Bernard Markham was one of the first prominent resident-owners of the land area encompassing the Forest Hill Historic District. On June 18, 1768, Markham purchased a 1,730-acre tract of land from William Byrd III.
It is likely that Markham lived in a dwelling near the site of Maple Crest as subsequent property deeds refer to “Markham’s high hill” and “Markham’s old road”. Markham contributed to the commercial development in Forest Hill in the late-eighteenth century, erecting two mills near the mouth of Reedy Creek. During colonial times, “Mills provided the economic base for many communities because they encouraged the development of other trades, such as barrel making and blacksmithing. Mills also attracted farmers from great distances providing a reason for road construction…”
The main road through Forest Hill, Westham Road in the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries, was constructed, improved and/or maintained by Markham’s slaves, as was required by Virginia law. A prosperous lawyer and businessman, Markham played an important early role in the governance of the City of Manchester where he served as a Burgess, a magistrate, and a trustee. He also was the sheriff of Chesterfield County.
Upon his death in 1802, Markham willed to his wife 500 acres of his estate “near Manchester with the buildings thereon. In 1815, Markham’s heirs sold Frederick Clarke the 238-acre house-tract.
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I live on what was the Falls Plantation and do find some problems with your research. In my research there is NO Fredrick Clark. Please reply
Hello, Lyn,
I am the research-writer who wrote the National Register Nominations for Woodland Heights and Forest Hill. Deeds at the Chesterfield County Court House show that Frederick Clarke owned land in both neighborhoods.
Frederick Clarke, a lawyer, was the son of Col. James Clarke of Powhatan County. Frederick had 3 brothers, Milton, Colin, and Gustavus, and one sister, a Mrs. Swann. Frederick Clarke was related to the Clarkes who founded and operated the Bellona Arsenal. The geneological information is recorded in the Clarke family geneology, compiled by Calvin T. Lucy, Jr. in 1975. [Manuscript, Virginia Historical Society.]
In 1805, Frederick Clarke signed the petition submitted by residents of Manchester to the General Assembly requesting approval to construct the Manchester Canal. Clarke was probably responsible for digging the canal above Forest Hill.
Between 1813 and 1817, Frederick Clarke purchased 456 acres of land, encompassing most of Woodland Heights and Forest Hill. The six tracts of land that Clarke bought were once part of the 30,000-acre Falls Plantation. The Falls Plantation encompassed land on both sides the James River. On southside, the Falls Plantation covered approximately 5000 acres along the James River, extending from Bermuda Hundred on the east to Powhite Creek on the west. In 1768, Bernard Markham purchased 1762 acres of the Falls Plantation, land between Reedy Creek and Powhite Creek. In 1789, Bernard Markham was granted an additional 380 acres on the east side of Reedy Creek. His heirs sold most of Markham’s property following his death in 1802. Frederick Clarke bought some of this land.
The 456 acres of land purchased by Frederick Clarke between 1813 and 1817 included:
(1) 118 acres: bounded by the James River; Canoe Run; John Cobbs’ ditch; and the Buckingham old road.
(2) 5 acres: between the Buckingham old road and the Manchester Turnpike and bounded by the land owned by Beverly Smith and Nancy his wife.
(3) 24 acres: comprehending a range of small islands in the James River at a corner at the lower end of islands and above Broad Rock Island to George Markham’s line opposite the mouth of Reedy Creek.
(4) 238-1/2 acres: in Chesterfield County, bounded by the land of David Michie; James A. Patteson; Westham Road; Fielding Dunstall. Clarke bought this property from George Markham son and heir of Bernard Markham who purchased 1760 acres of the Falls Plantation from William Byrd III. This 238-½- acre tract was Bernard Markham’s “house-tract”. Frederick Clarke likely built “Maple Crest” on this property c. 1815.
(5) 2 acres: in Chesterfield County, near Canoe Run, bounded by the line between Bott and Bowden and the line of Clarke.
(6) 92.5 acres: in Chesterfield County, near Manchester, adjoining the lands of Beverly Smith and Francis Smith. [This tract is part of the former Fonticello property in Woodland Heights.]
Deed evidence proves that Frederick Clarke built “corn and plaister mills”, a “main canal”, other canals, “saw mills on the James River in Chesterfield County”, head gates, and a dam on his property in Chesterfield County. Portions of the various properties were conveyed to investors as collateral for loans, presumably to finance the construction of the canals, mills, etc. In 1825, Frederick Clarke sold 147 acres of his property to his cousin Chastain Clarke. The land was on both sides of Reedy Creek and it included canals and mills.
By 1828, Frederick Clarke was bankrupt, although he continued to practice law in Manchester. To protect Frederick’s wife and children, Gustavus Clarke, Frederick’s brother, acquired the Fonticello property and deeded it to Maria (Frederick’s wife) and their children. The deed specifically excluded Frederick from ownership, protecting the house and land from creditors.