Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-12
OLD VIRGINIA HOMES.
NoMoNy HALL, IN wEsTMoRELAND,
AND ITS HISTORY.
In the Hands of the Carters-0ne of
Its Liberal Proprietors-Prench
I'm the BaiI-Room-Late Occupants
"Reminiscences. ..tI
Tor the Dlspateh.)

tate pertaining 10 II IS situated in tn
broken and billy region lying betweel
the headwaters OF Nomini creek. Tn
plantation consists for the greater par
OF an irregular body of gently rolling
table land, well mixed with red clay, ant
very fertile. On the sides of the farm
next TO the two streams the grount
which the torrents OF ages have WASHED
into numerous deep ravines and yawninl
chasms, and from the depths Of these
grow oaks, chestnuts, and tall poplars
which in places barely reach above the
sides of the vast trenches, in which ma
ture has planted them. On the steer
sides Of these gullies and through the
woods generally are thick clusters OF
tangled laurel dvy) and other small
growths. which at points are nearly i'm
penetrable save to the hare, raccoon,
wild-turkey, or other native tenants OF
the brake or covert.
Here, among the hollow trees OF these
hidden recesses. ideal ground is found as
q breeding-place for the beautiful wood
Cor summe0 duck, and many of them are
annually Matched here and reared in the
marshy streams that border the wood
lands. On this marshy ground, also.
where the fresh waters from the hills
mingle with the salt tides, the mallard
finds favorite haunt, and hither, as far
back as the memory of man extends, the
wild geese have como to sleep and feed
at night, and not unfrequently to fall
victims TO the deadly aim of the lurking
huntsman. On these marshy flats the
muskrat builds it's winter homo Of dried
reeds and flags, and hither the ortolan
and sora come earlier in the season in
such numbers as often make the waving
expanse of wild oats a sportsman's para
disc.
Tho principal stream at the head of
Nomini creek, on which Isaac Allerton,
grandson OF the "Mayflower" emigrant
of that name. built mill at the era of
the first settlement, was called Herring
preek, in Difference to the multitude OF
FISH OF that kind found In It's waters. The
FIRST English possession Of the land en-
bracing Nomony Hall plantation was that
of Thomas Hawkins, one of tho early
commissioners of Rappahannock county.
His patent was Of date, February 26. 1868,
and was for $500 acres "side Of a south
east branch of Nominy, formerly known
by the name of Herring creek" Thomas
was on intimate terms with the
first Lawrence Washington, who styles
him ''my friend" in naming him as ex-
ecutor Of his will. If Hawkins made
clearing and built a tenement on these
among the first OF English blood
who Familiarity trod them were probably
his sons-Thomas and John. and their
sisters, Elizabeth and Hannah-the for
mer the glad possessor of a rare "dia-
mond ring and pearl necklace'-"memen-
toes OF her deceased mother" and
shining proofs of the family rank and
The ownership Of the property seems to !
have passed from Thomas Hawkins to |
Thomas Deos, and probably into other |
hands, judging from the facility and FREE |
luency with which the early land war |
rants exchanged holders. 1t became, |
Early in the eighteenth century. one of the |
almost regal possessions Of Robert Carter. |
of Lancaster, secretary and agent OF |
Baron Thomas Fairfax, the Lord Prop
orietor OF the Northern Neck. Mr.. Car
er's landed estates amounted to over |
hree hundred thousand acres, scattered |
through the northern counties OF the
colony from Chesapeake Bay almost to
he Allegha1ies; and over these planta-
ions were distributed eleven or twelve
hundred slaves. About the year 1926 his
ION, e,as
ROBERT CARTER, JR.,
laving completed his studies at William
nd Mary College, received Nomony Hall
s paternal gift. At the same time his
ather undertook in his behalf the cree
ion OF a substantial brick mansion, to
Which were attached several outbuildings
Z like substantial material. The main
uilding was a square, with roof sloping
rom the apex to the four walls. The
oundation walls beneath the surface en-
losed a cellar of numerous departments
nd dark passage-ways. The rear room TO
he right Of the entrance-hall was OF
arge dimensions, adapted to the festive
nd frolicsome age of it's erection. High
with small panes Of glass. and
eep recesses; high mantels with panel
'ork above, and tall wainscoting in the
ooms and hall, were in keeping with
he general style OF the best early Vir-
lnia homes. A long lane led for a quar-
er of a mile from the gate to the house.
nd on either side rows OF poplars sixty
set or SO apart adorned the sweeping
lwn.
Young Carter. as the elimination OF a
into which he early fell, OBJ
ained a wife in Maryland among the
ladens-~a family who gave name TO the
nall town between Baltimore and WASH
lgton that has been made famous in
le bloody annals of American duelling.
o picture Of Priscilla Bladen is preserved
lat we may judge how far her personal
sauty may have helped 10 make her the
rst bride OF Nomony. The joys OF her
ridal hour and the grief OF widowhood
ere separated by no great interval, her
lsband having died in 1872, leaving her :
18th two infant children. The distress
her situation was increased by the de-
'ase soon afterwards of her husbands
ther, King Carter, and the provisions !,
his will, which. by the strict construc-
on OF the law, left her and her offspring |,
'nniless, so far as respected the lands,
nements, other Entertainments, with the
'purtenances thereof, which had been q
'vised to her husband. BY an appeal a
} the General Assembly in 1874, and on :
e evidence Of a wish which "King'' Car =
= had expressed. but not embodied in :,
= VIII, these properties became vested t,
law In her infant son, and liberal pro- :.
sion was made for herself and daughter a
lizabeth. Under Mrs. Carriers care the
aforementioned son grew 10 manhood =,
~ entered into possession of his estates g
bout the year l7t9. having enjoyed a libe-
y educational training. principally at \
,uham and Mary College. or his sister a
i<apsth. the first daughter sheltered and
I".ea IA this early home, I am unable | *
.ufEi>h an account An invoices. OF N
P<t4 ' toI her zHcarfup ar,,oeai .kt.-.a 1 I.