FALL HILL 



ALL HILL was built about 1738 by Colonel Francis 

 Thornton, whose family was a very ancient one, 

 tracing direct descent from William Thornton, 

 Lord of East Newton, Yorkshire, 13 13. It was 

 built as a summer residence, and for this its situa- 

 tion upon the brow of a high hill, three miles out- 

 side of Fredericksburg, was eminently suitable. This property on 

 the hill, and for many miles along the valley of the Rappahannock, 

 was inherited by Colonel Thornton from his father, Francis Thorn- 

 ton I, who lived in the Falls house, half a mile from the river. 

 Colonel Francis Thornton II married Frances Gregory, in about 

 1736, she being the daughter of Mildred Washington, sister of 

 Augustine Washington, the father of America's first president. 

 When Colonel Thornton died, in 1749, he left a large property in 

 different parts of Virginia to each of his two younger sons, and 

 to his eldest son, Francis III, he bequeathed the Falls plantation 

 and Fall Hill. He dowered his daughters handsomely, especially 

 Mildred, upon her coming of age, when she married Charles Wash- 

 ington, youngest brother of the General. 



In the old graveyard at The Falls eleven generations of the 

 Thornton family are sleeping through eternity. Among the graves 

 are those of Colonel Thornton and the infant daughter of Mildred 

 and Charles Washington. After the death of Colonel Thornton, 

 his family lived for some years in both houses, but when the Falls 

 dwelling was destroyed by fire they moved to Fall Hill. Curiously 

 enough, the latter house was not then finished, though the white 

 panelling and fine mantel-pieces testify to the infinite care and taste 

 with which it was being planned. 



Francis Thornton III married Ann Thompson, the daughter of 

 Lady Spotswood by her second marriage, to Parson Thompson. 



[213] 



