The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-13
GOV. SPOTSW0OD'
COLONIAL CANNON
Further History of the Old Fort and
Guns.
LONG USED FOR sALUTEs
It's HIatc also Did Duty in Patriotic
Celebrations Until Double Charge
of Powder Blew 1t TO
Pieces.

The Brunswick Gazette reproduces The
Times article of January 4tl. relating
to the cannon used by Governor Spots
wood in Fort Christian, and recently
taken from Brunswick county to Will
liausburg to be mounted on the campus
OF William and Mary College. and also
adds some further very interesting infor-
nation.
The Gazette says:
The above. which we clip from the
Richmond Times. Will be read with inter-
cs; by the people OF this county. many
OF whom will learn for the FIRST time the
namc Of the CID fort from wiidl the
cannon vas taken, located on a com
mandinS elninencc south of the Meherrin
River and overlooking its broad and fer
tile valley, about four miles south of this
place.
THE OLD FORT.
Fontaine in his history. gives most
Interesting account of d visit TO this old
fort between the years ITO and 1923.
made by Governor Spotswood under
whose authority. we think, it vas cs-
sab!isled for the purpose of guarding the
frontier against the approaches and in
cursions of the Indians. An Indian school
was taught a the fort by Mr.. Griffin,
the progenitor OF the family of that name
IN this county
IDlS SchD0i was 1-TlONeu pN Wv ct i!oi
Spotswood to William and Mary College,
where it was afterwards conducted by Mr..
Griffin AS teacher. The nearest tribes of
Indians to the fort where the GenitoS and
'Totaros The former, we think. was a
friendly tribe. but the TotaTos were IN
tenseiy hostile 10 the whites, and bitter
enemies of their more peaceable neigh
bors, the Geniios, and wee constantly
al war with them
\ BLOODY BATTLE.
A bloody hattie was fought between the
Two tribes as We learn from tradition.
on the low grounds Of the plantation now
known as Benthe!d, and owned by MY
NJ V Flournoy. under and within reach
Of HE guns of the old fort. in which, II
is said. the garrison took part lin aid OF
their friends the Genitos. Many OF the
Toiaros were killed and we're buried III
A large mound on the land about two
miles above. now owned by MI. reps
Jones, from which relic hunters in recent
years have secured many interesting
reIics No later than last spring Mr.
George Smith, in blowing the land for
corn where this battle is said to have
been fought. turned up a quantity of bull
lat.. buck shot. and a solid cannon ball.
THE OLD CANNON
The Times correspondent is mistaken in
surprising that the cannon he refers 20
was recently taken from the old tort II
was removed from the fort at ieast nifty
4iy, or sixty years ago, if not earlier. by
an old gentleman, long since dead. by the
name OF Barner. who WAS the father oil
1,hos ] and Franklin Barner, who are
we'll remembered by the older citizens OF
this county
The elder Garner used it to celebrate
the Fourth of July and Nnas day. Messrs.
Il, /. and j. W. Baird bought the old E'ar
rer place md the cannon passed 10 'helii
F,-S,,,, hen
was purchased for William and Mary Col
scge for the sum Of SIS
a MATE.
Another of the cannon was eNhu!leo ny
tho lare Col l. r. Britt and brought TO
lbs residence about two and a null miles
southwest of this place. AT the ume II
had two solid shot lodged an the parFe!'
which rendered it useless for the purpose
ro. which 1T was wanted, to celebrate
The lI0ouith of July and other events, but
how IN get them out was the question.
II was finally determined to try the eA-
,,eri,nert OF quitting powder behind the
balls through the vent or touch hoie ana
s1solyi,lg u fuse. The plan worked We'll
Tho halls were driven out with such force
that they have never bes 1,-, ais.o'efeu
rrv,,,e relieved the old cannon did adj
,ni-able service for many years on the
7so,,rt,, of JiIly and later 10 celebrate
no,nocratfc victories until some ten or
1r1ee, wears ago d party OF Democrats.
oyercharged with enthusiasm, put
double charge OF powder in the old colonial
relic and burst it. Is The Tines cor
respondent correct in the name OF the
Sort Was it not Fort Christian instead
of Christiana? We ask for information!
We are indebted to Judge y = turnout
and our White Plains correspondent for
.,or,a of the material facts stated in the
foregoing.