Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Samuel Alsop Jr.
Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District
Samuel Alsop Jr., was born in 1776 in Caroline County, the son of Samuel Alsop. He was a plantation owner and planter, slave owner land speculator, and to a limited extend, slave trader. Alsop operated his growing business empire from the area around the Tavern and the Town of Fredericksburg.
Samuel Jr. was also known for his love of horse racing and sponsored races in the area. He married Dorothea Campbell (1782-1834) in 1804. Dorothea bore him four children, Ann, Clementine, Joseph and Jane.
He was an architect and builder who also believed in family. He built large brick homes as wedding gifts for his daughters, one of which, Kenmore Woods, survives today one mile from here. His own palatial estate named "Breezeland" was renamed "Fairview" in the 1880's. Built in 1838, it survives today in Spotsylvania's Breezewood subdivision. Over time he would build several brick homes in the immediate vicinity of the Tavern. One was Lewis Rawlings' property named "Courtland" (no longer present) and also the Dabney/Alrich House just Ό mile from the Courthouse.
In 1836, Samuel Alsop sold the 1,034 acre tract to Lewis Rawlings. Samuel Alsop and his immediate family members lie at rest in the quaint cemetery behind Berea Christian Church, 300 yards to the south.
[Captions:]
"Kenmore
this page online
"Fairview" has withstood the test of time in Breezewood subdivision in Spotsylvania.
It is believed that Alsop built the Dabney/Alrich house (left) circa 1838 on the road to Fredericksburg 1/4 mile from the Courthouse for Lewis Rawlings' brother, James Henry Rawlings. James, an attorney died in 1846.
Alsop's tavern was called the "Locust Inn" during his ownership.
Another Alsop masterpiece named "Oakley" (below) was built in 1838 for daughter Clementine and her beloved husband Thomas R. Chandler.
Erected by Spotsylvania County Museum, County of Spotsylvania, Virginia.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.072′ N, 77° 35.38′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was at the intersection of Brock Road (County
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: A Courthouse at the Tavern (here, next to this marker); Sanford's Tavern & Inn (here, next to this marker); War at the Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Many Lives of a Landmark (here, next to this marker); Building an Empire (here, next to this marker); Lees Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Doctor's Orders (within shouting distance of this marker); Legend, Lore and Fact (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Other markers no longer nearby. An Ordinary on the Road to Snell (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Tavern at the New Courthouse (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Joseph Sanford's Inn & Tavern (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Tavern in the Midst of Battle (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Time Passages (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); A Final Journey (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It replaced this marker in the same location.
Additional keywords. slavery, human trafficking
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 2,288 times since then and 134 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.
