Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-19
WASHINGTON RELICS.
CAMP SHAVING CASE OF
THE AMERICAN GENERAL.
inst rs It Was Used During the
REVOLUTIONARY Historic
Miniature.
., mo R,csmona Disoatca.l


Miniature.
rcorrespondence Of the Richmond Disoasca'l
CoMoRy. KING GEORGE COUNTY, VA
February 1s.-At "Cedar Grove. IN
this county. the historic home oil the
distinguished Stuarts, may 90 seen To-
dav one OF the most unique and in
terosting authentic Washington relics
now in existence anywhere AMI because
of its well-preserved history through the
various yicissitudes OF moro than CEN
tury and quarter it deserves far more
elaborate and minute mention than can
be made in hurried correspondence,
ike this. The much-songht-aiter ana
interesting relic consists OF the camp
shavin0-case "a very complete outht-
used during the "War OF indie
pendence." 1916, by George Washing
ION. general in chief of Americas
army. and subsequently presented by
,the Father of His Country to his
lifelong confidential friend and connec-
tion. DIR. David Stuart, OF Virginia just
exactly as it was used by the great Gene
raj. The unique outfit includes two
raZors. one leather brush. one hone, one
strap. a horn comb, and soap-case.
These articles are all well arranged IN a
neat Morocco case 6 inches long by 8
inches wide, containing separate and
distinct compartment ior each razor ana
each of the other pieces. When the case
is open one side of it conveniently eX-
poses O mirror 3 inches long by p inches
wide. which stands in a suitable attitude
for combing and shaving purposes.
RARE cURIoSIrIEs.
The razors in size, shape, and work
manship are rare curiositles when COM
pared with cutlery of modern times
pLev measure when closed 81 inches,
and when open for use 81 inches long.
They are perfectly plain, bearing not
even letter TO indicate date or name OF
manufacturer. On the steel shank OF
each, however, is little impress per-
fectly representing the shape OF the Old
fashioned chalk pipe, which is supposed
TO he the trade mark OF the manufactures.
The leather brush is simplicity itself,
consisting only Of bunch OF fine soft
bristles secured at one end by a solid
silver band sufficiently broad to serve
the purpose of q handle-the whole be-
ing only one and half inches in length.
The hone is three quarters OF an men
wide, five and half inches long, ami Is
worn very thin in the middle, indicating
long and constant usage. The strap Is
the same length of the hone but twice
as wide, and is rendered stiff and ready
for immediate use by very thin piece
of walnut, to which it Is firmly attached.
THE OLDEST FEATURE.
The comb is perhaps one Of the oldest
features Of the whole outfit. 1t Is made
OF horn, five inches long, and 10 shape
is not entirely dissimilar to the ordinary
horn combs OF tho present day, but
otherwise is indeed a singular-looElng
affair. 1t bears many unmistakable
marks OF long-continued service and
camp-life, and its teeth may be
Justly compared with the dilapi-
dated dental organs OF human
victim to, and lifelong sufferer with,
toothache. 1t is discolored 10y age and
perforated by worms, so that il has 10 be
handled with care and the most delicate
touches. All the articles and the once
handsome case bear many visible MARKS
Of moths, rust, oxidation. and the
ravages of time ; but, having been pre-
served with sacred care from age TO age
os an inestimable relic of the great and
good. they are IN comparatively Won
derfUl state of preservation.
FROM FATHER TO SON.
This itiuerant pocket-toilet outfit has
passed from Washington and tho re-
nowned DR.. David Stuart and his sue
ceeding generations oil along down to
it's present owner, Richard Henry
Stuart, OF King George, who is son Of
Hon. ). T. Stuart, and great-grandson
of the said DR.. David Stuart. This
young man is q fdc simiie IN appearance
Of his distinguished Stuart ancestors, Is
strikingly modest, handsome, unas-
suming, and reticent, and has studiously
avoided giving any publicity to the vilu-
able Washington relic now exclusively bis
own. He is quietly engaged IN agrlcul-
tural pursuits on the old Cedar Grove "
plantation, on the Potomac, and never
sought or even consented to exhibit his
priceless relic of Washington to news
paper-man until yesterday, when this
writer was kindly shown the case and its
contents piece by piece at Cedar
Grove" mansion, and at the same time
acouainted with their interesting history
from the time of their ownership by
Washington down TO the present day,
with permission for the first time that
they be mentioned through the press,
and also with a positive and 6Cna.fide
assurance Of unquestioned and verified
authenticity.
s1NIATCGE OF WASHINGTON.
Mrs. Rosalie f.. Stuart, also Of " Cedar
Grove" daughter of the late DR.. h. II.
Stuart. the largest real estate owner in
Tidewater Virginia and a great-niece OF