House

Very private riverfront, beach, nature for all to enjoy. High Speed Internet!!

Very private riverfront, beach, nature for all to enjoy. High Speed Internet!!

Photo gallery for Very private riverfront, beach, nature for all to enjoy. High Speed Internet!!

A stunning arial view of the estate, the East River into Moback Bay at the top
View of Mariner's Legacy from the East River
Enjoy the river right from the brand new leather sectional. Smart TV also!
Unbelievable Rivah views a you sink into the leather sectional. Lots of seating
Imagine being able to see the river straight through the house as you walk in!

Overview of Very private riverfront, beach, nature for all to enjoy. High Speed Internet!!

5 out of 5 Exceptional
6 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 12246 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Bohannon, VA
  • Popular LocationGwynn's Island Musuem22 min drive
  • AirportNewport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)54 min drive

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

Bedroom 6

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Very private riverfront, beach, nature for all to enjoy. High Speed Internet!!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/most-unique-town-in-va/

Mariner's Legacy-circa 1867

You will be looking 1 1/2 mile up and 2 miles down the East River. The spectacular views will take your breath away as the river laps literally feet away from you. East River has been called 'Little Annapolis' by the 'Chesapeake Bay Magazine'. The uncongested waters provide for a cruising heaven for you to watch kayaks to yachts travel pass. If you want to experience what it is like to live on the water, you must come to Mariner's Legacy. There is nothing comparable to it in Mathews County on the rental market for maritime history, 22 acres of open space and privacy as well as wide, miles long river views and proximity to the Mobjack Bay and Chesapeake Bay,

The home and property have been passed down from great grandfather, Isaac Ward, a sea captain, to present day owner and husband. The oak wood flooring, molding, chair railing, wainscoting, 10 foot columns and ceilings, doors and door handles are original to the house. The home has been lovingly and completely remodeled and open for the first time on the rental market In July 2015.

The house was built by ships carpenters [ships wrights] after the Civil War for Captain Isaac Ward of Somerset County, MD. He had been a blockade runner in the Civil War and had used Williams Wharf to "drop off" goods bound for Richmond. He bought this property with his war profits from Mr. Williams' brother. Mathews County maritime history radiates throughout the house through decorative items and books describing the long and eventful history of the ancestors and the Chesapeake Bay region.

The porch is a perfect place to watch all that nature has to offer; ospreys' catching the evening meal as their mates call out to them, eagles as they soar over your head, dolphins chasing schools of fish and fiddle crabs scurrying across the sand.

The house is on a double peninsula that looks due north 1 1/2 miles up the East River, past Williams Wharf into Put-In Creek and southeast 2 miles down the river towards Mobjack Bay as well into Mill Creek and Raines Creek. This means you have the river in front of you and the creek behind you.

You will be able to launch your boat and moor it at a dock and boat ramp owned by the owners in the adjacent Raines Creek. Mariner's Legacy is perfect for the fisherman in your group. If you bring your boat, cruising the rivers of the Mobjack Bay is a favorite activity, as well tubing or running out to New Point Lighthouse.

Or if you prefer, you can anchor your boat just off shore the sandy beach and walk up to the house with your daily catch. The sandy area is perfect for launching kayaks and small sail boats. This area has a hundred foot or so gradual walk to deeper water, typical of Tidewater Virginia. The sandy river bottom has been a perfect area for generations of children to enjoy the water without fear of getting into deep water quickly. Four kayaks are provided with the house.

There is a 7 acre wide expansive grassy yard overlooking the rivah and is perfect for a pick-up game of soccer, crochette, volleyball & cornhole. The children will love playing tag & chasing lighting bugs as generations of children have done before them! The fire pit is on the western side of the house so you can sit and enjoy the sun setting over the East River as you roast your marshmallows.

The house is a three story classic Tidewater vernacular farm house. The theme is nautical-chic. The neutral walls are offset with fabrics in farmhouse colors (deep red, navy, khaki). The palette is echoed throughout the house-from the first floor "rivah" room and dinning room to the third floor gathering area.

The ground floor has an enclosed heated porch with washer, dryer and second refrigerator. This opens into the Back Foyer, which has storage for outdoor dining ware. Laundry products, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates and napkins are provided. Dish and dishwasher detergent as well as any clean-up products are provided. You will also find the crab steamer, with wooden mallets and crab seasoning provided as well as the sturdy brown paper to put on the picnic table for you own crab picking while watching the sunset. One of our guests said "You know it has been a good meal when you can wrap it up, throw it away and hose down your table!"

The updated kitchen has new stainless steel appliances. Cooking for 12 will be no problem in the top of the line well appointed kitchen. The dinning room has a farm table with seating for 12. Plenty of extra cozy seating on 2 additional leather sofas for reading or conversation are also in this room.

The 'rivah' room overlooks the expansive views of the East River, with lots of seating for watching the 55 inch flat screen HD TV, playing games or just enjoy relaxing. The full downstairs bathroom is on the west wall.

The second floor has four bedrooms with queen size beds with high thread count luxury linens and reading alcoves overlooking the river and creeks. There are two full bathrooms are on the second floor. Oversized luxurious Egyptian cotton bath linens are provided to each guest.

As you enter the third floor family area, there is a Pottery Barn sofa and 48 in flat screen HD TV with "take your breath away river views"! Plenty of additional seating is provided to read or lounge.

On this floor are two bedrooms, with two twin beds in each room. One of the bedrooms is decorated for your favorite pirate. Family lore has been passed down that Captain Ward's brother had a parrot and a peg leg! Capt. Ward inherited the parrot, which was know to say "Captain Ike, someone's at the mill!" The western window overlooks the remnants of this tidal mill. A half bath is on this floor.

The porch wraps around three sides of the house and all three sides overlook the East River. The proximity to the water provides panoramic views for your morning coffee right through evening cocktails! There are seating areas on each side of the porch beckoning you to come and sit awhile. A hammock with hooks on either side of the porch allows you to follow the ever present breeze that being on a peninsula gives you.
Follow the link https://visitmathews.com for more information on Mathews County!

Keywords: Chesapeake Bay, Waterfront, Riverfront, Beach, Swimming, Boating, Fishing, Kayaking, Crabbing, Dock, Boat Ramp, Family, Reunion, College Graduation, Kids, Biking, East River, Mobjack Bay, Mathews County, Historic, Victorian, Maritime, Civil War, Privacy, Weekend trips from Washington D.C.

Property manager

Danette Aldrich Machen
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 27
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Includes full size crib, high chair & playground

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Please ask us prior to confirmation for pet rules

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We recommend each guest bring a pair of water shoes if they plan on accessing the water. Oyster shells can wash up with the tides
Do not open windows in the bedrooms. This is a house that is over 150 years old. We need to keep a low humidity environment and a constant temperature
We highly recommend each group purchase trip insurance at time of rental for unforeseen changes in your group, such as emergencies, pregnancy

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Bohannon

Located in Westville, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the beach. Gloucester Museum of History and Deltaville Maritime Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson. Traveling with kids? Consider Water Country USA, or check out an event or a game at York County Sports Complex. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Gwynn's Island Musuem - 22 min drive

Getting around

  • Newport News - Williamsburg Intl. Airport (PHF) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • Mi Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant & Cantina - 17 min drive
  • Southwind Pizza - 17 min drive
  • Hardee's - 18 min drive
  • Subway - 18 min drive
  • Richardson's Cafe - 17 min drive

Reviews

5

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 167 out of 170 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 3 out of 170 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 170 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 170 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 170 reviews" "

5/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Barbara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Birthday
4 of us from Rochester, NY met 2 of us from Orlando, FL here at this lovely farmhouse. Once again we enjoyed the wrap around porch for coffee, kayaking off the beach, letting the dogs run, cooking for all of us plus 2 local guests a few times. The fire pit is a treasure. Beautiful fall scenery, visiting the nearby historic sites. Charming hosts, relaxing, fun and a wonderful time at this fully equipped home.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

5/5 Excellent

Stephen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding party
This was an excellent stay for our entire family and friends. It was very relaxing and had plenty of room for all of our needs. I highly recommend this VRBO and Danette was a wonderful host. We want to come back just to enjoy a relaxing time in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Theresa V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best time!
Truly one of the best vacations I have had. Meeting with friends is always fun but the house made it even more spectacular. I cannot say enough good things about it and the owners are just wonderful. Definitely will book this house again
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Joyce N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay
It was GREAT!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Danette Aldrich Machen

Host profile image
Mariner's legacy has been in my family since 1867. My father farmed this land and I grew up in the house. I learned at an early age how to be a good steward of this special place we call home.

I married my Mathews High School sweetheart after graduating from nursing school in Richmond in 1979. I have worked as an RN at the local hospital in the ICU, ER and as coordinator for the cardiac rehab. Working in your hometown hospital requires a high level of accountability as you are truly caring for your neighbors and friends. Good prep as I enter this new phase of offering my family home to others!

Both Rick & I have volunteered for various organizations in the county while balancing busy professional lives, raising two wonderful daughters and taking care of our own adjoining 6 acre property and home. Rick and I have poured our blood, sweat and tears into this house and land, just as my ancestors have done for years.

Why they chose this property

Mariner's Legacy has been my families home for generations. It is a pleasure and an honor to share our families home with other families to continue their legacy of wonderful memories.

The water views from each room are truly amazing. Come sit in the nooks and crannies and read your favorite book as I did as a child. Or enjoy your morning coffee on the wrap-around porch while watching the osprey couple fly in front of you to search for their chick's breakfast.

Watch the local water 'women' come in with her catch and dock in the creek. Put on your water shoes and wade along the river's shore line searching for Indian arrowheads. Put the kayaks overboard and explore the many creeks on the East River, which is a Blue Water Riverway.

There really are not adequate words to describe how much I love being on the East River I look forward to the opportunity to give others the same experiences I've been blessed to have for the last 57 years.

My family means everything to me and I cherish each opportunity to be with my children and grandchildren. Mariner's Legacy has hosted generations of family get-togethers and family "dinning's". We have brought the home into the 21st century so all the current families can enjoy this incredible place.

What makes this property unique

Five percent discount for weekly stays. Guests will have access to additional waterfront property with commercial size dock, boat ramp and one slip to moor your own boat on adjoining creek with protected cove. Enjoy crabbing with string and chicken necks! Public fishing pier located directly across the river. Watch osprey couples hunt for fish each evening right in front of you while you sit on the wrap around porch enjoying your evening drink! Heron and egrets hunting along the shoreline as the tides changes.

Premier Host

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