Pictorial History

of

Bedford County,

Virginia

Page Two

• Colonial Rule

In 1634 the Colony of Virginia was divided into eight areas which were governed much like the English Shires. Lieutenants were appointed to keep an eye on  the  Hostile  Indians. Sheriffs, sergeants, bailiffs and other officials were elected to enforce the law and administer the government.

One of the Shires was named Warroequysak but this unpronounceable name was abandoned on 1639 when the area was divided into the counties of Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Nanosecond.  In 1652, Surry County, adjoining Isle of Wight, was formed, and in 1720 portions of these two were set apart and made up the County of Brunswick.   Lunenburg County was formed from Brunswick in 1746.  

In 1753 Bedford County was formed from Lunenburg by an act of the House of Burgesses, or Virginia Assembly, which became effective in May, 1754.  Bedford County was named in honor of John Russell, the fourth Duke of Bedford, who was Secretary of State of Great Britain from 1748 to 1757

Peaks of Otter Area

• First Settlers  

The county was originally composed of people coming from England and Scotland with smaller numbers of Germans, Welch, Irish and French. Among the early pioneers are found the names, Thomas & John Markham, Joseph Fuqua, Charles Burr Lowry,  William  and  Richard Callaway, Robert Charles  & Richard Ewing,  Mathew Talbot, John Smith, Robert Page, Joshua Early and William Bramblett.

  These families settled near New London.  The establishment of a Court in a New County was of primary importance and the first action taken. At the time of the formation of Bedford County,  the  House  of Burgesses provided, "that the court for the county be constantly held by the justices thereof, upon the Fourth Monday in every Month."

This is My Family Who Are Direct Descendants

of

John Markham & John Calhoun Lee

B. R. Markham & Jane C. Lee Markham

Family Reunion 1911, Lowry, Va.

B. R. Markham Genealogy Report

• First Court

The First Court was held May 27, 1754, near Forest, Va. at the home of Mathew Talbot, one of the justices, and continued   there   until November 1754. It then moved to a rude structure built by William Calloway, also a member of the court, five miles  south of  Mathew Talbot's home and served for court until July 23, 1766, when the court ordered that the land in this area be laid out into half-acre lots and a town by the name of   New London he established there. The name reflected the loyal feelings most of the colonists had at that time for the Mother Country.  

Colonel William Callaway one of the original settlers of Bedford County Donator of Land for First County Seat at  New London.