Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-24


somewhat secluded and lonely, amid
forests of oak and pine that limit the view
on every SIDE; but its magnitude, its anti.
quated balls, its green sward and splendid
shade, and above all its historical associa-
tons, give IL the chief place OF interest
among the homes OF Westmoreland. Hero
were born the Ave famous brothers,lson
OF Thomas CLudwelD Lee. who, % the date
Of the Revolution 81 home and abroad,
with tongue and pen, rendered so great
service 10 the cause OF American independ.
ensa. And here was born Robert Il. Lee,
whose name and deeds have won a later
and wider fame. Here lived Major Henry
Lee, elder hall. brother Of the latter, author
OF several strongly-written political and
historical pamphlets, and who died in
Paris while engaged IN writing the life Of
Napoleon Bonaparte, one volume OF which
was published.
IoSowooD.
Beyond StratfCrd Cliffs short distance
the high banks gradually sink almost to
the waters edge. and Pope's creek Is seen
behind the low point of land that marks
Us mouth, reaching back towards the hills
On the lower side Of this stream and
stretching along II and into the forest
above. Is "Longwood,n the seat in colonial
times Of Daniel Mccarthy. one of the found
ers of the family in Virginia, the descend
ants OF whom have so extensively inter-
married with the Ftzhughs, Masons, Lees.
and other early families, and whose social
distinction, intellectual brilliancy and GER
tam tragic incidents IN their history have
invested II with peculiar interest.
WAKEFIELD.
On the opposite side Of Pope's creek
and stretching along ITS winding banks
extends the well-knowu estate of " Wake
field " from tho river 90 the wooded hills
in the distance. 1t has long been owned
by John +. Wilson. Esq. whose residence
stands on the rising ground near the
forest, some two miles distant probably
from the Potomac. The old historic man
sion which was the home OF Augustine
Washington and birthplace of the Father
of His Country" stood near the bank of
the creek in q fine situation, washed on
three sides by the water. and distant only
few hundred yards from the river. The
house here was burned at Christmas, 1880.
when occupied by Colonel W. Augustine
Washington and family. Colonel WASH
ington alter tins accident erected the
mansion at Blenbeim " and subsequently,
made his residence at " Haywood" nearer
the river. both Of which homes are in the
vicinity of Wakefield"
The government has provided for and an
elaborate and costly shrine has been de-
signed 10 mark and preserve the spot
wkero the early Wakefield" mansion
stood.
On the forest road beyond these ancient
seats, and very near the gate admitting TO
Longwood. is the site of POpe's- Greek
church, where the colonial gentry Of
the surrounding region we're wont 70
attend worship IN the days Of the
establishment A public school house
now occupies IN part the ground on which
the church edhce formerly stood, and
from the earth beneath the last fCunda-
ton brick has been exhumed that sup
ported the sacred pile. Among the ne
elected graves in the old church-yard Is
that OF Thomas Lee, the father OF the five
illustTlous patriot sons OF l776.
BLACK HALL.
A little above HAYWOOD and touching
the lower side OF Mattox creek IS Black
Hall, " the early abode of the Buffers, one
at whom (Jane) became the first wife Oh
Augustine Washington April 20, 1918. Me
morals Of this family exist here, | am
told, IN one or more weu-presorved tombs
with interesting inscriptions At Later
era in its history Black Hall " became
the residence of Daniel PAYNE, who mar
RED Salena Washington-an occupancy
that has given his name TO the point oil
land near by, where Mattox creek emerges
from between its green banks into the Po-
tomac.
THE MONROE HOME.
The stretch Of lowland living between
Mattox and the next creek above-Mon
roe's-seems short indeed. Close beside
this stream where IT breaks through thu
pebbied shore into the river Is Colonial
Beach with its large hotel, long array OF
airy cottages. and white tents stretched
| beneath the trees. Beyond the long VII
| lage. cleaning between the cottages anc
| trees, the creek IS seen winding It's way
| back 10 the hills. and in the distance, be
| yuui "a wooded plane, Is the site OF the
| Monroe home-shelter of one of the ear
| lest and most influential names connected
\ with the settlelnent OF MestmOreland
| Here, IN this retired spot, IN Apnl l75o
| was born the fifth President of the United
| States. whose fine mausOleum crowns one
| of the shaded hills IN HOLLYWOOD cemetery
Aud now We have reached Bluff Point,
! the popular resort during the years OF
| steamboat navigation on the Potomac
prior TO the war where travellers were en-
teTtained and waited often long for the
steamers coming. and often when she
came were carried on the sailors backs
| through breaking waves aud loan 70 the
small boat. and made 10 climb thence Dv
ladder up the vessels side. There. on the
white sand. where the small boats used tc
land. }. Wilkes Booth, seeking to escape
after the shooting OF President Lincoln
set foot, with has broken leg, first on the
soil of Dixie"
The Westmoreand line IS past now, and
the plains and hills of King George ap
pear beneath the last rays OF the setting
! sun. And here, too, are deeply interest
| ing old homes and eloquent ruins
Spy Hill" Potomac View, Barnes
| field" Bedford" " Waterloo" " lano
| rama" "Eagle's Nest" Chotank," &c.
On how many Of them the shadow Of
ruin has fallen as the deepening twilight
now Sc tiles upon them all.
g. w. BFALE.