Philpott Family History
Descendants of Albert Buchanan Philpott and Mary Elizabeth Farner Helms Philpott
Albert Buchanan Philpott founded the community of Philpott, Virginia in 1905. He was a farmer, preacher, saw miller, store operator and served from 1914-1915 in the General Assembly as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry County. A.B. was born on December 21, 1858 and lived his entire life in Henry County, Virginia. He was the son of Edward and Nancy Turner Philpott and was orphaned at an early age. As a young man, he joined the old Town Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Franklin County, Virginia (adjoining Henry County). He served that church as pastor before moving to Bassett, Virginia around 1900 to become pastor of the Riverview Baptist Church. He also preached at Old Bethel Church in Franklin County. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Farner Helms Philpott and they had seven children.
Around 1900, A.B. Philpott opened the store at Town Creek siding, approximately 200 yards southeast from the site of the general store he later opened in Philpott. He opened his general store in Philpott in 1905 after the Virginia Ore and Lumber Company erected a narrow gauge railroad from Philpott to Fayerdale, now known as Fairystone Park. In connection with his business in Philpott, he carried on extensive saw milling activities, his health permitting. A.B. operated the general store in Philpott until 1916, except for the two-year term (1914-1915) in which he served in the Virginia Assembly as a delegate from Henry County. In 1914 when A.B. Philpott went to the General Assembly, the Richmond, Virginia paper wrote of him: "The accomplished A.B. Philpott, delegate from Henry County, is possibly the most versatile member of the House of Delegates, and is one of the most popular in the lawmaking body. A preacher, manufacturer, merchant, farmer and statesman, he is clever in each department, combining the best features of the varied assortment of callings and rounding out into the whole the characteristics that go to make a real man and a genuine progressive." The article went on to state that, "while not known for his talking, Mr. Philpott sometimes takes the floor, but it is usually when called upon by the speaker to open the session with prayer. His voice has excellent carrying qualities and can easily be heard over all the hall of the House of Delegates." During the time he was in the Assembly, his daughter, Rose Williams, ran the store. After A.B. died in 1916, she ran the store until 1922 when she moved to Bassett to open her own store. Later she was appointed post mistress of Bassett. In 1922, the business was taken over by the Philpott brothers, Edward Jefferson Philpott, John E. Philpott and Charles Thomas Philpott. The business grew and prospered through the years as a general store, but primarily as a lumber business. The Philpott community that A.B. founded continued to thrive and is today sprinkled with many of his descendants.
Children
1. Nancy Arabelle Philpott Franklin
April 30. 1881 to December 9,1918
married Eldridge Swinfield Franklin
May 2, 1872 to March 30, 1933
Children
James Lewis Franklin
Thomas Albert Franklin
Alva Edward Franklin
Mattie Sue Franklin Adams
Charlie Jefferson Franklin
Virginia Belle Franklin Farmer
2. Rosa Lee Philpott Williams Plybon
February 22, 1883 to November 30, 1971
married Henry Thomas Williams
July 28, 1878 to July 13, 1949
Children
George Arthur Williams
Ruby Marie Williams Bassett
Della Christine Williams
Jarrett
Albert Nathaniel Williams
Jessie Cornelia Williams Herman
Nancy Juanita Williams Wagner
3. Edward Jefferson Philpott
September 21, 1885 to August 31, 1956
married Edna Sue Bryant
August 10, 1894 to May 24, 1979
Children
Alza Marie Philpott
Georgia Corrine Philpott Ingram
Nellie Louise Philpott Newman
Edward Jefferson Philpott, Jr.
Walter Albert Philpott
Joe Curtis Philpott
4. John Elkanah Philpott
April 27, 1888 to January 17, 1962
married Mary Gertrude Prillaman
November 23, 1898 to February 6, 1991
Children
Albert Lee Philpott
Elizabeth Maxine Philpott Dorness
Harry Woodrow Philpott
Helen Claire Philpott Palmour
Mary Patricia Philpott Petty
John Davis Philpott
5. Martha Susan Philpott Wade
March 16, 1890 to October 19, 1952
married George Grover Wade
September 13, 1888 to January 17, 1948
Children
Dixie Jo Wade Mattox
Herbert Jackson Wade
Mary Elizabeth Wade Kinney
George Grover Wade, Jr.
6. Charles Thomas Philpott
January 15, 1892 to November 17, 1961
married Christine Prillaman
July 2, 1908 to April 17, 1999
Children
Betty Jo Philpott Martin
Mary Adlynn Philpott Wilson
Charles Thomas Philpott, Jr.
Peggy Lee Philpott Cross
7. Eliza Ruth Philpott Stone
August 4, 1895 to November 29, 1964
married Ernest Emmett Stone
February 15, 1893 to September 1, 1980
Children
Edith June Stone Anderson
Hilda Ernestine Stone Ervin
Erma Elizabeth Stone Ingram
Eleanor Jean Stone Mullins
