The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-05-17
John Randoph's Grave.


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 our
selves in good humor with everything
and every body. Under such circum-
stances, the ride OF fourteen miles,
the distance from Charlotte Court
House to Roanoke, was vastly agree
able. The country through which
you pass, from Charlotte Court House
to Roanoke, is not very interesting,
inferior in all respects, as | was in
formed, to other parts of the country.
After a ride of two or three hours,
we entered forest Of tall oaks, and
were told that we We're on Mr.. Ran
dolph's estate, Shortly the houses
that were occupied by the great and
eccentric genius, appearedthrough the
intervening trees, built up in the midst
OF the woods. Not a stump to be seen,
not a bush grubbcd up; all standing as
if the foot Of man had never trodden
there.
Mr.. Randolph would not suffer the
primitive aspect Of things to be dis
turbed in the least. Not a tree, or
branch or switch was allowed to be
cut. During his absence in Europe,
limb Of an oak, projecting towards q
window Of one of the houses, grew 50
near that old Essex, fearing the Win
dow would be broken, cut the limb of,
On Mr. Randolph's return, he at once
discovered the muiilation, old Essex
was called up, and the reason de-
manded for cutting oil 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 celebra-
ed body servant of Mr.. Randolph, and
were treated with as much calm dig
nifty and politcness as | should have
expected from the most polished gen.
tlcman. He accompanied us through,
and explained everything that attract
ed attention about the simmer and
winter houses; and related to us many
things connected with his late master,
ola most interesting character. The
summer and winter houses stand i'm
mediately opposite, and were used by
Mr.. Randolph as their denominations
indicate. The winter house is a rude,
implanted log structures; the roof that
shelters the front, is supported by I'M
barked posts. The interior has a con-
fined, roughly finished appearance
The summer house is built of better
materials. well finished and painted.
The plan ofthe summer house, though
singular, is in good taste, and decided
ly convenient and agreeable. instead
of windows, on three sides Of each
room there are doors opening very
wide, allording plentiful circulation
Of air, and an unobstructed view Of al
around. Unfortunatcl y, at the time o
our visit, the houses were denuded o
their furniture, a circumstance o
much regret to us.
AT my request, John directed Us t.
his masters grave, at the foot of a loft.
pine just few steps in the rear ofth'
summer house. The place was select
ed by Mr.. Randolph twenty years be
fore his death; and by his direction hi
head was laid to the east instead 0
the west, the usual position. | sup
pose the position was preferred b,
Mr.. Randolph, because it was the In
dian mode of scpulchral posture, hi
descent from Pocahontas, the Indian
princess, being one of the things h
much boosted of. A rude unchiselle
mass of white rock, found by Mr.. Ran
dolph, on a distant part of his estate
many years before his death, and use
by him at the door of one Of his hons
es as a wash-stand, marks the head c
the grave. A rude mass of brow
stone, selected by Mr.. Randolph, an
used as step stone to mounth his horse
marks the foot of the grave. Thcs
rocks were procured and kept for tn
purpose to which they are now apprc
priated, and particular directions giN
en- to John on this subject.
| can never forget my emotion
while standing over the unornamen
ed grave of the gifted and cccentri
Randolph. The tall, unbroken fore'
by which | was surrounded, the silenc
and gloom that remained undisturbc
amidst the deserted place, the though
of the brilliant mind that once anlmf
ted the remains then Wondering b'
meath the sod upon which | was stanC
ing-the vanity of earth's promise
and hopes, and distinctions. impresse
-. - mind with n 1pprpo