NEILSON.
John Neilson, a native of Ireland, a carpenter by trade,
was attracted to Albemarle by the erection of the University
buildings. While engaged in this work, he prospered in his
affairs. He bought from Joseph Bishop several acres
between Vinegar Hill and the Whitehall Road, and built
one or two of the brick houses in Random Row. He also
built the large brick near the forks of the Lynchburg Road,
which afterwards became the property of Professor Blaetterman,
in which his wife for a time conducted a seminary for
young ladies, and which is now owned by G. L. Bruffey.
He purchased the Refuge, the old Jones plantation in the
southern part of the county, where Major Anbury, the Revolutionary
prisoner, indited a number of his letters. He died
in 1827, devising his property to his family still residing in
Ireland. Andrew Leitch, as his executor, carried out the
provisions of his will.
