The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-24
kAA agtp GilneB plgpattb ~
E6eeN4 G. IEhlE 0aII CAL COLUMN
19Klzz27
In the Rnppnhnnnocs Country.

In the tnppnhnnn0clS Country.
Camden.
Just below Port Royal stands COM
paratiYely modern but very beautiful
home, known as Camden. tho home of
the Pratts. 1t stands on a green and
wooded bluff. and steps lead the visitor
from the pretty wharf to the top of the
little hill where the mansion stands,
queen among her gorgeous vassals
of tree and flower.
AS the boat reached Camden
young man was descending these steps,
and, enshrined in foliage, he gave
pleasing bit of life to the soft, quiet
scene. one can almost throw a stone
from Port Royal to Camden. and son
of the house was in his launch, skim
ming across the water from his home
10 the village, as we stea med UP. Tho
chimneys of Camden seemed TO cut the
trees sky~ard, and tho house pecped
tantnlizngly through the green. 1t
has a scquestered air OF delicate nloof-
ness. even though it Is only few hum
dred yards from the landing Every
thing about Camden is exquisite and
tidy. IT Is a foil to the age aud pa
thos of Port Royal 1t is modern and
vigorous. Port Royal is old and weak,
but still very beautiful in its pathetic
weariness.
The present mistress of Camden came
from one of the great Turner houses
across the river Sho is the daughter
OF George Turner. Esq, and sho mar
ried William Pratt, of Camden she
Is the mother of Mrs. Bishop Funston,
William Pratt and Richard Pratt.
Camden. In it's modern exuberance,
emphasizes the old life brought into
the new Its door stands always open,
and the house parties there Include
friends from far and near. Camden
was tho scene of n most laughablo incl
dent about sixty years ago. John Car
ter. then studying medicine under
Or. Wexford. of Fredericksburg.
but afterwards an officer OF the
United States Navy. went down
with his friend, John Roberts. to Cam
den for an outing and a hunting ex-
peTiencc. After days enjoyment.
they came back to enjoy Mr.. Pratt 8
bountiful board. Mr.. Pratt was d
ch!ldless widower--or 1T may be. .
bachelor-aud his room was on the
same floor with the dining room. At
ter retiring for the night. John Carter
felt. not unnaturally. a longing for a
draught of cold water, and not finding
any accessible in his chamber, which
was Just at the head OF the stairway.
he undertook in his scant night dress
to go down to the dining room for 1t.
He felt perfectly familiar with his
surroundings. and carefully stealing to
the sdeboard, he sought a glass, but
unfortunately, the rafting OF the
glasses aroused Mr.. Pratt IN the ad-
joining chamber, and no speedily ad
vanced to meet the sound with an up
lifted horsewhip. Carter, smarting un-
der the lash and astounded at the at
tack, dashed up tho steps. followed by
horsewhip. Carter burst the door
open. followed Immediately by his as
sailant. When Mr.. Pratt. to his In
slant and overwhelming modification.
recognized his guest. no was. of
course profuse in apology and explain
alton 1t then appeared that Mr..
Pratt lad a trusted butler who was
.sleep-walker." and every probable
means of curing the habit had been
exhausted. Thinking that from the
gingling of the glasses, 1T was this
butler helping himself to spirits--and
as The only probable means of curing
him Mr.. Pratt's we'll known humanity
was driven as a last resort to the
horsewhip--Mr. Pratt was overpow-
cred with modification and dsmay,
but his explanation was 50 abundant
" adequate that Carter could only
say, while soothing his whelps, at is
all right, Mr.. Pratt! but nevertheless
1t was damned queer mistake" And
as soon as Mr.. Pratt closed the door
he turned to John Roberts. who had
scarcely stiled his chuckles, and,
grasping him around the throat. with
dramatic emphasis cautioned him at
peril of his life not to say one word
| about 1t when they returned to Fred
ericlssburg.
n,, NO q
| between Port Royal and Tappahan-
mock, there had been a noted hostelry
| kept by a Mrs. Somerville, whose hus-
| band was a celebrated physician OF
| his day. Gentlefolk then often Kept
the country taverns
William Pratt was a merchant In
Gloucester county: in 1870 he married
| Elizabeth, daughter of DR.. VIM. Cooke,
of williamsburg. They had issue to
three Children two Elias and Keith
| William.
This Elizabeth Cooke Pratt left a
quaint record, which runs thus:
september 4. 1870, I was married to
Mr. Prat Eliza Pratt, born August
Z, 1921. who lived only nine weeks.
1.liza Pratt, born August 6. l722 Keith
| William Pratt, born April IS. 1924,
| February IA, 1925. I was marry'd to
/ Mr.. Jones"
| We call our own age rapid one.
! vet we scarcely find woman married.
J three times q mother and married
/ again within five years.
| The arms OF these Pratts are: Ar
gent on a Chevron sable, between
! three pellets, each charged with a
martlet of the field. as many muscles,
/ or. crest. a VOLTS head erased per
pale argent and sable
We are very anxious to have COR
rect genealogy Of the Pratts, of Cam
den, and wo earnestly request the
members of this family to assist us.
4 We win gladly publish any reliable
data which is sent us.
IT seems not amiss to interpolate .
few remarks here on the subject OF
| the old tolnbstones which stand for
\ the most part in a battered condition
4 at the cid homesteads.
Wherever we go there they stand.
mute and hfulreminders of al
most forgotten ashes,
There is no token of gentillty which
has moro compelling sloauence than a
splendid ton.s' ard in Virginia there
lis no memorial of former power more
4 utterly neglected AS we stand In the
oipca OF the departed the question