The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-06

Heathsville IS pleasantly situated in
Northumberland county midst an extern
SiVe plain lying between two streams at
the head OF Coan river and bounded on
each side with numerous dense groves OF
stalwart trees. A number of neat cOun-
try homes cultivated fields and farm
houses adoTn the hamlet Of which 1t is
the center. 1t is within convenient reach
Of the wharves on the neighboring river
al which the Washington and Baltimore
steamers make daily visits. Its physical
healthfulness would seem TO exceed its
spiritual, since 1t has but two physicians
and three preachers. Its religious pros
perity, however, keeps near even pace
with its secular business inasmuch as 1t
has three churches and four stores
The circumstances which probably
gives the village its most importance is
that here the county, has its seat OF
justice where the courts are held. These
confessions attract large concourses OF
people, who come as plaintiffs or defend
jurors or witnesses. or Tor the trahsdc-
lions of private business. hearing pollti-
cal discussions or meeting one another
socially The colored part of the popuIa-
ton are no less interested on these occa-
sions than the whites and representa-
tives of the race from every part OF the
county come 10 swell the size and enthu-
siasm of the ceurt-daV crowds.
These monthly gatherings, which un-
der the new SpIS "AAi sum ~ -
thing OF the past exhibit various sharp
and animated rivalries as the voices or
the lawyers in the courtroom are heaFu
above those Of the auctoneera ana COM
mercial agents on the court-greeh, d
merchants in their stores Walt Oh theiF
customers at their counters, ana as COZ
ored danes on tho ground with smoking
fires. spread tasles and with gracious
manners seek 10 oiNlue pdIt oiiosS w."
the two hotels.
STRIKING CONTRAST.
These concourses fthe people are. gen
erally speak!ng, il their sobriety, good
ordered and quiet behavior, in str king
contrast with the courthouse crowds OF
q few generations ago, and afford eFl-
dence OF a growing moral Improvement
ard enlightenment of the population. II
is sad TO think that In only lie" shpFt
months these court-Ineetings where
friends long separated. gather and spend
a DAY OF pleasure and attend 10
H,ha business they may have, sha!i
be no more
Al what precise date the place now
known as Heathsville assumed a pubic
character as a seat OF JUDICIAL proCe-
dure cannot now be easily detefinlileu'
/, was probably q full century or more
before it began to be called by its pres
ent name Abundant proofs exist how
ever. that FOR twenty-five years or more
the early settlers in Northumberland were
accustomed TO hold their court sessions
al the house OF some one OF the 1usuces
of the county.
on December 5, 1867. the Justice OF the
county ordered the building Of new
courthouse In 4lr. Hughletts Indian
fields Mr. Hughlett to build the house,
ana the court 10 pay him Sc much TO-
huccc for It. The location OF the m
dian fields mentioned in the above or
der, st seems now 10 be difficult TO de-
termine. Soon after the completion OF
this early courthouse there were added
"a pillery stock and whipping post"
Whether because of the oge of this
building or for the sake of more CEN
trail location. or for other causes. does
not appear. but for some reason. not
i.n"wn now, the court decided to erect
another building for The public uses No
ve,, her s. a1oS, and this one Was placed
Of the one now In use. The building was
completed IN l7o5 and the date having
been transferred To the present courthouse
vas still legible high upon the wall of
Its eastern gable until last year when
the house was remodeled.
FIRST COUNTY SEAT.
In 1896 an active effort was made to en-
,.rca the county seat of Northumber-
land and invest the place with the dis
mr. of a town. A prominent mover in
this prosect was John Heath. who had re-
ccntlv purchased from John Gordon and
Others three tracks of land lying between