Dogham, Doggams
Also known as: Dogham Farm; DHR File No. 018-0059
Why it's listed
Dogham Farm lies on the north side of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia, on land Joseph Royall patented in 1642 and named "Doggams." The main house is a rambling one-and-a-half story frame dwelling. Its core is a three-bay I-house with dormers set unusually low, just above the cornice. Hidden framing details, such as joists resting on ledgers, large Roman numerals on posts and studs, and early circular-sawn roof timbers, led a Colonial Williamsburg architectural historian to place parts of the house in the early 18th century and to call it a detour in Virginia framing. The house was remodeled around the mid-19th century and enlarged in the 1930s and 1940s in Colonial Revival style. The farm also holds 20th-century farm buildings, a family cemetery, and the ruins of a brickmaking site with three round kilns that operated from the 1840s to the 1890s. Early owners, the Royall and Isham families, were part of Virginia's westward expansion in the 17th century.
Significance in brief: The house has unusual framing features, including joists carried on ledgers below the wall plate, dormers set just above the cornice, and early circular-sawn roof framing. An architectural historian from Colonial Williamsburg called these a "detour" in Virginia framing techniques. The property is also tied to the mid-17th-century settlers Joseph Royall, Katherine Banks and Henry Isham, who helped expand Virginia westward.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99001200, listed September 24, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1601 Dogham Ln., Charles City |
|---|---|
| County | Charles City County |
| Listed | September 24, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001200 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1642-1949 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, European |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling with farm fields, storage and animal buildings, and a cemetery. The brickyard site is overgrown, and the house was repaired and restored in 1989. |
| Acreage | 312 |
| Coordinates | 37.36096, -77.23818 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99001200.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712241
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.