Tangled Trees: WPA - Documenting the home of Reuben Nance

Sunday, April 11, 2010

WPA - Documenting the home of Reuben Nance

WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION OF VIRGINIA

HISTORICAL INVENTORY

County: Henry

Class: Home

"G. L. CARTER HOME PLACE"

This write-up is part of the Virginia W. P. A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. Credit to both the Commission and the W. P. A. is requested for publication, in whole or in part. Unless otherwise stated, this information has not been checked for accuracy by the sponsor

Research made by
Kizzie D. Carter
Martinsville, VA

April 19, 1937

1. SUBJECT:

"G. L. Carter Home Place."
Formerly "Ruben Nance Home."

2. LOCATION:

2 miles east of Martinsville, Va. On Route # 58 [map below]; thence north on Route #57 2 miles. House on west side of road.

3. DATE:

First deed was in 1778.

4. OWNERS:

Ruben Nance            1778
Ruben Nance's Heirs    1812
Benjamin A. Marshall   1825
Reuben D. Marshall     1850
William D. Stultz      1850
G. L. Carter           1905 present owner.

5. DESCRIPTION

This house is in the shape of a square, with three rooms down and one up. It is very attractive, two-story, frame house. There are two fifteen-pane windows in the front and one in the rear.
The ceilings and walls were plastered but recently have been papered. The room upstairs is very small and dark and the only light comes from two half size windows, with four panes each, placed near the chimneys. A new porch has been added in front, and on the side a small stoop over the steps leads into the side of the house. This was built to keep out the rain.
There was an old kitchen in the yard but this has been torn down and a new one built in the house.
There is an old graveyard in the yard but the markings have entirely faded and some have fallen in.

6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

None.

7. ART:

None.

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

In Henry County Clerks Office at Martinsville, Va.

Deed Book 1   Page 194
Deed Book 13   Page 130; 682; 724
Deed Book 33   Page 149
Will Book 2   Page 163
Verna Smith, daughter of the present owner.

Name of Building: G. L. Carter Home

Location: 2 mi. E. of Martinsville, Va. On U. S. #58, thence N. on Rt. 57 2 mi., house on west side of route.
County: Henry Date: April 19, 1937

EXTERIOR

1. Building Plan: Square

2. No. of Stories: (2) Attic classed as 1/2 story

3. Material: Frame

4. If brick, state what bond

5. Kind of roof: Gabled

6. If Church, describe or draw sketch of roof

7. Roof material: Was Shingle, now Metal

8. Chimneys: 2, Brick. Location: At the sides

9. Weatherboarding: Plain

10. Cornices: Plain or Elaborate: Plain

11 Windows: Number: 3 Size and number of panes: 45 panes 9x12 down

13. Shutters: None

14. Porch: One, small, added in front.

15. Type of Entrance: Low, wide pine doorway, very plain

16. Columns: None

INTERIOR

17. Rooms: 3 Small. Approx. ceiling height 8 feet.

18. Stairway: Closed string. Plain, enclosed with a closet underneath.

19. Cellar: None

20. Doors: Style and type of wood: Low, wide uniform planks of pine.

21. Walls: Were plastered but are now papered.

22. Interior cornices: Plain

23. Hardware: Lock and hinges: wide locks, common hinges, brass knobs and keys

24. Floors: Wide uniform planks of pine

25. Mantels: Plain with wide ledges; one is paneled.

26. Misc.

27. Present condition, and state if spoiled architecturally by remodeling: No. This house is in wonderful condition, having recently been painted and done over.

28. Does occupant appreciate old architectural features? Yes.

Your name: Kizzie D. Carter

- -