AUDUBON 



43 



imposing entrance are seen for some distance before enter- 

 ing the avenue which leads to the front of the mansion. 

 Like Mill Grove it stands on a natural terrace, and has an 

 extensive outlook over the Schuylkill and Valley Forge. 

 This house was built by James Vaux in 1760. He was a 

 member of the Society of Friends and an Englishman, but 

 in sympathy with the colonists. One end of Sullivan's 

 Bridge was not far from the house ; the spot where it once 

 stood is now marked by the remains of a red-sandstone 

 monument.^ Washington spent a night in the mansion 

 house with Mr. Vaux, and left only twelve hours in 

 advance of the arrival of Howe, who lodged there the 

 followmg night.^ The old walled garden still remains, and 

 the stable with accommodation for many horses. A little 

 withdrawn from all these and on the edge of a wood are 

 " the graves of a household," not neglected, as is so often 

 the case, but preserved and cared for by those who own 

 Fatland Farm^ as well as Mill Grove. 



Dear as Mill Grove was to Audubon, he left it with his 

 young bride the day following their wedding, which took 

 place at Fatland Ford on April 8, 1808, and departed 

 for Louisville, Ky., where he and Rozier, his part^ser, had 

 previously done some business. Though they had both lost 

 money they liked the place, which reason seemed quite suffi- 

 cient to decide them to return and lose more money, as 

 they promptly did. They remained at Louisville till 18 10, 



^ " I have often seen the red-sandstone monument placed to mark the 

 terminal of the Sullivan Bridge on our side of the river, but the curiosity 

 hunters have so marred it that only ' livans' and part of the date remain." 

 (Extract from letter of Mr. W. H. Wetherill, Aug. 12, 1893.) 



"^ This statement is from the " Pennsylvania Magazine of History and 

 Biography," vol. xiv.. No. 2, page 218, Ju'iy, 1890. 



8 " Under the will of Col. Jno. Macor.ib Wetherill, late owner of Fatland 

 Farm, 40 feet square were deeded out of the farm, and placed in trust, and 

 Jicoo trusteed to keep the grove aid lot in order. A granite curb and 

 heavy iron rail surround this plot; Col. Wetherill was buried there and his 

 remains lie with those of your ancestors." (Extract from letter of W. H. 

 Wetherill, May 10, 1897.) 



