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Page 8 - The Smithfield Times - Wed.. April 21 1971OldeSmithfieldSigar Ctfir DashiellAnother old burying ground of much interest lies a few miles north ofSmithfield, back from Rt.10, on land now owned by Mrs, J. Ray Barlow, and the several graves to be found here are surrounded by a fence made of nearly three hundred Civil War rifle barrels. When, or by whom this unique fence was erected this writer has not heard, but the people who lie buried there were members of a well known family of the area and their descendents are legion. The oldest stones mark the graves of Solomon Wilson who died in 1798, and his wife Ann Riddick Wvl-son who died in 1796. Their' son, Dr. George Wilson of Mt, Pleasant Plantation in Surry County and Smith^ field, who died in 1861, and his wife, Mary Drew Wilson, who died in 1853, are also there; and Dr. Wilson's son, James D. Wilson who died In 1851,and James'mother-in-law,Mrs. Annie B. Cabannis, who died in 1573. Nearby but outside the enclosure, are the stones of JosephB. Hodsden (1775-1815),and Mary W. Hodsden (1789 1837). This farm is believed to have been owned at one time by Solomon Wilson, who was a great grandson of Nicholas and Margaret Sampson Wilson, founders of this family in Surry Co. at an early date.The Arthur Smith family graveyard, in which the first Arthur Fmith and many of his descenddnts are believed to have been buried, can be seen on theWindsor Castle farm, not far from the old residence. It is much overgrown and there is little left to identify those who were buried there.On the farm of the late Ivan Gwaltney, severalmiles north of Smithfield, that was a part of the original land patent to Thomas Jordan in 1635, is an old Jordan graveyard in which are buried Thomas Jordan (1768-1818); his wife, Celia Fulgham Casey Jordan (1768 - 1842) and other members of their family.There are many others, known and unknown, scattered throughout the county, and it would be a worthwhile undertaking for individuals or some organization to search for and record them before it is too lateThe only thing not mentioned is the name of her husband, Henry R. Parker, but his grave is by her side.The south side of the churchyard has for years been reserved for members of nearby BennsChurch, and while the stones are not so old as in the other section, thenames are equally as ancient - Branch, Chapman, Minton, Driver , Bunkgey, Reynolds, and others.Just across the busy highway, in a well kept lawn in front of Benns Methodist Church, onefinds a flat marble slab on which is carved: “George Benn, Esq., who departed this life Nov. 21, 1813, Aged: 51 years”.He had owned and occupied the farm that is now Red Point Heights, and was buried near what is now Pagan Point Drive. Since this land has developed into suburbia his tomb and his mortal remains have been moved to this honored position in frgnt of the church that bears his name. He had no children, and in his will he leaves to his sister, Charlotte Fopeland, “land at the Brick Church, adjoining the land on which the Methodist Meeting House stands.The shattered remains of Thomas Purdie’s handsome, marble English tomb, and the rdmains of other members of his family were also moved from the Red Point farm, which he once owned, to the Old Brick Churchyard. He died in 1829.The most unusual marker in the Old Brick Churchyard and the one that attracts more attention than any other in the yard stands just to the south of the church tower - an u stone which reads: “Hererests the remains of Fannie N. Parker, Born Oct 15, 1835; married by Rev. P. E. Robert of Smithfield at the residence of her father, N. W. Norsworthy at Plainfield farms, Isle of Wight Co. June 4, I860; died May 20, 1886 in Smith*field, leaving her husband and seven children to mourn their loss viz: EvaW., Nora, Ernest W„ Nannie W., Jesse P., Henry r. and Fannie N. Parker”. On* the back of the stone: “At her request the following pallbearers bore her remains to the grave: W.. B. Jordan, Dr. R. Galt, J. O. Thomas, A.G. Sprat-ley, R. E. Boykin, R. S. Thomas, C. F. Day, V.Wrenn. The burial serviceswere conducted by Rev. David Barr and at request theremains were taken in the Old Brick Church where the hymn “Asleep in Jesus was sung, and at the grave, Sweet Bye and Bye” by Mrs. David Barr, Mrs. Fil-more Jordan and Mrs. R. S. Thomas Soybean ManagementFor Increased YieldsSoybeans are an important crop in this area. To reach top yields good management practices must be followed. Listed below are some important aspects of soybean production:SEED: Should be of high quality and known germination. Germination this year is running much lower than previous years, due to dry weather dur^g the growing season and poor harvest conditions last fall. If you will bring a quart of seed to our office we will send these to Richmond for aSeedpected. They may be controlled by either cultivation, chemical control, or a combination of the two. Keep in mind those herbicides which work regardless of rainfall.Whispeogermination test, testing under 75% - 80% germination should not be used for seed if better germinating seed can be bought. All seed should beWHOLEcondtreated with a fiinoririd#*iid
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Smithfield Times
Smithfield, Virginia, US
Wed, Apr 21, 1971
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CA, USA 11 Jul 2021
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