Mrs. Henry was born in Manassas, Virginia one mile from where she died at the age of 85. Since she was born in 1776 the war for American independence was fought during her childhood.
She married Doctor Isaac Henry, a surgeon serving aboard the frigate USS Constellation, and moved to Spring Hill, the Henry family farm, a mile from her birthplace. Locals called it Henry Hill. After Dr. Henry's death she lived in the home with her daughter, Ellen.
On July 21, 1861 the first major battle of the Civil War, First Manassas (Bull Run), It Was A Lovely Day For A Picnic In Manassas, VA began on farmland just west of the town.
Mrs. Henry, now 85, infirm and partially blind was moved to the nearby spring house. During her absence Confederate snipers occupied the home and fired at Union forces.
Since Mrs. Henry was uncomfortable in the spring house she was moved back into her home. A Union artillery battery under the command of Captain James B Ricketts turned their guns on the house to silence the sniper fire, unaware Mrs. Henry was back in the house.
An artillery round shattered her bed - she was seriously wounded and died later that day. Mrs. Henry was buried the next day in front of her severely damaged home.
Mrs. Henry
- was born at the same time America was born
- was able to see the young country develop over eight decades
- was tragically killed by a war that tore America apart killing 630,000 of its' citizens
Confederate forces demolished the remains of the home in 1862 and used the lumber to build camp cabins. It was rebuilt by her son in 1870 and is open to the public at Manassas National Battlefield Park.
The Kruschkas are long term Prince William County residents with 36 years experience as real estate brokers serving Woodbridge, Manassas, Dumfries, Manassas Park, Bristow, Brentsville, Gainesville and Haymarket.
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