Natchez, Symbol of the Old SouthOliver, Nola Nance
History
Natchez, Symbol of the Old South
Oliver, Nola Nance
Historic buildings -- Mississippi -- Natchez
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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