C.A. Pugh, Blacksburg Photographer, 1880s

The sole clue to the identities of these individuals lies in the name Payne. In the 1880 census for the Allegheny district, two Payne families are documented. One consists of William (29) and Elizabeth (29), with William employed as a farm worker. The other family includes Bland (35), a miller who is disabled, and Sarah (29), who manages the household. In Blacksburg, Joseph and Susan Payne are also listed on the 1880 Census, alongside daughters and a son, presenting potential candidates.

Charles A. Pugh, born in Rustburg, Virginia in 1845, is documented in the 1900 Blacksburg Census with the occupation of photographer. He is widowed and resides with his 22-year-old daughter, Mary A. Pugh. Their residence is on the same page as the Grissom family, with Charles being a homeowner.

The Bennett-Pugh house on S Main Street, the block between Roanoke and Lee on the east side, was built soon after Charles A Pugh bought the property from Mr. Bennett in 1892 . The house is currently a resturant, Blaclsburg Tavern, owned my Daniel Riley.

Delia Allen Campbell Pugh was born in 1843 in Rustburg, VA and she was buried in Blacksburg, 1892. Charles A. Pugh was born in 1845 in Rustburg and is also buried in 1907 with his wife.

In 1880 US Census Charles and Delia Allen were living with Charle’s parents in Rustburg, Campbell Co along with their daughter, Mary Allen and Harry Thomas. At this time Charles was listed as a photographer! In the birth register from Mary Allen, 1877 Charles is listed as an artist.

When did the couple move to Blacksburg? They must have moved between the 1880 US Census and the date on the card, 1881.

Charles and Delia Allen married in Rustburg, 3 August 1863. He was noted as a merchant. His father, Thomas C Pugh was a tailor in the 1850 census and noted as a merchant in other census and obituary.

In 1870 US Census the couple were living with his parents, merchant. Charles was listed as a merchant clerk and Delia as a seamstress. An interesting note is that Jannie Hunter, black, is living with the family and listed a a cook. The Hunter family are located in Blacksburg about this time.

Mary Allen Pugh, daughter of Charles A. & Delia Allen Pugh, was born in Rustburg, Campbell County on 14 October 1877, married James E Harris, and died in Lunenburg, VA in 23 June 1924. Harry Thomas Pugh, her brother of Richmond, provided the death certificate information. James E Harris and Mary Allen Pugh married on 24 June 1919, he was born in NC and was an auctioneer. They both married late in life in Campbell Co, Virginia.

Harry Thomas Pugh was born in Rustburg, Campbell Co, Va on 28 May 1877 and died in Richmond in 1960. He worked for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad as a clerk.