Chuckatuck Post Office
The first postmaster, John Davis Day, was appointed as postmaster in Chuckatuck in 1826. The location of the post office where he served is unknown. The chapter on Stores has some information on the post offices and their location starting circa 1914 when the post office was in the Owen’s store, most likely run by the Postmaster Rosa Pinner who lived next door. In 1914 the post office was moved to Jones’ Store (ultimately Gwaltney’s store) under the direction of Elton Jones and for a time in 1920 under the guidance of Joseph Rosser Chapman who acted as postmaster for approximately 10 months. Mr. Jones took over again in November of 1922 and upon his death in 1930 his wife Mrs. Blanche Pope Jones, was assigned until November of 1930. At this point the post office moved to Moore’s store with Asa B. Johnson as Acting Postmaster for five months. He was appointed permanently in March of 1931. In 1933 Alex Moore, having just graduated from VPI, returned to Chuckatuck to take over his dad’s store and in January of 1940 became the postmaster. He died at an early age in 1949 and his wife Mrs. Dorothy Cox Moore, was appointed Postmaster in July of 1950. (Note: While Mrs. Dorothy Moore was postmaster there were times in 1956-1957 when she would leave or possibly close the post office for an hour or two, proceed to the local high school just a short distance away and teach a class in Latin). In June of 1961 a new post office was dedicated having been built on a lot next to the Moore’s store that had housed the post office since 1930. (show picture of old and new post offices) Mrs. Florence (Polly) Moore Umphlette was appointed Postmaster in March of 1971. In February 1974 the Chuckatuck post office became Chuckatuck Station as a result of the merger of Suffolk and Nansemond County. Mrs. Umphlette continued her duties until she retired in 1981 with 31 years of being the village crier as well as the postmaster/station manager. Mr. N.T. Poarch took over from Mrs. Umphlette and was relieved by Jackie Knight who is still the station manager/postal clerk (2011). In November 2010 the village post office was relegated to reduced hours of 10:30-12:30 daily. Rumor has it that the village post office like many others will be closing soon due to budget constraints. Should these closures take place then the villagers will have to erect mail boxes for the first time. (insert pic. of envelope with early Chuckatuck post mark)
An addendum to the merger of Nansemond County and Suffolk was a change in status of the Crittenden and Hobson post offices being served by Mrs. E.L. Bowden for some 36 ½ years from Chuckatuck on a star route. Post offices in Driver, Holland and Whaleyville would also lose their status. With the merger all post offices listed above including Chuckatuck would lose their postmarks effective 1 February 1974. Even though the post offices were designated as stations it would be postmarked “Suffolk, VA”. All of the postmistresses (notice we were becoming politically correct even back then) agreed to provide last day souvenir stamps on February 1, 1974. Mrs. Bowden retired on February 1, 1974 from her star route as well. (Possible picture of the P.O Consolidation to Cancel Identities article with the post marks of those six villages)
In 1961 State Senator Mills E. Godwin came back home to Chuckatuck to cut the ribbon on the new post office. His daughter, Becky, received the first stamp from Mrs. Dorothy Moore postmaster at the new post office.
Everets Post Office
The earliest record of a post office at Everets is 1802, however the location is unknown. In 1875 John J. Kirk, owner of “The Kirk Company”, was appointed as the postmaster in his store across from the old home place, now the residence of Bruce Kirk. By 1890 when Mr. Kirk was reappointed as postmaster the location of the post office had moved to a store located across the creek from his store. Mr. Kirk was postmaster for 29 years and in 1904 he passed his duties to William G. Saunders, then to Edward Wagner in 1907 and finally to Edward’s brother William Kasper “Kas” Wagner in 1914. The post office was officially discontinued in January 1915. Under the Stores section of this book there is additional information about the post office which is not repeated here. We found a hand written note by J.J. Kirk on the disposition of mail which is repeated here for your reading pleasure: Mail leaving Norfolk for Suffolk, Virginian Pilot (Newspaper) forwarded on N&W R.R. Freight train except on Sundays. Forwarded on Sout (Southern) R.R. passenger train on Sundays. All other mail arriving in Norfolk destined to Suffolk is forwarded to Suffolk on first passenger train leaving Norfolk for Suffolk regardless of name (of Railroad).(use pic. of one of the locations)
Exit Post Office
Yes there was a town called Exit in the early years. It was on the northern side of what is now Lake Prince at the head of Scotts Creek. The post office was established in 1889 in the store of Townsend Phifer who owned a general mercantile business at Exit. The store was located on the southeast side of the road east of Lake Prince. There were several postmasters during its short span of 27 years. Robert Atkins, Townsend Phifer, Elizabeth Jane Wellons, Crafford Crump Parker and Julius Pierce all served for a short tour the longest being Townsend Phifer for eleven years.
A special thanks to “Andy” Maxey for the excellent research efforts of the Nansemond County post offices in the Greater Chuckatuck Historical area of interest. We would suggest for detailed information on many of the postmasters you can check with the GCHF for details regarding Anderson “Andy” Maxey’s book when it is published.
Longview Post Office
John R. Brock began operating a post office in 1887 in his store which was later known as Oliver’s Store. The post office was closed in 1909. The store was located next to his home at the intersection of Oliver Drive and Longview Drive in Isle of Wight County. (This data comes from “Historical Notes on Isle of Wight Country, Virginia” by Helen Haverty King, 1993)
Reid’s Ferry Post Office
The post office at Reid’s Ferry was established in June 1904. The first appointed postmaster was Alfred V. Sturgeon followed by E. Cleveland Staylor in January 1911. The post office was discontinued in January 1915. The building that housed this post office was the Nansemond River Brick and Tile Company store which supported the local area as well as those employees of the brick company. Additional information concerning this store may be found in the Stores section of this book.