The ancestral home of REUBEN NANCE
This is a reproduction of the contents of a report on the ancestral home of
Reuben Nance (b. 1745 - d. 1812),
contained in the "
Virginia Historical
Inventory" database of the Library of Virginia's Digital Library program.
The document was the product of a project of the Works Progress Administration (W. P. A.) to inventory items of historical interest -- including old buildings -- in Virginia.
This report is of interest primarily because it describes what is (or was)
apparently the actual house the Reuben Nance lived in, as well as describing its
location precisely. It is important to note, though, that this report
dates to 1937 -- 64 years ago. Whether the house is still standing,
I do not know.
There is little of direct genealogical interest in the report, but two points are of interest.
The owner of the property after 1825, Benjamin A. Marshall, is almost certainly the Benjamin Marshall who married Reuben Nance's daughter Nancy (b. 22 Mar. 1804) in 1826.
Also, this report mentions that there is "an old graveyard in the yard". It would seem likely, that this is the burial place of Reuben Nance, and probably others of his line.
WORKS
PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION OF VIRGINIA
HISTORICAL
INVENTORY
County: Henry
Class: Home
"G. L. CARTER HOME PLACE"
This write-up is part of the Virginia W. P. A.
Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission
under the direction of its Division of History. Credit to both the Commission
and the W. P. A. is requested for publication, in whole or in part. Unless
otherwise stated, this information has not been checked for accuracy by the
sponsor
Research made by
Kizzie D. Carter
Martinsville, VA
April 19, 1937
1. SUBJECT:
"G. L. Carter Home Place."
Formerly "Ruben Nance Home."
2. LOCATION:
2 miles east of Martinsville, Va. On Route # 58; thence
north on Route #57 2 miles. House on west side of road.
3. DATE:
First deed was in 1778.
4. OWNERS:
Ruben Nance
1778
Ruben Nance's Heirs 1812
Benjamin A. Marshall 1825
Reuben D. Marshall 1850
William D. Stultz 1850
G. L. Carter
1905 present owner.
5. DESCRIPTION
This house is in the shape of a square, with three
rooms down and one up. It is very
attractive, two-story, frame house. There are two fifteen-pane windows in the
front and one in the rear.
The ceilings and walls were plastered but recently have
been papered. The room upstairs is very small and dark and the only light
comes from two half size windows, with four panes each, placed near the
chimneys. A new porch has been added in front, and on the side a small stoop
over the steps leads into the side of the house. This was built to keep out
the rain.
There was an old kitchen in the yard but this has been
torn down and a new one built in the house.
There is an old graveyard in the yard but the markings
have entirely faded and some have fallen in.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
None.
7. ART:
None.
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
In Henry County Clerks Office at Martinsville, Va.
Deed Book 1
Page 194
Deed Book 13 Page 130; 682;
724
Deed Book 33 Page 149
Will Book 2
Page 163
Verna Smith, daughter of the present owner.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION OF BUILDINGS CALLED FOR IN 5-A OF BULLETIN 3400
Name of Building:
G. L. Carter Home
Location: 2
mi. E. of Martinsville, Va. On U. S. #58, thence N. on Rt. 57 2 mi., house on
west side of route.
County: Henry
Date: April 19, 1937
EXTERIOR
1. Building Plan:
Square
2. No. of Stories:
(2) Attic classed as 1/2
story
3. Material: Frame
4. If brick, state what bond
5. Kind of roof: Gabled
6. If Church, describe or draw sketch of roof
7. Roof material:
Was Shingle, now Metal
8. Chimneys: 2,
Brick. Location: At the sides
9. Weatherboarding:
Plain
10. Cornices: Plain or Elaborate: Plain
11 Windows: Number:
3 Size and number of panes:
45 panes 9x12 down
13. Shutters: None
14. Porch: One, small, added in front.
15. Type
of Entrance: Low, wide pine
doorway, very plain
16. Columns: None
INTERIOR
17. Rooms: 3
Small. Approx. ceiling
height 8 feet.
18. Stairway: Closed
string. Plain, enclosed with a closet underneath.
19. Cellar: None
20. Doors: Style and type of wood: Low, wide uniform
planks of pine.
21. Walls: Were
plastered but are now papered.
22. Interior cornices:
Plain
23. Hardware: Lock
and hinges: wide locks, common
hinges, brass knobs and keys
24. Floors: Wide uniform planks of pine
25. Mantels: Plain with wide ledges; one is paneled.
26. Misc.
27. Present condition, and state if spoiled
architecturally by remodeling: No. This house is in wonderful condition, having
recently been painted and done over.
28. Does occupant appreciate old architectural
features? Yes.
Your name: Kizzie
D. Carter
