Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-09

1 from the county about the begin
ming of tho present century. Here
once lived the Crftchers. and, If mistake
not. here was born Judge John Critcher,
who. "A the representative OF the First
District in Congress, some years since so
| finely repelled the charge OF lgnoranes
and barbarism preferred against the south
| by judge Hoar. of Massachusetts. by an
apt and eloquent reference to some OF the
historic homes Of his native county ana
the sons born within their walls WHO nad
attained eminence on the field or in the
councils of the nation.
The reference 10 the beach at Water
View reminds me of an incident that DC,
Cured here during the war. which served
one of "Jeb" Stuart's dismounted troop
ers good turn. AFederal transport laden
with artillery horses passing. this point
during q storm lost one OF the horses over
board, and though it had TO swim. several
miles 10 reach land. IL bravely battled with
ttse waves and made the shore IN safety.
Having been secured by Private Hank
Courtney. of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry.
it was ridden by him to the close OF the
war and proved an exceptionally hne AMI
NAL tor cavalryman's uses.
SANDY POINT.
The next estate as you descend the river
shore is Sandy Point, which was seated IN
early colonial days by Major George Esk--
ridge, whose family name Is still preserved
on one or more old tombstones IN the
vicinity. Here in pleasantly situated
house, with garden extending TO high
water mark. lived for many years the late
Colonel Gordon +. Forbes. His attractive
home was popular social resort, and was
much frequented besides during the early
wears of steamboat travel on the Potomac
by those who came hither "a pas
sepgers from all the surrounding re-
gion TO take the boats. The ample shade
and green sod hele. the neatly-kept gar
den-walks, the bowers and plots of choice
flowers. the smooth beach inviting TO
stroils while waiting for the steamers ar
rival, the cuisine of this excellent hosiery,
and the inyigorating effects of the salt
water air on tho appetite are among the
features which memory paints III the
minds OF many of the older folks of the
adjacent region as they revert TO this place
in the olden days OF its prosperity. Lat
tery New York gentleman of sporting
tastes has purchased the place. along with
other extensive lands adjoining, and with
a building erected i'll New York and trans
ported hither it promises TO become
huntsman's lodge equipped on liberal
| and elaborate scale.
SPRINGFIELD,
A mile or two beyond Sandy Point, in
retired and secluded situation, are the ne
elected remains Of Springfield, formerly
| the home of General Alexander Parker,
| brave Revolutionary soldier and important
ally of General Wayne in his Indian cam
paign. Here he died August 5, 1921. I'm
| der the shores of this estate echoed the
guns OF the naval combat in the summer
| OF 1913. IN which Mdshipman Slgourney,
OF Boston, Mass, lost his life while brave,
| ly defending his vessel. A monumental
| slab, erected By patriotic citizens OF the
vicinity, may be still seen under cluster
| Of cedars in the Bailey burial ground, near
| Kinsale. commemorative OF this event
and inscribed as follows:
| "Sacred to the memory Of Midshipman James
| d. Sigourney, OF tho United states Navy, ma
| tive OF Massachusetts; aged % years, VINO tel
in CALAMITY defending his countrys flag on board
| OF the United States schooner Asp, under MS
| command. Ia an action with ave British barges
| of very superior force, on the 1ith day Of July
1913"
| " TO gallant youth, obey the call OF Heaven;
| Your sins were few, We trust they are forgiven.
| But then Oh, what eau paint the parents WOO
| Your country viii punish the hand that gave tho
blow
The reference in the third line of this
some What crude stanZa would seem TO be
| the young sailors aged and widowed
| mother, who leaned on him as her only
earthly support.
FAUETLEROY's.
The Yeocomico marks the Northumber-
| land line. aud short distance below, IN q
| curve made by the Potomac shore. find
Fauntleroy's a fine estate now owned by
| the Rev. W. W. Walker, which seems
10 have been called by the name of ar
early owner, but what was his precise rela-
! tionship to the well-known FeuntlerOy
| family Of the Rappahannock Valley Is IN
| volyed in obscurlty. and has, | believe,
thus far eluded the most inquisitlve search
| of Genealogists. Here. or possibly on a
smaller adjoining farm, lived II. NJ.
| probably q son OF Samuel Matthews. once
| Governor and Captain-General OF the
| colony of Virginia., the author OF the
authoritative account of the origin
| of Bacon's Rebellion, "a printed in
| the tracts Of Peter Force. And here, IN IN
| undistInguishable grave rest the remains
| OF gallant Captain Thomas WoOdford, the
| sailor and younger brother of General
| William Woodford. the hero Of the battle
Of Great Bridge. At this seat also lived IN
| the latter part of the last century George
| Fairfax Lee. who represented the
eldest line of the distinguished fami-
| Is of that name, having been the
| eldest son of George Lee. burgess
| of Westmoreland. who was the eldest
! son OF Richard Lee. of Loudoun, who was
! the Oldest son OF Richard Lee. OF Matno.
| lie" who was the oldest mGr7Ied son OK
| Richard Lee, the emigrant. George r:
| |. ee was also aon to Hannah. the widow OF
Warner Washington. who was the daugh.
ter of William Fairfax. OF Belyoir," and
sister TO Mrs. Lawrence Washington. the
! first matrOn Of Mt. Vernon.
InaIamble once for two days ovor the
broad acres of this old estate | saw no
traces of Its former dwelling and nothing
to mark where reposes the dust Of It's early
occupants, and il seems most probable
that the man who represented IN his line,
| acc and parental names the older lines of
tie Fairfaxes. the WashIngto rs. and the
Lees here mingles with the soil OF his an
cient seat, beneath turf that conceals
| both the spot where he lived and the grave
in which he sleeps. G.. ". b.