Spencer, Virginia facts for kids

Spencer is a small, unincorporated community located in Henry County, Virginia. It's not a city or a town with its own government, but rather a group of homes and businesses that share a name and history. The community was named after its first settler, James Spencer Sr., who moved there with his sons in the 1700s from another part of Virginia called Loudoun County. His son, James Spencer Jr., was an ensign (a junior officer) during the American Revolutionary War, and sadly, he died from injuries he received during the war.

Label of Spencer Bros. Tobacco, a company started by the Spencer family.

History of Spencer

The Spencer family played a big role in the early days of the community. They started two important tobacco companies right there in Spencer: Spencer Bros. Tobacco Company and D.H. Spencer & Sons Tobacco. These companies grew and later had operations in other Virginia cities like Martinsville and Danville. Over time, their family-owned business became one of the largest makers of plug chewing tobacco in the country, known for brands like 'Calhoun'.

The Spencer family also built a large tobacco plantation called Grassdale Farm. This farm, sometimes called "The Homestead," started in the 1700s and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical importance.

Spencer and the Railroad

The Spencer family also had control over the Danville & Western Railroad. This railroad had a stop right in Spencer, which helped the community grow. They also owned other buildings in the area, like the post office and a doctor's house.

Later, the Spencer family sold their tobacco company to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. This was one of the first big mergers in the tobacco industry. The Spencer companies joined with Reynolds in December 1903. Interestingly, R. J. Reynolds grew up nearby, and he and the Spencers were rivals in the tobacco business before they joined forces.

Important Places in Spencer

Besides Grassdale Farm, there are other historically important places in Spencer. The Spencer-Penn School and a place called Aurora are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their special historical or architectural value.

Grassdale Farm's Owners

Grassdale Farm was once owned by Thomas Jefferson Penn. He was also involved in the tobacco business and built another famous plantation called Chinqua-Penn Plantation in North Carolina. The Spencer and Penn families were actually related. Jeff Penn's mother was Annie Spencer Penn, and you can even see the Spencer family's special symbol (coat-of-arms) above the entrance at Chinqua-Penn. Jeff Penn later sold Grassdale Farm to his cousin, Margaret Dillard Shackelford, who was a Spencer before she married. She and her husband, Dr. John Armstrong Shackelford, worked to restore the historic home.

Notable Spencer Family Members

The Spencer family had many influential members. Margaret Spencer Shackelford's sister, Mary Holt, married Kennon C. Whittle. He became a justice on the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which is one of the highest courts in Virginia. He lived at a place called Belleview, which was built by their shared ancestor, Major John Redd. Another sister, Blanche Spencer, married Julian H. Robertson Sr. He was a successful textile company executive, investor, and philanthropist (someone who gives money to good causes).

Location of Spencer

Spencer is part of the Martinsville Micropolitan Statistical Area. This means it's part of a larger area that includes Martinsville and its surrounding communities, which are connected by jobs and daily life.