Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland, described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon electric railway (1904) (14758995586)

Identifier: someoldhistoricl03snow (find matches)

Title: Some old historic landmarks of Virginia and Maryland, described in a hand-book for the tourist over the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon electric railway

Year: 1904 (1900s)

Authors: Snowden, William H. (from old catalog)

Subjects: Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon electric railway. (from old catalog) Historic buildings Historic buildings

Publisher: Alexandria, Va., Printed by G. H. Ramey & sons

Contributing Library: The Library of Congress

Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

Text Appearing Before Image:

ers.9 Pounds of sugar candy.So Martha used perfumed powder, breast knots, silken hose, and satin shoes like any modern lady who makes the slightest pretentions to fine dressing.WASHINGTONS SERVANTS. Just before the war it was not uncommon to read in the newspapers the annnounce-raent of the death of another of Washingtons Servants. Then almost every octo-genarian darkey in Old Fawfax claimed to have belonged to Mars Joge, andcould tell wonderful stories of old times at Mount Vernon. But of late no mention hasbeen made of these worthies. All of them have passed over the borders and joinedthe ranks of the plantation armies beyond. To the latest generation the descendants of the slave families of the Mount Vernonestate have great pride in telling that they are some of dat breed. In this connec-tion we cannot refrain from giving to the reader the ballad of Thornton Gray, oneof de old sarvents whom the writer once interviewed, and who was reputed to havebeen an offshoot of African royalty.

Text Appearing After Image:

,ff3^ W/P^^:/ U^4i> ^^. THORNTON GRAY, ONE OF WASHINGTONS SARVFNTS. OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND. 71 He was an ancient colored man, His age one hundred ten ;He hailed from old Virginny, And once a slave had been. His hair was thin and silverd, His brow with furrows set,Features fine cut and moulded, And face as black as jet. In olden times, the story ran. That kings and noblemen,In Africs sultry climate, His forefathers bad been ; And as I gazed upon him. And closely scannd his mien. It seemed a trace of royaltyFull well might yet be seen. He bowd him low and tipd his hat. And laid aside his hoe.The while I briefly interviewed About the long ago. My name is Thornton Gray, be saidDey calls me Uncle Thorn, Lived mosly in Old Fairfax,In Wesmoland was born. Was ris by Mars Wilkersn ; Great farmer, may depend ;Ownd all de big plantation Dey calld de River Bend. Made heaps of fine tobacco,Had stores of corn and wheat ; Hard labor, mind you ; but de bansHad plenty den to eat. Times aint de sa

some old historic landmarks of virginia and maryland described in a hand book for the tourist over the washington alexandria and mount vernon electric railway 1904 book illustrations historic buildings images from internet archive library of congress

1904

Library of Congress

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public domain