LUNENBURG.
Lunenburg was formed in 1746 from Brunswick: its length is 25,
mean breadth 16 miles. The Meherrin runs on its southern boundary,
and the Nottoway on its northern. Pop. in 1840, whites 4,132,
slaves 6,707, free colored 216; total, 11,055.
Lewiston, the county-seat, situated in an elevated and healthy
part of the county, 78 miles sw. of Richmond, was laid off in 1817
by act of Assembly, when there was but one family residing here.
It now contains about 20 dwellings.
When the British invaded Virginia in 1781, Tarleton, with his
legion, passed through this county and committed depredations
upon the people. His men entered private dwellings, and wantonly
ripped open beds and scattered their contents, notwithstanding
the tears and remonstrances of the females, whose husbands
and brothers were mostly with the army. The Rev. Mr. Craig, a
strenuous whig, owned a fine mill a few miles from the C. H.,
where flour was manufactured for the American troops. To this
mill Tarleton was guided by a young tory. The old parson, hearing
of the proximity of the enemy, was busily engaged in rolling
the last barrel of flour with the U. S. mark into the mill-pond,
when Tarleton appeared at the head of his men. They burnt the
mill, a trace of the dam of which is now to be seen, and compelled
the good old parson to off with his coat and assist in slaughtering
his pigs for their use. They carried off his slaves, but they, with
a single exception, returned, reporting that they were harshly used
by the enemy.[1]
