“Cousin Anna” to Robert E. Lee and widowed in 1830, Anna Maria Fitzhugh was matron of Ravensworth for 44 years and its protector during the Civil War. Samuel Smothermon was transported to the Virginia colony to serve seven years as … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth: leaseholder in Parcel 1.2 – 135 acres (Thanks to Smothermon descendant and retired Fairfax County librarian Karen Moore for sharing her research in developing this profile of her favorite ancestor. Smothermon is also spelled Smytheman and Smitherman … Continue reading →
John Ratcliffe married Ravensworth leaseholder Ann Moxley about 1750. He leased land in Parcel 1.1 in 1767 and in Parcel 1.2 in 1773, the only person identified so far with leases in both the north and south parts of Ravensworth. … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth: tenant and leaseholder in Parcel 1.1, leaseholder in
Continue reading →Fairfax County Court records list 33 deeds from William Fitzhugh (of Chatham) to leaseholders in Parcel 1.2 between 1767 and 1804.1 In addition to the leaseholders, 18 others are named in boundary descriptions that specify shared corners and lines with … Continue reading →
The following selected passages are from lease G1:188 of 4/10/1767 between William Fitzhugh (of Chatham) and William Williams. The language, terms and conditions are typical, almost a fill-in-the-blanks boilerplate for Fitzhugh’s leases. (Long paragraphs are divided into shorter segments for … Continue reading →
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 →
Role in Ravensworth: leaseholder in Parcel 1.1; owner Parcel 1.1.1.5 William Payne was born February 14, 1751, the oldest son of William Payne, Jr. (1724-1782) and Susannah Payne (1721-1771). He was the fourth William in his direct line, but apparently … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth: leaseholder in Parcel 1.1 (Payne’s several appointments to public office and voting record are compelling evidence that he had written leases rather than a mere tenant agreement, as having legal title to land was a qualification for … Continue reading →