Bush Hill

Josiah Watson, a wealthy merchant and postmaster of Alexandria, established his 272-acre plantation,Bush Hill in 1791. Richard Marshall Scott purchased the plantation in 1791;his family stayed here for 200 years. Scott was an attorney, bank president and planter who married three times, due to the death of his first two wives. In 1833, with Scott’s death, his son Richard and Virginia Gunnell moved here and produced wheat, oats, rye, and corn on the plantation. Richard died at age 27 of tuberculosis. Virginia, a northern sympathizer, and two sons shared the house with Union officers during the Civil War while a Massachusetts regiment camped on the land.Bush Hill Retired and apart from the world’s busy hum,This rural and lovely retreat,By the genius of talent and taste, has become to the stranger and curious, a treat.Tis a model, deserving of copy from all Who wish’to improve their estates; <br> ’Tis a spot, where the spring & the summer and fall,Man’s bosom delighted elates.Should I search far & wide, there is not a place.My soul would prefer to For Natural charms, and for many a grace Conferr’d by industry and skill.Phenix Gazette, November 26, 1825