Rocky Mount in Franklin County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Franklin County Court

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

1. First Franklin County Court Marker

Inscription. Here at the house and ordinary of Col. James Callaway, proprietor of the Washington Iron Works, the first Franklin County court met to organize the new county on Monday, Jan. 2, 1976. The iron works had been established here by 1773 by Col. John Donelson, the father of Rachel, wife of President Andrew Jackson. After being pruchased by Col. Callaway and Jeremiah Early in 1779, the iron plantation was expanded to over 18,000 acres and supplied iron products as far south as Georgia.

The original gentlemen justices held monthly court here at the ironmaster’s house until the spring of 1785 when the first log courthouse was completed on land donated by Col. Callaway where the present courthouse now stands.

Original Gentlemen Justices: Hugh Innes; Robert Hairston; Robert Woods, Sheriff; Peter Saunders; Thomas Arthur; Jonathan Richardson; John Smith; Moses Greer; Spencer Clark; John Gypson; Swinfield Hill; John Rentfro.

Franklin County Bicentennial, 1786–1986.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is January 2, 1773.

Location. 36° 59.35′ N, 79° 53.55′ W. Marker is in Rocky Mount, Virginia, in Franklin County. Marker can be

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reached from Lawndale Drive just west of South Main Street (Business U.S. 220). It is in front of the house, at the driveway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65 Lawndale Street, Rocky Mount VA 24151, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Washington Iron Works (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rocky Mount (approx. half a mile away); Norfolk and Western Caboose (approx. 0.8 miles away); Franklin County (approx. 0.8 miles away); Carolina Road (approx. 4.4 miles away); Ferrum College (approx. 4.4 miles away); Fort Blackwater (approx. 4.4 miles away); Taylor’s Store (approx. 10½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Mount.

Regarding First Franklin County Court. From the 1972 National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: “On a hill neighboring the iron works stands The Farm at the Furnace. This seems to be the dwelling that was constructed about 1818 for Peter Saunders Junior. An extensive remodeling in 1850 converted the house into a Classical Revival Structure.” There is more information on the page of the nearby Washington Iron Works marker.

Ironmaster’s House & Ordinary, and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

2. Ironmaster’s House & Ordinary, and Marker

The Farm at the Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 27, 2013

3. The Farm at the Furnace

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 627 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 15, 2013, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.

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