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  1. SUBJECT:

    2. The Gardner Property.

  2. LOCATION:

    3. 144 North Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

  3. DATE:

    4. About 1833.

  4. OWNERS:

    5. Robert Harrison by inheritance from father, Thomas Harrison.

    Samuel Haire from Robert Harrison, April 1793, record burnt.

    Richard and Anna Haire by inheritance.

    Peter Sprinkle from Richard and Anna Haire, June 17, 1812, $400.00.

    Daniel Ragan from John H. Haire, August 19, 1818, $1.00. Deed Book 4, pages 8-9.

    Jonathan Irick from Daniel Ragan, Dec. 23, 1822. Deed Book 5, page 432, burnt.

    Abraham Hisey from Jonathan Irick July 5, 1824. Deed Book 6, page 283.

    William Furry from Abraham Hisey, Oct. 6, 1831, $500.00. Deed Book 10, page 524.

    David S. Jones from William Furry, Sept. 5, 1833, $1.00. Deed Book 11, page 197.

    Robert A. Gray from David S. Jones Nov. 10, 1856, exchange, & c. Deed Book 29, page 425.

    Samuel M. Yost from Robert A. Gray’s trustees, Aug. 22, 1865, $2,000. Deed Book 1 page 180.

    Alfred Sprinkle, Admr. From Samuel M. Yost, 1867, exchange & c. Deed Book 3, page 28.

    Catherine Sprinkle from her children, March 18, 1885, $1.00. Deed Book 27, page 279.

    William H. Gardner from George E. Sipe, Spec. Com. April 12, 1904, $1,200. Deed Book 72, page 353.

    O.M. Masters, present owner, from Laird L. Conrad, Spec. Com. May 16, 1932, $2,600. Deed Book 152,

    page 258.

  5. DESCRIPTION:

    6. See form 3686, attached.

  6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

    7. As nearly as I can ascertain the present brick house was built by David S. Jones about 1833. He owned the property for a longer period of time than any of the other various owners, and later conveyed it to Robert A. Gray, son of Robert Gray who built "Collicello" one of the showplaces of that day. This conveyance was in part, an exchange for some two hundred or more acres, deeded to Robert A. Gray by his father, paying also $17,000 besides. The two hundred or more acres included "Collicello" also, which was conveyed to Jones. Robert A. Gray like his father was a prominent lawyer. He inherited his father’s law library and doubtless lived in the house for many years. The house, while not a pretentious one, was the scene of much gaiety and social life. Various changes have been made in the interior, and today it is rather cramped. Changes could be made again much to the improvement of the property, thereby making it a more comfortable home in which to live. It is hardly probable that these changes will be made, as the neighborhood is not as desirable now for residential purposes.

  7. ART:

    8. Photograph.

  8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

Rockingham County Court Records, Clerk’s Office, Harrisonburg, VA

February 5, 1937 Geo. W. Fetzer

Harrisonburg, VA