Mordecai Barbour
Encyclopedia
Mordecai Barbour was a Culpeper County Militia
officer
during the American Revolutionary War
and a prominent Virginia
statesman
, planter
, and businessperson
. Barbour was the father of John Strode Barbour, Sr.
(August 8, 1790 – January 12, 1855), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 15th congressional district
; and the grandfather of John Strode Barbour, Jr.
(December 29, 1820 – May 14, 1892), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 8th congressional district
and United States Senator; James Barbour
(February 26, 1828 – October 29, 1895), prominent Virginia statesman and planter; and Alfred Madison Barbour
(April 17, 1829 – April 4, 1866), Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory
during John Brown's raid
.
, Virginia
as the eldest son of James Barbour III (1734–1804) and his wife Frances Throckmorton.
in May or June 1781, Barbour joined the Culpeper County Militia
, serving first as a private
, then lieutenant under General Mechlenburg. Barbour's first assignment was to protect Rappahannock Forge
.
Barbour also served under Captain John Nicholas, Captain John Stewart, and Captain John Woodford and under the command of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette. Barbour was with Lafayette at the Battle of Jamestown, then moved onto Williamsburg
and Richmond
. Barbour also participated in the Siege of Yorktown
and conveyed the prisoners to Winchester
. Barbour later attained the rank of major
.
Following the war, Barbour received a pension
for his military service.
s to the making of nail
s. On May 29, 1805, the Virginia Herald carried an advertisement for Barbour's cut nail manufactory in Fredericksburg
, Virginia "where they will sell, Cut and wrought Nails, Brads, Springs, Sadler's Tacks of all sizes." Fredericksburg land tax records from 1805 indicate Barbour rented properties owned by John Brownlow and Charles Julian. Records also indicate Barbour acquired a merchants license in 1806 from George W. B. Spooner, Commissioner of Revenue for the District of Fredericksburg, for the sum of $15. Barbour was a resident of Fredericksburg until 1808 when he relocated to Petersburg
.
in Dinwiddie County
west of Petersburg and operated a mill in its vicinity. In 1819, the Virginia General Assembly
authorized an act permitting Barbour to "receive toll
for passing his bridge
across the Appomattox river
." In addition to the operation of the bridge, Barbour also owned and operated a grist mill four miles from Petersburg on the Appomattox that evolved into an incorporated venture known as the Matoaca Manufacturing Company, which processed grain
and manufactured paper
and cotton
. In 1831, Barbour received a permit for the erection of a 12-feet-wide toll bridge across the Appomattox River at Exeter Mills.
, Barbour wrote a letter to United States President James Madison
on June 28, 1812 in which he volunteered his services to lead a regiment in the United States military. Barbour stated in his letter to President Madison:
factory
near Falmouth
, Virginia, which was instrumental in supplying arms to Virginia's troops during the American Revolutionary War. Strode was reportedly of French Huguenot
descent.
Barbour and Elizabeth had five children:
Following the death of Elizabeth, Barbour married Sally Haskell Byrne. Sally was the widow
of James Byrne of Petersburg
and the mother of Barbour's daughter-in-law, Elizabeth A. Byrne.
, Greene County
, Alabama
on January 4, 1846. He was interred at Bethsalem Cemetery at Bethsalem Presbyterian Church in Boligee.
Culpeper Minutemen
The Culpeper Minutemen was a militia group formed in 1775 in the district around Culpeper, Virginia. Like minutemen in other British colonies, the men drilled in military tactics and trained to respond to emergencies "at a minute's notice."-Organization:...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and a prominent Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
, planter
Plantations in the American South
Plantations were an important aspect of the history of the American South, particularly the antebellum .-Planter :The owner of a plantation was called a planter...
, and businessperson
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
. Barbour was the father of John Strode Barbour, Sr.
John S. Barbour
John Strode Barbour, Sr. was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was the father of John Strode Barbour, Jr...
(August 8, 1790 – January 12, 1855), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 15th congressional district
Virginia's 15th congressional district
Virginia Congressional District 15 is an obsolete congressional district. It was eliminated in 1853 after the 1850 U.S. Census. Its last Congressman was Sherrard Clemens.-List of representatives:-References:*...
; and the grandfather of John Strode Barbour, Jr.
John S. Barbour, Jr.
John Strode Barbour, Jr. was a Representative and a Senator from Virginia. He is best remembered for taking power in Virginia from the short-lived Readjuster Party in the late 1880s, forming the first political machine of "Conservative Democrats", whose power was to last 80 years until the demise...
(December 29, 1820 – May 14, 1892), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 8th congressional district
Virginia's 8th congressional district
Virginia's Eighth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The residents of the 8th District are currently represented by Democratic Congressman Jim Moran, first elected to the 8th's seat in the U.S...
and United States Senator; James Barbour
James Barbour (1828–1895)
James Barbour was a prominent American lawyer, planter, delegate from Virginia to the 1860 Democratic National Convention, delegate to the 1861 Virginia secession convention, and a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and education:Barbour was born on...
(February 26, 1828 – October 29, 1895), prominent Virginia statesman and planter; and Alfred Madison Barbour
Alfred Madison Barbour
Alfred Madison Barbour was a prominent American lawyer, delegate to the 1861 Virginia secession convention, and a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
(April 17, 1829 – April 4, 1866), Superintendent of the Harpers Ferry Armory
Harpers Ferry Armory
Harpers Ferry Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was the second federal armory commissioned by the United States government located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia , the first federal armory being the Springfield Armory located in Springfield,...
during John Brown's raid
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was an attempt by white abolitionist John Brown to start an armed slave revolt by seizing a United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia in 1859...
.
Early life
Mordecai Barbour was born on October 21, 1763 in Culpeper CountyCulpeper County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,262 people, 12,141 households, and 9,045 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile . There were 12,871 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
as the eldest son of James Barbour III (1734–1804) and his wife Frances Throckmorton.
American Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
in May or June 1781, Barbour joined the Culpeper County Militia
Culpeper Minutemen
The Culpeper Minutemen was a militia group formed in 1775 in the district around Culpeper, Virginia. Like minutemen in other British colonies, the men drilled in military tactics and trained to respond to emergencies "at a minute's notice."-Organization:...
, serving first as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
, then lieutenant under General Mechlenburg. Barbour's first assignment was to protect Rappahannock Forge
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...
.
Barbour also served under Captain John Nicholas, Captain John Stewart, and Captain John Woodford and under the command of Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette. Barbour was with Lafayette at the Battle of Jamestown, then moved onto Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
and Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Barbour also participated in the Siege of Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
and conveyed the prisoners to Winchester
Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
. Barbour later attained the rank of major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
.
Following the war, Barbour received a pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
for his military service.
Fredericksburg
Barbour began owning and operating water-powered mills in Culpeper County, two of which were purchased by John Strode. Barbour's manufacturing interests extended from cotton ginCotton gin
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a job formerly performed painstakingly by hand...
s to the making of nail
Nail
Nail may refer to:* Nail , toughened keratin at the end of an animal digit* Nail , a plate of hard horny tissue at the tip of some bird beaks* Nail , the pin-shaped fastener used in engineering, woodworking and construction...
s. On May 29, 1805, the Virginia Herald carried an advertisement for Barbour's cut nail manufactory in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
, Virginia "where they will sell, Cut and wrought Nails, Brads, Springs, Sadler's Tacks of all sizes." Fredericksburg land tax records from 1805 indicate Barbour rented properties owned by John Brownlow and Charles Julian. Records also indicate Barbour acquired a merchants license in 1806 from George W. B. Spooner, Commissioner of Revenue for the District of Fredericksburg, for the sum of $15. Barbour was a resident of Fredericksburg until 1808 when he relocated to Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
.
Petersburg
Prior to his relocation from Fredericksburg, Barbour had previously owned Burlington plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
in Dinwiddie County
Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Dinwiddie County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 28,001. Its county seat is Dinwiddie.- History :...
west of Petersburg and operated a mill in its vicinity. In 1819, the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
authorized an act permitting Barbour to "receive toll
Toll
The word toll has several meanings.Road transportation infrastructure* "Toll" is sometimes used as a synonym for tariff** Toll road, a road for which road usage tolls are charged...
for passing his bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
across the Appomattox river
Appomattox River
The Appomattox River is a tributary of the James River, approximately long, in central and eastern Virginia in the United States, named for the Appomattocs Indian tribe who lived along its lower banks in the 17th century...
." In addition to the operation of the bridge, Barbour also owned and operated a grist mill four miles from Petersburg on the Appomattox that evolved into an incorporated venture known as the Matoaca Manufacturing Company, which processed grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
and manufactured paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
and cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
. In 1831, Barbour received a permit for the erection of a 12-feet-wide toll bridge across the Appomattox River at Exeter Mills.
War of 1812
Following the outbreak of War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Barbour wrote a letter to United States President James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
on June 28, 1812 in which he volunteered his services to lead a regiment in the United States military. Barbour stated in his letter to President Madison:
Marriage and children
Barbour married Elizabeth Strode, daughter of John Strode of "Fleetwood" in Culpeper County. John Strode was master of the gunGun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
near Falmouth
Falmouth, Virginia
Falmouth is an unincorporated community in Stafford County, Virginia, United States. Situated on the north bank of the Rappahannock River at the falls, the community is north of and opposite the city of Fredericksburg. Recognized by the U.S...
, Virginia, which was instrumental in supplying arms to Virginia's troops during the American Revolutionary War. Strode was reportedly of French Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
descent.
Barbour and Elizabeth had five children:
- John Strode BarbourJohn S. BarbourJohn Strode Barbour, Sr. was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was the father of John Strode Barbour, Jr...
(1790–1855) m. Elizabeth A. Byrne- John Strode Barbour, Jr.John S. Barbour, Jr.John Strode Barbour, Jr. was a Representative and a Senator from Virginia. He is best remembered for taking power in Virginia from the short-lived Readjuster Party in the late 1880s, forming the first political machine of "Conservative Democrats", whose power was to last 80 years until the demise...
(1820–1892) m. Susan Sewell Daingerfield (1865) - James BarbourJames Barbour (1828–1895)James Barbour was a prominent American lawyer, planter, delegate from Virginia to the 1860 Democratic National Convention, delegate to the 1861 Virginia secession convention, and a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and education:Barbour was born on...
(1828–1895) m. Fanny Thomas Beckham (1857)- Ella B. Barbour Rixey (born 1858) m. John Franklin Rixey (1881)
- Mary B. Barbour Wallace (born 1860) m. Clarence B. Wallace (1890)
- James Byrne Barbour (1864–1926)
- John Strode BarbourJohn Strode Barbour (1866–1952)John Strode Barbour was a prominent American newspaper editor, lawyer, mayor, and statesman. As the son of James Barbour , Barbour was a scion of the Barbour political family.-Early life and education:...
(1866–1952) m. Mary B. Grimsley (1894) - Edwin Barbour (1868–1902) m. Josie McDonald
- A. Floyd Barbour (born 1868)
- Fanny C. Barbour Beckham (born 1874) m. Benjamin Collins Beckham (1899)
- Alfred Madison BarbourAlfred Madison BarbourAlfred Madison Barbour was a prominent American lawyer, delegate to the 1861 Virginia secession convention, and a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
(1829–1866) m. Kate Daniels (1858)
- John Strode Barbour, Jr.
- Frances Barbour Minor m. Henry Minor
- Ann Barbour Gist m. Thomas Gist
- Maria Barbour Tillinghast Hogan m. Colonel Tillinghast, m. J. B. Hogan
- Mordecai Barbour
Following the death of Elizabeth, Barbour married Sally Haskell Byrne. Sally was the widow
Widow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
of James Byrne of Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
and the mother of Barbour's daughter-in-law, Elizabeth A. Byrne.
Death
Barbour died at "Weston," the residence of his daughter Frances Barbour Minor, in BoligeeBoligee, Alabama
Boligee is a town in Greene County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 369. It is part of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. Boligee has one site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Boligee Hill....
, Greene County
Greene County, Alabama
Greene County is the least populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene of Rhode Island. As of 2010 the population was 9,045...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
on January 4, 1846. He was interred at Bethsalem Cemetery at Bethsalem Presbyterian Church in Boligee.