iMORVEN 



MONG the records of Albemarle County, in the 

 courthouse at Charlottesville, is that of a deed 

 drawn up and signed by Thomas Jefferson in his 

 own handwriting. This paper states that on De- 

 cember 8, 1796, William Champ Carter and his 

 , wife, Martha, sold to William Short, of Philadel- 



phia, a certain parcel of land known as Indian Camp, lying on the 

 southeast side of the Southwest Mountains. This land was sold 

 for one thousand five hundred and sixty-seven pounds and nme 

 shillings. 



In the deed witnessed by Mr. Jefferson it is mterestmg to note 

 that there is mention made of the rentals of the tenants gomg to 

 the buyer of the property. 



Again, in February, 1813, William Short, who was an aide on 

 the staff of General Washington, sold the property to David Hig- 

 ginbotham. The name of Morven was probably given to the place 

 when the present brick house was built by Mr. Higginbotham, 

 about 1820. Plans for the latter are said to have been drawn by 

 Thomas Jefferson, who also ordered for it from Paris the mantel 

 of Carrara marble which adorns the drawing-room. Near this house 

 there still may be seen at Morven an old and very attractive 

 cottage, which was probably the only dwelling on the place in 1796. 

 After the death of David Higginbotham, his widow, as execu- 

 trix, in 1853, sold the place to Daniel Smith. At this time, all 

 the property pertaining to the estate was disposed of as the heirs 

 were scattered. The servants were sold from the old cottage steps, 

 bringing something over eighty thousand dollars. An old darkey. 

 Uncle Lee Jones by name, who still survives, tells with pride that 

 he brought one thousand eight hundred dollars. He stayed with 

 the Smith family during the devastating years that followed the 



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