“Riverside;” home of the late E. L. Fort.
The desire for schools and churches of their own was awakened, and the right kind of white people were ready, and willing, to lend them a helping hand. Among the first to lead substantially in this direction, in Montgomery county, was Dr. P. F. Norfleet, of Port Royal.
Brief sketch of this fine old gentleman: Dr. Philip Ford Norfleet was born in the early part of the past century, at his father’s homestead on the Nashville road, one and a half miles south of Port Royal. In later years the place was known as the Dr. J. T. Darden farm.
In his early twenties he was sent to a medical college, and was later on considered one of the best physicians of his day.
He was a charter member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, organized in 1835, and while it was said of him, that he sowed his share of wild oats in early life, after joining the church he doubled his diligence in good works.
He was married during his twenties, to Miss Elvira Hopson, and several children blessed their union.
He was a man of wealth, owning a large cotton plantation near Friar’s Point, Mississippi, to which he made annual trips on horseback, usually at crop selling time, and returning with vast sums of money.
Not caring to risk the health of his large and happy family, in the malarial districts of the Mississippi swamps, he made his home at Port Royal.
The original Norfleet residence, with few exceptions, remains intact, and is at present owned and occupied by Mr. W. E. Alley, a prosperous farmer, and substantial citizen of Montgomery county.
For the benefit of his family, Dr. Norfleet kept a number of efficient servants.