Washington Co. > Homes and Buildings > Hutton Plantation

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It is difficult now to imagine Hutton Plantation as it was a century and a half ago. Sad as it is to see this once beautiful structure in such a state of disrepair, the photos reveal a glimpse of the detail that once graced the property. Some things have not changed. Hutton Creek (first called Stalnaker, then Thompson or Baker Creek) still wanders in front of the home, and the occasional train still appears around the bend. Sadly some of the heritage trees were destroyed in the 2011 tornado, but the surrounding land is still green and lush.

The original tract included 129 acres conveyed to John Hutton by patent in 1792. John and Jane Hutton sold the land to their son Leonard in 1794 who then deeded it to his brother James in 1797.  James Hutton died in 1820. His sons John and Arthur purchased their siblings' interest in the property; later Arthur purchased John’s share, as well as several other substantial tracts in the area.

Hutton Plantation - front - 2011
Hutton Plantation - rear - looking toward Hutton Cr. & R.R.

It has been reported that James Hutton built Hutton Plantation in the mid-1800s after his original log home was destroyed by fire. But James' died in 1820, and newspaper accounts tell us it was his son Arthur's home that burned (in 1863). Given the construction detail it is much more likely the brick home, at least as we see it today, was built (or rebuilt) by Arthur Hutton after the 1863 fire.

The 2 story home was built on a cut stone foundation and included a cellar accessed from outside. The floor plan includes a main center hall with two rooms (front and rear) accessed from either side of the hall. Two fireplaces, placed at the center of the right and left wings, supplied heat to the 4 rooms. The front entrance once sported a portico with columns and intricate detailing. French windows and veranda doors let in light and air. Heavy Italianate cornices carry unique detail elements. The door and window frames were also beautifully detailed.

Hutton Plantation - window detail
Hutton Plantation - cornice detail

Inside one can still catch a glimpse of the beautiful door frames and floorboards. Family members provide more detail: the stairs, railings and balconies were made of mahogany; glass windows and marble mantles were imported from England. Many of the materials, including the bricks, were made on site; a make-shift forge produced nails and hinges.

The home boasted a pianoforte valued at $225 in 1866. A carriage sat in a carriage house. The plantation included numerous other buildings, including a spring house, a smokehouse, two barns, an outdoor kitchen, and slave quarters. In 1860 nine slaves helped run the home and farm.

Interior door frame - photo courtesy VA Dept. Historic Resources
Baseboards - photo courtesy VA Dept. Historic Resources

Arthur Hutton's 1873 will left the “brick mansion house” to his wife Ellen during her lifetime after which it was to become the property of their son James. James married Missouri Naff in 1875. He was 51; she was in her 20s. James died twelve years later, leaving Missouri with 7 young children.  The 1930 census enumerated 81 year old Missouri living at Hutton Plantation with her daughter Christine. The home was never modernized by the addition of indoor plumbing, electricity or running water. Descendants describe the huge pulley chain kerosene chandeliers that hung throughout the house. Christine Hutton, known as "Teeny", continued to run the farm and dairy after her mother’s death. Teeny died in 1977; she was the last to live at Hutton Plantation.

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Hutton Plantation - side view after 2011 tornado
Rear addition (kitchen?)

Related Maps

Washington Co. Homes (location identified on current map)

Glade Spring area - 1821 and 1890 (homes identified by owner/family)

Map sequence showing how the Hutton land on Hutton Creek changed ownership within the family

Map identifying several other Hutton Land Locations in Washington County

General Sources Used on this Page

  1. [S23] Vickie D. Hutton and Annette Williams, "Hutton Plantation" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 26.
  2. [S23] Vickie D. Hutton and Annette Williams,"B.J. Hutton" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 194.
  3. [S2762] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 28: 169, Library of Virginia Online.
  4. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 331. John and Jane Hatton to Leonard Hatton, for 5 shillings, 129 acres on Baker's Creek, surveyed 7 Feb. 1783. Deed dated 18 Feb. 1794 and recorded 11 March 1794.
  5. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 516. Leonard and Martha Hatton to James Hatton, for $1, 129 acres on Baker's Creek. Deed dated and recorded 21 March 1797.
  6. [S1044] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 11: 167. James Hutton heirs to John Hutton, for $579.50, their claim in 2 tracts of land belonging to the estate of James Hutton, dec'd, one tract being 59 1/4 acres of 129 acres conveyed by Leonard Hutton to James Hutton. Second tract being 15 acres of 53 acres conveyed by James Clark to James Hutton. Deed dated 10 Nov. 1828; recorded 10 Oct. 1832.
  7. [S1044] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 11: 168. John and Susanna Hutton to Arthur Hutton, for $650, 2 tracts of land, one being 59 acres. Second tract being 15 acres of 53 acres conveyed by James Clark to James Hutton. Deed dated 22 Sept., 1832 and recorded 10 Oct. 1832.
  8. [S2301] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 16: 305. James Hutton heirs to Arthur Hutton, for $579.50, their interest in 2 tracts of land belonging to the estate of James Hutton, dec'd, one tract being 66 acres of 129. Second tract being 15 acres of 53 acres conveyed by James Clark to James Hutton. Deed dated 10 Nov. 1828. Acknowledged 2 Sept. 1843 in Anderson Co., KY by Thomas McCall, John Hutton, James Hutton and Joseph Snodgrass.
  9. [S2806] Abingdon Virginian, April 10, 1863; digital image, The Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/: viewed Nov. 2011).
  10. [S2764] "Survey", (1974), Hutton House, file: 095-075, Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia.
  11. [S2764] "Survey", (1993), Hutton House, file: 095-075, Department of Historic Resources, Richmond, Virginia.
  12. [S2766] "U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918", database with digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed Sept. 2011), entry for A. Hutton, District 8, Sept. 1866, p. 12, line 27; citing multiple National Archives M and T series microfilm publications.
  13. U.S. Census records for Washington Co., Virginia as viewed on Ancestry.com.