People of Poplar Grove

Sarah Curtis French was the first person from our family to live permanently at Poplar Grove Farm.

"Uncle Charles" James French was the son of Sally Curtis and James French. He was a school teacher and was famous for his apple brandy. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg and never stopped fighting the war. He did not have any legitimate offspring."Charles James French was the son of Sally Curtis and James French. He was a school teacher and was famous for his apple brandy. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg and never stopped fighting the war. He did not have any legitimate offspring.

Sallie Virginia French Fitzhugh was the child of John Isemonger and Lula French. She was a schoolteacher at Concord in her younger years and married Lee Brockenbrough Fitzhugh. She had four children, Virginia, John, Lee Jr, and Sally Lou. She wrestled with societal adaptation during a time of rapid change in America.

"Uncle John" French Fitzhugh was the son of Sallie Virginia French Fitzhugh and Lee Brockenbrough Fitzhugh. He built the current farmhouse on Poplar Grove Farm. He was known for his story-telling and playing tricks. He married Mae Worthington in 1966 and died in 1985.

Sally Lou Fitzhugh was the child of Lee and Sallie Fitzhugh. She was a schoolteacher for 32 years. She loved cats, PBS, and traveling.

Lee was the first Fitzhugh at Poplar Grove Farm, beginning a 100 year legacy. He was a lawyer who struggled to make his own way. During the Depression he left his wife Sally and son John to operate Poplar Grove Farm while he lived in Alabama taking care of struggling family members.