The James River Plantation Belt 



years. He sent back to Jamestown for his slaves, and direct 

 descendants of these same servants are in the employ of the Eppes 

 family to this day — a circumstance exceedingly rare in the annals 

 of any American family. 



The first house, which stood nearer the river, was torn down 

 and the present one built from the materials of the original In 175 1. 

 This second dwelling was set on fire by the British during the 

 Revolution, but the fire was fortunately put out by faithful slaves. 

 There is a feeling of home and contentment In the cozy charm of 

 the quaint, low, rambling frame building, with its dormer windows 

 and many broad porches. Its latticed columns are hugged by 

 climbing roses — William Allen Richardson, Douglas, Lady Ashton, 

 Banksia, Marie Henriette, Dr. Van Fleet and other modern intro- 

 ductions which replace the old-time festoons of Virgins' Bower 

 (Clematis Virginiana). 



The house is pierced with bullet holes, and without doubt a 

 more lordly mansion of brick and stone would have fallen before 

 the onslaughts of musket and cannon. During the War Between 

 the States the place was used as a hospital, and General Grant had 

 built between sixty and sixty-five cabins as wards for wounded 

 soldiers. One of these cabins was sold and may be seen In Fair- 

 mont Park, Philadelphia. The last of those remaining was torn 

 down at the time of the World War. An old print of the place as 

 It was at the time of General Grant's occupancy may be seen In 

 the dining-room. There are also cuts in the framework of one 

 window made for the passages of telegraph wires, and from here 

 were sent and received messages affecting the movements of the 

 vast Federal army. Passing from the front around the south side 

 of the house and over flagstones brought from the site of Sir 

 Thomas Dale's settlement at Bermuda Hundred, we come to the 

 original colonial outhouses with their huge old chimneys — the 

 kitchen, laundry and quarters. 



The original garden was to the south of the house, where is 

 now the apiary of dozens of hives. Though probably not laid off 



[57] 



