Alexandria’s Revolutionary War patriots left a legacy that extended far beyond the battlefield—into the fire companies, civic institutions, and burial grounds that shaped the city they helped found. This article originally appeared in the May 2026 newsletter of the Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association (FVFEA). As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, … Read more
On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at Mount Vernon. Four days later, on December 18, George Washington’s funeral brought many of Alexandria’s leading citizens to Mount Vernon — physicians who had fought to save him, clergy who conducted the burial service, and pallbearers who had known him as a neighbor, a merchant, and a … Read more
Updated October 2026: This post now includes Gilpin’s 1791 survey of the first lines of the federal district, his King Street lot on today’s Market Square block, and the role of enslaved labor in the Potomac Company, drawing on Greg A. Beaman’s 2026 Market Square study for Alexandria Archaeology and Gilpin’s correspondence with George Washington. … Read more
Introduction Unveiling the stories behind the notable figures of history can provide a fascinating insight into the past. One such significant individual is Cavan Boa, who played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and held the prestigious title of George Washington’s tailor. Cavan Boa: An Overview Cavan Boa (c. 1765 – August 20, … Read more
Early Life and Education Dr. James Craik was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1730. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh before serving as a surgeon in the British Army in the West Indies. In 1751, he left military service and crossed the Atlantic to begin a new life in the American colonies, where … Read more