Spotswood News Descendants of Governor Alexander Spotswood and Lady Butler Brayne
Governor Spotswood
VOL. 6, NO. 1 Publisher: Michael Frost, PhD Editor: Grace Karish WINTER 2014
Dear Cousins, In addition, our group walked down to the Spotswood spring, which had been marked by the It’s an exciting time to be a Colonial Dames, although it is much overgrown Spotswood! I enjoyed seeing now. Most of us came away with chiggers, but were so many of you at the reunion, fortunate enough to avoid the poison ivy! and hope to catch up with the rest of you soon. First and Dr. Frost announced his plans to build the foremost, I wish to extend my Spotswood Library and Museum, and a research thanks to Dr. Michael Frost facility next to the Germanna Visitor Center, located and the other outgoing along Route 3, between Culpeper and Fredericks- officers for their service and burg. Artifacts from the Enchanted Castle/Fort support over the past four Germanna site will be housed and catalogued here. years. Those formative efforts have laid the Germanna’s Board of Directors has approved footwork for a great family organization. Now it is preliminary plans, and recruitment of an architect is time for the rest of us to build upon that underway. This will be the perfect place to house foundation. your documented family lines, photos, and stories. You may also have family heirlooms that you would As most of you are probably aware, the Germanna wish to have preserved in a museum-quality setting. Memorial Foundation (the descendants of the What better place to be sure that they are preserved Germans brought to Virginia by Spotswood) has as well as the memory of our illustrious ancestor and acquired the site of the original Fort Germanna his progeny. and Spotswood’s Enchanted Castle from the state of Virginia. At the reunion, we were delighted to I am honored to serve as your new President General see that the area had been cleared of small trees and look forward to growing the Spotswood Family and brush. Dr. Frost donated benches from which Descendants society with you. Please feel free to to enjoy both the vista and the archaeological contact me anytime by phone, 804-537-5573, or progress. We were able to see the foundations of email, [email protected]. the mansion and gain an understanding of the perimeter of the fort. Following the reunion, an Sincerely, active search was begun to secure the right archaeologist. The mansion area will be covered Dale Sayers and sealed for protection during the coming President General winter.
Table of Contents
President General’s Message ...... Page 1 Lieutenant Governor Spotswood’s Waistcoat...... Page 6 SFD Officers ...... Page 2 Proud Descendant, Proud Donor...... Page 7 The “Spotswood News” Spotlight ...... Page 2 Germanna Colony Celebrates 300th Anniversary ...... Page 7 “Wedding Bells” Rang in April ...... Page 2 Did you know… ...... Page 8 Meet Your New Officers ...... Page 3 Surveys ...... Page 8 Dr. Michael Frost Receives Plaque ...... Page 3 Recipe ...... Page 8 Spotswood Family Descendants Heritage Weekend ... Page 4 Membership ...... Page 8 Germanna Foundation Acquires Fort, Castle...... Page 4 Dale Sayers Visits France...... Page 9 Diamond Horseshoe Pin ...... Page 5 Governor Spotswood and Blackbeard ...... Page 10 Red Cross Recognizes Local Volunteers...... Page 6 Enchanted Castle ...... Page 11
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SFD Officers The “Spotswood News” Spotlight
2014 – 2016 The “Spotswood News” Spot-
President General Dale Sayers light for this issue shines on Dale Sayers, President General. 1st Vice President Patricia Boykin 2nd Vice President Molly Carey Ruth Dale Payne was born February 10, 1950 in Richmond, rd 3 Vice President Todd Long Virginia, to Robert Haynie Payne Secretary Todd Long and Ruth Winn Abernathy. In 1972, Dale graduated from Treasurer Molly Carey Madison College, now known as Registrar Michael Frost James Madison University, with a B.S. in Education. That same year, Chaplain Michael Frost she married Dannie Lewis Watkins. They had three Historian Todd Long children: Daniel Jackson, Robert Randolph, and Lauren Elizabeth. After a divorce, and ten years of Parliamentarian Jay Sheeler being single, Dale married James Robert Sayers on Spotswood News Editor Grace Karish August 7, 2010. They currently live in Hanover, Virginia. Dale taught grades 2-4, primarily at Web Master Michael Frost Dumbarton Elementary School. After 22 years of Past President’s Council Michael Frost teaching, she retired in June 2012.
“Wedding Bells”
Rang in April
Todd Long and Megan Herwick were married on April 15, 2014 at The Inn at Kelly’s Ford in Remington, Virginia (Culpeper County).
Kelly’s Ford was the site of a Civil War battle fought on March 17, 1863. It was a small scale cavalry battle fought between Union Brig. Gen. William Averell and Confederate Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, a great great-grandson of Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood and nephew of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The result of the battle was inconclusive. It was appropriate that Todd and Megan married at this location for a couple of reasons. First, the site is in Culpeper County, an area once owned by Spotswood and in the general area where Butler Brayne Spotswood lived. Second, Todd is related to Fitzhugh Lee, a Spotswood descendant. Megan, Todd’s new bride, had an ancestor who fought in the battle; therefore, the wedding reconnected the two families, again. After the afternoon wedding ceremony, the The day of the wedding was perfect. The morning bride and groom enjoyed a carriage ride in the began with Todd’s family tradition of blindfolding area where they were married. Wedding the bride and groom. They were then led to an open pictures were taken, and the reception began, field where they exchanged wedding gifts. lasting until 10:00 that evening.
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Meet Your New Officers
(L-R) Jay Sheeler, Parliamentarian; Todd Long, Third Vice President, Secretary and Historian; Molly Carey, Second Vice President and Treasurer; Pattie Boykin, First Vice President; Dale Sayers, President General; and Michael Frost, Past President General and Registrar, Chaplain and Web Master. Not pictured is Grace Karish, Spotswood News Editor.
Dr. Michael Frost Receives Plaque
Dr. Michael Frost received the Spotswood Family Descendants commemorative plaque as Founder and President General, during the 2014 Spotswood Family Descendants Heritage Weekend.
Dr. Frost is now Past President General of the SFD.
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Spotswood Family Descendants Heritage Weekend
Spotswood family members attended an enjoyable Heritage Weekend in Fredericksburg, Virginia, last July.
The Germanna Foundation celebrated the 300th Jubilee of Germanna, marking the 1714 Germanna settlement. These dates coincided with the Spotswood Family Heritage Weekend. This enabled the Spotswood family to attend some of Germanna’s events.
The weekend began Thursday evening with a welcome dinner at Lady Spotswood’s home, Salubria, hosted by Germanna. After dinner, there was live entertainment on the lawn of the mansion, including a bagpiper, cloggers, The Rector Band, and others. It was a wonderful evening.
Friday, the family visited the Enchanted Castle and Ft. Germanna archaeological sites. A reception, dinner, and the business meeting were held that evening at La Petite Auberge. New officers for 2014-2016 were elected at the business meeting.
Saturday morning the family departed for Culpeper to join Dancers entertaining guests at Salubria the Germanna attendees for the celebration of Germanna’s 300th Anniversary. The Spotswood family attended Germanna’s sessions, with guest speakers at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center. That evening, they enjoyed a reception and dinner banquet at Brock’s Riverside Grill overlooking the Rappahannock River. After dinner, Dr. Michael Frost gave a presentation of the projected plans for building a Spotswood Library and Museum at Germanna Visitor Center.
The Spotswood family attended church services at St. George Episcopal Church, where Colonel John Spotswood was elected to the Vestry. This year’s Heritage Weekend concluded with the family having lunch at Castiglias Italian Restaurant. Visitor Center at Germanna The Spotswood Heritage Weekend is held every year, in the summer. During the weekend, Spotswood family members visit various Spotswood sites, have an informative and educational business meeting, and dine at different places (restaurants, picnics, etc.). Please consider joining the family at next year’s Spotswood Heritage Weekend.
Germanna Foundation Acquires Fort, Castle
By Rhonda Simmons “This is an important American archaeological site, Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 and we are very pleased and excited about this and look forward to moving forward,” added Wheat. After three years of negotiations, the University of “This is a pretty exciting time. We are so grateful for Mary Washington, Board of Visitors recently voted to the opportunity to learn and refine our plans and transfer ownership of the Fort Germanna/Enchanted organization from the many people involved in the Castle site, located along the Route 3 corridor in negotiations over the last three years.” Orange County, to the Germanna Foundation, according to foundation president Marc Wheat. Wheat said the Germanna Foundation’s predecessor UMW has held ownership of the prime property since organization tried unsuccessfully to acquire this same 1990. property in 1955. Continued on page 5
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Germanna Foundation Acquires Fort, Castle Daniel Technology Center, urging another dig at (Continued) Germanna. “I have always thought the Fort
“It is a moving experience in an American’s life to Germanna/Enchanted Castle site ranks among the
travel to a special place and say with pride and most significant historical archaeological sites
gratitude, this is where our family became American.” certainly in Virginia and arguably in the nation,”
Wheat continued, “On behalf of the Board of Trustees Kelso wrote via e-mail to former Germanna of The Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Community College English instructor Rob Colonies, Inc., chartered on March 14, 1956 in the Sherwood in 2007. “The establishment of both Commonwealth of Virginia, it is my great honor to Jamestown and Germanna forts were historically announce to you that the great object itself, pivotal.” Germanna, is coming home.” Excavations in the 1980s and 90s involved UMW More than 30 years ago, world-renowned chief professors Douglas Sanford and Carter Hudgins. Jamestown archaeologist William Kelso conducted a They uncovered additional remains of Fort survey at Germanna and found an intact ruin of Germanna. But by 1995, the research ended due to probably one of the most elaborate mansions ever lack of funding. built in colonial Virginia, the “palatial” Enchanted Castle. “There will be great challenges ahead as we raise the necessary funds to hire the right Chief Operating The 62-acre tract of Fort Germanna – created by Officer and conduct sensitive archaeological work British-appointed Gov. Alexander Spotswood in 1714 on a complex site. But these struggles are nothing – included an “Enchanted Castle,” a town, ancient compared to the struggles of the first colonists at Native American sites and two prominent buildings Germanna,” Wheat said. “If funded, the next thought to be a church and possibly a courthouse or archeological dig would be very careful, low impact, jail, according to researchers. and minimally invasive work.”
In December 2007, Kelso was back in the area and spoke to a crowd at Germanna Community College’s
Diamond Horseshoe Pin
Pattie Boykin, First Vice President of the SFD, had a copy of an antique Diamond Horseshoe pin made, last summer. No authenticated original exists, but from the descriptions and historical write-ups, the copy is an exact replica. The Latin incised lettering was on the horseshoe pin that Governor Spotswood gave to each officer who went on the Golden Horseshoe Expedition in 1716. The polished lettering on the pin reads: Sic Jurat Transcendere Montes – “thus he swears to cross the mountains.”
The pin is cast in gold, approximately ¾” x ¾” overall, set with eight 1.5mm round, faceted stones, and has a hidden loop at the top to be worn as a charm or pendant, as well as a pin. Prices are listed and vary depending on the quality of gold and the stones ordered. The pin can be ordered directly from the jeweler.
14k yellow gold, four .015ct I color SI1 clarity diamonds, two AA quality rubies and two AA quality emeralds .... $538 10k yellow gold, four .015ct I color SI1 clarity diamonds, two AA quality rubies and two A quality emeralds ...... $405 Vermeil (heavy gold plating on silver), four .015ct I color SI1 clarity diamonds, two B quality rubies and two B quality emeralds ...... $282
To order, please contact: Citypride Ltd. Citypride Ltd. accepts Visa, 411 Cottman Street Mastercard and Discover. Jenkintown, PA 19046 888-679-8888 Please allow 3-4 weeks for [email protected] delivery on all orders.
Thank you to Cassel and Pearl Adamson for their efforts in giving Pattie the details of the horseshoe pin Cassel’s mother found at an estate sale back in the 1920s, and to Pattie Boykin, for replicating the pin.
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Red Cross Recognizes Local Volunteers
From The Farmville (VA.) Herald, Friday, July 11, 2014
Approximately 45 volunteer and paid staff workforce of the American Red Cross, Eastern Virginia Region, enjoyed an annual Volunteer Recognition and dinner, catered by Four Oaks Restaurant at Dan River Baptist Church in Halifax recently.
The theme for the 2014 recognition was: “Volunteers don’t just do the work – they make it work.”
Regional CEO Reginald Gordon remarked, “This evening, the Red Cross Volunteers who fill this room are being honored for the humanitarian work that you do, and for the wonderful way you put compassion into action.”
Ginger Weaver presented Disaster Cycle Services Outstanding Volunteer of the Year awards to Noel Shekleton, of Blackstone, and to Jay Sheeler, of Farmville. Pictured (L-R) are Chief Executive Officer Congratulations, Jay! Reginald Gordon, of Richmond, Jay Sheeler, award recipient, and Ginger Weaver, Territory 5 Specialist Jay is the Spotswood Family Descendant’s Parliamentarian. Disaster and Military Services.
Lieutenant Governor Spotswood’s Waistcoat
Found in the Collection July 20, 2011 In Wilton House Museum’s collection there are many unique artifacts concerning Virginia’s vast and wonderful history. One of the oldest pieces in their collection is a section of Alexander Spotswood’s waistcoat. The coat was donated to the museum in the 1930s by his descendants, Frances Roberdean Wolfe and Mary Patterson Jordan. The right front half of the waistcoat is all that remains of the original, since the other half was cut to pieces by members of the family to be used in patchwork quilts. The waistcoat itself is made out of satin and linen, and currently has eleven ivory buttons.
Collections Update Summer 2014 Conservation of the People’s Choice: Lieutenant Governor Spotswood’s Waistcoat
The Virginia Association of Museums awarded the conservation needs of Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood’s waistcoat its People’s Choice Award, garnering international support and attention. The historically significant textile was featured in the Virginia Association of Museum’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program and was even the subject of a creative Utube video. Donations and well-wishes in support of its conservation arrived from people and
organizations from around the country.
The conservation of the waistcoat was funded by the Kirby Fund and with further support from the Spotswood Family Descendants and numerous individuals. 7 | P a g e
Proud Descendant, Proud Donor
From the Richmond Times Dispatch, Virginia, August 4, 2012
Pattie Boykin, a descendant of Gov. Alexander
Spotswood, on Friday, unveiled a portrait of Spotswood that she had restored for the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond. Spotswood, who
was lieutenant governor of Virginia from 1710 to
1722, designed and built the Bruton Parish
Church, a powder Magazine and the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg. He also constructed
ironworks in Spotsylvania County.
Germanna Colony Celebrates 300th Anniversary
By Kerry W. Sipe, Correspondent Friday, July 25, 2014
Three centuries ago, 42 people – men, women and children from nine family units – left their homes in the Siegerland area of southern Germany in hopes of making a fresh start in the frontier wilds of what is now Orange County.
J. Marc Wheat, president of the Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, described the th colony at a 300 anniversary jubilee event last week as “embryonic America.” Photo by Kerry Sipe Their descendants and the descendants of a second J. Marc Wheat, President of The Memorial Foundation of the group of colonists who came three years later, now Germanna Colonies in Virginia, points to memorials at number in the millions, spread throughout this Brawdus Martin Visitor Center on Route 3 in Locust Grove to continent and the world. visitors participating in the 300th Anniversary of the arrival of
About 400 of them, including 35 present-day the first Germans, in 1714, at Fort Germanna in what is now Germans, attended five days of events July 16-20 Orange County. organized by the Germanna Foundation that included guided tours, presentations on history, genealogy, To many of those attending, the names are as familiar archaeology, barbecues and picnics, worship services as the names of their own children or grandchildren. at historic churches and a dinner and fund-raising auction. “I’m a direct descendant of Deiter Heite, who came over in 1774,” said J.B. Hitt II of Louisville, As the name of each settler was read during a Roll Kentucky. “I’m tied into several of these Germanna Call of Honor, Saturday, at the Culpeper campus of families.” Germanna Community College, groups of his or her descendants stood in respectful recognition: Johann Hitt has attended several of the annual reunions Juste Albrecht … Melchoir Brombach … Johannes sponsored by the Germanna Foundation. Kemper … Johann Merton … Jost Cuntze …
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Did you know…….. Recipe This recipe was submitted by Grace Karish from The Hunt In 1707, the British government Country Cook Book, published by the Warrenton bought the rights to the North Antiquarian Society, Warrenton, Virginia, printed American postal system from Robert by the Blue Ridge Press in Berryville, Virginia, West and Andrew Hamilton’s copyright 1963. widow.
Sally Lunn In 1730, Alexander Spotswood, a former lieutenant governor of (Governor Spotswood’s Granddaughter’s recipe – 1770) Virginia, became deputy postmaster 4 eggs 1 teacup potato yeast (1 yeast general of America. The appoint- 1 large tablespoon butter cake in ¼ cup warm water ment of Benjamin Franklin as 1 teacup warm water may be substituted for potato postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737 1 teaspoon salt yeast) may have been Spotswood’s most notable achievement. Franklin, only Beat 4 eggs well. Add a large tablespoon of butter. Put butter 31 years old at the time, was a in a teacup of warm water and pour it into the eggs, with successful printer, publisher, and teaspoon of salt and a teacup of potato yeast. Beat in quart of civic leader. He would later become flower, making batter stiff enough for a spoon to stand in. Put in one of the most popular men of his warm place to rise about two hours. Beat it over and let rise age. again about one hour. Grease a mold and pour in batter. Bake at 400 degrees for about 50 minutes. Two other Virginians succeeded Should you want it for supper, make it at 10:00 A.M. in Spotswood as deputy postmaster Winter and 12:00 P.M. in Summer. general: Head Lynch in 1739 and MRS. FRANKLIN DABNEY EASTHAM Elliot Benger in 1743. Arlington, Virginia
Surveys
Thank you to those who have returned their Spotswood Sur- veys. If you have not done so, Membership please send your survey to Dale Please make a serious effort to recruit new members for the Sayers. Spotswood Family Descendants. We all have cousins, or Dale Sayers know someone related to Gov. Alexander Spotswood, who 13356 Depot Road might be interested in the archaeological work going on at Hanover, VA 23069 the Enchanted Castle, or in the building of the Spotswood Your input is needed, as our Library and Museum. NOW is the time to shake those society moves forward. It is family trees and find folks who are even remotely interested important for us to know your interests, preferences, and in their family roots. Some of your may belong to other circumstances so we may plan ancestral groups who might have members descended from events that you would like to Alexander Spotswood. It would only take a little effort to support and attend. Please let let them know of our society. In many cases, their lineage Dale hear from you at your papers could connect to one already approved by current earliest convenience. When a majority of the surveys have been members. In addition, there are Board members willing to received, Dale will compile them serve as liaisons to help complete the paperwork. Please and share the results. help our society GROW.
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Dale Sayers Visits France
On a recent trip to France, Dale and her husband, Jim, visited Ile de Re, Paris, Rouen, Normandy, Fontevrault, Poitiers, and the Loire Valley, and several locations that have a relevance for descendants of Alexander Spotswood.
It was a delight to visit Villandry, originally called Colombiers. The chateau today is renowned for its exquisite gardens and opulent 16th century interior. However, the 12th century original keep still stands.
It was here that Henry II, King of England, and Philippe Auguste, King of France, signed the Treaty of Colombiers on July 4, 1189. Both are ancestors on the Spotswood line as Villandry, 12th Century Keep on the left follows. A section of the Garden of Love at Villandry
English Royal Line French Royal Line
Henry II m. Eleanor of Aquitaine Philippe Auguste m. Isabelle of Flanders John m. Isabel of Angouleme Louis VIII m. Blanche of Castile Henry III m. Eleanor of Provence Louis IX m. Marguerite of Provence Edward I m. Eleanor of Castile Philip III m. Isabelle of Aragon Philip IV m. Joan of Navarre Edward II m. Isabella of France Edward III m. Philippa of Hainault John of Gaunt m. Catherine de Roet Swynford John Beaufort m. Margaret Holland Joan Beaufort m. James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorn John Stewart, 1st Earl of Athol, m. Eleanor Sinclair John Stewart m. Janet Campbell Jean Stewart m. James Arbuthnott Isabel Arbuthnott m. Robert Maule William Maule m. Bethia Guthrie Eleanor Maule m. Alexander Morrison Bethia Morrison m. Robert Spottiswoode Robert Spotswood m. Catherine Maxwell Alexander Spotswood m. Butler Brayne
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Governor Alexander Spotswood
and Blackbeard “The Pirate”
In the summer of Pyrates” was passed, and £100 for the death or 1718, Williamsburg capture of Blackbeard. was rife with unrest. Alexander Unknown to them was the climactic battle off Spotswood, the Ocracoke Island fought two days earlier. The two Virginia colony’s vessels sent by Spotswood had arrived off North governor, was in the Carolina’s Outer Banks on November 21. One boat midst of a quarrel became disabled, so that the Ranger, under command with influential of Lieutenant Robert Maynard, entered the inlet that members of the local evening and sighted Blackbeard’s Adventure gentry. Eight anchored in open water. Battle was joined at members of the daybreak, after the English mariners jettisoned much Council had declined of their ballast. to attend his elegant Virginia Lt. Gov. Spotswood annual entertainment Maynard had the Union launched the 1718 mission to in honor of the king’s Jack run up on his capture the pirate in North birthday in May of previously unidentified Carolina. that year. Instead, as vessel. Blackbeard raised the governor himself observed, they “got together all his personal black ensign the turbulent and disaffected Burgesses, had an with a horned skeleton. entertainment of their own in the Burgesses House After receiving cannon fire, Maynard’s crew, not and invited the mob to a bonfire where they were plentifully supplied with liquors.” equipped with artillery, answered with musket volleys and then hid below Stung by the largely unmerited volley of acrimonious decks in a ruse to lure the pirates aboard the English accusations and resulting recriminations leveled at vessel. Maynard later wrote of his adversary that “at him by such well-connected colonial figures as our first Salutation, he drank Damnation to me and William Byrd and Philip Ludwell, Spotswood my Men, whom he stil’d Cowardly Puppies, saying, recognized an opportunity for succoring a popular He would neither give or take Quarter.” cause to aid in restoration of his personal standing. Thus, Spotswood was sympathetic when merchants Deceived by the seamen’s stratagem, Blackbeard and from North Carolina presented a plea for relief from his crew clambered aboard the Ranger and were sea attack. Many of the merchants attested to immediately surrounded and ultimately vanquished collusion between their own Governor Charles Eden by Maynard’s men emerging from the hold. In the and pirates. William Howard, who served as ensuing chaos, during which a contemporary quartermaster under Blackbeard, was captured in describes the sea around the vessel as “tinctur’d with Virginia and charged for serving with “one Edward Blood,” Maynard and Blackbeard came face to face. Tach and other Wickid and desolute Persons.” In the The pirate received a pistol shot while swinging his interim, it was learned that the sea rovers were heavy cutlass, snapping his adversary’s sword like a planning to fortify Ocracoke Island as their haven. twig. As Blackbeard was about to deliver the death blow, his throat was slashed by a Scot among Time was of the essence in order to dispatch an Maynard’s crew. Much as the wily Russian monk, expedition before the sanctuary became impregnable. Rasputin in a later era, Blackbeard continued to Governor Spotswood himself provided funds for the struggle on until, while cocking a pistol, he fell dead. hire of two light, fast sloops, which slipped stealthily Later it was discovered that he had sustained 25 out of the Chesapeake Bay into the Atlantic on a wounds, five of which were from pistol balls. “Here,” course set for Ocracoke Inlet on November 17. remarked a contemporary, “was an end to that Spotswood inveighed the Burgesses at Williamsburg courageous brute, who might have passed in the for “Speedy and Effectual Measures for breaking up world for a hero had he been employed in a good that Knott of Robbers.” On November 24, an “Act to cause.” Encourage the Apprehending and Destroying of Continued on page 11 11 | P a g e
Governor Spotswood & Blackbeard treatment must I expect, should I fall within (Continued) their power, who have been markt as the Almost immediately, Maynard had the pirate’s head personal object of their vengeance, for severed and hung the grisly trophy from the bowsprit cutting off their arch Pirate Thatch, with all of the Ranger. The corpse was thrown overboard his grand Designs, & making so many of after which, legend says, it swam defiantly several their Fraternity to swing in the open air of times around the sloop. Stopping first at Bath, North Virginia. Carolina, Maynard discovered much of the pirates’ Williamsburg’s connection with pirates dates to 1693. booty in the barn of Tobias Knight, Governor Eden’s Account books of the College of William and Mary secretary. With the recovered goods on board and show £300 received from three buccaneers named Blackbeard’s skull swinging from the bowsprit, the Edward Davis, Lionel Delawafer, and Andrew expedition returned to Virginia. Hinson, who thus obtained their release from the Bristol, England, is generally believed to have been Jamestown jail. Blackbeard quartermaster William the home of the pirate Edward Teach – better known Howard, while incarcerated in Williamsburg, was to history as Blackbeard. defended in court by the town’s first mayor, John Holloway, characterized by Spotswood as “a constant William Berkeley, governor of the Virginia colony in patron and advocate of pirates.” Nine of Blackbeard’s 1660, complained that the “Seas are soe full of crew survived to be captured and, with six others Pyrates that it is almost impossible for any Ships to seized in Bath, were brought to Virginia’s colonial goe home (to England) in safety.” Merchantmen and capital for trial, probably held in the General trading vessels often sought to thwart pirates by Courtroom on the first floor of the Capitol. March assembling in fleets and sailing under convoy of 1719 saw 13 pirates meet their end on the gallows guard ships, English naval vessels that superintended along Williamsburg’s present Capitol Landing Road. harbors and protected shipping. th th During the 17 and 18 centuries in England and Spotswood lamented his lack of “some safe America, the bodies of executed pirates were often opportunity to get home” to London and insisted that later hanged in chains near harbor entrances and left he would travel only in a well-armed man-of-war. for years as a warning to would-be pirates. It is recorded that Spotswood required this action to be Your Lordships will easily conceive my taken, with four “profligate wretches” hanged by Meaning when you reflect on the Vigorous twos at Tindall’s Point on the York and at Urbanna part I’ve acted to suppress Pirates; and if on the Rappahannock. Blackbeard’s skull hung for those barbarous Wretches can be moved to many years from a pole at the confluence of the cut off the Nose & Ears of a Master for but Hampton and James rivers. The site is still known at correcting his own Sailors, what inhuman Blackbeard’s Point.
The Enchanted Castle Alexander Spotswood’s Enchanted Castle was not, in fact, a castle. This name was applied to his home by William Byrd II, who visited in 1732. The Germanna Foundation suggests that the Spotswoods themselves called it “Porto Bella.” Nor was it a rugged wilderness outpost on the edge of civilization on the Virginia frontier. In reality, the Spotswood’s home was an early Georgian manor located in what was then the county seat of Spottsylvania County and close by Spotswood’s iron works at Tubal Furnace. It was Spotswood’s family home supported by a large staff.
The Spotswood family home also served double for Spotsylvania County. The county clerk’s office was located in the house, and it is suggested that the court itself met in Spotswood’s parlor, although most think it was held in a single room building located on the grounds.
In late September of 1732, William Byrd II visited Spotswood at his home in order to view the nearby mining endeavors. He kept a diary during this trip,
Continued on page 12
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The Enchanted Castle (Continued) giving us a snapshot of what life was like in the Spotswood household. It is Byrd who gave the house the name it is known by today, calling it “The Enchanted Castle” although whether he meant this as a compliment or not is hard to tell, given his rather irreverent style of writing. Byrd’s diary does not give us much information about the appearance of the house. It provides a snapshot of the daily life of its occupants and what was in their thoughts at the time. Amusing anecdotes related in this narrative include the despair that Spotswood’s unmarried sister-in-law felt at the prospects of being able to find a suitable husband on the frontier, dogs with faulty house-training, and deer kept as family pets.
Life at the Enchanted Castle
The Enchanted Castle was the home of Alexander Spotswood, his wife, children, sister-in-law, and numerous servants. However, we know surprisingly little of any of these people.
Spotswood was married to Anne Butler Brayne, whose unmarried sister, Dorothea Brayne, lived with them at Germanna. As recorded in his diary, William Byrd enjoyed teasing Dorothea, whom he called “Miss Theky” for unknown reasons. This monnicker caused later confusion as to the identity of Mrs. Spotswood and her sister. One late 19th century historian went so far as to claim they were part of the German settlement.
The Spotswoods had four children. The two oldest, John and Anna Katherine, were born in England, in 1725 and 1728. Another daughter, named Dorothy after her aunt, was born in Virginia in 1731. The youngest, Robert, was born in 1733, a year after Byrd’s visit. That same year “Miss Theky” married Mr. Elliott Benger and moved from Germanna.
There were many servants needed to keep the large house running smoothly. When William Byrd left Germanna to continue his travels, he gave a pistole to be distributed among the servants. A pistole was a $4 Spanish coin worth a significant amount in this time.
The End of the Enchanted Castle
Alexander Spotswood died in 1740, a year after he had offered Germanna up for lease. His widow remained at Germanna until remarrying John Thompson, a minister, who built the Salubria house for her. Shortly after this, although the exact date is not known, Spotswood’s “Enchanted Castle” burned. Subsequent families who owned the land burned the ruins and salvaged building materials from the remains for their own construction.
The Memory of the Enchanted Castle
During the Civil War, soldiers called the house, situated on the site, The Enchanted Castle. There is much to be uncovered in the absence of reality. For example, in The History of Orange County (1907), W. W. Scott assumes that the Civil War soldiers who talked about organizing a military hospital in the “Enchanted Castle,” were talking about the original structure built by Alexander Spotswood one hundred years earlier. The changes that this structure still stood in 1864 are miniscule, yet Scott does not question their beliefs. Why? Because it is in the myth, he made an assumption based on myth. Obviously, they were mistaken, but it still shows how the myth becomes a part of history.