Barterbrook

Barterbrook was one of several unrealized-plans for distinct towns that were to be established within Albemarle County during the early nineteenth century.

History

Roadmap depicting modern site of Barterbrook. Reproduced from Google Maps.

The proposed site of Barterbrook was situated on the west side of the road to Stony Point, just where it crossed the branch opposite Liberty Church. It contained a tanyard and a tavern popularly known as "Pinch'em-slyly," which had originally opened in 1792 and was maintained until its closure in 1827.

A muster ground for local troops was contiguous to the site, with the militia company of the district occasionally assembling there to perform their exercises and with the neighboring magistrate Joshua Key (a grandson of the early Albemarle County settler John Key) often being called upon to exert his authority for the preservation of the peace.

According to county records, Lot 56 in Barterbrook was conveyed by William Smith to Thomas Travillian's heirs, by said heirs to Pleasant Sandridge of Green County in Kentucky, and by Sandridge to Dr. John T. Gilmer, from whence it became a part of the Edgemont estate. A successor in some sort, possessing the same name and principally consisting of a tanyard conducted by Bernard Carr, was at a later date situated in the western portion of the county, near Mechums River.