History
The farm was originally settled in the late 1700’s and borders a land grant issued by the King of England. Handsome appointments through the residence include original mill work sawn at the beginning of the 20th century by a steam-driven sawmill, crafted in Lynchburg, and hauled to the farm by horse and wagon. The original owner was Hattie Bell Watts, pictured below in her horse-drawn carriage in front of the farm.
The history of this farm would be incomplete without mention of the connection to the Monacan Indians. The farm is situated at the foot of High Peak Mountain. The mountain closest to High Peak is Bear Mountain. Bear Mountain is the ancestral home of the Monacan Indians. The Monacan tribe is a part of the Siouan Indian tribe and in 1607 they numbered over 10,000 in Virginia. They were an agricultural people and lived in small villages. They buried their dead in mounds and because of that fact their habitat can be traced. As the colonists came, the Indians moved and/or were displaced, however, many of the Monacans remained in Amherst County in the mountains.
In 1831 William Johns purchased 52 acres of land near Bear Mountain. In 1833 he bought another 400 acres and this land became a settlement for Indian families related to him. Today, the descendants of the initial Monacan tribe still live in this area. They have great reverence for the land and they have been very helpful to those who live here. They make many contributions to the fabric of this community
The history of this farm would be incomplete without mention of the connection to the Monacan Indians. The farm is situated at the foot of High Peak Mountain. The mountain closest to High Peak is Bear Mountain. Bear Mountain is the ancestral home of the Monacan Indians. The Monacan tribe is a part of the Siouan Indian tribe and in 1607 they numbered over 10,000 in Virginia. They were an agricultural people and lived in small villages. They buried their dead in mounds and because of that fact their habitat can be traced. As the colonists came, the Indians moved and/or were displaced, however, many of the Monacans remained in Amherst County in the mountains.
In 1831 William Johns purchased 52 acres of land near Bear Mountain. In 1833 he bought another 400 acres and this land became a settlement for Indian families related to him. Today, the descendants of the initial Monacan tribe still live in this area. They have great reverence for the land and they have been very helpful to those who live here. They make many contributions to the fabric of this community