The Rock
Once again a conversation with a friend is the inspiration for a newsletter article.
In Falmouth, Stafford County, there is a large rock, believed by some to have been a meteorite. Local lore has it that lifting it was a test of manhood. The Rock, still in Falmouth behind a house on Washington Street, was weighed by Frank Berry, owner of Berry’s Store on his platform feed scale. It reportedly weighed 418 pounds. Young men lifted it by a ring, set in lead in The Rock. Many men tried to lift it, but few succeeded. The story is recorded in “Foundation Stones of Stafford County” as told by the late Herbert Brooks. According to Mr. Brooks, The Rock sat by Mr. Berry’s store, next to a catalpa tree. The initials “F.H.” and “1882” were carved in The Rock. The initials stood for Frank Hill.
Mr. Brooks gave this account:
“One of the most remarkable lifting feats was performed by Will Pollard. As the story goes, six or eight Falmouth stalwarts were gathered around the rock, protesting that if Clair Brooks could lift it, so could they. Among the group were the brothers Nelson and Everette Payne and Randolph and Elliot Brooks. Their best efforts, accompanied by grunts and groans, failed to budge the stone. Then Will Pollard, quietly watching the effort, asked them to step aside.
"The laughter at Will’s scrawny, 98 -pound frame echoed up and down the street as The Rock was lifted off the ground and lowered into place again. The laughers were left in open-mouthed disbelief as Will jammed his hands into his pockets and, without a word, walked away. It is said that one of the young losers was so angry at Will’s show of strength that he came back that night with an iron bar and wrung off the lifting ring.
"In the 1940’s, I saw Andrew Acors, who lived near the old Free (Chatham) Bridge, roll The Rock up his legs to his waist and walk around holding it. However, according to most observers, this wasn’t a real “free lift.” Will Pollard’s amazing record still holds and The Rock still lies beside a catalpa tree on Washington Street.”
In the 1920s, Frances Benjamin Johnston photographed Frank Hill’s house (top picture) and store (bottom picture). Those images are at the Library of Congress.
Thanks to Marcia Chaves who shared this story.
Beth Daly
Volunteer
