First Families of Virginia 33 



FAMOUS IMPORTED MARES 



Among the famous mares imported into Virginia before 

 the Revolution besides Blossom and Jenny Dismal 

 were: 



MARY GRAY, by Roundhead, imported 1746; owned 

 by Carter Braxton. She produced seven filly foals by 

 Jolly Roger. Through her daughters she gave the Flying 

 Childers' blood to innumerable descendants and became 

 the most celebrated brood mare in America. 



KITTY FISHER, by Cade. Imported by Carter Braxton. 



JENNY CAMERON, by a son of old Fox, and her daughter, 

 Blazella, by Blaze. 



Besides mares mentioned elsewhere that were imported 

 into Virginia after the Revolution, were these imported 

 by Col. John Tayloe, of Mt. Airy: 



ANVILINA, foaled 1794, by Anvil, son of Herod, out of 

 O' Kelly's famous Augusta, by Eclipse. Presented by 



bulkiness, The Turf Register in 1830-31 reprinted from The American 

 Farmer a table showing the height of 134 of the most celebrated 

 horses in England prior to the Revolution. Only one of the 134 

 was as high as 16 hands. Of the remaining 133 only one was as 

 high as 15.3, five 15.2, twelve 15 hands. Twenty-nine were under 

 14 hands. Among others: Babraham was 16 hands, Blaze 15, Cade 

 15, Dormouse 14.02^, Fox 13. 03^, Gower Stallion 15.1, Jigg 14.0^, 

 Second 14.02^, Tartar 14.3!, Marske 14.02^, Pacolet 13.35. Old 

 Cartouch, by the Bald Galloway, was not over 14 hands, "yet no 

 horse in the kingdom was able to run with him at any weights from 

 eight to twelve stone." Neither Flying Childers nor Eclipse con- 

 formed to the standards for symmetry but "the mechanism of 

 Eclipse's frame was almost perfect. The velocity of his gallop could 

 only result from the harmonious combination in the organs of pro- 

 gression." In Flying Childers "the strength of loin and general 

 compactness of form, upwards, doubtless supported his extraordi- 

 nary reach and enabled him to make those wonderful springs recorded 

 of him." 



