Wedding Wednesday: Marriage License: Johnson / Penn (1912)

The following marriage license was an exhibit in a 1913 chancery suit in Prince William County.


MARRIAGE LICENSE

Virginia Prince William County to wit:

To any Person Licensed to Celebrate Marriages:

You are hereby authorized to join together in the Holy State of Matrimony, according to the rites and ceremonies of your Church, or religious denomination, and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia,

James L. Johnson and Gertrude A. Penn

Given under my hand, as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince Wm. Co. this 19th day of September 1912

J. E. Herrell  - Clerk


Time of Marriage, September 19, 1912
Place of Marriage, Manassas, VA
Full Name of Parties Married, James Linwood Johnson & Gertrude A. Penn
Race (white or colored), Colored
Age of Husband, 21 years
Age of Wife, 22 years
Condition of Husband, Single
Condition of Wife, Single
Place of Husband's Birth, Washington, DC
Place of Wife's Birth, Washington, DC
Place of Husband's Residence, Washington, DC 
Place of Wife's Residence, Washington, DC
Names of Husband's Parents, Jas. L. and Maria Johnson
Names of Wife's Parents, Chas. R. and Belle Penn
Occupation of Husband, Electrician

Given under my hand this 19 day of September 1912

J. E. Herrell - Clerk


Certificate of Time and Place of Marriage

I., M. D. Williams, a minister of the regular Baptist church or religious order of that name, do certify that on the 19th day of September 1912 at his Father's house under authority of the above License, I united in Marriage the persons named and described therein.

Given under my hand this 19 day of Sept. 1912.

Elder M. D. Williams

Tombstone Tuesday: J. B. T. Thornton (1857)

Dr. J. B. T. THORNTON

Son of 

Peter & Mary Taylor Thornton

Born

At Hunters Hill, Caroline Co.

Died

Near Brentsville

Sept. 5, 1857

Was for years member of the County Court of Prince William Co. & a portion of the time presiding justice of said court.

Amanuensis Monday: Contract: Johnson Option to Rose [1916)

Contract - Johnson option to Rose
PWCo Deed Book 67, pg. 345

THIS CONTRACT made this 19th day of February, 1916, by and between ALFRED JOHNSON, party of the first part, and J. ROSE, party of the second part.

WITNESSETH: That for and in consideration of Ten Dollars cash in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said party of the first part has optioned to the said party of the second part a Lot situated on Potomac Street, in the Town of Potomac, and being the Lot known as Lot one in Block one, and next [to] the river adjoining the land of Hattie Bates, being 125 feet by 110, and being the same land sold the party of the first part by Max Lansburg.

The price of said land to be $1400.00 payable on or before the expiration of this option.

If the party of the second part fail to comply with the terms of this option with in six months then the same shall be null and void.

The party of the first part to make a deed with general warranty. This option is made subject to an option to J. C. Clay & Co. of record in Prince Wm. Co.

Witness the following signature and seal.

Alfred Johnson {seal}


State of Va.
County of Prince Wm.

I Brian Gordon a Comr. in Chancery for the Circuit Court of Prince Wm. Co. do certify that Alfred Johnson whose name is signed to the writing above bearing date the 19th of Feby. 1916 has acknowledged the same before me.

Given under my hand this 19th day of Feby. 1916.

Bryan Gordon, Comr. in Chancery

Joe Hayman is a half owner in this option.
J. Rose


In the Clerk's Office, Circuit Court, Prince William County, February 21, 1916.

THIS OPTION, from Johnson to Rose was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste:
J. E. Herrell, former Clerk.
Per. Geo. G. Tyler, his successor

[Note in margin:  Deliver to H. J. Davis, Mar. 31, 1916.  GGT.]

Sunday's Obituary: S. W. Fitzwalter (1912)

Alexandria Gazette
Saturday, 10 August 1912

VIRGINIAN FOUND DEAD

Blames Unknown Woman in Notes for His Downfall and Death

S. W. Fitzwalter, of Nokesville, Va., who was found dead in a room at a hotel in Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, yesterday afternoon, left half a dozen notes telling of misfortunes which it is believed led him to commit suicide by taking poison.

Most of the notes were addressed to a woman who did not bear his name. In a staggering sort of script which showed Fitzwalter was mastered by drugs or emotions or both while he was writing, he declared to this woman that she had caused his downfall and death.

But a last note, full of a lasting love, he addressed to his wife. It was something like a dying confession:

"Dear wife: I love you best of all."

And to this note he signed his name "S. W. Fitzwalter."  At the hotel desk he had registered as "L. T. Simpson."

The proprietor of the hotel found Fitzwalter dead in his bed about 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Fitzwalter looked ill when he entered the hotel, it is said, and the proprietor was solicitous about him, and for that reason entered the man's room.

The police were notified, and the body was removed to the morgue. An autopsy performed by Assistant Coroner White showed that Fitzwalter had died of poison, it is said. It is believed Fitzwalter took the drug with suicidal intent.

Fitzwalter had several slips, showing he had deposited money in a Nokesville bank, and a railroad ticket and a small amount of cash in his pocket.

The police last night communicated with the authorities in Nokesville and were informed that Fitzwalter's friends would come to Washington today for his body. He was about fifty years old.

Friend of Friends Friday: Will: John C. Barbee (1853)

Will of John C. Barbee
PWCo Will Book Q, pt. 171-172

I John C. Barbee being of sound mind and memory but am aware of the uncertainty of life and certainty of death am desirous of arranging such worldly effect as God has blessed me with in the following order.

To Wit, I give and bequeath to my brothers Andrew D. Wroe and James M. Barbee and my sister Elizabeth W. Barbee and Mary C. Barbee my boy Henry and all my right, lotte [?] and interest in boy Marshall; but should any or either of said distributees die without a child, said property is to go to the survivors, but my Mother is to have the use and benefit of Henry during her natural life but in no wise or respect is the boy Henry to be under the control or management of my Father. My brothers are to have my wearing apparel, my nephew and Andrew C. Wroe is to have my watch, my mother and sisters Elizabeth W. Barbee and Mary C. Barbee is to have all my money after paying all necessary expenses.  My sister Elizabeth W. Barbee is to have my trunk.  I hereby constitute and appoint Andrew D. Wroe my Executor to this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

John C. Barbee {seal}

Signed and acknowledged before us
Atteste
Noah Fowler
William A. Fowler


At a court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County on the 1st day of August 1853

This last will and testament of John C. Barbee was proved according to law by the oaths of Noah Fowler and William A. Fowler subscribing witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Andrew D. Wroe the Executor therein named who made oath and together with John C. Weedon his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of one thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted to the said Andrew D. Wroe for obtaining letters of administration on the said decedents Estate in due form.

Teste
P. D. Lipscomb  Clk.

Wedding Wednesday: Marriage Licenses (1890)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
28 May 1890

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses have been issued by the clerk of the court to
John H. Gwynn and Amanda Howard;
Grant Slaughter and Daisy Hayes;
Samuel Addison and Annie Butler;
John Harrison of Stafford county, Va. and Lizzie Lewis of Montgomery county, Md.;
H. J. Stewart and Margaret L. Harrison;
Benj. F. Myer sand Elizabeth Logan;
Emanuel Madison and Sadie Campbell;
Solomon H. Jones and Alice M. Stubbs;
James William Swider of Prince William county, Va. and Jennie Frances Bowles of Fairfax county, Va.;
Edward S. Pilsworth of Richmond, Va., and Cora O. Scott of Petersburg, Va.;
Thos. Davis and Victoria Slater

Travel Tuesday: Autos Collide (1919)

Alexandria Gazette
27 June 1919

AUTOS COLLIDE

J. S. Russell, Prince William County, Received Slight Injuries Last Night

John S. Russell, of Prince William county, Va., was cut about the face by broken glass from the windshield of an automobile in which he was a passenger, driven by Henry Carter, of Prince William County, when Carter's automobile and an automobile driven by F. W. Wehrman, this city, collided at King and Columbus streets.  Russell's injuries were dressed at Alexandria Hospital.

Both machines were considerably damaged.  The collision was a head on affair and the crash attracted a large throng. Police Sergt. Scott soon arrived and the matter was satisfactorily adjusted between the owners of the cars.

Sunday's Obituary: Roy Mitchell Patterson (1944)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
26 January 1944

PRINCE WILLIAM SOLDIER KILLED IN SOUTH PACIFIC

Manassas, Va., Jan. 26 -- Roy Mitchell Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Patterson of Bethel, Prince William County, died January 4 from wounds received in the battle of Bougainville, according to word received by his parents from the War Department.

Mr. Mitchell, who was born near Woodbridge, had lived in the county until he was inducted in 1942. Besides his parents, he is survived by four sisters, Misses Ada, Marjorie and Elsie Patterson, Woodbridge, and Mrs. Clarence Davis, Dunfries.

Friday's Faces from the Past: Cabinet Photo (Manassas Photo and Copying Company)

This cabinet photo of an unnamed boy in knickers was discovered during a search of online auction sites.  The backing shows the Manassas Photo and Copying Company but no writing to indicate the child's identity or the year the photograph was taken.

  

Wedding Wednesday: Miller / Jacobs (1913)

Library of Virginia Chancery Records
PWCo Case 153_1920_001 - pg. 6

This 19 February 1913 marriage license and certificate between Walter Henry Miller, s/o H.A. and Mary, of Prince William County, and Agnes Elizabeth Jacobs, d/o Jacob and Lizzie, of Fauquier County, can be found as part of the case record for the divorce suit filed in 1920.

The wedding was performed by H. L. Quarles, a pastor of the Manassas Baptist Church.

NARA: Passport Application: James M. Keys (1921)

National Archives & Record Administration
Passport Application
12 February 1921

State of Florida
County of Monroe

I, James M. Keys, a native and loyal citizen of the United States, hereby apply to the Department of State, at Washington, for a passport.

I solemnly swear that I was born at Tuscombia, in the State of Alabama, on or about 18th day of June 1891, that my father James A. Keys, was born in Dumfries, Va., and is now deceased ...

...that I am domiciled in the United States, my permanent residence being at Tuscombia, in the State of Alabama, where I follow the occupation of Engineer, Loc.

...I am about to go abroad temporarily; and I intend to return to the United States within one year with the purpose of residing and performing the duties of citizenship therein; and I desire a passport for use in visiting the countries hereinafter named for the following purpose:  Cuba - Employment

I intend to leave the United States from the port of Key West, Fla. sailing aboard the P&O.SS.Line as soon as possible.

Amanuensis Monday: Deed: Eppa Hunton Jr. to C. W. Fair (1888)

Prince William County
Deed Book 38, page 367
Hunton to Fair

This Deed made and entered into this the 11th day of October 1888 between Eppa Hunton Jr. of the first part and C. W. Fair, of the second party.

Whereas by a decree of the Circuit Court of Prince William County pronounced on the 8th day of October 1888, in the suit of Wards Excr. vs. Florence, the said Eppa Hunton Jr. was appointed a special commissioner and was directed to convey to C. W. Fair certain lands hereinafter more particularly described with Special Warranty.

Now this Deed witnesseth that for and in consideration of the premises and of the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars in hand paid the said Eppa Hunton Jr. by the said C. W. Fair the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged, he the said Eppa Hunton Jr. commissioner aforesaid has granted bargained and sold and by these presents does grant, bargain sell and convey unto the said C. W. Fair his heirs and assigns forever with Special Warranty all that tract of land situate in the County of Prince William adjoining the lands of Sam Beavers, Albert Corn, and others containing 23[?] acres, more or less.

Witnesseth the following signature and seal, the day and year first above written.

Eppa Hunton Jr. {seal}

Virginia, Fauquier County, Sct.

I, C. M. White, a Notary Public for Fauquier County, in the state of Virginia, do certify that Eppa Hunton Jr., whose name is signed to the writing hereto attached, bearing date on the 10th day of October 1888, has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.

Given under my hand this 11th day of October 1888.

C. M. White, N.P.

In Clerks Office Prince William Count.

Dec. 7, 1888   This Deed from Hunton Commr. to Fair was received with certificate annexed and admitted to record.

Teste,

Edwin Nelson, Clk.

Church Record Sunday: Rev. Clifton Storke Ordained to Preach

Manassas Democrat
4 July 1912

REV. CLIFTON STORKE ORDAINED TO PREACH

Service in Belle Haven Church

Woodbridge and Stafford Churches Join in Call -- Pastor and Deacons of Manassas Baptist Church Assist in Ordination

The Woodbridge and the Stafford Baptist churches have called the Rev. Storke to take charge of those churches, as pastor there-of, the Belle Haven church of which Mr. Storke is a member, requested the pastor and the deacons of Manassas Baptist church to enlist in Rev. Storke's ordination which took place on Sunday morning.

The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. H. L. Quarles, Deacon Westwood Hutchison delivered the charge to the church; Rev. Jos. F. Gulick the charge to the candidate; Rev. Mr. Cummings, pastor of the Belle Haven church, presented the bible, and Rev. W. WT. Wine delivered the ordination prayer.

There was all-day services, a large attendance and a sumptuous dinner served in the beautiful grove adjacent to the church.

Friday's Faces from the Past: G. C. Russell

Manassas Journal

6 July 1939

Grover Cleveland Russell

Merchant and lumberman of Bethel, who recently announced that he is a candidate for renomination to the office which he now holds, that of supervisor of Occoquan District, to which he was elected four years ago.

A news story concerning Mr. Russell's candidacy was in last week's Journal and his political card is also appearing currently.

Newspaper Tidbit: Independence Day at Cannon Branch (1912)

Manassas Democrat

11 July 1912

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CANNON BRANCH

Temperance the Chief Subject

Field Secretary, Anti-Saloon League, Chief Speaker -- Addresses by Messrs. Meetze, Blough, and Hutchison

The Cannon Branch and Bradley Sabbath Schools joined in celebrating the Fourth of July at Cannon Branch last Thursday, with a very interesting program consisting of recitations, declamations, dialogues, songs and special addresses.

Edward J. Richardson, Field Secretary of the Anti-Saloon League of Northern Virginia, delivered, both in the morning and afternoon, an interesting address, using a number of well-chosen cartoons to illustrate the baneful influence of intemperance and told in burning words the story of shattered homes and broken fortunes for which the liquor traffic is responsible.

Hon. C. J. Meetze, with his usual jeu de esprit and enthusiastic advocacy of the cause of temperance, delivered a forceful address declaring that if he had his way Virginia would be free from saloons and their influence.  

Rev. E. E. Blough, in well-chosen marks told of how the tobacco nuisance, which generally went hand in hand with the liquor habit, might be done away with or at least abated.

 Westwood Hutchison, in his accustomed good-humored way, spoke of how the masses might better their condition by self-denial along certain lines and through proper ambition.

Thus, independence day was pleasantly spent by friends and neighbors who partook of an appetizing dinner, from well-filled baskets contributed by those in attendance and which was greatly enjoyed.

If such meetings as this could be held on Independence Day in every county in the state for a few years, "the Old Dominion" -- mother of states and statesmen -- would free herself from the shackles which bind her to one of the chief causes of human depravity and of human misery.