Does anyone know anything about James Surratt or James Surat, who supposedly lived long enough to become the oldest man in Virginia, and was of indian descent. He lived in a log cabin in Bland County and became a celebrity being photographed for postcards?

My grandfather was James P. Surratt of Carroll County, VA. According to the 1920 Census several Surratt's lived in Pine Brook. You may find who you are looking for there. My g-father died in 1963 and was about 80yrs. Hope you find who you are looking for
k

Thanks for the information. I'm related to the Surratts from Carroll Co. too, by marriage. I was raised in Hillsville. The James I'm looking for was never known to be in Carroll, and is sort of a Bland Co. monument, but thanks anyway. Best. Doug

The centennial History of Bland County, Virginia, published in 1861, contains a sketch about Jimmie Surat and a photo of him sitting in front of his cabin. Per this sketch:

Jimmie Surat (pronounced Cert)--"one of the most colorful, unique and the undisputed oldest citizen ever to reside in Bland County"--was said to have come to Bland Co from the Carolinas, and was a half Blackfoot Indian who came to Virginia when his tribe was forced out of the Carolinas(this is highly dubious, since the Blackfoot were Sioux, not Cherokee). However he got to Bland Co, he lived in a cabin on Brushy Mountain. His first wife was Suze, his second wife Liz. With Liz, he had four children: a boy and three girls. He is said in the sketch to have died at age 120. He registered to vote in Bland 15 Sep 1902 and gave his age in 1902 as about 90. He died in 1915, per the sketch, and he is buried in the town cemetery in Bland. (Obviously, all these dates don't quite add up, but he evidently did live to a very old age.)

I cannot vouch for the accuracy of any of this (none of the sketches are signed, and some contain some fanciful tales), but this is a summary of what the sketch contains.

James and Lizzie Surratt are listed on the 1910 Bland Co census, he is listed as age 90, born in NC, parents b unknown, and a basket maker by occupation. She is age 45, born in VA, and a washer woman. Their 12 year old granddaughter Margaret lives with them. They are listed as white.

Hope this is of interest to you!

Sandra Kidd

His wife Liz, was Elizabeth Tickle a relative of mine.
They had a child Ol, whom was the sorce of a
lot of stories. People said that after Jimmy died, she
lived with a black family in Bland. Think she may have
married one of them. The relatives here say Liz
died in the Poor House in Pulaski and is
probably buried on the grounds. I don't know
where the poor house was. Just somewhere along RT 11
between Pulaski and Dublin. I was at what was left
of his cabin in the late 60s. I'm sure there's
nothing now, as there wasn't much then.
Jo Ann jotickle@aol.com

His wife Liz, was Elizabeth Tickle a relative of mine.
They had a child Ol, whom was the sorce of a
lot of stories. People said that after Jimmy died, she
lived with a black family in Bland. Think she may have
married one of them. The relatives here say Liz
died in the Poor House in Pulaski and is
probably buried on the grounds. I don't know
where the poor house was. Just somewhere along RT 11
between Pulaski and Dublin. I was at what was left
of his cabin in the late 60s. I'm sure there's
nothing now, as there wasn't much then.
Jo Ann jotickle@aol.com

are you still looking for more information?

are you still looking for more information?