Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-18
(Eor the Disnatchl

s .eS4t (FOr the sDlSpdtcn.) So 49,
& Somewhere about the year 1855, when
the. kidnapping of children was a profit
able Industry, there were stolen from
England two children. a boy and a girl,
Robin Povall and Elisabeth Hooker.
The exact ages Of the children are not
known, but it. is supposed that both were
quite small, as in after years they re-
membered nothing of their parentage or
early life. They were brought to Ameri-
ca in the same ship, and on board be-
came acquainted and soon made friends.
Perhaps their mutual sorrow in being
separated from loved ones drew the chill
dren together. but whatever the reason,
q. very tender friendship was formed.
which rapidly strengthened as the long
voyage drew to aEclose.
On reaching America they were sold
at auction In Jamestown.
Robin Povall was bought by Charles
Carter, of Shirley, Charles City county,
and his nearest neighbor, Solomon Nibbs.
whose plantation lay just across the
river, bought Elisabeth Hooker. Charles
f Carter was man of wealth and promt-
nence, and Shirley was the typical
hospitable home of thA Virginia planter.
OF Solomon Nibbs very little is known,
He was "a planter. but Of not as much
note as his wealthy neighbor.
In these homes. which stood in sight
of each other, Robin and Elisabeth we're
raised, and the friendship which began on
shipboard grew and strengthened until 1t
eliminated in a sincere. mutual love.
| We know nothing of their courtship or
their lives as servants, except the fact
that Robin served his master as butler
| and Elisabeth was the maid of Mistress
Nibbs.
AS the years passed Charles Carter
grew IN prominence: he became a menu
I Der Of the House OF Burgesses and took
an important part in all affairs of the
| State.
There came day when all was hustle
and preparation at Shirley. Servants
cleaned and icoked. Robin brought out the
most choice wines, Mistress Carter dress
ed in her finest dress. and everything
betokened an event of Importance. The
cause Of this great preparation was that
! the Governor. probably Francis Nicho1-
son, had written that wishing to see
/ Charles Carter on business he would
!. dine with him on that day. He came,
:, and was entertained with the lavish hos
! pitality that characterized the Virginia
/ planter. -
After the great dinner was over, when
/ the ladies had withdrawn and only Robin
1.-THE butler remained the Governor and
Charles Carter slipped thefr.wine and pre-.
pared to- transact business. The Cover
nor stated that he had received letter
from a high authority In England, com.
manding him to make search for a CIR
1 named Elisabeth Hooker who had beer
stolen from home when child. The let
i ter also stated that she was the daughter
j OF Lord Hooker Of Malvern Hill, who
! having recently died. left his only child
4 Elisabeth, sole heir to his immense es
tate. Charles Carter naturally did no
connect the daughter of a lord with hi
i neighbours servant, and replied that n
I = md
s he could give This honor" no assistance
/ IN the matter. But not so Robin Povall
Withssa lovers acute hearing he hat
caught the sound OF his sweetheart
name and stepping forward he said
know where you can find Elisabeth
Hooker:t she is across the river at solo
mon Nihbs.''
i All haste was made to test the truth Q
i Robins statement. which on investiga
Il ton proved TO be true. Eiisabeth's tden
q titysa as the daughter OF Lord Hooker. wa
8 undeniably proven; We don't know how
possibly by some mark. or perhaps b
the clothing she had worn when stoler
< but the proofs, rphat evers they were. salts
fed the parties concerned and Eisabet
Z prepared TO return to England.
The sudden elevation from seryar
!, to a wealthy lady OF rank did not caus
!, Elisabeth to look down upon her forme
!. want. Purchasing his freedom. 81
D against the wishes Of the Governor an
other prominent people who had fiocke
around her since her change In station
, married Robin Povall.. The ceremon
s Twas performed in the quiet little schure
q at Jamestown. and they sailed fmmediat
!. ~ for England ss.sss
). on reaching England. Elisabeth too
charge OF her fathers estate. which vi
@ a ma nidcent ont. q He'd Malvern Eli
5 lying in.the northern part OF England.
z Every effort made to discove
s Robins parents and ielatives hut n
+ thing was ever found that xave Il
g slightest clue to his station Ia life. thoul
& it sfs supposed that ia came from 4
. middle class and not from rhe NOBILITY.
81 Robin and Elisalath did not Ike q
B. 1sfo:mShtyso OF their Engish 1ife and %
~ pined FOR The swfl q. ( &fae life ak the VI