Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-17
An Old Historic Mansion.
(For the SPECTATOR ]
AN OLD WILL, &C

[By Old Mortality.l
The traveller with his face turned towards
Greenville, as he nears the corporate limits
of Staunton, finds on the Southeastern
verge of the old Mcdowell farm (now Mrs
Gays, an old stone house. The roof has
been removed. Could its exact age be de-
termined, it is probable no building within
miles of it would be found as old. 'Tis be-
lieved to have been erected by one of the
McClanahans-among the earliest settlers
of this county. Under the Established
Church, in our colonial days, marriage
could only be solemnized by one of its min
isters. One of them, the name not remem-
be1ed, must have resided there, as tradition
says that many persons Southwest of Staun-
ton came there to be married. 1t is re-
membered, also, that the first lawyer who
qualified in December, 1745, the famous
Gabriel Jones, resided there several years,
before he built his fine mansion two miles
below Port Republic, on the farm now oc-
cupied by the Misses Strayer. This house,
in its Yainscoting below, and the ceiling
against the rafters above, was deemed unu-
sually fine at that day.
AN OLD CHURCH.
The writer of the above, for the first time
few days ago heard of an old church on
Middle river, north side, and not far from
the mouth of Christians creek and Long
Meadow Run, Beaver Creek in Beverly's
graht). Who is it that can throw light on
it's early history-when built, by whom,
who was its first pastor, &c. If it is what
was known as "Eakle's Church" 1t will,
perhaps, throw some light on its origin, to
say that in an old volume found in the
Chancery Clerks Office, sold Wills, Bonds,
Sc is found the will of Christian Ealle,
of Washington county, Md. 1t is in these
words
l, Christian Eakle, of Washington coun-
ty, state of Md, being sick and weak in
body, but of perfect mind and memory,
thanks be given unto God, calling unto
mind the mortality of my body, and know
ing that it is appointed for all men once to
die, do make and ordain this my last will
and testament, that is to say particularly
and first of all, / give my soul unto Al
mighty God that gave it, and my body I
recommend to the earth, to be buried in de-
cent Christian burial, at the discretion of
my executors, nothing doubling but at the
general resurrection | shall receive the
same again by the almighty power of God;
and as touching such worldly estate, where
with it has pleased God to bless me in this
life, l give, devise, and dispose of in the
following manner: My desire is for every
thing. possess to be sold, to the best ad-
vantage, and equally divided among my
children, which is John tEakle, BENJAMIN
Eakle, Christian Eakle, Caty Eakle, Mat
terra Eakle, Rosa Eakle, except 81 pounds
my son John paid for tract of land called
stone Battery" which he is to receive be-
sides his portion, my desire is for my son
Benjamin is to have so pounds for building
house, besides his portion of the estate,
also my desire is for my son Christian to
have 100 pounds for building a house, be-
sides his portion. give unto my daugh-
ter Rosa, my riding horse. l likewise ac-
knowledge this my last will and testament,
in witness whereof have hereunto set my
hand and seal the first day of February,
1909. | also appoint John Coleman, Hem
ry Eakle, and Peter Sheets, Executors, this
23rd day of March, 1902.
CHRISTIAN EAKLE.