A Message from the Executive Director |
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Greetings from Waterford! I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and able to enjoy the recent winter weather. Waterford shows off its beauty differently when blanketed in snow, with stone and brick peeking out from behind drifts and snow laden evergreens. Before the plows take hold of the roads, it is easy to imagine Waterford in an earlier time, when winter weather would have Waterfordians trading carriages for sleighs to go about their work or simply go for a ride over the hills. Fortunately, Waterford’s hills still attract the young and their sleds, as the children are granted a respite from their schoolwork for a day or two.
In honor of Black History Month, we are sharing a thrilling story of love and sacrifice from Waterford’s Black community. Also in this newsletter, we are pleased to announce that two new easements have been recorded to protect the Schooley Mill Barn and Meadow from inappropriate use or development in perpetuity. Mark your calendars for many ways to support the Waterford Foundation in 2021, including online and in-person Waterford Craft School classes now open for registration. Don’t miss our featured volunteers or our Board Member spotlight to learn about three dedicated supporters who repeatedly go above and beyond. And, as always, read to the end to find more stories from Waterford. This month we are sharing more stories of some of Waterford’s Black families who were able to stay together despite their tenuous hold on freedom.
Stay safe, and enjoy!
Stephanie C. Thompson
Executive Director
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A Late-Night Affair of the Heart |
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A Ride for Liberty — The Fugitive Slaves
(Brooklyn Museum)
A month after the Robinsons’ flight, artist Eastman Johnson witnessed a similar episode at Manassas.
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This time of year, with the approach of Valentine’s Day, men cast about for some special token of love for a friend or partner. In the Waterford area, at least, the undisputed record for best gift was set many years ago by one aptly-named Noble Robinson.
Young Noble had entered the winter of 1861-’62 in a very unenviable position: enslaved two miles north of Waterford at Melrose, the estate of William Giddings, who owned some 20 fellow humans. (After the Civil War, Giddings went on to head Loudoun County’s first public school system—and establish one of the county’s first commercial vineyards. But that is another story.)
Lieutenant Colonel Giddings, a secessionist, commanded the local regiment of the Virginia state militia, and as the year turned, the Confederates occupying Loudoun had charged him with building a ring of massive fortifications around Leesburg (Fort Evans among them). Slaves, free Blacks, and poor Whites were all drafted to labor on the earthworks. For 24-year-old Noble, who had long yearned for freedom, it was the last straw. In mid-January he made a run for the Potomac River and the Union forces posted along the Maryland bank. Evading the patrols hunting for fleeing men, he reached safety at Point-of-Rocks.
Liberty was sweet, but Noble had a wife and three children back in Loudoun, and he would not abandon them. They belonged to Sydnor Williams, another major slave-owner, whose farm lay a mile or so north of Melrose on the road to Taylorstown. So, at the end of January, under cover of the midwinter darkness, he slipped back across the river—perhaps with a borrowed boat or possibly on a frozen surface—and headed south. He had five miles to cover.
Noble reached the slave quarters without encountering anyone en route or alarming the farm dogs. Quietly rousing his family, he urged them to make quiet haste. “I was in the house not more than 15 minutes.” His wife Martha was astonished to see him. Williams had told her that her husband was in jail and about to be sold to Cuba for his treachery.
For a third time, Noble had to run the dangerous gantlet, this time with a wife, sons Daniel, 5, and Lewis, 4, and 2-year-old Hannah. Surely they took a horse or mule, though that was not mentioned in the debriefing report at the Point, which they reached in the morning. Had they been intercepted, Noble would have faced permanent separation from his family, probably sold to one of the brutal plantations in the Deep South—possibly worse. Instead, the reunited family made their way north to Pennsylvania and went on to prosper as free citizens on their own farm.
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Schooley Mill Barn:
Property Protected with Two New Easements
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In November of last year in an article about easements, we shared that an effort was underway to amend the original preservation easement on the Schooley Mill Barn property. We are pleased to report that the new easement has been recorded in the Loudoun County land records. In addition to the amended easement held by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), a new overlay easement was recorded to strengthen protections on the property. The overlay easement is held by the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV). Here are a few highlights of these new easements:
VDHR Amended and Restated Deed of Easement
- Replaces the 1975 easement that was originally held by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and later transferred to VDHR in 2013
- Prohibits subdivision of the 20 acre parcel of land
- Protects the barn structure from demolition and limits the ability to build new structures.
- Establishes a new riparian protection zone around Balls Run, a perennial stream that drains into Catoctin Creek on the Phillips Farm
- Prohibits commercial activities with the exception of agriculture and a limited number of fundraising events (including the Waterford Fair)
Land Trust of Virginia Deed of Overlay Conservation Easement
- Further limits commercial/agricultural activities to preclude the establishment of wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants
- Establishes the Phillips Farm Connector Trail, a publicly accessible recreational trail that provides pedestrian access from Janney Street to the Phillips Farm Interpretive Trail
This project would not have been possible without the support of many. We appreciate the dedication of volunteers on our Preservation Committee and its Land Use Subcommittee in reviewing and advising on the new easement language. We are grateful to our partners at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Land Trust of Virginia for working with us to create these new documents that will protect the property in perpetuity. And most of all, we are exceedingly grateful for the support of the Schooley Mill Barn Property Debt Relief Group, who provided the monetary support we needed to be able to retain the Schooley Mill Barn property while also retiring the Foundation’s Line of Credit debt.
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Volunteers of the Month:
John & Bronwen Souders
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Most newcomers to Waterford who are interested in village history eventually find their way to John and Bronwen Souders. Our local historians have given so much of themselves over the past several decades, conducting research, leading tours, giving lectures, writing books, and building relationships with Waterford descendants, and they continue to this day! John remains active on the Phillips Farm subcommittee, and Bronwen serves on the Archives subcommittee and the Education committee. Just last fall Bronwen published her first work of historical fiction: The Thinkin’ Rug, and she continues to work to promote the book and provide resources for teachers who may wish to use the book in their classrooms. John authored the lead article for this newsletter and has provided content for many others. In short, it’s hard to say where we would be without the Souders helping us uncover and share Waterford’s history. Thank you John and Bronwen, for all that you do! |
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Meet Our Board: Bonnie Getty |
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Bonnie Getty is passionate for Waterford. Over the years she has served the Foundation in several capacities including: President, Secretary, Homes Tour Chair, Development Committee Chair and Fair Committee Chair.
She is a sincere and eloquent ambassador for the Waterford National Historic Landmark wherever she goes, and proud of it! For more than eleven years Bonnie has successfully managed the homes tour segment of the Waterford Fair. Every year she secures 8-10 homes within the National Historic Landmark for tour participation, writes scripts, and oversees over 100 volunteer docents, giving tens of thousands of Fair attendees the opportunity to view these unique historic properties.
During the past year, Getty played a key role in shifting the Fair to a virtual format, which was no small feat. We are all indebted to her for her continued and enthusiastic service to the Fair and the Waterford Foundation.
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What’s new with the Waterford Craft School |
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Looking out over a landscape blanketed by several inches of fresh snow can make one burrow in for the comforts of home, or dream of spring's color. Waterford Fair enthusiasts who frequent the Art Barn will recognize the award-winning work of artist Lis Zadravec. The Craft School's excited to welcome Lis in a new role this year . . . online instructor! Equally adept behind the camera and with a box of colored pencils, Lis has created a series of project-oriented, live online classes to inspire both youth and adult alike. We're introducing her colored pencil classes in a variety of weekday and evening sessions; learn a new medium or hone your skills in Apple Blossom and Butterfly Garden. Teens can join Lis online for Colored Pencil Leopard, a Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class during spring break.
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Don't forget that our pre-recorded YouTube classes, Bagels! and Yeasted Pumpkin Bread, are fun ways to manage being housebound by snow and/or the pandemic. Share the experience with your special valentine, or your child or grandchild!
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As always, if you have suggestions for classes, or have created something that was inspired by a Craft School workshop, we'd love to hear from you. Send your comments and images to lkovatch@waterfordfoundation.org. Waterford Craft School gift certificates are available on our website in $25 increments.
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In Memoriam: Judy Acheson |
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We were saddened to hear of the passing of longtime supporter and lifetime member Judy Acheson late last month. Judy and her husband Patrick lived in Waterford for more than four decades beginning in 1947, most of that time living at Market Hill at the corner of Main Street and Butcher’s Row. There they raised 5 children, adding on to the house as the family grew. Judy was an avid tennis player and long time member of the Waterford Book Club. She was also active in the Gilbert and Sullivan performances presented by the Waterford Players. Judy was an early supporter of the Waterford Concert Series and a generous donor to the Old School Auditorium building campaign. Even in death, Judy continues to give back to the village she loved, as her family have kindly asked for memorial donations to be made to the Waterford Foundation.
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Thank You to Our New & Renewing Members! |
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Memberships provide a vital portion of the Waterford Foundation's funds to pay for the upkeep and repair of thirteen properties protected by the Waterford Foundation, as well as programs like the Second Street School living history program, the Waterford Craft School, the Waterford Fair, and special programs throughout the year. We would like to thank the following new and renewing members who have joined or renewed in January 2021!
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New & Renewing Members: January 2021 |
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Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Acheson
Mr. Britton Baine
Mr. James J Behan and Ms. Connie Moore
Mr. and Mrs. Terence & Dianne G. H. Brake
Mr. & Mrs. William & Cathleen Breitkreutz
Mr. & Mrs. Brad & Suzanne Covington
Capt. & Mrs. R. F. DiPalma
Mr. & Mrs. Claude Gravatt
Mr. & Mrs. Neil & Kathleen Hughes
Ms. Sara Greer
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Ms. Debra Gutenson
Ms. William & Susan Manch
Ms. Susanne Calista Page
Mr. Richard Rogers & Ms. Susan Honig-Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. Jim & Linda Schnaible
Dr. and Mrs. Steven A Soechtig
Mr. Ford Wyatt
Mr. and Mrs. Craig and Elaina Young
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Our Sustaining Members are: Mr. John Caron & Ms. Nancy Doane, Mr. and Mrs. Goode (Joe and Annie), Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hale (Bob and Susanne), Ms. Joan Kowalski, Mr. Ed Lehman and Ms. Edith Crockett, Robert and Stephanie Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sutton, Mr. & Mrs. Brandon & Clare Synge, Ms. Carrie Beach, Mr. Adam Groenhout & Mr. Eric Christenson.
To become a sustaining member, click here and choose "recurring donation" to set up a monthly gift!
Next month, we will acknowledge our new and renewing February 2021 members!
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Village of Waterford Traffic Calming and Byway Assessment Study - Public Information Meeting February 18, 2021 |
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Loudoun County is hosting an online public information meeting for the Village of Waterford Traffic Calming and Byway Assessment Study. The purpose of this meeting is to seek feedback from the public on the study. Members of the public are invited to join the virtual meeting to learn, ask questions and provide input about the study.
The meeting will be held Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Please Note: Members of the public must sign up in advance to ask questions during the event by Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. Online participants may also send questions to the study team as chat messages, which will be answered during the meeting as time allows.
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Stories from Waterford:
Love Stories in Waterford’s Black Community
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Main Street 40159 Laura Page House & Weatherboard Row Houses |
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As this issue’s lead article shows, the institution of slavery was hard on Black families, with husbands and wives, parents and children often split up to settle debts or upon settlement of an estate. While many of Waterford’s Black families were not so fortunate, some were lucky enough to stay together through the tumultuous times before and after the Civil War.
Forrest Griffith purchased his own freedom and that of his wife and daughter. The family worked for Thomas Phillips at Waterford’s mill for $120 per year in 1846. As Dr. J. E. Copeland recalled in the 1920s,
“I cannot further refrain [from paying] tribute to two stalwart, valuable servants, Forest Griffith and Fannie his wife, who bought their freedom and by aid of their master also bought twenty or more acres of rich land on the Short Hill near Hillsborough on which they built a comfortable house and planted choice fruit trees. Like servants generally, they cherished the traditions of their master’s family and imitated them. They were permitted in violation of the laws of Virginia as free Negros, to sojourn in the state. They were industrious, thrifty and were creditable examples of the free Negro of that period and were valuable acquisitions to the farmer who could depend on their promise to work. They were my dear neighbors…”
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Laura Askins was enslaved at Oakland Farm, off of Brown’s Lane just outside the village. As a teenager during the Civil War Laura hid in the haystacks away from Union troops, having been led to believe that the soldiers were not there to liberate her. She and husband Andrew Page eventually had 12 children, with at least the first two born before their marriage was recognized in 1870, as Virginia rarely recognized unions of enslaved persons. After Andrew’s death, Laura lived with a grandson on Main Street in Waterford, working as a laundress and living in a stone house that has since been demolished.
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Waterford Foundation Staff
COVID-19 Action Plan
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Due to safety precautions for COVID-19, the Waterford Foundation office is closed is closed to the public. The staff are teleworking and we are available via email, phone or on video calls and are happy to help with anything you need!
Our staff has updated all of our policies and procedures to make sure the Old School is clean, sanitized and ready for events and programs. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns! Check out our newest website page introducing our Waterford Staff.
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