Higginbotham Academy
Amherst, VA
Known as Edgewood, this home was built ca. 1818 by Arthur B. Davies. John Thompson purchased the property in 1842 and sold it to Jesse Alexander Higginbotham (ca.1822-1849) on September 25, 1848.
The home contains both Federal and Greek Revival features. The Flemish-bond brick T-shaped mansion, with English basement, contains fine reeded and paneled woodwork. It is situated on 5 acres of ancient oaks, maples and magnolias. The original home probably consisted of the center pavilion. Wings were added later, perhaps when the home was converted to a Masonic Lodge and Academy.
In Jesse Alexander Higginbotham's will, dated September 30, 1848, it is bequeathed that
"I give to the same Saml. M. Garland and John Thompson Jr. as trustees the sum two thousand dollars ($2000) to be expended by them in creating on some suitable location in sight of my house at Amherst Courthouse a building to be used on the basement story a school room or Academy and above as a Masonic Hall or lodge by the Clinton Lodge to which I belong."
Jesse's widow, Elvira Bruce Henry Higginbotham, sold the property to the above mentioned trustees, as well as Robert W. Brown, William W. Thompson, David H. Tapscott, Wm. E. Coleman, Benjamin Brown Jr. and Leonard Daniel Jr., on November 5, 1851. It is believed that these trustees built the two wings on the home to accommodate the academy.
The entrance of the home consists of a curved staircase featuring a unique curved door leading to one of the wings. Also on the first floor is a large dining room and parlor. The parlor walls are decorated with painted murals, supposedly painted by an itinerate visitor to the home in the 1830's or 1840's. They are reminiscent of those imported from Europe and Asia to the United States during that period. At some point during the history of the home they were covered by wallpaper, sustaining some damage. One wall was destroyed and there is no record of what mural adorned that wall.
The Higginbotham Academy was officially incorporated on February 7, 1850 by an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia.
The first advertisement I could find for the Higginbotham Academy was in the Lynchburg Virginia on July 5, 1852 (Photo / Text). It was a graduation announcement.
Another ad was found dated July 19, 1852 announcing the 4th session of this institution, indicating that the Academy began admitting students in the fall of 1850 or spring of 1851, depending on the length of each session.
In 1972 a new modern addition was added to the back of the home consisting of 6 bedrooms, 4 baths and a playroom. In addition the heating and plumbing in the original portion of the home was updated. The home is currently in "near original" condition with period antiques throughout and carpeting added to the stairways. Otherwise the floors are in original condition other than having been refinished.
Through interviews and examining deeds, it appears that the home has had the following owners:
Arthur B. Davies ca. 1818 - 1842
John Thompson Jr. 1842 - 1848
Jesse Alexander Higginbotham 1848 - 1851
Higginbotham Academy Trustees 1851 - ????
Taylor Berry ???? - 1898
Mary B. Harrison 1898 - 1942
Fred & Francis Webster 1942 - 1959
Robert & Beverly Kubik 1959 - aft 1988
John & Myrna Patteson aft 1988 - 1995
Duncan & Janice Augustine 1995 - Present
The History of Edgewood by Sandra F. Esposito 2005