Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1891-02-07
Sketches of Colonial Days : Colchester

CORRESPONDENCE of tho Alexandria Gazette.
There are probably but few OF the many
travellers over the Washington Southern or
A. ST. Railway as they emerge from the
pines aud old fields Of lower Fairfax. and
pGss over the high bridge across the Occo-
ouap. that are aware oftheir close proximity
to QUE OF the historic towDs Of Colonial times.
Seine three or four houses, and someoi those
OF recent build, are ali that ia left to mark
the spo, Just east ofthe railway on he north
bank OF the stream where formerly stood
the Town of Colchester. Among the county
records of Fairfax may be found the follow
ing entry:
FAIRFAX COUNTY, June. 1854
10 obedience to an act of The General as
sembly made in the 9th year of our Sow
eEeigo Lord George, the 2nd King of Great
Britain, France and Ireland So, and In the
year OF our Lord Christ, one thousand seven
tuodred and fifty-three, entitled az act for
erecting e town at Occoqnan in the county
Of Fairfax, and pursuant to the direction Of
Peter Wagner, Edward Washington end
John Barry, Gentlemen, by the said act ap-
pointed trustees for the town to be called
Colchester, l, the subscriber, did survey and
Jay OF twenty five acres of land end divided
the same into lots, streets &c.. O. per the
above plot.
GEORGE WEST, S. F. G.
Accompanying the same is the plat ehcw-
ing that IL extended along the Wster front
upwards of a querter Of o mile and back
about the same di9tance. There are q num-
Der Of records of conveysnces made by cad
uustees of which the following IL q sample,
10 substance: May 174h, 1855 Peter Wag-
ener, John Barry and Edward Washington,
Gentlemen, directors and trustees OF the
town OF Colchester, for the sum of fifteen
pounds sterling do grant unto VIM. Bayley,
one acre, Or two lots, in said town Of CJl-
chester numbered 5 ard Is and founded as
per survey and plat of George Welt, survey
or, on Essex street-Provided said Bay;ey,
his heirs or sssigns, shall erect thereon ant
finish en- each Of said let's one house of brick
stone or wood, well framed. Of the dimen-
sions OF 90 feet square aud 9 feet p &c al the
Least, or proportionably thereto, With 3 brick
or stone chimney, and place the same accord.
ing 10 the direction CT said trustees within
swo years after the date hereof, otherwise
said two lots to revert to said trustees.
We fad that Colchester became g. town of
considerable wealth and importance her
merchants were Importers and die z large
wholesale business. In the height OF her
prosperity 1t is esld the trade extended to
5ha sB!uo Ridge and nearly as lar south as
the James river tua as the business OF TO-
bsoco growing was gradually abandoned, lie
trade fell off and Alexandra and Frederlcks-
burg soon absorbed nearly ell its business.
Esrly In the present century a IRE broke
out In some of the abandoned warehouses
and swept eweY nearly the whole town. In
later years, when the den zsrs Of the sur
rounding country were won't to ocrgregate
at the old piecs and, perchepce, to mourn
over the departing glory of their favorlie
rendezvous, 1t bscsUe the scene OF mopy q
rough-and- umble eorimmage. The result Of
deep indulgence 10 tho 'n,Wing bowl" end
its corcomitents.
The house siill staEds here at which 1t is
said Washington stopped to dine Oh his way
either 10 o. from Yorktown. There wss e
substantial bridge acsos the Occoquan 81
this point which, however, WAS destroyed
many years ago. l. 10 cad to contemplate
The decadeuce that has taken place In the
country round about-once the abode Of
those sturdy patriots Of which we love TO
read and ponder. Tie writer, in his cccu-
patton of a eurveyor, bunting up old patent
lines and bounds of the plantations through
lU6 lOEeetc Nboic III iCbH ppinibCi kOUcNSO
ard corn ridges are plain to be aeeD. now
covered with the waving pine end cedar,
has ample reason to recall The scenes epac'-
ed long ago, and st sucb times it seems az
though
"The apirits of the mighty hearted
Like stars around nc RISE"
Not very far from Colchester was the
hcms of PEARSON Massey, and on 8 knollamong
the trees, 10 fail view of the bag, ere the
graves of himself and wife.
"Gunston" is but a few miles away, and
tn at will be fhe sui oct OF another sketch.
Accotink, Va. w. g.
CoNGREss.-Tn the United States Senate
yesterday the bill for the adjustment of
accounts under the eight-hour law WAS de-
oeted aud went over. Mr.. Eimunds oT.r-
ed a resolution providing for evening ssF-
sions for the remainder OF the session except
on Saturdays. Laid over. A resolution OF
inquiry as 10 the personnel and contracts OF