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| Rives-Troubetzkoy Cemetery |
Amélie Rives’ novel The Quick or the Dead? was
published in 1888 and quickly sold over 300,000 copies. In 1896, she became a
princess when she married Prince Pierre Troubetzkoy after they had been
introduced by the author Oscar Wilde.
Amélie and Pierre Troubetzkoy lived at Castle Hill; like so many places in Virginia history, the home is haunted. According to the late author L.B. Taylor JR., guests would smell the scent of rose perfume when there were no fresh flowers in the house and Amélie didn’t wear perfume. Some reported seeing an apparition of Amélie’s grandfather. And other guests of Castle Hill believed that apparitions simply wanted them to leave. This, of course, didn’t stop Amélie from hosting numerous visitors at Castle Hill, including novelist Julia Magruder, who was a frequent guest. Perhaps she wasn’t afraid of ghosts?
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Countess Troubetskoy & Fang the
wolf, Library of Congress |
Amélie, her husband, and her grandparents, Senator William Cabell Rives and Judith Page Walker who was also a writer are buried at the Rives-Troubetzkoy Cemetery in Albemarle County on the historic property of Castle Hill.
Immensely fascinating woman. What a storied, memorable life she must have had - complete with having none other than Oscar Wilde play matchmaker for her and her husband. If that alone wasn't a conversation starter, I can scarcely imagine what would have been!
ReplyDeleteAutumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
Her first marriage was unpleasant to say the least, full of affairs. I can certainly relate to that. Before being introduced to her second husband and while her first husband was away on business, Lord Curzon arrived at Castle Hill for a visit. That very day, she drew a nude self-portrait. I hope writing about Princess Amélie Troubetzkoy has her spirit rub off on me a bit :D
DeleteSounds like a fascinating life. If I ever have a ghost, I hope it smells nice!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! Right! I have twice smelled the ghostly rose scent-- once when I was young and didn't know the place was "haunted" and one during a paranormal investigation. It's one of my favorite scents too.
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