The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-17
the : ROYALOAK'
Of M|DOLESEX
Many Interesting Stories Told
About Old Tree Under Whose
Shade the People Meet.
HANGING OF BAcoN's MEN
Report Has It That Followers Of
the First Rebel Were Exc
cuted There.
Especial to Tho rimes- plapatch.l

WEST POINT, VA, February TO-
Some fifteen or eighteen years ago n
large oak tree that stood on the main
rpad leading from Churchvew to Water
view, in tho upper part OF Middlcsex
county was blown down during severe
storln. This old tree was known far and
vide as the Royal Oak" 1t was not
blown up by It's roots, but broken off
near the ground, having been nearly
burned down by countless fires The
older people having died, great many
things Of interest concerning this one OF
Virginia's landmarks will never be known,
while the younger people viii ever be Gu
rious. US they hace always been, to know
all about this Interesting tree. Almost
everybody has something to tell about
It, and over year ago the Southside
Sentinel, published in Nliddlesex county,
gave very interesting account gathered
here and there by Mr.. F.. c. Percifuil, Of
Waterview. Middlcsex county, Va. In an
Interesting letter. written by Captain S.
r. Donohoe. at one time u member OF
tho Virginia Senate. now editor and owner
OF the Fairfax Herald, to Mr.. Percifu In
answer to questions about tho Royal
Oak he says:
while was publishing the Star at
West Point many years ago copied from
one Of my exchanges an account OF the
capture and execution Of some OF Ma
thanicl Bacon's followers In Middlescx
county.
I'm conversing with some one on the
subject (probably Judge Robert l.. Mon
taguc or Mr.. WyatD was told that they
were given the mere fornality Of trial.
at that point and Immediately hung from
the limb of that tree.
After the death OF Nathaniel Bacon. in
1876, in Gloucester county, his followers
became scattered and demoralizcd, and
were pursued and ruthlessly executedsby
Sir William Berkey's ndherents wher-
ever found.
Some were executed in Accomac some
at Williamsburg, two were hung In chains
at West Point and some (three. i think,)
were captured In Mddlescx, having se-
GREETED themselves In the Dragon Swamp
At the time of capture they were going
towards the Rappahannock River with the
intention, probably, OF escaping to Mary
land, These were the parties, possibly
who were hung there, and, in honor of
the establishment OF the royal authority.
the tree was called The Royal Oak. This
is all the light ! can throw on the sub
Ject."
Very Old Tree.
An aged citizen OF aIddlesex county,
who was born In 1871 or 1912. and who
recently died. didn't know how this tree
came by Its name, but as far back as
be could remember It was q very old
looking tree. and had been for many
years famous meeting place for the
citizens OF the county and adjoining
counties for political speaking, barbecues,
mastering" tournaments, ''goose-pull-
ing" and horse racing
During the period from 1916 to 1890
threre we're monthly gatherings at the
old tree on the first Saturdays. Every
body came Generally there was d
roasted OK, besides other eatables. and
there were general muster" horse-rac-
ing and ''goose-pulling.' This last was
the best fun: A tough old gandcr was
tied to n limb of the tree by his feet
his neck creased, and the young men
would take pull at his head as they
rushed by on horses at fu!! speed. Tho
man who pulled the head off won the
gander and prize, also favors from the
ladies.
At that time there was no public road
leading from the Royal Oak to the
river.
All OF that section was divided Into
three or more large FARMS orbin1 Hpll,
buckingham and "Montabella. ~
The real was q private otic and yer!
near the Royal Oak" Where 1t JOINED
the main road there was large orna
AHcitii 5hIo ,siho q sSateheepei = .ilouS'
or lodge
This was occupied by a family OF ne
groes, whose only occupation was to at
tend to that gate
During one Of the political meeting
mentioned above, Colonel Muse, VIII.
owned buckingham" and was at tina
time a candidate for the Legislature
had some trouble with Mr.. Upshur, 0
Essex or King and Queen. which resultet
In duel fought under the old tree
Mr.. Upshur was struck In the side, an,
but for having silver dol!ari in his YES
pocket, would have probably been killed
To Fight Duel There.
There is another story OF duel whlcl
was arranged to take place under thi
tree Two young men Of the count
had misunderstanding about lad
friend. The young men and their sec
onds met under the Royal Oak" at sun
rise. They were placed with their back
to each Other armed with pistols an
directed to pace ten steps, then tur
and fire. The story goes that these fel
lows forgot to turn, and, as they wer