Stranica 506 [506]
THe ELVEM KEKE TB ELL ÜN
Sa SEE Se eee ———_— = mA
islands, we laid the foundations of two large cities. One at
Shaccoes, to be called ‘Richmond,’ and the other at the point of the
Appomattox, to be called ‘Petersburgh.’ ”’
According to family tradition, Colonel William Byrd III and
Sir Peyton Skipwith were together in Norfolk during a downpour
of rain, which continued steadily for several days. Being congenial
spirits and well supplied with the finest of wines, the two gentlemen
whiled away the time agreeably, drinking and card playing, with
the result that when the skies finally cleared, Sir Peyton had won
from his opponent the deed to Bluestone Castle. In his will, Sir
Peyton makes mention of “that portion of my landed estate known
as ‘Prestwould,’ which I acquired of the Honourable William Byrd
and others."
On a commanding hill overlooking the surrounding country for
miles, stands the massive “‘four-square’’ house of Prestwould, built
of stone quarried on the place by the family slaves, and from whose
river front there is an entrancing view of the Dan and Staunton
rivers at their confluence with the Roanoke. Between the first¬
named rivers lie the three islands, the center one of which,
Occaneeche, was the stronghold of a tribe of Indians of that name,
whom Nathaniel Bacon practically exterminated in a desperate
battle.
Approaching the house from what is termed the land front,
one drives through a roadway between stone walls and leading to
the large wrought-iron gate opening upon the lawn, whose most
noticeable feature—barring the house itself—is the gigantic oak
tree, measuring twenty-seven feet in circumference, which stands
near the northwest corner of the mansion. This tree is said to have
served as a landmark for the Indians, who held powwows and
smoked pipes of peace beneath its shadows nearly two hundred
years ago.
Impressive and inviting as is the mansion—furnished now, as in
Sir Peyton’s day, with probably the handsomest and most complete
collection of original furniture to be found in any home in Vir-.
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