Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-10-17
NotabIes in Jefferson.

Dear SPIRIT
1t is interesting to note how many men
who have been president of the United
States who have been in this county, and
most OF them in this town.
The list begins with Washington, who
was in his youth surveyor for Lord Fair
fax, who resided at Greenway Court.
near the little town now known as White
Post. in Clarke county, Va.
Next is Jefferson. who made Harpers
Ferry famous by his mention of its beau
tiful scenery in his Notes on Virginia. :
where he said il was worth trip across
the Atlantic" to see it. When visiting
England l have often been asked about
the scenery at Harpers Ferry by people
who had read Jefferson's Notes.
Next is Madison, who was married to
Dolly Payne-Todd at Hardwood, one of
the Washington places still standing
near Charles Town.
Next is Monroe, who came to visit his
former schoolmate and neighbor in West
rnoreland county, old Nat Craighill, then
living on the Shenandoah river near Lit
ties Ferry. incidentally he visited the
springs at Shannondale, then more fa-
nous than now, and very convenient OF
access from Washington City by car
riage, the railroad not having come into
use by passengers at that time.
Next came Jackson, who had nc. doubt
heard from Monroe or someone connect
ed with the White House. My father
told me of seeing Monroe and Jackson at
Shannondale.
Now we come down to our own times,
as my first sight of a president of the
United States was of Mr.. Van Buren,
He came up on the steam cars, and
saw him standing on the pavement neal
the hotel now called The Palm, while
waiting for the carriage to take him tC
| Shannonda.e.
| Next was Fillmore. whom | saw a
Shannondale while l was cadet on pa
role from West Point. He was accom-
panied by Mr.. Conrad, of Louisiana. VIII
was Secretary of War and relative o
the Conrads of Winchester 1 remembe
being introduced to the President ant
Secretary by Mr.. Geo. Washington Peter
who was then living at Shannon Hill
opposite Shannondale,
| Next was Grant, during the Civil War
who came to Charles Town from tn
Army of the Potomac for an interview
with one or more of his subordinate com
manders. | did not see him here, bu
am told the meeting was at the hous
then the home of Mrs. Hunter, now tn
residence of Mrs Coe and her sister.
1t is quite probable, though not certai
in my knowledge, that R. B. Hayes ha
been through this county and town. H
was in the army that operated in thi
section. and was dreadfully wounded
thought to be fatally at the time, at tn
bloody battle of Antietam.
Grover Cleveland was here at the fl
neral of his friend, VIM. L. Wilson.
Mckinley was in Sheridan's army
this county, and was made Mason
Winchester.
Besides the noted generals who hav
been incidentally mentioned above, thel
have been many others in this towr an
county such as Stonewall Jackson. Han
cock, &c.
In this connection it may not be out I
place to mention the fact that there is
lady now visiting in our town who h;
: the unique distinction of being cousin
blood connection to both Mrs. Robert
Lee and Mrs. U. S. Grant, the degree
cousinship being the same to each.
Oct 10, 1905. VIM. P. CRAIGHILL.