THE HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
Home of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Published Quarterly by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
Volume 34, No. 4
Fall 2012
Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield
By Diane Rafuse
Rockingham County native Foxhall Daingerfield
married into the famous Algernon Gray family of
“Hilltop Farm” in northeast Harrisonburg. He practiced law and served as Harrisonburg’s mayor following
the Civil War. Daingerfield later lived in Culpeper, Virginia, and Lexington, Kentucky, where he bred race
horses. He was associated with two famous horse farms
in the Lexington, Kentucky, area that are still in operation today. This article examines his life and accomplishments.
Daingerfield Family Locates in Rockingham County
As one of the first families of Virginia, the Daingerfields established themselves in Tidewater Virginia, in
the mid-1600s. During the colonial period kinships developed among other first Virginia families and as was
common then, the relationships often included the marrying of cousins and the naming of children after relatives.
These distinguished colonial ancestors included writers,
civil servants, and warriors—interests and talents that Foxhall and his siblings also exhibited.
Foxhall’s father, Leroy Parker Daingerfield (b. 1788),
was the grandson of William Daingerfield, one of George
Washington’s first colonels. His mother was Juliet O. Parker (b. 1797)—a member of a distinguished naval family.
They were cousins.
The Leroy Parker Daingerfield family moved from
Frederick County to Rockingham County in 1836. In January of that year, W. H. Gray of Loudoun County and Leroy
Daingerfield purchased from Benjamin Lewis 900 acres of
land about one-and-a-half miles below Port Republic on
the east side of the Shenandoah River. Here at Westwood
Farm, Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield was born on February 8, 1839. He was the youngest and last son in a family
of eleven. Foxhall spent his childhood years in Rockingham County. As evident from property transaction documents, even as a young child the prominent families in the
area, including the family of his future wife, were known to
him. On February 20, 1849, thirteen years after the initial
land purchase, Leroy Daingerfield sold the 590 remaining
acres of the original 900 acres for $12,000 to Samuel
Baugher and Allen Baugher.
At age nine, Foxhall
and his family moved to a
comfortable spacious
house on 980 acres of
land in Bath County, VA.
The 1850 Census showed
that the parents and six
children lived in Bath
County. Before 1850, two
of Foxhall’s older brothers, William and Leroy,
left home to prospect in
the Trinity and Shasta
areas of California.
Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield on His Own
Education and War Years
His early education included attending the semi-military
school of George P. Terrill and the Lewisburg Academy. In
the 1850s Foxhall attended Washington College in Lexington, VA; however, between 1858 and late 1860, Foxhall
studied law under his brother William. In the 1860 Census,
he appeared in his brother, William’s, household along
with their younger sister Sara. They lived in Shasta City,
California. When Foxhall returned to Virginia in 1860 he
rejoined his law class at Washington College only to have
his studies interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War.
Initially a reluctant supporter of secession, Foxhall served
the Confederate cause in the cavalry. He rose from private
to captain and served with great distinction from the beginning at Philippi to the end at Appomattox.
On November 4, 1863, he married Nettie (Henrietta)
Henderson Gray at the Old School Presbyterian Church in
Harrisonburg. Nettie (b. 1844) was the daughter of Algernon S. Gray, one of the wealthiest persons in Rockingham County. During the Episcopal wedding ceremony at
the part when Foxhall pledged to his bride “I do thee with
all my world goods endow,” his best man and military
comrade, Holmes Conrad, blurted out “there goes DiVernon!” the Major’s warhorse. (The major went back to
war, DiVernon didn’t.)
See page 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Trustees
Calendar Of Events
Chairman: Greg Owen
Vice-Chair: Nancy Hess
Secretary: Monica Frackelton
Treasurer: John Paul
Nov. 17: First “Real to Reel” Movie Night!
“Operation X-Ray—the Precursor to the Manhattan
Project,” 7 p.m.
Nov. 18: Last Sunday opening until April 2013
Charlie Collette
Wes Graves
Dec. 11: Volunteer Luncheon
Irvin Hess
Michael Hill
Dec 24-26: Museum & Offices Closed
Nathan Miller
Resident Historian
Dale MacAllister
HRHS Staff
Executive Director: Penny Imeson
Administrator: Margaret Hotchner
Archivist: Laura Adams
Staff: Amy Kiracofe, Juanita Wysong
The Heritage Museum Hours
Tuesday—Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Seasonal Sundays 1 p.m.—5 p.m.
Genealogy on Mondays by appointment
Office closed on Saturday and Sunday
Telephone: (540) 879-2616
Email: [email protected]
www.heritagecenter.com
www.heritagemuseumstore.com
2013 Newsletter Submission Deadlines
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
January 25
April 26
July 26
October 25
All articles are subject to editing. Ideas for feature articles
must be submitted in advance of the article. We reserve the
right not to use unsolicited feature articles. Genealogical queries welcome.
Dec 31-Jan 1: Museum & Offices Closed
January: “The Art of Mary Morrison,” new exhibit
opens. Date to be determined.
Jan. 17: “In Her Own Words: CW Stories of Mennonite & Brethren Women in the Shenandoah Valley,” 7 p.m. with Kirsten Eve Beachy, EMU Creative
Writing & Journalism Professor.
Feb. 9: “The 10th Virginia at Gettysburg,” Noon
Lunch/Lecture Fundraiser. With Jeremy Hilliard, 10th
Virginia Infantry living historian. $15.
Apr. 18: “Keiffer, Funk, Singer’s Glen, and Shape
Notes,” 7 p.m. Dale MacAllister provides a music history lesson.
Stay in touch for new listings at
www.heritagecenter.com
Engage with us on our
social media sites:
Have you moved or changed your address?
Please let us know so that we can
update our records.
Email Administrator Margaret Hotchner
at [email protected]
Our Wish List
Submissions can be emailed to
[email protected]
Or mailed to HRHS
P.O. Box 716
Dayton VA 22821
Page 2
Volume 34, No. 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Notes from the Executive Director

Penny Imeson faces
the challenges of
fundraising.
Then there is the Bookstore Flyer, encouraging everyone to consider shopping with The Heritage Museum
during the holiday season.
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, “There’s always
something happening at The Heritage Museum!” Of
course, all of the wonderful activity means there’s always
something to pay for too. We, like many, have noticed the
Glancing through this issue, I sense a theme – money. Perhaps it’s just the time of year. Our annual cash flow relies effects of the challenging economy. While we have a
strong fiscal picture and are excellent stewards of the reheavily on fall memberships and late-year Annual Fund
receipts. But like most non-profits we do try to get creative sources available to us, we must meet the costs of overhead
in our fundraising.
before providing for new opportunities.
 You will see a notice for the Replica Raffle announced
at the Annual Banquet. All three of the prizes are
In this season of thanksgiving, I am especially appreciative
beautiful handcrafted treasures designed to appeal to a of all the support the Historical Society receives year after
wide audience.
year. Thank you for renewing your membership. Thank
 A column on Planned Giving advice offers ideas for
you for considering a larger gift to the Annual Fund.
members to make a lasting gift to the Historical SocieThank you for ensuring that our mission continues.
ty. One simple gesture is to ask that gifts be made to
HRHS in lieu of funeral flowers.
A Warm Welcome To Our New Members
Donald E. Baxter, Marseilles, IL
William & Allene Blessing, Harrisonburg, VA
Donna Rhodes Brock, Harrisonburg, VA
Judith Bryan, Batesville, AR
Lewis & Judith Campbell, Bridgewater, VA
Jim Christopher, Chillicothe, OH
Justin Coffman, Grottoes, VA
C. Alan & Sheila Cramer, Verona, VA
David Dougherty, Leesburg, GA
Lynda Fields, Peachtree City, GA
Larry & Antoinette Franklin, Manteo, NC
Suzanne Grider, Owings Mill, MD
Sandra Jones, Winchester, VA
Rodney Kelley, Harrisburg, PA
Arnold Kieffer, Silver Spring, VA
Wayne Kite, Madison, WI
Wallace & Bonnie Landes, Palmyra, PA
Ellen Layman, Bridgewater, VA
Tom Long, Mt. Solon, VA
Volume 34, No. 4
Robin Lyttle, Basye, VA
William & Jeanne Martin, Dallas, TX
Jessica Martinkosky, Bridgewater, VA
Frank McMains, Baton Rouge, LA
Timothy Miley, Raleigh, NC
Robert & Martha Minney, San Diego, CA
Bruce Paul, Bedford, VA
Thomas J. Paul, Darien, CT
Marlena R. Powers, Spring, TX
Guy Rawley, Mt. Solon, VA
George Raynes, Hummelstown, PA
Ken & Kim Rutherford, Harrisonburg, VA
Scott & Margaret Stapf, Boiling Springs, PA
Cynthia Steimle, Davis, CA
John Stoutimore, Ft. Worth, TX
Daniel Wampler, Kemah, TX
Patricia Williams, Rockledge, FL
Mildred Wittig, Bergton, VA
Elwood Yoder, Harrisonburg, VA
Page 3
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield
From page 1
In a letter written to John S. Wise
on January 1, 1900, Foxhall described
his four-year war experience: “I was
wounded in every campaign – shot 4
times & sabred once. Was married on
crutches in Nov. 1863. The Confederate soldier is next to my wife & children in my affections.”
He told Wise how the War ended
and what was next for him. In the engagement at Amelia Springs, just before Appomattox, he was “wounded
and starving,” but kept on fighting
“because we had no real place to go
to.” After the surrender at Appomattox, with a painful leg wound Foxhall
rode 230 [sic] miles home to Harrisonburg and to his wife of one-and-a-half
years. Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield
retired from the War as a Major.
Citizen of Harrisonburg
When the War ended Foxhall was
26 years old. He did not waste any
time getting settled and involved in the
social, civic, and economic life of Harrisonburg. The local people referred to
him as “Captain.” Between 1864 and
1886, Foxhall and Nettie had eight
children, all born in Harrisonburg. In
November 1867, Daingerfield purchased from Algernon S. Gray a oneacre lot for $3,000 at the corner of
West [current High] and Rock Streets,
just south of Collicello. Over the years,
the Captain added adjacent properties
and built a racetrack along Gay Street.
The children grew up riding and foxhunting. The oldest son, Algernon,
once won a $100 bet for riding 100
miles from the Harrisonburg Courthouse to Harpers Ferry in 24 hours.
In correspondence with John S.
Wise, Daingerfield described his and
others efforts to establish an Episcopal
Church in Harrisonburg. In 1866, as
member of a Vestry that had “no financial prospects or present means of supporting a Rector—armed only with
Page 4
sublimed cheek—[we] called your
land reported that Daingerfield contribbrother Henry from his Parish in Hali- uted articles to agricultural publicafax to preach to us in an upstairs Ware tions.
House, the most eloquent sermons I
Breeder of Champion Horses
have ever heard. From the date of his
During his years in Harrisonburg,
arrival in Harrisonburg until he was
Daingerfield would make trips to the
called to Christ Ch[urch] Baltimore
south and east to inspect horses for his
there was hardly a day that he, his wife brother-in-law, financier, James R.
and sons were not in my House many Keene. By 1880, discerning horsemen
times—and the fights of Barton with
and newspaper reporters followed
my eldest son [Algernon] were as nu- Daingerfield’s horse-breeding practicmerous as the devotion to each other
es and the track performances of his
was intense.”
horses. During the 1880s his reputation
For twenty-five years Daingerfield was noted (and affirmed) after his
practiced law in Harrisonburg. During brother-in-law gave Daingerfield Sam
this period he also held several official Purdy, a trotting stallion. In the March
positions. In the 1870s, he served as
31, 1881, Rockingham Register, Dainmayor and Clerk of the Circuit Court, gerfield advertised that Sam Purdy
on the town council and, as captain,
would be standing at the Graybill staled the first hook and ladder fire com- bles between April 1 and July 15. Uspany in Harrisonburg. A search of Old ers of this service had to provide a $30
Commonwealth
fee. The following year
newspapers for 1869
Keene presented Dain-70 revealed no regerfield with a
port of newsworthy
“splendid bay thoroughactions taken by him
bred horse, Dan Sparas Mayor. No populing.” The local newslar elections were
paper boasted that
held after the War
“Capt. D now has in
until February 1870
Sam Purdy, as a trotter,
when Virginia reand Dan Sparling, runturned to the Union.
ner, beyond all comparWith the restrictions Rockingham Register Ad
ison the two best horses
lifted, Daingerfield
in the State, and in the
announced as a candidate for Clerk of course of a few years we can reasonathe Circuit Court in the November 8,
bly expect marked improvement in the
1870, election. He won and served for style and blood of Rockingham horses,
a term. His position as captain of the
and Harrisonburg will indeed become
Hook and Ladder Company probably the horse-market of the State.”
involved him in fighting the 1870
In August 1890, Daingerfield startChristmas Day fire that destroyed the ed to divest himself of his real propersouth side of Court Square. In the last ty in Rockingham County. The Harriimportant trial in the old court house— sonburg Land and Improvement Coma sensational murder case—in the
pany acquired the land surrounding his
spring of 1874, Daingerfield “ably”
residence and 30 acres of land he
assisted Commonwealth Attorney John owned two miles southwest of HarriPaul in the successful prosecution of
sonburg for $13,500. Daingerfield’s
James Cameron, accused of poisoning pastures and racetrack lay on a tract of
his wife. In addition to performing civic duties during this period, John Way- See next page
Volume 34, No. 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Heritage Museum proudly presents
The Replica Raffle
Three beautiful items have been commissioned!
1st Prize: Alexander McGilvray Rifle
by Gunstocker/Engraver Mark Thomas,
2nd Prize: Apple Core Quilt by Quilter Bonnie Spoon
3rd Prize: Tiger Maple Sugar Chest by Craftsman Charles Neal
Tickets will be sold in the Bookstore, online, and at many local fairs and
events throughout the coming year. The winners will be selected at the
Annual Banquet 2013. Tickets: $25 each, 5 for $100.
Foxhall—from previous page
land west of Collicello, known as the
“Boom.” The Harrisonburg Land and
Improvement Co. planned to dig artesian wells on this land to support the
growing industrial base of Harrisonburg.
After the sale of his Harrisonburg
residence, the Captain purchased a
small farm and the fairgrounds on
which to breed trotters in Culpeper,
VA. In 1892, the equestrian reporter
for the Richmond Times called Daingerfield “one of the best posted men on
pedigree and blood lines in the country.” In February 1893, a fire destroyed
the Daingerfield residence. Shortly
thereafter, James R. Keene took a lease
on the historic Castleton Farm near
Lexington, KY, and in October 1893,
the Daingerfield family moved there to
oversee Keene’s stables.
The Persona
Some sources claimed that Foxhall
Daingerfield never recovered “health
or fortune in Virginia.” One source
portrayed the mature Daingerfield “as
6’4’, with broad shoulders and very
straight, with a white mustache and
goatee and a mild manner. He was givVolume 34, No. 4
en to profanity (but it was said) the
Major was the only man living who
could swear like a gentleman.”
Another source said that women found
him “pretty good to look at.” In Virginia he was known as the “Captain;”
in the Kentucky years he was known
as the “Major.”
He considered himself a “Jefferson
Democrat.” In his youth he followed
the anti Know-Nothing Campaign of
Governor Wise. In 1896, Daingerfield
voted for McKinley rather than William Jennings Bryan, “a populist posing as a Democrat.” He also had
“political disagreements” with Virginia
Senator William Mahone and the politics of the Readjuster Party. This political movement must have caused lively
conversation within the family. Daingerfield’s wife’s uncle by marriage,
William H. Ruffner—the first Superintendent of Education in Virginia, was
dismissed when this party came to
power in Virginia. His wife’s sister
was an outspoken proponent of the
Readjusters’ causes.
In his sixties, in a few personal reflections on his life, Daingerfield noted
having “received many wounds—have
been often under the Surgeon’s knife,
have had teeth pulled and been forced
to sit inert under Italian Opera—but
for acute suffering I recollect nothing
to compare with ‘an evening out’ when
I was a Law Student in Lexington.”
While living in Kentucky, Foxhall
Alexander Daingerfield wrote that he
could never “become a citizen of another state than Virginia.” Daingerfield
died on January 5, 1913, at the age of
73, two days after the death of his
business partner and friend, James R.
Keene. The Daily New Record noted
the return of “Captain Daingerfield” to
Harrisonburg. His body arrived in Harrisonburg on the afternoon of January
9, 1913, on the Baltimore and Ohio
train. Foxhall Alexander Daingerfield
is buried in Woodbine Cemetery. Once
again Daingerfield’s friend and comrade, Holmes Conrad, provided insight: “The sum of his virtues and
graces is just that he wore the white
flower of a blameless life, and they
that knew him best can appreciate the
fragrance and beauty of that life in all
its symmetry and perfection.”
Portions of this article first appeared
in the Massanutten Regional Library
Reference Blog. Footnotes will be furnished upon request.
Page 5
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Annual Banquet & Silent Auction
A convivial crowd of about 100 members and guests
gathered at the Spotswood Country Club in Harrisonburg
on Friday evening, October 26, for the annual Harrisonburg
-Rockingham Historical Society banquet. The evening
would not have been
possible without many
generous sponsors. We
extend appreciation to
Banquet Sponsor,
Graves Light Wealth
Management, and table
sponsors Irvin and
Nancy Hess, Nathan
Miller, John Paul, Bonnie Paul, and Wes
Lively bidding and conversation at an
Graves. In attendance
Auction Table.
were the Executive
Director, Penny Imeson, and members of the Board of
Trustees.
The evening began at 6:00 p.m. with a social time, cash
bar, and the browsing of some seventy silent auction items,
generously donated by both members, local businesses, and
friends across the state. Chairman of the Board Greg Owen
gave the welcome address, followed by Trustee Nathan
Miller who offered the Invocation. Guests enjoyed lively
conversation during a seated dinner. Chairman Owen sub-
Palmer for her incredible work as an “ambassador” for the
Society in a variety of service roles, including serving as
head docent for the historic Cromer-Trumbo House.
The first Centennial Award was presented to Libby Custer, age 99, by former Board Chairman Larry Bowers. Larry calculated that Libby has
been alive for 42% of the
County’s history (and 86%
of HRHS) so it’s no wonder that she is can share
such wonderful stories.
Ironically, a brief illness
prevented Libby from attending—the first banquet
she has ever missed in her
many decades as a member
and volunteer!
The capstone for the
evening was a program by
special guest speaker, Gary
Trustee Chairman Greg Owen
Ecelbarger, renowned Civil
addresses HRHS members and
War historian, author, and
friends.
Lincoln scholar. Without
notes, he presented an informative, detailed, and suspenseful history of “The Rail
Splitter and the Wigwam: The 1860 Republican Convention in Chicago.” Several guests commented that his engaging descriptions of the backroom negotiations and drama
mirrored the thrill of a horse race, in spite of the audience’s
knowledge of the outcome. The evening concluded with
Mr. Ecelbarger signing copies of his book, The Great
Comeback – How Abraham Lincoln Beat the Odds to Win
the 1860 Republican Nomination, as numerous winners
collected their silent auction items.
A sincere thank you goes out to our
banquet and silent auction organizers
and volunteers: Laura Adams, Gwyneth Brandt, Sandra Conrad, Rebecca
mitted the nominations for the Trustee Class
Frackelton, Sallie Garber, Stephanie
of 2015 and member Twig Strickler moved
Gardner, Rosemarie Palmer, and Lois
to close the debate. Elected by unanimous
Paul. Executive Director Penny Imevote were Nathan Miller, returning for a seson and Administrator Margaret
cond term, and new trustees Lew Taylor, DaHotchner were acknowledged for their
vid Wood, and L.J. Purcell. Trustee Irvin
dedication to the successful operation
Hess announced the kickoff of the Replica
of The Heritage Museum and the work
Raffle, an exciting fundraiser for The Heritof the Historical
Gary Ecelbarger provided an entertainage Museum offering chances to win several commissioned ing and engrossing talk on an historic
Society this past
prizes: a longrifle, a quilt, and a sugar chest. The winning
year.
election.
names will be drawn at the 2013 Annual Banquet.
Executive Director Penny Imeson presented the Volunteer of the Year award to very surprised member Rosemarie
Page 6
Volume 34, No. 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Trustee Class of 2015
The Trustee Class of 2015 was unanimously elected during
the business meeting portion of the banquet and will begin
their term of service on January 1, 2013.
David Wood is a resident of Broadway with a degree in
History and Political Science from Longwood College. He
brings his expertise and insight as a public school teacher, a
welcome addition to our efforts to encourage field trips to
the Museum. We are also excited that he is active in the
community theatre in New Market because we have some
exciting projects in mind. In addition, he begins a legacy
because, not only is he the son of Harold Wood who was a
long-time volunteer for the Historical Society, David often
brings his daughter, Lindsey, to our programs and so seeds
are being planted for another valuable addition to the volunteer roster.
LJ Purcell is a life-long resident of Rockingham County and a Dayton neighbor of The Heritage Museum. He has
been self-employed for most of his business career, served
as Mayor of the Town of Dayton, and is active in Habitat
for Humanity. His deep roots in the community as well as
his snow plow make him a welcome addition to the Historical Society family.
Lew Taylor is a native of Harrisonburg who has served
in the U.S. Army, as Director of the West Dennis, Massachusetts, Public Library and as an officer or trustee of several non-profit organizations. Most recently he founded
Facebook groups “Remembering Downtown Harrisonburg”
and “Remembering Waterman School” – groups with a
combined membership of over 1800! Lew will be a great
asset for The Heritage Museum working with social media
communications and consulting on our bookstore.
Returning for a second term is Nathan Miller, Partner,
Miller Earle & Shanks, PLLC Law Firm, Chairman of
Bridgewater College Board of Trustees, and Former Member of Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates. He is
also active in Bridgewater
Church of the Brethren and
other civic organizations.
Volunteer of the Year
Prior to revealing the name of the 2012 Volunteer of the
ries, was an instant success.
Year, Executive Director Penny Imeson shared that one of
Penny listed some of the areher goals at every event is to create Ambassadors for The
as where Rosemarie has proHeritage Museum. While finding new members, donors,
vided volunteer assistance,
and volunteers is always a priority, it is the development of
sometimes before being
true Ambassadors that will create greater influence in the
asked and sometimes after
community and beyond. An Ambassador is someone who
being asked at the last moinvites friends to attend programs, brings visitors to the
ment! Those areas included
Trustee Nathan Miller congalleries, offers assistance and ideas, compliments the orthe Cromer-Trumbo House,
gratulates Volunteer of the
ganization in casual conversation and generally helps
Hardesty-Higgins House,
Year Rosemarie Palmer.
spread the word that the Valley’s Best-Kept Secret is out of
newsletter contributions, pethe bag!
riod dress consulting, Facebook posting, media release and
Rosemarie Palmer is the epitome of just such an Amonline publicity distribution, silent auction donations, probassador. She is continually seeking to learn about and
gram suggestions, on-call tour guide, and researching.
then share local history, through casual conversation, doCongratulations Rosemarie! Thank you!
cent activities and publications. Her book, Civil War Sto(And keep up the good work—please!)
The Centennial Award was created in honor of Libby Custer who, at age 99, still volunteers faithfully
at The Heritage Museum front desk. The inscription on her award read:
This certificate is awarded to Libby Custer who has volunteered for the Historical Society for so
many years that no one remembers how long, consistently charming guests with her smile and
stories, and supporting staff with her distaste for idle time, teaching all by example the wisdom of
her words: “Get Up! Dress Up! Show Up!”
Volume 34, No. 4
Page 7
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
New In The HRHS Bookstore
On the Way to Toe Town:
Learning, Curiosity, Rebellion,
and Play in Traditional Appalachian Childhood
By Peggy Ann Shifflett
$22 softcover
In her newest book this favorite author dwells on the informal education of Appalachian children.
Fun collection of Mary
Lake Thompson Recipe
Towels printed on flour
sacking in tribute to our
Rockingham County mill
heritage. Most popular
item in the gift shop!
$9.50 each.
No Cause of Offence
By Lewis F. Fisher
$24.95 hardcover
This new title describes how the
local Samuel Hance Lewis family of Union loyalists remained
true to their convictions during
the war, even as Stonewall
Jackson headquartered in their
home, and then rose from local
prominence to high leadership
in Virginia influencing the next
100 years of state politics.
New items arriving in
the Gift Shop!
Beautiful Blank Books
Book Lover’s Journal
Cocktail Napkins
Magnetic Message Pads
And more!
Galax Dulcimer: A Job of Journey Work
By Phyllis Gaskins
$39.95 spiral bound softcover & play-along CD
A comprehensive, informative book dedicated to
the unique playing and construction style of the
Galax Dulcimer. A valuable resource for historians, musicians
and dulcimer fans of all ability levels and interests.
Your purchases support HRHS!
www.heritagemuseumstore.com
Questions? 540 879 2616
Please note: not all items in gift
shop are available online.
Page 8
Volume 34, No. 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Acquisitions
Archives
 Mary Helen Blackwell donated various items from World War I including a uniform, helmet, and a picture of Field
Artillery Battery 313, along with some miscellaneous papers.
 Joseph Lee Clark donated a photo of the 1917 Harrisonburg High School Graduation Class along with a copy of the
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Harrisonburg High School 1923-1924 TAJ yearbook.
Roger and Vickie Dove donated numerous Civil War artifacts.
Vic Diehl donated items from the Cross Keys Tavern (razed in 2002).
Ramona Shirkey Evans donated family pictures from the Irene Shickel Whitmer estate, located in the Montezuma
community of Rockingham County.
Jack Gaines donated a Coeuille style cornet circa 1900.
Electra M. Liaton donated a copy of the Harrisonburg High School 1945 TAJ yearbook.
Ellen Nash donated clothes items including a bed jacket, bonnet, apron, skirt, corset blouse, dress with belt, and a pair
of gloves.
Phoebe Orebaugh donated a Ney’s brand mouton jacket.
Dorothy Sites donated a $20 Confederate bill.
Margaret Tysinger provided her postcards of early Harrisonburg and Rockingham County places so that they could be
digitized.
Library
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Dorothy Boyd-Bragg donated four books regarding North Carolina and a book on the Leitch Family of Mt. Ida.
Jeremy Driver donated various pictures, ads, and clippings pertaining to the P. Bradley & Sons company.
Janet Davis Eaton donated a newspaper article regarding Junior Davis and his fiddle making.
Lealiah Franklin donated a copy of her book, “Johann Heinrich Spitzer Ancestors and Descendants.”
Wayne Kite donated a copy of his book, “Descendants of John Windle Kite or Geit or Windlecoitt.”
Elizabeth Kyger donated the handwritten and typed notes of Ellsworth Kyger regarding the history of HRHS.
Jerry Linder donated a copy of his book regarding the “Campbell Family.”
Mary Nelson donated a CD containing Shenandoah Co., VA, and Hardy Co., WV, Cemetery Records.
Presley and Caroline Phillips, on behalf of the EUB Archives at Shenandoah University donated a CD containing a
nine volume History of UB/EUB Church, ministers, and Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music.
Raymond Rhodes donated his book, “Blocks from Whence the Chip Came” regarding the Rhodes family and the
“70th Anniversary! Celebration Booklet of Bridgewater High School Senior Class of 1941.”
Edna Sheckel donated Montezuma Grade School items; class books 1904-05 and 1906-1907 and an early photograph
of the school.
Nancy Seidel donated a copy of the book, “Major General Robert E. Rodes of the Army of Northern Virginia” by
Darrell L. Collins.
Ilene Smith donated the book, “Bernese Anabaptists and Their Descendants” by Delbert L. Gratz.
Joseph Yount donated a two volume set of “The First Century of the German Language Printing in the United
States,” published by the Pennsylvania German Society (1989).
—Compiled by Margaret Hotchner
Your treasures may rest at HRHS!
Please consider donating artifacts and papers unique to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to the Historical Society. Items must be reviewed before being accepted into the permanent collection. We request you
make an appointment with the Collections Committee. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call
(540) 879-2616.
Volume 34, No. 4
Page 9
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Plantation stories
by Dale MacAllister
A new tourism brochure about the
Civil War in Rockingham County contains the statement, “slave labor was a
fact of life on 18th and 19th century
Valley plantation farms.” Where were
these “plantation farms” in the Valley?
This question reminds me of visitors to
the Historical Society library who
come from out of state researching
their Rockingham roots. As I ask questions about the ancestor, trying to be of
help, they sometimes mention the family’s “plantation.” My first thought is
to wonder if they are endeavoring to
make the family’s small farm seem
more stately than it was. There are few
farms in Rockingham County I would
ever call a plantation. They do not realize that the definition for plantation
may have changed since their ancestor
purchased a farm in the Valley, even if
the deed did call it a plantation.
Let’s examine a reference to plantations from the early history of our
county, from May 1779. “On a majority of the Justices being present & conformable to a resolution of the Court in
March last, for fixing a place for the
Court house, the several members having proposed three different places a
majority were for fixing it on the plantation of Thomas Harrison near the
head of the Spring.”
This is how the justices of the new
county of Rockingham decided to
move the center of government from
Daniel Smith’s plantation north of
Harrisonburg at Smithland, where
some illness was raging, to the relative
safety of Thomas Harrison’s plantation
at the big spring along Black’s Run.
Did both of these pioneers of our local
history live on plantations or farms?
Both Harrison and Smith had large
farms in good locations along what
would later be the Valley Turnpike,
but I would not call them plantations,
in the modern sense of the word.
We likely have some images in our
Page 10
minds about plantations in the Deep
eastward, estates in land are called
South. Perhaps Tara in Gone with the farms [Italics mine].
Wind comes to mind. Let’s examine
The American Heritage Dictionary
the definition of plantation to see what gives this modern definition: Plantathe precise meaning was and how it
tion—A large estate or farm on which
may have changed over time.
crops are raised, often by resident
Plantation has been a term used in workers.
England for a planted area or farm
Since the context we are examining
since the 1400s. Earliest settlers in
is farms with slave labor before the
America used the term to mean any
Civil War, how large did a farm have
homestead or small farm. In the late
to be to be classified as a plantation?
1700s, plantation began being used in There are several conditions that histothe South to describe what the North
rians suggest should be met. Plantawas then calling a farm, in other words tions tended to have a central
the terms were synonymous in the late “plantation house,” where the owner
eighteenth century. But by the 1830s, lived and conducted his business. In
the definition of plantation had
Virginia the owner was considered a
changed—and changed to what the
“planter,” but substantial wealth and
term still signifies, and this meaning of landholdings went along with his posiplantation is the one glorified in Gone tion. The planter had slaves who did
with the Wind. These plantations em- the labor while he may have managed
braced hundreds or
thousands of
acres and
produced
cash crops
worked primarily by
slave labor.
They were
neither small
farms nor the
farms of
Rockingham
County.
Unknown farm, collection of HRHS Archives
Noah Webster
offered this definition in 1848: Plantation—In the Unit- the farm. Some historians maintain
ed States, this word is applied to an
that to be a planter, one must have had
estate, a tract of land occupied and
20 or more slaves, and often many
cultivated, in those states only where
more. We need to realize that the mathe labor is performed by slaves, and jority of slave holders in the Valley
where the land is more or less appro- had fewer than 5 slaves.
priated to the culture of tobacco, rice,
Let’s examine the 1850 Slave Cenindigo and cotton, that is, from Mary- sus for Rockingham County to get
land to Georgia inclusive, on the Atsome idea of a county that did not
lantic, and in the western states where have a large slave population. The perthe land is appropriated to the same
centage of slaves in Rockingham was
articles or to the culture of the sugar
about 11%. All slave owners were givcane. From Maryland, northward and See Plantations next page
Volume 34, No. 4
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Plantations—From previous page
en in the census, but the slaves were
listed only by their age and sex. Rockingham County, in 1850, had approximately 470 slave owners. These slaveholders owned 2,324 slaves, 1,225
males and 1,099 females. Only 10 of
the 470 slaveholders had 20 or more
slaves to meet that criterion for plantation status. This was 2% of the slaveholders.
The primary crops grown on American plantations included the tobacco
and cotton Noah Webster mentioned,
and perhaps sugar cane or rice in the
Deep South. Some tobacco was raised
in Rockingham. Most planters in the
Upper South had switched from a single crop to mixed-crop production by
1800. This was due to changing markets and nutrient-depleted soil from
years of over farming. Take note that
the definitions have included nothing
about livestock, only cash crops. A
plantation is a large farm, estate, or
area of land designated for agricultural
crops. A farm contains agricultural
crops on a much smaller scale.
Plantations, then, have the following qualifying conditions:
 They are large in size.
 They are owned by a well-to-do
planter who lives in the plantation
house.
 They raise agricultural crops for sale.
 Plantation work is done by laborers
who are predominantly slaves.
 Twenty or more slaves are required.
By this measure very, very few
farms in antebellum Rockingham
County were plantations in the midnineteenth century sense of the word.
Most families lived on farms in early
Rockingham and did not use slave labor.
Support The Heritage Museum
in Your Estate Plan
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society (HRHS) is a non-profit
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Visit our extensive Genealogy Library
during Museum hours
or by appointment on Mondays.
Volume 34, No. 4
—Contributed by Bonnie L. Paul, Esq.
We have one of the largest collections of
Rockingham County records.
Can’t come in? Hire our Researcher!
Page 11
THE HERITAGE MUSEUM
HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In Search Of . . . Mary Morrison Art
Do you own an artwork by Mary
A catalogue is planned which will All leads are appreciated!
Morrison? Do you know someone include all the works in the exhibit. 540 879 2616
who does?
Please contact the office if you
[email protected]
The Exhibit Committee is search- have an item or know someone
ing for paintings, drawings, and
who does.
sculptures by Harrisonburg Artist
Mary Morrison for an exhibition
scheduled to open in January 2013
in The Heritage Museum’s featured gallery.
Mary at her
easel teaching
technique to a
class.
Were you
there?
Mary Caples Morrison, 1907-1995,
who lived in Harrisonburg, was
well-known for her paintings of
local people and local scenes, including the Old Order Mennonites,
one of her favorite subjects. She
taught art classes at the Recreation
Center.
OR CURRENT ADDRESS
Harrisonburg - Rockingham Historical Society
P.O. Box 716
Dayton, Virginia 22821
Fall 2012
Vol. 34, No. 4
Permit No. 19
Harrisonburg/
Rockingham
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