The area comprising Forest Lakes and Hollymead was first patented in the 1700s by Thomas Carr of Caroline County (land patents were the mechanism used to transfer land ownership from the Royal Crown to individuals). In 1730 Carr claimed tracts in the “Colony and Dominion of Virginia” that included four parcels of 400 acres each along the Rivanna River.
During this time patented land was required to be seated, or settled, within three years. If this did not occur then the land could be forfeited. In 1733 the patents for the 400 acre tracts were renewed and consolidated in a single 1600 acre patent. This property formed the basis for the Carrsbrook estate.
The property was enlarged in 1738 when Carr received a patent for 5,041 acres, which included his original 1600 acres as well as the property encompassing Forest Lakes and Hollymead. This tract stretched north, almost to Airport and Proffit roads, where it abutted land owned by a relative, William Carr. Thomas Carr paid 17 pounds five shillings of “good and lawful money” for this patent.
Most of this land stayed in the Carr family for generations until being sold off piecemeal. Carr descendants established several large estates in the Hollymead area. Some, like Carrsbook and Bentivar, now have subdivisions named after them. Others, such as Glen Echo and Red Hill are still standing, while another, Gale Hill, was destroyed in a fire in the early 1900s.
The nomination form to place the Carrsbrook house on the National Register of Historic Places provides additional information about the Carr family in Albemarle County.