Will: William B. Hamilton (1811)

WILLIAM B. HAMILTON Will

Prince William County Will Book K, pg. 116

7 Sep 1811; proved 7 Oct 1811

In the name of God Amen I WILLIAM B. HAMILTON of Prince William County in Virginia, being of perfectly sound mind do make, constitute, and appoint this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others by me hitherto made.  In the first place I will and direct that all the just claims of my creditors shall be discharged.  I then give and bequeath to my dear wife MARIA all the rest and residue of the property of every kind of which I am now possessed to her and her heirs forever.  And farther it is my will that whatever property I have at present a prospective or reversionary interest in shall whenever the descont, or reversion takes place be equally divided one third to each between her and our two children WILLIAM and JOHN.  And I do hereby constitute and appoint my said wife the sole executrix of this my last will and testament, directing also that no security shall be required for the due performance of the trust reposed in her.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7^th day of September eighteen hundred and eleven.

(Interlined before signature.)

W. B. HAMILTON {seal}

Signed and acknowledged in the presence of

REUBEN T. HAMILTON

STEPHEN KING

ROBT. HAMILTON

THOS. B. HAMILTON

At a Court held for Prince Wm. County October 7^th 1811.

This last will and testament of WM. B. HAMILTON decd. was presented to the Court by MARIA HAMILTON the Executrix therein named who made oath to the same according to law and the said will being proved by the oaths of WILLIAM HAMILTON and ROBERT HAMILTON is ordered to be recorded and the said MARIA having taken the oath of an Executrix and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, JOHN WILLIAMS

Sunday's Obituary: Lawrence G. Alexander / Robert Alexander

Alexandria Gazette
6 May 1868

Lawrence G. Alexander, formerly of Prince William county, and for a long time a resident of Fredericksburg, died in New Orleans, May 1st.  On 22d April, at Brashear City, La., on his return from Texas, the cars backed on him, breaking his leg below the knee.  He was taken to New Orleans and the leg amputated, from which he never rallied.  He was in his eighty-third year, and was a highly esteemed and most excellent citizen.

Alexandria Gazette
1 June 1859

On Tuesday morning, 31st May, Mr. Robert Alexander, formerly of Dumfries, Prince William County, aged seventy-two years. The friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral this afternoon, at 4 o'clock, from his late residence on Cameron, near Royal street.

Will: Gilbert Ireland Moxley (1811)

GILBERT IRELAND MOXLEY Will

Prince William County Will Book K, pg. 127

07 Dec 1809; proved 02 Dec 1811

In the name of God Amen I GILBERT IRELAND MOXLEY of the County of Prince William and of the Commonwealth of Virginia, being in a sick low state of health but thank God sound in mind and memory, have thought it necessary to make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows.  First, It is my will and desire that my Executrix hereafter named shall have full power vested in her to make sale of my dwelling plantation and all the lands thereto belonging should she think proper at my time to do so before my beloved Children should arrive at age, and the money arising from the sales thereof to be laid out in lands elsewhere she may judge most to the advantage of my beloved children, otherwise the money arising from the sale of said lands to be put out on interest and good security taken for the payment thereof my beloved wife AMINTA ELIZABETH MOXLEY is hereby at liberty to claim one seventh part of the money arising from the sale of said lands in lieu of her right of dower to said lands, otherwise if other lands should be purchased with the money arising from the sale of the said lands my beloved wife may let the whole sum of money arising from the sales of the lands aforesaid be laid out in land, and have her right of dower in the land that may be purchased.   Secondly It is my will and desire that the whole my property shall be equally divided among my beloved children now living after my just debts are paid and my beloved wife draws her one third part of my personal property so remaining and the one seventh of the sale of my lands otherwise to claim and have her right of dower in the land that may be purchased ad aforesaid --  Lastly, I do hereby appoint and constitute my beloved wife my Executrix of this my last Will and Testament revoking all former wills and heretofore made by me.  In Testimony hereof I have hereby set my hand and seal this seventh day of December one thousand eight hundred and nine.

GILBERT I. MOXLEY {seal}

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us and delivered as his last will and testament

BEN DOUGLASS

CHARLES MING

SOPHIA A. DOUGLASS

At a Court held for Prince William County December 2d 1811.

This last will and testament of GILBERT I. MOXLEY decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of BENJAMIN DOUGLASS, CHARLES MING and SOPHIA A. DOUGLASS was ordered to be recorded and the Executrix having performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted her for performing the same according to law.

Teste,  J. WILLIAMS 

Sunday's Obituary: General George D. Ramsay

25 May 1882
New York Tribune

OBITUARY

GENERAL GEORGE D. RAMSAY

Washington, May 24 - Brevet Major-General George D. Ramsay, U.S.A., died last evening at his residence in this city.  The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon from St. John's Church with full military honors. The interment will be made in Oak Hill Cemetery.

George Douglass Ramsay was born February 21, 1802, at Dumfries, Va., Appointed a cadet at West Point from the District of Columbia August 20, 1814, he was graduated July 1, 1820, and entered the 1st Artillery as a second lieutenant.  In 1835 he entered the Ordnance Department as a captain. For gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles at Monterey he received the rank of brevet major September 23, 1846.  At the outbreak of the rebellion he was placed in command, as major, of the Washington arsenal. In 1863 he was made colonel and afterward brigadier general and chief of the Ordnance. September 12, 1864 he was retired from active service, being more than sixty-two years old. He continued on duty in command of the Washington arsenal and on the Board to examine Ordnance officers for promotion until February 21, 1870. He was made major-general by brevet in 1865 "for long and faithful service."

Friend of Friends Friday: Ranaway (Nelly)

Alexandria Gazette
13 July 1830

$25 REWARD

RANAWAY from the subscriber, on the 20th of June last, a woman by the name of NELLY about 26 years old, dark complexion, sullen look, and slow of speech when spoken to.  She was hired first of the present year of Reuben Johnston, and is the property of Mrs. Ann Hoar, of Dumfries, where she was born.  She has on various kinds of clothes, domestic, and principally one black silk dress, which she may wear at this time.  I will give $20 if taken within the District, and $25 if taken out of it, with all reasonable charges if brought home.

Jno. Tatsapaugh

[The above reward of $25 will be given for the apprehension of said negro, instead of $50, as stated in a former advertisement.]

jy 12-3t

The Editor of the Telegraph will publish the above 3t, and send his account to the subscriber, or to this office, for payment.

Newspaper Tidbit: Three at Birth

Alexandria Gazette
26 May 1875

THREE AT BIRTH -- Prince William comes in for a notice of interest.  On the 20th inst. the wife of Henry Russell gave birth to three female children.  The wife died at the birth of the last, but the children are all doing well.  Henry is a most deserving, respected and honorable colored man.  During the war he was horse-sheer for the 4th Va. cavalry, and since the war has steadfastly and boldly stood by the Conservative party. -- Cor. Fredericksburg Star

[It isn't often that I come across birth announcements/stories in 1800's newspapers.  This one is especially important because it notes the birth of triplets and the passing of Henry Russell's first wife, Eugenia.  In the 1880 PWCo census, Henry Russell and his second wife, Susan (Payne), are listed with the following children:  Henry (14), Roberta (7), and Maggie (2).  Roberta appears to be the only one of the triplets to have survived.  ~cgl]

PUBLIC HEARING: Re Disinterment of the Norman/Lynn Cemetery at the Coles Firehouse

NOTICE:  PUBLIC HEARING

Norman/Lynn Cemetery at the Coles Firehouse in Independent Hill

There will be a Public Hearing on September 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. before the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors for comments on the possible disinterment of the graves beside the Coles Firehouse in Independent Hill.

The Hearing will be in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the James J. McCoart Administration Building, 1 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.  (This is the brick building in the County Complex.)

Because of the cost of the proposed new firehouse, compared to the cost of alternatives, the vote of the Board of Supervisors is predisposed toward disinterment of the Norman/Lynn Cemetery situated in the lot immediately beside the present firehouse.  It should be noted that the County has been aware of this cemetery since the original firehouse was built.

The Norman/Lynn Cemetery was established at least as early as 1855, with the interment of Charles E. Norman, a local merchant and county magistrate.  It may even be older, with the early demise of two of Charles and Mary Frances (Lynn) Norman’s children who would undoubtedly have been buried in the family cemetery.

A large turnout at the Public Hearing would show the Board of Supervisors that all gravesites – even ones that have been neglected (in this case, by the county itself) – deserve respect and should be allowed to remain undisturbed.  Let our ancestors rest in peace!

Will: Jane Keough (1823)

JANE KEOUGH Will

Prince William County Will Book M, pg 107

13 Jan 1821; proved 01 Dec 1823

In the name of God Amen I JANE KEOUGH of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia do make this my last will and testament in maner and form as follows.  First, I give and bequeath unto my son MATHEW KEOUGH and to his heirs forever the land I now live on which said land I purchased from Baylis Renoe for one hundred and forty acres be the same more or less and the further sum of four hundred dollars which said legacy is on account of money he has furnished me.  Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my seven children namely MATHEW KEOUGH, PATRICK KEOUGH, JOHN KEOUGH, WILLIAM KEOUGH, CHARLES KEOUGH, HARRIET KEOUGH and MARGARET KEOUGH all the residue of my property to be equally divided between them with this proviso that my son WILLIAM KEOUGH shall not dispose of any part of his property without the consent of my Executor & Executrix.  Thirdly, in case my son MATHEW KEOUGH should depart this life before myself the property I have bequeathed him I bequeath unto my two daughters HARRIET KEOUGH and MARGARET KEOUGH to them and their heirs forever.  Fourthly and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son MATHEW KEOUGH and daughter HARRIET KEOUGH Executor and Executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all others heretofore by me made in witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal this 13^th day of January eighteen hundred and twenty one.

JANE KEOUGH

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

SIMON LUTTRELL, THOMAS COCKE

At a Court held for Prince William County December 1^st 1823.  This last will and testament of JANE KEOUGH decd. was presented to the court and being proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto ordered to be recorded.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE

Thriller Thursday: Dobson / Burkle

1 October 1916
Richmond Times Dispatch (VA)

KILLS EMPLOYER AND SELF

Mystery Surrounds Double Shooting That Occurred at Nokesville on Thursday

Manassas, VA., September 30 - Mystery still surrounds the tragedy which occurred at Nokesville on Thursday.  Eugene Dobson, colored, who shot and killed his employer, Jacob R. Burkle, a Prince William County farmer, and then committed suicide, was known throughout the neighborhood as an exemplary specimen of his race.

The bodies of the two men were found in separate rooms of the barn on the Burkle place.  A shotgun lying beside the body of Dobson told the story.  He was about fifty years old.

Reports state that Dobson went to the house several hours before the shooting for the gun "to kill a black snake at the barn."  The report of the gun was heard and farmhands in a neighboring cornfield hurried to the barn.

Mr. Burkle was about fifty-five years old and is survived by his wife.

Wednesday's Child: Daisie B. Lynn

Sudley Methodist Church Cemetery, Catharpin, VA

DAISIE B. 

daughter of 

L. C. & H. T. 

LYNN

Born Feb. 8, 1890

Died July 11, 1892

Suffer little children to come unto me.

[Daisie Bonham Lynn was the daughter of Lewis Craig Lynn and Hannah T. Bonham. ~cgl]

Will: William Roach (1819)

WILLIAM ROACH Will

Prince William County Will Book L, pg. 303

21 Sep 1819; proved 01 Nov 1819

In the name of God Amen I WILLIAM ROACH of Prince William County and State of Virginia being in sound mind and good memory do make this my last will and testament to wit I give and bequeath to my loving wife CATHRINE ROACH all my property person and real during her life and at her death to the lawfull heirs of her boddy.  Given under my hand and seal this twenty first day of September in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and nineteen. 

WILLIAM ROACH  {seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of

FRANCIS T. HOOE, JAMES FEWELL, HOWSON HOOE

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County November 1^st 1819.  This last will and testament of WILLIAM ROACH decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of JAMES FEWELL and HOWISON HOOE is ordered to be recorded and administration (with the will annexed) of WM ROACH decd. is granted to THOMAS THURMAN who took the oath of an administrator and entered into and acknowledged a bond with security according to law.

Teste, PHIL. D. DAWE

Sunday's Obituary: Captain W. F. Williams

Richmond Times Dispatch (VA)
7 April 1908

Captain W. F. Williams

Bristol, Va., April 6 - Captain W. F. Williams, sixty-six years old a native of Brentsville, Prince William County, Va., died here to-night of pneumonia.  He was captain of Company A, Fourth Virginia Regiment of the Confederate army.  For many years he was prominently connected with the railroads here.  Two sons and three daughters survive.  His only surviving sister, Mrs. Somerville, resides at Manassas.

[In the book 4th Virginia Cavalry by Kenneth L. Stiles, William F. Williams enlisted April 23, 1861 at Fairfax Courthouse at the age of 19.  He was discharged July 23, 1862. ~cgl]

Chuch Record Sunday: Manassas Churches Plan Prayer Week

Evening Star (DC)
3 January 1915

MANASSAS CHURCHES PLAN PRAYER WEEK

Services to Begin Monday Evening in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church

Manassas, Va., January 2 -- The churches of Manassas will observe a week of prayer, beginning Monday evening with services in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, conducted by Rev. C. E. Simmons, a superannuated Methodist minister.  The services Tuesday are to be conducted in Grace Methodist Episcopal Church South by Rev. Dr. H. L. Quarles, pastor of Manassas Baptist Church; Wednesday in the Presbyterian Church, by Rev. J. E. Slick, pastor of Asbury Church; Thursday in the Baptist Church, by Rev. J. F. Burke, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Friday in Trinity Episcopal Church, by Rev. E. A. Roads, pastor of Grace Church.