Gambled

Col. Robert Gamble, Catherine Grattan Gamble, Ricnmond, VA

On April 12, 1810, Mrs. Gamble was out of sorts. A nagging sense of foreboding put a damper on the usual morning routine. Her husband, Col. Robert, knew that something was bothering her, and asked what was wrong. Catherine revealed that in her dreams the night before she had been forewarned that, should he leave the house today, Robert would never return to it alive.

Normally mindful of his wife's psychic sensitivity, and in spite of her pleading, Robert nonetheless set out on his daily commute into town, to attend to the business of the day.

Even on a horse, reading and driving is not advised. According to Haunted Virginia by L. B. Taylor, Robert was reading the paper, riding through Richmond, when a large bundle of buffalo hides was tossed from an upper-story warehouse window. The bundle landed in front of Col. Gamble's horse, which bucked, and threw the rider to the ground. Col. Robert Gamble died on the spot of a head injury.

His business colleagues accompanied his body back home. When they arrived, they found Catherine already dressed in black silk, ready to receive her husband's body properly.

Also see "Waddell's Annals of Augusta County,"which mentions the accident.

 

5/24/12 Update - People index created

Copyright 2012 Barbara Pahlow all rights reserved