Transcription
Potomac Scene, Friday, January 16, 1976, Page 4
OLDE
PRINCE WILLIAM
COUNTY
1776 - 1976
Old Prince William as described by some of its citizens around
the time of the Revolution:
1780-83 - Journal of Blanchard. We came to Dumfries a little
town situated tow leagues from the Potomac and which is
watered by one of its branches. I was lodged in the house of a
young Irishwoman, 25 years old and pretty handsome - she
seemed far from being rich, although well lodged. I found her
manners easy and European. A horse had been stolen from
me at Dumfries. I strongly suspected the people of my
amiable Irishwoman...
Tour - Smyth - we arrived at Dumfries, a little town situated
on a pretty water course named Quantico Creek. Here we met
with excellent accommodations at an inn, one of the best
perhaps in America - where we dined.
Rochambeau - Dumfries is a small town containing 15
houses, situated in a hollow at the head of a meadow that
extends in the marshes along the Potomac a mile or so
beyond.
In pre-revolutionary days of prosperity, and for a short time
afterwards, Dumfries possessed a bank, a newspaper, an
academy, considerable numbers of stores, Masonic Lodge -
the courthouse, taverns, churches, tanneries, etc.
Honeyman Journal. Dined and crost the ferry and [ride?] to
Dumfries 10 miles the country very hilly and not much
cleared, Dumfries lies in a bottom at the head of Quantico
creek contains about a dozen stores and 20 or 30 houses.
Verger - Journal - To Dumfries, a small settlement with
nothing notable about it except a very pretty view overlooking
Quantico Creek.
Martin - Situated on Quantico Creek, contains 80 dwelling
houses, 3 mercantile stores, a Baptist and Methodist house of
worship, 1 school house, 2 taverns, 1 manufacturing flour mill,
1 woolen manufacturer, 1 temperance society, a tanyard, 2
saddlers, 5 house carpenters and 2 blacksmith shops. The
mouth of Quantico, 2 1/2 miles from Dumfries is the best winter
harbor on the Potomac.
1771 - A very small place, of considerable trade, the town
consists of 100 houses and 600 inhabitants.
Smith - A small town which has some trade, through said to
be on the decline, owing to the way of navigation, as the little
river on which it is placed is filling up.
The Scots - had their own town at Dumfries where the walls
of their fine solid brick homes linger still as a reminder.Transcriber
Adam KitchenLanguage
English