Two Bullmastiffs lived at Colonial Williamsburg in the early 1940s, presumably guarding the restored colonial village. Did they patrol its perimeter as their brethren did farther north for the Rockefeller family?
Down Virginia Way
"Mr. Rockefeller, your fortune is rolling up ... like an avalanche! ... You must distribute it faster than it grows!" counseled Frederick Gates, who advised John D. Rockefeller Sr. on his philanthropic endeavors. "If you do not, it will crush you and your children and your children's children!"
The United Nations, the Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, Acadia and Grand Teton national parks, the China Medical Board, Spelman College, the University of Chicago, the United Negro College Fund, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the restoration of Versailles – that disparate and partial list was all spurred by Rockefeller seed money.
Another beneficiary of Rockefeller largesse was Colonial Williamsburg. In 1926, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., began funding the restoration of the 18th Century colonial state capitol.
But in addition to monies, Rockefeller also provided the restored historical district with at least one Bullmastiff.
A memo to Junior from the Pocantico office in September 1941 noted that Williamsburg wanted to send for Pocantico Panther, known as “Winston,” one of the offspring from the estate’s first breeding, mentioning that Rockefeller had said they might have him.
“Our Pocantico staff says that Mr. David has spoken of Winston as his dog,” the memo noted, asking for Junior’s verdict about the dog and his youngest son’s attachment to it. It was rendered with a scribbled note in red: Winston could go to Williamsburg.
The AKC registration notice for British import Trusty Trooper, printed in the September 1941 Gazette. Imported as an adult dog and registered in the name of Colonial Williamsburg itself, the dog was likely used for patrolling and guarding.