Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-04-08

Fourteen miles west of Richmond is
ian old Virginia plantation. where
Thomas Jefferson as a boy went to
school, and where many illustrious
men of the past two centuries lived and
visited
Tuckahoe-whose quaint name was
derived from the tribe Of Indians that
once lived in the Observation-Disclosures
the first frame dwelling erected west OF
Richmond, then a frontier settlement
known as the Falls" The house was
built about the year 1890 by william
Randolph, a wealthy and influential
planter, for his son Thomas, and is to-
day considered one of the best speci-
mems of early colonial architecture in
the state. 1t stands, surrounded by
stately oaks and elms, on lofty bluff
around whose base the James River
winds 1t lazy way, and in former years
the estate included we'll nigh limitless
tracts Of land for miles around. So I'M
mense was the property that to the
members Of this wealthy family land
was almost valueleys and we find in the
records Of Goochland county one of the
most unique deeds of bargain and sale
ever put on record.
It was between William Randolph,
above, and his cousin, Peter Jefferson,
father Of Thomas Jefferson. In 1t Ran
dolph grants bargains and sells" I'M
to Peter Jefferson one certain parcel
of land lying on the north side Of the
.Northanna, in the county of Gooch-
land, together with all houses, orch
ards, gardens, fences, woods, ways,
etc, appertaining to same" and in con-
sideration for this receives-one OF
Henry Weatherburnrs biggest bowls Of
Arrack punch. History does not tell
us who Henry Weatherburn may have
been, but his name is still being watt
ed down to fame through the fumes Of
his good Arrack punch.
Tuckahoe house is built in the form
of the letter H., giving it much the
appearance Of two houses. The long
saloon hall which connects the two
wings is an apartment Of much indi-
vidual interest, and its lofty walls have
witnessed many an exciting scene. In
It questions Of grave interest touch
ing the history of the early colony were
discussed and settled; there Washing
ton and his aides were frequently re-
ceived, and it served many time as
ball room for the fair danes and
gallants of long ago, Special mention
IS made of this most commodious
apartment" by Lieutenant Thomas An
bury in his Travels Through Ameri-
ca" The latter was one Of the Eng
lish officers of the army of convention
captured with Burgoyne at Saratoga
and quartered near Charlottesville.
While waiting to be sent to England
they were allowed, on parole, to visit
the plantation homes Of some Of their
former adversaries, who received them
with great hospitality. Lieutenant An
bury gives a long account of his visit
to Tuckahoe and also tells that some
"low fellows" threatened to set fire to
Colonel Randolph's property on ac-
count Of the presence of the British Of
1cers. The fiery colonel resented this
insult to his guests with much spirit
and made ringing speech on the en-
suing court day, offering five hundred
pounds reward for the discovery Of
those who made use of the threats.
The English officer seemed also much
impressed by his hosts fondness for
horses-a characteristic of all Virgin
ians-and gives the following quaint
E-z-s--------