The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-09
A S7.ATESA4N,S HOME.
TFrom tho Macon, Ga, Tolegraph.I ]

AS the traveller passes over the Georgia railroad from
Atlanta Augusta he will observe on the summit Of
ridge on the outskirts Of the village of Charlottesville a
story wooden house well shaded by grove Of vener
ble oaks and with lawn in front gently sloping Y, the
SOUTH planted with great regard to order in shrubbcry
and fruit trees.
tectural sylebut is built after the fashion and In con-
ormity with the plans Of the country residences OF wealthy
Georgia planters thirty years ago.
This modest mansion with its novel and attractive sur
roundngs, is the domc Of gentleman who has oceu-
pied no small share of public attention for the last fifteen
years He Is known to his Immediate circle Of friends as
tAleck" Ito his neghbors and acquaintanccs OF Iaa-
ferro county esquire Stephens and to the republic
at large 'Stcphcns of Georgia The name OF Alex
andcr H. Stephens is household word in the eighth
congressional district. #a
Mr. stephens began to practise law in Charlottesville
about the year 1884, and boarded in the family Of the
cstimablc gentleman who resided in and owned the house
to which we have referred above At his death Mr..
Stephens left his executor and at the sale of the
real estate became the purchaser of the house and TWEEN
ty Of land adjoining, and has resided there since
that timo when not an attendant public duties at
Washington. Until recently no material changes were
made in the house. and even now to the front view It
stands originally builttwo stories, porch with plain
columns, eight rooms, passage in the middle, &C. Re-
Gently two rooms intended for library and bed chamber
and small and airy passage, have been added to the
house.
Nor.h of the mansion and the slope Of hill the
garden orchard and vineyard, and il visitor in the
month OF August should III Tue quiet village
by and should crafty pardonabie curiosity by
looking over the place, he will find wcll-scected and
choice variety of ruspeaches, pears, apples straw
berries grapes, &C. While strolling over the garden il
the visitor win cast his eye northeastward he will see the
smoke curling up from the chimncys of farm house
about two miles distant and the highest point of land
in the circuit of his vsien. a
This is the treasured spot above all Others to Mr. Ste
phens 1t is his family homestead the place where his
grandfather settled shortly after tho revolution the
place where his father lived and died. and the place upon
which the statesman was born. ride Of half hour
broken but beautiful country, will bring you to
tho farm and the right of the road and but short
distance from the farm buildings, the top of hl is
the spot where his father lived The buildings have oil
been removed, and there traces to the eye of
stranger left TO mark the spot hut they ndeby inn
pressed upon the memory Of Mr. Stephens. just under
that clunp OF trees is the spring, still flowing pure and
Free from which he drank; by Is the grove Of wide
spreading oaks under whose refreshing and friendly shade
he accustomed to play, and all around are the hills
over which he camored when boy. All these memen-
toes of youth treasured recollections with man
whose name is famous for eoqucnce, learning and pa
triotism from the Arostook to the Rio Gande And it
is refreshing to observe the influences of home and
hearth and youthful associations, upon exalted
ture aud such lofty intellect to great man with
such affections glowing, spreading. and kindling with
trcmulous feeling the recolccoDs of early home
and boyhood in this utiarian practical, unroman-
tic age, makes one feel and know that the /" great
events with which old story rings not all vain and
hollow Reader pardon the episode. The farm, at the
death OF the father of Mr.. stephens, sold, and
went into possession Of strangers to the blood, but
the young lawyer secured the means, he
repurchascd the old homestead. Tho lands have been
in cultivation for than half century but by ju-
dicous system of nanurng, dtching and drainage many
fields which turned out exhausted and worthless
have been reclaimed and under the improved methods
of cultivation, yielded return for labor almost equal to
virgin soil About four miles west of Crawfodsville and
in full view of the alroad may be tho vineyard of
Mr. AK, who has been successful in making wine from
our native grape.
The experiments of Mr.. Ak with the grape conclusive
y demonstrate that Middle Georgia, in climate and SOIL
is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation Of the vine, and
that vineyards may be made of revenue to tho
Georgia planter. Acting upon this idca Mr. stephens
has made an auspcous beginning his vines at his home
and farm place thrifty and promising, and il the sea-
proptious next year, we shall not be surprised
to and hear frequent mention made by connyeufs Of
the marvellous flavor aud fruity virtues Of Scpcnss Ca
tawba OF the vintage OF 80. So mote it be.
We understand that Mr.. Ak has large supply OF