During the month of November, The Virginia Shop at the Library Virginia is offering free shipping for all online orders.
That means you can order both volumes of “At a Place Called Buckingham,” The Jefferson Brothers, and many other fine books and gifts at no additional cost.
Here’s your chance to support the great work done at the Library of Virginia and maybe do a little early holiday shopping.
This link will take you to the page featuring my books: The Virginia Shop
Chellow. Courtesy Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
In August 1892, a special telegram was sent to Richmond’s Daily Dispatch announcing the death of J. Richard Edmonds Hubbard. It read:
Young Mr. Hubbard Passes Away.
Farmville, Va., August 19. — J. Richard Edmonds Hubbard died today at 12:05 o’clock P. M. at his home, [Chellowe], Buckingham county, in the 18th year of his age. He was the promising son of Col. Robert T Hubbard. He had been ill but a short time from typrhoid-fever and died professing earnest faith in Christ.
For much more about Chellow/Chellowe and the Hubbard family, search the archives at Slate River Ramblings. Enjoy the results!
Jefferson Library. Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies.
I recently heard from a Slate River Ramblings reader that her local library in Syracuse, New York did not own one of my books. While I wasn’t surprised, patrons (as well as librarians) can remedy this.
Did you know that many public libraries feature “Suggest a Purchase” forms on their websites? Here is a typical form for the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library.
Why not introduce your community to the extended Jefferson family?
Consider suggesting that your local library purchase a copy of Peter Field Jefferson: Dark Prince of Scottsville and Lost Jeffersons (ISBN-13: 978-0983989899).
Libraries and archives in and around Virginia that already have copies include:
Central Virginia Regional Library: Buckingham County Branch
Fairfax County Public Library
Library of Congress
Library of Virginia
Jefferson Library (Monticello)
Lynchburg Public Library
Washington & Lee University
Benjamin Bartley. Free Negro Registration. Courtesy Library of Virginia.
The Fall 2018 issue of Central Virginia Heritage included Jean L. Cooper’s transcription of the 1808 description of Benjamin Bartley in the Free Negro Registration. This rare document was found in Prince Edward County records and can be viewed at Lost Records Localities Digital Collection, Library of Virginia. Dated November 16, 1808, it reads:
Benjamin Bartley a free mulatto is duly registered & numbered 17 in a book kept by me for registering free negroes & mulattos, aged twenty two years, of a yellowish complexion, five feet eight inches high, has a small scar on each arm and no other apparent mark or scar on face head or hand, a free man by birth.
Rolfe Eldridge jr. DC Buckingham County,
The foregoing register upon a comparison of the same with the person therein described being found by the Court to be correct the same was ordered to be so certified by the Clerk of Court.
a Copy Teste R. Eldridge jr DC
A search of the 1810 census for Benjamin Bartley produced a Ben Bartley (FN) in Charlotte County.
The list, “Other Free” Heads of Household in the 1810 Virginia Census,” includes the free African-American Beverly family in Buckingham County. They had been paying taxes in the county since 1782.
Beverly, Betty
Beverly, Charles
Beverly, Jenney
Beverly, Jonathan
Beverly, Priscilla
Beverly, William
Beverly, Jonathan
If a Slate River Ramblings reader recognizes Ben Bartley or the Beverly family, please comment.
James River. Photo by Joanne Yeck.
In 1870, Richmond’s Whig announced a new post office in Buckingham County at “Bolling’s Landing.” According to the article, John N. Brown was appointed postmaster. Other sources give him as John “M.” Brown
The post office was likely near or at “Bolling’s Ferry” on Robert Bolling’s plantation, on James River.
Over the years, postmasters at Bolling’s Landing included Thomas D. Kidd, Frank N. Maxey, Jr., and Samuel L. Burks. On February 4, 1880, mail delivery to Bolling’s Landing was discontinued and moved to Payne’s Post Office.
Other postal changes, in nearby counties during 1870, were also mentioned in the Whig. Buckner Station (Louisa County) was newly established. And at Seven Islands (Fluvanna County), Marion L. Tutwiler was appointed postmaster and Martin F. Tutwiler resigned.
For more about the post office at Bolling’s Landing, click on the following:
Buckingham County: Bolling’s Landing
Postmaster Samuel L. Burks, Jr.
To learn even more about nineteenth century post offices and postmasters in Buckingham County, enter those terms in the Slate River Ramblings search box and enjoy the results.
New Store Historic Marker.
In 1836, an unusual advertisement for runaway indentured apprentices was printed in the Lynchburg Virginian. It read as follows:
NOTICE.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, sometime in July, two indented apprentices, to wit: Littleberry Farmer, Jr., & Robert Farmer, two brothers who have about three more years to serve. They were bound to me to learn the Tailor’s trade. I hereby forewarn all persons from employing the said apprentices in any manner, as they left me without any cause, and I will give up one cent [sic] reward for each of them, to any person who will deliver them to me at this place.
GEORGE W. HARPER.
New Store, Buckingham, Sept. 5
Who would bother to return the boys in for a one cent reward?
For much more about New Store in Buckingham County, search the archives at Slate River Ramblings.
LDS Family History Center. Charlottesville, Virginia.
To my surprise, Part V of “Buckingham County’s Poor, 1805-1820” failed to post. Here it is. Better late than never!
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Roger G. Ward has abstracted images from the Buckingham County Virginia Loose Papers available at PCs located at LDS Family History Centers. Be sure to read to the end of the series where there will be a link to a PDF with his complete document.
Click here to catch up:
Buckingham County’s Poor, 1805-1820: Part I
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In the early nineteenth century, poor women abounded in Buckingham County. Many were doubtless widows without providers. Likewise, there were always numerous orphans and children of indigents to support. Here are some examples:
Elizabeth Webb’s children, Sarah [?] Curry’s children, Finch Dean’s children, and Barbara Lewillan’s children appear in the lists.
William Vest was paid for keeping John Porter’s children; Thomas Garnett was paid for furnishings provided for the children of Mary Wright and of Robert Smith; and James Tapscott, an Overseer of the Poor, collected $30.00 for Nancy Staton’s children.
Other dependent individuals mentioned were mentally ill. Dicey Meanley’s insane son received regular support and Capt. Edward Jones was paid for aiding Joseph [?] Rakes, “a poor insane young man.”
To learn more about the history of Buckingham County’s poorhouses, consult my essay “Stewards of the Poor: Buckingham County’s Poorhouses” in “At a Place Called Buckingham” Volume Two.
Don’t miss: Buckingham County’s Poor, 1805-1820: Part VI, with a link to Roger Ward’s complete document
The work of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression has long interested me.
My book, “At a Place Called Buckingham,” Volume Two, contains a lengthy essay concerning the history of the CCC in Buckingham County, Virginia. “Spirit and Industry: Buckingham County and the Civilian Conservation Corps,” reveals that Buckingham was home to two camps: one African-American Corps, the other comprised of white men.
The Summer 2018 issue of Library of Virginia’s quarterly, Broadside, contains a detailed article about the newspapers published by the men of the CCC across Virginia.
Click here to download a PDF of Broadside:
Osceola, 1940-1950. Courtesy L. D. Phaup.
Osceola, 2004. Courtesy L. D. Phaup.
Historic houses in Buckingham County may be the most popular posts at Slate River Ramblings.
Tangible reminders of both the past and the people who inhabited it, houses stir the imagination, suggesting pictures of everyday life in the county. This is what local history is all about. The commonplace made real once more.
Osceola is one of the oldest houses in Buckingham, once home to the Gilliam family and located about four miles west of Sheppards.
Click here to learn more: Buckingham County Houses: Osceola
The Claiborne Home. Courtesy Virginia Currents.
In February of 1835, the Virginia General Assembly passed an Act establishing a new academy in Buckingham County. The following men were named as trustees: Thomas Trent, Thomas H. Flood, William Patteson, Thomas A. Legrand, Richard Stateham, David Robinson, Samuel J. Walker, Henry A. Christian, Mace C. Spencer, William Walton, William Stevens, Joel W. Flood, Willis P. Bocock, William D. Christian, William A. Jones, Joel Watkins, William Matthews, William Holland, Philip Watkins, Archibald Baldwin, and James M’Deeman.
That’s a lot of trustees!
These gentlemen and their successors were responsible for “any lands, tenements, rents, money, goods and chattels, of whatever kind so ever” that might be associated with the new Oak Grove Academy. Together they were to appoint a president, secretary, and treasurer, as well as engage tutors, a librarian, and any other officers that might be necessary to operate the new school.
Oak Grove Academy was located in the northeastern corner of Buckingham County, situated near the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute and, for many years, was operated by John T. Claiborne.
Click here for more about Oak Grove Academy
Also see: The Claiborne Home
slate river ramblings . . . . 