Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-17
HISTORIC STRUCTURE.
The Old TazeweII Mansion May
Soon Disappear.
Norfo'k Ladies wish To Secure the
Building and Its Aite For
Homo For tho Norfolk Pubic
Library.

Unless the efforts of several promi-
nent Norfolk ladies are successful, an
other OF the links that connect the
Norfolk of the present with the Norfolk
OF the past will soon fall before the
advance of material progress and the
Unsuitable demands of growing business
expansion.
This is the old Tazewell mansion
standing on portion of the Cranky
street property sold few days ago by
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany to a syndicate of local capital
lists.
This dwelling. which is good ex-
ample of old Virginia mansions. was
built about the year 1920. 1t was begun
by MIR. John Boush. and given as a
wedding present 10 his bride, who was
Miss Francis Museley Munford. MIR.
Boush lived only about n year after his
marriage.
Two years after his death his widow
married Mr.. Conway Whittle They
made their home in this mansion, resid-
ing there until Mr.. Whfttle's death in
1878. In 1878 or 1879. shortly after Mr..
whites death. the property WAS sold
to MIR. Littleton Waller Tazewell. who
became Governor of Virginia IN 1894
The old mansion acquired much inter
est on this account as Governor Taze-
well was the only Governor of the State
chosen from this vicinity.
GOVERNOR TAZEWEIL.
Mr.. Littleton Waller Tazewoll. from
whom the mansion takes It's name. was
born at Williamsburg, December II,
li.4. lie WAS NirsinIus twcnty-0itn
Governor. and was inaugurated at the
age OF 60. lie died at Norfolk. March
oth. 1860. 1T the age OF sc years.
$4,000 TO 100000
1t remained the property OF Governor
Tazewcll and his descendants until the
estate was sold n few years ago to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany. When Governor Tazewell pur-
chased this property he paid SIG. 900 for
II. The sale 10 the Chesapeake and Ohio
Kaliway Company brought its owners
S260. 900.
Mrs. Whittle. for whom the house was
erected by her first husband. Mr.. Buush.
dled at Lower Brandon Va in Nav
lS0l, leaving an only son, Conway Whit
tie, and two daughters, Frances Nun
Iord ihe wife Of Captain William
Lewis) and Mary (thc wife of Iienten-
ant benjamin Neaiej. These two officers
OF the navy were lost at sea together
on the United States ship "Epevirer,"
en- route to America with dispatches
after the war with the pirates of the
Mediterranean.
Conway Whittle, son of Conway
Wmttle, was born in this mansion on
August 21. 1900 The elder Conway
white was largely engaged in the
trade with the West Indies and owned
many staunch ships at time when
the oceans were Whitening with the
sails OF Americas growing commerce.
THE HOSPITAL BUILDING.
The little building in front of the
mansion, now used as Il bicycle shop
was then used Ly Mr. Whittle as a
hospilal Tor hiS captains and other OFF,
GERS during illness at this port. Occa-
slonal cases of yellow fever were treat
ca mere. In the good old days before
me discovery of the micrObe and other
meteorological terrors and yellow fever
was not feared rs 1t now is.
1t is possible that the noble LAFAYETTE
may even have graced the portals of the
IaZewell mansion. though this is not
was a guest at Norfolk. having been
entertained at the residence on Main
street. now known as the Hugh Blair
Hrlgshy residence. Mr.. White was one
or the committee in charge of his re-
ceprion.
The old stone bridge on CRANKY street
at the foot of City Hall avenue was
constructed largely through Mr. Whit
ties fundamentally. This has been fill
ed under. leveled down and an iron
raining sun marks lis westerly side.
OVER 100 YEARS OLD.
The old mansion is an interesting
relic of the past and has for over an
hundred years been the scene of n
graceful hospitality that has made the
name of old time Virginia forever ia
nous. Below Ire the wine cellars. that.
until few years ago. were in an ex-
cellent state OF preservation. On the
iirst floor are the library. conservatory
drawing rooms and dining rooms. The
building is still in good cond ton. tes,l
Tying TO the excellence of the old-time
workmcn and careful selection OF ma
terials. In the good old days balloon
frames were unknown, and the old
grandees built enduring monuments to
he days of Virginia's chivalry
FOR LIBRARY USES.
a project is now being considered by
some of Norfolk's leading ladies. who
cherish the sentiments of olden days. of
securing this noble mansion and util-
n = he