Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-31
AROUNDBERRYyLLLE
HISTORY or THE TOWN AND IT'S
MANY ANCIENT LANDMARKS.
{" soIdiers' Rest. . tho Coapsry-sess Of Bsn.
Daniel morssn-Tbs Ola Log Hat
where Washington Lodged.

where Washington Lodged
lcorrespondsnce Of TIE Richmond DIsD>tch.l
BrnnYvirrr. CLARKE Courrx. Va. Janu-
ary q. -Berryyille. like number OF other
county seats in the Valley Of Virginia. has
been on boom, bat Is now temporarily
resting from her labors. While some OF
her highest hopes have foated away with
the outgoing tide which last spring swept
over the country, yet she realizes that ere
long the tide viii flow again, and that then
all will be we'll This town is situated on
the Norfolk and Western railroad In the
finest wheat section OF the State IRON &C
IS near in large quantities. GOOD timber
aboundss IN excellent stream Is Just norsh
of its limbs. tho water-wSrks arc nearing
completiop' and X now numbers about
] 800 inhabitants and Is steadily growing.
IN 1896.
An old gazetteer of Virginia, published
IN 1886 when Clarke was RasI o. h sssde-
and fiourishing little village on the direct
post-road from Winchester to Washington
city, twelve miles from the former. Itcon-
tains about thirty dwelling-houses. 500
inhabitants, one handsome Episcopal
house OF worship-lately erected-one
academy, and three female schools, two
mercantile stores. and several mechanic
shops" The writer of 1885 would not re-
cognize this town in 1897.
BEnByvILLE's BIRTH.
Berryville is the county-seat OF Clarke
and is AGO miles northwest OF Richmond.
1t was established January Is. 1898, on
twenty acres Of land belonging to Benia-
NJ E<xalltno md tho
following gentlemen were appointed trus-
tees Daniel Morgan. William McGuire,
Archibald Magill, Raleigh Colston, John
Milton, Thomas Strebling. George Black
more, Charles Smith. and Bushrod Taylor
The descendants of these worthy fathers
are still among the prominent citizens OF
Clarke.
McRoAs's FIST FIaETs.
Almost within the present limits of
Berryyille is Soldiers Rest long, old
fashioned residence which was erected be-
fore revolutionary times. This was the
country-seat of tho dauntless General
Daniel Morgan, who, by his numerous INST
fights when young blood. acquired for
Berryville the name OF Battietown, lni5
historic home is now owned by j. Edward
Barnett. ESQ.,, who, like the generous Dan.
often gathers his friends around the feast
ing board in the long dining hall. The
peculiar wainscoting and the mantel
carved with antique designs seems ever
and anon to say: "0h, VIrginisns. tread
lightly; this was the hall of one OF your
heroes"
SURVEYOR wAsHINoToy's QUARTERS.
About 200 yards from Soldiers Rest "
stands an old log hut, which well-authen-
ticated tradition, as we'll as history. says
was occupied by Washington while sur.
veying IN this section for Lord Fairfax. OF
Greenway Court. Ii is about twelve feet
square and has an upper and lower story;
The lower apartment was then and is still
used as dairy. A beautiful spring eushes
out from among the rocks near the house
and flows in q clear crystal stream under
the building. The upper room. which was
at one time lathed and plastered, was oc-
cupied by Washington as place OF deposit
for his surveying instruments and as a
lodging. This rude building Is one Of the
most interesting relics that we have ex-
tant of that manly Virginia youth who
afterwards became the admiration OF the
world.
OLD CHAPEL BuRYING-aRoUND.
Three miles south of Berryville is the
"Old ChapeIn burying- ground, which
NAV well be called the Hollywood OF
Clarke. Here rests the sacred ashes OF
warriors. statesmen, patriotic sires, and
noble mothers. There, beneath the sod
and the dew" lies Edmund Randolph,
"aide- camp to General Washington,
United States Secretary of State, Cover
nor of Virginia, Most WorshIpful Grand
Master Of Grand Lodge OF Ancient. Free.
and Accepted Masons of Virginia. He
died at the Randolph mansion, Carter
Hall, September IL, 1913; aged sixty years
and one month.
emblematic of life which so early was
called to plant its standard upon the bat
Elements on high. From It's top hangs the
yictor's wreath, the warriors sash. belt,
and battle blade--all carved in marble OF
spotless white. Beneath Its base. wrapped
in soldiers shroud. wounded by bayo-
nets. shells. and balls" sweetiy sleeps
Colonel William w. Randolph. Second
regiment Virginia volunteers, Stonewall
brigade, who fell in the battle Of the Viii
derness May 5, 1864. when only twenty
seven years OF age.
cHALLENdE.
When this young warrior was just enter
ing manhood he and and another were
seeking the same fair hand" AS often
occurs, O serious misunderstanding took
mace between the competitors. Not long
thereafter Randolph met his rival and pub
licly slapped him in the face. Randolph
received challenge, which he at once ac-
cepted. He chose the dagger as the wea-
pom and stipulated that the left hand of
his competitor should be bound 10 that of
his own, and that thus they should fight I'M
til one or the other should cry Enough F"
His rival Thought prudence the better
part Of valor.n and consequently let the
authorities know Of the affair. and had
himself arrested. The Randolphs still live
In Clarke, near Wildwood, which, in the true
sense of the word, is one of the most aris-
tocratic sections of Virginia. For there
YOU will find men Of the bluest blood, who
have been and are still prominent In the
affairs of Church and State.
TEE BRIARs.
About one mile and half southwest OF
the "Old Chapel" situated Ia grove OF
lofty and majestic oaks. is "The Bria,s,n
the home of one of vIrginia's most noted
authors The residence is Ia picturesque
part of the county, and not many miles
distant flows the Shenandoah. the " Daugh-
ter OF the Stars" while above the silver
waters tower the rugged peaks of the Blue
Ridge to see that all is we'll at the place
where was peDned Surry Of Eagles Nest
and The Lord OF Greenway Court"
There lived and died that pleasing writer OF
The Stories of the Old Dominion John
Eeten Cooke.
WRITE POST.
Seven miles south of Tho Briarsn IS
White Post, village on the Norfolk and
Western railroad. This village took its
name from the white post" which Lord
Fairfax erected in the forest during the
boyhood of Washington. to direct travel
iers to his residence at Greenway Court.
The pos. still stands in the centre of the
town and is repaired from time TO time by
the citizens. Two miles northeast of
White Post Is Saratoga beautiful seat
which General Daniel Morgan compelled
10 be built by Hessian prisoners which he
had captured IA New York at the battle. OF
Saratoga. Here at the end OF the Reyolu-
ton this thunderbolt OF war; this
brave Morgan, who never knew fear"
retired and spent his years until two years
before his death. During this time the
danntless Dan represented his district in
Congress, where he served two terms.
Saratoga is now owned BY Mr.. Page, a
~eIafive belieye of Mr. Thomas Nelson