This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Alexander, Withers, Payne, Roper, Manson, Pendleton Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/755 Message Board Post: During a visit to the Campbell County Public Library main branch in Rustburg several years ago, I found amongst the library's local history files a copy of an article clipped from the Union Star (Brookneal, VA) entitled "Rock Castle Was Built When Indians Were Here: Only Fortified House in County Was Burned in 1945. Was Home of First County Clerk". This article explains the history of "Rock Castle", the home of Capt. Robert Alexander (b Nov 1746 - VA; d 20 Nov 1820 - Campbell, VA), a Revolutionary War veteran who served as the first County Clerk of Campbell County, Virginia. The article includes a number of annecdotes about this man and his family. I have transcribed the full text of the original article below for the benefit of all descendents of Capt. Robert Alexander as well as those in Campbell County with an interest in county history. * The Union Star Brookneal, Virginia Friday, January 17, 1947 Rock Castle Was Built When Indians Were Here Only Fortified House in County Was Burned in 1945. Was Home of First County Clerk In a field near the "Cross Roads", about a mile or so east of Gladys, three gaunt, ghostlike chimneys rising above a rock foundation are all that is left of Rock Castle, the house that was pointed to as an outstanding exception to Thomas Jefferson's observation that houses built in the latter part of the 18th century only lasted fifty years. Rock Castle, one of Campbell County's oldest houses, was destroyed by fire in 1845 after standing for close to a hundred and seventy years. Built about 1774 by Robert Alexander, who became the first clerk of the court of Campbell County, this old house was said to be the only fortified house still standing in the county within recent years. One can see narrow slits or loopholes in the rock foundation, built for defense against indian attacks, which were not infrequent in early days when the county was thinly settled. The house before it burned was of wood with dormer windows and a wide front porch. The stone basement with its dungeon-like appearance is said to have been used as a fortress. The house got its name from its massive rock chimneys and basement foundation, half of which was above ground. Col. Withers Tells About Rock Castle In his Autobiography, a copy of which is in the Patrick Henry Memorial Library, Brookneal, Col. R. E. Withers devoted several chapters to Rock Castle, where he was born and spent an eventful boyhood. Col. WIthers was a grandson of Robert Alexander, the first owner of Rock Castle. His father, Robert W. Withers, narried Susan Dabney Alexander, youngest daughter of Rock Castle's founder, and thus came into possession of the old place when Alexander died. Robert Alexander, father of Robert of Rock Castle, established the first classical school west of the Blue Ridge, which became "Liberty Hall Academy", and afterwards Washington College and Washington and Lee University. Robert Alexander, so Col. Withers says, was a man of abrupt manners and many peculiarities, and at the same time highly respected throughout the county (in fact there were few who would dared disrespect him, as he was as handy with his old muzzle loading gun as he was with his language, his wit and his pen). When he was a boy his mother sent him to a neighbor's whom she had contracted to weave some cloth to make clothing for the family, and who had been very slow in getting the work done. She told Robert to tell the woman that the cloth was urgently needed; that her children were naked. On his way to the weaver's Robert considered that since he was clothed the woman might not believe his mother's statement that her children were naked, so to make it impressive he took off all his cloths, hid them in the woods and went to the neighbor's "in the raw". Needless to say he won his point and the cloth was delivered soon thereafter. The old clerk kept his office in a house near a spring on the Rock Castle place, and when court was in session would drive to Rustburg in his coach-and-four with his books and records and his faithful servant Luke. As soon as court was adjourned he would hire himself to one of the local taverns and often returned home "in his cups," as the use of spirits was a universal custom in those days. On such occasions he would have Luke whip up the horses and go home at full gallop, with deed books, records and wills, and "Uncle Alec" Austin, his deputy, bouncing from front seat to back seat and back again, singing lusty songs and running everybody else out of the road. Robert Alexander thought so much of his servant Luke that he promised him his freedom when he died and while it was never put in writing, Luke reminded the family of the old man's promise after he died, and his word was never questioned. Luke was given his freedom and worked in his later years as an overseer to a plan! ter on Falling River, coming back to Rock Castle once a year to see his "old mistress". Old "Molly's Creek Church" On Place In later years, Rock Castle was owned by the Clay family. Mrs. P. F. Hughes of Gladys was a Withers and is descended from the Withers who lived at Rock Castle. Down the road a few hundred yards from the ruins of the old house is a little cemetery enclosed by an iron fence, in which can be seen the gravestones of Dr. Robert Walter Withers, born February 22, 1795, died October 23, 1881, and his wife, Susan Dabney Alexander, born January 23, 1799, died February 14, 1882. Dr. Withers was one of three practicing physicians in the neighborhood, and when he wasn't practicing medicine he was hunting, for game was plentiful in the neighborhood in those days. The little burying ground was the churchyard of old Molly's Creek Church, the first church in the neighborhood. This old colonial church, which was originally the Church of England, was later used by both Baptists and Methodists, as it was the only church building in the neighborhood at that time, and there were not many Episcopalians in the neighborhood. Capt. Alexander claimed the church, which is said to have been blown down in a storm about 1830, as his property because it was located on his land. He permitted any sect to hold services there who wanted to, but he was rabidly opposed to shouting and similar demonstrations. When meetings would get into full swing and the congregation would get warmed up to a shouting pitch, the old captain would fly into a rage and blast away out his window at the side of his church with his old muzzle loader; whereupon the "shouters" would leave the church through windows, doors, and any available exit. Col. Withers related that when he was a boy he used to pick the shot out of the weatherboarding of the church with his pocket knife to use for sink! ers on his fishing line. HG. [Photo of three giant chimneys standing in a field with caption below "RUINS OF ROCK CASTLE -- One of Campbell County's oldest and most historic houses stood near Gladys until just over a year ago."] * * * ADDITIONAL NOTES: Capt. Robert Alexander (b Nov 1746 - VA; d 20 Nov 1820 - Campbell, VA) was, as mentioned in the above article, the son of Robert Alexander (b ca 1710 - Ireland; d 18 Nov 1783 - Augusta, VA), the founder of Washington and Lee University, and his wife, Esther Beard, daughter of Thomas Beard. The younger Robert Alexander on 10 Mar 1774 married Ann Austin (b 10 Mar 1758 - VA; d ca 1815 - VA). Robert and Ann Austin Alexander had at least five children: i. Robert Alexander (b 1782 - Rock Castle, Campbell, VA), who served as Campbell County Clerk from 1819 to 1838. ii. Sallie Alexander (b Rock Castle, Campbell, VA), who married Nathaniel J. Manson iii. Mary Glenn Alexander (b 3 Oct 1793 - Rock Castle, Campbell, VA; d 19 Jan 1871) m William Garland Pendleton iv. Catherine Wilson Alexander (b 17 Jan 1796 - Rock Castle, Campbell, VA; d 2 Aug 1838), who on 5 Dec 1812 married Nathaniel West Payne (b 11 Apr 1790) v. Susan Dabney Alexander (b 22 Jan 1799 - Rock Castle, Campbell, VA; d 14 Feb 1882 - Buckingham, VA), who on 26 Feb 1819 married Dr. Robert Walter Withers (b 22 Feb 1795 - Fauquier, VA;d 23 Oct 1881) I am NOT certain that this is a complete list of Robert and Ann Austin Alexander's children. I suspect that there were others. * * * The Col. Robert Withers identified in the article above was Robert Enoch Withers (b 18 Sept 1821 - Campbell, VA; d 21 Sep 1907 - Ingleside, Wytheville, VA), a physician who graduated from the University of Virginia. Col. Withers served in the 18th VA Infantry, C.S.A.. After the Civil War, he established the Lynchburg News in 1866. He served as Lt. Governor of Virginia from 1873-1875, United States Senator from Virginia from 1875-1881, and United States Consul to Hong Kong from 1885 to 1889. For more information about Col. Withers, see his biography in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress at http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000659 . * * * I am descended from Capt. Robert Alexander through his daughter Catherine Wilson Alexander (b 17 Jan 1796 - Rock Castle, Campbell, VA; d 2 Aug 1838). Catherine Withers Payne (b 1826), a daughter of Nathaniel West Payne (b 11 Apr 1790) and Catherine Wilson Alexander, on 17 May 1843 married Benjamin Eliscus Roper (b 8 Nov 1816 - Richmond, Henrico, VA; d 11 Apr 1871 - Lynchburg, Harris, TX). Benjamin Eliscus Roper was the son of Rev. David Roper, of Richmond. For more information about Rev. David Roper and his family, see my Post on the RootsWeb Roper Message Board "Biography of Rev. David Roper, of Richmond, VA" at: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=surnames.roper&m=461 I Posted a copy of Rev. David Roper's Will in my message "Will of Rev. David Roper (b 27 Sep 1792 - Charles City County, VA; d 28 Feb 1827 - Richmond, VA)": http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=surnames.roper&m=465 Some additional information about Benjamin Eliscus Roper also appears in my Post "Obituary of Mary Wither Roper (d 1941) of Houston, TX" at: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=surnames.roper&m=460 More information about the ROPER family generally may be found at the Roper Family History web site of Dr. L. David Roper at: http://www.roperld.com * * * For additional information concerning Capt. Robert Alexander, see also F. Johnson's "Memorials of Old Virginia Clerks, Arranged Alphabetically By Counties, With Complete Index of Names and Dates of Service from 1634 To the Present Time, (Lynchburg, VA: J. J. Bell Company, 1888), pp. 66-79, 117-119. Also mentioned in the article is Col. Robert Enoch Withers' book, "Autobiography of an Octogenarian", (Roanoke, VA: Stone Printing & Mfg. Co. Press, 1907, 550 pages). A copy of that book may be found in the University of Virginia Library. * * * I would also like to express my thanks to the staff of the Campbell County Public Library in Rustburg (and particularly Ms. Patrice Owen) for their help in locating the article transcribed above.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/HBC.2ACI/720.2 Message Board Post: Hi Jack, I believe we are seeking information on the same family. Anna Dudley is the grand-daughter of Stephen Bingham and Ann Gaines. She married John Schoolfield in 1830 in Lynchburg, Va. and they had one son (Willie ?). I don't have much information on them after that ... other than they lived in Wytheville for a while and then on to Marion Co., Va. I also came across some information on the internet that says John Schoolfield died in 1878 and Anna died Feb. 14, 1897 in Memphis, Tenn. How are you related? ~Pam

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Wooldridge,Carroll,Gray,Stephenson Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/754 Message Board Post: I'm searching for any info on my grandfathers side of the family. His name was Corliss Durwood Wooldridge b 1916 in Lynchburg Va. He was placed in Baptist Orphanage in 1924 with his younger brother Carroll Douglas Wooldridge. Their parents are listed as Hazel Wooldridge and William Stephenson. Her maiden name was Carroll i'm told. I think her sisters name was Lena and my grandfather went to live with Lena in 1935 to attend Lynchburg College. The younger brother Carroll (aka Jimmy) was placed in a foster home in Ruby Va in 1938 with J C Heflin. Thank You

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Wooldridge,Carroll,Stephenson,Gray? Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/336.488 Message Board Post: I was interested to know if you have anymore info on the Carroll side of your family? I believe my gg grandmother was a Carroll (Hazel) with a sister named Lena. This is the closest i've come to locating my grandfathers parents. He was placed in the Baptist Orphanage in 1924 in Salem VA. At that time she is listed as Hazel Wooldridge with the father listed as William Stephenson. Thanks in advance --Ellyce Stephens. (At the time of her death I believe she was Hazel Gray.)

Alexander Gaston was in Greene County around 1800, possibly in Green County somewhat earlier. He was born 1760's and half brother to James Galbraith. His sister was Elizabeth (mrs. Thomas) Wilson who lived next door to him in Anderson Co, TN. One of the Galbraith sisters married a Fields. They were from Campbell Co, VA. The Gaston father was Joseph Gaston wife was Isabella (Galbraith?). The Galbraith father was Alexander and Agnes Miller was mother. Here in se Tenn there are a few Gaston residents that we cannot find connections to....Thomas in Monroe Co, 1830 (m. Millie Speers), Edward and Alvira from Virginia who shows in the 1850 Monroe Co, TN census, Mitchell born early 1800's married Jane Wilson...both say they are born in East Tennessee. Specifically looking for leads on Alexander Joyce Gaston Reece Rootsweb Mail Administer for: Meigs Co, TN, South East TN, North East TN, Raper, Gilbreath, Galbreath,Hemby, Hembree, Knuckles Message Board Administrator for: Gaston, Shields, Reece, Raper, Gilbreath, Galbreath, Hemby Hembree, Knuckles, Daugherty & Polk Co., TN

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HUBBELL/HUBBLE Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/752 Message Board Post: I'm seeking any information on the HUBBELL/HUBBLE family of Appomattox Co. They originally lived in PA and NY, but apparently held land and lived part of the year in Appomattox Co. and Campbell Co. Names that I am looking for in particular are Richard Hubbell (1825-1915), his son Truman Henry Hubbell (1851-1929), and Truman's son, Truman Mallory Hubbell (1879-1917). Any help would be appreciated!

Check out the Jones Memorial Museum in Lynchburg, they have all kinds of records on microfilm. If Cahalans have donated files to them, they may even have family folders. Their website is http://www.jmlibrary.org/. You can email or write them. Sarah ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] Need assistance in finding birth information for John Thomas Cahalan born in Campbell County in November of 1859. Or, information as to where I can write to obtain same records. Thanks in advance, Jerri.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/751 Message Board Post: I am trying to find the parents of a Levi West. He was 40 at the time of the 1850 US Census and living in Campbell Co. next to his father-in-law, Benjamin Barnard. That would put his birthdate at around 1810. According to the same census, he notes himself as a native Virginian. He was married to Mary Barnard at the time of the 1850 census but by the 1860 census he had moved to Arkansas and was married to Mary's sister Lucy. My wife is the gggreatgrandaughter of one Ida West who married a William Jordan Mann. I seem to hit a roadblock with this Levi West and can trace no further back. He was married to Mary Barnard about 1835 to 1840 in Campbell Co. There is nor record of his marriage to Lucy. Any information would be helpful. Thanks

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cahalan Classification: Birth Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/2816/HBC.2ACI/750 Message Board Post: Need assistance in finding birth information for John Thomas Cahalan born in Campbell County in November of 1859. Or, information as to where I can write to obtain same records. Thanks in advance, Jerri.

I descend from Wm. Truitt and the Lamb family of Campbell Co. I'm curious about a possible connection of these people to the Brown and Christian families of the same counties. Do any of you have information about these? Appreciate any help you can give. Thanks. J.H.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BEACHBOARD RICHARDSON BURKE MCKERLEY SAUNDERS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/749 Message Board Post: I'm looking for information on a Sarah Richardson b.abt1834/5 who married a Beachboard between 1850-1860. She was the daughter of Burnett Richardson who was born in Virginia about 1812. Lisa([email protected])

I will be coming to Lynchburg around Aug 17 or 18 and will be staying a few days. Can someone please tell me the BEST places in Bedford County and Campbell County to go for research. I'm interested in the Ming, North, Wood, and May families. If anyone is researching these families, I would appreciate it if you could share information. I am a county coordinator for Franklin County, MO and pres of the historical soc there. I am not personally related to these families, but they all came to Franklin County and, since I am coming to the area anyway, thought I would do a little digging. I won't have a lot of time. Also, where is a nice, but relatively inexpensive, place to stay in the Bedford co, Campbell co, or Lynchburg area? We lived in Lynchburg for a few months, but I don't have any area phone books, etc. Thank you. Sue Cooley

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hendricks Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/475.1 Message Board Post: William, Sharon Methodist Church is a thriving and active church in Naruna, Va. From 501 N coming from Brookneal you will make a left turn on SR 605(I believe that is the road #).you will go about 1/4 mi and the church is on your right, yes on the west side of the road. The cemetary is maintained by the church and is growing. They have just recently bought additional land from the Mason Family to enlarge the cemetary

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kessee Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/496.500.2 Message Board Post: Anne, get on the Vagenweb site for Pittsylvania Co. There are some Bible records there from Sally Kessee who was married to Thomas Colbert. Her father was Booker Kessee and mother was Jane Dove.

Hi, fellow searchers, Forgive me if you get more than one of this message---I am posting it to several lists. I am doing a one-name study on the surname DIDLAKE, and its multitude of spellings. The DIDLAKES originated in King & Queen and surrounding counties in VA, then those who didn't stay in VA spread mainly to KY, AL and MS, with branches in IL, KS, OK and TX. I have lots of information on the KY branch and all of its descendants and quite a bit on AL and MS; I've been working on the VA DIDLAKES and would love to collaborate with any of you who have any DIDLAKE information. I plan to set up a DIDLAKE web site in the next few months so everybody can have access to the information. If any of you have any DIDLAKES in your files, I would appreciate it if you would share with me. Sometimes the least little clue can make all the difference! I'd be happy to share anything I have. Thanks for your help, Ginny North [email protected] more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Morris Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/748 Message Board Post: I am trying to locate any information on the family of Achillias George Morris of Lynchburg, VA. He was born in Franklin, GA in 1897 to Samuel B. Morris and Janette Hopkins but moved to Lynchburg after his parents died in a fire. Both of Samuel's parents were born in Virginia. He had a sister named Ola whose whereabouts are unknown and also an uncle named Pritchitt Morris who owned property in Lynchburg, probably from the 1930's. If anyone has any information on these people, please contact me.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/HBC.2ACI/84.2 Message Board Post: I have an ancestor, Nancy Burnley who married Joseph England on 03 Jan 1788 in Campbell County, Virginia. Could Nancy be a member of your Burnley family? They had moved on to Tennessee by 1802, had at least 4 children, and they and the offspring that I know of all settled in Macoupin Co., Illinois in about 1830. Joseph died in April 1844 at the home of his daughter in Marion Co., IL. I have no indication of when or where Nancy died. You may email me directly at polims on AOL. Hope there is a connecton.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Price, Tyree, Mallory Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/246.1 Message Board Post: Edward was living in Lynchburg, Campbell Co. VA. not sure he marr. Nancy Strother?? As stated previously. Found in Records of Russell Co. web site. A Bible found in Russell Co. Va, showed Edward. marr. to a Judith Tyree, they had five children: Jeanetta C. b 08Jan 1808, Lodowick C. b. 08 Nov 1809, Edward B. b. 05 Oct 1811, Addison A. 26 May 1813, Judith T. b. 11 June 1815. Judith Tyree Price d. and Edward married 2nd Mary Ann Mallory they had at least four sons, Issac Newton , b.02 June 1818, Wm. Mallory, b. 17 Dec 1820, John Milton, b.20 May 1822 and James Stump Price b.01 Oct 1826

The next meeting of the Campbell County Historical Society will be this Sunday, July 28, 2002, 3:30 pm at the Historic Courthouse in Rustburg. Edith Poindexter will present a program on, "Crossings of The Staunton," with information on mills, ferries and such. An update on the progress of the museum will also be given. The meeting is open to the public and we hope to see everyone there! If you are not a member of the CCHS and would like to be all it takes is $10 per year membership fee. You will receive a quarterly newsletter that contains historical articles pertaining to Campbell County and it's people. It also will keep you informed on what is going on to help preserve our Campbell Heritage, and where there is room it will also have queries we have received from people searching for their roots. The address is Campbell County Historical Society, P. O. Box 560, Rustburg, VA 24588. Help keep our heritage alive...join today! Thanks! Barbara Keys *~*Have you sent in your Heritage Book Story yet?*~* <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/barb_keys/heritage.html">Campbell County, VA Heritage Book</A> <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/barb_keys/bedford_heritage.htm">Bedford County, VA Heritage Book</A>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/HBC.2ACI/746.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: 7/23/02 The THORNTON Family book gives two marriages for the John Wyatt Thornton mentioned in your posting. Archer Thompson Thornton was the grandson of John Wyatt Thornton and his first wife Betsy Vawter. It was Archer's wife Mabel Moseley who was from Cambell Co.,Va. One of their children was named Briggs Thornton. John Wyatt Thornton's second marriage was to Agnes Paulette. One of their sons was named Presley Lacy Wyatt Thornton. One of their daughters was named Anne Richardson Thornton. ... With best wishes, DR