1718265

REFERENCE: #57 VA Cous
John Goode, of "Cox's Creek" # 57 in VA Cousins and son of No. 34, sold
out his estate on the Roanoke, and bought a large and valuable tract of
land on Cox's Creek, Mecklenburg Co., VA. He had the largest negro estate
in the county. He was remarkably fond of his farm, and of fine horses,
for the possession of which he was noted. He owned the celebrated quarter
race-horses 'Twig" and 'Paddy Whack.' "
A peculiar form of the amusement known as "quarter-racing" was in favor
in this part of Virginia in the last century. (1700s) This is described
by Anburey in his Travels through America: - "It is a match between two
horses, to run a quarter of a mile in a straight direction, and near most
of the ordinaries, there is a piece of ground cleared in the woods where
there are two paths about six or eight yards asunder which the horses run
in. They have a breed of horses to perform it with astonishing velocity,
beating every other, for that distance, with the greatest ease. I think I
can assert that even the famous Eclipse could not excel them in speed,
for our horses (in England), are some time before they are able to get
into full speed, and these are trained to set out in that manner the
moment of starting. It is the most ridiculous amusement imaginable, for
if you happen to be looking another way the race is terminated before you
can turn your head; notwithstanding which, very considerable sums are
betted on these matches."
Virginia Cousins, p. 43