Hughes-Cunningham House Near Hedgesville, West Virginia Listed since 1985 on the National Register of Historic Places

Begun by Isaac Hughes in 1771, completed by Hugh Cunningham in the late 1780's, the "Hughes-Cunningham House" is full of stories.  This web page is dedicated to sharing and collecting information about the people who have lived here since the British proudly governed the Colony of Virginia! For information contact present owners David and Wendy Benton: YellowYarrow@Yahoo.com

Martha Isabella Cunningham (When the house was c. 100 years old.)

A 21st-Century view of our 18th-Century House

Stories about the house and its families can be found by clicking the links below:     Dates           List of Owners of the Hughes-Cunningham House 1771 - 1784 Isaac and Leah Hughes Quakers in the Colony of Virginia 1784 - 1817 Hugh and Agnes Cunningham Revolutionary War veteran and 10 children 1817 - 1858 William D. and Nancy Long Cunningham Plantation exceeds 1,000 Acres 1858 - 1888 Martha and Emma Cunningham 104 years after arrival, the Cunninghams leave 1888 - 1938 Aquilla and Mary Janney and nephews 1938 - 1963 Thomas Solenberger and family 1963 - 1971 Bruce and Ruth Sperow Owners 1963-1971; Still living on part of the original farm. 1971 - 1976 Mary and William Church 1976 - 1993 Bill and Frances Ruth Courageous restoration of a 200-year-old home 1993 - 1998 John and Tauna Cole 1998 - 2004 David and Wendy Benton Into the 21st Century Stories of Modern Descendants of the original homeowners:                    Modern Cunninghams

Historical Perspective:

A few years ago the Bentons were enjoying hearth-baked bread and colonial surroundings at the Dobbin House, a historic tavern in Gettysburg, Pa.  We noticed that the place was billed as the oldest surviving building in Gettysburg, built in 1776. Gradually we caught on, "The Hughes-Cunningham house is 5 years older than the oldest building in Gettysburg!"

Fall at the Hughes-Cunningham House. Hand-dug, stone-lined well in the foreground.  Several maple varieties provide fall colors.