1. SUBJECT:
John W. Dovel Home.
2. LOCATION:
Two miles southwest of Shenandoah, Virginia
3. DATE:
About 1835.
4. OWNERS:
Surveyed for Daniel Dovel October 8, 1815, 140 acres of land, fifty acres by virtue of John Showalter’s
Warrant for 150 acres, and 90 acres part of Daniel Dovel’s own warrant for 300 acres. See Survey Book B.
John W. Dovel from Francis Perry and William R. Barker June 7, 1850, 299 ½ acres. D.B. 49 page 160.
Tandy, Laura F. and Lewis A. Dovel by inheritance from father, John W. Dovel 1862, Will Book 5 page
132.
Rosa C. Cook from Laura F. & Lewis A. Dovel, September 13, 1897, D.B. 61, page 539.
John W. Taylor from Tandy Dovel, September 29, 1883, D.B. 26, page 558.
J.H. Carrier from Rosa C. & Geo. W. Cook and others, January 1898. D.B. 69, page 133.
A.L. Carrier from J.H. Carrier, March 21, 1900, $3,375. 112 ½ acres, D.B. 65, page 337.
A. L. Carrier from J.H. Carrier, September 15, 1903, $845.84, 22 acres, 37 poles D.B. 72, page 455.
A.L. Carrier from P.H. Dovel March 29, 1904, $130.00 2 acres and 60 poles.
A.L. Carrier from Mrs. Rosa C. Cook, September 26, 1899, $1,350, 27 acres, including dwelling, D.B. 63,
Page 133.
A.L. Carrier from P.H. Dovel, November 10, 1916, 1-½ acres, D.B. 116, page 242.
Charles A. Dovel from A. L. Carrier, June 1928, $12,999 in two tracts, one of 112 ½ acres, one of 22 acres,
37 poles, D.B. 140, page 137.
W.G. Dovel present owner by inheritance form mother and by deed, D.B. 164, page 370.
5. DESCRIPTION:
The John W. Dovel home is a two and a half story rectangular building constructed of common bond brick.
The roof is gabled and covered with metal roofing. There are two large brick chimneys, one at the end and another on the side of the building. There are two small one story porches, measuring eight by twelve
feet on the north and the other on the north side of the house. The house has plain brick cornices. There
are not shutters and the eighteen windows have four large panes, two to the sash of 14 by 28 inch glass. The entrance is a large single door with transom and sidelights.
The house has four rooms, all of which are large and have a height of twelve feet. The walls are papered with the lower part wainscoted. The floors are laid of six-inch pine boards. The interior door are very heavy, hand-made six paneled pine doors. They have old style outside, iron locks and common hinges.
The mantes are very elaborate, handmade ones. The stairway is an open string three-flight stair with handturned rails and newels and square balusters. The house has a plain cellar of ordinary proportions. The building is in good condition and has had very little remodeling done.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This old home was built by John W. Dovel and Daniel Dovel. They made and burned the brick and built the house near the foothills of the Massanutten Mountains. It has been in the Dovel possession, most of the time since. L.B. Dovel, son of John W. Dovel, who was raised in this old home served in the Confederate Army, 7th Virginia Cavalry, during the War Between the States, and returned to this old home after the war was over. P.H. Dovel, one of his sons, and a grandson of John W. Dovel, is still living near this old home place.
7. ART:
John W. Dovel Home
Page 2
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informants: P.H. Dovel, Shenandoah, Virginia.
Charlie Dovel, Shenandoah, Virginia.
W.O. Dovel, Shenandoah, Virginia.
Rockingham County, Court Records.
January 1937 C.C. Morris
Shenandoah, VA