This afternoon, we enjoyed the beautiful summer day by taking the long route home from Richmond to enjoy the scenic Blue Ridge views.
Remembering summertime excursions for fresh peaches from Fredericksburg, Texas, I suggested visiting an orchard near Monticello, Carter Mountain Orchard.
Why not?
On this lovely afternoon, we could pick our own peaches at the orchard to take home to can!
Besides, the two neighboring properties of Carter Mountain Orchard and Monticello totally intrigued me.
CARTER MOUNTAIN ORCHARD HISTORY
The Carter Mountain Orchard website states: According to research done at the Albemarle County Historical Society, the Honorable John Carter, Esquire (pictured) obtained by grant 9,350 acres of land which embraced the whole of what is still called Carters Mountain, in 1729.
1664-1732 ROBERT “KING” CARTER
Any 18th century Carter I learn of causes me to think of the 17th century King Carter of Virginia! Might there be a relation?
Indeed, John Carter is the son of famed Robert “King” Carter of the 17th century…which means he was part of the Carter dynasty in Virginia.
1695-1742 JOHN CARTER
With a grand-father also named John, this John Carter served in public office:
- 1722-1742 Secretary of the colony of Virginia
- 1724-1741 Governor’s Council of Virginia
Born around 1695, John was most likely born at the family home of Corotoman on the Northern Neck.
One of his sisters, Elizabeth, married Nathan Burwell in 1709, after which she received property from her grandfather that her son would transform into Carter’s Grove Plantation.
In 1718, his sister, Judith, married Mann Page, who was building his family estate of Rosewell Plantation.
When her husband died before completing the building of Rosewell, John helped her sister by managing and paying for the completion of this grandest of all the plantation homes.
At the age of 12 John pursued his classical education in England, then studied law at Middle Temple in 1713.
A year later John entered Trinity College of Cambridge University as a Fellow Commoner, a prestigious position. However, he never graduated.
In 1723, John married Elizabeth Hill of Shirley Plantation on the James River.
Upon her death three years later, Elizabeth inherited Shirley Plantation, where their son was born, where there three sons were born, but only two survived, Charles Hill Carter (the oldest) and Edward Carter (the youngest).
1733-1793 EDWARD HILL CARTER OF ALBERMARLE COUNTY
Inheriting family property in Albermarle County that his father aquired from King George II for his work as Colonial Secretary, Edward married Sarah Champe of King George County, who preferred Fredericksburg over Charlottesville.
Thus, Fredericksburg became their winter home, while Charlottesville became their summer home.
1777 THOMAS JEFFERSON AQUIRES CARTER LAND
Disinheriting his son, John Champ Carter, Edward established a trust for his daughter and grand-children, with the help of his neighbor, Thomas Jefferson.
Legally helping Edward break the entail to split family property, Jefferson aquired in 1777, 438 acres of the Carter property, of which he wrote: as much of his (Carter’s) mountain as can be seen from mine, and 100 yards beyond the lines of sight agreed before Captain Burton.
That aquired property is known as Montalto, rising about 1278 feet, about 410 feet higher than Monticello.
VIRGINIA PEACHES
Brought to America either by Spanish settlers in St. Augustine, Florida or by the French in the Gulf of Mexico in the 1560s, Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries took the fruit to the Native Americans, who then spread the fruit themselves.
Peach trees had so thoroughly naturalized and spread up through by the 18th century, that William Penn noted peach trees growing wild near Philadelphia in 1683.
So abundant were the peaches, that Virginians commonly used them to feed pigs and create a cider-like drink.
Thomas Jefferson, who also used peaches to make chips, preserves, and ice cream, advocated the use of the peach tree as fire wood and living fences.
Hmm…did Jefferson try using firewood to cook food, and perhaps infuse flavor into the food?
Jefferson also enjoyed double flowering ornamental peach trees on his beloved property.
Peter Hatch of Monticello wrote: Jefferson’s collection of peaches was an extraordinary assemblage of Old and New World varieties, early and late producers, freestones and clingstones. He received young, budded trees from the William Prince Nursery in New York and the Thomas Main and Alexander Hepburn nurseries in Washington;[17] he obtained peach stones from friends like George Mason, Timothy Matlack, Isaac A. Coles, James Taylor, and William Meriwether.[18] He was sent a shipment of choice Italian varieties by Philip Mazzei.[19]
Check this link for more of the wonderful story Peter Hatch wrote of Virginia peaches and Thomas Jefferson, from which I gleaned my information.
BLUE RIDGE VIEWS
Passing the entrances to Monticello and Michie Tavern, we finally embarked on our exploration of Carter Mountarin Orchard, ascending, winding, twisting, curving, switchback roads through a dense, lush forest opened to a view of orchards on top of a mountain: grapes, plums, apples, peaches and nectarines.
At the gift shop we found fresh produce and snacks.
Beguiled by peach cider doughnuts and peach cider, we sat on a deck overlooking the valley below.
After our leisurely snack, we decided to pick peaches, however the day was later than we realized, so we had missed the last group to go up to that orchard.
Instead, we picked through a loose selection of peaches, filling a bag to take home.
