Must-See RVA! — Patteson-Schutte House

5613 Kildare Drive
Built, late 1750s

Despite an indeterminate construction date — this house still ranks in the top five for Oldest Buildings in RVA.*

December 2014 — view from rear

The Patteson-Schutte House is one of Richmond’s oldest surviving structures. Historic Richmond Foundation purchased this property in March 2006 to save it from demolition. Completed in 1785, the house was originally the residence of James Patteson, overseer of a south side plantation owned by William Byrd III, son of the founder of Richmond. Having remained in the hands of descendants, the house retains many of its original Colonial features, including window frames, doors, flooring decorative ironwork, and original brickwork. (Preservation Virginia)

(Preservation Virginia) — staircase

James Patteson… came to Chesterfield County by 1755… At least by 1761 he was serving as steward for William Byrd III’s Falls Plantation and other Chesterfield lands. He continued in this capacity until his death in 1767.

(Preservation Virginia) — fireplace

After Patteson’s death his wife Mary continued to live there, as did his son, James Anderson Patteson. Mary Patteson died in 1800… The property then passed to her eldest son, Dr. William A. Patteson, who apparently did not live there, but in Manchester and later in Richmond. The place was occupied by Dr. Patteson’s brother, David Nelson Patteson. In a legal maneuver, Dr. Patteson sold it to David on September 20, 1862, who then sold it the same day to Ignatius Schutte.

December 2014 — family cemetery

About 100 yards from the house, and now surrounded by a neighborhood of homes is the family cemetery. It is surrounded by a stone wall, and greatly encumbered by briars and vines, trees, and dumped debris. [OME]

* Oldest Buildings in RVA

1. St. John’s Church (2401 East Broad Street) 1741
2. Patteson-Schutte House (5613 Kildare Avenue) 1750
3. Old Stone House (1916 East Main Street) 1754
4. Johnson House (2718 Bainbridge Street) 1780
5. Craig House (1812 East Grace Street) 1784
6. Masonic Hall (1807 East Franklin Street) 1785
7. John Marshall House (402 North Ninth Street) 1788
8. Virginia State Capitol Building (Capitol Square) 1792
9. Daniel Call House (217 West Grace Street) 1796
10. Woodward House (3017 Williamsburg Avenue) 1799

This list excepts certain obvious others that were relocated from the place of their original construction and moved to Richmond, including Agecroft (late 15th century), Virginia House (16th century), Wilton House (1753), and Ampthill House (1730). Daniel Call House is not at its original location either, but it moved from one part of Richmond to its current address.

Sources

• [OME] Old Manchester & its Environs, 1769-1910. Benjamin B. Weisiger III. 1993.
• Preservation Virginia

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