Stranica 124 [124]
OCR
o————— RTeCHMOND: ANDY OViiCPNETIY ge mztöemészits mez mm = —_ — = = SS SS Se —_— street, hardly preparing one for the exquisite beauty of the rear. A large columned porch extended across the entire back of the house, and from this porch marvelous mosaics of beauty were glimpsed through the great trees, whose spreading branches swept the lawn; in the distance the peaceful river, beyond the fields bathed in sunshine. | Like the paternal home, terraces edged with box broke the steep descent to the river, while at the foot of each terrace blossomed the peonies and roses, the columbines, and sweet william. A fernery flourished in a shady corner, and here masses of lily of the valley sent their fragrance out on the summer air. A broad graveled path, bordered on either side by masses of shrubs and evergreens, led down to the summer-house, smothered in roses. Many distinguished men were entertained in this home, notably LaFayette, when he visited Richmond in 1824. Edmund Randolph, aide-de-camp to General Washington, Secretary of State, and Governor of Virginia, was also a frequent caller at this house. It was here, that after visiting his wife’s grave, as was his daily custom, he was stricken with paralysis, though his death did not occur until three years later. It is an interesting coincidence that Edmund Randolph Williams, fifth in descent from Edmund Ran_ dolph, should have married the fifth in descent from Dr. Adams. In later years, this house was much in the public mind, on account of its being the home of Miss Van Lew, a noted Federal spy during the period of the Confederacy. A secret passage way led from the house to the river, and this Miss Van Lew is said to have used in aiding Federal prisoners to escape. Nothing remains of this once lovely home. Down at the very bottom of the grounds we found a few fragments of the old brick wall, which at one time had encircled the entire place. THE CARRINGTON HOUSE Facing Libby Hill, and with an uninterrupted view of the surrounding country, stood the residence of Colonel George Mayo [75]
