Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-26
TOWN OF COURTLAND
PROSPEROUS AND PRETTY SEAT
OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
birthplace Of General George II.
Thomas, who was Once the Pride
of the County-Iiis Brothers ana
sisters.

COURTLANL, VA. March 25.-(Spe-
cial.)-This now prosperous town Is an
example OF the resuscitation OF an old
village. namely that OF Jerusalem. the
county-seat OF southampton county.
which latter was taken from Isle OF
Wight In l7Is While the change OF names
has been radical, II is less so than. has
been the change OF customs and business.
What stranger contrasts can be made
than from the old-time court-day OF fls-
ticufs. promoted by the use Of South
ampton brandy" which for a century
or more was considered as good enough
to be nectar for the gods" to the pres
ent court-day Of good humor and sobriety.
Then again. the marked change from
the oldtme implanted frame buildings
to natty and neatly-painted open-front
stores and handsomely constructed mod
ern dwellings The crooked paths to the
spring and the softly-1owing Nott0way
river have also been replaced by broad
avenue through the town, on either side
Of which are horse troughs, supplied from
artesian wells. Thus both man and beast
are furnished with an unfa' ling and
IT'S PRODUCTS.
This historic old county has literally
come out of the wilderness, with the COM
petition Of the Seaboard Airline rail-
road. and the more recent construction
Of the Atlantic and Danvllle railroad.
In their wake have followed many en-
terprises. notably large saw-mills. some
having an output OF 100000 feet daily.
Its soil produces a variety OF crops. I'M
equalled in number perhaps by any other
county in the State. notably tobacco. pea
nuts. corn, and cotton. The bales OF
the latter staple give this section quite
a Southern aspect. Added 20 the above
is an apple growth that has made for
Southampton brandy" a national fame.
DISTINGUISHED NAME.
This grand old county as the now
hustling and effervescing county poll
ticians are calling IL. is the birthplace OF
the late General George II. Thomas, who
commanded a corps in the United state,
army during the late war; and who
achieved such distinction that he would
have occupied the place Of General Grant
but for certain distrust OF him held
by the North on account of his Virginia
nativity. This distinguished General IL
still remembered by some Of the citizens
OF CORTLAND who knew him In his boy
hood days and who, Notwithstanding that
they differed with him greatly in the
stand he took against the South. still
speak OF him with great respect and
certain degree of pride.
General George II. Thomas, I am told
by old residents, was the son OF Mr..
Thomas. who was one Of the most re-
spectacle citizens Of the county, and
whose family moved In the most arsto-
cratic and exclusive circles of that sec
ton The Generals father died when he
George was young. His uncle. James
H. Rochelle. who was Clerk Of the County
Court then, took him into his office as
his deputy.
4 CADET.
While thus employed he was appointed
a cadet 10 West Point by Hon. John Y.
Mason. who was then In Congress, and
afterwards became Secretary OF the Navy.
George II. Thomas even as a boy was
considered intellectual, and was a para
gOn OF propriety. He had two broth rs
William and Benjamln-and two sisters
Misses Judith and Fanny. The two former
died since the war. but the sisters are
still living in Southampton county about
eight miles from CORTLAND. These ladies
are unusually gifted and talented, and
are universally respected. Their devotion
to the southern cause was sincere ana
true. as was that Of the brothers. William
and Benjamin Their brother George H.
Thomas had 80 greatly distinguished him
self during the Mexican war that the sis
tiers and family were very proud Of him.
and he was the idol of the county. This
pride took such shape that the people
OF Southampton voted him a sword which
was presented to him by the Hon. John
y. Mason in a patriotic speech.
General William T. Stands, still living,
and beloved citizen OF CORTLAND. was on
the committee to select this sword, and
made a trip North for that purpose.
HIS LAST VISIT.
A few weeks before Virginia seeded,
George II. Thomas paid his family short
visit. and returned to the North. IL was
then understood that his return there was
for the purpose Of resigning his com
mission i'm the United States army and
that his services would be rendered to the
Confederacy; but he neither returned nor
resigned
General Scott who was In command or
the United States army, was close
friend OF General Thomas. and through his
influence n cast his fortunes with the
North.
The sword which was presented to
George II. Thomas by Southampton
county for distinguished services in the
Mexican war is stil in the possession Of
the surviving sisters. c. Il. ID.