Bacon's Castle of Surry County is one of the oldest homes in
Virginia and indeed in the United States. Built by Arthur Allen in 1665 it was undoubtedly one of the most impressive homes in all the English
colonies and stands today as a rare example of Jacobean architecture in
America.Nathaniel Bacon was a key
figure in late 17th century Virginia who in 1676 organized protests and then a
rebellion against the colonial government. "Bacon's Rebellion" is considered
by many to be a harbinger or forerunner of the American Revolution.
Though Nathaniel Bacon himself may have
never stayed at Allen's home, his armed followers did occupy and
fortify the place and thus it is known as "Bacon's Castle" to this day.
Our Visit to the
James River Plantations of Virginia
South of the
James
Bacon's Castle
Smith's Fort Plantation Surry County Courthouse
St. Luke's Church Virginia Beach
August 2006
Virginia Beach, on the Atlantic
Ocean is very near the site where English settlers first stepped ashore in the
Spring of 1607 before sailing on up the James River and founding Jamestown.
St. Luke's Church of Isle of Wight
County dates to 1632 making it the oldest existing church building of English
origin in America and the nation's only surviving period Gothic building.
Smith's Fort Plantation derives it
name from the fact that Capt. John Smith built a fort here in 1609 as a refuge
in case of Indian attack against Jamestown which was just across the river.
The land was given to John Rolfe by Chief Powhatan as a dowry when Rolfe
married the chief's daughter Pocahontas in 1614. The home on the site dates to
the early to mid 18th century.
Surry County Courthouse features a monument entitled "OUR
HEROES" honoring the defenders
of Virginia during the War Between the States of 1861-1865.
