The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-09-08
Ayers Cherry Psctorql.
Lungs
DESCRIBES SCENES
IN OLD PHOTOGRAPH
Picture Published in yirgnan Belonged Mr. William Taylor
Writes Mrs Emmie Wing field, Who Tells Interesting
Story in Letter
Story in Letter.

Recognizing the picture of Rich
mond published In the Saturday issue
of The Richmond Virsinian as q re-
production of a photograph which
disappeared many years ago from the
home OF Mr.. William Taylor, one of
the older residents of the city, who
Binns Wingield, of SIS West Main
street, has written The Virginia a
very interesting letter describing the
scenes shown In the picture and Civ
ing a vivid history Of several Of the
historic homes In that part or town.
The picture was recently received
by the State librarian from Mrs. Mary
Russell, of Providence, r. !. 1t was
autographed in 1851 and. according
to Mrs. Russelrs letter carried to
Rhode Island by Federal soldiers
Mrs. Wlngtield's letter follows:
Editor of The yirginian:
Dear Sir.-Last Saturdays edition
of your paper contained q picture en-
titled, Richmond in 1884," which had
been taken from some home during
the Civil war and only recently return
ed to the State library from Rhode
Island. Thinking you might be In
terested in knowing the exact location
of that part of Richmond shown in
the picture. ! send you this descrfp-
ton.
The place represented Is that por-
ton of Church Hill on East Grace
street, between Twenty-first and TWEEN
ty-second streets, known as Taylor's
Hill, so called for Mr.. william Taylor.
The two houses, to the right in the
picture, stood on Grace street directly
over Twenty street and belonged
to Mr.. Franklin Stearns. he occupying
one as his residence. Some years ago
these houses were torn down when
Twenty-first street was extended to
Broad street.
I'm the foreground of the picture
stands the old, red brick. colonial
house which belonged to the Eye
family, which was also the owner of
the "Old Stone House" on Main street,
enormously called "Washingtons
Headquarters"
In 1857, Mr.. william Taylor, who
was prominent merchant of this
city, purchased the Eye place and,
after remodeling the house. occupied
1t as a family residence. Before its
alteration, he had picture taken OF
the place; this picture disappeared In
some mysterious manner and Its fate
remained unknown, until It was
recognized In your publication OF last
Saturday by a member of the family.
The house, as shown, fronts on Twen-
y-second street, but MIR. Taylor erect
ed another story surmounted BY a
cupola. added double porohes on the
south and made the entrance face
Grace street.
'The view from the eupola Is one
of the most magnificent in the city
and during Mir. Taylors occupancy,
visitors to Richmond were accorded the
privilege of this view, spy glass
enabling them TO sec ene surrounding
country for miles Ia every direction.
The grounds were spacious and well
kept and so IL was noted as one of the
handsome homes of Richmond. The
building has been but slightly altered
since Mr.. Taylor's time, and now
Maria Convent.
After Mr., Taylor sold this beauti-
full home. he built another handsome
house directly opposite on Grace
street: this was destroyed by fro July
4. 1854. owing to the impossibiiity OF
getting sufficient water pressure up
the hill He immediately erected an
other house upon the site OF the
burned structure. which the family
occupied for q number OF years, ana
this house was the one condemned Ny
the city ana torn uoWH lew Wc@h1
ago to make room for the improve
ment of Tayior's Hill park.
AT the time this picture was taken
and for years afterward. the hill sloped
TO Broad street on the north, TO
Franklin on the south, while its west
ern boundary was Twentieth ana
Grace streets Residents on the hill
were forced TO make q long detour to
reach their homes from Main street
so, through Mr., Tayior's influence. the
city council built fight of wooden
steps from Franklin and Twenty-first
STREETS to It's summit. thus affording
relief to many weary pedestrian who
lived over the hill.
ut Is very fitting that the new PARK
on this hill. which 10 the identical
spot pictured. should be called for the
man who did 30 much to beautify this
particular portion Of our city. and that
as Taylor's Hill park II VIII continue
10 be known, since. William Taylor
was closely identified with the develop
ment of the civic life of Richmond.
mr. Taylor passed to his reward =
few years ago at the age OF - years.
His sons now LIVING ara DR.. William
ri. Taylor. Joshua 9. Taylor. John O.
Taylor, Captain CHARLES F. Taylor and
ex-Mayor Richard NJ. Taylor. The
years are many between 1857 and
1910. but the lost picture still has the
power TO awaken memories OF the old
homestead.