Name/Title
Bustling town begins to dieSecondary Title
Bustling Town begins to DieDescription
DumfriesContext
DumfriesCataloged By
Rachel HughesPublication Details
Publication Type
News PaperDate Published
circa May 31, 1974Transcription
Transcription
Bustling town begins to die
Continued from page 2
crumbled fevers filled the marshes, fires layed waste to the town. The ballroom fell in during a meeting, killing or injuring 20 persons Boat
mishaps added to the town's disaster. Many of the fine homes were pulled down and in 1822 the county seat was moved to Brentsville from the Dumfries Courthouse that sold for $50.
IN 1961 DUMFRIES town again incorporated. Historic Dumfries Inc. now has an option on the courthouse property and hopes to reproduce the courthouse.
Lansing, through on-site research (the foundation stones of the courthouse remain) and comparison with other county courthouses, has produced conjectural sketches of the old building.
Other old buildings like the Tobacco Inspectors Building (built in the 1690s) and the Tebbs House, are well documented in the Library of Congress.
Although Dumfries boasts of few reliecs from the past, Lansing recently discovered half of a silver spur and sleeves from a wagon wheel hub while digging beneath the Weems-Botts house.
Mrs. Rowena Brawner who lived through the Dumfries fire of 1927 and the flood of 1972, still holds the old jail key from the 1800s probably Dumfries' oldest relic.
Her father was a Dumfries postmaster in the 1800s and occupied the old Reid House on U.S. 1 Mrs. Brawner also has several documents discovered in this building before it burned down. Two letters are dated in the 1790s and concern the purchases of negro slaves.
Although most of the evidence of Dumfries' former glory has disappeared, the June 6 bicentennial celebration will attempt to illuminate the past and set a precedent for the future with the sale of Lansing's book and reading of the Prince William Resolves
In addition to music and speeches by historians of local descent, a erection of commemorative plaque at the courthouse site will be endorsed by county super-visor chairman (Charles) Colgan.
Dumfries has asked local businesses observe [ ] 6 as a holiday from 1p.m. ...........Translator
Rachel HughesCreated By
info@historicdumfriesva.orgCreate Date
October 30, 2024Updated By
info@historicdumfriesva.orgUpdate Date
October 31, 2024