Peninsula In Passage

Mills Gristmills were vital to farmers in the Driver area who raised corn for their own use and as a major market crop. Mills were also community gathering spots, where local news passed among farmers and their families. The Granbery Land Grant map shows a mill run located on the tobacco plantation of John Granbery. The run powered nearby Jordan’s Mill in 1675, Hargrove’s Mill in 1733 and later Hatton’s Mill in 1812. Mills were typically about ten miles apart, enabling farmers to travel to the nearest mill and return home in a day’s wagon ride. Jasper Lee Brabson operated one of the last gristmills grinding bran and meal from corn in Pughsville between 1948 and 1959. Mills were an important strategic resource during wartime and were often captured or destroyed by invading forces. Hall’s Mill, on the “main road” about ten miles east of Driver, saw Revolutionary and Civil War skirmishes. Revolutionary War – Sites in Suffolk On May 10, 1779, during the Revolutionary War, a British expeditionary force commanded by Gen. Edward Matthews disembarked in Portsmouth to capture the major Tidewater Virginia towns. About 200 Nansemond County militia troops under Col. Willis Riddick responded, assembled in Suffolk and marched toward Portsmouth. The soldiers camped in a field in front of Capt. James Murdaugh’s house on the night of May 11, while several officers slept in nearby dwellings. Murdaugh’s house was located near the site of present day Nansemond River High School. A British advance party surprised two captains at Hargrove’s Tavern a mile east, killing one. The militia retreated to Suffolk and later dispersed as the British advanced and burned Suffolk town on May 13, 1779. At the time of the Revolutionary War there were many slaves in the Virginia State Navy. James Barron, Captain of the brig Liberty wrote in his post–war memoirs - Harry, a slave of Capt. John Cowper’s of Bennett Creek, distinguished himself for his zeal and daring on all occasions. Cupid, a slave of Mr. Ballard’s stood faithful on all occasions as a champion of liberty, and discharged his duties at all times with a fidelity that made him a favorite of all the officers of the ship, both of those men serving on the brig Liberty. The Liberty was the only vessel in the Virginia State Navy that was not captured in the war. The British raided the shipyard at Gosport and destroyed stores and unfinished vessels. In 1780 a fleet carrying British troops successfully penetrated up the James River, reaching as far as Richmond. A fleet of more than 20 of the state’s ships followed, and in a one-sided engagement in April 1781, the British captured 12 and the

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