Wow!  A recent, gorgeous, sunny, warm spring day in Virginia beckoned us to shake off the winter and enjoy the outdoors.  These days are few and far between, so we decided to spend it outside, walking around Old Town Fredericksburg. The name of this town has always put a smile on my face, because for years we immensely enjoyed the charming town of Fredericksburg in our home state of Texas!

     Last summer when we were in Colonial Williamsburg, one of the scenes from Revolutionary City, Gale from the North, featured Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

     In the scene, Mann Page (on the horse) has arrived with news of Lexington and Concord. Furthermore, Page has made a 100 mile ride from Fredericksburg to Williamsburg with news that the men are ready to arm and arrive at the capitol, angered that Governor Dunmore has taken the gunpowder from the magazine. However Mann Page is told by the burgesses to relay a message back to Fredericksburg for the men to disarm.  Seeking a peaceful resolution, the burgesses were  planning a meeting themselves with the governor.  Due to the 100 mile ride, Mann Page has been called "The Paul Revere of Virginia." Because of all the wonderful memories  I have of Fredericksburg, Texas, and because I was always a Paul Revere fan, this is one of my favorite Revolutionary City scenes. While we were in Old Town Fredericksburg, I looked high and low for a historical marker or something about Mann Page. Alas...nothing.

     However, we did find Lafayette Boulevard!  (of course!)  

After I took that picture, I noticed a marker across the street. I had to check that out!    

No, not Mann Page...but John Paul Jones (another Revolutionary War favorite!)  Here is his home...

We walked up and down the streets, admiring the colonial architecture...

enjoying the lovely flowers...

 and looking for some history on Mann Page. He has been an elusive historical figure to capture any information on.  This day proved to be no different. Instead of finding historical markers about him, we found lots on others we have studied! 

    All the street signs had historical names. My son wanted me to take a picture of this one. He insisted, "But Mom, Wolfe conquered Quebec in the French and Indian War!"

The building on the corner used to be a tavern that George Washington had been known to visit. 

In 1777, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and other committee members met here to recodify the Virginia law.  The tavern burned in the early 1800s and went through other changes since. Can you recognize it from the above picture by the chimney to the right? 

From this Courthouse cupola, the Union troops viewed the Battle of Fredericksburg.  Additionally, they used the cupola as a signal and observation post. 

 Across from the Courthouse was a Presbyterian Church where Stonewall Jackson planned the Battle of Fredericksburg.  After the battle, the church was used as a hospital, where Clara Barton herself tended to the soldiers.  

This is an extremely historical intersection. On the other corner is the bank...

where President Lincoln came for a visit.

My husband insisted we all stand where President Lincoln once stood. After I had a moment to stand in a spot of history, I went across the street to stand in front of the church to take the family's picture.

There's a lot more history than this in Fredericksburg.  When we come back to tour the other sites, I'll keep looking for Mann Page.   He's got to be somewhere!