Historical collections of Virginia containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to its history and antiquities, together with geographical and statistical descriptions : to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia : illustrated by over 100 engravings, giving views of the principal towns, seats of eminent men, public buildings, relics of antiquity, historic localities, natural scenery, etc., etc. |
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POWHATAN. |
 | Historical collections of Virginia |  |
POWHATAN.
Powhatan was formed in 1777, from Cumberland. Its greatest
length is 25, and its greatest width 15 miles. The soil is various;
much, however, is fertile. The James and Appomattox—bounding
two sides of the county at full length—with their numerous
branches afford much fertile low ground. Clover and plaster have
been much used in agriculture within a few years. There are
some coal-mines in the county, but the distance to market has prevented
their being worked advantageously. Pop. in 1840, whites
2,432, slaves 5,129, free colored 363; total, 7,924. Scottville, or
Powhatan C. H., lies in the central part of the county, 32 miles
W. of Richmond, and contains about 20 dwellings. It was named
from Gen. Chas. Scott, a distinguished officer of the revolution,
and afterwards governor of Kentucky. A traveller who was here
in 1781, says that it then consisted of "only two mean huts, one
for the purpose of holding the sessions, the other by way of public
house." Smithsville and Jefferson contain each a few dwellings.
In the lower end of this county, about 3 miles from Manakin Town Ferry, on James
River, and 17 miles above Richmond, in a healthy and pleasant locality, is Howard's
Spring. The waters are something of the character of those of the White Sulphur of
Greenbrier, although not so thoroughly impregnated. From its favorable location, it is
hoped that this spring will ere long be opened as a watering-place; in which case, it
will doubtless secure public favor. It has long been favorably known, and visited with
great benefit by invalids of the surrounding country.
This county, near Manakin Town Ferry, was settled by Huguenots,
of whose descendants still remain in that section of Powhatan,
and the adjacent parts of Chesterfield; as the Subletts, the Michauxs,
the Bernards, the Martins, the Flourneys, &c. Near Keswick,
the seat of Major John Clarke, runs Bernard's creek, which
takes its name from the Huguenot family of Bernard, who settled
near its banks. The Manakin tribe of Indians inhabited this
county, and near, or on the land given to the Huguenots, they had
a town. Mr. Edward Scott's residence is said to be near the site
of that town, and it is his ferry across the James River that goes
by the name of the Manakin Town Ferry. Beverly, in his History
of Va., published in 1722, thus speaks of these early settlers:
The French refugees, sent in thither by the charitable exhibition of his late majesty
King William, are naturalized by a particular law for that purpose. In the year 1699,
there went over about 300 of these, and the year following about 200 more, and so on,
until there arrived in all between 700 and 800 men, women, and children, who had fled
from France on account of their religion. Those who went over the first year were
advised to seat on a very rich piece of land about 20 miles above the falls of James
River, on the south side of the river; which land was formerly the seat of a great and
warlike nation of Indians called Monacans, none of which are now left in those parts;
but the land still retains their name, and is still called the Monacan Town. The refugees
that arrived the second year went also to the Monacan Town, but afterwards, upon
some disagreement, several dispersed themselves up and down the country; and those
that have arrived since have followed their example, except some few that likewise settled
at Monacan Town.
The Assembly was very bountiful to those that remained at this town, bestowing on
them large donations, money, and provisions for their support. They likewise freed
them from every public tax for several years to come, and addressed the governor to grant
them a brief, to entitle them to the charity of all well-disposed persons throughout the
country; which, together with the king's benevolence, supported them very comfortably
till they could sufficiently supply themselves with necessaries, which they now do indifferently
well, and have stocks of cattle and hogs.
In the year 1702, they began an essay of wine, which they made of the wild grapes
gathered in the woods; the effect of which was strong-bodied claret, of good flavor. I
heard a gentleman who tasted it give it great commendation. Now if such may be
made of the wild vine in the woods, without pruning, weeding, or removing it out of the
shade, what may be produced from a vineyard skilfully cultivated? But I don't hear
that they have done any thing since, being still very poor, needy, and negligent.
Gen. Wm. H. Ashley, of St. Louis, was born in Powhatan county. About the year
1810, being then a poor boy, he emigrated to Missouri, (then Upper Louisiana,) and
settled near the lead mines. In 1822, he projected the scheme of the "mountain
expedition," by uniting the Indian trade in the Rocky Mountains with the hunting and
the trapping business. He enlisted about 300 hardy men in the business, and after
various successes and reverses, he and his associates realized handsome fortunes. He
also rose to considerable political distinction, and was the first lieutenant-governor of
Missouri after its admission into the Union, and a M. C. in 1831-3. He died in 1838,
greatly respected for his great enterprise, talents, and worth of character.
Dr. Branch T. Archer, president of the convention which formed the constitution of
Texas, and late secretary of war in that republic, was born in Powhatan.
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