Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-10
LOOKING BACKW ARD.
EARLY HOMES on CoAN RIVER IN
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Famous seats of the Mothams,
Spcnccrs and Bails-Residcnce OF
Colonel j. VI. smtth--Thc Graves OF
Three Young Wives.


A traveller on Potomac steamer. after
entering the mouth OF Coan river ane
passing Lewisotta. may see on the oppo-
site side OF the stream an extensive plan
tation OF low-lying land. and within close
proximity % the rivcr-benk. two neat
airy cottages. hundred yards or so
apart. and between them several spacious
and imposing barns The farm IS al
present owned by Mr.. Thomas II. Failin.
one OF the most progressive businessmen
OF Northumberland. whose push and
energy give promise that he will discover
and develop any productive or remunera-
tive qualities that may yet hnger IN the
soil OF this old estate. The plantation
was formerly very extensive, embracing
the wooded hills In the distance. ana
several adjoining farms, including that
of Mantua. whose buildings. situated
upon a commanding and noble eminence'
are the chief attractions 10 the eye, a
mile or so higher up the river.
The property owned by Mr. Fallin ly-
ing between Coan river and Gods creek
Is known as
CoAN HALL.
A designation which u has borne ior
probably two centuries. and which mas
outlived at least fom mansions whlch
have at different periods adorned 'he
premises.
Within a few feet OF the present wood
en- cottage when stands nearest the
river. concealed beneath the grassy 500
are the foundation-stones which marx
- homes
tabl,shed by English settlers In North
umberland Here about 1910. when as
vet the principal occupants OF the country
we're its aboriginal tribes. and the region
was known rs Chckacone. after the IN
d,an name Of its chief inlet, settlement
was made by
COLONEL JOHN MOTTRAM.
who erected Tor himself a temporary
homo. probably OF logs feled from the
surrounding forest The settlers had so
Increased four years later that Northum-
herland county was formed, and Colonel
Mottram became its first delegate 10 the
House Of Burgesses. and earliest represeh-
tative IN a legislative body chosen from
the region lying between the Rappahan-
mock and Potomac rivers.
He married Ursula. the widow Of one
Richard Thompson. and his children
were three-a son. John, and two daugh-
tiers. Anne and Frances. The court-re-
cords OF the times show that the family
were the happy possessors Of one cow
at least; and also that on a certain oc-
casion. "MarchywaX. 20 King of we
Chickacoun Indians. delivered to Colonel
John Mottram observation-disclosures length
OF roanoke" whatever that may have
been. -
In 1865 Colonel Mottram died. and MS
voung son and daughter. aged IA and II
years. found a guardian in Colonel Ihom-
rs speake The elder daughter, Anne
seems 10 have been old enough TO choose
her own guardian. which she did, oy mar
rying Captain Richard Wright. one OF
the early justices Of the county. II wouiu
have been out Of keeping with early COLO
NAL presidents for Colonel Mottrams
relict 70 have remained widowed long.
Her next marriage was TO Major George
Coldough, also & member OF the House o.
Burgesses from Northumberland.
He was executor Of Colonel Mottram's
estate. and entered into contract with
Daniel Holland and John Rsisen for the
finishing of "the new dwelling, store
brew house old quarters" &C, which
however. he did not live TO sec completed
JOHN MoTTRAM JR.,
the only son Of the immigrant Of the
same name. when of age. found it necss-
sary 10 invoke the aid OF the court Tor
the peaceful possession of tho newly-hn-
ished home. The record evidence Is want
Ing as 10 the marriage Of the younger
Mottram. 1t would seem that Colonsi
Nicholas Spencer of Westmoreland, ana
president CT the Council. married his SIS
ter, Frances. and he returned the compn-
ment by marrying a Miss Spencer. At all
events. In 1890 Spencer Mottram is founu
-, 80 lon urh
had nc.g become locally prominent, be
cause OF the public warehouse that had
been established upon it, to which the
planters for miles around rolled Their
tobacco, and from which well-laden ships
bore II to the English ports.
Both the younger John Mottram and
his successor, Spencer Mottram, dropped
early from view, and with the latter the
name in the male line seems TO have died
out here.
JOSEPH BALL.
About the year 1900 Joseph Ball dhe
third Of the numerous sons of Captain
william Ball, OF Lancaster, through his
marriage with Mary Spencer. the grand
daughter of Colonel John Mottram be-
came the proprietor and occupant Of
Coan Hall. He was opuent in land
slaves. and other property. His posses
sions were extensive in Richmond coun-
ty. and his estate on Coan river COM
prised 800 acres. A portion OF the lat
ter was made a park, In which hume
rous deer from the adjacent forests were
kept His nephews and nieces living
within convenient reach Of his home
numbered over forty. These. with his
own four sons and a daughter, must
have swelled the tide Of social cheer IN
this early home. and given zest to many
an hour Of sportive pleasure.
Joseph Balrs death occurred in 17H,
when his children were for the most part,
stin In their teens. In what neglect
ed spot his body was entombed We have
no information. His eldest son,
COLONEL SPENCER BALL,
inherited the fraternal home. and In
early manhood married his cousin, Miss
Motttam. descendant In the third
generation Of John Mottram. the immi-
grant Colonel Ball was for full forty
years active and prominent in the az
fairs of the county as vestrymen or 81
STEPHENS Parish. military officer, JUS
tice, and burgess. During his occupancy
of Coan Hall. In 1855. the public ware
house on the premises In which was
stored the tobacco OF the neighborlns
planters. was accidentally burned, entail
ing heavy losses which the General AS
eemoly maze BCOu Dy uidAt VI 'nN P"D
lie Treasury From the record In an old
Bible. we learn that Colonel Ball died "on
tho nth Of February. it being OF We'd
nesday. 1901"
His children, whose infancy was Shell
tered here. and whose feet rambled over
the Fairgrounds of the old home were
seven-four sons and three daughters
nhe hands Of the latter were early
sought In marriage. and two OF them
found homes in the vicinity. one having
become Mrs John Craile, and The other