The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-18
Famous Colonial Residences.
Interesting Traditions of Some OF the
Early Virginia Families.
[Roston Transcrint I

scale on which the Old planter of Virginia
lived, it is necessary to visit the castle-like
mansions where, in the midst of broad es-
tates, surrounded by all the belongings of
large establishment, he carried on his affairs
with the authority of grandee, and in true
aristocratie style lorded it around generally.
Probably the noblest of all the colonial resi-
dences in Virginia is "Rosewell," ;" the former
seat of Mann Page, in Gloucester County.
This once magnificent structure, situated
on Carter's Greek, less than one mile from
York River, begun by Matthew Page, was
completed after his death by his son, Mann
Page, in 1870. Years were consumed In its
construction, and the cost was immense.
The building stands on level lawn of fit
ting proportions, and in outward appear
ance is an exact cube of sixty feet, with the
exception that a pointed roof has superseded
the original one, which was fiat and covered
with lead and ornamented with large
glass aquarium for fish. Although of such
large dimensions, Roosevelt is compact look
ing, and notwithstanding the naked space of
treeless grounds, its brick walls and stone
cappings, softened by the blended eolorings
of the elements for over century, make a
fine impression. No trace now remains of the
tagging that paved the park Immediately in
front. or the iron railing which surrounded
it. The broad stone steps at each door have
also disappeared, along with the trees which
shaded the lawn. Flanking the house on
either side appear the dismantled porters'
lodges, with the remains of the wine cellars
adjoining, where, although there arc sugges-
tive eobwebs in abundance, not even piece
of broken bottle is left to fill one with visions
of the sparkling vintages that once stocked
them.
The interior arrangement of the building
may be described as being of three stories,
whose floor plan consists of large halls, with
cross passages on which the rooms open. On
entering, the cool and airy effect of this ar
rangement is the first thing noticed, and is
very pleasing. The main hall on the first
floor, which is duplicated on the second, is
80 by 40 feet, with which the cross passages
communicate by arched entrances, well
lighted by windows, two of which run clear
up through the second story. The spacious
hall forms one of the finest apartments that
can we'll be imagined. A peculiar feature is
the great fireplace in the eastern wall. The
stairway, describing parabolic curve If con-
tinued in the same plane, descends into the
hall with magnificent sweep, and, although
somewhat mutilated, serves with its mould
ed rail, futed and carved bannisters and cas-
ing, better to illustrate the soriginal beauty
of the decorations than anything except the
doors, which, like the stair fittings, are of
solid mahogany. All the Wainscotting has
been removed, and both doors and staircase
are marred by somewhat dingy paint, be-
slowed by one of the many owners in time
past. The property, containing 1900 acres,
now constitutes the Dean estate, and was
purchased for the sum of $4,000.
Across the creek, opposite Roosevelt, is the
Shelly farm, the famous "Wer-o-wo-com-i-
coz of the Indians, where Powhatten had
his royal wigwam, and whittier historians
generally agree that the captive John Smith
was finally conducted, to be saved by the
pitying heroism of Pocahontas. Shelly
House was recently destroyed by an acciden-
tai fire, and it is worthy of note that its own
er is the only descendant of the wealthy and
illustrious Pages who has any claim to or re-
sides upon the possessions of her fathers.
The Indian name of the place was retained
for some time, but proving too difficult for
frequent pronunciation, it was dropped and
that of Shelly adopted. This name was
suggested by the immense piles of oyster
shells found there.
About mile up the creek from Roosevelt
and Shelly is another old residence, whose
antiquity is considerably greater than the
former, and whose associations are equally
as closely connected with Virginia history
as the latter. This is the ancient Fairfield,
built by Lewis Burweil, now owned by Mr..
Cook, and called Carter's Greek. This curl
GUS old structure, while lacking the impos-
ing appearance of Roosevelt, is incomparably
quainter and more picturesque. 1t is but
two stories high, and has gable roof. The
chimney is exceedingly curious. 1t rises
shor- distance above the roof in a broad
mass, when, separating, it is continued in
three tall, slender fues, which are again
connected at the top. Down on the broad
part there is square depression, which
contains the initials "L. b." and the date
1914. The original shape of the house was
the letter T, with length of eighty feet-by
fifty in the wings. One of the wings hav-
ing been destroyed, the present shape is the
letter L. Like all of the other old houses, 1t
has been more or less demoralized within,
| but some of the once handsome wainscotting
| still cases the hall.
The burial ground of the >Burwells pre-
sents the melancholy spectacle of group of
weather-worn tombs broken and deserted
One of these tombs bears an inscription,
from which the following is taken: "To the
sacred memory of Abagail, wife of Lewis
Burwell, descendant of the illustrious fam
lily of Bacon" Now, it is matter of plain
history that upon the collapse of what is
known as his rebellion, Nathaniel Bacon
was concealed by wealthy friends and con-
nections in Gloucester County, and after his
| death was secretly buried by them. The old
Burwell house is said to be the place, where
| the dying Bacon was secreted and bafled the
search of the relentless Berkley. In support
| of this supposition it may be said that the
| cellar of the house contains secret cham
| her. In size it is about ten or twelve feet
with height of nine feet. Ventilation is
secured by narrow slit in the wall that
needs but small vine or bush TO effectually
| conceal it from sight. The only access to
the chamber is through an obscure closet, in
the floor of which is trap door so deity
joined that only closest inspection reveals
its existence.