When thinking of old Virginia colonial homes, you tend to think in terms of Williamsburg and the James River Plantations.  Beautiful they are, but also somewhat brittle and museum like.  One of the loveliest counties in Virginia with a wealth of old homes is Gloucester County, the first county of our Taliaferro family.  Most are still family homes hiding down at the end of two-track country lanes somewhere beyond the tree line.  Here are word pictures of two Taliaferro haunts, Marlfield  and...

"Taliaferro's Mount is located 6 miles north of Port Royal, Caroline County, Va. In 1969 Port Royal was the first town placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Port Royal as chartered in 1744. Taliaferro's Mount is located on the north bank of Mount Creek near its mouth to the Rappahannock River. To get there go north on US#17 to the top of Mount Hill, take a right on Rte#615, go about 3/4 mile, take another right on Rte 614, go to...

5 Sept 1666 Richard White and his wife Adria of Rappahannock County for 20 lbs in goods, 3 English Servants sold to Robert Taliaferro Gloucester Co, 1500 acres in Rappahannock County on the south side of the Rappahannock River.  p. 79ESSEX COUNTY DEED BOOK 13, Page 428:  9 August 1711 Conveyance of Robert Taliaferro to Samuel Short.  40 pounds sterling.  Tract of 100 acres, part of land formerly granted to Robert Taliaferro, deceased, father of Robert Taliaferro, containing 739 acres by...

Robert TaliaferroIt is believed that, the Robert and Katherine Taliaferro moved their family to Taliaferro's Mount, but this is not been confirmed, although other factors make it seem plausible. In the cellar of the house presently standing on Taliaferro's Mount, the outlines of a much earlier structure are visible. The land is privately owned and was purchased in 1984/5 by a new owner who planned extensive renovations and research of the property and structures.  A little distance from the...