Groveton near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Missing Views, Lost Stories
A View for All Time
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
1. Missing Views, Lost Stories Marker
In August 1828, Bob, a 45-year-old enslaved man, fled Huntley with little more than the clothes on his back. Slighter Smith, the overseer, ran an ad in the newspaper offering a $25 reward for Bob's return.
We don't know what happened to Bob. Where did he go? Who helped him? Did he leave family behind? Was he recaptured? Did he find freedom?
Erected by Fairfax County Park Authority.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1828.
Location. 38° 45.952′ N, 77° 5.735′ W. Marker is near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Groveton. It can be reached from the intersection of Harrison Lane (County Route 723) and Huntley Meadows Lane, on the right when traveling south. This marker is in front of the tenant house at Huntley. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria VA 22306, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. 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: A View from the Beginning / Explore Historic Huntley (a few steps from this marker); Huntley
this page online
Also see . . . Friends of Historic Huntley. (Submitted on January 13, 2020.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
2. Missing Views, Lost Stories Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
3. Bob Escaping Huntley
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
4. $25 Reward.
Ran Away from the farm of Thomas F. Mason, Fairfax county on the night of 2d instant, negro Bob. He is about 6 feet high, stout made, very black and about 45 years of age; has a stammering in his speech; his right leg sore. He had on when he eloped, brown linen shirt and trowsers, and took with him blue coat, white linsey trowsers, and black fur hat. I will give $10 for taking and securing him so I get him again if in the county, if taken out of the county or District of Columbia, $25.
Slighter Smith, Agent
for Thomas F. Mason
Fairfax County, State of Virginia
aug 5
Close-up of image on marker
for Thomas F. Mason
aug 5
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
5. Was this house originally a duplex?
Architectural clues hint that it may have been. The overseer may have lived on one side and the enslaved people on the other. So far, no one has found records to confirm how it was used or who lived there. Close-up of image on marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, January 5, 2020
6. Today, this house is used for park programs, events, and as a rental (Call 793-768-2525 for details)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 7, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
