Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 08/15/1989
NRHP Listing Date 07/12/1990
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easements
NRHP Reference Number 89001932
Named for the profusion of oyster shells that long appeared in the fields after plowing, Shelly holds exceptional archaeological value. The property of the Page family since the late 17th century, Shelly was acquired by John Mann in 1680 and was inherited by Mann’s daughter Mary and her husband Matthew Page in 1694. Of particular interest is Shelly’s variety of prehistoric sites, sites that illustrate the adaptation of the estuarine environment by Indians from the Late Archaic through the Late Woodland periods. The identification of an Indian site as that of the historic “Cantaunkack” settlement provides important evidence concerning the interaction of Indians with Europeans early in the 17th century in what became Gloucester County. Various mid-17th- and 18th-century sites are preserved here as well. During the 18th century Shelly served as an ancillary farm for nearby Rosewell, the main Page family seat.
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: July 21, 2021
