| Virginia (Prince William County), Aden — Colonial Road |
| | The road bed here follows the south branch of the Dumfries Road, in use before 1740, which crossed Cedar Run at Tacquet’s Ford. This route connected the Port of Dumfries with Red Store, now known as Warrenton, and interior settlements beyond. Dower House was built about 1775 on Effingham Plantation. The main house, built later by Col. William Alexander, great grandson of John Alexander, for whom
the city of Alexandria is named stands a short distance to the south. — Map (db m2260) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Antioch — Antioch Church |
| | Organized April 22, 1837, the nineteen original members of Antioch Baptist Church worshipped in a small log building until the stone church was erected in 1842. Baptisms were held in the creek behind the church. In 1901, the congregation tore down the stone church because of structural damage and erected the present building. The Women's Missionary Society acquired the adjacent log house in 1926 and deeded it to the church in 1957. In 1962 the church was closed due to a dwindling congregation, . . . — Map (db m1472) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Bethel — Old Bethel Church |
| | In 1850, the people of this area decided to build a church where the Word of God could be preached and expounded. Burr and Emsey Glascock donated the land and were the main leaders. Private donations by the people of the community were a large factor in accomplishing the work. After the Civil War, the church needed extensive repair because it had been used as a hospital and horse stable by troops of both armies. Bethel which means “House of God” has faithfully served as a meeting . . . — Map (db m2332) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Bristow — Brentsville |
| | Fourth seat of the Prince William County government. Courthouse, jail, Episcopal Chapel, and White House were built in 1822 on land originally part of the Brent Town tract confiscated from Robert Bristow, a Tory, in 1779.
♦ St. James Church of Dettingen Parish (now Hatcher’s Memorial Baptist), was built in 1847 on the site of the old chapel.
♦ During the War Between the States Col. Mosby operated in this area.
♦ In 1893 the county seat was moved to Manassas. — Map (db m780) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Catharpin — Jennie Dean |
| | Jennie Dean (1852-1913) was born in slavery near here. A pioneer in the advancement of education and religion among the black citizens of Prince William County and neighboring counties, Miss Dean founded the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1894 and Mount Cavalry Baptist Church in 1880. The Manassas Centennial Commission proclaimed her Woman of the Century. She is buried in the church cemetery nearby. — Map (db m7618) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Catharpin — Sudley Methodist Church |
| | The site for the first church, a small brick building, was donated by Landon Carter of Woodland in 1822. During the battles of Manassas (Bull Run), it was used as a field hospital by both the North and the South, but was so badly damaged that it was razed and a frame church built in its place. The second church was struck by lightning in 1918 and burned. The present church was dedicated in 1922. The annual Sudley Church bazaar has been a gathering place for friends and neighbors for decades. — Map (db m874) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Dale City — Benita Fitzgerald Drive |
| | Named in honor of Benita Fitzgerald,
Olympic Gold Medalist – 100 Meter Hurdles,
XXIII Olympiad – 1984 •
Pan American Games Champion – 1983 •
U.S. National Champion – 1983 and 1986.
Benita was born in Warrenton, Virginia on July 6, 1961 and attended Prince William County schools until her graduation from Gar-Field High School in 1979. She attended the First Mount Zion Baptist Church, was a member of the Dalelites, the Dale City Lassie League, the Gar-Field . . . — Map (db m2333) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Dumfries — Graham Park |
| | Just east of this location along the Quantico creek was the plantation known as Graham Park. This property was patented by John Graham (1711-1787) who came to Virginia from Scotland about 1733. Graham is known as the founder of Dumfries since the town sprang to life from 60 acres taken from his plantation in 1749. He was a successful merchant, Trustee of Dumfries, and county clerk. — Map (db m519) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Dumfries — Troop Movements and Camp |
| | Prince William militia opened a road nearby in preparation for the Yorktown Campaign of 1781. French and American cavalry, wagon trains, and cattle unable to use the ferry at Woodbridge, traveled this road, fording the river at Wolf Run Shoals on the way to Dumfries. The same road was used by Confederate and Union forces, and the 6th N.C. Infantry quartered near here during the winter of 1861–1862.
— Map (db m2166) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Gainsville — Buckland |
| | The town of Buckland, named for William Buckland, Architect, was chartered in 1798 with streets and lots on both sides of Broad Run near the mill of John Love. Tranquility, future site of Buckland Hall nearby, was John Love’s seat. This property was transferred in 1853 to Richard Bland Lee, nephew of Lighthorse Harry Lee of Leesylvania. Buckland Tavern, now restored as a dwelling, served during the early 19th century as a refreshing stop on the Alexandria-Warrenton Turnpike. — Map (db m1083) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Haymarket — Colonial Roads |
| | The town of Haymarket, chartered in 1799, owes its location to the junction of the Old Carolina Road and the north branch of the Dumfries Road at the site of the Red House. The Carolina Road developed from the Iroquois hunting path which was abandoned by the Indians after 1722 when they were forced by treaty beyond the Blue Ridge. The Dumfries Road was in use as a major trade route between the Potomac and the Shenandoah Valley before 1740. — Map (db m766) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Haymarket — 63 — The Carolina Road |
| | The Carolina Road, earlier an Indian hunting path, roughly approximating Route 15 at this point, derived its name from trade between Frederick, Maryland, and Georgia. Later the road was used by settlers emigrating to western lands. Because of notorious gangs of thieves besetting travelers the road was also known as Rogue's Road. Its most famous traveler was Lafayette who rode triumphantly by here on August 24, 1825, on his way to Oakhill, home of ex-president Monroe. Nearby Burnside, Waverly, . . . — Map (db m105) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Leesylvania State Park — "Light Horse Harry" Lee |
| | . . . — Map (db m5303) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Manassas — Ben Lomond Farm |
| | The Federal style stone, “Manor” house and its accessory buildings are the visible reminders of Ben Lomond Farm, which was begun in about 1830 by Benjamin Tasker Chinn, the grandson of Robert “Councillor” Carter. Ben Lomond is one of the few remaining Carter family houses in an area which once exhibited such fine country residences as Portici, Pittsylvania, Hazel Plain, Mountain View, Elmwood, Sudley and Woodland. The house served as a hospital during the First and . . . — Map (db m734) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Manassas — McLean Farm (Yorkshire Plantation) |
| | Part of an early 18th century plantation established on Bull Run by Col. Richard Blackburn formerly of Yorkshire, England, the land was acquired by Wilmer McLean in 1854. The battle which opened 1st Manassas raged across this farm July 18, 1861, with the house and barn used as a headquarters and hospital by Confederate troops. Following 1st Manassas, in an attempt to escape the forefront of the war, McLean moved his family to the tiny village of Appomattox Court House. There, four years later, . . . — Map (db m657) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Nokesville — Asbury Church |
| | Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, South was built 1893–1894 on land donated by Newton and Annie Allen Sayers of Massadale Farm. Methodist circuit riders stopped regularly at this farm to administer to
the spiritual needs of their followers in the neighborhood before the Asbury congregation was formed. The church was named for Bishop
Francis Asbury, famed circuit rider of colonial times and the early days of the Republic.
Confederate veterans helped to erect Asbury Church.
They . . . — Map (db m2212) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Occoquan — Town of Occoquan |
| | Nathaniel Ellicott formally established the town in 1804, bringing to fruition industrial and commercial developments begun 'at or near the Falls of Occoquan' by John Ballendine c. 1750. The estuary of The Occoquan has attracted the attention of travelers since the time of John Smith. Adjecent lands wer patented by the 1850s; copper was being shipped from 'King' Carter's landing, and tobacco from a public warehouse by the 1780s. — Map (db m113) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Occoquan — Town of Occoquan |
| | In 1758 when John Ballendine built his dwelling, “Rockledge,” at Occoquan, the town began to prosper. By 1765 it was a flourishing industrial settlement with grist mills, foundry, and tobacco warehouses. “Rockledge” and a portion of Merchants (Grist) Mill still stand at the west end of Mill Street.
Occoquan, a strategic point on the river, saw skirmishes during the Civil War. Gen. Wade Hampton headquartered here in 1862 at the Hammill Hotel. The building still . . . — Map (db m114) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Quantico Marine Corps Base — Cedar Run Court House Site |
| | Second Prince William
Court House
1742 - 1760 — Map (db m4163) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Thoroughfare — Free People Of Color At Thoroughfare |
| | Families of African-American, Native American, and mixed ancestry migrated here from Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock and Warren Counties after the Civil War. The Allen, Berry, Fletcher, Nickens, and Peyton families, along with former slaves from this area acquired parts of former plantations, built homes, and established the farming community of Thoroughfare which prospered through the 1940s. Many of the “Free People of Color” who settled here were illiterate but their families . . . — Map (db m974) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Triangle — Quantico |
| | Quantico, the Algonquian term for the once navigable creek to the port of Dumfries, lends its name to the Marine Corps installation established in 1917 and to the Potomac River town chartered in 1927. Early land patents date to 1654. “Dipple” plantation became the Glebe for Overwharton Parrish in 1724. Virginia naval units were based here during the Revolutionary War. Early names for the port town were Carrborough, Evansport, and Potomac, a resort community. Quantico shipyard was . . . — Map (db m2178) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Bacon Race Church and Cemetery |
| | The first of three churches, variously known as Occoquan Meeting House, Bacon Race Church, and Oak Grove Church, was built on this site c. 1774. Led by Elder David Thomas, it was Prince William County’s first Baptist Church. These churches were Old School or Primitive Baptist, and were originally a branch of the Chopawamsic Church of Stafford County. The dates for the second church are unknown but the last church is believed to have been built c. 1836. Foundation stones mark the location of . . . — Map (db m3249) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Events Along Neabsco Creek |
| | Nearby are the sites of a fort ordered built in 1679, and of the oldest tomb found in the county, that of Rose Peters—1690. Iron mining was begun here as early as 1784. Remains of a colonial furnace, foundry, and mill have been discovered. Confederate regiments were camped in the vicinity to support gun batteries set up in the winter of 1861–1862 to interdict Union navigation of the Potomac River. — Map (db m771) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Glascock Cemetery (Oak Hill) |
| | Here are interred members of the Glascock family of “Oak Hill.” Burr Glascock (1812–1896) brought his family here from Fauquier County in 1851. In 1870, he became the first County Supervisor from Occoquan District. His son William Beauregard Glascock (1861–1931), who was a County Supervisor 1885–89, is buried at Pohick Church in Fairfax County. In 1856, Burr and Emsey Glascock donated the land on which Bethel Methodist Church stands. The house “Oak . . . — Map (db m779) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Military Operations |
| | Preparatory to the Battle of Yorktown (c. 1781) General Washington ordered a troop road cut through this area to move American and French forces via the ford on the Occoquan River at Wolf Run Shoals. The road was again used during the Civil War for military purposes. Bacon Race Church (c. 1845) served as a supply depot for Wade Hampton’s Confederate Brigade. Several Confederate Regiments were camped in the vicinity to support blockade operations along the Potomac River during the winter of 1861–1862. — Map (db m3264) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Minnieville |
| | Nearby is Bel Air Plantation (c. 1740), burial site of Parson Mason Locke Weems, first biographer of George Washington. French and American troops moved through this community on their way to Yorktown in 1781. Northern dairymen developed large farms here in the early 19th century. The Confederate 3d Brigade was located in this area in 1861–62. On this corner stood the Minnieville Post Office (1884–1924). — Map (db m774) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — New School Baptist Church |
| | On this site slaves gathered between 1861-1865. They built a brush arbor church, worshipped God and became a faithful congregation. On December 5, 1881, Rev. John L. Bell and four other church leaders purchased one acre of this land for eleven dollars and called themselves the New School Baptist Church. George W. Thomas helped erect a wooden, steepled church which was re-named Neabsco Baptist Church. The building was used also to educate children of former slaves and free persons . . . — Map (db m5637) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Old Bethel High School |
| | On this site once stood the first high school in eastern Prince William County. The original two-story wood frame building was built in 1914. Lightning struck and destroyed the school on June 12, 1927. It was rebuilt as a two-room brick elementary school on the same site. Bethel was the center of many rural activities which reflected the simple lifestyle of this farming community. On March 31, 1968, the school was rededicated as the Muriel Humphrey School for the Mentally Retarded and became . . . — Map (db m777) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Old Telegraph Road |
| | Just to the east is the original route of an ancient trail used to lay the first telegraph wire from Washington to New Orleans in 1847. During the Civil War it became a strategic military objective. It was first used by Confederate forces supporting their blockade of the Potomac River. Later, it was used by Union occupational troops. — Map (db m2242) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Potomac Path |
| | To the east is the only preserved segment of the Potomac Path, the earliest north-south route in northern Virginia. Following an ancient Indian trail, the road, later known as the King's Highway, assumed great importance for overland travel between the colonies and in the early days of the Republic. Washington and Rochambeau traveled this route to Yorktown in 1781 as did the French Army on its return the following year. Rippon Lodge, a portion of which was built by Col. Richard Blackburn stands nearby. — Map (db m2164) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — The Chinn Family |
| | Near this site lived six generations of the Chinn family, one of Prince William County’s early African-American families. The family traces its heritage to Nancy, a slave born in 1794 on the William Roe farm in Fauquier County. William Roe’s nephew, Henry Fielder Roe, who owned land near present-day Lake Ridge, eventually became the owner of Nancy and her children through inheritance. One of Nancy’s daughters, Mary Jane, married Thomas Chinn, another slave, and they had eight sons. After . . . — Map (db m860) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — Washington’s First Journey to the Frontier |
| | On March 11, 1748, George Washington and George William Fairfax crossed the Occoquan above the falls near here – Washington to enter the service of Lord Fairfax, and Lord Fairfax to meet his constituents in Frederick County. They traveled by horseback on an unmarked route roughly paralleling the Davis Ford-Minnieville corridor to the Court House near Independent Hill. By evening they reached Neavil’s Ordinary on the south fork of the Dumfries Road, 40 miles from Ft. Belvoir, the starting point. — Map (db m2331) |
| Virginia (Prince William County), Woodbridge — William Grayson’s Grave |
| | William Grayson, lawyer, member of the Continential Congress, Constitutional Convention and U.S. Senate, is buried nearby on property formerly part of “Belle Air,” the family plantation. In 1774, Grayson organized Prince William County’s first Revolutionary Militia unit. He commanded a Virginia regiment and served as aide-de-camp to Washington. — Map (db m770) |
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