Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
OLD MENOKIN HOUSE.
HISTORY OF A BEAUTIFUL OLD
RICHMOND COUNTY ESTATE.
The Seat Of Hon. Francis Lishtfoot
Lee'-Early Home of Judge John
Tsyioe Lomax-Residencc of the
Harwoods, 30.
For the Dispatch.)

view Of the low lying plane and marshes
stretching away to the Rappahannock
river. The place is reached by the public
road leading from Warsaw to Farmers
Fork. Beyond the formidable Menokin
Mil hills. on the left Of this road, the
gate admits TO a private road. which
skirts several fields and terminates at the
house. which Is half mile or more dis
tant from the gate.
The building here Is a massive quad
rangular structure Of native red sand
stone In an excellent state OF preserva-
ton. 1t IL marked by the ponderous
chimneys. immense hall. and waInscotIng
SO common In Colonial edifices Its erec-
ton marks the transitional stage OF Co
ioniai architecture, falling behind the era
OF imported English bricks, and yet
showing more solidity and durability of
construction than was commonly true OF
houses erected after the Revolution. IL
IS an interesting relic OF the affiuent and
prosperous decade in Virginia which pre-
ceueu the struggle for American indie
pendence.
BUILT AS A GIFT.
1t Is said to have been built under the
John Tayloe, as a gift to his second
daughter Rebecca, who was married In
1863 to Francis Lightfoot Lee. He was
% years OF age at the date OF his mar
rage and his youthful bride H. They
became the first occupants OF Menokin.
ar. Lee had been for several years pre-
Viously member OF the House OF Bur-
gesses, and II is probable that In the
gay and fashionable intercourse OF a
winter In Williamsburg he felt the force
or the youthful charms which made
MIN ready to resign his bachelorship
Colonel John Tayloe was at the time
member OF the Kings Council. and In
winter occupied a residence I'm williams
burg with his family. President Nelson.
IN letter to Arthur Lee, dated March
81, lI69,' says, with reference to his bro
Tiers recent union with Miss Tayloe:
NO doubt you have heard Of tho hap
piness OK your brother Frank, with Miss
Becky"
From Menokin. Francis /. Lee went
as a delegate 10 the Continental Com
gress. In which he served from 1775
to 1ns. In 1776. in Philadelphia, in COM
pany with HIS elder brother, Richard
Henry, he appended his signature TO
the Declaration OF Independence. as one
OF the deputies of Virginia. After his
service In Congress, he became a member
or ths State Legislature. We are in
oebted to some OF his letters, written
from Menokin. during the war of the
Revolution. for an insight into the con-
dition and sentiment OF the people of the
Northern Neck at that important era.
IN one or these letters, dated July II.
l"s, he says: II find the people I'm this
part OF the world not in the least
hurt by the war. They are better
clothed. and think better in every
circumstance. But there Is n lament
able Incidence and inAttention to public
anars In the gentlemen, which leaves
the people open to the arts of every
designing rascal. and has occasloned
tering the army"
CHARMING CENTRE
Abundant proofs abound that Menokin
was, during the lifetime OF its first oc-
cupants. charming centre OF social, in
tellectual, and patriotic life. and, like
opulent East Virginia homes OF that pc
riod in general, was graced with lbe-
raj and elegant hospitality. Unlike
most OF these homes, however, the pratt
tie Of infancy and the notes of child
hood did not gladden. its chambers. Mr..
and Mrs. Lee died without children 70
enhance the joys Of their otherwise happy
union.
Not long after the death OF Mr.. Lee,
John Taylor Lomax, whose mother was
sister TO Mrs. Lee. made his residence at
Menokin. After completing his studies
at st. Johns College, ANNAPOLIS. he mar
ried Miss Charlotte Thornton, daughter
of the Hon. Presly Thornton, Of Nor
cumberland. and In this comfortable and
spacious home the early years Of their
married life were passed. Mr.. Lomax
soon after his settlement here, became
| actively and extensively engaged In the
practice OF law, In the course Of which
he was brought into collision with John
Campbell, Law d. Berry, ]. NJ. Patton,
| and Chapman Johnson, who were among
the ablest lawyers of their day. and here
he laid the foundations OF that emlnence
as legal expounder and jurist which af-
terwards SO distinguished him as a pro-
fessor OF law at the University and Judge
! OF one OF the Virginia circuits.
WAR OF 1872
During the war OF 1sl2-1l Mr.. Lomax
promptly enlisted as a soldier and served
as captain OF one OF the companies OF
the 1ilth regiment OF Virginia militia,
commanded by Colonel Richard T.. Par
ker. Both OF these gentlemen, It may be
said, wore their swords bravely IN war,
as they afterwards wore the ermlne of
their high judicial stations worthlly in
peace.
OF the two sons Of the Hon. John Tay-
Tor Lomax, the eldest, who was named
for his father, was born at Menokin,
February q. 1918. In early manhood he
removed TO Alabama. and settled at De-
mopolis. where, after long and success
full course OF practice at the bar, he died
In 1863.
After Mr.. Lomax's removal from Memo
kin. about the year 1915. the ownership
OF the place was held by a gentleman
whose name ! have forgotten. A few
years later II was used as an academy or
boardng-school, and quite a number OF
youths from the counties adjacent were
drawn to its halls. The late DR.. william
III. Kirk, OF Northumberland, was among
the young men who drank at the fountain
OF knowledge opened here. and he used
TO take pleasure In relating the mis-
chlevous pranks in vogue among the
boys. Students no wadays leave butter
that has grown stale and rancorous on
their plates; at Meuokin School, in the
olden days. II seems they sometimes
caused 1t to stick in little balls on the
ceiling and walls of the diping-room.
THE HARWOODS.
About the year 1890 Mr.. Richard II.
Harwood. of King and Queen county, pur-
chased the Menokin residence and estate
ana removed tnitner win MS FAMILY. For
considerably more than half century
this worthy family vas associated with
the place Here, from early childhood and
infancy. Mr.. Harwood's children grew Up
to manhood and womanhood. The eldest
OF the sons, William F.. left the parental
home In early manhood to become a use
full citizen of Richmond and successful
man of business. and 10 leave memory.
now that he Is gone. fragrant with many
virtues. The younger son, John. went
forth at the note OF war as lieutenant
OF cavalry. and was killed In battle at
Ashland. Three OF the daughters OF the
ho,iaahold hara colahra Tod their MI rffal