The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections

The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early?by Robert Arnold

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Title: The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections Vivid portrayal of Amusing Scenes
Author: Robert Arnold
Release Date: December 26, 2006 [EBook #20186]
Language: English
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THE
DISMAL SWAMP
AND
LAKE DRUMMOND.
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.
VIVID PORTRAYAL OF AMUSING SCENES.
BY
ROBT. ARNOLD.
SUFFOLK, VA.
NORFOLK, VA. GREEN, BURKE & GREGORY, PRINTERS. 1888.

Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1888, by R. Arnold, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

INTRODUCTION
This little volume is launched upon the sea of public favor. If it should stem the tide of criticism and reach a haven, my object in the writing of it will be accomplished. Being partially blind and physically unable to labor, I have adopted this as a means by which I might gain an honest assistance, a double object presented itself:
1st. That I might give to its readers some idea of the Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond as they were and as they now are.
2d. That I may from the sale of my book receive an amount that will place me beyond penury. The work will contain some interesting incidents, and in many instances will give the real names of persons now living who will be acquainted with the subject of which I write. Having said this much introductory of my book, I will now proceed with my task.
When I determined to indite the lines which compose this volume, I had, as has been stated, a double purpose in view. I thought I could not employ a portion of my leisure hours more profitably, certainly not more pleasantly, than by recounting some of the scenes, incidents and associations which carries my mind back to the days of "Auld Lang Syne." What more natural, then, than that my thoughts should revert to the friend of my early manhood--one who, by the uprightness of his character, geniality of his disposition, the chivalric impulses of his nature, deserves, as it is my greatest pleasure to accord, the dedication of this little volume; and I have said all when I mention the name of my esteemed friend Robert Riddick, Esq., of Suffolk, Va.
Suffolk, Va., January 1, 1888. THE AUTHOR.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP--WASHINGTON THE OWNER. 5
II. TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE. 8
III. HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP. 10
IV. ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED. 16
V. THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY. 20
VI. PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC. 22
VII. MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE. 30
VIII. THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP. 35
IX. SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS. 45
X. ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY. 50
XI. THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S--SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC. 52
XII. BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP--COLONEL GODFREY'S VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON. 56
XIII. THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN--JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL. 76
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP--WASHINGTON THE OWNER.
The Dismal Swamp, of which but little is known, is a large body of dense woods, being situated and laying in Nansemond county, Virginia, and the county of Gates, in North Carolina. It contains, by survey, about 100,000 acres. I have been told by H. E. Smith, Esq., our county treasurer, that 45,000 acres were listed in the county of Nansemond. It is thickly set with juniper, cypress and other timber, which makes it very valuable. It came into the possession of General George Washington, and after the Revolutionary War a company known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company was formed, and arrangements made to manufacture the timber; hands were put in the Swamp and it was regularly opened. A large quantity of timber was manufactured, and Washington found it necessary to find some outlet for it, which could only be done by a canal or ditch. A suitable place was soon found, and Washington commenced in person to survey the route known as the Washington Ditch. He commenced at the northwest of the Lake, on lands known as "Soldiers' Hope," belonging to the estate of Col. Josiah Riddick, deceased, and running west to what is called the "Reese Farm," on the Edenton road, about seven miles from Suffolk. A large quantity of juniper timber was brought through this ditch, which was hauled to the Nansemond river for shipment. We were told