Rebuilding After the War- 1866

 

                                             PROPOSALS. 

                                  SEALED PROPOSALS FOR REBUILDING 

the JAIL, in New Kent county, according to the plan and specifications filed at this office and with the Clerk of New Kent, will be received by the Committee, at the Court House of said county, until the 12th day of April next. 

     BAT. D. CHRISTIAN, 

     WM. W. TALIAFERRO, 

    JOHN D. CHRISTIAN, 

    JOHN MAYO, 

    HENRY I.. BROOKE, 

        Committee.

-Richmond Whig, 24 March 1866

Thomas Binford, Oliver Gathright and Mitchell Allen were appointed commissioners(from Henrico) to meet New Kent commissioners, and advertise for proposals to rebuild Bottoms bridge, which is to be 125 feet long and 12 wide.

 

-Richmond Whig,  10 April 1866

Rev. George Washington Nolley

Some biographical information about the Reverend George Washington Nolley mentioned in the post of  November 12.

THIS venerable man, now verging on eighty years, with a service in the ministry beyond a half-century, was a son of thunder in his prime, and of tireless zeal. He was a person of marked features and manner, tall, robust, brusque and positive, with "a face as the face of a lion." Even in his ashes the old fire often kindles. There is a fitness of things in such a veteran living near the training school of the sons of the prophets. His residence at Randolph Macon College, and the association with the young men preparing for the ministry, will be of enduring gain to them. 

 He was born of pious parents, in the county of Mecklenburg, Virginia, on the 25th of December, 1803. His father, James Nolley, was a native of Greensville County, of the same State, and, for several years of the last century, he was an earnest and laborious travelling preacher of the Virginia Conference. His health failed him, however, from excessive labors, and he soon retired to the local ranks. The mother of Mr. Nolley was originally a Miss Seward, of Brunswick County, in his own words "one of the best women that ever lived." Her remains rest in the soil of that county till the morning of the resurrection. 

 Mr. Nolley received a tolerable academic education in his early life, and he still remembers with pleasure, an incident which occurred when he was about twelve years of age, and before he embraced religion. His father took him some distance from home to a boarding-school. The teacher, an educated Scotchman, examined him to ascertain what progress he had made in knowledge, and among other questions he asked him, "What is religion?" The youth replied, "It is the love of God in the heart of men." He doubts now, after an experience of about sixty years, if he could give a better definition of it. 

 On the 9th of October, 1819, young Nolley was born again at a camp-meeting in Mecklenburg, his native county, and soon afterwards connected himself with the Methodist Church. He devoted several following years to the business of teaching school. 

 But it seems that Providence designed another field of instruction for him: It is a singular fact, in his history, that, long before he embraced religion, he received the impression that he would become a minister of the gospel. The church seems to have had a similar impression, for not very long after his conversion, without any application or knowledge of his own, he was licensed to preach. In the fall and winter of 1824 he was employed to labor on the Bedford Circuit by the Rev. H. G. Leigh, P. E., in connexion(sic) with the Rev. William H. Starr, who was then the preacher in charge of that Circuit. In February, 1825, he was received on trial in the Virginia Conference and sent to labor on Banister Circuit, embracing the lower part of Pittsylvania, and the whole of Halifax County. The most of this county was missionary ground, but, with the blessing of God, he succeeded in forming a circuit which has since occupied a high position in the Virginia Conference. One incident on this circuit deserves to be remembered. The young preacher made an appointment to preach at an old Continental church, eight miles out of his usual course. He attended and preached as well as he could to a large congregation of respectable-looking hearers but at the close of the sermon no one asked him to go home with him, and take any refreshment or lodging for the night. So he returned, with a rather heavy heart to the family which he had left in the morning. Immediately he retired to his room to seek some comfort in prayer and reading the Scriptures. Providentially he opened his Bible upon the sixth verse in Psalm cxxvi: "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." This passage gave him comfort and encouraged him to go back to that church again. On this occasion the wealthiest man in the neighborhood took him home with him, and would have him preach to his own servants in his parlor at night. 

 In 1826 young Nolley was stationed on Granville Circuit, North Carolina. One of the most important incidents that occurred on this circuit was the fact, that, from the experience of a pious lady given in a class-meeting, on one occasion, he was brought to feel the need, and seek blessing of perfect love, and he never rested till he obtained it. In 1827 he was where there were upwards of two hundred souls converted during the year. In 1828 he was stationed in Norfolk, in 1829 in Raleigh, and in 1830 again in Norfolk. In each of these stations he witnessed 44 times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." In 1831 he was stationed at Trinity Church, in Richmond, which was favored with a good revival in the course of the year. In 1832 he was on Princess Anne Circuit; in 1833 on Caroline; 1834 on Gates Circuit; 1835 on Cumberland Circuit; and in 1836 on Buckingham Circuit. In all of these appointments he witnessed displays of Divine power in the salvation of souls.

 In 1837-'38-'39 and '40, he was on the Norfolk District. In 1841 he was, stationed at Shockoe Hill Church, in the city of Richmond. During this year there was a glorious revival of religion in that church, in which between one and two hundred persons made a profession and joined the church, and some are living now, steadfast and useful members.

 In 1842-'43-'44 and '45, he was on the Charlottesville District. In 1846-'47-'48 and '49 he was on the Lynchburg District. In 1850 and '51 he was stationed on Chesterfield Circuit. In 1852 he was stationed on Louisa Circuit. 

 It may be mentioned that, on the last four named appointments, excepting the Lynchburg District, he purchased and furnished very comfortable parsonages. In 1853-'54 he was stationed on Hanover Circuit, when, in the town of Ashland, he built and furnished another parsonage. At the close of his term on this circuit, he purchased a house for himself and settled his family in Ashland. He attended the following Conference, which was held in Petersburg, with some degree of fear and trembling, doubting whether Bishop Andrew, who was to preside, would approve of his course. He sought the earliest opportunity to state his case to the Bishop. That noble old man replied, "Nolley, you have done exactly right, when a man has travelled as long as you have, and has as large a family as you have, he ought to provide a home for them and settle them in it."

That decision of the Bishop removed a mountain from the mind of the veteran preacher-and since then, although his family has remained in Ashland, he has not hesitated to receive any appointment the Bishop has given him, however distant from home, even down to the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. 

 From 1854 to 1863 Mr. Nolley was stationed at the African Methodist Church in the city Richmond. He found here a church of one hundred and seventy-five members, and left a membership of five hundred. 

 At the close of the war in 1865, being excluded from his pulpit in Richmond by the Federal authorities, he repaired to his old friends on Princess Anne Circuit, then destitute of a preacher, and tendered them his services for the remaining part of the Conference year. He was returned to that circuit the following year in 1866. In '67 and '68 he was stationed on (the) New Kent Circuit. This country was overrun by both armies during the late war. The result was, the churches were mostly destroyed, and the people so impoverished that they were not able of themselves to repair them; but nothing dismayed, Mr. Nolley went into the chief cities of the North, and begged money enough to rebuild some houses of worship and repair many others. In 1868 he was stationed on Pasquotank Circuit, where he spent a most pleasant year, and witnessed a great many conversions. In 1869 and 1870 he was stationed in the town of Gordonsville, where he succeeded in completing and furnishing one of the most beautiful and commodious churches within all the bounds of the Virginia Conference. In addition to this, during the last year of his labors there, he had the happiness of seeing some thirty or forty persons converted and added to the church. 

 Since then, on account of the failure of his health, he has been laid aside from the regular work of the ministry. But still he preaches occasionally to his neighbors, and the students of our College in the town of Ashland, where his zeal and example in religious life is "as an ointment poured forth."  Notwithstanding his infirmities, he has answered to the call of his name on the first morning of every Annual Conference for the last fifty-five years, and now in the seventy-seventh year of his age, he is waiting for the call of his Master too the Conference and communion of Heaven! 

 He gave considerable aid to the Duncan Memorial Church in that town, by his large and liberal collections in different parts of the State. 

--Sketches of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South.  by Rev. John J. Lafferty Richmond, Va., Christian Advocate Office 1880.

"Peculiarities to Which a People Cling with so Much Tenacity"- New Kent - 1867

Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch

Pleasant and Practical- New Kent and Charles City- Wheat and Corn- Waste Land- Deer, Foxes, and Minks- The People- Employments and Amusements of Ladies and Gentlemen- The Kitchen and the Cow-pen- German Settlers- York River Railroad- Destruction and Renovation of Churches- Old St. Peters, &c.

Banks of the Chickahominy,
New Kent county, Va.,
June 3, 1867. 

We have at last a project of easy communication with our neighboring county Charles City, from which we are separated by the Chickahominy, a stream historical since the days of Captain John Smith, and still more noted since the great American war. In these parts it is a much more important affair than it is in your vicinity. There yon call it a swamp; here it is a bona fide river, and at tunes so wide and deep as to he impassable to those acquainted with its fords. The recent action of the courts of New Kent and Charles City for the restoration of the bridges destroyed during the war gives much satisfaction to numerous persons whom the calls of business and social life require to pass from one to the other of these counties.

If the Dispatch will use its influence to get us a mail from Richmond to New Kent Courthouse direct the public hereabout, will be greatly obliged, the circulation of the paper somewhat increased, perhaps, and news letters from this county will be more frequent. Though within twenty-five miles of the metropolis, there is for here no regular communication by public carriers of any sort. As you have not heard from this vicinity for a long time, it may please you to learn how folks are getting along. The wheat promises well: but the people having little or no money last fall to buy seed, the quantity that was put in the ground was small. On the low grounds of the James in Charles City the prospect, though far short of that which prevailed in years past, is good for the times. There is one party in that region of country who has 800 acres, and another who has 900 acres, nearly ready for the sickle. The stalks are as high as the heads of either of the proprietors of the Dispatch, and stand so closely together, that if they were to throw there hats upon their heads (I mean upon the heads of the wheat) they (the hats) would he sustained. When Mr. Jack Baker stopped one day on the upper James to examine a wheat- field of this sort, the little horse from which he had dismounted, while browzing (sic) about, disappeared from the sight of his master. "Boys," exclaimed Mr. Baker to the gentlemen with whom he was travelling, "do help me to catch my horse, for if he gets into this wheat-field I shall not find him till after harvest." He would have been exposed to the same risk among these fields in Charles City at this time. In some of these cases this year a single farmer may send to the Richmond mills twelve or fifteen thousand bushels of wheat; and this will be something that has not taken place for a long time. 

In this county the reduction of labor necessitates the neglect of a considerable part of the land, which is now lying out enjoying such a Sabbath as it never had in former days. Of course the swamps will extend their area, and the old field pines will rapidly take possession. The width of unoccupied land being so much increased, the hounds having been dispersed or destroyed, and the gentlemen having much less time to hunt, the deer and foxes begin to multiply; the latter take great liberties; they are sometimes seen playing in the fields in the day, and at night they are distinctly heard barking near the houses, or more quietly creeping up to the premises; they make fearful havoc among the fowls. The minks are equally troublesome, or more so; and one of them will in a single night destroy more hopes and prospects of income from eggs and chickens than were ever contained in the brain of that farmer's milk-maid in the fable, the toss of whose head brought all her future glory to the ground. 

The corn has a tolerably good stand. On the low grounds it is greatly overrun with grass, the frequent rains of late having made it impossible to weed it. As soon as the earth becomes dry much that is now almost out of sight will be reclaimed. But with all this work, and the replanting that is necessary, and the wheat harvest pressing, the people will be very busy, and the despondent will be discouraged. 

But I do not think there are many of this class. Those who have been wont to abuse the people of Eastern Virginia as a lazy set may now discover that the wealth and leisure which once enabled them to cultivate their minds, and acquire those social refinements that were, and still are and long will be, their striking characteristic, did not extinguish their more hardy and vigorous qualities. They have adapted themselves to their new and laborious duties with wonderful diligence and cheerfulness. An elegant lady tells you that she has tried white labor, and is heartily sick of it; but away who goes, with a smile, to the kitchen or the cow-pen; and If you be her guest, will entertain you in the meanwhile by sending you to the spring for a pail of water to let you see how it feels just for a joke, and reward you for your toil by feasting you afterwards on some of her own handiwork. A colonel or captain whom you may happen to visit apologizes to you at the table with assumed gravity, and regrets that under the new order of things he is compelled to ask you to sit down with the cook and the washerwoman; and these ladies in turn inform you with a quick retort and hearty laugh, that you are eating with the ostler and bootblack. If they bring you buttermilk in a gourd instead of a goblet, (that was carried off, we will not say whither; for who knows!) or help you to ice cream with a wooden spoon; you are entertained with lively chat, and not with the long, dolorous strain of "what the Yankees took from us," of which everybody is heartily tired. Some persons fear that our women will lose their delicacy, and our old Virginia homes will be less hospitable and open to company; but it is not easy to destroy peculiarities to which a people cling with so much tenacity, and to which they find stronger reasons everyday to be more attached than ever. But before I leave this subject I must tell you about the horse carts. Did you ever ride in one? They are just better than one of your four-muled street wagons, which, with their intolerable din, are among the greatest nuisances of Richmond. The horse-cart  a vehicle without springs  is the equipage of Eastern Virginia; our carriages and buggies are not. And now, Messrs. Editors, when you travel into this county be careful how you pass the people who ride in horse-carts. A word to the wise is sufficient. I have seen fine carriages; but comparisons are odious; only remember the words of Solomon: "I have seen servants upon horses and princes walking as servants upon the earth"; and again he says, "The thing that hath been is that which shall be." 

Last year there came down some German people to this county to cut timber to make casks for a lager-beer establishment in Washington. A leading man of this class has bought a fine farm on the Williamsburg road, on which stands a very handsome residence, well known to those who pass that way. Others are looking for land, and some have, I hear, made purchases. The gentleman to whom I first alluded, says that where one German goes others are sure to follow. He predicts a considerable emigration of his people to this country; and the citizens here are so favorably impressed with their political views, and their general conduct, as to look with considerable favor upon the movement. Everything connected with the improvement of the country will he helped forward by the opening of the York River railroad, on which regular trains for freight and passengers are soon to run to the White House.

In respect to churches, this peninsula suffered greatly during the war. Rev. George W. Nolley has devoted himself this year with great energy and perseverance to the collection of funds to restore several Methodist churches on his circuit, and has met with considerable success in the cities which he has visited. Emmaus, the Baptist church, escaped destruction. This congregation has for its pastor Rev. Mr. Wallace, formerly of Richmond, a zealous and laborious minister. At old St. Peter's  the Episcopal church near the White House, so famous as the place where General Washington was married to the widow Custis- there has not been a sermon since the war. The building, by the ravages of war and relic-hunters, is reduced to a mere shell, and the congregation, greatly reduced by death and removals, is without a minister, it will, however, be opened for divine service on the fifth Sabbath in this month, when a sermon is to be preached by the Rev. Dr. Wade, of Charles City. A new church of the same denomination, some miles nearer Richmond, and not far from Bottom's bridge, is standing and in good repair, but most of the people who once worshipped(sic) there have left the neighborhood, and several of the places where they once lived in peace and plenty are indicated only by chimneys standing silent and desolate. Olivet, the Presbyterian church; six or eight miles above New Kent Courthouse, is uninjured. The building is fresh and neat, the yard handsomely laid off and planted with shade trees, and well enclosed, with a brick walk from the gate of the yard to the door of the house. Within, it is well carpeted, and so furnished as to make it altogether one of the most attractive country churches anywhere to be found in the State. Its preservation through the war was a marvel, and, under Providence, due to the earnest intercessions of some persons living near it, one of them a highly respectable colored man. It has lately had for its minister Rev. P. Fletcher, whose removal was deeply regretted; and until it secures another pastor is supplied by clergymen from Richmond. The congregation is a good one, and increasing, and the Sabbath school very regular at all seasons, and useful. 

J.B.J.

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS FREEDMEN IN VIRGINIA

We note, with pleasure every token of improvement and of religious advancement among the people of colour in the South. The circulation of the Bible among them depends upon their demand for it and their ability to use it. Churches and schools add greatly to their calls for the word God. The statements made below by Lieut. Goodyear, of the Freedmen's Bureau, indicate progress, and illustrate the value of our Bible work. Acknowledging the reception and presentation three pulpit Bibles, for three coloured churches King William and New Kent Counties the writer says: 

A brief history of church and school operations in this field may be wished by the Society.  

In August, 1867, when sent here by Gen. Howard as bureau officer there was no house, either in King William or New Kent Counties where the coloured people could meet for religious worship. Partly by the efforts of the freedmen, and partly by bureau help, three schools (both day and Sunday) and three churches have been established. Over 300 scholars attend the day schools, and over 400 the Sunday schools. Each church has a coloured minister, and has a meeting every Sunday, generally well attended. The interest in the good work is constantly increasing. The field is a large one. This work is but the nucleus for more extended effort in the same direction. I am now preparing a fourth building near West Point, Va., in New Kent County, for church and school purposes and a fifth will be built mainly by the freedmen, at West Point Church, Va. The progress of the children in both Sunday and day schools is wonderful, and is full of encouragement to those who are anxiously watching the course of these poor and despised people, so lately slaves.

-The Bible Society Record, Vol. XIV no. 3- March 1869
New York

Correspondence from New Kent County- 1875

From New Kent County. 

[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.] 

           New Kent Courthouse, Va., )
           February 24, 1875. ) 

The ice crop gathered in this section during the last cold weather is perhaps the largest that has been housed for many years, measuring in thickness from three to four inches. 

Today had been fixed upon for a meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the county, but for some cause unknown to the writer they not did convene. While your correspondent was engaged in a business transaction with the clerk of New Kent, in his office, a stalwart but sable colored individual the writer had known in the past as a waiter, but who has now become one of the leading Radicals of New Kent, thrust his head in the door and asked the clerk if he thought "dem fellows was gwine to come whar had bin 'lectcd to reglate de fenances ob de county." alluding to the Board of Supervisors". The clerk could not give him a satisfactory reply, and the fifteenth amendment departed. 

Indications of the revival of the various industries of the county are very apparent. They can be seen in almost every neighborhood. While it may be several years before the county will enjoy the same prosperity that it did before the war, still the signs are very perceptible that she has made considerable progress within the last few years. 

Owing to the severity of the winter wheat can scarcely be seen in the fields, yet there is a good stand of it, and a few warm days with a genial sun would cause it to grow rapidly. 

The move in the Legislature to disturb the judiciary does not meet with any favor here. The reasons assigned for doing this are poor: and while a few ambitious legislators who are aspirants for judgeships may endeavor to put the judiciary in that shape by which vacancies must necessarily be created, the people do not desire it. There can be no change with out an increase of public expense: and with the immense debt that is depressing the industries of the state this should certainly be dispensed with. There has been a great diminution of business in this circuit within the last four years, and the writer presumes from an act lately passed reducing the number of terms of the courts in several of the circuits from three to two that there has been a decrease in business all over the State. The judge of this circuit gives entire satisfaction, and the people would dislike very much to be deprived of his services. By close application to his official duties and his urbane and gentlemanly bearing he has made a host of friends, who would part with him most reluctantly. We would suggest to the distinguished member of the House from Accomac(sic), for whom the writer has high regard, that it is not expedient at this time to split in twain the Eighth circuit, it is true that the Chesapeake bay is a large body of water, and divides the circuit, but the facilities are so great for crossing it that it is scarcely a barrier.¹

Your correspondent has never heard of as many case of pueumonia, and death has ensued in a large number of them. 

The roads are almost impassable, rendered in this condition by a thorough thaw, together with incessant and copious rains. There is but little said about the reelection of county officers in May next, but I believe it is Generally conceded that an election will take place, and the effort being made in the legislature for the officers to hold over will not prevail. 

A law imposing a tax on all dogs is very much desired in the county. Something should be done to reduce the number of canine, thereby giving greater protection to sheep, or, if the owners will keep them, they should be made a source of revenue to the State. 

Mr. Alexander Mosley, of the Whig, who has been domiciled in the neighborhood of Dispatch station, in this county, for six months or more, has gone to Florida, where he will remain until late in the spring.² 

There is in contemplation the establishment of a newspaper at this place by Captain Telemachus Taylor, to be called The New Kent Cavalier. Captain Taylor gained an enviable reputation for gallantry while in command of the New Kent cavalry during the war. F.

- Alexandria Gazette, 27 March 1875

 ¹ An article in the same edition of the paper tells how the legislature did indeed split the Eighth Judicial Circuit which had previously included the Peninsula and the Eastern Shore. Former Lt. Governor R.L. Montague became the new judge, replacing George T. Garrison who continued to represent the Eastern Shore.

² Alexander Mosley would die at his home, "The Shanty," at Dispatch Station in 1881.

150 Years Ago: The Recovery from War

The York River Railroad.- This line is now progressing finely toward completion, and ere the approaching winter expires, with its accustomed bleakness, the iron horse will be dashing proudly through the rich and productive valley of the Pamunky to West Point, and bringing to this mart the invaluable treasures of York river and its tributaries, together with other desirable products of the Tidewater region. The people along this line, who have suffered almost beyond endurance by the ravages of war, will hail with delight tho sound of the shrill whistle and the graceful train as it glides once more over the land they love. This will, indeed, be a happy era for an enterprising people who are now shut out from this city for the want of requisite facilities to transport them and the products of their indefatigable toil, nearly all of which now find access to Baltimore, Norfolk, and other cities, attributable to the extreme isolated position this country bears to this city since the destruction of this road. We have watched and felt a profound interest in this improvement from its earliest inception to the present moment, and know that previous to the war the most sanguine anticipations of success had been more than realized by ardent friends. The extensive travel and immense freight over it enhanced the thrift of this city no little. A greater portion of this trade justly belongs here, and will naturally come when this avenue has been opened sufficiently for its transition. Till then it will seek other markets, to the great detriment of Richmond, which has already lost materially by unwise legislation on other lines of internal improvement. 

The road is now in excellent running condition to Chickahominy river, a distance of twelve miles from the city, with a material train passing over it daily. A splendid bridge now spans this widely famed stream, and is ready for the trains to pass over, with the exception of putting the rail down, which, we are informed, will be done in a few days. The grading north of the Chickahominy is of a lighter character than that already finished, and continues to the White House. There will be a passenger car placed on the road when completed to Dispatch station, for the accommodation of the public. This is only two miles north of the bridge, and will soon be ready, from the fact of the large number of hands employed. 

General William H.F. Lee has contracted to furnish all the material for constructing a bridge across the Pamunky river, and with his usual promptness will have the whole of it in place at the time specified. The building of the bridge must necessarily consume much time, owing to its large dimensions, etc. There are laborers at this time engaged in putting piles in their proper places for superstructure of bridge. If I there is nothing to retard the present operations on the road, we can with safety say that it will be completed to the White House by the 1st of February next. 

It will be ineffable pleasure to see this line opened to West Point. The enormous prices that fish add oysters now command in our markets will suddenly collapse, and we will be enabled to indulge in the luxuries of salt water without fear of being made bankrupts by paying the exorbitant prices of $1.50 per gallon for oysters, and in the same ratio for fish. 

Mr. Williams, do continue to hurry up the road, so that we can get to York river, and feast on bivalves, trout, sheepshead, drum, and hogfish. 

-The Daily Dispatch, 12 November 1866

St. Peter's Church during the Civil War: Documents- 1869

March 31.(1869)- Preached in St. Peter's, New Kent, Rev. Mr. Kepler rector. 

It was truly sad to see the condition of this venerable old building desecrated and despoiled by soldiers. The expenditure of a few hundred dollars, could that amount be raised, would restore it so as to protect it from the weather, and make it a comfortable place of worship for its impoverished congregation. 

-from Bishop Whittle's Address at Seventy-Fourth Annual Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia

REPORT OF REV. H.S. KEPLER.

Post-office Richmond.

Having prepared the way in some measure at Manchester for a settled minister, it gave me great pleasure to resign the mission into the hands of the Rev. Mr. Hammond in July, and I at once took charge of the church of St. James the Less at Ashland and of St. Peter's, New Kent alternating services between them. No services had been held at St. Peter's Church since the beginning of the second year of the war, when all that region of country was occupied by the union army. The old church was the very picture of desolation, and the few remaining communicants, of which I could find but three, had scarcely dared to indulge the hope of seeing it re-opened and regular services established in that day. We have collected a small amount outside of the parish which has enabled us to refit it with new window sash and stove, and to make such other repairs as were necessary to make it habitable. The congregation for the present is small, but a little aid and nursing care, with the blessing of God may tend to preserve it and prepare the way for future prosperity. We hope soon to effect an arrangement for its permanent supply, by uniting it with two other churches in an adjoining county.

At Ashland we have no church edifice of our own, and the congregation at present is not able to build, Our services are conducted semi-monthly in the village church. We have here an encouraging Sunday school and a growing congregation. At the late visit of Bishop Whittle, 9 were confirmed and added to the communion. There were 20 communicants at Ashland, mostly young persons when I took charge of it; 3 have removed and 11 have been added, making the present number 28. Baptized 12 infants, white; married 1, colored. Collection at Ashland for Education Society of Virginia, $10 25. 

H.S. KEPLER

Missionary, &c

-Journal of the Seventy-Fourth Annual Council of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia held in St. Pauls's Church, Richmond, on the 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th May, 1869.
Richmond 1869

150 Years Ago . . .

Fire in the Woods. A fire broke out in the woods on the farm of Mr. Charles Trivillian, in New Kent county. Va., on Tuesday week, and raged for three days. sweeping during that time over a number of farms, among which was the White House tract, and destroying several barns and a large amount of fencing.

-The Evening Telegraph. (Philadelphia), March 23 1866

Reconstruction

Last week Major E.D. Townsend, late of the army, bought of Mr. R.D. Farley, his farm in New Kent, known as Providence Forge. The farm contains some thirteen hundred acres, and the price paid was $9,500. Several other parties from the North, and five or six Germans, have purchased and settled on farms in the same neighborhood.

-Alexandria Gazette- 27 January, 1868

Farming Starts Again at White House- 1865

W.H.F. Lee from the Library of Congress

 The Richmond Republic speaking of the White House Plantation in New Kent county, Va, says "Here Gen. Washington married the Custis, whose family it was even  in those days, the ancient homestead. It descended to her son, the late George Washington Park Custis, by whom it was bequeathed to the children of Gen. R.E. Lee. The dwelling house, from which the plantation derived its name, was used by the Federal army as a depot in 1862,and was burnt by Gen. Stoneman during MeClellain's retreat from the the line of the Chickahominy. From that time to the conclusion of the war it was uncultivated, being at all times occupied by the troops of one or the other of the hostile armies. After the surrender of Gen. Lee, his son, William H. F. Lee, without loss of time, repaired to the White House, determined, notwithstanding the lateness of the season, to attempt to make a crop of corn. Armistead and William Christian, two young men formerly of his command, and Andrew Shackelford, of the late Confederate artillery, attended him.

A German and an Irishman and two freedmen were subsequently added to their force. They began plowing on the 29th of April, and have made a splendid crop of corn, which is estimated at fifteen hundred bushels."

-Alexandria Gazette- 23 August 1865




Both Armistead and William Christian show up on the roster of the New Kent Cavalry of the 3rd Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. As for Andrew Shackelford we have a more extensive biographical report. From  Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia of 1884 . . .

Andrew J. Shackelford - was born in King and Queen county, Virginia, March 6, 1844, and his parents, Richard and Mary F. (Stubbs) Shackelford made their home in New Kent county while he was very young. He grew to manhood in this county, and was one of its volunteers for the defense of Virginia in the civil war. He enlisted in 1862, in the Pamunkey Artillery, Custis Lee's division, and served until taken prisoner in April, 1865, at Sailors Creek, Prince Edward county, Virginia, receiving parole at Point Lookout June 22, 1865. In New Kent county, March 19, 1868, Frances W. Mason became his wife. Her birth was in Caroline county, Virginia, December 17, 1841 the date, and Joseph R. and Mary (Atkinson) Mason her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Shackelford are the parents of seven children, born to them on the following dates: Emma V., January 27, 1869; Edward A., September 27, 1870; Joseph B., September 2, 1872; Julia F., December 7, 1873; Lewis J., May 26, 1875; Fannie S., June 17, 1876; Mary Lee, March 13, 1878. The subject of this sketch is one of the prosperous farming residents of St. Peters district with post office address at White House, New Kent county, Virginia.

Deer Hunting Bonazana- 1867

The forests in the vicinity of New Kent Courthouse, always a famous resort for deer, are said to be filled with this favorite game to a greater extent the present season than ever. Large numbers have fallen at the crack of the huntsman's rifle, and a day or two since one expert killed two at once with a double hand gun.

-Alexandria Gazette- August 29, 1867

Deer are in New Kent to a greater extent this season than has been known for many years. A party of gentlemen residing in the vicinity of the court-house succeeded last week in killing five. Among the number was a noble buck weighing 143 pounds.

-Alexandria Gazette- November 7, 1867

Overseeing the Poor- 1866

On a chilly night . . .

WOOD FOR SALE- We will sell, at New Kent Courthouse, on the FIRST DAY OF JANUARY NEXT, about FOUR THOUSAND CORDS OF PINE WOOD, situated on the Poor-house land, near New Kent Courthouse, and within two and a half miles of a good landing on the Pamunkey river.

TERMS: Made known on day of sale.

                                                                               JOHN T. HARRIS,
                                                                               JOHN MAYO,
                                                                               JAMES N. GODDIN,
                                                                               WM. R. TUNSTALL.
                                                                                 Overseers of Poor.


-Richmond Daily Dispatch-December 22, 1865

"The following officers have been appointed . . ."

Fort Monroe, Sept. 13.

The following officers have been appointed from the 3d Pennsylvania Artillery as Assistant Superintendents of the Freedmeu's Bureau: 

Captain J. B. Bisphane for Elizabeth City county, 

Lieut. James Darling. New Kent county; 

Lieut. Frank Martin, Charles City county;

Lieut Marshall, James City county; 

Lieut. J, W Kaye for York county.

-The New York Times, September 15, 1865

 James A.H. Darling was born in Maine, in 1840; removed to Reading with his parents, and thence to Philadelphia about 1848. He is an accountant. He was first lieutenant of an artillery company* for three years during the Rebellion

-History of Schuylkill County, Pa: With Illustrations . . .

Joel Munsell's Sons - 1881




An officer in Battery K, he was also the brother of one of the regiment's Majors, John Darling. His photograph is here, upper left corner.

New Kent and its First African-American Office Holder

The Virginia General Assembly is now in session and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Memorial Commission of said body has created an interesting page on African American Legislatorsin Virginia. If you scroll halfway down the page you come to William Henry Brisby. Brisby, part African-American and part Pamunkey Indian was the first non-white elected to office in New Kent. As first a member of the House of Delegates and later the county Board of Supervisors, Brisby spent several decades attending to the public business of the county. During the war while serving as blacksmith to Holcombe's Legion he had in fact been a spy for the Van Lew spy ring in Richmond.
I have much more to say on Brisby and Reconstruction in New Kent, but I thought he deserved mention today in reference to the General Assembly session and website.

Post War Immigration: Special Octoborfest Edition

. . . post Civil War immigration that is . . .

While searching through the 1870 census for New Kent County, looking for Northern post-war immigrants who might have been active in the nascent Republican Party I came across a curious pattern. The non-Virginia born are few and far between in 1870, literally page after page is filled only with Virginia born with a sprinkling of Alabamans, Georgians and Marylanders. The Northern born number less than ten. As for foreign born, they are as few as you would think. They are: one Englishman, one Swede, one Scot, one Welshman, one Frenchman(the gardener for the Lee's) and six Irish. They are all single men or married to Virginia wives, except for the case of one Irish family of a husband and wife and two adult children. The data I found striking was the eleven German led households. The birth locations identify five as Wurttembergers, four as Prussians, one from Baden and a Pole with a German name. I assume the "Pole" was Prussian, there having been no "Poland" for fifty years. Here is the list . . . first the Prussians . . .

• Schair, Henry          age 48
• Miller, Henry                 35
• Myers, Henry                37
• Vendal, Anthony            36

 with the "pole"

• Rosse, John W.              50

the Wurttembergers . . .

•  Ackerman, David           41
• Brown, Earnest               18
• Wolpert, William             40
• Happold, George D        46
• Troelsch, Louis(?)           42

 . . . and the Badener(is that what they're called?)

• Mortig, Charles               38

Mainly farmers, the exceptions are; Vendal and Mortig, who were watermen, Myers, an engineer, and Rosse, a gardener. Earnest Brown is listed as "farm laborer." These men were the poorest of the lot. Ackerman, Miller, Schair, Wolpert, Happold, and Troelsch all had land valued at least $900 dollars with Schair's coming in at an impressive $16,000. The five of these men fell between the ages of 35 and 48.

Three of the men had Virginia born wives: Myers, Rosse and Mortig.

The birth locations of their children tells its own story, with six of the men having children born in America, the earliest American birth of an eldest child being between 1852 and 1862. Probably most telling, four of the men; Miller, Ackerman, Happold and Troelsch have children listed as born in Pennsylvania before the war, putting these men in the category of Northern immigrants.

As for Post Bellum German immigration to Virginia, I did find this  . . .

"In 1866 the Legislature passed an act to encourage and increase immigration to Virginia, a Board of Immigration was organized and General G. Tochmann and Mr B. Barbour were appointed agents of immigration to Germany and England but without any obligation on the part of the State to pay the expenses. Only insignificant results could be expected of such illiberal policy. Colonel Frank Schaller was authorized by General Tochmann to travel to Germany and to visit first his native State of Saxony to draw immigrants to the Old Dominion. But the success was very trifling. However full credit must be given General Tochmann for his endeavors and good will.

. . .

During the summer of 1868 Rev I. A. Reichenbach came to Richmond, Va., with the intention to organize German colonies in the South On July 21st a public meeting was arranged in front of the City Hall to hear the propositions of the pastor and a committee was elected to examine his plan. The committee consisted of the following highly respected citizens Peple Hoffbauer, Tiedemann, Gimmi, Leybrock, Dr Strecker, and Dr Grebe But the project was soon abandoned for want of confidence in the propositions and the person of the reverend German settlements promising good results were started in the counties Chesterfield, Prince George, Louisa, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg. Wm Grossmann of Petersburg, Va., a native  of Silesia and in the old country professor at a German college but now real estate agent has done very much to develop the German settlement at Port Walthall in Dinwiddie county near the city of Petersburg In Chesterfield county at Granite Station, not far from the city of Manchester, is a prosperous settlement of German Catholics In Lunenburg. Ch. Rickers and O. Jansen from Schleswig Holstein and A. and G. Petzold from Saxony are successful farmers and the same may be said of E. Williams (Wilhelm?) of Prussia in Prince George county. In the southwestern part of Louisa county in 1868 two German villages Frederickshall and Buckner stations on the C & ORR were started by Heselenius, Frosh, Mauker, Lieb, Goering, Stolz, Schrader, Lorey, and others Some of these settlers have removed to other parts of the country, but the majority still remain and are doing well. In the northwestern corner of the same county the author purchased in 1886 a farm and planted a large vineyard known as "Idlewild Vineyards." The reports of the State Commissioner of Agriculture mention that in 1888 to 1892 several Pennsylvania Germans came to Botetourt. Into Albemarle and Orange Germans immigrated from Illinois, Wisconsin, Dakota, Nebraska, and Ohio, in Prince George a number of Germans from Russia and Bohemia purchased farms, and in Goochland many families from the northeastern States and among them some Germans settled since the war and are well pleased. Other official documents show that the counties Henry, Norfolk, Warwick, Roanoke, Alleghany, and Taxwell increased in population from 126 to 195 per cent and that a large number of the newcomers are Germans. The old German settlements on Opequan, Shenandoah, Rapidan, Rappahannock, Dan, New, and Roanoke rivers also received some additions from the Northeast and direct from Germany. The status of Virginia for the year 1870 says page 178, "Of the foreign population of Virginia, Ireland furnished nearly one half, Germany one third, England one sixth, and Scotland one twentieth . . ."

-History of the German Element in Virginia, Volume 2
Herrmann Schuricht
T. Kroh & sons, printers, 1900



. . .oh, and it's Badenser

Travails of an Assistant Subassistant Commissioner, Part II

A follow up to last week's post about the "difficulties" of Captain Brooks of the Freedmen's Bureau  . . .

Bureau R F & A L

Hd Qrs Supt 9th Dist. of Va

Fort Monroe, Va June 14 1866

Armstrong S. C.

Supt. 9th Dist Va

Endorses statement of Capt Brooks Asst Supr. with bills against Private "Wilson," and directs that such action shall be taken that as to secure justice both to Wilson and his creditors, etc. etc.

Bureau R F & A L

Office Asst Supt. York co. Va

Yorktown VA. June 30 1866

Respectfully returned with information that Private Wilson has received his pay prior to the receipt of the within communication. He acknowledging that he owed Thirteen 00/100 Dollars. Capt Parker 12th U.S. Infty Comdg his Company retained the same out of his pay and I believe now has the amount in his possession. I would respectfully request that Private Wilson be relieved from duty at this office and the vacancy be Supplied by a good trustworthy enlisted man from the "Fort." Wilson is diseased to such an extant that he is unable to ride on horseback making his services perfectly useless to this office.

F. A. Massey

for Dist 5 R F & A L

Asst Supt. York Co. Va.

"Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Letters or Correspondence, 1865-1872." Index and Images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing NARA microfilm publication M1913. College Park, Maryland: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

The Travails of a Assistant Subassistant Commissioner

Capt. A. M. Brooks was the Assistant Subassistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands i.e. the Freedmen's Bureau for New Kent and Charles City. Stationed in Barhamsville and then New Kent Courthouse he served from March 1866 to December 1867.

His command consisted of one orderly.

New Kent C. H. Va.

June 10th 1866

Gen. S. C. Armstrong

Dear sir.

    My orderly Prvt. Wilson has failed to report with his team from Yorktown as ordered and I wish him to be relieve from duty with me. 

    I send herewith bills which he has contracted and ask that they be stopped from his pay. In regard to the bill for Board of horse the facts are as follows. When I went to Richmond I gave him orders to meet me with the horses at Yorktown on Wednesday. He left here on Sunday taking with him everything but his equipment,saying "Damned if he was coming back until he got his pay." One of the horses was taken sick on the road but instead of bringing him here as he should have done, he left him with a man at Barhamsville at an expense of $1. a day.

    The Bill for cooking, washing & etc is I think just as Elvira Meekins subsisted him as claimed. The bills for Medical attention are I know just as he has an aggravated case of Syphilis and both the physicians attended him.

    My bill against his him is partly for money which I loaned him, and partly which he appropriated to his own use from money forwarded to me by him from Portsmouth, without my knowledge or consent.

    He took with him a violin belonging to Mrs. Geo. T Bromley of this county leaving his own here, which I would request you to return.

    There was taken from the Hotel a valuable silver soup ladle with the initial "B" engraved on it, on the evening before he left. From conversations he held with the servants in regard to its value and what it could be sold for, on the same day it was taken, suspicion falls on him.

    I can get no clue in regard to the letter he spoke of, so can make no claim for it, he is lazy and insolvent and no reliance whatever can be placed in his assertions, but there is nothing to substantiate charges if he was tried by Court Martial.

Very Respectfully

Your Obt. Servt.

A. M. Brooks

Capt. & Asst. Supt.

I somehow feel that Captain Brooks enjoyed writing this letter..


Transcribed by myself with relish from the Virginia Freedmen's Bureau Correspondence, 1865-1872
 As a side note, Armstrong High School in Richmond is named for General Armstrong who founded Hampton University.

After the War

From the Recollections and Letters of Robert E. Lee by Captain Robert F.
Lee




 * I believe the Major John Lee referred to is John Mason Lee, son of Sydney Smith Lee the older brother of Robert E. Lee.

** A good site on Pampaitke here.