The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-05

ROSEWELL,

Virginia, In 1900. and IS said to have
beensthe site OF Weromocomo, though
a contradictory tradition places the vil-5
lage Of Powhatan at Shelley, bit
farther down tho river.
Though the original acres Of the
estate numbered only 5000. 1t was
vastly augmented by the great fortune
which fell to Mary Mann. wife OF the
first owner Of Roosevelt. and when
their son. Mann Page. inherited 1t. was
ranked among the richest in the coun-
try. It was Mann Page who built the
once superb manor house which now
appears as some crumbling castle, and
which testifies to the expenditure OF
such a great sum of money that tho
princely fortune was almost wrecked.
This gloomy brick structure, which
stands sombre, almost dismantled now,
was begun In 1925 and completed about
1880. Not content with the Colonial
carpenters. Mann Page imported for
eign workmen. who brought with them
much OF the material used In the con-
struction Of the mansion. In It's days
of splendor the interior was hand
somely paneled and wainscoted In ma
hogany, and the great stairway. down
which eight persons can walk abreast,
was exquIsltely hand-carved. Each
room has It's particular tradition. but
tho greatest distinction is given that
in which the declaration OF 1ndepen-
dence is said to have been drafted
when Jefferson was visiting Roosevelt
on his way to Philadelphia.
Tho names OF tho most distinguished
men Of Americas greatest period are
closely associated with the now decay;
ing mansion. and though It's face Is
badly scared With the scorches OF time
and trouble, 1t can never DO robbed OF
Its memories-the richest and truest
OF all lnheritnnces.
The tombs In tho old graveyard date
back to 1903. and are Inscribed with
quaint and curious epitaphs. easily de-.
ciphered whom one lifts away the cling,
ling vines which embrace these rem
nants Of q past age
When Mann Pa &c died In $40. Rosa
well was Inherited by his son OF the
same name. who was unfortunately
forced to sell off some of the lands in
order8to meet the expenses incurred in
tho building or tho rnanslon. The home
stead next fell to the son Of the latter,
John Page. one of the greatest patriots
of the Revolution, and Governor Of
Virginia in 1909.
On the death Of Governor Page the
estate passed to his son, John, and In
1888 was sold, that day marking the
beginning or It's sadly troubled years.
The purchaser was Thomas Booth. OF
Gloucester county, who paid but $19,-
600 for the princely plantation. Why
this man was guilty OF such criminal
vandalism We can only wonder we
look regretfully upon tho ruin brought
about by his hands. Y.
lie stripped the naho gany from the
walls: he tore tho lead coating from
the roof; he robbed the graveyard 81
that he could to dollars and cents, and
having gained this small end by. such
wicked means sold the mansion and
estate to Mr. John Tabh Cntlett, who
later conveyed It to Mr., Josiah Lily
Deans, of Midlothian, whose daughter
married Jnd go Fielding Tay or. and is
tho owner OF Roosevelt to-day. #
From tho little observatory that
crowns the roof. ono may see the old
Nelson House ut York; town. though tho
distance is fifteen miles. and 1t Is
from this point that It Is most appar-l
ent that the spring and summer have
passed for Rosewe IL, and the autumn
has almost gone. The gardens walks
and alleys seem to echo to- tina foot.
steps Of celebrated beings who have
Slipped into silence, ai1d the ronancel
OF Its past invests avery nook and
corner, and each blossomlng flower
With tho tenderness born o. a day
that Is dead. s3B 4 s Fl.s ssS ~
here are many ] es sons to he learned,
from this Id III anita tor. There tn q
l1sssa So VII me 191o gies NJ hlsn