Point of Honor

[White Flint Bill]

The stately home (now museum) in Lynchburg, Virginia called "Point of Honor" was built by Dr. George Cabell in 1815. Dr. Cabell is best remembered as the friend and physician of Governor Patrick Henry, having been in attendance at his death and having administered the dose of mercury that hastened the patriot's demise.

During the War the home was owned by Colonel Robert Owen, President of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. An episode from the war is recounted on the Civil War Trails marker outside the home.

Owen's wife Narcissa was the daughter of a Cherokee chief. She headed the local Soldiers Aid Society that made uniforms, knapsacks and other items for Confederate soldiers. Before the Battle of Lynchburg, two men calling themselves Confederates appeared at Point of Honor asking for food. Narcissa Owen told them that there were 20,000 Confederates in the city to boost their morale, and that they "would give the Yanks fits" in the morning. The men, however, were really Union Gen. David Hunter's spies, and her exaggeration may have helped convince Hunter to retreat on June 18. In Kansas, after the war, Owen first learned from her housekeeper that the men were Union spies--one of them the housekeeper's father.
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[donna]

What a beautiful home. Thanks so much for posting.

 

[huskerblitz]

Is this the same Point of Honor depicted in the short-lived pilot by the same name?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3833470/

 

[8thFlorida]

Great home. Any pictures from inside?

 

[JOHN42768]

Gorgeous Home

 

[White Flint Bill]

Great home. Any pictures from inside?

It's beautiful inside but unfortunately but they didn't allow photos inside.

 

[8thFlorida]

I was afraid you'd say that. Buchanan's and Teddy Roosevelt's houses allow photos. That's a strange policy.

 

[missourian]

They built such grand, beautiful homes back then, and built them well. I hope to make it to Natchez Mississippi sometime soon and spend a whole week just taking in the homes.

 

[Viper21]

They built such grand, beautiful homes back then, and built them well. I hope to make it to Natchez Mississippi sometime soon and spend a whole week just taking in the homes.

As a contractor living in the area I do, every so often, I get a look into the structures, etc of some of these older homes. I snapped this picture the other day, in the attic of a home originally built in 1793, remodeled in 1825


Not only do we not build em like this anymore, I have serious doubts that many of the homes built today will still be here in 225 years.

Knowing a thing or two about Carpentry, I'm always taken in by such craftsmanship.