Stranica 506 [506]
OCR
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 firstnamed 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-. [309 |
