OSPREY SURPRISE

Big surprise at Manor of St. George. A local historic home and area.

But first a background of the history.

In the 1690"s the land was acquired by col. William "Tangier" Smith, through land grants and purchases of the areas natives Americans. At one time it amounted to over 80,000 acres.

Judge William Smith, grandson of "Tangier" Smith inherited the southern part of the land in 1743. Here he built a manor house and called it "The Manor of St. George" or "St. George's Manor".

The British occupied the house with Judge Smith and family fleeing to Connecticut in 1777 during the Revolutionary War. A triangular stockade fort was built. It was used as a storage supply base, due to the close proximity of an inlet to the ocean.

The house and fort were destroyed in 1780 in a daring raid by American Major Benjamin Talmadge and his men.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_St._George

A new Manor House was built by the returning Smith's after the War. In 1955 Eugenie Annie Tangier Smith willed the house with 50 acres in a trust to the public for all time with no entrance fees.
View from the circular drive.

View from the circular drive.

Now for the surprise.

That is an OSPREY NEST on the western chimney closest to the water.

Both male and females take turns sitting on the eggs. When I got to close the Osprey would fly off but then come back.

This was a Sunday after noon and when the one car that was there left, I was all alone. Nobody much interested in history. That it seems to these Ospreys benefit.

Place has gone to the birds.