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

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An Unexpected End to Life

Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District

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

1. An Unexpected End to Life Marker

Inscription.

An Unexpected End to Life. Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District. , Phillip Anns, the fifth owner of the tract and building, died on August 3, 1873. He left a sum of money to his wife Lydia Anns for the care of their four children. However, Charles M. Garrett married Ann's 16-year-old daughter, Lizzie, and was appointed Executor of Ann's Estate. On September 17, 1877, James P. Hart, Commission of Accounts for Spotsylvania County, filed suit claiming the Estate of Phillip Anns still owed Lydia the money for the care of her children. Garrett had failed to pay the money owed out of his father-in-law's estate. Garrett claimed that "the brick house" and surrounding acreage did not have enough value to pay the $955.77 owed to Lydia and three other children, Lilly (14), Phillip (12), and Virginia "Jennie" Anns (8), whom were still residing with her as of 1878. Lydia leased out the store that was attached to the house to five different men between 1873 and 1877 to generate an income., During the course of the suit, Lydia Anns died of breast cancer on September 20, 1879. The County took possession of the property, and Commissioners A. H. Dickenson and J. B. Goolrick, conveyed the store, house and land to Thomas A. Harris., [Captions:] , Thomas A Harris (1844-1912) was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia on August 29, 1844. Farmer, Sheriff and Clerk of Court, he also acquired as much land in the Courthouse area as he could., Closeup view of the store (above) from the background photo as it appeared in 1905. A view of the store front also taken in 1905, is at the right., The 235 1/2 acre farm and store Harris acquired from the Ann's Estate lay on the east side of Brock Road. The deed below clearly identified the tract as "Chancellors'. after the original owner. In 1898, Harris sold the store separate of the property and renamed it "Cash Corner." Today, Civil War books and photos refer to the store during the war as "Cash Corner" which is in error. Unwittingly, Harris changed history., Phillip Anns' and Lydia Anns' gravestones are located in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Russellville, Pennsylvania., Plat map of the tract owned by T.A. Harris, as surveyed in 1898.

Phillip Anns, the fifth owner of the tract and building, died on August 3, 1873. He left a sum of money to his wife Lydia Anns for the care of their four children. However, Charles M. Garrett married Ann's 16-year-old daughter, Lizzie, and was appointed Executor of Ann's Estate. On September 17, 1877, James P. Hart, Commission of Accounts for Spotsylvania County, filed suit claiming the Estate of Phillip Anns still owed Lydia the money for the care of her children. Garrett had failed to pay the money owed out of his father-in-law's estate. Garrett claimed that "the brick house" and surrounding acreage did not have enough value to pay the $955.77 owed to Lydia and three other children, Lilly (14), Phillip (12), and Virginia "Jennie" Anns (8), whom were still residing with her as of 1878. Lydia leased out the store that was attached to the house to five different men between 1873 and 1877 to generate an income.

During the course of the suit, Lydia Anns died of breast cancer on September 20, 1879. The County took possession of the property, and Commissioners A. H. Dickenson and J. B. Goolrick, conveyed the store, house and land to Thomas A. Harris.

[Captions:]
Thomas A Harris (1844-1912) was born in Spotsylvania County, Virginia on August 29, 1844. Farmer, Sheriff and Clerk of Court, he also

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acquired as much land in the Courthouse area as he could.

Closeup view of the store (above) from the background photo as it appeared in 1905. A view of the store front also taken in 1905, is at the right.

The 235 1/2 acre farm and store Harris acquired from the Ann's Estate lay on the east side of Brock Road. The deed below clearly identified the tract as "Chancellors'. after the original owner. In 1898, Harris sold the store separate of the property and renamed it "Cash Corner." Today, Civil War books and photos refer to the store during the war as "Cash Corner" which is in error. Unwittingly, Harris changed history.

Phillip Anns' and Lydia Anns' gravestones are located in Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, Russellville, Pennsylvania.

Plat map of the tract owned by T.A. Harris, as surveyed in 1898.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 3, 1873.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.084′

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

2. An Unexpected End to Life Marker

N, 77° 35.358′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) just north of Brock Road (County Road 613), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9102 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Doctor's Orders (here, next to this marker); The Corner Store (here, next to this marker); Legend, Lore and Fact (a few steps from this marker); Lee’s Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Years & $6,700 (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Spotsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania County Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); A Courthouse at the Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Other markers no longer nearby. Chancellor's (was here, next to 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); An Ordinary on the Road to Snell (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Tavern at the New Courthouse

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(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); A Tavern in the Midst of Battle (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Time Passages (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); A Final Journey (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.