Amherst County "Jamestown Festival" Historic Home Tour

1957 TEXT: Geddes, now owned by Mrs. Jame Claiborne Calkins, was built in 1748 by the Rev. Robert Rose, patentee in 1744 of 23,700 acres on Piney and Tye Rivers.

1957 TEXT: Established by Rev. Robert Rose, first minister of St. Ann's Parish in Old Albemarle County (1748-1751).

1957 TEXT: According to the earlist records we can locate, St. Luke's was organized in the early years of Rev. Charles Crawford's ministry, which started in 1789. The Davis and Ellis families took an active part in the early life of St. Luke's. A notation in the Parish register of an early date states "Major Josiah Ellis appointed to receive subscriptions for Pedlar Church.

1957 TEXT: The Glebe now Minor Hall was the property of the Episcopal Church from 1762 to 1780, consistated of 1,000 acres with dwelling. The rector derived his income from this source. From 1780 to 1881 could find no data.

1957 TEXT: Charles Ellis (born 1720) Henrico County, married Susanna Harding in 1740 and moved with his family to Amherst County in 1752 and settled the original seat of the Ellis Family--since known as Red Hill on the waters of the Pedlar River.

1957 TEXT: Built around 1755 by David Crawford, fourth generation of descent from John Crawford of Hanover County. Birthplace of William Harris Crawford, eminent American statesman, Birthplace and home of William Sydney Crawford, father of Maria Antoinette Crawford Fletcher, whose daughter was Indiana Fletcher Williams.

1957 TEXT: Built by Col. Josiah Cabell, who was known to have lived ther in 1769; he sold it to Col. Samuel Meredith in 1770.

1957 TEXT: Mountain View on 29--Originally called Spencer's Plantation. Built early 1700's on top of Spencer's Mountain. Moved 1777 to present location. For many years the home of Dr. Paul Cabell.

1957 TEXT: The Brick House or Garland House built by David Shepard Garland, who married Jane Henry Meredith in 1795. She was the daughter of Col. Samuel Meredith, owner of Winton Plantation since 1796.

1957 TEXT: The first recorded owner of Mountain View was George Coleman who gave to the County, in 1809, the green on which the present Court House is located. His ward, Anna Mahone, married John Whitehead. Both are buried at Mountain View. Their grandson, Thomas Whitehead, purchased the property in 1908 and his widow resides there.

1957 TEXT: Kenmore--a colonial brick home was built by Hon. Samuel Meredith Garland.

1957 TEXT: Sweet Briar House, home of the presidents of Sweet Briar College since the college opened in 1906, originated as a six-room brick farm house, purchased around 1830 by Elijah Fletcher. He probably planted most of the gardens, and in 1851 he added the two square three-storied towers and connecting portico. His daughter Indiana Fletcher Williams, at her death in 1900, established the college as a memorial to her only child, Daisy WIlliams. Visiting hours from 2 to 6 p.m.

1957 TEXT: Seven Oaks, better known locally as the Voorhees Place is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Watts who completely renovated the property in 1954. The exact age of the house is not known, but records have been found which date the original front room back as far as 1791, then owned by John Thompson.

1957 TEXT: Boxley--believed to be a part of a Cabell grant of 1744, purchased by George S. Mays in 1837.

1957 TEXT: Home of Mrs. Thos. Whitehead III, widow. First information on this property is in the will of George Coleman, 1787. Wilkins Watson acquired it in 1831 and built the oldest part of present house. From 1857 to 1869 it was owned by Thomas Whitehead who built the four front rooms. Bought at auction 1925 by Thomas Whitehead III. Location adjacent to Amherst on Rt. 29 and Kenmore road.

1957 TEXT: Built on part of 2,000 acre grant from English Crown in 1710 to Isaac Davis, owner of a trading post located where Glasgow now is. His great-grandson, Col. John Dudley Davis built the present house in 1850. This is now the home of his grandson, Mr. George T. Pleasants and is on Rt. 130. Visitors welcome from 2 to 4 o'clock.

1957 TEXT: San Angelo--owned by Mrs. Alfred C. Barrow, was built by Mr. and Mrs. William Hamilton Mosby, the latter the sister of Indiana Fletcher Williams. After her death the original house, called Mount Saint Angelo, reverted to Sweet Briar, and was later remodeled for the president's home, but sold to Dr. George Edward Walker in 1908, and bought by A. C. Barrow in 1925. Visiting hours from 2 to 5 p.m.

2008: San Angelo was heavily damaged by fire in 1979.