![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/odu.jpg)
ODU Community Collections
3000 Perry LibraryKim Snyder
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.
Collection is open to researchers without restrictions.
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Mary Ainsworth Hook
Gift.
The Hodges family arrived in America in the first half of the seventeenth century. Although early records of the family have been lost, it is evident that they settled in the Tidewater region almost from the beginning. The history of the Hodges family and the history of Portsmouth are closely intertwined. The oldest available document is the will of William Hodges, which was written March 19, 1754. The will indicates that William Hodges was a successful planter who owned slaves. His will provides the only valid information on his life. Of his three sons and four daughters, the only one to be mentioned in another family document is Captain John Hodges. He married Lydia Thomas July 4, 1760 and died May 12, 1802. One of his sons, William Hodges, married Sally Deans, and one of their children was John Hodges, the first member of the family of whom any considerable record remains. John Hodges was born December 31, 1786 and died July 31, 1855. During the War of 1812 he rose to the rank of Brigadier General of the 9th Brigade of the Virginia Militia. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1826, and was a supervisor in Norfolk County for the election of presidential and vice-presidential electors in 1832. In addition to these activities, he served an undetermined number of years as Postmaster of Portsmouth until his resignation in 1840. General Hodges bought a tract of land on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, which he called Wildwood. From his farm, he operated a ferry, from which the Hodges Ferry section of Portsmouth derives its name. He also bought land in downtown Portsmouth upon which he built a house that still stands on North Street. Hodges married three times. His first two wives, Ann Carney (d. 1814) and Louise Harrison (d. 1826) both died, Ann childless, and Louise leaving two sons, John H. Hodges and William Henry Harrison Hodges. General Hodges' third marriage, to Jane Adelaide Gregory in 1828, resulted in three children, James Gregory Hodges, Emma Adelaide Hodges, and Margaret Jane Hodges. No references remain concerning the life of the younger John Hodges, except that he married Eliza F. C. Benn in 1842, a marriage that produced three children. It is rather strange that there is no official notice of his death April 27, 1863, since a greater number of letters and other materials survive from that period. The other two sons, William Henry Harrison and James Gregory, are more fully documented. Their lives speak of both the gallantry and the tragedy of the Civil War. James Gregory Hodges (1828-1863) married Sarah A. F. Wilson August 11, 1852, and had two sons, William Wilson Hodges and John Nelson Hodges. At the age of twenty-nine he served as Portsmouth's first mayor when the city was incorporated in 1858. The outbreak of the Civil War saw him active in the first Tidewater skirmish, which resulted in the burning of the Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth. Placed in command of the 14th Virginia Regiment James found himself at Gettysburg in July, 1863. During the famed "Pickett's Charge," in which his regiment participated, James Gregory Hodges was killed when a cannon exploded at his side. The remains of his body were never found. William Henry Harrison Hodges (1824-1880) married Mary A. Griswold May 13, 1856, and had two daughters, Mary Louisa Hodges and Susan Green Hodges. He built a house on Middle Street across from his father's, still standing today. William survived the war, but he did not escape the tragedy of it. As cashier of the Merchants and Mechanics Savings Bank of Portsmouth, he was supposed to comply with the orders of the Union occupation troops under Major General Benjamin Butler. William was only one of five men in the town who refused to take the loyalty oath to the North, and when he did not obey the order to turn over the bank's money to union control, he was arrested and imprisoned from February 1864 until after the war's end. Through his ordeal he remained steadfast in his conviction that obedience to that order would not have been consistent with honor. William had no sons, James' two sons died childless, and from the lack of evidence it appears that the one son of John Hodges also left no descendants. Therefore, at the death of William Wilson Hodges in 1893, the Hodges' line died out. But the memory of their importance to the Portsmouth community survives.
Note written by Kim Snyder
This collection contains correspondence, legal records, genealogical material, photographs, and other documentation of generations of the Hodges family. Although the Hodges line of male descendants ended in 1893, marriages of female descendants have brought the Ainsworth, Armistead, Lindsay, Hook, and Korty families into direct line with the Hodges. Consequently, some of the material contains references to these other families. Most of the collection, however, centers on General John Hodges and two of his sons, Colonel James Gregory Hodges and William Henry Harrison Hodges. Some of the highlights of the collection include Portsmouth during the Civil War, a bill of sale for slaves owned by the family, the list of Confederate prisoners at Camp Hamilton, and copies of photographs of family members.
The collection is organized into thirteen series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Legal Documents; Series III: Financial Records; Series IV: Newspaper Clippings; Series V: Military Papers; Series VI: Publications; Series VII: Genealogical Notes; Series VIII: Certificates; Series IX: Scrapbook; Series X: Cards; Series XI: Photographs; Series XII: Miscellany; and Series XIII: Oversize.
In the correspondence series, separate folders are maintained for General John Hodges, Colonel James Gregory Hodges, William Henry Harrison Hodges (2 folders), and Captain Andrew Ainsworth. Captain Ainsworth was an Englishman who joined the Union forces and served as captain of the port at Hampton Roads during the Union occupation. After the Civil War he remained in the area and one of his descendants married into the Hodges line. Of interest in the series include a letter from James Gregory Hodges to his father requesting marital advice, and William Henry Harrison Hodges' letters to his wife, Mary Abigail Griswold Hodges, and his requests for release from imprisonment.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, General John Hodges, 1826-1827, 1840, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Colonel James Gregory Hodges, 1852-1865, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, William Henry Harrison Hodges to Mary Abigail Hodges, 1859-1864, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Other Correspondence Concerning William Henry Harrison Hodges, 1864, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Captain Andrew Ainsworth, 1865, 1873, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Miscellaneous, 1864, 1904-1906, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Included in this series are deeds of sale showing how General John Hodges acquired Wildwood and other property. Also included are wills, statements, a legal claim, and an 1809 land survey of the Western Branch land that Hodges eventually acquired. Items of special interest include a bill of sale for slaves and the 1754 will of William Hodges.
Includes list of slaves for sale.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Deeds of Sale, 1825-1894, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Contains wills and an indenture
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Legal Documents, 1754-1832, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Notes Concerning Legal Matters, 1805-1838, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Land Survey, 1809, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Claim, 1839, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This is a small series consisting of receipts, a bill, and a promissory note..
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, Receipts, 1815-1858, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 13, Bills, Promissory Note, 1843, 1846, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The newspaper clippings in this series include obituaries, weddings, anniversaries, and varied articles primarily concerning Portsmouth and the Civil War. Also in this series is a copy of the Union occupation force's newspaper, New Regime, from May 30, 1864, and maps of the Union campaign against Richmond from the Philadelphia Enquirer, June 28, 1862, and the New York Herald, July 16, 1862.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 14, Obituaries, 1855-1888, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 15, Weddings, Anniversaries, 1855-1905, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 16, Articles, 1876-1979, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 17, Military Matters, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 18, Richmond Battle Map, Philadelphia Enquirer, 1862 June 28, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 19, Richmond Battle Map, New York Herald, 1862 July 16, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series consists of a few military communications. Included in the series are William Henry Harrison Hodges' notice to report to the Provost Marshall's Office, and his official prison sentence.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 20, General Orders, Notices, Passes, 1828, 1862-1863, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 21, Prison Sentence for William Henry Harrison Hodges and List of Prisoners at Camp Hamilton, 1864, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series consits of publications owned by members of the Hodges family.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 22, Outline of Scripture Geography and Accompanying Atlas by J.E. Worcester, 1828, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 23, The Communicants' Manual owned by Sarah A.F. Wilson Hodges, 1849, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series is a collection of various notes written by family members that give insight into family history. In some instances, personal information is revealed that cannot be found in any of the other documents.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 24, Genealogical Information, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Three certificates comprise this series: a marriage certificate for William Henry Harrison Hodges and Mary Abigail Griswold, and the baptismal certificates for their daughters.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 25, Baptismal Certificates, 1858-1863, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 26, Marriage Certificate for William Henry Harrison Hodges & Mary Abigail Griswold, 1856, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Most of the photocopied items are newspaper obituaries and articles. The obituaries in this series provide details on the Hodges family, as well as the Ainsworth, Armistead, and Lindsay families.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 27, Photocopied Pages of Newspaper Obituaries and Articles, 1890-1916, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The series includes Valentines, New Year's cards, and other cards. Some of the cards are attributed to Mary A. Griswold and Susan Hodges.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 28, New Year's Cards, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 29, Valentines, 1839, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 30, Miscellaneous, 1836, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Most of the items in this series are photographic prints of earlier prints, paintings, and daguerreotypes. Included are members of the Hodges-Ainsworth-Armistead-Lindsay line. Turn-of- the-century photographs of Portsmouth's Confederate Monument and Trinity Episcopal Church and a later photograph of the house William Henry Harrison Hodges built are also included.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 31, Letter from Governor John Floyd to General John Hodges, 1832, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 32, Children of General John Hodges-William Henry Harrison, James Gregory, and Margaret Jane, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 33, Mary Abigail Griswold Hodges and ring made for her by William Henry Harrison Hodges, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 34, Mary Louisa Hodge Armistead, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 35, Green-Griswold Family, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 36, Margaret Wall Ainsworth, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 37, Robert Jefferson Armistead and the Armistead Coat of Arms, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 38, Ambrose Harvey and Adelaide Charles Lindsay and the Lindsay Coat of Arms, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 39, Descendants of the Hodges-Ainsworth-Armistead-Lindsay Families, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 40, Downtown Portsmouth, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 41, Unidentified Man, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series includes a lithograph, invitations, and fragments of documents.
Lithograph by Alfred Crowquill featuring a little girl on a stool surrounded by a dog and a baby.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 42, The Nose Out of Joint Lithograph, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 43, Invitation and Fragments of Documents, 1829, 1859, undated, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
This series includes an indenture of Arthur and Mary Ann Emerson to John Hodges, as well as a prayer book owned by Sarah A.F. Wilson Hodges.
[Identification of item and date], Series XIII, Oversize Folder 1, Oversize Items, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Indenture of Arthur and Mary Ann Emmerson to John Hodges, 1830, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Newspaper Clipping: Jaycees to Restore Cemetery's Serenity, Currents, 1979 June 5-6, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Judge Crocker's Address on Col. Hodges, Portsmouth Star, 1909 June 19, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
General Orders, Richmond Dispatch, 1867 March, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The New Regime, 1864 May 30, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Battle Map, Philadelphia Enquirer, 1862 June 28, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Battle Map, New York Herald, 1862 July 16, Oversize Folder 1, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Prayer Book Owned by Sarah A.F. Wilson Hodges, 1849, Box 2, Hodges Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.