Sandy Point & Cherry Hall
Charles City County, Virginia
Originally home to the Paspahegh Indians, Sandy Point was settled in 1617 as Smith's Hundred and after 1619 known as Southampton Hundred. St. Mary's Church was established here prior to the Powhatan Uprising of 1622. During the Revolutionary War local militia units were encamped on the James River. Prominent area homes have included Tettington and Tomahund, seats of the Lightfoot family, Byrdwood and The Rowe. Landmarks have included the Trees Point Pottery, Bethany Church (est. 1869), post offices at Tettington, Trees Point land Old Field, and schools at Banbury Farm (est. 1878) and Renwood (est. 1910). A ferry crossed the James from Sandy Point until 1942, and nearby Barrett's Ferry crossed the Chickahominy River until 1939. A store at the Sandy Point wharf stood until ca. 1955.
Inland from the James River during the 1800's, the cross-roads community that developed near Cherry Hall Plantation included Graves' Shop and Rural Shades Academy. Nearby stood the first Lower Church of Westover Parish (ca. 1735-1805) and Jerusalem Church (est. 1877). The store of W. T. Haynes served this community until ca. 1930.
Marker is at the intersection of John Tyler Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 5) and Sandy Point Road (Virginia Route 613), on the right when traveling east on John Tyler Memorial Highway.
Courtesy hmdb.org
