History

Britton Hall, situated at 45-47 Winchester Street, Warrenton Virginia, is a wood frame and weatherboard building of 3 ½ stories with gable roof clad in 16-ounce standing seam copper, four gable dormers, five bays, and a total of 58 windows. The building is approximately 6000 ft.² in size with 3000 ft.² of porch area.

Originally built in 1790, it was the birthplace of Dr. William Edmond Horner (1793–1853), a noted physician and writer of the first American text on pathology. On the 1st of October 1874, Fannie B, daughter to Joseph Horner, married John Blodget Britton, which is how the property got its name. That original structure was consumed down to the foundation in the great Warrenton fire of 1909.

Today’s structure dates from 1909 -1910 and sits mostly on the original foundation with similar building elements. The upper Breezeway Structure was added around this time, and the width of the Townhouse widened.

For many years, Britton Hall was a summer destination for people looking to escape the heat in Washington, DC. The train took two hours, which is a little more than a car ride today. The local paper would announce the coming and goings of visitors to what became a boarding house.

In the News

“Mrs. Eppa Hunton of Richmond returned on Sunday after being a guest at Britton Hall in Warrenton for two months. Mrs. J. W. Riley, of Washington, who has spent much time in Warrenton, has returned to Britton Hall for a visit”

Fauquier Democrat
September 10, 1935

“Mrs. Robert Nelson and Miss Aspinwall of Washington are guests at Britton Hall”

Fauquier Democrat
July 12 1941

“One of Warrenton’s O’dest And Beloved Citizens Dies At Age of 85.

Mrs. Fanny Baylor Britton, one of the oldest and most beloved inhabitants of Warrenton, died at her home on Winchester Street in the early hours of last Saturday morning aged eighty-five. Up to the last two years, she had been remarkably active for her age, but she had been failing for some time, and for several weeks, her friends had realized that the end was near. Mrs. Britton was the daughter of the late Joseph Horner of Warrenton and his wife, who was Miss Eliza Baylor of “Carter Hall,” Clarke County. In 1874, she married Mr. John Blodgett Britton of Philadelphia, who died about twenty-five years ago. Mrs. Britton was the last but one of seven sisters, all of whom lived to a good old age. The surviving sister, Mrs. Eliza Roberts, has lived in Texas for many years. Mrs. Britton spent most of her life in the house where she was born, and when it was destroyed in the fire of 1909, she rebuilt it on the same foundation and plan. But though she loved the old days and old memories, she by no means lived in the past. She kept up with new movements and enjoyed the new inventions. Her energy was untiring, and when she was past middle age, she made several trips through Europe and the East. She was a devoted member of St. James Church and a faithful attendant as long as she was physically able. The funeral was conducted by Rev. E. S. Hinks at her home Monday at eleven o’clock. Her devoted niece, Mrs. William Robins, with her husband and daughter, had been with her for several weeks past. For Warrenton, Mrs. Britton was not only the last of her family but of her generation, the generation who remembered the war and the Old South. She will be greatly missed by her friends and neighbors and all who know the charm of beautiful and serene old age.

After Fannie Britton’s death, the house passed to Robins (Horner) line. The property at this time was fully converted into a multi-family rental if it hadn’t already been done. Horner’s descendants occupied Britton Hall for 150 years. In February 1955, it was sold to Vincent Jacobs and P. Nelson Brittle, leaving the long history of the Horners and Brittons behind.”

Obituary of Fannie B. Britton (Horner)
Fauquier Democrat, Volume 24, Number 1373
May 29, 1929