Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-28
Frame Dwelling at Broad
and Eleventh Streets
Rich in Memories.
AUTHORS GOLD DOMINION"
HAS PLACE IN VIRGlNlAHA
English Writer Came Here in
1856 as Representative of
Queen Victoria
ny VERA PALMER.

Has not every one in Richmond
often wondered what IS the history
az that old fashioned frame house
az the northeast corner of Broad and
Eleventh Streets; when il was built
aud By whom: who has lived In Il
and what Incidents connected with
the life OF the community have taken
place within its now rapidly decay
ing walls? There is no spot in the
city about which the writer has re-
coired so many requests for story,
but, unfortunately, those who dwclt
there appear 10 have been very re-
lnctant to leave any trace of the
guests whom they entertained or of
the startling events in their lives
occurring during their tenancy
II is generally conceded that the
house is At least "A century old. al
though the records do not reveal
the names of the builder or the
architect. but the former must have
been an important citizen. because
the situation is in the heart of what
used to be known as tho court end
OF iown"-that ariJ;ocratic section
between Main and Leigh. Twelfth
and Fifth Streets. The near neigh
hors of the original owners and their
successors were the Crumps. who
lived where the Memorial Hospital
NOW stands: the Valentines. whose
house is now the Valentine Museum.
ana In an earlier day the home OF
John Wickham, counsel for Aaron
Burr Benjamin Watkins Leigh was
dwe!lcr in the ncighborhood. AS
was also Judge Nicholas. while Alex
ander Bolts. father OF John Minor
Hotis, lived not far away.
Thus there is every Indication tina.
me hr5t occupants were persons OF
culture and prominence, pu, it is
rather surprising that they did not
build their home n few fee, farther
east, for in that time each house
was surrounded by n large ward.
often extending over tho entire
square. or at least half a square.
PerAaps even in that far day real
"state men had the vision" TO SEQ
mat Broad Stree, property was
going to be valuable in the years 20
come and therefore put up the price
CONSIDERABLY over that OF lots on Mar
snail Leigh and Grace Streets.
Once of G. +. Il. James.
Although the early years OF the
old houses history Ia buried SO deep
~ in the mysterious pas; that all
"Horis' apparently. TO uncover Il are
az no avail, IL Is known positively
, SH"i the rear part had Il most dis
-iinguishea occupant from lsS. 70
$3.50. Tor within that period Gco-y.
"jayne Rn!nstord James. better known
-, o. J. z. James had his Office there
-. Mr. James was ar Englishmna. hay
Eng been born IN London either In
--i's' or III 1901, authorities differ con-
, ctTninG The exact date, and he came
10 Richmond In SO as the represen-
-tative Of Her Majesty Queen Vic.
loria and The British Eovcrnrnent
winch rs TO say that he was consul
= mere for four years. His home IS
thought to have been a, Eighth and
!. grace Streets, directly opposite ST
--Peter's Catholic Church. bu, ne main
!. aIned his Office at the old house ut
Eleventh and Broad.
! is more than l.i:cly that The
british consul was attracted by III.
zpiS'urcsqUcness OF the .i.I, old
e building, shaded 50 completely in
hosc days ~ rian; catalpa trees. q
re" OF which .xc: surv.ve. and by the
= vines which are. said 10 have coz.
cred the Tiny porch ard even a mar,
rof the front. There was sometime.
SO rcstful and cooi looking abou,
the spot. and II tho distinguished
..EnEiishman arrived in the summer
The is sure TO have thought the viz
sinia climate "bcas,!y hot, BY Ioy...
and these shady trees and soft greer,
wines would have proved Irresistible
...t
Representative of foreign rave-r-