The Philpott Family
By Beverly Belcher Woody
This week, we will study the Philpott family of Patrick County. No, not the storekeeper from Town Creek for whom Philpott Lake is named, but the Philpott family from the Mayo Forge area.
On January 12, 1873, Miss Rhoda Ann Cobbs, the daughter of David Cobbs, married Samuel Philpott of Mayo Forge. By the time of the 1880 census, Samuel and Rhoda had four children, Bettie, Benjamin, Mary, and Edwin. Rhoda’s 100-year-old grandmother, Aggy Penn was also living with the family during this time. Aggy was the widow of Mr. Ned Penn, who was born on the Colonel Abram Penn farm.
The Philpott family had grown to seven children by the year 1887 with the births of John E., Albert T., and Bertha. Around the turn of the 20th century, the growing family left Patrick County and moved to Roanoke where Samuel found work as a laborer. By 1910, Samuel and Rhoda owned their own home, free and clear, on 10th Avenue NE Roanoke.
Several of Samuel and Rhoda’s children went into the ministry. The couple was able to send their son, John E. and their daughter, Bertha to the Virginia Theological Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where both graduated with a four-year degree. John E. Philpott moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was the pastor of Jehovah Jireh Baptist Church for many years.
Albert T. Philpott served as a Baptist minister in Roanoke until his death in 1981 at the age of 94. Albert also cared for Samuel and Rhoda until their deaths from old age. Samuel Philpott died on November 4, 1933, at the age of 100 years, 4 months, and 19 days.
Bertha Philpott accomplished much at a time when it was very hard for a woman and a person of color. After graduating with a degree in theology, Bertha married Reverend Arthur D. Jones in 1907 and the couple moved to New Jersey.
In addition to raising their ten children, (yes, I said ten children) Bertha served in many capacities in her husband’s ministry at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. In 1955, Bertha traveled to London, England as a representative at the World Baptist Alliance Meeting. She also traveled to the Holy Land and the Middle East.
After the couple’s two sons and eight daughters were grown, Bertha earned her cosmetician’s license and ran a beauty shop for ten years. Sadly, Bertha did not live as long as her brother, father, and great grandmother. Bertha passed away in 1962 at the age of 77. Bertha’s legacy, in addition to her service to the Lord, was her children, one of which was also a minister, and her many grandchildren.
Samuel and Rhoda Cobbs Philpott and their children are perfect examples of the resilience of the people of Patrick County during a very tumultuous time in our history. I hope by sharing their story, that when you think of the name Philpott, you might think of the contributions of both Philpott families.
Bertha Philpott Jones’ photo is from the Bridgewater, NJ Courier-News.
(Woody may be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com.)