Metcalf Family Mews

Septr. 2, 1788. Jno. Metcalf (son of Chas. Metcalf) aged 9 yrs. Jany. 12th last, apprenticed to John Wright of Spots. Co. No witnesses. Septr. 2, 1788.

Grand old Pittsylvania! deserving every way
The pride of all thy children and homage they should pay!
Thy record bright and glorious shines out at every stage
And merits place the foremost upon Virginia’s page.

Before the Revolution, aye in Colonial Days,
Her sons were ever ready, for so the record says,
To brave the trackless forest when duty bade them go,
To fight the cunning savage who sought their overthrow.

And when the Revolution, that stubborn strife began,
The sons of Pittsylvania fought for the right of man
As bravely as the bravest, on many bloody fields,
Until the haughty Briton at Yorktown humbly yields.

Nay, more, she furnished sinews for that protracted strife,
By giving to Greene’s army its nourishment and life;
For Peytonsburg supplied him with food for man and beast,
Else they must have perished or given up at least.

And yet what is far greater remains as yet unsung,
Surpassing all achievements of days when she was young.
To Virginia of the “Sixties” no other county gave
So many to defend her as Pittsylvania brave!

Ye sons of Pittsylvania! come listen as I tell
Of Gettysburg immortal! Well may your bosom swell
At the glorious charge of Pickett upon that bloody day,
Your fathers were the foremost in that terrific fray.

Who are those few brave heroes, with Armistead at the Wall?
Through shot and shell they’ve fought their way, and with their leader
fall!
‘Tis Carter, White and Tredway, their names will ever shine
With Rawley W. Martin’s, that dauntless son of thine!

[p.275] And in the living present thou hast another son
Bestowing now upon thee, the fame that he has won;
Beginning life a plow boy, unaided and unknown,
By virtue of his talent he came into his own.

The name of Claude A. Swanson, thy most distinguished son,
In halls of State and Congress with many honors won,
Will shine as one belonging to that illustrious roll,
Whose brilliance the historian will on his page extol.

Be proud, ye sons and daughters, of the historic worth
That crowns your grand old county, the county of your birth!
Resolve that never, never shall any act of thine
Dim the brightness of the glories that on Pittsylvania shine!

These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now they began to petition for more roads. In March,19 I753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey’s Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitants to the Snow Creek Road, and Thomas Hall and William Hill were ordered to lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which was accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains.

At this time the inhabitants about Wart Mountain petitioned, “that a road be run from Hickey’s Road at or near the plantation of Merry Webb the nearest and best way to intersect Hickey’s old road at Horse Pen Pasture Creek,” and Charles Sowder, John and Will Blevins were ordered to mark the way and report at the next Court. The surveyor’s records contain references to Hickey’s Old Road and Hickey’s Road, showing that there were two roads bearing Hickey’s name.

Success is leading your life forward according to those things that are most important to you. What happened to simple, plain old common sense? The type of sense that our grandmothers and mothers imparted on us that we actually used in how we conducted ourselves and lived our lives.

Like this:

• • Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
  • Time heals almost everything, give time, time.
  • Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  • You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  • Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  • Try to make at least three people smile each day.
  • Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements, “I am thankful for…” and “Today I accomplished…”
  • Call your family often.
  • Take a 10 to 30 minute walk everyday and while you walk, smile.
  • Forgive everyone for everything.
  • Dream more while your awake.
  • What other people think of you is none of your business.
  • Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
  • Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney Land and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
  • Smile and laugh more.
  • Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  • Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
  • Your job won’t take care of you when you’re sick. Your friends will. Stay in Touch.
  • No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
  • Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  • Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
  • When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to… today”.
  • Remember you’re too blessed to be stressed.
  • No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  • The “BEST” is yet to come.
  • Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  • Make peace with your past, so it doesn’t mess up your present.
  • However good or bad your situation is, it will change.
  • Live with the 3 E’s; energy, enthusiasm, and empathy and the 3 F’s; faith, family and friends.
  • Show up and choose to be PRESENT.
    

   

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When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.  ~Joyce Brothers