Weems Botts Museum

Mason Locke Weems, better known as “Parson” Weems, was a 19th century writer and book agent. He authored several works on the Revolutionary War era, including, The Life of Washington (1800), Life of Francis Marion (1805), and Life of Benjamin Franklin (1817), the former perpetuating many popular myths of Washington like cutting down the cherry tree. In 1808 or 1809, Weems purchased Bel Air Plantation in modern-day Minnieville, and operated a bookstore in Dumfries (the Weems-Botts House). Much of his life was spent traveling the country selling books and preaching. He died in 1823 while in South Carolina and is buried on the grounds of Bel Air.

The historical marker can be found at the following GPS coordinates 38° 56’ 85° N * 77° 32’ 92° W