More than once, a link archtecturally between Soulton and Cound Hall and the Rosewll Plantation in the United States has been put forward.
Rosewell boasts a unique connection to American history. During the lifetime of Governor Page (presumably referring to Mann Page II), Thomas Jefferson, a frequent visitor, is said to have drafted a portion of the Declaration of Independence within the mansion’s “Blue Room,” located on the northwest corner of the second floor. The Geneva Bible makes this quite plauisable.
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Construction of Rosewell began in 1725 by Mann Page I, a Virginia planter with deep family roots. Page, educated in England, returned to America and rose to prominence, serving on the Governor’s Council. After losing his first wife and child, he married Judith Carter, daughter of a powerful Virginia family.
Driven by ambition, Page envisioned Rosewell as a grand estate surpassing even the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg. The mansion, crafted from brick, marble, and imported mahogany, boasted an impressive 12,000 square feet – double the size of the Governor’s Palace. Architectural experts believe Page himself may have designed the structure, drawing inspiration from London townhouses built after the Great Fire.
Following Page I’s death, his widow Judith inherited the property and oversaw completion of the mansion with their son, Mann Page II. However, the sheer scale of the project strained the family’s finances. To fund completion, Mann Page II was forced to sell off a significant portion of the family’s land holdings.
Despite the financial burden, Rosewell remained in the Page family for over a century. Descendants continued to occupy the mansion until 1837, when it was finally sold, leaving behind a legacy of ambition, architectural grandeur, and a glimpse into the lives of a prominent colonial family.
Further reading
- Proceedings, American Philosophical Society (vol. 80, 1939). American Philosophical Society. ISBN 978-1-4223-7226-5.
