trips with as much regularity as could
have been expected from horse pow-
er. One of those, the "Liverpool,"
is probably, for her weight, the most
effective engine of the country. This,
and one of the other engines on this
road, were constructed by M. Burry,
of Liverpool, who has also furnished
two engines for one of the Schuylkill
rail roads, which we are informed work
equally well. The proprietors of
this road consider it as part of the
great line of communication from
north to south, and look to its ultimate
connexion with the Charleston rail
road, by similar works through North
Carolina. Another channel by
which much produce is brought to
this market, is the Upper Appo-
mottoz Canal, — through which there
is a constantly increasing trade.
To this market there have been
brought in one year 40,000 bales of
cotton, 5,000 hogsheads of tobacco,
and more than 100,000 bushels of
wheat, besides many other articles.

Petersburg is also much indebted
for her prosperity to her cotton fac-
tories ; of which at present, there are
three: — The first established was that
of the Petersburg Manufacturing
Company, in the year 1828. This
factory commenced spinning in the
fall of that year with 500 spindles,
and the number was gradually in-
creased, until it now runs 2500, which
daily spin about 1200 pounds of yarn,
or three hundred and sixty thousand
pounds per annum. This varn is



facture : some part of it is woven at
the factory into a heavy cotton cloth
called "oznaburgs," and is stamped
"Virginia cloth,' : in consequence of
the likeness between this and the cot-
ton cloth formerly so well known in
this state by that name. This facto-
ry gives employment to none but
white persons, and has constantly
employed about 110 operatives, who
are mostly young girls, of good char-
acter and industrious habits, who re-
ceive in weekly wages about thirteen
thousand dollars per annum. — The
Merchants' Manufacturing Compa-
ny has two factories, one of which is
on a small scale, and has for some
years been in operation, the other re-
cently erected, has but lately begun
to spin ; it has a commodious house
well planned, and runs 3500 spindles
and a number of looms capable of
weaving from 1500 to 2000 yards of
cotton cloth per day and employs
about 200 operatives. It is in con-
templation to erect, ere long, two other
cotton factories, on a large scale, and
as the water power here is great, the
raw material plenty, and operatives
readily procured, it is probable that
at no distant day, Petersburg will be
a considerable manufacturing town.
— From the town, a considerable for-
eign trade is carried on with Eng~.
land, France, Holland, and Germany^
and goods of all descriptions are here
plenty and cheap. Large ships load
at City Point. The navigation from
City Point to this place until lately
was bad, affording not more than four
feet water — but within a few years
works have been completed on the
river, which have deepened it to
about seven feet. — At one time this
town was considered unhealthy, but
by draining and filling up marshes,
and by other improvements, it has
now become as salubrious as any part
of lower Virginia ; and has the char-



made of the best cotton brought to,acter of being hospitable and patri-
the market, and the most of it is sold j otic ; and a very delightful place of
in yarn itself without further manu* residence. The Bank of Virginia



164



EASTERN VIRGINIA— DINWIDDIE.



and Farmers' Bank of Virginia have
each a branch at this place. It pos-
sesses also an insurance office, and
custom house. Population 1830,
8,322. Corporation courts are held
on the third Monday in every month ;
Quarterly in March, May, August
and November. Judge May holds
his Circuit Superior Court of Law
and Chancery on the first of April
and September.



Poplar Grove, P. O. 39 ms. S.
of R. and 161 from W.

Richieville, P.O. 62 ms. S. of R.

and 164 from W.

Sappony Creek, Cross Roads,
and P. O. 44 ms. from R. and 166
from W. In the southern part of the
county, 22 ms. S. S. W. of Peters-
burp-. The creek is a branch of Sto-
ney Creek, and the latter of Notto-
way river.



ELIZABETH CITY.

Elizabeth City was one of the eight original shires into which Vir-
ginia was divided in 1634. — It is bounded E. by the Chesapeake, S. by
Hampton Roads, N. by Back river, which separates it from York, and W.
by Warwick. — Its form is nearly that of a square, about 18 miles on each
side;— area 64 square miles. It extends from 37° 02' to 37° 08' N. lat.
and from 0° 37' to 0° 47' E. of W. C. Population, 1820, 3,789—1830,
5,053. — It belongs to the 3d judicial circuit, and 2nd district. Taxes paid
in 1833, $794 24— in 1834, on lots, $184 62— on land, $316 63—912
slaves, $228 00—408 horses, $24 43—3 studs, $71 00— 7 coaches, $16
00—49 carryalls, $49 55—233 gigs, $135 8a. Total, $7042 78. Ex-
pended in educating poor children in 1832, $45 39 — in 1834, no report.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.



HAMPTON, P. V. and county

seat, 96 ms. from R. and 199 S. E. of
W. Hampton is a sea port, situated
on Hampton Roads, 2^ miles from
Fortress Monroe, 1 8 from Norfolk, 24
from York Town, and 36 from Wil-
liamsburg. — It contains about 130
houses; 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1
Episcopalian meeting house, 1 Aca-
demy and 1 private school, 6 dry good
stores, 10 grocery stores, 2 taverns, 3
castor oil manufactories, (2 in town
and 1 adjacent.) The principal me-
chanical pursuits are, shoe making,
blacksmiths' work, house-carpentry,
and ship-building. Hampton has for
some time been declining : — There is
no commerce or inland trade to sup-
port it. Hampton is the place of re-
sidence for nearly all the pilots for
James river, and the neighborhood of
Norfolk; and when trade was brisk,
they circulated nearly all the proceeds



of their labor in their own town; but
the Fortifications at Old Point Com-
fort, and the Rip Raps, have been for
some time past the principal source of
revenue to the inhabitants both of the
town and county, by the wages given
for negro laborers. Hampton is as
healthy as any town in lower Virgi-
nia. Population in 1830, 1120. —
There are 2 attorneys, and 4 physi-
cians.

County Courts are held on the 4th
Thursday in every month; — Quar-
terly in March, June, August and
November.

Judge Upshur holds his Circuit
Superior Court of Law and Chancery
on the 24th of April and 19 th of Sep-
tember.

Old Point Comfort, or For-
tress Monroe, cape and P. O. 12'
ms. in a direct line a little W. of N.
1 Norfolk, 3 ms. S. E. of Hampton, the



EASTERN VIRGINIA— ELIZABETH CITY.



165



county seat, and 202 ras. S. S. E. of
W. C. The promontory, particular-
ly called Old Point Comfort, is almost
exactly on lat. 37°, and with the op-
posing point, Willioughby, on the
rig-lit shore, forms the real mouth of
James river, the intervening strait se-
parating Lynhaven bay from Hamp-
ton Roads.

The channel which leads in from
the Capes of Virginia to Hampton
Roads, is, at Old Point Comfort, re-
duced to a very narrow line. The
shoal water, which, under the action
of the sea, and reacted upon by the bar,
is kept in an unremitting ripple, has
given the name of Rip Raps to this
place. When the bar is passed, Hamp-
ton Roads, which extend to Norfolk,
about eighteen miles distant, into
which James river, Elizabeth river,
and Nansemond Mouth empty, afford
the finest anchorange in the world,
and in them its navies might ride with
perfect safety. With a view of mak-
ing this a secure retreat for ships of
war and for our commerce, in any fu-
ture contest with a naval power, Fort
Monroe was built on the point, on the
right side of the channel at the en-
trance of the Roads — and the castle
of the Rip Raps is directly opposite
the point, at the distance of about 1900
yards. The two forts will complete-
ly command the channel, and it will
be impossible for a single ship of war
to pass without the permission of the
power holding the fortresses. They
are so constructed as to present im-
mense batteries of cannon upon an
approaching ship, from the moment
she comes in reach, from the Capes,
and throughout all the bendings of
the channel it must still be under the
power of the cannon: for the forts
present a new aspect at every turn,
and in all probability the interdicted
ship would be a wreck, or a confla-
gration, from the hot shot thrown into
her, before she completed half the cir-
cuit of the channel.

There is much salutary experience,



bought however dearly, in the lessons
of the late war. These waters were
then the resort of the British fleets,
and while all American vessels were
either driven from their own harbors,
or captured, the enemy made himself
at home here — sent detachments to
Baltimore and Washington — ravaged
the shores of the Chesapeake — burnt
our Capitol and Navy Yards, and
laid the whole country under contri-
bution: The erection of the two
Forts at this central point of our sea-
board, gives us a refuge to our naval
force, if driven in by superior num-
bers, and will, in effect, not only oc-
clude Hampton Roads to the enemy r
and shut him out from James river
and Norfolk, our naval depot, but
must deter him ever venturing up the
Chesapeake bay. If such an attempt
were made, the first calm would put
the most powerful fleet of an enemy
completely at the mercy of a few steam
frigates or steam batteries, which, by
means of their self-moving power,
would be enabled to take such posi-
tion as suited them, and to set fire to
the ships of the enemy with hot shot,
or cut them off in detail. The shel-
ter of these forts, too, would enable a
few ships, lying in security under their
guns, to sally out and take advantage
of any storm which might separate a
blockading force, exposed to the acci-
dents of an open sea.

These circumstances give great im-
portance to the works which are to
form the gates at Hampton Roads —
and, as a consequence, in a great de-
gree to the whole Chesapeake bay.
Fort Monroe is already finished, and
is at this moment in admirable condi-
tion, if its armaments were completed.

The Rip Raps structure, is a mon-
ument, worthy of the people who have
lavished their means in its erection,
and of the genius of the engineers by
whom it was planned. The area of
the structure, as originally staked ofF
includes five acres; a great part of
which was 22 feet below the surface.



16G



EASTERN VIRGINIA— ELIZABETH CITY.



of the sea, and that nearest the surface^ and Major McRee, the commissioners



18 feet. To get a foundation above
water for the Fort or Castle, an Island
has been raised, by throwing rocks
into the water, until, by gradual ac-
cumulation, it has emerged above the
tides. The rock of which this Island
is formed, has been brought from great
distances, and at a vast expense.

After a foundation was obtained for
the Castle above high water, the build
ing of the Castle was begun, and car-
ried up so as to form the first embra-
sures. It was found that the settling
of the artificial mound of stone crack-
ed the walls. The building was
therefore, discontinued; but immense
masses of granite have since been
brought and lodged upon the lines of
the work, that the weight of the ma-
terial, might be employed in consoli-
dating its foundations. For some
years this marine pyramid sunk be-
tween six and eight inches; during
the last year but one, although press-
ed with the weight of all the material
gathered for the superstructure, it set-
tled about three inches.

The present aspect of the place is
rough and savage, and when the surge
rushes in among the hollow piles of
granite, and the wind whistles among
the naked spars, which are planted
round the walls for the support of the
scaffolding, the music of the surround-
ing elements of sea and air, is quite
in keeping with the dreary, desolate
spot, which, at a distance, looks like
a Gibralter, beaten down by cannon-
ade, and fallen prostrate in the sea.

Nothing could add more to the



and engineers, in whose design the
work originated. The ancients tell
us that Venus rose from the sea, but
it would seem a much fitter element,
to give birth to the god of war; and
never was there a nobler scene, or
nobler temple, than that appropriated
for his cradle, by the American peo-
ple at the Rip Raps. He will appear
here, not like the goddess of love,
borne in a shell upon a summer's sea,



but upon a tower of strength amidst
the noise of restless surges, — a fit
emblem of the American people,
whose martial strength belongs alike
to the land and to the ocean.

It is a circumstance worth notice,
that the material for the structure of
the Castle of the Rip Raps is drawn
from most of the commercial states of
the Union. In walking over the piles
you behold the dark grey granite of
Maine — the whitish blue and the black
speckled granite of Connecticut — the
red free stone of the same state — the
pied granite of the Susquehannah —
the deep blue of the Little Falls of
Potomac — and the ash colored of the
James river.

In this edifice, which is to form a
strong hold in a central position — de-
fend our great naval depot, and to pro-
tect our naval power over the ocean;
and especially to afford a place of re-
fuge to the commerce of the nation,
each commercial state may point to a
portion of the blended strength which
it has contributed to the common
structure. The castle, at the Rip
Raps, should then be called, as well
from its use, as from its origin, the
called the American Mediterranean, Castle of the Federal Union — and
than the elevation of the Castle at when attacked by foreign or domestic



grandeur, of what has been justly



Rip Raps — the rising of this giant of
the flood, from the waves, as contem-
plated by Commodore Warrenton,
Commodore Elliot, General Armis-
tead, General Bernard, General Swift



assailants, it should run up with
the ensign of "the Federal Union,"
the watch word "it must be preserv-
ed,"



EASTERN VIRGINIA— ESSEX.



167



Essex was created by the Legislature in 1692, from a part of (Old)
Rappahannock Co. It is bounded E. by the Rappahannock river, which
separates it from Richmond, — S. E. by Middlesex, — S. and S. W. by King
and Queen, — W. and N. W. by Caroline, — and N. by the Rappahannock,
which divides it from King George and Westmoreland. Length 28 miles,
mean breadth 10, and area 280 sq. miles. Lat. 38° intersects the meridian of
Washington, about one-third of the length of the county from its northern
extremity. Surface in the western part moderately hilly, and soil general-
ly sandy and barren except on the rivers and creeks. Population 1820,
9,999 — 1830, 10,531. Essex belongs to the fourth judicial circuit, and
second district. Taxes paid in 1833, $2452 26 — in 1834 on lots, $55 10
—land, $1124 96—3235 slaves, $808 75—1476 horses, $88 56— studs,
$118 00—38 coaches $101 75—1 stage $3— 21 caryalls, $24 10—178
gigs, $99 15. Total $2996 18. Expended in education of poor children
in 1834, $183 72— in 1833, $300 74.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.

Bowers, P. O. 62 ms. N. E. bylN. E. of R. and 109 S. E. of W.



E. of R. and 121 from W. in the
southeastern part of the couuty.

Dunnsville, P. O. 56 ms. S. E.
from R. and 115 from W.

Loretto, P. V. 69 ms. N. E. from
R. and 92 from W. situated on the
mail route from Tappahannocklo Fre-
dericksburg, about 40 miles from the
latter and 20 from the former ; and a
mile from the Rappahannock river.
It contains 20 dwelling houses, 1
Episcopal church, 2 mercantile stores,
a tavern, shoemaker, blacksmith, tai-
lor, bricklayer, painter, and several
hourse carpenters. Population 50



lat. 37° 58" N.; long 11° 10' E. W,
C. The situation is low and flat, but
as there is not much marsh land in
the neighborhood, it is not very sick-
ly. It was formerly a place of con-
siderable trade, as large vessels can
ascend some distance above it, but
like most of the villages on tide wa-
ter in Virginia it is not increasing,
because the business formerly trans-
acted by them directly with foreign
countries, is now transacted through
the medium of the cities. It is about
50 miles from the open Chesapeake
bay. It contains 29 dwelling houses,



persons, of whom one is a physician. J4 mercantile stores, 2 druggists, one

Lloyds, P. O. 62 ms. from R. andjhouse of worship free for all denomi-
97 from W. nations, 2 hotels, a female seminary

Miller's Tavern, P. O. 40 ms. of the first order, which has been es-
from R. and 119 S. of W. Itablished 15 years, and received an

Montague, P. V. 67 ms. S. E. by unusual share of public favor ; in this
E. from R. and 126 from W. Ajall the usual female accomplishments
small village in the southern part of are taught, whilst every attention is
the county, on the stage road fromlpaid to the moral and religious duties
Tappahannock, to Urbanna, and 2 of the pupils, by the pious and ac-
m's from the Rappahannock river, complished lady who presides over
Population 50 ; of whom one is an the establishment. — The mechanics
attorney, and one a physician. are, a jeweller, milliner andmantua

TAPPAHANNOCK, P. V. and maker, 2 tailors, a saddle and harness
seat of justice ; situated on the rightlmaker, a coach maker, and 2 boot and
bank of the Rappahannock, 50 milesjshoe makers. — There is a Ferry



168



EASTERN VIRGINIA— FAIRFAX.



across the Rappahannock at this point, ^in March, May, August and Novem
Population 1830, 280. Three attor-
neys, and five physicians reside here.
County courts are held on the third
Monday in every month : Quarterly



ber. Judge Brown holds his Cir-
cuit Superior Court of Law and
Chancery, on the 4th of May and

October.



FAIRFAX*

Fairfax was created by the Legislature in 1742, from apart of Prince
William. It is bounded E. partly by the Potomac river, which separates it
from Prince George's Co., of Maryland, and partly by the District of Co-
lumbia, — S. by the Potomac and Occoquan river, which separates it from
Prince William, — W. by Loudoun, — and N. by the Potomac, separating
it from Montgomery Co. Maryland. Length from S. E. to N. W. 25 ms*
mean breadth 180 — area 450 square miles ; it extends in lat. from 35° 36 1



to 39° 03' N. and in long, from 0° 03' to






W. of W. C. The sur-



face is hilly and broken ; the soil is in some places good, but much of it
is sterile. Population 1820, 11,404; in 1830, 9,204. Fairfax belongs to



)pula
the 6th judicial circuit and 3d district. Taxes paid in 1833, $3070 00-
in 1834 on lots, $56 72— land, $2144 63—1896 slaves, 474 00—2618
horses, $157 08—6 studs, $35 00—44 coaches, $90 00—31 caryalls,
$31 00— 12 gigs, $'7 75. Total, 2996 18. Expended in educating poor
children in 1832, $435 50— in 1833, $440 70,



TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.



Centreville, P. V, in the wes-
tern part of the county, 143 ms. from
&., and 27 S. W. of W. This village
is situated on the Fauquier, and Alex-
andria turnpike road, about 6 ms. from
the line dividing the counties of Lou-
doun, and Prince William. It derives
its name from its central position, being
about equi-distant from Leesburg,
Middleburg, Warrenton, Washington,
Georgetown and Alexandria. Its situ-
ation is elevated and highly pictu-
resque,affording one of the best moun-
tain prospects in the state of Virginia.
It has always been remarkable for the
salubrity of its air, and the health of its
inhabitants. It contains 30 dwelling
houses, 1 Methodist meeting house, 2
taverns, 3 mercantile stores, 1 com-
mon school, and a well organized
Sunday school. The mechanics are
2 tanners, 1 saddler, 4 boot and shoe
manufacturers,! wheelwright, 2 black-
smiths, 1 cabinet maker, 2 house car-



penters, and 1 tailor. For some time
past this village has been declining;
but the spirit of industry and enter-
prize at present manifested by its in-
habitants, justifies the hope of a more
favourable state of things. Population
220 ; of whom 2 are attorneys, and 3
physicians,

Dronesville, P. O. 140 ms. from
R., and 17 from W.

FAIRFAX C. H. P. O. 1 40 ms.
from R., and 28 ms. S. W. by W. of
W. It contains besides the ordinary
county buildings, 50 dwelling houses,
for the most part frame buildings, 3
mercantile stores, 4 taverns, and 1
common school. The mechanics are
boot and shoe makers, saddlers, black-
smiths, tailors, &c. Population 200
persons; of whom 4 are attorneys and
2 physicians.

County Courts are held on the 3rd
Monday in every month ; — Quarterly
in March, June, August and NovW.



EASTERN VIRGINIA— FAIRFAX.



169



Judge Scott holds his Circuit
Superior Court of Law and Chancery
on the 25tk of May and October.

MOUNT VERNON, is situated
8 ms. from Alexandria, and 15 ms.
from Washington. The house erect-
ed on this consecrated spot, is of wood,
cut in imitation of free stone. The
centre part was built by Lawrence
Washington, brother to the General:
the wings were added by General
Washington. It is named after Ad-
miral Vernon, in whose expedition
Lawrence Washington served. The
house is 2 stories high and 96 feet in
length, with a portico fronting the ri-
ver, extending the whole length of the
house surmounted by a cupola; the
grounds are in the same state as left
by General Washington.

The house contains on the ground
floor, 6 rooms and a spacious passage,
4 of these are of ordinary size: at the
north east is a large room, very lofty,
with a handsomely sculptured ceiling,
which contains a very handsome mar-
ble mantle-piece sent to General
Washington from Italy, — also a very
fine organ, on which instrument the
late Mrs. Washington was an accom-
plished performer; this room is only
used for large dinner parties, &,c.
The room, at the south east end of the
house, is used as a family dining
room, and contains busts of Monsieur
Neckar, Paul Jones, and General
Washington, — also a handsome libra
ry, fitted in the wall, with glass cases :
the books chiefly collected by Gene-
ral Washington.

The house fronts N. W., the rear
looking to the river. In front of the
house is a lawn, containing 5 cr 6
acres of ground, with a serpentine walk
around it, fringed v/ith shrubbery,
and planted with poplar. On each
side of the lawn stands a garden : the
one on the right is the flower garden
and contains two green houses, (one
built by Gen. Washington, the other
by Judge Washington,) a hot house.,
and a pinery. It is laid off in hand*

' 99



some walks, with box-wood borders,
remarkable for their beauty. It con-
tains, also, a quantity of fig trees pro-
ducing excellent fruit — the ether is a
kitchen garden, containing only fruit
and vegetables.

About 203 yards from the house, in
a southerly direction, stands a sum-
mer house, on the edge of the river
bank, which is lofty and sloping, and
clothed with wood to the water's edge.
The summer house commands a fine
prospect of the river, and the Mary-
land shore, — also of the White House
at a distance of 5 or 6 ms. down the
river, where an engagement took
place during the lata war, with the
British vessels which ascended the ri-
ver. Proceeding from the summer
house about 150 yards, in a westerly
direction, you come to the vault — a
plain excavation in the bank, faced
with brick, and surrounded with a
rough white-washed paling. Several
lofty oaks stand around it, and small
red cedar trees grow on the top of the
tomb. The door and door posts are
covered with names of visitors. In the
. r ault are buried General Washing-
ton and his wife, Judge Washing-
ton and his wife, with many relations
of the family.

The estate, as owned by Judge
Washington, consisted of between 3
md 4000 acres, now divided between
the Judge's nephews. John Augustine
Washington, owns Mount Vernon
with the grounds immediately around
:he house, and 1200 acres of land.
The fallow deer abound in the
.vocds. The timber of which is com-
posed chiefly of white and black oak,
vith dogwood, hickory, ash, cedar,
fee., the soil is thin, and rather poor,
cultivated chiefly in Indian com, rye,
barley, &c. Judge Washington cul-
:ivated the millet to a considerable ex-
tent ; — he kept many sheep, and found
them profitable. There are 2 fishe-
ries on the place, where shad and her-
ring are caught in large quantities.
Mount Vernon is healthy during all



170



EASTERN VIRGINIA— FAIRFAX.



the year except the fall, when agues