Claraville in Northumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Northumberland House and Mantua

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

1. Northumberland House and Mantua Marker

Inscription. Five miles northeast is the site of Northumberland House, built by the third Peter Presley, who was murdered in 1750. He was the last male descendant of the first William Presley, who settled there and who was a Burgess as early as 1647. Mantua, near by, was built by James Smith, who died in 1832. It is a good house of the Old Virginia type.

Erected 1930 by Conservation & Development Commission. (Marker Number JT-12.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1750.

Location. 37° 55.025′ N, 76° 26.832′ W. Marker is in Claraville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It is at the intersection of Nurthumberland Highway (U.S. 360) and Crabbetown Road (County Route 674), on the left when traveling east on Nurthumberland Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Heathsville VA 22473, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck.

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It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Northumberland Academy (approx. 0.8 miles away); Hooray for Steamboats! / Meet Daisy / The Amazon of Its Day (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Stars Are Falling! The Stars Are Falling! (approx. 1.2 miles away); Necessity and the Mothers of Invention (approx. 1.2 miles away); Holley-Graded School (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Long Road to Today's Library (approx. 1.2 miles away); Who Invented the Crab Pot (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Small Fish that Made Reedville Rich (approx. 1.2 miles away).

Also see . . . William Presly, Northumberland House,

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009

2. Northumberland House and Mantua Marker

Northumberland County, Virginia. “William Presly’s land holdings, in Northumberland county now totaled at least, 1250 acres 1150 of which was at Codd’s point and it was on these 1150 acres of land that he built his home, Northumberland House, which was to be known for its hospitality through four generations of Presly’s before being sold by his great grandson, Presly Thornton. William Presly’s grandson, Peter Presly II, was murdered in Northumberland House at the age of 90. He was still acting as High Sheriff of Northumberland County at the time of his death. Northumberland House was burned by the British during the War of 1812, and the bricks were later used to build Mantua, a mansion nearby on the Coan River. The county of Northumberland was named for the Earls of Northumberland and there is little doubt that Northumberland House was named for the same noble family.” (Submitted on September 24, 2009.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,379 times since then and 174 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of Mantua and the site of Northumberland House • Can you help?