The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-16

undressing facts which otherwiSt
might have been lost. and are most
grateful to one OF the most faithful
readers of this paper for his assist.
ancc.
Other scions of old houses have also
sent us valuable data We have some
Rest. which we must give to our
readers, even II that old place has
been previously treated.
The present "Traveler's Rest" is
not the house In which Burgess Ball
| lived. Tho Grays lived in the old
house. but In 1860 the walls OF that
| mansion wore considered unsafe. the
house was pulled down, and tho pres
ent and more commodious dwelling
was erected. The present owner we'll
remembers the Burgess Ball house.
which stood on the same spot. 1t con-
sisted of two very large rooms on
either side of very large hall up
and downstairs. Largo pIllared por-
jtlcos. tho witnesses Of hearty welcome
ran back and front.
In one Of the rooms was an iron
safe. which supplied to the children
an ever flowing stream OF cakes and
kindred dainties These seduc-
tive articles tickle the palate with a
mysterious sweetness when they are
extracted from receptacle which ex-
cept IN those delicious moments OF
imminent expectation stands lock ed
AIR. Byrd Willis. OF generous Size and
stature, frequently was a guest at
Travellers Rest, Tho Grays chad
prayers" and Mr.. Willis on one oc-
casion not only was excessively
wretched and uncomfortable during
prayers. but had much difficulty in
rising whom tho prayer was done. TIe
hal no idea OF Keeping his discomfort
to himself.
What part of the Zion prayer
pleased me most?" he asked his re-
ligious host
sir; the Amen"
Later Mr.. Willis informed friend
that only saints should go to "Trav-
cier's Rest
Among the cherished pieces of silver
owned by the Grays is quaint por-
ridge bowl, with handles marked with
the Initials of John Bowie and Marion
Cow, bearing date 1906. All of tho
Gray children have been baptized from
Eit.
On the parlor manteIpiecc at "Trav-
eler's Rest stands two very beautiful
and interesting Mctures.
One is OF the Duchess OF Argyle.
cousin of the late Mrs John Gray, sent
by her grandson, the Marquis Of Lorne
when he was Governor-G General OF
Canada. He came to Virginia to SEQ
his American relatives, and lie brought
plctpres OF Joanna Glassell. Duchess
OF Argyle. to some OF the Oldest men,
bers OF the Glassell family
The other picture is OF Princess
Murat, fair, Fat and forty, in a low
necked, "be-hooped Dress" with black
lace flounces. and hair parted and
brought smoothly down on each side
of round smiling face.
Portraits of Colonel Burgess Ro,ls,
the first owner OF Travellers Rest. aie
owned by his descendants In Loud or,
county. va; To whom he sold Travail
before tho Grays purchased It il il. was vas
owned by Thomas ciarnett.. His
widow was living there In 1soo,s in
which year, having married Richard
Tut, she sold her dover in the estate
deed certhes that .'the Commonwealth
OF Virginia on the goth of September
commanded" Alexander Norson. Robert
lewis Gs and Ihomas Seldom to lntervieW
Richard Tut. her husband. and see
whether she acted in selling the 'land
WI, MI hout his persuasions or threats
The said Peggy took oath she did
der of the estate. Mr.. Gray was at
that time in business in Port Royal
having. as he expressed it. "a farm, IL
It 1, ), deserves the name consisting Of aso
arabic. There Is toerably good
house on the land to which carry
my family three months4in summer for
sanEf ueh9q aadn our that bead 5s1
more every day attached to farming
and to which ] have little doubt shall
conflne myself IN a few years, if can
nei ghborhood. Which i think one q
the best in my circle or acquaintance.
both in lands. climate and society.''
Five years later the opportunity t.y pre-,
Rfsas"F ne a"T IN With nz
lily to reside there. In 1919. four years
after this purchase, he became owner
also of ,'Wakeheld,' in Wastlnoreland
of his country" buying the estate from
George G, Washington Will however,
4 reservation to his heirs Of SIXTY feet
square around leasite of the hnildlng
stalled his eldest son, with Ills child
great granddaughter. OF Nary Wash
lngto,n an sreat.lllsGs ~ G leo &
Atchisoll Gray, died, within u year after
his marriage. AMI his father sold
Wakefield, or Bridges Creek, as it is
sometimes called, tn Daniel Paine,
Catherine Willis Was thirteen Years
OF 1'fayclcfs' Rest ,ind IL Fourteen she.
WAS a widow, and she had been y
mother but her baby died Later shoi
went with her parents 70 Pei, sacnls'
Fla, where SHE married Achtlle Murat,f
nN-princG Of Naples and nephew nf the
great Napoleon. Twice inurried before
she Was fifteen liathcysa' unusual
record.
'rhe3mistressfofT Travellers Rest sends
MS some letters OF this famous beauty.
They arc addressed to Miss Gray
ira velers' Rest and wclm written by
a child mnre precocionS than even ZIG A
children of to-day, The first is from
the Young wife, aud runs nv foltpWst 4
Wakefield, Marcl, 1, lSaa.
III j am In great trouble. my dearsis-
ter. Ann has Just LEFT rle with ticufgs,
too unWel to 5cona her.
self. owing TO II cola she caught at
IIasfield, which am afraid will pro-
dncc serious consequences, hut she has
me Visit IN April
81 1 was worry sorry TO see N l'epnets
lstter'thatlg pali Wished YOU 10 81
10 Port Royal y ! Viii be sllamefnl
if you do not return, iere NNe send
you u letter from AIalN stone and
Margaret nfter5 the liberty OF olienl-
Ing IL, but u, mn humble opinion IL
Mas d piecc OIL rtinaht CIR tosity