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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02397 3412
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofcityoff00quin_0
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(Very respectfully S. Schuine.
The HISTORY
of the
City of Fredericksburg
Virginia
Prepared and printed by authority of the Common Onunril thereof, under the direction of its Committee on Publication, consisting of the following Councilmen : H. B. LANE, WM. E. BRADLEY and S. W. SOMERVILLE
S. J. QUINN, Historian
1908 THE HERMITAGE PRESS, Inc. Richmond, Va.
Copyright, 1908, On all original matter herein, By H. B. LANE, Chairman of History Committee, for the City of Fredericksburg, Va.
Dediration
1142543
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO BRAVED THE DANGERS OF LAND AND WATER IN 1608, AND DISCOVERED THE SPOT UPON WHICH THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, NOW STANDS, AND TO THOSE WHO WROUGHT SO HEROICALLY AND SUCCESSFULLY IN THE SET- TLEMENT AND PROSPERITY OF THE SAID CITY TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1908, A PERIOD OF THREE HUN- DRED YEARS, THESE PAGES ARE RESPECTFUL- LY AND AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE PRESENT COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
PREFACE
To Messrs. H. B. Lane, Wm. E. Bradley and Prof. S. W. Somer- ville, Committee on History of the Common Council:
GENTLEMEN-When I was requested by your predecessors to write a history of Fredericksburg, I regarded it as quite an honor, and in the discharge of the duty I have found great pleasure. Not that the material needed was ready at hand and the task was easy, but because I found so many of the best of our citizens 'eager to assist in getting the material together, that had been laid away for ages, and placing it at my disposal. Moreover, their kind words very much encouraged me, and I wish I could here record their names, but as it might not be proper, I take much pleasure in extending to them my grateful thanks.
The records concerning the town reach back only to the close of the Revolutionary war. If Major Lawrence Smith, who con- structed the fort and governed the settlers by military law or "as a county court might do," ever kept any records of his acts, we have been unable to find them, and the same is true of the Trustees who had the managment of the town from the time it was "laid out by law," until it was chartered by the Legislature of Virginia. There- fore, much that is found in the following pages in reference to "the olden time," came from families who had preserved it in various forms for many generations.
In presenting this history it is not claimed that all is said about Fredericksburg that could have been said or that incidents have not been related as others have heard them, but it is believed that all important events have been referred to and incidents given as they have been related to us by those well informed and who were re- garded as authority on such matters. Nor is there any claim made for originality. The book is intended to be a history of Fredericks- burg, and "history is a narration of facts and events which may be given chronologically or topically," therefore we have written in the main what others have spoken and have disregarded chronology
[ 5]
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Preface
and even the arrangement of subjects. But it is believed that the arrangement herein is probably best adapted to impress the reader with the splendid history of the town and the magnificent achieve- ments of her sons and those men of fame who sprang from her immediate vicinity.
It is believed this book will be welcomed by all citizens and their friends, whether those friends be former residents or descendants of such, or those veteran soldiers on either side of the late Civil Contest who performed such gallant deeds upon our hills and with- in our valleys. No soldier of either army-the Army of the Poto- mac or the Army of Northern Virginia-can ever forget Fred- ericksburg. It was in the four great battles fought in and around Fredericksburg that he won imperishable glory as an American soldier, that name which to-day is written on the highest pinnacle of military fame.
No living citizen, or the descendant of such noble sires, whereso- ever dispersed, can ever forget the town or lineage from which he sprang. None such can ever fail to appreciate those citizens, who, in the most trying times, and under the most adverse circumstances, were conspicuous for their love and loyalty, suffering and sacrifice, daring and doing for home and country.
Let their deeds and sacrifices be preserved for imitation of future generations, which is one of the objects of this book.
Very respectfully,
S. J. QUINN.
·
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Facing Page
Baptist Church
132
Butterfield Monument
288
Capt. S. J. Quinn
Frontispiece
Catholic Church
272
Chancellorsville Tavern
82
Charity School 232
Christian Church 240
304
City Hall
192
Com. M. F. Maury
320
Confederate Cemetery
122
Confederate Monument
264 22
Eagle Hotel
182
Entrance to Confederate Cemetery
222
Entrance to National Cemetery
256
Exchange Hotel
172
Federal Hill
32
Fire Department
232
First Mayor's Residence 182
Forsythe's Birthplace
102
Fredericksburg College
172
Fredericksburg from Marye's Heights
12
Fredericksburg from Stafford Heights
12
Free Bridge
22
Free Lance-Star Office
248
Hon. Montgomery Slaughter
72
Jackson Monument
202
Kenmore
212
Marye Mansion
328
Mary Washington House
32
Mary Washington Monument
52
Church of God
Court House
List of Illustrations.
Masonic Lodge
Meditation Rock
Mercer Monument
Methodist Church
162
M. W. M. Lodge
142
Old Planters' Hotel
296 296
Opera House
Postoffice
280
Power Dam
152
Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Memorial Chapel
Public School
Remarkable Tombstone
R., F. & P. R. R. Bridge
Rising Sun Tavern
Section Stone Wall
112 102
Sentry Box
Shiloh Church, N. S.
304
Shiloh Church, O. S.
272 192 62
St. George's Church
Stone House
92 82
Sunken Road
256
Trinity Church
240
Trustees' Office
112
Union House
212
View on Princess Anne St.
42
Wallace Library 142
Water Power Office 328
Wm. Paul's Gravestone 280
Facing Page 222 152 92
162 62 288 264 312 52
Stevens House
Superintendent's Lodge
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
Captain John Smith Explores the Rappahannock River-The Flight of Pocahontas-Major Lawrence Smith's Fort- Governor Spotswood's Miners at Germanna, -
- 11
CHAPTER II
The Knights of the Golden Horse Shoe-Governor Spots- wood's Expedition over the Blue Ridge Mountains, - 27
CHAPTER III
Fredericksburg Incorporated by the House of Burgesses-Col. Byrd Walks about Town-A Church Building Erected- Rev. Patrick Henry Rector-Augustine Washington a Town Trustee-Stock Fairs Inaugurated-Limits of the Town Extended, - - 37
CHAPTER IV
Encouraging Home Industries-Further Extension of the Town-Tobacco Inspectors Appointed-Modes of Punish- ing Criminals-Prosperity-Military Ardor-Under the United States Government-A New Order of Things, - 46
CHAPTER V
Lease of the Market-House Lots-The First Serious Fire- Fredericksburg an Important Center-An Act Concern- ing Elections-Half of the Town Destroyed by Fire- Fredericksburg an Important Postal Point-How the Mails were Carried-A Congressional Investigation- Amendatory Acts of 1821-The Great Fire of 1822-The Trade of the Town-Contagious Diseases-The Town in 1841-Acts of Extension, 1851, 1852, 1858, 1861, - 57
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8
Contents
CHAPTER VI
The War Clouds Gather-Fredericksburg in the Southern Confederacy-Troops Raised and Equipped-Town Sur- rendered to Federal Authorities- Citizens Arrested and Held as Hostages-Thrilling Evacuating Scenes-Citi- zens Flee from their Homes-Bombardment of the Town, 71
CHAPTER VII
The Great Battle-The Town Sacked by Soldiers-The Fed- erals Recross the River-A Great Revival of Religion- The Battle of Chancellorsville-Gen. Sedgewick Captures the Town-The Wilderness Campaign-Many Noncom- batant Citizens Arrested and Imprisoned-A Statement by the Council-The Citizens and Federal Soldiers Re- leased, - - - - - 90
CHAPTER VIII
The Armies Transferred to Richmond and Petersburg-Gen. Lee Surrenders his Army-Citizens Return Home-Action of the City Council-Fredericksburg Again Under the Old Flag-The Assassination of President Lincoln Denounc- ed-Reconstruction Commenced-An Election Set Aside by the Military-All Civil Offices Set Aside and Strang- ers Appointed-The Financial Condition of the Town- The Town Again in the Hands of its Citizens-Splendid € Financial Showing,
- - 107
CHAPTER IX
The Courts of Fredericksburg-The Freedman's Bureau- Court Orders and Incidents-First Night Watch Ap- pointed-Ministers Qualify to Perform Marriage Cere- mony-First Notary Public-Fixing the Value of Bank Notes-Prison Bounds for Debtors-Church Buildings, 123
CHAPTER X
Public Buildings-Court House-The Jail-Town Hall-Fire Department-School Buildings-Wallace Library-Nor- mal School-Government Building, - - - 136
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Contents
CHAPTER XI
Ancient and Historical Buildings-Mary Washington Monu- ment-General Mercer's Statute-Mary Washington's Will, - - - -
- - - 148
CHAPTER XII
Hotels of the Town, old and new-Agricultural Fairs and Toll Bridges-Care of the Dependent Poor-City Water Works -City Gas Works-Electric Light-Telephone Company -Fire Department, -
- 164
CHAPTER XIII
Volunteer Militia-The Confederate Cemetery-The National Cemetery-The Confederate Veterans-The Sons of Con- federate Veterans-The Schools, Private and Public, - 182
CHAPTER XIV
The Churches of Fredericksburg, - - - - 202
CHAPTER XV
Charitable and Benevolent Societies-Mary Washington Hos- pital-Newspapers and Periodicals-Political Excitement -Strong Resolutions Against the Administration-An Address Approving the President's Foreign Policy-The Names of Those who Signed the Address, - - 217
CHAPTER XVI
Distinguished Men Buried in Fredericksburg-A Remarkable Grave Stone-Three Heroic Fredericksburgers, Wellford, Herndon, Willis-The Old Liberty Bell Passes Through Town-Great Demonstration in its Honor-What a Chinaman Thought of it, - -
- 235
CHAPTER XVII
Visits of Heroes-Gala Days-The Army of the Society of the
Potomac Enters the Town, - - - - - - 251
10
Contents
CHAPTER XVIII
The Society of the Army of the Potomac Continued-Welcome Address-Laying a Corner Stone, - - - - 263
CHAPTER XIX
Doctor Walker's Expedition-Bacon's Rebellion, so-called- The Fredericksburg Declaration-The Great Orator- Resolutions of Separation-The Virginia Bill of Rights, 280
CHAPTER XX
Declaration of Separation-The Declaration of Independence -Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Armies-John Paul Jones Raises the First Flag-First to Throw the Stars and Stripes to the Breeze-Fredericksburg Fur- nishes the Head of the Army and Navy-The Constitu- tion of the United States,
- - 292
CHAPTER XXI
The First Proclamation for Public Thanksgiving-Pennsyl- vania Whiskey Rebellion-John Marshall and the Su- preme Court-Religious Liberty-The Monroe Doctrine- Seven Presidents-Clarke Saves the Great Northwest- The Vast Western Territory Explored-The Louisiana Purchase-The Florida Purchase-Texas Acquired-The War with Mexico and its Rich Results-The Oceans Sounded, Measured and Mapped-The Ladies' Memorial Association-The Mary Washington Monument-Gen- earl Mercer's Statue, - - - - 306
CHAPTER XXII
Fredericksburg at Present-The Health of the City-its Fin- ancial Solidity-Its Commercial Prosperity-Its Lines of Transportation-Its Water Power-Its Official Calendar -List of Mayors, - - - - - 322
Official Calendar-September 1, 1908 - -
- - 333 Mayors of Fredericksburg in Their Chronological Order - - 336
3 1833 02397 3412
HISTORY
OF THE
City of Fredericksburg, Virginia,
FROM ITS
Settlement to the Present Time
CHAPTER I
Capt. John Smith Explores the Rappahannock River-The Flight of Pocahontas-Maj. Smith's Fort-Gov. Spotswood's Miners at Germanna.
In what year the white man first set his foot upon the present site of Fredericksburg is not certainly known. The mind of man, of the present generation, does not run back to that time, and if the first white visitor to the place thought it of sufficient importance to make a note of it that note was not preserved; or, if it was, it is unknown to the present inhabitants of the town, unless that visi- tor was Captain John Smith.
It is stated that after John Smith was captured by the Indians, while on his trip exploring the Chickahominy, his captors marched him through the country, amid great rejoicing, visiting the Indian towns on the Pamunkey, Mattapony, Piankitank, Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, but it is not stated that he was taken as high up the Rappahannock as the falls. This trip through the country, however, while it was attended with hideous yells, cheers and all sorts of mournful noises by the excited throng, gave John Smith some idea of the rich and fertile valleys, the beautiful rivers that flowed from the mountains, and a desire to explore them if he should be fortunate enough to get back to the English settlement alive.
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History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
For soon after his release, in writing of the discoveries, having already explored the Chesapeake bay, he says :* "There is but one entrance by sea into this country, and that is at the mouth of a very goodly bay, the wideness whereof is near eighteen or twenty miles. The cape on the south is called Cape Henry, in honor of our most noble Prince. The show of the land there is a white hilly sand like unto the Downes, and along the shores great plenty of pines and firs. The north cape is called Cape Charles, in honor of the worthy Duke of York.
"Within is a country that may have the prerogative over the most pleasant places of Europe, Asia, Africa or America and for large and pleasant navigable rivers, heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation, being of our constitutions, were it fully manured and inhabited by industrious people. Here are mountains, hills, plains, valleys, rivers and brooks, all running most pleasantly to a fair bay, compassed, but for the mouth, with fruitful and delightsome land. In the bay and rivers are many isles, both great and small, some woody, some plain, most of them low and not inhabited. This bay lies north and south, in which the water flows near two hundred miles and has a channel for one hundred and forty miles of depth betwixt seven and fifteen fathoms, holding in breadth, for the most part, ten or fifteen miles. From the head of the bay at the north, the land is mountainous, and so in a manner from thence by a southwest line. So that the more south- ward, the further off from the bay are those mountains, from which fall certain brooks, which after come to five principal navigable rivers. These run from the northwest into the southeast, and so into the west side of the bay, where the fall of every river is within twenty or fifteen miles one of another."
Early in the year of 1608, his life having been saved by Poca- hontas, John Smith made a number of trips, exploring the rivers of this section of Virginia, entered the mouth of the Rappa- hannock and, but for an accident that befell him, might have con- tinued his trip to the falls.
They found fish in abundance in all the streams and, "near the
* Description of Virginia by Smith, his spelling modernized.
CANAL
FREDERICKSBURG FROM MARYES HEIGHTS. GROUND OVER WHICH FEDERAL TROOPS ADVANCED
View of Fredericksburg from Marye's Mansion, showing ground charged over by Federals in battle 1862. Confederate line at fence. (See page 91)
View of Fredericksburg from Stafford Heights, where Federal guns were located in 1862, showing the old Scott bridge. (See page 171)
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History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
mouth of the Rappahannock, Smith plunged his sword into a singular fish like a 'thornback,' with a long tail and from it a poisoned sting. In taking it off it drove the sting into his wrist, producing a torturing pain, and in a few hours the whole hand, arm and shoulder had swollen so fearfully that death seemed inevitable. He pointed out a place for his grave, and his men, with heavy hearts, prepared it. But Dr. Russell applied the probe and used an oil with such success that Smith was soon well and ate a part of the same fish for supper."*
Some writers contend that it was while on this trip that Smith came up the Rappahannock to the falls and had a battle with the Indians, but this is a mistake. This trip was commenced on the 20th of June, 1608, and it was directly after entering the mouth of the river that he saw so many fish in the clear stream and caught one on the point of his sword; for Russell, the physician, who ac- companied him, says after Smith was thought to have been fatally poisoned, "having neither surgeon or surgery, but that preservative oil, we presently set sail for Jamestown. Passing the mouth of the Piankatank and Pamunkey rivers, the next day we safely arrived at Kecaughtan."+ If Smith had been very far up the Rappa- hannock he could not have passed the mouth of these two rivers the next day.
The voyage that Smith made, during which he explored the Rappahannock river to the falls, was commenced on the 24th of July, more than a month after he entered the mouth of the river and was stung by the fish which turned him back. As this trip up the river is of great interest, being the first made by white men, it is here given in full as narrated by Anthony Bagnall, Powell and Todkill, Smith's companions, who wrote it down at the time. They say :
"In the discovery of this river, that some called Rappahannock, we were kindly entertained by the people of Moraughtacund. Here we encountered our old friend Mosco, a lusty savage of Wigh- conisco, upon the river Patawomeck [Potomac]. We supposed
* Howison's U. S. History, from Smith.
Walter Russell, in Smith.
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History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
him some Frenchman's son because he had a thick, black, bushy, beard, and the savages seldom have any at all, of which he was not a little proud to see so many of his countrymen. Wood and water he would fetch us, guide us any whether; nay, cause divers of his countrymen help us tow against wind or tide from place to place till we came to Patawomeck.
"The next morning we went up the river, [Rappahannock] and our friend Mosco followed us along the shore, and at last desired to go with us in our boat. But, as we passed by Pisacack, Matchopeak and Mecuppom, three towns situated upon high white cliffs; the other side all a low plain marsh, and the river there but narrow, thirty or forty of the Rapahanocks had so accommodated themselves with branches, as we took them for little bushes growing among the sedge, till seeing their arrows strike the targets and drop in the river; whereat Mosco fell flat in the boat on his face, crying, the Rapahanocks, which presently we espide to be the bushes, which, at our first volley fell down in the sedge: when we were near half a mile from them, they showed themselves dancing and singing very merrily.
"The kings of Pessassack, Nandtaughtacund and Cultatawoman, used us kindly, and all their people neglected not anything to Mosco to bring us to them.
"Betwixt Secobeck and Massawteck is a small isle or two which cause the river to be broader than ordinary ; there it pleased God to take one of our company called Master Fetherstone [Richard Fetherstone, Gent.], that all the time he had been in this country, had behaved himself honestly, valiantly and industriously; where in a little bay, called Fetherstone's bay, we buried him with a volly of shot : the rest, not withstanding their ill diet and bad lodging crowded in so small a barge, in so many dangers, never resting, but always tossed to and again, had all well recovered their healths.
"The next day we sailed so high as our boat would float; there setting up crosses and graving our names in the trees. Our sen- tinel saw an arrow fall by him, though we had ranged up and down more than an hour, in digging in the earth, looking of stones, herbs and springs, not seeing where a savage could well hide himself.
15
History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
"Upon the alarm, by that we had recovered our arms there was about an hundred nimble Indians skipping from tree to tree, letting fly their arrows so fast as they could; the trees here served us as baricades as well as they. But Mosco did us more service than we expected ; for having shot away his quiver of arrows he ran to the boat for more. The arrows of Mosco at the first made them pause upon the matter, thinking by his bruit and skipping, there were many savages. About half an hour this continued, then they all vanished as suddenly as they approached. Mosco followed them so far as he could see us, till they were out of sight. As we returned there lay a savage as dead, shot in the knee; but taking him up we found he had life : which Mosco seeing, never was dog more furi- ous against a bear, than Mosco was to beat out his brains. So we had him to our boat where our Chirurgian [A. Bagnall], who went with us to cure our Captain's hurt of the stingray, so dressed this savage that within an hour after he looked somewhat cheerfully and did eat and speak. In the mean time we contented Mosco in helping him to gather up their arrows, which were an armful; whereof he gloried not a little.
"Then we desired Mosco to know what he was and what countries were beyond the mountains; the poor savage mildly answered, he and all with him were of Hassininga, where there are three kings more, like unto them, namely the King of Stegora, the King of Tauxsintania and the King of Shakahonea, that were come to Mohaskahod, which is only a hunting town, and the bounds betwixt the Kingdom of the Mannahocks and the Nandtaughtacunds, but hard by where we were.
"We demanded why they came in that manner to betray us, that came to them in peace and to seek their loves; he answered, they heard we were a people come from under the world, to take their world from them.
"We asked him how many worlds he did know ; he replied, he knew no more but that which was under the sky that covered him, which were the Powhatans, with the Monacans and the Massawo- meks that were higher up in the mountains.
"Then we asked him what was beyond the mountains, he answered
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History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
the sun; but of anything else he knew nothing because the woods were not burnt. [A foot note says 'they cannot travel but where the woods are burnt.']
"These and many such questions were demanded concerning the Massawomecks, the Monacans, their own country and where were the kings of Stegora, Tauxsintania and the rest. The Mon- acans, he said, were their neighbors and friends, and did dwell as they in the hilly countries by small rivers, living upon roots and fruits, but chiefly by hunting. The Massawomeks did well upon a great water, and had many boats, and so many men that they made war with all the world. For their kings, they were gone every one a several way with their men on hunting. But those with him came thither a fishing till they saw us, notwithstanding they would be all together at night at Mahaskahod.
"For his relation we gave him many toys, with persuations to go with us : and he as earnestly desired us to stay the coming of those kings that for his good usage should be friends with us, for he was brother to Hassininga. But Mosco advised us presently to be gone, for they were all naught; yet we told him we would not till it was night. All things we made ready to entertain what came, and Mosco was as dilligent in triming his arrows.
"The night being come we all embarked, for the river was so narrow, had it been light the land on the one side was so high they might have done us exceeding much mischief. All this while the King of Hassininga was seeking the rest, and had consultation a good time what to do. But by their spies seeing we were gone, it was not long before we heard their arrows dropping on every side the boat ; we caused our savages to call unto them, but such a yell- ing and hallowing they made that they heard nothing, but now and then [we shot off] a piece, aiming so near as we could where we heard the most voices. Moor than twelve miles they followed us in this manner ; then the day appearing, we found ourselves in a broad bay out of danger of their shot, where we came to an anchor, and fell to breakfast. Not so much as speaking to them till the sun was risen.
"Being well refreshed, we untied our targets that covered us as a
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History of Fredericksburg, Virginia
deck, and all showed ourselves with those shields on our arms, and swords in our hands, and also our prisoner Amoroleck. A long dis- course there was betwixt his countrymen and him, how good we were, how well we used him, how we had a Patawomek with us [who] loved us as his life that would have slain him had we not preserved him, and that he should have his liberty would they be his friends ; and to do us any hurt it was impossible.
"Upon this they all hung their bows and quivers upon the trees, and one came swiming aboard us with a bow tied on his head, and another with a quiver of arrows, which they delivered our Captain as a present : the Captain having used them so kindly as he could told them the other three Kings should do the like, and then the great King of our world should be their friend ; whose men we were. It was no sooner demanded than performed, so upon a low moorish point of land we went to the shore, where those four Kings came and received Amoroleck: nothing they had but bows, arrows, tobacco-bags and pipes : when we desired, none refused to give us, wondering at everything we had, and heard we had done: Our pistols they took for pipes, which they much desired, but we did content them with other commodities. And so we left four or five hundred of our merry Mannahocks singing, dancing and making merry and set sale for Moraughtacund.
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