Mr. Jefferson visited Eppington Plantation Traditional Cache
Mr. Jefferson visited Eppington Plantation
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This is a small container which only has room for a log and small pencil. It is located in a small park at the fork of 2 secondary roads. Roadside parking is available for about 5 cars. It is 2 1/3 miles north of the historical Eppington Plantation. Do not attempt to enter the plantation site. There is full time security on the property.
Time line of historical Eppington Plantation located near the Appomattox River in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
1760 to 1772:
Thomas Jefferson and Francis Eppes, VI, both attended William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. They later married half-sisters, Martha and Elizabeth Wayles.
1770 to 1773:
The Eppes family acquired nearly 4000 acres of land and started the construction of the present home on the Eppington Plantation. It was called Winterpock at first, but the name was soon changed to the present name. Up to 200 slaves worked on the property raising mostly tobacco that was shipped from the plantation’s wharf on the Appomattox River. The front of the house originally faced south toward the Appomattox River. The front entrance was later changed to face the opposite direction as more people started arriving by land than by ship.
1786
Thomas Jefferson’s daughter, Lucy, died while Jefferson was serving as Minister to France at the request of then President George Washington. It is believed that she is buried in an unmarked grave in the Eppes family graveyard at the plantation.
1797
Maria Jefferson, another daughter of Thomas Jefferson, married her cousin, John Wayles Eppes. In 1804 she died at Monticello, her father’s home near Charlottesville, Virginia.
1876
William and Annie Hinds purchase Eppington.
1989
The Cherry family, descendants of the Hinds, donates the plantation home and 400 acres of land to Chesterfield County. It was stipulated by the donation agreement that the property be open to the general public at least one day per year. The first Saturday of each October is now set aside as Eppington Colonial Heritage Day.
1989 to present:
The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation now oversee the property. There is a Foundation that assures that the property is stabilized and will be responsible for educational programs at the site. There are no plans to restore the property, but to allow architects and archaeologist to study the Colonial history of the property.
If you would be interested in touring the property, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Below is the information that is available on their web site:
EPPINGTON PLANTATION
Chesterfield, VA 23838
Eppington was built about 1770 by Francis Eppes VI. Thomas Jefferson, Eppes' brother-in-law, was a frequent visitor. Jefferson called Eppes the "nation's first horticulturalist" and praised Eppes' scientific farming techniques, including cultivating tobacco. Monticello slaves such as Sally Hemmings worked and lived at Eppington while Jefferson was minister to France. Later, it was at Eppington that Jefferson received President George Washington's invitation to become the nation's first secretary of state.
Eppington is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places. It reflects the earliest American formal architectural style. Eppington's original fabrics, painted surfaces, carved metals and wainscoting are studied today. Eppington displays personal items of the various families who once inhabited the house. It is open to small tour groups by reservation only or during special programs.
(visit link)
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(Decrypt)
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