County militias were established during the Virginia colony's earliest days. These organizations were comprised of local residents who were frequently called upon to put down Indian attacks or slave uprisings. At the outset of the Revolution, these largely untrained militia regiments were swept into a larger organizational structure and pitted against some of England's finest soldiers. By nothing less than a miracle, the Americans succeeded in defeating troops who were far better trained and outfitted. The county militias continued to play an active role during the War of 1812 and later, when...

From Stafford's earliest years Potomac Run has formed the dividing line between the county's upper and lower districts. For tax and administrative purposes, land south of the run became known as District 1 and land north of the run as District 2. For the sake of organization the author has, for the most part, arranged the research for this book in the same manner. This massive work covers a wide range of topics arranged in three sections: Potomac Creek Area which includes Alcock's Mills, Cropp's Stone House, land patents, Quakers, roads, Spotted Tavern and much more; Rappahannock River which...