Richmond and Vicinity 



cherished this spot as a precious playground in their childhood, and 

 later in their youth, as a trysting place of many a happy friendship. 

 Who knows but that here was made many a pledge of troth be- 

 tween happy lovers? 



Tradition says nowhere was hospitality more abundant or more 

 cordially extended. In this home were entertained the Pendletons, 

 Taylors, Prices, Fontaines, and Dabneys, of Hanover County, and 

 later, the Todds, Garnetts, and Fauntleroys, of King and Queen. 



These were the days of romance and beauty in Virginia, 

 when plantation life was happy, luxurious, and artistic. The 

 master, George William Pollard, was a physician and, also, a man 

 of literary ability. His war poetry was especially favored in the 

 days of the Internecine strife, for Willlamsvllle was, at one time, 

 the tenting-ground of the enemy. Generals Grant, Hooker, and 

 Meade took up headquarters In the house, ate in the dining-room, 

 and drove the family to the second floor until the Federal army left 

 the house and the farm. 



One of the sons of Willlamsvllle, Bernard Chlswell Pollard, 

 gave his life to the Confederacy, at Spotsylvania Courthouse. His 

 sister, Ellen, grieved so for her favorite brother, that she became 

 a fierce **rebel." On one occasion a Federal officer tried to get 

 from her some information concerning the movements of the Con- 

 federate troops. She refused with such defiance that he pointed his 

 pistol at her to compel compliance with his order. She replied, 

 "I will die first." This same officer returned next year on a 

 raid and, in passing her front door, lifted his hat. As Miss Pollard 

 did not return the salutation, he remarked, "You do not seem to 

 recognize me." She answered, "I have no acquaintances in the 

 Yankee army." In 1866, this daughter of the Confederacy married 

 Rev. F. B. Converse, editor of The Christian Observer, of Louis- 

 ville. 



The present owner of Willlamsvllle is Harry Todd Pollard, of 

 Louisville, but it is occupied and cultivated by George Wilham 

 Pollard, the second, who has reared there a delightful family of 



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