Peter Livingston Barker and Mendota, Virginia

Here’s a picture of my father’s father, Peter Livingston Barker. I’m hoping that I can get more information on him soon, but for now, here he is. He’s pictured with his sisters.

Peter Livingston Barker and sisters

I was at my cousin Julia’s a couple of years ago, and my other cousin, Forrest Barker (called Brother Barker), referred to Peter Livingston Barker as someone who liked to write or speak.  Maybe so…read on what he said about Mendota, Virginia. So hopeful…I’m mixed as to whether I’m sad that little or none of what he talked about is here or perhaps I’m grateful.

Here’s what I found on the internet (and you know the deal…if it is on the internet, it must be true! Ha!) that my grandfather wrote. Courtesy New River Notes Web Page by Jeff Weaver: An Economic and Social Survey of Washington County, Virginia. University of Virginia Record Extension Series Vol. XVII, No. 6, December, 1932 by Ben Bane Dulaney

Mendota

By P. L. Barker

Mendota is situated on the North Fork of Holston River, in the west end of Washington County, Virginia, about half way between Bristol and Gate City, opposite the noted Kinderhook Farm and immediately on the Southern Railway.

The excellent river-bottom lands at Mendota were patented by the Commonwealth to Thomas Kendrick, William Todd Livingston and others, and the home of Peter Livingston was but a short distance below Mendota at the time the noted half-breed Benge made his raid thereon in the year 1794, burning the homestead and carrying off the wife of Peter Livingston. After several days hot pursuit the Indians were overtaken, the savage Benge was killed at long range by Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs. Mrs. Livingston was struck with a tomahawk by an Indian and left for dead-the remaining Indians fleeing-but after being senseless about an hour was revived by the rescue party.

The river-bottom land opposite Mendota, some time previous to 1860, became the property of Adam Hickman, a native of Kinderhook, N. Y. Upon his acquisition of this property, he gave it the name of Kinderhook, and from this farm Kinderhook magisterial district derived its name.

The post office at this point was for many years Kinderhook, but the name was changed to Mendota by Henry C. Holley, who for many years was a merchant at the place.

Hamilton Institute was established at Mendota in the year, 1874. It drew a large, earnest and determined patronage from the Cumberlands on the north to the Blue Ridge Mountains on the south, and is said to have sent more Christian young men and women into the professional and common walks of life than any other institution of learning of its class in its wide territory.

As to the old settlers, it may be remarked that it was no ordinary people who pushed the frontiers back and settled this section. They were of the best stock that Virginia had to offer, and were as high-minded and far-seeing as they were brave and adventurous.

Mendota is the center of the glass sand industry in Virginia. It has one of the finest deposits of silica, used in the manufacture of glassware, pottery, etc., in the United States, said to be inexhaustible in quantity. While industrial development at present is in its infancy, the great number and variety of natural resources, the place being touched by a river and great trunk line railway, it is destined to increase greatly. At present there is considerable prospecting for oil and gas in this vicinity. The town has two flour mills, planing and lumber mills, five stores, and is served by a high-powered electric line, the East Tennessee Light and Power Company, a subsidiary of Cities Service.

The Blue Grass Trail, State Highway No.42, has lately been constructed into the town.

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23 thoughts on “Peter Livingston Barker and Mendota, Virginia”

  1. Pat Gardner

    Where did you find this picture? I’ve seen it before but can’t recall where. I’d like to have a copy of it, please. Do you know his sister’s names and which one was which? The girl on the left looks a little like Nancy, doesn’t she?
    I can backtrack a little about the Benge incident. It would help corroborate what Peter wrote. Russ knows the history inside and out about Benge and he took me to Wilderness Trail Park for one of the reenactments regarding a Benge raid. Sorry to say, I have no mind, and did not pay close attention. I’ll make him take me again and I’ll pay attention this time.
    I’ll make a trip to Abingdon to get the census about him next Saturday and trade that info for a copy of the pic. The census should have the names of his sisters, too. Do you have the pic dated?
    Unless, I get to go on a doggie transport drive. If I get to do that, then it will be Saturday after next before I get the census. Yes, if I get to go, Sophie is going with me. I was asked and I really want to go, but I can’t take time off from the new position, so I may not be able to do it if my schedule doesn’t work with theirs. We’ll see.

    1. Eva Post author

      Pat..I have a copy that apparently was intended for you and I never gave it to you as I didn’t open the envelope. Nancy has one in her stairway.

      I found things on the census online…Susan knows who the two sisters are in the picture. I believe one is Martha and one is Sarah/Sallie — I’m going from memory on what I was told over a year ago.

      1870 Washington County Census Kinderhook Township Household 336.
      Barker William 50 MW Miller $3000-$3000
      Lucinda 37 FW Keeping house
      Rebecca 20 FW Domestic
      Abramn 17 MW Laborer
      Francis 15 MW Laborer
      Peter 13 MW at home
      Martha 10 FW
      Sarah 3 FW

      1880 Census Kinderhook District Washington County Household 344:
      Barker William WM 59 Farmer VA
      Lucinda WF 50 Wife VA
      Francis WM 25 Son Tend Saw Mill VA
      Peter L. WM 22 Son Tend Saw Mill VA
      Martha C. WF 19 Dau Home VA
      Mary WF 16 Dau Home VA
      Sallie WF 13 Dau Home VA

  3. Erin McLeaish

    That is so neat! Cory saw that on Facebook tonight and read the story out loud to me. Very interesting to think of what little ole Mendota used to be like back in the day. So, correct me if I’m wrong… that is your grandfather? But it looks like I’m seeing he was thriteen years old in 1870??

    1. Eva Post author

      Hi Erin — Thank you for commenting and reading. It is fun to read this because it was in his voice. Give Cory a hug for me! I’m trying to win another quilt for him!

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  5. joann vicars

    my bro in law knows a lot about benge. he actually went and traced his path over in wise co the best he could. he knows a lot about it. that is my sister patsys hubby. have you ever heard of dr fleeor? i believe big stone gap. he came to mendota 20 yrs ago and talked about chief benge and the rest.

    2. Eva Post author

      Joann…yes – I do remember Dr. Lawrence Fleenor. He came to the library and did a talk on Benge when Jennifer of Kathy had the library. Everyone loved him. That’s been about 10-12 years ago.

  6. Ken hlucky

    I was wondering if you ever knew a friend of my fathers who was named jack barker he was in the construction business as was my dad in my early childhood we stayed the summer at jacks farm I believe it was in Mendota but not sure my father has since passed away would like to bring my family down but don’t know if it’s the right location.

    1. Eva Post author

      Ken

      Yes…Jack Barker was my third cousin. His daughter, Julia, now owns the farm. The land where my house sits actually was purchased from Jack and joined up with the farm at one time. Jack was a wonderful man. When we first bought this land and built the house, we’d call him to tell him his cows were out and he’d come herd them with a Mercedes. He was one of a kind!! Where are you now?

  7. Neely Branstetter

    Hello! I have been doing family research for my boyfriend Shane Talbott. Shane’s mother was a Barker and all my research has lead me to Mendota. When I put in a search about Mendota this came up. He must have been part of the Shane’s family somewhere. I would love to chat with you sometime if you don’t mind. We are from Oklahoma.

    1. Eva Post author

      Neely
      It is good to hear from you. Do you know what Shane’s mother’s first name is and what her parents’ names are? I am a Barker, and most of us are related here.

      1. Neely Branstetter

        Nice to meet you as well! Shane’s mother is Mary Lou Barker. Her parents where Charles Lawrence and Fanny Jane Barker. I believe he was born in Mendota. His parents were Sherwood Sheridan and Mollie Esse Barker. Mollie Esse was originally Moon. Both born in Mendota I think and Sherwoods father was Flanders Barker born and died in Mendota. I have a lot of info and some pictures if you would like to email me you can. My email is neelyhayes@gmail.com I am so excited to hear more!

        Thanks so much!

        1. Eva Post author

          Hey Neely..I’m going to forward this information to my sister and cousin. Will be back in touch when I know a little more. Feel free to follow up with me anytime!

          Eva

          1. Neely Branstetter

            Ok that would be great! I will keep checking periodically to read your posts. Thanks again!

            Neely

  8. Melanie

    whoa! Just came across this from a Google search! I am ggggranddaughter of William Todd Livingston and have been researching this Indian attack for quite some time. This just blew my mind! Thank you!

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  10. Ana Smith

    We are working on purchasing a home in Mendota near the old Hamilton school, we’ve been told it was a prominent piece of mendota at some time it was built in 1935 and is so beautiful. Trying to research the home and area of Mendota and stumbled upon this. Beautiful history.

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