Fredericksburg and Its Many Points of Interest Part 2

This building is owned by the society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, who have put the same in thorough condition, all of the original features of architecture and general appearance being preserved.

The front room in which she died is furnished as used by her in her lifetime. This building is open to visitors for a small sum.

The Masonic Lodge

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The Masonic Lodge, in which George Was.h.i.+ngton received his first degree as a Mason, November 4, 1752, has a cabinet of some rare and valuable relics.

Some of which are the Bible that Geo. Was.h.i.+ngton was obligated on (printed 1668), a lock of his hair, autograph pa.s.ses given by him during the Revolutionary War, the old minute book giving his initiation, pa.s.sing and raising, an oil portrait of George Was.h.i.+ngton, painted by Gilbert Stuart, the old parlor chairs of his mother, Mary Was.h.i.+ngton, and many others, which can be seen free of charge by applying to the Master of the Lodge.

Other Places of Interest

PRESIDENT MONROE HOUSE--Situated on Princess Anne Street one block above the pa.s.senger depot is the old story and a half frame house to which President James Monroe held a pocket deed to qualify him for his seat in the House of Burgesses.

PAUL JONES HOUSE--The only home in America of John Paul Jones, on Main Street near the depot.

[Ill.u.s.tration: INSIDE THE NATIONAL CEMETERY Showing Monument to Commemorate the Charge of General Humphrey's Division 1862]

FEDERAL HILL--on Hanover street. In the latter part of the eighteenth century the home of Thomas Reade Roots, a distinguished lawyer of that time.

PLANTER'S HOTEL--Used before and during the Civil war as a hotel, at the corner of Commerce and Charles Streets. In front of this hotel is a stone block, placed there many years before the Civil war, used for the sale and annual hire of slaves.

HOME OF GEN. DANIEL D. WHEELER--of the U. S. Army on the east side of lower Main street. Built about 1765. Was the home of Dr. Charles Mortimer who was physician to Mary Was.h.i.+ngton also the first Mayor of Fredericksburg.

STEVENS HOUSE--Situated on "Sunken Road" the Confederate line of battle 1862-63 in front of fence. General Thos. R. R. Cobb, killed just inside of yard.

ST. GEORGE'S BURYING GROUND--Colonel John Dandridge, the father of Martha Was.h.i.+ngton was buried here in 1756. Wm. Paul, a brother of John Paul Jones buried 1773. It is said that Fielding Lewis is buried under the steps of the church. A number of remarkable tombstones can be found in the yard, the inscription of one of which has puzzled all who have seen it, "Charles M. Rathrock, departed this life Sept. 29th, 1084, aged three years."

CITY HALL--Built 1813--Used in 1824 for a grand ball and reception to General Lafayette.

OLD EXCHANGE HOTEL (Now known as Hotel Frederick) built in 1837, part destroyed by fire 1850, rebuilt but not used as a hotel until after the Civil war. During the war was used as a hospital.

MASONIC GRAVEYARD--On corner of George and Charles Streets. General Lewis Littleton was buried here in 1802.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, St.

George's Episcopal Church]

MARY WAs.h.i.+NGTON HOSPITAL--Erected by the ladies of Fredericksburg. Corner stone was laid April 14th, 1899, a day to commemorate George Was.h.i.+ngton's last visit to Fredericksburg and his dying mother. The corner-stone is a portion of the old Mary Was.h.i.+ngton monument begun in 1833. Situated overlooking the river and directly opposite Chatham. One of the pontoon bridges of 1862 was directly in front of the hospital.

GUNNERY SPRING--The legend of Gunnery Spring is that all that drink of the water will return to drink again some day. A visit to Fredericksburg is not complete without a visit to this old spring.

Fredericksburg Churches

St. George's Episcopal Church--corner Princess Anne and George Streets, R.

J. McBryde, Rector.

Trinity Episcopal Church--corner Prince Edward and Hanover streets, Dr. H.

H. Barber, Rector.

The Presbyterian Church--corner Princess Anne and George streets, Rev. J.

H. Henderlite, Pastor.

The Baptist Church--corner Princess Anne and Amelia streets, Rev. R. A.

Williams, Pastor.

The Methodist Church--on Hanover street, Rev. J. R. Jacobs, Pastor.

St. Mary's Catholic Church--on Princess Anne street, Father Perrig, Pastor.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Will of Mary Was.h.i.+ngton is on exhibition at the Clerk's office of the Corporation Court. This is in a good state of preservation.]

Some Interesting Facts

The first resolution declaring American Independence was pa.s.sed in Fredericksburg, April 27th, 1775, twenty-one days before the next earlier.

Seven presidents and three of the greatest military leaders was born at Fredericksburg or within a short distance.

It was John Paul Jones, a Fredericksburg man, who raised the first flag over our infant navy, in 1775.

At Fredericksburg and within fifteen miles, more great armies manoeuvered, more great battles were fought, more men were engaged in mortal combat and more officers and privates were killed and wounded than in any similar territory in the world.

The tallest and most imposing monument erected to a woman is erected at Fredericksburg to the memory of Mary Was.h.i.+ngton.

James Monroe, for many years a citizen of Fredericksburg, announced the American princ.i.p.al known as the Monroe Doctrine.

James Madison, born near Fredericksburg, gave to the country the Const.i.tution of the United States.

It was Fredericksburg that gave to the country the head of the Armies in the Great War for Independence and the first president, in the person of the peerless Was.h.i.+ngton.