Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Invaded Farmland
Photographed by Shane Oliver, September 26, 2016
1. Invaded Farmland Marker
Spring Hill Farm - now simply known as Henry Hill - lay fallow and overgrown in the summer of 1861. A small vegetable garden and orchard surrounded the frame house. Inside the home, 84-year old Judith Henry remained bedridden, too old to work the land that had been in her family for more than a century. She shared the home with her daughter Ellen. A hired teenage slave, Lucy Griffith, assisted with domestic chores.
The Battle of Bull Run culminated on the Henry property. Unaware of civilians inside the home, Federal artillery fired on the dwelling to drive away Confederate sharpshooters. The cannon fire crashed through the house, mortally wounding the widow Henry, the battle's only known civilian fatality. By day's end the family matriarch was dead, the house in ruin, and the surrounding landscape forever redefined by the events of July 21, 1861.
Captions:
The Henry House as it appeared after the battle.
Sketch made by Captain Leon J. Fremaux, 8th Louisiana Infantry.
Little remained of the Henry House by the time this photo was taken in March 1862. The current structure is postwar.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1861.
Location. 38° 48.887′ N, 77° 31.372′ W. Marker
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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, 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: Judith Henry (a few steps from this marker); Wade Hampton (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Cameron (a few steps from this marker); Honoring the Dead (a few steps from this marker); 1st Battle of Bull Run Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Ramsey (within shouting distance of this marker); The Marines of '61 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 7th Georgia Markers (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
Other markers no longer nearby. Invaded Farmland (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Honoring the Dead (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 7th Georgia Markers (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Regarding Invaded Farmland. This marker relpaces an old marker at this location titled "Invaded Farmland".
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 4, 2015
2. Invaded Farmland Marker
The Henry family graveyard can be seen in the background.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 19, 2016
3. The Henry House, Rebuilt After The War
Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,808 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2016, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 12, 2016, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 10, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
