75-704: Mayodan is a town in Rockingham County , North Carolina , in the United States. It is a manufacturing site for Sturm, Ruger & Co. , Bridgestone Aircraft Tire , and formerly General Tobacco (ceased operations 2010). Washington Mills Company, later Tultex, operated a textile mill in Mayodan until 1999. The town is named for two rivers that converge nearby, the Mayo and the Dan , and, according to Ripley's Believe It or Not! ,
150-563: A London agent in May 1718. Spotswood had Byrd deposed from the council. Byrd promised to seek a reconciliation with Spotswood and to return to Virginia, which he did in February 1720 and reconciled with Spotswood. In 1721, he was appointed a paid agent for the House of Burgesses and returned to England. In 1726, he returned to Virginia. On April 28 of that year, he resumed attendance at the council. In 1728, he
225-539: A brewery in Eden, and it quickly became a major, high-paying employer. The textile industry struggled nationally in the 1980s and 1990s. Fieldcrest Cannon, the successor to Fieldcrest, was acquired by Pillowtex in the late 1990s and laid off hundreds of corporate staff in Eden. Stoneville's major employer, a furniture factory, filed for bankruptcy in 1990. In March 1998, an EF3 tornado occurred in Rockingham County,
300-623: A commission with commissioners and surveyors to lay out the Northern Neck Proprietary . Byrd wrote the report that was sent with the survey in August 1737 to England, but after his death a report from another commission was chosen. He was the senior councillor by 1743. Byrd courted Lucy Parke, daughter of Jane Ludwell Parke and Daniel Parke (1664–1710), who was Governor of the Leeward Islands . Lucy lived near Colonial Williamsburg at
375-475: A flourish." Their arguments often involved their slaves. Byrd notes in his diary entry for July 15, 1710 that Parke, "against my will caused little Jenny to be burned with a hot iron, for which I quarreled with her". Based on his diary, Byrd was singularly focused on treating his wife as a subordinate and did not foment closeness with their children. He often left his family for long periods of time. Their children were: Evelyn Byrd, for whom Evelynton Plantation
450-443: A household in Mayodan was $ 25,980, and the median income for a family was $ 36,328. Males had a median income of $ 25,878 versus $ 21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 15,607. 16.0% of the population and 11.3% of families were below the poverty line . 20.5% of those under the age of 18 and 17.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Rockingham County, North Carolina Rockingham County
525-498: A lot about England. He introduced the teen to gentlemen, clergymen, borough officials, and merchants. Byrd was interested in the commerce, art collections, libraries and architecture of the places that they visited. During his time in England, he was a social man who focused on developing wordsmanship and polite manners. His father died in 1705 and Byrd returned to Virginia. He was the primary heir to his father's fortune, making him one of
600-455: A private owner in 1897. Most of the rest were taken over by Marshall Field & Company in 1911 and 1912 after Mebane overextended his credit. In October 1906, the county courthouse in Wentworth was destroyed in a fire. The conflagration occurred during a years-long dispute between the citizens of Reidsville, who wanted to move the county seat to their city, and residents from other areas of
675-611: A regional economic development organization. The county also has its own Soil and Water Conservation District led by an elected supervisor. Rockingham County is located in North Carolina's 6th congressional district , the North Carolina Senate 's 26th district , and the North Carolina House of Representatives ' 65th district . Rockingham County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 22nd Prosecutorial District,
750-474: A trading community near the confluence of the Dan and Smith rivers . By the early 1800s, economic activity in Rockingham County was largely centered around small farms in hilly areas and a handful of plantations near the rivers. Most farmers were engaged in subsistence operations, with tobacco planted as the area's primary cash crop . The economy began to diversify after 1812. In 1813, John Motley Morehead erected
825-547: Is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina . As of the 2020 census , the population was 91,096. Its county seat is Wentworth . The county is known as "North Carolina's North Star". Prior to European colonization, the area eventually comprising Rockingham County was inhabited by Cheraw /Saura Native Americans. In the 1600s they inhabited several small settlements along the Dan River , though around 1710 they migrated towards South Carolina . Between 1728 and 1733,
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#1732858145879900-583: Is crossed by four major rivers. The Dan , Mayo , and Smith Rivers are concentrated in the northwestern portion of the county and feed into the Roanoke River drainage basin. The Haw River in the southeastern portion feeds into the Cape Fear River basin. The county also hosts several creeks, including Matrimony, Cascade, Hogans, County Line, Troublesome , and Little Troublesome . There are also two major lakes, Belews Lake and Lake Reidsville. As of
975-546: Is governed by a five-member board of commissioners, each elected to four-year terms. The board elects a chairman and vice-chairman from its members and appoints a county manager. County voters also elect a register of deeds. Rockingham County is a member of the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments , a regional voluntary association of 12 counties, and the Piedmont Triad Regional Partnership,
1050-521: Is land and 0.66% is water. Mayodan is located near the confluence of the Mayo and Dan Rivers. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 2,418 people, 1,170 households, and 671 families residing in the town. As of the census of 2010, there were 2,478 people, 1,173 households, and 651 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,608.8 inhabitants per square mile (621.2/km). There were 1,268 housing units at an average density of 844.0 per square mile (325.9/km). The racial makeup of
1125-636: Is land and 7.12 square miles (18.4 km ) (1.24%) is water. It is bordered by the North Carolina counties of Caswell , Alamance , Guilford , Forsyth , and Stokes , and the Virginia counties of Henry and Pittsylvania . Much of the soil in the county is sandy loam. Rockingham County is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Piedmont Triad region. Rockingham County
1200-587: Is now featured regularly in textbooks of American Colonial literature. Through The Secret History , the societal stereotypes and attitudes of the time are revealed. According to Pierre Marambaud, Byrd "had first prepared a narrative, The Secret History of the Line , which under fictitious names described the persons of the surveying expedition and the incidents that had befallen them." Many of his works were in manuscript form and published after his death. His major works include: William Byrd II died on August 26, 1744, and
1275-581: Is the only town in the world with this name. Mayodan started as a mill town when a cotton mill was built in 1892. Operations began in April 1896. The Washington Mills-Mayodan Plant was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km); 1.5 square miles (3.9 km) of the area
1350-506: The 2020 census , there were 91,096 people, 38,462 households, and 25,717 families residing in the county. Rockingham County is included in the Greensboro-High Point, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area . The county's population has been stagnant since the 1980s. According to Woods & Poole Economics, the county's population is expected to increase at a slower rate than the rest of the state in future decades. Rockingham County
1425-640: The American Revolutionary War . American troops under General Nathanael Greene and British troops under General Charles Cornwallis moved through the area around the time of the Battle of Guilford Court House in 1781. The North Carolina General Assembly created Rockingham County from a northern portion of Guilford County on December 29, 1785. It was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham , British Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766 and again in 1782. Rockingham's administration
1500-497: The Rockingham County NC Shiloh Airport . Public education is provided by Rockingham County Schools , which operates 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools, an early college high school , and an alternative school. The system is led by a school board elected in partisan contests. There is one post-primary institution, Rockingham Community College , located in Wentworth. According to
1575-401: The 17A Superior Court District, and the 17A District Court District. County voters elect a clerk of Superior Court and a sheriff. In the early 1990s, Rockingham was a swing county. Politically, the area is conservative. In recent years, voters in most of the county have favored Republicans, though Democrats retain some electoral strength in the city of Reidsville. As of November 2022,
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#17328581458791650-624: The 1990s before closing in early 2020. In 2011, a new courthouse, the Rockingham County Justice Center, was opened in Wentworth, while the former courthouse was transformed into a museum and historical archive. In February 2014, a coal ash pond in Eden at Duke Power 's Dan River Steam Station spilled into the Dan River. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 572.76 square miles (1,483.4 km ), of which 565.64 square miles (1,465.0 km )
1725-637: The 2021 American Community Survey , an estimated 14.5 percent of county residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher level of education. Rockingham County is served by two hospitals, Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville and UNC Rockingham Health Care in Eden. According to the 2021 American Community Survey , an estimated 11.2 percent of county residents lack healthcare coverage. The 2023 University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute 's County Health Rankings report found that Rockingham
1800-725: The Dan River Valley in the Granville District was surveyed by William Byrd II as part of efforts to delineate the North Carolina-Virginia border. He soon thereafter purchased 20,000 acres of the land, which he described as the " Land of Eden " to attract prospective farmers. The region's first white settlers came from Pennsylvania , New Jersey , Maryland , and Virginia and were of German, English, Scottish, and Irish descent. Some had wealthy backgrounds, but most were poor. Some local white men served in militias during
1875-752: The English colony of Virginia , Byrd was educated in London , where he practiced law. Upon his father's death, Byrd returned to Virginia in 1705. He served as a member of the Virginia Governor's Council from 1709 to 1744. Byrd was also the House of Burgesses 's colonial agent in London during the 1720's. His life reflected aspects of both the British colonial gentry and an emerging American identity. Byrd led surveying expeditions of
1950-596: The Parke's Queen's Creek plantation in York County, Virginia with her mother and her sister Frances. Her father, who lived with his mistress, forbade the women from entertaining male callers and did not provide the money for them to have clothes of their station. This made it difficult for Frances and Lucy to have suitors. Byrd, though, knew Parke and his aristocratic connections, and was favorably impressed with Parke's daughters, particularly Lucy. Byrd married Lucy on May 4, 1706, at
2025-577: The Queen's Creek plantation. Frances was married on the same day to John Custis (1678–after 14 November 1749). At the time of their marriage, Lucy Parke was 18 years old, and her mother was concerned that Daniel Parke's many romantic affairs and reputation for stinginess were hurting his daughter's marriage prospects. When Byrd wrote a letter to the Parkes asking to court Lucy, they immediately accepted. Byrd wooed her with passionate letters proclaiming his love. He
2100-521: The Spray Water Power and Land Company, between 1898 and 1906, built six new cotton mills and created a warehouse company. The expansion of the textile industry led to the growth of two new mill communities in the vicinity of Leaksville, Spray and Draper. The three communities collectively became known as the "Tri-Cities". One of Mebane's holdings, the Spray Cotton Mills company, was sold to
2175-476: The area, creating the Spray Water Power and Land Company to develop his mills, and supporting the laying of new railroads. By the 1890s, Morehead had grouped his textile holdings into two companies, the Leaksville Cotton and Woolen Mill Company and the Spray Water Power and Land Company, and turned them over to his son-in-law, Frank Mebane . Under Mebane's direction and with the backing of northern investors,
2250-597: The border of Virginia and North Carolina . He is considered the founder of Richmond, Virginia . Byrd expanded his plantation holdings and commanded county militias during his life. His enterprises included promoting Swiss settlement in mountainous southwest Virginia and iron mining ventures in Germanna and Fredericksburg . A member of the Royal Society , Byrd was an early advocate of variolation to counter smallpox . He may be best known for his writings in his diary and
2325-401: The capitol where I sent for the wench to clean my room and when I came I kissed her and felt her, for which God forgive me ... About 10 o'clock I went to my lodgings. I had good health but wicked thoughts, God forgive me. In addition to the passages recounting his many infidelities, the diary also contains a record of the lives of slaves held by Byrd and his subsequent punishment. Byrd often beat
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2400-438: The center of the county and the community of Rockingham Courthouse was established. The community was renamed Wentworth in 1798, and county court sessions was held there beginning the following May. A new brick courthouse was built in 1824. Wentworth remained a poor and sparse community well into the early 1800s, sustained only by business related to governmental affairs. Leaksville was established in 1795 in an attempt to build
2475-545: The condition that she remain unmarried and living in Westover. The first diary runs from 1709 to 1712 and was first published in the 1940s. It was originally written in a shorthand code and deals mostly with the day-to-day aspects of Byrd's life, many of the entries containing the same formulaic phrases. A typical entry read like this: [October] 6. I rose at 6 o'clock and said my prayers and ate milk for breakfast. Then I proceeded to Williamsburg , where I found all well. I went to
2550-452: The county court, though none were convicted. Following investigations by the federal government and a denunciation from David Settle Reid , a widely respected Rockingham Democrat and former governor, Klan activity diminished in 1870. In the years after the war, Reidsville rapidly grew as a tobacco manufacturing center with the industry benefitting from the railway completed during the war. Leaksville, having grown to include 7,500 residents,
2625-491: The county hosted over 61,684 registered voters. Republicans won all county elections in 2022. Historically, Rockingham County's economy was largely based around textiles and tobacco. Textiles was largely based in the north of the county around Eden, while tobacco was centered in the south, particularly around Reidsville. The decline of these heritage industries in the 1990s hurt the county's economy. The county has experienced growth in recent years in tourism, manufacturing, and
2700-435: The county in search of jobs. The decline of textiles left Miller's facility Eden's flagship industry, but it announced its closure in 2015. The loss of the brewery and the textile mills had a knock-off effect on local retail stores, many of which closed due to the loss of customers and competition from national chains such as Walmart . The American Tobacco Company plant in Reidsville underwent ownership changes and layoffs in
2775-514: The county's first cotton mill at the confluence of the Dan and Smith rivers in Leaksville. In 1818 the town of Madison was platted and the trading post of Jackson was established at Eagle Falls. By 1831, Leaksville hosted an oil mill, sawmill, and cotton gin. Nevertheless, throughout most of the 1800s, tobacco was the main source of economic activity in Rockingham County, with the towns of Madison, Leaksville, and Reidsville serving as market towns for
2850-489: The county, who were opposed to its relocation. The debate continued for several months until the county commission voted to rebuild the courthouse in Wentworth. The new building was completed in 1908. Economic differences between the tobacco-heavy Reidsville area and the textile-based Leaksville-Draper-Spray area also created political fault lines during the early 20th century. Social, political, and economic rivalries also emerged between Reidsville, Leaksville-Draper-Spray, and
2925-493: The creation of additional small businesses. Major employers in the county include the government, healthcare facilities, textile manufacturers such as Unifi and Gildan Yarns, firearms manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. , and Walmart . Rockingham has a poverty rate of 18 percent, above state and national averages. According to the American Community Survey, from 2017 to 2021 the estimated median household income
3000-413: The crop. Following the passage of public school legislation, in 1840 the first public school in North Carolina opened in Rockingham County. A tobacco manufacturing facility was opened in Reidsville in 1856, and by 1859, Madison was home to several industries. That year Leaksville was linked with Danville, Virginia by railroad, the first such line in the county. Slavery grew gradually in the county with
3075-467: The employment of 2,000 workers. Draper was incorporated in 1949, followed by Spray two years later. In 1953, Marshall Field & Company transferred its Rockingham textile holdings to a new company, Fieldcrest . In September 1967, the towns of Leaksville, Draper, Spray were consolidated into the new city of Eden . The consolidation led Eden to surpass Reidsville as the county's largest city. In 1978, Miller Brewing Company invested millions in opening
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3150-569: The expansion of tobacco operations and, by the 1860s, 37 percent of the population were enslaved. At the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, some county men enlisted in the Confederate States Army . Rockingham men eventually formed three companies in North Carolina's 13th Regiment, one in the 14th Regiment, one in the 21st Regiment, six in the 45th Regiment, one in the 63rd Regiment/5th Cavalry, and some reserves, to serve in
3225-594: The historic Penn House, located in Reidsville. One of the most famous attractions of the Reidsville area is Lake Reidsville. Various historic shops are found in the county, as well. The Museum & Archives of Rockingham County ( the MARC ) is the only county historical museum and is located in the Rockingham County Courthouse in Wentworth, the county seat since 1787. The museum features exhibits and artifacts related to Rockingham County history as well as including
3300-479: The image of a more submissive wife, accepting Byrd's authority over the household. She was certainly well-mannered, and epitomised the upper-class lady that he desired, without any record of passionate " flourishes " to quell arguments or threatening the servants. Despite Byrd's renewed sexual advances on other women, Taylor kept the household in good order. More recently, Allison Luthern has suggested that 'a closer examination of sources reveals that Maria [Taylor] Byrd
3375-534: The initiative of railroad executive Francis Henry Fries , in 1895 the Mayo Mills were built in the western portion of the county, near Madison. A community quickly grew around the facility and was incorporated as the town of Mayodan in 1899. That year, another mill was erected in what became the town of Avalon in 1899. At the time of its construction, the Avalon Mill was the largest textile manufacturing plant in
3450-629: The initiative of the Confederate government, a railroad was built to connect Reidsville with Danville and Greensboro , being completed in May 1864. The war ended in the defeat of the Confederacy in 1865. By the end of the Civil War, the economy of Rockingham County and the Southern United States as a whole was greatly diminished. Cattle were scarce, and the emancipation of slaves severely harmed
3525-477: The least fright, and was persuaded she would live… Gracious God what pains did she take to make a voyage hither to seek a grave." Byrd married Maria Taylor (1698-1771), daughter of a Kensington gentleman, on May 9, 1724. She was 25 years of age and Byrd was 50. Taylor, an heiress of a wealthy family from Kensington , was a different character than Parke. Her rare appearance in Byrd's diary has left some historians with
3600-522: The narratives of his surveying, some of which have been published in American literature textbooks. Byrd recorded his exploits, which are notable for its openness on issues such as sex and Byrd's brutal treatment of his slaves . William Byrd, the eldest child of Mary Horsmanden Filmer Byrd and her second husband, William Byrd I , was born on March 28, 1674, in Henrico County, Virginia . His father
3675-467: The prospects of large planters. A New York journalist traveling through Rockingham County in September 1865 reported food and lodging scarce in the area. In the 1868 elections, Republicans gained control of the county government and a black man was elected to the county commission. The white supremacist Ku Klux Klan became active in 1868 and 1869, and 20 alleged Klansmen were arrested and tried for crimes in
3750-602: The receiver generalship for £500 to a Virginian. Spotswood sought approval for the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1713—which regulated the quality and sale of tobacco exports—and the Indian Trade Act of 1714—which established a monopoly over commerce with Native Americans. Both were passed by the Virginia General Assembly, but it received a royal veto, which Byrd considered a personal win. Byrd was appointed
3825-455: The restored historic 1816 Wright Tavern (also historically known as Reid House or Reid Hotel) opposite the museum and 1910 Old Jail next door. In the early 20th century, Rockingham's mill workers produced a substantial amount of old-time music . Hunting has long been popular in the county. William Byrd II William Byrd II (March 28, 1674 – August 26, 1744) was an American planter, lawyer, surveyor and writer. Born in
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#17328581458793900-472: The royal revenue. Byrd felt that he was responsible for the operations of the receiver's office and had objected to Spotwood's actions and saw it as a personal affront. Byrd sailed for England in March or April 1715 at least in part to have Spotswood removed from office. Soon after, his wife joined him in England and died of smallpox . Within two months, he began to look for women to court. While in England, he sold
3975-406: The slaves he held and sometimes devised other punishments even more cruel and unusual: September 3, 1709: I ate roast chicken for dinner. In the afternoon I beat Jenny for throwing water on the couch. December 1, 1709: Eugene was whipped again for pissing in bed and Jenny for concealing it. December 3, 1709: Eugene pissed abed again for which I made him drink a pint of piss. While William Byrd
4050-479: The state. The Avalon Mill burned down in 1911, and the rest of the community was integrated into Mayodan. By 1920, the textile operations in the area had consolidated in the latter town as the Washington Mills, making Mayodan the center of western Rockingham's textile industry. Meanwhile, James Turner Morehead , inherited John Motley Morehead's holdings in Leaksville in 1866. He focused on expanding industry in
4125-491: The strongest storm on-record to ever impact the area. The tornado damaged homes and a textile mill in Mayodan, destroyed several buildings in Stoneville's main business district, and killed two people. In 1999, the former Washington Mills plant in Mayodan closed. Pluma closed its Eden plant in 1999, Spray Cotton Mills closed its yarn mill in 2001, and Pillowtex collapsed in 2003. Some former workers moved to larger cities outside
4200-498: The time. All but two of his early literary works remained in manuscript form after his death at Westover in 1744, only appearing in print in the early 19th century and later receiving "dismissive commentary" by literary critics. It was not until the last quarter of the 20th century that his writings were assessed with any critical enthusiasm. The History of the Dividing Line is Byrd's most influential piece of literary work and
4275-542: The town was 85.85% White , 10.38% African American , 0.17% Native American , 0.21% Asian , 2.57% from other races , and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.01% of the population. There were 1,173 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 38.6% were married couples living together; 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present; and 44.5% were non-families. 41.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.2% had someone living alone who
4350-524: The war. Rockingham men also formed the 22nd Battalion of the Confederate Home Guard , which was tasked with maintaining order in the county. The local Searcy & Moore gun factory supplied Confederate forces with weapons during the conflict. Some Confederate deserters hid out in the sparse northwestern section of the county during the war, two of whom were found and executed by the Home Guard. At
4425-404: The wealthiest men in the colony. He became the receiver general; the post was separated from the auditorship following his father's death. On September 12, 1709, nearly four year after he applied, he was appointed to a seat on the Virginia Governor's Council , a position he held until his death. Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood reorganized the collection of quitrents in order to enlarge
4500-523: The western Rockingham towns of Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville. The Penn Brothers Tobacco Company plant in Reidsville came under the control of the American Tobacco Company in 1911. Under American Tobacco's control, the factory quickly rose to become Reidsville's most significant industry and the county's largest taxpayer. Offering high wages to workers, in the 1940s and 1950s it served as its corporate owner's flagship facility and peaked with
4575-584: Was $ 46,993. For 2023, the North Carolina Department of Commerce rated the county as economically distressed. In December 2023, the county reported an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent. Rockingham County is traversed by several major highways which constitute local transportation corridors: U.S. Route 220 / Interstate 73 , U.S. Route 158 , U.S. Route 29 / Interstate 785 , and U.S. Route 311 . Active rail lines serve Eden, Reidsville, Stoneville, Madison, and Mayodan. Airplane facilities are provided by
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#17328581458794650-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.78 people . The population's age distribution was broad: 19.3% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.7 males. The median income for
4725-538: Was a planter , public official, and a Native American trader. When he was two, his mother took him with her to visit relatives in Purleigh , England. He was in England and living with his mother's relatives in 1681, when he was enrolled in Felsted School , where he studied Hebrew, Italian, and French. It was his father's goal that Byrd was educated to become a gentleman and had first-hand experiences with aristocrat. He
4800-450: Was able to thwart Nicholson's efforts. In 1702, he attempted to have Nicholson removed from office, but the petition was rejected by the Crown and Byrd lost his position on the council. In 1701, he went on a 14-week tour of England with Sir John Perceval , who was the nephew of Sir Robert Southwell. Byrd was 26 and Perceval was 18. By this time Byrd had a number of aristocratic friends and knew
4875-553: Was admitted to Lincoln's Inn October 1697 and soon after defended Governor Sir Edmund Andros in a hearing at Lambeth Palace that unseated Andros for impeding the establishment of the College of William & Mary and replaced him with Francis Nicholson as Governor of Virginia. He became the London agent for the Virginia Governor's Council in 1698. His father held the combined offices of auditor- and receiver-general, which Nicholson had attempted to separate. In this position, Byrd
4950-523: Was an apprentice in London and Rotterdam for two years for tobacco trading companies, where he learned about commerce. During that time, he acquired the social graces of a gentleman. He then studied law at Middle Temple from 1692 to 1695, when he was admitted to the bar to practice law. The following year he was elected as a Fellow in the Royal Society with the support of Sir Robert Southwell , his father's friend. By this time, Byrd spent much of his childhood in England, but born in Virginia, where he
5025-590: Was an avid planter, politician, and statesman, he was also a man of letters. He collected books written in English, French, Italian, Dutch, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin on a wide range of subjects. Considered one of the greatest colonial libraries, he had 3,500 volumes, including biography, history, architecture, science, divinity and law. He also had books about gardening, art, medicine, drama, and etiquette. A prolific writer, Byrd wrote essays, histories, and speeches. He also wrote caricatures, poetry, and diaries. He corresponded with noted naturalists, statesmen, and writers of
5100-399: Was appointed to survey the Virginia and North Carolina border by the next Lieutenant Governor Sir William Gooch . The Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730 was passed and Byrd's land was chosen for construction of a warehouse, of direct benefit to him. He is responsible for the establishment of the cities of Petersburg and, on his own land, Richmond, Virginia in 1733. Gooch appointed Byrd to
5175-466: Was dominated by the American issue. Rockingham wished for repeal of the Stamp Act 1765 and won a Commons vote on the repeal resolution by 275 to 167 in 1766. Settlement, mostly by Scotch-Irish Americans , continued from 1785 up until 1800. Rockingham County's first court session was convened near Eagle Falls south of the Dan River in February 1786. The following year a wooden courthouse was erected near
5250-482: Was expected to return, he was not accepted as an Englishman. This made it difficult for him to marry into an aristocratic family or become a politician in England. After a 15-year absence, he returned to Virginia in the summer of 1696. Due to his education and his father's influence, he was elected to the House of Burgesses in the fall of that year, but he withdrew in October to return to London, where he practiced law. He
5325-415: Was incorporated in 1874. The town of Stoneville grew from a mercantile crossroads in the west and was incorporated in 1877. Rail service was extended to Madison in the 1880s. Stoneville and Madison largely remained mercantile towns with a few tobacco manufacturers. The manufacturing sector, particularly in textiles, increased in the late 1800s, driving urbanization and growth in the county's towns. At
5400-692: Was less healthy than most of the state, with higher average instances of adult smoking, adult obesity, excessive drinking, and several chronic medical conditions. Attractions in Rockingham County include the state parks of the Dan and Mayo rivers, near Mayodan; the historic downtown areas of Leaksville, Draper and Spray in Eden; the Chinqua-Penn Plantation in Reidsville; the Deep Springs Plantation in Stoneville, High Rock Farm in Williamsburg, Mulberry Island Plantation in Stoneville, and
5475-406: Was named, and Wilhelmina Byrd, who married Thomas Chamberlayne. Despite the couple's differences, aspects of their relationship appear tender and romantic. Following Byrd to London, she died of smallpox in 1716. Byrd suffered greatly, blaming himself for her death. He wrote of the "insupportable pain in her head… the smallpox… we thought it best to tell her the danger. She received the news without
5550-451: Was not as easily governed by these powerful men as William Byrd II... indicates.' Their children were: Anne Carter, Maria Taylor Carter, Colonel William Byrd III , and Jane Page. Taylor appears to have tactically bided her time as Byrd aged, controlling the education of their children together and preparing to take control of Westover in her widowhood. She outlived Byrd by 37 years, supported by an annual pension in Byrd's will for £200 on
5625-492: Was promised a £1,000 dowry when he married Lucy, but rather than delivering it upon their marriage, he was bequeathed the amount at Parke's death. Byrd assumed debts of the Parke estate, which was a financial burden throughout the rest of his life. In exchange for accepting the debts, he took over lands that had been left to his wife's sister. Byrd and Lucy Parke Byrd quarreled frequently. Byrd sometimes noted that after these arguments, they made up and he "rogered her" or "gave her
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