New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-13
The Richest Man in Virginia.

From the KlchnOnd IVA wing.
GENrLEMEN have thought, for some time, l
would write to your paper something in relation
10 the richest man in Virginia, and the largest
STAKEHOLDER in the Union, and, perhaps, In the
world, unless the serfs of Russia be considered
slaves; and the wish in your paper, few days
ago, TO know whom it was so wealthy IN Vr
ginia induces me to write this now.
Samuel Hairston of Pittsylvania, is the gentle
man. When was in his section year or two
ago, he was the owner of between 600 and !, 200
slaves, in his own right, having but little while
before taken a census. He also has prospective
right to about !, 600 slaves more, which are now
owned by his motherinlaw, Mrs. Ruth Hairston,
he having married her only child He now has
the Management Of them, which makes the num-
Der ofThis slaves reach near three thousand. They
increase at the rate Of near 1000 every year :;
and ne has to purchase large plantation every
year to settle them A large number OF his
plantations are in Henry and Patrick Counties,
Virginia He has large estates in North Carolina.
His landed property in Stokes alone, is assessed
at 100000. His wealth is differently estimated
at from $4,000 900 TO $4,000 600, and should think
it was nearer the latter. You think he has hard
lot but l assure you Mr. Hairston manages all
his matters as easy as most persons would an
estate Of $4,000 He has overseers who are COM
PEELED to give him written statement Of what is
made and spent on each plantation and his
negroes are all clothed and fed from his own do.
mestic manufacture and raising, leaving his To-
bncco crop, which is immensely large. as so much
clear gain every year, beside his increase in ne
groes which is a fortune of itself
Aud now for his residence. | have travelled
over fifteen States of this Union, and have never
seen anything comparable TO his yard and garden,
except some of them in the Mississippi delta
and none OF them equal it. Mrs Hairston has
been beautiiyiIg IL for years and good old Min.
lister, IN preaching near the place, and describing
Parac Sc, said, Il was as beautiful as Mr. Hairs
tons or as q friend who had visited Washing
ton City for the FIRST time, remarked that the
public grounds Were nearly as handsome as Sam
ue, Hairstons.' Mr. Hairston is a plain, unas-
Stunning gentleman. and has never made any noise
in the world, though he could vie with the Bruces,
the McDonoghs and the Astors and it is strange,
that while their wealth is coextensive with the
Union, he is not known 100 miles from home. |
belive he is now the wealthiest man in the Union,
as VIM b. Astor is only worth about a. 100000,
and the estates OF city people vastly oveuated
while Mr.. Harst0n can show the property that
will bring the cash at any moment.
Mr. Hairston was raised within few miles Of
where he now lives. in Henry County. He has
several brothers, who are pretty well to do in the
world One of them, Marshall Hairston of Henry,
owns more than 200 negroes. Robert Hairston,
who now lives IN Mississippi near 1000, and Har-
din HairstOn, who has also moved 20 Mississippi,
about coo slaves. George HairstOn OF Henry,
has given most all oil his property to his children,
reserving only about 80 for his own use. This,
believe is correct stRteNen, Of the circumstances
Of the BEIst0n family. CCsHoroLITE