Historical Reminiscing with Robert B. Hitchings
A Good Samaritan of Norfolk, Virginia
Several weeks ago after looking at the documentary on Thomas Jefferson by Ken Burns on our PBS station, I was curious how our two local newspapers reacted to the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both Presidents of the United States. Both men died on the same day, July 4th 1826, our 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our country quickly went into mourning. Twenty states, local churches and city halls had funerals for this two famous men. July 4th celebrations became a day of sadness and mourning on the 50th anniversary of our country. And many locals were seen wearing black arm bands and black shawls to show respect for these two great presidents known as fathers of our country.
As I was looking at the American-Beacon and the Norfolk & Portsmouth Herald, two popular newspapers of our area, I quickly noticed the heavy black lines separating the columns, a sign in those days of mourning. I could not help noticing another article, a much smaller article tucked away on the second page near the bottom of the Norfolk Portsmouth Herald. It was this small article that caught my eyes and prompted this article.
A man named Josey Bucknam (1793-1846), a native of Massachusetts, was featured. This man who sold Utensils & Real-Estate was living in the Borough of Norfolk with his family on Market Square, near where our Waterside stands today. In 1844 he was also dealing with peanuts at his store. Most likely his business was on the ground floor and he and his family lived upstairs, like so many merchants in the 19th century. He was just an ordinary citizen of the Borough of Norfolk who happened to stop by to see Captain Butler.
According to the American Commercial Beacon, Norfolk & Portsmouth Daily Advertiser, July 17th 1826, Captain Butler of the sloop, Norfolk Packet told Norfolk authorities about this young passenger. It seems that on the second day out to sea the young man became suddenly violently deranged. Without any previous indications of any disorder, his mind was completely gone. This young 22-year old got out of his cabin window, where he was found half conscience hanging onto the rudder of the ship with one hand. Captain Butler and a crewmen quickly stepped in saving this young man’s life and he was quickly confined to his cabin under lock & key. During the night the other passengers could hear fits of violence in his cabin.
Josey Bucknam, responding to aid Captain Butler, decided with his wife to bring the young man, a stranger, into their home. They quickly made a special bed for their new patient and immediately called the doctors.
According to the newspaper article, the best medical treatment that our town offered was administered. Mrs. Elizabeth Bucknam (1795-1870?) quickly soothed the young man’s brow with cool compresses. News spread through the Borough of Norfolk and many residents questioned Mr. Bucknam’s decision for doing this kind act. People worried that his young man could bring a horrible disease into the Buckram house that could spread and wipe out his entire family, but also the whole Borough of Norfolk.
This young man lived only 10 days in the Bucknam’s home where he was subject to violence and fits and had to be restrained. He died on the 16th July 1826.
Who was this young man, a stranger, that landed here in Norfolk, Virginia? In the dead man’s pouch (cloth handbag) were papers revealing his true identity. He was Alden Emmons, 22 years old, a native of Woodstock, Vermont. It appears in his papers that he was on his way to Sampson, North Carolina, for a position as a teacher in one of their local academies. A diploma was found from the University of Vermont testifying that he had graduated in August 1825. Also, a letter was found from a John P. Richardson, Esq., a lawyer in Woodstock, Vermont, where this young student was interested in studying law.
On August 29th 1826, a letter, A CARD of THANKS` appeared in the American Commercial Beacon, Norfolk & Portsmouth Daily Advertiser. The letter was written from Abel Emmons, the father of Alden Emmons, to Mr. Josey Bucknam & family stating how much he and his family appreciated his kind service to their son and especially was making sure that their son had a proper Christian burial.
Jose Bucknam died around the early part of 1847. He had recently buried his only son, Otis F. Bucknam (Market Square) who died November 7th 1846. According to the newspaper, he died of heart disease. Otis was only 21 years old.
Unfortunately, in our old Cedar Grover cemetery on Princess Anne Road, you will not find the name of Alden Ammons nor that of Josey & Elizabeth Bucknam or any members of the Bucknam family due to missing cemetery records over the years. And without a tombstone it is difficult to find their exact graves. But they rest here quietly with many unidentified citizens of Norfolk, Virginia.
Mr. & Mrs. Bucknam of the Borough of Norfolk were both truly good Samaritans who unselfishly and compassionately helped others in distress, going beyond what’s expected or required of them. They were just good people.
VIRGINIA CHRONICLE
American Commercial Beacon and Norfolk
& Portsmouth Daily Advertiser
Volume 23, Number 49
29 August 1826From the Woodstock (Vermont) Observer
A CARD
Mr. ABEL EMMONS, being under the greatest obligation to Mr. JONAS BUCKNAM, of Norfolk, Virginia, wishes to express his gratitude to him for his kindness to his son when sick--(he being forsaken by the two young men that were in company with him) taking care of him until his death, and giving him Christian Burial, without any expectation of a reward of this world's goods--Such an act of charity and humanity is worthy the Christian, and his reward is sure hereafter.
Robert B. Hitchings is a seventh generation Norfolk resident, graduating with an Associate's Degree in Biology from Old Dominion University and BA in history from Virginia Wesleyan University. During his studies he was awarded a scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, and he was an exchange student at Brooks-Westminster College, Oxford, England. From 1999-2014 he worked as head of the Sargeant Memorial History Room at Norfolk Public Library, and since then has headed the Wallace History Room at Chesapeake Public Library. He is also the President of the Norfolk County Historical Society, and for six years was a columnist for The Virginian-Pilot. Robert may be reached at nchs.wallaceroom@gmail.com
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