Chain of Ownership and Division

Nicholas Fitzhugh inherited this parcel and Parcel 1.1.2 following the death of his father, Henry Fitzhugh (Colonel), in 1783. It is Lot 6 of seven lots created by deed A2:186 in the division of parcel 1.1 (Ravensworth North) among Nicholas and four brothers.

More than any of his brothers, Nicholas held on to and increased his inherited lands through purchases from them. Three tracts that he acquired bordered and substantially enlarged this parcel. In 1796, he purchased 171 acres (parcel 1.1.7.1) from Battaile Fitzhugh. In 1805, he bought 620 acres (parcel 1.1.3.1) from Giles Fitzhugh and, in 1806, 196 acres (parcel 1.1.5.2) from Mordecai Fitzhugh.

Nicholas referred to this land as his “upper tract.” It was a few miles distant from parcel 1.1.2, where he established his residence, Ossian Hall. After 1803 when he was appointed a federal judge, he was living in Alexandria closer to his court. From there he managed his Ravensworth lands, where the 1810 federal census recorded 38 enslaved people as the sole residents – probably working on both parcels 1.1.6 and 1.1.2. Also, parts of parcel 1.1.6 were under long-term leases made by Nicholas’ father.

Division of Parcel 1.1.6

Nicholas Fitzhugh sold four tracts of land from this parcel. Price Skinner bought 207.75 acres (parcel 1.1.6.2) in 1807, Lachlan McIntosh 63.6 acres (parcel 1.1.6.3) in 1811, and Gerard Huntt 97 7/8 acres (parcel 1.1.6.4) in 1813.

The fourth sale occurred first, in about 1802, to the Fairfax County Court of about 53 acres (parcel 1.1.6.1) for the benefit of the poor. Deed book D2 has been lost. It contained two deeds (D2:97 and D2:343) between Nicholas and the Fairfax Justices of the Peace. The land sold to Price Skinner shares a common boundary with this property, and the deed of sale references it as having been sold “to the County of Fairfax for use and support of the poor House.” The property, which was later sold by the county, is described in a survey and plat on pages 367-368 of deed book Z3.¹

Nicholas Fitzhugh died in 1814. His will bequeathed his remaining Ravensworth land to his five living sons. Their shares from parcel 1.1.6 were:

• 1.1.6.5 (240 acres): Edmund Fitzhugh
• 1.1.6.6 (316 acres): Augustine Fitzhugh
• 1.1.6.7 (40 acres): Augustine Fitzhugh
• 1.1.6.8 (396 acres): Lawrence Fitzhugh
• 1.1.6.9 (386 acres): Charles Fitzhugh
• 1.1.6.10 (405 acres): Henry W. Fitzhugh

The deed (including survey) has been lost that divided the residual of parcel 1.1.6 and created parcels 1.1.6.5 through 1.1.6.10. They were identified and mapped using information in later deeds issued in some cases when Nicholas’ sons sold their inherited land and in others when subsequent owners sold. Between 1832 and 1853, the Gooding family bought all but one of these parcels as well as those that Nicholas had sold to McIntosh and Huntt.

Parcel 1.1.6 Chain of Ownership Documents

Deed	Date	Grantor	Grantee	Parcel	Transaction
A2:186	7/11/1797	Court	Nicholas, Richard, Mordecai, Battaile & Giles Fitzhugh	1.1.1 - 1.1.7	Survey (1792) and plat for divison of parcel 1.1 into seven parcels bequeathed to these five youngest sons of Henry Fitzhugh (Colonel) (died 1783)
Z1:433	12/26/1796	Battaile Fitzhugh	Nicholas Fitzhugh	1.1.7.1	Sale 141 acres, price 176 pounds
D2:149	c. 1805	Giles Fitzhugh	Nicholas Fitzhugh	1.1.3.1	Sale about 620 acres. Deed D2:149 lost; location and boundaries determined from Nicholas Fitzhugh's will K1:283 and several deeds for sale of land he bequeathed to his sons.
G2:299	9/16/1806	Mordecai Fitzhugh	Nicholas Fitzhugh	1.1.5.2	Sale 196.25 acres
(lost)	c.1802	Nicholas Fitzhugh	Fairfax Co. Court	1.1.6.1	Sale of 52 acres, likely by deed D2:97 or D2:343 to Fairfax Justices of Peace of 1802, deed book lost.
E2:416	1/19/1807	Nicholas & "Sally" Fitzhugh	Price Skinner	1.1.6.2	Sale 207.75 acres.
L2:329	11/19/1811	Nicholas & Sarah Fitzhugh	Lachlan McIntosh	1.1.6.3	Sale 63.6 acres for $454.50
M2:253	5/28/1813	Nicholas & Sarah Fitzhugh	Gerard Huntt	1.1.6.4	Sale 97-7/8 acres for $783
(lost)	1814 or later	Fairfax Co. Court	Augustine, Charles, Edmund, Henry & Lawrence Fitzhugh	1.1.6.5-10	Deed lost that divided residual of parcel 1.1.6 among Nicholas Fitzhugh's five living sons after his death in 1814. His will, ZZ-K1-283 (1815), provided that his Ravensworth land be divided among his sons.

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