The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-06
LORD FAIRFAx's STRONG BOX.
The story of an Interesting Relic of
the Early Days of Virginia.

Washington Evening Star.
In one of the apartments of the Hotel
Raleigh, now occupied by Mr.. Philip W.
Avirett, is remarkable relic which has
history of great interest. 1t is nothing more
nor less than the iron strong box of Thorn
as, Lord Fairfax first lord proprietary of
Virginia. The box, or 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 it to be of
Italian workmanship. The box is in a state
of remarkable preservation. The keyhole is
in the center of the massive lid, and a
large heavy key, black with age, turns
easily in it, A wonderful thing about the
lock is that the key in turning sends slid
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 to-
day is managed.
The history of the relic is romantic. The
strong box was buried by Lord Fairfax at
his home, Gree1aWay Court, near WincheS-
ter, Va, where he died. The reason that
Fairfax buried it was that he had filled it
with money collected by him in the shape
of revenues for the crown but he died be-
fore he had an opportunity to take 1t up
and enjoy the treasure. The only person
who knew about the burial L., OF the box was was
er the death of Lord Fairfax DR.. Wood
cock dug it up and took 1t to Philadelphla,
where he gave it to the agents of the Bank
of England, who sent it to England, still
filled with money and munihents of title.
When the contents had been removed the
box was given to the Fairfax heirs III Eng
land.
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 At Mrs Dunbar's death she willed
the box to her daughter, Mrs. Philip Will
liams, of Virginia, during her lifetime. ana
provided that it should then descend to
Mrs Williams'S heirs, among who was Mrs.
Avirett wife of Rev. James b. Avirett, for
merly of Silver Springs and now of North
Carolina.
During the late war the chest was again
buried by those who had 1t in possession
at Winchester. and large quantity of val
liable silver plate was placed in it in order
soldiers. Several years ago the box was
dug up again, its whereabouts having been
discovered through information received
from q former slave named Granderson,
who had helped to bury it, but who pre-
served the secret of it's location until he
found death was near, when he divulged 1t
to the proper party. The heirs of Mrs. Phil
ip Williams gave the strong box to Mr..
Philip Williams Avirett, who now has 1t in
his possession.
Among the treasures which were con-
buried during the late war was minia-
ture portrait of the late Philip Williams,
painted 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 painting as there is
extant