PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – “Pilgrim’s Rest” Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Pilgrim’s Rest: 1938 Jan. 24 Research made by Susan R. Morton Cemetery Location: 5 miles north of Dumfries, Virginia on Route #640 Prince William Co., Virginia DATE: About 1820. OWNERS: Sarah Sales 1848 James Frazier 1858 J. H. Dane 1870 Mr. Joseph Hinton present owner to date (1938) DESCRIPTION: This house is conspicuous from the road and until a few years ago was overshadowed by a remarkably large white oak, one the largest in that part of the county. It was destroyed by lightning. However there are still a number of fine trees remaining. To the east of the house, about a hundred feet is the family graveyard. According to an old painting made shortly after the War Between the States, there were numerous outbuildings grouped about the house, cabins, etc. all of log. One of the chimneys, the one at the rear of the house, is made of soapstone, and bottle shaped. It is possible that there was a small house here, of which this is a part, before the main and larger house was added. This is in a section that according to a very old deed, was called “Walker Town”, and was a grant to a man named Walker of Maryland. Bel Aire, the home of Parson Weems is only a short distance to the west. The interior of the house is interesting with several fireplaces with brick hearths, step-down dining room and a central hall that does not extend the length of the house, but ends in the dining room. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The name by which the place was known for many years (it is now spoken of as the “Dane Place”) was given it by the numerous travelers that passed along this old road, that led from Dumfries to Occoquan, for while it was not an ordinary, it’s hospitality was well known, and many stopped there for refreshment and rest. Later, at the time of the War, it offered refuge for many a weary soldier home on leave. There was much destruction done in the neighborhood by the Federal troops but while this place was often occupied by them they did less damage than was usually the case, supposedly for the reason that the kindly host offered water from the splendid well to friend and foe alike. In later years a former Union man came back there and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Dane for their kindly treatment to him, a wounded man, an incident that they had forgotten. In the large living room there hangs a fine picture of the old place painted in 1882 by a visiting artist, J. W. Lydston, it shows the tree and outbuildings that gave it the appearance of a miniature village. On the mantel piece is also a figure of a woman knotting, cared from a solid block of wood. This was the work of a member of the family, who was remarkably skilled in woodcarving. This is a likeness of the grandmother who was expert as a weaver and knitter. The inscriptions on the stones in the graveyard follow. There are several, the oldest according to the family have no markings whatsoever. Henry Dane Died 1887 and Lucy Ripley Dane 1875 F. Ellen Alexander wife of John H. Dane Born August 12th, 1850 died January 2nd, 1913 John H. Dane Born October 6th, 1835 Died July 1, 1887 John R. son of John H. and Ellen born October 24th, 1877 died March 24th, 1886 Louie A. son of John H. and Ellen Dane born Sept. 4th, 1876 John T. son of W.A. and M.J. Dane born October 5th, 1905 died January 24th, 1919 At Rest Clarence son of Willie H. and Jennie Dane born October 19th, 1900 died June 24th, 1911 Willie A. husband of Martha J. Dane born January 26, 1880 died January 19th, 1919 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Mrs. Alice Hinton, Woodbridge, Virginia Mr. Brent Davis, Woodbridge, Virginia Court Records, Prince William County Clerk’s Office Deed Book 20, page 399 Deed Book 24, page 258 Deed Book 27, page 469 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. ___________________________________________________________________