Oldal 96 [96]
OCR
AZA ERE (AMES: RIV BR, PUWANTATION.. BELT — —- e mee een ese mait = — = = —— 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 introductions 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 Fairmont 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 [57]
