Historic Gardens of Virginia 



paper houses and war munitions, now transformed to stable peace- 

 time industries; to City Point, whose newly-laid-off streets and 

 building lots for World War developments were acquired from the 

 acreage of the Eppes Farm. Turning into a picturesque avenue 

 of century-old cedars, and passing old St. John's Church whose 

 steeple was used as a signal tower in wartime, and on through the 

 splendid trees which surround it, we catch our first glimpse of 

 Appomattox Manor. Just beyond sparkle the waters of the James 

 and the Appomattox. We are at once reminded that the first of the 

 family of Eppes approached this matchless site for a home from 

 the water, travelling by boat or canoe on the river, the natural 

 highway in those early roadless days. 



Seals attached to old deeds in possession of the late Dr. Richard 

 Eppes of City Point bore the arms ascribed by English heraldic 

 writers to Epes or Eppes of Canterbury, Kent, England. The 

 records of Prince George County which would have thrown most 

 light on this family history were burned by Federal Troops during 

 the War Between the States, and but few family letters and other 

 personal records survive the burning and sacking of two great wars. 



Of this we are assured: the family embarked from "Merrie 

 England" not as men in political disfavor and threatened with dis- 

 aster, nor yet as cavaliers with dreams of fame and fortune, but 

 as colonists and settlers to found a home in a new world of peaceful 

 employment and productive enterprise, to till the soil and plant 

 and reap. 



To Francis Eppes, a member of His Majesty's Council, was 

 granted in 1635 broad acres of land, which included estates on both 

 sides of the James and the Appomattox, and an island laved by 

 the waters of both rivers, called "Eppes' Island," still owned by 

 the family. 



On a most beautiful and commanding eminence, jutting out 

 into a broad expanse of water at the confluence of the two rivers, 

 Francis Eppes built his frame dwelling. The place is still the home 

 of his descendants, and represents a tenure of nearly three hundred 



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