The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-27

ryrEREsTTyG RECoLLEcTIoNs AND
INCIDENTS IN HER LIFE.
with "Reminiscences of the Calls, Tsyiors
and Many other ofthc Old Virginia ram
lilies of Richmond in By-Gone Days.

was an admirable ana ia many iNePS~S'
a remarkable lady. She was n native o.
this city, the oldest daughter OF Mr.
Thomas Taylor. formerly a merchant ano
verdde master, prominent both In busi-
ness and social circles. and OF his VIC
Lucy Harrison Singleton. also a native OF
this city. Mr.. Taylor was born IN nan
over county, descended from Ensiish
parentage. first settled I'm Gloucester
county. Va. One of the incidents OF his
life was that he was one OF the sureues
In Richmond in 1907, under circumstance
of which ne has given an intereSuhs az,
OF Aaron Burr at the time OF Barr trlai
count in a manuscript now in the pos
se.s,on OF n member Of his family
Various acts OF the General Assembly,
attest his publs spirit as wen as hls
financial ability in connection with some
Of the most valuable enterprises OF ,he
city and State He was at one tline the
owner of both the Warm ana 'he NOT
sprines Va, end he organized IN assoOi@-
tion with DR.. John Brockenbrough, Judge
ph,t,n ~ Nicholas. Colonel John Nicholas
and others OF equal standing the Original
Warm Springs Company under an act Oh
incorporation.
Mrs. TAYLOR was a granddaughter OF
BENJAMIN Harrison. one OF the signers OF
The Declaration of Independence. she was
therefore a niece of President william
Henry Harrison and a first cousin OF Mr..
John Scott Harrison, the father OF Presi-
dent BENJAMIN Harrison. She was the
heiress of large property, including the
entire square in this city bounded by east
Main and Cary and Fourth ana fllth
streets. on the northwest corner or when
hn raCfdapCa of MIR. T.. q. NOll-
ing. occupying the site of the former res
idence of her father and mother, which
sgas later that OF her husbands and her
hef likewise. The portraits taken by 81.
Mernin OF Mr.. and Mrs. Taylor not long
after their marriage show that they were
q handsome couple. They named their
eldest daughter Mary Bell, in compliment
TO their friend, MIR. John Bell, whose
taste projected the conspicuous suburban
residence long known as "BellVille," on
the site Of the present Richmond College.
Miss Mary Bell Taylor was educated an
Richmond by Mr. and Mrs. Turner and
by Mrs. Harriet Hackley. At the time OF
General Lafayette's visit to Richmond, in
ls24, she, as one OF the pupils OF the
sHarmony Hall School," played the &C
compartment on the piano to the two
poetioai addresses of welcome, which was
sung by some OF the other pupils Of the
same school 10 the City Hall, and the next
night, at the grand ball given to him In
the Eagle Hotel, the General courteously
recognized her and complimented her for
her skillful performance of the day be-
fore. A portrait of her, painted by Hard
ing, prior TO her marriage. is sufficient
evidence that SIZE was a beautiful young
lady. She was indeed, not only hand
some, accomplished and agreeable. but
possessed great sweetness OF disposition
and engaging manners, and had many
friends and admirers.
In 1881 she was married to Mr.. William
Gait, Jr., merchant of Richmond. He
and his brother James, under the Will OF
their cousin. Mr.. William Gait, Sr. (but
whom they also called uncle. by whom
also they had been trained in business
and who was then probably the richest
man in Virginia), inherited a splendid
estate on James river, in the county OF
Fluvanna, together with large number
Of negroes. This property the brothers
divided equally between them, first build
ing two fine residences almost exactly
alike, on beautifully-chosen sites. and
then drew lots for choice The upper
portion, which fell to Mr.. William Gait,
he named "Glenarvon," Mr.. James Gait
retaining for his the old name Point OF
Fork" The two places had a frontage
OF fully five miles on James river. en-
bracing some Of the finest low grounds"
as we'll as some OF the finest thigh
lands" and forest growth" on the whole
line Of the Upper James To their re-
spective estates the two brothers then
retired in 1886. Both were practical and
successful farmers; both paid special at
tention to the adornment Of their grounds
and to the cultivation OF their gardens
and orchards: both had their cellars well
stocked with choice wines, and the homes
OF each eventually became widely known
for the highest style OF Virginia country
life, including, of course, Astounding hos
pitality
Mr.. and Mrs William Calf on their
bridal tour visited Washington. Mr.. and
Mrs. Andrew Stevenson Che being then
the representative Of the Richmond dis
trict In Congress and Speaker of the
House OF Representatives,, knowing very
well who and what they were, showed
them much attention, Introducing them,
In a somewhat particular manner, to Sir
Charles Vaughan, the British Minister.
During their stay in Washington Sir
Charles gave a large ball. TO which Mr..
and Mrs Gait were not invited. This so
offended Mr.. and Mrs. Stevenson that
the fact was communicated TO Sir
Charles, and he, after inQuiring into the
circumstances. was so mortified that he
gave an elegant dinner to the Virginia
bride and groom.
On the 22d OF February, 1882. an as
sembly ball was given by number Of
the gentlemen of Richmond in Terpsi-
chore Hail. This was a building erected
by Mr.. Bossieux for his dancing academy
at the northeast corner Of Seventh and
east Grace streets: IT was used OCCASION
ally for purposes of select entertain
ment; and the assembly balls" particu-
iarly which were given there at least
once a year, were invariably under the
direction OF well chosen list of mana
gers all Of the highest responsibility.
On the occasion alluded TO a young man
named Marshall, from Kentucky, near
relative OF Chief Justice Marshall, walk
ed to the supper-room door with a young
lady resting upon his arm, and was
about to enter. when Mr.. Richie, the
venerable editor OF the Enquirer. politely
informed him that the supper-room was
90 small that the managers had decided
TO admit only ladies at first but that the
managers themselves would act as their
attendants and see that every proper at
tention was shown to them. Marshall
became excessively angry, and said to
Mr.. Richie In very threatening manner,
that only his gray hairs protected him
from punishment for such an indignity.
MIR. Calf, also one OF the managers,
standing by. Immediately said to Mr..
Marshall, my gray hairs do not protect
me. sir, and / say 10 you that you must
conform to the rules which the managers
have adopted for this entertainment.
The next day Mr.. Marshall sent Mr.. Gait
. challenge to fight a duel. which Mr..
Calf refused to accept The following
morning, on his way down town, he
stopped tt the countingroom OF his
-.