The house at 1772 Ebenezer Road was built in the 1840‘s, probably by Reverend Pierpont E. Bishop, pastor of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. The place was sold to the Reverend J. Monroe Anderson and then to Dr. Edward T. Avery, whose family lived there until the twentieth century. In more recent times it was the home of the John F. Williams family. The old brick servants‘ house and kitchen in the backyard is still standing. The impressive grounds of this house were once an attraction for Ebenezer visitors. [Along the Land’s Ford Road, Vol. I – Wm. B. White, Jr.]
This like many mid 19th century homes was heavily modernized to take on a more Queen Anne appearance in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is this style the home has remained in for one hundred years. Few domestic building have survived in this region and therefore the brick double door kitchen and storage house is highly important. Dr. Avery’s office, originally in the front yard was moved by the Millers to the back yard and attached to the house to make a modern kitchen for the home.
In 1848 the house was sold to Rev. J. Monroe Anderson, his successor at the church. When he sold the house, Dr. Edward Avery purchased it and added a double piazza across the front. He was a well known horticulturist, and had some twenty acres of vineyards. One grape did not bear for 19 years.
A.K. Smith, postmaster of Old Point rented the house following Dr. Avery’s death. In 1897, the house was purchased by Joseph H. Miller, who made other extensive changes to the front porches. This is most likely the time when the Queen Ann porches were added as well as the gable pediment on the front roof.
In 1919 the family of John F. Williams purchased the home. Family members including Ruth, Frances, Leroy and Sara Williams resided here until the death of Miss Frances Williams in 1982. Other owners have been S.J. Kimball and members of the Bass and Hicklin families.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remembers each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
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