Belle Garden Estate History

Belle Garden Estate is known as one of the oldest homes in Franklin County to date. Its rich history dates back to Sir John Talbot, who bought the land in 1763. Johnathan Richardson bought 200 acres from Sir John Talbot, on which the home was built and finished in 1771. Johnathan Richardson also bought an additional 100 acres on Gills Creek, which still runs through the property today.

Johnathan Richardson served as the Sheriff of Bedford County, as well as Justice of the Peace. The home had a private jail in the lower quarters for temporarily holding prisoners in transport. When Franklin County was formed in 1786, the plantation fell under its new county lines, and Johnathan Richardson became a high member of Franklin County’s first court.

In 1810, Johnathan Richardson died and left the property to his beloved wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Richardson then deeded the plantation to her sons and her brother Skelton Taylor, who is known for Taylor’s Store in Franklin County. Skelton Taylor and his family moved into the home on the plantation, and the property continued to get passed down to family members as the years went on.

In 1999, the home was saved from the bulldozers by Mike and Darlene Leslie. The couple lived in the home for the next 16 years, pouring heart and sweat into the property to completely restore the home to its former glory.

Susan Mitchell Ober bought the property in 2016 and converted it to a bed and breakfast and wedding venue. And now…