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

Alexander Henderson

Photographed By Kevin W., August 30, 2007

1. Alexander Henderson Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Alexander Henderson, Colonial Merchant, born Glasgow, Scotland 1738. Came to Colchester, VA. 1756. Moved to Dumfries 1787, where his home still stands. Served as Vestryman Pohick Church, Magistrate of Fairfax and Prince William Cos., Member Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Delegate to Mt. Vernon Conference – 1785 which led to Constitutional Convention – 1787. Died Nov 22, 1815. Buried here with his wife Sarah Moore Henderson (1751 – Dec 14, 1816). Their son, Archibald, (1783 – 1859) was Commandant of the United States Marine Corps for over 38 years.

Erected 1976 by Montclair Bicentennial Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1729.

Location. 38° 36.581′ N, 77° 20.542′ W. Marker is in Montclair, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Dolphin Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dumfries VA 22025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one

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mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. “Camp Fisher” Civil War Campsite (approx. half a mile away); Troop Movements and Camp (approx. 0.6 miles away); Barnes House (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named “Camp Fisher” Civil War Campsite (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rippon Lodge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Williams Ordinary (approx. one mile away); Potomac Path (approx. 1.1 miles away); Montclair Veterans Flagpole (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montclair.

Regarding Alexander Henderson. The Henderson House is still standing. It is located near the site of the third Prince William County Courthouse, in Dumfries, Virginia.

Also see . . .
1. Prince William County Court House Marker. The Henderson House is located across the street from this marker. (Submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

2. Alexander Henderson Grave Marking. On September 21, 2003, the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution commemorated the patriotism of Alexander and Sarah Henderson. Two of Henderson’s descendants were in attendance. (Submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.

Photographed By William A Riski, August 17, 2005

2. Alexander Henderson Marker

1. The Father of the American Chain Store
Alexander Henderson was a very successful merchant in Dumfries. After the Dumfries store proved profitable, he opened other stores in Alexandria, Colchester, and Occoquan. Because of these successes, Henderson has been called the “father of the American chain store.” Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Photographed By Kevin W., September 12, 2007

3. Alexander Henderson Marker

Photographed By Kevin W., January 16, 2008

4. Alexander Henderson Marker

Piece of original gravestone of Alexander and Sarah Henderson image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William A Riski, November 11, 2006

5. Piece of original gravestone of Alexander and Sarah Henderson

After the grave site was vandalized in the 1970's, the gravestones were removed. They can be viewed today in the Weems-Bott Museum,less than 500 feet from their home in Dumfries, VA.

Alexander and Sarah Moore Henderson Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., January 16, 2008

6. Alexander and Sarah Moore Henderson Gravesite

The gravesite is within 100 yards of the marker on an established trail.

Alexander and Sarah Moore Henderson Gravesite Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., January 16, 2008

7. Alexander and Sarah Moore Henderson Gravesite Markers

Photographed By Kevin W., January 16, 2008

8. Alexander and Sarah Moore Henderson Gravesite Markers

Alexander Henderson, born on the river Clide near Glasgow, Scotland, died Nov'r 1815 in the 78th year of his age.
Sarah Henderson, born in Virginia, died December 1816, aged about 64 years.

The Henderson House is still standing. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., August 30, 2007

9. The Henderson House is still standing.

During the Civil War, the house was used as a hospital. The upper rooms were used as large wards numbered 1 through 4. "Be quiet" was painted on the stairway.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,256 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 8, 2008, by William A Riski of Montclair, Virginia. 3. submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on April 8, 2008, by William A Riski of Montclair, Virginia. 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 9. submitted on September 17, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.