CHAPTER III 

 FIRST FAMILIES OF VIRGINIA 



THE greater number of thoroughbreds in the entire 

 South and probably in the United States, in 1883, traced 

 to some of the Virginia horses named in this chapter. 

 This statement is made after a careful study of the pedi- 

 grees of the 88 principal stallions in service in the United 

 States in 1883, and the pedigrees selected, at random, of 

 139 thoroughbreds, bred or owned in Tennessee and 

 Kentucky between 1888 and 1896, the full tide period 

 of post-bellum activities in the thoroughbred industry 

 in the United States, especially in Tennessee and Ken- 

 tucky. 



JOLLY ROGER, known in England as Roger of the Vale, 

 was the first horse that gave distinction to Virginia stock. 

 He was foaled in 1741 and was got by Roundhead, dam 

 by Croft's Partner; by Woodcock; by Croft's Bay 

 Barb; by Makeless; by Brimmer, etc. He was im- 

 ported into Virginia and commenced his career in the stud 

 about 1748. He got many fine stallions and brood mares 

 and his blood became a favorite cross in Virginia. 



JANUS, a chestnut and, from his shoulders back, the 

 most perfect horse ever seen in Virginia, was foaled in 

 England in 1746. His sire was Janus (by the Godolphin) 

 dam by Fox; g. dam by the Bald Galloway. Janus was 

 imported by Mordecia Booth of Gloucester County in 

 1752. In the third and fourth generations his descend- 

 ants exhibited the same compactness of form, strength 



