Brandon (ca. 1940s)

[Music] [Music] among the great Jordan houses of America none has a more interesting history none has a Lovelier Garden than Lowa Brandon it was seized by Kings Grant in 1617 to John Martin of his Majesty's First Council of Virginia and was known at that time as Martin Brandon situated on the James River Prince George County Virginia the main portion of the manor dates around 1712 history records that on a day in December 166 three ships glided down the river Tams from London and for four months sailed a steady course Due West across the Atlantic aboard where a small number of stouthearted colonists determined to establish the first English settlement in the America April found them nearing the mainland and crossing a great Bay they came to the mouth of a broad and Majestic river which they call the James proceeding of its Placid Waters they chose the site for their first settlement on Tide Water and with their ships floating in six fathoms they made fast the trees along the banks thus this Great Adventure in history began for the story of Virginia as well as the story of the United States began at this time and at this place Jamestown Virginia May 13th 167 [Music] the late Robert Daniels purchased Lowa Brandon in 1926 he was a direct descendant of this same John Martin first master of Martin's Brandon and this little boy is Bobby his son an a watching for the boat watching as countless other masters of Brandon have done for over 300 years for maale and people produce and Provisions fruit and livestock cotton and Machinery have come to and from Brandon all these many years served by the broad waterways of the river James along these Banks Captain Christopher Newport anchored that that first little English Fleet of three ships with its 103 Valiant colonists 54 gentlemen four carpenters and 24 laborers bringing a new order to the land of the Red Man hard years followed the founding of James town and the settlements bordering this historic River deadly fever from the swamp lands Bad drinking water food was scarce and there was the everpresent danger of Indian attack everybody remembers the story of Captain John Smith's effort to keep the colony alive and his capture by Indians and Rescue by pocah Hunter [Music] Brandon has its own post office and General Store to serve its many activities for it is still run as a plantation and many people are a part of its life the designation L Brandon was made by river captains to differentiate the landing from upper Brandon [Music] lower Brandon's approach from the river front is through one of the loveliest old Gardens in Virginia it is open to the river enclosed on each side by superb box Hedges a broad grass walk great trees lovely shrubs and flowering borders lead up to the Mana the guiding the garden and provides a beautiful approach to the house tradition dates the first Wing in the early 17th century and the central portion built by Harrison in 1712 the manner subsequently grew with its various Generations in their needs until it now spreads graciously across the lawn it remained in the possession of the Harrison family until 1926 the records show that the track contained 7 ,000 Acres the central portion of the house is said to follow the architectural design of Thomas jeffon from the beginning Brandon was a house famous for hospitality and the pineapple is a symbol thereof the house has gone through three wars during the Civil War when many of the Great plantations of the South was destroyed Brandon was ruthlessly damaged but sa from burning by Lincoln Brandon has been carefully restored but the bullet studded walls and shutters have been conserved Lee bad farewell to his generals from this battles scarred house the porches are comparatively recent the wooden cornices and the columns are enriched by well-designed details [Music] today the main entrance of the house is approach from the landside and modern highways border the plantation in this day of Motors the walls are a red brick the roofs of shingles and the shutters dark green the house has lovely paneling furnishings and portraits historic Association adds greatly to their interest some of the most distinguished Virginians were born Within These Walls and many more have been sheltered under its hospitable roof today Brandon still carries on its traditions this sandelier hangs in the drawing room and attached to it is a golden wedding ring no one knows how long it has hung here or whence it came but tradition says that if anyone removes it death will follow [Music] it is said that every flower and shrub known to Virginia has a place in The Gardens of Lowa [Music] Brandon Dogwood native to this country thrives and does with teror this Garden does not owe its beauty or its charm to rare and exotic plants brought from foreign lands for it has none only the oldfashioned long familiar things that we have always known but here they grow with such exuberance such health and beauty of color that one feels that the warning given over 300 years ago to First colonist by minister of the Church of England must have been deeply heeded by John Martin the founder of Brandon for this man of God warned that every plation which our heavenly father has not planted shall be uprooted one feels that Above All Else The Gardens of Brandon are deeply rooted there are great growes of superb trees sycamor Oaks Lindon Ash mimosa and Magnolia [Music] [Music] it is a wonderful playground and the game of Make Believe Indian can take on reality here for when Brandon was settled the Indians still considered the lands around the James River as their own domain and many other thrilling Legends associated with the countryside the Indians at times fled in their canoes from the white settlers only to return for the surprise attack [Music] the prim Rose PA of Brandon [Music] [Music] [Music] for [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the grass walks and ancient box Hedges are among the finest in America the box has grown to enormous size nled and twisted masses each more beautiful than the other casting deep somber Shadows from which it pungent fragrance [Music] arises this great tree of the Virgin Forest is the famous pan said to be the largest in the world its toing branches ared over this enchanting Garden a sentinel standing God over Brandon [Music] [Music] [Music] the farm and the animals are an Ever source of amusement to the children and daily rounds are made in in this little C everyone at Brandon takes a lively interest in the life and activities of Plantation [Music] la [Music] to all the [Music] Virginia ham is famous because of the great care which has gone for Generations in its making the way of breeding feeding and curing is carried out as it has been handed down in Virginia once a family slay this old negro takes pride in his work [Music] [Music] acres and Acres of Brandon Farmland must be worked and cultivated and many hands are employed to plant and harvest [Music] [Music] [Music] all Brandon has its own Little Schoolhouse for the children of the Negroes who work on the [Music] [Music] plantation members of the family frequently ride over to visit the school in the [Music] the breeding of fine horses is an important part of the plantation life [Music] for [Music] for [Music] [Music] these are the yearlings the age at which training [Music] begins this is the great stallion Brandon mint of the Brandon Stables he is from the famous racing strain of cados and Ultimus [Music] in the cool of the afternoon the horses are brought out to the jumps for schooling while members of the family watch from the fence [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music]