The morning times., 1896-04-12

the edge OF the knoll. glanced down ut the
waters OF POpc'S Creek and drew np befere
The doorway on the other siue q Tie circle
In what must have been TIE front ward
there still stands the rotting stump OF IN
ancient oak, which waved before the
doorway ana shaded the front OF the house
from the summer sun.
Vide porches, supported on foundations
of brick, cncIrcled the house AMI Reached
almost 10 the pines that fringe the edge
ofthe knoll. where itdrops offintc the creek.
Here The dwelcrs at Wakefield home could
sit and look out under the high branches
OF the pines at the broad Potomac sweep
ing down TO the bay, and the blue hills of
Maryland edging the further shore. The
wCli-lnOwn picture OF Washington with
Lafayette on the porch at Mount Vernon
would seem much more appropriate here,
where The view is grander and the opposite
shore twelve miles away. Al this point
the river bends ia the right and cuts = great
cash from The Virginia side, and then turns
a gain 10 its natural course toward the south
aud east. Situated in the heart OF the
bend, wakefield house stood ont in fuil
view OF passing vessels, and the outlook
from the upper windows over The water
was uninterrupted TO the spot twent Y miles
away, where sky ana river met.
To the rear of the house the ground sloped
until il met the waters of Pupe'S creek,
which sent small offshoot up that way.
There could not have been room for many
outbuildines here, and the numerous quar-
tcrS and offices which surround every old
Southern mansion were probably situated
TO the north and west in what is now
Mr.. Wilson's cornfield. The majority of
the cultivated land of the plant, ton lay
in that direction. and on the road from the
wharf to the house there are several an
cent buildings which look as though they
might have done duty as ovcrseerS COT
tages during the days Of the old house. but
OF course they are of much later time.
During the work OF eXcavating for the
monument several interesting relics have
been unearthed. One workman lifted out
a shoveful OF earth with a large pewter
| spoon adhering to piece of brick Another
| found q small silver pitcher which from
the design and workmanship, must have
| been made many years ago. A long bar
| of iron was brought up few days ago. III
| was twisted aud blackened by the fire
| which destroyed the house over l05 years
| ago, and covered with rust. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY @ erdcr in the framework OF the
| house and when the coating OF rust ana
| earth was scraped awayit was found To be
| as strong and firm as ever.
If it be true that men partake OF their
| environment and are influenced by their
| surroundings il is easy TO account for the
| noble traits of character and true high
! mindedness of the race OF Lee.
FAMILY OF LEE.
| From Col. Richard Lee. who immigrated
| 10 this country in 1911. to Gen. Robert E.
| Lee, the gallant soldier, there We're six
| generations. Every man who bore the
! name did something for his country, anu
| their praises have been sung in song ana
! story and in histories of the nation.
| Richard. Lee, jr.. second son of the
| immigrant. was the founder of 1.-The STRAIT
| ford line of Lees" He was born III lo4'
! and died in Ia 4.
Thomas Lee, his fifth son, and the great
| grandfather, in the maternal line, of Gen.
| Robert E. Lee, built the historic seat known
| as Stratford Hall. He named it after his
| English estate OF Stratford and 1t was
| here that Gen. Lee was born and his great
| grandfather diedin 1850.
| Thomas Lee was the first governor or
| Virginia and was President and commander
| n-chief of the COLONY when appointed 10
! that office by the king. His commission
| reached Stratford three days after his
| death. so he never took the oath of office.
| The original Stratford Hall was destroyed
| by fire about 1870, and the present house
| was built some time between the years
| 17?n and 1875, hut The exact date is un-
| known. 1t is said that Queen Caroline.
nearing ndt Ihoiids Lee house hou ~ ~, !, ,
| burned, sent him a present which enabled
| him to rebuild 1t. Every brick In the
| structure was brought from England, and
| today it stands as firm and solid as ever,
| magnificent tribute tohonest workmanship,
! It's beautiful old house, and there are
few more magnificent country-seats in
| Virginia today. 1t stands imposiDgly on
the hills above the Potomac, in the lower
| part of Westmore!and county. about seven
| miles from Montrose Court House. DR..
R. H. Stuart. polished gentleman of the
| old school. is present occupant, and he has
| made an effort to furnish the interior after
| the manner OF his forefatbers.
] Dr. Stuart is a direct tdescendantofthe Lee