Stranica 187 [187]
OCR
Historic GARDENS OF VIRGINIA high as twenty-five thousand, and it is said to have extended for twelve miles along James River. [he place name was, as it sounds, borrowed from the Indians, and it may prove interesting to trace its Origin. Purchas, that observant historian of 1626, states that among edible roots known to the aborigines was one called ‘Tockawaugh growing like a flagge, of the greatness and taste of a potatoe, which passeth a flery purgation before they may eate it being poison while it is raw.’ Botanically, the plant belongs to the arum, or lily, family, and is classified as wake-robin, jack-in-thepulpit, and Indian turnip. The word Tuckahoe is found in dictionaries, and it was from the great quantity of these plants growing along the streams of the estate that its name was gained. But the name is not the only reminder of the Indians, for, on a narrow arm of the little creek, which flows through the plantation, may be found the well-preserved remains of a stone basin used by the red men to pound their corn into meal. A distinct character is given to the lawn at Tuckahoe by the many fine old trees that shade it—elm, honey locust, or gleditschia; willow-oak, catalpa, holly and dogwood. Some one has truly said "The man who plants even a single tree does a good work and an unselfish one; he plants for posterity, not for himself; he 1s laying up a store of perennial beauty for a world yet unborn.” This comes vividly before us at the old plantation, and sincere thanks go out from our hearts to the early owners who, from a background of more than two hundred years, have added so much to the joy of present-day life and living. | | At the very heart of the plantation stands the frame house of two wings, double stories and a great hall. It boasts no pretension to grandeur, but has claimed every right for hospitality since its beginning. The date of the building has been placed anywhere from 1674 to 1725, but, judging from the character of the carving upon the interior woodwork, the dwelling should belong to the seventeenth century. [114]
