From The Daily Dispatch: December 30, 1863:

On yesterday morning, in the 32nd year of her age, of consumption, Mrs. Mary E Francis, wife of Mr. Wm T Francis.

She had been a consistent member of the Methodist E. Church for more than ten years, and died in the hope of a blissful immortality.

“Why do we mourn departed friends,
Or shake at death’s alarms?
‘Tis but the voice that Jesus sends,
To call them to his arms.”

Her funeral will take place from Oregon Hill M E Church, on Wednesday morning, 30th inst, at 11 o’clock. The relatives, friends and acquaintances of the family are invited to attend.

From The Daily Dispatch: December 11, 1865:

Baptist Sunday School Union.

–The largest Sunday School meeting which has been held in this city for four years took place at the First Baptist Church yesterday afternoon. There were from twenty-five hundred to three thousand persons present, a large majority of whom were children, and a look at their smiling, happy faces was a sight which did our heart’s good. Interspersed with the business of the meeting were a number of those beautiful hymns from the “Golden Censor,” sung by the whole congregation; and the union of earnest, cheerful voices raised a chorus which those who heard will not soon forget.

The exercises of the occasion were presided over by the Rev. Dr. Burrows; and the following report of average attendance of officers, teachers and scholars was read:

First Church 45 teachers, 295 scholars.
Second Church 24 teachers, 164 scholars.
Grace Street Church 26 teachers, 180 scholars.
Belvidere Church 14 teachers, 113 scholars.
Leigh Street Church 50 teachers, 322 scholars.
Sidney Church 6 teachers, 18 scholars.
Manchester Church 23 teachers, 215 scholars.
Total 183 1,307
Forty-four scholars belonging to the different schools had been baptized and joined the church during the month.

After the reports had been read, short addresses were delivered by the Revs. Mr. Hutchin, of Manchester; Dickinson, of Leigh Street; Jeter, of Grace Street; McCarthy, of Oregon Hill, and Burrows, of the First Baptist Church. The exercises were concluded by a prayer and the benediction from the latter.

From the Daily Dispatch, Dec. 5, 1860:

On the 4th instant, at his residence, on Oregon Hill, at 2 o’clock, of pneumonia. George W. Adams, aged 25 years, 9 months and 8 days.

His friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend his funeral from the Oregon Hill Baptist Chapel, this (Wednesday) evening, at 3½ o’clock without further notice.

Columbus (Ga.) papers please copy

Thanks to the University of Richmond Civil War-Era Richmond online resource, and A.R. Goodwin for leading me to it. I will try to find some more history items on there.

Paraphrased from Thomas F. Mustian’s “Facts and Legends of Richmond Area Streets” (I think I have a second printing):

Albemarle Street was named for William Anne Keppel, second Earl of Albemarle and Governor General of the colony from 1737 to 1754.

Belvidere Street took its name from home of William Byrd III on the crest of what is now Oregon Hill. Originally, part was traversed by railway trackage.

Cary Street was originally laid out by planners to be called “C” Street according to the alphabet being third in order from the North side of the James (River). It was changed later to be called Cary Street in honor of the many Cary’s that held historic bearing in the early beginning of the City- probably Archibald Cary.

Cherry Street is one of the early streets of Oregon Hill named after the fruit tree.

China Street is named after the Chinaberry tree.

Church Street (no longer exists, was east of Belvidere) was located in the Oregon Hill area and for the short distance it covered there were located several churches.

Cumberland Street is named after the Duke of Cumberland, the third son of King George II.

Holly Street was named by developer Ben J. Harris for the trees grown there.

Idlewood Avenue was originally called Beverley Street. It was changed to be compatible with the Avenue of access to the Idlewood Amusement Park and located near the newly formed Byrd Park.

Main Street is the industrial and commercially centered early street, that in it’s beginning only ran from 18th Street to 25th Street.

Pine Street was named as was popular then for the Pine Trees.

Rowe Street (no longer exists, was east of Belvidere) was named after a Millwright who was the builder.

The following were not included in the book:

Beach Street (no longer exists, was just west of Linden Street)

Green Alley was named for was named after Ben Green who was involved in a
fairly high-profile, alleged bank embezzlement case around the mid-1800’s. More importantly, at
least as far as Oregon Hill residents should be concerned, is that Green was
the architect of the first row houses in the neighborhood.

Laurel Street was most likely named for the trees that grew there.

Linden Street was most likely named for the linden trees that grew there.

I am looking for more information on the following:

Beach Street (no longer exists, was just west of Linden Street)
Harrison Street (I am guessing was named after President William Henry Harrison, but I would appreciate it if someone could confirm)
Howard Street (no longer exists, was east of Belvidere)
Howe Street (no longer exists, was east of Belvidere)
Maiden Lane (no longer exists, was east of Belvidere)
Spring Street ( I assume there was a water spring involved.)