Friday's Faces from the Past: Genevieve and Alyce Keys Chapin

This family photo is a lost heirloom discovered by a good Samaritan in an antique store in Ashland, Oregon that found its way "home" to my cousin Gentsia.  Dated 1901, it shows Alyce Keys Chapin with her daughter, Genevieve.

Alyce was the daughter of Henry Armistead and Sarah Frances (Lynn) Keys of Prince William County.  She married Paul Chapin, son of Gurden and Julia Paul Chapin, on 7 October 1896 in Washington, DC.

(Thank you, Gentsia, for sharing!)

Genevieve and Alyce Keys Chapin, circa 1901
(used by permission of  Gentsia Zimmerman)

Wednesday's Child: James Bean

Manassas Journal
27 June 1935

SAD ACCIDENT AT LAKE JACKSON

James Bean Dies While Swimming

The Bradley neighborhood was deeply shocked Sunday afternoon when word was received of the death of James [Bean] Bradley, age 17, who apparently died of some unknown cause while swimming in Lake Jackson.

In company with his brother William and a friend, Edward Weeks, he was swimming in deep water when he collapsed and sank.  It is stated that Mr. Weeks made a great effort to save his friend, nearly losing his own life.

Upon receiving world in Manassas, representatives of the Manassas Volunteer Fire Department hastened to the scene, where, in the meantime, the body had been recovered by Earl Cox and Harry Whitmer.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at Bradley Church by Rev. J. Murray Taylor and burial was in the Bradley cemetery. The deceased is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bean, and by six brothers and sisters, all of whom have the deepest sympathy of many friends in their deep bereavement.

Tombstone Tuesday: Clerenda Fitzwater

Valley View Cemetery, Nokesville, Virginia

CLERENDA FITZWATER

Born

July 28, 1843

Died

November 26, 1911

Aged 68 years, 5 mos., 28 days

Another link is broken

In our household band,

But a chain is forming

In a better land

Society Saturday: Farewell Party (Ruby Russell)

Manassas Journal
16 June 1932

FAREWELL PARTY

A very delightful party was given at the home of Miss Ruby Russell on Tuesday evening when she bid her friends good-by before leaving her home on West street.  She is soon to return to her country home at Canova.  She will be greatly missed by her many friends in Manassas.

Those present at the party were:  Misses Virginia, Ruth, Clara, Irene and Elizabeth Cross, Miss Edith and Virginia Carter, Miss Eula Shaw, Miss Sarah Vetter, Miss Mildred Cooke, Miss Mickie Lunsford and Mr. and Mrs. Emory Russell.

Messers. Floyd Vetter, Randolph Payne, William Ward, Edward Pattie, Douglas Dodson, Robert Leith, William Bowers, Paul Cooksey, Jake Terry, Shelmon Holmes, Russell and Willard Shaw.



[I love the reference to Miss Russell's "country home at Canova."  The Canova community was originally named Woodbine after Levi C. Lynn's home Woodbine, as well as the Baptist church and school of the same name that he founded.  It was renamed Canova in the early 1900's, largely in part to James Sullivan, who owned a general store in the area.  Eugene Scheel's "Crossroads and Corners" notes that Sullivan chose the name because it was easy to spell and was likely unaware of the famous sculptor Antonio Canova.  Today the area is called "Woodbine" once more but Canova Drive in Independent Hill remains -- Woodbine School on one side of the road and Woodbine Baptist Church on the other -- in the heart of the rapidly growing Coles Magisterial District.  Hardly "country" any longer!  --cgl]

Sunday's Obituary: James Edward Beale

Richmond Times Dispatch
25 November 1916

Manassas, Va., November 24 -- James Edward Beale forty-eight years old, Mayor of Haymarket, and worshipful master of Drinkard Lodge, A. F. & A. M. who died on Monday was buried on Tuesday at Haymarket, Prince William County. He had been Southern Railway agent at Haymarket for twenty-four years, and was a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mr. Beale was a native of Albemarle County. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Maude Laura Herrell, and five children, Edward, Page, Bowen, Herbert and Laura Beale.

Friend of Friends Friday: Gift Deed: Renoe to O'Rear

Prince William County
Deed Book 11, pg. 42
Gift Deed - Renoe to O'Rear

KNOW all men by these presents that I Enoch Renoe of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I bear to my grandchildren, John H. Orear, Ann M. Orear, William Orear, Charlotte Orear, Catherine Orear, and Martha Orear as well as for the further consideration of one Dollar to me in hand paid by the said Children at or before the unsealing & delivery of these presents the receipt where of is hereby acknoweledged, have given and granted and by these presents to give and grant unto the said John H. Orear, Anne M. Orear, William Orear, Charlotte Catherine Orear & Martha Orear their Executors administrators & assigns a negro Girl Slave named Susan. To have and to hold the said girl slave Susan unto them the said John H. Orear, Ann M. Orear, William E. Orear, Charlotte Catherine Orear, and Martha Orear with her future increase to them and their heirs Exors admins & assigns forever. In witness whereof the said Enoch Renoe hath hereunto set his hand & seal this 20th day of April 1827.

Enoch Renoe {seal}

Teste,
David Jameson
John Keys

Prince William County to wit,
Clerks Office May 14th 1827

This deed of gift from Enoch Renoe to John  H. Orear, Ann M. Orear, Wm. Orear, Charlotte Orear, Catherine Orear, & Martha Orear was this day proved in the office aforesaid by the witnesses thereto & admitted to record.

Teste,
P. D. Dawe
Cl Court

Wedding: Nicol/Wilson (1896)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
18 September 1896

The social event of the season in Manassas was the marriage September 16 at 3 o'clock p.m. in the M. E. Church South of Miss Maude Nicol to Mr. Geo. S. Wilson of Fauquier county. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Geo. T. Taylor of Fauquier. The church was beautifully decorated and crowded with invited guests. An evergreen arch spanned the chancel, from which hung a marriage bell. As the wedding party entered the church Mrs. B. P. Bowen of Brentsville sang "Oh, Promise Me," accompanied by her daughter on the organ. Mr. D. B. Wilson, brother of the groom, was the best man, and Miss Grace Nicol, sister of the bride, was maid of honor.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids were Mr. Holtzman of Washington and Miss Hixson of Manassas, Mr. Compter of Front Royal and Miss Lyon of Manassas, Mr. Kendall of Fauquier and Miss Simpson of Manassas, Mr. Gibson and Miss Leache of Fauquier, and Mr. Weir of Manassas and Miss Kincheloe of Brentsville. The flower maids were Julia Nicol, the little daughter of Judge Nicol, and Basie Ransdell, both nieces of the bride. As the party retired from the church Miss Bowen of Brentsville played the wedding march. The bride received many beautiful presents of silver.