Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-07
i N
NAMES IN VIRGINIA.
ORIGIN OF MANY OF OUR PLACE
AFFILIATIONS GIVEN BY
THE GOVERNMENT.
AN INTERESTING BULLETIN.
ss Contain. Much Local and General
History.
aExERAL CRITICISM IS INVITED.
ADDITION. Are Asked, with n view
to Obtaining All Possible 1nfor-
nation of Place Names in This
Countrywide Work Was Done by
the Geological Survey In WASH
snEtou.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. September g.
Especial THE United States geological
survey has just about finished compiling
the material for its most interesting bull
let!n on the origin of certain place names
IN the United States. The bulletin con-
tafns some ten thousand names Of places
within the Union. The officials of the
geological survey have been assisted
In their work by noted historians and
scholars throughout the country, and the
volume viii contain due acknowledg-
rlents in its Introduction to these gentle
men for the valuable assistance rendered
by them Histories Of the different In
dian tribes, the different States and Ter
1itories. and other authorities, have been
freely consulted. The book will be most
valuable one when issued, it contains
q vast fund of general information, and
much local and general history. The
officials of the survey invite criticism and
additions, with veiw to obtaining all
possible information on the subject OF
derivation Of place names in this country,
compilation on the subject may be offer
ed to the people of the United States.
AS Virginia is the Oldest and most his
torc State in the Union. it is quite natu-
raj that there should be a great many
historical place names within her Dor
ders. Indian names, colonial names. Rev
dictionary names and a great number OF
Others give Virginia long, list in the
book Vinginians may consult this book
and instantly tell what interesting fact
Or unique character in history the name
Of their town came from.
The citizens Of the little village of Abb
lene in Charlotte county, upon looking
N the book, will find that their town de-
rived its name from the province of an
cient Syria. The word means "a grassy
plain.
A borough in Berkshire, England by
the name of Abingdon, is the origin Of the
name Of Abingdon, Washington county,
and several other towns throughout the
country of the same name.
Arcadia, Lee coenty, derived its name
from the original name Of Nova Scotia.
The word in the French form of the In
dian name kadi, meaning the region,
1.-The land"
The county and village of Acconaac de-
rived it's name from an Indian word. The
word Accomac, according to some author
ities, means ION the other side" while
others think it means the limit of the
woodland"
Aiken land and swamp in Chesterfield
county. named for the late owner, Albert
Akin.
-Albermarle county was named for Cen
eral George Monk Earl of Albemarle, one
on the original proprietors.
Alexandria county, and city by the same
name, owe their name to a prominent
family of early settlers by the name Of
Alexander. DR.. Archibald Alexander was
a distinguished member Of this family.
Allegheny.
To an Indian word, the origin of which
is In dispute. does the name Allegheny
owc it's existence This is the name Of
many counties and cities in the Union.
The most generally accepted derivation
Is from ''welhikhauna. the best. or
the faircst river.
Amelia, the county and town Of named
for the Princess Amelia. youngest daugh-
.er of King George II, of England.
The county Of Amherst was named for
Lord Jeffrey Amherst. who was Governor
of Virginia in 1868. and commander of the
British army from 1898 to 1898.
Appalachia. village in Wise county,
name derived from Appalachian
An Indian word meaning "a tobacco
plant country" is the origin Of the name
Appamattox.
Ashbee, harbor in Virginia. named for
Solomon AShbee.
Ashland was named for the home of
Henry Clay. There are many counties
cities. rivers and towns named for Ash
land" the beautiful Kentucky home of
the great orator, the manners thus ex-
pressing their admiration for Clay.
Augusta county was named for Angus
Ia, of Saxe-Gotha, wife of Frederick, wife
OF Frederick, Prince of Wales
County of Springs.
Bath county, it is said, received its
name because of the medical springs
present.
Bath Alum Springs, so called on account
of the medical spring situated there.
Edward. Duke of Bedford. is the deriva-
ton OF the name of the town and coL<
ty OF Bedford.
Bennett Creek, village in Nansemond
county, named for Richard Bennett, Gov
crner in l652-l656.
Berkley. town in Norfolk county
named for Norborne Berkley, Lord Bote-
tourt
Bland county is said to have been nam
ed for John Bland London merchant.
Blue Grass. Russell county. and several
villages in Kintuckv of the same name,
derived their name from the variety OF
grass which grows in Kentucky.
Bon Air, Chesterfield county, comes from
two French words, meaning. good air.
Botetourt county was named for Nor
borne Berkeley, Lord de Botetourt. royal
Sovernor of Virginia in lI6S.
The village of Boyd Tavern, in Abe
marie county, was named for family
who kept a tavern there many years ago.
Bristol.
Bristol derived its name from the town
OF Bristol, England, the home of TWO OF
the proprictors.
Brunswick county has the origin of its
name in the luchy Of that name in Ger
many
Brutus, Pittsylvania county. derived its
name from the famous Roman.
President Buchanan is the origin or the
name of Buchanan county.
buchanan, town in Botetourt county,
named for Colonel John Buchanan, pion-
ser and Indian fighter, Of Augusta coun-R
ty.
buckingham county got its name from
sncIdnghamshire, England.
Spanish and French.
Baena Vista. Rockbridge county, and
other places OF that name. come from
Spanish word. meaning beautiful view
rms Is the name of the field where Cen
efal Tyler won his victory. and IN some
Eases the places are named Buena vista
''s"''c -Aa ss,ne. h,,t- n general rule