Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Items (22 June 1857)

Alexandria Gazette
June 22, 1857

Prince William County, Va.

REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCES. -- When the good people of Virginia, in convention assembled on the 25th day of June, 1776, declared that the Government of this Country as before exercised under the crown of Great Britain was totally dissolved by misrule of the King, and ordained and established a form of government for Virginia, Prince William County had her sages in convention, aiding with their counsel, and when the "tug of war" came, and the sword had to be drawn to repel the enemies of freedom, her braves took the field and battled for the cause.

A gentleman, who is well acquainted with the records and history of the county, has furnished us with a copy of the proceedings of a council of militia officers held at Dumfries.

"At a Council of field officers, and other officers of the militia, for the county of Prince William, held at the house of Augustine Seaton, in the town of Dumfries, on Friday, the 19th day of July, 1776.

Present,--Henry Lee, County Lieutenant; Thomas Blackburn, Colonel; William Alexander, Lieut. Colonel; John Hooe, Major.

Captains.--Thomas Atwell, James Ewell, Valentine Peyton, Richard Graham, Jesse Ewell and William Brent.

A Resolve of the Committee of this County being laid before the Board, by the County Lieutenant, recommending to him to order on duty a sufficient number of militia to protect the inhabitants on the river against the inroads of Lord Dunmore and his fleet, now lying in the river Potomac, and the County Lieutenant praying their advice and directions how to conduct himself; The Board taking the same into consideration, are of the opinion that all the boats and other small vessels ought to be secured to prevent the servants and slaves from joining his Lordship, and further that the first draft of Militia be immediately called upon to rendezvous at Dumfries; as it is uncertain what route the enemy may take, to be in readiness to protect the river inhabitants if need require."

SUNDAY SCHOOL.--It may not be generally known that we have a large and flourishing Sabbath School in the village.  We are gratified to find that it has some 70 scholars.  Next Sabbath will be the fourth since its commencement.  We hear that it is proposed to have a celebration and pic-nic on the 4th of July; a gentleman of the legal profession has been invited to deliver an oration; we did not learn whether he has accepted or not.

OLD TIMES.--The following amusing extract of a will, executed in the County, in 1766, will cause some merriment, we think:

"I leave the direction of my funeral to the discretion of my executors, I only desire that it may be private, in presence of the few such as I had regard for when living, which are not many.

And as I ever held Priests, Juglars, and devirsors of every kind from the Grand Lama or the Pope, to the Indian conjuror, in the utmost contempt, I expressly forbid any preaching or other Pawwawing at my funeral.  Wrote with my own hand, this 23d day of September, 1766. ~ James Douglass.

--Brentsville Jour.