To List, My primary interest in this article was the first postmaster of Vale, VA, John F. Saunders, b. Aug. 10, 1844, Fairfax, VA, buried Nov. 29, 1904, Vale Cemetery, Vairfax, VA, and wife Georgia Anna (Kitchen) Saunders, b. Nov. 12, 1861, Hunter, Fairfax, VA, d. July 23, 1932, Fairfax, VA. However, there are other surnames mentioned in this article that someone out there might find interesting. I would love to hear from anyone connected to this John F. Saunders. FAIRFAX CITY TIMES, 11/13/1964, PG. 20, "Historically Speaking", by Edward Wagstaff, How Vale Was Named: The following story was written by Joy S. Starr (Mrs. Nicholas Starr), Oakton. Mrs. Starr has given me permission to use it in my column "Historically Speaking." In the 18th Century, land in the Navy-Vale area was a part of the large Carter Piney Ridge tract and was owned by Robert Carter, the "Councillor", of Nomini Hall in Westmoreland County. He was the grandson of Robert "King" Carter who had opened in 1730 a copper mine at the present site of Floris. On August 6, 1842, Robert B. Mitchell, a descendent of the Carter family, and his wife Mary sold his portion of the land containing 400 acres inherited from Priscilla Carter Mitchell, the "Councillor's" daughter, to Hudson Bennett of Fairfax County for the sum of One Dollar. The acreage extended from the old Ox Road (Rte 608) to the "Carter Line" which is now incorporated in Fox Mill Road (Rte. 665). On his land in addition to other "appurtenances", Mr. Bennett acquired a cabin made of squared logs which is still in existence along with the old stone chimney built in 1806 by Thomas Taylor. He made this cabin his homestead and named the farm "Poplar Vale." As shown by County records, Mr. Bennett was interested in his community. He was, apparently, keenly aware of the need for greater accessability to the area, and his signature appeaars on petitions for roads in the Vale area. One of these roads went through his farm and bears his name (Rte. 669 between Navy and Vale). In the 1880's the twenty or more resident families made the neighborhood eligible for a local post office, and the citizens selected the name of Bennett for their locality. However the Postmaster in Vienna, who was responsible for establishing the new location, rejected the name of Bennett because Virginia already had a post office called Bennett's Mill. He suggested the citizens that a shorter name would be more appropriate. Inasmuch as Mr. Bennett's farm was named Poplar Vale, the name Vale was subsequently chosen and approved. On September 19, 1883, John F. Saunders received the first appointment as Postmaster, and the post office was opened for business. The Saunders family had a store on Stuart Mill Road near where it connects with Fox Mill Road, and the post office was located there. In February of 1905, Georgie A. Saunders was appointed the second Postmaster for Vale and continued in the position until the post office was discontinued on June 15, 1907 after almost twenty-four years of service. Although the post office no longer exists, the community has retained its identity and is a source of pride to its inhabitants.