Ashgrove House Ln., McLean, Va.

"Ash Grove," is a T-shaped frame and clapboard home built c. 1790 by THOMAS FAIRFAX. The property remained in the Fairfax family until purchased by JAMES SHERMAN in 1850. A written description of the cemetery appeared in the WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY, 2nd Series, V.7, PP. 87-91 (1927). It reads: "In the center of one of the large fields near the house, sheltered by giant maple trees and green hollies, is an old Fairfax burying ground....Thomas (Fairfax) was brought back for burial in 1843. 12 years later, his grave was moved to Ivy Hill Cemetery....Fernando (Fairfax) died in 1830, and was buried in this little cemetery. Tradition as to his removal varies, but some interesting old stones are left to tell where little Fairfax Children still sleep beneath the maples." On Oct. 4, 1960, J. Berkeley Green disinterred the remaining burials, which were in the right-of-way of the Dulles Access Road. His log indicate that FERDINANDO FAIRFAX (1774-1820) was reinterred at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, and that other (unnamed) burials were reinterred at Chestnut Grove Cemetery (FX092) and St. Pauls Cemetery. NOTE: The House was donated to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 1997.