Page 171 - WPA Book
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Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
The Grove
Page Two
embracing something like a thousand acres. The place was in the Ewing family for one hundred and seventy-
seven years.
The first home built on this place was of logs, of the early pioneer type, cut from large trees, hewn on two sides,
and seems to have been of rather larger size than many of the early pioneer houses. Portholes were provided, so
that it was, in effect, an outpost blockhouse, one of the old blockhouse forts of that day. Near by, and probably
built sometime later, was a smaller stone structure, having it is said a subterraneous connection with the spring
and used as a retreat for the women and children when the frequent Indian alarms spread along the frontier and
more than once besieged by them.
The records of Augusta County disclose that the first deed to William for land was recorded November 17,
1761, conveying, in consideration of one hundred and forty-eight pounds, seven hundred and eight acres on
“easternmost branch of Linville’s Creek, conveyed by Hite, et al, 3rd October, 1769, Delivered: Andrew Ewing
1769 (Andrew was his son).
William Ewing was strong in his convictions, both political and religious, as well as in habits and costume. He
wore a long queue, tied at the end with black ribbon; short breeches, fastened at the knees with knee-buckles;
silk stockings, and dress. He was strong in his Presbyerianism and yet withal, one of several witnesses against
“Alexander Miller, M.A., formerly a Presbyterian Minister,” charged with, “siding and giving intelligence to the
enemy.” Yet he would not vote for President, resisting all efforts of persuasion, saying “God made Kings and
Queens but never made a President.”
William, as said before, married Ann Shannon about 1733, and while hers seems to have been the dominating
spirit, they lived happily together and both lie buried in the church yard of the New Erection Church on Cook’s
Creek, he in 1796 and she in 1801 at the age of ninety years. To their union were born: Henry, Andrew, John,
Elizabeth, and Nancy.
Upon the formation of Rockingham County in 1778, Henry became one of its first justices and its second clerk,
succeeding Peter Hogg, who was the first clerk. Henry served as clerk of the court until 1792.
John Ewing son of William Ewing the immigrant and inheritor of the homeplace, married Phoebe Davison,
granddaughter of Daniel and Phoebe Davison, nee Harrison, in 1768. It was to her that her mother handed the
old water bottle, the trophy of her great grandfather’s voyage to America, which is now in the possession of Mr.
I.S. Ewing of Harrisonburg.
In 1786 during his father’s term as clerk, he took oath of deputy clerk, and soon afterwards qualified as a
"Gentleman Justice,” which office he held continuously until his death in 1822.
William Ewing, second (1780-1857) was son of John Ewing and wife nee Davison and inheritor of the
homeplace from his father, was the builder of the present brick house about 1822 or a little later. In 1807 he
married Elizabeth Bryan. Th original log house stood about two hundred yards from the present house, south
and a little to the east, and the old stone structure spoken of was immediately in front and just outside the
present yard fence.
Like his father and grandfather, William was closely identified with the interest and affairs of the community,
both civil, business, and military. He was a captain of one of the cavalry companies in the 116th Regiment,
Virginia Militia, in 1812. He was a successful farmer, with a large plantation of many acres of excellent land,
both farming, meadow, and grazing. Slight changes have been made in recent years to the present house; the
original two column, double portico, has been replaced with a more modern porch, running full length with the
rooms. Otherwise the house stands today as it was when built, about one hundred and fourteen years ago, and
no doubt will continue to stand for many more unless purposely torn away by some succeeding owner.
Page 170 of 482
HOUSES
The Grove
Page Two
embracing something like a thousand acres. The place was in the Ewing family for one hundred and seventy-
seven years.
The first home built on this place was of logs, of the early pioneer type, cut from large trees, hewn on two sides,
and seems to have been of rather larger size than many of the early pioneer houses. Portholes were provided, so
that it was, in effect, an outpost blockhouse, one of the old blockhouse forts of that day. Near by, and probably
built sometime later, was a smaller stone structure, having it is said a subterraneous connection with the spring
and used as a retreat for the women and children when the frequent Indian alarms spread along the frontier and
more than once besieged by them.
The records of Augusta County disclose that the first deed to William for land was recorded November 17,
1761, conveying, in consideration of one hundred and forty-eight pounds, seven hundred and eight acres on
“easternmost branch of Linville’s Creek, conveyed by Hite, et al, 3rd October, 1769, Delivered: Andrew Ewing
1769 (Andrew was his son).
William Ewing was strong in his convictions, both political and religious, as well as in habits and costume. He
wore a long queue, tied at the end with black ribbon; short breeches, fastened at the knees with knee-buckles;
silk stockings, and dress. He was strong in his Presbyerianism and yet withal, one of several witnesses against
“Alexander Miller, M.A., formerly a Presbyterian Minister,” charged with, “siding and giving intelligence to the
enemy.” Yet he would not vote for President, resisting all efforts of persuasion, saying “God made Kings and
Queens but never made a President.”
William, as said before, married Ann Shannon about 1733, and while hers seems to have been the dominating
spirit, they lived happily together and both lie buried in the church yard of the New Erection Church on Cook’s
Creek, he in 1796 and she in 1801 at the age of ninety years. To their union were born: Henry, Andrew, John,
Elizabeth, and Nancy.
Upon the formation of Rockingham County in 1778, Henry became one of its first justices and its second clerk,
succeeding Peter Hogg, who was the first clerk. Henry served as clerk of the court until 1792.
John Ewing son of William Ewing the immigrant and inheritor of the homeplace, married Phoebe Davison,
granddaughter of Daniel and Phoebe Davison, nee Harrison, in 1768. It was to her that her mother handed the
old water bottle, the trophy of her great grandfather’s voyage to America, which is now in the possession of Mr.
I.S. Ewing of Harrisonburg.
In 1786 during his father’s term as clerk, he took oath of deputy clerk, and soon afterwards qualified as a
"Gentleman Justice,” which office he held continuously until his death in 1822.
William Ewing, second (1780-1857) was son of John Ewing and wife nee Davison and inheritor of the
homeplace from his father, was the builder of the present brick house about 1822 or a little later. In 1807 he
married Elizabeth Bryan. Th original log house stood about two hundred yards from the present house, south
and a little to the east, and the old stone structure spoken of was immediately in front and just outside the
present yard fence.
Like his father and grandfather, William was closely identified with the interest and affairs of the community,
both civil, business, and military. He was a captain of one of the cavalry companies in the 116th Regiment,
Virginia Militia, in 1812. He was a successful farmer, with a large plantation of many acres of excellent land,
both farming, meadow, and grazing. Slight changes have been made in recent years to the present house; the
original two column, double portico, has been replaced with a more modern porch, running full length with the
rooms. Otherwise the house stands today as it was when built, about one hundred and fourteen years ago, and
no doubt will continue to stand for many more unless purposely torn away by some succeeding owner.
Page 170 of 482
