PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – “Truro” Cemetery ----¤¤¤---- Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Truro home site: 1937 July 13 Research made by Susan Rogers Morton Cemetery Location: 6 miles west of Nokesville, Virginia on Route #645, thence .5 mile on Route #652, thence 4.5 miles on Route #645, thence a little over .5 mile on private road to “Hazelwood”, thence to the west about 500 feet, across a field. Prince William Co., Virginia DATE: The exact date is not known but an old will, dated 1720, gives a part of the tract of land and house to Richard Foote, the Second, from which it seems possible that there was a house standing at that time. OWNERS: When, in 1685, Nicholas Hayward purchased thirty thousand acres of backwoods in Prince William, he took into partnership with him Robert Bristow and Richard Foote. Excerpts from old deeds etc. at the court house in Manassas and in possession of Mrs. Colvin, also Miss Ida Foote, formerly of Manassas, all testify that this was the site of the first Foote home in Virginia, and named “Truro” after the parish in Cornwall, England, from which the Footes came. It remained in the Foote family for many years and in 1842 was sold to George Colvin, whose son later inherited it and whose wife and daughter now live there. [1937] DESCRIPTION: There is nothing left of the old house today, save a pile of brick that was once the chimney and the stone foundation, but those who remember it have a general idea of the type, which must have been typical of the early settlers, although larger than the average. It was of log construction, weatherboarded over and contained seven or eight rooms, a long porch in front and very large chimneys at the ends. The house was built on a knoll overlooking miles of the surrounding countryside and the old road that was once an Indian Trail, going into what is now Fauquier, going close by to he south and on to the west. Today, with the road some distance to the east, the home site in unknown to many. At the foot of the hill to the south, is an unfailing spring, which supplies water to the “Hazelwood Farm” and was very likely the reason this spot was chosen as the site of a home when this was more or less wilderness. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There seems but little doubt that this was one of the first, if not the first home to be built upon the tract known as “Brenton” or “Brent Town” and also one of the first to be built so far back from the river. The old road that lead by the house can be seen on some of the old maps going from Dumfries to what is now known as Catletts and on into what was then the frontier. The extract below show the extent of the Foote holdings, as the place at the beginning of the eighteenth century is said to have contained considerably over a thousand acres. “The tenth day of March, 1767, between Richard Foote, Gent. and John Alexander, for five shillings sterling, a tract or parcel of land lying and situate in the County of Prince William and Parish of Detingin, containing one thousand and ninety nine acres, beginning at Mr. John Grant’s corner in the back line of Brent Town”. At various times there have been Brents, Fitshughs and Bristows living on this plantation through intermarriage. At the outbreak of the War Between the States, the old house was still standing and was occupied by some of the Howisons. There were also many of the old outbuildings that gave it the appearance of a miniature village. Union soldiers camped at the foot of the hill towards the run and tore the house down for both firewood and to make bunks. The timbers were still sound as they had considerable trouble in getting them apart. They were fastened by wooden pegs rather than by nails in most instances. This Richard Foote, the founder of the family in this county, was the father of the Richard Foote who built “Hazelwood” on the same tract of land. There was another son who went to Kentucky and a grandson, Richard Foote, the Third, who built “Waverly” on the Carolina Road in Haymarket. To the east of “Truro” and between that and “Hazelwood” is the old cemetery where the founders of this old family sleep. It too is on a knoll that overlooks the countryside. Many of the oldest graves are marked with common field stones that have no inscription to distinguish them, and even some of the old lettered ones are so worn away by the elements as to be illegible. However, the spring flowers return here to carpet the spot, heartsease and pinks that may have been planted there by the first mistress of “Truro” as a reminder of her English garden. The inscriptions follow: Sacred to the memory of Richard Foote who departed this life August 27th, 1778 aged forty-nine years Helen Foote departed this life 1815 aged 39 years Mrs. Lucy Foote called to her Heavenly home the 22nd of March, 1819 in her 49th year Maria Foote 1784 George Colvin departed this life January 24th, 1873 in his 71st year A truly honorable man, a devoted husband and father, and his record of a long life is without a blot. Mary A. wife of George Colvin born July 19th, 1813 departed this life, 1880 Whose life was one of love, purity and usefulness. Sleep sweet, dear Mother. May thy spirit rest. John Calhoun Colvin 1845 – 1921 He served this country from 1863 to ’65 as a brave Confederate Scout for General Butler and Wade Hampton, enlisting at the age of sixteen. George Marion Colvin son of George and Mary Colvin who departed this life September 13th, 1862 in his 22nd year He lost his life in the Confederate Army while in discharge of his duty as 1st Lt., Prince William Cavalry, 4th Virginia Regt. In memory of Charles M. son of Geo. and Mary Colvin who departed this life at Blacksburg College, Virginia in the 23rd year of his age, 1874 SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Informants: Mrs. John Colvin, Nokesville, Virginia Mr. Charles Reading, Nokesville, Virginia Mr. William Green, Haymarket, Virginia Miss Ino McGill, Haymarket, Virginia Court Records, Prince William County, Virginia Old Landmarks of Prince William by Fairfax Harrison 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. ___________________________________________________________________