List of plantations in West Virginia
Plantations that operated within the present-day boundaries of West Virginia were located in the counties of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians and in the Kanawha and Ohio River valley regions. Beginning in the mid-to-late 18th century, members of the Washington family and other prominent Virginia families began to build elegant Georgian mansions on their plantations in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians region of present-day West Virginia.[1] Plantations initially developed in the counties lying within the Northern Neck Proprietary of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron within the Shenandoah Valley and South Branch Potomac River valleys.[2] Slavery as practiced through plantations in the American South was carried over from the plantations of the Piedmont and Tidewater regions of Virginia, where plantations had become the foundation of society and industry.[2] Following the French and Indian War, settlement and agricultural development continued unabated in the Shenandoah and South Branch Potomac valleys.[3] Early instances of western Virginia plantations with grand homes include the John Ariss-designed Harewood (1774) for George Washington's brother Samuel Washington and Happy Retreat (1780) built by Washington's younger brother Charles Washington, both of which are located near Charles Town in present-day Jefferson County.[4][5][6] In Hampshire County, Nicholas Casey constructed a Georgian mansion (1774) at his Wappocomo plantation, one of the first plantation houses of its kind in the South Branch Potomac River valley.[7]
Plantations continued to develop along the fringes of present-day West Virginia. By the close of the 18th century, Harman Blennerhassett had constructed a mansion on his plantation on Blennerhassett Island and Moses Shepherd had built Shepherd Hall near Wheeling, both in the Ohio River valley.[4] Despite the agricultural development of then western Virginia's bottomlands and the resulting wealth of the plantation owners, the hinterlands of the Allegheny Mountains and Allegheny Plateau regions remained underpopulated and inhabited by subsistence farmers of meager means into the middle of the 19th century.[4] By the 1860 United States Census, Berkeley, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Kanawha, and Monroe counties consequently had the largest populations of slaves in present-day West Virginia.[8]
The economic and political differences between western and eastern Virginia began to grow. Following Virginia's secession from the Union in 1861, the Restored Government of Virginia was established at Wheeling during the American Civil War.[9] Despite West Virginia receiving Union statehood on June 20, 1863, sympathies and loyalties within the state's borders remained divided, especially within areas economically dependent upon the plantation system.[9] However, slaveowners in western Virginia tended to own fewer slaves than their counterparts in eastern Virginia and many did not support Virginia's secession.[10] In Mason County, where small farms were reliant upon slavery, its residents overwhelmingly supported the Union cause.[9] During the war, many plantations in West Virginia served as preferred venues for military headquarters and meeting places for both Union and Confederate military officers due to their adequate accommodations and resources. Altona near Charles Town was utilized as a military headquarters and meeting place for Union generals Philip Sheridan and Ulysses S. Grant, with Sheridan making use of the farm's horses and carriage.[11] Other plantations, like Mill Island and Willow Wall near Moorefield, and Elmwood near Shepherdstown, were utilized as hospitals for wounded soldiers and irregulars.[12][13][14]
In anticipation of the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the West Virginia Legislature at Wheeling passed an act abolishing slavery in West Virginia on February 3, 1865, thus ending the institution of the plantation in West Virginia.[15] Since the 1960s, many of West Virginia's plantation houses have acquired places on the National Register of Historic Places, the United States government's official list of sites, buildings, and structures deemed worthy of preservation. The house at Traveller's Rest, near Kearneysville, is West Virginia's sole plantation house designated as a National Historic Landmark for its national-level historical significance. As of 2015, the majority of West Virginia's plantation houses remain under private ownership.
Key
Color and symbol | Historic register listing |
---|---|
* | National Historic Landmark |
† | National Register of Historic Places |
‡ | United States Historic District |
Not listed on a register. |
Plantations
NRHP reference number[16] | Name | Image | Date designated[16] | Locality[16] | County[16] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
03000346† | Christian Allemong House[17] | May 2, 2003 | Summit Point Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
95001322† | Altona[11] | Altona | November 24, 1995 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
80004024† | Aspen Hill[18] | March 13, 1980 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
07000241† | Barleywood[3] | May 24, 2007 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
73001914† | Beall-Air[19] | Beall-Air | August 17, 1973 | Halltown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
84003588† | Belvedere[20] | January 12, 1984 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
87000486† | Beverley[21] | Beverley | March 20, 1987 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
82004319† | Blakeley[22] | April 15, 1982 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
72001294‡ | Blennerhassett Island[23] | Blennerhassett Island | September 7, 1972 | Blennerhassett Island Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Wood |
99001397‡ | Boidstones Place[24] | November 22, 1999 | Shepherdstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
82004321† | The Bower[25] | The Bower | April 15, 1982 | Leetown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
The Burg[26] | The Burg | Mechanicsburg Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | ||
74002004† | Cedar Lawn[27] | December 4, 1974 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
73001908† | Claymont Court[28] | July 25, 1973 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
73001917† | Cold Spring[29] | Cold Spring | August 14, 1973 | Shepherdstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
07000239† | Cool Spring[30] | Cool Spring | March 27, 2007 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
94001292† | Cool Spring[31] | November 21, 1994 | Gerrardstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
80004431† | Edgewood[32] | December 10, 1980 | Bunker Hill Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
73001918† | Elmwood[14] | Elmwood | August 17, 1973 | Shepherdstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
73001918‡ | Fort Hill[33] | Fort Hill | January 9, 1997 | Burlington Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Mineral |
78002791† | Green Bottom[34] | May 22, 1978 | Lesage Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Cabell | |
88002956‡ | Samuel Gwinn Plantation[35] | March 8, 1989 | Lowell Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Summers | |
73001912† | Happy Retreat[5] | July 2, 1973 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
73001909† | Harewood[6] | Harewood | March 14, 1973 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
76001938† | Hazelfield[36] | Hazelfield | December 12, 1976 | Shenandoah Junction Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
86000811‡ | Henderson Hall[37] | Henderson Hall | April 17, 1986 | Williamstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Wood |
11000556† | Hickory Grove[38][39] | August 18, 2011 | Romney Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | |
85003521† | Hillside[40] | December 12, 1985 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
74002007† | Holly Grove[41] | Holly Grove | August 28, 1974 | Charleston Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Kanawha |
94000214† | Hopewell[42] | March 25, 1994 | Millville Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
84003476† | Lick Run Plantation[43] | January 12, 1984 | Bedington Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
84003623† | Longmeadow/The Holmwood[44] | Longmeadow/The Holmwood | August 23, 1984 | Southside Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Mason |
91000452‡ | Lynnside Manor[45] | Lynnside Manor | April 26, 1991 | Sweet Springs Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Monroe |
80004408‡ | Maidstone Manor[46] | December 10, 1980 | Hedgesville Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
04000311† | Maidstone-on-the-Potomac[47] | April 15, 2004 | Falling Waters Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
75001886† | The Manor[48] | December 18, 1975 | Petersburg Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Grant | |
93000616† | Media[49] | November 10, 1994 | Shenandoah Junction Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
73001904† | Mill Island[12] | July 2, 1973 | Moorefield Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hardy | |
75001888† | Montescena[50] | November 12, 1975 | Lewisburg Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Greenbrier | |
73001916† | Prato Rio[51] | Prato Rio | April 11, 1973 | Leetown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
73001911† | Richwood Hall[52] | Richwood Hall | June 19, 1973 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
01001328‡ | Ridgedale[53][54] | November 29, 2001 | Springfield Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | |
82004320† | Rion Hall[55] | Rion Hall | September 20, 1982 | Halltown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
89002316‡ | Rockland[56] | February 5, 1990 | Shepherdstown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
84003500† | Rural Hill[57] | January 12, 1984 | Hedgesville Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Berkeley | |
78002791† | Shepherd Hall[58] | Shepherd Hall | December 18, 1970 | Wheeling Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Ohio |
95000418† | Snow Hill[59] | April 14, 1995 | Leetown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
80004021† | Sycamore Dale[60][61] | December 2, 1980 | Romney Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | |
72001288* | Traveller's Rest[62] | Traveller's Rest | November 15, 1972 | Kearneysville Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
12001050† | Valley View[63][64] | December 12, 2012 | Romney Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | |
84003594† | Vinton[65] | January 12, 1984 | Charles Town Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
77001378† | Walnut Grove[66] | August 22, 1977 | Union Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Monroe | |
Wappocomo[7] | Wappocomo | Romney Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hampshire | ||
73001906† | Willow Wall[13] | Willow Wall | July 2, 1973 | Old Fields Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Hardy |
93001358† | Willowbrook[67] | December 2, 1993 | Union Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Monroe | |
00000254† | Woodlawn[68] | March 24, 2000 | Kearneysville Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson | |
06000654† | York Hill[69] | York Hill | July 26, 2006 | Shenandoah Junction Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Jefferson |
See also
- History of slavery in West Virginia
- List of plantations in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in West Virginia
References
- ↑ Chambers 2004, pp. 20–21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ambler 1910, p. 8.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chambers 2004, p. 21.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Brannon 1976, pp. 313–316.
- ↑ Kennedy 1864, pp. 516–518.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chambers 2004, pp. 26–27.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 406–408.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 296–300.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 323–324.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 300–302.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Brannon 1976, pp. 309–312.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
- West Virginia Division of Culture and History State Historic Preservation Office