Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-23

and John Randolph might be placed win
the symbol of the setting and the rising
sun.
Like an Old Mortality, must ever be
found among the tOmbs. In the church
ward of Middlesex county are the monu-
ments OF the Wormsleys and the
Grymses falling with decay The
people who sleep under them were
among the makers Of the his
tory OF Virginia The same may
be said OF the Lightfoot tombs at Sandy
Point, on James river. To turn again TO
Mlddlesex, under the flooring Of an old
Colonial church is the tomb Of Mary
Beverley. the wife Of that Clerk of the
House OF Burgesses who has been called
the first martyr in Virginia 70 political
liberty.
To neglect grave-stones is TO destroy
valuable historic sources. 1t is true that
the epitaphs on these tombs have nearly
all appeared in print. but all persons
have not access to books, while a mas
sve. well-preserved monument conveys
lesson to the eye and the imagination
that mere printed matter cannot give.
The cartoUches Of the Pharaohs are CT
great importance I'm fixing the dates Of
tho different Egyptian dynastes. They
may be considered as royal cOurts-of-
arms. each monarch having the chief
events of his reign chiselled or painted
upon them. In the same way the old
tombs of Virginia have been invaluable
to the historian. In gratitude for this
fact alone let them be restored and pre-
served.
PARENTS OF JOHN RANDOLPH
on the banks OF the Appomattox, about
one mile from Petersburg, are three
homeless tombs, so to speak, lying in an
old field quite uncared for. They read as
follows: John Randolph, Esq. Died 2Sth
OF October. 1775; aged 81 Let not a tomb
be wanting TO his ashes. nor memory to
his virtues Another: Jesus, Saviour
of Mankind. When shall we cease to
mourn for Frances Bland Tucker, wife Of
st. George Tucker? She died 18th OF jan
uary, 17SS; aged 49," These were the pa
rents OF Randolph Of Roanoke.
Tho descendants Of Frances Bland
Tucker claim the proud privilege Of dec
fraying the expense of repairing this
monument to her memory.
The third Of tho group is 90
Martha Hall; died 4th Of March, 1884
Whom Hymen sighted, Pollux and Apol-
10 courted."
1t is a singular fact that the names OF
Pollux and Apollo were names conferred
upon certain beaux Of the period, as old
me, Apollo was a certain Mr.. Stuart, but
L have forgotten who was represented
by Pollux. The quaintness Of this cpl
taph gives il value as a curiosity Of liter
allure and a type of a time now no more.
There IS no more interesting spot than
old Blandford, with its twining ivies. its
ruins gray, and its memories There Is
said to be in the city Of Petersburg
dark-gray stone, Of conical form, about
feet high. In one of its sides is an
oval excavation, II inches across. and
half as many deep. It IS called the Basin
Of Pocahontas. \ rather narrow bath-tub
for the present day, but one which
ought TO be hunted up. marked, and pre-
served. There are many interesting
spots in and around Petersburg An ac-
tive branch of the Association for the
Preservation Of Virginia Antiquities
would find much remunerative work at
this point. On Fleet HILL Burk. the his
toran, met death in duel. We may not
approve Of duelling, but Burk's work,
while not without faults, has caused his
name 20 be cherished, while that Of his
antagonist is remembered by but few.
1 pass over Richmond: you. her citi-
Zens. know more than / have time 10
tell you Of her manifold places of inte-
rest. She is truly a Mecca Of the mind.
lions Of men may come and worship.
The early colonist, the Revolutionary sol
der. the statesman, the Confederate
hero. and last, though not least. the
women who have been foremost in every
work OF benehcence and piety. 1 would
however, make one suggestion Let a
grove Of oaks be planted az Rockets
in memory OF the time when Master
West in search OF food for the Colonists
az jamestown, here found only acorns
Plant the oaks
with seats beneath the shade
For talking age and whispering lovers
made"
JOHN SMITH AND POCAHONTAs.
l think the time has come to fix def
nitely opon the most probable site OF the
heroic preservation OF the life of John
Smith by the Indian Princess Pocahon-
tas. Let 1t not be for a moment thought
that his association regards as a myth
or romantic legend the beautiful story
with which the history OF Virginia opens
Shelley, in Gloucester county. seems IN
be the spot on which most historians are
agreed. There IS no monument I'm Vir-
ginia TO John Smith. There is no monu-
ment In Virginia to Pocahontas. Let.
therefore. the spot selected be marked
80 % AatAt''ANA N'AA4 VI the knlEnftg man
and heroic maiden. A committee might
at once be appointed 70 discuss WAYS ana
means, and TO decide upon a suitable
memorial
Not far from Shelley. near 10 Tim
Der Neck creek. Powhatan's chimney
lies prone. The materials OF which II was
built are there. Cannot they be pur-
chased by the Association for the Preser-
walton Of Virginia Antiquities, and the
chimney rebuilt or some other arrange
ment made by which 1t can be preserved?
or the tombs at Carriers creek and
Warner Hall l must once more speak.
There are none I'm the State OF Virginia OF
more value. and yet they are allowed TO
fan into absolute nothingness.
The limits Of my paper have been reach
ed. yet much remains unsung Charles
City county. one OF the eight original
shires, ] cannot touch upon. Turkey
Island. the rich Valley OF Virginia. teem-
ing with memorials OF brave and sturdy
people, differing in modes and methods OF
civilization from the class who settled the
Tidewater section. is a region OF great in
terest TO the antiquarian and the student
OF history
A DIRECTRESS IN EACH COUNTY.
But can detain you no longer. would
simply add suggestion TO the president
and Board OF Management 10 appoint in
each or the counties We have been con-
sidering a young, active. and enterprising
direcfress Requesting at the sane TINA