Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-05

ment of the hearth stone. This relic was
presented t. Gov. Wise, who will deposit 1t,
properly labelled, iu the State Library at
Richmond.
Wbile scjourning at the birth place, the
party experienced SOME annoyance from
shower of rain, which terminated the visit
at this interesting spot. Several persons
supplied themselves with canes from the
black hsw, which grows abuudantly on the
shore Of the creek, aud which they intend to
preserve as sacred mementUs.
Following up the ravine in \. \ w. d.
rection, for little more than mile, the
Governor and his attendants came to the
burial ground and vault in which are inter
red the remains of the father, g'audiather
aud great grandfather of Washington, with
those of their respective families, ut Bridges
creek The brick arch Of the vault the sides
OF which have been iied in with earth to
prevent depredations,) is plainly visible
Nothing remains of the ancient enclosure,
except one or two partially decayed posts
Close BY the vault lays mOss-covered tomb
stone bearing the following inscription:
Here lyeth the body OF John Washington
eldest son to Captain Lawrence Washington,
who departed this life ye Goth of January,
1890, aged 10 years and six months"
Also, Mildred Washington eldest daugh-
ter to said Washington, who died on We LIST OF
August, 1906, aged months"
The stone also bears the device of q skull
and cross bones and the characters are cut
in the angular style OF the ancestral grase
stones usually found in Virginia.
Some other fragments were found scatter
4 4 Il r h,r Iapt
which none of the company were able to In.
tarpret. 1t may have been the coat-ot-arms
Of one Of the Washingtons. 1t is believed
that other slabs aod inscriptions can befound
by clearing away the mold which has been
accommodating there for generations.
After viewing the consecrated, though
neglected spot, Governor Wise, accompanied
by several gentlemen returned TO MIR. Will
sons mansion. Here, seated around an old
Virginia log fire in the pleasant parlor, the
guests listened With interest to the Governors
remarks, which were 10 the conversational
style lie told them that not more than 81.
500 Of the appropriation would DO required
tor the enclosure of the birth place and the
vault, and with the residue % 800, he propos-
ed to build porter's lodge, ADD install there
in keeper Of the grounds. But be had
more extensive and enlarged plan. The es-
Enlistment OF an Agricultural School was
favorite scheme with him, and be had
yaialy presented his views on that subject to
the Legislature. The people of Westmore.
land had now an opportunity OF securing the
esta bishment of such school, and 1t was
his ardent desire that one should be estab-
lished at Wakefield, the birthplace Of Wash
ingson. lie would himself bead the sub
scription, and be urged the gentlemen presen:
to reflect seriously upon the project, and take
mold Ut 1t 10 earnest.
The conversation also turned upon agricul-
tural matters generally, and the Governor
presented many theories and methods OF in
proved farming which completely absorbed
the attention Of the company. 10 short, the
Governor has created favorable impression
upon the minds OF the people here, who free
ly confess that they have, with the most
bountlful gifts OF nature all around them.
long remained in an almost lethargic con-
dition.
Mr.. Wilson entertained his visitors to-day
with a sumptuOus banquet composed Ot the
richest luxuries afforded by the land and
water, served up in the true Virginia mode.
A desert of refreshing ices and cakes compile
ted the feast, which was from first to last sea-
soned with ssllies of wit and pleasant re-
psrtee.
Wakefield was sold in 1913 by Col. Geo.
C. Washington, (who derived it from his
father, w IN. Augustine Washington, toJohn
Gray of Stafford. John Gray afterwards
sold it to Daniel Payne, whose executors sold
it TO John +. Wilson, father OF the present
proprietor. This gentleman is a connection
Of the Washington family by marriage, his
wife being daughter of Lawrence Washing
ton, esq, OF Blenheim, near neighbor
About sundowD, the pleasant company Sc
parated, and Gov. Wise returned to ClaymOnt,
the residence OF George W. Lewis, esq. Mr..
Lewis is one of the finest specimens of the
Virginia gentleman we ever met with. His
home is delightful and evidences of refined
taste meet the eye on every side. We may
apply 10 this household the lines Of Thomson:
IAN elegant, suficiency, content
Retirement, rural quiet friendship books,
Ease and alternate labor, useful life,
Progressive virtue and approving Heaven
The Governor diued at this place, aud on
Friday at Or. Wirt's, an elegant mansion not
far distant, and then took his departure for
Richmond.