nots, (after the revocation of the edict of Nantz in 1685,) many of whose descendants still remain in that section of Powhatan, and the adjacent parts of Chesterfield; as the Subletts, the Michauxs, the Bernards, the Martins, the Flourneys, &c. Near Keswick, the seat of Major John Clarke, runs Bernard's creek, which takes its name from the Huguenot family of Bernard, who settled near its banks. The Manakin tribe of Indians inhabited this county, and near, or on the land given to the Huguenots, they had a town. Mr. Edward Scott's residence is said to be near the site of that town, and it is his ferry across the James River that goes by the name of the Manakin Town Ferry. Beverly, in his History. of Va., published in 1722, thus speaks of these early settlers:

The French refugees, sent in thither by the charitable exhibition of his late majesty King William, are naturalized by a particular law for that purpose. In the year 1699, there went over about 300 of these, and the year following about 200 more, and so on, until there arrived in all between 700 and 800 men, women, and children, who had fled from France on account of their religion. Those who went over the first year were advised to seat on a very rich piece of land about 20 miles above the falls of James River, on the south side of the river; which land was formerly the seat of a great and warlike nation of Indians called Monacans, none of which are now left in those parts; but the land still retains their name, and is still called the Monacan Town. The refu gees that arrived the second year went also to the Monacan Town, but afterwards, upon some disagreement, several dispersed themselves up and down the country; and those that have arrived since have followed their example, except some few that likewise settled at Monacan Town.

The Assembly was very bountiful to those that remained at this town, bestowing on them large donations, money, and provisions for their support. They likewise freed them from every public tax for several years to come, and addressed the governor to grant them a brief, to entitle them to the charity of all well-disposed persons throughout the country; which, together with the king's benevolence, supported them very comfortably till they could sufficiently supply themselves with necessaries, which they now do indifferently well, and have stocks of cattle and hogs.

In the year 1702, they began an essay of wine, which they made of the wild grapes gathered in the woods; the effect of which was strong-bodied claret, of good flavor. I heard a gentleman who tasted it give it great commendation. Now if such may be made of the wild vine in the woods, without pruning, weeding, or removing it out of the shade, what may be produced from a vineyard skilfully cultivated? But I don't hear that they have done any thing since, being still very poor, needy, and negligent.

Gen. Wм. H. ASHLEY, of St. Louis, was born in Powhatan county. About the year 1810, being then a poor boy, he emigrated to Missouri, (then Upper Louisiana,) and settled near the lead mines. In 1822, he projected the scheme of the "mountain expedition," by uniting the Indian trade in the Rocky Mountains with the hunting and the trapping business. He enlisted about 300 hardy men in the business, and after various successes and reverses, he and his associates realized handsome fortunes. He also rose to considerable political distinction, and was the first lieutenant-governor of Missouri after its admission into the Union, and a M. C. in 1831-3. He died in 1838, greatly respected for his great enterprise, talents, and worth of character.

Dr. BRANCH T. ARCHER, president of the convention which formed the constitution of Texas, and late secretary of war in that republic, was born in Powhatan.

PRESTON.

PRESTON was formed in 1818, from Monongalia, and named from James P. Preston, a meritorious officer in the late war with Great Britain, and governor of Virginia from 1816 to 1819. Its mean

length is 30 miles, and mean breadth 17 miles. Cheat River passes through the county. The general face of the country is mountainous, interspersed, on the eastern and western sides, with large natural meadows called "glades," which afford support for large herds of cattle in summer, and in winter also, when it is mown and cured for food. The glades are destitute of timber, but are covered in summer with grass and weeds, with frequent projecting points of timber, low bushes, &c. The bottom grounds are small but productive, and many of the hill-sides are favorable to grain. Slate and limestone are common; the county is abundantly supplied with bituminous coal, and iron ore is often found. Population in 1840, whites 6,743, slaves 91, free colored 30; total, 6,866.

Kingwood, the county-seat, is 284 miles NW. of Richmond, on a beautiful and healthy eminence, 2 miles west of Cheat River, 20 from Morgantown, 43 from Clarksburg, and 60 from Beverly. It contains several stores, and about 30 dwellings. The German settlement is 18 miles southeasterly from Kingwood.

PRINCE EDWARD.

PRINCE EDWARD was formed in 1753, from Amelia. It is 35 miles long, mean breadth 12 miles. The Appomattox runs on its northern boundary, and with its branches, waters the county. The soil is much like that in this section of the state, naturally good; but injured by continual culture, without any regard to system. Marl, coal, and copper ore, are found in the county. Pop. in 1840, whites 4,923, slaves 8,576, free colored 570; total, 14,069.

Farmsville is situated 70 miles southwesterly from Richmond, on the northern border of the county, on the Appomattox. It was established by law in 1798, on the property of Judith Randolph ; and Charles Scott, Peter Johnson, John Randolph, Jr., Philip Holcomb, Jr., Martin Smith, Blake B. W. Woodson, and Creed Taylor, were appointed trustees to lay off the town into half acre lots. Farmsville is now a place of considerable commercial importance; its trade is drawn from Halifax, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Nottoway, and a part of Campbell. It is at the head of batteau navigation on the Appomattox, although boats can go up much higher. It is the fourth tobacco market in Virginia; and the quality of its tobacco is nowhere surpassed. It contains 2 tobacco warehouses, 10 tobacco factories, 7 or 8 mercantile stores, a branch of the Farmers' Bank, 1 newspaper printing-office, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist church, and a population of about 1400. The navigation of the Appomattox is good at all seasons, and its navigation from this place to Petersburg gives employment to about 40 batteaux, carrying from 5 to 7 tons each, of the products of the country. Prince Edward C. H., Jamestown, and Sandy River Church, are small places in the county.

"HAMPDEN SYDNEY COLLEGE originated in an academy in

Prince Edward county, established by the presbytery of Hanover, which was afterwards incorporated as a college. The circumstances leading to the establishment of the academy were these: As Virginia was first settled by members of the Church of England, and the emigration of dissenters not encouraged, it was more than a hundred years ere they were found in any considerable numbers. Some years previous to the revolutionary war, the

Rev. Samuel Davies, of Hanover county, in conjunction with others, formed the presbytery of Hanover. The principal mass of Presbyterians then in lower Virginia was in Prince Edward and the neighboring counties. among whom were some French Huguenots. In a few years, as they increased in numbers, they determined to establish a seminary, to be conducted on Presbyterian principles; William and Mary, the only college in the state, being fostered particularly by the Episcopalians. The academy was accordingly established in Prince Edward, at a point convenient for the Presbyterians of Virginia and North Carolina."* This institution was founded in 1774, and was called the Academy of Hampden Sydney. "It was chartered in 1783, and received its present name from those two martyrs of liberty, J. Hampden and A. Sydney. It was established, and has ever been supported, by the private munificence of public-spirited individuals. It has an elevated, healthy, and pleasant situation, one mile from the courthouse, and 80 from Richmond. Although the institution has had to encounter many difficulties for want of funds, yet it has generally been in successful operation, and has educated upwards of 2,000 young men; many of whom have been of eminent usefulness, and some of great abilities. More instructors have emanated from this institution than from any other in the southern

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country. Connected with the college is a literary and philosophi cal society, and an institute of education. There are also several societies among the students, which are of great assistance to them in the prosecution of their studies. The legislative government of the college is vested in 27 trustees, who fill up vacancies in their own body. By the census of 1840, this institution had 65 students, and 8000 volumes in its library.”

The presidents of Hampden Sydney have been-Rev. S. S. Smith, 1774; Rev. J. B. Smith, 1779 to 1789; presidents pro tem. to 1797; Rev. A. Alexander, D. D., 1797 to 1806; Rev. M. Hoge, D. D., 1807 to 1820; J. P. Cushing, A. M., 1821 to 1835; Daniel Carroll, D. D., 1836; William Maxwell, LL. D., 1839 to 1844.

The UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY is located in the immediate vicinity of Hampden Sydney College. "The institution had its origin in efforts made by the presbytery of Hanover and the synod of Virginia, as early as 1812, to give their candidates for the ministry a more complete theological education. It did not, however, go into operation in a regular form until the year 1824." In 1841-42 it had 3 professors, 20 students, 175 graduates, and a carefully-selected library of about 4000 volumes. The Theological Seminary, and Hampden Sydney College, have spacious and showy brick buildings, sufficient to accommodate a large number of students.

The Rev. MOSES HOGE, President of Hampden Sydney College, was one of the most able and venerable clergymen of the Virginia church; and his memory is now cherished with peculiar affection by many in the south. During a long life of clerical service, he maintained a character among the best and greatest men in that country, for sagacity, theological learning, sound judgment, patriarchal simplicity, and unaffected meekness and humility. As a preacher, he was not eloquent, in the usual acceptation of the word; that is, he was far from the artificial elegancies of rhetoric; but his fervor of devotion and of argument often burst forth in a glow and flame which enkindled whole assemblies. This, together with the sanctity of his manners, made him a great favorite with John Randolph, who often rode many miles to hear him, and often spent much time in conversing with him on religious subjects. The widow of Dr. Hoge is now living, at an advanced age, in Charlotte. Three of his sons became ministers. Of these, the eldest, the Rev. James Hoge, D. D., of Columbus, Ohio, is one of the most distinguished men in the Presbyterian church. Dr. Moses Hoge was universally respected by his brethren, as a counsellor and an example; indeed, it would be difficult to name a man of his profession who had attained to more remarkable mildness, uprightness, or benevolence. He died in the city of Philadelphia, and his remains were buried in the church-yard of the Third Presbyterian Church, Pine-street.

Among the Presbyterian clergy of Virginia, an eminent place is due to the late Rev. JOHN HOLT RICE, D. D. He was born in Bedford county, Nov. 28, 1777, and died in Prince Edward, Sept. 2, 1831. He was graduated at Washington College, and was afterwards a tutor in Hampden Sydney, where he was the intimate friend of such men as Speece, Alexander, and Lyle. He was the founder of the Union Seminary, at the head of which he passed his last years. For a portion of his life he labored among the negro slaves; and the fruits of this remain, in great numbers who not only believe in Christ, but are well instructed in the reading of the Scriptures, and are in regular connection with the Presbyterian church. Dr. Rice's years of prime were spent as a pastor, in Richmond. Here he was successful in a high degree, both as a preacher and an author. The Evangelical and Literary Magazine was under his editorial care, and its most valuable contents are from his pen.

Dr. Rice was characterized by great independence of mind. He abjured all human authority, and was bold in the expression of his views. Yet he was "swift to hear, slow to speak." His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and his learning was in pro

portion; but it was the wide range, rather than the minute accuracy of his erudition, which was remarkable. As a writer, he greatly surpassed most of his coevals in ease, fertility, and force. By frequent journeys through the northern and eastern states, he liberalized his views, enjoying valuable intercourse with the first minds in New England, especially with the professors at Andover and New Haven; yet, from first to last, he was a thorough-paced, enthusiastic Virginia patriot. He was an American of the old stamp, loving and admiring his country with the fervor of a youthful passion; and he transferred the same regards to the church of which he was an ornament and a champion. His letters to Mr. Madison, and his correspondence with Bishop Ravenscroft, may be adduced in proof. As a pulpit orator, Dr. Rice was not graceful or mellifluous; but he was more he was luminous, instructive, convincing, persuasive, and elevating. His greatest discourses, like those of Robert Hall and John M. Mason, were unwritten. In these, as in his life, he evinced the truth, purity, uprightness, and benevolence of the Gospel. Though naturally irascible, he became an example of meekness, and overcame evil with good. His favorite maxim was, LoVE IS POWER. There are thousands in Virginia to whom this meager notice will seem far below the truth. Dr. Rice's life was written by Wm. Maxwell, LL.D. (Phil. 1835, one vol. 12mo.)

When Tarleton was in this county, in the revolution, he passed near the residence of Joshua Davison, a gallant dragoon of Lee's legion, who, having received a severe wound in the sword-arm at the Guilford C. H., returned home to recruit. Davison resolved to have a look at the enemy, and, loading an old squirrel-gun, set out in search for them. He followed on their trail a short distance, when he was perceived by a British dragoon, who, rapidly advancing, drew his sword and exclaimed, "Surrender immediately, you rebel rascal, or you die!" "Not so fast, my good friend," replied Davison, " I am not prepared to yield ;" when, raising his squirrel-gun with his left hand, he shot him dead, and seized and carried off his horse and plunder in triumph. Some time after, on being asked if he was satisfied with killing a single man," By no means," he replied: "I reloaded my piece and went in pursuit; but my firing had excited such alarm, and Tarleton fled with such expedition, that I never could have overtaken him, or I would have had another shot."*

There died in this county, in 1819, a slave named Wonder Booker, belonging to George Booker, Esq., who had reached his 126th year. "He received his name from the circumstance that his mother was in her 58th year at the time of his birth. He was of great strength of body, and his natural powers, which were far superior to those of people of color in general, he retained in a surprising degree. He was a constant laborer in his master's garden until within eight or ten years of his death."

PRINCESS ANNE.

PRINCESS ANNE was formed in 1691, from Norfolk county. It is 30 miles long, with a mean breadth of 12 miles: it has the Atlantic Ocean on the E., and Chesapeake Bay on the N. Cape Henry forms its northeastern angle, and Back Bay, a branch of Currituck sound, sets up in its south part. The county is drained by North River and the east branch of the Elizabeth. Pop., whites 3,996, slaves 3,087, free colored 202; total, 7,285.

Princess Anne C. H., situated near the centre of the county, 132 miles SE. of Richmond, contains about 20 dwellings. Kempsville, 10 miles southeasterly from Norfolk, on the eastern branch of Elizabeth River, contains about 30 dwellings. Large quantities of lumber, navy timber, staves, wood, &c., are sent from this place by water to Norfolk.

* Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolution.