It was originally built by Samuel McDearmon in 1854 and rented by Woodson for his law office until he purchased it a couple of years later.

Its furnishing are consistent with law offices of the time period, including an attorney's desk and a portrait of George Washington.

In his book A Place Called Appomattox, historian William Marvel notes that "it was not until the first court day of 1854 that Woodson bought a hasp, hinge, and padlock for the building and a lock for the chest in which he could store a change of clothes.

[5] Woodson's village office was on the same corner lot as John Sear's blacksmith shop and had a small footprint.

[8] The historian Marvel indicates that when John Woodson died of typhoid in 1864 "the little law office at Clover Hill" was left to his wife.

Its construction started as early as 1851 and is post and beam on brick piers with a standing seam gable roof.