Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/414

 The Marshall Memorial Tablet. by the intersection of the Southern Rail road and the old stage-road from Warrenton to Fredericksburg,— stood for many years a plain log house, built in 1754 by Colonel Thomas Marshall for his bride, the daugh ter of the scholarly James Keith, Rector of Hamilton Parish, Virginia. Those were strenuous times in the Old Dominion; and on this the eve of the French and Indian War, the settlers of the frontier counties had an eye to strength rather than elegance in the construction of their homes. But a rough exterior was by no means an invariable index to the home-life within,— which in many cases was marked by all the refinement and culture of the earlier and prouder homes of the colony. Of such a character, indeed, was the humble dwelling in which, Septem ber 24, 1755, John Marshall was born. In the course of years this old log house — long a landmark — went the way of its kind; but the chimney lingered upon the scene, sentinel-like, to guard the site of Mar shall's birthplace, till at length it fell to earth, forming a little mound which the years have covered with softest green. But always there have been those who have held the historic spot in remembrance, and the little knoll has never lost its identity. It has remained for the Marshall Chapter of the legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi to mark the spot for future generations; and on May 30, 1902, the foundation-stone for a simple monument was laid, by a deputation from the Chapter, with impressive though

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simple exercises,— the more elaborate cere monies having been reserved for the occa sion of the unveiling of the Memorial. The site of the fallen chimney forms the fitting base of the pyramid of stone, which, with its memorial tablet and further inscrip tions, will so appropriately mark the place of Marshall's birth; while the monument — which is to be of native sandstone — upon an eminence several hundred yards east of the railroad bridge that spans Licking Run, may be distinctly seen from the passing trains. In thus honoring the memory of Marshall, the Phi Delta Phi have signally honored themselves. This fraternity, the founding of which dates back to 1869, was the first of the legal fraternities in this country; and the John Marshall Chapter began its existence exactly fifteen years later. The oldest Greek letter fraternity in the United States — of which, as may not be generally known, John Marshall was himself a member — is the Phi Beta Kappa. It had its origin at William and Mary College, when the Revolutionary War was at its height. It is interesting to read upon the old records, under date of May 18, 1780, that "Captain John Marshall " — he was at that time a stu dent of law at William and Mary — " being recommended as a gentleman who would make a worthy member of the Society, was balloted for and received." Great prestige is enjoyed by this now famous Society, which has been styled " an admirable nursery of patriots and statesmen."