Vaucluse (plantation) - Constance Cary

Constance Cary

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Thomas Fairfax's granddaughter, Miss Constance Cary was living at Vaucluse with her mother, Monimia Fairfax. Momimia had married Archibald Cary (1815–1854), and they had three children: Falkland Cary, who died aged 16, Constance Cary, and Clarence Cary. The family moved to Richmond, Virginia during the war, where Miss Cary wrote under the pen name Refugitta.

The mansion was destroyed during the American Civil War to make place for Fort Worth, in the defenses of the city of Washington. In December 1861, Captain J. Howard Kitching marched with four regiments to occupy the fort. The Fairfax family silver was buried there until recovered after the war.