From Route 7 Leesburg (VA) travel 15 north. Make a left on to New Valley Church Road at Lucketts. Turn left on to Rosefinch Cir. The home in the picture below is on the right, and is where Jean spent numerous summers visiting her aunt and uncle, (Lucy and Will Minor).
Turn around, and turn left onto New Valley Church Rd. A short distance up the road on the right is the old New Valley church, where many Orrison's were laid to rest. The church is now a private residence. We received permission from the owners to walk through the cemetery. You can tell a considerable amount of work has been done to clean up the cemetery. If you wish to visit, please call the owners prior to walking through their property. Jean has their phone number.
The church is beautiful old Quaker church, built in the early 1700's.
If you’re facing the church / home just as in the picture above, the cemetery is located to the right.
At the crest of the hill is where many Orrison grave sites are.
I love America Orrison's tombstone with the weeping willow, which is an emblem of sorrow.
Below is the grave site of Townsend and Arthur Orrison. Townsend was Jean's great grandfather, and Arthur was his son. A nearby grave (not pictured) is that of Cumberland George Orrison, who was the first Southern casualty of Loudoun County Va. in the Civil. He was mortally wounded at Point of Rocks. He and his brother (Townsend) fought in the Confederate Calvary with the Laurel Brigade.
Below is my favorite picture of the day. From left to right, Luke, Jack, and Jean. This graveyard has a lovely view of the Loudoun County countryside, and Sugarloaf mountain (faint on the horizon).
Next- Pull out of church driveway, and turn right onto New Valley Church Rd.
Turn Right onto Taylorstown Rd. Travel over the ridge, and make a right on to Furnace Mountain Rd. (just before you reach Taylorstown).
The home below is on the left, and was a Wright family home. Sarah Elizabeth Wright was Jean's great grandmother, on her fathers side. Jean was given the same middle name as Sarah's in her honor. The family raised 12 children in this tiny home.
If you continue on down this road, there are numerous old log homes scattered through the hills. It's interesting to think about the lifestyle here well over 100 years ago.
Turn around, and turn right onto Taylorstown Rd.
Turn left after a short distance onto Loyalty Rd.
Take Loyalty Rd to Waterford (3-5 miles). Turn Right at the town intersection (Main Street), and keep your eyes peeled for the row house pictured below, which will be on your right. This is where Jean’s Grandfather was born in 1875. His name was Roger Temple Orrison (whom Jean's brother Buzz is named after). Their mother (Sarah Elizabeth) also had a dress shop in this building.
Continue the same direction previously traveled, and vere left onto Old Wheatland Rd. Turn right onto 9. Turn right onto 287 (Berlin Turnpike) heading towards Lovettsville. Just before Lovettsville, turn right onto Lutheran Church Rd. The church New Jerusalem Church (No Picture taken) is on the left. There are many Orrison’s laid to rest in the cemetery of the church. The cemetary is known as Lovettsville Union Cemetery.
Make your way back to the Berlin Turnpike, and turn left heading south. Turn left onto Rickard Rd. Turn right onto Rehoboth Church Rd. The Rehoboth Church is on the right and is where many Orrison’s were laid to rest. According to Jean, some of the stained glass windows were dedicated to Orrison’s who were church members there. See a picture of the Church below. As a note of interest, there is a large stone mounting block for churchgoers to mount and dismount their horses while coming and going to services.
Safe travels, and peace be with you now and always!
Adam
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