“Salem Is A Neat Village And Contains 6 Stores…”-“Big Lick, Seven Miles East, Contains A Few Dwellings…”
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
At the time Roanoke County was formed in 1838 the population was about 5,000, of whom about 1500 were slaves. Two years after this county was formed the federal census was taken and it shows that there were 3,843 whites, 1553 slaves, 101 free colored, making a total od 5,449.
In an early history we find the 1840 census of the county summarized and then the following notations:
“Salem, the county seat is in the valley of Virginia, on the west bank of the Roanoke River, 178 miles west of Richmond. The navigation of the Roanoke from Weldon, N.C., 244 miles, is completed by canals, sluices, etc. Salem is a neat village and contains 6 stores, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, and a population of about 450. Big Lick, 7 miles E. of Salem, on the main stage road, contains a Baptist church and a few dwellings. The skeleton of a mammoth was found a few years since in this vicinity. Burlington contains a few dwellings.
“The Botetourt Springs, in the northern part of the county, 12 miles from Fincastle, are quite popular, and the improvements are sufficient to accommodate a large number of visitors. The spring contains sulphur, magnesia, carbonic acid gas, etc.”
From the tabulated returns of the 1840 census, it is noted that tobacco was evidently the main crop at that time since a production of 59,000 pounds was recorded. An important crop was Indian corn since 18,200 bushels were produced according to the report. At that time the growing of livestock had secured a good start as the following summary of livestock was given: cattle, 5,000; sheep, 6,000; swine, 11,000. It will be seen that the number of swine was the combined numbers of sheep and cattle.
A production of the following which is given in bushels was recorded: rye,14,000; oats, 98,000; potatoes, 6,000. Under the column in which cotton was listed was a blank space.
Capital invested in stores was listed as $47,000 while capital in manufacturies was given $40,000. A total of 196 scholars in school was listed.
-Prepared by Lisa King
