Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-01-24
ROCKBRIDGE AND AUGUSTA REMINIS-
CENSES.
SUGGESTED BY THE SPECTATORS ARTICLE REFER
RING To THE DEATH OF W. t. woMELDORF.
CORRESPONDENCE OF the Staunton SPECTATOR.

SUGGESTED BY THE SPECTATORS ARTICLE REFER
RING TO THE DEATH OF W. T. woMELDoRF.
Correspondence OF the Staunton SPECTATOR
RocKBRIDGE Co., VA, Jan. %, 1894.
Editor of the Spectator In your article
last week noticing the death of VIM, T.
Womeldorf, of Rockbridge, you refer to the
fact, that the historic home and farm of Sal
ling the associate of Lewis and Mackay, the
pioneer white settlers in the Valley country,
had become the property of late years of the
deceased.
| That article has suggested other reminiscent
ses in association with the first property pur-
chased by Mr.. Womeldorf. and that upon
which his first triumphs as farmer and fruit
grower were won, as we'll as incidents in the
history of that locality now furnished hastily
and without reference to tie records. They
are submitted to your better judgment as to
sufficient interest for publication.
I The first farm purchased by the deceased,
and particularly the one in the view obtained
from lexington was that of his home.
John Davidson, patriot and soldier of the
Revolution, erected upon il his substantial
brick residence, and, there, from shortly after
the closing scenes of the war for independence,
he resided till the decade Of 1880, during.
which he passed away. He illustrated
throughout life the highest characteristics of
the patriotic citizen, and bequeathed with his
blessings upon his children the importance of
cherishing and maintaining the liberties for
which he fought Mrs. Letcher the mother
of T LOTT Or Tohr
Davidson, of Augusta and the late Mr.. Viii
liam Davidson, of Rockbridge. are remem-
bered as his children. At that old family
seat the boy aud youth destined to appear in
after years upon the public arena, in State and
National legislation, and as the "War Gov
ernor of Virginia. delighted the hearts of
grand parents. There, doubtless, he received
much of the instruction which, well applied,
formed a part of that ability and force of
character which are known and honored
wherever the cause of the South is properly
considered.
Up the high hills above the residence are
observed the long lines of fruit trees, and a
little way over the view north takes in the
location of the colonial Timber Ridge Church
and surroundings. Before the old sanctuary
is reached, are observed the crumbling ruins
of domicil That was the birthplace and
the home till early manhood of Samuel
Houston, afterwards hero in the conflicts
for the Independence of Texas. President OF
the Republic, U. s. Senator and Governor of
the State. He was a relation of Governor
Letcher on his fathers side.
Upon two small farms, short distance
east of the Davidson place, one of which was
also the property of Mr. Womeldorf, were
reared respectively two young men who sub
sequentIy became prominent in public affairs
in the new localities to which they removed.
They were seniors few years of Governor
Letcher.
John A. Somerville was the son of the late
William Somerville who a few years before
his death removed to Lexington. He was
long Commissioner of the Revenue, and the
greater part of his useful and exemplary life
was spent on his little farm referred to. His
son John was well educated, and adopted
teaching as his profession, which he success
fully prosecuted at Neriah Church. He re-
moved during the decade of 1880 to Ohio, but
before doing so, married daughter of the
late Colonel Jesse Richeson, of Amherst In
the State of his adoption, Mr.. Somerville be-
came prominent and highly respected citi-
zen, serving the people among whom he had
settled in the councils of the State.
Dr. Samuel Carson Gibson was the other
one referredto. He and Mr.. Somerville were
born and reared in a stones throw of each
other, and were about the same age. After re-
ceiving his education, DR.. Gibson also COM
menced teaching and succeeded Mr.. Somer-
vile in that relationship at Neriah Church.
He afterwards studied medicine and first
practiced his profession in Rockbridge. Hav-
ing fondness for politics, he esroused the
Democratic faith during the administration
ernor Letcher A. ]. Grigsby, and others of
like faith, public speaker in the discussions
of that time. He removed to Amherst, and
there married the daughter of Rev. John
DAVIS, a prominent Baptist minister. DR..
Gibson was not long resident of Amherst
though actively pursuing his profession, be-
fore he was called out as a speaker, and for
service in the Legislature, of which he was a
member, at inter els, several sessions. He
was well-posted politician, and pleasant
and forcible speaker. Among his last triumphs
on the hastings, was the castigation he gave
a pair of carpet baggers as they came with
their creeds and with their efforts to stir up
strife between the races in reconstruction
times. His vindication of his people, and the
whitening effects of the scoring visited upon
the noted characters referred to, were among
the most memorable of theirkind during those
terrible years. He died several years ago be-
loved and mourned by his people. may be
pardoned for line in reference to the father
of Dr. Gibson, Patrick Gibson, who was in
stature and build not unlike General Win
field Scott. After attention to his little farm
and home, his time was much given to the
chase and hunting, particularly as in those
days the South Mountain abounded in deer
and turkeys. He was as successful in his
sports as could be desired, and was known as
a king among his comrades. He carried a
rifle which came down to HIM from an ances-
tor, who fought with it in the Indian wars
1t was about as long as he was high. No
game ever escaped its discharge, when pointed
with his unerring aim. His christian faith
was that of the Psalm-singing Fresbyterians,
and as firm as the lime stone hills upon
which he lived.
Many references could be made to the de-
scendants of Mackay, the other early settler,
with Lewis and Sailing, who did and still re-
side near by upon their ancestral acres. and
to others also of the locality whose history is
interviewer with Augusta families, but too
much space has already been occupied.
X. 9
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