November 21, 2005
The Last of Its Kind
Springfield Plantation, circa 1786-91, near Fayette, just off the historic Natchez Trace Parkway, was the site of the first marriage between Andrew Jackson and Rachel Robards, in 1791. Springfield was one of the first houses in America built with a full colonnade across the entire front facade, and was the first such mansion to be built in the Mississippi Valley. Springfield remains almost entirely original and is on the National Register of Historic Places. posted from Vadalia LA
Woody and I have fallen in love with this most historic city. Natchez/Vadalia are filled with historic homes and sites we could stay a month and not see it all.
The weather is not to favorable, misty rain and cold so we are trying to stay in. Great museum weather. Today we took in the Springfield Plantation, the home where Andrew Jackson and Rachel Robards were married. The scandal was that Rachel wasnt divorced from Mr. Robards... caused Jackson Controversey all the way to the White House.
But the controversy of these "14th and 15th colonies" the areabelow Appalachia from florida to the Mississippi river, controled by the French, Spanish then by the Loyalists that fled the Revolution, the politics here shaped the thinking that formed the Conferderacy.
Fact is had the South been willing to give up holding slaves, The British would have come to their aid and we'd be a divided nation...but I digress in my alternative universe...
I loved this four poster with the hand chrocheted canopy
Mississippi has a huge number of historic homes. Many are still in family hands and have been lovingly restored. Others are neglected and have been torn down as land has increased in value. In the case of Springfield, the house survived the New Madrid quake, The War, flood fire and termites... being used as a hay barn, the property was about to be subdivided when Mr. De Salle, a local historian sold his home and put the money towards a lease on the 1000 acres and house and renovations.
A Confederate "National" flag. The "Stars and Bars" that you see and think of as the Confederate flag is a battle standard and not the flag that would be flown to represent the "nation" It is illegal to fly this flag. Found in the attic of Springfield this is the oldest flag of its kind. It hangs in a part of the house that has had minimal restoration and allows you to see the heart of this old house.
Mr. De Salle is now 80, decended of Canadian Loyalists, he may be the most knowlegable historian in America regarding the area that is now Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. He talks a mile a minute and I spent two fascinated hours listening to him. Between being a full on Windsorphile and Royalist(there are framed letters from members of the royal family and even Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. I'd say authentic given the stationery and forms of Usage, lots of books, pics and other memerobelia of the extended British Royal family) He spoke of different homes that have been flattened for shopping centers and Wal-Marts... very depressing. This place was his home He is living in it and it is his life, and we wonder who will carry the torch once he's gone.
Woody's favorite peice of furniture in the house.
We smiled at this. The furniture is all donated so its a bit hodgepodge but we loved it all. Looking forward to the next day or so of adventuring!
More tomorrow...
