Albemarle County Plantation Landscape
A resource for identifying connections between plantation properties built prior to 1865

Introduction
It is no secret that Albemarle County, Virginia was home to some of the wealthiest planters in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Much of the land was granted from the English crown, and has passed through the hands of founding fathers, colonial, and antebellum elites alike. Over the years many scholars have made an effort to create sources that record the various locations of historic homes and plantation properties in Albemarle County, Virginia. However, existing sources are far from collaborative, inaccessible, and are difficult to use for research and interpretation. Because of this, I created a map that represents the networks and spatial patterns formed within the Albemarle plantation landscape, and compiles information from previous sources to create a more cohesive resource for future projects.
This Story Map project invites you to investigate the plantation landscape of Albemarle County, Virginia through the identification and location of 89 properties. This project will guide you through the process of creating this resource through an examination of the project overview and methodology, as well as detailed demonstrations of its four objectives.
Project Overview & Methodology
Project Overview
The map below represents a total of 89 properties that were constructed prior to 1865 in Albemarle County, Virginia. These properties were chosen because they were considered to be agriculturally, architecturally, or historically significant (sometimes all three), and were host to a substantial population of enslaved people.
Methodology
This map was constructed by compiling information from four major sources in hopes to create a more cohesive resource when examining the plantation landscape. These sources include, Green Peyton and Worley & Bracher’s A Map of Albemarle County, Virginia, Historical sketches by Mary Rawlings and drawings by H. Heyward and A. Robinson found in Antebellum Albemarle, Albemarle County, Virginia, Eileen B. Malone-Brown’s Map of Lucy’s Neighbors found in her extensive project on Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, and both Charlottesville (Ind. City) and Albemarle County listings from the National Register of Historic Places. By compiling information from these four sources, it has allowed me to reconstruct this landscape and invites further interpretation.
Locations marked with a blue symbol indicate that the structure or plantation home is still in existence today. Locations marked with a black symbol indicate that it is likely that the structure or plantation is still in existence, but the status is unknown. Lastly, locations marked with an orange symbol indicate that the structure or plantation is no longer in existence. Property status was determined through notation in the source material, the National Register of Historic Places, or indicated through examination with Google Earth.
Map of Albemarle Plantation Landscape, created by Michelle Colbert
Project Objectives
- SPATIAL ANALYSIS: This project maps a total of 89 properties that were constructed prior to 1865 in Albemarle County, Virginia in hopes to expose spatial connections that may have existed between them within the greater cultural landscape.
- IDENTIFICATION: This project identifies all 89 properties by name, noteworthy inhabitants, building status, and location (if applicable). These locations are indicated through color-coded markers that are representative of the dwelling's status, as well as provide a site photograph (if applicable).
- SOURCE COMPILATION: This project compiles information found in four major sources to create a more cohesive resource. These source materials include: Green Peyton and Worley & Bracher’s A Map of Albemarle County, Virginia, Historical sketches by Mary Rawlings and drawings by H. Heyward and A. Robinson found in Antebellum Albemarle, Albemarle County, Virginia, Eileen B. Malone-Brown’s Map of Lucy’s Neighbors found in her extensive project on Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, and both Charlottesville and Albemarle County listings from the National Register of Historic Places.
- A TOOL FOR FUTURE RESEARCH: This project was created to serve as a more cohesive, collaborative resource and to be utilized for future research.
Spatial Analysis
As I was plotting locations on the map, it became clear that these plantation properties were organized into neighborhoods or districts and in close proximity to railroads, rivers, and historic roads. I was surprised to find that Magisterial District boundaries depicted in the 1875 Green Peyton map, have been updated and are still being used today. Magisterial Districts are unique to Virginia and West Virginia, and although it cannot be said for sure, the districts were most likely created to designate land grants and land ownership during the Colonial period. Today, the Magisterial Districts have evolved and are defined as Minor Civil Divisions that are non functioning subdivisions and used when conducting elections and recording land ownership. Although the Magisterial Districts are largely unofficial, it is useful to isolate these regions to further understand designations and explore patterns that may have been created through the landscape in the past.
As you navigate through the slides, you will first see the Magisterial Districts as they are depicted on the Green Peyton and Worley & Bracher map, followed by an overlay of the modern Magisterial Districts.
Next you will explore a map overlay of the historic land grants, followed by a map overlay of the historic roads of Albemarle county. These maps will show how the plantation landscape was organized in correlation to the historic land grants and roads. Although I am unsure which predated the other, it is interesting to correlate these undeniable spatial connections.
The slides will continue and highlight the individual Magisterial Districts from 1875. Areas shown in grey are representative of the 1875 Magisterial boundaries, and modern boundaries are shown in blue. The Magisterial Districts have changed over time and gained additional districts known as Rio and Jack Jourett which I have shown in red, in addition to disbanding the boundary known as the Ivy District.
Identification
This map identifies 89 plantation properties that were built in Albemarle County prior to 1865. Each location indicated on the map contains a set of information that includes the builder or significant occupant, year or era of construction, the status of the dwelling, and exact location.
Locations marked with a blue symbol indicate that the structure is still in existence. Locations marked with a black symbol indicate that the status of the structure is unknown. Lastly, if locations are marked with an orange symbol the structure is confirmed to no longer be in existence.
As you navigate through the map below, the sidecar on the left hand side will show the identification information belonging to one structure for each of the Magisterial Districts.
Charlottesville:
Belmont
Image Belmont Mansion, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Charlottesville (Ind. City) Ca. 1981
- Builder/Significant Resident: John Winn
- Date of Construction: Prior to 1837
- Status: Still in Existence
- Exact Location: 759 Belmont Avenue (as shown on the map to the right)
Ivy
Spring Hill
Image Spring Hill, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Albemarle County, Ca. 1983
- Builder/Significant Occupant: Michael Woods
- Date of Construction: 1765
- Status: Still in Existence
- Exact Location: 420 Spring Hill Farm (As shown on the map to the right)
Rivanna
Bel Aire
Image Bel Aire, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Albemarle County, Ca. 2006
- Builder/Significant Occupant: James Michie
- Date of Construction: Ca. 1825
- Status: Still in Existence
- Exact Location: 4710 Dickerson Drive (As shown on the map to the right)
Samuel Miller
Seven Oaks
Image Seven Oaks, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Albemarle County, 1989
- Builder/Significant Occupant: Dr. John Bolling Garrett
- Date of Construction: Ca. 1847-1848
- Status: Still in Existence
- Exact Location: US Route 250 (As shown on the map to the right)
Scottsville
Blenheim
Image Blenheim, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Albemarle County, 1989
- Builder/Significant Occupant: Andrew Stevenson
- Date of Construction: Ca. 1846
- Status: Still in Existence
- Exact Location: 55 Blenheim Lane (As shown on the map to the right)
White Hall
Mount Fair
Image Blenheim, retrieved from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Historic Registers, Listings Albemarle County, 1990
- Builder/Significant Occupant: William T. Brown
- Date of Construction: Ca. 1848
- Status: Still in Existence
- Location: 4626 Slam Gate Road (As shown on the map to the right)
Source Compilation
When creating this map, I chose to use sources that are commonly consulted by researchers when examining the Albemarle plantation landscape. I included Green Peyton and Worley & Bracher's A Map of Albemarle County, Virginia, Historical sketches by Mary Rawlings and drawings by H. Heyward and A. Robinson found in Ante-bellum Albemarle, Albemarle County, Virginia, Eileen B. Malone-Brown’s Map of Lucy’s Neighbors found in her extensive project on Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, and both Charlottesville (Ind. City) and Albemarle County listings from the National Register of Historic Places. These sources are rich with information, but can be cumbersome when examining them individually. By creating a resource that contains information from all four sources, it will allow scholars to examine the landscape through different lenses that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
*In addition to the sources listed above, I also used Google Earth for verification of property status and to acquire exact addresses.
A Map of Albemarle County, Virginia
Peyton, G, and Worley & Bracher. A map of Albemarle County, Virginia. Philadelphia: Worley & Bracher, 1875. Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2012586250/>.
The Green Peyton and Worley & Brancher map, A Map of Albemarle County, Virginia is an integral resource to consult when examining the 19th century landscape of Albemarle County, Virginia. Just as I have done in my spatial analysis, Green Peyton constructed the landscape of Albemarle County using color-coded Magisterial Districts. The Map contains historic rivers, roads, and railroads, as well as local mountains and mountain ranges. The most significant depictions on the map are the demarcations of noteworthy homes and property owners, which has allowed researchers to tap into the landscape of 1875. For my project I utilized many of the properties on the map that were significant enough to require both a property name and occupant. Although there is no reason listed for the naming of some properties and not others, it can be inferred by the size and extravagant nature of the homes, that they were most likely successful plantations with great profit.
Ante-bellum Albemarle, Albemarle County, Virginia
Rawlings, M. (1935). Ante-bellum Albemarle: Albemarle County, Virginia. Charlottesville, Va., Image Retrieved from Biblio.com
Ante-bellum Albemarle: Albemarle County, Virginia is a unique text written by Mary Rawlings and illustrated by H. Heyward and A. Robinson. The book contains drawings and short descriptions of historic homes located in Albemarle County. Though the book relies heavily on the memory of Mary Rawlings, her descriptions capture important details about builders and significant occupants, neighboring homes, and connections between local families. Many of these descriptions correlate to properties found on the Green Peyton and Worley & Brancher Map, as well as the National Register for Historic Places.
The Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks Project
Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, Her Neighbors at Locust Hill 1768-1781, 1791-1837, Image Retrieved from https://www.monticello.org/sites/library/exhibits/lucymarks/lucymarks/homes/neighboringhomes.html
Elieen B. Malone-Brown’s map depicts the neighboring families of Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, heiress of both Lewis and Meriwether families responsible for much of the land acquisition in Albemarle County in the 18th century. This map provides a snapshot into the landscape from 1768 - 1837, and much like the map by Green Peyton and Worley & Brancher, it identifies significant housing by family and property name. My project and Brown’s project share similar methodologies. In making her map, Brown consulted five other significant resources including the Green Peyton and Worley & Brancher map, among others.
The National Register of Historic Places
There is no question that the National Register of Historic Places is a fantastic resource for locating historic buildings. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources records nominations for both Charlottesville (Ind. City) and Albemarle County. I was surprised to find how many of the plantation properties were listed on the National Register, and it has served as a great source to fact check descriptions found in Mary Rawling’s book and locations on the Green Peyton and Worley & Brancher map.
A Tool for Future Research
As mentioned in the introduction, this map was created to serve as a much needed resource for future research on the plantation landscape in Albemarle County, Virginia. Although this map is far from complete in detailing the total number of plantation properties that were built prior to 1865, this project has made great strides and succeeded in making a cohesive, accessible resource.
When I set out to make this map, my original goal was not only to map the plantation properties but to identify the smaller spatial connections between plantation-owning families and their enslaved laborers. Although I did not have the time or resources to complete such an important undertaking, I discovered that the map that I created can be utilized for many different projects among cross-disciplinary individuals. This map can be used for future projects to track the spatial patterns, networks, and cultural landscapes found within the plantation landscape of Albemarle County, Virginia. This map is also a great resource for locating historic homes, studying the progression of Magisterial Districts, historic land grants, and historic roads.
As you navigate through the map below, you will find an example of how the map can be used as a tool for future research. In this example, I plot the neighborhood of the Coles family. This family owned several residences that were in close proximity to one another in the Scottsville Magisterial District. I have also included the location of the home of Ruth Coles Harris, the first female CPA in the state of Virginia, and descendant of John and Laura Coles who were enslaved by members of the Coles family. By plotting these locations, it shows how previously enslaved people moved through space after the termination of their enslavement. This spatial analysis would be more complete if I had knowledge of locations where Ruth Coles Harris’ grandparents lived, however it does reveal a migration pattern for a family of rural enslaved people that relocated into the city of Charlottesville.
Coles Family Neighborhood
The red boundary indicates the location of the Coles Family Neighborhood. The properties in this boundary include: Tallwood, Enniscorthy, Estouteville Farm, and Woodville. Although the exact location is unknown, Ruth Coles Harris' grandparents were enslaved at a property in this area.
Migration from the Coles Family Neighborhood
The locations marked in red represent the migration of the descendants of the Coles family who were enslaved somewhere inside of the larger boundary in the Scottsville Magisterial District. The larger boundary represents the Coles Family neighborhood and properties and the smaller dot inside of the city of Charlottesville is the location of the home of Ruth Coles Harris at 601 Dale Avenue.
Bibliography
Albemarle County, Virginia. “Board of Supervisors: Who is My Supervisor?” https://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=bos&relpage=17976
Colbert, Michelle. “Thornton and Annie Coles.” Evidence and Archives Seminar 2019. Louis Nelson, Rebecca Coleman. University of Virginia School of Architecture
Malone-Brown, B. Eileen. “Neighboring Homes and Families.” Lucy Meriwether Marks Lewis. https://www.monticello.org/sites/library/exhibits/lucymarks/lucymarks/homes/neighboringhomes.html
Peyton, G, and Worley & Bracher. A map of Albemarle County, Virginia. Philadelphia: Worley & Bracher, 1875. Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012586250/ .
Rawlings, Mary. Ante-Bellum Albemarle: Albemarle County, Virginia. Charlottesville, Va: The Peoples National Bank, 1935.
Vernon, Robert. Email message to author about Magisterial Districts and Land Grants. May 2020.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “Historic Registers, Listings.” Charlottesville (Ind. City). https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/charlottesville-ind-city/
Virginia Department of Historic Resources. “Historic Registers, Listings.” Albemarle County. https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/albemarle-county/
Virginia Department of Historic Resources “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District.” 1992. https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/VLR_to_transfer/PDFNoms/002-1832_Southwest_Mountains_Rural_HD_1992_NRHP_Final.pdf
Map layers:
UVA_Data. “Albemarle Magisterial Districts.” Arc GIS. 2019. https://uvalibrary.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=caa0e90c39da428592fad21af999accb
Vernon, Robert. “Albemarle Land Grants.” Arc GIS. 2017. https://uvalibrary.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=eb3885baca7441dfb404dd37eea8bd9d \
Ahmapping. “Peyton1875_tiles” Arc GIS. 2019. https://uvalibrary.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=94c05cf5ac7c4f229db819efc8ebacfd
Ahmapping. “Albemarle Historical Roads.” Arc GIS. 2019. https://uvalibrary.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=c5b8fd6d214f4c0e913a5a35754dc28c