PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – “Stepney” Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Stepney: 1938 Apr. 5 Research made by Susan Rogers Morton Cemetery Location: 6 miles north of Haymarket, Virginia, on Route #601. South side of road. Prince William Co., Virginia DATE: 1774 OWNERS: Lewis Burwell 1774 Mathew Whiting 1810 Robert Brooke 1826 John Toliver Lewis by deed of gift to Mrs. Bernard Smith, a niece, and still owned by the heirs. DESCRIPTION: The setting of this house is charming, with fine old trees, and a beautiful garden to the south of the house. The house itself has been changed by additions which somewhat take away the appearance of age from the front of the house. There is a large stone building close by, to the north of the house which was once used as a kitchen. This has a very large chimney and fireplace, but the chimney fell in a storm not long ago. There is also an old smoke house, and until a few years ago there were some log cabins and other outbuildings on the place. About three hundred roads to the east of the house is the burying ground, a large well fenced cemetery. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mr. Lewis was a Methodist preacher, and formerly lived at “White Chimneys”, in Loudon County, Virginia. At his death he left the place to his four children, and it eventually came into the hands of his son Robert, who in turn left it to his wife’s niece who married Mr. Bernard Smith and lived there for many years. The house is filled with family treasures several fine old portraits, but most attractive of all is a set of six Hepplewhite chairs. They are most beautiful, and have been in the Carter family for generations. There is also a table of the same craftsmanship, and many other fine old pieces. As one enters the hall one sees hanging from the wall the sword that was carried by Mr. Smith’s father at the hanging of John Brown. “Stepney” is said to have been named after a village in England which later became a part of London. There is an interesting story of premonition told concerning a cousin of Mr. Lewis who was greiviously wounded at the first battle of Manassas. He was not a native of this county, and therefore not acquainted with the most direct and safe way to reach his relative, Mr. Lewis, but after nightfall he made his way from the battlefield, and partly crawling, he finally reached “Stepney”. He was very ill for a long time, but one morning, the second day after he was up, he announced that he must leave that morning. He knew that unless he did so he would be captured, and taken prisoner. As there had been no sign of the enemy for some days they scoffed at the idea, but he insisted and before the day was over the place was searched. He had been able to make his escape and later joined his Regiment. The following are the inscriptions taken from the tombstones in the cemetery on the place: Rev. John T. Lewis died June 29th, 1862 in the 87th year of his age Mark the perfect and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. John B. Lewis born at Snow Hill July 18th, 1861 died March 25th, 1889 at Portici In the sweet bye and bye we shall meet on that beautiful shore. Fannie Tasker Lewis beloved wife of Wm. Lee born at Portici Farm, Prince William County, Virginia March 14, 1836 died at Portici, May 7th, 1886 Aged 47 years Fannie R. wife of Robert L. Lewis born at Elmwood Farm, Virginia Nov. 17th, 18— died March 27th, 1893 Fannie Tasker wife of Rev. John T. Lewis died Nov. 20th aged 67 She lived beloved and died lamented, by all who knew her. God claimed his own and called his own away. John T. born at Chantilly, Fairfax County, Va. May 25th, 1854 died May 21st, 1926 Lucy Lewis Bower born 1848 died Feb. 14th, 1934 A conscientious, charitable and truthful woman Elizabeth Lewis wife of Dr. John Bower July 4th, 1811 August 14th, 1881 Preserve me, Oh, God, for in Thee I put my trust. Fannie A. wife of Frank W. Lewis born July 21st, 1830 at Rose Cottage, Rappahannock County, Virginia died August 15th, 1899 at Portici Francis W. Lewis born at Portici, December 13th, 1822 died May 12th, 1913 Asleep in Jesus, peaceful rest Whose waiting is supremely blest. Rose B. Lewis born at Portici Farm, July 28th, 1869 died November 6th, 1927 In loving memory of our darling boy Charles Stuart Lewis born at Portici, Dec. 4th, 1867 died at Chattanooga, Tenn. 1903 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Mr. Robert Lewis, Manassas, Virginia Mr. Bernard Smith, Haymarket, Virginia Prince William County Court Records: Deed Book T, folio 43 Deed Book 4, folio 105 Deed Book 11, folio 132 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. ___________________________________________________________________