Orange County Historical Society

Rosni: A Working Farm
by Joe Rowe
cont'd. from page 9

Robert Stringfellow Walker, the only son of John Scott Walker, was born at Rosni in 1840. He grew up at Rosni, assisted his father in the management of the farm and attended Randolph Macon College at Boynton. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Mosby’s Rangers, serving with distinction and discharged with the rank of Captain. Colonel Mosby and Captain Bob Walker formed a friendship that would last all their lives. Colonel Mosby was a frequent visitor at Rosni and later at Woodberry Forest. His visits were most welcome by Captain Bob, but Mrs. “Nanny” Walker found their lengthy conversations about the war to be tiresome and repetitive and was always happy when Colonel Mosby departed.

In 1872, John Scott Walker transferred the Woodberry Forest estate to his son, Robert and his daughter Sarah, affect-ionately known as “Mit.” In 1874, Captain Bob married Ann Carter Goss, “Nannie” of Somerset House. Of this marriage there were six sons, Carter, Joseph, John, Robert, Jr., Frank and Stuart. It was for these six sons that Woodberry Forest School was founded. In 1893, John Scott Walker died. He left the entire Rosni estate to his six grandsons, the sons of Captain Bob. Of these sons, only Frank had any interest in pursuing farming as a career. Frank attended Virginia Polytech-nic Institute, where he studied agriculture, and upon his return from college he took over Rosni and eventually bought out his brother’s shares. In 1923, Frank married Margaret Shackelford, a Jefferson descendant, thus bringing an interesting addition to an already distinguished pedigree.

Frank and Margaret had four children, three daughters, and a son. The son was Frank Stringfellow Walker, Jr. Like his father, Frank, Jr. attended Virginia Tech, where he, too, studied agriculture. And, like his father, he returned from college to

take over the management of Rosni, which he did for some years. In the meantime and acquired an MBA from the University of Virginia. Frank, Sr., died in 1971 and left the farm to his four children. Frank, Jr., continued to farm for some time, but eventually his interest in the law lured him to UVA’s law school and away from Rosni. In 1979, Rosni was purchased by Mr. Peter Harris, an Englishman, who continued to operate the farm on an absentee basis. Mr. Tucker purchased the farm this year.

A POSTSCRIPT

Frank, Jr. says Rosni was the home to four generations of Walkers. I make it a practice never to argue with Frank; however, I count six generations. John Walker purchased the first 160 acres but never lived there. Frank and Bernice’s daughter, Susan and Austin, lived there but never owned the property. I guess we could settle on five generations who called Rosni “home” at some point in their lives.

SOURCES FOR THE ARTICLE:

1. Maria Williams Minor, “The
Walkers of Woodberry Forest,”
published privately, 1973

2. Vee Dove, “Madison County
Homes,” published by the author,
1975

3. Walker Family Papers, lent by
Frank S. Walker, Jr.

4. Joseph G. Walker: informed notes
and observations.

5. Conversations with J. Carter
Walker; Coleman C. Walker, and
John Scott Walker, the Younger.