Historic Gardens of Virginia 



called Shacco Will, living about 7 miles off who reckoned himself 

 78 years Old. This fellow pretended he could conduct us to a 

 Silver Mine, that lies either upon Eno River or a Creek of it, 

 not far from where the Tuscaruros once lived. But by some Cir- 

 cumstances in his Story, it seems to be rather a Lead than a Silver 

 Mine. However such as it is he promised to go and shew it to me 

 whenever I pleased. To comfort his heart I gave him a Bottle of 

 Rum with which he made himself very happy." 



Prior to the Revolution the estate, which up to this time had 

 been known only as Falling Creek, became the property of Archi- 

 bald Cary, who changed the name to Ampthill, and for the third 

 time the iron works were put in operation. Though Colonel Cary 

 abandoned the old forge and used its pond for a grist mill, he built 

 new works on the original spot in 1760. 



Known as "Old Iron," Colonel Cary was chairman of the Vir- 

 ginia Committee which drafted the first Declaration of Rights and 

 State Constitution in 1776, so it was not surprising that his iron 

 works were destroyed by Tarleton during the Revolution. The 

 square brick structure, now faded to a warm old rose, which was 

 built by him, has four rooms on each floor, with a long hall cutting 

 between. Distinction is found in the heavy paneling and interior 

 carving; in the inside blinds, and the gracefully designed windows 

 with deeply embrasured seats. 



Flanking the dwelling, about sixty feet to the west, is a smaller 

 building of one story and a half, built also of brick laid in Flemish 

 bond. This was the colonial kitchen, its massive iron crane and 

 ample fireplace giving testimony of the lavish food once prepared 

 there. 



Balancing the kitchen upon the east, a similar building stands. 

 But this house is paneled from the floor to its conical ceiling and 

 was used as a formal ballroom. Though now bare and cheerless — 

 even forbidding — its rich oak walls have responded to the tune of 

 harpsichord and flute, as they reflected against their polished sides 

 the frills of the dancers of the colonial minuet. 



[66] 



