Rockbridge County, VA

Headnote
ROCKBRIDGE derives its name from the celebrated natural bridge: it was formed in 1778... This county is principally watered by North River – a branch of James River – and its tributaries. It flows diagonally through the county, and joins the main branch of James River at the foot of the Blue Ridge, where their united waters force a passage through. Much of the soil is of a superior quality, and highly cultivated. It is one of the most wealthy agricultural counties in the state. Pop. in 1840, whites 10,448, slaves 3,510, free colored 326; total, 14,284. (Historical Collections, 1852)
Place Unit Type
County
Containing Unit
Virginia

Rockbridge County, Virginia (Fanning's, 1853)

Gazetteer/Almanac
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, situated in the central part of Virginia and traversed by James river. Area, 680 square miles. Face of the country, agreeably diversified; soil, of middling quality. Seat of justice, Lexington. Pop. in 1810, 10,318; in 1820, 11,945; in 1830, 14,244; in 1840, 14,284; in 1850, 16,055.
Fanning's Illustrated Gazetteer of the United States.... (New York: Phelps, Fanning & Co., 1853), 313.

Rockbridge County, Virginia (Howe)

Gazetteer/Almanac
ROCKBRIDGE derives its name from the celebrated natural bridge: it was formed in 1778, from Augusta and Botetourt. It s mean length is 31, mean breadth 22 miles. This county is principally watered by North River – a branch of James River – and its tributaries. It flows diagonally through the county, and joins the main branch of James River at the foot of the Blue Ridge, where their united waters force a passage through. Much of the soil is of a superior quality, and highly cultivated. It is one of the most wealthy agricultural counties in the state. Pop. in 1840, whites 10,448, slaves 3,510, free colored 326; total, 14,284.
Henry Howe, Historical Collections of Virginia… (Charleston, SC: William R. Babcock, 1852), 448.
Date Type
Heavy hail storm destroys crops in north-western Virginia Crime/Disasters
The sitting Speaker of the House dies after a long illness Legal/Political
Birthplace of
Name Type
Fairfield, VA City or Town
Lexington, VA City or Town
How to Cite This Page: "Rockbridge County, VA," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/15975.