The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-07

TO the Editors Of the Dispotch:
was born In Cumberland county, Va
on the Sth OF April, 1904. NV father, after
whom | was named, was a soldier ef the
Revolution, and was al the siege Of York
town. He was a lieutenant, aud his brother,
Samuel Booker, was captain. served 10
the war OF 1912. volunteered at Cumber-
land Courthouse in September. 1918, IN the
Cumberland troop. Its officers were
John Miller, captain; Daniel A. Wilson.
first lieutenant; and Maurice Lan2horne,
second; George Horsly, orderly sergeant 4;
and DIR. John Trent. surgeon. The
battalion was fist under the COM
mand OF Major Robinson, and when at.
tacbed to regiment IL was commanded
by Colonel Thomas Mann Randolph. was
stationed at Hampton the most OF the time
that was in the service. was at York
town on detached service when the news
was received Of Perry's victory on Lake
Erie.
| recolect when a school.boy, in 1906,
when returning home, meeting Colonel
Aaron Burr, prisoner under guard on his
way to Richmond. He was travelling In q
"sfick.gig." i well remember his appear
ance. He was a small man. with uneOm-
monty bright eyes and rather sharp features.
also remember seeing Lorenzo Dow and
hearing him preach at Smiths chapel, in
Cumberland. He was very uncouth in his
appear ance, rather repulsipe. and walked
on foot through the country. His wife,
Peggy Dow, accompanied him, riding flea
bitten gray mare. She was an ordinary
looking woman, with auburn hair and
ireckled. As soon as he flushed his SER
mon be opened the window near the pull
pit and jumped out. and went his way.
His oddities and eccentricities attracted
large crowds to hear him.
heard Mr.. Jefferson give in his evidence
I'm the trial OF a will case at Buckingham
Courthouse in 1917. He was dressed re-
maIkably plain, and bis language was SIM
pile and to the point. He was tall, raw
boned man. according to my recollection Of
him. Profound silence was observed while
he was talking 10 court.
i have seen Peter Francisco many times.
He was a large, muscular man, though
think that some exaggerated stories have
been told about his strength. His son,
James Francisco, was in the army with me.
Peter Francisco was a remarkably good
natured man, and very peaceably inclined.
l well remember the canvass between
Randolph and Ep?s. Party excitement ran
higher than ever knew it. A friend Of
Randolph. who lived in Cumberland near
FarmvilIe, loaned neighbor horse to ride
to Cumberland Courthouse to vote, as he
went, to the polls the neighbOr voted for
Epps. This so enrsged the friend of Ran
dolph that he said TO the man that he should
not ride his horse home. A friend of Epps,
who was present. told the man that if he
would 60 with him home he would give
him q horse. heard Mr.. Randolph make
ihe best speech he ever made at Bucking.
ham Courthouse. 1t was, think, in 1885,
He was, without doubt, the greatest orator
] ever heard.
T On one occasion an important lawsuit
was sent from Amelia to Cumberland for
trial. Amongst the lawyers engaged in it,
aud whom 1 heard. were John Wickham,
william Writ, and William s. Archer.
In 1917 | made trip to Tennessee and
Alabama on horseback. was IN Nashville
when the first hogshead OF tobacco was n-
spected there. 1t was then only small
town, comparatively speaking.
~ removed to the county OF Patrick in
1919, and have lived in that county and this
ever ~slDee. | am the only survivor of a
family Of four sons and two daughters, and
have hHed TO greater age than any OF
them. | have been remarkably healthy, |
aud am i:0w able 10 ride on horseback and |
to work OF che farm. l can write legble |
hand. II am living and able, wish TO |
attend the 'cete bratioR at Yorktown in Octo- |
Der.
j en- perhaps the only survivor of the !
Cumberland troop, VIA whom served in |
the war OF .l6E. II there is any otter liv-
Ing. 4 hope that he will inform me through |
your columns, or address me through The |
mail. EDWARD BOOKER.
.R'dgeRdy. GeswS coasty, Va.