Courtesy Historic Buckingham
According to Margaret A. Pennington and Lorna S. Scott in their book “The Courthouse Burned –” Book II, Charles A. Baber bought Sunnyside on August 24, 1928. The authors believe he bought it at auction. From Sunnyside, Baber operated a lumber business, delivering his product to Aberene Soapstone Corp. via the railroad. The authors continue:
The house was new to little Nancy Baber when she moved there and she often felt lost. The house had many visitors, however, one being Forrest Guthrie, Sr., who was working with the CCC boys in the 1930s. It was amazing how he could always drop in around meal time, especially lunch. Earl Hammer, Jr., probably better known as “John Boy” would drop by when the watermelons were ripe. He often carved his initials on one he wanted reserved for himself.
Indeed the 1930 census for Buckingham County shows Charles A. Baber (45) as head of the household at Sunnyside, Manteo Road, with his wife, Muriel (39), daughter Nancy (13), son Robert (11), and daughter Marjorie (6).
Courtesy Historic Buckingham
On September 28, 1909, R.B. Chaffin & Co, Auctioneers in Richmond, offered Camm Patteson’s 487 acre-farm, Sunnyside, for sale. The Richmond Times-Dispatch announced the auction:
This very valuable property has a seven (7) room dwelling, a two (2) room cottage and office, all covered with slate and in fairly good condition; also all necessary outbuildings, and commands a fine view of the river and surrounding country. It is conveniently situated near schools and churches, in a most excellent neighborhood, with R.F.D. route, and only one-fourth (1-4) of a mile from dwelling to Highland depot on the C. & O. R.R. and two miles from Howardsville, where there has recently been constructed a substantial iron bridge which makes the property very accessible, and is only three and one-half hours’ ride to Richmond, two hours to Lynchburg, and 2 half-day’s drive to Charlottesville.
Situated upon this property is considered one of the best grist mills in this section, with a good patronage, and is itself a source of considerable revenue. This mill is supplied with water from one of the finest private fish ponds in the State, and is well stocked. It has attracted the attention of some of our best anglers, and for the pond and mill alone some very flattering offers have been refused by the late owner.
The low grounds are especially fertile and well adapted for grass, wheat, corn and tobacco, while the uplands have a natural sod affording excellent pasturage for stock. It is well timbered, having about one hundred (100) acres of almost virgin oak, pine and chestnut, which, on account of its proximity to market, makes it valuable. It also has good indications of Buckingham slate, is well watered, with perfect title and is a rare opportunity for any one wishing an ideal country home.
To be continued. . .
James River, Photo by Joanne Yeck
On April 20, 1909, Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch announced the death of Camm Patteson, one of Buckingham County’s best-known citizens.
DEATH COMES TO
CAPTAIN PATTESON
Widely-Known Lawyer, Soldier, Legislator and Writer Passes Away
BUCKINGHAM, VA. April 19 – Captain Camm Patteson died at his home, “Sunny Side,” Saturday at 11 o’clock. Captain Patteson was a prominent citizen of Buckingham and had represented this district in the State Senate and also had been a member of the House of Delegates. He was a well-known lawyer and was a brother of S.S.P. Patteson, of Richmond.
~
Camm Patteson, lawyer, soldier, legislator and writer, was a native of Amherst county, and was about sixty-five years of age. His father was a Whig leader of considerable prominence in his time, and his mother a Miss Camm, both having come of fine old Virginia stock. Captain Patteson was next to the oldest of twelve children, of whom his brother, Hon. S.S.P. Patteson, of this city, was next to the youngest. The latter is now the only survivor. The elder Patteson received his early education in the private schools of Amherst and at Lynchburg College. He graduated in law at the University of Virginia and removed to Buckingham county, where he resided up to the time of his death, being employed in farming and the practice of law and in literary work.
When the war came on he organized the Buckingham Rangers and led them gallantly to the end of the struggle, having been several times severely wounded.
Captain Patteson had been a prominent figure in the public eye, especially in the Tenth Congressional District, for the past twenty-five years, and until overtaken with ill health recently, there had been but few campaigns in which he did not play a conspicuous part for his party. He was a man of vigorous intellect and absolute courage on public questions, and never left any doubt as to where he stood.
The obituary concluded by describing Patteson’s unsuccessful run for Congress in the 1880’s.
Coming Next: Sunnyside For Sale
Virginia State Capitol
Over the decades, several members of the Patteson family had an impact far beyond the limits of Buckingham County. One was Captain Camm Patteson who lived at Sunnyside, near Howardsville.
On February 18, 1904, Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch announced that Captain Camm Patteson was hospitalized in Richmond:
CAPTAIN PATESON ILL.
Buckingham Senator Has Pneumonia and Is Very Sick Man.
Captain Camm Patteson, of Buckingham county, member of the Senate of Virginia, is at St. Luke’s Hospital, and is a very ill man, according to the statement of a member of his family. Captain Patteson’s illness has been known for several days, but it was not known until yesterday that his condition was so serious. Inquiry at the hospital last night as to his condition elicited only the information that there was “nothing for publication.” Just what information was intended to be conveyed by that answer is difficult to say.
Mr. S.S.P. Patteson, brother of Captain Patteson, yesterday stated that the patient had pneumonia, and that his condition was so serious that his family had been notified, and were expected to come to this city. At Captain Patteson’s age an illness like this is all the more alarming.
For nearly half a century Captain Patteson has been prominent in public life in this State. He is one of the old school Virginians and statesmen – a man of fine education and a thinker. Several times he has been prominently mentioned for Congress, and failed of obtaining his ambition only because of the abundance of strong men in the district. Years ago he served in the House of Delegates and later was elected to the State Senate. His friends are still hopeful that he may recover.
Captain Patteson survived the pneumonia, a testament to his vigor in the days before penicillin.
Courtesy Historic Buckingham
Sue A. Miles’ new book, Glenmore: Memories of My Youth, inspired an investigation into the early years at Mount Pleasant, the home of Major David Patteson (1758-1846).
In 1936, Rosa Garnett surveyed “Mt. Pleasant” for the Virginia Historical Inventory, describing the large brick building in some detail and noting the historical significance of the house:
Major David Patterson (sic) was a private in the American Revolution, and received his commission as Major in the State Militia in 1803, under Governor Page. He was a personal friend of Thomas Jefferson and often when the latter was President of the United States, he would spend the night with his friend, Major David Patterson (sic), in this house.
Connections to Thomas Jefferson are often exaggerated, misleading, or even false. In this case, a visit to Mount Pleasant by the former president is documented in Jefferson’s memoranda book. On August 22, 1821, he noted:
Mrs. Gibson’s lodgg. 2. Mr. Patterson’s (sic) vales [gratuity to the servants] .25
Mrs. Flood’s brkft. 2. Hunter’s lodgg. 6.50
In Jefferson’s Memorandum Books, Volume II, the entry’s footnote reads:
On 21 Aug. TJ’s party evidently split up for the night’s lodging, with part staying at Mrs. Gibson’s ordinary and part nearby at Mount Pleasant, the home of Major David Patteson, on Route 602 about seven miles north of Buckingham.
For more about Sue Miles’ book and Glenmore, pick up the current issue of the Buckingham Beacon or click here to download the PDF: Glenmore: Memories of My Youth.
Michie Tavern’s General Store
The General Store at Michie Tavern is now carrying The Jefferson Brothers.
Please drop in next time you are in Charlottesville, visiting Monticello, or enjoying a delicious meal at Michie Tavern. The store carries many books about the Jefferson family and local history.
Edna Barney writes in her book, So Obscure a Person, that Curtis Nunley Branch was born in Buckingham County on January 6, 1841. He was murdered at Manteo, dying on November 27, 1911.
On February 20, 1861, Curtis married Eliza Ann Damron in Buckingham. He stood just short of 5’9” was dark complected, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He fought for the Confederacy for four years, was wounded or injured three times, and was imprisoned at Point Lookout in Maryland.
In his old age, he worked as a night watchman for the Patteson family at the Manteo post office and store. On duty, he was shot through a window and killed by burglars who robbed the post office. According to Barney, the criminals were never apprehended.
Click here for the report of Branch’s death: BRUTAL MURDER
On December 4, 1911, Richmond’s The Times-Dispatch announced a shocking murder in Buckingham County:
BRUTAL MURDER
STIRS CITIZENS
State and County Together
Offer $350 for Slayer of
Curtis Branch.
Arvonia, Va., December 3—Officers and citizens of the upper end of Buckingham county are putting forth every effort to locate and capture the bold thief and burglar who so brutally murdered the old Confederate soldier, Curtis Branch, at Manteo, on last Monday night. The reward offered by the Governor, at the instigation of Commonweath’s Attorney Edmund W. Hubbard, has been supplemented by the county Board of Supervisors until the total amount offered is now $350. Besides the work of local authorities, the United States government is expected to send a detective to help ferret out the crime, as the robbery which followed the murder, included the looting of the post-office at Manteo and the carrying away of post-office funds and stamps. As yet those who are working upon the case are unwilling to give out any information, though it is known that there are suspects of the crime. The murder was the most brutal and revolting known in this section since the two Stewart brothers were murdered and burned [at] their home three years ago.
To Be Continued . . . .
Slate River Mills, rebuilt after 1905, at the site of Hocker’s Mill
Courtesy Historic Buckingham
A decree of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery of Buckingham County directed the sale of Hocker’s Mill, with about 26-30 acres of land attached. The auction was set for December 12, 1848. The property was to go to the highest bidder. The reason behind the sale was not announced in the Richmond Enquirer, however, an extensive description of the property was included:
The mill is situated on Slate river, which furnishes an abundant supply of water, about 3 [?] miles from the Court-house, 13 from Hardwicksville [Wingina], on James river, and 25 from New Canton, in a fertile and fine wheat growing neighborhood. The machinery is believed to be excellent, and the brand of this mill has always stood high in the market. The mill has three pair of burr stones, used in grinding wheat, one pair of rubbers, and two pair of corn stones, with a good and constant corn custom. Attached to the mill is a good saw mill, and also an excellent wool carding machine. The improvements on the land, besides the mill, consist of a good dwelling house, with necessary out houses, a cooper’s shop and school house.
Indications are that the Hocker family bought the mill at auction or the auction did not take place. In 1860, George Hocker owned the mill.
Does a Slate River Ramblings reader know more about the school house at Slate River Mills? If so, please comment.
Click here for more about Hocker’s Mill.
Planning to purchase “At a Place Called Buckingham” – Volumes One & Two or The Jefferson Brothers from the Greyden Press Book Store?
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slate river ramblings . . . . 