“Farmers, Millers and Slaveholders.” This could be the title of a grim novel but it’s actually the story of Barkers Crossroads. Today we’ll explore the history of this place. We will delve into the lives of those who shaped it. Barkers Crossroads has a past far removed from the urban landscape you see today.
Back in 1741, this land was granted to William Barker. Thomas, the 6th Lord Fairfax, gave him 287 acres along Pohick Run. Fast forward to 1793 and William Barker sold a piece of this land to his grandson Presley Barker. Presley Barker continued to acquire property. In the 1830s, he obtained the land where West Springfield High School now stands. This area was once part of Ravensworth. Ravensworth was a large plantation owned by the Fitzhugh family.
The Barker family home and cemetery were near Hidden Pond Nature Center. A photo from around 1960 shows their house. Presley Barker died in 1856. His estate was divided between his widow and two children. The West Springfield High School site went to his widow Charlotte. Then it went to their son Ulam. Ulam sold his inheritance during the 1860s and 1880s.
Presley Barker’s will and estate inventory are fascinating. They offer a glimpse into life on the Barker family farm. The inventory starts with a list of slaves. Barker held 16 enslaved people. Seven were male and nine female. Sally was the oldest at 56. The youngest was an unnamed newborn. Half of the slaves were children under 12. Charles, John, Peter, and Henry were valued at $1,000 each. Sally was valued at $100. The Barkers raised livestock. They farmed corn, wheat, and oats.
Let’s look at some key dates in the land’s history. In 1741, William Barker received the original land grant. By 1793, William Barker sold 100 acres to Presley Barker. In 1797, William Barker transferred land to his son Leonard. William Barker Sr.’s will in 1800 divided land and slaves among his heirs. William Barker Jr.’s will in 1819 named his wife Eleanor and their children as heirs. In 1820, Presley Barker bought 410 acres from William Henry Fitzhugh. By 1838, Presley Barker bought more land and sold a grist mill. Also in 1838, Leonard Barker’s estate was divided among his heirs. Presley Barker’s will was written in 1856. The division of Presley Barker’s estate occurred in 1857.
Maps from 1860 show Charlotte, Ulam, and Willie Barker owning parts of Presley Barker’s land. Ulam W. Barker started selling land in 1861-1864. In 1888, Otis Bigelow bought Ulam W. Barker’s land. The Fairfax Park subdivision was formed in 1938. Land was sold and resold in the following years. Finally, in 1964, land was sold to the Fairfax County School Board.
The Barker family were slaveholders. Their story includes the lives of enslaved individuals. We acknowledge their hardship and toil. It’s important to remember this difficult part of Barkers Crossroads’ history. Today, Barkers Crossroads is a modern community. Yet, its roots are deeply embedded in a complex past. This past includes farming, milling, and slaveholding. Remembering this history gives us a fuller understanding of this place.