From the Richmond Whig, 4/20/1865

THE ANTIQUITIES OF RICHMOND. - As we promised, we continue from yesterday our notices of the prominent points and places of note, interesting to the stranger, in Richmond. The great fire has obliterated many of these, but enough remains to form an entertaining chapter. Among the most respectable antiquities in point of age and appearance, of which Richmond can boast, is the old stone house, of one story, on Main street, near the corner of 20^th, which dates, probably, A. M. C. - and, what is more remarkable, has always been in the Ege family. It was one of the first houses ever erected on the site now occupied by Richmond, and tradition says it was once an old Indian fort, and the lodge of a chief. Modernised, it became the resort of Washington, Jefferson, Madison and others. It has a history which would be interesting if gathered.

On the very summit of the high and steep hill north of the Ege house stands the old Adams mansion, a contemporary probably; erected by its original proprietor, whose domain was seperated by Shockoe creek from that of Col. Byrd, the founder of Richmond. The mansion retains its primitive and picturesque appearance, and is kept in fine preservation by its present owner, Mr. Loftin N. Ellett.

The old Parish Church of St. John’s, Church Hill, which is entitled to precedence for its sacred character, and probably for its age also, is preserved in its ancient purity of simple architecture, with the addition duly of a tower and belfry. This church was the Virginia House of Burgesses pending the American Revolution, and it was within its walls that Patrick Henry gave utterance to that remarkable speech in which occurs the now household sentence of “Give me liberty or give me death!” When McClellan was encompassing Richmond in 1862, and while one of the series of battles was progressing, a dreadful thunder storm arose, and the lighting struck the steeple, throwing down a portion of it. The event was looked upon as very ominous at the time.

Just back of the Richmond House, Governor street, was Council Chamber Hill. The old Continental Capitol occupied a site at the base of this hill, and the homeliness of the building was adapted to its locality; but it may be questioned whether in that mere wooden barn, more high talent, more political wisdom, and more true patriotism was not assembled, than has gathered since in the marred copy of a beautiful Grecian temple, which in its cost of shabby stucco, crowns the beautiful summit of Capitol Hill.

The Old Capitol as it was called until it was demolished, stood on 14^th street (or modern Pearl street), below Exchange alley. The edifice was a plain one story building, originally of small dimensions. From halls of legislation it was converted into counting-rooms - bills of exchange were drawn in place of legislative bills - bargain an sale superceded motions and enactments. Bargain and sale ever contaminated these halls when occupied by the Fathers of the Republic. Alas! that it should be charged to their successors with so much truth.

Where the Monumental Church now stands on Broad street between 13^th and 14^th streets, a large brick edifice, used as a theatre, once stood. This theatre was the scene of a terrible disaster on the night of December 26^th, 1811. The theatre took fire during the performance, and seventy-two persons perished in the flames. The portico of the church, which was reared upon the spot, now covers the tomb and ashes of most of the victims, whose names are recorded upon the tablets of the Monument, from which the church takes its name.

On Marshall street can be seen, in an excellent state of preservation, and in the occupancy of a gentleman of wealth, the residence in which Chief Justice John Marshall lived while in Richmond. - The agency of the United States Sanitary Commission is located in this building.

A short distance from it, on Ninth street, stands the mansion of Patrick Henry, now in the occupancy of his blood relative, Patrick Henry Aylett, Prosecuting Attorney of thee Confederate States District Court up to the time of the occupation of Richmond.

On Ninth street, opposite Capitol street, is the law office in which Patrick Henry gathered, from books, the eloquence that made him great. The building has suffered from fire once or twice, and repairs has somewhat changed its original appearance. At the time of the evacuation it was in the occupancy of Hon. Jas. Lyons.