The Daily Dispatch, January 14, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

Please visit this post at my new blog by clicking HERE

The Daily Dispatch, January 14, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col.

DEATHS.

"Died, on Sunday evening, January 11th, WILLIAM FLEISHMAN; sixty years of age.

His funeral will take place from his late residence, 308 east Leigh street, on WEDNESDAY MORNING, at 10 o'clock.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend without further notice.

Entered into eternal life January 13th, in the twenty-first year of her age, F. HARVIE, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Fox.

Her funeral will take place from St. James church at 4 o'clock THIS (Wednesday) AFTERNOON.

Died, on the 13th instant, at 2:45 A.M. BEATRICE, infant daughter of John N. and Sarah A. Hobson."

Search for Richmond, Virginia genealogy items on Amazon 

Search for Richmond, Virginia genealogy items on eBay

The Daily Dispatch, January 13, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 13, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 5

MARRIAGES.

"Married, December 23, 1879, at the residence of T. G. Dashiel, D.D., Mr. EDDIE W. BRACKETT, of Henrico, to Miss EMMA H. POWELL, of this city.  No cards.

DEATHS.

Died, at Ashland, on Monday morning, January 12th, WILLIAM G. PAINE, in the sixty-third year of his age.

The funeral services will be held at Ashland.  The burial will take place from Elba Station, on Broad street, TUESDAY MORNING at half-past 11 o'clock.  The friends of the family are invited to attend.

Died, on Sunday evening, January 11th, WILLIAM FLEISHMAN; sixty years of age.

His funeral will take place from his late residence, 308 east Leigh street, on Wednesday MORNING at 10 o'clock.  Friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend without further notice."

The Daily Dispatch, January 12, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 12, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 4

DEATHS.

"In the midst of life we are in death.

Died, suddenly, in Washington, D.C., Mr. M. L. JACOBSON, a former resident and citizen of this city.

He was a beloved and affectionate father, a kind and indulgent husband, and a warm and constant friend.  He will be sadly missed by his larger and bereaved family, who mourn his loss.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.

Funeral SUNDAY MORNING, January 11th, at 11:40 o'clock from Byrd-street station.  His friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend without any further notice."

The Daily Dispatch, January 10, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 10, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col.6

MARRIAGES.

"Married, by Rev. James H. Holmes, December 25, 1879, at Second Baptist church, Miss AMY PRICE, daughter of Abraham Price, to Mr. PHILIP SCOTT, Richmond, Va.

DEATHS.

Died, Thursday evening, at 6:35 o'clock, of diphtheria, ELLEN T., beloved wife of Charles H. Tinsley, and daughter of Thomas and Mary Landers, in the twenty-ninth year of her age.

Her funeral will take place THIS (Saturday) MORNING at 10 o'clock from St. Peter's Cathedral.  The friends and acquaintances of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

Died, on the morning of January 9th, at 9 o'clock, at the residence of her brother, in Henrico county, Miss MILDRED ANN COX, daughter of George H. and the late Eliza Ann Cox.

The funeral will take place at 10 1/2 A.M. TO-DAY from the residence of her brother, on the Richmond and Henrico turnpike.  Friends of the family are invited to attend.

Died, at his residence, in this city, on Friday morning the 9th instant, after a protracted illness, Major W. WIRT HARRISON, in the forty second year of his age.

The friends of the family and those of Mr. William F. Taylor are invited to attend his funeral from the First Presbyterian church (Dr. Preston's) TO-DAY (Saturday) at 1 o'clock.

Died, at 4:30 o'clock P.M., on January 9, 1880, at No. 327 west Main street, MATTIE B., wife of William M. Evans and daughter of W. P. W. Taylor, Esq.; aged twenty-seven years.

The funeral will take place from Centenary Methodist church SUNDAY the 11th instant at 3 o'clock P.M.  Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.

Died, in Lexington, Va., on the 7th of January, after a long and painful illness, Mrs. ANNIE R. LEWIS, aged forty-nine years, wife of William W. Lewis, daughter of the late Dr. John W. Paine, of Lexington, and sister of William G. and Robert A. Paine, of this city."

The Daily Dispatch, January 09, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 09, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 3

DEATHS.

"Departed this life, January 8th, at 4 1/2 o'clock A.M., STUART FITZHUGH, beloved son of W. J. and S. R. Leake; aged four months and twenty days.

Died, December 27th, JENNIE B., youngest child of M. Lue and J. B. Yarbrough; aged fourteen months and eight days.

'Transient and vain is every hope

A rising race can give;

In endless honor and delight

My children all shall live.'

Richmond Christian Advocate and New Orleans papers please copy.

Entered into rest, January 8th, ELISE F. BARKSDALE, wife of Mr. George A. Barksdale, in the communion of the Catholic Church in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a seasonable religious and holy hope.

Died, on the 20th of November, GEORGE W. ENGLAND, in the sixty-third year of his age.

Died, on the 21st December, Mrs. ORPAH L. TRUSLOW; aged seventy-three years.

Baltimore and Fredericksburg papers please copy."

The Daily Dispatch, January 08, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 08, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 4

DEATHS.

"Died, at the residence of her husband, on Church Hill, in this city, ROSA GRAVES, the beloved and devoted wife of Robert A. Gary, Esq.; in the twenty-sixth year of her age.

The funeral will take place from the Leigh Street Baptist church THIS (Thursday) MORNING at 10 1/2 o'clock.  The friends of the family and those of her uncle, Thomas W. Graves, Esq., are invited to attend.

Died, in Charles City county, on the 25th of December, 1879, HENRY KRACKE, Sr., in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

He leaves a wife and six children to mourn their loss."

The Daily Dispatch, January 07, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 07, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col.4

MARRIAGES.

"Married, in this city, January 1, 1880, by the Rev. H. McDonald, D. D., W. H. ALLEY, of Richmond, to Miss HATTIE L. PERRY, of Troy, N.Y.

Troy Times and Providence Journal please copy.

Married, at the residence of her parents, December 31, 1879, by the Rev. William E. Hatcher, M. JENNIE WILLIAMS, eldest daughter of A. T. Williams, to JAMES G. JENNINGS, of New Orleans.

New Orleans papers please copy."

The Daily Dispatch, January 06, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 06, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col.4

MARRIAGES.

"Married, in this city, December 24, 1879, by Rev. John E. Edwards, D. D., Mr. EDWARD F. TAYLOR, of Hanover county, Va., and Miss EMMA E. SMITH, of Richmond.

Married, Tuesday, December 30, 1879, by Rev. Thomas Kelly, JOHN H. BOWERS and Miss MARY V. CAVEDO.

DEATHS.

Died, in Charlottesville, Va., on Monday, January 5, 1880, at 11:45 A.M., Miss C. F. PORTER, in the sixtieth year of her age.

Her remains will reach the city this morning via Chesapeake and Ohio railway.  The funeral will take place TO-DAY at 11 o'clock from the residence of W. R. Jones, Esq., 813 west Main street.  Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend.

Died, Sunday morning, January 4th, at 5 o'clock, in the fifty-eight year of her age, Mrs. MARY ELEANOR GILL, wife of J. R. Gil, superintendent of the Richmond Male Orphan Asylum.

Her friends and acquaintances are invited to attend her funeral TUESDAY, January 6th, from Park-Place Methodist church, at 11 o'clock A.M.

Petersburg, Va., and Paducah, Ky., papers please copy.

Died, Monday, January 5th, at half past 1 o'clock, of consumption, Mrs. MARY E. GARRETT.

The funeral services will take place at the residence of William Pierce Smith, 6 1 Canal street, TO-DAY (Tuesday), 6th instant, at half-past 3 o'clock.  The friends and acquaintances of the family, and those of her aunt Mrs. John C. Franklin, are invited to attend."

The Daily Dispatch, January 05, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 05, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 3

DEATHS.

"Died, suddenly, on Saturday, January 3d, GEORGE W. JONES; aged thirty-four years.  

His funeral will take place SUNDAY AFTERNOON, January 4, at 3 o'clock, at St. Andrew's church.  Friends and acquaintances are invite to attend."

The Daily Dispatch, January 03, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 03, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 3

MARRIAGES.

"Married, December 17, 1879, at the Moore-Memorial church, by the Rev. D. F. Sprigg, WILLIAM A. G. REES and K. BURR DOWDEN; all of Richmond, Va.

Married, in this city, January 1, 1880, by Rev. J. B. Hutson, PATRICK A. RADFORD and Miss SALLIE S. WILKINSON; all of Richmond, Va.

DEATHS.

Died, Friday evening, after a long and painful illness, Mr. JOHN COLLINS, a native of county Limerick, Ireland.

Peaceful be thy silent slumber,

Peaceful in the grave so low;

Thou no more shalt join our number,

Thou no more our sorrows know.

Yet again we hope to meet thee,

When the day of life is fled;

Then, in Heaven, with joy to greet thee,

Where no farewell tear is shed.

Never more will we caress thee

With our heart's deep yearning love;

Blessed now enfold thee,

In thy heavenly home above.

His funeral will take place from his late residence, No. 3819 Sixth street, Port Mayo, SUNDAY, January 4th, at 2 o'clock P.M.  Friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

Washington, Portsmouth, and Arkansas papers please copy."

The Daily Dispatch, January 02, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 02, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 2, col. 4

MARRIAGES.

"Married, December 23, 1879, in this city, at the residence of the bride, by Rev. J. R. Garlick, JAMES R. BLUNT and Miss MATTIE W. JONES; all of Richmond, Va.

Married, December 17, 1879, at "Irine." Caroline county, Va., the residence of the bride's parents, by Rev. O. F. Flippo, WILLIAM C. WILSON, of Richmond, Va., to F. LESLIE, daughter of Dr. Joseph A. Flippo.  No cards.

DEATHS.

Died, yesterday morning at 7 o'clock, EDWIN BURTON, youngest son of the late Coldomier Burton, in the seventh year of his age.  The funeral will take place TO-DAY (Friday) at 11 o'clock at Shockoe-Hill Cemetery.  Friends of the family are invited.

Died, December 31, 1879, at 11:20 o'clock P.M., at the residence of her husband, Lindon, Hanover county, Va. Mrs. VIRGINIA LIPSCOMB. in her sixty-ninth year.  

Her burial will take place TO-DAY, January 2d, at her husband's residence.  

Besides the indescribable grief to her immediate relatives, the death of this noble lady will bring sadness to many hoes in which her bounteous charity has dispelled the dark gloom of poverty and distress; to many a heart that has been healed by the balm of her sympathy; to a vast number to whom her abounding love and wise counsel were health in sickness, light in darkness, fortitude in pain, solid comfort in bitter adversity.  To alleviate human suffering seemed to be Mrs. LIPSCOMB's chosen mission and intense delight.  At home she was an amiable wife and devoted mother.  The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit was the attraction which monopolized the admiration of strangers, and cemented the hearts of her loved ones so softly and firmly as that the dread secrets of the tomb and the withering torch of grief can never break asunder nor crumble away.

'Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.  They do rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.'"

The Daily Dispatch, January 01, 1880, Richmond, Virginia - Marriages and Deaths

The Daily Dispatch, January 01, 1880

Richmond, Virginia; p. 4, col. 3

MARRIAGES.

"Married, December 30, 1879, at the residence of Thomas W. McCance, Esq., by the Rev. J. E. Edwards, assisted by the Rev. Charles Minnigerode, T. W. McCANCE, Jr., and Miss Emma Gill; all of Richmond, Va.

Married, December 17, 1879, at "Frine."  Caroline county, Va., the residence of the bride's parents, by Rev. O. F. Flippo, WILLIAM C. WILSON, of Richmond, Va., to F. LESLIE, daughter of Dr. Joseph A. Flippo.  No cards.

Married, by the Rev. J. G. Armstrong, on the 32st December, 1879.  Mr. ISAIAH MYERS, of New York, to Miss SALLIE H. SMYTH, of Richmond.  No cards."

DEATHS.

Died, suddenly, December 30th, BENJAMIN DAVIS, in the seventieth year of his life.  The funeral will take place THURSDAY, January 1, 1880, at 12 o'clock M., from his late residence.  No 719 east Grace street.  His friends and those of his son-in law, A. Pizzini, Jr., are invited to attend without further notice."

Obituary for Elizabeth Kidd Wyatt of Hanover County, Virginia, 1896

Finally found the obituary for my great-great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Kidd Wyatt of Hanover County, Virginia.  I found it using the Chronicling America site that I have mentioned several times before.  It is a great, free site and you are silly for not trying it.

Richmond Dispatch, June 11, 1896:

"WYATT - Died, Tuesday, June 9, 1896, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A. R. Vass, 418 south Pine street, Mrs. ELIZABETH WYATT, relict of Alexander Wyatt. Her funeral will take place from the above residence THURSDAY, June 11th, at 8:30 A. M. Friends of the family are invited to attend. Her remains will be taken to Hanover county, Va., for interment, by the Chesapeake and Ohio railway 10:20 A. M. train. Five children survive her."

HOT TIP - Free Virginia Newspaper Search 1900-1910

What happens when you achieve your dream (and it wasn't what you expected it to be)?

I have always collected license plates, Virginia plates to be exact.  No, I do not have a physical collection of license plates in my office or anywhere in my house.  The collection is in my brain.  I like to run across low-number license plates.  In Virginia, the lower the plate number the more important the driver...or so it seemed to me for all of these years.  Most of the low-number plates I have found belong to members of the Virginia government.  Some are house or senate members, others may be a court clerk or someone else of elevated status.  In most cases the person's job title is spelled out on the plate itself.  I guess that is code for "do not tow me, I am important."

I saw Eric Cantor's car at Panera Bread one day, a few years ago.  If you are not familiar with Mr. Cantor, he is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia and I think he will be the Majority leader for the House in a few days.  Cantor is a pretty good guy.  I remember when he actually went door to door and talked to people.  My mom saw him so many times, he actually remembered her name...but that was years ago.  Anyway, I was excited to see his car, but he was not in the restaurant.  One of his aides was picking up lunch I guess.

One little-known fact is that the members of the Virginia legislature park in the basement of the Library of Virginia.  They ride the elevator up to the main level and then walk across the street to their offices.  I have ridden the elevator with many prominent figures.  One of my most memorable experiences was bumping into John Hagar, who was Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1998-2002.  I actually ran into him on the street and spoke to him for a few minutes.  At that time, he was in office and was alone on the street...no security whatsoever.  I do not remember if it was before or after 9/11, but it struck me as odd that he would be alone.  

You have to keep in mind that Hagar is in a wheelchair.  I have no idea why he is disabled but he uses a wheelchair for whatever reason.  You also have to keep in mind that Richmond is a very hilly city.  Here I am, on West Broad Street, and here come the Lieutenant Governor wheeling himself, in a manual chair, up a hill.  I gained a huge amount of respect for the guy at that moment.  He probably could have had help from any number of people but he was out on his own, living life.  I saw Hagar a few times after that, at various functions around town, but never in the same light I saw him that day.  You may have also seen Hagar on the national news in 2008 when his son married President Bush's daughter, Jenna.

So, back to the license plates.  After all of my years of searching for low number plates, I had found a lot of good ones.  I have seen numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on but I never found the illusive plate number 1.  I always assumed it belonged to someone of utmost importance, probably the governor himself.  I doubted that the governor drove himself around a lot so I understood the elusiveness of the plate.  Well, that all changed for me one day last week.

My wife is a photographer and she wanted me to deliver some photos to a client.  I agreed but was not overly excited about doing it.  I had to drive to her studio and pick them up before making the actual delivery...more than I really wanted to do.  Being a good husband, I took the ride and kept my mouth shut.  Well, on the way to drop off the photos, a truck pulled in front of me and to my surprise...it was plate number 1!  It was nondescript except for the blaring "1".  It gave no indication that I was following the governor, or anyone else for that matter.  It was absolutely killing me to pass the person and see who was driving.

We were on a one-lane road so I had no way of passing them.  Luckily the driver was going the way that I was, so I waited for the perfect moment to make some kind of move.  Luck was apparently on my side because the vehicle's driver decided to take a right up ahead.  I sped up and got as close as I could so that when the vehicle turned, i might be able to see the driver.  Now, my memory is a little fuzzy here, but the driver seemed to have been an older man or woman...but clearly not Bob McDonnell!  I was a little disappointed but I drove on and delivered the pictures.  I did manage to pull out my iPod Touch and snap a photo of the plate as a keepsake.

The more I thought about this over the next few days, the more it began to bother me.  All of these years I held license plate 1 up to this really high level of expectation.  For all intents and purposes, my dreams were crushed because, as far as I could tell, the driver of car 1 for the Commonwealth of Virginia is an average Joe.  Now, I could be wrong.  The driver could have been someone of great importance but I can at least say they were not who I expected or was looking for.

I went and saw the Disney movie "Tangled" with my daughter this past weekend.  There is a scene in the movie where Rapunzel is in a boat with Flynn and they are talking about dreams.  Rapunzel always dreamed about seeing the release of these certain lanterns into the sky.  As she waited with Flynn to see the lanterns drift into the heavens, she found herself being afraid.  What if the lanterns did not meet the expectations of her dreams, or worse yet, what if they surpassed her expectations, what would she do?  His answer was simple, you just find another dream.

Now, I find myself sitting here waiting for a new dream to come along.  I know all of this sounds silly but I really did just achieve something I had been looking for all of my life.  I cannot help but feel a little bit lost.  In genealogy, we have tons of little dreams...to find the grave of great-grandpa or locate cousin Joe on the 1880 census.  It is easy to pick a new genealogical dream because there are tons of them available.  Genealogy is a search that never ends...unlike finding the only license plate number 1.

I am sure that one day I will find a new dream, to find a new game to play.  License plates were great fun while it lasted but those days are gone.  I mean, what am I going to do, start looking for plate 10?  No, because that could never evoke the excitement of finding number 1.  But at the very least, if you think about it, I got 32 years worth of entertainment for free.  I guess I should be grateful for that much!

A Must-Read: Finding the Henry Brock family cemetery of Henrico County, Virginia

If you only read one post I write this year, let this be the one...it is going to be a good one if I do say so myself!

The other day I was out Christmas shopping when I passed by an old conquest of mine...the Henry Brock family cemetery.  I like to say that I "found" it but I am sure it was never really lost.  The information to find the cemetery was there all along, someone just had to take the time to piece it together.  Let me give you some background on the Brock family.

Henry and Mary Ann Griffin Brock were my great-great-great-grandparents.  Henry was born around 1791 and grew to be a prosperous farmer in western Henrico County, Virginia.  His two-hundred acre farm was located on Old Coal Field Turnpike, later known as Broad Street Road.  At the time Mr. Brock purchased his land, that portion of Henrico County was rich in coal - hence the road's name. There were several active mines in and around the area.

The Brock homestead was demolished at some point, perhaps at the time of the road's widening in the mid-1950s.  Situated on present-day West Broad Street, I believe that the former Brock land is occupied by the current Virginia Home for Boys (8716 West Broad Street).  From an aerial photograph, it appears the Boy's Home tract is the approximate size and shape of the Brock property.  I believe that the old homestead was situated where the Home's main entrance sign exists today.

Now, I will admit that I have never sat down and fully traced the deeds from Henry's ownership of the land to the modern day.  The main tract was divided multiple times and I am sure it passed through many hands. The fact if I was right or wrong about the homestead's exact location was not overly important in this case.

My main interest was to locate a family cemetery, noted on the following land plat.  You can click on this scan to see a larger version but it is still hard to read.  What you will see are two tracts of land, one large and one small.  The smaller tract has a note that states something along the lines of "1/2 A. Res-erved for a grave yard."  The area is boxed off as a perfect square, right along the property line.  There is also a note that states something like "52 1/2 Acres of Woodland situated about 6 3/4 miles east of the Home Tract."  Again, the exact acreage and mileage is hard to read but I know that there is a cemetery within say 10 miles of the home tract...to the east.

In this case, exact figures did not matter too much.  I knew in my brain, roughly where the different Brock families lived over the generations.  I knew that Mary Ann Griffin Brock's family owned land near the county courthouse.  With that in mind, I started looking at a modern county map for features that matched the Brock plat.  I knew that the southern boundary of the property adjoined "Old Coal field Turnpike, now Broad Street Road."  Broad Street Road stretched from the city of Richmond, all the way through Henrico County and into Goochland.  I am sure it goes further than that, but I digress.  I needed to look to the north of Broad Street (they now drop the word Road from the end in Richmond and Henrico but still use it in Goochland).

The original plat was drawn in 1857 so I was sure a lot had changed.  A few things I noticed about the plat, for one was its shape.  It was narrow at the bottom and spread out toward the top.  It was also pretty regular in shape, the sides did not vary much.  I also saw that, to the west, was a road of sorts.  The road was not drawn the entire way down so it may either have curved off or stopped.  I also noticed the branch that flowed in the middle of the tract and forked off.  When it comes to creek branches, they can be a little deceiving.  What constituted a branch was subjective.  It could have been a tiny ditch or a large stream.  I think the key was that the body of water remained somewhat constant in shape and size and the water actually flowed, it did not tend to sit stagnant.  With that in mind, I kept an eye out for creeks on my modern map but I did not fixate on their being a creek.

After following Broad Street from Richmond toward Goochland, something caught my eye.  It was a tract of land, the scale seemed about right and the shape looked pretty close.  I did not see any creeks, although they could be hidden in the tree line.  There is a pond or lake near the tract so maybe the branch was diverted into a larger body at some point.  There appear to be neighborhoods in the direction from which the branch was running so maybe they did away with the water when the houses were built?  Take a look for yourself and see if you think the plat and this aerial view match up?

I went ahead and finished looking up Broad Street and never found anything else that seemed to fit.  I thereafter zeroed in on this spot being the Brock home tract.  It was definitely in the area I knew later generations of the Brock family lived, so I felt pretty good about it.  With my newly discovered information, I went down to the Virginia Historical Society to check out their map collection.

The Virginia Historical Society has a great collection of Civil War-era maps from Virginia, known as the Gilmer Collection.  I wrote an article about the GilmerCivil War Maps of Jeremy Francis Gilmer

The Gilmer maps show, in great detail, the outline of personal property boundaries and give the name of the various landowners.  I obtained the map for Henrico County, Virginia.  I cannot remember the exact date of creation but the map was probably drawn between 1861 and 1865.  Luckily, I was able to locate "Mrs. Brock" on the map with R. Ford as her neighbor.  The shape of the land was similar so I knew I was on the right track.  In this drawing, there is a creek but it is shorter and does not fork off.  Maybe the creek started drying up between 1857 and say 1865?  Now, keep in mind that Gilmer's maps were not scientific.  He did not survey the land necessarily so his maps are more artistic than scientific.

As a side note, Gilmer maps are protected property of the Virginia Historical Society.  I am including this tiny portion of the map, so you can see Mrs. Brock's name and to let you get a general feel for how the maps look.  The Historical Society sells posters of the maps at a reasonable price.  If you are interested in the history of a specific Virginia county, you should seriously think about ordering a Gilmer map if it is available.  You can check out their website here:  Virginia Historical Society Gilmer Maps

With the Gilmer map, we can see more roads and even a set of railroad tracks.  However, if you notice, the railroad tracks are actually just a spur that goes to the Springfield Coal Pits.  Perhaps that set of tracks was allowed to decay once the coal pits closed up?  

So, once again, there was nothing to say the Brock home place was located where the Boy's Home current sits.  However, looking at the overall modern map, I knew I was in approximately the right area on the modern version.  Remember, I was looking for the cemetery, not the home tract so precision was not required at this point.  I only needed a rough starting point.

Once I decided on an approximate location for the Brock home place, I took a stickpin and placed it where the house would possibly have stood.  I took a piece of string, and using the scale of the map, cut a piece that was approximately ten miles long.  I tied a pencil to the string and drew a twenty mile circle (ten on each side) that featured the "Brock farm" at the center.  I then cut the circle out and folded it in half, bring east and west together.  I opened the circle and cut it down the fold, leaving me with the eastern half of the circle.  My cemetery should be somewhere in that half.

What happened next was almost comical now that I look back on it but I had no idea how this would unfold at the time...

I was at the archives one day,  talking to one of my buddies who works there.  I mentioned that I was looking for a family cemetery in Henrico County.  He told me that a woman, representing perhaps the Henrico County Historical Society, was compiling a book of all the county cemeteries.  It has been awhile since this happened, so my memory is a little fuzzy.  I think I gave him my name and number to pass along to the woman when she came to the archives.  A little time passed and, if I remember correctly, she called me.  We spoke on the phone for just a few minutes and she asked what family was I looking for.  The second I said Brock, she said there was a Henry Brock cemetery near the county courthouse...and my jaw dropped!

She told me that the cemetery was noted on the official tax map for Henrico County as the "Henry Brock Family Cemetery."  It was located in an apartment complex but she was never able to find it for herself.  She also told me of another cemetery in the complex but that one had been found.  Here is a photo of that cemetery and its one stone.

Getting back to my story...  After thanking the woman, I got off the phone and went straight to the apartment complex.  I walked all over the place and could not find anything.  There is a hospital next door so I went over there, asking if anyone knew of a cemetery in the area.  I was told that a cemetery was in the hospital parking lot, in a bricked section, but I knew that was probably not what I was looking for.  Later I found more on that cemetery but that is another story, for another time.

I left that day, dejected because I could not find anything.  I did not give up hope though.  It was a day during the week and I cannot remember why I was not at work!  Anyway, I went to the court house and asked for the personal property tax division.  When I got there, I explained that I was looking for a family cemetery and was told that it was on the tax map.  The woman was very helpful and, in the matter of a few minutes, she was able to produce a map that showed the "Henry Brock Family Cemetery" boxed off.  It was in the apartment complex but it was split into two pieces...that seemed strange to me.  No matter, I was thrilled with the find because now I had a treasure map with an "X" on it.

I do not exactly remember how this part happened, but I am glad that it did.  Maybe I asked her who owned the property but either way she looked it up in the computer.  It turns out that no one owned the land, that it was just tax-free land with no contact person.  I asked if she could put my name on it and, within a few seconds, I was listed as the contact person for the tract.  No paperwork, nothing.  I guess only a relative would be looking for a 150 year old cemetery with no owner on file!

I left the courthouse with all kinds of excitement.  I went back across the street, map in hand.  Surely I would find it now!  But no luck!  All I found was the building on the map and a playground.  I sat there and studied the map for awhile and started to realize that something was not right.  Now remember, I do not know what happened to the land after the 1857 deed, but it looked to me as if that building was built in the middle of the cemetery.  The 1857 tract does not show two graveyards, it shows one half-acre graveyard.  I still, to this day, do not know the answer but it seems to me that building was put up on the Henry Brock family cemetery.  One day I am going to research it and find out for sure.

Anyway, I wanted to find out if the apartment complex people knew anything about the cemetery so I went to the office.  The lady there was not helpful, defensive even.  She refused to talk to me and said I had to talk to the property manager, who was not there.  Again, I do not remember all of the story, but I do not remember the manager ever calling me back.  I finally wrote them a letter and faxed it.  I did not say anything mean or accusatory.  I wanted to make them aware that my family cemetery was basically in their playground.  I also wanted to know what was there when the apartments were built and if any tombstones or graves were moved.  I never received any response.

Time went by and I stopped by the site a few times.  One day I was walking around and I bent over to pick up some trash.  For whatever reason, something caught my eye.  I passed this thing at least ten times and never noticed.  Maybe I was too worked up on my other trips but there, in plain view, was a tombstone.  It is just a rock but it is definitely marking some one's grave.  After all of that time, I finally found the Brock cemetery!  I had no idea who it belonged to or how many people were buried there but I found it!

Years went by and, without asking, the apartment complex moved the playground.  I guess they realized that the land was not theirs so they moved their stuff off of it.  It worked out for the kids who live there because they got a nicer play area in another part of the complex.  I still want to ask about the building...who knows, maybe I will prove they do not own the land that it is built on.  That could open up a can of worms at this point so I have pretty much let it be.  I would like to maybe fence the cemetery one day but that takes money.  It would probably also invite vandalism whereas the cemetery now sits in peace.

So, after all of this writing, what is the lesson to be learned here?  This one is simple...never assume that something is lost.  The Henry Brock cemetery was on the county's main map.  I assumed that it was lost to time and that I had to rescue it in some way.  If I checked with the county first, I would not have needed Gilmer maps, pieces of string and stick pins.  It was hiding in plain sight, I was just to blind to look for it.  Even when I "found" the cemetery, I did not see it.  It took probably five trips before I actually noticed the tombstone!  Overall, it was a very humbling experience.

Some Mecklenburg County, Virginia News, Part III

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

November 12, 1909, page 2

"COURT OF APPEALS - The Court of Appeals yesterday in Richmond began the fall term, all the judges being in attendance save Judge Buchanan, who is ill.  The following cases were heard:

The commonwealth's application for appeal from the adverse judgement of the Mecklenburg county court was granted.  The suit had been brought to recover $20,502.61 from the Fidelity and Deposit Company, of Baltimore, as surety on the bond of Treasurer Howard N. Beales, of Mecklenburg county.  Beales, as treasurer of the county, deposited the funds in the bank of Mecklenburg.  The bank went to the wall and the county funds were swept away..."

Clinch Valley News; Jeffersonville, Virginia

March 15, 1907, page 4

"James Pendleton is now at Buffalo Lithia Springs, in Mecklenburg county.  He has been troubled a good deal with rheumatism of late, and will remain there for some time."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

January 2, 1903, page 3

"DR. MCLEAN TO BE EXPELLED - The sub-committee of the House committee on privileges and elections will meet next Tuesday and formulate a report to the full committee in the case of Dr. E. P. McLean, the member from Mecklenburg, who has so far declined to take the oath.  It is certain that the majority of the sub-committee will recommend the expulsion of Dr. McLean.  This report will be ratified and confirmed by the full committee.  A writ of election will be then issued to fill the vacancy from Mecklenburg. - [Richmond Dispatch]."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

February 7, 1903, page 2

"THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES yesterday did what it should have done two months ago - declared vacant the seat of Delegate McLean from Mecklenburg county.  Why there should have been any delay in the matter only the members of the House can tell; but that body seems to move very slowly and to require much time to act on most subjects, and more especially when its path is as plain as the noonday sun.  Doctor McLean is a federal officeholder, is therefore ineligible to hold a State office and his action shows he fully understood this proposition.  Why, then should the House have wasted all this time arriving at its conclusion?  Doctor McLean is a very clever gentleman but no man should be allowed to array himself in opposition to the entire State legislature and directly he did so he should have been bowled over."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

February 7, 1903, page 2

"HOUSE - The seat of Dr. E. P. McLean, the republican member from Mecklenburg who refused to take the oath to support the new constitution, was declared vacant by the House.  It will be remembered that Dr. McLean, when the legislature met last July to ratify the new instrument refused to recognize the new constitution, and made a speech bitterly criticizing its provisions.  No action was taken by the House at that time, one reason being that it was believed that the member was ineligible on account of the fact that he held the place of revenue collector under the government.  Two reports were read, one signed by Messrs. Cumming, Jones, Baker, Carter, Jordan, of Nansemond, and Leake, declaring the seat vacant for his failure to take the oath, and the other signed by Messrs. Kelly, Heermans, Robson, Caton, Jordon, of Frederick, and West, giving the member three days in which to take the oath and resume his seat.  Mr. Lassiter said he saw no reason for giving a member three days in which to do anything which he declared upon the floor he would not do, and Mr. Wallace made an able argument in favor of the report, declaring the seat vacant form the time the member refused to take the oath.  The three-day limitation bill was rejected by vote of 24 to 48.  Mr. Cardwell offered an amendment to the vacating bill, declaring the seat vacant from July 15, and the bill as amended was adopted by vote of 53 to 24.  Dr. McLean holds a Federal office.  He is a republican and a deputy revenue collector.  He has not been in his seat since last July and has not offered to draw his salary.  Dr. McLean is the only member who refused to take the oath to uphold the new constitution.  The report adopted calls for a special election to fill the vacancy and the speaker will issue the writ in a few days..."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

May 13, 1908, page 3

"VIRGINIA NEWS - ...The State Corporation Commission has sent to Judge W. R. Barksdale, of the Mecklenburg Circuit Court, a certified copy of the report of the expert accountants who made an examination of the Bank of Mecklenburg.  The report is a condemnation of the methods employed in the bank, the examiners saying that it is either carelessness or incompetency, or both."

Clinch Valley News; Jeffersonville, Virginia

April 10, 1908, page 2

"ASK RECEIVERS [BLACK SPOT] LUMBER COMPANY - CREDITORS OF EAST COAST LUMBER COMPANY APPLY FOR RECEIVERS ON GROUND OF MISMANAGEMENT AND FRAUD - BILL FILED AT RICHMOND, VA. - RICHMOND, VA. - Special - S. L. Owen and J. M. Owen, of Mecklenburg county, ask that receivers be appointed to conduct the affairs of the East Coast Lumber Company, with principal offices in this city.  The petition, which is in the shape of a complaint, alleged that the affairs of the concern have been conducted in a reckless fashion, and that values have been placed fictitiously.  The application is based on two notes held by the petitioners for lumber furnished the company, and for which a draft was issued, but which was not honored on account of insufficient funds.  The bill of complaint says in part:  'An instance of this reckless and deceptive practice of the said corporation is shown in the case of the Coles tract of land, containing about 2,000 acres.  Located in Mecklenburg county, it was purchased by President Cogbill for $18,000, and immediately transferred to the company and valued upon its books at $43,000.  Complainants would not show that the outstanding liabilities against said corporation amount to nearly $250,000; that said liabilities are due to various banks in Richmond and other cities and to sundry parties for lumber and other supplies;  that about $40,000 is due to various persons for acceptances and protested notes given for lumber furnished it, while checks drawn by said corporation amounting to $8,500 have been protested by banks and remain unpaid.  Your complainants aver that when said corporation made its last report to the State Corporation Commission, as required by law, its officers, in order to show that its assets were sufficient to cover its liabilities, raised the value of its lands and other property to an extent far in excess of their actual values, and even then there was a deficit in its assets of nearly $100,000 below the liabilities, and to cover this up the profit and loss accounts were charged up to it.'"

Clinch Valley News; Jeffersonville, Virginia

April 24, 1908, page 3

"RECEIVERS NAMED FOR MECKLENBURG BANK - Circuit Judge Barksdale has named as the receivers of the Bank of Mecklenburg Messrs. C. J. Faulkner and J. W. Edmondson, who before the institution became involved by its dealings with the Cogbill and East Coast Lumber Company were respectively president and vice president of the banks.  Both receivers are men of high standing and ability, and the interests of the stockholders and others will be safe in their hands.  Messrs. H. B. Boudar, Thomas Boudar and Bertram Chesterman, the expert accountants sent by the State Corporation Commission to examine the books of the bank, arrived at Boydton Wednesday morning and are now at work.  It will require several days for them to get at the true inwardness of the situation, through Cashier Overbey, now under arrest, already has admitted that he made unauthorized loans of more than $100,000 to B. E. Cogbill and the East Coast Lumber Company, with which the latter was subsequently connected.  The Bank of Mecklenburg, which has a brach office at Chase City, was established by the late George B. Finch in 1872, and for years was managed with signal success.  Its closing has caused great distress and the gravest apprehensions among all classes of people."

Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, Virginia

November 7, 1902, page 2

"...The House will also have to pass on the case of Dr. E. P. McLean, republican member form Mecklenburg, who refused to take the oath to support the new Constitution.  The election committee will probably make a report on the matter.  However, it will probably not be on this question that the House will settle the matter, but on another, about which there can be no doubt.  Dr. McLean holds a salaried office under the United States government, being clerk in the internal revenue collector's office in this city which is in direct conflict with the Virginia constitution, so the member from Mecklenburg will clearly not be entitled to his seat."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

December 22, 1902, page 2

"The McLean case, involving the right of Dr. McLean to a seat in the House from Mecklenburg, he being a Federal office-holder, was referred by the committee on privileges and elections until after the holidays.  There was a very slim attendance of members and the sub-committee was not ready to report.  The case involves many legal questions of a very delicate character."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

December 22, 1902, page 2

"MCLEAN CASE POSTPONED - The sub-committee of the House Privileges and Elections Committee will make no report to the full committee until after the recess.  When it does it will be in the form of a recommendation that the Mecklenburg man be expelled.  Mr. Heermans, the minority representative on the sub-coimmittee, is not quite in accord with the democratic members.  He favors notifying Dr. McLean of the intention of the house, and giving him another chance to come here and take the oath.  In the event of refusal, it is understood Mr. Heermans will acquiesce in the recommendation of the minority.  Whatever his attitude, however, the majority of the committee and a large majority of the House are in favor of expulsion.  There is one weak point in the argument of Mr. Cumming that the old General Assembly died when it adjourned sine die, or certainly, on July 10, when the new Constitution became effective, and that the new Constitution became effective, and that the present body was not the General Assembly of Virginia until the members took the oath under the new Constitution.  If that be true, Dr. McLean, who refused to take the oath, is not a member and hence cannot be expelled.  This is but one of the many complications involved in this case.  The declaration that the seat of the Mecklenburg member is vacant will certainly be made. - [Richmond News]."

Some Mecklenburg County, Virginia News, Part II

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

December 20, 1902, page 2

"Mr. Thomas J. Morris, of Palmer's Springs, who had been a postmaster in Mecklenburg county for 51 years, is dead."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

June 14, 1905, page 3

"DEATH OF DR. MCLEAN - Dr. E. P. McLean, recently deputy collector of internal revenue for this district, died at 4 o'clock this morning at the Alexandria Hospital.  The deceased had for some time been suffering from chronic organic trouble.  He was in his 62nd year and leaves a widow and seven children - four sons and three daughters.  Dr. McLean was a native of Pennsylvania, and in early life served in the 66th and 155th regiments of Pennsylvania volunteers.  In 1875 he moved to Mecklenburg county, Va., where he practiced his profession, he being a graduate of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia.  He soon became active in politics and previous to the adoption of the present constitution had been elected a member of the legislature from Mecklenburg.  He had in the meantime been appointed clerk in the internal revenue office for this district and was transferred to this city about seven years ago.  He failed to sign the new constitution and his position as delegate became vacant.  Some time ago Mr. James Beamer, deputy collector of revenue, became incapacitated for duty by reasons of indisposition, and Dr. McLean had made many friends and acquaintances, and his munificence in many instances are well known to those with whom he was intimate.  His remains will be taken to Mecklenburg county for interment."

Clinch Valley News; Jeffersonville, Virginia

May 24, 1901, page 3

"JOINT DEBATE - MONTAGUE AND SWANSON MEET IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY - Richmond, Va., May 20 - The joint debate between Messrs C. A. Swanson and A. J. Montague at Boydton, Mecklenburg county, today, was the most interesting event of the present campaign.  Mr. Montague opened the discussion by an arraignment of machine methods and paid his respects to Senator Martin along the lines of his Roanoke speech.  Swanson rejoined in a vigorous address.  He denied that there was any ma[chine] in Virginia, but said if there was that Montague was using it and that he stood ready to help crush it.  He denied that he was a creature of Senator Martin and eulogized the Senator, saying, however, that if any one could prove that he had ever been guilty of a corrupt act that he would denounce Martin.  'Mahone in his palmiest days would have taken off his hat to Montague as a machinist,' said the speaker.  He intimated that the question of the school superintendent entered into the election of delegates and suggested that Mr. Montague tell who he favored for that office in Mecklenburg.  Mr. Montague closed the discussion in an earnest address.  He ridiculed the idea of there being no machine and showed that all similar mechanism had been constructed by United States Senators.  He closed by saying:  'Mr. Martin has declared that he will take Mr. Swanson's defeat as a personal one.  Is this a dual campaign for governor.?'"

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

December 19, 1902, page 3

"THE CASE OF DR. MCLEAN - The case of Dr. E. P. McLean, republican member of the House of Delegates from Mecklenburg county, is still attracting the attention of the legislature, and it is thought by many that the House will shortly declare his seat vacant and order a new election.  A sub-committee which had been studying the case has discovered that under section 163 of the code the seat is ipso facto vacant from the fact that Dr. McLean is in the employ of the United States government as deputy revenue collector.  Dr. McLean, it will be remembered, flatly refused to take the oath of allegiance to the new constitution and took his hat and left the hall.  The sub-committee is making inquiry with a view to ascertaining whether the Mecklenburg member has drawn mileage.  The point involved is that if he has not it would only be necessary to declare the seat to which he was elected vacant.  On the other hand, if he has drawn mileage he will have to be expelled for his refusal to take the oath and attend the sessions.  It was stated in Richmond yesterday on excellent authority that Dr. McLean had drawn mileage and that the committee resolution would probably recommend his expulsion.  It is doubtful that a report will be made to the full committee before the recess.  There is no question that the seat will be vacated by expulsion or declared vacant in consequence of Dr. McLean's refusal to take the oath.  The doctor is now in Richmond with Mr. Park Agnew, collector of internal revenue for this district, in whose office in this city he is employed, and will return here with Mr. Agnew tomorrow.  Their visit is doubtless in connection with the matters described above."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

July 8, 1908, page 1

"The only LAXATIVE GINGER ALE on the market; Mecklenburg Lithia Water Ginger Ale, 10c and 15c per bottle.  E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS."

"The new GINGER ALE, made with the celebrated Mecklenburg Lithia Water, 10c and 15c per bottle.  E. S. LEADBEATER & SONS."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

December 20, 1902, page 2

"DR. MCLEAN TO BE UNSEATED - The case of Delegate E. P. McLean, of Mecklenburg, who refused to take the oath under the new constitution, and the question of whose eligibility to sit as a member of the House of Delegates has been raised, involve some very nice questions of law.  Mr. Cumming, a member of the sub-committee to which the case was referred, has prepared and embodied in the form of a bill his views on the questions.  His first conclusion is that E. P. McLean was not ineligible to membership in the general assembly, which convened in December, 1901, by reason of his being a Federal office-holder.  His second conclusion is that the seat of Dr. McLean is now vacant, because of his failure to take the oath under the new constitution.  His next conclusion is that Dr. McLean should be expelled for non-feasance in office, that the county of Mecklenburg should not remain unrepresented on the floor.  After an elaborate discussion of the points involved, Mr. Cumming's final conclusion is embodied in a resolution that the seat of the member from Mecklenburg is hereby declared vacant, and the speaker of the house is directed to issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy existing.  Dr. McLean, who went to Richmond a day or two ago, has returned to his port in the internal revenue office in this city.  He says his action in the matter will be uncertain until after the committee now having his case in charge shall have reported."

Some Mecklenburg County, Virginia News, Part I

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

March 25, 1903, page 2

"George P. Tarry, who was a member of the Virginia constitutional convention, died in Mecklenburg yesterday."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

May 4, 1901, page 2

"Ross Hamilton, colored, formerly of Mecklenburg county, died yesterday at his home on Brightwood avenue, Washington."

Clinch Valley News; Jeffersonville, Virginia

May 1, 1908, page 7

"C. C. Kent - Mr. C. C. Kent, of Leesburg, a native of Mecklenburg county, Va., died Saturday, aged seventy-five years.  His wife was a Miss Head, daughter of the late Dr. Nelson A. Head, and he is survived by two sons - Nelson Kent, of Washington, D. C., and Carroll Kent, of Danville - and one daughter, Miss Mamie Kent, of Leesburg."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

January 5, 1909, page 2

"Frank Young, a Mecklenburg county murderer, who has been convicted four times and sentenced to death, had his sentence commuted through clemency of Governor Swanson, to life imprisonment."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

April 21, 1908, page 2

"C. C. Kent of Leesburg, died on Saturday from general debility, aged seventy-five years.  He was a native of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and his wife was a daughter of the late Dr. Nelson A. Head, of Leesburg."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

February 21, 1903, page 2

"Two brothers, prominent citizens of Mecklenburg county - Mr. Phil Overby, who lived on the south side of the Roanoke river, and Rev. Alexander Overby, of Clarksville, died on Thursday."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

February 23, 1905, page 2

"The death of Col. Powhatan Whittle, aged 75 years, occurred Tuesday night, at South Hill, Mecklenburg county.  Colonel Whittle was an uncle of Judge S. G. Whittle and a brother of the late Bishop Whittle."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

June 15, 1905, page 3

"REMAINS FORWARDED - The remains of the late E. P. McLean, formerly deputy collector of internal revenue for this district, who died at Alexandria Hospital at an early hour yesterday morning, were forwarded last night by Demaine & Son to the home of the deceased in Mecklenburg county where the interment will take place."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

January 1, 1904, page 2

"The Governor has granted a pardon to R. Thames, 17 years of age, who was sentenced to two years' imprisonment from Mecklenburg county last May for 'whitecapping'."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

August 1, 1903, page 2

"A Mecklenburg man, in taking his gun from its rack to shoot a hare, accidentally killed his young wife yesterday."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

May 8, 1908, page 2

"It was announced at the office of the attorney general in Richmond, yesterday, that the suit against B. E. Cogbill, former treasurer of Mecklenburg county, for $4,411.69, would be withdrawn, as he has arranged, through a bonding company, to meet the deficiency charged up against hims after the closing of his books."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

July 27, 1904, page 2

"In a difficulty about a woman, near Clarksville, Mecklenburg county, on Monday night, a man named Sheppard and another named Langford, fought with knives.  Sheppard stabbed Langford to the heart, killing him instantly and then fled with blood pouring from his own wounds.  Sheppard also died Tuesday.  The woman witnessed the fight."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

April 16, 1908, page 2

"An investigation of the closed Bank of Mecklenburg by the board of directors shows a big shortage.  E. W. overby, cashier, has been arrested upon his confession that he had allowed B. E. Cogbill, head of the East Coast Lumber Company, which is now in bankruptcy, to overdraw his account without the knowledge of the president or directors for over $100,000.  It is generally thought that the depositors will receive between 50 and 75 cents on the dollar.  Overby has been released on $5,000 bail bonds."

Alexandria Gazette; Alexandria, Virginia

October 15, 1908, page 2

"At Boydton, after being closeted several hours, the jury in the trial of E. W. Overby, charged with masking a false statement as to the funds of the Bank of Mecklenburg, failed to agree and was discharged."

Richmond Times; Richmond, Virginia

May 9, 1902, page 5

"OLD ISSUE PASSING AWAY - A BLACK MAMMY DIES IN MECKLENBURG AGED OVER A HUNDRED - BOYDTON, VA. - MAY 8 - Mecklenburg's centenarian, in the person of 'Aunt Mariah Lewis,' died yesterday at her son's home near here.  She was perhaps the oldest person in the county.  She claimed to be one hundred and three years old, and she could not have been far from wrong, for her fifth son, with whom she lived, is nearly seventy years of age.  'Aunt Mariah' was a great favorite with the white people; she was kind and respectful to all.  She was the former slave of the late John W. Lewis, a prominent lawyer of the bar of this county in antebellum days, and was the 'black mammy' of the Lewis children, to whom she was devotedly attached, and they as well to her.

For many years 'Aunt Mariah' led an active life nursing children, and even when the infirmities of age came upon her she would sit daily knitting or sewing.  She retained her faculties to a remarkable degree, and delighted to talk of her young masters.  She is the old woman who, it will be remembered, although bent with age, came to the burial of the last one of her young masters, some two years since, and as the body was being lowered into the grave, with a sobbing heart, she moved toward the open grave and exclaimed, 'Good-bye, Mars Tom, it won't be long before I will be with you,' and now her prophecy is fulfilled.

One by one these old faithful servants of the nappy long ago are crossing over the river, and all will soon be gone.  The saddest of all is the fact that there are none so faithful to take their places.

The present generation know but little and cannot appreciate the love and almost veneration in which these old-time 'mammies' were held by the old Southern people.  These old mammies were, so to speak, the watchful guardians of the children of the families, both by day and by night.  A remarkable instance of her loyalty to the Lewis family is the fact that a few years ago the old woman went to New York in search of the last of her young masters, who has since died, and she said, when she found him, that she not only hugged him, but she kissed him."

Obituary for Peter Edward Cole d. March 3, 1926 - Richmond

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Richmond, Virginia

Thursday, March 4, 1926; p. 7, col. 3:

"P. E. Cole - P. E. Cole, 1919 Edwards Street, died yesterday at Memorial Hospital after an illness which lasted more than two months.  He was 65 years old and leaves his wife, six daughters and one son.  Funeral arrangements have not been completed."

Get To Know The Rich History Of Henrico County Virginia

Among the oldest political designations in the country, Henrico County, Virginia was the site of the second settlement in the colony and today occupies about one-third of the greater Richmond metropolitan area.

Captain Christopher Newport led the first group of English explorers into the area and claimed the land north of Jamestown in the spring of 1607. Four years later Sir Thomas Dale left Jamestown and settled Henricus, or the City of Henrico, as the second settlement established by the New World colonists.

In 1612 the economy was established when John Rolfe introduced a new strain of tobacco. Two years later Rolfe married Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan, and that was enough to establish a temporary peace agreement with the Native Americans in the area. The couple is believed to have lived at Varina Farms plantation, which was the original county seat and remained so until 1752 when the City of Richmond was given that designation.

In 1619, the City of Henrico was included as one of seven settlements established and those in charge saw fit to set aside 10,000 acres as the site for the first English university in America. Later that year the seven plantations sent a contingent to Jamestown to attend the General Assembly. This is the first example of representative legislature being exercised in any British colony.

Henrico became one of eight original counties established in Virginia in 1634. It was named for Henry, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of James I, the King of England at the time.

It was Henrico planter Nathaniel Bacon, Jr. Who led one of the first revolts against the crown in 1676. The movement known as Bacon's Rebellion would serve notice that Virginians were not going to sit back and put up with anything they viewed to be unfair policies set forth by any governing body.

The economy of the county throughout the early years of the 19th century depended on milling, farming and coal mining. At that time, slaves were relied upon as the primary labor source. What is thought to be the most elaborate slave uprising ever conceived was organized in Henrico County by a slave named Gabriel. When several slaves spilled the beans, Gabriels Rebellion was effectively shut down.

Henrico County is the site of seven major Civil War battles during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862. The Overland Campaign took place in 1864 and the fighting that took place during the Siege of Petersburg eventually led to the fall of Richmond. General J. E. B. Stuart was mortally wounded there in May 1864 during the Battle of Yellow Tavern.

Many reconstruction efforts in Virginia were centered around education and central to the efforts was Virginia Randolph, who was born five years after the Civil War ended as the daughter of a slaves. Known largely for her help in the advancement of vocational education, she founded the Virginia Randolph Training School in 1915.

Home to nearly 300,000 people today, the country embraces its rich heritage and through various preservation efforts, several county sites are recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.