Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-01-26
VOL. 3.---NO. l54.
DAILY VIRGINIAN.
John Randolph's Grave.


On bright and beautiful morning in May, we
mounted our horses to visit Roanoke, the seat Of
the late John Randolph. The weather was charm
ing, our horses in fine life, and ourselves in good
bumor with every thing and every body. Under
such circumstances, the ride of fourteen miles,
the distance from Charlotte Court House,
vastly agreeable. The country through which
you pass, from Charlotte G. II. to Roanoke, is
not very neutrality-suspicious. in all respects, us
WAS Informed, to other parts of the country.
After ride of two or three hours, we entered
forest of tall oaks, and were told that were
ON Mr.. Rnndolph's estate. Shortly the houses
that were occupied by tho great and eccentric
genius, appeared through the intervening trees,
built up IN the midst of the woods. Nota stump
To be seen, not II bush grubbed up; all standing,
as II the foot of man had never trodden there
Mr.: Randolph would not suffer the primitive as
pect of things to be disturbed in the least Not
n tree, or branch or switch was allowed to be
cnt. During his absence in Europe. limb of an
oak, projecting towards "A window of one of the
houses, grew so near that old Essex, fearing the
window would be broken, cut the limb of. On
Mr. Rnndolph's return, he at once discovered the
mutllatlon old Essex was called up, and tho rea-
MONS demanded for cutting off the limb The old
negro told his master he feared the window would
be broken. Then said Mr.. Randolph, why did
you not move the house
We were met by John, the celebrated body ger
want of Mr. Randol PHI and were treated by him
with as much calm dignity and politeness rs I
should have expected from the most polished gen
tleman. lie accompanied through and
planned everything that attracted attention, about
the summer .and winter houses and related TO us
many things connected with his late master, of
most interesting character. The summer and
winter houses stand Immediately opposite and
were used by Mr.. Randolph as their denomination
indicates, The winter house is rude, uppainted
log structure; the roof that shelters the 'front.' sup
ported 10y Embarked posts. The interior has a
confined, roughly finished appearance. The sum
merhouse is built ofbetter materials, well finish
ed and partially painted. The plan ofthe sum
mer honse though singular, is in good taste.
and DECIDEDLY convenient and agreeable. Instead
OF windows on three sides Of each room there are
doors opening very wide aiiorang plentiful
circulation of air, and unoL struoted view of all
nround. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit
the houses were denuded of their furniture, cir
cumstnnce of much regret US.
At my request, John directed us TO his mas
ter's grave, nt the foot OF lofty pine just few
steps III the rear of the summer house. The place
wins selected by Mr.. Randolph twenty venrs be-
fore his death; and by his direction his bend was
laid to the east instead of the west, the usual
position. suppose the position wns preferred by
Mr. Randolph, because ii is the Indian srpnlehral
posture, his descent from Pocahontas, the indian
princess being Of the things he much boast
cd of. rude unohisseod mass of white rock.
found by Mr.. Randol ph, on distant ", If his
estatc, many years before his death, Lna ed by
him at the door of one of his houses as u wash
stand marks tho head of his grave. A rude mas
of brown stone, also selected by Mr.. Randolph
and used as step stone to mount his horse marks
the foot of the grave These rocks were procured
aud kept for the purpose to which they are
appropriated. and particular directions given 10
John on the subject.
can never forget my emotions while standing
over the anornamented grave Of the gifted and
eccentric Randolph Tho tall unbroken forest
by which was surrounded, the silence and gloom
that rcigned undisurbed amidst the deserted
plaer, the thought of the brilliant mind that once
animated the remains then mouldering beneath
the sod up II which | was standing-the vanity
Of enrth's ronises, and hopes, aud distinctions,
i'm rossed heart and mind with n degree of
solemnty nj interest was unwilling to dissi-
pata.