Chapter 7

Sept. 4, 1862: Brig. Gen'l A. Pleasanton from his camp near Fort Albany, Va., in his report to Brig. Gen. R. B. Marcy, chief of staff, written at 5 a. m., states that he is about to be off with the sixth cavalry and two other companies for Falls Church where he expects to make his headquarters and from whence he will scout as directed. He suggests that the telegraph be extended to Falls Church and asks that supplies for his command be forwarded by railroad to a point opposite Falls Church.

At 8:30 a. m., his message states that from reports received by him, the impression is that the enemy is going to cross the Potomac at Walker's Landing.

At 12: 45 p. m., he reports from Falls Church that the enemy's advanced pickets, on the Leesburg and Georgetown turnpike are three-fourths of a mile this side of Difficult Creek, and that a regiment of Mississippi cavalry, the Jeff Davis Legion, is at the bridge over the creek.

At 1:30 p. m., from Falls Church his dispatch to the chief of staff states that the squadron on the Vienna road reports the enemy to be approaching from that direction in some force; that one of his men had been badly wounded in a skirmish. Gives it as his opinion that the enemy is only making a show of force to conceal his movements on the upper Potomac.

Sept. 4, 1862: Major General F. J. Porter from Headquarters Fifth Army Corps at Hall's Hill, sends a message at 4:30 p. m., to Major Gen'l McClellan stating that Gen'l Morell from Minor's Hill reports that the enemy has begun an attack on the Union pickets, with artillery, infantry and cavalry.

Sept. 4, 1862: At 6:45 p. m., from Upton's Hill, Brig. Gen'l J. D. Cox, commanding division, makes the following report to A. V. Colburn, Ass't Adjutant General:

"The firing upon General Pleasanton's command was from, possibly, three pieces of light artillery. The small-arm fighting was confined to the head of the enemy's column, deployed as skirmishers, with some dismounted men or infantry, it is not certain which. The pickets of Pleasanton's command, Eight Illinois and Eight Pennsylvania Cavalry, skirmished with them. We lost 2 men shot. The force of the enemy did not come beyond the edge of the woods, one and a half or 2 miles above Falls Church, and no large numbers were actually seen. The reports sent by General Pleasanton were necessarily those brought in by his men. A regiment of cavalry, with two light pieces, rapidly handled, would account for all the demonstration I could see with my glass, but there may have been more. General Pleasanton's cavalry being ordered away, we shall not have cavalry to scout the country till General Buford arrives. Scouts report all quiet toward Fairfax and Little River pike."

Aug. 16, 1863: Skirmish at Falls Church; no circumstantial reports on file.

June 23-24, 1864: Skirmishes near Falls Church and Centreville, Va. Extract from report of Col. Charles R. Lowell, Jr., 2nd Mass. Cavalry, commanding cavalry brigade. Headquarters cavalry brigade near Falls Church, Va., June 24, 1864.

A patrol from the camp of 16th N. Y. Cavalry consisting of 4 men was fired upon last evening between the pike and the railroad by a party of about 10 men and 2 of the patrol captured; the other two brought word to Annandale, and Col. Lazelle sent out a party of 40 men under Lieut. Tuck, 16th N. Y. Cavalry in search of attacking party. Party halted one and a half miles beyond Centreville to feed. Party of about 60 of the the enemy dashed in upon them. Men demoralized and panic stricken scattered in all directions. Lieut. Tuck only one as yet, 6 p. m., who has reached camp; remainder either wounded, prisoners, or straggling. After Tuck had been sent out a citizen reported to Col. Lazelle that he had been stopped by Mosby last evening near Centreville and detained under guard till morning, and that he had seen small parties numbering about 100 men. Col. Lazelle, upon receiving this information, sent out 150 men to support Tuck under Major Nicholson. This party started at 8 a. m. At 2 p. m., Tuck returned, reporting attack as above at 11 a. m. He was started by Col. Lazelle with a party of 15 men to overtake party of 150 and put them on trail. Major Forbes with 100 men and ambulances has been sent out this evening to place of surprise to pick up stragglers and any wounded, and support Major Nicholson if Mosby's force is reported more than 60 men.

June 25, 1864, 11 a. m.: Major Forbes just returned from Centreville and a clearer account of affairs can be given. Mosby with 200 men came down Thursday evening to near Union Mills and an iron gun drawn by 6 horses. Squad of Kincheloe's men took 2 of Col. Lazelle's patrol. Mosby returned to Union Mills Friday morning and marched his column back through Centreville about 10:30 a. m. Tuck's men feeding horses on newly cut hay, men in cherry trees, some asleep, one picket sitting on fence.

Mosby learned of Tuck and sent part of his men rapidly on. Shot man on post, causing panic among the rest.

July 18-21, 1864: Scout from Falls Church, Va. Col. Henry M. Lazelle, 16th N. Y. Cavalry commanding brigade, writing under date of July 21, 1864, from headquarters cavalry brigade near Falls Church, Va., to Lieut. Col. J. H. Taylor, Assistant Adjutant General and chief of staff, reports return to camp of a portion of a party of 10 men sent under charge of 2d Lieut. Gray, 13th N. Y. Cavalry on Monday evening last. About 4 o'clock a. m. to-day, while between Sangsters and Fairfax Station was ambuscaded by a party of from 50 to 60; loss 5 men taken prisoners and 7 horses.

Churches and Societies.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. One of the most attractive church edifices in the village of Falls Church is the Presbyterian Church, a picture of which is shown on page 5.

It was built in 1884, being formally dedicated in October of that year. The building now used by the Sunday School of the church, which was built before the civil war by Dr. Simon J. Groot, as a hall for religious and secular public meetings, was purchased and formally dedicated as a church November 20, 1866.

Since that date the pastors have been Rev. H. P. Dechert, who resigned in 1870, Rev. David H. Riddle, Rev. D. L. Rathbun and Rev. R. A. Davison, D. D.

The Rev. Mr. Riddle's pastorate extended over a period of seventeen years, and it was during his term that the present handsome stone church was built.

The Rev. Mr. Rathbun was pastor from 1890 to 1900.

The church has a large membership and the congregation continues to increase.

The Sunday School connected with the church, of which Mr. E. C. Hough is Superintendent, is one of the largest in the village.

DULIN CHAPEL M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. After the close of the war of 1861-65 the Methodists of Falls Church found themselves without a house of worship, the church in which they had formerly worshipped having been destroyed by soldiers of the Union Army while encamped close by. For a time they held services in the "Old Falls Church," the present Episcopal Church of the town until some of the leading members, desirous of having a house of worship of their own, took steps towards the erection of the present building near the site of their old church, among them being the late H. W. Febrey, John E. Febrey, B. F. Shreve, Jos. E. Birch and Wm. Dulin.

Mr. Wm. Dulin gave the site and soon there was erected thereon a church which was dedicated in the spring of 1869. The parsonage was built a few years later. The church as first built was remodeled in 1893. The church officers are as follows: W. H. Torreyson, W. H. Shreve, R. W. Birch, W. S. Tucker, W. M. Ellison, Trustees; W. H. Shreve, F. L. Birch, J. H. Brunner, E. J. Febrey, W. M. Ellison, Stewards.

COLUMBIA BAPTIST CHURCH. Columbia Baptist Church was organized in 1857 by Rev. Hiram Reed, and up to the beginning of the civil war had about 300 enrolled on the church books as active members.

Services were discontinued during the war and the church used as a hospital by the Union troops. Later it was used as a public school for a number of years prior to 1870. In that year the State Mission Board sent the Rev. W. S. O. Thomas to reopen the church as a place of worship. Rev. Mr. Thomas was succeeded by Rev. Hugh McCormick, now in Porto Rico.

The Mission Board assisted the church liberally in a financial way up to the time Rev. Mr. McCormick assumed charge, since which time the congregation has been self-supporting.

The following pastors have occupied the pulpit for various terms since the church was first organized: Rev. Hiram Reed, Rev. Hugh McCormick, Rev. George E. Truitt, Rev. G. W. T. Noland, Rev. J. B. Clayton, Rev. J. T. Barbor, Rev. J. W. Kincheloe and Rev. A. W. Graves.

The church at this time has a membership of 103 and is in a more prosperous condition than at any time since the war.

The officers of the church are: Deacons: E. J. Galpin, Thomas Hillier, Frank Williams. Clerk, Thomas Hillier; Treasurer, Mrs. Geo. W. Hawxhurst; Trustees, E. J. Galpin, Geo. F. McInturff, Elijah Berry.

The Sunday School has about forty scholars on the rolls, the officers of which are: Mr. R. S. Ilsley, Superintendent, Mr. Van Quick, Assistant Superintendent, Miss Emma Seaman, Organist.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The First Congregational Church of Falls Church, Va., was organized and duly recognized by Council May 30, 1876, the Congregational Society having first been organized in October, 1875.

Services were held in the Baptist Church up to 1879 when the present attractive church building was erected. It is of Gothic design, with main audience room seating 300, and a Sunday School room in the rear. A fine toned bell was purchased in 1881.

At its organization 25 members united in forming the church. At that time it was thought by some that another church in such a small town would result in dissension among the Christian people. Such was not the intention of this church. At its first annual meeting a resolution was unanimously adopted expressing "good wishes toward every church of Christ in this place, and its readiness and desire to co-operate with them in every good work." The other churches responded in a Christian spirit, and the pastors and churches of this town have always cordially worked together in the cause of the Master.

The first minister engaged by the Society was Rev. J. W. Chickering, Jr. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. L. B. Platt, who supplied the pulpit from November, 1877 to July, 1880, followed by Rev. A. L. Park, November, 1881 to December, 1882. Rev. Wm. W. Jordan, May, 1883 to October, 1885. Rev. F. W. Tuckerman, September, 1886 to May, 1890. Rev. R. E. Eels, acting pastor, February, 1891 to December, 1891. Rev. J. H. Jenkins, January, 1893 to July, 1897. Rev. Arsene Schmavonian, May, 1899 to May, 1901. Rev. Franklin Noble, the present minister was called to the church December, 1901.

The following are the officers of the church: Trustees, Geo. F. Rollins, M. H. Brinkerhoff, Geo. W. Poole; Treasurer, Dr. J. B. Gould; Clerk, Frank H. Eastman; Superintendent Sunday School, Miss Gertrude Nourse. Deacons: Geo. F. Rollins, G. A. L. Merrifield and Albert P. Eastman. Deaconesses: Mrs. Albert P. Eastman and Mrs. Helen C. Raymond.

ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. St. James Roman Catholic Church, Falls Church, of which Rev. Father Tierney is Pastor, was built in 1902 and is one of the finest specimens of Gothic architecture in Northern Virginia. It is built of Virginia sand stone taken from a quarry near the village.

The old church, a wooden structure built about 26 years ago, had become too small for the growing congregation, and through the munificence of Mrs. Thomas Ryan of New York City, the present handsome and imposing edifice was erected at a more convenient point.

Father Tierney has been in charge of this parish for about ten years and under his ministration the church has grown in numbers and influence, the membership at present being about 325.

The church and parsonage was designed and built under the supervision of Mr. A. O. Von Herbulis, an architect of wide reputation and a resident of this village.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated on Washington Street, was built in 1875 chiefly through the aid of the late Isaac Crossman. He donated the site for the building and later contributed liberally to its support.

Rev. D. C. Hedrick is the present pastor, to whom the congregation has become much attached during the brief time he has been stationed here. The following are the officers of the church: Trustees, J. M. Thorne, M. E. Church, W. Y. Swiggett, S. S. Luttrell, W. W. Biggs, V. E. Kerr, Henry Crocker, and Geo. G. Crossman; Stewards, M. E. Church, J. M. Thorne and W. Y. Swiggett.

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY. Meets every Sunday at 6:15 p. m., at the Presbyterian Chapel. Officers: A. M. Smith, President; Miss Raydelle B. Shaw, Vice President; Jesse Varcoe, Secretary; Miss Emma Seaman, Corresponding Secretary; Milton Thorne, Treasurer.

EPWORTH LEAGUE OF THE M. E. CHURCH. President, W. W. Biggs; Vice Presidents, Miss Ida N. Ball, Mrs. V. E. Kerr; Mrs. M. H. Luttrell, Dr. S. S. Luttrell, Miss Pearl Luttrell; Secretary, Walter S. Kerr; Treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Thorne; Organist, Miss Pearl Luttrell.

JEFFERSON INSTITUTE. Enrollment session 1904-5 147. Principal, Prof. E. C. Sine; Teachers, Miss Fannie Weadon, Miss Ruth Dyer, Miss Ida N. Ball.

OAKWOOD CEMETERY. Oakwood Cemetery is beautifully situated in the Eastern part of the town on the site of the old Methodist Church. It contains about 5 acres enclosed with a neatly trimmed evergreen hedge. The officers of the cemetery association are Wm. N. Febrey, President; E. J. Northrup, Secretary; G. A. L. Merrifield, Treasurer; M. E. Church, Superintendent.

KEMPER LODGE NO. 64, A. F. & A. M. Chartered December 3, 1896. Meets second and fourth Fridays in each month. Membership about 60. Officers: W. A. Ball, W. M.; A. H. Barbor, S. W.; J. R. Hagan, J. W. Past Masters: John H. Fisher, M. E. Church, G. T. Mankin, Dr. Geo. B. Fadeley, Dr. T. C. Quick, Geo. M. Newell.

THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS. Pioneer Lodge No. 1 of Good Templars was organized on April 27, 1887. This lodge meets every Tuesday night at Odd Fellows Hall. The lodge has a membership of eighty-five in good standing. The object of the order is prohibition of the liquor traffic by the will of the people, and no saloons have been allowed here for over thirty years, largely attributable to Pioneer Lodge which keeps public sentiment alive on the subject. The present officers of the lodge are: Henry Hawxhurst, Chief Templar; Jesse Varcoe, Past Chief Templar; Miss Laura Summers, Secretary; George W. Hawxhurst, Financial Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Garretson, Treasurer; J. H. Marr, Marshal; Miss Raydelle B. Shaw, Chaplain; Miss Catharine Foley, Vice Templar; G. C. Kesterson, Guard; Walter Kerr, Sentinel; Mrs. M. M. Erwin, Organist; J. H. Garretson, Lodge Deputy; Geo. W. Hawxhurst, Superintendent of Juveniles.

Falls Church is also headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the State. Since 1887 the office of Grand Secretary has been located here, Mr. George W. Hawxhurst, who has filled the office for the past thirty-two years, being a resident of the town.

VIRGINIA STATE AUDUBON SOCIETY. The Virginia State Audubon Society was organized at Falls Church, September 29, 1903. The objects of the society are to protect our native birds, to discourage the buying and wearing for ornamental purposes of the feathers of all birds other than the ostrich and domesticated fowls, and to promote a popular interest in bird study. The present officers are: President, John B. Henderson; 1st Vice President, Wm. C. Pennywitt; 2nd Vice President, Nathan Banks, and Secretary-Treasurer, E. C. Hough. Regular members pay $1.00 a year as dues. Children under 16 pay no dues but sign pledge cards agreeing not to harm birds or their eggs. The society has had printed for free distribution a digest of the recent game law.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. Falls Church Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F., was organized October 24, 1890, and has a membership of seventy-four. The lodge owns its hall, a large brick structure, located near the corner of Broad and Little Falls streets, in the center of the town. The building which was erected in 1891 contains a handsome lodge room on the second floor and a spacious public room on the first floor. The order makes a specialty of giving attention to its members during sickness and pays funeral expenses on death. The lodge numbers among its members some of the most influential citizens of the town. Its present officers are as follows: John D. Payne, N. G.; T. O. Marr, V. G.; J. H. Garretson, Sec'y; J. H. Brunner, F. S.; George W. Hawxhurst, Treasurer; Rev. W. H. Wolffe, Chaplain; Dr. Geo. B. Fadeley, R. S. to N. G.; Thomas Hillier, L. S. to N. G.; Geo. A. Brunner, S. P. G.; W. H. Nowlan, R. S. to V. G.; C. F. Newman, L. S. to V. G.; Ray Marcey, O. G.; Walter Marcey, I. G.; W. Maben, Warden; Webster Donaldson, R. S. S.; Chauncey Seay, L. S. S.; T. S. Luckett, Conductor.

R. E. LEE CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY. This chapter was organized in June, 1898. Its object is to assist needy widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers. The chapter has 43 members, the officers for the present term being as follows: President, Mrs. G. J. Head; Vice President, Mrs. George G. Bolling; Secretary, Mrs. A. H. Barbor; Treasurer, Miss Nellie Green; Historian, Mrs. Jonas Unverzagt; Registrar, Miss Georgia Head.

FALLS CHURCH LIBRARY. The Falls Church Library, organized 1899, is conducted by the Library Association under the supervision of a Board of Control. The library building is located on Columbia street near Washington street.

Officers: Pickering Dodge, President; Wm. A. Ball, Secretary; Librarian, Geo. W. Hawxhurst.

PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA. Washington Camp No. 1, organized in 1902. Officers: C. C. Walters, Past President; H. H. Moreland, President; Lester Brunner, Vice President; G. W. Moreland, M. of F.; M. M. Erwin, R. S.; E. L. Payne, F. S.; B. F. Elliott, Conductor; Upton Galisher, Inspector; W. H. Erwin, Guard; J. H. Brunner, Chaplain; Trustees, A. H. Barbor, C. C. Walters and J. H. Brunner.

Mr. M. E. Church is a native of the State of Vermont, but has been a resident of Virginia for nearly twenty-five years, and of Falls Church for the past eighteen years, during which period he has been closely identified with every public movement. He it was who first established telephonic communication between Falls Church and Washington City over sixteen years ago, and from a small beginning has built up an extensive telephone system extending over Fairfax and Alexandria Counties and reaching to Bluemont in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The company operating this system is incorporated under the name of the Falls Church Telephone and Telegraph Company, and Mr. Church is the chief stock-holder, President and General Manager. Exchanges are operated at Falls Church and Rosslyn.

Mr. Church has brought to his adopted home a large share of the energy and sterling business qualities for which his native state is noted. This has been manifest from the moment he set foot on the soil of his adopted state. He first engaged in the drug business in Falls Church which he successfully conducted for over twelve years, during which period he trained several young men who have since been conducting a successful business of their own. The esteem in which he was held by his fellow-pharmacists in the state was evidenced by his unanimous election to the office of President of the State Pharmaceutical Association, a position which he filled with great credit, as well as many other positions of trust and responsibility. He still remains an active and esteemed member of that Association.

About fifteen years ago he entered into the real estate, loan and insurance business, and notwithstanding his lack of previous training or experience, has been eminently successful along that line, and to him more than any other one man, is due the growth and development of our beautiful little village, as he has been untiring in his efforts to locate here in homes of their own a desirable class of moral and intellectual citizens. One of his first ventures along this line was the organization of the Falls Church Improvement Company, of which he was general manager and a large stock-holder. His associates in this company were: Hon. Schyler Duryee, then Chief Clerk of the U. S. Patent Office; Judge A. A. Freeman, now of New Mexico, and others. This company successfully developed the "Sherwood Sub-Division," one of the first sub-divisions put on the market in Fairfax County.

In the loan business Mr. Church has been particularly successful, by his conservative investments and faithful fidelity to the interests of his clients, both investors and borrowers have learned to place implicit confidence in his judgment and integrity and as a result, he has been able to bring together those who wish to borrow money with which to buy or build a home, and those who wish to invest funds, thereby enabling the worthy home-seeker to own his own home, making of him not only a prominent but more interested and desirable citizen.

While not an Attorney at Law Mr. Church's experience and familiarity with the real estate law, titles and values of land in Fairfax and Alexandria Counties have made his services and opinions much sought after as an expert in such matters, both by the courts and private parties. Persons seeking homes or investments in the suburbs of Washington will do well to consult him, as his judgment can be relied upon in real estate matters, and his integrity is unquestioned.

In the development of Falls Church Mr. Church has been indefatigable, and has been personally identified with every progressive movement. In addition to his drug-store, real estate and telephone business, he has been largely interested in procuring better transportation facilities in the way of electric railroads; he has built many houses in the town and organized several companies for the purpose of developing the trade and industries of this section. He is at present engaged in organizing an electric light company for the purpose of furnishing light and power to Falls Church and the country intervening between that and Washington; he has great faith in the future of the town and is not afraid to invest his money in home enterprises.

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