Monday, April 25, 2016

Deed: Able to Milstead (Raccoon Hill) (1834)

Deed:  Able to Milstead
PWCo DB 13, pg 369
4 March 1834

This Indenture made this 4th day of March 1834 between Thomas Able and Francis his wife of the one part of the County of Fauquier & State of Virginia and Henry Milstead of the county of Prince William & State of Virginia of the other part.  Witnesseth that the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife for and in consideration of the sum of Sixty dollars to them by the said Henry Milstead in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained, granted, sold & conveyed and by these presents do bargain grant sell & convey unto the said Henry Milstead, his heirs and assigns a lot of land containing thirty nine & half acres a part of Racoon Hill farm near the Town of Dumfries to have & to hold the said lot of land with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Henry Milstead his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife for themselves their heris executor & administrator do hereby covenant and agree to and with the Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns that the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife & their heirs that the said lot of ground with its appurtenances unto him the said Henry Milstead his heirs & assigns against against [sic] them the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife and their heirs and against all persons whomsoever shall & will by these presents forever warrant & defend. In witness whereof the said Thomas Able & Francis his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day & year above written.

Thomas {his mark} Able {seal}
Francis {her mark} Able {seal}

Prince William County to wit:
     We John W. Williams & Jesse E. Weems justices of the peace in the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Thomas Able party to the above deed bearing date on the 4th day of March 1834 personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid & acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the Clerk of the county court of Prince William in order that the said deed might be recorded. Given under our hand & seals this 4th day of March 1834.

Jno. W. Williams {seal}
J. E. Weems {seal}

Prince William County to wit:
     We John W. Williams & Jesse E. Weems justices of the peace in the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Francis Able parties to a certain deed bearing date the 4th day of March 1834 personally appeared before us in our county & being before us privately and apart from her husband having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Francis acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly signed, sealed & delivered the same and wished not to retract it. Given under our hand & seals this 4th day of March 1834.

Jno. W. Williams {seal}
J. E. Weems {seal}

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County the 5 day of March 1834.
     This Indenture between Thomas Able and Francis his wife of the one part and Henry Milstead of the other part, with certificate annexed, was presented to the court, and ordered to be recorded.

Teste,

Jn. Williams

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sunday's Obituary: Elizabeth Foster / Thomas Watson

Alexandria Gazette
27 May 1837

DIED, at her residence in Prince William Co., Va., on the 21st inst., Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, aged about 83 years, after a long and most painful illness, which she bore with much submission to the will of Divine Providence.  She was at the time of her death, and had been for 50 years a member of the Baptist Church. She died in the hope of entering into that rest which remaineth to the people of God. She was much respected by her friends, and her memory will be embalmed in the hearts of her surviving children.

On Monday, the 15th inst., in Stafford County, Va., Robert Carroll Brent, in the 35th year of his age. Mr. Brent was formerly an officer in the Army of the United States, and was highly respected for his military acquirements, and much beloved for his amiable and manly character.

In Prince William County Virginia, on Sunday the 21st, Mr. Thomas Watson, a native of England.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Will: Spencer Ball

WILL OF SPENCER BALL
Prince William Co., VA
Will Book N, Page 426
Will date 1 January 1831; Probate date 4 June 1832

In the name of God amen. I Spencer Ball of Prince William County and State of Virginia being now in perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in the following manner and form revoking all other wills by me heretobefore made. 1st. I give to my son Francis Waring Ball, my boy Robert son of Aggy. 2. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Lucy Carter her choice of all my women. 3rd. I give to my son Alfred Ball, my man Armstead. 4. I give to my daughter Louisa Ball my woman Suckey daughter of Chloe, with her increase. 5. I give to my daughter Adeline Ball my woman Maria Sally's daughter with her increase. 6. my daughter Frances Tasker Lewis having now in her possession a mulattoe woman called Polly with her children (on loan) which woman and children were sometime ago sold by the sheriff and conveyed to Mr. Carter who purchased them for and on my account no conveyance having been heretofore made of the said negros it is my request that Mr. Carter may convey his title to my beloved wife to dispose of at her death as she shall see proper; but my request is that my daughter Lewis shall still hold the negroes (on loan) until her death.

Particular circumstances rendering it at present impracticable to make such a distribution of our joint Estate as would be desirable and just confiding entirely on the prudence of my beloved wife, to make a proper and suitable distribution hereafter. I give and bequeath to her all the rest and residue of my Estate of every kind whatever, and as I owe no debts, which may not be immediately paid. I desire that no inventory or appraisements may be made thereof and that she shall give no security as Executrix. I recommend to my beloved wife to consult with her brother Mr. Geo. Carter whenever she may want advice in conducting any of her affairs as I have no doubt that she will at all times find him willing to give her such information and advise as will be for her benefit - - lastly, I appoint my beloved wife whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all others by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I hereto ___ my hand and affix my seal this eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one.

SPENCER BALL (seal)

acknowledged in presence of
JOHN H. COCKRILL
JOSEPH SUDDOTH
EDWARD L. CARTER

At a Court of Quarterly sessions held for Prince William County the 4th day of June 1832. This last will and testament of Spencer Ball decd. was proved according to law by the oaths of Joseph Suddoth and Edward L. Carter witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded.

Teste
JNO. WILLIAMS C.P.T.

And at a court held for said county the 1st October 1832.

On the motion of Betty L. Ball the Executrix named in the last will and testament of Spencer Ball deceased who made oath to the said will and entered into and acknowledged a bond (without security according to the testators request it appearing to the court that he has left sufficient property to pay his just debts) in the penalty of $40,000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.

Teste
JOHN WILLIAMS


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Sunday's Obituary: Foote

Alexandria Gazette
22 February 1834

On Monday, the 10th instant, in the 63d year of his age, at Hazelwood, Prince William County, Va., Richard Foote, Esq. after an illness of fifteen days.

Mr. Foote had been a professor of the Christian Religion upwards of twenty years and during that time an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the doctrines and disciplines of which he manifested an undeviating attachment.  He was zealous and devoted as a Christian, uniform and systematic as a Methodist, and, for one of his age, an active and useful member of society.

It was observed by the intimate friends and the family of Mr. Foote, that, for some time past, he was ripening for eternity. When death came, it found him not only ready, but willing to go.

The friend who communicates this will never forget, while reason reigns, the solemn parting with his affectionate wife, children, and servants. after exhorting and praying for them most devoutly, he closed the whole by solemnly exclaiming, "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the ever-blessed Spirit: Amen."

On the day previous to his death, by a friend, he sent the following message to his brethren: "Tell," said he, "my brethren and sisters to pray for me. Give my love to them all. Tell them I die in peace with all men, and in sure and certain hope of eternal life, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Tell them to b faithful, and meet me in Heaven."

He was calm, deliberate, triumphant, praising God for the witness of his Spirit, and affirming, in death itself, that the Lord Jesus Christ was with him. He was gone, leaving a widow and five children, with many a friend to mourn his loss.  "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Amen.


Alexandria Gazette
14 August 1842

On Monday last, at her residence, in Prince William County, Va., Mrs. Verlinda L. Foote, wife of Frederick Foote, Esq., in the 25th year of her age.




Alexandria Gazette
30 August 1858

DIED, at "Elmwood," the residence of Col. S. M. Ball, in Fairfax county, on the 20th instant, Mrs. Ann Foote, relict of the late Richard Foote, esq., of Prince William county, Va., aged about 70 years.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Sunday's Obituary: Dade

National Gazette (Philadelphia)
24 October 1829

The Alexandria Gazette announces the decease of the able Judge and most estimable citizen, William A. G. Dade, of Virginia.  He died at his residence in Prince William county on Thursday last. His death creates a vacancy on the Bench.




Alexandria Gazette
22 March 1834

DIED, at Clover Hill, Prince William County, on Friday, the 14th inst., in his 25th year, Charles Edward Dade, eldest son of the late Judge Dade.



Daily Union (Washington, DC)
21 November 1852

DIED, Suddenly, on the 29th October, after an illness of a few days, at the residence of her son, near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Dade, widow of the late Judge Wm. A. G. Dade, of Prince William county, Virginia.

[The Southern Churchman & Alexandria Gazette will please copy.]







Saturday, April 9, 2016

Newspaper Tidbit: Crime & Punishment (1739)

Virginia Gazette
2 November 1739

This Day the following 9 Malefactors, who were try'd and convicted this General Court, receiv'd Sentence of Death, viz.

   Constantine Matthews, and Sarah Matts, from Caroline County, for Felony.

   William Barbasore, from York County, for Felony.

   David White and Charles Quin, from Essex County, for the Murder of a Negro.

   Joseph Lightburn, from Prince William County, for Felony.

   Nathaniel Morgan, from Prince George County, for Felony.

   John Cavidge, from Essex County, for the Murder of a Negro.

   Elizabeth Maze, from Lancaster County, for the Murder of a Bastard Child.

And the 4 following were burnt in the Hand, viz.

   Elizabeth Danielson, alias, Smith, from Williamsburg, for Felony.

   John Holmes, from Charles City County, for Felony.

   Elizabeth Herbert, from Prince William County, for Felony.

   Samuel MacHenly, from King George County, for Forgery.


Monday, April 4, 2016

Will: John Pilcher (1826)

JOHN PILCHER Will
Prince William County Will Book M, pg 351
26 Feb 1825; proved 02 Jan 1826

In the name of God Amen be it remembered that I JOHN PILCHER of the County of Prince William & Commonwealth of Virginia being weak of body but sound mind and memory do publish this writing as my last will and testament, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, after my just debts and funeral expenses are paid, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife MARY PILCHER all my estate of every kind and sort with which I may be possessed at my decease consisting of one mare and colt, one cow and yearling and one steer and nine head of hogs, and also all my household and kitchen furniture and all my plantation utensils of every kind and sort, to be possessed and enjoyed by my wife MARY PILCHER for and during her natural life, and at her death, I give and bequeath to my nephew JESSE PATTERSON JUNR. all the above mentioned property as so much thereof as may be remaining at my sd. Wife MARY PILCHER’s decease after her funeral expenses are paid to him the sd. JESSE PATTERSON JUNR. and his heirs forever.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 26th day of February in the year of our lord 1825.

JOHN PILCHER

Signed sealed and published by the sd. JOHN PILCHER as his last will and testament in presence of teste,
WANTSFORD EVANS, CARLES SHAW, JAMES D. BAUGHANSON

At a Court held for Prince William County Jany 2d 1826, this last will and testament of JOHN PILCHER decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of WANTSFORD EVANS & C. L. SHAW is admitted to record.


Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE