USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 51
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colony on board the Magdalen man-of- war, which arbitrary act threw the whole of Virginia into a state of ferment, and occa-
The Cla Magasine.
sioned the first assembling of an armed force in the colony in op- position to royal authority.
At the head of a small, but beautiful grassy court, called the Palace Green, are two small brick structures, the remains of the Palace of Lord Danmore, the last of the colonial governors. That on the right was the office, and the one on the left the guard-house. The main building occupied the space between them ; it was of brick, 74 feet long, and os fect wide. Here Lord Dunmore resided
Remains of Lord Dunmore's Palace.
in great state, surrounded by the pomp and pageantry of vice- royalty. At that time the tufincent grounds, comprising 360 acres, were beautifully laid out, with carriage-roads winding through
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them. Numerous lindens were imported from Scotland and planted; one or two of which now remain, and are almost unrivalled in magnificence and beauty. The palace was accidentally destroyed by fire during its occupancy by some French troops, immediately after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
The Old Capitol.
The first building erected in Williamsburg for a capitol was burnt in the year 1746, and shortly after another was built, which in its turn was consumed by fire, in April, 1832. Of this structure, now known as the " OLD CAPITOL," nothing remains but a few. scat- tered bricks. Fortunately, we are enabled to present an engra- ving, from a drawing preserved by a lady of the place. Within its walls did the great and patriotic of Virginia's sons deliberate in the darkest period of the nation's history. There were those re- solves made, and that course of action pursued, which made Vir- ginia foremost in opposition to the arbitrary measures of Britain. It was there that Patrick Henry made his debut in the House of Burgesses, when, attired in a coarse apparel, with the air of " an obscure and an unpolished rustic," he arose and astonished all by "the rugged might and majesty of his eloquonce," teaching " the proud aristocracy" of that body the superiority of native talent over the learning of schools and the glitter and assumptions of high life. It was there. also, that occurred that touching incident in the life of Washington, who, (says Wirt,) after closing his glorious career in the French and Indian war, was complimented by the speaker. Mr. Robinson, for his gallantry ; but in such glowing terms, that when he arose to express his acknowledgements for the honor, he blushed, and stammpored. and trembled, unable to give distinet utterance to a single syllable; when the speaker, observing his
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trepidation, relieved him by a masterly stroke of address, saying with a conciliating smile. " Sit dom, Mr. Washington ; your mod. esty is equal to your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess."
The " OLD RALEIGH TAVERN" is yet occupied as a public-house ; over the portico of which is the bust of Sit Waher Raleigh. It is memorable from being the place " where many important com- mittees of the legislature met, where some of our most distinguished patriots concerted measures for aiding in the arduous struggle for liberty, and where it is said Richard Dovey Lee and others origi. nated the plan to establish corresponding committees throughout many or all of the colonies."
The subjoined description of the characteristics of Virginians about 120 years since, is from the work of Hugh Jones, previously quoted. He appears pleased with every body and every thing around him, while the colonies more remote, instead of mooming up brightly by " the enchantment of distance," are presented to his imagination in the most sombre and forbidding hues. The de- scription is a curiosity in its way, and is written in a quaint, hy. perbolical style, quite amusing :
Tue habits, life, customs, computations, &c., of the Virginians, are much the same as about London, which they estcein their home; and for the most part, have con, temptible notions of England, and wrong sentiments of Bristol and the other outports, which they entertain from seeing and hearing the comnon dealers, sailors, and servants, that come from these towns, and the country-places in England and Scotland, whose language and manners are strange to them. For the planters, and even the native negroes, generally talk good English, withent idiom or tone, and can discours: band- somely ou most common subjects. Conversing with persons belonging to trade and navigation from London, for the most part, they are much civilized, and wear the best of cloaths, according to their stations ; nay, sometimes too good for their circumstances, being for the generality comely, handsome persons, of good features and fire com- plexions-if they take care-of good manners and address. The climate makes them bright, and of excellent sense, and sharp in trade; an idiot or deformed native being almost a miracle. Thus they have good natural netions and will soon learn arts And sciences ;, but are generally diverted, by business or inclination, from profound study and prying into the depth of things; bring ripe for minnagement of their affais before shev have laid so good a foundation for learning, and had such instructions and acquired such accomplishments, as might be instilled into such noturally good capacities. Never theless, through their quick apprehension, they have a sufficiency of knowledge and fluency of tongue, though their learning for the most part be but superficial. They are more inclinable to read men by business and conversation, than to dive into books, and are, for the most part, only destrons of learning what is absolutely necessary, in the shortest and best method. .... As for education, several are sent to England for it, though the Virginians, being naturally of good parts, as I have already hinted, neither require nor admire as much learning as we do in Biltain ; yet more would be sent over, were they not afraid of the small-pox, which most commonly proves fatal to them. But indeed. when they come to England, they are generally put to learn to persons that know little of their temper, who keep them drudging on what is of least use to them, in pedantick methods too tedious for their volatile genius. ... . If New England be called a receptacle of Dissenters and an Amsterdam of religion, Pennsylvania a nursery of Quakers, Maryland the retirement of Roman Catholics, North Carolina the refuge of ronaways; and South Carolina the delight of Buccaneers and Pyrates, Virginia may be justly esteemed the happy retreat of true Britons, and true Churchmien for the most part; neither soaring too high, nor dropping too low, consequently should merit the greater esteem and encouragement.
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The common planters leading casy lives, don't much admire labor, or any manhy ex. ercise, except horse-racing, nor diversion, except cockfighting, in which some greatly delight. 'This easy way of living, and the heat of the suminer, makes some very lazy, who are then said in be climate-struck. The saddle-horses, though not very large, are hardy, strong, and fleet ; and will pace naturally and pleasantly at a prodigious iate. They are such lovers of riding, that almost every ordinary person keeps a borse : wond I have known some spend the morning in ranging; several miles in the woods to find and catch their horses, only to ride two or three miles to church, to the court-house, or to a. horse-race, where they generally appoint to meet upon business, and are more certain of finding those that they want to speak or deal with, than at their boinc.
No people can entertain their friends with better cheer and welcome ; and strangers - and travellers are here treated in the most free, plentiful, and hospitable manner, so that a few inns or ordinaries on the road are sufficient.
The first newspaper printed in British America was in Boston, in 1704, and in 1719 the second was issued, in the same city. In 1425 a newspaper was first printed in New York; from this time they were gradually extended through the continent.
* In 1671, Sir William Berkeley ' thanks God there are no free schools nor printing, [in Virginia,] --- and hopes we shall not have these hundreds of years to come.' The first printing-press erected in Virginia, in 1662, was shortly after put down."
The first newspaper published in Virginia was the Virginia Gazette, the first number of which was issued at Williamsburg, August 6th, 1536. It was then a sheet about 12 inches by six, and was printed and published by W. Parks, at Joz. per annuma. In his introduction, after mentioning that papers had been established elsewhere in the colonies, as well as in Europe, he says . " From these examples, the encouragement of several gentlemen, and the prospect I have of success in this ancient and hest settled colour, VIRGINIA, I am induced to set forth weekly newspapers here ; not doubting to meet with as good encouragement as others, or at least such as may enable me to carry them on." 'This same Win. Parks printed, in 1729, Stith's History of Virginia and the Laws of Virginia, at this place. His paper was under the influence of the government. Parks died in 1750, and the paper was discontinued for a time. In Feb., 1731, this paper was renewed by Wm. Hunter. He died in 1761. It was then enlarged, and published by Joseph Royle ; after whose death it was carried ou by Purdie and Dixon, who continued it until the commencement of the revolution ; and Purdio, alone, published it several years during the revolutionary contest.
Mr. Jefferson in answer to an inquiry observes, "till the beginning of our revolution- ary disputes we had but one press ; and that having the whole business of the goveru- ment, and no competitor for public favor, nothing disagreeable to the governor could find its way into it. We procured Rind to come from. Maryland. to publish a free paper." Accordingly, in May, 1766, a second paper, entitled also " The VIRGINIA GAZETTE, " "published by authority, open to all parties, but infineneed by none," was issued at this place by Wm. Rind. The clause, " published by authority," was omitted at the end of the first year. Rind dying in August, 1773, the paper was continued by his widow. Clementina Rind, and at her death by John Pinckney. Another " Virginia Gazette" was first published at Williamsburg in 1275, and continued weekly, for several years, by John Clarkson and Augustine Davis .*.
From these papers we make the subjoined extracts :
Williamsburg, Nov .- 12, 1736 .-- On this day sen'night, being the 5th of November. the president, masters, and scholars, of William and Mary college went, according to their annual custom, in a body, to the governor's, to present his honor with two copies of Latin verses, in obedience to their charter, as a grateful acknowledgment for two valu- able tracts of land given the said college by their late K. William and Q. Mary. Mr. President delivered the verses to his honor ; and two of the young gentewird spoke them. It is farther observed there were upwards of 60 scholars present ; a much great- er number than has been any year before since the foundation of the college.
* For most of the facts above stated we are indebted to Thomas's History of Printing.
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Sept. 10, 1736 .- This evening will be performed at the Theatre, by the young gen- tlemen of the college, The Tragedy of CATO ; and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next, will be acted the following comedies, by the gentlemen and ladies of this event. viz : The BUSY BODY, The RECRUITING OFFICER, and The BEAUX STRATAGEM.
Williams Burg, Sept. 91, 1739,- An epitaph on Mise M. Thacker, (daughter of Col. Edwin Thacker, of Middlesex,) who died at Williamsburg, on Wednesday Jast :
Pensively pay the tribute of a tear, For one that claims our comnion grief lies here. Good-natured, prudent, affable, and mild, In sense a woman, in deceit a enild. Angels, like us, her virtues shall admire. And chant her welcome thro' the Heavenly choir.
Sept. 21, 1739 -- EDWARD MORRIS, Breeches- Maker and Glover, from London, is set up in his business, near the college, in Williamsburg, where he makes and sells the best buckskin breeches, either of the common tanned color, Mack, or other cloth colors, after the English manner. Also buckskin gloves with high tops. Any persons that have oc- casion to make use of him, in any of the above particulars, may depend upon kind usage, and at very reasonable rates.
Williamsburg, March 3, 1768 .- Early this morning, died at the palace, after a tedions illness, which he hore with the greatest patience and fortitude, the Hon. Francis FAUQUIER, Esq., Lieut. Gov. and commander-in-chief of the colony, over which he has presided neur ten years, much is his own honor, and the case and satisfaction of the ina habitants. He was a gentleman of the most amable disposition, generous, just, and mild, and possessed, in an eminent degree, of all the social virtues. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and died in his 65th year .*
May 26, 1769 .- For the benefit of Mrs. Parker, by permission of the worshipful the Mayor of Williamsburg, at the OLD THEATRE, near the Capitol, by the VIRGINIA COM- FANY OF COMEDIANS, on Friday, the 3d of June, will be presented the BEGGAR'S OPERA, and the ANATOMIST, or SHAM DOCTOR.
Williamsburg, April 13, 1768 .- A hog was brought to town this week, from Sussex, as a show, raised by Mr. Henry Tyler there, who, though only four years old, is a ar thies feet and a half high, about nine and a half long, and, it is supposed. weighs near twelve hundred pounds. He much exceeds any animal of the kind ever raised on this conti- nent, and, indeed, we do not remember to have heard of any so large in England.
Oct. 5, 1768 .- Yesterday, PEYTON RANDOLPH, Esq., our worthy representative, gave & genteel dinner at the RALEIGH Tavern, to the electors of this city, after which many loyal and patriotic toasts were drank, and the afternoon spent with cheerfulness and de- corum.
From the Virginia Gazette of 1776 are extracted the following marriage notices, which, according to the custom of the time, are accompanied with a few poetic lincs :
EDMUND RANDOLPH, Esq., Attorney-General of Virginia, to Miss BETSEY NICHOLAS, a young lady whose amiable sweetness of disposition, joined with the finest intellectual accomplishments, cannot fail of rendering the worthy man of her choice completely happy.
Fain would the aspiring muse attempt to sing The viriaes of this amiable pair ; But how shall I attune the trembling string, Or sound a note which can such worth declare ? Exalted theme ! too high for common lays ! Conld my weak verse with beauty be inspired, In numbers smooth I'd chant my BETSEY's praise, And tell how much her RANDOLPH is admired. To light the hymeneal torch since they've resolved, Kind Henven I trust will make them truly blest ; And when the Gordian knot shall be dissolved, Translate them to eternal prace and rest.
* A paper of a late, lare says he was buried in the north aisle of the church.
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Mr. WILLIAM DERRICOAT, of Hanover, to Miss SUCKEY Tomkres, of Gloucester. daughter of Col. Francis . Tomkies.
Iler's the mild lustre of the blooming mora, And his the radiance of the rising day. Long may they live, and mutually possess, A steady love and genuine happiness.
On Sunday last, Mr. BEVERLY DIXON to Miss POLLY SAUNDERS, a very agreeable young lady.
Hymen, thy brightest torch prepare, Gild with light the nuptial bower, With garlands crown this lovely pair, On them thy choicest blessings shower Cupids lightly sport and play, Hymen crowns the happy day; Sprightly graces too descend, And the beauteous bride attend. Here no sordid interest binds, But purest innocence and love Combined unite their spotless minds, And seal their vows above.
Captain SAMCEL DENNY, of the artillery, to Miss FALLEN, of Northumberland May peace and love the sacred band unite, And equal joy, yield equal sweet content.
JAMES MADISON. D. D., Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Virginia, and President of William and M. Mary College, was born near Port Republic, in Rockingham county, in 1749. His father was the district clerk of West Augusta. He graduated with the highest honors at William and Mary, then studied law with the colemated George Wythe, and after being licensed to practise, turned his attention to theology, and was admitted to holy orders. He was chosen professor of mathematics, in William and Mary, in 1973. In 1777, at the early age of 25, be was elected president, and soon after visited England. " In 1788, as Bishop elect of Virginia, he went again to Eng. Jand for Loicopal ordination, and was consecrated at Lambeth, Sept. 19, 1790. On bis return, he united the performance of his duties of bishop with those of president and professor. Until the close of his life, such were his literary and scientific pursuits, that he was occupied in lectures from four to six hours every day. After a severe illness, he died, March 6, 1812, in the 63d year of his age. His published works are, a Thanks- giving Sermon, 1781; a letter to J. Morse, 1795 ; an address to the Episcopal Church, 1799 ; and an able and very eloquent discourse on the death of Washington. The reputation of Bishop Madison is that of a refined gentleman, an accomplished scholar, and an enlightened and liberal Christian philanthropist."
" PEYTON RANDOLPH, first president of the American Congress, was a native of Vir ginia, and one of the most distinguished lawyers and patriots of the state. He was, as early as 1756, appointed king's attorney of the colony, and held the office for many years. In 1766, he was elected speaker of the House of Burgesses, and in 1973, a member of the committee of correspondence. The following year, he was appointed a delegate to the Congress which assembled at Philadelphia, and was elected its president ; and also presided in the Congress of 1715, till obliged to return to Virginia, when Han. cock was chosen his successor. He soon resumed his seat in Congress, but died sud- denly of an apoplectic fit on the 22d of October, 1775, aged 52 years."
In speaking of his death, Girardin observes : " That illustrious citizen, distinguished at first by the eminence of his forensic station, and afterwards by the ability, zeal, in- tegrity, and dignity, which he displayed in the higher offices of public life, had several times been elected speaker of the House of Burgesses. On the 20th of March, he was unanimously appointed president of the first convention ; and on the 11th of August following, first nominated one of the delegates for Virginia to the general Congress. A new and well-merited honor awaited him there ; without one dissentient voice, he was called to preside over that great and venerabile body. . The remains of this worthy patriot were afterwards brought from Philadelphia to Williamsburg by Edmund Ran- dolph, his nephew, and in November, 1775, deposited in the family vault in the college chapel, with suitable funeral ceremonies. 'A short time before his departure for the general Continental Congress, the convention, observing with great concern that he was very much indisposed, recommended him to retire for the present from the fatiguers of publie duty, tendering to him at the same time thoir unfeigned thanks for his unre-
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mitted attention to the important interests of his country, and his unwcaried application to, and able, faithful, and impartial discharge of the duties of his office ; and assuring him that he had the warmest wishes of the convention for a speedy return to healthis and an uninterrupted enjoyment of every felicity."
JEFFERSON.
JEFFERSON WAS formed in 1801, from Berkeley ; its mean length is 22 miles, breadth 12 miles. The Potomac forms its northeastern boundary ; the Shenandoah enters the county near its southeast- ern border, and flowing in a northeast direction, parallel with the
Harper's Ferry, from the Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge, enters the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. The face of the country is rolling, and the soil almost unequalled in fertility by any other county in Virginia. "It was settled principally by old Virginia families from the eastern part of the state ; and the inhabitants still retain that high, chivalrous spirit, and generous hospitality, for which that race was so remarkable in the palmy days of their prosperity." Pop. in 1840, whites 9,323, slaves 4,157, free colored 602; total, 14,082.
Middleway, 7 miles southwest of Charlestown, contains I Pres- byterian. and 1 Methodist church, 3 mercantile stores, and about 500 inhabitants. Lectown is at the western end of the county, and contains a few dwellings. It derives its name from the celebrated Gen. Charles Lee, who once resided there.
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Harper's Ferry is distant 173 miles from Richmond, 57 from Washington efty, and 30 from Winchester, with which it is con- nected by a railroad. This thriving mainfactoring village is sit- usred at the junetiva of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers Its ramo is derived from a ferry. long since established across the Potomac, where the river breaks through the Blue Ridge; at this place it is about 1200 feet in height. The name of the place was originally Shenandoah Falls.
" The scenery at Harper's Ferry is, perhaps, the most singularly picturesque in America. To attain the view here given, it was necessary to climb the Blue Ridge by a narrow winding path immediately above the bank of the Potomac. The viex homa this lofty summit amply repays the fatigue incurred by its ascent. The junction of the two rivers is immediately beneath the spectator's feet ; and his delighted eye, resting first upon the beautiful and thriving village of Harper's Ferry, wanders over the wide and woody plains, extending to the Alleghany mountains. President Jefferson, who has given the name to a beautiful rock immediately above the village, has left a powerful description of the scenery of Harper's Ferry. He says :
" " The passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge, is, porhaps. one of the most stupendous scenes in nature. You stand on a very high point of land ; on your right comes up the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of a mountain a hundred nules to beck a went. On your left approaches the Potomac, in quest of a passage also ; in the moment of their junction, they rub together against the mountain. rend it asunder, and pass off to the sea. The first glance of this scene hurries our senses into the opin- ion that this earth has been created in time ; that the mountains were formed first ; that the rivers began to flow afterwards ; that in this place particularly, they have been dam- med up by the Blue Ridge of mountains, and have formed an ocean which filied the whole valley ; that, continuing to rise, they have at length broken over at this spot, and . have torn the mountain down from its sammit to its base. The piles of rock on each band, particularly on the Shenandoah --- the evident marks of their disrupture and avul- sion from their beds by the most powerful agents of nature, corroborate the impression. But the distant finishing which nature has given to the picture, is of a very different character : it is a true contrast to the foreground ; it is as plavid and delightful as that is wild and tremendous ; for the mountain being cloven asunder, she presente to your eve, through the clefts, a small catch of smooth blue horizon, at an infinite distance [: the plain country, inviting you, as it were, from the riot and tumult warring around, to pass through the breach and participate of the calm below. Here the eye ultimately com- poses itself ; and that way, too, the road happens actually to lead. You cross the Poto- mas above the junction, pass along its side through the base of the mountain for three miles, its terrible precipices hanging in fragments over you, and within about twenty miles reach Fredericktown, and the fine country round that. This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic ; yet here, as in the neighborhood of the Natural Bridge, are people who have passed their lives within half a dozen miles, and have never been to survey these monuments of a war between rivers and mountains, which must have shaken the earth itself to its centre.' "
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There are many points of view from which the scenery appears romantic and beauti- ful. Among these, that seen from Jefferson's Rock, which is on a hill overhanging the town, is very fine. 'The top of this rock is flat, and nearly twelve feet square ; its bare, which does not exceed five feet in width, rests upon the top of a larger rock ; and its height is about five feet. The whole mass is so nicely balanced, that the application of a small force will cause it to vibrate considerably. On this rock cara reposed another rock, on which Mr. Jefferson, during a visit to this place, inscribed his name. In the extraordinary political excitement of 1798-9, between the federal and the denormale parties, a Capt. Henry, who was stationed here with some U. S. troops, at the head of a band of his men hurled off the apex of this rock.
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