The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-27
OLD PkOVIDENCE FOR06.
Once the Homo of the Douglas - The
"smithy" Was worksd Century Ago.

PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA, Jan. 2s-
Specialize doubt the name Providence
Forge" Is a very familiar one to many,
as it is a very popular resort for picnlcs
during the summer months; but 1t has
many attractions for the antiquarian that
are never thought of by these transient
visitors.
1t is. / suppose, one of the Oldest Colo
niai homes in Eastern Virginia, and, no
doubt, in its early days was considered a
very handsome and valuable estate.
1t is Familiarity known in the neigh
borhood as THE Forge" and is supposed
to have been called so because there once
existed an old iron forge there.
The old house stands back few hun
dred yards from the railroad, and would
scarcely be noticed unless one was at
tracted by the four red-brick chmneys
that tower up from the outside. The ex-
terror Is neither handsome nor showy,
out look at the interior shows plainly
that much care and skill was used I'm its
construction.
The broad hall, with its wainscoted
walls and heavily carved stairway. be-
speak taste and refinement, and. no
uouoe' when the Douglases lived there.
often
the scene of many gay and fashionable
gatherings; but THE Forge" has changed
hands many times since then. and ~
course, numerous changes have taken
place. The grounds about the house that
We're once, no doubt, very picturesque
with Its handsome old trees, have been
somewhat disfigured, but still a few old
landmarks remain.
The old grist mill that has done good
service for over century, grinds on as
merrily as Ii did I'm days of yore. but
the old iron forge that once stood along
SIDE OF the mill has long since ceased Its
labors.
account DOCKS or papers still in pos
session of the Jerdone family whose an
cestors once owned THE Forge" show
that az late as l7s2 1t was successfully
worked, but how much longer or lust
when 1t was destroyed, / am not sure OF,
bun for many years 1t lay entirely con-
fealed from view beneath the earth, and
suppose many who walked over IT were
unconscious that such u thing as a forge
ever existed there; but during the sum
mer OF 1868 great freshet caused the
breaking of the mill dam, and with the
rusn or the current of water went the
earth that for so many years had hid
from view the old iron works After the
water had withdrawn and dry land ap-
peared once more, there, deep down In
the ravine cut by the raging waters, ap-
peared the trip-hammer and foundation
walls of the works.
!. The hammer and soma specimens of pig
iron were taken out, and at this date
can be seen only a short distance from ITS
former resting place.
The mill pond, as 1t is called (but there
fc In fF.,I Ill
some TWO miles from the West, making a
grand water power that seldom fars TO
turn the old mill-wheel, while it's shores
are clothed with majestic cypress trees,
and their great knarly roots, that push
themselves up through the black mud In
curious shapes. AS you approach the
source of the lake these great trees seem
TO grow more bold and stand out waist
deep in the clear water and so near to-
gether that it is with difficulty one can
guide his skin among them.