When Francis Eppes VI reached his majority in 1768, he inherited land in Henrico and Chesterfield counties. About the same time, he married Thomas Jefferson's sister-in-law, Elizabeth Wayles, and undertook construction of a house that was not completed until near his death in 1808.
The Eppes family crest can be traced back to Francis Epes I, baptized in Kent, England, May 14, 1597. By April of 1625, he arrived in Virginia and was elected to serve as the burgess from Shirley Hundred. Later appointed as Commissioner for the Upper Parts on August 8, 1626, Epes served as a military commander leading an attack on the Weyanoke and Appomattock Indians on July 4, 1627.
In August 1635, King Charles I granted Epes a patent of 1,700 acres in Virginia on the lower side of the Appomattox River's mouth at City Point, in what was then Charles City County, and today is Hopewell, Virginia.
Francis Eppes VI, born in 1747, was the 16th generation born in America. Originally displayed at Eppington, the crest is now in the possession of the W.L.Wilson family. The original spelling of the family name was Epes.
Both Thomas Jefferson and Francis Eppes VI attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jefferson enrolled at the age of 17, and attended from 1760-1762, remaining in Williamsburg to study law as an apprentice under George Wythe until 1767. On March 25, 1762, Eppes enrolled at William & Mary at the age of 15, and finished on March 25, 1764. It is possible that their friendship formed at college or through a mutual acquaintance, John Wayles, the king's attorney. Wayles, also a planter, dealt heavily in the slave trade, and had four daughters, Martha, Elizabeth, Tabitha and Ann. They lived at The Forest in Charles City County, Virginia, located near Williamsburg.
Sometime between 1768, when Eppes came of age (21 years old) and 1771, he married Elizabeth Wayles, daughter of John Wayles and his second wife Miss Cocke.
Through different documents, the link between the Jefferson and Eppes can be traced. On September 10, 1771, Eppes witnessed the will of Bathurst Skelton, the husband of Elizabeth's half sister, Martha. Jefferson's account book documents his presence at The Forest during the winter and fall of 1770 and throughout 1771. (Read more about Thomas Jefferson and Martha Wayles Skelton in Thomas Jefferson-From Boy to Man.)
Eppington is an architectural jewel beside the Appomattox River in historic Chesterfield County. It is included in the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia Landmarks Register and a designated Chesterfield County Historic Landmark. Preliminary archaeological test excavations revealed footprints of the original 18th-century schoolhouse and kitchen located adjacent to the main house, along with 26 activity areas scattered over the 43-acre site. Eppington provides an excellent opportunity for additional archaeological and historical research and educational outreach.
Information made possible by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy. The house and grounds are open to the public by appointment only. Contact the Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation for special tours or to attend events held at Eppington through- out the year. (804) 748-1623. www.chesterfieldtourism.com
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