Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
History at Leeland Station
Belle Air
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
1. History at Leeland Station - Belle Air Marker
Inscription.
History at Leeland Station. Belle Air. Near this spot stood Belle Air, a prominent Stafford County landmark and home of the Fitzhugh and Primmer families. John Fitzhugh first constructed a house here in the mid-eighteenth century, but by 1854, when the property was sold to Abram Primmer, a new structure occupied the site. Primmer lived here with his wife and six children and owned nearly four hundred acres, which the Leeland Station now encompasses, and was valued at $7,200., Primmer opposed secession and sent one of his sons to enlist in the Union army. Abram himself aided Confederate deserters and served as a local guide for Union forces. When the Union army occupied Stafford County in the summer of 1862, it used the Primmer fields as pasture for cattle. The largest intrusion upon Belle Air came in the winter of 1862-1863, when the home and farm became a camping ground for the Army of the Potomac’s Third Corps., The house survived into the mid-twentieth century, at which time the property was known as Walnut Farm. Today, the building no longer stands.
Near this spot stood Belle Air, a prominent Stafford County landmark and home of the Fitzhugh and Primmer families. John Fitzhugh first constructed a house here in the mid-eighteenth century, but by 1854, when the property was sold to Abram Primmer, a new structure occupied the site. Primmer lived here with his wife and six children and owned nearly four hundred acres, which the Leeland Station now encompasses, and was valued at $7,200.
Primmer opposed secession and sent one of his sons to enlist in the Union army. Abram himself aided Confederate deserters and served as a local guide for Union forces. When the Union army occupied Stafford County in the summer of 1862, it used the Primmer fields as pasture for cattle. The largest intrusion upon Belle Air came in the winter of 1862-1863, when the home and farm became a camping ground for the Army of the Potomac’s Third Corps.
The house survived into the mid-twentieth century, at which time the property was known as Walnut Farm. Today, the building no longer stands.
Erected by Maryland Development Company LLC and the homeowners of Leeland Station.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 38° 20.565′
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N, 77° 26.787′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is on Riggs Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Riggs Road, Fredericksburg VA 22405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding History at Leeland Station. An area has been set aside on an as yet to be developed land for Civil War Historic Site Preservation.
Additional commentary. 1. Eagle Project repurposes bricks In 2019, the fireplace bricks of the farmhouse were repurposed into a walkway and surround to the flagpole in front of the Belle Air Clubhouse. The project was dedicated on July 4, 2019 to honor the Primmer Family. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
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Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
2. Belle Air in 1863
Belle Air as it appeared in 1863 during the Civil War. The home served as General Whipple’s headquarters. Photo on the marker provided courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio.
Submitted November 8, 2021, by Philip Herbert of Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
3. History at Leeland Station - Belle Air Marker
Located at the Community Center
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
4. Remains of Belle Air, 2003
Last standing remains removed 2003
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
5. Map showing Belle Air in relation to the Leeland Station Community.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
6. The Primmer Family Cemetery
Across Leeland Road from Conway Elementary School.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
7. The Manning Family Cemetery
is on the hill overlooking the Community Center.
Photographed By Kevin W., January 29, 2008
8. Manning Familty Cemetery Marker
19th Century
Manning Family Cemetery
Ann Manning and Husband (unidentified)
Son, Cornelius
Daughter-In-Law Elizabeth
Grandchildren: Betty “Beth •
Susan •
John •
James
Forever Rest in Peace
All Others Who Have Passed And Are Herein Interred.
Photographed By Herbert Family, June 2020
9. History at Leeland Station
Eagle project repurposed the original chimney bricks into a path and flagpole surround.
Photographed By Herbert Family, 2020
10. History at Leeland Station
Eagle Scout Owen Herbert
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,472 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on January 29, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 9, 10. submitted on November 8, 2021, by Philip Herbert of Fredericksburg, Virginia.