|
|
A little-known 19th-century house site on the Idlewild tract in Fredericksburg will be bulldozed for a new road.
However, the Landram homestead's place in history has been established by an archaeological dig paid for by a developer.
In an agreement reached with city officials, Ryland Homes, the developer and one of the builders of Idlewild Village, called on Thunderbird Archeological Associates of Woodstock to study the site and report its findings.
The homestead site was once owned by Walker Landram, and the ruins that remain include the foundation and lower chimney of a main house. There are also various ruins of several outbuildings, including possible slave quarters. It is located at the crest of a hill in an area between the city's Altoona subdivision and U.S. 1, a half-mile north of Twin Lakes/Townsend intersection.
A Ryland spokesman had no information about the dig other than that it resulted from proffer negotiations with the city.
The dig turned up shards of ceramic plates, glass bottles, square-headed nails and bone fragments of unknown origin.
In recent days the immediate area remained in its natural state, aside from the disturbance caused by the archaeological dig. But work to clear a path for Idlewild Boulevard, which will connect U.S. 1 with Gateway Boulevard near the Home Depot, is encroaching.
Much of the historical research conducted by Thunderbird was gleaned from a book called "Chancellorsville Battle Sites," by Noel G. Harrison. The research identifies the earliest known owners of the property as John and Susan Thornton, whose names appear on an 1821 deed.
In 1832, it became the property of Walker and Eliza Landram. Their descendants are believed to have lived there until the site was abandoned about 1900. The couple is buried in the Salem Baptist Church cemetery.
By 1860, records show the Landrams owned 230 acres, 13 slaves and three slave houses. The Civil War's financial cost on such families is illustrated in the Landrams' case: Personal property valued at $8,100 in 1860 had dwindled to $200 in 1870. The research suggests that most of the loss of value was in the slaves themselves.
In November 1862, a month prior to the Battle of Fredericksburg, Confederate troops obtained wood from the Landram home site for use by the 15th Virginia Calvary. They also took advantage of the nearby waters of Hazel Run.
According to the research, fierce gun and artillery fire enveloped the property on May 4, 1863 as the Battle of Chancellorsville unfolded to the west. Union artillery positioned near the Plank Road fired on the Confederate infantry brigade of Gen. Robert Hoke as the soldiers charged through and around the Landram homestead.
Later, during the Battle of Salem Church in 1864, Confederate troops were again stationed on the Landram property.
Despite the military activity swirling around his home, neither Walker, who by then was in his 60s, nor any of his family members, were apparently involved in the Civil War in any military capacity. They probably fled the homestead during periods of heavy fighting.
A neighbor, William Downman, reportedly enlisted in 1862, but was soon discharged and later died of typhoid fever. The location of his house, also on the Idlewild tract, has been determined but no trace of it has been found. Researchers did learn, however, that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee had used the Downman house as a headquarters.
The researchers said that in their opinion, the Landram homestead should be considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places because of its potential to contribute information about 19th-century life. But no known effort in that regard has taken place.
To reach RICHARD AMRHINE: 540/374-5406 ramrhine@freelancestar.com
