There is an old saying that history is written by the victors. Another truism is that it is easy to only concentrate on the leaders of such a cause. In the case of the Revolution, Adams, Jefferson, Hancock, etc. The revolution was a success because of local participation. This includes setting up of state governments, creating resolutions of fundamental freedoms such as religion and the contribution of those who fought on the battlefield and at home. Many who served in the military or served on the homefront are easily forgotten with the absence of newspapers. In the case of Fredericksburg they only appeared after the Revolution.
Fredericksburg contributed to the war over all in munitions cast by Fielding Lewis, the distribution of supplies and the use of the old market square building for housing troops. The Rising Sun Tavern was a place to distribute news and was owned by General Gustavus B. Wallace who served and is buried in the Masonic Cemetery.
Between St. George's graveyard (1752 or earlier ) and the Masonic graveyard (1784) a block apart on Charles Street, there are at least 6 Revolutionary war graves at St. George's and 12+ at the Masonic. Several were native born (Barton, Strother, Smith), others were British or foreign born (Rose, Duncanson) . Here are a few details from St. George's cemetery so these individuals are not lost to history:
| SURNAME | GIVEN NAME | BIRTH DATE & PLACE | DEATH DATE & PLACE | RANK/TITLE | SERVICE DATA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARTON | Seth | 1755 | 1813 | Lieutenant | |
| DUNCANSON | James | 1735 | 1791 | Colonel | |
| FOX | Samuel | 1729 | 13 Mar 1801 | Patriot | Gave material aid to cause |
| ROSE | Alexander | Britain | 28 Nov 1800 Fredericksburg | Major/ Captain | VA. Retired as Major 14 Sep 1778 |
| SMITH | William | 25 May 1746 prob Gloucester England | 7 Oct 1802 Fredericksburg | Patriot | VA. On Committee for Articles of Confederation 1774. Gave beef to cause and use of stable 1781. |
| STROTHER | French | 1733 | 3 Jun 1800 Frederickburg | Colonel | VA militia, received pension. As patriot gave to the cause in Culpeper Co |
Additional Data
| SURNAME | GIVEN NAME | DATA |
|---|---|---|
| BARTON | Seth |
Born near Warren, Rhode Island July 29 A.D. 1755, and died at his seat near Fredericksburg, December 29 . 1813, Aged 58 years and 5 months. Barton purchased Fielding Lewis estate 1799 and brought 5 children to live them. Originally from RI and served in the Revolution War army and afterwards became a successful shipping merchant in Baltimore. In 1802 tried his “immediate grounds as a subdivision", including the mansion itself. 1812 – helped develop Liberty town at the intersection of Barton and Liberty Street. Then he developed a 3rd subdivision intersection at Hanover and Kirkland Streets, including both sides of Hanover Street extended and included the 10 acre tract which became the Brompton estate |
| DUNCANSON | James | |
| FOX | Samuel | |
| ROSE | Alexander | |
| SMITH | William | "An honest man is the noblest work of God.” [1] “Dry goods merchant selling for for cash or country produce [2] participated in the meeting of the “subscribers of the Protestant Episcopal Church”. Electing 12 trustees for 3 years.” [3] "gentleman much respected by his acquaintance" [4] Former postmaser died age 64 [5] Church Warden |
| STROTHER | French | George French Strother represented Culpeper County in the General Assembly for more than 25 years from before and after the Revolutionary War. Until 1791, he served as a Delegate moving then to the Senate where he served until his death. He was a member of the VA Conventions of 1776 and 1788. In the latter, he opposed Patrick Henry, George Mason and others in the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. One problem in his mind was maintaining religious freedom as he was wary of a strong central government. He was County Lieutenant and presiding justice of the County Court of Culpeper. He lived on a 1,500 acre estate lying on Mountain Run on the Fredericksburg Road between Culpeper and Stevensburg. He was a vestryman and warden of St. Mark's Parish, He was married to Lucy Coleman, daughter of Robert Coleman. He died in Fredericksburg on his way home from the Senate in Richmond and is buried in St. George's churchyard there. Two of his descendants, George French Strother II and James French Strother, represented the Culpeper district in the U.S. Congress. The former received a letter from John Quincy Adams regarding the Constitution which may be seen at the Burgandine House in Culpeper. |
Pictures
| SURNAME | GIVEN NAME | GRAVE |
|---|---|---|
| BARTON | Seth |  |
| DUNCANSON | James |  |
| FOX | Samuel | Gravestone has diasappeared |
| ROSE | Alexander |  |
| SMITH | William |  |
| STROTHER | French | Gravestone has disappeared |
Masonic Cemetery
| SURNAME | GIVEN NAME | BIRTH DATE & PLACE | DEATH DATE & PLACE | RANK/TITLE | SERVICE DATA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callender | Eliezer | c1739 | 1792 | Captain | |
| Chew, Jr | John | c 1753 | 12 Feb 1806 Fredericksburg, VA | Lieutenant/Patriot | Appointed 1780. Wounded left arm at Battle of Camden SC. 16 Aug 1780 arm amputated. Served in 2nd Regt under Co George Stubblefield. Provided services, drove cattle, and gave two cattle. |
| Chew | Robert Beverly | 1754 | 30 Dec 1791 Fredericksburg | Lieutenant | VA state line. Joined Marines April 1776 under Capt Gabriel Jones. Transferred to land forces as a lieutenant. |
| Day | Benjamin | 24 Sep 1752 London, England | 16 Feb 1821 Fredericksburg | Major | Adjutant, 2nd VA Regiment. Aide de Camp to Gen. Woodford |
| Drummond | William | c1765 | 1804 or 14 Oct 1809 Fredericksburg VA | Patriot | Was town Alderman during war period. |
| Grinnan, Sr. | Daniel | 1739 Accomack co | 25 Mar 1830 Fredericksburg | Private | Served under General Edward Stevens. Captured at battle of Guilford Courthouse but escaped on a British officer's horse. |
| Henderson | David | 1 Jan 1754 | 28 Jan 1838 Fredericksburg - prev. Spotsylvania (Pen rec 28 Feb 1838) | Midshipman Sailor Patriot | VA Sea Serv. Ent serv. 1777. Served on Warship "Dragon". Provided bolt of canvas. |
| Jenkins | William | 28 Dec 1794 | Patriot | Gave material aid to cause | |
| Julian | Dr. John | 1749 | 1785 | Surgeon, Va. Continental Line | Son of Charles & Phebe (Wilson) Julian. Was in practice with Hugh Mercer MD c1772. Vestryman at St. George's Church. He died before 1787 in Fredericksburg |
| Legg | John | April 1799 Fredericksburg | Private/Patriot | Served VA Cont. Line for 3 years. Also as a patriot gave 26 gallons of rum to cause on Jul 1780. | |
| Littlepage | Lewis | 1730 or 19 Dec 1762 Hanover | 19 Jul 1802 Fredericksburg | Soldier/Statesman | VA & US Govt. One of William and Mary College students at Williamsburg that fought British raids spring 1779. Member Jay Commission to Spain. American volunteer in Monorcan Campaign 1781-82 which captured Minorca from Great Britain |
| McWilliams | William | 1751 | 17 Apr 1801 | Lieutenant Colonel | VA Line. Commanded as Captain 7th Co, 3rd VA Regt of Foot soldiers Spotsylvania Co. |
| Minor | John | 13 May 1761 Topping Forest, Caroline Co | 8 Jun 1816 Richmond | Soldier | Soldier in Revolution |
| Somerville | James | 25 Feb 1742 Glascow, Scotland | 4 Apr 1798 Port Royal | Patriot | Gave use of warehouse Dec 1779-Apr 1781. Alderman in Fredericksburg 1782 |
| Stevenson | James | 1740 | 1809 | Chaplain | |
| Storke | William | c1753 | 27 Aug 1822 Fredericksburg | Patriot | Gave beef to cause, King George Co, 1781 |
| Wallace | Gustavus Brown | 1751 | 1802 | Lieutenant Colonel | Serve as Captain of 5th Co, 3rd VA Regt of Foot Feb 1776-Jan 1777 in King George Co. Serv in 2nd VA Regt of Foot, Feb 1781- Jan 1783. Captured at Charleston SC May 1780. |
| Weedon | George | 1734 or 35 | 1793 or 96 | Brig. General | In charge of Stafford Co & Fredericksburg Militia, Cont. Line 3 years. VA Line. Commanded VA 3rd Reg of Foot Soldiers Aug 1776 to Feb 1777. Brigadier Commander as well Oct 1776 Trenton. Owned and operated tavern in Fredericksburg until 1776 and again after War. Mayor of Fredericksburg after War. |
| Wiatt | William | 1752 | 16 Apr 1800 Fredericksburg | Patriot | Gave the use of a stable for the cause |
| Yates | Charles | 20 Apr 1727 Whitehaven, England | 11 Jan 1809 Fredericksburg | Patriot | Member Committee of Correspondence for Fredericksburg. Appointed Jun 1774. |
Pictures
| SURNAME | GIVEN NAME | GRAVE |
|---|---|---|
| CHEW | John |  |
| GRINNAN,SR | Daniel |  |
| JULIAN | Dr. John |  |
| LITTLEPAGE | Lewis |  |
| MINOR, JR | John |  |
| SOMERVILLE | James |  |
| WALLACE | Gustavus |  |
| YATES | Charles |  |