Washington sentinel., 1855-03-23
The Birthplace of Calhoun.

The old homestead in which Mr.. Calhoun
first saw the light stands on the eastern edge
Of the beautiful tract Of country we have Just
partially described, and which is known as the
Calhoun settlement, The plantation passed
few years ago from the hands of young mem
Der Of the family (why was that?) TO Mr.. John
White, an intelligent merchant Of this village,
and is now occupied by his overseer as negro
quarter other changes, too, and more impress
sive, have come over this venerable relic Of the
past
The house, an object OF interest for its anti
quated architecture alone, was evidently once,
for its day, an elegant mansion, built in the
irregular, no-style order Of the age, having
spacious central hall, heated by one OF those
huge chimneys, now obsolete, whose ample fire.
sides were symbolical Of the patriarchal hospi-
talitaly Of the olden time. 1t is situated on the
brow Of bill, that declines gently to the east
ern bank Of beautiful stream that still bears
the family name; for, like most Of the resi-.
derces Of the pioneers, the site was chosen
more for its convenience to water than for AM
other advantage; and we arc not sure that this
utilitarial impulse has lessened seriously the in.
trinsic beauty Of the situation. A winding
creek, dashing with an audible murmur over
its pebbled bed, and hills that stud its banks
with sufficient boldness TO relieve the monotony
Of wide expanse Of fat woods, stretching for
miles away from the very verge Of the western
bank, more than compensate for the absence Of
qualities that a too fastidious taste would have
preferred.
To our eye, apart from all historic interest,
there is charm in the bold, rugged landscape,
uncouth style, and moss grown timbers of these
venerable bomesteads Of the pioneers. We
love to muse in the humid shades ftheir monu.
fol ka lisia IN tba IL al
whistle through shattered gables strange re-
QUEENS to the dead and departed customs of
other days. The old Red House. however on
the border Of the Flat Woods, is more indebted
for the interest it exacts to its history, than its
natural features. Except small grove of
oaks, and decayed Prides-of China, immediate
w around it, and which seem struggling to i'm
part a scanty shade to the fading relics beneath
them, the surrounding country is a continuous
plantation, destitute OF forest, and in many
places the worse for having long since yielded
TO the cotton mills Of Manchester and Lowell
the best portion Of its primitive fertility. There
is nothing Of the wild or sublime in scenery TO
be found here, that could have impaired, ac
cordlng to the poets, heroic grandeur TO lofty
genius; nevertheless, in the silent dells Of the
meandering creek, and the rich verdure Of
their evergreen foliage, contemplation found a
genial retreat, and doubtless there the inquisi.
tive mind Of the future statesman imbibed
much OF that deep earnest thoughtfuluess that
characterized him through life.
Some hundred yards east Of the house, in
the open field, but nearly concealed by the
spreading branches Of large cedar and tall
shrubbery is the old family cemetery. 1t con-
tajns but single monument Of any architec-
iural interest, and that stands upon the graves
Of Mr. Cslboun's father, mother, and sister
Catharine, Mrs. DR.. Wadde. He had il carved |
10 Washington, and placed in its present site