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George Washington famously owned and lived at the plantation called Mount Vernon, which is located on the banks of the Potomac River, about 16 miles south of the eponymous US capitol. But he resided in many other locations before inheriting that estate from his brother’s widow. Washington was born in 1732, on his father’s tobacco farm along Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County, VA. The house burned down centuries ago, and today the site is a National Monument ( link. )
Artist’s rendering by L. H. Barker © 2008
The family relocated when he was six years old, to the 600 acre Stafford County estate known then as Washington Farm, and it was here that George Washington grew up. The legends about cutting down a cherry tree and throwing a silver dollar across the Rappahannock are set here, across the river from Fredericksburg, but they are only myths. (If you’d like to try the coin trick yourself, a contest is held every year on Washington’s Birthday. Only one person has done it so far.) Less remarkable but true is the fact that he often swam in the river. He also took the ferry (not owned by the Washingtons) to Fredericksburg on many occasions, and gradually the site became known, as it is today, as Ferry Farm. George Washington became its owner in 1743, upon the death of his father Augustine, and maintained his home there until he was nearly twenty. His mother, Mary, remained there until moving to Fredericksburg in 1772, after which Hugh Mercer purchased the property.
Ownership of Ferry Farm passed through many hands over the centuries, and it was not until 1993 that serious interest in preserving the property took root. Maintained by the George Washington Foundation, the site became a National Historic Landmark, and commenced archaeological studies to discover the location of the Washingtons’ house, which had disappeared completely more than 170 years ago.
The efforts of eight seasons of digging finally bore fruit. In July, 2008, Ferry Farm’s chief archeologist, Dave Muraca, gave a lecture about the clues that eventually led to the uncovering of the foundations. One of the most useful was a painting, “The View From the Old Mansion House of 
the Washington Family Near Fredericksburg, Virginia,” by John Gadsby Chapman, which enabled researchers to narrow down the possibilities of the house’s location. Also crucial was the house inventory done in 1743 upon the death of Washington’s father, which permitted specific identification of artifacts that matched those in the listing. Among these were numerous pieces of tea sets that belonged to his mother, with patterns that were easily identified and dated. When the foundation stones were finally uncovered, the “footprint” matched the layout as specified in Augustine’s will. Mystery solved. The dimensions of the house: 53 feet, 8-1/2 inches by 28 feet, 4 inches. The family’s kitchen and slave quarters have also been found, and the team is searching for other Washington era structures. Another historical era is also well represented. Union soldiers used the grounds as a staging area at the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg, and such relics as buttons and pieces of armament turn up frequently. The dark line cutting through the house diagram at left is a defensive trench from that war.
One of the more curious of the artifacts is a pipe bowl bearing Masonic symbols; it is well down that Washington himself was a Mason. (No little hatchets, silver dollars, or false teeth (wooden or otherwise) have been excavated to date!)
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Sources and related links:
Fredericksburg.com: news article
National Geographic: press release
referring to a book owned by religious dissident Roger Williams, the man who founded Rhode Island Colony in the 1600′s. The library possesses a book, entitled An Essay Towards the Reconciling of Differences Among Christians, in which Williams painstakingly transcribed the text of two other books, but in code. He also added personal notes having to do with his theological philosophy. Last spring, a group of Brown undergrads under took a project to crack this code, and Eureka!, the Providence Journal now reports that they’ve done it. Exciting news indeed: ”To have a major new source, a major new document, from Roger Williams is a big deal.” For further details, refer to the article 
Scientists from Swansea U. in England have been studying skeletons recovered from the ancient wreck of the Mary Rose. They’ve discovered some intriguing information, particularly about the archers who were on board. The article from bbc.co.uk can be accessed 
The Battle of Brandy Station, fought on June 9, 1863, involved over 20,000 troops, mostly mounted, and marked the moment when Union cavalry was finally able to match Rebel cavalry for skill and effectiveness. The house pictured here, which stands by the railroad tracks, was pressed into service as a hospital for the wounded soldiers from both armies, also served as Union headquarters during the winter that followed the battle. It’s been known for some time that the interior walls on the second floor of this building had been covered with drawings and writing by the soldiers who spent time there; as a result, the place today is called “Graffiti House”. Now conservators are working to remove layers of paint and grime to reveal the secrets beneath, using techniques nearly as painstaking as those required to restore fine art.
From BBC News: Paula Byrne, author of a new biography of Jane Austen, recently received a gift from her husband, a pencil drawing on vellum. The portrait was acquired at auction, from a family that had owned it for a century. Skeptics claim that this find seems providential, seeing as it’s happened just before the release of Byrne’s book. Decide what you think, 
Just in time for Halloween, archaeologists working in Piombino have discovered the skeleton of a woman, surrounded by 13 nails, and with 7 others driven into her jaw. The body was buried without coffin or shroud. Theoretically, the jaw nails may have been intended to prevent her from rising from the dead, with the 13 nails piercing her clothing, to attach her body more firmly to the ground, Two years ago, a skull was found in Venice, with a stone forced into the mouth, a way to keep vampires in their graves. Another skeleton was surrounded by 17 dice, the number 17 being associated with death in Italy.
The dig at the site of Shakespeare’s last home in Stratford Upon Avon is emerging from its winter hiatus, and is about to begin excavating in parts of the land that have never been previously touched. Thus far, evidence has been uncovered that challenges the way the house and grounds have been interpreted. Perhaps the most exciting feature of this project is that members of the public are invited to observe and even participate in the work. “The Dig for Shakespeare” is open 7 days a week, until the project closes again in October. There is an admission charge, which includes entry to the Birthplace, Hall’s Croft, and Nash’s House, where there is an exhibit of some of the finds. The ticket is good for a year, enabling visitors to return as often as they like. Further information about this exciting undertaking can be found 
