Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-10-09

Grave of John Randolph.

A writer in the Norfolk Beacon describes
visit to the grave Of this remarkable man.
Spcaking of the former residence of Mr.. Ran
dolph, he says:-
After a ride of two or three hours, we enter
ed forest of tall oaks, and were told by Mr..
Caldwell that we were on Mr.. Randoph's es-
tate. Shortly, the houses that were occupied
by the great and eccentric genius, appeared
through the intervening trees, built up in the
midst of the woods Not stump to be seen,
not bush grubbed up; all standing, as if the
foot of man had never trodden there. Mr.. Ran
dolph would not suffer the primitive aspect of
things to be disturbed in the least. Not tree,
or branch, or switch, was allowed to be cut
During his absence in Europe, limb Of an oak,
projecting towards a window of one of the hou-
sos, grew so near, that old Essex, fearing the
window would be broken, cut the limb off. On
Mr. Randoph's return he at once discovered the
mutilation; old Essex was called up, and the
reasons demanded for cutting off the limb. The
old negro told mis- master he feared the wincow
would be broken. Then, said Mr.. Randolph,
why did you not move the house!
The writer here met John, the former body
servant of Mr.. Randolph, who treated him and
his companion with great poteness, conduct.
ing them to the winter and summer house, and
sother objects of interest in the vicinity. We
copy the description of his last resting-place
At my request, John directed us to his mas
ters grave, at the foot of lofty pine, just few
steps in the rear of the summer house. The
, place was selected by Mr.. Randolph twenty
years before his death; and by his direction the
head was laid to the East instead of the West
the usual position. 1t was observed to Johr
that his master had ordered his body to be thu.
laid, that he might watch Henry Clay. John re
lied, that he had never heard him say anything
of the kind. | suppose the position was pre-
ferred by Mr.. Randolph because it is the Indian
sepulchral posture, his descent from Pocahontas
the Indian Princess, being one of the things h,
= much boosted Of A rude unchiseled mass o
white rock found by Mr.. Randolph on distan
part Of his estate, many years before his death
! and used by him at the door of one of his hou
ses, as washstand marks the head of the grave
: A huge mass of brown stone, also selected b.
: Mr.. Randolph, and used as a step-stone {
y mount his horse, marks the foot of the grave
j. These rocks were procured and kept for the pun
. pose to which they are now appropriated, an
particular direction given to John on this subject
! can never forget my emotions while stand
u :. ing over the unornamented grave of the giftc
81 and eccentric Randolph. The tall, unbroke
Il forest by which was surrounded, the silenc
e and gloom that reigned undisturbed amidst til
u deserted place, the thought of the brilliant min
u that once animated the remains, then moulderin
T. beneath the sod upon which was standing.-
= The vanity of earth's promises, and hopes an
II !, distinctions, impressed my heart and mind wit
u a degree of solemnity and interest was unwi
&c ling to disspate.