Processed by:
Ben Tayloe, Christy Toms, M.C. Mairena
Repository
Thomas Balch Library
Collection number
M 0129, VC 0090, BV 0015, OMB 0033
Title
Robert Edwards Collection
1800-1969
Physical Characteristics
Collector
LRobert Edwards, Virginia Beach, VA
Language
English
Abstract
Robert Edwards Collection is a collection of books, ledgers, correspondence, writings, receipts, bills of sale, promissory
notes, photographs, office judgements, and other materials relating to the families of Keene, Edwards, and Dulin.
In 1829 Newton Keene (1804-1880) purchased 197 acres in what is now Sterling, VA. He established Green Plains Farm on the
property, where he and his wife, Elisabeth Dulin (1806-1874), raised thirteen children. Their youngest daughter, Sarah Frances
Keene (28 July 1858- 27 August 1929), later inherited the farm.
Sarah Frances Keene married Samuel Edwin Edwards (24 June 1861 - 4 August 1943), a justice of the peace and respected member
of the community. "Squire Edwards", as he was known, was instrumental in developing Green Plains Farm into one of the most
prosperous dairy farms in Northern Virginia and became an early member of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative.
Their son, Lee Edwin Edwards (23 September 1889 - 14 April 1966) married Gertrude A. Whalen (12 November 1897 - 9 October
1991) and they continued to live in the home and operate the business until the 311 acre property was sold to developers in
1961. Their nephew, Robert Erle Edwards (son of Lee's older brother Hugh Keene Edwards, 7 September 1884 -14 May 1963 and
Helen Peele Edwards (8 March 1901 - 22 March 1991) donated the collection in 2015.
Robert Edwards Collection is a collection of books, ledgers, correspondence, writings, receipts, bills of sale, promissory
notes, photographs, office judgements, and other materials relating to the families of Keene, Edwards, and Dulin. The collection
is organized by subject and then in chronological order by the first date within the document.
Loudoun County, VA Cemetery Collection, 1990- (M 017), Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA; Jones, Elias. 1986. Keene family
history and genealogy - Microform. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah. V REF 929 KEENE; Stewart,
Roberta Dulin. 1984. The Dulin family in America. Ann Arbor, Mich: Braun-Brumfield. V REF 929.20973 DULIN
Folder 1 : Farmer District Cooperative Agreement, Lee. E. Edwards, Northern VA, 1950
Folder 2 : Written description of Green Plains, G.A. Edwards, 1956
Folder 3 : Photocopies of newspaper articles focusing on “Lanesville”, the “Farmer’s Delight Home, “Green Plains”, an “New Town Development”
in Leesburg and more, 1973-1981
Folder 4 : Loudoun County Virginia Office Judgements, 1836-1869
Folder 5 : Clerk of Loudoun County Court Receipts, 1837-1867
Folder 6 : Documents by Newton Keene as Deputy Sherriff, 1838-1844
Folder 7 : Public Notices, 1838 & 1849
Folder 8 : Estray Horse Document by Newton Keene, Loudoun County Justice of the Peace, 1852
Folder 9 : Chancery Court Case, Elizabeth Keene against Alfred Dulin, 1872
Folder 10 : Letter to S.E. Edwards documenting warrants and checks sent, 1912, from Loudoun Justice Record book, bound volume number
7
Folder 11 : Estate of John Dulin, Photocopied Pages, 1828-1829
Folder 12 : Deeds related to the Keene family, 1832-1902
Folder 13 : Agreement to Rent Coton Farm between Elizabeth Keene and Alfred D. Keene, 1865
Folder 14 : Will of Elizabeth Keene, February 1874, Inventory of Personal Effects, February 1881. Photocopied Pages
Folder 15 : Will belonging to Hardage Lane of Springhill, Montgomery County, MD, for J. Keene, Esquire, n.d.
Folder 16 : Newton Keene, Bills of Sale, 1835-1849
Folder 17 : Keene (Various), Bills of Sale, 1850-1859
Folder 18 : Keene/Dulin Bills of Sale, 1860-1894
Folder 19 : Keene et al, Promissory Notes, 1836-1895
Folder 20 : Keene, Tax Bills, 1845-1899
Folder 21 : Bills of Newton Keene and Charles Edwards from Dr. W.B. Day, 1850-1882
Folder 22 : Account Records, 1832-1891, n.d.
Folder 23 : Sherriff of Loudoun County and Fairfax County Receipts, 1833-1866 *Also see Section B. Legal Cases for actual folders
Folder 24 : Miscellaneous Receipts, 1835-1888
Folder 25 : Newton Keene as agent for Robert B. Richardson, 1838-1860
Folder 26 : Miscellaneous Receipts, 1838-1896
Folder 27 : Slave Lease Receipts and Promissory Notes, 1851-1859
Folder 28 : Union Military Supplies Receipt, 1862
Folder 29 : T. H. Vandevanter, Treasurer of Loudoun, payment receipts (1900), receipt (1909)
Folder 30 : Receipts from T.E. Reed & Son, Undertakers and Embalmers, 1927, from large brown ledger, bound volume number 8
Folder 31 : J.H. Keene receipt from tan ledger, bound volume number 5
Folder 39 : Lee. E. Edwards’ stationary, Green Plains Dairy Farm, Sterling, VA, “For Bobby Edwards” written
Folder 40 : Newton, Lane and Rogers family crests
Folder 41 : Miscellaneous Paper Items, 1910-1960-n.d.
Box 2
Folder 1 : Ledger with loose pages, poetry and songs, Elizabeth Dulin Keene, 1853-1864
Folder 2 : Writings by H.F. Keene, “The Dying Soldier”, “Kind Words”, “General Stuart”, 1864
Folder 3 : Photocopy - writings by H.F. Keene, “The Dying Soldier”, “Kind Words”, “General Stuart”, 1864
Folder 4 : A. F. Keene’s letters and writings (“Spring”, “Dear Cousin”, “Envy”, “Beloved Friend” and “Friendship”), 1864
Folder 5 : Photocopy - A. F. Keene’s letters and writings (“Spring”, “Dear Cousin”, “Envy”, “Beloved Friend” and “Friendship”), 1864
Folder 6 : Writings and cards from Sarah Keene’s scrapbook, bound volume number 10
Folder 7 : Photocopy of Harvey Lane Keene’s account of exploring the West, 1860-1865
Folder 8 : Poem or lyrics, “She never blamed him – never…”, signed by Bettie D. Keene, Green Plains, Loudoun County, VA
Folder 9 : ALS to Frank Keene from Annie Lee Keene with “Row your Boat” lyrics, n.d.
Folder 10 : Photocopy - ALS to Frank Keene from Annie Lee Keene with “Row your Boat” lyrics, n.d.
Folder 11 : “Stonewall Jackson a Sentinel”, n.d.
Folder 12: “Over the River” lyrics, n.d.
VC0090:
Folder 1 : Photographs of Sterling School with Students identified, 1897, vc_0090_0001
Folder 2 : Photographs of Danville Military Institute, 1959 vc_0090_0002
OMB 0033:
Folder 1 : Photocopy of Will of Newton Keene, 1770
Folder 2 : Photocopy of Deed (Book K, p448) between Richard Lee and David Boyd, Executors and John Orr, 1774
Folder 3 : Deed (Book C, No. 3, p281) between Randal Latimer and Nancy Latimer his wife, and Newton Keene, 1836
Folder 4 : Power of Attorney appointing William O. Slade to act as attorney for Alexander Ewell, Cordelia Ewell, Benjamin Dunn Jones
and Ellen E. Ewell his wife, 1839
BV 0015:
Item 1 : Methodist Pocket Hymn-Book, n.d., 1812, signed by A. D. Keene, with John, Alfred, Thomas, Francis, and James Dulin names
written on back cover
Item 2 : Book of Martyrs; or, A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths, of the Primitive as well as Protestant Martyrs
…,1831,[inscription to S. Edwards from E.H. B[?], 1909]
Item 3 : The complete works of Shakespeare: with a memoir by Alexander Chalmers A.M., 1856, inscription “S. Edwards June 8th 1883
Atkin Hall St. Elizabeth” with other inscriptions and names appearing
Item 4 : Ledger with entries by N. Keene, includes an inscription by J. W. Keene, bond entries, and Newton Keene family genealogical
entries, 1829-1851
Item 5 : Blacksmith Ledger with entries by John N. Keene and Charles Reed, 1853 and 1856
Item 6 : Justice Record (Loudoun, VA), 1852-1912
Item 7 : Justice Record (Loudoun, VA), includes fence claim template written by S.E.E., 1912–1933
Item 8 : Brown Leather Ledger, includes horse pedigrees and a genealogical entry, 1828-1837 and 1911-1913
Item 9 : Small ledger with entries by Wm. J. F. Keene, T. D. Keene and T. S. Keene, includes Civil War related notes, 1858-1872
Item 10 : Sarah F. Keene Commonplace book, includes poems and genealogical news clipping and entries, 1863-1887
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