Oldal 206 [206]
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wild cherry, very handsome holly trees and formerly (before their
destruction by lightning) two magnificent spruces.
To the east of the house is the garden. In its far corner a giant
elm rears its stately head and near by were laid the remains of
Tarlton Fleming, the first owner. As years passed by, the Flem¬
ings built a larger house more centrally situated to their possessions
and disposed of the Rock Castle portion. It was at this time that
Mrs. Fleming, accompanied by some faithful slaves, drove down at
night and had the body of her husband removed to an enclosed
burying ground at Mannsville, their new home. Colonel David
Bullock, whose handsome house and grounds are now the site of
the Commonwealth Club of Richmond, was the next owner of
Rock Castle, and used it as a fishing and shooting box. In spring
and autumn many of Virginia’s notables were his guests. After the
death of Colonel Bullock the place changed hands several times,
the Binfords of Richmond holding it longest and then, in the
forties, it was purchased by Governor John Rutherfoord, familiarly
known as “Colonel John,” as a summer home. His only son, John
Coles Rutherfoord, was so delighted with it that, deserting Rich¬
mond, the place of his birth, he made Rock Castle his permanent
home and added a new front to the dwelling. He had traveled
extensively in Europe and was a keen observer of architecture and
of landscape gardening. The latter had not at that time been
much cultivated in Virginia and it was under his supervision that
the Rock Castle garden was laid out and many trees and shrubs
planted in the grounds.
The garden was very large, with squares for vegetables divided
by broad walks, and every sort of small fruit, of berries, of herbs
and spices that could be grown in our climate were planted, as well
as flowers. As you entered under an arbor covered with roses,
honeysuckle and star jessamine, a broad walk opened before you,
bordered on either hand with blooming shrubs and flowers. Inside
of the old-fashioned white picket fence, and extending on either
hand, were other broad walks with borders of shrubs and flowers,
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