Buckingham County 1856: Gold Mine For Sale
GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!
In 1856, something was stirring in Buckingham County.
A significant number of valuable Buckingham farms and other businesses were advertised for sale in the Richmond newspapers. Did sellers attempt to take advantage of a strong market? Did they anticipate a dip? Was the climate in Buckingham shifting towards increasing industry, making those properties more valuable? Did the political battles over the Kansas Territory concern Buckingham County slaveholders? Was it just coincidental? Along with several farms, a gold mine was for sale.
VALUABLE GOLD MINE AND MACHINERY FOR SALE –
In pursuance of a decree of the Circuit Court of Buckingham county, rendered on the 19th day of September 1855, in a suit in chancery, in which Frederick Wiseman, is plaintiff, and Buckingham Gold Company, and other defendants, I shall offer for sale at Buckingham Court House, Virginia, at public auction . . . a tract of land containing 292 acres, on which is the Gold Mine, commonly known as the Buckingham Mine, together with Machinery and fixtures. The Mine is situated in the County of Buckingham, within 7 miles of the Court House, and adjoins the London and Va. Gold and Copper Mining Company, and has always been considered on the of the most valuable in the State.
The advertisement goes on to say that the engine and machinery were erected and “a tunnel constructed at great expense.” To encourage buyers, the ad stated that the operation could be running at very little additional expense.
W.W. Forbes, Sheriff of Buckingham County, handled the sale.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
The earliest Class Lists I have found for Dunn’s Chapel are for 1869-1870. It may have existed as early as 1854 when there were 19 churches and/or chapels in Buckingham County; however, I haven’t found any proof. Can you help with an earlier date? Joanne
Could one of the Churches you are looking for be Dunn’s Chapel?——————————————–