Tag Archives: spotsylvania courthouse

10615 cobblestone Dr, Spotsylvania VA 22553

10615 Cobblestone Dr, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 SOLD by the Licata Group Exp Realty LLC!

Welcome to 10615 Cobblestone Drive! Enjoy one-level living with brand-new carpet and fresh paint. You will be delighted with a spacious living room with built ins, cathedral ceilings and access to the covered deck. The kitchen features plenty of space to spread out, open to the dining room and living room with two pass throughs, a pantry, new appliances and all the amenities. You will love the sought after split bedroom design and the owner’s suite with an updated en-suite bath and walk-in closet. The hall full bath has been updated also. Relax on your covered deck with your favorite beverage, sitting on the swing overlooking a treed and private backyard. Close to I95, shopping, restaurants and close to VRE.

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by homeowners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

History in Our Backyard Chapter 5: an Oral History (continued)

In April, 1875, the New York Sun reported that Anthony Smith, commonly known as Anthony Jones, died in New York at the age of 70. Smith was a former slave who had run-away from the Wilderness of Virginia. During his life in New York Smith had accumulated a considerable estate but had neglected to write a will. Lacking a legal heir, the New York Court System took control of his affairs.

On his death-bed interview, Smith told the story of his life. Once the property of William Jones, owner of the Ellwood Manor estate in the Wilderness of Spotsylvania, His master William Jones had become a widower in the 1820s and several years later William remarried Lucinda Gordon who brought with her to Ellwood Mansion a personal slave, Patsey.

Anthony eventually wooed Patsey and with the consent of their owners they took up housekeeping on the Ellwood Manor grounds. Four children were born to the couple, but only one, the fourth, survived. About the time of William’s death in 1845, Anthony ran-away from his then pregnant wife and the Ellwood estate. He was captured, returned to Fredericksburg and sold to a new owner. After a trip to the South with his new master, Anthony again escaped and made his way to New York City, where he lived out his remaining years. Following the Emancipation, Anthony attempted to restore contact with his family back in the Wilderness, but with limited success. Patsey did retain one of his letters and later cited it as proof of their marital relationship.

The story as related above was published in the New York papers sometime after Anthony’s death. It was soon picked up and published by Richmond, Virginia papers. As a result, two sets of claimants to Anthony’s fortune came forth to the New York Court. One, the remaining sister and brother of Anthony declared extreme poverty. They were represented by J. Horace Lacy, their former owner through his marriage to Betty Churchill Jones, William Jones’ second daughter and heir to Ellwood.

Exhibit 5 J. Horace Lacy

The second claimants were Patsey, his first wife, along with the sole living child who was born after Anthony’s first escape. They were represented by lawyers Alexander & Green of Fredericksburg. When interviewed by the New York court, Patsey explained that she had waited a number of years following Anthony’s departure before taking in a new partner. Though partnered, she claimed to have been the wife of Anthony (citing the letter she retained) and therefore a legal heir to his estate.

The New York Court wrestled with the judgment for nearly a year. They recognized that New York and Virginia laws on marriage differed considerably in the pre-war era. Numerous testaments and affidavits were heard or submitted. Many of the claimants appeared before the referee at least one time. In the end, based on Patsey’s proof of their pre-war marital relationship, the court sided with Patsey. She received the estate, then valued at $20,000, cash and property.

Author:  Bob Epp
Date: March 2018

Read Previous Chapter. Chapter 4: An Oral History of a Local Slave Family

Continue to Chapter 6: Relive the Battle of the Wilderness

Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your Real Estate Advisors for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.

To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.

Oh Dear! The Deer Are Here!

By: Jazmine Rubi

No matter where you live – the deer are here!
Watch out when you’re driving home on Route 3 to Locust Grove or Lake of the Woods. Be especially careful at dawn and night on the back roads (particularly on the super winding ones) where they can jump out at any given moment. Drive slower and use your high beams and honk your horn to scare them.  I’ve heard there are ‘deer whistles’ but many have doubts of their reliability. If it appears your car is going to make impact with the deer – you should avoid swerving, as more accidents occur this way. You never know what can happen, so of course always wear your seat belt!
If you thought, you have seen an increase in deer recently – you are not going winter-crazy! It is mating season, so you will see more deer along the normal tree-lined Route 3 to the Locust Grove area, even on the way to Culpeper. Be cautious and alert!
There are more animals to look out for then deer! Sadly, this month I have seen so many other small creatures alongside the road that have crossed the rainbow bridge. On my way to work this morning, coming from Courthouse Road in Spotsylvania to Locust Grove, I counted no less than 5 small animals on the side of the road whose lives were taken too soon due to high activity on the roadway. It may be difficult to avoid hitting a critter while driving, especially when it’s only a 2-lane road, you can try to prevent impact by being aware of your surroundings before they come out on the road. Although you may want to swerve to avoid hitting them, if it’s too late – it’s better for your safety and the safety of others on the road to keep moving forward.
Drive slower on less lit roads, especially winding back roads. Use your high-beams and your horns! Stay safe and remember there’s more than just you on the road (or the woods) parallel to the roads.
Whether you’re looking for homes for sale in Lake of the Woods VA or Waterfront property in Virginia we are your professionals for Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Locust Grove, Central Virginia, and Greater Virginia, we are your proven Real Estate professionals. Thinking of selling? In any market condition, “what is my home worth?” is the #1 question asked by home owners. If you wish to sell your home, it needs to be sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. Pricing your home accurately, Pat will partner with you to make the selling process so much easier. Get started today by calling us at (540) 388-2541 or contact Pat Licata.
To see available Lake of the Woods properties, please visit our site.