Buckingham County: An Inlet at Perkins’ Falls, Part III
In 1844, Richmond’s Whig published a letter to the Editor signed “Many on Slate River.”
To catch up, click here: Buckingham County: An Inlet at Perkins’ Falls, Part I
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Among those eager for an inlet at Perkin’s Falls were members of my Chambers family, who owned a manufacturing mill on Slate River. Along with the Hocker family, my ancestor George Chambers (1783-1846) stood to profit from the creation of an inlet at Perkins’ Falls.
The letter to the Whig Editor continued:
Nor is this the sum total of the Wheat or Flour that would seek the inlet at Perkins’ Falls. Chambers has a manufacturing Mill on Slate River, and he would no doubt send his Flour to the same inlet. Many persons residing within the limits of the country above described, would be alleviated of excessive burdens by having an inlet, who now pay heavy exactions to the Ferries at Warren and Scottsville, or to be coerced to travel 25 or 30 miles to New Canton.
The sums saved to the Company in tolls on Hocker’s Flour alone between Perkins’ Falls and New Canton, where he now sends his Flour, would defray all expenses the Company would incur by at once establishing a public Ferry and inlet to the Canal at Perkins’ Falls. There is also a considerable quantity of Tobacco produced within the country mentioned, and subject to heavy exactions at intermediate points, or to be hauled 25 or 30 miles to New Canton. To show the inequity of the burdens, and at the same time most unjust and oppressive system of taxation to many of our citizens are daily subject to, it will only be necessary to state that persons residing near the Bent Creek, Hardwicks or New Canton inlets, can procure their Tobacco to be shipped by hogshead at about $1 per hogshead freight, and storage; while at Warren Ferry, for instance, $2.50 is demanded for the same.
Coming Next: Perkins’ Falls, The Great Central Place
slate river ramblings . . . . 
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