Tidewater news by Clyde Parker Sept. 15, 1917
First Lieutenant Franklin Edwards, who left Franklin with Company “I” in April has been promoted to Major Henry Johnson’s staff in the Fourth Regiment with the rank of First Lieutenant. Lt. Edwards is a graduate of Wake Forest College and studied for two years at Johns Hopkins University. His father, Colonel L.R. Edwards, is a veteran of the Civil War and the Spanish-American War and is one of the most gallant and patriotic of men.
Southampton Co. Court Order Book 1835-39: [p.] 16At a Court held for Southampton on the 21st day of September 1835_ Present James Clayton Saml.B. Hines } Jeptha Darden and William A. Spark} Gent: Littleton R. Edwards is unanimously appointed Clerk pro tempore to until a Clerk Shall be appointed to supply the vacancy created by the death of James Rochelle esqr. late Clerk_ - Ordered that the Sheriff Summon all the acting Justices of the Peace for this County to the first day of October Court next to elect a Clerk to Supply the vacancy created by the death of James Rochelle esquire late Clerk of this Court.
Southampton Co. Court Order Book 1835-39: [p.] 21
Ordered that the Court be adjourned till the first day of the next Term_
The minutes of the foregoing proceedings were Signed by James Clayton.
Teste L.R. Edwards Clk P.T.
At a Court held for Southampton on Monday the 19th day of October 1835.
Present Jeremiah Cobb. James D. Massenburg, William Briggs, George A.C. Barham,
Samuel Drwery, Jesse Parker. Nicholas M Sebrell. Solomon D Parker. Robert T. Mus=
grave, Samuel B Hines .Benjamin Griffin, James Clayton, Jacob Barnes. Benjamin
L. Drew and Joseph T. Claud. Gent:
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The Court proceeded to elect a Clerk to Supply the vacancy created by the death of James
Rochelle esquire late Clerk of this Court and upon taking the vote of the Court viva voce Littleton
R. Edwards was unanimously elected. Whereupon the said Littleton R. Edwards was declared duly
elected Clerk of this Court for the term of Seven years next ensuing; and thereupon the said Littleton
R. Edwards together with Augustus Claiborne, Edwards Butts. John Y Mason and Samuel B Hines
his Securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of three thousand dollars conditioned
as the law directs which bond is ordered to be recorded. The said Littleton R. Edwards also took
the oath of fidelity to the Commonwealth. the oath to Support the Constitution of the United States,
the oath against duelling and the oath of Office -
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Littleton R. Edwards Clerk of this Court together with Augustus Claiborne, Edwards Butts,
John Y Mason and Samuel B Hines his Securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the
penalty of three thousand dollars conditioned for his faithful accounting for and paying into the public
treasury in the manner prescribed by Law, the taxes on law process &c. and all the public memos which
may come into his hands during his continuance in Office, which bond is ordered to be recorded_
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[...]
Major L. R. Edwards, a prominent citizen of this county, and clerk of the County and Circuit Courts, died last night at 8 o'clock, in the eighty-third year of his age. He was born in Brunswick county, in June, 1800, and was deputy clerk of that county for seven years. He came to this county in 1826, and, upon the high recommendation of Judge Mason, Mr. James Rochelle, at that time clerk of the county, employed him as his deputy, which position he held till the death of Mr. Rochelle, in 1835. In the same year he was elected by a large and popular vote to succeed Mr. Rochelle. He performed the responsible and arduous duties of his office with honor and credit both to himself and the county up to the time of his death. He had been in bad health for a number of years, but was able to attend to his business within a day or two of death. He seemed to be fully aware of his approaching end, as he sent for his physician about ten days ago, and told him to be candid with him and tell him exactly how long he had to live; that he had important business to transact before he died, and wanted to know how much time he had. He passed away so calmly and quietly that the persons sitting in the room could scarcely realize that he had ceased to breathe. Major Edwards possessed a high order of intellect. His reasoning was sound, dexterous, and acute; his thoughts striking and original, and his imagination vivid. He had a wonderful memory, and was so thoroughly familiar with statutory law that he was often consulted by able lawyers who practiced at this bar. He was universally popular, and died honored and loved by all who know him. The county has lost a worthy and able officer, and one whose place it will be hard to fill. Judge Barrett will appoint a clerk to fill the unxpired [sic] term.
5th Clerk of Courts for Southampton County VA, for 48 yrs. 1835 until his 1883 death; prior Deputy Clerk beginning 1827 for Southampton's 20 yrs. Clerk James Rochelle; prior Deputy Clerk for Brunswick County VA Maj Littleton Richard Edwards Birth 6 Jun 1800 Brunswick County, Virginia, USA Death 25 Mar 1883 (aged 82) Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia, USA Burial Riverside Cemetery Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia, USA Plot 17 Episcopal Church Section (oldest section) Maj. L.R. EDWARDS & Joseph Brown PRINCE are buried in the Episcopal Section of Riverside Cemetery, Courtland- EDWARDS, with James ROCHELLE's son James Henry, in Plot 17, and PRINCE in Plot 11. Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, Riverside list: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/riverside.txt See his obituary here
findagrave https://books.google.com/books?id=jUNEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA958&lpg=PA958&dq=Major+L.+R.+Edwards,+a+prominent+citizen+of+this+county&source=bl&ots=UPBWcaaX2u&sig=ACfU3U20GSdr4tJ7hrThSHXwEuNUSP4r1g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj6jKn94eLqAhXJJt8KHak3DEYQ6AEwE3oECDIQAQ#v=onepage&q=L.%20R.%20Edwards&f=false Luit Col. L R Edwards, U S Army, Spanish Americar War who previosly served as a Luit in the Confederate Army. Parents were Jordan and Susan (Clanton) edwards Brother of Indianna V edwards and William Edwards