Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-18

oLo HISTORIC HOMES ALONG THE
RAPPAHANNoCK RIVER.
Farms which Were scenes NJ Bioodehed
and Carnage--Tbe Academy where
General Malone Once Taught
written for the Dispatch.l

Written for the Dispatch.l
Probably there IA in Virginia no more
beautiful river than the Rsppnhannock
from fredericksburg to the mouth. On
either Of its picturesque banks ore to be
seen handsome residences and beautiful
estates moro or less connected with the
history Of old Virginia and associated
with some of the most distinguished and
cultivated families. Though this river is
but little visited by the antiquarian in
/ search of places connected with colonial
! fines. IL 10 replete with associations and
spots which would be OF deep interest
! and ought to be frequently ira
versed by the lovers of the things
of long ago, when their grandmothers
were gay and thoughtless girls and their
! grandfatbers were playing on the village
/ green. Tho Weems line OF STEAMBOATS,
! presents a delightful way OF seeing TINS
river. The old town Of Fredericksburg,
I the scene of such stirring times during
the late war. with its battle-he3ds and old
colonial curiosities as we'll as It's charm
ing situation and refined and delightful
people, ia we'll worthy Of visit from the
saun,ering traveller. We Will, however,
hasten down to the fine river steamer
Richmond that is 10 start oday At 2
/ O'CLOCK and tell what we see on the river.
WASHINGTON FARM.
| The FIRST place OF interest almost oppo-
site Fredericksbur is the old Washington
/ farm, where George WeshIngton's mother
! lived for time. ana whore, II ia said the
youthful and truthful George spent
some OF bis early days IL is also said on
one occasion he threw O stone across the
river at this point The house that stood
in those days was long since burned.
/ On the bank opposite, not very far be-
low and not more than hundred yards
/ from the river. are the ruins of the old
Mansfield place, belonging at one time to
Mr.. William Bernard, Sr. II was
grand old place aud once the possession Of
MIR. Mann Page. built OF stone in colonial
times. The charge Of the left wing of the
northern army was made across TINS farm
during the first battle of Fredericksburg
December II, 1868. At n later date the
house was destroyed by Ere.
sMTrHFIELD.
Just below Mansfield. on the same side
of the river. is Smithfeld. large and
handsome residence built by Mr.. John
Pratt. Sr., IN 1914. and now the property OF
William G. Pratt's estate. During the late
war this farm was the scene of fearful car
mage. person Who visited this place
Just after the battle of Frederlcks burg
saws the farm was covered with dead
horses and men and the house. which was
used as q hospital, was besmeared with
blood. One Of the corps Of the northern
army crossed the river IN pontoOns ut this
point.
just opposite. on the other side of the
river. is n place called Little Falls. which
was the home of Captain Robert Robb,
once IN command OF the Norfolk navy
yard. Not tar below Little Falls, on tho
same side of the rlver, IS travellers
L. Iva
once the property OF MIR. John Gray, AMI
now owned by his descendants. Mr. Gray
came from Scotland and was noted for his
wealth and bis pIety IN the good o d times.
Near this the PollOcks owned large es-
tate.
On the same side Of the river and not
far below is the farm once owned by MIR.
Thomas Seldom. the brother of the Secre-
tary Of War. This house was burned In the
late war by Federal troops in retaliation
for Blaines house that General Early
burned in Mary land The residence was
beautiful one. and when 1t was destroyed
nothing was allowed To be taken out OF
the house. and Mrs. Seldom was per-
mItted only few minutes to get out.
OTHER HOMES.
On the southern bank of the river, in
Caroline county. is TO be seen Noting.
having once been owned by Mr.. william
j. Dickinson and now the property OF biS
son-in-law, DR.. G. 3. Morton. This farm 10
Rept in beautiful order. Near by is "Belvi-
dere." an old colonial home which be-
longed to tho TAYLOR family, and not Tar
below is HavGeld, another old colonial
place, once the beautiful home OF Dir.
William +. TAYLOR.
On the other side Of the river, in King
George, is TO be seen Corbin's place called
Farley Vale" the home of Mr.. Wexford
Ia, nf
modore Maury. 4 few miles below on the
sa2ls SIDE of the river. but not visible
from the boat, is Powhatan," the beauti-
full home Of Colonel Edward I. Iayloe,
near relatives of General Ogle Iayloe, OF
Washington. In this neighoorhood IS AN
old estate bearing the euphonlous name OK
Pop Castle" which once belonged to the
Beverley estate.
MOSS NICK.
Just below bayfield, In Caroline. was
Moss Neck, the former residence OF James
Parke Corbjn. This beautiful house was
the headquarters of Stonewall Jackson IN
the winter of 1868. This residence was
subsequently, destroyed by fire. Mr.. Corr
bin was at one time one OF the wealthlest
men in Virginia, owning large numbers OF
slaves and much landed estate. 1t - said
that when young man he wore gold spurs
and lived in great display.
A few miles below, near the rivor, IS the
famous Rappahannock Academy. at
which nearly all the sons of the proml-
nent families in this community were
educated. The building once used was an
old colonial church. but was conhscated
by the government after the Reyoln-
tionary war and applied TO the public
school purposes. Here General Malone
taught about forty years ago. This build
ing was destroyed many years ago by fire.
In the ground here are the graves OF many
Of the old colonial people. The tomb
stones have long since disappeared, and
this spot. once made sacred by the presence
of church, is now used for farming pur-
poses.
Below this. in the same county, on the
Caroline side, directly Oh the river. is the
Hazelwood farm. which once belonged to
Colonel John TAYLOR. the prominent
sta. esman and agriculturist of Revolution
cry times. The house was long since de-
stroyed by FIRE. but the tarin Is still in the
hands OF the family.
TIE CLEvE MANSION.
Beautifully situated on the opposite
side of the river. in King George county
is the fine old colonial residence once the
property of Iandon Carter. descendant
OF Hing Carter. The place was called
"Ceys" and is said to have been built
by King Carter. Its style Is very quaint
aud suggests great antiquity. IL is built
OF brick aud is very massive. 1t IL now
owned by Mr.. Henry Byrd Lewis de-
scendant of the distinguished Washington
and Lewis families of Virginia. Just be-
low "Clevo" IS mill Bank" which was
built in 1725 by Mr. Jane Sklnker and
was the home of the Fltzhughs, and is
now owned by Mr.. L. j. Smith.
MADIsoS's BIRTHPLACE.