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[Illustration: S. J. Quinn]
THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG
VIRGINIA
Prepared and printed by authority of the
Common Council 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.
Dedication
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
SETTLEMENT AND PROSPERITY OF THE SAID CITY TO THE PRESENT TIME, 1908, A
PERIOD OF THREE HUNDRED YEARS, THESE PAGES ARE RESPECTFULLY 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. Somerville,
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 constructed 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 management of the town from
the time it was "laid out by law," until it was chartered by the
Legislature of Virginia. Therefore, 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 regarded as authority on such
matters. Nor is there any claim made for originality. The book is intended
to be a history of Fredericksburg, 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 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 achievements 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 within our valleys. No
soldier of either army--the Army of the Potomac or the Army of Northern
Virginia--can ever forget Fredericksburg. 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, wheresoever
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
Church of God 304
City Hall 192
Com. M. F. Maury 320
Confederate Cemetery 122
Confederate Monument 264
Court House 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
Masonic Lodge 222
Meditation Rock 152
Mercer Monument 92
Methodist Church 162
M. W. M. Lodge 142
Old Planters' Hotel 296
Opera House 296
Postoffice 280
Power Dam 152
Presbyterian Church 162
Presbyterian Memorial Chapel 62
Public School 288
Remarkable Tombstone 264
R., F. & P. R. R. Bridge 312
Rising Sun Tavern 52
Section Stone Wall 112
Sentry Box 102
Shiloh Church, N. S. 304
Shiloh Church, O. S. 272
Stevens House 192
St. George's Church 62
Stone House 92
Sunken Road 82
Superintendent's Lodge 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
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 Spotswood'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 Punishing
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 Concerning
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
CHAPTER VI
The War Clouds Gather--Fredericksburg in the Southern
Confederacy--Troops Raised and Equipped--Town Surrendered
to Federal Authorities--Citizens Arrested and Held as
Hostages--Thrilling Evacuating Scenes--Citizens Flee from
their Homes--Bombardment of the Town, 71
CHAPTER VII
The Great Battle--The Town Sacked by Soldiers--The Federals
Recross the River--A Great Revival of Religion--The Battle
of Chancellorsville--Gen. Sedgwick Captures the Town--The
Wilderness Campaign--Many Noncombatant Citizens Arrested
and Imprisoned--A Statement by the Council--The Citizens
and Federal Soldiers Released, 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 Denounced--
Reconstruction Commenced--An Election Set Aside by the
Military--All Civil Offices Set Aside and Strangers
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 Appointed--
Ministers Qualify to Perform Marriage Ceremony--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--Normal
School--Government Building, 136
CHAPTER XI
Ancient and Historical Buildings--Mary Washington
Monument--General Mercer's Statue--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 Confederate
Veterans--The Schools, Private and Public, 182
CHAPTER XIV
The Churches of Fredericksburg, 202
CHAPTER XV
Charitable and Benevolent Societies--Mary Washington
Hospital--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
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 Furnishes
the Head of the Army and Navy--The Constitution of the
United States, 292
CHAPTER XXI
The First Proclamation for Public Thanksgiving--
Pennsylvania Whiskey Rebellion--John Marshall and the
Supreme 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--General Mercer's Statue, 306
CHAPTER XXII
Fredericksburg at Present--The Health of the City--Its
Financial 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
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 visitor 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.
For soon after his release, in writing of the discoveries, having already
explored the Chesapeake bay, he says:[1] "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 southward, 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 Pocahontas, John
Smith made a number of trips, exploring the rivers of this section of
Virginia, entered the mouth of the Rappahannock and, but for an accident
that befell him, might have continued his trip to the falls.
They found fish in abundance in all the streams and, "near the 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."[2]
[Illustration: View of Fredericksburg from Marye's Mansion, showing ground
charged over by Federals in battle 1862. Confederate line at fence. (See
page 91)]
[Illustration: View of Fredericksburg from Stafford Heights, where Federal
guns were located in 1862, showing the old Scott bridge. (See page 171)]
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 accompanied 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."[3] If Smith had been very far up the Rappahannock 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 Wighconisco, upon the river Patawomeck
[Potomac]. We supposed 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 sentinel 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.
"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 furious 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 Massawomeks that were higher up in the
mountains.
"Then we asked him what was beyond the mountains, he answered 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 Monacans, 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 diligent in trimming 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 yelling 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 deck,
and all showed ourselves with those shields on our arms, and swords in our
hands, and also our prisoner Amoroleck. A long discourse 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 swimming 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.
"In our returns we visited all our friends, that rejoiced much at our
victory against the Mannahocks, who many times had wars also with them,
but now they were friends; and desired we should be friends with the
Rapahanocks. Our Captain told them, they had twice assaulted him that came
only in love to do them good, and, therefore, now he would burn all their
houses, destroy their corn, and forever hold them his enemies till they
made him satisfaction. They desired to know what that should be. He told
them they should present him the King's bow and arrows, and not offer to
come armed where he was; that they should be friends with the
Moraughtacunds, his friends, and give him their King's son in pledge to
perform it: and then all King James and his men should be their friends.
Upon this they presently sent to the Rapahanocks to meet him at the place
where they first fought where would be the Kings of Nantantacund and
Pissassac: which according to their promise were there so soon as we;
where Rapahanock presented his bow and arrows, and confirmed all we
desired, except his son, having no more but him he could not live without
him, but instead of his son he would give him the three women
Moraughtacund had stolen. This was accepted: and so in three or four
canoes so many as could went with us to Moraughtacund, where Mosco made
them such relations, and gave to his friends so many bows and arrows, that
they no less loved him than admired us. The three women were brought our
Captain, to each he gave a chain of beads: and then causing Moraughtacund,
Mosco and Rapahanock stand before him, bid Rapahanock take her he loved
best, and Moraughtacund choose next, and to Mosco he gave the third. Upon
this away went their canoes over the water, to fetch their venison, and
all the provision they could; and they that wanted boats swam over the
river. The dark [darkness] commanded us then to rest.
"The next day there was of men, women and children, as we conjectured, six
or seven hundred, dancing and singing; and not a bow nor arrow seen
amongst them. Mosco changed his name to Uttasantasough, which we interpret
stranger, for so they call us. All promising ever to be our friends and to
plant corn purposely for us; and we to provide hatchets, beads and copper
for them, we departed; giving them a volley of shot, and they us as loud
shouts and cries as their strengths could utter."
This account of Capt. Smith's exploration of the Rappahannock river, and
the country bordering on the stream is highly interesting for three
reasons. It shows beyond dispute, we think, that Capt. Smith and his
little band were the first white men to tread the soil where is now
located the city of Fredericksburg. It gives us a complete history of the
voyage, so that we may become his travelling companions as he ascends the
river, encounters the Indians, prospects for gold and other rich deposits
in the earth about the falls; also as he descends the river and calls the
Indian kings together, makes friends of them, settles differences between
them and their tribes and sails out of the river loaded with provisions,
carrying with him their promise that they will raise more for him in the
future. It gives us the names of many of the tribes of Indians, on the
Rappahannock, their kings, towns and other places, so that we may look at
his map of Virginia and locate many of them. It informs us that Richard
Fetherstone, who accompanied Smith, was taken sick and died while he was
here and was buried in the vicinity of Fredericksburg, he being the first
white man to find sepulture in this part of Virginia.
The locations of the following places, found on Smith's map of Virginia,
and mentioned in this work, will be of interest to many, and especially to
those who are familiar with the country. They seem to be located as
follows: Secobeck was just west of the city's almshouse: Massauteck was
located just back of Chatham; Fetherstone's bay is in Stafford, opposite
the upper end of Hunter's Island; Accoqueck was near R. Innis Taylor's
residence; Sockbeck was in the neighborhood of J. Bowie Gray's;
Anasheroans were about Moss Neck; King Nandtaughtacund lived near Port
Royal; King Cultatawoman was located in Stafford, just below Snowdon; King
Pissassack was located in Westmoreland county, near Leedstown; King
Tapahanock lived in the upper part of Lancaster county; Mahakahod was
about the line of Stafford and Culpeper counties; Hassininga was about
Indian Town in Orange county; Stegara was in the upper part of Orange, on
the Rapid Ann river; and Tauxuntania was located near the foot of the Blue
Ridge mountains.
The several towns at and near the falls of the river made it a general
rendezvous of all tribes for this part of Virginia. It was a favorite
place at which to meet for hunting, fishing and other sports, as was the
case when Smith reached here. It is more than probable that the beautiful
and fascinating Pocahontas, who saved the life of John Smith and who
captivated the bold and fearless Rolfe, spent some time at this point, in
her journeyings, resting here and feasting her youthful eyes upon the
magnificent scenery of the Rappahannock falls, and engaging in the sports
and pastimes of her distinguished father's subjects.
We are told[4] that in 1611 she was entrusted by her father, Powhatan, to
Chief Japazaws, who carried her to his home on the Potomac river, where
she lived some time in retirement--that is, away from the stirring scenes
around Jamestown. It is not, therefore, unreasonable to suppose that much
of the time she was with Japazaws was spent at this point, the favorite
gathering place of all the tribes at the different seasons of the year.
Why Pocahontas left her home for the protection of Japazaws is not
positively known. Howe thinks Powhatan was preparing for a great war with
the new settlers and wanted to get his daughter away from danger and the
exposure and discomfort that would result from such a conflict. Stith
gives no reason, "except it was to withdraw herself from being a witness
to the frequent butcheries of the English, whose folly and rashness, after
Smith's departure, put it out of her power to save them."
In the year 1612 Capt. Argall took a trip up the Potomac in search of corn
and other supplies for the English settlers, fell in with the old chief
and purchased the young princess from him, the price agreed upon being a
copper kettle, which was readily given. This prize Argall took to
Jamestown, where he hoped to receive a considerable sum from Powhatan for
her redemption, but the old King became very angry and refused to pay
anything, but declared he preferred to fight for her. The young princess
afterwards married Capt. John Rolfe.
At what time the first settlement was made at Fredericksburg is unknown,
but it must have been at a very early date. It is more than likely that it
was one of the many plantations that dotted the banks of our principal
rivers in the early settlement of the country, for, in 1622, John Smith
proposed to the London Company "to protect all their planters from the
James to the Potomac"[5] which territory must have included one or more
plantations on the Rappahannock river, because it lies immediately between
the James and Potomac rivers and is the largest stream between those two
rivers. And if there was a plantation on the Rappahannock it was, no
doubt, in the neighborhood of Fredericksburg. John Smith had visited the
place twelve years before and had found it "beautiful and inviting" and
an excellent place for a settlement, and possibly he recommended and
procured the location of a plantation in this vicinity.
But, whether or not this supposition be true, we know that the
Rappahannock falls some years afterwards became a point of considerable
interest and steps were taken to fortify and defend it; and for that
purpose a fort was ordered to be built here in 1676 to protect settlers
from the incursions of the Indians, who continued troublesome, which was
garrisoned by quite a number of men. "At a grand assemblie held at James
cittie, between the 20th of September, 1674, and the 17th of March, 1675,"
it was ordered that "One hundred and eleven men out of Gloucester be
garrisoned at one ffort or place of defence, at or near the ffalls of
Rappahannock River, of which ffort Major Lawrence Smith to be Captain or
Chiefe Commander," and that the fort be furnished with "ffour hundred and
eighty pounds of powder and ffourteen hundred and fforty three pounds of
Shott."[6]
This fort, it seems, was not constructed that year, but in 1679, Major
Lawrence Smith, upon his own suggestion, was authorized to settle or
"seate down at or near said fort by the last day of March, 1681," which we
are informed he did, and to have in readiness, on all occasions at the
beating of a drum, fifty able men, well armed, with sufficient ammunition,
and two hundred more within the space of a mile along the river, prepared
always to march twenty miles in any direction from the fort; and it was
stipulated that should they be obliged to go more than twenty miles
distance, they were to be paid for their time thus employed at the rate
paid to other "soulders." He was also empowered "to execute Martiall
discipline" among the fifty "souldiers so put in arms," both in times of
war and peace, and with "two others of said privileged place," he was to
hear and determine all cases, civil and criminal, that should arise in
said limits, as a county court might do, and to make by-laws for the same.
These military settlers were privileged from arrest for any debts except
those due the King and those contracted among themselves, and were free
from taxes and levies except from those laid within their own limits.
This fort was not named by the act authorizing its construction, and if
any was given it after its completion, it does not appear in the histories
or records at our disposal. It is quite likely it had some designation, if
nothing more than the Rappahannock fort--Smith's fort on the
Rappahannock--and it may have been known by one or the other until the
place was laid out for a town and received its present name. Or it may
have been known as "The Lease Land," the designation it had when it was
incorporated forty-six years afterwards.
It has been suggested, and believed by some few to be true, that this fort
was built at Germanna, about eighteen miles above the Rappahannock falls,
but this claim cannot be maintained. It is known that all of these
plantations and military stations were located on navigable rivers and
were reached and communicated with mostly, if not exclusively, by sail
vessels, and it is not reasonable to suppose that this fort was located
eighteen miles above tidewater, where it could not be reached by such
vessels. In addition to this objection, it may be added that the "gallant
cavalier, Governor Spotswood, at the head of the chivalry of Virginia,"
never made his dash above the falls to the "blue ridge of mountains" until
the year 1720[7] [1716 is the correct date], nearly fifty years after the
construction of the fort at or near the falls.
Besides this, Governor Spotswood did not come to Virginia as Governor
until the year 1710. After coming to this country he became possessed of
lands on the Rappahannock, at the mouth of Massaponax run, and from there
up the ridge, west of Fredericksburg, to the Rapidan river at Germanna. We
do not know when he became possessed of these lands, but it is known that
he built a wharf near the mouth of Massaponax run and opened the ridge
road from there to Germanna, now called Mine Road, over which he hauled
his iron ore for shipment. And so it was said, and it was true, that he
could go from his wharf on the Rappahannock to Germanna on the Rapidan on
his own lands without crossing a stream.
Germanna was settled in April, 1714, thirty-eight years after this fort
was built and thirty-four years before Governor Spotswood came to
Virginia. It was settled by twelve German families, who had been induced
by Governor Spotswood to come over from Germany to develop the iron and
silver mines he desired opened on his land, recently acquired by him,
several miles above the falls. These were the first iron mines opened and
operated in this new country, and being the first worker in iron gave him
the honorable appellation of the "Tubal Cain of America."
[Illustration: The Free Bridge over the Rappahannock River to Stafford
Heights. (See page 171)]
[Illustration: The City Court House and Clerk's Office. (See page 142)]
It has been a tradition held by some that the Germans, who settled
Germanna, came to this country as paupers, and when they landed at
Tappahannock, where their vessel anchored, they were unable to pay their
passage and were virtually sold to Governor Spotswood for a term of years,
he to pay the passage money and furnish the land upon which they were to
settle. It is further said that he induced them to settle on the river,
above Fredericksburg, where they built small huts, called the place
Germanna and opened the mines which proved so remunerative to the
Governor.
Much of this statement, however, is denied by the descendants of these
pioneers, who resent the charge of pauperism and show that these first
settlers were men of education, were skilled miners, and that they came to
this country under contract with Governor Spotswood, bringing with them
letters of commendation from gentlemen of influence and official position.
From a paper prepared, and left to posterity, by Rev. James Kemper, a
grandson of the emigrant, John Kemper,[8] we are able to cull some
interesting facts connected with these people, who became neighbors and
friends of the early settlers of Fredericksburg, and many of whose
descendants are now among us.
These Germans "did not 'happen' to come to Virginia, but came upon the
invitation of the Baron de Graffureid, who was a friend to Governor
Spotswood, and for the express purpose of developing the iron ore deposits
discovered by the latter upon his lands in the present county of
Spotsylvania. These people came from the town of Müsen, which was then in
the old province of Nassau Siegen, Westphalia, Germany. At Müsen there is
an iron mine which has been worked since the early part of the fourteenth
century, and is operated to this day. They were skilled workers in iron
and steel from the Müsen mines and built the old furnace in Spotsylvania
county."
These pioneers remained at Germanna until about 1720, when, owing to some
difference with Governor Spotswood, they removed to what is now Fauquier
county, then Stafford, later Prince William, and in 1759 the portion they
settled became Fauquier. They settled about nine miles south of Warrenton
on a small stream called Licking Run and named the place Germantown--thus
keeping up the German identity,--which is one mile north of Madison
station on the Southern railroad.
Rev. James Kemper, in the paper referred to, says the first year they were
in Germantown they "packed all of their provisions from Fredericksburg on
their heads and raised their first crop with their hoes, in both of which
the women bore a part." This shows that the village, afterwards called
Fredericksburg, was the trading place of the country above the falls at
that period.
The names of the twelve men who, with their families, settled Germanna,
are John Kemper, John Huffman, Jacob Holtzclaw, Tillman Weaver, John
Fishback, Harman Fishback, Harman Utterback, John Joseph Martin, Peter
Hitt, Jacob Coons, ---- Wayman and ---- Hanback. The Rev. Henry Hagen was
their minister.
These people were picked men for a special purpose, to do that which no
one then in Virginia could do--manufacture iron. Their descendants are
scattered all over this country and have filled high positions in the Army
and Navy, as well as in State and Church. They did two things worthy of
note: They laid the foundation of the German Reformed Church in the United
States,[9] and also the iron and steel industry, which now requires
billions of dollars to carry on successfully, and both of these were done
at Germanna, in Spotsylvania county, Virginia.
It has also been contended that the fort, built near the falls of the
Rappahannock river, was constructed on the north side of the river and
that the place where Falmouth now stands was the center of the military
district.[10] This assertion is not substantiated by any record we have
seen, and we are not prepared, in the absence of proof, to accept it.
There are two reasons which may be given which, we think, will show that
the site of Falmouth would have been an improper and unsafe location for
the fort, both of which would have suggested themselves to the
constructors of the fort. One is, that the place is on the bend of the
river and is surrounded by high hills, now known as Stafford Heights. From
the crest of these hills the fort could have been attacked by the enemy
and captured by any small force. And if it had not been captured the
elevation would have given the Indians great advantage over the garrison,
making their arrows very effective. To have placed the fort on either one
of the high hills would have thrown the garrison too far from the river to
protect their sail vessels, and in case they had been compelled to give up
the fort they could not have reached their vessels in the river, which, in
the past, had proved a safer refuge than the poorly constructed forts of
that day.
The other reason is, that to have constructed the fort on the north side
of the river would have placed the almost impassable Rappahannock between
the garrison and their remote friends on the south side, from whom alone
they could look for relief in case they had been besieged, or if they had
been compelled to retreat.
For these reasons, if for no other, we are satisfied that the fort was not
located on the north side of the river, but on the south side and in the
vicinity of where Fredericksburg now stands.
But this author, in speaking of the fort, says "not one stone or brick of
the fort is left on another, but the terraces on the long hill back of the
riverside houses still bear traces of ancient work." But this does not
prove the contention.
It should be remembered that forts were not constructed in those times of
stones and bricks, nor even of earthen walls, as they have since been,
but of wooden poles or logs, and very temporary at that. John Fontaine
gives a minute description of the fort built by the Germans at Germanna in
the year 1714, which will help us to understand what a fort was in those
days.
"We walked about the town, which is palisaded with stakes stuck in the
ground, and laid close the one to the other, and of substance to bear out
a mussket-shot. There are but nine families, and they have nine houses,
built all in a line; and before every house, about twenty feet distant
from it, they have small sheds built for their hogs and hens, so that the
hog-sties and houses make a street. The place that is poled in is a
pentagon, very regularly laid out; and in the very center there is a
block-house, made with five sides, which answer to the five sides of the
great enclosure; there are loop holes through it, from which you may see
all the inside of the enclosure. This was intended for a retreat for the
people, in case they were not able to defend the palisadoes, if attacked
by the Indians."[11] Col. Byrd, in 1732, called this a fort.