Chapman’s Store
This Sandy Bottom store was in operation from 1929 until 1972 when Sam Chapman passed away. Initially the store was a general store as were many of the others, however in 1946 John Bradshaw went into partnership with Sam and they added a line of equipment used by oystermen and watermen that included the sale of boat motors, oyster tongs, southwestern (a hat with a large brim on the back to keep the rain out and normally of a yellow color), boots and other nautical equipment. This turned out to be very successful in addition to the general store and hardware venue. People from Hobson, Crittenden, and Eclipse frequented the store as well as local Sandy Bottom customers.
Gibson Chapman, Sam’s son, as a young boy remembered having to haul 300 pound blocks of ice that were delivered to the front door and he would drag them to the back of the store, cut them into 3 pieces and drop them down into a cooler built into the floor. Then as ordered they would chip the ice into any block size that a person needed for their refrigeration. His dad gave him specific directions on how to chip this ice so as not to waste any. Gibson used ice tongs to move the ice and to lift it out of the cooler when needed. Gibson said that his primary responsibility on Friday and Saturday, other than sweeping, was to get ready for those nights when they stayed open until midnight. He would put sugar in small bags and stock the shelves. Lots of bootleggers would come in and buy their supplies and most people knew when you picked up a hundred pounds of mash, sugar and yeast that it was most likely for a liquor still. Not sure if any boot leg whiskey was in the store but Gibson said “he was sure the high school boys knew where it was”.
Although most merchants used the same kind of credit/ticket stowage that many of the others stores had (could be folded down and locked up) Sam Chapman used a paper bag as his adding machine. As each item was purchased, the price was written on a paper bag and at the end of the sale it was totaled, shown to the buyer and some items were placed in that bag. It was either paid for or put on credit, the latter being the most common especially for the farmers who might be carried for a year until they sold their crops. After closing the general store Gib Chapman, Sam’s grandson, moved in and started a boat sales/repair business, Nansemond Marine, which is still in operation today.
Written by Drexel Bradshaw.
Diamond Way Convenience Store and Service Station
This was a convenience store and service station started circa 1947 by Mr. James Lee Diggs, Sr. It was in operation until the mid 1980’s in the Sandy Bottom community. It was closed due to several robberies in the area. According to Mrs. Mary Diggs Brown, daughter of James Diggs, the store was really a convenience store and service station serving the African American population in Sandy Bottom. They did not carry nearly the stock (supplies) that the Chapman and Dailey stores carried, therefore the locals went there for their weekly groceries and other goods not carried by Diamond Way.
Dailey’s Store
This store was in operation before the Civil War. Philip Dailey’s great grandfather, Michael Gordon Dailey, bought the store and associated land in 1909 from J.D. Corbell for $250.00. In 1909 Michael Gordon and his son, W.C. Dailey, bought the Crumpler farm just outside of Chuckatuck for $3650.00 from the estate of Samuel Webb. W.C and Michael Gordon ran the store in Sandy Bottom. However, the older Dailey could not read or write so when left alone in the store they possibly lost some money. Seems the clientele would know when Michael was in the store alone and would make their purchases at that time knowing of this disadvantage. However, Michael would do his best to keep track of what was sold in the absence of W. C. There were gas pumps (gravity drained) and kerosene tanks. The store operated until 1918 and was closed, most likely, due to the economy. A good picture of the store and its stock will provide a good visual display of the goods and services offered by this store. Stanley Pruden operated it off and on for several years and then Charlie Pitt rented it. Mr. Pitt talked with Sam Chapman and offered him the store for $10.00 per month rent to see what kind of business trade he would have. Sam accepted and was living over the store when his son Gibson was born in 1927. Sam continued to operate the store until 1928 when he bought four acres across the road to build his house. He then followed in 1929 with a store, currently Nansemond Marine owned by Gib Chapman, Sam’s grandson. There was a railway system that ran from the Dailey store down to a wharf on the Chuckatuck Creek to facilitate the movement of supplies in both directions.
Lona Dailey McKinley informed us that in 1929 one of the Dailey’s, most likely W.C., made a trip to New York and purchased a large amount of sugar. While en route back to Sandy Bottom via boat with the sugar the stock market crashed and the price of sugar tumbled. Only two of those who had ordered the sugar paid which left the Dailey’s with a very large financial deficit. In order to make their payment they had to mortgage the farm in Chuckatuck as collateral to borrow money to make the payment to the New York sugar seller. It took until 1942 to pay off this mortgage. Although it’s only a rumor the right hand side of the store in those early years was possibly a bar or speakeasy. When Granddaddy Dailey died in 1963 his sons W.C. and Philip worked the store for a period of time and then sold it in 1990. W.C. and his wife lived in the house next door which was built circa 1909.
Lona Dailey said Georgia Thompson would not marry W.C. until she had a house of her own. Philip Dailey, Lona’s father, was born in that house. The store has changed to a work shop, although the exterior is in a state of disrepair and continues to deteriorate.