Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Legend, Lore and Fact

Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020

1. Legend, Lore and Fact Marker

Inscription.

Legend, Lore and Fact. Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District. , The famous well at Spotsylvania Courthouse was probably excavate around 1798 at the same time the Tavern and Inn located across the road was established. It dominated the intersection of the Fredericksburg Road, Brock Road and the road to Massaponax and Louisa County for over 140 years. It was a reliable stopping point for water for the stagecoach and locals. During the War of the Rebellion, both Confederate and Union troops utilized the well for man and beast. It also served the jail and courthouse. In the early 1900's it served as a site to put water in the radiator of early horseless carriages., In 1887, the well was the scene of the gathering for the procession to the Sedgwick monument dedication (background photo). Water from the well was also used to fight fires. When the Tavern, Berea Church, Powell residence, and the store on the corner caught fire, water from the well failed to save these structures., Through the years, the well became known as the place where General "Stonewall" Jackson was given a drink of water on his ambulance trip to Guinea Station. There is no known written record of this event., According to local citizens, the well was also the gathering place for ghostly apparitions... soldiers from the battle standing in line with canteens and buckets awaiting their turn for water were seen over the years. The well was filled and covered over in the late 1940's., [Captions:] , A circa 1885 closeup view of the well with its makeshift tripod to draw the water bucket. The well pump was damaged during the battle for Spotsylvania Courthouse., The well circa 1865, as seen from the road to Louisa. The livery for the Inn, and the store and original home (1852) of Dr. J. Edgar Chancellor lies in the background., Just a day at the well circa 1885. Brothers George and Mortimer Clark along with Junius Judd., In this 1912 view, the well stands in front of the Inn at the left. Behold the rider with a pale horse in the photo.

The famous well at Spotsylvania Courthouse was probably excavate around 1798 at the same time the Tavern and Inn located across the road was established. It dominated the intersection of the Fredericksburg Road, Brock Road and the road to Massaponax and Louisa County for over 140 years. It was a reliable stopping point for water for the stagecoach and locals. During the War of the Rebellion, both Confederate and Union troops utilized the well for man and beast. It also served the jail and courthouse. In the early 1900's it served as a site to put water in the radiator of early horseless carriages.

In 1887, the well was the scene of the gathering for the procession to the Sedgwick monument dedication (background photo). Water from the well was also used to fight fires. When the Tavern, Berea Church, Powell residence, and the store on the corner caught fire, water from the well failed to save these structures.

Through the years, the well became known as the place where General "Stonewall" Jackson was given a drink of water on his ambulance trip to Guinea Station. There is no known written record of this event.

According

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to local citizens, the well was also the gathering place for ghostly apparitions... soldiers from the battle standing in line with canteens and buckets awaiting their turn for water were seen over the years. The well was filled and covered over in the late 1940's.

[Captions:]
A circa 1885 closeup view of the well with its makeshift tripod to draw the water bucket. The well pump was damaged during the battle for Spotsylvania Courthouse.

The well circa 1865, as seen from the road to Louisa. The livery for the Inn, and the store and original home (1852) of Dr. J. Edgar Chancellor lies in the background.

Just a day at the well circa 1885. Brothers George and Mortimer Clark along with Junius Judd.

In this 1912 view, the well stands in front of the Inn at the left. Behold the rider with a pale horse in the photo.

Erected by Spotsylvania County Museum, County of Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Man-Made Features • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020

2. Legend, Lore and Fact Marker

list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 38° 12.073′ N, 77° 35.354′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) and Courthouse Road ( Route 208), on the right when traveling north on Courthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9102 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Lee’s Headquarters (a few steps

Paid Advertisement

from this marker); Doctor's Orders (a few steps from this marker); A Fateful Ride (a few steps from this marker); The Corner Store (within shouting distance of this marker); A Jailor is Jailed (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Years & $6,700 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Courthouse at the Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanford's Tavern & Inn (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Final Journey (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Chancellor's (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); An Old Jail…A New Home (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); An Unexpected End to Life (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); An Ordinary on the Road to Snell (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Samuel Alsop Jr. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Tavern at the New Courthouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Joseph Sanford's Inn & Tavern (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.