Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-01-11
IRVINGTON, VIRGINIA. FRIDAY, JANUARY H. 1907

clerk of the County court. He re
mained in Office until 1864 when b,
retired. After his retirement from
the clerks office he engaged in tn,
mercantile business at Heathsville
lie was a most benevolent man anC
his purse was always open to tn,
poor. While in business here it wa,
his habit to take frequent drives and
it became matter of comment whers
he went. 1t was afterwards learned
that these visits had been to the
homes of the needy or else to those
upon whom sickness had laid its
wasting hand. He died on the 18th
day of September, 1888. He is sur
vived by widow, who was Fannie
a. Campbell, Capt. Alphanus CralIe
of Washington, brother, Jos. B.
Cralle, of Kilmarnock, half broth.
er, and three children, j. b. Cralle
above mentioned, A. X. Cralle and
Lulie Henderson, of West Virginia.
In 1861 there were 2278 tithables
as against 2267 in 1906.
10 1864 A. j. Brent again became
clerk of the County court and re-
mained clerk of both courts until
1869, when one, f. K. Dow, military
appointee, appeared on the scene.
He acted as clerk by appointment of
the General commanding the Dis
trict for about eight months, when he
was removed. At that time Jas j.
Mcdonald had but recently moved
to Northum berland. With full
knowledge of existing political condi-
tions aud prompted by feelings of kind
ness-truly a characteristic trait
toward people among whom he had
cast his lotanG from whom he selected
the wife Of his bosom, allowed him
self to be appointed in Dow's stead
and discharged the duties of the office
faithfullyand well for about one year.
lie afterwards represented this dis
trict in the Senate of Virginia, having
been elected by about 1900 major
lty. His home is now in Washingto
On May 9th, 1870, another "Billy''
was added to the clerical staff, in
that VIM. S. Cralle was appointed
clerk, has since held the position as
the choice of the voters of Northum-
berland and should it please the
good God to grant him a lease of life
longer than is vouchsafed the ordi-
nary mortal, in the year 2006 be will
still be doing business at the game
old stand.
Since it was customary to hold
the old quarterly courts at James
"Citty" and on account of the
fact that next year the doors of the
Great Exposition will be opened on
the same site, it might be appropriate
for this court to adjourn down there
for session. AS the former clerks
were in the habit of moving as the
court did, of course the "present in :
cumbent" would have to hold him
self in readiness to attend. No
doubt the county would furnish an
automobile, or else secure Miller's
Palace Car. He could pack in his
books and papers and go forth in
great style.
The average citizen has no idea
of the work of a county clerk.
His duties are multitudinous and
varied. The clerks office might
very properly he likened unto shop
per" into which comes the business
concerns of the county and often out
side the county, while at the spout"
stands the clerk receiving, distribut-
ing, filing.
In all there have been nineteen
clerks, with an average service of
143 years. Thos. Hobson remained
in office longer than any of the others,
he serving 51years.
These clerks, with two exceptions,
have gone the way of all the earth.
The records bear silent testimony as
to their efficiency, pains-taking and
care, and the years as they come and
go will furnish a clearer apprecia-
tion of their labors.
Let US hope, that at the last day,
when the "Records" which have been
keptin the "Courts above" are opened,
opposite the name of each of Nor
thumberland's clerks will be found
this entry, SWELL done, good and
faithful servant"