Truckin' on the Western Branch

WESTERN BRANCH In 1963 in the midst of a flurry of local annexations, Norfolk County and the City of South Norfolk merged to create the City of Chesapeake. It was a momentous, if not always popular, event in the lives of Churchland-area residents. Boundaries were drawn, often seemingly haphazardly, as residents struggled with their options. Portsmouth? Chesapeake? Churchland Schools? Western Branch Schools?

Susan Comer summed up the feelings of many people in the area, “Western Branch is a made-up name—it’s still Churchland to us.”

Realtors Pat and Frank Orgain agreed. “We live in Western Branch, but we tell people Churchland.”

Reese Johnson Reese Johnson still lives in the house off Poplar Hill Road where he and his two brothers, Thomas and Robert, grew up. Early planter John Wise built the house with hand made clay bricks about 1805 and Johnson’s grandfather bought it about 1907. Reese and his wife, Alisa, are restoring the house known as Brick House Farm.

Produce labeling stencils. Image by Sheally

My grandfather, Moffat Oscar Johnson, was from Craney Island and came to Churchland to serve an apprenticeship in farming. He was the oldest of seven children. He had a chance to own the farm that is now the Lilley farm or the Poplar Hill farm, and he chose Poplar Hill that borders Stearns Creek. He farmed 176 acres, some of it where Province Place is now. He died in 1936 at 56, broke like many of other farmers because he owed money to the fertilizer and seed companies. Daddy, Robert Worthington Johnson Sr., got the farm straight and bought back the house at auction

Reese Johnson. Image by Sheally

Brick House Farm, built by John Wise in 1805. Image by Sheally

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