The Powhatan Manor House is of historic and architectural importance. Part of a Royal Grant made by England's King Charles I, to Richard Eggleston in 1643, the Plantation is called after the local Indian tribe's great ancestral Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas' father.
Little is known about the plantation since all records were burned in the James City County court records during the Civil War, as was the interior structure of the house in 1862, under the direction of General George B. McClellan's Union Army.
The exterior structure remained and is all original. The interior and roof were quickly restored by the Henry Martin family, who lived there at the time, however the roof was not restored to its original pitch until E.M. Slauson lovingly and historically made restoration effort throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Built as a fortress in fear of Indian raids, the exterior walls are 26 inches thick at the basement level, 22"-20' at the first floor and 20"-18" at the second floor.
Researchers of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Masonry Trades department conclude that the house is constructed of bricks made from clay on the property.
Some Interesting Facts
The proportions are arranged so that the height of the building is equal to its length
Along the brick belt between the first and second stories, "1643" is etched, which seems to refer to the time of the Land Grant
The overall pattern of the house is with every other brick set lengthwise, a common "bond pattern" known as Flemish Bond, with more rare glaze-headers
Two massive, 60' high "T" shaped chimney stacks grace the side of the low hip roof
The form of these fine chimney stacks is untique in Virginia
The Powhatan Manor House is of historic and architectural importance. Part of a Royal Grant made by England's King Charles I, to Richard Eggleston in 1643, the Plantation is called after the local Indian tribe's great ancestral Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas' father.
Little is known about the plantation since all records were burned in the James City County court records during the Civil War, as was the interior structure of the house in 1862, under the direction of General George B. McClellan's Union Army.
The exterior structure remained and is all original. The interior and roof were quickly restored by the Henry Martin family, who lived there at the time, however the roof was not restored to its original pitch until E.M. Slauson lovingly and historically made restoration effort throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
