The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-14
Atkinson.

There Ia one family which claims our
| attention for Its prominence during 40
Colonial period. and one which has 30
thoroughly sustained the early Church
OF Virginia., and that Is the Atkinson
family It's English record reaches back
to the time OF Henry VII and Queen Eliz-
abeth,i when 1t Is found frequently re-
corded as Atkinson and Attechcnson. But
tho true Atkinsons OF England during the
eighteenth century were OF Scotch de-
scent, the first of the family coming from
Glasgow at an early period. OF whom was
the poet, Thomas Atkinson. The first
OF the family to settle In Virginia was
Roger Atkinson. of Mansfield. near Pc.
tersburg, in Dinwddie county He is men,
toned by all the early writers OF yir-
gtnia history MS being most remarkable
and energetic man In furthering the In
terests OF tho infant colony. Howe gives
him as one of the trustees for laying off
the town OF Petersburg. 1852. Bishop
Meade speaks OF him as writing about
Patrick Henry and saying: "He patrick
Henry Is a real half-Quaker, moderate and
mild. and In religious matters SAINT but
the very d. in politics-a son Of thunder.
He will shake tho Senate. Some years
ago he had liked to have talked treason
to the House." His other criticisms of
Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee.
George Washington, Colonel Bland, Ben
jamin Harrison and Mr.. Pendleton, all
members of the first Virginia Legislature.
shows that he was quite humorlst, as
well as most just and clear-slghted in his
perception OF character. (See Meade's Old
Churches, Vol. ]. p. 22l.)
Roger AtSsnson's name was long con-
nected with Old Blanford Church, at Pc
tersburg, and was one of It's staupchest
supporters from Its first foundation. Hen
ming also speaks of Roger Atkinson and
his sons, Roger. Jr.. John, Thomas and
William, each OF whom figured SO prom
inent1y In the military and civil events OF
their day. From these have descended
some of the distinguished men both in
Church and State in Virginia and North
Carolina.
The Rev. Thomas Atkinson, grandson
of Roger Atkinson, who was born at
Mansfield August 6, 1so7. was ordained
deacon by Bishop Meade at Norfolk. Va.
and the following year as priest. lie
then succeeded to the rectorship of 81.
Faufs Church, Norfolk, which had been
so wonderfully revived by tho Rev. e.
Boyden in 1885. In 1858 Mr.. Atkinson was
elected bishop of the Church In North
Carolina, and did much after the war to
reunite the sections. North and South.
in brotherly love. He died at Wilmington.
N. c.. in 1881.
tIOlleT VI tAe VI leo6Ci
Atkinson was John NJ. z. Atkinson,
born at Mansfield. 1917 He became
prominent educator and was elected presi-
dent of Hampden-Sldney College, 1857.
which he held until his death, In 1888
There were several of the family who
also early residents of Richmond; Rich
ard Atkinson, Joseph Archellus and
others of the name prominent In its
business circles. They clustered around
old ST. Johns Church. and did much
to maintain its celebrity as the most
refined part of the city in those days.
In time the family branched out into
Spotsylyania, the names of George, John
and Daniel Atkinson being still retained
and were living there In 1900.
One OF the most prominent OF the
family was Archibald Atkinson, who was
born In Isle of Wight county, 1892. He
was lawyer OF great ability, and was
in the General Assembly, 1915 and 1915,
and in 1S43 was elected to Congress-,
serving until 1SiS. He was Mayor of
Smithfeld for twenty years. IIe died In
1872. One of his daughters. Margaret
Frances Atkinson. was educated in Rich
mond, who became one OF the most cul-
tured women In Virginia.
Nor must be omitted George w. Akin
son. Governor Of West Virginia in 1896,
and his son, Harry M. Atkinson, who was
an able lawyer In Nebraska and served
in the Unioh army. ana In 1875 became
commissioner of pensions.
The arms as given are described as:
"Argent. on field, a double-headed eagle,
displayed sable; oM a chief gules. rose
between two martlets. or (gold).'
There Is no crest or motto, but are
held by the family as having been brought
over by Roger Atkinson about 1850.