Hewick

The wealthy and politically prominent Robinson family established Hewick, named for their estate in Yorkshire, England, on land acquired here late in the 17th century. Descendants maintained ownership of the property for much of its history. The labor of enslaved Africans and African Americans sustained the plantation. Christopher Robinson IV began building the main house in 1770 to replace an earlier dwelling. After his death, his sister Elizabeth and her husband, William Steptoe, enlarged the house. Elizabeth later controlled Hewick as a widow for 30 years and made improvements, including the addition of a second story. The property featured at least 11 dependencies.