Rockledge, Mill Street, Occoquan, Prince William County, Virginia
Summary
Significance: The grist mill at Occoquan was justly celebrated and Rockledge was the home of builder, John Ballendine and later of Thomas Ellicott who developed Merchant's Mill (q.v.) to such a high state late in the 18th century. The Ellicott family imported an English tutor, John Davis, to superintend the education of their children. Davis kept an extraordinarily interesting and colorful diary. "Occoquan," he wrote, "consists of a house built on a rock, three others on the river side, and a half dozen log huts scattered at some distance. He found the settlement "romantic beyond conception" and spoke of the hills as "mountains." / House site is carved out of a rocky ledge, hence the name. In front there were small garden terraces. Building and retaining walls are fieldstone. The main block is two-and-a-half stories with gable roof and dormers. Chimneys are of brick, likewise the one-and-a-half storied wing and spring house. This wing on kitchen appears to have subsequently joined to the main building. It still contains bake ovens where the owner's flour was baked into bread and biscuits for commercial distribution. The house is distinguished by its bold and handsome modillion cornice across the front. Inside there is simple woodwork comprising six conventional mantels, chair rails, baseboard and cornices in the principal rooms.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-136
Survey number: HABS VA-577
Building/structure dates: before 1761 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 73002051
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