ntly kept. Several patents
of land were entered blank upon record; many original patents, records
and deeds of land, with other matters of great consequence, were thrown
loose about the office, and suffered to be dirtied, torn, and eaten by
the moths and other insects. But upon this gentleman's accession to the
government, he immediately gave directions to reform all these
irregularities; he caused the loose and torn records of value to be
transcribed into new books, and ordered conveniences to be built within
the office for preserving the records from being lost and confounded as
before. He prescribed methods to keep the papers dry and clean, and to
reduce them into such order, as that any thing might be turned to
immediately. But all these conveniences were burnt soon after they were
finished, in October 1698, together with the office itself, and the
whole State House. But his diligence was so great in that affair, that
though his stay afterward in the country was very short, yet he caused
all the records and papers which had been saved from the fire to be
sorted again and registered in order, and indeed in much better order
than ever they had been before. In this condition he left them at his
quitting the government.
He made several offers to rebuild the State House in the same place; and
had his government continued but six months longer, 'tis probable he
would have effected it after such a manner as might have been least
burthensome to the people, designing the greatest part at his own cost.
Sec. 141. Sir Edmund Andros being upon a progress one summer, called at a
poor man's house in Stafford county for water. There came out to him an
ancient woman, and with her a lively brisk lad about twelve years old.
The lad was so ruddy and fair that his complexion gave the governor a
curiosity to ask some questions concerning him; and to his great
surprise was told that he was the son of that woman at 76 years of age.
His excellency, smiling at this improbability, enquired what sort of man
had been his father? To this the good woman made no reply, but instantly
ran and led her husband to the door, who was then above 100 years old.
He confirmed all that the woman had said about the lad, and,
notwithstanding his great age, was strong in his limbs and voice; but
had lost his sight. The woman for her part was without complaint, and
seemed to retain a vigor very uncommon at her years. Sir Edmund was so
well pleased with this ex
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