Sunday, June 30, 2013

Sunday's Obituary: Captain William Augustus Weaver

Daily Union (Washington, DC) – September 23, 1846

DIED, Suddenly, at his residence, near Dumfries, Prince William county, Virginia, on the 14th instant, William A. Weaver, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. The deceased, a native of Dumfries, near which he breathed his last, was prepared for his useful and active life, at Georgetown College, in this District. He entered the navy when quite young, was twice a prisoner during the late war with Great Britain, and was wounded in the action between the Shannon and the Chesapeake, when the latter vessel was captured. After the war, he continued several years in the service, where among other evidences of his merit, he was appointed flag lieutenant to the squadron in the Mediterranean, under the command of Commodore Stewart. After he left the navy, much of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, though he was occasionally called from them for other services. In 1832 he was selected by Mr. Livingston to edit the Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States from the treaty of peace in 1783, to the commencement of the present government under the federal constitution, in 1789; and in 1840 he was appointed by Mr. Forsyth, superintendent of the Sixth Census; for the manner in which he executed these trusts, he received from Mr. Livingston and Mr. Forsyth, the fullest approbation.

~ ~ ~

Alexandria Gazette – February 25, 1850

MARRIED, At Claverack, Coumbia county, New York on the 14th instant, by the Rev. Ira C. Boise, Lewis Skinkle, esq., of Peru, Illinois, to Cornelia, daughter of the late Capt. William A. Weaver of Dumfries, Virginia.

~ ~ ~


[Captain William Augustus Weaver was born May 17, 1792 and died September 14, 1846.  He was the first "superintending clerk" of the U.S. Census, where he was "responsible for the design of the enumeration schedule, which crammed 80 columns on two-sided questionnaires.  The poor design of the schedules led to enumeration error, including significant instances of healthy free blacks being misclassified as insane."*  Captain Weaver is buried in Bath Springs Cemetery, PWCo.]


Friday, June 28, 2013

Friend of Friends Friday: Fairfax to Fairfax Bill of Sale

Prince William County Chancery
LVA Index 1858-001
Adm of Hezekiah Fairfax v Margaret Fairfax, widow

Exhibit A
Deed Gifts – Fairfax to Fairfax

Know all men by these presents that I Hezekiah Fairfax Sr. of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia for and in consideration of the sum of Four thousand dollars to me in hand paid by William Fairfax Jr. of the County and State aforesaid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt where of I do hereby acknowledge have bargained sold granted and confirmed and by these presents do bargain sell grant & confirm to the sd. William Fairfax Jr. sundry Negroes to wit Caty, Tholemiah, Jesse, Casander, Fanny, John, Maria, Seyntha and their increase forever; also, Betsy, Hannah, Deliea, Henry, Eliza, Alice, Priscilla, William, Presly and their increase forever. Together with three hundred and fifty acres of land lying in the County & State aforesaid and all household & kitchen furniture & all farming utensils of all descriptions, & all stocks of sheep, cattle viz. To have & to hold to the proper use & behoof of the said William Fairfax Jr. his Executors administrators and assigns forever and I the said Hezekiah Fairfax Sr. for myself & my executors and administrators. The above named negroes & their increase & all descriptions of property mentioned aforesaid to the said William Fairfax Jr. his Executors administrators and assigns against me the said Hezekiah Fairfax my Executors administrators and assigns and against all and any other person & persons whomsoever shall and will warrant & forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 10th April 1826.

Hezekiah {X his mark} Fairfax {seal}

Sealed and delivered in the presence of
Silas Foster
William Selecman
Samuel H. Fisher

At a Court of quarterly sessions held for Prince William County June 5, 1826. This bill of sale from Hezekiah Fairfax Jr. to William Fairfax Jr. was proved by the oath of William Selecman & ordered to be certified and at a court of quarterly sessions contd. & held for said county June 6, 1826. This said bill of sale was fully proved by the oaths of Samuel H. Fisher & Silas Foster & admitted to record.

Teste. P. D. Dawe


A copy Teste Jn. Williams

Thursday, June 27, 2013

July 2013 Events at Prince William Historic Sites


July 6, 2013
July 4, 1776:  Fact or Fiction?
11am - 4pm; $5 per person, free for children under six
What happened on July 4, 1776?  What is fact and what is fiction?  Discover the lore of this national holiday. 
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn RoadWoodbridgeVA. 703-499-9812

July 13,14,27,28                                                                                
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Guided Tours                                                     
11am - 3pm, tours leave on the hour, donations accepted                                             
Bristoe Station Battlefield staff and volunteers will provide guided tours of the battlefield. Learn about Camp Jones and the two battles that took place here in 1862 and 1863. Tours begin on the hour and depart from the kiosk in the parking lot on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. Last tour at 3pm.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. No pets please. 
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave.BristowVA. (703) 366-3049.

July 13, 2013
Nature Trail Walk
1pm; $5 per person, free for children under six
Take a guided tour along the nature trails at Brentsville and learn about the plants and animals that call this part of Virginia home.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd.BristowVA. 703-365-7895

July 20, 2013
Historic Homes of Prince William County – Bus Tour
8am-5pm; $80 per person
Join Historic Preservation Division staff for an exclusive guided tour of public and private homes in Prince William County.  See Bel Air which is rarely open to the public and other private homes; including Pilgrims Rest, Evergreen, Effingham and Rockledge. Enjoy lunch at Rippon Lodge. Lunch and transportation included in price.  Not appropriate for children under eight.  No high heeled shoes please. 
Please call 703-499-9812 to register.   

July 15-19, 2013
American Girl Doll™ Camp  
9am – Noon. $150 per child, ages 8-12
Do you love the American Girl Historical Character Dolls? Come spend a week at Rippon Lodge Historic Site and learn all about your favorite historical dolls and what life was like during the time period they lived. Rippon Lodge is the perfect setting to discover and explore these wonderful characters. Make butter with Felicity, design a corn husk dolls with Kaya, and learn how to be a super sleuth with Kit and Ruthie. Activities will include; crafts, games, history, music, snacks and much more. Registration required.
Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn RoadWoodbridgeVA. 703-499-9812

July 15- 19, 2013
Basic Civil War Camp
9am - 12pm; $130 per child, ages 8-13, reservations required
Children will participate in activities designed to develop a better understanding of soldier life during the American Civil War.  Activities include: “Enlist in Virginia’s Army,” “Life in Camp,” “Infantry Drill,” “Did Civil War Soldiers Really Eat that Stuff?,” “Civil War Medicine,” and a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd.BristowVA. 703-365-7895

July 20-21, 2013
Pringle House Hospital Weekend and Blood Drive                                                                                                              
11a.m. to 4 p.m., $5.00 per person with children 6 and under free.
Join us at Ben Lomond as we commemorate the 152nd anniversary of Ben Lomond being used as a Civil War hospital.  Specialized tours include medical demonstrations provided by living historians, interactions with actors portraying some of the people that were actually here, and inclusion of interactive displays.
In remembrance of Ben Lomond being used as a hospital over 150 years ago, the American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive on the site from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday 20th.  All who donate blood will receive a complimentary pass to see the house.                                                       
Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr.ManassasVA 20109703-367-7872.

Victorian Sundays
11a.m., FREE
On Sundays in Victorian America, it would not be hard to find the citizens of cities and towns.  They were worshiping and fellowshipping at the community church.  Join us at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Center’s Union Church for a unique program that focuses on 19th Century worship practices and church centered activities.  The program is conducted by Historic Faith Ministries, a volunteer community group.  Services will be held every 4th Sunday at 11:00 a.m. May through October at the Union Church.
Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre 12229 Bristow Rd.BristowVA. 703-365-7895


For More Information About Prince William County Historic Preservation

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Bull Run battlefield


(Source:  Library of Virginia Special Collections Stereograph Collection; Soldiers' graves, Bull Run battlefield, Va. negative by Brady & Co., Washington)

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sunday's Obituary: Col. Duval Payne

Spectator (New York, NY) – August 3, 1830

On the 21st ult. At his residence in Mason county, Ky. Col. Duval Payne, in the 67th year of his age. His father was Mr. William Payne, a very respectable, high minded, and honorable gentleman, of Fairfax Co., Va.; the same who (as related by Ramsey, in his life of Washington) once, on a sudden quarrel in the Court House yard, in Alexandria, struck General (then Colonel) Washington to the ground. The subject of this memoir was a patriot from his youth: At 17 years of age he shouldered his musket in defence of his country, and served a tour of duty as a volunteer soldier; yet he never claimed to be considered a 'Hero' of the Revolution, notwithstanding he might have done so, with more justice than some who have, and who have had it awarded them by the parasites. Shortly after the close of the revolutionary war, in [17]'85, he married a daughter of Maj. Hugh Brent, of Prince William county, Virginia; and in '89, having removed with his family to the wilds of Kentucky, he settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Lexington. In '91 General Charles Scott, being authorized by the Government, marched with an army of Kentucky volunteers, for the purpose of chastising the Indians on the Wabash. Col. Payne was one of those gallant spirits who, attached to McKoy's troop of cavalry, under Col. Harden, rendered such important service on the 1st of June, at Ouiattonou. During the late war, though in his 50th year, he again buckled on his sword, accepted the command of a battalion in the regiment of mounted men, commanded by Col. Richard M. Johnson, and in person led the column which charged the British lines at the Moravian towns, in Upper Canada, on the memorable 5th of October, 1813. This charge was conceived by the genius of Harrison, and executed with promptness and impetuosity which British discipline itself could not resist. In 1804 he was chosen one of the Electors who made choice of Mr. Jefferson as President of the United States, for the second term. In this capacity has he served at every election of President since that time, except the last. When Gen. Jackson was chosen, Col. Payne was on the Adams ticket.

[Col. Duval Payne and his wife, Hanna (Brent) Payne are buried in the family cemetery in Augusta, Bracken County, Kentucky.]




Friday, June 21, 2013

Friend of Friends Friday: Jesse Bates and John Douglas

Alexandria Gazette – November 19, 1839

On Friday last, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, as two colored boatmen, the one a free man named Jesse Bates, the other a slave named John Douglas, belonging to Mrs. Cannon, of Prince William county, Virginia, were quarreling on the south bank of the Washington Canal, near Messrs King and Hill's wood yard, Bates, the free man, seized a gun, which was loaded with shot, and discharged its contents into the right leg of Douglas.  The entire load of the gun lodged a little below the knee, in the leg of the unfortunate man, shattering the bone and mangling the flesh in a shocking manner.  On examining the wound it was ascertained by Dr. Lindsly and Dr. Hall that immediate amputation was necessary; and the poor fellow's leg was taken off by Dr. Lindsly, attended by Drs. Hall and Dawes; in a short time after the negro was removed to a convenient house in the neighborhood.  In the mean time, Bates has been arrested and taken before Justice Mosell, who, after examining such witnesses as appeared at his office, committed the prisoner to the county jail.

From the examining magistrate we learn that it appeared, by the testimony, that the wounded man was the assailant, and that when Bates fired at him, the former was going at him with a billet of wood for the purpose of striking him.


Since writing the foregoing notice, we learn that the unfortunate negro died about 11 o'clock, on Friday night, in six hours after his leg was amputated.  It appeared from the testimony of Dr. Dawes, who was examined before the Coroner's inquest, held on the following day, that about two hours after the operation the poor man appeared to be doing well; but, in three hours afterwards he became restless, and gradually sunk until 11 o'clock, when he died.  – Nat. Int.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Sunday's Obituary: Miss Clara Clarke

Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD) – August 27, 1905

WOMAN KILLED BY BULL. Miss Clara Clarke, of Prince William County, the Victim.

[Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.] Fredericksburg, Va., Aug. 26 – Miss Clara Clarke, of Prince William county, was killed by an infuriated bull on her brother's farm a few days ago. Miss Clarke had driven the animal from a point near the house, where he had intruded from a nearby pasture. While fixing up the broken place in the fence she was suddenly attacked by the bull without warning. Her cries brought a colored woman, who drive off the animal, but Miss Clarke was so badly injured that she died in a few minutes.

~ ~ ~


[Clara Clarke was born 15 February 1848 and died 19 August 1905, the daughter of Thomas and Mary M. Clarke. She is buried with her parents in Greenwood Presbyterian Cemetery, Dale City, PWCo.]

Friday, June 14, 2013

Friend of Friends Friday: Circuit Court Cases

Alexandria Gazette – October 17, 1837

CIRCUIT COURT. – The Circuit Court of the United States for this County terminated its October term on Saturday last, after a session of two weeks. The civil business of the docket was all gone through, and nothing is now to be done except entering up judgments on forthcoming bonds, for which purpose the Court will meet on the 31st of this month. There was less criminal matter before the Court than usual. Among the cases were the following:--

Dorcas Allen—slave--murder--acquitted on the ground of insanity. An account of this trial has before appeared.

Thomas Morris—free negro—Larceny, value six dollars—convicted and sentenced to Penitentiary of D.C. For two years.

Benjamin Morgan—white—Larceny, value seven dollars--(third conviction)--sentenced to Penitentiary two years.

James Davis—white—Larceny, value $3.50—convicted and sentenced to common jail of the county for one month and to pay a fine of one dollar.

Joseph Ferrall—free negro—This man was convicted at the last term of the Court of forging a certificate of freedom purporting to have been issued by the County Court of Prince William, with a certificate of the clerk under the Seal of the Court, to the signature of the presiding justice. The Seal (a pair of scales, with a tobacco leaf below them, and the words “Prince William County” in the margin) was tolerably well executed, but the name of the presiding judge, Mr. Ewell, was spelled “Uile.” The handwriting was stiff and labored, but perfectly distinct. Ferrall was convicted and sentenced to four years in the Penitentiary.

At the present term of the Court, the Grand Jury found another indictment against him for forging a similar instrument of the same purport. The seal was somewhat better executed than the last, but the name of Mr. Ewell was still spelled “Uile.” A writ of Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum directed to the Warden of the Penitentiary was prayed for by the District Attorney and awarded by the Court and by virtue of it, Ferrall was brought to the bar and tried for the offence charged upon him. The forgery was clearly proved by the testimony of a slave belonging to a gentleman of this place, to whom the prisoner had given the paper in question for the consideration of four dollars, to enable him to pass as a free man. The slave ran away and was apprehended during the recess of the Court. The previous conviction was in a case of similar circumstances, but the slave, belonging to the same gentleman, and who had also run away, was taken before the last term of the Court. Ferrall's handwriting was, moreover, in the present case proven by the oath of a gentleman residing in town who had seen him write and who swore that the writing of the forged instrument was in his belief the prisoner's.

Convicted and sentenced to the Penitentiary for three years, to commence running after the expiration of the four years for which he was sentenced at the last court. It may not be out of place to remark that the prisoner had been for many years acting as a preacher, and the keeper of a school in the town of Alexandria for the instruction of colored children.

The grand jury made a presentment of the Court House of this county as unsafe and unfit for the purposes intended for, and appointed a committee, under the approbation of the Court, to wait on the execution in relation to it.

The grand jury presented Joseph Johnson and other proprietors of the Steamboat Joseph Johnson, for not keeping in or attached to said boat one or more small boats for the purpose of saving the lives and property of passengers in said boat should any accident happen to her.


Among the civil cases decided, the only one of much general importance to the mercantile interest was “That a newspaper advertisement of prime bacon for sale, is not a warranty of the soundness of the article, where the purchaser had a full opportunity for inspecting and did actually inspect a part, and although he paid a full price for it.”

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sunday's Obituary: Marcus B. Latimer

Evening Star (Washington, DC) – July 28, 1903

Marcus B. Latimer
Evening Star, July 28, 1903
OLD RESIDENT DEAD. Marcus B. Latimer Passes Suddenly Away. Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon From Family Residence – Interment to be Made at Glenwood Cemetery

The death of Marcus B. Latimer, for many years a prominent auctioneer of this city, occurred at 9:15 o'clock last evening at his residence, 1223 6th street northwest. Mr. Latimer had been in good health up to last Saturday morning when he contacted a severe cold, which brought on congestion and resulted in his death. He was surrounded by the members of his family when the end came. The funeral will take place from the family home tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the interment will be made in Glenwood cemetery. The pallbearers will be selected from among the nephews of Mr. Latimer, and will consist of Joseph S., Clarence E. and Lee D. Latimer, George H. Evans and Americus Davis, all of this city, and William J. Weir of Manassas, Va. The interment will be private.

Marcus B. Latimer had resided in Washington over fifty years, and probably no resident of the national capital enjoyed a wider acquaintance among the citizens of the District of Columbia than did he. He was born in Charles county, Md., January 5, 1839, and while he was still an infant his parents removed to Brentsville, Prince William county, Va. In 1853, at the age of fourteen, Mr. Latimer, accompanied by two of his brothers, the late Samuel H. and the late Dr. Edwin W. Latimer, came to Washington and obtained employment as a clerk with the old firm of Sibley & Gier, formerly hardware merchants of the city. A few years later Mr. Latimer accepted a position with J.C. Maguire & Co., auctioneers, and with that firm, under the tutorship of the late Thomas J. Fisher, Mr. Latimer learned the business with which he had been so long and prominently identified here.

In the early seventies the firm of Cooper & Latimer, auctioneers, was organized, and the firm opened up its business in the building located on the southwest corner of 11th street and Pennsylvania avenue, a part of which was occupied at that time by The Evening Star. When Mr. Cooper died, about twenty-five years ago, the firm was changed to Latimer & Cleary, and afterward it was known as Dowling & Latimer. A number of years ago Mr. Latimer and his son-in-law, Charles G. Sloan, organized the firm of Latimer & Sloan on G street.

Record in Business. Mr. Latimer during his active business days conducted some of the most noted and extensive sales in the country. He was considered as one of the finest auctioneers in the United States. He conducted the great sale of the fine pictures in the rotunda he also sold the effects of the English minister, Lord Sackville West. The last large sale and one of the most important in Mr. Latimer's career was the auction of the noted Deakin collection of Japanese ceramic art, which occurred about eight years ago, in this city. He was regarded as a connoisseur of art and a critical judge of oriental stuffs and carpets, rugs, tapestry,, &c., and his services were very much in demand among the best and most influential people of the city.

Mr. Latimer was possessed of a most genial personality and a keen appreciation of humor, and he had an inexhaustible fund of amusing anecdotes, which caused his sales to be entertaining as well as profitable.

In May 1864, Mr. Latimer was married to Miss Susie Lowe, a daughter of an old Washington family. The family had lived in the present residence on 6th street for the past twenty years. At the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Latimer served with the Washington Light Infantry Corps. He took an interest in nearly all the public affairs pertaining to the District, but never held public office during his career.

Retired Six Years Ago. About six years ago Mr. Latimer retired from active business, but on various occasions, at the special request of clients, he has conducted sales of art and antique furniture, &c. The members of the immediate family who survive him are his wife and four children – Mrs. Charles G. Sloan, Mr. Thomas F. Latimer and the Misses Mabel C. and Marie Latimer.

~ ~ ~

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) – May 16, 1864


Marriage. In this city, on the 12th May, by the Rev. Dr. Samson, Marcus B. Latimer, of Virginia, to Miss Susie B. Lowe, of this city.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Newspaper Tidbit: Catharpin Land Sale

Washington Herald (Washington, DC - September 16, 1922

OLIVER T. WALLACE ANNOUNCES SALE.  Beautiful Putnam Place at Catharpin, Va., Slated for Auction.

One of the most extensive real estate auction sales in the history of this vicinity will be conducted Monday, September 25, when 948 acres of sub-divided land at Catharpin, Va., will fall under the hammer.  Oliver T. Wallace, country-wide auctioneer whose local office is located at 332 Woodyard Building, will direct the sale.

Catharpin is 34 miles from Washington, located in Prince William County on both sides of bull Run, the most famous stream in the world.  The beautiful land is called the J. T. Patton or Putnam place.

The sale will take place rain or shine and dinner will be served on the grounds by the Daughters of the Confederacy.  As an advertising proposition, $100 in gold will be given away during the sale.  The terms of the sale are as follows:  On real estate, 15 per cent at the time of sale; 181-3 per sent, 30 days thereafter, and the balance on or before two years from date of sale; terms on personalty will be announced at the sale.

Besides this sale, Mr. Wallace has announced several others.  They are:  Monday, September 18, sale of 100 choice lots in the heart of Leesburg, Va.; Friday, September 29, at 10:30 a. m. sale of 35 attractive residence lots in Creston and Country Club estates at the Van Der Werwen Station, Va.; Monday, October 9, at 10 a. m. sale of the Bacon Hill farm of 400 acres, at Haymarket, Va.; and Wednesday, October 4, sale of 200 sub-divided lots (to be used for chicken farms), located one-half mile from the court house at Fairfax, Va., on the new Lee Highway.


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Sunday's Obituary - Judge James Bankhead Taylor Thornton

Washington Herald (Washington, DC) – October 11, 1918

Alexandria, Va., Oct. 10 – Judge J. B. T. Thornton, 62 years old, died today at his residence, Manassas, Prince William County, Va. Judge Thornton had been in failing health for a long time. He resigned as judge of the Circuit Court for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit September 1 owing to poor health.

He is survived by his wife, who was a Miss Fanny Baudex, of Caroline County, Va., and a brother, State Senator R. Ewell Thornton. The deceased was raised at Brentsville, Prince William County, where his father conducted a large school.

He was appointed judge in 1907, and, therefore, has been on the bench for the past eleven years.

Judge Thornton's funeral will take place at 11 o'clock Saturday morning from his late home.

The deceased was popular and enjoyed a wide circle of friends not only among the members of the bar association, but among others as well.

On the occasion of his retirement from the bench members of the bar association of this circuit presented him with a handsome silver service in recognition of the high esteem in which he was held.


Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) - October 12, 1918

Judge J. B. T. Thornton Dead. Manassas, Va., Oct. 11 – Judge James Bankhead Taylor Thornton died Wednesday evening at his home in Manassas. He was 62 years old. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he had been vestryman and senior warden for many years.

Judge Thornton had served as judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Virginia since 1907 and previous to that time had been Commonwealth's Attorney and superintendent of schools for Prince William county. As a young man he practiced law in Mississippi in partnership with Senator John Sharp Williams and later held a partnership in Manassas with the late Representative E. E. Meredith.


He was a son of the late Major William Willis Thornton, first superintendent of schools for Prince William county. He is survived by a widow, two sisters and three brothers, including State Senator R. Ewell Thornton, of Fairfax.