Point
of Honor: Lynchburg, Virginia
Point of Honor is a
historic house located in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia. It is a two-story house
which was originally built during the early nineteenth century. The construction
for the building was completed in 1815 and features matching polygonal bays,
flanking doorways with arched fans, representing the 19th century’s
fondness for more intricate shapes beyond rectangles and squares. The interior
reveal the classical designs which were popularized in early 19th
century America. It is marked by vivid colors and stylish furnishings which
echo the designer’s knack for southern hospitality. The property stands on a
piece of land where Monacan Indians once camped and it overlooks both the James
River and the city of Lynchburg. Point of Honor received its name from citizens
due to it being a supposed location for the settlement of arguments through
dueling. Point of Honor is well-known for housing several famous residents who
played significant roles throughout important events in Virginia history.
Point of Honor’s
builder and most famous resident was Dr. George Cabell, Sr. George Cabell is
well known for being a physician to the well-known patriot, Patrick Henry.
Cabell was also a friend and frequent correspondent with Thomas Jefferson. Point
of Honor was handed down after the passing of Cabell’s son William Lewis Cabell
and his bride Eliza Daniel Cabell in 1830. After that, Eliza’s father, Judge William
Daniel, Sr. inherited the mansion which he then handed down to his son, William
Daniel Jr. in 1839. Judge Daniel, Jr. served in the Virginia Court from 1846
through the end of the civil war. His son was a United States senator named
John Daniel who is also known as the “Lame Lion” of Lynchburg. Daniel, Jr.’s
sister Elvira Daniel was married to an American civil engineer and eventual Civil
War hero Charles Ellet, Jr. Their daughter was Mary Virginia and she eventually
married William D. Cabell and was also one of the founding members of the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
Before the Civil War,
Point of Honor was the home to Col. John S. Langhorne whose daughter was
Elizabeth Langhorne Lewis. Elizabeth is known for leading the fight for women’s
suffrage. Langhorne’s granddaughters include Mrs. Charles Dana Gibson who is
the original “Gibson Girl” and also Nancy, Lady Astor, who was the first woman
elected to the British Parliament.
During the Civil War,
this esteemed mansion was the home to Robert Latham Owen, president of the
Virginia and Tennessee railroad, and his wife Narcissa Chisholm who was the
daughter of the famous Cherokee chief, Thomas Chisholm. Their son, Robert Owen,
Jr. was Oklahoma’s first United States Senator.
