Rev. Isaac H. Hollingsworth

Rev. Isaac H. Hollingsworth born 22 Feb 1721/22 in Cecil County, MD;

died 10 Sep 1759 in Loudoun County, VA;

married Rachel B. Parkins 1748 in VA; (born 03 May 1724 in Hopewell MM, Frederick County, VA; died 10 Sep 1805 in Fairfax County, VA)

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Notes for Rev. Isaac H. Hollingsworth:

Isaac lived near Hopewell Monthly Meeting, VA, until 1757, he then removed to Fairfax, VA.

Isaac was the youngest son of his father and he inherited the original tract of land on which "Abram's Delight" was built. By this time, Lord Fairfax had initiated proceedings against many landowners who had received patents from Governor Gooch. It was Fairfax's contention that the land belonged to him because of a Proprietary grant to his grandfather and a legal battle was anticipated that could well last into the next century. To prevent this from happening, Isaac purchased the land again in 1754 from Lord Fairfax.

On this piece of land in 1754, the main section of the house known today as "Abram's Delight" was built. It was constructed of native limestone by Simon Taylor, son-in-law of Col. John Hite. The house, which was considered a mansion when most people then were lucky to have a log cabin, has a stone high in the east gable with the date "1754" and the initials "I R" for Isaac and Rachel. Another mark on the stone is believed to indicate the number of children they had at the time of construction.

When Isaac built the house, it was constructed with a moveable partition that could be swung up and fastened to the ceiling so that a large number of people attending a Monthly Meeting of Worship could be accommodated.

He became a minister for the Society of Friends when he was 21 years old and traveled great distances to visit other meetings and helped persuade people to become members at Hopewell. It is said that Isaac became worried about the safety of his family after the defeat of British General Braddock in the French and Indian War. To protect them from Indian attacks, he moved to Waterford in Loudon County, VA, in 1757, where he joined the Fairfax Monthly Meeting. His son, Jonah, eventually occupied "Abram's Delight" and descendants remained there well in the 20th Century.

The home remained in the Hollingsworth family until 1943, when the city of Winchester, recognizing the historical significance of this house as the oldest stone home in the city, purchased it from the remaining heirs and turned it over to the Winchester-Frederick County

Historical Society. Through the dedicated efforts of this group, the house has been restored and is now open to the public.

It was interesting to note that when the house was deeded to Winchester, it was the first deed made after the original royal grant of King George II of England in 1734. Therefore, the property belonged to one family for 209 years.

Isaac was a minister in the Friends Church and began that calling at the age of 21 or 22. Perhaps the best known of the Hollingsworth mills in VA was the one erected by Isaac Hollingsworth in 1827 near the site of the first Parkins mill, on land he purchased from his father-in-law, Isaac Parkins, Jr. This mill had a capacity of 25 barrels of flour per day, and was considered the finest in the lower Valley. Isaac Hollingsworth in early life had been a stone mason, and this mill, constructed of stones which he himself dressed, with its three storied galleries or porches, was, of itself, a beautiful building. Unfortunately, the building was burned in 1911, but the mill had been in almost continuous operation until that time. Isaac was prominent among early Friends of Hopewell because of his great efforts for the promotion of the interests of our Society. Meetings were held in his house built in 1754 and which he constructed with moveable partitions so that large numbers might be conveniently seated in one room. He was active in inducing Friends to remove to the Hopewell settlement and laid out an addition to the town of Winchester.

More About Rev. Isaac H. Hollingsworth:

Alternate Dates 1: 01 Mar 1723/24, May be date of birth

Alternate Dates 2: 09 Dec 1758, May be date of death

Burial: 1759, Friend's Cem., Waterford, Loudon County, VA

Residence: 1757, Hopewell MM, Frederick County, VA

Will: 05 Oct 1759, Loudon County, VA

Will Probated: 13 Nov 1759, Loudon County, VA

More About Isaac Hollingsworth and Rachel Parkins:

Marriage: 1748, VA

RESIDENCE: Isaac was an early settler in Frederick Co., VA. Meetings were held in his house, which he built in 1754, and which he constructed with moveable partitions so that a large number could be seated in one room; Isaac located in Loudon Co., VA in 1757; Isaac and Rachel received at Fairfax from Hopewell MM in 1757;

RELIGION: Isaac received a gift of the ministry when 21 years old;

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