The Piedmont Section 



islands, we laid the foundations of two large cities. One at 

 Shaccoes, to be called 'Richmond,' and the other at the point of the 

 Appomattox, to be called 'Petersburgh.' " 



According to family tradition, Colonel William Byrd III and 

 Sir Peyton Skipwith were together In Norfolk, during a downpour 

 of rain, which continued steadily for several days. Being congenial 

 spirits and well supplied with the finest of wines, the two gentlemen 

 whiled away the time agreeably, drinking and card playing, with 

 the result that when the skies finally cleared. Sir Peyton had won 

 from his opponent the deed to Bluestone Castle. In his will. Sir 

 Peyton makes mention of "that portion of my landed estate known 

 as 'Prestwould,' which I acquired of the Honourable William Byrd 

 and others," 



On a commanding hill overlooking the surrounding country for 

 miles, stands the massive "four-square" house of Prestwould, built 

 of stone quarried on the place by the family slaves, and from whose 

 river front there is an entrancing view of the Dan and Staunton 

 rivers at their confluence with the Roanoke. Between the first- 

 named rivers lie the three islands, the center one of which, 

 Occaneeche, was the stronghold of a tribe of Indians of that name, 

 whom Nathaniel Bacon practically exterminated in a desperate 

 battle. 



Approaching the house from what is termed the land front, 

 one drives through a roadway between stone walls and leading to 

 the large wrought-iron gate opening upon the lawn, whose most 

 noticeable feature — ^barring the house itself — Is the gigantic oak 

 tree, measuring twenty-seven feet in circumference, which stands 

 near the northwest corner of the mansion. This tree Is said to have 

 served as a landmark for the Indians, who held powwows and 

 smoked pipes of peace beneath its shadows nearly two hundred 

 years ago. 



Impressive and inviting as is the mansion — furnished now, as In 

 Sir Peyton's day, with probably the handsomest and most complete 

 collection of original furniture to be found in any home in Vir-. 



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