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Historic Essex County Properties
BLANDFIELD, Caret. Built c.1750 by William Beverley, son of Robert the Historian. William was clerk of Essex County Court from 1716-1745. The courthouse was in vicinity of his property until court was moved to Tappahannock about 1727. Private residence.
Historic ESSEX COUNTY
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Photos courtesy of Wes Pippenger
PropertiesProperties
WHEATLAND AND SAUNDERS WHARF, Loretto. The house was built in 1790 for John Saunders. A granary here served as a storehouse during the War Between the States. The wharf is the last surviving structure from the former active steamboat trade along the Rappahannock River and was an active trading post in the neighborhood. Private residence.
LITTLE EGYPT, Tappahannock. Built c.1750. Home of Rev. Thomas Meekins Henley who was associated with the old Tappahannock Chapel, the eccentric James Roy Micou who was clerk of Essex Court for 55 years, and John Waller Faulconer, Jr., dry goods merchant. Private residence.
BROOKE’S BANK, Loretto. Construction began c.1731 by Sarah Taliaferro Brooke, wife of William Brooke who died before the house was finished. Their son William married Anne Benger, niece of Governor Alexander Spotswood. After 1748, a ferry crossed the river to Leedstown in Westmoreland County. Private residence.
BEN LOMOND, Dunnsville. Home of Muscoe Garnett, Sr. (1808-1880) who was judge of the county court, member of the Virginia Convention, 1848-1850, and the House of Delegates. He was father to seven sons who served in the Confederate States Army. Private residence.
OAKALONA, Occupacia. Built c.1840 by John G. Bentley. Known as the home of William Taliaferro who was blinded in a hunting accident as a young adult. He was the “pickle king” and founded the Rappahannock Valley Pickle Company. Private residence.
EDENETTA, Loretto. Built before 1820 by Robert Payne Waring (died 1844) who acquired thousands of acres of land in the area. He devised the property to his two daughters Lucy Baylor and Eliza Waring. Outbuildings include a two-story kitchen and servants quarters, dairy and smokehouse. Once owned by the Baylor and Coleman Families. Private residence.
RAPPAHANNOCK CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Dunnsville. Congregation established 1832, with the first meeting house facing the river. A marker over the door notes “Anno Domini 1860; Leonard Henley, Architect, Washington Clark, Builder.”
