Crozet, Claudius, 1790-1864

An act of the General Assembly passed February 6, 1826, revived and amended "an act incorporating a company for the purpose of improving the navigation of the North Anna River." These field notes are a result of the action.

From the description of North Anna River Survey field notes, 1827. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122601612

From the description of North Anna River Survey field notes, 1827. (Library of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 302278635

The Board of Public Works directed Claudius Crozet to survey a canal route between the Roanoke River and the James River. His report concludes that the general assumption of an easy connection cannot be supported.

From the description of James River to Roanoke River Canal field notes, 1828. (Library of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 301709891

The Board of Public Works initiated a survey from Harrisonburg to Beverly as a preliminary study to determine the best route. Because the course of the road crosses a number of mountains and ridges plus branches of the Potomac River, there are considerable obstacles.

From the description of Harrisonburg to Beverly Turnpike field notes, 1828. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122464570

The Board of Public Works requested a survey of the route between Luray and Staunton to determine the need for an improved road. Crozet concluded the need was justified, with an estimated cost of $500 per mile or $830,500 for the 61 miles.

From the description of Luray to Staunton Turnpike field notes, 1839. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122368133

Prepatory surveys and examinations were made in 1823. Acts of the General Assembly were passed Marched 5, 1824 (appropriating funds) and February 13, 1826, directing a road to be laid out from Staunton to the Mouth of Riffle's Run in Randolph County.

From the description of Staunton to Riffle's Run field notes, 1826. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86104860

The Board of Public Works directed Claudius Crozet to survey the route from Lynchburg to Lexington as a preliminary study for construction of a turnpike, in which he examines the alternative routes through the Blue Ridge, by Robertson's Gap, or the James River Canal.

From the description of Lynchburg to Lexington Turnpike field notes, 1827. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122538719

An act of the General Assembly passed February 2, 1824, directed a survey be made to determine the route for a road from Staunton, by way of Warm Springs, to the State Turnpike road at Callaghan's, and any other route that might be preferable.

From the description of Staunton to Callaghan's Turnpike field notes, 1825. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122487810

Harrison's Bar, opposite Harrison's Point at Berkeley, on the James River, formed the only obstruction to navigation for merchant ships up to Warwick. The survey was undertaken to determine a method of procuring safe navigation for large vessels.

From the description of Harrison's Bar on the James River field notes, 1826. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122553174

The Board of Public Works directed Claudius Crozet to survey the Mattaponi River to determine the need for any improvements to navigation on this very winding river.

From the description of Mattaponi River Survey field notes, 1826. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122555514

An act of the General Assembly passed March 29, 1837, directed that a survey be made of the route from Warrenton to New Market, for the purpose of determining the best route for a turpike road.

From the description of Warrenton to New Market Turnpike field notes, 1837. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122481522

The Board of Public Works initiated a survey of the Little Kanawha River to determine the need for improvements.

From the description of Little Kanawha River Survey field notes, 1838. (Library of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 301808377

From the description of Little Kanawha River Survey field notes, 1838. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86172316

Robert William Hughes was born at Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan County, Va. in 1821. His parents died in 1822 and he was raised by Edward C. Carrington and Eliza Preston Carrington. He attended Caldwell Institute, Greensboro, N. C. and studied law in Fincastle, Va. He married Eliza M. Johnston, niece of Joseph E. Johnston and the adopted daughter and niece of John B. Floyd. Hughes' son was Robert Morton Hughes. Robert William Hughes was a newspaper editor and federal district attorney. Involved in post Civil War Republican Party politics, he was nominated for governor of Virginia and for Congress but did not win. He was appointed judge of the federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

• 16 Jan. 1821: Born at Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan Co., Va.,the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Woodson (Morton) Hughes.
• 1822: Both parents died, and Hugheswas raised by Gen. Edward C. Carringtonand his wife, Eliza(Preston) Carringtonof Halifax Co., Va.(family relationship not known).
• Ca. 1833 - 1837 : "put to the carpenter's trade in Princeton, N.J."
• Ca. 1837 - 1838 : Attended Caldwell Institute,Greensboro, N.C.
• Ca. 1839: Tutor, Bingham High School,Hillsboro, N.C.
• 1843: Studied law, Fincastle, Va.
• 1846: Began practice of law, Richmond, Va.
• 4 June 1850: Married Eliza M. Johnston,(1825-1908), niece of Gen. Joseph E. Johnstonand niece and adopted daughter of John Buchananand Sarah (Preston) Floyd.
• 1850: Began writing editorials for the Richmond Examiner.
• 1853 - 1857 : Editor of the Richmond Examinerwhile regular editor in Europe.
• 1855: Birth of son, Robert Morton Hughes.
• 1857 - 1861 : Editor of the Washington Union,and lived in home of Secretary of War John Buchanan Floyd.
• 1861: Birth of son, Floyd Hughes(2 other children died young)
• 1861: Because of "chronic disease" retired to a farm near Abingdon, Va.,where General and Mrs. Floyd1ived with the Hughes family.
• 1861 - 1864 : Wrote for the Richmond Examiner,showing hostility toward Jefferson Davis' administration.
• 1865 - 1866 : Edited the Richmond Republic,and generally pursued a course that considered "nimble"
• 1868: Delegate to National Democratic Convention.
• 1869 - 1870 : Editor of the Richmond State Journal.
• Ca. 1870: Wounded William E. Cameronin a duel.
• 1872: Named federal district attorney by Grant administration.
• 1872: Nominated for Congressbut did not win.
• 1873: Nominated for Governor of Virginiabut did not win.
• 1874: Named Judge of federal court for the Eastern District of Va.
• 1898: Resigned judgeship.
• 1901: Died at Abingdon, Va.

Dictionary of American Biography

From the guide to the Inventory of the Robert William Hughes Papers, 1818-1900, (Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary)