NEWELL Drucilla C.

Notes:

Only Child

"In 1844 my maternal grandmother was born to Sallie and Thomas Newell, in Prince George County, Va. Drucilla C. Newell was their only child, and according to my mother, Corralesia, Drucilla's youngest child, her mother often told her of her lovely childhood. She alleged that she was educated by a tutor, traveled in a coach with a driver escort, clothes made by a special seamstress, with imported materials. Most little girls enjoy such fantasy, but with my mother it was for real, she believed every word, and was greatly impressed by all of her mother's teaching, and related many to me as long as she lived. Such fondness inspired me to select my Grandmother Drucilla as one of the most interesting personalities of our heritage to attach to the family geneology for life style of the times."

Drucilla lost her father by the time she was 6 years of age, leaving most of her rearing to her mother, Sallie, who was quite well off, owning many acres of land from now Fort Lee to Prince George Newville, enabling her to give her daughter a most cultural and gracious lifestyle.

My grandmother Drucilla was 40 year old and grandaddy was 66 years of age when my mother was born. Three years later they had a daughter Minnie, who lived only 3 months. My mother often told me she remembered her father only as an old man with a long white beard. His activity was limited to walking, usually a couple miles to the country store known as "Sam Barhams". It is still operating by Sam's grandson. Grandaddy would often take my mother with him, as she had no children to play with. While Grandaddy was at the store, he would buy himself a 5 cent jigger of whiskey from a wooden keg. According to my mother, enroute home her Dad would be quite talkative, especially bragging about how rich he was, always with the same remarks "Billy Hatch richest man in Prince George County". This disturbed my mother, for the next morning her Daddy would be just as quiet and poor as ever. Upon arrival home from the store he would ask "Tootlum",(his nick-name for my mother) to help pull his boots off, he would hold on to the mantle and do a jig on fireplace hearth before early retirement. My younger brother "Tommy" affectionately called our mother "Tootlum" daughter of Billy Hatch, richest man in Prince George, "By Golly", always asking "Tootlum" if she really didn't think her Dad, Billy Hatch, didn't have more than one drink when at the store.

My mother, known to all as Corrie, enjoyed with great fondest reminiscing about her parents, especially her mother, who through necessity assumed complete responsibility of rearing their large family. My mother could never understand how Grandmother always had time to help her neighbors and anyone in need, always with a smile of loving kindness. Yet in times of distress, she was fearless. She often told my mother during the war she kept everything under lock and key- when visited by Yankee soldiers attempting to break in smokehouse for meat, the hennery and other food storage places, she would hold them at gunpoint and offer to share and cook whatever she had, but if they broke a lock, she, with her slaves who remained with her, would shoot. She was fortunate as she was never harmed.

The homeplace that Drucilla maintained during the Civil War was located in a very remote part of Prince George County. The nearest neighbor was about a mile away. This distance intensified the excellent relationship in a common cause for survival in this community. Every effort was made to protect their homes, family, and life style. Southerners had lost everything they ever accumulated to earn their freedom and failed. The young men were killed, starved, or died from diseases; therefore, it seemed no means of recovery for the south, but never underestimate a southerner's Pride or Power!

Grandmother Hatch contended the reconstruction years that followed the Civil War were by far the hardest times that the South ever endured. She should know--she lived all twenty years of them. Some northern politicians insisted the South should be punished for receding --devoured if possible! Lincoln, our President at the time, had plans for a two year rehabilitation program, but northern politicians were too greedy, cruel and jealous, to accept any parts of such a speedy recovery. Such revenge prolonged the suffering, often starvation, for over twenty years.

A group of northerners known as Scalaways, always followed the Yankee soldiers once the war was over for the sole purpose of taking over anything that was left. Another group of dishonest Yankee politicians known as Carpetbaggers also intruded the south in a most ruthless manner. Replacing all the southern leaders with incompetent and displaced people of their own choice. This left the southerners without any authority or protection, just too intolerable to be endured after so many years. Once again these Yankees had underestimated the southerners' values and love for one another. The greater the trials and tribulation became, the closer the southerners were drawn together. This "Togetherness" by necessity taught the communities in the south to share everything, look after every need for one another. In my Grandmother's community she was greatly admired for remaining calm and patient regardless of whatever the tension was.

Many years later, I took my mother back to her childhood neighborhood to visit her relatives and friends with whom she grew up. Many years had passed, but Drucilla was still praised as one of the most courageous, loving and helpful person whom they ever knew. Recalling she never faltered whenever or where-ever she was needed -- walking miles in the night when necessary to help someone in distress, returning home in time to prepare a basket of food for any needed. This kind of reminiscing of adoration among those who knew her best was most assuring to my mother, who had immortalized her mother as long as I could recall.

Drucilla survived the torture of war and years of reconstruction; she had to believe to have given so much of herself to revive what she loved so dearly. Her compassion gave her one hope: That our country would never be divided against itself again, because it left wounds such as hatred, hardships, and grief that took years to heal.

Drucilla joined her husband Billy Hatch in death in 1907. She was buried by his side in Aspen, the family cemetery, just off Route 460 between Waverly and Disputanta

From Debbie Cruppenink :

Drucilla's mother Sarah, left 250 acres in her will to Billy Hatch and it did not say anything about any monies.
Have you heard about the story of Billy giving land to Ft. Lee and that there is a plaque in the ground at one of the gates?
I have walked around at the two back gates and didn't see anything, do you know if this story is true?

Drucilla married HATCH William Nicholas on 8 Jul 1863. William (son of HATCH John P. and BEST Martha) was born on 8 Feb 1818 in City Point, Hopewell (city), Virginia, USA; died on 28 Mar 1903; was buried in Sussex County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. HATCH Corralesia was born on 11 Jun 1884 in Prince George County, VA; died on 24 Aug 1961; was buried in Waverly, Sussex County, VA.
2. HATCH John P. was born on 16 Aug 1864 in Prince Edward County, Va; died on 20 Jul 1865.
3. HATCH William Thomas was born on 4 Apr 1867; died on 28 Nov 1890.
4. HATCH Victoria Mason was born on 24 May 1869; and died.
5. HATCH Edward P. was born on 22 Nov 1871; died on 20 Nov 1896.
6. HATCH Chester N., Sr. was born on 19 Jan 1873; died on 12 May 1952; was buried in Disputanta, Prince George, Virginia, USA.
7. HATCH Drucilla C. was born on 23 Sep 1874; and died.
8. HATCH David Levy was born on 11 Jan 1877; died on 21 Oct 1945.
9. HATCH Anna Bell was born on 18 Aug 1879; and died.
10. HATCH James H. was born on 27 Feb 1882; and died.
11. HATCH Minnie was born on 5 Jun 1887; died on 21 Aug 1887.

Drucilla married MOORE John W. on 27 Jul 1859. John died in Civil War. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
On July 27, 1859, Drucilla, at the age of 15 married John W. Moore, in the home of C. H. Scarborough, by Rev. R. W. Berryman

1. MOORE Martha was born on 11 Nov 1861 in Prince George County, VA; and died.

Notes:

Died:
Drucilla lost her father by the time she was 6 yeas of age, leaving most of her rearing to her mother, Sallie, who was quite well off, owning many acres of land from now Fort Lee to Prince George Newville, enabling her to give her daughter a most cultural and gracious lifestyle.

Thomas married NEWELL Sallie --LNU--. Sallie and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Sarah