Evergreen 074-0005
a DESCRIPTION CONDITION
CHECK ONE
CHECK ONE
-UNALTERED
LLTEREO
x
-0RIGINALSlTE
-MOVED
DATE
DESCRIBETHE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Evergreen, a l a t e Georgianiearly Federal-style house, i s s i t e d on a graciously landscaped e s t a t e o f f s t a t e r o u t e 644 i n Prince George County. Erected ca. 1807, the stuccocovered brick dwelling i s a two-story, central-hall-plan s t r u c t u r e covered by a hipped roo Set on a high basement, t h e main (west) e l e v a t i o n c o n s i s t s of a five-bay facade. The facade i s dominated by a one-story pedimented Doric p o r t i c o s e t on a b r i c k podium. The p o r t i c o r e p l a c e s an e a r l i e r one and was added during extensive r e s t o r a t i o n i n t h e 1930s. The p o r t i c o s h e l t e r s a transom and s i d e l i g h t e n t r y with a raised-panel door. P i l a s t e r s frame t h e c e n t r a l bay and t h e corners of t h e e l e v a t i o n , giving t h e house an exceptionally formal a i r . Fenestration c o n s i s t s of 9/9 hung sash, within simply executed frames. This replaces t h e o r i g i n a l 6/6 hung sash. A l l windows have flanking s h u t t e r s . A Doric cornice runs the perimeter of a l l t h e b u i l d i n g ' s elevations. The garden ( e a s t ) e l e v a t i o n d u p l i c a t e s t h e treatment of t h e west e l e v a t i o n with t h e exception of an enclosed sun porch. The porch, added i n the 20th century, covers t h e middle bays of t h e f i r s t s t o r y . The south e l e v a t i o n c o n s i s t s of t h r e e bays, framed by p i l a s t e r s . Fenestration c o n s i s t s of 9/9 windows, with t h e exception of t h e middle bay, which contains smaller openings of 619 windows. The openings of t h e middle bay d a t e t o the t h i r t i e s ' renovation. Both t h e north and south e l e v a t i o n s contain o r i g i n a l semii n t e r i o r end chimneys. The north e l e v a t i o n i s dominated by an enclosed sun porch on t h e f i r s t s t o r y . The e l e v a t i o n i s s i m i l a r i n treatment t o t h e south. i
I n t h e e a r l y p a r t of t h e 20th century, t h e house became vacant and gradually d e t e r i o r a t e d . The i n t e r i o r of t h e house was extensively damaged when i t was converted i n t a barn and s t a b l e . Reclaimed i n t h e l a t e 1930s. the i n t e r i o r was e x t e n s i v e l y renovated. A new s t a i r and paneling were added a t t h i s time. The grounds surrounding the house a r e planted with l a r g e t r e e s and h o l l y . i s scenic,extending t o t h e t i d a l f l a t s of the James River. BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION
The view
RCC
Evergreen, a property of four a c r e s , i s bounded on the e a s t by s t a t e r o u t e 6 4 4 , on t h e south and west by a d r i v e which extends p a s t t h e f r o n t of t h e house, and on t h e north by a l i n e t h a t forms a boundary between t h e d r i v e and t h e s t a t e road. The nominated property, a f r a c t i o n of t h e o r i g i n a l Ruffin family holdings i n t h e 1 8 t h and 19th c e n t u r i e s , includes the mnaln dwelling i n an appropriate s e t t i n g .
a SIGNIFICANCE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - - CHECK A N D JUSTIFY BELOW
PERIOD
ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC
-COMMUNIN
-1400-1499
4RCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC
-CONSERVATION
-LAW
-SCIENCE
-1500-1599
AGRICULTURE
-ECONOMICS
-LITERATUPE
-SCULPTURE
-1600-1 699 -1
700-1799
B1800-1899 -1
900.
PLANNING
-LANOSG.:i
-RELIGION
-PREHISTORIC
.'=CrllTECTURE
-EDUCATION
X -MILITARY
A R T
-ENGINEERING
-MUSIC
-COMMERCE
-EXPLORATlON/SETTLEMENT
-PHILOSOPHY
-THEATER -TRANSPORTATION
-COMMUNICATIONS
-INDUSTRY -INVENTION
-POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
-OTHER
XARCHITECTURE
SPECIFIC DATES
1790-1810
BUILDER/ARCH~TECT
-SOCIAVHUMANITARIAN
(SPECIFY)
Unknown
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Evergreen i s noted f o r i t s a s s o c i a t i o n s with t h e Ruffin family, who e s t a b l i s h e d themselves t h e r e i n t h e mid-18th century. The present Georgian-style dwelling was It was owned during t h e midprobably erected i n 1807-08 by George Ruffin (1765-1810). 19th century by h i s son-in-law, Harrison Cocke, sometime Confederate naval c a p t a i n i n command of t h e James River Naval Defenses. The house was assessed and valued a s one of t h e f i n e s t q u a l i t y homes i n Prince George County and v i c i n i t y according t o antebellum t a x and insurance records. Evergreen remains one of t h e p r i n c i p a l p l a n t a t i o n s along t h e south s i d e of t h e James River.
+
Because of t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of Prince George records during t h e C i v i l War, t h e e a r l y h i s t o r y of t h e property i s d i f f i c u l t t o document. The f i r s t record of Ruffin ownership of Evergreen d a t e s from 1788 when Edmund Ruffin, S r . , (1713-1790), was charged with 434 acres. Ruffin apparently was a prosperous p l a n t e r a s i n d i c a t e d by t h e l a r g e number of s l a v e s l e f t i n h i s e s t a t e . Although he maintained h i s residence a t Evergreen probably from t h e mid-18th century, any archaeological evidence of h i s house i s believed t o have been s i g n i f i c a n t l y disturbed when t h e grounds around t h e p r e s e n t house were regraded i n t h e p r e s e n t century. Ruffin's son Edmund Ruffin, J r . , (1745-1807), e s t a b l i s h e d h i s home a t Coggin's P o i n t , an adjacent p l a n t a t i o n . Evergreen thus passed t o Ruffin's grandson George (1765-1810). The t a x records of 1795 show the 434 a c r e s being charged t o George Ruffin. The f i r s t documented references t o t h e present dwelling appear i n an 1808 Mutual Assurance Society policy which d e s c r i b e s t h e house a s being 55 by 33 f e e t , b r i c k and with a s l a t e roof.' The house was probably r e c e n t l y completed a s t h e amount i n d i c a t e d t o r e p l a c e i t was $9,100, an e x c e p t i o n a l l y l a r g e amount f o r t h e period, and one t h a t would not l i k e l y be placed on a house of any age. The s l a t e roof alone i n d i c a t e s the house's q u a l i t y ; not one i n a hundred of a l l t h e Virginia coun&cyhouses insured i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 t h century had such l u x u r i o u s roofing. Further evidence of Evergreen's prominence i s i t s appearance among t h e s e l e c t group of p r i v a t e residences recorded on t h e Madison map of 1818. Evergreen, i n c l u d i n g i t s outb u i l d i n g s , was valued a t $3,000 i n t h e t a x records of 1820, Upper and Lower Brandon being t h e only houses i n t h e county assessed a t higher value. I n a d d i t i o n t o being a p l a n t e r , George Ruffin served i n t h e House of Delegates from 1803 t o 1806. He a l s o s a t on various statewide committees including one i n 1800 t o oversee t h e P r e s i d e n t a l e l e c t i o n . George Ruffin's son was Edmund Ruffin, 111, (1794-1865), the noted a g r i c u l t u r a l i s t and ardent s e c e s s i o n i s t . Edmund Ruffin, 111, never l i v e d a t Evergreen a s an a d u l t , although i t i s highly l i k e l y t h a t he was born t h e r e . Around 1832 Evergreen was conveyed by George H. Ruffin (son of George Ruffin) t o h i s h a l f - s i s t e r E l i z a b e t h ' s husband. Harrison H. Cocke. Cocke was o r i g i n a l l y from Montpelier i n Surry County (nominated t o t h e National Register) and served a s a c a p t a i n i n t h e U.S. (See Continuation Sheet tl)
-p r i n c e George Land Tax Books, 1782-1863.
Mutual Assurance S o c i e t y p o l i c i e s , Reel 5 , V. 45, U2186 (1816); V. 47, #343 (1808).
--William & Mary Q u a r t e r l y , V. 1 8 , p. 253-257.
P + i n c f d s and W i l l s , p. 530 (1891).
Va. Magazine of H i s t o r y & Biography, V. 4, p. 332, V. 5 , p. 188.
GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
QUADRANGLE NME West o v e r , Va
ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY
QUADRANGLE SCALE
UTM R E F E R E N C E S
,, , , ,
A W) 3 1 0 , 1 ( 3 , 5 , 0 1
cflI"PT7 , ,
(4,1~2,9~2,6,Oj NORTHING
1:24000
B L L _ I I I I I I I I I I I t I NORTHING ZONE EASTING
I
1
1
u
~U u
,
,
.
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
Beginning a t a p o i n t 2000' S of James R i v e r , 4400' W o f S t a t e Route 156 and a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4600' NW o f t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of S t a t e Routes 156 and 1 0 ; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 450' E t o W s i d e of S t a t e Route 644; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 400' S a l o n g s a i d s i d e of s a i d r o u t e t o N s i d e o f p r i v a t e d r i v e ; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 400' W a l o n g s a i d s i d e of p r i v a t e d r i v e ; t h e n c e f o l l o w i n g curve of s a i d d r i v e t u r n i n g N and e x t e n d i n g about 400' t o p o i n t of o r i g i n .
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE
CODE
COUNTY
CODE
STATE
CODE
COUNTY
CODE
S FORM PREPARED BY N A M E / TITLE
V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c Landmarks Commission S t a f f b
DATE
ORGANIZATION
V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c Landmarks C o m i s s i o n
May 1979
221 Governor S t r e e t
(804) 785-3144
TELEPHONE
STREET& NUMBER
CITY OR TOWN
STATE
Richinond
V i r g i n i a 23219
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OFTHIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS NATIONAL
-
STATE-
X
LOCAL-
As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665). 1
in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the
ational Park Service.
Tucker H i l l , E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r
i e v 10.74)
UNI-II:U S T , \ I t l S L)tP:\Kl'bll:KT 01-~I'III:I NII:KIOI< NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PJACES
INVENTORY NOMINATION FOXM
--
Evergreen, Prince George County, Virginia
C O N T l N U A T I O N SHEET
#l -
ITEM
NUMBER 6 & 8
PAGE
1
6. REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
(2) Virginia Historic Landmarks 1968, 1979 Virginia Historic Landmarks 221 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Commission Survey
State
Commission
8. SIGNIFICANCE
Navy. Following the outbreak of the war he transferred to the Confederate Navy and was
appointed by General Lee to survey the James River defenses and set up defensive
batteries. He later served as Commanding Officer of the James River defenses. Cocke made
various improvements to Evergreen as indicated by increases in property taxes. He
apparently had the house elegantly furnished, for among the entries in his account book
is an 1849 bill for a "sculpture figure of ~riadne."~
After the war Cocke sold Evergreen and moved to Dinwiddie County, leaving an undated. detailed description of the plantation. Probably writing around the time of the sale in 1866 he referred to Evergreen as a "beautiful farm...with an extensive waterfront.... Family residence is a large double two-story brick building, well built and stuccoed with Acreage is 1447 acres...well eight rooms and a kitchen exclusive of the basement adapted to culture of tobacco, wheat, corn and grain.1 ~ 3
....
While the interior of the house has been largely retrimmed, having fallen into decay
during the early part of the present century, the exterior appears similar to that noted
in Cocke's description. The house is stylistically transitional in that it incorporates
lace Ceorgian together with Federal detail. Although the porches are later replacements,
theyreplace similar ones noted on the Mutual Assurance Society policy of 1816.
l~utualAssurance Society, Policy Reel 5, V. 47, /I343 (1808).
'~ocke Family Papers, Account Book, Virginia Historical Society.
3~ockeFamily Papers, Section 9, #122, n-d., Virginia Historical Society.
CHECK ONE
CHECK ONE
-UNALTERED
LLTEREO
x
-0RIGINALSlTE
-MOVED
DATE
DESCRIBETHE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Evergreen, a l a t e Georgianiearly Federal-style house, i s s i t e d on a graciously landscaped e s t a t e o f f s t a t e r o u t e 644 i n Prince George County. Erected ca. 1807, the stuccocovered brick dwelling i s a two-story, central-hall-plan s t r u c t u r e covered by a hipped roo Set on a high basement, t h e main (west) e l e v a t i o n c o n s i s t s of a five-bay facade. The facade i s dominated by a one-story pedimented Doric p o r t i c o s e t on a b r i c k podium. The p o r t i c o r e p l a c e s an e a r l i e r one and was added during extensive r e s t o r a t i o n i n t h e 1930s. The p o r t i c o s h e l t e r s a transom and s i d e l i g h t e n t r y with a raised-panel door. P i l a s t e r s frame t h e c e n t r a l bay and t h e corners of t h e e l e v a t i o n , giving t h e house an exceptionally formal a i r . Fenestration c o n s i s t s of 9/9 hung sash, within simply executed frames. This replaces t h e o r i g i n a l 6/6 hung sash. A l l windows have flanking s h u t t e r s . A Doric cornice runs the perimeter of a l l t h e b u i l d i n g ' s elevations. The garden ( e a s t ) e l e v a t i o n d u p l i c a t e s t h e treatment of t h e west e l e v a t i o n with t h e exception of an enclosed sun porch. The porch, added i n the 20th century, covers t h e middle bays of t h e f i r s t s t o r y . The south e l e v a t i o n c o n s i s t s of t h r e e bays, framed by p i l a s t e r s . Fenestration c o n s i s t s of 9/9 windows, with t h e exception of t h e middle bay, which contains smaller openings of 619 windows. The openings of t h e middle bay d a t e t o the t h i r t i e s ' renovation. Both t h e north and south e l e v a t i o n s contain o r i g i n a l semii n t e r i o r end chimneys. The north e l e v a t i o n i s dominated by an enclosed sun porch on t h e f i r s t s t o r y . The e l e v a t i o n i s s i m i l a r i n treatment t o t h e south. i
I n t h e e a r l y p a r t of t h e 20th century, t h e house became vacant and gradually d e t e r i o r a t e d . The i n t e r i o r of t h e house was extensively damaged when i t was converted i n t a barn and s t a b l e . Reclaimed i n t h e l a t e 1930s. the i n t e r i o r was e x t e n s i v e l y renovated. A new s t a i r and paneling were added a t t h i s time. The grounds surrounding the house a r e planted with l a r g e t r e e s and h o l l y . i s scenic,extending t o t h e t i d a l f l a t s of the James River. BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION
The view
RCC
Evergreen, a property of four a c r e s , i s bounded on the e a s t by s t a t e r o u t e 6 4 4 , on t h e south and west by a d r i v e which extends p a s t t h e f r o n t of t h e house, and on t h e north by a l i n e t h a t forms a boundary between t h e d r i v e and t h e s t a t e road. The nominated property, a f r a c t i o n of t h e o r i g i n a l Ruffin family holdings i n t h e 1 8 t h and 19th c e n t u r i e s , includes the mnaln dwelling i n an appropriate s e t t i n g .
a SIGNIFICANCE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - - CHECK A N D JUSTIFY BELOW
PERIOD
ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC
-COMMUNIN
-1400-1499
4RCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC
-CONSERVATION
-LAW
-SCIENCE
-1500-1599
AGRICULTURE
-ECONOMICS
-LITERATUPE
-SCULPTURE
-1600-1 699 -1
700-1799
B1800-1899 -1
900.
PLANNING
-LANOSG.:i
-RELIGION
-PREHISTORIC
.'=CrllTECTURE
-EDUCATION
X -MILITARY
A R T
-ENGINEERING
-MUSIC
-COMMERCE
-EXPLORATlON/SETTLEMENT
-PHILOSOPHY
-THEATER -TRANSPORTATION
-COMMUNICATIONS
-INDUSTRY -INVENTION
-POLITICS/GOVERNMENT
-OTHER
XARCHITECTURE
SPECIFIC DATES
1790-1810
BUILDER/ARCH~TECT
-SOCIAVHUMANITARIAN
(SPECIFY)
Unknown
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Evergreen i s noted f o r i t s a s s o c i a t i o n s with t h e Ruffin family, who e s t a b l i s h e d themselves t h e r e i n t h e mid-18th century. The present Georgian-style dwelling was It was owned during t h e midprobably erected i n 1807-08 by George Ruffin (1765-1810). 19th century by h i s son-in-law, Harrison Cocke, sometime Confederate naval c a p t a i n i n command of t h e James River Naval Defenses. The house was assessed and valued a s one of t h e f i n e s t q u a l i t y homes i n Prince George County and v i c i n i t y according t o antebellum t a x and insurance records. Evergreen remains one of t h e p r i n c i p a l p l a n t a t i o n s along t h e south s i d e of t h e James River.
+
Because of t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of Prince George records during t h e C i v i l War, t h e e a r l y h i s t o r y of t h e property i s d i f f i c u l t t o document. The f i r s t record of Ruffin ownership of Evergreen d a t e s from 1788 when Edmund Ruffin, S r . , (1713-1790), was charged with 434 acres. Ruffin apparently was a prosperous p l a n t e r a s i n d i c a t e d by t h e l a r g e number of s l a v e s l e f t i n h i s e s t a t e . Although he maintained h i s residence a t Evergreen probably from t h e mid-18th century, any archaeological evidence of h i s house i s believed t o have been s i g n i f i c a n t l y disturbed when t h e grounds around t h e p r e s e n t house were regraded i n t h e p r e s e n t century. Ruffin's son Edmund Ruffin, J r . , (1745-1807), e s t a b l i s h e d h i s home a t Coggin's P o i n t , an adjacent p l a n t a t i o n . Evergreen thus passed t o Ruffin's grandson George (1765-1810). The t a x records of 1795 show the 434 a c r e s being charged t o George Ruffin. The f i r s t documented references t o t h e present dwelling appear i n an 1808 Mutual Assurance Society policy which d e s c r i b e s t h e house a s being 55 by 33 f e e t , b r i c k and with a s l a t e roof.' The house was probably r e c e n t l y completed a s t h e amount i n d i c a t e d t o r e p l a c e i t was $9,100, an e x c e p t i o n a l l y l a r g e amount f o r t h e period, and one t h a t would not l i k e l y be placed on a house of any age. The s l a t e roof alone i n d i c a t e s the house's q u a l i t y ; not one i n a hundred of a l l t h e Virginia coun&cyhouses insured i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 t h century had such l u x u r i o u s roofing. Further evidence of Evergreen's prominence i s i t s appearance among t h e s e l e c t group of p r i v a t e residences recorded on t h e Madison map of 1818. Evergreen, i n c l u d i n g i t s outb u i l d i n g s , was valued a t $3,000 i n t h e t a x records of 1820, Upper and Lower Brandon being t h e only houses i n t h e county assessed a t higher value. I n a d d i t i o n t o being a p l a n t e r , George Ruffin served i n t h e House of Delegates from 1803 t o 1806. He a l s o s a t on various statewide committees including one i n 1800 t o oversee t h e P r e s i d e n t a l e l e c t i o n . George Ruffin's son was Edmund Ruffin, 111, (1794-1865), the noted a g r i c u l t u r a l i s t and ardent s e c e s s i o n i s t . Edmund Ruffin, 111, never l i v e d a t Evergreen a s an a d u l t , although i t i s highly l i k e l y t h a t he was born t h e r e . Around 1832 Evergreen was conveyed by George H. Ruffin (son of George Ruffin) t o h i s h a l f - s i s t e r E l i z a b e t h ' s husband. Harrison H. Cocke. Cocke was o r i g i n a l l y from Montpelier i n Surry County (nominated t o t h e National Register) and served a s a c a p t a i n i n t h e U.S. (See Continuation Sheet tl)
-p r i n c e George Land Tax Books, 1782-1863.
Mutual Assurance S o c i e t y p o l i c i e s , Reel 5 , V. 45, U2186 (1816); V. 47, #343 (1808).
--William & Mary Q u a r t e r l y , V. 1 8 , p. 253-257.
P + i n c f d s and W i l l s , p. 530 (1891).
Va. Magazine of H i s t o r y & Biography, V. 4, p. 332, V. 5 , p. 188.
GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
QUADRANGLE NME West o v e r , Va
ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY
QUADRANGLE SCALE
UTM R E F E R E N C E S
,, , , ,
A W) 3 1 0 , 1 ( 3 , 5 , 0 1
cflI"PT7 , ,
(4,1~2,9~2,6,Oj NORTHING
1:24000
B L L _ I I I I I I I I I I I t I NORTHING ZONE EASTING
I
1
1
u
~U u
,
,
.
VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION
Beginning a t a p o i n t 2000' S of James R i v e r , 4400' W o f S t a t e Route 156 and a p p r o x i m a t e l y 4600' NW o f t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of S t a t e Routes 156 and 1 0 ; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 450' E t o W s i d e of S t a t e Route 644; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 400' S a l o n g s a i d s i d e of s a i d r o u t e t o N s i d e o f p r i v a t e d r i v e ; t h e n c e e x t e n d i n g 400' W a l o n g s a i d s i d e of p r i v a t e d r i v e ; t h e n c e f o l l o w i n g curve of s a i d d r i v e t u r n i n g N and e x t e n d i n g about 400' t o p o i n t of o r i g i n .
LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE
CODE
COUNTY
CODE
STATE
CODE
COUNTY
CODE
S FORM PREPARED BY N A M E / TITLE
V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c Landmarks Commission S t a f f b
DATE
ORGANIZATION
V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c Landmarks C o m i s s i o n
May 1979
221 Governor S t r e e t
(804) 785-3144
TELEPHONE
STREET& NUMBER
CITY OR TOWN
STATE
Richinond
V i r g i n i a 23219
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OFTHIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS NATIONAL
-
STATE-
X
LOCAL-
As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665). 1
in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the
ational Park Service.
Tucker H i l l , E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r
i e v 10.74)
UNI-II:U S T , \ I t l S L)tP:\Kl'bll:KT 01-~I'III:I NII:KIOI< NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PJACES
INVENTORY NOMINATION FOXM
--
Evergreen, Prince George County, Virginia
C O N T l N U A T I O N SHEET
#l -
ITEM
NUMBER 6 & 8
PAGE
1
6. REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
(2) Virginia Historic Landmarks 1968, 1979 Virginia Historic Landmarks 221 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Commission Survey
State
Commission
8. SIGNIFICANCE
Navy. Following the outbreak of the war he transferred to the Confederate Navy and was
appointed by General Lee to survey the James River defenses and set up defensive
batteries. He later served as Commanding Officer of the James River defenses. Cocke made
various improvements to Evergreen as indicated by increases in property taxes. He
apparently had the house elegantly furnished, for among the entries in his account book
is an 1849 bill for a "sculpture figure of ~riadne."~
After the war Cocke sold Evergreen and moved to Dinwiddie County, leaving an undated. detailed description of the plantation. Probably writing around the time of the sale in 1866 he referred to Evergreen as a "beautiful farm...with an extensive waterfront.... Family residence is a large double two-story brick building, well built and stuccoed with Acreage is 1447 acres...well eight rooms and a kitchen exclusive of the basement adapted to culture of tobacco, wheat, corn and grain.1 ~ 3
....
While the interior of the house has been largely retrimmed, having fallen into decay
during the early part of the present century, the exterior appears similar to that noted
in Cocke's description. The house is stylistically transitional in that it incorporates
lace Ceorgian together with Federal detail. Although the porches are later replacements,
theyreplace similar ones noted on the Mutual Assurance Society policy of 1816.
l~utualAssurance Society, Policy Reel 5, V. 47, /I343 (1808).
'~ocke Family Papers, Account Book, Virginia Historical Society.
3~ockeFamily Papers, Section 9, #122, n-d., Virginia Historical Society.
