The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-26

tho estate went to John Pratt, and
subsequently to the. Paynes and War
ngs. the latter owning Il large portion
OF the original estate at this time
In 1885 Or. Edmund Pendleton whita
purchased the Portobago mansion and
large acreage Herewith. and being
practical man, turned his attention
to the restoration OF the estate, which
was very fertile. He was an emf.
nently successful planter, and the story
wheat feld and throw his beaver into
the wheat to see the stalks support 1t.
His family still own several prlze1
awarded. him at the old Stath FAIRS
a l9r his me whsas and Dr. Write
tale, spent tho summers at the ."old
White" journeying, across tho Blua
Ridge n their coach and four.
son of John White. of Louisa. and
Nancy Bibb Key. and nephew OF Gem
sral !, william Villa White Of Nashville Tenn.
ha e isse A hnnere eampe gastale and
taile, John Lewis. William Writ and
Edmund champe Gaines White. Rev
e ere Lawrence re- B. White married, first.
Mary Battaile. of westmoreland. He
lived at Portobago. BY his first mar
ward Pendleton, sarah Brooke. Mary
Wilhelnina and ] ohm Addison white.
BY his second marriage he had Edith
H., Rehlnson, BENJAMIN Battalle, Eu-
Elizabeth and L. Brooke White. His
children were descendants of the Bat
tales, Fitz Hughs, Taliaferros and
Brookes. all Of which have been treated
at length In this column.
There were many fine portraits at
Portobago, which are scattered now
among the members of the. family,
Among the s,l portraits were those q
Hay Taliaferro. Mrs. Battaile weary
rich blue gown, with much old lace,
and quaint bonnet Of the same tone,
She holds a prayer-book in her hand.
Mr.. Battailes portrait is severe and
dignifled; he might be called the old
gentleman, Of the black stock" The
mistress Of Portobago. is very. lovely.
and bears the mark Of the grande dame
whose coachman. Charles" tradition
says. stood at the door at certain
hours awaiting Ler commands, and
wants wero drilled TO high degrees
Of efficiency snd obsu,ence There is
p aiso NM wb 70, trait OF DR.. Edmund
John White. son Of Dr. Edmund Pen
.lleton White, married. Frances Brooke
,laliaferro and also lived ut Portobago.
tnhago estate was subdivided in their
favor. Ono or his DAUGHTERS was
blind. and WINS sent to Staunton to
person o, blind boy named Anderson.
They We're ni..rried. and their home wa :
the famous Portobaco house. and OF
MF An ID the nesra boy Sn dpoks
can. see" me picture OF the yard
Of weeds and q blind ra:n cropping
therein. enshronded n the falling rain.
out any inststence from Mr.. Anderson
we got out OF the buggy and asked for
! the grave yard. To It VIC stepped over
rocking grass and bushes. and were
4 consequence. although 1T Is fact that
Lomaxes. Whites and Warnings are
buried here There are three Warning
SHAFT. which Hes prone on TIE ground.
Our sad host informed us that 1t fell
upon the, stone mason who long ago
attempted to erect II, and although this
| mason had not been Killed, nobody else
lad ever tried TO place 1t. We stepped
into the miserable house to interview
She seemed nervous at The very thought
of a visitor In the small room was a.
bed. a square piano With only two
legs, and fine pertrai; Of a beautiful
these pathetic memorials were all that
was left OF the grandeur OF Portobago.
Mrs, Anderson informed US that the
house burned on December r. ,noi. snd
! the portrait and the plano alone told
| the tale OF It's glory.
The dark evening seemed a lifting
background for such path.,s, and the
negro boy and the hired horse as
links to tho teer,ius world. suddenly
became modern. active. beautiful Even
the boys taciturnity became welcome
companlonshtp as we moved slowly
back to Port Royal.
Notes and Queries.
Editor Genealogical Columns:
Having noticed in your history OF
| the Rappahannock country the name
OF Pierson mentioned several times I
would be glad If some descendant of
that family would give something of
their history.
The name of Thomas Pierson is
mentioned several times In connection
with other families. There was q
family of that name in Alexandria
many years ago. Possibly some one
may know som ething of their history.
have wondered at not seeing any
thing of the Meriwether family IN
your columns. Nearly all OF the early
settlers have been written up. They
must have settled In Virginia early
1900. Can you ask something Of the
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