Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-10
HOMES OF VIRGINIA sIGNERs.

HOMES OF VIRGINIA sIGNERS.
Recently the State Regent, D. A. B.,
of Georgia, made request Of the State
Regent of Virginia to prepare paper
on the homes Of the Virginia signers Of
the Declaration OF Independence. Mrs.
Hugh Nelson Pege, the Virginia State
Regent. therefore ssked Mrs. Anne G.
Harper, Montpelier Chapter, OF Orange,
to prepare the paper. IL was read be-
fore the conference at its final meeting,
and is practically as follows:
"Of the Virginia siRners OF the Dec
laration of Independence there were
seven; George Wythe, Richard Henry
Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nell
SOD, ir., Benjamin Harrison, Francis
Lightioot Lee and Carter Braxton.
"In regard to the homes OF these
men, Virginia is more fortunate than
msny other States, as O number oi
them are still standing, and well pre-
served and Kept by their present own
era. who are 10 some instances members
OF the originsl family.
"Georee Wythe lived at one time 10
Richmond, bis residence beiog on the
corner Of Fifth and Grsoe street,. AL.
| though the original house was pulled
down TO make way for ithe present
building, large tulip poplar tree still
Rrsces the spot and overlooks the
newer building as it did its predecessor
10 family letter, belonging to friend
of mine, this home is mentioned, and
attention Is called TO one OF its CHIEF al
tractlons-its fine view Of Manchester
"Another house 10 which George
Wythe lived still stands in Williams
burg on the Palace Green by the Old
Church. 1t is foe large square house
OF brick, well cared for by the family
of Harrisons who now live Ia It.
cat the time OF the signing OF the
Declaration, Richard Henry Lee lived
at CbantillY, which he built on psr'
of the old family place, stfstiordr
Westmoreland county. This wee
originally called the Hollis Farm.
Cnsntilly House is not now standing.
Sratford House is about three n.iles
below strstford on the Potomac river.
| Il is large, dignifed residence, built
in tho shape of the letter ID
and contains eighteen rooms. The mid
die part of the house iss q large hall, US
as a library and sitting room, sDd COL.
/ meets the two wings. 10 one OF the bed
rooms were born Richard Henry Lee
all his brothers, aod, tradition sHys
Robert Edward Lee.
"Iu the kitchen Of the building may
vet bs seen the huge fireplace, IL fee
wide. 6 feet high and feet deep, 10
which a whole OK could be roasted. La
the yard is a large oldfsshioned shell
which was fred OF the house by tht
British srmy, sud which is now useo
for the peaceful service Of a tying place
for horses.
Later in his life Richard Henry Let
paid . rental for this place to Genera
Henry Lee, aud mentioned 10 bis VII
that he held the estate only on lease
"Of Jeflerson's home, Monticello
enough to say 1t is the pride aud deligh
of lovers of the beautiful, not only II
Virgins but throughout America.
"rhomas Nelson, jr., lived 10 q fio'
house In Yorktown, still owned by en-
| Nelson family. One incident In con
nec,ion with this place is historical. A
the tine of Cornwsllis's surrender, To
Britieh commander was 10 this house
AS the soldiers hesitsted to fire upon il
General Nelson himself ordered th
guns to be turned upon it. The house
however, is now standing and IN hu
condition
"Beuiamin Harrison lived ct Bers
lev on the James river, near Westovel
While l sm not postiue the house !
vet standing, 1t should be, for the wall
Of the fret floor we're q yard thick.
"Frsncis Lightfoot Lee lived Ia Lou
doun county where be and his brothe
Phillys are said to have founded Lee
burg. On marrying, Lee moved
Richmond and built house, calling
Wepohim. There be died 10 the vii
ter OF 1877.
"Csrter BrsxtoD, the last Of the sins
ers, lived at CoerokOko. Klng WilliaI
county, about twenty miles from Rlct
mond, on q Johnson grant of land. To
house was burned and later rebuilt D
Brsxton's grandson, Unless it has bee
very recently sold, 1t is still In 70
Braxton family"
Salvation Oil the best linimen
Regular bottle, 10 cts; large bottle, 20 9