George Washington, Freemason
The Masonic tradition in Buckingham County is a long one. Many accounts, both personal and public, attest to the service of Masons in the county. Whether they aided a fellow mason when his house burned or participated in ceremonies such as the dedication of the county’s Confederate Monument, these men were essential to the culture and society. There were several lodges in Buckingham, including Dillwyn Lodge No. 315, A.F. & A.M. A short history of the lodge begins:
In 1910, a group of Master Masons living in the vicinity of Dillwyn, Virginia saw the need for a Masonic Lodge. They proceeded to draw up a request for a dispensation to meet and work as a Masonic Lodge in Dillwyn. After obtaining a recommendation from H. G. Harris, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 17, a charter was issued to Dillwyn Lodge No. 315, by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on February 16, 1911. Its first officers were:
William R. Conner Worshipful Master
William A. Spencer Senior Warden
William E. Hardiman Junior Warden
According to the 1911 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, “The membership of this Lodge embraces some of the best and most influential citizens in its neighborhood and they have secured a first-class hall.” The following year did not pass without its clouds. Right Worshipful Harris reported trouble in both Dillwyn Lodge No. 315 and Taylor Lodge No. 117, but the difficulties were adjusted and peace and harmony reigned throughout the District. He thanked Worshipful Paul McRae of Cumberland Lodge No. 283 for valuable assistance in adjusting the difficulty in Dillwyn.
For more visit Dillwyn Lodge No. 315.
The magazine, Confederate Veteran (VOL. XVIII), printed the following announcement concerning the dedication of the Confederate Monument at Buckingham County Court House:
THE BUCKINGHAM (VA.) MONUMENT
On June 30, 1908, a double ceremony took place in Buckingham, VA, when the corner stone was dedicated and the shaft unveiled for the beautiful monument, the occasion bringing to that city the largest crowd that had ever assembled there. Veterans, Sons of Veterans, and the women whose part in the war had been so noble had gathered to do honor to the well-loved soldiers. Mr. A. C. Garnett read Lee’s farewell speech at Appomattox, and Judge R. T. W. Duke, of Charlottesville, made a very fine address, as did Col. R. T. Hubbard and Hon. E. W. Hubbard.
The corner stone had a vault for receiving relics, and was laid by Masonic ceremonies, after which the handsome shaft was unveiled by Comrade Megginson, who being an invalid, was wheeled in front of the monument in his chair. The selection of this comrade for the honor was in compliment to his well-established reputation as a solder. His cool daring was well exemplified by one incident in his career. He had been sent by Gen. Stonewall Jackson to reconnoiter and came upon twelve men in close conference. Megginson at once shouted, “Here they are, men. Charge!” adding a peremptory call for them to throw down their arms. Thinking at least a company of men must be behind their unseen challenger, the Federals obeyed at once, and Megginson “double-quicked” them to the camp of General Jackson, who in surprise asked if the men were unarmed that they allowed one man to capture twelve!
The inscription on the handsome shaft is to commemorate the devotion and heroism of the Confederate soldiers of Buckingham County, who valued principle more than life and fought for a cause they knew to be right.
Can anyone comment about the contents of the “relics” in the corner stone vault?
Antonia J. Ford
Over three decades, young ladies of the highest quality attended Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute. Most of them became competent wives and mothers, spreading the fruits of their education through domestic channels. Few of them made the history books. Antonia Ford is an outstanding exception. At Encyclopedia Virginia, her entry begins:
Antonia J. Ford was born on July 23, 1838, in Fairfax Court House, the daughter of Edward Rudolph Ford, a wealthy merchant, and Julia F. Ford. In 1857, she attended the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute in Buckingham, Virginia. During the Civil War, her brother Charles Ford served with Stuart’s cavalry, and Ford herself became acquainted with the general and began supplying him with information. Histories have traditionally cited Ford’s youth and beauty as the assets she used in intelligence gathering. When her father opened the family’s home—which was located halfway between Washington, D.C., and Manassas—as a gathering spot for Union officers, she had ample opportunity to charm Union soldiers and steal their secrets. She is said to have sometimes worked in conjunction with Rose O’Neal Greenhow, a Confederate agent in Washington, D.C. On October 7, 1861, Stuart presented Ford with a “commission” as an honorary aide-de camp, ordering she be “obeyed, respected and admired” as such. Instead, however, the document helped get her thrown in jail.
For the rest of Antonia’s story, visit Encyclopedia Virginia, Antonia Ford (1838—1871).
Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute
The Civil War brought classes to end at Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute; however, the grand building stood for decades. On March 17, 1906, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported its demise:
The Institute at Gravel Hill burned…
Old Institute Burns. (Special to The Times-Dispatch.) GRAVEL HILL, BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA., March 16.—The remains, of the old Buckingham Institute was burned to the ground a few days ago. Mr. John Chandler owned the property. He used a part of the old building for a stable and feed-house. The building caught fire from some burning brush from outside. Mr. Chandler came near being burnt up trying to save some of his things in the building.
For more about the founding and history of the college, consult “A Noble Idea: Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute” in “At a Place Called Buckingham.”
The autumn of 1912 tournament held at New Canton, Buckingham County featured jousting and the crowning of the Queen of Love and Beauty. The young ladies of Welsh descent, living in nearby Arvonia, must have been particularly charming. The Times-Dispatch (Richmond) reported on November 18, 1912:
Fontaine Fuqua rode both for himself and W.T. Moorman, of New Canton, winning for Mr. Moorman the first prize and for himself the third prize. The second prize was won by Frasier White of Fork Union. Immediately after the tournament the coronation of the queen and maids of honor took place. Miss Gertrude Conklin, of Stevens, Fluvanna County, was crowned queen of love and beauty; Miss Clarice Pierce, of Arvonia, was crowned first maid of honor by Ashton White, and Miss Lettie Morgan, of Arvonia, was crowned second maid of honor by Knight Dunnavant, who was awarded this privilege by Fontaine Fuqua on account of his handsome riding and skillful use of the lance. Hot oysters were served near the tournament, and the large crowd present enjoyed the event to the utmost degree. The first prize carried with it $10 in gold; the second, $5, and the third, $1.25.
Click here if you missed Part I: Tournaments and Beauty Queens
Catherine Foster Claiborne, Courtesy of Ted Kinker
In 1912, Richmond’s newspaper, The Times-Dispatch, ran an article detailing an old fashioned tournament at New Canton:
MANY TAKE PART IN TOURNAMENT
Hard Riding and Expert Ring-Catching Feature Recent Event at New Canton
Arvonia, Va., November 17 – An old fashioned tournament, of hard riding and expert ring-catching, was held at New Canton on Friday afternoon. In spite of the raw weather, a large crowd was in attendance, and much interest was taken in the horsemanship. Fontaine Fuqua, of New Canton, proved the most skillful knight in the matter of stringing the rings, and was awarded the first prize, with the privilege also of crowning the queen….
Immediately after the tournament the coronation of the queen and maids of honor took place. Miss Gertrude Conklin, of Stevens, Fluvanna County, was crowned queen of love and beauty….
As the 20th century wore on, old fashioned tournaments gave way to other forms of entertainments. The tradition of the “queen of love and beauty” turned into the modern “beauty contest” we still know today. Above is Catherine Foster Claiborne, Miss Buckingham County of 1935. Her radiant smile leaves no doubt, they sure grow them pretty in Buckingham!
The survey above was completed when Frank C. Moon sold some of his acres at Snowden Farm to F.L. Holt in 1924. The Scottsville Brick Factory sat on or near this land.
Don’t miss this month’s issue of the Buckingham Beacon. In it you’ll find my article, “Snowden and the Scottsville Brick Company.”
You can always download a PDF of the paper at Fluvanna Review.
On June 16, 2013, Anita Mahon’s daughter, Linda, commented that her mother passed on many Buckingham County sayings, superstitions, and tongue twisters. Anita Mahon had remarkable skill with this particular tongue twister, able to say it very, very fast:
What a funny little bird a frog am
He ain’t got no tail a’tall almost not hardly
When him sits, him hops
And, when him hops, him sits
On his little tail which he ain’t got a’tall almost not hardly!
Did your Buckingham County family pass down a favorite old song or a saying memorized as a child?
The Capitol, Richmond, VA
The following story appeared in the Alexandria Gazette on July 11, 1899. Today, while the terms “Aunt” and “colored” are anachronisms, in 1899, they were terms of respect. This warm, human interest story about Jane’s experience in Richmond is testament to that. It also reminds us that as little as forty yards can separate worlds of experience.
AUNT JANE’S FIRST VISIT. – Aunt Jane is the cook at the Governor’s mansion, in Richmond, a position she has filled for three Governors in succession. Yet never until yesterday has Aunt Jane been inside the Capitol, not forty yards from the door of the mansion. Aunt Jane was on the point of making her annual pilgrimage to her old home in Buckingham county, but before starting was induced by old Walker Howard, the colored janitor at the capitol, to allow him to show her through the building. Walker took her to the top of the building and pointed out places of interest “Aunt Jane” had never before heard of. She freely confessed that the janitor of “Revolutionary fame” was the smartest man she ever met. This old cook has served under the administrations of Governors McKinney, O’Ferrall and Tyler.
Governor McKinney, of course, was also Buckingham born. Did the McKinney family bring Jane to Richmond when he became Governor in 1890? Can anyone identify Jane’s surname or her family connections in Buckingham County?
The Virginia Governors served by Jane:
Governor McKinney: 1890-1894
Governor O’Ferrall: 1894-1898
Governor Tyler: 1898-1902
Click here for more about Phillip Watkins McKinney.
Norvell Family Photo, c. 1897, Courtesy Carole Jensen
This wonderful photo was given to Carole Jensen by Stanley Baber Andrews, daughter of Lily Norvell. It captures not only the beauty of the Norvell home, but also the era and family relations. The photograph may have been taken upon the death of Thomas B. Norvell (d. 22 January 1897), which was his wife’s birthday. When the photograph was made, this house was the home of Thomas B. and Mary “Molly” Evelina Miller Norvell, located on today’s Spreading Oak Road, post office, Well Water or Tucker, Buckingham County, Virginia.
In front of fence, left to right:
Bernard Miller Norvell, 5, 1892-1981, m. Bessie Bransford, Grace V. Moore
John Harold Norvell, 7, 1890-1958, m. Eva Booth Baber
Gracie Norvell, 12, 1884-1965, m. Robert E. Lee Stinson
Lily Leigh Norvell, 10, 1886-1972, m. Clinton Timothy Baber
Mary Elizabeth Tapscott, 6, 1890-1976, m. James Benson Tindall
Behind fence, left to right:
Unknown man
Frances M. Norvell, 18, 1878-1936, m. Fletcher Tindall
Mary Gertrude Norvell, 24, 1874-1956, m. William Reginald Walker
Hay Booth Norvell, 17, 1880-1952, m. Emma Blackwell
Alice Walker Norvell, 24, 1872-1937, m. Nelson Tindall
Mary Evelina Miller, 51, 1846-1919, widow of Thomas B. Norvell
Kate Elizabeth Norvell, 26, 1870-1928, m. George Allen Tapscott
Unknown man
On porch:
Catharine Neighbours, 76, 1821-1900, m. William T. Miller, mother of Mary Evelina Miller Norvell
In front of brick chimney:
Unknown servants
~
If anyone can help identify the unknown individuals in the photo, please comment.
A Buckingham mystery no longer, click here for more about the Norvell House.
slate river ramblings . . . . 