Historic Gardens of Virginia 



generations, but no residence was ever on same until the present 

 house was built in 1902. 



The development of the Briarfield Plantation has been very 

 unique. Driveways were cut through the primeval forests to the 

 site of Briarfield House, which stands on a very high hill. This 

 hill, purposely, has never been cleared. In the very early days, 

 some small houses were built by "redemptioners," who figured so 

 largely as a sure source of labor for our ancestors. These were 

 the planters of early colonization — the indentured immigrants who 

 sold their time for passage across the Atlantic to the new world. 

 On either side of Briarfield House wide borders have been planted, 

 care being exercised to obtain the effect of bulbs, shrubs, perennials 

 and vines just coming each season as do the wild flowers. Thus, 

 thousands of flowers of many varieties bloom happily together, 

 creating a delightful departure from the usual formal gardens of 

 lawn and hedges, with designed flower beds. Every effort has 

 been put forth to conserve all wild growth, and one can enjoy here 

 dwarf iris, bluettes, partridge clutch, white and yellow orchids, also 

 trees of "Dogwood," "Sourwood" and "Fringe Tree." From 

 the southwest gallery of Briarfield House a view for sixty miles 

 of the Dan River Valley is a source of endless joy, whether by 

 moonlight, sunlight, or in shade or shadow. The fertile lowgrounds 

 sweep out of sight to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and 

 even when extensive freshets cover miles in width the scene is one 

 of great beauty. The money crop of this plantation is tobacco, and 

 at Briarfield and Chatmoss, together, about a million tobacco plants 

 are usually set out. 



CHATMOSS 



Chatmoss, built in 1850 by Samuel Harden Hairston and his 

 wife, Ailsy, parents of present owner, is six miles from Martins- 

 ville, in Henry County, on the National Highway. 



The twenty-acre lawn has a wonderful collection of native trees. 

 The garden, which is quite large, contains a wealth of dwarf box. 



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