Welcome to Orr Manor. A Victorian era home influenced in Gothic Revival and Italianate architecture, was a looming abandoned house for a long time. The beauty, however, was recently rescued and is now for sale. One should not be fooled by the faded paint on the outside as this does not in fact reflect the true condition of this treasured home. After returning as a First Lieutenant in the Confederate army in 1865, James Wesley Orr built his home. The home would change hands a few times, eventually sitting vacant until being saved by the current owners. At least three people died in the home.
Judge Orr
Per FindAGrave.com,
JUDGE JAMES WESLEY ORR, farmer and lawyer, was born in Lee county, Virginia, July 19, 1841. His parents were David and Rhoda Orr; and his father was an industrious and energetic farmer of Lee county. Mr. Orr’s earliest ancestor in America in the paternal line was Alexander Orr, who, with one brother and sister, came to this country from Ireland and, settling in Pennsylvania, married there.
Mr. Orr’s early life was passed in the country, where he grew up with vigorous physical health, and with the tastes and interests of a country boy on a farm. During his early life he was required to perform the manual labor involved in regular work on his father’s farm. The elder Orr had but a limited education; and his son determined at an early age to obtain the best education that he could. This he acquired largely by his own efforts, attending the country schools, and obtaining later academic instruction at Jonesville academy. He never took a professional course at any educational institute, but read law privately, studying the usual text-books of a law course.
The War between the States breaking out before he had begun the active work of life, he entered the service of the Confederate States as a private, enlisting when he was nineteen years of age. His career as a soldier was a gallant and devoted one. He was promoted from the rank of private to that of first lieutenant, and lost an arm in action at the battle of Sharpsburg, but continued in the service to the fall of the Confederacy in 1865.
Returning to his home after the close of the war, he was in 1865 elected by his fellow-citizens of Lee county to the office of sheriff of the county, a position which he held for three years. He was subsequently elected clerk of the circuit and county courts, and held this office for ten and a half years; and was then chosen by the general assembly of Virginia judge of the county court of Lee county, which position he filled acceptably for eight years. When the constitutional convention was called in 1901 to frame a new organic law for the commonwealth, Judge Orr was elected a member of the convention, and served throughout its sessions. In addition to the many other offices of honor and responsibility which he has occupied, he was for eight years chairman of the Democratic county committee of Lee county.
Judge Orr died at home on May 8, 1931 at the age of 89.
Before his passing, his wife, Martha Vermillion Orr had passed away in her bed in 1907, and their son, Henry Walter, sadly died at the young age of 10 at the home.
32537 Wilderness Rd, Jonesville, VA, 24263. $119,900
While there has been some alteration to the interior to suit personal function and taste, great diligence has been taken not to diminish the original character, charm, elegance, prestige. Updated windows, to view rural small town America surrounding the property. The interior, adorned with chandeliers. Several finished walls, awaiting your personal touch. Possibilities abound, finish it for an immaculate dream home. Use the four bedrooms and grounds as an income producing B&B and wedding venue. A perfect match for those having always wanted to own a business, or looking for a special project. The property itself consist of more than an acre and a half and lies fairly level. There is a small two story barn as well as a small servant house/dairy, three porches, large screened patio, open deck and large attached open shelter. From the main entrance to the home guest are greeted by the grand staircase and chandelier. To the right a grand living room to the left a grand dining off the sunning room. Again to the right of the staircase another grand sitting room and from there, a breakfast parlor. Up the stairs are four very large bedrooms three featuring fireplaces, one with a master bath. A favorite bonus and a sure draw, ascend into the prominent cupola and enjoy supreme privacy while surveying the surrounding landscape. A special home with a draw like no other indeed. All information provided as a courtesy w/ some taken from tax records and is subject to E&O, info should be verified by buyer or buyers agent.
