Jerdone Castle facts for kids
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Jerdone Castle
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Aerial view of the property
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | N of Bumpass, near Bumpass, Virginia |
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| Area | 175 acres (71 ha) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000042 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 04, 1984 |
Jerdone Castle is a historic estate located near Bumpass, Virginia in Louisa County, Virginia. It was first built around 1742. This special place is recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is also listed on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places. Even though much of its original land is now under Lake Anna, it still covers about 175 acres today.
Contents
History of Jerdone Castle
Building the Estate
The oldest part of Jerdone Castle was built in 1742. It was started by Francis Jerdone, who moved to Virginia from Scotland in 1740. He not only built a home but also ran stores, mills, and a forge.
Later, in 1853, a larger main section was added to the house. This was built for Sarah Jerdone Coleman, a descendant of Francis Jerdone, and her husband, Gen. Clayton G. Coleman. This newer part of the house has a special style called Italianate, with decorative brackets and a small dome on the roof.
Famous Visitors and Owners
Jerdone Castle has hosted important guests throughout its history. Records from the Louisa County Historical Society show that on June 9, 1791, President George Washington stayed overnight at the castle. His wife, Martha, was a close friend of Francis Jerdone's wife, Sarah.
You can find many old papers about the Jerdone family and life at the castle. These documents are kept at the College of William & Mary in their Special Collections Research Center.
In 1879, Frank T. Glasgow bought the estate. He was the father of a famous author named Ellen Glasgow. Ellen spent her childhood summers at Jerdone Castle. She later said that these summers greatly influenced her writing. In her book The Woman Within, she wrote about realizing her dream of becoming a writer while lying in the meadow at Jerdone Castle.
About Francis Jerdone
Francis Jerdone was born in Jedburgh, Scotland, on January 30, 1721. His father, John Jerdone, was a town leader. When Francis was 19, he moved from Scotland to Virginia. He first lived in Hanover County and Yorktown before settling in Louisa County.
Francis worked as a merchant, running a business until he passed away in 1771. He owned large farms, known as plantations, in several Virginia counties. His farm in Albemarle County is now part of the Clubhouse at Farmington Country Club.
Francis and his wife, Sarah (Macon) Jerdone, had many children. Their sons included Francis Jerdone II and John Jerdone. Their daughters included Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Isabella, Anne, and Martha. Elizabeth married Alexander Macauley, a merchant from Yorktown.
Francis Jerdone II, born in 1756, also became a planter in Louisa County, Virginia. He married Mary "Polly" Byars. Their children continued the family's connection to the land and history of Virginia.
