The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-01
$780, FLOR the Dispatch.l 49,.
xvnetnanxerax,N az She Was.


xyeslmorerand az She was.
The first record-evidence we have OF this
comfy Is in 1853, under the Commonwealth
Of England. In none of che STRAND AS
semblics !" Is Westmoreland represented by
a Burgess until 1859 go, when one Thomas
Ffouke appears. We can learn nothing
Ynrther of him or HIS descendants The
tirss settlers on the Virginia side Of the
Potomac located themselves on the banks
OF the river and innumerahle creeks that
entered into it. Theirfrst atteataon seems
to have been directed to the Indians, ana as
fhey n,,shed them toward sunset Shey
gradually worked their way into the dense
fnres. that oyerspread the peninsula from
the Rappahaunock to the Potomac.
Under inducements held out by the NORTH
ern country immense bodies OF the hnese
lands we're taken up by The cavaliers, VINO
had lost all in the downfall OF the hIst
Charles. and who fondiy hoped in the
wilds of America to cultivate royalty ana
build UP their beloved church, unmoiestea
by canting Puritans asd Roundheads. All
the laws Of this period looked 10 consuns
nation so devoutiy desired.
WestmoreIapd was taken from Northum-
berland. the Indian name OF which was
Chickceun. AS population increased sum
GENTLY to support county organization
new ones we're fexrned, Just as Rappaiaan-
mock was taken from Lancaster, then Mid
dlesex, Essex, and Richmond from Kappa
hammock. For a time the boundaries OF
Westmoreland extended to the falls OF the
Potomac; but rs population worked its
way towards the mountains King George.
Stafford. and other counties were taken frem
her, and her dimensions reduced to forty
miles along the Potomac with an average
width OF twelve. Within this space were
born and reared some OF the greatest and
noblest sons OF this county. Some have
advanced the idea that the atmosphere must
be impregnated with elemental greatness,
others that spirit lowered over the spot
that touched so many with genius Tor war
and political science.
Tradition says Madison was born at Port
Connoy, then q part OF Westmoreland; that
his mother was on visit to relative at the
time Of his birth. II this tradition be true
she has given birth to three Presidents. AS
mean in these jOttings to travel from the
upper to the lower end Of the county, Mr..
Monroe comes first in order. Many years
ago the old homestead was in aruinous con-
dition. a few traceS.of the out-buildings,
with still less OF the improvements that
usually surround the homes OF the wealthy
and educated, were visible. Like nearly
all the landed property OF this county, pass
ing into hands who had no taste for the
beauties OF nature improved by man, were
gradually removed and the soil converted
into more substantial objects than to satisfy
the eye. -,
Going down the river few miles we
come to Wakefield, the birthplace OF Wash
ington. A fg-hush and q wreck OF an old
chimney are the only visible evidence We
have that once life, with its joys and 'sor-
rows, moved about the desolated spot.
Pope's ereek-a sluggish body of water
washes the shore near the wreck OF the old
place. Here, no doubt; the boys chad
often wandered to the blue waves in the
distance while bathing or playing in the
water around him. This creek takes its
name from one John Pope, who seems to
have been one of the F. +. VS.. The church
in which Washington was christened is
called Pope's Greek. This building was
burnt many years ago. Among the count
less number who found their last resting
place here lies the body Of Hon. Thomas
Lee, the second owner OF Stratford. The
late lamented Bishop Payne had built a
parish school-house near by at his own eS-
pense, and intended to rebuild the church
on its old foundation. = !; q i f. -
In sight was the .princely residence OF the
XnCCaElSss luc "a dIfSlOCldtlC
tally and Irish conyivialitv. That, like SO
State, was destroyed by fire. The 5000
acre plantation attached to it has passed into
strange hands, and the name is lost here.
To the southwest Of .Pope's Creek church
is the wreck Of old Leedstown, town CO.
temporary with Philadelphia, with a fair
prospect then Of rivaling her-a place of
much Importance before and during the Re
evolutionary war. In the beginning, Of the |
then troubles, ameeting OF her people was
held here; resolutions passed pledging them |
selves TO use nothing Of English manu- |
facture until the odious stamp act was re-
peaied.- Along the heights tkat overlook
level and magnificent country were the re-
sidences Of the Robinsons, Turner'S, Hun |
gerfords, Starkes, Rodgers, Jettss c.-that
SIS OF men who have given Q tone and !
cbaroc,e:- to our people not yet ob'iterated,
with ali the leveiu.ss principles Of WE and
equal rights, Not one o. 'u .ts.;ys and n v
The male ni!1e has represent. ~ go .ssir
a foot Of that fine country: belongs TO C..sl :,
descendents.' . Such will be- the mutation
and changes that sweep over all countries
where the lands are not subject TO- the JAWS
OF primogeniture. :, i
we now reach Stratford (only few miles |
from Pope's Creek, the home OF the Lees.
Its location and description have been given |
TOO often to the public to be repeated here, |
hit we NAV add it could not have been
from any magnificent prospecti it commands;
that game. the deep rayipcs that surround
il. the noble forest OF oak, walnut, ana
hickory everywhere to be seen; the distant
r6ap al the waves dashing their spray
AGAINST the cliffs, attracted the first builder, !
T,he first Stratford was burned, and the
nresent Stratford was reared upon its ruins.
THE bricks, no doubt, came from England;
hut there has been a controversy how the
Lee, the father OF the Hon. Thomas, OBJ
tanned !. themAyone contending that they
were present from Queen Ann to this
Lee, who was fayorite councillor; Others
that he took and appropriated them to his
own use, instead OF building either a pal
ace or adding to William and Mary College
in Williamsburg, for which they were in
tended. Stratiord is one. Of the few old
buildings. that have been kept in good re-
pair. For unately the owner Is d wealthy
lady, who has kept it from going to wreck.
Not yestige OF Chantiliy, which was an
adjoining plantation, remains. The re-
raains OF b. 81. Lee lie here, with nothing TO
mark bis last resting-place. Only one or
two persons now living can point out the
spot. Soon, no doubt, 1t swilibe turned up
to raise. what man needs from bis mother
SOIL. tThe lees seem to have been very nu-
inerons Ia the Coiopy-tbe StfatfoTd Lees,
who seem. ia, have been the head OF the
house, Chantilly Lees, Lee Hall, Lees below
Nomony ferry, family in Northumberland,