Holly Hill
Why it's listed
Holly Hill is a two-story brick country house standing high on a hill above the Mattaponi River, across from Aylett in King and Queen County, Virginia. Samuel Griffin Fauntleroy built it, probably in the 1810s and certainly before the 1822 tax reappraisal. The five-bay house has a rear ell, Flemish bond brickwork, a hipped roof and a modillion cornice. Inside, a center-hall plan, a stair with fan-carved brackets, reeded mantels and unusual fluted window reveals survive. Its design is conservative enough that it could be mistaken for a plantation house built several decades earlier, which the nomination treats as a reflection of tradition-minded eastern Virginia. The land was patented about 1662 and later passed through the Ring and Carter families before Moore Fauntleroy bought it in 1784. It stayed in the Fauntleroy family until 1946. The house remains well preserved with few alterations, set among naturalistic grounds and farm buildings.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Holly Hill as a dignified Tidewater country house that reflects the architectural conservatism of eastern Virginia, where tradition shaped the way of life. Its brickwork, hipped roof, modillion cornice and belt course resemble a plantation house built decades earlier. It is well preserved and little changed, with notable interior woodwork such as reeded mantels, fan-carved stair brackets and unusual fluted window jambs.
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 73002026, listed July 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Aylett off U.S. 360, Aylett |
|---|---|
| County | King and Queen County |
| Listed | July 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73002026 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Griffin Fauntleroy (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Virginia Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In excellent condition, with few later alterations; occupied as a private residence and working farm. |
| Acreage | 170 |
| Coordinates | 37.79213, -77.08063 (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 73002026.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712561
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.