Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-06-14
GQu{lsE7aG lutkgbnrg Reglgt1l
THE RICHEST MAN IN VIRGINIA.

TO The Editors Of the New York Weekly
Leader
GENTLEMEE 81 have thought for some
time would write for your paper some
thing in relation to the richest man in
Virginia, and the largest Shareholder in
the Union, aud perhaps in the world, un
less the serfs of Russia be considered
slaves and the wish expressed in your
paper. few days ago, to know whom it
was SO wealthy in Virginia, induces me to
write this now.
Samuel Hairston, of PittsylVanis, is the
gentleman. When was in his section,
year or two ago, be was the owner OF
between ] 900 and ZOO slaves, in his
own right, having but little while before
taken a census. He also has prospec-
tive right to about l 900 slaves more,
which are now owned by his moLher-in-
law, Mrs. R. Hairston, he having married
her only child. He now has the manage
ment of them, which makes the number Of
his slaves reach near three thousand. They
increase at the rate of near one hundred
every year; he has to purchase large
plantation every year to settle them on. A
large number of his plantations are in
Henry and Patrick counties, Virginia.
He has large estate in North Carolina
His landed property in Stokes alone is as
sessed at 6OO, 600. His wealth is differ
emily estimated at from S. OO0,O 900 to S.
100000; and should think it was nearer
the latter. You:think he has hard lot, but
! assure you Mr.. Hairston manages all
his matters as easy as most persons would
an estate of $4,000. He has overseers
who are compelled to give him written
statement Of what had been made and
spent on each plantation, and his negroe:
are all clothed and fed from his own do
mestic manufacture and raising his owl
tobacco crop which is Immensely large
as SO much clear gain every year, besides
his increase in negroes, which is a fortune
of itself. ...
And now for his residence. 1 have
travelled over fifteen States of this Union
and have never seen anything compare
fable to his yard and garden, except som,
Of those in the Mississippi delta, and nom
of them equal to it. Mrs. Hairston ha
been beautitying it for years; and goot
old minister. in preaching near the place
and describing Paradise, said, "-it was a
beautiful as Mrs. Hairston's ;" or, as
friend who visited Washington City 70
Sue uISL LILueB IheuS LudG TIE pun
lie grounds were nearly as handsome IA
Samuel Hairstons.'' He is plain, un
assuming gentleman, and has never mad,
any noise in the world, though he couit
vie with the Bruces, the McDonoughs
and Astors aud ii is strange, that while
their wealth is coextenSive with the Uniol
he is not known one hundred miles from
home. | believe he is now the wealth.
est man in the Union, as VIM. B. Asto
is only worth about 1000, 900, and th,
estates of city people are vastly ovcrrate,
while Mr.. HairSton was raised within
few miles of where he now lives, in Hen
~ county. He has sevtr Il brothers, who
are pretty we'll to do in The world. Ont
of them, Marshal Hairston, of Henry
owns more than 700 negroes Rober
Hairston, who now lives in. Mississippi
near 1000, and Harden Hairston, wht
now lives in mississippi, about 600 slav es
George Hairston, OF Henry, has giyeI
most all of his property TO his children
reserving only about $50 slaves for hi
own use. This, l believe, is a correc
statement of the circumstances of til,
Hairston family.