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diff --git a/old/53830-0.txt b/old/53830-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 196abf4..0000000 --- a/old/53830-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2998 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Natchez, Symbol of the Old South, by Nola Nance Oliver - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Natchez, Symbol of the Old South - -Author: Nola Nance Oliver - -Release Date: December 30, 2016 [EBook #53830] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATCHEZ, SYMBOL OF THE OLD SOUTH *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, MFR and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - [Illustration: THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI FROM THE BLUFFS OF NATCHEZ] - - [Illustration: THE GATES OF DUNLEITH] - - [Illustration: Natchez, Symbol of the Old South] - - - - - NOLA NANCE OLIVER - - - - - _Natchez_ - SYMBOL OF THE OLD SOUTH - - - HASTINGS HOUSE · PUBLISHERS · NEW YORK - - [Illustration: MONTEIGNE—Stairhall] - - - This book is dedicated to Louise and Mary. - - _Copyright, 1940, by Nola Nance Oliver. Printed in the U. S. A._ - - - - - _Foreword_ - - -Natchez derives its name from the sun-worshiping Indian tribe, the -Natchez, who were the original owners of the area on which the city is -located. It is situated in Adams county, in the southwestern part of the -state of Mississippi, on bluffs 200 feet high overlooking the -Mississippi River, and is midway between Memphis and New Orleans. It is -accessible by railway, steamboat, motor highway and airway. It is -particularly proud of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a modern concrete road -over an old Indian trace or trail from Nashville to Natchez. This -highway is a link in one of the most important commercial and historic -highways in the United States reaching from Washington, D. C., to -Mexico. - -Today Natchez is a recognized center of interest because in the city and -its vicinity there are a greater number of original ante-bellum mansions -than in any other community in America—some 75 or more. - -Natchez is the second oldest town in the United States, being next in -age to St. Augustine, Florida. It has lived under five different flags, -each of which contributed romantic flavor to the section. From 1714 to -1763 it was under the flag of France; from 1764 to 1780 under the flag -of England; and from 1780 to 1798 under the flag of Spain. In 1798 the -first United States flag in the Lower Mississippi Valley was raised in -Natchez. Years after the raising of the “stars and stripes”, another -flag which some call “the conquered banner”, the beloved flag of the -Confederate States of America, floated over Natchez, 1861-’65. - -Natchez “Under the Hill” applies to that part of the town along the -water front and under the bluffs. It flourished during the heyday of -steamboating on the Mississippi. The inroads of the river have washed -away the streets, and only a few buildings remain. One very interesting -home, “Magnolia Vale”, has been preserved and is presented in this book. - -The majority of these old homes contain original pieces of furniture, -china, coin silver service, draperies, carpets, wall decorations of -exquisite workmanship, huge mirrors in massive goldleaf frames, -paintings bearing authentic signatures of great masters, and hand-carved -marble mantels. Laces, silks, and rich costumes are displayed today by -third, fourth and fifth generations. - -It seems hardly possible that the world could move on and leave one -small community undisturbed in its ancient grandeur. The hand of destiny -seems indeed to uphold and enshrine this hallowed region. The estates -have descended from generation to generation, many of them today being -owned and occupied by descendants of the original owners. - -Natchezians have been entirely satisfied, even proud, to be termed -“provincial”. A sense of inherent aristocracy has given these people a -secure and placid self-sufficiency which neither time nor stress of -outside conditions nor the frettings of progress can jar or mar. - -Within the past ten years tourists have come. They clamored for -entertainment. And now, maintaining the established reputation for -“hospitality of the true South”, each Spring season Natchez opens wide -her gates and invites the world to come “where the Old South still -lives”. - -The “company dress” of great-grandparents, which has been sacredly -stored away for scores of years, is brought out, and overnight the whole -town, in manners and dress, returns to those halcyon days of long ago. -The streets are filled with young and old in ante-bellum costumes. Sweet -olive trees and magnolia trees are in fragrant bloom, flower gardens are -fresh and inviting, moss-draped oaks ring with the song of native birds, -the old homes are opened, treasures are placed on view, and visitors are -given a Southland welcome. The “Pilgrimage” is on! - -In addition to guided tours through ante-bellum houses special -entertainments are planned for each evening. Confederate balls, -historical pageants, and many other colorful events of the past are -re-enacted. Spirituals are sung in old-fashioned Negro churches where -the “pahson” is eager to greet “our white friends”. On spacious -plantation grounds an old-time Southern barbecue prepared by black -mammies will be served. - -A custom which has long prevailed in Natchez is the placing of coins in -a box for old darky beggars. On Saturdays every merchant observes “Penny -Day”, as it is called. It originated as a time saver, the box being -placed in a convenient location to avoid interruption of the store’s -business. There are many regular “customers” for this feature and they -are always welcome. “Penny Day” is a thoughtful, good-natured gesture to -the needy Negro from his “white folks”. - -Pictures of the old homes with accurate data and intimate stories and -legends constitute _Natchez, Symbol of the Old South_. Most of the -photographs are by Earl Norman. - -A fascinating visit is given you by one who knows and loves the -Southland. You will be delighted and enriched. - - [Illustration: Uncle Wash, a Regular Customer on Penny Day] - - - - - _The Natchez Tribe_ - - -A bronze plaque of a handsome Indian chief has been erected in a granite -wall overlooking the great “Father of Waters”, in memory of the Natchez -Indian tribe from which the city of Natchez derives its name. - -The Natchez Indians were of Aztec origin and were in possession of the -Natchez country when the French came in 1700. They were sun-worshiping -Indians, and their great chief proclaimed himself “brother to the Sun”. - -White Apple village, ten miles south of Natchez, was headquarters of the -Natchez tribe. They resented the invasion of the French explorers into -their country, and because of an insult (real or fancied) to their Chief -by a French Commandant, on November 28, 1729, the Indians slaughtered -the entire French settlement at Fort Rosalie. Later a French colony, -with the assistance of the Choctaws, a warring Indian tribe, annihilated -every member of the Natchez tribe. - -Undoubtedly this was the country of the Natchez tribe, and the beautiful -plaque is a deserved reminder of the days when the land was one hundred -per cent American. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: ON NATCHEZ TRACE] - - - - - _Natchez Trace_ - - -Opportunity for easy travel, over trails that were once Indian foot -paths, is offered now to motorists on perfect concrete highways. Modern -roads, which slowly evolved from dirt roads to paved highways, stretch -from Nashville, Tennessee, in a continuous smooth concrete ribbon to -Natchez, on the great Mississippi River. - -Days when the beauty of the Southland could be viewed only from a -steamboat deck; days when transportation of passenger and freight could -be handled only by oxcart or slow stage coach or horse and buggy (a -three-weeks journey from Nashville to Natchez) are gone forever, and -soon the Deep South will be directly connected by a day’s pleasant -journey with all the cities and towns along the Natchez Trace. - -By treaty with Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian tribes the United States -Government in 1801 secured a permit to open the Natchez Trace as a wagon -road over which the mails could travel. - -That same trail or “trace” from Nashville to Natchez is 500 miles of -consecutive beauty spots along continuous acres of parkways and historic -highways. - -Mrs. Roan Fleming Byrnes, serving as President of the Natchez Trace -Highway Committee, in a recent publication says: - - “The ancient trail was traveled by most of the well-known figures in - the history of our country: Jefferson Davis; Peggy and Lorenzo Dow, - the revivalists; the fast riding John Morgan; the famous Audubon. - Lafayette rode over the Trace during his visit to the Natchez country; - Aaron Burr was given his preliminary trial for treason under two - liveoaks just beside the Trace; Meriwether Lewis died at an inn on the - Trace when returning from his Western explorations. - - “The life of Andrew Jackson is closely interwoven with the windings of - the Natchez Trace. At Springfield plantation, in Jefferson county, - Mississippi, Jackson was married to Rachael Robards; and, near - Nashville, Tennessee, is the ‘Hermitage’, the home he built for - Rachael. - - “It was when marching his rejected Tennessee militia homeward over the - Trace from Natchez to Nashville in 1813 that Jackson acquired his - famous nickname, ‘Old Hickory’.” - -The unusual beauty of the deep cut roadways, worn down by travel -throughout the years, and the overlapping, moss-draped trees, will be -preserved as far as possible. - -Many of these old roads running into Natchez lead through deep, -tunnel-like ways whose sides are sheer walls ten to eighty feet high and -draped with long fronds of overhanging Spanish moss. - -These roadways of tunnels and curves are weird and beautiful, affording -an irresistible attraction for all travelers. - - - - - _Airlie_ - - -Built prior to 1790, “Airlie” is a rambling, wide-spread building of -cottage type, on a rolling elevation at the end of Myrtle street. It -attracts attention through its unusual simplicity of exterior. Its -architecture is entirely different from other ante-bellum homes in the -community. - -This great departure from the usual style is due to the age of Airlie. -Its original building date is ahead of all the available history of -Natchez. - -Additions have been made, from time to time, until today Airlie stands -twelve rooms broad, reaching a row of venerable cedars with their -swaying moss which sweeps the eaves of this old home of the Ayres P. -Merrill family. - -The central portion is built on old Spanish style, with beams and -timbers held together by wooden pegs; later additions show that these -were made by somewhat improved methods. - -Airlie is often referred to as “the old Buckner home”. It was occupied -by the Buckner family at the time of its first recorded history and -during the War Between the States when conflicts at Airlie left blood -stains on its floors and walls which are clearly visible today. - -This house was for a time used as a hospital for Northern soldiers. - -When Airlie passed from the Buckner family it became the property of -another family of distinction, that of Ayres P. Merrill, whose -descendants occupy Airlie today, with its treasure of rosewood and -mahogany antiques. - - [Illustration: Airlie] - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -The present Merrill family are the proud possessors of hundreds of -pieces of Du Barry and other imported china from France and Belgium, as -well as a silver service of rare design and sacred antiquity which might -well excite the envy of Royalty itself. - -There are many persons who believe Airlie was the first residence built -in the Natchez territory. No definite date in authentic records can be -found. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - - - - _Arlington_ - - - [Illustration: Arlington] - -Where Natchez’ Main street ends, the great wide gates of Arlington open. -Live oaks with pendant gray moss line the driveway, which winds through -beds of vari-colored irises to one of the most distinctively attractive -ante-bellum homes in the South. - -Of Southern Colonial type, constructed of red brick with stately white -Tuscan columns supporting the upper story gallery, Arlington today, more -than a century old, presents a magnificent appearance. - -The great carved entrance door leading to the spacious hall is crowned -with intricately wrought fanlights, and the broad veranda is approached -by wide steps of concrete. - -Arlington was built for Mrs. Jane White, eldest daughter of Pierre -Surget, who came from France in the early days of Natchez. The house was -completed about 1820 but on the very first night of her residence in the -home of her heart’s desire Mrs. White passed away suddenly. Many tales -have been told of a mysterious death but none has been verified. At her -death Mrs. White left Arlington and all its treasures to her sister, -Mrs. Bingaman. - - [Illustration: HALL] - - [Illustration: IMPOSING COLUMNED DOORWAY LEADING FROM HALL] - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -Five generations of the Pierre Surget family occupied Arlington. Each in -turn contributed to its wealth of rare treasures. The original furniture -was imported from France. - -Across the broad hallway which is hung with rare paintings by old-world -masters such as Vernet, Baroccio, Carlo Dolci, and Coccanari, is the -Music Room which contains a spinet more than three hundred years old. -There are family portraits in this room—some of musicians in the -family—by such renowned artists as Sully, Audubon, Albani, Fidanza, and -Maratti. - -The Library holds some five thousand books. - -Mrs. Hubert Barnum, the present owner of Arlington, comes from a long -line of Natchez aristocracy. Arlington was given her as a wedding gift -from her husband, who recently passed away. Mrs. Barnum while keeping -the home atmosphere of Arlington has made it, also, a veritable private -museum, rich in beauty, in rare books, and antiques. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - - - - _Auburn_ - - -Built in 1812, a full century and a quarter ago, by Dr. Stephen Duncan, -“Auburn” mansion is noted today as in bygone historic days for its -architectural beauty and the natural beauty of its surrounding acres. - -Auburn is a magnificent red brick structure with great white columns -supporting its broad front galleries. The bricks were made on the -premises by slave labor. On the first floor are spacious drawing rooms, -a large dining room, a family dining room, library, smoking room, and -two hallways. Above stairs are six huge bedrooms with high ceilings. - -In the rear of the main mansion is a two-storied brick kitchen which is -connected with the main building by a flagged patio. The servants’ -quarters are above with the kitchen and pantries on the ground floor. -The kitchen has the giant fireplace with cranes and pots and the -old-time “spit” where meats were roasted. - -Entrance to Auburn is through a classic doorway which has been aptly -called “an architect’s dream of beauty”. - - [Illustration: Classic Entrance Doorway] - - [Illustration: Grand Hallway] - -Inside the house there is a majestic spiral stairway rising to the grand -high hallway, without support except at its base. This amazing feature -intrigues the imagination. - -In early days Auburn entertained many celebrities, among them Henry -Clay, Edward Everett Hale, and John Howard Payne. The same gracious -hospitality maintains today. - -Auburn is the property of the city of Natchez by deed of gift from -Stephen Duncan, and is used as the deed stipulates for the “amusement, -entertainment, and recreation, without cost or monetary consideration, -of Natchez citizens”. It is the handsome headquarters of several -distinguished local clubs. - -The women’s clubs of Natchez have undertaken the task of furnishing the -lower floor with valuable antiques of the period of its original -furnishings. - -The acreage surrounding it is known as Duncan Park in compliment to the -Duncan family who gave it to the city. It contains huge, aged, -moss-draped oaks, alluring sweet olive trees, famous magnolias, -shrubbery and vines, old-fashioned gardens, a golf course, and -playground with swings and merry-go-rounds used every day in the year -for the health and frolic of children. - - [Illustration: The Unsupported Spiral Stairway Rises to the Grand - Hallway.] - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: Old Milk House. Slaves pumped cool cistern water into - long zinc vats providing Auburn’s cooling system for its crocks of - milk.] - - [Illustration: Food prepared in the kitchen below the servants’ - quarters was carried in hot urns to dining rooms by servants stationed - along “the ways”.] - - - - - _Belmont_ - - - [Illustration: Belmont] - -Sturdy as the Rock of Gibraltar stands this imposing Neo-Greek mansion. -It was known originally as “Cleremont”, and was built in the early 40’s -by one Loxley Thistle. - -Storm and strife have beaten against the doors of this stronghold but it -was built after a disastrous tornado which put a great fear in the minds -of builders of that period, and Belmont (as it was renamed) was -constructed to resist fierce storms, although at the same time exquisite -lines of beauty were maintained. - -This place with its thirty acres of land has changed hands oftener than -any ante-bellum home in Natchez. Its history is broken and uncertain. It -was undoubtedly built by imported craftsmen who had the help of local -carpenters and slave labor. - -Many prominent families of Natchez are identified with Belmont at some -period in its history. Within its fort-like walls Natchez elite often -sipped rare old wine from its private sub-cellar in frequent -celebrations. - -Belmont has its ghost story of whispering souls wandering through the -high-ceilinged halls—ghosts created to scare the slaves, and “whispers” -which proved to be the swishing of chimney swallows rushing in and out -of their nests. - -The approach to Belmont is a majestic line of moss-draped cedars and -giant oak trees standing sentinel-like over the gardens of days long -passed. - -Louis Fry, present owner, plans the complete restoration of Belmont. It -may soon ring with echoes of happier days. - - - - - _Belvidere_ - - -On Homochitto street, in the shadow of magnificent “Dunleith”, is a -simple white cottage, “Belvidere”, which for generations has been the -home of the Henderson family. - -Originally Belvidere was the center of a fourteen acre tract of wooded -land which was the property of Christopher Miller, who was secretary to -the Spanish Governor of Natchez, Gayoso de Lemos. The Hendersons are -descendants of Christopher Miller. - -Simple and unostentatious this small cottage stands with her very toes, -as it were, on the street where once broad acreage spread. These acres -gave space in later years for a public school and a paved highway. - -Belvidere is more than 100 years old, and has been for more than a -century owned and occupied by one family. - -It is simply furnished, and much of it is the original furniture, more -than 100 years old. Two pictures of special interest adorn the walls, -silhouettes of Samuel Brooks and his wife—“the first Mayor of Natchez -and his Lady”. These pictures were made in 1753. - -Rare Venetian glass and china and many exquisite pieces of porcelain are -found in Belvidere. - -The property is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Florence Henderson Kelly -and her son and daughter, Thomas G. and Ellen N. - - [Illustration: Belvidere] - - - - - _Brandon Hall_ - - - [Illustration: Brandon Hall] - -This old home is not in the immediate Natchez area but its owner and his -descendants are so closely allied with all that is Natchez that Brandon -Hall is rightfully considered a Natchez asset and is included in its -list of ante-bellum homes. - -Gerard Brandon of Ireland came to Natchez prior to the Revolutionary -War, and more than a century ago “Selma Plantation”, from whose acres -came the grounds of Brandon Hall, was built by him. Mr. Brandon was a -successful farmer and was one of the original pecan growers in the -county. He came to Natchez from South Carolina. - -Brandon Hall was built by Gerard Brandon the Third in 1856, and stands -today a splendid monument to a grand old family. It is sturdily -constructed. Its timbers are secured with thumb screws and wooden pegs. - - - - - _Cherry Grove_ - - - [Illustration: Cherry Grove] - -Built of primeval timbers, cut and hewn by slaves on the place, the old -home at Cherry Grove plantation “sits tight” secured by dependable -wooden pegs. It was built in 1788 when time and expense of labor were of -little consideration, and nails and modern building equipment were not -available. - -Pierre Surget of La Rochelle, France, built this Spanish style house, on -a Spanish land grant, for his wife, Katherine d’Hubert, and from this -couple have come some of Natchez’ most prominent families. - -Mr. Surget was a seaman for many years before coming to the Natchez -country, and Cherry Grove was built with the sturdiness of a seaworthy -vessel. - -The home has never passed out of the Surget family. Its present owner, -Mrs. Carlotta Surget McKittrick, now possesses the original Spanish land -grant made to Pierre Surget in the 1700’s. - -In a small cemetery within sight of the old home, enclosed by an -imported iron fence, lie the bodies of Pierre Surget and his wife, -Katherine. - -Descendants of the Surget slaves remain in the “quarters” to look after -the place, and to plant and gather cotton from its vast acres. - -The house is unoccupied. Much of the original furnishing remains intact, -and a Surget heir is today sole owner of the quaint old dwelling of her -illustrious forbears. - - - - - _The Briers_ - - - [Illustration: Varina Howell and Jefferson Davis Were Married in This - Room.] - - [Illustration: The Briers] - -Could Jefferson Davis and his beloved wife, Varina, return to The Briers -today they would be pleased to find it in a perfect state of -preservation. - -“The Briers”, a typical story-and-a-half country home, was given to -Louise Kemp at the time of her marriage to William Burr Howell, who was -a cousin of Aaron Burr. And here Varina Howell was born May 7, 1826. -This home was the scene of Varina’s marriage to Jefferson Davis on -February 12, 1845. Mr. Davis later became “President of the -Confederacy”. - -The house is situated on a knoll overlooking the Mississippi river, with -a view of the cotton lands of Louisiana. The view of the Mississippi -shown in the end papers was taken from the lawn of this house. It stands -in the center of a forest of oak, pine, and pecan trees, and can be -reached by only one narrow winding roadway, through deep woods, around -bayous and ravines, hanging heavy with bushes and brambles. The house is -quite similar to the Virginia type of country home. - -When the present owner, Mrs. W. W. Wall, purchased The Briers a few -years ago, it was in a sad state of dilapidation. By great and loving -labor, and generous expenditure of money and time, The Briers today is -in perfect condition. It is now a charming credit to Natchez and to the -memory of Jefferson Davis and his wife, Varina. - -The early architectural lines have been followed and materials similar -to the original ones have been used. The broad veranda across the entire -front, with many small wooden pillars and hand-turned spindle -bannisters, the wide entrance steps, the quaint old dormer windows with -their 12-pane sashes and heavy green blinds, form the perfect picture of -the original plantation home of the Howells and Jefferson Davis. - -The simplicity of the floor plan is pleasing. The furniture includes -many reproductions of rare original pieces. There is a restful, sacred -serenity in The Briers worthy of its illustrious original owners. - -For the pleasure of visitors from the outside world, the present -mistress keeps open house throughout the year, and hundreds of -interested persons from every part of the United States pass through the -portals of this home—the shrine of Jefferson Davis and Varina Howell. - - - - - _The Burn_ - - -Another old home that was once situated in the center of vast acreage is -“The Burn”. Streets have been cut through, lots sold and residences -erected until today this quaint old home, originally the residence of -John P. Walworth of Ohio, is in the very heart of the residence district -of Natchez. - -While the “old Walworth home”, as it was so long known, was built about -1834, its most interesting history is concerned with the war of 1861-65. - -The Burn is a homey-looking house of the story-and-a-half cottage type -with spacious halls and nineteen rooms in the main building. High -ceilings, mahogany woodwork, and wide, hand-rubbed board floors are -indicative of its early period. - -By reason of its spacious and numerous rooms, and its accessibility to -the river front and the Battery, “The Burn” was made headquarters for -the Federal Artillery in the War Between the States. With only 24 hours’ -notice the family left their comfortable home to be occupied by the -enemy. Major Coleman and his soldiers took possession of The Burn, and -today on a window pane in the house can be seen the Major’s full name as -cut there by a diamond more than seventy-five years ago. - -Within the last few years The Burn has been purchased by S. B. Laub, who -is a direct descendant of the Beekman family. Mr. and Mrs. Laub have -reclaimed and rebuilt every part of the old house with strict observance -of the original architecture. - - [Illustration: An Interesting Treatment Of Transom And Side Lights] - - [Illustration: The Burn] - -A letter from the granddaughter of the original owner of The Burn -written to its present owners and published in the _Natchez Democrat_ -tells the complete story: - - “The Burn property when purchased by John P. Walworth in 1834 extended - from Union street to Clifton Heights. The home was erected the same - year, and got its name from the Scotch, meaning ‘The Brook’, which ran - through the property where Pearl street now is. - - “Architects and builders were brought from the East, the finest that - could be found. It took more than a year to build, and has been - compared to the Temple, for scarcely the sound of hammer was heard in - its erection. The grand old home has stood fire, storm, and war. - - “When Grant’s army took possession of the town, The Burn became army - headquarters, and was later turned into a hospital for Union soldiers. - The wonderful old trees, the lawn and gardens fell before the axe and - sword. - - “After war clouds rolled away it was restored to its owner in a ruined - condition. Generations have passed over its threshold loving it as a - living being. The sons of the family bravely answered their country’s - call to arms and returned with untarnished records. Many brides have - left its loving care. The mystery of life, birth and death have - hallowed its walls with pride and sorrow. - - “We relinquish our ownership rights into other hands; our escutcheon - unsullied by debt or shame. - - “We rejoice that it will be again a loved home, and may the happiness - of the Walworth name continue to follow and bless the present owners.” - - - - - _Choctaw_ - - - [Illustration: Choctaw] - -Such dilapidated grandeur cannot be found in all the country around as -one beholds at Choctaw. “Built to endure and determined not to fall” -seems to ring from every stone and pillar of this gigantic old mansion. -Once it was the center of a city block but now on the busy corner of -Wall and High streets traffic of every sort brushes its very door. - -Because this property was so long owned and occupied by a Natchez -philanthropist, Alvarez Fisk, “Choctaw” is known far and wide as the -“old Fisk home”. - -This stately example of classic architecture was built by one Sarah -Neibert. Records show that it was deeded to Alvarez Fisk about 1840. -Fisk was born in Massachusetts in 1788. During the early 90’s Choctaw -was used as “Stanton College for Women”, and many Natchez women were -educated there. - -Time and decay have had their turn at Choctaw. The great stone pillars -stand proudly, and boldly present a magnificent front; exquisite -fanlights adorn the great doors which were built extra wide to -accommodate the hoopskirted ladies of early days; walls and lofty -ceilings stand in sturdy defiance of wind and rain and vandalism, and -yet the crumbling corners, the tumbling formal entrance, and the rundown -appearance of Choctaw produce a feeling of solemn sadness. - -The foundation and walls of Choctaw are firm, and the day may come when -this old palace will be restored to its former beauty and glory. - - - - - _Concord_ - - - [Illustration: Concord] - -“Concord” was built in 1788 by Don Gayoso de Lemos, representative in -the Natchez Territory of the King of Spain. - -The name, “Concord”, was chosen because the Governor felt that this word -expressed the status of his people living in peace and amity. - -The dwelling was two-and-a-half stories. The lower floor was of brick -and the upper portion was frame. There was a driveway beneath the long -flight of steps at the front entrance. The house was richly furnished -with importations from Spain. - -A few years ago “Concord” was destroyed by fire and Natchez lost an -intriguing landmark. - -Today the handsome iron-railed outside double stairway marks the spot -that was once the ruling center of government, and the social hub during -the colorful days of the Spanish regime. - - [Illustration: COTTAGE GARDENS—STAIR HALL] - - - - - _Cottage Gardens_ - - - [Illustration: Cottage Gardens] - -When “Cottage Gardens” was built, some hundred and forty years ago, -Natchez was young, and homes at that time were of compact, inconspicuous -design. - -The land upon which this home stands was a part of the original Spanish -grant to Don Jose Vidal, a young Spanish nobleman. “Cottage Gardens” was -so named because of the beautiful gardens surrounding the cottage. It is -recorded that these gardens were destroyed during the War Between the -States when Union soldiers used the grounds as a pasture for their -horses. - -Don Jose Vidal was a military governor and Captain in a Spanish army. -His duties took him across the river from Natchez to a place now known -as Vidalia. When his beloved young wife died her tomb was built on a -high bluff on the estate overlooking the Mississippi River. While -engaged in official service across the broad waters, Capt. Vidal could -look out at any moment and see the spot where his beautiful Donna Vidal -was buried. Don Jose is buried in a Natchez Cemetery. A great shaft has -been erected above his grave and is inscribed with a lengthy epitaph -which mentions that “he was a friend of his Sovereign”. - - [Illustration: LIVING ROOM AND DINING ROOM] - -Cottage Gardens has been for several generations owned and occupied by -the Foster family. Although the exterior is on simple lines, the house -is surprisingly spacious. The wide hall through the center contains a -stairway of unusual architectural attractiveness. Its broad steps with -mahogany handrailing lead up along the left wall almost to the ceiling, -then leaving the wall the stairway crosses the hall in a graceful spiral -curve and the ascending flight is finished along the right wall. - -At the rear end of the hall is a beautiful arch and doorway with -fanlight above and plain side glass. It is a facsimile of the entrance -door at the opposite end of the hall. - -From the present owners, the Foster family, comes Mary Kate Norman, the -wife of Karl Norman, whose photographic art in picturing the old homes -of Natchez has given him a prominent place among artists of the South. - - [Illustration: This family room in Cottage Gardens has an eight foot - bed and a child’s bed.] - - [Illustration: THE TOMB OF DONE JOSE VIDAL] - - - - - _D’Evereux_ - - - [Illustration: D’Evereux] - -By recent engineering survey Highway No. 61 from Memphis to New Orleans -passes the grounds that once formed a part of D’Evereux acres. Motorists -on this highway, when within a mile of Natchez, can see this mansion, in -perfect architecture, standing like a great Greek temple near the -roadway. Sweeping tropical moss hangs from the sentinel oaks which guard -this magnificent home. - -Built in 1840 for William St. John Elliott and his wife, it was given -her family name, “D’Evereux”, and this home, one of the most spacious in -the community, was the scene of many happy affairs for the socially -prominent. - -Great double drawing rooms and a banquet room, while not containing the -original furnishings, show woodwork and walls, hand-turned railings and -doorways, evidence of the excellent taste of the builders. - -After more than forty years the master-owner of D’Evereux died. The home -was closed for a long while; later the widow with some of her young -relatives opened the mansion and it became again the scene of many -joyful gatherings. - -Upon the death of Mrs. Elliott, “D’Evereux” was willed to her niece, -Mrs. Margaret Martin Shields. During Mrs. Shields’ occupancy, it was -selected as the most perfect home, in style and setting, in the entire -Southland, and for this reason it is shown in that exquisite motion -picture, “The Heart of Maryland”. - -Within the past few years D’Evereux has been purchased by Miss Myra -Smith of Chicago. With great pride in the ownership of one of the -South’s most majestic ante-bellum homes, Miss Smith has restored every -portion of the old home, which today presents such magnificent -perfection as to bring forth exclamations of wonder from all who travel -that section of the Natchez Trace highway. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - - - - _Cherokee_ - - - [Illustration: Cherokee] - -One of the most attractive of Natchez’ ante-bellum houses is the -recently reclaimed Cherokee, built in 1794 by Jesse Greenfield on land -acquired under Spanish grant. - -In 1810 David Michie purchased the property and added the classic front. -The present owner, Mr. Charles Byrnes, has reclaimed the old Irish Manor -House and its grounds, using wherever possible the style and materials -of the original. - -Cherokee stands on a great elevation overlooking Natchez. It is across -the street from Choctaw and within calling distance of Connelly’s Tavern -on Ellicott Hill. - - - - - _Dunleith_ - - -This house, built in 1849 by Gen. Dahlgreen, is situated in perfectly -kept terraced grounds, surrounded by symmetrically planted oak trees -which have grown to giant size. A long driveway from the tall iron gate -at the street entrance to the porch steps bring one to “Dunleith”, a -veritable Greek temple. - -Dunleith is almost one hundred years old. The land on which it stands is -part of a Spanish grant of 700 acres, and was the site of the original -home which was destroyed by fire (caused by lightning) in 1845. In the -rear of the present Dunleith are the stables which belonged to the -original house. - -At the death of Leslie Carpenter a few years ago this property was -inherited by his widow and her son, J. N. Carpenter. No more perfect -example of a Colonial mansion of the Old South can be found. The house -and grounds are under the constant care of scientific gardeners and -caretakers. - -The story of Dunleith is incomplete until its legend has been told: - - “At the court of Louis Philippe, last King of France, a lady in - waiting was Miss Isabel Percy, who visited Dunleith to try to forget a - terrible heart hurt. She played the harp, and sang in a beautiful - voice. At evening, just at dusk, her sweet mournful songs can still be - heard in the parlors of Dunleith. When twilight turns to darkness, the - swish of her silken skirts can be heard as she ascends the broad - stairway to her private rooms above.” - - I know not how true this tale may be, - I tell it as ’twas told to me. - - [Illustration: Dunleith] - - - - - _Edgewood_ - - - [Illustration: Edgewood] - -Edgewood, erected in 1855, shared with “Mount Repose” the distinction of -being a part of the original Bisland estate. It is a simple plantation -home, located on the Pine Ridge road, and is today occupied by direct -descendants of the original owner, who maintain the estate as nearly as -possible in accord with the original plans. - -Situated on rolling greensward with a declivity at the rear, the house -is two stories in front and three in the back. Straight, square lines -are observed in its architecture. A porch extends across the entire -front supported by double white columns. The outlook is into a group of -restful, moss-covered oaks in the midst of which is a natural pond. - -Edgewood is the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Lamden, who with their young -sons, S. H. III and Waldo, occupy this home of their forefathers. It is -kept, from day to day, in the same style of ante-bellum home as in days -gone by. - -Many descendants of the original slaves of the Lamdens live today in the -“quarters” on the place. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -From “Beaupres” and other old plantations have come many possessions of -rarest antiquity to Edgewood. There are portraits by the famous artist -James Reed Lamden; among these is an exquisite portrait of his mother, -who was Prudence Harrison; another is of Dr. John Flavel Carmichael, a -member of the original staff of George Washington, painted by Gilbert -Stuart. - -Furnishings at Edgewood are of soft tones in rosewood and mahogany. -Drawing rooms, dining room, and bed rooms are filled with valuable -antiques—all in daily use by the present family. Edgewood retains today -all the charm and beauty that it had nearly a hundred years ago. - - - - - _Elgin_ - - - [Illustration: Elgin] - -The history of “Elgin” dates from about 1838 when it was owned by the -Dunbar family, and was named Elgin for the Dunbar estate in Scotland. - -It is about eight miles from Natchez, and for many years was the home of -the Jenkins family, whose descendants are prominent citizens of Natchez. -Mr. Jenkins was a member of the Academy of Natural Science, and gave -much time and scientific attention to the grounds of Elgin. - -The old-fashioned frame building with spacious halls and wide galleries -stands on a knoll in a broad clearing surrounded by a forest of oaks and -pecans. - -In 1914 Capt. Jenkins sold Elgin to the late Thornton Green of Michigan. -Prior to that transfer “Elgin” while changing owners, each time was -bought by descendants of its original owner. - -Elgin was far-famed for its gardens and orchards, traces of which remain -today and are being reclaimed by the latest purchasers of the property, -Mr. and Mrs. W. S. R. Beane of New York and Natchez. The Beanes will -make “Elgin” their permanent home. - - - - - _Elms_ - - -Amid great elm trees and sturdy liveoaks is a wide, rambling house, its -galleries bannistered with graceful iron grill encircling three sides of -the structure. This is “Elms”, it is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph -Kellogg. It is a close neighbor of the “Greenleaves” estate. - -Elms was for a long time known as “the old Drake home”. Its intricate -rambling porticos, unusual stairway, and beautiful gardens came to the -Kelloggs by fortunate inheritance. Mrs. Kellogg is a direct descendant -of the Drake family. Benjamin Drake was president of Elizabeth College, -which has the distinction of being the first college in the United -States to permit the teaching of branches of higher education to women. - -With the home and its acres of lovely gardens Mrs. Kellogg inherited a -house filled with rare antique rosewood furniture. - -The main building of Elms, a two-and-a-half-story structure, was built -in the late 1700’s. The exact date is not disclosed by available old -records. As the property passed from descendant to descendant rooms have -been added. - -A striking feature of the house is a lacy wrought-iron stairway unlike -any other in all America and believed to have been imported from -Portugal. The stairway is built in a corridor, and is in harmony with -the generous display of dainty, hand-turned work around the outer -galleries. - -Ceilings are low and give Spanish atmosphere to the architecture. - -A series of old call bells, each with a different tone to indicate the -location, are still in use in the various rooms. - -The famous gardens in the rear have been reclaimed by the present -mistress of Elms. Winding walks lead along flower beds of old-fashioned -petunias, brilliant verbenas, phlox, roses and azaleas, edged with prim -cut boxwood, while giant yuccas stand stiff as formal guards with white -plumed headdress. - -A great part of the original Elms estate has been sold, and today one of -Natchez’ modern school buildings stands across the street, giving the -children of this school a daily picture lesson of home and life of the -proud Old South. - - [Illustration: Elms] - - - - - _Ellicott Hill_ - - - [Illustration: Ellicott Hill] - -Artists and architects from far and near come to see the quaint old -house, known as “Connelly’s Tavern”, on Ellicott Hill. It is a sturdy, -perfectly proportioned old house, built of brick and wood, its timbers -said to have come from abandoned sailing vessels. - -The style of architecture is early Spanish. It stands on a high -elevation, overlooking with aristocratic disdain the industrial -enterprises which have come in during the years to supplant the once -exclusive neighborhood of its original outlook. In early days, about the -end of the Civil War, the place was known as “Gilreath’s Hill”. - -The tavern was built in 1795. It has been occupied by many distinguished -families. - -The records show that at one time it was the home of “The Natchez High -School”. It was so used just after the War between the States, when it -was purchased by Wilson R. Gilreath. - -Within the last few years the old building has commanded the greatest -degree of public interest. Its historic value is unmatched. In addition -to serving as the abode of many celebrated men, it attained fame as -Connelly’s Tavern when Aaron Burr and Blennerhasset met therein for -secret conferences. - -The most outstanding historic fact of the old Hill, itself, is that it -is the spot whereon Col. Andrew Ellicott raised the first United States -flag in February 1797 over the District of Natchez. Since that episode -the spot has been known as “Ellicott Hill”. - -Dilapidation followed the wake of time. However, so sturdy were its -timbers and so solid its foundation, it was possible to restore the old -building on the hill. - -The work of restoration has been accomplished by the Natchez Garden -Club. Every old line has been carefully retained. Concrete floors of the -kitchen and Tap Room, plastered walls, cypress grill work, solid doors, -and roof are exact replicas of the originals. The old retaining walls -and moats of brick have been replaced as originally at great cost. Today -Ellicott Hill is shining in the full resplendency of its original glory. -It is the present home of the Natchez Garden Club. - - [Illustration: FIREPLACE IN OLD TAVERN ROOM AT CONNELLY’S TAVERN] - - - - - _Elmscourt_ - - - [Illustration: Elmscourt] - -A short drive from Natchez, over a modern highway which was originally -an Indian trail, through iron gates into a virgin forest, brings one a -first glimpse of Elmscourt. - -This mansion was erected about the year 1810 by Louis Evans, who was the -first Sheriff of Adams county. He occupied it until 1851, at which time -Frank Surget bought it for his daughter Jane as a gift when she married -Ayers P. Merrill. It is said that Frank Surget was one of the three -multi-millionaires in the United States at that time. - -Jane and her husband opened wide the doors of their palatial home. -General U. S. Grant was a frequent guest of Elmscourt, and by reason of -this friendly contact, Ayres Merrill was appointed Minister to Belgium -when Grant became President. - -Elmscourt was originally Colonial in architecture but to please his wife -Mr. Merrill changed it into an Italian Renaissance villa. The exquisite -lacy iron work around its long galleries was imported from Belgium. - -The dainty antique furnishings in parlors, library, and dining room are -in perfect harmony with this period of architecture. Many original -pieces are retained. At the death of Ayres P. Merrill “Elmscourt” -descended to his son, Ayres P. Merrill Jr., and was sold by him to James -Surget, who gave it to his daughter, Carlotta, on the occasion of her -marriage to David McKittrick. Thus Elmscourt was again the property of a -Surget. - -The McKittrick family have lived in Elmscourt many years. They have -added to the valuable collection of antique furnishings, Mrs. McKittrick -bringing in superb pieces from Surget heirlooms. - -An outstanding piece of Elmscourt’s furnishing is a serving table, made -for the Duke of Devonshire and bearing his coat-of-arms. It was a gift -to Mrs. McKittrick. - -In the dining room still swings the old hand-carved punka of colonial -days. At every meal, a servant stands at the end of the long dining room -and by rope-and-arm-power keeps the great fan (punka) gently stirring, -or creating, refreshing breezes for the comfort of the diners. - -The lighting of Elmscourt is the early designed candle arrangement. Over -doorways, in chandeliers, sconces, and wall brackets hundreds of candles -cast their welcoming, soft glow, and add undying romance to the family -portrait gallery and rich rosewood furniture. - -Each Spring season when tourists wend their way to Natchez for its -Spring festivities, the McKittricks of Elmscourt give their famous “Ball -of a Thousand Candles”. Lords and Ladies, the elite of Natchez, in -costume of days of long ago, greet their guests, and Elmscourt becomes -today what it has been in the past, an alluring setting for colorful -gatherings of notables. - - [Illustration: The Table is a Present From The Duke of Devonshire.] - - [Illustration: THE HALL OF GLENFIELD] - - - - - _Glenfield_ - - - [Illustration: Glenfield] - -Turn to the right on the first gravel road leading from Canal street and -within a stone’s throw of the paved highway nestles a quaint old brick -cottage surrounded by giant oaks and cedars. It is “Glenfield”, the home -of Mrs. Lee Field and her family. - -Glenfield was built in 1812 by Charles B. Green. It is of Gothic design -and is constructed of red brick and hand-hewn timbers. Like many of the -old homes, “Glenfield” demonstrates two distinct types of architecture. -One part is low ceilinged with brick floors, while another part has high -ceilings, broad board floors, and ornate windows with heavy hand-made -blinds. - -Glenfield contains many rare pieces of antique furniture. A most -interesting piece is an old spinning wheel, a family heirloom. It is -made of hickory and is brown with age. Charred spots bear silent -evidence to the old wheel’s narrow escape from destruction when Indians -set fire to the covered wagon bearing it while its pioneer owner was -bringing his family and household goods to this section. Everything was -destroyed except a few choice pieces. As one turns the wheel today it -seems to hum a chant of toil, trials and tribulations. - -Glenfield was originally “Glencannon”, named for its former owner, -William Cannon. The property is part of an original Spanish grant to -John Gerault under Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, who was then governor of -the Natchez Territory. - -During the War Between the States “Glenfield” was a scene of battle, and -bullet holes made in that conflict can be seen today in vivid contrast -to the peace which now pervades the restful old home amid vine-covered -bayous and hills. - - - - - _Glenwood_ - - -Conditions at Glenwood are not conducive to pride in the hearts of -Natchez people, and yet it is doubtful if any tourist leaves Natchez -without hearing, in some way, about this dilapidated old place. As all -things are good or bad by comparison, it may not be amiss when depicting -the glory of Natchez to glimpse the other side. - -A Northern tourist upon seeing Glenwood (known today as “Goat Castle”) -said, “Well, I don’t know whether to cry or swear.” - -Glenwood is the home of Richard Dana, a man of aristocratic breeding and -birth, and of his guardian, Miss Martha Dockery, a stalwart, dark-eyed -woman who has been for many years in charge of Mr. Dana and the house. - -“Dick” Dana, as he is called, and Miss Dockery are probably in their -late sixties. - -Dick is the son of the late Charles B. Dana, an Episcopal clergyman, and -Elvira R. Dana. The Rev. Dr. Dana was from Massachusetts. - -Richard was given a splendid education. He was a pianist of exceptional -ability. As years passed he spent much of his fortune, living a great -part of the time in the East. When he returned to Glenwood, he seemed to -live the life of a hermit, living alone with his piano and his music. -Gradually gray locks reached his shoulders, and long whiskers covered -his face. - -County officials decided it would be best to appoint a guardian for him -and Miss Dockery was named. The Dana and Dockery families had been -friends for generations. Miss Dockery, who was alone and growing old, -was glad to accept the charge of her old friend. - -A few years ago there was a murder in the neighborhood. There had been -some trouble between the murdered woman and the Dockery-Dana people -because of trespassing goats. The two recluses were accused of the -murder. They were taken into court, held in prison, stood trial, and -finally were declared “not guilty”. Dana proved that at the time of the -murder he was playing the piano and was not near the scene of the crime. - -During the period of their incarceration, vandals ransacked “Goat -Castle” and carried away many valuable relics. A guard was finally -placed over the place to prevent souvenir hunters from taking the -remainder of the valuable pieces. Public sympathy was aroused, and for a -short time Dana and Miss Dockery were lionized. They seemed to take a -new lease on life. They improved in personal appearance. They often came -to town, but conditions in “Goat Castle” changed little. - -Goats roam the place in undisturbed joy. Chickens roost on the foot of -the great mahogany bed while Dick plays his old piano for curious -tourists who pay twenty-five cents to see the old aristocrat, and Miss -Dockery tells stories of the former wealth and prestige of her friend, -who desired to withdraw from the world. - -Glenwood is falling. Neglect and age are causing decay. The stables and -outhouses are piles of mortar and decayed timbers, though the grounds -are still beautiful with majestic moss-draped oaks and flowering -magnolias. - - [Illustration: GLENWOOD (known today as “Goat Castle”)] - - - - - _Gloucester_ - - - [Illustration: Gloucester] - -A mile drive from the city limits of Natchez, along a roadway where -moss-draped boughs overlap into a verdant shelter, brings one in view of -a stately red brick mansion. It is Gloucester. Still half concealed by -giant oaks and tropical growth, it seems a great ruby in a gray-gold -setting. - -Gloucester is surrounded by 250 acres of farm land and virgin timber. It -was built about 1800, and is of solid brick construction. Huge -Corinthian columns support spacious galleries across the broad front. -The windows are iron barred and shuttered. - -This mansion is of historic interest. It was the home of Governor -Winthrop Sargent, who was the first Governor of Mississippi Territory. - -Front twin doorways are an unusual feature. Inside these doors are the -heavy wooden bars, the original fastenings against unfriendly Indian -tribes and traveling bandits, who were not infrequent during the early -days of life at Gloucester. - -The twin doors open into a wide hallway which contains a graceful -curving stairway leading to hall and bedrooms above. - -Gloucester has a splendid library of rare first editions and valuable -old books. The drawing room contains Colonial furniture and paintings by -masters. - -Upon the death of Governor Sargent, Gloucester became the property of -his wife, who, in turn, willed it to her son, George Washington Sargent. - -During the occupation of Natchez by Federal troops, the young Sargent -was called to the doorway of Gloucester, and shot by two soldiers to -whom he had given greeting. Stains of the life-blood of this George -Washington Sargent are still visible on the doorway of Gloucester. The -murdered boy was buried beside his father in the family burial ground -across the road from the home. - - [Illustration: GRAND HALLWAY OF GLOUCESTER] - -In the Negro quarters there are weird tales of ghosts wandering over the -premises. “Two tall ghosts, in uniform, carrying guns, come on dark -rainy nights when the owls hoot in the oaks above the graves.” - -Records show that in 1877 Gloucester was sold to James Surget, who was -one of Natchez’ earliest and most affluent citizens. This home was -continuously owned by the Surget family for sixty years, until the -recent death of Mrs. Katherine Boyd Surget, when the property was -bequeathed to its present owner, Lenox Stanton. - -Mr. and Mrs. Stanton hold dear every Gloucester tradition and take pride -in maintaining the home and grounds in their original state of -perfection. - - - - - _Hawthorne_ - - - [Illustration: Hawthorne] - -On the famous Natchez Trace Highway, within calling distance of the -Lower Woodville road, through a narrow gateway flanked by giant oaks, is -a quaint little cottage, “Hawthorne”. - -It is the old Southern Planter type home, a story-and-a-half. - -A beautiful double front door with panels of early period thin glass and -an exquisitely wrought fanlight above give an atmosphere of friendliness -to the entrance. - -Architects interested in the unusual find charm in the hand-hewn -stairway which rises from the broad back hall to the rooms above. - -“Hawthorne” more than a century ago belonged to a family named Overaker -who sold the place with its sixty acres of wooded land to the Dunbar -family, under whose regime this quaint old home sheltered and -entertained the elite of the South as early as 1837. It is believed that -Hawthorne was built by the Tichenor family about 1825. - -For many years this old place was vacant. Lumber mills and grist mills -crowded too near, but the property was recently bought by the family of -William McGehee, who are reclaiming “Hawthorne”. Every line of the -period architecture is being followed, and “Hawthorne”, its meadows and -gardens, will soon be restored as in stage coach days to greet today its -motor car visitors. The history of Hawthorne is a sad story with a -hopeful ending. - - - - - _Hope Farm_ - - -A few years ago when “Hope Farm” fell into the hands of Mr. and Mrs. -Balfour Miller it was truly “getting a break” for rehabilitation. Today -when one steps into this old Spanish house, built about 1775, there -breathes from every crevice and corner the true atmosphere of the Old -South. - -The original portion of Hope Farm, its English wing, is believed to have -been built by Marcus Haller. The front, the straight, low, Spanish -portion, was built by the Spanish Governor, de Grand Pre, about the year -1790. - -The low sweeping roof extending over a broad portico across the entire -front of the house is upheld by seven hand-hewn cypress columns. Broad -steps lead from the driveway to the terraced yard. This yard is a -veritable bouquet of old-fashioned small flowers, bordered by boxwood -and flanked by syringa, japonica, and other old-fashioned evergreen -shrubs. A radiant variety of orchid-like irises dot the entire approach -to the old brick steps of the terrace. - -For ninety years Hope Farm belonged to the Montgomery family; of the -last generation of ten children (seven girls and three boys) two of the -sisters lived in spinsterhood at Hope Farm until within the last few -years when the property was acquired by the Millers. - -Restoration of exterior and interior has been done with exceeding care -to hold every line of the original house. There were no nails in the day -when Hope Farm was built and its timbers are held together by wooden -pegs. - -The front door leads directly into a huge living room, which opens -through an archway into a large dining room. These two rooms extend -across the entire front. - -The welcoming gate of Hope Farm opens at the intersection of Homochitto -street on the drive to Duncan Park. - - [Illustration: Hope Farm] - - - - - _Homewood_ - - - [Illustration: Homewood] - -It required five years to build this palatial mansion of brick, cement, -and iron grill, and until recently “Homewood”, exterior and interior, -was in a perfect state of preservation—just as it was the day of its -completion, more than 75 years ago. Homewood was destroyed by fire, -January 2, 1940. - -By reason of its solid masonry (built to withstand the storms), its -architectural lines, and the grace and magnificence of its iron -trimmings, architects of note from all over the country came to inspect -and to study “Homewood”. - -One million home-burned brick were used in the main structure. Copper -pipes laid in cement supplied the huge cisterns throughout the years -with cold drinking water. This construction represented the work of -hundreds of slaves. All locks, hinges, and door knobs were of silver. -The fluted Ionic columns and grill work were imported from Spain. - -Approaching Homewood by the magnificent forest driveway, it was a -wonderfully imposing structure with a front of thirty-foot columns, an -upper balcony of cast iron grill, and massive double panel entrance -doors flanked on either side by expensive ruby glass which was imported -from Belgium. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -There were six rooms on the ground floor, connected by huge sliding -mahogany doors, making it possible to open the entire floor into one -immense room, 80 feet long. Leading to six rooms and cross halls above -was a fan spread stairway. The top floor was a peculiarly constructed -octagonal hall surrounded by eight large closets or storage rooms with -cedar linings. - -The mantels in Homewood attracted much attention because of their -delicate beauty and apparent value. In the drawing room the mantel was -of white marble, while in the dining room stood one of pink marble with -deep rose tracings. - -Homewood had no historic interest but it was an outstanding example of -the advanced architectural ideas of the builders of Southern ante-bellum -homes. It was built for a gift from David Hunt to his daughter, -Catherine, and her husband, William L. Balfour. - -The most recent owners, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsly Swan, spared no expense in -maintaining this magnificent home and its spacious grounds in model -perfection. - -Homewood was the scene of the famous double wedding so effectively -described in Stark Young’s _So Red the Rose_. - - [Illustration: MAJESTIC RUINS OF HOMEWOOD] - - - - - _Inglewood_ - - - [Illustration: Inglewood] - -A Southern planter’s typical home, “Inglewood” stands today as the -perfection of a beautiful dream recalled from crumbling ruins of years -long gone. More than a century ago this quaint old story-and-a-half -house was built by Gustavus Calhoun, who practiced medicine in Natchez -Territory in 1829—back in the days when calls were made on horseback and -the doctor carried along his miniature drug store in his “saddle bags”. -Dr. Calhoun was a friend and contemporary of Dr. Stephen Duncan of -“Auburn”. - -In 1858 “Inglewood” became the home of Edward M. Blackburn through his -marriage into the Calhoun family. It has been for many years known as -“the old Blackburn place.” Here the last member of the Natchez Blackburn -family lived until the old house was about to tumble down. Then the -place was purchased by Dr. Wallace Smith, a young physician who came -with his bride to reclaim and rebuild Inglewood along the exact lines of -its original architectural design. - -The old gardens of Inglewood were once as famous for beauty as those of -“Arlington” and “Melrose” but the gardens too passed with the old -families. Doctor and Mrs. Smith are replanting, and are replacing walks -and borders of old-fashioned boxwood, everything to conform as nearly as -possible to original design. - -Inglewood, like all Natchez homes, is off the highway, secluded by -forests, and only by careful observation can one glimpse the gleaming -white outlines of this beautiful old plantation home. - -The approach to the house is marked at the public highway by a wrought -iron replica of the old-fashioned doctor’s horse and buggy. Inglewood is -today, as it was originally, the property of a practicing physician’s -family. - - - - - _Jefferson College_ - - - [Illustration: Jefferson College] - -Founded in 1802, Jefferson Military College is the oldest college for -boys in the State of Mississippi, and one of the oldest in the United -States. - -It was here that the South’s beloved Jefferson Davis, who became -President of the Confederacy, attended school when he was ten years old. - -After the battle of New Orleans Gen. Andrew Jackson rested his -victorious army on the campus of this college, which is located six -miles from the city of Natchez. - -Mississippi was a territory when the college came into existence. On the -spot where the constitution of the State of Mississippi was adopted is a -marker commemorating the birth of Mississippi as a State. The marker was -erected May 14, 1935, the 119th anniversary of the State. - -Near the front gate of the college there are two giant gnarled liveoaks, -known as the Aaron Burr oaks because they stood in front of the old -courthouse where Aaron Burr was tried for treason against the United -States. The old courthouse was demolished ages ago but the oaks stand -sentinel with wide spreading boughs marking the spot famous in history -and in story. - - - - - _King’s Tavern_ - - - [Illustration: King’s Tavern] - -In the days when Indians roamed the territory of Natchez, block houses -were built by the white settlers who came that way. These were sturdy, -well-fortified houses built to protect occupants against Indian -outbreaks. Such is King’s Tavern—an inconspicuous, faded, old wooden -structure on a high brick foundation. - -Although unostentatious, King’s Tavern is important. According to the -records it is the oldest building in this part of the South. Parts of -St. Augustine, Florida, are somewhat older. Its very atmosphere breathes -of days and people long dead; of Indians, of Spanish and English and -French noblemen; of weary travelers over foot paths or by river boats, -wandering into the old Tavern, resting, and then departing, disappearing -from the face of the earth. - -The house is more than 170 years old. Records show that “the first -United States mail brought over the Natchez Trace was delivered to -King’s Tavern by an Indian runner and was distributed from this point.” - -The timbers are held together by wooden pegs and beams. The heavier -timbers are of the type used in the construction of large ships of that -period. Ceilings in the rooms are low. Doors and windows are heavy with -narrow frames. The sills and sleepers of the building show the rope -holes, again indicating that timbers came from old sailing vessels. - -The earliest official record of transfer of this property shows 1789 as -the year it was granted to Richard King, a member of the King family of -Long Island, New York, and by him it was given the name “King’s Tavern”. -Formerly it had been known as the Bledsoe House. - -For a period of about 115 years the property has been owned and occupied -by the descendants of Mrs. Elizabeth Postlethwaite. - -An interesting relic of bygone years is a portrait in oils of the late -Samuel Postlethwaite III, who was Mayor of Natchez in 1825 when the -great Lafayette visited the little village. This portrait is signed by -the artist, Benjamin West. - -Mrs. A. C. Register and Mrs. Jean Register Modsett, descendants of the -Postlethwaite family, are the present owners and occupants of King’s -Tavern. - -_Legend:_ - - At night, when all’s dark and quiet at King’s Tavern, ghosts of Indian - warriors, in full dress of their native tribe, wander through the old - Tap Room, loll and lean against the old bar, peer out through small - crevices, and then disappear through the heavy doors which lead onto - the street. - - [Illustration: Main Door at King’s Tavern Where Indian Runners Left - the Mail - - Bullet holes in the door are from an Indian attack during the early - days of Natchez.] - - - - - _Lansdown_ - - - [Illustration: Lansdown] - -Lansdown has been the home of the Marshall family for more than -eighty-five years. Like many other magnificent plantation homes around -Natchez, Lansdown was a wedding gift to Mr. and Mrs. George Marshall, -whose descendants of the same name own and occupy today this comfortable -Georgian type house. - -Lansdown is an unpretentious but quite substantial structure with a -broad front portico enclosed by artistic grill bannisters fashioned in -Greek pattern. Broad, spreading steps lead down to a brick walk, and on -each side stand the old carriage blocks of yesteryear. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -Portraits by famous artists of earlier generations of Marshalls, -including a portrait of Levin R. Marshall by Sully, look down on -gorgeous rosewood and mahogany furnishings of their own selection placed -in Lansdown. - -The china and silver in this home are the pride of the present -generation of Marshalls. Much of the original china is in use today. -Many pieces of the original Robert E. Lee furnishings of “Stratford -Hall” are now in Lansdown. Within the past few months the younger -generation at Lansdown discovered several pieces of silver bearing the -unmistakable mark of Robert E. Lee. - -Lansdown came to the Marshalls through Mrs. Charlotte Hunt Marshall. -Natchez had a great benefactor in David Hunt, the father of Charlotte -Hunt Marshall. It was he who made possible the Chamberlain-Hunt Military -Academy at Port Gibson, Mississippi, one of the first schools for boys -in the Southland. It is still an excellent school for young men. - -Today Lansdown is owned and occupied by George Marshall III and Mrs. -Agnes Marshall Ward, lineal descendants of the original owner, who named -the place “Lansdown” by virtue of his friendship for the celebrated -Marquis of Lansdown, England. - - - - - _Linden_ - - - [Illustration: Entrance] - -The origin of Linden seems lost to history although it is known to have -existed as early as 1790. It came to ancestors of the present owners a -hundred years ago, and has been owned and occupied by the A. M. Feltus -family for several generations. - -Nature seems to exert herself to give to Linden a perfect setting. -Surrounding the magnificently constructed house, with its 98 feet of -gallery, are dozens of oak trees, draped in long gray moss which sweeps -the very eaves of the dwelling. Standing in the artistic entrance of -Linden one sees the outside world through growing draperies of swaying -gray lace. - - [Illustration: Linden] - -The architecture of Linden is as unusual as it is simple. The center -portion is two stories, flanked on each side by single-storied rooms. A -gallery runs the entire width of the building. To the rear of the -single-storied rooms is a long two-storied wing. Each wing is a complete -apartment. - -The furnishings are rare and exquisite, producing a feeling of -restfulness and satisfaction. “Linden” has three paintings by Audubon, -and an interesting portrait of the song-bird, Jenny Lind. - -The driveway through the grounds of Linden leads past the front entrance -entirely around the house and passes its beautifully kept gardens. A -circle driveway which leads out through the bricked entrance affords a -final glimpse of the stately white house in the distance, not unlike -“Mount Vernon”. The view across the hill brings “Monmouth”, a -neighboring mansion, to the eye as another delightful prospect. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: LINDEN—Dining Room With Punka] - - - - - _Greenleaves_ - - -“Greenleaves”, built prior to 1812, is a town house—a great rambling -cottage type of architecture in the very heart of Natchez. It is as -sturdy as the old gnarled oaks which seem to hold it in their protecting -boughs. It represents comfort, luxury, and beauty without ostentation or -pretense. - -The halls and rooms are palatial in size and appointments. The house as -originally constructed shows that it was built to endure. It was -remodeled in the early 40’s by the grandfather of the present owners. - -A wealth of the original furnishings in solid mahogany and rosewood and -many rare museum pieces have remained in Greenleaves throughout -generations, and are today as beautiful as the day they came from -foreign shores. - -The present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Melchoir Beltzhoover, the third -generation of the Koontz family to occupy Greenleaves, grace this -ante-bellum home with pardonable pride of possession. - -The family of the original owners of Greenleaves was wiped out during a -yellow fever epidemic, the entire family filling one grave. Eventually -Greenleaves was bought by George Washington Koontz of Pennsylvania, who -became a leading influence, financially and socially, in Natchez. -Children of the present occupants of Greenleaves are the fourth -generation of the Koontz family to enjoy this luxurious home. - -Mr. Beltzhoover’s ownership of this property is shared with his sister, -Mrs. Guy Robinson, who is a resident of New York state. - -_Legend:_ - - Under the giant liveoaks at the rear of Greenleaves the Natchez tribe - of Indians held their annual pow-wows and decided all momentous - questions. - - [Illustration: Greenleaves] - - - - - _Longwood_ - - -Longwood stands in a moss-tangled forest. It is a monument to a dream -that was interrupted by the tragedy of the War Between the States in -1861-’65. It was to have been a gorgeous structure of Moorish design, -planned by Sloan of Philadelphia, who in those days had no equal as -artist-architect. - -Longwood was being built for Dr. Haller Nutt. Landscape gardeners came -from abroad, and even today rare imported shrubs and trees form a part -of the dense growth around the unfinished gardens. - -When the house reached its present point of construction, with more than -a hundred thousand dollars already invested, there came the cry of war -and the call to arms. Workmen laid down their tools and took their guns -and never returned to the task of completing Longwood. - -The deep concrete foundation, the outside framework, and some of the -trimmings of the house were well under way. Today there are huge -sections of carved moulding, old paint buckets and brushes, tool boxes, -and carpenter’s implements scattered about the upper floors—just as they -were left almost 75 years ago. - -The house, begun in the late 50’s, is of brick, burned by slaves on the -place, with columns and grill work of hand-carved, time-enduring -cypress. The ground floor contained a nursery and an adjoining apartment -for a white housekeeper and governess, a card room, a billiard room, -wine cellar, and heating plant. This floor is the only part of the -building that reached anything like completion. The upper floors were -boarded up. All orders for materials, marble stairway, mosaic floors, -and elaborate furnishings were canceled. Many of these orders had been -placed in Italy and France. Some costly pieces were en route on the high -seas. A few items were returned and others are now in national museums. - -Dr. Nutt died in 1864, survived by his wife and a large family of -children. One of the descendants of these children now occupies the -finished lower floor or basement of Longwood. There is on this floor a -huge rotunda and eight large rooms, surrounded by a moat. Many relics of -past generations adorn these quarters, including antiques from different -branches of the family. - -There are several pieces of richly carved rosewood furniture, an -exquisite old grand piano, and oil portraits of Dr. Nutt and his -beautiful blonde wife by famous old-world artists. - -James and Merritt Ward of Natchez and Mrs. Julia Ward Blanchard of New -York City are the present owners of Longwood. - -Planned as a palatial home for a family of eleven children and eight -hundred slaves, today Longwood (often referred to as “Nutt’s Folly”) is -occupied by Merritt Ward and one servant. - - [Illustration: LONGWOOD—“Nutt’s Folly”] - - - - - _Magnolia Vale_ - - - [Illustration: Magnolia Vale] - -A few hundred feet below the city of Natchez, along the river edge, is -an extension of land on which the first Natchez was situated. This old -town was known as “Natchez Under the Hill”. The commercial center of the -old Natchez has passed into decay. The buildings that sheltered the -river men, the gambling “joints” that housed the riff-raff of those -steamboat days, have long since tumbled into the river. Driving down a -long and steep shelf of land, at the north end of what was old Natchez, -one comes to the gate of a castle-like home in the heart of a garden -which is always beautiful with blossoms. It is “Magnolia Vale”. - -This house was built about 110 years ago by Andrew Brown and is owned -today by Andrew B. Learned, a direct descendant. - -Andrew Brown was a native of Scotland, and a great lover of flowers. -After building a home of the early American type, with wide galleries, -handsome Doric columns, spacious halls and large rooms, he found -self-expression in creating a garden which has been famous for -generations, from St. Louis to New Orleans, as “Brown’s Gardens”. - -A formal driveway, bordered with Louis Philippe roses, leads to the -mansion. Giant magnolias and evergreen laurimundi splash the landscape -with white and green. Formal flower beds, with boxwood borders, cover -the entire acreage of the foreground to Magnolia Vale. - -The Mississippi River has continuously eaten into the grounds of -Magnolia Vale until much of this promontory has vanished into the -waters. Although the great house shows marked evidence of “settling” -from year to year, and is occupied now by a caretaker only, the gardens -are given constant attention. The same trim boxwood hedges, the same -formal walks and beloved flower beds, the same shrubs, the same tall -trees, and the maze of gardenia and japonica greet the visitor and shed -perfume across the broad and mighty river, which ravenously eats at the -very roots of these gorgeous plants. - - - - - _Mount Repose_ - - - [Illustration: Mount Repose] - -Here is a huge, comfortable, old-fashioned, country gentleman’s home—in -appearance and in literal fact “Mount Repose”. The name aptly describes -the first impression of every visitor. - -The house is situated on an elevation, surrounded by broad green acres. - -Built in the early 1800’s, Mount Repose has been the scene of much that -is interesting in the story of Natchez. It is part of the original -estate of William Bisland, a Scotsman. From this family comes the author -Elizabeth Bisland who through close association with Lafcadio Hearn, -when both of them worked for the old New Orleans _Picayune_, was able to -write the interesting life of that genius. This book and many others by -Elizabeth Bisland, including _Candle of Understanding_ and _The Case of -John Smith_, can be found in public libraries today. - -The present owners of Mount Repose, Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Baldwin of New -York, are direct descendants of the Bisland family. Its present -occupants, the J. D. Shields family are also descendants of the -Bislands. Mrs. Shields is a descendant of the renowned English beauty, -Margaret Watts, who married the Spanish Governor, Manuel Gayoso de -Lemos, who is prominently identified with Natchez’ earliest history. - -The original furnishings of Mount Repose have gone out to Bisland heirs, -and yet valuable antiques and family portraits remain in the old house. - -An interesting story is told of a wager expressive of the loyalty of -William Bisland to Henry Clay. - -Mr. Bisland believed that Henry Clay should be, and would be, the next -president of the United States. He laid a wager in accordance with his -belief. He had just planted a formal line of sentinel trees along a -driveway to the main entrance of Mount Repose. He openly declared that -this driveway would be closed until Clay was elected. He then proceeded -with great preparations for its formal opening, but history tells why -today there grow two long lines of well-spaced trees from the big front -gate to the house—that gate unopened through the years! The entrance to -Mount Repose is through the side gate. Henry Clay was never elected -president. - - - - - _Melmont_ - - - [Illustration: Melmont] - -’Way back in 1839, when Henry Basil Shaw married Mary Elizabeth -Lattimore, profound consideration was given to naming the homes and -estates of Natchez. It is almost certain that the mistress of Melmont -pondered long and consulted her family before deciding the name. She -chose to use the three initials of Mary Elizabeth Lattimore to form the -first part of the name, “Mel”, and added “mont” because the mansion -stood mounted on a rolling acreage. Thus “Melmont” was coined. - -Melmont is unlike other Natchez homes. The architecture is its own -peculiar type. A sturdy, well-built house, it has for almost a century -cared for Natchez’ foremost citizens and their illustrious guests. -Claiborne, the historian, Judge Samuel Brooks, and other prominent men -spent much time at Melmont. - -The acreage around Melmont has been sold and modern homes have been -built on the land. Melmont is now a palatial town house, no longer a -country home. - -Melmont was within the Federal lines during the War Between the States. -When Natchez was shelled from the river in 1862 shells fell in the yard -and gardens and destroyed giant oak trees and landscaping. - -The interior decoration and furnishing are to a great extent from the -original family although many handsome pieces have been added by -subsequent owners. Mrs. John Ayres and her sister, Miss Corinne -Henderson, have occupied this home for many years. Mrs. Ayers especially -prizes a mahogany bureau which has chests on either side for storing -wigs. - - [Illustration: MELMONT—Drawing Room] - -A valuable Hepplewhite desk in the drawing room attracts much interest. -It belonged to the renowned John Henderson, and it was here he is -believed to have written an appeal to Congress in 1798 “for schools for -the education of children and provision for regular ministry of the -Gospel.” - -Melmont is well preserved, exterior and interior, and holds great charm -for all who come within its portals. - - [Illustration: Melrose] - - [Illustration: Pond on Driveway to the House] - - - - - _Melrose_ - - - [Illustration: The Drawing Room. The old-fashioned “courting set” had - a center seat for the chaperon, who was ever present during boy and - girl visits.] - -Melrose, called “the perfect ante-bellum home”, is located about a mile -from Natchez city limits. This model mansion, built in the early 40’s, -owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George M. D. Kelly, is, by courtesy -of the owners, opened for inspection during the annual Pilgrimage -celebration of the Natchez Garden Club. In an entire day one can only -glimpse Melrose and its treasures. Another full day could be well spent -in the surrounding woodlands and boxwood bordered gardens. - -Built in 1845 by Judge Edward Turner for his daughter, Mrs. McMurran, it -was purchased immediately after the War Between the States by George -Malin Davis, grandfather of the present owner, George Malin Davis Kelly. -Mr. Kelly has with great pride of possession kept the Melrose home and -estate in its original perfection. - - [Illustration: PUNKA OVER DINING ROOM TABLE] - -The approach to Melrose is through acres of lawn as smooth as stretched -velvet. The house is an imposing brick building of the square Georgian -architectural design, with upper and lower porticos, and supporting -Ionic columns. - -The front door is of attractive Colonial style with diamond shaped -sidelights. A broad sweep of steps lead to the wide portico. - -A spacious hall runs through the lower floor. It is appropriately -furnished in rare old pieces; among these is an unusual table which is -set with semi-precious stones, and an ancient grandfather’s clock. The -lighting for this grand hallway is provided by numerous rows of candles, -held in dainty but substantial frames. The floor covering (which is the -original) attracts immediate attention by reason of its beauty, unique -design, and quality. It can be best described as a striking inlay of -unknown origin. - -To the right of the hall is the front drawing room. The rosewood -furniture is Empire style, and is in as perfect condition today as on -the day of its purchase. - - [Illustration: TYPICAL BEDROOM PIECES—MELROSE] - -To the left is a dining room 20 feet square. Black marble mantels add -dignity to the room. A handsome mahogany punka swings over the dining -table. This bespeaks undeniable antiquity. Until quite recently the -owners of Melrose cared for several old slaves who pulled the punka to -create breezes for the comfort of the family during meals. - -Melrose still uses its outside brick kitchen, reached by a broad brick -walk from the main house. Above the kitchen are quarters for the house -servants. - -The upper floors of Melrose contain bedrooms, halls, and a sewing room. -Massive beds so high that occupants must climb in by a set of specially -made mahogany steps; heavy bureaus, armoirs, dressing tables, tilt top -tables, and day bed—all are heirlooms of the original owners and of the -present owners. - -Mr. Davis (the grandfather of the present owner) came South from -Pennsylvania many years before the war of ’61, and was educated at -Sewanee College, Sewanee, Tennessee. His only daughter married Dr. -Stephen Kelly of New York, and that daughter became the mother of George -M. D. Kelly, the present owner of Melrose mansion. - -George M. D. Kelly and his wife, who was Miss Ethel Moore, are members -of old New York families but have long since adopted the Southland as -their home. - - - - - _Monmouth_ - - - [Illustration: Monmouth] - -Near “Linden”, on a velvety lawn guarded by great oaks, stands a -Grecian-type mansion. This is Monmouth, now owned and maintained by Mrs. -Hubert Barnum. Mrs. Barnum, owner of “Arlington”, the adjoining estate, -is probably the only Natchezian who owns and operates two great -ante-bellum homes. - -Historically Monmouth is known as the home of John A. Quitman and his -wife, Eliza. General Quitman, a hero of national renown, raised the -first American flag in Mexico. He purchased this mansion and fifteen -surrounding acres about the year 1826. - -Edith Wyatt Moore in her story of Monmouth says: “John A. Quitman and -Eliza Turner drew a marriage contract prior to their wedding. He -relinquished all right of inheritance to her property in case of her -death without children. He gave her the right to handle slaves and -property or dispose of same without his consent.” General Quitman was a -native of New York. - -A man of great popularity and military distinction, General Quitman’s -home became the scene of many gatherings of the notables of America. -Monmouth was classed among the most perfectly appointed homes of its -day. - -General Quitman died in 1859 from what was suspected as the effect of -slow poison administered at a banquet given in honor of President -Buchanan. - -For a period following General Quitman’s death his beloved Monmouth was -vacant. It became dilapidated from disuse, and after passing through -many hands was purchased by Mrs. Annie Gwynne, who is now Mrs. Barnum. -Every part has been repaired or renewed and the old mansion stands today -in majestic perfection. - -Great square pillars support the upper portico, which is encircled by -attractive lattice grill work. The walls are of brick. The doors, with -fan transoms and side-lights, and the window frames are made of -hand-carved wood. Spacious halls, huge rooms with high ceilings, and a -pervading air of solid, substantial structure make Monmouth a monument -eternal to a man whose memory shall never die—a man of whom it was said, -“He is Mississippi’s best-loved citizen.” - -The original furnishings of Monmouth are long since gone. These were -supplanted by rare antiques from the superb collection of Mrs. Barnum’s -family, the Greens, who founded Greensboro, North Carolina. - - [Illustration: MILK HOUSE AND SERVANTS’ QUARTERS—MONMOUTH] - - - - - _Monteigne_ - - - [Illustration: Monteigne] - -“Monteigne” is a recently acquired possession of one of Natchez’ most -valued families, Mrs. Mary Worrell Kendall and Mr. and Mrs. William -Kendall. It was built in 1855 as the home of Gen. William T. Martin of -the Confederacy, whose features are carved on Stone Mountain as a -representative of the State of Mississippi. Hand-hewn timbers discovered -when excavating the foundation for “Monteigne” lead to the belief that -this was the site of a home destroyed during the Indian Massacre of -1729. - -The place bears the French Huguenot name for Martin, “Monteigne”. It is -unlike any of the old homes around Natchez. Predominantly Georgian in -appearance, Monteigne stands out distinctively. A solid, two-story -structure, built of sturdiest timbers, this home has withstood the -ravages of time and the desecration of opposing forces during the War -Between the States. - -It is said that horses were “stalled” in the parlors by Yankee soldiers, -rosewood furniture used for kindling fires, and valuable silver and -brass melted and lost. - - [Illustration: MONTEIGNE—Patio] - -Upon his return from the war, General Martin saw the destruction of the -beauty of his house and its grounds. With the undismayed courage of a -great man who knows how to overcome defeat, he began the restoration of -his home and its eleven acres of yard and gardens. - -When Leslie Carpenter bought Monteigne in 1928 Natchez was assured -another perfect estate. Terraced lawns and rose gardens were brought to -life; driveways, trellises, shrubbery, and flagged walks were restored -to this classic home. - -The interior of Monteigne is stately—formal and yet inviting—with the -black and white mosaic floor in its great entrance hall. - -Monteigne recently passed from the Carpenters to the present owners, -Mrs. Mary Worrell Kendall, her son, William, and his wife and their two -little daughters. - - [Illustration: MONTEIGNE—Rose Garden] - - [Illustration: MONTEIGNE—Lily Pool] - - - - - _Myrtle Terrace_ - - - [Illustration: Myrtle Terrace] - -Substantial and compact, this Colonial cottage is one of the reclaimed -small ante-bellum homes of Natchez. Built in the 1830’s, it is more than -a century old. - -In 1844 Myrtle Terrace was purchased by the late L. N. Carpenter, who, -in turn, sold it to the renowned Captain Thomas Leathers of steamboat -fame. The agreement to buy stipulated in minute detail that the property -must be put in “ship shape”, carefully specifying “hinges on the -windows, fastenings on the cellar door, latches on the gates, blinds on -all windows except the dormers, building a stable and a carriage house”. - -Captain Leathers was identified with the famous _Natchez-Robert E. Lee_ -steamboat race from New Orleans to St. Louis, on the Mississippi river, -in 1870. The prize was $20,000. The race has become an epic. So -thrilling is it in the history of river traffic it was dramatized in a -recent celebration on the Pacific Coast. - -Captain Leathers of the _Natchez_ lost the race to Captain Cannon of the -_Robert E. Lee_ not because he had a slower boat but because of his -over-confidence. He traveled nonchalantly and made all his regular -stops. In the pinch he would not jeopardize the safely of his passengers -by pressing his boilers beyond the safety point. - -Captain Leathers lived in Myrtle Terrace for many years, and the place -is still known as the “home of the Captain of the steamboat _Natchez_”. -It is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Tucker, who have -reclaimed the old lines of the house and have added modern interior -improvements. - - - - - _Propinquity_ - - - [Illustration: Propinquity] - -In the long ago, when each Southern plantation was identified by a -specially chosen name, the naming of homes around Natchez was a great -event. When land was opened and a home built, a recorded name was given, -and neither time nor change of owner or occupant changed the name of -that plantation. Interesting indeed are the stories of the names -selected. - -“Propinquity” was named in 1810 by its owner, Brigadier General Leonard -Covington, and was so named because its lands adjoined Fort Dearborn -where he was in command of a troop of Light Dragoons. Today Propinquity -is appropriate as “near to nature”. - -The plantation belonged originally to one William Belk. The records -shows that in 1797 a committee met at this place for the purpose of -appointing a Public Safety organization, the first American political -assembly held in the Lower Mississippi Valley. - -For several generations Propinquity has been owned by the descendants of -Jane Long, the famous “Mother of Texas”, who spent many happy days in -this quaint old home. It is still a reliquary for interesting -possessions of the Texas heroine. - -Situated on a side road off the original “Natchez Trace”, this old house -is built on simple early American lines. A wide center hall with a deep -mahogany stairway runs the length of the two huge rooms on either side. -Green shuttered, small pane windows, a solid three-panel front door with -straight glass sidelights, and a small upper and lower portico complete -the simple picture of this old home. - -The furnishings are of the original purchase. There is a tiny melodeon -in the parlor. Its quaint type indicates very early “vintage”—a rare -museum piece. - - [Illustration: PROPINQUITY] - - [Illustration: Spinet - - Hand Made Wax Fruit Under a Glass Globe] - -Bedrooms where rested the nobility of the land in earlier days are still -prim and precise with poster beds in their original draperies, mahogany -armoirs, bureaus with numerous side compartments and many mirrors to -please the fancy of milady of the early fifties. - -In the dining room there is an exquisite set of china, and despite the -fact that it has been in daily use for more than one hundred years, only -two small pieces are missing from the set of 200 pieces. This gives an -idea of the order and system, and the appreciation for the valuable and -beautiful at Propinquity. - -The house is occupied by Miss Rebecca Miller and Mrs. M. E. Fauntleroy, -who are descendants of the renowned Jane Long. - - [Illustration: RAVENNA (_front_)] - - [Illustration: Azaleas, Little Ravenna] - - - - - _Ravenna_ - - - [Illustration: Ravenna] - -At the end of Union street, on ten acres of ground which edges a great -ravine or bayou, stands Ravenna, the present home of Mrs. Richard I. -Metcalf. - -Ravenna was built more than one hundred years ago by the Harris family. -It has stood the test of time and of the tornado of 1840. It stands -today in the superior dignity of perfection. The property was acquired -by the family of its present owner about eighty years ago. - -Ravenna shows every evidence of an inherited love of flowers. This comes -from Andrew Brown of “Brown’s Gardens”, and Mrs. Metcalf, a direct -descendant, has expressed that inherited taste and talent in the -beautification of Ravenna. - -The house is the large Colonial type. An outstanding feature of the -interior is an exquisite stairway and a great assembly of unusual, -massive antiques. - -The charm of Ravenna is its setting. Facing a great ravine, the old home -is surrounded by flowers. A huge wisteria vine covers the front of the -house with purple blossoms. The side of the place toward the town is -enclosed by a high iron fence of massive design. The main entrance is -through heavy iron gates that lead along the winding tulip bordered -driveway to the front portico. Bordering this driveway are radiant -azalea bushes and japonicas, while at certain seasons of the year the -deep pink of flowering peach trees and almond trees give vivid color -splotches which intensify the beauty of these grounds. - -A point of interesting antiquity at Ravenna is the name “Caroline -Harris” scratched with a diamond into a window pane. This proves -conclusively that the windows were there in 1840 when the Harrises owned -Ravenna. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -During the War Between the States the peace of Ravenna was greatly -disturbed by Federal soldiers who ordered the Metcalfs to leave this -home. Mrs. Metcalf was suspected of communicating with the Confederate -soldiers through the bayou. - -Alter the war Ravenna was reclaimed and again occupied by the Metcalf -family. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -“Little Ravenna”, the cottage home of the late Mrs. Zulika Metcalf -Lawrence, stands on the Ravenna grounds, as does also a palatial -residence occupied by Mrs. Roan Fleming Byrnes, who is a leading spirit -in promoting the great Natchez Trace highway project. - -This group of family homes, under the sheltering eaves of the parent -home, Ravenna, eloquently bespeaks that close and lovable family life of -the South as it has existed for generations. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: The lyre motif in mirror and table is unusual. Tester - bed is typical.] - - [Illustration: Queen of a recent Confederate Ball, Miss Roane Adams, - poses beneath the portrait of her grandmother in the drawing room of - Ravenna.] - - - - - _Oakland_ - - -Among the numerous ante-bellum homes of Natchez which are today owned -and occupied by lineal descendants of the original owners “Oakland” -stands preeminent. Built in 1838 for Catherine Chotard Eustis, the -granddaughter of Major Stephen Minor, this home remains in the -possession of the Minor family. The present owner is Mrs. Jeanne Minor -McDowell. Major Minor was the last Governor of the Natchez District -under Spanish rule. - -Oakland is located in secluded grounds, and, as its name implies, stands -in a land of oaks. - -The house is a substantial brick building with a wide front portico and -broad brick steps. The spacious center hallway opens with heavy mahogany -entrance doors into an old-fashioned parlor on the right and a large -dining room on the left. The walls are covered with the original paper. - -Many pieces of the original furnishings remain. Several rare pieces were -brought to Oakland from “Concord”, which was the Governor’s official -mansion and was destroyed by fire. - -The Minors were lovers of race horses, and valuable paintings of -beautiful horses owned by the family adorn the walls. Two especially -fine horse pictures are by Troye. Many silver trophies of racing -victories form an interesting part of Oakland possessions. - -In this house is a bed of unique type, known as “a family bed”. It is a -huge four-poster with silken tester. As broad as it is long, there is -plenty of room for six persons to sleep comfortably! - -Ante-bellum gardens wherein grow verbena, gardenia, and sweet olive, -with clipped boxwood borders, complete the handsome setting of Oakland. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - - - - _Richmond_ - - -Life at Richmond today seems a continuous house party. The present -owners (seven daughters, one son, and one granddaughter of the late -Shelby Marshall) are the fifth and sixth generations of the illustrious -Levin R. Marshall family to own and occupy this old and hospitable -mansion. It contains 41 rooms. - -The architecture of Richmond shows three distinct styles. The original -center building, 153 years old, is of Spanish design; the front, 105 -years old, is of Greek design; and 77 years ago the square English -portion of the house was built. - -The Spanish part, constructed of sturdy hand-hewn timbers, brick, and -cement, is in an excellent state of preservation. It has stood without -reconstruction throughout the years. There is a cement patio on the -ground level, and cypress steps with artistic iron grill rails reach the -main floor from the outside. Here one can sound the door knocker, and -soon hear heavy wooden bars being lifted. This was the security against -Indians and other intruders of early days, and such protection remains -intact at Richmond. - -In 1832 Richmond became the property of Levin R. Marshall, -great-great-grandfather of the present owners, and it was he who added -the lovely Greek portion. This addition contains six large rooms on the -main floor and four in the basement. - -Twenty-eight years later, in order to accommodate a rapidly growing -family and numbers of guests, the red brick English addition was built -in the rear. - -The main entrance has a front portion with classic Corinthian columns -supporting the roof. A broad hall, the length of two twenty-foot rooms, -runs through the center to a formal dining room. This formal room opens -with four tall folding doors into a smaller family dining room. There -are double drawing rooms on the left side of the great hall. - -The massive old furniture remains today in Richmond, as does the family -silver, which is the most ornate and beautiful silver service in the -entire South. - -The front drawing room harbors a greatly prized relic of the past—the -quaint concert grand piano which was used to accompany the famous -song-bird Jenny Lind when, under the management of that superb showman, -P. T. Barnum, she toured the South. A beautiful portrait of Jenny Lind -hangs near the old piano. - -Richmond contains a rich treasure store of old laces, quaint costumes, -and queer candelabra. Quite recently there was discovered an assortment -of pans and plumber’s equipment. When assembled this “find” proved to be -a bathtub of probably the 1850 model. The fastidious bather stood in a -tin basin, pulled a curtain for privacy, while a slave by means of a -small hand pump pumped water from a two-gallon tank overhead; this water -ran over the bather, down into the basin, and was, in turn, pumped up -and the bather reshowered. - -Fortunes have been made and lost by Richmond owners. The generosity of -Levin R. Marshall extended to the State of Texas and the town of -Marshall, in Texas, is named in honor of this family. - - [Illustration: Three of the cultures that have contributed to the - charm of Natchez are represented in Richmond. Post-Colonial Neo-Greek - is shown at the left, Spanish in the center, and English Georgian on - the right.] - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - - [Illustration: FORT ROSALIE Built by the French in the early 18th - century, it was the scene of the Indian massacre of 1729.] - - - - - _Rosalie_ - - - [Illustration: Rosalie] - -In the Natchez country “Rosalie” is a magic name. It conjures up -memories of startling days that were, and stimulates the imagination to -see Indians and soldiers and people from foreign lands. - -The home, “Rosalie”, bears the name and is situated near the site of -Fort Rosalie, which was built by the French in the early 1700’s. - -No home in Natchez is of greater historical importance than Rosalie. The -building was started about 1820 by Peter B. Little, and required seven -years for completion. All materials are of the choicest selection. -Home-burned bricks and hand-hewn timbers were used in its construction. - -Rosalie is situated 200 feet above the Mississippi River. It is now the -home of Miss Rebecca Rumble and Mrs. James Marsh. It contains many -original pieces of furniture, carpets, and exquisite chandeliers. A -valuable piece is the mahogany table at which Jefferson Davis, president -of the Confederacy, and U. S. Grant dined. - -Mr. Little married his thirteen-year-old ward, and sent her to Baltimore -to be educated. It was while she was in school that he built this -mansion in which to receive her when she returned. - -It is believed that the ground immediately back of Rosalie is the site -of the great Indian massacre of the French in 1729. - -Railroad tracks and driveways have cut through the acres that were -originally Rosalie private grounds, but the yard and gardens of the old -home are well kept and are filled with old-fashioned flowers and -shrubbery of days long gone. - -Rosalie was General Grant’s headquarters during the Federal occupation -of Natchez in the War Between the States. - -The present occupants display with much pride the huge four-poster -mahogany bed in which General Grant slept during his stay at this old -house. - -Rosalie has been purchased by the Daughters of the American Revolution, -and will be maintained as a public shrine. Many of the encroaching -industrial buildings will soon give way to the original acreage that -formed the gardens of Rosalie. - - [Illustration: This Bed in Rosalie Has a Prayer Pad at Its Side.] - - - - - _Parsonage_ - - - [Illustration: Parsonage] - -Under the very eaves of old “Rosalie” with its historic background of -Fort Rosalie, stands a sturdy square structure known as “The Parsonage”. - -It is a brick building with an English basement, the entrance leading by -broad steps to the elevated first floor. - -While of no particular historic interest, The Parsonage has its story. - -It was built by Peter Little, the owner and builder of Rosalie, and -bears the same evidence of sturdy construction exemplified in the larger -home. - -Like most men, Mr. Little wanted the privacy of his own home, while Mrs. -Little, due to religious enthusiasm, felt called upon to entertain every -preacher and his family who passed that way. By reason of this devotion -to religious duty, “Rosalie” was kept filled with ministerial guests. - -Following a long siege of such guests Mr. Little declared to his wife, -“I am going to build a home for your church friends and their families”. -True to this decision he built a lovely home, and in November 1850 -deeded it to the Methodist Church and called it “The Parsonage”. - -After the death of his young wife Mr. Little lived on at Rosalie, a -brokenhearted, lonely old man, until, tradition tells, while ill and -alone, in the dark hours of night, the master of Rosalie and builder of -The Parsonage which he designed to insure his seclusion, was murdered by -one of his own slaves. - -Later The Parsonage was sold. Today, with its exquisite antique -furnishings, it is the property of the Orrick Metcalfs, who are -descendants of one of Natchez’ oldest and most respected families. - - - - - _Stanton Hall_ - - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -In the heart of the city of Natchez stands an imposing mansion, “Stanton -Hall”. It is surrounded by a half-acre of rolling lawn which is enclosed -by an iron fence. This strong iron fence is in a delicate design and is -itself worth a small fortune. - -Stanton Hall is the most handsome old home, and probably the most -expensive, in the entire Natchez area. It is not of great historical -value but it well represents the architectural grandeur of the Old -South. - -It was built during the 1851-56 period. As the building materials were -imported, the house required several years for its construction. - -On the first floor there are four tremendous rooms and a broad hall. -Hand carvings for doors and windows, Carrara marble mantels, silver and -bronze hinges, bronze chandeliers, and exquisite over-size mirrors -required a specially chartered ship for their delivery to complete this -handsome home. It was built for Frederick Stanton of Belfast, Ireland, -and his young wife, Hulda Helm Stanton, a lady of the Natchez -neighborhood. - -The spacious grounds resemble a well-kept park. Aged oaks spread their -moss-draped boughs in a latticed shield, as it were, across the front -where white Corinthian columns support the massive portico which is -outlined by iron grill railings of intricate lacy pattern. - -To the right of the entrance is a large drawing room, and back of this, -through an elaborate archway, is a very unusual music room. This room is -decorated with murals of musical instruments on which appear the names -of the great old music masters. - - [Illustration: Stanton Hall] - -Woodwork and doors on the first floor are of solid mahogany, with silver -hinges and silver door knobs. - -After Stanton Hall passed from the original owners in the year 1894, it -was used as a select school, known as “Stanton College for Young -Ladies”. - -In August 1920 Robert T. Clarke bought Stanton Hall and has occupied it -since that date. He recently sold the property to the Pilgrimage Garden -Club. - - - - - _Weymouth Hall_ - - - [Illustration: Weymouth Hall] - -Unusual and peculiar is the construction of Weymouth Hall. It was -purchased by Col. John Weymouth in 1821 and was rebuilt in 1852 by the -Bullock family. It is a three-story brick building overlooking the -Mississippi River, and has for its back view acres of Natchez cemetery. - -The upper stories are reached by a winding stairway. The third floor is -a ballroom. During the War Between the States this room was used as -headquarters for Union soldiers because it gave a perfect view of the -river and surrounding country. - -Stark Young in _So Red the Rose_ refers to Weymouth Hall and the death -of Mrs. John Weymouth in the room below the Union headquarters. He gives -a vivid description of the agony of the family as they watched a loved -one slip away forever amid the hostile booming of drums above her -bedroom. - -The furnishings, woodwork, and mantels in Weymouth Hall are fascinating -in perfection and antiquity. In the living room on the second floor is a -black marble mantel inlaid with colored roses of mother of pearl. -Fabulous offers have been declined for this mantel. There is probably -not another like it in the entire South. - -This old home is now owned and occupied by the Zurhellen and Morton -families, who are lineal descendants of Mrs. John Weymouth. - - - - - _Ruins of Windsor_ - - - [Illustration: Ruins of Windsor] - -Twenty-two stone Corinthian columns stand today as remnants of a grand -example of ante-bellum Greek Revival architecture. - -Windsor was built in 1861 by S. C. Daniel, a wealthy Mississippi planter -who also had large land holdings in Louisiana. It had five stories, -topped by an observatory. It is said that Mark Twain, when a Mississippi -steamboat pilot, charted his course at this point by the lofty tower of -Windsor. - -The house and its furnishings were destroyed by fire in 1890. - - - - - _Windy Hill Manor_ - - - [Illustration: Windy Hill Manor] - -Nine miles from Natchez, on the Liberty road, in a picturesque, -moss-draped grove, stands “Windy Hill Manor”, home of the Misses -Stanton. - -The records show that Windy Hill originally belonged to Joseph Ford. It -was under the ownership of Benjamin Osmun, a close friend of Aaron Burr, -that the place received its great historical interest. - -After Aaron Burr had been accused of treason against his own country and -released on $5,000 bail, he was invited to be the guest of his old -friend Benjamin Osmun at Windy Hill. - -One hundred and twenty years ago Benjamin Osmun sold this plantation to -General Brandon, great-grandfather of the Stanton sisters who now occupy -it. The Stantons gave the property the name of “Windy Hill Manor”. - -Architecturally this house, like many of the cottage type ante-bellum -homes, is a surprise, when upon entering it is found to be of commodious -proportions. - -It is a story-and-a-half, plantation type home, with wide porch and -large columns across the front. - -There is a beautiful spiral stairway in the wide front hall. To the left -is a large drawing room containing numerous relics of days long gone; -portraits of past generations; antique furniture, and a most interesting -collection of Indian relics. Also, an unusual fireplace and mantel are -in this room. - - [Illustration: (unlabelled)] - -Time has marched on but Windy Hill Manor remains a living, vibrant -picture of the days of the ease and graciousness of the Old South. The -Misses Stanton complete the perfection of this period picture. - -Here our visit to the old estates comes to an end. Lack of space has -prevented inclusion of all of the ante-bellum homes, but we hope that we -have nevertheless captured the charm of Natchez. - - [Illustration: AARON BURR OAKS] - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---Moved some captions closer to the corresponding pictures, removing - extraneous spatial references like “(next page)”. - ---In the text versions, delimited italicized text by _underscores_. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Natchez, Symbol of the Old South, by -Nola Nance Oliver - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NATCHEZ, SYMBOL OF THE OLD SOUTH *** - -***** This file should be named 53830-0.txt or 53830-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/8/3/53830/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, MFR and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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