The historic Traveller 1840 Brick House, also known as the Hamilton/Johnston/Jarrett/Fleshman Farm, is a remarkable piece of history. Built around 1840, the home reflects the Adam style, with curved or polygonal projections on the sides or rear, and a hipped roof. The brickwork may have been crafted by the renowned local brickmaker John Dunn, who also supplied bricks for the nearby Blue Sulphur Springs Resort. The home originally featured a detached kitchen, which was later incorporated into the house through a breezeway, with additional living space added behind and above the kitchen. The interior, though rooted in the Adam style, has undergone renovations that show evidence of evolving tastes, including faux grain painting on the woodwork in the four main upstairs rooms.
The farm’s history is also closely tied to General Robert E. Lee’s famous war horse, Traveller, who was foaled here in 1857. Traveller, a grey gelding with black points, stood 15.3 hands high and won top prizes at the Lewisburg Fair in 1858, 1859, and 1860. The horse was trained by Frank Wilson, an enslaved person who later became known as Frank Winfield Page after emancipation. The property also showcases early horse training apparatus, some of which is displayed at the North House Museum in Lewisburg.
The farm, originally settled by Major William Hamilton in 1773, has been a working farm since that time. The two-story Adamesque-style home sits on a property that spans approximately 17 acres of hay and grazing land. An underground spring, still in use today, was the original water source for the home and is protected by a sandstone spring house. Hand-cut sandstone, quarried nearby, was used in the construction of various elements of the house, including the lintels, foundation stones, and walkways.
With a living area of 4,028 square feet and a partial basement, the property offers ample space and potential. The diverse wildlife on the property exists in harmony with the farm’s operations, creating a peaceful, rural setting. The property is conveniently located just minutes from the historic town of Lewisburg, with access to a jet airport, interstates, hospital, and city amenities. This historic farm offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history while enjoying modern conveniences.
