Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-12
Wakefield.

CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Gazette
WEsTMoRELAND, VA, Aug. 10, lS72.-1
sent you few days ago a letter giving brief
account ola visit to "Stratford," the birth
place of Robert E. Lee 7 now propose to give
some account of "W AKErlEID," the birth. place
of George Washington.
Wakefield" place lies on the north bank of
Popes Greek in this county, about five miles
from Stratford, and borders on the Potomac.
The farm is mostly fiat land Of good quality
and was once most productive soil the crops
now raised there are III general superior to most
IN the neighborhood. Along the bank of the
creek are old oyster shell beds, many feet in
depth and extending outin the fields for some
distance, and to their dislntegratOn and decom-
nosition the fertility of the soil is doubtless, in
great measure, due. The origin Of those oyster
Shell beds is enveloped in mystery the prevail
ing notion being that the creek was the resort
of Indians in years gone by, aud that they used
the oysters for food, leaving the shells on the
bank. There are oysters yet IN the creek, but
of small size and not very good quality.
A pile OF bricks marking the foundation Of
house, aud Il solitary brick chimney, mark the
site where the immortal hero of the first revo-
luton saw the light. The field that once. sup
pose, was yard and garden, is now cultivated
land, aud no tree or shrub remains save clump
of fig bushes. Many years ago e. w. =.
Custs and Mr. Lewis erected plain marble
slab at this spot with suitable inscription, set
ting forth the date of birth, &c, of the iustri.
Gus dead, and with the names Of those erecting
the monument. But this has some time ago
passed away, prey to lic-hunters, who de-
tsroyed it peace meal. no trace of even where
it stood being left There is a quiet and soil
tude about the place that is oppressive. What
spot for moralizing what place TOR cutting
canes these fg bushes are the very thing and
your correspondent forthwith cut three, and
spares your readers his reflections on the char
acter of the ''pater patr'G.
Wakefield, since Washington's day, has
passed through many hands into those OF It's
present owner. At one time it was purchased
10y an old Virginia. whose vices were open
handed, and whose liberality was too p:ofllse
for his income His horses and dogs led him
chase that resulted in II speedy loss OF the cs-
tate. which passed luto other hands with
mortgages in abundance. Our hero, who did
every thing in magnificent style, would think
nothing it is is said on returning from "A fox
chase, Of shooting down Il beet to feed his dogs.
So, in splendid waste he passed away, as per
haps was we'll
Ii Is not little remarkable that along mere
on the banks Of the Potomac, within few
miles distance, should be found the birth aces
of Washington, Munroe and Lee; that Of JAS.
Nunroe is about ten miles further up the Poto-
mac, near the banks of a creek bearing his name.
| Those of your readers who are curious in the
matter OF these old families will be much
interested by reading Bishop Meade 5 odd
Churches and families Of Virginia. a book re-
plete with information, and should, | think, be
in the hands of every Virginian. Il.