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Robert C Dabney (1827-1875) was born in Louisa County. He settled in Spotsylvania in 1850, married Margaret Milan Brown, had 6 children, operated a small farm ½ mile from the Courthouse, dabbled in real estate, and served faithfully for a quarter of a century as Clerk of the Court.
During the Civil War, many Virginia Counties sent their records to Richmond only to have them destroyed when Richmond burned in April of 1865. The invading Federals were notorious for depravations to public and private property including courthouse records.
Stories passed down through the generations indicate Robert Dabney arranged for the construction of waterproof boxes. Upon
notification that Union Cavalry was approaching, he buried the records
for safekeeping. When questioned, he told them the records were “gone, all gone.” Due to his due diligence as a public servant , the County’s
historical records survive from 1722.
Among our collection, is the receipt for services related to Dabney's
death and burial in the Fredericksburg Cemetery. Despite being in debt, Dabney went to is final resting place in a fine walnut coffin pulled by a hearse and horses.
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