Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-23
TOT NE FHYKUfT
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF VIRGINIA.

HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Henry Howe, The compiler Of this work.
when he came 10 Virginia, some two years ago,
had already been engaged in similar works in
some other States, but was stranger TO our soil
and our history. 1t is easy to imagine the dilli-
cul,ies ofsuch an enterprise, undertaken under 50
many disadvantages. Energy and industry, how
ever, appear 10 have surinounled many Obstacles,
and the rcsul, has exceeded orr anlicipations and
we confess il is moi without surprise, that We find
so valuable a compilation made in so short a
time and in spite of SO many iinpedimenrs. The
copyright OF Martins Gazetteer having been pur-
chased, il, we understand, has been made the
basis of this book. Martins work compiled un-
der great disadvantages and al heavy sacrifice
10 the publisher, possessed merit which was
never duly appreciated Mr. liowe'S book con-
sis,s of an Introductory history, drawn from Mar
tin. composed by virgnian not now resident in
The Stale which has been succnctly brought
down to the present day by another Virginian, a
resident of the ComnonWeallh-Som statistical
and miscellaneous iniormaion-a description Of
the counties in alphabetical order from Accomac
10 York-and lastly, sketch Of the District Of CO.
lumbia.
The work is illustrated BY more than one hun
dred engravin.s, some OF which are brCnZei-a
new STYLE. we understand, in book engraving.
The bronZing seems 10 come OFT slightly upon
the opposite page, and this fault may perhaps
counerbalance the beauty of this son OF coloring
These Collections are made up OF notices. geo.
graphical biographical and hislorical; statistics
revolutionary and pioneer "reminiscences tales oil
border warfare, mountain legends, anecdotes ge-
theological information, &C., &c. A large por-
ton OF this diversified material has been pro-
cured from citizens of every quarter of the State,
and We may safely conclude, that if a stranger,
in roaming six or eight months over Virginia,
has gathered 50 much, that great deal, no less
valuable and entertaining, remains TO repay the
researches of future adventures. Besides infor-
nation thus obtained, Mr. Howe has made cx-
tracts from historians, biographers and pcriod-
Gals
In such parts of the work as we have read or
glanced al, we have met with some mistakes In
the statistics Of Richmond, some errors occur
for example, the number of Touring mills is set
down al 2l We understand that there are only 3.
Blandford Church, near Petersburg, is spclt Blan-
ford The Courthouse Of King William is NOT
ssneaiIy enclosed with an iron railing" and never
was, in the memory oflhat "unquestionabe aulho-
riiy," "the Oldest inhabitani." The mistake is bor-
rowed from Martins Gazetteer, 10 which some mis-
chevous correspondent in not the best taste, We
i understand, VI
the ''iron railing" In the same county, "Mon-
CUR Creek" We take H. ought 10 be "Moncuen, y
an Indian name. The "Old Stone House" on
Ware Creek, ought to come under the head Of
James City county, instead of New Kent. Ware
creek divides them. "WallhalPs laDding" on The
Appomauox is enormously put down as await
hams" This place is vulgarly known as the
"Cat-hoe" In The history OF Washington coun-
", Col John Campbell is spoken OF as "secreta-
~ OF the Treasury" instead OF Treasurer Of the
United States. These errors may, and we hope
will be corrected in future impressions OF the
work We have observed few important blum.
ders, and, as far as We have examined, have been
gra,ihed with The general accuracy Of so multia
rious compilation. Indeed a large portion Of i
is drawn from sources so authentic as 10 com
mand respect
Among the more interesting counties in lowe
Virginia, OF course, is Hanover. Here we revisl
the birth. place OF Henry, the scene OF his flrs
triumph, the deserted Newcastle where he as