Towns, Villages and Post-Offices of the County.

     Although Smithfield was made a town by law in 1752, for one hundred years before that date it was quite a settlement and had quite a large trade. The Act of Incorporation recites: "Representation having been made to the General Assembly that Arthur Smith, of Isle of Wight County, having laid out a portion of his land on Pagan Creek into streets and lots," and, further, "that the location being healthy and open to trade and navigation," it was, therefore, ordered, "that the said parcel of land lately belonging to the said Arthur Smith be, and is, hereby established a town to be called by the name of Smithfield. "And whereas, it is expedient that trustees be appointed to lay off and regulate the streets and settle the bounds of the town, be it enacted, therefore, that from and after the passing of this Act, that Robert Burwell, Arthur Smith, Wm. Hodsden, James Baker, James Dunlop, James Arthur and Joseph Bridger be appointed trustees for the said town."

"Be it further enacted that it shall not be lawful for any person whatever to build or cause to be erected any wooden chimney, and if such wooden chimney be built it shall be the duty of the sheriff to tear down the same and demolish it."

     The original survey and plat were made by Jordan Thomas, then county surveyor, and the corporate limits extended westward as Main street now runs only as far as the old brick culvert built under the street at Southall's old drug store. These limits were extended in 1856 as Main street now runs to the foot of the hill at the brick culvert adjoining the lands of Merritt Womble and A. G. Spratley. Again in 1902 the limits of the town were further extended as represented by a plot now in the mayor's office of the said town, and at the same time a new charter was granted.

     The town of Smithfield is eighty miles southeast by east from Richmond and two hundred and four miles from Washington, D. C.; on the south side of Pagan Creek, a bold and navigable stream, and at its intersection with Cypress Creek, forming Pagan River; five miles from James River; fifteen miles, about, from Hampton Roads; on an elevation of about twenty-five feet above the waters of Pagan Creek, and commands a beautiful view of land and water. Smithfield is remarkably well located for health, comfort and business, being on a high table-land with the dip of the land running several ways. Its drainage is most excellent and the roads leading from it being located on high ridges, furnishing excellent and easy communication with the surrounding country.

     In early times the main stage from Norfolk to Richmond passed through Smithfield and here fresh relays of horses were obtained.

     In 1748 the two ferries before mentioned from Smithfield across Pagan and Cypress Creeks were established. The cost of ferriage over each is given as follows: 0s 4d (6 1/4c.) for each person, vehicle and horse; and the same system of tolls was, for years kept up, even after the ferries were abandoned and bridges built by individuals.

     Before the building of railroads and the advent of steamboats, Smithfield, being the principal port of this county, had a large export and coastwise trade, as has already been recited, principally with the English colonies in the West Indies, the principal articles of export being staves, peas, hoop poles and bacon. The trade in bacon early gave rise to much attention in the feeding, slaughtering and curing of the bacon in this county, and especially as to the ham. One of the packing houses in Smithfield, being the oldest of the kind in this country, the house of E. M. Todd & Co., has been in the business for a period of at least one hundred and twenty seven years as shown by an old invoice dated April 30th, 1779, for hams furnished Ellerston and John Perrot in the Island of St. Eustatius, West Indies, by Mallory Todd, Smithfield, Virginia. Mentioned,  among other articles taken in exchange for hams, is one two-pound cannon, £13 6s and one hat £0 5s 4d. The trading vessel was named Parnelia, Francis Herbert, Captain. The invoice is now in the possession of Mr. E. M. Todd, grandson of Mallory Todd, and the proprietor of the present establishment. The shipment of cured hams, annually, from Smithfield, is about forty thousand. The supply of hogs furnishing these hams is limited, or else the shipments would be much heavier. It is a fact that the ham curers have their full supply of hams sold, asa rule as early as the first of March of every year.

     About 1750 the county courthouse was moved to Smithfield and three brick buildings erected on the corner of Main and Pierce streets, which were, for fifty years used respectively for courthouse, clerk's office and jail. This is now the property of Mr. J. O. Thomas, who has for his residence the old courthouse. Across Main street from the courthouse was a large vacant lot called the "courthouse green," which, on court days, was filled with conveyances of all kinds used in those days. The stone steps of the little brick clerk's office was a favorite place for auctioneers to ply their trade in the sale of slaves, the hiring of slaves and the sale of other property. The county seat was moved to its present site in 1800, as heretofore stated.