Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-02-28

THE RICHEsr Man IN NIRGjNlA The fol-
lowing interesting letter appears in the Rich
mond Wing, relative to the richest man in
AMERICA:
Gemiemen-I have tlorght for some time
would write 10 your paper something in rela.
ZION 10 the richest nan in Virginia, and the
largest slavehoderin in the Union, and, perhaps,
in .he world, unless the serfs Of Russia be con-
siderod slaves and the wish in your 7 ipcr, II
few days ago to know who was so wealthy in
Virginia. induces Inc to write this now. Sam
uel Harston, of Pntsylvana is the gentleman.
When was in his section a year or " o ago,
hewas the owner Of between sixteen and seven
teen hundred slaves, in his own right, having
but little While ago taken census. lie also
has a perspective right to about one thousand
,ltves more, which are now owned by his
mother-in,aw, MIS-. Ruth IIaireton, he having
married her only chIld. He now has the man-
agement of item, which makes the number
Of his saves near three thousand. They in
crease at the rate of near one housanl every
year, and he has to purchase large panta-
ton avery year to settle them on.
A large number of his plantations are in
Henry and Patrick counties, Virginia. lie
has large states in North Carolina. His land
eU Pre- p5TtV III SIOCkS HlOUe, IS dNSesStu dl SIX
hundred thousand dollars. His wealth is df-
ferently estimated at from three to fvc mil.
lions, and should think it was nearer tbs laj>
ter. You thin k he has ii hard lott but assure
you Mr.. Iiarston manages ali hs matters as
easy as most persons would an estate Of Sl0,-
COO lie has overseers who are compelled to
give him written salement Of what is made
and spent on each plantation, and his negroes
oil thnH a,tI fnIf frpr Sti mar
ufac,ure and raising, leaving his tobacco crop,
which is immensely large, so much clear
gain every year, besides his increase in ne
groes, which is ojf0rtune of itself.
And now for his residence. have travelled
over fifteen states ofIhis Union, and have never
seen anything comparable to his yard and gar
den, except some Ct them in the Nj ssisslppi
Delta--and none Of them equal TO II. Mrs.
llairslon has heen beautifying it for years
and "a good old minister, in preachirg near the
place, and describing ParaGi>e, said It was as
beautiful as Mrs. Tia rston's,' or as "a friend
who had visited Washington city for the first
time remarked, that 'ihP pLhIc grounds were
nearly MS handsome as Samuel Hair. tN.' MIR.
llairston is II pam, unassumlns gentleman,
and has never made any nnse III The world,
though he could vie with the Brncc> the Nc.
DUuoghs and the Ast RS; and II is strange,
that while their wealth is c. t-'Xtcnslve with the
Union, he is not known one hundred miles from
home. believe lie is now the wealthcst man
in the Union. as William B. A-tor is only
worth about s 100000, and h: estates OF clIy
people are vastly overrated, while Mr. Hairs
ton can show the property that will brlng the
cash at any amount.
Mr.. Ilar,lon WAS raised within few IN rs
OF where he now lives, in Ilrnry county. he
has several brothers, who a'e pretty we'll to dn
IN world. One OF them. Marshall llair>lou.
of Henry, owns no than 100 negro's X TO-
ert llair>ton, who now lives in Mj,,i,slppI.
near 10 o. and Hardin Ilair>tou. WHO ha, a.
so moved to NJ -,I--i2pi, about 600 slaves -
George llarsron, OF Henry. has given most ct
Il his property TO his children, re>erving oHlY
ABOUT $50 for his own use
TINS, ! believe. j. Il correct statement OF the
of the llairston +. m lv: aud
for farther particulars and the truth of the
statement. refer You to the proseu, delegate
from Henry. CosMoroLITE.