Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-17
REM AR kABLE RELICS
The Strong Box of Thomas, Lord Fairfax,
and Its History.
Treasure Filled and Buried on Dif-
Portrait by Rembrandt Peale.

In one Of the apartments of the Hotel
Raleigh, now occupied by Mr.. Phillip w.
Avrett, is a remarkable relic, which has a
history of great interest. 1t is nothing
more or less than the iron strong box of
Thomas, Lord Fairfax, first lord proprie-
tGry Of Virginia. The box chest is made
of heavy wrought iron, into which have
been welded iron straps. crossing each other
at right angles. The slight ornamentation
on the front of the box shows IL to be Of
Italian workmanship. The box is in a
state of remarkable preservation. The key
hole is in the center of the massive lid,
and large heavy key, black with age,
turns easily in it. A wonderful thing about
the lock is that the key in turning sends
sliding bolts out from all sides of the lid
to cling beneath heavy extensions of the
four sides Of the box itself, upon precisely
the same principle as that upon which the
modern bank vault lock in universal use
today is managed.
Buried Full of Hl-Gottcn Riches.
Tie history Of the relic is romantic The
strong box was buried by Lord Fairfax at
lis home, Greenaway Court, near Win
chester Va, where he died. The reason
that Fairfax buried it was that he had
flied it with money collected by him in the
shape of revenues for the crown. but he
died before he had an opportunity to take
it Up and enjoy the treasure. The only
person who knew about the burial of the
box was DIR. Thomas Wcodcock of Win
chester. After the death Of Lord Fairfax
DR.. Woodcock dug it up and took ii 10
Philadelphia. where he gave it to the
agents of the Bank of England, who sent
1t to England, still filled with money and
mCniments of title. When the contents
had been removed the box was given 10
the Fairfax heirs in England.
Given Back to DR.. Woodcock.
The Fairfax heirs sent it back to DR..
Woodcock filled with silver plate, and the
strong box eventually passed from DIR.
Woodcock to Mrs. Hannah Dunbar of Win
chester. Al Mrs. Dunbar's death she will
ed the box to ner daughter, Mrs. Phillip
Williams of Virginia, during her lifetime,
and provided that it should then descend
to Mrs. Williams heirs, among whom was
Mrs. Avirett, wife of the Rev. James B.
Avfrett, formerly of Silver Springs and
now of North Carolina.
Guarded Treasure During the War.
During the late war the chest was again
buried by those who had it in possession
at Winchester and large quantity of
valuable silver plate was placed in it in
order to protect 1t from possible seizure by
the soldiers. Several years ago the safe
was dug up again, its whereabouts having
been discovered through information re-
ceived from former slave named Grand
erson, who had helped to bury the safe.
but who preserved the secret of its loca-
ton until he found death was near, when
he divulged it to the proper party. The
heirs of Mrs. Phillip Williams gave the
strong box to Mr.. Phillip Williams Avirett,
who now has 1t in his possession.
Rembrandt Pealc Miniature.
Among the treasures which were con-
tanned In the strong box at the time it was
buried during the late war was a miniature
portrait of the late Phillip Williams, paint
ed on ivory by Rembrandt Peale. The
miniature is incased in a quaint oval silver
locket and is also in the possession of Mr..
Avirett. Authorities on such matters have
expressed the opinion that the miniature
Is as fine a specimen OF Peale's marvellous
art in miniature portrait as there is ex-
tant.