Saturday, August 31, 2019

Events: PWHPF September 2019 Events & Programs

September 2019
September Events & Programs
The grounds of the historic sites are open daily from dawn until dusk and the sites are open for regular tours Thursday–Monday 11am–4pm.
Upcoming Events at
12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136
(703) 365-7895
Fall Harvest Campfire
September 20 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
$5 per person| All Ages
Enjoy a campfire and roasted marshmallows as you learn about how the local residents in Prince William County harvested their crops to prepare for winter. Experience the tools they used, the crops they harvested, and the unique things they did to prepare for winter in the 18th and 19th centuries. Admission is free for ages 2 and under.
September 28 | 10am-4pm
FREE EVENT | All Ages
Join us for our 5th Annual Brentsville Day! Come experience this nearly 200 year-old social and political center of Prince William County while we fill the grounds with festivities.
  • Bluegrass Bands
  • Historic Farm Demonstrations
  • Living History
  • Historic Trades
  • Local Artisans
  • Antiques
  • Food Trucks
  • Historic Buildings
  • Hayrides
  • and More!
Prince William County Farm Tour - Brentsville Stop
September 29 | 11am-4pm
FREE EVENT | All Ages
Join site staff and living historians to learn about farm life in Brentsville and Prince William County during the mid-1800s. Tour the 1850s farmhouse, and try your hands at historic trades and crafts.
Upcoming Events at
15125 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Meet at parking lot across from Rippon Lodge Historic site
(703) 499-9812
Exploring the Wetlands at the Boardwalk
September 14 | 4pm-5:30pm
$9 per person | All Ages
Join us for an exploratory walk down the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk. We will explore the residents of this ecosystem up close and personal and along the way will discover why the wetlands are important to every living thing.

Aquatic Discovery at the Boardwalk
September 29 | 4pm-5:30pm
$9 per person | All Ages
Ever wonder who lives in your wetlands? Come discover the residents of the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk aquatic ecosystems as you dip your nets over the edge. Fish, shrimp, crayfish, tadpoles are just a few of the aquatic inhabitants we hope to investigate. Nets will be provided for use during the class.
Upcoming Event at
15520 Blackburn Road Woodbridge, VA 22192 (703) 499-9812
Virginia in the Spanish-American War
September 14 | 11am–4pm
$5 per person | Ages 6+
Considered to be a forgotten war, the Spanish-American War was a war many did not comprehend or want, however the tide soon turned and many regiments in Virginia were preparing to fight. Explore the history of the Spanish-American War at Rippon Lodge, speak with living history interpreters, see artifacts of the era, tours and period games available throughout the day.
Upcoming Event leaving from
the Marina boat dock at Leesylvania State Park:
2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge, VA
(703) 792-4754
Potomac Blockade Boat Tour 2019
September 21 | 10am–1pm
$50 per person | Ages 8+
Cruise along the Potomac River shoreline on the 50’ pontoon vessel Miss Rivershore and view sites that were critical to the Confederate forces’ successful blockade of Washington D.C. from September 1861 through early March 1862.
Historic Preservation Spotlight
School has started again this fall in Prince William County, but did you know that schools were not always available nor free for children to attend?

Lucasville School
10516 Godwin Dr, Manassas, VA
(703) 365-7895
Lucasville School
 
School is Back in Session!

In 1870, Virginia's Legislature established a statewide system of free public schools for all citizens regardless of race. Throughout Prince William County, new schools were built including several for the education of African American children. Many of these schools no longer stand nor are open to the public with the exception of Lucasville School. Lucasville School (1885-1926) is a reconstructed one-room schoolhouse that interprets post-Civil War African-American education in Prince William County Virginia.
 
On Saturday, September 7th, Lucasville School will be open from 11am-4pm so that visitors can discover the people who used small but significant building and their efforts to challenge racism and create an effective and lasting public education system.  

Friday, August 30, 2019

Friend of Friends Friday: Maryann Taylor's Inventory

Maryann Taylor's Inventory (abstract - enslaved persons only)
PWCo Will Book I, page 18

Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Miss Mariann Taylor dec'd taken this 26th Decr. 1803.

Negroes
Daniel
100

Billy
100

Jesse
100

Mary
70

Young Daniel
50

Child Edward
20


Appraised as above agreeable to order of court.

Ja. Ewell
Solom. Ewell Jr.
Jesse Ewell Jr.


Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Newspaper Tidbit: German Settlement Near Haymarket

Alexandria Gazette (VA)
5 June 1871

GERMAN SETTLEMENT NEAR HAYMARKET, VA.--

We are glad to see that those thrifty and persevering people, the Germans, who have helped so much to develope the agricultural resources throughout the U.S., are also gradually finding their way into Virginia.

Business took us lately to Haymarket, a small village a few miles below Manassas, on the Orange, Alexandria, & Manassas railroad where we found quite a prosperous German settlement.  Haymarket is only composed of a few houses; and some dreary looking chimney stacks, tell-tale signs of the late conflict. There are, however, evidences of improvement, and new houses are in process of building. The country along that part of the railroad is rolling, the soil is of an excellent quality and capable of being improved; it is well watered and the location very advantageous on account of its proximity to Alexandria and Washington city. Several German gentlemen have bought farms closed by the place. Messrs. E. and W. Fratje purchased a farm of 200 acres, Mr. O. Wiltichen a fine estate of 400 acres, Mr. R. Belcher 400 acres, Mr. C. A. Heineken a large tract of 900 acres with fine improvements on it, and a Mr. Hagedorn a small farm of 100 acres. They have put up fine dwellings and farm buildings, laid out large vineyards and have already given that part of the country a pleasing aspect. These gentlemen are now establishing at their own expense a railroad depot at Haymarket to facilitate the access to their settlement, and they have determined to connect with it an immigration bureau, which will be managed by Mr. Oscar Lorenz, a gentleman in the true meaning of the word, and strangers will be sure to receive the most reliable information on all subjects interesting to settlers. This is a very laudable beginning and we wish them success.

-- Wash. Capital.


Monday, August 26, 2019

Nuncupative Will: Ann Johnson

ANN JOHNSON Nuncupative Will
PWCo Will Book I, pg. 443

June the 30, 1809

I Ann Johnson do give and bequeath to my Sister Molly Johnson two bed quilts and trunk and frying pan coffee mill half a dozen teacups and sasers four tea spoons seven dollars cash three earthen plates coffee pot tea pot one habit cotton shift three handkercheafs one yara coat calico short ground to one pair of colen stockings yarn do. the order on Mathew Harrison's estate or the money just and full sum of eighteen dollars. Now in purfect knowledge this is my last will and testament lying in the hands of Robert Hedges son of John.

Teste
John Renoe
John Randolph

Personal appeared John Renoe and John Randolph before me and made oath that this instrument of writing is the last will and testament of Ann Johnson and that she was in her perfect sences when it was rote and further that had not been dead more than nine hours and that before her death she was satisfied with it given under my hand and seal this thirthyeth day of June Eighteen Hundred and nine.

Saml. Jackson {seal}


At a Court of Quarterly Sessions Cont'd and held for Prince Wm. County

This Nuncupative Will of Ann Johnson dec'd was presented in Court and being proved by the oaths of John Renoe and John Randolph was ordered to be recorded. 

Administration with the nuncupative will annexed of Ann Johnson dec'd is granted to Mary Johnson she having taken the Oath and entered into bond with Security according to law.

Teste
J. Williams Cl. Cur.

[A nuncupative will is a will that has been delivered orally to witnesses instead of being in written format.  - cgl]



Friday, August 23, 2019

Friend of Friends Friday: Runaway: Tom Salter

Virginia Gazette
23 March 1769

TEN POUNDS Reward

RUN away from the subscriber's plantation, in Loudoun county, from JAMES WHALEY, overseer, on last Easter Monday, TOM, a Negro Man slave, by some called TOM SALTER, of a middle size, and well made for strength, about 38 years old, he has bad teeth, and many small pimples about his beard; he can read, and play on the fiddle, and had a variety of cloaths; but his common working dress, was died brown cotton; he managed several years as an overseer for me, under Capt. ROBERT DOWNMAN, at a plantation of mine on Marattico creek, in Richmond county, where he always lived until lately, he is a dissembling artful fellow, and generally smiles when he speaks.  I suspect he is lurking about a plantation belonging to CHARLES CARTER, Esq.; in Hanover county, at or near South Wales, there he has a wife named SEBRA, and perhaps at times about his old haunts at Morattico.  Whoever will deliver him to me, in Prince William county, shall receive the above reward; or if they will secure him in any of his Majesty's goals, so that I may get him again, Five Pounds; and if he is taken out of the colony, and brought home to me, Twenty Pounds current money reward, paid by

HENRY LEE.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Newspaper Heraldry: Stuart

National Aegis (Worchester, MA)
29 August 1863

The Stuarts, who have figured in the Virginia and Maryland campaigns as active rebel officers, are descended from David Stuart, of Inverness, in Scotland, who claimed as his ancestor an illegitimate brother of Queen Mary.  Implicated in the rebellion of 1715, under the lead of the elder pretender David Stuart fled to Virginia, where he was engaged as tutor in the family of Mr. Brent, of Richland, Prince William county; Mr. Brent had married a Miss Gibbons (sister of Sir John Gibbons, member of Parliament for Middlesex) and her sister being at the time on a visit to Virginia, Stuart succeeded in winning her affections, and she married him.


Monday, August 19, 2019

Amanuensis Monday: Deed: Meyer/Cather/Merchant/Pridmore to Ayres (Stone House) (1902)

Deed:  Meyer to Ayers
PWCo Deed Book 51, page 26
20 September 1902

THIS DEED made this 20th. day of September, in the year 1902; between Henry A. M[e]yer and Irene E, his wife, William H. Cather and Mary E., his wife, Benjamin N. Merchant and May B. his wife and John B. Pridmore, the heirs at law of Benson L. Pridmore decd. of the first part, and Henry J. Ayres of the secon dpart;

Witnesseth: -- that the said parties of the first in consideration of the sum of One thousand six hundred dollars in hand paid to them by the said Ayers, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained and sold and do by these presents give, grant, bargain, sell and convey with general warranty, unto the said Ayers, all that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate in the county of Prince William, containing 164-3/4 acres, and is composed of the following tracts of land, to wit;

1st. a tract of land lying in the said county, known as the "Stone House property" on both sides of the Warrenton and Alexandria turnpike, and adjoining the lands of Henry F. Lynn, James Robinson, Martin Matthew, and others, and on the east of Sudley Mill and Manassas road and containing 137 acres more or less; and is the same land conveyed to the said Benson L. Pridmore decd. by George E. Starbuck by deed of bargain and sale recorded in the county court of the said county in LIber 33 page 147.

2nd. A certain tract of land lying in the said county on Youngs Branch, and containing 21 acres and 31 poles, and is the same land conveyed to the said Benson L. Pridmore decd. by Q. L. Sanford, by deed of bargain and sale recorded in the said county in Liber 32 page 614, and the

3rd. A part of the tract of land known as "Rosefield" of which John D. Dogan died seized and possessed, and contains 6-1/2 acres more or less and is the same land conveyed to the said Benson L. Pridmore decd. by John Cross and wife by deed of bargain and sale recorded in the said county court in Liber 34 page 509.

And the parties of the first part covenant that they have the right to convey the said tract of land, that they have done no act to encumber the same, and that they will execute such further assurances as may be requisite.  Witness the following signatures and seals.

Henry A. Meyer
Irene E. Meyer
William H. Cather
Mollie E. Cather
B. N. Merchant
M. B. Merchant
John Benj. Pridmore


In Clerks Office Prince William County, September 20th. 1902.

This Deed from Meyer wife & c. to Ayres, was received, acknowledged by the grantors, and admitted to record.

Teste.

Edwin Nelson, Clk.


Sunday, August 18, 2019

Sunday's Obituary: George L. Herndon

West Virginian (Fairmont, WV)
19 September 1918

GEO. L. HERNDON TO BE BURIED AT ROMNEY

George Love Herndon, for several years a resident of this city, died yesterday at his home on Fairmont avenue, after a few weeks' illness. Several years ago Mr. Herndon was stricken with paralysis, from the effects of which he had never recovered.  He also suffered from Bright's disease which was primarily the cause of his death.

Mr. Herndon was born in Fa[u]quier county, Virginia, in 1851, and later resided at Luray, Va. His father was the first Baptist minister in that section of Virginia. His mother was Elizabeth June Tyler, a daughter of Judge William Monroe Tyler, of Prince William county, Virginia.

Mr. Herndon is survived by his wife, who was befor eher marriage Miss Mary Agnes Bonney, and four children, R. B. Herndon, of Palmer, W. Va.; Mrs. A. E. Anderson, of Denver, Col., and Miss Rachel Herndon, of this city.

Funeral services were held this morning at 10:30 o'clock at the residence, conducted by the Rev. H. G. Stoetzer, of the First Presbyterian church. The body was taken to Romney, Hampshire county, on the 12:15 train, where interment will be made.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Wedding Wednesday/PWCo Items: Manassas (21 October 1917)

Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
21 October 1917

MANASSAS

[Special to the Times-Dispatch.]

MANASSAS, VA. October 20 -- Miss Ruth Althea Round, second daughter of Lieutenant and Mrs. George Carr Round, and Allison A. Hooff were quietly married here on Monday evening at the home of the bride, by Rev. J. F. Burks, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. After a Northern wedding tour they will return to the Hooff residence, in Grant Avenue, Manassas. The bride is a graduate of the Manassas High School and the State Normal School, at Harrisonburg. She has been instructor of physical education at the Orthopedic Hospital, at White Plains, N.Y.; the Binford High School at Richmond, and the Harrisonburg Normal. Mr. Hooff, who is a native of Charles Town, W. Va., is the junior partner in a Manassas lumber firm.

Dr. and Mrs. William J Bell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Tuesday evening at their home, near Brentsville, Prince William County, five children and ten of their twenty-five grandchildren being present. Dr. and Mrs. Bell are natives of Augusta County, Mrs. Bell before her marriage having been Miss. Mary Agnes Patterson. Dr. Bell served in the Confederate army.

The Manassas Good Housekeepers' Club was entertained on Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Thomas F. Coleman.

The Manassas Chapter of the American Red Cross has elected the following officers: chairman, George G. Tyler, clerk of Prince William County; vice-chairman, Mrs. George T. Lyon; treasurer, L. Frank Pattie, cashier of the National Bank of Manassas; secretary, Miss Mary Larkin, editor of the Manassas Journal, and executive committee, W. C. Wagener, Mayor of Manassas; Mrs. C. M. Larkin, principal of the Manassas graded school; Mrs. C. R. C. Johnson, Mrs. R. S. Hynson, and Mrs. J. F. Burkes, wife of the rector of Trinity Church.

Mrs. James F. Birkett has returned from an extended stay in Rupert, Idaho, where she was the guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Lee Lewis.

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Larkin attended the State Fair at Richmond, and visited their son, Private Francis Norvell Larkin, at Camp Lee.

Miss Marianna Speiden, of Washington, was the recent guest of her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Speiden.

Miss Mary Lee Chapman has returned from Roanoke, where she was the guest of her grandmother, Mrs. Martha Chapman.


Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Tombstone Tuesday: John Frank Dogan / Edith May Leachman

Sudley Methodist Church Cemetery (Photo: C. G. Lynn)

JOHN FRANK DOGAN
Sept. 20, 1949
May 5, 1923

EDITH MAY LEACHMAN
His Wife
May 15, 1857
June 7, 1945

Edith May Leachman was the daughter of John Thomas and Elizabeth (Lewis) Leachman.  John Frank Dogan was the son of William Henry and Lucinda Dogan.  They were married 30 April 1890 in PWCo.




Monday, August 12, 2019

Military Monday: Deserted (1779)

Virginia Gazette
2 October 1779

August 29, 1779.

DESERTED, three of the recruits from Prince William county, to wit: ANDREW MURPHEY, an Irishman, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, well made, black hair, a large black beard, had on a round hat, brown cloth sailors jacket, check shirt, and a pair of osnabrug trowslers. JAMES MILLER, an Englishman, 5 feet 8 inches high, of a swarthy complexion, short brown hair, curls before, well made, had on a white coarie cloth jacket, cotton shirt, and osnabrug trowsers. ROBERT WOODERFIELD, an Englishman, 5 feet 11 inches high, fair complexion, short light hair, well made, much given to liquor, lost his foreteeth, had on an old white shirt slit on the shoulders, a pair of bed ticking trowsers, and a pair of old shoes. Any person apprehending the above deserters, shall receive 150 dollars, or 50 dollars for each upon delivery to

WILLIAM LINTON