Written by Debbie Robison; Edited by Larisa Epatko
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The village of Waterford was founded in 1784 by Joseph Janney, a Quaker businessman who had already established himself with a retail store and tannery in nearby Leesburg, Virginia. Following the Revolutionary War, Janney looked to capitalize on the economic opportunities of the new nation. In 1781, he purchased a 12-acre parcel in Loudoun County, strategically located at a hub of existing roads and adjacent to Mahlon Janney’s operational grist mill and sawmill.
Janney’s plan was to create a commercial and industrial hub to serve the surrounding farming community. The location was ideal because the existing road network provided convenient access for customers, and the nearby sawmill offered the necessary materials for new residents to build their homes and workshops.
The Moore Family and the naming of Waterford
The development of Waterford began in earnest in 1784 when Janney sold the first village lot, which included a stone house and stable, to Thomas Moore Jr. The Moore family became the cornerstone of the early community. Thomas Moore Jr. opened a general store to meet the pent-up demand for British goods, including coffee, rum, fine fabrics and tea.
Thomas was soon joined by his brothers, James and Asa. James Moore leased a tannery established by Janney to process raw hides into leather, while Asa Moore established a saddlery. Their sister, Ann, and her husband, Evan Taylor, a carpenter, also settled in the village, contributing their skills to its physical growth. This strong family presence eventually led to the village being named “Waterford” in honor of their ancestral home in Waterford, Ireland.
Industrial diversity and the apprenticeship system
Waterford quickly evolved into a self-sufficient cluster of related trades. To staff these
businesses, the Moores and other lot holders utilized an apprenticeship system managed by the county court. This system provided vocational training to “pauper apprentices,” who were young individuals from impoverished backgrounds, to learn essential skills such as tanning, blacksmithing and cabinet making.
As the village grew, other craftsmen established critical services:
- Joseph Pierpoint: A blacksmith who purchased a lot in 1785 to repair tools and maintain the iron machinery required by the local grist mills.
- William Paxson: A wheelwright and industrial screen-maker who, by 1789, produced specialized equipment like “rolling screens”, which were used for cleaning grain before it was milled into flour.
- William Hough: Opened a second mercantile establishment around 1787 in a “red stone store house”, providing healthy competition and expanding the village’s role as a retail center.
Financial and religious challenges
The early years of the village coincided with significant political shifts in Virginia. To address Revolutionary War debts, the state implemented land taxes based on rental values. This created a moral dilemma for the pacifist Quaker community, who debated whether paying taxes for military debt aligned with their faith.
At the same time, the community was active in the movement for religious liberty. Waterford residents such as Asa Moore and Joseph Janney signed petitions against mandatory taxes for religious teachers.
The subsequent passage of the Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786 and the Marriage Act of 1785 provided the legal stability necessary for the Quaker community to flourish, ensuring their religious practices and marriages were fully recognized by the state.
A foundation for future expansion
By the end of the 1780s, the village had successfully established a diverse industrial and commercial base. The combination of essential trades, including blacksmithing, tanning and milling, alongside a growing retail sector, positioned Waterford as an increasingly important regional hub.
With a steady influx of skilled craftsmen and the successful integration of former apprentices into the local economy, the village sat on a solid foundation for continued physical and economic expansion into the coming decades.
Debbie Robison writes about Northern Virginia history. You can read more of her articles on her website.
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