Two mentors and supporters of this site died in February 2016 – Jack Hiller on February 3 and Charles CK Gailey on the 22nd. Jack was one of several local historians who provided encouragement, advice and critical review when the … Continue reading →
Existing pages recently updated with new information: William Marbury Fitzhugh – details of his return from Kentucky and a federal job Orange and Alexandria Railroad – added Ravensworth Station, a private depot serving the Ravensworth plantation (from research prompted by … 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 →
Role in Ravensworth – owner parcels 1.1.3.3, 1.1.3.5, 1.1.6.6 and 1.1.6.8.1 William Gooding, Jr. was born in Fairfax county into a family of six brothers and one sister. The son of William Gooding, his mother is unknown. In 1782 his … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner parcels 1.1.3.6, 1.1.3.7, 1.1.6.7 and 1.1.6.10 William H. Gooding was the second of two sons among the six children born to William and Jane (Davis) Gooding, Jr. He married twice to (1) Margaret R. Howard … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner parcels 1.1.6.3, 1.1.6.4, 1.1.6.8 and 1.1.6.9 Peter Gooding was the oldest of six children born to William and Jane (Davis) Gooding, Jr. He married three times and fathered five children.1 His brief marriage circa 1819 … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner Parcel 1.2.1 and Parcel 1.2.3.3 Henry Daingerfield was born into the prominent family of Bathurst and Eliza (Kay) Daingerfield in Alexandria, VA. He became a successful entrepreneur and business owner, starting as early as age … Continue reading →
William Gooding, Jr. claimed he had never “…seen a railroad, though living within sound of the whistle ten years.”1 Yet a railroad right of way ran through his property near his house and tavern on Little River Turnpike. That railroad … Continue reading →
The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was one of the earlier American railroads. The first section was completed between 1850 and 1854 connecting Alexandria through Orange to Gordonsville, Virginia. Building the line required right of way through several miles of Ravensworth … Continue reading →
NOVA Annandale Campus Northern Virginia Community College’s campus in Annandale sits on land that has a long history of many prior owners. Railroad Lasting traces of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad are preserved nearby and farther down the line. The … Continue reading →