March 24, 2022 / Joanne Yeck

Snowden: A Plantation in Buckingham County, Part VIII

Mary Belle (Moon) Hancock. Courtesy James Hughes Hancock, Jr.

Need to catch up? Click here: Snowden: A Plantation in Buckingham County, Part I

The Moon-Hancock Era

In 1870, Snowden became home to yet another Harris cousin — John Schuyler Moon. At the death of his widow, Elizabeth (Tompkins) Moon, the farm was divided among their children. Her daughter, Mary Belle (Moon) Hancock, inherited the portion containing John L. Harris’s house.

The chain of owners is a follows:

1856–c.1870: Estate of John L. Harris

c.1870–1876: John Schuyler Moon

1876–1892: Elizabeth (Tompkins) Moon, widow of John Schuyler Moon

c.1893–c.1944: Mary Belle Moon and, husband David Wimbish Hancock

c.1944–1965 Hancock Family

The Moon-Hancock family enjoyed life at Snowden for nearly one hundred years. Today, members of the Hancock family continue to cherish memories of life at Buckingham County’s Horseshoe Bend still vivid in the 21st century.

Commerce at Snowden

Across the 20th century, many improvements changed the landscape at Snowden.

The ferry established in Peter Jefferson’s time continued to run between Scottsville and Snowden until, in 1910, a bridge made it obsolete. The ferry had operated under the supervision of Randolph Jefferson, the Harrises, and the Moon family. On the Scottsville side, Randolph’s son, Peter Field Jefferson, owned the landing for decades, to be followed by his grandson, Peter Valentine Foland.

Additionally, during the 20^th century, Snowden was home to commerce as well as farming. Both a dairy and a brick factory operated on the lowlands. To learn more, follow these links:

Slate River Ramblings: Snowden Dairy

My article: Snowden and the Scottsville Brick Company (Scottsville Museum)

To learn more about the Moon-Hancock era at Snowden, please consult my article, “The Dwelling at Snowden: A Virginia Historical Inventory Case Study” (Central Virginia Heritage, Summer 2020).