New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-03
HISTORIC HOMES OF VIRGINIA.
The May Pilgrimage to 0ldtime Southern
Landmarks


and matter of fact that the sentiment called
patriotism finds little opportunity for cultivation
said Mrs Mary Hatch Willard yesterday. Con
sequently. when old landmark being
demolished to make for a modern money
making structure we quiet our fleeing qualms of
regret by saying: 1t cannot be helped. Land is too
valuable to be given over to antiquities. And so
the historical landmarks of country's birth are
gradually disappearing from Northern cities, and
if it not for the devotion Of patriotic so
ceties, which prompts them to place brass tablets
on the new buildings which stand where the old
did would soon lose remembrance Of the
many sacred places that scattered like phan-
toms among the busy realities Of our twentieth
century Observation-Disclosures.
In Virginia there still lives feeling of rever-
ence and worship for the places and homes so
closely linked with the struggles for liberty and
union that have marked our country's expansion.
1t is so generally accepted that Plymouth Rock
and the wonderful Mayfower marked the first
settlement by English on Americas soil that many
do not know. or, if knowing, give 1t little atten-
ton that the first successful planting OF Anglo
Saxon civilization in the New World was consun-
mated on May 10. 1907. upon peninsula adjoining
the northern shore of a tidewater river called the
Powhatan, in the Province OF Virginia. about fifty
miles from the Atlantic Ocean. The river was re-
named James River and The settlement called
jamestown, in honor OF the re1gnlng monarch Oh
England, James I.
'cIn conjunction with the Old Dominion commit
tee of New-York, the permanent committee IN
Virginia has planned trip extending from May
TO 16 the itinerary of which has been mapped out
to include visit to historical landmarks of the
James River.
1.-The surplus remaining after the expenses OF the
trip are paid will be turned over TO the virginia
committee. 1t a novel way, certainly of combln-
ing patriotism with pleasure and appeals 10 many
who otherwise would never make an opportunity 10
become acquainted with Jamestowns histor1c'acres.
..F4ere the Old World first met the New. Here the
white man first met the red for settlement ana
civilization Here the white man welded the axe
70 cut the first tree for the first log cabin Here the
Ars+ log cabin was built for the first village Here
the first village to the first State capital here
was the first capital of the empire of States Here
was the very foundation of nation OF ffeemeh'
which has stretched its millions and its dominion
across the continent TO the shores of another ocean
Go to the Pacific TO measure the progression
and power of d great people
"The trip up the James River by daylight IS d
delightful one From the decks of the steamer can
h. seen many old places where much history was
n,ade-yyestover Berkeley. Brandon and other i'm
portant places.
at Williamsburg, the greensward of its ancient
college lies like carpet of emerald velvet. and its
hospitabe doors unfold TO greet strangers and to
reveal interiors rich in beautiful Colonial furnish
ings and walls hung with portraits that in many
instances have come down through five and six gen.
erations
.Old Rru+on Church and churchyard, Duke of
r.Jouces4er-st once alive with the roll Of miladys
coach and a-gltter with her satins and hrocades.
now still and dim and gives little evidence save
the ina gnative. of the glortes which were once
here,
petersburg and its famous adjacent battlefelds
is a Mecca for all pilgrims. Old Blanford Church,
which it is ambition of the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to restore as
Colonial church.
EVERY foot of James River. In winding course
is marked by some object of interest or rendered
memorable for the occurrence Of some famous his
torical event.
THE site of the old Jacquiline mansion, one of
the first Of not very frsD brick houses built in
America is interesting because in after years it
became the home of Mary Cary, who married Ed
ward Amber. having first refused the hand of
George Washington.
Tradition has it that Washington and wooed
Mrs Gusts because he fancied she resemhled his
first love. He met this early sweetheart from
the time she rejected him until after the surrender
of Yorktown; then General Washington bowed low
over the hand of Mrs. Amber, who in return swept
him deep courtesy
the time of its building until the present day is a
hang portraits of men and beautiful women. among
the most noted being those of Evelyn Byrd Colonel
William Byrd. her father; Nathaniel Waitho, clerk
of the. General Assembly in T4i; Charles Boyle.
fourth Earl Of orrery' Gnarles Mqntague Ear OF
Jeanne Deans" Argyll; Sir Robert Southwell, who
and under whose direction the second william Byrd
was educated. Lord Egmont FIRST Earl of Egmont;
Sir Charles Wager a naval officer of distinction in
the reign of Queen Anne; Lady Betty Claypole
Then comes beautiful Berkeley, the home of
William Henry Harrison; Shirley, where Anne Car
ter, the mother Of Robert G. Lee, lived and West
over the browning glory OF the James River. the
abode Of the first gentleman of his day, the
of affairs and the Of letters, elegant. refined
and cultivated to the highest degree, William Byrd
the founder of Richmond
Perhaps when all is said and done. Colonel Byrd
is universally known the father of his
cha rnling daughter Evelyn. than IN any other way.
Her grave can still be seen in the Westover bury
ing ground. The massive gates, with heraldc arms
still at the entrance TO the Westover grounds
Within the polished mahogany, which like mir
reflected the exquisite charms OF Evelyn
Byrds graceful form and the pathetic loneliness of
a face that had power TO stir even the courters of
the English court into an involuntary homage and
from King George himself tribute which
he rarely paid to womankind, is the envy of
the lover Of antiques
I'm old st. Johns Church, RichIaond its interior
will be found substantially the in those
troublous days when the question of putting the
colony Of Virginia upon a defensive war footing
called forth Patrick Henry's speech which will
have place in American history through all ages
come. when. rising in the convention which
was convened within its walls In March 1775. he
exclaimed:
There is no retreat but submission and slavery,
Our chains already forged The next gale which
sweeps from the North will bring the clash OF
take. but for me. give liberty give
death"
The itinerary has been planned with the pur-
pose in view Of reaching jamestown, on May
3D. the date Of the first landing in 1907. II is
the purpose Of the Old Dominion Committee OF