Laurel Hill Farm facts for kids
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J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace
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Fields at the site
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | N side of VA 773, W of jct. with VA 617, near Ararat, Virginia |
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| Area | 71 acres (29 ha) |
| Built | 1820 |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001161 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 24, 1998 |
Laurel Hill Farm is a special historic place and private park located in Ararat, Virginia. It is famous as the birthplace of James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart. In 1992, about 75 acres of the original 1,500-acre Stuart family farm were saved. This was done by the J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, with help from the Civil War Trust. This trust is a non-profit group that helps people learn about the site. They also hold events there.
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Who Was J. E. B. Stuart?
James Ewell Brown Stuart was born on February 6, 1833. He was one of eleven children born to Archibald and Elizabeth Letcher Pannill Stuart. He went to Emory and Henry College in Virginia. Later, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Stuart's Military Career
Stuart graduated from West Point in 1854. He was 13th in his class of 46 students. For seven years, he served in the United States Army. He spent most of this time in Kansas with the First U.S. Cavalry. In 1859, Stuart was present during an important event called John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry.
In May 1861, Stuart left the U.S. Army. He chose to fight for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He quickly became a high-ranking officer, a Major General. He led the cavalry for Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Stuart was wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern. He died on May 12, 1864. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
What Annual Events Happen Here?
Every year, on the first weekend of October, a special event takes place at Laurel Hill Farm. It's a Civil War encampment. This means people dress up and show what life was like during the Civil War. This event started in 1990. It helps raise money to keep the historic site well-maintained.
The History of Laurel Hill Farm
Laurel Hill Farm has a long and interesting past. Archaeologists from the College of William and Mary have studied the site. They found the location of the old house. They also found artifacts left behind by Native Americans.
Early Owners of the Land
Peter Jefferson, who was the father of Thomas Jefferson, helped survey the southern border of this property. The first member of J. E. B. Stuart's family to live on the farm was William Letcher. He lived there from 1750 to 1780. Sadly, he was killed on the farm in August 1780. This happened during the American Revolution by a person loyal to the British, sometimes called a Tory. Letcher's grave is on the property. It is the oldest marked grave site in Patrick County.
J. E. B. Stuart's family moved to the farm in 1825. They lived there until 1859. That year, Elizabeth Stuart sold the property. It was bought by two men from nearby Mount Airy, North Carolina.
