In 1829, Newton Keene (1804-1880) purchased 197 acres in what is now Sterling, Virginia. He established Green Plains Farm on the property, where he and his wife, Elizabeth Keene (née Dulin, 1806-1874) raised thirteen children. Their youngest daughter, Sarah Frances Keene (1858-?) later inherited the farm. Newton and Elizabeth are buried in the Dulin-Keene family cemetery in Sterling, Virginia.

Sarah Frances Keene married Samuel Edwin Edwards (1861-1943), a justice of the peace and respected member of the community. “Squire Edwards”, as he was known, was instrumental in developing Green Plains Farm into one of the most prosperous dairy farms in Northern Virginia and became an early member of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative. Their son, Lee Edwin Edwards (1889-1966) continued to live in the home and operate the business until the 311 acre property was sold to developers in 1961. Sarah Frances Keene, Samuel Edwin Edwards, and Lee Edwin Edwards are buried in Herndon, Virginia.

The collection was donated by Robert Edwards, a relative of the Edwards family.

This online exhibit is just a sampling of what the collection has to offer. Visit the Thomas Balch Library to check out the collection and learn more about the Newton, Keene, and Dulin families. There is a plethora of information on Samuel Edwin Edward’s involvement in local law enforcement, along with other legal documentation, including agricultural and land-holding and –working affairs.