Burwell, James Nathanial, House
a.k.a. Yellow House Farm
E of US 11, N of WV state line, Ridgeway, WVThe James Nathanial Burwell House, located just off U.S. Route 11 near Ridgeway Berkeley County, West Virginia, is significant as one the few intact late Federal-style residences in this part of northern Berkeley County.
The Burwell family has been locally significant in the region, though little is known about James Nathanial Burwell, who constructed the residence in question in 1842.
The first Burwell to be known in this region is Nathanial Burwell, who obtained a 1060-acre tract in April of 1786 from Captain (later General) John Neville. Nathanial Burwell, and his brother Bacon Burwell, were direct descendants of Major Lewis Burwell, an immigrant to Jamestown who died in 1658. Nathanial Burwell left his property to his son James, who in turn left it to Bacon Burwell, the aforementioned brother of Nathanial. Bacon Burwell married Priscilla Merchant in Berkeley County in 1813. He was the postmaster of Millwood, Virginia. At Bacon's death in 1840, his farm passed to his son James Nathanial Burwell, who built the imposing late Federal-style house on the property in 1842. Upon the death of James Nathanial Burwell, the property was sold to Oliver Bacon, an alderman in Winchester, Virginia. In 1934 the farm passed into the Whiteacre family, in whose hands it remains.
It is known that skirmishing took place on the property during the Civil War. While not presently documented, it is thought that the fighting may well have taken place during Confederate General Jubal Early's Shenandoah campaign of the Summer of 1864. A cannonball and a number of bullets were dug out of the west wall of the house, a bayonet was found in the basement, and a Federal officer's belt buckle was found in the front yard. The artifacts are on display in the house.
The Burwell House, also known locally as "Yellow House Farm," is a significant intact example of late Federal period vernacular architecture, a style that, with its Greek Revival elements, is rare to this part of northern Berkeley County and which is, in fact, perhaps best represented in the region by this house. A high degree of craftsmanship is evidenced in the marked roof rafters, Flemish bond brick, dog-tooth cornice, and bonded flat ar Interior features worthy of note include original floors and wood trim paneled doors with original hardware, sturdy period mantels, and an open-well stairway of fine design and execution.
The Greek Revival entrance porches are special features in that they are both original to the property. Many period houses in this county do not have these original appurtenances but have, rather, modern-day interpretations of what was thought to have been there or something deemed appropriate to either the house or by the owner.
There are two other structures on the property. One, a wooden barn, is mid-19th century and is contributing, while there is also a contemporary swimming pool at the rear of the property. The nominated area, then, is composed of three structures, two contributing and one non-contributing.
The period of significance, 1842 to 1934, covers the time from the building of the residence by James Nathanial Burwell through the entire period of Burwell family occupancy and the subsequent occupancy of the Brown family.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.