Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-17
LOWER BRANDON.

| LOWER bhANOON.
A dispatch from Richmond says
The discovery of the mysterious secre,
chamber at the historic old Lower
Btan ID IN has awakened deep interest
here and in many other sections of the
country.
The report that a humau skull was
found in this chamber was without
foundation.
The discovery OF what will possibly
be known as the ''secret chamber" Is
| confirmed.
Lower Brandon, which is one of the
oldest, If not the oldest, colonial home
steads in Virginia, was erected more
than 200 years ago. Since the original
structure was reared there have been
several additions made to the grand
old mansion. Never, however, during
its two centuries' existence was the
chamber which has been revealed In
such an odd way known. 1t adj oiDs
what was duriog the life'im Of Mr..
George Harrison, who married Miss
Richie, OF Baltimore, the chamber of
thst couple.
SINE time ago Miss Guile Harrison,
who is a daughter OF the present mis-
tress of Brandon, was examining the
walls OF the room referred to. 10 press.
ing against the wainscotting her hand
touched an object which attracted her
attention. Investigation revealed q
secret spring. 1t proved to be whet
would now be considered in architect
ure a rather clumsy sffair. 1t consisted
Of q wooden device somewhat like q
trigger. The connection with this wss
reached by an aperture which had been
plugged up with q wooden core. When
this wa, removed and the spring, or
trigger, pressed upon a door opened
which led into room or closet about
three feet by six with pitch similar 10
that O. the main room which it a1-
Joined. The floor of this closet was
covered with dust which had laid there
possibly since the erection of that part
OF the old homestead. There were,
however, no bones or skull or any other
gruesome objects which some have i'm.
Agiued. The use to which this mysteri-
ous room was put or its purpose none OF
those acquainted with ijs history know.
1t was possibly constructed for the III
romantic but highly practicable pui-
pose of concealing the silverware and
other valuables OF the early owners OF
Brandon. .t
In those days 1t was not uncommon
for the Indians To prowi about the
premises OF the lower Jamer river.
Later on during the American revolu-
tion there was feeling of insecurity
felt among the denizens Of the lands
about the Virginia water courses which
might have, induced the early owners
of the property to conceive the idea OF
constructing a secret repository for
their valuables from possible foraging
parties. At any rate, the room has
been revealed and those interested can
fiDd no more romantic explanation for
its existence than that suggested.
This revelation has. however, awak-
eped an interest 10 the public mind In
the old colonial houses along the James.
These, and especially Brandon, West
over and Shirley, have from time TO
time been the theme Of prose and verse
writer's. The beauties and hospitality
of lower Brandon have been fsvorite
topics of some OF the best writers In
this country.
The original homestead was erected
about 1908. About that time, though,
John Martin c aimed that section OF land
under a deed from the King OF England.
IL was be who asserted the right to be
represented in the Virginia House OF
Burgesses without that body having
jurisdiction over him or his household.
This was q demand which that body OF
determined old VirRinians very prompt
ly refused to concede Martin. Follow
ing this owner Of Brandon, possibly
came company of London merchants
among whom was connection OF the
immortal bard Shakespeare. The prop
erty has gone through numerous other
hands. 1t has, however, remained In
the possession OF the Harrisons for
more than century and will probably
80 continue for generations to come.
Lower Brandon is probably the only
house 10 this country which can claim
the distine euished honor OF having enter
tanned every President OF this country,
from Washington down TO and including
Bepjamin Harrison, kinsman OF It's
present owuers. Ali Of these chief mag
istrates have been entertained by the
hospitsble owners Of this famous old
property. The portraits of several OF
the Presidents adorn the walls OF the
beautiful and srtisticslly designed
drawing room. Before that part OF Vir.
cinia had been invaded by the federal
troops the window panes in the great
rooms at Brandon bore the signatures
not only OF many OF the nations Pres
idents. but other eminent men OF this
country and Europe. These were cut
into the glass with diamond rings or
other hard substances. Naturally
enough the signatures OF such distin-
guished men were highly priced by the
Harrisons. When the federal troops
took possession Of the old house sosle
of them broke those panes out ana oe-
stroyed one OF the most p'c1oIesque
relics Of the kind possibly in existence
The easiest and most elective metnoo oi
purifying the blood and invigorating the sys-
i 4 -. a