Warner Hall Plantation, est. 1642 - “Austin’s Desire”

One of my proven ancestors through the DNA test is Elizabeth Warner, 1672-1720. Elizabeth married John Taliaferro Lewis, my 7th great grandfather.

Here is the lineage from my maternal grandmother back (*proven through DNA):

Teresa/Ethelyn Allen, 1893-1966 (b. Illinois)

Augustus Allen, 1859- ? (b. Illinois)

Robert Scott Allen, 1797-1864 (b. Virginia)

?John Watson Allen, ? - ? (b. Virginia)

?Turner Allen, 1751 - 1800 (b. Virginia)

Mary Carr Lewis, 1725 - 1778 (b. Virginia; m. William Carr Allen)

*Charles Lilburne Lewis, 1696 - 1779 (b. Virginia)

*Elizabeth Warner, 1672 - 1720 (b. Virginia; m. *Col. John Taliaferro Lewis, 

"one of His Majesty's Honorable Council for this Colony")

Elizabeth inherited Warner Hall, at the head of the Severn River in Gloucester County, today recognized as one of the premier historic homes in Virginia:

Referred to as “Austin’s Desire” in the 1642-land patent, the original six hundred-acre plantation site was established by Augustine Warner as a “land grant” from the British Crown. Augustine Warner received the acreage in exchange for bringing twelve settlers across the Atlantic Ocean to the Jamestown Settlement, a colony desperately in need of manpower to survive in the New World.

"The Lewis family occupied Warner Hall for generations and members of the family immigrated to all parts of the United States."  (A Brief History of Warner Hall Plantation).  In 1740, the original part of the home burned down and was rebuilt on the same foundation.  The plantation remained in the Lewis family until the 1830's.  In 1849, the center part of the home was again destroyed by fire, and the owners built the current frame house on the same foundation with the same floor plan.

The Warners and the Lewis's were among the most prominent families in Virginia. Warner Hall played a significant part in Bacon's Rebellion.  Elizabeth Warner's sister Mildred married Lawrence Washington, and their son Augustine married Mary Ball, who became the mother of George Washington.

Some of the most recognized names in American history are direct descendants of Warner Hall’s founder, Augustine Warner – George Washington, the first president of the United States, Robert E. Lee, the most famous Civil War General and Captain Meriwether Lewis, renowned American explorer of the Lewis and Clark expedition. 

George Washington was a frequent visitor to his grandparent’s plantation. 

Queen Elizabeth II, the current monarch of England, is also a direct descendent of Augustine Warner. In England, Warner Hall is referred to as “the home of the Queen’s American ancestors.”  (A Brief History of Warner Hall Plantation)

Warner Hall and the Warner-Lewis family graveyard.  Elizabeth Warner's inscriptions reads:  "Here Lyeth Interr'd ye Body of Elizabeth Lewis the Daughter of Col Augustine Warner and Mildred his Wife and late wife of John Lewis Esq. She was Born at Chesake the 24th of November, 1672 Aged 47 years 2 Months and 12 Days, and was a Tender Mother of 14 Children. She Departed this Life the 5th Day of February 1719/20."

The Inn at Warner Hall is hosting a family reunion event this year through October 29:  "Descendants of the Warner, Lewis and Washington families are invited to visit Warner Hall to connect more deeply to their historical roots during this special family reunion promotion."  "Descendants are invited to the Inn at Warner Hall’s “All In The Family” reunion, a promotion to help get as many descendants to visit the property as possibly, likely uniting cousins who have never met."  The event will benefit the Warner Hall Graveyard preservation fund.