The Washington times., 1927-06-01
More VashingtOnans Become Dirt Farmers PICTURESQUE
Virginia Horse Country; The MitcheIIs Make 1t Pay
The Former Miss Gwen
dolyn Denys To Be
Chatelaine of Historic
Estate, Huntlands, Near
Middleburg
By JEAN ELIOT

By JEAN ELIOT
HUNTLANDS, one of the finest
II old Colonial estates at Mid
dleburg, Va, has been sold to
Mr.. and Mrs. William A. Robinson
who expect to take possession early
IN June and who will be interesting
Washingtonians or people with
additions to the growing list Of
Washington connections who have
adopted the Virginia horse country.
Mrs. Robinson is better remembered
here as Miss Gwendolyn Denys and is
the daughter of the Rev. DIR. F.
Ward Denys. Until recently she and
her husband have been living at
Tulsa, Okla.
General and Mrs. Billy Mitchell
have one of the sweetest old places
at Middleburg and are actually
making money. out OF farming-or
more specifically out OF the breed
ing of fine horses. It is near
Middleburg, too, that Mr.. and Mrs.
William F. r.. Hit make their
home the year round, horses and
hunting continuing to be major
preoccupation with the former
Katherine Elkins.
WashingtOnians' Show Places
Oatlands, Mrs. William Corcoran
Eustis' home near Leesburg, is one
of the show places of the region
a place which originally belonged
to "Old King" Carter, one of the
forebears of Mrs. Morgan Beach, of
Washington. Mr.. and Mrs. Edward
Beale Mclean also have a place at
Leesburg. although they don't spend
much time there. Over at Upper
vile few miles away is the fine
old home of the late Gen. James A.
Buchanan and his son-in.laW and
daughter. Mr.. and Mrs. John Buch-
anan, have an estate at Warrenton.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard B. Jones own
an historic and beautiful old place
at Berryville and at Boyce, nearer
winchester, one finds Mr.. and Mrs.
Kenneth Gilpin, son-in-law and
daughter of Senator and Mrs. Ty.
son, established in a charming
rambling white house, with peaked
green roofs, which is set down
among smooth lawns and in grove
of fine old trees.
Architectural Gem
Huntlands is considered a gem of
early American architecture. Built
originally by an overseer of Presi-
dent Monroe, the place has been
owned since 1911 by James B.
Thomas, of New York, who re-
modelled the house and restored it
after giving minute study to the
contemporary architecture of the
day from Salem to Savannah.
The place is situated in section
noted for its fox hunting, beagling,
shooting, racing, horse shows and
other sports, the place boasts ken
nels, dairy and farms barns as well
as fine stables and various lodges
and tenant houses.
Horse Raising and History
The Mitchells are going in rather
extensively for general farming, |
although they find horse raising the |
most remunerative phase. / can't |
remember whose place it was they |
bought some two years ago, but it |
Is an old house, with hundred |
years or more Of tradition clustering |
about its roof. and it is set in a |
lovely terraced garden shaded by |
giant forest trees.
The house has been remodeled, to |
include all manner of modern con- |
veniences and improvements, but |
retains all it's old-time charm. The |
big living room is veritable |
treasure house, for it contains |
trophies of many big game hunting |
expeditions. It will be remembered |
that General and Mrs. Mitchell went |
tiger shooting in India on their |
honeymoon. The general, who is a
amateur naturalist,
also has a fine library and among
his most treasured possessions is an
early autograph set of Audubon.
The country around about Middle |
burg was settled very early and |
abounds in historic interest. Wash
ington marched through the region
with Braddock on Indian fighting
and later surveyed its
roads. The land was fought over
during the Civil War. And General
and Mrs. Mitchell are finding a
study of the history Of the country
side most absorbing.
II -