Deed: Myer & c. to Ayers: Stone House

Myer &c. to Deed. Ayers
PWCo Deed Book 51, pg. 26

THIS DEED made this 20th day of September, in the year 1902; between Henry A. Myer 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 second party;

Witnesseth:- that the said parties of the first part 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

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 (seal)
Irene E. Meyer (seal)
William H. Cather (seal)
B. N. Merchant (seal)
M. B. Merchant (seal)
John Benj. Pridmore (seal)

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

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

Teste.

Edwin Nelson, Clerk

Newspaper Tidbit: Horseshoe Pitching (1930)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
2 July 1930

There's lots of horseshoe pitching down in Prince William County, Va., according to Maj. Fred W. Patterson, the county chairman, with headquarters at Manassas.

Haymarket lost a capable tournament manager in Eppa Hunt, through illness, but Maj. Patterson has found a promising successor in J. T. Carter.  Carter is touting Wade Butler, county champion, to repeat.

Catharpin will make its debut this year in metropolitan competition. Interest there is keen.

Among the formidable candidates for Butler's crown already signed up are Horace Foley, Albert Utterback, B. C. Smith, Will Brower, W. M. Jordan, Charles J. Gillis, C. L. Rector, Douglas Hoffman and Rev. Charles F. Phillips.

"The Village Blacksmith" had his anvil beneath a spreading chestnut tree and this gave an idea to Elmer Hopkins, chairman of New Hampshire Avenue and Longfellow preliminary. Elmer's gonna pitch a court beneath a giant tree in back of Matt Doetsch's home.

He promises this to be one of the hottest neighborhood events in the Metropolitan tournament. In the score of more pitchers, who will take part there isn't one that stands out above the other.

Until today the boys were pitching discarded mule boots. Late this afternoon they were to christen a set of regulation octigans.

Regulation horseshoes, by the way, are on sale at all sports goods houses and some hardware stores.

Entries in Washington close July 9. There will be no grace.

Will: Gerard Weston

Nuncupative Will of Gerard Weston
PWCo Will Book M, pg. 438

I do hereby certify that I was called on by Gerard Weston of the County of Prince William, & State of Virginia, in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan & County & State aforesaid on the 24th February 1826. To bear evidence after his death that all his personal property & all his effects of every discription & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Weston as his lasts will and testament. Given under my hand this 8th March 1826.

Philip Deakins

I do hereby certify that I was called on by Gerard Weston of the County of Prince William & State of Virginia in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan and County & State aforesaid on the 4th March 1826. To bear evidence after his death that all his personal property and all effects of every discription & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Wiston as his last will & testament and the said Gerard Wiston died on the 5th March 1826. Given under my hand this 8th March 1826.

Joseph Anderson

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County this 7th day of August 1826. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Elijah Wood & Sally Wood next of kin of Gerard Weston deceased has been duly summoned to appear here on the 1st day of this Court, persuant to an order of the last June term of this Court to Contest the nuncupative Will of the said Gerard Weston deceased and the said Will being proved by the oaths of Philip Deakins and Joseph Anderson witnesses thereto, according to law and the effect following that is to say that they were called on by the said Weston in his last illness in his own house in the Town of Occoquan & County & State aforesaid on the 4th March 1826, to bear evidence after his death that all his personal property & all effects of every discription, & all moneys then in his possession he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth Weston as his last will & testament and the said Gerard Weston died on the 5th March 1826. The same is admitted to record.

Teste,   P. D. Dawe   Ct clr

Mystery Monday: James Hunter

Daily National Intelligencer 
25 March 1830

INFORMATION WANTED

Of JAMES HUNTER, of Dumfries, Prince William County, Va. son of John and Joanna Hunter, and who is by trade a Millwright and Thrashing Machine builder, left that place several years ago, and has since only been heard of by a few letters from Charleston, S.C.  Any person who can give information of the said James Hunter will relieve the mind of his disconsolate sister by addressing a letter through the Post Office to Joseph Polette, Adjutant General's Office, Washington City, D.C.

-->  Editors of papers in the Southern States will do a charitable act to copy the above.

march 17:

Sunday's Obituary: Lloyd E. Spittle (1941)

Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
14 March 1941

LLOYD E. SPITTLE

Lloyd E. Spittle, 59, a retired structural engineer, died yesterday at Lakeside Hospital.

Mr. Spittle was born in Prince William County, Virginia, and was connected with the George A. Fuller Co. of New York when he same [sic] to Cleveland in 1915. He worked for the H. K. Fuller Co., general contractors, for two years prior to his retirement in 1932.

He was a member of Coeur de Leon Commandery, Knights Templar, and Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge of Alexandria, Va., and Al Koran Temple of the Shrine here.

Mr. Spittle lived at 1183 E. 105th Street.  He is survived by his wife, Agnes Lee, and his son, Lloyd C.  Funeral services will be conducted by the lodge and commandery in Alexandria on Monday.

Inventory of George Chapman (enslaved persons only) (1829)

Inventory of George Chapman in Fauquier (partial - enslaved persons only)
PWCo Will Book N, pg. 356
14 December 1829

Negroes at Meadowville

Winney old valued at nothing
Hannah old valued at ... $10
Jarrett old valued at nothing
Dick valued at ... $50
Edmond valued at ... $225
Milley ... $150
Mima & Child ... $300
Mariah & Child ...$300
Matilda ... $300
Soyntha ... $275
Bill ... $100
Rush ... $300
Eliza ... $200
Jeffrey ... $200
Israel ... $250
Jim ... $200
William ... $150
Winney ... $120
Joshua ... $120
Lucy & Child ... $175
Moses ... $200
Isaac ... $100
Silas ... $75
Alfred ... $150
Lucinda ... $150
Shadrac ... $200
Charity ... $300

[Total] $4600

... In pursuance of the annexed order to us directed we have appraised the foregoing property belonging to the estate of George Chapman decd. in Fauquier County as shown to us by W. Pearson Chapman his Executor. Given under our hands this 14th day of December 1829.

Sylvester Welsh Senr.
Wm. Byrne
Rob. E. Peyton
Weedon Spenny

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County the 1st day of August 1832

This Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of George Champan decd. in Fauquier County was returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste,  P. D. Dawe   Ct. Cur.


Inventory of George Chapman in Prince William (partial - enslaved persons only)
PWCo Will Book N, pg. 358
16 December 1829

At Thoroughfare & farm adjoining

Negroes

Bill Curry ... $100
Bob ... 400
Winney & Child    250
Matilda ... 300
Julianne ... 200
Jim ... 250
Puss ... 200
Tom ... 200
George ... 125
Ben ... 80
Letty ... 250
Harriet & Child ... 250
Sarah Anne ... 175
Pug ... 150
Washington ... 100
John ... 50
Kitty & Child ... 250
William ... 200
Susannah ... 75
Fredonia ... 50
Louisa & Child ... 300
William (Pierce) ... 125
Elias ... 200
Mary ... 250
Nancy ... 180
Abernago ... 450
Billy Buck ... 450
Abraham ... 450
Armistead ... 450
Dick ... 400
John (from Meadowville) ... 325
Simon ... 300
Jinney ... 54
Aggy  Child ... 325
Celia ... 300
Martin ... 450
Peggy ... 200
Malvina ... 200
Hannah ... 175
Nat ... 100
Joshua ... 125
Gula ... 75
Harriet with white swelling blank --
Fanny ... 250
Sukey old blank --

[Total] $9789

Wednesday's Child: Maurice Lee Dewey (1892)

Alexandria Gazette
16 July 1892

DIED.

Saturday, July 9th. 1892, at 1:55 p.m., MALCOLM GOULDING, fifth son of Edward S. and Mary G. Fawcett, aged 17 months and 17 days.  [Richmond papers please copy.

Near Woodbridge, Friday evening, July 15th, MAURICE LEE, infant son of Edward and Almeda Dewey, aged 1 month and 6 days. Interment in Prince William county, Va., Sunday the 17th instant.

Mystery Monday: Man Dead for Years Discovered in Well (1945)

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
3 July 1945

MAN DEAD FOR YEARS DISCOVERED IN WELL

The skeleton of a man dead anywhere from 7 to 20 years has been found in the bottom of a well near Quantico, Va., Virginia State police revealed today, as they began an investigation of the identity of the dead man.

The bones were discovered yesterday by a farm worker who was cleaning a well in the Dumfries district of Prince William County.

Dr. E. H. Marsteller, Prince William County coroner, who said a box of bones had been brought to him by the State police for examination, reported he had found no marks of violence on the skull.

Efforts to identify the man brought Captf E. J. McDermott and State Trooper E. H. Howe of the State police to Arlington, where they were closeted for an hour with Capt. Hugh Jones, Arlington detective chief.  Identification Officer Walter Bell also was in on the conference.

It was learned that a watch was found with the bones.

Sunday's Obituary: John D. Chichester

Evening Star (Washington, DC)
9 December 1904

Death of John D. Chichester

John D. Chichester of Birmingham, Ala., died at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, Monday last. He had been a patient there suffering from a complication of diseases for about two weeks. Mr. Chichester was well known in this city. He is a brother of Mrs. William A. Linton, Mrs. Charles H. Halphead, Mrs. Edwin B. Craine, Miss Julia Chichester and of James M. Chichester of Richmond, Charles R. Chichester and G. PIckett Chichester, both of Fauquier county, Va.

The deceased was a native of Prince William county, Va., but about twenty years ago went to Birmingham, Ala., where his energy and enterprise soon placed him at the front among its enterprising business men. He was a leading spirit in many undertakings that have placed the iron city of the south where it is today, and his death will prove to be a distinct loss to that community. He was ill about nine weeks. With him in his last hour were his wife and two sons, his brother James of Richmond and Mr. William A. Linton, his brother-in-law, of this city. 

The remains have been conveyed to his late home in Birmingham.

Newspaper Tidbit: Holds Family Reunion (Shumate) (1930)

Manassas Journal (Manassas, VA)
13 July 1939

HOLDS FAMILY REUNION

The home of Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Shumate of Dumfries, was the scene of a family reunion on Sunday, July 8. The guests for dinner included Mr. and Mrs. F. N. Keys and family and Mr. E. H. Keys of Joplin, Va., Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Keys, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dove, Mr. A. J. Kincheloe, Mr. Stanley Keys and Miss Eula Shaw, all of Alexandria, Va., Mr. and Mrs. James Keys and children, of Philadelphia, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Keys and children of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Chandler, of Richmond, Mr. Virgil Abel, of Quantico, Mr. Stephen Lucas, of New Jersey, Mr. Turner, of Dumfries, Mr. Roberts, of South Carolina, Mr. Moone, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Schulizke, of Dumfries, Mr. Godfrey, of Pennsylvania, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Cato and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Keys, Mr. Vivian Rainey, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Smith and children, Louise Margaret and Edna Green, Mr. and Mrs. Noel Roberts and son, Mr. Bernard Kincheloe, and Mr. David Cline.

Later during the evening other relatives, who dropped in, were Mr. and Mrs. Magruder Keys and Patricia, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Brawner and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ruel Waters and family, Mr. and Mrs. Winter Keys and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Keys and son of Fredericksburg, Mrs. Grover King, Mrs. Warfield Brown and daughter, Mrs. Kate Keys, Mr. Wilson Kincheloe, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Russell, of Manassas, Mr. and Mrs. Oertley Davis, of Washington, and Mr. Jim Russell, of Canova. Delicious refreshments were served on the lawn by the hostess, assisted by her sister, Mrs. Cato.

Friend of Friends Friday: Ran Away: Mason and Spencer (1835)

Daily Globe (Washington, DC)
16 January 1835

$200 REWARD

RAN AWAY from the farm of the subscriber in Prince William county, Va. near Buckland, on the night of the 24th ultimo, two negro men, named MASON and SPENCER. Mason is a stout well set fellow, about five feet two or four inches high, quite black, and very likely; Spencer is a stout well formed fellow, near six feet high, of a light complexion, and has a heavy walk, seeming to drag his feet after him. These boys had various kinds of clothing, which it is impossible to describe: their clothes furnished them on the farm consisted of a dark shaggy cloth roundabout and homemade pantaloons of a dark color.

I will give $100 for the apprehension of either of these boys if taken out of the STate -- $50 for either if taken in any county in the State other than Fauquier and Prince William, and $25 if taken in either of those counties, and double those sums for both, if so detained that I get them again.  They left the farm without any cause whatever, and it is impossible to imagine what route they have taken: the presumption is, they are making their way to Pennsylvania.

N. TYLER
Warrenton, Fauquier county, Va.,

Jan. 3


Mason and Spencer are about 22 or 23 years of age. Since the above was written, I have had reason to believe that a boy belonging to William Stuart, of Fauquier county, accompanied my boys. His name is Parker, he is about 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, spare and straight, and supposed to be about 20 years of age.

Jan. 6 - 2awd&ctf.

Wedding Wednesday: Green/Dowell (1919) - Lynn/Thompson (1909)

Daily Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
28 February 1919

WEDDINGS AND ENGAGEMENTS

Fredericksburg, Va., Feb. 27 -- Miss Lelia M. Green, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen H. Green, of Prince William County, and Dr. W. Fred Dowell, of Manassas, were united in marriage at the home of the bride's parents Tuesday night. The bride is a granddaughter of MRs. Belle Montague, of this city, and the groom is leading druggist of Manassas.

Washington Herald (Washington, DC)
6 June 1909

The marriage of Miss Pearl Lynn, of Prince William County, Va., and Mr. Ernest A. Thompson, of Charles County, Md., took place here on Wednesday by Rev. W. D. Kean, pastor of the Southern Methodist Church. Early in the week Miss Maud E. Bryant and Mr. John Talbert, young Washingtonians, were married here by the Rev. S. R. White.  Among others to whom marriage licenses were issued here during the week are the following: Miss Lulah G. Percy, of Lanconing, Md., and B. Ernest Manual, of Takoma Park; Miss Rosa Belle Sherwood and Erasmus Stribling, both of Richmond, Va., and Miss Ethel L. Phillips, of seattle, Wash., and Oliver L. Denslow, of Widana, Mich.

Deed: Inquisition on Rice's Land (1808)

Inquisition on Rice's Land
PWCo Deed Bk 3, pg. 379

INQUISITION INDENTED and taken this fourteenth day of April Anno Domini 1808 at the Court House of Prince William County Between Philip D. Dawe Escheater for the Commonwealth of Virginia in and for the County aforesaid of the one part and George Williams, Samuel Davis, Wm. Keys, Benjamin Cole, Samuel Ashton, Noah Maddox, Benjamin Carney, James Holliday, George Cockrell, John Lowe, Thos. Jacob, Joseph Gilbert, John Watson, Wm. Cocke, Wm. Farrow and Beverly R. Wagener, good and lawful men and freeholders of the same County impannelled by the Sheriff of the same County and duly sworn, Witnesseth that the same good and lawful men so impannelled and sworn as aforesaid do find that Francis Rice late of the Borough of Norfolk dies siezed in fee simple of a tract of land containing one hundred and forty acres more or less lying near Dumfries in Prince Wm. County commonly called Grays that by his will duly proved and recorded in the Borough Court of Norfolk he devised said land to his wife Elizabeth Rice during her life and after her death to any children of the said Elizabeth that she might have after his the said Francis's death and if she should die without having such issue then to his the said Rice's surviving brothers and sisters, that said Elizabeth died sometime in the year 1804 -- without having any issue and that the brothers and sisters of the said Francis Rice appear to us to be aliens, It also does not appear to the jurors and Escheater aforesaid that the wife of the said Rice was a Citizen or that she hath relatives citizens of any of the United States of America, Therefore forasmuch as the said Francis Rice died without heir citizen of this Commonwealth or of the United States of America capable of holding the said before mentioned tract of land, that the same Escheated to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to the same Commonwealth doth of right belong. We accordingly do escheat the same, Witness the hands and seals of the Escheator and of the jurors aforesaid the day and year above written.

Phil. D. Dawe
Geo. Williams
Saml. Davis
William Keys
Benjamin Cole
Saml. Ashton
Benjamin Carney
James Holliday
George Cockrell
John Lowe
Thomas Jacob
Joseph Gilbert
John Watson
William Cocke
William Farrow
B. N. Wagener

N.B. The within mentd. land was purchased by William Savage of David Bland Deed recorded in the County Court of Prince Wm. in the year 1779, Savage devised his Estate to Edward Rice his will recorded in the General Court in 1789 Edwd. Rice devised hsi EState to Francis Rice within named his will recorded in the District Court held at Suffolk in 1801. Francis Rice devised it as writhin.

Phil. D. Dawe   Escheator for Prince Wim. County

At a Court held for Prince William County, May 2nd 1808

This Inquisition on Francis Rice's land in Prince Wm. County was returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste  J. Williams   cl cur

Will: Elizabeth Whiting

Will of Elizabeth Whiting
PWCo. Will Book K, pg. 99

I Elizabeth Whiting of Snow Hill, Prince William County being of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following ~ Imprimis, whereas upon my marriage to my much beloved Husband Mr. Matthew Whiting deceased I was seized of several Tracts of Land which he afterwards found it necessary to dispose of and did sell to sundry persons under a promise that the title should be made complete in the Purchasers by my joining in the conveyances, which has not been done in compliance with my said Husbands promise, and the expectation which has thereby been exhibited, I do hereby declare that the said sales have been sanctioned by me and do hereby for myself & my heirs, relinquish all claim to all and every Tract that was sold by  him in which I was interested, and in the conveyance whereof, I have joined. To this act I am the more inclined, from a promise that it should be done made by me to my said beloved Husband, who has consequently disposed of his Estate by his Will agreeably to my Wishes.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Executor in trust for Cecelia G. Brooke, Wife Mr. Matthew W. Brooke of Page Land two negro girls Sarah and Celea grand daughters of my Woman Pegg, which negro girls I desire may be subject to my said neices disposed either by deed or by Will and if my said neice should die without making such disposition or without having any children of her own to inherit them, I desire that Sarah may go to her neice Cecelia Beverley, Whiting, and Celea to go to Ann daughter of Mr. Lewis B. Whiting.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neice Eliza Francis Carter my negro girl Eliza, daughter of Pegg, and all her and her future increase (except Letty Felicia Corbin) to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neice Elizabeth Alexander wife of Mr. Gerrard Alexander my servant girl Fanny granddaughter of Pegg and all her future increase to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my neices Seniora Brown, Sarah Scott and Maria Whiting, each the Sum of eighty five pounds to be laid out by them in a negro girl, which sum is to be raised by my Executor from the sale of such property as is herein after directed to be sold, and to be paid when the same shall be so-raised.

Item. Whereas my beloved Husband in his life time did verbally give to my dear little Toz Edmonia Brooke the little girl called Letty Felicia Corbin, granddaughter of Pegg, I desire that the said girl shall belong to her and this bequest being in conformity to his wish, which he neglected to fulfill by a deed of conveyance, I desire that the said Toz Edmonia Brooke may nevertheless share equally with the granddaughters of my Sister Brown in the distribution of that portion of my Estate hereinafter bequeathed to them.

Item the above named negroes that are specially bequeathed are all descended from Pegg, and are subjected by my beloved Husband's Will to my disposal. Those to whom they are given (except Toz. Edmonia Brooke) are not to share with those herein after named in any other part of my EState, being greater share than some of the rest will have

Item. I give and bequeath to my nephew Matthew Whiting Brooke my servant boy Zachary, son of Pegg, whom he has taken as a Waiting Man, together with Zachary's wife Lizza, her child Fenton Meveer, and all her future increase. In the division which is directed by his uncle's Will of the slaves between the said Matthew W. Brooke and myself, the negro boy Jerry is given to my said Nephew which boy he will have no hesitation to give in exchange for Zachary and his Wife and Children so given him by me. To my said Nephew Matthew W. Brooke, I also give and bequeath the following property viz., a little boy called Richard, grandson of Pegg, which boy I desire he may keep as a Waiting Man in remembrance of me. I give to him also all the household and kitchen furniture, with all the plantation and farming utensils, carts, and waggons, and one half of all the stocks of every kind on the farm also the gold watch which was worn by his Uncle, and which, in his life time he expressed a wish that Matt should have after his death.

Item. I give and bequeath all the slaves not before given away, that I may be entitled to upon a division with my Nephew Matthew W. Brooke with the other half of my stocks of every kind, to be equally divided among my neices, Martha Lavinia Brown, and all the granddaughters of my Sister Brown, not before excluded from a participation in the bequest, and in order that this division (may) be rendered easy, and made equal, I direct that the said negroes and stocks may be sold by my Executor on a credit of six months and that the money (after raising the legacies given to Seniora Brown, Sarah Scott and Maria Whiting) to be equally divided between them by paying the same to their Father, Mother or Guardian.

Item if any of my neices to whom I have given specific legacies die before I do, or any of the residuary legatees die before I do, I direct that such legacies as are left them go into the residue of my Estate and be equally divided as I have before directed the residue of my Estate to be.

Item it is my will and desire that the hands belonging to me and the stocks on the Farm, may be kept together by my Executor to finish the crops that may be growing at the time of my decease, and the Proceeds of such crop and the crop that may be upon hand unsold, may be applied in the first place to the payment of such debts as I may owe ~ in the next place to the payment of such debts as may be due from the Estate of my much beloved Husband in the next place to the discharge of the legacies left by him, and if there be any surplus, that, the same be equally distributed among the granddaughters of my Sister Brown (except those before excepted) and my neice Martha Lavinia Brown.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my friend and relation Edmund Brooke Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 29 of Apl. 1811.

Elizabeth Whiting {seal}

Signed sealed and declared as the last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Whiting in presence of
J. Scott, Edw. Carter, E. Brooke
Lewis B. Whiting, Josiah Tidball

Before the above Will was signed I wish it to be notified and remembered that in the bequest of the residue of my slave and half stocks to granddaughters of my Sister Brown that now are to be included that are not now in being that is at the time of the execution of this Will.

Elizabeth Whiting {seal}

At a Court for Quarterly Sessions held for Prince Wm. County, August 5th 1811.

This last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Whiting decd was presented to the Court by Edmund Brooke (the) Executor therein named who made oath to the same according to law, and the said Will being proved by the oaths of Josiah Tidball & Lewis B. Whiting is ordered to be recorded. And the said Edmund Brooke having taken the oath of an Executor and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, J. Williams   Cl.

Sunday's Obituary: Walter Able (1911)

Alexandria Gazette
11 February 1911

DIES WITH SONG ON LIPS

Returning to his home, near Dumfries, Wednesday afternoon, from Manassas, where he had been to witness the marriage of his niece, Miss Eva B. Able, to his brother-in-aw, Mr. Richard Randall, at the Lutheran parsonage, Mr. Walter Able, familiarly known in the neighborhood of Dumfries as "Tad," was stricken with apoplexy and died in the arms of Clement Johnson, who was driving the wedding party.

The jolly wedding party were nearing Independent Hill, when the death summons came to the victim, who was singing one of his favorite songs, which the writer often heard him sing when the war clouds hung over Dumfries.  It was then that Mr. Able's father threw open his home to shelter the writer and other members of the family when his childhood home was being plundered and farm products destroyed by the invading foe.  -- [Manassas Journal.

Newspaper Tidbit: PWCo Item - (April 1876)

Alexandria Gazette
13 April 1876

Letter from Prince William County
[Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette]

MANASSAS, April 12.  Easter will be observed with appropriate services in the M. E. Church at this place, Rev. Mr. Otis preaching in the morning and the pastor at night. The month of May will be devoted entirely to special and appropriate services for young people.

Mr. [sic] Elizabeth B. Mitchell, consort of Geo. W. Mitchell, was born in Warren county, N.J.  She united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and ever lived a consistent and faithful member of the same. She died on Sunday evening at 7 1/2 o'clock, and was buried from her home on the 12th.  The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Charles King to a large and deeply-sympathizing audience.

Rev. Charles Nourse, of Georgetown, lectures on temperance at the Presbyterian Church next Saturday night. The recent effort to crush the leaders of this movement has not only failed, but has resulted disastrously to those engaged in it.

D. W. Whiting has resigned the Mayoralty of Manassas, and his paper, the Manassas Gazette, is in the hands of Constable Weeden.

K.

Will: Elizabeth Green

Will of Elizabeth Green
PWCo Will Book N, pg. 274

I Elizabeth Green of Prince William County Virginia do ordain, constitute, and appoint this my last Will and Testament.

In the first place my desire is that all my debts (which are few and small) be paid then in the second place I give, and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Frances E. Green all my property both real, and personal, consisting of one tract of land of between one & two hundred acres which joins P. Warder Doct Thos. Ewell decd. & Thompson Green decd. One negro woman Amy & child, one negro boy, Walt, and one small boy Ferdinand, and also all the little stock and furniture, and money which may be due me, & P. Warder Ext.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 5th July 1830.

Elizabeth [X her mark] Green {seal}

Teste,
P. Warder
Jesse Green
Mary B. Green


At a Court held for Prince William County the 6th day of September 1830.  This last will and testament of Elizabeth Green decd. was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of Philip Warder and Jesse Green, is ordered to be recorded, and Philip Warder the Executor therein named came into Court and made oath to the same according to law, and having taken the oath of an Extr. and performed what is usual in such cases Certificate is granted for him to obtain a probate thereof in due form.

Teste, P. D. Dawe   Ct. Cur.

Deed: John Dye Sr. to Benjamin Pridmore

Deed: John Dye Sr. & Wife to Benjamin Pridmore
PWCo Deed Book 3, pg. 127

This Indenture made this twenty seventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Six between John Dye Senr. of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia and Elizabeth his wife of the one part and Benjamin Predmore of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Dye for and in consideration of two hundred and ninety one pounds of Lawful money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Benjamin Predmore the receipt whereof the said John Dye doth hereby acknowledge hath granted bargained and sold aliened and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell alien and confirm unto the said Benjamin Predmore his heirs and assigns forever, one hundred and fifty acres of land the same being a part of the land I purchased of William Matthews which was devised to him by his father and purchased it from Will Bean to whom a Patent issued in the year 1726 for 453 acres lying in the County of Prince William and bounded as followeth Viz.

Beginning at a Box Oak marked W, C, supposed to be in a line of the Patent thence N32, W153 pole, to a large red oak thence N 31 1/2-W163 pole to a Stone in the Dumfries Road in the angle of a large red & white oak, thence up the said Road N75 W22 pole thence S26 3/4 W133 pole to the South line of the Patent, Thence with the said line S30 E113 pole to a small hickory supposed to be near where the original original corner stood Thence N84 1/2 East 147 1/2 pole to the first station. With all and singular the appurtenances in any wise belonging or appertaining to the same as fully as if the same were herein mentioned and expressed.  To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with all and singular the appurtenances to the said Benjamin Predmore his heirs and assigns forever.

And the said John Dye doth hereby covenant for himself his heirs Executors, and admrs. that it shall and may be lawfull for the said Benjamin Predmore peaceably and quietly to enter or hold and enjoy the said tract or parcel of land free from the lawful let hindrance or interruption of him the said John Dye or Elizabeth his wife or any person or persons claiming by under or in trust for him her or any of them and shall so remain free defended and indemnified from and against all former alienations, gifts, sales, mortgages and charges had or suffered by the said John Dye or Elizabeth his wife or by his or her ancestors or any of them. And the said John Dye for himself and his heirs the said tract or parcel of land and every part thereof against him and his heirs and against all and every person or persons whatsoever to the said Benjamin Predmore his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.  In Witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

John [his mark] Dye {seal}
Elizabeth [her mark] Dye {seal}

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
Chas. Ewell, Alexr. Bruce, Griffin Matthews, Thomas Larkin, John H. Dye


The Commonwealth of Virginia, to Alexander Bruce and Charles Ewell Gentlemen, Greeting: Whereas John Dye Senr. and Elizabeth his wife by their certain Deed of Bargain & Sale dated the 27th day of March 1806 have sold and conveyed unto Benj. Predmore the fee simple estate of and in one hundred and fifty one acres situate in the County of Prince William and Commonwealth aforesaid; and whereas the said Elizabeth Dye cannot Conveniently travel to the County Court of Prince William aforesaid, to make acknowledgement of the same, therefore power is hereby given unto you or any two of you, to receive the acknowledgment which the said Elizabeth Dye 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 Elizabeth Dye 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 thereof, under your seals, sending there this writ. Witness John Williams Clerk of our said Court, at the Court house thereof, this 17th day of March 1806 and in the thirtieth year of our Foundation.

J. Williams


Prince William County se.

In obedience to the within we the Subscribers have examined the within named Elizabeth Dye separately and apart from her husband the said John Dye and we do hereby certify that she did freely and voluntarily acknowledge the annexed Deed without any persuasions or threats of her said husband and that she is willing the same should be recorded in the County Court of Prince William.  Given under our hands and seals this 27th day of March 1806.

Chas. Ewell{seal}
Alexr. Bruce   {seal}


At a Court continued and held for Prince William County April 8th 1806

This Deed from John Dye Sr. & Elizabeth his wife to Benjamin Predmore was proved by the oaths of Charles Ewell, Thomas Larking & John Dye (together with a dedimus returned executed) & ordered to be recorded.

Teste, J. Williams  Cl Cur

Friend of Friends Friday: Renoe's Division of Slaves

Estate of William Renoe Division of Slaves

PWCo Will Book N, pg. 226

The undersigned commissioners appointed by an order of the County Court of Prince William dated the 4th day of January 1830 and hereto annexed, have proceeded to divide the slaves belonging to the Estate of William Renoe decd. between the heirs of said William Renoe as follows.

To William Florance in right his wife, Louisa.

Fanny and Child Mary	$225
Martha	150
Moses	35
Jesse	250
Bazil	180
William	35
Page	50
	$1025

To Elizabeth Renoe

Rachel	200
James	350
Howison	250
Emily	130
Sigismond	75
	$1005

 To George N. B. Renoe

Celia & child Catharine	$225
Henson	400
Daniel	100
Kemp	100
Mahala	150
	$975

The whole amount being $3005 each representatives part is $1001.66/100 2/3 therefore to make the part or lot of each representative equal William Florance is to pay to George N. B. Renoe $23 33/100 1/3 and Elizabeth Renoe is to pay to George N. B. Renoe $23 33/100 1/3 – all of which is respectfully reported.  Given under our hands this 1^st day of February 1830.

Chs. Hunton

Howson Hooe

Saml. Weaver

At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for Prince William County March 1^st 1830.

This division of William Renoe’s personal Estate was returned to the Court and ordered to be recorded.

Teste, P. D. Dawe   Ct. Cur.

Crime and Punishment: Arrests of Love, Stonnell (1863)

Alexandria Gazette

24 January 1863

Mr. Henry Love, and his two sons of Dumfries, Prince William county, Va., have been arrested and sent to the Old Capitol, in Washington, charged with aiding and abetting the Confederates in their late advance on Dumfries.

Rob. S. Stonnell, of Occoquan, has been arrested and required to give bail, for "useing seditious language and abusing President Lincoln."

Wedding Wednesday: May/Wheat (1899)

Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD)

1899 June 22

MAY-WHEAT

[Special to the Baltimore Sun]

FREDERICKSBURG, VA., June 21. -- At the home of Mr. R. B. Merchant, in this city, at 8 o'clock tonight, Mr. J. B. May, of Washington, D.C. and Miss Rachel Wheat, of Dumfries, Prince William county, were married, Rev. J. P. Stump officiating.  Miss Ella Merchant was maid of honor and Mr. George May, brother of the groom, best man.