Chesterfield County has so much history, more than what most might learn during their school years, unless one takes an interest during the college years. We celebrated Christopher Columbus this week with a federal holiday, remembering his voyages and discovery of the Americas in October, 1492. A little more than a hundred years later, colonists settled in the Citie of Henricus, or as many may call the area, Dutch Gap. We are well aware of the Civil War history all around us. For those who want to learn more of that Civil War history the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia will be conducting its fall quarterly meeting at Point of Rocks Plantation. Board director Crystal Cox Monroe will talk about her ancestors and the plantation that remained in the family for 371 years, before, during, and after the Civil War. It was her mother’s wish that the property remain as is with its historic value. The property was passed to Chesterfield County in 2013 to be preserved as one of the county’s historical parks.
Abraham Wood acquired the land, a 700-acre tract, in 1642. A fur trader with the Native Americans, he established a trading post. When he died, his will left all his property to his stepdaughter who married Peter Jones, who was a trader in Petersburg. In 1845 John Alexander Strachan inherited a home and farmlands from his grandfather known as Point of Rocks. Rev. Strachan established a church and named it Enon, based on John 23:3, “And John was also baptizing in Ae’non near Salim…”
Strachan lost his property in 1864, when Gen. Benjamin F. Butler landed at Bermuda Hundred and brought 44,000 troops of the Union Army. Butler set up a field hospital on the property large enough to hold 5,000 patients, including those in the Bermuda Hundred Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg. Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, served as superintendent of nursing at the Point of Rocks hospital. On March 27, 1865, Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd, visited the hospital with Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia.
The house was described as follows during Butler’s occupation: “It is a neatly painted four-roomed house of one story. Already, one room had been set apart for the wounded and another for surgeon’s quarters. Some of the women of the family attempted to remain and occupy the other rooms, but a few hours convinced them of their mistake. The shady grove around the house offered a cool space for the sun struck, who came back in such numbers from the front, and in a few days, convenient space for our hospital tents.”
After the war, Strachan wanted his property back. Stracha wrote: “This land is my homestead, the place of my birth. I have nothing left me now but my land, all my other property has been destroyed, even including my wearing apparel and I am the husband of a delicate wife and the father of several children.”
Strachan and his family returned to Point of Rocks in 1866, and he spent the rest of his life there. The house was kept in his family until 2013. when a park was established. It is listed on the national, state and county register of historic places.
The last owner to live on the property was Thomas Cox, grandson of Strachan. Cox died in 1971 and his wife Evelyn died in 2003. The Cox’s daughters sold the property to the county In 2013.
Find out more of the story and join the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia during its quarterly meeting Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. George Fickett, past board member of the CHSV Historical Committee, will give a tour of the trails, including the spot where Lincoln sat alone in contemplation during his visit. Depending on the progress of the renovation, tours may be available of the house. Bring your lawn chairs.
Point of Rocks Plantation is located at 1011 Point of Rocks Road. Become a member for $25 or $35 per household or senior $20. For more information visit chesterfieldhistory.com.
