The fallen headstones of at least 5 people situated in the back yards of condos and a retirement community and near a townhouse neighborhood. James DeRuyter Blackwell, Roberta Brown Horner, Sarah Robinson, and Stephen L. French, and Wm. Bell.
Some sources say James DeRuyter Blackwell owned the oldest home in Warrenton VA. - “The oldest house in Warrenton, Va was owned by Joseph Blackwell, Sr. It is a frame house with a stone and brick basement, which was used during World War I by the Red Cross and other benevolent societies. It is on the right side of the street, in the first block from the post office on Main Street, to the railway station. It was recently
acquired by Walter Chrysler, the automobile man, who is going to restore it to its original appearance and condition.”
He also wrote poetry, including a poem entitled “The unknown grave”, that is believed to be the inspiration for the Unknown Soldier grave at Arlington. At the very least he is the namesake of the nearby Blackwell Road.
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“James De Ruyter Blackwell, Sr.
(1828-1901)
Virginia
"James De Ruyter Blackwell, Sr. was born 18 March 1828 near Warrenton, Va. Graduated from Dickinson College and also attended Randolph-Macon College. Studied and practiced law but for health reasons gave it up and devoted his life to literature. He died 1901. James De Ruyter Blackwell, Jr. was born 17 May 1870. He was educated at Bethel Military Academy [Fauquier County, Va.] as a civil engineer. Worked as a civil engineer on various railroads including electric streetcar system. He was on the Board of Survey for Boston and was City Engineer of Seattle, Washington. He also was in private practice. He died 5 September 1929."
[Source: OCLC Note, Blackwell Family Papers, Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia]
Poetry
James De Ruyter Blackwell, The Poetical Works of James De Ruyter Blackwell in three volumes (New York: Printed for the author, by E.J. Hale & Son, 1879-1884) (2 vols.) (Vol. 2 has imprint: "Printed for the author, by J.B. Lippincott & Co.") (Vol. 3 was apparently never published. The College of William and Mary Blackwell Family Papers collection includes "three bound manuscript volumes of poetry.")
Research Resources
Blackwell Family Papers
Swem Library
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia”
(Retrieved on 28 January 2006 from (
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