Robert Edwards Collection 1800-1969

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195
Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

Physical characteristics affect use of this material. Photocopying not permitted.

Preferred citation:

Robert Edwards Collection, 1800-1969 (M 0129), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Summary

Creator:
LRobert Edwards, Virginia Beach, VA
Abstract:
Robert Edwards Collection is a collection of books, ledgers, correspondence, writings, receipts, bills of sale, promissory notes, photographs, office judgements, and other materials relating to the families of Keene, Edwards, and Dulin.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Robert Edwards Collection, 1800-1969 (M 0129), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Robert Edwards Collection is a collection of books, ledgers, correspondence, writings, receipts, bills of sale, promissory notes, photographs, office judgements, and other materials relating to the families of Keene, Edwards, and Dulin. The collection is organized by subject and then in chronological order by the first date within the document.

Biographical / historical:

In 1829 Newton Keene (1804-1880) purchased 197 acres in what is now Sterling, VA. He established Green Plains Farm on the property, where he and his wife, Elisabeth Dulin (1806-1874), raised thirteen children. Their youngest daughter, Sarah Frances Keene (28 July 1858- 27 August 1929), later inherited the farm.

Sarah Frances Keene married Samuel Edwin Edwards (24 June 1861 - 4 August 1943), a justice of the peace and respected member of the community. "Squire Edwards", as he was known, was instrumental in developing Green Plains Farm into one of the most prosperous dairy farms in Northern Virginia and became an early member of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative. Their son, Lee Edwin Edwards (23 September 1889 - 14 April 1966) married Gertrude A. Whalen (12 November 1897 - 9 October 1991) and they continued to live in the home and operate the business until the 311 acre property was sold to developers in 1961. Their nephew, Robert Erle Edwards (son of Lee's older brother Hugh Keene Edwards, 7 September 1884 -14 May 1963 and Helen Peele Edwards (8 March 1901 - 22 March 1991) donated the collection in 2015.

Acquisition information:
Robert Edwards, Virginia Beach, VA
Processing information:

Ben Tayloe, Christy Toms, M.C. Mairena, 28 March 2017

Arrangement:

Box: folder

Accruals:

2015.0181

Physical / technical requirements:

None