Claymont Court

Claymont Court, built by Bushrod Corbin Washington grand-nephew of George Washington, was the largest home of its time in the area. Built of brick, stone and stucco, it even includes a ballroom, something none of the other homes had. In 1838 the entire interior was destroyed by fire. Bushrod promptly rebuilt the interior and lived there until his death in 1851. His son, Thomas, inherited Claymont. He survived his father by only three years leaving his sister, Hannah Lee Washington Alexander, in charge.

In 1864, Thomas’s son James and Hannah’s son Herbert, members of Confederate raider Mosby’s cavalry, were captured by Federal troops while home on furlough. Neither survived the rigors of Northern prison life. Having had enough of ruin and Reconstruction, Bushrod Corbin Washington II, eldest brother of James, sold Claymont Court in 1871 and eventually moved to Washington State.
Over the years Claymont has had many owners including author Frank Stockton, Col. S. J. Murphy, whose daughter established the gardens, and industrialist R. J. Funkhouser.

If you go: Located at 577 Claymont Mansion Drive, Charles Town WV, Privately-owned residence by Claymont Society for Continuing Education; More information: www.claymont.org