Lynnhaven House 1725, Princess Anne County, Virginia


The land was first granted to Savill Gaskin in 1648 who sold it to William Hodge in 1662 who in 1721 sold 250 acres to his cousin Francis Thelaball. In 1725 Francis Thelaball, a ship’s carpenter and master craftsman, built this small brick home. The house features English bond brickwork with brick jack arches, a closed-string staircase and a ship's lap floor. Thelaball died in 1727, two years after completing his house.  


Photo of Lynnhaven House


During the late 1800s, new owners re-paneled the interior with new woodwork, by nailing the new over the old – effectively preserving the original woodwork and the Champford ceiling beams. An early 18th century staircase was also hidden behind Victorian paneling and partitions for some 60 years. William W. Oliver Sr. bought the house in 1923 and used it for a tenant house. He too helped to preserve the original materials by covering the old cypress roof shingles with sheet metal. The family of William Oliver gave the house to Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiques in July of 1971. For many years, this house was referred to as the Wishart House or the Boush House.


Photo of Lynnhaven Front


English bond brickwork with two alternating courses of stretchers and headers; and brick jack arches over the windows.

Photo of Lynnhaven Detail


Detail of English bond brickwork, brick jack arch over the window, diamond glass panels, dormer and shingled roof.


Drawing of English Bond Brickwork


Drawing courtesy of Bill Bradley, aka builderbill, via Wikipedia: "Brickwork".

If you came to this webpage directly, you may read more about the innovation of Virginia House here (link) .


To Top