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
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Location. 38° 48.887′ N, 77° 31.372′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. The marker is near the front of the reconstructed Henry House near the Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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); 7th Georgia Markers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
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 Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 61 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 Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on April 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
