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VAGenWeb New Kent County, Virginia Genealogy Project |
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VAGenWeb New Kent County, Virginia Genealogy Project |
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New Kent Co., Virginia Biographies
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James H. Christian - was born in New Kent county, October 21, 1859, a
son of Isaac H. and Sallie V. (Sherman) Christian. His father is now living in
Charles City County, this State, his mother died when he was a boy. During the
civil war his father served in the Confederate States army, and was twice
wounded. In Charles City county, November 9, 1881, Mary L. Waddell became the
wife of James H. Christian. She was born in Charles City county on the 5th of
March, 1858, and her parents, Edmond and Mary L. (Redwood) Waddell, are still
residents of that county. Grace S., born November 13, 1882, and Annie L. born
January 7, 1884, are the children of James H. Christian and wife. He is engaged
in lumbering and farming, with post office address at Providence Forge, New Kent
county, Virginia. Charles H. Binns - was born in Surry County, Virginia, January 4,
1812, a son of William and Mary (Salter) Binns. In 1843 he made his home in New
Kent county, where he owns a farm of 1,000 acres, half of it under cultivation,
and growing excellent grain crops. The land lies two miles west of Providence
Forge, on both sides of the C. & O. R.R. While living in Surry county he
filled the office of postmaster for seven years. His first marriage was
solemnized in New Kent county, January 15, 1835, still a resident of this
county. The second wife of Charles H. Binns was Adelaide B., daughter of Edward
B. and Caroline (Binns) Colgin. She was born August 23, 1821, and died March 24,
1882. Her marriage with Mr. Binns was solemnized in Sumter county, Alabama,
March 29, 1838, and their first child, Henrietta, born October 17, 1839, died
March 17, 1841. Their younger children were born: Amelia A., May 21, 1841;
Charles H., August 1, 1843; William F., February 16, 1846; Mary C., February 29,
1848; John T., June 25, 1850; Annie M., August 24, 1851; George S., February 3,
1855, deceased; Louis F., August 24, 1856, deceased; Alexis B., February 8,
1858, died June 20th following; Virginia Lee, March 13, 1862. Charles H., Jr.,
and William E. were Confederate soldiers, serving in the Pamunkey artillery
three years, and paroled at Lee's surrender. Providence Forge, New Kent county,
Virginia, is Charles H. Binns postoffice address. John Henry Christian - was born in New Kent county, a son of Gideon and
Lucy (Apperson) Christian, also natives of this county, and long honored
residents here. His first marriage was with Martha M. Clopton, and their
children were born: Lucy, July 12, 1847; James C., January 5, 1850; Mary F.,
October 21, 1851. John H., April 24, 1853; Ida, January 6, 1855; Ernest, October
30, 1856; Edward W., November 14, 1860. In New Kent county, June 27, 1866, Mary
S. Clopton became the wife of John H. Christian. She was born in this county,
July 12, 1824, a daughter of James and Martha M. Clopton. John H. Christian
served seven months in the war between the States, as a member of the 24th
Virginia Cavalry. He is one of the prosperous farmers of the county, his farm of
179 acres, 80 improved, lying north of the C.& O. R. R., and two miles from
Roxbury station. His post office address is Roxbury, Charles City, Virginia. Edgar M. Crump - clerk of the county court of New Kent county, was
born at Pear Cottage, this county, March 17, 1836, a son of David S. M. and Mary
Ann (Ladd) Crump. His mother still lives in this county. She was the only child
of David and Mary Ladd, her father coming from England to make his home in Kent
county. Edgar M. Crump attended the Baptist College at Richmond, and then taught
school for a time, in connection with farming. In 1853 he went to Bloomington,
Illinois, engaged in a mercantile business and took charge of the Adams express
at that point. Returning home he remained five months, then went to St. Louis,
Missouri, and was ticket agent in railroad office and book-keeper three years.
Then he went to Council Bluff, Iowa, where he stayed till he came home to enter
into the Army of Virginia in the civil war. After the war he farmed two years,
in 1867 went into business in Baltimore, again returned to his native county,
and after two more years of farming was elected to his present office, his term
expiring in November, 1887. He enlisted June 28, 1861, a private in Company F,
3d Virginia Cavalry, was in many fights and three times wounded. First a slight
wound in a skirmish near Kellysville, Culpeper county, second a flesh wound just
above the knee at Talleysville, New Kent county, the third wound a shot in the
leg at Fort Fisher. He was taken to Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, to recover,
was made prisoner there in 1864, and held until he took the oath of allegiance,
June 23, 1865. In 1863 he received promotion to rank of third lieutenant. The
father of Mr. Crump rode as high sheriff of New Kent county several years. The
first marriage of Edgar M. Crump was solemnized August 17, 1871, and Ellen,
daughter of John J. Green, became his wife. She died August 17, 1874, on the
third anniversary of their marriage, leaving to her husband one son, David S.
M., born October 28, 1872. At the residence of the bride's parents, July 29,
1875, Edgar M. Crump wedded Cora R. Green, who was born in New Kent county, and
reared in Richmond. They have two daughters: Estelle, born May 10, 1876; Mary
A., February 19, 1878. John J. and Martha E. R. W. (Williams) Green are the
parents of Mrs. Crump. Her father is a native of King William county. Edgar M.
Crump entered upon the discharge of the duties of his position in May, 1870, and
his address is New Kent C.H., New Kent county, Virginia. Robert Dandridge Clarke - son of Dandridge W. and Martha R. (Pumphry)
Clark, natives of New Kent county, was born in this county, February 16, 1835.
His parents are no longer living. He enlisted at the outbreak of the civil war,
at West Point, Virginia, in Capt. R. T. Elliott's company of heavy artillery,
and after five months faithful service was discharged on account of ill health.
In November, 1864, he again enlisted, this time in Company A, 24th Virginia
Cavalry, Captain Rogers, and he served till the close of the war. Three of his
brothers, John D., William A., and George W. served through the war in the
Southern army. William A. was taken prisoner, held at Point Lookout about a
year, and released at the close of the war. In June, 1869, at Elizabeth City,
countyseat of Pasquotank county, North Carolina, Robert D. Clarke married Laura
J. Morgan. William J. and Jane P. (Smithie) Morgan, natives of New Kent county,
and now deceased, were her parents. She was born in New Kent county, in
December, 1851. The birth and death record of the children of Mr. and Mrs.
Clarke is: Maggie V., born in December, 1870, died in March, 1872; William R.
born in December 1872; Maggie J., April 1875; Lula E., December, 1876; John B.,
born in November, 1878, died in August, 1880; Myrtle M., born in June, 1880;
John Burton, June 1882. Mr Clarke has resided for about fifteen years on the
"Old Tavern" farm, of 250 acres, nearly one-half under cultivation.
His post office address is Quinton, New Kent county, Virginia. William Walter Jones - owner of the place known as "Oak Springs," in
Cumberland district, New Kent county, was born in this county, August 28, 1841.
He was a son of Daniel Mervin Jones and Margaret Elizabeth (Martin) Jones, who
passed their lives in this county, and are now deceased. Both his paternal and
maternal grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather
Jones married a Miss Breeden, and they lived in the lower part of New Kent
county, where his father, Daniel M., was born. William W. Jones was a soldier of
New Kent county in the war between the States. He enlisted June 18, 1861,
Company F, 3d Virginia Cavalry, and was first engaged at New Market bridge, then
on the retreat up the peninsula, to Richmond, and in the hot fighting around
that city and in the valley. He took part in the raid through Maryland and
Pennsylvania. While home on furlough, January 26, 1865, he was made prisoner by
a scouting party, and held at Point Lookout till the war closed. The first wife
of Mr. Jones was Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Cook of Chestnut Grove. They
were married December 17, 1871, and she died May 20, 1873. At Chestnut Grove,
September 29, 1875, Margaret Samuel Patterson became his wife, and the birth and
death record of their children is: Delaware Mervin, born November 26, 1876, died
in August, 1878; Annie E., June 16, 1878; Maria E., July 12, 1879, died August
23, 1880; son born August 21, 1881, died November 7th following; Mary E., born
September 21, 1882. Margaret Samuel, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Elizabeth
(Chandler) Patterson, who were both natives of New Kent county, was born March
1, 1845, on the estate where she now resides. Thomas Patterson married Sarah
Bohanan December 17, 1787, and their son John B., was born October 15, 1788. His
son Samuel married Margaret Elizabeth Chandler October 3, 1844. Samuel Patterson
was born January 31, 1804, and died April 27, 1847. His wife was born May 1,
1812, and died April 2, 1868. Mr. Jones is farming and lumbering, shipping
railroad ties to Philadelphia, and cord wood to New York. He also gives some
attention to stock-raising, and his estate is in a fine state of cultivation.
New Kent C.H., New Kent county, Virginia, is his address. Andrew P. Richardson - was born in New Kent county, February 16, 1829, a
son of John and Mary (Harris)(Lacy) Richardson. His father was born in 1793 and
died in 1841, and his mother was born in 1791 and died in 1867. The first wife
of Andrew P.Richardson was Lucy M. Newstep, born in New Kent County in 1831,
died January 19, 1876. The record of their children is: Charles P., born
September 2, 1853, lives at home; Robert E., August 15, 1854, resides at
Talleysville, this county; Junius H., January 24, 1856, died October 14th
following; Amanda H., July 23, 1857,lives in James City county, this State;
George Washington, February 22, 1859, is a practicing physician, and lives at
home; Andrew Bacon, November 2, 1860, died November 1, 1861; William Peyton,
February 28, 1862, is a commission merchant in New York City; Lucy Lee, October
23, 1866; John S., May 2, 1869; Arthur E., April 1, 1872 - these three at home.
In Richmond, Virginia, January 10, 1877, Andrew P. Richardson was united in
marriage with Annie E. Richardson, who was born in New Kent county on the 20th
of November, 1849. Her parents were Turner and Margaret A. (Robinson)
Richardson, of New Kent county, her father, born in 1800, died in 1871, and her
mother, born in 1820, resides in Richmond. Her brother Joseph M. was killed in
the war between the States, in the battle of Sharpsburg. He was serving as a
drummer, and was only sixteen years old at his death. Andrew P., subject of this
sketch, was a soldier for a short time. He was disabled for further service by a
wound in the left wrist, received while defending his own home. He is a merchant
and lumber dealer; Barhamsville, New Kent county, Virginia, his address. George N. Richardson - was born November 18, 1849, in Barhamsville, a
son of John A. Richardson, well known and esteemed here as a man prominently
connected with the best interests of New Kent County. George N. is successfully
conducting a well-established mercantile business in the place of his birth. His
postoffice address is Barhamsville, New Kent Count, Virginia. Col. Richard P. Cook - born at North Green, New Kent county, October 10,
1813, was a son of William and Rebecca (Hayes) Cook. His wife is a daughter of
William and Frances (Apperson) Chandler, Sarah Ann Eliza Chandler, born at
Laurel Springs, this county, July 4, 1814. Their marriage was solemnized at the
residence of the bride's parents, November 22, 1836, and their children are
recorded: Margaret Cordelia, born October 10, 1837, now the wife of R. G. Smith,
their record elsewhere given in these pages; Ann Elizabeth, born May 24, 1838,
married William W. Jones, December 27, 1871, and died May 20, 1873; Mary
Aurelia, born in 1839, is the wife of Hammon F. Crump; twin sons, William Giles
and James Dandridge, who died in infancy. Col. Cook qualified as ensign of the
52d Virginia Militia October 25, 1833, and received promotion in the following
order: lieutenant, June 3, 1835; captain, May 10, 1836; major, December 31,
1847; lieutenant-colonel, February 6, 1851; colonel, 1852. His brother, W. C.
Cook, was commissioned major under him. James H., another brother, served
through the war between the States. Col. Cook has been a magistrate of New Kent
County since 1866, and held other minor offices; he is inspector of weights and
measures for New Kent county. His great grandfather, William Cook, served as
gunner in the navy during the war for Independence. He was of English birth, and
settled probably in Gloucester county on coming to America. He received for
service in the Revolutionary war a grant of 2, 633 1/2 acres, which was never
located. His son William located in New Kent county, and married Ann K.
Chamberlayne, sister of General William Chamberlayne. Their son William was born
in New Kent county, and in 1812 married Rebecca Hayes, who was a daughter of
Robert Hayes, a native of New Kent county, and many years a merchant of
Cumberland. James Chandler, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Cook, was born in this
county, and married a Miss Lipscomb, of King William county, and they had two
sons, William and James. William married Frances Apperson, and located at Laurel
Springs, where Mrs. Cook was born. Col. R. P. Cook was educated at William and
Mary College, and has devoted most of his life to farming. In 1840 he purchased
Chestnut Grove, which was formerly the home of the Dandridge family. Chestnut
Grove contains 1, 175 acres. Mrs. Martha Washington was born in the east room of
the mansion house. Col. Cook's address is New Kent C.H., New Kent county,
Virginia. Judge B. W. Lacy - was born in New Kent county, January 27, 1839. He
is a son of Richmond T. Lacy, who served eleven years in the legislature as an
old-line Clay Whig, was commonwealth attorney of his county twenty-nine years,
and well-known and honored throughout Virginia. Judge Lacy served the
Confederacy in the field through the years of the civil war, enlisting as a
private, and rising to the rank of first lieutenant commanding. His company was
part of the famous 3d Virginia Cavalry of the army of Northern Virginia. He was
wounded in action three times, and was at Appomattox with General Lee. He was
educated at the University of Virginia, commenced the practice of law in 1866,
in his native county, was elected judge of the county court of New Kent county
in 1870, resigned in 1873, and was sent to the legislature. He served in the
house of delegates four terms, a member of the committee for courts of justice
the first three terms, the speaker of the house the fourth term. In 1880, he was
elected judge of the 8th judicial circuit, which position he held to the entire
satisfaction of the bar, and of the people of all shades of political opinion.
He resigned the circuit judgeship in 1882, to go upon the court of appeals of
Virginia, to which he was elected that year, and now he is serving as one of the
judges of that court. He married Sallie R., daughter of the late Rev. Michael
Osborne, of Farmville, Virginia, and they have an interesting family of
children. The father of Mrs. Lacy was a Presbyterian clergyman, and well known
in Southside Virginia. Judge Lacy's postoffice address is Tunstalls, New Kent
county, Virginia. Augustin Delaware Hewlett - is a son of C. A. Hewlett, who about 1821 married
Matilda Bailey who was a sister of Captain Bailey of New Kent County. The family
for four generations have been natives of New Kent County, and among its honored
residents. Captain William B. Bailey, before mentioned, served through the 1812
war. Augustin D. Hewlett was born November 22, 1829, and his wedded life began
December 22, 1853. At the residence of the bride's parents in Richmond, on
that day he was joined in marriage with Maggie Ann Fellows. Their children were
five, of whom only the youngest survives: William Christopher, born February 4,
1855, died May 5, 1858; Nannie B., born September 16, 1856, died November 30,
1875; Mollie B. born November 29, 1860, died September 16, 1868; Lulu M., born
February 12, 1863, died November 7, 1882; S. Josie, November 1, 1870, resides at
home. Nannie B. was the wife of William F. Martin, whom she married December 1,
1874, and Lulu M. Was the wife of John B. Morris, whom she married February 15,
1882. James P. and Susan P. (Otey) Fellows, parents of Mrs. Hewlett, are
residents of Richmond, and she was born in that city May 30, 1835. William
Fellows, grandfather of Mrs. Hewlett, was born in Petersburg, Virginia, and
married a Jewish lady. Their son, her father, was born in Petersburg, and his
wife in Charles City county. The father of Augustin D. Hewlett rode as sheriff
of New Kent county for eight years. Augustin D. Hewlett served the Confederacy
through the entire years of the civil war, constructing bridges and keeping the
railways in order, from the James river back to the mountains. He served an
apprenticeship in a carpenter ship in Richmond, and followed the business of
carpenter twenty-five years. In 1869 he bought "Sunnyside" and has given all
his attention since then to farming and lumbering. "Sunnyside" contains 900
acres, 300 in a high state of cultivation. It lies on Pamunkey river, and is
beautifully situated. He is also the owner of "Locust Grove." containing 265
acres. He raises both grain and stock, and is a considerable fruit grower.
Address, Sweet Hall, King William county, Virginia. Albert T. Parkinson - son of Joshua and Nancy (Towler) Parkinson, was
born in New Kent county, April 26, 1811. On the 12th of December, 1838, in
Charles City county, he was united in marriage with A. E. Christian, and their
children are seven, born: J. C., July 30, 1840; E. C., May 2, 1842; A. E., March
4, 1845; John F., February 4, 1848; Joshua, March 18, 1850; William A., May 27,
1852; Hattie, July 11, 1857. Dr. J.C. Christian, M.D., and E. C. (Warren)
Christian, are the parents of Mrs. Parkinson. She was born in Charles City
county, October 1, 1821. J. C. and J. F. Parkinson were soldiers of the
Confederate army, the former, lieutenant in Parker's Battery, served four
years, was wounded at Sharpsburg, in September, 1863, and was one of the
shattered army surrendered by Lee. J. R. volunteered in 1861, served through the
war in the 3d Virginia Cavalry, was wounded in an engagement at Nances Shop,
Charles City county, was made prisoner in 1865, and lodged at Point Lookout,
whence he was exchanged after three month's captivity. Albert T. Parkinson has
served as magistrate five years. He owns 650 acres of land, to which he gives
his entire time, having about three hundred acres improved and raising grain and
fruit. His farm is north of the C. & O. R. R., on the Chickahominy, and two
miles north of Roxbury station. William A. Parkinson, for whom this sketch is
compiled, is clerk of the board of education, an office he has ably filled for
two years. His address is Talleysville, New Kent county, Virginia. Richmond T. Lacy - son of Richmond T. and Ellen G. (Lane) Lacy, was
born in New Kent county, February 18, 1842. His parents are deceased. In
Caroline county, Virginia, October 4, 1876, he married Lizzie Winston, and their
son Richmond T., third of the name, was born February 14, 1882. Lizzie, wife of
Mr. Lacy, is a daughter of John R. and Elizabeth P. T. (Fauntleroy) Winston, and
was born in Richmond July 27, 1853. Her father died in 1857, and her mother has
since married Thomas Stirling, and resides in Essex county, Virginia. The
subject of this sketch, and his brother B. W., were Confederate soldiers.
Richmond T. enlisted in May, 1862, in Company F, 3d Virginia Cavalry, and served
until the army disbanded. B. W. enlisted in 1861, was wounded in the battle of
Kelleys Ford in 1862; was again wounded in the engagement at Nances Shop, in
1864, and received parole in 1865. Richmond T. Lacy owns 675 acres of land about
three miles from White House Station. On this farm is a mineral spring of lithia
water, which was accidentally discovered in March, 1877. The owner of the land
was boring in search of green sand marl on the border of a meadow attached to
his land, and after boring through ten feet of dry and almost impervious clay,
he struck a stream of water. Upon removing the augur the water rose to the
surface and flowed in a bold stream from the opening three feet above it,
evidently having its source in some unknown point of higher elevation. Richmond
T. Lacy is an attorney-at-law by profession, and was commonwealth attorney,
1872-83. He is now serving as captain and inspecting officer for the 2d
Congressional district. Talleysville, New Kent county, Virginia, is his address. Egbert Lipscomb - is a native of King William county, Virginia,
born June 7, 1839, a son of Bland and Sarah (Hardgrove) Lipscomb. His first
marriage was with Sarah R. Gill, who was born in 1845, and became his wife on
the 27th of May, 1868. Their children were born: J.M., February 26, 1869; Sarah
R., twin of J.M., March 1, 1869; A. W., July 26, 1871; Joseph A., July 25, 1872.
In Hanover county, in 1875, Egbert Lipscomb wedded Sarah A. Hardgrove, and in
the same year made his home in New Kent county, where he is engaged in farming.
Sarah, wife of Mr. Lipscomb, was born in King William county, in October, 1833,
a daughter of Robert and Sally (Lipscomb) Hardgrove. Egbert Lipscomb volunteered
in 1862, serving in Company B, 3d Cavalry, until the surrender. He was wounded
in the engagement at Shepherdstown in 1864. His brother, J. M. Lipscomb, was
killed in 1864, in the engagement at Hawes Shop. The postoffice address of
Egbert Lipscomb is White House, New Kent county, Virginia. William Pleasant Morgan - is a son of William Jones Morgan and Jane
Pleasant (Smithie) Morgan. He was born in New Kent county, July 7, 1846, and at
eighteen years, in May, 1864, he entered the Confederate army. He served in
Krenshaw's Battery, of Richmond, Pegram's Battalion, Army of Northern
Virginia, until paroled after the surrender of Lee. E. T. Morgan, his brother,
enlisted in an artillery company from the eastern shore, in 1864, the company
commanded by Captain Chambers, and he served till the close of the war, being
made prisoner at Dinwiddie C. H., on the retreat from Richmond after the
surrender. William Pleasant Morgan owns a farm of 331 acres on the Chickahominy,
two miles from Dispatch Station, on the Richmond & Danville Railroad, and
one and a quarter miles from the C.& O. R. R. He raises all kinds of grain
with profit, and small fruits, grapes and melons, and has on part of the land a
fine lot of original growth oak and pine lumber. He was elected constable May
22, 1877, was appointed by the county court to the office of registrar April 11,
1879, and appointed deputy treasurer in the same year. In 1881 he entered on a
term of service in his district as school trustee. All these public duties he
has well fulfilled. His postoffice address is Quinton, New Kent county,
Virginia. Patrick H. Sweet - was born October 23, 1843, in King William
county, Virginia. He is a son of John L. and L. A. (Roberts) Sweet, and he
married B. B. Gardner, who was born in King William county, December 21, 1850, a
daughter of William L. and E. L. (Fox) Gardner. Their marriage was consummated
in King William county, January 24, 1867, and their children were born as
follows : John W., November 11, 1867; Emma A. , August 13, 1869; Thomas C.,
March 11, 1873; George H., December 30, 1876; Harry F., October 20, 1878.
Patrick H. Sweet volunteered on the 11th of May, 1861, and entered the
Confederate service as a member of Company D, 53d Virginia Infantry. He gave
faithful service to his State until the battle of Drewrys Bluff, May 16, 1864,
when he was wounded and made prisoner. From that time till the close of the war
he was held a prisoner at Point Lookout. He was constable of King William county
from 1867 to 1872, and in 1875 he made his home in New Kent county. Farming is
his occupation, and his postoffice address is White House, New Kent county,
Virginia. Benjamin M. Morris - is the great great grandson of Robert Morris, who
settled in James City county about 1607, or shortly thereafter, and from him and
a brother of his who settled in Gloucester county, are descended the larger part
of the Morris family of Virginia. Benjamin M.'s grandfather, also named
Robert, lived in James City county, near the present site of Burnt Ordinary, and
there Thomas Saunders Morris, his son, father of Benjamin M., was born. Thomas
S. Morris married Susan Vaiden (Baker) in 1809. He engaged in merchandising
until burnt out, at Burnt Ordinary, and then removed to New Kent County, near
Barhamsville, and from there to Orchard Grove, which estate he purchased. Here
Benjamin M. was born at 6:20 A.M. on the 21st day of July, 1819. Thomas S.
Morris studied for the ministry and united with the Baptist Church, and preached
the Gospel for thirty years at West Point Church in King William county, and
Liberty Church in New Kent county. He died in March, 1859, aged three score and
five years. In his home at Orchard Grove, December 20, 1876, Benjamin M. Morris
married Elizabeth W. (Chandler) Howle, who was born in St. Peter's district,
New Kent county, March 31, 1805. She was daughter of John and Francis (Sharp)
Hawle, her parents born, married and passing their lives in New Kent county,
where both now lie buried at St. Peters Church. Her maternal grandfather came
from England to this county, and her paternal grandfather was born here.
Benjamin M. Morris learned the trade of carpenter and house builder, and was
some time engaged in a mercantile business. In 1850 he went on the police force
of Richmond, as constable, which office he filled until 1865. Since returning to
New Kent county he has been one of the trustees of the poor. The estate of
Orchard Grove is now his, and his home one of the most inviting in the county.
While on the Richmond force he was one of the men sent by Governor Wise to put
down the "John Brown raid," and capture the fugitives. He and William N.
Kelley captured Cook, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Hazlett in Carlisle,
Pennsylvania, and for their services each received $100, in addition to their
regular fees. Benjamin M. Morris' post office address is New Kent C.H., New
Kent county, Virginia. Atwell Franklin Pitts - settled in New Kent county at the age of fifty
years, and owns a small but well situated farm of 50 acres, 25 under cultivation
in grain and fruit. He was born in Essex county, Virginia, February 13, 1825,
son of Frederic and Sally (Parker) Pitts. He married S. M. Pitts, who was born
in King and Queen county, Virginia, in 1843, a daughter of Henry T. and Nancy
(Lafon) Pitts. Their marriage was solemnized in King William county, Virginia,
in 1856, and their children were born: Rosa L., September, 1859; Jefferson D.,
March 29, 1861; Atwell Franklin, Jr., October 5, 1865; Mary E., December 31,
1868. Any mail for A. F. Pitts should be sent to Tunstalls, New Kent county,
Virginia. Dr. Leonard A. Slater - born in New Kent county,Virginia, in 1835, and
Ellen H. Williams, born in this county in 1844, were here united in marriage in
May, 1866. Their children are recorded: Clarence H. born in 1867, died in 1869;
L. A., jr. born in 1869; John L., born in 1871, died in 1873; Lawrence W., born
in 1873; William S., 1876; Mattie Lucile, 1879; Ellen W., 1883. John and
Fluvanna P. (Saunders) Slater were the parents of Dr. Slater. They were born in
New Kent county, and are no longer living. Leroy Williams, now deceased, and
Susan (Richardson) Williams, were the parents of Ellen H., wife of Dr. Slater.
He had two brothers, S. C. and J. S., who served the confederacy during its
existence, the former in the express and telegraph department, and the latter as
a soldier in the New Kent cavalry. At the outbreak of the civil war Leonard A.
Slater enlisted in Company F, 3d Virginia Cavalry, Stewart's Division. In 1861
he was appointed assistant surgeon Confederate States Army, in hospital; in 1862
was appointed surgeon 15th Virginia Cavalry; in 1864 appointed surgeon of
General Hospital at Columbia, South Carolina; then surgeon in charge of 2d
Division of General Hospital No. 10, State of North Carolina, at Salisbury.
Since the war he has been engaged in practice in New Kent county. He served as
school trustee of Cumberland district 1879-84; county physician to almshouse,
New Kent county, 1878-84. His post office address is New Kent C. H., New Kent
county, Virginia. Robert Speed Taylor - was born July 10, 1823, in New Kent County, a son
of Robert Benjamin and Martha (Meredith) Taylor. His mother was born in New Kent
county, and his father came here from James City county. Robert S. enlisted June
28, 1861, in the 3d Virginia Cavalry, and received discharge after about one
year's service. At Selwyn, Hanover county, Virginia, October 2, 1877, he
married Myra Young Hogan, and Robert Walker, their son, was born November 21,
1878. Mr. Taylor engaged in farming, lumbering and merchandising in Cumberland
district, and continued here until his death, March 10, 1882. Myra Y. (Hogan)
Taylor was born in Hanover county, at Selwyn, January 30, 1858. She was a
daughter of Walker Pervis Hogan and Dorothy Myra Roy (Dudley) Hogan. Her parents
were of King William county, and are no longer living. Her father was a soldier
of the South, was taken prisoner before Petersburg, and died of measles in
Elmira prison, New York. From the time of his death, the home circle was broken,
his wife lost health and strength, became a confirmed invalid, and did not long
survive him. The grandfather of Walker P. Hogan was killed at the battle of
Bunker Hill, and buried on the field. By her mother's family, Mrs. Taylor is
of English descent on the one side, and of Scotch on the other. Her mother's
grandfather was Peter Whiting, and he married Dorothy Myra Roy, closely allied
to Rob Roy, whom Walter Scott has immortalized. The Beverlys of colonial days
were her mother's relatives. On the paternal side Mrs. Taylor's mother's
grandmother was a Crittenden, the family that gave Kentucky her statesman of
that name. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Taylor was Myra Wiley Whiting, her
paternal grandfather, Richard Dudley, of English descent, a relative of Lord
Guilford Dudley, whose name is familiar to all who know the story of Lady Jane
Grey. Mrs. Myra Y. Taylor has her postoffice address at New Kent C.H.,New Kent
county, Virginia. Andrew J. Shackelford - was born in King and Queen county, Virginia,
March 6, 1844, and his parents, Richard and Mary F. (Stubbs) Shackelford made
their home in New Kent county while he was very young. He grew to manhood in
this county, and was one of its volunteers for the defense of Virginia in the
civil war. He enlisted in 1862, in the Pamunkey Artillery, Custiss Lee's
division, and served until taken prisoner in April, 1865, at Sailors Creek,
Prince Edward county, Virginia, receiving parole at Point Lookout June 22, 1865.
In New Kent county, March 19, 1868, Frances W. Mason became his wife. Her birth
was in Caroline county, Virginia, December 17, 1841 the date, and Joseph R. and
Mary (Atkinson) Mason her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Shackelford are the parents of
seven children, born to them on the following dates: Emma V., January 27, 1869;
Edward A., September 27, 1870; Joseph B., September 2, 1872; Julia F., December
7, 1873; Lewis J., May 26, 1875; Fannie S., June 17, 1876; Mary Lee, March 13,
1878. The subject of this sketch is one of the prosperous farming residents of
St. Peters district with postoffice address at White House, New Kent county,
Virginia. Major Ebenezer Grant Townsend - of New Kent county, Virginia, the present
proprietor of "Providence Forge", was formerly from the State of New York.
Both himself and wife were born in the county of Westchester of that State. At
an early period (about 1817) Deacon William Townsend emigrated from South Salem,
Westchester county, with his family of five sons and one daughter, to Cayuga
county, New York. E. G. Townsend, third son of Deacon William Townsend, as well
as T. R. Townsend, the oldest son, were educated to the ministry of the
Presbyterian Church. Both these brothers were at one time students in the
preparatory course at the same college, and both were also at one time members
of Auburn Theological Seminary. After which E. G. Townsend went to Ohio and
became tutor of Greek in Oberlin College, occupying rooms with President Mahan,
and continuing his theological course with Professor C. G. Phinny. He afterward
went to New Haven, Connecticut, and graduated in the theological department of
Yale College. His first settlement and ordination to the ministry was at
Michigan City, Indiana. Afterward he accepted a call to Sackets Harbor, New
York, and at the same time acted as post chaplain to Madison Barracks, at that
place. Here he continued a successful and pleasant pastorate for some ten years.
Afterward was successively pastor of the church at Camden, Oneida county, New
York, and Elbridge, Cayuga county, New York, till the commencement of the civil
war in 1861. At this time he was invited and accepted a chaplaincy in a cavalry
regiment known as Van Allen's Cavalry, from which he was transferred to a
captaincy in the 149th New York Infantry. He was first wounded in the neck at
the battle of Chancellorsville May 3, 1863, in the same engagement in which
Stonewall Jackson fell. He was afterward transferred with the Eleventh Corps,
under command of General Slocum, General Garey being division commander, to the
Army of the Cumberland. He was again wounded severely in the ankle joint at the
battle of Lookout Mountain, being the first officer who fell on the Union side
in that engagement, as was reported in the New York Times of that date, for
which bravery he was brevetted major and transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps, Washington, D.C. Here he continued in service until sent by military
orders to Virginia to superintend the transfer from military to civil authority
and the registration and first voting of the negroes in this State. Here he
resigned his commission and has continued his residence to this time, but
retains his ecclesiastical connections as an honored and the oldest member of
the Onondaga Presbytery in Central New York. Joseph Slaughter - born in King William county in 1840, was married
in that county in 1871. He was the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Lipscomb)
Slaughter, and he married A. M., daughter of George W. and Nannie F.
(Timberlake) Major. She was born in King William county in 1851. In 1881 Mr.
Slaughter took up his residence in New Kent county, engaging in farming in St.
Peters district, and his home is brightened with the presence of three little
ones, born: Estelle M., January 3, 1878; Joseph M, September 10, 1880; B. M.,
March 30, 1883; Jeseph Slaughter served in the Confederate army, four years in
the field, a member of Company G, of the 22d Virginia Battalion. He was wounded
in the battle of Gettysburg, Tunstalls, New Kent county, Virginia is his
postoffice address. Elder Thomas S. Morris - considered to be the first pastor of Liberty
Baptist Church in New Kent county,Virginia. His full name was Thomas Saunders
Morris, (born about 1790), was the son of Robert Morris, (born 1779), who was
the son of Joshua Morris, (born 1750), who established the First Baptist Church
of Richmond, Virginia, in 1780, and achieved the remarkable distinction of being
a pioneer preacher in two states, Virginia and Kentucky. The Joshua Morris, who
was the grand-father of LIBERTY'S first pastor, was a native of James City
County, being born at his father's plantation, which was located a few miles
to the northwest of Williamsburg. At the youthful age of twelve he identified
himself with the James City Baptist Church, subsequently call the Smyrna Baptist
Church, which was located two miles from his father's plantation and near what
is now (1931) the railroad station called Lightfoot. Richard G. Smith - is a grandson of William Cunningham, who was a
son of John Cunningham, who was a son of Sir William and Lady Margaret (Farley)
Cunningham, of Farley Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to Virginia when a
young man, settling at New Castle, Hanover county. April 17, 1774, he married
Ann Johnson, and their children were seven. Their oldest son, William, born
September 15, 1778, married a widow, Mrs. GrosJean, and they had one daughter,
who they named Margaret Farley Cunningham. May 13, 1822, she married Richard
Graves Smith, who was a son of Lewis and Ann (Graves) Smith. Richard G. Smith
and wife died in Hanover county, having reared the following family: William C.,
born April 14, 1823; John G., May 28, 1825; Richard G., born at Eastern View,
Hanover county, January 11, 1829; Larkin, September 19, 1831; Ann C., May 18,
1833; Mary E., September 27, 1834; Georgianna, January 9, 1837; Lewis O., June
14, 1839; Robert H., January 15, 1841; Margaret Farley, October 19, 1842;
Richard G., the subject of this sketch, came to New Kent county, and at Chestnut
Grove, this county, May 4, 1858, he married Margaret Cordelia Cook, born at
Chestnut Grove, October 10, 1837. She was a daughter of Col. Richard P. and Ann
Eliza (Chandler) Cook, her mother no longer living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have
twelve children, eleven still at home, the eldest living in the county. They
were born: Ann Farley, April 19, 1859; Margaret Amelia, October 15, 1860; Eliza
Georgianna, March 15, 1862; William Campbell, April 18, 1866; Cordelia
Cunningham, December 26, 1867; Richard Graves, December 24, 1869; Robert St.
Patrick, March 17, 1871; John Gros Jean, July 30, 1878; Delaware Johnson, April
11, 1875; Mary F., December 28, 1876; Rosa Wilnette, March 11, 1878; Ethel
Virginia, March 20, 1881. Richard G. Smith enlisted in Company E, 53d Virginia
Infantry, and was commissioned first lieutenant under General Armstead. In 1863
was transferred to Wise's command. He took part in the engagement of Tunstall
Station, siege of Charleston, and nearly all the battles around Petersburg, and
his last fight was the battle of Five Forks. His brother William C. was killed
at Ashland, Hanover county, in the service, and Lewis O., another brother,
served four years. The father of Mr. Smith was for many years a magistrate, and
his grandfather, his mother's father, was a member of the Virginia
legislature. Richard G. Smith is lumbering and keeping hotel, and has been
overseer of the poor in New Kent county since January, 1874. He is also
postmaster at New Kent C.H., New Kent county, Virginia. |
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