Wordless Wednesday: Dedication of the Bull Run Battlefield Monument

Photographer: William Morris Smith (June 1865)
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Wednesday's Child: Charles D. Forrester (1918) and Margaret Ellen Conner (1873)

"Wednesday's Child is full of woe." ~ old fortune telling song

Evening Star (Washington, DC) – February 15, 1918

Burned Child Dies Aboard Train. – Charles E. Forrester, four years old, Nokesville, Va., died aboard a train yesterday afternoon while being brought to this city for hospital treatment for burns he received early yesterday morning. He was accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Ada Forrester, and Dr Robert E. Wine. The child's clothing caught fire from the kitchen stove. Coroner Nevitt gave a certificate of accidental death and the body was taken to Nokesville.

Evening Star (Washington, DC) - February 15, 1918

Alexandria Gazette – November 15, 1873

DIED. On the 6^th instant, in Occoquan, Val., Margaret Ellen, daughter of Margaret and Edward Conner, aged 4 years, 9 months and 27 days. May she rest in peace.

One sweet flower has drooped and faded,

One sweet infant voice has fled;

One fair brow the grave has shaded,

One dear object now is dead.

But we feel relief in sadness,

For our child is happy now;

She has knelt in soul felt gladness,

Where the blessed angels bow.

She is now where harps are ringing

Through the heavenly courts above;

And her silvery voice is singing

With glad spirits hyms [sic] of love.

She has gone to Heaven before us,

But she turns and waves her hand,

Pointing to the glories o'er us,

In that happy, happy land.

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA) - November 15, 1873

[Wednesday's Child is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Geneabloggers to post the gravestones of children.  I'll be interpreting the prompt to also include the obituaries and/or death records of those who have passed away entirely too young.  ~cgl] 

Deed: Gray to St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Haymarket)

Deed

Gray to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Haymarket)

PWCo Deed Book 52, pg. 451

This deed made this 21 day of April 1904, between Sarah A. Gray and Ellen Gray, of the Town of Haymarket, Va., parties of the first part and C. E. Jordan, T.J. Chew and A.H. Johnson trustees of St. Pauls Episcopal Church at Haymarket, Va., parties of the second part.  Witnesseth:  That for and in consideration of the fact that the Kings Daughters and the Ladies Aid Society, the auxiliaries of the said Church, have supported, for a number of years, and are now supporting the parties of the first part, and in the further consideration of the sum of Five Dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said Sarah A. Gray and Ellen Gray have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey, with general warranty, unto the said parties of the second part, trustees as aforesaid, all of their title and interest in the following described real estate, to wit:  All of that certain parcel or lot of ground lying and being situate in the Town of Haymarket, Prince William County, Va., and bounded and described as follows, All of that lot upon which a frame house is now standing, which said lot adjoins the lot sold by John Barnett and wife to John Maddux, which said two lots are bounded as follows: Beginning at the corner of Lafette and Franklin streets and running S.W. with Layfette street 250 feet, thence S.E. 175 feet, with William street, thence N.E. 250 feet to Franklin street, thence N.W. 175 feet with Franklin street to the beginning, which said two lots are described in the plan of the said Town as Lots Nos. 107 and 116; and for a more particular description of the said lot reference is made to Deed Book No. 8, page 130, of the land records of said county.  This is the same property upon which the parties of the first part now reside.

Witness the following signatures and seals.

Sarah A. Gray {seal}

Ellen Gray {Seal}

State of Virginia

County of Prince William, to wit:

I , T. E. Garnett, a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that Sarah A. Gray and Ellen Gray, whose names are signed to the writing hereto annexed, bearing date, the 21^st day of April 1904, have acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid.

Given under my hand this 22^nd day of April 1904

T. E. Garnett J. P. [signed]

 ~ ~ ~ ~

Manassas Democrat – December 16, 1909

Virginia:  In the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court – Court of Prince William County, in vacation, the 15^th day of December, 1909.

Bailey Taylor and Eugene Keyser,

vs.

C.E. Jordan, T.J. Chew and Geo. G. Tyler, trustees of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, at Haymarket, Virginia, Martha M. Stille and --- Stille, her husband; Emma Cologne and Don Cologne, her husband; Hamilton Clarke and James D. Shirley

IN CHANCERY.

Memo:  The general object of the above styled suit is to make sale of a certain lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in the town of Haymarket, Prince William County, Virginia, bounded by Lafayette, Franklin and Williams streets, being a lot 175 x 250 feet, with improvements thereon, and of which the late John R. Shirley died seized and possessed, and belonging to the said Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, at Haymarket, Virginia, Martha M. Stille, Emma Cologne, Hamilton Clark and James D. Shirley, and divide the proceeds thereof amongst the parties entitled thereto.

[The case came to Chancery because there was some question as to who actually owned the above-referenced parcel of land and who had (or didn't have) the right to sell it to the Church.  (LVA Chancery Index No. 1910-035, Original Case No. 46) ~cgl]

Sunday's Obituary: H. C. Latham

Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD) - January 8, 1909

H.C. LATHAM KILLS HIMSELF.  One of the Wealthiest Men in Prince William County a Suicide

Manassas, Va., Jan. 7 -- H. Carroll Latham, one of the wealthiest and best known residents of Prince William county, shot himself in the head this morning at his home, near Hickory Grove, killing himself instantly.

There is no known reason for the suicide, and Mr. Latham was in good health and had no difficulties, financial or otherwise, so far as known.  He was about 50 years old.  At the time of his death he was a member of the board of supervisors of the county and one of its most valued members.  Shortly before his death he had made large gifts of his property to his children, without, however, seriously impairing his own resources.

His wife, who died about two years ago, was a sister of Mr. H. F. Lynn, president of the National Bank of Manassas. Four children survive him -- Messrs. T. Otis Latham, William C. Latham, Henry Latham and Miss E. Lathem.

The funeral will take place Saturday from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Haymarket.

Friend of Friends Friday: "Uncle Billy" Peyton

New Castle News (PA) - March 15, 1912

"UNCLE BILLY" 119 YEARS OLD
Can Tell in a Clear and Plausible Manner of Ancient Happenings

ATHENS, March 15. -- If uncle Billy Peyton of Decatur township, Washington county, lives until September 2 of this year he will be 120 years old, and he is doubtless one of the oldest men in the world.  His age cannot be questioned, as more than half a century ago he came to Ohio an old man, bearing the records made by his first master, George Creel.  Peyton, a slave, was born in Prince William county, Va., September 2, 1792.  He came to Ohio in 1863, and aged white residents say that he bore evidence of considerable age at that time.  Descendants of his first master now live in Wood County, W. Va., and they confirm Peyton's story in every detail, and exhibit records of the family to prove the same.

Peyton is a negro of more than usual intelligence and industry as is shown by his tending and harvesting his won fine farm.  He remembers and tells in a clear and plausible manner happenings of more than a century ago, incidents of the war of 1812, being talked over in his presence by soldiers and sailors in that strife.

New Castle News (PA) - March 15, 1912

Repository (Caton, OH) - November 9, 1919

Wordless Wednesday: Postcard (1907)

Tombstone Tuesday: Lowe

Woodbine Church

Manassas, VA

Sunday's Obituary: Mary Varner

Harrisonburg Daily News (Harrisonburg, VA) - April 1, 1910

Child Dies of Whooping Cough.

Mary Varner, five years old, died Monday of whooping cough and pneumonia at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Varner at Nokesville, Prince William county.

Friend of Friends Friday: Ten Dollars Reward

Alexandria Advertiser (Alexandria, VA) - October 27, 1806

TEN DOLLARS REWARD.  On Tuesday morning the 21st Inst. eloped from the plantation of the subscriber, JAMES, a likely young negro fellow; about five feet six or eight inches high; of dark complexion; frowning countenance; and has on his left temple a scar from a burn about the size and shape of a spot in the suit of spades.  He has very little clothing with him but what he has on, which is a dark colored surtout, with some inferior under clothing, much worn.  James was purchased out of Bullet's estate, where he had several connexions, bond and free--  His mother Nelly, a free woman, at Stafford court-house, as ostler; and I am told that in Alexandria he has several free brothers, who occasionally go by water.  It is most likely that if he is not lurking about Mr. Stephen French's, of this county, where he has a wife, he will try to get to Alexandria with his free brothers and pass for a free man too.  I therefore strictly forewarn all persons whatsoever from harboring or taking off said fellow at their peril.  I would particularly thank all constables and patrolers under whose notice this advertisement comes, to be very strict in examining all negroes who are going about without notes or passes from their masters, and whoever will apprehend JAMES & bring him home or secure him in any jail, and forward notice so that I get him again, shall receive, if in the county or neighborhood, 2 dollars, of the above reward if taken in Alexandria, or out of the state.

William Primm

Prince William County
October 27, 1806

Wordless Wednesday: Postcard: Episcopal Church and Rector

Tombstone Tuesday: Frank M. Stokes

Our Father

Frank M. Stokes (Francis Montgomery Stokes)

Born July 17 A.D. 1840

Died June 5 A.D. 1890

Curtis/Pinn/Stokes Family Cemetery

Bull Run, Manassas, VA

Sunday's Obituary: Reuben Cleary

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, DC) - July 15, 1835

Died at the Noviciate, Frederickstown, Maryland, on Sunday, the 5th instant, of inflammation of the brain, Mr. Reuben Cleary of Occoquan, Va. in the 21st year of his age.  Mr. C. graduated last year, at the head of his class in Georgetown College.  He was distinguished throughout  his collegiate career by an unabated devotion to his studies, and an energy that never flagged.  He soon took a high place in his classes, and standing first in all, it was difficult to say in which he most excelled -- languages, mathematics, or the various branches of philosophy.  He was endowed by nature with an intellect of the first order, and a heart that knew no vicious passion.  It may truly be said that he never had an enemy.  Envy itself was disarmed by the gentleness of  his disposition, his generosity, and benevolence.  The writer of this brief and faint tribute to his memory, has known him many years -- has watched with interest the march of his vigorous intellect, and looked with confidence to his future life.  The lamp that shone within consumed the fountain of existence.  He lived beloved, and died lamented, by all who ever knew him.  His afflicted parents, affectionate brothers and sisters, and the Church which he promised to adorn, will long mourn his early death.

~ ~ ~ ~

Commercial Advertiser (New York, NY) - July 31, 1834

Georgetown College, D.C. - At the annual commencement of this literary institution held on the 29th inst., the degree of A M. was conferred on the Rev. Francis L. Desaunieres, of Canada, and on Caleb C. Magruder, Esq. of Maryland.  The degree of A.B. was also conferred on Reuben Cleary of Virginia, and on George S. Kennedy, and Duncan A. Kennedy, of New York.

Sunday's Obituary: William Milstead

Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) – April 06, 1903

WILLIAM MILSTEAD. Laurel, MD. April 5 – The funeral of Mr. William Milstead was held this afternoon at the Laurel Presbyterian Church, Rev. A. E. Baker officiating.

Mr. Milstead was a native of Occoquan, Va., and was born in the year 1834. His wife was a Miss Mary J. Macartney, of Cecil county, Maryland. He made Laurel his place of residence for about 30 years. For 20 years he conducted the Milstead Hotel, which structure was destroyed by fire several years ago. He was affiliated with Laurel Wreath Lodge of Masons, the local commandery of the Knights of Pythias and with the Order of Odd Fellows. The services at the grave were conducted by Laurel Wreath Lodge and the pallbearers were Masons and Knights of Pythias. The funeral was largely attended, among those present being ex-Congressman Blakeney and Mayor Timanus.

Mr. Milstead was one of Laurel's most prominent and esteemed citizens and died April 3 at the Maryland University Hospital, of Baltimore, where he had been taken for treatment after an illness of less than a week. Mrs. Mary J. Milstead and three sons and four daughters survive him. The children are Mr. John H. Milstead, Mrs. W. C. Beall, Mr. William P. Burns, all of Baltimore; Mr. William T. Milstead, of Washington; Mrs. A. M. Kellogg and Mrs. D. C. Fithian, of Laurel, and Mr. Walter A. Milstead, of Manila, P.I.

Friend of Friends Friday: Reprieves and Pardons

Alexandria Gazette – December 28, 1857

LOCAL ITEMS. REPRIEVES AND PARDONS.--Among the cases of Reprieves and Pardons granted by Gov. Wise, we find the following cases, as given in his Message to the Legislature, on the 7^th inst.

… “Two slaves, Elias and Ellen, condemned to be hung by the county court of Prince William for the crime of murder [of George Green], were reprieved by me on the sixth of February last, and the execution of the sentence was ordered to be postponed until the 22d day of May, to enable me to consider deliberately what punishment should be imposed. In this case five slaves were implicated in the murder of their master. All were members of the same family; grand mother, mother, brother, and the two children, Elias and Ellen. They are twins, about 14 years old, and were supposed to be acting under the influence and instigation of the older slaves. The three oldest were executed, which I deemed sufficient for public justice and example; and in consideration of the youth and feeble intellects of the prisoners, I ordered their punishment to be commuted to sale land transportation beyond the limit of the U. States.”

Alexandria Gazette – February 21, 1857

… on page 106 of the Code of Virginia that the 19^th section thereof reads thus: “In the case of a slave under sentence of death, the Governor may order a commutation of the punishment, by directing that such slave be sold, to be transported beyond the limits of the United States. The Governor shall cause him to be sold, and the purchaser, before delivery to him of the slave, shall pay into the Treasury the price agreed, and enter into bond, approved by the Governor, in the penalty of one thousand dollars, conditioned that the slave shall within three months be transported beyond the limits of the United States, and shall never afterwards return to the State.”

Wordless Wednesday: Beverly's Mill

Richmond Times-Disptach (Richmond, Va)
July 24, 1935