Early history of the Betty Washington Inn

1757

Fielding Lewis, the husband of Betty Washington, George’s sister, is recorded as the first owner of this property in 1752 as part of a 831 acre tract.

Fielding Lewis

Betty Washington

1761

Col. Charles Dick purchased the half block from Fielding Lewis in 1761 at a price that indicated a small house was probably on the lot. Col Dick owned what is considered to be one of the oldest homes in Fredericksburg on Princess Ann street. 

https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/VA-01-FR35

https://hffi.org/a-closer-examination-of-historical-significance-the-charles-dick-house-and-j-w-masters-domestic-outbuilding-at-204-lewis-street-%ef%bf%bc/

1785

John Frazier (Rising Sun Tavern) purchased the home in 1785 and owned it for a few months.

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/111-0088/

1785

Dr. George French purchased the home that same year (1785) and it remained in the family for 59 years. The property included additional structures including kitchen, meat house and a large stable at the corner of Lewis and Prince Edward Street. It probably looked very similar to the painting in the foyer which was done around 1840. Dr. French served as Mayor of Fredericksburg for eight terms from 1789 – 1815. He was a friend of George Washington (and most likely Mary’s Doctor).


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194192836/george-french 

1807

Robert S Chew who married Elizabeth French (daughter of George) is listed as the owner from 1807 to 1836.

It is difficult to identify the enslaved inhabitants of the property however they were clearly an important contribution to the history. Enslaved people would have been part of the construction and lived in and on the property. There is a small room on the first and second floor that may have been for servants or domestic help. The attic was unfinished until recently but was constructed with a fireplace so may have had inhabitants. The cellar is large but has no heat.

The 1810 Census for Robert S Chew indicates 6 enslaved people. The 1820 Census shows 11 Enslaved and one “Free Colored Man” aged 26-44.

https://fredericksburghistory.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/slaves-in-their-cabin-19161.jpg

1837

Robert Stanard owned the property from 1837 to 1841.

1843

Lt. George Minor owned the property from 1843 to 1850. He was a Captain in the US Navy and later the Confederate Navy.

“Commander, Confederate States Navy; 3rd highest ranking officer in the Confederate States Navy Dept. Commander Minor served in the United States Navy prior to the Civil War. Enlisted from Virginia, he was commissioned by the Confederate States Congress as Commander in 1861. He was then appointed Commander, Chief of the Ordnance and Hydrography Bureau. Married to Ann Eliza Chew in 1840; postwar lived on the corner of Prince Edward and Lewis, in Fredericksburg, Va. 

Capt. Geo. Minor died at the residence of Col. R.S. Chew, in Fredericksburg, Tuesday last. Capt. Minor served with distinction in the navy of the U.S. until the commencement of the late war, when he resigned his place in the U.S. and joined the C.S. Navy. Alexandria Gazette, January 10, 1879.”
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11717976/george-minor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Minor


1850

William Fitzhugh was a prominent attorney who owned the property from 1850 until 1862. In 1853, the house goes from 1 ½ stories to 2 ½ stories. In 1858, the house was extended and additional 18 feet to its current size.

1862

William Cunningham purchased to property in 1862 and owned it until 1893. He was the cousin of Lincoln’s Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton.
Stanton had the house guarded by Union troops during the Battle of Fredericksburg. The house reportedly caught fire several times but the flames were extinguished before much damage could be done.

The owner uncovered some signs of fire of the Lewis Street side and also recovered a Union mini ball from the second floor wall during restoration. The hole remains today.

1892

In 1892 James Rawlings purchased the property and owned it until 1926. Rawlings was postmaster of Fredericksburg for nine years. Rawlings and Chancellor (1108 Charles) owned a store together where is now Castiglias. Their wives were sisters. 

1927

Francine Williams purchased the property in 1927 and opened the Betty Washington Inn which was in business until 1964. Miss Williams ran a “high class” inn with “Quiet Rooms.”