Buckingham Literary Academy: Part II
Traveler’s Rest, Courtesy Richard L. Nicholas
Click here to catch up: Buckingham Literary Academy: Part I
In 1960, Lulie Patteson introduced readers of The Daily Progress to Buckingham County’s Literary Academy, founded by Welshman William Evans. She described the membership:
One meeting at Traveller’s Rest calls the role for Yancey, Bolling, Patteson, Cabell, Shepard, Robinson, Eldridge and Howell.
The club was organized for discussions of current topics of interest, poem composition, etc. Political discussions were abolished because one such debate almost had broken up the club.
There seems to have been no prizes awarded for good poems or prose other than the honor of having the group listen to the recital and sharing in the public dinner.
Evans kept the minutes, copying into the records the winning poems and prose compositions. Meetings were held at various places — Curdsville, Warminster and Maysville, for example.
Evans died in 1840 and is buried in the old Merioneth Cemetery. He was a brilliant man of sharp wit. Long after his death his satirical remarks were much quoted and the not–to–sympathetic jokers would mimic his one-sided walk caused by a wound at Germantown.
This Evans family’s devotion to literature filtered down to William Evans’ grandson, Dr. George W. Bagby, whose lyrical and humorous sketches entertained readers for decades.
For much more about Dr. Bagby, consult “At a Place Called Buckingham,” Volume Two.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
My friend’s mom used to spend summers at Travelers Rest with her grand parents. she would take the train from Richmond and then have to cross the river by boat to get to TR.
Timothy,
Many thanks for sharing this memory about Travelers Rest.
Joanne
The house is still standing
Thanks, Faye!
Does anyone know the location of the “old Merioneth” Cemetery? – presumably south of Willis Mountain? Is it listed in the multi-volume list of Buckingham cemeteries?
I don’t know. Perhaps, a Slate River Ramblings reader will offer a clue.
Larry, As far as I know, Traveler’s Rest is still standing, though, I don’t know about condition. Perhaps, another Slate River Ramblings reader can comment! Joanne
I meant Old log house with a double porch!
Oh well, that’s what I get for replying before coffee!
I love this house.I have admired the double porch on old houses and always wanted a old log house with a double house.Do you know if this house is still standing? Larry