this hamlet was named for the owners of clover forest plantation. the settlement overlooks the james river and was once a hub of rural trading activity. a dam and canal lock were built on the james at pemberton to enable passage by boats. the lock lowered boats from the kanawha canal into the james river just below cartersville, cumberland county, virginia and connected with tamworth, virginia and its mill. trade moved from the cartersville port and willis river downriver on the james.