OF WOMAN'S WORK

It was on May 10, 1866, that the women of Fredericksburg, urged by Mrs.

Frances Seymour White, (widow of an officer in the U. S. Army, who died as

the war began), assembled in the lecture room of St. George's Church to

form an association to care for the memory of the noble Southern heroes,

whose graves were then scattered over battlefield and farm. This was the

first step towards the formation of the Ladies Memorial Association the

work of which organization, begun so earnestly and lovingly, has so

successfully been fulfilled. Mrs. John H. Wallace, was elected President

and Mrs. Frances Seymour White, Vice-President. On Mrs. Wallace's death,

Mrs. White was chosen President, and continued until 1882, when she was

succeeded by her daughter, Mrs. Francis B. Goolrick, who continued to act

as President for eleven years. Mrs. Maria K. Daniel followed next for

seventeen years, and Mrs. Frances B. Goolrick, who was elected in 1912 is

still President.

With the financial assistance of about all the Southern States and a good

deal from the North the bodies of the Confederate soldiers have been

re-interred in the Confederate cemetery, and each is marked with a solid

granite headstone. Later with some financial assistance the splendid

monument "To the Confederate Dead," was erected in the center of the

cemetery. The base is of gray granite, quarried in Spotsylvania County,

and the life-like statue of the Confederate soldier on dress parade, which

surmounts the apex, is of bronze.

[Sidenote: _The Memorial Association_]

The beautiful custom of Memorial Day sprang from Mrs. Frances Seymour

White's idea and spread from this city all over the nation. The name of

"The Ladies Memorial Association" was adopted and in the Spring season

each year, this impressive service is continued. Following those true

hearted women who conceived the task of rescuing from oblivion the memory

of those brave and fallen heroes, the United Daughters of the Confederacy,

and the women of Fredericksburg branch of the American Red Cross, have

each in their respective spheres, earnestly and lovingly performed their

tasks.

The recent passing from our midst of the material presence of a worthy

representative of the women of Fredericksburg, inspired the glowing

tribute to the women of Virginia, appearing as an editorial in a local

paper. The writer says in part, "We shall ever cherish the recollection

that old Virginia had a womanhood of whom the people of the nation must be

proud. Lest we be misunderstood we would have it known that we boast today

of our womanhood and are honored by those now among us; yet no one can

successfully deny that the type of women of the Old Dominion of the bygone

years was of an exceptional character. They were the result of the very

environment in which they were born and reared. For purity of purpose, for

modesty of demeanor and conversation, for unselfish devotion to home where

there was real happiness, for gentleness, for refinement, for self

abnegation, for love of God and the Church, for unostentatious charity,

and for high motherhood, she has never had superiors. For all the

essential attributes and elements which go to form a splendid woman

without guile and without reproach, we hazard nothing in declaring that

Virginia--in the World's Hall of Fame--gives to her womanhood of olden

days her laurel of immortal glory."

[Sidenote: _Mary Washington Hospital_]

Another work which will always be a tribute to woman's indefatigable and

preserving efforts, is the Mary Washington Hospital, beautifully situated

on the river's bank immediately facing the lawns and Terraces of Chatham,

and when the trees are bare in winter, affording a view of the imposing

mansion. Here, since 1897, thousands of sick have been cared for and

nursed back to health and strength with more scientific care and almost as

much loving attention as they could receive in their own homes. In 1897

the corner-stone was laid and from that time the Hospital has steadily

grown and progressed, gaining in strength and usefulness, and now is

recognized as essential to the city and surrounding counties. The idea of

establishing the Hospital was originated by two or three ladies and the

work put actively in motion by Mrs. W. Seymour White and Mrs. M. F.

Tankard, who constituted themselves a committee to form an auxiliary

society, which supported by Mr. W. Seymour White, who was at that time

Mayor of the City, obtained a sufficient sum to purchase a lot and build a

small house of a few rooms. A Hospital Association was formed, and the

women did almost phenomenal work in struggling through many

discouragements, never losing faith, but pressing forward and overcoming

every obstacle until their efforts were crowned with success and the

Hospital established on a firm foundation. Now the few rooms have grown

into a commodious building accommodating thirty or forty patients, a

Nurses Home and corps of young women in training. Mrs. W. Seymour White

became the first president--elected because of her interest in

establishing it, and in recognition of the strong support given it by her

husband as Mayor, who in that capacity was able to weild an influence that

helped materially towards its success.

[Sidenote: _Mary Washington Monument_]

The Mary Washington Monument has a history too long to be embraced in this

volume and only a brief sketch of it will be appropriate. "The Building of

a Monument" was written by Miss Susan Riviere Hetzel, and published in

1903. She was at the time Secretary of the National Mary Washington

Memorial Association, following her mother Mrs. Margaret Hetzel, its first

Secretary.

The idea of erecting a new monument to Mary Washington seemed to spring up

simultaneously in Fredericksburg and in Boston, and spread like wild-fire

over the country. Miss Hetzel claims priority for her mother, while the

actual first published movement took place in Fredericksburg. Two letters

were written and published on the same date in the Washington Post. Both

letters were written in the spring just at the time of the Johnstown

flood, and held in the newspaper office, probably overlooked, until

October. On October 13th the movement crystalized into a large meeting in

Fredericksburg. The writers of the two letters became acquainted through a

mutual interest. Mrs. Goolrick's letter proposed a National Organization

with a President and one Vice-President for each State. Mrs. Hetzel's

letter suggested that "every woman as far as able give one dollar to the

proposed monument with the Washington Post as Treasurer for the fund, and

to acknowledge daily the donations received." On the appearance of the

letters in the Washington Post Mrs. Hetzel wrote to Mrs. Goolrick,

congratulating her on the plan she proposed, stating that such a plan was

then practically in operation, and had been worked up during the summer,

Mrs. Waite, wife of Chief Justice Waite, was made president, but they

wished no publication or mention made of it until they obtained their

Charter. On November 8th, 1889, the Fredericksburg Association received

its Charter. The National Association was chartered February 22nd, 1890.

On the 10th of May, 1894, the Mary Washington Monument was dedicated, with

great form and ceremony and with the largest crowd ever gathered in

Fredericksburg. Visitors flocked from all over the country. The streets

were in gala attire. American, and Virginia State flags fluttered

everywhere with the buff, blue and gold insignia of the Ball family, which

floated before the homes of Mary Ball's decendants. A special train from

Washington arrived at ten o'clock bringing the President of the United

States, Grover Cleveland, the Chief Justice, members of the Cabinet and

other invited guests with the ladies of the National Mary Washington

Memorial Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the

Marine Band. Military Companies from Richmond, Alexandria and other cities

were present, and with the various orders of the city made an imposing

spectacle. The Grand Lodge of Masons from this and other places closed the

procession, with the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and the

Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia following

in its wake. On the immense rostrum near the Monument were seated all the

officials, and Societies, with seats reserved for the descendants of Mary

Ball who were specially invited by the National Association. They had been

summoned from the East and from the West, one invitation going to Japan to

Paymaster Mason Ball, U. S. N.

[Sidenote: _Dedication of Monument_]

[Sidenote: _Lawrence Washington's Talk_]

The ceremonies opened with a prayer by Rev. James Power Smith. Mayor Rowe

next welcomed on the part of the city the President, Governor and other

distinguished guests. He gave a brief account of the first monument and

laying of the corner stone by President Andrew Jackson, with an eloquent

tribute to the Mary Washington Association and "the noble women in

various sections, some of whom grace this occasion by their presence

today." The President of the United States was welcomed by Governor

Charles T. O'Ferrall on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia. An

impressive address was then delivered by the President. The Monument was

then dedicated by the Grand Master of Masons of Virginia--Mann Page and

the Grand Lodge of Virginia, assisted by Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 where

Washington was made a Mason, and the Grand Lodge of Alexandria, of which

he was the first Master. Mr. Lawrence Washington was introduced by the

President as a lineal descendant of Mary, the Mother of Washington. He

gave an interesting sketch of her life, home, parentage, widowhood and the

character of her children. The President next introduced the orator of the

day, Hon. John W. Daniel. He is said to have pronounced on this occasion

the ablest oratorical effort of his life.

[Illustration: MARY WASHINGTON MONUMENT

_Standing at the Spot that She Selected for Her Grave. The Only Monument

Built By Women to a Woman_]

Governor O'Ferrall at the request of the Fredericksburg Mary Washington

Monument Association read a set of engrossed resolutions which were

presented to Mrs. Waite as President of the National Society. This

concluded the ceremonies. President Cleveland after holding a general

reception on the monument grounds was entertained at the home of Hon. W.

Seymour White, editor of the Free Lance, and afterwards Mayor of the city.

It was a brilliant gathering, Cabinet Officers and their wives, the

Governor of Virginia and Staff, and distinguished citizens of the town and

elsewhere to greet them. The ladies of the National Board were entertained

at the home of Mrs. V. M. Fleming, president of the local association.

President Cleveland repaired to the Mary Washington House where he

requested he should receive all the descendants of the Balls and

Washingtons. "There he had the satisfaction of grasping the hands and

enjoying the conversation of the nearest living relatives of his first and

greatest predecessor, in the home of his honored mother."

A banquet was given by the citizens in the Opera House, and a large Ball

that night in the same place. Thus closed a memorable day in the annals of

Fredericksburg.

The land on which the monument is built, on the same site as that occupied

by the first monument, was given by Mr. George Shepherd, a prominent and

wealthy merchant, to the Fredericksburg Mary Washington Monument

Association, and was transferred at the dedication of the monument by a

conditional deed to the National Association.

[Sidenote: _Story of Older Monument_]

The first monument to the memory of Mary Washington was partly erected by

Silas Burrows of New York, who as rumor has it, fell in love with one of

the Gregory girls--great nieces of George Washington. It was of handsome

design, but never finished, and the marble shaft lay prostrate for many

years, cracked and discolored, while the base, with its beautiful four

carved columns was a target for both armies during the Civil war.

The corner stone of this first monument was laid in 1833, with much pomp,

the President of the United States--Gen. Andrew Jackson--taking part with

Cabinet Officers and escorts. The people of Fredericksburg previous to Mr.

Burrows' offer, had made efforts to raise money for a memorial to Mary

Washington. Hearing of this he wrote to the Mayor, offering to give and

erect the monument himself. The monument had reached completion with the

exception of placing the shaft, when Mr. Burrows went abroad and never

reappeared, the same Madam Rumor attributing it to the disappointment he

experienced at the failure to win the hand of Miss Gregory, the daughter

of Mildred Washington, the niece of the immortal George.

The present monument is splendidly cared for by the National Association

with the Secretary of the Association, a Fredericksburg lady in charge and

living on the grounds in a beautiful cottage built by the National Mary

Washington Monument Association.

_At the Rising Sun_

_Where Famous Men Met; and Mine Host Brewed Punch and Sedition._

Standing back a few feet from the Main Street of Fredericksburg, the

Rising Sun Tavern looks out on the automobiles and trucks that hurry by

over the concrete streets. Silk and woolen mills and "pants" factories

spin and weave and rumble, while the old tavern, with the dignity of its

century and a half calmly flaunts the sign of the rising sun with its

radii of red light. The knocker that felt the hand of almost every famous

American of early days still hangs kindly out.

Built in 1750 or 1760, the Rising Sun Tavern is at least 160 years old. In

the days when American men were slowly being forced from their English

allegiance it stood in an open space, surrounded by green trees. The road

on which it was built ran out from Fredericksburg toward Falmouth and the

"upper county," and the tavern was outside the city limits.

If one could stand and see the tavern as in a movie "fade out," the modern

houses about it would dim, and, fresh in making and painting, the old

tavern would stand alone beside a rutted road alongside which a footpath

runs through the grass. Oak trees line the road, and reach down to the

river. On the porch, or passing up and down the steps are gentlemen of the

Northern Neck, the Potomac plantations, and the Rappahannock Valley, in

splendid broadcloth, laced ruffles, black silk stockings, with buckles at

the knees and the instep, powdered hair and the short wigs then the

fashion, and ladies in the fashionable red cloaks and long, full dresses

with the "Gypsy bonnets" tied under their chins, and hair "crimped" and

rolled at each side.

At the back yard of the tavern in the old garden grew a profusion of

tulips, pink violets, purple iris, hyacinths and the flowering almond and

passion fruit, with here and there rose bushes. Inside in the front room

flamed the log fire and at the rear of this was the dining-room, where for

men and women and boys, the old negro slave who served the gentle folk had

mint juleps, or claret that had thrice crossed the ocean, or brandy and

soda.

[Sidenote: _When Weedon Was the Host_]

Virginia in the days between 1760 and 1776 reached the "golden age," and

it was during these times that George Weedon, host of the Rising Sun, made

that hostelry famous for its hospitality, and made himself famous for his

constant advocacy of American liberty. Of Weedon, who was later to become

a general and win commendation at the Battle of Brandywine, the English

traveler, Dr. Smith, wrote: "I put up at the tavern of one Weedon, who was

ever active and zealous in blowing the flames of sedition."

Weedon, one of the pioneers of the movement for freedom, made his Tavern

the gathering place for all the gentlemen of the "neighborhood" of which

Dr. Smith says: "The neighborhood included all of Westmoreland County, the

Northern Neck and all other counties as far as Mount Vernon."

John Davis, a Welshman who came to America to teach, has left us a sketch

of the tavern of that day and of the people who frequented it, and a part

of what Mr. Davis wrote is well worth quoting: "On the porch of the

tavern," he says, "I found a party of gentlemen of the neighboring

plantations sitting over a bowl of toddy and smoking cigars. On ascending

the steps to the piazza, every countenance seemed to say, 'This man has a

double claim to our attention, for he is a stranger in the place.' In a

moment room was made for me to sit down, and a new bowl of punch called

for, and every one addressed me with a smile of conciliation. The higher

Virginians seem to venerate themselves. I am persuaded that not one of

that company would have felt embarrassed at being admitted to the presence

and conversation of the greatest monarch on earth."

[Sidenote: _Where Famous Men Often Met_]

Attracted by its hospitality and by the constant meeting before the

wood-fire of men whose influence was great, gentlemen from all Virginia

came to the Rising Sun. George Mason, who Gillard Hunt of the Library of

Congress says was "more than any other man entitled to be called the

Father of the Declaration of Independence," was frequently there. The

young man from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson, who was Mason's pupil in

politics, spent much time at Gunston and was often at the tavern.

George Washington, whose home was in Fredericksburg, knew the tavern well,

and Hugh Mercer, a young physician, and brother-in-law of mine host Weedon

(they having married the two Misses Gordon), spent a great deal of time

there. Other guests who heard the news and who read of events when the

weekly stage brought the belated mail from Williamsburg, to the Tavern

Postoffice, where "Light Horse" Harry Lee and Charles Lee, from their

near-by home at Wakefield, Charles Carter, son of the mighty "King"

Carter, who came from "Cleve"; John Marshall, Dr. Mortimer, the Tayloes,

of "Mt. Airy"; John Minor, (afterwards general,) of Hazel Hill; young

James Monroe, practicing as an attorney in Fredericksburg and acting as a

member of the town council and vestryman of St. George's Church; Samuel,

Charles and John Augustine Washington, brothers of George, as well as

Fielding Lewis, who married George's sister Betty, and was afterwards a

general in the revolutionary army. Many of the frequenters of the tavern

held high commissions during the war.

It is a matter of undoubted record that these, and half a hundred other

young men, whose names were to become synonymous with freedom, discussed

at the Rising Sun Tavern the topics of the day, chief among which was the

rights of the colonist. The fiery Irishman, George Weedon, arranged and

organized conferences and wrote numerous letters, and long before men had

ceased to respect the English king, he was bold enough to propose for the

first time the toast, "May the Rose grow and the Thistle flourish, and may

the Harp be attuned to the cause of American liberty," thus expressing his

desire that his native land, and Scotland, should aid America. And he was

not disappointed, for afterwards he would say that he was "ever proud that

besides himself, America had for generals such Irishmen as 'Mad Anthony'

Wayne, Sullivan, Moylan and Irvine."

In these talks at the Rising Sun, where sometimes the great men of the

time met night after night, those principles that went in the Bill of

Rights of Virginia--were fully discussed before freedom from England was

demanded; and here, where gathered lawyers and planters and men of

profession, many of them members of the House of Burgesses, there must

have been conceived a great many principles that afterwards went to make

the Constitution. This was the true "cradle" of American liberty.

John Paul Jones when only thirteen years old, heard the first discussion

of such things, probably, when he called at the tavern post-office for

mail for his brother, William Paul, who kept a tailor shop and grocery.

[Sidenote: _First "Rebellions" Troops_]

When Lord Dunmore seized the powder at Williamsburg in 1775, the first

troops organized in Virginia to fight against the authority of the king,

started from Fredericksburg. It seems certain that the plans were made at

the Rising Sun Tavern, and George Weedon was the leading spirit. Hugh

Mercer was elected colonel, Mordecai Buckner, lieutenant-colonel, and

Robert Johnson, major.

But the apex of the tavern's glory was reached when the great peace ball

was held officially to celebrate the end of the war, and Washington led

the minuet in the Fredericksburg town hall. Of those who came, tradition

says, none failed to visit General Weedon's tavern, though the genial

Irishman was now about to leave it and move into the home left without a

head when General Mercer fell.

[Illustration: RISING SUN TAVERN

_Where the Great Men of Pre-Revolution Days Gathered, and Freedom Was

Discussed_]

Among those who came to Fredericksburg and were at some time guests at the

famous old inn, besides those named were Brigadier General Stephen Moylan,

another Irishman who served as Washington's aide, as commissary general

and as commander of troops at Yorktown; Brigadier-General Irvine, Irish

too, and here at Weedon's insistence; Count Beaumarchais, author of the

"Barber of Seville" and general in the American army; the Marquis de

Lafayette, the Viscounts d'Nouvalles, Count d'Estang, Baron Viominel, and

many others.

[Sidenote: _Beautiful Colonial Belles_]

But who were the ladies then? History does not say, but the dancing

master, Mr. Christian, who taught the "gentle young ladies" through the

"neighborhood," and has left sketches of their personal manner and dress,

has described for us a host of them, many of them misses of 15 and 16, who

now would be called girls but were quite young ladies then.

Miss Lucy Lightfoot Lee was "tall and stately" (at 16), Mr. Christian

says, "wearing a bright chintz gown with a blue stamp, elegantly made, a

blue silk quilt, and stays, now said to be the fashion in London but to my

mind a great nuisance." While Miss Hale danced in "a white Holland gown,

quilt very fine, a lawn apron, her hair crimped up in two rolls at each

side and a tuft of ribbon for a cap."

It is easy to surmise that the charming Gregory girls, now married, were

there, and that little Maria Mortimer, who on the night following the

Peace Ball, at 15 years of age, was hostess for all the great gentlemen,

was also a guest, as well as Miss Betsy Lee, Martha Custis, and Posey

Custis, Molly Posey, Anne Mason, Alice Lee, and Mary Ambler (later to

become the wife of Chief Justice Marshall), Sally Patton, "lately come

from England to teach," the two Turberville girls, Priscilla Carter, Jenny

Washington and the Lewis girls, the Taylor girls, and the Fitzhughs, of

Boscobel and Chatham.

[Sidenote: _Names of Great Virginians_]

The old tavern is well-preserved and is taken care of by the Association

for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Not much change has been

made in it since the days of its glory, when at its hospitable hearth

young James Monroe argued for the emancipation of slaves, George Mason

spoke his views on the rights of man, Weedon talked forever "sedition"

with Mercer, who hated England since he had felt defeat at the disaster

of Colloden and crept from Scotland a hunted man, Jefferson discussed his

broad principles, and the Randolphs, Blands, Byrds, Harrisons, Moncures,

Taliaferros, Fitzhughs, Lewises of Marmion, Carters of Cleve, Raleigh

Travers (of Sir Walter's family) of Stafford, Peter Daniel of "Crows

Nest," Thomas Fitzhugh, Selden of Salvington, Brent of Bellevue, Ludwell

Lee of "Berry Hill," Richard Henry Lee of "Wakefield," and other famous

men gathered, in those crowded days before the Revolution.

_Lafayette Comes Back_

_After Forty Years of Failure, He Hears the Echo of His Youthful

Triumph._

Forty years after his return to France at the end of the American

Revolution, General Lafayette came back to visit the nation he had helped

to create. Cities of the United States heaped honor and hospitality upon

him. The people greeted him in villages and taverns as he traveled, and it

is not strange that he returned to France "astonished" at the vigor of the

young republic.

He himself had seen France taste freedom, turn to the Terror, accept

Bonaparte's dictatorship and fight the world--and he had taken his part in

it all, even to five years spent in a prison cell. Now he beheld on the

throne again the scions of the same monarch who had tried in vain to

prevent his aiding America in her fight for freedom, and, his title and

estates gone, he must have felt France's failure to realize such ideals of

government as he and Washington knew, as keenly as he appreciated the

"astonishing" march of democracy on this continent.

Entertained first in the North, Lafayette hurried South to see Jefferson

at Monticello for a day. From the Charlottesville estate he traveled to

Orange Courthouse, and thence, over the road his army had cut through "The

Wilderness" and which even to this day is known as "The Marquis Road," he

came to Wilderness Tavern, where he was met by an escort from

Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg was awaiting him, and Lafayette was glad of the opportunity

to spend the greater part of a week in the "home town" of George

Washington, to visit Washington's relatives, and to meet those of the

Revolutionary general still living in the place. He had been to

Fredericksburg before in 1774, an honored guest at "The Peace Ball." He

had said that he felt more at home in Fredericksburg than anywhere in

America.

General Washington, Mrs. Washington, General Mercer, General Weedon--a

dozen of his closer friends whom he had left behind forty years ago--were

dead, but among the Fredericksburg people there were still numbers who

knew him, some who had entertained him, and many who had fought with him.

[Sidenote: _Peculiar Items of Expense_]

That Fredericksburg did her best and that good cheer was not lacking when

the general arrived, is recorded in the old courthouse of that city in the

official bill of expenses for the entertainment of the distinguished

guest. On these yellow papers written in the careful hand of that day, are

bills for ribbons and laces and cocked hats, sperm candles and cakes,

oranges (at $1.20 a dozen), cockades, cloaks and "everything" that might

assist in making the November days of the Marquis' stay glide right

merrily.

Before the general arrived there was preliminary work, and this is

recorded in a number of bills, among them that of Sally Stokes who had one

for "cleaning and schowering the town hall, and whitening the steps and

cleaning the walls, etc.--I charge for myself and 2 other women--$2.25."

Her charge was probably a little high as the work was for the city. "Benj.

Day" got the draying contract and profiteered in the following rate:

"Dr. me for myself and team and dray for 4 days hauling for the

Entertainment Commit. $6.00." Also among the bills for labor is one:

"To John Scott, Dr. to hire of my man Billy, the painter, for 6 days to

paint the market house, $4.50," while "Mary Lucas," a "freewoman," got

$1.25 for "sawing 2 1-2 cords of wood."

[Sidenote: _George Cary's Great Thirst_]

General Lafayette was met at Orange by a committee and under its escort he

journeyed south, (along that forest road which his army cut when with "Mad

Anthony Wayne" he followed Tarleton into the unsettled parts of Virginia

and the Carolinas,) to the Wilderness and to Fredericksburg. It is

possible that some message had to be sent from or to his escort, in fact

it is evident, for George Cary has left record of it, and in presenting

his bill he has left as well his individuality and his photograph behind

him. If one remembers that brandy was $1.00 a gallon, he needs little more

of George Cary's history than this.

"To George Cary for services rendered as messenger, to the Wilderness,

including self and horse, $7.00."

"and drink, $1.75"

"Deduct 50c. advanced him by the Mayor, $8.25."

Near Fredericksburg, and almost at the spot where during the Revolution

the camp of Hessian prisoners was kept, General Lafayette was met by a

military escort commanded by Colonel John Stannard. When the cavalcade

reached the city it passed through rows of grown-ups and children and

(surely previously rehearsed for many days!), the latter sang in French,

"The Marseillaise," and, stepping from his coach, Lafayette marched

between the rows of children, singing the anthem of the French revolution.

Only one break was made during the stay of the Marquis in Fredericksburg,

if deductions from these old accounts are correct. The town cannon must

have "busted." And why it did, and the legitimate enthusiasm which led to

such a contretemps, due probably to the exuberance of one who had followed

the general in the great war for liberation forty years before, is

gathered from these bills:

"To John Phillips, for tending to the gun, $2. Old junk, 37c. Old junk,

27c. Old junk, 23c. 4 kegs of powder, $24., two quarts whisky, 50c."

"To John Phillips, fireing the cannon, $4."

"To Thomas Wright, for 21 panes glass broken by the cannon last Saturday

night and on the 19th of November, 10c. a pane and 8x10 each--$2.10."

When General Lafayette left Fredericksburg he went by stage to Potomac

Creek, by boat to Washington, by stage to Baltimore, and thence he sailed

back to France. With him went Messrs. Mercer and Lewis, both sons of men

who had been Generals in the war for Liberty.

_Old Court Records_

_Staid Documents, Writ by Hands That Are Still, Are History For Us._

For simple beauty of line there is probably no Court House in Virginia

that equals that at Fredericksburg. While to the casual eye its grace is

obvious, to artists' and architects' it makes the stronger appeal, and it

is from those familiar with the lines of new and old world buildings that

the Court House receive highest praise. Inside, in a modern vault, are

many interesting records of the past. The Court House was completed in

1852, at a cost of about $14,000, William M. Boggeth of Baltimore being

the contractor, and J. B. Benwick, Jr., of Baltimore, the architect, and

its completion marked the end of a thirty years factional fight in the

City, which was divided over the issue of building or not building a court

house. The decision to build was made by the Council in spite of a

petition against such action, signed by one hundred and seventy-two

voters.

[Sidenote: _Building a New Courthouse_]

The second Court House, a small brick building, stood back from the

street, on a part of the ground the present structure occupies, and had

taken the place of the first plank Court House. But, as early as 1820, the

second structure was complained of by the Court, which went so far as to

"order" the Council to provide funds for a new structure, to which the

Council paid no attention. On June 14, 1849, the Court, composed of Mayor

Semple and Justices William H. White and Peter Goolrick, issued an order

and appointed a committee, as follows: "Thomas B. Barton, John L. Marye,

Robert B. Semple, Wm. C. Beale and John J. Chew, to examine and report to

this Court some plan for the enlargement and repairs or rebuilding of the

Court House of this Corporation."

But in spite of some excitement following this unusual step of the Court,

the Council continued its way undisturbed. The Court, however, called

before it "the Justices for this Corporation" and at the next session

eight Justices--R. B. Semple, Robert Dickey, Beverly R. Welford, William

C. Beale, William H. White, Peter Goolrick, William Warren and William

Slaughter answered the summons. The report of the committee appointed at

the previous session of the Court was made and the Court finally took this

action:

"That, in obedience to the act of the General Assembly, which requires

that Courts for the Corporations' within this Commonwealth should cause to

be erected one good, convenient court house, and it being necessary to

build a court house for this corporation," etc., the Court "appoints a

commission, consisting of Mayor Semple, Beverly R. Welford, William H.

White, Thomas B. Barton and John L. Marye to contract for a court house."

But, despite this, and because of the divided sentiment of the people and

the inaction of the Council, the Court did not build a court house, and at

a later meeting voted four to four on a motion to rescind their previous

order. After various moves and counter moves, the issue was carried into a

regular election held in March, 1851, and a Council in favor of a new

Court House was chosen. The erection of the present structure in 1852

ended a thirty years disagreement, which built up bitter factions in the

town and left animosities, which did not subside until the Civil War came

on. For many years, until the new Fire House was built, the old hand-drawn

fire apparatus was housed in the south wing of the building.

The bell which is now in the tower of the Court House, formerly hung in

the second court house, and sounded the call to public meetings, as it

does today, and the alarms of fire and war. It was presented to the town

by Silas Wood in 1828, and has his name and that date on it, as well as

the name of the maker, "Revere, Boston."

[Sidenote: _How Debtors Were Treated_]

From the earliest times, debtors who could not pay their bills were

imprisoned in the jail in Court House square or, more properly, slept in

the jail and were imprisoned in the square; for they were allowed the

freedom of the whole square and the adjacent streets, but were not allowed

to enter any store or building on the opposite sides of the streets. Many

men of prominence, it is said, spent short periods in this "Debtors'

Prison," awaiting the time when their release could be secured under the

"Poor Debtors' Law," which gave them freedom when by a schedule of their

property they proved they had no means to meet their obligations. In 1840,

the Court extended the bounds of the "Debtors' Prison" to include four

blocks in the center of the city, and the "footways adjoining them"; but

to go beyond these bounds was contempt of Court.

No existing records establish what Courts held session in Fredericksburg

prior to the Revolution, and it is probable that successors of Mayor

Lawrence Smith were empowered as Governors and Judges until 1727, after

which time the Trustees of the town may have chosen magistrates, or the

colonial Governors may have done this.

[Sidenote: _History of the Courts_]

It is established that the first Court in Fredericksburg was created by

the General Assembly in 1781, when Fredericksburg was incorporated and

given a Common Council and a Hustings Court. The first session of this

Hustings Court was held April 15, 1782, with the following Justices

present: Charles Mortimer, William McWilliams, James Somerville, Charles

Dick, Samuel Ruddy, and John Julien, "the same being Mayor, Recorder and

Aldermen of the town." This continued the only Court until 1788, when

nineteen District Courts were established in the State by the General

Assembly, and one of them was located at Fredericksburg. These courts were

presided over by two of the ten Judges of the General Court at Richmond.

Among the many men of prominence who appeared before this District Court

were James Monroe, Edmund Randolph, and Francis Brooke. This District

Court was abolished in 1809 and a Circuit Court took its place. This new

court was now presided over by one of the Judges of the General Court at

Richmond. With some changes these courts continue to the present, but are

presided over by specially chosen Circuit Judges. But the Circuit Court

is not held at Fredericksburg.

The Hustings Court, meanwhile, was the local court for Fredericksburg

until 1870, when it became the "Corporation Court" over which, instead of

three Justices of the Peace, the Assembly now provided there be a Judge

"who shall be learned in law." Judge John M. Herndon was the first Judge

of this Court, in 1870, and was succeeded by Judge John T. Goolrick, 1877,

Judge Montgomery Slaughter followed him, Judge A. Wellington Wallace

presided for some years, and Judge Embry served until Judge John T.

Goolrick was again chosen Judge and has continued on the bench for the

last 16 years.

A more remarkable record is that of the men of the Chew family, who for

ninety-nine years and eleven days were the Clerks of this Court,

succeeding each other by appointment and election in direct lineal line.

Henry Armistead, first Clerk of the Court, died August 1, 1787, and on

August 6, 1787, John Chew, Jr., was appointed to the vacancy. In 1806 his

son, Robert S. Chew, succeeded; In 1826 the latter's son John J. Chew

succeeded; In 1867, the latter's son, Robert S. Chew succeeded and held

office until his death in 1886. Mr. J. Willard Adams is now Clerk of the

Corporation Court.

There are many interesting documents in the vaults of the Court House,

many of them mere scraps, as that which tells of an inquest in 1813 over

the "Body of a sailor from the Frigate 'Constitution,'" who was drowned

here in the river, and which indicates that the famed old boat was once at

Fredericksburg Wharf.

Among the oldest and most interesting documents in the archives of the

Court House, is a "List of Males Capable of Militia Duty--1785," and of

the two hundred and sixty-five then listed, (which would indicate a

population of about 1,300 in the city at that time). There are few names

now known in Fredericksburg, nevertheless, there are some, and of these

familiar names the following are examples:

"Dr. Mortimer, Dr. Brooke, Dr. French, Dr. Hall, Dr. Gillis, Dr. Hand" and

"Bradford, Taylor, Yates, Walker, Maury, Minor, Herndon, White, Brent,

Johnson, Wheeler, Gray, Jenkins, Allen, Crutchfield, Ferneyhough, Brown,

Chew, Weedon, Colbert, Washington, Brooks, Ingram, Middleton, Spooner,

Payne, Gordon, Young, Thompson, Berry, Slaughter, Lewis, Clarke," and many

others whose descendants are well known in this city and vicinity.

[Sidenote: _Mary Washington's Will_]

The will of Mary Washington, written by James Mercer, an attorney who was

also Chief Justice of the General Court, (the highest court of Virginia)

and signed by Mary Washington, is preserved in the Court House and has

been seen by hundred of callers. The will was made May 20, 1788, and was

filed after the death of Mrs. Washington.

"In the name of God, Amen. I, Mary Washington, of Fredericksburg, in the

County of Spottsylvania, being in good health, but calling to mind the

uncertainty of this life and willing to dispose of what remains of my

earthly estate, do make and publish this, my last will, recommending my

soul into the hands of my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my sins

through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of Mankind.

I dispose of all my worldly estate as follows:

Imprimis: I give to my son, General George Washington, all my lands on

Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford, and also my negro boy, George, to

him and his Heirs forever; also my best bed, bedstead and Virginia cloth

curtains, (the same that stands in my best room), my quilted Blue and

White quilt and my best dressing glass.

Item: I give and devise to my son, Charles Washington, my negro man Tom,

to him and his assigns forever.

Item: I give and devise to my daughter, Betty Lewis, my phaeton and my bay

horse.

Item: I give and devise to my daughter-in-law, Hannah Washington, my

purple cloth cloak lined with shay.

[Illustration: MARY WASHINGTON'S HOME

_In the Garden Mrs. Washington Greeted Young Lafayette. She Lived And Died

Here_]

Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Corbin Washington, my negro

wench, Old Bet, my riding chair and two black horses, to him and his

assigns forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Fielding Lewis, my negro man,

Frederick, to him and his assigns forever; also, eight silver table

spoons, half of my crockery ware, and the blue and white Tea China, with

book case, oval table, one bedstead, two table cloths, six red leather

chairs, half my pewter, and one-half my iron kitchen furniture.

Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Betty Carter, my negro

woman, Little Bet, and her future increase, to her and her assigns

forever; also my largest looking glass, my walnut writing desk with

drawers, a square dining table, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow,

one blanket and pair of sheets, white Virginia cloth counterpane, and

purple curtains, my red and white china, teaspoons and other half of my

pewter, crockery ware, and the remainder of my iron kitchen furniture.

Item: I give to my grandson, George Washington, my next best dressing

glass, one bed, bedstead, bolster, one pillow, one pair of sheets, one

blanket and counterpane.

Item: I devise all my wearing apparel to be equally divided between my

granddaughters, Betty Carter, Fanny Ball and Milly Washington; but should

my daughter, Betty Lewis, fancy any one, two or three articles, she is to

have them before a division thereof.

Lastly: I nominate and appoint my said son, General George Washington,

executor of this, my Will, and as I owe few or no debts, I desire my

Executor to give no security nor to appraise my estate, but desire the

same may be allotted to my devisees with as little trouble and delay as

may be, desiring their acceptance thereof as all the token I now have to

give them of my love for them.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of

May, 1788.

Mary Washington.

Witness: John Ferneyhough.

Signed, sealed and published in our presence, and signed by us in the

presence of the said Mary Washington, and at her desire.

J. Mercer

Joseph Walker."

Among the orders of the Court, found on the Order Books, are some which

are of interest as bearing on old customs of the town. One of the first of

these was entered March 1, 1784, when the Court "proceeded to settle the

allowances to the officers of the Corporation" as follows: "Mr. John

Minor, Jr., Attorney for the Commonwealth, two thousand pounds tobacco;

Mr. Henry Armistead, Clerk, twelve hundred pounds tobacco; John Legg,

Sergeant, twelve hundred pounds tobacco; Henry Armistead, for attending

all Courts of inquiry, four hundred pounds; sergeant for same, five

hundred and seventy pounds; Wm. Jenkins, goaler, three hundred and

sixty-four pounds."

February 7, 1785, "Robert Brooke" (afterwards Governor of Virginia in

1794-96, and still later Attorney General) and Bushrod Washington, (Uncle

of George Washington and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) were

admitted to practice law.

April 25, 1801, the first "watchman" (policeman) was appointed for the

town.

[Sidenote: _Burial in Streets Stopped_]

In a peculiar report, made March 27, 1802, the Grand Jury took steps to

put a stop to "a nuisance, the numerous obstructions in the streets,

particularly in St. George Street lot; burying the dead in George and

Princess Anne Streets; also the irregular burying in the ground west of

and adjoining Prince Edward." These graves, the report shows, were on

George, Princess Anne, and in Hanover Street, west of Princess Anne, and

on George Street between Main and the river.

After twenty-two years, the Court issued its first authorization for a

Minister of the Gospel (none but the Church of England ceremony was

before recognized) to perform the marriage ceremony, December 24, 1804, to

"Benj. Essex," Methodist. Others followed in this order: Samuel Wilson,

Presbyterian, September 22, 1806; William James, Baptist, June 13, 1811.

The undisputed fact that John Forsythe, who was in his generation one of

America's most famous men, and a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere,

was born in Fredericksburg, is contained in this entry, dated January 12,

1832.

"The Court orders it to be certified that it was proved to their

satisfaction, by the evidence of Francis S. Scott, a witness sworn in

Court, that Major Robert Forsythe of the Revolutionary army, had two

children, one of whom, Robert, died under age and unmarried, and the

other, John, is now alive, being a Senator in Congress from Georgia."

[Sidenote: _Court Set Liquor Price_]

Among the Court's first acts after establishment, the Hustings Court, on

May 20, 1782, thus fixed the prices of certain commodities in the

"Taverns": "Good West India Rum, one pound per gallon; bread, ten

shillings; whiskey, six; strong beer, four; good West India rum toddy, ten

shillings; brandy toddy, seven shillings six pence; rum punch, fifteen

shillings; brandy punch, twelve; rum grog, six; brandy grog, five. Diet:

one meal, one shilling six pence; lodging, one shilling and three pence;

'stablidge' and hay, two shillings; oats and corn, nine pence per gallon."

The prices of intoxicants is hard to explain. Rum is at the rate of $5.00

per gallon, but apparently whiskey is only $1.25. A later ordinance of

prices, made May 10, makes various changes.

"Breakfast, fifty cents; dinner, fifty; supper, fifty; lodging,

twenty-five; grain, per gallon, twelve and one-half; stablidge and hay per

night, twenty-five; Madera Wine, per quart, one dollar; Champagne, per

quart, one dollar and fifty cents; other wine, per quart, fifty cents;

French brandy, twelve and one-half cents per gill; Rum, twelve and

one-half cents per gill; Gin, twelve and one-half cents per gill."

[Sidenote: _Some of the Judges_]

A pure judiciary is one of the best assurances of good government, and

Virginia is proud of her Judges, who on the average, have been and are men

of learning, and acknowledged ability.

In this book, we can only chronicle briefly the names of some who have

presided in the Circuit Courts of this circuit.

First is the name of John Tayloe Lomax, who had occupied a chair in the

law school at the University of Virginia, and who had written several

books treating on law, before he came to preside as judge here.

Richard Coleman, of the distinguished family of that name from Caroline

County;

Eustace Conway, one of the very youngest men elected by the people, and

who died in a few months after he had assumed the duties;

John Critcher, who soon resigned the judicial office to become an officer

in the Confederate Army;

William Stone Barton, who was a splendid Judge, a fearless soldier and a

Christian;

John E. Mason, who executed all the duties of his high office

intelligently and conscientiously.

_Echoes of the Past_

_"Ghosts of Dead Hours, and Days That Once Were Fair"_

Fredericksburg was, in anti-bellum days, the center of a large number of

slave holding land proprietors who lived within its gates, yet cultivated

their farms in the adjacent territory, hence the colored population of the

town was large; and very much to the credit of these colored people as

well as a testimonial to the manner of their treatment, and to the methods

of their humane and kind discipline, the colored population was law

abiding and polite. They were religious in their tendencies, and church

going in their practices. For several years they worshipped in a church of

their own situated on the banks of the Rappahannock known as Shiloh

Baptist Church--for in this section they were Baptist in their creed.

After the war, in consequence of some feuds and factions, they divided up

into several churches, all of the Baptist denomination. Clinging to the

name, there is now "Shiloh Old Site"--and "Shiloh New Site" and some mild

rivalry.

[Sidenote: _About the Colored People_]

Among the old time colored brethren were some unique characters. We note a

few only: Scipio, or as he called himself, Scipio Africanus from Ethiopia,

was very popular; kindly and charitable in disposition he was probably the

only infidel among that race. One afternoon, at a Baptizing which always

took place in the River, a very fat sister came near being drowned. After

she was immersed by the preacher, gasping and struggling, she came up and

Scip becoming excited yelled to the colored divine--"Stop there Brother!

Stop I tell you! If you douse that gal again some white man goin' to lose

a valuable nigger by this here foolishness!" Needless to say the indignant

divine released the sister and turned his wrath on Scipio.

Another colored character was Edmund Walker, who kept a coffee house. He

openly proclaimed he wanted no "poor white trash." Over his emporium in

big letters flourished this sign--"walk in gentlemen, sit at your ease,

Pay for what you call for, and call for what you please."

Jim Williams was known as a good cook, as well as huntsman. His Master,

Col. Taliaferro told Jim one day that he expected great men for dinner

some time soon, and "Jim, I want a turkey, a fat turkey fattened in a

coop, not shot Jim!" When the day came and dinner was served, Col.

Taliaferro's knife in carving, struck a shot or two. Infuriated, the old

Colonel yelled at Jim--"Didn't I tell you not to bring me any turkey with

a shot in it?" Jim who had obtained the turkey after dark replied, "Dem

shots was 'tended for me not for the turkey. The white folks shot at me,

but the turkey got the shot."

The loyalty of the colered men and women for their old Masters and

Mistresses during the war cannot be commended too highly. Told time and

again that a victory for the Federal soldiers meant their freedom, many of

them refused to leave their old homes, and remained steadfast to the end.

While we cannot enumerate many of these, the opportunity to chronicle the

name of one, still living cannot be overlooked. The Rev. Cornelius Lucas,

who in the dark and dreadful days of war, followed his old owners, the

Pollocks, is with us yet. He was with them on the march and in camp,

waited on them, and ministered to them. One of the Chapters of the

Daughters of the Confederacy in this town, recently decorated him with its

testimonial, its cross of honor.

We know of no locality situated so near the Mason and Dixon line as is

Fredericksburg where the Union Armies came with their propaganda of

freedom for the slaves, which presents more of the love of the former

slaves for their former Masters, and more obedience to law and order than

is the case with the colored people of the town of Fredericksburg, for

with rare exceptions, there has been no flagrant violation of the laws. We

are of the opinion that this book would not indeed respond to the

requirements of endeavoring to sketch the town and its life, without

embodying within its pages what it includes of the colored men and women

whose lives have been spent within its limits.

[Sidenote: _When Andrew Jackson Came_]

Early in the nineteenth century, on May 7th, 1833, Fredericksburg was

visited by President Andrew Jackson and escort, the occasion, one of the

most important of that period, being the laying of the corner stone of the

old Mary Washington Monument. People from all over this general section

gathered to greet the hero of New Orleans, and in addition to the

detachment of Marines, which was the President's honor guard, military

organizations from Washington, Alexandria, Fauquier County and

Fredericksburg, led by Col. John Bankhead, chief marshal, took part in the

large parade that preceded the ceremonies.

History has recorded for us correctly what took place on the occasion. The

President spoke as did also other distinguished men and, as in those

remote days orators were not sparing with the time they took, undoubtedly

the long suffering people stood a verbal fusilage that lasted hours. But

in the end they were repaid, for the program was followed by feasting and

drinking and a general merry time, at which wines, liquors and barbacued

beef were served to 5,000 people, under a big tent.

The main reception was held in the old Wallace house, which formerly stood

on the site now occupied by the Baker and Wallace wholesale drygoods

house, and it was the scene of an incident that convulsed the dignified

gathering, which was hard put to control its laughter. It came about as

follows.

While traveling by road from Quantico (which was reached by boat from

Washington,) to Fredericksburg, the presidential party encountered a Major

Randolph, of the army, who lately had been court martialed and reprimanded

on a charge that now is unknown. Major Randolph had appealed the decision

of the court to the President, who much to the indignation of the Major,

approved the findings. When Major Randolph met the President, he stopped,

saluted and then questioned him regarding his decision. The President's

replies were not satisfactory to the indignant major and he pulled the

nose of the Hero of New Orleans. News of the occurrence quickly got about

the town.

That night a certain old gentleman of the most generous hospitality and

the kindest of hearts but with very poor social instincts, was introduced

to the President. His mental processes are not known, naturally, but

probably in a desire to be especially gracious and to show that

Fredericksburg and its people were deeply considerate of the welfare of

their President, and concerned in all that happened to him, the old

gentleman grasped the hand of the chief dignitary of the land, bowed very

low and said, "Mr. President, I am indeed very glad to meet you and I

sincerely hope, Sir, that Major Randolph did not hurt you when he pulled

your nose to-day."

The President flared up momentarily but seeing the innocence written in

the countenance of the old gentleman, and the convulsions of those around

him, he joined heartily in the laughter and assured his questioner that he

was quite unharmed.

[Sidenote: _General Lee's Week's Visit_]

In 1869 the Episcopal Council of the State gathered in St. George's Church

and to this Council as a delegate from Grace Church, Lexington, of which

he was a vestryman, came General Robert E. Lee the beloved hero of the

South. Just across the street from St. George's Church was the home of

Judge William S. Barton and there he was the honored guest. Coming so

shortly after the close of the war when the people were in almost a frenzy

of sympathy for him and sorrow for their "Lost Cause" he produced an

impression that will never be forgotten by those who saw him.

The Barton house was besieged by young and old, anxious to shake hands

with him. The Bartons gave a large reception, and the writer recalls that

scene as if it were yesterday.

[Illustration: MONUMENT TO MERCER

_Erected by Congress to the Brilliant General Who Fell at Princeton. The

Street is Washington Avenue_]

General Lee stood with Judge Barton and his stately wife; General Barton

and his wife, and the peerless beauty, Mary Triplett, who was the niece of

the Bartons. To describe General Lee would be superfluous. The majesty of

his presence has been referred to. He inspired no awe or fear, but a

feeling of admiration as if for a superior being. People who spoke to him

turned away with a look of happiness, as if some long felt wish had been

gratified. Toward the conclusion of the reception, when only a few

intimate friends remained, some of the young girls ventured to ask for a

kiss, which was given in fatherly fashion. The Council lasted a week, from

Sunday to Sunday and for that time General Lee remained at the Bartons.

The home life of this truly representative Virginia family brings back

elusive dreams of the charmed days of old when a gentle elegance, a

dignity, a grace of welcome that was unsurpassed in any land, made them

ideal as homes and supreme in hospitality, and nowhere was this more

clearly evidenced than in the family of Judge Barton. General Lee was

serenaded here by Prof. A. B. Bowering's Band, the same Band which

accompanied the gallant 30th Virginia Regiment on its marches, and cheered

them in Camp with patriotic airs.

It was Bowering's Band that, when the body of Stonewall Jackson was

removed from the Capitol in Richmond to the railway station, played the

Funeral Dirge. Prof. Bowering has led other bands since then, and is at

present the conductor of an excellent one.

It was at about this time that Father Ryan wrote one of his most beautiful

poems, of which this is the last verse:

"Forth from its scabbard, all in vain,

Bright flashed the sword of Lee;

'Tis shrouded now in its sheath again,

It sleeps the sleep of our noble slain

Defeated, yet without a stain,

Proudly and peacefully."

[Sidenote: _Mayors of Fredericksburg_]

The following is a chronological list of mayors of Fredericksburg with the

number of years served by each: Dr. Charles Mortimer, 3; William

McWilliams, 1; James Somerville, 3; George Weedon, 1; George French, 8;

Benjamin Day, 2; William Harvey, 2 and less than a month of the third

year, when he died in office; Fontaine Maury, 3; William Taylor, 1; David

C. Ker, 2; William S. Stone, 1; Charles L. Carter, 1 year and six months,

resigning when half his first term was out; William Smock, six months,

serving the unexpired half of Charles L. Carter's first term; Richard

Johnston, 1; Joseph Walker, 1; John Scott, 1; Garret Minor, 2; Robert

Mackay, 2; David Briggs, 1.

Briggs' term ended in March, 1821. Up to this time no mayor had served

more than 1 year consecutively, but after this date several served for

many years following each other. Following Briggs was Robert Lewis, who

died in office after nearly nine years; Thomas Goodwin, died in office

after nearly seven years; John H. Wallace, 2; Benjamin Clarke 6; Robert

Baylor Semple, died in office after nearly nine years; John L. Marye, Jr.,

1; Peter Goolrick, 3 years and one month, resigning just after the

beginning of his fourth term and almost immediately before the Civil War;

John S. Cardwell, 2; William S. Scott, 1; Montgomery Slaughter, the War

Mayor, who succeeded Peter Goolrick, (when the latter resigned because the

council had refused to endorse some of his appointments), and served until

removed by the military authorities after a few days more than eight

years. He was succeeded by Charles E. Mallam, appointed by the military

authorities in April, 1868, and removed by them in just a little more than

a year. William E. Nye, who followed, was appointed by the military but

resigned in less than a year. He was succeeded by Lawrence B. Rose,

elected by the council and twice later by the people, serving altogether 5

years, two months and twenty days, dying during his last term; William Roy

Mason, resigning after serving twenty-seven days of his first term, to

which he was elected by the people. Robert Banks Berrey, 2; Hugh S.

Doggett, 3; Joseph W. Sener, 4; Josiah Hazard, 4; Absalom Rowe, 9 years

and eleven months, dying in office during his last term; W. Seymore White,

1 year and not quite five months, dying in office; Henry R. Gouldman,

seven months; Marion G. Willis, 6 years; Thomas P. Wallace, 4; H. Lewis

Wallace, 4; Josiah P. Rowe, a son of Absalom Rowe, 8; J. Garnett King is

at present serving.

So far as can be gathered ex-Mayor J. P. Rowe is the only son of a mayor

who ever held the same office which his father had filled before him.

[Sidenote: _Building of the Railroad_]

The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, the great Trunk Line

between the North and the South, in 1837 completed its line to

Fredericksburg by rail, a stage line thence to Potomac Creek, and steamer

connection was made from here to Washington. In 1842, on the 18th of

November, the line was completed to Aquia Creek, making it a total of 75

miles in length. In 1860 Peter V. Daniel was elected president, and during

his administration the road was fearfully damaged by the Civil War. In

1865, the company, after much rebuilding, again opened service to Aquia

Creek. In 1872 the line was extended to Quantico, and connecting there

with the Washington-Quantico road, filled in the missing link of railway

from the North to the South.

The railroad has always been financially successful and has provided a

service of exceptional convenience. It has the remarkable record of never

having killed a passenger within its cars, and but two from any cause

whatever. Under the Hon. Eppa Hunton it operates now with great efficiency

and over its tracks pass a string of trains during all of the twenty-four

hours. On all of its trains an employee calls attention just before

passing the house where Stonewall Jackson died. The house has been

purchased and preserved to posterity by the railroad--an act for which it

deserves the highest commendation, as it does for the monument it

generously built at Hamilton's Crossing, where heavy fighting occurred

during the battle of Fredericksburg.

[Sidenote: _Jefferson Davis' Speech_]

Jefferson Davis, when a member of the Senate, was loath to leave that body

and opposed breaking up of the Union. But, when his own State of

Mississippi called, he answered. He had been educated at West Point and

had fought in Mexico. When the representatives met at Montgomery, Alabama,

and elected him President of the Confederacy, he accepted. When the seat

of government was moved to Richmond, he, of course, came with it.

Soon after this he paid Fredericksburg a visit and while in the town was a

guest of Temple Doswell, Esq., at his home on the corner of Princess Anne

and Lewis Streets. As soon as it was known that he was here a band,

accompanied by a multitude of citizens and Confederate soldiers, gave him

a complimentary reception, to which he replied, in a brief address, from

the porch. The writer remembers very clearly how he appeared. He was tall,

thin, beardless, slightly bald, dressed in black broad cloth that was

slightly worn looking.

Mr. Davis came to review the troops stationed on the Potomac at Acquia, as

well as some encamped at Fredericksburg. He expressed himself as very much

pleased, not only with the hospitable reception accorded him, but also,

with the conditions of the troops and the general management of the

situation then under General Daniel Ruggles.

It is an unusual coincidence that during the war between the States,

Fredericksburg should have had within its gates, President Lincoln of the

United States and President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States, and

that each made a public address from places three blocks apart.

[Sidenote: _The National Cemetery_]

This National Cemetery is located on one of the most prominent and

imposing hills overlooking the City of Fredericksburg, formerly called

Willis Hill. On July 15, 1865, this location was selected and the cemetery

begun. It has since been made beautiful with shrubbery and flowers and

terraced, and now it is known for its attractive appearance. It is, in

fact, counted as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in this Country. It

comprises about twelve acres. Of the soldiers gathered from the adjacent

battlefields there are of the known dead 2,496 and of the unknown 12,798.

Very many handsome monuments are erected on these grounds, among them one

by General Butterfield in memory of the 5th Corps; another to General

Humphreys by the State of Pennsylvania; and by the same State a monument

in memory of the 127th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Head stones mark the

resting place of very many others.

On each recurring Decoration Day, May 30th, from a beautifully constructed

forum, services are held in tribute to the memory of the brave men who

sleep there. At these services many who wore the grey and fought on the

other side unite with the boys who wore the blue, in paying this tribute.

Near Fredericksburg Governor Spottswood instituted the first iron work in

America, and an old plate cast in his furnace is now in the possession of

Mr. Val Dannehl of this city. It is probably the oldest piece of cast iron

in America.

Governor Spottswood built the village of Germanna on the upper river for

German workmen brought over here, and it was from that place, the first

Courthouse of Spotsylvania County, that the Knights of the Golden

Horseshoe began their journey. The mansion of this famous Virginian stood

close beside the Germanna road.

Today, almost on that spot, stands a small white cottage, and within it

are various relics of the Old Governor and his family and of the battle of

the Wilderness.

But the strangest thing about the small cottage is that within it lives,

with his wife, Alexander Spottswood, the lineal descendant of the

Governor. Mr. Spottswood stands over six feet, erect and with the bearing

that inevitably proclaims the descendants of great men. His daughter

recently married Mr. E. H. Willis.

Thus a Spottswood lives today on the tract where the great Virginia

Governor built his mansion and where he founded the famous Spottswood

mines and furnace almost two hundred years ago.

[Sidenote: _Patti Once Lived Here_]

An incident brought the great singer Patti to Fredericksburg, to remain

for some time. When she was a girl of sixteen, just beginning to train for

her great career in Grand Opera, her brother Carlo Patti expected to

institute a school of music and was here for that purpose when he was

taken suddenly ill. She came with her sister Madam Strackosh to see her

brother. He remained ill for months and his sisters were with him during

the entire time. They boarded at the Old Exchange Hotel on Main Street,

now the Hotel Maury, and gave more than one concert at what was known then

as "The Citizens Hall." If there are few here now who remember her, there

is still among us one woman, a little child at the time, whom the singer

often held in her arms and caressed. The parents of the child were

boarding at the Hotel temporarily and the mother and Adelina became great

friends and remained so for many years. Madam Strackosh and her famous

sister said they enjoyed "real life" in our little Southern town. Carlo

after regaining his health went farther South, joined a Confederate

Company, and again as one of the boys in gray under the stars and bars,

was in Fredericksburg and was well known to the writer. He entertained the

weary boys in camp when the hard days were over, with his beautiful songs.

John Forsythe referred to in the above order was born in 1781 in a frame

house, now standing at the corner of Prince Edward and Fauquier Streets.

He graduated from the Princeton Academy early in life, moving later with

his family to Georgia where he studied law, practiced and in 1808 he was

elected Attorney General, and in 1812 was chosen Congressman and served

until 1818.

In 1819 he was appointed Minister to Spain and while acting as Minister,

he was instrumental in the ratification of the treaty with the Country

for the cession of Florida to the United States.

In 1827 he was elected Governor of Georgia and in 1829 became a member of

the Senate and was in that body when he accepted the office of Secretary

of State, which position he occupied to the end of Van Buren's

administration. He died in the City of Washington, October 21, 1841, and

is buried in the Congressional Cemetery.

[Illustration: NATIONAL CEMETERY

_And Monument to the Fifth Corps. Here Sleep Thousands Who Died in the

Battles About Fredericksburg_]

[Sidenote: _Joe Hooker Comes Again_]

Fighting "Joe" Hooker, as his troops called him and as he was, came here

shortly after the war to gather evidence to refute the charges his enemies

at the North were disseminating against him in a campaign of scandal. He

attempted while here, and he was here for a long period, to show that his

failure was not entirely his own fault, and the evidence which he

procured, together with his own statements proved sufficiently that Gen.

Hooker's plan for the campaign at Chancellorsville far surpassed any

conception of any other Northern general. They left the inference also

(Lincoln had warned him in a letter that his insubordination to Burnside

and other superior officers would one day result in his inferiors failing

to co-operate with him), that Sedgwick had not put his full heart into the

battle, for, important factor in the movement that he was, he started one

day late and allowed 4,000 men at Salem Church to hold back the advance of

his 30,000 men. Had he won this fight, he could have been at

Chancellorsville and turned the tide of battle long before Jackson's

genius had ruined Hooker's army.

The subject of this sketch was the son of Captain and Mrs. Joseph W.

Sener. His father was several times Mayor of this city. Judge Sener

graduated when quite a young man, with the degree of Bachelor of Law, from

the University of Virginia, and was a very successful practitioner for

many years in the courts of this State. He was elected to represent the

first Virginia district in the Congress of the United States several

years after the civil war. After his retirement from Congress he was

appointed by President Hayes Chief Justice of the then Territory of

Wyoming. After performing the duties of this office very acceptably for

several years he returned to Virginia, and again took up the practice of

his profession. Much of his time was spent in Washington where he died. He

was buried in Fredericksburg with Masonic honors, being a very active

member of Lodge No. 4, A. F. and A. M. of this city.

[Sidenote: _Abraham Lincoln's Address_]

When the Federal army first held Fredericksburg, during the winter of

1861, President Lincoln came to stay at Chatham and hold a grand review of

the army of the Potomac. He was accompanied by Wm. H. Seward, Secretary of

State, and Edward Staunton, Secretary of War. On the plateau behind

Chatham there was held a great artillery review. On the following day the

President, accompanied by some of his cabinet officers and the staff

officers of the army, crossed the river on the lower pontoon bridge. They

rode immediately to the provost marshal's headquarters in the building on

the corner of Princess Anne and George Streets, which the National Bank

now occupies. After taking lunch with General Patrick and in response to

the calls of some troops present, President Lincoln from the front steps

made a short but splendid address. The writer of this, sat on the steps of

the St. George's Church, on the opposite side of the street and heard

President Lincoln's speech.

On the Bowling Green road, a mile from town, a stone marked

"Stuart-Pelham" shows about where those two brilliant young men met when

they advanced their guns against the Northern host. In the woods, back of

Fredericksburg, a stone marks General Lee's winter headquarters--where

stood his tents. The spot where Cobb fell is marked, and there is a marker

where the pontoon landed near the foot of Hawk street. The New Jersey

monuments are near Salem Church, General Hays monument (where he was

killed) near Plank road on the Brock road. "Lee to the Rear" one mile west

of Brock on Plank road, Sedgwick's monument near Spotsylvania Court House.

Where Jackson fell, monument two miles west of Chancellorsville on Plank

road.

[Sidenote: _Other Distinguished Visitors_]

In the midst of the war England sent Lord Wolesley, who became the

Commander-in-Chief of the English Army, to serve a short time as Military

Observer with the army of General Lee. He was with General Lee about

Fredericksburg and in his commentaries on him said, "There was about

General Lee an air of fine nobility, which I have never encountered in any

other man I have met." General Wolesley attended a dance here in the house

then called the Alsop house, on Princess Anne Street, now occupied by the

Shepherds.

The Prince of Wales, who afterwards became King Edward the Seventh,

visited Fredericksburg in 1859. The Prince was accompanied by the Duke of

New Castle, Lord Lyons and others of the Royal family. They were welcomed

here in an address by the late Maj. Elliott M. Braxton. The local band

played "God save the Queen" and flowers and bouquets were presented to the

Prince.

Among those who came in time of peace we record the name of one whose fame

is known to all English readers. Thackeray, the great English novelist,

was here, and on taking leave said, "To come to Virginia and mingle with

its people, to learn how they live and see their home life, is to have

England pictured to you again."

Again the father left, and we next hear of the little girl as Madam

Romero, wife of the once Secretary of State of Mexico and then Ambassador

to the United States from Mexico. During the stay of Ambassador Romero at

Washington, this girl of Virginia lineage became the leader of the social

life of the Capitol of our Nation, and one of the most popular women ever

known there.

It was perfectly natural that Chester A. Arthur should be often a visitor

to Fredericksburg for he married Miss Ellen Lewis Herndon, of this city, a

daughter of Captain W. L. Herndon, whose distinguished life has been

touched upon. The home in which President Arthur stopped on his visit is

on Main Street, now occupied by Mrs. R. B. Buffington.

Certainly the greatest orator who ever visited Fredericksburg was Edward

Everett, of Massachusetts, distinguished among literary men of his day. He

came to this city to speak and was entertained in several homes here. He

afterwards spoke all over the Nation in an effort to aid the Mount Vernon

Association to purchase Washington's home.

An English officer Colonel Henderson, whose life of "Stonewall Jackson" is

from a literary and military standpoint the best work of its nature in the

world, came here and stayed for a long period securing data for his book.

He lived during his time here at the Old Eagle Hotel, now the Hotel Maury.

Among our old time merchants was Mr. William Allen. His son married and

lived in many foreign lands. The son's wife died and he returned to visit

his father bringing his beautiful little daughter, a child of ten or

eleven years. The writer recalls her at that time, with her lovely golden

curls.

Another nobleman who came here drawn by the quaintness of the old American

town and his desire to see the home of Washington, was the Count De Paris,

of the French Royal Family.

The Irish poet, Thomas Moore, was here once and declared he would not

leave America until he had been a guest in an old Virginia home.

_Where Beauty Blends_

_Old Gardens, at Old Mansions, Where Bloom Flowers from Long Ago_

Buds and blossoms everywhere! and honey-bees, butterflies and birds! It is

Spring now in the lush meadows and sweeping hills about Fredericksburg.

Flowers, leaves, shrubs and vines have burst forth once more with joy and

life. The wild tangle of beauty and fragrance is everywhere perceptible;

hedges of honeysuckle, whose hidden foundation is the crumbling old stone

wall, trellises heavy with old-time roses, arbors redolent with sweet

grapevine, sturdy oaks and maples, whose branches shelter the clinging

tendrils and the purple wistaria blossoms, borders, gay with old-time

favorites, heliotrope, portulaca, petunias, verbenas and hollyhocks, and

the loved English ivy, with a welcome right of way wherever its fancy

leads.

The characteristic which is conceded to be the chief charm of

Fredericksburg is its historic association and its picturesque past. This

feature alone does not appeal to all who agree that the old town is

charming, but when this is combined with romantic and interesting tales of

the gentry of years agone who have won immortality not only in this

locality, but in this world, the charm is undeniably irresistible to all.

Fredericksburg has many beauty spots which combine these conditions--spots

which are of increasing pride to residents and visitors.

Some of the gardens here are old, very old, antedating by many years the

celebrated formal gardens at Mt. Vernon, but few preserve so well their

pristine form. Though the box-bordered parterres have largely disappeared,

the old-time favorites are here still, the same loved shrubbery "just

grown tall," descended from those set out originally by those of

generations gone. Mazie V. Caruthers has, in a few words, unknowingly

delineated some of the garden spots here:

"Long, brick-paved paths, beside which row on row,

Madonna lilies in their sweetness grow--

Planted by hands to dust turned long ago;

Odors of fern and moss and pine are there--

Wild loveliness of roses everywhere

With pinks and mignonette their fragrance share;

Around the dial, stained by sun and showers

(Whose slender finger marks the passing hours),

Stand purple iris, proudest of the flowers;"

[Sidenote: _Mary Washington's Home_]

At the corner of Charles and Lewis Streets stands the pretty little garden

spot, which, since the year 1775 has been associated with Mary Washington.

The tall and vigorous, pungent and aromatic box-wood trees, planted by her

own hand, seem typical today of the splendid old lady. A small section of

the pathway bordered by the same old shrub, which led to "Betty's" home at

Kenmore, is still here. And here is also the sweet-scented lavender, and

the roses, and near the high board fence on the north, is the sun dial,

that still and silent informant of the passing hours. Washington, Mason,

Jefferson, Marshall, the Lees--a score of the great have trod these shaded

walks.

Not far away are two frame structures. The style of each bears the

unmistakable mark of age, though the date of construction is undetermined.

Both are still private residences, with attractive grounds. From the

continuity of the terraces, it is supposed that in other days only one

spacious and beautiful terraced lawn was here. It is still beautiful with

its carefully kept grassy sward, from which at irregular intervals, spring

the majestic Norway maples, the black walnuts, the apple trees, and

lilacs, the flowering almond, and other climbing and flowering shrubs,

thick with picturesque bird homes, tenanted year after year by possibly

the same line of robin, wren and oriole. In this magnetic atmosphere was

born in 1781, the future governor of Georgia, John Forsythe.

[Illustration: IN KENMORE HALL

_The Remarkable Work About the Mantle and Ceilings Was Done by Hessian

Prisoners, at Washington's Request_]

Can it be that some subtle and indefinable influence lurked in these magic

surroundings, and left an ineffaceable impress for good upon the boy?

[Sidenote: _Old Main Street Homes_]

A delightful old colonial home is the brick structure on the east side of

lower Main Street. It was built in 1764, and its present attractive

appearance attests the quality of material in its construction, and also

the discerning care with which the old home has ever been maintained. In

Revolutionary times it was the residence of Dr. Charles Mortimer, the

loved physician of Mary Washington. From the east window can be seen the

graceful curves of the river, and the Stafford hills and dales still form

a pretty picture in their verdant beauty and symmetry. Within the solid

ivy covered brick wall encircling the premises two of the most magnificent

trees of this section are noted, a Norway fir and a southern magnolia

which, with other ornamental trees and shrubbery, and a charming rose

garden, are such splendidly beautiful color schemes that one is

constrained to linger in the presence of their beauty and age.

Across the street stands another solid brick residence, which, though of a

later period in history, is equally beautiful. It is the one-time home of

Matthew Fontaine Maury, one of America's greatest men. Its architecture,

its interior decoration, its moss-covered, serpentine, brick walk leading

to the old kitchen, and the fascinating flower garden, still radiant with

old-time favorites, attest the age of this old home. Nowhere does the

trumpet vine attain such luxuriant and graceful growth, and many other

varieties of flowering shrubs and vines linger in the sun or throw their

fragrance out on silent nights.

Two other landmarks in the list of charming homes built in bygone

days--the latter part of the 18th century--each with enchanting grounds,

are located one on Hanover, and one on upper Main Street. These are the

old homes of Dr. James Carmichael, and Dr. Robert Welford. Lineal

descendants occupy both of these premises today, and with the same loving

care the bewildering tangles of beauty in leaf, bud, and blossom, which

characterize these alluring old garden spots, with their accompanying

moss-grown brick walks, is continued. The Rappahannock river laves the

east slope of the Welford garden. The picturesque windings of this river,

and its wooded shores, together with glimpses of the ancient and

interesting little village of Falmouth with "the decent Church that tops

the neighboring hill," form a pleasing panorama. At the old Carmichael

home, oak, walnut, apple, and mimosa trees, with a pretty arrangement of

japonica, crepe myrtle, dogwood, lilac, English ivy, and other climbing

and flowering shrubs, combine to make a setting of alluring beauty.

[Sidenote: _Federal, and Hazel, Hill_]

Nearby, and still on Hanover Street, is the old colonial residence known

now as Federal Hill, the one time home of the distinguished attorney,

Thomas Reade Rootes. Its white enamelled wainscoting, panelling, and other

interior decorations; its colonial doorways, dormer windows, and spacious

grounds where old-time favorites, both radiant and redolent are enclosed

within its boxwood hedges and honeysuckle glen, all bear witness to a

carefully preserved and graceful old age. Here too is the sun dial, its

pedestal half concealed by luxuriant tangles.

Beautiful Hazel Hill, with its spreading grounds, the old-time residence

of General John Minor; and the unusually attractive home on Princess Anne

Street, the pre-revolution home of Charles Dick, supposed with every proof

of accuracy to be the oldest house in town; Kenmore, with its storied

frescoes, always associated with Betty Washington, sister of George, where

graceful wood carving was done by Hessian prisoners, is magnificently

beautiful; "the Sentry Box," on lower Main Street, the old home of General

Hugh Mercer, though altered and modernized, has still the same attractive

grounds, and because it was here that the country doctor, who was to be

"General" Hugh Mercer and the tavern keeper who was to be "General" George

Weedon gained the hearts and hands of pretty Isabella and Catherine

Gordon, one infers that this was once the trysting place for many a

gallant cavalier. All these historic spots deserve front rank in the realm

of beautiful and interesting old age.

[Sidenote: _Beautiful Old "Chatham"_]

Among the pleasant places worthy of consideration, from an historic, and

artistic viewpoint, none is more interesting than old Chatham, on Stafford

Heights, directly across the Rappahannock from Fredericksburg. Situated on

an eminence commanding an extended view up and down the picturesque river,

and with glimpses of the church spires, and quaint roof tops of the old

town, gleaming through the splendid shade trees dotting the grounds, it

has stood for almost 200 years, a typical colonial Manor house, with

characteristically beautiful proportions, an example of English material

and English workmanship.

It was built in the year 1728 by that sterling patriot, William Fitzhugh.

"Fitzhugh of Chatham," as he was known, was the descendant of the old

Norman of the same name, progenitor of all of the race of Fitzhugh in

Virginia. He was the intimate friend and classmate of William Pitt, Earl

of Chatham, and the plans for the mansion on his large Virginia estate,

which he named for the earl, are said, with every proof of accuracy, to

have been drawn by Sir Christopher Wrenn.

Writers of long ago tell of the beautiful box-bordered garden at Chatham,

and of the wonderful terraces, built by numberless slaves, "stepping down

to the river like a giant's stairway." These latter still exist in their

beauty, and form one of the chief attractions of the place, which has ever

been famous, and whose most recent owner was the brilliant journalist,

Mark Sullivan, and Mrs. Sullivan, who made their home there until

recently.

William Fitzhugh, Esq., married Ann Bolling Randolph, and their daughter

Mary, who married George Washington Parke Custis, of Arlington, was the

mother of Mary Custis, the wife of General Robert E. Lee. A conversation

between General Lee and Major J. Horace Lacy, (who with his family owned

and occupied Chatham until the War Between the States) is illustrative of

the devotion of both of these men for the old colonial homestead.

[Sidenote: _General Lee Spares Chatham_]

On the day before the battle of Fredericksburg, Major Lacy was at the

headquarters battery of General Lee. By the aid of field glasses he saw

across the river the white porches of his home filled with Federal

officers, and simultaneously there was wafted on the breeze the strains of

"Yankee Doodle" and "Hail Columbia." He requested General Lee to authorize

the fire of the heavy guns, which would have laid Chatham in the dust.

With a sad smile, General Lee refused to do so, and taking his seat on the

trunk of an old tree, he said, "Major, I never permit the unnecessary

effusion of blood. War is terrible enough at best to a Christian man; I

hope yet to see you and your dear family happy in your old home. Do you

know I love Chatham better than any place in the world except Arlington! I

courted and won my dear wife under the shade of those trees."

Space does not permit a recital of the accomplishments of those who

followed Mr. Fitzhugh, of Major Churchill Jones, of William Jones, his

brother, or of Judge John Coalter.

The Lacys returned to Chatham after the war and occupied it until 1872.

The attractive interior with its hand-carved panels and corners is well

worthy of detailed description, particularly the west bedchamber, with its

alluring old fireplace and its high mantel, and is said to have been the

room occupied by George and Martha Washington, who spent a day or two here

during their honeymoon. Not alone have distinguished men of the Revolution

reposed in this room, but John Randolph of Roanoke was also here, and

later General Lee, and still later President Lincoln when he came to

review the Union Army. Clara Barton, to whom suffering humanity owes such

a debt of gratitude, was also here, a day or so previous to the battle of

Fredericksburg, and Washington Irving and other notable men visited Major

Lacy at the old mansion after the war.

[Sidenote: _The Fall Hill Estate_]

The interesting and historic old estate, Fall Hill, which is now the

attractive home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Robinson, commands a view

surpassing almost any near Fredericksburg. The house, built in 1738, is of

the Georgian type of architecture, and its white panelling, its mantel

pieces, and other decorations bear the impress of the care and taste with

which the solid old brick structure was planned. In close proximity to the

Falls Plantation, and the Falls of the Rappahannock river, this homestead

well sustains its reputation as having had an artistic and romantic past,

which is inseparably intertwined with the present.

Situated on a high eminence in Spotsylvania County, about two miles from

Fredericksburg, it commands an entrancing view, for miles, of the

glistening waters of the river, and the hills and dales of the

Rappahannock Valley, with its smiling cornfields, and its cheerful apple

orchards, and of the white pillared porches of Snowden, the charming seat

adjacent.

It is a wonderful panorama. At the Falls are numberless moss-covered,

age-old rocks, over which the waters flash and sparkle in the sunlight,

fresh, soft, green, masses of grassy sward are here, dotted with the

stately poplar, sycamore, and cedar trees; over there the gnarled old oak

spreads its hoary branches, and honey locusts and elms are near, and

climbing honeysuckle everywhere. Under the cedar tree, hollowed out of the

flinty bosom of the big boulder, is Francis Thornton's punch-bowl, with

"1720" and "F. T." engraved on the circle. All of this is close to the

great house at Snowden.

Though not so old, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Baldwin at "Snowden,"

has long passed the century mark, and the substantial brick structure,

with its massive white pillared portico, its wealth of English ivy,

wistaria, and other shrubs, its magnificent shade trees, planted

irregularly on the extensive lawn, its flower garden on the west, in which

peonies, hollyhocks, crepe myrtle, and other gay perennials vie with each

other in glowing color and beauty, all unite to form a lovely spot. Nor

can one forget that here General Lee and his staff, and citizens of

Fredericksburg, sat in the old parlor twice before they decided that

though the Federals carried out their threat to devastate Fredericksburg,

they would not submit to an unjust demand, and for the only time in the

war save at Appomatox and where Jackson died, tears gleamed in General

Lee's eyes as he stepped in boots and gauntlets from "Snowden's" front

porch to mount Traveler on the driveway.

[Sidenote: _"Brompton" and "Mannsfield Hall"_]

The old Marye home, Brompton, on far-famed Marye's Heights, is today a

handsome and imposing brick structure, with its white columned portico,

and its impressive and enticing doorway, so suggestive of good cheer and

hospitality. Each of these spots will appeal to all who see them, and each

will bring back from the rich past a memory of its own.

Mannsfield Hall, a beautiful home below Fredericksburg, owned by Capt. R.

Conroy Vance is part of the original grant by the Virginia Company to

Major Thomas Lawrence Smith in 1671, his duty under the grant being to

keep at the mouth of the Massaponax a troop of 150 sharpshooters and to

erect a fort as protection against Indians. For this he was granted land

two miles north and two miles south of the Massaponax.

The estate was known as Smithfield and the original house was of stone and

two dwellings still standing are now being used. The present house built

in 1805 was added to in 1906, and Smithfield was joined to Mannsfield, one

of the Page family estates. Mann Page in 1749 built the beautiful old

mansion of stone as a replica of the home of his second wife Judith

Tayloe, of Mount Airy, in Richmond County. This house was burned at the

close of the Civil War by accident, by the North Carolina soldiers

returning home.

The Mannsfield Hall estate of today practically marks the right and left

of the contending armies during the battle of Fredericksburg, being

bounded on the south by the old Mine Road to Hamilton's Crossing which is

on the property. It was at Mannsfield that the great Virginia jurist,

Judge Brooke was born, the property being owned by that family until sold

in 1805 to the Pratts.

[Illustration: THE SENTRY BOX

_Below, Where Gen. Mercer Lived. Above, Mansfield Hall, a Splendid Old

Home_]

_Church and School_

_How They Grew in the New World; Pathways to the Light._

In the spring of 1877, during the rectorate of Reverend E. C. Murdaugh at

St. George's Church, questions arose as to certain forms of the Episcopal

ritual. Some of the members of the congregation approving Dr. Murdaugh's

views, believed them to be in perfect accord with the doctrines of the

church, but others felt that the introduction of these debated minor forms

was an innovation and tended towards a High Church ritual. These

discussions were followed by the resignation of Dr. Murdaugh, and his

followers assembled in old Citizen's Hall on the 7th day of August, 1877,

and steps were there taken to organize Trinity Church.

Reverend Dr. Murdaugh was promptly called to the rectorship of the new

church, and Reverend Robert J. McBryde was called from the chaplaincy of

the University of Virginia, to fill the vacancy at St. George's. With the

kindly good fellowship, the tact, and the piety characteristic of his

Scotch ancestry, "he lived in accord with men of all persuasions" both in

the Mother Church and the youthful Trinity.

This congregation first worshiped in the unoccupied Methodist Church on

Hanover Street, but on Christmas Day, 1881, they assembled in their own

attractive edifice, which had just been completed on the corner of Hanover

and Prince Edward Streets. Through the efforts of the Reverend J. Green

Shackelford, (who succeeded Dr. Murdaugh,) and the congregation, the debt

was finally paid, and on February 12, 1890, the church was consecrated by

Rt. Reverend Francis M. Whittle.

One of the prominent characteristics of this congregation has ever been

the energy and perseverance with which they grapple discouraging problems,

and the unfailing and stubborn optimism of its women, out of which is

born that success which almost invariably crowns their oftentimes

unpromising efforts. Reverend John F. W. Feild, the present rector, is a

young man of unusual attainments, and under his able leadership the church

is a vigorous organization. A handsome parish house has been built.