Belvale is also called "Belle Vale Manor" in historical records. Belvale was Johnston's country seat, his townhome was in the city of Alexandria. The grounds of Belvale have reputed to harbor a ghost of a young man killed in a duel who was buried under a cedar tree, reputedly with Washington's assistance in digging the grave and planting the cedar tree.
The Historic American Buildings Survey documentation of the house, which is a private residence, states that a cemetery which may have been a slave burial ground is on the property, though it is no longer extant.
Belvale is a historic house in Fairfax County, Virginia built between 1763 and 1766. Belvale was built by George Johnston, a member of the Virginia Assembly 1758-1766, a friend of Patrick Henry, and a legal advisor to George Washington, who was a frequent visitor to the home. The home's original lands were first granted on July 6, 1698, to Richard Carpenter, who bequeathed them in 1750 to his wife Mary and daughter Ann, who sold the property to Johnston in 1763.
Belvale is also called "Belle Vale Manor" in historical records. Belvale was Johnston's country seat, his townhome was in the city of Alexandria. The grounds of Belvale have reputed to harbor a ghost of a young man killed in a duel who was buried under a cedar tree, reputedly with Washington's assistance in digging the grave and planting the cedar tree.
The Historic American Buildings Survey documentation of the house, which is a private residence, states that a cemetery which may have been a slave burial ground is on the property, though it is no longer extant.
Belvale is also called "Belle Vale Manor" in historical records. Belvale was Johnston's country seat, his townhome was in the city of Alexandria. The grounds of Belvale have reputed to harbor a ghost of a young man killed in a duel who was buried under a cedar tree, reputedly with Washington's assistance in digging the grave and planting the cedar tree.
The Historic American Buildings Survey documentation of the house, which is a private residence, states that a cemetery which may have been a slave burial ground is on the property, though it is no longer extant.
