Seven Springs (Enfield, Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Seven Springs, situated on the Mehixen Swamp near the Pamunkey River
in upper King William County, Virginia, is an historic home. Set in rolling farm country near the town of Manquin
, the property lies within a community rich in colonial, revolutionary, and civil war history.
in 1701.
The manor house is believed to have been built circa 1725–1740, and remained in the Dabney family until 1802, when ownership transferred to Captain Yancey Lipscomb. In 1822, it was sold to Thomas Broaddus Puller, where it stayed within the Puller and Atkinson families until 1940.
, meticulously completed the restoration with guidance from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Today, a compound of offices, barns and carriage houses join the original manor house and caretakers house to re-create the tight, campus-style layout typical of colonial farms.
While the interior was renovated in the early nineteenth century, many original features still exist. These include the triple-run walnut staircase, pine floors, chair rails, and doors, which feature both HL and foliated H hinges. The brick exterior, which was constructed in both flemish and english bond, remains largely untouched. The half-hipped roof was originally built without the current dormers, which were added on subsequent renovations. The original cedar shingles have been replaced with slate.
The home is listed on the National and Virginia State Historic Registers.
Pamunkey River
The Pamunkey River is a tributary of the York River, about long, in eastern Virginia in the United States. Via the York River it is part of the watershed of Chesapeake Bay.-Course:...
in upper King William County, Virginia, is an historic home. Set in rolling farm country near the town of Manquin
Manquin, Virginia
Manquin is an unincorporated community in King William County, Virginia, United States....
, the property lies within a community rich in colonial, revolutionary, and civil war history.
Early History
The plantation was owned and likely built for Captain George Dabney I where he served as the first commission of the peace and later sheriff in 1715. The initial acreage was one of several land grants the family received from King William IIIWilliam III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
in 1701.
The manor house is believed to have been built circa 1725–1740, and remained in the Dabney family until 1802, when ownership transferred to Captain Yancey Lipscomb. In 1822, it was sold to Thomas Broaddus Puller, where it stayed within the Puller and Atkinson families until 1940.
Restoration
After many years of neglect, the home was purchased by H.D. Moffett in 1967, who began its restoration. Mr. Harry H. Coon and his wife Alma of Glenview, IllinoisGlenview, Illinois
There are at least two locations in Illinois called Glenview:*Glenview, Cook County, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago*Glenview, St. Clair County, Illinois, an eastern suburb of St. Louis...
, meticulously completed the restoration with guidance from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Today, a compound of offices, barns and carriage houses join the original manor house and caretakers house to re-create the tight, campus-style layout typical of colonial farms.
Architecture and significance
The small, 3 bay manor house is an unusual example of eighteenth century architecture, distinguished by its lack of symmetry. Its square footprint is divided into 4 unequal-sized rooms on the main floor, and 5 fireplaces on 3 floors feed a central T-shaped chimney.While the interior was renovated in the early nineteenth century, many original features still exist. These include the triple-run walnut staircase, pine floors, chair rails, and doors, which feature both HL and foliated H hinges. The brick exterior, which was constructed in both flemish and english bond, remains largely untouched. The half-hipped roof was originally built without the current dormers, which were added on subsequent renovations. The original cedar shingles have been replaced with slate.
The home is listed on the National and Virginia State Historic Registers.
Current use
The 107 acres of pine and hardwood timber at Seven Springs provide a wildlife sanctuary and are protected under a conservation easement. The estate is privately owned and is not open to the public.External links
- http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/KingWilliam/SevenSprings_photo.htm House B&W photo
- https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://kingwilliamhistory.org/downloads/landmarks.pdf History, requires Google Docs membership for access
- http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/RegisterMasterList.pdf Virginia State Historic Register listing