Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19
QUERIES & ANSWERS.
A COLUMN OF MATTER INTERESTING
TO THE READING PUBLIC.
Short History OF Ch.efyus,iee Marshaii's
Richmond House-Literary
Questions, SC.
Rrcusoxp, Va, April 10, 1891

RIcHsoNp, VA, April 10, 1891.
TO tss Editor Of g,s Dispatcs;
VIII ron please tell us something Of the
history OF the house on the northwest cor.
nef OF Ninth and Marshall streets which
apparently IL an old landmark Please
publish in your query and answer column
and oblige n lover Of antiquities and COM
paratively new resident. ANTIQUITY.
The brick house above alluded 10, 4O2
north Ninth street. was built by Chief-Jus-
tlce John Marshall II was insured land
has so remained 10 date) in tho Mutual As
surance Society Of Virginia. IN the year
1875. As that society was incorporated in
che year i7o3. and was very popular from
Che start. IL is possible that the house was
insured as soon as 1t was completed. When
che site was purchased cannot be told, as
che title-deeds were destroyed IN the great
conhagrstion OF 1865. along with so many
other muniments Of title to city property.
Judge Marshall occupied the premises
until 1895. when he died. He devised the
house and one half the square on which il
stands 10 his only daughter, Mary, and her
husband. the late General Jaquelin j..
Harvie, for their lives, and then TO their
children into whose possession il fell on
tho death of General Harvie, the surviving
parent, in 1856. Two OF these children
still own 1t. SO that n has not changed
hands since the original purchase by their
ancestors.
When Judge Marshall died General Har-
vie was residing in his own home, GIG east
Clay street. built by himself in 1913, and
the Marshall house was rented out. But
on General Harvie's death his heirs sold
that house and removed 20 the other,
where they renamed until September.
1866. From that time the house was again
rented out until September, 1885; when
Ihe owners resumed. and still hold pos
session Of it.
Up 10 the time Of Judge MarshalPs death
the entire square bounded by Marshall and
Ninth and Clay and Eighth streets was
included in the curtilage, and contained q
rarden and orchard, not an uncommon thing
In those days of ample room. At his death
"a was equally divided by line running
from Marshall to Clay street, and houses
began TO be built on the northern portion.
The residence which Judge Marshall
found upon the property was a. frame house,
with q good-sized parlor and dining-room
on the first floor. and dOrmer windows in
the upstairs rooms. A porch ran the whole
length Of the house. 1t was little OF
from the street, with the gable-end 'front.'
ing the street; and stood midway between
the present mansion and the Mercantile
Club House. sos east Marshall street. This
was afterwards used as q servants house
and laundry. In addition there was, lit
lie way removed from the street, and APP
preached by a stile. Judge Marshalps law
ofico, built of brick, and containing a
dormitory for his sons and their young
friends.
The house is remarkably well built. An
expert in such matters lately went on the
top 10 repair the chimneys, and reported
that he had never in his life seen as sub
stantial framework as that which sup
ported the roof And plain as IS Its eXte-
rior, the rooms and staircase are very
handsome. All the rooms OF the lower
floor are wainscoated to the chairboard,
and the ends occupied by the CHM
news are wainscoated TO the ceiling with
old-fashioned wooden mantelpieces, the
whole handsomely corniced with wood,
and the windows are heavily framed and
finished with inside recessed blinds hand
somely panelled.
The opposite house, st7 Marshall street,
Is sometimes ooDfounded with this one!
That house was built by Judge Marshall at
later date for one Of his sons, who never
occupied it, and 1t was devised to his
daughter, Mrs. Harvie. The only thing
at all noteworthy about it is that 1t was
occupied by Governor James Barbour in
1sIl-'I2 whilst tho present gubernatorlAl
mansion was in course of construction.