CLARY Alexander Thomas

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: WW-I

Notes:

Military:
gassed by Germans (mustard gas); Death later in life was from natural causes

Family/Spouse: EMORY Lena G.. Lena was born on 29 Oct 1884; died on 26 Sep 1968. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. CLARY O"Delle

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: educated at the Blackwater Academy
• Census: 1860, Sussex County, VA
• Military: Abt 1861; Civil War - Southampton Greys
• Occupation: 1880, Prince George County, VA; Farmer
• Residence: 1880, Prince George County, VA; Brandon District

Notes:

Aug 2007,According to Kenneth Coker, there is a Clary cemetery on the farm property previously owned by Robert Bishop, now owned by Patsy Westbrook Jenkins, on Beaverdam Rd. (Old Rt. 40) outside of Waverly. Kenneth has a photo of Benjamin Clary,Sr. Elizabeth Frances Baird was Ben. Sr. 3rd wife.

Name : B. M. Clary 1880 Census
Residence : Prince George, Virginia, United States
Gender : Male
Age : 37
Birth date : 1843
Birth place : Vir
Relationship to head-of-household : HD
Occupation : Farmer
Father birth place : VA
Mother birth place : VA
Marital status : Married
Race or color : W
Census city :
Census township : Brandon District
Census county : Prince George
Census state : VA
NARA film number : T9-1384
Page : 436
Film number : 1255384
Collection : 1880 United States Census

BENJAMIN M. CLARY SURRENDERED APPOMATTOX 3RD VA.INF.,CO.D,PVT. PG.81

Military:
Co D. 3rd Virginia Infantry, Southampton Greys
surrendered at Appomottax (April 9, 1865)

Thomas and Benjamin did not join the Surry or Sussex units, as most of these were cavalry units; enlistees were required to provide horse, rifle & certain other equipment.

Benjamin married BAIRD Elizabeth Frances. Elizabeth (daughter of BAIRD Alexander Peter, Jr. and BOOTH Rebecca Ann) was born on 4 Sep 1862 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died in 1892; was buried in Surry County, VA (Lois Goodrich Cemetary on Rt 612). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 761

Notes:

She was said to be a woman of great charm and beauty.

Buried:
Also shows buried at Grape Hill Cemetery from notes from Brenda Johnson Duckwall

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alt. Marriage: 1839
• Occupation: 1850, Sussex County, VA; Farmer
• Residence: 1850, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States
• Census: 1860, Sussex County, VA
• Occupation: 12 Sep 1918; Lumber Inspector - Surry Lumber
• Residence: 12 Sep 1918, Dendron, Surry County VA

Notes:

Poss Thomas Clary and Jenny Presson (m:1794) may be parents - from an old relative - not verified

Lived in Sussex, near Waverly, in an area they called Blackwater. They are burried in this area

Virginia Slave Births Index, 1853-1865 By Alexandria Library:
Clary, Alexander T; Emaline: 25 jul 1860, Sussex

Sketches of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South
By John James Lafferty
REV-MILTON LAFAYETTE BISHOP
A SINGLE leaf can contain a recital of deeds which have blessed thousands of hearts, the Church and the
Commonwealth, and more, made heaven glad. The simple narrative that follows these lines are without
ornament, but tells the unvarnished story of a useful life. 'We have little doubt that the readers of this brief
sketch will receive good from the perusal:
I was the third child of my parents\emdash Anna Ellis, daughter of Benjamin Ellis, and John D. Bishop, son
of Thomas Bishop, all of Surry county, Virginia. There were six children of us, two sons and four
daughters, all now living except the oldest, who died in 1847. I was born in 1824, August 22d. I never
knew any of my ancestry to follow anything but farming as a vocation. My father died when I was about
twelve years of age, and my mother in 1865, having been a Methodist from one year after I joined the
church. From my earliest recollections I was trying to be a Christian, mainly from the influence of
Christian slaves, as neither of my parents professed religion. My mother was always a pious woman. I
read my Bible regularly and prayed up to the session of the Virginia Conference held in Petersburg in
1843 (perhaps in 1842), when I openly sought conversion at the altar in Washington street church.
Though I realized a change in all my feelings and views of life\emdash a change that entered at once into all my
plans for life\emdash I did not accept such as conversion, simply because of the extravagant experiences I had
often heard related by the old slaves of my father. Nor did I become satisfied of my conversion till some
months after. I had read the Old Testament through in the last eight months, and the New Testament eight
times, sitting up late at night to read after I had prepared my school studies, and so was at no loss in
making up my mind as to what Church I should join. I joined at Carsley's church, Surry County, Virginia,
then served by Rev. G. M. Andross, who baptized me by pouring just as I received the Holy Ghost. He
appointed me class-leader. I had formed my ideas of the doctrines of the Bible before I joined the church,
and to this day have not had to change those views. I had read with prayer to be guided, and I believe I
was directed by the Spirit of all Truth. With the change of heart in Petersburg, I received the conviction of
my call to the ministry, and my studies at school were all conducted in view of that calling; yet my mind
was not satisfied on that subject for years after. I had my heart on farming\emdash a sort of inherited
proclivity\emdash nor did I consent to quit it until "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel" had shut me up to
preaching or ruin. From the time of my conversion I went to school in Surry; Little Town, in Sussex;
Emory and Henry, and Randolph Macon College, up to the year 1848, May 17th, when my health forced
me to leave school. I was licensed as an exhorter in 1847, October 5th, by William A. Smith, D. D.,
Presiding Elder; was licensed to preach in April, 1848, by Rev. J. H. Davis. Presiding Elder; joined the
Virginia Conference in the fall of 1848, at Elizabeth City, and was sent as a helper under Rev. G. N.
Winfree, on the Amelia circuit, then embracing all of Amelia and about half of Dinwiddie. I traveled but
five months of this year, in consequence of the work\emdash eighteen appointments being too large for my
feeble health. Yet I preached much in my native county, and held several very successful protracted
meetings. The next year, 1850, I was sent to Bedford circuit under Rev. A. Wiles, but as his health failed
him in the spring, he left the circuit, and I fell in charge; and here I did the hardest year's work of my life,
and I realized the greatest success in the way of revivals\emdash -over three hundred professing conversion. The
next year, 1851 and 1852, I was on the Staunton circuit\emdash part of South Bedford and Campbell counties;
in 1853 and 1854 on the Amherst circuit; in 1855 and 1856, the Charlotte circuit: in 1857, the
Mecklenburg circuit; in 1858, the Murfreesboro circuit; in 1859, the Fincastle circuit, Botetourt county; in
1860, the Nelson circuit, in all of which I had a successful work. By this time my health had become very
bad, and by the urgent advice of my Presiding Elder and physician, I took a supernumerary relation,
which I sustained until the fall of 1865, when I located. My health improved so much that I joined
Conference again in the fall of 1868, and was sent to Fluvanna circuit four years. I rested one year there,
or a part of one year, my throat being badly diseased. I then was sent to the Rappahannock circuit, where I
travelled three years; from which I was sent to the South Bedford circuit, where I am now serving out my
fourth year. On all my fields of labor I had good revivals\emdash an average of not less than one hundred and
fifty conversions a year. Some twenty of these are in the ministry, mostly the Methodist.
The Virginia conference annual
By Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Virginia Conference
SIXTH DAY.
TUESDAY, November 20th, 1883.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
HALF-PAST THREE O'CLOCK P. M.
Conference met according to adjournment. L. S. Reed (by appointment of Bishop Kavanaugh)
in the Chair.
Divine service was conducted by J. D. Hank.
The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.
On motion of P. Whitehead, the report of the Committee on Memoirs was made the order of
the day for half-past 10 o'clock A. M. to-morrow.
T. McN. Simpson, from the Committee of Investigation in the case of M. L. Bishop, made the
following report:
The Committee of Investigation, to whom was referred the case of Rev. Milton L. Bishop, beg
leave to report that they regard the reports reflecting upon the character of Rev. Milton L. Bishop
of such gravity as to demand an investigation, but as the accused is not present, nor any
witnesses, they respectfully ask that the case be remanded to the Presiding Elder of the
Lynchburg District for investigation.
(Signed) T. McN. SIMPSON, J. C. REED, W. G. WILLIAMS.
Which on motion was adopted, and the case of Brother Bishop remanded accordingly

Census:
1860 United States Federal Census
about Benja M Clary
Name:Benja M Clary          
Age in 1860:18          
Birth Year:abt 1842          
Birthplace:Virginia          
Home in 1860:District 1, Sussex, Virginia          
Gender:Male          
Post Office:Sussex Court House          
Value of real estate:View image          
Household Members:NameAge               
Alexander T Clary 51               
Ann E Clary 38               
Thos L Clary 20               
Benja M Clary 18               
Joseph A Clary 16               
Sidney S Clary 14               
Winfield S Clary 12               
Binns W Clary 10               
Ella A Clary 7               
Alexander T Clary 1               
Roberta J R Bishok 40               

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alt. Name: Anne Elizabeth Bishop
• Alt. Marriage: 1822
• Alt. Birth: 6 Mar 1822
• Census: 1870, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States

Notes:

Roberta J. Bishop, wife's sister was living with them during the 1850 and 1860 census
Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 1
1. Thomas Bishop-1.
Thomas Bishop and unknown spouse married. They had the following children:
2. i. John D. Bishop was born in 1794. He married Anna Ellis on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry,
Virginia, USA. He died in 1836.
Generation 2
2. John D. Bishop-2 (Thomas-1) was born in 1794. He died in 1836.
Anna Ellis daughter of Benjamin Ellis and Sarah Jones was born in 1793. She died in 1865.
John D. Bishop and Anna Ellis were married on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry, Virginia, USA. They had the
following children:
i. Roberta J Bishop was born in 1820. She died after 1860.
Notes for Roberta J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
1860 census living in Sussex with Alexander T Clary
3. ii. Ann Elizabeth Bishop was born on 06 Mar 1822. She married Alexander Thomas Clary in
1839. She died after 1870.
4. iii. Milton Lafayette Bishop was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA. He married
Susan Lambeth Smith on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell, Virginia, USA. He died on 29 Jul 1892
in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Albert J Bishop was born in 1827.
Notes for Albert J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
v. India Seymore Bishop was born in 1833 in Surry, Virginia, USA. She married John Holt
Rice on 10 Feb 1853 in Campbell, VA. She died on 02 Jul 1890 in Cave Spring, Roanoke,
Virginia, USA.
Notes for India Seymore Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census, living in Sussex Co with Alexander T Clary
vi. Julia Bishop was born in 1834.
Notes for Julia Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
Page 1 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM
Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 3
3. Ann Elizabeth Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 06 Mar 1822. She died after 1870.
Notes for Ann Elizabeth Bishop:
General Notes:
1870 census living with son, Thomas L Clary and his wife Ann
Alexander Thomas Clary son of Thomas Clary and Jenny Virginia Presson was born on 19 Feb
1809. He died on 26 Apr 1868.
Alexander Thomas Clary and Ann Elizabeth Bishop were married in 1839. They had the following
children:
i. Thomas L Clary was born in 1841.
4. Milton Lafayette Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA.
He died on 29 Jul 1892 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Notes for Milton Lafayette Bishop:
General Notes:
1874? widower? involved in church sex scandal
Church trial 1883
Susan Lambeth Smith was born on 03 Jul 1834 in Lynchburg, Campbell, Virginia, USA. She died on
18 Jan 1908.
Milton Lafayette Bishop and Susan Lambeth Smith were married on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell,
Virginia, USA. They had the following children:
i. Ann V Bishop was born in 1852 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
ii. Eloisa L Bishop was born in 1856 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iii. Ludie Bishop was born in 1854 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Corrine L Bishop was born in 1858 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
v. Milton L Bishop was born in 1860 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Page 2 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM

Census:
Living with son Thomas L. Clary and his wife Ann

Notes:

Married:
Married by the Rev. Thomas J. Drumwright

Alt. Marriage:
Kennth Coker had this date

Other Events and Attributes:

• Cemetery: Surry County, VA (Lois Goodrich Cemetary on Rt 612); Grape Hill
• Reference Number: 746
• Census: 1860, Surry County, VA

Notes:

Married by Alexander Steward
Will of Alexander Peter Baird Recorded 1/27/1885:
Leaves $400.00 to sons, James Walter Baird, Alexander Peter Baird, Solon Winfield Baird, amd Leonidus Floyd Baird which they owe him; Leave homeplace to Emmitt Finly Baird and Emmitt Finly has to pay $400.00 to Martha Florence and Ora Sue(daughters). The Bishop acres to be sold and divided between his other two daughters, Sarah E. Harrison, and Betty F. Clary. ... Doris Jean Johnson Records

Census:
Alexander P Baird in the 1860 United States Federal Census

Name:      Alexander P Baird
Age:      33
Birth Year:      abt 1827
Gender:      Male
Birth Place:      Virginia
Home in 1860:      Surry, Virginia
Post Office:      Cabin Point
Family Number:      60
Value of real estate:      View image
Household Members:     
Name      Age
Alexander P Baird      33
Rebecca A Baird      30
James W Baird      9
William B Baird      7
Sarah A Baird      5
Alexander P Baird      3
Solan W Baird      2
Baird      1/12

Alexander married BOOTH Rebecca Ann on 3 Dec 1849 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. Rebecca (daughter of Col. BOOTH Samuel and ELLIS Sarah (Sally)) was born on 1 Aug 1829 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died on 7 Dec 1907 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; was buried on 9 Dec 1907 in Surry County, VA (Lois Goodrich Cemetary on Rt 612). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 459

Notes:

Married by Alexander Stewart. Only one husband they are the same.

Her kids and Binns Beverly's were double cousins

Notes:

Married:
Married by Alexander Stewart. Lonnie Baird's records show married on 3 Dec 1849

Name:      Alexander P. Baird
Gender:      Male
Marriage Date:      3 Dec 1849
Marriage Place:      Surry, Virginia
Spouse:      Rebecca A. Booth
FHL Film Number:      34097
Reference ID:      p 204

Notes:

John Clary; Our Immigrant Ancestor
Added by mdclary1 on 7 Apr 2008
Originally submitted by wriddles1942 to Shadows and Dust to Dust ,The Arlie Thelma Norris Family Tree on 12 Sep 2007
John Clary b. 1660 reached the shores of Maryland in October, 1677. Seventeen years old, John was among 39 persons transported to Maryland by a Captain Thomas Taylor which entitled said captain to a large tract of land in the colony.
Many early settlers including John Clary probably paid for their passage to America by a period of service being 4 to 7 years. The employer then owed the "indentured servant" his freedom and 50 acres of land. This was very often the only method whereby those with little money could pay for the expensive voyage to the new world. Many of these people were well educated, highly skilled and most became respected, useful citizens.
In Maryland, the majority of the colonists were working people; indentured servants by whose hands and upon whose backs lay the tremendous task of the cultivation, socilization and development of civilization in the marshy regions of the colony of Maryland.
Work was hard, luxuries were few and amusements homemade. The large plantation owners lived in comfort, with slaves and other servants to perform most of the drudgery but these owners comprised only a small portion of the colonial population.
Little is known of this first John Clary in Maryland. His port of entry must have been either St.Mary's or Annapolis,.....the only towns in the colony at that time. After working several years to repay travel costs: he would then have received 50 acres of land for his own use and would likely have engaged in farming as well as some other trade or occupation to meet his needs for survival. He and his off-spring flourished; this much is self-evident as the descending Clary families included many enterprising, highly motivated and productive individuals.



Surry County Deed Book 13 1788-1792 LVA Reel #18
p
p. 202\endash James Judkins of Surry frees Negro boy David aged abt 13\endash when 21\endash reserves guardianship--23 Feb 90\endash rec 22 June 1790
p. 266\endashThomas Clary of Surry\endash freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc frees Ben aged 20 yrs\endash when 21 in May 1789\endash 26 May 88\endash rec 26 April 91


Surry County Deeds No.1 1792-1799 LVA Reel # 19
p. 347\endash John Warren of Surry\endash freedom is natural right so emancipates Pleasant aged abt 30; Joe and Dick abt 28 yrs old; and Jesse aged 22; and 6 in their minority viz; Effy, Tempy, Dick, Judah, Nat and Amy when males 21 and females are 18\endash 31 Dec 95\endash rec 23 Feb 1796
p. 373\endashThomas Clary of Surry\endash freedom is natural right and doing unto others etc-frees Negro man Moses aged 28\endash 28 May 1796\endash rec 28 June 96

Library of Virginia Microfilm Reel #35 Surry County Order Book (23 May 1804 - 26 March 1807) pp. 1-523:

Moses a negroe man liberated by Thomas Clary having been registered in the Office of this court appeared before the Court and he having been Viewed by the court and the said Register examined the same is ordered to be certified as duly made.

Thomas married PRESSON Jenny Virginia on 13 Jan 1794. Jenny (daughter of PRESSON Thomas and WHITE Sarah) was born in 1733; died in 1785. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

There is some doubt on her DOB due to the large age difference and her marriage being listed as 1/13/1794, which is after her date of death (Gene Harris)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States
• Will: Wills

Notes:

Sketches of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South
By John James Lafferty
REV-MILTON LAFAYETTE BISHOP
A SINGLE leaf can contain a recital of deeds which have blessed thousands of hearts, the Church and the Commonwealth, and more, made heaven glad. The simple narrative that follows these lines are without ornament, but tells the unvarnished story of a useful life. 'We have little doubt that the readers of this brief sketch will receive good from the perusal: I was the third child of my parents\emdash Anna Ellis, daughter of Benjamin Ellis, and John D. Bishop, son of Thomas Bishop, all of Surry county, Virginia. There were six children of us, two sons and four daughters, all now living except the oldest, who died in 1847. I was born in 1824, August 22nd. I never knew any of my ancestry to follow anything but farming as a vocation. My father died when I was about twelve years of age, and my mother in 1865, having been a Methodist from one year after I joined the
church. From my earliest recollections I was trying to be a Christian, mainly from the influence of
Christian slaves, as neither of my parents professed religion. My mother was always a pious woman. I read my Bible regularly and prayed up to the session of the Virginia Conference held in Petersburg in 1843 (perhaps in 1842), when I openly sought conversion at the altar in Washington street church. Though I realized a change in all my feelings and views of life\emdash a change that entered at once into all my plans for life\emdash I did not accept such as conversion, simply because of the extravagant experiences I had often heard related by the old slaves of my father. Nor did I become satisfied of my conversion till some months after. I had read the Old Testament through in the last eight months, and the New Testament eight times, sitting up late at night to read after I had prepared my school studies, and so was at no loss in making up my mind as to what Church I should join. I joined at Carsley's church, Surry County, Virginia, then served by Rev. G. M. Andross, who baptized me by pouring just as I received the Holy Ghost. He appointed me class leader. I had formed my ideas of the doctrines of the Bible before I joined the church, and to this day have not had to change those views. I had read with prayer to be guided, and I believe I was directed by the Spirit of all Truth. With the change of heart in Petersburg, I received the conviction of my call to the ministry, and my studies at school were all conducted in view of that calling; yet my mind was not satisfied on that subject for years after. I had my heart on farming\emdash a sort of inherited proclivity \emdash nor did I consent to quit it until "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel" had shut me up to preaching or ruin. From the time of my conversion I went to school in Surry; Little Town, in Sussex; Emory and Henry, and Randolph Macon College, up to the year 1848, May 17th, when my health forced me to leave school. I was licensed as an exhorter in 1847, October 5th, by William A. Smith, D. D., Presiding Elder; was licensed to preach in April, 1848, by Rev. J. H. Davis. Presiding Elder; joined the Virginia Conference in the fall of 1848, at Elizabeth City, and was sent as a helper under Rev. G. N. Winfree, on the Amelia circuit, then embracing all of Amelia and about half of Dinwiddie. I traveled but five months of this year, in consequence of the work\emdash eighteen appointments being too large for my feeble health. Yet I preached much in my native county, and held several very successful protracted meetings. The next year, 1850, I was sent to Bedford circuit under Rev. A. Wiles, but as his health failed him in the spring, he left the circuit, and I fell in charge; and here I did the hardest year's work of my life, and I realized the greatest success in the way of revivals\emdash -over three hundred professing conversion. The next year, 1851 and 1852, I was on the Staunton circuit\emdash part of South Bedford and Campbell counties; in 1853 and 1854 on the Amherst circuit; in 1855 and 1856, the Charlotte circuit: in 1857, the Mecklenburg circuit; in 1858, the Murfreesboro circuit; in 1859, the Fincastle circuit, Botetourt county; in 1860, the Nelson circuit, in all of which I had a successful work. By this time my health had become very bad, and by the urgent advice of my Presiding Elder and physician, I took a supernumerary relation, which I sustained until the fall of 1865, when I located. My health improved so much that I joined Conference again in the fall of 1868, and was sent to Fluvanna circuit four years. I rested one year there, or a part of one year, my throat being badly diseased. I then was sent to the Rappahannock circuit, where I travelled three years; from which I was sent to the South Bedford circuit, where I am now serving out my
fourth year. On all my fields of labor I had good revivals\emdash an average of not less than one hundred and fifty conversions a year. Some twenty of these are in the ministry, mostly the Methodist.

The Virginia conference annual
By Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Virginia Conference
SIXTH DAY.
TUESDAY, November 20th, 1883.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
HALF-PAST THREE O'CLOCK P. M.
Conference met according to adjournment. L. S. Reed (by appointment of Bishop Kavanaugh)
in the Chair.
Divine service was conducted by J. D. Hank.
The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.
On motion of P. Whitehead, the report of the Committee on Memoirs was made the order of
the day for half-past 10 o'clock A. M. to-morrow.
T. McN. Simpson, from the Committee of Investigation in the case of M. L. Bishop, made the
following report:
The Committee of Investigation, to whom was referred the case of Rev. Milton L. Bishop, beg
leave to report that they regard the reports reflecting upon the character of Rev. Milton L. Bishop
of such gravity as to demand an investigation, but as the accused is not present, nor any
witnesses, they respectfully ask that the case be remanded to the Presiding Elder of the
Lynchburg District for investigation.
(Signed) T. McN. SIMPSON, J. C. REED, W. G. WILLIAMS.
Which on motion was adopted, and the case of Brother Bishop remanded accordingly

Possible Connections - Needs further research:



Notes about Families - Virginia

Subject: Jacob Bishop Date: 11 Feb 1998 From: Barbara Bishop barbiluv@erinet.com
Seeking information on Jacob Bishop b. 25 Nov 1825, married Elizabeth
Catherine Sumpter in April 1871, Floyd Co, Va. Any help always appreciated.
----

Subject: Bishop wills, Sussex Co. VA Date: 23 Feb 1998
From: Linda Russell Lewis cityslic@ix.netcom.com
Wills not fully proved (due to unavailability of witnesses, etc.) or in
Sussex County, VA:
David BISHOP, Nov. 23, 1828. To son Austin Bishop and daughters Meriah
and Mary Bishop, each 15 schillings. To sons Thomas and David and
daughter Lewisey Bishop all the balance of the estate at death of my
wife. Executrix: wife Elizabeth. To Edwin W. Brockwell a young mare
called his. Witnesses: Harrison Bishop, Richard Bishop, Edward W.
Brockwell, Edward (X) Marks. Proved 26 April 1830 by Brockwell and
continued; Augustin Bailey qualified as administrator.
Mary BISHOP, Aug. 18, 1759. To son David Bishop what is left after debts
are paid; daughter Mary to have a quiet living in the estate while
single and at her marriage David to have the whole estate. Executor:
David Bishop, with my son Joseph Bishop. Witnesses: Dan Ellis, Thomas
Bishop, James (X) Bishop. Proved March 1760 by one witness and continued.
----

Subject: Bishop wills, Sussex Co. Va. Date: 23 Feb 1998
To: Linda Russell Lewis cityslic@ix.netcom.com From: sschrum@juno.com (Sidney B Schrum)
The 1759 will of Mary Bishop, proved March 1760 in Sussex County, appears
to be the will of Mary Moss Bishop, widow of John Bishop of Surry County
Virginia. The Ellis family and James Bishop were neighbors of Mary and
John. Dan Ellis and James Bishop witnessed her will along with Thomas
Bishop, a son who lived in Surry County. John's will, probated in 1758
in Surry County, was witnessed by James Bishop and Caleb Ellis, and
mentioned sons David and Joseph. Three other sons of Mary and John lived
in Sussex County - William, Harmon, and John, Jr. No doubt she was with
one of them at the time of her death.
Thank you for sharing. I overlooked this one when researching the
family. I had checked Sussex County wills for a later time period hoping
to find other members of the family, but did not expect to find Mary in
Sussex also. Mailande Schrum
----

Subject: James and Ann Bishop - c. 1800 Date: 09 Mar 1998
From: Donna Jo Bishop Wright iwright@erols.com
I've been looking for my ggggrandparents, James W. and Ann Bishop for some
time with no luck. I know they were in Prince George, Virginia in 1836,
because my gggrandfather, Joseph A., was born here on June 30th of that
year. Both Joseph's Confederate military records and his marriage
license in Sussex, VA, state he was born in Prince George, Virginia, so
I have no reason to doubt that he was.
Linda Lewis (thanks again, Linda!) was nice enough to check the
Broderbund 1850 VA census CD's for all the counties in Virginia, and my
James W., Ann and Joseph do not show up anywhere in the state (Joseph
would have been 14 years old in 1850). I know Joseph enlisted in the
Sussex Light Dragoons on 4/25/1861 in Waverly (Sussex), Virginia and
that he listed his occupation as a farmer but where was he and his
family in 1850? Do any of you have earlier or later census data which
show this family in Virginia? Any help or advice would be greatly
appreciated! Donna Jo Bishop Wright
----

Subject: Joseph A. Bishop - b. Prince George, VA 1836 Date: 23 Mar 1998
From: "Irving H. and Donna Wright" iwright@erols.com
Well, after a year of looking, I have come full circle in my search for
Joseph's parents, James W. and Ann Bishop. Last May, when I first went
on-line and started my search, I got a lead from a wonderful, helpful,
local Bishop researcher; however, I was too much of a genealogy novice
to understand the significance. A year later (this weekend) he
mentioned it to me again and it is beginning to take shape and make
perfect sense.
Of late, I've focused attention on why my James W., Ann, and Joseph did
not show up on Prince George County censuses in the mid-1800's when they
should have since Joseph was born in Prince George in 1836. The 1850
census which lists all members of a household did not reflect them
anywhere in Virginia (Joseph would have been 14 at this time). My
great-uncle told me years ago that Joseph and his brother boarded the
train from somewhere (perhaps NC?) and Joseph got off in Disputanta
(Prince George County) or Waverly (Sussex County) and his brother
continued westward. I'd begun to think this story was not true because
if Joseph was born in Prince George, why would he hop a train to the
adjacent county? I thought perhaps the story applied instead to his
father, James, but this theory was not plausible because the train did
not come through this area until 1854-58.
My friend reminded me Friday that my Joseph does show up on the 1860
Sussex County census living in the household of a George W. Ellis.
Joseph was 25 by then and he and George are both carpenters (George was
36). At that time, I did not understand the significance of household
census information. Now, I realize this is an important clue and can
follow up on this Ellis connection. The Ellis family, by the way, shows
early roots in America - they came to Virginia aboard the "Mary
Margrett" between 1610-1620 and originally settled in James City
County. Perhaps they shared the acquaintance of our Capt. John Bishop!
My friend just reviewed his 1850 census notes and noticed that George
Ellis (26) was then living with three Bishop's! They were Erastus
Bishop (22), Louisa V. Bishop (27), and Sarah A. Bishop (24). My Joseph
named one of his daughters Louisa V. Bishop so he must be directly
related to this group and came back to Virginia to join up with them
when he came of age, or perhaps because his parents died. These Bishops
could be cousins or even older siblings of my Joseph.
Here's my hypothesis:
1) James W. Bishop (born c. 1800) marries Ann (?) in Prince George, VA c. 1830.
2) Joseph born in Prince George, June 30, 1836 (verified through CSA
records, family Bible and Joseph's marriage license).
3) James W., Ann, Joseph, Joseph's sibling(s) leave Virginia.
4) Joseph returns to VA in late 1850's via new train line, brother
continues on, perhaps to other Bishop relatives further down the line.
My great-uncle once met a Bishop from Roanoke, VA area whose grandfather
told him a story similar to ours - two brothers board a train, etc.
This is why I think Joseph's brother may have gone on to western Va.
5) Joseph moves in with George Ellis in Sussex, Va. Ellis somehow
connected to the Bishop family - perhaps Joseph's mother was an Ellis,
perhaps George's mother was a Bishop.
6) Joseph names his children: Ida Ann, Joseph Emmett, Louisa Virginia,
Edward W., and Georgie A. (girl-died in infancy). Are one of these
children named after his brother?
So. . . I'm a little closer but not there yet. I'll be able to find out
more at the Sussex courthouse with this new Ellis lead to follow. But,
perhap one of you can now tell me which state James W., Ann, and Joseph
went to in the mid-1800's by reviewing your census data. Or, perhaps
you are the ancestor of Joseph's brother who continued west (I'm
assuming) on the train whose name could possibly be James, Emmett,
Edward, or W? There is also a Thomas in the next generation. I'm
determined to solve this!
Sorry for the long dissertation. If I'm off in my guess work, I hope
one of you will set me straight. And if you're new to this genealogy
ride - review your notes often in case something jumps out at you that
has been there all along! Donna Jo Bishop Wright
----

Subject: Success Story Date: 27 Mar 1998 From: Barbara barbiluv@erinet.com
Persistence does pay off. I have recently found relatives in Va and have
obtained the names of the parents of Jacob Bishop.
Abraham ( Abel ) Bishop b. 30 May 1801 in Montogomery Co, Va.
Married 11 Aug 1821 to Mary Jane (Polly) Hornbarger b. 02 Jan 1807.
Jacob b. 25 Nov 1852
Asa b. 25 Dec 1846.
Asa fought in the civil war, enlisted 26 May 1862, wounded in 1863, was
awarded The Southern Cross Of Honor in June 1906.
Also a John Bishop mentioned. b. 1728, d. 1820 Montgomery Co, Va.
Anyone know this family?
I was given information on a book, "John Bishop, The Settler", by George W.
Brysan Jr. I ordered the book this morning, but I'm so impatient. Thought I
would see if I can find cousins with this new information.
----

Subject: Re: Bishop family VA-SC-TN-IL Date: 18 Apr 1998
From: sschrum@juno.com (Sidney B Schrum) To: see@accessus.net
Gladys, I found the information you posted on Benjamin Bishop and family
very interesting since I have done a lot of work on Bishops of Prince George
and Surry Counties. Cabin Point is in Surry County near Otterdam Swamp
where some of the Prince George Bishops moved in the seventeen hundreds.
Nathan Bishop of Surry County (later moved to Sussex) had a son named
Benjamin who could have been born about 1750. I see from your
information that Benjamin had a grandson named Nathan. The place, time
frame, and names all make it seem likely that your Benjamin is this son
of Nathan and a descendant of Capt. John Bishop. My line is through
Nathan's brother John.
I have a copy of the will of a Benjamin Bishop of Chatham County dated
March 21, 1799. His wife was Hanna and sons Richard and Henry were
legatees. I am wondering if this is your Benjamin with a second wife.
The sons you named had moved on by 1799, and therefore most likely would
not be named in the will . A daughter named Lucy Hatley was also
mentioned.
Nathan Bishop died in Sussex County Virginia in 1792. In 1793 Benjamin
inventoried the estate of his father. Possibly he could have traveled
from Edgecomb County to Sussex since the distance is not great. Other
members of this family had moved into counties near Edgecomb, and one of
them witnessed a deed of a relative in Sussex after they had moved from
there. My ancestor John was in Hertford County and his brother (also
Nathan's brother), William was in Halifax County, N.C.
Did your information come from a family history? Mailande Schrum
[Submitted by William F Bishop, May 1998]
[Bishop Genealogy, Friends of] [Return]

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Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 1
1. Thomas Bishop-1.
Thomas Bishop and unknown spouse married. They had the following children:
2. i. John D. Bishop was born in 1794. He married Anna Ellis on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry,
Virginia, USA. He died in 1836.
Generation 2
2. John D. Bishop-2 (Thomas-1) was born in 1794. He died in 1836.
Anna Ellis daughter of Benjamin Ellis and Sarah Jones was born in 1793. She died in 1865.
John D. Bishop and Anna Ellis were married on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry, Virginia, USA. They had the
following children:
i. Roberta J Bishop was born in 1820. She died after 1860.
Notes for Roberta J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
1860 census living in Sussex with Alexander T Clary
3. ii. Ann Elizabeth Bishop was born on 06 Mar 1822. She married Alexander Thomas Clary in
1839. She died after 1870.
4. iii. Milton Lafayette Bishop was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA. He married
Susan Lambeth Smith on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell, Virginia, USA. He died on 29 Jul 1892
in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Albert J Bishop was born in 1827.
Notes for Albert J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
v. India Seymore Bishop was born in 1833 in Surry, Virginia, USA. She married John Holt
Rice on 10 Feb 1853 in Campbell, VA. She died on 02 Jul 1890 in Cave Spring, Roanoke,
Virginia, USA.
Notes for India Seymore Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census, living in Sussex Co with Alexander T Clary
vi. Julia Bishop was born in 1834.
Notes for Julia Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
Page 1 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM
Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 3
3. Ann Elizabeth Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 06 Mar 1822. She died after 1870.
Notes for Ann Elizabeth Bishop:
General Notes:
1870 census living with son, Thomas L Clary and his wife Ann
Alexander Thomas Clary son of Thomas Clary and Jenny Virginia Presson was born on 19 Feb
1809. He died on 26 Apr 1868.
Alexander Thomas Clary and Ann Elizabeth Bishop were married in 1839. They had the following
children:
i. Thomas L Clary was born in 1841.
4. Milton Lafayette Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA.
He died on 29 Jul 1892 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Notes for Milton Lafayette Bishop:
General Notes:
1874? widower? involved in church sex scandal
Church trial 1883
Susan Lambeth Smith was born on 03 Jul 1834 in Lynchburg, Campbell, Virginia, USA. She died on
18 Jan 1908.
Milton Lafayette Bishop and Susan Lambeth Smith were married on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell,
Virginia, USA. They had the following children:
i. Ann V Bishop was born in 1852 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
ii. Eloisa L Bishop was born in 1856 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iii. Ludie Bishop was born in 1854 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Corrine L Bishop was born in 1858 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
v. Milton L Bishop was born in 1860 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Page 2 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM

Will:
John D. Bishop (father)
Wills, Etc. 7, 1834-1840, p. 247-250 -- system #000547299
Wills, Etc. 7, p. 647-648 -- system #000547300

John married ELLIS Anna on 12 Dec 1818 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. Anna (daughter of ELLIS Benjamin and JONES Sarah (Sally)) was born in 1793 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died in 1865. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 464

Notes:

Sketches of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South
By John James Lafferty
REV-MILTON LAFAYETTE BISHOP
A SINGLE leaf can contain a recital of deeds which have blessed thousands of hearts, the Church and the
Commonwealth, and more, made heaven glad. The simple narrative that follows these lines are without
ornament, but tells the unvarnished story of a useful life. 'We have little doubt that the readers of this brief
sketch will receive good from the perusal:
I was the third child of my parents\emdash Anna Ellis, daughter of Benjamin Ellis, and John D. Bishop, son
of Thomas Bishop, all of Surry county, Virginia. There were six children of us, two sons and four
daughters, all now living except the oldest, who died in 1847. I was born in 1824, August 22d. I never
knew any of my ancestry to follow anything but farming as a vocation. My father died when I was about
twelve years of age, and my mother in 1865, having been a Methodist from one year after I joined the
church. From my earliest recollections I was trying to be a Christian, mainly from the influence of
Christian slaves, as neither of my parents professed religion. My mother was always a pious woman. I
read my Bible regularly and prayed up to the session of the Virginia Conference held in Petersburg in
1843 (perhaps in 1842), when I openly sought conversion at the altar in Washington street church.
Though I realized a change in all my feelings and views of life\emdash a change that entered at once into all my
plans for life\emdash I did not accept such as conversion, simply because of the extravagant experiences I had
often heard related by the old slaves of my father. Nor did I become satisfied of my conversion till some
months after. I had read the Old Testament through in the last eight months, and the New Testament eight
times, sitting up late at night to read after I had prepared my school studies, and so was at no loss in
making up my mind as to what Church I should join. I joined at Carsley's church, Surry County, Virginia,
then served by Rev. G. M. Andross, who baptized me by pouring just as I received the Holy Ghost. He
appointed me class-leader. I had formed my ideas of the doctrines of the Bible before I joined the church,
and to this day have not had to change those views. I had read with prayer to be guided, and I believe I
was directed by the Spirit of all Truth. With the change of heart in Petersburg, I received the conviction of
my call to the ministry, and my studies at school were all conducted in view of that calling; yet my mind
was not satisfied on that subject for years after. I had my heart on farming\emdash a sort of inherited
proclivity\emdash nor did I consent to quit it until "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel" had shut me up to
preaching or ruin. From the time of my conversion I went to school in Surry; Little Town, in Sussex;
Emory and Henry, and Randolph Macon College, up to the year 1848, May 17th, when my health forced
me to leave school. I was licensed as an exhorter in 1847, October 5th, by William A. Smith, D. D.,
Presiding Elder; was licensed to preach in April, 1848, by Rev. J. H. Davis. Presiding Elder; joined the
Virginia Conference in the fall of 1848, at Elizabeth City, and was sent as a helper under Rev. G. N.
Winfree, on the Amelia circuit, then embracing all of Amelia and about half of Dinwiddie. I traveled but
five months of this year, in consequence of the work\emdash eighteen appointments being too large for my
feeble health. Yet I preached much in my native county, and held several very successful protracted
meetings. The next year, 1850, I was sent to Bedford circuit under Rev. A. Wiles, but as his health failed
him in the spring, he left the circuit, and I fell in charge; and here I did the hardest year's work of my life,
and I realized the greatest success in the way of revivals\emdash -over three hundred professing conversion. The
next year, 1851 and 1852, I was on the Staunton circuit\emdash part of South Bedford and Campbell counties;
in 1853 and 1854 on the Amherst circuit; in 1855 and 1856, the Charlotte circuit: in 1857, the
Mecklenburg circuit; in 1858, the Murfreesboro circuit; in 1859, the Fincastle circuit, Botetourt county; in
1860, the Nelson circuit, in all of which I had a successful work. By this time my health had become very
bad, and by the urgent advice of my Presiding Elder and physician, I took a supernumerary relation,
which I sustained until the fall of 1865, when I located. My health improved so much that I joined
Conference again in the fall of 1868, and was sent to Fluvanna circuit four years. I rested one year there,
or a part of one year, my throat being badly diseased. I then was sent to the Rappahannock circuit, where I
travelled three years; from which I was sent to the South Bedford circuit, where I am now serving out my
fourth year. On all my fields of labor I had good revivals\emdash an average of not less than one hundred and
fifty conversions a year. Some twenty of these are in the ministry, mostly the Methodist.
The Virginia conference annual
By Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Virginia Conference
SIXTH DAY.
TUESDAY, November 20th, 1883.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
HALF-PAST THREE O'CLOCK P. M.
Conference met according to adjournment. L. S. Reed (by appointment of Bishop Kavanaugh)
in the Chair.
Divine service was conducted by J. D. Hank.
The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.
On motion of P. Whitehead, the report of the Committee on Memoirs was made the order of
the day for half-past 10 o'clock A. M. to-morrow.
T. McN. Simpson, from the Committee of Investigation in the case of M. L. Bishop, made the
following report:
The Committee of Investigation, to whom was referred the case of Rev. Milton L. Bishop, beg
leave to report that they regard the reports reflecting upon the character of Rev. Milton L. Bishop
of such gravity as to demand an investigation, but as the accused is not present, nor any
witnesses, they respectfully ask that the case be remanded to the Presiding Elder of the
Lynchburg District for investigation.
(Signed) T. McN. SIMPSON, J. C. REED, W. G. WILLIAMS.
Which on motion was adopted, and the case of Brother Bishop remanded accordingly

Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 1
1. Thomas Bishop-1.
Thomas Bishop and unknown spouse married. They had the following children:
2. i. John D. Bishop was born in 1794. He married Anna Ellis on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry,
Virginia, USA. He died in 1836.
Generation 2
2. John D. Bishop-2 (Thomas-1) was born in 1794. He died in 1836.
Anna Ellis daughter of Benjamin Ellis and Sarah Jones was born in 1793. She died in 1865.
John D. Bishop and Anna Ellis were married on 28 Dec 1818 in Surry, Virginia, USA. They had the
following children:
i. Roberta J Bishop was born in 1820. She died after 1860.
Notes for Roberta J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
1860 census living in Sussex with Alexander T Clary
3. ii. Ann Elizabeth Bishop was born on 06 Mar 1822. She married Alexander Thomas Clary in
1839. She died after 1870.
4. iii. Milton Lafayette Bishop was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA. He married
Susan Lambeth Smith on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell, Virginia, USA. He died on 29 Jul 1892
in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Albert J Bishop was born in 1827.
Notes for Albert J Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
v. India Seymore Bishop was born in 1833 in Surry, Virginia, USA. She married John Holt
Rice on 10 Feb 1853 in Campbell, VA. She died on 02 Jul 1890 in Cave Spring, Roanoke,
Virginia, USA.
Notes for India Seymore Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census, living in Sussex Co with Alexander T Clary
vi. Julia Bishop was born in 1834.
Notes for Julia Bishop:
General Notes:
1850 census living in Surry with mother
Page 1 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM
Register Report for Thomas Bishop
Generation 3
3. Ann Elizabeth Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 06 Mar 1822. She died after 1870.
Notes for Ann Elizabeth Bishop:
General Notes:
1870 census living with son, Thomas L Clary and his wife Ann
Alexander Thomas Clary son of Thomas Clary and Jenny Virginia Presson was born on 19 Feb
1809. He died on 26 Apr 1868.
Alexander Thomas Clary and Ann Elizabeth Bishop were married in 1839. They had the following
children:
i. Thomas L Clary was born in 1841.
4. Milton Lafayette Bishop-3 (John D.-2, Thomas-1) was born on 22 Aug 1824 in Surry, Virginia, USA.
He died on 29 Jul 1892 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Notes for Milton Lafayette Bishop:
General Notes:
1874? widower? involved in church sex scandal
Church trial 1883
Susan Lambeth Smith was born on 03 Jul 1834 in Lynchburg, Campbell, Virginia, USA. She died on
18 Jan 1908.
Milton Lafayette Bishop and Susan Lambeth Smith were married on 21 Aug 1851 in Campbell,
Virginia, USA. They had the following children:
i. Ann V Bishop was born in 1852 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
ii. Eloisa L Bishop was born in 1856 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iii. Ludie Bishop was born in 1854 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
iv. Corrine L Bishop was born in 1858 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
v. Milton L Bishop was born in 1860 in Campbell, Virginia, USA.
Page 2 of 2 Thursday, September 30, 2010 8:49:19 PM

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military: Va Militia
• Occupation: Grocer & Farmer

Notes:

Peter Baird: Dept of Interior, War of 1812, Act of Feb 14, 1871 records shows: Enlisted....... Aug 7, 1812 Discharge.....Feb 7, 1813 Served in 62nd Va Regiment, Virginia Militia under Capt Allen Temple, Regiment commanded by Col. Lucas and was Honorably discharged at Ft. Norfolk, Va. He served as a private. He received 2 bounty- land warranties for service and subsequently received pension for service at age 76. It is also stated that he disposed of the bounty land (80 acres). He also applied and was granted another (the 2nd ) bounty land warrant (7-4-1841). This shows that at this time (age 56) he was titled a Col. in the Virginia Militia. It further shows his mailing address as Disputanta, Prince George, Va. Married by James Hill (aird Family Bible)

This information obtained from Nelie Parsons York and Lonnie Baird by Doris Jean Johnson Joined the Va Militia on 8/7/1812 and served for 6 months

(Alexander) married BINGHAM Elizabeth Mckee on 24 Jan 1817 in Prince George County, VA. Elizabeth (daughter of BINGHAM William and CRAMMER Mary) was born on 19 Dec 1798 in Prince George County, VA; died on 15 Sep 1875 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; was buried in Surry County, VA (Baird Family Cemetary(Grape Hill), Rt. 612)). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 167

Notes:

According to census records, her parents were still in England. Baird-Booth-Parsons Bible shows both years for her birth. Married By James Hill. Poss buried in the Baird Cemetery with her husband.
The cemetery is located in a field off Rt. 612 ( Otterdam Rd.) Now, 2007, the farm is owned by Phillip Chappell, Jr.

Notes:

Married:
Married by James Hill

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived(s) In: Owens Grove, Sussex County, Va; Owens Grove
• Medical: Cancer of the neck
• Property: Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Snow Hill
• Reference Number: 176
• Religion: Carsley Methodist Church
• Military: 18 May 1814, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Private, War of 1812
• Military: 1827, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Promoted to Lt. in the Surry Militia
• Military: 1828, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Promoted to Captain in the Surry County Militia
• Residence: 1830, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Started Building Snow Hill
• Military: 14 May 1835, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Lt. Col., Virginia Militia
• Political Office: 1836, Surry County, VA; County Corresponding Committee
• Residence: 1836, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Snow Hill Finished
• Court: 1839, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Deputy Sheriff
• Census: 9 Jul 1870, Wakefield Township, Sussex County, VA; 1870 census
• Medical: 1874; Paralysis
• Occupation: 1805-1875, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Planter
• Alt. Death: 20 Feb 1876

Notes:

Samuel Booth was a middle class Tidewater Virginia planter who owned 500 acres of farmland eleven miles southwest of the Jams River in Surry County. His father, Beverly Booth, was a Revolutionary War veteran, a farmer, and a Baptist minister who brought his wife and several young children from Southampton to Surry, probably in 1791, and became pastor of the Otterdam Baptist Church. The Rev. Booth had been a part-time pastor of Sea Cock Baptist Church in Southampton until 1791, when he became ordained, and moved to Surry for a church and congregation of his own. (See John Asplundt's Annual Register of the Baptist Denomination in North America to the year 1791, Richmond (?), 1791). Around 1816 Beverly Booth went to Petersburg, Virginia, where he was instrumental in starting the Cypress Swamp Baptist Church. One of his sons, Robert, moved to Georgia in 1814.

Samuel Booth was born in Surry in 1794, probably attended a local school taught by a member of his father's congregation, and followed the most likely livelihood available to a young man of his upbringing--that of farming. He probably enlisted in the Surry County Militia at an early age, was commissioned a lieutenant in 1827, and was promoted to Captain in the following year (see appendix L). Although all records for the Surry County Militia between 1830 and 1840 have been destroyed, he was most likely promoted to Colonel in the early part at the decade. His obituary (died January 20, 1876) refers to him as Colonel, and his grandchildren, alive as late as 1956, fondly referred to him as "Colonel Sam". Nonetheless when Surry's post 1840 records are surveyed, no mention is made of his name, and it is likely that he retired in order to devote full time to the construction of his home and the development of his plantation.

As a look at the Surry County land Books will attest, Samuel Booth apparently took a fancy to occasionally dabbling in real estate., and by the mid 1830's owned considerable property, some of which he sold, and some of which formed the basis for his plantation. Construction of his house was undertaken on a 172 1/2 acre tract of land, probably in the fall of 1836, and was completed at a cost of $1380, according to the Surry County land Books for the year 1837. As Surry's "Personal Property Tax Books for 1837" note, Samuel Booth was assessed for "20 slaves. 9 horses, and a riding gig valued at $75" during the year "Snow Hill was constructed. When the relatively low cost of the structure is considered, it is reasonable to assume that the slaves played an important role in its construction: felling trees, sawing, hewing, and joining timbers for the frame, and making bricks. Yet, a professional house wright undoubtedly oversaw the over-all construction. Another house, known as "Oak Hill" and situated on Virginia Route 31 between Surry Court House and Scotland Wharf, was undoubtedly built by the same man, and is very similar in plan, detail, and brickwork. Surry County's Land Books for 1840 show that in 1839 additional expenditures amounting to $615. 75 went toward construction, probably dependencies.

According to Booth family tradition, a difficult winter during the construction of the house resulted in the name "Snow Hill", but the earliest documented use of the title is to be found in the 1859 deed of sale transferring the plantation from Samuel Booth to William H. Rood of Southampton. (Surry County Deed Book 14, page (See appendix F).

By 1852, "Snow Hill" had grown to include various adjoining parcels of land containing a. total of exactly 500 acres. Samuel's wife died later in the decade and, with his children grown, he sold the house and surrounding land in 1859 for the sum of $4500. He married a widow from adjoining Sussex County, and went to live with her on the farm she had inherited from her deceased husband.

William H. Hood held the property from 1859 until 1875, when the outcome of a court case decreed the land be sold, and it was purchased by Samuel Booth's son, Binns Beverly Booth, who promptly moved in with his family. Just prior to the death of Binns Beverly Booth, he sold the house and two hundred acres to his son Samuel Peter Booth, a bachelor. "Sam Pete ", as he was known, remained in the house until incapacitated in 1930, at which point he went to live with his nephew, John Leo Wilcox, of Waverly, and later to a nursing home. Tenants inhabited the house from 1930 onward, and "Sam Pete" Booth, upon his death willed the house in 1933, to his nephew.

C.      GRAVEYARD: Persons buried in the graveyard at Snow Hill:
A.      Col. Samuel Booth and his wife (no gravestone remains)
B.      Sarah Ellis Booth (no gravestone remains)
C.      Georgianna Booth James (no gravestone remains)
Note: Her husband, Dr. Richard Henry James, was an alcoholic who abandoned his wife. When he died, the Booth's refused to let him be buried next to his wife, and he was interred on a nearby farm owned by the Rogers family.

A.      Binns Beverly Booth
B.      Elizabeth Bingham Baird Booth (his wife)
(The issue of D & E above are F, G, H)

A.      Elizabeth (Nannie) Bell Booth, infant daughter died during the 1880's (no gravestone remains)
B.      Annie L. Booth, 1872 - 1885 or 95
C.      Virginia Frances Booth Parsons (no gravestone remains)
D.      Dallas Parsons, her husband. (no gravestone remains)

J.      Also buried in the graveyard, (no gravestone remains), are 2 children of Joseph Booth (son of Capt. David Booth). Neither ever married, both lived into old age, an they supposedly lived together in Dendron, Surry County, Virginia. Marie Baird attended their funerals during the 1920's, but she is not sure of the exact date. Their names were Agnes Booth and Patrick Booth (no gravestone remains).



There is a Booth Fork in Surry County about 2 miles Northeast of the Lightfoot Swamp. It is where St. Rt. 617 & 612 cross. There is also an Ellis Fork about a mile east of Booth Fork that may be named after Sally Ellis' father. DIED AT HIS RESIDENCE IN SUSSEX COUNTY THE OBIT GIVES HIS AGE AS 'nigh on to Ninety years of age' He was a Captain of the Home Guards at the time of the War Between the States ( Mary Pulley-Granddaughter) By the way Col. Samuel picture came from a gold locket the locket had a daguerreotype photo that was enlarged. From Kathleen Baird: On May 18, 1814 he was drafted at Petersburg for six (6) months of military service during the War of 1812. Samuel served as a private in Capt. Edward Prescud's (spelling?) Company of Infantry, Virginia Militia, from the 39th Regiment in the County of Dinwiddie. He was discharged in Norfolk om Oct 18,1814 after 5 months of service because of sickness. In April of 1839 he was appointed deputy sheriff. David Booth was the sheriff. He was commissioned a Lt. Col., on May 14, 1835 in the 71st Regiment of Infantry, 8th Brigade, 4th Division of the Virginia Militia (hence the title Col. Sam). He served in the Surry County Militia between 1835 and 1840. Samuel applied for bounty land in January of 1851. Mary applied for a pension in June of 1878 and said that as far as she was able to give it that at the time of his enlistment he was about 5 feet 10 inches tall, grey eyes, dark hair, fair and rosy complexion. The application was approved in April 1879 for a rate of eight dollars per month, commencing March 1878. Mary died July 5, 1891 Sources: Petersburg, Prince George and Surry Courthouses and family bible of Kathleen Baird. Another source list his marriage to Sarah Ellis as 12-23-1817 (per Kathleen Baird)



Index to the War of 1812 Pay Rolls & Muster Rolls: CATALOG CARD
NAME Booth, Samuel.
Muster Rolls, p.588
NOTE Part of index to: Pay Rolls of Militia Entitled to Land Bounty Under
the Act of Congress of Sept. 28, 1850 (Richmond, 1851) and: Muster Rolls
of the Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (Richmond, 1852) which
supplements Pay Rolls. This collection is also available on microfilm.
SUBJECT United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Registers.
COLLECTION War of 1812 pay rolls and muster rolls.

Henley Marriage & Obituary Database: CATALOG CARD NEWSPAPER Farmville Mercury, and official advertiser for Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox and neighboring counties ENTRY Died- At his residence in Sussex County, Col. Samuel Booth, father of P. H. Booth of Petersburg. (Petersburg Index - Appeal). (p. 3, c. 2) DATE OF PUB. Thursday, January 27, 1876. FILM NO. Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 36). NOTE From the marriage and obituary citations compiled by Bernard J. Henley from Virginia newspapers on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. SUBJECT Obituaries -- Virginia. SUBJECT Farmville (Va.) SUBJECT Buckingham County (Va.) SUBJECT Appomattox County (Va.) SUBJECT Cumberland County (Va.) ADDED ENTRY Henley, Bernard J. (Bernard John) COLLECTION Bernard J. Henley papers.

1870 Census roll 1680, section M-593, pg. 24: Wakefield Twp, Sussex, Cty, Va age: 75 yoa Owned & Built Snow Hill Plantation in 1835

Henley Marriage & Obituary Database: CATALOG CARD NEWSPAPER Farmville Mercury, and official advertiser for Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox and neighboring counties ENTRY Died- At his residence in Sussex County, Col. Samuel Booth, father of P. H. Booth of Petersburg. (Petersburg Index - Appeal). (p. 3, c. 2) DATE OF PUB. Thursday, January 27, 1876. FILM NO. Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 36). NOTE From the marriage and obituary citations compiled by Bernard J. Henley from Virginia newspapers on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. SUBJECT Obituaries -- Virginia. SUBJECT Farmville (Va.) SUBJECT Buckingham County (Va.) SUBJECT Appomattox County (Va.) SUBJECT Cumberland County (Va.) ADDED ENTRY Henley, Bernard J. (Bernard John) COLLECTION Bernard J. Henley papers.

Hi Gene,

I'll give you a call early next week after we recover from all the turkey. It's a little hectic here now.

I know of only two marriages of Samuel Booth. In 1817 he married Sarah Ellis and on Dec. 22, 1859 he married Mary Eliza Tatum Owen of Wakefield. He moved into her house and lived there until he died 1876. Mary died in 1891.

The Jean Johnson that you mentioned, does she live on 40 across from Snow Hill?

Lonnie Baird L Baird Jr. [l.bairdjr@worldnet.att.net]

gene, I hope this isn't disappointing; i am looking at many pensions from slaves who served in a couple of regiments i am studying. One pension of a man named "ROBERT GREEN"-- (this may be a changed name as many slaves took on other names after emancipation). In one of the affadavits, Robert's sister mentions that before the war, Robert worked on Snow Hill with Col. Booth: "He was botn in [Snory???] County, VA, lived with Col. Booth before the war, at Snow Hill. Col. Booth is dead." Robert Green had a light complexion and apparently had a white father--who this father was i have no idea; I am assuming that this means that he had a slave mother. In late 1863 Green fled to Norfolk at the "Fairgrounds" and enlisted in the Second US Colored Cavalry (Company A). He married a woman from Norfolk right after the war but she apparently lost her mind; he later married again but got in trouble when he impregnated the teen-age niece of his second wife. I am interested if you know of anything concerning the Booth family, esp. Samuel Booth concerning the Civil War; did any of them join? lose their land, slaves, etc.? thanks mike degruccio michael degruccio [degruccio.1@nd.edu]

Title: Family Bible
Page: http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/BibleII/37939/0020.tif
Source Text: Samuel Booth son of Rev. Beverly Booth departed this life Thursday January 20th at two o'clock in the morning 1876 in the eighty first year of his age

Title: 1850 Federal Census - Surry County, Virginia
Entry Date: July 26, 1850
Source Text: Samuel Booth: 55 years old Farmer Value of Real Estate: 7000 Born in Virginia Sally Booth: 53 years old Born in Virginia Children at home: Binns B. Booth (16); Georgianna Booth (12)

1870 Census roll 1680, section M-593, pg. 24:. Wakefield Twp, Sussex, Cty, Va age: 75 yoa. Owned & Built Snow Hill Plantation in 1835. Marriage to Sally Ellis was witness by David Booth.
The following info may be of help later: There appears to be some discrepancy about Samuel's second marriage. On 10-18-07 Kernneth Coker said to Jean Johnson that Colonel Samuel Booth married the second time in 1861 to Mary Elizabeth Tatum Owen "The widow Owen" and they lived near Wakefield. Jenny Barrett Nicholson's husbands grandfather, Peter Holmes was in that family??
Dtd: 4 Jun 90

Title Booth, Col. Samuel, died, Sussex County. Note Petersburg Index and Appeal (Petersburg, Va. : Daily) (Film 106). Note January 21, 1876, page 3, column 1. Other Format Available on microfilm from the Library of Virginia.

According to Mary Pulley, his grand-daughter (living in Ivor in 1936), Col. Sam was a Cartain in the Home Guards at the time of the War Between the States.

(Medical):Obituary says he had cancer on the neck, of which he died.
Paralysis for 2 years prior to death

Lived(s) In:
Lived their with the Owens wife and died there

Medical:
Obituary says he had cancer on the neck, of which he died

Property:
SNOW HILL
Now owned by Peter Post of Richmond, VA, the house Snow Hill, located about five miles East of Waverly on Route 40, was built in 1836 by Samuel Booth. He was a farmer and a colonel in the Surry County Militia between 1835 and 1840. It was later inhabited by his children and grandchildren. Samuel Booth's father, Beverly Booth, was a Revolutionary War veteran who served October 1776 - September 1781. He first moved to Surry County just across the Blackwater River by the Otterdam Swamp in 1794 and had built his home approximately a mile from the Snow Hill location. He was also a farmer and Baptist preacher whose small church originally stood within sight of the house Snow Hill.
Snow Hill is located directly across the road from 1900 Martin Luther King Highway. Plans are being made to restore this historic house.

Religion:
A zealous and esteemed member for about 50 years ... W.E.Allen, Surry Methodist Circuit

Military:
On May 18, 1814 he was drafted at Petersburg for six (6) months of military service during the War of 1812. Samuel served as a private in Capt. Edward Prescud's (spelling?) Company of Infantry, Virginia Militia, from the 39th Regiment in the County of Dinwiddie. He was discharged in Norfolk om Oct 18,1814 after 5 months of service because of sickness.

View of Record: War of 1812 Pay Roll
Title: Booth, Samuel.          
Gen. noteMuster Rolls, p.588          
NotePart of index to: Pay Rolls of Militia Entitled to Land Bounty Under the Act of Congress of Sept. 28, 1850 (Richmond, 1851) and: Muster Rolls of the Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (Richmond, 1852) which supplements Pay Rolls. This collection is also available on microfilm.          
NoteWar of 1812 pay rolls and muster rolls.          
Subject - PersonalBooth, Samuel.          
Subject -GeographicUnited States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Registers.          




Military:
Booth served as a captain in the Surry County Militia and later as a lieutenant colonel of the 71st Regiment of the Virginia Militia. (Va. Historical Landmark Commission documents)

Residence:


SNOW HILL

HOME OF COLONEL SAMUEL BOOTH

OTTERDAM AREA, SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA



"SNOW HILL"
HOME OF COLONEL SAMUEL BOOTH
OTTERDAM AREA, SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA


Location:      Northwest side of Virginia Route 4o~ .55 mile travelling east from the bridge over the Otterdam Swamp, Surry County, Virginia.
              
               Latitude:      37° 05' 25"
               Longitude:      77° 02' 55"




Present
Owners:           Mrs. John Leo Wilcox, Waverly, Virginia
               Mrs. Rosalie W. Priddy, Ashland, Virginia


Statement of
Significance:      This is a typical Tidewater Virginia plantation house of the pre-Civil War era. Constructed in 1836, it is a five bay, central hall, single pile structure of two and one half stories, and exhibits characteristics of the late eighteenth century which remained prevalent in rural southeastern Virginia well into the nineteenth century.



PART I: HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Samuel Booth was a middle class Tidewater Virginia planter who owned 500 acres of farmland eleven miles southwest of the Jams River in Surry County. His father, Beverly Booth, was a Revolutionary War veteran, a farmer, and a Baptist minister who brought his wife and several young children from Southampton to Surry, probably in 1791, and became pastor of the Otterdam Baptist Church. The Rev. Booth had been a part-time pastor of Sea Cock Baptist Church in Southampton until 1791, when he became ordained, and moved to Surry for a church and congregation of his own. (See John Asplundt's Annual Register of the Baptist Denomination in North America to the year 1791, Richmond (?), 1791). Around 1816 Beverly Booth went to Petersburg, Virginia, where he was instrumental in starting the Cypress Swamp Baptist Church. One of his sons, Robert, moved to Georgia in 1814.

Samuel. Booth was born in Surry in 1794, probably attended a local school taught by a member of his father's congregation, and followed the most likely livelihood available to a young man of his upbringing--that of farming. He probably enlisted in the Surry County Militia at an early age, was commissioned a lieutenant in 1827, and was promoted to Captain in the following year (see appendix L). Although all records for the Surry County Militia between 1830 and 1840 have been destroyed, he was most likely promoted to Colonel in the early part at the decade. His obituary (died January 20, 1876) refers to him as Colonel, and his grandchildren, alive as late as 1956, fondly referred to him as "Colonel Sam". Nonetheless when Surry's post 1840 records are surveyed, no mention is made of his name, and it is likely that he retired in order to devote full time to the construction of his home and the development of his plantation.

As a look at the Surry County land Books will attest, Samuel Booth apparently took a fancy to occasionally dabbling in real estate., and by the mid 1830's owned considerable property, some of which he sold, and some of which formed the basis for his plantation. Construction of his house was undertaken on a 172 1/2 acre tract of land, probably in the fall of 1836, and was completed at a cost of $1380, according to the Surry County land Books for the year 1837. As Surry's "Personal Property Tax Books for 1837" note, Samuel Booth was assessed for "20 slaves. 9 horses, and a riding gig valued at $75" during the year "Snow Hill was constructed. When the relatively low cost of the structure is considered, it is reasonable to assume that the slaves played an important role in its construction: felling trees, sawing, hewing, and joining timbers for the frame, and making bricks. Yet, a professional house wright undoubtedly oversaw the over-all construction. Another house, known as "Oak Hill" and situated on Virginia Route 31 between Surry Court House and Scotland Wharf, was undoubtedly built by the same man, and is very similar in plan, detail, and brickwork. Surry County's Land Books for 1840 show that in 1839 additional expenditures amounting to $615. 75 went toward construction, probably dependencies.

According to Booth family tradition, a difficult winter during the construction of the house resulted in the name "Snow Hill", but the earliest documented use of the title is to be found in the 1859 deed of sale transferring the plantation from Samuel Booth to William H. Rood of Southampton. (Surry County Deed Book 14, page (See appendix F).

By 1852, "Snow Hill" had grown to include various adjoining parcels of land containing a. total of exactly 500 acres. Samuel's wife died later in the decade and, with his children grown, he sold the house and surrounding land in 1859 for the sum of $4500. He married a widow from adjoining Sussex County, and went to live with her on the farm she had inherited from her deceased husband.
William H. Hood held the property from 1859 until 1875, when the outcome of a court case decreed the land be sold, and it was purchased by Samuel Booth's son, Binns Beverly Booth, who promptly moved in with his family. Just prior to the death of Binns Beverly Booth, he sold the house and two hundred acres to his son Samuel Peter Booth, a bachelor. "Sam Pete ", as he was known, remained in the house until incapacitated in 1930, at which point he went to live with his nephew, John Leo Wilcox, of Waverly, and later to a nursing home. Tenants inhabited the house from 1930 onward, and the house was willed by "Sam Pete" Booth, upon his death in 1933, to his nephew.


PART II: ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION

A.      General Statement

1.      Architectural Character:      This is a typical Tidewater Virginia plantation house of the pro-Civil War era which has undergone little alteration since its construction in 1836. It is a five bay, central hall, single pile, two-and-one-half story frame structure, and exhibits characteristics of late 18th century architecture which remained prevalent in rural, southeastern, Virginia well into the 19th century.

2.      Condition of Fabric: Good.

     B.      Description of Exterior

1.      General Character: A five bay, two-and-one-half story structure covered by beaded-edge weatherboards, possessing a fine modillion cornice and fielded-panel doors which tell a continuity of architectural tradition in conser-vative, slave-holding, tidewater Virginia.

2. Foundations: The building is set upon brick piers, adequately spaced to allow free circulation of air around the structural timbers--a necessity in the damp, termite filled climate of the tidewater.

3. Brickwork: All brickwork, both in the foundation walls and in the chimneys, is laid in five course American bond. Bricks measure approximately 8" x 3" x 3-5/4" and five courses rise 16".

4. Structural system: The building is of frame construction, of hard Virginia pine. Larger framing members, such as the major bearing plates which rest upon the brick foundations, are hand hewn. Smaller members are sawn. Studs measure roughly 3" x 4"and are placed 16~ upon centers. The bearing plates measure approximately 10" x 12".

4. Doors: Front and back entries have double doors, each consisting of three fielded panels. All other doors in the building are of the traditional six-panel variety.

5. Hardware: The house is fortunate enough to have retained the majority of its original hardware although some had been replaced with Victorian examples. Rooms on the second and third floors boast square, iron plate latches, with thumb bolts and brass knobs. These are unmarked by their maker, but are probably of English origin. Of the five box locks originally found on the first floor, only two remain--on the closet door beneath the stair, and on the door between the hall and the dining room. This latter example is marked by "Carpen-ter & Company, patentees", and the keeper is stamped with a crown and the initials "W R', representing King William IV, ruler of England from 1830 until 1837. On the upper floors, there is only one box lock-- to be found on the door of the small room just above the south entry. It has neither knobs nor a thumb latch--only a key for 1ocking --suggesting that the room was used only for storage, and not as a nursery or sewing room, as has occasionally been suggested. The double doors which open off the back side of the hall to the exterior never had a lock of any kind, only a wooden bar placed in iron holders,
The only wrought iron to be found in the entire house are the strap hinges which bold the exterior shutters. These hinges, however, are attached to the shatters with screws, and not with nails as might be expected. Nails throughout the house are of the early machine cut variety. Hinges on all doors are of cast iron, those in the parlor and dining room having examples which raise the doors a total of 1/2 " as they are opened--suggesting that there may have been some floor covering which the owner did not want the moving doors to wear.

6      Windows and shutters: All windows are wooden double-hung sashes, unweighted, consisting of "nine-over-nine" light sashes oh the first floor, and "six-over-six" on the second floor. The small double hung sashes, which light the third floor re of the "four-over-four" variety
Shutters were originally hung on the exterior only on the south front of the building--facing the road, which runs in front of the house. During the last quarter of the 19th century, shutters were added to the north side and to the third floor, but these have long since disappeared.

7.      Roof: An old roof (possibly the original) of: hard pine or cypress shingles still exists beneath the current roof of tin, added in 1972 to prevent water damage. All of the shingles are of random width, measuring 18" in length, 6" of which was exposed to the weather. All shingles have rounded ends to prevent warping in the hot sun.

Lightening rods: The lightening rods seen on both chimneys of the house in old photographs were un-doubtedly original. Only sections still remain.

9.      The front porch, visible in old photographs, was original to the house, but was taken down in 1950 when its structure had become unsafe. Another porch was added at that time, but that too has since been removed. Included in this study is a proposed reconstruction of the porch taken from old photos, measurements, and the existing outline of the porch still visible on the front of the house.

Description of Interior:

Woodwork: Paneled wainscot is found throughout the first floor and extends up the stairwell to the second floor. The second floor has chair mould and base-boards throughout, and the third floor has only baseboard. There are no cornices of any form in any of the rooms on the interior.

Painted. Interiors: Fortunate enough to have endured the poverty of the Booth family, the interiors of "Snow Hill'. have escaped the ravages often dealt by well intentioned renovators. With the exception of woodwork in the dining room, painted by tenants in the mid-20th century, the original painted, grained, and marbled surfaces are extant throughout the house. Although wear and tear, natural aging, and even abuse have taken their tolls upon the surfaces, much is exceptionally well preserved. The wainscoted hallway is painted a deep, almost olive, green, and the risers of the steps are marbled. Newel posts are mahoganized, and the stick balusters are painted the same: green. The wainscot now found in the parlor, and that now painted over in the dining room, is representative of the fancy painting, which reached its height in the era between 1820 and 1840. The baseboards are marbled, rails and stiles of the wainscot are simulated mahogany, and panels are painted in imitation of birds-eye and curly maple. The dado cap, the door and window jamb moldings, are all painted a deep blue. Sunbursts in the parlor mantle are gilded with gold leaf. Doors throughout the house are painted with mahogany stiles and rails and with maple panels, identical to the wainscot of the first floor. Plaster surfaces throughout the house were applied over split lathes, and were left white. They were probably whitewashed often, and contain no signs of stenciling or wall painting.


     3.      Flooring: All the floors are of Virginia hard pine, varying in width from three to six inches. Without exception a single board runs the complete length of a room.

     4.      Fireplaces: There are four fireplaces in the house, 2 each on the first and second floors. There are no fireplaces on the third floor. All hearths are of square brick tiles. The finest mantle is gained, has herringbone and Greek key moldings, and gilded sunbursts, and is to be found in the parlor.

D. The Site: Within the immediate environs of the house are known to have been a smokehouse, an icehouse, barns, a kitchen, and a building referred to as the "weaving house". None of these buildings are still standing, although the frame of the smokehouse has been salvaged and will eventually be recon-structed. Woodwork from the kitchen, taken down in 1959, is in storage, and the chimney and foundations for the building still exist. There are no photographs of any of the other buildings, with the exception of the "weaving house", and it is highly unlikely that any archaeological excavations will take place.

Military:
He was commissioned a Lt. Col., on May 14, 1835 in the 71st Regiment of Infantry, 8th Brigade, 4th Division of the Virginia Militia (hence the title Col. Sam). He served in the Surry County Militia between 1835 and 1840.

In April of 1839 he was appointed deputy sheriff. David Booth was the sheriff.

Political Office:
County Corresponding Committees Nominated by the Van Buren Convention held in the Capitol Richmond, 11th Jan., 1836.
The following gentlemen, who compose the Republican Corresponding Committee for the county of Surry will please remember that a full meeting of the members is respectfully requested to meet at the court-house,
the fourth Monday in this month, (being court day):

Wm. E. B. Ruffin, Philip Smith, Wm. H. Edwards, Walter S. Booth, James S. Clark, James D. Edwards, Drury Stith, Wm. E. Bailey, Edwain White, John Spratley, Thomas Ruffin, David Booth, Saml. Booth, Amos Sledge, David Hargrave, Edwin T. Spratley, Patrick H. Bilbro and Arch'd Davis
Richard H. Edwards, chairman.
1836

Residence:
Completed at at cost of $1830



SNOW HILL

HOME OF COLONEL SAMUEL BOOTH

OTTERDAM AREA, SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA



"SNOW HILL"
HOME OF COLONEL SAMUEL BOOTH
OTTERDAM AREA, SURRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA


Location:      Northwest side of Virginia Route 4o~ .55 mile travelling east from the bridge over the Otterdam Swamp, Surry County, Virginia.
              
               Latitude:      37° 05' 25"
               Longitude:      77° 02' 55"




Present
Owners:           Mrs. John Leo Wilcox, Waverly, Virginia
               Mrs. Rosalie W. Priddy, Ashland, Virginia


Statement of
Significance:      This is a typical Tidewater Virginia plantation house of the pre-Civil War era. Constructed in 1836, it is a five bay, central hall, single pile structure of two and one half stories, and exhibits characteristics of the late eighteenth century which remained prevalent in rural southeastern Virginia well into the nineteenth century.



PART I: HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Samuel Booth was a middle class Tidewater Virginia planter who owned 500 acres of farmland eleven miles southwest of the Jams River in Surry County. His father, Beverly Booth, was a Revolutionary War veteran, a farmer, and a Baptist minister who brought his wife and several young children from Southampton to Surry, probably in 1791, and became pastor of the Otterdam Baptist Church. The Rev. Booth had been a part-time pastor of Sea Cock Baptist Church in Southampton until 1791, when he became ordained, and moved to Surry for a church and congregation of his own. (See John Asplundt's Annual Register of the Baptist Denomination in North America to the year 1791, Richmond (?), 1791). Around 1816 Beverly Booth went to Petersburg, Virginia, where he was instrumental in starting the Cypress Swamp Baptist Church. One of his sons, Robert, moved to Georgia in 1814.

Samuel. Booth was born in Surry in 1794, probably attended a local school taught by a member of his father's congregation, and followed the most likely livelihood available to a young man of his upbringing--that of farming. He probably enlisted in the Surry County Militia at an early age, was commissioned a lieutenant in 1827, and was promoted to Captain in the following year (see appendix L). Although all records for the Surry County Militia between 1830 and 1840 have been destroyed, he was most likely promoted to Colonel in the early part at the decade. His obituary (died January 20, 1876) refers to him as Colonel, and his grandchildren, alive as late as 1956, fondly referred to him as "Colonel Sam". Nonetheless when Surry's post 1840 records are surveyed, no mention is made of his name, and it is likely that he retired in order to devote full time to the construction of his home and the development of his plantation.

As a look at the Surry County land Books will attest, Samuel Booth apparently took a fancy to occasionally dabbling in real estate., and by the mid 1830's owned considerable property, some of which he sold, and some of which formed the basis for his plantation. Construction of his house was undertaken on a 172 1/2 acre tract of land, probably in the fall of 1836, and was completed at a cost of $1380, according to the Surry County land Books for the year 1837. As Surry's "Personal Property Tax Books for 1837" note, Samuel Booth was assessed for "20 slaves. 9 horses, and a riding gig valued at $75" during the year "Snow Hill was constructed. When the relatively low cost of the structure is considered, it is reasonable to assume that the slaves played an important role in its construction: felling trees, sawing, hewing, and joining timbers for the frame, and making bricks. Yet, a professional house wright undoubtedly oversaw the over-all construction. Another house, known as "Oak Hill" and situated on Virginia Route 31 between Surry Court House and Scotland Wharf, was undoubtedly built by the same man, and is very similar in plan, detail, and brickwork. Surry County's Land Books for 1840 show that in 1839 additional expenditures amounting to $615. 75 went toward construction, probably dependencies.

According to Booth family tradition, a difficult winter during the construction of the house resulted in the name "Snow Hill", but the earliest documented use of the title is to be found in the 1859 deed of sale transferring the plantation from Samuel Booth to William H. Rood of Southampton. (Surry County Deed Book 14, page (See appendix F).

By 1852, "Snow Hill" had grown to include various adjoining parcels of land containing a. total of exactly 500 acres. Samuel's wife died later in the decade and, with his children grown, he sold the house and surrounding land in 1859 for the sum of $4500. He married a widow from adjoining Sussex County, and went to live with her on the farm she had inherited from her deceased husband.
William H. Hood held the property from 1859 until 1875, when the outcome of a court case decreed the land be sold, and it was purchased by Samuel Booth's son, Binns Beverly Booth, who promptly moved in with his family. Just prior to the death of Binns Beverly Booth, he sold the house and two hundred acres to his son Samuel Peter Booth, a bachelor. "Sam Pete ", as he was known, remained in the house until incapacitated in 1930, at which point he went to live with his nephew, John Leo Wilcox, of Waverly, and later to a nursing home. Tenants inhabited the house from 1930 onward, and the house was willed by "Sam Pete" Booth, upon his death in 1933, to his nephew.


PART II: ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION

A.      General Statement

1.      Architectural Character:      This is a typical Tidewater Virginia plantation house of the pro-Civil War era which has undergone little alteration since its construction in 1836. It is a five bay, central hall, single pile, two-and-one-half story frame structure, and exhibits characteristics of late 18th century architecture which remained prevalent in rural, southeastern, Virginia well into the 19th century.

2.      Condition of Fabric: Good.

     B.      Description of Exterior

1.      General Character: A five bay, two-and-one-half story structure covered by beaded-edge weatherboards, possessing a fine modillion cornice and fielded-panel doors which tell a continuity of architectural tradition in conser-vative, slave-holding, tidewater Virginia.

2. Foundations: The building is set upon brick piers, adequately spaced to allow free circulation of air around the structural timbers--a necessity in the damp, termite filled climate of the tidewater.

3. Brickwork: All brickwork, both in the foundation walls and in the chimneys, is laid in five course American bond. Bricks measure approximately 8" x 3" x 3-5/4" and five courses rise 16".

4. Structural system: The building is of frame construction, of hard Virginia pine. Larger framing members, such as the major bearing plates which rest upon the brick foundations, are hand hewn. Smaller members are sawn. Studs measure roughly 3" x 4"and are placed 16~ upon centers. The bearing plates measure approximately 10" x 12".

4. Doors: Front and back entries have double doors, each consisting of three fielded panels. All other doors in the building are of the traditional six-panel variety.

5. Hardware: The house is fortunate enough to have retained the majority of its original hardware although some had been replaced with Victorian examples. Rooms on the second and third floors boast square, iron plate latches, with thumb bolts and brass knobs. These are unmarked by their maker, but are probably of English origin. Of the five box locks originally found on the first floor, only two remain--on the closet door beneath the stair, and on the door between the hall and the dining room. This latter example is marked by "Carpen-ter & Company, patentees", and the keeper is stamped with a crown and the initials "W R', representing King William IV, ruler of England from 1830 until 1837. On the upper floors, there is only one box lock-- to be found on the door of the small room just above the south entry. It has neither knobs nor a thumb latch--only a key for 1ocking --suggesting that the room was used only for storage, and not as a nursery or sewing room, as has occasionally been suggested. The double doors which open off the back side of the hall to the exterior never had a lock of any kind, only a wooden bar placed in iron holders,
The only wrought iron to be found in the entire house are the strap hinges which bold the exterior shutters. These hinges, however, are attached to the shatters with screws, and not with nails as might be expected. Nails throughout the house are of the early machine cut variety. Hinges on all doors are of cast iron, those in the parlor and dining room having examples which raise the doors a total of 1/2 " as they are opened--suggesting that there may have been some floor covering which the owner did not want the moving doors to wear.

6      Windows and shutters: All windows are wooden double-hung sashes, unweighted, consisting of "nine-over-nine" light sashes oh the first floor, and "six-over-six" on the second floor. The small double hung sashes, which light the third floor re of the "four-over-four" variety
Shutters were originally hung on the exterior only on the south front of the building--facing the road, which runs in front of the house. During the last quarter of the 19th century, shutters were added to the north side and to the third floor, but these have long since disappeared.

7.      Roof: An old roof (possibly the original) of: hard pine or cypress shingles still exists beneath the current roof of tin, added in 1972 to prevent water damage. All of the shingles are of random width, measuring 18" in length, 6" of which was exposed to the weather. All shingles have rounded ends to prevent warping in the hot sun.

Lightening rods: The lightening rods seen on both chimneys of the house in old photographs were un-doubtedly original. Only sections still remain.

9.      The front porch, visible in old photographs, was original to the house, but was taken down in 1950 when its structure had become unsafe. Another porch was added at that time, but that too has since been removed. Included in this study is a proposed reconstruction of the porch taken from old photos, measurements, and the existing outline of the porch still visible on the front of the house.

Description of Interior:

Woodwork: Paneled wainscot is found throughout the first floor and extends up the stairwell to the second floor. The second floor has chair mould and base-boards throughout, and the third floor has only baseboard. There are no cornices of any form in any of the rooms on the interior.

Painted. Interiors: Fortunate enough to have endured the poverty of the Booth family, the interiors of "Snow Hill'. have escaped the ravages often dealt by well intentioned renovators. With the exception of woodwork in the dining room, painted by tenants in the mid-20th century, the original painted, grained, and marbled surfaces are extant throughout the house. Although wear and tear, natural aging, and even abuse have taken their tolls upon the surfaces, much is exceptionally well preserved. The wainscoted hallway is painted a deep, almost olive, green, and the risers of the steps are marbled. Newel posts are mahoganized, and the stick balusters are painted the same: green. The wainscot now found in the parlor, and that now painted over in the dining room, is representative of the fancy painting, which reached its height in the era between 1820 and 1840. The baseboards are marbled, rails and stiles of the wainscot are simulated mahogany, and panels are painted in imitation of birds-eye and curly maple. The dado cap, the door and window jamb moldings, are all painted a deep blue. Sunbursts in the parlor mantle are gilded with gold leaf. Doors throughout the house are painted with mahogany stiles and rails and with maple panels, identical to the wainscot of the first floor. Plaster surfaces throughout the house were applied over split lathes, and were left white. They were probably whitewashed often, and contain no signs of stenciling or wall painting.


     3.      Flooring: All the floors are of Virginia hard pine, varying in width from three to six inches. Without exception a single board runs the complete length of a room.

     4.      Fireplaces: There are four fireplaces in the house, 2 each on the first and second floors. There are no fireplaces on the third floor. All hearths are of square brick tiles. The finest mantle is gained, has herringbone and Greek key moldings, and gilded sunbursts, and is to be found in the parlor.

D. The Site: Within the immediate environs of the house are known to have been a smokehouse, an icehouse, barns, a kitchen, and a building referred to as the "weaving house". None of these buildings are still standing, although the frame of the smokehouse has been salvaged and will eventually be recon-structed. Woodwork from the kitchen, taken down in 1959, is in storage, and the chimney and foundations for the building still exist. There are no photographs of any of the other buildings, with the exception of the "weaving house", and it is highly unlikely that any archaeological excavations will take place.

Court:
In April of 1839 he was appointed deputy sheriff. David Booth was the sheriff.

Census:
age 75 in 1870 census and occupation listed as farmer. Persons living with him were listed as: Mary E. Booth, age 50 (keeping house); Mary Owen, age 19; John Owen, age 18 (at school), Elizabeth Parson, age 50; Amy (Amie Lee) L, age 7.

Samuel Booth Values: Real Estate $700, personal property $5700
Mary E. Booth Values: Real Estate $5000, personal property $2000

Medical:
for 2 years prior to death

Alt. Death:
from a photo copy of a document at Kenneth Coker's

Died:
Main Entry Farmville Mercury, and official advertiser for Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox and neighboring counties
Title Died- At his residence in Sussex County, Col. Samuel Booth, father of P. H. Booth of Petersburg. (Petersburg Index - Appeal). (p. 3, c. 2). Publication Thursday, January 27, 1876. Gen. note From the marriage and obituary citations compiled by Bernard J. Henley from Virginia newspapers on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Other Format Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 36). Subject - Personal Booth, Samuel, d.1876.
Subject - Topical Obituaries -- Virginia.
Subject -Geographic Farmville (Va.)
Buckingham County (Va.)
Appomattox County (Va.)
Cumberland County (Va.)
Genre/Form Obituaries -- Virginia -- Sussex County.
Added Entry Henley, Bernard J. (Bernard John)
Added Title Bernard J. Henley papers.

Buried:
\\ulGRAVEYARD\\ulnone: Persons buried in the graveyard at Snow Hill:
     Col. Samuel Booth and his wife (no gravestone remains)
     Sarah Ellis Booth (no gravestone remains)
     Georgianna Booth James (no gravestone remains)
Note: Her husband, Dr. Richard Henry James, was an alcoholic who abandoned his wife. When he died, the Booth's refused to let him be buried next to his wife, and he was interred on a nearby farm owned by the Rogers family.

     Binns Beverly Booth
     Elizabeth Bingham Baird Booth (his wife)
(The issue of D & E above are F, G, H)

     Elizabeth (Nannie) Bell Booth, infant daughter died during the 1880's (no gravestone remains)
     Annie L. Booth, 1872 - 1885 or 95
     Virginia Frances Booth Parsons (no gravestone remains)
     Dallas Parsons, her husband. (no gravestone remains)

J.      Also buried in the graveyard, (no gravestone remains), are 2 children of Joseph Booth (son of Capt. David Booth). Neither ever married, both lived into old age, an they supposedly lived together in Dendron, Surry County, Virginia. Marie Baird attended their funerals during the 1920's, but she is not sure of the exact date. Their names were Agnes Booth and Patrick Booth (no gravestone remains).

LVA Record:
Record 203 out of 1492      Previous Record Next Record
Main Entry      Link Farmville Mercury, and official advertiser for Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Appomattox and neighboring counties
Title      Link Died- At his residence in Sussex County, Col. Samuel Booth, father of P. H. Booth of Petersburg. (Petersburg Index - Appeal). (p. 3, c. 2).
Publication      Thursday, January 27, 1876.
Gen. note      From the marriage and obituary citations compiled by Bernard J. Henley from Virginia newspapers on microfilm at the Library of Virginia.
Other Format      Available on microfilm (Library of Virginia Film 36).
Subject - Personal      LinkBooth, Samuel, d.1876.
Subject - Topical      LinkObituaries -- Virginia.
Subject -Geographic      LinkFarmville (Va.)

Samuel married ELLIS Sarah (Sally) on 26 Dec 1816 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States. Sarah (daughter of ELLIS Benjamin and JONES Sarah (Sally)) was born about 1798 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died on 24 Oct 1861 in Southampton County, VA; was buried in Surry County, VA (Snow Hill Cemetery). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 452
• Alt. Marriage: 23 Dec 1816, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States
• Alt. Name: 26 Dec 1816; Sarah Elizabeth

Notes:

Age 36 in the 1870 Census....Section M-593/1680 (poss conflict) In the Death Records of Southampton County 1853-1870, by Gray this shows that a Georgiana Bailey reported her mother Sarah Bailey dying of diarhoea in Southampton County on 10/24/1861 at age 70. Spouse listed as unknown and

Alt. Marriage:
Virginia, Marriages, 1740-1850
about Samuel Booth
Name:Samuel Booth          
Gender:Male          
Spouse Name:Sally Ellis          
Spouse Gender:Female          
Marriage Date:23 Dec 1816          
County:Surry          
State:Virginia          

Alt. Name:
From Beverly Booth Family Bible

Buried:
GRAVEYARD: Persons buried in the graveyard at Snow Hill:
     Col. Samuel Booth and his wife (no gravestone remains)
     Sarah Ellis Booth (no gravestone remains)
     Georgianna Booth James (no gravestone remains)
Note: Her husband, Dr. Richard Henry James, was an alcoholic who abandoned his wife. When he died, the Booth's refused to let him be buried next to his wife, and he was interred on a nearby farm owned by the Rogers family.

     Binns Beverly Booth
     Elizabeth Bingham Baird Booth (his wife)
(The issue of D & E above are F, G, H)

     Elizabeth (Nannie) Bell Booth, infant daughter died during the 1880's (no gravestone remains)
     Annie L. Booth, 1872 - 1885 or 95
     Virginia Frances Booth Parsons (no gravestone remains)
     Dallas Parsons, her husband. (no gravestone remains)

J.      Also buried in the graveyard, (no gravestone remains), are 2 children of Joseph Booth (son of Capt. David Booth). Neither ever married, both lived into old age, an they supposedly lived together in Dendron, Surry County, Virginia. Marie Baird attended their funerals during the 1920's, but she is not sure of the exact date. Their names were Agnes Booth and Patrick Booth (no gravestone remains).