Marker, slave cabin to be dedicated By Bennie Scarton Jr. Published: June 9, 2010 � 0 Comments | Post a Comment MANASSAS, Va.�The official dedication of a city marker for a historic slave cabin will take place on Saturday on the grounds of Grace United Methodist Church. The event, open to the public, will take place at 2 p.m. at 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas. The program will begin with the Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troop 670. Opening comments and invocation at the marker on Hendley Road will be by church pastor Rudy Tucker. Welcome will be by Roxanna Adams, curator of the Manassas Museum and Manassas Mayor Harry J. �Hal� Parrish II. The ceremony at the slave cabin will begin with music by the First African Methodist Episcopal Church Choir. Scripture readings will follow by Joe Johnson, whose family formerly owned Clover Hill Farm; Col. Ulysses X. White, Manassas Historic Resources Board, and Bill Olson, Prince William County Historical Commissioner. Benediction will be by Meredith McNabb, a pastor with the church. A reception will conclude the event in the Grace Fellowship Hall. Securing the marker was the joint effort of the church, City of Manassas and Olson. The marker, which will be unveiled during the ceremony, reads: �In 1770, Patrick Hamrick sold this land to Rutt Johnson who used the land for crops and fruit trees and later added livestock. This property became known as Clover Hill Farm prior to 1852. During the Civil War, the Johnson family left the area and when they returned, the found that their home and crops had been burned by retreating Union soldiers. �The stone weaving house and the slave quarters survived. They rebuilt the house, replanted the orchards and purchased registered Jersey cows. The dairy eventually produced about 30,000 gallons of milk a year. In the late 20th century the surrounding area became developed. �In 1987, the Johnsons who owned and operated the last farm in the city, donated eight acres of land to the church, including the family cemetery and slave quarters that are preserved in their original sites. They sold the remaining land to a developer.� A plaque has been placed on the historic cabin/slave quarters, noting that the building was erected in the early 19th century as housing for slaves by the Johnson family. Some of those who lived in the building worked primarily in the main farmhouse and kitchen that were nearby. Following the Civil War, the cabin continued to be inhabited and used for various purposes. It may be the oldest building still standing in the city. The church history and records committee includes Betty Knowles and Mary Jane Parrish, chairwomen, and members Hazel Boyer, Elaine Byrd, Martha Ann France, Doris Johnson, Mary Anna Johnson, Nancy Miller, Al Newman, Libby Pittard, Jen Woolard, Olson and the Reverends Tucker and McNabb. Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707. http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/manassas/article/marker_slave_cabin_to_be_dedicated/58946/