PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – “Effingham” Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Effingham: 1937 Aug. 31 Research made by Susan Rogers Morton Cemetery Location: 5 miles east of State Route #233. 10 miles from Manassas, Virginia Prince William Co., Virginia DATE: 1745. OWNERS: The land on which “Effingham” was built was a grant from George III, to a Mr. Alexander who built the house now standing. The first recorded deed is in Deed Book Y, folio 375, which is a deed of gift of the tract from the Effingham grant, from Gerard Alexander to Phillip Fitzhugh. It has since passed through various hands, the Howisons, the Loves, and to William Green, but all are family connections. In fact there was no sale out of the family until Mr. Green sold it to Joseph Horn, in 1921. Deed Book 76. The Horn family still own and occupy “Effingham”. (1937) HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: “Effingham” has such a colorful past that much could be written of the scenes which have been enacted there and the characters who have played their parts on it’s stage. The house is said to have been built by convict labor, brought here from England and all of the woodwork was imported and transported from Dumfries over the old road which once went close to the house on the southeast. This was one of the first roads in the county which led to the “Back Woods”, going on through what is now Catletts, being the one taken for transporting the hogsheads of tobacco from this section to the warehouses at Dumfries. This was the scene of lavish entertainment and the meeting place for many whose names have come down in history. John Love who was one of the owners of “Effingham” was an engineer, and laid out the Warrenton-Alexander Pike. During the War Between the States the spacious lawn here was a favorite place for various Companies of Union Cavalry to camp and in many of the old trees there can still be seen the rings which were put there for fastening the horses. There were several sick and wounded from a Louisiana Regiment cared for by the mistress of “Effingham”. There were formerly about sixty slaves owned by the Alexanders and later by the Howisons, and none were sold at a distance until Jim, the coachman, acquired the habit of stealing. His master refused to believe it when first told but some of the other slaves were indignent about it and watched and caught him in the act. He begged to be whipped and allowed to remain but a there was never any whipping at “Effingham”, for the morals of the other slaves he had to be sold. To the east is a large graveyard, well fenced, where rests those whose lives were so closely connected with “Effingham”. Inscriptions in this graveyard are as follows: Sacred to the memory of Lucy Farrow consort of Benj. Farrow born on the 10th of July 1776 and departed this life on the 22d of June 1849 Her children rise up and call her blessed her husband also, he praiseth her. In memory of Benj. Farrow born the 4th of December, 1773 and departed this life October 18th, 1845 Hear council and receive instruction that ye mayst be wiser in thy later end. Died January 19th, 1844 Lucy C. Howison aged some 12 days And a little child shall lead them. James Howison born July 3d, 1804 died May 19th, 1874 Though lost to sight, to memory dear. William Alexander departed this life the 3rd day of April, 1814 aged 70 years. Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth W. Howison consort of Charles G. Howison who died April 18th, 1851 aged 27 yrs., 6 months, 4 days And she ... (the rest could not be deciphered) Sacred to the memory of Frederick H. Muschett who departed this life April 5th, 1852 in his 52d year Harriet W. D. Beadle born April 30th, 1793 died January 12th, 1871 She is not dead, but sleepeth Allen Howison born October 29th, 1797 died April 10th, 1876 He that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved. Sacred to the memory of Amanda beloved wife of James Howison born June 22nd, 1815 died September 26th, 1866 William Alexander Dade born 1785 died 1829 Daniel McLean son of Daniel and Lucretia McLean of Alexandria, D.C. died September 12th, 1828 aged 25 years There are other inscriptions of more recent date, as this cemetery is still used by members of the family. There are also many graves which are marked by a bit of field stone without any inscriptions. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Mrs. Celesting Brown, Hokesville, Virginia Mr. William Green, Haymarket, Virginia Mrs. E. H. Hibbs, Grant Avenue, Manassas, Virginia Prince William County Court Records. Tombstone Inscriptions Visit by worker. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joan Renfrow NOTICE: I have no relationship or further information in regards to this family. ___________________________________________________________________