Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Weems-Botts House

Photographed by Kevin W., February 23, 2017

1. Weems-Botts House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1747, the Weems-Botts House is one of the oldest surviving structures in Dumfries. The smaller, original section of the house comprised two rooms and served as the Quantico Church vestry until the town confiscated it during the American Revolution. Parson Mason Locke Weems, the first biographer of George Washington and author of the cherry tree story, purchased the building in 1798. Benjamin Botts acquired the house in 1802 and used it as a law office while defending Aaron Burr at his famous treason trial. Botts' ownership ended with his death in the Richmond Theater fire of 1811. The house passed through several owners until the Merchant family purchased it in 1869. They built a two story addition in the 1870s and their descendants lived here until 1968. Local residents saved the house from destruction in 1974 and it opened as a museum in 1975.

Erected 2016 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1747.

Location. 38° 34.107′ N, 77° 19.756′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Cameron Street just west of Duke Street, on the right when traveling

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west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3944 Cameron St, Dumfries VA 22026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mason Locke Weems and George Washington (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Weems-Botts House (a few steps from this marker); William Grayson Bandstand Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince William Resolves (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumfries Methodist Church Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Prince William County Court House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Prince William Resolves (about 600 feet away); Dumfries Slave and Free African American Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dumfries.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 30, 2020

2. Weems-Botts House Marker

Weems-Botts House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., February 23, 2017

3. Weems-Botts House and Marker

The Mason Locke Weems and George Washington marker was not yet placed adjacent to this marker at the time this photo was taken.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2017, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,259 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 23, 2017, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 30, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 23, 2017, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.