Historic Gardens of Virginia 



large arbors covered with Cherokee roses. From the end of this 

 walk, two rows of white and purple fig bushes extended. Some of 

 these still remain, along with the old boxwood trees; with numbers 

 of yellow tea and moss roses, whose bushes are known to be a 

 hundred years old. The moisture of the atmosphere probably ac- 

 counts for the longevity of these old roses. 



Under the boxwood trees the periwinkle Is still profuse. The 

 yellow jessamine, the crepe myrtle, rose of Sharon, lily of the valley 

 and jonquils still thrive as the daisies of the field. The smoke 

 trees and flowering almond have gone, but the old Scuppernong 

 grape arbor has been restored. 



At the death of John Patterson, Poplar Grove passed to his 

 daughter, who married Christopher Tompkins, the father of Miss 

 Sally Tompkins, the beloved little "captain" of the Confederacy, 

 who lived here until she was sixteen. 



Captain Sally Tompkins, during the War Between the States, 

 devoted herself and her fortune to the care of sick and wounded 

 Confederate soldiers in Richmond. Appreciating the value and 

 earnestness of her work, and realizing the necessity for as much 

 freedom as it was possible to have, General Lee gave her a com- 

 mission with the rank of Captain, C. S. A. It was through her 

 influence that Christ Church, in Kingston Parish, was established. 

 In its yard she now lies buried in the same grave with her sister, 

 preferring this to the family burying ground at Poplar Grove. 

 The latter is surrounded by a high brick wall, sheltered by four 

 giant pines. These old trees tower so high above the rest of the 

 landscape that sailors out in the bay use them as a landmark. 



A winding lane of half a mile, with cedar and locust trees on 

 either side, leads from the public road to the house. The poplar 

 trees which were the glory of the lawn, and which gave the estate 

 its name, have long since gone, hot they have been succeeded by 

 elms and maples, lindens and walnut trees. 



The place passed from the Tompkins' to the family of John 

 Tabb, who sold it to Christopher Brown. At the death of the 



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