County officials will celebrate the250th anniversary of the creation of Halifax County during a ceremony May 10 in circuit court.
Judge Charles McCormick III will preside as the county's birth is officially documented.
The Community Chorale will be joined by members of the North Carolina Brass in presenting music for the event.
Several original compositions by Kenneth Cranford will be presented for the first time.
The North Carolina Brass will perform prior to the courthouse ceremony, as well as during and at a reception following the event.
Custodian of the county's rich legacy, courthouse officials will exhibit a number of the county's early records, including those recently discovered.
A $20,000 grant through the Library of Virginia has resulted in a pleasant, though unexpected find for county record-keepers.
"We have been working on getting the county records indexed and put on microfilm, and we are back to 1833," said Bobby Conner of the Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
One of the things that make the Halifax County Courthouse special is that it has never burned, so centuries-old documents have never been destroyed.
While searching the old records, Conner found papers that include signatures of some of the founding fathers, including those of Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.
"We are filing the chancery papers for the very early years of the county," Conner said.
Chancery papers are records of legal arguments over property, the clerk of court said.
"They're a really good source of genealogy, because many of the claims listed all family members as a matter of record," he added.
In addition to finding some of the famous signatures, he said that they found plans for a courthouse that was to be build in the middle of the 18th century.
"Apparently there was an argument over some building materials that ended up in court," he noted.
Conner has said that he will put some historic documents including the papers on display for the 250th anniversary celebration at the courthouse on May 10.
He said that until the papers are indexed and put on microfilm, they will not be available for public reference.
"These papers are very valuable, and are the only copies in existence," he said.
"Once they are indexed, we can make copies for the public to reference," he added.
"We expect it to will be the fall of the year before we have the papers recorded."

Officials with Climate Control Inc., a Comfort Systems USA Company announced this week that they are closing their Raleigh, N.C. office and will relocate the entire operation at the South Boston headquarters on Highway 58 east.
The move, according to company president J.R. Griffin, ends any and all speculation that the company might have, otherwise, relocated in North Carolina.
Griffin, who was named to his present position eight months ago, said that Climate Control had never made plans to move from South Boston.
The company will, however, continue to do business in North Carolina and will retain its project manager on location.
In a statement provided to the press this week, Climate Control officials noted a shortage of available labor in the Raleigh area and what had become a duplication of services required to staff and maintain a separate office.
"We feel that by eliminating any duplication of office functions, we will not only reduce our overhead, but also have better control and management over our jobs. By having our entire management team based out of South Boston, our communication and coordination efforts will be greatly improved," said Griffin.
Over the years, Climate Control has utilized construction crews that were based out of South Boston and the surrounding areas. "The construction crews we have based out of South Boston are experienced, long-term employees."
Climate Control provides employment for upwards to 150 persons and is currently rehiring workers who were furloughed because of work shortages.
"We are ramping up right now," said Griffin who blamed recent layoffs by Climate Control on the nationwide downturn in the construction industry.
Climate Control, said Griffin, was forced to shut down a $5 million contract that it had only begun last fall not long after the terrorists attacks on the U.S.
The project shutdown "hit at the worst possible time," said Griffin since it occurred in the late fall when construction traditionally slows down as the winter months approach. Climate Control had committed much of its manpower and resources to the project said Griffin.
Griffin said that positive signs of a return to normal construction activity are evidenced in several projects Climate Control is currently involved in Danville including a $5 million expansion at George Washington High School.
Climate Control was founded in South Boston 32 years ago by John Cannon who sold his interest in 1998 to Comfort Systems USA, a publicly held company that trades under the symbol FIX on the New York Stock Exchange.
Griffin said that Climate Control was currently discussing a renewal of its lease with Cannon who owns the property that is located in the Riverdale area. The current lease expires in November 2003 after a five-year term.
As part of this reorganization effort, the company has reinstated the name Climate Control, Inc. "We have tried over the past several years to slowly transition to using Comfort Systems USA (South Boston), Inc. However, this name change has proven difficult and confusing to our customers," said Griffin.
Climate Control officials say they are also reconfirming their commitment to the residential service market. "While it is true that we do not actively pursue the new home construction market, we continue to maintain a large service department and staff to take care of all aspects of residential service needs.:
"At a time when this community has been hard hit with plant closings and lost jobs, we felt it is important that we let the community know what it is we are doing and, most importantly, that we plan to continue providing upwards to 150 jobs here in South Boston," Griffin concluded.

The Army Corps of Engineers has told Roanoke River Basin stakeholders not to be fooled by recent rainfall's and to anticipate extended drought conditions through the summer.
Worse yet, persistent low water levels are expected to wreak havoc on this year's striped bass spawning releases, and maybe with recreational activities throughout the basin in the peak summer season, said the Roanoke River Basin Association.
At Wednesday's meeting of the Army Corps of Engineers' Drought Management Committee at Kerr Lake's Satterwhite Point, Terry Brown of the Corps noted that while reservoir levels are rising, it will take an extended period of above-average rainfall for depleted groundwater tables to recover enough to sustain normal streamflows in the basin.
Tom Fransen of the N.C. Division of Water Resources reiterated the same theme, saying it would take an "extended wet spell" to bring streamflows back to normal levels.
According to available forecasts, Kerr Lake will not reach a sufficient, sustainable water level to release striped bass spawning flows this year.
No decision has been made regarding whether spawning releases will be made from upstream Smith Mountain Lake/Leesville into the Staunton River, which feeds Kerr Lake.
The spawning flows there allow the capture of striped bass, and harvesting of their eggs and milt to supply the fish hatchery at downstream Brookneal.
The decision regarding spawning releases is expected to be made around the third week of April, according to Joe Hassell of the Virginia DEQ.
If current conditions persist and spawning flows are in fact released, it would result in a lowering of Smith Mountain Lake at the start of peak recreation season, making if difficult to release water for summer river recreation.
Recreation at Kerr Lake looks good for the summer, but a forecasted decline in lake levels for the fall will hurt the fall fishing season, according to Terry Ramsey of the Corps.
For additional information, contact the Roanoke River Basin Association website at http://www.rba.org

RICHMOND - Attorney General Jerry Kilgore sent a letter today to Governor Mark Warner to urge the restoration of funding for Virginia Exile, the crime-fighting program proven successful in making Virginia safer. Virginia Exile is a partnership between state and federal law enforcement authorities to crack down on the illegal use of firearms.
"Virginia Exile has proven itself," Kilgore wrote. "The ten jurisdictions in Virginia which benefit from a Virginia Exile prosecutor and support staff have garnered more than 300 convictions in the two years these Commonwealth's Attorneys have been able to aggressively prosecute gun crimes with the Virginia Exile statutes."
Kilgore, noting that the Office of the Attorney General has supported the Exile philosophy since 1998, has designated an Assistant Attorney General to prosecute Exile cases exclusively. Virginia Exile is modeled after the very successful federal Project Exile, which also targets illegal guns.
"Virginia Exile is an important tool to fighting gun crime in our communities. I strongly urge you to use your authority as governor to submit amendments to the budget restoring funding for this important law enforcement program."

If Blue Comets coach Kelvin Davis had any questions about his young team's ability to bounce back in the face of the adversity he received a good response Wednesday night.
Trailing Dinwiddie 3-0, the Comets exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and scored a come-from-behind 9-5 win over the Generals.
"I thought we played a great ball game," Davis said after his team scored its second win in as many games.
"I thought we showed a lot of class as far as continuing to concentrate and not giving up.
"And," continued Davis, "we played a good ball club in Dinwiddie. They always have a good, fundamentally sound baseball team."
The Comets pounded Dinwiddie for 10 hits with Chase Hetzell having a dazzling four-for-four night that included a two-run homer in the Comets' fourth-inning rally.
Casey Owen also had a good night at the plate with two hits in four trips to the plate.
Together, Hetzell and Owen combined for six of the team's 10 hits.
The Comets also got a hit each from Brent Long, Jason Lloyd, Jonathan Barbour and Chad Conner.
"I thought the guys hit the ball well, especially Chase and Casey," said Davis.
"We hit the ball well all night long. I hope we can continue this."
The Comets staged a good defensive performance against the Generals as well.
Halifax County committed two errors but made up for them by turning a couple of key double plays, one in the fourth inning and another in the sixth inning.
Justin King, in his second straight game on the mound for the Comets, allowed eight hits, walked four batters and fanned five batters.
Dinwiddie, with a walk with two out followed by double, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
A two-run homer by the Generals Steve Perkinson in the top of the fourth inning gave Dinwiddie a 3-0 lead.
The Comets had two hits through the first three innings, both coming in the first inning but were unable to plate a run until their big fourth-inning rally.
A leadoff double from Owen kicked off the big inning. Hetzell followed with a homer to left center field to make it a 3-2 score.
Barbour walked, advanced to third base when Jonathan Milam reached base on an error and scored on a single by Conner to tie the game.
Drew Lewis walked and Conner scored to give the Comets a 4-3 lead when King reached base on an error.
A base hit by Brent Long scored Lewis and put the Comets up 5-3.
King scored when Owen reached base on a fielder's choice to give the Comets a 6-3 lead.
Owen reached base on a fielder's choice in his trip to the plate in the inning.
A base hit by Hetzell in his second time at bat in the inning scored Long to put the Comets up 7-3. A base hit by Barbour scored Owen to complete the Comets an 8-3 lead.
The Comets added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to go up 9-3.
That rally began with a base hit from Owen with one out. Owen moved to third base on a hit by Hetzell and scored when Barbour reached base on an error.
While the Comets had a comfortable lead at that point, Dinwiddie didn't give up.
The Generals got their first two batters in the inning on base and used a sacrifice fly to center field and a base hit to plate two runs and make it a 9-5 score with two out.
Dinwiddie brought in a pinch hitter at that juncture but he hit a grounder back to King at the mound and King made the play to end the game.
The Comets will have a short break before resuming action next week with a two-game schedule.
Halifax County will face a team from Garden City, N.Y. here Tuesday in a game that will have a special 11 a.m. starting time.
On Wednesday, the Comets will face a team from Baldwin, Pa. in a game that will start at 2:30 p.m.
That game will be preceded with a game at 12 noon between the Comets jayvee baseball team and the jayvee team from Baldwin.

Herman Lawrence Carrington Sr.

Herman Lawrence Carrington Sr., 62, of 4243 Melon Road, South Boston, died March 25 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Carrington was born in Halifax County on December 15, 1939, the son of the late William Edward Carrington Sr. and Margaret Louise Burns Carrington. He was a member of Mizpah Presbyterian Church in South Boston.
Survivors include one daughter, Angela Thomas of Greensboro, NC; four sons, Herman L. Carrington Jr. of Roxboro, NC, William Carrington of Greensboro, Frederick Carrington of South Boston and Jimmy Mills of NY; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Curtis Carrington of Nathalie and Paul Carrington of South Boston; and two daughters-in-law, Ethelene and Eunice Carrington.
Funeral services for Mr. Carrington will be held March 30 at 2 p.m. at Mizpah Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Michael Ferrell officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 29 from 7:00 until 8:00, at Jeffress Funeral Home.

William Douglas Thomas

William Douglas 'Billy' Thomas, 77, of Danville, formerly of Chatham, died March 27 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Thomas was born May 24, 1924, in Pittsylvania County, the son of the late J. Holland Thomas Sr. and the late Mary Cousins Thomas and was married to Eunice Walker Thomas, who preceded him in death.
He was a member of Watson Memorial United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees, was a Chatham police officer and served as Chief of Police from 1964 until his retirement. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and served in the US Air Force as a medic.
Survivors include one daughter, Debbie Thomas of Danville; one son, Garry Thomas of Ringgold; one sister, Marguerite Motley of Chatham and one granddaughter, Lauren Thomas of Ringgold. He was also preceded in death by a son, William D. Thomas Jr.; and two sisters, Nancy and Ruby Thomas; three brothers, John H. Jr., James H. and Carrol Thomas.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas will be held today, March 29 at 11 a.m. from Watson Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. Charles Wickham. Burial will be in Chatham Burial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Watson Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Rosa Clements Thaxton

Rosa Clements Thaxton, 64, of 801 Jefferson Avenue, South Boston, died March 27 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Thaxton was born in Halifax County on October 16, 1937, the daughter of William Stovall Clements and Mary Lee Dixon Clements and was married to Freddie Thaxton. She was a member of Solid Rock Full Gospel Church.
Survivors include two sons, Gerald Clements of South Boston and Robert Clements of Petersburg; two sisters, Dorothy Clements of Fayetteville, NC and Mable Quarles of Nathalie; two brothers, David Clements of Nathalie and James Clements of South Boston; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two god children, Billy and Dion; and a devoted friend, Mary Hilliard.
Services for Mrs. Thaxton will be held tomorrow, March 30 at 3 p.m. at Solid Rock Full Gospel Church with the Bishop Alan Graves officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Robert Leslie Wade

Robert Leslie Wade, 60, of Bull Creek Road, Nathalie, died March 27 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Wade was born in Halifax County on January 20, 1942, son of the late Hunter Patterson Wade and Pearl Hodnett Wade. He was a member of Clover Bottom Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Barry Lee Wade of Nathalie and Kevin Wade of Brookneal; one daughter, Bobbi Jo McKinney and her husband, Mark of Brookneal; one grandson, Brandon McKinney; one sister, Margaret Wade of Nathalie and one brother, Austin Wade and his wife, Bobbie of Lynchburg.
A funeral service for Mr. wade will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 29 at Clover Bottom Baptist Church with the Rev. James Crocker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Corrie Mae Moss Griffin

Corrie Mae Moss Harris Griffin of 2702 Halifax Road, South Boston, died March 28 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Griffin was born in Halifax County on December 7, 1922, the daughter of John H. Moss Sr. and Minnie Dunkley Moss and was married first to William Wade Harris, then to Oscar Lee 'Dyke' Griffin. She was a member of Clover Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Stuart Wayne 'Butch' Harris and wife, Meria of Scottsburg, John Robert Griffin and wife, Mary Lynn of Halifax and Larry Lee Griffin and wife, Kim of Acworth, GA; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Maggie Moss Edmondson and husband, H.L. 'Duggie' Edmondson of Clover. She was preceded in death by two brothers, John H. Moss Jr. and Bill 'Tootie' Moss.
Funeral services for Mrs. Griffin will be held tomorrow, March 30 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lynn Marstin officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 29, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home of John Robert Griffin, 1042 Carolyn Court, Halifax.