Spotsylvania, Virginia

Table of Contents Item Page # The African American Heritage Trail is supported Introduction 3 in part by a Preserve America grant administered by About this Guide 4 the National Park Service, United States Department of John J. Wright Educational & the Interior. Cultural Center and Museum 5 This product is based upon work assisted by a grant Spotsylvania Sunday School Union from the U. S. Department of the Interior, National Parksite 7 Park Service. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or Waller Plantation 8 recommendations expressed in this material are those of The Well at Mount Olive 10 the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U. S. Department of the Interior. Mining in Livingston 11 Little Mine Road Baptist Church 14 Stubbs School 16 Benjamin Brown 17 Goodwin Mine 20 Piney Branch School 21 23rd U. S. Colored Infantry Engagement 24 Old Court House and Jail 25 George Boxley 29 Marshall Center 32 John J. Wright Home 35 Spotsylvania Yellow Jackets 36 Alfred L. Fairchild 38 Photography Credits 43 Selected Bibliography 44 Driving Tour Route 46 Acknowledgments 49 Notes 51 Map Back cover Legend Back cover

Introduction About This Guide . . . Welcome to Spotsylvania County and the Where is Kunta Kinte’s grave? Why are black new African American Heritage Trail. churches so important in this county? How and Our county was established in 1721. As early when was high school for black children as the 1730s enslaved men and women lived developed? Were there black Civil War soldiers here. Almost 150 years later at the end of the and heroes from the County? Civil War, the names of nearly 4,700 Negroes We have attempted to provide answers to the- born and/or living in our county were recorded se and many other questions. This guide is pro- for the first time, including more than 150 who duced to enhance your driving tour long after you were over the age of 70. have left your vehicle. Through the use of history In 2009, the Spotsylvania County accompanied by more than 40 photographs, our Department of Economic Development & guide explains currently identified key sites of Af- Tourism, through the support of a Preserve rican American history in Spotsylvania County. America Grant from the National Park Service, There are three points to share with you. First, commissioned Rivanna Archaeological Services we use the words African American, black, Negro of Charlottesville, Virginia to conduct a compre- and colored interchangeably throughout this hensive study of the county for the purpose of guide. We do this in an attempt to be consistent writing its history in general, and its African with the language of the time period discussed. American history specifically. Their final product was presented in March 2010, and Second, a total of 212 references were used by forms the basis of the African American Her- our writer to produce this guide. While space itage Trail that we present here. Our driving does not allow us to write them all, a select tour is 75 miles throughout our 407 square miles bibliography is included. A full list of references of lush countryside. is available by contacting us at: The story of African Americans in this coun- [email protected] ty of the Commonwealth of Virginia is inextri- Third, this is a living-breathing guide. We are cably tied to the churches they developed. No- always seeking additional information about where is this more evident than in the rural historical firsts among Spotsylvania’s African countryside. There are stories of courage and Americans. Let us know if you have a fact to add. perseverance, joy and sadness, and pain and pleasure in each district of Spotsylvania. Put your seat belt on, take plenty of photo- graphs and enjoy the ride. When you have more With so much to experience and so much to time to reflect, reading this guide will help you to see, you will want to return again and again. understand a little more fully the extent that African American history enriches Spotsylvania We sincerely welcome you. County.

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JOHN J. WRIGHT with boarding rooms on the top floor, opened. EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL Wright served as principal until 1925 when failing health prevented him from performing necessary CENTER and MUSEUM tasks. He taught for an additional year at the new Massaponax Rosenwald School near his home Dedicated in 2008, the John J. Wright and then retired to private life where he continued Educational & Cultural Center is the renovated to mentor his nieces, nephews and other youth, building of the only high school that served and actively lead the Spotsylvania Sunday School African American children in the county from Union. 1909 to integration begin- In his later years, he ning in 1968. A museum, sought opportunities to housed in the school’s origi- tell people to get an nal library, opened in 2010. education, buy some land It all began in 1905 when and register to vote. He local educator John J. Wright taught self-reliance and (1863 - 1931) organized a led a life of accomplish- meeting of Sunday School ment. He was a 32nd superintendents from local degree mason, clerk of black Baptist churches. The Beulah Baptist Church meeting was held at St. Luke for 31 years, correspond- Baptist Church. Those ing secretary of the attending formed the Mattaponi Baptist Spotsylvania Sunday School Association for 30 years, Union for the purpose of and president of the U. F. financially supporting the Bass Memorial Hospital development of the Freder- Association in an effort icksburg Normal & Industri- to build a facility to al Institute (aka Mayfield address the growing School) since it had the capac- number of cas- ity to educate past the seventh grade. Wright es of tubercu- was chosen president and his wife, Cora (right), losis in the ar- was chosen secretary. ea’s colored In 1908, the Union’s association with the population. Mayfield School ceased and it was decided to He died on build a high school in their own Spotsylvania January 2, 1931 community. One year later they had raised in his home.

$475.50, purchased 158-1/2 acres from Mr. and The school’s name evolved through time from Spotsylvania Graded Mrs. D. F. Altenburg , and hired architect and School, to Spotsylvania High School, to Spotsylvania Training builder, Alfred Fairchild. Several years later, the School in 1927, to finally the John J. Wright School in 1940. Spotsylvania Graded School (as it was first named), (1932, courtesy Virginia State University Archives

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SPOTSYLVANIA SUNDAY on another local builder, Bennie Carter. When complete, the park had playground equipment, SCHOOL UNION PARKSITE outdoor grills, and bleachers from Since 1909, the Spotsylvania Sunday School which to watch park Union (SSSU), represented by their trustees, has activities. The brick owned the undeveloped acres surrounding the building houses the John J. Wright School (now totaling 138.5 acres). dedicatory stone In 1979, approximately 10 acres south of the plaque on which is school’s lot was set aside by the SSSU for a carved the names of community park. When they voted to construct 12 African Ameri- a building where programs may occur, they cans who were turned again to a Fairchild. This time it was Aa- strong advocates for ron Fairchild, third son of Alfred Fairchild who the SSSU. built the Spotsylvania Graded School. Aaron attended that school in the 1930s and later learned carpentry from his father, with whom he worked until the elder Fairchild’s death on February 20, 1950. Aaron was first married in 1937 to Aaron Alfred Fairchild Louisa native Florence Mildred Johnson. He later married the former Both photographs © 2012, Terry Miller Beulah Mae Scranage of King George, Virginia, on July 27, 1952. He was the father of four children. WALLER PLANTATION Aaron died on The name “Waller,” associated with slavehold- October 21, 1979, ing in Spotsylvania County, came to national several months before attention from the historical novel by Alex Haley, the building that he Roots, and the corresponding mini-series. Also and his work crew associated with the Waller name through Haley’s were constructing at work is the supposed name of one of the Waller the park was finished. family’s slaves, Kunta Kinte, aka Toby. Who were the Wallers and what can their experiences SSSU officials called © 2012, Terry Miller tell us about African American life pre-Civil War?

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The family’s origins in the U. S. began with ♦ William (1714-1760); married Ann Stanard John Waller (1673-1754), the second of nine Beverly (1711-1756) on June 21, 1738. Ann children of Dr. John and Mary Pomfrett Waller was the widow of Robert Beverly who died in of Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England, 1733. She was also the daughter of William who emigrated to King and Queen County, and Ann Hazlewood Stanard. Virginia in ~1696. He purchased 1,039 acres and established his plantation, Endfield. Soon after ♦ Benjamin (1716-1786); married Martha Hall his arrival, he married Dorothy King (1675- (1728-1780) 1759). He distinguished himself first as Justice ♦ Edmund (1718-1771); married Mary of the Peace from 1698-99 and Sheriff in 1699- Pendleton 1702. When the county redrew boundaries and became King William, he served again as Justice It was the elder John Waller’s son William of the Peace from 1701-02, sheriff from 1702- who inherited the Newport plantation. Genera- 1703, as a major in the militia in regiment tions hence continued the use of slave labor, as commanded by Colonel John West. Last, he did many county families. According to the 1860 was a representative in the House of Burgesses Census, 48.4% of the county’s population was from 1710-14 and 1720-22. enslaved, a practice that ceased at the end of the Civil War in 1865. So too did the Newport plan- After his service in the House of Burgesses, tation cease to exist over time. he became the first clerk of newly constituted Spotsylvania County, a position he held for 20 years. He bought 1,000 acres from Major William Todd on April 25, 1726, on which he THE WELL AT MOUNT OLIVE settled a large plantation that he named after his A natural spring flows throughout the land birth place, Newport. He later bought more surrounding and underneath Mount Olive Baptist acreage throughout Spotsylvania and King Church and ends its journey many miles hence in William counties. Lake Anna. In addition to being clerk, he was also a The church was member of the vestry of St. George’s Parish (first established elected in 1725), and a member of the first Board between 1866- of Trustees for the town of Fredericksburg when 1868 primarily it was established and approved in 1728. He and by the his wife had six surviving children: Wigglesworth, Fox, and Cole ♦ Mary (1699-1781); married Zachary Lewis families. To (1702-1765) provide a meth- ♦ John (1701-1776); married Agnes Carr (1712- od for the © 2012, Terry Miller 1779) community to safely use the natural spring, a well was dug and a ♦ Thomas (1705-1765); married Elizabeth water pump was eventually installed on the Dabney (1705-1794) church grounds.

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Even today, the well has never run dry Livingston area mines were the Higgins (aka because the pump is primed regularly. For Huggins), Johnston's Prospect, Grindstone and the more than 100 years, the well at Mount Olive Mitchell mines. Of these four mines, the Mitchell has provided the sole source of water in that and Grindstone mines played important roles in region for families that do not have running the lives of three free African Americans and their water in their homes. families: Molly Pierce, Sally Ham and John King. When Andrew Mitchell purchased 300 acres from Robert and Margaret Hooe of Stafford for $250 in 1796, it is uncertain whether he knew his land contained gold. By 1812, he had bought an additional 56 acres and was deeply in debt to Joshua Long who financed his gold mining inter- ests. Mitchell entered into agreement with Robert Crutchfield to hold his debt. In exchange, he put three slaves in trust to Crutchfield: Gilbert, Dick and Harry. If Mitchell could not pay his debt by a specified date, the slaves could be sold at public auction at the Court House. Mitchell used these three slaves more than © 2007, Terry Miller once to secure his debt. He died intestate and his heir, Joseph (and Joseph’s wife Willey M. Parker Mitchell), sold 326 acres to Joseph Watkins of Goochland and 30 acres of his father’s estate to a MINING IN THE LIVINGSTON free woman named Molly (aka Polly) Pierce on REGION and the story of March 16, 1833. Ms. Pierce was freed sometime nearby residents MOLLY between 1820-1830, for she is listed in the 1830 U. S. Census as living with a free Negro girl. The PIERCE, SALLY HAM, and land Ms. Pierce bought was in the northwest cor- JOHN KING ner of Andrew Mitchell’s estate and bordered the Smith estate, Grindstone Hill Mine, and Joseph Enterprising and free black men and women Mitchell’s mill pond. Her deed of sale was rec- lived in the lower Livingston district where orded on May 6, 1833. there was a cluster of mines, mainly gold mines, It became necessary for Robert Crutchfield to that operated successfully in the 1800s. Other sell Gilbert, Dick and Harry - the slaves in trust to minerals produced were quartz, hematite, him by Andrew Mitchell. Gilbert was bought by muscovite, chalcopyrite and galena. Molly Pierce. On the same day that her deed of These mines were part of the gold-pyrite belt sale was recorded, she manumitted Gilbert and that runs southwest 140 miles through Virginia recorded his surname as “Baylor.” They lived beginning in Fairfax County. Among the together until her death in 1859. She willed her

-11- -12- entire estate to him. He died in 1866, leaving his More specifically, his land was adjacent to the real estate and possessions to his circle of family Grindstone Mine. Mr. King lived with his wife and friends, including one brother and one until his death from dropsy at age 76 on May 7, daughter. 1860. In today’s parlance, dropsy would best be described as swelling due to congestive heart Only a few farms from Molly Pierce and failure. At the time of his death, his real estate Gilbert Baylor lived Sally Ham (born ~ 1810), a was valued at $160 and his personal holdings were free Negro woman. October 19, 1838, she $35. His widow lived another 14 years, dying of bought 50 acres for $125 cash from William H. graceful old age at 80 in 1874, and his daughter Andrews and Mary E. A. Andrews, proprietors and her family remained on the of Andrews Tavern and Post estate. She died of “la grippe” at Office. ~ age 70 in 1891. Her land was adjacent to the Mitchell Mine, approach- What about the mine? After ing it from Ridge Road. Ham William Andrews died, the 326- had 11 known children, and acre Mitchell Mine, owned by later in life, some of her chil- his partners, was surveyed and dren used the surname sold to one of the heirs of “Coleman” in honor of their Andrew Mitchell, B. Arthur father, Lindsey Coleman. Andrews Tavern, from J. R. Mansfield (1977), A Mitchell (living in Philadelphia, History of Early Spotsylvania Pennsylvania) on February 1, In 1855, the Mitchell Mine 1868, for $16,000. He and his was sold at public sale for $978 to partners shareholders borrowed money for the purpose William H. Andrews and Jonathan Johnson by of developing the mine, but their efforts at long- the executor of Joseph Watkins’ estate (per term profitability were unsuccessful, as the instructions in his last will and testament). Virginia gold mining industry did not recover Over time, the Ham land proved to be some after the Civil War and prospectors moved west of the most inexpensive and unproductive in the to California. entire region. By the time of her death ~1890, its value was $1.50/acre in comparison with nearby values of from $3-$6/acre. LITTLE MINE ROAD BAPTIST Approximately four miles from the Ham CHURCH: The First African property lived John King with his wife Jane, and American Church their daughter, also named Jane – all free people before the Civil War. Born ~1784 to unknown Mine Road meanders through the far reaches parentage, Mr. King was a carpenter. He bought of Spotsylvania County on the way to the Orange 68 acres from Herod and Nancy Wright for $115 County boundary where gold, zinc, lead and cash on May, 25, 1846, and lived on property sulphur mines provided significant non-farm situated between the families of Thomas and income to families. On this road as early as 1791 was the established Mine Road Baptist Church Robert Mastin.

-13- -14- where the membership before the outbreak of Little Mine Road Baptist Church also has the the Civil War was reportedly one hundred forty- distinction of being the location of a meeting in eight, almost equally divided between white and 1909 of the Spotsylvania Sunday School Union black members. (SSSU) where James Lewis One of those black members was a coach- Terrell I, Superin- man for a white congregant. The coachman tendent of the took the bold step of asking permission for the Sunday School at black members to start a church of their own. Branch Fork His request was forwarded to the pastor, Rev. Baptist Church E. G. Baptist, who, after consultation, granted and a trustee of the request. the SSSU, made a The colored members walked a brief way motion to build a down Mine Road to a dirt path (now Lane’s school in their Corner) where they established a church they own community came to call Little Mine Road Baptist to educate Negro Church. The year was 1859 – four years before children. Those the Civil War – and this church became the first spoken words established African American congregation in manifested a few Spotsylvania County. years later into the James Lewis Terrell I (1858-1929) courtesy Anita Terrell Roberson It took 18 years, but on September 1, 1877, Spotsylvania Graded the members had saved enough money to buy School. land from black farmers and fellow members Reuben and Lucy A. STUBBS SCHOOL Johnson. The Berkeley Precinct in the Livingston They built a District had the first, and always the largest frame church number, of one-room schools for colored in which to children in Spotsylvania County until the 1940s worship. In when consolidation began. 1902, a second sturdier church One such school was the Stubbs School. The building was earliest known written record of the school is constructed. September, 1908 when its teacher was Mrs. Mary Scott. She received an “Emergency” certificate to Little Mine Road teach from Division Superintendent, T. Welch Baptist Church Dew. Her salary was $20/month and she taught © 2007, Terry Miller the first through the seventh grades for a five- month term. Located on the corner of what is now Comfort

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Lane and Stubbs Bridge Road, the Stubbs That fort was key in defending settlers from School was the only known African American attack by the formidable Apaches. In addition to school with an outside tall-post bell. Through fighting Indians, Sgt. Brown’s tasks were to guard the years, some of its teachers were Lula the post and protect byways against bandits. Broadus, James L. Terrell II, May 11, 1889, Sgt. Mary R. Quarles and Olga Brown was one of 12 Lomax. soldiers from Fort Grant The last academic year accompanying Paymaster that Stubbs operated was Major Joseph W. Wham. 1937-38. In contrast to its In two covered wagons early days, the school’s they were carrying teacher was Virginia $28,345.10 to Fort Henderson, a new graduate Thomas and beyond to of Virginia Commonwealth 1932, courtesy Virginia State University Archives administer soldiers’ pay. University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Sgt. Brown was riding with the Major. Granted Her contract was for eight months at a salary of permission to ride with them by horseback was $55/month. Mrs. Frankie Campbell, well-known gambler and wife of a Fort Grant prisoner.

Mrs. Campbell rode in front of the two SGT. BENJAMIN BROWN wagons. As they turned around a ridge, they were stopped by a boulder lying in the middle of the When Benjamin Brown was dusty trail. While trying to determine born in the Livingston district of how to move it, a yell and gunfire from Spotsylvania County in ~ 1859 to the hills tore through the quiet as a Henry and Polly Brown, who would gang of men — not wearing masks — have believed that he would become descended on the soldiers and began a an American hero of the Indian gunfight for the gold. Sgt. Brown was Wars? shot in the arm and in his side. He Seeking a better life than working continued to battle on open ground on Spotsylvania plantations, he left until being shot once more in the other his parents and migrated to Pennsyl- arm. After the nearly two-hour battle, vania where he soon joined the U. S. the robbers stole the money. Nine men Army through its Harrisburg office, were captured and a sensational trial assigned to the 24th Colored Infan- courtesy National Park Service ensued where it was revealed the mayor try, Company C (one of the four so-called and primary employer encouraged the Buffalo Soldier units). This 5’9”, brown-eyed, robbery supposedly as a form of protest. He dark brown-haired, yellow-skinned man decided claimed to be saving the Mormon population to become a professional soldier. He accepted from the encroachment of the U. S. Government. his second enlistment at age 26 on March 23, All were acquitted. The money was never 1885, serving at Fort Grant, Arizona. recovered. -17- -18-

Paymaster Major Wham testified to the U. S. bullets from the 1889 gunfight in his body. The House of Representatives Committee on Mil- last word in his service record is “Excellent.” itary Affairs. The committee concluded that the After his hospitalization, he was cared for at soldiers “displayed unusual courage and skill in the U. S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home in defense of the Government’s property.” High- Washington, D.C. until his death on September 5, est praise was given to Sgt. Brown for his gun 1910. He never married. He is buried in the very fighting, and to another soldier, a wounded Isai- first National Cemetery which is adjacent to the ah Mays, who crawled two miles to the nearest Soldiers’ Home. home for assistance.

February 19, 1890, both men were presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President GOODWIN MINE Benjamin Harrison, “the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be Spotsylvania is almost directly in the middle bestowed upon an individual serving in the of the aforementioned gold-pyrite belt (on p. 11). Armed Services of the United States.” The area near Louisa County and what became in One month later, Sergeant Brown re-enlisted 1983 Lake Anna, was formerly called “Gold Hill” for a five-year tour back at Fort Grant, Arizona. At the end of this enlistment, he was discharged March 22, 1895 at nearby Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Even though still recovering from his wounds, he received a “very good” evaluation. During his fourth enlistment which ended March 23, 1898, with an “Excellent” evaluation for service at Fort Douglas, Utah, he was promoted to Sergeant Major. For the next few years, he was in the Philippine Islands and served a tour at Fort Assiniboine, Montana. For a seventh time, he enlisted for and was the location of the Goodwin Mine. It a three-year tour on March was the third largest gold mine in the country 24, 1904 at Fort Assiniboine. between 1830-1849. Gold was first discovered He was approximately 43 here in 1829, but by the 1880s, Virginia mining years old when he fell ill, and had reached its peak. was discharged June 3, 1905 to the General Hospital in Small scale gold production in Virginia Washington, D.C. for disa- continued until World War II when, on October bility. Not only had he suf- 8, 1942, the War Production Board issued Limita- fered a debilitating stroke, tion Order L-208, which branded gold production © 2010, Terry Miller but he still carried one of the as a non-essential and directed all but the smallest

of gold mines to shut down so their labor force

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could be used else- Nearly two months later on April 1, 1878, where to support the Messrs. Chartters, Furneybrough and Talley sold war effort. Economic one of those acres for $10 to the trustees of Piney conditions following Branch Colored Church represented by Claiborne the war were such that Lewis, John Lewis, and William Parker for the few miners returned to purpose of educating the population of Negro mining, so only a children who lived in the area and attended the handful of mines church. Even though situated next door, the reopened. The last church building was not owned by the member- commercial mines ship until 21 years later on September 12, 1899, producing not only when two acres consisting of a burial ground “. . . Miners at the nearby Whitehall and all buildings thereon” were sold to them for Farm; courtesy Jean Dobyns gold, but lead, zinc, and silver, were closed $1.00 by W. E. and Sarah Embrey. by the late 1940s. “I began my education in the old Piney Branch School. This was the very first building and my PINEY BRANCH SCHOOL parents also attended there. My first teacher was Piney Branch School, adjacent to Piney Miss Otelia Upshaw. Before too long I was Branch Baptist Church, is the only one-room calling her Aunt Teelie. Piney Branch Church, school for African American children still stand- standing nearby seemed to have been the parent ing in its original location. body. The preacher, teacher, and all parents were our leaders and were highly respected and involved in this little community called Piney Branch.” James Henry Robinson Jr., (1910-2000) Son of Clara Dean (1882-1961) and James Henry Robinson, Sr. (1883-1937) courtesy Robinson Family Genealogy

Teacher Otelia Upshaw (1895- 1932, courtesy Virginia State University Archives 1935) married Albert Robinson and had seven children, all of whom attended the Piney Branch February 5, 1878, Peter and Emily Couse of School. She was a graduate of Monmouth County, New Jersey, sold two acres Virginia Normal & Industrial for $20 to Chancellor District school trustees on Institute in Petersburg, VA. what is now Piney Branch Road. The trustees She died of tuberculosis. were X. X. Chartters, R. W. Furneybrough and Courtesy of the late Nathan Talley. Alberta Robinson

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Piney Branch School operated for five 23rd U. S. COLORED months during the academic year. It was not until the 1919-20 academic year that the school INFANTRY ENGAGEMENT was officially named “Piney Branch” in school records. Prior to this date, it was simply “the I have the honor to report that at 12.30 pm this colored school in Screamerville.” It was one of four day the Second Ohio Cavalry, stationed at Piney African American schools in the Chancellor Branch Church, were compelled to fall back, being District; the other three were Diggs, Brock attacked by superior forces, consisting of one Road (later Parker), and Carters. brigade of cavalry, with two pieces of artillery. I immediately ordered the Fourth Division in By 1945, the Piney readiness, and marched the Twenty-third U. S. Branch School and Colored Troops to support the cavalry. On others like it were no arriving at Alrich’s, on the Plank Road, I found longer sustainable. The the Second Ohio driven across the road, and the Spotsylvania County enemy occupying the crossroads. I ordered the School Board, consisting colored regiment to advance on the enemy in line of T. B. Sale, J. C. of battle, which they did, and drove the enemy in Hawkins, J. Henry perfect rout.” Burrus, and B. M. Pates, Excerpt from Ninth Army Corps, Fourth Division, sold this particular school Report of Brig General Edward Ferrero at public auction for $280 on June 4, 1945. The successful bidder was These words describe the first known fight on Piney Branch Baptist Church, represented by its Virginia soil of a full U. S. Colored regiment with- trustees Samuel Ford, Carl Lewis and Thomas in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Lewis (above, courtesy Ida Lewis). The Spotsylvania theater of the Civil War com- prised the pivotal battles of the Wilderness, Chan- cellor and Spotsylvania Court House, all fought and refought through thick, tangled brush twice: May 1863 and again in May 1864.

The 23rd Regiment, U. S. Colored Infantry, is In the foreground are the one of nine in the Ninth Corps. They were preserved original brick organized at Camp Casey, Alexandria, Virginia steps from Piney Branch beginning November 23, 1863, and served with Baptist Church built in the early 1900s. The soldiers from the 19th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, current church, seen in the 31st, 39th and 43rd regiments of U.S. Colored background, was built Troops. next to the original. © 2007, Terry Miller Although only one of the many skirmishes between the armies of Ulysses S. Grant and Rob- ert E. Lee, this 1864 period is important be- cause it marks the first time the two generals

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1901. It is the sixth building used on four Flag of the 4th Division, different sites. Ninth Army Corps carried by members of the ♦ From 1722-32, court was seated in Germanna 23rd Infantry, U.S. (now Orange County) on land owned by Colored Troops Governor Alexander Spotswood. Photograph from private ♦ When Fredericksburg was chartered in 1728, a collection, Terry Miller 1732 Act of Assembly allowed the Spotsylva- nia Court to be moved from Governor Spotswood’s land to Fredericksburg. Court was seated in Henry Willis’ home from 1732- met directly in war. The soldiers of the 23rd 1738. served first right here in Spotsylvania under the general who would later be elected president of ♦ Once it was determined that it was too the United States. difficult for residents in the far reaches of the county to get to downtown Fredericksburg, Some soldiers of the 23rd U. S. Colored the construction of a new court house was Infantry were born in Spotsylvania County authorized. Located in the center of the (including the city of Fredericksburg). Those currently county, it was built by Thomas Pritchett. identified are: During construction, Court was seated in the John T. Bell Archibald Page home of John Holladay from June 15 to Addision Coleman Warner Park December 21, 1780. Henry Coleman William Reddick ♦ Pritchett’s court building was weak and Armstead Goodlow Richard Saunders deteriorated rapidly. A new building was John Gorday John Scott constructed on the same grounds and served Elisha Gross Vincent Stokes the citizens until 1838. John H. Mahoney Abraham Tuxon ♦ Lewis and Ann Rawlings purchased land from Samuel Alsop and offered to convey 10 of OLD COURT HOUSE and JAIL their acres to the county for the purpose of erecting public buildings. Their deed was The interpretation of law and determination accepted and Mr. M. T. Crawford was given of guilt or innocence requires a system of courts the contract to build the new court house. He and places to be punished. The Spotsylvania received an initial payment in December 1838 Court House was the place where citizens and of $551.20. While the buildings were under formerly enslaved men and women sought construction, court sat in the Rawlings home justice. and tavern. The location of the current court house has ♦ By mid-1839, the entire courthouse complex, been the County seat since 1839. The building, including clerk’s office and jail, were opera- with its ivory bricks, has been standing since tional in their new location.

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During the Civil War, the court house was damaged but not destroyed. Throughout and after the war, it was used as a field hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers.

Red brick Spotsylvania Court House in 1864; courtesy Library of Congress

By 1900, the red brick court house was unsafe and needed renovation, but after further study, it was clear that it could not be saved. Since red bricks were too expensive, ivory- colored ones from Alexandria were substituted.

Detail of photograph provided by the Virginia Historical Society. Mary D. Waller (l) and Jennie E. Boggs (r). Photograph taken May 6, 1887 by W. H. Tipton

A jail was always an important part of court facilities. May 6, 1887, two young black female prisoners in the Spotsylvania County Jail were photographed during a tour of Civil War battle- fields by Massachusetts photographer, W. H. Tipton. Those women were Mary D. Waller and Jennie E. Boggs, jailed June 13, 1886 and subse- quently indicted for housebreaking, grand larceny Photograph from Spotsylvania County brochure, undated. and felonious assault on William S. E. Waller and his sister Jane. The judge was Robert E. Waller.

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He recused himself because he was one of three George Boxley was a first generation American witnesses for the Commonwealth. Presiding born in 1780 to English immigrants Thomas and instead was the Honorable E. C. Moncure, Mary Boxley. He was the oldest of six children. Judge of Caroline County. The women pleaded By 1803, his parents had both died and he and a not guilty and requested removal of trial to cousin were joint executors of his father’s estate. another county. Their request was denied. Of his father’s 1,979 acres, known as The Grange, They had several court appearances between George was willed 170 acres and two slaves, Har- their arrest and the time of this photograph. ry and Dafney, valued at $460. His father’s will These two daughters of Nicey Boggs (b. was to return all slaves to the estate and free 1840) who lived nearby, were servants of them. William Waller. They were sentenced twice: In 1805, George married Hannah Jenkins first for three years in the State Penitentiary, from a nearby farm and they began a family. which was overruled. The second time they George was a soldier in the war of 1812, and were sentenced to two years in the State returned determined to lead a life of freedom for Penitentiary which was continued. Finally, himself, his family and slaves. In the March Court, 1888, “[t]he attorney prosecut- An educated man, George Boxley read and ing for the Commonwealth by consent of the Court saith spoke often of the contradictions of the American that he will not prosecute further on behalf of the Com- constitution versus its use of slaves. This was a monwealth vs. Mary D. Waller and Jennie E. Boggs special point with him being a citizen of Virginia, who stand indicted for felonious assault, grand larceny the largest slave-holding state. He scolded against and housebreaking. Therefore it is ordered that they be slavery regularly which did not endear him to his discharged from the custody of the Jailer of this Court.” neighbors. It also gave enslaved men and women After nearly two years, on March 6, 1888, the the idea that he could be counted on to help them young ladies walked freely from the Spotsylva- if needed. nia County Jail. An opportunity presented itself when two escaped men came to his store late one evening, reportedly having been beaten earlier in the day GEORGE BOXLEY: Slave and threatened by their owner with sale away from their families. Boxley allegedly gave them Sympathizer two of his horses, some money and directions to Pennsylvania. The old Court House and Jail are most infa- mously known for the apprehension and escape When their absences were noticed, a slave of George Boxley — known in Virginia history woman named Lucy reported that she had heard as a white man who facilitated the planning of a talk around George Boxley’s about a slave revolt. slave insurrection by allowing slaves to meet in Lucy’s mistress, Ptolemy Powell, reported the the store on his property. Events and motives rumblings of a slave insurrection to the Magistrate of individuals, as well as the nuances of emo- on February 22, 1816, who arranged for an tion, are always more complex. investigation. Boxley could not produce a bill of

-29- -30- sale for two missing horses and was arrested for life, George sought the job of Justice of the Peace assisting slaves to escape. Twenty-seven so- in 1824, but he was publicly challenged about his called black conspirators were also arrested. past and forced to admit his actions to his neigh- bors and friends. Three bounty hunters tried to Even though Boxley was imprisoned and capture him while he worked in his field and his awaiting trial, Virginia law did not allow blacks sons successfully fought them off. The State of to testify against whites. The blacks who were Ohio filed charges against the bounty hunters for arrested were either hung or sold south. In May kidnapping and awarded George $10 in damages. 1816, George’s wife Hannah and their children visited him in jail — the new brick jail built in Boxley left his family for Missouri, using the 1813 and situated next to the clerk’s office and name George Burke, but soon read a newspaper across the road from the Court House built in account describing his close call in Ohio. He 1801. decided to return, get his family and relocate. They moved to Indiana, built a home on what he Not waiting to find out his fate, George named Pioneer Hill and prospered. He built a escaped the day after his family’s visit. It is school for his children and welcomed other believed that his wife smuggled a saw in the hem pioneer families who were seeking a better life. of her skirt into the jail. The Superior Court Grand Jury returned an indictment against George Boxley lived the rest of his life on this Boxley for insurrection; his wife was never land in Indiana. More importantly, he lived to see blamed or charged for aiding her husband. She the North defeat the South in the Civil War and remained at their family home and slowly and the end of slavery for which he advocated for so quietly sold most of their belongings, waiting for long. word from her husband. Boxley first surfaced in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- MARSHALL CENTER vania where he soon signed a power of attorney from Washington County to sell his land in The Marshall Center is the site of the Good Spotsylvania. Soon thereafter he saw a Spotsyl- Hope Colored School — a recreated one-room vania County newspaper advertisement for his school for African American children. It is also bounty, and he left and settled near Cincinnati, the location of the old high school for the coun- Ohio where he worked as a school teacher. He ty’s white children, now the C. Melvin Snow Me- published two anti-slavery articles under a pen morial Library. It is named in honor of the man name. He finally got word to his wife about his who in 1945 became Superintendent of whereabouts and she and their children followed Spotsylvania Public Schools after serving as a friend’s relative from Virginia to Ohio where principal of the white high school. they all met in Fayette County and lived for sev- There was a Good Hope School for colored en years. The couple had five more children. children in Spotsylvania County for grades 1 through 7 as early as 1920. Several years later, Bounty hunters were still trying to find him in however, it was in serious decay and a new 1821, but Ohio Governor James Preston would building was proposed and approved by the not pursue the matter. Comfortable in his new -32- -31-

Spotsylvania County School Board in 1923. crippled the school and the School Board did not The first recorded teacher was the experienced open it for the 1940-41 school year. By March 1, Lula Broadus who, at that time, lived in the 1943 the school was still not operational, and on Brokenburg section of the April 16, 1943, the school building county. Her salary was $40/ and lot were auctioned. At a bid of month and the school operat- $280, it was sold to Mr. N. A. Duke. ed for six months in the year. Many years later in 1996, the In the January 7, 1929 empty and decaying Good Hope School Board minutes, Super- School stood in the brush. A county intendent John Hunter Chiles committee was established to save announced that “the school the building, and both the Freder- had been completed but it was icksburg Area Builders Association still in need of insurance.” and architects Herlong Associates He suggested that $350 of agreed to renovate it. Its owner at insurance was required for the that time was Delegate V. Earl building and its contents. Dickinson of Louisa County. Although the construction was complete, including a It was decided to move the galvanized roof, the Superin- building to the Marshall Center and tendent recommended enjoy it as a local attraction to show painting the outside to “keep how a one-room school for colored the weather boarding from children was built and used in its warping and pulling time. Before the school could be off.” (January 11, 1929 School moved, however, it was destroyed by Board Minutes) fire. The new school, at the Rather than abandon the idea of a corner of Lewiston Road and recreated school, the Spotsylvania Route 208 near Lake Anna, County School Board located got its first teacher, Lillian another existing school structure in White, at a salary of $40 per the Livingston area. The Fork month for an eight-month School, across the road from Branch school year. She was Fork Baptist Church, was moved to appointed on May 5, 1930 to the site at the Marshall Center and renovated. The new building had the begin later in the fall. Top: Good Hope Colored School physical features of both the Good By November 1940, its Middle: Fork Colored School, this and above photograph from 1932, courtesy of Virginia State Hope School and the Fork School – property value was listed as University Archives leaving the public with an enhanced $600, while contents were Bottom: Recreated Good Hope School at the rendition of one-room education for $250. Low enrollment Marshall Center , © 2011 Terry Miller the county’s African American children. -33- -34-

JOHN J. WRIGHT HOME by walnut, cedar and holly trees, the home had eight rooms including a living room, kitchen, The Wright residence was 56 acres on route dining room, four bedrooms, a bath, an attic, a 632 (now Hickory Ridge Road) purchased April 15, second story sun porch on the front, and a 1894, from H. F. and Bettie Crismond. Mr. ground level screened porch. Two out-buildings Wright named it Locust Grove (the third such were also on the property. property in the county with that name). It was sold on January 13, 1986 to one of her cousins, Reuben H. Lewis and his wife, Eunice. Sadly, the home was destroyed by fire a few years later, and thus, the final Furniture in the Wright home; courtesy physical space that Constance Braxton belonged to Mr. Wright, where he walked, tended, and mentored affectionately was gone forever.

courtesy Constance Braxton YELLOW JACKETS The all-Negro Spotsylvania Yellow Jackets With Mr. Wright’s only child, Jeanette W. played on a field that was purchased and devel- Shamwell, aging and living in Baltimore, she oped by local farmer, Elmore Lawson. decided to sell the residence that had been in the family for more than 90 years. “I loved baseball. Poppa [Alfred L Fairchild, Sr.] owned land adjoining the white high school. “I was born there. My father went there and I used to go through the woods to climb a tree to cleared land on that place and cut the timber watch the white boys play. out the woods and built the house . . . It has been home. It goes a little bit hard with me not “I too could play baseball even though I didn’t to have it for home still, but when you get to be have enough money to buy gloves, uniforms, balls 87, I guess anything can happen. and bats. I was a catcher. When school’s home- coming and neighborhood games were being Jeanette W. Shamwell played, I crawled under seats and bleachers and February 21, 1986 Interview with RCC-TV collected all the popsicle bags that people threw on Fredericksburg the ground. There was a company that paid cash for those bags, so by the time I turned in mine, I She commissioned Nichols Auction Company earned enough money to buy my baseball equip– to sell the real estate and contents. Surrounded ment. I was first a member and later a manager

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of the Spotsylvania Yellow (Left): courtesy the late Alfred Jackets. We used to play on the “Dadie” Fairchild field owned by Mr. Lawson. Memories of Layton R. Fairchild Sr. (Below left): Elmore Lawson, born January 26, Elmore Lawson, courtesy 1882, to Isaac and Julia Weathers Shirley Robinson Lawson, was a farmer, carpenter and construction contractor. He even operated a sawmill on his property. He was the husband of the former Cora Stannard and the father of 17 children. Long after Cora’s 1938 death, he married Lizzie ALFRED L. FAIRCHILD Matilda Nelson. He noticed that baseball was played in back You can tell a person anything, but the life you yards, on church grounds and in open fields, live speaks for you. while the white community enjoyed diamonds Alfred Linwood Fairchild

for that specific purpose. Next to Born September, 1878, Alfred Linwood one of his prop- Fairchild was the second person and part of the erties was vacant first generation of Fairchilds born in Spotsylvania land once owned County. His grandparents, Samuel and Caroline by the Liston Fairchild, and four of their five children immigrat- Lewis family of ed to Virginia in 1868 from Essex County, New Sylvannah Jersey after the Civil War. Samuel Fairchild Baptist Church. bought 139 acres for $1000, established a working The locals played farm and also used his trade as a carpenter. baseball there and organized Within one year, Caroline Fairchild died of into a team that competed with other regional tuberculosis and her husband raised their young teams, especially on Saturdays and after church children as a single parent. Nine years later, on Sundays. The team called themselves the Samuel’s youngest child, 16-year old Charlotte, Spotsylvania Yellow Jackets, and young men gave birth to Alfred, a mixed race child. Being such as pitcher Rudolph Williams, Roy Lewis, unable to raise him easily in 1870s rural Virginia, and the Fairchild brothers Aaron, Alfred Jr., and she ceded him to the care of her father who, over Layton all honed skills that perhaps in another time, taught him the trade of carpentry. time would have brought them fame in a profes- Being raised by his grandfather and because he sional league. July 12, 1952, Mr. Lawson bought was colored, Alfred did not attend primary school. those 9.64 acres and constructed a diamond. The nearest school for their location would have

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been the Summit School (below), but it was house, adding to it over time. It had a little approximately 18 miles away by rough buggy basement where Mamma kept fruit. There was ride or horseback. Yet, as a child Alfred a big front porch that wrapped around the left showed tremendous side. On the first floor toward the right was a talent in mathematics formal dining room with a very large bay window. which allowed him to “What used to be a pantry was later turned into learn carpentry at a a kitchen. Upstairs there were four bedrooms. level that would now Fancy lattice work decorated the posts and house be called gifted. His trim. He did all of it. It had a mansion feel to sons, Layton Sr. and it but it was practical. Poppa needed a house for 1932, courtesy Virginia State Alfred Jr. (aka Dadie), University Archives his entire family to live. recalled that he told them, “There was a well outside and we drew enough “I was walking across the field one day and water for Mamma to wash. There was a scrub something hit me and knocked me down. I hit board. Between two leafy oak trees, Mamma would do the washing in a #8 and a #10 tub. my head but it turned out to be OK. When I got up and shook it off, I started to notice “The most important part of the house was the different things. Next thing I knew I could outside because that’s where the garden was. I’m figure out numbers in my head.” not talking about a garden with roses and other smelly flowers; I’m talking about a garden you His grandfather Samuel died in ~ 1892, and can eat from. Our garden, along with the hogs, Alfred moved in with his aunt and her family, cows, turkeys and chickens fed the family. It had Laura and Jilson Jett. They had nine children big green leafy vegetables, when he moved in, and over time Laura peas, fruit trees and gave birth to a total of 13 children; 11 of vines, and tall corn them survived. stalks full of sweet cobs. In 1899, Alfred married Alberta We didn’t just look at Garnett, daughter of their neighbors it. We all had to help Archibald and Lettie Garnett. In 1902, tend it.” his aunt and uncle deeded him one acre Memories of of their land where he built his own Layton R. Fairchild, Sr. house and started to raise his family. Alberta died and soon thereafter he married Rosa Anne Lewis. Together they raised their family in the home in which he built and expanded over time.

“As many children do, I remember our house as being this big, grand, beautiful Above, Alfred Fairchild Homeplace. On porch, wife place. Poppa built the two-story white frame of Layton R. Fairchild, Sr., Bertha Pratt Fairchild; c. 1945, courtesy Mr & Mrs Layton R Fairchild, Sr.

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Fairchild’s reputation as a carpenter grew and he was hired by Judge A. Wilson Embrey to build a barn. According to family memories, Fairchild cut what seemed to be a tremendous amount of timber on the judge’s land, causing much consternation. “Just let me finish,” he said. When the job was completed, there were no unused pieces of lumber. The fin- Sylvannah Baptist Church, c. 1930 ished product was courtesy Peggy Tyler pronounced “perfect” by the judge. “Here,” Judge Embrey said to Mr. Fairchild while placing an object in his hand. When he looked in his hand, there was a $100 gold piece. “If you ever need to know Alfred Linwood Fairchild c. 1908 anything about the courtesy Layton R. Fairchild, Sr. law,” the judge said, “come and see me.” In his lifetime, Mr. Fairchild built approxi- mately 50 homes, the church he and his family attended, Sylvannah Baptist Church (upper right), numerous barns, and most famously, the Spotsylvania Graded School. Mr. Fairchild’s association with Judge Embrey lasted well past his lifetime. After his death in February, 1950, his friend and mentor Judge Embrey was the executor of his estate and Alfred and Rosa Lewis Fairchild with son, Roy (left), and grandson, Aaron Jr. administered the major expenses for his widow, courtesy Rosemary Quarles McKinney Rosa Fairchild, until her death in 1962.

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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Below are citations for photographs that Ball, L. D. (2000). Ambush at Bloody Run: The Wham paymas- space did not allow us to include in previous ter robbery of 1889: a story of politics, religion, race, and banditry in Arizona Territory. Tucson, AZ: Arizona Historical Society. pages. Bearss, S. B., Kneebone, J. T., Looney, J. J., Tarter, B., and Cover Treadway, S. G. eds. (2001). George Boxley: biographical Photograph of Helena Broadus Davis, unknown date, sketch. In Dictionary of Virginia Biography. Vol. 2. Richmond, courtesy Vernell Davis VA: The Library of Virginia.

Photograph of Mount Olive Baptist Church Broadwater, R. (1998). Desperate deliverance: The story of © 2007, Terry Miller African-Americans in the Civil War. Altoona, PA: Daisy Publishing. pp. 5-6 Gallagher, G. W. ed. (1997). The Wilderness campaign. Chap- Photograph of John J. Wright building el Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. © 2011, Terry Miller Little Mine Road Baptist Church. (2009). 150th Jubilee Photographs of John J. Wright and Cora Jackson Anniversary Booklet. Wright are from the permanent collection, John J. Mansfield, J. R. (1977). A history of early Spotsylvania. Wright Museum Spotsylvania, VA: Spotsylvania county Board of

Supervisors. p. 7 Photograph of Aaron Alfred Fairchild, courtesy of Miller, T. and Braxton, R. (2008). African Americans of Spotsylvania Sunday School Union 80th Anniversary Spotsylvania county. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishers. Souvenir Journal, 1985. Piney Branch Baptist Church. (1972). Centennial observance of p. 20 the Piney Branch Baptist Church, 1872-1972. Spotsylvania, VA.

Photograph of Lake Anna, © 2012, Terry Miller Pryde, L. R. (n.d.). Family history. Unpublished document.

Rivanna Archaeological Services, LLC. (2010, March). African American Contribution to Spotsylvania County’s Heritage.

Sheridan Historical Society. (1925). A man with a price on his head. Sheridan, IN.

Spears, D. B. and Upchurch, M. L. (1997). Metallic mines, prospects and occupation in the geo-pyrite belt of Virginia. Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Publication 147.

Spotsylvania County. (1970). 250th Anniversary Celebration: 1720-1970.

Stafford, L., Flippo, P., and Monroe, E., (eds). (1976). Spotsylvania County Jail Freedom of worship: A religious history of Spotsylvania County 1767 courtesy Library of Congress -1976. Spotsylvania, VA: Religious Heritage Committee, 1976.

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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY (cont’d) DRIVING TOUR ROUTE

Sweet, P. C. (1980). Gold in Virginia. Virginia Division of Start at 7565 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, Mineral Resources, Publication 19. VA 22551 (The John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center) Sweet, P. C. and Trimble, D. (1983). Virginia gold resource data. Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Publication 45. ♦ Head south on VA-208 W/Courthouse Rd ♦ Continue onto VA-738/Partlow Rd Williams, G. W. (1888). A history of the Negro troops in the ♦ Turn right at Co Rd 658/Mt Olive Rd war of the rebellion, 1861-1865. New York, NY: Harper & Brothers. 2133 Mt Olive Rd, Beaverdam, VA 23015 Wilson, J. T. (1897). The Black phalanx: A history of the (Mount Olive Baptist Church) Negro soldiers of the United States in the wars of 1775-1812, 1861-’65. Hartford, CT: The American Publishing ♦ Head northeast on Co Rd 658/Mt Olive Rd Company. toward Co Rd 662/Log Cabin Rd ♦ Turn left on Log Cabin Rd and continue. The Spotsylvania County Records Room Information Spotsylvania County Birth Records road will lead to VA-738/Partlow Rd Spotsylvania County Deed Books ♦ Turn left onto VA-738/Partlow Rd and con- Spotsylvania County Death Records tinue to Rd 622/Fairview Spotsylvania County Marriage Record Books #1 & #2 ♦ Slight left onto Co Rd 622/Fairview Rd. Spotsylvania County Order Book, 1882-1886, Microfiche Continue on this road until it ends at Rd 601/ Reel #93, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA. Spotsylvania County Order Book, 1886-1889, Microfiche Lewiston Rd Reel #94, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA ♦ Right onto Co Rd 601/Lewiston Rd Spotsylvania County Will Books ♦ Continue on Lewiston Rd until it ends at VA- 208E/Courthouse Rd Newspapers ♦ Turn right onto VA-208E/Courthouse Rd Free Lance-Star, May 3, 1996 ♦ New York Times, December 13, 1899 Turn left at Co Rd 601/Lawyers Rd Virginia Herald, 1816 (Mar 9, Apr 13, May 15, May 22, ♦ Continue on Lawyers Rd to Co Rd 612/ and May 25) Stubbs Bridge Rd ♦ Turn left onto Co Rd 612/Stubbs Bridge Rd Websites www.archives.gov (U. S. Archives) www.arizonacorrections.gov 6930 Stubbs Bridge Rd, Spotsylvania VA www.civilwar.gatech.edu 22551 (Branch Fork Baptist Church) www.civilwar.si.edu www.cmohs.org (Congressional Medal of Honor Soldiers) ♦ Turn around in the parking lot of Branch www.loc.gov (Library of Congress) Fork Baptist Church and return the way you www.militarytimes.com www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com came. At the intersection of Stubbs Bridge www.ourdocuments.gov Rd and Lawyers Rd, continue straight on Co www.uscensus.gov (1810 through 1930) Rd 606 to the end (intersection of Rd 606 and www.vahistorical.org Co Rd 612/Post Oak Rd ♦ Turn right onto Co Rd 612/Post Oak Rd

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DRIVING TOUR ROUTE (cont’d) DRIVING TOUR ROUTE (cont’d)

♦ Continue on Post Oak to Chewning Park on 11600 Catharpin Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553 your left (Wilderness Elementary School)

13013 Post Oak Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22551 ♦ Continue on Catharpin Rd/Co Rd 612 (Chewning Park) ♦ Turn left at Co Rd 610/Old Plank Rd ♦ Continue through the intersection of Old ♦ Exit left from Chewning Park onto Co Rd Plank Rd and Route 3 to the Chancellorsville 612/Post Oak Rd site (parking is available) ♦ Continue on Post Oak to Co Rd 659/Lane’s Intersection of Route 3 and Elys Ford Rd, Corner Rd Fredericksburg, VA 22407 ♦ Turn right (sharply) onto Lane’s Corner (Ruins of the Chancellorsville Home) Rd/Co Rd 659. ♦ Continue to Little Mine Road Baptist ♦ At traffic light, turn left onto VA-3/Plank Rd Church on your left. ♦ Turn right onto Gordon Rd ♦ Turn around in the parking lot and return to ♦ Turn left onto Co Rd 628/Smith Station Rd the corner of Lane’s Corner Rd and Post ♦ Turn right onto VA-208 W/Courthouse Rd Oak Rd. ♦ Turn left at Courthouse Rd (traffic light) ♦ Turn left onto Co Rd 606/Post Oak Rd ♦ Continue on Post Oak to Co Rd 612/ 9101 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553 Pamunkey Rd (Spotsylvania Court House and Jail) ♦ Turn right onto Pamunkey ♦ Continue on Pamunkey until it ends at West ♦ At the traffic light, turn left onto Courthouse Catharpin Rd/Co Rd 608 Rd/VA-208 W and continue southwest ♦ Continue on this road. Its name will change to Catharpin Rd. 8800 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 ♦ Turn left onto Brock Rd/Co Rd 612/Co Rd (The Marshall Center)

613 ♦ Continue southwest on Courthouse Rd ♦ Take the 2nd right to continue onto ♦ Turn left on Marshall Park Lane Catharpin Rd/Co Rd 612 ♦ Turn a sharp right onto Co Rd 624/Piney 8525 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22551 Branch Rd (Marshall Park)

10727 Piney Branch Rd, Spotsylvania VA ♦ Turn left out of Marshall Park onto VA- 22553 (Piney Branch Baptist Church and School) 208 W/Courthouse Rd and continue to the starting point of this tour ♦ Turn around in the parking lot and return the way you came toward Catharpin Rd. 7565 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22551 ♦ Turn right onto Catharpin Rd/Co Rd 612 (Returning to the John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center)

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The management and staff of the Federal Agencies Spotsylvania County Department of Economic National Park Service, United States Department Development & Tourism are grateful for the of the Interior tremendous support we received in this effort. This project could not have been successful Special Thank You without the aid and assistance of numerous Terry Miller, owner of Whisper Meadows Press, individuals and organizations. without her countless hours of research and the creation of the signs and the brochure, Spotsylvania County Government this project would not have come to fruition Board of Supervisors Pannier Graphics for working with us to create County Administration & County Attorney the signs Departments of General Services & Sign Shop, Rivanna Archaeological Service, Charlottesville, Information Services (GIS), Finance (Grant Virginia, for their project research in support Writer), and Capital Projects of the Preserve America grant Roganna H. Rollins for sharing her time, Spotsylvania County Schools photographs and stories School Board Superintendent Citizens of Spotsylvania County School Maintenance Department Last, to all of you who generously donated your John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center time, contributed your knowledge, provided Museum invaluable insight, and introduced us to others who gave assistance, we sincerely thank you. Committee Members of the African American Heritage Trail Committee As a child servant in - Jennifer Scott, Chair 1863, Hester Lewis hid - Roger C. Braxton, Jr. in the basement of the - Cleopatra Coleman Chancellorsville home until the end of the - John Hennessy battle that waged outside. - Horace McCaskill When quiet, she walked - Clifford Vaughan through piles of dead bodies to a new, State Agencies uncertain freedom. She later married Charles Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Hughlett and raised a Historic Resources family. They were members of Piney Branch Baptist Church. Courtesy Booker T. Ross

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NOTES

______© 2012, Spotsylvania County, Virginia Department of Economic Development & Tourism ______All rights reserved ______Text by Terry Miller ______Printed in the United States of America ______To contact us: ______Spotsylvania Department of Economic ______Development & Tourism ______9019 Old Battlefield Blvd, Suite 310 ______Spotsylvania, VA 22553 ______(540) 507-7210 (phone) ______(540) 507-7207 (fax) [email protected] ______Front cover photographs clockwise from top ______left: ______Spotsylvania Yellow Jackets ______Sergeant Benjamin Brown ______Mount Olive Baptist Church ______Helena Broaddus Davis, Teacher ______Elmore Lawson ______-51- -52-

Legend:

(1) John J. Wright Educational & Cultural Center; (2) Mount Olive Baptist Church; (3) Branch Fork Baptist Church; (4) Chewning Park; (5) Little Mine Road Baptist Church; (6) Piney Branch Baptist Church; (7) Wilderness Elementary School and site of historical markers regarding the Battle of the Wilderness and the 23rd Regiment U. S. Colored Infantry; (8) Ruins of the Chancellorsville Home; (9) Court House and Jail; (10) The Marshall Center; (11) Marshall Park