Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1902-08-27

southern Churchman, of Rich
mond. Va, very interesting series
entitled the "'ihe Old Sexton Story,
the web Of which MAS woven around
this ancient structure, from the gift
ed pen, of that genial aud sffabl,
gentleman, Bushrod G. Washington
Esq. a mile farther west, and
we find historic "Old Hardwood" now
the property of Mr.. John A. Wash.
ington, once the home of Samue
Washington, n brother of the General
This massive aud substantial stone
mansion was built about 1870, and
under It's hOsPi,sble roof, many dis
tinguished persons not only of Amer.
lea, bat Of foreign countries have been
entertained. General LAFAYETTE. on
the occasion of his visit to this his
torlc house. presented Mr.. Washing
ton with fine mantel of handsome
design. In this home the beautiful
Dolly Payne Todd became the wife
of Mr.. Madison. afterwards President
of the United States. Around this
venerable Virginia home cluster:
many historic associations.
Beautiful Cedar Lawn" bull,
about 1910 snd owned bv Mr..
Thornton Washington, is now the
home of one of Jefferson county's
most highly esteemed and honored
citizens, Capt. Robert Earle. who
represented this county in the Legis.
laiIve halls a. one time. One rarely
meets with more genial and pleas
ant gentleman than Capt. Earle.
CLAY Mont Court" the beautiful
home Of the late frank II. Stockton.
Esq, the noted author, three miles
from town II perhaps one Of the most
cOmmodious of the old Virginia
Mansions in this section, the main
building including basement is four
siorlOs, the south front has double
veranders, overlooking a pretty lawn.
and fine scope Of country. The north
front looks over pretty green swsrd,
dotted with grand old oaks. then A
fine graded road winding through a
beautiful forest passing rocky lodges.
fern covered, at miles distance
reaches the main road. The first
mansion upon this beautiful location
was built by Col. Bushrod Washing
ton in 1890 at a coss of $4,000, this
was burned in 1897 and the present
mansion was erected shortly after
ward.
Two miles South East of town, Is a
cave known as Washington's
Masonic Cave. Ii is divided into
several apartments, one of which . is
sailed the " Lodge Room. Tradition
informs us that Washington with
others of the Masonic Fraternity
held meetings in this cavern. In the
Spring of 1914 the Masons Of the
vicinity held celebration there
many of the Craft coming from
Baltimore and Washington.
Piedmont is another su bstantial
and commodious brick mansion
erected about 1880. There is the
home Of Mr.. William Darke Briscoe.
a grandson of Gen. William Darke of
Revolutionary fame. Mr.. Briscoe
has quite number of rare old
paintings of the General, and other
relics connected with the mansion
also number of valuable documents
in writing, from the ancestral home
IN England, which are very interest
ing Inc paper upon the parlOr
walls at Piedmont is quite a curiosity,
the figures representing fetes in
foreign countries. although put on a
great many years ago, it is still we'll
preserved, aud is quite an attraction.
This home has become quite a
summer resort and Mr.. and Mrs.
Britcoe have large number of So
journers with them from the CITY
every summer, attracted by the
pleasant surroundings and the con-
genial home life. Occasionally, Mr..
Is. faVors the press with poem from
his ready and gifted pen.
O. NJ q