The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-04

OF John. W. c. Catlett's head man"
There has never been moneyed arls-
tocracy in Gloucester. The exception be-
fore the war was to find a poor gentle
man. But II one was poor, It was but an
inconvenience TO himself.
Since the war magnificent estates have
nassed to the stranger. II the stranger
was congenial. the right-hand OF fellow
ship was extended-if not-he got not
one grain of consideration for his money
alone.
The war came!
Vigorous men and beardless boys took
up arms.
Gloucester town once more fortified. fell
with it's sister Yorktown. Then pitiable
era dawned.
At night the women and children slept.
with plantations swarming with exuberant
life.
In the morning the plantations were
like peopled cities with their people dead.
Silent canoes had borne the negroes off
10 Yorktown In search of freedom.
Federal troops received them, and those
who did not 90 North formed settlements
just outside the Yankee lines
Then came a condition the world had
not known. A people who had an army
to serve them, had TO labor without
days notice.
They took UP the burden bravely, and
became artisans without apprenticeship.
A reign OF terror began. The stalwart
men and the big boys were gone; the old
men and the women and the little chill
dren were defenseless, save for a courage
that dehed brutality.
A system OF savage marauding ensued.
The negroes were the guides for the
Federal soldiers, who stole off without
license and pundered along the water
courses.
A shrill uncanny whistle would rouse
the slumbering watch dog, and bolts and
bang yielded to a swarm of raiders, who
searched every cuddy and peeped into
every demijohn 10 find a rebel.
In '65 when our men came home, home
was deso6te.
They had no time 10 NOPE. They
hitched their war horses to the plow, and
in their tnttered old gray jackets they
began again. o..
They saw their sons grow up untutored,
save in the rudiments learnt at their
mothers knee. and the belief that the
cause which had crushed them was the
right cause.
The pride, which the sons OF the old
landowners took in being scions of cava-
Tiers and fathers OF the Union, is changed
into this glory. My father was a Con-
federate soldier"
Gloucester is the cradle OF many a dis
tinguiEhed family-old~ mansions still
exist
The plantations Of the Upper York
have been cut up into small farms and
display creditable amount OF thrift
and energy. Roosevelt, the Pages old,
time-worn castle, preserves a defiant
dignity.
con ~ ia .-r,o rnoo n.ut haY4,
Shelley and keeps up the hospitality
which the name recalls.
The Burwells sprans from Carter's
Creek, where tombs crumbling dismally
bear an ancient date and crest
Timberneck, gazing serenely upon the
broad York. and overlooking Werowo-
mOco, catches the dying sunlight on he
windows Of old Yorktown and gathers
the fifth generation in its ample fold.
on the Gloucestertown road stands
Gloucester Place" the former residence
Of President John Tyler.
The Lewises sprsng from Augustine
Warner, on the maternal side, and BE-
sides Warner Hall, owned Severn Hall,
Belle Farm and LsVisville, on the Saw
ern's shores.
Lapsdoune, the Thurston homestead,
still In the family, also lies upon the
Severn, and Eagle Point, the spacious
home Of John X. Bryan. The Bryans
have oil gone away, but wherever they
be, they have a tender word for their
BIRTH lace-Glounest
In an island cemetery, washed on all
sides by the Severn, the cid people sleep
and the sable pines chant daily Ie-
QUEEN TO the sea and the sky.
on Ware river are Sherwood the beau
tiful home OF the Seldens; Level Green
the Robins seat. long since gone from
them. but which still gloats over the fact
that when Henry Clay canvassed Glouces-
ter, during his Wing candidacy he land
ed on her shore, and Ancient White Hall,
always owned by the family OF Byrd.
Then there are Churchill. whose nursery
sent forth into the world innumerable
Cookies. The Cottage, one OF the most
ancient houses in our country (built by the
early Throckmortons), and Mari Field"
in the upper end OF the county, built by
the Buckners IN colonial days. but for
many years owned by the Catesby
Joneses.
North river is the region OF elegant
modern residences.
Some ancient houses deck its banks.
The name "Belleville" recalls nsught
but happy "reminiscences, and Toddsbury.
though passed 10 strangers. still holds in
its fold a Gods acre. peopled with Todds
and Tabs.
Gloucester has future as well as a
past. Its magnificent waters will be
It's distant advertisement.
The same shore and breeze and tasteful
crab and succulent oyster that beckon
thousands 70 Old Point are hers.
Increasing numbers. who will find no
ease In the crowded, fashionable halls
OF the Hygeia, Will yet take refuge In
the hotels upon her shores.
It's kindly soil will in future be turned
10 market trucks. and manufactures, al
ready established, will send its canned
fruits TO the markets OF the world. Out
OF its sorrows it Will yet arise. purified
and strengthened 10 make coming years,
II less picturesque than former days,
useful and full OF plenty.
Confederate soldiers. with their daunt-
less courage. will be the ancestors of
the coming race.
Time will not dull their record. but
will boldly bring out the reason for their
deeds. and the very throes we suffered
for disaster viii heget throes OF pride.
SALLY NELSON ROBINS.
Richmond April 26 lb93