The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-26

about the year 1872 She found that her
brother, Mr.. Joseph Miller, was one of
the leading engineers of England. was
man of rare cultivation. who had ac
cumulated considerable wealth, and whose
intimate associates were among the lead
ing authors and artists of England. His
London home was noted for its splendid
entertainments and for its rare and beau
tiful furnishings. From tina time onward.
Mrs. Harper and her daughter Miss
Lucilla Wood, spent the greater part of
their time in England and in travelling
on the continent and in the East with
her brother. In 1860 Mr.. Miller, whose
health had failed. came to Virginia and
bought the estate known as Farming
tom four miles west of Charlottesville.
Of the widow of General Bernard Pey-
ton, Of Richmond, paying for the place
$4,000 In cash. and had it conveyed to
his sister, Mary Ann Harper. Mr.. Mil
Ter had brought from his London home
not only his rich and rare furniture.
and all the equipments of one Of the
most elaborate esta blishments in London.
and his splendid library, but also a cal
lection of paintings, ther works of the
most famous artists of that era-artists.
such as Landseer. Gainesborough. Lesly,
collection of paintings at Pennington
hanging now upon it's walls as placed by
Mr.. Miller constitutes, perhaps. the most
valuable private collection OF paintings
in the South One of them, returned
to England shortly after Mr.. AIiller's
death, which occurred in 1861, was recent
ly sold for $4,000.
Mr.. Miller died in Charleston, S. c.,
whittier he had gone for his health only
a few months after his arrival in Ameri
ca. and his remains as well as those of
his sister and niece, rest in beautiful
Hollywood, near Richmond, where costly
monuments mark their graves
The history of Pennington" has about
it elements also of romance. The estate
known as Harrington" originally con-
tanned about $500 acres and was bought
by George. Divers, of Francis Jordone, in
April. 17S5. for five thousand pounds.
English money. Mr.. Divers was a mau
of wealth and a friend OF Mr.. Jefferson.
and at his request Mr. Jefferson planned
the residence which was erected by Mr.
Divers. his idea being to reproduce on
an elaborate scale a country chateau in
France. Mr.. Divers died without having
completed the residence. and 4 tradition
existed among negroes and people Of
the community that whoever finished
Harrington" would die as soon as it
was completed. The original estate passed
under the will of Mr.. Divers to his de-
visees, Peachy r. Gilmer, Lucy Minor
and Isaac White. and in the division of
the estate the part on which the resi-
dence is located was assigned to Isaac
White, who was the father of Mrs. Judge
Egbert Watson, of this city. Mr.. White
conveyed the place to Captain John c.
Garter. Both Mr.. White and Captain
Carter, with their families, occupied the
residence in an incomplete condition. III
1858 the estate was bought by General
Bernard Peyton, of Richmond. for $40
900. and he expended over $4,000 in COM
pleting the residence according to the
original plans. and in making it one of
the most attractive and elaborate coun-
try seats in Virginia. Strange TO say, tbs
paint had not dried upon the building
as renovated and extended. when Cen
eral Peyton was stricken with paralysis
and died suddenly. Thus the prediction.
which had been handed down for two
generations that the finisher of Farm
ington" should never enjoy it complete,
was verified in the result
The residence is loca ted upon 4 beau
tiful eminence. commanding an unbroken
view of the Blue Ridge Mountains for
over one hundred miles, Perhaps there is
no more beautifully located home in
America Travellers from all parts OF the
Union visit the place. not only to view
the wonderful landscape. but to inspect
the rare and valuable contents Of the
house.
Mr. Wood was a man of positive con-
victions direct and straightforward in
all of his dealings and judgments. ups
right and candida man devoted to his
friends and hes.owing large benefactions
without the knowledge even OF those whe
were most elasely allied 10 him,
In 1851 he married Miss Margaret Lynn
Woods, The daughter at pr John r..
| Woods, OF Holkham, and sister of Car
tain Micajah Woods. Of TINS city she.
survives her husband with five children.