For 112 years Ravensworth ownership stayed exclusively within the Fitzhugh family. Then in September 1797, Henry Rose and Augustine Smith bought 3009 acres in a joint business venture, seeking quick profits by subdividing and reselling the land. In selling Parcel … Continue reading →
In February 2015, an email arrived from Eric Payne seeking help locating the site of his ancestors’ 18th century mill, which he hoped to visit on a trip to Northern Virginia. Locating Payne’s Mill on Accotink Creek began the process … Continue reading →
New pages added tracing the division of Parcel 1.1.2, the largest part sold in 1804 to Dr. David Stuart, which he named Ossian Hall, and which in 1843 passed to Francis Asbury Dickins. The Events timeline has been extended to … Continue reading →
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 … Continue reading →
The 2nd Partition divided two 11,000+-acre parcels into 19 new parcels. Four of these are examined in detail: how the land was used, the chain of ownership and the parcel’s eventual division into additional smaller units. Work continues to present … Continue reading →
Six Fitzhugh Family biographical sketches have been added for fourth and fifth generation inheritors of Ravensworth land. The time period was the transition into the 19th century, when the new American government under the new constitution was building and moving … Continue reading →
Starting this website is a long-awaited step to share publicly work began in fall 2008. Through a private test site, a small group of friends and local historians has given generous guidance, suggested research resources and people to contact, and … Continue reading →