Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-10
IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
The Attractions Of Nomini Creek and
the historic Neighborhood.

The Attractions Of Nomini Creek and
the historic Neighborhood.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR.
NoMINI FERRY,
WEsrMoRELASD COUNTY, Va, Aug. 6.
steaming for something less than an hour up
Nomini creek one of the prettiest of the many
beautiful tributaries of the Potomac, brings
the voyager to this place-almost in the heart OF
| old Northen Neck county, that has been more
prolific Of great men than any of the Old Domin.
| ion, or, indeed, Of any state-Westmoreland.
Many of the men who have contributed to the
glory Of the American name were born almost
within stones throw OF the spot upon which
The STAR correspondent now stands. A few miles
above this place, and about a mile from the
banks of the Potomac, is ''Stratford," the birth
place and home of the Lees. Here was born
| Richard Henry Lee, the author Of the prelimi-
nary resolution that afterward took form as
| the declaration Of independence. Within these
old wallis was also born Light Horse Harry
Lee, an officer and intimate friend of Washing
ton, and his son, Robert E. Lee, of our own day
and time. OF no son Of this illustrious family
are Westmorelanders prouder than of HIM.
The old Lee mansion cannotb be seen from the
river, but 'Stratford Cliffs" behind which it
stands, is well-known point of interest to
river tourists. 1t is at present the property Of
DR.. Steward.
wAsHINaToN's BIRTHPLACE.
A few miles above this point, and not far be-
low Colonial Beach, is Pope's creek, on which,
about five miles from it's mouth, is Wakefield"
the birthplace of George Washington. No
vestige Of the house in which this event oc-
CURED now stands, further than indistnct traces
OF its foundations. Wakefield" is owned by a
Mr.. Wilson, formerly from Maryland, who mar
ried daughter of Mr.. Lawrence Washington.
slab erected by George Washington Parke
Gusts designates the spot as the one on which
washington was born. 1t is not generally
known that In this county was also born James
Madison, thought that honor is ordinarily ac-
credited to Orange, in which his parents re-
sided. As fact, he was born at Point Con-
way-at that time part of Westmoreland, but
now In King George-while his mother was
staying temporarily in this distinguished
county.
just on the left as you enter Nomini creek is
"Bushfelds," the home Of Bushrod Washing
ton, and few miles from its head is old WI
comico Episcopal church, built in I'LL, and
now presided over by Rev. Mr.. Castleman.
Indeed, one can scarcely step in this interest
ing neighborhood without coming upon some
Link to the historic past.
FARMING IN THE NEIeHBonHoop.
Farming here il done much within old-time.
ante-bellum lines. Farms are large and cum
bersome-the same in acreage, in many cases,
Is when their owners were masters of hun
dreds Of slaves Yetsome of them are well and
profitably titled, and look as il they had UNDER
gone little or no change since emancipation.
As elsewhere crops are much Frustrated by the
unusual rainfall, and farmers are correspond
ingly respondent.
THE BEAuTIEs OF NoMrxI cRREY
Nomini creek is one of the fairest little
streams the eye ever rested upon. Marrow and
meandering, with finely wooded banks, broken
here and there to open TO view the broad acres
of some old-time Virginia plantation or to re-
ceive the waters OF some wandering tributary
as it comes down through the gently sloping
hills. The golden touches of the summer sum
set were not needed, as we slowly glided in
here some evenings ago, to render the scene
from the steamers deck one Of enchanting
loneliness. The stream IL 80 narrow that
steamers always 'slow up" on entering it, and
fear that some false move will land them upon
the almost overhanging banks. 1t is navigabIe
for about five miles from its mouth and Ia
visited almost daily by steamers from Washing
ton and Baltimore. Probably half dozen
wharves are along its banks, and It is regarded
by steamboat men as one Of the most Profitable
shipping points along the river. Oysters Of
unusually fine quality abound in IL; thew are
shipped mainly to Washington, and perhaps
find their way to the counters Of some Of the
oysters" Several Of the farmers hereabout
take summer boarders, and il is not diffcuit
ordinarily to find the ubiquitous Washingtonian
somewhere in the neighborhood.
THE POTOMAC HOTELS
seem 10 be doing unusually well this season.
Besides the large crowd brought daily to Colo
NAL Beach by the excursion steamer, the
hotel is pretty we'll filed with regular boarders.
The place has improved wonderfully within the
last few years. The shore for over half mile
IL covered with the pretty cottages Of Washing
tonians who have built there, presenting the
appearance Of trim little village a. you ap-
proach the wharf. Colton's, little further
down, has been crowded this summer, and
the sunburnt and jolly looking asssmblage
seen there some days ago gave every indica-
ton that they are making the most of the situa-
ton. doubt IL many Of the fair faces that
left Washington some weeks ago would Be rec
ognized there now, such Q metamorphosis has
Old Sol wrought in theml Piney Point and
Adams, on st. Georges Island, are unusually
full this summer, and seem TO be growing in
popularity every year. A fortune awaits some
enterprising hotel man who viii build and run
properly nrstclass hotel ct Point Lookout,
where, added to whatever advantages the river
may afford, there j. > ane beach, magnificent
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