Military Monday: Youngest of the D.A.R. (Ewell)

Charleston News and Courier (South Carolina)
January 4, 1903

YOUNGEST OF THE D.A.R.

Miss Carrie Ewell of Kentucky Enjoys an Odd Distinction
[From the Chicago Chronicle]

Lexington, KY, December 25 -- Possibly the youngest member of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is Miss Carrie Ewell, of Paducah.  Miss Ewell is but 22 and her father, who died twelve years ago, was one of the nineteen surviving Sons of the Revolution.  She was born 120 years after her grandfather, who was Major Charles Ewell, of Prince William County, Virginia, a distinguished soldier of the Revolution.

Miss Ewell's father was the child of a second marriage of his father late in life and Miss Ewell is the child of a similar marriage of her father.

Her grandfather was born in Prince William County, Virginia, September 29, 1760.  For his services in the War for Independence he was given a military warrant from the Legislature of Virginia for land in what is now Ballard County, in Western Kentucky, while Kentucky was still a part of the territory of Virginia.  He moved to this claim in 1826 and lived there the remainder of his days.

Before leaving Virginia Major Ewell was married for the second time, to Miss Matria D. Craik, in 1818, when she was 30 and he was 58 years old.  A year later their oldest son John Ewell was born.  Mrs. Craik was the widow of George Washington Craik, who was a son of Dr. John Craik, Washington's family physician.  Dr. Craik's wife was Marianna Ewell, Major Ewell's own cousin.

A grandson of Mrs. Ewell by her first marriage is the Rev. Charles Craik, pastor of Christ's Episcopal Church, in Louisville, Ky.  In the Rev. Mr. Craik's possession is a quaint old desk which was given to his grandfather by Gen. Washington.   It was shown in the Kentucky building at the World's Fair in Chicago.

Major Ewell died in Ballard County and was buried there in 1830.  Twenty-four years later his widow and son, John Ewell, moved to Paducah.  John Ewell raised a large family of children both by his first and second marriage.  Miss Carrie Ewell is the youngest child of the last marriage.  She has lived in Paducah all her life and is a pretty, charming and popular young woman.

Church Record Sunday: Newspaper Tidbits: Baptist Church

Alexandria Gazette
August 21, 1873

Union Grove speaks of being poor financially, yet rich in the Lord.  Still regards Bro. Dulin as pastor, though he has left them.  Desires to build a house of worship, and asks assistance.  They have licensed Bro. C. W. Teasdale to preach the Gospel.

Alexandria Gazette
October 10, 1874

A protracted meeting by the New School Baptists closed last week, which had been in progress near Blands Ford for two or three weeks.  The meetings were held in the woods in the day time and at Mr. Barnes' house at night.  The exercises were under the charge of Rev. Wallace Newman who was assisted by Rev. Mr. Risdon, Rev. Mr. Lowe, and Rev. Mr. Teasdale.  The meetings were well attended and resulted in the addition of seven new members, who received the ordinance of baptism on Sunday ast.

Alexandria Gazette
April 15, 1876

CHURCH ORGANIZATION. -- The pastors and delegates from the following churches convened at Occoquan on April 9th, 1876, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church at that place:

Clifton, J. W. Ashford and G. W. Tillett; Jerusalem, T. T. Burke; Oak Dale, B. P. Dulin; Woodbine, S. F. Teasdale and S. G. Teasdale.

After a thorough investigation of the matter, it was unanimously adopted by the committee, and Rev. B. P. Dulin was chosen to preach the organization sermon, after which Rev. W. S. Kerns delivered the charge to the organized body.  The meeting then adjourned.

Friend of Friends Friday: Nellie Robinson

Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, VA)
March 25, 1874

Old aunt Nellie - Nellie Robinson - a colored woman about ninety years of age, died at the residence of her former master, ex Mayor George Wise, in Prince William county, yesterday.

Wednesday's Child: Chas. Edward Hedrick

Manassas Democrat
July 16, 1914

DEATH OF AN INFANT

Died at Catlett, June 24, Chas. Edward, infant son of Lottie and Oren Hedrick, aged four months, two weeks and two days.  He was such a jolly good-natured little baby before he was taken ill with whooping cough, just brimming over with laughter and joy.  How glad we were that he did not have to linger long in pain, but that when Jesus called the little sufferer to come to Him, his little life wen tout without a struggle.  It was a relief to see his lovely little face in such smiling, Heavenly peace, instead of wearing the drawn look of agony it had worn for the past few days.  No sin will ever blacken his white soul, but his parents can know that they will always have a little baby in Paradise, forever pure and sweet, shining among the brightest of His jewels.  I, two [sic], loved that little baby, and if ever I reach the Better Land, I hope his arms will reach out a tiny welcome to me.

L.K.G.

Friend of Friends Friday: Will: Philip Spiller (1821)

PHILIP SPILLER Will

Prince William County Will Book L, pg 352

13 Jul 1820; proved 05 Feb 1821

In the name of God Amen I PHILIP SPILLER being aged and infirm but of a proper mind and sense do ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say after my lawful debt is paid I give to my wife DIANE SPILLER one negro man named BARTLY also one negro girl named MAKALEY to dispose of as she thinks proper also one negro woman named JANE to be free after my wife decease also the half of my moveble property the balance of my estate to be sold and equally divided between my sons and daughters which are these PHILIP SPILLER, AMOS SPILLER, SOPHIAH SCANTLING, CLOE THRILKIL, ELEZEBETH SPILLER.  Lastly I leave my beloved wife DIANE SPILLER and E. W. SIMPSON son of WILLIAM SIMPSON and A. W. GOSSOM and HENRY LETCHMAN Executors to this my last will and testament.  Given under my hand and seal this the thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord 1820.

PHILIP SPILLER

In presence of

THOS. GOSSOM, JOHN DAVIS, JOHN BLOKNEY

At a Court held for Prince William County Feby 5^th 1821

This last will and testament of PHILIP SPILLER decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of JOHN DAVIS and JOHN BLOKNEY is ordered to be recorded.

And at a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County March 5^th 1821.  EDWARD W. SIMPSON one of the Exors. Named in the last will and testament of PHIL. SPILLER decd. came into Court and made oath to the same according to Law and having taken the oath of an Exor. and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste,  P. D. DAWE

Travel Tuesday: Fast Southbound Mail Demolishes at Danville (1903)

Times-Picayune (New Orleans, VA)
28 September 1903

FAST SOUTHBOUND MAIL DEMOLISHED AT DANVILLE

Nine Men Were Killed and Seven Injured Out of a Crew of Sixteen

Southern Railway Train No. 97 Jumped Trestle Seventy-Five Feet High -- Engineer was a New Man and Not Acquainted with the Grade of the Road

Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 27 -- While running at a high rate of speed, No. 97, the Southern Railway's southbound fast mail train, jumped from a trestle seventy-five feet high, half a mile north of Danville, Va., this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and was almost demolished.  Of the crew of sixteen men on the train, nine were killed and seven injured.

THE DEAD.

Engineer J. A. Brady, of Saltville, Va.
Fireman Clapp, White
Fireman Clapp, white
Conductor J, Thomas Blair, of Danville, Va.
Mail Clerk J. L. Thompson, of Washington
W. T. Chambers, of Midland, Va.,
D. T. Flory, of Nokesville, Va.
P. N. Ardanright, Mount Clinton, VA
Flagman S. J. Moody, of Raleigh, N.C.
A boy 12 years old, son of J. L. Thompson

THE INJURED

Mail Clerk Louis W. Spiers, Manassas, Va.
Frank E. Brooks, Charlottesville, Va
Percival Indemeyer, Washington
Chas. E. Reames, Culpepper, Va
Jennings N. Dunlop, Washington
M. C. Maupin, Charlottesville, VA

All of the injured men are seriously hurt and have been carried to the hospital in Danville.  The recovery of Mail Clerk Spiers is not expected, and other clerks are though[t] to have received mortal injuries.

The trestle where the accident occurred is 500 feet long, and is located on a sharp curve.  Engineer Brady was a new man on that division of the Southern, and it is said that he came to the curve at a very high rate of speed.

The engine had gone only about fifty feet on the trestle when it sprang from the track, carrying with it four mail cars and an express car.  The trestle, a wooden structure, also gave way for a space of fifty feet.  At the foot of the trestle is a shallow branch with a rocky bottom.

On account of the wreck, all traffic on the central and northern divisions of the Southern will be affected.  It will take several days to repair the damage to the trestle.  The Southern is arranging to run its southbound trains over the Norfolk and Western from Lynchburg, via Burksville, to Danville, new trains being made up at that place.

Friend of Friends Friday: Ran Away - Vincent Jackson (1828)

Alexandria Gazette
July 11, 1828

Fifty Dollars Reward

Ran Away from the subscriber living near Haymarket in Prince William county, Va. on the 9th day of July, 1828, a negro man about thirty years old, by the name of VINCENT JACKSON.  He is about five feet eight or ten inches high, well made, yellow complexion, and has a scar on his upper lip, and his nose rather flat.  He has a wife at Mr. Aris Buckner's in the city of Washington, where it is supposed he will go -- It is probable he may procure a free pass, as he is a smart fellow and has made considerable acquaintance among those who it is probable are none too good to aid him in making his escape.  He will likely make for the City, where his wife is now living, and then for the free States.  He took with him sundry clothing, among whichi is a good blue broadcloth coat.  If he is taken in this or the adjoining counties I will give ten dollars, and if the District of Columbia twenty dollars, and if in Maryland or north of it fifty dollars, and pay all reasonable and legal charges -- In every case he must be brought home or secured in jail so that I get him again.

Reuben Rogers
July 11 - eo3t

The Baltimore American, and Poulson's American, Philadelphia, will publish the above every other time to the amount of one dollar and send their accounts to this office.

Deed: French to Dade (1803)

STEPHEN FRENCH to LANGHORNE DADE Deed 

dated 4 June 1803 Prince William Co. Deed Book 2, pg. 207-208

THIS INDENTURE made the fourth day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and three between LANGHORNE DADE & SARAH his wife of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia of the one part and STEPHEN FRENCH of the County & State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said LANGHORNE DADE and SARAH his wife for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds to them in hand paid by the said STEPHEN FRENCH before the execution of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have granted bargained, sold aliend & confirmed & by these presents do grant bargain sell alien and confirm unto the said STEPHEN FRENCH and to his heirs forever one tract r parcel of land situated lying and being in the aforesaid county of Prince William containing seventy eight acres be the same more or less and is bounded as follows, to wit. Begining at two white oaks corner to Graham on the north side of the Brentown road thence So. 50 Wt. 22 poles to a large sweet gum on the South side of the said road, thence No. 56 Wt. 127 po. to a red oak corner of GEO. GRAY in the said FRENCH’s line thence S 74 E. 29 po. to two white oaks at the head of a small branch thence S61Wt. 58 po. to some marked bushes where Grahams corner formerly stood thence S. 5 Et. 97 poles to the Beginning which said land is part of a larger tract purchased by the said DADE of ISAAC BRIDWELL together with all members, rights priviledges and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof to have and to hold the before described land and premises with their appurtenances unto him the said STEPHEN FRENCH & his heirs to the only proper use & behoof of him the said STEPHEN FRENCH and his heirs forever and the said LANGHORNE DADE & SARAH his wife do for themselves & their heirs covenant and agree with the said STEPHEN FRENCH & his heirs that they the said LANGHORNE DADE & SARAH his wife and their heirs shall and will forever hereafter warrant and defend the before mentioned land & premises free and clear of all incumbrances, made done or suffered by the said LANGHORNE DADE and SARAH his wife unto him the said STEPHEN FRENCH & his heirs, against the claim and demand of them the said LANGHORNE DADE & SARAH his wife & against the claim & demand of all & every other person whatsoever. In Witness whereof the said LANGHORNE DADE & SARAH his wife have hereunto set their hands & affixed their seals the day and date before mentioned.

LANGHE. DADE {seal} SARAH DADE {seal}

Signed Sealed acknowledged & delivered in presence of: 

THOMAS HARRISON, JAMES JAMESON, DAVID JAMESON, W. GRANT, RD. FOOTE, GEO. WILLIAMS

June the 4th 1803 Received of STEPHEN FRENCH the within mentioned consideration in full. 

Witness my hand the day & date above.

LANGE. DADE

Test, 
W GRANT, GEO. WILLIAMS, THOS. HARRISON, JAMES JAMESON, RD. FOOTE, DAVID JAMESON

The Commonwealth of Virginia to THOMAS HARRISON & WILLIAM GRANT, Gentleman, Greeting, Whereas LANGHORNE DADE and SARAH his wife have by their certain deed of bargain and sale dated the fourth day of June 1803 have bargained and sold & conveyed unto STEPHEN FRENCH the fee simple estate of and in to seventy eight acres of land situate in the County of Prince William and commonwealth aforesaid and whereas the said SARAH DADE cannot concurrently travel to the county Court of Prince William aforesaid to make acknowledgment of the same, therefore power is hereby given unto you or any two of you to receive the acknowledgment which the said SARAH DADE shall be willing to make before you of the conveyance aforesaid contained in the said deed which is hereto annexed and you are therefore commanded that you do call and cause to come before you the said SARAH DADE and examine her privily and apart from her said husband whether she doth the same freely and voluntarily without the persuasions or threats of her said husband and whether she be willing the same should be recorded in the County Court of Prince William aforesaid and when you have taken her acknowledgment and examined her as aforesaid that you distinctly and openly certify the Justices of our said county Court there of under your seals, sending there this wit. Witness JOHN WILLIAMS clerk of our said County at the Court house thereof, this first day of June 1803 and in the 27th year of our Foundation.

JOHN WILLIAMS

June the 4th 1803 We the undersigned did in pursuance of the within power to us directed this day examine the within Mrs. SARAH DADE wife of LANGHORNE DADE privily & apart from her said husband respecting the sale of the Lands in the deed herein to annexed mentioned who that she does the same freely & voluntarily without the persuasion or threats of her said husband & that she is willing that the said deed with this commission shall be recorded in the County Court of Prince Wm. Certified under our hands & seals the day & date above written.

THOS. HARRISON {seal} W. GRANT {seal}

At a Court held for Prince William County Sept. 5th 1803. This deed from LANGHORNE DADE & wife to STEPHEN FRENCH was proved by the Oaths of GEORGE WILLIAMS, W. GRANT & DAVID JAMESON and ordered (together with a [illegible] for the privy examination of the same retd. executed) to be recorded.

Teste, JOHN WILLIAMS

Sunday's Obituary: Maggie Priscilla Beavers (1914)

Manassas Democrat
September 17, 1914

DEATH CLAIMS MRS. MAGGIE P. BEAVERS

Was Second Victim of Typhoid

Interment in the Cemetery at Woodbine Last Sunday - Her Husband and Four Children Survive Her

Typhoid fever claimed its second victim here last Friday when Mrs. Maggie Priscilla Beavers, wife of Levi Beavers, died at her home on East Street.

For several weeks she had been very ill with the fever and the contributory cause of her death, tuberculosis, so weakened her condition as to make impossible her recovery.  Mrs. Beavers was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, of this county, and was thirty-three years old.  She is survived by her husband and four children.  The funeral was held last Sunday afternoon at Woodbine church, a few miles from Manassas, and the remains were interred in the cemetery at that place.  This death took place within a few yards of the home of D. J. Myers, whose family is now convalescent of fever, and in the vicinity where most of the cases in Mnaassas are located.

Friend of Friends Friday: Will: Susannah Feagan (1817)

SUSANNAH FEAGAN Will

Prince William County Will Book L, pg. 31

02 Aug 1816; proved 07 Apr 1817

In the name of God Amen I SUSANNAH FEAGAN of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia being low in health but sound in mind do make this my last will and testament, first, I desire that all my just debts shall be paid.  Secondly that all both real and personal estate of mine shall be for the sole use of my brother EDWARD and GRACE my sister to them and their heirs forever accept one negroe girl by the name of SARAH I give to FRANCIS FEAGAN, and one negroe boy by the name of NAT I give to RAUGHLY FEAGAN, sons of my brother HENRY FEAGAN decd.  Thirdly I desire that the loungest liver of the above named Brother & Sister shall have all both real & personal estate forever, accept the negro boy and girl, given to my two nephews FRANCIS & RAUGHLY FEAGAN.  Fourthly and lastly I do constitute and appoint JOHN WASHINGTON and WILLIAM GREEN my sole executors of this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this second day of August in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and sixteen.

SUSANNAH FEAGAN {seal}

Witness:

WM. GREEN, ELIJAH KERCHIVAL, WM. RATCLIFF, EVAN J. OWENS

At a Court held for Prince William County April 7^th 1817.  This last will and testament of SUSANNAH FEAGAN decd. was presented to the Court by WM. GREEN one of the Executors therein named and being proved by the oaths of WM. GREEN and ELIJAH KERCHIVEL is ordered to be recorded.  & At a Court for said County May 5^th 1817 this said last will and testament of SUSANNAH FEAGAN decd. was fully proved by the oath of EVAN J. OWENS and admitted to record.  & At a Court of Quarterly sessions continued and held for Prince William County June 2^nd 1818 on the motion of JNO. BROWN it is ordered that GERARD ALEXANDER sheriff of the County do take into his possession the estate of SUSANNAH FEAGAN decd. and administer the same according to law, it appearing to the Court that she has been dead upwards of three months and no person has applied for administration on said Estate.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE