F 
 
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 CQEffilGHT DEPOSm 
 
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 -AND- 
 
 LAKEDRUMMOND. 
 
 EARLY RECQLLECTIDNS. 
 
 ^^^.^^;^^ig.^^jg.^!^^^.j^ 
 
 m FOIiTMWL OF AISING SCENES. 
 
 ( BY ) 
 
 SUFFOLK, VA. 
 
 
 ^♦♦♦^^^^♦^•^^'^♦♦♦^ 
 
 1888. 
 
 EVENING TELEGRAM PRINT 
 
 Norfolk, Va. 
 
It^^The reader's attention is directed to the omission 
 of the following two lines from the bottom of page ii. 
 They should be read in connection with that page to 
 make an intelligent sentence : 
 
 Woodward and my father soon got their traps aboard 
 tlien liftini^ mc in, all was ready. The drivers ad- 
 
 U 
 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This little volume is launched upon the sea of 
 public favor. If it should stem the tide of criti- 
 cism and reach a haven, my object in the writing 
 of it will be accomplished. Being partially blind 
 and physically unable to labor, I have adopted this 
 as a means by which I might gain an honest assist- 
 ance, a double object presented itself: 
 
 First, that I might give to its readers some idea 
 of the Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, as 
 they were and as they now are. 
 
 Second, that I may trom the sale of my book re- 
 ceive an amount that will place me beyond penury. 
 The work will contain some interesting incidents, 
 and in many instances, will give the real names of 
 persons now living who will be acquainted with the 
 subject of which I write. Having said this much 
 introductory of my book I will now proceed with 
 my task. 
 
 When I determined to mdite the lines which com- 
 pose this volume, I had, as has been stated, a 
 double purpose in view. I thought I could not 
 employ a portion of my leisure hours more profit- 
 ably, certainly not more pleasantly, than by recount- 
 ing some ot the scenes, incidents and associations, 
 which carries my mind back to the days of "Auld 
 I,ang Syne". What more natural then than that 
 my thoughts should revert to the friend of my early 
 manhood — one who by the uprightness of his 
 character, geniality of his disposition, the chivalric 
 mipulses of his nature, deserves, as it is my greatest 
 pleasure to accord, the ciedication of this little 
 volume ; and I have said all when I mention the 
 name of my esteemed friend Robert Riddick, Esq., 
 of Suffolk, Va. The Author. 
 
 Suffolk, Va., January i, 1888. 
 
Chapter I. 
 
 Description and Situation of the Swamp — 
 Washington the Owner. 
 
 The Dismal Swamp, of which but little is known, 
 is a large body of dense woods, being situated and 
 laying in Nansemond county, Virginia, and the 
 County of Gates, in North Carolina. It contains, 
 by survey, abont 100,000 acres. I have been told 
 by H. E. Smith, Esq., our county treasurer, that 
 4 5,000 acres were listed in the County of Nanse- 
 mond. It is thickly set with Juniper, Cyrpress and 
 other timber, which makes it very valuable. It 
 came into the possession of General George Wash- 
 ington, and after the Revolutionary War a com- 
 pany known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company 
 was formed and arrangements made to manufac- 
 ture the timber; hands were put in the Swamp and 
 it was regularly opened. A large quantity of tim- 
 ber was manufactured, and Washington found it 
 necessary to find some outlet for it, which could 
 only be done by a canal or ditch. A suitable place 
 was soon found, and Washington commenced in 
 person to survey the route, known as the Washing- 
 ton Ditch. He commenced at the eastern boundry 
 of the farm, known as "Soldier's Hope," which be- 
 longed to Col. Josiah Riddick, on the northwest 
 of the Lake, and running west to what is called the 
 Reed farm, on the Edentonroad, atout seven miles 
 from Suffolk. A large quantity of Juniper timber 
 was brought through this ditch, which was hauled 
 to the Nansemond river for shipment. We were 
 told by one of the agents of the company, W. S. 
 Riddick, Esq., that at one time all the business of 
 
the company was transacted at the Reed farm; 
 that behig the point at which the Ditch ended. 
 This mode of getting the lumber to market was 
 found to be too slow and tedious, and a more di- 
 rect way was sought. How long the Washington 
 Ditch was used for the bringing out of the timber 
 manufactured, we have never heard. That 
 will make no difference, for after the Jericho 
 Canal was cut, the Ditch was abandoned, and a 
 direct communication opened to the Nansemond 
 river, by the way of Shingle Creek. Millions of feet 
 of timber was shipped annually. The share-holders 
 at that time were few in number, and their profits 
 were very large. The company consisted of a 
 President, Agent and Inspector; he living at or 
 near Suffolk, and had charge of the work in the 
 Swamp. He employed the hands, furnished all 
 the supplies, sold the lumber, received all monies, 
 and paid all bills. He was, in fact, the principal 
 officer of the company. At a stated period, an- 
 nually, a meeting would be held for a general set- 
 tlement of the year's accounts. The President 
 would preside, and as there were no Banks at that 
 time in which to deposit money the Agent would 
 have a verv large amount to turn over to the stock- 
 holders. That place is no longer of much value to 
 its owners, as it is a source of but little revenue. 
 The shares have been divided and sub-divided until 
 some of its holders get barely enough to pay the post- 
 age on a letter. Ex-Senator Wm.Mahone is probably 
 the largest share-holder. The Swamp has been 
 leased to Jno. L. Roper, Esq., of Norfolk, for seve- 
 ral years, during which he has had employed a 
 large number of hands, consequently most of the 
 valuable timber has been cut off. When this 
 Swamp was first opened it became a harbor and 
 
safe refuge for runaway slaves, and when one 
 reached that dense place, unless he was betrayed, 
 it would be a matter of impossibility to catch him. 
 Long before the war you could not take up a news- 
 paper published in this part of the State but what 
 you would see several cuts of a neojo-absconding 
 with a stick on his shoulder and /a pack on one 
 end of it, with the following advertisement: 
 
 "Notice! $500 Reward ! Ran away_Jrom the 
 subscriber, on the night of June i8th, my negro 
 man, Simon. He had on when last seen, a pair 
 of light pants with a black patch on the seat of the 
 same. He is slue-footed, knock-kneed and bends 
 over a little when walking. He may be making his 
 way to the Dismal Swamp. I will pay the above 
 reward for his apprehension, or his lodgment in 
 some jail, so that I can get him again. 
 
 Joe Jones." 
 
 I knew of an imtance, just before the late war, 
 where a gentleman by the name of Aug. Hilley, of 
 Bertie county, N. C, had a slave to runaway, who 
 was known to be a desperate character. He knew 
 that he had gone to the Dismal Swamp, and to get 
 him, his master offered a reward of $1,000 for his 
 apprehension, dead or alive. The person who 
 caught him is still living. I saw the negro when 
 he was brought to Suffolk and lodged in jail. He 
 had been shot at several times, but was little hurt. 
 He had on a coat that was impervious to shot; it 
 being thickly wadded with turkey feathers. Small 
 shot were the only kind used to shoot runaway 
 slaves, and it was very seldom the case that any 
 ever penetrated far enough to injure. I know three 
 persons now living who were runaway slave catch- 
 ers, but the late war stripped them of their occu- 
 pation. They were courageous and men of nerve. 
 
Chapter II. 
 To Grow up again in a Jungle. 
 
 But little work is now done in the Dismal 
 Swamp, and it will again soou become a howling 
 I wilderness, a hiding place for the bears, wild-cats, 
 snakes and everything hideous. The bam -boo and 
 rattan will rule supreme, and like the banyan 
 tree, will form an impenetrable jungle. But a few 
 years will be required for its accomplishment, and 
 without an ax you could not move a foot. 
 
 G. P. R. James, the British Counsul, who was 
 stationed at Norfolk when he wrote his novel, en- 
 titled, "The Old Dominion," and which was a his- 
 tory of "Nat Turner's War," (as it is called) in 
 Southampton county, states that a young mother, 
 with her infant, fled to the Dismal Swamp for 
 safety. Mr. James must have drawn heavily on his 
 imagination for a figure, to make the situation more 
 horrible. I do not think any mother, with an in- 
 fant, would flee to such a wild and desolate place as 
 the Dismal Swamp, but on the contrary would keep 
 far away. 
 
 I could relate many interestin.g- stories that I 
 have heard about the Swamp, but as I am writing 
 from my own observation, will discard all such 
 from my task. It is true that some very myste- 
 rious things have been seen at various times. I 
 will, digressing a little from . my story, relate one 
 circumstance that was told me by a gentleman 
 who lived in Suffolk and was stopping at Lake 
 i Drummond hotel, situated near the Lake shore, 
 and which was visited at that time by many per- 
 sons from New York and other places. This gen- 
 tleman remarked to me,that he was standing near the 
 Lake one morning and happening to look across 
 
the Lake, to his great astonishment, saw come 
 out of the woods at a point so thick with reeds, 
 bam-boo and rattan, that you could not get three 
 feet from the shore, a beautiful, tinely dressed 
 lady; she walked out on a log about twenty feet 
 into the Lake, with a fishing pole in her hand. I 
 saw her bait her hook and throw it out into the 
 Lake. He said he could also tell the color 
 of the ribbon on her bonnet. He watched 
 the same place every day for several days, and at 
 the same hour each day the lady appeared as be- 
 fore. I told my friend that he must have been labor- 
 ing under an optical delusion at the time, as the Lake 
 was five miles wide at that place, and that it was 
 impossible for one to distinguish objects at so 
 great a distance with the naked eye. He replied 
 that every part of the story was true. 
 
 On another occasion, a gentleman, now living in 
 Suftblk, told me that he was out hunting in the 
 Swamp, and chancing to look to the front saw- 
 snakes coming from every direction, and quite near 
 him he saw a lump of them that looked to be as 
 large as a barrel. He supposed that there must 
 have been as many as five hundred, all so inter- 
 woven that they looked like a ball of stakes. He 
 said he w^as too close on them to shoot so stepping 
 back he fired both barrels of his gun at the bunch. 
 An untangling at once commenced, and he said, 
 "consarned if he ever saw so many snakes before." 
 L'pon going to the place where he had shot he 
 found 150 snakes dead, and as many more wounded. 
 He carried some of the largest of the dead ou 
 procured a ten-foot rod, and on measuring found 
 one that measured twenty-three feet. I have re- 
 lated this snake story several times, but was always 
 
very particular to know that the oentleman who 
 6old me was at some other place. 
 
 Chapter IIL 
 
 Healthfullness at the Swamp, 
 
 Although the Dismal Swamp is so uninviting,, 
 I it is one of the healthiest places in the United 
 States. Death from disease has never been known 
 in that place, and it is impossible to tell to what 
 age one would attain if they would take up their 
 abode in it. I have been told that instances were 
 known where persons were found who were so old 
 > that they had moss growing on their backs, and 
 who could give no idea of their age. I once knew 
 a family by the name of Draper, who lived in the 
 Swamp, near the edge of the Lake. What be- 
 came of them, I do not know; the spot where their 
 house stood, now forms a part of the Lake. The 
 constant washing of the western shore causes 
 rapid encroachments, and it is only a cjuestion of 
 time when it will reach the high lands. It is in the 
 Dismal Swamp that Lake Drummond was dis- 
 covered, by whom I do not know, but is said to 
 have been found by a man named Drummond, whose 
 name it bears; that will make no difference with 
 me, the question is, how came it there? Was it a 
 freak of nature or was it caused by warring of the 
 elements, is a question for the consideration of those 
 who visit it. That it was the effect of fire caused by 
 lightning setting fire to the turf, or some dead tree, 
 there can be no doubt. At what time in the 
 Christian Era this eventful period was, it is not, 
 nor never will be known. Suffice it to say, that it 
 was found and is the wonder and admiration of all 
 that have ever visited it. It is a broad sheet o 
 
water, covering an area of ri\'e by seven miles, and 
 is surrounded by a dense gowth of woods, so thick 
 that you cannot see the Lake until you are within 
 a few feet of it. Many visitors have visited it, all 
 of whom were struck with astonishment at the 
 sight. It is ten miles southeast of Suffolk: 1 
 will now relate some of the adventures of my first 
 trip. It was on a bright morning, early in 
 the month of May, 1S32, that my father and 1 
 started for "Lake Drummond," or the Lake ol the 
 "Dismal Swamp," as some call it; and as all prepa- 
 rations had been made the night before, there was 
 nothing to prevent us from making an early start. 
 The idea of my going to the Lake, had driven 
 sleep from my eyes, and I was ready to start at 
 any time; but it was not until the grey dawn of 
 day that my father began to stir. He was soon 
 ready, and providing himself with fishing poles, 
 bait, lunch and such other articles as were neces- 
 sary for a two or three days fishing excursion, then 
 taking our leave of my mother and the other 
 members of the family, we were off". The 
 Portsmouth and Roanoke Kailroad — now the Sea- 
 board and Roanoke Railroad — was at that time 
 graded as far as Suffolk. We followed the line ot 
 it as far as a place known as Peter Jones, where we 
 left it and passed through "Bull Field," to the 
 company's mill, which is but a short distance from 
 tlie basin of the Canal, at which place we were to take 
 a skift^for the Lake. On arriving [at the basin we 
 found Mr. James Woodward, grand-father ot 
 Hersey Woodward, Escj., of Suffolk, Va. He was 
 Inspector ot lumber for the "Dismal Swamp Laud 
 Company," and was on his way to the Lake. The 
 drivers of the skiff", Tony Nelson and Jim Brown, 
 were ready, and it being now about sun-rise, Mr. 
 
12 
 
 I'usted their poles and away we went, all being' a 
 novelty to me, who had ne\'er before been in a 
 boat on water. Everythmg appeared very strange, 
 being but a very small boy as I was. Nothing 
 happened to impede our progress, and in about five 
 hours from the time of starting we arrived at the 
 Lake. Then it was that our young soul began to 
 thrill with joy, for we were at the Lake and would 
 soon launch on its broad bosom. The gates of the 
 Lock were opened and the skiff shoved in, then 
 the first gate being closed behind us another gate 
 opened. The water rushed in and soon our boat 
 was on a level with the Lake. The drivers then 
 took up the oars and were ready to cross to Jack's 
 Landing, which was on the opposite side of the Lake. 
 It being very rough at the time some tears were 
 expressed, but Mr. Woodward, who was well ac- 
 quainted with the situation, said that he did not 
 apprehend any danger, and the skiff was put in 
 motion. As I said before, it was very rough, and 
 when we had gotten about half-way across it be- 
 came more so; the waves began to break over the 
 skift^ and all thought that it would fill. Fortunately, 
 too large wooden shovels or scoops were found in 
 the skiff, and with them Mr. Woodward and my 
 father kept her free. "Tony" and "Jim," in the 
 meantime, plying their oars manfully. We soon 
 arrived at "Jack's Landing," and disembarking 
 proceeded to Jack's camp, which was but a short 
 distance away, and known to every person who 
 had ever visited the Lake. On our arrival the 
 pious Mr. Woodward oftered up to the Great Ruler 
 of wind and water a prayer for our sate deliver- 
 ance from a watery grave. As we had not par- 
 taken of any nourishment since early morning, it 
 was proposed that we should eat something, which 
 
13 
 
 was readily agreed to, and in a short time we had 
 gotten through that part of our work, whereupon 
 my father said he would try his luck fishing. So 
 taking a small boat, which he found at "Jack's 
 Landing," placing me in it and then getting in 
 himself he started for some good place to com- 
 mence. He fished awhile at the "Forked Gum" 
 without any success; moved to the"Stooping Pine," 
 with a like result. He began to think that it was 
 the wrong moon, and leaving that place he pad- 
 dled for the "Three Cypesses," where he caught 
 some very fine fish. It was now getting late in the 
 afternoon and as he expected to make an early • 
 start the next morning, he thought it best to re- 
 turn to the camp, heading his boat in that di- 
 rection he soon reached the landing; having but 
 a short distance to walk we were not long in 
 reaching it. Mr. Woodward had gone out to in- 
 spect some lumber und it was getting time for 
 his return. We did not have long to wait, he 
 soon came in, and looking at my father's "Fish 
 Gourd," remarked, "Neddie you have had fine 
 sport; where did you catch so many such large 
 Frenchmen ?', "Friend Jimmy," my father re- 
 plied, "when I started, my first experiment was at 
 the "Forked Gum," I did not get a nibble. I left 
 it and stopped at the "Stooping Pine" with the 
 same success. I began to think that I was fishing 
 on the wrong moon." "Oh ! Neddie," rejoined 
 Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the phases of 
 the moon, you are not a good fisherman. I can 
 take you to the "Forked Gum" and "Stooping 
 Pine" and astonish you. After leaving the "Stoop- 
 ping Pine," continued my father, I made for the 
 "Three Cypresses," and it was there that I 
 caught these fine perch." "Neddie," said Mr. 
 
14 
 
 Woodard, "you are not such a bad fisherman 
 after all; your success would do credit to the 
 best." My father proposed to Mr. W. that we 
 should have some of the fish cleaned and cooked 
 for supper; the necessary order being given, in a 
 short time a sufficient number were ready for 
 the pan. A hot fire was made of juniper logs 
 and the frying of fish commenced. In a short 
 time we were told to get our shingle ready, that 
 being the only kind ot plate used in the "Dismal 
 Swamp," and it is a well-known fact that fish 
 1 eats sweeter ofif a shingle than any plate on which it 
 can be placed. The fish were very fine and greatly 
 enjoyed by all. 
 
 Supper being disposed of, a general conversation 
 was indulged in about the Lake and Swamp, but 
 no one present could tell anythmg satisfactory 
 about the origin of the Lake; one idea was an- 
 nounced and then another, throwmg but little light 
 upon the subject. "Tony" and "Jim," the drivers 
 of the skiff, were sitting near the embers nodding, 
 when Mr. Woodward, to have a little fun, said : 
 "Tony, what is your opinion of the origin of the 
 Lake ?" 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 Origin of the Lake Discussed. 
 
 Old uncle "Tony" made a rake in the embers 
 with his pipe and "yas sar, my 'pinion 'bout dat 
 place, boss, is dat it was dug out." Here uncle 
 Jim broke in, "What de matter wid you, Tony; 
 how many niggers do you 'spose 'twould take tu 
 dig a hole big nufif to hole all dat water ?" "Dats 
 a fac, Jim," cried vmcle Tony, "I forgot 'bout de 
 water." 
 
 "Well, Jim," querred Mr. Woodward, "how do 
 
15 
 
 you account for it?"' "Marse James," uncle Jim 
 sagely replied, "it 'pears to me dat somebody got 
 dat place dug away, de dirt and de water washed it 
 down." 
 
 "Jim," exclaimed uncle Tony, "you am de big- 
 gest fool dat I ebber seed; how's any body gwine 
 git under de groun' to dig; whar will dey put de 
 dirt, and whar will de water cum fum tu wash it 
 down?" Yah, yah, yah; go 'way nigger, I 'spec' 
 you bin mole huntin'." "Dat am a fac', Tony, I 
 didn't tink 'bout dat," said uncle Jun, with an apol- 
 ogetic and crestfallen air. Here Tony gave his 
 pipe another rake in the embers, took a few puffs 
 and fell off his log fast asleep. 
 
 It was now getting late, and preparations were 
 being made to put me to bed, which was done by 
 placing some hay on the floor of the camp and 
 spreading some bed clothing, which w-e had brought 
 along, th^. bed was soon ready, and I was snugly 
 placed upon it, although 1 could not go to sleep, 
 knowing that we were to go out early in the morn- 
 ing to see the sun rise on the Lake. I was called 
 at the first dawn of day and told to get up; we soon 
 had eaten our breakfast and everything made ready 
 to leave for the Lake. We soon reached the land- 
 ing, finding our boat ready. My father placed me 
 in, then getting in himself, took up his paddle and 
 shoved off for a position in the Lake where we 
 might see the great Orb of Day bathe his face in 
 the cloudy water of "Lake Drummond." We did 
 not have long to wait. By the glow of light that 
 began to show just under the eastern horizon, we 
 were satisfied that our anticipations would soon be 
 realized. 
 
 The morning was misty, lust enough so as to 
 hide the dense woods, which stood on the eastern 
 
i6 
 
 shore of the Lake, and at the same time served as a 
 back-£;Tound to the grand display of nature, and 
 make it appear as if the sun actually came up out 
 of the water as it were. The mist in front was dis- 
 pelled and the rays of the sun playing on the rip- 
 pling water would cause you to think that it was 
 one vast cluster of diamonds. The sight was grand 
 beyond my power to describe it, and I never expect 
 to behold such a scene again. Everything was 
 lovely, Oh that May morning — the balmy breeze, 
 the air was filled with perfume of the wild flowers, 
 which grew around the Lake; birds carrolled forth 
 sweet music as they flitted from limb to limb; sqir- 
 rels could be seen and heard chattering among the 
 trees. The shore of the Lake was spread with a 
 velvety green, and you would think that nature had 
 done her best to make that morning lovely. Medi- 
 tating on the beauty and grandeur that surrounded 
 us on the broad bosom of the Lake, suddenly 
 we were awakened from our reverie by the 
 hoarse growl and lapping of the bears, and horrid 
 cries of the wild cats, which would cause the blood 
 to curdle in the veins. Thus with the sweet, some 
 sour always will be found. Occasionally, at the 
 Lake, a noble stag will emerge from the trees, 
 showing a stately head of horns, approach to the 
 water and survey the prospect, then plunge in the 
 Lake to swim to the other shore. He settles very 
 low, and if you did not know you would take it for 
 a floating bush. They are frequently caught when 
 attempting to cross the Lake. Having reached a 
 good place for fishing, my father stopped at the 
 place known as the "Apple Trees, "where he caught 
 some very pretty fish. His bait getting scarce, he 
 moved around the Lake to "Draper's Landing." 
 Running the bow of the canoe upon the wharf log. 
 
"17 
 
 T«,vliich was nearly on a level with the water, left liet 
 without tying-, to look for some angle worms. Il 
 "being rough on the Lake at the tim-e, the rolling of 
 the waves caused the boat to work off, aiKi before 
 he could return, she had drifted well out on the 
 broad waters of the Lake. We were too small to 
 realize our situation; not knowing how to paddle, 
 we were left to the mercy of the waves. On the 
 return of my father, seeing the great peril I was in, 
 •required but a single thought for him to know what 
 to do. Being a good swiip_mer he boldly plunged 
 into the water, reached the boat an<i swam towing 
 it to the shore. Had he not have returned in time, 
 our fate could not have been told. We would have 
 been capsi-zed in the Lake and drowned, or ha\^e 
 •drifted ashore to be devoured by bears and other 
 v.'ild animals, or stung to death by the venomous 
 reptiles, that hung in clusters on trees around the 
 shores of the Lake. This accident put an end to 
 fishing for that day. My father was wet, and not 
 having a change of clothing with him, proceeded 
 to tho camp, so that he could dry. We soon ar- 
 rived at Jack's Landing, and on reaching the camp, 
 found Mr. Woodward, who remarked, "What is the 
 matter, Neddie, did a big fish pull you overboard?'' 
 He saw that my father was wet, and ordered a fire 
 to be made, so that he could dry his clothes. A 
 hot fire was soon made of Juniper logs, and he was 
 not long in drying. 
 
 Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and 
 drinking a cup of hot coffee, he related the ciicum- 
 stances as detailed above. "Well, Neddie," said 
 Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the 
 Giver of all Good for this miraculous escape." The 
 pious Mr. Woodward joined with liim. It w-as no\\' 
 
«featiy dark, and preparations were made Co fiave-; 
 supper. When at tlie Lake it is expected that yotn 
 A^ill catch fish enou^s-h upon which to subsist, and my 
 father being a good- hand at anghiig, always had a: 
 good supply,, and no one on the trip wanted lor 
 Ssh. The supper, which co-nsisted of fish, bread, 
 and hot colifee, was soon ready. About this time 
 Tony and Jim, who had been loadii%g their skill at 
 the landing, returned to the camp, and taking their 
 seats at the ends of some Juniper logs, were soo» 
 fast asleep. We ate our supper and were then readj? 
 for any kind oi story that was told. 
 
 Chapter V, 
 
 The Visit of Thos, Moore,, as Related bv 
 Tony, 
 As uncle Ton-y was perhaps the oldest personi 
 and knew more about the Lake tlian any person 
 ihen engaged at it, he was awakend, and Mr, Wood- 
 ^'ard said, "uncle Tony, I wan-t you to tell us about 
 ^he man whom you said you brought to the Lake 
 in 1821." "Who tole you 'bout dat, boss?" in- 
 quired uncle Tony, with an air of conscious pride. 
 "It will make no difference, go on and tell us," re 
 lurned Mr. Woodward. Tony scratched his head, 
 ihen putting some tobacco in his pipe, took out his 
 ' tlint and steel, (n^atches not being known in the 
 swamp at that day) soon had fire enough to light 
 his pipe. Drawing on it enough to get his "nigger 
 head" tobacco to burn — fixing himself on the end 
 of his log and commenced : "Boss, I shall nebber 
 forgit dat time; one mornin' as I war gittin' my 
 skif reddy to go to de Lake, a mity nice lookin' 
 man cum up to me an' sed Buck, ar you de man dat 
 will carry me to de Lake ob de Dismal Swamp, for 
 
■^9 
 
 which 1 will pay you one pound? De geritiilcfjt, 
 talked so putty dat I toleTiim to git in my skif aH" 
 I wood carry him to de Lake. I notice dat he kep 
 Hvritin' all de way. When I got to de horse camps i 
 stopped to git somfin to eat. He cum outen de 
 skif an'ax me what I stop for. I tole him I stop to eat 
 ■some meat an' bread. He ax me it" I would have a 
 •drinlv. I tu'k offmy -hat an' to]e him dat I woulcl 
 be much obkged to him for it. He foched a sil- 
 ber jug, wid a silber cup for a stopper, an' sed, my 
 man, dis is Irish -whiskey, brung it all -de way from 
 ^home. He tole me dat his name -was Thomas 
 Moore, and dat he cum fom 'way ober yonder: I 
 dun forgot de name ob de place, an' was gwine te 
 de Lake to writr 'bout a spirit dat is -seed dar pad- 
 dlin' a kunnue. De har gin tu rise on my hed, 
 an' I ax him ef dat wus a fac'. He sed <la-t he wus 
 tole so in Norfolk. It was gin out dar dat a mitey 
 putty gal had loss her swethart, an' had dun gone • 
 crazy, an' had gone to de Lake ob de Disma] 
 Swamp an' drown herself, an' dat she ken be seen 
 ebery night by de lite ob some sort ob fli." "I tell 
 you, boss," continued the old man, "when he tole 
 me 'bout dat gal paddlin' dat bote on de Lake at 
 mte, I diden' want to go any furder wid him, but 
 he tole me dar wood be no danger. I could not 
 see hur, so I carrid him on to de Lake. He rit like 
 de gal had run away an' had been drowned rite 
 here. I shal nebber forgit dat gentman. I fotch 
 hmi back an' he gin me de poun', which war hve 
 dollars, an' he lef for Norfolk, bein' mitey glad dat 
 I had carrid him to de Lake." 
 
 "Tony, did he tell you anything about his trip?" 
 inquired Mr. Woodward. 
 
 "Yas, sar," replied the old man. "He tole me 
 dat be had trabblcd an' seen sites, but dat he neb- 
 
20 
 
 ber wus so 'stonish befa'; he did not 'spec' to see 
 at de end ob de kunel sich a putty place, an' dat I 
 wood hear some time what he was gwine tu say 
 'bout it." "That was Tom Moore, the Irisli poet,'"' 
 said Mr. W. "De who?" interrupted Tony. "He 
 came to this country," continued Mr. W., "to visit 
 the Lake, as being one of the wonders of nature, 
 and you were fortunate in having to wait on such a 
 distinguished person." 
 
 Tom Moore, after he had arrived in this country^ 
 no doubt heard of the Lake oi the Dismal Swampy 
 and when he reached Norfolk, Va., and the story 
 of the fair maiden and her lover being fresh, might 
 have mduced him to visit it, and it was on that oc- 
 casion that he penned the following lines : 
 
 "They made her grave tfrat was too cold and damp. 
 For a soul so warm and true." 
 
 . His poem on the "Lake of the Dismal Swamp," 
 
 no doubt, is familiar with every person of ordinary 
 
 information, and can be found in every library, and 
 
 should be read by every person who has never 
 
 done so. 
 
 Chapter VL 
 
 Porte Crayon's Visit, Incidents, etc. 
 
 At a much later date, the Lake was visited by 
 Porte Crayon, who was at that time writing for Har- 
 per's Monthly. The account given of his trip, 
 with his illustrations, are very life-like and inter- 
 esting, and in the February or March number of 
 that valuable book, for the year 1857, you will be 
 greatly amused at the description there given. Two 
 darkies, Eli Chalker and Jim Pearce, were the dri- 
 vers of the pleasure boat furnished by W. S. Rid- 
 dick, Esq., the then agent of the Dismal Swamp 
 Land Company, in which he was carried to the 
 
21 
 
 Lake. He was there some two or three days, and 
 his writings should be read to be appreciated. It 
 was at the Lake that he saw uncle "Aleck," of 
 whom a fac-simile likeness is given in the book 
 above referred to. Uncle "Aleck" was a superan- 
 uated old colored man, belonging to the Reverend 
 Jacob Keeling, Eector ofthe Episcopal Churches in 
 Nansemond county, Virginia. He was quite old, 
 and retained his memory to a remarkable degree. 
 He was called the "Bee Hunter" of. the Dismal 
 Swamp, and, if I am not mistaken, had a bag of 
 bees in his hand when Porte first met him. He 
 would follow bees for a long distance, cutting his 
 way through the reeds for miles in a straight line, 
 until he came to the tree in which was the hollow. 
 Then he would take out the bees, put them into a 
 bag and bring them out. In going to the Lake 
 you could see numberless paths cut by uncle Aleck 
 for that purpose. The opening through the reeds 
 would look to be about two feet wide and ten feet 
 high, which was almost the length of the reeds. 
 LTncle Aleck worked in the Swamp nearly all his 
 life, was a faithful hand, and in his old age the com- 
 pany gave him a house and piece of land, as a home 
 daring his natural life. A mule was also given to 
 him by the company, which muie I had the honor 
 of riding at a tournament at Suflblk, Va., in i860. 
 How old he was no one could tell at that time. 
 No account is given of any mules being in the Ark 
 at the time that she settled on dry land, and where 
 that mule came from will never be known. It is 
 very certain that he appeared on this mundane 
 sphere at some period after the flood. If he is 
 dead I have heard nothing of it. He may be wan- 
 dering about the Dismal Swamp. Old uncle Aleck 
 and his mule were great curiosities, and whenever 
 
22 
 
 he came to town on his mule they attracted a great 
 deal of attention. He was an exhorter in the Meth- 
 odist Churches for colored people, and always had 
 in his pocket a Testament or Hymn book. He was 
 perfectly conversant with the Bible, and could re- 
 fer readily to any passage of Scripture that you 
 might mention. He was born 1783 and died a few- 
 years ago, having attained the age of one hundred 
 years, his mind being as vivid and active as at any 
 time. We shall never forget uncle "Aleck" and 
 his mule; they were things of our earliest recollec- 
 tion, and like many of the landmarks at the "Lake 
 of the Dismal Swamp" have been washed away. I 
 have been to it frequently since my first visit, 
 and would notice the changes made by the rude 
 hand of time. 
 
 I have examined several writers that have writ- 
 ten about "Uncle Aleck's Mule," and am satisfied 
 that it was the same one that "Nat Turner" rode 
 when on his raid of murder in Southampton county, 
 Va., in 1831. Looking over the diary of Colonel 
 Godfrey, for thirty years, we notice that he said 
 "Nat Turner," when he appeared in the avenue of 
 Dr. Blount, on that fatal night, he rode at the head 
 of the column, mounted on a sorrel mule, with flax 
 mane and tail. But the question arises, how that 
 mule got into the Dismal Swamp, and how he came 
 in possession of the Dismal Swamp Land Com- 
 pany. Col. Godfrey states that there were several 
 guns in the house of Dr. Blount, and several vis- 
 itors there at the time; that the young Blount 
 loaded the guns, and that a strong fire was kept up 
 on the advancing column. Nat Turner was thrown 
 from his mule, then they became panic-stricken, 
 and were dispersed. For the brax'ery displayed by 
 vouno- Blount on that occasion, he received a mid- 
 
23 
 
 shipman's warrant in the Ignited States Navy. I 
 will now quote from G. P. R. James' book called 
 the "Old Dominion," in which he states that a 
 "young mother, with her infant, fled to the Dismal 
 Swamp for safety." It was several miles away, 
 and it may be that she drove that same mule, and 
 the probability is- that she left the mule in the 
 Swamp, and that he wandered about until he found 
 Jack's Camp, where he was secured and became 
 the property of the Dismal Swamp Land Com- 
 pany. How long the company worked him before 
 he became the property of uncle Aleck I do not 
 know, but am satisfied that it was several years, 
 and that his wind was injured bv over-loading. I 
 have the testimony of a gentleman, well-known ill 
 Suffolk, now living, who stated that he saw a cym- 
 ling vine at Jack's Camp which was of spontaneous 
 growth, and which covered more Juniper trees than 
 he could_^count, and from that vine there was gath- 
 ered two hundred and fifty cart loads of cymlings. 
 It may be that the hauling away of these cymlings 
 so injured the mule that he was no longer of ser- 
 vice to the company. There is no doubt he was 
 turned over to uncle Aleck, which must have been 
 during the year 1832. I was in the Swamp during 
 that year and saw the cymling vine above alluded 
 to, and no one could tell how it came to grow there. 
 It will be impossible for me to tell how old uncle 
 Aleck's mule was, or what became of him. I have 
 never heard that he died or was killed. He was no 
 doubt the most remarkable mule that ever lived. 
 The last that I heard from him was related by un- 
 cle Aleck himself, and which was no doubt true. I 
 will relate as near as I can what the old man told 
 me. He came to Suffolk one day, and I noticed 
 that he was very much excited. I said to him, 
 
24 
 
 "Uncle Aleck, what has happened to you ?" He an- 
 swered, "Marse Robert, I never was in sich a tix 
 befo' in all my life ; I have foug-ht bears, rattle- 
 snakes, wild cats and bees, but I tell you, sum fin 
 has happened to me to-day dat never been known 
 to befall any one." "What was that uncle Aleck ?" 
 I inquired. "I'm terribly upsot, and I dunno what 
 to do. I shall hab to move away frum my place; 
 
 , a whirl-wind struck my well dis mornin' and has 
 twisted it so dat I can't git de bucket down in de 
 well, and I can't git no water, an' what is wuss dan 
 all, my mule has been translated. He wus a 
 good mule, and, his loss ruins me." I saw uncle 
 Aleck some time after that, when he told me that 
 he was' out in the Swamp hunting bees, when lo '• 
 and behold, he heard his mule bray. He cast his 
 
 ♦ eyes up and saw^ him lodged in the forks of a large 
 tree. There was no way by which he could get 
 him down, and left him as he thought to die. But 
 his surprise can be imagined when he heard nuz- 
 zling at the door one morning, when upon opening^ 
 what should he see but his mule. How he came 
 down he could not tell, but said he should always 
 believe that his mule could climb a tree. I said it 
 must have been a providential interference, and that 
 the same Power which landed him in the tree was 
 able to lift him out. "Dat is so," said the old man, 
 "an' I will nebber agin' complain at de ways ob an 
 over-rulin' providence." I often think of Col. God- 
 frey and his remark, when he said that what best 
 conduces to the happiness of mankind is right. Un- 
 cle Aleck, knowing that his mule was at home with 
 his head well in the crib, and he in the Swamp fight- 
 ing bears and bees, was perfectly happy. Uncle 
 Aleck and his mule are both now dead, and I shall 
 always have a lively recollection of them. I often 
 
think of them, and that I rode uncle Aleck's mule as 
 Knight ol" the Dismal Swamp at a tournament, won 
 the first honor, and was ruled out on account of my 
 mule not making time, much to the mortirication of 
 uncle Aleck. As uncle Aleck and his mule will 
 appear again, I will leave them for the present and 
 relate an interesting conversation with Mr. Richard 
 Hosier, who now lives in Suffolk, and who is as well 
 acquainted with the Dismal Swamp as any one now- 
 living. He is perfectly familiar with every part of 
 it, and is no doubt correct in many of his statements. 
 He informed me that long before the Lake was dis- 
 covered by Drummond, two gentlemen from Eliza- 
 beth City, N. C, left for the Dismal Swamp on a 
 hunting expedition, and having lost their way , wan- 
 dered about until they came to what they discovered 
 to be a large body of water. From it they traveled 
 a due w'est course and came out at a farm on the 
 Desert road, known as Mossy Swamp, and one of 
 the men was taken sick and died ; the other one 
 returned to EHzabeth City. Mr. Hosier did not 
 state when this was, but said it was long before 
 Drummond made known that he had discovered a 
 lake in the Dismal Swamp. It will be remembered 
 that Mr. Hosier was arrested in Norfolk in 1863, by 
 order of the Federal General then commanding that 
 Department, and was being carried toward the In- 
 dian Pole Bridge to be put to work on the defences 
 of Norfolk. He was not disposed to do work in 
 that way, and when well out from Norfolk he eluded 
 the guard that had him, and directed his steps to- 
 ward the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth river. 
 On his arrival, seeing boats passing up and down, 
 he secreted himself until the darkness of night had 
 fallen, then making a bundle of his clothes and 
 placing it on his head, he entered the river and 
 
26 
 
 swam to the other shore. He then pursued his way 
 to the Deep Creek Canal, which he forded, arriving 
 at the " Feeder," he was not far from the Lake, 
 and was at a place with which he was well acquain- 
 ted, and out of the reach of all danger of being re- 
 captured. Resting himself awhile, he then started 
 for the Lake, and it was at that place he performed 
 his great teat. He could not procure a boat, and 
 the prospect before him was gloomy indeed. If he 
 remained there he would, in all probability, have 
 been devoured by bears and other wild animals in 
 the Swamp, or perhaps starve. Not being in the 
 least daunted he prepared himself to reach the 
 western shore, which could only be done by swim 
 ming. It was seven miles across, but he nerved 
 himself to the accomplishment of his object. He 
 prepared himself as before by making a bundle of 
 his clothes, which he placed on the top of his head, 
 and was then ready to swim across or perish in the 
 attempt. When he was about half-way across he 
 was attacked by a large serpent, and had it not been 
 for school of gars that was following him he would no 
 doubt have been devoured. He reached the shore 
 only to meet a more formidable enemy. It was a 
 large black bear. In his scuffle with the serpent he 
 had lost his bundle of clothes and had nothing but 
 a large knife, which was buckled around his waist. 
 Drawing his knife, he rushed forward and was met 
 by the bear, when a regular hand-to-hand fight was 
 commenced. He did not wrestle long before he 
 found an opportunity to use his knife, and plung- 
 ing it up to the hilt, he soon had the bear lying 
 prostrate at his feet. Having lost all his clothes, it 
 became necessary that he should do something in 
 his nude state. The bear's skin was the only thing 
 that he could get, so with his knife he skinned him, 
 
•and getting inside the skin 'he started to find sonre 
 settlement. But his condition was as bad as before. 
 The idea of his being able to get near enough to 
 anv person to tell of his condition was absurd. The 
 very sight of him would scare every man, wo- 
 man and child off the plantation. He could not ge 
 a living soul to come to him, and it was not until he 
 liad reached his own home, some few miles from 
 Suffolk, that he could present himself as Mr. Hosier. 
 I could write many very interesting incidents 
 connected ^\'ith the of life Mr. Hosier, 
 which, in manv instances, are thrilling. But as we 
 are writing our own recollections, I shall only notice 
 -in a few cases what I ha\'e been tokl by others. 
 
 Chapter VH. 
 maky changes have taken place. 
 It is pleasant to me that I can take a retrospective 
 view of the past and note the many changes that have 
 taken place within my recollection. Many sad 
 changes have taken place within the past fifty years. 
 Dynasties have arisen, lived and have had their 
 day; they have fallen, and are known as things that 
 were. But four of the companions of my school- 
 boy days are living, and it is only now and then 
 ihat we meet with one. The Rev. R. H.Jones, of 
 Norfolk, \s the only one that we have seen or known 
 away from Suffolk. The honored landmarks of 
 the town are few, and soon must be less. Benja 
 min Riddick, the present mayor of the town, is per- 
 haps the oldest citizen in it — Judge P. B. Prentice, 
 the polished gentleman — his manly form can be 
 seen on our streets, as he, with intrepid steps, passes 
 along; he is the oldest native citizen, and pos- 
 sesses a mind as active and vigorous as when young. 
 
2g 
 
 John Hufifaian, Esq., is another of the landmarks of 
 the town ; he has hved nearly his four-score years. 
 Whitmill Jones, Esq., is another of our old friends. 
 His steps are feeble and trembling-. The last of the 
 old pioneers of Suffolk, whom we shall notice, is 
 James B. Norfleet, Esq, He is perhaps more gen- 
 erally known than any man who has ever lived in 
 the place. He conducted for many years a very 
 extensive mercantile and lumber business, but fell a 
 victim to his generous impulses. The cypresses 
 that was known as the "apple tree," which stood 
 in the Lake a short distance to the left of the 
 "Lock," has been blown down, or washed 
 up with its roots, and m a short time nothing 
 will be seen of it. The house which stood not 
 very far from the western shore of the Lake 
 and cccupied by a family known as Draper, 
 has been washed away, and nothing left to show 
 that a human habitation ever had any existence 
 there. Before the late war a pleasure boat was 
 kept by the company for the accommodation of 
 parties that wished to visit the Lake, and it was 
 customary for several parties to go in early Spring, 
 commencing about the first of May, that being the 
 most pleasant time and nature about to put on her 
 coat ot green. But few parties now venture in, ow- 
 ing to the inconvenience that attend, and when 
 they do go they have to get in the best way they 
 can. The pleasure boat and other boats in the ca- 
 nal were cut up by order of Gen. Peck, command- 
 ing the U. S. forces at Suffolk, Va., and carried to 
 the Blackwater river to be used as pontoons across 
 that stream. But I doubt it they were ever used 
 for that purpose. After the surrender, so great 
 was the demand for boats by strangers that wished 
 
29 
 
 to visit the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, that Capt. 
 Busby, an energetic citizen of Nansemond county, 
 Virginia, had erected near the Lake a Hotel known 
 as the Lake Drummond Hotel, and to invite visitors 
 he had built a beautiful " Gondola," which was run 
 daily to the Lake during the season. That old trojan, 
 Capt. Jack Robinson, being in charge of the hotel, 
 caused it to be well filled. It wao very frequently 
 the case that parties would come from Norfolk to 
 go on from Suffolk, they having heard that the 
 Gondola left her wharf every day for the Lake. I 
 recollect a party of three young gentlemen that 
 came from Norfolk, who wished to visit Lake Drum- 
 mond. They stopped at the Exchange Hotel and 
 made known the fact. The polite manager, Eddie 
 S. Riddick, Esq., soon saw Capt. Busby, and his 
 Gondola was chartered to carry the party to the 
 Lake. Air. R. made every preparation necessarv 
 for them ; but one of the parties heard that an 
 alligator was on exhibition near the Hotel, and 
 thinking that it was brought from the Lake, at once 
 provided himself with a rifle and a large quantity of 
 fixed ammunition. All were then ready and they 
 eft for the Canal, where they would take the Gon- 
 dola. She was then at her wharf, and everything 
 being placed in, Capt. Busby took his stand at the 
 wheel and gave orders to the first-mate to have the 
 Gandola cast loose, which was at once obeyed, and 
 like a swan she was gliding on in the canal at the 
 fearful rate of about two miles an hour. To pre- 
 vent any confusion if attacked, one of the most dar- 
 ing young men of the party, being one of the three 
 from Norfolk, Va., placed himself in the bow of 
 the Gondola, with rife in hand and a box of ammu- 
 nition conviently nigh, awaited an attack from any 
 quarter. When passing what is known as "Paradise 
 
30 
 
 Old Field," one of the party cried alligator ! The 
 young man at the bow at once opened fire, and it 
 was not until he had^shot away a whole box of 
 ammunition, tliat he discovered the supposed alli- 
 gator to be nothing more dangerous than a floating 
 log. Quiet having been restored the Capt. struck 
 two bells, and the Gondola was on her way again, 
 but unfortunately had not proceeded many miles 
 when a snake fell in off an overhanging limb of a 
 tree, and so near one of the young men that it 
 ^ caused him to jump over into the canal. The mate 
 ordered one of the deck hands to throw the snake 
 out, whilst others were fishing out the young man, 
 who had jumped overboard. Capt. Busby, fearing 
 that some other accident might happen before 
 reaching the Hotel, thought it best that passengers 
 should occupy tlieir state-rooms until a landing- 
 was made at the Hotel. He said with so much 
 confusion it would be impossible for him to land 
 his Gondola safely. Capt. Jack, of the Hotel, was 
 watching the movements of Capt. Busby and comp- 
 limented him for his dexterity. He walked down 
 from the Hotel and escorted the guests up, who had 
 just arrived. The Hotel is of the Irish style of 
 architecture, with parlor, kitchen, dining and bed- 
 room all in the same room, the whole being heated 
 with a hot air furnace. I have not been to the Lake 
 for some time, but hear that great improvements 
 have been made, and it is the object of the proprietor 
 of the Hotel to turn the attention of Northern visi- 
 tors to Florida every winter in that direction, be- 
 lieving that it is the healthiest place in the United 
 States. It is very accessible, the Norfolk and 
 Western railroad passing through its northern 
 boundary, and the Suffolk and Carolina short line 
 
31 
 
 or Grand Trunk railroad, on its Western, which by 
 running a raih'ord from Kimerville, on tlie Grand 
 Trunk, would bring the Lake Hotel within a few 
 minutes ride from Suffolk, and with little or no in- 
 convience to invalids coming from the rigid climate 
 of the North. I am told that all snakes remain in 
 a torpid state during the winter and no danger 
 might be expected from them, and as the floors of 
 the Hotel would be kept tight no vermm could 
 crawl through. There can be no doubt that the 
 Lake of the Dismal Swamp must become the great 
 centre of health seekers, and that, at an early day. 
 Its location and advantages, the known healthliness 
 of the place, to say nothing of its beauty and for- 
 mer renown, is sufficient to attract the attention of 
 persons that seek the Sunny South from the cold 
 and rigorous climate of the extreme northern 
 states of the Union. It is true that some writers 
 pronounce the warm and genial climate ol the 
 Sunny South to be a fraud, practiced to allure the 
 unsuspecting. That cannot be so. It is universally 
 known that the " Dismal Swamp " is the healthiest 
 place in the known world. Where can you find 
 a location in which a death has not occurred in a 
 hundred years. It cannot be named. 
 
 Chapter VIII. 
 the future for the dismal swamp. 
 The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is the only place* 
 where a death from disease has never occurred. 
 Railroads, like hog paths, are being run in every 
 direction, and the time is not far distant when a rail- 
 road will be run direct to the beautiful Lake of the 
 Dismal Swamp, and Northern invalids will flock to 
 its shores, there to bathe in its Juniper water and 
 be healed from all disease. True, at this time it is 
 
32 
 
 in a rude and wild condition, but with the Suffolk 
 Carolina Grand Trunk 11. R., stretching across its 
 western front, civilization must tend toward it. and 
 when a comninnication direct is opened, a city, 
 Cincinattus like, will spring along it shores and its 
 inhabitants can, by the light of the glow worm of 
 fire fly, watch the paddling of the white canoe, so 
 beautifully described by Moore in his poem. 
 Another very interesting place near the swamp is a 
 larm, which at one time belonged to General Wash- 
 ington. It is at the extreme south and is now- 
 owned by Mrs. John Trotman, and she has in her 
 possession the original title deeds of every person 
 who has owned the place at various times from 
 Washington down to the last purchaser, who was 
 Burrell Brothers, Esq., of Gates county. North 
 Carolina, and an uncle of the above named lady. 
 At his death it fell to his widow, who gave it to 
 Mrs. John Trotman, its present owner. I have 
 visited the place several times and the cellars can 
 now be seen where stood the first house. It is very 
 certain that it was settled many years ago, from the 
 fact that I saw a tomb stone of a doctor frOm 
 Waterbury, Connectticut, who died there in 1800; 
 this stone has been seen by many persons. There 
 is another place of some note that adjoins the 
 Washington farm, it is known as Hamburgs. At 
 this place a ditch or canal was dug, running east to 
 the north-west Lock of the Dismal Swamp Canal, 
 through w^hich a vast quantity of grain and other 
 produce raised by the farmers of Gates county, was 
 shipped to Norfolk. An extensive mercantile busi- 
 ness was carried on at Hamburg by Col. T. W. 
 Smith, so well known, who afterwards removed to 
 and now resides in Suftblk, Ya. It was at Ham- 
 
33 
 
 "burg tliat so many refugees ran the blockade duf- 
 ang the late war from Norfolk and other places, and 
 51 number of incidents could be related of persons 
 that sought that place to get in and out of the Con- 
 federate lines. Hamburg is a beautiful place and 
 is owned by Mrs. S. C. Voight, who resides upon 
 the premises. It was at this place that Beast But- 
 ler, of the F"ederal Army, carried on a very exten- 
 sive barter trade with the Rebs. It adjoins the 
 Washington farm, as I said before, and may have 
 been at one tune a part of it, I know nothin.g- of 
 the first settlement of the place. It has the appear- 
 ance of bemg very ancient — no doubt dates back 
 many years before the i evolution. Or it may have 
 been the headquarters of u roving ti'ibe of Indians, as 
 many arrow points and tomahawks have been 
 ploughed up on the place. To my friend T. H. 
 Lassiter, Esq., of Gates county. North Carolina, I 
 am indebted for much of the information gained of 
 that locality, and I could relate a good deal told to 
 me by that gentleman, which might be very inter- 
 esting. Mr. Lassiter lives at a beautiful farm, on 
 the main Edenton road, near the Silver Spring, a 
 place of great resort for persons living in that part 
 of the county. 
 
 I will relate a very interesting conversation which 
 I had with a \ery old colored man that I met in the 
 road near the Orapeake Mill, in Gates county. 
 North Carolina, when on my way to Suffolk, Va., 
 and not far from the beautiful village of Jonesville, 
 lying on both sides of the Suffolk and Carolina 
 Short Line or Grand Trunk Railroad. I said to 
 the old man, " uncle where do you live ?" " Boss 
 you ax me a hard question," replied the old man. 
 " Git oft" your boss an sot down, I'm gwine tell you 
 sumfin. Do you smoke de pipe boss."' I replied 
 
that I did and handed him my bag of tobacco. 
 He took from his pocket what I supposed he called 
 a pipe, it was the butt end of a corn cob, hollowed 
 out with somethmg- protruding at a right angle, 
 which he called a stem ; what it really was, I could 
 not tell. He filled it with tobacco. I then handed 
 him a match, when thanking me very kindly he 
 lighted his pipe, drawing it a few times to see that 
 it was well lighted,said"Boss I will now tol you snm- 
 thin dat happen many years ago. Do you see dat 
 mill pon' yonder?" alluding to the Orapeake, I 
 replied that I did. " Well boss, dat pon' was de 
 cause of my trouble. One dark nite I was in dar 
 strikin at fish, I had jist hit a large chub, when a 
 white man, who was in dar strikin, cum up and sed, 
 boy dat is my fish. I tole him dat I kilt de fish 
 an dat it was mine; 'bout dat time he was gwine to 
 take de fish an den I took up my hatchet dat I had 
 in de bote, whar I split liteard wid and hit him on 
 de head, he drapped down in de bote and I seed 
 dat I had done somefin bad ; de man was dead and 
 I wood be hung if dey cotched me, so I drug de 
 man ober de side of de bote into de water an mashed 
 him down in de mud, an dat man never cum up any 
 more. I didn't go home any more; an arter a 
 while de white man was missin, and de peple gin to 
 talk, an I gin to git skared. Do you see dat house 
 up dar?" I said I did. "Well, Marse Luke Sum- 
 mer libbed dar, de big house dat he libbed in is 
 done torn down and de small one made outen it." 
 He is done ded now, and when he libbed dar is 
 mor'n a hundred year ago. His gran-son, Marse 
 Joe Riddick, now own de place, an libs at it. He 
 mus be ni eighty year old. Well dey fine de 
 White man was done missin, an it bin dat I was 
 strikin fish in de Mill pon' de same nite, dey 'gin to 
 
35 
 
 look for nie.an my daddy tole me dat I had better go 
 into de desart, which was de Dismal Swamp. I 
 took his 'vice, an lef; de runaway ketchers cum in 
 dar to look for me, but didn't get me. I staid dar 
 till de war was ober. I cum out and hab been look 
 'bout dis place to see if I node anybody, but dey 
 all gone ded, an nobody nose me. I tell you boss, 
 when you git in de desert ef no body ses nuffin, de 
 runaway ketchers can't kotch you. I am berry ole 
 now, an my home folks are all ded an gone an I no 
 nobody. De ghost ob de white man dat I kilt 
 hants me all de time, whar ebber I go, and I is a 
 misable man. I am now on my way to de desart to 
 hide myself and die." I asked him who he be- 
 longed to at the time he committed the murder. 
 Replying he said; " I longed to Capt. Richard 
 Brothers, in de desart." " Well," I said, "did he 
 ever know what became of you ?'' "I nebber heard 
 any more from him arter I got in de desart. I 
 heard dat he dide in i<§i7 ob de cole plague, or 
 black tongue. " You are correct in what you have 
 said, uncle," I replied. " I do not wish to inter- 
 view you any longer on that subject. He was my 
 grand-father and lived at the place mentioned by 
 you. I hear the old people speak of the circum- 
 stances; you were his carriage driver, at the time, 
 and your name is " Long Davy." " Yas sar, dat 
 is my name, but don't tell any body 'bout it. I 
 had a brudder libing in de low parrish of Nanse- 
 mond county, but he is ded. His name was George." 
 I said, "uncle Davy, you are correct." On one oc- 
 casion being at Driver's Store, in Lower Parrish, of 
 Nansemond, I saw a tall and very polite colored 
 man drive up. I was struck with his appearance, 
 and asking him his name, he said George W. Cos- 
 tew, sir." "Then you are from Sunsbury, Gates 
 
36 
 
 eounty, North Carolina." "I was from that place; 
 he replied, " but have been living in the Lower- 
 Parish since the breaking out of the war." "Were- 
 you a slave or free-born " I inquired. "I was a 
 slave," he responded. " Who was your first 
 owner that you recollect." "Capt. Richard Broth- 
 ers, on the desert road, Nansemond county, Va., 
 who, died with the cold plague, in 1817," h-e readily 
 answered. He appeared to be very much pleased, 
 when I told him that his first master was my grand- 
 father. He looked at me very straight and asked 
 me my mother's name, and upon my answering 
 Margaret, he said that he thought he could see a 
 family likeness, and that my mother was the first 
 mistress he ever had, she " drawmg " him in the 
 division of my grand-father's property. I left him 
 at Driver's Store and never saw him agam. I have 
 .since heard that he was dead. I often thought ot 
 the cii'cumstance of the meeting. Such frequently 
 occurs and bring up recollections that are buried in 
 oblivion. The corroborative testimony of George 
 satisfied me that "Davy " was true in what he re- 
 lated to me about what happened at Orapeake Mill 
 Pond, in Gates county. North Carolina, near the 
 beautiful village of Jonesville, on the Grand Trunk 
 Railroad. 
 
 Chapter IX. 
 
 SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS. 
 
 I will take the above railroad and return to Suf- 
 folk, when I will say something of my early recol- 
 lections of that place. It was in the year 1830, that 
 my father, with his family, moved to it. I was 
 quite small at that time, but I recollect the time 
 well. Suffolk was then a small village, situated on 
 the Nansemond river, with a population ol about 
 
37 
 
 five hundred, and increased very slowly in popula- 
 tion until after the surrender, which was in Aprih 
 1865. Since that it has increased very rapidly in 
 population and growth. It was in Suffolk that 
 Henry Harman commenced his business career; 
 moved to Norfolk in 1832, and became one of her 
 successful merchants. At his death, his remains 
 were brought to Suffolk, and now quietly rest in 
 Cedar Hill Cemetery. 1 could mention many in- 
 stances of successful business men of that town, 
 were it necessary. I will now write of things ot 
 more recent date; something within the recollection 
 of many persons yet living. It will be recollected 
 that a fire broke out in June, 1837, that destroyed 
 the lower part of the town. There were no engines 
 in the place and the flames raged with great fury; 
 the Allen residence, at IJose Hill, about one half 
 mile distant, was set on fire several times, by the 
 flying debris, and it was with difficulty that the 
 house was saved. It was at Rose Hill that a large 
 mercantile business was carried on, and no doubt 
 a large quantity of Juniper lumber was shipped 1 
 from that point, belonging to private individuals. 
 A wharf was built at the mouth of Shingle Creek, 
 I imagine long before the Jericho Canal was dug, 
 and large quantities of lumber was hauled to it by 
 persons living on the edge of the Dismal Swamp. 
 We will mention one person that we knew who 
 owned a large Juniper Glade. I know of one who 
 owned a large tract of Juniper, and he no doubt 
 shipped Irom Allen's wharf. His name was Thomas 
 Swepston and lived not far from Suffolk, on the 
 line of the Seaboard Railroad, which divides his 
 farm. He was agent ol the Dismal Swamp Land 
 Company for several years, and may have been 
 the first, after the Jericho Canal was opened. The 
 
38 
 
 last agent, of whom I have any knowledge, was 
 W. S. Riddick, Esq., who died several years ago. 
 The last Inspector of lumber was J. E. Bonnewell, 
 of whom it is my pleasure to notice particularly. 
 Perhaps no man was more generally known and 
 respected in Suffolk than he. He was a true friend, 
 benevolent and kind, never refusing to bestow 
 charity when called upon. He succeeded Mr. 
 Joseph Hill, as Inspector for the Company, which 
 office he held until his death. It was during his 
 term of office that it was made so pleasant to visit 
 the Lake; by giving timely notice, he would always 
 give the parties the best boats and the most trusty 
 hands as drivers, and would always be present when 
 the boat left its landing and when it returned, and 
 was anxious to know if any mishaps had occurred 
 to any of the party. And if it should be re[)orted 
 that some lady had fallen into the Canal he would 
 always very politely ask that she be carried into his 
 house to be made more comfortable. Capt. Babel 
 Jones, of Philadelphia, was his bosom friend. When 
 the Capt. was in Suffolk, they could always be found 
 together. They both have passed away, and a 
 generous people will do justice to their memory. 
 Capt. Bonnewell died leaving a rich heritage be- 
 hind; a name that will live as long as it is called. 
 But few have lived and died who was so much be- 
 loved and respected as he. He was proud, but not 
 haughty, and flexible to kind impulses. He was 
 the soul of honor, and no one can say that he even 
 failed to accord to every one their just dues. I 
 knew him from my boyhood up and never knew a 
 better man. He left an interesting family — Mrs. H. 
 R. Culley, being his eldest daughter. I could 
 write many noble traits in the character of that 
 good man, but it is not necessary. There are but 
 
39 
 
 few of his compeers now living, and soon they will 
 all have passed away. Such is the march of time. 
 Nothing very important transpired in Suffolk from 
 1837, until after the close of the late war, when 
 she awoke from her slumbering condition. — her 
 watch-word being progress. She brushed the dust 
 from her eyes, and her advancement in every 
 branch of industry can be seen in her rapid growth. 
 She stands second to no town in a commerical point 
 of view. Her manufacturing interests are consider- 
 able, and being a railroad centre, she must pros- 
 per and grow. The disastrous fire, which occurred 
 June 7th, 1885, impeded business for a few months. 
 But our men of capital at once commenced to re- 
 pair the breach, and she is again on the road to 
 fame and wealth. And it is to the Suffolk and 
 Carolina or Short Lme Railroad, that Suffolk is 
 mostly indebted for her present prosperous condi- 
 tion. Penetrating as it does, a country that is rich 
 and fertile, she has already felt its influence and it 
 should be fostered as one of the main arteries to 
 her prosperity. 
 
 Chapter X. 
 
 ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY. 
 
 This railroad was projected by the energetic and 
 far seeing W. H. Gay, Esq., of Suffolk, as a lum- 
 ber road, who pushed it rapidly as far south as 
 Sunsbury, in Gates county, N. C. He soon saw 
 that it was a grand enterprise, and associated with 
 him several gentlemen of the city of Baltimore, in 
 its construction, who afterwards bought out Mr. 
 Gay's interest, and have constructed a road that 
 will soon become one of the leading lines, connect- 
 ting as it does, by a line of steamboats, the waters, 
 of Albermarle Sound and the Adantic Ocean, and 
 
40 
 
 bringing eastern North Carolina in direct commu- 
 nication with the the city of Baltimore. Under the 
 able management of Mr. H. B. Hubbell, the effi- 
 cient vice-President of the company, and R. H. 
 Thompson, Esq., as general manager, with the as- 
 sisstance of Col. Harry McCleary, the road has 
 been brought to its present flourishing condition, 
 and the Gay manufacturing company, under Presi- 
 dent Camp, is one of its chief adjuncts. This road 
 now connects with the Norfolk and Western, and 
 the Atlantic and Dan\ille railways, and soon large 
 quantities of freight will be transferred from it to 
 the above named roads. 
 
 Suffolk is more particularly noted for her schools, 
 colleges, and other institutions of learning, all of 
 which are in a very prosperous condition. The 
 Suffolk Military Academy, under the direction of 
 Joseph King, principal, with its professorship, is no 
 doubt the best school for young men m tide-water 
 Virginia. The character and standing of it, with 
 its location for health, is a recommendation that 
 must tend greatly to its success. Another school 
 of high grade is the Suffolk Collegiate Institute, 
 under the professorship of P. J. Kernodle, is an in- 
 stitution that has been established for several years, 
 and has received a liberal support from its friends. 
 The course at this institution is thorough; young 
 ladies are taught the higher branches and are in- 
 structed in music, drawing and painting. The 
 west end Female Seminary, under the direct super- 
 vision of Col. W. H. Darden, formerly of Isle of 
 Wight county, Va., with Miss Novella Darden, as 
 principal, with the assistance of Miss Lizzie J. 
 King, gives to the school a reputation that must 
 add greatly to its success. Young ladies at this 
 school are instructed in all the higher branches, 
 
41 
 
 music, painting and drawing. It is elligibly located 
 •on College Avenue. The Suffolk Female Insti- 
 tute, under the direction of the Missess Finney is 
 two well known to require a notice. It is the old- 
 est established school in Suffolk, and enjoys a re- 
 putation that is enviable. It has probably received 
 ■■more favor than any other school of which I have 
 notice. The Nansemond Seminary, of which Mrs. 
 Quimby is principal, is a school that recommends 
 itself It is limited in its scholarships, and has 
 gained quite a reputation. 
 
 Chapter XI. 
 
 •OLD BEIsTn's church — SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, 
 ETC. 
 
 It is interesting to read of relics of the olden 
 times and bring up associations connected there- 
 with. I will now notice an antiquated old build- 
 ing, in Isle of Wight county, Va., on the main 
 road leading from Suffolk to Smithfield, and about 
 five miles from the latter place. It is called Old 
 Benn's Church. At what time it was built, I have 
 never heard, but it must have been soon after the 
 settlement of this country. The rude hand of time 
 has reduced it to bare walls and nothing is left of 
 its interior to show that it was ever a place of wor- 
 ship. That it was built when this country was a 
 colony there can be no question. There is a bury- 
 ing ground at the place, on which can be seen tomb 
 stones of very ancient date, and, if I mistake not, 
 the first rector of the church or some of his family^ 
 was buried at it ; a tablet could be seen set in the 
 building of the fact. Bishop Meade, in his history 
 of the Episcopal Churches in Virginia, mentions 
 Benn's Church as being one of, if not the oldest^ 
 church in the state. It has been snatched from 
 
further decay by some benevolent ladies and will; 
 soon a.g-ain become a place of worship. Let the 
 names of these ladies form the future history of that 
 sacred old church, and let future generations know 
 that it was at one time from decay reduced to bare 
 walls, and that bv the humane efforts of some ladies, 
 it has been reclaimed and once more presents the 
 appearance of a house of worship, standing as a 
 monument to its former renown and greatness. 
 There are several Episcopal churches in this county,, 
 that should not be allowed to go to decay. They 
 stand as landmarks in Virginia; built long before 
 the recollection of any one now living. I know of 
 several places in this county, that I have been told 
 were Glebe property, and at one time were and had 
 erected on them Episcopal churches. In many 
 places these churches have gone down, the land 
 escheated, and are now occupied by churches of 
 other denominations. And it may have been so, 
 as they are just stich places as old Episcopal 
 churches now stand on elevated sites, near running- 
 streams. I could state some very interesting facts 
 connected with many places in this county, which 
 might appear very meritorious, nevertheless, they 
 are trne, and form a part of the history of the 
 county. 
 
 I will now mention Mount Pleasant, the home 
 of the Meades, of Virginia. This was at one 
 time a very beautiful estate, on the west bank of 
 what is now known as Smith's Creek, and is the 
 Southern Branch, of the Nansemond River; long 
 before the revolution this place was settled, and at 
 the time very large vessels could navigate the 
 creek as far as Mount Pleasant; it then being a wide 
 and deep river, and I have been told that a direct 
 oreign trade was carried on with that place. A 
 
;grave-yard can be seen at Mount Pleasant which is 
 very singular and has some curiously inscribed 
 tomb stones in it, of persons who died there many 
 years ago. By the ruthless hand of tim« many oi 
 the tombs were mutilated and it may be that Jittle 
 IS left of them. I had the inscriptions of some of 
 ■them, but gave them to a gentleman from West- 
 moreland county, Virginia. He wanted them on 
 account of their singularity, and he being an anti- 
 quarian he said they would be quite an acquisition 
 to his cabinet of curiosities. It is highly probable 
 that Mount Pleasant was settled long before the 
 Dismal Swamp was known or heard of, and I 
 doubt if any one thought that there could be found 
 :such a place as it really was existed, and having hid 
 in its dark foliage such a beautiful place as Lake 
 Drummond. 
 
 The first great enterprise that was com- 
 menced in Suffolk, after the surrender, was the 
 building of the railroad of the Suffolk Lumber 
 Company, which runs from Suffolk to Asher, in 
 Gates county, North Carolina, where is the home 
 •of the Hon. C. A. Whaley. As soon as the road 
 was completed as far as Whaley ville, in Nansemond 
 •county, Va., a town soon sprung up, and a mer- 
 cantile business was commenced, which for a time 
 paralyzed business in Suffolk. It stoj^ped the 
 channel through which flowed the life-blood of the 
 town from where it started. This road is owned by 
 Elilew Jackson, (Governor- elect of Maryland) & 
 Co., and brothers, and has frcm its commencement 
 done a heavy business. It has been ably managed 
 by W. Whaley, Esq., and Mr. Cannon. Whether 
 it has been of any great good to Suffolk, is a 
 question that we are not prepared to answer, though 
 the landholders through which it has passed have 
 
44 
 
 been benefitted; it brought their pine timber intO' 
 market, which otherwise would have remamed a 
 primeval forest and a dead expense to its owners. 
 The sale of it to Jackson & Co., has cleared many 
 of debt, and to that extent the road has been a 
 benefit. The company has bought large landed 
 possessions in Alabama and Georgia, and will soon 
 move their field of operations to those points. The 
 quantity of wood and timber that has been trans- 
 ported over the road, is incredible. To say the least 
 of Jackson and Brothers, they started a spirit of 
 enterprise, which to some extent, has been a bene- 
 fit. New ideas have been infused into the minds 
 of our people, and instead of keeping their capital 
 locked up they have invested it in various direc- 
 tions for the improvement and benefit of trade,, 
 thereby causing to spring up factories and machine 
 shops, to say nothing of the many other advant- 
 ages that are derived through patriotic motives. 
 
 Chapteh XII. 
 
 BEAR HUNTING SOUTHAMPTON REMINISCENICES,. 
 ETC, 
 
 It is customary in the tall season to have what is 
 called bear hunts in the Dismal Swamp, and parties 
 are frequently made up to go on such hunts: before 
 going it is necessary that some preparation should 
 be made. Bear hunting is very dangerous, and is 
 sometimes attended with difficulty. Before starting 
 you should provide yourself with a cowboy suit, a 
 good rifle, a pair of revolvers, a bowie knife — 16 
 inch blade, and sub-marine armor. When thus 
 equipped, you can enter the Swamp. You pro- 
 ceed cautiously along listening to hear the bears 
 lapping, when you go in the direction of the sound- 
 Bears move very cautiously, and you should be 
 
45 
 
 sure to keep a good lookout in your rear, as it 
 sometimes happens that when you are going for- 
 ward a drove of them are following you, and when 
 least expected they make the attack, and if the par- 
 ties should be the least separated it often happens 
 that all perish. I was told of a party that were out 
 on a bear hunt in the Dismal Swamp, who supposed 
 that they could face anything. The party con- 
 sisted of eight good men; they had not proceeded 
 very far in the Swamp, when they heard in the dis- 
 tance the lapping of bears; of course it was very 
 exciting, and if one has any courage he is apt to 
 show it at the time; a halt was made and the ques- 
 tion asked what should be done ? They were not 
 thinking of the danger that was sorrounding them; 
 they did not think that bears were on their path. 
 But it was too late. Whilst discussing what to do 
 they were sprung upon from the rear and six were 
 badly lacerated, one rode off on the back of a 
 bear and the last one retreated to the Lake for 
 safety. Should you at any time go to the Dismal 
 Swamp to hunt bears, be exceedingly careful to 
 have your rear well guarded. 
 
 Researches among old papers often bring to 
 light subjects that long have been forgotten and 
 which if cultivated tends in many ways to the bene- 
 fit of the rising generation. We often hear of events 
 that have long since transpired which at the time 
 we pass un-noticed; but somehow or other an 
 impression is made and sooner or later something 
 transpires that brings to our recollection a circum- 
 stance which refreshes our memory of some im- 
 portant event of which we have a slight remem- 
 brance. Looking over the fourteenth volume of 
 Col. Godfrey's work entitled Important Discoveries, 
 to see if we could find anything therein written by 
 
46 
 
 which we could identify " Uncle Aleck's Mule '' and 
 if possible to define him that there could be no 
 reasonable doubt but that it was the same mule 
 rode by Nat Turner and that he was driven by the 
 young- mother in her flight with her infant to the 
 Dismal Swamp, and if what G. P. R. James said in 
 his Old Dominion be true, we must believe that 
 Uncle Aleck and Nat Turner rode the same mule. 
 No other account was ever given that ever came to 
 our knowledge. But it will make no difference as 
 everybody knew that Uncle Aleck had a mule; but 
 as we have stated before looking over the fourteenth 
 volume of Col. Godfrey's work on "Important Dis- 
 coveries;" many years ago we read in it an account 
 of his first visit to the county of Southampton, 
 Virginia,and the many important discoveries therein 
 made. His visit to that county was on very impor- 
 tant business, and being a man of great observa- 
 tion he was careful and cautious. lie was tracing 
 some titles, and it was necessary that he should 
 make many inquires. The country was wild and 
 but sparsely settled, at that time, and it was ex- 
 tremely diflicnlt for one to get accommodation for 
 man and horse. He was fearful at times that he 
 would not be able to reach a shelter for the night. 
 He had crossed at the South Quay Ferry, at an 
 early hour, and had been in the saddle all day and 
 was very much fatigued and exhausted, beides he 
 had ate nothing. Night was fast approaching and 
 he in a strange country. He reined up his horse, 
 which caused him to increase his gait. He had not 
 ridden many miles further when he thought that he 
 heard a cock crow; he listened and soon he heard 
 the sound repeated. He was then satisfied that he 
 was near some human habitation. What must have 
 been his teelings, when he knew that he would soon 
 
47 
 
 reach a place where he probably would be able to 
 stay for the night, to rest and refresh himself. He 
 rode on and in a short time came in sight of a very 
 neat and comfortable looking house, not many rods 
 from the road. He arrived in front of it and found 
 that everythmg about the house had the appear- 
 ance of neatness and comfort, and that he would 
 probably be accommodated for the night. So he 
 dismounted from his horse and opened the gate and 
 proceeded to the house. The proprietor must 
 have been very fond of fox hunting, from the num- 
 ber of hounds that made an attack on him as he 
 rode up the avenue, and which was so sudden that 
 it brought out the entire household. It was get- 
 ting dark, but sufficiently light to see one approach- 
 mg on horse back. The dogs were called off, and 
 he heard a voice exclaim ride up. A very hand" 
 some picket fence surroundetl the house and upon 
 arriving at the gate he was met by a fine looking 
 old English gentleman, who invited him to dis- 
 mount and have his horse stabled. Thanking him 
 for his kindness, he at once dismounted and taking 
 the extended hand of the old gentleman and said, 
 sir, I am a benighted traveller and a stranger in 
 this section, and have sought your kindness for 
 shelter for the night. You are heartily welcome, 
 said the old gentleman; strangers, if gentlemen, are 
 always welcome visitors to my house; so without 
 any further ceremony walk in and rest yourself, for 
 I imagine that you have been in your saddle for 
 several hours and must feel quite fatigued. I have 
 been riding since early morning and was surprised 
 to find the country so thinly settled; this is the first 
 place that I have seen at which I could venture to 
 stop. Very true, he replied, but you will, as you 
 advance, find the connti'y more thickly settled. We 
 
48 
 
 walked into the house and were met in the hall by 
 a very fine looking and matronly old lady. Giving 
 his name as Godfrey, the old gentleman grasped 
 his hand and said Col. Godfrey this is indeed let 
 me intoduce you to my wife, Mrs. Ridley. Ridley 
 did you say ? The same, this is indeed most for- 
 tunate. Say no more Col. Godfrey, walk into the 
 sitting room, you will rind a cheerful rire and as the 
 air is a little chilly, a seat by the fire .1 cause you 
 to feel more comfortable. Make yourself perfectly 
 at home, you will excuse me for a short time while 
 I give some directions to my head man, when I will 
 rejoin you. You are very excusable, Col. Ridley, re- 
 plied Col. Godfrey, I do not wish you to let my 
 appearance interfere in the least with your busi- 
 ness arrangements. The Colonel was not long 
 away, and on re-entering the room remarked to 
 Col. Godfrey, this unexpected meeting is very mys- 
 terious to me, and the more so because my wife 
 remarked but a very short time ago that some 
 stranger was coming, that she knew it from the 
 incessant crowing of the chickens, and the fierce 
 howl of ihe hounds; I shall always hereafter be- 
 lieve in such signs. But Colonel, our supper is 
 quite ready; you' will be shown to a room where 
 you may arrange your toilet. Having performed 
 this duty, he was met in the hall by Col. Ridley, 
 who said. Colonel it has been the custom at my 
 house since my earliest manhood, just before eat- 
 ing to take a toddy, made of the juice of the Cider 
 I Berry, which is prepared in this county, and is the 
 only medicine used in my family. The farmers of 
 this county have a peculiar way of preparing it, 
 and everybody that has used it speak of the good 
 qualities, which it possesses. Some say that its 
 use, when you feel badly, will cause you to feel 
 
49 
 
 ■good; and to use when you feel good will make joil 
 feel bad. It always makes me feel good; and I 
 am remarkably fond of it. The oftener you take 
 this medicine the better you will like it. There is 
 sugar and honey, a little of either added, will make 
 it much more palatable, as honey is soothing and 
 acts well foi the lungs; I will try the honey. This 
 l)eing dispf 1 of, they proceeded to supper, Col. 
 Ridley led .he way to the supper room, and on en- 
 tering found the family all standing waiting. They 
 were soon seated and on the table before themwas 
 placed a good old fashioned Virginia supper. Ad- 
 dressing himself to Mrs. Ridley, Col. Godfrey said: 
 Madame, I fear that you have on this occasion put 
 yourself to some unnecessary trouble on my ac- 
 count. Not in the least, graciously responded that 
 lady. Then turning to Col. Ridley; Col. ( jodfrey 
 said, you were quite right Colonel when you said 
 that the juice would make one feel good, it has had 
 that effect on me already and I feel that I can do 
 ample justice to this fine supper. I am glad you 
 think so, returned Col. R.; nothing pleases me more 
 than to see my visitors eat heartily, help yourself, 
 it does appear to me that one who has been riding 
 all day would not require any artifiicial means of 
 inducing an appetite. Colonel, said Mrs. Ridley, 
 I suppose this is your first visit to the county? No 
 madame, replied Col. Godfrey, I passed through a 
 [jortion of it several years ago to locate some lands 
 on the Nottoway river, and as there appears to be 
 some dispute about the titles, I am on my way to 
 look after it. Yes she said, I heard you were com- 
 ing and am truly glad you made it convenient to 
 come this way, and besides you are on the direct 
 road; do you apprehend any trouble ? Not the 
 least: my papers are authenticated, and I have only 
 
io present them. I hope, she said, that you will 
 find it as you have stated. Supper being over, 
 they all repaired to the sitting room. Col. Ridley 
 had a daughter whose husband, a colonel of in- 
 fantry, had been killed in the war of the revolution 
 and large grants of land had been made by the 
 Government to his heirs. What was the name oi 
 the soldier? enquired Col. Godfrey. Col. G. Brad- 
 ley, answered Col. R. Bradley ? Yes sir, that 
 was his name. That is a part of the business 
 which caused my visit in this direction, and Mrs. 
 Bradley need have no fears as to the validity of her 
 title. I have the papers with me that will place her 
 in full possession of the estate. Besides she is en- 
 titled ta a large amount from the Government, as 
 half pay for her husbands services during the re- 
 \olution, which she \vi\\ receive on application 
 through the proper channel. It was now getting 
 quite late and Col. G. was told that his room was 
 ready, if he wished to retire. Feeling a little 
 sleepy, after having eaten a hearty supper and as 
 he had to make an early start in the morning, he 
 thought it best to goto his room, so bidding the 
 family good night he followed a boy, who carried a 
 lighted candle, to the room to which he had been 
 assigned for the night, in which a cheerful fire was 
 burning;the boy entered the room closing the door 
 behind him and said: Mass boss, mammy tole me to 
 ax you ef you war any kin to de man dat made de 
 baby medcin ? Who is your mammy ? enquired 
 the now thoroughly interested Colonel. She's de 
 Oman dat nusses ' all de babys on de plantation. 
 Tell your mammy that I will see her in the morn- 
 ing; yas sar, he said, and left the room. The 
 Colonel soon retired as he felt somewhat jaded. He 
 awoke at an early hour and having some moments 
 
leisure got up and dressed liimself, about this tiiuc 
 he heard a tapping at his door and at the same 
 time the \'oice of the boy exclaiming, ise got a 
 pitcher of fresh watef for you. Bting- it in, said 
 the Colonel. The boy entered showing two rows 
 of w'hite ivory. Boss will you hab a fire made ? 
 No said the Colonel, I will soon be ready to go 
 down; is the Colonel up ? Yas sar, an is waitin for 
 you. Then I will go down, said the Colonel, 
 which he did and was met at the foot of the stairs 
 \^y Col. Ridley, who bade a cheerful good morning 
 and expressed the hope that he felt much better 
 ifter his nights rest. Thank you sir, I am glad to 
 say that I feel very much refreshed. If you feel 
 disposed, said Col. R., we will take a walk out, the 
 air is bracing and a little walk will give you an ap- 
 l)etite for your breakfast, which will soon be ready. 
 They started, and as the old nurse ot the planta- 
 tion wished to see Col. G., he proposed to his host 
 that they should go to her quarters. They had 
 but a short distance to go, as her house was very 
 conveniently situated. When they arrived they 
 found they old lady with a baby in her lap evidendy 
 for some purpose. Good morning aunty, said Col. 
 G.; the old woman looked very much excited; she 
 wore a pair of spectacles, the lenses of which 
 looked like two saucers. Mornin' sir, she replied. 
 What arc you going to do with your baby.enquired 
 the ^olonel. I'm gwine to feed it sir; its mammy is 
 ded, an I hab to feed it myself What do you 
 give it to cat ? I char tater, spit it out on my fin- 
 ger an wipe cross de chile's mouf, arter dat I make 
 a sugar rag, put some sweet flag in it, put de rag 
 in de chile's mouf and lay it down; it goes to sleep, 
 an wen it wakes up ef it cries I git it some more 
 "tater. But queried the Colonel, suppose it is sick ? 
 
5^- 
 
 [ can always tell dat; ef it draws up its legs and 
 ( kicks, I no dat sumthin is de matter, an I den gib it 
 some cider beiTy juice, wid nut meg grated ober it)- 
 an in no time de baby cries for mo of de juice. 
 Sum folks gib dar babys' Godfrey's Gargle, but I 
 dus not blebe in doctors fisic; nine times out ob ten 
 dey will kill de baby. I thort dat you war sum 
 kin to Mr. Godfrey, dat made de medcin, and wood 
 ax you 'bout it. No aunty I am no km to him. 
 
 Being informed that breakfast was ready Col. R. 
 proposed that they should return to the house, and 
 that a little of the cider berry juice would add 
 much to the enjoyment of the meal; and as every 
 thing was convient proposed that they should in- 
 dulge. Col. G. took some of the juice with honey 
 as before and was then ready for breakfast. Col. R. 
 led the way and on entering found a hot smoking- 
 breakfast. Mrs. R. remarked: Colonel, you are an 
 early riser I see; I fear that you did not rest well 
 last night. I assure you mamdame, the Colonel 
 gallantly replied, I could not have been made more 
 comlortable. My business being urgent it was ne- 
 cessary that I should rise early. You do not 
 think of leaving this early ? Yes madame, you 
 know that delays are dangerous I have spent a very 
 pleasant time and hope not long hence to make a 
 more extended visit. I was very much amused 
 this morning at seeing the nurse of the plantation 
 feeding a baby. It was quite a novel sight to me. 
 The old woman does not appear to have much con- 
 fidence in doctors. No sir, replied the lady, we- 
 have been living here a long time; and no doctor 
 has ever been called, professionally, to see any one 
 at the place. The old woman with her tater, sweet 
 flag, sugar rags, cider berry juice and Black Jack, 
 keeps every one in a healthy condition. She must 
 
53 
 
 be very valuable to you said the Colonel. Yes sir, 
 said Mrs. R. we could not do without her, and her 
 loss could not be replaced. It is getting late and 
 I am admonished I must leave said the Colonel, for 
 I have some distance yet to ride. He said it would 
 be a great pleasure for him to remain longer under 
 the hospitable roof of his kind host and hostess, but 
 that it would not be possible for him to do so. He 
 said further that he had some papers which he 
 would hand over to Col. Ridley which would be of 
 great service to his daughter, Mrs. Bradley, as they 
 would secure her right to certain disputed property, 
 and that he must bid them adieu. Then address- 
 ing himself to Col. R., said : These papers are 
 valuable, take them and entrust them only into the 
 hands of Mrs. Bradley, and that if he would now 
 order his horse he would proceed on his way. Col. 
 R. assured him that he would like to have him 
 stay longer, but that of course he best knew his 
 business; that it had been his custom to welcome 
 all visiting and speed all departing guests. That 
 should he happen to come that way again he would 
 be delighted to have him stop, as he would always 
 find a hearty welcome. Col. Godfrey thanked his 
 new friend and said that should it be his fortune 
 again to visit that neighborhood he promised not 
 to pass him by. His horse was waiting, so giving 
 the Colonel a hearty shake of the hand and bidding 
 good-bye to all, he mounted and rode away. 
 
CHARTERED 1872 
 
 Suffolk Collegiate Institut , 
 
 Preparatory, Practical or Finishing 
 
 . IN . 
 
 Classics, llatlieiiiatics, ScieDces and tlie Fine Aits. 
 
 ADEQUATE FACULTY. 
 
 Discipline. — Self-acting under Parental and 
 Christion Direction. Cliaracter is primary. Con^- 
 duct is resultant. 
 
 Domestic Arrangements.— Economical, sub- 
 stantial, home-like. 
 
 Terms. — Reasonable. Both sexes admitted. 
 
 Sessions begin middle of September and end 
 the following June. For Catalogues and other in- 
 formation, addres.s 
 
 PROF, P. J. KERNODLE, A. M., 
 
 PRINCIPAL 
 
Suffolk Military Academy. 
 
 ESTABLISHED IN 1875. 
 
 The following- constitute an able and experi- 
 enced Faculty : 
 JOSEPH KING, A, M., Principal (with 27 years' 
 
 experience as a teacher). 
 Rev. ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., (Ran- 
 
 doloh-Macon), Associate. 
 P. ST. JULIEN WILSON (Va. Military Institute). 
 Dr. W. W. MURRAY (Dublin University). 
 Dr. a. W. ELEY, Dr. E. D. PHILLIPS, attend- 
 ing Physicians. 
 
 The testimonials (see Catalogue) from distin- 
 guished educators at the University of Virginia, 
 the Virginia Military Institute and other institutions 
 — from leading members of the Virginia Confer- 
 ence — from its patrons in different States, and from 
 the leading citizens of Suffolk, are a sufficient guar- 
 antee of the high character and standing of the 
 school and the practical ability and fidelity oj the 
 teachers. 
 
 Boys and Youns;- Men are here prepared for business 
 or for college, and are surrounded by the best social 
 and religions influences. 
 
 The military exercises (which tak»^ no time from re- 
 gular study hours) are only intended to make boys 
 healthy and stron;^, and to give them an erect and 
 graceful beariiijr. 
 
 The Academy is supplied with Chemical and Philo- 
 sophical Apparatus for Scientific Illustration ; with 
 Charts, Globes and Magic Lantern to illustrate Geo- 
 graphy, Physiology, Natural History and Astronomy; 
 with new Instruments for field work in Land Survey- 
 ing and Civil Engineering; with two Telegraph Instru- 
 ments and Batteries for practice in Telegraphy, and 
 other educational appliances for different branches of 
 study. Handsome Nickel-plated Rifles and Accoutre- 
 ments flunished by the State. 
 
 All our arrangements are homelike, and conducive 
 to healtJi, comfort, and nie/ital ixnd worr:/ develop- 
 ment. 
 
 Total expenses for one year (including neat navy 
 blue uniform), from I175 to I190. 
 
 For twenty-page Catalogue, with view of buildings 
 and grounds, address 
 
 JOSEPH KING, A. M., Principal, 
 
 Or Rev. ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., Associate. 
 
 Suffolk, Va. 
 
CHARTERED 1881. 
 
 yMlv iymik tefflufis 
 
 -FOR- 
 
 Young Ladies and Little Girls. 
 
 BOARD AND LITERARY TUITION $160 PER YEAR. 
 
 The Charter authorizes the Faculty to confer all 
 the regular Collegiate Degrees. 
 
 The Eighteenth Annual Session opened in SEP- 
 TEMBER, 1887, and closes the second Wednes- 
 day in JUNE, 1888. 
 
 Students received at any time, but are advised to 
 enter at the beginning of a term. 
 
 Suffolk is one of the healthiest and most accessi- 
 ble Towns in Virginia. 
 
 The Corps of Teachers is eflicient and experi- 
 enced. The home training, moral and attractive. 
 Fine advantages in MUSIC, AKT and LAN- 
 GUAGES, at moderate rates. 
 
 For Catalogue apply to 
 
 MISSES FINNEY, 
 
 Box 1 46, SUFFOLK, VA. 
 
Hl III &miM^tt 
 
 FOR- 
 
 YOUNG LADIES AND GIRLS, 
 
 SUFFOLK, VA. 
 
 The First Session of this Institution commenced 
 its exercises SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1887, with flat- 
 tering prospects, being attended by young ladies 
 t'rom Surry, iSorthampton, Isle of Wight and Nan- 
 semond counties. 
 
 The Earge and Commodious Brick Building, 
 recently erected on Kilby street, by Dr. Skiles, has 
 been secured for the purpose. 
 
 The course ol instruction is such as to prepare 
 young ladies for the various duties of life. 
 
 Special attention paid to moral and religious 
 training, as well as social culti\'ation, thereby ren- 
 dering this a home-like school. 
 
 Terms Very Moderate. 
 
 ^\n- any desired information, address 
 
 CUE. \VM. H. DARDEN, ) ^ . . 
 
 MISS NOVEEEA S. DARDEN, ) ^ ^'"^ipals. 
 
 Or, .AlISS ElZZIE J. KING, 
 
 Associate. 
 
— THE ) 
 
 Suffolk & Carolina Railway Co , 
 
 PrcNicfeiil, « IIAI \<a]V l]SR<><>K!«i. 
 
 Sec'j aiKl Treah., WI?!, H. BO.^S.El . 
 
 DIRKCTOKS: 
 
 Chauncey Brooks, Wm. II. p]osley, 
 
 Wm. N. Camp, Chas. F. I'itt, Jr., 
 
 .John S. Gittings, S. \\ Kyland, Jr. 
 
 FRED. P. HFBBELL, V. P. and (len'l Manager. 
 K. H. THOMPSON. Supt. and Auditor. 
 
 The road extends from Suftblk. Ya. , to Montrose 
 Landing on the Chowan Eiver, N. C. 
 
 Direct communication by water to all the rivers 
 and sounds of North Carolina, and from Suffolk to 
 Baltimore by the Suffolk Steamboat Company '.s 
 regular line of steamers. 
 
 ^;The shortest and most direct route from Eastern, 
 ]N. C, to Norfolk and Northern cities. Makes 
 close connections at Suffolk with the Atlantic and 
 Dainille road, the Norfolk and Western and the 
 Seaboard and Eoanoke roads. 
 
 Bv taking this route, business men on the 
 Chowan and Roanoke can visit Norfolk, spend 
 sevc.l hours there, and be at home again the 
 san-,e da v.