Chuckatuck Post Office
The first postmaster, John Davis Day, was appointed to the position of postmaster in Chuckatuck in 1826. The location of the post office where he served is unknown. The chapter on Stores includes information on the post offices and their locations, starting circa 1914, when the post office was located in Owen’s store, most likely run by Postmaster Rosa Pinner, who lived next door. In 1914, the post office was relocated to Jones’ Store (later Gwaltney’s store) under the direction of Elton Jones. For a brief period in 1920, it was also overseen by Joseph Rosser Chapman, who served as postmaster for approximately 10 months. Mr. Jones took over again in November 1922, and upon his death in 1930, his wife, Mrs. Blanche Pope Jones, was appointed until November 1930. At this point, the post office relocated to Moore’s store, with Asa B. Johnson serving 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 father’s store, and in January 1940, he became the postmaster. He died early in 1949, and his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Cox Moore, was appointed Postmaster in July 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 1961, a new post office was dedicated, having been built on a lot next to Moore’s store, which had housed the post office since 1930. Mrs. Florence (Polly) Moore Umphlette was appointed Postmaster in March 1971. In February 1974, the Chuckatuck post office became Chuckatuck Station due to the merger of Suffolk and Nansemond County. Mrs. Umphlette continued her duties until she retired in 1981 after 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 later relieved by Jackie Knight, who was the station manager/postal clerk in 2011. In November 2010, the village post office was relegated to reduced hours of 10:30-12:30 daily. Rumors have it that the village post office, like many others, will soon close due to budget constraints. Should these closures take place, then the villagers will have to erect mailboxes for the first time.
An addendum to the merger of Nansemond County and Suffolk was a change in the 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 February 1, 1974. Even though the post offices were designated as stations, they 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 postmarks of those six villages)
In 1961, State Senator Mills E. Godwin returned 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 recorded establishment of a post office in Everett dates back to 1802. However, the location is unknown. In 1875, John J. Kirk, owner of “The Kirk Company,” was appointed postmaster in his store, located across from the old home place, now the residence of Bruce Kirk. Records show that by 1890, when Mr. Kirk was reappointed postmaster, the post office had relocated to a store across the creek from his own. Mr. Kirk was the postmaster for 29 years. In 1904, he passed his duties to William G. Saunders, followed by 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, you will find additional information about the post office. We found a handwritten 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 the first passenger train leaving Norfolk for Suffolk regardless of name (of Railroad).
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 on the southeast side of the road east of Lake Prince. There were several postmasters during its brief 27-year span. Robert Atkins, Townsend Phifer, Elizabeth Jane Wellons, Crafford Crump Parker, and Julius Pierce all served for a brief 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 suggest you check with the GCHF for detailed information on many of the postmasters 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 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 County, 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 both the local area and the employees of the brick company. Additional information concerning this store may be found in the Stores section of our website.