Second Street 7

Jacob Mendenhall House

Jacob Mendenhall (1788-1822), an enterprising Quaker merchant, banker and schoolteacher, constructed this dwelling between 1814 and 1820. His daughter Hannah inherited the house in 1822 and also operated a school here. Methodist Church trustees used the house as a parsonage from 1886 to 1941. The two front doors reflect a Pennsylvania German building trend. Quaker families often constructed dwellings with three rooms on the principal floor; one door opened into a large room extending the depth of the house, while the other door opened into a smaller room about half of the house's depth.

Williams Storehouse

This diminutive structure served as a storehouse for Quaker merchant John Williams. This outbuilding was probably constructed around 1801. In the decade after the Civil War this building served as a private school for the Williams children and some of their friends. In 1937 it was altered for use as a playhouse, and in 1959 it was converted into a residence with living space added in the upper story.

William Williams House

John Williams (1771-1840) constructed the front portion of this house in 1815 or 1816. His son William was born here in 1816 and lived his entire 77 years in this dwelling. William Williams served on Waterford's town council and was president of the Loudoun Mutual Fire Insurance Company from 1850 to 1891. In 1863 the Confederates held him hostage in Richmond's Castle Thunder Prison—along with fellow Quaker Robert Hollingsworth—for two rebels held by the north. The Williams house is a typical Federal era Waterford dwelling, with its side hall, stone foundation, jack arches over the windows, Flemish bond façade, and common bond sides.

The rear wing, which was added in 1840, was gutted by a fire in 1969. The original Federal style porch was replaced by the wrap around porch in the 1920s.

Robin House

The builder of this 1988 home chose a vernacular look to help it blend with its surroundings.