In the quiet, grass-grown town of Alexandria, first named Belhaven, situated upon the lower bank of the Potomac, in Virginia, might have been perceived, just before the outbreak of the war between the States, a faint flavor of early colonial days lingering like the scent of rose-leaves in an old-time China jar. – Belhaven Tales, Constance Cary Harrison (1892).
Wish I had more time to look at her life, but wanted to say it was fun learning about Constance Cary Harrison. In a prolific writing career that spanned the last quarter of the 20th Century and beyond, she penned more than fifty works of novels and short stories in the genres of sentimental romance and popular serialized fiction.
I was a bit surprised I had never heard of her. She lived for a period of time in Vaucluse and is buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
(Aarrrghh, I missed this!)
Harrison (1843-1920) drew from a life that took her from Cumberland, Maryland (her father was editor of The Cumberland Civilian), to Alexandria, to Richmond, and Europe before settling down in New York City.
Her father traced his linage to Thomas Jefferson. Her mother’s family tree boasted of the Fairfax clan of Belvoir.
Harrison had two brothers, Falkland and Clarence. Falkland died at the tender age of 14.
When her father passed away, the family moved to live with her grandmother at Vaucluse. The family estate was a few miles west of Alexandria, not far from the Virginia Theological Seminary. Vaucluse is no more and long forgotten, but Harrison remembers it as a lively place.
Our establishment at Vaucluse now consisted of the dear and beneficient lady, its head, and her two widowed daughters with their children (six of the latter), together with an endless procession, coming and going, of aunts and cousins, who stayed as long as they found convenient and agreeable.
When war and the Union Army arrived in 1861, the family was forced out of Vaucluse. Cary moved to Richmond and began to write under the pen name of “Refugitta.”
In 1867, Cary married Burton Harrison and settled into a life in the Big Apple. He practiced law. The couple had three sons.
Francis (1873-1957) rose to prominence as a member of the House of Representatives from New York and governor-general of the Philippines.
Fairfax became President of Southern Railway and wrote several books on Virginia history. His out of print “Landmarks of Old Prince William County,” is cherished by those lucky enough to have a copy.
Taking the name and architectural inspiration from the Belvoir manor that once graced the Potomac between Mount Vernon and Woodlawn, he built a country estate home near Marshall in Faquier County.
After Burton passed away in 1904, Constance moved to Washington, D.C. and continued to publish fiction. She passed away in 1920 in Washington and was laid to rest at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria.
Harrison’s best-known work is her memoir, "Recollections Grave and Gay" (1911). She talks about her day of youth spent at Vaucluse and visits to Alexandria, including her uncle’s home at what we call the Fairfax House (Prince Street). Her brother Falkland died there.
In walking through the streets of Alexandria to-day, one sees residences. Keeping up the traditions of prosperous hospitality. Enclosed within. High-walled gardens, where the Southern sun coaxes from mellow. Soil jasmines yellow and white, roses in prodigal variety, honeysuckle, and other sweet-smelling things, the owners of these homes dwell, year after year, unambitious of change, gazing contentedly from afar upon “microcosm on stilts, yclept the great word.
Harrison also reminisces about trips to Mount Vernon, once when the Prince of Wales visited during President Buchanan’s administration. She fondly recalls presenting the Prince with a basket of flowers.
Belvoir is recounted too. She remembers seeing the ruins of the once handsome Georgian mansion and recalls stories her parents told about the Fairfaxes and Washington.
Harrison, who published under the name of Mrs. Burton Harrison, also penned "Belhaven Tales." It is set in 19th Century Alexandria. Caroline Wardlaw Martin (Southern Magazine), pointed out critics declared this book to be her best. Also popular was “A Little Centennial Lady,” (1876) an account of the diary of Sally Fairfax.
Martin notes that "Anglomaniacs" (1889) attracted the most attention and wide literary recognition.
Note:
Obit in The Washington Post states Harrison was born in Fairfax County. Other sources say Lexington, Kentucky.
Encyclopedia Virginia (Dunning Rea, A. Mrs. Burton Harrison (1843–1920). (2014, April 28) notes "there is some dispute surrounding the location of her birth."
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