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

The Isbell House

(the white house in the distance)

— Appomattox Court House National Historical Park —

The Isbell House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 2, 2023

1. The Isbell House Marker

Inscription. Brothers Henry and Thomas Bocock built this house in 1848. Henry was the County Clerk of Appomattox (1845-1860). Thomas served as a U. S. Congressman from 1847 to March 1861, when he became the only Speaker of the Confederate House of Representatives. Prior to 1860, Thomas moved four miles northeast to a house he dubbed "Wildway." Lewis D. Isbell then occupied this house. Isbell, Commonwealth's Attorney (1847-1867), represented Appomattox at both secession conventions in February and April 1861, where he voted for secession. A bachelor, Isbell had four sons with his housekeeper, an enslaved woman, Louisa "Kitty" (Patterson) Isbell. Following the war, he became the local Freedmen's Bureau agent after the departure of the Federal Provost Guard. Isbell served as a judge from 1868-1872 before moving to Missouri where he died in 1889.

After being killed along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road on the night of April 8, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Root of the 15th New York Cavalry was buried in front of the house. Disinterred in December 1865, his family reburied him in Syracuse, New York.

The house serves as Park Headquarters and is not open to the public. You are welcome to explore outside the house.

Captions
Lower Left: Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Root
Upper
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Right: Unidentifed children in front of the Isbell House circa 1901.
Middle Right: Left to Right: Henry Bocock, Thomas Bocock, Lewis Daniel Isbell, Louisa "Kitty" Isbell

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1861.

Location. 37° 22.593′ N, 78° 47.782′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It is on National Park Drive 0.2 miles north of Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 24), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the walking trail to the courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 National Park Drive, Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 walking distance of this marker: Anticipating Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Appomattox Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Uncovering History (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McLean House (about 400 feet away); Clover Hill Tavern (about 500 feet away); Clover Hill Tavern Slave Quarters (about 600 feet away); Lafayette W. Meeks

The Isbell House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 2, 2023

2. The Isbell House and Marker

(about 700 feet away); "Now I see the white flag earnestly borne…" (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Other markers no longer nearby. April 1865 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The McLean House (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); County Jail (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Isbell House. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (Submitted on October 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Isbell House from the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 2, 2023

3. The view of the Isbell House from the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 902 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.