Photo by Sallie A. Mowbray
Slate River Rides Again!
Assisted at Buckingham Court House by Coz. Harry S. Holman.
The 2015 Virginia Book Tour for “At a Place Called Buckingham” ~ Volume Two was a resounding success.
Many, many thanks to all of you who came out in Buckingham, Richmond, Scottsville, and Appomattox to hear about the new book. Copies are available in all of those locales:
Nancy’s Gifts, Buckingham Court House, VA
The Virginia Shop: Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Baine’s Scottsville, 485 Valley St., Scottsville, VA
Baine’s Books & Coffee, 205 Main Street, Appomattox, VA
Not in Virginia? You can order the book online at Braughler Books.
Rev. James Wiley Bledsoe (1841-1928)
Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond – Photo Courtesy Find-a-Grave
Buckingham County’s Humanity Hall Academy had many distinguished alumni, including Methodist minister James Wiley Bledsoe. The following biography appeared in Sketches and Portraits of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South by Rev. John James Lafferty.
James Wiley Bledsoe was born in Fluvanna county, Virginia, April 6, 1841. He was educated at Humanity Hall Academy, in Buckingham county, and at Emory and Henry College, from which institution he received the degree of Master of Arts. His father was a prominent and successful farmer, holding an official relation to the Methodist Church for a number of years previous to his death. His mother was a daughter of the late Rev. John Goodman, a local Methodist preacher of Fluvanna. She was a devotedly-pious Methodist woman. Under the wholesome training of these intelligent and pious Christian parents, he was led to accept Christ in early life, and joined the Methodist Church. At the beginning of the late war he took an active part in raising an artillery company in his native county, was chosen second officer, and, with the company, left for the field in the early part of the struggle. Mr. Bledsoe’s health was greatly impaired by the exposure and hardships of camp life. He, however, remained connected with the army until the surrender. The war being over, he returned to his home in Fluvanna, and commenced the study of law. He was united in marriage with Miss Fannie D. Anderson, daughter of Mr. James W. Anderson, of Lynchburg, Virginia, a lady of genuine Christian character and a member of the Methodist Church.
To learn more about Humanity Hall Academy, its teachers and students, see “At a Place Called Buckingham” – Volume Two.
Cover Photo by Connie Geary
“At a Place Called Buckingham” ~ Volume II “a must read for everyone, young and old.”
Sue A. Miles, BUCKINGHAM BEACON
Many thanks to Publisher Carlos Santos and to Correspondent Sue Miles for the extensive book review of “At a Place Called Buckingham” ~ Volume Two in the March issue of the BUCKINGHAM BEACON.
If you are in or around Buckingham County, be sure to pick up a copy.
If you don’t live in the vicinity, you can download a PDF at FLUVANNA REVIEW.
Courtesy Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Caryswood, one of Buckingham County’s most beautiful homes, is on the market. Click here to see a gallery, including interiors: Caryswood.
CARYSWOOD is a stately historic Greek Revival-style residence, built c. 1855-1915, showcasing quality craftsmanship and original details including woodwork in a four-graduated-band motif on both the interior and exterior, mantels and hardware. Land is gently rolling with approx. 85 acres open and the balance wooded. On National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Historic Landmark.
Follow these Slate River Ramblings’ links to read more about the history of Caryswood and the Cary family in Buckingham:
Courtesy Richmond Times-Dispatch
In 1936, novelist Louise Harrison McCraw served as an informant for the Virginia Historical Society, sharing her memories about the farm called Millcote and a story about a slave named Stephen Woodson. Louise was the granddaughter of Millcote’s original owner. Field worker for the Virginia Historical Inventory, Elizabeth McCraw, wrote:
Captain Ned Gilliam, the original owner, was a slave owner before the war and was never known to sell one of his negroes. He owned a negro woman whose husband, Stephen Woodson, belonged to another plantation and whose master was going to sell and send south.
Of course that meant separating from his wife. Every night Stephen would see Captain Ned Gilliam and begged him to buy him, in order that he might stay with his wife. Captain Gilliam borrowed $1800, the price of Stephen, from his brother Colonel Dick Gilliam, and bought the negro. This was not long before the war and after all the slaves were freed. Captain Gilliam was unable to pay his brother the money, so he gave him his home, Millcote, in payment of the debt made to keep two slaves together as husband and wife.
In 1870, a Stephen Woodson (age 30) was living in Buckingham County’s Maysville District with his wife, Mandy (age 30), and their children Nancy, Moses, Lizzie, and infant twins, “Woodson Woodson” and Sallie. Is Mandy Woodson the former Gilliam slave? The Woodsons lived not far from John B. Gilliam and Edwin Steger.
That year, Richard “Dick” Gilliam resided in Buckingham’s Francisco District. His real estate was valued at $12,500 and his personal property at $3,500.
Does a Slate River Ramblings reader know more about the Woodsons? If so, please comment.
Captain Edward “Ned” J. Gilliam and his wife, Nancy Talbot, had one child Edmonia “Bettie” who married William Emmett McCraw. They were the parents of Louise Harrison McCraw.
To learn more about Louise Harrison McCraw, see “At a Place Called Buckingham” – Volume Two.
The Pearson Hotel (a.k.a. Maysville Hotel), 1933.
Photo by Francis Benjamin Johnston. Courtesy Library of Congress
One of the places featured in “At a Place Called Buckingham” – Volume Two is the Maysville Hotel. In 1933, when Frances Benjamin Johnston photographed Buckingham Court House, the establishment was known as The Pearson Hotel.
In 1920, John E. Pearson was the proprietor. That year, his son, Charles E. Pearson, was Deputy Treasurer of Buckingham County. His daughter, Lucy W. Pearson (only seventeen), taught public school. By 1930, his wife, Alma, was a widow and had become the proprietor. When the census enumerator visited in April, she had two lodgers.
Slate River Ramblings reader, Mary Carolyn Mitton, remembered the Pearsons:
John Elias Pearson married Alma Winston Spencer, the daughter of Robert Henry Spencer and granddaughter of Rev. John Spencer (1808-1889). After the hotel was sold, Alma lived in a house on the north side of Hwy 60, west of Maysville Presbyterian Church.
Read more about the hotel and the Spencer family in “At a Place Called Buckingham” ~ Volume Two.
Courtesy Historic Buckingham
Hanes Chapel, built in 1859, was named in honor of Col. Elijah Garland Hanes, founder of Buckingham County’s Humanity Hall Academy.
The basis of the congregation for Hanes Chapel previously worshipped at nearby Stony Point.
A dedicated Methodist, Col. Hanes helped establish the Stony Point chapel located about a mile northeast of Humanity Hall. In 1853, he served as both Class Leader and Steward. His wife, Judith (Ayres) Hanes, and his children, including Garland B. and James C. Hanes, joined him there. After Hanes’ death, Hanes Chapel was constructed about a half mile east of the Academy. Still in use today, the oldest grave there dates from 1841.
Read more about Elijah G. Hanes in “At a Place Called Buckingham” —Volume Two.
In or near Richmond?
Don’t miss my panel discussion with Shelley Murphy
~
“The Joys and Challenges of Historical Research”
~
Library of Virginia – Conference Room
800 East Broad Street
March 17, 2015 – Noon
~
Following the panel: Book signing for “At a Place Called Buckingham” ~ Volume Two
When Jim Berry wrote his article, “Curdsville Mill At Least a Century Old,” T. A. Harris was the owner of Curdsville Mills. Mr. Harris recalled coming to the mill as “a youngster and watching the sifter in operation.”
His brother, B. E. Harris, pictured above was the miller. The old wooden wheels had been replaced by sturdier steel. The water power, however, still came from the Willis River.
The mill’s dam was built by Farmville’s Taylor Manufacturing Company. According to Berry, “The area between the dam and the mill is a favorite fishing hole of many Curdsville residents and abounds with flatback, bream and pike.”
March 15th is Peter Francisco Day!
Celebrate in Buckingham Court House!
~
Join me and my hosts, Historic Buckingham.
It’s the kick-off event for . . .
“At a Place Called Buckingham” — Volume Two
March 15th ~ 2:00 PM
Maysville Presbyterian Church
12945 W James Anderson Hwy, Buckingham Court House
slate river ramblings . . . . 