Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 02/16/1988
NRHP Listing Date 11/10/1988
NRHP Reference Number 88002059
Situated just north of Farmville on Route 45, Needham was the home of educator, jurist, and politician Creed Taylor (1766-1836). Taylor influenced national politics in 1800 when, as a presidential elector, he organized Virginia’s electors to secure the election of Thomas Jefferson as president. In 1810, while residing in Richmond, Taylor became a tutor for local attorneys on “the practical part of the law.” He presided over a moot court whose students included future president John Tyler, future secretary of state Abel Parker Upshur, and future U. S. senator William Cabell Rives. Taylor also served in the General Assembly both as a delegate and speaker of the Senate. Taylor’s plain Federal-style residence at Needham was built ca. 1802. From 1821 to 1830 he operated a law school here—Virginia’s first proprietary law school. A number of Needham alumni enjoyed distinguished careers in public service. Taylor is buried on the place.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: February 22, 2021
