a stabbing match in
which Dr. Hardaway was mortally wounded. The fight took place just at the gate
on the path leading from the Court House to the old tavern. Dr. Hardaway lived
one or two days after the duel and died in the Jackson house, later occupied by
John B. Tuggle, and now by Robert Carson. Dr. Bacon, although severly wounded,
was tried for murder but acquitted.

    At Nottoway Court House in 1847, occurred the famous debate between Colonel
George C. Droomgoole and Colonel George E. Bolling, of Petersburg, in the race
for Congress in which "Old Drum" so completely floored his opponent.

    In the course of the debate Colonel Boiling read from the Journal of
Congress which showed, he said, that Colonel Droomgoole had been very
inattentive to his duties in Washington, being in his seat and voting only
eleven times during the long session of Congress. Colonel Bolling, during this
part of the debate, seemed to have command of the situation and Droomgoole's
friends began to despair. When Droomgoole arose to speak however, he soon
dispelled all fears. He said: "Fellow citizens, Colonel Bolling has read you the
Journal of Congress, and I presume he states the facts as they are; it may be
true that I voted as he asserts, but every time I did vote I represented you and
your interests. One of us two must be elected and the question for you to
determine, my friends, is whether you would rather have a man to represent you
eleven times or one to misrepresent you three hundred and sixty-five times."
Droomgoole's eloquence prevailed and he was reelected to Congress, but soon
afterward his health declined and he died at his estate in Brunswick County on
April 27, 1847, at the early age of 49 years.

                        *     *     *     *     *

    No account of Nottoway should be given without some reference being made to
the early churches in the county.

    In the early part of the nineteenth century, many people had become imbued
-with the false doctrines of free thought and infidel philosophy. Infidel clubs
flourished everywhere, one we had in our own community at Painville in Amelia
County, named for the famous infidel, Thomas Paine. The place bears the name of
Painville to this day. One of its founders was Dr. James Jones, of Mountain Hall
in Nottoway, who, while in Europe pursuing his education, had come under the
influence of this false philosophy. Later, however, he professed religion and
became an elder and a pillar in the Presbyterian Church. He assembled his
infidel club and delivered before it such a Christian address that it at once
disbanded and never met again. Such were the conditions under which the earlier
churches were organized, and it is to the eternal credit of these few earnest
souls that the churches were kept alive during this dark period. Now, in the
early forties, it became much more fashionable to become religious and camp
meetings were held at every crossroads.

    The earliest churches were naturally of the Established faith, being
transplanted here from the Church of England.

    Probably the first church, of this denomination in the county was known as
"Green's Church," and was located just west of what is now the Town of
Blackstone on Jordan's, now Hungarytown, road. This old church had a somewhat
checkered career. Its rector, Parson Wilkinson, who had married in this county,
was unfortunate enough to have a wife from England appear upon the scene. The
Established Church, already becoming unpopular, due to the quarrel with the
Mother Country, could not bear the strain of this and further services were
abandoned. The church was not revived in the county until Dr. John Cameron came
to Nottoway during 1794 and 1796, but was so poorly supported that he had to
leave. The Episcopal Church then almost disappeared from Nottoway until 1856
when St. Luke's Church was organized by Dr. Gibson. A new church was built on
the site of old Green's Church, and later moved to its present location.

    After the old church was abandoned by the Episcopalians it was used by the
Presbyterians until it burned in 1827, and thereby hangs another tale!

    It seems that an old woman who lived nearby confessed on her deathbed that
she had set the church on fire because she said she had been unable to keep a
gourd at the spring since the Presbyterians had occupied the church.

    After the fire the Presbyterians decided to accept the offer of Captain
Samuel Morgan, who offered them an acre of land and fifty dollars in money if
they would build their church near Jeter's race track, and Shiloh Presbyterian
Church was built in 1828 on that location in accordance with the old Captain's
wish.

  There was another Established Church, known as the Old Colonial Church,
situated on the plantation of Captain Fowlkes above Leneave's mill. It was an
immense structure for those days, nicely finished and plastered within, and
provided with a large gallery. At the time that Captain Fowlkes purchased the
property, the church was not reserved and passed to him-he afterwards used it as
a granary.

    Bishop Meade, in his book "Old Churches and Families of Virginia," comments
severely on this alleged profanation. Captain Fowlkes afterwards -was always
known as Captain "Church" Fowlkes. He later had built at his own expense the
Republican Church near the site of the Old Colonial Church. He designed the
church for the use of all denominations, hence the name Republican. The
Presbyterians sought to buy it from him. He refused to sell, but gave it to
them, whereupon it was taken down and rebuilt near the location of the present
airport at Crewe.

    The first Baptist Church, known as the Separate Baptist Church in Nottoway,
was Walker's Meeting House, known to many as Nottoway Meeting House. This church
was situated about three miles from Burkeville on the old Lewiston Plank Road,
which ran from Burkeville to Lunenburg Court House, then known as Lewiston. The
first pastor was the Reverend Jeremiah Walker. On the 27th of October 1768,
there was a petition to the Worshipful Court of Amelia, signed by George Walton
and others, as follows: "We, the petitioners, do humbly pray that your worships
would favor us so far as to license George Walton's house as a place for those
dissenters called Separate Baptists to assemble and preach in.

    Therefore humbly submit the consideration to your worships, hoping you will
in mercy grant the same to us who are in duty bound to always pray for all
authorities under God and over us."

    This petition was refused by the court and was endorsed "Dissenters'
petition called Baptists, rejected Nov. 24, 1768." The next year, however, in
1769, this church was established with sixty-six members.

    It is interesting to note that Jeremiah Walker remained steadfast in the
faith even to the point of imprisonment. As late as 1773 he was committed to
prison in Chesterfield County as shown by Chesterfield Court Order of 1773,
which reads as follows: "Jeremiah Walker who was committed by a Warrant issued
by Archibald Cary, Gentleman, for sundry misdemeanors, being at the Barr and
acknowledging that he had convened the people in this County and preached to
them, not being a minister of the Church of England within six months last past,
the Court being of Opinion that such Behavior is a Breach of the peace and of
Good Behavior do order that the said Jeremiah be committed to the Gaol of this
County til he enter into Recognizance himself in penalty of 50 pounds with Two
Sureties in penalty of 25 pounds each for his keeping the peace and being of
good Behavior for the space of one year next ensuing."

    Of the Methodist Churches, Crenshaw's is thought to be the oldest. Services
in an old wheelright shop on the Crenshaw farm bagan in 1827, and from this
beginning Crenshaw's Methodist Church was established by Allen, Asa and William
Crenshaw (the latter an old Revolutionary soldier) with the help of William Irby.

    The history  of this church has been lately recorded and an appropriate
marker placed on the spot where worship was first begun.

                         *     *     *     *     *

    Of these ante-bellum years all was peace and prosperity, broken only by the
coming of Court days, political meetings or by some planter purchasing a
mechanical device to be used in farm work.

    In 1850 Colonel Knight bought the first steam engine in the county and in
this year the first reaping machine was used on the farm of Mr. Edwin Booth.

    In 1851 the Southside Railroad, now a part of the Norfolk & Western system,
was completed from Petersburg to Black's and White's, and by 1854 was operating
to Lynchburg. In 1855 Captain Richard Irby established a foundry on his
plantation and later on moved it to the forks of the Cocke's and Brunswick Roads
where Union Academy, a school for boys, was established shortly before the War
Between the States. This school was operated by Messrs. Sam Hardy and Marcellus
Crenshaw. Many boys came here from a distance as well as the boys in the
neighborhood. Dr. Walter Reed, who afterwards did so much for humanity in
stamping out yellow fever, attended school here while his father, the Reverend
Lemuel S. Reed, was pastor on this circuit. Dr. Robert E. Blackwell, later the
distinguished President of Randolph-Macon College, also attended this academy.

1860 -1888

    These peaceful years were all too soon in the passing. In 1860 came that
fateful campaign for the presidency, the candidates being Bell and Everett of
the Constitutional Union Party which believed in the Union but did not believe
in coercion; Breckenridge and Lane of one branch of the Democratic Party, and
Douglas and Johnson of the other, while the Republicans nominated Lincoln and
Hamlin. Under these circumstances it was a foregone conclusion that Lincoln
would be elected. Colonel Travis Epes, of Fancy Hill, campaigned vigorously for
Bell and Everett, while most of the people of Nottoway voted for Breckenridge
and Lane, due perhaps to Roger Pryor's influence, he having made the best speech
of his career at the Court House for the secession candidates.

    In the final result Bell and Everett received 39 electoral votes and carried
the State of Virginia as well as Kentucky and Tennessee. Lincoln received 180
electoral votes; Douglas 12, and Breckenridge 72, thus assuring Lincoln the
election.

    The following month on December 20, 1860, South Carolina in convention
assembled passed the Ordinance of Secession and on December 24 the Governor
issued a proclamation announcing the action of that state. The next month, in
January 1861, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas
followed South Carolina's example, as did Virginia, Arkansas and Tennessee the
following spring.

    On April 7, 1861, at Nottoway Court House, took place that memorable meeting
to decide on secession. The sentiment was overwhelming for secession, Colonel
Travis Epes standing almost alone against such a move. Colonel Epes, who always
wore a tall beaver hat and Prince Albert coat, was a striking figure as he arose
to address the meeting. Said Colonel Epes: "You do not know what you are doing
in voting for secession. You cannot compete with the Federal Government; they
will send an army here, despoil your homes, and free your slaves. Every able
bodied man before me will have to go into the army and try to repel the
invaders. I have five sons who will have to go. Should Virginia secede, I will
give everything I possess to her cause, but I am opposed to secession." He was
howled down, in derision, and his brother, Freeman Epes, took him severely to
task for his speech.

    Dr. Campbell, of Nottoway Court House, spoke. He made an eloquent plea for
secession in which he said: "I am too old to go in the army myself, but I will
take Old Ben, my carriage driver, and get in my carriage and go up there and
shoot them through the windows." His speech was received with loud applause, and
the meeting broke up with the delegates unanimously instructed for secession. On
April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was fired on by General Beauregard's troops, and on
April 15 Mr. Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to force the seceding states
back into the Union. It was then that Virginia took action and decided to cast
her lot with her sister southern states.

    This decision came on April 17, 1861. On the 19th Mr. Lincoln issued a
proclamation declaring all of the southern ports in a state of blockade.

    Then came the War. The people of Nottoway, responding nobly both in men and
means, made a record during this period too well known to be recorded here;
suffice it to say that although one of the smallest counties in the state, she
furnished five companies to the Confederate cause.* They were Company G, 18th
Va., The Nottoway Grays; Company C, 18th Va.; The Nottoway Rifle Guards; Company
E, 3d Virginia, The Nottoway Cavalry; Jeffress' Battery, the Artillery Company;
and the Nottoway Reserves. The Nottoway Cavalry, Company E, was perhaps the
first to be mobilized at the Court House in response to Governor Letcher's call
to the colors. The ladies in the county at once began to make a flag for them
and Miss Fannie Bettie Epes, a daughter of Colonel Travis Epes, gave a beautiful
silk dress for the purpose. The ample cut in style of the dresses of that day
furnished abundant material. When the flag was ready, a large crowd assembled to
witness the presentation ceremony on May 15th or 16th, 1861. A big dinner was
served on the court green, and the Reverend Edward M. Martin, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at Nottoway offered a beautiful prayer. The Honorable Thomas
Campbell made the presentation speech. The company, standing at attention to
receive the colors, presented an inspiring spectacle. Hamlin Epes, the color
bearer, received the flag amid wild enthusiasm. The company left shortly after
this and spent the first night in Amelia.** Arriving in Richmond they were
ordered! to report to General J. B. Magruder at Yorktown. They took part in the
first battle of the war at Big Bethel June 10, 1861, and served continuously
until the end at Appomattox.

    In the Battle of Chancellorsville, they fought with such conspicuous
gallantry that General Stuart himself complimented them highly for their valor.


* For names of those who served 1861-65, see Confederate Monument at Nottoway
Court House.

** There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the day the Company left.
Some say they left the same day the flag was presented, May 15th or 16th. Mrs.
Mary Hardaway's account gives Monday, May 20, 1861. The flag was returned to the
county during Governor Mann's administration and now hangs in the Clerk's Office.

    The Nottoway Grays, in Pickett's immortal charge at the Battle of
Gettysburg, had only six men left who were not killed, wounded, or captured
after the smoke of that battle cleared away. Richard Ferguson, a member of the
Company and Adjutant of the Regiment, was captured beyond the stone wall.

    Being removed from the scene of the conflict, Nottoway's soil suffered
little from the invading armies. Due to this fact the Confederate Government
established a Convalescent Hospital at Black's and White's in 1862-63. It was in
charge of Dr. Thos. R. Blandy, who had been Surgeon of the Nottoway Grays. This
hospital was located just back of where the freight station at Blackstone now
stands. Dr. Blandy was later transferred to Burkeville where a large hospital
was located during the latter part of the war.

    In the Parish record is entered the death and burial in the St. Luke's
Episcopal Churchyard of the following Confederate soldiers who died in the
Black's and White's Confederate Hospital:

    Private Asa Jennings, Co. H. 24th Ga. Regt., Sept. 29, 1862.
    W. H. Harding, Co. F, 3d N. C. Regt., Mar. 31, 1863.
    Drewry Wall, Co. K. 52d N. C. Regt., May 28, 1863.
    R. B. Woodall, Co. H, 24th Tex. Regt., July 31, 1863.
    James Holt, Co. D, 6th Tex. Regt., Aug. 2, 1863.

    There was great excitement on June 23, 1864, when it was learned that
Federal Cavalry under command of Generals Kautz and Wilson, had gotten in behind
the lines and was raiding in the county. They were intercepted by General W. H.
F. Lee in a sharp engagement at "The Grove" and the raiders were driven back.

    The soil of Nottoway was not again invaded until the retreating and
conquering armies passed through her borders only a few days before the end at
Appomattox.

    On April 5, 1865, General Grant occupied Nottoway Court House in pursuit of
General Lee's Army, and received word here that General Sheridan was at
Jetersville across General Lee's line of retreat. The Yankees used the pews in
the Presbyterian Church for horse stalls and ransacked the Clerk's Office,
cutting the indexes out of the books and hacking them to pieces with their
sabres, finally throwing them into the horse trough where they were later rescued.

    The next day General Grant moved on to Burkeville where he established
headquarters and sent a cavalry force to burn the bridges near Farmville.

    It was on April 6, 1865, near the northwest border where the three counties
of Nottoway, Amelia and Prince Edward join, that was fought the Battle of
Sayler's Creek, the last major engagement of the War Between the States and the
most disastrous for the South. Here the Confederates fought a desperate back to
back engagement while exposed to merciless fire from the Federals near the
Hillsman House. After a fierce, hand to hand struggle, the Confederates were
forced to surrended. Meanwhile General Gordon was fighting a sharp battle in the
vicinity of the Lockett or Garnett House in Prince Edward County, a few miles
away, trying to protect the wagon trains. Here he lost 1700 men killed, wounded
and prisoners taken, and practically all of the wagons which bogged down near
the double bridges over the two branches of Sayler^s Creek. With the casualties
in these two engagements Lee lost nearly half his army. Here were surrendered
more men (without terms) than in any other battle on American soil. Counting the
1,700 men lost in General Gordon's engagement and the twelve Confederate
Generals, including Ewell, Dubose, Corse, Hunton, Kershaw and Custis Lee
captured, Lee's loss was over 7,00O men killed, wounded and prisoners taken.
These losses, with most of the wagon trains destroyed, made Appomattox inevitable.

    Then came General Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865, and the era of
Reconstruction and Carpet Bag rule which followed. The assassination of
President Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth April 15th gave the Radicals greater
power than ever. With our people there began a struggle for existence and a
fight with poverty for years thereafter. Their state had now a tyrant's heel
upon her neck, and on March 2, 1867, became Military District No. 1, a conquered
province. Military satraps filled the seats of judges and magistrates; the
ignorant slave was often shown more deference than his former master, and it was
not until January 26, 1870 that Virginia was readmitted to the Union. On January
28, 1870, General E. R. S. Canby's military rule ended and the government of
state affairs turned over to the civil authorities. Even through all this the
old manners and customs persisted-the same courtesy, the same high sense of
honor and the same hospitality. In this school of adversity was reared a race
whose virtues and high ideals have seldom been equaled. That they succeeded and
upheld the finest traditions of Virginia is amply proved by the good names that
they have left behind.

    In the Reconstruction period, with most of the citizens disfranchised, it
was difficult to elect men to public office who would serve the county with
credit. In the local offices the citizens saw to it that the proper officials
were seated. It was a different story, however, in the Congressional contests.
If a Democrat was elected his election was promptly contested and the office
given to his Republican opponent. After the Hayes-Tilden presidential contest in
1876, it had been agreed by the Republicians that they would keep hands off
southern affairs provided the Hayes' election would not be further contested.
Hayes had been declared elected after the committee of five senators, five
members of the House and five Supreme Court Justices had ruled eight to seven in
his favor, seating the electors from South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida, who
had been fraudulently chosen. Although the Republicans had made this agreement,
they continued to do what they could to have members of their party elected to
Congress. This happened as late as 1889 when the Honorable Edward C. Venable's
election was contested and his Republican opponent, John M. Langston, a negro,
was declared the winner and chosen to represent the Fourth District of Virginia.

    Under these circumstances no one wished to undertake the campaign. To the
Honorable James F. Epes, of Nottoway, the Fourth District owes an eternal debt
of gratitude as it was through his efforts, assisted by Sidney P. Epes, Walter
A. Watson, Captain J. M. Harris, and others, that this district was rid of negro
rule. Mr. Epes reluctantly agreed to accept the nomination, as it was a very
thankless undertaking at that time, and entered into the contest simply as a
matter of public duty. So well did he conduct his campaign, however, that in
1890 he was elected to represent the Fourth Distriet over Langston, his negro
opponent, and was again returned to Congress in 1892.*

  * The Congressmen who have served this District since 1894 are as follows:
William R. McKenney, 1895-1896; Robert T. Thorpe, (Rep.), 1896-1897; Sidney P.
Epes (Nottoway), 1897-1898; Robert T. Thorpe, 1898-1899; Sidney P. Epes,
1899-190O; Francis R. Lassiter, 1900-1903; Robert G. Southall, 1903-1907;
Francis R. Lassiter, 19O7-1909; Robert Turnbull, 1910-1913; Walter Allen Watson
(Nottoway), 1913-1919; Patrick Henry Drewry, 1920-1947; and Watkins Abbitt, of
Appomattox, the present incumbent.

    Not all Yankees who came South after the war seeking their fortune were bad.
In 1876 B. F. Williams settled in Nottoway from Pennsylvania, and, unlike most
northerners, he seems to have had the welfare of the State of his adoption at
heart. He soon took an interest in local politics and was elected to the State
Senate on the Republican ticket from Nottoway.

    In 1881 came the Readjuster campaign, resulting in the election of their
candidate, William E. Cameron, for Governor. The leader of this movement,
General William Mahone, sought to build up a vast patronage that could be used
to put Virginia under his party's control, but to do this he had to control the
legislature. He sought to bind all the Readjusters to support the decision of
the Readjusters' caucus.

    In the House Mahone had a majority and could carry out his plan. In the
Senate, however, there were four who refused to sign the pledge to enter the
caucus or to accept its decisions. These men were Samuel H. Newberry, of Bland;
Peyton G. Hale, of Grayson; A. M. Lybrook, of Patrick, and B. F. Williams, of
Nottoway. Parson Massey, having turned against Mahone on account of his failure
to receive the appointment of Auditor of Public Accounts, aligned himself with
these four Senators.

    On the vote of these men the fate of the State depended. If they stood with
Mahone, Virginia would be looted, and if they rebelled, the State would be
saved. So much depended on their vote that these Senators came to be known as
the "Big Four". Every conceivable pressure was brought to bear by the Mahone
faction to have them vote with the Readjusters.

    When Mahone's patronage bills came up, the four, with Parson Massey
courageously voted with the Democrats against the Readjusters which gave the
Democrats a majority of six.

    It was almost as narrow an escape as Virginia had in 1869 when the
Republican Carpetbaggers and Scallawags sought to create a Republican Solid
South, and by their infamies made it solidly Democratic. The State of Virginia
has recognized the valuable services of these men and a portrait of the "Big
Four", with Parson Massey, painted by the Richmond artist, Silvette, has been
hung on the walls of the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol.

    After the Reconstruction period, which lasted longer perhaps in the Fourth
District than in most parts of the State, due to local conditions, peace and a
measure of prosperity prevailed for some years. Still predominantly
agricultural, most farmers managed to get along and while none got rich, they
lived well and were for the most part contented. If they needed money to pay off
a mortgage or to send a child through college, they had timber which could be
sold and it was not until later years that changing economic conditions caused
some to sell or rent their land and seek more remunerative employment elsewhere.

1888-1897

    The Norfolk and Western Railroad announced in 1888 that they would build
their shops in the county, and the town of Crewe came into being, named for
Crewe in England, a large railroad center. This was great news for the people in
the county and gave employment to many. The first buildings consisted of a
21-stall roundhouse, a machine shop, a store house and a coal wharf- a far cry
from the modern buildings and equipment used today. The present plant easily
takes care of the massive engines which pull the long freight and crack
passenger trains that now operate over the line.

    The town of Crewe has grown steadily since that time and besides the shops
boasts several other flourishing industries with a population of over two
thousand. It is interesting to know that in the early days of the Southside
Railroad the engines carried names rather than numbers. Some of these were
"Virginia," "Tennessee," "Nottoway," "Amherst," "Campbell," "Petersburg,"
"Farmville," and the "Sam Patch."

    The County of Nottoway has always been fortunate in having men of vision and
public spirit to manage her affairs. This was especially true of those patriotic
citizens who passed through, the trying times of Reconstruction. Few having had
the benefit of college education they determined that their children should have
advantages which. they themselves were denied. To this end a group of
representative citizens met in the early nineties and decided that a girls'
college should be built in the county. The Blackstone Female Institute,
afterwards the Blackstone College for Girls, was built and opened its first
session in 1894 under Methodist influence with Dr. James Cannon, Jr. President.

    The same year, Hoge Memorial Academy opened its first session under the
patronage of the East Hanover Presbytery with Dr. Theodrick P. Epes as
president. In 1898 the school came under the Hampden Sydney system. Later in
1912 it was sold to Colonel E. S. Ligon who changed the name to Blackstone
Military Academy. Despite two disasterous fires, one on Feb. 15th, 1914 and
another Jan. 20th, 1922, he continued to operate it through the session 1930-31.
Both of these schools, located in Blackstone, have contributed much to the
culture of the county as well as the surrounding territory. Many students came
from distant states to take advantage of the excellent facilities of these two
institutions. The school for boys is now closed, but the College for young
ladies is still in a flourishing condition and bids fair to continue for many
years to come.

    The old frame school of one room soon gave way and modern buildings were
established for both white and colored students. One of these for colored is now
under construction near the Courthouse and is to cost more than a half million
dollars.

    For many years after the "War Between the States it was thought that a
proper memorial should be erected to those who gave their services to the
Confederate Cause. Accordingly the Ladies Memorial Association of Nottoway was
formed to raise funds for this purpose. It took a good many years, but at last
in 1893 a figure of a Confederate soldier carved in stone was purchased and
placed upon the Court House lawn. The monument bears the names of those who
served the Confederate Cause from Nottoway and also has an inscription which
reads as follows: "Erected by the Ladies Memorial Association of Nottoway July
20, 1893." The day it was unveiled was a time to be remembered. All the veterans
in the county assembled as well as many from a distance. The A. P. Hill Camp of
Petersburg was on hand and Company I, Nottoway Grays, named for the old Company
G, came to escort General Fitzhugh Lee, who was the speaker of the occasion.
Many of his old command were present, including his personal courier and scout,
John L. Irby, who furnished a beautiful spotted horse for his commander to ride.

    Miss Sallie Irby, a daughter of Captain Richard Irby, of the old Nottoway
Grays, unveiled the monument amid loud applause. After listening to an eloquent
speech by General Fitzhugh Lee, who was introduced by Colonel William Calvin
Jeffress, a bountiful dinner was served on the court green and the veterans
fought the war all over again, afterwards departing for their homes and agreeing
that it was a day that would linger long in the memory of those who attended. As
late as 1911 there were about ninety Confederate veterans living in Nottoway
County. At the present time, 1949, so far as is known there is not a single one
surviving. Only 40 remain of the Confederate Army, three of these in Virginia.

    In the spring of 1895 trouble was brewing in the Pocahontas Coal Fields. The
miners were out on strike and while most of the mines were in West Virginia they
were close enough to the border of Virginia to make the situation dangerous.
Finally conditions became so serious that Governor O'Ferrall ordered out the
State Militia to Graham and Pocahontas, going to the scene himself where he
remained for several days. He first ordered out the Richmond Blues and
Howitzers; May 8, 1895. Later the Petersburg Company and Co. I, Nottoway Grays.
The Nottoway Grays were under the command of Captain J. M. Harris who served as
captain from May 19, 1893 to June 7, 1895, with 1st Lt. Sidney P. Epes and 2d
Lt. E. Frank Crowe. The following notation appears in the Muster Roll over the
signature of Captain J. M. Harris: "This company in charge of its three
officers, in obedience to order from the Commander in Chief, on 24 May 1895
reported to Major W. E. Simms at Pocahontas, Virginia, and assisted for seven
days the civil authorities of Tazewell County, Virginia." Soon afterwards order
was restored and the strike settled. Thus ended the "Pocahontas Coal War."

    The next few years were years of quiet and prosperity for Nottoway County.
In national affairs Grover Cleveland, Democrat, went out of office, succeeded in
1897 by William MeKinley, Republican. Cuba was fighting a war of independence
against Spain, causing some concern as our sympathies were entirely with Cuba.

    Then like a pistol shot came the news on February 15, 1898 that the
Battleship Maine had been blown up in Havana Harbor. Excitement and feeling ran
high as it was thought that the Spaniards had caused the explosion. Public
opinion grew so strong against Spain that on April 11, 1898, President McKinley
sent a message to Congress asking permission to end the war in Cuba. On the 19th
Congress granted his request and the Spanish-American War had begun. All the
National Guard troops were called out including Co. I of Nottoway. The company
at that time was not up to war strength and it was decided to merge with the
Farmville, Virginia, Company C. Accordingly this was done and the new company
was known as Company C, 3d Inf. U. S. Va. Volunteers and was mustered in on May
26, 1898.

    The officers of the new company were Captain James D. Allen, Farmville; 1st
Lieut. William P. Venable, Farmville; and 2d Lieut. Hubbard Williams,
Blackstone. They reported for training at Camp Alger where they remained until
November 5, 1898, when they arrived in Richmond and were mustered out with the
same officers in charge, the war being over.

1897-1949

    Among the prominent men of Nottoway during this period was the Honorable
William Hodges Mann, who was born in Williamsburg, Va., but lived in Nottoway
most of his life. He began his career as an employee in the Clerk's Office where
he read law until admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession until he was
made the first Judge of the County, and served on the bench for twenty-two
years. In 1899 he was elected to the State Senate and it was during this time
that he was the author of two bills for for which the people  of Virginia 
should ever be grateful. The Mann law of 1906 closed eight hundred rural saloons
and made Virginia dry except in the cities; and his loan bill which aided in the
erection of three hundred and fifty high schools in the State.

    Judge Mann, in 1905 ran for Governor of Virginia, but was defeated by Claude
Swanson. Four years later, in 1909, he ran again and this time he was
successful, defeating Harry St. George Tucker.

    During his administration as Governor of Virginia occurred the famous Allen
trials. As will be recalled they were tried for the murder of Judge Massie and
several members of his court, killed during a trial of one of their number for a
minor offence. Floyd and Claude Allen were given the death penalty, and,
although a great deal of pressure was brought to bear on Governor Mann to
exercise clemency, he refused to take any action. His refusal to interfere with
the court decisions in these cases is an example worthy of emulation by other
governors. After his retirement as Governor, he resided in Petersburg, Virginia,
where he died in his eighty-fourth year.

    In 1906 began a movement in Nottoway which has had far flung consequences.

    T. O. Sandy of this county, always interested in the welfare of the farmer,
organized what was then called Farm Demonstration Work. He was encouraged and
assisted by Dr. Seaman A. Knapp of the United States Department of Agriculture
and was appointed the first State Agent to carry out its program. In 1909 the
corn clubs were organized and Mr. Sandy employed Mr. Southall Farrar to direct
this part of the work.

    In 1910 Miss Ella Agnew of Nottoway started a canning program for the girls
and women of the county known as "Tomato Clubs." She was appointed July 1st,
1910, the first State Agent for women by the United States Department of
Agriculture and the first woman to be appointed by the Department to represent
it in the field. From this beginning has grown all the 4-H Clubs and Farm
Demonstration work for both men and women, which now exists in every county in
Virginia.

  Although several other states lay claim to being the first to start this work,
it can be said that T. O. Sandy and Miss Ella Agnew were among the pioneers and
certainly the first in Virginia.

                     *     *    *     *     *

    The assasination of Archduke Francis of Austria and his wife while on a
visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, by Gavrillo Princip, a Serbian
student, precipitated World War I, and soon the whole of Europe was aflame.

    The United States proclaimed its neutrality, but it soon became apparent
that due to unprovoked indignities by Germany, this country could not stay out
of the conflict. The steamship Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915 by a submarine
with the loss of 124 American lives. Then began a series of notes between the
two countries which led to nothing. Although President Wilson showed great
patience and restraint during the negotiations, Germany announced unrestricted
submarine warfare on Feb. 1, 1917, and on the 3d the United States broke off
diplomatic relations. On April 6, 1917, Congress declared a state of war existed
between Germany and the United States, and the United States of America entered
the conflict. As soon as possible machinery was set up to increase the Army and
Navy.

    In Nottoway the proper steps were taken at once, and in the meantime a
number volunteered, some of whom -were prominent citizens who made great
sacrifice to serve their country. Later, when the troops were overseas, the
ladies formed various organizations to send supplies and clothing to our
soldiers. Nottoway again had not failed the country in its hour of need.

    The  Kaiser abdicated on Nov. 9, 1918, and fled to Holland. The Germans sued
for peace. Bugles sounded "cease firing" at 11:00 A. M. on Nov. 11, 1918,
Armistice Day, and the allies occupied Germany. The peace conference opened in
Paris Jan. 12, 1919, and a formal treaty was drawn up at Versailles in which the
allies dictated the terms of surrender and kept an army of occupation in Germany
for several years. A number of Nottoway County boys served with the Army of
Occupation. Those who gave their lives in the First World War from Nottoway
County are as follows:*

ARMY

White

Bishop, Richard L.
Clay, Larkin J.
Dowell, Percy L.
Fowlkes, Herbert W.
Fredenburg, Benjamin
Geyer, William O.
Goodman, L. D.
Harper, Leon A.
Haskins, Carter
Kreider, Charles Edgar
Majors, Lloyd
Matthews, Everett C.
Reed, Jesse V.
Selden, Kirby Smith
Smith, Millard G.
Utley, Harry F.
Walker, Thos. D.
Williams, Morelius
Yeatts, L. H.

Colored

Farrar, Elisha L. 
Fowlkes, Fitzhugh 
Harris, Bennie L. 
Jones, Charles 
Lewis, Washington
Moore, Eugene
Parson, Ardis
Williams, Charlie Henry


MARINES 
Mattox, James John
Nunnally, Edward Porter

* See "The Final Roster, Nottoway County, Va., 1917-1918," by W. W. Cobb for
list of names of those who served their country from Nottoway County in the
first World War.


    After peace was declared there began an era of prosperity in this country
unprecedented in its history. Land values and securities of all kinds boomed and
great fortunes were made. This period lasted for ten years and during this time
many people in Nottoway sold their farms for high, prices. Settlers came from
other states to take up their abode in Virginia. Gone -were the customs of
Ante-Bellum years and the leisurely manner of living of the old order. This was
accentuated by the advent of good roads and the automobile. Few of the old
families remained on their plantations.

    Then came the cataclysm beginning with the stock market crash in 1929,
followed by a severe depression which lasted through the Hoover Administration
in 1933. This was succeeded by the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the
inauguration of the "New Deal."

    This was the era of the forgotten man, forgotten no longer. Every
conceivable subsidy was granted to Public Works, agriculture and industries to
create jobs, and everyone who wanted to work could find something to do. Those
who did not want to work the government took care of anyway.

    In Nottoway the Old Blackstone Military Academy was leased by the government
and opened for transients. Its "guests" were entertained free of charge.

    In agriculture, in order to obtain the benefit of government help, crops had
to be curtailed. Tobacco, the staple crop of Nottoway, was greatly reduced. This
caused farmers to turn their attention to other means of support-mainly cattle
raising and dairying. The county now has many up to date dairies and the
shipping of milk is a growing industry. Cattle raising has greatly improved the
lands and has been the means of bringing much prosperity to Nottoway.

    Rural Electrification has brought electricity to remote areas. A large
cooperative was formed in Nottoway County with offices at Crewe, which takes
care of this and surrounding counties.

    In the spring of 1940, a generous benefactor who requested that his name be
withheld, donated a splendid library to the county. This donation consisted of
an attractive building of colonial design equipped 'with four thousand volumes.
Located at the Court House, it has filled a long felt need and has grown
steadily until now it has over nine thousand volumes 'with branches at
Burkeville, Crewe and Blackstone. It has been of untold benefit to the people of
the county, having a circulation of around eighteen thousand volumes a year.

                *     *     *     *     *

    During this time while our country was at peace, the rise of Hitler to power
in Germany and his expansion program was casting a shadow over Europe. War
clouds again began to gather until on Sept. 1, 1939, Poland was invaded by
Germany causing the outbreak of the Second World War.

    Japan decided to enter the war on the side of Germany, and on Dec. 7, 1941,
without a declaration of war, she made an air attack on the United States forces
at Pearl Harbor, destroying eight battleships and ten other naval vessels and
killing over 3,000 men, with the loss of many airplanes. This was followed by
Germany and Italy declaring war on the United States on Dec 11, 1941. America
was now engaged in a two front war in the European as well as the Pacific areas.

    Nottoway Company F, 176th Inf. Va. N. G., had already been called to the
colors and was inducted into active service on Feb. 3, 1941, with the following
officers in charge: Captain George O. Inge, 1st Lieut. Luin F. Coleman, 2d Lieut
Elmo H. Boyd, and 2d Lieut Graydon A. Tunstall. Being one of the finest
companies in the State, they fully lived up to their traditions and made a
notable record.

    In World War U Nottoway boys in ever greater numbers in all branches of the
service went forth to do battle for their country. Many were cited for gallantry
and some lie buried on far flung battlefields.

    With the outbreak of hostilities the government established Camp Pickett,
just one mile east of Blackstone. This area comprised 45,000 acres in Nottoway,
Dinwiddle, Brunswick and Lunenburg Counties; 22,000 of which were taken from
Nottoway, or one-ninth of the country. A total of 350 families were displaced by
the camp.

    This step gave the war an especial significance to the people of this
community. Here were trained many famous divisions which have carved an epic
chapter in the history of their country. Among them were the Third Division
(Rock of the Marne), the 45th (Thunderbird), the 78th (Lighting), the 79th
(Cross of Lorraine), the 31st (Dixie Division), the 77th (Statue of Liberty),
the 28th (Keystone Division), the Third Armored Division and many more. In all a
total of more than 500,000 men received their training1 here and passed through
Nottoway County on their way overseas where they fought on every battlefield
from North Africa to Germany and from Guadacanal to Okinawa.

    This area later became a large medical center and one of the largest
convalescent hospitals in the country with a capacity of over nine thousand
patients. Here came battle-scarred heroes seeking health of body and mind and
carrying away in their hearts gratitude for the splendid services rendered them
by the volunteer groups of men and women from the adjacent communities.

    As always, with the coming of so large an outlay of men and equipment, the
small towns nearby and rural communities increased in population-that of
Blackstone jumped from three thousand to twelve thousand. Real estate prices
almost over-night, soared amazingly, and an era of prosperity dawned for all who
were touched by Camp Pickett's proximity.

    A wave of intense patriotism, also, swept over the nearby counties and a
number of volunteer organizations came into being. The Gray Lady Corps, the
Motor Corps, the  Production Corps, the Canteen Corps, and the Recreation Corps,
made up of women from Nottoway and the surrounding counties met trains at all
hours of the day and night, serving coffee and doughnuts. They transported
relatives of the sick and wounded to the hospital; read to the patients, wrote
letters for them; and entertained them. Some rolled bandages, others ran errands
for the Red Cross and served as staff assistants when paid workers were not
available.

    Women's Clubs, Mother's Clubs, Garden Clubs, Home Demonstration Clubs, the
Three Arts Club, the Junior Red Cross, and church organizations did their part
too in making life easier for our soldiers.

    Through the American Legion, Ruritans, Kiwanis, Rotary and other business
men's clubs, the men of this locality also cooperated with the Camp and Hospital
Council to show their appreciation of the sacrifices made by our men in arms.
Many private homes were thrown open for the entertainment of the Pickett men,
and the success of the five U. S. O. Centers in Blackstone was due largely to
the help given by our volunteer workers.

    From Dec. 7, 1941, many long and bitter months were to pass before
hostilities should end.

    It was not until Tuesday, May 8, 1945, that Germany, under the combined
forces of Great Britain, France, Russia and the United States, was brought to
her knees, and then only after the continent had been invaded. This was followed
by the unstipulated surrender of Japan on Tuesday, August 14, 1945, although the
formal signing did not take place until Sept. 2, 1945 on board the U. S.
Battleship Missouri.

    The Local Selective Service Board of Nottoway County on March 31, 1947, the
date that the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 expired, had classified
1,562 men who were either in service or had been in service during World War U.
Of this number, 933 were white men and 629 were colored men. This figure
includes only those men who were registered with the Selective Service Board of
Nottoway County, and not the volunteers.

    A publication edited by Dr. W. Edwin Hemphill, Virginia World War H History
Commission, entitled "Gold Star Honor Roll of Virginians in the Second "World
War" indicates that 49 persons from Nottoway County were killed during the war
or died while in service, as follows:

Abernathy, Eddie J., Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Ethel M. Abernathy, Blackstone. 
Andrews, Gilbert F., S/Sgt., A. Mother, Mrs. Kate B. Andrews, Blackstone. 
Barlow,  Robert Winfield, Jr., Pfc., A. Mother, Mrs. Bessie Isabelle Beaton
     Barlow, Crewe. 
Becker, Warren, Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Minnie H. Becker, Crewe.
Blanks, John B., Pfc. A. Wife, Mrs. Doris Blanks, Crewe. Parents, Mr. and Mrs.
     Willie Blanks, Blackstone. 
Blackwell, David Edwin, S/2c N. Mother, Mrs. Addie Estelle Blackwell, Crewe. 
Bowlin, M. S., Pfc., A. Father, Alfred Bowlin, Crewe. 
Bowyer, Nelson June, Pvt., A. Brother, William W. Bowyer, Beford. 
Clements, Charles Mayo, S/lc, N. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Wesley Clements,
     Crewe. 
Cole, Clyde Sydnor, Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Carrie Jackson Cole, R.F.D. 4,
     Petersburg. 
Cook, Lloyd James, Jr., Cpl., A. Father, Lloyd J. Cook, Crewe. 
Craddock, Jeffress Archer, Sgt., A. Wife, Mrs. Greta Surrey C. Craddock, Staten
     Island, New York.
Dunn, John Newton, Maj., A.  Wife, Mrs. Ruth Richardson Dunn. 
Eppes, Corlee, T/5, A.
Fitzgerald, Moses L., Pvt., A.
Foster, William Edward, Private, A. Father, Perkin Foster, Crewe, Va. 
Greene, Harry W., Jr., Pfc., A. Mother Mrs. Ulva Greene, Blackstone. 
Gunn, Spencer R., S/Sgt., A. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Gunn, Blackstone. 
Hassett, Leonard W., Cpl., A. Wife, Mrs. Edith Hassett, Blackstone. 
Hendrickson, John J., Pvt., A.
Hudson, Clifton E., Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Lottie E. Hudson, Wellville. 
Irby, Francis Marion, Sgt., A. Wife, Mrs. Francis Marion Irby, Blackstone.
     Parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Irby, Blackstone, R.F.D. 
Kingery, Raymond J., Pvt., A. Father, Frank O. Kingery, Crewe. 
Love, Ray Gardner, Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Pearl F. Love, Crewe. 
McKissick, Charles Clifton, S1c., N., Parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. McKissick,
     Blackstone. 
Mahan, Reid Alvin, Pfc., A. Mother, Mrs. Eunice Thompson Mahan, Crewe. 
Milton, George Wesley, Pfc., A. Mother, Mrs. Annie Yeargin Milton, Crewe. 
Moore, Randolph Creatham, S/Sgt., A. Wife, Mrs. Lillian Huiet Moore,
     Charlotte, N. C.
Perkinson, Howard N., Pfc., A. Mother, Mrs. Lillian Perkinson, Blackstone. 
Phillips, Ellis L., Cpl., A, Mother, Mrs. Ellen W. Phillips, Blackstone.
Powell, William L.., 2nd Lt., A. Wife. Mrs. Molly H. Powell, Blackstone. 
Pridgen, James D., S/Sgt., A. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Pridgen, Blackstone. 
Rice, John K., Pvt., A. Mother, Mrs. Lucyord K. Rice, Camp Pickett, Va. 
Rives, John William, Jr., 2nd Lt., A. Wife, Mrs. Maxine H. Rives, Blackstone,
     also Dinwiddle County. 
Roberts, William Woodrow, Maj., A. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Talcott Roberts,
     Blackstone. 
Robertson, Charlie C., Sgt., A. Wife, Mrs. Charlie C. Robertson, Blackstone. 
Robertson, James Cleamons, S/Sgt., A. Wife, Mrs. Julia Robertson, Crewe. 
Rockwell, Oscar T., Pvt., A. Wife, Mrs. Dorothy Naugle Rockwell, Nottoway. 
Saber, Joseph Norman, Pfc., A. Wife, Mrs. Catherine H. Saber, Crewe. 
Skelton, Cleveland Watson, 2nd Lt., A. Mother, Mrs. Cleveland E. Skelton,
     Blackstone. 
Spicely, Booker T., Pvt., A. 
Stewart,  Eldridge A., Sr., Pfc., A. Wife, Mrs.Effie M. Stewart, Wellville. 
Thomason, Matthew Louis, Jr., GM3c, N. Wife, Mrs. Juanita Flowers Thomason,
     Crewe. 
Tinsley, Elwood Lynwood. Mother, Mrs. F. L. Smith, Lucasville, Ohio. 
Ward, John J., Jr., 1st Lt., M. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ward, Sr., Blackstone. 
Watson, Henry Hunter, Jr., Lt. (jg), N. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Watson,
     Sr., Crewe.
Wells, James E., Jr., Sgt., A. Father, James E. Wells, Wellville.
White, Marvin L., Pvt. A.
Yeatts, Damon Hundley, Pfc., A. Mother, Mrs. Nannie Maude Yeatts, Burkeville.

    To this list sbould be added:

Fowlkes, Paschal Dupuy, Wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams Fowlkes, Richmond, Va.
Cox, Charles Emory, of Company I, 121 Inf., killed in action December 4, 1944.
Cox, Thomas Marshall, Company A, 125 Inf., killed in action December 9, 1944. 

    Both the Cox boys were the sons of Mr. and Mrs. William Marshall Cox, of
Blackstone, Va., and left Blackstone with Company F., 176 Inf.

    Never before in the history of mankind had war been waged on such a gigantic
scale, costing billions of dollars and the lives of thousands.

    The United States, in order to finance the war for herself and allies, had
to spend enormous sums for equipment, Lend-Lease and other agencies until at the
end of 1945, the national debt had risen to over two hundred and fifty-eight
billions, or eighteen hundred and fifty-two dollars and seventy-four cents
($1,852.74) per capita.

    At this time, 1949, four years after the end of hostilities, as in the time
of Patrick Henry, who cried, "Peace, peace, and there is no peace," no formal
treaties nave been ratified.

    The outlook for our country, saddled with its enormous public debt, faced
with inflation, harassed by internal troubles and with Russia threatening the
peace of the world, is far from bright.

    To the people of Nottoway these matters cause grave concern, but as in the
past its citizens have remained steadfast through every crisis and have
weathered many a storm. They will continue to march breast-forward to meet the
coming years, facing the future with confidence, unafraid, taking heart, and
knowing that

"The old order changeth, yielding place to new 
And God fulfills Himself in many ways."


Additional Comments:

OLD HOMES AND FAMILIES IN NOTTOWAY
By
W. R. TURNER



Copyright 1932 By W. R. TURNER
Printed in. the U. S. A.
By The Nottoway Publishing Co., Inc.
Blackstone, Virginia

Second Edition-Printed 1950 Revised and Enlarged


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