Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury. Circa 18th Century. , Welcome to Bloomsbury, an architecturally unique 18th century home with archaeological treasures waiting to be found in the grounds surrounding the dwelling., Bloomsbury is an 18th century home built in two phases. The original home construction is estimated to be prior to 1760 and will be more accurately determined through dendrochronology. The additions were added in the late 1790s, possibly turn of the century, by William Quarles. The farm originally included 1,000 acres of Col. James Taylor, II's 1722 land grant, received for his participation in the 1716 Knights of the Golden Horseshoe explorations led by Lt Governor Alexander Spotswood. Col James, II deeded 1,000 acres to each of his sons, James (III), Zachary, George and Erasmus. After his father's death, James, III purchase property known as "Sylvannia" from John Taliaferro that was immediately adjacent to the land from his father. It is these two tracts of land upon which Bloomsbury is so scenically set., We plan to replant the sunken garden as authentically as possible based on primary sources and 18th and 19th century garden historians. Archaeologists will undertake examining the grounds and archival information to help discover all we can about the first 150 years of life at Bloomsbury. In addition to the families who owned and lived on the property, from the Taylors to the Jerdones, we want to tell the story of the enslaved who lived and worked on the property. Ms. Zann Nelson of Right the Record is searching through the public and private archives from the 1720s through 1865. It is our goal to provide as many names as we can so that may humanize the history of the enslaved who lived and worked at Bloomsbury., We hope you return through the years to see the treasures revealed here at Bloomsbury., Image Key: , 1. Original House , 2. 1797 House addition , 3. Office/schoolhouse , 4. Sunken Garden , 5. Terraces , 6. Kitchen , 7. Smokehouse , 8. Outbuildings , 9. Slave Houses , 10. Bath House/Dairy/Orangerie , 11. Taylor/Quarles Cemetery , 12. Jerdone Cemetery, The diary of Colonel Francis Taylor (George Taylor's son), with its detailed garden records, provides cluse to the plant materials that were grown on nearby plantations late in the 18th century: Cherry Trees; Peach Trees; Asparagus; Cucumbers; Parsley; Carrot; Cabbage; Lettuce; Onions; Muskmelons; Beans (several different varieties); Sugar Beans; Watermelon; Sweet potatoes; Irish potatoes; Red potatoes; Turnips; Cresses; Tobacco; Cashew; Wheat; Corn., Drone Image: Aaron Money , Research: Zann Nelson; Bethany Sullivan , Design: Charles E. Brewer ©2023 Helen Marie Taylor Trust