April 21, 2022 / Joanne Yeck

Dillwyn, Buckingham County: A Short History, Part IV

Courtesy Gordon G. Ragland, Jr., Maxey/Patteson Family Collection

Need to catch up? Click here: Dillwyn, Buckingham County: A Short History, Part I

In 1960, a short history of Dillwyn, the little lumber town that would become Buckingham County’s primary commercial center, was published in Charlottesville’s Daily Progress. Entitled “Dillwyn Grew Up as Lumber Town,” the article was written by the county’s favorite historian, Miss Lulie Patteson. The establishment of churches and schools followed the growing population. In her warm and personal style, Miss Patteson shares some details:

To prevent the town from growing only along material lines while decaying spiritually, a little Methodist Church was established in 1894.

The little church was used for union services for all denominations. In 1895 a camp, or tabernacle, meeting was held with the Rev. Lewis Bransford as the preacher. The tabernacle building adjoined the Methodist church grounds.

The first school was in White’s old office on the hill west of the “Bottom.” . . . [In 1908, a] school was built and a Professor Kenney was its principal.

Commerce grew quickly at White Hall and Miss Patteson reports that Phil Moss opened the first store, quickly joined by H. M. White, the Gregorys and Allens.

For more about the intriguing Gregory family, click on the following:

Buckingham Notables: Emmet D. Gregory

Buckingham County Romantic Correspondence

Buckingham County Surprise Inheritance

Coming Next: Dillwyn, Buckingham County: A Short History, Part V