Historic Gardens of Virginia 



high as twenty-five thousand, and it is said to have extended for 

 twelve miles along James River. The place name was, as it sounds, 

 borrowed from the Indians, and it may prove interesting to trace 

 its origin. 



Purchas, that observant historian of 1626, states that among 

 edible roots known to the aborigines was one called "Tockawaugh 

 growing like a flagge, of the greatness and taste of a potatoe, 

 which passeth a fiery purgation before they may eate it being 

 poison while it is raw." Botanically, the plant belongs to the 

 arum, or lily, family, and is classified as wake-robin, jack-in-the- 

 pulpit, and Indian turnip. The word Tuckahoe is found in diction- 

 aries, and it was from the great quantity of these plants growing 

 along the streams of the estate that its name was gained. 



But the name is not the only reminder of the Indians, for, on a 

 narrow arm of the little creek, which flows through the plantation, 

 may be found the well-preserved remains of a stone basin used by 

 the red men to pound their corn into meal. 



A distinct character is given to the lawn at Tuckahoe by the 

 many fine old trees that shade it — elm, honey locust, or gleditschia; 

 willow-oak, catalpa, holly and dogwood. Some one has truly said 

 "The man who plants even a single tree does a good work and 

 an unselfish one; he plants for posterity, not for himself; he is 

 laying up a store of perennial beauty for a world yet unborn." 

 This comes vividly before us at the old plantation, and sincere 

 thanks go out from our hearts to the early owners who, from a 

 background of more than two hundred years, have added so much 

 to the joy of present-day life and living. 



At the very heart of the plantation stands the frame house of 

 two wings, double stories and a great hall. It boasts no pretension 

 to grandeur, but has claimed every right for hospitality since its 

 beginning. The date of the building has been placed anywhere 

 from 1674 to 1725, but, judging from the character of the carving 

 upon the interior woodwork, the dwelling should belong to the 

 seventeenth century. 



['14] 



