"Man By the Name of Wilson"

 It is a wonder that so much information can be teased out about a man's life from one small advertisement.

$50 REWARD FOR WILSON.- Absconded from the subscriber, in the month of April, 1836 man by the name of Wilson. From information received, it appears that Wilson was raised in the county of New Kent, about 8 miles below the C.H., by a gentleman named Ratcliffe, and by him sold to a gentleman named Taylor, living 13 miles above Williamsburg, on whose farm he had a wife and several children. Mr. Taylor sold him to Mr. Slater, living near the New Kent and James City line, who, in consequence of removing to Alabama, left him, and when retaken was sold to John M. Gregory, Esq. of Williamsburg, Va., and afterwards purchased by his present owner, from Thomas McCargo & Co., of Richmond. Nothing was heard of him until last November,(1837) when I was informed he had been taken and put in New Kent jail, but afterwords made his escape, by burning out, and has not since been heard of. Wilson is about 5 feet 6 inches high, slender made, bushy head, dark yellow colour, pleasing countenance, and about 36 years old. The above reward will be paid for his apprehension, and placed in any jail in the State or United States, so that I obtain him again.  

ALEX  CUNNINGHAM 

Cunninghams's Store, N.C. Nov. 1838 59-w6w

 -Richmond Enquirer, December 14, 1838




Some notes

A) I wonder if the Ratcliffe named is the owner of the tavern of the same name that was in the Quinton area.

B) John M. Gregory, was soon to be Lieutenant Governor, and was Acting Governor of Virginia from March 1842 until 5 January 1843. He was later a judge.

C) Yet another burning of New Kent's jail.

D) Thomas McCargo was a slave trader based out of Richmond.  He gained a measure of notoriety in November 1841 when while transporting slaves down the coast on the brig Creole, the slaves rose up, took control of the ship and sailed it into Nassau, the Bahamas leading to an international incident.

E) Rather shockingly(at least to me) I had no trouble discovering more about the advertiser.

"Alexander Cuningham of Petersburg, Va (1776 -1849) was the owner of Cunningham Store in Person County. His father was also named Alexander Cuningham and was from Edinburgh, Scotland. He ran a wholesale merchandise business in Petersburg, Va with his brother Richard. and speculated in land in many states.
. . .
In 1814 He married Mary (Patsey) Wilson (1792-1886) daughter of John Wilson who built Dans Hill near Danville, Va. In the early 1820's he opened Cunningham's Store along the border with Halifax County, Va and Person County, NC.
. . .
 Alexander and his son John Wilson Cuningham (born Petersburg, Va 1820- 1887) built up the plantation to include 8000 acres and became one of the wealthiest planters in the area. He owned at one time 193 slaves. The Cuningham home called Waverly still exists on Cuningham Road in Person County along with the cemetery where Alexander Cuningham and 7 generations are buried." 

F) As for Wilson, well I would say the man did not want to be found

Governor at Bridge Opening-1926

                                                      
                                                         Opening Of New Bridge. 

Richmond. — Governor Harry Flood Byrd, John R. Saunders, attorney general and H.G. Shirley, state highway commissioner. were among the speakers at the opening of the Pamunkey River Bridge at West Point on Monday. September 20. The bridge joins West Point and New Kent county. It connects the section with the national highway to points north. It leads over the Washington route to Bowling Green. Mangohick and King William Courthouse, through to Newport News and Old Point. Outside of this connection with the national highway Richmond is connected with the sections between the Rappahannock and York rivers.

-Northern Neck News, 24 September 1926

New Pages- New Rosters

You will see on the left, as part of an ongoing program, links to pages with rosters of the New Kent Cavalry (Co. F, 3rd Virginia Cavalry) and the Barhamsville Greys ( Co. B, 53rd Virginia Infantry).


Here are the direct links


Barhamsville Greys


New Kent Cavalry

Roster of New Kent Cavalry, Co. F, Third Virginia Cavalry Regiment

A simplified roster, a more complete one to follow, of the troop known as the New Kent Cavalry also known as the New Kent Dragoons, first Capt. Melville Vaiden's company of cavalry, later Co. K, then Co. F, of the Third Virginia Cavalry regiment.

Officers

Capt. Melville Vaiden - Original commander- died Dec. 1861

Capt. Telemachus Taylor - May 1862—resigned due to illness July 1862

Capt. Jones R. Christian - Elected 2^nd Lt. Apr. ’62 promoted Captain Dec. ‘62- captured May 18, 1864

Brumley, George T., 1^st Lt. (1^st Sgt. elected 1^st Lt. –Jun. ’61,– resigned Aug 1861)                

Clopton, William E., 1^st Lt. (promoted 2^nd Lt.- Sept. ’61, promoted 1^st Lt.- Apr.. ’62, resigned Sept. 1862. Captured July 1, 1863, exchanged Mar. 1864)

Lacy, Benjamin W., 1^st Lt. (promoted 1^st Sgt. Sept. ’61- 1^st Lt. – Jan. ’63)

Chandler, Oliver M., 2^nd Lt. (orig. 1^st Sgt., 3^rd Lt.- Sept. ’61, 2^nd  Lt. - Feb. ’62, discharged Apr. ’62.)

Christian, James S., 2^nd Lt. (promoted 2^nd Sgt. Feb. ’62, elected 2^nd Lt. – Apr. ‘62 – Killed Sept. 15, ’62, Boonsboro, MD)

Crump, Edgar M. 2^nd Lt. (elected 3^rd Lt. Jan. ’63, promoted 2^nd Lt. Aug. ’63)

McCheny, R., Lt.

Stamper, Henry W., 2^nd Lt. (elected from Sgt. Jan. ‘63- resigned commission June 1863 effective Aug.)

Savage, Southey L., 2^nd Lt. (promoted Feb. 1862. April ‘62 attached to the Adjutant and Inspector-General's Department of the CS Army.)

Non-commissioned Officers

Apperson, Robert C., Sgt.

Apperson, Samuel H., Sgt.          

Bland, Robert E., Sgt.     

Calthorn, M.A., Sgt.       

Christian, William, Sgt.

Jones, Chesley M., Sgt.

Minor, Ed C., 1st Sgt.

Tyree, George W., Sgt.

Royster, J.J., Sgt.

Williams, James C., Sgt.

Apperson, John C., Cpl.                

Bradenham, John R., Cpl.

Hicks, William A., Cpl.    

Mills, Archer W., Cpl.     

Pollard, William A., Cpl.

Royster, Littleton, Cpl.

Sherman, Michael, Cpl.

Marston, William W., Surgeon

Slater, Leonard A., Surgeon

Gregory, William T., Surgeon

Wilkinson, William L., Quarter Master

Privates

Adkins, W.F.                      

Apperson, William A.     

Atkinson, Frank               

Atkinson, Henry A.         

Atkinson, William E.       

Baldwin, George T.         

Ballard, William                

Blayton, John

Blayton, William A.

Boswell, James W

Boyd, George G.                             

Bradley, Pleasant            

Bradley, R.         

Bradley, Robert               

Burnett, Washington     

Burr, Henry D.

Christian, Armistead                      

Christian, John D., Jr.     

Christian, Robert O.       

Christian, William C.       

Clark, Wm. Alpheus       

Clarke, Richard A.            

Clarke, William R.                            

Coke, W.A.        

Cook, William E.               

Crump, D. W.                    

Crump, George T.           

Crump, H. Clay

Crump, Hammond F.     

Crump, John W.

Crump, L.            

Crump, Z. Taylor

Cumber, Wm. N.  - bugler           

Dandridge, Bat C.            

Davis, John A.   

Davis, William B.              

Dell, John D.      

Dixon, Richardson           

Elliott, Walter A.              

Ellyson, Alfred B.             

Ellyson, D.B.      

Ellyson, Lemuel G.

Ellyson, Samuel W.         

Eppes, Edward C.            

Estes, John M.  

Farley, Richard G.            

Faunholt, L. (sic)              

Frayser, Richard E. – promoted Signal Corps, Capt. on Staff of J.E.B Stuart            

Gilliam, Thomas Q.         

Gilliam, William O.           

Gills, G.A.           

Goddin, John    

Griffith, W.H.    

Gunn, James M.              

Harman, Benjamin         

Haynes, W.G.   

Hill, Beverly W.

Hill, George W.

Hill, John A.        

Hubbard, Benjamin C.   

Hubbard, Bowles S.        

Hubbard, J.S.    

Hubbard, R.H.   

Hubbard, William N.       

Johnston, J. Silas             

Jones, William W.                            

Lacy, P. F.           

Lacy, Richard Terrell                

Lacy, Theophilus S.         

Larus, T. P.         

Lipscombe, James          

McKenzie, James M.     

Meanly, John P.               

Mills, William P.                

Moseley, Benjamin        

Mosely, Robert                

Odell, John D.   

Osborne, John W.           

Parkinson, John F.          

Parkinson, Joseph W.    

Parr, John           

Parrish, John B.                

Perkins, W.G.   

Perkinson, J.F.  

Pierce, Joseph

Poe, John

Pomfrey, George M.

Pomfrey, William A.

Rabineau, William

Ratcliffe, William T.

Richardson, Colas

Richardson, John A.

Slater, John S.

Spencer, James D.

Stewart, Robert F.

Talbott, Charles H.

Talley, Richard W.

Taylor, Robert S.

Terrell, William A.

Timberlake, James P.

Turner, Edmund P. – promoted to Staff of Gen. Magruder 1861, later went with him to the Trans-Mississippi Dept.

Turner, George W.

Turner, Hezekiah

Vaiden, Galba

Vaiden, John B.

Vaiden, Micajah

Vaiden, Vulosko

Vaughan, William H.

Waddill, Littlebury G.

Walker, Harman B,

Waring, C.

Waring, T.B.

Waring, T.H.

Waring, William H.

White, W.

White, William F.

Whitlock, Robert

Wilkinson, Lee

Wilks, Christopher T.

Williams, R.L.

Willis, R.A.

Woodward, West

Wright, G.B.

Young, Henry

"Camp Orapax is built around three sides of a valley."

Y.M.C.A. BOY'S CAMP WILL OPEN WEDNESDAY 

The State Boys' Camp of the Y.M.C.A. will open Wednesday when 100 boys leaders in the HI-Y club in the high schools throughout the State gather for ten days of camping and intensive training in leadership and recreational activities. 

The camp, know as "Orapax," is situated in New Kent County near Bottoms' Bridge. It is the the gift to the state association of St. John Duval, and it has been equipped through contributions of people from nearly every part of Virginia. It is expected that the Central "Y," community fund agency, will make the most use of it because of its proximity to the city. 

Camp Orapax is built around three sides of a valley. In the valley is a lake to be used for swimming and boating. On one side a large mess hall, with ample facilities for feeding hungry, growing boys, with refrigeration, ranges and all the equipment of an up-to-date kitchen. At the head of the valley a large assembly hall is to be built in circular form, with provision for a council fire in the center.

-Richmond Times Dispatch, June 14, 1926

Edmund Pendleton Turner- From Harvard to Texas by Way of the Peninsula Pt. I

Death of Captain E. P. Turner 

Captain Edmund Pendleton Turner, for a long time of Houston Texas, died last Wednesday in Sewanee, Tenn., from the effects of a severe stroke of paralysis which he suffered more than a year ago. His remains were brought to Virginia by his son Pendleton Turner, and interred in the family burying ground at Oropaz*(sic), New Kent county.  

Captain Turner was born in New Kent County, Virginia, 71 years ago, was therefore, of the right age to serve the South in her great struggle of which found him the captain of his company.  

He attended the University of Virginia for several sessions as an academic student, and later graduated in law from one of the Northern institutions. Like many others of his time he went South, and practiced his profession in the city of Houston, Texas, for many years. He is survived by a widow, two children, one brother, Dr. John D. Turner, of Lenexa(sic), Virginia and one sister, Mrs. L.T. Huflman, of the same place.

-Virginia Gazette, 10 August 1907

Edmund Pendleton Turner the son of John Pendleton Turner (1801-1870 buried in New Kent).

His educational career was rather more varied than mentioned here. He attended first Richmond College, than later the University of Virginia receiving his AB from that institution in 1859. The "Northern institution," is Harvard Law where he received his LLB in 1861.

He returned to Virginia in the summer of 1861 and enlisted at Brick House in Captain Melville Vaiden's company of New Kent cavalry.

*Orapax plantation which is now essentially Chickahominy Shores subdivision

More to come . . .

James R. Hockaday

A biographical sketch of John F. Hockaday of New Kent from 1891 when he was President the Roanoke Real Estate Exchange.

J.H. HOCKADAY.

John Ratcliffe Hockaday, the president of the Roanoke Real Estate Exchange, was born in New Kent county, March 8, 1830. He attended the old time log cabin schools till he was eighteen years old, after which he removed to Richmond and worked at the house joiners' trade until the breaking out of the war. when he identified himself with a volunteer company of his native county, the Barhamsville Grays, afterwards Company B, 53d Virginia Regiment, Armistead's bridge, Pickett's division, in which he served as orderly sergeant throughout the war, twice refusing promotion to the captaincy of his company. He was twice wounded, though slightly both times. Among the hottest fights he recalls are Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, the capture of Harper's Ferry, and Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, where he went with his company through the breastworks.  

Being transferred to the navy, Mr. Hockaday served on the gunboat "Raleigh," and also in the navy yard at Wilmington. He was captured in February, but was released in July and in the fall of the year went into the mercantile business at Richmond with Richard Cauthorn.  

He married Miss Bettie Thomas Gregory, daughter of Rev. James Gregory, of Chesterfield County, in February. 1868. Two years after he engaged in the produce commission business on his own account, and built up a large trade, which he closed out in '72 to come to Roanoke. He started in tho real estate business here January 10, '83, and is the pioneer of the real estate men. 

-Roanoke Times, 22 January 1891




And his obituary from the Times-Dispatch . .

DEATHS IN VIRGINIA 

            John Ratcliffe Hockaday

The funeral of John Ratclliffe Hockday. who died last Saturday at the home of his daughter Mrs. R. C. Cridlin of Woodland. Heights, was held on Monday morning. Rev. H. D. C. Maclachlan, D.D. officiated, assisted by Rev. R. D. White. Interment was in Hollywood.  

Mr. Hockaday was born March 8, 1839, in New Kent County. He was a veteran of the War Between the States, having served in Company B, FiftyThird Virginia Infantry, of which he was the last survivor. Only twelve members of the company survived the famous Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. He was in the first battle of the war at Big Bethel Church, and remained in active service until December, 1863 when he transferred to the Confederate Navy. As a volunteer with several others he attempted to fire the Confederate ironclad "Virginia" then building at Wilmington, when that city was evacuated.He was captured and remained a prisoner until the end of the war.  

Following the war Mr. Hockaday engaged in the wholesale commission business and look an active part In the affairs of the city until 1890, when he moved to Roanoke, and entered the real estate business. He was a member of Lee Camp and many of his comrades attended the funeral.  

Mr. Hockaday married Mrs. Bettie Gregory Weisiger, daughter of Rev. James Gregory, of Chesterfield, shortly after the War. He is survived by one son, W. Gregory Hockaday, and seven daughters, Mrs. A. P. Bowles, Mrs. B.M. Edwards, Mrs. J. E. Norvell, Mrs. R. C. Cridlin, Miss Nalle Hockaday, of Richmond; Mrs. J. W. Boswell, of Roanoke, and Mrs J. H. Montague, of Charlottesville.

-Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3 December 1916