Robert Nelson Trice
(1815 or 1816 - April 30, 1864) Son of Thomas Nelson(?) Trice (1766-1825) and Margaret Thurston Trice (1782-1842),
husband of Lucy Jane Minor, father of Mary Jane, Margaret, Martha, Lucy, and Dabney Trice.
John Haley the (County) Clerk died this winter... so there was a close contest in the election of
another clerk... it was between a Mr. Trice and Mr. Erastus Haley (son of Nathan) - much depended on
his success, he had wooed a fair lady... On his election it is said depended her decision. His rival, Mr.
T., proved the successful candidate. Eliza M. (Davis) Booth, Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, to her sister Lucy Macon Davis, Charlottesville,
March 6, 1847
...Give bushels of love to Lucy Minor. Tell her there are many enquiries after her but none more earnest
than Col. Trice. I understand she really made a deep impression there. Eliza M. (Davis) Booth, Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, to Lucy Macon Davis, Charlottesville, September 25,
1848
I received your truly welcome letter by Col. Trice and he has sent to inform us that he expects setting
out again tomorrow for C'ville... I am pleased at this unexpected way of communication which seems about to
open up between us - was ever anything so strange? No one here had the most distant idea that the man was in
earnest, he kept his intentions a profound secret & "conferred not with flesh and blood." You must know
he is a very independent gentleman and consults no one, he says, in his business. Eliza M. (Davis) Booth, Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, to Lucy Macon Davis, Charlottesville,
November 28, 1848
After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Dabney Minor the Machunk farm went to their daughter Lucy, who married Colonel
(Robert Nelson) Trice, of Middlesex County, Virginia. Colonel Trice bought of the heirs that portion of the farm called
Grassdale, which was not inherited by his wife. This name, too, was soon dropped and merged into that of Machunk.
Colonel Trice obtained his cognomen in the old militia service. He was a man of great intelligence, a most
successful farmer, and highly esteemed for his happy, genial disposition and cultivated powers. From Historic Homes of the Southwest Mountains, by Edward C. Mead, 1898
Mrs. Minor is always as busy as if she was at home, fixing, altering, and improving. She has had a comfortable room
built for herself & nicely fixed. The Col. is just as kind and affectionate as an own son could be, perfectly
devoted to both mother and daughter. Eliza M. (Davis) Booth, Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, to Lucy Macon Davis, Charlottesville,
March 10, 1850
My Dear Sir,
I understand you expect to be married about the 4th of October (next month) and I write to ask that you
will so make your arrangements as to spend a day with us on your return from Flat Creek to Charlottesville;
we wish to invite some of your friends to meet you here, of course we should be glad to have more than a day
but we stipulate for one and you must not if you can possibly avoid it disappoint us, any of your friends
that you would desire to have with you, you are at perfect liberty to invite. You will have to inform us when
the carriage must meet you (and Mrs. D. that is to be) and any friends at the Depot.
Lucy says she wishes you and Miss Lou all the happiness this world can afford, in which I heartily join.
Yours very truly,
Robert N. Trice To Richard T. Davis, Martinsburg, Virginia, September 6, 1855
The snow is not entirely gone from the north hillsides, but persons are commencing to plow on southern
exposures, I shall try the land tomorrow... I shall have to go to Charlottesville again tomorrow as a drawn
juror. The wood hauled up the road recently has been measured up and received, I have sent three hogsheads
of dry tobacco to the Depot, it is now bringing a reasonable price, but I fear before this is sold such
quantities will go in as to glut the market & the prices will recede. Our Legislature is expected to adjourn
on next Monday week and it is supposed there will be no appropriations made this session... Robert N. Trice, "Mychunk", to his mother-in-law, Martha Jefferson Terrell Minor, March 4, 1856
There is a considerable probability that the Proctorship at the University will be vacant
next year, and if so Col. Trice I think will apply for it, and if can get it that would be nice, would it not? Lizzie Davis at "Mychunk" to her mother Mary Jane Davis, September 20, 1856?
Yesterday we all went up to the Sunday School and as we were coming home we met Uncle Robert (Trice).
He was on his way to the parsonage but he ate dinner here. I have never mentioned in my journal that Uncle
Robert is coming to Charlottesville to live, he will open a store there. I reckon we will go very often and
take dinner with Aunt Lucy. From the journal of Jane Bell Minor, sister of John Minor, "Gale Hill", October 27, 1856
Colonel Trice got back from New York on Saturday. He is going to take Wolf's old store which I am
very sorry for
as it is too far down I should think for him to get much custom. Lucy Minor Davis to her brother Richard T. Davis, Marsh 31, 1857
Robert Nelson Trice operated a book store in Charlottesville. I had the benefit at "Gale Hill" of a
complete
and fine edition of Chamber's Encyclopedia, which came through his book store. John Minor Caskie, to Jasper Burns, June 24, 1982
Mother died this morning about six o'clock... If it can be done, the remains will remain here tomorrow
night & be carried to Gale Hill very early next morning... I should have sent to your house early today but
Lucy has been very ill all day, (so) that I was unable to consult her about it until a very short time
since. I really know not what to do, I am very apprehensive for the life of my wife, as well as her reason.
Yours very sadly but truly,
R. N. Trice To William W. Minor at Gale Hill regarding the death of Martha Jefferson Terrell Minor, May 16, 1860
Col. T. will be caught by the last conscript net unless exempt from some cause other than age - but I
hope he
may get off by some means or other... Eliza M. (Davis) Booth, Urbanna, Middlesex County, Virginia, to her sister Lucy Macon Davis, Charlottesville,
April 14, 1864
Mrs. Trice begs that you will come down on the train tomorrow. I think Col. Trice suffering a great
deal this evening, his symptoms are more unfavorable than heretofore and unless there is some change, fear
he cannot last through the night... Texanna Grant, to Lucy Minor Davis, April, 1864(?)
DlED, on the 30th of April, 1864, at Grass Dale, his residence in Albemarle, Col. ROBERT N. TRICE, in the
48th
year of his age. The chamber where a good man meets his fate has been well said to "be privileged beyond the
common walks of life," and all who witnessed the calm and peaceful departure of the subject of this notice felt
the justice of this sentiment. The deceased was a native of the county of Middlesex, and for some years was
clerk of the county and circuit courts of that county; whence he removed to Albemarle in the year 1850. Wherever
he lived he had this testimony, that he lived in fear of God, unostentatiously discharging the various duties of
life, not as a man-pleaser, but as unto the Lord. As a citizen, he was ever prompt to meet his civil
obligations; as a neighbor, always kind and considerate, especially to the poor, who, in these times of
general suffering, will mourn the absence of his warm and sympathizing heart and open hand; as a friend, he
was true and trustworthy, not thinking of himself more highly than he ought to think. But it was in the inner
circle of his home where the love borne him approached idolatry that he shone most brightly; so loving,
tender and thoughtful was he. His wife, children, relations and servants shared his love and care in
proportions so just and yet so liberal, that each felt the loss of him was the loss of their best earthly
friend. But we should be doing injustice to the cause which was so dear to his heart, did we not speak of him
more particularly as a Christian. In the words of a sympathizing friend, "In thinking of him those words of
Scripture appear to apply so forcibly: 'Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
given to hospitality, patient towards all men,' with many more expressions descriptive of the Christian
character, and which were beautifully illustrated in him. Truly did his daily walk and conversation adorn
his Christian profession. He was baptized into the fellowship of Hermitage church, Middlesex county, at
an early age, and for many years exercised the office of deacon therein. For four years he held the same
office in Charlottesville, and the large and mourning congregation assembled there to pay the last tribute
of respect to his remains, proved how much he was valued. At the time of his death he was a member of the
Beaverdam church, Fluvanna. The resolutions appended to this paper prove the estimation in which he was
held there. He was emphatically a man of prayer; many will remember his enjoyment of the Union Prayer
Meeting, and cordial cooperation in every good word and work. He fell a victim to his rigid sense of duty,
having gone to report to the regimental board on an extremely inclement day. Thus lived and thus died this
admirable man. He acted his part so as to win the cordial esteem and love of a large circle of attached
friends, and after a lingering illness fell asleep in Jesus in perfect peace. "Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord."
"At a meeting of Beaverdam church, on Saturday before the 2nd Lord's day in May, 1864.
WHEREAS, our esteemed and excellent friend and brother R. N. TRICE, has been removed from our midst
by the hand of death, therefore,
1st Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the sad and inscrutable providence that has deprived this church
of an honored and valuable member, and the community of a useful citizen, we would at the same time meekly
bow to the will of our Father in heaven, who does all things wisely and well.
2nd Resolved, That we believe that our loss, as a church and people, is his eternal gain.
3rd Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the afflicted family of our dead brother, and offer them our
heart-felt condolence.
4th Resolved, That we hope that this sad dispensation will deeply impress us all with the uncertainty of life
and the importance of constant preparation for death." Obituary by Lucy Jane Trice, The Religious Herald, December 1, 1864
Excerpts from the Estate Inventory of Robert N. Trice, entered January 2, 1865
Total value: $143,364.50
Confederate Bonds: $38,500.00
"Negroes": 18, valued at $48,600.00
5 mules, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 31 sheep, 4 sows, 5 cows, 1 red bull, total value: $12,275.00