Sentry Box

The Sentry Box in Fredericksburg, Virginia, built in 1786, was the home of General George Weedon, a Continental officer and prominent Revolutionary leader. Weedon commanded Virginia troops during the war, supported George Washington’s campaigns, and played a vital role in organizing Fredericksburg’s Patriot defenses. His brother-in-law, General Hugh Mercer, also called Fredericksburg home. Mercer, a physician and seasoned soldier, became a hero of the Revolution after his death at the Battle of Princeton in 1777, where his sacrifice helped secure an American victory and inspired the cause of independence.

Weedon and Mercer had purchased the land together before the Revolution, intending it as a place for their families. When Mercer fell in battle, the Weedons continued construction of the home after the war, naming it “The Sentry Box” in honor of Weedon’s nostalgia for his years of service. In a gesture of family and remembrance, the Weedons invited Mercer’s widow and children to share the house, making it both a home and a living memorial to two of Fredericksburg’s most important Patriot leaders.