Carrolltown (Historical Marker)

Here follows the inscription written on this roadside historic marker:

In this vicinity a small African-American settlement grew from ten acres of land given to Jane Carroll by her owner, Dennis Johnston, before 1856. Jane's son, George, acquired an additional 121 acres from Johnston's heirs in 1899 and 1903. In 1904 George Carroll sold approximately 50 acres to family members. In 1881 and 1884 William Jasper, a former slave of William Hayward Foote of Hayfield Farm, donated land for a school and the Laurel Grove Baptist Church on Beulah Street. A community grew around the school, church and a general store operated by George Carroll at the present-day Kingstowne Village Parkway.

Erected 2002 by Fairfax County History Commission.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2010 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

Carrolltown was a thriving black community started by George Carroll on ten acres given to his mother by Dennis Johnston's will in 1856 plus an additional 100 acres purchased in the 1880‟s by George Carroll which he subdivided and sold to his family members. In the nineteen-teens, after George Carroll's death, his family began selling the land to people outside their family. Many of these families still attend Laurel Grove Church today.


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Here follows an excerpt from the Spring 2011 edition of the "Franconia Legacies" newsletter published by the Franconia Museum:

Carrolltown:
comments from Mr. George Baker at the first Franconia Story Swap

Carrolltown was an African American homestead. They had farming in the Carrolltown area. The main products were butter, potatoes, and black beans. They went to school for three years, but school attendance was based on the farming schedule. When the school closed, some children took the train into D. C. I worked for a diary farm and a chicken farm. The Norman's owned the round barn. “From Carolltown to Alexandria you could count the houses on your fingers.” Carrolltown was named for George Carroll and John Carroll, who had been slaves, and also had a store.


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Here follows an article written by Sue Patterson in the Fall 2002 "Franconia Legacies" newsletter as published on the Franconia Museum's website:

Beneath the Laurels of Franconia
Prior to the Civil War, one former slave and two descendants of slaves settled in the Franconia area, laying the foundations for a small but thriving African-American Community in the late Nineteenth Century and the first part of the Twentieth Century. Although Thornton Gray, George Carroll, and William Jasper did not establish roots in the Franconia area until the 1850's, their ancestors had lived in slavery in the immediate vicinity since at least the late 1700's. Their ancestors, slaves of such august personalities as George Washington of Mt. Vernon and Lund Washington of Hayfield Farms, surely observed the unfolding events of our Nation's founding. In Franconia, the three free black Americans bought land, raised their children, and built a church and a school together -- establishing a community. The achievements of this community can still be seen today in the quaint Laurel Grove Baptist Church and School (a Museum now) along Beulah Street.

The small "Black Settlement" known as Carrolltown located in today's Kingstowne and Manchester Lakes area was named after George Carroll, another original trustee of Laurel Grove Baptist Church. His mother, Jane Carroll was a former slave of Dennis Johnson of West Grove. She and her children received 10 acres of land by 1856 from Johnston's estate. This land was located at the corner of Old Telegraph Road and Hayfield Road.

Eventually George's brother John lived on the original ten acres and George bought an adjacent 121 acres in 1899 and 1903 from Dennis Johnston's heirs. In 1904, he sold approximately 50 acres to his brother John Carroll, Edgar Harris, Ella Carter, Belle Horad, Washington Horad, Senia Kelly, Elizabeth Baker, and Marshall Carroll, all family members.

George Washington Carroll, born February 22, 1855 or 56, was the son of Enoch and Jane Carroll. He married Harriet Harris, born in 1860, daughter of Edward and Maria Harris, at Shiloh Baptist Church on December 19, 1878. They had two sons, Luther and William. Harriett died in 1904. he married his second wife, Jane, by 1912. She was still living when George died in December 1917, in Franconia.

George ran a hog farm and a small general store on present-day Kingstowne Village Parkway until his death. His store and family was the center of Carrolltown. George furnished the logs for Laurel Grove School and Church. His sons sold the land and the store after his death.

The Fairfax County History Commission has approved a history marker for Carrolltown. It will be erected in the Kingstowne area to commemorate this small African-American Community in the historic Franconia area.


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Here is a look at George Carroll's life as prepared by the Research Center for Mason's Legacies:

Who was George Carroll?

In the vibrant tapestry of post-Civil War America, George emerged as a respected community member, transcending the limitations of his time. As a licensed business owner and a trustee at the Laurel Grove Church, he wielded influence and respect, shaping the destiny of those around him. Alongside fellow former slaves, including Middleton Braxton and William Jasper, George played a pivotal role in the establishment of a congregation near a grove of laurel on Beulah Road. This congregation, steeped in the values of education and unity, became a cornerstone of their community.

Through meticulous research involving tax records, wills, and US census data, George Carroll's life story unfolded. In a remarkable display of foresight and determination, he expanded his original ten acres, given to his family by Dennis Johnston, to a sprawling 121 acres near Telegraph Road as shown on the Carrolltown land marker. The flourishing community he cultivated, known as Carrolltown, thrived through the efforts of extended family units like the Kelly, Carter, Harris, and Carroll families.

In 1874, 'the newly granted political rights of the county's blacks assured local Republicans a significant voice' demonstrating that black votes were heard when deciding political actions in Fairfax County. Black individuals began to take on new opportunities through voting rights which allowed them to live a life of empowerment. George's community transformed their surroundings, donating lumber from Carrolltown to construct the very institutions that would educate their children and foster their spiritual growth—the Laurel Grove School and Church.

George Carroll's legacy is not just a story of individual triumph but a testament to the power of unity, education, and community support. His life, intertwined with the very soil he cultivated, serves as an enduring reminder of the strength that emerges when a community stands together, bound by the shared dream of a better tomorrow. The below timeline will outline the primary resources found from the Fairfax Circuit Court to interpret George’s character and how he contributed to the community.

Even after his passing, George's kind character shines through in his will statement, demonstrating his caring nature and love for his family by opting for a minimal-expense burial. This decision reflects his frugality and desire to save money for the benefit of his loved ones. This narrative pieced together through meticulous research involving tax records, wills, and census data, unveils a forgotten chapter in history. By employing Fuentes' method to explore George's surrounding life — encompassing community, relatives, and friends — and examining limited resources, we can reconstruct a narrative often overlooked by conventional historical accounts. This research not only serves to honor George's memory but also to extend condolences to families who have experienced the hardships of slavery, shedding light on stories that have been overshadowed by time.


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Here is a timeline of George Carroll's life as prepared by the Research Center for Mason's Legacies:

On December 20, 1852, Carroll Jane, who was George's mother, was discovered in the archives, documented as one of Dennis Johnston's slave acquisitions. Dennis acquired Jane for the sum of $700. Notably, the note card references a specific will book page, suggesting the potential for further insights into the intricate details of George Carroll's life.

In Edith Moore Sprouse's "Fairfax County in 1860: A Collective Biography," Dennis Johnston's biography is vividly portrayed, detailing his ownership of six slaves, among them George's mother, Jane Carroll. Through meticulous tracking of Dennis Johnston's will book, it was revealed that he bequeathed George's family the original 10 acres of land, a significant discovery aligned with the information recorded in the 1894 tax records.

According to the 1880 US Federal Census, George, born in 1857 in Mount Vernon, Fairfax, Virginia, resided there with his wife, Hattie Carroll. The census recorded George's occupation as 'farm help,' reflective of the predominant tobacco farming in the region. Notably, this echoes the historical context of Dennis Johnston, who managed a farm during the period of George's mother's enslavement, providing a poignant connection to the agricultural roots that shaped George's own occupation.

Constructed in 1884 by emancipated men and women, Laurel Grove School stands as a testament to the dedication of the community in educating their children. The thriving Carrolltown community, rooted in a commitment to collective success, generously contributed lumber for both the construction of Laurel Grove School and Church. Among the esteemed members of this community was George Carroll, a respected figure, licensed business owner, and trusted trustee at Laurel Grove Church. Presently, the one-room school has been transformed into a museum, commemorating the rich history of African American families who not only built and furnished the school but also supplied the essential books for education.

In the 1899 Deed Book, George Carroll's first purchase bought 60 acres of land from Katie Johnston (Dennis' wife). In addition to the 10 acres of land given to the Carroll family from Dennis decease, George bought more land from the Johnston who was his their family original slave owner.

The 1913 Tax Record Book marks George Carroll's final entry, recording the deed contract for the sale of a portion of land to Edgar Harris. This transaction involved the transfer of 10 acres near Telegraph Road, underscoring the geographical proximity to George's residence. It is noteworthy that this parcel of land is none other than the original 10 acres bequeathed to George by Dennis Johnston, as confirmed by historical records.

George Carroll's Will statement offers a glimpse of primary source which depicts the language and actions during his present time. The statement consist of land ownership transfer to his two sons (Luther and William) after decease. George's character is also interpreted from his statement of being 'buried but with as little expense as possble' implying his caring nature even after death to save money for his family.

The gravestones in Fairfax County, Virginia, serve as poignant records, detailing the passing of George Carroll on December 17, 1917. Alongside him, the final resting places of other Carroll family members, including his son Luther and wife Jannie, are also documented. This confirmation of their burial location provides a crucial puzzle piece in understanding George's lasting impact on Fairfax County and the surrounding area, particularly within the close-knit community of Laurel Grove.