Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-25
raAr pownArAN BARBECUE,
Another Interesting Account OF the
James-River Farmers Gathering.
Correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispatch.l


Virginia barbecue given by our James
river landholders and Others interested
in the success OF the James-Riyer Valley
Immigration Company.
Taking the road which runs along on
the table-lan1 overlooking the river,
which it runs down towards the north to
commence the circuit of Bull Neck,
one of the largest curves of the
river, from Richmond to Lynch
burg, passing by several old es-
tates, one owned by Mr.. j. Nj. Watkins,
who now manufactures the only original
Powhatan pipe out of that famous clay. in
full view of the bold scenery on the
north side, dotted with happy homes,
among them, with its tower conspicuous
over rest, Boiling Hall, go long owned
by the direct descendants of Pocahontas,
we reached Tabor's Spring, very near
theriver, where Mr.. William W. Michaux,
OF happy memory, who owned all the land
in the neighborhood, used to give his sum-
mer barbecues to his friends. Indeed we
were on historic ground, as we were upon
the very spot granted 10y King William
and Queen Merry TO the French Huguenots
in 1858, which until recently remained
in the hands of the direct descendants
Of the original grantees. Mr.. Tabor is a
northern settler who owns one OF the
Michaux estates. Here in vale by q
gushing spring was spread out upon rude
tables under the direction of SIR. j. O..
Jordan, the chairman of the committee,
aD ample repast, consisting OF ham aad
lamb and oil the substsntials OF this
beautiful region with an enormous ket-
tie Of Brunswick stew, with the refresh
ments Of the day. the most popular
smong them being large tub filed with
clsret punch composed by Mr.. More
wood, of Powhatan, and DIR. Clayson, OF
Goochland, English settlers, who manu-
featured it after the recipe of the "Auld
Countrie." The wine OF which it was
made was from wine-presses OF Able
marie, "the strong bodied claret which
Beverly, in his history of Virginia, in
1922 stated was favorite production of
the Huguenot settlers.
After bountlful repast the business
OF the day was commenced in an in
formal way. 1t was explained to be to
inform the people and to incite interest
in the company lately organized at the
Natural Bridge, to promote immigration,
and call public attention to the great
agricultural resources Of the James
River Valley. DIR. William II. Hening.
one of the directors, was called on and
delivered one of those ornate and beau
tiful addresses for which he is so re-
markable.
Judge Dabney followed him. Among
his remarks, which purposed to show
the great value of the lands in the valley,
he stated that in his recollection the
owner OF Ben Lomand had sold to the
owner of Dungeness two fine estates on
the north side of the river, within two
miles of that spot and now owned by
northern settlers, 100 acres of
low grounds for $4,000. He also stated
there was within the sound of his voice
at the barbecue a native Powhstan man
who coming out of the army at the end
OF the war without dollar had bought
and paid for from the proceeds of the
sod Maiden's Adventure" one of the
finest estates from the falls to the noun
tains, winch he saw sold before the war
at public auction for $4,000.
z. ". Scott, Esq. vice president OF the
James-River Valley immigration Society
and one OF the founders OF the associa-
ton, was then introduced and interested
all by definite statement Of the objects
and details of the company. DIR. Scott,
who was member of the late General
of Virginia, is an Englishman,
end he owns and resides at Xix Hill,
one of the ancestral seats of the
old and distinguished Harrison family,
to which is annexed 800 acres
OF the lower end Of Elk Island, which is
one of the finest bodies of land In the
South. Mr.. Scott has now in sight of
the railroad a large field of Chinese
sugar-cane or sorghum, the cultivation
Of which he says he intends to make q
new industry, and which ho is confident,
with the new end improved machinery
now invented, will make the plantation
OF syrup and sugar most
profitable branch OF Virginia agrieul-
ture.
MIR. NJ. L. Van Doren, of Albemarle,
who while q former member of the
General Assembly of Virginia, originated
md carried through the weli-known
81 Van Dorcn bill, ," providing for the
employment of the conviets of the peni-
teniiary, was called out and responded in
1 happy aud appropriate manner. Mir.
Van Doren is the contractor for the con-
;truction OF tho Farmville and Powhatan
railway. which will he of such inestima-
Die value to our county, and which he is
rapidly progressing, having finished the
grading nearly to the line between Pow
latan and Cumberland.
Mr.. Charles NJ. Wesson and Hon.
Thomas NJ. Miller concluded the.speak-
ng, leaving the audience well informed
md enthusiastic with the subject, and
he meeting adjourned after passing
the forcible and appropri-
tie resolutions offered by James N.
finch, Esq.
The rain which fell at intervals during
he day, and the absence OF Governor
Lee and Colonel Richard /. Beirne, who
s great favorite with our people, who
we're invited and who were somewhat
were the only things that
narred the perfect enjoyment OF the
lay.
One of the incidents OF the occasion.
the great resources OF our
Valley, was that during the preparation
II the brunswick stew a committee OF
Gentlemen, blindfolded for the purpose,
'ould not distinguish the canned corn
nd tomatoes put mp in this county from
he corn fresh from the stalk and the to-
natoes fresh from the vine.
While there were several visitors from
and Goochland county, many
more who we're invited and expected
you'd have been present but for the
condition OF the weather. The
csult OF this most enjoyable day viii be
. excite greater interest among our
eople in this movement, from which SO
,uch is hoped ID.