The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-13

ard Corbin's letter book Afosss Neck
was always valuable plantation. II,
1854 James Parke Corbir, heir OF Lane
i vile, Farley Vale and Moss Neck buff
the present magnificent mansion o.
Moss Neck. 1t stands on hill com
manding fine lowland view, and con
tains fourteen immense rooms. 1t 4,
! very much like Chatham The maii
building consists of two stories, foul
rooms and an immense hall below and
| the same above. Corridors lead righ
and left to the wing rooms, three OIL
| either side. There are six pillaref|
| porches to the house. tagged witt
blue and white tiles. Two large,
porches are back and front in the mair|
| building. and at the back Of the house
are two other porches. opening from
the wings. At the end OF the wings|
are two more porches. The .lowel|
rooms are the library, drawing room
dining and breakfast rooms and sis|
bedrooms; four bedrooms are In the
second story. The grounds arc very
beautiful. Rich Coz Corbln built
also an Office at Moss Neck, and this|
was stonewall Jacksons headquarters|
1t was adorned with famous race.|
horses and other witnesses Of sport,
and General Stuart used to tease Gen-I
eral Jackson about these decorations,
assuring the officers that General
Jackson's natural taste would ASSERT
itself even in time of war.
The immortal Stonewall would smileI
at Stuart's joke. but he did not gainsay|
Inc day a neighbor sent General Jack
son a pot of butter printed with an
imposing game cock, and Stuart was
Of these things" he said that he has
them printed on his butter
Moss Neck was sold after the war,
and the splendid furniture put up, at
auction. The only part of James Park
now In the family is part of theI
Moss Neck land owned by his daugh-
ter Mrs; Fanny corbin Dickinson. and
Farley Hall, owned by his grandson,
Mathew Maury Corbin. Esq
In the letters OF Richard Corbin
already alluded to are lists of luxuries
ordered from his London merchants.
which testify Of the magnificent mode
planters. The list include silver. jew
els, laces, silks and velvets. with every
foreign dainty to tickle the Virginia
palate.
The war left these princcly Corbins
owners of vast stretches of land with
no labor to work 1t. and not only was
the land sold. but some of them sold
their silver. too. A magnificent and
most unusual piece, called by the fam
! ny silver table was purchased by
one of the lieirs of James Parke Cor
bin; 1t really was an immense waiter
on legs, used for the tea things. etc.
! one summer Mr.. Corcoran met one OF
and was much impressed with her ele-
sance and affability. He could but
realize how hard IL must have been
for such a proud family to sell their
rare treasures. When he returned
home he sent the silver table to this
daughter OF the Corbins with note so
tender and generous that The gift was
taken in the beautiful spirit in which
II was given. Mathew Maury Corbin,
grandson of James Parke Corbin. and
Deautttnl Corbin silver. with the family
arms--sable on chief of three ravens;
ppr. engraved thereupon.
nenry Corbtn no doubt was a genial
4 LEI rond OF amusement and sport
: riis naishbors We're John Lee. Thomas
Gerrard and Isaac Allerton. and he
ana these gentlemen entered into a
compact March so, 1910, to build 4
"a s house at or near the corner
% thelr respective lands" Bishop
Mcades writes with no sympathy of the
project. 's''
We have not been able to find the
successive owners of Moss Neck, since
II passed from tho Corbins after a
Z. Il.
1t Is owned BY the Countess d'Adhima.
and her son, Count Raoul d'Adhima.
who maintain the place with a Part-
sian elegance and Virginia hospi-
tality.. May 1t long be ruled by such
a tender mistress
Qucrfes. g.
VIII the descendants of the Harris
family of Hanover" send address to
the writer, who is getting data for.
tho Harris tree" Want to hear from
the Andcrsons. Colennans, Cowherds.
Doswells. Garlands. Wyatts. Kellys,
Waltons. prews, Hobsons, Hatchers
other names who are descended from
Major Robert Harris, who settled in
Hanover about 1850. Write promptly.
please. THOS. III. HARRIS m
fredericksburg, Va.
G.. G.. !A.rkadelphia Ark. Jeremiah
Strother, who settled In Orange county.
lT4l, had a son named Christopher.
Editor Genealogical Column:
Sir,-Will you kindly ask for infor-
nation through YOU columns of any
OF the ancestors of the following: James
Barrow. OF Brunswick county. Va. mar
ried Rebecca Aldridge COT Dinwiddie.
4 think>, aud had issue, Martha Ann
Barrow. G.roer, Barrow went to CALI
fornia about 1913 and never returned,
Martha Ann Barrow nlarried. first. lack
King. and second, lack F'ittz, son OF
Hal Fritz: and Miss Browder
Any information regarding any Of
the ancestors OF the above will he
greatly appreciated.
LOUIS GRADY TRAVIS.
Halifax. n. c., january 81 1910.
especially want the Barrow, Md