The Stronghold: A Story of Historic Northern Neck of Virginia and Its PeopleHaynie, Miriam
History
The Stronghold: A Story of Historic Northern Neck of Virginia and Its People
Haynie, Miriam
Northern Neck (Va.)
Isaac Allerton was the grandson of that celebrated Puritan, Governor
William Brewster of Plymouth. After Isaac graduated from Harvard
College, in 1650, he left New England and settled in Westmoreland
County, near the plantations of John Lee and Henry Corbin. Isaac called
his home The Narrows. He became a leading planter of the county and was
one of the men of Westmoreland "upon whom Governor Berkeley relied." In
1675 Allerton was second in command under Colonel John Washington to
fight Indians. Allerton married Ursula, the widow of John Mottrom. From
the union of Ursula and Isaac was descended President Zachary Taylor, as
has been stated before.
These then were the four neighbors with such diverse backgrounds, whose
plantations adjoined and who all came together each year at
"processioning" time.
In March of 1670 these men decided to build a "banquetting house for the
continuance of good Neighborhood."
The plan was that each neighbor, or his heirs, would take turns in
preparing the banquet and entertainment "yearly, according to his due,
to make an Honorable treatment fit to entertain the undertakers thereof,
their wives, misters & friends yearly and every year, & to begin upon
the 29th of May."
Thus the agreement was written, witnessed, and signed by Henry Corbin,
John Lee, Thomas Gerrard and Isaac Allerton, on the 30th of March 1670.
Jack Lee was assigned the responsibility of the building of the
"banquetting house." There is documented proof that the house was built
in "Pickatown field," and that the yearly celebrations were held.
At these celebrations Jack Lee, arriving on his spirited mount dressed
in his "gray suit with silver buttons" and "gloves with silver tops,"
must have been a dashing figure.
We can imagine Ursula at "Pickatown field," escorted by her fourth
husband, Colonel Allerton; Henry Corbin with his wife Alice and
daughter, Laetitia; and the Gerrards--Thomas and Rose.
Since friends were to be invited, Colonel Nicholas Spencer of
Secretary's Point may have been there with his wife, Frances Mottrom
Spencer. The host would probably have been afraid to omit from the guest
list Dick Cole of Salisbury Park, and his wife Anna.
Perhaps a little eight-year-old girl from Tucker Hill was dancing gaily
at "Pickatown field" in the year 1671. In three more years "little
Sarah Tucker" was to put away childish things to become the bride of
Colonel William Fitzhugh, one of the wealthiest planters in the Neck.
And in two more years the laughter of young Jack Lee would be stilled
forever.
But in the springtime of 1671 there was probably no small cloud over
"Pickatown field," and the "banquetting house" was filled with happy
sound.
Here end all known records concerning the "banquetting house in
Pickatown field"--America's first country club, circa 1671.
_THE LAND AGENT_
Now, in the year 1670, something new had been added to the Northern
Neck--a land agent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account