Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-13

THE BLOOD1 IOM En-
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Gods creek TO the next stream below,
called still by his name-Presly's creek
Colonel Presly and son, or some or MS
servants were good marksmen, II we may
Judge from the extent to which his puDlc
levies were at frat paid in the currency Oh
wolves skins. He was one of the early
justices of the county; also Burgess III
1917, and with John Trussel, George
Colclough, and Peter Ashton, served as
commissioner to establish the Two
parishes-Chicacone and Wicomico-ln
which the county was early divided. lie
became opulent, among the first planters
on the Potomac, in mares and hogs, lor
which. roaming loose in the unenclosed
forests. he gained authority Of the Court
TO employ friendly Indians to range. He
had more COWS than his household need
ed. and by deed of gift, duly entered and
recorded in court in 1864, he bestowed
one on his near neighbours daughter,
Frances Mottram, his wife's god-chlld'
The first shadow that fell on this primi-
tive home was the death or this wlte'
and probably the first grave dug on the
knoll where the sycamore stands was 10
receive her body. Soon afterwards. IN
1856, Colonel Presly died, and was doubt
less Inferred, according to pious WISH
expressed in his will, "As near 10 my
dear wife as conveniently may be.
Two sons-William and Peter-survIVed
Colonel Preslys death, and tho younger
% these, not yet of age, he desired
should continue to live with his older
brother and under his guardianship. OF
the marriages and domestic history or
these two brothers information Is lack
ing. They became both prominent as
vestrymen, justices, and burgesses. They
| also both served as Sheriff Of the county.
The older CWillam) received In l65O 45o
acres Of land in consideration OF having
! transported into the Colony himself
wife Jane, and seven servants. In 1000
with Colonel John Washington OF west
I moreland, he represented the settlements
| on the Potomac in the jamestown AS
/ sembly. , ,o>,
| William Presly was succeeded about
| A. d. 100 In the occupancy OF the North-
| cumberland House by his son, Colonel
! Peter Pre5ly, who long resided mere, anu
! was for more than half century proml-
/ nent in the social and civil AFFAIRS or
! northumberland, having served as
! church warden, justice, sheriff, commis-
| sioner. and trustee, OF executor, BY court
or private appointment, under great va
riety of circumstances, all going TO snow
| the multitude and prominence Oh DIS
| official and business transactions. he
early Yielded to the prevalent custom OIL
! the Colonial gentry, and paid homage at
! tho hvmeneal altar Miss Winifred Grill
fin daughter of Colonel Leroy Grifln'
of Richmond county, became his wlIe.
She was favorite~~g granddaughter Oh
| Colonel Samuel Griffin, OF Cherry Foiht'
~ al n n
a fact which appears to nave adueu md
! terially TO her large inheritance Oh pro-
nertv. Colonel Presly had now pecome
. LARGO owner of slaves; his estates were
productive, and large shipments VI ~
! bacco steadily augmented his wealth.
Lii the vessels which carried away his
nroduce brought back almost to his door
the choicest commodities Of the foreign
marts. .h,
INT a single flower blossomed on the
vine of Colonel Presly's marital lie VIII
Winifred Griffin, and this daughter
who bore her mothers name. Heres
as she was, it is fair to assume that she
aid not lack sutors who sought 10 Ieao
her away from the secluded parental
home ere vet her sixteenth summer hac
rassed. The successful claimant or heI
hand was Anthony Thornton from th'
upper part of King George county "hlci
was subsequently, added TO STAFFORD. hei
r,orriaee was doubtless celebrated In the
old mansion amidst sumptuous PIepdi"
tons and with joyous cheer.
AS so often happens, funeral foilo"
inc close I'm the wake of wedding So
Il was probably in Colonel Preslys home
his wife soon died, and he was left II
loneliness and grief. 1t was for TINS
| reason. probably, that later on yount
Presly Thornton. grandson became al
inmate of the Presly home where I'M
dotine grandsire lavished on him all TIT
care and fondness Of father. Colone
Peter Presly's end came suddenly IN IN
summer Of 1850. when he was Drulall!
yourdered by one of his slaves. The har
rowing story OF the popular iury 'Isi'e
upon the murderer, who was hung AM
, chartered and exposed 10 view by tn
roadside, has fingered to this day Ia III
} traditions of the community
HON. PREsLY THORNTON
) Colonel Presly. in his will, dated Au
,, gust 70. 17iO bequeathed his estate to III
above-named grandson. Hon. Presl
Thornton. who succeeded in the proprie
! torship of the place, and began at tn
, < same time a highly-successful career a
, lA,ttorney-at-law in MOUNTAINEERING
-, yaung Thornton, in natural endowments
/ educational advantages, and patriou
nuh,ic spirit, was a worthy companion
/ the aWashingtons. Lees, Monroes, an
other who, at the era preceding IN
3 Revolution, gave honorable distinction I
the Norahern Neck, and If 1t had please
proyiderte 10 spare his life his voic
would doubtless have been heard in tn
: councils witch gave birth to the natior
He marrfes prior to the death OF Colo
mel Presly Miss Charlotte Beisom, a
: English lady, whom he met during he
r visit to her kinpe0ple at Mount Airy.
d in Richmond cunty. This lady, 1t
, said. when ylelSng her heart to youn
q Thornton, stipulaed that 1t should r.
h main always loya, to Great Britain.
During the occupancy Of Northumoel
land House by tht couple 1t rapid
: assumed the air of Elegance and statel
! etiquette of an Englhh home of wealth
!. A profusion OF shrubs and mowers adorr
!, ed the yard. garden, and walks an
o well-trained servants laid ooeisancs o
l. every hand. Rich, Cd furniture an
: sllyerware within. and heavy coach
n and-four, with gitterhg harness an