If I remember correctly, it was observed in the Ken Burns documentary series (with the legendary Shelby Foote and others) that the early start of the war took place in a farmer’s field near Appomattox and then in 1865, Lee signed the terms of surrender in this same farmer’s kitchen or dining room. Funny how the war’s start and then end took place in this farmer’s yard and then in his house.
Your story is close, the farmer was originally near Bulls Run at the first battle, then moved to Appomattox Courthouse figuring in would be far enough away from action. But yes, the war started in his yard and ended in his house.
It was Wilmer McLean. The Battle of First Manassas in 1861 took place near his house in northern Virginia so he moved to Appomattox. Lee surrendered to Grant at his house there in 1865