Beverley
Beverley is a historic working farm near Charles Town, West Virginia, formerly known as Bullskin.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Beverley, also known historically as Bullskin, is a historic farm complex near Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia. It is not a conventional consumer or corporate brand; the name identifies a long-running agricultural property whose significance derives from its continuous farming history, surviving eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings, and connections to prominent figures in the colonial and Revolutionary-era history of the region. The farm was established in 1750 after Richard Stephenson purchased the land from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. Stephenson developed the property during the following decade, creating an agricultural operation and constructing a stone residence and associated farm buildings. Two surviving stone outbuildings are believed to have been standing by 1760 and are among the oldest structures in West Virginia. One later served as a school, while the other was used as a kitchen. Both have been recognized individually as Jefferson County Historic Landmarks. The property has associations with George Washington and several Revolutionary War figures. Washington knew Richard Stephenson, stayed with him at Bullskin in 1760, and surveyed the property around the time of its original purchase. The survey is reported to survive in the collections of the Boston Public Library. Stephenson's sons John and Hugh became military officers during the Revolutionary period. Hugh Stephenson is associated with the Bee Line March, a 600-mile journey from the Shenandoah Valley to Cambridge, Massachusetts, undertaken in 1775 to join the Continental Army. Colonel William Crawford, a related Revolutionary figure, also lived at the property for a period. Ownership changed during the late eighteenth century. The Stephenson family sold the property to Dr. John Bull in 1777, and it was acquired by Beverley Whiting in 1795. Whiting was a prominent planter and civic figure in the post-Revolutionary communities of Berkeley and Jefferson Counties; he served on Jefferson County's first grand jury in 1802. Around 1845, the property adopted the name Beverley, replacing the earlier Bullskin designation. The farm was sold to John Burns around 1870 and subsequently remained in the Burns family. The principal house was built around 1800 by Beverley Whiting on or near the site of an earlier stone house dating from approximately 1760. The two-story brick residence has a double-pile center-hall plan and stands on a raised stone basement. Its architectural character combines Georgian-influenced Federal design with later nineteenth-century alterations, including a Greek Revival portico. The main house and surviving agricultural outbuildings form a coherent historic complex. The farm continues to operate as an agricultural unit, while its buildings and historical associations give it importance as a regional heritage resource. Historic documentation also includes a Historic American Buildings Survey record and photographic coverage of the property.
History
Beverley began as an agricultural property in 1750, when Richard Stephenson acquired the land from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. During the next decade, Stephenson established the farm and built a stone residence together with agricultural support structures. Although the precise construction dates of the surviving stone buildings are uncertain, they were present by 1760. Their survival gives the property unusual importance within West Virginia's architectural history, and both have later received recognition as Jefferson County Historic Landmarks. The estate's early history is closely connected with the Stephenson family and the political and military life of the eighteenth-century Shenandoah Valley. Richard Stephenson was acquainted with George Washington, who recorded staying with him at Bullskin in May 1760. Washington also surveyed the property around the time of Stephenson's purchase; the resulting survey is reported to remain in the Boston Public Library. Two of Stephenson's sons became Revolutionary War officers. Colonel Hugh Stephenson had previous military experience and was recommended by Washington in 1775 to command a Virginia rifle company. He later led the Bee Line March from the Shenandoah region to Cambridge, Massachusetts, covering roughly 600 miles in 24 days. Colonel John Stephenson also served with distinction. William Crawford, a related Revolutionary figure, lived at the property for part of his life. In 1777, the property left the Stephenson family through a sale to Dr. John Bull. It was later purchased by Beverley Whiting in 1795. Whiting was a prominent planter and public figure in the region and participated in Jefferson County's early civic institutions, including service on the county's first grand jury on March 9, 1802. Around 1845, the property name changed from Bullskin to Beverley, apparently reflecting Whiting's ownership and local standing. The principal residence was constructed around 1800 by Whiting on the site of, or adjacent to, the earlier stone house. It is a two-story brick building with a double-pile center-hall arrangement above a raised stone basement. Its original design shows Georgian-influenced Federal characteristics, while later changes included a Greek Revival portico and other nineteenth-century alterations. The property retained several supporting structures from the earlier agricultural complex. The west stone outbuilding served as a school during part of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the east outbuilding functioned as a kitchen. Around 1870, Beverley was sold to John Burns. The property then remained in the Burns family, preserving a rare continuity of ownership alongside its continuing agricultural use. In addition to its farming function, the complex has been documented as an important historic resource. A Historic American Buildings Survey record, identified as HABS No. WV-36, includes photographs and documentation under the title Beverly, Berryville Road, Rippon vicinity, Jefferson County, West Virginia. The surviving buildings, the Washington connection, the Revolutionary associations, and the uninterrupted agricultural role together define Beverley's historical identity. Contemporary information describes the farm as still operating, although details about its current management, production, public access, and commercial activities are not specified.
- 1870
Burns family ownership begins
[1]John Burns purchased the farm, which subsequently remained in the Burns family.
- 1845
Bullskin becomes Beverley
[1]The property was known by the name Beverley from approximately this period, replacing the earlier Bullskin designation.
- 1802
Whiting serves on Jefferson County's first grand jury
[1]Beverley Whiting was sworn onto the first grand jury assembled in the newly formed Jefferson County.
- 1800
Construction of the main house
[1]The principal brick house was built for Beverley Whiting on or near the site of an earlier stone house.
- 1795
Beverley Whiting acquires the farm
[1]Beverley Whiting purchased the property and later became the namesake associated with its modern historic identity.
- 1777
Property passes to Dr. John Bull
[1]The property was sold by the Stephenson family to Dr. John Bull.
- 1775
Hugh Stephenson leads the Bee Line March
[1]Colonel Hugh Stephenson, a member of the Stephenson family associated with Beverley, led a Virginia rifle company on a rapid march to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to join the Continental Army.
- 1760
Early stone buildings in place
[1]The surviving stone residence-related structures and farm buildings were standing by this period. George Washington visited Richard Stephenson at Bullskin and surveyed the property around the time of its original development.
- 1750
Stephenson acquires the property
[1]Richard Stephenson purchased the land from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, and began developing the property as a working farm.
Products and positioning
A continuously operating historic farm and heritage property whose identity is rooted in agricultural continuity, early American architecture, and Revolutionary-era associations rather than in commercial consumer branding.
Agriculture · 1750
Working agricultural operation
Beverley's core ongoing activity is farming. The property was organized as an agricultural unit in the eighteenth century and is described as continuing to operate in that role. Specific crops, livestock, production volumes, and current commercial arrangements are not identified in the available reference material.
Historic property · 1750
Beverley historic farm complex
The historic complex includes the early stone outbuildings, the nineteenth-century-altered brick main house, and other farm-related structures. Its value lies in architectural preservation and historical association rather than in a packaged commercial offering.
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