Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-08-31
TWO HISTORICAL SPOTS.
BY Mcclure Moler.

In view of the fact that the West
Virginia Federation Of Women's Clubs
will convene in Shepherdstown the
second week in September, we have en-
deavored to gather some interesting
information OF two OF the most his
torical spots in Jefferson county for
their benefit. From Norris's history
Of The Shenandoah Valley, 1890, we
have taken some things that are in
teresting as we'll as educational. The
writer has this to say after visit to
these places:
"We halted few minutes at Charles
Town, named after Washington's young
est brother, Charles, on whose land
| il was laid out, and who is said great
| " to have resembled the General in
the dignity Of his appearance as we'll
as in his disposition and character.
Resuming our travel we turned our
vehicles toward Leetown, and resist
ing the temptation to stop and examine
the picturesque ruins of an ancien:
church which we noticed near the
road, and which is said 10 have been
erected in the reign OF George H., we
drove slowly past Harewood-that fine
old place Of pleasant memories and pa
triotic associations, where Washing
tons brother Samuel dwelt, where
James Madison was married, and
where Louis Philippe and his two
brothers, the Duke de Montepensier
and Count Beaujolias, with their faith
full servant, Beaudouin, were entertain
ed-a time-hallowed stone mansion,
moss-grown and gray, with its black
marble mantels, the gift of La Fayette.
and its hall hung with quaint COL
lection of family portraits, among
which is that of the original proprie-
tor surrounded by those of his five
sons. The house having been planned
and built under the personal superin-
tendence of General Washington him.
self has, fortunately, been preserved
| from the dissertation of white wash
and stucco, and we trust will Continue
to be guarded with jealous care from
the senseless vandalism which has no
regard for the recollections Of our
history, and which is ever ready to tear
down or disfgure the venerable monui
ments built by the strong hands of
our fathers.
"Soon after we found ourselves in
front of the former residence of Gen.
Charles Lee, of Revolutionary noto-
riety. The house is a long, low,
quaint-looking building with . high
pitched roof and irregularly placed
chimneys. 1t stands a short distance
from the turnpike road, and on rising
ground. Although built more than
one-hundred years ago, the solidity of
its limestone walls and the soundness
OF Its timberS give assurance that il
Will at least last another century. il
not destroyed by the meddlesome hand
OF modern Improvement When &C.
cupied by Lee, it is we'll known that he
allowed no partition to divide its in
terror; but huge chimney, which
rises through the center of the build
ing, served in some degree to separate
the cooking department from tina,
which was made to answer for a bed
room, parlor, library, g-kennel and
all
Here he was living, soured, disap-
pointed man, against whom the door
OF promotion had been closed in his
own country when the war of indie
pendence began in ours, and hither he
retired with heart fuller than ever
OF bitterness and hate after the Con-
tlnental Congress had confirmed the
finding of the court martial that sat
IN Judgment on his conduct at the bat
tile of Monmouth. 1t certainly seems
strange that such man as Lee should
have lived, and so lived, in this then
retired place, that one whose attain.
mentS were so great, whose career had
been SO eventful. whose ambition had
oeen so unsatiSfed, who had served
In the famous campaigns of Europe
commanded Cossacks, fought with the
lurHs, talked with Frederick the Great.
oeen an officer under the King of Por-
tugal, and aidde-ca camp to Pianatowski
kine of Poland should have selected
TOT his abode what was then compara-
lively a lodge in some vast wilderness
with boundless contiguity of shade
But he was induced to do so bv his
friend and fellow soldier, General
Horatlo Gates, who resided in the same
nelghoorhood, upon an estate called
lraveier'S Rest, and as the letter he
wrote to Lee persuading him to buv
.iiS estate, where he afterwards lived
IS Doth characteristic and rare (havine
never been printed in this country. ex.
/ cept IN very few instances On ac-
count OF this letter being so lengthy we
VIII not re-publish it at this time. The
ietter contained information concern
ing me tract of land which Lee finally
settled upon. General Gates gave
MN good description of the place. of
me protection that he would have
from the Indians. Gates, however,
loio Lee that in order for him to locate
on TINS fine tract of land it would he
necessary for him to pay down half of
inc purchase money"
After the reception Of the foregoing
leuer, Lee lost no time in securing the
estate that it referred to; and having
taken possession of il in the autumn