Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-08-21
NUMBER TX.

him. told him No that I thought more than
! half our present population were not living
here twenty-five years ago, and consequently a
great many had never even heard Of him. So
he told me the following about ''Uncle Larry
as he-was faniliarly called He thinks Mr.. T.
was native of Rennselear county, New York,
and settled in this town some few years after
the close Of the American Revolution, and
worked here for some time at his trade. He
was a manufacturer of 6 'sBuchshan Breeches and
GHoves," the first part of which trade, has long
since gone out of use. Uncle Larry, was ap-
pointed Postmaster under Washingtons S ad-
ministfation and held the office until he died,
which was in January 184l. He was a very
honest, and very eccentric man and at one
time Of his life, would occasionally drink little
too much, when the boys and young men would
have their fun with him. At such times he
was quite talkative and would occasionally sing
a dutch song for them, at other times, he was
very taciturn., The Doctor was Doctor Ed
ington, a man who stayed a great deal in the
| Post Office, and assisted in opening the mails
&c Remus was yellow man, servant of
| Tremper. Take them altogether, they were as
queer trio as ever lived in the town. sHanse
Herring was the fashionable tailor in Staun-
ton, some forty years ago, or more; and 'sShel-
merdine, was a celebrated halter in Philadel-
phia, whose beavers were much worn in Vir-
ginia thirty odd years ago. One other name,
and we will draw to close. The Rev. VIM
Calhoun, G. presumes was SO well known,
and still remembered by so many, that it is not
worth while to say much about him. He was
for many years pastor of Hebron Church. or
Browns meeting -honse, as it was, perhaps,
sometimes called and Staunton Presbyterian
Church. He was most excellent man. and
was very eccentric. We could give several an
ecdotes characteristic Of the man, but will only
relate one. Many years ago he was requested
to give notice at the close ofa Sunday mornings
service, that, ION that day week, Bishop Moore
would preach in the Episcopal Church. At
ter giving the notice, he said, s'and on this day
tt0o-aoeefs, Bishop Specie viii preach in this
house. j" l'" is'f &aii+1Ffe} "tt 4 f2tss
Whilst talking of old folks and old times"
G. says he is reminded of what he heard his
grand-mother tell (poor old lady she is dead
long ago. about the dead mans grave: When
she was girl-a hundred years or more ago
the children and servants would come home, af-
ter hunting for the cows, saying, I'VE can't
find the COWS. !" The question would then be ask
ed did you go to the dead mans graveY'-
The story that gave rise to this singular ex-
preston was, that verv many years ago, man
was murdered in Staunton, Tin an ''old tavern" !"
of course, and buried in what is now the Epis-
eopal G;hurchyard, and for long time this was
the only grave IN that ground Being all in
thick woods, at that time, doubtless, a very
proper place to look for stray COWS, and, per-
haps,, quite a suitable place to hide a murdered
man. G.. tells me that he remembers, when
boy grave being dug there, for an infant, un-
der one of those large oak-trees he saw part of
the remains Of q man exhumed, who had been
buried in his Clothes and in his pockets was
found part Of pocket inkstand. AS soon as
this was known through town, some of the old
est inhabitants said that must be the dead
- nd m do,,ht If Iuac
Now, Mr.. Editor, let me tell you secret =
G. says Major II. told him a few years ago that
he, (the Major) and himself belonged to the
first families in the town, the evidence of the
matter is such as can't be doubted, viz:-the
Majors great grandmother, and G. grand
mother were the first white persons born in
Staunton. isa i'EH is+' SENEX. Z