. Historic Virginia homes and churches . shell-shaped font are still to be seen,as in its earliest days. When it Avas the only church andlargest public building in Richmond, St. Johns was some-times used for political as well as religious gatherings; andso it happened that within its hallowed walls the patriotswho made up the Virginia Convention of 1775 assembledand heai-d Patrick Henrys immortal speech ending withthe woids, Give me liberty or give me death. The pew in which the orator stood is still jjointed out. THE VAN LEW HOUSE Also on Chin-ch Hill, and not far away from St. Johns,was the
. Historic Virginia homes and churches . shell-shaped font are still to be seen,as in its earliest days. When it Avas the only church andlargest public building in Richmond, St. Johns was some-times used for political as well as religious gatherings; andso it happened that within its hallowed walls the patriotswho made up the Virginia Convention of 1775 assembledand heai-d Patrick Henrys immortal speech ending withthe woids, Give me liberty or give me death. The pew in which the orator stood is still jjointed out. THE VAN LEW HOUSE Also on Chin-ch Hill, and not far away from St. Johns,was the Van Lew House,* best known of late years as thehome of the famous Miss Van Lew. It was perhapsthe stateliest of the Richmond mansions of its time. Cer-tainly it adorned the most charming site in the city. It Moore, History of Henrico Parish and Old St. Johns Church,Richmond, Va., I6II-IDO4. The inscriptions on tombstones inSt. Jolins Church yard are printed in this book, pp. -ilS-SSO. * See ilUistration, page 123. o BZ o X cwo« nSgoza. RICHMOND AND THE IITER JAMES 121 was built when ample groumls and roomy jjortieoes over-looking picturesque falling gardens were the fashion,and it was situated in a section which became unfashionablebefore the days of cutting uj) handsome grounds intotwenty-foot building lots. And so the old garden terraced back to the brow of thehill, overhanging, and commanding a superb view of .JamesRiver, with its sunny spaces and shady nooks, its hundredleaf roses and cool, sparkling spring, was long preserved. The house was built (probably near the end of theeighteenth century) by Dr. John Adams, son of Adams. Both father and son were gentlemen oflarge fortune and also of large heart, whose pet hobby wasthe advancement and beautifying of Richmond. married Peggy, one of the charming daughters ofMr. Geddes \Vinston, and their home had a brilliant socialhistory. It was noted for hospitality and was one of thehouses in which Lafayette was
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