MayfieldInn.com
Title
Mayfield Inn
Description
Owners:
Mayfield is the oldest existing brick house in Dinwiddie County (CA 1750). The probable builder and first owner was Robert Ruffin, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, who lived at Mayfield until 1769 when he moved to King William County. Due to the destruction of many Dinwiddie County records, it is difficult to trace title in its entirety to Mayfield owners. Some 19th century owners include Thomas Tabb Bolling and his son Edward Osborne Goodwyn. Goodwyn conveyed the property to his sister, Eliza, who married Captain Thomas Whitworth, great-grandfather of Joseph Cotten, noted movie actor and native of Petersburg. And excerpt from a Union soldier's diary indicates that Captain Whitworth saved Mayfield from burning in 1865. He wrote that Union soldier's advanced on Mayfield but withdrew when Captain Whitworth bravely confronted them and demanded they not burn his house. After Captain Whitworth's death, his widow left Mayfield to her daughter, Eliza, the wife of Henry Chamberlyne Willson. In 1882, Willson sold Mayfield with 290 acres and a granite quarry to the City of Petersburg for $15,000. Later in 1882 the City transferred the property to the Commonwealth of Virginia to be used for Central State Hospital, which was built in 1885. Mayfield was part of the hospital complex until 1969.
Role in the Civil War:
Mayfield played an important role in General Robert E. Lee's final attempts to defend Petersburg in 1865. Two defense lines were maintained on Mayfield property: Fort Whitworth and Fort Gregg. On April 2, 1865, they fell to the Union troops after stiff fighting. General Lee viewed the battle from Mayfield property. Douglas Southall Freeman, foremost biographer of Lee, vividly wrote of Lee's actions as follows: "Lee was standing at the time on the bluff above Town Creek in the thickest of the fire, near the Whitworth home (Mayfield), but, as always, he seemed oblivious to the danger."
Architectural Features:
Mayfield is a State and National landmark house, having been placed on both registers in the early 1970's. It is a 1-1/2 story dwelling over a raised basement with a clipped gable, wood shingle roof. It has five dormers at front and rear of the house; two interior chimneys; center hall plan; fine 1 inch thick interior paneling in two rooms; and seven fireplaces. The exterior brick is Flemish bond with moulded water table. Mayfield is considered to be one of the finest mid-18th century residences in Virginia.
Contact
- Administrator, Domain
-
- West Orange NJ
- US 07052
-
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