Stranica 206 [206]
OCR
a ee = SS re Pee UPPER 5 JAMES $a — a menj ee — 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 Flemings 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 Richmond, 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, [125 |]
