THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 06-15-1913

On Sunday morning, June 15, 1913, God called Bro. John Beale to a higher and happier life. At the time of his departure he was a little over sixty nine years of age. He never married but made his home with his brother, William Beale.

Bro Beale was a man of excellent qualities. When duty called him he was ever ready to respond. There was a time when duty called and it meant for him hardships, long and fatiguing marches, the hiss of shot and shell around him, and the mingled cries of pain and suffering of his comrades and fellow soldiers as they fell upon the field of battle; but he never wayered and through the four trying years of that dreadful conflict he proved to be a faithful soldier to his beloved South.

About two years after the war he joined Beaver Dam church, and as a church member and soldier of Jesus Christ he was also loyal. As long as his health permitted he was a regular attendant upon the services of his church. He seemed to feel that when the doors of the church were open for service he ought to be present. Others if they chose to do so might neglect their church and Sunday school, no so with him. When he was not present there was some good reason for it. He loved his church, and was kind and loyal to his pastor. How we shall miss him!

For several weeks before his death he was confined to the home. We had hoped and prayed for his recovery and many of us thought he was improving but really the dread disease that had fastened clutches upon him never relinquished its hold. The end came unexpectedly to his friends, and we believe also to him, but there is no doubt in the mind of the writer that he was ready for the summons.

The large concourse of people who attended the funeral, the beautiful floral offerings, and the touching remarks made by one of his fellow soldiers, were all evidences of the high esteem in which he was held.

To those who are bereaved, mingled with their sorrow is a ray of light, hope, joy; for we believe that our beloved friend and brother has gone to that home of eternal joy, and if we too are faithful we shall join him there when God shall call us.

“Then trust in God through all thy days;/ Fear not for He doth hold thy hand;/ Though dark thy way, still sing and praise;/ Sometime, sometime, we’ll understand.”

ALGERNON SIDNEY BIRDSONG

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 06-09-1916

A.S. Birdsong, a prominent citizen of Isle of Wight County and a gallant Confederate veteran, died at his home near Zuni Monday, June 5, in his 74th year, after an illness of several months duration. He was a native of Sussex County, his first wife being Miss Georgie Hall, and his second wife Miss Virginia Batten of Isle of Wight who survives him. There are five children by his first marriage, T.H. Birdsong of Suffolk, R.P. Birdsong of Philadelphia, G.F. Birdsong of Norfolk, Miss Nannie Birdsong of Suffolk and S.A. Birdsong of New York, all of whom are well known in the county and section.

The deceased was a good citizen and a consistent Christian, an active member of Antioch Christian church for more than 50 years, and was a loyal Mason. He served throughout the war in the 13th Va. Cavalry and was wounded at the battle of Farmville just three days before the surrender at Appomattox.

The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. H.H. Butler, at Antioch Christian church with interment in the churchyard cemetery and the pallbearers were his four sons and his grandsons; T.H. Birdsong, Jr. and William M. Birdsong.

Algernon Sidney Birdsong
03-25-1842
06-05-1916
H/O Georgianna Hall
H/O Martha Virginia Batten
s/o Henry B. and Rebecca Andrews Birdsong
13th Va. Cavalry, Co. H
Buried at Antioch Christian Church Cemetery, Windsor, Va.

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 08-02-1929

JACOB T. BRADSHAW GALLANT SOLDIER OF CONFEDERACY DEAD

Jacob T. Bradshaw, 88, oldest resident of Isle of Wight County, and one of the county’s most prominent men, died Wednesday night at 7 o’clock at his home at Walters, after a long period of failing health.

Mr. Bradshaw was a member of Company F, Sixty-fourth Regiment Mahone’s Brigade, of Virginia, and served through the entire Civil War. He was organizer and commander of Beaver Dam Camp, United Confederate Veterans, and until this year had never missed a Confederate reunion. He was the only survivor of the company which left Beaver Dam at the beginning of the war, except John W. Robertson of Norfolk. Mr. Bradshaw also was the oldest member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church, and of Franklin Lodge No. 51, Knights of Pythias.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Nannie Hall Bradshaw, he is survived by a son, Dr. Claude J. Bradshaw of Carrsville; a grandson, J.J. Bradshaw; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Ed. Howell and Mrs. Elisha Lankford, both of the Franklin community, and Mrs. Rosh Harrell of Norfolk.

Funeral services will be conducted this (Friday) afternoon at 3 o’clock in Beaver Dam Baptist Church, with the Rev. W.B. Denson, the pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

SUFFOLK DEATHS

MILLS [EDWARD] BRITT

Suffolk, June 4. [actually died June 5, 1925]--Mills Britt, 90, native of Isle of Wight County, died today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. T. Lewis, in Suffolk.  Besides Mrs. Lewis he is survived by another daughter, Mrs. Cleveland Hall, seven grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and two step grandchildren, a half brother and two sisters, G. E. Britt, Mrs. Martha Frances Fowler and Mrs. Sarah Anne Thorn.

He was a Confederate veteran, having served through the War Between the States, in which he was wounded.  

Funeral services will be conducted at Mount Carmel Christian Church at Walters, Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock by the Rev. Elisha Bradshaw, assisted by the Rev. Dr. W. W. Staley. Burial will be in the church cemetery  

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 06-26-1931, P. 1

DAVID L. BUTLER, A LOYAL CONFEDERATE, ANSWERS LAST CALL

David Lisborn Butler, one of the few surviving Confederate veterans of this part of Virginia, died at the home of his son, T.L. Butler at Maynard, Isle of Wight County, early last Thursday morning, June 18, in his 87th year. Mr. Butler volunteered at the very beginning of the War Between the States with a company from Nansemond, his native county, and served gallantly in that command under Longstreet for the duration of the conflict, surrendering with Lee at Appomattox. For many years he had been a loyal and zealous member of Beaver Dam Camp of Confederate Veterans, and the adjutant of that organization, his death leaving only two surviving members, George W. Johnson of Carrsville and John W. Robertson of Lynnhaven. Reared in that stern school of discipline and hardships sustained by all followers of the Stars and Bars, he returned to his native county to live the life of a peaceful, honorable and law-abiding citizen, admired and esteemed by his comrades-in-arms and by all who knew him.

Mr. Butler was thrice married. His first wife was Miss Missouri Edwards of Isle of Wight and surviving this union are three children, T.L. Butler, with whom he made his home, D.R. Butler of Franklin, and Mrs. J.R. Keene of Carrsville. His second wife, who was Miss Molly Haywood of Gloucester County, lived only a short time, and his third wife, Mrs. Ada Judkins Butler, formerly of Nansemond County, survives him with eight children, P.L., H.M., and F.J. Butler of Portsmouth; S.O. Butler of Franklin, Jason and Herman Butler, Mrs. E.L. Cutchins of Franklin and Mrs. I.N. Howell of Courtland; 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a large family connection and many friends.

Mr. Butler joined Holland Baptist Church as a young man, later removing to South Quay and finally to Beaver Dam Church, where funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, conducted by Rev. W.B. Denson, the pastor, assisted by Rev. J.W. Fix of Franklin, Rev. E.G. McGehee and Rev. A.P. Thompson of Portsmouth. The active pallbearers were seven of his grandchildren; D.R. Butler, Jr., Tim Butler, Joe Keen, Ernest Cutchins, David Butler, P.L. Butler and Lawless Cutchins, and Lonnie McClenny. Honorary pallbearers were selected from a number of old friends.

DONATED OBIT 1936

IRVING JENKINS DIES, AGED 95 – FUNERAL SERVICES FOR CONFEDERATE VETERAN TOMORROW AFTERNOON

Suffolk, Feb. 2 – Irving Jenkins, prominent retired farmer of Windsor, Isle of Wight County, and last surviving Confederate veteran in that community, died this afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R.C. Carr, near Windsor. He was 95 years, seven months and eight days old.

Mr. Jenkins served in Company 5, Fourth Virginia Infantry, in the War the Between States. He was the oldest member of Colosse Baptist Church, having been a member of the church for 70 years.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. K.A. Turner, Mrs. A.L. Spivey and Mrs. Carr, of the Windsor community; five sons, J.L. Jenkins, of Wakefield; J.K Jenkins of Norfolk; J.W. and R.A. Jenkins of Windsor, and Dr. – Jenkins, of Roanoke; 19 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the residence of Mrs. Carr by the Rev. J. Sidney Cobb, and Rev. Dr. D.L. Rhodes, the Rev. Dr. I.W. Johnson, the Rev. C.E. Gerringer and the Rev. W.A. Buhler. Burial will be in the Colosse Church Cemetery.

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 03-20-1936, P. 1

GEORGE W. JOHNSON ANSWERS LAST ROLL CALL AT AGE OF 93

George W. Johnson, one of the last surviving Confederate veterans of this section, died at his home in Carrsville Saturday night in his 93rd year. Mr. Johnson was a native of Isle of Wight County, living his entire life in the county of his birth, except for the four years served throughout the War Between the States. At the age of 18, he joined the South Quay Guards, a local command, Company “K” of the 41st Virginia Regiment and followed Lee on many fiercely-contested fields in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and was taken prisoner in the fighting around Petersburg in October, 1864. A brave and gallant soldier, he served his State and the South with distinction and witnessed the historic battle of the world’s first iron-clads, the Merrimac and the Monitor.

He had lived a quiet but active life and had been a consistent member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church for many years. Surviving him are a son, G.E. Johnson of Franklin and five daughters, Mrs. Jachin Forbes, Mrs. J.R. Bracey and Miss Lucy M. Johnson of Franklin; Mrs. J.R. Kyle of Ocean View, and Miss Geneva Johnson of Carrsville with whom he made his home. There are seven grandchildren and a wide circle of friends.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon from his late residence in Carrsville by his Pastor, Rev. J.T. Garland Moore, a former Pastor, Rev. W.B. Denson of Buena Vista, and Rev. R.D. Stephenson of the Franklin Baptist Church. The casket was covered with the battle flag of the Confederacy and there were many beautiful floral tributes. Burial followed in Beaver Dam Cemetery, the pallbearers being; S.P. Eason, Arthur Hall, J.A. Wright, Prentiss Duck, Simon Saunders, J. Clinton Bradshaw, W.W. Winborne and Alfred Johnson.

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 07-22-1927, p. 1

TIMOTHY JOHNSON, GALLANT CONFEDERATE SOLDIER DIES IN CARRSVILLE

J. Timothy Johnson died Saturday, July 16, at the home of his brother, George W. Johnson of Carrsville, in the 83rd year of his life. He was an honorable and esteemed citizen and a loyal Confederate soldier, serving throughout the War Between the States in A.P. Hill’s Corps, Mahone’s Brigade, Company “K”, 61st Virginia Infantry. The greater part of his life had been spent in farming at his former home in the South Quay community where his body was laid to rest by the side of departed loved ones.

Mr. Johnson was a faithful and consistent member of Franklin Baptist Church and held his membership in Urquhart-Gillette and Beaver Dam camps of Confederate Veterans. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Geo. H. Steinhardt of Franklin and a brother, Geo. W. Johnson, with whom he made his home.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock by his Pastor, Rev. R.D. Stephenson, interment following in the family burying ground. The body bearers were Harry Steinhardt, G.E. Johnson, S.V. Butler, J.P. Butler, Emmett Saunders, R.L. Johnson, Leland P. Simmons, and Frank Johnson. The honorary pallbearers were: Joe Bynum Gay, J.F. Duke, Dr. C.J. Bradshaw, W.H. Lankford, Tup Jones, J.R. Bracy, and Robert Daughtrey.

DONATED OBIT – 02-21-1905

Dr. John W. Lawson, former congressman from this district, died at 2 o’clock Tuesday morning at his home, near Smithfield, in Isle of Wight County.

Dr. Lawson was born in Williamsburg, September 13, 1837, and moved to Isle of Wight County soon after the civil war. He is survived by his widow and three daughters, all of whom were with him when the end came. He was a gallant Confederate soldier and his last request was that he be buried in his uniform of gray.

His funeral took place Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock from Christ church, conducted by the Rev. R.F. Carter. The burial was in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Dr. Lawson died enjoying the love and esteem of all who knew him. His State, county and district have freely bestowed honors upon him, and well and faithfully has he performed every public duty and private trust.

He was a graduate of the University of Virginia and had represented Isle of Wight in both the house of delegates and the State Senate. He was elected to the Fifty-Second Congress and served with distinction in the national body.

He was also a member of the recent constitutional convention, which gave to Virginia her present basic laws.

Dr. Lawson was chairman of the board of visitors of William and Mary College and also president of the Smithfield Male and Female Institute.

Ivy Hill Cemetery
In Loving Memory of
John W. Lawson
Born Sept. 13, 1837
Died Feby 21, 1905
Cold in the dust the perished
Heart may lie, but that which
Warmed it once, will never die
A lover of truth, honor
And Justice

Thomas J. Marshall
Suffolk News Herald 5 Oct 1900
Windsor Whisperings

Oct 8 – Mr. Thomas J Marshall, a highly-esteemed citizen of this section, died on Tuesday, October 2, 1900, about 2 o'clock. Mr. Marshall had been in declining health for some time and his death was not expected. He was a kind and affectionate husband, a loving father, a true friend and a devoted Christian. The funeral took place today (Wednesday) at Antioch Church, of which he was a member, the services being conducted by the pastor Rev H. H. Butler. Mr. Marshall leaves a widow and nine children.

DONATED OBIT - 12-1923

Henry J. Powell, of Myrtle, Va., died last night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. Edward Johnson, 1028 B. Street, whom he had been visiting for the last two months. Mr. Powell was a veteran of the Civil War. Before the declaration of war, he was a member of the Isle of Wight Blues. He was mustered in the Confederate service in the Ninth Virginia Regiment, Pickett’s Division; Mahone’s Brigade, Longstreet’s Corps. Shortly before General Lee’s surrender he was captured by the Federal troops and thrown into prison. He was not released until several months after peace had been established.

Mr. Powell is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Johnson, and by four sons, John H. and Paul J. Powell, of Myrtle, Va., and R.J. and E.A. Powell, of Newport News. He was 84 years of age. Funeral services will be conducted at Mrs. Johnson’s residence Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.

DONATED OBIT - 12-1923

Henry J. Powell, of Myrtle, Va., who died Thursday night in the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J. Edward Johnson, 1028 B. Street, Park View, will be buried this afternoon in Oak Grove cemetery. Funeral service will be conducted in the residence at 2 o’clock.

In addition to his daughters and sons, mentioned in yesterday morning’s edition, he is survived by the following grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandchildren - Edward H. Johnson, of Norfolk; Mrs. Maryus B. Kea, of Goldsboro, N.C.; Miss Sarah Lee Johnson, Clayton Johnson and Collins Johnson, of Portsmouth; Miss Margaret Powell and John Henry Powell, of Myrtle, Va,; N. Saxon Powell, Presley Powell and Lenis Powell, Miss Mildred Powell, Miss Edna Powell, Miss Lillian Powell, Florence Powell, Allen Powell and Glisson Powell, all of Portsmouth.

Great-grandchildren - Martha and Virginia and Coles Johnson, of Portsmouth, and Mildred, Charlotte and Maryus Kea, Jr., of Goldsboro, N.C.

F C Roberts
The Times Dispatch 16 May 1903 p 6

Special to the Times-Dispatch
Windsor, Va., May 15 - F C Roberts died this morning at the residence of his son-in-law, George Britt, Mr. Roberts was a Councilman and an old Confederate soldier, having served through the entire four years. His wife preceded him to the grave just a little of a year. He leaves two sons, Rev Jesse M Roberts and Mr. Ambrose Roberts, both of our town, and four daughters, Mrs. B P Gay, of Smithfield; Mrs. Walter Niblett, of Franklin, and Mesdames B T Carr and George Britt, of this place.

J W Roberts
Suffolk Herald 1 Nov 1901
A Good Man Laid to Rest

The funeral of Mr. J W Roberts, whose death is announced in our Windsor letter, took place on Wednesday afternoon at Antioch Christian church, of which the deceased gentleman was a deacon and a most worthy member. The services were conducted by Rev H. H. Butler, and were participated by Rev J F Deans, D. D. and Rev L R Christie of the Baptist Church and Rev W E Allen of the Methodist church. Very strong testimony was given as to the fine character of the man all delighted to honor.
The pall bearers were as follows:
Active - B C Roberts, S J Roberts, F C Roberts (brothers of the deceased), Charles Clements, N B Munford, and Luther Bradshaw. Honorary - Rev J F Deans, DD, J H Beaton, M H Carr, D Frazier, B P Gay, and W J Nelms.
The deceased was in the sixty seventh year of his age. He was a gallant Confederate soldier, having been wounded at Malvern Hill, July 2, 1862, and lost his right arm at Spotsylvania Courthouse, May 12, 1864. He was been twice elected treasurer of Isle of Wight county, which office he held at the time of his death.
Mr. Roberts is survived by two daughters and two sons – Mrs. T Johnson and Mrs. Joseph Persons; Mr. B L Roberts, assistant treasurer of Isle of Wight county, and Mr. John W Roberts Jr. of the faculty of the Virginia High School, Suffolk.
A good man has gone to his rest, and the world is poorer because of his departure.

John Walter Roberts
The Times (Richmond) 29 Oct 1901 p 6
Suffolk, Va. - Oct 28 - John Walter Roberts, county treasurer, died this afternoon at his home, in Isle of Wight county, aged about seventy years. He had an arm shot off in the Civil War. He was one of seven brothers who fought for the confederacy. None but him was wounded. Among those surviving is Postmaster Ben Roberts of Windsor.

THE TIDEWATER NEWS – 01-24-1924, p. 1

George W. Scott, an aged and estimable citizen of Franklin, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cornelia Vaughan, in North High Street on Christmas Day. He had been in declining health for some months but the end came peacefully and almost without a moment’s warning.

Mr. Scott was born in Southampton County September 10, 1846, and served in the armies of the Confederacy throughout the entire course of the Civil War, coming back from the Surrender at Appomattox with the record of having served his country faithfully and well. He lived in the Beaver Dam neighborhood in Isle of Wight County for a number of years; was a consistent member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and of the Beaver Dam Camp of Confederate Veterans. He was a true Christian,. A good citizen and was honorable in all of his dealings with his fellowman.

The funeral services were conducted from Beaver Dam Church on Thursday, December 27, a 2 o’clock by Rev. W. Thorburn Clark of Richmond, a former pastor of the deceased, assisted by Rev. Geo. R. Pankey of Beaver Dam and by Dr. C.R. Rowland and Rev. R.D. Stephenson of Franklin.

He is survived by one son, L.A. Scott of Newport News; one daughter, Mrs. J.A. Vaughan of Franklin, several grandchildren and a wide circle of relatives in this community.

THE TIDEWATER NEWS - 07-14-1916

Mr. James P. Whitfield died at his home in Isle of Wight county, near Franklin, Monday, July 10, in his 73rd year. He was a good citizen, a faithful and consistent member of South Quay Baptist Church, a gallent Confederate soldier and a good husband and father. the last few years of his life he had been in ill health but he bore his sufferings with Christian resignation and his loved ones sorrow not as those who have no hope.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Maggie Whitfield; two children, P.H. Whitfield of Baltimore and Mrs. Fletcher Babb of Franklin; nine grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. James Eley of the Carrsville community, besides a host of friends. The funeral took place Tuesday, July 11, at the home of the deceased and was conducted by Dr. C.H. Rowland of Franklin. During the services an affectionate and touching tribute to his services to the Confederacy was made by Mr. J.T. Bradshaw, the honored commander of Beaver Dam Camp, U.C.V., to which the deceased belonged, his comrade speaking of him as a gallant soldier, never failing in duty or flinching under the severe trials of a soldier's life and following the Stars and Bars at Gettysburg and upon any other bloody fields. Mr. Whitfield was a member of Company "F", 61st Virginia Infantry, Mahone's Brigade, a company organized on the church grounds at Beaver Dam Church and of few survivors now with more than fifty years gone by since Appomattox fateful field.

The pallbearers were J.E. Daughtrey, Claude Duck, William Norfleet, W.T. Harcum, Algie Butler and M.L. Glover.

Still more obituaries can be found at http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/iowobits.htm