Thirteen months ago, the Fairfax County History Commission began work on a research inventory to capture, communicate, and preserve the African American experience throughout Fairfax County’s history. The first draft of this ongoing project is now available online, the Fairfax … Continue reading →
Journalist Tom Shoop’s August 23 article The Plantation and the Pizza Hut examines past and current efforts to preserve history in Fairfax County. This website was one of his many sources. And I am pleased that my photo of Dennis … Continue reading →
“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 – owner Parcel 1.2 Anna Maria Sarah Goldsborough1 was born on November 15, 1796 in Dorchester County, Maryland, one of two children born to Charles W. and Elizabeth Goldsborough of Maryland.2 Her father was a longtime Member … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth: owner Parcel 1.1.2 David Stuart was born in Scotland where he studied medicine before emigrating to Virginia and setting up a medical practice in Alexandria. He joined George Washington’s extended family in 1783 when he married Eleanor … 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 →
In the January 1850 Fairfax County Court session, the first of 61 formerly enslaved African Americans registered as free Blacks, who were manumitted under the provisions of William Henry Fitzhugh’s will. It had been 20 years since William Henry Fitzhugh … Continue reading →
William Henry Fitzhugh died in 1830. The inventory of his estate recorded 208 enslaved people by name, age and value. They were listed in two groups by location: Ravensworth and Arkendale. As used here, Ravensworth refers to Parcel 1.2. Arkendale … Continue reading →
Role in Ravensworth – owner Parcel 1.2 William Henry was the only son and principal heir of William Fitzhugh (of Chatham) and Ann Bolling Randolph Fitzhugh. Born at Chatham Plantation, he was an infant when the family moved to new … Continue reading →
These excerpts are a mixture of summaries, quotations and near verbatim lifts from several depositions in the Mordecai C Fitzhugh, Etc. V. Berkeley Ward And Wife, Etc. case file in the Library of Virginia’s Circuit Court Records Preservation Program.1 Giles … Continue reading →