The Sentry Box

The Sentry Box is a Virginia historical marker in Fredericksburg County, dedicated 2007.

Fredericksburg County · dedicated 2007 · 133 Caroline Street

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The Sentry Box (ca. 1786) is an elegant specimen of late-Georgian-style architecture. Brig. Gen. George Weedon of the Continental army, later mayor of Fredericksburg, built the house and named it to reflect his military career. Weedon's wife, Catherine, invited the family of Gen. Hugh Mercer, who died at the Battle of Princeton, to live with them. The Mercer children later inherited the property and Confederate general Hugh Weedon Mercer was born here. In December 1862, the Union army built its middle pontoon crossing over the Rappahannock River just below the Sentry Box. Intense fighting occurred here, and the house was heavily damaged.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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Marker program managed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

More markers nearby

Brig. Gen. John Minorunder 1 mi
Camp Cobb at Gunnery Springsunder 1 mi
First Stop on 1961 Freedom Ridesunder 1 mi
George Washington's Childhood Homeunder 1 mi

On the National Register nearby

Sentry Box170 ft

Places within about 300 feet of this marker that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A nearby listing is not always the marker's own subject.