A Remarkable Story Behind Loudoun ’ s Historic Archives
By Gary M . Clemens I Clerk of the Circuit Court
The corner of King and Market Streets in Leesburg has been the center of government for Loudoun County since its formation in 1757 . In August 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read at the courthouse door by the sheriff . The court complex has been designated as an Underground Railroad site in the Network to Freedom stipulated by the National Park service , and the courthouse square has always provided space for important announcements , events and memorials .
George K . Fox , Jr . was elected Clerk of the Court and commenced his term in 1857 . When Clerk Fox started his service as Clerk of Court , he likely had no idea that in a few years he would be responsible for a unique and challenging situation regarding the protection , preservation and management of valuable local government records in the midst of a war .
As the Civil War started and battles raged in Prince William County , merely miles from Leesburg in Manassas , it was obvious to the Court and to the Clerk that these battles could compromise the proper retention of Loudoun County ’ s precious records . In fact , fearing for the safety of the court records , Judge Asa Rogers who served in the court , directed Clerk Fox to remove the court records from the courthouse and take them to a safe location . ( Loudoun County Court Order Book , May 14 , 1861 .)
While the court order provided direction and the authority for removal , discretion for the potential location for retention of those records was exclusively delegated to Clerk Fox . During this timeframe of the entry of the court order and directive from the court , there was a captain in the Confederate Army , John D . Alexander , who was residing in Leesburg while recovering from wounds suffered during the Battle of First Manassas . Captain Alexander , who hailed from Campbell County , Virginia , was the leader of a troop referred to as the Campbell Rangers . ( The Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society , 2009 , p . 11 .) During
34 wander I fall • winter 2022