Figure of the Week

Charles L. Kennedy (1846-1933) was the son of Thomas A. Kennedy and was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.  In 1871, he married Mary T. Schooler (1835-1904), the daughter of Thomas E. Schooler (c.1787-1861) of Stafford County, Virginia.  His second wife was Sarah J. Armstrong (c.1863-1953).  Charles lived on or near the Warrenton Road and not far from its junction with Poplar Road (Route 616).  He was Sheriff of Stafford when Charles A. Morganfield and Charles J. Searcey robbed the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac train near Aquia Creek.  One of the most famous train robberies in American history, it was covered by  newspapers all across the United States.  The trial was held at Stafford Courthouse.  In 1875, Charles L. Kennedy was one of the overseers of the road for Hartwood Township.  He was a member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors from 1881 to 1886 and served as county sheriff from 1887 to at least 1897.  During the early 1900s, Charles was a licensed auctioneer.