Stranica 96 [96]
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years. He sent back to Jamestown for his slaves, and direct
descendants of these same servants are in the employ of the Eppes
family to this day—a circumstance exceedingly rare in the annals
of any American family.
The first house, which stood nearer the river, was torn down
and the present one built from the materials of the original in 1751.
This second dwelling was set on fire by the British during the
Revolution, but the fire was fortunately put out by faithful slaves.
There is a feeling of home and contentment in the cozy charm of
the quaint, low, rambling frame building, with its dormer windows
and many broad porches. Its latticed columns are hugged by
climbing roses—William Allen Richardson, Douglas, Lady Ashton,
Banksia, Marie Henriette, Dr. Van Fleet and other modern intro¬
ductions which replace the old-time festoons of Virgins’ Bower
(Clematis Virginiana).
The house is pierced with bullet holes, and without doubt a
more lordly mansion of brick and stone would have fallen before
the onslaughts of musket and cannon. During the War Between
the States the place was used as a hospital, and General Grant had
built between sixty and sixty-five cabins as wards for wounded
soldiers. One of these cabins was sold and may be seen in Fair¬
mont Park, Philadelphia. The last of those remaining was torn
down at the time of the World War. An old print of the place as
it was at the time of General Grant’s occupancy may be seen in
the dining-room. There are also cuts in the framework of one
window made for the passages of telegraph wires, and from here
were sent and received messages affecting the movements of the
vast Federal army. Passing from the front around the south side
of the house and over flagstones brought from the site of Sir
Thomas Dale’s settlement at Bermuda Hundred, we come to the
original colonial outhouses with their huge old chimneys—the
kitchen, laundry and quarters.
The original garden was to the south of the house, where is
now the apiary of dozens of hives. Though probably not laid off
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