History & Heritage

Something must have been very unique about Southampton’s African community as during the first quarter of the 19th century four men of African descent, born just a few years and miles apart, took different paths to find freedom from the oppressive conditions of slavery. Nat Turner, Anthony Gardiner, Dred Scott, and John ‘Fed’ Brown challenged existing norms and, in doing so, enflamed the nation’s slavery debate which resulted in its abolition.  Each of these stories are profound reflections from four men from Southampton County. They were all freedom fighters and their efforts changed American politics and began the march toward emancipation.

The final installment of the 2015 farming series about the process and history of farming in Franklin Southampton comes to a close after the last cover crop has been sown. This year's crops and farmers have seen the good, the bad and the ugly of farming. 

Rain all weekend has been the forecast for several days now.  Fall harvest was just moving into full swing and now a delay.  With a strong northeast wind blowing last night, I could hear the familiar hums of peanut combines and cotton pickers in the distance; they were racing to gobble up as much crop as possible before showers fell just after midnight.

The Visit Franklin Southampton VA blog series "Cultivating the Crop: A Series about the Process and History of Farming in Franklin and Southampton" provides readers with an inside look into the entire farming process from the view of one of our own, local farmers. This month's blog take a look at the beauty and complexity of Mother Nature and how her presence or lack there of plays a major hand in the success of our local farming industry.

In Southampton County and Franklin, VA, the “boys of spring” don’t wear pinstripes and cleats, but rather John Deere hats and work boots.  If you compare local agriculture to a baseball game, the National Anthem on opening day is playing as you read this.  There has been some corn planted in the area but as a percentage to the crop, as a whole, we will compare that to preseason scrimmages.