Ferry Plantation House - A Historic Site in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ferry plantation first got it's name in 1642 when the Ferry Boat Service  ran the Lynnhaven waterway, as far as we have traced back there may have been as many as eleven stops along the river. The ferry operator was summoned by a signal cannon, one at each of the eleven stops. Three of these cannons have been located. Saville Gaskin was the ferry operator,in 1642 he was commissioned by Adam Thoroughgood.

The Ferry Landing had been chosen because the land had already been cleared by native Indian tribe in the 1500's. Many Indian artifacts have been found on the Plantation that further tell the story of her past.

The second Princess Anne court house was built on the Plantation near the present  location of Old Donation Church , this was the courthouse that held part of the trial of Grace Sherwood, Virginia's only convicted with that was tried by water and found guilty of witchcraft, Grace was jailed for some time in this timber courthouse . The trial took place on July 10th 1706, at that time the church that was used , built in 1692 was the Brick Church , this was outgrown and was replaced with the church  that stands on that location today It  was completed in 1736.

The third Princess Anne Courthouse was built in 1735 of brick on Ferry Plantation to replace the timber courthouse. This was built closer to the Ferry Landing. This courthouse was used until 1751, the stocks and pillory were taken from Ferry Plantation in 1751 to the new courthouse location at Newtown. The Walke family owning the property at that time built the Manor house , there have been several dig sites open for the public to see the remains of the past, and telling our family history.

In 1828 the Walke Manor house burned to the ground. It was not until two years later 1830 that George and Elizabeth (Walke ) MacIntosh built from the good bricks of the  manor house the house that stands on the Plantation today. It was built for their seventeen year old son Charles Fleming MacIntosh.

Come and visit the Ferry Plantation House on Tuesdays and Thursdays winter hours are 9am to 3pm. Summer hours  include Saturdays and are 10am to 4pm. Enjoy a tour for $5.00 adults and Seniors and Students $2.00 Members are free.   If the Virginia State Flag is flying, we are open for tours.  Please pull the bell and enter.  WE will be pleased to tell you the rest of our story.

Belinda Nash

Ferry Plantation House

473-5182

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