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Colonial "Stovall" Lands and
Historical Sites
The following photos were in an envelope addressed to my Dad, Billy Houston Williamson, post marked March 5, 1979 from Loyce Smith Robbins, daughter of Alma Stovall Smith, Grand daughter of Jeremiah Jackson Stovall and Maggie Laura Williamson Stovall. I believe that she and "Aunt Hazel" (Anna Hazel Stovall Southard), daughter of George Samuel Stovall and Sarah "Sally" Maddox Pyburn, had taken a trip to visit the old Stovall homesteads and research Stovall Family genealogy.
Some of these pictures have historical significance. I believe the ferry run by George Stovall, Sr. was used to transport Revolutionary Soldiers and their supplies across the James (old Fluvanna) River. I also believe that most of Bartholomew's (our original immigrant) sons and grandsons, that were of age during the Revolutionary War have been designated as Patriots by the Daughters of the American Revolution. I need further research to verify this and will update this page once I have complete information.
I don't know the exact dates these photos were taken. She also sent a typed description for captions to go with the photos. Those that were not in the typed description, have hand written notes on the back. I am copying her descriptions and notes verbatim. My notes if any are in brackets below:
Inside St. John's Church, Richmond, VA
[August 8, 1693 - Bartholomew Stovall and Anne Burton were married]
 
Stained Glass Windows at St. John's
Intersection of James River and Deep Creek near Powhatan, VA
This is the site of Bartholomew's Plantation at his death.
Map copied from blueprint owned by Sister's of St. Francis de Sole present [bef 1979] occupants of St. Emma's Academy Building. James River is at upper right - Deep Creek runs diagonally across middle of picture. Arrow points to site of the Academy. Bellmead Plantation across the creek was owned by General Coche. A mansion built there in 1852 still stands in good condition. It was used as a boys Catholic school for many years.
 
St. Emma's Academy, built in the late 1800's as Catholic school for poor Negro and Indian girls on the land formerly owned by Bartholomew Stovall at James River at Deep Creek near Powhatan, VA. [Picture to the right] - Chapel in St. Emma's Academy.
James River (old Fluvanna) looking toward the fields formerly owned by George Stovall, Jr. on the north side of the river. George Sr.'s ferry was located where the low clump of trees rises above the light colored field in the center of the picture. Mountain is behind the clump of trees. [Note the reference to old Fluvanna is part of Loyce's caption]
James River Valley just west of the area shown in picture above
James River (old Fluvanna) at the site of George Sr.'s ferry (center of picture). The big tree just to the right of the center was the anchor tree from which a chain was stretched to pull the ferry across. An old local fisherman said a 30-35 foot piece of chain was embedded in this tree until someone removed it about 2 years ago. The field shown was George Sr.'s land on the south side of the river.
James River (old Fluvanna) at the site of George Sr.'s ferry (picture taken from north bank). Tree in right foreground still has a piece of chain embedded in it, in addition to a piece of wire cable used in later years.
George Sr.'s ferry north shore anchor tree with a piece of old chain embedded in it. I doubt this is the original anchor tree though (it would have been too small in 1752).
Tail race of an old grist mill on Partridge Creek near its junction with the James River, very near the site of George Sr.'s ferry landing on the north bank. This is probably the mill mentioned in George Sr.'s will.
Old railroad station called Stapleton, originally located just south of the railroad shown in the lower right foreground. The dense brush between the railroad station and the railroad is the remains of the old Kanawah Canal which ran between Richmond and Lynchburg. Barges were towed by mules.
Area along James (Fluvanna) River where Stovall's Creek intersects - owned by George Jr. in the early 1700's. Now owned by mother of Edgar J. T. Perrow, atty at Lynchburg.
View from high hill on north side of James (Fluvanna) River Galts Mill (in clump of trees middle far right) on Stovalls Creek where it intersects the River. Galts Mill may have been built on the old foundation of one of George Stovall Jr.'s mills. The mill is now owned by Edgar J.T. Perrow.
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