MARROWBONE
Marrowbone was built in 1749 by Robert Hairston. He was one of the four sons of Peter, the first Hairston to come to America. Peter Hairston and his four sons Robert, Peter, Andrew and Samuel arrived in Virginia about 1730. Robert built Marrowbone, the first Hairston family home in Henry County, Virginia, for his bride Ruth Stovall. The house was built on a lofty hill from which one could see for miles around. While most of the people in the area lived in log cabins. Marrowbone was a frame house and is believed to be the oldest frame house in the county. It had graceful a staircase, tall windows and ornamental woodwork, with smooth green lawns sloping down to Marrowbone Creek. They formed three terraces, which were filled with flowers and bordered with boxwood. The shuttered windows also boasted circles of boxwood beneath each.
Robert Hairston and Ruth Stovall were married in Albermarle County in 1749 and moved immediately into their new home at Marrowbone. At that time their residence was in Pittsylvania County since Henry County was not created until 1776. Robert represented Bedford County in the House of Burgesses and was a lieutenant in the French and Indian War. He was also one of the first sheriffs of Henry County being appointed in January of 1782. Robert and Ruth Hairston had twelve children, and the house was left to the oldest son George. It then descended from father to son to the fifth generation of George Hairstons.
by Carolyn Henderson, Libba Johnson and Robert E. Hairston, Jr.