Weston Manor

Weston Manor (1864)

Weston Manor (2017)

Site Name: Weston Manor (Weston Plantation)

Date of Construction: 1789

Reason for Construction: Served as a home for William and Christian Eppes Gilliam, and their later family and descendants.

Site History: Weston Plantation was built in 1789, by the new couple William and Christian Eppes Gilliam. William Gilliam’s family came to America as indentured servants in the 17th century. However, by William’s late twenties, his family had owned multiple plantations in Virginia. Christian Eppes’ family owned Appomattox Plantation, nearby, and were descendants of Pocahontas. The manor was built shortly after William and Christian’s marriage. They made most of their wealth through their large plantation behind the manor, and their ferry boat business on the river directly in front of the manor. William and Christian lived their life, and started their family on the plantation. During the Civil War, a new family moved in from Hampton as refugees. They wanted to avoid the battles ensuing in their home. Ironically, while in the house, a gunboat shot at the house and a cannonball was left in the dining room ceiling. Furthermore, the building was occupied by Union officers, and used as a temporary hospital for union soldiers while General Ulysses S. Grant stayed by at Union Headquarters located at Appomattox Manor.

Area History: In 1607, Captain Christopher Newport of the Susan Constant, sailed up the James River looking for an adequate place for the new settlers. Him and a small group of settlers found the City Point area, but when they returned to their group, they had already chosen Jamestown. By the 1630s, the VA colony expanded, and the City Point area helped due to its location on the river. During the Revolutionary Period, the City Point area was an area where the British landed to try and halt the attacks from Marquis de Lafayette. During the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant, general of the Union Army, moved his headquarters to City Point. City Point turned into a large port that benefited the Union Army. President Abraham Lincoln even visited City Point to communicate with Grant directly. During World War I, DuPont Gun Cotton Factory was created in the area nearby. The factory started in 1913, and produced about 1.16 billion pounds of guncotton used in the war. In 1915 fire engulfed the building and destroyed ¾ of Hopewell City. Reconstruction took place, and in 1923 City Point was annexed by The City of Hopewell.

What about site has changed? Weston Plantation is known for retaining 85% of its original architecture. An educational committee and furnishing committee work together to convey colonial America correctly. The building is now used as a tourist attraction, and is listed under the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently ran by the Historic Hopewell Foundation, and is open for tours every day of the week.

What about the surrounding area has changed? After the fire in Hopewell, the city was reconstructed and remains today. The population has grown to 22,000 residents. The City Point area does have residents, but is mainly preserved as a reminder of the city’s history. The Downtown has been recently revitalized, and is now full of family attractions. 

Reflection: I learned more about the history of Weston Plantation than I knew existed. I’ve lived 5 minutes from there for 15 years and I didn’t really know it existed. Not only did I learn about the plantation and manor, I learned more about the city I was raised in. I think it’s important to explore and see other places in your lifetime, but you should know most importantly where you come from, and the history of that area.

Sources:

“City of Hopewell (Capital Region).” Virginia Department of Historical Resources. Last

modified 2016. Accessed March 17, 2017. http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Cities /register_Hopewell.htm

“Treasure from the past.” Progress-Index. Last modified April 13, 2009. Accessed 

March 16, 2017. http://go.galegroup.com/

“Weston Manor.” James River Plantations. Accessed March 16, 2017. https://www

.nps.gov/nr/travel/jamesriver/wsm.htm

“Weston Manor.” William & Mary. Last modified 2016. Accessed March 16, 2017. 

http://www.wm.edu/sites/wmcar/research/hopewell2003/weston-

manor/history/index.php

"Weston Plantation." Love the Best Part of Virginia. Petersburg Area Regional Tourism.

Accessed February 14, 2017. http://www.petersburgarea.org/attractions/weston-plantation.

“The Weston Plantation.” Historic Hopewell Foundation Inc. Last modified 2010.

Accessed February 14, 2017. http://historichopewell.org/weston-plantation/.

Author: Sadiesha Taylor