Sherwood Farm Papers (MS100)

Collection

Identifier: MS100

Staff Only

Content Description

The Wilkinson Family papers consist of Sarah Kirk Wilkinson's day books, a few of her son Francis' school papers, and assorted Wilkinson correspondence. There are also two diaries from Unionville, Pennsylvania, unsigned, which most likely belonged to Quaker relatives. The Sherwood Farm papers include: Woodlawn Farmer's Club correspondence, describing various social activities of the Quaker farmers and their families from the area; Woodlawn Horse Company correspondence, which includes the constitution and by-laws of this anti-horse theft organization; Woodlawn Housekeeping Association correspondence, constitution, by-laws and minutes; records from the Woodlawn Literary Association; Sherwood Hall Sunday School records; and blank Sherwood Farm Dairy Records showing how the milk production was recorded and sold from 1918-1940. There is also a newspaper article from the Sunday Star in 1905, describing Quaker families and history in this area.

Dates

1845-1930

Creator

Ballinger Family (Family)

Biographical / Historical

The history of Sherwood Farm, which served as an ad hoc Quaker Community Archives, began in 1858, when one hundred acres of land north of the Accotink Turnpike was purchased by Charles Ballinger, a Quaker. He married Maria Gibbs and built a house on the acreage in 1859. Seven years later, he purchased an additional hundred acres of land south of the Accotink Turnpike. This two hundred acre spread comprised Sherwood Farm, which belonged to the Ballinger/Wilkinson families for five generations. Mary Alice Ballinger was born there in 1866. She married Francis H. Wilkinson, also a Quaker, who was a son of Morris R. Wilkinson and Sarah Kirk Wilkinson of Gray's Hill Farm, in 1891.

Extent

.42 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

By subject: therein chronologically. Series 1 is the Wilkinson Family Papers; Series 2 is the Sherwood Farm Papers.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Joyce Wilkinson in 1981

Existence and Location of Originals

Location of Originals

The original records of the Woodlawn Housekeeping Association, the Sherwood Hall Sunday School, and the Woodlawn Literary Association are in the Virginia Room of the Fairfax City Regional Library. This manuscript collection contains photocopies of all of the above mentioned records

Related Materials

"Reminiscences of Sherwood Farm and the Surrounding Area" by Charles Kirk Wilkinson, Historical Society of Fairfax County Yearbook.

The Woodlawn Agricultural Society Records, 1866-1903, microfilm 00435.

The Woodlawn Housekeeping Association Records, microfilm 00435.