Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-28
AHIsToRY OF CHESTERFIELD.
An Interesting Paper ON the County Read
by Mr.. CT. Taylor.

|
The first regular business meeting
this session OF the Geographical and
Historical Society of Richmond Col
lepe was held yesterday afternoon at 4
o'clock. II was an interesting session
and was profitable TO all present. After
the regular opening exercises, Mr.. G.
T. TAYLOR, of Cheste rfeld, presented an
interesting address upon his native
county. He stated that this county
was formed from Henrico in 17iS. Its
length is about 80 miles and average
| width about 1S. II contains 46lt
SQUARE miles or 295, 20i acres, of which
the average assessed value per acre is
sIO.85. He spoke next OF the boun-
daries, which are On the north, the
James river on the east, the James and
Appomattox on the south, the Apo
mattox on the west, Powhatan county.
The county is traversed by the Rich
mond and Danville railroad. OF which
the portion extending to the Midlothian
coal mines is among the oldest railroad
enterprises in the State-the cars having
first been drawn by mules 10y the Rich
mond end Petersburg railroad, and the
Farmyille and Powhatan railroad. which
is an extension OF the old Bright Hope
railroad, ran first from Clover Hill to
Osbornes.
FIRST IRON AND COAL.
He referred also to the fact that the
first iron and coal dug on this continent
came from Falling Creek and Midlothian
pits. respectively. Iron was dug as early
as 1920. Coal is still mined at Midlo-
THAN and Clover Hill. the former Of
which is now in the hands of new COM
pany. known as 1.-THE Southern Iron
and Coal Company" The old Bellona
Arsenal was situated in Chesterfield
about twelve miles above Richmond on
the James. Here during the Revolu
tionary war was a depot for military
supplies and foundry for making can
non. In the county are the celebrated
granite quarries at Wostham and Gran
tie. from which are obtained granite
which admits of the finest polish OF any
known. In proof Of this he cited the
fact that the Army and Navy Depart
ment building III Washington, ID. c.,
and our own beautiful City Hall are
bnilt of this granite. He referred also
TO the brick making industry and the
extensive works of the "Clay- Working
Company, OF Chester, with a daily ca
pacity Of $4,000 bricks or 10000 tiles.
There are also cotton manufactures at
Ettricks, Matoaca. and Swift Creek.
Ettricks has also silk and trunk manu-
factories and flour, corn, and planning
mills.
THE CHIEF PRODUCTS.
The chief products of tie county are
corn, oats and grass, with considerable
truck near Petersburg and Manchester.
Some wheat is raised In the tidewater
section and some tobacco in the western
portion. The wood and lumber bust
ness has for some years furnished en-
ployment for q considerable number OF
people. Most of the timber has now
been cut.
The county has eighty public schools
with an attendance OF 5000 children.
There are also at Chester male academy
and a female institute. The church
privileges of the county are good,
Methodist and Baptist being the pre-
dominant sects.
After this address tho society went
into regular business. Three active.
three corresponding and one honorary
members we're elected. The following
officers were unanimously elected
Professor +. W. Boatwright, president
Mr.. c. #. Taylor, vice-president Mr..
Z. NJ. Whitlock, secretary, Mr.. II. W.
Provence, treasurer. After some other
business the meeting stood adjourned.