Location: Four and one half miles southwest of Maurertown, Virginia: Route 600 west two miles, then Route 652 about one and one half miles south, then west Route 676 one mile. Turn right at Route 659, cross creek; first house on the left.

9 Jan 1787: Probated February 28, 1788. Benjamin Layman bequeathed to his son, John, land whereon the said John lived, containing 110 acres, which is a part of the tract of 500 acres which was granted to Benjamin Layman by deed from the Proprietor's Office, September 3, 1766. Will Book B, page 427

10 Apr 1820: John Layman and Barbara, his wife, sold to their son, Joseph Layman. Deed Book AA, page 35

30 Dec 1850: Probated May 7, 1855. Joseph Layman bequeathed to his son, John Layman, the plantation whereon he, the said Joseph Layman was living at his death, also the dwelling house, smokehouse, garden, etc. Will Book 4, page 347

19 Jan 1887: Probated November 9, 1891. John Layman devised to his daughter, Mary E. Copp and her children, and Barnett Copp, her husband, all land which he owned at the time of said John Layman's death. He requested that Barnett Copp and Mary E., his wife, and their children keep the graveyard on the place in good condition, and also to help keep the graveyard on the Miley farm in shape. He also wished all of his neighbors to have the privilege to bury in the graveyard on the place, and to visit same at their pleasure, and to have the graveyard enlarged if necessary for that purpose. Will Book 23, page 156

25 Mar 1911 Probated February 14, 1912. Barnett Copp, in his last will, devised his real estate to his four children: Fannie Shockey, wife of Joseph Shockey, Annie A. Copp, Daisy Borden, wife of Russell Borden, and John W. Copp. Will Book 30, page 373

An old looking place with a low front porch and winding path and a spring house in the yard. The spring flows into a run near the house, known as Layman's Run. This clear, cold stream is fed by other springs from the mountain nearby. Many large, beautiful trees surround the house, which are said to have been one hundred and fifty years old in 1937. They the quaking aspen and oak trees, and have the appearance of being very old.

Barnett Copp served for four years in the Civil War without injury or wounds. He was in prison for six months at Fort Delaware. The barn was burnt during the war.

Mrs. John Layman was twenty four years old when she moved to this home, and the large trees mentioned were said to have been one hundred years old at that time.

Source: Virginia W.P.A. Historical Inventory Project, 1937

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