Jerdone Castle

Jerdone Castle is a historic plantation estate in Bumpass, Louisa County, Virginia. It was established around 1742 by Francis Jerdone, a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Virginia in 1740 and developed a substantial commercial and agricultural presence in the colony. The original property covered approximately 1,100 acres, although much of the historic land is now submerged beneath Lake Anna; the surviving estate encompasses about 175 acres. Francis Jerdone combined plantation ownership with mercantile and industrial activities. In addition to expanding his landholdings and establishing the estate, he operated stores, mills, and a forge. The Jerdone family held other plantations in Virginia, and several generations remained associated with the Louisa County property. The estate therefore reflects the interconnected agricultural, commercial, and family networks of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Virginia. The oldest surviving portion of the residence dates from 1742. A substantially larger main section was constructed in 1853 for Sarah Jerdone Coleman, a descendant of Francis Jerdone, and her husband, General Clayton G. Coleman. The later building is distinguished by an Italianate bracketed cornice and cupola, features that give the house its imposing nineteenth-century appearance. Jerdone Castle is also associated with prominent figures in Virginia and United States history. According to documentation from the Louisa County Historical Society, President George Washington stayed overnight at the estate on June 9, 1791. Washington's wife, Martha, was a close friend of Francis Jerdone's wife, Sarah. The Jerdone family's papers, including material concerning the household and the maintenance of the property, are preserved in the Special Collections Research Center at the College of William & Mary. In 1879, the estate was purchased by Frank T. Glasgow of Richmond. His daughter, novelist Ellen Glasgow, spent summers at Jerdone Castle and later described the property as an important influence on her writing. In her memoir The Woman Within, she recalled an experience at the estate that helped her recognize writing as her future vocation. The property is recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. It is best understood as a historic architectural and cultural site rather than a commercial consumer brand. Its significance derives from the surviving eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings, the Jerdone family's regional history, its association with George Washington and Ellen Glasgow, and the changes to its surrounding landscape caused by the creation of Lake Anna.

Jerdone Castle originated in approximately 1742, when Francis Jerdone established the estate in what is now Louisa County, Virginia. Jerdone was born in Jedburgh, Scotland, in 1721 and immigrated to Virginia at the age of nineteen. He first developed commercial interests as a merchant and factor, including a mercantile partnership with George Pottie, before expanding his landholdings and agricultural operations. His properties extended across several Virginia counties, while Jerdone Castle became one of the principal residences associated with his family. The earliest section of the Jerdone Castle house dates to the estate's founding period. Jerdone's activities went beyond plantation agriculture: historical accounts associate him with stores, mills, and a forge, illustrating the mixed commercial and industrial character of some large Virginia estates in the colonial era. He died in 1771. His wife, Sarah Macon Jerdone, and their children continued the family's association with the property and with other Virginia holdings. The estate has a documented connection to George Washington. On June 9, 1791, Washington reportedly spent the night at Jerdone Castle. The visit was facilitated by the relationship between Martha Washington and Sarah Jerdone, who were friends. Family records relating to the property, including documents about domestic life and maintenance, are held by the College of William & Mary's Special Collections Research Center. During the nineteenth century, the house was enlarged and transformed. In 1853, the later principal section was built for Sarah Jerdone Coleman, a descendant of Francis Jerdone, and her husband, General Clayton G. Coleman. The addition introduced a prominent Italianate character, including a bracketed cornice and cupola. The scale and architectural treatment of the later section reflect the continuing status of the estate within the region. In 1879, Frank T. Glasgow of Richmond acquired Jerdone Castle. His daughter Ellen Glasgow, who became a significant American novelist, spent her childhood summers there. She later wrote that the estate influenced her literary development. In the fourth chapter of her memoir The Woman Within, she described an episode in the grounds that helped her understand that writing would be her future vocation. This association added a literary dimension to the property's historical importance. The original plantation covered roughly 1,100 acres. Much of that land was later submerged under Lake Anna, leaving an estate of approximately 175 acres. The surviving property retains the historical house and its association with the Jerdone, Coleman, and Glasgow families, although the surrounding landscape has changed substantially. Jerdone Castle is designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its documented significance combines architectural history, colonial and antebellum Virginia family history, presidential association, and literary heritage.

• 1879

  Glasgow family acquisition

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  Frank T. Glasgow of Richmond purchased the estate. His daughter, author Ellen Glasgow, later associated the property with her literary development.

• 1853

  Main house expanded

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  A later principal section was built for Sarah Jerdone Coleman and General Clayton G. Coleman, adding the property's Italianate architectural character.

• 1791

  George Washington visits

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  According to Louisa County historical documentation, George Washington stayed overnight at Jerdone Castle on June 9, 1791.

• 1771

  Death of Francis Jerdone

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  Francis Jerdone, the estate's founder and a merchant, planter, and operator of stores, mills, and a forge, died.

• 1742

  Estate established

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  Francis Jerdone established Jerdone Castle in Louisa County, Virginia. The oldest surviving section of the house dates from this period.

• Historic designations

  [1]Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org

  Jerdone Castle became recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark and was listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places.

A preserved Virginia historic estate and cultural landmark rather than a commercial product or consumer brand.

1. 1Jerdone Castleen.wikipedia.org