Place:Spotsylvania, Virginia, United States

source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names

source: Family History Library Catalog

the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

Spotsylvania County is a county in the U.S. state of Virginia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 90,395, growing to 122,397 by 2010, a 35.40% increase since 2000, making it the 84th fastest growing county in the nation during this time period.. Its county seat is Spotsylvania Courthouse. The independent city of Fredericksburg is located northeast of the county but is politically separate.

The county is a part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. A number of commuters travel north on Interstate 95 or the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) for work in Washington, D.C. .

History

the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

At the time of European encounter, the inhabitants of the area that became Spotsylvania County were a Siouan-speaking tribe called the Manahoac.

Spotsylvania County was established in 1721 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. The county was named in Latin for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Alexander Spotswood.

Many battles were fought in this county during the Civil War, including the Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Fredericksburg, and Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.

Stonewall Jackson was shot and mortally wounded in Spotsylvania County during the Battle of Chancellorsville. A group of Confederate soldiers from North Carolina were in the woods and heard General Jackson's party returning from reconnoitering the Union lines. They mistook him for a Federal patrol and fired their weapons, wounding him in both arms. His left arm was amputated. General Jackson died a few days later from pneumonia at nearby Guinea Station. Confederate wounded were being gathered there for evacuation to hospitals further to the south and away from enemy lines.

Timeline

Population History

source: Source:Population of States and Counties of the United States: 1790-1990

Note: Fredericksburg city, formed from Spotsylvania County. Annexation after 1980 from Spotsylvania (1980 population 2,440).

Research Tips

• Spotsylvania County, Virginia family history and genealogy research guide (FamilySearch Research Wiki).

Repository:Fredericksburg, Virginia Historic Court Records