The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-28
wEsTMoRELAND COUNTY.
MATTERS OF INTEREST OF OLD TIAE-co!
OCCASIONAL, CAMPAIGN, &C.

MATTERS OF INTEREST OF OLp iihE--SoN
GREssIoNAL CAMPAIGN, &C. i
CORRESPONDENCE of the Richmond Dispatch.}
HAGUE, VA, August "a, 1878.
perbaps short letter from Westmoreland
NAV be of some interest to your readers.
This historic old county, the birthplace aud
ancient seat OF many CT Yirginla's nopiest
and most honored families, has. lost much OF
its old-time grandeur and wealth, but none
OF its genial hospitality. Here lie buried
many OF our veneraied forefathers, VINO
centuries ago shaped the destiny OF tnelr
infant Commonwealth; and the VISITOR
would be indlticIen indeed did he not see
in familiar old landmarks around him some
thing 10 excite his liveliest interest
Your correspondent; had the pleasure on
last Sunday OF attending services ut OLD
Yeocomico church, o stately edl1ice, one
hundred and seventy-two years old. On Its
corner Is inscribed the date Of its erection
17GG. The building is kept in thorough re-
pair by the Epscopa; congregation which
now worships there, and is as neat and COM
Portable rs any OF our city churches. The
tombstoncs in the yard HARDLY record
deaths which occurred more than century
and a half ago; and many, perhaps, OF these
silent sleeperS were christened from The
same antique font which is used by the
present congregation. The dlpper, even,
used at the sprn" not far of, and chained
10 the rock from which the water seems to
flow, is older than the oldest living inhablt-
ant, and is an object OF no little interest.
Not very far from ieocomico. in broad,
level field now belonging to the farm owned
by Dir. Wiloughby Newton, may be seen
the tomb OF Richard Lee, the direct ances'
tor OF General i. l.. Lee, and one OF the
first landowners in fhc county. The same
stone covers also the remains OF his wife,
and it is still perfectly preserved, though
the trees which once surrounded the graves
have long since disappeared, victims to old
age. On the slab is the following inscrip-
ton, which has never been printed, be-
lieve, except in Bisaop Meade's work on
the Ancient Families of Virginia, Il tran
script, having been sent to the author by
Colonel Lawrence, ei Westmoreland:
"Uic Condilur Corpus Richardi Lee,
armigcri. natl in Virginia: fill Richardi
Lee, generosi eX antigua famiia in Merton
Regis in Comitatu Salopieusi oriundi. In
magistratum obeundo boni pubici studio
sissiRl. in litcris Graecis and Latinis and
aliis humanioris liieraturae dis cipllnis
rcrsatissimi.
'.Deo quem sumnla observantia Semper
Coluit amman tranquillus reddidit XII.
neo die Marti Anuo MDCCXIV. Aetat
LXVIiT.
"Hic jux tn Situpl est Corpus Lactitiae
ejusdem uXoris tidae, filiac Henrici Corbin
generos, Iiberorum neatris amantissimac
piatate erga deum cbaritate erga deum
cha-itate egcnos benignitate erga omnes
insigneS.
.Obilt Octob: die VI. MDCCVI. Aetatis
Xiv"
On the stone is given also the following
translation
..Hcrc leth the body OF Richard Lee,
Esq, born in Virginia; son OF Richard
Lee, gentleman; descended OF an ancient
family OF Merton-Regis, in Shropshire.
While he exercised the office OF a magis-
trate he was q Jealous promoter OF the pub
lie good. He was very skillful in the Greek
and Latin languages and other parts of po-
lite learning. He quietly resigned his soul
to God, whom he always devoutly wor-
shipped, OIL the 18th day Of March, in the
year TIA, in the 6Sth year Of his age.
"Near him lieth the body Of Lettice, his
faithful wife, tender mother OF his children /;
daughter OF Henry Corbin. gentleman /;
much loved for her piety toward God, her
charity towardth poor, and her kindness
toward all.
''She died on the 9th day of October,
1905, In the 49th year OF her age"
AS will appear from the use of the abbre-
Walton for 'sNet the Latin is the style OF
that used in England two and three GEN.
turtles ago.
Were to attempt even a casual notice Of
the many objects OF historic note here I
would transcend the limits OF letter, and
be voted tedious antiquarian.
Stratford and the birthplace OF Washing
ton, only a few miles apart, are kept in good
condition, andar often visited by travellers
and sight-seerS. Both, believe, are owned
by 1rishmen, as is also the beautiful home
Of President Madison in Orange county. =
The political outlook here is not exactly
clear. Judge richer, who for some time
past has been contemplating contest for
Judge Barton's circuit, has given up his as
pirations in this direction, and having ac-
cepted the nomination for Congress OF what
would be called, suppose. for want OF q
better name, the "National' - party, prom
Uses to be somewhat dangerous rival to
General Beale, tie recent nominee OF the
regular Democratic party. Judge Critcher
is q shrewd and able politician, and de-
cldedIy one OF the sbest stump.speakers in
his district. A good many Conservatives
in Westmorelapd will vote for him, and
grave fears are entertained that by such u
division of strength the Radicals will be
materially benefited. The chances, how
ever, are decidedly in favor Of General
Beale. 2@@~
An elegant corn crop-much improved by
the recent timely rains-will do much to re-
viYe the spirits, OF farmers here. who failed
in their wheat prospects. Only a few
peaches survived but these are bringing
line prices IN tie markets. One peach
grower here has refused an offer OF $1,000
for his crop on the trees, and claims that
Notwithstanding this is the worst season he
has known-he Will realize $1,000 in mar
ket. .st,s...,s..5s.
The large camp meeting held ten days ago
in Richmond county has closed. Thousands
attended daily, and good many Richmond
ers might be seers on the grounds. Bishop
Doggett, Rev. DIR. Bennett, and Rev. Mr.
Lafferty, were among the visiting clergy.
All left " ith pleasant recollections Of their
reception here. p ~. b.
SENATOR spEXcEg-THE. BLACK HILLS. -
Washington, August %. Senator Spencer
hes returned FROM the Black Hills. Hssays
that the mining country is richer than was
anticipated by the most hopeful, and that
civilization is already farther advanced tliaH