The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-11-16
HISTORIC CHATHAM
Fredericksburg. Va. Nov. llth. 1909.
To The Free Lance.

In recent issue of the Times-Dis-
patch traveller passing through Fred
ericksburg describes some of the historic
localities of our town. Neither his
knowledge nor his observations are very
accurate, as he visits the Martha
Washington house and the Swan Tavern.
was especially struck, however, by
his very imperfect rendering of the
history of Chatham, which he at
tempts to give at some length.
As | have probably had a better op-
portunityo of learning the facts connected
with the history of this time-honored
old mansion than any one now living, |
have determined 10 give them in short
outline for the benefit of your readers.
We have always been too careless in
Virginia about preserving the records
of the past, and have thus letslip much
that was valuable and precious. The
annals of Chatham record so many of
the most distinguished names in Vir-
ginia history that 1t seems pity that
they should be lost.
Lord God of Hosts, be with US yet,
Lest we forget.
The Chatham mansion was built
about 1880 by William Fitzhugh, who
was always named "of Chatham.
The original grant from the Crown
was to a Lee. Fitzhugh acquired It by
intermarriage with a Lee, of Stafford.
He named il after his dear friend and
classmate at Eaton and Oxford, the
elder Pitt, who became the world-re-
nowned Earl of Chatham. Anyone who
wishes full account Of the life and
genealogy of William Fitzhugh will find
| il in Bishop Meade's "Old Churches and
Families of Virginia"
Soon after the close of the war Of the
Revolution William Fitzhugh sold the
estate, then containing over two thous-
and five hundred acres. TO Major Church
in Jones, who fought through the war
of the Revolution under Colonel William
Washington, cousin of the great
George. and was one of the original
members Of the Order of the Cincinnati.
His regiment belonged to the Southern
Legion, commanded by Light Horse
Harry" the father of General K. +. Lee.
and Major Jones and Lee were devoted
friends.
General Dabney II. Maury, in his
"Recollections Of a Virginian, states
that Lee was entertained at Chatham
when in prison bounds for debt. This is
not exactly accurate, however, as this
law was so strict that he was not al
allowed TO cross the county line
into Stafford, therefore his friend
was not permitted to offer him
the hospitality of Chatham; however,
he was entertained by his brother, Viii
liam Jones, at his home, Ellwood, IN
Spotsylvania county. and both the Jones
brothers went on his bond. l have IN
nv possession a chair in which he was
said 10 have written his famous mem
oirs of his Southern campaign during
his stay at Ellwood. and which | know
was used by his illustrious son at later
date. President Madison was a fire.
ouent visitor at Chatham during the
time Of its ownership by Major Jones,
as was also Monroe. Through his three
wives. Judith Churchill, Of Bushy Park;
Mary Thornton, Of Fall Hill, and Mar
tina SeIden, Of James River, Major
Jones was connected with most OF the
best families Of Virginia, and the doors
of Chatham were always Hospitality
opened to friends and kindred.
It was at this time that the Chatham
gardens. famous in their day, were ter
raced and laid out, and also that the
first bridge on the present site was
built across the Rappahannock.
Churchill Jones died in 1922, leaving
Chatham, charged with an annuity to
his widow, to his brother, William
Jones. of Ellwood. William Jones, who
was well advanced in years and already
owned one large estate, transferred the
property to Judge John Coalter, the
husband of his, then, only daughter,
Hannah Harrison, (called for her grand
mother, Hannah Harrison, OF Brandon),
on condition that he should pay the an
nuity.
| -Four wears later William Jones mar
ried again and from this union daugh-
ter. Betty Churchill, was born.
Judge Coalter was for many years
Judge Of the Supreme Court of Appeals
of Virginia, and one of the most prom
inent men Of his day. His first wife
was Miss Frances Tucker, and by this
marriage he had two children, st.
George and Elizabeth Tucker. Eliza
beth married John Randolph Bryan,
who was so well known in this commu-
nity in years gone by, and was the
mother of the late Mrs. Spotswood Car
michael, of this city, and of Mr.. Joseph
Bryan, of Richmond, one OF Virginia
most loved and honored citizens. Judge
Coalter's three brothers-in-iaw, Judge
Henry st. George and Judge Beverly
Tucker, and John Randolph, of Roanoke,
were all frequent and ever welcome
guests at Chatham. The father of Amer
ican literature, Washington Irving, was
also entertained at Chatham by Judge
| CoaIter. as was too the Honorable
Charles Augustus Murray, granson OF
lIord Dunmore, whose description o.
his visit have read in his quaint boob
of travels, now in the Washington Ii
brary.
Judge Coalter at his death gave
life estate in Chatham to his wife, anC
at her death bequeathed it to his tw'
children by his former marriage. Thl
interest was purchased by my father
III. Horace Lacy, who had married Betty
Churchill, youngest daughter of Viii
liam Jones, of Ellwood, and sister o
Mrs. Coalter.
NV parents resided at Chatham from
1852 to 1872. When the Civil Wa
broke out, my father having entere'
the army, my mother was obliged Z
leave Chatham, as it was in the enemy
| lines. 1t was occupied first by Genera
Mcdowell. AS long as he was in pos
session, the property was kept in goo
order, but he was succeeded by Genera
King. who allowed the house to be ter
ribly abused. Still later it was used a
picket station, and the work of dc
struction carried further. The ol
paneling was torn down for fire wood
and the doors and windows cut out.
President Lincoln spent several day
at Chatham in the early part of tn
war and from its shores the pontoo
bridges were thrown, over which tn
Federal Army under Burnside crosse
to the bloody battle of Fredericksburg
1t was while watching this advanC
of the foe, from the heights o
..L:ot, lie boodOrt orfara warQ qitIlatQf