Boyce in Clarke County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Briars

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

1. The Briars Marker

Inscription. Two and a half miles to the northwest stands The Briars, as stuccoed stone, two-story, five-bay dwelling that was constructed around 1819 as the home of Dr. Robert Powell Page. His daughter, Mary Francis Page, married John Esten Cooke, noted Virginia novelist, soldier, and historian. They moved to the house in 1869. Cooke lived at The Briars until his death in 1886. Besides a very successful author, Cooke also served during the Civil War with distinction as the chief ordinance officer for Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, C.S.A.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number B-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 39° 6.052′ N, 78° 2.506′ W. Marker is in Boyce, Virginia, in Clarke County. Marker is at the intersection of Lord Fairfax Highway (U.S. 340) and Pyletown Road (Virginia Route 620), on the right when traveling south on Lord Fairfax Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boyce VA 22620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. Town of Boyce (approx. 1.1 miles away); Saratoga (approx. 1.1 miles away); Confederate Dead (approx. 1½ miles away); Old Chapel (approx. 1.6 miles away); Carter Hall (approx. 2 miles away); Millwood (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Burwell-Morgan Mill (approx. 2.2 miles away); Blandy Experimental Farm (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boyce.

More about this marker. The marker uses the word "ordinance", but it should be spelled as "ordnance".

Regarding The Briars. This marker replaced a previous B-2 with the same name, which read, One mile to the north is the home of John Esten Cooke, soldier, historian and novelist. Born in 1830, he died here in 1886. Cooke moved to the place in 1869.

Also see . . .
1. List of John Esten Cooke’s Works. (Submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. EBook - Wearing of the Gray. John Esten Cook described many Confederate leaders based on personal observation and contact. The work was used as a source for many decades by historians and fiction writers. (Submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Intersection of Lord Fairfax Highway and Pyletown Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 8, 2007

2. Intersection of Lord Fairfax Highway and Pyletown Road

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 15, 2007

3. The Briars

The Briars stands as the marker states some two and a half miles to the west. It is a private home, but is within viewing distance of the road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,561 times since then and 80 times this year. Last updated on February 22, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.