It was at "Red
Hill" that the famous orator of Revolutionary days spent the last
years of his life. It was in his big chair in the living room there that
he died, and his grave is in the garden adjoining the house. When Mrs.
Harrison bought the old home place and 1,000 acres surrounding it, from
the other heirs, she had extensive improvements made under the direction
of Charles Barton Keen, of Philadelphia, famous for his restoration of
Southern homes, but the room in which her grandfather died was left
unaltered out of respect to his memory.
The fire which destroyed the house was discovered about 8 o'clock
last Thursday morning by a colored boy who was driving cows to the
lowlands at the time. He gave the alarm. Neighbors and tenants were
unable to save anything but the furniture on the first floor and
articles of clothing on the second floor. Among the many portraits
destroyed was one of Governor Spottswood and one of his wife.
Had not the wind been low at the time, the outbuildings would
undoubtedly have caught from burning embers. One of the outbuildings is
the historic law office of Patrick Henry. Years ago the office of his
grandson, William Wirt Henry, which was in the front yard, was moved and
joined with Patrick Henry's old office. In the five rooms of the two
small buildings is now gathered all the rescued furniture from the
house. The precious paintings and the relics around which so much
sentiment gathers are now temporarily stored until rebuilding is
completed or other arrangements are made.
Probably the most valuable of the works of art saved from the fire
was Valentine's bust of William Wirt Henry. It is generally considered
the best bust Valentine ever made.
With the exception of Mount Vernon, the location of "Red
Hill" is the best in the state. It is at the junction of Halifax,
Campbell, and Charlotte Counties, looking out over the broad, rolling
slopes leading down to the Staunton River. In the distance are rugged
uplands on which thousands of head of cattle graze. Lynchburg is the
nearest city, thirty miles distant. This isolation accounts for the fact
that "Red Hill" has been so little visited in spite of its
historical appeal.
Mrs. Harrison will continue to live at "Red Hill." She will
have the building used as the law office of Patrick Henry fitted up as
her residence. At present she is at the home of a neighbor. It is
understood that the loss on the residence is covered by insurance.
