Catalpa (Culpeper, Virginia) facts for kids
Catalpa was a large estate, like a big farm with many buildings, that existed in the 1700s. It was located near the town of Culpeper in Culpeper County, Virginia. Catalpa is famous for two main reasons. First, it was the birthplace of John Strode Barbour, Jr.. He was born on December 29, 1820, and later became an important politician. He served as a Representative and a Senator for Virginia. This means he helped make laws for the country. Second, Catalpa is known as the place where the Culpeper Minutemen first gathered. These were brave local soldiers who played a big part in the American Revolution.
A Look at Catalpa's Past
During the time when Virginia was a British colony, the Catalpa estate was the home of a man named Major Philip Clayton. A "seat" meant it was his main residence. The estate got its name from a special catalpa tree. Major Clayton brought this tree all the way from Essex and carefully planted it on his property. It was the very first catalpa tree ever seen in Culpeper County!
Philip Clayton married Ann Coleman. Her brother, Robert Coleman, owned the land where the town of Culpeper was started in 1759. The town was first called "Fairfax." Its name changed to Culpeper later, during the American Civil War. Philip Clayton was one of the first leaders, called "trustees," for the new town. Other early trustees included Nathaniel Pendleton, William Green, William Williams, and Thomas Slaughter.
A very important event happened at Catalpa. On July 17, 1775, the Culpeper Minutemen gathered for the first time. They met under a large oak tree in an area called "Clayton's old field" on the Catalpa estate. This meeting was a key moment in their history, as they prepared to fight for American independence.
