Fall Hill facts for kids
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Fall Hill
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Fall Hill
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
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| Area | 70 acres (28 ha) |
| Built | 1790 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002062 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 18, 1973 |
Fall Hill is a historic home located near the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This beautiful house was built in 1790 for Francis Thornton V. His family, the Thorntons, had lived in the Fall Hill area since the early 1700s.
The land where Fall Hill stands was originally part of a huge 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) land grant. This grant was given to Francis Thornton I around 1720. The city of Fredericksburg today is built on some of that very same land.
Contents
Exploring the Fall Hill Mansion
The main house at Fall Hill is a two-story home built in the Georgian style. It has a central hallway with two large rooms on each side. The roof is sloped on all sides, called a hipped roof, and there are chimneys inside at both ends of the house.
The outside walls are made of brick laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. This pattern makes the bricks look interesting. The windows on the second floor are smaller than those on the first floor. This was a common design choice in Georgian homes.
Changes Over Time: Mansion Remodeling
Around 1830, the house was updated. Many parts like door frames, window frames, doors, and window sashes were replaced. This means only the original walls, roof, and chimneys remained from the first building. During this time, two windows on the front of the house were even bricked over.
Later, in the 1800s, columns in the Doric order style were added to the porches. These columns are a classic Greek design. More recently, a larger Doric porch on the east side was removed. Inside, some old fireplace mantels were taken out to show the original fireplace openings.
The Beautiful Grounds of Fall Hill
The area around the house is filled with many old trees of different kinds. There are also several gravel paths that wind through the 'park-like' grounds. From a hillside west of the house, you can see a nice view of Fredericksburg.
A Look Back: Fall Hill's History
The land for Fall Hill was part of a large grant given to Francis Thornton I around 1720. He was from an important family in Colonial Virginia. Thornton first built a home called The Falls closer to the river. His family also ran a grist mill on the Rappahannock River.
It is believed that Francis Thornton III built the house on Fall Hill. He wanted to escape the heat of the lower-lying house at The Falls.
Family Connections and Important Roles
Francis Thornton III married Frances Gregory. She was the daughter of Mildred Washington Gregory, who was the aunt and godmother of George Washington. Francis Thornton III served as a burgess, which was like a representative in the colonial government. He was also a trustee for Fredericksburg and a Colonel in the Spotsylvania militia.
In 1749, Fall Hill was passed down to his son, Francis Thornton IV. However, Francis Thornton IV and his wife mostly lived at The Falls.
Building the Current Mansion
The current Fall Hill mansion was likely built by Francis Thornton V around 1790. This was when he married Sally Innes. The way the house was designed matches other homes from that time period. Francis Thornton V was a Justice of the Peace in Spotsylvania County.
His son, James Innes Thornton, was born at Fall Hill. James later moved to Alabama and became its third secretary of state. He also started his own plantation there called Thornhill.
Fall Hill During the Civil War
Because Fall Hill was so close to the Rappahannock River, it became an important spot during the Fredericksburg Campaign of the Civil War. Soldiers built defenses along the river near the house to protect river crossings. These defenses were built by General Robert E. Lee's soldiers.
A long-time resident, Butler Franklin, said that General Lee once ordered the mansion to be destroyed by cannon fire. This was so he could better see the Union Army as they approached across the river. Luckily, the house was saved when the Union Army changed its direction.
Later Owners and Legacy
In 1870, Dr. John Taylor's son, Murry Forbes Taylor, married Butler-Brayne Thornton. She was a cousin of his mother and also a descendant of Francis Thornton V. This marriage helped keep Fall Hill connected to the Thornton family.
Later, in 1908, Mrs. Phoebe Apperson Hearst bought Fall Hill for $25,000. She gave it as a gift to Murray Taylor to thank him for his work managing her estate at San Simeon. Mrs. Hearst wanted Butler-Brayne Thornton Robinson Franklin, a granddaughter of Murray Forbes Taylor, to inherit the estate.
The Thornton family owned the land Fall Hill was built on for over 280 years. Butler Franklin, who passed away in 2003 at 104 years old, was the last Thornton to own the property. Fall Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in June 1973, recognizing its importance in history.
