Several pages posted since the last progress report present information not generally available elsewhere. These include profiles of Richard Henry Fitzhugh and his son William Marbury Fitzhugh – and their connection to William Marbury of the landmark Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court decision. The father’s forgery and flight from the area dropped his branch of the family from public view.

Better known but incomprehensibly neglected in accounts of Fairfax County history is the Gooding family. From modest beginnings they acquired nearly 2100 Ravensworth acres, built successful businesses and were prominent in the community. Gooding’s Tavern on Little River Turnpike survived for 80 years and was the site of Civil War actions. Thank you to Kathe Gunther for sharing her extensive research on the Gooding family.

Mary Caroline Goldsborough has been almost lost to remembrance in local history. And while the story of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad has been well and widely told, that’s not the case for the local Independent Line of the Manassas Gap Railroad.

I welcome your feedback and recommendations for further Ravensworth research. Please send via Contact page.

Thank you for reading.

John Browne