The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-12-14
SATURDAY DECEMBER IA 1907
FALMOUTH
Interesting Sketch Of the Quaint Town-FEst
Millionaire In This County Made His Fatuns
Thue-lts Future Possibilities, Etc.

mouth Ol Jue ihlls On lhe hhpPeu"""S~~
river. in Stafford county, Virginia, was
Incorporated in 1927, and included In it's
limits fifty acres Of land purchased oil
Major William Todd in 1920 and regu-
larly laid of in streets, squares aud lots
It's government was vested IN a board
uf seven trustees appointed by the House
81 Burgesses of Virginia. In 1913, by an
amendment to its charter, these trustees
were madeelectiye by the qualified voters
~ the town, and their president empow-
cred to act as mayor or police justice.
During tue first half OF the l9ih century
its form Of government became more
Athenian.
Formerly il WAS, owing to its natural
advantages, the market oi all that sec
! lion of the country lying above II, be-
tween the Blue Ridge Mountains and
Tidewater, which supplied IL with grain
| for an extensive milling business and
lucrative export trade. Wagon trains,
miles in length, loaded with grain, were
frequently seen approaching II from the
mountains, merchant ships anchored at
it's wharf TO purchase -four and other
products, and sea captains and sailors
ireouented It's streets and tried their
prowess with the inland muscle on the
beach below. Its storage capacity was
not equal t. It's trade, and hogsheade OF
sugar and molasses lined its streets and
the road leading to Gordon's sstore in the
direction of the wharf. 1t led the great
cities of the North ia the development oi
Individual wealth, producing the first
millionaire in the United States. Nor
was IL less prominent In u military than
"A civic point of view. The Falmouth
Blues were led In tue famous charge up
on the redoubt at Yorktown by their
distinguished commander, Capt William
Payne, who then became known to lame
as Fighting Billy Payne" Captain
Payne was the son Of George Payne, OF
Westmoreland, came 10 the present
county OF Stafford youth, later raised
the company referred to for the Revolu-
rion. and after the war moved 10 Eau
quier, having married for his secoud
siis the widow Love, (nee Morson) OF
Falmouth He received 1900 scres of
land from Virginia for (his) services dur
lug the Revelation.
Above this tow stood the palatial
summer residence Of Col Robert carter,
one OF the first members oi its municipal
commission; below 1t, the colonial man
sion Of Augustine Washington, president
OF the Priucipia iron mines, OF Stafford,
l722.43. the home Of the boy whose star
" as yet TO rise.
George Washington, though @ native
# Westmoreiaud. was reared in the pres
ent county Of Stafford, and received at a
school in the town of Falmouth the in
teilectual training and Inspiration which
prepared him for the brilliant career that
followed iu liberating the American col
onies. 10 q sketch OF family history.
written by Washington, the only refer
ence msde 10 his scholastic advantages
is that he attended school there, and no
other municipality, ancient or modern,
has the distinction OF having educated
the father OF 20 magnificent a Republic.
70 commemorate this the United States
government should establish there
military academy.
Later the footprints OF Hon. Alexan-
der II. Seldom, secretary OF war oil the
southern COniederacy, were first seen In
its sands, and it furnished distinguished
officers aud many gallant soldiers to the
Lost Cause. Among the officers referred
to. Col William Green, oil the 47th Viz
ginia regiment, while marshalling bis
forces, not far distant from where bis
grandfather led his less than century
before, and Capt. james Forbes, as aide
TO Gen. Jackson at the battle OF Chan
ceIlorsville. gave their lives as q tribute
TO the Confederacy.
IL has given TO the city Of Fredericks-
burg it's attorney, one OF Virginias
most eminent lawyers; to the literary
world, Moncure d. Conway, and among
the English nobility the Duchess oil MARI
borough can look back to II with pride
as her ancestral home.
Early in the 10Th century the limited
construction OF railroads in Virginia de-
ascted its trade to more northern mar
kets and presaged it's decline. Then the
canny Rappahannock, which ever pays
homage to the rising sun, diverted its
channel and left 1t without water power.
But it is now favorable omen, and a
titting tribute to their prototype, that
the great capitalists OF modern times
ehould be establishing along the falls OF
the Rappahannock, in close proximity to
this town. a gigantic electric plant which,
wher completed, will furnish 1t with I'M
limited capacity for milling and manu-
featuring with electric power.
Much Of the capital OF this historic
town has flown, but 1t has wealth In Its
children. who are exceptionally hand
some and promising. 1t is deficient In
local export facilities now, because there
is but little demand for them. II 1t had
its former trade, commerce would soon
supply them. =,
The commerce ofthe worldisconducted
on the ocean. Railroads running north
ward through Virginia, while furnishing
transportation facilities to the territory
they traverse, add to the phenomenal
growth OF northern cities; those running
from the mountains towards the bay
build up Eastern Virginia cities and
towns. The growth Of the cities OF Rich
mond, Newport News and Norfolk
demonstrate the truth Of the latter
statement. The producer generally buys
where he sells.
Modern ideas OF economiziDg time and
distance aud industrial growth, will soon
lead to the construction Of q more COM
plete system OF railroads In Virginia,
when natural advantages will reassert
themselves, and products, as formerly.
will bring more and seek preparation for
shipment to the markets OF the world in
a direct line to the Atlantic.
Then the whistles OF the locomotive
within the limits OF Falmouth will sum-
mon its inhabitants to form, amid the
halo OF past glory which encircles It, Tor
the march to a future destiny, and the
time NAV come when 1t will be, by rea-
son OF advantageous railroad connec-
tions. growth, manufactures and re.
claimed harbor, one OF the commercial
-. II 4hfu lam m nr ruaelfh