GREENSVILLE.
Greensville was formed in 1784, from Brunswick. It is 28 miles
long, with a variable breadth of from 8 to 24 miles. The Nottoway
River runs on its N. boundary, and the Meherrin through it
centrally. On the first-named stream anciently dwelt the Nottoway
Indians; on the last, the Meherrins and Tuteloes, "who were
connected with the Indians of Carolina, probably with the Chowanocs."
Large quantities of cotton are raised in this county.
Population in 1840, whites 1,928, slaves 4,102, free colored 136;
total 6,366.
Hicksford, the county-seat, lies 62 miles south of Richmond, on
the line of the great southern rail-road, which here crosses the Meherrin
by a bridge 300 feet long, supported by stone piers. Besides
the public buildings, it contains from 12 to 20 dwellings, and several
stores and hotels.
In the march of Cornwallis into Virginia, after the battle of Guilford Court-House, a
company of militia under a Captain Robinson were made prisoners on the Meherrin,
below Hicksford, without firing a shot, by a body of cavalry under Lieut.-Col. Simcoe,
who had been detached from Petersburg by Arnold, to gain information of Cornwallis.
The whole party, the captors and captured, repaired to an adjacent tavern, where, in a
conference among the British officers, it was announced to the prisoners that they were to
be paroled. "Pray, gentlemen," demanded one of them, in great consternation, "what
kind of a death is that?"
